Recession polls unveil strength in recycling

Every year Earth Day comes to pass, echoing our world’s environmental trends and habits. In more recent years, this day has begun to encompass recycling practices as well.

 

Rasmussen’s latest survey of 1,000 Americans revealed that 70% actively partake in recycling programs in their households, and 53% of those polled rated their workplace’s recycling efforts between “good” and “excellent.” A recent MSN survey validates these numbers, indicating that 20% of Americans do not have access to a recycling service in their local area. Call2Recycle’s most current survey found that 92% of respondents regularly recycle at least one item, while 84% said they’re likely to recycle glass, plastic, or newspaper in the upcoming six months, which leads many to believe that the current “green” trend is withstanding the economic downturn.

 

According to Call2Recylce, we live in a time where feelings of “green guilt” have the ability to run rampant if consumers don’t feel like they’re somehow directly contributing to a reduced carbon footprint and overall waste. Regardless of the economic climate, or the positive polls, everyone needs to continue to focus on the environment and take individual action. 

 

What did you do this past Earth Day?

 

Source: Resource Recycling

Unwind on the Green Side

Spring has arrived and summer is fast-approaching and we all know what that equates to, it is time, time to do some travelling. According to TripAdvisor, a number a vacationers plan to travel to “greener pastures” literally, by way of incorporating environmentally-friendly travel choices into their plans this upcoming season. Their survey found Portland, Ore., to be the highest on the green-friendly chart, and New York City was determined the least green-friendly. With that in mind, do a little digging prior to finalizing your vacation plans and you can read the full article at: http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/04/tripadvisor_man.html

National Cell Phone Recycling Week

National Cell Phone Recycling Week is April 6 through April 12. Participate in this national event by recycling your unwanted cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and accessories. Plug-In To eCycling’s National Cell Phone Recycling Week 2009 is increasing awareness by teaming up with AT&T, Best Buy, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Office Depot, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.

You can bring (or mail in) your unwanted cell phones to these retailers or service providers. Prior to donating your phone keep these tips in mind:

-Terminate the service for the donated phone
-Clear the phone’s memory
-Do a factory reset
-Remove the SIM card

 

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20090408/NEWS01/90408012

 

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/42706057.html

 

 

Companies Grasp for Green

Will sustainability efforts save companies money? Staples, is a firm believer that it can, and it will. Merely switching their light bulbs from three-amp to two-amp, will add $4.2 million dollars to the company’s bottom line. John Mahoney, the chief finance officer of Staples, spoke at the CFO Green Conference in New York stating, “Companies that have not done much work on “green” initiatives will likely get moving as a result of their declining business fortunes.”

 

Green practices can have a strong positive impact on the financial performance at companies. For example, Staples modified their trucks last year to not go exceed speeds of 60mph. This saved 540,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, with a cost-savings of $1.5 million. “When diesel prices spiked we were able to offset about 80% of the increase just through this program,” Mahoney claimed. Many companies, like Staples, are realizing that tax credits can aid them in their efforts to save while being environmentally friendly. Staples also utilized tax credits to install solar panels which generated a savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars with virtually no capital investment on their part.

 

One thing this questionable economy is doing is making companies take a long hard look at their expenditure, which is aiding them in discovering ways to be green while saving green. Gwen Ruta, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Environmental Defense Fund, says, “We’ve seen over and over again that companies can find ways to benefit both the environment and their bottom lines.”

Find the entire article at: http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/13402881/c_13401288?f=home_todayinfinance