Aluminum Association Sets 75% Recycling Rate Goal by 2015
That is for beverage containers; the current rate is about 54%. 50 billion aluminum cans end up in landfills each year in America. The goal is to be met through partnerships, education, and additional options. See article for details.
California Launches Green Chemistry Program
This through the passage of two laws which will give research authority to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, policy advisement to officials by scientists, and a new online Toxics Information Clearinghouse for businesses and consumers. While great, it’s a simple first step and still far short of Europe’s REACH program.
Johnson Controls’ GreenPrint Consumer Education Portal
What else to call a website that educates the public on their environmental footprint in everyday life? See www.mygreenprint.org ; It’s interesting, but I must say that whenever I first come to a website and am asked to fill out a form before continuing, my willingness to proceed drops to the floor. What are you really doing with my data? In this case, even if the short form is meant to compare your score to others across the nation, put it at the very end dummy! You spent all this money with an agency to build your online education app, yet I’m quite curious how many really go pass that first hurdle you threw at them. Since it’s in flash, I hope the agency built some kind of measurement tool to ascertain that data. Sorry for the rant, but I hate poor information design especially when it’s for a good cause.
USDA Revises Rules on Organic Milk and Cow Grazing Requirements
Apparently there’s been many loopholes in the organic dairy market. The revisions would require that “the cows be on pasture at least half the year and get plenty of fresh grass.”
A Look Inside the Hazy World of Compostable Packaging
Despite the fanfare around bioplastics and a sustainable packaging industry with options galore, manufacturers and retail buyers are wary. This article goes in depth into the field. Fascinating!
5 Big U.S. Corporations Launch Climate Change and Energy Organization
Nike, Starbucks, Sun Micro, Timberland, and Levi Strauss joined together, in association with CERES, to create the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy. This org will aim to affect change in the industry and pursue legislation according to eight principles. See the article for details (via Environmental Leader).
AskNature.org Biomimicry Design Database
Sponsored by Autodesk (big design software firm), the website features design strategies inspired by nature and biology. http://asknature.org/
Ink Choices Affect Sustainable Packaging
This article goes into some depth, but here’s the gist: “A package’s composition includes the ink, and that influences recycling options…some [package printing] inks are even formulated for more seamless removal during the later manufacturing or recycling process”. Using low VOC inks is also important, not just for the environment but also for worker safety.
Sustainable Sourcing Guidelines for London 2012 Olympics
An official London Olympic committee published a first draft of purchasing guidelines for products and services, ensuring that they’re responsibly sourced and have a minimal environmental impact.
Makower’s Four Steps to Green Marketing
Another white paper by our main man Joel Makower. It’s an excerpt from his book (excellent btw), and reflects the approach taken at the consultancy GreenOrder, of which he’s a partner. The steps are: Credibility, Relevance, Effective messaging, and Differentiation. See the article for details.
Global Recycling Standard for Textiles Launched
By an organization called Control Union Certifications. No clue on their legitimacy or ability to effect change, but their certification is meant to identify by tiers the percentage of recycled fibers a material contains. This way manufacturers can back up claims they’re making, and purchasers can be more confident.
Interview: Amory Lovins on Energy Efficiency
He says it’s the key, and I believe him. Usually economics is the determinant if people use less of something. But while I’m usually a free marketer at heart, I have absolutely no faith that marketing “efficiency” nor economics will affect purchasing behavior anytime soon (great business cases are made in person after a scenario and cost/benefit analysis tailored to each circumstance). Let’s push stricter regulation and goals now. Heck, Wal-Mart is pushing this field in its own areas of interest.
Obama’s Environmental Policies Need to Address Human Behavior
A well written article by the Guardian, highlighting how regulation and legislative policies are helpful, but alone will not affect the real kind of systemic change needed. Human and business behavior needs to be influenced through psychology - a challenge indeed.
Star Index Helps Rate Sustainable Cities
An audacious and well-structured approach bringing together the USGBC and the Center for American Progress. Set to launch in 2010.
Big Drop in Recyclables Market
As reported a few weeks ago in the UK, the effects are hitting America too as the NY Times blog briefly reports.
Unions and Environmentalists Working Together Toward Change
The recent regulations at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach were helped pass through a unique partnership between union leaders and environmentalists. This LA Times article examines how traditionally these two parties have had conflicting interests in influencing business and politics, yet here they came together quite well.
Interview with Sustainable Designer, Nathan Shedroff
So I brought you his video presentation. But if you’re further interested in the subject, see the article for a pretty good interview.
Pre-Registration for REACH Ends December 1
The effect is that American chemical companies selling/exporting to Europe have to prove their products are safe. Some smaller firms will opt out. American public media has the complete story and audio podcast.
.
.
Au Revoir!
Hello Reader! If you’re new here (and like my writing!), you may want to subscribe in order to get the freshest doses of business & design. Choose from either the RSS feed or get an email subscription (daily or weekly option). Thanks for visiting!
