Am I a Hypocrite?
It's been entirely too long since my last post (I sound like a Catholic going to confession!), but I've been busy planning green events and spreading the gospel of green!
Since my last post had to do with polystyrene, I figured it was apropos for me to resume my blogging habit with another story about its evils.
Thursday night I had the pleasure of appearing on Washington Business Tonight on the local cable station News Channel 8 to talk about green events. I "outed" the host Rebecca Cooper for drinking out of a polystyrene cup. Hopefully, they'll switch to mugs or Sigg bottles or good old glassware at the station.
On my way home, I decided to stop at a favorite Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood. Normally, since I was by myself, I would just get carryout, but I remembered that their takeout containers are made of polystyrene; therefore, I decided to eat in. It was nice to sit down and relax and enjoy dinner and catch up on newsletters from Green America. What I didn't anticipate was getting so full that I couldn't eat my entire meal. What to do? Waste the food? I'd hate to do that AND I needed some food for lunch the next day. I compromised by requesting "the smallest takeout container you have" from the waitress.
I FELT AWFUL for accepting that darn polystyrene container, but vowed to NEVER accept them again AND to keep containers in my car for such a purpose. Heck, I have about 20 cloth bags in my car, so adding in a few Tupperware-type containers won't hurt. I also sent an email to the restaurant expressing my disappointment that they use polystyrene and I provided a link to a green alternative.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Houses of Worship Can Green It Up, Too
Yesterday, I attended a monthly meeting called The Baltimore Green Forum which is a monthly environmental and discussion forum held usually on the last Sunday of each month at Maryland Presbyterian Church, an eco conscious house of worship. A few of the many EASY things they do is collect the paper church bulletins after the service for recycling and have mugs available for their coffee service. They have also made sure to use native plants for their landscaping. This church understands that we need to do all we can to preserve God's creation and the smallest of efforts add up.
On a related note, while I was visiting my parents the weekend before, I went to my old church. Since I was a child, it has been my church's tradition to have a coffee hour immediately after the service. It once featured coffee, tea and lots of desserts, so I was happy so see that they have added some cheese and wheat crackers to the menu. However, it bummed me out that the hot beverages were still served in polystyrene cups. It was no surprise to me that the church uses them since the Dart Container factory, maker of foam cups, is a mere 2 miles away from the church.
I realize the church might not be able to afford the ecotainer, so I suggested to my dad that at the very least, they choose paper instead. He said, "Some people complained that the paper cups didn't insulate the coffee and was too hot to hold." Then use ceramic coffee cups, place them in the dishwasher at the end of the coffee hour and they'll be clean in time for next week! He said, "That sounds like a lot of effort." Being green sometimes takes a little bit of effort, but it's going to be a heck of lot more effort to find a home for all the polystyrene cups that won't biodegrade, pile up in our landfills and leave a not-too-desirable Earth for the generations that come after us.
We are a society of convenience. It is too inconvenient to hold a coffee cup that is a little warm. It is too inconvenient to throw some mugs (less than 50?) into a dishwasher and delay your arrival at home by 20 minutes. What will the generations that come after us think of us? I'd prefer to be known as the generation that turned things around, not the one that made things worse.
On a related note, while I was visiting my parents the weekend before, I went to my old church. Since I was a child, it has been my church's tradition to have a coffee hour immediately after the service. It once featured coffee, tea and lots of desserts, so I was happy so see that they have added some cheese and wheat crackers to the menu. However, it bummed me out that the hot beverages were still served in polystyrene cups. It was no surprise to me that the church uses them since the Dart Container factory, maker of foam cups, is a mere 2 miles away from the church.
I realize the church might not be able to afford the ecotainer, so I suggested to my dad that at the very least, they choose paper instead. He said, "Some people complained that the paper cups didn't insulate the coffee and was too hot to hold." Then use ceramic coffee cups, place them in the dishwasher at the end of the coffee hour and they'll be clean in time for next week! He said, "That sounds like a lot of effort." Being green sometimes takes a little bit of effort, but it's going to be a heck of lot more effort to find a home for all the polystyrene cups that won't biodegrade, pile up in our landfills and leave a not-too-desirable Earth for the generations that come after us.
We are a society of convenience. It is too inconvenient to hold a coffee cup that is a little warm. It is too inconvenient to throw some mugs (less than 50?) into a dishwasher and delay your arrival at home by 20 minutes. What will the generations that come after us think of us? I'd prefer to be known as the generation that turned things around, not the one that made things worse.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Must-Read Book and Green Wedding Guide
While it is touted as "A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous" the book Skinny Bitch is also a great food and beverage guide for your green meetings and events. The most enlightening chapters are "Sugar is the Devil" which talks about the evils of artificial sweeteners and the wonder of Stevia. Do you really want to feed your guests poison? I think not.
As you may know, it takes 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat, but 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat. If that doesn't convince you that a vegetarian diet is better for the Earth, "You Are What You Eat" outlines the evils of slaughterhouses. It was a tough chapter to read, but very enlightening. You'll never want to eat meat again when you hear what really happens to chickens, cows and other animals.
If you can't handle profanity, this book isn't for you (which means it was perfect for me!). Other favorite chapter titles include: The Dead, Rotting, Decomposing Flesh Diet; Pooping; and Have No Faith: Governmental Agencies Don't Give a Shit About Your Health.
While the title makes the book seem just for women, men should read it, too. In fact, I told my boyfriend to read it and he did. Unfortunately, he still hasn't kicked that diet Coke habit of his. One day at a time...
Green Tip:
Green Wedding Guide
Want to make your wedding green? Go to what Martha Stewart calls the #1 green wedding site - Portovert. It's your go to site for a sustainable wedding!
As you may know, it takes 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat, but 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat. If that doesn't convince you that a vegetarian diet is better for the Earth, "You Are What You Eat" outlines the evils of slaughterhouses. It was a tough chapter to read, but very enlightening. You'll never want to eat meat again when you hear what really happens to chickens, cows and other animals.
If you can't handle profanity, this book isn't for you (which means it was perfect for me!). Other favorite chapter titles include: The Dead, Rotting, Decomposing Flesh Diet; Pooping; and Have No Faith: Governmental Agencies Don't Give a Shit About Your Health.
While the title makes the book seem just for women, men should read it, too. In fact, I told my boyfriend to read it and he did. Unfortunately, he still hasn't kicked that diet Coke habit of his. One day at a time...
Green Tip:
Green Wedding Guide
Want to make your wedding green? Go to what Martha Stewart calls the #1 green wedding site - Portovert. It's your go to site for a sustainable wedding!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Report from the Polar Bear Plunge and Eco Friendly Pens
I cannot thank you enough for supporting me in the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge! It means the world to me. Attached are some photos. I'm the gal in the black bathing suit with the toboggan, the black boa and pink gloves.
I'm happy to announce that I raised over $1,305 thanks to the generous donations of 40 family, friends, colleagues and clients.
About 200 people and dogs of all ages plunged. Despite the call for rain or snow, we had great weather. It was sunny and in the mid 30s and the water temperature was about 35 degrees. Last year, the air and water temperature was in the 40s (we also held the plunge in December).
I have to confess that as soon as I got in the water this year, I felt immense pain as my feet went numb and started to tingle in a scary way! It was all I could do to run into the water and quickly turn around and head back to the beach. All I could thing about was getting OUT of the water and putting socks ON my feet which felt like a block of ice! The whole water experience lasted probably 30 seconds or less. This was much different compared to last year when I went back in a SECOND time since I felt I hadn't spent sufficient time in the water.
Nonetheless, this year I had a great time and plan to do it again next year! I'm eternally grateful to the following companies who helped me make this a green event!
Rick Erber from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company provided the coffee and tea and all the fixings, including soy milk for the vegans! They are a local roaster (support your local economy and buy coffee that isn't shipped cross country) that offers fair trade/grown coffee/organic coffee (better for the Earth and the workers in the fields). They also contribute proceeds to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Dale Ball from New Leaf Vegan Society got up at 4 a.m. to make vegan applesauce oat muffins, corn muffins and chocolate chip cookies. The food was a hit (there were no leftovers!) and she proved to us that vegan food can be tasty and not scary! My non vegan boyfriend Jeff, who is a chocoholic, ate about ½ dozen of the chocolate chip cookies!
Peter Grazzini from Perfecting Settings provided me with beautiful, ocean-water colored, shimmery linens for our food buffet as well as recycling bins. Yes, if you place an order with them, they'll rent you recycling bins, too! They also take back the hangers and plastic wrap that linens come with and reuse the hangers and then bale and recycle the plastic wrap as well as the shrink wrap that is wrapped around their rental items.
Keith Losoya from Waste Neutral Group is composting all of our waste. We were able to compost the food waste as well as cups, wooden stirrers, napkins, etc. We had 2 bags of compost, a small bag of waste for the landfill and 1 PLASTIC bottle was placed in the recycling bin (I guess everybody else knew better than to bring plastic to an environmental event!). By composting your waste, you reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our already over extended landfills.
Our after party was at The Rockfish Restaurant, a green restaurant in Annapolis which offsets its energy consumption with wind power. They also recycle, utilize sustainable seafood, and have an organic herb and vegetable garden on their roof!
I hope you'll support these folks who have gone green.
Thanks again for your help and I hope this inspires you to live and work green!
Lori
Hear Lori talk about her plunge experience on NPR affiliate WAMU! Click here and listen to "Environmentalists Participate in Polar Bear Plunge".
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Pens
When purchasing disposable pens (I prefer non-disposable Cross pens and just purchase refills) for the office or a special event, use a brand that is made of recycled content. The ECOAdTMBio Pen is 95% biodegradable and will produce no toxic residue. The bio-polymers used in molding come from renewable U.S. grown resources such as soy proteins or starch from potatoes, corn, wheat, tapioca or beets (I just got hungry!) versus evil, traditional plastic. It is reinforced with less than 5% synthetic polymers and the plastics are 100% biodegradable.
I'm happy to announce that I raised over $1,305 thanks to the generous donations of 40 family, friends, colleagues and clients.
About 200 people and dogs of all ages plunged. Despite the call for rain or snow, we had great weather. It was sunny and in the mid 30s and the water temperature was about 35 degrees. Last year, the air and water temperature was in the 40s (we also held the plunge in December).
I have to confess that as soon as I got in the water this year, I felt immense pain as my feet went numb and started to tingle in a scary way! It was all I could do to run into the water and quickly turn around and head back to the beach. All I could thing about was getting OUT of the water and putting socks ON my feet which felt like a block of ice! The whole water experience lasted probably 30 seconds or less. This was much different compared to last year when I went back in a SECOND time since I felt I hadn't spent sufficient time in the water.
Nonetheless, this year I had a great time and plan to do it again next year! I'm eternally grateful to the following companies who helped me make this a green event!
Rick Erber from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company provided the coffee and tea and all the fixings, including soy milk for the vegans! They are a local roaster (support your local economy and buy coffee that isn't shipped cross country) that offers fair trade/grown coffee/organic coffee (better for the Earth and the workers in the fields). They also contribute proceeds to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Dale Ball from New Leaf Vegan Society got up at 4 a.m. to make vegan applesauce oat muffins, corn muffins and chocolate chip cookies. The food was a hit (there were no leftovers!) and she proved to us that vegan food can be tasty and not scary! My non vegan boyfriend Jeff, who is a chocoholic, ate about ½ dozen of the chocolate chip cookies!
Peter Grazzini from Perfecting Settings provided me with beautiful, ocean-water colored, shimmery linens for our food buffet as well as recycling bins. Yes, if you place an order with them, they'll rent you recycling bins, too! They also take back the hangers and plastic wrap that linens come with and reuse the hangers and then bale and recycle the plastic wrap as well as the shrink wrap that is wrapped around their rental items.
Keith Losoya from Waste Neutral Group is composting all of our waste. We were able to compost the food waste as well as cups, wooden stirrers, napkins, etc. We had 2 bags of compost, a small bag of waste for the landfill and 1 PLASTIC bottle was placed in the recycling bin (I guess everybody else knew better than to bring plastic to an environmental event!). By composting your waste, you reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our already over extended landfills.
Our after party was at The Rockfish Restaurant, a green restaurant in Annapolis which offsets its energy consumption with wind power. They also recycle, utilize sustainable seafood, and have an organic herb and vegetable garden on their roof!
I hope you'll support these folks who have gone green.
Thanks again for your help and I hope this inspires you to live and work green!
Lori
Hear Lori talk about her plunge experience on NPR affiliate WAMU! Click here and listen to "Environmentalists Participate in Polar Bear Plunge".
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Pens
When purchasing disposable pens (I prefer non-disposable Cross pens and just purchase refills) for the office or a special event, use a brand that is made of recycled content. The ECOAdTMBio Pen is 95% biodegradable and will produce no toxic residue. The bio-polymers used in molding come from renewable U.S. grown resources such as soy proteins or starch from potatoes, corn, wheat, tapioca or beets (I just got hungry!) versus evil, traditional plastic. It is reinforced with less than 5% synthetic polymers and the plastics are 100% biodegradable.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Join Me at the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge! and Green Scissors
I'm doing it again! I'm taking a cold plunge to fight global warming.THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th, I'm going to jump into the icy Chesapeake Bay for a cause I am extremely passionate about: the fight against global warming.
I'll join hundreds of other crazy folks in the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The event, organized by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), is meant to raise awareness about the growing crisis of global warming and to raise the funds needed to continue the fight against it.
The basics are right below.
The Basics
Last year, I had a blast plunging AND I raised over $1,200. My goal this year is $2,000, but I'm only at $980! Help me out! Last year, my friends and family pledged anywhere from $25-$100 each. I realize that with the current economy, you may not be able to pledge that much, so GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN GIVE! $5, $10 or $20 is fine by me. Give up one of your vices for a week and put it towards a good cause! Contributions are tax-deductible.
Also, I'm donating my event planning services to ensure that the plunge is a green event!
How to Make a Pledge
It takes about TWO MINUTES to make a pledge! IF you pledge, I promise to email you photos of me plunging!
Credit Card
Donate via secure webpage.
If you pledged last year, you'll be happy to know that it is MUCH EASIER to pledge this year!
Check
Make your check out to "CCAN" and mail to
P.O. Box 11138
Takoma Park, MD 20912
On the memo line, write Plunge/Lori Hill on the memo line, so they know who your pledge is supporting.
Watch Me on the Video!
Watch the video of last year's plunge. That is me at the 1:40 mark – the gal with the toboggan.
Thanks in advance for your interest and support in the fight against global warming - and for supporting me while I turn a little blue in the process!
If you're not busy, please consider coming out to join me I the plunge or cheer me on this January 10th - it's a really fun event!
Thanks for helping CCAN save the world!
Warmly (but not in the global sense),
Lori
Green Tip:
Green Scissors
The folks at Ideal Bite sent me this tip about scissors from Klean Earth that have handles made of 70% recycled plastic and cost from $6-$14.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Takeout Food for the Office and Facts on Holiday Waste
As a vegetarian and a locovore (someone who tries to buy local), I try to make as many meals at home as possible. However, last Monday when I was out shopping, I stopped by the local PF Chang's for some takeout before I journeyed back to the office because I was low on food in the office fridge.
Normally, when I do any kind of shopping, I BMOB bring my own bag. The one exception has been when I get takeout. I keep making a mental note to BMOB, but have continued to fail on this front. Also, I just read an article about a green office that leaves those little tiny sacs which are the size of a small ball at the front desk for employees to use when they get takeout. Well, I couldn't be outdone, so I've made it my mission to begin this practice and I began on Monday!
When the take out guy waited on me, I sweetly asked, "Do you mind putting my order in this bag?" He didn't blink an eye. Whew! Let's hope behind that pleasant smile, he wasn't thinking I was a crazy environmentalist. I also asked him to not worry about the plasticware and some of the condiments. When he brought my order in my own bag - in my own bag - I was ecstatic and handed him a tip. I didn't look in the bag until I got in the car. Big mistake. It contained not only chopsticks, but plasticware and TWO sets of condiments. Argh! Did he do this to irritate me or was he on automatic pilot when he was loading my food into the bag? I'll never know. I emailed PF Chang's headquarters to tell them about my experience (I was nice about the quick service and the ability to use my own bag), but chastised them for all the waste with the condiments. Think of all the energy that goes into making those chopsticks, the plastic ware, the condiments and the containers they come in. Think of how many get thrown away without being used. Think of all those products in the landfill. Think of all that money wasted. I hope they change their ways...
Green Tip:
Facts on Holiday Waste
Below are some facts on holiday waste that I received from Eva at Earth Alley, a Baltimore gift shop that provides Earth friendly, fair-trade, locally-sourced gifts.
From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases at least 25%, an additional 1 million tons a week. U.S.'s annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons.
Christmas Trees
50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S., about 30 million go to the landfill.
Food
28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. One less cookie on Santa's plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Transportation
If each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by one gallon (about twenty miles), we'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons.
Cards
1.9 billion Christmas cards at this time, the amount of cards sold during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high, and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees.
Ribbons
38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year, enough to circle the Earth which is 25,000 miles.
Paper
Half of the paper America consumes is used to wrap and decorate consumer products.
(Sources: EPA; Use Less Stuff, 1998; www.recycleworks.org; Cygnus Group; Recycler's Handbook, 1990; Environmental News Network)
Normally, when I do any kind of shopping, I BMOB bring my own bag. The one exception has been when I get takeout. I keep making a mental note to BMOB, but have continued to fail on this front. Also, I just read an article about a green office that leaves those little tiny sacs which are the size of a small ball at the front desk for employees to use when they get takeout. Well, I couldn't be outdone, so I've made it my mission to begin this practice and I began on Monday!
When the take out guy waited on me, I sweetly asked, "Do you mind putting my order in this bag?" He didn't blink an eye. Whew! Let's hope behind that pleasant smile, he wasn't thinking I was a crazy environmentalist. I also asked him to not worry about the plasticware and some of the condiments. When he brought my order in my own bag - in my own bag - I was ecstatic and handed him a tip. I didn't look in the bag until I got in the car. Big mistake. It contained not only chopsticks, but plasticware and TWO sets of condiments. Argh! Did he do this to irritate me or was he on automatic pilot when he was loading my food into the bag? I'll never know. I emailed PF Chang's headquarters to tell them about my experience (I was nice about the quick service and the ability to use my own bag), but chastised them for all the waste with the condiments. Think of all the energy that goes into making those chopsticks, the plastic ware, the condiments and the containers they come in. Think of how many get thrown away without being used. Think of all those products in the landfill. Think of all that money wasted. I hope they change their ways...
Green Tip:
Facts on Holiday Waste
Below are some facts on holiday waste that I received from Eva at Earth Alley, a Baltimore gift shop that provides Earth friendly, fair-trade, locally-sourced gifts.
From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases at least 25%, an additional 1 million tons a week. U.S.'s annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons.
Christmas Trees
50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S., about 30 million go to the landfill.
Food
28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. One less cookie on Santa's plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Transportation
If each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by one gallon (about twenty miles), we'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons.
Cards
1.9 billion Christmas cards at this time, the amount of cards sold during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high, and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees.
Ribbons
38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year, enough to circle the Earth which is 25,000 miles.
Paper
Half of the paper America consumes is used to wrap and decorate consumer products.
(Sources: EPA; Use Less Stuff, 1998; www.recycleworks.org; Cygnus Group; Recycler's Handbook, 1990; Environmental News Network)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Join Me at the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge! and Wine Cork Recycling
I'm doing it again! I'm taking a cold plunge to fight global warming.In less than one month, on January 10th, I'm going to jump into the icy Chesapeake Bay for a cause I am extremely passionate about: the fight against global warming.
Yes, I, Lori Hill, the one who is ALWAYS cold in the winter time (I'm sitting in my basement office right now wearing 3 layers of clothing and fingerless gloves as I write this!), will be plunging right into the water near the headquarters of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation which happens to be one of the greenest building the country!. I'll join hundreds of other crazy folks in the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The event, organized by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), is meant to raise awareness about the growing crisis of global warming and to raise the funds needed to continue the fight against it.
The basics are right below. To read more about CCAN, see further below.
The Basics
Last year, I had a blast plunging AND I raised over $1,200. I'd like to nearly double that this year with a goal of $2,000. In addition, this year I'm donating my event planning services to ensure that the plunge is a green event!
Last year, my friends and family pledged anywhere from $25-$100 each. I realize that with the current economy, you may not be able to pledge that much, so GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN GIVE! $5, $10 or $20 is fine by me. Give up one of your vices for a week and put it towards a good cause! Contributions are tax-deductible.
How to Make a Pledge
It takes about TWO MINUTES to make a pledge! IF you pledge, I promise to email you photos of me plunging!
Credit Card
Donate via secure webpage.
If you pledged last year, you'll be happy to know that it is MUCH EASIER to pledge this year!
Check
Make your check out to "CCAN" and mail to
P.O. Box 11138
Takoma Park, MD 20912
On the memo line, write Plunge/Lori Hill on the memo line, so they know who your pledge is supporting.
Watch Me on the Video!
Watch the video of last year's plunge. That is me at the 1:40 mark – the gal with the toboggan.
Thanks in advance for your interest and support in the fight against global warming - and for supporting me while I turn a little blue in the process!
If you're not busy, please consider coming out to join me I the plunge or cheer me on this January 10th - it's a really fun event!
Thanks for helping CCAN save the world!
Warmly (but not in the global sense),
Lori
*More About CCAN and How I Got Involved with the Plunge
Not too long after I saw "An Inconvenient Truth", I went to a clean energy open house at the home of CCAN's executive director Mike Tidwell. That was the impetus that began my quest to be as green as humanly possible.
By making a pledge to support my playful suffering, you'll help CCAN fulfill its very serious mission of educating and mobilizing the citizens of Maryland, DC and Virginia to take concrete steps to protect our climate. We are particularly at risk of the effects of climate change – Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, DC and cities in Virginia could be under water if we don't act soon.
CCAN is an extremely reputable, nonprofit organization with an emphasis on community-based, grassroots organizing. They have been central to every major fight on global warming in the Maryland/Virginia/DC region, and are currently leading the charge for comprehensive global warming legislation in Maryland, for no new coal in Virginia and, as part of 1 Sky, for strong federal legislation in 2009. You can learn more about them at www.chesapeakeclimate.org.
Green Tip:
Wine Cork Recycling
Instead of pitching your wine corks in the trash (who would dare do such a thing?), send your corks to Yemm & Hart Ltd.
They are collecting wine cork stoppers with the goal of converting them into a useful self sustaining product (Y&H are all about converting recycled materials into something new).
Another alternative is to make your own cork board. Hot glue corks to a piece of plywood and attached photos, notes, etc. You can place the corks round side up and/or cylindrical side up.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Rental Recycling Hero and Eco Friendly Office Calendars for 2009
Peter Grazzini of Perfect Settings in Landover, MD really gets it. While the party rental industry is inherently green since equipment is used over and over again, it still has wasteful aspects such as all the plastic - shrink-wrap, bags and sheeting) and cardboard.
Peter now offers a service where he picks up plastic and cardboard from clients which he bales and then sends to a recycling center. He also offers recycling containers that his clients can rent and use for recycling cans and bottles.
To read more about what Peter and others in the event industry do to be green, read the November 2008 edition of Special Events magazine, Event Industry Adopts Greener Practices.
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Office Calendars for 2009
You can be Earth friendly while planning out 2009! The House of Doolittle has been a manufacturer of desk pads, calendars, and appointments books since 1919. Currently the paper used for their products is recycled with 30% to 100% post-consumer fiber. I get my Weekly Appointment Planner from them as well as my Yearly Planning Calendar.
Peter now offers a service where he picks up plastic and cardboard from clients which he bales and then sends to a recycling center. He also offers recycling containers that his clients can rent and use for recycling cans and bottles.
To read more about what Peter and others in the event industry do to be green, read the November 2008 edition of Special Events magazine, Event Industry Adopts Greener Practices.
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Office Calendars for 2009
You can be Earth friendly while planning out 2009! The House of Doolittle has been a manufacturer of desk pads, calendars, and appointments books since 1919. Currently the paper used for their products is recycled with 30% to 100% post-consumer fiber. I get my Weekly Appointment Planner from them as well as my Yearly Planning Calendar.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Turning Our Communities Green and Stainless Steel Water Bottles and Water Cooler Covers
A few days ago, I attended an event hosted by Bethesda Green, an organization that works to sustain the current and future development of Bethesda, Maryland by reducing the community's environmental footprint, attracting environmentally-conscious consumers, and promoting an environmental ethic.
The event, called the "Be Green" Showcase, was open to everyone in the community and showcased local initiatives, partners and ideas and featured over 25 information tables from local, green businesses and organizations.
Baltimore and Washington, DC have also hopped on the green bandwagon. What about your community? If it hasn't started a green movement, why don't you start it for them?
Green Tip:
Stainless Steel Water Bottles and Water Cooler Covers
CynerGreen, a member of Meeting Professionals International and the Green Meeting Industry Council, offers stainless steel water bottles that can be branded for your meeting, provide sponsorship opportunities and act as a take away gift for your attendees. They also offer 5-gallon water cooler covers that can share your message and logo during your meetings and events. These are high quality cooler covers that may be used event after event sharing your green message or company's logo.
The event, called the "Be Green" Showcase, was open to everyone in the community and showcased local initiatives, partners and ideas and featured over 25 information tables from local, green businesses and organizations.
Baltimore and Washington, DC have also hopped on the green bandwagon. What about your community? If it hasn't started a green movement, why don't you start it for them?
Green Tip:
Stainless Steel Water Bottles and Water Cooler Covers
CynerGreen, a member of Meeting Professionals International and the Green Meeting Industry Council, offers stainless steel water bottles that can be branded for your meeting, provide sponsorship opportunities and act as a take away gift for your attendees. They also offer 5-gallon water cooler covers that can share your message and logo during your meetings and events. These are high quality cooler covers that may be used event after event sharing your green message or company's logo.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Educating Your Guests about Green Initiatives and Fuel Efficient Vehicles for Your VIP Clients
A few weeks back, I attended Eventworld, the annual ISES (International Special Events Society) conference in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Building upon last year, we had a list of green initiatives that we engaged in - or should I say "planned" to engage in? One initiative was to eliminate the use of "to go" coffee cups and utilize good old ceramic coffee mugs instead. There was a minor mutiny on the first day, and the ISES staff, being the customer oriented crew that they are, immediately had the banquet staff bring out the "to go" cups.
I was disgusted that my fellow event professionals put up such a stink in order to have their precious "to go" cups. Was it a status symbol to have one or did they really think they couldn't take their ceramic mugs into the meeting rooms? I would have thought they knew better.
I was also upset that we caved so easily; however, I can understand the need to keep the customer happy. But when incidents like this happen, should we give in so easily? This made me realize that not only do we need to train ALL of our staff to utilize the same party line when implementing new green initiatives, we also need to educate our attendees. Had we provided a sign in place of the "to go" cups that read "In consideration of the environment, we have eliminated the use of 'to go' cups. Please feel free to take a ceramic mug to your meeting room." the ISES staff would have had some ammunition to fight back. Citing statistics such as how much money and resources will be saved stresses your efforts even more.
Green Tip:
Fuel Efficient Vehicles for Your VIP Clients
If you normally book sedans or limos for transporting guests, use a company that offers fuel efficient vehicles.
Here in the Baltimore/DC area, Enviroride offers Toyota Camry Hybrids, Toyota Hylander hybrids and the Mercedes E320 for very reasonable prices.
Nationally, All Occasion Transportation offers Prius Hybrids. In fact, I had the opportunity to utilize one myself and it was a very pleasant ride.
Building upon last year, we had a list of green initiatives that we engaged in - or should I say "planned" to engage in? One initiative was to eliminate the use of "to go" coffee cups and utilize good old ceramic coffee mugs instead. There was a minor mutiny on the first day, and the ISES staff, being the customer oriented crew that they are, immediately had the banquet staff bring out the "to go" cups.
I was disgusted that my fellow event professionals put up such a stink in order to have their precious "to go" cups. Was it a status symbol to have one or did they really think they couldn't take their ceramic mugs into the meeting rooms? I would have thought they knew better.
I was also upset that we caved so easily; however, I can understand the need to keep the customer happy. But when incidents like this happen, should we give in so easily? This made me realize that not only do we need to train ALL of our staff to utilize the same party line when implementing new green initiatives, we also need to educate our attendees. Had we provided a sign in place of the "to go" cups that read "In consideration of the environment, we have eliminated the use of 'to go' cups. Please feel free to take a ceramic mug to your meeting room." the ISES staff would have had some ammunition to fight back. Citing statistics such as how much money and resources will be saved stresses your efforts even more.
Green Tip:
Fuel Efficient Vehicles for Your VIP Clients
If you normally book sedans or limos for transporting guests, use a company that offers fuel efficient vehicles.
Here in the Baltimore/DC area, Enviroride offers Toyota Camry Hybrids, Toyota Hylander hybrids and the Mercedes E320 for very reasonable prices.
Nationally, All Occasion Transportation offers Prius Hybrids. In fact, I had the opportunity to utilize one myself and it was a very pleasant ride.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Why Your Event Staff Should Wear Organic Cotton T-Shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Not only does organic cotton feel good on your skin, but it is much better for the environment. Organic cotton has the same fiber strength, length and other properties as conventional cotton, but farming it actually improves the overall quality of the land.
The conventional cotton growing method involves seeds that are usually treated with fungicides and insecticides and soil that is treated with synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, insecticides and pesticides (five are probable carcinogens). The industry frequently uses aerial spraying which can endanger wildlife, communities and farm workers due to potential drift. Chemicals are used in the defoliation process.
On the contrary, the organic cotton farming method uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds which are used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. Instead of fertilizers, soil is made strong through crop rotation and weeds are physically removed and controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Healthy soil maintains a balance between pests and their predators and the organic method uses the seasonal freeze for defoliation. (Source: www.aboutorganicotton.org)
According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to produce one t-shirt. Grist.org says, "In 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. (an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- and the EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens."
Do you and your event staff want to wear all those pesticides and support and industry that uses all those carcinogens?
It may cost an extra dollar or two per t-shirt, but the ethical choice is organic cotton.
Green Tip:
Organic Cotton T-shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton when ordering t-shirts for your event staff (or to sell to attendees!). Organic cotton is free of pesticides, herbicides (and all those other "ides") many of which have been found to cause cancer. Furthermore, the organic cotton farming method is much easier on the Earth. It may cost a teense more (the latest quote I received was $7.08 for a conventional cotton t-shirts vs. $8.97 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I choose my health and the health of the Earth over a few extra pennies spent.
The conventional cotton growing method involves seeds that are usually treated with fungicides and insecticides and soil that is treated with synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, insecticides and pesticides (five are probable carcinogens). The industry frequently uses aerial spraying which can endanger wildlife, communities and farm workers due to potential drift. Chemicals are used in the defoliation process.
On the contrary, the organic cotton farming method uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds which are used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. Instead of fertilizers, soil is made strong through crop rotation and weeds are physically removed and controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Healthy soil maintains a balance between pests and their predators and the organic method uses the seasonal freeze for defoliation. (Source: www.aboutorganicotton.org)
According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to produce one t-shirt. Grist.org says, "In 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. (an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- and the EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens."
Do you and your event staff want to wear all those pesticides and support and industry that uses all those carcinogens?
It may cost an extra dollar or two per t-shirt, but the ethical choice is organic cotton.
Green Tip:
Organic Cotton T-shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton when ordering t-shirts for your event staff (or to sell to attendees!). Organic cotton is free of pesticides, herbicides (and all those other "ides") many of which have been found to cause cancer. Furthermore, the organic cotton farming method is much easier on the Earth. It may cost a teense more (the latest quote I received was $7.08 for a conventional cotton t-shirts vs. $8.97 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I choose my health and the health of the Earth over a few extra pennies spent.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Treating Earth Like Our Living Room, Not Our Community Trash Can and Asking Your Attendees to Keep the Earth Clean
Since the weather has been pretty darn nice lately, I decided to replace my usual cardiovascular workout via the Elliptical trainer at the gym for power walks around my neighborhood. Being out in nature makes me happy, but that quickly sours when every time I go out for a walk, I find myself picking up trash -- lots of it. Just two days ago, at the beginning of my walk, I found 2 plastic bags. My initial reaction was fear of animals getting caught in them, so I picked them up and proceeded to fill them with recyclables as well as items for the landfill. Then I found a third plastic bag and filled that up fairly well, too. I ran into a neighbor who I've seen on my walks before and she said, "Thanks so much for doing this! I do it, too." She went on to explain that she had spotted another resident who cleaned up after our fellow residents. I was grateful to hear that because all of that trash, unless picked up, would end up in our treasured Chesapeake Bay.
We agreed that some of the waste we picked up had been blown around on trash day. However, some of it was just plain laziness... people treating Earth like a community trash can. When I see someone throwing a cigarette butt out their car window or dropping an ice cream wrapper on a sidewalk, I'm tempted to say, "Would you drop that trash on the floor of your living room at home?" Perhaps some people would, but I think the majority of us would not. We need to think of Earth as our living room. If you wouldn't throw it away on your living room floor, why dispose of it on Earth's floor?
Green Tip:
Asking Your Attendees to Keep the Earth Clean
When planning your next conference, ask your attendees to participate in your event's green initiatives including picking up a piece of litter each day. This is exactly what Cisco Systems did for Cisco Live 2008. In addition to asking attendees to participate in the hotel's linen reuse program, lowering their thermostat, reducing water and light usage and unplugging their phone chargers, Cisco encouraged attendees to pick up a piece of litter each day.
If we all made the effort to dispose of our waste appropriately (and making the landfill the last option), perhaps one day, we won't need to use the term litter.
We agreed that some of the waste we picked up had been blown around on trash day. However, some of it was just plain laziness... people treating Earth like a community trash can. When I see someone throwing a cigarette butt out their car window or dropping an ice cream wrapper on a sidewalk, I'm tempted to say, "Would you drop that trash on the floor of your living room at home?" Perhaps some people would, but I think the majority of us would not. We need to think of Earth as our living room. If you wouldn't throw it away on your living room floor, why dispose of it on Earth's floor?
Green Tip:
Asking Your Attendees to Keep the Earth Clean
When planning your next conference, ask your attendees to participate in your event's green initiatives including picking up a piece of litter each day. This is exactly what Cisco Systems did for Cisco Live 2008. In addition to asking attendees to participate in the hotel's linen reuse program, lowering their thermostat, reducing water and light usage and unplugging their phone chargers, Cisco encouraged attendees to pick up a piece of litter each day.
If we all made the effort to dispose of our waste appropriately (and making the landfill the last option), perhaps one day, we won't need to use the term litter.
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