Because of the importance of this portion of the “Growing a Green Business Blog”, this topic will be divided into two segments. In the first segment, we’ll focus on office supplies. In the next segment (June) we’ll talk about Providers of Services (Electricity, Mobile Phone Service) and Transportation.

It’s important to us at Essential Sage that we lead by example. So not only do we guide our clients in greening their events, we continually strive to find ways to be sure that we are operating our business as eco-friendly as is possible for us.

On our quest to use green products, we found that many items are readily available at major office supply stores, and if you’re lucky enough to have access, most are available at your local office supply store.

The following are a few of the methods we’ve already used to go green and a few strategies that we hope to implement in the near future;

Office Supplies, Starting at the desk…

1. Ink cartridge recycling

We’ve been hunting for a good alternative to a petroleum based ink cartridge for a couple years now. We found low VOC soy based inks, however, its only manufactured for general commercial printing. Unfortunately, soy-based ink for desktop printing is still unavailable. That said, there are a number of soy based toners available for desktop printers and copiers. Check out BrightHub.com to see compatible printers for this Biobased Ink.

Make Eco Friendly Choices When Printing

Image by Robbie1

As luck would have it, our printer isn’t compatible with the “Agritone” or “SoyPrint Toner Cartridge”. So until we can invest in such a printer, we are sure to recycle our printer cartridges at Staples, Office Max or Office Depot.

2. Paper(less)

Let me start by saying I love paper. I love all different kinds of paper. There is something about having choice in color, texture and weight that I really dig. However, I love trees, forests, rivers and lakes so much more. We could do a whole series on just the Paper Industry (and maybe we will) but for our purposes, we just talk high level.
In my office, I have hanging files, file folders, printer paper, notepad paper, thank you notes…ACK! It’s endless.
At Essential Sage we use only paper (Bathroom tissue, paper towel, printer paper, notepaper and note cards, and file folders) that have been recycled and produced from Post Consumer waste. We are careful to use only what is necessary and to recycle and/or shred the rest. Any documents that require shredding are first used as packing material for any of our delicate rentals. Ultimately, they’ll be recycled when they are no longer usable.

Stay Organized With Recycled Paper Folders - Re-Label and Re-Use

Image by stopnlook

My general rule for hanging folders and file folders is they must be made of at least 80% post consumer waster and used until they disintegrate. Well not totally, but pretty darn close. Strategic labeling can help extend the life of these items.
When it comes to printing, we only print what is necessary and all proposals are provided to our clients electronically. Lastly, we encourage all of our clients to take a close look at what their stationary needs are and to make the decision that is most green.

3. Wedding Stationary

Speaking of fabulous paper… when it comes to coordinating the stationary for your Wedding or Special Event, there are many options and resources for one to choose from that marry style and sustainability.
First let’s talk about the suite of stationary needs. Traditionally, couples like all of the following:

• Save the Dates
• Invitations and Response cards
• Programs
• Thank you notes

If you’re looking for an area of savings, invitations is a great place to start. Keeping your invitation light weight will help to reduce your postage cost. Rather than a folder over card, try using a single panel card. Ditch the tissue (really, what’s this for anyway?) and rather than a response card and envelope, trying using a postcard mailer response card. Another money savings option is to stay away from squares, your postage will automatically increase regardless of the weight. When choosing your invitation, you want to look for 100% recycled post consumer waster products. A site that I reference often is www.rethinkinkdesign.com

Eco Friendly Cards, Invites and Stationary by Rethink Ink Design

They are creative and very eco-friendly. According to rethink ink design, “All designs are printed on 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) recycled papers and envelopes, no new trees are used in the process. These papers are Forest Steward Council (FSC) certified. FSC tracks paper from forest to final product to ensure it comes from legal and well managed forests. The papers used are also made with renewable green e-certified energy and manufactured chlorine free.”

Essential Sage Uses Eco Friendly Wedding Invites

The use of recycled papers can impact our environment greatly, for example, for every 100 lbs of 100% pcw recycled paper used, the environment is helped in the following ways:

• 56 lbs of solid waste is not produced
• 849,835 BTU’s of energy is not produced
• 347 lbs of wood is saved
• 111 net lbs of GHG CO2 is not produced
• 510 gallons of wastewater is not produced
• 4 lbs of waterborn waste is not produced
• 53 lbs of carbon emissions are not produced

(Source: Environmental Defense)

4. Electronic Invites!

Another option many eco-brides and grooms are using is an electronic one. There are many sites that offer lovely electronic invitations with minimal or no cost. One of my favorites is Greenvelope. E-invitations, Redefined. Check them out at www.greenvelope.com. They offer Save the Dates, Invitations, Response Cards, Event Pages, Thank You Notes.

GreenVelope Electronic Invites Save Paper and Money!

You can also manage your Contacts, Guest Lists, Multiple Events, Responses, Send Group Emails, Postings all from one spot. Many companies like this also partner and contribute a portion of the sale to environmentally and socially conscious non profit organizations further extending your very own personal values.

Stay tuned next month, part 5 of 6, for our discussion about Providers of Services (Electricity, Mobile Phone Service) for your business and Transportation associated with your business.

A lot of governments throughout Europe are now charging companies more for the amount of rubbish they send to landfill, yet they offer tax relief for those companies that recycle the majority of their packaging. With global pressure on countries to show green initiatives the same tax relief might soon be available in the US.

Simply put it not only helps the environment to recycle your packaging but can also save you money.

Packaging is one of the biggest environmental issues facing us today, with the majority of plastic packaging taking up to 3,000 years to break down. And whilst many new avenues are being explored with regards to biodegradable packaging we are still a long way off from being able to combat the problem.
So, we need to have a good look at what we use as packaging;

Above anything else cardboard packaging stands out head and shoulders above the rest as the form of packaging that is the easiest to recycle.

Cardboard Boxes are Easy to Recycle

Image by zakwitnij

If you own a company that is shipping a lot of parcels each week then there are some easy steps you can take to help reduce your carbon footprint.

1. Avoid Foam Packaging

The first tip is to avoid using foam packaging, be it in the form of inserts or foam chips, either of which can take thousands of years to break down in a landfill site.

2. Use Alternate Packaging Fillers – Like Shredded Paper

Instead of foam packing material why not consider using shredded paper. Even if your customer does not recycle it, at least it will break down fast in a landfill site or even in a compost bin.

3. Re-Use Packages and Fillers That You Receive

If you are a manufacturing company then the chances are that you will be receiving in a lot of parcels with packaging that you normally throw away. However why not consider re-using the cardboard boxes or foam chips that they come packed with?

After all nearly every person selling goods on eBay recycles all of their old packaging. If we buy something at an online auction do we worry about how it comes packaged as long as it arrives in one piece? No we do not. Yet if we buy something new we expect it to come in nice new packaging, yet what is the real difference? It is all about perception.

4. Link In With a Local Packaging Recycler

Search for companies that will recycle your used business packaging, many will also be able to sell you reconditioned packaging. Check out our article about an amazing company, UsedCardBoardBoxes.com

http://www.oureverydayearth.com/they-make-recycled-boxes-their-business/

With a little thought we can change our perception of what packaging should be by re-using and recycling the majority of our packaging.

I trust, you the reader, will agree with the following: in my opinion, and, by my standards a green office must be environmentally, and socially, responsible.

Why it’s Important to Maintain a Green Office;

The U.S. is competing with India (population 1.15 billion), China (1.33 billion), and the rest of the world (another 4.3 billion), for fast-diminishing resources. Our hunger for technology and trendy, fashionable, resource-intensive and energy-depleting offices is creating an assault on our planet like never before.

Having 5 percent of Earth’s population, we in the United States consume 25 percent of its energy and resources.

China has 25 percent of Earth’s population, India slightly less than 25 percent. Both are consuming at 15 to 20 percent of their respective, potential capacity. A tiny, affluent percentage of their population is consuming at a rate close to our model of consumption, and expanding fast. I clearly remember almost five years ago, hearing a report on National Public Radio, which stated a car dealership in Beijing had sold 64,000 automobiles in the month preceding that NPR segment. Those type of numbers had heretofore been unheard of!

“What will Earth be like when demand for oil, metals and minerals for these economies consume at 30, 40, 50, even 80 percent of their respective, potential capacities”?

Understanding this issue should inspire us to make our businesses responsible environmental stewards, simply, if, for no other reason, than to leave our children a world worth having.

How do We Change Our Behavior to Become Sustainable?

In my pursuit of understanding sustainability and the operation of a business built on the principles of sustainability (social justice, environmental stewardship and economic responsibility – or People, Planet, Profits), here’s what I’ve come to know:

We, the current global population of almost 7 billion people, in order to maintain maximum health and wellness, need to meet our need for:

• Clean, healthy, breathable, fresh air
• Clean, healthy, drinkable, fresh water
• Fertile, non-contaminated and productive soil
• Nutritious, non-contaminated, non-Genetically-Modified, pesticide-free, organically-grown food
• and safe, energy- and resource-efficient housing

We must accomplish this while insuring the ability of the 10 billion people (who will occupy this planet in the next 100 years) of having the same.

Can we become sustainable, given that Earth’s resources, fish stocks and wildlife are diminishing rapidly, compounded by climate warming, desertification of vast expanses of land, forest depletion on a massive scale, retreat of fresh, inland bodies of water, and soil erosion advancing at an unprecedented pace?

I began Dolphin Blue (www.dolphinblue.com) eighteen years ago after hearing Dr. Norman Myers of Britain’s Oxford University speak in Dallas. His topic “where we are headed as a population that is out of control”, stirred me to begin thinking about my role in all this, and what actions I could take.

Examples of what small steps (among the many) Dolphin Blue has taken along our lengthy journey toward sustainability in our office:

(These are all in addition to the products we offer, which are certified to contain 20%-100% post consumer recycled material, and papers that are made carbon neutral with Green-e certified renewable energy, are FSC-certified, processed chlorine free and made with certified 100% post consumer recycled fibers and printed with non-toxic soy inks. ALL Dolphin Blue’s products are made in the USA, thereby further reducing carbon emissions.)

• We’ve installed compact fluorescent bulbs, reducing energy consumption significantly.
• Bought pre-owned furniture and furniture made of recycled construction debris.
• Installed an Energy Star certified computer network.
• We offer Renewable Choice Energy’s Round Up Impact Down carbon offset shopping cart option, where Dolphin
• Blue matches the customer contribution when our customer rounds up their purchase to invest in RECs (renewable energy credits).
• We participate in UPS Shipping Carbon-free delivery on ALL our customer shipments from our office. We voluntarily pay a premium for participation.
• Our employees participate in an employee public transit plan in our strategy to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
• Our employees participate in an employee telecommuting plan in our strategy to reduce fossil fuel consumption.
• Dolphin Blue purchases 100% wind generated energy from Green Mountain Energy to power all of our business needs.

These are just a handful of things we’ve done, and you can do as well, in creating a sustainable planet for future generations.

I highly recommend you review your energy consumption in your business. Energy is an area where we can all can realize immediate savings simply by looking at how, where, and why it is used.

Please consider the impact you’ll have by purchasing environmentally responsible office supplies. Your choice in this area can make a huge difference in the pursuit of sustainability.

“Why others don’t see what I see amazes me.”

I’ve noticed that most people have a mentality of “how much does it cost me?” counting pennies, while unknowingly causing incalculable destruction to our planet and its species. The price we pay for cheap, inefficiently-produced, resource-depleting, non-lasting goods is so quickly degrading our true quality of life that I’m not sure we’ll ever recover. We need a dramatic and permanent change in behavior.

Going “green” or, Operating Sustainably Makes Business Sense:

As author and former Sr. VP of Marketing, IBM Canada, Bob Willard points out in The Sustainability Advantage, companies operating in a sustainable manner experience financially-stronger bottom lines, attributable to the following:

• Competitive advantage in market served.
• Higher employee retention.
• Goodwill in communities served.
• Less employee sickness, due to a healthier workplace.
• Higher employee morale, equating to increased productivity.
• Monetary savings from conservation of energy and improved systems efficiencies.
• Easier recruiting of quality employees.

I suspect the same is true for you and your company as well.

A Socially-Responsible Office Advances Sustainability

What makes an office socially-responsible? Purchasing products that are:

• Produced in a manner that replenishes resources, leaving a pristine environment and healthy ecosystem for those who are indigenous to the area(s) where the resource extraction occurs.
• Designed with take-back and recovery in their life-cycle value, eliminating waste-stream flow (waste that is usually destined for socio-economically deprived areas).
• Made in the USA or, products made in an economic system where people are treated with dignity, paid a living wage, and are honored for the contribution to capital creation they make.
• Manufactured locally, using local labor, thereby creating a vibrant, local economy and ensuring a source of employment for neighbors, family and friends.

Think about this… when someone becomes unemployed, earning no income and having no health insurance, where do they go for medical needs? Most likely the nearby county indigent care facility. Who pays the tab? We all do, through ever-increasing taxes.

It makes sense, socially and economically, to buy U.S. made products.

Why ARE We Holding Back From Achieving a Green Office?

Recent research by the Sloan Review at MIT showed that “C” level executives were the most environmentally aware – and concerned – employees at most major corporations. The more knowledgeable they considered themselves, the more active they were in implementing green initiatives at their companies. As it turns out, research showed that it’s middle managers who are most reluctant to initiate green movements. The top “C” level executives were more likely to understand that not every green decision was related to saving money, but rather the planet.

However, most of the attention is given to the “big green” projects such as new buildings, facility retrofits, and making fundamental changes in packaging or other highly visible projects. But from the bottom up, the items you use at the office every day – toner cartridges, kitchen towels, plates, copy paper, light bulbs, pens, envelopes – ultimately roll up to become “big green.”

Given that information, isn’t it time to put yourself into the green office driver’s seat? You determine the future your kids and their kids will have. As employees or owners, you can demand that your company not only recycle, but use post-consumer recycled goods!

What decisions will you make that will (or won’t) create a sustainable planet? Your office is a great place to start. Happy GREENING. Share this blog on What is a Green Office?

Tom Kemper is CEO and founder of Dolphin Blue an online retailer of environmentally responsible office supplies since 1994.

China population:
1,331,460,000 – 2009
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

India population:
1,155,347,678 – 2009
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

World population:
6,775,235,741 – 2009
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Happy Spring everyone!  How I love this time of year. In the last installment I confessed to “flying by the seat of my pants” to start Essential Sage Weddings and Events. While this is true, that strategy is only going to get one so far. This month, I’ll share my experience with marketing outreach and some more Eco-Chic Wedding trends for 2011.

Social Strategery (LOL)

In addition to an attractive, user friendly website and brand that reflects who you are personally and professionally, I’ve found that networking is helping to grow my brand and thus, my business. Someone once said to me;

“If you’re not networking, you’re not working!”

In response to this I said;

“Who has time for lunches and happy hours?”

The truth is, networking has been essential to growing my wedding and event planning business and is just the cost of doing business. I’ve been able to network in a few ways that haven’t required a lot of time. Social Media, specifically Facebook and Twitter, has been really beneficial for me. According to the Social Media Bootcamp for CEOs Field Guide, right now 1.6 million people are checking Facebook and approximately 32,000 people are watching a YouTube video! Facebook and YouTube are #2 and #3 respectively in terms of top websites by traffic. Clearly, this is a marketing channel that we should all be using and its FREE.

Take a look at this amazing infographic provided by Ethority, it shows the amazing number of ways that you can get involved through social networking;

The Social Network Infographic!

Testing the waters in a few of these online social networking groups has been helpful, but nothing beats face to face contact. While I haven’t found just the right one, YET, I do know that getting in front of other people and selling yourself is the key to getting referrals and expanding your potential client base.  I’ve been so fortunate to obtain a number of clients through those who I’ve networked with.  Submerging yourself in groups that are like minded will not only provide additional education, but will again, expand your potential. I’m going to be testing out Dallas Green Drinks (if a cocktail is what’s required…I’m up for the task) in April for some Earth Day activities. This international group is described as;

“Dallas Green Drinks group provides friendly and inclusive catalysts for the Dallas eco-community. Let us help you plug into the local social network of eco-conscious folks”

Most major cities have a chapter but if your city does not, visit www.greendrinks.org to see how you can start a chapter in your city.

If advertising and marketing dollars are tight, try listing your business with sites such as Texas Green Directory www.texasgreendirectory.com. My website analytics show that those visiting my website are most definitely finding Essential Sage Wedding and Events through such listings.

In other words, strategically networking with others in eco friendly businesses will help throw your net further.  If you can’t reach your customer base directly, reach out to others who do.

2011 Trends in Eco Friendly Bridal Wear, Venue Selection and Sustainable Guest Favors

Bridal Wear

Knee Length Wedding Dresses for 2011

According to our friends at Recycled Bride, short wedding dresses are all the rage and just about every major bridal designer has debuted a knee-length collection for 2011. A cocktail-length dress can be worn again, and many are just as formal and elegant as a long gown. Look for short and sweet gently used styles on Recycled Bride right now. Smart users enjoy the financial, environmental, and social benefits of wedding recycling, and discover the joy of sharing, saving, and passing on treasured wedding items to other happy couples.

Image by notti cabirian

Venues

What makes a venue eco friendly?  For Essential Sage, we recommend venues that meet the following criteria. Supports the local economy, implements energy saving programs (reduce, reuse, recycle), can host a ceremony as well as reception (minimizing travel), or supports arts and culture in the community.  In Dallas, we have a number of venues that meet these criteria.  There are amazing Museums, Historic Buildings, Arboretums and, of course, the Luxury Hotel Palomar – Dallas Boutique Hotel. “Hotel Palomar Dallas is proud to announce it is officially Green Seal Silver Certified, meaning it meets a rigorous set of environmental standards designed to reduce impact on the environment and human health”.

Wedding Favors

Making a small donation for each guest to a cause that is important to you is a thoughtful alternative to a tangible, potentially-wasteful favor. If you are set on giving a small gift, there are tons of non-wasteful favor ideas like edibles, small potted plants, seedlings or soy candles that will echo the values behind your sustainable wedding. There are a gazillion online resources for ideas. Etsy has some pretty clever favor ideas and you will support a small business at the same time.

For an expanded list of green strategies for your special event or wedding, visit www.essentialsageevents.com/greentips

P.S. Don’t forget to enter the latest green giveaway, you could win fifty eco friendly wedding favors in the form of personalized tree seedlings;

http://www.oureverydayearth.com/50-tree-seedlings-giveaway-by-treebeginnings-com-countdown-to-earth-day-2011/

You may have read the excellent article posted by Jessica Root in 2008 over on TreeHugger.com titled “The World’s 5 Most Wicked Green Wineries”

We thought it was only right to bring you the latest news on the worlds greenest wineries;

Parducci Wine Cellars

Mendocino, California

Parducci has effectively made the switch over from fossil fuels to power their winery to completely 100% solar and wind driven. This change over was announced in April of 2008 and made Parducci the first carbon-neutral winery. This winery is the oldest family operated winery in California’s Mendocino Valley. According to the owner, the transition to sustainable energy has been the equivalent of planting 242 acres of trees or removing 172 cars from the road for a year. The partners who own the winery, as well as their employees, have committed themselves to finding ever-increasing ways to produce and process their product with eco-friendly in mind. They use things such as bio-diesel trucks and eco-friendly packaging for their finished product. Parducci feels that businesses are the key to leading society into a greener future.

Parducci Wine Cellars

Image by Tides Momentum

Some the key features which make the Parducci Wine Cellars so green are;

• Locally Owned & Operated
• Grapes from Local Family Farms
• 1st U.S. Carbon Neutral Winery
• Sustainable Farming Practices
• Earth-Friendly Packaging
• 100% Green Power
• Water Conservation & Recycling

Navarro Vineyards

Philo, California

Visitors to this vineyard are sure to get that “warm and fuzzy” feeling inside when they cast their eyes over the vast landscape. Navarro does not own lawnmowers, well at least not the mechanical kind. Instead, baby doll sheep can be seen grazing among the vines. This keeps the rows between the plants free of invasive grass and weeds. The use of these adorable creatures cuts down on the fuel consumption of the winery.

Navarrao Vineyards in California

Image by -nanio-

This winery also believes in composting its organic wastes and uses the compost to help keep the soil rich. They also believe in refraining from herbicide use. This winery is a smaller winery, and they do most of their business through direct ordering.

Rodney Strong Vineyards

Healdsburg, California

Located in the lush Sonoma Valley, this winery has taken solar power to a whole new level by installing over four thousand solar panels. They live entirely “off the grid” by generating their own power; in fact, enough electricity to power 800 homes. They are committed to using sustainable energy and take a lot of pride in that fact. The same family has owned the winery since 1989, and was Sonoma’s first carbon-neutral winery.

Honig Vineyard and Winery

Rutherford, California

Located in Rutherford California, this winery is notable for putting man’s best friend to work helping with their vineyards. Mealy bugs are the scourge of the winery. Every year, mealy bugs damage anywhere from 30 to 40 thousand acres of grapes. They are difficult to detect since they hide in the bark and under the roots of the plants. The dogs that Honig uses are specially trained to detect the scent of mating mealy bugs, and then workers can go in and remove the infestation. Honig Vineyard is also well known for its use of solar power, you can read more about their solar power here;
http://www.honigwine.com/solar

University of California

Davis, California

Who would have thought that a prestigious university like U.C. Davis would become known for its contribution to the eco-friendly wine business? Not many people would have thought this, but it is true and bears mentioning. U.C. Davis has recently completed construction on the world’s first winery to earn the LEED Platinum certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and is given by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED has handed out its certification to several wineries, but the platinum certification is the most coveted. The 20 million dollar complex is a winery, brewery and food processing plant and is expected to become fully self-sustainable in energy and water use once all components are online.

Greenest Wineries in America Interactive Map:

This is a guest post written by Guillermo Bravo.  Guillermo enjoy writing about wine, the outdoors, and everything related to his native land Sonoma, California. If you have the opportunity to visit Northern California, indulge in the best Sonoma Wine Tours and Napa Wine Tours the area has to offer!

Anyhow, polar bears are really endangered and the ice cap is melting and your carbon footprint gets bigger every day like a growing basketball player’s — but you can’t solve all of the world’s problems and load them onto your own little set of shoulders. You can start small and go from there.

“Just doing something — anything– really does make a difference!”

You’ll get a snowball effect sooner than later and very quickly, maybe you will actually save enough energy and resources that one giant tree in a rainforest somewhere can remain standing for a little while longer. All the more oxygen for everyone to breathe.

Image by typester

Puce, Lime, Avocado, Kelly, or Mint in Your Office?

Green by any other color is still green, and working your way up the environmental ladder slowly, still means you are working it. Do one thing, get others to start, then move through and add another thing. Try and think of things that you can do in addition to this list. The more the merrier on input into eco-awareness and energy efficiency and recycling. Start tomorrow and then spread your new philosophy around and do the same things at home when you can.

Start On Up the Green Brick Road:

Step 1 – Reduce, Not “Try To”, Your Office Supply Usage

Print out documents only when you really have to. The computer makes a great electronic document storage device. Always backup your data regularly on an external hard drive or USB drive. That way, if there’s a brown-out because everyone else is sucking up the power, you won’t lose anything. Always print on both sides of the paper, if you have to print, and use recycled paper. White paper is usually recyclable after you are done with it, as are newspapers and junk mail and envelopes. Try and use ink or toner that’s been put into recycled plastic cartridges and tubes. Along with the white paper, recycle cans and bottles and cardboard and glass.

Step 2 – You Can Chat Up A Real Plant

Plastic or silk ones just don’t understand. A real plant uses carbon dioxide and exhales oxygen for us to breathe in. It’s The Circle of Life (according to Disney in The Lion King). If there’s enough light for a plant, but not too much, spider plants are great low-light ones. Other ones you can use in a cave (only kidding) are the Peace Lily, Chinese Evergreen, Cast-Iron plant and Dracena. The latter has cool leaves which can be striped in light and dark green, plus other varieties. All plants are cool, though — even a Charlie Brown Christmas tree!

Step 3 – Curly Bulbs Anyone?

These are the funky, scrunched-up looking compact bulbs and they can be fluorescent (CFL) or
regular. There are also LED lights out now, they are the real energy savers, but if you get one for your aquarium don’t turn the light on all at once or else the fish will think there’s a supernova happening. They can be really bright and they are definitely very, very efficient and use little energy. There is some mercury in CFLs so be careful about use and disposal. Lower the thermostat in your office and turn off equipment at night or when not in use. This means unplugging it, too.

Step 4 – Use Real Silverware & Dishes

Styrofoam remains in a landfill for centuries. Did you see Wall-E from Disney? Nothing left but garbage and one tiny robot. If you can, take your dishes home and wash them in a full load to make the most of your dishwater. Besides, licking a ceramic bowl with condensed milk in it is so much better than biting accidentally into a chunk of Styrofoam!

Step 5 – Decorate Your Office With Decorum & Care

Choose renewable and green resources if you are going to renovate the office. Bamboo, low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints, wood desks and a low energy lighting system will work wonders and save energy and our planet.

Step 6 – Don’t Drive To Work

Use the computer for phone calls and other time saving methods. Skype saves on phone calls and telecommuting on gas. Ride share if you can’t work from home. Set up a nice and cozy home office and spend more time with the family. Your spouse will recognize you more easily.

Step 7 – Eat Smart At The Office

Read labels and watch what you buy — and this means everything! Try to get hold of locally grown and organic foods. Brew Fair Trade coffee and use a re-usable filter. Wash the latter in soap and water now and then to get rid of the coffee oils.

Step 8 – Environmentally Friendly Business Travel

Try and reduce use of the company vehicle. What about an electric van? What about short trips by bicycle? Try and consolidate trips even inside the office.

Step 9 – Office Equipment Can Save You Money

Switch it off if you aren’t using it! Use Energy Star Power Management on your PC and Mac OS. Use the sleep mode when you can (the computer, not you). Update to lower energy use devices as you can.

Step 10 – Research Before You Search!

You might be addicted to searching using various search engines but if you take some time you can find a greener way to find what you’re looking for, do some research and figure out which search engine uses the least energy…

Google has a great article about how much power their data center uses whenever you search;

http://www.google.com/corporate/datacenter/efficient-computing/

From our research it looks like you would be Frugal Using Google! (Easy to remember)

We Are One On Our Planet

Start at the beginning and increase speed when you can. Work hard, both in your office and at helping to save the environment. Take a break, a deep breath, and a look outside when you can. Think about the relationship of your carbon footprint reduction, to the daisies you are looking at.

“It’s a dog eat dog world out there, but every dog and other living thing deserves to exist.”

Lloyd Burrell is the owner and publisher of OfficeDeskReviews.com. He loves to give detailed reviews on all types of contemporary office desk furniture. Despite the calls to save the environment recycled office furniture is not in very big demand right now, but he is optimistic that the demand will grow. Bit by bit the big named brands such as Bush furniture, Dmi desks and Sauder office desks are gradually moving over to offer more environmentally friendly products. One of these days, we will simply run out of trees if we aren’t careful!

In some cases, adopting an eco-friendly attitude is a way to build a better public image and increase rapport with a consumer base. In fact, this is often a side effect regardless of intentions. It can also help you come into compliance with federal mandates or even secure government rebates or tax breaks. Of course, there are also quite a few companies that are run or influenced by individuals who are making the planet a priority, and changing the world one company at a time. Whatever the reason for making your business more eco-friendly, the decision is commendable because it is a move that can make a difference on a global scale. And if you’re looking for a few simple ways to get started, here are some initiatives you might want to implement in your office.

Tips For Running an Eco Friendly Business

Image by Peter Hellberg

1. Create a recycling center

The first and easiest way to get on board with going green is to start a company-wide recycling program. Set up bins throughout the office for cans, bottle, plastics, paper products, and even used ink cartridges. Urge employees to use them and consider donating any money gained from your recycling efforts to an employee party fund. Of course, in some states you may see no return (in fact, you might even have to pay for pick-up services), but it’s well worth the effort for the amount of waste you’re keeping out of the landfill.

2. Set up a volunteer program

Start a sign-up sheet for employees to volunteer for Earth-friendly tasks like tree-planting, highway cleanup, or a community garden sponsored by the company. Ensure that people see how important the effort is by asking executives and managers to sign up and urge other employees to do so, as well. By showing a team effort and letting people know the importance of such a move (make sure to volunteer yourself), everyone can do their part to make the world a cleaner, greener place for all of us.

3. Donate to green charities

If you simply don’t have the time to make the effort, at least give what you can: money. Have employees vote monthly on a green charity to donate too (you may be able to use these funds as a write off). You could even start a matching program by which you will equal any personal donations made by employees (in addition to your base monthly allocation).

4. Manufacture eco-friendly products

If you run a company that sells consumer (or private) goods, think about how you can incorporate green components. Sometimes you can even save money by creating products that do less harm, and you can switch to biodegradable or recycled packaging. In short, the products you make (and use in production) could be doing a world of good.

5. Clean up your act

Regardless of what your company creates, you can always clean up the manufacturing process in order to curb pollution and waste. And think about how you can cut back at the corporate office. Choose a building that allows for natural light (open floor plan, lots of windows) and incorporates alternate sources of energy, and install systems that will conserve energy (low-flow toilets, energy-star appliances, and electronics that default to sleep mode after a few minutes of inactivity). Every little bit counts, and you hold the proverbial keys to the kingdom when it comes to making business decisions that will reduce your company’s carbon footprint.

Sarah Danielson writes for Ryson which specializes in vertical conveyors and incline conveyor systems to help reduce your business operation costs.

So let’s begin part 2 of 6 of our Growing a Green Business Series titled “Flying by the seat of my pants!”

Let me be the first to confess I do not have an MBA and did not follow any hard and fast rules when approaching the conception, development and launch of my business.  What I did do and still practice today is intention and faith. That said…here we go!

Once I was resolved in the fact that I was going to dive deep into wedding planning and that I was committed to my green ways, I took three very basic steps;

Step 1: Choosing a Green Business Name

With some of the most intensely creative people I know (my brothers) I brainstormed business names that resonated with me and that I thought would appeal to potential clients.  This was so important to my process because the name of my business had to reflect me in every way. I started the discovery process with what about myself did I want to reflect?

“I wanted to reflect my sound experience and passion for event planning, my love of all things natural and authentic and my ability promote a sense of calm through relationship building and strong organizational and communication skills.”

Once I landed on these three things, I started to play with different words and phrases that could communicate these traits.

Essential Sage Weddings and Events

Essential meaning absolutely necessary (which I believe is true of being eco or earth friendly). And Sage referencing, wise through reflection and experience or the color green in this case is said to create feelings of comfort, relaxation, and calmness. It helps us balance and soothe our emotions. Some attribute this to its connection with nature and our natural feelings of affiliation with the natural world when experiencing the color green (inside and out).

Step 2: My Green Business Branding

This involved the artistic rendering of my newfound business name.  I went to someone that I know, trust and love, Michelle Stinson at Impression Edge in Austin, Texas (www.impressionedge.com).

Impression Edge specializes in brand identity and that is exactly what I needed, a visual identity for Essential Sage Wedding and Events. Michelle in her infinite wisdom and creativity knocked out several logo packages for me to choose from.  Because this woman has known me for almost 30 years, this process was easy, so fun to experience and in my opinion reflects everything that I wanted to reflect in my identity.

Step 3: Green Business Marketing

This is an ongoing process and I learn more and more everyday.  For now, I’ll focus on my electronic collateral, the website.  My first questions to myself was “How am I going to get the word out on an extremely modest (well practically zero) budget? The immediate answer was Ebay and Craig’s list.  That’s right, I started selling all the crap I had been hanging onto for years and not using.  Gently used baby gear, gently used Mommy gear, household items that weren’t being used (I really miss that damn Crockpot and silver chaffing dish!)…really, anything that I could sell that would help me generate a little cash to invest in a professionally built website was what I was going to do. Enter the next member of my ever growing posse, Cindy Brummer with House on Payne Web Design in Austin, Texas (www.houseonpayne.com).

I’ve known Cindy for some years and knew that, like me, she was gearing up to launch her own business so that she too would have a flexible schedule to be with her two small children and to follow her passion.  After a wonderfully educational process (for me not being a big techie), Cindy built a website that completely integrated all the elements I had dreamed of.  It’s got looks, great content and is totally user friendly. She in all her geniusness (is that a real word??), managed to take all my ramblings (drafts 1-4) and sort them into a wonderful menu of services and photo gallery.

The Essential Sage Website by House on Payne Website Designs

The website is educational without being professorial on the benefits of using an event planner and even better, reasons to go green with your wedding or event without sacrificing style.

In the next installment I’ll divulge more strategies for marketing your new eco-friendly business. For now, I want to offer up a few trends in the ever growing Eco-chic wedding planning industry.

2011 Eco-Chic Wedding and Bridal Trends:

Are diamonds really a girl’s best friend?  I say only if they’re conflict free.  Gemstones are becoming increasingly popular in 2011. Sapphires and Rubies are hot, hot, hot! Express your individuality while making a statement.  If a diamond is what you want (and on some level we ALL do!) check out Brilliant Earth Ethical Origin Jewelry (www.brilliantearth.com) or MiaDonna & Company where fashion meets technology; www.miadonna.com (you have to see it to believe it).

If you really want to stick close to home and need some fabulous cuff-links for your guy or your guy’s guys, check out local artist, DeAnna Cochran, Jewelry for a Cause. DeAnna has stunning style and works with reclaimed metals and re-purposed materials at www.deannacochranjewelry.com

Next month you can look forward to trends in bridal wear and Venue selection. Thanks for reading and remember it’s not all or nothing. By making one or two small earth friendly choices when planning your wedding or event you can make an enormous impact in this amazing world of ours.

“Until next time, please leave a comment with your experience and we’ll comment on it next month… Wendy”

The Best Jobs for Greenies

It’s an exciting time to be working for the betterment of our planet.  Over the last several years, there have been leaps in the technology needed to cut pollution (electric cars, anyone?) and provide sustainable energy (solar, wind, water, and geothermal).  Even housing projects and urban planning have gotten on board with doing less harm.  So if you’re looking for a career that is both satisfying and important to the future of all mankind, then perhaps a job search in green technology (or environmental awareness of some kind) is just up your alley.  Here are a few up-and-coming fields that may strike your fancy when it comes time to plan your own future.

1.       Conservation biologist

Rampant pollution (and a huge increase in disposable consumer products) over the last few decades has led to the imbalance of delicate ecosystems across the globe.  Animals and plants are becoming extinct while we continue to waste and pollute.  As a conservation biologist, you’ll have the opportunity to preserve unstable ecosystems (and show the value in doing so).  You can specialize in research, fieldwork, or teaching, each of which has its own challenges and rewards.

2.       Green building specialist

Energy efficiency is a huge issue these days.  With every home running lights, electronics, appliances, and a host of other electricity-sucking devices, it’s no wonder that the world is so polluted (yes, most energy production causes some type of pollution).  Green builders can create homes and offices that conform to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or MINERGIE-P standards, meaning their energy use could be reduced by up to 95% when compared to similar structures.  That’s not only a huge decrease in energy use, but also in utility bills.  Even older homes can be retro-fitted with energy-saving devices, making this field a big one for the future.

3.       Toxicologist

As everyone is probably aware, chemical pollutants can cause a host of health problems.  So why aren’t there any studies to prove it?  Well, if you like conspiracy theories, you could say that the same companies that are manufacturing harmful products are the ones who pay for the studies (and lo and behold, find no correlation between their products and the onset of illness).  Well, actually, that’s true.  As a toxicologist, you could face this type of underhanded operation head on by doing your own studies and potentially making a difference in the toxicity of products that are allowed on the market.

4.       Corporate social responsibility specialist

If you bemoan the fact that corporations are merely heartless entities looking to exploit for money, why not put your money where your mouth is and become the heart of the operation?  As a social responsibility expert, you could set policies in place to reduce the carbon footprint of corporate business as well as manage donations to green causes.  Who cares if companies are just doing it to look better?  Every little bit helps.

5.       Organic farmer

Farming is becoming a lost art in this country, but you can do your part to ensure that food is still being grown within our borders for the foreseeable future.  And by choosing organic farming you can provide healthy food or textile options to millions of people who would otherwise be exposed to harmful toxins (not to mention the difference you’ll make in surrounding ecosystems by halting the dumping of chemical fertilizers and pesticides).

The best place to start is with paper products.  Printer paper (white, not colored), cardboard, newspaper, phone books, magazines, and packaging materials (that are free of adhesives) can all go into the recycling bin (provided they are clean, dry, and free of food, plastic, wax, or other contaminants).  You are likely to have many such items in your office and so long as you post signage on bins so that employees don’t put the wrong items in, you shouldn’t even have to spring for a seminar (a company-wide email should do the trick).

Provide Recycling Bins Marked for Paper, Plastic, Metal etc.

You can also recycle the basics (items that can go to nearly any recycling plant).  Provide bins around the office (especially in the cafeteria or break areas) for aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastics.  Did you know that a number of plastic items are acceptable for recycling (not just bottles)?  It’s true!  And you might be surprised just how many common objects can go to the plastic plant.  Just about any type of plastic food container can be recycled (look on the container and if you see a number 1 or 2 in a triangle it is definitely eligible for recycling), as can most plastic bags and even pens (with the cartridge removed).  The best part about recycling these types of items is that it can bring a return to your company.  If employees are willing to volunteer their time and vehicles to cart items to the recycling center, you could use the proceeds to start a fund to treat employees to a monthly lunch out (split amongst departments) or team-building exercises (such as a night at the bowling alley).  Recycling can be used to raise money and morale!

Another great item that all offices can recycle is ink cartridges.  They are found in every printer and Xerox machine on the premises and are easy to recycle.  Most companies provide return packaging when you purchase the product so that all you have to do is ship it back.  And you’ll probably find that some will even give you credit on returned cartridges that you can use towards future purchases.  If not, you may be able to drop them off locally at an office supply store that sells them.  And of course, you’ll want to recycle used electronic equipment (such as computers) through your trash company (although you may have to pay for this service unless you wait until citywide free-pick-up days come around).

You Can Make a Big Impact by Recycling Ink Cartridges

In short, recycling can profit your business in several ways.  Don’t overlook the many benefits of creating a greener office because you think it will affect your bottom line.  In truth, you stand to improve your public image by doing something good for the community you operate in, as well as helping to create a cleaner Earth for all of us.  And you could just see a monetary return if you go about it the right way.  With all of these benefits awaiting you should you choose to recycle, what the heck are you waiting for?

Sarah Danielson writes for Ink Factory, where you can find an incredible selection of HP ink cartridges and toner cartridges along with a variety of other top brands and items.