Stop feeding the Phantom: Electrical devices can drain energy even when they are on standby. Power down completely whenever possible by using strategically placed power strips. Set it up so all you need do is press one off switch to cut the phantom’s food source. Try the Smart Strip Power Strip or the WattStopper to gain control over idle currents.

Go Natural: One of the strategies of today’s green buildings is to maximize natural daylight for both energy savings and health benefits. Inviting natural light into work and creative spaces reduces the need for artificial lighting. Energy efficient windows let light in without solar gain which means more natural light, lower electric bills and less heat load (which also translates into less AC and less electricity and so on and so on). One simple step, like taking advantage of natural daylight, can increase energy savings and worker productivity to boot!

Choose Renewable: You don’t need to install a wind turbine in the parking lot to take advantage of renewable energy (although there are lots of great innovative possibilities). And choosing renewable may be as easy as checking a box on your electric bill. Check with your utility company for renewable options, they may already offer this in your area. If not, consider purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) as an offset for your electricity use and an investment in the future of renewables. It’s not as costly as you may think.

Got more ideas to green your office electricity? Let us know, leave a comment.

More ways to green your lighting and electricity at Green Building 101: Environmentally Friendly Lighting

Post from: EveryJoe

Greening Your Electricity at the Office – Spring Cleaning Week

Origins itself has been touted for eco-friendly initiatives particularly in regard to packaging where they use both recycled and easily recyclable materials. They have recently signed on with Community Energy to offset 100% of their CO2 emissions from their North American retail stores and U.S. manufacturing facilities with wind energy renewable energy certificates (RECs).

The offset from their REC purchases are equal to a reduction of 4280 metric tons of CO2, 900 cars off the road or, theoretically, the planting of 3800 acres of trees. Their products don’t contain aerosols or use animal testing.

Origins has a ‘green’ corporate identity but the company is owned by one of the biggest names in beauty, Estée Lauder. In 2004, cosmetics manufacturer Estee Lauder was named as one of several liable parties for cleanup costs at two New York landfills. Contamination at the Blydenburgh landfill in Hauppauge includes solvents, paints, dyes and other manufacturing waste.

Groundwater contamination migrated some 400 feet from where waste had been dumped and down to a level of 535 feet below ground. Cleanup costs were estimated to be $16 million. At the second site, the Huntington/East Northport landfill, cleanup costs were estimated to be $20 million. (Newsday 6/10/2004)

Another issue that is related to the Origins/Estée Lauder connection is Estée Lauder’s (and Origins’) failure to sign the Compact for Safe Cosmetics which calls for the removal of harmful nanomaterials from cosmetics, sunscreen and personal care products to protect consumers, workers manufacturing such products, and environment.

The failure to sign the Compact, which includes cancer-causing ingredients, is in conflict with the company’s well publicized support for breast cancer research. In addition, Estée Lauder has been cited for sweatshop labor abuses, toxic dumping, and antitrust issues.

It’s possible that Origins, like another Estée Lauder subsidiary Aveda, could forge ahead as a social and environmental leader despite the sins of its parent company but a separate philosophy is still muddled.

In December of 2006, Dr. Samuel S. Epstein, Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition issued a press release claiming that some of Origins’ new products contain dangerous ingredients. According to Dr. Epstein, some of the products contain Butylene glycol (which can cause skin irritation if correct dilution is not used), parabens (which can cause hormonal disruptions especially in male embryos) and limonene (also a skin irritant and research has shown that it causes renal cancer in male rats).

Recycling and RECs are good environmental initiatives but Origins needs to amp it up if the company seeks to avoid a “greenwasher” label and maintain a green identity that is more than just skin deep.

Post from: EveryJoe

Origins Easy Breezy on the Surface