universal companies sustainability
DESCRIPTION
Universal Companies Sustainability at VHCC Green Conference. October 2009TRANSCRIPT
Lisa Sykes, Sustainability Specialist
Background
•Organic gardener, vegetarian cook• Certificate in Sustainability Studies from UMass-Dartmouth• MA, English
A Sustainability Specialist’s Responsibilities are Internal and External
• Examine each new “green” product.•Communicate with vendors.•Comb ingredients lists.† •Work with vendors to reformulate and redesign.
• Conduct annual audit of existing “green” products.•Require vendors to submit annual update form and sign.•Make changes in our resource mgt. system (RMS).
• Educate sales team about “green” products. •Catalog training.•Answer staff questions.
Internal
• Work with company green team on internal projects.
• Proof all “green” marketing materials and write copy as needed.
• Work with Product Development on “Green” Product Research
• Support sales team about “green” products. • Work with corporate team on providing sustainable options on supply spreadsheet.• Work with corporate account sustainability consultants on standards.• Assist sales with providing helpful information to clients about spa greening (folder, notebooks, etc.)
• Answer customer questions.
• Read and research –DAILY.
• Submit company environmental measures to procurement agencies (Avendra) upon request.
• Train new hires on company sustainability policy.
Sustainability Specialist’s Responsibilities continued. . . .
• Serve as liaison to GSN and LOHAS•Work on presentations and writing projects.•Attendance at conferences.
External
A non-profit organization, the Green Spa Network promotes environmental awareness in the spa industry.
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) describes an estimated $209 billion U.S. marketplace for goods and services focused on health, the environment, social justice, personal development and sustainable living.
• Maintain social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn)
• Submit articles to trade magazines/websites for publication upon request.
Company Green Team
•Approximately 15 volunteers•Divided into four groups: recycle, reuse, reduce, and company awareness•Accomplishments include, but are not limited to, the following:
•Installation of recycling containers throughout office and warehouse•Adoption of green cleaners for housekeeping staff•Electronic quarterly newsletter•Sugar cane paper plates, bowls•Cardboard baler
Label Reading
Water, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf JuiceEucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, Capryl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Camellia Oleifera Leaf Extract, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, Menthyl Lactate, Disodium EDTA, Propylene Glycol, Menthol, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine
Soy oil, calendula, witch hazel, lavender essential oil, beeswax, lecithin, borax, and xantham gum.
Water (Aqua), Octyldodecanol, Oleyl Erucate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetyl Palmitate, Cocoglycerides, Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus), Calendula Officinalis Extract (Calendula Officinalis) Hydrolyzed Elastin, Polysorbate-60, Borage Seed Oil (Borago Officinalis), Wheat Germ Oil (Triticum Vulgare), Soluble Collagen, Sorbitan Stearate, Propylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Carbomer, Sodium DNA, Triethanolamine, Disodium EDTA, Salicylic Acid.
Deionized Water, Aloe Vera Gel, Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Cocoamidopropyl Betaine, Propylene Glycol, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Citric Acid, Fragrance, FD&C Red #33, FD&C Yellow #5.
Our Tradeshow Booth
SALES and MARKETING TOOLS
Our website
We save around 81,000 lbs. cardboard from the landfill per year and $1,300 per month by ending Waste Management pick up of cardboard.
We save around 1,350 lbs. of paper and 50 lbs. of plastic from the landfill every 2.5 months.
We use biodegradable, compostable sugar cane plates and bowls in the kitchen.
We bring our own cups to work.
We use recycle bins for paper, aluminum cans, and plastic.
If we place a personal order and don’t need the bubble wrap, zip bags, or cardboard boxes, we recycle them. Containers are available in the warehouse for this.
Tradeshow travelers have the option to donate unopened personal care products (e.g., shampoo, soap, conditioner) to a local food bank.
Quarterly electronic newsletter for all employees.
Every employee has a ChicoBag™ from the green team.
