EcoLogic

Business Week Discusses The Growing Potential for BioPlastics

Corn used to be food. Now it's an ingredient for plastic. High oil prices, fears of toxins, and growing heaps of indestructible garbage are fueling interest in biodegradable plastics.

Ideal Bite Editor's Choice Awards

Brought to Us by Kelli Best-OliverPublished on August 25th, 2008Posted in eco-entrepreneurs, events, social entrepreneurs

Have a favorite green company or product that you want to spread the word about? The folks over at Ideal Bite have created a way to recognize the best of the best in green products with their first-ever Best In Green (B.I.G.) Awards. You guys know Ideal Bite, right? They’re the ones sending you those simple tips to greening your life direct to your e-mail. They’ve gathered info on all the products and companies they’ve recommended during the life of Ideal Bite, and all those folks will automatically be considered for B.I.G. Awards, along with reader submissions. Details after the jump…

B.I.G. Awards will be given in seven categories: Home, Health & Beauty, Style, Food, Fun, Everyday/Living and Next in Green

To be eligible for the B.I.G. Awards, companies or products must be:

• Environmentally responsible and sustainable
• High quality, durable and long-lasting
• Local, organic, and non-synthetic
• Reasonably priced
• Aesthetically pleasing (including minimal packaging)
• Socially responsible (fair-trade sourcing, charitable, not tested on animals)
• Made in North America
• Not marketed using greenwashing techniques

B.I.G. winners will be announced at the New York B.I.G. Awards Party in November.

Know a company or product you’d like to nominate? Do it here

Adidas Grün - Sustainability Meets Sneakers

Though my birthday has since past (Aug 3), I'm still accepting belated gifts, possibly in the form of a new pair of Adidas Grun.  Officially launched in April of this year, renowned show maker Adidas has merged sustainability with style in its new line of earth conscious footwear, a collection that aims to better the environment by efficiently utilizing the natural resources of this world.  With three guiding elements of “Made From”, “Recycled” and “Reground”, adidas Grün offers a range of products, including classic silhouettes like the Forum basketball sneaker and the ZX 500 runner, all made from recycled and natural materials. This breakthrough line is not only ecological, but economical as well-- ranging in price from $70USD+. Click here to get a pair for yourself!  

Akron's Summit Plastic Company launches Eco 360™

Having been involved in the greenhouse industry most of my life, I am enthused to see the growing trend toward sustainable innovation first hand.  What consumers often don't realize is the fact that beautifully blooming plants are often accompanied by plastic flowerpots! Summit Plastic Company today unveiled their products of the future at the 2008 OFA Short Course, including some exciting new products sure to help increase sustainability in the US horticultural industry.  The ECO 360™ product line includes plant pots made from earth based materials such as PLA (Corn), rice hulls, and biodegradable wheat resin- helping to reduce the use of petroleum based plastics in the greenhouse industry.  Each year in the United States the horticultural industry contributes tons of plastic to landfills nationwide in order to produce beautiful plants for us to enjoy in our gardens and on our patios. “It is increasingly apparent that our disregard for the reuse of plant containers ends in millions of pounds of plastic being wasted into landfills each year,” said Dr. Steve Cline, manager of The Kemper Center for Home Gardening and Plastic Pot Recycling Program .  At our family greenhouse in Toledo, we hope to integrate sustainable solutions such as these earth based pots by Summit Plastic Company to help make a difference in reducing our environmental impact.  I urge you all to take the step as well in considering environmental alternatives to everyday products.  If we all make small changes it can lead to monumental results in creating a better future for our planet.