GreenerDesign.com

Eastman Earns Cradle to Cradle Certification for 10 Polymers

GreenerDesign Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:41:00 -0700

McDonough Braungart Design Chemistry has given Cradle to Cradle Silver certification to 10 of Eastman Chemical Company's polymers, which are used in a variety of applications like pens, toys, plastic bottles and shrink wrap.

The Next Generation of Fireworks May All Be Green

GreenBiz Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:36:00 -0700

Despite being a centerpiece of celebrations the world over, fireworks displays often release toxic chemicals into the environment; researchers are developing a new generation of fireworks that shine as bright but leave less of an impact.

The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:35:00 -0700

Green building experts from the 7group consultancy and integrative design pioneer Bill G. Reed provide a clear, practical manual on the whole-building approach to sustainability.

Cargill Takes Full Ownership of Bioplastic Manufacturer NatureWorks

GreenerDesign Staff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:31:00 -0700

Bioplastic maker NatureWorks has changed from being a joint venture between companies Cargill and Teijin to being an independent company fully owned by Cargill. Teijin dropped out of the joint venture as part of its company-wide restructuring.

Six Ways to Keep Green Design Alive and Well in an Ailing Economy

David Laituri — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:25:00 -0700

At a recent gathering of sustainable design professionals in Boston, there was no shortage of passion in the room and there were plenty of good ideas to share, but the consensus amongst all was clear: If sustainable design was challenging to practice in a good economy, it’s even more difficult in a bad one.

TerraCycle Teams Up With Yak Pak to Make Bags From Billboards

GreenBiz Staff — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:26:00 -0700

The partnership signals a new direction for TerraCycle, which will be sourcing used vinyl billboard materials that Yak Bag is turning into durable, waterproof backpacks, messenger bags, totes and more.

'Virtually Waterless' Washing Machine Cleans Clothes with Polymer Beads

GreenerDesign Staff — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 18:15:00 -0700

Cleaning company startup Xeros Ltd. and Cambridge Consultants have developed a washing machine that cuts water consumption by as much as 90 percent and launders clothes using reusable nylon polymer beads.

Highlights from IBM's Green and Beyond Summit

Matthew Wheeland — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:44:00 -0700

Last week, at San Francisco's new Academy of Sciences museum, IBM gathered a host of industry leaders to discuss how IT can help companies green much more than their data centers. Here are some of the highlights of the event.

Wetsuits Made from Recycled Polyester Take to the Waves

GreenerDesign Staff — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:48:00 -0700

Australian surfwear maker Billabong has gone to market with a wetsuit fashioned from 90 percent recycled polyester that takes 80 percent less energy to manufacture.

WRAP Offers $3.2 Million to Expand Plastic Recycling

GreenerDesign Staff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:53:00 -0700

The U.K.'s Waste & Resources Action Programme has conducted trials showing that is it technically and commercially viable to recycle non-bottle plastic packaging like yogurt cups. The group is now offering $3.2 million (£2 million) as part of a grant competition to improve the U.K.'s recycling supply chain.

U.K. Grocery Chain Sainsbury's Unwraps its Cereal

GreenerDesign Staff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:10:00 -0700

Sainsbury's has started stocking Rice Pops cereal that are packaged only in plastic bags, with no cardboard boxes. The retailer is aiming to cut packaging for its self-branded products by one-third.

Tracking the Stimulus Spending with Recovery.org

Marc Gunther — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:44:00 -0700

GreenBiz.com's senior writer Marc Gunther speaks with Eric Gillespie, the CIO of Onvia about how his firm's website, Recovery.org, is helping companies track federal stimulus spending -- and get a slice of the pie.

The Truth About Green Business

GreenBiz Staff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:19:00 -0700

Natural Logic CEO Gil Friend brings together 52 crucial facts and insights leaders must know to successfully go green. This book delivers quick, plain-English explanations that executives, decision-makers, and entrepreneurs can actually use, no matter what kind of businesses they’re running, or what their environmental and profit goals are.

Why the Adage 'the Dose Makes the Poison' Can Be Toxic to Corporate Chemicals Policy

Richard Liroff — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:31:00 -0700

There probably are lots of senior execs who've been comforted when their chief scientist has told them that since "the dose makes the poison," they shouldn't sweat some new study about a chemical found in small amounts in their products. This maxim is somewhat misleading; taking it at face value may be toxic to your company's reputation.

Timberland Designed Newest Boots With Disposal in Mind

Jonathan Bardelline — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 15:24:00 -0700

Later this year Timberland will release its Earthkeepers 2.0 boot, the company's first product to be designed with end-of-life in mind. The company has crafted the boot to be disassembled and recycled, a concept that is spreading throughout various industries as companies realize the benefits of taking back and reusing their own, and other companies', trashed items.