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Household product maker Recycline will begin collecting used Brita water filters next year, turning them into toothbrushes, bowls and other items.

Where did Henry Ford go wrong? When he first designed the Model T, he wanted it to run on an agriculture-based fuel — ethanol. But it wasn’t long before those plans were switched to use a petroleum-based fuel — gasoline.

As anyone who drives a gasoline-powered vehicle knows, the rest is history. Americans have since accepted the economic and environmental consequences.

Had Ford’s plan to use ethanol been realized, America might have looked very different today. However, ethanol still has many benefits and its not to late for America to take advantage of them, said Mark Dunn, director of the Northwest Ethanol Fuel Association.

“Ethanol is fermented and distilled from agricultural products like corn, wheat, barley and potatoes,” he said. “This makes it a renewable resource — unlike fossil fuels.”

By combining gasoline with 10 percent ethanol, the new mix will actually gain a higher octane rating and burn more efficiently, Dunn said. Equally important, however, vehicles burning this fuel called “gasahol” will emit about 25 percent less carbon monoxide.

Since roughly 60 percent of all carbon monoxide pollution is created by vehicles, these reductions can be significant. Several U.S. cities already have started “gasahol” programs and have noticed the benefits of ethanol in dealing with air pollution problems.

Ethanol has other environmental advantages, as well. Some production methods can use agricultural waste like potato skins. Sending these wastes to an ethanol manufacturer can keep them from contributing to America’s solid waste problem.

Ethanol also has some impressive economic advantages. In Bend, Ore., the Oregon Ethanol Co. is building a small refinery that will employ more than 40 people.

“From our workforce, even more jobs will be created,” said Terry Lynch, president of the company. “For every job we create, another seven will be created indirectly.”

A study by the Illinois Corn Growers Association revealed that for every 100 million bushels of corn used for the production of ethanol, 2,250 new rural jobs would be created. Additionally, the ethanol industry could put 50 million idle farming acres back into production.

Last year alone, 34 states sold more than eight billion gallons of ethanol, which was blended into only eight percent of the gasoline burned in the United States.

Perhaps it’s time to put Henry Ford’s original plans back on track.

Tip/Stat — For more information on ethanol or other alternative fuels, call the Renewable Fuels Association at 1 (800) 543-3802.

Technorati Tags: fuel efficiency, ethanol, ethanol industry, environmental consequences, renewable fuels, renewable energy, gasahol, carbon monoxide pollution

Three months after launching energy management software to help U.S. consumers cut their PC energy use, Verdiem introduced the free software to the United Kingdom market.

The nonprofit Electronics TakeBack Coalition (ETBC) for the first time scored major TV manufacturers for their recycling efforts, including commitment, volume of goods taken and public policy stance. The group assigned Sony the top grade — a B- — followed by Samsung, LG and Wal-Mart, each of whom earned C marks.

Few companies define important environmental terms and heavy carbon-emitting companies put out smaller reports, according to a study of corporate reports.

International demand for recyclable materials has sunk, leading companies to warehouse materials or sell them for drastically less than what they were making just months ago.

As a self-declared “work in progress”, the software solutions giant lays out its overall environmental impact and reaches out through the Web to develop strategies for a greener future.

In its latest global citizenship report, Xerox shows where it’s making progress on environmental issues and how it’s designing equipment to last longer.

In the latest GreenBiz Report, Terry Yosie of the World Environment Center shares best practices for successful green supply chain initiatives in developing countries.

Clorox’s first quarter profit and sales exceeded expectations, a boost attributed partially to its Green Works and Burt’s Bees lines.

It’s possible to save money while saving the environment — that’s the message the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is promoting through its innovative Green Lights program.

By encouraging U.S. corporations to install state-of-the-art lighting in their facilities, the EPA is promoting both energy efficiency and pollution prevention. Companies that join the program will profit by lowering their energy bills and improving lighting quality. As a byproduct, these companies also will help reduce the air pollution caused in the generation of electricity.

Lighting consumes nearly 25 percent of the electricity used each year in the United States. And commercial and industrial lighting represents 80 to 90 percent of that electrical demand.

By installing “green lighting,” companies can reduce the electrical power required for their lighting systems by 50 to 75 percent, said Maria Tikoff, manager of the Green Lights program for the California EPA. This in turn reduces the amount of pollution produced at power plants.

“One of the misunderstandings we need to overcome is that energy efficiency means a sacrifice of some sort,” Tikoff said. “When it comes to lighting, that’s just not the case. In most instances, the quality of lighting is improved.”

Since the voluntary Green Lights program started last January, more than 125 corporations and five state governments have joined the effort. This means more than one billion square feet of building space has already been dedicated to energy efficient lighting, she said.

Under the program, participants sign an agreement committing their organization to survey all of its facilities and install new lighting systems that maximize energy savings and do not compromise lighting quality.

To simplify the process, the EPA has a computer program to help participants quickly survey their lighting systems. The program assesses various options and can even make final recommendations. The EPA also offers product information and can help organizations find grants or low-interest loans for the new lighting.

California was the first state government to join the Green Lights program. The state estimates that by installing “green lighting” in its buildings, taxpayers eventually will save $255 million in annual energy costs, Tikoff said.

Along with the monetary savings, the new lights also will keep more than two billion pounds of carbon dioxide, two million pounds of sulfur dioxide and six million pounds of nitrogen oxide out of California’s air.

Not a bad gain for changing a few light bulbs.

Tip/Stat — One compact fluorescent light bulb can last as long as 13 incandescent bulbs, while saving about $57 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

Technorati Tags: saving the environment, environmental protection, pollution prevention, energy efficiency, green lighting, green lighting systems

A coal plant approved in Arkansas will utilize ultra-supercritical technologies, causing it to emit less carbon dioxide per kilowatt of energy produced, compared to other coal plants.

City governments around Dallas have passed resolutions to buy cement only from the least-polluting plants in the area; as a result, green cement is on the rise and air pollution is dropping.

The International Organization for Standardization has updated its guide to integrating environmental concerns into drafting product standards.

The Attorney General’s office has established a code of conduct for wind energy companies operating in New York, in order to prevent conflicts of interest between companies and officials.

Valpak, a recycling and producer responsibility services provider, plans to issue a code of practice for the Green Dot symbol due to consumer confusion over what the logo means.

A new white paper by Deloitte examines how a company’s environmental and sustainability activities can impact mergers and acquisitions.

In his new role as vice president for the Intelligence Unit, John M. Davies will launch the GreenBiz Leadership Network, a member-based, peer-to-peer learning forum for sustainability professionals.

Greenpeace study argues world’s energy needs can be met without nuclear or fossil fuels.

Net Impact has published its third annual edition of Business as UNusual, examining 64 MBA programs that integrate social and environmental issues.

Days after releasing environmental performance data in its latest Sustainability Report, Coca-Cola unveiled new targets for reducing water use and greenhouse gas emissions as part of an extended partnership with WWF.

Of the 1,000 people in the U.S. questioned for “Consumers, Brands and Climate Change 2008,” 65 percent couldn’t identify mainstream companies taking a significant stance against climate change. The 35 percent who could chose GE, Toyota, Honda, BP and GM.

Business must play a key role in improving the environment in the future. But is the corporate world up to the task?

The Global Environmental Management Initiative (GEMI) is working hard to make sure the answer is “yes.” Formed in 1990, GEMI now has 21 corporate members focused on improving the business world’s environmental performance.

“The public is demanding that corporations improve their environmental practices,” says Andrew Mastrandonas, a project manager with GEMI. “Our hope is that business — by taking control of its environmental destiny — can spur change from within and create a forum for sharing solutions among industries worldwide.”

Already some big names have joined: IBM, AT&T, Boeing, Duke Power, Eastman Kodak, General Electric and Procter & Gamble. And GEMI is confident its list of member companies will continue to grow, Mastrandonas says.

The nonprofit organization is geared to help businesses improve their environmental management practices by sharing information and successful programs on the subject.

“The biggest polluter has historically been business, but companies are now getting together and starting to reduce that problem,” explains Mastrandonas. “By sharing information and the latest technologies, this effort is going to foster environmental excellence.”

GEMI does not hold fund raising activities — it is funded through member fees of $25,000 a year. The organization also does not take stands on public policy, he said, and is not an advocacy group.

Through research, workshops, conferences and discussion groups, GEMI is developing a large body of knowledge on environmental management practices. One of the issues being emphasized involves total quality management (TQM).

TQM aims at continuous improvement, Mastrandonas said, with an end point never being reached. Under this thinking, companies work to continually improve their environmental quality.

“First, companies have to figure out what they need to do to improve their performance,” he explained. “Then they need to track it and eventually communicate their results to employees, investors, environmentalists and other important groups.”

Because many of its member companies have operations scattered around the globe, GEMI plans to establish an international network and expand world thinking about sound environmental management.

“GEMI can provide a way for companies to tackle their own problems,” Mastrandonas said. “Through effective management, companies can take responsibility for their own actions and improve their environmental performance.”

Tip/Stat — For every ton of paper recycled by business, 7,000 gallons of water are saved during production.

Technorati Tags: environmental groups, environmental management, environmental business, environmental workshops