Archive for the ‘30 Under 30 Contest, Learn More!’ Category
Ecover Ecological Cleaning Products Celebrates Thirtieth Anniversary with 30 Under 30 Contest
Ecover’s 30 Under 30 Contest Will Find and Honor the Next Generation of “Green” Innovators
-
Judges Select Finalists in the Ecover Thirty Under Thirty Contest!
The judges have spoken and have selected the finalists in the Ecover Thirty Under Thirty contest! Ecover has been celebrating its 30 years as a sustainable-products leader by looking for 30 men and women under 30 years old who share and support our goals of a sustainable world. The nominations proved to be a fantastic group, and we’re now delighted to recognize these 30 under 30 finalists in our search for ecological innovators!
Sharon Able – Reduce/Reuse/Recycle/Respect Environmentalist
Nichole Alex – Building sustainable communities
Ryan Arnold – Breathing life into energy expertise
Evan Benway – Throwing the book at environmental education
Alexis Boxer – Organizing to protect people and planet
Jen Boynton – Giving Green the business
Lindsay Brown – Eco-living expert expanding online
Antuan Cannan – “Enviro-lutionist”- energy’s a win-win
Jared Criscuolo – H2Offensive protects above and below
Gena Dalton – Science brings hope from waste of space
Robert Filbin – One man’s stories aren’t enough for educational advocate
Becca Friedman – Bringing focus to Earth on campus and afield
Angela Graziano – Serving up the ultimate social responsibility
Daniel Greer – Entrepreneur’s nontoxic cleaning methods
Julie Hawker – “Upcycler” crafts journals from tattered prose
Marc Heisterkamp – Taking green-building expertise to the bank
Eva Hernandez – Organizing people for power-full interests
Kurt Hoffman – Dream of sustainability management
Lisa Lin – “LEEDer” organizes Houston greens
Adam Lombardi – Working for a greener good
Lisa Miles – Pedaling green to all walks of life
Jennae Peterson – Cutting consumption inside–out
Jason Phillips – Eco-chic by design
Jamie Pritcher – Giving back with greenest of gifts
Summer Rayne – Fashioning a sustainable industry model
Jaye Reilly – An epiphany leads to eco-posts
Joshua To – Saving water impacts people oceans apart
Stacey Walker – Maternal instincts lead to EcoModernMom
Cara Wasielewski – Holistic approach tunes up the arts
David Zaks – Reengineering agriculture: field to fork
Please take a couple of minutes to review all of these nominations in detail so you can cast your vote for the greenest leader – November 1-5, 2010. Our grand prize winner will enjoy his or her choice of a bedroom or dining room set from Environment. We need your vote to make that happen. And until we announce our grand prize winner on November 10th, please join Ecover in recognizing our 30 finalists who are helping to design a sustainable future we can all live with!
-
The End Is Here: Submissions For Ecover’s 30 Under 30 Contest Closing Tonight At Midnight!
It has been a whirlwind month here at Ecover as we have celebrated thirty years in the ecological cleaning business with our 30 Under 30 Contest! We are looking for those “30 people under 30 years of age” who have made a difference in protecting our planet.
During the month of September dozens of environmentally-minded people rose to the occasion and submitted names and bios for consideration … and we cannot wait to start evaluating the entries! But before we begin the judging we wanted to give our eco-minded friends one final chance to enter the contest: the deadline to enter is midnight tonight, September 30th. After that, submissions will be closed, and the judging and voting begins!
So, if you’re an eco-procrastinator or someone who has been on the fence about entering, now is the time to throw your name into the ring! It’s simple and takes just a few minutes … and the potential rewards are great: like a chance to win a year’s supply of Ecover cleaning products, and, for the grand prize winner – a choice of a dining set or bedroom set from Environment, a company that creates unique furniture collections from reclaimed, recycled, and sustainably harvested wood and canvas!
We look forward to reading your entries and possibly meeting you in New York in November at our 30 Under 30 celebration!
-
Ecover Introduces the Final Two 30 Under 30 Contest Judges!
Previously, Ecover introduced you to three of the five amazing environmentalists judging our 30 Under 30 contest. This week, we’d like you to meet the final two: Deborah Brancato and Megan McWilliams. We can’t thank them enough for their expertise, time and energy … and for their willingness to help Ecover find the next generation of eco-superstars!
Deborah Brancato
Deborah Brancato is a staff attorney at Riverkeeper, a clean water advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the ecological integrity of the Hudson River and its tributaries, and to safeguarding the drinking water supply of New York City and the lower Hudson Valley. Deborah received her B.A. from Fairfield University, summa cum laude, where she was Phi Beta Kappa; and her J.D., and Environmental Law Certificate, magna cum laude, from Pace University School of Law. In law school Deborah was an Editor of the Pace Environmental Law Review, and a Vice-Chair of the National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition. She also found time to intern with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Connecticut Fund for the Environment, and the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic.
Megan McWilliams
Megan McWilliams, also known as one of the Green Divas, is a seasoned writer, publisher, editor, blogger, and product/book/restaurant/film/anything reviewer. In addition Megan is a humorist, radio show host, screenwriter, author and playwright. She has been living, writing and getting the word out about low-stress sustainable living, to a broad and diverse audience, for over 22 years. And has been environmentally aware since before it was chic to be…the Green Divas radio show will be moving to CBS Digital’s ChatAboutIt.com in the fall of 2010.
Do you know of someone who should submit an entry to our 30 under 30 contest? With accomplished judges and a grand prize from Environment, why wouldn’t you enter here?
-
Pioneer Ecover Celebrates Innovative Leaders Who Have and Will Change the World Before They Are 30!
Photo via Entertainment-pr.comIt begins with a brilliant idea…. a determination to succeed… an ability to convince, inspire and motivate others… and the sheer willingness to work hard. That, simply put, is the profile of an innovator!
At Ecover, sustainable innovation is the life source of our company. Since 1980, we have been creating ecological cleaning products, unwavering in our goal to lead the way in environmental responsibility. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary this year, we want to turn our spotlight on a new generation of ecological innovators – and that might include you.
Ecover’s 30 Under 30 Ecological Innovation Contest
Until September 30, 2010, we’ll be accepting your submissions, you who are eco-minded individuals whose efforts are helping to create a more sustainable future. You may be a scientist, teacher, artist or civic leader. Or you could recommend friends, family, students or coworkers. But one thing everyone will all have in common is a dedication to improving our environment and leaving the Earth in a better condition than it is today.
Then, in November, Ecover will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a special event in New York City. There, we’ll recognize our 30 finalists and announce the grand prize winner of our 30 Under 30 contest – as voted on by you (between November 1-5), the very people whose futures are being affected by the decisions and innovations of our nominees.
What Kind of Innovators Are We Looking For?
Ecological innovation comes in a variety of forms and sizes. Some is local, some is global, but all of it creates an impact. And, in our 30 Under 30 contest, all of it matters equally.
For example, consider megamillionaires like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen in 1975
Photo via Sobetech.wordpress.comIn 1975 the young Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard University with friend and tech guru, Paul Allen and founded Microsoft. Both men were in their mid-twenties. In 1980, they developed a Disc Operating System (DOS) for the IBM PC, putting them on the technological map. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Gates’ and Allen’s wealth and success have allowed them to launch major philanthropic initiatives like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation. And when it comes to the environment, Bill Gates is investing in the promotion and support of renewable fuel.
Meanwhile, in 1976, Steve Jobs – another bright, young technophile – co-founded Apple Computer at the age of 21.
Steve Jobs – back in the day
Photo via Techtribenews.wordpress.comToday, with Apple products like the iPod, iPad and iTunes helping to reinvent the way we live, Jobs is simultaneously working to build a greener Apple by removing toxic chemicals from Apple’s new products, and launching an internal program to aggressively recycle old products.
But not all innovation is happening at a global scale.
Consider Derek Markham’s “Tiny House Experiment,” in which he and his family moved out of their house and lived in a one-room trailer for nearly 6 years, simply to prove it could be done (and to show how much time, money and energy could be saved).
Or explore the way Hardwick, VT, has rejuvenated its economy through a community-supported restaurant (CSR) that rewards local farmers and communal dining, reinventing the meaning of “local community” in the process.
At Ecover, we applaud those individuals and companies whose environmental efforts provide a positive example for other organizations. And, with our 30 Under 30 contest, we hope to bring their inspiring stories to a larger audience.
So… who do YOU know whose ecological innovations are changing the world, is it YOU?
-
Meet Our 30 Under 30 Contest Judges (Part 1!)
Ecover’s 30 Under 30 Contest is generating excitement! And to supply our sustainable friends and followers more incentive to enter their names (or those of their friends) at our contest webpage, we are introducing our illustrious panel of judges. These environmental innovators have graciously agreed to evaluate the names submitted, and whittle them down to the top 30. Not an easy job. Here are three of our five 30 under 30 judges, and thanks to them in advance for their time and expertise!
Tiffany Threadgould
Tiffany Threadgould is a designer who gives scrap materials a second life. She founded RePlayGround, where you can find “ReMake It” recycling kits and other DIY projects, and is also the head of design at Terracycle, a really cool concept. Tiffany can also be seen on the TV show Garbage Moguls on the National Geographic network. Fittingly, Tiffany’s grad school thesis was entitled “Trash Nouveau – reincarnating garbage into usable products.” Tiffany thinks that garbage has feelings too – she’s sometimes overheard talking to her piles of junk at her design studio in Brooklyn, New York! Of Ecover’s 30 Under 30 Contest, Tiffany says, “It’s exciting to see all of the great, young eco-innovators who are helping to shape our future. Their ‘eco-preneurship” helps set the tone for businesses looking to make a positive environmental impact.”
Jeff McIntire-Strasburg
Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, founder and editor of Sustainablog, which was born from Jeff’s passion for creating a greener world. It is one of the most recognized blogs on the web for information and analysis of all things green: business, activism, science and technology, politics, culture, and lifestyle. Jeff is also a writer at the Sundance Channel’s SUNfiltered blog. He earned his Ph.D. in English, and spent 11 years in the classroom in various teaching positions. He is married to Jan, with three step-children, a dog and two cats in St. Louis, Missouri, in a big old drafty historical home that was built in 1904. Jeff tells us that, as a judge for our contest, he is “looking forward to seeing the work of young people who haven’t yet internalized the idea that ‘it can’t be done that way.’”
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff
Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff; writer, editor, producer and spokesperson, represents a new vision of eco-friendly living. She publishes EcoStiletto.com, dedicated to eco-friendly fashion, lifestyle and celebrity, and MommyGreenest.com, about eco-parenting her three children. Rachel has appeared on television numerous times; she is one of the “Voices for Change” for Healthy Child, Healthy World. Rachel is also the resident “Queen of Green” at Shoestringmag.com and “Green Expert” at GetButtonedUp.com.
Rachel received her master’s degree in journalism at USC, and she and her family currently reduce, reuse and recycle in Los Angeles. As for the under-30 set, Rachel says “I am so inspired by my twenty-something friends. I really believe that this group is so motivated and empowered that the world really will change in their hands.”
-
Ecover: A Company Of Innovation
“Just as energy is the basis of life itself…so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress.”
In the year of our 30th Anniversary (this year), we celebrate Innovation! After all, Ecover was founded by the ground breaking pioneer Frans Bogaerts, who envisioned a phosphate-free future. The challenge: cleaning products contained harmful chemicals, such as phosphates, which when released into our water systems, adversely impacted the survival of aquatic life. The solution: thanks to the skills and tenacity of the Ecover research and development team – a phosphate-free laundry powder was created. And over the next three decades, Ecover has continuously strived to raise the bar on environmental innovation.
“To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.”
Environmental responsibility is the core of our Company’s reason for being, a continuing quest to improve the quality of sustainable ingredients and manufacturing processes. The challenge: most household cleaners contain surface-active ingredients called Surfactants, produced through a high-energy process. The solution: Ecover developed a completely new bio-chemical, energy-efficient process derived from yeast (from bees’ nests) to create surfactants. A natural emulsifier was produced – the world’s first Eco-Surfactant–for use in our hard surface cleaners. The potential of Eco-Surfactants is steadily growing as we further explore its solubility, foaming power and stability, endeavoring to use Eco-Surfactants throughout our full spectrum of cleaning products.
Ecover does not just talk the talk. We practice sustainability to the nth degree – from our vaulted factory ceilings made from fast-growing sustainable wood and our energy-efficient machines to our sustainable manufacturing and distribution processes. When there is a synergy of innovation, dedication and commitment to the environment, the solution is…Ecover.
Are you an innovator as well? And you care about sustainability? Enter our 30 Under 30 Contest and show the world that your commitment has made a difference. Enter here.
-
Ecover Celebrates Environmental Innovators with a 30 Under 30 Contest
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 1st (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 1st, 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 1st 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 30th anniversary event on November 10th 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 a leading source of furniture made from materials that are either reclaimed, recycled or repurposed wood and canvas – 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 1st, let us – and the world – know all about them.
-
Peeking Ahead at Our 30 Under 30 Contest!
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.
More About Ecover
Follow Us Online!
Email Subscribe
Ecover Recognitions
Subscribe to Blog Posts
Categories
- Ecover Products
- Ecover Reporting LIVE
- Green Closet
- Green Media
- History Channel
- How Tos
- News & Politics
- Parenting Tips
- Science Anyone?
- Surveys
@ecoverus on Twitter
We Like These Links
- Big Green Purse
- Creatively Green
- Dagmar's Momsense
- Dream Green Weddings
- Earth 911
- Eco Child's Play
- Eco Fabulous
- Eco Stiletto
- Eco-Adventurer
- Eco-Beautiful Weddings
- Ecorazzi
- Ecosalon
- EnviroMom
- Going Green Mama
- Great Green Goods
- Green Baby Guide
- Green Divas
- Green is Sexy
- Green Living Guy
- Green Mama's Pad
- Green Style Mom
- Grist
- Healthy Child Healthy World
- Huffpost Green
- I Count For My Earth
- Inhabitat
- Mindful Momma
- Nature Moms
- New Age Mama
- Non-Toxic Kids
- Offbeat Mama
- Petite Planet
- Planet Green
- Random Recycling
- Re-Nest
- Recycled Brides
- SmartyPanties
- Something Green
- Sustainable Is Good
- Sustainablog
- Tangled and True
- The Green Guide (National Geographic)
- The Green Parent
- Tiny Choices
- Tree Hugger
- Veggie Kids
- Viva Woman
- Whole Green Love