Spring Newsletter 2008
January is typically the time of year for resolutions, but this spring with all the media coverage about global warming, and Earth Day just around the corner, we thought we'd make room for one more - to incorporate more eco-conscious practices into our daily routine. Surprisingly, after doing our homework, we came to a remarkable conclusion, you don't have to go out of your way to be "green". There are plenty of simple changes we can all make that will have a big impact on the environment and a minimal impact on our daily lives. And since for most of us, a large portion of our day is spent at the office, we've put together an entire newsletter devoted to going green at the office.
Go Green at the Office: 9 Simple Things You Can Do To Save Energy and Resources at Work
Five Common Misconceptions About "Going Green"
Two Chicago Area Companies Embrace Sustainable Business Practices
Resources for Making Your Company More Sustainable
Smart Tips for Traveling and Meeting Green
Go Green at the Office: 9 Simple Things You Can Do To Save Energy and Resources at Work
1. Change Your Bulbs and Turn Off The Lights
The simplest way to save on energy costs is to turn off the lights when they are not in use. Do you have a conference room, kitchenette or hallway that is infrequently used during
the course of the day? Make sure you hit the switch on your way out. If you have a workspace with natural light make use of it during the day and in the evening consider using task lighting such as a desk lamp instead of the overhead light. If these options don't work for you don't despair, there is still something you can do to save energy - switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's). CFL's use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. Additionally, each bulb saves approximately $30 in electricity costs over the bulb's lifetime and since they produce 75 percent less heat than traditional bulbs, they can significantly impact the cost of cooling a building. To read more facts about CFL's visit http://www.earthday.net/resources/2006materials/cf-facts.aspx.
2. Go Paperless
Remember when we used to talk of the future of the workplace as a "paperless office"? It turns out the modern office is anything but paperless. In fact, computer usage has actually increased our paper consumption! We'll probably never manage to eliminate paper entirely but there are things we can do to reduce our usage. First, try reviewing documents on the screen and avoid printing e-mail and other unnecessary documents. If you have trouble staring at a computer screen while reviewing a document, try increasing the font size to make it easier to read. Plus, increasing the font size will shift the document formatting to give you a fresh view of a document and help you catch mistakes. Another trick for reducing paper use is to decrease your document margins to 0.75" (Microsoft's default margins are 1" or 1.25" depending on which version of Office you are using). Simply reducing your margins will result in a 4.76% annual paper savings which doesn't sound like much until you consider that in 2003, Americans used 5.4 million tons of office paper. If everyone had used efficient margins we could have saved 6,156,000 trees according to ChangeTheMargins.com. Finally, if you can't resist hitting the print button, make sure you are using each piece of paper to its fullest potential by printing on both sides or creating a scrap paper pile so that you can use both sides later.
3. Optimize Your Computer and Printer Settings
Did you know that screen savers use just as much energy as leaving your monitor turned on? Instead of leaving that funny screen saver scrolling across your screen all day, set your computer to automatically go to standby or a blank screen after a pre-set period of inactivity. You can also save energy by plugging your computer and peripherals into a power strip so that when you leave for the day you can be sure everything is powered down. Also, if you have a scanner or printer that doesn't get used very often, leave it turned of until you need it. For the printer, you can easily save money and the environment by changing your default print settings to "toner saving" and by making sure to get your ink or toner refilled instead of buying a new cartridge each time.
4. E-cylce
We all know the importance of recycling our paper and plastics but how many of us give much thought to how we dispose of our computers and other electronic equipment? According to the EPA, "by 2005, the rate at which cell phones are discarded is predicted to exceed 125 million phones each year, 
resulting in more than 65,000 tons of waste!" Because cell phones and other electronics contain mercury, lead and cadmium, which can leak into groundwater or into the air through incineration, it is important to keep them out of landfills. So the next time you upgrade a PC, cell phone or other electronic device look into recycling it instead of tossing it in the trash. There are plenty of easy ways to safely dispose of these devices throughout Chicago. Most cellular phone companies will accept your old phone back when you purchase a new one, or you can drop the old one off at most Staples stores. For computer equipment, if you are just getting rid of one or two things you can take advantage of the City of Chicago's permanent Household Waste and Electronics Recycling Center at 1150 N North Branch St. You can find hours of operation on their website here. If you need to recylce a whole office worth of equipment, check out myGreenElectronics.org or E-cycling Central for a searchable database of local recycling centers.
5. Redress Your Wardrobe
An estimated 80 percent of U.S. dry cleaners use a solvent known as percholoroethylene, or perc, which is known to pose short- and long-term health risks, contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer, and contaminate waterways. Talk about a not so clean way to clean your clothes. So what can you do? The first way to reduce the amount of perc that is released in to our environment is to avoid buying "dry clean only" items, but if you already have a favorite shirt that can't go in the washer, or your job requires you to wear a suit, there are still things you can do. For one, you can extend the time between cleanings by wiping or blotting spills right away, and hanging your clothes up after each wear to avoid wrinkles. Consumer Reports also has a few tips for hand washing "dry clean only" clothes on their "Greener Choices" website. Finally, if you really must dry clean your clothes, consider dropping them off at a cleaner that uses alternative, earth friendly methods. You can find cleaners near you at Earth 911 and FindCO2.com.
6. Green Your Ride
The easiest way to green your ride may be simply to leave it in the garage. The National Safety Council reports that "one person using mass transit for an entire year, instead of driving to work, can keep an 
average of 9.1 pounds of hydrocarbons, 62.5 pounds of carbon monoxide, and 4.9 pounds of nitrogen oxides from being discharged into the air. One full, 40-foot bus also takes 58 cars off the road. A 10 percent nationwide increase in transit ridership would save 135 million gallons of gasoline a year." Also, with springtime around the corner, you may want to consider commuting by bike - a healthy and green way to get from here to there. But if public transportation isn't in the cards, you can still maximize your car's fuel efficiency and reduce emissions by carpooling, checking that your tires are properly inflated, reducing idling time by avoiding drive-thru's, and observing the speed limit. For more tips on saving gas and reducing pollution check out the National Safety Council's website.
7. Take out, take less
Let’s face it, we all know that bringing our lunch in reusable containers is the healthiest option for both ourselves and the planet but it isn’t always possible. If you find yourself grabbing lunch on the go, there are still things you can do to cut down on waste. First, check to see if any of your co-workers want to place an order with you. Ordering food for 2 or more people will reduce the amount of packaging that is needed and eliminate the amount of gasoline that is used transporting the food. You can also eliminate waste by using reusable utensils especially if you are taking the food back to your office. When you order, simply tell them to skip the plastics (as well as all the condiment packages and extra napkins some restaurants throw in). Americans throw away enough spoons, forks, and paper and plastic cups each year to circle the equator 300 times. Even though throwing away a fork or knife here or there doesn't seem like a big deal it can have a really big impact if we all switch to reusable silverware.
8. Make Your Mailings Greener
If you are still reaching your customers through postal mailings it may be time to look into e-marketing. Not only does sending newsletters, and other marketing materials electronically save trees, it can 
also save you money. Plus, there are many programs available on the market that make creating e-marketing materials easy for just about anyone. If, however, you still have customers that are tethered to the old mailbox you can still take measures to reduce your carbon footprint. For starters, try printing your marketing materials on recycled paper and look for a printer that uses eco-friendly processes. Unfortunately, there is not yet an industry standard for what makes a printer "earth-friendly", but GreenBiz.com does offer some tips for what to look for in a green printer. Also, before you send out your next mailing, make sure to update your mailing list so that you aren't mailing to outdated addresses. You can also give customers a choice between receiving e-mails or regular mail.
9. Pass It On
Share these tips with a friend or colleague, and be sure to tell them how easy it is to implement changes in the workplace that save energy and resources!
Five Common Misconceptions About "Going Green"
By Dennis Salazar, Salazar Packaging
Whether we realize it or not, the green movement is certain to influence if not direct our lives and our businesses. Having grappled with environmental issues for more than 30 years in the packaging industry, I am convinced that our response to them is now central to success – or failure – in business. Yet, because the environmental debate is filled with confusion, contradiction, and even deception, many business leaders, out of sheer frustration, are prone to ignore it or jump to dangerous conclusions. I will try to bring some clarity to the debate by pointing out the five most serious misconceptions about going green. As you come to understand the facts, I believe you will see how important it is to implement a green strategy for your business.
Misconception #1 -- This environmental interest will pass.
No, it will not. There are many reasons why this issue is here to stay but one of the most obvious is that this issue is generational. We Baby Boomers generally have mild eco interest, the Gen X population is much more involved and concerned, and the Gen Y age group is downright passionate about it. Consider this fact along with the pervasiveness of green initiatives among leading Fortune 500 firms, and you will see that we are witnessing a true and enormous paradigm shift, not a passing fancy.
Misconception #2 – Environmental concern does not really affect my business.
As the eco conscience population grows at an incredible rate, understand that your company, your products, and even the way you do business are being scrutinized by the people with whom you hope to do business. If you are not familiar with terms such as sustainable, cradle to cradle, and carbon footprint, you should be, because your customers are. All other things being equal, customers will do business with companies that are green versus ones that are not. Today, green is the ultimate tie breaker in business.
Misconception#3 – Our employees don’t care about green.
Recent surveys indicate that over half of all consumers will factor in the sustainability and earth friendliness of a product or service when they make a purchasing decision. Since your employees are also consumers, it is safe to assume that more than half of them are becoming “eco believers” even if they are not sharing their thoughts and opinions with you and your management. As a result, a positive and proactive green position builds loyalty not only among customers, but within your own work force.
Misconception #4 -- Going green adds cost.
Even though most of us run small to medium size businesses, we can learn much from watching what the large companies do. Though they may have gone green for non-economic reasons, they have discovered that green is good for the bottom line. If approached properly, becoming more sustainable in our practices, including but not limited to packaging, can dramatically reduce material, operational, freight and even labor costs. The large CPG (consumer products goods) manufacturers may be concerned about their long term impact on the environment but ultimately they are driven by earnings. Large companies would not be investing in green practices unless they were profitable.
Misconception #5 – Technology has not yet caught up to green market demands.
For many years that was true but I can tell you that in the packaging industry new, more eco friendly products and process enhancements are appearing on an almost daily basis. Watch a few minutes of television or surf the internet and you will see many companies touting their latest developments and response to this market’s demands. Even small companies like mine are adding new product lines and expanding our list of services in an effort to become more responsive to customer needs.
At a time of economic uncertainty, global competition, and rising costs, we business owners need every edge we can possibly gain. I encourage you to listen to what the market and world are saying – green is in and it is here to stay.
Dennis Salazar is the president and founder of Salazar Packaging, Inc., a certified MBE company specializing in packaging products, equipment and solutions. You can contact Dennis or learn more about sustainable packaging solutions through his website: www.SalazarPackaging.com
Two Chicago Area Companies Embrace Sustainable Business Practices
You've probably heard the word "sustainability" tossed around a lot lately in the news media, and though it may appear to be the new buzz word soon to be replaced by another hot topic, the fact of the matter is that it is here to stay. Global warming and the need to protect our planet for future generations is an issue that requires constant diligence and commitment. We are increasingly seeing businesses, not just consumers, looking for ways to make their operations more sustainable. The good news for businesses seeking to implement eco-friendly measures is that these moves are not only good for the planet, but can often have an impact on your bottom line.
The first tenant of sustainability - which is nothing new for a small business owner trying to save a buck - is to reduce or eliminate waste. For Portion Pac, a Chicago-based manufacturer of cleaning products, “using just what you need” is the foundation of their business model. "We produce concentrated, pre-measured cleaning products that our customers mix with water in re-usable containers," says Burt Klein, President of Portion Pac. This approach not only cuts back on the amount of plastic containers
used (1 case of Portion Pac's glass cleaner equals about 44 cases of the leading brand-name glass cleaner), it also allows companies to better manage their inventory, and monitor appropriate uses of the cleaners. "We work with each of our customers to determine the best methods for cleaning their facilities, and keep an eye on the inventory," says Burt. "Sometimes we find that a company is going through a case of cleaner faster than expected, and we have to go back and see where the extra usage is coming from. It may be that an employee is using three packets at a time or that they are using cleaning solution to wipe up a mess that could have been cleaned with water. Either way, with the pre-measured cleaners it is easy to keep an eye out for over usage and correct the problem early on. This saves our customers money and reduces the amount of cleaning products that enter our environment."
Portion Pac also follows the "no waste" mantra when it comes to their own operations. Founded in 1964, the company expanded its building about 12 years ago and started on the process of "greening" their space. Initially, small steps were taken such as incorporating natural lighting to reduce electricity usage. As the years have gone by the company has taken the opportunity to install eco-friendly designs every time the building needed an upgrade. Work stations in the factory are heated with radiant heat from space heaters and the light is provided by individually controlled task lights at each station. "We save a lot of energy by focusing heat and light where it is needed," says Burt. "We are also looking to install water heaters that deliver hot water on demand so we aren't spending money storing gallons of hot water." The biggest green investment the company has made to date was installation of a cool roof about a year ago. When it came time to replace the roof, the company looked at the cost of a cool roof versus a traditional roof and found that any extra costs associated with the cool roof would pay for themselves after five years. In fact, the new roof saves them about 36% on their energy costs annually.
Another Chicago-area company that takes the "no waste" tenant seriously is Temptation Vegan Ice Cream. Says founder Ryan Howard, "We believe we have a responsibility to future generations to take care of the planet. So for us, creating as little waste as possible is very important. Plus we don't have a lot of space, so I guess you could say it's practical too!" The company, which makes delicious vegan ice cream, also takes its beliefs to consumers. "We attend a lot of outdoor festivals, and everywhere we looked people were throwing away their food containers. We realized that even if we served our ice cream in recyclable plastic cups, it was highly unlikely they would be recycled in such a setting so we started exploring more sustainable options," says Ryan. The company ultimately started using ice cream cups made from corn by-products and spoons made from sucrose. Both items closely resemble the plastics that most of us use daily, but are also compostable. So now it doesn't matter where the "waste" turns up, within 60 days they will have composted rather than sitting in a landfill where a typical plastic cup would take 1000 years to decompose!
If you are interested in implementing sustainable measures in your own business, check out some of the resources below or contact CCV for help identifying steps you can take to go green.
Resources for your company:
The Chicago Center for Green Technology provides information for companies looking to build "green." You can download information from their website about "Best Practices for Green Building in Chicagop" and " Financial Incentives for Building Green."
The Chicago Manufacturing Center (CMC) has several initiatives that help manufacturers cut waste and reduce their environmental impact. Their "Waste to Profit" network turns one company's waste into another company's profit by identifying synergies in manufacturing processes and its Green Suppliers Network helps companies increase profitability, efficiency and productivity through lean and clean manufacturing. Read more on their website at http://www.cmcusa.org.
The Chicago Sustainable Business Alliance aims to connect green businesses through networking and learning opportunities. Check out their website for a listing of current networking opportunities and upcoming workshops. The Alliance also offers a directory of green Chicago businesses and is developing a technical assistance program that will include "Eco-Office Audits."
The Waste Management and Research Center (WMRC) is a non-regulatory service organization affiliated with the University of Illinois and a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Its services include: sophisticated analytical laboratory support, a library and clearinghouse on environmental and pollution prevention issues, and research funding to explore a wide range of issues impacting waste management in Illinois. The WMRC also offers technical assistance to monitor waste and create solutions for eliminating and safely disposing of by-products. Read more on their website at http://www.wmrc.uiuc.edu/.
Eco-agents operates a campaign for restaurants that seeks to eliminate packaging waste when the food is ordered "to go". Find out more about how your restaurant can save money and the planet while reducing waste at http://www.ecoagents.org/eco_to_go.html. Restaurants that sign on to the campaign can also receive Eco-To-Go stickers and brochures to help them educate (and win over) customers.
Smart Tips for Traveling and Meeting Green
These days businesses can often rely on technology such as online meetings to reduce the need for travel, but at some point, we all find there are just some things that require us to be there in person. And though we may all be earth-conscious when we're on our home turf, when we travel it can be 
difficult to be mindful of how our activities impact the environment.
For starters, every traveler has to find a way to get from here to there, whether it is by plane, train, or automobile and no matter which option you choose, you are in some way contributing to the emission of green house gases. Second, if you are staying in a hotel, chances are your linens are being laundered daily, contributing to higher water consumption. Finally, if you are travelling for a conference or convention you'll probably be going home with a few pieces of swag in your suitcase.
The good news is that the meeting and travel industry is starting to wise up to the environmental costs of travel and is implementing new initiatives that make it easier for travelers to leave behind a smaller carbon footprint. One initiative that everyone can get behind is to plant a tree to help offset carbon emissions. According to Trees for the Future, "a typical jet emits approximately 1 pound of CO2 for every passenger-mile it flies." A typical round trip from New York to Los Angeles emits three tons of carbon dioxide per passenger! By planting a tree through the organization's Trees for Travel program, travelers can offset their carbon emissions with a newly planted tree which is estimated to absorb 1 ton of CO2 over its lifetime.
As for travelers staying in hotels, there are several things you can do to minimize your environmental impact. For starters, when making reservations look for a hotel that is Green Seal and Green Globe certified. Green Seal, the eco-labeling group, and Green Globe, a sustainability program of the World Travel and Tourism Council, provide guidance materials and support for travel industry members implementing sustainable practices. Both programs have teamed up to create a system of measurement for properties that meet sustainability standards and give guidance to travelers looking for eco-friendly hotels. You can find a list of certified Green Seal hotels at http://www.greenseal.org/programs/lodging_properties.cfm.
If you can't find lodging that meets these guidelines, don't worry. Even hotels that aren't certified have been taking measures to be more eco-friendly starting with changing to compact flourescent light bulbs. Also most hotels today offer guests the option to use the same linens and towels during their stay rather than changing them daily.
Finally, for travelers you who attending conventions, let's be honest, there isn't much you can do personally other than the tips above, but you can let conference planners know that you would support green initiatives. If you are personally hosting a booth at a convention or trade show, you can use your decision making power to choose give-away items carefully. Lots of conference attendees load up on swag at conventions that later end up in the garbage, so try to choose items that have a purpose other than just catching someone's eye. For more meeting and conference planning tips visit the EPA's website or check out Blue Green Meetings.
| Board of Directors | Staff | |
| President Derrick Collins Kellogg School of Management |
Co-Presidents | |
| Susan Alnaqib & Anita Hollins Gail Bell Hussain Bhanpuri Hans Bonner Manjima Bose Doug Cannon Tom Cassell Aarti Gopal Joshua Gutstein Kate Jones-Smith Joshua Punchur Diane Rodak-Salinas Bryan Stubbs Duane Wadlington |
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| Secretary Kimberly Richardson Westside Business Improvement Assoc |
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| Treasurer Torrence Moore LaSalle Bank |
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| Vachon Harper-Young Harris Bank | ||
| Leon Jackson Bill's Shade & Blind Service | ||
| Joseph Kennedy Harris Bank | ||
| Nissa Kochmer NLK Consulting | ||
| Kimberly Magazine Magazine Professional Services | ||
| Kenneth McGhee City of Chicago, Department of Children and Youth Services | ||
| Clifford Perry Fifth Third Bank | ||
| Jeffery Roberts JB Roberts Insurance/Allstate | ||
Funding Partners
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Minority Business Development Agency, U.S. Department of Commerce |  |
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CDFI Fund, US Treasury Department |  |
Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trusts, Fifth Third Bank Trustee |
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| Drinker Biddle Gardner Carton | The Private Bank and Trust Company | University of Chicago, Graduate School of Business | CNA Foundation |
| Charter One |