EcoLogic

Toledo's EcoLogic Foodservice featured in Toledo City Paper

2011-04-14T18:00:31-04:00

Ecologic Foodservice Solutions; Made From Plants Not Plastics.

Check us out at http://www.ecologicfoodservice.com

Launching Earth Day 2011

Foodservice products made from plants, not plastic

Americans continue to become more conscious about the impact we have on the environment. So have you ever wondered what happens to all the plastic plates, cups and utensils at fast food restaurants when diners are finished with them?

While some plastic may be recyclable, most of it still winds up in a landfill. According to a 2009 report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, out of the 12.5 tons of waste from plastic containers and packaging only about 14 percent actually gets recycled.

Innovative concepts
On April 22 — Earth Day — a new Toledo company will begin using an innovative concept to reduce this waste. EcoLogic Foodservice Solutions will launch its new line of sustainable single-serve foodservice products. Their unique brand of cups, plates, cutlery and to-go containers are “made from plants, not plastic.”

“They look and feel like plastic, but they are made with a 100-percent corn-based polymer,” says Lawrence Ohlman III, EcoLogic’s director of operations. “They take 90 percent less energy to produce and are fully compostable within 180 days. Technically, you could put them in compost and turn them back into soil.”

The new products are comparable in price and quality to those made from plastic, EcoLogic hopes to sell its wares to companies looking to go green. Ohlman says his company will offer its products to restaurants, school cafeterias and hospitals.

The demand
“There is a huge demand,” he says. “We’re starting with Toledo, northwest Ohio and southwest Michigan, and trying to build our first market. But the sky is the limit.”

EcoLogic has partnered with polymer manufacturer DowCargill’s Natureworks LLC to make its products. They will be marketed under the brand name Ingeo.

“What we do … is take the protein out of the corn and through several steps all the starch materials are processed and formed like plastic,” Ohlman says.

All natural
The end result is similar to products one might find in a grocery store or at a fast food restaurant. The difference is that the new plant-based cups, plates or utensils all have natural coloring and are made without bleaches or dyes.

Ohlman, who has a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Toledo, said he is committed to the Toledo area. His other locally-based company, EcoLogic Products LLC, produces sustainable tableware. With EcoLogic Foodservice Solutions, he characterizes himself as the “green guy” for a number of local investors.

“Toledo is in the middle of a lot of places,” Ohlman says. “We need more jobs, and from here we can get to many larger cities in just hours or a day. That’s really beneficial. If your draw a circle around it, you can see that Toledo is a great location.”Look for an online store of EcoLogic’s products coming at the end of April. For more info on EcoLogic products visit www.ecologicfoodservice.com

Tonight on PBS's American Experience... EARTH DAYS Chronicles the Environmental Movement and the birth of Earth Day

2010-04-25T21:46:15-04:00

Watch the full feature here

It is now all the rage in the Age of Al Gore and Obama, but can you remember when everyone in America was not “Going Green”? Visually stunning, vastly entertaining and awe-inspiring, Earth Days looks back to the dawn and development of the modern environmental movement—from its post-war rustlings in the 1950s and the 1962 publication of Rachel Carson’s incendiary bestseller Silent Spring, to the first wildly successful 1970 Earth Day celebration and the subsequent firestorm of political action. Earth Days’ secret weapon is a one-two punch of personal testimony and rare archival media. The extraordinary stories of the era’s pioneers—among them Former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall; biologist/Population Bomb author Paul Ehrlich; Whole Earth Catalog founder Stewart Brand; Apollo Nine astronaut Rusty Schweickart; and renewable energy pioneer Hunter Lovins—are beautifully illustrated with an incredible array of footage from candy-colored Eisenhower–era tableaux to classic tear-jerking 1970s anti-litterbug PSAs. Earth Days is both a poetic meditation on humanity’s complex relationship with nature and an engaging history of the revolutionary achievements—and missed opportunities of groundbreaking eco-activism.

Theatrical release begins in August 2009 and national PBS broadcast in April 2010.

Tune in to “Environmentally Sound” Tuesday, March 23, at 8 p.m. on AM 760 WJR.

2010-03-23T00:35:51-04:00

Listen to ‘Environmentally Sound’

By Tobin J. Klinger : March 22nd, 2010

Tune in to “Environmentally Sound” Tuesday, March 23, at 8 p.m. on AM 760 WJR.

This month host Larry Burns, UT vice president for external affairs and interim vice president for equity and diversity, will talk with leaders from across Michigan and Ohio who are helping to change the world.

In this month’s episode:

• Mike Bell, mayor of the city of Toledo, discusses his plans to reinvent the Glass City and the role of sustainability in economic development.

• Lawrence J Ohlman III, an up-and-coming ECOrepreneur and University of Toledo MBA student, shares how he is taking environmentally friendly products to large-scale food service through a new Toledo based venture; EcoLogic Foodservice Solutions.

• Dr. Jerry Wicks, director of the Ohio Higher Education Rail Network Institute, talks about how the state will be investing big in rail service and how university students could become some of the primary passengers.

• Doug Rothwell of Business Leaders for Michigan shares how his organization is working to rally the business community to create a better tomorrow.

The University and Detroit’s WJR Radio have teamed up to produce the monthly, hourlong program that focuses on sustainability, the environment and alternative energy.

Listen on the Web Here .

John Mackey's Whole Foods Vision to Reshape Capitalism

2009-12-28T14:21:48-05:00

From Fast Company December 2009

By: Danielle Sacks

John Mackey, the Libertarian CEO of Whole Foods, says not to worry: Capitalism and the invisible hand will cure the world's ills. But isn't it a little late to start believing in magic?

These days, Mackey finds himself in the role of accidental prophet. "Pioneers are the ones who have to hack through a jungle and create a road," he tells me, offering an allegory for his Conscious Capitalist quest. "The only thing that frustrates me sometimes," he adds, "is that I feel like I've been hacking away with a machete in the jungle for the last 30 years, and sometimes people come up and say, 'Man, this is as far as you've gotten? You should have done more.' "

But the way Mackey sees it, Whole Foods has already left the world in better shape than he found it. "If I get run over by a truck later today, I will have already in my life made a difference in helping many people," he says. "Customers are better off because millions of people are eating in a way they never would have had we never existed. Our team members are better off because we've created a company that's a great place to work. Our suppliers have flourished along with Whole Foods and have made a lot of money from their association with us. And our investors have made a ton of money."

For those companies aspiring to become Conscious Capitalists, Mackey says there are four ways to get there. They can pursue one of four ideals -- the good, the true, the beautiful, or the heroic -- or any of them in combination. "Plato said the good, the true, and the beautiful, and I added on the heroic," he allows. Indeed, Mackey has always considered himself a philosopher in the making, once telling Time that if his ex-girlfriend had never persuaded him to launch Whole Foods, "I'd probably be in an attic somewhere scribbling off insane philosophies that nobody reads." The pursuit of any of these shiny goals, he says -- harmonized with the needs of all a company's many stakeholders -- will deliver the enterprise to a Conscious Capitalist state of perfection.

Yet Mackey's interpretation of what constitutes higher purpose can be perplexing. He singles out Nordstrom and Southwest Airlines (for their deeper pursuit of great customer service, or "the good") and Four Seasons Hotels and Berkshire Hathaway (for their obsession with perfection, "the beautiful") as examples of companies that have attained an ideal state. "Do you know what Southwest Airlines' stock symbol is?" Mackey asks me, busting to spill the punch line. "It's L-U-V, love! Think about the businesses you most admire in the world. You'll find almost all of them are pursuing one of those deeper passions."

Another of Mackey's Conscious Capitalist exemplars is the Container Store. "Our purpose is to organize people's lives to save them space and time. There's a certain Zen quality to being organized," says Kip Tindell, CEO and cofounder, noting that the company's other deeper purpose is "to be the best retail store in America." Ever since Mackey turned Tindell on to the Conscious Capitalism model, the purveyor of plastic tubs says he's seen the light. "Capitalism has a bad public image," Tindell says. "Socialism doesn't work, communism doesn't work -- this [capitalism] is the winner. It just needs to be modified a bit, practiced in a way that isn't so mercenary."

Tindell, says Mackey, is a pursuer of the good. And indeed, the Container Store pays its employees very well -- some 50% above industry average. But he doesn't seem overly concerned with the "holistic" attention to all stakeholders that purports to be at the center of Conscious Capitalism. When I ask Tindell what he meant by the Container Store being a "sustainable business," he replies, "The business will endure long after I'm gone." The retailer's obligation to the earth -- arguably a critical stakeholder -- consists of little more than a corporate-recycling program. Meanwhile, the environmental policy on the company's Web site borders on parody: "A commitment to sustainability includes having salespeople who anticipate customers' needs so they get everything they need in a single trip to the store." At the same time, Tindell (who recently joined Whole Foods' board and is hosting a Conscious Capitalism Summit next year) is not shy about the financial rewards of his message: "We're not just a couple of altruistic guys espousing nice views; this stuff really works. If all you wanted to do was make as much money as possible, as fast as possible, this is the way to do that."

In Mackey's eyes, Whole Foods itself pursues both the good and the heroic. And the nation's largest seller of natural and organic foods does boast many noble practices: Nonexecutive employees hold 96% of the company's stock options; 5% of the company's after-tax profits are given to charity every year; no executive can make more than 19 times the employee average; and after much criticism from activists, it has shunned purchasing meat from factory farms. "The rule is not conflict of interests -- it's harmony of interests," says Mackey, who reduced his salary to a dollar in 2007 (he still owns about $36 million in stock). "The leader needs to manage the enterprise in a way that you're creating synergies rather than trade-offs -- that's the art of conscious leadership."

Read the rest @ Fast Company

30 Entrepreneurs Who Are Saving the World... from Inc Magazine

2009-12-03T06:00:00-05:00

A look at 30 entrepreneurs who built successful businesses that were also driven by a social mission.

By Kelly Faircloth

Lifesaver Davin Wedel launches Global Protection in 1988 to fight AIDS -- by making brightly colored condoms so cheerfully packaged that everyone would use them.

Bootstrapper Nick Gleason, founder of CitySoft, in Watertown, Massachusetts, battles inner-city poverty by recruiting from inner-city neighborhoods.

Think big In 1993, eco-friendly means niche. But Aaron Lamstein, CEO of the pet-products company WorldWise, gets his products on mass-market shelves, encouraging more consumers to go green.

It's on us Since 1989, Tom's of Maine has urged employees to spend 5 percent of their time volunteering.

Going upscale In 1998, Estuardo Porras retools his family's coffee plantation; providing fair wages and benefits helps land a deal with Starbucks.

(Not so) dirty diapers Jason and Kimberley Graham-Nye spot a new biodegradable diaper, snap up the rights, rename it gDiaper, and take on their landfill-clogging rivals.

Not just hot air In 2007, Enterprise Rent-A-Car CEO Andy Taylor begins offering renters carbon offsets -- for $1.25 extra.

Respect your elders Senior Whole Health cuts costs without sacrificing care, keeping elderly patients healthy -- and out of nursing homes.

Battle tested Randy Slager, founder of Catapult Technology, suffered a severe spinal cord injury while serving in the military. So, in 1998, he successfully lobbies for disabled vets to be added to the SBA's funding program for disadvantaged businesses.

Wanted: Captain Planet Clif Bar CEO Gary Erikson hires a full-time ecologist to reduce his business's carbon footprint.

Do it yourself Frustrated with b-schools' focus on shareholder returns, Gifford Pinchot founds the Bainbridge Graduate Institute in 2002 to offer socially responsible M.B.A.'s.

Mr. Mulch Burlington, Vermont -- based Gardeners' Supply collects and composts the city's leaves, grass clippings, and food scraps and gives the resulting mulch to farmers.

Return policy With its first catalog in 1984, Hanna Andersson offers a 20 percent discount to customers who send back a piece of used kid's clothing.

Take a chance In 1991, Just Desserts CEO Elliot Hoffman turns a corner of his bakery's backyard into a garden staffed by ex-cons; he later hires several as full-time bakers.

People, get ready David Cline, president of Balboa Instruments, launches a mentoring program to prepare at-risk kids for the working world.

Give it away When Charlie Crystle founds Mission Research in 2001, he donates a 20 percent stake to charity.

Helping hand Global crafts dealer Priya Haji gives 10 percent of profits to suppliers' communities, which have invested in clean water projects and computer labs.

Bottom line The nonprofit Greyston Foundation's mission is to create jobs for ex-cons and the homeless. Taking the reins in 1994, Charles G. Lief hits on a new solution: Start for-profit businesses.

Pass the plate Investors for socially conscious companies are hard to come by. So David Berge launches Underdog Ventures to seed the new crop of do-gooders.

Healthful alternatives After two decades in business, Seventh Generation has a simple message: Chemical-free products are better for the world.

Mom-in-chief Fran Rodgers starts a consulting firm, Work/Family Directions, to teach businesses how to manage employees' family needs.

Adopt-A-School Since 1999, John Wheeler, CEO of Rockford Construction, has ensured the kids at Henry Paideia Academy, a school in a tough part of Grand Rapids, Michigan, want for nothing.

The pen is mightier Office-products company Give Something Back donates more than half its profits to charity.

Focus After a 2001 visit to the Indonesian island of Sumba, Sean Downs, CEO of Enclarity, starts a foundation devoted to health care and humanitarian aid for the islanders.

Line of duty Linda Marroquin, CEO of FrogPad, donates her company's one-handed keyboards to soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Class act Actor Paul Newman doesn't need the money when he starts selling salad dressings in 1982. So he donates 100 percent of his after-tax profits.

All together, now In 1997, investor Gib Myers hits on a Silicon Valley solution to funding nonprofits: Local start-ups donate pre-IPO stock.

Thanks! In the '70s, Mel Zuckerman taps University of Arizona experts to help start Canyon Ranch. In 2000, he endows the school's College of Public Health.

Trailblazers Until coffeemaker Equal Exchange comes along in 1986, few have heard of fair trade.

Vision It's big business now,but alternative energy is just a do-it-yourself project when David Katz founds AEE Solar in 1979.

The Education of a Reluctant Businessman... Yvon Chouinard founder Patagonia Clothing Company

2009-11-30T06:30:00-05:00

Yvon Chouinard, legendary climber, businessman and environmentalist, is the founder and owner of one of the world's most inspiring companies, Patagonia, Inc. Mr. Chouinard talks about his personal history, how he created Patagonia, and the philosophy he uses to run the company. He discusses how he has tried to minimize Patagonia's impact on the environment, such as making fleece clothing from recycled soda bottles. He also talks about his One Percent for the Planet plan in which participating businesses contribute at least 1% of their net annual sales to groups on a list of researched and approved environmental organizations. Series: " University of California Santa Barbara : Voices" [12/2005] [Humanities] [Business] [Show ID: 11165]

Business Week Discusses The Growing Potential for BioPlastics

2009-11-28T22:24:34-05:00

Corn used to be food. Now it's an ingredient for plastic. High oil prices, fears of toxins, and growing heaps of indestructible garbage are fueling interest in biodegradable plastics.

See How Patagonia Spent $3.8 Million This Year

2009-11-25T02:05:41-05:00

Photo: Via Patagonia - Photographer Tim Davis

Patagucci is the mocking term sometimes used to label the outdoor clothing company, Patagonia, in reference to what some people view as high priced goods. We don't know what Gucci do with their money, but Patagonia's customers are transparently informed where a sizeable chunk of their spend is headed. To initiatives that help make the world a saner place.

In the past fiscal year Patagonia gave away $3,816,750 in grants and in-kind donations. That makes $34 million USD they've put back into the environmentally and socially responsible community since 1985.

To give that figure some context, its worth remembering that Patagonia is still a privately held company, whose owners aren't pocketing those millions. Instead, this past year almost 400 environmental groups were beneficiaries of this generous largess. But grantees aren't the only ones to reap the rewards of Patagonia's benevolence.

What about the worms and gardens that reveled in two tons of compost from the company's own cafeteria?

Or the cardboard recyclers who scored 206,800 kg (456,000 lbs) of cardboard?

Or the charities who shared in the $200,000 USD that Patagonia paid out as part of their Employee Charity Match, whereby the company equals charity contributions made by employees.

Consider the cleaner air and smaller carbon footprint that resulted from the 14,280 miles which Patagonia employees rode to work in Bike to Work Week alone.

Read the downloadable PDF document "Patagonia Environmental Initiatives 2009" and you gain an insight into this company's many other green endeavours. Like how the 80% of their Fall 2009 clothing line can now be recycled through their Common Threads program. How they've trained 953 activists, at their Tools for Grassroots Activists Conferences. (These are not casual affairs -- the 2008 conference cost Patagonia almost $100,000 to run.) And how 750 employees have been paid, since 1992, to donate their energy, skills and enthusiasm as part of Patagonia's environmental internship program.

In the document Catherine Barnes described how as a retail inventory manager,she helps generate sales that fund Patagonia's environmental programs. Then, "as a member of the grants council, I help to distribute some of that money. The synergy makes my daily work more meaningful, giving me a greater sense of purpose as I help Patagonia fulfill its mission to "use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis."

So next time you are griping about the ticket price of a Patagonia product consider the broader positive result your purchase will have. As the company themselves see it; "Patagonia is a small, but relatively influential company. We know that if we don't reach beyond our own walls to implement our environmental work, the impact won't be felt."

::Patagonia Environmental Initiatives 2009 (PDF) via their blog, The Cleanest Line, which gives a detailed, non-PDF breakdown of the numbers involved.

See How Patagonia Spent $3.8 Million This Year

2009-11-25T02:05:39-05:00

Photo: Via Patagonia - Photographer Tim Davis

What about the worms and gardens that reveled in two tons of compost from the company's own cafeteria?

Or the cardboard recyclers who scored 206,800 kg (456,000 lbs) of cardboard?

Or the charities who shared in the $200,000 USD that Patagonia paid out as part of their Employee Charity Match, whereby the company equals charity contributions made by employees.

Consider the cleaner air and smaller carbon footprint that resulted from the 14,280 miles which Patagonia employees rode to work in Bike to Work Week alone.

::Patagonia Environmental Initiatives 2009 (PDF) via their blog, The Cleanest Line, which gives a detailed, non-PDF breakdown of the numbers involved.

EcoLogic Foodservice Solutions featured on PBS's PluggedIn

2009-10-24T06:10:00-04:00

[download]

PluggedIn on WGTE

Students and science connect for Plugged-In, a monthly series that explores the latest innovations in technology and research in our region. University of Toledo student reporters, along with hosts Jennifer Mondelli and Shaun McDonald, provide an in-depth look at developments in the fields of medicine, energy, engineering, astronomy and more!

Featured as an up and coming business in Northwest Ohio, EcoLogic Foodservice Solutions was founded by a University of Toledo MBA student to promote sustainable foodservice products through compostable and biodegradable foodservice disposables. Visit http://www.ecologicproducts.com form more info.