Environmental Protection Agency's WasteWise Program

I first heard of the EPA's WasteWise program from Hallmark's website where it was used to reinforce their environmental efforts.   Curious I looked for more info on the EPA website.

" ... WasteWise Endorser Program engages state and local government agencies, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and businesses to help educate their members and constituents about the benefits of reducing solid waste ... WasteWise Challenge helps members expand existing waste reduction programs and adopt new, proven strategies. Each challenge focuses on a specific material or product type."

"By pledging to the challenge, WasteWise members can receive assistance to implement waste reduction activities targeting a specific material or product type and potentially earn recognition as an environmental leader. "


Via: EPA Waste Wise Program LINK

Houston Dow Center Achieves LEED Gold Certification

Dow has been in the news alot lately with many offerings in the green space including BIPV roofing and a research agreement with Caltech.

Dow also has a LEED Certified building in Houston.  "... Houston Dow Center (HDC) ... has achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) GOLD level certification ... is one of three LEED GOLD commercial interiors projects in Houston, and the seventh in Texas to achieve this sought-after certification."

Green and environmentally friendly aspects of the renovated location include "... construction material was ...  least 90% recycled materials ... Reusable plastic crates ... were used to move all 1,200 employees ...  All appliances are Energy Star® rated ... housing the same number of people as before, ... reduced electricity use by 40% (2.1MM kwhr) ... enough electricity to power over 180 average households ..."

These changes – along with many others such as the addition of low flow toilets and faucets with water sensors were installed in bathrooms – have helped to reduce water consumption by over 70% from the previous building ..."



Via: The Dow Chemical Company LINK

FedEx Hybrid Trucks

FedEx continues to increase their compliment of hybrid trucks and now has its first all-hybrid facility.

" ... will pick up another 51 gas-electric hybrid trucks from Azure Dynamics ... Most ... will be added to its Bronx, N.Y. station, which will become its first all-hybrid facility. ... "

" ..The Bronx location will have 100 hybrid trucks. FedEx has 325 hybrid trucks total...."

" ... . expects to improve fuel efficiency by 30 percent. ... FedEx hybrid fleet has logged more than four million miles of revenue service since 2004. ... estimates that it has reduced fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons. ... received a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the latest round of hybrid trucks."

Via: SmartPlanet LINK

Ford Flex to Contain Wheat Straw Reinvforced Plastic

The 2010 Ford Flex will have a straw reinforced plastic storage bin .... that will reduce the anmount of petroleum needed and the amount of CO2 emissions.


" ... announced that it will be using a wheat-straw-reinforced plastic in the interior storage bins of the 2010 Ford Flex. ... the change to a 20% wheat-straw plastic will reduce petroleum use by 20,000 pounds per year and CO2 emissions by 30,000 pounds per year. ... wheat straw itself is a byproduct of processing the grain."

" ... Ford says it will be using the biomaterial in other places and other vehicles in the future. ... in addition to Ford’s soy-based polyurethane seat cushions and headliners, seat fabrics made from post-industrial recycled yarn, and post-consumer recycled resins for underbody covers...."




Via: GoodGreenCars LINK

Your Carbon Impact

Timberland is a very green company and goes out of its way to help consumers understand the impact of their purchases.  One way they do this is by labeling their shoe boxes with the environmental impact of each - allowing for individuals to make greener choices.

"... our boxes incorporate what we like to call a nutrition label ... details in actual numbers the environmental impact ... coming soon, we'll be including small icons that visually detail the special earth-conscious features that have gone into making that product. ..."

See the icons and what they detail ... LINK

Via: Timberland LINK

Timberland EarthKeeper

Timberland is known as a eco friendly / green company.  They label their shoes with the carbon footprint and have a corporate sustainability document showing how they have done over the last few years.

They also have a blog - Earthkeeper - " ... a new way to call someone who cares about the environment. ... people doing small things, like recycling, biking instead of driving and using energy-efficient light bulbs. And people doing bigger things, like replanting eroded areas and retrofitting their engines to run on bio fuel. ..."

" ... it’s time for companies, like ours, to take a look at how the way they do business affects the environment and do something about it. Earthkeepers is one way we’re trying to do exactly that. Our goal—inspire and engage one million Earthkeepers. .."

Follow the LINK to read more about Timberland's Corporate Social Responsibility.

Follow the LINK to see Timberland's Earthkeepers blog.

Via: Timberland Earth Keepers LINK

eco friendly bikini

Who says you can't be eco-friendly and look sharp ? It is still summer in the northeast U.S. - here is a way to enjoy the sun and be environmentally friendly at the same time !
Check out Deux fm's Mysytic bikini ... " ... made of eco-conscious remnant fabric with organic cotton rope ties ... entire collection makes use of environmentally friendly, re-used and recycled fabrics while utilizing fair labor practices ... committed to the global cultural movement for a sustainable future ..."

Via: deux fm LINK

econscious wearables with value(s)

As more consumers are looking for products that are eco-friendly companies are responding with offerings that are both green / eco-friendly and good looking.

" ... company is serving a growing demand for organic and sustainable apparel and accessories that are durable, comfortable, and great looking. ... Enjoy our extensive and focused collection of organic cotton and recycled polyester blank apparel and accessories."

"Corporate Responsibility is woven into the fabric of econscious. ... We are part of a worldwide movement towards "responsible capitalism." ... affiliated with some of the world's leading sustainable trade organizations. ..."

They are a member of "1% for the Planet"


Via: econscious LINK

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