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Sustainable Brands Conference
May 31 - June 4, 2009
Monterey Conference Center
Monterey, CA
SPONSOR:  Sustainable Life Media

Sustainable Brands '09 is an international event discussing the rapid rise of sustainability as a driver for revenue growth and brand equity in the 21st Century.

Despite negative world news, the climate is more ready than ever for smart, sustainable brands to pick up steam and take the lead into the future. 

Hear from some of the deepest thinkers who are paving the way for sustainable brands - from futurist and economics iconoclast Hazel Henderson on Building a Win/Win World, to Mathis Wackernagel (2007 Skoll Award Winner for Social Entrepreneurship) on ecological overshoot. From Dacher Keltner (PhD, Stanford, and author of "Born to Be Good") on the evolutionary sensibility of altruism, to Tom Szaky (CEO, TerraCycle) on creating profit from trash. And, of course, that's just the beginning. Get a sneak peek at some of the over 60 faculty we're in the process of bringing together.

SB'09 is where the most forward looking business thinkers, brand strategists, designers, sustainability executives and communications experts gather to craft new strategies, solutions and stories that will better serve the needs of today's - and tomorrow's - global marketplace. Whether we are discussing sustainable bonfire brands like Seventh Generation, Living Homes, New Belgium Brewery and Nau, or large global innovators like Wal-Mart, Coke-a-Cola, Steelcase, Clorox, HP and Unilever.

KoAnn Vikoren Skrzyniarz
President and CEO
Sustainable Life Media
650-344-9693.
Event website: http://www.sustainablelifemedia.com/events/sb09

The Environmental Paper Network is a diverse group of environmental organizations joined together to support socially and environmentally sustainable transformations within the pulp and paper industry.  The Network developed the Common Vision as a framework to guide necessary shifts in production and consumption.

The following tools and resources are provided in an effort to increase the knowledge base regarding paper and its impacts and solutions for advancing innovation.
    

1.  Paper Purchaser's Guide

2.  The Paper Calculator

3.  Paper Related Statistics

4.  Educational Materials

5.  Reports

6.  Organizational Links

7.  Maps

8.  Pulp Tracking Forms

9.  Glossary of Terms

Green printing is more than using recycled paper.  California is one of the forerunners in recognizing that not only does the ink and paper matter -- but the printing processes including washing the press after every run.  Many operations you never see make a difference in green printing.  Including getting the printed product TO you.

GreenPrinter has put together a solid green printing strategy.  They offer a variety of FSC certified paper stocks for your diverse needs -- from weights to finishes.  They offset transportation by purchasing offsets.  They participate in their local green business certification program as well as FSC certification.  This is good!  I always love to see a company's growth in their green strategies and I've watched GreenerPrinter for several years. 

My hat is off to this greener approach to resource management and quality business service.

Eco-friendly design, printing and online print ordering from GreenPrinter

Conduct your printing online using recycled papers and a green certified company. GreenerPrinter delivers green  quality printing and design and they're 100% Wind-Powered via Renewable Energy Credits (REC's).

That's why in addition to featuring recycled papers exclusively, GreenerPrinter also:

• Adhere to the strict environmental standards of being a locally Certified Green Business.
  
  
• Operate on 100% Wind Power through investments in Renewable Energy Credits (REC's).
  
  
• Print using only water-based coatings and soy & vegetable based inks.
  
  
• Offset the carbon emissions of our shipments through the purchase of carbon offset credits.
  
  
• Adhere to the practices outlined in GreenerPrinter's FSC Chain-of-Custody Certification.
  
  
• Eliminate dangerous chemicals and compounds from the GreenerPrinter production facility.
  
  
• Invest in printing technologies that reduce makeready and ink wash-ups, and eliminate plate processing.

Greenprinter
Berkeley, CA 94710
http://www.greenerprinter.com

Green Products Under Scrutiny

Many manufacturers claim their products are environmentally-friendly, but how green are they? Priya David reports.

Green is the catchword for natural resources conservation in today's marketplace. The short is short and sweet, almost genetic in its core understanding. We love green...the trees and grass and food sources.

But green products and services require a healthy dose of realism and conscience beyond those universal understandings. By one count, manufacturers launched 328 supposedly environmentally friendly products last year, up from just 5 in 2002.

"Environmental" claims such as rcycled content, non-toxic ingredients, lower emissions, etc. must pass Federal Trade Commission standards on packaging and in advertising.

Certifications such as USDA organic, EnergyStar, LEED, and Canadian EcoLogo auditing and verification programs help consumers sort "marketing slime" from verifiable, measurable, specific claims.

The FTC is cracking down on green marketing. They are accelerating review of  aging FTC "environmental claims" requirements ahead of their normal scheduled review. Watch for increased scrutiny...and labeling specifics. Get ready to have your products tested, reviewed, certified and audited if you want to tap into the green marketplace.

Reference: CBS Interactive. May 18, 2008