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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Thursday, 20 October 2011 12:51 |
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 Post your questions on clean technology and green business for Rick Needham – he'll be online 4-5pm BST on 20 October to answer as many as possible.
To mark the Cleantech global 100 list and discuss the issues it raises, this Thursday we're joined by Rick Needham, Google's director for green business operations and strategy. Responsible for the internet giant's investments in renewable energy as well as greening up Google's offices, he previously worked at DEKA Research on clean energy and robotics, and has a background in the US Navy and engineering.
Needham joins us 4-5pm BST on 20 October – post your questions on the guardian web site, and he'll do his best to answer. Also check out the Google Green Web Site.
Source: The Guardian
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Thursday, 06 October 2011 14:13 |
 One would think that a nursery – by virtue of the fact that its business is trees – is ‘green’ by default. But take into account factors such as the electricity, fuel, fertilizer, containers, plastic bags, paper and transport that are required to produce trees and, like any other product, a container-grown tree can tread heavily on the Earth in terms of the carbon footprint it leaves behind.
For the second year in a row Just Trees in Paarl is taking steps to ensure that the trees they are selling carry no residual carbon footprint. They conducted an internal assessment and then calculated their carbon footprint under the guidelines set out in the GHG Protocol. This was then reviewed by experienced carbon footprint analysts all regulated by The Carbon Protocol South Africa.
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Wednesday, 27 July 2011 23:59 |
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INTERBRAND RELEASES RANKING OF THE 50 “BEST GLOBAL GREEN BRANDS”
Interbrand debuts new global report; assessing brands by consumer perception of green activities and a demonstration of environmental performance
New York, New York (26 July 2011) — Toyota (#1), 3M (#2) and Siemens (#3) lead Interbrand’s new global report, “Best Global Green Brands.” In its first global report to focus exclusively on green, Interbrand, the leading brand consultancy, combines public perception of environmental sustainability (“green”) with a demonstration of that performance based on publically available information and data.
The foundation of the ranking is Interbrand’s 2010 Best Global Brands report, as these brands have a global presence and a demonstrated record of delivering value to stakeholders.
Findings show that the strongest green brands consistently differentiate themselves and engage in green activities that consumers find relevant, as well as implement profitable green practices across their organization, from setting and executing environmental programs to effectively measuring and reporting their performance to the public.
“As corporate citizenship increasingly becomes the norm, green initiatives may be among the most visible and easiest to claim and yet, can be the most challenging to deliver performance against,” said Jez Frampton, Global Chief Executive Officer at Interbrand. “We believe the strongest green brands lie at the intersection of performance and perception: their ability to build stronger connections with consumers as a result of actionable and credible environmental practices.”
“The release of Interbrand’s first Best Global Green Brands Survey is an enormous advance in terms of acknowledging brands throughout the world that are doing their part in creating a sustainable economy,” adds Jeremy Sampson, Group Chairman Interbrand Sampson in Johannesburg. “Locally there is much uncertainty as to the real meanings of terms such as ‘sustainability’ and ‘green’, this report will help in clearing the fog.”
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Wednesday, 06 July 2011 15:35 |
Engen the country’s leading petroleum products marketer has received a thumbs-up for its environmental management systems at its crude oil refinery and its depot in Wentworth, Durban, with certification under the ISO 14001 standard.
The Refinery was recertified as standard-compliant by the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) for another three years, while Engen’s Wentworth Depot (a major distribution centre with its own solvent blend facility) achieved official accreditation for the first time.
ISO 14001 exists to help organisations minimise the negative effects of their operations on the environment, enabling them to comply with applicable laws, regulations and other environmentally oriented requirements, and to continually improve on these.
Other recognition
Besides ISO 14001 recognition, the Engen’s refinery continues to comply with all requirements for its trade permit, which is issued annually by the local eThekwini Municipality.
It has also received numerous accolades for its environmental investments and practices, which include an Integrated Waste Management Plan (IWMP), investment of R15 million annually in emission reduction, and zero exceedances of permissible levels of sulphur-dioxide emissions in the year ending 2010.
Clear commitment
“Our accreditation reaffirms our commitment to a cleaner, safer, healthier environment and the well being of our community,” says Kamal Bahrin B Ahmad, general manager of Engen Refinery.
Press Release By:
Magna Carta Public Relations (Pty) Ltd
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Monday, 04 July 2011 16:53 |
Cape Town, 4th July, 2011 –The South African Plastic Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) has released the results of its first annual SA Plastics Recycling survey in collaboration with the South African Plastics Federation, which reveals an 32% increase in the tonnages of plastics recycled over the four years to end of 2009, and highlights the positive impact of plastic recycling on the economy and job creation.
The survey reveals that 28,9% of all plastics packaging was recycled during the measured period, translating into 165 772 tons of packagings. 48,8% of all recyclable materials was obtained from post-consumer sources, including landfills. Recycling a ton of waste has twice the economic impact of burying it in the ground. In addition, recycling one additional ton of waste will pay R1095 per ton more in salaries, produce R4905 more in goods and services, and generate R1.3-million more in sales than disposing of it in a landfill.
According to the study, there are 200 to 220 plastics recycling manufacturers in South Africa who employ 4,800 people (directly) creating 35,000 jobs (indirectly) who have an annual payroll of R250-million.
Annabe Pretorius, General Manager for SAPRO, says that one of the most significant impacts of plastics recycling on the economy is job creation as well as reduction of carbon footprint and the re-use of non-renewable resources. “Without this industry there would be more than 35,000 employees who would not have work and the industry is growing steadily with more and more manufacturers being created, which is creating more jobs.”
In addition, there are many jobs that are indirectly supported by recycling as collection would entail waste picking, sorting and compacting/baling jobs. “The bulk of these people would be self-employed in the waste picking/harvesting aspect of recycling,” she adds. “About one third of them are employed by collectors and would be involved in recyclers, sorting, baling, collection and transport of recyclable materials.”
With regard to the cost implication on the economy, Pretorius explains that if people don’t recycle, the first significant cost implication would be that 34 500 families would be without jobs and without an income. Secondly, there would be at least 400 less companies (recyclers and collectors and transport companies) doing business in South Africa. Thirdly, certain products would be at least 20% more expensive, e.g. carrier bags, refuse bags, furniture shrouds, irrigation piping, etc. In addition, municipalities would run out of landfill space sooner and would have to develop more landfill space.
The survey states that the number of environmentally conscious public is increasing and they are keen to get involved in some sort of recycling product.
Rory Murray, marketing director at Tuffy Brands, pioneers of refuse bags made from 100% recycled materials, says that consumers that think about the products they choose can promote recycling and make a big difference to the environment.
“It’s what goes into the products when they are recycled that matters,” he says. “Many products claim to be 100% recycled however what most consumers don’t know is that some of these products are only recycled using pre-consumer waste which is not taken out of the environment, so essentially does not make much of a difference to the state of the environment.”
He advises that in order to support recycling efforts, consumers need to look for products that are made from high percentages of ‘post-consumer’ waste meaning a material that was discarded after someone uses it, in other words it has served its intended purpose, passed through the hands of a final consumer and has been discarded for disposal or recovery. “We take physically out of the environment and reuse it, so essentially cutting down on rubbish ending up in a landfill site and essentially better for the environment.”
He adds that to ensure you are buying a product made from recycled materials, consumers can check the labels and look for labels that indicate the highest percentage of post-consumer recycled content and that the label does not state ‘recycle me’ as this does not mean that it was initially made from recycled material.
Pretorius says that as well as consumers, recyclers and the industry as a whole have a huge role to play in helping the recycling statistics to increase. The survey states that the best measure of success for a recycling industry is the extent to which it can recover the highest percentage of used materials at the lowest cost and that this can only be achieved by taking into account some important considerations including:
Plastics recyclers need to take the initiative to engage with the serious role-players to create awareness for mechanical recycling the advantages of it for the Carbon Footprints and Extended Producer Responsibilities (EPR); plastics recyclers need to become more professional in their approach to government at all levels to ensure that Government takes them seriously and considers their input as essential to their long term plans for the industry; and the recycling industry needs to engage at senior decision making level with plastic industry forums to ensure that the expertise and equipment in industry are utilised to the benefit of all.
Complete Survey is available from the Plastics Federation of South Africa, Dianne Blumberg can be contacted on 011 314 4021 for more details.
-Ends-
About Tuffy
Cape-based Tuffy, which has been around for 25 years, manufactures flexible plastic and paper products for the retail, industrial and marketing sectors with products marketed under its own brand name, Tuffy a brand leader in several categories.
Tuffy pioneered refuse bags on a roll in SA and runs 6,000 tons of material through its plant every year, equating to 240 million refuse bags. The company manufactures all its black refuse bags from 100% recycled material, 70% of which is post consumer.
Tuffy is also a major producer of private label wraps and bags in SA and manufactures a range of disposable protective clothing for medical, catering and allied industries and has a dedicated CMT (cut-make-trim) plant that manufactures promotional material for the advertising industry and point of sale materials for the retail industry.
Contact:
Kisha van Vuuren - Tin Can PR
(021) 413 7500 or (073) 912 3387 or email
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Posted by Gunther Beissel
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Friday, 24 June 2011 15:10 |
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The world first 100% biodegradable plastic for landfill sites.
In an effort to help reduce the tons of discarded plastic bottles accumulating in our nation’s landfills, ENSO Bottles™, in partnership with Resilux America is bringing a biodegrable technology to the plastic packaging industry available in specially formulated additive, preforms and blown plastic bottles. ENSO Bottles™ is dedicated to providing earth friendly packaging solutions to customers seeking a biodegradable packaging alternative.
ENSO bottles are not Oxo biodegradable or PLA plastic (corn based) bottles. ENSO bottles are plastic containers that 100% biodegrade in anaerobic (landfill) environments, breaking down through microbial action into biogases and inert humus leaving behind no harmful materials. ENSO bottles are recyclable and can be mixed into the recycling stream with other plastic bottles.
For further information contact: ENSO South Africa 031 569 4360 or email at
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Monday, 18 April 2011 13:43 |
Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 15 Apr 2011
Title: Business urged to play climate leadership role
Source: BuaNews
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By Chris Bathembu
Johannesburg - The South African government wants to use the upcoming United Nations climate change summit, scheduled to take place in Durban later this year, to convince the country's business sector to take a leading role in the global efforts to slow climate change.
Environmental Affairs Minister Edna Molewa on Friday met with Business Unity South Africa (Busa) for a two-hour discussion on how the sector can assist government pass policies that promote green growth.
The meeting was called to assess business feelings around government's climate policy and how the sector can assist in making the Durban talks a success for Africa and other developing nations.
"We had a very fruitful discussion which touched on a whole range of issues pertaining to how business can make COP 17 a success. Based on what we have discussed, we are confident that we will be in a position to see how business can step up to the plate and help shape our policy direction," Molewa said at the conclusion of the meeting.
South Africa has committed to lower its carbon emission to 34 percent by 2020 but will need financial support from developed countries to do so. The country recently embarked on several solar and wind power programmes in a bid to fast track its green economy initiatives.
Molewa said while government would play its part in policy formulation, the role of business in ongoing efforts to mitigate global warming can never be underestimated.
"We have worked well with business on quite a number of projects and what we agreed on here is that we don't want to see COP 17 as another talk shop to discuss previous decisions taken in Mexico and Copenhagen...we have to move forward and beyond what was said there."
The UN-led negotiations have in the past been hampered by arguments about rich nations' targets to cut emissions by 2020, financing for poorer nations to adapt to climate change and to curb their own greenhouse gas emissions and the best way to deliver and manage those funds. Poor nations have also been refusing to fork out money for mitigation efforts, blaming developed nations for the current climate problems faced by the world.
But Molewa said she was confident that the talks in South Africa would not be another mudslinging exercise between superpowers such as the United States and Japan and the developing nations led by China, India, Brazil and South Africa.
Busa Deputy CEO Raymond Parsons insisted that while business supported the targets set by the South African government and the accord reached by world leaders in Copenhagen in 2009, it was imperative that climate policy direction was in line with the economic growth path announced by Pretoria recently.
"For us what is important is how we interpret those climate goals in other words how do align the climate policy with the new growth path," he said. - BuaNews
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Monday, 11 April 2011 21:19 |
 SA Companies doing Green Business
Green Companies in South Africa are introducing a new industry standard for Brand building to deliver real value to customers who in turn can pass this benefit to their customers and ultimately consumer South Africa. Steven Isaacson, joint CEO of Kevro, the largest and leading corporate clothing and promotional gifting wholesaler in Africa, rejected over 50 000 products to launch a South African first environmentally compliant and child safe gifting range that is both safe for consumers and the environment.
“There is a huge global focus on environmental sustainability and organizations that do not conform to the highest of standards can suffer immeasurable damage to their brand. We have seen major international companies pay a heavy price for their failure to ensure the safety of their consumers, and especially the negative impact in the media of having to recall promotional products that are not safe. According to Reuters on Friday 4th of June 2010, a major global fast food business made a voluntary recall of 13.4 million drinking glasses in North America due to the items containing excessive permissible levels of Cadmium” said Isaacson.
Significant investments are made by these Companies and by Kevro to ensure “first mover advantages” within this environmental space and in so doing all products are manufactured from materials that are compliant and safe according to South African and International standards. Some products undergo over 6000 product tests to meet these standards. The standard operating procedure for doing so ensures that all products are tested using a chemical detection instrument and all food related products are thoroughly tested by independent laboratories to meet all applicable standards. Therefore customers are safe in the knowledge that products are environmentally compliant ensuring a brighter South African future.
All products in an environmentally compliant and child safe range once produced are then all tested to ensure that there are low or zero levels of the following elements: BPA, Lead < 200 ppm (Less than 200 parts per million based on Environmental International standards) and Cadmium < 600 ppm (Less than 600 parts per million based on Environmental International standards). It must be noted that the average Lead and Cadmium quantity in the equivalent promotional non-green range of products, is 6 - 10 000 parts per million.
The focus is also on utilizing sustainable resources that are recycled and recyclable, reusable and energy saving that will enhance the consumer’s relationship with a company’s brands, as well as exposing its brands to a wider audience. Natural elements are utilized as base materials, such as Recycled plastic bottles, Bamboo, Cotton and corn. Not only are these natural elements environmentally sustainable but every material used in the manufacturing of the range is made of compliant elements, and in some cases exceeds, the strictest of domestic and international standards.
Steven Isaacson says, “ In turn end consumers will not only enjoy original, great looking and safe promotional items, but your brand presence will be strengthened and raised to a new level knowing that your business is making an effort to improve on environmental and safe product by utilizing product that meets these standards. Our customers are at the heart and soul of what we do and our efforts demonstrate the responsible choice to help benefit the health of consumers and the environment in South Africa.”
Green Companies, like Kevro, commit to ensure that products, both manufactured locally and imported, conform to the highest degree with established domestic and international product laws, and adhere to and believe in responsible facilities with strict social regulations and standards.
*Kevro is a Trade Only brand, wholesaling to promotional companies, independent retailers as well as advertising and event companies who in turn supply the corporate market.
Visit www.kevro.co.za
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Posted by Enviroadmin
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Tuesday, 08 March 2011 20:54 |
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In a world where environmental issues have become everyone’s concern, it’s important that we all do our bit to be kinder to the environment. New BlueMotion Technologies from Volkswagen, now available for the first time in South Africa, is designed to help you do just that. The rest is up to you.
The real benefit of BlueMotion lies in the sum of its parts. With a host of changes, improvements and new technologies, BlueMotion vehicles can deliver up to a 10% reduction in fuel and emissions - depending on individual driving style.
Over time, every bit counts. That’s the heart of the BlueMotion ‘Think Blue’ brand philosophy – not only a commitment to be kinder to the planet, but also the perfect embodiment of Volkswagen’s goal to be the most responsible and innovative volume car brand in the world.
And we’re getting there, one step at a time.
The BlueMotion Badge
The BlueMotion badge identifies the cleanest cars in our range, incorporating many different energy-saving features. It's kinder to the environment and better for your wallet.
Low Rolling Resistance
The BlueMotion range is fitted with low rolling resistance tyres, resulting in excellent performance, saving fuel and helping to cut emissions.
Recuperation
Recuperation reduces the alternator voltage charging the battery during acceleration. Voltage is increased during deceleration, converting energy from kinetic to electrical.
Stop-Start Technology
Stop-Start technology reduces CO2 emissions and saves you fuel by seamlessly switching off your engine when idling. To move off again, you simply engage the clutch and the engine restarts.
Aerodynamics
BlueMotion cars are more streamlined in design, with sculpted grilles and spoilers to reduce drag and narrower gaps between panels. The result? Better performance and lower fuel consumption.
TDI/TSI Engines
TDI diesel engines are powerful yet fuel efficient, thanks to longer gear ratios and new engine management software. TSI engines are smaller and lighter, reducing fuel consumption while giving maximum pulling power.
For More Info Visit: VW South Africa's BlueMotion Info Site
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Posted by LiquidLingo Communications
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Tuesday, 01 March 2011 21:36 |
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 WOOLWORTHS JOINS GLOBAL EFFORTS TO PROMOTE
SUSTAINABLE PALM OIL
9 February 2011
Woolworths has become the first South African company to become a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a global organisation which has developed a set of standards that address the legal, economic, environmental and social requirements of producing sustainable palm oil.
Around the world, more palm oil is produced than any other vegetable oil. It’s found in everything from food products to toiletries and cosmetics. Worldwide, some 47 million tons of palm oil are used annually. Currently, the majority of palm oil – over 80% – is produced in Malaysia and Indonesia. Oil palm is grown most often on newly cleared rainforest or peat-swamp forests rather than on already degraded or abandoned agricultural land, something the RSPO is closely monitoring and working to end. In both countries, the number of critically endangered and threatened land mammals – most notably the orangutan -- has increased significantly.
In addition to the effect deforestation has on the habitats of endangered species and in speeding climate change, the rapid expansion of oil palm plantations has also resulted in disruption to human settlements and conflicts between local communities and palm oil producers.
The RSPO, which has some 300 members around the world, was formed in order to address these challenges and promote the sustainable production of palm oil by:
§ Researching and developing definitions and criteria for the sustainable production and use of palm oil;
§ Undertaking practical projects designed to facilitate implementation of sustainable best practices;
§ Developing solutions to practical problems related to the adoption and verification of best practices for plantation establishment and management, procurement, trade and logistics;
§ Involving the entire supply chain to support sustainable palm oil.
Woolworths has joined the RSPO in order to promote and raise awareness of the need for sustainable palm oil production. This commitment includes purchasing certified sustainable palm oil certificates for the tons of palm oil used in Woolworths foods and beauty products. By buying these Green Palm certificates Woolworths is contributing to RSPO efforts to incentivise Indonesian and Malaysian palm oil producers to become certified sustainable producers. Woolworths has also undertaken to replace palm oil with alternatives where possible and has further committed to using only certified sustainable palm oil by 2015.
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the conservation organisation, which was instrumental in the formation of the RSPO, has welcomed the news that Woolworths has become a member. “We commend Woolworths for taking the lead on this issue and strengthening its already evident commitment to responsible product procurement. In joining those in the RSPO Woolworths is helping to promote socially and environmentally responsible palm oil production and mitigate the spread of forest conversion in Southeast Asia. South African consumers also stand to benefit from the opportunity to choose products that are not associated with harmful practices,” said Morné du Plessis, CEO, of WWF South Africa.
§ Woolworths Good Business Journey
Woolworths Good Business Journey is a comprehensive 5-year plan announced in April 2007 to help people and planet. It incorporates a series of challenging targets and commitments centred on four key priorities: accelerating transformation, driving social development, enhancing Woolworths’ environmental focus and addressing climate change.
§ The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
Formed in 2004, the RSPO brings together stakeholders from seven sectors of the palm oil industry - oil palm producers, palm oil processors or traders, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers, banks and investors, environmental or nature conservation NGOs and social or developmental NGOs - to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil.
§ Sustainable Palm Oil (excerpted from the RSPO web site)
Driven by ever increasing global demand for edible oils, the past few decades have seen rapid expansion in the production of palm oil. The area under palm oil cultivation had increased by about 43%, mostly in Malaysia and Indonesia - the world's largest producers of palm oil. However this rapid expansion has naturally put pressure on the environment and on societies where the palm is grown. While better managed plantations and oil palm smallholdings serve as models of sustainable agriculture, in terms of economic performance as well as social and environmental responsibility, there is concern that not all palm oil is always being produced sustainably. Development of new plantations has resulted in the conversion of large areas of forests with high conservation value and has threatened the rich biodiversity in these ecosystems. The expansion of oil palm plantations has also given rise to social conflicts between indigenous communities and growers in some places. Hence sustainable palm oil is seen as a way forward to continue to supply the world with its much needed vegetable oil without harming the planet and its people.
Issued on behalf of Woolworths by liquidlingo Communications.
For media queries contact Eleanor Williams on 021 424 1530 or eleanor @ liquidlingo.co.za
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