We Are Responsible...

This is what happens when we release responsibility for our impacts on this beautiful planet:

Until we are willing and enabled to make the correct decisions, then the likelihood of tragedies such as the BP oil spill will always loom. We all must work together to ensure that transparency is a legal responsibility of our governments and corporations. In addition, consumers must provide the oversight of these entities. Consumers around the world, especially those of us in resource hungry countries and democracies like the United States, must take charge of information and DEMAND full transparency of activities and decisions which impact us and our health and the health of the planet (the same thing in our eyes). There clearly are those who must shoulder the financial and moral burden of the impact of this global disaster so that it can be cleaned-up and so that we all can learn to avoid anything remotely close to this again. Let's stop passing the buck and assuming or hoping for someone else to do what we are clearly capable of doing ourselves!

Green Butts!

The Onion Strikes Again!!

We are the problem & the solution!!

It Ain't Garbage!

Even though we may be enlightened businesses or enlightened consumers, there are other areas of opportunity to increase one's sustainability. Since we all eat (except for that Indian mystic who claims he doesn't eat or drink), we all produce food waste. What happens to all this organic matter once we have removed the easily accessed nutrients from it? Most folks send it into the garbage bin or into the garbage disposal. Out of sight out of mind or rather, out of sight OUT OF OUR MINDS!!! Seriously, how can a nation of around 305 million do this??

What disappears is an incredible amount of latent energy that is literally black gold! The power of these food scraps once they are converted into compost is immeasurable! What can we do? For folks with yards and with time they can maintain a compost pile and produce valuable nutrients for their yards. For most folks, they either don't have the time, inclination or space. What to do??

A new service called Compost Cab in Washington D.C. is nearing its launch! These folks will get participants to sign-up for a regular curbside pick-up of organic material which will then be composted! An additional cool thing is that this endeavor encouraging municipal composting as well as linking with other community-based organizations like Engaged Community Offshoots (ECO) to make it work. Agricity is the innovator behind this initiative.

Perhaps this is something that YOUR neighborhood could use?!?

This is why we have such a @#$%ed-up energy policy in the USA!!

When folks spew garbage like this it is no wonder we have such a steep climb towards changing our nation's dependence on non-renewable energy sources! Listen, if one looks only at the bottom line and sees nothing else connected to it, a perspective such as this one looks brilliant!

To state that solar only works when it is sunny is just mis-information and simply untrue! The energy production is certainly reduced, but to use this as an argument against solar power is rubbish! Just think of how many people and animals die every year directly and indirectly due to our insatiable thirst for oil and coal! When was the last time someone perished using solar energy?

So, calling an industry "unprofitable" when so little has historically been spent on alternative energy and big oil has spent lots to derail legislation in its favor, is a bit over the top, wouldn't you say?!? Throw in all the tax funded incentives and subsidies they have gotten and the gap is even larger! In fact, as of the middle of last year, investment in green power sources in the US had actually dropped 8% due to our shaky economy.

When hugely successful companies like Exxon spend only around 1% of its profits on alternative energy sources and BP 2.9% (the most of the big five oil companies), where is the money going to come from?? Where is the commitment to sustainability?? NOWHERE!!!

Well, that's not entirely true...WE NEED TO BE THE AGENTS OF CHANGE!!! We will do it through our demands that these tactics change. Certainly in light of the outrage over the recent coal mine deaths and the very recent (and very devastating!!) BP oil spill, we have a GREAT OPPORTUNITY, but perhaps we are not noisy enough!!

Visionary companies need visionary consumers. Folks who demand only the most ethical behavior and smartest decisions. Maybe our standards are too low? Any comments???

Starbucks Shareholders Oppose Expanding Recycling Efforts

In keeping the java spirit of discussion alive why not look at our most capable (yet seemingly least willing to aggressively pursue sustainability measure) purveyor of specialty coffees: Starbucks!

At a recent shareholders meeting, a measure put forth by a minority of shareholders, to increase the company's recycling, was voted down 89% against  to 11% in favor. It seems that they are happy with their efforts to date and do not deem any additional progress necessary. The measure was supported by As You Sow, an organization that has also put forth similar efforts at recycling reform to Pepsico & Coca-Cola.

Clearly, continued activist efforts are needed to move these folks in the right direction.  Quite honestly, as is the case with furthering Fair Trade & Organic purchases by Starbucks, the customers are the only ones who can make a lasting impression!! Why should consumers always look to corporations and governments to tell them what they want or what is best for them?!?

If consumers were more involved in their welfare and not just passive participants in capitalism gone amok, we would not be faced with such catastrophes as the BP Gulf oil disaster!! Let's wake up and make our purchases matter!!

Our latest project is now coming to some degree of completion!! This explanation into the story behind the organic and fair trade coffee industry is a remarkable journey! Over the next few months, we will be adding more content and depth to the data and discussion. Let us know what you think!!

An Ocean of Ideas

Following up on our last post on sustainable fisheries we thought it interesting that the New York Times has a blog interview today with Casson Trenor who works with Greenpeace on these particular issues.

Take a look and give us your take on the recommendations offered.

We feel that although Mr. Trenor says that consumer education isn't ultimately going to be the solution to our fisheries depletion the end result of greater customer awareness and knowledge will, in fact, lead to greater customer oversight of retail buying policies. Obviously, if customers know which questions to ask at their seafood counters, then certain responses will either satisfy them or cause them to take their dollars elsewhere. That dynamic would also follow through into demands of our policy makers to support sustainable fisheries standards and hold them to regulating the industry.

Consumers must always place themselves in positions of power when it comes to how our food is produced, otherwise we remain susceptible to shortcuts and greenwashing that seek to confuse and divert our collective attention.

Trader Joe's To Sell Only Sustainably Harvested Seafood

The grocery store chain Trader Joe's has announced it will only sell seafood harvested sustainably by the end of 2012. This comes in response to criticism and a campaign by Greenpeace and also to address numerous customer requests over the years. 

The company said it will begin working with third-party groups to define sustainability, ensuring that canned, frozen and fresh fish sold in stores across the country will come from sustainable sources. They will also create more specific labels for fish, including catch methods and Latin names.

Most of us are already quite aware of the dangers of overfishing around the globe and we can applaud such efforts to change unsustainable and ignorant business practices. We can only hope that the entities that are put in place to monitor and oversee this policy ensure that the entirely of the commitment by Trader Joe's is adhered to.

WAIT A MINUTE!!! Shouldn't we be able to do more than just hope!! We as consumers are the recipients of and participants in all sustainable and unsustainable business practices. So, it is also up to us to play our roles as overseers of these commitments. Clearly, if we believe in something and yet are confronted with red flags indicating conflicting information or claims, we must make it known that we are aware of the "greenwash" and that we intend to hold all up to those standards at all times.

Snyder's Follows Frito-Lay's Lead, Offers Sustainable Packaging

Just a few weeks after Frito-Lay  rolled out the 100% compostable SunChips bag, Snyder's of Hanover has announced sustainability packaging of its own. Like Frito-Lay, the pretzel maker has decided to use plant-based materials in some of its packaging. The polylactic acid resin (PLA)-based bags, produced by Clear Lam Packaging, replace petroleum-based plastic bags in Snyder's line of organic pretzels.

There are a number of advantages to the PLA bags, according to Greener Package. The 90% plant-based bags require half the energy for production and spew 52% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than comparable petroleum packaging.  No word on if the PLA bags are saving Snyder's any cash, however.

Kudos to Snyder's  for following in Frito-Lay's footsteps, but consumers should ask: Why are the PLA bags limited to the company's organic line of pretzels? Snyders reps were away for the holidays and not immediately available to answer. Here's hoping Snyder's ultimately expands the initiative to all of its products.

Survey Says...HUH?!?

A recent survey of 2,000 people shows that a virtually negligible number actually even recognize or see many of the more than 400 "green labels" which typically appear on the packages of consumer products. The good news in all of this is that if any of these label markers are disguising harmful behavior or participating in greenwashing at least very few people are falling for the message!

How do your shopping habits correlate with these results?

Do you believe that the sheer number of certifications and labels contributes to consumer inability to see the forest for the trees? Let us know!

Whadda Ya Do?!? Damaged Goods?

What happens when transparency slaps you in the face? In the case of the recent admission by the CEO of SIGG, makers of the ubiquitous (at least in green circles!) reusable water bottles, you now have your opportunity to find out. For some reason, the company decided (conscious decision) to not inform customers that earlier designs of their bottles contained "trace amounts of bisphenol A."

Now, we could take the decision to boycott the company (disassociate like Patagonia) and make them pay for their error in judgement. We could also take the time to read through the CEO's explanation and his apology and, if we really feel our power as consumers (feel it rising?!?!?), we could let him know he should never attempt this kind of stunt again. We could then inform him that we definitely approve of his growth as the head of a "green company" and that we will be watching and will encourage him to take a lead in encouraging all businesses to apply common sense safety and health standards to their products. After all, since it is our health and safety we need to protect, WE must take the initiative to hold companies accountable. Sometimes punishment is needed and other times encouragement is the best option.

Here is a link to the SIGG website regarding an exchange program.

Let them know what you think:

SIGG USA
1177 High Ridge Road
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 321-1220

Transitioning

Here is an interesting video about the sale of Dagoba Chocolate to Hershey's back in October 2006. Although the sale of the company had its critics, especially those who believe bigger ain't better, the goal of the sale was to gain a bigger platform and greater resources for high quality and sustainability. You be the judge!

Video

Here is a link to the website for Dagoba Chocolate:

Dagoba

Green Labeling Facing Crisis of Faith

I found this overview of the eco-label frenzy that has been riding the green wave of the past few years. We've written often on this blog of our feeling that much stricter oversight is needed to help these certifiers maintain high levels of integrity.

Much has been recently discussed regarding the horrible impact on global economies of a lack of regulation in the mortgage, banking and insurance industries to name a few. The eco-labels are also completely unregulated and consumers basically must depend upon instinct or hearsay to judge adherence to self-proclaimed standards. There certainly are many highly reputable and important certifiers around the world.

Take a look at the article and let us know how you feel some of these concerns can be addressed. How would consumers be able to hold these certifiers accountable for their claims?

Tracking Sustainability

Here is an interesting review of the usefulness of applying Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) to identify what a company would need to do to capture the purchases of customers dedicated to supporting companies that engage in sustainable practices and produce products that are environmentally friendly.

It is suggested that this simple approach of getting to the core of consumer values can benefit both the bottom line and the sustainability of a company. By focusing on what consumers actually want and not what the companies think they want, everyone wins.

Take a look and let us know how you can integrate this perspective into your operations as a business owner or, how you think this information can be transmitted effectively to companies.

At the end of the day, an approach like this can truly put consumers in the driver's seat! Take advantage and push for sustainable business practices!

Greening Your Business Isn't Always Costly!

Here is a nice feel good story of a small vineyard taking the initiative to become a "certified green" business through Alameda County's (California) Green Business Program. To date, there are over 450 certified green businesses in the county. The Cedar Mountain Winery uses beneficial insects, a contained waste water system, and maintains owl boxes to keep rodent damage to a minimum. These and numerous other efforts have help them achieve this certification by using common sense much of the time. Sure you could spend a bunch of money on major renovations and new technologies. but most of the time, changing the way basic things are done is the best method to attack sustainability. After all, it is a journey!

To be certified by the Green Business Program, all businesses must meet set standards in energy conservation, environmental law compliance, water conservation, waste reduction and pollution prevention. I would love to take a look at their certification criteria to get a better idea as to what levels the issues are investigated and monitored.

Throw Down the Gauntlet!

Hey folks! Here is an article from the folks at GreenBiz discussing responsibility in the food industry. There are a few people quoted in the article who are advocating for purveyors of our nation's food to take the lead in sustainability.

"We need to begin to think of retailers as leaders in sustainability; they help consumers live more sustainable lifestyles and build sustainable consumption into their lives," explained Michele Halsell, the managing director of the University of Arkansas' Applied Sustainability Center. "They are the link between the suppliers and the consumers, [and] taking that approach to your role in the world is the start of an important transformation."

And when retailers do it right, it's a "win-win-win," according to Halsell: the environment, local communities and most of all retailers themselves all benefit from green initiatives.

"You the retailers have bought all the environmental impacts [of the products you sell] at every step along the way," (Jonathan) Kaplan said. "That's a responsibility, but also an opportunity: you can have the biggest bang for the buck and you're in the driver's seat."

Clearly, the point of sale opportunities to educate (if that is what retailers are willing to do properly, honestly & transparently!!) are innumerable and ever-present. We at Visionary Values welcome this potential for every retailer to become a sustainability advocate!

We also must STRONGLY ADVOCATE for increased and consistent consumer involvement and oversight of this process. Initially it would most likely stem from an inherent distrust of these retailers to tell the whole story and keep it truthful. As the process matures however, it could develop into more of a friend looking after friend type of interaction (pie in the sky?!?) where we all look after one another's best common interests. After all, isn't this an essential piece of sustainability?!

As always, we love to hear YOUR opinions! Keep in touch!

A Growing Green Gap?!?

Take a look at this article for a good review of the pitfalls of the proliferation of green labels. We sometimes like to believe we live in the land of plenty and that more choice is better. We have supermarket shelves loaded with 20 different granolas and 30+ different flake cereals and then the yogurt shelves with dozens of brands of the "best" available. Conscious consumers are then faced with the daunting task of weeding through the company labeling as well the the third party certification labeling that each package displays. What to do?!?!?

The article does present the argument that eco-labels may be reaching the saturation point (or going beyond) and are actually serving to dilute truth in advertising as more folks clamor for green products. For example, from the article:

Scot Case, executive director of EcoLogo program and vice president of environmental marketing agency TerraChoice, says the hundreds of eco-labels currently available are wreaking havoc by breeding consumer confusion.

Additionally:

A project of Vancouver, B.C.–based startup Big Room Inc., ecolabelling.org was launched in 2008 to respond to a swarm of labels making their way into the marketplace. “We saw that there was a huge move to ‘green’ business and ‘green’ purchasing,” Bowden says. “A lot of claims started being made. … We saw a gap emerging between perceived and actual ‘green.’”

Clearly, there is a great deal of competition to see which label(s) win out. We believe that YOU, the consumer should play the pivotal role in determining which labels remain and which get tossed into the recycle bin. Demand transparency and due diligence in your trusted labelers and support only those which prove they are green through and through!!

Tell us what you would expect to see from an eco-labeler to ensure they are trustworthy!

Eco-Labels - Legitimate or Greenwashing?

The debate over these labels and the legitimacy of their use and claims will continue. What can consumers do to verify adherence to sustainable business practices?

Check out ecolabelling.org for an terrific overview of the vastness of the world of verification!

Their focus is:

1. To gather all ecolabels in the world onto one common platform,

2. To provide standard data and analysis on those ecolabels,

3. To help companies buy and sell ecolabelled products and services.

And here is a businessinsider.com perspective on the proliferation of these labels.

Thoughts? Proposals? Criticisms? Support?

Back In Action!

We have been away from this blogging for a bit now. Sometimes one just needs to step back from technology for a breather!

Here is a link to a blog from some of the Visionary Values family members who recently returned from a wonderfully informative trip to Sumatra. Enjoy!!!

U.K Vegan Logos

You tell us, does this discussion leave you a tad confused? Clearly, there are many intricacies and platforms that are part of devising a labeling system. What to focus on, what to leave out, what is absolutely vital, etc. Sometimes it does seem as though the process gets so complex that it seems to exist solely for those who devise it rather that for those it is meant to inform: the consumer!

We like the basic approach the folks from the new vegan licensing organization have that plans to focus solely on presenting the choice of veganism from a positive perspective. Keep it simple, direct and focused.

What do you think? How do you feel certifications should be devised? Should they take an activist or consumer advocate approach or stand back and use strict measurable parameters or perhaps, a hybrid? How much do you need to or want to know regarding the manufacture of products? Do you want verification of practices all the way down to individual ingredients or just the final product. Let us know!!