Publishers Note
Thinking Green
Graph Expo GREENspace
More Thinking Green
Quote Of The Month
The New GDUSA Store
File this story under the
category “it’s not easy being green.”
Frito-Lay has made a laudable effort to produce a meaningful
industry first: chip bags made from 100 percent PLA, a corn-based biopolymer,
that fully decomposes in less than a month when placed in an active compost
pile or bin. Are consumers happy? Not necessarily. Turns out the eco-friendly
material makes a loud crackling sound when the bag is opened, and this has
led to an outcry from snack lovers up in arms about the noise. A “Sorry
But I Can’t Hear You Over The Sun Chips Bag” Facebook page has
more than 50,000 fans, which does not make me feel hopeful about our
society’s future. Frito-Lay marketers, however, are trying to make
lemonade out of lemons. (I tried hard to find a chip metaphor but failed).
The company is placing point-of-sale in grocery stores that declares:
“Yes, it’s loud. That’s the sound of change.”
— Gordon Kaye
Use What You Need
Sukle Advertising & Design is continuing its much-praised Denver Water
campaign by placing vinyl snipes over existing billboards to emphasize
conservation and the idea that “Waste Is Out.” The
campaign’s overall message is “Use only what you need.”
Sukle says the snipes use only 8% of the vinyl that a newly printed board
would. A previous billboard campaign by the agency made the same point by
using only a small portion of space and leaving the rest of the frame empty.
Sustainable In Savannah
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) tackles graphic design’s
arguably negative impact on both the socioeconomic balance and the natural
balance. The conference brings together speakers - Jonathan Baldwin, Rebecca
Bedrossian, John Bielenberg, Eric Benson, Valerie Casey, Brian Dougherty,
William Drenttel, Phil Hamlett, Cheryl Heller, Terry Irwin, John Jennings,
Russell Kerr, and Joshua Onyskot - who are grappling with the search for true
sustainability and the role design should and should not play. The dates are
October 7-9.
http://designethos.org
Unplugged
BMW has been forced to pull an advertising campaign from UK media markets
after the British Advertising Standards Authority decided that the ads were
misleading in their description of the Concept Active as a
“zero-emissions” vehicle. The campaign's tagline, “100
percent joy, zero percent emissions,” was found by regulators to
misrepresent the lifecycle carbon footprint of the car, because much of the
electricity used to power plug-in cars currently comes from burning coal. For
the Authority - and the rest of us - it raises the broader question of
whether electronic and digital products are actually more eco-friendly when
all elements are considered.
Sweet Solution
Starting in 2011, Procter & Gamble will use a sustainable sugarcane-derived
plastic for certain packaging applications on three leading brands:
Covergirl, Max Factor, and Pantene Pro-V. The sugarcane derivative is a
renewable resource and 100%, unlike traditional plastic, made from
non-renewable petroleum. The pilot program rolls out of the next two years.
According to Gina Drosos, Group President, Global P&G Beauty, women told the
company “they want to make themselves more beautiful without making
their environment less beautiful.”
Oil Spill Commentary
The oil spill in the Gulf Coast and its effects on people and wildlife
won’t be soon forgotten. To help keep the memory alive, Alabama’s
Cardinal & Company developed a visual solution that turns actual oil-stained
sand from the gulf shores into social commentary. Copy reads:
“Introducing 100% Organic Gulf Oil, designed by James Martin of
Cardinal & Company. Bottled with oil-stained sand from shores in the Gulf of
Mexico. *NOTE: Each jar ruins 150,000 gallons of water.”
Graph Expo, expected to be the year’s largest graphic communications
exhibition and conference in the Americas, is making room for the
environment. For the sustainable-minded, the event has added GREENspace, a
one-stop destination on the show floor for green information, education,
products and services. Whether novice, intermediate or advanced in their
sustainability knowledge and actions, attendees will find useful resources
and tools. Special attractions include a “consultants corner”
with free one-on-one consulting with sustainability experts; several special
exhibitors with sustainability-focused products and services; a printed
directory/guide to Graph Expo exhibitors offering eco-friendly products and
services; and a theater displaying multiple presentions on sustainability.
SFI and GDUSA are the sponsors. Graph Expo takes place October 3-6 at
Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Video on GREENspace...
http://www.graphexpo.com/Attending/WhyAttend/GREENspace.aspx
Creative Retreat Giveaway
In response to numerous requests, the deadline for the Finch is in the House!
Creative Retreat Giveaway has been extended! Designers now have until August
27 to submit samples of projects produced on Finch Paper. Once samples are
received, companies are entered to win an Adirondack Creative Retreat for up
to six staff members. The winning project will also be featured in the
popular Finch is in the House design blog. The all-expenses paid
winner’s weekend at a private lodge in the beautiful Adirondack
Mountains of New York is to take place September 17-20.
http://gdusa.com/eblasts/2010/100723-finch/msg.html
Measuring Manufacturing
The publishers of GreenBiz.com and UL Environment have proposed an ambitious
new green certification program that seeks to measure the sustainability of
manufacturing companies. The two organizations released the draft standard
for a 45-day public comment period. Pursuant to the plan, core metrics will
be measured in five areas: sustainability governance, environment, workforce,
customers and suppliers, and social and community engagement.
http://www.greenbiz.com/ratings
Cookie Footprint
Ray Sutton, founder of NOW Bakery, engaged the Evenson Design Group to create
the identity program, packaging and web presence for the company and its new
cookie line. The treats are organic, gluten and dairy free. In that spirit,
Evenson Design of Culver City CA lessened the client’s carbon footprint
by packaging the cookies in 100% biodegradable kraft bags that use recycled
and postconsumer materials, and are lined with EarthFirst compostable film
made from annually renewable plants. The label is printed on FSC and Rainbow
Alliance certified 100% postconsumer paper.
Classroom Conservation
National Geographic and P&G are expanding the impact of the latter’s
Future Friendly program by launching an integrated in-school conservation
education program called Find Your Footprint. Developed to encourage
students, families and schools to monitor and reduce their environmental
footprint during the school year, the multimedia program focuses on energy,
waste and water tips that can then be applied to participate in a national
classroom conservation contest. Rules and details about how to enter and who
is eligible are available at...
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/findyourfootprint
Empire State Energy
New York’s Empire State Building unveils a multimedia exhibit in the
Visitors’ Center. Created by Seattle’s Hornall Anderson, the
exhibit educates the public about the building’s energy efficient
retrofit. The narrative-driven installation blends digital media and
museum-quality exhibits. All designs are rooted in the iconic stature of the
building, but decidedly modern and forward looking.
“While the eco-trip will give two people the chance of a lifetime to experience the reforestation project first-hand, the broader message is that even a simple act like purchasing environmentally conscious paper can set off a chain of events that ultimately leads to the protection and conservation of the world’s natural resources.”
— Kristen Hogan, Senior Brand Manager for Neenah Paper, on the mill’s innovative “Eco-Trip for Two” sweepstakes open to September 30. One winner will be randomly selected to receive a grand prize trip for two to Costa Rica which includes airfare, ground transportation, accommodations at an ecologically friendly resort as well as a guided day-trip to the Neenah Reforestation Project, a project in partnership with the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin and Friends of the Osa.
http://www.neenahpaper.com/environmentcontest
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Read and download the results of our 47th Annual Print Design Survey sponsored by xpedx and UPM
HOW TO SELL YOUR CEO ON SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS
Good For Brand and Reputation
Answers Stakeholder Queries
Meets Channel Requirements
Stays Ahead of Future Regulations
Focuses Internal Execution
Competes Effectively With Peers
Karen Janowski
EcoStrategy Group