At Columbia Sportswear, Reused Packaging Has Story to Tell
Posted by Mary Catherine O'Connor September 25th, 2009 
View Comments
The packaging industry is really charging forward with all sorts of innovative, recyclable materials these days, but one of the best and easiest ways to make packaging sustainable is to simply reuse it. That’s what Columbia Sportswear is doing as part of its recently-launched ecommerce program.
Six weeks ago, the Portland, Ore.-based outdoor clothing company started taking online orders for the first time. When consumers are completing their online transaction at www.columbia.com, they can select to have their order shipped in a reused box. Once they receive the reused box, they’re also able to log onto the www.aboxlife.com website and find out where that particular box has been before arriving at their home. So far, the response to the program is strong, with 66 percent of shoppers electing reused packaging.
Re-Imagining the Scotch Tape Dispenser Without Changing it at All
Posted by Tom Szaky September 14th, 2009 View Comments
If you’re reading this, it’s pretty likely you recycle. You sort. You do your best (most of the time) But what about those plastic Scotch Tape dispensers you use? Most recyclers don’t take them. You don’t have much use for them, being empty. What do you do? Toss them in the recycle bin and hope for the best, or just toss them out in the trash?
We’d like to propose a different option, one we hope encourages other companies to do the same. Starting in September we will be collecting Scotch Tape dispensers from the public, giving them the choice of which charity 2 cents for each goes.
But instead of doing what we’re known for, taking packaging and finding a different use for it as is or sewing it like fabric into bags, umbrellas etc—we will be giving them back to 3M to use for the exact same use they were before—tape dispensers. This is as close to Cradle to Cradle design as we’ve seen, but without the need to radically redesign the product packaging. Or redesign at all, in this case.
EPA Kicks Off Bloggers’ Roundable with Safe “Back to School” Feature
Posted by Jen Boynton August 26th, 2009 View Comments
Maria consoles the Von Trapp children
When the notice landed in my inbox that the EPA would be holding regular green bloggers roundtables, I was stoked. A chance to engage with one of the world’s biggest government agencies dedicated to environmental protection? How cool!
The e-mail included a list of suggested topics they planned to cover: sustainable design, solar energy, indoor air quality,
testing your home for radon, sun protection, and alt fuels. It also called for requests for other topic ideas. I suggested: reducing water toxicity and air pollution in the manufacturing process, cradle to cradle production and implications of new carbon legislation for businesses.
So I was a bit bummed when the invitation to the kick-off event arrived. How to Lessen the Impact of Back to School Shopping. While this isn’t directly in the 3P sphere, I figured I would attend just to support their new efforts. I know it’s a bit scary for a big government organization to interact with bloggers and I know they have to start somewhere.
Sadly, the roundtable was just about as groundbreaking as it’s title suggests. It covered such topics as the importance of reusing last year’s school supplies and buying in bulk. Nevertheless I don’t want to be too critical here, because I sure am excited about the possibility that regular briefings such as these could become a frequent occurrence. I just hope they become a bit more relevant!
[UPDATE] Suzanne Ackerman from the EPA contacted me to let me know she was reading. She wanted me to let the readers know that the listing of future roundtables can be found here if any bloggers are interested in attending future events. She also welcomes your ideas and requests for inclusion via twitter @suzack777. Yay Suzanne!
So I turn to you, readers, if you could talk to an EPA expert, what would you want to talk about?
The News You Might Have Missed
Posted by Jen Boynton May 23rd, 2009 View Comments
I’m back in the saddle after two weeks of MBA finals. Thanks so much to Scott Cooney for filling in for me on my weekly duties. Onward!
First and foremost, to all our readers in the Bay Area, the 3p team is honoring four local business authors and kicking off the summer with a happy hour at Temple Nightclub on Tuesday night, May 26th. See details and RSVP via facebook here, or let us know you’re coming via Twitter – #3p. 6-9pm.
Real Climate Bill Passes House Committee! Waxman Markey will move to the floor for a vote in August. This bill will be criticized by some for not being more stringent, but the fact that an actual, binding emissions bill passed out of committee in the US congress would have been all but unimaginable last year. Waxman Markey sets national emissions reductions of 20 percent by 2020, 42 percent by 2030, and 83 percent by 2050, using 2005 as a baseline. More importantly, the fact that the bill passed out of committee and will go to the floor for debate sets the stage for a national conversation about our collective responsibility to mitigate climate change.
Green Designers and Green Design Enthusiasts Flood San Francisco 3P friends from Greener World Media threw a smash bang conference on the future off innovative design for the environment. William McDonough of Cradle to Cradle fame was the keynote, and designers from Method and Walmart, among others, were in attendance. Click the link above for a round up of Green Biz’s comprehensive coverage. Here is 3Ps ( start-ups, Method, HP)
Join 3P at Greener by Design 2009!
Posted by Jen Boynton April 20th, 2009 View Comments
I’m pleased to tell you that I’ll be representing 3P at this year’s Greener by Design conference, May 19th-20th in San Francisco. The conference is being put together by our friends at Greener World Media.
Greening the design process is an important challenge for the sustainability movement – and a critical piece of any business that makes anything material. Designers need to worry about dematerialization, the source of raw materials, incorporation of recycled and recyclable materials (at costs that will appeal to the big box crowd), where products will be manufactured, durability, and end of use deconstruction. Plus they have to design things that are needed and desirable, so customers will buy them. I don’t have the slightest idea how they do that, but I’m excited to find out.
To top it off, William McDonough of Cradle to Cradle fame, is the keynote. This conference is not to be missed!
Ready to register? 3P readers can get a generous $550 discount by registering here and using discount code triplepundit.
Leave a note in the comments if you’re planning to attend! I love the chance to connect with 3P readers in person.
WM+P: At the Cutting Edge of Sustainable Building & Design
Posted by Andrew Burger April 10th, 2009 View Comments
Before WM+P was founded in 1994, “Bill had run a small architecture firm in New York– since the mid 80s,” media relations director Kira Gould recounted. “He and the firm have seen and been a part of many of the milestones set on the way toward where the market and the public mindset is today. We are gratified to have witnessed and been a part of this shift – more and more clients are understanding the value in what we do and how we think.”
Reduce Supply Chain costs with Reusable Packaging
Posted by 3p Guest Author September 30th, 2008 View Comments
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 success.
The 2008 “Choose Reusables!” Education Forum sponsored by Reusable Packaging Association (RPA) and StopWaste.org highlighted these success stories this past week. The forum covered many aspects of reusables such as the EPA’s support of reusables, a life cycle analysis of boxes vs. plastic containers, and the challenges encountered by customers implementing reusable packaging.
Can a Beauty Company Help the Planet?
Posted by Gina-Marie Cheeseman August 22nd, 2008 View Comments
Aveda, the beauty company owned by Estee Lauder, recently launched a bottle cap recycling program after a survey it conducted revealed that most caps end up in landfills. The company asks salons and stores that sell its products to partner with them by saving caps, and in turn it uses the caps to make new ones.
“Aveda’s Caps Recycling Program was created to help combat the devastating effects of plastic cap pollution – and to increase awareness around this critical issue,” said Chuck Bennett, vice president, Earth and Community Care, Aveda. “Recycling caps is a meaningful form of environmental activism. Every cap we prevent from becoming trash is one less piece of plastic in the mouth of a baby seal, penguin or turtle.”
Brenthaven: What Makes A “Zero Impact” Computer Bag Company?
Posted by Bobby April 16th, 2008 View Comments
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, your health, and the environment.
Sure, Brenthaven bags will protect your computer in a fall and are good for your back, but how is Brenthaven helping the environment? The company has committed to a number of green projects including the reduction of packing, the conducting of a carbon audit of the company, the printing of marketing materials on recycled paper with soy-based inks, and the investment of 5% of profits into “green projects.” All purchases with Brenthaven are offset by carbon credits purchased from terrapass.com. Brenthaven was founded on wilderness packs used in outdoor activity and supports many environmental organization such as Leave No Trace.
But what about the actual bags?
What’s New
Where We’re Going
NY: Mar. 24
FT Investing in a Sustainable Future - Learn how investors are using new techniques to generate returns on responsible investments and hear about the latest trends in CSR activities.
SF: Apr. 14-16
Navigating the American Carbon World - Looking at the status of climate policy in 2010 and how climate initiatives will move forward with or without new policy.
Chicago Apr. 28-29
LCA Sustainable Supply Chain USA How To Measure, Prioritize And Reduce Social And Environmental Impacts In The Most Effective Manner
April 28-30
SF: Social Enterprise Summit/World Forum
SF: May 20-21
Microfinance USA 2010 - The place where microfinance practitioners, investors, and enthusiasts meet.
Monterey: Jun. 7-10
Sustainable Brands 2010 - Explore The Power of "And" at this year's highly anticipated SB10 conference - a 3p favorite since it's inception. Join more than 700 business and brand strategists, designers and sustainability executives for three days of extraordinary conversation.
July 29-30
GRI Certified Sustainability Reporting Course - Get the tools needed to fully assess the sustainability of business activities and to reduce the negative impacts of day-to-day operations.
LA: Sept. 1-2
Women in Green Forum - Recognizing the achievements of women across the vast range of environmental industry sectors.
Partners
University of Kansas Green Jobs Tweets
- http://twitpic.com/19ku6b - Add the included solar panel, and this little thing is going to light up Africa #greenjobsku
- Just watched Warner Phillips throw new lightbulb on ground. It bounced! #greenjobsku
- Philips says sometimes you can't go to companies to make what you want. You just have to go out and do it yourself. Right on. #greenjobsku
- Another company balancing the three P's - people, planet, and profit - Lemnis. #greenjobsku
- This solar-powered LED is being used in communities in Africa. #greenjobsku http://twitpic.com/19kt72
- Nominations Now Open for 2010 Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence
- The Abbott Fund, Boston University School of Medicine and Leading Health Institutions in Vietnam Inaugurate the Abbott Fund Institute of Nutrition Science at Bach Mai Hospital
- PepsiCo Marks World Water Day 2010 with Global Water Goals
- CBRE Teams with The Green Standard
- Mannington's 25% Postconsumer Recycled VCT Honored with Environmental Stewardship Award
Recent Comments