CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Nov. 28 - The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), a project of sustainability nonprofit Green
Blue, is pleased to announce additional participants in the soft launch of its pioneering How2Recycle on-package
recycling labeling system. Major brand names, including Best Buy, Clorox, and Minute Maid, will be joining 10 other leading companies already participating in the soft launch, including Costco Wholesale, General Mills, Seventh Generation, and REI, in implementing the label on select packaging available nationwide in early 2013. Additionally, the SPC has announced its five-year plan for the labeling system.
How2Recycle was developed to reduce consumer confusion around recycling in the United States with a clear and consistent recycling label and corresponding informational website,how2recycle.info. It provides companies with an easy way to conform to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) “Green Guides” while using nationwide recyclability data. While several other recycling labels and symbols exist, the How2Recycle Label is the only one that communicates recyclability across all material types and gives explicit directions to consumers to influence their recycling behavior. It also specifies when a package component is not recyclable.
The How2Recycle Label will be appearing on a new juice product from Minute Maid, Clorox’s Scoop Away products, and select Exclusive Brands products from Best Buy.
“Reducing our environmental footprint is important to Clorox. One way we can do this is to encourage consumers to recycle our packages. Consumers understand the concept of recycling but are frequently confused on what packages can or can’t be recycled. They want the process to be easier and we think the recovery label does just that,” said Gwen Lorio of Clorox. “As we enable consumers to recycle correctly, we ensure more quality recycled material is available for us to use, our consumers send less waste to landfill, and we can reduce the energy needed to create new packages. Overall, this can be a win for us all.”
The How2Recycle Label can already be found on numerous products available (or soon to be available) in the marketplace, including Esteé Lauder’s Aveda Outer Peace Acne Pads; a variety of Kirkland products from Costco Wholesale; General Mills’ Yoplait yogurt brand; Microsoft computer accessories; REI’s Novara bicycle accessories, multi-towels, and hang tags; most Seventh Generation products; and Sealed Air’s Fill-Air inflatable packaging. A photo gallery of the packages carrying the label that are currently in the market is available here.
The soft launch of the label will run through the first quarter of 2013. Full implementation of the label will begin thereafter and will incorporate feedback gathered during the soft launch period from consumers, retailers, participating companies, local governments, trade associations, and recyclers. The SPC plans to add up to 20 additional participants after the soft launch phase and aims for the label to appear on the majority of consumer product packaging by 2016.
Companies interested in using the label on their products after the soft launch period can contact GreenBlue Senior Manager Anne Bedarf for more information at 434.817.1424 ext. 314 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
“We look forward to taking this long-term SPC project to the next level,” said Bedarf, who along with GreenBlue Project Associate Danielle Peacock has shepherded the process. “With the revision of the FTC’s Green Guides now out, attention again has turned to accurate and transparent recyclability messaging, and the SPC’s How2Recycle Label is quickly becoming the industry standard. We designed the business model with a tiered structure to encourage participation by businesses of all sizes, and we look forward to working with a diverse group of forward-thinking companies as we enter the next phase.”
About GreenBlue and the Sustainable Packaging Coalition
GreenBlue® is a nonprofit that equips business with the science and resources to make products more sustainable. GreenBlue currently works in three program areas: chemicals, packaging, and forest products, as well as working one-on-one with companies through GreenBlue Advisory Services. The Sustainable Packaging Coalition®, a project of GreenBlue, is an industry working group of approximately 200 companies from across the packaging supply chain. Through strong member support, a science-based approach, and supply chain collaborations, the SPC endeavors to build packaging systems that encourage economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials.
NEW YORK, Nov. 28  - This World AIDS Day, Chief Executives from some of the world’s largest companies are calling for an end to travel restrictions for people living with HIV.
More than 40 CEOs have signed an unprecedented pledge urging the repeal of laws and policies in 45 countries that still deport, detain or deny entry to people solely because they are living with HIV.
The CEOs represent nearly 2 million employees in industries from banking to mining, travel to technology. They include companies like Johnson & Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company, Pfizer, Heineken, Merck, the National Basketball Association, Kenya Airways and Thomson Reuters.
“HIV travel restrictions are discriminatory and bad for business,” said Chip Bergh, President & CEO of Levi Strauss & Co. “Global business leaders are coming together to make sure we end these unreasonable restrictions.”
The CEO pledge is an initiative of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), Levi Strauss & Co. and GBCHealth, a coalition of companies that address global health challenges.
“Restrictions on entry, stay and residence for people living with HIV are discriminatory and a violation of human rights,” said Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Every individual should have equal access to freedom of movement. I urge all countries to remove all such restrictions based on HIV status.”
CEOs oppose HIV travel restrictions because they are discriminatory and because, to succeed in today’s globalized economy, companies must be able to send their employees and best talent overseas, regardless of their HIV status.
“It’s time to send HIV travel restrictions packing,” said Kenneth Cole, CEO of Kenneth Cole Productions. “Using our collective might, I believe we can use our influence to eliminate these discriminatory practices."
The U.S. lifted its 22-year HIV travel ban in 2010. Other countries, including Armenia, China, Fiji, Moldova, Namibia and Ukraine, have also recently removed such restrictions. However, 45 countries still deny entry, stay, residence or work visas for people living with HIV. These countries include major hubs for international business.
“Travel restrictions on individuals with HIV are unnecessary and hinder the ability for individuals and companies to operate in a truly global workforce,” said Mark Bertolini, Chairman, CEO & President of Aetna.
Most HIV travel restrictions were imposed by governments in the 1980s when less was known about the transmission of HIV, and treatment didn’t exist. Since then, we’ve learned how to effectively prevent, manage and treat HIV.
Travel restrictions vary in different countries and can include preventing people living with HIV from entering altogether or deporting foreigners once their HIV status is discovered. Restrictions also include denying work visas, prohibiting short-terms stays for business trips or conferences and blocking longer-term stays or residence for work relocations and study abroad programs.
The World AIDS Day call to end HIV travel restrictions coincides with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s release this Thursday of a blueprint that outlines the goals and objectives for the next phase of the United States’ effort to achieve an AIDS-Free Generation. Also on Thursday,GBCHealth Managing Director and Co-President Michael Schreiber will speak out against HIV travel restrictions at a 1:15 p.m. panel on addressing HIV-related stigma and discrimination at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City and a 12:30 p.m. press conference at the U.N. Press Center. The CEO pledge was first launched at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in Washington, D.C.
“Eliminating HIV travel restrictions is a win-win,” Schreiber said. “It’s the right thing to do from a humanitarian perspective and the right thing to do from a business perspective.”
Participating CEOs:
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Group Managing Director/CEO, Access Bank Plc; Mark Bertolini, Chairman, CEO and President, Aetna; Cynthia Carroll, Chief Executive, Anglo American plc;Vincent A. Forlenza, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, BD; Debra Lee, Chairman & CEO, BET Networks; Andy Burness, President, Burness Communications; Lamberto Andreotti, CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Muhtar Kent, Chairman of the Board and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company; Richard Edelman, President & CEO, Edelman; Mark R. Kramer, Founder and Managing Director, FSG; Glenn K. Murphy, Chairman and CEO, Gap Inc.; Jonathan D. Klein, CEO and Co-Founder, Getty Images; John C. Martin, PhD, Chairman and CEO, Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Karl-Johan Persson, CEO, H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB; Dr. Chris Kirubi, Chairman, Haco Tiger Brands; Jean-Francois van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board/CEO, HEINEKEN NV; Victor Y. Yuan, Chairman, Horizon Research and Consultancy Group; Bong Yong Dam, CEO,Hub One International Company Ltd; Jena Gardner, President & CEO, JG Black Book of Travel; Alex Gorsky, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson & Johnson; Kenneth Cole, CEO, Kenneth Cole Productions; Dr .Titus Naikuni, MD and CEO, Kenya Airways Ltd; Chip Bergh, President & CEO,Levi Strauss & Co.; Kaushik Shah, CEO/Director, Mabati Rolling Mills Ltd; Kenneth C. Frazier, Chairman and CEO, Merck; Heather Bresch, CEO, Mylan; David J. Stern, Commissioner,National Basketball Association (NBA); Blake Nordstrom, President, Nordstrom, Inc.; Ji Yong, General Manager, Northeast Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd; Douglas A. Michels, President & CEO, OraSure Technologies, Inc.; Ian C. Read, Chairman and CEO, Pfizer Inc.; Tzameret Fuerst, CEO, Prepex; Bob Collymore, CEO, Safaricom; Hiromasa Yonekura, Chairman, Sumitomo Chemical; Liam E. McGee, Chairman, President and CEO, The Hartford; James C. Smith, CEO,Thomson Reuters; Mikkel Vestergaard Frandsen, CEO, Vestergaard Frandsen; Philippe Dauman, President & CEO, Viacom; Dominique Limet, CEO, ViiV Healthcare; Richard Branson, Founder, Virgin Unite; Melissa Waggener Zorkin, CEO, President & Founder, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide; Andy Payne, CEO, Wilderness Holdings Ltd; David Sable, CEO, Y&R; William H. Roedy, AIDS Activist and former Chairman, MTVN International
About GBCHealth
GBCHealth represents over 200 private sector companies leading the business fight for improved global health. Through work that includes developing comprehensive workplace policies; supporting community programs; leveraging core competencies; facilitating leadership and advocacy by business leaders; and brokering public-private partnerships, GBCHealth helps members achieve their global health goals. GBCHealth also manages the private sector delegation to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, serving as an entry-point for corporate collaboration and engagement with the Fund and its recipients worldwide. GBCHealth has offices in New York, Johannesburg, Beijing, Nairobi and Moscow. For more information on GBCHealth, please visit www.gbchealth.org.
About UNAIDS
The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) leads and inspires the world to achieve its shared vision of zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. UNAIDS unites the efforts of 11 UN organizations—UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank—and works closely with global and national partners to maximize results for the AIDS response. Learn more at unaids.org and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.
PRINCETON, N.J. & WASHINGTON-- --NRG Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NRG) today announced the successful completion of its “The Sun Lights the Way” project in the Boucan Carré region of Haiti. The program entailed the installation of solar electric systems at 20 schools, a fish farm and a drip irrigation system supporting agricultural production throughout Haiti’s Central Plateau region, through collaboration with the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a nonprofit organization.
These installations complete NRG’s “The Sun Lights the Way: Brightening Boucan Carré” project, funded by the company’s $1 million commitment made through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) and an additional $500,000 pledge from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. This project helps to improve the quality of education for more than 6,000 Haitian students by providing the electricity needed to power lights, communication systems, laptop computers and other school equipment in a remote area of the country. The solar irrigation system, or “Solar Market Garden™,” will help to increase the production of crops at the Lashto Zanmi Agrikol farm by powering water pumps, while the solar array at the Lashto Fish Farm enables a dramatic increase in fish production by powering aerators for six tanks.
”This program already is improving the lives of thousands of people who have gained access to the regular supply of electricity for the first time in their lives,” said David Crane, NRG President and CEO. “Our CGI commitment to install solar power at schools and food production facilities in Haiti dovetails with our overall company commitment to respect the environment, help end hunger, and improve access to better educational opportunities. Much work remains to be done in Haiti and we intend to continue to do our part to help.”
“In 2006, 35 percent of women in Haiti had no education whatsoever, and as of 2010, 30 percent of girls ages 15-24 were illiterate,” said Bob Freling, SELF’s Executive Director. “Our goal is to provide the tools necessary to ensure that every child in Haiti has the opportunity to achieve their potential in school; electricity is critical in doing this. Solar energy allows schools that are in very remote locations – in one instance we had to transport solar panels by donkey – to power things like computers that can open up a whole new world of learning opportunities for students.”
The project received support from Trina Solar (NYSE: TSL), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products, which donated all of the solar panels installed on the schools.
“Trina Solar is proud to be a part of this life-changing project,” said Jifan Gao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Trina Solar. “Projects and partnerships like these demonstrate the universal power of solar energy to improve people’s lives and to empower communities all over the world.”
About NRG
NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. A Fortune 500 company, NRG is a pioneer in developing cleaner and smarter energy choices for our customers: whether as one of the largest solar power developers in the country, or by building the first privately funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure or by giving customers the latest smart energy solutions to better manage their energy use. Our diverse power generating facilities can support more than 20 million homes and our retail electricity providers – Reliant, Green Mountain Energy Company and Energy Plus – serve more than two million customers.
About SELF
The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit whose mission is to implement solar energy solutions to assist those living in energy poverty with economic, education, health and agricultural development. Its Whole Village Development Model takes an innovative approach to designing and implementing integrated solar systems to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people living in worldwide energy poverty. Since 1990, SELF has completed projects in more than 20 countries, pioneering unique applications of solar power for drip irrigation in Benin, health care in Haiti, telemedicine in the Amazon rainforest, online learning in South Africa, and microenterprise development in Nigeria.
About Trina Solar Limited
Trina Solar Limited (NYSE:TSL) is a leading manufacturer of high quality modules and has a long history as a solar PV pioneer since it was founded in 1997 as a system installation company. Trina Solar is one of the few PV manufacturers that have developed a vertically integrated business model from the production of monocrystalline and multicrystalline silicon ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of high quality modules. Trina Solar's products provide reliable and environmentally-friendly electric power for a growing variety of end-user applications worldwide.
NEW YORK, Nov. 23 - On the eve of the holiday shopping season, a new study byBBMG,GlobeScan and SustainAbility finds that consumers are rethinking consumption with sustainability in mind. According to the Regeneration Consumer Study, two-thirds of consumers in six countries
say that “as a society, we need to consume a lot less to improve the environment for future generations” (66%), and that they feel “a sense of responsibility to purchase products that are good for the environment and society” (65%). The findings are based on an online survey of 6,224 consumers across Brazil, China, India, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States conducted in September and October 2012.
The affinity toward sustainable consumption is being led by consumers in developing markets (Brazil, China, India), who are more than twice as likely as their counterparts in developed markets (Germany, UK, US) to report purchasing products because of environmental and social benefits (51% to 22%, respectively), being willing to pay more for sustainable products (60% to 26%) and encouraging others to buy from companies that are socially and environmentally responsible (70% to 34%).
However, significant barriers to sustainable purchasing remain for consumers across all markets, including perceptions of product performance, high prices, skepticism about product claims and a lack of knowledge about what makes a product socially or environmentally responsible.
"Consumers are seeking brands that can improve their own lives while creating a more sustainable economy that can benefit all," said Raphael Bemporad, Co-Founder of brand innovation consultancy BBMG. "While there is strong interest in purchasing more sustainable products, perceptions around price, performance and skepticism about product claims remain top barriers to action."
“The Regeneration Consumer Study shows sustainability is fast becoming a key factor when it comes to consumers’ purchasing decisions, yet there are still barriers that need to be addressed,” said Kelly M. Semrau, Chief Sustainability Officer, at SC Johnson. “At SC Johnson, we are committed to learning more, so that we can create better products for consumers around the globe.”
"We believe understanding people's aspirations around consumerism and sustainability is an important area of inquiry,” said Ursula Mathar, Head of Sustainability and Environmental Protection, at BMW Group. “This topic requires a great deal more understanding in order to increase sustainable consumption, which is why BMW Group supports The Regeneration Consumer Study."
Key Findings from the Regeneration Consumer Study (2012):
- Consuming Less, Consuming Better: While 66% of consumers across the six countries surveyed believe in consuming less, the pattern varies across markets, with 76% of consumers in developing markets and 57% in developed markets being inclined to believe that “as a society, we need to consume a lot less to improve the environment for future generations.” Similarly, consumers in emerging markets are much more likely than consumers in developed markets to “feel a sense of responsibility to purchase products that are good for the environment and society” (82% to 49%, respectively).
- Shifting Perceptions: Views on Price, Performance and Credibility Most Frequently Undermine Sustainable Purchasing:A majority of consumers globally agree or strongly agree that they would “purchase more products that are environmentally and socially responsible” if they “performed as well as, or better than, products they usually buy” (75%), “it didn’t cost more” (70%), “companies’ health and environmental claims were more believable” (64%), they “had a better understanding of what makes products environmentally or socially responsible” (63%), or they “could see environmental or social benefits of the products right away” (63%). Price is the top barrier to green purchasing in developed markets (78%) while product performance (74%) is the top barrier in developing markets along with needing “a better understanding of what makes products socially and environmentally responsible” (72%).
- Collaboration and Participation – Being Part of the Solution:Two-thirds of consumers globally (67%) are “interested in sharing their ideas, opinions and experiences with companies to help them develop better products or create new solutions,” while seven in ten consumers (72%) globally “believe in voting and advocating for issues important to me.”
"With the Regeneration Consumer Study, our goal is to bring the consumer voice into the sustainability conversation and help articulate specific decisions and actions that companies can take to accelerate and grow a more sustainable economy," said Eric Whan, GlobeScan’s Director of Sustainability. “With data-driven ideas, we want to help companies make the business case for sustainable development and advance the creation and deployment of more sustainable products, policies and practices."
"Our economy and natural environment are facing unprecedented stresses as scarce resources are stretched to meet growing needs,” said Mark Lee, Executive Director at SustainAbility. “Through the Regeneration Consumer Study, we are revealing how consumer attitudes, behaviors and collaboration can help enterprising brands as they work to innovate smarter, safer, cleaner and greener solutions."
Background and Methodology:
Developed by BBMG, GlobeScan and SustainAbility, The Regeneration Consumer Study is an in-depth online survey of consumer attitudes, motivations and behaviors relating to sustainable consumption among 6,224 respondents across six major international markets (Brazil, China, Germany, India, the United Kingdom and the United States) conducted in September and October 2012. Drawn from consumer research panels, global data are comparable to having a margin of error of +/- 1.3 percent. Analysis of country-level data reflects a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percent.
The study is part of the The Regeneration Roadmap, a collaborative and multi-faceted thought leadership initiative designed to engage the private sector in advancing sustainable development by improving sustainability strategy, increasing credibility and delivering results at greater speed and scale.
Presenting Sponsors of The Regeneration Roadmap are BMW Group and SC Johnson. Sponsors include Cisco, DuPont, Interfac
e and Pfizer. The Regeneration Consumer Study is sponsored by Brown-Forman, Campbell’s, Itau, L’Oréal, Shell and Starbucks.
For more information, and to download a free copy of the study (available after November 27, 2012), visit http://www.theregenerationroadmap.com
About BBMG
Based in New York City, BBMG is a brand and innovation consultancy dedicated to creating disruptive business solutions and delightful brand experiences to help brands achieve business success and positive social impact. By integrating branding with sustainability expertise and innovation protocols, BBMG helps organizations identify growth opportunities, forge new markets, create new brands and drive real culture change. Recent clients include NBCUniversal, MillerCoors, Brown-Forman, Walmart, Samsung, Seventh Generation and Earthbound Farm. For more information, visit http://www.bbmg.com
About GlobeScan
For 25 years, GlobeScan has helped clients measure and build value-generating relationships with their stakeholders. Uniquely placed at the nexus of reputation, brand and sustainability, we partner with clients to build trust, drive engagement and inspire innovation within, around, and beyond their organizations. For more information, visit http://www.GlobeScan.com
About SustainAbility
SustainAbility is a think tank and strategic advisory firm working to inspire transformative business leadership on the sustainability agenda. Established in 1987, SustainAbility delivers illuminating foresight and actionable insight on sustainable development trends and issues. For more information, visit http://www.SustainAbility.com
SEATTLE, Nov. 26  - A&R Solar is proud to be a Certified B Corporation. B Corporations are a new kind of company which uses the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. Certified B Corporations meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. It’s like a LEED certification, but for a business, not just a building (or Fair Trade certification, but for a business, not just a bag of coffee).
“We’re very excited to be involved in a community a fellow businesses that are walking the walk of sustainability,” said A&R Solar co-founder and CEO, Reeves Clippard. “It’s important for companies, especially in the clean tech industry, to hold themselves to higher standards. The B Corp Certification is a real step in the right direction.”
About A&R Solar
The Company is a team of smart, environmentally conscious specialists who design and install solar energy systems for homeowners, businesses, and government agencies. The company was founded in 2007 as an employee owned venture in Seattle, Washington. As one of the first contractors dedicated to solar installations in Washington State, A&R Solar empowers its customers by helping them take their energy futures into their own hands while minimizing their carbon footprints.
About B Corp
Certified B Corporations 1) meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance; 2) legally expand their corporate responsibilities to include consideration of stakeholder interests; and 3) build collective voice through the power of the unifying B Corporation brand. As of May 2012, there are over 530 Certified B Corporations from over 60 industries, representing a diverse multi-billion marketplace.
About B Lab
B Lab is a nonprofit organization dedicated to using the power of business to solve social and environmental problems. B Lab drives systemic change through three interrelated initiatives: 1) building a community of Certified B Corporations to make it easier for all of us to tell the difference between “good companies” and just good marketing; 2) accelerating the growth of the impact investing asset class through use of B Lab’s GIIRS impact rating system by institutional investors; and 3) promoting supportive public policies, including creation of a new corporate form and tax, procurement, and investment incentives for sustainable business.
LONDON, Nov. 20  - Food security and waste are focal themes of the North American edition of the Sustainable Foods Summit (www.sustainablefoodssummit.com). With the US experiencing its most extensive and severe drought in over 25 years, the summit discusses the implications to global food supply chains and the role of sustainable agriculture in improving food security.
Taking place in San Francisco on 22-23rd January 2013, the summit will debate various methods to improve efficiency in food supply chains. With the global population expected to rise to 9 billion in 2050, some argue the answer lies not just in increased food production levels but greater efficiency. According to the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO UN), about a third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted. In the US, wastage accounts for about 121 billion pounds of food with about two-thirds going to landfill. At the same time, 48 million Americans live in households that struggle to feed themselves. Senior executives from FAO UN, Food Waste Reduction Alliance, Whole Foods Market, Unified Grocers and Daabon Organic will discuss food waste reduction schemes, landfill diversion methods and food rescue programs in the tackling food waste session.
The summit comprises four sessions over a 2-day program. The opening session (sustainability initiatives) gives an update on major sustainability developments in the food industry. Following an opening keynote on the hidden costs of foods, papers will cover measuring the environmental impacts of food products and the positive role of sustainable agriculture. Michael W. Hewett from Publix Supermarkets will give the retailers’ perspective on sustainability, whilst a leading chocolate firm shares its experiences in setting up a sustainable sourcing program for cocoa. Another paper by Dennis Gillan of NSF International gives details of the CarbonFree Product certification program that enables producers to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions.
In the marketing best-practices session, an update will be given on the global market for eco-labeled food & beverages. Amarjit Sahota, President of Organic Monitor, will show that although organic remains the dominant eco-label, new labels are emerging that cover specific sustainability areas and product groups. Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade USA will state how their certification schemes add an ethical dimension to food products. The social impact of foods will be covered by Local Harvest, which supports over 4,400 Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) projects. CSA is gaining popularity as American consumers increasingly seek freshly grown food whilst wanting to support regional communities.
The final session assesses the impact of new technologies on the sustainable development of the food industry. The first paper looks at the growing use of mobile devices to meet the informational needs of consumers. Lorene Reed, president of Planet Organic, explores the potential of online retailing. The social media agency Room 214 discusses the implications of Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and related media on consumer behavior towards sustainable foods. Other speakers cover innovations in food & beverage packaging, and novel production methods. Kenneth Ross of Global ID discusses the use of forensic science – including analytical techniques like mass spectrometry and fingerprinting - to authenticate food products.
The 7th edition of this international series of summits links food security to wastage to raise awareness of the importance of efficient supply chains. By bringing together key stake-holders and sharing best-practices, the summit aims to strengthen food supply chains whilst tackling environmental and social issues associated with food waste and food insecurity.
About the Sustainable Foods Summit
Organized by Organic Monitor, the aim of the Sustainable Foods Summit is to explore new horizons for eco-labels and sustainability in the food industry by discussing key industry issues in a high level forum. The North American edition will be hosted at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in San Francisco on 22-23rd January 2013. More information is available fromwww.sustainablefoodssummit.com
About Organic Monitor
Organic Monitor is a specialist research, consulting & training company that focuses on the global organic & related product industries. Since 2001, we have been providing a range of business services to operators in high-growth ethical & sustainable industries. Our services include market research publications, business & technical consulting, seminars & workshops, and sustainability summits. Visit us at www.organicmonitor.com
VANCOUVER, B.C., Nov. 20  Renewal2 Fund and Investeco Capital are announcing an investment in Ontario-based Miovision Technologies, which develops intelligent technology solutions to address the environmental and infrastructure challenges facing today’s global transportation networks.
Investeco Capital, a Toronto-based environmental venture capital fund manager and Renewal2, a Vancouver-based early-stage impact investment fund focused on businesses dedicated to social and environmental innovation, have each invested $1 million as part of a larger syndicate in Miovision’s subordinated debt financing. Investeco introduced Miovision to Renewal2 and has investments now totaling $2 million in the company.
Miovision was founded in 2005 to develop technology solutions to reduce traffic congestion, minimize environmental impacts of inefficient transportation flow and improve the overall safety of roads. The financing will be used to launch a new product in 2013 that will improve traffic efficiency, thereby minimizing fuel consumption and the amount of idling time.
“Early stage impact investing is about identifying top notch management teams that are creating scalable, measurable and sustainable positive change in the world,” said Paul Richardson, President of Renewal2, “Miovision has that compelling combination and we are excited to support their growth.”
Miovision’s technology will enable cities to make educated strategic planning decisions to become municipal leaders of environmental change.
"Miovision is one of those very rare companies that you dream about as an investor. Not only do they have a terrific technology offering in a large and growing market, but perhaps more remarkable is management’s laser-like focus on driving best operating practices through their company,” said Andrew Heintzman, President of Investeco Capital. “We are delighted to be part of Miovision and to share in their success."
“Miovision’s products and services are used by cities and municipalities across Canada and around the globe to improve traffic network efficiency and foster environmental sustainability,” said Kurtis McBride, CEO and co-founder of Miovision. “We’re grateful to Renewal2 and Investeco for their commitment to our vision, and for their investment, which will help Miovision to continue innovating solutions that reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions, and support municipal leaders and drivers in adopting green technologies.”
For more information about Miovision, visit www.miovision.com.
Renewal2 is a $35-milllion early-stage impact fund based in Vancouver, B.C. Renewal2 is dedicated to delivering financial returns by investing in leading environmental and social mission businesses in Canada and the U.S. For more information on Renewal2 and its portfolio, visit www.renewal2.ca.
Investeco is Canada’s first environmental investment company. By investing in expansion stage companies in high growth sectors like renewable energy, water, sustainable agriculture, and clean technologies, Investeco taps into the growing demand for environmentally superior products and services. Investeco currently manages more than $40 million for over 100 accredited investors. For more information, visit www.investeco.com.
Disclaimer: This is not an offer or solicitation to sell securities of, or financial interests in any Fund managed by Renewal2 or Investeco. All such Funds are limited to a restricted pool of investors, namely “Accredited Investors” and others not requiring disclosure by prospectus as defined under applicable securities laws.
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