Innovation

Manufacturing and supply chain management are two areas where the industry is on a trend towards better efficiency through technology and efficiency is good for the planet- even if it's just a side effect of trying to reduce cost. I think this trend opens up huge opportunities to reduce the negative environmental impact of traditional business practices. Less waste means fewer resources used; more efficient shipping means fewer carbon emissions. When the innovators of these types of technologies focus just a little on things like resource usage, toxins and carbon emissions the benefits can not only save money, but also "save the planet" on some scale. Imagine if there were innovators out there who were a LOT focused on these areas? We would surely see some great things. Turns out there is a great competition going on to promote just those kind of people out there creating just that kind of technology! It's the Think Beyond Plastic Innovation Competition, with great investment opportunities for the winners and they are accepting applications through March with judging in June. Check it out, and if you know someone who has a great idea sitting around maybe they will take you along to CA when they make it to the finals ;)

Thanks for stopping by! ~Jenni

Greener Gadgets

We all love gadgets, right? Unfortunately, there are very few gadgets that can wear the label "green" or "eco-friendly" outright; they are often full of materials that are extremely limited and/or can be very toxic to the environment if improperly disposed of like lead, heavy metals and flame retardants and they tend to consume a lot of power over their life span. Since most of us are not going to just do without many of the conveniences these gadgets provide, here are some tips for becoming a more conscientious consumer and choosing green(er) gadgets:

• Think about the product life cycle from cradle to cradle. Take into consideration the raw materials used, the manufacturing process, packaging, shipping, lifespan and whether or not you can easily recycle or repurpose it when it reaches it's end of life. (Locally for me, Will County has a great E-Waste recycling program. Check it out or look for similar programs in your area!)
• Look for products that have more then one use; buying fewer separate items uses less resources and creates less waste in both packaging and at the items end of life.
• Buy used or recycled. It is important to remember that recycling is truly cyclical- it doesn't work if everyone recycles but no one is purchasing or using products that come from recycled sources. Many gadgets can be found used or refurbished and will work just as well as a brand new version. IF you just aren't willing to go that route, there are increasingly more products coming onto the market that include some recycled material in their production process.
• Purchase "smart" gadgets that stop sucking power when they are not in use or are fully charged and be sure your not so smart gadgets are only charging when necessary and/or plugged into switches or power strips that can be turned completely off when not in use. This will also have the added benefit of saving you some green in terms of your wallet ;) (Check out the huge impact of "vampire power" if you aren't already aware.) 

Whether you decide to take all or just one of these steps, making greener gadget choices is an important step we can take to create more positive impact in our daily lives!

Thanks for stopping by! ~Jenni