Green Options

Green Weddings in Gatlinburg, Part 1

Wenona Napolitano — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:15:49 +0000

Looking for a beautiful and eco-friendly location to have a green wedding? Look no further than Gatlinburg, Tennessee, nestled in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. The Gatlinburg area is the second most popular US city to tie the knot in, second only behind Las Vegas. Sevier County which includes Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg held almost 15000 documented weddings in 2007.

Why is Gatlinburg such a popular destination?
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Collecting Rainwater Becomes a ‘Thing’

Joshua S Hill — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 21:12:20 +0000

Just as technology continues to infiltrate the masses, becoming less and less a geeks toy, so environmental consciousness and awareness continue to spread. For some, it might be as simple as bringing calico bags to the supermarket. For others, it is taking your house off the grid and growing your own veggies.

But one area that a lot of families and households are stepping up in is the collection of rainwater.

It isn’t like this is a new activity either. Our ancestors would have spent a lot of effort to collect rainwater, to save themselves the need to trek down to the river or well. But now, it’s happening because across the planet, drought conditions are making life more and more difficult.

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World’s First Carbon Capture Pilot Launching Next Week

Ariel Schwartz — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:59:25 +0000

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology will get a chance to prove itself next week at the 1,600 MW Schwarze Pumpe coal-fired power plant in Germany. The CCS demonstration will capture up to 100,000 tons of CO2 each year and bury it 3,000 m under a nearby gas field.

The scheme uses oxyfuel technology, which relies on burning coal in pure oxygen and CO2 instead of normal air. This results in a byproduct of almost pure CO2 that is bottled and pumped underground.

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Australia’s $1.2B Desalination Plant Nears Completion

Joshua S Hill — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:45:38 +0000

One of the major sticking points in Australian politics has often centered on the growing need for desalination plants across the country. Reports are widespread, both nationally and internationally, about the worsening drought conditions in the country. So there’s no surprise that we need to do something, but just what has long been a point of contention.

Nonetheless, there are a few desal plants cropping up, and the latest one, on Australia’s Gold Coast, is nearing completion.

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NY Fashion Week Kicks Off In Eco-Sartorial Style :: The Be EcoChic Event.

Emma Pezzack — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:58:12 +0000

NY Fashion Week kicked off in eco-sartorial style last night with the Be EcoChic event, held at the incredible American Museum Natural History. Hosted by uber model and eco-activist Angela Lindvall (wearing bright green re-purposed DKNY - cut short to show off her endless gams), the roster of brands made for some diverse mixology on the runway. Well known eco-designers such as Debra Lindquist (who has dressed celebs like Gwen Stefani, Demi Moore, Paris Hilton & Charlize Theron), Loomstate (Rogan Gregory), Del Forte and more, rubbed shoulder pads and bamboo fabrics with brands like DKNY, Levi’s, Nicole Miller et al. Celebrity walkers included Tamara Feldman (Gossip Girl), Dominique Swain (Alpha Dog, Lolita, Face Off), MTV VJ Coltrane Curtis, with appearances by the eternally chic & gorgeous-at-sixty-something Lauren Hutton.

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Turning the Trade Deficit Green: Travelodge Builds Hotel from Shipping Containers

Jennifer Lance — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:34:37 +0000

There are plenty of empty shipping containers in the US from our trade deficit, and several of my neighbors have purchased them for anything from building bridges to storing goods. Travelodge has just built a hotel in Uxbridge, England using shipping containers. By using shipping containers, Travelodge reduced 70% of on-site construction waste and built the hotel 40-60% faster than using traditional building techniques.

Via/Image: Inhabitat

High Cost Of Going Sustainability Keeps Entrepreneurs From Going Green

mcmilker — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:25:26 +0000

Surprisingly a new Deloitte report, finds that fewer than one third of British entrepreneurs are taking steps to go green. I know our readers aren’t among them, but many of the same issues face all entrepreneurs.

The survey of British entrepreneurs finds that less than a third (29%) are currently undertaking any carbon reduction initiatives - despite more than a quarter of those surveyed conceding that addressing environmental challenges now will present new opportunities to exploit new products and services.

The problem?

Many entrepreneurs see pursuing sustainability programs as cost prohibitive. While recycling and energy efficiency are green initiatives entrepreneurs are willing to take on, the larger environmental initiatives including reducing emissions and conserving water are considered too complex.

The report also mentions that few entrepreneurs impose green requirements on suppliers or seek out eco friendly vendors. This is perhaps understandable if social responsibility and/or eco friendliness is not part of the company’s mission statement.

But, with consumer demand for green products increasing and customers actively seeking out eco friendly companies from which to buy, is this a mistake? I think so.

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The Pepple Mine Project and Alaska Initiative 4: How Palin Rolls (Over the Environment and the Law)

Tom Schueneman — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:08:56 +0000

The is a guest post from environmental writer Tom Schueneman

With all the furious rhetoric building around McCain’s running mate, I found a comment from a post I wrote about Sarah Palin on GlobalWarmingisReal informative and enlightening. It’s good to see how many Alaskans feel about their “pitbull with lipstick”

The commenter is a lifelong Alaskan resident, a member of the NRA, and a wildlife biologist. He brought up some very interesting issues that, to my knowledge, have not yet made it to the mainstream press.

Invoking “Personal Privilege”

It is against the law in Alaska for the Governor to take sides on a ballot measure. For Palin, getting around that law meant merely “taking off her governor hat” while talking to the press in order to take “personal privilege” in order to firmly state her opposition to ballot measure 4, a clean water initiative.

Well, isn’t that dandy. Illegal, but dandy. And what is it with Republicans and their “hats”? In any case, it seems obvious that a Governor can’t simply state, while talking to the press, that she’s taken off her Governor hat so she can now speak publicly when the law expressly forbids her from so doing. When you’re talking to the press, your Governor hat is stuck to your head. Sorry, but “personal privilege” in this context is apparently something Palin just made up.

It might come in handy should she become VP.

Check out Palin changing hats in the video on a local TV station KTUU’s website.

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Are Digital, Solvent-Based Inks “Green”?

Heidi Tolliver-Nigro — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:32:45 +0000

Last time, I listed four characteristics of digital print production that endears it to those looking to green their print marketing. The fact that one of the three primary ink types used by digital presses (HP’s ElectroInk) uses solvent, however, may raise suspicion.

Solvent-based inks are used in other digital production processes—most visibly wide-format inkjet used for applications like banners, vehicle wraps, and signage—and those presses release VOCs and require venting. What makes ElectroInk different?

From an environmental marketing perspective, not all solvents are created equal. In the wide-format/display environment, the inks need to perform two Herculean tasks.

They must adhere securely to non-paper substrates like vinyl.
They often must be lightfast.

If they are used for applications like vehicle wraps, they must do both.

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Be True to Your Green Brand

Megan Prusynski — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:00:16 +0000

Growing a successful brand is much like growing a garden. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.

When it comes to branding a green business, it’s becoming harder and harder to stand out in a sea of companies claiming to have green products and ethical practices. While it’s wonderful that green is going mainstream, it makes good, original branding even more important for green businesses.

How do you set your business apart and attract new customers in a competitive marketplace? You work on your image, your public face, and your reputation. In a word, your brand.

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Green Options

Green Weddings in Gatlinburg, Part 1

Why is Gatlinburg such a popular destination? Read more of this story »

Collecting Rainwater Becomes a ‘Thing’

World’s First Carbon Capture Pilot Launching Next Week

Australia’s $1.2B Desalination Plant Nears Completion

NY Fashion Week Kicks Off In Eco-Sartorial Style :: The Be EcoChic Event.

Turning the Trade Deficit Green: Travelodge Builds Hotel from Shipping Containers

High Cost Of Going Sustainability Keeps Entrepreneurs From Going Green

The Pepple Mine Project and Alaska Initiative 4: How Palin Rolls (Over the Environment and the Law)

Invoking “Personal Privilege”

Are Digital, Solvent-Based Inks “Green”?

Be True to Your Green Brand

Why is Gatlinburg such a popular destination?
Read more of this story »