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Sustainability International

Helping your business grow by embracing sustainable practices and green initiatives...

Sustainability is harmony between humans and nature.

Sustainability is based on a simple premise that everything we need for our well being depends on our natural environment.  Pursuing sustainability is to create conditions which make it possible for humans and nature to exist in harmony.

As a business owner each day is a constant balancing act to bring profitability to your business, while finding ways to operate your business in an environmentally sensitive way.  Moving toward sustainability is a challenge when considering how we affect our environment, through our lifestyles, living conditions, energy use, travel and work methods and practices.

 

Become A Sustainability International Partner

Sustainability International Partners understand the importance of conducting their business in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner.  

Your customers are searching for businesses who embrace sustainability, and green initiatives and there is nothing more important to your business than connecting to every customer possible.  

The partnership is FREE, learn how easy it is to become a Sustainability International Partner and enjoy the benefits of being a Sustainability International Partner.

 

 

Support Sustainability and protecting our environment, subscribe today for your FREE membership to Sustainability International.

 

 

Recycle & Reduce Waste

Use of highly visible and well marked recycling containers in all visitor areas to recycle glass, metal, and paper.

Water Management

By the use of water conservation, storm water management and environmentally friendly landscaping practices Sustainability International Partners can save and lessen the negative impact of water usage on our lives and the environment.

Green Buildings

By using modern construction and renovation practices, Sustainability International Partners high performance building practices can help to decrease adverse effects upon the environment from our buildings.

Energy and Emissions

By embracing energy efficiency standards and renewable energy use, Sustainability International Partners energy use and greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced helping to protect our environment.

EV Charging Stations

Sustainability International Partners can assist more and more travelers who are looking for the convenience of Electric Vehicle charging stations by installing stations onsite.

CATEGORIES

Connection, Next Step in Employee Sustainability Engagement *

Connection in Employee Sustainability Engagement   Note: This is the third installment in a five-part series on engaging employees around sustainability. The first part introduced the four stages of employee engagement; the second part discussed...

Earth911 Inspiration: How Can I Help the World Today?

Today’s Earth911 inspiration is from American environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill: “I wake up in the morning asking myself what can I do today, how can I help the world today.” Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the...

Earth911 Quiz #50: The Circular Life of LED Bulbs

The light emitting diode, or LED, has roared into our lives after starting out as a telecommunications technology and curiosity. But these long-lasting lights present a future recycling challenge for which we must prepare. This week’s quiz will help you understand how...

Goodbye Plastic Thanksgiving Tips

Did you know that turkey day is actually a very trashy day? Studies have shown that every year, Americans throw away 25% more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s than any other time of year. Too much plastic is needlessly purchased for the holidays. But it...

Are Floating Neighborhoods a Solution for Rising Sea Levels? *

As sea-level rise threatens cities throughout the world, some are looking at how humans can adapt. In North Amsterdam, a collaborative team created a floating neighborhood called Schoonschip on a canal. It consists of 46 dwellings, more than 100 new residents, and...

Discover the Benefits of Sustainable Business Practices *

Adopting Sustainable Business Practices  Enjoy the Benefits of being a Sustainable Business Businesses which demonstrate environmental integrity are likely to do well.  This is often the side benefit which results from doing good. Sustainable businesses...

Apples vs. Almonds — Compare Water Use and Fiber Content

Water usage and what we get in return is a challenging issue to track when making a buying decision. Here, we compare the water use involved in producing a pound of apples and a pound of almonds. While the almonds require 10 times the water as apples do, they deliver...

Consumer sustainability trends 2021: What trends to watch

A deep dive into consumer sustainability trends 2021. The events of 2020 accelerated consumer sustainability trends that had already been starting to emerge across many different markets. Despite being one of the most unpredictable years ever, it helped create greater...

Energy Wasters: Scare Away Those Vampire Loads P

Have you heard about the slow drain on your electricity from appliances, known as “vampire loads,” “phantom loads” or “standby energy drain”? These are the oh-so-scary loads of electricity that our electronic devices and appliances suck out of outlets without our...

9 Nontoxic Colognes That Don’t Stink!

Spritzing on your favorite cologne for a night out on the town shouldn’t require a degree in chemistry. The truth is, the majority of personal care products and synthetic fragrant potions are poisons that should be packaged with hazard symbols and come with a hazmat...

Unilever To Add Carbon Footprint Information on Packaging *

Unilever, the industrial giant behind the Seventh Generation, Dove, Ben & Jerry’s, Lipton, and dozens of other familiar brands, will add carbon footprint labels to its packaging. It’s an important change that will let you track the company’s progress toward its...

4 Ways to Have the Greenest Christmas Tree

‘Tis the season to start looking for the perfect Christmas tree to light up your home for the holidays. Today, most people consider live trees to be a greener option than artificial trees, which are often manufactured with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a...

What Makes a Product Sustainable and Why Should We Care? *

What is Sustainability, and Why is it Important?   We talk a lot about the importance of sustainability and making sure the products we purchase are sustainable. But what is it, exactly, that makes a product sustainable? As you might suspect, “sustainable” can...

COVID Changed Our Recycling, Plastic, and Packaging Focus

We scan the media for useful and interesting stories about sustainability, recycling, and actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and support responsible policy. Start your Saturday with a quick review of this week’s Earth911 Reader. In Recycling How to...

Is J P Morgan Chase Being Sustainable or Greenwashing?

Seminole County Commission   Seminole County commissioners expressed concerns about JPMorgan Chase's proposal to remove 88 large shade trees from an office parking lot off International Parkway to make way for dozens of solar panel canopies.   "I...

How to Break the Paper Towel Habit

In almost every American kitchen, you’ll find a roll of paper towels. They have the coolest commercials, and I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say every girl had a crush on the Brawny man at some point. But why do we have them? Why are they viewed as a necessity?...

Quiz #86: Composting Challenge P

By composting, you can reduce the amount of waste in your garbage can and turn your food scraps and lawn clippings into a rich soil amendment for your garden. Do you know what goes in a home compost bin? Challenge your composting knowledge and learn new composting...

Amazing Facts About the Earth and Nature *

The Earth is a remarkable place, full of surprises and value that must be preserved to help humanity’s development while reducing poverty and providing sufficient food for all. In this Earth911 Quiz, we look at recent scientific discoveries that make us marvel at the...

Earth911 Quiz #56: Does This Go in the Blue Bin?

Editor’s note: “Does This Go in the Blue Bin” is one of our most-popular quizzes. We’re giving you another chance to challenge your knowledge of good recycling decisions. Across the U.S., one of the biggest influences on recycling success is your decision about what...

The Biggest Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles P

Electric vehicles (EVs) have made huge technological strides since they were first introduced, and they’re more popular than ever before. Yet some drivers are still hesitant to make the switch from traditional gas-powered cars, in large part due to misconceptions that...

7 Unexpected Things You Can Compost P

Composting is the best way to get rid of your kitchen scraps without sending them to the landfill. And if you’ve been composting for a while, you may have already started experimenting with composting other items you don’t usually see in a list of materials you can...

Are You Inhaling Toxic Laundry Product Fumes? P

The widespread use of face masks is an effective way to slow the spread of COVID-19. Many people are now wearing cloth face masks daily. Thus, they require regular laundering. Be mindful of how you wash your face covering to promote optimum health and sustainability....

Will New BioPlastics Destroy Sustainability Growth? *

Bioplastics are plastics made from renewable biological sources, whereas traditional plastics are made from fossil fuels.    Are Plant Based Plastics Our Environmental Answer?   Since about 40 percent of the plastic produced is used in disposable...

Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Guide: Men’s Edition

The men on your gift list may not always be easy to buy for, and they may not give you a lot of clues about what they want, but thoughtful eco-friendly gifts are sure to make them happy. This round-up of sustainable holiday gifts for men satisfy the weirdness of 2020...

6 Ways to Save Money on Your Electric Bill in the Bathroom *

With more people at home, electricity bills are spiking. So, I wanted to round up a few ways you could save money on your electric bill. Whether you’re binging Netflix, helping your kids with online classwork, or just attending the 5,000th zoom meeting, a lot of...

What are the Recycling Mysteries About Tires *

Let’s be honest: Tires make the world go ’round. Unless you’re a professional speed walker, your method of transportation probably involves tires of some sort. But these tires don’t last forever. Whether it’s an irreparable flat or loss of tread, eventually tires need...

Earth911 Quiz #67: Do you know the paint recycling steps?

Paint is a common household and workplace material that can be recycled, donated, or disposed of responsibly. Oil- and water-based paints pose different challenges when recycling, and you can extend the use of paint by storing it safely and passing it along to someone...

Medicine Disposal – National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

October 24, 2020, is the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s nineteenth National Rx Take Back Day, an opportunity for Americans to return unused drugs safely. During last year’s event, 882,919 pounds — 441.5 tons — of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted...

We Earthlings: We Love Being Cooped Up

What connects us all? Nature and our shared relationships through nature. Share We Earthling posters to inspire others with your stories (click the image for a larger, high-resolution poster).     The post We Earthlings: We Love Being Cooped Up appeared...

There Is Always Some Beauty Left P

This week’s inspiration comes from Anne Frank: “I’ve found that there is always some beauty left — in nature, sunshine freedom, in yourself; these can all help you.” The quote comes from the diary Frank kept for two years while she and her family were hiding from the...

Yes, Pizza Boxes Are Recyclable

The Recycling Partnership last week released a scientific study that demonstrates that used pizza boxes are recyclable, even when they are greasy and have some cheese contamination. The report will be used to get more recycling programs to accept pizza boxes. The...

6 Issues Facing Electric Vehicles P

Fun to drive and cheaper to operate, electric vehicles have grown in popularity considerably in recent years. However, automakers still need to overcome some hurdles before they’re broadly adopted. It’s important to consider these issues before buying an electric...

Trump Administration Rewrites Environmental Protection Regulation

The Trump administration last week announced it will roll back key provisions of the 50-year-old National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that require environmental impact reviews for construction and other development projects. The decision will have a negative...

What is the Carbon Impact of Shipping Apples P

Everything we eat has been transported to us, adding CO2 to the atmosphere. Each little contribution has added up to more CO2 in the atmosphere than at any time in the last 800,000 years. We thought it would be informative to look at a box of apples as an example....

You Can Start a Green Team in Your Child’s School

Our children care deeply about the environment.  You can see this even in young children.  Ask a first grader to tell you about their favorite animals. They’ll undoubtedly tell you that those animals — whales, elephants, wolves, butterflies, turtles — are endangered...

How To Make an Upcycled Jar Terrarium

Terrariums add variety, depth, and beauty to your plant collection. You can easily make one at home out of an upcycled container. Creating an upcycled jar terrarium is also a fun and educational project to do with your kids. Using materials that you already have on...

Clean Your Whole House With Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Lemon

One way to reduce the number of cleaning products you bring into your home is to clean with products you already have. People have been cleaning with household staples like vinegar, baking soda, and lemons (or lemon juice) for a long time, and believe it or not, these...

Green Universities Offering Sustainability Degree Programs

Green Universities Offering Sustainability Degree Programs The pursuit of sustainability has become a critical goal for institutions worldwide, and universities are leading the charge by integrating green practices into their campuses and curriculum. With a growing...

Native Plants: the Key to Eco-Friendly Gardening P

After a dreary winter, spring has finally arrived! It’s time to shed our winter coats, trade them in for a sun hat and a pair of gardening gloves, and go dig into the dirt. Spring is a time for growth, renewal, and, best of all, gardening. What will you plant this...

5 Eco-Friendly Ideas for Your Home Office

As many of you know, Justin and I recently moved. In our old space, my office was a large, open concept area that was used for workouts, reading/lounging, and dancing – lots of dancing. Our new apartment is about the same size as the last place, but far less open...

How To Quit Fast Fashion for Good P

The MO of “fast fashion” brands is to mass-produce trendy designs at a low cost. While some brands are working on a greener selection, we know that greenwashing, waste, and human rights violations abound in the fashion industry. Emma Mathews, founder of the...

Cricket Protein Promises a More Sustainable Dog Food *

What if there was a healthy alternative to mammal- or fowl-meat pet food? Would you consider feeding bugs to your beloved dog? As it turns out, insects like crickets are not only a great protein alternative to traditional animal proteins, they’re also a more...

Use Your Microwave Less, Reduce Your CO2 Emissions

Use your microwave 10 minutes less a day and reduce your CO2 emissions by up to 610 pounds a year, depending upon the source of your electricity. Data source: Quiz #88: Coal-fired Energy Reduction Challenge Print or share We Earthling posters to inspire others with...

Careers in Solar Energy P

The solar energy industry is expanding across the United States and beyond as more countries transition to renewable energy. In the U.S., 855,000 people were employed in the renewable energy industry either directly or indirectly in 2018. Over 240,000 of these people...

Landscaping for Fire Resistance

Lately, it seems like every year is a bad year for wildfires. If you live in an area prone to wildfires — most of the American West — you naturally want to minimize that risk. And there are natural ways to do so. A wildfire-resistant landscape won’t necessarily...

6 Things to Consider Before Replacing Windows P

Windows provide light, warmth, ventilation, and views of the outdoors. Unfortunately, they can also reduce home energy efficiency and can be cumbersome to operate. Although window replacement is a popular home improvement, it is often not worth the upfront investment....

125+ Household Items You Can Compost P

What is compostable? The answer: A LOT OF THINGS! Things you probably haven’t even thought of before. I love composting, and it’s one of the best ways you can reduce your household waste. According the EPA a household can reduce their trash from 30-60% just by...

We Earthlings: Recycle a Six-Pack of Aluminum Cans P

When you recycle a six-pack of aluminum cans, you save the amount of energy equal to running a 14-watt CFL bulb for 120 hours. Read to that light happily knowing that you did your bit for the planet. Print or share We Earthling posters to inspire others with your...

How Can You Calculate Your Business Carbon Footprint? *

Understand Your Environmental Impact   Do you understand your impact on the environment?  So many of our daily actions add greenhouse gases to the atmosphere and it's not all our fault.   Much of the technology which makes our lives more comfortable...

Combatting Desertification

The United Nations designates days of observance as educational tools to raise awareness of global issues, and if there’s one issue that needs more attention, it’s desertification. You can be forgiven if the word “desertification” brings to mind sweet treats; despite...

Embrace Natural Cleaning and Avoid Harsh Chemicals *

Protect the Environment with Eco Friendly Cleaning Products   Switching from conventional cleaning products to green alternatives can benefit both the environment and your well-being.  Many companies don’t advertise this fact, but the traditional...

Have You Thought About Joining a Community Garden?

If you live in an apartment building or have a shaded yard, growing some of your own food might seem nearly impossible. However, there might be a great solution – joining a community garden. These shared spaces are a simple solution to promote local food production...

Earth911 Podcast: Sustainable Home Shopping With Loop

Are you thinking about shopping with home delivery during the lockdown? You need to know Loop, the home grocery delivery service that picks up and recycles what you buy when you are done. Earth911 talks with Benjamin Weir, North American business development manager...

Easy Carbon Sequestration You Can Do Yourself P

As any sci-fi fan can tell you, human survival depends upon an Earth-like atmosphere that’s 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.9% argon, and 0.03% carbon dioxide with traces of other elements. There is some wiggle room in the tiny percentage of carbon in the air. There were...

How can we reduce our metal waste? *

Metal is the fifth most common material in household garbage, after paper, food, plastic, and yard waste. Unlike the other top items, metal is inert in a landfill and cannot be burned. Mining metal is among the world’s most environmentally damaging industries....

10 Tips for Naturally Improving Your Quality of Sleep P

Has the last year thrown off your sleep schedule or is it just me? I find myself consistently resisting bedtime, and I’ve fallen into a slew of bad habits. One of my goals this year is to create a healthier night time routine so I can sleep better.  I also want to...

Graciela Chichilnisky on Distributed Carbon Capture Economies *

What is Carbon Capture, and Why is it Important?   Dr. Graciela Chichilnisky, co-founder and CEO of Global Thermostat, pioneered climate change policy and sustainable development planning, participating in the development of the Kyoto Protocol and as lead U.S....

Recycling Plastic Clamshells and Bottles, the Same but Not P

You’ve probably seen the #1 recycling symbol on various plastic containers when you’re sorting your recycling. Those containers are made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), also known as polyester. Because PET is strong, lightweight, and easily molded, it is a...

How to Plant a Garden for the Birds

Planting a Garden for the birds Birds are the most welcome wildlife in the landscape garden. They are beautiful, musical, interesting to watch. Unlike deer and other large visitors that eat plants, birds can even protect your garden by eating harmful bugs. There are...

Green Giving: 5 Nonprofits Clobbering Climate Change P

Thinking about year-end donations to nonprofits focused on issues related to climate change? A lot of organizations are working in this area and evaluating them is tough. How do you measure carbon not produced? Which nonprofits should you support? From pillars of the...

Sustainability at Home — Food, Detergents, and Reuse Projects

The Earth911 team is talking about the sustainable household decisions and projects to think about if you have some extra coronavirus-isolation time on your hands. We look at four kinds of laundry detergent, including powdered, liquid, pod, and sheet detergents that...

How Do I Identify Sustainable Travel Lodging? *

Are you a globe trotter, but you want to have a small footprint? You aren’t alone. According to a study by Booking.com, 83% of global travelers think sustainability is vital. Green accommodations are an essential element of a more sustainable approach to travel....

Understanding the Population Problem

When the global population reached 5 billion in 1987, that number seemed almost inconceivable. But today, there are almost 8 billion people on the planet and by 2056, we could reach 10 billion humans. Without technical innovation and changes in human behavior, Earth’s...

Earth911 Quiz #47: Battery Recycling Challenge

Americans buy about 3 billion batteries each year, half of which are AA and 30 percent AAA batteries for small electronics. Do you know which states require battery recycling? Do you know the different requirements for recycling rechargeable and single-use batteries?...

Which Car Brands Emit the Most Carbon Dioxide? *

Do you know how your car’s carbon dioxide emissions compare to those emitted by other cars? Are some car brands bigger CO2 emitters than others? And do all new car models really produce fewer emissions than the older models on the road? The world saw air quality and...

Let’s Restore the Forests To Remove CO2 P

Paul Hawken’s important book Drawdown is a blueprint for reducing humanity’s carbon footprint. Did you know that restoring 751 million acres of forest that have been cut down in the past few decades would remove 61.2 gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere by 2050? This...

The “Spaving” Dilemma: Avoid These Wasteful Spending Traps P

In a world largely driven by consumerism, it’s important to realize the power we each have to help the planet by spending and buying less. Our personal habits as consumers can help make a positive change or inadvertently create more waste in the world. Unfortunately,...

Repurposing of Gift Cards, Credit Cards, and Rewards Cards

You’re probably sporting a few of them right now in your wallet. Or they’re stacked inside a random kitchen drawer. Flat and featherweight, these plastic rectangles pile up. You use them for shopping. For banking. Gifts. Earning rewards points. You may even receive...

Dry Gardening for a Better Tasting Tomorrow *

If your summer water bills – or your local government’s water use restrictions – have you doubting your future as a vegetable gardener, take hope. Farmers in dry climates have developed a suite of strategies to grow crops with little to no irrigation. Called dry...

10 Surprising Ways to Have an Eco-Friendly Bathroom *

The bathroom might be the smallest room in your house but man-oh-man can it be wasteful! I’ve rounded up my best tips for you to create a more eco-friendly bathroom. The sheer amount of products that existed in my bathroom cabinets, under the sink, and in the shower,...

Eco-friendly Experience Gifts for the Quarantines

From Black Friday to Super Saturday, advertisers bombard us with messages to buy a seemingly endless stream of items for the holidays — particularly gifts. And while buying less stuff helps curb your consumer carbon footprint, it’s easy to give in to the pressures of...

Choosing Safer Food Storage Containers P

Many of us grew up in the Tupperware age. Our parents’ fridges were full of plastic food storage containers, and we even kept plastic margarine tubs for storing leftovers! A lot has changed since then, and more and more research is showing that plastic leaches...

Maven Moment: Icebox Cake *

My grandmother’s “icebox cake” was one of my favorite desserts growing up. She made it by layering graham crackers and warm pudding in a pan and setting the pan in the refrigerator so the mixture could set up. After a few hours, the cracker layers had absorbed some of...

Earth911 Inspiration: E. O. Wilson on the Act of Discovery

This week’s quote is from American biologist and naturalist Edward O. Wilson. In his book, The Origins of Creativity, Wilson wrote, “The act of discovery is completely a human story. Its telling is a human achievement. Scientific knowledge is the idiosyncratic,...

Can Climate Change be Made Simple Enough to Solve? *

Why People Worry More About Plastic Waste Than the Climate?   I've written in the past about our fascination with plastic waste in our oceans and how it affects our feelings about other issues. I was perplexed about this until I came across supporting...

Small Business Boosted Green Product Sales During Recession

Small Business Boosts Green Products Sales Rainforest Alliance logo on cup image by Alpha via Flickr In the first major survey to look at the green economy from the perspective of small business owners, 75 percent say sales of green products actually rose...

Beware of the Red List – Top Materials to Avoid in Your Home

The Red List is a list of “worst in class” materials, chemicals, and elements that the green building industry tries to avoid. Even if you are not a construction professional, knowing about these materials and which products are made from them can help you make your...

Tips for Starting Your Garden From Scratch P

As the spring flowers start to appear and the days get longer, my inspiration for gardening returns. You don’t have to wait for warmer weather to get your hands dirty. Starting plants from seed is a great way to extend your relationship with your garden, have more...

Mosquitos Driving You Nuts? Attract a Bat Colony *

Is your yard swarming with mosquitos? An excellent way to keep flying insects at bay without harmful chemicals is to recruit bats to eat them. Providing bats with the right habitat encourages them to take up residence nearby. Bats like to live in tight crevices in...

10 Sustainable Mattress Companies: Choosing Your Green Sleep P

Earth911 Mattress Ranking research is sponsored by Avocado Brands Sleep is bliss, but it isn’t always environmentally responsible. Many mattresses contain a toxic brew of chemicals — from flame-retardant chemicals like polybrominated diphenyl ethers to formaldehyde...

Beverage Container Showdown: Plastic vs. Glass vs. Aluminum

When you’re shopping for beverages, what kind of container do you choose? You have a few options: plastic bottles, glass bottles, or aluminum cans. What to choose? The decision can be daunting for environmentalists. We’re here to give you the lowdown on which of these...

So, You’ve Audited Your Waste, Now What?

In part one, Conducting a Home Waste Audit, you learned to audit your household waste for a week. Now it’s time to analyze the waste and make changes. In my waste audit example, I categorized 150 items for disposal. Of those items, I could put 77 items in the...

Maven Moment: Community Action

One of the activities that I miss most during this time of COVID-19 is volunteering. Before the pandemic, at least one weekend a month I had the opportunity to participate in a park, beach, or forest cleanup project. It was at these events that I began to meet my...

Recipes With Plant-based Substitutions for Eggs and Dairy P

Perhaps you’re eating healthier. Or you’re shifting to plant-forward foods to support a sustainable planet. Or you’re simply out of fresh eggs. Good news: Plant-based substitutions are healthy and plentiful. While vegan dairy and egg replacements are on store shelves,...

Some U.S. metro areas could grow all needed food locally P

Some but not all U.S. metro areas could grow all the food they need locally, according to a new study estimating the degree to which the American food supply could be localized based on population, geography, and diet. The modeling study, led by Christian Peters at...

10 Easy Ways to Reduce Food Waste at Home *

Food is too good to waste, and yet one third of food produced for human consumption is wasted or lost globally. In the US, we waste 40% of all our food – that’s nuts! Food waste might seem like something small, but it adds up to a massive… and I mean MASSIVE impact....

Overpopulation is a racist argument against climate change

Overpopulation is a racist argument against climate change…and it’s designed to distract you. On the day when we learnt news that shocked *literally nobody* – rich people hate paying taxes, and the slightly more shocking news that Donald Trump paid $70,000 for his...

Do Your Appliances Use Refrigerants the UN Wants To Ban?

A recent UN report suggests solutions to one of the most challenging problems facing the planet, how we keep our homes cool. The report found that the cooling sector — air conditioning and refrigerants — produces about 8 billion tons of greenhouse gas emissions per...

Can We Innovate Our Way Out of Our Environmental Mess? *

Can Innovation Solve Our Problems? Innovation is an abused business buzzword that is often applied to the topic of sustainability.  Online literature is full of articles and reports on sustainability and innovation, sometimes converged into "sustainable...

4 Natural Ways To Tackle Carpet Stains P

You can’t always avoid it. Your beautiful carpet is likely to get stains, no matter how much care you put into it. But can you remove carpet stains naturally, without exposing your family to harsh cleaning chemicals? Removing carpet stains can be a difficult task. If...

Sustainable Parenting: 15 Eco-Friendly Moms and Dads You Should Follow

With sustainable parenting, there’s an emphasis on teaching children to be eco-conscious as well as making mindful decisions based on environmental impact. Basically, you seek to raise kids that love and care about the environment which can be done in a number of...

Is Your Electricity Greenwashed? *

Dozens of electrical utility companies across the country have pledged to become “carbon neutral” by 2050. But recent Sierra Club research shows that hardly any of them are making significant changes to move toward clean energy. Are they greenwashing our electricity?...

Your Food Waste Has Global Impact P

You probably feel a little guilty about tossing leftovers. Throwing out uneaten food is a waste of the money you spent to buy it and the resources it took to grow and prepare it. But did you know that wasted food is so harmful that the United Nations has a campaign...

10 Virtual Activities to do with Your Friends and Family P

I don’t know about you, but I miss my family. It’s officially been over a year since we’ve seen each other and one of my goals is to be more intentional in creating virtual activities with friends and family.  Zoom calls are great, but most of us are sitting on zoom...

20 Green Things You Can do in 20 Minutes

Think one person can’t make a difference? Think again. With every American producing 4.5 pounds of trash per day, the little things we do to reduce our impact can make a huge difference. Here are 20 little things you can do to help the environment and your world in...

How to Turn Your Yard Into a Pollinator Paradise

Did you know that almost all of the world’s plants need to be pollinated?  Bats, birds, beetles, bees, butterflies, wasps, and moths all play this essential role in ecosystems and are crucial in the reproduction of two-thirds of all crop species. Sadly, pollinators...

What Are Nurdles and Why Should You Care?

Nurdles, also known as “pre-production pellets,” are small pellets of plastic resin, about the size of a lentil, that serve as raw material for manufacturing everyday plastic products. These lightweight pellets are also a major source of microplastic pollution. Easily...

How To Turn a Photo Frame Into an Extraordinary Serving Tray

Turning a photo frame into a serving tray is a DIYer’s dream. You can you upcycle an unused frame into a unique piece of home decor, making use of an old item that might otherwise end up in the dump. Plus, you can use the serving tray for a variety of purposes. From a...

We Earthlings: Rising Sea Levels and Disappearing Beaches

We can expect big changes in our coastlines as climate change causes sea levels to rise. Research predicts a loss of nearly half of the world’s sandy beaches by 2100. Let’s cut our greenhouse gas emissions so that future generations can enjoy the beaches. Source:...

Plastic Bag and Plastic Film Recycling for Beginners

Ideally, we should avoid single-use plastic bags and plastic film. Failing that, we should reuse them as much as possible. But not all bags are reusable. And most can be reused only so many times before they tear. Plus, plastic wrap and plastic film are...

7 Unexpected Things You Can Compost P

Composting is the best way to get rid of your kitchen scraps without sending them to the landfill. And if you’ve been composting for a while, you may have already started experimenting with composting other items you don’t usually see in a list of materials you can...

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Maven Moment: Rags and Textile Waste P

I still laugh when I remember the Easter when Grandma Jennie used rags to curl my sister’s and my hair. Using strips of fabric, she tied each strip at the end of a section of hair. Next, she twisted the hair, rolled it down to the scalp, and tied the rag tightly. Then...

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Greenwashing: The Lesser of Two Evils P

Greenwashing: The Lesser of Two Evils P

Most people have heard of greenwashing, the practice of marketing products using misleading environmental claims. By taking advantage of our good intentions and limited time, marketers use greenwashing to make us feel better about a product instead of making the...

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Try a Little Tenderness Toward This World P

Thinking of the Earth first, with consideration and kindness, is what we need to make positive decisions about our relationship with the world. Author Charlotte Erickson reminds us to “Just try a little tenderness towards this world we’ve been lucky enough to build...

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3 Upcycled Dog Toys You Can Make P

3 Upcycled Dog Toys You Can Make P

We all want the best for our dogs. And, when we go to the specialty store to buy the best organic and high quality dog food, we also see all of the latest dog toys that can help stimulate our dogs mentally and physically. But before you spend your money on a brand new...

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Recycling Mystery: Antifreeze P

Antifreeze: Wise car owners have some stored in the garage to keep their engines running properly in extreme cold (and hot) conditions. What if it’s been sitting there too long? Can you recycle leftover antifreeze? The good news is that antifreeze is recyclable. What...

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Choosing Safer Food Storage Containers P

Choosing Safer Food Storage Containers P

Many of us grew up in the Tupperware age. Our parents’ fridges were full of plastic food storage containers, and we even kept plastic margarine tubs for storing leftovers! A lot has changed since then, and more and more research is showing that plastic leaches...

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Eco-Friendly Ways To De-Ice Your Sidewalk P

Eco-Friendly Ways To De-Ice Your Sidewalk P

When the snow starts falling, it’s tempting to retreat into the house and hibernate until spring. But no matter how tempting, it is unfortunately not possible. Even if we didn’t have to go to work, regulations in most communities hold individuals responsible for...

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So, You’ve Audited Your Waste, Now What?

In part one, Conducting a Home Waste Audit, you learned to audit your household waste for a week. Now it’s time to analyze the waste and make changes. In my waste audit example, I categorized 150 items for disposal. Of those items, I could put 77 items in the...

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Teaching Kids to Recycle

All parents want to leave the world a better place for their children. While it sometimes feels like we don’t have much control over what happens down the line, one of the best ways to ensure that there will be a healthy planet for future generations is to teach...

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We Earthlings: Recycle Paper and Cardboard

On average, every American sends 1,646.15 pounds of solid waste to landfills every year. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is! If you don’t already recycle paper products, you can reduce your solid waste by 25 percent by recycling all of the paper and...

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What NOT to Put in the Recycling Bin

Ever wondered if that greasy paper plate could go in your recycling bin? Or would it really be a big deal if you threw in just one plastic bag? It may seem simple to determine what doesn’t go in a recycling bin based on an item’s labels or whether or not it shows a...

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Recycling Mystery: Meat Packaging

Recycling Mystery: Meat Packaging

If you buy meat in a grocery store, it likely comes in a plastic foam tray, on top of a plastic pad, wrapped in plastic wrap. Meat packaging produces a lot of plastic waste. Can it be recycled? Not all of it, but here’s what you can do. We know how you feel. Walking...

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Quiz #87: Food Carbon Footprint Challenge

Quiz #87: Food Carbon Footprint Challenge

A few simple mental habits such as knowing how to quickly pick the foods with the least carbon impact, can help you make big strides in your personal sustainability. In this Earth911 Quiz, you’ll be presented a set of foods and asked to order them by their CO2...

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Earth911 Quiz #48: Ocean Plastics Solutions

Earth911 Quiz #48: Ocean Plastics Solutions

Plastic pollution in our oceans is a serious challenge to our food supply, animal and human health, and the environment in general. With multiple gyres of trash that are hundreds of miles wide floating in the world’s seas, plastic threatens to outweigh fish by 2050....

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Start Thinking About Your Spring Garden Now

The common practice of cleaning gardens in fall and planting them spring has more to do with psychology than sound horticultural practice. Many common fall garden chores do not benefit plants. However, you can do a lot in the fall to prepare your garden for the best...

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4 Tips for Buying a Tiny Home Kit

Some Americans are rethinking how much money and resources they dedicate to housing. Tiny homes are becoming an increasingly appealing option to simplify life, reduce expenses, conserve energy, and reduce waste. It’s a growing trend. In Seattle, the City Council...

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Green Business Practices

Sustainability International Partners green practices through the use of sustainable purchasing, electronics stewardship, transportation, waste diversion, and pollution prevention help in creating the harmony between business and nature necessary to protect our environment.

Sustainability International Partner’s Green Initiatives

 

  • Recycle & Reduce Wastes:  Use of highly visible and well marked recycling containers in all visitor areas to recycle glass, metal, and paper.
  • Efficient Water Use:  Have a plan for conserving water.
  • Efficient Energy Use:  Have a plan for reducing energy consumption.
  • Support Green Events:  Offer a Green environmentally friendly package for all events.
  • Minimize use of Disposable Products:  Use products made from bio-based or renewable resources and recycle or compost these items.
  • Minimize Chemical Use:  Have a plan to minimize the use of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers.
  • Recycle Grease:  Dispose of grease in an environmentally friendly manner.
  • Promote Green Practices:  Use unique opportunities to educate guests about their environment and how they interact with the environment.
  • Promote Green Partners:  Feature your green partners and promote their environmental sensitivity to your guests.
  • Minimize Printed Materials:  Use digital marketing and web presence to spread your message.

Why Should My Business Become A Sustainability International Partner?

Sustainability International Partnership shows potential customers that your business has a commitment to helping keep our environment clean.  

By adopting our voluntary Green Initiatives as your business practices, your business signals your commitment to a sustainable and green environment.

 

Become A Sustainability International Partner

Sustainability International Partners understand the importance of conducting their business in an environmentally sensitive and sustainable manner.  

Your customers are searching for businesses who embrace sustainability, and green initiatives and there is nothing more important to your business than connecting to every customer possible.  

The partnership is FREE, learn how easy it is to become a Sustainability International Partner and enjoy the benefits of being a Sustainability International Partner.

 

 

Support Sustainability and protecting our environment, subscribe today for your FREE membership to Sustainability International.

 

 

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