Archive for September, 2007

Montbleu Resort: Lake Tahoe, CA

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

Located in the beautiful Lake Tahoe area, Montbleu is a full-service resort that offers everything from relaxing spa treatments to late night casino action. Rooms range from modest (approx. $100) to the luxurious ($1,000+ per night) and are all cleaned using eco-friendly supplies. Other green features include:

  • Energy efficient lighting
  • On-site recycling program
  • Aveda bath products
  • No use of Styrofoam on the premises

Montbleu website.

Kohl’s Building Massive Solar Energy System

Friday, September 28th, 2007

I’ve actually never stepped foot in a Kohl’s, though they are plentiful in our neck of the woods, but it’s great to see mainstream companies making an effort to green their operations.

Kohl’s is working on a new rooftop solar electric system to power 63 of its 80 California locations. The system is so massive, at completion it will make-up 15% of the photovoltaic installations in the Golden State. Over the next 20 years, the system is expected to prevent more than 515 million pounds of CO2 emissions.

Press release.

Terracycle Settles with Scotts

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

After a long and costly legal ordeal, Scotts has proven what we already know, the firm with the deepest pockets comes out on top. Scotts brought suit against upstart Terracycle for trade-dress infringement and false advertising. While I don’t know about the false advertising claims, the trade-dress issue is nonsense.

Who can possibly confuse organic worm poop packaged in recycled soda bottles with Miracle-Gro?

Story from AdAge.

Get Your Fish Leather Bikini

Monday, September 24th, 2007

Once regarded as a byproduct of the more lucrative fish-as-food industry, the skin from tilapia has found new life as a durable leather used in bikinis, sporting goods, and other consumer products. A waterproof tilapia leather bikini fetches approximately $75 U.S.

The growth of tilapia as leather is growing so fast that a single factory in Thailand is planning to ramp up to a production goal of 300,000 skins per day.

Story from Zee News.

Eco Travel: Ever Vail by Vail Resorts

Monday, September 24th, 2007

Destined to be the largest mixed used resort development in the country, Ever Vail will be a $1 billion, LEED certified exercise in green development. While the project has been in the works for awhile, Vail Resorts has just recently announced specific eco-sensitive measures:

  • Use only FSC certified wood and that of local pines killed by beetles.
  • Use of geothermal energy.
  • Hydro micro-turbines (the underwater version of a windmill) will power some outdoor lighting.
  • Use snowmelt as “gray water”.
  • Green roofs will be installed on several buildings.
  • Introduce a “flex car” program for owners traveling between the airport and Vail.

Press release.

The Lexus Environmental Challenge for Teachers & Students

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

After you are done setting up your profile on MTV Think and submitting your video to Vespa, it’s time to enter The Lexus Environmental Challenge where more than $1 Million in prizes are to be awarded.

The program is a nationwide contest that pairs middle and high school students with a teacher advisor. Teams must define an issue, develop a plan to address the issue, execute the plan, and report on the results.

The Lexus Environmental Challenge website.

Your Green Guide to the 2008 Presidential Candidates

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

In a joint effort between Outside and Grist, journalist Amanda Griscom Little has put together a series of interviews with the presidential hopefuls for 2008. Thus far, all eight Democrats have responded and two Republicans are represented. Efforts are ongoing to publish interviews with the rest of the hopefuls. Here is the lineup thus far.

MTV Think. Social Network for Youth Activism

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

Still in beta, the MTV Think social networking platform is designed to encourage youth participation in driving social and political change. High profile partners include the Case Foundation (AOL founder Steve Case) and the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation. MTV has long a long history of trying to stir political interest amongst youth, but the conversion of interest to action has been a challenge.

As you would expect from a social network, users can create profiles, add video and photos, and connect with people who share similar interests.

Story from Reuters.

Win a New Ride in the Vespa Go Green Video Challenge

Saturday, September 22nd, 2007

If you are a weekend video hobbyist or budding director, this contest is for you. Knock the dust off the camcorder and fire up the video editing software because it’s time to win a Vespa. Just be sure to submit your video by October 15th, or your work will be for not.

Entries must address at least two of the four principles of Vespanomics (clever); saving money, lowering carbon dioxide emissions, decreasing traffic congestion, and being fashionable yet classic. According to the contest website, if just 10% of the mileage traveled by Americans were on scooters instead of cars, we would save 14 million gallons of fuel per day.

Vespa Go Green Video Challenge website.

Outdoor LED Lighting from Solar Cynergy

Friday, September 21st, 2007

Outdoor decorative lighting looks great but is basically a giant waste of electricity. Stepping in to solve the problem is Solar Cynergy, a manufacturer of solar lighting featuring ultra-efficient LED lights.

The largest model (RSC-900) takes just eight hours to charge during the day and then provides up to eight hours of light when darkness sets in. The lights come in a rugged both that can be used in landscaped areas and driveways.

Solar Cynergy website.