GREEN BUSINESS TIPS
If you're about to launch a new green business or are considering steering an existing business to more environmentally friendly practices (or perhaps encouraging your employer to do so); you may have heard the term "triple bottom line".
The triple bottom line is a form of reporting that takes into account the impact your business has in terms of social and environmental values along with financial returns.
Whereas traditional models were all about profit, profit and more profit; triple bottom line accounting recognizes that without happy, healthy people to staff a business and the natural environment able to sustain those people and supply resources for trade; business is, well, simply unsustainable in the long run.
In this part of the Triple Bottom Line model, business not only ensures a fair day's work for a fair day's pay; but also reinvesting back some of its gains into the surrounding community through sponsorships, donation or projects that go towards the common good.
It's a "cradle to grave" approach and in some cases "cradle to cradle" i.e. taking some responsibility for goods after they've been sold - for example, offering a recycling or take-back program.
This is more about making a honest profit than raking a profit at any cost - it must be made in harmony with the other two principles of People and Planet.
While many major corporations used to sneer at the idea of a Triple Bottom Line reporting system; some have taken the bull by the horns; with a positive flow on effect to their suppliers. Because supply chains are also accountable to the overall impact of a company, they also come under scrutiny in the triple bottom line audits. A good example of this is some big box stores "greening" up their act and in doing so, demanding that their suppliers use less packaging, offering concentrated products or banning certain ingredients from products.
Triple Bottom Line is not an award, accreditation or a certification you can achieve - it's an ongoing process that just helps a company keep on track towards running a greener business and demonstrates to the community at large they are working not just towards riches, but the greater common good - and that's what consumers are increasingly wanting to see these days.
If you're about to launch a new green business or are considering steering an existing business to more environmentally friendly practices (or perhaps encouraging your employer to do so); you may have heard the term "triple bottom line".
The triple bottom line is a form of reporting that takes into account the impact your business has in terms of social and environmental values along with financial returns.
Whereas traditional models were all about profit, profit and more profit; triple bottom line accounting recognizes that without happy, healthy people to staff a business and the natural environment able to sustain those people and supply resources for trade; business is, well, simply unsustainable in the long run.
In this part of the Triple Bottom Line model, business not only ensures a fair day's work for a fair day's pay; but also reinvesting back some of its gains into the surrounding community through sponsorships, donation or projects that go towards the common good.
It's a "cradle to grave" approach and in some cases "cradle to cradle" i.e. taking some responsibility for goods after they've been sold - for example, offering a recycling or take-back program.
This is more about making a honest profit than raking a profit at any cost - it must be made in harmony with the other two principles of People and Planet.
While many major corporations used to sneer at the idea of a Triple Bottom Line reporting system; some have taken the bull by the horns; with a positive flow on effect to their suppliers. Because supply chains are also accountable to the overall impact of a company, they also come under scrutiny in the triple bottom line audits. A good example of this is some big box stores "greening" up their act and in doing so, demanding that their suppliers use less packaging, offering concentrated products or banning certain ingredients from products.
Triple Bottom Line is not an award, accreditation or a certification you can achieve - it's an ongoing process that just helps a company keep on track towards running a greener business and demonstrates to the community at large they are working not just towards riches, but the greater common good - and that's what consumers are increasingly wanting to see these days.
Vodka - alternative uses
Ah, vodka - so many memories, or more accurately, lack thereof.
While I haven't taken a sip of the stuff in nearly 15 years, I can still appreciate what a marvelous substance it can be if consumed responsibly; something I was never able to do.
Vodka is made from either grain, rye, wheat, potatoes or sugar beet molasses as the primary ingredients combined with yeast in order to generate alcohol. After distillation, the product is almost pure ethyl alcohol and is watered down before bottling, after which it usually has an alcohol content of between 35 - 50%.
Aside from drinking, vodka has many other uses, some that can replace environmentally harsh chemicals we use around the home.
Given the lack of ingredients in unflavored vodka, it can be used as a substitute for many cleaners with an alcohol, caustic or solvent base, without leaving the item smelling like liquor.
Of course, good vodka isn't cheap; so many of the the following ideas I found around the place are based on the assumption you have lost the taste for the stuff; or if you find yourself in a spot of bother and don't have anything else to use... or if you have a good supply of dirt cheap vodka :).
Remember to always spot test before going all out with any of these suggested uses.
- To increase the life of cut flowers, add a few drops of vodka vase water along with 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Use it undiluted to remove ink stains from fabric (dab, don't rub).
- Use undiluted vodka to remove paint from clothes.
- Vodka sprayed on areas where cats have peed or sprayed will remove the odor.
- A healthy splash of vodka in old water storage containers will help kill bacteria.
- Spray vodka on clothes to remove lingering odors
- Use vodka as a tile grout cleaner and to kill mold and mildew. Spray affected areas with undiluted vodka, let sit for a few minutes and then wipe off.
- A few drops of vodka will clean jewellery.
- Vodka can be used as a glass cleaner. Dilution recommendations vary, 25 - 50% vodka and the balance being water seems to be the general guideline. Use in a spray bottle.
- Use it to make vanilla extract. Place 4 vanilla pods in a jar and add a cup of vodka. Use an airtight lid and then place in a cool dark spot. Shake the jar occasionally and after two months you'll have vanilla extract. Top up with vodka
Ah, vodka - so many memories, or more accurately, lack thereof.
While I haven't taken a sip of the stuff in nearly 15 years, I can still appreciate what a marvelous substance it can be if consumed responsibly; something I was never able to do.
Vodka is made from either grain, rye, wheat, potatoes or sugar beet molasses as the primary ingredients combined with yeast in order to generate alcohol. After distillation, the product is almost pure ethyl alcohol and is watered down before bottling, after which it usually has an alcohol content of between 35 - 50%.
Aside from drinking, vodka has many other uses, some that can replace environmentally harsh chemicals we use around the home.
Given the lack of ingredients in unflavored vodka, it can be used as a substitute for many cleaners with an alcohol, caustic or solvent base, without leaving the item smelling like liquor.
Of course, good vodka isn't cheap; so many of the the following ideas I found around the place are based on the assumption you have lost the taste for the stuff; or if you find yourself in a spot of bother and don't have anything else to use... or if you have a good supply of dirt cheap vodka :).
Remember to always spot test before going all out with any of these suggested uses.
- To increase the life of cut flowers, add a few drops of vodka vase water along with 1 teaspoon sugar.
- Use it undiluted to remove ink stains from fabric (dab, don't rub).
- Use undiluted vodka to remove paint from clothes.
- Vodka sprayed on areas where cats have peed or sprayed will remove the odor.
- A healthy splash of vodka in old water storage containers will help kill bacteria.
- Spray vodka on clothes to remove lingering odors
- Use vodka as a tile grout cleaner and to kill mold and mildew. Spray affected areas with undiluted vodka, let sit for a few minutes and then wipe off.
- A few drops of vodka will clean jewellery.
- Vodka can be used as a glass cleaner. Dilution recommendations vary, 25 - 50% vodka and the balance being water seems to be the general guideline. Use in a spray bottle.
- Use it to make vanilla extract. Place 4 vanilla pods in a jar and add a cup of vodka. Use an airtight lid and then place in a cool dark spot. Shake the jar occasionally and after two months you'll have vanilla extract. Top up with vodka
as you use it and only add more vanilla pods when it starts to lose potency.
- Spray onto old pot pourri to revitalise the scent.
- Use vodka it to remove hair dye from your skin.
- Vodka can help to remove tree sap from car paintwork.
- Add 1 part vodka to two parts water in a heavy duty zip lock bag and tape down the top. Freeze and use as a cold pack.
- Use undiluted as a weed killer spray.
- Spray undiluted into your washing machine to neutralize odors.
Have any alternative uses for vodka you would like to share? Please add them below!
LIGHTS FOR LEARNING HAWAII
High Tech Lights is giving away LEDs. Well almost. High Tech Lights CEO Tony Jones is a member of the Waikiki Rotary and he is dedicated to giving back to the community. He has created a special fund to give schools in Hawaii both public and private, LED light bulbs at the cost to make them. Zero Profit!.
Tony said " Until recently I had no idea how harmful fluorescent lighting was. The average CFL has 5-mg of mercury enough to contaminate 8,000 gallons of water and a 4 foot fluorescent tube contains 22-mg of mercury. The term 'Mad as a hatter ' comes from mercury poisoning." We know it is hard times for schools in these tough economic times. Even with the huge energy savings from LED light bulbs. Our schools cannot come up with the upfront cost. "It is utmost important to remove mercury from our Keiki's environment. Mercury is not a natural element in Hawaii and without proper recycling it will only
end up in our water supply. If we do not do something now ten years later it won't even be safe to eat poke."
Instead of donating cash to your children's school to pay the electric bill. Donate something that continues to give back for years and years. If you or your company wishes to participate in the Lights for Learning Hawaii program. Please contact Tony Jones directly at 808-536-3650.
High Tech Lights an Energy Star Partner
High Tech Lights has just completed the approval for Energy Star Partner Program. After MArch 10, 2010 The US Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Star will announce the new LED Lighting standards label. High Tech Lights has been working with both agencies in the processes necessary to achieve a standard for LED light bulbs also known as Solid State Lighting (SSL). Every High Tech Lights EFL™ Branded SSL must pass the strict testing by the DOE to have the brand EFL™ short for Environmentally Friendly Lighting™ and the Lighting Facts label.
High Tech Lights is committed to testing products and reporting performance results according to industry standards. For lighting buyers, designers, and energy efficiency programs, the Lighting Facts label provides information essential to evaluating products and identifying the best options.
Buyers be warned! There are SSL companies with wild claims and warranties far above the norm. The reality is they are just promising the world to close the deal.
How do you know if the LED products you sell will perform as promised?
Without the Lighting Facts™ label, you don’t.
You can find the highest quality LED lighting products on the market using the Lighting Facts label to compare products and manufacturer claims.
Lighting Facts is brought to you by Solid-State Lighting Quality Advocates, a program of the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help assure that LED products you find on the market meet your expectations. These products include LED products for everyday lighting purposes. They do not include indicator applications such as flashlights, nightlights and holiday lighting.
As a testament to quality, participating manufacturers voluntarily pledge to report accurate and consistent product performance results. Those results appear on the Light Facts label, which those manufacturers must include on product packaging or in product literature. Retailers and other industry buyers can then make informed purchasing decisions for their lighting inventory.
* For greater customer satisfaction and fewer returns, High Tech Lights LLC took the pledge to provide the Lighting Facts label for the LED products we sell.
■The five product performance areas are:
■ Luminaire light output
■Efficacy (lumens per watt)
■Measured power (watts)
■Correlated Color Temperature
■Color Rendering Index
The Lighting Facts label is registered to the U.S. Department of Energy. Only products that are registered and listed on the Lighting Facts Products list may use the Lighting Facts label provided to manufacturers in accordance with the Program requirements. Any unauthorized use, reproduction or recreation of this label will be subject to penalties for trademark infringement.
During the months of March and April 2010. High Tech Lights will offer free installation of PAR20, PAR30 PAR38, MR16, and AR111 LEDs. In addition, We are offering 50% the labor to install jewelry display case LED conversions. Retail stores that High Tech Lights converted to LED in Hawaii are Shanghai Tang and Silver Rhino in Ala Moana Shopping Center, Hawaiian Accessories in the Outrigger Waikiki, Kupulau Jewelry & Watches in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza and Crawd Surf at the corner of Kuhio and Nohonani Waikiki.
- Spray onto old pot pourri to revitalise the scent.
- Use vodka it to remove hair dye from your skin.
- Vodka can help to remove tree sap from car paintwork.
- Add 1 part vodka to two parts water in a heavy duty zip lock bag and tape down the top. Freeze and use as a cold pack.
- Use undiluted as a weed killer spray.
- Spray undiluted into your washing machine to neutralize odors.
Have any alternative uses for vodka you would like to share? Please add them below!
LIGHTS FOR LEARNING HAWAII
High Tech Lights is giving away LEDs. Well almost. High Tech Lights CEO Tony Jones is a member of the Waikiki Rotary and he is dedicated to giving back to the community. He has created a special fund to give schools in Hawaii both public and private, LED light bulbs at the cost to make them. Zero Profit!.
Tony said " Until recently I had no idea how harmful fluorescent lighting was. The average CFL has 5-mg of mercury enough to contaminate 8,000 gallons of water and a 4 foot fluorescent tube contains 22-mg of mercury. The term 'Mad as a hatter ' comes from mercury poisoning." We know it is hard times for schools in these tough economic times. Even with the huge energy savings from LED light bulbs. Our schools cannot come up with the upfront cost. "It is utmost important to remove mercury from our Keiki's environment. Mercury is not a natural element in Hawaii and without proper recycling it will only
end up in our water supply. If we do not do something now ten years later it won't even be safe to eat poke."
Instead of donating cash to your children's school to pay the electric bill. Donate something that continues to give back for years and years. If you or your company wishes to participate in the Lights for Learning Hawaii program. Please contact Tony Jones directly at 808-536-3650.
High Tech Lights an Energy Star Partner
High Tech Lights has just completed the approval for Energy Star Partner Program. After MArch 10, 2010 The US Department of Energy (DOE) and Energy Star will announce the new LED Lighting standards label. High Tech Lights has been working with both agencies in the processes necessary to achieve a standard for LED light bulbs also known as Solid State Lighting (SSL). Every High Tech Lights EFL™ Branded SSL must pass the strict testing by the DOE to have the brand EFL™ short for Environmentally Friendly Lighting™ and the Lighting Facts label.
High Tech Lights is committed to testing products and reporting performance results according to industry standards. For lighting buyers, designers, and energy efficiency programs, the Lighting Facts label provides information essential to evaluating products and identifying the best options.
Buyers be warned! There are SSL companies with wild claims and warranties far above the norm. The reality is they are just promising the world to close the deal.
How do you know if the LED products you sell will perform as promised?
Without the Lighting Facts™ label, you don’t.
You can find the highest quality LED lighting products on the market using the Lighting Facts label to compare products and manufacturer claims.
Lighting Facts is brought to you by Solid-State Lighting Quality Advocates, a program of the U.S. Department of Energy designed to help assure that LED products you find on the market meet your expectations. These products include LED products for everyday lighting purposes. They do not include indicator applications such as flashlights, nightlights and holiday lighting.
As a testament to quality, participating manufacturers voluntarily pledge to report accurate and consistent product performance results. Those results appear on the Light Facts label, which those manufacturers must include on product packaging or in product literature. Retailers and other industry buyers can then make informed purchasing decisions for their lighting inventory.
* For greater customer satisfaction and fewer returns, High Tech Lights LLC took the pledge to provide the Lighting Facts label for the LED products we sell.
■The five product performance areas are:
■ Luminaire light output
■Efficacy (lumens per watt)
■Measured power (watts)
■Correlated Color Temperature
■Color Rendering Index
The Lighting Facts label is registered to the U.S. Department of Energy. Only products that are registered and listed on the Lighting Facts Products list may use the Lighting Facts label provided to manufacturers in accordance with the Program requirements. Any unauthorized use, reproduction or recreation of this label will be subject to penalties for trademark infringement.
During the months of March and April 2010. High Tech Lights will offer free installation of PAR20, PAR30 PAR38, MR16, and AR111 LEDs. In addition, We are offering 50% the labor to install jewelry display case LED conversions. Retail stores that High Tech Lights converted to LED in Hawaii are Shanghai Tang and Silver Rhino in Ala Moana Shopping Center, Hawaiian Accessories in the Outrigger Waikiki, Kupulau Jewelry & Watches in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza and Crawd Surf at the corner of Kuhio and Nohonani Waikiki.