Banana Bulletin

In our world of Web 2.0, the term web designer and web developer are often used interchangeably. This may not appear to be a big deal to most, but when you are talking about someone’s skillset and where their expertise lies, it becomes important to differentiate between the two.

Let’s start with a simple definition of both.

Web designer (the what): someone who designs the navigation, layout, colors, and graphics for Web pages. A web designer is focused on the look and feel of a website while keeping in mind the limitations of code. They often use WYSIWYG editors like Dreamweaver to view the design, rather than diving into the HTML directly. A web designer is usually a graphic designer who is trained in design principles for both print and web.

Web developer (the how): someone who is responsible for programming the functionality of a web site. The web developer writes the necessary code such as XHTML, CSS, and Javascript .to allow the navigation, links, video, etc. to function on every page. While the designer provides the foundation of the site, the developer builds it and brings it to life. Web developers also test and modify the code for the site to ensure compatibility with popular internet browsers.

As you can see, a web designer and a web developer are two different professions. But, with today’s competitive job market, more and more web designers have added coding and web development to their arsenal, making the two overlap a bit.

One thing to keep in mind before hiring someone to work on your website, is to ask which camp they fall into. Are they a web designer that can code, or a web developer who dabbles in design? In my opinion, you cannot be an expert at both.

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With Apple’s most recent release of the iPhone 4G, I thought it would be interesting to share the story behind the Apple logo—one of the most recognized corporate symbols in the world. Did you know that Apple is one of the only well-known companies to NOT incorporate it’s name into their logo?

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In my last homage to Earth Day, April 22, 2010, I am sharing 13 more simple steps to making your business practices more sustainable and “earth-friendly”. I’ve also included some local resources that can be helpful in your journey to becoming green.

There are many reasons why businesses should consider going green: to cut costs, preserve the environment, prevent climate change, create a marketing avenue, and provide a driving force for employees. But, one reason remains clear: It’s good for business, and the earth.

Even if a company-wide green initiative doesn’t currently exist, there are simple actions you can personally take to make a difference. And, if you only commit to one of these steps, you are well on your way to becoming green (or at least a tint of green).

1. Donate styrofoam peanuts and plastic packaging to local UPS/mailbox stores for reuse.

2. Compost. Using organic materials to enrich your soil is a great way to naturally give back to your garden. Some Contra Costa residents and businesses can place compostable items in the green yard waste bin for weekly pick-up. For more info go to www.wastediversion.org.

Local resources:
List of 163 materials you can add to your compost pile or even bury in your garden.
Composting workshops and purchasing composting bins at a reduced price in Contra Costa, go to www.cccrecycle.org and www.co.contracosta.ca.us.

3. Reduce water consumption by replacing high flow toilets with water efficient 1.6 gallon or less per flush models, installing 1.5 gpm (or lower) aerators in all sinks and 2.5 gpm (or less) showerheads in all showers, cleaning outdoor walkways with a broom or low flow (less than 3 gpm) spray nozzles rather than a garden hose, and irrigate during early morning, pre-dawn hours to reduce loss of moisture from evaporation.

Local resources:
EBMUD business customers can find out about cost-saving and rebate programs at 866-403-2683 or go to ebmud.com. Residents who have home-based businesses can receive a water-saving kit for free!

4. Reduce energy consumption by purchasing Energy Star labeled office equipment and appliances, using energy-efficient lighting, including occupancy sensors for frequently-vacant rooms and ballast upgrades and reflectors for fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent lights or LED’s (light-emitting diodes) in place of incandescent bulbs and old, inefficient lighting, and install timers to turn off lighting and energy-efficient exit signs. CFL lighting contains mercury and should NOT be thrown in the trash. Some counties have a hazardous waste disposal facility where residents can dispose of CFL’s.

Local resources:
Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Martinez will take CFL lighting from Contra Costa residents.
Contact PG&E for cost-saving, energy programs.
The California Best Program allows businesses to choose an approved, general energy contractor that offers a free green audit.

5. Get plants. Place live plants in the office or home to clean toxins in the air. Take it one step further and use drought-resistant varieties.

6. Use green-seal-certified, biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products. Encourage your janitorial service/property management company to do the same.

Local resources:
Trader Joe’s
Target
Whole Foods
Amazon.com

7. Hire a green janitorial or cleaning service. Ask candidates about the type of cleaning products and methods of waste disposal that are used.

8. Walk instead of driving somewhere once a week. If you need to mail a package at the local post office, or make a deposit at the bank, consider walking or riding a bicycle instead of driving. Exercise is an added benefit!

9. Prevent polluted stormwater run-off by not washing cars, equipment, floor mats or other items outside where run-off water flows straight to a storm drain. This wash water should be directed to a sewer drain instead.

10. Use unbleached and/or chlorine-free paper products. Not only is it better for the environment, but it prevents chlorine from entering your food, especially when using a microwave.

Local resources:
Trader Joe’s
Whole Foods

11. Use low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) paint, paint removers, etc.

Local resources:
Professional Paint Center, Walnut Creek

12. Consider working with local experts specializing in construction recycling and eco-friendly building materials and processes when building or remodeling.

Local resources:
Green Sage, located in San Francisco with a free newsletter.
Build It Green, Bay Area non-profit.

13. Join local, sustainable associations and organizations.

Local resources:
Sustainable Lafayette, (Free to join)
Sustainable Moraga, (Free to join)
Women’s Environmental Network, and free to join
Co-Op America, national organization with a plethora of information, resources, environmentally focused businesses, etc.

Going green doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive for your business. Start with one step and inspire others by becoming part of the solution to a healthier, greener planet.

Any additional steps you’ve taken to make your home or business more earth-friendly?

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Tuesday, April 20, 2010, Martinez, CA.

Contra Costa’s Board of Supervisors’ honored Banana Creative, one of forty other local businesses, as a certified, Contra Costa County Green Business.

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In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, April 22, 2010, I thought it would be appropriate to share some easy, simple steps to making your business practices more sustainable and “earth-friendly”. I’ve also included some local resources that can be helpful in your journey to becoming green.

There are many reasons why businesses should consider going green: to cut costs, preserve the environment, prevent climate change, create a marketing avenue, and provide a driving force for employees. But, one reason remains clear: It’s good for business, and the earth.

Even if a company-wide green initiative doesn’t currently exist, there are simple actions you can personally take to make a difference. And, if you only commit to one of these steps, you are well on your way to becoming green (or at least a tint of green).

1. Become a certified, green business. Businesses can qualify to become a Certified Green Business in Contra Costa and other participating counties after meeting various environmental requirements. It’s free and in Contra Costa County, the certification includes a listing on the Bay Area Green Business website.

2. Support green businesses. Green is not necessarily limited to just environmental practices but can also include socially-responsible and fair trade practices. Find local, sustainable businesses by industry at the Bay Area Green Business website.

3. Purchase fair trade, certified chocolate, coffees, teas, and other products.

4. Purchase locally-farmed, organic food. Local farmers’ markets are excellent resources.

5. Reduce/eliminate junk mail and catalogues at stopjunkmail.org.

6. Buy recycled, biodegradable, and/or environmentally-friendly office products, including products with a high amount of post-consumer, recycled material and biodegradable and/or compostable tableware.

Local resources:
Contra Costa Stationers in Lafayette
Office Max
Eco Shoppe in Walnut Creek

7. Provide water dispensers, ceramic or stainless steel mugs for employees and guests to eliminate use of plastic water bottles and disposable cups. Contact Banana Creative, a local, green-certified business, to imprint your company logo on mugs, for as little as 99 cents each.

8. Print all business marketing material on recycled, FSC-certified paper using eco-friendly ink and printing processes. For internal copying and printing, be sure to use both sides of the paper (duplex setting on most printer/copiers). You can work with your local, green-certified designer to design and print an earth-friendly marketing piece.

9. Purchase eco-friendly promotional products and gifts. Most promotional item suppliers offer a wide variety of cost-effective items for giveaways and client gifts. You can also contact your local, green-certified designer for some creative ideas that will fit your budget.

10. Use refilled ink and toner cartridges.

Local resources:
Inksmile.com

11. Send and receive faxes by email. No fax machine required. This way, you only have to print important documents, and can avoid junk faxes.

Local resources:
Ringcentral.com, San Mateo

12. Get educated about recycling do’s and don’ts at www.wastediversion.org. Recycling is important especially since it takes time for products to biodegrade in the earth. For example, a disposable diaper takes 500 years to biodegrade, plastic soda bottles and glass both take 1 million years, aluminium cans take 50 to 200 years, and batteries take 100 years.

Local resources:
Small businesses in Lamorinda, Walnut Creek, Danville, Alamo, Diablo, or Blackhawk who produce 2 yards or less of garbage per week might qualify for FREE recycling collection service from Valley Waste Management (VWM).

The Contra Costa Recycling & Reduction Guide, 2005is FREE and is still an excellent source of information about local curbside recycling programs, recycling centers, thrift stores, household hazardous waste facilities and much more.

13. Recycle electronics.

Local resources:
Contra Costa Stationers in Lafayette takes cell phones, rechargeable and regular household batteries, ink and toner cartridges for recycling.

Electronic Waste Management, holds regular free e-waste recycling events at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill.

14. Recycle batteries.

Local resources:
Contra Costa Stationers in Lafayette takes rechargeable and regular household batteries.

For other local household battery recycling drop-offs, go to wastediversion.org.

Going green doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive for your business. Start with one step and inspire others by becoming part of the solution to a healthier, greener planet. More tips to come in the next few weeks…

Any additional steps you’ve taken to make your home or business more earth-friendly?

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How well do you know the world’s biggest brands? Time to find out! Take two brand related colours, a visual hint and a cryptic verbal clue. Put them all together and you should be able to identify all 21 mystery brands. Like this…have fun!

http://www.thebrandquiz.com/

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Check out the latest trends in color for print, web, fashion and home decor!

COLOURlovers is a creative community where people from around the world create and share colors, palettes and patterns, discuss the latest trends and explore colorful articles… All in the spirit of love.

Check out more at: http://www.colourlovers.com/

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It’s probably one of the most talked about topics of late in the business world—sustainability or becoming a leaner, greener company. There is a lot of information out there to help companies become more sustainable and profitable, but what key strategies make a sustainability program most successful?

Companies of all sizes are feeling increased pressure from employees, customers, and the market to develop an effective corporate sustainability strategy and act in an environmentally responsible manner. However, a company looking to implement a sustainability program for the first time faces a number of challenges: determining priorities, setting goals, and measuring results, just to name a few.

Read more at the Green Economy Post

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WALNUT CREEK — It’s a downtown divided; north versus south, with Mt. Diablo Boulevard its “Mason-Dixon Line.”

The split between the updated mall and newer shops to the south and the hodgepodge of older businesses and ethnic restaurants to the north is clear, says branding expert Roger Brooks. A fractured downtown can’t thrive, much less bill itself a regional retail destination, he said.

“It’s ridiculous; you should be joined at the hip,” said Brooks of Walnut Creek’s downtown.

To make Walnut Creek’s downtown a brand name, the business association should ditch the slogan “Escape the Ordinary” and build its brand as a tony shopping mecca with choice eateries, a true culinary destination.

Read more from the San Jose Mercury News…

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The Host Country of every Olympic and Paralympic Games tells a unique story of culture and imagination through design and artistry. The Vancouver 2010 graphic identity seeks to unify and beautify the Games with a consistent look and feel throughout all its environments and communications. It will also allow VANOC to leave a mark in memories and in photos. Seen on the design of vancouver2010.com, brochures and publications, merchandise and uniforms, the graphic identity elements appear on buildings, street signs, banners and venues, dressing the city and venues in colour during Games time.

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