Ecover Celebrates Environmental Innovators with a 30 Under 30 Contest

Aug 31, 2010 | By Justin

Photo by Rene Passet via Flickr

In 1980, Ecover set out to change the world.  We’ve done this by creating safer, smarter and more sustainable cleaning products that respect the environment and the needs of our customers.

Now, 30 years later, we’d like to celebrate our own success by showcasing a new generation of environmental innovators – namely, all the eco-driven men and women who weren’t even born when we launched our first products.

Starting on September 1^st (tomorrow), we’re having a 30 Under 30 contest, and we need you to submit your nomination or help us find the people worth celebrating!

How the Contest Works

Starting September 1^st, you can submit yourself or someone else to be considered for the contest.  To do so, visit our special contest page or our Facebook fan page.

A submission must include:

• a brief bio of the nominee
• a statement about the contest entrant’s contribution to the world’s green living space, including a description of how they have committed at least one act of environmental responsibility
• (optional) a photo, if desired

To be eligible, a person must be:

• 29 years old or younger at the time of the submission
• actively involved in sustaining and improving his/her local, national or global environment

When we say “actively involved,” we’re looking for young people who are stepping up, inciting change and making a difference in their communities.  Their actions can be as direct as initiating a recycling program at their school, or as complex as researching and developing new solutions to the world’s environmental challenges.

Students, scientists, parents, teachers, employees and business owners alike are all eligible for Ecover’s 30 Under 30 Awards, as long as they demonstrate the ability to convert their environmental concerns into ecological actions.

How the Submissions Will Be Judged

A team of pre-selected judges, including professionals from the environmental field, will choose 30 finalists from the pool of all submissions received.  On October 30, those 30 finalists will be displayed on the Ecover blog and Facebook page, where the public can vote for the individuals they believe to best embody the spirit of the contest.  (Voters will be allowed to vote once per 24 hours, from November 1^st through November 5th.)

Once all the votes have been received, and all the judges have made their own independent assessments, the numbers will be tallied.  In the final count, the public’s votes will account for 40% of the overall tally, and the judges’ votes will account for the remaining 60%.

The grand prize winner of the 30 Under 30 Contest will be announced at a live Ecover 30^th anniversary event on November 10^th in New York City.

Prizes, Prizes, Prizes…

The top 30 finalists will receive a year’s worth of products from Ecover.  The grand prize winner will receive a brand new bedroom or dining room set from Environment, which is New York’s leading source of modern organic furniture – because change begins at home, and we at Ecover believe that your home should be as inspiring as possible!

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for working to improve her world?

Do you know someone who converted his ecological frustration into positive change?

On September 1^st, let us – and the world – know all about them.

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Ecover To Pioneer The Use Of Sugar Cane Based Materials To Create More Sustainable Packaging!

Aug 24, 2010 | By Deb

Sugarcane Image via wikipedia/commons

In the area of sustainability and environmental ethics, Ecover has long been an industry leader. Now Ecover continues to pioneer as it becomes one of a very few companies to use a sugar cane based form of polyethylene (PE) in its packaging. Starting next year Ecover will use this new form of high‐density polyethylene as packaging for its liquid products—and this new PE is based on completely renewable raw materials!

The material comes from Brazilian plastics manufacturer Braskem, the first company in the world to produce certified “green” polyethylene. Using sugar cane as a bio resource helps Ecover to minimize its ecological impact even further, as PE based on sugar cane is believed to emit at least 75 percent less greenhouse gases during its life span than traditionally produced PE.

Ecover will be the first brand of cleaning products to use this material on a large scale. (As of January 2011 all Ecover bottles will contain a minimum of 30 percent sugar cane based PE.)

“We are investing more and more in product and process developments, where we assess every aspect of our business to see where we can implement a positive change,” says Tom Domen, Marketing Manager at Ecover. “Our packaging is an obvious part of this. The venture with Braskem will have a considerable positive impact on our CO2 emissions. We look forward to launching the new packaging on the market next year.”

What can we say but “sweet!”

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Every Day is Sustainable for Leonardo DiCaprio

Aug 17, 2010 | By Deb

Image via graphicshunt.com

One of the world’s most popular celebrities, actor Leonardo DiCaprio is also one of its most active environmentalists. Leo’s commitment to the environment is evident in every aspect of his life. He drives a hybrid Prius, takes commercial flights when traveling by air, and in 2008 he bought a New York City condo in Riverhouse, a LEED gold rated building. While this is all quite admirable, even better news is that Leo’s devotion to helping the environment extends far beyond his personal habits.

For years now, DiCaprio has used his star-power and notoriety to help raise public awareness of environmental issues such as global warming and sustainability. He lent his voice (as narrator) to several short films about the environment, and he co-produced, wrote and narrated the documentary 11^th Hour, a film about the human impact on the Earth. What’s more, his world-renowned Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation supports efforts to secure a sustainable future for our planet and all of its inhabitants.

Photo via reneeashleybaker.files.wordpress.com

Leo has received numerous accolades and awards for his dedication to environmental causes, ranging from The International Green Film Award to Nickelodeon’s first-ever “Big Green Help Award” in 2009.

With young stars like DiCaprio helping fight for the planet, we at Ecover are more optimistic than ever about what the future holds. Thanks for helping make a difference! (And Leo – may we suggest a little Ecover All Purpose Cleaner to help keep that new condo looking clean?)

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Peeking Ahead at Our 30 Under 30 Contest!

Aug 10, 2010 | By Justin

Did you know Ecover has been creating ecological cleaning products in a sustainable way since 1980?  That’s 30 years of ecological innovation!

And to celebrate, we wanted to highlight something extremely inspiring:

You.

See, we live and breathe sustainability every day.  It’s the core driver behind every decision we make, from our supply chain to our production processes, all the way down the drain and back out into the environment.

But we know we’re not alone in our pursuit.

In fact, people around the world – some of them even younger than our company – are as passionate as we are about protecting the planet and improving the ways we live.

So this year, we’re searching for our own 30 Under 30 – men and women, boys and girls, from all around the world, who share one common goal: to lead the way in environmental responsibility.

Are you under 30 and helping to sustain the planet?  Do you know someone who is?  We want to hear from you!

Although the formal rules for the contest will be announced a bit later, we wanted to get your gears turning early.  So if you know someone you’d like to nominate for our 30 Under 30 celebration, leave a note in the comments and we’ll follow up when the contest is officially announced.

30 years.  For some people – and some companies – it’s a lifetime.  Help us honor the young innovators who set the best examples for the rest of us, by living responsibly – and sustainably – in their own lifetimes.

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Sustainable Vacationing: Why Ecover Likes Eco Travel

Aug 03, 2010 | By Deb

Image via Flickr.com

With Ecover you know that sustainability is a vital part of our company’s philosophy. It absolutely makes our day to see men and women in suits and with briefcases riding bikes or walking to their offices!

Even so, long distance travel is sometimes necessary and, moreover, everyone deserves a guilt-free vacation now and then. The good news is that an innovative industry—ecological travel planning—has emerged to help people find more sustainable ways of touring the planet.

Layla Revis, Editor-in-Chief of Jaunt Magazine and Eco-Adventurer.com is an expert in the eco-travel field. “My goal,” she says, “is to show our readers how to take the jaunt wisely so they may fully appreciate the vast cultural, biological, and political landscapes around us.”

Vacations can be good for our bodies and minds. Revis says to “Experience extravagance, but always break bread with the locals. Give as much back to your environment as you take from it. And last but never least… travel light.’”

Carolyn “The Healthy Voyager” Scott’s site HealthyVoyager.com also dispenses ecological travel advice. She recommends camping as an ideal way to see the world but keep your global impact to a minimum. In a “Conscious Camping” post, she provides “tips to green up, health up and make the most of your next venture into the wild!” This include packing reusable storage items, investing in camping kitchen and dishware—avoid disposable goods at all costs!—and using crank or shakable flashlights and radios.

“…keep your trash separate from your recyclables,” Carolyn advises. “Some camp sites aren’t equipped with separate dumpsters, so haul your own trash to the closest place that can take recycling.” And, she adds, “Bring your own firewood…using timber from around your camp site may be eco-friendly, but it actually threatens the forest’s future. When fallen trees and branches decompose, they return nutrients to the soil, feeding the surrounding trees and vegetation.” Good advice!

National Geographic Traveler also provides fantastic resources for ecologically-minded travelers and its post, “Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel,” offers a wealth of information; tips from ENERGY STAR properties for lodging to taking public transportation.  We at Ecover are pleased that travelers today have so many options for expert advice on sustainable travel. It is our hope that the more we see the world’s beauty the more we will work hard to keep it safe.

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Ecover: 30 Years in the Phosphates-Free Frame Of Mind

Jul 27, 2010 | By David

Pond Choked with Algae

Image via Wikimedia Commons

Phosphates are a prime pollutant of streams and lakes, even damaging The Historic Chesapeake Bay. Although phosphorus is an important nutrient found in nature, excessive phosphates in bodies of water spur the growth of algae and aquatic weeds. When algae decompose, toxins are released, using up oxygen available for aquatic life and destroying the health of those lakes and streams. Consumers primarily know phosphates as a traditional ingredient in detergents.

Ecover has known for years that waste from detergents with phosphates turn beautiful clear lakes and rivers green and cloudy making them unfit for swimming and making drinking water more expensive to filter. Excess algal also leads to devastation called Eutrophication, where dead organic matter eventually turns vital water-ways to dry land.

Lake with Excessive Algae Growth

Image via treehugger.com

In 2004 legislation was passed in Great Britain to prevent the use of more that 0.5% phosphates in laundry powder; in the USA sixteen states have mandatory regulations regarding phosphates in dishwasher detergents, but both laws are short of an outright phosphates ban, and Ecover knows it’s not good enough. So we continue to lead the way with our range of washing powders, liquid soaps and cleaners––all phosphate-free (as well as chlorine-free).

Of course, elimination of phosphates is only one aspect of Ecover’s mission. Low aquatic toxicity is important, but our products must also compete with the leading brands in terms of effectiveness. We navigate many environmental, social and scientific considerations: selecting the best raw materials to facilities and production excellence and distribution standards––right to the end job, where Ecover products completely degrade.

As one of the world’s best known brands for ecological cleaning products, our strict criteria provides a powerful model as we balance responsibility with efficacy.  And no phosphates. It’s how we do business.

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Gen Y and Ecover: A Perfect Match!

Jul 20, 2010 | By Deb

What do you get when a group of young people who care about the environment also like working with their hands? A generation of young, savvy consumers (born between the mid 1970s to 2000) who love to clean at home!

Yes, it’s true: the Gen Y crew is finding that cleaning at home is both economical and personally fulfilling.  They report achieving a sense of accomplishment and reconnecting with authenticity.

This generation of people who care deeply about the environment often chooses ecologically-minded brands like Ecover. In fact, one survey found that nearly half of Gen Y would pay more for ecological services, products or brands.

Image Via inhabitat.com

This Millennial Generation is also known for its civic-mindedness and readiness to volunteer.  For example, Gen Y celebrity heartthrob Orlando Bloom has jumped enthusiastically into his own greener landscape, building an environmentally-friendly house. The eco-conscious ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star revealed his plans at a pre-Oscar party, saying:

“It’s got solar panels on the roof, energy efficient light bulbs – newer technology that is environmentally friendly. It might not be possible to…   live a completely green lifestyle, but we can…help slow global warming.”

So, whether you’re part of Gen Y or just inspired by their readiness to roll up their sleeves and take action, you might want to start your own ecological makeover at home – by cleaning with products that support sustainability.

(And if Mr. Bloom needs any tips for keeping his new house clean, we have a few suggestions of our own.)

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Ecover’s Dishwashing Tablets Receive an ‘A’ in Best Performing Ecological Products Review

Jul 13, 2010 | By Heather

Photo via Consumerreports.org

Ten years into the 21^st century the good news is that we – as a people – have consciously improved how we treat our environment. With respect. We’re striving to conserve and protect our planet, and it’s no surprise that a part of that mission is finding the most effective green products for our home.  In theory, we know that we need to say goodbye to those containing toxic chemicals. But, in practice, some still worry that many green cleaning agents aren’t as effective.

Yet others are simply creatures of habit, remaining loyal to a specific brand. At Ecover, the news is wonderfully encouraging though, as more and more households are replacing their old cleaning agents with Ecover’s suite of ecological products. And we’re thrilled with the response:

“After trying many of the “green” dishwasher detergents I’ve found that the best is Ecover dishwashing tablets…”

Posted by greenroom on May 14th 2010 at 11:14pm

“Like “greenroom”, I agree that the best eco-friendly dishwasher detergent= Ecover dish tablets.
I tried all the others, and this one works great every time. No phosphates!
This detergent also comes in a powder form, but I like the convenience of the tablets.”

Posted by Tern on May 16th 2010 at 9:00am

In a recent Consumer Report on “Best Performing Green Products,” Ecover’s dishwashing tablets were rated “Excellent” for both food removal and grease cutting. Additionally, the tablets’ performance-to cost ratio placed Ecover ahead of the class with a cost of only 6.2 cents per tablespoon.

The Consumer Report summary also noted that consumers should be aware that products claiming to be “green” should state on their packaging that they are “certified biodegradable.” (Meaning that the product has been independently verified as such.) And that’s Ecover. We make decisions at every step of the way to exceed expectations and ensure that the final product offers the best in efficacy that is respectful to your world.

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To Know Ecover is to Love Ecover!

Jul 06, 2010 | By Deb

In a previous post we shared the results of our recent online survey, which was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Ecover U.S. We learned quite a bit from the survey, but the answers to two questions really got our attention … they seem to indicate that more people simply need to try Ecover cleaning products.

Here’s what we learned: the survey results show that over half of U.S. consumers (55%) don’t think “green” cleaners work well. The good news, however, is that the vast majority of American consumers (92%) would be willing to use ecological cleaning products – if they really worked as effectively as products that are not considered “green.”

These results suggest that questions or concerns about the effectiveness of ecological cleaning products may be discouraging U.S. adults from even giving the products a try. We hope that won’t be the case for long!  We are confident that once consumers try our cleaning products, they’ll change their collective minds. Our challenge, then, is to get more of our products into the hands of these non-believers!

At Ecover, we’re continually striving to inform our present and future customers about the efficacy of our products. As testing and anecdotal evidence shows repeatedly, Ecover’s products work!  Ecover has garnered awards from across the globe and our products have been tested and proven to out-clean most conventional brands. Most significantly, people who use Ecover, love Ecover. Our devoted consumers know that Ecover really cleans!

With continued real-life results, we hope that the American consumer will soon understand more about our products and what we stand for: Ecover is ecological cleaning at it’s best, and we are setting the benchmark for efficacy while respecting the environment! Help us spread the word!

This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Ecover US from March 31-April 2, 2010 among 2,207 adults ages 18 and older. Results were weighted reflect the U.S. adult population. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Valorie Luther of Creative Concepts.

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Ecover Applauds Pierce Brosnan, the James Bond of Sustainable Living!

Jun 29, 2010 | By Ilona

Image via: topnews.in

Actor Pierce Brosnan has saved the world over and over again; first as suave bad boy Remington Steele on TV, then as super-spy James Bond.  These roles only reflect a part of his real-life character, for Brosnan is also a staunch advocate for a healthy and sustainable planet. He has worked tirelessly to protect marine mammals and wetlands as seen through the outstanding documentary film Oceans, which he narrates. He and his wife, Keely Shaye, also campaign for clean air and clean water.  You might say Bronson has a “license to clean!”

In recognition of his efforts, Brosnan was awarded the Global Green Millennium Award for his efforts to “foster a global value shift toward a sustainable and secure world.”  Influential celebrities like Brosnan have great opportunities to draw attention to important causes, but it’s also true that one person can’t do it all. Actually there are many opportunities for all of us to help preserve our planet and move towards sustainable living.

In fact, on Brosnan’s website he lists ten things we can do to start. Ecover is pleased to see that on point number two, Brosnan points out the importance of using all-natural household cleaners…excellent advice, and a great way for all of us to be a part of the solution!

Ecover can help with that. We have been producing products made from plant-based and mineral ingredients since 1980. Our core mission is to create effective cleaning products in a sustainable and responsible manner.  Want to join Pierce Brosnan in his efforts to protect the planet?  Ecover in your home provides you with your own license to clean, and is one great way to start!

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