The Better Paper Project was launched in April 2012 by Green America. This paper project empowers the magazine industry, including publishers, retailers and printers, to go green by using sustainable paper both recycled content and FSC certified. Green America will provide consulting and advice to its members to make the paper switch.
Once they have completed the program, they can use the logo of the Better Paper Project on the magazine itself or promotional materials.
What would your life look like if you were plastic free? It is hard to imagine with all the plastic packaging and consumer goods that are in our daily lives.
Plastics are not good for us. They have filled up our landfills. The EPA estimates that over 12% of our current waste stream is made up of plastics and of that the largest category of materials is food containers and packaging. Plastics are now in our ocean and have created their own island called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. And the health studies coming out about plastics, especially those that come into contact with food or beverage, have indicated initially they might be cancer-causing according to a Scientific America article. Although the plastics industry denies such reports it is understandable given that over 50% of industry’s revenues make up plastic packaging, according to the report, The Future of Plastics of Packaging.
A new trend is emerging to go plastic free. Essentially that means no product or good purchases that are made from or come in plastic packaging. If it sounds like this might be difficult, it is!
Here are a few resources that provide some tips and tricks on kicking the plastic habit!
- My Plastic Free: A blogger who is blogging about how she is going plastic free. She is in the process of publishing a book called ‘Plastic Free’.
- How We Tried to be Plastic Free: Rodale publishing did a blog in 2011 on attempts by their staff to be plastic free. A great idea for a company try to educate staff on plastic use.
- Life Without Plastic: A site that provides products that are all plastic free to help those who want to rid plastic from their lives.
- Life Less Plastic: A blogger, Jeanne Haegele who has been plastic free since 2007 and has her own journey described in her blog.
In spring, there is a high volume of pesticides and fertilizers being used to keep lawns green and weed free. Before using your normal chemicals, consider using green or natural alternatives.
Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are known carcinogens and have also been linked to asthma, birth defects and neurological disorders. (for more citations on health, visit the Kids for Saving the Earth). These chemicals are also affecting our wildlife too. Particularly our bee population which chemical pesticides have been proven to be one of the primary reasons we have had such decline in our bee populations. (To learn more visit E-Magazine’s article on Pesticide Linked to Honey Bee Deaths)
Here are some resources for natural pesticide and fertilizer use;
Tags: alternatives, chemicals, environmentally friendly, fertilizers, green, lawn care, natural, natural pesticides, organic, pest control, products, resources
Garden/ Lawn Care, Non Toxic Products | eco-officiency May 1, 2012 | 
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CompoKeeper is an indoor compost container that meets the objections many have about storing food waste inside homes or office buildings. The design includes a clamshell mechanism that creates an airtight seal in the compostable liner with it’s easy to use hand lever or foot pedal so odors can’t get out and pests can’t get in. When the bag is full the easy-grab tray assists one in removing a full, flimsy bag and carrying it out to the appropriate outdoor storage area. The CompoKeeper is made in Boulder, Colorado in three sizes and only available through online. There is also a coupon for $150 offered by the Boulder County Conservation Center is offering to businesses who sign up for a recycling or composting service.
If you are looking for some inspirational videos to celebrate Earth Day 2012, here are a few that are short and provide some moving messages on the environment and business sustainability.
Earth Day Video: This short five minute inspirational video was produced by the Bio Engineering Group and was developed in honor of Earth Day 2011. A great intro or ending to a sustainability presentation.
TED Talk: William McDonough: A 20 minute TED talk by William McDonough, author of Cradle to Cradle.
11th Hour: Compilation: This 13 minute compilation of The 11th Hour movie shows some good highlights from the movie which address the issues of a sustainable future on Earth.
Have you gotten your energy efficiency tax credit this year? The residential energy efficiency tax credit expired at the end of 2011 and so if you did do any residential energy efficiency home improvements (i.e. installed Energy Star Appliances) make sure you take the credit for 2011. You need to file the IRS form 5695 with your taxes. The renewable energy credit lasts through the year 2016. There are also state and local tax incentives with renewable energy.
Here are some resources that provide more detailed information on the tax incentives and rebates available with energy efficiency;
According to the EPA, of the nearly three thousand top selling chemicals in the U.S., only 7 percent have a full set of basic toxicity information. Most of the chemicals that are used in conventional cleaners have known carcinogens that are harmful to your family and pets. Not to mention the cleaners and chemicals that get into our potable water supply.
With your spring cleaning, try to use natural cleaners for your home. There are some great natural home cleaning products such as Method, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers found at your local natural food or hardware stores. The EPA also has a great guide on purchasing green cleaning products.
You can also try to make your own cleaners, and here are a few websites and articles that have some good information;
- In Natural Home and Garden, they had a great article, Naturally Clean Home, that provided receipts and ingredients to create your own natural cleaners. Good, clear and simple directions.
Sustainable Communities
A non profit organization helping to promote local communities to become more sustainable.
City of Portland
The Business Center of Portland has a simple and short sustainability plan example available. Portland has been rated as one of the greenest cities in America.
EPA for State and Local Governments
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a specific site of resources geared for all state and local governments to deal with climate change, energy efficiency, pesticides, pollution, transportation, waste and water. It also has a list of the local organizations that the EPA deals with that can be useful to local governments.
How to Make a Community Green
This free downloadable guide published by the U.S. EPA offers instructions on how local governments can create a sustainable plan.
Environmental Council of the States
This is a non- profit association of state environmental leaders. It provides a networking forum and resources for environmental and sustainability professionals within local state and city governments.
GreenPrint Denver
The local Denver, Colorado city sustainability program providing resources to its residents and local businesses. Here is a link to the City of Denver Climate Action Plan.
Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI)
A membership organization for all local governments who want to be more sustainable in their communities. The site offers tools, trainings, resources and network to local examples.
U.S. Government Sustainability Plans
As mandated by the Obama administration, each agency had to submit a sustainability plan on the Executive Order 13514. Each agencies sustainability plans can be accessed via the White House link.
GSA Strategically Sustainable
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has their own site on the initiatives that GSA is doing in regards to green building, green procurement, telework, waste management, sustainable travel and alternative fuel vehicles. GSA also commissioned a Sustainable Facilities tool that is free that helps to identify and prioritize cost effective green building strategies, both for federal and private buildings.
EPA Federal Government
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a page of resources dedicated for federal agencies and promoting sustainability and the environment.
Environment Canada
The Canadian government also has a terrific site on initiatives, plans, resources, publications on their national sustainability initiatives in Canada.
Systems thinking is one of those skills that seems to be missing from sustainability planning; partially because it is not widely taught nor discussed in business education. It is important with any business planning to understand systems thinking, leverage points and the cause and effect of all activities and possible initiatives, before implementation. Below are some good resources for systems thinking information.
Donella Meadows
One of the premier experts on systems thinking is Donella Meadows. A former Pew Scholar in Conservation and Environment she wrote an excellent article entitled “Places to Intervene in a System” which describes systems thinking as it relates to sustainability practices. Her book, Thinking in Systems is also an easy read to understand the basics.
The AtKisson Group
Alan AtKisson, a well regarded author and sustainability consultant based in Sweden, is well versed in systems thinking. His book and course, ISIS Accelerator is a process to help organizations use systems thinking to develop sustainability plans.
Pegasus Communications
Pegasus Communications is an organization that provides tools and resources for systems thinking and organizational learning. They have an annual conference every year on systems thinking and also publish books on the topic.
Learning for Sustainability
This site offers a realm of sustainability resources. In particular, they have a special page on systems thinking with links to various articles on systems thinking and practices.
