The Lost Ring » Green

Green business inspiration helps children of Tanzania

Chris — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:18:23 +0000

Green business inspiration helps children of Tanzania

A trip to Tanzania in 2008 changed Lily Wu’s future. Wu had worked as a corporate executive for most of her adult life, but after she volunteered to spend a couple of weeks in this impoverished East African nation all of that changed. During her visit Wu witnessed the incredible dedication of the children there and their seemingly insatiable desire to learn, even under conditions that most westerners could hardly begin to imagine.

On her return to the U.S., Wu vowed that she would do something to alleviate the squalor, she had witnessed the children suffer through each day for their education. True to her word, Wu took time off from her full time work and founded Ecozuri, a company which fused together two of her great passions: working towards conserving the environment and helping the children she met while she was in Africa.

Wu’s California based company manufactures a wide range of eco-friendly reusable bags made from 100% recycled plastics or other organically grown materials. Part of her business ethos is her intent to share the income she makes from the sale of each of her bags, and Wu has pledged that 10% of all profits will go to help the impoverished children of Tanzania.

Choosing not to compromise her ideals by using virgin-plastic in any of her products, as some of her competitors do, Wu instead opted to remain true to her vision of only using 100% recycled material. This has proven to be a more costly option for her but one which fit perfectly with her company’s philosophy that everyone needs to “go green and make a difference.”

Aiming to create something exceptional and new, Wu has blended her eco-friendly material with modern vibrant colors and design, to create a chic product that is as much a fashion statement as it is a declaration of the shopper’s philosophy on the environment.

Not content to simply target the lone eco-conscious purchaser, Wu set about creating a worldwide partnership of suppliers to form a unique wholesale system aimed at corporate marketing and advertising buyers. Specifically targeting companies looking to partner with a green product producer, she has created a factory-direct program that effectively cuts out all the middlemen in the process, allowing clients to interact directly with her suppliers. This approach has also significantly reduced costs for her clients, typically by as much as 10 to 25 percent over similar products using conventional production processes, while still maintaining exceptional quality in the finished product.

And this summer, Wu’s dream to help the children of Africa through her business began to bear fruit. Ecozuri made its first donation to Bricks and Books – the U.S. based charity working in Tanzania to help build schools and provide materials. Bricks and Books has used the donation to purchase and distribute textbooks for the children and schools in the country.

For more information on Ecozuri and its products, visit www.EcoZuri.com

For learn more about the plight of Tanzanian school children and how you can help, visit www.BricksAndBooks.org

Green Business Certification

sulistio_Y — Wed, 25 May 2011 15:17:23 +0000

Green Business Certification

Green Business Certification

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Green Business Certification

By: R Michael Richmond
Posted: Oct 25, 2010

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To be certified “Green” participants must be in compliance with all regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution and minimizing waste. The Green Business Certification or Green Certification for Green Business Program provides, verifies and annually re verifies that businesses meet the highest standards of environmental performance. More than 250 Certified Green Consultants of Green Business League provide guidance and audits for businesses willing to prove their Green value. How can an environmentally conscious business use their community and social concern to create a competitive advantage for them while encouraging others to do their part in saving the planet for future generations? The answer is “Green Certification for Green Business”.

Certification by Certified Green Consultant is called Authentic Green Business Certification. The Green Business League offers the only program in America offering a program that has no scam potential. GBL certification may not be free but it cannot be faked and cannot be bought over the Internet.

Green business certification comes only through a Certified Green Consultant who will lead the business through a Green program that anyone can respect.

Green Certification process has been utilized by medium to large companies all over the world with success. We, Green Business League, are one of the only Green programs in the country that actually provide an Authentic Green certification for your business. We work with you at every step of the way to ensure you meet all standards. Once certified, you will receive your Green certification for Green Business.

Green businesses operate in ways that solve, rather than cause, both environmental and social problems. Green businesses adopt principles, policies and practices that improve the quality of life for their customers, their employees, communities and the environment.
Standard has been affirmed in an executive order by President Obama requiring a sustainability officer who is required to project a variety of Green and sustainable practices for their agency or company. This federal requirement shows that the path forward is not one of self-acclamation but of proven compliance.

R Michael Richmond – About the Author:

R Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Clean Institute and primary trainer for the Certified Sustainability Officer training in-house sustainability officers. He is well known for Green Business Certification.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/training-articles/green-business-certification-3542700.html

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Bellingham, Wa Goes Green!

Chris — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 15:16:14 +0000

Bellingham, Wa Goes Green!

At the 2007 Green Power Leadership Awards, the city of Bellingham, WA was named the “Green Power Partner of the Year”. These awards are sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS); their purpose is to recognize individuals or companies supporting the development of renewable electricity sources.

This recognition was the result of a 2006 community-wide challenge to increase Green Power purchasing by 9 megawatt hours or 2% of the city’s electrical usage. The campaign was so successful, the final total for Green Power purchased was 40,000 MWh or 11% of the city’s electricity load. Bellingham was named the #1 EPA certified Green Power Community in America and was awarded a 2040-watt solar electric power system.

The entire area supports this important initiative; Western Washington University has already been purchasing 100% Green Power since 2005, and in 2007, the Bellingham City and Whatcom County Councils voted to purchase 100% Green Power for government operations, and over 100 businesses have enrolled to begin purchasing reusable power. This combined overwhelming response has resulted in a 40% reduction in power rates.

The Bellingham community definitely walks the talk when it comes to supporting a sustainable environment. They rank 11th in the nation for its sales of compact fluorescent light bulbs. In addition, Whatcom was the first county to offer curbside recycling.

Sustainable Connections, a local nonprofit organization, promotes all aspects of sustainable practices, including the following:

Implementation of a Green building program with local builders and the local government
Education through various events designed to promote public awareness events and the availability of Green resources and guides.
Promotion of sustainable business development by encouraging the support of local businesses.
The creation of various programs in support of local food growth. They have already offered apprenticeships to 23 new organic farmers to encourage local development in this area.

For a community of just over 75,000, Bellingham remains a shining example of what can be accomplished when everyone works together towards a common goal.
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Green Business The Endeavor Of The Future

furai86 — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 11:32:15 +0000

If you are thinking about making your business green, you are looking in the right direction. Green business is ecologically ethical, as it lowers human impact on the environment and can theoretically even improve the environment. Not only that, there are many people who are invested in environmentalism, who may keep this in mind when they are looking for a particular business. Thus, having a green business may help you to gain customers.

It is best to start small when you are thinking about going green. Recycling is one step that you can take to reduce your impact on the environment. While many business buildings already promote recycling, you can take the initiative to recycle all materials that you possibly can. Because so many things are recyclable, this is an easy step toward greening your business.

Composting can also help the environment, and it can be a relatively simple step in some cities. When you compost, you put organic materials into a separate container from the trash. By adding these materials to compost rather than landfills, you can reduce the build up of trash. It serves as a plant fertilizer, and can thus return the organic matter back into the earth rather than storing it in a landfill.

Another easy step that you may take is to reduce the amount of consumption in your office. You can do this by analyzing how much paper, plastic, materials, etc. You use in your office. You then look for ways to reduce the amount of these items that you use. For instance, if you use ten sheets of single-sided paper to create brochures, you may want to switch to five double-sided sheets to save paper.

You can make your business greener by buying eco-friendly supplies. Recycled paper is one greener solution that is easy to implement. You may also buy other products that are recycled, as well as products that are considered free trade, organic, and/or sustainable. If you make these easy changes, you can significantly reduce your consumption. You may also make a positive impact on the environment.

Green cleaning supplies can also help one to go green. These supplies include cleaners that use natural ingredients in place of harsh chemicals. There are many other options, however. One other solution is to purchase sponges that are made from recycled materials. This can have a dual effect – it reduces the consumption of materials and can replace paper towels for cleaning. If you use a sponge instead of paper towels for cleaning you can save money, and also consume far less paper towels.

If your company uses cars, you may want to switch to hybrid or electric ones. This is best for larger companies. Hybrids are a good choice because they get better gas mileage than similar types of cars, and may be a good investment. To go even greener, you can opt for a more expensive hybrid/electric car. These cars can be plugged in and run as electric, but if you run out of electricity you can switch them to hybrid mode.

Solar power is an especially good option if your business is in a sunny area. Solar power uses a grid of cells to take energy from the sun, which is then converted to electricity. If you use enough solar power cells, you may even be able to make your business completely running under solar energy. This means that, while you will have to pay a hefty amount initially for the panels, eventually you will be getting your electricity for free. This is amazing for the environment and can help out your budget as well.Tweet

Green Business The Corporation For The Future

furai86 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:00:52 +0000

If you want to “Go Green” consider making your business a green business. This is a popular trend that is very eco-friendly. These businesses can reduce their impact on the environment, and may even theoretically help the environment. Having a “green business” may also help your company to gain customers. Many people today are concerned about the environment, and may decide to choose a green business over another, non-green business.

When you are looking to start a green business, you may first look to small things that you may do to help the environment. One very small step that you can take is to recycle all of your business recyclables. This is a very easy step, as many things are recyclable and many cities have simple recycling programs.

A less convenient, yet free step that you can take is to compost all organic materials (i. E. Fruit cores, egg shells, etc.) in your office. Some cities have compost bins, and it is important to use them. Compost is organic materials that would normally be thrown into the trash. Instead, items that are composted can be used as nutrients for plants and landscaping. This returns the matter back into the earth instead of storing it up in a landfill.

Offices use a lot of materials – so you can take the easy step to find ways to reduce the amount of consumption of materials in your office. Reducing consumption means thinking about how much paper, plastic, and other materials (even ones that can be recycled) that your office uses, and trying to reduce that amount. One idea is to switch from single-sided pages to double-sided pages. This will cut the amount of paper that you use in half, which will also save your business money.

There are also office supplies that are more eco-friendly. If you must use paper, it is better to use 100% recycled paper for printing and other uses. There are high quality recycled papers available today. When purchasing products, look for recycled, organic, sustainable, and/or free trade items. Purchasing these items can help to make your green business greener.

Another way to go green is to purchase green cleaning supplies. These are usually labeled as such, but generally they are considered cleaning supplies that use natural ingredients rather than chemicals. Other green cleaning supplies include recycled sponges. If you use sponges instead of paper towels for cleaning, you can save money and paper by not purchasing as many paper towels.

Solar power is an especially good option if your business is in a sunny area. Solar power uses a grid of cells to take energy from the sun, which is then converted to electricity. If you use enough solar power cells, you may (may being a key word) even be able to make your business completely solar. This means that, while you will have to pay a hefty amount initially for the panels, eventually you will be getting your electricity for free. This is amazing for the environment and can help out your budget as well.

We hope this will give you more insight on how to make money and saves the Earth the same time, Good luck and if you think this article is good, don’t forget to share this and drop us some comments!Tweet

Green Brook Cycle repair shop destroyed in fire looking for temporary site

furai86 — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:00:49 +0000

Green Brook Cycle repair shop destroyed in fire looking for temporary site
GREEN BROOK — Green Brook Cycle owner Bill Captain is looking to get the business’ repair shop up and running at a temporary, alternate site after a fire Saturday heavily damaged an addition to his building.

Climate change and real estate : Rise of Green Buildings

furai86 — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 09:31:30 +0000

Impacts of climate change for Real Estate sector in India

Green buildings are gaining momentum around the world, given their financial benefits and smaller environmental and resource use footprint.

Energy insecurity, water scarcity, and climate change pose growing risks for the real estate sector India, yet the connections between these trends and financial impacts are not well understood by analysts, investors, companies, and governments. These issues will affect the risk and return associated with investments in (1) commercial building projects and (2) companies involved in commercial real estate development and investing. The limited energy and water infrastructure; rapidly growing demand for energy and water resources; and physical exposure and vulnerability to climate change impacts, all increase the likelihood and magnitude of financial impacts. Green building investments can minimize energy and water-related risks while achieving net positive returns in as few as three years.

Evaluating the risks

The risks are in the following categories

Energy insecurity risks – including higher electricity/diesel prices and shortages—will likely affect major cities in as energy demand is expected to outpace production capacity and energy infrastructure. India faces the great price and shortage risks, considering the already existing—and worsening—energy supply-demand gap.

Water scarcity risks – including poor availability and quality—are greatest in India. Several river basins in the country are expected to face acute stress or shortage by 2025, and groundwater sources are rapidly declining. The seasonal shortages are expected to worsen (and already have) around major metropolitan areas due to high demand, water pollution, and climate change impacts.

Climate change risks – created by more frequent and intense floods, droughts, storms, and precipitation—are difficult to predict with certainty, but are expected to have significant physical and economic impacts on all the focus countries over the next decade. Coastal and low-lying cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai face severe flood and storm risks.

These three trends are interrelated, thus further exacerbating the magnitude and likelihood of their impacts on the building sector. For example, water scarcity can worsen energy insecurity because water is necessary for cooling in thermal and nuclear power plants, and as an input in hydropower plants. Similarly, climate change can constrain water supply (through changes in precipitation, for example) and increase the demand for energy and water during heat waves.

Some of the direct results of energy insecurity, water scarcity, and climate change trends on existing and planned commercial buildings can include:

Higher utility costs – driven by increasing prices and unreliable power/water. This can lead to higher/uncertain operating cash flows, less competitive rental rates, and lower occupancy rates. Building utility use intensity is also expected to increase as consumers demand modern building features like air conditioning and landscaping, thus further increasing utility costs.

Higher nonutility operating costs – including accelerated building depreciation, higher operations maintenance, reserve and replacement (OMRR) costs and higher insurance premiums—which can lead to less competitive rental rates and lower occupancy. OMRR cost increases are driven by:

Physical building deterioration due to more frequent/intense weather events; and
Obsolescence arising from energy- and water-inefficient building systems.

Higher construction costs- including input costs, capital costs, and lost rental income—driven by:

Project/permitting delays caused by local energy insecurity, water scarcity, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change; and
Pass-through of fuel costs from transportation of material inputs, particularly imports

These effects on individual projects will pass through to the investors and developers, affecting them adversely.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) – Higher nonutility operating costs from a REIT’s portfolio—like insurance premiums and maintenance expenses—will flow directly to the REIT’s operating cash flow. Higher utility costs may be passed on to tenants although this may have adverse impacts on rental/occupancy rates, depending on prevailing market conditions.

Real Estate Developers – Regardless of market conditions, real estate developers will have to contend with higher capital costs created by project/permitting delays. Developers who hold and lease completed projects (more common under unfavorable market conditions) will also face the risk of operating cost increases and lost rental income in the case of project delays.

This therefore creates significant market opportunities for Green Buildings. Green building investments can reduce vulnerability to operational risks and provide net financial returns relative to conventional buildings.

Energy and water-saving technologies (like targeted task lighting, solar water heating, and rainwater harvesting) can reduce utility costs for building owners and/or tenants (thus reducing operating costs and/or improving rentability).
Green building market in India are nascent, but growth is likely, especially as (1) water scarcity, energy insecurity, and climate change impacts worsen and (2) awareness of financial and social benefits grows in the private and public sectors.

New and retrofitted green buildings in this region have demonstrated net positive returns on energy and water efficiency investments. According to a 2008 Asia Business Council report:

The first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED, a green building rating system) Platinum building in India—the 2003 CII-Godrej Green Business Center (CIIGodrej GBC)—achieved a 55 percent reduction (120,000 kWh/year) in energy use, and a 35 percent reduction in potable water consumption, with an expected seven-year payback period on green investments;
More recently built LEED Platinum/Gold buildings in India, such as the Patni Knowledge Center, have achieved payback periods on green investments of just three to four years.

Energy efficiency investments also protect operating costs from rising electricity prices. For a typical Indian commercial building, HSBC estimates that a 10 percent increase in power costs increases total operating costs by 1 percent in a normal building. In a green building, the pass-through effect is only 0.50 to 0.85 percent of expenses due to the energy savings.

Green buildings in India

Green building investments in India have demonstrated a net positive return in as few as three years. Green buildings provide a range of cost and revenue benefits over their lifetime. These include utility cost savings, rental premiums, and longer building lifetimes. A significant sales or rental premium is currently hard to achieve, especially given the current economic downturn. However, operational savings are achievable immediately through reduced water and energy use. Although green buildings typically require additional design and construction costs, payback periods in recent buildings have been reasonable. In India, for example, several green buildings constructed since 2005 have achieved positive returns on green investments in three to five years.

Given the growth potential of Indian metropolitan cities with the rapid rise of IT/ITES, there is growing interest in green buildings. As of 2009, more than 140 buildings were expected to be awaiting evaluation and certification. It is expected that by year 2012, there will be around 1000 certified green buildings. This translates into a market potential of USD 4 billion.

Though the National Building Code (2005) is voluntary, Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) will shortly become mandatory for commercial buildings with a connected load of 500kW or greater, and applicable to all buildings with a large air-conditioned floor area of 1000sqm or greater, and is recommended for all other buildings. Energy Service Companies (ESCO) market is developing with government support. The Government of India is planning an expenditure of INR490m through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) during 2008-12 for the promotion of energy efficient solar or green buildings in India.

Despite all these efforts, the potential to be tapped is immense as compared to the market tapped. In 2008, green buildings accounted for only around 8 percent of total Grade-A commercial construction in India. There remains an enormous energy savings potential. Some experts project that total built-up green building area will increase three-fold to approximately 100 million square feet by 2014. Green buildings thus represent the future of commercial infrastructure creation in India.

EcoLogic Consultancy came into existence with the purpose of “To help our clients in understanding, establishing sound Environment Management Systems, and pursuing sustainable business solutions through our various services to abate direct and indirect mpact on ecological balance.”

Green Business The Endeavor For Today

furai86 — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:29:16 +0000

If you want to \”go green, \” consider making your business a green business. This is a popular trend that is very eco-friendly. These businesses can reduce their impact on the environment, and may even theoretically help the environment. Having a \”green business\” may also help your company to gain customers. Many people today are concerned about the environment, and may decide to choose a green business over another, non-green business.

Solar power is an especially good option if your business is in a sunny area. Solar power uses a grid of cells to take energy from the sun, which is then converted to electricity. If you use enough solar power cells, you may (may being a key word) even be able to make your business completely solar. This means that, while you will have to pay a hefty amount initially for the panels, eventually you will be getting your electricity for free. This is amazing for the environment and can help out your budget as well.

A Green Energy Future: How Businesses Can Take Advantage Of Solar Energy

furai86 — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 06:34:02 +0000

Throughout the last decade, businesses have seen obscene climbs in energy costs, a trend that’s certain to continue into this next one. If utility costs make up a good deal of your overhead expenses, skyrocketing energy rates can devastate your ability to stay in business. Solar energy, on the other hand, is a perfectly free natural resource. Utilize solar resources, and you’ll save money as you also build profit. Let’s examine a few ideas for how businesses can take advantage of solar energy.

Cut Utility Costs
As utility rates continue to jump, your business won’t be affected by the steep increases as much when you already harvest solar power. Any sunny afternoon, sit back and watch your electric meter tick backwards. Steep rates will be hardly noticed when more of your energy comes directly from the solar panels getting a suntan on the roof. Why pay the electric company when you can instead get credit for the energy you produce?

Emissions Trading
Obama has stated that the nation should enter a cap and trade program to help slow global warming. In the near future, increased governmental pressure makes cuts in pollution valuable commodities for business. As a renewable resource, solar energy slashes a company’s emissions rates, earning you credits that can then be sold to more polluting companies. Sunlight makes money, thanks to emissions trading exchange. Get in the game and put it to work for you.

Tax Credits and Rebates
Additionally, Obama has called for a national investment in renewable energy resources, creating many tax credits and rebates. These credits are on the table for the taking. With a cut in taxes, solar power becomes more affordable than ever before. Solar panels always pay for themselves, but they pay the bill even faster thanks to tax credits and rebates. Look into what’s available for your region.

Free Resource
Sunlight has no price tag, Once you’ve invested in their infrastructure, solar panels take care of themselves without much work from you. They have very low maintenance costs. If you use panels for more than a few years, they’ll pay for their investment. You don’t have to do much work to keep the lights on.

Celcite presented with Green Business Award for its COPS platform by Washington Business Journal

furai86 — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 09:58:08 +0000

Celcite presented with Green Business Award for its COPS platform by Washington Business Journal
HERNDON, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Celcite , a leading provider of automatic optimization tools for wireless networks, has announced that it has been named a winner of a Washington Business Journal Green Business Award