Sustainability


Plastipak Wins Packaging Innovation Award

The company uses Direct Object Printing, a patented technology for packaging decoration. It uses specially developed inks that are fully compatible with closed-loop recycling and cured using low-energy LED lights, with images directly ink-jet printed on to plastic bottles and containers.

Greening an Industry We Had Never Heard Of

Many in the U.S. logistics industry are "going green" for one very good reason: Becoming more sustainable helps them operate in a leaner, more efficient manner and is proving to be a major cost savings.

Almost every metal is recyclable, yet the scrap metal doesn

Which is Better, Extracting Metal or Recycling Scrap Metal?

Recycling metal or salvaging scrap metal and selling to the recyclers can be a great income source. Recycling is less expensive than extracting metal, needs less energy, and helps in saving fuel.

New Adidas Ocean Plastic Running Shoes Coming in May

Its 2016 Sustainability Progress Report says the company is on track to source 100 percent sustainable cotton by the end of 2018, to eliminate the use of about 70 million plastic shopping bags as a result of the global switch from plastic bags to paper bags in retail stores, and to achieve 23 percent water savings per employee on adidas sites.

CDP and UL EHSS Announce Alliance

Their strategic alliance will develop UL EHSS' new sector-based reporting platform as part of the "Reimagining disclosure" initiative. The new platform will help ensure more comprehensive reporting for companies, investors, and cities.

“Found Object” Sculptures Add to Nonprofit’s Environmental Vision

Because of Woodland’s emphasis on the environment, former mayor Tom Stallard led the drive for the award that was given on the city’s climate action plan—increasing the tree canopy and supporting zero-net energy homes such as Mutual Housing at Spring Lake.

USGBC Releases 2016 Sustainability Report

Record-breaking waste diversion rate of 90 percent and first year water restoration initiatives among highlights



Pilot Project in Californa to Use Recycled Rainwater for Wine Production

The initiative seeks to help create a more sustainable wine industry.

Mutual Housing California Finishes Green Renovation in Sacramento Development

Sacramento-based nonprofit Mutual Housing California recently completed an $8.6 million green renovation of one of their affordable housing developments.

Johnson Controls Buys 5 Percent Stake in Battery Recycling Company

"Our partnership with Johnson Controls is a tremendous step forward and is an opportunity for us to work with the global leader in automotive battery manufacturing and responsible recycling," said Dr. Stephen Clarke, chairman and CEO of Aqua Metals. "We will build on this exciting relationship in order to enable clean and efficient battery recycling around the world."

Congress Uses Congressional Review Act Against Streams Rule

The U.S. Senate voted 54-45 on Feb. 2 to kill it via the Congressional Review Act, a measure dating to 1996 that allows Congress to vote to eliminate a recently enacted federal regulation. In this case, the rule requires coal companies to clean up waste from mountaintop removal mining and prevent it from going into local waterways.

U.S. Army Pursues ‘Biodegradable’ Ammunition

U.S. Army Pursues ‘Biodegradable’ Ammunition

Military bases are among the most toxic sites in the United States.

The Ed Lumley Centre for Engineering Innovation at the University of Windsor campus has a bio wall that includes 1,500 plants. It naturally filters the carbon dioxide in the air and then transfers its freshness to the entire building. This building also boasts glass and solar systems, a green roof that collects and filters rain water, and hollow core slabs to both harness and store energy and in turn decrease the use of traditional HVAC systems. (Termobuild photo)

Green Building and Sustainability

Increased awareness of not only the value, but the necessity of adopting green building initiatives in new builds and retro fits is critical.

Massachusetts School Installs Rooftop Solar System

Epiphany School installs 25 kW solar PV system through partnership with Solect Energy.

DOE Announces REMADE Institute

The REMADE Institute will focus on driving down the cost of technologies needed to reuse, recycle, and remanufacture materials such as metals, fibers, polymers, and electronic waste. It aims to achieve a 50 percent improvement in overall energy efficiency by 2027.

Waste Management Issues Interactive Sustainability Report

Waste Management recycled and composted more than 14 million tons of materials from the waste stream in 2015 and operated more than 5,100 natural gas-fueled vehicles.

OSHA Paper Focuses on Safety and Health's Core Role in Sustainability

"It is clear that more and more businesses are building the concept of sustainability into their operations," said Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels. "We believe the next innovation is integrating worker safety and health into these sustainability strategies."

Toyota USA Highlights Water Savings in 2016 Report

The company says these efforts are core parts of its Global Environmental Challenge 2050, a set of six challenges that ultimately will create a net positive impact on the planet.

China Now First in LEED Square Footage

Global green building is expected to double every three years, according to a Dodge Data & Analytics World Green Building Trends 2016 SmartMarket Report cited by USGBC, which was a contributing partner on the report.