CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

Results of the Recycling Challenge to be announce in 2013 A community was chosen from each state to participate in this recycling challenge. After nearly three months of participation, Lakes at Red Rock, VA, is currently leading the Recycling Challenge. Huntington Woods,Mich, along with Horace, N.D., are in the second and third position of this race to win that $100,000 sustainability grant that SC Johnson is offering. The winner of the entire challenge will be revealed only in 2013 January. SC Johnson encouraging people to utilize eco-friendly promotional items As a huge company, SC Johnson is looking to motivate the citizens of the US to adopt green measures for a more sustainable living. Apart from recycling, the company is encouraging the citizens to use environment friendly products such as reusable totes, containers and bottles, as part of their green movement. The company is quite excited with the progress of the Recycling Challenge and they hope that along with the Sustainable Behavior Change Program, they will be able to help people become more eco-minded. Also, the company is sure that with this program they will get a better understanding of what exactly motivates the citizens to change their consumer behavior in order to help protect and preserve the environment. More about the Recycling Challenge The Recycling Challenge was initially developed by Recyclebank and SC Johnson. Recyclebank is a company, which rewards people for adopting green measures, in the form of deals and discounts. It also aims at inspiring waste segregation and hopes to increase the recycling efforts as well. Apart from aiming at encouraging people to recycle, the Challenge will also contribute to efforts of SC Johnson's goal to becoming landfill-neutral by the year 2016. All this can be done only with the assistance of the communities and of course Recyclebank. SC Johnson expects to divert or eliminate over 480 million pounds of waste in the landfills, which is almost equivalent to the company's current waste footprint as well. Source

Reasor's, which is known to operate over sixteen supermarkets in the United States of America, has collected over $22,052 in order to help fund the Community Food Bank in Eastern Oklahoma. The popular and leading supermarket operator accomplished this feat through its year-long custom shopping bag savings program, which was started just a year ago. Reasor's Calls the Food Bank Recycle Hope The entire program organized by Reasor's is called Recycle Hope, and was created in order to give all its customers the provision of donating the savings they made by using their wholesale reusable bags. According to the program, each customer could donate about 6 cent per reusable tote used, in order to fund the Food Band of eastern Oklahoma. Since increasing numbers of people are becoming eco-minded and are using more number of eco-friendly promotional items, such as the reusable totes, reusable containers and recycled paper. The chief operation officer and vice president of Reasor's, Steve Lehto said that the company was really happy about the total amount collected. He said that the company's customers had really stepped up in a huge way in order to support this program. Steve Lehto is also a CFBEO board member, and said in a statement that Reasor's likes to involve itself in opportunities such as this, in order to benefit others in the community and also the environment. Money Collected from Wholesale Reusable Bags Users' Provides Food for Children The Recycle Hope program is a great and original initiative, through which Reasor's hopes to feed the underprivileged kids in the community. All the proceeds of the recycle Hope program will benefit the Food Bank's Food for Kids Backpack Program. It mainly targets the children who are of elementary school age, and will provide them with weekly sacks of food. As of now, Eastern Oklahoma's Community Food Bank provides food to over four thousand elementary school kids in 8 school districts across the city of Tulsa. Reasor's Proud of the Total Amount Collected Twenty two thousand dollars is quite a lot of money and since it is being donated to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, it is quite a noble gesture by Reasor's. The executive director of the Food Bank, Eileen Bradshaw said that with all the money collected, lot of children can be fed. Eileen also continued to say that the Recycle Hope program has made a huge impact on the lives of many hungry children, and all it cost was a small initiative by each consumer. Source

Most of the counties and cities in the United States of America are adopting ways to encourage sustainable living practices and usage of eco-friendly promotional items. Shoppers in San Francisco are doing their best to find alternatives to plastic bags. Retailers are anticipating longer lines at the check-out stands for at least a few weeks as the ban was enforced on October 1st, 2012. Long lines are expected as people are still learning how to accommodate the ban apart from actually using wholesale reusable bags the same week. Ban Has Been Enforced since 2007 for Huge Stores in San Francisco In 2007, San Francisco banned the usage and provision of single-use plastic bags in chain pharmacies and large grocery outlets, and the ban still continues. Despite this, there are a few issues related to the ban on plastic bags in the larger stores. Customers have to pay ten cents for each custom reusable shopping bags they purchase. The ban that was imposed this week is applicable to the smaller retail stores and department store outlets. In the coming year, San Francisco officials are planning to extend this ban to restaurants as well. Since the ban has been imposed on all these above mentioned stores, if any one violates the rule, a huge fine will be imposed on them. Stores, which do not comply with the ban, will be fined up to five hundred dollars by Environmental Department of San Francisco. The fine amount can increase according to repeated violations. Since the ban has been enforced on the larger stores since 2007, the officials don't expect much trouble from the smaller department stores. San Francisco Wholesale Reusable Bags is the Alternative Even though there was a bit of resistance by residents regarding the ban this week, it was far less when compared to the resistance meted out to the 2007 plastic bag ban. People are becoming more accustomed to the change and are learning how to become eco-minded. In fact, most of the residents in San Francisco are looking at other cities in the US and adoption earth friendly methods of living. The only concern that the officials have is regarding the lower-income residents of San Francisco. Since plastic bags were given out for free, lower-income residents had no issues. After the enforcement of the ban, they will have to buy paper bags or reusable totes. It might turn out to be a costly affair, which is why the city is distributing reusable totes to the lower-income families. Source

Due to the light weight of polyethylene, the bags fly across the fences and land on highways. The plastic bags also litter parks, waterways and beaches. The bags impose a great threat to marine life because they nibble on plastic bags mistaking them for food or get tangled in them. The bags clog storm drains and cause overflow. Moreover, the usability of plastic bags often does not exceed 12 minutes after which the bags are discarded as trash. Decomposition is very slow due to the non- biodegradable quality of the plastic bags. Also, use of plastic bags, deplete reserves of petroleum, a non-renewable fuel. Santa Fe Public Hearing Arranged for Proposed Plastic Ban Ordinance Before introducing the plastic ban in Santa Fe, an advisory committee has been set up to hear the public opinion. Though the ordinance has still not been issued, representatives of the plastic industry have begun their protests against it. If the ordinance is issued in Santa Fe, carry-out bags made of plastic would be prohibited in stores across the city. A fee would also be imposed on paper bags distributed by the stores. Students at the Wood Gormley Elementary school have already drafted a petition in favor of the ban. Stores across the city have stopped distribution of plastic bags and begun to encourage the use of wholesale reusable bags. People propounding the idea highlight the ill effects of plastic litter. The ban is certainly a commendable measure towards conserving the environment. However, optimum results can obtained only if people completely shun the use of plastic and go beyond the provisions of such ordinances. Shopping Experience Redefined by Use of Wholesale Reusable Bags in Santa Fe Consumers can show their commitment to preserve the environment by compulsively using recycled shopping bags for shopping. Reusable totes are an excellent way to encourage people to be more environment-friendly. Also, these reusable bags can be used as marketing tools to promote businesses. The brand named is easily propagated by use of promotional bags that bear the brand label. From a business perspective, businesses that cater to promotional products are instantly slotted as green businesses. Customers with some sensitivity to cleanliness and efficiency are immediately taken in by such businesses and contribute to their sales cycle. Source:   http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/093012plasticbag#.UGvPFE3MiHw

Researchers from the Wageningen University, Netherlands and Canada published a report on the factors that drove forest degradation and deforestation. The report surfaced during the recent negotiations for the climate changes held in Bangkok. Drivers of Deforestation The thesis highlights the reasons that drive forest degradation and deforestation for designing and monitoring effective REDD+ [Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation] policies. Agriculture is singled out as the single most important driver for three-fourth of the world's deforestation. Commercial agriculture is the main reason for most of the deforestation in Latin America. In parts of tropical Asia and Africa however, both subsistence and commercial agriculture contribute to deforestation. The 3 other factors that cause deforestation are infrastructure, urban expansion and mining. Moreover the rise in economy due to the commodities exported and increased timber demands, indirectly drive deforestation. Forest Degradation Can Be Avoided with Wholesale Reusable Bags Degradation is when the quality of the forests is reduced. In many cases, this is because of logging activities and extraction of commercial timber in sub-tropical and tropical Asia and Latin America. Wood collection for fuel and charcoal production are the pioneering causes of deforestation in Africa. Apart from these, grazing of livestock also degrades the forests. Deforestation Report Summary The report summarizes the knowledge we currently have on drivers; country wise and across the world. It also makes suggestions for policy makers involved in the international negotiations for climatic concerns, as well as for planners within a country. The success of REDD+ mostly depends upon making radical changes to the normal business activities in sectors monitoring greenhouse gas effects. The report draws a clear line of demarcation between direct and indirect drivers. The report concludes urging the forest-rich tropical countries to periodically gauge and control drivers of forest degradation and deforestation. As different drivers have varying impacts on carbon contents, the data methods and sources to measure them must be different. The change in forest patterns and the underlying reasons are also significant in developing reference emission levels that are required for implementation of REDD+ policies. REDD+ interventions and strategies are generally defined by countries for local-scale and national drivers, but problems arise when they address the international context. The report provides a solution to decouple growth of economy from deforestation by exploring the various alternatives countries have. One other way of saving the forests is to use wholesale reusable totes. Apart from spreading awareness, these promotional reusable bags stimulate the imagination of the creative market. Source

Homemade seed paper can be used to make unique gift items such as gift tags. The bio-degradable paper is made by shaping a mixture of seeds and paper pulp. Chunks of unwanted printed paper, cardboard and newspaper is used to make the paper pulp. The process of creating the seed paper is simple and without the need of special devices. The outcome of the process is a paper with a textured effect and a rustic appeal.  Paper cut into different shapes can be decorated and used. When you no longer need it, the paper can be planted in soil and the embedded seeds sprout. Seeds of a smaller size of flowers, herbs and vegetables are ideal for paper that can be planted. If you are gifting the decorative piece, add an instruction note to the recipient so that he knows how to use the plantable seed paper. Seed Paper Materials For Making Homemade Gift Tags Scraps of unwanted paper and cardboard Seeds Bowl for mixing Hand blender A towel Cookie cutters to mould it into shapes Plastic sheets Making the Seed Paper Gift Tag Chunks of paper are soaked in water until it is completely saturated. A pulp is made by blending it well with a hand blender. Then it is squeezed into a lump and the water is strained. The pulp is mixed into a smooth mass. A fistful of seeds are then thrown into the mixture and mixed thoroughly with a spoon. The cookie cutter is placed over a plastic sheet and the filled with paper pulp. It is pressed firmly for an even shape. The paper pulp is gently pressed with a towel to remove excess water. The pulp is dried well so that the seed don't begin to sprout. The paper is then placed in a warm environment having sufficient air circulation around. Once it is dried, the finished gift tag can be decorated with a thread or a ribbon. Tips to be Kept in Mind It is suggested that you work on a sturdy and clean surface as the process involved is messy. Rubber stamps can be pressed over the paper pulp before it is left to dry, to give a good texture and finishing. Fragments of seed paper can be kept aside to be added as an interesting detail to wedding confetti. Source

One of the largest and most popular market research companies, GfK did a survey on some of the aspects of sustainability and usage of resources in consumer behavior in the United States of America. The color of the season seems to be green, as eco-friendly promotional items top the most popular consumer goods list. Most people seem to be eco-minded enough to carry their own reusable totes while they go shopping. According to the new survey by GfK, some of the aspects of sustainability amongst consumers are performing well, while some of them haven't really come into effect. Whether it is doing well or not, everything about eco-friendly green products comes down to just one thing- price. Green Products Awareness Is Somehow Persistent The director for the Green Gauge survey conducted by GfK, Timothy Kenyon, said in a press release that the green awareness is truly pervasive, even though few of the consumers perceived some of the ‘green' claims to be negative. According to the Green Gauge survey there are quite a few examples regarding the price barrier in action. One of the examples mentioned in the survey was regarding a poll about the proportion of the United States consumers who were willing to pay a lot more for earth friendly alternative products. It was found that when compared to 2008, the number of people willing to use these alternatives had significantly increased. In certain areas, the usage of these alternatives has decreased when compared to the amount of products used in 2008. Eco-Friendly Green Products Still a Popular Choice Minimal and electric polluting cars have increased in usage by almost 62%, whereas the usage of efficient electric light bulbs has decreased to 60%. Usage of biodegradable plastic packaging has come down to 49% from 58%. Paper products that are made from recycled materials are used by at least 53% of people, more than what was utilized in 2008. Along with the cost of these products, the perception of the value also plays quite an important role in determining the consumer behavior. Bottom line is that the consumers are drawing the line when asked to pay higher prices for ineffective earth friendly products. If these alternatives perform poorly or are of marginal quality, the consumers just refuse to buy them. Source

Organic Cotton Pillow Business and Recycled Products Used Seen featuring mostly animal designs, the pillows made by Sandy's company are made out of recycled bottles and organic cotton, which are stitched together and turned into a pillow. It can be considered to be one of the most popular eco-friendly promotional items in Fall River. The art, designing, stuffing and other aspects are all gotten from various places in the US. People Want to Buy Domestic and Eco-Friendly Promotional Items/Products According to what Wilder has to say, the source of inspiration for him to start this eco-friendly pillow business sector is because of people wanting to buy more domestically made and environmental friendly products. Starting a viable business, which involves manufacturing of domestic products that is local and environmental friendly, involved a lot of research by Wilder. For years, Fall River has been sewing quite a few items that people require. Businessmen started traveling to New York and other cities in order to get more business for the Fall River sewing shops. Today, there are quite a few sewing shops left in the country, with the US depending mainly on huge clothing lines. Wilder isn't sure if his pillows will sell but he feels that since people are becoming more eco-minded, they are bound to buy his products. More about Wilder and the Pillow Business With a background in furniture designs and sales, Wilder founded a company called Conversational Arts in 2011 December. The purpose of starting his business is because he wanted a local business, which would use only American-made and earth-friendly items. After he quit his furniture business, he decided to go in a different direction and decided to make eco-friendly pillows. Ever since he found Ken Bailey's artwork, Wilder fell in love with the entire French way of advertising everything. Wilder decided to feature all the pets on his products since there is a tremendous market for animal designs these days. Sandy licensed most of the art designs from artists and used it on his products, which contained locally made material that wouldn't cause harm to the environment. Source

Since quite a few years, Phoenix, Arizona has been trying to make the country a greener region by asking its residents to stop throwing the plastic shopping bags in the garbage bins and drains. Despite all the city officials' efforts, citizens are still continuing to throw single-use plastics into bins, costing the city almost $1 million each year. The city in turn goes and dumps them into landfill, doing more harm to the environment. A City Survey Conducted A survey commissioned by the city was conducted in February, wherein almost 1201 residents ofPhoenixwere interviewed to find out how many still threw bags into the bins. Most people were just confused as to where to throw the bags and what other alternatives need to be used. Once the survey results were out, the city environmental board is doing its best to educate the residents to become more eco-minded. The recycling information specialist of the city has said that there has been quite an improvement ever since the Bag Central Station program was started in the city. Residents are asked to throw the plastic bags into bins placed in grocery stores, so that the plastic shopping bags can be recycled into other items such as decking and plastic furniture. City official said that instead of throwing the bags in the bins at home, they can be thrown in the grocery store bins without littering the city or the drains. Wholesale Reusable Bags and Seed Paper Totes Are the Best Recycling Alternatives A new survey was conducted after the people were encouraged to become more eco-minded. According to the survey conducted, almost 72 percent of the plastic grocery bag users turned the bags into recyclable bags or else found other uses for these bags. Eleven percent of the people in the survey ensured that they returned the bags to the grocery stores to avoid increasing levels of pollution in the city. It was also found that people were switching to other bag alternatives to spread the environmental friendly attitude. Wholesale reusable bags and other recyclable bags are being used as the popular options. Even though the purpose of the survey was to gauge the use of plastic bags by residents, it was also found that the attitude towards plastic bags was somehow changed. People seem to have gotten the message that plastic bags are extremely toxic and mustn't be utilized. Source

The University of North Carolina is getting ready to celebrate Campus Sustainability Day this year, after the huge success of last year, wherein students came dressed in costumes made out of recycled materials. Campus Sustainability Day this year plans to take things a notch higher than last year by presenting two major events: the Reusable Regatta Challenge and the Electric Car Charging Stations Grand Opening. The entire even will be hosted by the Sustainability Office and will be held on Lake Raleigh and Centennial Campus. Grand opening of the Electric Automobile Charging Station will be celebrating the inclusion of 5 charging stations on the Centennial Campus. Students shall be allowed to test drive the plug-in full-sized vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt, the Nissan Leaf and the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. Eco-Friendly Cars Built by Students for Reusable Regatta Challenge The EcoCar 2 will also be on display after competing in the Los Angeles finals, and is an environmental friendly student-friendly car. On the Campus Sustainability Day, apart from all these green cars, there will also be food trucks and Howling Cow ice creams provided for free. A big change in the regular schedule of this day is the inclusion of the Reusable Regatta Challenge. It will be hosted for the first time and will be organized by the Sustainability Office. Eco-Friendly Promotional Items to Be Used for the Reusable Regatta Challenge The Reusable Regatta Challenge participants will have to use recycled plastic jugs, bottles, plastic bags and wooden pallets to build a raft, which can be moved across the Raleigh Lake. Competition's main aim is to increase the usage of eco-friendly promotional items and to encourage sustainability amongst the participants. The teams are allowed to have a minimum of 2 members and a maximum of 4 members. Construction of the raft can be done as the team pleases and at least 2 of the team members must cruise across the Lake Raleigh and back on the raft. Some rafts may go all the way across and some may not, owing to the fact that the rafts are constructed from recyclable materials, but the entire competition is going to be real fun. Teams are going to be given about 2 hours to construct the watercraft. The race will also be for 2 hours. Raft building needs to be done with the teams own supplies and must show up at least fifteen minutes before the start of the race. Source