Building Momentum for Sustainability in Fashion – Green Living – The Ecologist

London Fashion Week highlighted a few ethical brands that are paving the way through a broken apparel and textile system. The fact is that a majority of fashion companies don’t monitor their individual supply chains to ensure that there is minimum impact on the environment, toxic chemicals are not being used, and human rights are not being abused. Many times, the fashion company may sign a contract with one factory that then subcontracts the work to an unauthorized factory to fulfill the order unbeknownst to the fashion company. Thankfully, there are a few retailers out there that are no longer willing to participate in this unethical treatment of people or the planet. Join me in being a responsible consumer and show the support of our dollars (or votes) to the groundbreaking companies that are changing the face of fashion one consumer at a time.

Building Momentum for Sustainability in Fashion – Green Living – The Ecologist.

Elephants in the Glass House: Contextualizing Sustainability and Integrated Reporting | Sustainable Brands

Sustainability reporting is a great way for consumers to have a better understanding a company’s of the environmental, economic and social impact. When done right, which generally means that it is certified by a regulatory organization, this is an important tool that many companies can use to showcase their efforts to participate in global change.

Elephants in the Glass House: Contextualizing Sustainability and Integrated Reporting | Sustainable Brands.

5 super-cool energy projects being backed by the U.S. government | MNN – Mother Nature Network

The ARPA-E (Advanced Research Project Agency-Energy) program is funding some very exciting high-risk clean tech projects. The projects include from biofuels made from non-food crops, a freezer system that powers from soundwaves, and wind turbines made out of fabric.

5 super-cool energy projects being backed by the U.S. government | MNN – Mother Nature Network.

Monsanto’s Patents on Life

Should companies be allowed to patent living organisms like seeds and use those patents to monopolize food production globally?

A small farmer from Indiana named Vernon High Bowman is taking on the biotech giant Monsanto in a seed patent infringement case. Monsanto sells to farmers under a contract that requires the farmers to purchase new genetically engineered seeds each year. This means that they are prohibited from saving and replanting the next-generation seeds.

Monsanto’s Patents on Life.

FDA Cracks Down On Misleading Major Food Brands’ Labels

Great news! The FDA has started paying attention to the food labels and has warned 17 major companies to make the necessary changes within 16 days. Go to the link below for the full story and to see specific products that were mislabeled with claims that the product will treat disease, is healthy or free from unhealthy fats.

http://www.myhealthtoday.com/fda-cracks-down-misleading-labels/

10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Buy Reusable – Earth911.com

Would you ever buy reusable cotton balls or coffee filters? Check out today’s post from Earth 911 for more reusable product ideas!

10 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Buy Reusable – Earth911.com.

Obama gives Congress climate ultimatum: back me, or I go it alone | Environment | guardian.co.uk

The President outlined some very exciting improvements to current environmental policies in the State of the Union address last night. What a great platform to demand change. And if the parties can’t come to common ground to implement the necessary policies then the White House has promised to act on it’s own accord. How exciting!

“If Congress won’t act soon to protect future generations, I will,” Obama said. “I will direct my cabinet to come up with executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable sources of energy.”

Obama gives Congress climate ultimatum: back me, or I go it alone | Environment | guardian.co.uk.

How to Start an Office Recycling Program – Earth911.com

Nowadays, it’s hard to image an office that doesn’t already have an established recycling program but there may be room for improvement. My current establishment offers very little in the way of resources for recycling but this guide may be the path to inspire change. I’m looking forward to using the guide to get the necessary buy-in from the management team to implement an all inclusive office recycling program. There is a really great opportunity here to make a difference at the corporate level. Check it out! I’d love to hear success stories or tips on how to get our colleagues on board.

How to Start an Office Recycling Program – Earth911.com.

Buying in Bulk

Buying in bulk is a great way to consume in a more environmentally friendly manner while saving almost 90% of the cost of packaged foods and dramatically reducing waste sent to the landfill. It may be a bit intimidating at first if it is an unfamiliar process to you but it’s extremely similar to purchasing produce. In loading up on product you have the choice to bring your own container (just be sure to have it weighed prior to filling), bringing reusable cloth bags or using the container (or bag) provided by the vendor. The bulk aisle is priced by the pound but the consumer can purchase as much or as little as they choose so feel free to get recipe specific by only getting a couple tablespoons needed for your recipe. To avoid being overwhelmed when acclimating to bulk buying, begin by familiarizing yourself with one section then moving on to the next once you’re more comfortable. Happy shopping!

http://earth911.com/news/2013/02/04/bulk-buying-guide/3/

Starbucks Hopes $1 Reusable Tumbler Will Cut Cup Waste – Earth911.com

What a neat way for Starbucks to promote their goal of increasing contribution to going green. The goal is to increase the amount of consumers that they serve with reusable cups by 5% through offering an affordable alternative to disposable cups. What a awesome attainable way to decrease our individual global footprints!

Starbucks Hopes $1 Reusable Tumbler Will Cut Cup Waste – Earth911.com.