Green Business News from Reuter.com

The importance of "green" business was recently recognized by Reuter.com. They have started a Green Business section on their web site.

It is an extensive resource for information relating to business and how it is interfacing with concerns, opportunities, and governance in a marketplace that is increasingly interested in the environmental impacts of its decisions.

Check it out.

Crochet Workshop at T2T

On Sat May 23 from 9 am to noon, interested persons can participate in the Crochet Plastic Bags workshop, where you will learn to make PLARN ...yarn made from plastic bags, and start crocheting them into simple bags...

Love donation for the Center. Bring your favorite crochet hook, or you can borrow one at T2T.

Coke Launches "Plant Bottle"

Coca-Cola has announced that they will test their new "Plant Bottle" in North America this year.

The "PlantBottle™" is currently made through an innovative process that turns sugar cane and molasses, a by-product of sugar production, into a key component for PET plastic. Coca-Cola is also exploring the use of other plant materials for future generations of the "PlantBottle™." Up to 30% of the bottle will be made up of sugar cane waste.

This is ironic in that Coke uses high-fructose corn syrup as the sweetener in its beverages. This is generally the result of price supports for sugar and subsidies to the corn industry.

It should also be noted that in Florida much of the sugar cane waste is burned along with yard waste from places such as South Florida for energy.

After the hoopla of this announcement, look for the recycling industry to claim these bottles are not compatible with current recycling facilities. In turn, look for communities with high recycling rates to have negative comments. While that may be of importance to those of us who faithfully recycle our PET bottles, the fact is in 2005, only 23% of the 5 billion pounds of plastic bottles produced were recycled in the US. Only 1% of the world's plastic is recycled.

While this may not be "the answer", Coke should be commended for trying something new. This bottle reuses waste, and decreases our dependence on foreign oil. Let's hope for a 100% waste-based bottle in the future that is also compostable.

The Story of Stuff Featured in the New York Times

One of our favorite videos that we share when we do presentations is the Story of Stuff. It is concise, moving presentation of the issues that face us in our over consumptive society. The Times article states that many teachers have embraced it for their curriculum.

A warning: The movie is honest and those in denial may be uncomfortable with its portrayal of certain elements of our society.

Check out the NYT article. Then watch the video.

O-Cedar Broom with Recycled Plastic Bristles

I picked up a couple of brooms at Costco. O-Cedar's broom's bristles are now made with 100% recycled plastic bottles. Their web site states that they recycle over 5o million bottles into broom bristles. And the broom works good.

Valley Forge Fabrics wins Emerald Award

Congratulations to Valley Forge Fabrics recent winner of Broward County's Emerald Award in the Green Products/Practices or Programs category. Valley Forge donated over 10 tons materials to schools, churches, and reuse centers including Trash to Treasure last year. One of its many green practices.

Valley Forge is the largest producer of decorative fabrics for the hospitality industry. All fabrics sold by Valley Forge are designed for use in the hospitality and commercial industry.

As part of their sustainability initiative, they created a line of fabrics
called FRESH – Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards for
Hospitality. FRESH products are made from 100 percent post-consumer
recycled polyester – from PET plastic beverage bottles. Some of the materials donated to T2T include the FRESH product line and can serve as a sample of what can be produced from everyday recycling.

The recycled content material costs more to produce but Valley Forge has chosen to accept lower margins to ensure that this product is competitive in the market.

Valley Forge is one of the companies in south Florida making a difference and we are glad at T2T to work with them.

Our New Home

The move is finally done. Our new Center is easier to navigate and more organized. We could not have done it with all our great Board members and volunteers. And a friendly landlord that gave us month to move our stuff over. Here are some pictures. Hope to see you soon.