Recycle by Mail

By: news@gbb.org

There are now more recycling options than ever for conscious consumers looking to responsibly dispose of unwanted stuff. Many of us have access to curbside recycling for the basics and several retailers offer convenient take-back programs.      Still, it can be hard to figure out what to do with often overlooked things like plastic hotel key cards, wine corks, and CDs. Luckily, a simple trip to the post office can accomplish a lot.    Plastics and... Read More

Stop Junk Mail and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

By: news@gbb.org

Each person receives about 41 pounds of junk mail per year and spends about 70 hours each year dealing with junk mail. Junk mail destroys 100 million trees every year, and some of the junk paper can't be recycled because of toxic inks. When you stop junk mail at the source, you're saving time and trees. Junk Mail as it Affects You: More than 4 million tons (62,000,000,000 (billion) pieces) of junk mail are produced yearly.  California's state and local governments spend... Read More

Where to Recycle Electronics

By: news@gbb.org

Computers, cell phones, game players — we upgrade and toss out the old ones fast. But these gadgets can't go into the garbage because they're filled with toxic materials. Many manufacturers and retailers are starting to take their electronics back, so you don't have to deal with it. Or find a responsible recycler near you. Where to start: Give cell phones back to their manufacturers or donate them to charity. Return iPods to Apple for recycling or sell them for... Read More

EPA Finalizes Rule for Shipping Emissions

By: marcos@gbb.org

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a rule setting tough engine and fuel standards for large U.S.-flagged ships. The regulation harmonizes with international standards and will lead to significant air quality improvements throughout the country. Air pollution from large ships, such as oil tankers and cargo ships, is expected to grow rapidly as port traffic increases. By 2030, the domestic and international strategy is expected to reduce annual emissions of nitrogen... Read More

10 Ways to Make Your Business Environmentally Friendly

By: news@gbb.org

Operating a green business is not only good for the environment but good for your business's bottom line because conserving resources and cutting down on waste saves money. The good news is that whether you run a home-based business or an off-site enterprise, there are simple things you can do to run an environmentally friendly business. Recycling is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of being environmentally friendly. And recycling is important. But recycling is only one part... Read More

What You Should Know About Products That Are Still Being Made With Asbestos

By: news@gbb.org

You probably know that asbestos is dangerous. It can cause diseases such as mesothelioma, a deadly lung cancer, and asbestosis, a debilitating disease that interferes with breathing. You may have heard that asbestos is banned in the United States, but it isn’t.  It is still being used in some kinds of flooring and roofing materials; in some automobile parts, such as brake pads; in some fireproof clothing; and in a number of other products. Should this be a concern? Maybe.  It... Read More

Junk Mail Produces as Much CO2 as 9 Million Cars

By: news@gbb.org

A report by the group ForestEthics estimates that destroying forests to make paper for junk mail releases as much greenhouse gas pollution as 9 million cars. Another way to look at it: Junk mail produces as much pollution as seven U.S. states combined, or as much as heating 13 million homes each winter. While the estimates may or may not be accurate, the point is indisputable: Junk mail is a waste. (To most people, it's an annoying part of the trip to the mailbox, anyway.) Not convinced?... Read More

10 Eco-Friendly Recycling Tips

By: news@gbb.org

Whether doing major spring cleaning or just sorting through old business supplies, occasionally, we all run into a recycling stumper—crayons, foam peanuts, old VHS tapes? Good grief. The more obscure an item, the harder it is for us to resist throwing it out the easy way—in the trash can. But the truth is we really are doing ourselves (and our planet!) a big favor by repurposing used parts and pieces. So, the next time clutter is being banished from the house or business, refer to... Read More

House Gives Green Light to Federal Green Schools Bill

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The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a $6.4 billion school modernization bill, The 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act, (H.R. 2187),  that would pay for energy efficiency in new school construction and school modernization projects. The measure passed overwhelmingly, 275-155 (mostly along party lines) as is now with the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. The estimated state grant for California would be  more than $671... Read More

Fossil Fuel Use: An "Urgent" National Security Threat

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A dozen retired senior military officers have come out with a report calling the way we use energy an “urgent” national security threat to the U.S. In a long report, these former officers detail how long, vulnerable fuel supply lines have hobbled troops in Iraq and Afghanistan; how each soldier in Afghanistan is weighed down by 26 pounds of batteries; and how just 10% of the fuel used in Iraq goes for actual fighting vehicles — the rest just gets the fuel to the battlefield... Read More

Five Reasons Not to Drink Bottled Water

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Bottle water maybe convenient but it is at no way eco-friendly. Here are 5 reasons to ditch bottled water: 1. Disposable plastic water bottles are not meant for multiple uses. Hence the word “disposable”. The #1 polyethylene terephthalate, or PET is fine for a single use, but reuse can lead to chemical leaching of toxins such as DEHA, a known carcinogen, and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), a potential hormone disrupter. 2. Making plastic bottles to meet Americans’ demand for... Read More

Energy Audits & Eco Consultants

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Energy efficiency is one of the major factors of going green or running an environmentally friendly business. Energy efficiency does not only mean preserving of or conservation of energy but also reduction of related pollution. In order to measure energy efficiency energy audits are held in private as well as commercial complexes and factories. Energy audit actually means an inspection, survey and analysis of energy flow in a building, process or system in order to understand the energy... Read More

Greenpeace Challenges IT Industry

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Earlier this year environmental watchdog Greenpeace issued a middling report card to consumer electronics companies. Greenpeace is now targeting big IT companies which it says are not pulling their weight when it comes to tackling climate change. Greenpeace created a scorecard for the CEOs of the largest IT companies that show how they rate on climate leadership. The Cool IT Challenge aims to unite techies, geeks and activists around the world on an urgent mission to fight... Read More

Going Green in Today's Business World

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More and more businesses are going green. People are looking for green products in every sphere of life, be it getting building supplies or household materials or even cosmetic products. Entrepreneurs are now taking interest in running a green business. And all this is due to an emerging awareness among people about global warming and its possible impact in human life throughout the world. People are realizing that the first and foremost advantage of running a green business is taking a small... Read More

Are You Running a Sustainable Green Business?

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Does your business fit the definition of sustainable development? "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." - Brundtland Commission, 1987 Sustainable development is a worthy aim for small businesses everywhere. As members of our various communities, we know that society, the environment, & the economy are interconnected. It just makes sense to pay attention to the... Read More