Supply Chain

Climate change is a non-issue for executives and boards at most of the world’s largest consumer-oriented corporations surveyed as part of a Ceres report on corporate governance and climate change released today. One way or another, that’s likely to have to change and Ceres has some recommendations.

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Producing hydrogen gas by passing an electric current through a mixture of water and baking soda is not a new concept. Now, an emerging US automaker and well-established components manufacturer are teaming up to produce the Scorpion, a high-priced “eco-exotic” hybrid that blends hydrogen gas into its fuel mix.

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According to a recent study released by the World Resources Institute, in conjunction with ATKearny, the world has experienced a remarkable rise in the prices of vital commodities in recent years. Including energy and agricultural products, the average price of oil, for example, between 2006 and 2008 rose by 110%, wheat by 136%, and rice [...]

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As you read this, someone close to you may be cleaning, stuffing, or slicing a turkey. Over 45 million turkeys were purchased for Thanksgiving out of the 265 million raised this year alone. The vast majority of these birds were grown on industrial farms. Perhaps your bird is organic, free range, or locally grown, but [...]

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The Asia-Pacific ex Japan market for green IT services will grow at a 58.6% CAGR, according to new research from Springboard Research. But vendors need to ensure that the “green” moniker amounts to more than just “window dressing” and delivers real cost savings while vendors, customers and governments need to get together to fashion realistic, effective solutions.

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Computer recycling has never been convenient. While just about every major manufacturer offers an end-of-life take back program, finding and printing the right labels, weighing materials, and shipping the package off isn’t always easy. Even then, some manufacturers will only collect their brand materials meaning you have to do the same process all over again [...]

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A report by the Carbon Disclosure Project reveals optimism among business leaders in tackling global climate change. The economic recession isn’t going to be an obstacle but rather businesses are looking to find new ideas to combat the credit crunch in the environment.

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When you think of freight trains, what comes to mind? Loud. Graffiti covered. Blocking your way for 10+ minutes at the intersection as it lumbers by. But what if I were to tell you it was one of the greenest methods of shipping, and at least when it comes to CSX, it’s getting greener by [...]

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Try the Reusables Cost Comparison Tool designed by the Reusable Packaging Association. The tool was demonstrated this past week at the 2008 “Choose Reusables!” Education Forum sponsored by Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) and StopWaste.org. In just a few minutes, using your own company’s pricing and volume and “dwell time” estimates you can get a rough [...]

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Reusable packaging companies have been around for while, but with more and more companies concerned about climate change, reusable packaging appeal is growing throughout the U.S. Reusable plastic containers are now used at companies like Pepsi, Walmart, Safeway, Ghirardelli Chocolates and John Deere to protect and transport everything from tractors to fresh vegetables with great [...]

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In a shop and not sure if a product’s a greenwash? Use Goodguide’s iPhone app to get on the spot product information.

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Two years ago Truitt Brothers decided to figure that out, and added two products, green beans and pears,sourced and prepared sustainably, to their more traditionally packaged goods which they had been producing for over 30 years. While the sustainability-focused line is still less than 5% of their whole business it has quadrupled in growth in [...]

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Despite mounting evidence of the myriad negative effects of factory farming, it remains the foundation of animal agribusiness. The indecent nature of the enterprise is manifested in numerous abusive practices and increasingly, activists are looking to the courts and legislatures to demand change. Is government intervention necessary to enact corporate responsibility? A unanimous victory in [...]

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Clipper Windpower, EDF Energie Nouvelle and Electrica del Valle de Mexico are teaming up to develop La Ventosa, a wind power project in Oaxaca state. Their first customers will be companies owned by subsidiaries of Wal-Mart subsidiaries.

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Looking to make the Summer Olympic Games a “Green” one, an integrated smart lighting system based on international open technology and vendor standards has been installed at the Olympic Village in Beijing.

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Climate change is increasingly regarded as an important concern for executives involved in purchasing and supply chain management, but those concerns haven’t as yet been translated into widespread, effective action, according to new research released by McKinsey & Co. They may be missing opportunities to streamline their operations and cut costs, according to the report’s authors.

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It’s faster, it’s cheaper, it’s just as beautiful, and now it’s greener–at least its packaging is. Apple, the same company that got bruised in its fistfight with Greenpeace last year, literally just announced that its new iPhone 3G, in all of the glory of its already unprecedented demand, will arrive next Friday outfitted in green [...]

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As long as some plastic products are made from polystyrene, Timbron International will be making money. The Walnut Creek, CA based company, recycles polystyrene plastic and foam to make decorative mouldings. Polystyrene is made from sytrene, which is “a known human neurotoxin and a known animal carcinogen,” according to the organization Californians Against Waste (CAW). [...]

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With shortages of high-purity silicon still in the forecast, Pasadena’s Jacobs Engineering Group will manage engineering, procurement and construction management services for Estelux, which is moving foward with plans to construct a state-of-the-art polysilicon production facility – the first of its kind – in Ferrara, Italy.

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Truckers in Spain have joined the fishing industry and gone on strike to protest rapidly rising fuel prices. As disruption over fuel and food costs and supplies mounts Saudi Arabia is calling for a meeting of oil producers and consumers to figure out a solution to what it says are unjustified price rises.

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Over the past couple days, executives from many of the world’s largest companies converged with those of companies like Seventh Generation, New Belgium, and KEEN in Monterey for the Sustainable Brands 2008 in Monterey, California. Stories were traded by companies of all sizes and stages in their sustainability journeys about the shift in business landscape [...]

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Production has kicked off at the world’s largest polysilicon manufacturing facility in Hemlock, Michigan. Part of an ongoing $1.5 billion investment plan, Hemlock Semiconductor pegs the new plant’s annual capacity at 9,000 metric tons, bringing the company’s total annual capacity to 36,000 tons per year.

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Green procurement is going to be legislated by EU environment officers. What makes a product green and other issues will be addressed as part of a prioritized environment policy package.

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HP’s Imaging and Printing Group (IPG) continues to push the envelope with an announcement today to reinforce their position as “a leader in environmental sustainability for the imaging and printing market.”

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Supply chain! At long last, an organization that pins down their elusive activities and impact on the overall carbon emissions scene.

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Leading multinational manufacturers, members of the Carbon Disclosure Project’s Supply Chain Leadership Council, announced the results of their initial survey and effort to promote greenhouse gas emissions reporting and reduction throughout their supply chain networks.

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The sustainability of computer bag companies probably hasn’t been one of the eco-movement’s largest worries, but it is great to see some companies giving it a shot. Brenthaven is a popular computer bag company, especially among Apple owners. The company’s new slogan is “zero impact,” a philosophy that centers around the protection of your computer, [...]

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This is a guest post was written by Travis Brown, a student in Professor Simran Sethi’s Media and the Environment course at the University of Kansas originally published this to the course blog on March 10, 2008. America has a shoe problem. 2,286,472,000 shoes were purchased in the U.S. in 2005 according to the American [...]

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I have an educational exercise for you. Embark on a tour through your closets and dresser drawers. It will be an inexpensive trip. Everyone, especially fellow citizens of the famously inward-looking USA, should give this inventory project a try. The targets I have in mind are tags saying “Made in Mexico” or “Made in Jordan.” [...]

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Over the past year, many leading companies have taken proactive steps to minimize their use of resources that clutter up our landfill. European retailers IKEA and Marks & Spencer have started charging customers up to 10 cents per plastic bag. Not only are these companies realizing the environmental benefits of charging for plastic bags, but [...]

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