Receipts: Not for the recycle bin?

May 28, 2010

Over recent months, there has been some reporting of the dangers from BPA (bisphenol-A) in cash register receipts (for example, on EcoWomen and Science News). And last year, the focus was more on BPA in toilet paper. Without dismissing the importance of limiting BPA that can affect our bodies directly, I’d like to point toward [...]

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Trader Joe’s social sustainability

May 16, 2010

Before criticizing Trader Joe’s for lagging with its environmental practices, consider the ways in which the grocery retailer is far ahead of its peers. TJ’s began with the human dimension – something rare and praiseworthy.
The sustainability press has been offering highly qualified praise to grocery retailer Trader Joe’s lately. Under pressure from Green Peace since [...]

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Green Team 2.0

April 29, 2010

I’ve just contributed an article to Sustainable Industries online about the evolution of Green Teams.
For many companies, the sustainability program begins with a corporate “Green Team.” This group—often a multifunctional mix, and often a volunteer effort—brainstorms ideas for green initiatives, then carries them out in various ways, ranging from hidden skunkworks projects [...]

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Volcanic fallout offers new opportunities

April 21, 2010

The eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajöku, and the effects from the dispersing ash cloud, have prompted a wide variety of responses from the sustainability community. Some are celebrating the reduced carbon emissions from grounded flights (perhaps 1.3 million tons‘ worth) and encouraging further, more voluntary reductions. Some are highlighting the perils of our heavy [...]

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Benefit Corporations supported in Maryland

April 15, 2010

On April 13, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley signed into law the nation’s first legislation creating Benefit Corporations (B Corps). What is a B Corp? This is a new class of corporation (like an LLC, sole proprietorship, or C Corp) that is required to create benefit for society as well as shareholders.
Take note of that: B [...]

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