2007
Levi's Embracing
a Greener Jean with New Line
Robert Hanson, Levi’s U.S. brand president, said it best: “As
the inventor of the jeans category, it is critical for us to continue
to innovate with our products and within the category itself in order
to drive positive change.”
That change is indeed coming from Levi’s, as the company is
introducing jeans made with 100-percent organic cotton to their product
line. Organic cotton will be used in select new and popular men’s
and women’s styles within its Red Tab as well as the recently
launched Levi’s Capital E lines. The jeans are identified as
“Levi’s Eco” and are available exclusively at Levi’s
U.S. stores, with additional productions scheduled to hit stores this
spring. Other elements of the Levi’s Capital E lines include
the use of recycled buttons, rivets and zippers, and natural indigo
to dye some styles of jeans. These efforts were employed because of
their minimized impact on the environment.
Organic farming practices can be used to grow natural fibers including
cotton as well as food. Organic cotton farming starts with seeds that
have not been genetically modified or treated with pesticides or fungicides.
During the growth phase, weed control is achieved through hand hoeing
or physical removal, and pest control is accomplished through the
use of natural predators, trap crops and other biological and cultural
practices. Farmers rely on natural processes such as seasonal freezes,
rather than the application of chemical defoliants, to prompt the
opening of the cotton boll and allow the cotton bud to be picked by
hand or machine.
Earth Share of
Georgia Carrying on Earth Day Traditions
Almost four decades after the first Earth Day was established, Earth
Day Georgia is carrying on that tradition by inspiring thousands
of citizens and business leaders throughout the state to do just
one simple thing to help the environment on Earth Day, April 20.
For Earth Day 2007, Earth Share of Georgia will be organizing three
key events to promote environmental stewardship to leaders from
the business world and the community at large.
On Friday, April 20, business and nonprofit leaders from the metro
Atlanta area will gather to celebrate innovations in sustainable
business practices at the Earth Day Leadership Breakfast. The breakfast
will feature Charles Jordan from The Trust for Public Land as the
keynote speaker.
On Saturday, April 21, Atlantic Station’s Central Park will
be the backdrop for the 11th annual Party in the Park. Party in
the Park is Atlanta’s largest Earth Day event, bringing together
a diverse group of grassroots environmentalists, devoted philanthropists,
and business professionals whose collective goal is to integrate
sustainable practices and policies wherever people work, live or
play. Proceeds benefit Earth Share of Georgia, Georgia’s only
dedicated environmental fund.
The Corporate Green Day Challenge, held on April 28, mirrors the
first Earth Day, when the National Education Association estimated
nearly 10 million public-school children with their teachers took
their classrooms to the woods to study the effects of pollution
on nature. Past Corporate Green Day Challenges have seen more than
1,000 volunteers from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., CH2M Hill,
Emory University and Federal Home Loan Bank of America, helping
to repair stream beds, restore urban nature paths, and replenish
the tree canopy throughout the metro area.
Nicolow Named
to Building Design & Construction's "40 Under
40" List
Jim Nicolow, AIA, LEED AP, who leads the Sustainability Initiative
at architecture firm Lord, Aeck and Sargent, has been named one
of Building Design & Construction magazine’s “40
Under 40” up-and-comers. Described by Building Design &
Construction as “hotshots in the built environment,”
Nicolow and the other winners were profiled in the magazine’s
January issue.
Members of the “40 Under 40” group were chosen by the
magazine’s editors from among 244 “outstanding entrants.”
All 40 excel in their professional roles as architects, engineers,
contractors, designers and AEC (architecture, engineering and construction)
business developers, while giving back to their communities and
professional societies.
Dell's Global Recycling Program Recognized as Industry Model
Dell, the company announced, has received the National Recycling Coalition's
ninth annual Recycling Works Award for its longstanding efforts to
promote individual producer responsibility. The award recognizes Dell’s
leadership in recycling computer equipment, and its global policies
making it easier for customers to become effective environmental stewards.
“When it comes to product recovery and recycling, our commitment
to our customers and our shared Earth is clear and simple: Programs
that help consumers make a difference will always be a cornerstone
of Dell’s global business,” said Dell Chairman and CEO
Michael Dell.
The company has implemented several programs to encourage free and
easy recycling. Key initiatives include:
• Free consumer global recycling: Dell is the only computer
manufacturer that offers consumers no-charge recycling services for
its own branded computer equipment globally without requiring new
product purchases.
• Reconnect program: Through Dell’s alliance with Goodwill
Industries in several markets, consumers can donate unwanted electronics
of any brand in any condition at Goodwill intake sites.
• Asset recovery services: Dell offers product recovery services
that help business and institutional customers responsibly manage
the retirement of used IT equipment.
• Computer donation: Through Dell's partnership with the National
Cristina Foundation, customers can donate any working computer system
to nonprofit organizations in their areas.
Report Confirms
Importance of Responsible Investing
Fourteen of the world’s largest investment companies recently
launched a ground-breaking report for the United Nations Environment
Program Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) to confirm the growing importance
of environmental, social and governance concerns to the global investment
industry.
“Show Me The Money” is a 47-page summary report synthesizing
more than 1,000 pages of research from the mainstream financial
analyst community. The report covers the impact of qualitative and
new risk issues on company value. Industries covered include the
auto industry, aerospace and defense, the media, and the food and
beverage industries.
“The mainstream investment community is waking to the burgeoning
opportunities associated with sustainability promoting companies,
technologies and investment funds. From clean tech to renewables
and ecosystem services, the growth industries of the 21st century
are emerging at an accelerated pace,” explained Achim Steiner,
UNEP executive director and United Nations undersecretary general.
UNEP FI is a unique public-private partnership between UNEP and
more than 160 banks, insurers and asset managers.
Lead
Balancing Weights Causing Concern for Automakers
The Ecology Center recently released its second Lead-Free Wheels
Survey of new vehicles. Lead wheel balancing weights constitute
one of largest uses of lead in the world. The survey of new 2006-2007
model-year vehicles showed that while many automakers have aggressively
phased out lead wheel balancing, some have made no progress. Additionally,
no aftermarket tire retailers have committed to phasing out lead
wheel weights.
“Lead wheel weights falling off cars and trucks is one of
the last major, unregulated sources of lead pollution in the U.S.,”
said Jeff Gearhart, campaign director of the Ecology Center. “This
survey shows that lead-free wheel balancing is a cost-effective
way to reduce the use of lead in vehicles. Anyone who installs tires
needs to get on the bandwagon.”
Based on the results of the 2006 survey, the Ecology Center estimates
that approximately 50 percent of the new cars sold in the United
States at the end of 2006 had lead-free wheel weights. This accounts
for about 68 million lead-free wheel weights on new cars in 2006.
In 2004, the Ecology Center estimated 38 million wheel weight were
installed on new vehicles. These numbers show a 79-percent increase
in the use of lead-free weights being used. Over the course of two
years, more than 1,500 tons of lead was eliminated from vehicles
in the United States.
Lord,
Aeck and Sargent to Adopt The 2030 Challenge
Lord, Aeck and Sargent Architecture, a pioneer in sustainable,
energy-efficient architectural design, has become one of the first
architecture firms in the country to adopt The 2030 Challenge, an
initiative that calls on the global building sector to immediately
reduce energy usage by 50 percent in new buildings and major renovations
in order to avoid hazardous climate change.
Specifically, The 2030 Challenge sets several targets for the fossil
fuel reduction standard for all new buildings, with the ultimate
goal being the design of carbon-neutral buildings, or buildings
that use no fossil-fuel, greenhouse-gas-emitting energy to operate,
by the year 2030.
“High-performance buildings make both environmental and economic
sense,” said Terry Sargent, AIA, Lord, Aeck and Sargent’s
senior design principal. “Our clients recognize that increased
energy efficiency reduces the cost of ownership for their facilities,
while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”
Added Jim Nicolow, AIA, LEED AP: “Lord, Aeck and Sargent has
a long history of creating ecologically responsible projects that
predate the widespread use of the terms ‘green’ and
‘sustainable.’” Nicolow, a senior associate who
leads the firm’s Sustainability Initiative, noted that Edward
Mazria, AIA—the founder of Architecture 2030, which issued
The 2030 Challenge—was the guest speaker at Lord, Aeck and
Sargent’s annual State of the Firm meeting, where sustainable
design was the overriding theme.
“Given our longstanding commitment to sustainable design,
our track record of innovative green projects, our early adoption
of the LEED Green Building Rating System, and staff of more than
30 LEED-accredited professionals, and our in-house quantitative
analysis capabilities, leading the industry by adopting The 2030
Challenge energy-performance targets was a natural next step,”
Nicolow said.
The Lord, Aeck and Sargent Sustainability Initiative is tasked with
evaluating the firm’s environmental impacts and identifying
strategic opportunities, goals and performance benchmarks as the
firm moves forward. The recommendation to adopt The 2030 Initiative
was made by the “How We Practice” task force, which
focuses on how the firm designs buildings and seeks opportunities
and strategies to facilitate the routine integration of eco-effective
design in all of the firm’s projects.
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