Saving ourselves - Technology or Behavior

I am in the middle of an interesting project trying to determine the best type of packaging for shipping products.
The interesting dilemma at hand is how does one make the right decision when you are not comparing apples to apples?

So that you can quickly understand the challenge, I am going to simplify the issue.  Packaging #1 is a recycled paper envelop, while Packaging #2 is a recycled plastic envelop. Sounds similar? Not so much.

The interesting issue at hand is that while intuitively we want to stay away from plastic, the plastic option is actually more durable and seen as a better product. But ultimately this packaging, like so much packaging, ends up in the hands of individuals in our homes and we have limited ways of disposing of it well.

Most waste haulers across the USA don't want soft plastics; in fact only 5% of municipalities will accept it.  This is mostly because of how recycling is sorted in the facilities. Usually there are large conveyer belts that are sorting materials with giant magnets and optical scanners. In this system, soft plastics get caught up in machinery.  And the other issue is that because soft plastics are so light, if they get dirty - that dirt easily contaminates the ability for recycling to occur.

BUT, if there was a way to guarantee we could effectively recapture the large quantities of clean soft plastic, the technology exists to recycle it.

So back to our two options for packaging: Packaging #1 is paper and there for can be recycled (and people already know how to recycle it easily), or worst case scenario is in a landfill and will eventually biodegrade. Packaging #2 - could be recycled forever... but we don't currently have the systems to support that.

Separate bag for sorting soft plastics, next to our kitchen laundry bin

We are living in an interesting time  - where technology and human behavior are needed to work together in new ways to achieve the desired results. And that is part of the equation towards sustainability. All the great technology in the world will not allow us to create better systems, unless we change our behaviors to create those better systems.

So to start: recycle everything you can. And think about which of your systems you can develop -by changing your behavior - to support sustainable change.

Even When Working on Sustainability Initiatives, We Should Follow Our Own Advice

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle + Collaborate

In Sustainability, we are so used to the first impression that we are creating more work for the people. Extra. Excess. MORE.
It is ironic only because that is the opposite of what we are usually trying to do with the physical items we work with. We want to reduce packaging. We want to cut energy use. We want to lessen our effects on the environment.
We want, want, want - but we almost always want less.
And you see when you look at successful case studies about how - in quantifiable terms - sustainability created a net positive for a company, it is always through revealing inefficiencies and showing a company where they could use less and have the same or even a better outcome. Saving money by using less or using what we already have smarter. That is an outcome both sustainability processionals and executive leadership can get behind.

And then it struck me. Rarely as we actually creating more. And if we are, we might be doing it wrong.
We look at current processes and try to innovate and reimagine how they could be done less negatives effects on people involved and the environment. Often we end up looking backwards at older techniques or methods that seemed outdated, but in the wake of new regulations or energy costs. We have a lot to learn from that past. We didn't always pollute and consumer at the rates we do. And not all the old ways are better, but sometimes repurposing an old technique or idea gives us insight we are blind to because of modern solutions.

This brings me to my point. We are always chanting from our soapbox for others to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Perhaps we start framing our ideas in this way. Reduce the amount of new work we are putting on the plate of the operations or design or public affairs department. Reuse and recycle ideas, using a modern perspective and innovation, to transform the way we do business today. Collaborate - it can be hard enough to get one group to listen to your chants about going green, but make sure you know everyone who will be a part of the change you are trying to create and engage them in the decision making process. In other words:

1) Create and Assign Less New, Stand Alone Work

When working on a sustainability initiative, see how you can better the project you are working on as a whole rather than only coming from the side of sustainability. Frame your research and analysis in this manner and you will be able to share with people affected by your initiative that they can change the way they currently do something to a more sustainable method and benefit themselves, instead of having to add a whole new process or responsibility to their job description. If we share that we did not create more work, but instead we created work to support their current work - we can enact better change faster.

2) Look to the Past for Inspiration, Innovate and Repurpose Accordingly

As I said before, we didn't always pollute or consume at the rate we do nowadays. Look back to techniques we used before certain unsustainable technologies came on the scene. Also, Mother Nature - as she so often is - can be a great inspiration for sustainable methods. Check out or previous article on biomimicry to find out how many incredible innovative processes have been created by mimicking how nature has been doing them for eons.

3) Find the Right Fit

Lastly, make sure you are plugged in to the right people and network when presenting ideas. Lack of visibility of goals at organizations can make one department raise an eyebrow at your solutions, which would have been immediately celebrated by one department. When you have an idea that affects many stakeholders, map those affected and see if you can get people representing those different interests all at one table.

The Super Coolest Thing Ever

Remember to step back and appreciate the grandeur of what you do.

Recently attending a conference by Textile Exchange in Portland, Oregon, I listened to an amazing Nike bigwig - Adam - talk about the merits of sustainability at Nike. But Adam also brought up a point that was too good to not share.

He told a story where he was on the plane. The guy next to him was reading an article in a magazine about Nike releasing garments made from recycled water bottles. Thrusting the magazine into Adam's face, his eager neighbor exclaimed, "Have you heard about this bro? Water bottles into clothing?? That is the super coolest thing ever!"

At this point, Nike had been working on textiles from recycled water bottles for several years. Adam had been integral in this process, dealing with the growing pains of whether 50% waste or 20% waste was enough of a hurdle - or if zero waste was the only acceptable option. Hours and years of struggles with this a topic inspired less than a "just do it" feeling in the pit of Adam's stomach.

A little put off by his seat-buddy's overzealous introduction and feeling unamused with the subject, Adam leaned forward to respond when words suddenly hit him a little deeper -

That is the super coolest thing ever.

He thought: We make clothing out of water bottles. Something that didn't exist not too long ago. We found a way to recycle something hard on the environment and creating waste in our world. We are making a difference.

"You know what?" Adam conceded happily, "you're right. That is the super coolest thing ever."

This simple anecdote reminded me of how often when we work so hard towards a goal, churning on the problems and obstacles standing in our way for too long, we lose sight of how amazing and important the work we are doing really is. When you are feeling frustrated by minimal progress, staunch opposition, or just being stuck - let's step back and give our journey a chance to speak for itself.

The work we do is important - it will take years, many people, and lots of energy to take the little steps that eventually carry us over the finish line. The work we do is not easy - but the struggle makes us stronger and teaches us lessons for a better future. And, who knows? The work we do, when shown to an outsider - say, an excited dude on a place - might just be the super coolest thing ever.

Find out more about Nike uniforms made from discarded water bottles: http://www.ecouterre.com/nike-outfits-world-cup-teams-in-jerseys-made-from-recycled-bottles/
http://www.ecouterre.com/watch-how-nike-recycles-plastic-water-bottles-into-football-jerseys-video/

Who the heck am i?

As I keep venturing out into my sustainability consulting career I have have received some great feedback from colleagues and friends.  And a lot of it centers around my passion for sustainability not only in my career but in my personal life too.

I am very fortunate that I have learned a lot of great lessons about living a more sustainable life and have the opportunity to put my values into practice.  I have a LOT of areas of improvement, but I do have some great practices at home that allow us to reduce our impact.

I wanted to share some things we've put in place that hopefully give you a better sense of who I am and maybe some ideas for things you want to do too.

pickled turnips - all ingredients coming from the garden

me and my turnip "crop"

hanging laundry on the line to dry

my garden

the composter in the back ground - not only is it great for reducing our trash, but I use the compost in the garden which saves on buying dirt!

The vertical potato stacker that Andy made me

my commuter bike with a milk crate fixed on the back for a great basket. 

The kitchen recycling center - co-mingle recycling, soft plastics which we can recycle at the prAna offices, laundry for dirty dish rags and trash, which we take out only every couple of weeks

So there is a little peek into living sustainability.