Ray Anderson Leads Business Down A Sustainable Path
Written by The Editor
Known for his advanced and progressive stance on industrial ecology and sustainability Ray Anderson has been described by many as the greenest CEO in North America. A pioneer and visionary, Ray has lead the way by not only transforming his successful carpet and floor covering company into one of the most sustainable corporations in existence but also by actively sharing his experience with other organizations and government.
Ray Anderson is the author of a novel titled Mid-Course Correction. about his journey up what he calls “Mount Sustainability”. By demonstrating how he was able to increase profits by going green in his business Ray is a perfect example of the kind of radical industrialist who has been leading the corporate green revolution.
Ray Anderson is the founder and chairman of Interface Inc.. 'Interface' is the largest carpet manufacturer in the world and one of the greenest.
Not always a friend of the environment Ray had his epiphany in 1994 when he read The Ecology of Commerce, by Paul Hawken. Hawken argues that the industrial system is destroying the planet and only industry leaders are powerful enough to stop it. That year, Ray Anderson vowed to make his company the world's first truly sustainable business, with a carbon footprint of zero by the year 2020.
His intention is to do business, make money and protect the environment at the same time. A decade later Interface is halfway to Rays sustainability goals and making even more profit. So now, Ray is spreading the word. He's been in the documentary 'The Corporation,' which criticizes how big companies operate and he's been part of Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental documentary 'The 11th Hour.' Today, Ray travels the world - talking about corporate sustainability. He's also put together a 100 day action plan for the environment for the President of the United States.
Sixteen Tips for a Greener Workplace
Written by Contributor
Here is Sixteen Tips for a Greener Workplace without reinventing the wheel, here are some simple things you can do to make your workplace greener:
1. Recycle. If your workplace doesn't have a formal recycling program, insist one is adopted. Bottles, cans, cardboard, and paper should never be found in landfills.
2. Avoid printing and copying whenever possible. Always think – do I really need a hard copy of this? If you have to copy and print, use both sides of the paper.
3. Use recycled products. From pens to paper to printer cartridges, you'd be surprised at the variety of products made from recyclable materials.
4. Stay local. Buy office products from local dealers to reduce the impact of transportation.
5. Lighten-up. Replace all light bulbs with low-energy ones. Also, install automatic shut-offs for lighting. Lighting a typical office overnight wastes enough energy to heat water for 1,000 cups of coffee. Saving the planet will also save your employer buckets of cash as 44% of the electricity used in office buildings is spent on lighting alone.
Recycling Electronic Equipment
Written by Contributor
Consider the following frightening facts about the electronic machines we throw away:
Computer cathode ray tubes (CRT) contain approximately 4 pounds of lead.
A typical television or computer monitor contains about 5 pounds of lead.
Cell phones contain antimony, beryllium, copper, nickel, arsenic, cadmium, lead, and zinc.
Millions of toner cartridges from copy machines, fax machines, and printers are dumped into landfills each year, at a rate of about eight per second. And it takes one whole gallon of oil to produce the plastic in a single toner cartridge.
Materials in the discarded household batteries that run much of the electronic equipment we use make up 20% of the hazardous waste in our landfills.
What is Carbon Offsetting?
Written by Contributor
That said, carbon offsetting is any act that mitigates (or "alleviates", "lessens", or "diminishes") greenhouse gas emissions. The idea behind it is that instead of reducing one's own greenhouse gas emissions, one compensates by paying to have them reduced elsewhere.
This is particularly helpful in cases where it simply isn't feasible for an industry to cut down on its own greenhouse gas emissions without detrimentally affecting its ability to manufacture the products or perform the service it's in business to manufacture or perform. In other cases, even if it is possible for a business to cut down on its own emissions whilst still being able to do its business, it may not be able to do so without causing prohibitively high price increases for the end-user.
Examples of carbon offsetting in action include:
Business Leaders Reducing Green House Gas Emissions
Written by John Hawes
Business Leaders Reducing Green House Gas Emissions - In Canada and around the world, more and more industry leaders and communities are discovering that there are many opportunities that make both economic and environmental sense. They’re finding out that both energy conservation and energy efficiency save money and create new industries and new jobs.
"If we get it right, our company and our supply chain will never have to take another drop of oil." - Ray Anderson, CEO of Interface Inc., the worlds largest flooring manufacture
Businesses and Institutions
Many companies are dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions, often exceeding the Kyoto target. So far, this is generally achieved at minimal cost or with considerable savings.
