Archive for 'Green Business'
Green Wineries Embrace Innovation
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by admin.
Consumers are discovering that going green doesn’t mean the end of the good life. On the contrary, when it comes to wines, sustainability makes them even better. Word is getting out, spurring a plethora of wines labeled “sustainable” to appear on the shelves of retailers like Whole Foods. No surprises there, since every industry these days recognizes the potential of reaching the LOHAS market.
But in terms of wine, does “sustainable” connote a commitment to greener growing practices or is it a marketing gimmick? After a cursory perusal of winegrowers’ websites, I reminded myself that a slick marketing strategy does not always equal sustainability.
What I really wanted to know was, “Are sustainable wines better than their conventional counterparts?” What better way to get to the bottom of this quandary than by approaching it as a consumer?
My husband and I love wine, but we are by no means connoisseurs. Even after buying Wine for Dummies, I still ask questions like “How do you recognize a good wine?” and “Which matters more — varietal or region?” Compounding my confusion, I now have green questions, too: “How do organic grapes improve a wine?” and “What makes a vineyard sustainable?” I was due for trip to California’s wine country for a little re-education from the experts.
Read entire article at GreenBiz.com
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How to find an eco-friendly hotel
Posted on 20. Jul, 2009 by admin.
Looking to take a greener vacation this summer?
Now, more and more hotels are taking an increasingly holistic approach to sustainability, says Brian Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International, a non-profit organization that promotes eco-friendly travel.
Here are a couple of tips on how you can find the right hotel:
Pay attention to advertising. If a hotel is proud of its commitment to sustainability, this should be clearly stated in its marketing materials. If the quantifiable effects of a hotel’s sustainability are listed, it’s a good sign that the hotel is serious about its green goals.
Ask questions. If a hotel’s conservation efforts are not spelled out, call and ask open-ended questions, such as, “What are you doing to support sustainable development?” This is something every hotel employee should know, from management to the front-desk staff.
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PepsiCo Opens Green Beverage Plant in China
Posted on 29. Jun, 2009 by admin.
CHONGQING, CN — PepsiCo opened a new manufacturing plant in China specifically designed to be more environmentally friendly than conventional company facilities.
The company expects the plant, located in western China in the city of Chongqing, will use 22 percent less water and 23 percent less energy than other PepsiCo plants in the country. The company predicts the annual savings will total 100,000 tons of water, four million kilowatt hours of energy, and 3,100 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
It was built to meet LEED standards with 35 water and energy saving features. For example, it sports water saving fixtures, waterless lubricant for conveyor belts, a high-pressure cleaning system, while recycled water is used for landscaping
A green roof covers the facility, which also enjoys natural lighting in 75 percent of its indoor areas, along with a skylight in the warehouse and packing area. An environmental management system measures water and energy use on every piece of equipment and production line in real time, PepsiCo said.
PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi at the new facility in Chongqing, China Image courtesy of PepsiCo
The company called the facility China’s first green beverage plant, and is the first of five new facilities planned for the next two years. PepsiCo has committed to investing $1 billion in China, which is the company’s fastest-growing market and largest market outside the United States.
In the U.S., General Electric will receive $60 million in incentives over 12 years for a new manufacturing plant in Michigan that will produce renewable energy, aircraft engine, and gas turbine products, in addition to serving as a software development hub for advanced technologies, such as the smart grid. The $100 million research and development facility is expected to employ more than 1,100 workers.
