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?
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?
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?
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.
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.
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.
Keyboard shortcuts save so much time and also give your hand a break from the mouse! Give them a try. PC users just use the control key (or alt key) instead of command.
Command-J
Brings up window where you can select which page to jump to.
Command-2, Command-4
Zooms to 200% and 400%.
Command-K
Brings up the preferences window.
Command-TAB
Allows you to switch to other applications or Finder.
W
Shows design in preview mode (without frames or pasteboard).
X
Allows you to switch between fill and stroke in Swatch menu.
E
Selects the Free Transform tool.
Option-Double Click
On any placed image will open image for editing in original application.
Enjoy! And, feel free to share any other time-saving shortcuts that you’ve discovered.
© Copyright 2010. Banana Creative. All rights reserved. Would you like to reproduce portions of this article? Please contact
Despite the recent popularity of email marketing and social networking, old-fashioned snail mail marketing is proving to be the key to boosting business. Instead of eliminating or slashing budgets for direct mail, companies should use it to complement other aspects of their marketing approach.
This just in from Marketing Sherpa:
In reporting on this consumer study of social media use by consumers, we make reference to a group we’re calling “Max Connectors” — those people with more than 500 social connections. They exemplify the new social consumer, and they’re especially valuable targets for marketing, at least in theory, because they can spread a positive brand or product experience so widely.
The motivations for consumers to track brands and companies through social media are generally predictable. However, there are exceptional aspects. Unlike our motivations for email or catalogs, getting a first or early look at features and products is at least as strong a motivation as beneficial pricing (that’s especially true of Max Connectors).
Another unique driver of social connectedness with companies is to “get to know” the company. Although other aspects of the Internet have already opened this arena up to scrutiny, social media accelerated the ability of individual consumers to monitor, communicate and comment on companies as citizens.
In today’s environment of protecting the bottom line, some companies are making the decision to outsource work overseas. And for some, offshoring and outsourcing overseas has proved beneficial. But, before you decide to move your graphic design or web development work overseas, carefully consider the risks and challenges this may present.
2. Time zone.
Most communication with an overseas contractor will need to be done outside of normal business hours. When you are in the office, the contractor will be in bed. For example, India is 13.5 hours ahead of California, so if you need to talk with the contractor, calls must be made between 8pm and 3am. Urgent requests may take longer for a response.
3. Risk of stealing intellectual property.
Companies will continue to trade off the benefits of low-cost labor for the risks of intellectual property theft without fully understanding the implications. Product knowledge gained by a contractor can be passed on to a competitor and also retained by the contractor. Source code developed by the contractor at the client’s request is kept by the contractor. This leads to serious issues with regards to licensing and copyright. India has recently taken steps to tighten laws around data protection for foreign work handled by Indian companies and for instilling harsher penalties for data breaches. However, there are far more countries that do not regard intellectual property protection as a priority.
4. Differing work ethics and quality standards.
Because of communication and cultural issues, often the finished product does not meet with existing quality standards. Outsourcing a project requires a great deal of trust and the quality of work varies considerably. Errors can range from simple spelling/grammar issues to major programming problems. Since the contractor will be working for a fixed price, motivation will be to decrease their expenses and time spent on the project in order to turn a profit.
5. Differing business policies and terms.
When working with overseas contractors, it may be difficult or impossible to have your contract terms honored. If a contract is signed, there may not be any recourse for delivering a poor product. Each country has their own business policies and terms, so it may be beneficial to do research before engaging in any contract work overseas. Also, if the outsourcing company requires you to sign their contract, be aware that anything not covered in the contract will be the basis for you to pay additional charges. In this case, it may be in your best interest to hire a lawyer to review their contract before signing.
Though it’s tempting to take advantage of lower overseas labor costs, it may be a good idea to rethink your strategy. Depending upon your needs and expectations, hiring overseas contractors for graphic design or development work might end up costing more in the end, and could add new challenges to your plate.
Feel free to share any experiences you’ve had in working with overseas contractors and/or companies.
© Copyright 2009. Banana Creative. All rights reserved. Would you like to reproduce portions of this article? Please contact