Greener Files - Spring Cleaning Week
Today’s business environment offers a world of possibilities to work greener and there’s no better place to start than the paper pile. Here are some ways to get greener files at the office:
Adopt a Narrower Standard: The average office worker could save 475 sheets of paper per year by reducing their margins from the default setting of 1 in to 0.50 in, according to Ideal Bite. Imagine how those savings add up when everyone makes margins wider. Less paper used means less natural resources used, less energy for manufacturing (or recycling) and less trips to the box store for boxes of printer paper. If you must print, print wide.
Think twice: Lots of office products come in recycled options including paper and printing accessories. Opt for recycled paper and recycled ink cartridges for your printer, and recycle them! Find out how at Earth911.
Go digital, baby!: The best way to green your files is to keep them digital whenever possible to cut down paper use and help preserve natural resources. Review on screen, or to adopt from carpentry, “read twice, print once.” The practice of paperless has some very immediate benefits to companies like lowering overhead on paper supplies and printing accessories. The environmental benefits add up to less waste and conservation of resources.
Got a greener files tip? Let us know how you go green at the office.
Greening Your Electricity at the Office - Spring Cleaning Week
Nothing says dirty more than coal-fired electricity and most of us are running our offices from this big source of pollution. Buildings suck up a whopping seventy-six percent of all electricity generated by US power plants. There are plenty of ways to take action, saving your business money and reducing electricity consumption at the office.
Stop feeding the Phantom: Electrical devices can drain energy even when they are on standby. Power down completely whenever possible by using strategically placed power strips. Set it up so all you need do is press one off switch to cut the phantom’s food source. Try the Smart Strip Power Strip or the WattStopper to gain control over idle currents.
Go Natural: One of the strategies of today’s green buildings is to maximize natural daylight for both energy savings and health benefits. Inviting natural light into work and creative spaces reduces the need for artificial lighting. Energy efficient windows let light in without solar gain which means more natural light, lower electric bills and less heat load (which also translates into less AC and less electricity and so on and so on). One simple step, like taking advantage of natural daylight, can increase energy savings and worker productivity to boot!
Choose Renewable: You don’t need to install a wind turbine in the parking lot to take advantage of renewable energy (although there are lots of great innovative possibilities). And choosing renewable may be as easy as checking a box on your electric bill. Check with your utility company for renewable options, they may already offer this in your area. If not, consider purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) as an offset for your electricity use and an investment in the future of renewables. It’s not as costly as you may think.
Got more ideas to green your office electricity? Let us know, leave a comment.
More ways to green your lighting and electricity at Green Building 101: Environmentally Friendly Lighting
Resources for Recycling Office Electronics - Spring Cleaning Week
No matter what business you are in it likely takes a lot of electronics to keep it going. Computers, faxes, telephones, cellphones, mobile devices, copiers, the list seems endless and when these gadgets outgrow their usefulness you’ve got to figure out what to do with them. They have become e-waste, a global problem.
There is a growing awareness and a rise in activism in how to handle e-waste responsibly and it may be easier than you think. Here are some of the best resources from around the web for recycling electronics with the Earth in mind.
How to e-Cycle Your Gadgets at Earth2Tech: Resources found here include one of the front runners the Basel Action Network as well as some easy picks you may not know. Tech is the specialty at Earth2Tech and this is a valuable resource for responsible e-waste recycling.
Think Before You Recycle at Inhabitat: This article by Jennifer van der Meer of o2-NYC takes an in-depth look at the problem of e-waste worldwide and offers lots of resources and ideas for ways you can be part of the solution.
E-Cycling Gets Even Greener at Earth2Tech: This read takes a look at different ways that electronics companies are taking responsibility at the end of gadget life with incentives to get consumers to recycle. Included in the mix are Target, Dell and more so head over to Earth2Tech to find out how companies are taking back their e-waste.
At myGreenElectronics you can enter your zip code and find electronics recylers in your neck of the woods.
EPA has the scoop on eCycling here and a list of places where you can recycle old computers and other electronics here.
Earth 911 is a one-stop resource for environmental how-to and you can find community-specific information on eCycling here.
Got a tip on e-cycling for our readers? Leave a comment.
Also, check out Tech Recycling at Staples: Is It That Easy?
Greening Your Office Furniture - Spring Cleaning Week
Whether you are just setting up shop, renovating or just doing some early spring cleaning around the office, furniture is a great place to start going green in the workplace.
This week is about getting workspace ready for the year ahead and getting a little greener with some early eco-minded Spring cleaning. So, to kick it off here are some tips for greening your office furniture.
Consider Redux
GreenBiz recently reported on the booming industry of furniture recyclers and refurbishers stating that this sector represents more than $1.2 billion of the $13.6 billion US commercial furniture industry. The boom reflects that companies are catching on to the inherent benefits of buying used. Opting for gently used furniture saves money and helps keep perfectly good products out of landfills. Personally, I’ve always gone for the redux picks and have been happy with the quality, aesthetics and prices of second hand office furniture.
New & Green
If second hand isn’t your style there are plenty of green options in new office furniture. Here are some key factors to keep in mind when making the investment:
Sustainable materials: Consider the material source, manufacturing and finishes of the materials that go into that new chair. With wood furniture, choose products that are sourced from sustainably managed forests like FSC-certified from the Forest Stewardship Council. If you’re buying in the metal aesthetic, get to know the company’s manufacturing process and find out how they manage hazardous materials and waste. Also keep in mind that locally produced goods from locally sourced materials have less embodied energy because they don’t rack up energy miles in transportation. And even though you are buying new doesn’t mean you can’t still buy recycled, look for recycled content in structural materials, fabric and packaging.
Durability: If you are buying new, buy for the long term. Nothing says unsustainable like a new product that becomes trash in a few years. While buying higher quality furniture requires a larger initial investment, the longer it lasts the bigger the return and the less likely it will head to an early landfill grave.
Good Practice: The company you are buying from should at least have an eye on sustainability. The AD Interiors chairs pictured above come from a UK company that, although their products aren’t true green, they do offer choices that are carbon neutral through a partnership with Climate Care.
These are just a few ideas on greening office furniture, if you’ve got more share them with all of us in the comments! I’d love to hear them!
Patagonia's Footprint Chronicles: Tracking Environmental Impact of Consumer Goods
Outdoor clothing & gear maker Patagonia sells products for adventure, travel and exploration. They’ve got a new adventure for consumers to consider: track the path of their goods from source to shelf.
The Footprint Chronicles follows featured Patagonia products from harvest to finished product accounting for the travel, CO2 emissions, waste generated and energy consumed along the way - the environmental footprint of their goods.
Each highlighted product is accompanied with the “Good”, the “Bad”, company thoughts on the process and a request for your opinion on Patagonia’s manufacturing methods. Greenwashing it is not. Instead Patagonia offers a transparency that is rare in retail.
Environmental responsibility is not a new concept at Patagonia. The company’s mission is to: build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. With Footprint Chronicles, consumers can see for themselves how Patagonia is striving to keep that mission alive.
Via ENN
Restaurant Industry Puts Green on the Menu
Eating out has posed some challenges for eco-conscious consumers but the trend in the restaurant industry is putting ‘green’ on the menu.
Sean at Franchise Pick picked up on A Tall Order of Green over at the Washington Post and sent it my way.
The article offers a feast of sustainable ways that restaurants across the US are putting environmentally friendly ideas to work for their customers, their communities and their bottom lines.
When I say trend, I don’t mean as in trendy but as in a growing practice. And restaurants are putting sustainability into their business activities in more ways than ever before and consumers are eating it up.
The shift toward sustainability is fueled in part by the Green Restaurant Association, a national non-profit organization, that provides services in research, consulting, education, marketing and community organizing. According to the GRA, the restaurant industry represents 10% of the U.S. economy and use 1/3 of the energy in retail - restaurants can make a big impact on the environment and many are choosing to make it a positive one.
Some of the ways restaurants are going green:
- using reclaimed or recycled materials for interior finishes
- opting for non-toxic cleaners
- serving with biodegradable containers such as potato starch cutlery
- choosing local, organic and fair trade food and drinks
- composting and recycling
- using recycled paper and soy-based ink for menus
While some eco-minded initiatives increase overhead costs, restaurant owners find that other steps save money in energy and water, often offsetting the cost of going green.
I think this trend is delicious, what do you think?
Read the full article A Tall Order of Green at Washington Post and a big nod to Sean at Franchise Pick for the tip!
*photo: About Organics
Green Building Gains Amid Market Woes
In A window on 2008 at the Baltimore Sun experts predict “the direction of real estate in the coming year, they see greener houses, high-tech comfort and a still-flat market.”
Kind of a mixed bag but it makes sense. Even in a flat market (I would even go so far as to say a down market) greener houses are going to gain an edge.
Why? Energy-efficiency is likely at the top of the priority list. The cost of energy and fuel is less of a sting in small bites, like at the pump. It’s not like we don’t notice that gas prices have shot up but it’s easier to swallow in small pieces one fill-up at a time.
At home, it’s a different story. The bills are bigger, especially if you heat with oil and pay out in big chunks for the season. As the high heating bill hits home this year, homeowners will have an even bigger incentive to go green: save money.
Green building has been perceived as much more expensive than conventional construction but consumers are catching on that green makes sense and cents. Energy-efficiency is a key factor, but it’s not the only factor driving the trend:
“Green is in because there is a higher level of awareness now of the issues surrounding the environment and, specifically, global warming,” said David Pratt, a principal in the Lorax Partnership consulting firm and president of the Baltimore chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council…Rising energy costs, if not eco-sensitivity, drive people to consider higher efficiency ventilation systems, Energy Star appliances, on-demand water heaters, low-voltage bright lights, even solar and geothermal heating and cooling systems.” - Sun
A big nod to Dan at Property Crossroads for the tip!
*photo: roof integrated solar photovoltaic via the Qube Exchange
Eco-Patent Commons Shares Innovations in Environmental Arena
The Eco-Patent Commons recently launched and released 31 patents with the potential to address diverse environmental issues. The leading businesses involved include IBM, Nokia, Pitney-Bowes and Sony, all of which released patents that were in their sole domain - 27 from IBM alone.
The idea is that these patents, including new technologies, processes and ideas, can be used to solve global environmental problems. In sharing the patents, the companies hope to drive innovation and create new markets where collaboration is intrinsic.
The Eco-Patent Commons is hosted by the World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and open to any company or individual with a patent. The Eco-Patent Commons is available online here.
Via GreenBiz
How the New Energy Bill Can Boost Your Small Business
The energy bill signed last month has some special considerations for small businesses that can help you boost your energy-efficiency and bottom line.
Small businesses are the backbone of the economy but until now haven’t had the same opportunities for money saving, energy efficiency projects as big business.
Here’s the scoop (Via GreenBiz):
Under a pilot program included in the energy bill signed into law last month, the Small Business Administration (SBA) will offer low-cost loans for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) that want to improve their energy and fuel use.
The two-year pilot will lower the fees on 7(a) business loans for efficiency projects and fund grants for Small Business Development Centers that will offer free energy audits and efficiency trainings for small companies. The directive also requires the SBA to encourage SMEs to offer telecommuting as an option to employees, and give priority to small companies researching energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
Read the full article here Small Businesses to get Energy Efficiency Help and check out Energy Star for Small Business for more ways you can take advantage of energy efficiency opportunities.
Tighter EU Emissions To Take a Toll on Heavy Industry
The European Commission is set to set to release the new rules on Emissions Trading System (ETS) - part of a post-2012 climate change policy package - next week and have preempted the publication with acknowledgment that the plan will hit the competitiveness of heavy industries.
An article in the EU Observer noted that new changes in greenhouse gas emissions rules will most affect Europe’s aluminum makers. Other industries such as chemical, steel and cement would also be impacted causing a need to raise prices between 5 and 48 percent. The changes would give the US and China a competitive edge in the global market.
The EU Observer article stated that:
It is estimated that Europe’s gross domestic product would fall by 0.1 percent as a result of the proposed changes but the jobs lost in the affected industries would be offset by new opportunities in a low-carbon economy.
What do you think about the EU’s plans?
More at: Tighter Emissions plans to harm EU’s heavy industry
Via EU Observer
Bank of America Goes for LEED Platinum
Bank of America, which just ranked at the top of a recent survey on green banking initiatives, is going for US Green Building Council Platinum certification with a recently opened banking center in Adelanto, CA.
The building features solar-PV systems, recycled content insulation, water conserving landscaping and fixtures and sustainable finishes like compressed wheat countertops.
The structure is part of Bank of America’s $20 billion environmental commitment which tagged $1.4 billion worth of funds for green building initiatives aligned with the USGBC LEED program. Platinum is the highest certification possible for a green building under the LEED program.
The project was designed by Gensler, a leading global design firm specializing in sustainability. Bank of America will open a its second LEED certified banking center in Los Angeles later this year.
Via CNN Money
Are Fines Enough When Harm is Done?
We are an opinionated bunch here at the Business Channel so this month we’ve got some debates going on between blogs known as the Odd Blog Couple. Liz at Business and Blogging and I are tackling the question of how to handle companies which engage in potentially harmful behaviors.
Companies which engage in potentially harmful behaviors with results such as environmental dangers or distribution of unsafe products often simply pay a fine as damages and move on. Should the punishment for these behaviors include a public mea culpa?
My understanding of the term mea culpa is to take responsibility, to say it was my fault and no one else’s.
While many companies just pay up and move on, there is something missing from this process: acknowledgment of the suffering that the actions caused. Or, in other words, the human element. The case of Dole and Dow in Nicaragua comes to mind.
Dole and Dow were recently found liable in a pesticide exposure lawsuit that spanned international borders and decades of legal battle. An LA Superior Court jury ordered the companies to pay $3 million in damages to Nicaraguan banana workers who were made sterile by exposure to the chemical DBCP.
To date, I’ve not found any public mea culpa from either company. Instead, both tout their corporate social responsibility initiatives, their efforts for the environment and their commitment to the human element, which is the tag line of Dow’s recent ad campaign.
To me it seems that the families affected by the chemical exposure - which left many people sterile - would benefit as much from an acknowledgment of responsibility as they would from the monetary damages paid. Somewhere, in the millions of dollars of ad money spent by these two companies, it would make a difference if the victims were acknowledged - we poisoned you, we’re sorry and it will never happen again.
Check out Liz’s take at Business and Blogging
Between Ads & Apples at Whole Foods
I recently wrote about how Whole Foods Plans to Ban the Plastic Bag and got a good comment that prompted this post…
Bridget said: I love this store A LOT and totally support their decision to discontinue the plastic bags. But, I would love for you to post a little more on your comment of their ethical behavior regarding small farmers. Interesting…
I started to respond in the comment section but there’s so many issues behind the Whole Foods story that I thought a post would serve them a little better.
Whole Foods has made some good moves in the last year or so in regard to being more supportive of small farmers but they’re still finding their way. In 2006 Whole Foods made some changes including making efforts to buy more from smaller growers and…(via SFGate)
- Give $10 million a year in low-interest loans to help small, local farmers and producers of grass-fed and humanely raised meat, poultry and dairy animals.
- Raise its standards of humane care for the animals who supply meat, eggs and dairy to the stores. Whole Foods has hired an “animal compassionate field buyer” to work with producers to ensure that they meet the standards.
- Set up Sunday farmers’ markets in the parking lots of some Whole Foods stores, including about 10 in Northern California.
The moves came after criticism from Berkeley author Michael Pollan on the store’s failure to walk its talk in support of small farmers. (Pollan’s blog can be found here, Whole Foods CEO John Mackay’s blog is on temporary hold due to his “anonymously participating on online financial message boards” prior to the Whole Foods/Wild Oats merger).
What Pollan brought to light was the way Whole Foods markets certain ideals but often falls short on delivering them to consumers. For instance, only a small amount of the organic pasture-raised beef sold by Whole Foods is American and the rest comes from abroad which goes against the principles behind buying (and supporting) local farmers.
Another issue is the “buy organic, help the small farmer” line that Whole Foods markets. Most domestically grown organic food comes from a handful of big farms in California. Whole Foods is well aware of that because those goods take up a hefty portion of the shelf space but the store still entices customers with the feel good marketing which stretches the reality.
When it comes to local farmers, the marketing highlights locally grown goods with “grower profiles” but the pictures don’t necessarily match up with what’s in the bins or represent a fair portion of the goods.
Again, I think Whole Foods is making some significant efforts recently (and there’s certainly a lot of variables to consider) but the shift is in response to some serious criticism of discrepancies between the sell - organic, local, and in support of small farmers - and what’s actually for sale.
What’s your take on Whole Foods?
More:
- Whole Foods Goes Small at CNN
- My Letter to Whole Foods at Michael Pollan’s Blog
- Is Whole Foods Straying From its Roots? at NYT
- The Dark Secrets of Whole Foods at Slate
A Little Vrrroom in Your Sustainable Portfolio
I don’t get too much into toys here at Greener Assets but if your assets are green and you’ve got some extra cash to play with there are some ultimates that are getting sustainable. I tend to swoon more over classic cars but I have to say, the Venturi Fétish is quite captivating. Unlike a lot of other sexy, sustainable cars in development, this is an electric sports car that is in production - the Monaco-based company is making 25 at $500,000 a pop.
Va va voom.
I don’t have any idea if this qualifies for a tax credit but maybe TaxGirl does. If you’re looking for more check out Transportation Tuesdays at Inhabitat like Jorge’s picks for the Top 5 Sexiest Sustainable Sports Cars for starters. You also might like Quiet Thunder over at Vanity Fair.
Do you drive green? Let me know, leave a comment.
Wondering what Wal-Mart is up to?
I can’t help but keep up with Wal-Mart’s green moves, it seems every time I turn around they’ve captured another headline. And these days the headlines are quite positive.
I’ve covered them a couple times here at Greener Assets but if I wrote about every green biz move they made this blog would have to have a different name, like Greener Wal-Mart. Which I don’t want so everything in moderation.
However, near the end of last year, Wal-Mart released a progress report on the company’s sustainability goals which kicked off in 2005. Building experimental stores (some with educational highlights), cutting waste, conserving resources and using renewable energy are all part of the mega-retailer’s “Sustainability 360″ plan which is flexing some big corporate muscles, making a positive impact on the environment and, of course, saving the company lots and lots o’ money.
Environmental News Network recently published an article with highlights on Wal-Mart’s progress to go green in a big way. If you want to know what Wal-Mart is up to, check out Wal-Mart Outlines Environmental Efforts Progress.
How Will You Honor Dr Martin Luther King Jr?
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today is Martin Luther King, Jr., Day in the United States, a national holiday commemorating Dr. King’s birthday (Jan 15) and his leadership as a civil rights activist.
What you might not be aware of is that more than a holiday, today is also a day of service. The King Holiday and Service Act federal legislation honors MLK, Jr. and “challenges Americans to transform the King Holiday into a day of citizen action through volunteer service in honor of Dr. King.”
While this blog is dedicated to green business, it’s not just about the environment. Green means sustainable and without social equality our economy, our environment and our world are unsustainable.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., here are some links to sustainable endeavors that are working for social and environmental justice.
Green For All: working to bring “green collar” jobs to urban areas, launched at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on September 26, 2007. The group, created by Van Jones, co-founder of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, seeks to capitalize on the exploding green economy while ensuring that the coming green economic wave lifts all boats.
Louisiana Bucket Brigade: empowering fenceline communities along Louisiana’s Chemical Corridor in their fight to reduce industrial pollution and protect public health. LBB works with communities that border the oil refineries and chemical plants along the Mississippi River. With the tools and support of LBB, citizens monitor air pollution and have the data to fight corporations which have ignored, overlooked and disrespected their neighbors for generations.
Deep South Center for Environmental Justice: is a collaboration between community, environmental groups and universities to address issues of environmental justice. The DSCEJ provides opportunities for communities, scientific researchers, and decision makers to collaborate on programs and projects that promote the rights of all people to be free from environmental harm as it impacts health, jobs, housing, education, and general quality of life.
Check out Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service to see how communities and individuals are honoring Dr. King this year. In Washington, to commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a collaborative funding, design, and construction is in progress for the creation of “a memorial to honor his national and international contributions to world peace through non-violent social change.” Take a virtual tour of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Memorial here and find out how you can help build the dream.
What’s In Store for Burt’s Bees at Clorox?
I’ve been following along with the Burt’s Bees saga because it holds so many key issues about business and environment, not to mention love and money. The New York Times ran a piece recently piece that goes pretty in-depth into how the company was created, how it grew and where it’s at today - which is in the hands of Clorox.
In Can Burt’s Turn Clorox Green?, the NYT’s Louise Story looks at the love story behind Burt’s Bees, the quirks of being both life and business partners and how Clorox’s future might just prove to be a more sustainable endeavor than its past. There are two big questions at stake: how green can Clorox get? and how will Burt’s fare in the process?
Already, many loyal Burt’s fans have felt betrayed by the buyout - or sellout depending on your perspective - last year to Clorox. Burt’s Bees was built on principles of environmental stewardship using local materials and emulating a down-to-earth, aw, shucks persona that struck a chord with health conscious, eco-driven consumers.
While Burt Shavitz’s image still appears on the line of health and beauty products, the reality of Burt’s Bees is far from Maine, far from local beekeepers and far from the hands of those who created the company. The last buyout, when founder Roxanne Quimby sold an 80% share to private equity firm AEA Investors, brought Burt’s Bees to the aisles of big stores like CVS, Walgreens and Target.
Now Clorox wants
to turn Burt’s Bees into a mainstream American brand sold in big-box stores like Wal-Mart. Along the way, Clorox executives say, they plan to learn from unusual business practices at Burt’s Bees — many centered on environmental sustainability. Clorox, the company promises, is going green. - NYT
One way Clorox is trying to get greener is through the launch of a new line of all natural cleaners, Green Works. Green Works products are made from plant-based ingredients like coconut and lemon oil, biodegradable, non-allergenic, are not tested on animals, and are packaged in recyclable containers.
Can Burt’s turn Clorox green? So far, the influential gradient seems to be from Burt’s to its parent company which in these eco-conscious times is the natural path of least resistance. What do you think about Burt’s and Clorox?
EPA Green Power Leadership Awards
The US Environmental Protection Agency has a program called the Green Power Partnership which recognizes the top green power purchasers in the nation. The Green Power Leadership Awards for Purchasers recognizes exceptional achievement among EPA Green Power Partners in three categories:
- Green Power Partner of the Year: Recognizes Partners who distinguish themselves through their purchase, leadership, overall strategy, and impact on the green power market.
- On-site Generation: Recognizes Partners who distinguish themselves using on-site renewable energy applications, including, but not limited to, solar photovoltaic (PV) or wind energy projects.
- Green Power Purchase: Recognizes Partners who distinguish themselves through purchases of green power from a utility green-pricing program, a competitive green marketer, or a renewable energy certificate (REC) supplier.
EPA recognized 17 leaders in 2007:
whose combined commitments of these organizations amount to nearly four billion kilowatt-hours of green power annually, which is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 250,000 average American households each year. EPA also estimates that the combined environmental impact of these purchasers will avoid the equivalent amount of CO2 emissions of nearly 450,000 vehicles each year.
Among the winners: Timberland, New York University and Starbucks. You can check out all the winners, EPA has all the details and a video about some of the companies at EPA Green Power Leadership Awards
Via EL
Schuster Group Launches $100 Million Green Build Investment Fund
I love finding headlines like this one Investors cash in on green buildings because it just highlights the fact that, in addition to being better for people and the environment, green can be profitable.
Schuster Group, a Seattle-based real estate development and investment firm, have launched a $100 million private real estate investment fund aimed at projects that use only the highest green building standards.
In the US, the highest green building standards correlate with the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. Schuster’s latest project, Mosler Lofts, is on its way to getting a “Silver” LEED-certification and almost all of the 150 units were sold upon the building’s opening last October. And they look absolutely gorgeous from what I’ve seen, can’t wait to see what these guys are up to next.
What do you think about Schuster’s fund?
Consumer Reports ‘Shop Smart’ Picks Top Companies for Social, Environment
Consumer Reports Shopsmart released its top picks for companies that are making employees, charities and the environment top priorities. I have to say that I’m a fan of many companies that made it to the list.
Shopsmart has picked Ben & Jerry’s, yum, for the company’s continuing support of local community projects and manufacturing methods which focus on reducing waste and carbon dioxide.
Also, Clif Bar for being certified organic and taking its packaging seriously with recycled content and no shrink-wrap. And Stonyfield Farms, one of my favorite companies, for their tasty 100% organic yogurt that supports family farm operations. Stonyfield is also big on the recycling with big results.
Burt’s Bees, Seventh Generation, Tom’s of Maine, IKEA, Patagonia and Timberland also made the top 10. In checking out this list, I realized that most of the companies are located or originated in the Northeastern US. I always have this back and forth in my mind about which coast is greener and I usually underestimate the East Coast. I don’t know why. But I like these kind of reminders that there are green companies all over.
Did any of your favorite companies make the list?