Green Education Council News

On October 1^st, 2012 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued the revised “Green Guides” that will help marketers to avoid making deceptive environmental claims.

Lesley Fair, who works as an attorney in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection shares her opinion about environmental evaluation claims, here are some tips on staying on the right side of the law.

The Grass is Always Greener

By Lesley Fair

These days, more Americans than ever say that environmental considerations factor in to what they buy.  When companies offer greener options – and substantiate their claims about a product’s impact on the environment – it’s a win-win-win proposition for buyers, sellers, and the planet.  But when consumers are confused by deceptive green promises, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sees red.

Recent FTC law enforcement actions emphasize the importance of backing up claims with solid science.  For example, in its settlement with Kmart, the FTC alleged that paper plates sold by the retail giant under the “American Fare” brand name were prominently labeled as biodegradable.  In fact, about ninety percent of total municipal solid waste in the United States is disposed of either in landfills, incinerators, or recycling facilities―methods that don’t present conditions for paper plates to completely break down and return to nature within a reasonably short period of time.

When it comes to evaluating your own environmental claims, here are some tips on staying on the right side of the law.

• The song remains the same. No matter how much the environmental lyrics may change, the song remains the same.  Companies must back up all express and implied representations conveyed to reasonable consumers with competent and reliable evidence.  For green claims, that usually means tests, analyses, research, studies, or other objective evidence based on the expertise of professionals in the field.
• The hard truth about the soft sell. Some companies try to get around substantiation requirements by nixing specific terminology – “recyclable,” “degradable,” and the like – in favor of what they perceive to be softer representations.  But there’s a catch:  An unqualified “eco-friendly” claim may convey to consumers a much stronger representation about a product’s environmental benefits than the advertiser intended to convey.  Thus, specific claims may actually be easier for advertisers to substantiate than vague “good for the earth” promises.
• It’s a package deal. Check your packaging materials for environmental representations printed on them by the companies that supply your boxes, mailing supplies, etc.  Their claims become your claims, so it’s wise to make sure they’re complying with the law.
• Getting green guidance. The FTC’s Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims – the Green Guides – explains how familiar truth-in-advertising principles apply to green claims.  Follow the latest developments at business.ftc.gov.

Lesley Fair is attorney in the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Thanks FTC for the updated “Green Guides”. To find out more information visit http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2012/10/greenguides.shtm

-April 26th at 1:00pm CDT – Webinar: How to launch green business programs in communities across the nation

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/310083866

-May 3rd at 12:00pm CDT – Webinar: Non-regulatory resources help you confirm your compliance status

https://www3.gotomeeting​.com/register/53937295

-June 11th at 12:30pm CDT – Webinar: Product Stewardship – Who really pays?

https://www1.gotomeeting​.com/register/132093177

Date: April 26th at 1:00pm CDT

Space is limited.  Reserve your Webinar seat now.

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/310083866

California passed AB 913 taking effect January 2012 to facilitate growth and development of the local government Green Business programs across the state.  The Green Business program delivers a package of proven multimedia technical assistance to small business to help them improve operations to meet sustainability goals.  Learn from California expert, Matt McCarron, how to start a Green Business Program, how they work, and positive effects on a community.  Matt will demonstrate the value of Green Business Programs (GBP) using quantitative and qualitative results, including waste and emissions reductions, energy and water conservation, cost savings and customer satisfaction.

At the end of the presentation, Jen Huntley, PhD, Environmental Historian, Former UNR Professor and Chair for greenUP! will discuss how Reno-based environmental group, greenUP! is launching a green business program in Reno, Nevada.

On Wednesday, March 7, 2012, the UNO College of Business Administration (CBA) will hold an Information Fair at Mammel Hall. This is the first time that the CBA will be holding its own event separate from the annual UNO Career Fair.

In addition to the usual information exchanges between employers and students, the Green Omaha Coalition’s Green Business Council (GBC) and WasteCap Nebraska will convene their Omaha Green Team Roundtable from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; the presentation will be a panel discussion on Green Jobs.

Three panelists will discuss three different types of Green Jobs:

- Green Increased Demand Occupations (Examples include existing occupations which have increased demand: pedicabs, architects, engineers. The work context has changed, but the tasks have not.)
- Green Enhanced Skills Occupations (I think this is every job: it’s intended to reflect skill changes in existing jobs. The purpose of the job remains the same, but tasks, skills, knowledge or credentials have changed. Examples: Printers selecting new materials or production processes, purchasing agents.)
- Green New and Emerging Occupations (New work or workers. Electric automotive technicians, biofuels production managers, carbon trading analysts).

Roundtable Event Details

Event Date:  Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Time:  11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Location:  Mammel Hall, UNO Campus 6708 Pine Street, Omaha

Registration:  Go to www.wastecapne.org/greenteams/

Cost:  $10 non-member, $8 WasteCap Nebraska and Green Omaha Coalition members

Caterer:  Jones Brothers Cupcakes

The Keystone Center is pleased to invite you to participate in the upcoming Climate Conversations forum in Omaha, Nebraska, on February 28, 2012, from 11:30 am to 4:00 pm.  The purpose of this meeting is to exchange information on changes in weather patterns and climate in the Great Plains region and to frame the issues related to these changes around your personal experiences and stories.

We want to hear your insights about changes in weather, extreme weather impacts and climate-related challenges facing you, your business, and your community, and to identify the information you need to make more informed decisions about these challenges. At this forum, you will have an opportunity to:

- Share your experiences with extreme weather events or other changes in your community that may be related to climate change.
- Discuss ways to respond to these changes both individually and in partnership with others such as health care providers, farmers, business people, housing leaders, faith-based community  representatives, and coastal managers.
- Discuss scientific research and policy efforts that are on-going or need to be undertaken.
- Consider specific actions that you and others can take to affect national and regional climate analysis that will benefit your community, your business, and your region.
- Connect and exchange views with a diverse group of regional thought leaders.

Event Details and Registration information can be found at:

http://www.wastecapne.org/2011-wastecap-nebraska-sustainability-summit/ .

What:
On October 12th, 13th and 14th, 2011, internationally recognized author and speaker, Bob Willard will speak with business leaders, students, faculty and the general public about the “business case” for sustainability, and provide advice for sustainability champions on how to navigate barriers to change within their organization. Dr. Willard’s workshops will focus on providing actionable tools for implementing sustainable practices that protect the environment, attract and retain talent, inspire innovation and increase profitability.

Why:
Corporations are under increasing pressure to embrace social and environmental responsibility. Until now, there’s been very little evidence expressed in business language showing the benefits of the “triple bottom line” (People, Planet, Profits). Bob Willard will demonstrate that the benefits of sustainable development strategies make good business sense.

Who should attend:
Business leaders, CEOs, sustainability champions, green teams, environmental groups, faculty, students, community leaders and anyone interested in environmental sustainability.

Sponsored by:
WasteCap Nebraska, Cleaner Greener Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Business, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Natural Resources and local businesses.

The Green Home Tour and Expo will be held on October 15th at Creighton University.  For a preview of the tour, you can visit the website which is being updated as new information becomes available http://www.greenomahacoalition.org/councils/design-and-construction/green-home-tour-2011/ .

Please join this year’s Green Home Tour and Expo.  You can find more information on the homes, the speakers and the schedule at http://www.greenomahacoalition.org/councils/design-and-construction/green-home-tour-2011/ .

Press release here: http://ow.ly/6pUYm

OMAHA, Neb., Sep 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –

ConAgra Foods, Inc., (NYSE: CAG), one of North America’s leading packaged food companies, today announced that it will be added for the first time to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America.

One of the world’s most recognizable sustainability indexes, DJSI North America is based on a rigorous analysis of corporate, economic, environmental and social performance, and tracks the performance of the top 20 percent of the 600 biggest North American companies in the Dow Jones Global Total Stock Market Index that lead the field in terms of sustainability.

ConAgra Foods is one of four food processing companies listed on the DJSI North America. The company achieved the food industry’s leading scores in Corporate Governance, Environmental Policy/Management Systems, Human Capital Development, and Labor Practice indicators.

“Earning a place on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index is a tremendous compliment to the work our employees do on a daily basis to do the right thing for our communities and the environment,” said Gary Rodkin, CEO. “Though honored by this achievement, we know that our journey does not end here. Our employees will continue to find ways to enhance sustainable business practices and develop innovative programs to deliver on our citizenship commitment.”

ConAgra Foods’ is committed to corporate responsibility, and its efforts have been focused under the “Good for You, Good for the Community, and Good for the Planet” platform. Some of the company’s most recent achievements include:

• Earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED(R)) Platinum certification from the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) at ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston’s new sweet potato processing facility in Delhi, La., the first frozen food manufacturing plant worldwide to earn this distinction.
• Engaged nearly 70,000 consumers to raise $350,000, or the equivalent of 2.7 million meals, for the Feeding America’s food bank through the Child Hunger Ends Here cause-marketing campaign.
• Established a new, innovative partnership with Forgotten Harvest, a food rescue organization, to redirect unsalable, and formerly discarded, meat snacks from our Troy, Ohio facility where they are repackaged and distributed to feed people in the Detroit area.
• Named a Top 100 Employer for Women MBA’s by Universum, one of America’s 100 Best Adoption-Friendly Workplaces by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption(R) for three consecutive years, and most recently, named a Diversity Leader Award from Profiles in Diversity Journal(R).
• Strong progress in achieving its pledge of reducing salt across its portfolio of food products by 20 percent by 2015.
  

The Small Business Administration will be leading a Trade Mission to Paris, France, from October 9-13, 2011.  The Mission Flyer for reference can be found at http://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/files/Trade%20Mission%20Flyer-Paris-10-11.pdf on SBA’s Home page.

This trade mission is focusing on small businesses in the “Green Building” industry sector, and they are looking for 12-15 companies to join SBA’s Deputy Administrator on this mission that was requested from the U.S. Ambassador in Paris and the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service that will actually be doing their Gold Key Matchmaking between the U.S. companies and French business and government sector buyers.

The Questionnaire/Company Profile Form that needs to be completed is located below, which will then be sent to Paris for evaluation to determine the opportunities of finding pre-qualified buyers/partners small business participants.  If you are interested, the completed Questionnaire needs to be returned to the Nebraska Business Development Center by September 7th in order for the Foreign Commercial Service to have ample time to recruit pre-qualified buyers!  Companies interested in attending will need to follow all instructions on the .pdf on the SBA website.

–
Green Building Trade Mission Questionnaire

On October 12th, 13th and 14th, 2011, internationally recognized author and speaker, Bob Willard will speak with business leaders, students, faculty and the general public about the “business case” for sustainability, and provide advice for sustainability champions on how to navigate barriers to change within their organization. Dr. Willard’s workshops will focus on providing actionable tools for implementing sustainable practices that protect the environment, attract and retain talent, inspire innovation and increase profitability.

Corporations are under increasing pressure to embrace social and environmental responsibility. Until now, there’s been very little evidence expressed in business language showing the benefits of the “triple bottom line” (People, Planet, Profits). Bob Willard will demonstrate that the benefits of sustainable development strategies make good business sense.

Business leaders, CEOs, sustainability champions, green teams, environmental groups, faculty, students, community leaders and anyone interested in environmental sustainability are invited to attend.

The event is sponsored by WasteCap Nebraska, University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Business, Cleaner Greener Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Natural Resources and local businesses.

Details can also be found at the WasteCap Nebraska website.