Smart Solutions for Sustainable Business

The City of Santa Monica, DMJM H&N, Forbo, Milliken, Knoll are honored for their work on Sustainable Standards

Before you transform the market you need participants from all sectors working together - designers, manufacturers, buyers, and specifiers. This week inside a LEED Certified Gold building at TreePeople in Beverly Hills, individuals who have been working with MTS came together to be honored for their diligence and leadership in creating the SMaRT Sustainable Standard.

Watch the full video on Blip TV here http://blip.tv/file/1028183.

Mike Italiano, the CEO of MTS presented the awards to:

Dean Kubani, Environmental Programs Manager, City of Santa Monica: "We've been working on things in Santa Monica since the early 90s.... We found SMaRT as a fantastic thing... these standards are incredibly rigorus and the fact that it's a Life Cycle Assessment gives us a full picture, so we're very confident by requiring a SMaRT certification... "

Honorable Kevin McKeown, Council Member, City of Santa Monica: "What people don't see is the important stuff that we do day to day - procurement... our city budget is now up to 1/2 billion dollars a year. The choices we make in procurement make a big, big difference... we've been able to show our local businesses and other governments how much sense it makes to do it right..."

Lou Newett, Environmental Director, Knoll Furniture:  "When we looked at the different standards, and we did look at other ones and none compared to the SMaRT standard... it was very robust and hit all the key areas and goals that Knoll had and part of SMaRT was a heavy emphasis on Climate Change..."

Claire Bonham-Carter, Director of Sustainable Development DMJM H&M "...We as designers have a real responsibility to make sure everything we do and we design has low impact..."

Ginny Dyson, Sustainable / LEED Manager, DMJM H&N "The more you know, the more you know you need to know more... as individuals we can make a difference and as specifiers we can make even more..."

Casey Johnson, National Sale Director, Forbo. "It's [SMaRT] done in the light of day.. Everyone in this room has the ability to be involved. In fact when you look at this cross section, this is the cross-section that you want on the development of a standard... it has to be transparent.. It shows that the decisions are being made out of the boardroom rather than marketing."

Rusty Lance, Sales Manager,  Milliken  "We're a textile research company ... I'm in the floor covering division where we have had a zero waste manufacturing program, where we HAVE zero waste, it is not a goal... we are PVC free..."

We would like to thank all who found their way up to TreePeople and shared the afternoon of learning and leadership. You can see a video of the full day at: http://sustainableproducts.blip.tv/

Zola Furniture / How a small company became Sustainable

On our previous post we listed several furniture manufacturers which have earned the Sustainable Furniture Council's Silver Exemplary Level of Sustainability. On of them was Zola Furnishings. Their custom made pieces make you want to grab a stack of books and curl up for a long, long time.

John Byfield, the owner of Zola Furnishings recently explained to Green Living Ideas Radio CEO Sean Daily how Zola managed to become sustainable even through they are a small company. Listen here for the details.

Congratulations to Knoll on Achieving SMaRT Sustainable Gold Rating

Our congratulations go to Knoll Furniture for doing the LCA work that was needed, followed by third party global audits by Redstone Group, to prove that their Life Chair is Sustainable. Knoll now has quantified proof to show buyers and investors. The SMaRT Gold Certification backs up their claims to low emissions, waste stream pollution and good working conditions. This makes a big statement for what is possible for all of industrry. Knoll is a leading designer and manufacturer of furniture and textiles and recognized for innovation and modern design. The Life Chair is an extension of their committment to a sustainable world. The SMaRT(C) Consensus Sustainable Product Standard (Sustainable Materials Rating Technology) is distinguished from other certification programs by being transparent, consensus based, and a quantified standard that measures environmental benefits throughout the global supply chain. It also requires regular third party audits to keep the certification. Lou Newett, who is a member of MTS and Knoll's Environmental, Health and Safety Manager said: "Each year Knoll sets key initiatives in our journey to sustainability and takes a leadership position in establishing universal environmental standards for our industry. SMaRT is consistent with our holistic approach to sustainablity because it considers all three criteria of the sustainability triple bottom line: environmental, social and economic impacts. We believe this standard is the most meaningful certification tool for sustainable products; it's also adopted by the American Institure of Architects, ANSI LEED, Capital Markets Partnership, Big Green Purse, Sustainable Furniture Council, the City of Santa Monica and the Fireman's Fund."

The SMaRT product certification is based on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED model. Requirements include: GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certification at the stringent California 01350 standard; The completion of a Life Cycle Assessment: a science-based measurement of a product's environmental impacts throughout its life cycle, from raw materials sourcing through manufacturing, shipping, use, and re-use or end-of-life; No polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or other toxic chemicals The Life Chair also features minimal material, recycled and recyclable content, environmental fabric options and easily replaceable parts. The chair's assemble minimizes energy use and emissions. Along with this it is manufactured in the Knoll LEED Gold and ISP 14001 certified Lubin Building in East Greenville, PA, using clean technologies. In 2008, Knoll initiated a program to offset greenhouse gases at this site with electricity generated by wind power. Knoll achieved the Sustainable Gold rating for the Life chair following a review of the certification process by Redstone Global Auditing Group. We welcome your comments ABOUT: Mike Italiano

Sustainable Standards, the Backbone for Greenwash Free Marketing

Are you new to the whole concept of Sustainable Standards? Here's a quickie course in what they are and how SMaRT fits into the mix. You can also download the PDF at: Download smart_sustainable_standards_101_2.15.08.pdf

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Forbo's Marmoleum Makes a Sustainable Entrance at Sundance

The Stars at the Sundance Film Festival learned what REAL Sustainability looked like last weekend in the form of Forbo's Marmoleum Flooring. While many other companies brought products that might have contained organic ingredients, Forbo's Marmoleum was the only one that could prove that it was Sustainable throughout it's entire manufacturing process.

That was a big surprise to most of the celebs and media attending the Sustainability Suite. [Forbo has one of the world's largest factories just outside of Amsterdam, Netherlands, to help earn Sustainable status it went from 6% wind power to 100% wind power covering 100% of the facility's energy needs.]

Marmoleum played a "walk on" role, as the flooring for the portrait studio where stars went for their official Sundance portrait. The photographer was impressed with how fast it went together and more impressed when he found out how sustainable it was based on a life cycle assessment. He chose "Serene Gray", for it's neutral tone that didn't conflict with a multitude of colored backdrops and props.

After the photo shoot, stars were escorted up to the Sustainability Suite where they could have a more hands-on experience. Tim Daly, Bill Pullman and his co-star, Elle Fanning, and "Heros" Jimmy-Jean Luis were a few who learned what made Marmoleum Sustainable and how the SMaRT Sustainable Standard works in the market.

The Suite brought in more than stars, CNN stopped by and walked out with a copy of Forbo's new Environmental brochure as did Real TV films.

The Click(TM) Flooring squares will be auctioned off after the Oscars on E-Bay to raise funds for World Peace One and the Alaska Wilderness League.

Capital Markets Partnership Paper Released for Peer Review

Fourth Draft for Comment
Near Term Needed Pollution Reductions to Stop Dangerous
Anthropogenic (man-made) Interference (DAI) With
Climate / Irreversibility

Here are highlights of the Draft Paper:

• Climate Pollution is Now at a Dangerous Level of 383 ppm CO2.  NASA and other leading scientists announced in December and November that we exceeded the safe level of climate pollution and are now at a Dangerous level.  This level is in violation of law and presents an unacceptable risk.  The maximum safe level is 350 ppm.Download dai_irreversibility_paper_fourth_draft.doc
• Irreversible Dangerous Climate Change is Imminent.  We must make substantial climate pollution reductions in the next 10 years or else Dangerous Climate Change will likely go Irreversible.
• Sustainable Mortgage Backed Securities (SMBS) Can Stop Imminent Irreversible Dangerous Climate Change Within this 10 year Window.  See SMBS Brochure for background Download partnership_brochure. 10-24-07.pdf SMBS are bonds backed by certified green buildings and sustainable products.
• We Need 3.4M Green Buildings and 1.5M Sustainable Products by 2015 to Stop Runaway Dangerous Climate Change which includes a 40% Margin of Safety to allow for uncertainties and recently documented climate pollution growth exceeding IPCC worst case pollution predictions.
• No Other Discernible Existing or Proposed Programs Cover Reductions in this Window.  They all become effective in 2020 or later.
• Insurance and Real Estate Finance Industries are Being Adversely Affected with damages that are close to exceeding their capacity.
• SMBS is Expected to Add $1 Trillion / yr. to the Economy & counter the Subprime crisis and economic recession.
• Investment Banks, Rating Agencies & Affiliated Companies Will Make Hundreds of $Billions in Fees from SMBS.

Comments / criticisms are welcome!

Bringing Sustainability to the Stars and Consumers

Celebrities have made a big difference in drawing attention to Climate Change, from Leo DiCaprio's movie The 11th Hour to Ed Bagley's more hands-on approach in his TV show, "Living with Ed."

That's why this week, we're heading off to the Sundance Film Festival to educate more stars on what REAL Sustainability looks like and to set new expectations for excellence. Sundance tends to bring out the risk-taking, world-changing personalities who can drive the conversation out to the masses.

We're also conducting a fund raising effort for World Peace One and the Alaska Wilderness League via a Sustainable Walk of Fame in which the "squares" on the walk will be auctioned off on E-Bay. (World Peace One is the group that brought the world the first global concert to increase Climate Change awareness.)

The "walk" is based on Forbo's Marmoleum Flooring, Click. Olympic Paint is providing the hands-on experience as we encourage stars to put their handprints on signed segments of Click flooring. We chose Click because it's SMaRT Certified Platinum and Olympic Paint is heading in the right direction with Green Seal.

Big Green Purse is anchoring the Suite and live blogging the event. The Sustainability Suite is open from 12-6 each day inside the ONLY Green building in Park City the Treasure Mountain Inn. The Suite is also the site for three "after parties" which will bring a new mix of media and stars every night. We'll be entertaining the cast and crew of Flow: For Love of Water, Chronic Town and Phoebe in Wonderland. All three films offer different dynamics from star power to place to issue:

Flow: For Love of Water - Directed by Irena Salina. This is an eco documentary..Water is the very essence of life, sustaining every being on the planet. FLOW confronts the disturbing reality that our crucial resource is dwindling and greed just may be the cause.

Chronic Town- Director: Tom Hines; Screenwriter: Michael Kamsky - A bittersweet slice-of-life comedy about a cab driver with substance abuse problems who weathers a cold Alaskan winter with his cadre of friends and lovers. Cast: JR Bourne, Emily Wagner, Dan Butler. http://chronictownthemovie.com/

Phoebe in Wonderland - Directed by Daniel Barnz. Confounded by her clashes with the seemingly rule-obsessed world, a little girl takes her already dysfunctional family down the rabbit hole when she seeks enlightenment from her unconventional drama teacher. Cast: Elle Fanning, Felicity Huffman, Patricia Clarkson, Bill Pullman, Campbell Scott, Peter Gerety.

Stay tuned for updates on Big Green Purse and on this blog.