New Ground: Small Steps to a Sustainable Environment

Hidden Green for Shoppers

Some everyday purchases may hide the green in more ways than one. In a few minutes’ search, I found three companies working towards money and energy saving environmental sustainability. Their efforts enable us all to take small steps towards personal sustainability and save some of the “green” in our wallets besides!

Since I’m a little strapped for time this week, I’ve linked the news articles so that you can get the details on each of these green companies.

Coca Cola^® debuts “Plant Bottle”

Have a smile and a coke! Coca Cola has developed a beverage bottle that is 30% plant material, sourced from molasses and sugar cane. They intend to begin promoting it through their Dasani and sparkling beverage brands. This is a step towards the company’s goal of developing bottles made from materials that are 100% recyclable and renewable.

From Post it Notes to TV Screens: 3M^® Makes a Green Commitment

A global giant in adhesive manufacture, 3M is taking giant steps towards a reputation as an environmentally conscious industry model. You’ll find more details by reading the article linked above, but here are a few that impressed me:

• Post it notes are made from 20% recycled paper.
• LCD TV sets manufactured with 3M’s Vikuiti brightness enhancement film use an average of 36.5 kilowatt hours less electricity per year than similar sets.
• In 1994, long before most of us were concerned with carbon emissions, 3M installed China’s first thermal oxidation furnace that not only cuts toxic emissions but also saves energy by recycling excess heat.

Wal-Mart: Pumping Up Energy Efficiency—Rolling Back Prices

Walmart is making it’s suppliers “go green”. The company insists that suppliers meet all current local and federal environmental standards. Walmart has also set new standards to boost energy efficiency and cut use of raw materials. Manufacturers have until 2012 to meet the new standards or risk termination as a Walmart vendor.