Company Practices

You already spend time looking at the products you purchase and how your purchasing behavior can impact the environment, but what about looking at the companies behind the products? Is a green product still green if it's made by an un-green company? Should a company be considered green if it treats the environment well but not its employees? We're getting so philosophical here! Before I start asking about trees falling in the woods, let me urge you to take a look at the Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire. It's a great resource to learn about socially responsible steps that companies are taking. The great thing about it is the wide range of topics that are covered. Not only can you sign up for news on the environment, green building and renewable energy, but also on such topics as diversity, fair trade and socially responsible investing. CSRwire can provide you with a wealth of information on which companies are taking socially responsible actions in today's marketplace.

You've Got the Green Power!

EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that supports organizations purchasing green power options. You can look at their Top Partner Rankings which highlights the annual green power purchases of leading organizations across the U.S. It is updated quarterly, so you can always see which companies are making large-scale efforts to power themselves with alternative energy options. It's interesting to see which companies are listed as well as which companies don't show up on the list. It's a quick way to see who os taking the lead in supporting alternative energy, because hwith so many companies out there making green claims, it's gettin' kinda hectic!

With Budget Cuts I'm A-R-Y Stationary

I have a confession to make...I love paper. The eco-conscious and the paper-philes don't generally hang out in the same circles, but this year's National Stationery Show indicates that things may be changing. I did not actually attend the stationery show. Insane, I know, that with huge budget cuts and travel restrictions I was not able to convince the powers that be to allow me to travel to a trade show that has nothing to do with my job. I am fortunate that the good folks at Treehugger reported back on some of the amazing eco-friendly paper products that were showcased at the show.

Now, the stationers that made this best of the best list are doing some amazing work. We're not just talking about 10% post-consumer fiber. We're talking reclaimed cotton, carbon neutral, paper mills running on landfill gas, carbon-footprint labeled eco-friendly stationery! And it's gorgeous! The whimsical designs are matched by whimsical company names like Two Trick Pony and Fugu Fugu Press. Check out the dazzling stationery slideshow at treehugger! If you think you'll forget, just jot a note on your hydroelectric-paper-mill-made-soy-based-ink-printed notepad. Oh, you don't have one? Check out these companies and you can remedy that situation.

Guide to Greener Electronics

Every three months Greenpeace comes out with an updated Guide to Greener Electronics. Find out which companies were docked points for breaking their promises of phasing out toxic chemicals. Learn which companies really are cleaning up their act. It's all inside...the Guide to Greener Electronics!

The Electronics Recycling Superguide

It is hard to keep up with which manufacturers and retailers offer which services for recycling your old electronics. PC Mag has developed a comprehensive list that can help you figure it all out! Their folks researched all of the major electronics manufacturers to find out what kinds of recycling programs they offer, where they are available, and whether there is a cost or opportunity for cash back associated with them. Also included in the Superguide are programs run by major retailers and opportunities for cash back or gift cards when you recycle your used electronics. It's all in the Electronics Recycling Guide...Landfill shmandfill!

A Step (In Cute Shoes) In the Right Direction

As global climate change and other environmental impacts get more attention, more companies are attempting to somehow quantify the "green-ness" of their products. One attempt to do just that worth checking out is Patagonia's Footprint Chronicles. The Chronicles track the impact of specific products from their design to their delivery. Information provided includes distance traveled, CO2 emissions, waste generated, and energy consumed. Patagonia openly points out, from the company's perspective, what is good about a particular product and its lifecycle and what could use some work. There are currently ten products for which a Footprint Chronicle exists, and Patagonia plans on adding a few new products each season. Some folks question how well various methods of "footprint reporting" actually measure ecological impact and, perhaps more important, whether this information will change consumer behavior.