The first Monday in September marks Labor Day, an annual celebration dedicated to the social and economic impact workers have had in the United States. This year, there are more workers to celebrate as the market for clean energy jobs has dramatically increased. In just the second quarter of 2014 the sustainable energy sector created 12,500 new jobs, more than doubling the number added in the … [Read more...]
Economic Impact of Disposable Bags
August 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment
In the study of economics, negative externalities are representative of the fact that cost of a good to society is greater than the cost the consumer is paying for it. A primary example of a negative externality prevalent in society is smoking. Cigarettes cost a minimal amount to produce, and were originally extremely affordable. However, over time the government became aware of the significant … [Read more...]
Trash Arrives Before Humans Do
June 26, 2014 by Leave a Comment
With the surge in green living, there has been a lot of discussion through the years surrounding the harmful effects of trash on the environment. Aesthetically, litter looks terrible as it blows around the landscape or floats in our waterways. Ecologically, the plastic material and the dyes used in it’s creation are both extremely harmful to the environment and marine life. But what about the … [Read more...]
The Psychology of Reusable Shopping Bags
June 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Does grocery shopping with a reusable shopping bag make consumers choose different food items than those who opt for single use paper and plastic bags? Do they choose foods that are better quality and more eco-friendly? Researchers at Harvard Business School analyzed two years worth of purchases at a large chain grocery store in California to determine whether consumer buying patterns were … [Read more...]
Oahu’s Plastic Bag Ban Will Experience a Delay
June 15, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Hawaii legislators have already passed a bill that will ban all non-biodegradable plastic bags from retail locations. The ban starts in July of 2015, and will become a permanent fixture on Oahu’s environmental efforts. However, the Honolulu City Council is looking to pass another bill that looks to outlaw all plastic bags across the region, including those that are biodegradable. The reasoning … [Read more...]
Dallas Still Debating on Plastic Bag Ban
December 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Dallas City Council is still debating on a plastic bag ban, an idea that was introduced by the Quality of Life Committee in March of this year. City governments across the nation are beginning to understand the importance of reducing pollution, most notably due to plastics. In response, a number of cities have imposed plastic bag bans, eliminating the use of single-use plastic bags in favor of … [Read more...]
Eco-Friendly Food Brands at Grocery Stores
December 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Aside from bringing your reusable grocery bags, there are other ways to show you are environmentally aware while grocery shopping and that is with the food you purchase. Become a label reader and choose the healthiest food for you, your family and your planet. Look for products that are labeled natural, organic or sustainable for healthy eco-friendly foods. As a part of the green living … [Read more...]
Study Shows That Food Comprises Most Landfill Waste
December 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Recent, shocking studies from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) show that almost forty percent of all food in the United States goes uneaten and ends up as landfill waste. This vast amount of wasted food product takes up the most space in municipal landfills, with plastics coming in as the second largest component. Reducing food and plastic waste are two simple steps to ensure a bright, … [Read more...]
Branded Bags Promote Environmental Responsibility
October 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment
For several years, the green movement has helped people become aware of the negative impact we have on our environment. One item that has come under fire for being environmentally irresponsible is the disposable plastic grocery bag. These plastic bags are rarely recycled, utilize nonrenewable resources, blow all over the landscape, fill up our landfills and pose a hazard to wildlife. To help … [Read more...]
How To Use Custom Grocery Bags As An Advertising Tool
September 27, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Custom grocery bags make a great advertising tool for your business. They aren’t just for grocery stores anymore, many businesses hand out, or sell, promotional reusable shopping bags to their customers. The bags not are not only a terrific way to get your business name, logo or brand out there, but also convey the message that your business is eco-friendly at the same time. Market experts say … [Read more...]