Addressing the 1e element, we reduced our costs and streamlined our workflows.   With the 2e element, we focused on keeping what we consume out of the landfill and appreciating the value of what we recycle by purchasing as much of it as we can in the course of running our businesses.   In the 3e element, we honed in on wasting as little energy as possible while purchasing as much of our energy as we can from renewable sources.  Following the steps to the 4e element, we reduced our water consumption and looked for ways to improve the health and well-being of our employees. 

As we arrive now at the final 5e element which is associated with the last classical element of air, we broaden our horizons to consider ways we can lessen our footprint on our cities' air pollution and the greenhouse gases we generate by our activity.  And lastly, by completing the 5 steps and achieving a meaningful level of sustainability, we look to the airwaves for ways to lead by example and connect with the growing legion of green consumers seeking to do business with companies who share their same values and principles. 

I had the opportunity again this year to participate as a guest on Atlanta Business Radio's Green Show special.  The show opened with Brian Carr from Atlanta's Clean Air Campaign whose non-profit organization offers one-on-one consultation to businesses at no charge to help them evaluate their current commuting footprint and implement solutions that range from carpooling/car sharing to transit to compressed work schedules to vanpooling (shuttles) to helping their employees with adding a portion of bicycling and walking to the commute to promote better health and well-being.  As Brian mentioned on the show, this is not the most obvious place for companies to start, but when you consider the example that here in Atlanta, 84% of the population drives solo to work and spends an average of 72 minutes round trip sitting in traffic, the productivity and lifestyle improvements alone are well worth the consideration.

Of course the financial benefits should not be overlooked either, from increased productivity to the impact these kinds of solutions can have on everyone's wallet when gas prices spike upward.  The Clean Air Campaign's Commute Calendar is a great place to help employees consider the total cost they absorb by remaining committed to the solo commute, from repairs and maintenance to insurance to parking. 

Perhaps not surprisingly, the obstacles to changing our commuting habits are pretty simple and understandable.  Most of us like our freedom, which is why many organizations provide vehicles for people who need to pick up a sick child from school or handle some other pressing need, which is the #1 reason most employees cite for not wanting to participate.

For the results to be tangible and effective, this element of sustainability takes a bit of a comprehensive approach with a touch of emphasis on logistics, but the results cannot be diminished, from helping reduce pressure on everyone's wallet to improving well-being and work satisfaction to helping to reduce our collective contribution to the air pollution that affects every one of us and our families in the communities in which we live.

What most people find interesting as I walk them through the 5 steps is we've reached this point of the journey without directly addressing the creation of greenhouse gases that lead to global warming.   Which inevitably leads them to ask me, "what's my take on global warming?"

My answer is that I have just as much of a problem with the ostrich sticking their head in the sand as I do with the canary telling me the science is settled.   What I do know is that any company that focuses on the core building blocks of sustainability, either on their own or following a guideline such as this 5e elemental path, will by their actions inevitably and dramatically reduce the greenhouse gases created and emitted by their overall operations, and will be helping the environment in every other tangible way as well.

Evaluating our carbon footprint and offsetting the impact by supporting green/sustainable projects is a supremely worthwhile endeavor and one I recommend to every company, and I anticipate a thriving market that will support carbon trading.  But by itself, I believe purchasing offsets to atone for one's environmental destruction a poor substitute to lessening our own environmental footprint.   And simply focusing on the contribution we make to producing trace elements in the atmosphere (that could possibly lead to some catastrophic condition in the future) is an equally poor substitute to addressing how we use fire (or energy) today and the impact we collectively and directly have on the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the earth upon which we depend to support life.

When I think of the one obstacle I have encountered the most in my years of helping companies take steps toward greater sustainability, it's the feeling that many of us fall into that leads us to wonder if our singular actions really have that much of an impact.   Compared to, for example, the staggering environmental degradation from a single oil spill by a major oil producer in the Gulf, can devoting the time, energy and resources to greening our business really have that much of an effect in the overall scheme the things?   Therein lies the rub ... is sustainability really worth it?

I find it interesting that most people accept that as a collective whole, small and medium sized businesses have a demonstrable effect on the economy - just listen to the politicians pander to the small business owner.   Doesn't it follow then that small-to-medium sized businesses can collectively have a considerable impact on our environmental footprint as well?   And when you consider that many small companies of today become the larger companies of tomorrow, establishing good habits prepares us all for the environmental challenges of the future.

As for the big companies, in spite of all the "greenwashing" that goes on, we can take some comfort in the environmental programs we see taking place in many, if not most of the largest corporate organizations.   And for those corporations that remain locked in the industrial age paradigms we are necessarily shedding, there are watchdog environmental organizations that many of us follow and support that help keep the really bad actors in line.  

I had the pleasure to serve on the Board of Directors of the Dogwood Alliance, an environmental non-profit waging a classic campaign to help change the environmentally destructive behavior of some of the nation's largest companies.   While most of Dogwood Alliance's progress comes from negotiating inside the boardroom, their power comes from bringing together the voices of thousands of individuals, local and regional grassroots partners, and national and international organizations to bring leverage on companies whose practices destroy millions of acres of Southern forests every year.  Their current campaign is bringing national attention to fast food packaging made from virgin tree fiber that does nothing more than carry our fast food from the counter to our mouths on its way to the landfill.    This campaign connects the dots as to who uses the worst packaging and the sources from where they buy it.

While traditionally we think of the relationship as combative between environmental groups and businesses, it's encouraging to see how organizations like Staples have been transformed from within by their engagement with organizations such as Dogwood Alliance.  I encourage business people to read, engage and participate in environmental organizations and to challenge the "environmental wacko" label that many in the business mainstream tend to pin on a large and rapidly growing segment of our population that are deeply concerned, and who are becoming more active by the legions.

Change is happening all around us, so the question isn't whether it's worth it, the question is whether or not we want to be a part of it.

The essence of the 5e elemental standard is to give companies a framework and a roadmap to attaining the knowledge and satisfaction that they have achieved a meaningful level of sustainability.

While most companies derive the internal satisfaction of walking the 5e elemental path and addressing each of the elements of sustainability, the final step on the path is to quantify the collective results of our efforts in a way that can be made tangible to our employees, clients and the community around us.   Quantifying our results gives the process meaning, and goes a long way toward answering the question if it's worth it.   There are a myriad of accepted calculators that we can use to translate the actions we have taken into meaningful statistics such as the number of trees saved, the number of gallons of water saved, the number of btu's of energy we have generated from renewable sources, and the pounds of greenhouse gases that have been kept out of the atmosphere. 

As all successful companies know, setting goals and benchmarking progress is essential to the success of any corporate endeavor.  It is certainly no different with achieving sustainability.

What Dogwood Alliance represents at its purest sense is a chorus of voices coming together to make change possible.   Small and medium sized businesses can follow this model and join in a chorus of pooling collective accomplishments, sharing successes and encouraging others to join in this most noble of efforts.  

Many believe (and I would agree with them) that small-to-medium sized businesses are the backbone of our economy and have a huge part to play in solving both our economic and ecological challenges. 

Finding organizations in our industry and participating in their green committees, joining green chambers and participating in online communities, blogs, social media forums, etc. are all examples of avenues we can take to communicate with others about the steps we have taken and to learn from others.

History is littered with people predicting catastrophes that never came to pass.   Just as one is averted, another one looms larger to take its place.   From the nuclear holocaust to Y2K, the threat of man-made environmental disaster can seem like just another scare that will fade away one day. 

I think we all understand that environmental stewardship is more than just about averting disaster, it's about accepting a new paradigm for humanity that balances the needs of a population swelling into the billions with the resources available to us that support life for the natural world as well as the human.

My sense is that people are more deeply motivated by hope than by fear, which is why I like to rest the 5e Elemental Standard on the notion that we each have an opportunity to leave this world a better place than we found it.   That's a value our grandparents taught us, and seems to me as good as any for us to live by and pass on to future generations.

The son of a dear friend of mine is currently clerking for Justice Alito of the Supreme Court.  In addition to a backstage tour of the Supreme Court building last Sunday night, I also had the honor of attending a Supreme Court hearing on Tuesday, watching and listening to the proceedings from the seats reserved for the family members of the court.

As I was given the opportunity to more or less choose the day and the case we could attend, I asked if we could visit on the day of the Monsanto Company vs. Geertson Seed Farms case, which is the first time the Supreme Court has ever heard a case about the risks of genetically engineered crops.   The Daily Kos said this could be "the scariest case in Supreme Court history" as the outcome of this case could adversely affect food as we know it.   Lee Ross, the Fox News Supreme Court commentator says "the case offers a glimpse into the ages-old dispute between the interests of modernity and environmental stewardship."

The lower courts have sided with the Center for Food Safety which has argued on behalf of farmers and public interest environmental organizations that the planting of Monsanto's weed resistant "Roundup Ready Alfalfa" needed to be stopped even though there only existed a remote possibility of reparable harm.

The issues hinged (as I imagine they usually do) on technicalities such as vacating orders vs. injunctions, the distinction between reparable and irreparable harm, and whether a district court could stop Monsanto from selling (and farmers from planting) genetically modified seeds without conducting an evidentiary hearing.    But in between, the Justices also grappled with the difficulty in determining what kind of threat genetically modified seeds truly pose to local/organic farmers, and do they have a right to remove a threat (even if it is a remote one) to uphold their right to grow organic, genetically unmodified crops.   

It is certainly an oversimplification, but Monsanto would seem to argue that the courts shouldn't be able to take away the right of a farmer who wants to plant genetically modified crops either.

The justices poked around the "sufficiently likely" risk of cross-pollination vs. the absence of imminent harm, and then Justice Scalia stated, "the most it does is make it difficult for those farmers who want to cater to the European market, which will not accept genetically engineered alfalfa, it makes it more difficult for them to have a field of 100 percent non-genetically engineered.   But that's not the end of the world, Mr. Robbins."

To which Mr. Robbins (the attorney for the Center for Food Safety) replied, "I don't think we bore an end-of-the-world burden, Justice Scalia."   (The entire courtroom laughed).

Justice Scalia pushed even further, "I thought you were comparing it to New York City dying from poisoned water?"

To which Mr. Robbins calmly directed the discussion back to the rights the farmers had who chose organics or conventional farming that is GMO-free and the rights of beef farmers who want to sell natural beef, citing that the issue extends far beyond the European Market - the Japanese (who incidentally take 75% of our alfalfa exports) will not take GMO products either.

When Justice Sotomayor stepped in and said, "excuse me, can you tell me, just to clarify one factual matter, the popularity of corn and the other genetically engineered crops, is that from contamination or is it just from consumer choice, i.e., that's what farmers like because it's easy to grow?", Justice Scalia jumped back in with, "what happened with corn?  You -- you --- you said --- gee, I was unaware -- I have been eating corn all this time.    What happened with it?"

To which the Mr. Robbins indicated that the draft Environmental Impact Study coming out says "people may have to get ready for a brave --- for a --- different world if not a brave new world" - as he said, one in which the export market gets shut down, the Japanese and Koreans won't buy our products, the consolidation of huge industrial farms overtaking small farms increases, and the demise of organic farming is hastened.

I found it fascinating to see the struggle between scientific progress and environmental preservation played out on the stage of the Supreme Court.    Being neither a legal scholar nor a geneticist, I will refrain from evaluating the merits of the arguments, other than to say what our grandparents told us  -  it's better to err on the side of caution.  

Since Monsanto scientists were the first to genetically modify a plant cell in 1982, they currently produce 90% of the genetically engineered seeds in the US and most of the bovine growth hormone we use as well.  Monsanto is widely known for its aggressive litigation and political lobbying practices.   In the 60's, Monsanto was the largest manufacturer of DDT and Agent Orange, and in the 40's they operated labs for the Manhattan project and the development of the first nuclear weapons.  This company is no friend to the environmental movement.  Of course, Forbes named Monsanto company of the year in January, 2010.

Perhaps the most interesting thing I found from having a chance to sit in on what may become an extraordinarily important and groundbreaking case is that it is curious to see first hand how we are clearly only in the nascent stages of coming to grips with the racing developments of genetics and science.

So how it will turn out?  We'll find out in June.   It could be a rare split, as Justice Stephen Breyer recused himself from the case as his brother Charles Breyer was the judge who issued the injunction.   If they do split, the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court affirming the injunction will be upheld.   

In either case, it's clear the issues we collectively face that revolve around our new found power to modify the genetic code have barely begun.

Isn’t it strange that while ocean water covers more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface and the human body is comprised of 55% - 60% water, as many as 2 billion people lack adequate sanitation facilities and a billion lack access to clean water altogether?    If there’s one substance that should be an elemental standard for every member of the human race, it’s water.

While energy prices are a safe bet to rise over the next couple of decades, it’s a safer bet that the price of water will rise even faster as we face water scarcity across the globe.   As food needs water to grow, so it follows that what we’re addressing here when we think about the element of water is that which is central to our individual and collective health and well-being.

Some suggest the answer lies with large scale desalination plants that can generate fresh water from the ocean.  Already some 11,000 desalination plants exist across as many as 120 countries around the world, but many argue that depleting ocean water is simply trading one set of environmental problems for another.   Still others believe that applying market principles to water would help to make the worldwide distribution of water more efficient than the way we treat water as a free and natural commodity today.

Once again, we all know the easiest and most effective solution.   Just as is the case with every other elemental standard, the answer is for us to individually conserve what we collectively understand is becoming a precious resource.    

From turning off the faucet while we brush our teeth or shave to fixing leaks to taking shorter showers to gathering our gutter water in barrels, there are many simple actions we can take that easily become habits.

Similar to its Energy Star program, the EPA has developed a special label for water saving products called WaterSense.   Low Flow and dual flush toilets can save up to 72% - an average of 18,000 gallons of water usage annually.     Shower heads can easily be assessed by putting a gallon bucket under the shower head and measuring how long it takes to fill.  Using simple math, if it takes 15 seconds, the flow rate is about 4 gallons per minute.    Quality low flow heads average around 24 seconds (about 2.5 gallons per minute), and the EPA suggests that each one saves an average of 2,300 gallons per year.    So that means if ¼ of the United States switched to dual flow toilets and low flow shower heads, we’d save 150 trillion gallons of water per year.

Replacing bottled water in the office with a filtered bottle-less water cooler and encouraging the use of reusable water bottles is one of the biggest no-brainers of all when it comes to greening the office.   Bottled water is simply not cleaner or healthier than tap or filtered water, and harmful chemicals in plastic bottles can leach into water making it unhealthier than tap or filtered water.   It’s often surprising to know that government rules are more stringent on public water supplies than they are for plastic bottled water companies, who aren’t required to report test results or violations the same way that water authorities are required to do.   Empty plastics from bottled water end up in landfills, and plastic bottles require fuel for production as well as transportation.   Not to mention filtered tap water costs less and you never run out.   

A company’s productivity is central to the health and well-being of its employees.    Providing clean, safe drinking water is an integral part of how a company affects the health and well-being of their employees.  And it’s no secret that the health and well-being of our species is and will be more increasingly dependent how we conserve and effectively distribute water.  

Lastly, the 5e Element: Air (Communication)

In his 2005 book Wandering Home, environmentalist Bill McKibben recounts a long drive he took in his Toyota Prius and how he started paying attention to the gas mileage gauge, the one that showed how many miles he had left to drive before his gas tank was empty.  With nothing but time on his hands to think, he started comparing the gauge with the actual miles ticking by on the road signs, and soon found he could accurately measure exactly how much gas he saved when he drove more safely and efficiently.   This act of centering attention, measuring and tracking actual results is a critical component to every element of achieving sustainability, but it's the meat and potatoes (or the organic vegetables if you will) of achieving the 3e element of reducing energy usage and cost.

One of the difficulties in tackling this element is while we can see the stuff we throw into a landfill (if we choose to look, anyway), we never actually see the energy we use, or more to the point, the energy we waste.  We only see its effect.  It's available when we need it (until a storm blows through or we don't pay our bill) and it's simply a necessity we pay for in the natural course of running our homes and businesses.  Here in Georgia, 64% of our energy comes from coal.  We use a lot less hydro and nuclear power than other states and as a result, our energy prices are lower than the national average, which is another reason we don't pay as much attention to our energy usage as we should.

While no one can predict the tortuous paths that environmental legislation will travel, the consensus is that carbon legislation is coming down the pike in one form or another.  It's certainly not my intent here to argue whether or not artificially propping up the price of energy to incent clean energy use and development is a good idea.  There are hundreds of political blogs for that.  Regardless of what one's position might be on the merits of governmental intervention, the smart money is on energy prices rising considerably over the next decade.  And as that continues to happen, you better bet we'll be paying more and more attention.

The current economy certainly does not provide a lot of wiggle room for capital outlays and ROI's, but the tropical climate of grants, tax breaks and other incentives cultivating in the greenhouses of various government agencies and foundations that support energy technology goes a long way toward mitigating the cost of these kinds of investments and shortening the returns.   We all know that one of the best ways we can invest in our business is to use OPM (other people's money).  And while no one has a crystal ball that will tell us how government agencies will act from one election cycle to the next, it is worth considering that some of the incentives today will likely melt into mandates tomorrow.   And investments we make today in technologies such as wind and solar that provide energy to us down the road at a fraction of the cost could make us look like Nostradamus in a decade or two if energy prices do indeed skyrocket through the roof and we turned out to be prescient enough to strike now while the iron was hot.

Like Bill McKibben in his Toyota Prius, businesses and organizations would do well to measure their energy consumption in a similar fashion. Looking at the calendar of the organization's current and past activities, taking regular meter readings, and comparing consumption to previous months and years is a project well worth the time invested.  Utilizing resources such as Energy Star's free benchmarking tool, which provides a performance indicator that shows how one facility's usage compares with that of similar buildings in the area, can be a huge help in identifying the true savings that can potentially be achieved at the outset.  And following the US Department of Energy's protocols for measuring energy savings can provide the assurance that savings identified is savings achieved.

For organizations with larger facilities, many trade and technical colleges are beginning to offer an innovative green curriculum that can bring facility managers up to speed quickly with techniques and technologies for slicing and dicing energy usage.   One college here in Atlanta touts that the average graduate will save their company between $12,000 and $15,000 per year with the knowledge gained by their curriculum.  Not bad when you consider the cost of the entire course is only $1,375.  Energy consultants abound that help in analyzing invoices, measuring and quantifying usage, and recommending solutions, and many set their fees at a percentage of the proven savings achieved.

For many of us, simply knowing how to read our utility bill and asking each utility company for a detailed graph of daily/weekly/monthly peak kilowatt demand will suffice.  And the simple act of walking around the business and paying attention will identify energy that's being wasted.  Doing this at various times of the day and different points during the year helps identify whether timers need to be changed or controls need to be adjusted.

One energy expert I listened to recently compared the concept of the smart grid to a shopping mall parking lot.  Where the mall has to build the parking lot in the beginning to handle the peak demand for parking spaces that occurs the day after Thanksgiving, we are moving toward a world in which we will have an energy parking lot that will expand and contract to accommodate the energy we need at the time we need it, and a marketplace where energy will be generated from a myriad of different sources by countless providers - even the users themselves - and traded back and forth among us as a commodity.

The bottom line is there are basically two ways to save money when it comes to energy: pay less and use less.  Almost every business can find cost savings in their energy bills, which translates directly into profits.   While the ideal time to make many of the energy saving choices we have available to us is when we first buy or rent a facility, remodeling the work environment and/or replacing equipment happens often throughout the business life cycle.

For business offices, it's helpful to first understand the distribution of energy used in order to focus on the highest value areas.  For the typical office, 39% of the energy is used is in heating, cooling and ventilation, 29% of the energy used is in lighting, 16% in business machines, and 9% in water heating.

Managing the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system (HVAC) to maximize efficiency and reduce the building's electricity load can provide the greatest long term benefit to reducing a company's electricity costs.  Most contemporary buildings have electronic HVAC systems that are centrally coordinated, and maintaining an indoor environment that is comfortable for employees while reducing the heating or cooling load can reduce electricity costs dramatically.  If you are in the process of selecting a place of business, it is wise to seek buildings that are architecturally designed for natural ventilation with shaded windows and materials that act as heat sinks.

Geothermal heating and cooling can be a very cost-effective alternative to traditional HVAC systems.  Geothermal systems cycle the facility's air and water through an extensive set of pipes installed in the ground, using the thermal mass of the earth to cool the building in summer and warm it in the winter.  While the installation costs can be significant, the electrical footprint from air circulating fans is miniscule allowing for a rapid return on investment.  Radiant floor heating systems are another option.  These systems distribute heat directly to the building floor much more efficiently than traditional baseboard heating systems.

Simple steps such as cleaning and adjusting settings on the HVAC system can reduce costs significantly.  Other cost saving tips include turning off or closing vents where the system is unnecessarily cooling or heating, adjusting temperature settings according to the season, controlling air conditioning with thermostats and timers, and ensuring that the thermostat sensors are correctly located away from heating and cooling devices, heat producing lamps and sunlight.  Other options include installing awnings and blinds to help control the room temperature, properly servicing and operating equipment, and checking with the HVAC maintenance department regularly to achieve the most effective cost savings.

Simply managing the temperature can have a significant impact in and of itself.  Each degree change in temperature typically reduces energy costs anywhere from 2 to 5 per cent.  Raising a building's temperature by 2 degrees in the summer and lowering it by 2 degrees in the winter can save an average of over $1,000 for a facility that normally spends $15,000 on their HVAC system.

The same goes for lighting.  Simply turning off the lights when leaving a room and turning off all lights in the building that are not necessary for safety purposes is a great first step.  Occupancy sensors cost anywhere from $35 to $120 and quickly pay for themselves.   Replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent lights reduces the amount of electricity used by 25%, and modern CFL bulbs have a lifespan of nearly 10 times that of incandescent bulbs and emit 75% less heat.  LED's are more expensive but last 6 times longer than CFL's.  The key thing to remember with CFL's is that they contain trace amounts of mercury and should be disposed of safely.  Most stores where they are purchased have CFL recycling.

For larger facilities, retrofits are relatively inexpensive and also pay for themselves within a relatively short period of time.  An existing facility may be retrofitted with energy-saving lighting and equipment, along with use of building controls (especially lighting controls) and motor improvements (such as the addition of variable frequency drives or premium efficiency motors).  While the current EPAct tax deduction incentive remains in place, it's a no-brainer for facilities with T12 lighting to retrofit to T8 or T5 lighting, and it's certainly more advantageous to make those changes now while the incentives are in place than wait until later when they might be removed and the change becomes mandatory.

For computers and office equipment, the most obvious solution is to switch off all business machines at the end of every day and throughout the weekends.  Switching off the screen if you are going to be away from your computer for longer than 15 minutes, activating sleep or power-down features whenever possible, and sharing printers and copiers whenever feasible can have an impact.  Buying energy efficient equipment (Energy Star rated, etc.) and using laptop computers wherever practical are also great solutions, as laptops consume between 70-90% less energy than desktop computers.  Smart power strips are another no-brainer as they can be found at prices that are not much higher than the typical surge protector and provide savings almost instantaneously.

As for alternative energy sources, many states are deregulated (and more will soon be), allowing customers to buy energy from the provider of their choice.  Businesses can opt to purchase a percentage of their energy from a green power provider who produces energy by renewable sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal.

For many years, organizations have used energy performance contracting in building renewal projects.  In this method, the organization signs an agreement with an energy service company to find energy-savings opportunities and to suggest improvements in existing engineering systems.  The contract includes a guarantee from the service company that the new systems or retrofits will generate savings and thus cover the cost of the project.  If those savings do not materialize, the service company is responsible for paying the difference.  The contract is an off-balance sheet arrangement.

A new twist on this idea is the power purchase agreement.  Here, the organization signs a deal with an energy supplier, who will in turn install the equipment for renewable energy source on the organization's site. The organization simply buys the power generated by that equipment or source for a specified number of years.  This arrangement falls under off-balance sheet financing as well.  More important, it allows the organization a fixed utility cost for a long period.

As for alternative energy sources, many states are deregulated (and more will be soon), allowing customers to buy energy from the provider of their choice, which means we can support alternative energy with our purchasing dollars without having to consider capital outlays and ROI's.  Businesses can opt to purchase a percentage of their energy from green power providers who produce energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar and geothermal.

And lastly, while energy itself cannot be seen, implementing alternative energy projects can be a highly visible undertaking.  The public relations value of these kinds of energy projects in establishing the business and organization as a frontrunner and a leader in the commitment to sustainability can have positive and far reaching implications for the organization that reverberate for years to come.   The often used quote "be the change you want to see in the world" is particularly applicable in the energy arena.

Next up:  The 4e Element:  Water (Wellness)

Additional Energy Resources:

www.southface.org

www.peci.org

www.cacx.org

www.gefa.org

www.seealliance.org

 

 

The alternative is paper made from sugarcane.

Indoff is proud to introduce the most environmentally friendly copy paper available in the U.S. today:  Canefields Sugarcane Eco Paper!

Canefields Copy Paper is made with bagasse (recycled sugarcane waste fiber), the most eco-friendly renewable resource for paper making.  Canefields paper products contain 80% bagasse fibre and 20% plantation wood fibre.   Using a variety of Australian eucalypt which is fast growing with high yield, small plantations have been established around the mill.   And as technology advances, there is every chance that these plantations will no longer be required.

Canefields paper products are manufactured at an ISO 14001 certified environmental manufacturing facility using a "closed loop water cycle" which ensures that remaining effluent from paper cleaning does not escape into nearby waterways.   The Australian mill has also installed 21.75 MW of capacity in its wind mill farm and is now 100% self sufficient in energy.  Any remaining energy created is supplied to the main grid.   

Consider that using just 2,000 pounds (400 reams) of Canefields Sugarcane Copy paper in place of standard virgin fiber copy paper achieves the following measurable results:

• 17 trees stay in our forests, supplying enough oxygen for 10 people
• 6,000 pounds of wood are not used
• 8,750 gallons of water are saved - that's 250 10-minute showers
• 17 million btu's of electricity are saved, enough to power an American home for 160 days
• 2,200 pounds of greenhouse gases are not emitted - the equivalent of taking a car off the road in the U.S. for 20 weeks
• 460 gallons of oil are saved, reducing our dependence on foreign oil

Canefields Copy Paper is endorsed or recommended by The World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, The Wilderness Society, Friends of the Earth, and many other international environmental organizations.  

The best part is this paper is business-friendly too!   Through Indoff's buying power, not only is this copy paper affordable (especially in conjunction with a paper reduction initiative), but your business machines will also experience less dust build-up that comes from tree-based copy paper and will operate longer and more efficiently.  

It's a fact that paper can only be recycled up to 6 times.  Even if you're buying 100% post-consumer recycled paper, it's still coming originally and primarily from trees.   Trees are the largest and most highly developed form of plant life on this planet.  In today's high consumption world, the over-use of trees by mankind has led to serious deforestation problems which, in turn, create further environmental disasters worldwide.  

For a glimpse into the impact the world's paper buying habit is having on our own Southern forests, visit Dogwood Alliance's website to learn more about the importance these forests have on our ecosystem and the pressure the consumption of tree-based paper and packaging continues to exert on these precious resources in our own back yard. 

Your business can make a substantial difference by simply making the decision today to reduce paper consumption in the office and purchase Canefields Sugarcane Eco Paper.

Waste has become an increasingly difficult environmental and economic problem for our world, one which affects us all and one to which we all contribute.   Today’s complex, technologically based society, combined with our explosive population growth, has led to this generation being faced with enormous quantities of waste.

For every ton of household waste produced, businesses (commercial, industrial and construction) produce another 6 tons.   Businesses have a vital role to play in reducing waste and ensuring that as much material as possible that we discard through the operation of our enterprises be diverted away from landfills through reuse and recycling.     The cost burdens of waste disposal is on the rise, and utilizing the earth as one large trash bin for our waste is repugnant when one really things about it.   How long could we keep storing our own personal trash in our individual homes or on our private property before it became a real problem?  How long could we store the waste our businesses generate in the storage rooms of our offices?  Think about it.   The Earth is our home and simply storing our waste in landfills can only be an option for so long. 

Many of us have heard the phrase “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” as a neat summary of the waste management options available to us before responsible disposal.   It's important to remember that this is actually a sliding scale, with reduction being the first and most sustainable option, and responsible disposal being our last option.    While recycling is certainly a better option than landfill, reusing an item takes less resources and energy than recycling, and reducing what we use at the outset is the most sustainable action of all.  

It’s important to note that waste management is more than simply the fixed cost we pay to have our trash taken away.  Effective resource management requires a more comprehensive and holistic approach that not only considers the disposal costs of discarded material, but also accounts for the accumulated value of all inputs – labor, materials, and process losses such as utilities.   These additional costs are often referred to as the hidden costs of waste, and which is why companies that can find ways to reduce waste and implement alternative waste management options such as recycling also find they end up significantly reducing their overall operating costs as well.

To set up an effective recycling program, you need to begin with a basic knowledge of your waste streams and your existing waste management systems.   Companies can gain this knowledge through a waste assessment, which involves gathering information on the current waste collection and disposal systems and contracts, and on what ends up in your bins – the waste quantities, composition and characteristics.    The information gathered will provide a baseline from which you can estimate the potential for waste reduction, reuse and recycling.   This information can also be extremely useful for future contractor negotiations (think further cost reductions) as well as for measuring your ongoing recycling success, a factor that will come into play when you consider how you will want to market and promote your sustainability achievements to the community at large.   If you are a large organization, you may consider employing an external consultant but most small to medium sized businesses have the knowledge in-house to carry out this work.   The time required will vary depending on available information but it’s reasonable to expect to spend at least 2-3 days on this project.  

Resources to help you with this process include a Recycling Rate Calculator (there are several online and we can provide this for you), a spreadsheet that tells you what you should collect as a minimum and calculates your recycling rate, and a Container Size Sheet, which provides information about the various container sizes that are currently being used, which can usually be found on your contractor invoices.    In some instances, you may find your waste contractor can supply accurate weights for the different types of waste you produce.   Even if your contractor doesn’t charge by the weight you should be able, as a minimum, to count the number and type of waste containers on your site.  You can then convert these figures into estimated weights and calculate your recycling rate using the Recycling Rate Calculator.  This calculation can be repeated on a periodic basis to calculate your recycling progress.   With the information collected, you can also calculate the cost per ton of waste, a figure that can be useful in evaluating new recycling contracts or waste management arrangements.

Once you have analyzed and reviewed the waste your business produces you can identify the types of materials that are already recycled and the ones that are not.  Availability of recycling services will vary depending on the type and quantity of waste material.  For example, there are many providers for paper or computer equipment but fewer for composting and plastic waste.  Depending on the value of your waste materials, you may or may not need to pay for recycling services.  The information you have gathered about the current cost of waste disposal in your assessment will assist you in identifying competitive recycling providers.   Items that typically have a good availability for recycling services include electronic equipment, metals, office furniture, paper & cardboard, printer cartridges, tires and wood.   Items that have less availability for recycling resources are plastics (often large quantities are required), glass and compostable material.   If you require a new supplier, there are many recycling companies that specialize in a particular type of material and others that can handle a wide range of materials in one contract.

Once you’ve completed your assessment and identified your recycling resources, the final step is to set up a recycling system, which seems pretty simple, because all you are basically doing is collecting together a sufficient quantity of a particular type of waste material and finding someone to take it away for recycling.  In practice however, there are a few hurdles to overcome, so a little advance planning can go a long way to helping make your recycling system a success.  For large businesses, setting up a pilot scheme on a modest scale helps eliminate problems in the early stages.  

The keys to a successful recycling scheme are:

1. Involvement - Every one on staff from the top down - including cleaning personnel - must be on board.
2. Coordination - Having one person or a "green team" in your company to set the program up, devise communication systems, provide feedback, and measure the system's effectiveness is essential.
3. Communication - This is required in a number of areas - between staff and management, between the company and recyclers, between office staff and cleaning staff, and between the coordinator or green team and the other staff.  Once established, the system will also need to be built into the induction program for new hires.
4. Cooperation - Everyone needs to do his or her part for the program to work effectively, particular in the sorting out of waste.

Many recycling companies will provide waste containers to help in setting up a recycling system and ensuring that the material is segregated correctly.  For companies that are more concerned with the appearance of their office, several alternatives are available that are functional as well as appealing.    While it seems obvious, it is nonetheless important that the system be simple, that bins are labeled clearly, and that all members of staff, both employees and cleaners, are aware of the new procedures.   The most successful systems that achieve the best results come from a high profile, uniform system that looks attractive and is as convenient to everyone as possible.

Keep in mind that all waste disposal and recycling activities are subject to legal requirements, even if the material is not hazardous.  Unfortunately, there are still some waste service providers that do not comply fully with the law.  If you contract with a company that is not fully authorized to deal with your waste your business could face prosecution as well.   Hazardous wastes that require handling by trained professionals are beyond the scope of this overview.   Such wastes pose a hazard to human health or the environment and are subject to special storage, handling, recycling and disposal requirements.  

And last but not least, while this blog has primarily focused on the outflow of material, another critically important component is evaluating the inflow of items we purchase to operate our business and selecting items wherever possible that are available for reuse and/or made with the highest percentage possible of post-consumer recycled material.   This closes the loop and helps create a demand for the materials recovered by our recycling systems.  Buying recycled items helps keep reusable material in the economy, reduces waste and conserves resources, particularly energy.  The more recycled products your business can procure, the more likely it will be that demand for recycled materials will be sustained.  This in turn stimulates further investment into the local recycling infrastructure and leads to less waste ending up in landfills in the future.

In the area of business products, 55% of a company's expenditure is typically in toner and paper.   Purchasing FSC certified, 100% recycled, or (even better) alternative fiber based paper and refurbished or (even better) soy ink cartridges can collectively have an enormous positive impact on our environment, from preserving forests to reducing our dependence on foreign oil.   And paper and toner cartridges are also among the easiest items to recycle, making this the easiest place for a company to start.    

Next up: The 3e Element: Fire (Energy)

The 7th habit in Stephen Covey’s popular book published in the late 1980’s, “Seven Habits of Highly Effective People”, is Sharpening the Saw.   While this image would not be a tree-hugger’s first choice for illuminating this idea, it effectively illustrates the challenge we all face when it comes to the first Elemental Standard.   Here is Covey’s word picture to describe what he means by this final habit which makes the other 6 habits possible, the habit that highlights the importance of physical, mental, spiritual and emotional renewal:

 Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree ...

"What are you doing?" you ask.

"Can't you see?" comes the impatient reply. "I'm sawing down this tree."

"You look exhausted!" you exclaim. "How long have you been at it?"

"Over five hours," he returns, "and I'm beat! This is hard work."

"Well why don't you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?" you inquire.  "I'm sure it would go a lot faster."

"I don't have time to sharpen the saw," the man says emphatically. "I'm too busy sawing!"

This parable applies to many companies struggling in this tight economy.   Downsizing has forced additional responsibilities upon employees already saddled with long hours and the stress of worrying about keeping their jobs and supporting their families, to the point at which everyone from the receptionist to the CEO is wearing more hats these days than a bald haberdasher.   This head down, plow-straight-ahead approach has been the norm for so long as this recession lingers that pausing for a moment to assess where we are and where we are going is a luxury most of us don’t think we can afford, at least not until the economy turns around.   Which is also why it might be the best idea of all right now.   If the economy isn’t going to turn around for us soon, then we need to turn things around ourselves - from within.

Financial stability is the best place to begin the process of developing an overall sustainability strategy.  Reducing indirect overhead spend quickly across the board by identifying hard cost and soft cost reductions that can be achieved quickly and with a minimum effort sets the stage.   Ecological sustainability is so much easier to approach as an investment that can be made from savings achieved across the supply chain rather than as a time-intensive added expense as it is often viewed by companies today.

One of the easiest areas to tackle first is business products.  Many companies and purchasing departments approach cost savings in this arena with an item-by-item, zero sum perspective, encouraging employees to line up vendors in each expense category and purchase the lowest price items from whichever vendor in the pool provides the lowest price on that particular item on that particular day.  Although this method can be time intensive, often occupying multiple employee hours each week and month, it can also be extremely effective - in the short run, anyway.

On the flip side of that coin, however, a company that solely focuses on price misses out on the business efficiencies that 1 order, 1 delivery, 1 invoice, and 1 call for client support a single source provider can give.   This purchasing process also encourages the “snowman pricing” margin game from vendors that dangle loss-leader, low margin items to attract companies and then increase margins as the business relationship is forged and the client grows more comfortable and purchases more items from them.   This has always been counter-intuitive to establishing a long term, trustful and mutually beneficial relationship in this industry.   Why should the least loyal clients who only purchase loss-leader, low margin items end up getting a better deal than loyal clients who trust and choose to go with a single source supplier?   

Sadly, the loss-leader item that is priced below cost most often in this game is copy paper, the result being that cheap, eco-unfriendly paper is consistently offered at pricing that keeps 100% post-consumer recycled and alternative fiber based copy paper outside the realm of consideration for companies that approach the marketplace with this item-by-item, zero sum approach.   And the wider, long-term effect this practice continues to have on our forests is quite simply unsustainable.    Only 5% of our virgin forests remain here in the US, and there is constant pressure from manufacturers around the globe to consume timber in rainforests and fragile ecosystems for making paper and related products.   

Whatever one's position on global warming and climate change may be, it is indisputable that as a species, we rely on trees to both sequester greenhouse gases and to generate oxygen.   Office Supply companies inevitably make their margins one way or another.   Choosing alternative fiber based paper as an element of an overall cost reduction and sustainability strategy is possible when a company examines its overall purchasing rather than simply bidding out a few key items, and makes an enormous difference on the planet in keeping trees in our forests and preserving the natural environment on which we all rely.

In addition to business products, there are several other areas of overhead costs that can be quickly and efficiently reduced, from telecom to shipping to printing and business machines to merchant services, payroll/benefits, and many other expense categories.    While most companies typically tackle these individual expenses on their own year after year, greater efficiencies can be achieved by taking advantage of group purchasing agreements and leveraging knowledge of industry price points and discounts that are available in these sectors.  Knowledge is certainly power, and working with a consultant that has worked with thousands of companies nationwide over two decades provides a repository of knowledge that can be tapped to a company's advantage.   Web-based procurement platforms and software solutions can also be extremely effective tools in reducing usage and cost as well as eliminating wasted hours employees spend on expense-related tasks that can otherwise be channeled into productive, revenue generating activities.

Once specific and measurable results have been achieved in putting a company on a track toward greater Financial Sustainability, we can then begin to examine our businesses’ strategies for achieving Ecological Sustainability.

Let's proceed to the 2e Element: Recycling and Waste (Earth).

The 5e Elemental Standard was developed to help businesses and organizations achieve a meaningful level of sustainability and connect them with the growing legion of green consumers eager to buy from companies and interact with organizations that share their same values and principles.

Born from the concept of the 5 classical elements, each Elemental Standard describes how companies and organizations are conducting their activities and engaging their customers on a more responsible as well as profitable path.

Here are the 5 Elemental Standards of Sustainability for Business:

1)   The first element is Financial Sustainability.  Before immediately tackling things like corn cups, lighting retrofits, 100% post-consumer recycled products, and sugarcane copy paper, we need first and foremost to help our businesses thrive.  The focus in this first element is achieving efficiency across the supply chain, with a particular emphasis on the purchasing process.  Companies can save an extraordinary amount of time, effort and money streamlining procedures, freeing up needless hours wasted on expense generating tasks that can otherwise be spent on revenue generating ones.  We all want to buy our products at the best prices from the least amount of vendors.   However, this is not always an easy task, even for those that can find the time to examine what they’re purchasing and how they’re buying it.    The ill-kept secret of green purchasing is that buying eco-friendly is just as easy (and often cheaper) than buying ecologically unfriendly options.   More and more eco-friendly products and services that outperform their "eco-unfriendly” counterparts appear every day as the green economy continues to swell in the face of an overall economy that continues to sputter in virtually every other sector. 

2)  The remaining four elements fall comfortably into the pattern of the Greek Classical elements of earth, air, fire and water.   The 2nd step, which identifies easily with the element earth, is Recycling.   This is one of those simple solutions that takes a minimal investment of time and attention – and most of that is up front.  Everyone wants to recycle and usually does - as long as it’s easy and convenient.    All that’s required is investing a little time to identify the items in our business waste stream that can be diverted from the landfill, find the companies that can help us haul it away, and set up a system in the office that’s easy for everyone and doesn’t interfere.   Which takes care of the stuff we have going out.   As for the stuff we have coming in, we want to identify all the alternative products we have available to us that have been recycled, are renewable, and are recyclable again at the end of their life cycle.  Companies can do this themselves, but it's often more efficient to get their vendor(s) to do it for them.   Once the data is gathered, all that remains is to establish a sustainable procurement policy that states that the more earth friendly alternative will always be purchased if it’s 5% higher or less.   Many companies elect to set this watermark higher, especially if they've been effective in the 1st element in significantly reducing their overhead expenses.   Whatever the watermark, a center led procurement policy that incorporates a company's sustainability objectives is a great starting point in offsetting the ecological footprint our businesses leave on the planet.  Buying green also gives us the deep satisfaction that we're doing our part, and encourages the companies that manufacture the products we consume to develop more sustainable alternatives that fit within the price range we continue to support.

3)  The 3rd step associates with the element of fire as it relates to Energy. While certainly volatile, Energy prices have nonetheless continued to rise steadily over time.   Everyone knows that prices don't tend to decrease for things that are scarce and limited, which energy is and will be until we develop other ways to efficiently source it.   Focusing just a little time and attention on our energy bills can often lower costs surprisingly.  And sustainability doesn’t get much simpler than recognizing that lowering our energy usage lowers our energy costs.  Smart power strips, energy star rated appliances, and energy efficient lighting are just a few of the changes we can make that can produce immediate savings while lessening our impact on the planet.   And wherever feasible, it also makes sense to purchase our energy from renewable sources.   Many companies elect to take the ultimate step in offsetting their carbon emissions with investments that help further fuel sustainability and the growth of clean energy.  The sooner we collectively embrace alternative energy, the easier it will be for us to one day achieve and sustain lower, stable energy prices for generations to come.     

4)   The 4th step associated with the element water has to do with our Health and Well-Being, taking care of ourselves, our employees and ultimately our planet.   While the debate around methods for lowering our health care costs drags on as costs continue to skyrocket, we know for certain we can reduce our long term health care costs and increase our company’s overall efficiency by providing things like healthy drinking water (without using plastic bottles), clean air, non-toxic cleaning supplies (keeping toxic chemicals out of our streams) and more nutritious food and beverages at the workplace.   Companies who focus on in this segment of sustainability also tend to examine their HVAC systems, install low flow/efficient faucets and toilets, use ecofriendly landscaping and rain barrels, and adorn their offices inside with GreenGuard© certified furniture, flooring, and wall coverings.

5)   The 5th and final step of sustainability is identified by air.  Clean Air Campaigns all across the country provide staggering data on how much air pollution is reduced by telecommuting, using alternate forms of transportation, and teleconferencing rather than traveling.     Air also signifies airwaves, or Communication.   From building green teams to establishing company policies and procedures to promoting the type of company we are and leading by example are all crucially important factors in the ongoing progress of corporate sustainability.    To that end, Spokes Consulting has developed the "5e" elemental standard of sustainability to help companies identify and promote their actions as efficient and responsible stewards of the earth and our environment.  Our mission is to help businesses achieve a meaningful level of sustainability and connect them with the growing legion of green consumers looking to buy from companies who share their same values and principles.

Let's start with The 1e Element: Financial Sustainability.

Environmental Groups such as NRDC and Greenpeace have long been leading a call to action to Americans obsessed with soft toilet paper.  Not only does premium tissue require pulp from live trees, many of the trees are cut from old-growth forests.  As the Good Human  notes, if every one of us switched just one regular roll to a recycled roll out of the next pack we buy, we’d save 470,000 trees and 169 million gallons of water - and we’d use 1.2 million cubic feet less of landfill space.

As with all recycled paper, remember to always focus on post-consumer recycled paper content.    The guidelines for “recycled” are so loosely worded that much of the recycled paper on the market is from materials that never leave the mill or converter where paper is cut into sheets.   While it may qualify for the EPA guidelines for recycled paper, it’s not what most of us think of as being recycled.     And this type of recycled paper does not truly address the issue of waste stream reduction through recycling.

The difficulty with tissue products (toilet paper, napkins, facial tissue and towels) is that the EPA has different requirements than it does for printing and writing paper, and the variance in recycled content in tissue products labeled recycled is normally much greater than in fine paper.   So be aware that some of the so-called 100% recycled tissue products on supermarket shelves have only 10% post-consumer recycled content which doesn’t even meet the EPA’s standard guidelines for recycled printing and writing paper (minimum 20% pcw).

And then there’s the bleaching and de-inking.    As many of us already know (especially those of us who live near one), paper mills are among the worst polluting industries.    Not to mention,  the paper industry is also the greatest energy consumer in the country.   And the U.S. paper industry’s reliance on chlorine-intensive bleaching makes this industry the worst water polluter in the world.

Which is why tissue paper is not even all paper.  It can be 20% to 40% fillers, coatings, and chemicals.    The worst part of the process of making paper is the bleaching process.   There are 3 basic types of bleaching:  chlorine gas, hypochlorites (a chlorine derivative), and hydrogen peroxide or oxygen.   Chlorine combined with other substances is what makes dioxins, which are the toxic byproducts we hear the most about, the toxic emissions that become concentrated in fish and become even more concentrated when eaten by birds and people.   Studies have long shown the potential impacts this can have on reproductive and immune systems.  The good news is that a few paper mills in this country are using an oxygen-based bleaching process, and several others are using a chlorine derivative, sodium hypochlorite, which is still harmful, but is a better choice than using chlorine gas.  

To help cut through the mustard, Greenpeace has put together a handy recycled tissue and toilet paper guide which ranks a wide range of products by their recycled content, post-consumer recycled content, and bleaching processes.   Here at Indoff, we are pleased to feature competitive pricing on the Seventh Generation brand, which carries Greenpeace’s highest rating and recommendation in all categories (facial tissue, toilet paper, paper towels and paper napkins).   

With the quality and quantity of good products on the market, there really is no reason for us to be using ancient forests any more for tissue.   It’s kind of like having a catalog next to …  well, I’ll just leave it at that.

Last fall, PRC Technologies announced an environmental breakthrough in printing for offices, public schools and colleges.   PRC Technologies offers the first laser printer cartridges using toner powder derived from soybeans.  While the finished toner in the cartridge does not contain high organic content, the product is green because the manufacturing process is green.

And most importantly, these cartridges are cost comparable to brand name (OEM) versions currently available.   While soy ink has been available for some time, this is the first soy toner cartridge available for laser printers.

SoyPrintTM toner is made using mixtures of soybean oil and lesser amounts of other bio-oils.   The petroleum-based resin found in regular toners is not used in SoyPrint.  The toner is made using a polymerization process to obtain resin from liquid spray drying instead of the conventional or mechanical pulverizing process. 

A printer cartridge contains one pound of toner powder, and industry experts agree that it requires 2 liters of oil to make toner for a single cartridge!   U.S. businesses, schools, institutions and governments consume over 100 million cartridges per year.  Simply put, the U.S. consumes as much as 50,000 tons of petroleum-based powder each year.   Switching to soy based ink can reduce our country’s petroleum consumption by 200 million liters of oil per year.

SoyPrint cartridges are manufactured in the US and are shipped from warehouses across the country.   The product is warranted not to harm printers in any way and prints as many pages, if not more, than the oil-based version.  

The following are 4 basic steps to sustainable printing that have a huge impact on the planet.  Please don’t hesitate to contact me to assist you with: 

1. Obtaining high quality, compatible SoyPrint^TM toner cartridges,
2. Purchasing FSC certified copy paper with the highest possible percentage of post-consumer recycled content – at the most competitive prices in the industry,
3. Donating your old printers to public schools to help reduce e-waste, and
4. Carefully and efficiently recycling your empty toner cartridges.

And lastly, all of our customers that make the decision to print sustainably receive reports tracking the impact of their decision to implement sustainable printing practices.   These reports include:

• Liters of oil saved/replaced
• Pounds of heavy plastic recycled
• Reams of recycled paper consumed

Colleges and schools are automatically enrolled in the SoyPrint^TM Educational Alliance and their individual sustainability reports are included in national cumulative totals, reflecting the huge collective environmental impact of sustainable printing.

To find out if SoyPrint^TM cartridges are available for your printer, please contact me at 888-306-0830 or jeff.hix@indoff.com.   

And for more information on PRC Technologies and SoyPrint^TM cartridges, visit www.soyprint.net.