When I told a long-time pal of mine about this blog, he said I should write an article about UPS.  At the time I had no idea UPS had a green initiave…which I’m sure I could have assumed, since most companies do.  But UPS is all brown and not necessarily associated with green and blah blah blah.

UPS working to reduce its footprint

So, when I came accross this ClimateBiz article about the hybrid vehicles used by UPS I thought of my brown buddy.  With its huge fleets, UPS has been focused on increasing efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint.  UPS Airlines’ has 262 jets, with 1800 flights per day.  With this workload, its important for UPS to set emissions goals, such as reducing emissions of UPS Airlines by 20% by 2020.

At the current time, UPS has more than 1,800 vehicles powered by alternative fuels.  In 2008 alone, its alternative-fuel vehicle fleet was increased by 30%, this includes hydraulic and hybrid-electric delivery trucks.

>> UPS Sustainability
>> Related Article at GreenBiz

When Apple launched its newest line of MacBooks, it arrived with a loaded tagline, “The New MacBooks. The world’s greenest family of notebooks.”  Dell, who has also been promoting itself as Captain Greenpants, had a bit of a gripe.

Apple vs. Dell in a green fued

Dell has its own promotion going, proclaiming its systems as “Green by Design.”  So back in December, Bob Pearson, Dell VP of Communities and Conversations, wrote that the company wanted to have a discussion about “the real meaning of being green.”

After Dell’s backlash, the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Council of Better Business Bureaus stepped in to quell the dispute between the two technology giants.  To marketers and computer literates, the ruling wasn’t anything to write home about—only blogging would do.  NAD concluded that Apple is able market its MacBooks as being greener than some other companies’ product lines… but saying it was the “world’s greenest” might be pushing it a bit.

One distinguishing factor in NAD’s decision was the MacBook’s high ratings by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).  In a NAD release (?) about the decision, NAD stated:

[T]he advertiser has specifically undertaken to design all of its MacBooks to reduce their negative environmental impact, as reflected in EPEAT ratings, and that it should be free to communicate that information to consumers…While other manufacturers may have subcategories of lines with similar ratings, none has comparable high ratings for all of the notebooks it produces

This is pretty cool for Apple and not as cool for Dell.  In the end, you’re green, I’m green, he’s green, its cool…all good.

Deloitte House Opening in Warsaw, Poland

Developer Skanska officially opened the Deloitte House, the first green building in Poland. The structure, located on John Paul II Avenue is the home of the Deutsche Bank, also welcoming its first green branch.

Nicklas Lindberg, CEO of Skanska Property Poland, stated “Green has been always a priority for Skanska. We have made a commitment that all Skanska buildings will be green meaning they will use at least 25% less energy. We also want to implement LEED certifications, which means that energy savings are not the only factor. We need to look at the whole cycle – recycle water, use biodegradable materials, make sure the materials come from the right sources.”

Deloitte House Plan

This is a new push in the eco-friendly industry in Poland, which Skanska and Polish officials hope catches on. In addition to bike stands and shower availability for environmentally conscious employees, the Deloitte House promises 40% less water use, a focus on eco-friendly materials, air conditioning based on chill beams, furniture made partially of recycled materials and bins for separating plastics, glass, metal and batteries. The Deloitte House is estimated to consume 32.5% less energy.

If I find more pictures of the building, I’ll be sure to post them.

>> Deutsche Bank Green Branch article at Polish Market

GE Ecomagination

For some time now GE has been promoting and branding its company as environmentally conscious through innovation and imagination.  Most of the efforts funnel people to the ecomaginaton.com – which is actually a pretty neat and comprehensive site, complete with an Advertising & Images Section.

General Electric is a multinational, behemoth of a company, with divisions in finance, aviation, aerospace, healthcare, entertainment, energy and more.  In 1991, a short documentary, Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons, and Our Environment, challenged the eco-conscious image of GE.  About a decade and a half later, GE responded.

As a major polluter—the 4th largest corporate producer of air pollution in the US, based on year 2000 data by researchers at the Political economy Research Institute—GE got smart and launched Ecomagination to push its green initiatives and develop new technologies in solar power, hybrid locomotion, efficient lighting, water purification and more.

If you have a TV, you have probably seen the Ecomagination commercials, especially on NBC, a division of GE.  Here is one of my favorites, a play on tree hugger—house hugger.  Basically I’m just a fan of the tree shuffle; it reminds me of George Costanza shuffling across Jerry’s apartment.  Have a look:

In addition, they have their online and print ads, which can be seen here.  GE has sections dedicated to their impact on water, energy, industry, investment and climate.  GE has been working vigorously to clean-up its image and this site goes a long way towards branding and promoting its green ingenuity.

GE Ecomagination - Fuel Efficiency Now Print Ad

Offering green vehicles with better gas mileage isn’t enough, as pointed out in an article by Jim Tankersley, Tribune Newspapers. What’s the answer for hybrids…wait around for higher gas prices to push consumers?

As the article mentions, “’You will not get people to buy more fuel-efficient cars unless gas prices go up,’ said Howard Wial, a fellow at the Brookings Institution in Washington who studies the auto industry.” In order for the Big 3 to capitalize with hybrids, they must expand the market with innovate design and pricing that appeals to the average consumer. This may seem impossible, as American car manufacturers look to lower manufacturing costs for regular car models.

Read more

CSPNet.com, your #1 spot for Convenience Store / Petroleum news featured an article on an environmentally friendly Kangaroo gas station.  Sounds like an oxymoron and I’m sure some would agree…

The design, native to Knightsville, South Carolina, is the work of architect Christopher Karpus and developer Mark Jordan.  The concrete of the building is partially made from fly ash from coal-fired power plants.  Among other things, openings in the ceilings allow for natural lighting.  We will see if it catches on.