This dynamic field is growing and evolving at a very rapid rate. Information about sustainable design, business and consumer trends is available every day from many sources around the world. Many of these selected English-language websites include deep layers of additional resources and are updated on a frequent basis.
Select a topic:
Ecodesign
Green Business and Marketing
Retailer Initiatives
Learn About the Wal-Mart Scorecard
Packaging and Branding
Materials
Consumer Trends
EcoDesign
The following links provide definitions of terms and many sources of additional information for businesses and designers.
The location on the Industrial Designers Society of America website devoted to ecodesign topics, with many paths for further learning.
www.idsa.org/whatsnew/sections/ecosection
The originators of Cradle to Cradle™ Design offer explanations of global issues and potential solutions. Based on their 2002 book, Cradle to Cradle™, has become the goal for assessing lifecycle development in order to change waste into material for future products. www.mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm
Formed in 2007, the Designers Accord is a coalition of designers, educators, researchers, engineers, business consultants, and corporations who are working together to create positive environmental and social impact.
www.designersaccord.org/progress_report/0208
A U.S. Midwest-based network global designers working for sustainable solutions.
www.o2umw.org/5Rs-GreatDesign.html
Green Blue, a non-profit institute partnering with private sector initiatives, offers academic and managerial education and training, documentation and industry standards.
www.greenblue.org
The professional association for the graphic design community, the organization provides news and informational links.
www.sustainability.aiga.org
A network for independent designers specializing in packaging and graphics.
www.indes.net
The Biomimicry Institute promotes transfer of ideas inspired by nature to strategies for human design.
www.biomimicry.org
An information clearinghouse sustainability innovation, the UK-based The Centre for Sustainable Design provides research and consulting in product and service development.
www.cfsd.org.uk
A basic glossary of terms related to green buildings, materials and other topics
www.nkba.org/green/glossary
Green Business and Marketing
Environmental Leader is a daily trade publication that keeps corporate executives fully informed about environmental and sustainability news as well as the latest on corporate environmental initiatives. Editorial offices are based in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Sign up to receive the Executive’s Daily Green Briefing and get the latest news on marketing, manufacturing, carbon offsets, efficiency, emissions, technology, CSR (Corporate Sustainability Reports), and insights from major players in the industry. http://www.environmentalleader.com
US Federal guidelines for the use of environmental marketing claims
www.ftc.gov/bcp/grnrule/guides980427.htm
World Resource Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based environmental think tank, provides news on ecosystem issues, markets and enterprise.
www.wri.org
News from the Wall Street Journal
http://blogs.wsj.com/environmentalcapital/
Daily news updates on green business issues
www.greenbiz.com
Greener Design features daily news updates in Design, Innovation, Biomimicry, Cradle to Cradle, Packaging, and Greener Careers. It's Resource tab links to upcoming conferences and publications offered by various organizations and companies.
http://greenerdesign.com/
Information on international recycling laws
www.raymond.com
Founded in 1984, Scientific Certification Systems offers third-party certification, testing, auditing and standards in the program areas including food and manufactured goods. www.scscertified.com
News and advice on sustainable and social entrepreneurship.
www.ecopreneurist.com
Businesses for Social Responsibility is a non-profit association that serves its member companies with practical resources to work in global collaborations.
www.bsr.org
An independent, non-profit organization offering certification for green initiatives.
www.greenseal.org
New York-based consultancy for eco innovation.
www.greenmarketing.com
London-based educational resource applying lessons from biological systems to products, processes and business models.
www.biothinking.com
Chicago-based network of sustainable businesses sponsors frequent meetings, seminars and information network.
www.foresightdesign.org/programs
Information on greener commercial building construction and operations
www.greenerbuildings.com
Information on business practices and products that enhance the Triple Bottom Line of environmental, social and economic benefits
www.terracycle.org/revolution.htm
Shelton Group is an energy industry-focused marketing communications firm that conducts proprietary nationwide studies. www.energypulse.org is conducted annually. EcoPulse is a national consumer study that evaluates a wide range of elements influencing the effectiveness of green and sustainable product marketing. http://sheltoncom.mediaroomshowcase.com/
Retailer initiatives
Many retailers are engaged in formulating corporate strategies and greener practices. Here are a few examples of leading programs.
www.walmart.com/commonfuture
sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-001095
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/issues/greenaction/index.html
www.community.officedepot.com/environment.asp
To learn about the Wal-Mart scorecard for vendor relationships
www.packagedesignmag.com/issues/2006.11/special.walmart.shtml
Packaging and Branding
The following sites offer many related links on packaging materials, transport, legislation and sustainable business practices.
Package Design magazine’s many-layered ndex to sustainable resources.
www.packagedesignmag.com/issues/2006.11/resources.shtml
Package Design magazine’s latest special issue about current leaders in sustainable design.
www.packagedesignmag.com/sustainableresource/
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition offers educational training and metrics.
www.sustainablepackaging.org
Information on sustainable packaging, marketing and print for users of paper, glass, plastic and other materials.
www.ecopackaging.net
Weekly commentary and news about sustainable packaging, and its related resource index.
www.sustainableisgood.com
www.sustainableisgood.com/blog/resources.html
Weekly articles about issues in sustainable packaging
brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=406
Materials
Material ConneXion is the leading global resource for materials information, with libraries in New York, Milan, Cologne, and Bangkok.
www.materialconnexion.com
Founded in 1993, the Forest Stewardship Council offers information and certification for wood and paper industry.
www.fscus.org
The Forest Certification Center offers information about sustainable wood and wood pulp suppliers to guide informed decisions for paper and cardboard buyers.
www.certifiedwood.org
The Association of Postconsumer Plastics Recyclers represents companies who acquire, reprocess and sell the byproduct of more than 90% of the post-consumer plastic processing capacity in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The organization offers education and standards for industry and end users.
www.plasticsrecycling.org
The Biodegradable Products Institute is an association of industry, academia and government agencies that offers education and scientifically based standards for biodegradable, compostable products.
www.bpiworld.org
For broad and deep information about bio-plastics materials, suppliers and issues.
www.biopolymer.net
The International Molded Fibre Associaton, a Wisconsin-based organization, offers education and technology information for product buyers and manufacturers.
www.impepa.org
For information on technology transfer between research and industry in the bioengineering of food products and agricultural fibers from the US Dept. of Agriculture.
www.pw.usda.gov
For varying viewpoints and information on biofuels
www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/feb/08/scienceofclimatechange.biofuels
blogs.guardian.co.uk/science/2007/07/the_biofuel_hype.html
Consumer Trends
News about consumer attitudes and behavior appears daily in popular and international media. Below are some sites that offer specific information that can be useful to marketers. Often these sites link to major international news sources.
News from Consumer Reports
www.greenerchoices.org
Multi-media content on greener living and business
www.treehugger.com
Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability news updates
www.lohas.com
Linked directory to a broad range of blog content
www.bestgreenblogs.com
Education from National Geographic
www.thegreenguide.com
Daily environmental news and commentary
www.grist.org
Advice on greener living
www.newdream.org
Information for sustainable energy technologies in the home
www.homepower.com
