Archive for the ‘News & Politics’ Category

• Ecover Asks You To Join The Bottled Water Challenge!

  Date: 2011.11.18 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 1

  

  We all know that bottled water has become a fixture in our daily lives, but sadly it’s at our environment’s expense;  let’s look at some truths about using bottled water, it’s expense, it’s wastefulness, and the serious impact it is making on our world.

  The bottled water industry is a very big business. Some companies’ expensive environmental-themed ad campaigns have been successful in convincing the public that “bottled is better” when in reality, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Here are some reasons why here at Ecover, we think it would be a great idea to kick our bottled water habit, STAT:

  It’s no healthier than tap water
  In the U.S., our tap water is regulated by the EPA, and requires your local utility to provide an Annual Water Quality Report, showing any violations of drinking water quality standards. Bottled water is regulated by the FDA, and has no such reporting requirements.

  It’s harmful to our environment
  Over 80% of plastic bottles are tossed in the trash and much winds up in our oceans. The bottled water industry produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year and approximately 47 million gallons of oil per year is used in production. This contributes to global warming as does the distribution of the bottles around the world via trucks, planes and boats.

  It’s crazy expensive
  By purchasing bottled water, you’re paying for a product which is essentially the same as water which comes from the tap. You can start saving money today by purchasing a reusable water bottle and refilling it with filtered tap water like we do at our headquarters where we switched to an Aquacare tap water system that purifies and cools tap water so that it is perfectly safe for drinking. Every employee has his/her personal refill bottle.

  It doesn’t taste any better than tap water!
  In taste test after taste test, people can’t tell the difference. Corporate Accountability International’s “Think Outside the Bottle” campaign held hundreds of taste tests and the results generally favored tap!

  So start saving money today and purchase reusable water bottles for your family!

  Image via tusb.stanford.edu

   

• Ecover Supports The Revolution of Greens Movement

  Date: 2011.11.11 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 0

                        

  Food prices have hit record highs this year, driving millions more into hunger and further prompting social and political instability around the world. Sadly, standard mainstream agricultural practices can contribute to a vulnerable food system, especially for the most defenseless people in developing nations. With last year’s crippling drought in Russia, paired with widespread flooding in Pakistan andAustralia, food prices have surged around the globe, particularly in poor, import-reliant countries inAfrica, where households spend up to 80 percent of their income on food. In contrast, Americans spend an average 10 percent of their household income on food.

  As a worldwide purveyor of affordable and ecological cleaning products, this development concerns us at Ecover. But thankfully we have cause to remain hopeful. According to a recent report from the Worldwatch Institute, entitled “State of the World 2011: Innovations that Nourish the Planet,” the diversification of food production with indigenous vegetables will allow billions of people around the world to eventually be able to feed themselves.

  Researchers with Nourishing the Planet spent 15 months traveling to 25 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and relay powerful stories of hope. Research from the grassroots project revealed hundreds of environmentally sustainable solutions for reducing hunger and poverty. Danielle Nierenberg, co-director of the project said, “The solutions to the price crisis won’t necessarily come from producing more food, but from listening to farmers, investing in indigenous vegetables, and changing how foods are processed and marketed.”

  Ecover understands that food security isn’t simply about quantity; it’s about diversity and sustainability. Access to nutritious, local produce improves food security, and sustainable farming practices will help struggling nations become more self-sufficient. We applaud Worldwatch for their fine work, and we’re optimistic that the global community will achieve a “revolution of greens!”

  image by hdptcar, via flickr.com

   

• Ecover Is Thinking Bamboo, All Around Your Home!

  Date: 2011.11.04 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 0

  

  Quick – what’s quickly becoming the new go-to building material for all things around the home? Enter: Bamboo! From furniture to dinnerware to rugs, bamboo is an attractive – and durable – alternative to toxic, non-renewable materials that make up many of the objects around the house. Bamboo can meet an all purpose variety of needs in your home!

  Due to its short growth cycle and because it can be harvested and replenished with very little impact to the environment, bamboo is an excellent renewable product that helps save rapidly depleting forests around our world. In our eyes, anything that’s better for both your family’s health and our Earth is ideal for your home!

  If you’re looking to renovate your home, bamboo flooring is a fantastic alternative to hardwood floors. Furniture made of bamboo is a hot trend that’s taking off as individuals feel the need to decorate their homes in a more ecologically conscious way.

  And if you’re not making renovations right now, there are far simpler ways to “go bamboo.” For your next get together, use bamboo dinnerware as opposed to wasteful paper and plastic ware.  Bamboo also makes beautiful and functional cutting and serving boards. You can even replace old entertaining dishes with gorgeous, colorful bamboo chip and dip sets.

  If you’re looking to make your kitchen more sustainable and stylish, bamboo placemats make a bold statement. And to reduce harmful chemicals and pesticides entering our home, make sure to have a high-quality bamboo rug in your entryway. There are even tons of bamboo lamps that will give your home ambient light, in a better, eco-friendly way.

  For all of your home’s needs, products made from bamboo are versatile, sustainable and dependable. What’s not to love?

   

• Organic Lifestyle Solutions from Ecover: Fabric Made from Hemp

  Date: 2011.10.21 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 1

  

  Ecover is always looking for new and unique organic lifestyle solutions for our eager blog readers. So today we’re taking a break from helping you cross items off of your cleaning list and turn our inquisitive and active minds to fabrics.

  We don’t use synthetic ingredients in our washing products, so we wonder why we wear so many clothes that contain synthetic materials!  When you think of organic fiber, cotton and wool are the most obvious examples. But here’s another one that you may not have thought of: hemp!

  It’s fast becoming one of the most popular fabrics worn (by hip organic advocates!) around the world. Companies specializing in clothing apparel – from sportswear to casual chic – are beginning to incorporate hemp as one of their organic materials of choice.

  What is hemp? The Cannabis sativa L., or hemp, is a plant that consists of an inner layer (the pith) which is used for animal bedding, fuel, garden mulch, and even some building materials. Then there is an outer layer, containing bast fibers, which are the primary fibers used for textiles, rope, and fine paper products.

  

  Hemp has a long, rich history – dating back 10,000 years in Mesopotamia (present day Turkey).  The most popular textile in 3000 B.C., hemp was preferred over silk because it was less expensive and far more durable. And in the New World – we cannot tell a lie – even the father of our country, George Washington  (along with other founding fathers) was an active hemp farmer!

  Image 1 via Thegreenloopblog.com, Image 2 via Thehemptress.com
  

   

• Meet Ecover’s Exceptional 30 Under 30 Contest Judges!

  Date: 2011.10.10 | Category: 30 Under 30 Contest, Learn More!, News & Politics | Response: 0

  Last year, I was honored to be nominated as one of 30 finalists in Ecover’s first 30 Under 30 contest. It was a privilege to celebrate the collective achievements of all the candidates, as well as Ecover’s leadership. We were thrilled for Ryan Arnold when he was announced the grand prize winner!

  Now I’m delighted to help introduce this year’s distinguished panel of 30 Under 30 judges. These eco-innovators have graciously agreed to lend their expertise to choose the group of 30 finalists, which will be posted on Facebook. Then it’s up to all of our Ecover Facebook fans to cast their votes to choose the grand prize winner!

  

  Lindsay Brown, 2010 Ecover 30 under 30 Finalist

  Ryan Arnold        

  Returning to the 30 Under 30 contest as last year’s grand prize winner, Ryan now joins the judge’s table.Ryan is a writer, entrepreneur and advocate and combines issues of sustainability, business, and technology. He is currently the sustainability manager for Winfiniti, a social media writer for Social Media NZ, and an active board member for Kootenai Environmental Alliance. He is also working to develop North Idaho’s first co working community, CoSpace CDA.

  

  Megan McWilliams

  Another second year 30 Under 30 judge, Megan is a former magazine publisher. As a radio show host, author, multi-media content producer and marketing professional, this Green Diva has successfully applied her experience and skills to extol the value of healthy, sustainable living. Her big-picture: promoting ideas for simple, low-stress sustainability, accessible to a broad and diverse audience. She keeps busy writing, producing and performing in print, radio, TV, web, blog and social media). The Green Divas Radio Show and podcast goes out to an audience of over 17 million people per month!

  

  Jeff McIntire-Strasburg

  Jeff McIntire-Strasburg returns for his second year as a 30 Under 30 judge. Jeff is the founder and editor of sustainablog, born from Jeff’s passion for creating a greener world. It’s 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, the co-founder of Green Options Media.

  

  Nikke Alex

  Nikke joins our panel of judges as a finalist in last year’s 30 Under 30 Contest.  She is Diné (Navajo) and was originally from Dilcon, Arizona, Navajo Nation. She has worked with social movements and indigenous communities around the world as well as doing independent research in both uranium and coal mining on the Navajo Nation, focusing on the social impacts of mining on Navajo families. Currently, Nikke serves as a community resource for Indigenous communities who are impacted by coal and uranium mining.

  

  Cara Janelle

  A finalist in last year’s 30 Under 30 Contest too, Cara is the co-founder of Crooked Creek Records, a sustainable record label in Chicago. She has been working with The Giving Tree Band since 2006 as their vegan chef, green consultant, and yoga instructor! She just finished a children’s book that will be released in December, called “The Stream.” When not touring the country doing yoga and supporting independent small businesses, Cara can be found in a kitchen somewhere creating recipes for her cookbook!

  

  Our judge’s rock! We’re looking forward to seeing all the 30 Under 30 entries! The contest runs untilOctober 24, so be sure you share the exciting news and enter on Facebook today!

  Image courtesy of judges. Nikke’s image from this site

   

• Getting To Know Ecover CEO Philip Malmberg

  Date: 2011.10.07 | Category: Green Media, History Channel, News & Politics | Response: 0

  

  Ecover has been around for more than three decades, helping us manage our busy homes with powerful and ecological cleaning solutions. Ecover’s success can be attributed to the inventive people behind the products – including our new CEO, Philip Malmberg. It’s true; Ecover has an outstanding history of helping care for our daily living needs while minimizing the impact on our environment, and Philip Malmberg brings new vitality to the task! Ecover’s Mick Bremans is still on the job too, as Chairman of Ecover International he’ll be able to be engaged in a more active role now, at speaking and panel events.

  Mr. Malmberg joined Ecover as CEO in May, 2011. He’s an Ecover “alum,” having worked from 1993 to 2000 as our Finance Director before embarking on other business and financial frontiers. Now with his return to Ecover, he brings 20 years of international experience with a great track record in successful delivery of business objectives – and linking strategy development with implementation. In addition, Mr. Malmberg has impressive credentials in managing complex business processes, business integrations, emerging markets start-ups and mergers & acquisitions.

  When not moving Ecover forward and advancing its mission, the father of three daughters enjoys a nice round of golf or a game of tennis (when he can find a free minute)! His dedication to Ecover’s growth and guiding principles helps keep us focused on our mission as we move ahead. So wewelcome Mr. Malmberg back to the Ecover family, and look forward to many successful years together!

   

• Ecover Supports Heal the Bay’s California Coastal Cleanup Day!

  Date: 2011.09.16 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 0

  

  We’d like to tell you about the Heal the Bay efforts for 2011! You may want to consider joining over 14,000 Southern Californians on Saturday, September 17th, from 9:00am until 12noon, who will head to their local beaches and inland waterways with one mission: clearing the sand and water of harmful pollution. Heal the Bay wants to ensure that no plastic bags, bottles, butts, cans, carts and other unsightly debris are left behind on the special Coastal Cleanup Day!

  Coastal Cleanup Day is an international event with over 90 countries around the world participating—it’s the largest single-day volunteer event on the planet! Last year, an astounding 80,000 volunteers from across California alone, removed one million pounds of trash! Why not help beautify your community at one of the 65+ cleanup sites?  All supplies are provided such bags, gloves, data card and pencils. Heal the Bay just asks that you bring your own reusable bag, bucket and/or gloves.

  Think of how good it feels to be the change you want to see in the world that day! You could even get family, friends, neighbors, community groups and co-workers involved.  Ecover supports Heal the Bay’s Coastal Cleanup Day because we understand the importance of protecting the health of our oceans and waterways. Consider: 

  • They cover 71 percent of our globe and they are the largest part of our water cycle
  • We receive 60-70 percent of our oxygen from oceans
  • They are an essential source of food for nearly half the people of the world
  • They help drive our economies
  • Scientists withdraw vital research for lifesaving medicines

  We look forward to seeing how much trash is collected and how many people participate this year!

  Image via Healthebay.org

   

• Remembering Frans Bogaerts Early Environmentalist Pioneer And Founder Of Ecover

  Date: 2011.09.12 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 0

  

  In Belgium circa 1980, Mr. Frans Bogaerts, one of the original “green” pioneers of his time, founded Ecover with the proposition that we could do better for our homes and environment by putting powerful mineral and plant-based ingredients to work. It was the beginning of an amazing journey. This August 8^th, 2011 Frans Bogaerts passed away, leaving a legacy of inspiration, passion and dedication to protecting water life.

  Long before phrases like “sustainability” and “eco-friendly” became part of our modern vocabulary, Frans Bogaerts was dedicated to the idea that effective solutions don’t need to be destructive to the environment. He observed, firsthand, the serious damage that cleaning products were causing to the aquatic environment, and he imagined a future in which these products no longer contained harmful chemicals. Along with Ecover’s first employees he began producing the world’s first phosphate-free washing powder. Several years later, Ecover was acquired by Mr. Jørgen Philip-Sørensen (b. 1938 – d. 2010) a Scandinavian business man who drove the company’s mission further by adopting the sustainable business model.

  Ecover honors Frans Bogaerts’ imaginative and forward-looking ideas. Our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family, children and close friends during this most difficult time. 

  Image via zita.be

   

• Ecover Reviews Sustainable Building: People in Glass Houses Must Need a Lot of Ecological Glass Cleaner!

  Date: 2011.08.26 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 0

  

  As the world is becoming more aware of the importance of using sustainable supplies when constructing homes and other buildings, people are getting incredibly innovative in their choices of materials! One of the resources that has piqued our interest here at Ecover is recycled glass.

  Glass is an excellent building choice because it can be recycled forever without any reduction in quality or properties. Moreover, according to Green Home, it can be used in a surprising variety of ways. Glass can become part of roof tiles, can be used in retaining wall blocks and can even go into industrial flooring. Some companies, like Re-Glass, focus their entire business on finding construction and design uses for recycled glass.

  Not long ago, on our Facebook page we highlighted a home in Russia made primarily with recycled wine bottles! It was built with a wood frame and concrete, and the bottles were found to trap air to provide insulation! Similarly, another home, an hour south of Buenos Aires, was constructed using 6 million discarded glass bottles. In addition to re-purposing the old bottles, this house has a fun feature: when winds blow from the south, the bottles’ necks whistle! (There are several glass bottle houses in the US as well!)

  While these architectural marvels may not rival the advanced sophistication of Philip Johnson’s “Glass House,” Ecover thinks they’re pretty darn cool! We just hope their owners have stocked up on lots of our ecological Glass & Surface Cleaner!

  Photo by loop_oh via Flickr.com

• Ecover Is Head Over Heels For Seattle – And Dry Soda!

  Date: 2011.08.24 | Category: News & Politics | Response: 0

  

  Seattle has an uncanny knack for nurturing innovation and new trends. Consider that rock legend Jimi Hendrix, Amazon and Starbucks have all flourished in the Pacific Northwest’s largest city! So it’s fitting that Dry Soda, which is making a splash with pioneering, all-natural soft drinks, has also found a home in Seattle.

  Dry Soda founder Sharelle Klaus can’t say enough about her hometown. “This population has totally supported Dry in its efforts to revolutionize the soda world, just as it helped Starbucks revolutionize coffee, Microsoft revolutionize, well – everything, and Amazon revolutionize how we shop,” she says. “So bottom line – there is no better place in the U.S. to start a company or a revolution!”

  At Ecover, we’re smitten with Seattle’s creativity, free spirit, stunning views of the Cascade and Olympic mountains, and abundant natural resources along the shores of picturesque Puget Sound. And we love Dry Soda’s unique, not-too-sweet flavors, including lavender, blood orange and vanilla bean! Each flavor contains just four ingredients: purified water, natural extracts, pure cane sugar and phosphoric acid. We featured Dry Soda (to rave reviews!) at Bringing Earth Day Home, a fabulous New York City event that celebrated Ecover’s own commitment to bringing consumers innovative natural cleaning products!

  

  For Sharelle, former dotcom entrepreneur, mother of four and self-described “food nerd,” innovation was born out of frustration. Finding few appealing alternatives to wine while pregnant in 2004, she set out to create a sophisticated, light and nonalcoholic beverage. She picked the name “dry” to signify “less sweet” as it does with wine. Flavors are chosen to pair nicely with different foods. Each variety is the product of painstaking experimentation – sometimes 1,000 tests per flavor to get it right!

  It’s that kind of ingenuity that enhances Seattle’s natural appeal … and pairs perfectly with Ecover’s ideals!

  Photos by Chuck Taylor via Flickr.com