Reflection

This class has made me more conscious that the preservation of the environment is the responsibly of all individuals. I am more sensitive to the environment and hope my good practices will affect my friends, family and everyone else who I am surrounded by so that they can care for the environment too. This class has given me further insight to businesses around me, especially my employer. I find myself looking at my employer’s practices to see if they are aligned with the topics learned in Savitz’s book. For example, I have been picking my manager’s brain to detect if the company has truly found their “Sweet Spot.” I have also explored our annual and sustainability reports, which I have never looked at before. I was recently told that when investors are reviewing our reports, the first topics in question are safety and sustainability.  I have a better understanding of the decisions made by businesses and whether or not they are aligning their culture to support sustainability.

Reflection – Sustainability Practices

Reflection – Sustainability Practices

The sustainability challenges I have set forth this semester is not temporary. I am committed to creating a sustainable lifestyle. I understand that this will take more learning, experimenting and exploring. I did not realize how much of an impact one person can have on the environment. Taking my carbon footprint calculator was a scary eye opener as I am now aware of the harm one person can do. I continue to accomplish tasks with purpose. I am more mindful of the things I do. I was very happy to hear that my place of work is in the process of getting rid of water bottles. I have been an advocate against bottles for a while now. Through these challenges, I realize even more that every choice I make impacts others. I am in the process of creating a personal consumption spreadsheet to see where I can make better sustainable choices. 

Buildings that blend nature and city | Jeanne Gang


Jeanne Gang discusses the use of architecture to build relationships. The architecture sets up opportunities for people to interact, communicate and come together as one. This connects people to each other and the environment. Jeanne says this concept is working. The office I work in is an open space. People of all levels sit at cubicles with low, glass dividers and it promotes discussion and interaction from those on different levels of the ladder. I also know offices where there are no offices. The executives, administration staff and everyone in between sit at a cubicle as equals. I never thought of architecture in this manner before but it really does make sense. The way a space is designed promotes the aura for the environment. “We can reduce the stress and the polarization in our urban habitats. We can create relationships. We can help steady this planet we all share.”

Re:Thinking Consumption

Image result for consumers and green products

New Study Finds Consumers Buying Less and Buying Better

“Re: Thinking Consumption” is a study that shows that consumers are rethinking consumption with sustainability in mind. According to the study, two-thirds of consumers in 6 countries say that we need to consume a lot less to improve the environment for future generations. Consumers also feel a sense of responsibility when they purchase environmentally safe products. The attached article mentions that there are certain barriers that are preventing consumers from purchasing sustainable products such as perceptions of product performance, high prices, skepticism about product claims and lack of knowledge about what actually makes the product environmentally safe. The study shows that companies need to adjust their way of thinking on how a product is being introduced to consumers in order to receive mutual support for a cleaner and greener solution. It is evident that the health of our planet is on everyone’s radar and while we simply cannot stop “consuming”, we certainly can improve the impact these products have on our environment. Consumers have the power of causing a company’s downfall. I think businesses will strive to make their products more environmentally friendly and promote “green” practices as this is what investors and stakeholders will be monitoring.  

How Garbage Is Recycled At The US’ Largest Recycling Facility

I wanted to share this video of Sims Municipal Recycling (SMR), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sims Metal Management (my employer),which is located in Sunset Park Brooklyn, New York. SMR has become the cornerstone of New York City’s recycling system. They process approximately 500,000 tons of plastic, glass, metal and paper that New Yorkers put into recycling bins each year. I would encourage everyone to visit this facility or one like it at least once in their lifetime to learn more about recycling and waste management. Seeing the process up close and hearing from employees at the facility would give a new perspective on steps we can take to do the right thing with stuff we are throwing away. SMR is open to the public and offers free tours. 

In the workplace

Even though I work for a “green” company, it is truly a shame that we still have poor recycling habits in the office. I am guilty of grabbing a one of the “to go” cups below for my morning coffee and then take another for tea in the afternoon. This was poor laziness as it is easy to just throw the cup away instead of putting a porcelain cup in the dishwasher. I have also purchased a coaster for my desk for my glass of water. Instead of constantly wiping the water off my desk with tissues/paper towels, the coaster will absorb the moisture instead.

 

Will one of these 12 visions replace today’s throwaway coffee cup?

 

https://www.greenbiz.com/article/will-one-these-12-visions-replace-todays-throwaway-coffee-cup 

In RP Siegel’s article, he explains that about 600 billion disposable cups pollute our landscapes and  seas. Since these cups are made of fibers with a plastic coating, it is not suitable for composting. The Next Gen Cup Consortium and Challenge focuses on a cost-effective, sustainable alternative that does not compromise performance. Founding partners includes McDonalds and Starbucks and Wendy’s, Coca-Cola, Yum Brands and Nestle as supporting partners. These competitors worked together on this product development as they aware that they cannot persuade an entire industry to elevate their sustainability efforts alone. All stakeholders and innovators must come together to combat this issue from an industry wide perspective. Multiple winners were chosen for this challenge as a different solution may fit better in different geographies. Eight winners created recyclable and/or compostable cup liners, three submitted reusable cup service models and one presented a new biodegradable material. They will share a $1 million prize. Six that require additional development will move on to a six-month growth accelerator program.McDonald’s director of global sustainability says, “When we figure out how to solve for the cup, that’s going to open up the window for a lot of our other fiber-based products to come through the recycling system.”

This article reminds me of the Penobscot Case. The energy company, PPL, and the Penobscot Indians ended up working together to solve the issue at the hand. When PPL needed financial assistance, the Penobscot Indians did not shun them away as the dam removal was for their benefit as well. McDonalds, Coca-Cola, Wendy’s etc. realized that they must work together to find a solution for this packing waste product as this has a serious impact on the entire planet.