Sustainability

Committee

2010-2011

•Fred Griffes

•Mary Host

•Janet Holland

•Darvin Johnson

•Ann Pennington(Sustainability

Captain)

•Jim Raterink (Company Officer)

Neal Mast and Son

Greenhouses, Inc.

1780 Four Mile Rd NW

Grand Rapids MI 49544

Tel: 616-784-3323

Toll Free: 800-311-6278

Fax: 616-784-4081

www.nealmast.com

Mast Young Plants

6564 Peach Ridge Ave NW

Grand Rapids MI 49544

Tel: 616-784-0583

Toll Free: 800-541-3910

Fax: 616-784-3136

www.veriflora.com

~NEWS TO USE~

S u s t a i n a b i l i t y Up d a t e V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 8

Neal Mast and Son

Greenhouses, Inc. 1780 Four Mile Rd NW

Grand Rapids MI 49544

Tel: 616-784-3323

Toll Free: 800-311-6278

Fax: 616-784-4081

www.nealmast.com

Mast Young Plants 6564 Peach Ridge Ave NW

Grand Rapids MI 49544

Tel: 616-784-0583

Toll Free: 800-541-3910

Fax: 616-784-3136

www.mastyoungplants.com

Sustainability Committee

2014-2015

LOOKING FORWARD

TO A GREAT YEAR!

• Ann Pennington

• Jim Raterink

• Dawn Eardley

• Ashley Borey

• Kyle Boynton

• Jason Lucas

• Stephanie Mull

www.veriflora.com

A green wedding is any wedding where

the couple tries to decrease the impact

of their event on the planet - and there

are many ways to do it without sacrific-

ing style or elegance! Green weddings

are eco-chic, which means they are

every bit as gorgeous as conventional

weddings, but without the waste. And,

amazingly enough, going green can

save you money. Every part of a wed-

ding has eco-friendly options, and

whether you incorporate just one or

two earth-friendly elements, or go

completely organic, remember that

every green choice makes a difference.

Why go green in the first place? Going

green on your wedding day has envi-

ronmental, social, and economic bene-

fits.

1. The environmental benefits: Each

one of the 2.5 million weddings this

year in the United States will produce

an average of 62 tons of carbon dioxide

and 400-600 lbs of garbage. Consider

all of the stuff that goes into conven-

tional weddings: single-use bleached

white dresses, chemically treated im-

ported flowers, and individual packets

of rice, to name a few. It adds up

quickly! Picture this: if every wedding

this year used a disposable aisle runner

and they were laid end to end, they

would circle the globe twice. Similarly,

the amount of paper used for invita-

tions could cover the entire island of

Manhattan. If every engaged couple

made just one small green choice, that

would be 2.5 million greener choices a

year, and that is an amazing impact.

2. The social benefits: The average

wedding costs almost $40,000 and

weddings are a $60+ billion industry.

Having a green wedding is an opportu-

nity to make a difference by support-

ing companies that actively incorpo-

rate social and environmental respon-

sibility into the way they do business.

When you start talking to vendors

about green choices, and explain your

choices to your guests, you support

the green economy and change the

way people in your community think.

You can showcase how easy it is to be

eco-chic and share your favorite eco-

friendly products with your guests.

3. The economic benefits: Being green

usually saves you money, and in to-

day's economy this is probably reason

enough to do it! By making simple sub-

stitutions and eco-conscious decisions,

you can easily decrease your impact

on the planet and the cost of your

event simultaneously. Incorporating

earth-friendly choices takes little, if

any, additional effort when you have

the right resources. Use our tips to

begin planning your eco-chic wedding.

(continued on page 2)

Green Weddings 101

P a g e 2 V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 8

Green Wedding 101 (continued from page 1)

Invitations - Throughout the wedding planning cycle, paper is used for save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, seating programs,

menu cards, and more. Traditional papermaking is an energy-intensive process that creates a large amount of waste and uses

harsh chemicals such as bleach. Recycled and post-consumer waste paper, tree-free paper, and soy inks options all offer beauti-

ful and elegant ways to reduce resource consumption. Many modern couples are finding ways to simply cut down the use of

paper in their invitation suites by housing all pertinent information on a wedding website.

Attire - The problems: Single-use bleached wedding gowns. One-time wear bridesmaids' gowns. An eco-chic bride and her

wedding party can also incorporate items that have been previously used and/or can be used again. Buy vintage, have a family

gown altered to fit your taste, or donate your gown after the big day. No matter what your style or tastes, there are countless

ways to make your wedding attire greener.

Flowers - Over half of the florists in the U.S. use imported flowers that are sprayed with pesticides and fungicides. Using local,

seasonal and organic flowers, lowers fuel consumption and is often less costly than ordering exotic species, which must be

shipped.

Photography - More and more photographers are going digital. Digital photography offers a paperless and chemical-free way to

capture your event, including being able to view online proofs before deciding which ones to print.

Decor - No matter what your budget or theme, putting a little extra thought into both ceremony and reception decor will reduce

one-time-use items. Using your location and the season for inspiration will provide you with a number of natural, cost-saving

decor ideas. Centerpieces made from vintage items or pieces collected from friends and family will add unique personality to

your tables, and give your wallet a break, too.

Food and Beverage - The average American meal travels 1,500 miles. No matter how you choose to design your menu, using in-

season local and/or organic foods will decrease the carbon footprint of your meal while supporting the local economy. When

available, providing wine, beer, and other beverages made in the area adds some local flavor.

Favors - Favors for all your guests can cost you hundreds of dollars, and often wedding favors are small trinkets destined for the

trash can. If you are set on giving a small gift, there are tons of non-wasteful favor ideas like edibles, small potted plants, seed-

lings or soy candles that will echo the values behind your wedding.

Transportation / Travel - The EPA estimates that cars, trucks, and buses are the leading producers of air pollution, yet about 75%

of couples travel to and from their wedding in a limousine.

Holding your ceremony and reception at the same venue,

or close by one another is one way to limit travel for your

guests. If possible, make this a centralized location so that

most of your friends and family will not have to travel far.

Many honeymoon hotspots, such as tropical reefs or na-

tional parks, are also ecologically sensitive areas. Ecotour-

ism options, green hotels/accommodations, and carbon

offsetting all help conserve resources and ensure the

money that you are spending makes its way into the local

economy. Sometimes a simple destination wedding can

actually have a smaller environmental footprint than a

large lavish affair at home.

RECYCLING/WASTE REDUCTION

P a g e 3 V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 8

Upcoming Event—FAMILY DAY IN THE GARDEN

Date: Saturday, August 22

Time: 10 am

Location: Bristol Show Garden

NMG/MYP employees and their families are encouraged to join us for a fun filled and educa-

tional morning in the garden. This will be a great opportunity for our kids to learn about

where their parents, grandparents, or aunts & uncles work and what they do all day. Activi-

ties will include a children’s garden tour to learn about the different plants we grow, crafting

time where kids can paint and decorate their own clay pots, and a mini gardening lesson

where they’ll learn how to transplant a small plant into that newly decorated pot and care for

it at home.

Everyone interested in participating should contact Stephanie Mull at stepha-

nie.mull@nealmast.com by Wednesday, August 19 so we know how many people to expect.

Cash Back

for

Recyclables

Disposal $$

Saved

NMG

Recycling

(Costs)

Net Savings/Cash

Back

Aug-14 13.54 $476.70 $794.52 $481.02 $790.20

Sep-14 10.41 $107.85 $610.65 $481.02 $237.48

Oct-14 19.87 $1,646.90 $1,165.57 $641.36 $2,171.11

Nov-14 9.44 $159.44 $553.75 $481.02 $232.17

Dec-14 38.65 $667.61 $2,267.20 $1,122.38 $1,812.43

Jan-15 15.12 $164.98 $889.96 $801.70 $253.24

Feb-15 35.20 $360.43 $2,101.08 $641.36 $1,820.15

Mar-15 22.95 $156.83 $1,369.88 $801.70 $725.01

Apr-15 20.75 $248.73 $1,238.56 $641.36 $845.93

May-15 7.85 $136.26 $468.49 $320.68 $284.07

Jun-15 16.90 $165.45 $1,008.60 $962.04 $212.01

Jul-15 8.46 $148.74 $504.89 $481.02 $172.61

219.14 $4,439.92 $12,973.15 $7,856.66 $9,556.41

Rolling 12 Mos.

Recycled

Materials/Tons

872.44 TONS TO DATE TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF 1,000

P a g e 4 V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 8

Sustainability Committee 2014—2015

Sustainability Committee Meeting Recap

Thursday, August 6th, 2015 7:30am

Attending: Jim Raterink Ann Penning-

ton

Stephanie Mull Kyle Boynton

Dawn Eardley Ashley Borey

Jason Lucas

Projects Updates for 2014/2015

• Sustainability Article – JR - We reviewed an article

on Sustainable Packaging Trends for 2015: All

About Millennials (see next page)

• Walmart’s Sustainability Index update – JR – more

information to come. Traveling to WM soon and

should hear more.

• CDP Project update – JR – We review the process

for using the “intensity” measurement of using

cubic feet soil for establishing our CO2e reduction

target. We should be receiving our report the end

of October or early November.

• Recycle Dashboard – Ann (see dashboard) Some

good news is that commodity pricing on office pa-

per and corrugated has gone up in the last month

and we received more pay back for what we recy-

cled in those two categories.

• Continue enhancing and building on successes

from previous Sustainability Weeks – Stephanie

updated with a tentative schedule for Sustainabil-

ity Week. Free market will last all week starting on

that Monday. Tuesday we will do a food drive for

South East Community Food Pantry. Wednesday

will be the blood drive and Thursday we will have a

presentation from Kent County. Friday of that

week we will have our Flu Shot Clinic and also Con-

quer the Chaos Day.

• Recycle Revisited – Figure out how to streamline

and improve what we are currently doing already.

– Jason/ Kyle are in the process of finalizing the

training video. This will be a short (6-7 minutes)

video that explains the why and how to sort prop-

erly.

We want to be able to post the link to our website

and have it on youtube so everyone can see it. We

will also be showing to employees to get ahead of the

sorting issue.

• Grant Research –Dawn gave an update on avail-

able grants using solar panels. There is a new

grant available with 80K set aside for solar. She

supplied information on cost of installation, pay

back and savings..

• How to ramp up employee engagement at work

and at home with Sustainability. –Stephanie re-

viewed the details for family day coming up on

August 22nd

.

• Hot Logic Warming Systems as an alternative to

Microwaves and to Save Electricity – Kyle up-

dated the team on the units currently installed to

test. They are being used, some people still not

sure how to use them. He is going to be checking

at all sites to see usage and do demo/

instructions.

Next meeting will be

Thursday, September 10th

at 7:30 am.

P a g e 5 V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 8

PLEASE RECYCLE

Sustainable Packaging Trends for 2015: All About Millennials By Elisabeth Comere

As packaging innovators, it is in our best interest and in the interest of our customers to monitor emerging trends in

the industry. I compiled three distinct ways packaging could evolve in the coming year which have been primarily influ-

enced by millennials, the largest generational group of socially-aware consumers globally.

1. Reaching millennials - Millennials, generally aged between 15 to 35, make up about a third of the global population,

and they are significantly influencing market trends. This purpose-driven group uses its power to drive social and envi-

ronmental change across economic sectors by demanding accountability from major corporations and big brand

names. They are also the largest generational group in history and, on average, they spend approximately $600 billion

annually. Results show that total is expected to rise to $1.4 trillion in the next six years.

Research released by brand marketing firm Oliver Russell indicates their purchasing choices are influenced by compa-

nies that exercise positive social and environmental best practices across the entire supply chain. “Millennials view tak-

ing care of themselves and the environment as one and the same,” wrote the authors of the Oliver Russell Brand Am-

plitude Study.

With on-the-go lifestyles, this generation is looking for healthy and convenient food and beverages that come in pack-

ages that are easily opened, resealed for later use, and feature recyclability and other green qualities. In fact, 3 out of 4

millennials would choose soup from a carton over a can for just these reasons. Healthy and eco-friendly products are

dominating the purchases in this market, but millennials also look for transparent information about a product’s sus-

tainability credentials, with claims supported by third parties.

2. Transparent recycling chains - According to a global study commissioned by Tetra Pak, 89 percent of consumers pre-

fer to buy products in packages they know to be recyclable. But according to a recent ISRI study, 33 percent of Ameri-

cans have doubts about recycling, as they are not always certain if an item is recyclable, and 6 percent say they do not

believe the items they set aside for recycling are actually recycled. (This survey was conducted online within the United

States by Harris Poll on behalf of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) from Nov. 3-5, 2014 among 2,013

adults ages 18 and older.)

For this reason, we need to establish better transparency within our recycling chains in order to communicate the

goals, challenges and accomplishments of existing recycling programs. One way to alleviate confusion and skepticism is

to incorporate the transparent reporting structures that measure the efficiency and effectiveness of recycled materials

and disclose the chain of custody of how these materials are recycled. This is in addition to clearly labeling products so

consumers can easily identify how to properly recycle them.

3. Move from “clean” to “clear” labels - “Clean” labels refer to a branding approach that emphasizes a product’s

wholesomeness of ingredients, lack of artificial ingredients and sometimes a lack of common allergens. “Clean labeling”

relies on the use of terms such as “natural,” “organic” and “minimally processed.” The lack of universally-accepted defi-

nitions around these terms, however, has led to growing skepticism and confusion in the marketplace. In reaction to

this, consumers and consumer advocate groups are pushing for more clarity in labeling, hence better transparency

about the product and packaging composition. A recent study by Innova Market Insights found that clear product la-

beling is the top trend to likely impact the global food and beverage industry in the new year. The importance of ad-

hering to the clear labeling approach holds equally true for packaging manufacturers. In a survey of 6,600 consumers in

10 countries, conducted by Euromonitor for Tetra Pak, almost half of the respondents said they find on-pack logos

helpful in understanding the environmental impact of beverage packages. One example by which Tetra Pak is leading in

this field is by displaying FSC labeling on more and more of its packages made of FSC-certified materials, thus providing

consumers with a third-party assurance that the paperboard used to make cartons comes from responsibly managed

forests and other controlled sources.

P a g e 6 V o l u m e 6 , I s s u e 8

WATER •Ebb and flood floors for watering.

•Water retention ponds.

•Drip tape used indoors and out instead of sprinklers

to reduce water used as well as chemicals and fertilizers.

ENERGY-TRANSPORTATION-CO2

REDUCTION •Replaced over 420 old fluorescent and halogen fix-

tures/bulbs for a total watt reduction of 253,272 and

the opportunity to save up to $35,700 annually on

electrical costs.

•Installed window tint on office skylights to reduce glare and heat in

the office—reducing A/C costs.

•Completed our CDP information for the 4th year and reduced our

carbon produced at our 4 facilities by 5.5%.

•Installed energy curtains (received a federal grant) for reduction in

natural gas used.

•Researched LED lighting for HID replacement—will do a small trial

in 2014.

•Researching alternate energy sources (air and solar) for future.

•High efficiency roof poly / double poly on all outside walls to pre-

vent heat loss.

•Replace lighting and plumbing fixtures as needed with high effi-

ciency and low water use.

•Heat wrap for pipes and boiler bras to retain heat.

•Keep all carts and trucks full to reduce fuel used.

•Increased floor turns to produce more for the same resources.

•Power down / shut down all office equipment at night.

COMMUNITY

•Donated 1,946 pots of vegetables and

herbs to the Habitat for Humanity Restore!

•February 2015 we had an employee spon-

sored change drive that benefited the

Make a Wish Foundation of Michigan.

•January 2015 gave a cash donation to in The Image to

help fulfill critical needs in the community.

•October 2014 donated mums to the Step Out: Walk to

STOP Diabetes put on by the American Diabetes Associa-

tion.

•October 2014 NMG / MYP held a canned food drive com-

petition between all four locations. All the food that was

collected was then donated to a local food bank.

•April 2014 held an employee driven supply donation

event for Dia de los Niño's. All of the donations were

given to the Boys and Girl’s Club of Grand Rapids.

•December 2013 made plant donations to Habitat For

Humanity of 328 Poinsettias and 132 Zygo Cactus.

•December 2013 made a money donation to In The Image

and Home Repair Services.

•Contacted 62 companies and removed 150 junk mail

sources. Shredded 6 pallets (250 banker boxes of old

records to be recycled.)

• October 2013—NMG/MYP Employee Sustainability

Week—daily events from flu shots to shredding!

•September 2013—Sponsored the “Best Commercial

Streetscape” award for the America in Bloom competi-

tion.—winner Kent, Ohio.

•July 2013 A total of 53 racks and 150 additional pots of

flowers were donated in two shipments to Habitat for

Humanity’s ReStore.

•April 2013 A total of more than 2000 Easter Lilies were

donated to Spectrum Health Rehab & Nursing Center,

Grand Rapids Home for Veterans, Baxter Neighborhood

Community Garden, Villa Maria Retirement Community,

Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation

Army.

PROCUREMENT •Replace paper towel dispensers with high efficiency hand dryers—

eliminate 60% of paper towels.

•Signed commitments from top 80% of suppliers to abide by social

compliance standards.

•Using returnable crates for bulbs and cuttings purchased instead

of disposable packaging.

•Continue to keep a tight inventory and use up cardboard and

other excess materials.

•Purchase eco-friendly cleaning supplies.

•Purchase office supplies made from recycled materi-

als.

•Production anti fatigue mats made from recycled

materials.

PLEASE RECYCLE

REDUCTION OF HAZARDS • Use of bio-pests for insect control.

• Use sticky cards on booms to capture pests.