Wal-Mart USA Commits to Reduce Phosphates in Detergents 70% by 2011
According to the press release, “Phosphate compounds are a common water pollutant and can damage aquatic ecosystems by stimulating the growth of algae that depletes oxygen in the water for fish and plants. Phosphates from detergents are a significant contributor to phosphate-based water pollution.” They’re also committing to packaging reductions and more concentrated detergents (which I hope for effectiveness and user experience design sake, the packaging and instructions are crystal clear.
Amazon’s Frustration Free Packaging Example
Our sustainable packaging friend Rider Thompson shows in this photo and brief article how his ordered memory card arrived with minimal packaging - awesome! I swear there’s a real advantage in ordering small items through Amazon if we can all avoid all that extra plastic (PVC I believe).
Jiffy Lube Cause Related Marketing Campaign Aligns with American Heart Association’s, Go Red For Women movement
As I get more interested in this field, I hope to highlight more stories for all of us to learn and evaluate (for effectiveness). This is Jiffy’s second year of participation and here’s the press release’s gist, “Between January 28 and March 16, customers at participating service centers can support this cause with a donation of $3. In return, donors will receive a Jiffy Lube Maintenance Partners for Life savings book containing heart-healthy recipes, as well as $100 in savings from Jiffy Lube, Perfumania and Yankee Candle. Funds will be donated to local American Heart Association chapters in the communities in which they are raised. In addition, for each Jiffy Lube Gift Card(SM) purchased during the campaign, both online or at participating service centers, Jiffy Lube will donate $1 to Go Red For Women.”
What’s Next in Green Marketing?
Superstar Jaquelyn Ottman and co-writer Abigail Cohen write in this multi-syndicated article that green marketing broke through in 08, and holds the following predictions for 08 (see article for elaborations): 1) Advertising goes green and gets noticed; 2) Federal Trade Commission will update its green marketing guidelines; 3) Bottled water industry takes a hit and strikes back; 4) The crash of Detroit and GM introduces Chevy Volt; 5) Administration change. My opinion? Cause related marketing will rise and more advertisers will consider sustainability in print and outdoors.
Podcast with Joel Makower on Strategies for the New Green Economy
Meat’s Contribution to Global Warming
Okay this is more of a scientific article, even though I right-hand raised-pledged to write more on business related stories. So I bust in an editorial piece now: Can the vegetable industry capitalize on this? Are there organizations with enough clout to push out advertising? But importantly even if so, I would highly question most people would give a hoot about an indirect effect of meat eating. After all, accentuating the positive is always great. What do you think?
New Massive Containerships Have Environmental Benefits
The primary argument is that since they hold a greater number of containers, there’s fewer smaller vessels on the ocean, ergo we have economies of scale and less pollution overall. I think that’s kind of a weak argument since the long term positive effect, IMO, is slow and gradual. What’s really more interesting is how many more ships can we have running on electricity (through cold ironing) while docked at port, instead of continuing to burn their very low grade fuel?
10 Steps to Sustainable Marketing in an Uncertain World
Gotta love lists don’t you? Classic marketing ploy to make us think “I’m smart but there’s gotta be something new to be learned”, plus numbered lists and bullet points make info absorption easy 
Kellog’s Debuts Cereal Boxes that Reduce Packaging by 8% Without Compromising Volume
They supposedly also fit easier into people’s shelves, save space in retail planograms, and (logically) allow for more boxes per master carton.
Chemical Industry Developments in Cleaning Products
Comprehensive article on greener cleaning products and big chemical companies. Also check out Doris De Guzman, blogger extraordinaire at the Green Chemicals blog, as she recently visited the Soap and Detergent Association meeting and highlights the growing trend toward greener chemistry among manufacturers.
Ethical Capitalism - Is it Possible?
A philosophical construct for sure that could be considered a novel pondering, but Devin Stewart gives a pretty good argument for why morality and business do go hand in hand. He ties this into the cross-cultural high regard for the “Golden Rule”, and how the world’s citizens largely are looking for a bit of humanity and good from the commercial sector.
GreenBiz Releases State of Green Business Report 2009
Joel and his gang released their yearly findings, and say contend that while “Green” is growing, it isn’t growing fast enough. Secondly, the areas for improvement (carbon reductions) that will have an effect on climate change (collectively performed), aren’t being addressed enough to the degree they should be. Article highlights 9 key findings; the report is free with a little personal info divulgence.
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Au Revoir!
