Going Green Matters

Organic, All Natural, Eco-Friendly - All the Same. Or Not?

2009-07-23T21:14:13.1149962+00:00

New results released today from a national survey, one of four annual surveys conducted by the Shelton Group, show most Americans are trying to buy more green products, but many don't have enough knowledge to make meaningful choices.

When asked, "Which is the best product description to read on a label?" Americans chose "natural" over "organic."

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Check out Chain Leader's March issue for more ways that restaurant chains are saving energy and other resources, buying locally and promoting their green efforts.

REthink, REplenish, REcommit - Going Green Film Festival

2009-07-23T20:57:36.8219867+00:00

With the motto “REthink, REplenish, REcommit”, the first-ever Going Green Film Festival launches its official call for entries on July 15. The festival’s first place prizes include Hybrid electric bicycles, a tree planted in their names in Central America, Africa or Asia, as well as film and screenwriting software.

The Going Green Film Festival is the very first festival of it’s kind to focus solely on “green” filmmaking.

“More than ever, it is critical for the film industry—whether big budget or independent—to contribute towards environmental preservation,” says Festival Founder Patrice Williams. “We’ve launched the industry’s first all-green film festival to reward filmmakers who are promoting ways of producing film using alternative materials and environmentally-friendly practices, both in the office and on set.”

Boston GreenFest 2009

2009-07-23T20:44:07.364+00:00

The Foundation for a Green Future, Inc. today announced that the second annual edition of Boston GreenFest 2009 will take place on Boston City Hall Plaza, Thursday, August 20, Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22.

Boston GreenFest 2009 will bring together community groups, corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, government agencies and citizens to share new technologies and ideas that can immediately change our daily lives and help bring about a more sustainable future.

Boston GreenFest 2009, the Foundation for a Green Future, Inc., and local volunteers will seek to connect with a broad audience from across all Boston neighborhoods to bring an inspiring message of action and change. Together we will work toward sustainability through art, music, fashion, discussions and interactive exhibits. By engaging participants, young and old, we will search for new ideas to reduce our impact on our planet.

Green Hip Hop

2009-07-23T20:31:18.551+00:00

The Green movement has affected the music industry and has created a new following among the hip hop generation. "As hip hop gets back to the basics, 'the Green movement' is cultivating a change and becoming more mainstream instead of underground," said Belle Young, 25, a senior health science student from Gainesville, Georgia. Hip hop was initiated as a cultural movement by inner-city youth, mostly by African-Americans in New York City, in the early seventies. Since then, hip hop has become international and evolved into a way of life for an entire generation, from fashion and language to a way of thinking.

Record Year for Solar PV Sales: 5.7 GW of New Capacity Added

2009-07-22T17:25:49.103+00:00

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Solar PV Report Ed 6 2009" report to their offering.

2008 was a record year for solar PV sales, with 5.7 GW of new capacity added. Spain shot into top place, with 2.7 GW added, the largest volume of annual sales achieved by any country ever, followed by Germany with 1.5 GW. Between them they accounted for three quarters of world sales. However, Spain's pre-eminence was short-lived and in the wake of the financial crisis the Spanish government announced a cap on the feed-in subsidy for solar PV installations at 500 MW in 2009. This will not only put a brake on Spanish sales but will reduce the global solar PV total in 2009, we believe by at least 50%. The Spanish renewable associations are looking ahead at least two years before recovery starts in Spain.

How to Get Credits for Going Green

2009-07-22T17:16:25.524+00:00

Grant Thornton LLP’s National Tax Office and State and Local Tax group have produced a guide to green tax incentives and credits that businesses and individuals can take advantage of at the federal and state level.

The Green tax incentives and credits for businesses and individuals white paper focuses on federal incentives for ordinary businesses, as well as items that specifically benefit the manufacturing, development and energy industries. Information on incentives for consumers and individuals is also provided.

"Green Change" Through New Green Social Network for Small Businesses

2009-07-22T16:58:00.587375+00:00

Small businesses account for 99.7% of all employer firms in the United States. On August 10, 2009, Greenergy2030.com will launch its free media network as a place to bring “green change” to the world through education, legislative efforts, media outreach and the dissemination of information about alternative energy and sustainable business practices. Through the Greenergy2030 Business Alliance, Greenergy2030.com will serve as a catalyst for entrepreneurs and business professionals seeking to take an active role in their community/industry while positively impacting others’ lives and the world. Green Change is what the Greenergy2030 Business Alliance is all about.

Buy.com Takes Eco-Friendly Shopping to the Next Level

2009-06-23T20:38:03.531+00:00

Buy.com announces the next phase in its ongoing effort to improve the environmental friendliness of its unique online shopping experience through a partnership with leading memory products manufacturer, Kingston Technology. Shoppers who purchase Kingston "Go Green" USB Flash drives and SD cards on Buy.com will receive their orders directly from Kingston and can also opt to receive those products with significantly less packaging.

Survey: 60 Percent of Major Retailers Boost Profits by Going Green

2009-06-23T20:30:36.99975+00:00

Prenova announces the results of a survey revealing that large retail operations are choosing to decrease energy consumption because they see significant quarterly savings as a result. Performed in conjunction with Chain Store Age the results of the survey are unequivocal. 50 percent of retailers with 500 to 999 stores, and over 60 percent of retailers with 1,000 stores or more, indicated that sustainable energy initiatives help them save money on energy every quarter. Complete survey results and analysis are available on Prenova’s website.

Survey: Americans Want to Go Green, but Not if it Means Being Uncomfortable or Inconvenienced

2009-06-23T20:20:10.5935+00:00

A new national survey released today, one of four annual surveys conducted by The Shelton Group, finds most Americans are trying to buy more green products, but not at the expense of convenience or comfort. And most Americans wouldn’t give up their iPod, microwave oven, air conditioning, cell phone or computer, even if they thought it harmed the environment.

Tips on Going Green this Earth Day

2009-04-14T19:39:20.425+00:00

April 22nd marks Earth Day, a yearly reminder that asks all Americans for their civic participation in conservation and green friendly practices. This year, University of Phoenix is offering ten simple tips to help you go green, not just for Earth Day, but all year long!

Sierra Club Green Home Launches New Web Site

2009-03-26T20:28:51.25075+00:00

Sierra Club Green Home launched its new Web site designed to educate Americans on how to make their homes more energy efficient, environmentally sustainable and healthy. Created with Sierra Club — America’s oldest, largest, and best-known environmental organization — SCGH aims to help aspirationally green citizens become more environmentally conscious.

American Le Mans Series Selects G-Oil as Official Motor Oil

2009-03-24T19:07:06.949+00:00

Green Earth Technologies have signed a two-year contract that will name their Ultimate Biodegradable "green" motor oil, G-OIL, the official motor oil of The American Le Mans Series and the International Motor Sports Association.

Under the agreement, G-OIL will be used in the Series' official safety trucks, which will also feature the G-OIL logo. The logo will also appear prominently at all Series races. Green Earth Technologies will utilize the American Le Mans Series and IMSA logos on their product packaging, promotions, publicity materials, advertising and on their web site.

Lincoln, Nebraska Residents Recycle 3 Tons of Old Directories

2009-03-24T19:03:14.574875+00:00

The Lincoln community has proven once again they have what it takes to "Think Yellow, Go Green" by recycling 1,200 outdated Windstream Yellow Pages directories, the equivalent of 6,000 pounds -- three tons of outdated directories. The month-long recycling program was supported by the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department, the local Boy Scouts of America and specialty recycler, Recycling Enterprises of Nebraska, Inc.

Study: Green Products Sustain Momentum in Down Economy

2009-03-17T19:24:04.484375+00:00

The growth in popularity of sustainable products—those that are eco-friendly, organic and those produced through fair trade methods—has marched upward for at least the past five years as more shoppers factor in the environmental impact of the products they consume. According to the latest IRI Times & Trends Report, “Sustainability: CPG Marketing in a Green World,” the spectrum of green shoppers is broad and represents a diverse array of consumer demographics, psychographics, values and beliefs. The IRI report examines eight green consumer segments and provides insight into current and emerging sustainability trends that will enable manufacturers and retailers to drive top-line growth in the rapidly evolving green segment of the consumer packaged goods market.

Academic Study Challenges Projections of Green Jobs

2009-03-17T03:48:09.953125+00:00

Academics and researchers from four U.S. universities released a joint study, Seven Myths About Green Jobs, that analyzes the assumptions, findings and methodologies of green jobs projections and benefits put forth in reports issued by several special interest groups, industry associations and international organizations which have subsequently been widely referenced by government officials, policymakers and the media.

Office Depot Wins ‘Outstanding Environmental Leadership Award’

2009-03-13T19:39:09.156+00:00

Office Depot was recognized with an award for its “Outstanding Environmental Leadership” by Office Products International at the eighth annual European Office Products Awards banquet held in Frankfurt, Germany. Office Depot was given this special industry recognition for the Company’s long-standing commitment to the environment, proven global track record and successful implementation of an industry-leading environmental strategy. A panel of senior industry executives from all channels of the European office supplies industry formed the awards judging panel.

U.S. Postal Service Brings Paper Recycling to Post Office Lobbies

2009-03-13T01:05:03.765625+00:00

The "Three Rs" take on a more modern meaning today as the U.S. Postal Service makes it easier for Post Office Box customers across the country to recycle their mail.

"Read, Respond, Recycle" is the banner under which the Postal Service will reach out to postal customers with a convenient, environmentally responsible alternative to bringing home or discarding their PO Box mail.

Zenith Digital TV Converter Box Offers Energy-Saving Features

2009-03-09T19:44:46.160125+00:00

With less than 100 days remaining until all full-power analog television broadcasts are switched off across the nation, experts urge budget-minded viewers to consider an Energy Star-rated digital-to-analog converter box as the ideal way to keep their favorite channels after midnight on June 12.

According to the U.S. Commerce Department, which manages the government's digital TV coupon program, the Zenith DTT901 converter box consumes less energy in "on mode" than any other converter eligible for the $40 federal government discount coupons. The Zenith DTT901 also performs better than the guidelines of the Energy Star program, which stipulates conservative energy use in both the "on mode," when the box is in use, and in the "sleep mode," when the converter box is not in use.

18-to-34 Year-Olds Key to Green Economy

2009-03-05T21:05:07.394+00:00

New research conducted by EnviroMedia Social Marketing indicates young Americans, an estimated audience of 76 million people, will power the new green economy and are the key to future economic growth.

This national opinion poll reveals a clear generation gap in understanding the cause of climate change — and marketing experts say businesses that pay attention may find new growth strategies.

More than any other age group, 18- to 34-year-olds believe global warming is caused by human activities. Additionally, the research indicates Americans who believe in this connection are almost twice as likely to buy more green products in this economy than Americans who believe it occurs naturally.