Circular Economy
The constant stream of new models, products and processes that are helping organizations extend the useful life of resources and materials while reducing, repurposing and ultimately eliminating waste in all its forms
UK Retailer John Lewis Closing Loop on Plastic Waste
This post first appeared on 2degrees on January 21, 2013.The John Lewis Partnership has committed to developing a 'closed loop' waste plastics strategy in what is claimed to be a first for a UK retailer. ... View More
Oregon's New '2050 Vision' Plan Goes Beyond Managing Waste to Managing Materials
In December 2012, the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission, which is the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) policy and rulemaking board, voted unanimously to adopt Materials Management in Oregon: 2050 Vision and Framework for Act... View More
Power Down: How Competition Drove Energy Savings at the University of Pennsylvania
Higher education can play a leadership role in advancing environmental sustainability. Through its research, teaching, and operational practices, The University of Pennsylvania is dedicated to promoting a sustainable culture. This is not surprising g... View More
Herman Miller Ups the Sustainable Ante with Design for Environment 2.0
When Herman Miller engineers began using Cradle to Cradle thinking as part of their Design for Environment (DfE) process in 2001, the world of green design was less complicated than today. ... View More
Extended Producer Responsibility: A Win-Win for Business and Governments
As both a natural resources and packaged goods company, Nestlé Waters North America (NWNA) is always looking for ways to reduce our footprint while producing superior products that meet consumer demand. When it comes to our packaging, we are constan... View More
EPR in Healthcare: Yesterday’s Waste Is Today’s Business Opportunity
Extended producer responsibility (EPR) is gaining notoriety as a smart production and marketing strategy, as product take-back programs emerge as a major consumer trend. ... View More
Waste Not: Innovative Solutions from Cradle to Cradle and Beyond
The overarching principle for this month’s Issue in Focus is the insight that in nature there is no waste.For centuries, human industry has ignored this simple lesson. But today, a convergence of environmental and resource concerns is driving the r... View More
Goodwill: Saving the Waste in Men and Things
At Goodwill, we were excited to be invited to co-edit this issue dedicated to highlighting innovative solutions for eliminating and reutilizing waste streams in operations. As individuals continue to consume products and companies continue to expand,... View More
HP Helps Automakers Reduce Hazmats, Increase Recycling
Hewlett Packard has agreed to continue development of a database used by nearly three dozen car manufacturers to eliminate harmful substances from their automotive supply chains. ... View More
Foodprint Campaign Wants To Save 1.3 Billion Tons of Food
Simple actions by consumers and food retailers can dramatically cut the 1.3 billion tons of food lost or wasted each year, according to a new campaign launched last week by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the UN Environment Programme (UN... View More
Restaurants Urged To Reduce Staggering Food Waste
Restaurants produce 21 tons of food waste a year, nearly fives times as much per meal as the average UK household, according to the Sustainable Restaurants Association (SRA). ... View More
Moral Capitalism: A Model for Creative Innovation
Traditional forms of corporate philanthropy and social responsibility allow corporations to “do good” with the cash left over at the end of the year. When your company makes a profit, you write a check for a percentage of those profits and get a ... View More
Waste-Haters Unite! 'We Hate To Waste' a Strategic Resource for Consumers and Brands Alike
As a seasoned green marketing professional (she literally wrote the books on it), Jacquie Ottman has made a name for herself working with companies to develop and market sustainable products sustainably. ... View More
Waste Not: Today's Most Innovative Approaches to Achieving Net Positivity
Calling all innovators and implementers! Beginning in February 2013, Sustainable Brands will be publishing a new “Issues in Focus” editorial package, including daily features, interviews and case studies on how businesses are “Striving for Net ... View More
Google, Fujitsu Join Campaign To Cut Office Paper Use
A group of companies calling itself The Paperless Coalition is promoting a collection of online tools that can reduce the need for paper documents in the workplace. ... View More
Interface To Recycle Discarded Fishing Nets Into Carpet
Global carpet tile manufacturer Interface, Inc. will soon begin using discarded fishing nets to make carpets, bringing both conservation and socioeconomic benefits to some of the world's poorest coastal communities.The company recently completed a pi... View More
European Leaders Call for Wasteful Goods To Be 'Taken Off Market'
This post first appeared on edie.net on December 17, 2012. ... View More
Market for Ethical Products Grows by Nearly $20 Billion Despite Economic Downturn
Consumers remain willing to pay a premium for ethical goods and services despite lingering economic troubles, according to a new study. ... View More
Avis To Buy Zipcar for $500 Million
Rental car group Avis Budget announced it has agreed to terms for the purchase of Zipcar. Founded ten years ago, Zipcar is a pioneer in the car-sharing industry, which gives members regular access to vehicles without the hassles, expenses and environ... View More
