I was recently in Las Vegas. Even though it was technically vacation, I couldn’t help but view the city through my “green microscopic” goggles. As I walked from casino to casino in the city of excess, I noticed that there were no recycling bins. I was shocked!

However, when I returned home, I did my due diligence and researched recycling within the hospitality industry in Las Vegas and was surprised at what I found out.

According to the Nevada Environmental Protection Agency, the hotel recycling happens internally, behind the scenes without patrons even being aware. Many hospitality organizations are contracting with waste management companies to sort and recycle on a daily basis.

In my research, I also discovered that Planet Hollywood, located in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s Palace, has one of the most comprehensive restaurant recycling programs in Las Vegas. And it has been in place since 1994!

Planet Hollywood began recycling because food was over 84 percent of the its overall waste. To address the situation, management installed a separate garbage compactor on the restaurant’s receiving dock. The ability to separately control and monitor its own garbage has been integral to the success of Planet Hollywood’s recycling program.

After feeling better about recycling in the Las Vegas hospitality industry, I looked at the overall recycling of Las Vegas and according to a news report from Fox 5 Vegas on August 24, 2009, as a whole the city is ranked second to last.

However, looking at the glass half full and a 2008 study done by SustainLane, Las Vegas is ranked seventh in the nation for Energy and Climate Change policy. So clearly measures are being taken on behalf of the city and state of Nevada after all.

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I have always been a follower of fashion.  Lately, I’ve seen more and more options and interest in environmentally conscious fashion.  It is sure not what it used to be.  It has grown from the cliché hemp necklaces to unlimited choices ranging from organic cotton, vegan shoes, recycled steel jewelry and even recycled candy wrapper handbags.  The organic revolution has hit the runway. It is becoming quite fashionable to be able to say, “My shoes are 100-percent vegan”.

In fact, even large retailers are partnering with eco-conscious designers.  Last year, Target partnered with New York City eco-fashion designer, Rogan Gregory, to sell a 100-percent organic collection.

Eco-conscious clothing is available and growing at all price points from affordable everyday fashions to high-end designers.

Many Web sites such as Modify, sell all eco-fashions that encourage consumers to live better than ever with trendsetter designs that promote the well-being of the earth. Other great Web sites offering eco-clothing and accessories are BTC Elements and Eco-Chic Purses.  And the list of available options goes on and on.

Eco chic certainly creates the concept that it’s possible to live a greener life without losing a sense of style.

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I recently read an article in the USA Today, “Green Claims by Marketers Go Unchecked.”  The article stems from a June 9, 2009 hearing before the Subcommittee on Commerce (Trade and Consumer Protection of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce) discussing the lack of legislation for companies regarding green claims.  Not surprisingly, since 2000, the FTC has taken legal action against only three companies for violating the guidelines.  The FTC was not set up to monitor green claims.  Since the 1980’s companies have been using environmental messages, but at no time has the Commission been responsible for monitoring so much at one time.

M. Scot Case, Vice President, TerraChoice Group, Inc. and Executive Director, of the EcoLogo Program put it best in his summation:

U.S. consumers want to buy greener products, but they are confused by competing environmental claims, unsure when a claim is accurate, and increasingly skeptical of all environmental claims.  As a result, the recent focus on green jobs, green manufacturing processes, and a green economy could collapse because of inadequate, competing, and even contradictory definitions of green.

The current system is not working:

• Greenwashing is rampant.

• FTC is not equipped to define green.

• The United States lacks a single, unifying environmental label to make “buying green” easy for U.S. consumers.

As a green communications professional, I find this to be an unfortunate reality that has led to a great deal of consumer confusion and skepticism.  As HY-brid, we work with our clients to develop and deliver green messages that are transparent. 

To find out more about greenwashing and eco-labels visit http://www.hy-bridgreen.com/why-go-green/.

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The summer season is upon us and farmer’s markets will soon be in full swing - my favorite time of year.  I have been supporting and shopping at farmer’s markets for years and at one time, worked on the marketing team that helped launch a buy local program in Colorado.

Shopping at farmer’s markets not only stimulates the local economy, but also contributes to a greener community.  I recently read an article on Planet Green regarding the importance of buying local and green.  The article mentions that local food is harvested and sold within 24 hours and doesn’t have to travel long distances before landing on a plate.  The results are that food miles are reduced and therefore so are carbon footprints. 

But not only can we as individuals stimulate the local economy, contribute to a greener community and reduce our carbon footprint—businesses can as well.  Take for instance a couple of HY-brid’s clients, who have committed to purchasing and shipping local as part of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay Transport. Companies that participate in the program save money, reduce fuel consumption and are recognized by the EPA for their social responsibility and leadership.

Working together as individuals and businesses, our local communities can thrive economically and environmentally.

Below is a link that can help you to find local products in your area.  Enjoy the summer!

Local Harvest  

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In honor of Earth Day, I have been thinking of how it can act as a “Green New Years”. You know, on New Years, we all make resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, read more, and the list goes on and on and on. But what about if we marked Earth Day in the same way and created our own personal environmental resolutions where we vow to take steps toward being more earth conscious in the upcoming year? Taking baby steps is better than doing nothing at all.

Through the work I’ve done with my clients at Hoffman York as part of our environmental marketing division, HY-brid, I have become more aware of my own personal environmental impact. I’m more conscious of products I use, recycling and using less energy. However, I know I have a long way to go. Just as many companies HY-brid helps to take their environmental responsibility to the next level, I am vowing to take mine to the next level as well.

The first item on my list this Earth Day is to change all my lighting at home to CFLs.
I’ve included some really cool links on the background of Earth Day as well as some things you can do at home or at work to become more environmentally responsible I wish you luck with all of your Earth Day resolutions!

www.earthday.net

The History of Earth Day

Greening Your Home

Greening Your Workplace

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I recently attended the 2009 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. Although attendance was down, green messaging for exhibitors was up.

Building products manufacturers are beginning to realize the importance of communicating their commitment to the environment, whether it is what they are doing now, or what they plan to do in the future. Communicating environmental responsibility is becoming as important as communicating products and services.

Overall, demand is being driven from consumers becoming more aware of everything they are buying to the materials they are putting in their home to the cleaning products they are using.

In looking at and assessing all of the environmental messages at the show, I realized that green products can’t come from companies that have “un-green” processes. I think it is important to help educate consumers on this clear distinction and that sometimes what a company does to manufacture the product can be more important than the end product itself.

Even though there is much pessimism about the economic environment, it was great to see the growing consideration in the building industry taking a more environmental approach to business.

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