Sustainable Life Media

20,000 Tons of Business Xmas Cards Destined for Dustbin

2008-10-10T05:39:52-07:00

Oct. 10, 2008 - In the U.K. this Christmas, 20,000 tons of paper will get dumped in the trash as businesses and consumers send each other holiday greeting cards, according to Envirowise, a British government-backed nonprofit.

Envirowise is appealing to businesses to find alternative ways to send holiday greetings to clients and suppliers, such as electronic cards. (The nonprofit reports that, since 2005, more than 130,000 e-cards have been sent free of charge through its website, saving businesses nearly $100,000 on postage, card, and envelope costs.)

"We are asking businesses to think twice about the cost and impact of Christmas cards and consider a more cost effective, efficient and environmentally friendly alternative," she said. "It may seem a small measure, but it is actions such as this which will inevitably have a huge impact."

Small businesses will spend nearly $200 million on holiday cards this year, according to Envirowise.

Companies looking to send traditional holiday cards have some greener options this year. Hallmark recently introduced a series of corporate holiday cards produced from 50% sugar cane pulp and 50% recycled paper.

Fireman's Fund Offers Green Insurance for Marine Industry

2008-10-10T04:06:19-07:00

Oct. 10, 2008 - Fireman's Fund has created a green insurance program designed to help ship owners meet new U.S. air quality requirements - an industry first.

New marine emissions regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency, have created potential gaps in coverage for boat owners facing major engine repairs. Most existing hull and marine equipment policies only cover restoration of damaged equipment to its original operating conditions, and do not cover improvements that meet the new strict environmental standards.

The Fireman’s Fund says its green Hull and Machinery coverage will repair or replace a damaged engine with the most efficient model available to meet federal air quality requirements. And in the event of a total loss to an engine, the coverage also covers a portion of upgrades to the undamaged engine.

U.S. regulations are just the start of additional impending international regulations. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), a U.N. regulatory body, is deciding whether to place a tax on marine fuel as early as next year in a bid to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry.

EATN Park Creates Eco-Logo for Employees

2008-10-10T03:26:45-07:00

Oct. 10, 2008 - EATN Park Hospitality Group (EPHG), operator of 200 restaurants and catering businesses in the U.S. mid-Atlantic region, has created an in-house eco-logo to educate employees on its green programs, RedOrbit reports.

The company’s "EcoSteps" logo is used throughout its restaurants to promote specific environmentally friendly practices and why they matter. The aim of the logo, according to EPGH, is to help staff understand the benefits behind the green measures, and to encourage further work toward sustainability.

"Eat'n Park Hospitality group has 'Positions of Sustainability,' which establish both corporate and local responsibility standards, including a continual focus on environmental issues," explains Don Mahaney, manager of EPHG's Six Penn Kitchen restaurant. "These comprise commitments to local purchasing, positions on social and ethical consciousness, and positions on environmental awareness, such as composting and alternative fuels."

"[The eco-logos are] about motivating the team," says Mahaney.

Two of the company’s most successful sustainability "positions," according to Mahaney, are its composting initiative and its local purchasing policy.

"Composting had been a discussion point for us for some time, and then the garbage disposal broke, making the decision for us," says Mahaney. "In fact, the restaurant works closely with AgRecycle a local composting facility that advises the restaurant on maintaining a composting procedure for the kitchen.

"Everyone takes turns spot-checking the organics dumpster," says Mahaney. "A Green Committee was formed as a way of empowering staff, which has been even more successful than expected. A line cook recently took the initiative to research and advocate energy efficiency measures that could be made in the kitchen." The company also boasts reducing trash pickups from five days a week to two.

EPHG has also gained a position of influence with its commitment to local suppliers. Through its FarmSource initiative, the company partners with producers within 125 miles of local distributors, and spends $12 million, or 20% of total food purchases through the initiative. With such large purchases in the local market, the company has the opportunity to influence suppliers. If a producer does not practice sustainable farming, they risk losing EPHG as a customer and often will alter their practices to meet EPGH standards.

Other restaurant chains are also getting a taste for the benefits of sourcing food from local suppliers. The Chipotle burrito chain, for example, has pledged to source 25% of at least one in-season produce item within 200 miles of the restaurant.

In the U.K., a survey found that pubgoers say they'll pay up to 30% more for food that's organic, fairtrade, or locally sourced.

UPS First Shipper to Join Climate Leaders

2008-10-10T02:32:20-07:00

Oct. 10, 2008 - UPS has become the first shipping company to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Leaders program, committing to set aggressive emissions-reduction goals and report to the EPA annually on its progress.

UPS's greenhouse has is currently under development, according to the Climate Leaders website.

But the carrier has already made strides in reducing its carbon footprint, particularly when it comes to greener fleets. UPS has invested heavily in route optimization software, which saved 3 million gallons of fuel last year by minimizing left-hand turns, according to UPS.

UPS has the largest private fleet of alternative-fuel vehicles in the transportation industry. The company recently purchase 500 additional hybrid electric (HEV) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, bringing its fleet to a total of 2,218 low-carbon vehicles.

VH1's Margaret Lydecker on Hosting a Greener Event

2008-10-10T02:00:00-07:00

Packing hundreds of people into a single venue can pose real challenges for organizations looking to minimize their environmental impact, as Margaret Lydecker well knows. As sustainability director at VH1, Margaret is responsible for greening the cable channel’s many award shows. In this SLM interview, Margaret shares some of her top green-meeting tips, and explains why VH1 is keeping mum on its green event-management efforts instead of touting them among viewers. (To listen to our conversation with Margaret, click here.)

SLM: Margaret, you've been instrumental in developing green guidelines for VH1 productions such as award shows. What are the areas of event production that offer most opportunity for reducing environmental impact?

Margaret: These guidelines are for big "tent-pole" shows - live shows that are taped for television broadcast. So you'll have several hundred people descending on a venue for a short period of time. Anytime you've got a crowd together there's a lot of garbage generated, including large amounts of paper. What we've found is that by implementing some highly visible, easy ways for people to recycle or otherwise properly dispose of their trash, it becomes a habit. Once they get used to our signage it's much more natural for them to separate their recyclables from their garbage and dispose of waste in the right container.

SLM: There seems to be a lot of overlap in approach between greening a TV production and greening a business meeting - for example, boosting recycling, greening catering services, and offsetting the carbon emissions from travel. In creating your green guidelines, where did you look for inspiration?

Margaret: Part of it was being out on productions myself and part of it was looking at other large events like Live Earth, which published its own green guidelines. Many other groups have really pushed to create basic steps to minimize environmental impact in these very specific areas. And, truthfully, a lot of it is common sense - just looking around and saying "here are some easy things we can do." A lot of these strategies, like offering adequate recycling bins, are not difficult and they're not expensive.

SLM: Over the past year we've seen various TV channels address green issues through programming - the new Planet Green lifestyle channel come to mind - but we don't hear much about reducing the footprint of the productions themselves. What prompted VH1 to begin looking at the environmental impact of its production activities?

Margaret: It's true that there have been a lot of green initiatives that target the demographics of certain TV shows. They'll encourage viewers to recycle but they won't actually address these issues among staff within their own production environment.

I was first approached on this topic by Lee Rollins [SP??], VH1's head of new music production. She had seen, over the course of her many years producing large-scale shows, exactly how much waste these events can generate. (In addition to which, I understand that her own kids were pressuring her to find ways to be more green!) So I was brought on to help her find ways to mitigate these impacts.

It has to start with the executives that are running these shows. They have to lead the team, and in this case the mandate really did come from the top down. Lee is a big supporter. She'll personally call the various departments and let them know that it's part of a companywide initiative - it's much harder for staff to shrug off that way.

SLM: What about the production sets themselves? Is it difficult to find suppliers of low-impact materials for set design and construction?

Margaret: It used to be, but it's gotten a lot easier. In many ways it comes down to simple economics: it's cheaper to design set parts that can be reused in some way. We pay for storage and reuse parts whenever possible. We even share set elements with other channels. For example, MTV will use our set parts and we'll use theirs. In addition, a lot of these elements can be repurposed or adapted, such as fabric-backed LED screens that can be reshaped for another set. So we're seeing a lot more efficiencies.

On the other hand, there are still challenges. Flooring often has to be ripped up, and we're trying to figure out ways that floors can be laid down and taken back up more carefully so that they can be reused, recycled, or donated.

SLM: Economics is often the driving force behind initiatives that have environmental payoffs as well. Think that's why the bosses at VH1 have been so enthusiastic about greening their productions?

Margaret: These people are savvy. They've been in this business for a long time and they don't want to waste valuable resources. In the case of set design, it's just a matter of storage and then finding opportunities to reuse the materials. And the set designers are saving money, too, if they can avoid having to buy new materials all the time.

SLM: What kind of messaging is VH1 doing around its green programs? Is the company sharing these efforts with viewers?

Margaret: We had a lot of discussions about this early on, and in the end we decided to focus on two areas. First, we've implemented an internal messaging effort, posting clear signage to help VH1 employees feel empowered around our environmental programs. We've got something called the VH1 Best Green Team Ever, in which the head of each major department communicates our progress on various green goals. Employees also receive a monthly update on VH1's environmental initiatives.

Second, though we're working to green our event productions, which is more of an external effort, we've decided not to target viewers with our messaging. Instead, we're working with our staff and crew so that we can get to the point where we have something to talk about outside the company. It's such a monster effort - teaching 600 people to re-evaluate their thinking on disposable water bottles, for example. We don't have any plans at this point to share our green efforts with the public - not until we've got it DOWN - and I totally applaud that strategy.

SLM: What advice do you have for other companies that are looking for creative ways to minimize their environmental footprint?

Margaret: I think transparency is the number-one thing in my book. Get a baseline understanding of how much waste you're generating, or how much energy you're using, and post that information to get people motivated and inspired to make some positive changes. Everyone contributes to that number, be it number of water bottles or kilowatt hours of electricity. Then, when you've gotten some results from your efforts, post that information as well. Show people how their individual efforts are helping to make a difference. That I think is the best way to get people engaged in the process.

For Margaret's top tips on hosting a greener event, click here.

Gap, AT&T Install Megawatt Solar Arrays

2008-10-09T09:23:25-07:00

Oct. 9, 2008 - Gap, Inc. has unveiled a 1 megawatt (MW) solar power system at its West Coast distribution center in Fresno, Calif.

The Fresno array, one of the largest in the state, covers five acres and follows the sun’s movement during the day, to increase sunlight capture by up to 25% over conventional fixed-tilt systems. Gap expects it will offset 2.5 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions annually.

Gap has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with MMA Renewable Ventures, which owns and operates the system. Under the arrangement, Gap purchases the electricity generated by the array, while MMA pockets the renewable energy credits associated with the project.

AT&T is currently installing a 1 MW rooftop solar array at its San Ramon, Calif. campus, according to the company's latest sustainability report.

AT&T has also signed an agreement with Austin Energy to participate in the utility's GreenChoice initiative, where 10% of the electricity purchased for all facilities in Austin, Texas, is coming from wind power.

Companies that operate in California are taking advantage of the incentives provided through the state's Million Solar Roofs initiative, signed into law in 2006.

Pepsi Bottling Group Saves 16,000 Tons of Plastic

2008-10-09T08:39:32-07:00

Oct. 9. 2008 - Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) last year saved 16,000 tons of plastic (millions of pounds from Aquafina bottles alone) via new bottle designs and manufacturing processes, according to the company's first-ever sustainability report.

The report outlines the company's progress across all of its sustainability programs. A few highlights:

PBG saves an estimated 300 million gallons of water annually thanks to new technology and process improvements.
Over the past three years, the company has saved 74 million pounds of plastic solely by marketing lighter-weight Aquafina bottles.
PBG has introduced lighter-weight delivery that are 11% more fuel efficient.
The company has offset 100% of its U.S. electricity needs through the purchase of renewable energy certificates.
PBG now recycles an estimated 83% of its waste stream.

Parent company Pepsi recently launched two websites encouraging its customers to get in on the green act. Its PepsiRecycling, and PepsiEcoChallenge sites are designed to communicate the company’s environmental responsibility and promote recycling among consumers.

To download the PBG's latest sustainability report, click here.

Redemtech Launches Sustainable Computing Initiative

2008-10-09T07:54:10-07:00

Oct. 9. 2008 - Tech services firm Redemtech has launched a sustainable computing initiative designed to help large companies reduce the environmental impact of their IT systems and save money in the bargain.

Redemtech says its program aims to reduce the flow of electronic waste into the disposal stream by extending equipment lifecycles, reusing electronics via resale or charitable donation, and ensuring responsible recycling.

Efforts include:

Creating a self-assessment program that enables companies to identify the green practices that will have the most impact.
Working with the U.S. Government Accounting Office to call attention to recycling companies that are dumping e-waste overseas.
Working with the Basel Action Network to develop and support higher standards for e-waste recycling.

Redemtech has released new lifecycle assessment data suggesting that companies can save up to $650 per $1,000 of initial capital investment by extending equipment life by four to five years.

Redemtech's sustainable computing initiative has been launched in conjunction with the whitepaper, Beyond Power: IT's Roadmap to Sustainable Computing, co-produced by Redemtech and IDC. To find out more, click here.

Vodafone Powers Mobile Networks with Wind

2008-10-09T03:39:21-07:00

Oct. 9, 2008 - Telecom giant Vodafone, which in April pledged to rely on renewable energy wherever possible, has begun generating electricity for its mobile communications network via a new wind-energy system in Serra do Socorro, Portugal.

The company has installed a 3.5 kilowatt wind turbine on the base-station's telecommunications mast. The turbine will supply part of the electricity needed for equipment functions such as cooling - one of the main energy drains on a base station, according to Vodafone.

Vodafone expects to achieve reductions of 15-20% in total electricity consumption and climate emissions at Serra do Socorro. The system is currently being implemented at 32 of Vodafone's telecommunications base stations around Portugal, the company says.

The wind-energy project is part of Vodafone's strategy to slash its carbon emissions in half by 2020. The plan also calls for developing products and services that help customers limit their own climate emissions.

World Steel Association Clocking Emissions Data

2008-10-08T08:55:17-07:00

Oct. 8, 2008 - The World Steel Association (Worldsteel) is making good in its promise to collect CO2 emissions data from its members, so far accounting for a third of global steel production.

Worldsteel (formerly the International Iron and Steel Institute) last year pledged to create an international voluntary emissions database as early as 2012. The trade group now reports that 56 member companies have provided emissions data to date, representing more than 178 sites. This accounts for 32% of global steel production and 60% of member steel production. The group plans to reach 75% by the end of the year.

"It is our intention that once the data is collected and verified there will be reporting on a national or regional basis by the steel industry all around the world," says Worldsteel director general Ian Christmas. "We hope that this process will enable steel companies and national and regional associations to establish targets for future commitments to reduce specific emissions."

The global industry accounts for between 4% and 5% of total man-made greenhouse gases, according to Worldsteel. It makes more than 1.3 billion tons of steel annually, generating over two billion tons of carbon dioxide each year as a result.

To reduce the industry's carbon footprint, Worldsteel has established four "building blocks" to engage steel companies and governments in its global sector approach:

Working with customers to produce more CO2-efficient applications of steel
Benchmarking improvements to reduce emissions based on the successful collection of actual performance data
Promoting best practice
Engaging in technological research and development

"New steels," such as steel made from plastic bags, have an important part to play in the fight against climate change, according to Worldsteel. "Steel, working with architects, industrial designers, and our customers, will have a major positive contribution to moving towards a more energy-efficient world," according to chairman Phillippe Varin. "Governments can support this by setting the appropriate regulations and standards."

Aegis Buys Clownfish in Sustainability Play

2008-10-08T07:27:01-07:00

Oct. 8, 2008 - Media powerhouse Aegis Group has acquired Clownfish, a sustainable-branding outfit, as a "highly strategic investment in a high-potential space," according to its CEO.

Clownfish will become part of Isobar, Aegis Media’s digital agency network, in a strategic move toward providing digital and sustainability solutions for business and marketing communications.

Aegis CEO Robert Lerwill says the acquisition (said to be worth around $1 million), "will better help our clients, by linking marketing communications and sustainability in a robust and meaningful way." The two companies have already worked together for clients including Coca-Cola, Reebok, and Beiersdorf.

Earlier this year, global communications giant Publicis Group joined recently acquired sustainability consultancy Act Now, with Saatchi & Saatchi's retail marketing division, to form the re-branded Saatchi & Saatchi S network, a consultancy that aims to address environmental and economic sustainability.

Brand valuation is certainly on the rise for companies that decide to invest a substantial amount in sustainable business practices, according to Interbrand's Best Global Brands 2008 report. Aegis client Coca-Cola remains the best global brand in the ranking for the eighth year in a row.

Event Planners Get New Web Tools for Greener Meetings

2008-10-08T06:53:43-07:00

Oct. 8, 2008 - Stumped on finding the best place to host your next green meeting? Meeting Strategies Worldwide has launched a new website with tools that can help narrow the field.

The Best Places to Meet Green website provides a "green cities" scorecard, ranking certain destinations for their environmental friendliness, and an emissions calculator to help estimate the impact a meeting will have on the environment.

The scorecard ranks cities according to the environmental programs in place at its convention and visitors' bureau, convention center, and hotels in the city's conference package. The scores are verified by Meeting Strategies Worldwide and then entered into a scoring matrix for each of these criteria. Visitors can customize the ranking to sort cities by total score, city name, and city size. Current cities listed are San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Seattle, Orlando, and Portland, Ore.

The calculator feature allows visitors to evaluate the estimated carbon footprint for potential destinations of a conference. Visitors enter how many attendees they have from each region around the world, and then select destinations where they are interested in holding their event. The calculator provides a report comparing the attendee travel footprint for each of the cities they are considering.

As corporate travel policies become increasingly governed by environmental concerns, more companies are responding. Travel services firm Travelport recently created an online reporting tool that measures the carbon footprint of business trips using the internationally recognized Greenhouse Gas Protocol.

But promoting environmentally friendly destinations for conference planners may not be enough to avert the decline in corporate travel. An increasing number of companies are choosing alternatives to business travel including web conferencing to reduce expenses and emissions.

"Green" No Customer Magnet, Says Supply Chain Industry

2008-10-08T04:04:44-07:00

Oct. 8, 2008 - Green programs, though key to corporate responsibility, don't necessarily attract or keep customers, according to a new global survey of third-party logistics (3PL) firms.

A remarkable 100% of CEOs at European 3PL companies say that environmental responsibility plays an insignificant role in winning and keeping business, according to the survey by Penske Logistics and Northeastern University. 3PL execs in North America (95%) and the Asia-Pacific region (89%) overwhelmingly agree.

On the other hand, most CEOs surveyed report plans to boost spending on green initiatives, primarily as a corporate social responsibility initiative independent of customer demand.

Why the disconnect? While companies frequently cite cost as a barrier to greening the supply chain, most aren't even sure how much such programs are setting them back, or how much they may save over time. The 3PL survey finds that less than 3% of customers have performance metrics in place to track their providers' ability to help them achieve their green goals.

The result is a wash for logistics providers. Why manage what your clients aren't measuring?

Recent research in the U.K. indicates that that 70% of supply chain executives see environmental compliance as "important" or "very important," mostly to improve cost savings from implementing energy efficiencies upstream. Yet such efficiencies often require capital investment upfront - cash many companies don't have to spend in the current economic climate. In fact, more than half (54%) of survey respondents copped to passing the buck on to suppliers, including environmental compliance clauses in their supplier contracts without making provisions for any extra costs those companies may incur.

To download the executive summary of 2008 3PL Provider CEO Perspective, click here (PDF).

Paper Taps Starbucks As Major Water Waster

2008-10-07T10:39:29-07:00

Oct. 7, 2008 - Starbucks wastes enough water to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool every 83 minutes, according to an investigative report by The Sun. (via BusinessGreen)

The newspaper reveals that staff at every Starbucks location are instructed to leave a water tap on throughout the day to wash spoons and utensils.

Starbucks originally justified its policy by saying that leaving faucets running is more environmentally sound than turning them on and off. However, the company has since changed its position, stating that the practice (which it claims is widely accepted in the industry) is more for hygienic purposes.

"Dipper wells use a stream of continuous cold fresh-running water to rinse away food residue, help keep utensils clean and prevent bacterial growth,” according to one Starbucks rep.

The idea has been pooh-poohed by critics, however. "The claim that you need to keep taps running non-stop for health and safety reasons is bonkers," says Peter Robinson, director of the environmental nonprofit Waste Watch. "Big companies like Starbucks should be setting an example about not wasting natural resources. If they are serious about going green, they should ditch this shameful practice immediately."

Starbucks concedes that "the opportunity exists to reduce our total water usage."

Sprint Targets 15% Emissions Reduction

2008-10-07T09:47:46-07:00

Oct. 7, 2008 - Sprint has committed to cutting its total greenhouse gas emissions 15% by 2017, with at least 10% of its energy coming from renewable sources.

The emissions-reduction goal has earned recognition from the U.S. EPA's Climate Leaders program, which Sprint joined last year.

Sprint will be focusing much of its energy-efficiency efforts on the amount of power required to operate its mobile networks. The company says it is examining all network design and procurement processes to ensure that energy use and environmental impact is taken into consideration.

Sprint is also introducing 250 hydrogen fuel cells in its core network, a cleaner energy source whose only by-product is water.

In addition, Sprint has pledged to increase its wireless recycling rates from 16% to 90% by 2017 by expanding two current programs, Sprint Project Connect and Sprint Buyback. The company is launching a public awareness campaign to encourage customer participation in its takeback programs.

Sprint says its new emissions reduction target is part of a ten-year plan to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Minimize waste and reduce use of natural resources
Promote an environmentally sound supply chain
Reduce the environmental impact of Sprint products and services
Promote and support environmental stewardship by Sprint employees
Continue to comply with environmental regulations

In the telecom industry, expansion to so-called "bottom-of-the-pyramid" consumers is necessitating a move toward energy efficiency. Earlier this year, China Mobile, the world's largest mobile phone operator, announced plans to increase energy efficiency by 40%, even as its business continues to grow. In India, telecom vendor VNL has re-engineered industry-standard Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications technology to both draw less electricity and run exclusively on solar power.

Cause Marketing Offers Huge Payoffs, Study Finds

2008-10-07T08:51:25-07:00

Oct. 7, 2008 - Cause-related marketing can drive double-digit sales growth for brands, according to a new consumer survey.

The behavioral study, conducted jointly by Cone Marketing and Duke University's Fuqua School of Management, examined consumer reactions to cause-related marketing campaigns, either in store or online. The big reveal? Sales of some products jumped as much as 74% when the product was associated with a particular social cause.

"Consumers are paying more attention to cause messages and, as a result, are more likely to purchase," says Gavan Fitzsimons, Duke marketing professor and lead researcher on the study. "This is clearly great news for brand managers, as every percentage increase can translate to millions of dollars in revenue."

Additional research conducted by Cone identified the specific factors consumers consider important when deciding to support a company's cause efforts. For example:

84% would prefer to select the cause their purchase would support
83% say personal relevance is key
80% believe the specific nonprofit associated with the campaign matters
79% say they would be likely to switch from one brand to another, when price and quality are about equal, if the other brand is associated with a good cause
85% say they have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause they care about

Consumers are more receptive to cause messages than ever before, the report suggests. More than half (52%) of respondents say companies should maintain their level of financial support of causes and nonprofit organizations, despite current economic woes.

Yet marketers appear to be taking the opposite tack. According to another recent survey, also by Fuqua School of Management, chief marketing officers from Fortune 1000 companies predict that more marketers will be shifting away from their cause-related messages over the next year as a result of the souring economy.

Some companies are clearly enjoying the benefits of cause marketing. Earlier this year, companies including Haagen Dazs, Sears, and Proctor & Gamble said they planned to expand their cause-related efforts, suggesting the programs were paying off better than other promotional programs.

For a copy of the report, Past. Present. Future. The 25th Anniversary of Cause Branding, click here.

U.S. Postal Service Urges Workers to Turn Off Lights

2008-10-07T07:56:47-07:00

Oct. 7, 2008 - The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is asking employees to turn down thermostats and shut off lights and unused equipment in a bid to cut energy use 30% by 2015.

The yearlong campaign aims to encourage employees to take personal responsibility for conserving energy at work. The effort is part of USPS's new national energy management plan, which will identify goals for energy reduction for facility energy management, fleet management, fuel use, and energy consumption.

Postmaster General John Potter expects that the collective action of more than 685,000 employees nationwide will go a long way toward helping USPS achieve its energy-efficiency goal. "We need to take whatever steps we can to meet the needs of the present without compromising the future," he says. "Today is another step toward a culture of conservation here at the Postal Service."

USPS is performing energy audits in 500 of its largest facilities, which together represent 60% of the organization's total energy consumption. It is also piloting a new utility management system, analyzing cost data for electricity, natural gas, and fuel oil consumption at 600 sites.

U.N. Partnership Maps Out Standards for Sustainable Tourism

2008-10-07T06:20:43-07:00

Oct. 7, 2008 - A United Nations-led coalition has culled best practices from around the world to develop voluntary standards aimed at helping the travel industry meet increasing consumer demand for products and services.

The Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) has spent over a year consulting with sustainability experts and the tourism industry to develop a common framework of criteria to ensure that tourism supports local communities and the environment.

The criteria focus on four areas recommended as the most critical aspects of sustainable tourism:

Maximizing tourism's social and economic benefits to local communities
Reducing negative impacts on cultural heritage
Reducing harm to local environments
Planning for sustainability

The new standards will provide more transparency for the travel industry, according to GSTC member Travelocity/Sabre. "[The standards] will give travelers confidence that they can make choices to help the sustainability cause," says chief marketing officer Jeff Gluek. "They also will help the forward-thinking suppliers who deserve credit for doing things right."

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that 900 million tourists traveled last year, and forecasts that 1.6 billion tourists will travel annually by the year 2020.

"The GSTC initiative will undoubtedly constitute a major reference point for the entire tourism sector and an important step in making sustainability an inherent part of tourism development," says Francesco Frangialli, secretary-general of the UNWTO.

Taiheiyo Introduces Energy-Saving Cement

2008-10-06T09:36:26-07:00

Oct. 6, 2008 - Taiheiyo Cement Philippines Inc. (TCPI) has launched an alternative cement brand that requires less energy during production - and costs less, too.

TCPI's new Grand Premium concrete is a cleaner alternative to Portland Cement, the type of concrete used on most construction sites around the world. The wide use of traditional Portland Cement has been criticized for the large amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted during its manufacture.

The production of cement involves grinding down a material known as clinker, which releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere during the process. Grand Premium contains 75% clicker, compared to 95% in Portland cement. With less clinker in the mix, Grand Premium cement consumes less energy, emits less carbon dioxide, and costs less to produce, while meeting all the necessary standards for sale in the U.S., according to TCPI.

The number of businesses greening their facilities is expected to jump 23% over the next five years, according to a recent survey.

Mortgage Industry Gets Paperless Processing Tool

2008-10-06T08:00:03-07:00

Oct. 6, 2008 - A new web-based mortgage loan processing and document management system is being billed as the industry's chance to get some positive press for a change; it gives mortgage companies a chance to save reams of paper.

ATLOS (Automated Tracking Loan Origination System) acts as a kind of online electronic storage facility, enabling mortgage companies to eliminate all paper files and save on the cost of storing hard copies, according to the product's maker.

The software package also includes a web-conferencing feature to help companies reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cut travel expenses to off-site meetings.

"This is one of the first truly green solutions specifically tailored for the paper-intensive mortgage industry," says its manufacturer. "With ATLOS, mortgage companies can communicate with anyone, directly using video, audio, chat, and desktop sharing."

Companies of all sizes are increasingly investing in green IT technologies to help reduce energy and cut costs. Many small businesses identify a paperless office as the green IT practice that offers the greatest cost savings, according to a recent Microsoft survey.

For more information on ATLOS, click here.