Business Network News

September 25, 2009

Faces of the Green Pages: Mountain Rose Herbs

Mountain Rose Herbs, last year’s winner of Green America’s People’s Choice Award, is this month’s Faces of the Green Pages. Voters loved them for their commitment to organics and Fair Trade, to having a zero-waste workplace, and their biodiesel delivery trucks powered by Kettle Chip waste oil. Shawn Donnille, a longtime grassroots environmental activist and co-owner, shares their challenges, successes, and future plans.

Amy Domini Honored by Time Magazine

Amy Domini, founder and CEO of Domini Social Investments, was honored by Time magazine as one of 25 “Responsibility Pioneers” who are changing the world. The list accompanied the September 21 special section on community service, “The Responsibility Revolution.” Amy was previously honored by Time in 2005 as one of the world’s 100 most influential people.

According to Time, "Domini started shaking up Wall Street in 1984 with a book she co-wrote, Ethical Investing. Since then, she has used various means—from working with executives to forcing reforms via shareholder resolutions—to help companies grow a conscience. And she has proved that principles pay... Her investing ethos is simple: ‘The future of the planet is as important as an earnings report.’”

New Orleans Leads in Clean Energy

Since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans has emerged as a leader in energy savings and clean energy. A report from Green For All shows that clean energy investments of $615 million will create more than 6,000 jobs, and green rebuilding efforts include solar-powered streetlights, hybrid city buses, and energy-efficient homes for residents who lost theirs in the hurricane.

Learn more about Green For All when CEO Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins speaks at the upcoming Green Business Conference.

Read about New Orleans »

Apollo Alliance Spotlights Michigan Model for Clean Energy Manufacturing

Apollo Alliance has partnered with Eagle Manufacturing Corporation to spotlight how traditional manufacturers can benefit from moving into the clean energy market.

Eagle, a manufacturer of automated system parts and specialized tools, will partner with Mariah Power to build and distribute parts for their Windspire residential wind turbines.

Over 67 manufacturers have joined the Apollo Alliance in endorsing the IMPACT Act, the federal clean energy manufacturing bill which will bring more investments to combat Michigan’s unemployment rate, now at 15.2%.

Climate Bill Will Bring Huge Benefits

Multiple reports show huge benefits for household savings, job creation, and overall economic gain from the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), which is currently under debate in the Senate.

According to their analyses, every dollar spent will provide about $2.27 in benefits, with more possible if tougher greenhouse gas targets are introduced to the Senate version. The current bill would save consumers up to $63 billion on their electric bills from 2012 to 2020 and improve energy efficiency measures, creating an estimated 569,000 new jobs nationwide over the next decade.

Read more about the economic benefits »

ECOBAGS wins position with Inc. Magazine

ECOBAGS made Inc. Magazine’s 28th annual 500/5000 list of the fastest growing private companies in the US. They were featured at #708. Celebrating their 20th anniversary, ECOBAGS has seen steady growth with sales topping $3 million.

Founder and CEO Sharon Rowe said, “We’re really pleased to be on the list with a ranking this high. … We’ve been working for years to make a big impact on the world of reusable products and source reduction, so this recognition is important to us.”

See the complete list »

BALLE Announces Executive Director

Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE) has selected its new executive director, Michelle Long. Long brings a decade of experience as BALLE’s national co-coordinator and a member of the board and former chair. She is the co-founder and executive director of one of BALLE’s largest and oldest networks, Sustainable Connections, in Bellingham, WA.

Chicago’s Eco-Fashion

Chicago-based Conscious Planet Media will present “Vert Couture: An Evening of Fall Fashion and Environmental Responsibility,” an eco-fashion show and official event of Fashion Focus Chicago, on Oct. 25 at the Chicago Cultural Center. GBN member Mountains of the Moon and other eco-design companies will display their eco-conscious fashion lines.

Learn more »

Sponsor or showcase products »

Member Business Spotlighted on Reality TV Show

Kwytza Chopstick Art appeared on reality TV show "Shark Tank" in August, pitching their need for financing before five celebrity entrepreneurs. Owner Bryan Parks was approached by a casting director and decided to “go for it!” Parks’ recycled chopstick products are a big hit at the Green Festivals. He told us about his experience, “I had mixed feelings about taking their investment offer, but knew the publicity would be good for the company. I was able to give a good pitch for my business and the green movement, but I was disappointed that much of the green aspects of my products were edited out of the final show. Well, I guess that’s reality TV.”