aplue:

Why plastic bag bans should exist everywhere.

Dolphin with bag in archipelago of Fernando de Noronha.

Photo by João Vianna.

Surfrider Foundation

Read more about plastic bag bans here on our blog!

mothernaturenetwork:

Give your brain a boost and check out these seven offbeat but interesting bits of environmental trivia.

Results are In! Economic Success and Sustainable Business Practices Continue to Grow Hand in Hand by Ed Weisberg

The MIT Sloan Management Review and Boston Consulting Group just released their third annual survey and report on sustainability and innovation in business.  This year’s report was titled “Sustainability Nears a Tipping Point”.  We at GXT Green were pleased, but not surprised, at the conclusions drawn from the 4,000 managers who responded to their survey.

The study found that over 70% of companies surveyed have placed sustainability permanently on their management agendas. The reason?  Two thirds of the respondents said that sustainability was necessary to being competitive in today’s marketplace, up from 55% just one year ago.  Even in these economically challenging times, companies continue to increase their commitment to sustainability initiatives at an exponential rate.

While economic challenges take top billing at most companies, a third of the companies surveyed stated that sustainability activities are clearly contributing to their profitability and growth.  Last year’s study developed the concept of “embracers” as companies who are implementing sustainability efforts.  This year, the study developed the concept of “harvesters”: Companies that see sustainability principles as necessary to be competitive, and have made the business case to make sustainability a permanent item on their management agenda.  41% of all respondents listed customer preference for sustainable products as the largest reason for modifying their business models.

So, to what do “Harvesters” attribute their success?  Compared to respondents of other organizations:

1. Harvesters are nearly twice as likely to clearly communicate about their sustainability initiatives
2. They are twice as likely to have operational performance linked to sustainability
3.  62% more likely to have financial incentives around sustainability.
4. These successful firms clearly state that sustainability has increased their collaboration with customers, suppliers, governments, and other parties.
5. Most importantly, they have found ways to integrate their sustainability principles into their messaging, not only in words, but also in actions.

That’s where companies can look to the outside for help.  Companies such as GXT Green can not only help construct sustainably and “green” language that becomes an integral part of successful companies’ marketing copy, but they can also help implement visible sustainable practices.  Examples of visible initiatives from GXT Green include facility certifications, carbon offsets to minimize their carbon footprint such as offsetting their vehicles’ carbon with WheelSeal Vehicle offset medallions, and focusing on sustainable products in their customer touch-points.  Customer-facing sustainable products include ECOgrade™ bags if they are retailers, or ECO-RSP zero-waste packaging for manufacturers.  These products and services help round out a good sustainability program, transforming it to one that reflects their ecologically responsible practices in the eyes of their customers and vendors.  Please feel free to contact us to learn more.

Please visit http://gxtgreen.wordpress.com/ for a full .PDF copy of this year’s report!

mothernaturenetwork:

EPA releases map of top greenhouse gas emitters in U.S.
Two Georgia power plants are top carbon dioxide emitters for 2010, according to new website that looks at greenhouse gas emissions from large facilities like power plants, refineries and landfills.

Map of top greenhouse gas emitters in the U.S. According to the EPA, the state with the greatest overall amount of emissions from power plants and refineries was Texas, with a total of 294 million metric tons. The next-highest state was Pennsylvania, with 129 million metric tons. Florida, Ohio and Indiana rounded out the top five. California ranked seventh, with 71 million metric tons of emissions. Idaho and Vermont had the lowest levels of reported emissions. -MNN

Read More