Resource Efficiency | GreenBiz.com

Walmart Unveils Phase One of Sustainability Index

GreenBiz Staff — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 14:05:00 -0700

The first phase of a three-phase project to establish a green rating system for all of the products on its shelves, Walmart executives today released its 15 question survey that will be mailed to all of the company's 100,000-plus suppliers.

Walmart's Sustainability Index, Version 1.0

GreenBiz Staff — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:51:00 -0700

The first phase of the mega-retailer's Sustainable Product Index, this tool offers an overview of the project's goals, the 15-question survey the company is sending to all its suppliers, and an FAQ for suppliers.

Discarded Food Finds New Life as Electricity

Tilde Herrera — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:17:00 -0700

Unwanted, thrown away food in the San Francisco Bay Area soon find new life as electricity. The East Bay Municipal District plans to dramatically boost the amount of food scraps it converts to energy via anaerobic digestion from 90 tons per week to 1,000 tons, or 200 tons per weekday.

Xerox Saves $7.3 Million Through Earth Awards Projects

GreenBiz Staff — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:18:00 -0700

Xerox has announced the winners of its annual Earth Awards, a broad range of projects from around the world that saved $7.3 million, eliminated 1.3 million pounds of waste and reduced energy use by 500,000 kilowatt hours.

Better Cotton Initiative to Spread Throughout the World in 2010

GreenBiz Staff — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 12:40:00 -0700

The Better Cotton Initiative plans to have cotton produced to its standards on the global market next year and expand its efforts in Brazil, India, Pakistan, Africa and other countries.

German Scientist Cooks Up Idea for 'Waste-Free' Breweries

Leslie Guevarra — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 09:16:00 -0700

A scientist pondering the growing problem of brewery waste in Europe has devised a way to tap into the power of beer: He and his partners designed a system to recycle spent grains and wastewater to produce energy that can fuel the beermaking process.

Growing the Future of Bamboo Products

Jonathan Bardelline — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:10:00 -0700

Bamboo has spread into the world of consumer products as fast as it grows in the wild, but the higher demand opens the door for overharvesting, price fluctuations and quality issues. BooShoot Gardens is on a mission to ensure the world's supply of bamboo stays sustainable by cloning bamboo plants and even trying to get bamboo growing again in the U.S.

Naked Juice, Earthbound Farms Switch to Recycled Packaging

GreenerDesign Staff — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:44:00 -0700

Naked Juice and Earthbound Farm have each debuted packaging made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled content, some of the first instances of 100 percent recycled packaging for food and drink products.

DOD Enlists GE for $2M Project to Make Military Base a Smart Microgrid Model

Leslie Guevarra — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:14:00 -0700

General Electric, the world's largest industrial company, will work with the Department of Defense in a $2 million project to transform the Twentynine Palms facility, the world's largest Marine Corps base, into a model smart microgrid system.

How the U.S. is Forging a National Ecosystem Marketplace

Alice Kenny — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:00:00 -0700

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's new Office of Ecosystem Services and Markets (OESM) is just getting off the ground, but once under way it should lead to better coordination not only among agencies charged with regulating various ecosystem service markets, but also among markets for water, biodiversity and, of course, carbon.

The Next Generation of Fireworks May All Be Green

GreenBiz Staff — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:36:00 -0700

Despite being a centerpiece of celebrations the world over, fireworks displays often release toxic chemicals into the environment; researchers are developing a new generation of fireworks that shine as bright but leave less of an impact.

New Research Uses Organic Computing to Make Traffic Greener

Matthew Wheeland — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 13:13:00 -0700

Putting advanced computing together with highly advanced -- and more widespread -- traffic sensors, researchers at Leibniz University in Hanover, Germany, have proposed an "organic" method of traffic control that responds to actual conditions. But is there an easier way?

The Integrative Design Guide to Green Building

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:35:00 -0700

Green building experts from the 7group consultancy and integrative design pioneer Bill G. Reed provide a clear, practical manual on the whole-building approach to sustainability.

EPA Proposes Tough Emissions Rules for Ships

GreenBiz Staff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:46:00 -0700

The EPA announced plans to create tougher rules to reduce air pollution from U.S.-flagged ships Wednesday, the same day new fuel regulations for ocean-going vessels went into effect in California. A day earlier, the state finally received a long sought-after waiver that allows it to regulate vehicle tailpipe emissions in its efforts to address climate change.

Dumpster Diving: A Green Strategy That Pays Off for Retailers

GreenerBuildings Staff — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:35:00 -0700

Retailers that put green practices to work at their facilities can save tens of millions of dollars a year by managing resources and waste more aggressively, according to SSA & Company.