http://mikes.prof-in-constr-ind-network.com/2010/01/14/governor-schwarzenegger-announces-first-in-the-nation-statewide-green-building-standards-code/
The article above higlights the California Building Standards Commission adoption of a new standard for facilities built in California requiring them to comply with Green Building Standards Code called CALGREEN.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sustainable Promotion
VERITIX UPDATE, 1/28/10.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (currently a member of USSF D-2, but will join Major League Soccer in 2011) launched the GreenZone Sustainability Kick program last season in an effort to decrease the amount of solid waste generated at its venue on game days. In partnership with Metro Vancouver and the City of Burnaby, the program’s goal is to “raise environmental awareness by providing a means to recycle or compost most of the materials from snack and beverage purchases at home matches.” The program was promoted through signage and in-game messages, and during the 2009 season the amount of solid waste that was recycled or composted jumped from 10% to 70%. (RS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (currently a member of USSF D-2, but will join Major League Soccer in 2011) launched the GreenZone Sustainability Kick program last season in an effort to decrease the amount of solid waste generated at its venue on game days. In partnership with Metro Vancouver and the City of Burnaby, the program’s goal is to “raise environmental awareness by providing a means to recycle or compost most of the materials from snack and beverage purchases at home matches.” The program was promoted through signage and in-game messages, and during the 2009 season the amount of solid waste that was recycled or composted jumped from 10% to 70%. (RS)
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Green HR
By Greg Menken Wednesday, January 20, 2010 in MediaPost publication:
Beyond Green PR: Green HR
According to research by Harris Interactive, 36% of American workers would be more inclined to work for a green company, while 59% believe their companies aren't doing enough to improve environmental performance.
Research by the Kenexa Research Institute found that companies supporting sustainability initiatives increase employee engagement levels. These initiatives increase employee pride, overall job satisfaction, and willingness to recommend their employer as a good place to work. Another report from Brockmann and Company shows that companies with sustainability programs have higher customer satisfaction, higher employee satisfaction and higher revenues per employee.
Perhaps most importantly, research finds that younger employees are the most eager to work for eco-friendly companies. As our nation's demographics quickly change, companies will come under intense pressure to compete for these younger workers.
While the Harris Interactive report showed that 52% of baby boomers would like their employers to be eco-friendly, greater than 67% of Generation Y workers wanted the same. A MonsterTRAK survey showed an astounding 92% of young workers would choose to work for an environmentally responsible company.
As baby boomers phase out of the workplace, more and more workers will seek out green employers, giving these companies a competitive hiring advantage over their non-green competitors.
Moreover, the Harris Interactive report showed that nearly a third of workers would be willing to sacrifice salary for the satisfaction of working for a green company. Again, Gen Y workers align much more strongly on this point than baby boomers, with Gen Y workers willing to sacrifice 6.2% of salary, as opposed to only 2.5% for baby boomers.
This evidence makes it clear that companies must take their green marketing beyond their external audience and engage their own employees and potential employees. By extending green marketing beyond PR and into HR (human resources), companies will attract better staff, achieve greater worker satisfaction, and increase profitability.
Great idea. If consumers and employees are equally engaged imagine what we can do.
Beyond Green PR: Green HR
According to research by Harris Interactive, 36% of American workers would be more inclined to work for a green company, while 59% believe their companies aren't doing enough to improve environmental performance.
Research by the Kenexa Research Institute found that companies supporting sustainability initiatives increase employee engagement levels. These initiatives increase employee pride, overall job satisfaction, and willingness to recommend their employer as a good place to work. Another report from Brockmann and Company shows that companies with sustainability programs have higher customer satisfaction, higher employee satisfaction and higher revenues per employee.
Perhaps most importantly, research finds that younger employees are the most eager to work for eco-friendly companies. As our nation's demographics quickly change, companies will come under intense pressure to compete for these younger workers.
While the Harris Interactive report showed that 52% of baby boomers would like their employers to be eco-friendly, greater than 67% of Generation Y workers wanted the same. A MonsterTRAK survey showed an astounding 92% of young workers would choose to work for an environmentally responsible company.
As baby boomers phase out of the workplace, more and more workers will seek out green employers, giving these companies a competitive hiring advantage over their non-green competitors.
Moreover, the Harris Interactive report showed that nearly a third of workers would be willing to sacrifice salary for the satisfaction of working for a green company. Again, Gen Y workers align much more strongly on this point than baby boomers, with Gen Y workers willing to sacrifice 6.2% of salary, as opposed to only 2.5% for baby boomers.
This evidence makes it clear that companies must take their green marketing beyond their external audience and engage their own employees and potential employees. By extending green marketing beyond PR and into HR (human resources), companies will attract better staff, achieve greater worker satisfaction, and increase profitability.
Great idea. If consumers and employees are equally engaged imagine what we can do.
Two Green Strategies from the Pros
The following are from the Veritix sports markeitng newsletter.
You probably offer recycling services in your venue, but what about outside in the parking lot where tailgaters congregate and produce a lot of waste? This past season, 30 tons of cans and bottles were recycled by tailgaters at 10 Carolina Panthers games (and the Meineke Car Care Bowl). The recycling efforts were organized by a group called Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, which set a goal of collecting 20 tons throughout the season. Recycling bags were donated by Bojangles’ and distributed by volunteers. (PR)
The Minnesota Twins are installing a custom-designed Rain Water Recycle System (RWRS) at their new ballpark, Target Field, as part of a sponsorship deal that makes the system's designer, Pentair, the "Official Sustainable Water Provider” for the Twins. The sustainable water system will be the first of its kind at any major sports venue. The system will capture, conserve, and reuse rain water. It is estimated that the system will reduce the need for municipal water at the venue by over 50%, and save more than two million gallons annually. Pentair’s Everpure tap-water filtration systems will also be installed throughout the
You probably offer recycling services in your venue, but what about outside in the parking lot where tailgaters congregate and produce a lot of waste? This past season, 30 tons of cans and bottles were recycled by tailgaters at 10 Carolina Panthers games (and the Meineke Car Care Bowl). The recycling efforts were organized by a group called Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, which set a goal of collecting 20 tons throughout the season. Recycling bags were donated by Bojangles’ and distributed by volunteers. (PR)
The Minnesota Twins are installing a custom-designed Rain Water Recycle System (RWRS) at their new ballpark, Target Field, as part of a sponsorship deal that makes the system's designer, Pentair, the "Official Sustainable Water Provider” for the Twins. The sustainable water system will be the first of its kind at any major sports venue. The system will capture, conserve, and reuse rain water. It is estimated that the system will reduce the need for municipal water at the venue by over 50%, and save more than two million gallons annually. Pentair’s Everpure tap-water filtration systems will also be installed throughout the
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Green Golf Balls
I just found out through one of the members on our Linkedin group about a great concept from south of the border. ECOBIOBALL has developed an ecological and biodegradable golf ball with fish food in its core. Thus, if you hit it into a lake, you are feeding the fish. Thus, you never have to worry about hitting three balls into the lake anymore. You can visit their site at www.albusgolf.com.
Gil-
Gil-
Creating our own energy
Go Green Fitness in Orange, Ct is putting its muscle where is mouth is. Instead of just talking green, the fitness facility is saving and generating green. Through modifying its spinning cycles, a typical 20 bike spinning class can produce over the course of a year 3.6 megawatts of energy. This is enough power to light 72 homes for a month. The facility also utilizes passive house design principles and construction methods to create an air-tight building envelope. Furthermore, through ambient lighting they receive 100% of their daytime light.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Eating right
Eating correctly is good for you and the environment. A news story by Stadia magazine highlighted the following information about efforts to encourage healthy eating:
Cardiff City Stadium joins Healthy Stadia Network
Cardiff City Stadium has joined the Healthy Stadia Network, making it the first Welsh stadium in this prestigious European programme. Compass Group UK and Ireland’s Sport, Leisure and Hospitality sector, which has operated the catering contract at Cardiff City stadium since it opened in July 2009, worked closely with the stadium and its Community Foundation team on the application to join the network, and will continue to link the work of the programme with new healthier options for matchday public in the stadia and kiosks. This will include providing school children with a piece of fruit and a healthy drink option when visiting the ground.
“We’ve been working to promote healthy eating messages both to children and young visitors to the stadium, through creating healthy kids meals for under 16s, as well as introducing a ‘Fresh Fruit Friday’ to encourage Cardiff City Stadium employees and visitors to reach their five a day target,” said Jane Cook, general manager, Compass Group, Cardiff City Football Club.
Compass Group’s Sport, Leisure and Hospitality sector runs the catering contract at the stadium, providing food and beverages for 150m of public kiosks, 14 private hospitality boxes, two restaurants, a banqueting suite and the chairman’s lounge.
Cardiff City Stadium joins Healthy Stadia Network
Cardiff City Stadium has joined the Healthy Stadia Network, making it the first Welsh stadium in this prestigious European programme. Compass Group UK and Ireland’s Sport, Leisure and Hospitality sector, which has operated the catering contract at Cardiff City stadium since it opened in July 2009, worked closely with the stadium and its Community Foundation team on the application to join the network, and will continue to link the work of the programme with new healthier options for matchday public in the stadia and kiosks. This will include providing school children with a piece of fruit and a healthy drink option when visiting the ground.
“We’ve been working to promote healthy eating messages both to children and young visitors to the stadium, through creating healthy kids meals for under 16s, as well as introducing a ‘Fresh Fruit Friday’ to encourage Cardiff City Stadium employees and visitors to reach their five a day target,” said Jane Cook, general manager, Compass Group, Cardiff City Football Club.
Compass Group’s Sport, Leisure and Hospitality sector runs the catering contract at the stadium, providing food and beverages for 150m of public kiosks, 14 private hospitality boxes, two restaurants, a banqueting suite and the chairman’s lounge.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Paperless
Should college and professional teams stop using paper? Maybe we can get rid of all paper tickets, programs, media guides, etc... Will reducing the paper used decrease our enjoyment of the game?
Many colleges are now putting their media guides online so it might just be a matter of time when everything is electronic. I think the purest can survive. I rarely see anyone scoring programs anymore, as an example.
Gil-
Many colleges are now putting their media guides online so it might just be a matter of time when everything is electronic. I think the purest can survive. I rarely see anyone scoring programs anymore, as an example.
Gil-
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The future is not far away!
Where will green go in the future? Some of the intriguing ideas being discussed include:
Tests are currently being undertaken to generate electricity from movement- everything from foot traffic to cars can become part of the solution where their movement can generate electricity. Imagine 70,000 fans walking around a stadium generating energy. Imaging a race track where every time a car travels it uses gas, but generates electricity.
PG&E aims to supply 250,000 customers with power generated from space by 2016. The CA utility will utilize technology from Solaren Corp. for 200 megawatts of electricity generated by an orbiting solar cell plant that will send energy to earth through microwaves.
Several companies are developing spray on solar cells that utilize plastic coatings containing microscopic particles of different compounds that act as solar cells. The material can be sprayed onto a roof, rather than installing solar cells. Because the coating can even work on cloudy days, it is expected to be up to three times more effective then current solar cells.
The future is looking very bright.
Gil-
Tests are currently being undertaken to generate electricity from movement- everything from foot traffic to cars can become part of the solution where their movement can generate electricity. Imagine 70,000 fans walking around a stadium generating energy. Imaging a race track where every time a car travels it uses gas, but generates electricity.
PG&E aims to supply 250,000 customers with power generated from space by 2016. The CA utility will utilize technology from Solaren Corp. for 200 megawatts of electricity generated by an orbiting solar cell plant that will send energy to earth through microwaves.
Several companies are developing spray on solar cells that utilize plastic coatings containing microscopic particles of different compounds that act as solar cells. The material can be sprayed onto a roof, rather than installing solar cells. Because the coating can even work on cloudy days, it is expected to be up to three times more effective then current solar cells.
The future is looking very bright.
Gil-
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Need a plan?
After doing a significant amount of research on sustainability in sports, I have come to a conclusion. We do not know what we are doing! I do not mean this in a mean way, but in a systematic way...we are lost. Most of the sustainable or green efforts I have seen to date have focused on one activity or random efforts designed to generate publicity or increase morale.
However, for any sustainable efforts to succeed you need a plan. Strategic management focuses on identifying where a company wants to go and then helps establish specific steps to help reach that point. We need the same approach with sustainability. We need sport sustainability plans (SSP's) for every sport organization. These plans need to have a mission statement, specific measurable goals, objectives to help reach those goals, and specific tactics that advance the objectives. Similar to a business plan, an SSP can make sure that everyone in the organization is on the same page and that every initiative is undertaken for a specific reason.
What types of plans have you seen or would you recommend?
Gil-
Gil-
However, for any sustainable efforts to succeed you need a plan. Strategic management focuses on identifying where a company wants to go and then helps establish specific steps to help reach that point. We need the same approach with sustainability. We need sport sustainability plans (SSP's) for every sport organization. These plans need to have a mission statement, specific measurable goals, objectives to help reach those goals, and specific tactics that advance the objectives. Similar to a business plan, an SSP can make sure that everyone in the organization is on the same page and that every initiative is undertaken for a specific reason.
What types of plans have you seen or would you recommend?
Gil-
Gil-
Sustainable Standards for the Olympics?
From FM World.
ISO standard for major events coming
The International Standards Organisation is developing a standard promoting the sustainable management of major events such as Olympic Games.
ISO 20121 is likely to be in place by the time of the London Olympics in 2012, a statement from the ISO said.
Fiona Pelham, chair of ISO/PC 250 committee that is developing the standard, said it will provide a “framework for event planners, venues and other members of the event supply chain who implement, maintain and improve sustainability within their way of working”.
ISO 20121 will take a management-systems approach requiring identification of key sustainability issues like venue selection, operating procedures, supply chain management, procurement, communications, transport and other aspects.
“The future ISO standard will make a great difference to the event industry,” said Pelham. “Just imagine the change in thinking that could follow as the international event industry starts to systematically address their negative social, economic and environmental impacts.”
The first meeting of the committee is set for later this month. Around 30 countries are already involved as participants or observers of the committee’s work.
The UK’s standards institute BSI developed a national standard, BS 8901, after London was granted the 2012 Olympics. The BSI work “generated international interest,” the ISO said.
Among the organisations to have expressed support for an International Standard are the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, which hosted the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
ISO standard for major events coming
The International Standards Organisation is developing a standard promoting the sustainable management of major events such as Olympic Games.
ISO 20121 is likely to be in place by the time of the London Olympics in 2012, a statement from the ISO said.
Fiona Pelham, chair of ISO/PC 250 committee that is developing the standard, said it will provide a “framework for event planners, venues and other members of the event supply chain who implement, maintain and improve sustainability within their way of working”.
ISO 20121 will take a management-systems approach requiring identification of key sustainability issues like venue selection, operating procedures, supply chain management, procurement, communications, transport and other aspects.
“The future ISO standard will make a great difference to the event industry,” said Pelham. “Just imagine the change in thinking that could follow as the international event industry starts to systematically address their negative social, economic and environmental impacts.”
The first meeting of the committee is set for later this month. Around 30 countries are already involved as participants or observers of the committee’s work.
The UK’s standards institute BSI developed a national standard, BS 8901, after London was granted the 2012 Olympics. The BSI work “generated international interest,” the ISO said.
Among the organisations to have expressed support for an International Standard are the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, which hosted the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
How are we Marketing Green?
Green Marketing More of a Trend Than a Fad
Environmental Leader and MediaBuyerPlanner partnered to study Green Marketing through the audiences of five industry publications to help determine if it's a staple or a fad. The report found that 33% of respondents said green marketing was more effective than their normal marketing efforts, with just 7% saying it was less effective. The remainder either did not detect a difference between their regular marketing efforts and their green efforts, or did not know which was more effective. Additional information from the Executive Summary is included for your perusal, and purchase information is available from a link at the conclusion of this Brief.
Companies that view themselves as the most green spend the most on green marketing, observes the report, while those that see themselves as least green spend just a fraction of their marketing budgets on such tactics. Marketers are backing up their beliefs of the company's level of "greenness" with marketing campaigns, rather than creating green campaigns to be part of the trend. The research suggests that management first buys into "greenness" and, later, green marketing, rather than beginning green marketing efforts simply out of a desire to appear green.
71% of firms indicated that they were in the "somewhat green" to "very green" categories, but they tended to believe their customer base thinks them less green than they really arr. This belief is persistent among the respondents, and may indicate why green marketing is on the rise.
Here are some of the key findings explained in the study:
82% of respondents indicated they expect to spend more on green marketing in the future. Among manufacturers, that number is significantly higher. At least half, if not more, of respondents plan to engage in online marketing efforts in the future.
28% of marketers themselves think green marketing is more effective than other marketing messages, compared to 6% of marketers who think it is less effective. Management is even more optimistic, with 46% of them indicating a belief that green marketing is more efficacious. Just 23% of those in operations think green marketing is more effective.
Companies with smaller marketing budgets tend to spend more on green marketing. Firms with a marketing budget of under $250,000 spend just over 26% on green marketing, while those with budgets of more than $50 million spend 6% on green marketing.
The most popular medium for green marketing was the internet, with
• 74.2% of respondents having spent money online, followed by
• Print (49.8%
• Direct (40%)
• Outdoor (7%)
• Radio and TV (7%)
• Mobile (6%)
29% of marketers with budgets between $10 million and $50 million, and 25% of those with budgets of more than $50 million, used outdoor, compared to 7.3% for all marketers.
Mobile was also a popular medium for marketers with the highest budgets:
• 14% of those in the $10 million to $50 million budget category spent money on mobile
• 16% in the more than $50 million budget category spent money on mobile
• Compared to 6% for all marketers
Those firms that used the most trackable media are also those that said green marketing worked better than the average marketing message.
• 48% of respondents who employed direct marketing in their media mix said that it was more or much more effective, much like those who used internet (43%)
• That contrasts with those respondents who had employed TV, 25% of whom said it was more effective than average, indicating that green marketing works better than those who don't or can't measure results think it does.
Direct-oriented media showed the more positive results when asked if customers would pay more for green products or to a green company:
• Of the people who used the two least trackable media, TV and outdoor, only 29% and 25% respectively indicated that customers would pay more
• That compares to 44%, 42% and 46% for internet, print and direct respectively
Larger companies are more likely to target employees rather than customers:
• Companies with media budgets of more than $10 million annually showed a much higher proclivity to have their own employees as their target audience, with customers being targeted in only 70% of their efforts
• Firms with budgets less than $250,000 were about 80% more likely to target customers directly, and only about half targeted their own staff
50% of marketers themselves indicate they have complete or consultative control of green marketing, while 57% of PR folks say that have control of the sustainability program. Sales and operations, on the other hand, are skeptical that marketers have so much control of the sustainability programs, with just 41% and 21% respectively saying control lies in the hands of marketers. However, those in management tended to agree that control of the sustainability program is in the hands of marketers, at 50%.
About half of companies reported that they are consciously taking steps to become more green. The most popular actions are:
• Conserving energy in operations, at 59%
• Changing products to reflect greener values (such as changing ingredients, packaging or intended use), at 54%
And the Executive Summary observes that nearly half of respondents said the decision-makers at their companies hold green marketing in high regard, compared to just 15% who hold it in low regard. Companies with decision-makers who have a low regard for green marketing tend to be those with the larger marketing budgets between $10 million and $50 million per year, where more than a quarter indicated that their decision-makers held green marketing in low regard. Smaller companies, concludes the report, may believe green marketing to be more effective than larger companies do.
Center for Media Research
(c) 2010 MediaPost Communications, 1140 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Environmental Leader and MediaBuyerPlanner partnered to study Green Marketing through the audiences of five industry publications to help determine if it's a staple or a fad. The report found that 33% of respondents said green marketing was more effective than their normal marketing efforts, with just 7% saying it was less effective. The remainder either did not detect a difference between their regular marketing efforts and their green efforts, or did not know which was more effective. Additional information from the Executive Summary is included for your perusal, and purchase information is available from a link at the conclusion of this Brief.
Companies that view themselves as the most green spend the most on green marketing, observes the report, while those that see themselves as least green spend just a fraction of their marketing budgets on such tactics. Marketers are backing up their beliefs of the company's level of "greenness" with marketing campaigns, rather than creating green campaigns to be part of the trend. The research suggests that management first buys into "greenness" and, later, green marketing, rather than beginning green marketing efforts simply out of a desire to appear green.
71% of firms indicated that they were in the "somewhat green" to "very green" categories, but they tended to believe their customer base thinks them less green than they really arr. This belief is persistent among the respondents, and may indicate why green marketing is on the rise.
Here are some of the key findings explained in the study:
82% of respondents indicated they expect to spend more on green marketing in the future. Among manufacturers, that number is significantly higher. At least half, if not more, of respondents plan to engage in online marketing efforts in the future.
28% of marketers themselves think green marketing is more effective than other marketing messages, compared to 6% of marketers who think it is less effective. Management is even more optimistic, with 46% of them indicating a belief that green marketing is more efficacious. Just 23% of those in operations think green marketing is more effective.
Companies with smaller marketing budgets tend to spend more on green marketing. Firms with a marketing budget of under $250,000 spend just over 26% on green marketing, while those with budgets of more than $50 million spend 6% on green marketing.
The most popular medium for green marketing was the internet, with
• 74.2% of respondents having spent money online, followed by
• Print (49.8%
• Direct (40%)
• Outdoor (7%)
• Radio and TV (7%)
• Mobile (6%)
29% of marketers with budgets between $10 million and $50 million, and 25% of those with budgets of more than $50 million, used outdoor, compared to 7.3% for all marketers.
Mobile was also a popular medium for marketers with the highest budgets:
• 14% of those in the $10 million to $50 million budget category spent money on mobile
• 16% in the more than $50 million budget category spent money on mobile
• Compared to 6% for all marketers
Those firms that used the most trackable media are also those that said green marketing worked better than the average marketing message.
• 48% of respondents who employed direct marketing in their media mix said that it was more or much more effective, much like those who used internet (43%)
• That contrasts with those respondents who had employed TV, 25% of whom said it was more effective than average, indicating that green marketing works better than those who don't or can't measure results think it does.
Direct-oriented media showed the more positive results when asked if customers would pay more for green products or to a green company:
• Of the people who used the two least trackable media, TV and outdoor, only 29% and 25% respectively indicated that customers would pay more
• That compares to 44%, 42% and 46% for internet, print and direct respectively
Larger companies are more likely to target employees rather than customers:
• Companies with media budgets of more than $10 million annually showed a much higher proclivity to have their own employees as their target audience, with customers being targeted in only 70% of their efforts
• Firms with budgets less than $250,000 were about 80% more likely to target customers directly, and only about half targeted their own staff
50% of marketers themselves indicate they have complete or consultative control of green marketing, while 57% of PR folks say that have control of the sustainability program. Sales and operations, on the other hand, are skeptical that marketers have so much control of the sustainability programs, with just 41% and 21% respectively saying control lies in the hands of marketers. However, those in management tended to agree that control of the sustainability program is in the hands of marketers, at 50%.
About half of companies reported that they are consciously taking steps to become more green. The most popular actions are:
• Conserving energy in operations, at 59%
• Changing products to reflect greener values (such as changing ingredients, packaging or intended use), at 54%
And the Executive Summary observes that nearly half of respondents said the decision-makers at their companies hold green marketing in high regard, compared to just 15% who hold it in low regard. Companies with decision-makers who have a low regard for green marketing tend to be those with the larger marketing budgets between $10 million and $50 million per year, where more than a quarter indicated that their decision-makers held green marketing in low regard. Smaller companies, concludes the report, may believe green marketing to be more effective than larger companies do.
Center for Media Research
(c) 2010 MediaPost Communications, 1140 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10001
Head making a green statement
Joe Hajducky, District Sales Manager for HEAD/Penn Racquet Sports (and a graduate of our program at UNH) just sent me a press release for HEAD. They are working with Cool Earth to protect 7,000 acres of rain forest. Read the article at: http://www.head.com/corporate/cool_earth/.
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