Friends,
I have started a new blog called BE MORE. The purpose of the new blog is to share insights and inspiration to empower people, companies, communities and organizations to do and BE MORE.
Thank you for visiting A Responsible Way. I hope you will visit the new blog soon!
Be well,
Tracey--
Coca Cola is a
For the Olympics, Coke will be selling beverages in their PlantBottle, a renewable and recyclable bottle that contains up to 30% plant-based materials. In addition, Coke plans to deliver beverages using hybrid vehicles and electric cars, and storing beverages in coolers that turn off at night to save energy. Eventually, the bottles will be made into recycled hats, vests and gloves and will be donated to a homeless shelter after the Games.
In addition to greener products, Coke is sponsoring an Environmental Torch Bearer program in conjunction with the World Wildlife Fund Canada and David Suzuki Foundation. The program encourages Canadian residents to do more to live a sustainable lifestyle.
This is pretty cool. What's even more amazing is Coke's CEO, Muhtar Kent, has stated that he is so into sustainability that he effectively is the company's chief sustainability officer. This is especially important as companies need the support from management to move sustainability initiatives forward.
Glad to know Coke's continuing their promise to eventually limit its waste to net Zero.
You'll be surprised to know that many sports teams embrace sustainability. According to an Environmental Leader article, eighty percent of North American professional sports teams plan to increase their sustainability programs. That's great!
A few teams and arenas are already making an impact. For example, the Philips Arena and the American Airlines Arena meet the requirements of the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. But that's not all!
Even the Super Bowl is getting on the green wagon. The NFL is taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of the Super Bowl. The 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl will be powered by renewable energy, thanks to a partnership with NextEra Energy Resources. In addition, hundreds of trees will be planted in partnership with the US Forest Service and the Florida Division of Forestry. There's a plan for solid waste to be recycled and leftover materials to be donated locally. Furthermore, extra food is being prepared for donations throughout the metro Miami area.
In addition, Super Bowl XLIV will be sponsoring more than 50 charities and community outreach programs! This will make sitting on my couch in front of the TV watching the game even better!
It's hard to imagine water being a precious commodity. Like the air we breathe, it's assumed there will be sufficient sources to sustain life on this planet.
Reducing water use is simple and effective. The following are a few recommendations for you and your family to conserve water*:
1. Turn the water off when brushing your teeth
2. Run your clothes and dishwasher only when full - you can save 1,000 gallons of water a month!
3. Water your lawn and garden in the morning - remember to adjust your sprinklers to target key areas that need water
4. Instead of watering your driveway to clean it, dust off the old broom and give it a go
5. Ensure you are using energy efficient appliances, including your shower head - I promise you won't look like Jerry Seinfeld!
6. Rather than rinsing fruits and veggies with running tap water, soak them in a pan
7. Use your dishwasher rather than hand washing. If you don't have one, fill up one sink with wash water and another with rinse water to conserve usage.
8. Use your garbage disposal sparingly - compost vegetables for waste instead - you'll have gallons of water and give back to the environment!
9. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water
10. Better yet - wash your car on the lawn - you get dual benefits!
Check out GOOD to view an informative and family-friendly video and for more information. You can also check out Water Use it Wisely for additional tips. Drink up!
*Source: Water: Use it Wisely
"O beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain. For purple mountain majesties above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea." - Katharine Lee Bates, 1895
When I think of environmental responsibility, this song comes to mind. I try not to focus on the doom and gloom of global warming, or taxes on driving. Instead, I focus on the wonders of this planet and organic beauty of nature. My hope is that future generations will enjoy as many breath-taking parks, vistas, water falls, sea creatures, monuments, mountains and trees that I have experienced.
For me, I learned of the importance of preserving our environment from camping each summer with my family. We would pack up the VW van and take our 6-person tent across the country to destinations unknown. Of course, I'm sure the emissions of the VW van wouldn't pass muster today but it was always an adventure!
Teaching tomorrow's future about nature is important. Preserving our national parks and saving our lands should be both an honor and an obligation. There are terrific resources to teach kids about the environment and dangers that exist from misuse. From the National Park Service to the Discovery Channel to Kids for Saving Earth, resources abound for inspiring new generations to protect our natural wonders. The Boy and Girl Scouts of America are fantastic organizations to instill the basics as well.
Feel like doing more to help the environment? How about participating in a local Adopt-a-Highway or Beach volunteer program. If you are really inspired, you can participate in a Campaign Earth challenge! Likewise, you can join the millions of people who are members of Care2, an online education and advocacy site for people wanting to make a difference.
"O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years. Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee. Till nobler men keep once again thy whiter jubilee!"
The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and Reputation Institute have announced the 2009 CSR Index of the Top 50 companies with best practices in the areas of corporate citizenship, governance and workplace practices. The Walt Disney Company was announced as the #1 CSR Index winner.
Disney recently released its 2008 CSR report and has pledged to reduce its emissions and waste by 50% and electricity use by 10% in its theme parks. In addition, they have aggressive plans to continue to improve their CSR practices over the next five years.
The Top 10 companies in the CSR Index include:
- The Walt Disney Co.
- Microsoft
- Honda of America
- Johnson & Johnson
- PepsiCo
- General Mills
- Kraft Foods
- Campbell Soup Company
- FedEX
Congratulations to all of the companies in the Top 50 list who are doing their part to implement strong governance practices, improve working conditions, provide for the environment and support the needs of communities!
Plastic water bottles have been an eco-controversy for sometime. Many believe we should reduce our intake of bottled water to reduce landfill waste. Others believe reliance on water bottles reduces construction for safe municipal water systems - after all, why bother to spend government funding on a new water system when companies have products to fill the need?
Bottled water is a big business. It's estimated that bottled water sales are $50 to $100 billion each year and sales have increased an average of 7 percent each year. That's a lot of water!
Last month, NAYA introduced a new water bottle that's made with 50% recycled plastic. It's the only Canadian brand of bottled water to guarantee this percentage of recycled materials in its polyethylene-terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles. According to a recent release, reducing the environmental footprint has been a key brand strategy for NAYA.
I admit, I drink a lot of water from bottles. I also enjoy regular tap water - especially in NYC - it's cold and refreshing and loaded with fluoride. The trouble is, it's not convenient when I'm on the go.
It's good to know that there's a brand out there that's trying to do the right thing by incorporating recycled plastics in their bottles. Kudos to NAYA for making a difference.
In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, 2009, why not consider the following to ease the strains on our planet:
1. Carpool - it reduces emissions and you connect with others
2. Recycle - newspapers, magazines, cell phones, computers, bottles, etc.
4. Plant a tree or start a community garden
5. Buy local and support farmers in your community
6. Turn out the lights and turn off your computer
7. Go paperless - pay your bills online
8. Buy appliances that are Energy Star rated
9. Use eco-friendly and holistic products
10. Teach kids about the environment - the next generation has the power to truly make a difference
To discover ways to realize your home's eco-potential, visit Echo Home Resource for tips on how to create a healthy home. Want to do more? Visit Care2 and unleash the advocate in you.
Have a warm and healthy day!
For the eight year, the adidas Group has published its sustainability performance report. I recently started running again and if you run at all, you fast become loyal to the shoes that work for you. I am loyal to adidas, especially the Supernova running shoes. They are comfortable for long distance and are very breathable during a run.
I am even more impressed with adidas after reading their CSR report. Their approach is simple - create a company that balances profits with respect for the people who make their products, their employees and the wider environment. Their motto is summed up in four words - Performance, Passion, Integrity and Diversity.
Each year adidas sets long-term goals that are innovative and direct to their business. Core areas of focus include environmental sustainability, supply chain, stakeholder engagement and human capital. They also focus on human rights, especially in countries where they do business.
One of the sustainability successes adidas has experienced is in reducing the weight of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in their shoes. VOC's can cause breathing difficulties and other health issues. As of 2008, the company's footwear suppliers have reduced their VOC emissions from 130 grams/pair to 21 grams/pair which includes nearly all adidas Group athletic footwear factories.
I have a new respect for adidas and I will continue to support their brand. I also feel good knowing that I wear a running shoe that is a little friendlier to the environment.
When you think of Clorox, what comes to your mind? White bottle, bold blue colors? A smell that stings your eyes? Jeans that were accidentally ruined in the laundry?
The Clorox company has many brands in their portfolio, including eco-friendly Burt's Bees and the newly launched Green Works line of cleaning products. I was curious about Green Works - I saw it in the store, was intrigued by the packaging and purchased the dish-washing liquid. It smells good, cleans well and best of all, is made of biodegradable ingredients and is not tested on animals. In fact, the entire line of cleaning products are plant and mineral based and are at least 99% natural.
This is a great example of a company that pledges to be more sustainable and actually fulfills that promise. They used the reputation of the Clorox brand to create a line extension that is good for consumers looking for natural, non-toxic products in their home. I'm impressed with the Clorox Company's commitment to the environment as well as their products.
Marketing and communications strategist with experience in brand marketing, public relations, strategic philanthropy, cause marketing, consumer products and licensing.
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