by: Kira Turner
The environment, global warming, overflowing land-fills, sky rocketing energy prices; these words have become part of our everyday language. As have earth friendly solutions, recycling, sustainability & corporate or social responsibility.
Today’s market place is going green. It’s all around us – green initiatives are on everyone’s mind; am I doing enough, could I be doing more? Consumers are starting to pay attention to earth friendly companies, and businesses that want to make a difference in the world are choosing to go for the green.
Whether your interest in the environment is purely from social responsibility or if increased pressure in the market place is driving your decision – or a little bit of both, adopting green practices can only enhance your companies brand image. Going green gives you something to talk about and puts you ahead of the competition.
10 Tips for going green:
1. Building a booth or looking for banner stands? Use earth friendly materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a renewable agro-forestry product and the fastest growing plant on the planet. It is a viable replacement for wood and metal as it has a rapid maturity cycle of 3-4 years and it provides a critical component in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
2. Determine longevity – for long term exhibits pick materials that will not weather or degrade quickly. For short-term displays use materials that are easy to recycle or reuse.
3. Use recycled material – increase the sustainability of your exhibit by using as much recycled, reclaimed or rapidly renewable material as possible. The process of recycling aluminum takes about much less energy than it does to create new aluminum form ore. When you are finished with your exhibit recycle it – make sure it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
4. Print Green – make up banner and signs with water-based inks on cotton fabric or bio-degradable plastics. Biodegradable laminates, water based adhesives, recycled paper for brochures and promotional materials all contribute to a greener planet. Go for the green with giveaways – avoid items that come in plastic packaging (unless biodegradable) or plastic items (unless recycled). Instead choose re-useable items such as pens, mugs or cotton tote bags.
5. Eco-accessorize – don’t forget about flooring, racks and other accessories. Bamboo flooring and literature racks promote sustainability too.
6. Energy efficient lighting - LED lighting reduces energy use by up to 90% over conventional sources. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and emit only 10% of the energy they use as light – the rest is given off as heat.
7. Detoxify – Chemicals, sealants, vinyl and paints all have a direct negative impact on the environment. Oil and latex-based paints are toxic to the environment, evaporate into the air and contribute to global warming. Look for non-VOC paints, stains and PVC-free carpeting, water-based or low-VOC padding and adhesives.
8. Lighten Up – modular and portable exhibits tend to be lighter than custom displays. When shipping think about using lighter materials and less packaging materials. Buy locally to further reduce shipping and delivery.
9. Refurbish – give your old exhibit new life with earth friendly materials such as cotton graphics. Using exhibits that can be easily changed rather than replaced will mean less consumption of materials over time. Keep your exhibit in good repair and replace broken or damaged parts.
10. Use suppliers that not only offer green options but also operate with environmentally conscious conditions such as waste reduction programs and recycling in-place. Be sure to ask your supplier for more advice on how you can create an earth friendly display for your next exhibit.
Going green doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are many more options available today and the list keeps growing. Green, recycled and earth friendly materials can cost less than their non-recycled counterparts. Research your options and know that every little bit counts – from using recycled paper to printing biodegradable banners – you can be rest assured you are making a positive contribution toward greening the planet.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Save The Planet by Go green
By: Thanate Tan
The ozone layer has diminished constantly in the last decades and the mountains of trash have grown bigger and bigger from year to year. The concentration of dangerous gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide or methane endangers people’s life more than ever. Besides that, the forests are getting less day by day and a lot of animal species are disappearing every decade.
To stop, or at least minimize the effects of pollution on Earth people should have more respect towards the planet they live on. Turning back to nature should be the step that the entire world’s population should do. Here are some ideas about how to go green.
The first thing that an inhabitant of the world should do is decrease the amount of energy used. This understood turning on the light and the heat only when is necessary, turning off the TV when nobody watches it and not wasting any electricity. The decrease of energy consumed by the population will lead to the reduction of gases from the atmosphere, as most of them are caused by the fossil fuel burning, such as coal, oil, gasoline and wood.
The pollution from the air usually goes back on earth through the so called “acid rains”. This term is a generic one, which also includes the poisoned snow, sleet, hail and even fog. The less energy is used, the less the air and earth are poisoned.
The water is also a major problem in modern life. Finding fresh, good water has become a challenge for most of the people around world, as much of the water supplies have been either depleted or polluted by farmers and industry. Reducing the amount of water used in the homes could help preserve the water reserves for a longer period of time.
Moreover, using recycled paper, planting trees, take care of the wild animals from the area, choose organic food, creating a composite pile in the garden and giving up to the habit of throwing away things that can pollutes the environment can contributes to the salvation of the planet.
The ozone layer has diminished constantly in the last decades and the mountains of trash have grown bigger and bigger from year to year. The concentration of dangerous gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide or methane endangers people’s life more than ever. Besides that, the forests are getting less day by day and a lot of animal species are disappearing every decade.
To stop, or at least minimize the effects of pollution on Earth people should have more respect towards the planet they live on. Turning back to nature should be the step that the entire world’s population should do. Here are some ideas about how to go green.
The first thing that an inhabitant of the world should do is decrease the amount of energy used. This understood turning on the light and the heat only when is necessary, turning off the TV when nobody watches it and not wasting any electricity. The decrease of energy consumed by the population will lead to the reduction of gases from the atmosphere, as most of them are caused by the fossil fuel burning, such as coal, oil, gasoline and wood.
The pollution from the air usually goes back on earth through the so called “acid rains”. This term is a generic one, which also includes the poisoned snow, sleet, hail and even fog. The less energy is used, the less the air and earth are poisoned.
The water is also a major problem in modern life. Finding fresh, good water has become a challenge for most of the people around world, as much of the water supplies have been either depleted or polluted by farmers and industry. Reducing the amount of water used in the homes could help preserve the water reserves for a longer period of time.
Moreover, using recycled paper, planting trees, take care of the wild animals from the area, choose organic food, creating a composite pile in the garden and giving up to the habit of throwing away things that can pollutes the environment can contributes to the salvation of the planet.
No More Plastic Bags!
by: Nicole Cousineau
It has always fascinated me when I go to the supermarket or a department store to see hundreds of people still accepting to use plastic bags to bring home their various purchases. Not only is it still acceptable but it also tolerated and no one gives it a second thought. Merchants always provide you a plastic bag to help you bring home your groceries, shoes, or new handbag . When will the retailers realize that they spend about $4 billion annually on plastic bags? They then pass this extra cost on to the consumer. The time has come to start saying; “NO! Thank you. I have my own reusable bag”.
With all of the documentation concerning plastic bags one being that they aren’t biodegradable and that they actually break down into smaller toxic particles I ask myself why are we still using them? This process is called photodegradation. Another well documented fact about plastic bags is that thousands of sea turtles, birds, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating plastic bags which they mistake for food. We can now actually find these bags as far as Antarctica. “Shame on us”…
Meanwhile it is admirable to see that some companies such as National Grocers based out of Canada are doing their part in reducing the use of plastic bags and eliminating as much as possible their use in grocery stores by the end of the year 2009. Luckily hundreds of other companies around the world have started to get on board.
If we all started using reusable bags whether it is a , a handbag or just a to carry home our purchases our environment and future generations would thank us. Have you considered that maybe if we all started doing our little bit by not using plastic bags we would help to save our greatest treasure earth. If you would like to know where to obtain for yourself a reusable bag we invite you to visit us at: otraditionhandbag.com
It has always fascinated me when I go to the supermarket or a department store to see hundreds of people still accepting to use plastic bags to bring home their various purchases. Not only is it still acceptable but it also tolerated and no one gives it a second thought. Merchants always provide you a plastic bag to help you bring home your groceries, shoes, or new handbag . When will the retailers realize that they spend about $4 billion annually on plastic bags? They then pass this extra cost on to the consumer. The time has come to start saying; “NO! Thank you. I have my own reusable bag”.
With all of the documentation concerning plastic bags one being that they aren’t biodegradable and that they actually break down into smaller toxic particles I ask myself why are we still using them? This process is called photodegradation. Another well documented fact about plastic bags is that thousands of sea turtles, birds, whales and other marine mammals die every year from eating plastic bags which they mistake for food. We can now actually find these bags as far as Antarctica. “Shame on us”…
Meanwhile it is admirable to see that some companies such as National Grocers based out of Canada are doing their part in reducing the use of plastic bags and eliminating as much as possible their use in grocery stores by the end of the year 2009. Luckily hundreds of other companies around the world have started to get on board.
If we all started using reusable bags whether it is a , a handbag or just a to carry home our purchases our environment and future generations would thank us. Have you considered that maybe if we all started doing our little bit by not using plastic bags we would help to save our greatest treasure earth. If you would like to know where to obtain for yourself a reusable bag we invite you to visit us at: otraditionhandbag.com
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Go For the Green! – Tips for Earth Friendly Exhibiting
by : Kira Turner
The environment, global warming, overflowing land-fills, sky rocketing energy prices; these words have become part of our everyday language. As have earth friendly solutions, recycling, sustainability & corporate or social responsibility.
Today’s market place is going green. It’s all around us – green initiatives are on everyone’s mind; am I doing enough, could I be doing more? Consumers are starting to pay attention to earth friendly companies, and businesses that want to make a difference in the world are choosing to go for the green.
Whether your interest in the environment is purely from social responsibility or if increased pressure in the market place is driving your decision – or a little bit of both, adopting green practices can only enhance your companies brand image. Going green gives you something to talk about and puts you ahead of the competition.
10 Tips for going green:
1. Building a booth or looking for banner stands? Use earth friendly materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a renewable agro-forestry product and the fastest growing plant on the planet. It is a viable replacement for wood and metal as it has a rapid maturity cycle of 3-4 years and it provides a critical component in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
2. Determine longevity – for long term exhibits pick materials that will not weather or degrade quickly. For short-term displays use materials that are easy to recycle or reuse.
3. Use recycled material – increase the sustainability of your exhibit by using as much recycled, reclaimed or rapidly renewable material as possible. The process of recycling aluminum takes about much less energy than it does to create new aluminum form ore. When you are finished with your exhibit recycle it – make sure it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
4. Print Green – make up banner and signs with water-based inks on cotton fabric or bio-degradable plastics. Biodegradable laminates, water based adhesives, recycled paper for brochures and promotional materials all contribute to a greener planet. Go for the green with giveaways – avoid items that come in plastic packaging (unless biodegradable) or plastic items (unless recycled). Instead choose re-useable items such as pens, mugs or cotton tote bags.
5. Eco-accessorize – don’t forget about flooring, racks and other accessories. Bamboo flooring and literature racks promote sustainability too.
6. Energy efficient lighting - LED lighting reduces energy use by up to 90% over conventional sources. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and emit only 10% of the energy they use as light – the rest is given off as heat.
7. Detoxify – Chemicals, sealants, vinyl and paints all have a direct negative impact on the environment. Oil and latex-based paints are toxic to the environment, evaporate into the air and contribute to global warming. Look for non-VOC paints, stains and PVC-free carpeting, water-based or low-VOC padding and adhesives.
8. Lighten Up – modular and portable exhibits tend to be lighter than custom displays. When shipping think about using lighter materials and less packaging materials. Buy locally to further reduce shipping and delivery.
9. Refurbish – give your old exhibit new life with earth friendly materials such as cotton graphics. Using exhibits that can be easily changed rather than replaced will mean less consumption of materials over time. Keep your exhibit in good repair and replace broken or damaged parts.
10. Use suppliers that not only offer green options but also operate with environmentally conscious conditions such as waste reduction programs and recycling in-place. Be sure to ask your supplier for more advice on how you can create an earth friendly display for your next exhibit.
Going green doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are many more options available today and the list keeps growing. Green, recycled and earth friendly materials can cost less than their non-recycled counterparts. Research your options and know that every little bit counts – from using recycled paper to printing biodegradable banners – you can be rest assured you are making a positive contribution toward greening the planet.
The environment, global warming, overflowing land-fills, sky rocketing energy prices; these words have become part of our everyday language. As have earth friendly solutions, recycling, sustainability & corporate or social responsibility.
Today’s market place is going green. It’s all around us – green initiatives are on everyone’s mind; am I doing enough, could I be doing more? Consumers are starting to pay attention to earth friendly companies, and businesses that want to make a difference in the world are choosing to go for the green.
Whether your interest in the environment is purely from social responsibility or if increased pressure in the market place is driving your decision – or a little bit of both, adopting green practices can only enhance your companies brand image. Going green gives you something to talk about and puts you ahead of the competition.
10 Tips for going green:
1. Building a booth or looking for banner stands? Use earth friendly materials such as bamboo. Bamboo is a renewable agro-forestry product and the fastest growing plant on the planet. It is a viable replacement for wood and metal as it has a rapid maturity cycle of 3-4 years and it provides a critical component in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
2. Determine longevity – for long term exhibits pick materials that will not weather or degrade quickly. For short-term displays use materials that are easy to recycle or reuse.
3. Use recycled material – increase the sustainability of your exhibit by using as much recycled, reclaimed or rapidly renewable material as possible. The process of recycling aluminum takes about much less energy than it does to create new aluminum form ore. When you are finished with your exhibit recycle it – make sure it doesn’t end up in a landfill.
4. Print Green – make up banner and signs with water-based inks on cotton fabric or bio-degradable plastics. Biodegradable laminates, water based adhesives, recycled paper for brochures and promotional materials all contribute to a greener planet. Go for the green with giveaways – avoid items that come in plastic packaging (unless biodegradable) or plastic items (unless recycled). Instead choose re-useable items such as pens, mugs or cotton tote bags.
5. Eco-accessorize – don’t forget about flooring, racks and other accessories. Bamboo flooring and literature racks promote sustainability too.
6. Energy efficient lighting - LED lighting reduces energy use by up to 90% over conventional sources. Incandescent bulbs are inefficient and emit only 10% of the energy they use as light – the rest is given off as heat.
7. Detoxify – Chemicals, sealants, vinyl and paints all have a direct negative impact on the environment. Oil and latex-based paints are toxic to the environment, evaporate into the air and contribute to global warming. Look for non-VOC paints, stains and PVC-free carpeting, water-based or low-VOC padding and adhesives.
8. Lighten Up – modular and portable exhibits tend to be lighter than custom displays. When shipping think about using lighter materials and less packaging materials. Buy locally to further reduce shipping and delivery.
9. Refurbish – give your old exhibit new life with earth friendly materials such as cotton graphics. Using exhibits that can be easily changed rather than replaced will mean less consumption of materials over time. Keep your exhibit in good repair and replace broken or damaged parts.
10. Use suppliers that not only offer green options but also operate with environmentally conscious conditions such as waste reduction programs and recycling in-place. Be sure to ask your supplier for more advice on how you can create an earth friendly display for your next exhibit.
Going green doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. There are many more options available today and the list keeps growing. Green, recycled and earth friendly materials can cost less than their non-recycled counterparts. Research your options and know that every little bit counts – from using recycled paper to printing biodegradable banners – you can be rest assured you are making a positive contribution toward greening the planet.
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