photo ©2009 Julia Guarino

As you probably know, Herban Lifestyle is proud to use only truly natural and organic ingredients, which means only organic and/or ethically wildcrafted herbs and essential oils, organic fabrics and fill, no preservatives, artificial colors, fragrances, or surfactants, and no synthetic, petroleum-based or other chemical ingredients. We pledge to these standards as a signer of the Compact for Safe Cosmetics, and we always adhere to Whole Foods’ Premium Bodycare Standards.

But did you know that Herban Lifestyle is green in other ways? When we package things for you, we only use 100% recycled paper labels, and all packaging and shipping supplies are recycled, recyclable and/or biodegradable. To ship, we only use the US Postal Service; did you know that the USPS holds “Cradle to Cradle”Certification at the Silver level for human and environmental health? To further ensure environmentally responsible business practice, we always offset 100% of our carbon footprint through purchase of CleanCurrents and CarbonFund RECs, and we are an Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partner, which means we purchase green power in amounts that meet EPA’s requirements.

As a member of Green America and the Sustainable Business Network of Washington, we also pledge to practice ethical business and labor standards, which is easy since everything we sell is handcrafted in Falls Church, VA we do absolutely no manufacturing! In our efforts to be conscientious members of our community we also donate 5% of gross revenues to charity, including Feeding America (formerly America’s Second Harvest), Sierra Club, Herb Research Foundation, and Martha’s Table, we donate goods to local charities (such as EcoVentures) for their fundraising efforts, and we purchase our 800 number through Earth Tones, where 100% of their profit goes to grassroots environmental causes.

We hope you’ll celebrate Earth Day with us! Check out the EPA’s website to learn about Earth Day events and volunteer opportunities happening near you. Be green!

This post was written by guest blogger, Julia Guarino.

On Tuesday we took a little stroll around campus discussing some of the ways Bemidji State University demonstrates its responsibility as an institution for higher education by creating an educational environment that pledges to work towards sustainability.  As a public educational institution producing tomorrow’s leaders, the university needs to set an example for the generations of the current and future environmental stewards it prepares for graduation into society.  If our society is to change its practice of mismanagement of our natural capital, we have to learn how to change.  By establishing educational resources for the study of how we can successfully become a sustainable society, Bemidji State University joins a commitment to environmentalism with other leading institutions and organizations working to provide a healthier future for our local and global ecosystem.  The president of the university, Dr. Jon Quistgaard, promises this obligation by uniting with over 350 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries around the world in the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future through the Talloires Declaration, and the university community expects a proposal to further this promise with a future signing of the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment.

Other examples of Bemidji State University’s commitment to an ecocentric environmental worldview are detailed in these press releases from the university on November 29, 2007:

• Otter Tail Power gift completes sustainable campus endowment
• Bemidji State University named a Green Power Partner

Other campus projects I find to be equally important, if not on the same scale as the above mentioned movements of environmentalism, then on the measure of what can be done by the individual or small group to renew and improve our campus and community are:

• The Shoreline Habitat Restoration Project performs the following benefits for our local ecosystem and our downstream neighbors:
  • Restores a buffer zone using native plants
  • Provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife
  • Filter out pollutants and runoff that degrade water quality
  • Prevent shoreline erosion by absorbing wave action
• The implementation of a Rain Garden to reduce runoff and naturally filter storm water.

• Landscaping with Native Plants such as a Butterfly Garden provide multiple benefits:
  • Native plants have evolved and adapted to local conditions over thousands of years.  Once established, they require no irrigation or fertilization.  They are resistant to most pests and diseases, and require no mowing.  Thus, native plants, conserving water and fossil fuels, and requiring less work to maintain, are less costly in the long term.
  • Native plants have longer root systems than non-native species which helps rainfall percolate into the soil, reducing erosion and runoff, and recharging ground water and improving water quality.
  • Native plants provide food and shelter for birds, butterflies and other desirable wildlife.

This little tour around campus inspired me to begin planning some improvements to my own property’s landscape.  I have always favored native plants for their simplistic beauty and minimal maintenance.  I especially have affinity for trees.  After discussing the question of why we mow and manicure our lawn with Professor Bailey-Johnson when a thoughtfully landscaped native plant ecosystem provides habitat for beneficial species, such as dragonflies – which prefer longer grasses while mosquitoes do not and dragonflies eat mosquitoes, I would rather have more habitat and wildlife on my property than an aesthetically pleasing keeping-up-with-the-Jones’-look.  Also, there is the consideration of time spent mowing – three hours per tour for me, but I have plans to cut that in half – and the incredible fact that 5% of all emissions in this country come from lawnmowers.  I mean really – why?

Safeway announced this week it will purchase 100% renewable energy power to all 270 of the companies fuel stations in the US, its 15 stores in San Francisco, and Safeway Corporate Campuses in Pleasanton and Walnut Creek, California. Working with the Environmental Protection Agency, it becomes one of the largest purchasers in the US and is an EPA “Green Power Partner”.

“Protecting the environment and conserving our nation’s valuable energy resources is something that Safeway and our customers care deeply about,” said Executive Vice President Larree Renda. “By powering out fuel stations, stores and corporate offices with wind energy, we are taking a leadership role and setting the example of why using cleaner sources of electricity is important in helping the environment and helping conserve energy.”

Safeway has agreed to purchase 78 million kilowatt hours in the form of wind energy, thus making Safeway one of the largest buyers of renewable energy in the US and the largest buyer in the state of California. Safeway is the only retailer to purchase enough renewable energy to power 100% of its fuel stations.

“The EPA applauds Safeway’s fuel stations for being among the largest commercial purchasers of Green Power in the United States,” said Blaine Collison, program directors of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Green Power Partnership. “Safeway is leading by example and setting a standard for environmental partnership.”

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the purchase is avoiding more that 85 million pounds of carbon dioxide. It compares to planting more than 10,500 acres of trees.

Dawn