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Seventh Generation’s Message in a Bottle
Posted on 15. Mar, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
Seventh Generation once again proves that it is THE coolest, most innovative and socially responsible company with its debut of Natural 4x Detergent at Natural Products Expo West.
With its mission to “inspire a more conscious and sustainable world by being an authentic force for positive change”, Seventh Generation teamed with Ecologic Brands to create the world’s greenest laundry detergent packaging. Made from 100% recycled cardboard and newspaper, the fully recyclable and compostable outer shell can be upcycled into new packaging and recycled up to seven times. The monopolymer film pouch containing the detergent inside is nylon and laminate free.
Julie Corbett, Founder/CEO of Ecologic Brands, comments on this exciting launch: “Our mission all along has been to give consumers better packaging options. Too much is spent on what’s inside—it’s every brand’s responsibility today to begin thinking about the outside. I applaud Seventh Generation for taking the lead.”
Natural 4x not only uses 66% less plastic than typical 100 oz 2x detergent bottles, but it also leaves a much smaller carbon footprint. The stackable cardboard shells are nine times more efficient to ship, meaning fewer trucks on the road. “Seventh Generation has done so much on what’s inside the bottle,” said Peter Swaine, the company’s Director of Global Strategic Sourcing, “but now we’re focused on what’s on the outside, too.”
Even cooler yet, Seventh Generation announced that Ecologic Brands will take the three tons of cardboard waste created by the 3,000+ vendors at Natural Products Expo West and recycle it for reuse in Natural 4x packaging (producing approximately 200,000-300,000 containers)….soon to hit retail shelves near you!
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Out of the Board Room and Into the Wild: Neenah Paper sends OGer, Sean Arian, ‘Off the Grid’
Posted on 10. Mar, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
When Sean Arian, President of EOS Consulting and former Director of Economic Development Strategy for Los Angeles , attended the Opportunity Green Conference last fall, he never imagined it would take him all the way to Costa Rica! Here in his own words, Sean tells OG Insights about winning the Neenah Paper “Birds of a Feather” all-inclusive eco- trip to the Osa Reforestation Project and arriving at the airport ready to “leave the grid”.
March 2, 2011: No one ever wins a competition! That’s what i thought. I certainly hadn’t. I only entered the Neenah Paper contest at Opportunity Green, well, because my intern Max entered me.
When the first call came from Neenah Paper after a few months saying that I won the grand prize, I thought it was a scam. I ignored it. Then I got s second call. I ignored that one too. It was only when I got the FedEx package with all the details that I thought: “Wow, this might be real. What did I win? A trip to Costa Rica? Seriously?!” My fiancé Mike did a little internet research–it was legit. Damn, I won a trip to Costa Rica! And it’s a NICE one. No lectures about timeshares.
Later that day, I went out and bought a lottery ticket.
March 5, 2011: It’s midnight and I’m waiting at LAX for the flight to take off. Overnight flight looks to be rough–the flight is totally booked.
This will probably be my last post in awhile. Bosque del Cabo is completely off the grid. Seriously. They generate their own electricity. No phones. No TV. No wifi. I think it’s one of the 5 places left on the planet like that. Take that, Zuckerberg!
March 6, 2011: Things I found out about Costa Rica from an in flight magazine:
They have eliminated all taxes on renewable energy to encourage local businesses and individuals to install more
About 25% of Costa Rica has been designated national parkland
Both of Costa Rica’s small domestic airlines (Sansa and Nature Air) are carbon neutralMarch 8, 2011: Today we visited the Osa Conservancy–Neenah Paper is one of their bigger sponsors. Over the last 5 years, they have acquired over 1200 hectares of land, former cattle ranches, teak plantations and areas where other non-native hardwoods. They’ve been replanting a lot of the areas with a large variety of native trees. In some cases, they are pulling out non-native trees and replanting them with natives (pulling out all the old teak trees means they’ve got some great wood to make furniture for the research center). Along with private landowners, the government and hotel owners, they are trying to develop contiguous “nature corridor” down the mountain tops all the way to Corcovado National Park.
The idea is to allow wildlife a corridor to roam. They are planting trees that will attract certain animals which provide a benefit to the corridor. For example, they are planting a particular fruit tree that will attract a particular kind of fruit eating bat. The bat eats the fruit and then drops seed (ready made with fertilizer) in other areas, ensuring the growth of even more trees. Aside from trees, the Conservancy has some other cool projects going on, including the protection of sea turtle hatching grounds (by the way, they are lacking only $500 to attend an international sea turtle conference in San Diego in April–any generous folks who care about the turtles out there, feel free to donate)
That’s all for now!
Related Posts:
Bon Voyage! Sean Arian, Winner of Neenah’s ‘Eco-Trip for Two’ to Take Off on Environmental Adventure of a Lifetime
Neenah Paper Presents: Three Tips and Fun Facts About Recycled Paper
Neenah Paper: Pushing Through Green Clutter to the Consumer
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Top 10 Green News Stories of February 2011
Posted on 01. Mar, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
Welcome to the first OG|10: Green News Monthly Roundup featuring the top ten green news stories from February 2011 as followed and covered by Opportunity Green. And coming up in March 2011 from Opportunity Green Insights…more video from OG’10, top green breweries (not to be confused with green beer that is popular this month!) and top organic products LIVE from the Natural Products Expo West!
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Using Music to Inspire a Greener Future
Posted on 17. Feb, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
The amount of electronic products discarded globally has skyrocketed with 20-50 million tons generated each year. Electronic waste now makes up 5% of all municipal solid waste worldwide. Today’s progressive music labels are creating in-depth programs to address the redesign and management of such materials, thanks to the influence from fans, artists, touring companies and the electronics industry itself.
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YOU can attend the FIRST EVER “Show Me the Green Light” panel about Greening the Music industry preceding the 2011 GRAMMY AWARDS…Opportunity Green gets you in the door!
Posted on 08. Feb, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
Our friends at the Recording Academy and Waste Management present “Show Me the Green Light: A Conversation About Greening the Music Industry” with Opportunity Green CEO/Co-Founder, Karen Solomon and New House LLC Sustainable Strategist, Lewis Perkins as Co-Emcees! Other panelists include: Director of Mobile Music at Sony Electronics, Mike Kahn; Jared Leto rocker/frontman of the band 30 Seconds To Mars; Vans Warped Tour creator/founder of 4fini, Kevin Lyman; Senior Group Manager of The Clorox Company, Drew McGowan; Rohan Marley of The House of Marley; and Senior Director of Digital Business Support for Universal Music Group, Kathleen Strouse and Director of Customer Alliances and Solutions for Waste Management, Wanda Williams, moderating.
This FIRST EVER, EXCLUSIVE event is taking place in the Conga Room at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles on Friday, February 11 to a sold out, invite-only audience. And Opportunity Green is giving YOU a chance to be there! For your chance to win two tickets to this exclusive VIP event, you must do the following: visit the OPPORTUNITY GREEN FACEBOOK PAGE and tell us why YOU NEED TO BE THERE.
Make sure to enter your submission by 5:00PM(PST) Wednesday, February 9. And while you’re at it, make sure to ‘Like’ Opportunity Green on Facebook so you can find out about exciting OG contests and events in the future! A winner will be selected and notified on Thursday morning.
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: The Future is Making Every Home a Power Plant and Every American an Energy Entrepreneur
Posted on 07. Feb, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
Opportunity Green attended the Los Angeles Business Council Clean Energy Forum with special guest Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been at the forefront of fighting for the environment for over 20 years. He makes a very compelling case that “good environmental policy is identical to good economic policy” and that we are not only fighting for the environment, but also for democracy in moving towards sustainable energy.
“Nature is the infrastructure of our communities and we need to make an investment in that infrastructure”.
Kennedy began his speech with the very poignant point that economic prosperity and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive of each other; as many current business leaders, policy makers and pundits would like us to believe. In fact history has shown that environmentally driven change has led to great periods of wealth. In the 1970s, Iceland de-carbonized and began using its own geothermal energy resources and went from being the poorest nation (100% dependence on foreign oil and coal) to the fourth richest country in Europe (prior to the 2008-2010, economic collapse, brought on in large part from overinvestment in the króna, and put to a head by the global financial crisis [source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%932010_Icelandic_financial_crisis]). In 1996, Sweden moved towards closing all of its nuclear power plants and taxed carbon and is now the sixth richest country in the world (based on GDP). These are only two examples of the economic benefits of adapting greener technology and policy.
Kennedy outlined three hurdles President Obama faces in moving the United States from a carbon and oil burning nation to a sustainable energy nation successfully using abundant natural resources like wind and solar.
What stands in the way of successful sustainable power:
- Subsidies
o In the current system, government subsidies are being given to the polluters. Kennedy showed an angry passion on this subject when reminding the audience that the coal and nuclear industries (both very mature and profitable industries) still receive large government subsidies for doing business.
- Antiquated Power Grid
o A smart grid that can handle long haul transmission of wind and solar power needs to be created. Our national system, which was set up a hundred years ago is currently incapable of moving energy captured in the windiest and sunniest states for long haul usage.
- A “Byzantine” System
o Kennedy described the U.S. power grid as a Byzantine System, with about 200,000 miles of power lines divided among 500 owners where transmission upgrades often involve private land owners, multiple companies, state governments and numerous permits.
o In 1979, the government funded the building of a grid that would carry information among networked computers. Because of that investment in infrastructure, we now have free access to information via the internet forever. Kennedy bets that the same thing will happen with electrons when the grid is built for transmission of solar and wind power.
What are the solutions to these challenges:
- Create a national market place for sustainable energy.
o Free market capitalism is the greatest economic principle in Kennedy’s opinion. A law that encourages every home to become a power plant and put energy into the grid would not only be efficient and environmentally sustainable, but enrich entire communities (versus the current model where ‘polluter’ companies enrich themselves while impoverishing the rest of us of natural resources).
o On a macro level, Kennedy suggested that our federal government should make it illegal for corporations to contribute to political campaigns.
o Allow utility companies to make money by encouraging energ y usage reduction and/or switch to renewable energy sources.
“We need to recognize that our nation’s dependence on foreign oil causes destruction of our environment, our democracy and public trust”. While it is promising that the President addressed this issue in his recent State of the Union address and talked of moving the country to sustainable energy, the real change and policy making isn’t happening at the federal level; it is happening on the state and local level with mayors and city councils leading the way.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa reconfirmed his commitment to continue to chart a greener, more sustainable path for Los Angeles. He pointed out that Los Angeles is using the same amount of water as 30 years ago. And even more importantly, achieved its 20% renewable energy goals in 2010 (LA was using only 3.5% renewable energy when the goal was set six years ago) and plans to up that to 33% by 2020. With these improvements, the city is conserving 19 times more energy than 2005.
Kennedy closed with this: “The cost of extracting and burning coal is greater than the cost of refitting our infrastructure for the New Energy Economy. Let’s work towards making every American an energy entrepreneur and every American home a power plant!”
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is author of Crimes Against Nature: How George W. Bush and His Corporate Pals Are Plundering the Country and Highjacking Our Democracy and The Riverkeepers: Two Activists Fight to Reclaim Our Environment as a Basic Human Right.
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What Makes Patagonia “The Coolest Company on the Planet”: Insights from Founder, Yvon Chouinard
Posted on 27. Jan, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
Yvon Chouinard…legendary rock climber, founder of Patagonia, and first member of 1% For the Planet spoke at the Oppenheim Lecture Series at the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability last night, co-hosted by Opportunity Green. In a very off-the-cuff, often comical, manner, Chouinard shared his life story about how he began selling products based on a self-serving need and ended up not only at the helm of “The Coolest Company on the Planet” (according to Fortune Magazine), but also THE pioneer in corporate social responsibility.
There’s a Lot of Reward in High Places
Chouinard recalled a lesson learned as a young toddler when having to climb stairs to receive the reward of a spoonful of honey: “There’s a lot of reward in high places”. He attributes this lesson to his later interest in mountain climbing and the accidental founding of his first company, Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In the 1960′s, Chouinard accomplished a lot of “firsts” in mountain climbing: the first ascent of the North Face of Mount Edith Cavell, the Beckey-Chouinard Route on South Howser Tower in the Bugaboos, and the North Face of Mount Sir Donald. He questioned the impact of hammering large metal pitons into the rock, as climbers did at the time, and wondered if a better, less environment-impact product could be made. That curiosity led him to create a better quality product and won him 80% market share of the climbing tool business.
On Being an Innovator, Not an Inventor
Like the climbing tool business, Chouinard entered the climbing/outdoor apparel business the same way. In a self-serving need for better quality, more durable clothing for climbing; he realized he could do it better. As with his quest to create more environmentally-friendly climbing gear, Chouinard followed the same path of being an innovator, not just an inventor. As he states, “invention is only 1% of it.” The principles that led to the success of his rock climbing tool business – focusing on the process, not the profit and leading by example – remain core values of the man and the company that would later come from his stumbling upon a red, yellow and blue striped Rugby shirt in Scotland.
The Stand Up Short and Fake Fur
Chouinard entered the clothing business by first importing a rugby shirt he bought while climbing in Scotland. One of the first products he created was called “the stand up short”, named so because in its original form was made of very firm canvas (the same kind used for lawn chairs) and the shorts could literally stand on their own (still a top seller for Patagonia today, but in a less firm organic cotton canvas). Chouinard’s approach to clothing making was unique, he used an industrial design that provided security and durability for climbers and outdoorsmen. He wanted to make the best clothing possible, because he himself was the consumer. In the 1980′s, Patagonia continued its industrial design approach to clothing making and began investing in research and development of new, better materials. From fake fur his wife found at the Los Angeles Merchandise Mart, Chouinard and his team tested, tweaked and then introduced both Synchilla® and Capilene® polyester fabrics. With these two advancements, the company grew at an astounding rapid pace and even made Inc. Magazine’s list of the fastest-growing privately held companies.
Almost Losing the Business Helped Define Its Core Values
“I never wanted to be a businessman.” With 50% growth year after year, Patagonia did its best to keep up with demand. Then in 1991, growth dropped to 20%, Chouinard almost lost it all. Reducing staff by 20%, he sat down with his “core” team and asked, “What are our values?”
- Quality – What is quality in clothing?
- It needs to be functional, in our case, multifunctional.
- It needs to be durable.
- We can’t chase fashion.
- Cause no unnecessary harm – create the best quality product with the least impact.
- Break the rules of business
- Work with friends.
- Hire self-motivated, intelligent employees and give them flex time to enjoy surfing, climbing and being with their family.
- Be responsible. Buy used or old and reuse or restore. (Patagonia opens retail locations in old, restored buildings.)
Chouinard Does It Again: Curiosity, Innovation and Concern Mark the Beginning of a New Age of Corporate Social Responsibility
Organic Cotton
How did Patagonia become one of the greenest companies on the planet? It was Chouinard’s interest in digging deeper and evaluating the problem, not only the symptom that began Patagonia’s mission of corporate responsibility. When Patagonia opened a retail store in a restored building in Boston, the employees complained of headaches. Assuming it was only a problem with the building, Chouinard was shocked to find out it was a combination of the merchandise being in a poorly ventilated space. Consequently, tests of the four main fibers used in Patagonia clothing yielded even more shocking results. Cotton, seemingly the most natural of the four, was the worse offender of the environment. Fabric labeled as 100% cotton was really only 73% cotton, the other 27% was toxic chemicals used in the process of growing, picking, and making cotton garments washable, wrinkle free, etc. From this discovery, Chouinard created an Environmental Philosophy for Patagonia.
- Lead an examined life. “There is no such thing as sustainability in human endeavor.”
- What are we doing?
- What impact are we having?
- What is our carbon footprint?
- How do we treat our water resources?
- Clean up your act.
- Within 18 months time, Patagonia completely stopped using industrially grown cotton fabric. The shift to clothing made only from 100% organic cotton not only CREATED an organic cotton industry, but also reduced the footprint of toxic pesticides used in the cultivation of cotton, the resulting pollution of soil and water, and damage to the health of fieldworkers.
- Share Information.
- Patagonia was a founding member of Textile Exchange, an organization bringing together product brands and retailers, farmers and key stakeholders, to learn about the social and environmental benefits of environmentally conscious textiles.
1% For the Planet
“It’s not a charity. It’s a cost of doing business. We use it to support civil democracy.” Patagonia has been contributing 10% of pre-tax profits or 1% of sales, whichever is greater, each year to environmental groups since 1985. Formally launched in 2001 by Chouinard and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies, 1% For the Planet, set out to support the people fighting on the front line of environmental issues. “I used the company to persuade other companies to follow suit.” 1% For the Planet has raised over $40million since its launch and provides support to over 450 different environmental organizations.
What’s Next? Redefining “Consumer”
“If you want to change government, change corporations. If you want to change corporations, change consumers.” In addition to assisting with the “greening” of large corporations such as Wal-Mart and creating a sustainability index for clothing, Patagonia’s next initiative will be asking consumers to think twice before they consume. “There are too many people consuming and discarding too many things.” Patagonia is going to accept responsibility for each product it makes by closing the loop with this “birth to birth” model:
- First, asking the consumer if they “need” the product.
- If something breaks, we’ll fix it.
- When you no longer want it, we’ll find another owner for it. (Patagonia will be partnering with eBay on this program).
- When it is dead, unable to be worn, give it back to us and we will break it down and use its components again in new products.
Yvon Chouinard: One of a Kind
After his speech and a few audience questions, I’m sure that I was not alone in wanting to hear more. I could have sat for several more hours and listened to him speak. His life story and that of Patagonia (intertwined because Patagonia IS an extension of this extraordinary man) offered incredible life, business and general ‘human’ responsibility lessons. The legacy that he has created in business, philanthropy and environmentalism have and will change the world for better, forever. If there was one thing, in the labyrinth of learning last night, that I took away. It was his comment: “We can all be philanthropists.” Don’t wait until you have that high-paying job or head a successful company to start. “Ten dollars today is better than one hundred dollars tomorrow because it starts working today.”
*Opportunity Green is a proud partner of the UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability and co-host of last night’s event.
For more information:
UCLA Institute for the Environment and Sustainability
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OG25 Green Business Start Up Competition Finalist: Wind Products
Posted on 25. Jan, 2011 by Kristall Lutz.
Russell Tencer, CEO, of Wind Products points out that “every property in the world has a wind resource” as he presents at Opportunity Green as an OG25 Business Start Up competition finalist.
