In November, Starbucks Coffee Company and International Paper, with Mississippi River Pulp, LLC., completed a six-week pilot project that – for the first time – proved Starbucks used paper cups can be recycled into new paper cups.
ecology
YouTube and National Geographic are providing creative eco-minds from around the world to take part in a unique Planet Inspired competition focused on nature and win worthy prizes. The core idea of the initiative is to spread the word about the importance of eco protection among the video-hosting website visitors with the help of… their own creativity. The participants of the contest are encouraged to submit their video collages highlighting one of the four themes—Oceans, Endangered Species, Fresh Water, or Exploration—to raise awareness about the problem and call the people who will be watching the film to active action.
The ecological disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is being immortalised in “Oil & Water Do Not Mix” a limited edition of original iconic works of art made using leaked BP oil harvested from the beaches of Grand Isle, Louisiana. The 200 (76.2cm x 50.8cm) signed pieces will be sold online at www.gulfofmexico2010.com and all profits will go towards funding the work of the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana in the Gulf. The creation of “Oil & Water Do Not Mix” is captured in a two minute film documentary which can be viewed on the website.
Electrolux turns garbage into something really valuable. On June 29, the global manufacturer of domestic appliances announced the start of its “Vac from the Sea” project, which is focused on raising environmental awareness by showing people how much trash there is in and around seas and oceans today. Electrolux has partnered with a number of volunteers (individuals, group and environmental organizations) to collect plastic from the Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the North Sea, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Baltic Sea. The items, which have been gathered during these several months, are now transformed into five state-of-art vacuum cleaners, each one representing one of the seas or oceans from which the plastics originates.
Toyota launches Toyota Green Initiative, an environmental stewardship designed to empower Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) students and alumni on the benefits of adopting a sustainable lifestyle. The Toyota Green Initiative will provide multiple touch points to mobilize the collegiate audience to go green including a content-rich website www.ToyotaGreen.com and an HBCU campus tour.