Fold it, Stash It, Use it

Disposable plastic bags are everywhere. They’re in our homes, our offices, and the stores we frequent, but as more and more cities ban their use, consumers are now turning to reusable bags for all their shopping needs. The problem with reusable bags is that they’re not always there when you need them; enter Flip & Tumble. With unique foldable designs, Flip & Tumble has created stylish, versatile bags that can be carried with you wherever you go.

Flip & Tumble bags come in a variety of colors and when folded up, are small enough to live in a purse or messenger bag. The unique design allows the bags to be there when you need them and can be used over and over again. Flip & Tumble is also a company committed to the environment and is a carbon neutral business.

They offer two different types of bags, the 24/7 that retails for $12 and the Loopt that retails for $6. When you’re finished with the bag, you can simply send the bags back and they’ll be recycled.

To find out more check out Flip & Tumble’s Website

L.L. Bean goes L.L. Green

For over 90 years, Outdoor Lifestyle retailer L.L. Bean has offered apparel and accessories marketed toward those with an appreciation for nature. In an effort to maintain their relationship with their eco-savvy clientele, they have opted to transform their retail spaces into educational environments by sharing their initiatives in creating a sustainable atmosphere in addition to their green business structure. The first store to undergo this transformation was their Mansfield, Massachusetts location with a design by Bergmyer Associates of Boston. This 30,000 square-foot space is part of USGBC’s LEED for Retail-CI pilot program, which today is still going through many revisions because of the unique needs of retail spaces. A rising concern with renovations, regardless of whether or not sustainable materials are being utilized, is the amount of waste produced by demolition of old interiors. L.L. Bean saw to it that as much of their renovation bi-products were recycled as possible. The end result: only about 25% of their debris ended up in landfills. Their commitment to preserve the outdoors inspired them to take advantage of using reclaimed wood for fixtures and wall panels to maintain a natural feel throughout the store.

From the ceiling to the floor, this space contains technologically advanced and sustainable elements. Light sensitive fixtures work with motion and daylight so that the energy is only utilized when an area is occupied. Additionally, flooring is made of recycled content and rubber. Low VOC adhesives were used throughout the space. Though L.L. Bean has 6 registered LEED retail stores, this is their first to earn a Silver award. 

Wal-Mart Unveils a New Sustainability Initiative

Wal-Mart is making headlines again, thankfully this time it’s a lot less controversial. On October 22nd in Beijing, Wal-Mart held a groundbreaking conference with around 1,000 different suppliers and manufactures outlining the future goals of the company. With many companies today realizing the need for more sustainable business models, Wal-Mart is following suit with an initiative to bring more sustainable and energy efficient practices to its already immensely successful business and supply chain.

“Sustainability is about building a better business. We think it is essential to our future success as a retailer — and to meeting the expectations of customers,” said Lee Scott, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Maintaining the trust of our customers — today and in the future — is tied hand-in-hand with improving the quality of our supplier factories and their products.”

Wal-Mart’s main initiative focuses on meeting or exceeding social and environmental standards, promoting innovation and efficiency and building stronger partnerships with suppliers, governments and NGOs. Beginning in China in 2009, Wal-Mart will create a new supplier agreement that will require factories to certify compliance with local laws and regulations as well as rigorous social and environmental standards. Wal-Mart will also partner with its top manufacturers to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2012. Along with increasing environmental standards, Wal-Mart will also implement stricter product safety and quality measures that will greatly reduce returns of defective merchandise

Thanks to its great success, Wal-Mart is in a unique position to bring about effective change by working collaboratively with foreign suppliers and manufacturers. Although by no means the first company to strive to be more environmentally conscious, the fact that a large and powerful company like Wal-Mart is making a commitment to sustainability will no doubt have a positive impact and lead the way for other corporations to follow.

Wal-Mart Press Release

Dunkin’ Donuts Soon to Run on LEED?

Dunkin Donuts has just announced completion of its first LEED certified store in the country. Dunkin’ Donuts broke ground on the St. Petersburg, FL store in May and celebrated the grand opening on October 17. Dunkin’ hopes to use the store as an example for future building endeavors, and will hopefully have a positive influence on the way they do business in the future.

The new store is built with numerous LEED enhancements including: energy-efficient insulated walls to reduce air-conditioning needs by 40%, energy-efficient lighting, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, low-flow toilets, and the usage of well water rather than potable water for irrigation. Along with the energy efficient building, Dunkin’ Donuts launched recycling initiatives, green cleaning programs, and they are now supplying local food banks with excess goods.

The Massachusetts-based business was founded in 1950 and has since become the number one retailer of coffee in America. With over 7,900 stores world-wide, the grand opening of the St. Petersburg store is just a drop in the proverbial coffee cup. Let’s hope that the successful opening of this unconventional pilot store will inspire Dunkin’ Donuts to apply the same thinking and environmental enthusiasm to other locations they operate.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Connect - Nau in Chicago

Chicago area shoppers will soon get a chance to see the new progressive and sustainable line from Nau clothing at Connect, a sustainable retail and event space opening its doors on November 7 in the Wicker Park/Bucktown neighborhood.

Connect will be one of only two retailers in the world to house Nau’s entire 2008 fall/holiday collection. Nau, which unexpectedly closed it doors in May, has re-launched its clothing line and will be bringing its sustainable apparel back to Chicago. Along with Nau, Connect will showcase other collections that also focus on sustainability and social and environmental responsibility.

As well as being a retail store Connect will also be hosting monthly fundraising events in their showroom and at other locations as well. They will feature numerous non-profit organizations at their events and will give a portion of sales from their own private label back to the local community. Connect’s innovative approach to retail and commitment to the community pair perfectly with Nau’s goal of responsibly revolutionizing the apparel industry. For those in Chicago, look for Nau clothing at Connect when it opens it doors on November 7!

Connect Chicago

Nau

Sears, Kmart to phase out PVC in products

The Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ) claims another victory after pushing Target and Apple to rethink their stance on PVC tainted products.

Reported by Sustainable Life Media here

Branch Holiday Sale!

This weekend, Nov. 24-25, our site sponsor Branch Home will be holding their Friends and Family Sale. Enter code “branchfriend” to take advantage of 20% off a selection of modern green furnishings, accessories, bags, and gifts.

KAIGHT NYC Weaves Fashion and Sustainability

Opening their doors in 2006, KAIGHT NYC brands itself as “Smart, Ethical, and Eco-friendly Clothing and Accessories”. The store was inspired by founder Kate McGregor’s ’search for stylish, ethically produced clothes made from environmentally friendly textiles, a search that ended quickly at a few online stores.’ Unsatisfied with what she found, Kate fulfilled her dream of opening a ‘green boutique’ that houses ethically and environmentally conscious fashions.

The designers featured at KAIGHT use materials such as end-of-run fabrics, shoes from water-based glues and nickel-free hardware, reused T-shirts and leathers, bamboo, and paper pulp.

www.kaightnyc.com