[spotlight]
a daily dose of info & resources on sustainable style
Hybrids Shifting from Green to Mean
Hybrid cars are changing in 2006. New models are touting power, performance and luxury as well as fuel efficiency. U.S. drivers will see at least four new hybrid models this year from Toyota, Saturn, Nissan and Lexus, and older models from Honda are also getting an upgrade.
April 6, 2006
Hybrid cars are changing in 2006. New models are touting power, performance and luxury as well as fuel efficiency. U.S. drivers will see at least four new hybrid models this year from Toyota, Saturn, Nissan and Lexus, and older models from Honda are also getting an upgrade.
While all offer better-than-average fuel efficiency, they also aim to please mainstream car buyers with more traditional features, such as higher horsepower and faster acceleration. Hybrid manufacturers are offering a range of new features, from extra zip to high-end safety and steering systems, as well as stereos that depend on the surplus electric power provided by the hybrid motor.
wired.com
Cool Carpets by Interface
Interface Carpets, makers of fabulous, sustainable modular carpets, has joined the growing trend of offering climate-neutral products. Cool Carpet earns its moniker through the purchase of emission reduction credits to cover the emissions resulting from manufacturing, production of raw materials such as nylon, transportation of raw materials and finished product, vacuuming and maintenance, and recovery at the end of life. Cool Carpet is standard on Interface's i2 modular products and available on all of their modular products.
April 5, 2006
Interface Carpets, makers of fabulous, sustainable modular carpets, has joined the growing trend of offering climate-neutral products. Cool Carpet earns its moniker through the purchase of emission reduction credits to cover the emissions resulting from manufacturing, production of raw materials such as nylon, transportation of raw materials and finished product, vacuuming and maintenance, and recovery at the end of life. Cool Carpet is standard on Interface's i2 modular products and available on all of their modular products.
interfaceflooring.com via grismill.grist.org
Toshiba's New Recycling Program
Toshiba's new recycling program ensures that end-of-life computers don't end up where they don't belong. They are now recycling any manufacturer’s notebook computer, LCD monitor, or pocket PC for free! The program is offering an incentive for turning over electronic equipment to them for safe and proper recycling.
April 4, 2006
Toshiba's new recycling program ensures that end-of-life computers don't end up where they don't belong. They are now recycling any manufacturer’s notebook computer, LCD monitor, or pocket PC for free! The program is offering an incentive for turning over electronic equipment to them for safe and proper recycling.
They will send a free courier service to your pad to pick up the busted equipment, and then in four to six weeks, they will send you a new 128 MB USB flash drive in the mail.
toshiba.ca via gizmodo.com
Lexus LS 600h Coming to New York Auto Show
Lexus will unveil a hybrid version of its high-end LS 600 (they're calling it the LS 600h, in the tradition of their other hybrids) at the New York auto show later this month. The car won't see the light of the dealership floor anytime soon; it's slated for production in model year 2008.
April 3, 2006
Lexus will unveil a hybrid version of its high-end LS 600 (they're calling it the LS 600h, in the tradition of their other hybrids) at the New York auto show later this month. The car won't see the light of the dealership floor anytime soon; it's slated for production in model year 2008.
jalopnik.com
The Complete Solar Roof
SolarCentury has designed the "Complete Solar Roof" that integrates solar electric and solar thermal technologies in a tile that is installed like a conventional roofing tile. The tiles, designed to sit flush with the building's roof structure, generate both power and heat from sunlight.
March 31, 2006
SolarCentury has designed the "Complete Solar Roof" that integrates solar electric and solar thermal technologies in a tile that is installed like a conventional roofing tile. The tiles, designed to sit flush with the building's roof structure, generate both power and heat from sunlight.
The Complete Solar Roof is part of SolarCentury's line of Low Carbon Building Products, which aim to integrate solar energy into standard construction practices, and will be officially unveiled at Interbuild 2006, the UK building trade show in Birmingham from April 23 - 27.
solarcentury.com via alternativesource.org and renewableenergyaccess.com
Saab Introduces E100 Flex-Fuel Hybrid Prototype
Saab introduced a prototype of a flexible-fuel hybrid version of its 9-3 sedan at the Stockholm auto show this week. They have been developing the hybrid -- which can run on pure ethanol (E100) as well as blends -- in conjunction with Lund Technical University in southern Sweden. The hybrid reportedly uses a 14kW motor for the front axle, and a 30kW motor on rear. Saab chief executive Jan-Ake Jonsson confirmed that the vehicle is in Saab’s production plan, but declined to specify a start date.
March 30, 2006
Saab introduced a prototype of a flexible-fuel hybrid version of its 9-3 sedan at the Stockholm auto show this week. They have been developing the hybrid -- which can run on pure ethanol (E100) as well as blends -- in conjunction with Lund Technical University in southern Sweden. The hybrid reportedly uses a 14kW motor for the front axle, and a 30kW motor on rear. Saab chief executive Jan-Ake Jonsson confirmed that the vehicle is in Saab’s production plan, but declined to specify a start date.
greencarcongress.com
Ceres Ranks 100 Global Companies on Climate Change Strategies
Ceres has released their first ranking of 100 global companies' climate change strategies, and BP and DuPont are at the top. Using a "Climate Governance Checklist," the report evaluated how major industrial corporations are addressing climate change in five broad areas: board oversight, management performance, public disclosure, greenhouse gas emissions accounting and strategic planning. The report took nine months to complete and uses data from securities filings, company reports, company websites, third-party questionnaires and direct company communications.
March 29, 2006
Ceres has released their first ranking of 100 global companies' climate change strategies, and BP and DuPont are at the top. Using a "Climate Governance Checklist," the report evaluated how major industrial corporations are addressing climate change in five broad areas: board oversight, management performance, public disclosure, greenhouse gas emissions accounting and strategic planning. The report took nine months to complete and uses data from securities filings, company reports, company websites, third-party questionnaires and direct company communications.
The scoring system gave most credit to companies with a sustained commitment to controlling greenhouse gas emissions, disclosing data and strategies, supporting regulatory actions, and taking practical, near-term steps to find lasting solutions to climate change.
ceres.org via csrwire.com
Hybrid Drivers Save on Tolls in New York
Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid or Toyota Prius drivers are now eligible to save some green on their tolls in New York. The New York State Thruway Authority's Green Pass program, which gives the owners of the gas-sippers a ten-percent discount on their E-ZPass (electronic toll-collecting systems) bills.
March 28, 2006
Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid or Toyota Prius drivers are now eligible to save some green on their tolls in New York. The New York State Thruway Authority's Green Pass program, which gives the owners of the gas-sippers a ten-percent discount on their E-ZPass (electronic toll-collecting systems) bills.
1010wins.com via jalopnik.com
Dictionary of Sustainable Management
There are lots of ways to measure or define sustainability, whether the "seventh generation" philosophy of the Native American Iroquois Confederacy, mandating that chiefs always consider the effect of their actions on their descendants seven generations in the future, to the more contemporary versions, including SSF's own take on sustainability. The Presidio School of Management is building their version as an easy-to-search, quick-reference dictionary of terms.
March 27, 2006
There are lots of ways to measure or define sustainability, whether the "seventh generation" philosophy of the Native American Iroquois Confederacy, mandating that chiefs always consider the effect of their actions on their descendants seven generations in the future, to the more contemporary versions, including SSF's own take on sustainability. The Presidio School of Management is building their version as an easy-to-search, quick-reference dictionary of terms.
sustainabilitydictionary.com
HauteGREEN: The Best in Sustainable Home Design
Running concurrently with the 2006 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (May 20-26), HauteGREEN will present a curated collection of the best in sustainable contemporary design, including furniture, lighting, and accessories. Each submission will be judged on aesthetics and sustainability, with criteria ranging from materials to manufacture to transport, use and more. The event will be curated by design writer Aric Chen, design entrepreneur and Treehugger founder Graham Hill, and design publicist/marketing consultant Kimberly Oliver.
March 24, 2006
Running concurrently with the 2006 International Contemporary Furniture Fair (May 20-26), HauteGREEN will present a curated collection of the best in sustainable contemporary design, including furniture, lighting, and accessories. Each submission will be judged on aesthetics and sustainability, with criteria ranging from materials to manufacture to transport, use and more. The event will be curated by design writer Aric Chen, design entrepreneur and Treehugger founder Graham Hill, and design publicist/marketing consultant Kimberly Oliver.
hautegreen.com
Home Depot Foundation Teams with FSC for Global Forestry Registry
The Home Depot Foundation has awarded a two-year grant of $380,000 to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC-US) to develop a global forestry registry that will help companies ensure they purchase wood that is harvested in a responsible manner. This new program, known as the FSC Controlled Wood Global Risk Registry, will provide companies, certifiers and other interested parties a practical tool to evaluate five categories of risk associated with wood sources, including illegally harvested wood.
March 23, 2006
The Home Depot Foundation has awarded a two-year grant of $380,000 to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC-US) to develop a global forestry registry that will help companies ensure they purchase wood that is harvested in a responsible manner. This new program, known as the FSC Controlled Wood Global Risk Registry, will provide companies, certifiers and other interested parties a practical tool to evaluate five categories of risk associated with wood sources, including illegally harvested wood.
fscus.org via greenbiz.com
DesignTex at Elle Decor's Dining by Design Event
At Elle Decor's Dining by Design event, DesignTex and TerraTex teamed up to create the first entirely sustainable table the show's ever seen. Designed by Bart and Carlos of Scrapile, the table seats ten and features works by (among others) Scrapile, Bettencourt, Amy Adams, DesignTex and TerraTex.
March 22, 2006
At Elle Decor's Dining by Design event, DesignTex and TerraTex teamed up to create the first entirely sustainable table the show's ever seen. Designed by Bart and Carlos of Scrapile, the table seats ten and features works by (among others) Scrapile, Bettencourt, Amy Adams, DesignTex and TerraTex.
DesignTex via design*sponge
Stonyfield Farms Installs New Hampshire's Largest Solar Array
No stranger to doing good things for the planet while making delicious, organic yogurt, Stonyfield Farm has installed a 50 kilowatt solar energy system atop its 120,000 square-foot manufacturing facility as a way to produce green energy, reduce its alliance on dirty utility power and fight global warming. The solar panel array is the largest of its kind in New Hampshire.
March 21, 2006
No stranger to doing good things for the planet while making delicious, organic yogurt, Stonyfield Farm has installed a 50 kilowatt solar energy system atop its 120,000 square-foot manufacturing facility as a way to produce green energy, reduce its alliance on dirty utility power and fight global warming. The solar panel array is the largest of its kind in New Hampshire.
stonyfieldfarm.com via apartmenttherapy.com
Seven Chair Redesign to Benefit Danish AIDS Foundation
In 1955, Arne Jacobsen, famous Danish designer and architect designed the Series Seven chair, a chair which has since become a global design icon. The trademark of the chair is its timeless and unique design -- often referred to as a piece of art. Today, 50 years after its introduction, it’s more popular than ever. n cooperation with the Danish AIDS Foundation the manufacturer of the chair, Fritz Hansen, contacted a number of world class design brands with a challenge: How would the Seven chair look today if you were given a free hand to design it?
March 20, 2006
In 1955, Arne Jacobsen, famous Danish designer and architect designed the Series Seven chair, a chair which has since become a global design icon. The trademark of the chair is its timeless and unique design -- often referred to as a piece of art. Today, 50 years after its introduction, it’s more popular than ever. n cooperation with the Danish AIDS Foundation the manufacturer of the chair, Fritz Hansen, contacted a number of world class design brands with a challenge: How would the Seven chair look today if you were given a free hand to design it?
The result is 14 amazing and unique chairs. After the first exhibition in Illums Bolighus in Copenhagen they will be exhibited in London, Milan, New York and Tokyo before being auctioned off at an international auction in the spring of 2006. All proceeds from the auction of the 13 chairs will go to the Danish AIDS Foundation.
fritzhansen.com
smart Cars Finally US Bound
After a lengthy delay, smart is finally bringing their cars to the US. The diminuitive autos will be imported through ZAP and will be registered with the Dept. of Transportation to insure they meet safety standards. Much of the delay was due to modifying the cars and tooling the proprietary Smart diagnostic system to ensure the cars meet U.S. safety and emissions standards.
March 17, 2006
After a lengthy delay, smart is finally bringing their cars to the US. The diminuitive autos will be imported through ZAP and will be registered with the Dept. of Transportation to insure they meet safety standards. Much of the delay was due to modifying the cars and tooling the proprietary Smart diagnostic system to ensure the cars meet U.S. safety and emissions standards.
smart's fortwo, the cars that will be imported, can get 60 mpg and can reach speeds of 85 miles per hour, according to the ZAP website, and will range in price from $15,000 to $25,000.
ZAP via pcmag.com
