Thursday, May 07, 2009

MARS: from sustainable cocoa to candy wrappers transformed into cellphone holders

From sustainable cocoa to transforming candy wrappers into cell phone holders, Mars is doing big efforts for the environment!

Last week, Mars announced a partnership with upcycling company Terracycle, which consist in repurposing surplus and used packaging from more than 20 Mars brands, -including: leading confectionary brands such as M&M’S®, SNICKERS®, MILKY WAY®, TWIX®, STARBURST®, SKITTLES®, 3 MUSKETEERS®, JUICY FRUIT®, to name a few- to produce affordable, high-quality consumer goods.

From the repurpose of waste packaging from Mars U.S. operations, Terracycle will produce cell phone holders and laptop sleeves to messenger bags, significantly reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Mars’ goal is to reduce its waste by 3 percent a year. Reducing waste is one of four areas Mars focuses on in its sustainability initiatives, along with reducing its use of energy and water and ensuring the sustainability of raw materials used in its products, such as cocoa.

Talking of which, Mars has been working independently, as well as in collaboration with industry partners, governmental agencies such as the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), non-governmental organizations (World Cocoa Foundation), and organizations of small cocoa farmers, to establish a variety of programs that seek to ensure the long-term sustainability of the cocoa economy, the communities that produce cocoa, and their environments.

By all its sustainable practices, Mars wants to see growth and improvement in:

-The standard of living enjoyed by growers, their families and communities.
-The quality and quantity of the product.

Mars’s overall sustainability goal is to minimize its footprint on the planet to help restore the planet for the next generation.

Kudos to Mars, I’ll feel less guilty eating M&M’s knowing the cocoa used to produced them came from sustainable practices.

Watch Go Brown's satirical videos about Terracycle:

Part 1 Compost Incorporated

Part 2 The Waste of Society

For more info visit Mars' website.
Cc license chris.espinoza on flickr.com (M&M's)
Cc license mayme1983 on flickr.com (Mars bar)

When art and energy combine, some wonderful things can happen

When art and energy combines, some wonderful things can happen

Mae Yokoyama , a student from Konstfack Arts and Design University in Sweden, shows us how renewable energies can be fashionable with this unique jewelry piece.

This one of a kind collar made of solar panels, accumulates energy during daytime and when the sun goes down a string of pearls is illuminated, turning the practical look of the solar panels into a subtle and fashionable necklace.

Konstfack is the largest university college of arts, crafts, design and art education in Sweden. Every year about 900 students are enrolled in the Undergraduate and Master’s programs, the Art Education programs and independent courses.

More information at www.konstfack.info.
Photo Credits: Andreas Nyquist

U.S. sets example for endangered species protection

By David Suzuki with Faisal Moola

Last week, U.S. President Barack Obama completed his first 100 days on the job. During this brief period, his administration has acted to reverse many of the failed and destructive policy decisions of his predecessor, George W. Bush.

President Obama is giving the American people hope that positive change is possible. If only we were being offered the same kind of hope here in Canada.

The U.S. president has rejected the rigid dogma of previous U.S. leaders in moving to loosen restrictions on Cuba and offering to engage in peaceful dialogue, rather than threats and counter threats, with Iran.

He has injected billions of dollars into science and overturned the Bush administration’s ban on embryonic stem-cell research in an effort to return the nation to its historical leadership role in scientific enquiry and discovery.

On the environment, he has appointed an outspoken advocate of ocean conservation to head the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, signed into law protection for over two million acres of wilderness, and made clear his intention to combat climate change, including a willingness to force automakers to produce more fuel-efficient and less-polluting cars.

Obama’s commitment to implement the U.S. Endangered Species Act has received far less attention. Earlier this year, the U.S. government restored key endangered species protections that were stripped away by George Bush in the waning days of his administration. In particular, President Obama has reinstated rules that will ensure that government decisions or activities that might harm endangered species receive independent scientific scrutiny before they are allowed to go ahead.

In announcing the change, President Obama said: “Throughout our history, there’s been a tension between those who’ve sought to conserve our natural resources for the benefit of future generations, and those who have sought to profit from these resources. But I’m here to tell you this is a false choice. With smart, sustainable policies, we can grow our economy today and preserve the environment for ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren.”

The president’s support for the Endangered Species Act signals a 180-degree turn for the U.S. government. Under George Bush, the U.S. did just about everything in its power, including breaking the law, to eviscerate this critical piece of environmental legislation, enacted, ironically, by another right-wing Republican, Richard Nixon, more than 30 years ago.

President Obama’s support for the legal protection of endangered species couldn’t have come at a more pressing time. Scientists are united in their belief that the planet is in the midst of a biodiversity crisis on par with earlier mass extinction events in the Earth’s history.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, some 16,000 of known plant and animal species are currently threatened with extinction, including 12 per cent of birds, 23 per cent of mammals, and 32 per cent of amphibians.

In fact, some scientists believe the effects of climate change alone could result in the premature extinction of 15 to 37 per cent of species within our children’s lifetime – by 2050. Because we likely know about only a fraction of all species on Earth, this does not encompass the many unidentified or undiscovered species that will vanish before we even learn of their presence.

Sadly, our own government leaders have not come close to matching President Obama’s leadership on endangered species. Canada has had legislation protecting endangered species for six years, but our government has failed to implement the law, called the Species at Risk Act, according to a report card released recently by the David Suzuki Foundation and its allies.

The report found that only one animal, a tiny snail the size of a kernel of corn that lives in a few hot springs in an existing protected area, has received the full conservation measures required under the Species at Risk Act. At the same time, some 550 other species, including caribou and killer whales, are wasting away in legal purgatory while the feds dilly-dally on completing and implementing recovery plans that are necessary to prevent their extinction.

When it comes to environmental problems such as climate change and species extinction, the attitude of our “leaders” here in Canada seems to be that we have plenty of time before we have to act. But as our neighbours to the south are finally beginning to realize, that’s not the case. The more we delay, the more severe the problems will become and the more difficult it will be to address them. Our own survival depends on the planet’s ability to provide us with clean air, water, and food.

We must act now. And, yes, we can!

Take David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge and learn more at Davidsuzuki.org.

For a list of endangered species visit www.earthsendangered.

Canadian Wood Bison: watch a group of bison in their natural habitat.

Canadian Killer Whale: watch a killer whale in action.

Photo credits www.earthsendangered.

AVEDA pioneer in sustainability for beauty industry

Global sustainability leader Aveda™ announced last week it has become the first beauty company in the world and only the second U.S. company in any industry to receive a Cradle to Cradle (C2C) sustainability endorsement, with seven Aveda products achieving Gold Level C2C certification.

Today's endorsement comes from sustainability consultancy McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry, LLC (MBDC), the firm that pioneered the concept of Cradle to Cradle design, and the implementation of eco-effective design principles. Cradle to Cradle product certifications, recognize Aveda's recent extraordinary efforts to develop products and processes that conform to the world's most advanced standards for intelligent design, sustainable stewardship and reuse of materials.

C2C endorsement recognizes companies' efforts in developing environmentally-intelligent products with a goal of eliminating waste entirely.

This recognition is the peak of 30 years of socially and environmentally responsible business practices. Aveda has been the first beauty company to use recyclable packaging and wind energy for the making of its products, as well as being one of the first supporter of organic agriculture in the beauty industry.

"As the first beauty company to achieve Cradle to Cradle endorsement, Aveda is recognized as a leader in intelligent design," said Aveda President, Dominique Conseil. "Designing and manufacturing products can be environmentally responsible when environmental goals are factored into the concept at the very beginning. At Aveda, we believe that authentic beauty cares for the environment which we inherited from elders, and will leave to generations that follow."

To date, no other beauty products have been awarded Gold C2C certification.

Here are the products for which Aveda received Gold C2C designation for seven key products and Silver C2C designation for its packaging. The Gold certified products are: Aveda Smooth Infusion Shampoo; Smooth Infusion Conditioner; Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Shampoo; Dry Remedy Moisturizing Conditioner; Aveda Men Pure-Formance Shampoo; Aveda Men Pure-Formance Conditioner; and Green Science Firming Face Creme(shown above).

For more information visit www.aveda.com.

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Aveda's numerous corporate and social responsibility associations include CERES (Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies), ISO (International Organization for Standardization), Coop-America/Green Business Network, SVN (Social Venture Network), BSR (Business for Social Responsibility), Environmental Grant Makers, American Botanical Association, Organic Trade Association, National Recycling Coalition, and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Today’s Green Tip from the Sierra Club

Today's Green Tip from the Sierra Club !

Volunteering your time and expertise for a worthy cause is a rewarding experience. This week we offer tips to help you give greener.

Tip of the day: Volunteer to Put More Bikes on the Road

Carbon dioxide released from transportation accounts for about one-third of U.S. emissions, so any volunteer endeavor that puts fewer cars on the road can make a big difference in the fight against global warming.

Volunteering your time or donating used bike parts to a community bicycle organization is a great way to make a difference. Even if your do-good gig doesn't involve two-wheeled transport, you can reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling with other volunteers or opting for public transportation.

Share your tips: How does your favourite volunteer organization address the issue of transportation?

CC license wvs

Wooden eco–school to be built in leasing

By the end of May will start construction works of a new didactic pole of low energy consumption, designed by Avventura Urbana for the Region of Turin, Italy.

A preschool of 3000 Esq inspired by the principles of bio-construction is going to be realized in the Vinovo region (to the South of Piedmont). The particularity of this small contract that hardly exceeds three millions Euro is the application of leaseback, so called leasing “In Construendo”.
The winner enterprises of the tender assure that this is the first operation of its kind in Piedmont. The members of the winner T.A.E. are the Secap enterprise of Turin, La Foca Latvija enterprise of Latvia that is specialized in wood construction, Tecnelit Impianti of Turin. The project is under the auspices of Avventura Urbana of Turin while Ing Operleasing is the financial partner.
The group has won the tender using the preliminary project of Municipality (elaborated in collaboration with the Agency of environment of Piedmont) proposing a number of improvements that would increase energy saving performance and reduce the terms of execution. Such improvements allowed to obtain additional points according to evaluation system, where approval criteria were based on the most economically advantageous offer (up to 35 points for the economical value, up to 40 for the technical value and 25 points for the terms of execution).
The meliorative proposal, says Matteo Robiglio, Avventura Urbana's shareholder, was implied in the energy performance improvements. “We have proved that it was possible to install a heat pump powered by photovoltaic panels instead of the methane powered condensation furnace that was planned initially”.

Green covering and photovoltaic panels on the roof

Energy saving and eco-sustainability start from the roof: a light green roof (10 cm of soil) is planned above the space destined to the service area (canteen, school hall and staffrooms), while above the classrooms there will be installed photovoltaic panels integrated in the covering for 130 Esq. “We've made possible a better performance of the wooden components gaining a crucial abatement of the execution terms”, concludes Robiglio.
Wood is the key-element. The choice has been made in favour of supporting walls with entire span reticular structure with 60-80 cm pitch. Wood is not visible in the rooms, except for connecting areas, while the classroom floors are in wood with heating serpentines underneath.
Construction works will start in May and will continue for 250 working days. Total covered area of 3.050 Esq is for two thirds dedicated to the classrooms and for one third to service and common spaces (canteen, theater, gym). It will be possible to host 250 children in the building.
Energy saving performance, obtained in part by insulation materials, is more than sufficient: 19.4 kWh/Esq per year.

Friday, May 01, 2009

Vote for @good cause !

Facebook and Twitter are on all lips, if you are not using those popular social networks yet you better join the wave. Regardless of what some people think, those social networks are not only used for spying on your friends’ every moves, those websites are actually doing good gestures for charity.

Have you heard of TwittaCause? The Worlds First Million Dollar Twitter Account! It is raising $1 million for a Global Charity using the power of Twitter. TwittaCause raised the money with the help of 1000 corporate sponsors who gave half of the money, the other half will be provided by individuals.

In total, 15 charities are battling to win $ 1 mm. You have until May 10th to vote on TwittaCause for your favorite cause.

We decide who wins, so join Twittacause and vote now!

Here are the 15 charities nominated.
Find out more about each charity on TwittaCause page.

1-One Laptop Per Child
2. World society for the protection of animals (WSPA)
3. Malaria No More
4. Epic Change
5. Operation Smile
6. Angel Wish
7. Blood: Water Mission
8. Children's Cancer Research Fund
9. FreePlay Foundation
10. The Kempe Foundation
11. Foundation for caregivers
12. World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
13. Tennyson Center for Children
14. National MS Society
15. Save the Children

Want to know who Alternative Channel voted for? Join us on Twitter to find out!