It’s always greener on the other side of the. . . aisle?

By trade, I’m a former media relations specialist turned trade show manager. I like what I do (marketing defense industry products) and I’m pretty darn good at it. Basically, I’m serious about my job.

The majority of my marketing involves traveling with our products to different trade shows around the country, and every venue I’m at is a fun and exciting experience.

Recently I returned from the 2010 Exhibitor Trade Show in Las Vegas. What’s cool about this event is that it’s a trade show for me (and other trade show managers)! We get to see new campaign ideas, new exhibit designs and participate in new training sessions. It’s like being a kid in a candy story for marketers.

This was my first year at the show, and I was pleased to see that several of the companies that were represented had made it a point to design their booths in an eco-friendly manner: lightweight construction materials, giveaways that were made from recyclable materials, data and informational sheets that were available in electronic format (forget the heavy print-outs).

I was able to walk away from this event with several ideas to run by my company that I think will not only reduce our environmental impact, but save us money too. I’ve listed a few below. (Not all though, because some of them are top secret – you never know if a competitor could be reading this… J).

• Investigate all methods of transportation for your products/booth – rail, truck, joint-shipping with another nearby exhibitor (non-competing projects, of course).

• Investigate upfront costs (such as those for new structures made of lightweight material) vs. long term costs (such as drayage fees – money the event charges to hold your crates, boxes, etc.)

• Eliminate waste from your exhibit where possible (try a tank of water with biodegradable cups instead of the continually popular water bottles).

• If giving swag or follow-up items, show your commitment (reusable bags, notepads made of recyclable materials, etc. Side note: Derse, an experiential marketing co, sent me one of these the other day. Quite nice. God job, folks. And, yes, I did like the box with confetti-esque stuff.)

• Make your customers part of the process (if they want data and materials, oblige them – with electronic copies, unless they specifically require otherwise)

The good news is that your company doesn’t have to send you all the way to Vegas to find out eco-friendly ideas. A quick search of the web can yield some fruitful results – and some great, inspiring campaigns that have had some pretty good success.

Take a look at this link from InvestorSpot.com. It’s good stuff. Want more? About.Com’s Small Business Canada is a great resource.

I’ll keep you posted on what new ideas pop up over the next year as I travel. Wish me luck!

By Gingerly Green of Two Girls Go Green (@TwoGirlsGoGreen). To comment on the original post, click here.

Greenopolis.com is dedicated to our users. We focus our attention on changing the world through recycling, waste-to-energy and conservation. We reward our users for their sustainable behaviors on our website, through our Greenopolis Tracking Stations and with curbside recycling programs.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Save Energy, Water and Cash: Go Green in the Bathroom

And I don’t mean hugging the toilet because of that all nighter you pulled, you party animal, you. We’re talking about slashing your water, energy, paper and carbon footprint each and every time you nip into the loo, take a shower or wash your hands. Given that the average person spends 1-3 years over a lifetime in the bathroom, it can have a real impact on our earth.

There are 3 major areas in the bathroom to consider: The toilet, the sink, and the shower/tub. Let’s take them in order of urgency:

The Toilet

John, potty, loo, throne, crapper (After Thomas Crapper, who popularized it) — whatever you call it, the toilet is often the first reason you duck into the bathroom, certainly the most compelling. So, how can you, eh, relieve yourself most greenly?

Well, first, don’t waste paper — turn your roll over so it comes over the top, not under the bottom of the roll- it won’t get away from you that way. Use 100% post-consumer recycled paper, like the stuff our friends at Seventh Generation offer. Then make sure the beast itself is a low flow toilet. If you’ve got an old water waster, install a dual-flush toilet or dual-flush retrofit on your current toilet. If you are building or remodeling, you might want to put in a composting unit, and feed your flowers in a natural cycle.

The Sink

Now you need to wash your hands. Use a nice biodegradable soap like Dr. Bronner’s or one of Seventh Generation’s products. Lots to choose from here. Put in a low-flow faucet aerator to keep water flow down, and turn off the water while you’re brushing your teeth — you’ll save up to six gallons of H2O a day.

Men, if you shave with a wet razor, half a sink-full of warm water will do the job instead of running the faucet. And wash your hands and face in the sink, too, not under a running faucet. Organic cotton towels mean no pesticides, healthier soils and higher prices for the farmer.

The Tub and Shower

Start with a low flow shower head here- the spray is strong but the flow is low. And I don’t begrudge myself or anyone else the nice hot soak now and then, but keep in mind all the energy it takes to heat and pump and clean that water — use it for a rewarding luxury, not a daily ritual.

Avoid vinyl shower curtains — opt for a fiber like hemp, which is naturally resistant to mold, as long as you keep your bathroom well-ventilated. Use green cleaners- even just a little vinegar and baking soda will keep things sparkling. And organic cotton bath towels too.

Here’s a few bathroom water statistics from Planet Green:

• 21 percent: Household water use that comes from the shower.

• 26 percent: Household water use that comes from flushing the toilet.

• 1.5 percent: Household water use that comes from using the bath.

• 80 gallons: Amount of water the average American uses a day.

• 2.5 gallons: Amount of water used per day by the rest of the world.

• 260 gallons: Amount of water used by the average household in the developed world.

• 67 percent: Water heating costs for households for showers alone.

• 22 gallons: Amount of water flushed down the toilet daily in the U.S.

• $5: Cost of a low flow shower head that will cut your consumption by 45 gallons per day.

• 15,000: Amount of water you can save per year by taking a Navy shower.

• 60 gallons: Average amount of water used in taking a shower.

• 3 gallons: Amount of water used when taking a Navy shower.

So there it is in a nutshell — you can start with one new habit or take on the whole agenda to cut your bathroom time and footprint. For resources for outfitting the green bath, Planet Green has a pretty good list of products and sources. Don’t leave the soap in the tub, wipe up the floor when you’re done, and hurry up in there! I need to use the loo.

For more comments and suggestions on this article, visit the original blog post.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

From Concept to Eco Action: 5 Business Strategies to Boost Productivity and Reduce Carbon Emissions

In a recent article by the Wall Street Journal, a summary of sustainable business best practices was issued offering suggestions for sustainable business strategies.   As a sustainability consultant, I couldn’t agree more with the information provided; however, I was left questioning how do the busy, overworked, under resourced business owner, executive translate a conceptual best practice into a tangible business strategy that delivers results to the bottom line?  It’s not as is sustainability implementation is mainstream.  In fact, most are still struggling with what sustainability is and how it applies to their business. 

 Regarding reducing carbon emissions, the suggested best practice was to look for things  that boost productivity and simultaneously reduce carbon emissions.  Conceptually, that’s easy to grasp but how does that translate to daily behavior that is measurable, impacts the bottom line, and meets the environmental criteria?  To bridge the gap from concept to eco action, following are 5 sustainable business strategies that address that recommended best practice.

1  Paperless management systems: The benefits of a paperless/ document management system include increased productivity, elimination of storage space, create the ability to work remotely, reduce expenses of sourcing and storage, and reduce environmental impact.  
2.  Employee telecommuting is a sustainable business strategy in that it reduces  commuter traffic, reduces sick leave and absenteeism,  decreases demand for, and cost of, work space or equipment at the office, and provides for uninterrupted public or customer service.  Telecommuters can continue to provide vital services or work on projects during inclement weather and even during natural disasters.

 
Interestingly, did you know that if 10% of the nation’s workforce telecommutes one day a week, we would avoid the frustration of driving 24.4 million miles, we’d breathe air with 12,963 tons less air pollution, and we’d conserve more than 1.2 million gallons of fuel each week?

 3.  Co-working provides a gathering spot for individual entrepreneurs or employees from multiple companies sharing a common work space.  Basically, a bridged solution between traditional office locations and telecommuting, that also offers a unique option for those concerned about their employment carbon footprints.

 4.  Bike commuting programs: As explained in our eco friendly consulting the benefits to employers in adopting a bike commuting program include:

• Increase worker productivity: Fit employees are more alert, more productive, perform better and more efficiently.
• Improve employee health.
• Lower health care costs: healthier employees can reduce health insurance costs.
• Reduced carbon emissions.
• Reduce turnover: Employers who appreciate workers’ personal needs have less employee turnover.

There are benefits to the bike commuters as well.  Not only are employees expanding eco awareness in the community and within the business, they are also elevating their moods, saving money, and improving well being. 

 5.  CRM and online invoice and billing  applications for small businesses that boost productivity as well as reduce carbon emissions.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Recycled Paper Prefab Home Offers Shelter for Refugees and the Homeless

It’s called the Universal World House, or the Wall AG, and although it may not look like much, this eco-friendly, earthquake-proof and easy-to-assemble home could be the answer for affordable shelter in impoverished and war-torn countries. It might also be a glimmer of hope for millions of people in need of shelter in America.

Created by Swiss designer Gerd Niemöller, the Universal World House comes with built-in plumbing, 8 single and double built-in beds, shelves, tables and an open veranda. The inside walls are designed with honeycomb air vacuums that act as insulation and support for the entire home structure. The coolest part: the home is made from a material called Swisscell, which is composed of recycled paper and cardboard, and altogether it weighs less than 1,800 pounds (the equivalent to a VW Golf)! Oh, and it’s also rain resistant.

An article in the UK Times Online says that more than 2000 homes have been ordered by a Nigerian company, and “development aid agencies are considering whether the houses could be used to accommodate those fleeing from the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe. South America, too, is interested.”

The goal of the Universal World House is to get itself manufactured in Germany, and then shipped to countries around the world that need it the most. The only problem may be its $5,000 price tag, which is cheaper than most homes, but still out of reach for many people.

I think that this is a great idea, but I hope to see it made more affordable in the future. What do you think? Add your comments to our blog.

Greenopolis.com is dedicated to our users. We focus our attention on changing the world through recycling, waste-to-energy and conservation. We reward our users for their sustainable behaviors on our website, through our Greenopolis Tracking Stations and with curbside recycling programs.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Why Easter Is Green

Why Easter is Green

I’ve been reading quite a few articles lately about the need to “green” Easter. Articles about reducing the amount of plastic eggs and candy in non-biodegradeable packaging. Articles about the impact of Easter “grass” and the ill-effects of toxic dyes on our health.

And while I agree with nearly everything I’m reading, it might be for a different reason than you’d think.

As a Christian, Easter is the most important religious day of the year for me. It is a day of thoughtful prayer, fellowship with family and friends, and a time of deep reflection for those of my faith.

But Easter has been corrupted as a celebration of bunnies, dyed eggs and baskets of candy. Easter, in fact, has nothing to do with bunnies or chocolate. Easter, like Christmas, has been appropriated as a secular holiday. It is not. All the secular trappings of Easter – like plastic eggs and disposable Easter grass – are what have turned it into an eco-nightmare.

For me, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a joyful, yet serious holiday that celebrates redemption, rebirth, renewal and the importance of faith.

I believe that environmentalism is an important part of my Christian heritage. We are commanded by God to protect what He has given us. We are stewards of this planet, and it’s our responsibility to take care of it.

Recycling, reuse, conservation, and providing for others through charitable work, all strengthen my faith through action. When I do these things, I am showing God that I respect His world, and that I take seriously His intention for me to help look after it.

By removing the secular frills that have become associated with Easter, and returning it to its rightful place as a religious holiday for devout Christians, Easter will once again be “green.” As I believe it was intended to be.

For more insight or to comment on this post, visit our website.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Why Green Cleaning is Good for Your Business

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors.  With today’s modern, energy efficient office buildings, the sealed air inside can contain 10 times more pollution than the air outside due to toxic emissions from building constituents, airborne mold, viruses, and other pollutants.

 Improved indoor air quality can directly contribute to good health and improved productivity.  One way to improve the indoor office environment is to clean green.  Green cleaning is defined as any method, product or service that has a diminished impact on our health and the environment, compared to conventional practices. Today’s green cleaning involves methods and products that promote safety, health and eco awareness.

 Explained in our eco friendly consulting, commercial cleaning is a chemical -intensive industry that literally goes down the drain into our water supply.  It’s estimated that the institutional cleaning industry uses 5 billion pounds of chemicals that each year.  In addition, most cleaning products are made from petroleum and toxic cleaning products create disposal problems at the end of their life.

 On the contrary, sustainable businesses utilizing green cleaning products and services are seeing tangible and intangible benefits of their green cleaning eco actions:
 

• Enhanced recruitment and retention of healthy employees
• Reduced health care costs
• Decreased rates of illness and injuries
• Reduced employee absenteeism
• Increased productivity

 
Resources offered in our eco friendly consulting to help get you started include:

• The Green Seal
• Environmental Choice
• Use the natural power of plants to reduce stress and cut toxins

Improved indoor air quality can directly contribute to good health and improved productivity as well as extend eco awareness in the workplace.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

eConscious Market Carries Avenue Green Recycled Silver Jewelry

(3BLMedia/theCSRfeed) CA – April 5, 2010 -  C5 company announced today that its signature collection of sustainable sterling silver jewelry, Avenue Green, is now available at eConsciousMarket.

eConsciousMarket is an online retailer dedicated to sustainable, fair-trade, eco-friendly and responsible products ranging from accessories to fitness equipment. C5 joins a list of companies on the site who demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental responsibility and that operate as transparently as possible. “We are so thrilled that consumers can now shop Avenue Green at eConsciousMarket,” said Meghan Connolly Haupt, C5 company founder. “I love the eConsciousMarket model of supporting nonprofits through commerce.”

Avenue Green combines sleek, modern lines with unpredictable design. Each piece in the Avenue Green collection is made from 100% reclaimed sterling silver and handmade in Bali. Inspiration for the collection came from the South Bronx where multi-cultural urban living is bordered by the incredible natural beauty of the Bronx Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo.

The collection is the first ready to wear line launched by C5 company, which has become well known for its custom sustainable jewelry services. All C5 jewelry is made from recycled precious metals and ethically sourced gems that are traced from mine to market.

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Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Taiga Company – Easy Ways to Become a Bike Friendly Office

Bike commuting is a win-win for both businesses and individuals looking to reduce costs, embrace eco awareness, and adhere to business and personal sustainability programs. 

 Small business resources can be limited towards building a sustainable business; however, our sustainability consulting encourages employers to promote employee bicycling commuting as a great way to attract and retain those eco minded employees.

A recent post, Top 10 Benefits of Bicycle Commuting Programs for Businesses, explores bike commuting benefits to employers while the post, 10 Reasons to Bike Commute to Work, gives employees ideas and inspiration to ride to work.

 But what can a business do to promote and maintain a winning bike commuting culture?  Our business sustainability consulting advocates taking the following eco actions to keep bike commuting fun and safe for employees.

 Education

• Offer regular safety classes.
• Provide lunch and learn opportunities for current topics and discussion.
• Share information on how to share the road.
• Participate in bike maintenance classes.

 
Encouragement

• Offer incentives to ride.
• Host a CEO led ride.
• Offer the commuter tax benefit.   Accor Services offers the commuter check for bicycling. This allows employers to buy commuter vouchers and issue them to employees just like they would for transit. This is a valuable small business resource in terms of benefits to employees.
• Guarantee a ride home service.
• Create a company bike club.
• Celebrate bike to work day or month or create your own company mile markers and celebrate them.

Foundation

• Make bike parking safe and secure.
• Provide lockers, showers, and changing areas.
• Utilize car sharing programs like ZipCar for off site meetings.
• Provide a repair station with tools, lubrication, and tubes.

 
Review

• Get to know your employee’s commuting habits: what’s working/ what isn’t and suggestions for improvement.
• Set goals: number of commuting miles/ week/ per employee.
• Appoint a bike coordinator: the go to person for everything bike commuting related.

 
As a professional consultant, I have the opportunity to work with individuals and businesses to integrate sustainability concepts into the workplace and daily life.  Naturally, cycling is a sustainability concept that benefits all worlds: business and individuals and the planet.

Posted via web from 3BL Media, CSR News, and Emily

Power of the Hour – Transforming Inspiration into Action

TOPIC: Power of the Hour: Transforming Inspiration into Action
Luncheon Presentation at CSR and Social Media 2010
WHEN: Thursday, May 13, 2010, 12:15 pm
WHERE: Toronto
Priority Code: 3BL1
Featuring:
Dorothy Engelman, Executive Director, GetInvolved.ca, and Senior Partner, q media solutions
GetInvolved.ca has entered in partnership with TVO, Volunteer Canada, and the Corporate Council on Volunteering to leverage the ability of social networks to motivate and connect for positive change. Power of the Hour is an online tool that helps individuals, groups, and businesses, large and small, pledge and track their volunteer hours. The online and television Power of the Hour campaign challenges Canadians to help reach a goal of 2,000,000 volunteer hours in 2010.
Building on the success of GetInvolved.ca, a social networking site built as an online companion to a 50 part TVO documentary series, Power of the Hour is motivating individuals, not-for-profits, charities, and community organizations to connect with one another and make a difference.
Hear from Dorothy Engelman, Executive Director of GetInvolved.ca and Senior Partner at q media solutions, about the launch and implementation of GetInvolved.ca and Power of the Hour. Learn more about how to promote engagement and facilitate collaboration with online social networks.
For more information on this session, or to see a copy of the full agenda, please visit our web site, or contact Joel Elliott at elliott@conferenceboard.ca. Please quote priority code 3BL1 when registering.
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