…and more importantly, why does it matter to you?
As Environmental Leader reports, a recent study found that a whopping 77% of consumers described themselves as green. These consumers can be divided into four main categories:

Deeply Committed – people who are really trying to make a positive impact on the environment
Trendy – people who see others going green and want to stay in touch with today’s green trends
Practical – people who go green because it makes sense for their lifestyle for one reason or another
Passive – people who want to better the environment in order to provide a better life for …read more

Earlier this month, the Aluminum Association set clear goals for the future. By 2015, they hope to be recovering 75% of all aluminum containers made in the United States. That number currently stands at just 54%, though has been as high as 69% in the past.
To help meet this goal, the Aluminum Association is increasing public education, expanding the recycling infrastructure, and focusing on new legislation that will mandate recycling in areas where it is currently voluntary or legislation that will focus on recyclable deposits. Studies should that states with deposits have a 74% or higher recycling rate, while …read more

According to a survey by the Global Facility Management Association, most companies around the world are taking steps to go green. In fact, 92% of all companies have mater plans for going green or at least planning to go green over the next few years, starting small.
That number is super high but not surprising. What is surprising is why companies are going green. 67% of the companies responding say that their customers are “forcing them” to make the changes. You can read more about this story from Environmental Leader.
Keeping Your Customers Happy
Are your customers forcing you to go …read more

Recently, the New York Times reported on the effects of unsolicited mail. Although celebrities such as Oprah have helped to support do-not-mail list laws 16 different states, others say that alternatives are still “ungreen” and that these laws are just a nuisance. Pitney Bowes executive Michael J. Critelli, in this interview, talks about how these laws aren’t really making the world a greener place.
I have to disagree.
Yes, emails take energy just like paper mailing. Yes, you can recycle paper. Yes, trees are, in most cases (at least today) cut down in a responsible manner for this type of …read more

For the first time in 30 years, the EPA has announced that they are going to further restrict allowable lead levels. Currently, the standards are 1.5 micrograms of lead per cubic meter of air…and since that level was set in 1978, they’re tightening it 10 times to just 0.1 micrograms of lead per cubic meter.
The EPA will make personal changes to help this process, and these steps will take until 2011 and then states will have five years to comply with the new standards. This shouldn’t be a problem for most locations, though it is estimated that at least 18 …read more

We already talked about setting up a green part of your website and how it can help your customers. What about a business blog though. Even if you aren’t blogging about environmental issues, can business blogging still be green? Absolutely!
Keep in mind that in order to have a successful business blog, you have to have time to devote to it. The most successful blogs in any industry are updated at least 3 times a week – for many, updating even more is common. All of that blogging takes energy. However, consider the green “pros” of a business blog:

You can announce …read more

This week, Eiffel Tower managers announced that they’ll be cutting down on their lights show to help save energy and set an example for the community. Since 2000, the Eiffel Tower has twinkled using flashing bulbs for ten minutes every hour. Going forward, they’re cutting the light show to just five minutes every hour.
Setting a Green Example
The energy used by the Eiffel Tower’s lights is relatively small, so cutting the twinkle time in half won’t really save all that much energy. Although every little bit helps, this is about setting an example for the community more than it is …read more

When going green with your business, you definitely need to start at home by changing your manufacturing processes, choosing cleaner energy, and using green materials. Keep in mind, though, that you are only as green as the people you work with.
Take a look at your vendor list – the people selling you your materials, promoting your business, and otherwise selling you products and services your business needs. How green are these companies? In some cases, you might be able to find greener vendors.
At the same time, keep in mind that you don’t want to burn bridges by suddenly …read more

As the world markets continue to bounce, some companies are questioning whether right now is a good time to go green. Spending money on solar power, greener packaging, etc. when that investment won’t be refunded for a decade or more might not seem like a good idea when you’re trying to stretch your dollar.
Today, The New York Times reported that the European Union’s plan on climate changed is being challenged. The agreement, in which countries promised to slash emissions 30% from 1990 to 2020, in now being questioned. A number of Eastern European countries, along with Italy, have announced …read more

HarperOne has published a Green Bible – and no, I don’t meant the color. Or do I? The Green Bible, available for less than $20, is printed with soy ink on recycled paper, but that’s not all. Over 1000 passages, which make reference to the earth, are printed in green ink, kind of in the same way that some Bibles print Jesus’ words in red.
Sounds great, right? Well, maybe. While I’m sure that many copies will be sold, as you can read on Reuters, there are already a number of critics, including environmentalists who disagree with the highlighted passages …read more