Welcome to Close the Loop's Monthly Newsletter Issue 13 - February 2002 A Newsletter for Friends of www.close-the-loop.com _____________________________ In this issue: 1. small MIRACLES 2. Waste Watch - Promoting action on waste reduction, reuse and recycling 3. Co-op America Business Network, Green Marketplace 4. Marketplace: Exceptional Products 5. Propose an Article _____________________________ 1. small MIRACLES Appreciation for everyday miracles - small and large - is the cornerstone of Sarah Susanka's considerable force. Based on an idea as deceptively simple as Shibui, The Not So Big House (The Taunton Press, 1998) urges readers to shift their focus from quantity of space (square footage) to quality of space (craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and attention to detail). Susanka has most definitely composed this movement. At its core is a call for smaller, better houses, an understanding of what makes a house a home, a plea for stewardship of the earth, and a spiritual awakening. "We should look more closely at ourselves, at how we want to live, at what inspires us, and at what our planet needs to return to balance," Susanka writes. Without preaching or proselytizing, Susanka has given people quiet permission to think about their homes as spiritual havens. A semi-taboo subject three years ago, that idea is now taking root in often surprising places - including the mainstream media. "It's been interesting to be this sort of spokesperson and to discover over the last three years how much more willing people are to talk about spirituality in everyday life," she says. "They understand right away that this is less about nuts and bolts and more about expressing in matter what we know intuitively within us." Reprinted with permission from the January/February 2002 issue of Natural Home magazine, written by Robyn Griggs Lawrence. Full text available at www.naturalhomemag.com Susan Susanka's website is: www.notsobighouse.com "How can we change our culture's perceptions about what constitutes a good house, and convince our friends and neighbors that we are not crazy for building smaller, more tailored homes, that in all likelihood will cost just as much as their larger ones? I believe that the more people who start to put their money where their hearts are, the more others will realize the validity of building for comfort, and not for prestige." - from the Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Waste Watch - Promoting action on waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Creation of end-user markets - the missing factor The missing factor in much of the recycling debate has been the question of markets for recyclable materials. Recycling success is not determined solely by the amount of materials collected but also by the amount processed and reused in new products and materials. Without attention to this part of the equation, recycling simply does not work in the long-term. Buying recycled products helps to: Stimulate markets for reclaimed materials Reduce the volume of material going to landfill Conserve resources and energy Create jobs Demonstrate commitment to good environmental practice. Sustainable production as a term and as a practice is gaining prominence in business and has direct links with the purchase of recycled content products. It encompasses clean technologies, pollution prevention, industrial ecology and closed loop cycles as well as a range of processes that reduce resource use, eliminate waste, increase efficiency, and produce products that are durable, repairable and/or recyclable. Corporate environmental performance and greening the supply chain Forward-looking companies and public sector organisations are increasingly rethinking their purchasing decisions to incorporate environmental considerations which usually specify some use of recycled content products and materials. The first steps often involve the adoption of a policy for purchasing recycled or reusable products whenever possible, and within the bounds of financial acceptability. The practical implications of environmental procurement extend to building relationships with suppliers and cascading influence for increased environmental performance down this chain. Taking recycled products from the margins to the mainstream requires leadership, commitment and visibility. Breaking through the barriers requires action on markets, investment and funding, public participation and acceptability. Underpinning everything is the need for positive communication about the economic and environmental benefits of using these materials. The 'Buy Recycled' message is new. There are lots of opportunities to break through the myths and misinformation about recycled content products and to push generally for environmentally preferable purchasing. For further information, please explore their website at http://www.wastewatch.org.uk --------------------------------------------------------------------- 3. Co-op America Business Network, Green Marketplace Our Mission Co-op America, a national nonprofit organization founded in 1982, provides the economic strategies, organizing power and practical tools for businesses and individuals to address today's social and environmental problems. While many environmental organizations choose to fight important political and legal battles, Co-op America is the leading force in educating and empowering our nation's people and businesses to make significant improvements through the economic system. Our Programs Green Business Program - starts and supports small socially and environmentally responsible businesses; publicizes the success of these businesses and gives people access to the growing green business sector. Consumer Education and Empowerment Program - informs people about how to vote with their dollars to effect change; helps people use their purchasing and investing power to create a more just and sustainable future. Corporate Responsibility Program - encourages corporations to become socially and environmentally responsible; provides information about boycotts and shareholder resolutions against irresponsible companies. Sustainable Living Program - provides information about practical measures people can take to make their personal, community, and work lives more meaningful and sustainable. About Sweatshops: Corporations flood stores with a staggering variety of goods made in every corner of the world. Retail giants put pressure on their suppliers to keep the cost down, while encouraging consumers to buy more at discounted prices. Where and how these products are made, and why they are so cheap, is often a dirty secret kept from consumers. For more information, read: http://www.coopamerica.org/sweatshops/sswhysweatshops.htm Special Offer - Join Co-op America now at special discounted offer through Close the Loop, LLC, click here. --------------------------------------------------------------------- 4. Marketplace: Exceptional Products Upcoming Events: March 3-10 Rubber mulch will be on display at the Philadelphia Flower Show Robertson's Floral Exhibit http://www.philaflowershow.com/ March 20-21 Expo '02 from 3:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Koehler Fieldhouse East Stroudsburg University March 24-26 PRPS State Conference, Adam's Mark Hotel, Philadelphia, PA We're very excited about the interest in the Pocono Mountain region from school teachers who have asked us to give our "Magic of Recycling" presentation to educate the children on the importance of reusing, reducing, recycling & repairing to help conserve & protect the Earth's resources. To date, we have met with hundreds of students and girl/boy scouts to promote this educational program about recycling. If you are interested in scheduling a program, please call 1-866-629-8414. Looking for an environmentally friendly means of promoting your business? How about denim pencils made out of recycled blue jeans or EcoSpun tote bags with your company's logo made out of 100% soda bottles. All EcoSpun bags are manufactured right here in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania where the workers are paid a living wage. Many of the recycled gift items make excellent corporate gifts for employees, we have an assortment of recycled silverware items creatively made into useful products and wine bottle cheese boards & beer bottle spoon rests. In some instances, we will work with you to design an item to your specifications. The Rubber Mulch for playgrounds has been very well received and is keeping our children much safer as they play (and fall). We've been working with many townships in Pennsylvania to introduce this product and its many benefits not only to our children but to the environment, also. To view all of our products, including promotional pens, plastics & EcoSpun bags, please visit www.close-the-loop.com _____________________________ 5. Propose an article If you have an informative article that you would like us to feature in an upcoming newsletter, please email your article to closetheloop@msn.com . If we use your article, a link to your web site will be featured as well. As always, we are interested in any comments or feedback and would love to hear from you! _____________________________ Happy Valentine's Day to all Lovers of People & Our Planet - -- Close the Loop |
