Category Archives: sustainability

Waiting for the International Green Awards – Green Sheikh Exclusive

Launched in 2006 to critical acclaim, the INTERNATIONAL GREEN AWARDS™ were set up to recognise strategies that use creativity in an engaging and effective manner, leading to more sustainable outcomes. 

The event became more and more important and widely recognized, so that in 2010 it went completely global and this year it has expanded again and reorganized its categories by looking to support sustainable achievement right across Business, Government & Citizen initiatives that influence change to encompass 360° sustainability projects as well as encompassing it’s heritage to identify best practice with sustainability communications.

As we are demonstrating with this blog, sustainability has become more and more important for Business, and the International Green Awards will showcase the excellence in this field, awarding the Best Green International Business, the Best Green Entrepreneur, the Best Green Product Innovation.

The upcoming event will also see the presentation of the first ‘Green Celebrity Award’ recognizing the efforts of one global media figure to promote sustainability through their public profile.

The celebrity that will receive this award will become a reference for all those who want to actively live and act green. It would be interesting to know how the awarded nominee would like to see people inspired by his or her behavior: different consumer habits,  a come back to old traditional farming methods, recycling and upcycling as part of the daily consumer activities?

We asked this question to our ECOFFEE ambassador, the Green Sheikh, one of the Green  Celebrity Award nominees-and we would like to thank him publicly for his always being prompt to support our project.

“ Celebrities,  famous people and stars are citizen of the World, a world to love, to share and to fight for, no matter who you are or where you are from! Living as “down-to-earth” human beings is the truly and unique way to have a positive impact on people. We are all going set to go back to earth and to become part of it, therefore we should all be respectful to the real wealth and to the blessings from God.

Climate and environmental challenges are very important issues, and their importance should be especially addressed to our younger generations, raising their attention and bringing them into action thanks to more “down-to-earth” role models, whose footsteps can be easily followed.

We need to sustain and to inspire youths, so that they embrace sustainability in their present life style, and responsibility in their future jobs.  

Expeditions to the Antarctica or to the Amazon Forest or to the Grand Sahara or to any other harsh places in the world that had an environmental degradation which can affect us on the shorter or longer terms,  confirmed us the importance of being beyond just green. To witness the damages that had affected the natural resources such as habitats or wildlife areas means to learn, to explore and to appreciate more.

In my humble opinion,  celebrities’ sustainable leadership can influence the mega circle of world communities leaving a footprint – our “legacy” –  encouraging our young leaders/heroes/champions of tomorrow to transform the knowledge and practice they learn today into their future across many fields, thus continuing to pave the road to sustainability and contributing to a better peaceful and living world.”

You might find a little bit of ECOFFEE’s mission in what the Green Sheikh just stated above. That is that even small daily gestures can help spreading the importance of sustainability from the smaller community to a worldwide audience, no matter whether you are a celebrity or a young citizen.

The green economy’s top companies key players at ECOMONDO

The ´Eco-industrial Revolution´ has a 10 billion euro turnover and is the driving force for economic reprise. At Rimini Fiera the sector´s most advanced products on show

The green economy is one of the sturdiest footholds for economic reprise. And ECOMONDO is the ideal showcase for this sector´s most dynamic enterprises and public administrations.
The ´Eco-industrial Revolution´ is therefore in the spotlight from 9th to 12th November, at Rimini Fiera, the traditional international showcase for the fast-moving movement. In fact, it must be remembered that, in Italy alone, estimates on the overall turnover of the green economy are around 10 billion euros. There are positive forecasts of the impact on the employment market, to the point that at present it is estimated that there are 380,000 ´green workers´.

ECOMONDO 2011 will also host the chain of biodegradable and compostable bioplastics with CIC certification, which currently represent one of the best opportunities for re-launching the Italian chemical industry, based on the environmental sustainability of processes and products. Novamont (one of ECOFFEE’ supporters) and its partners will present the new opportunities offered by the bioplastics chain and, thanks to the contribution of Slow Food, it will be possible to taste excellent local specialities based on a strategy that privileges biodiversity and responsible innovation.

It must also be remembered that alongside ECOMONDO there will be the 5th KEY ENERGY international expo on energy and sustainable Mobility and the fourth COOPERAMBIENTE exhibition of the cooperative supply of energy and environment services by LegaCoop.

The events have the patronage of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers – Department for European Policies and the Ministry for the Environment and Land & ea Protection.

Our four-day agenda has already been planned with many meetings with ECOFFEE prospects but please feel free to contact Norman Cescut via email norman|at|ecoffee.it to eventually schedule a last-minute meeting during this important event.

Carlsberg Italia introducing a sustainable innovation: Modular 20

Last Sept.28th, Carlsberg Italia has unveiled in Milan- Italy, an innovative technology that will revolutionize the distribution of beer in the Ho.Re.Ca business.  It is called Modular 20 and allows you to tap your beer without using the traditional carbon dioxide tank, with no loss in taste and froth compactness. In addition, the beer is no longer contained in traditional steel drums, but in fully recyclable PET containers – designed and manufactured by Carlsberg – less bulky and lighter to be transported. The beer keeps the its natural level of carbon dioxide, it is easier to be tapped  and, once the container has been opened, its excellent quality lasts up to 31 days.

This new system was presented at the Carlsberg Drink Different area, the first temporary shop of the Danish brand – now closed. The conference, chaired by the Italian journalist Alessandro Cecchi Paone, was attended by the CEO of Carlsberg Italy, Alberto Frausin, by Fabio Iraldo, Research Director at the Institute of Economics and Politics of Energy and
Environment (Iefe) at the Bocconi University, Cosimo Finzi, a researcher at AstraRicerche,  and Luca Giaccone, editor of the Guida alle Birre d’Italia (Italy’s Beer Guide) of Slow Food.

According to studies conducted by the Bocconi University, PET containers, compared to steel ones, reduce energy use by 21%, gas emissions by 28% and even the hazardous waste generated is 47% less than that one created in the manufacturing process of steel containers. If the quantity of total Carlsberg beer distributed in 2010 was conveyed in Modular 20 containers, the energy saved would be equivalent to that required for illuminate a stadium for 2,696 football matches. The benefits are significant, to which we must add that PET containers are recyclable, speed up the service, improve logistics and the handling of shipments.

With Modular 20,  Carlsberg Italy is the first beer company worldwide to have achieved the Environmental Product Declaration, ranked now first in the sector thanks to this  sustainable innovation. (Source: Greennews.info)

Food displays in 800 co-op stores get Nualight LED lighting

A multi-million dollar deal has been recently signed between Co-op UK and Nualight,  a specialist in LED lighting for the food retail sector,  to install its LED lighting in freezers and ice-cream cabinets throughout 800 UK-based stores owned by the Co-operative Group.  LED lighting will be installed in the doors in low-temperature merchandising cabinets and in ice-cream display cabinets throughout the stores.

Liam Kelly, CEO of Nualight said, “Our lighting delivers significant energy savings of over 70% when compared with fluorescent technology and it is also maintenance-free. We’re delighted that our technology can play an important part in The Co-operative Group’s ambitious ethos of responsible retailing.”

“The motivation for introducing Nualight’s LED lighting solutions to our stores arose primarily from our unique commitment to sustainable retailing practices,” explained Alex Pitman, Energy and Carbon Manager at the Co-operative Group.

The Co-operative has over 3000 food stores and supermarkets around the UK. It focuses on quality with honest, ethically sourced products and has an ambitious Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. A survey in 2008 found The Co-operative to be Britain’s greenest supermarket. The company has the toughest carbon reduction targets of any major business in the UK. (Source: LEDsmagazine.com)

 

 

Welcome to the Organic Academy among ECOFFEE’s partners!

I am glad to announce that another great partnership has been recently signed between ECOFFEE by DESITA and the Italian leading project about Culinary Knowledge and Environmental Respect, the Organic Academy.

The Organic Academy is based on the foundations of a respect and nurturing of one’s self, others, and the surrounding Nature, which can be found also in its willingness to elevate the vegetarian cuisine to its best thanks to the incredible receipts of Executive Chef Simone Salvini, whose amazing curriculum shows experiences at the Joia Restaurants (Michelin starred), at the Italian Camera dei Deputati (Parliament) and at the Italian Association of Vegetarians.

The Organic Academy is supervised by Chef Pietro Leeman, Joia restaurant owner.

This respect and nurturing is also manifested by development and practice of culinary arts, nutrition, and hospitality, development skillfully managed by Organic Academy’s Managing Director, Enrico Buselli, successful restaurant owner and sustainable tourism consultant.

ECOFFEE and the Organic Academy are also collaborating to develop the Organic Bistrot, following the ECOFFEE’s protocol.

I am sure that this partnership will lead to great innovative –and delicious- projects having sustainability at its core!

Toys R Us Includes Environmental Features in 44 Stores

As part of its continuing strategy to develop more combined Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores, Toys R Us Inc. said it is incorporating environmental features in 44 new and remodeled locations.

By the end of the year the company will have have 21 new stores, including 11 R Superstores and 10 Side-by-Side locations as part of the initiative to bring Toys R Us and Babies R Us together under one roof in an integrated store format. As part of it portfolio upgrade, Toys R Us is also remodeling 23 existing locations to the Side-by-Side format.

In these locations, the company said it has implemented a number of sustainable initiatives that conserve energy, minimize waste, reduce its stores’ overall impact on the environment and diminish the company’s carbon footprint. They include:

  • A state-of-the-art Energy Management System (EMS) that monitors environmental conditions and adjusts temperature, lighting and CO2 levels throughout the store to utilize natural light and reduce energy consumption.
  • A custom daylight harvesting system, which includes a number of design components such as skylights, dimmable fixtures and lighting sensors that reduce up to 50 percent of electric lighting energy used during the day.
  • Energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) fixtures in outdoor signage instead of florescent signage, which increase energy savings and reduce toxic materials and maintenance costs.
  • Low-flow toilets and urinals, and automatic faucets and flush valves, which conserve water.
  • High efficiency automatic hand dryers that use 80 percent less energy than standard hand dryers while eliminating the need for paper towel products.
  • A cardboard baler that facilitates recycling and reduces the impact on landfills.
  •  Low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) paint and floor adhesive are used during construction because they produce little odor during application and no lingering odor once cured.
  • A vestibule entryway system that reduces the amount of outside contaminants tracked into the store, while helping to improve indoor air quality.
  • White reflective roofs that significantly reduce the amount of heat absorbed, reducing the building’s cooling needs.

Wayne, N.J.-based Toys R Us embarked an integrated store strategy in 2006, and since then has converted more than 100 traditional stores in the United States to the Side-by-Side format. In 2007, the company opened the first of its new 60,000-square-foot R Superstores, which feature full-size Toys R Us and Babies R Us stores under one roof. (Source: GreenRetailDecisions.com)

New Sustainability Book Highlights Best Practices in Hotel Development and Operations

Sustainability is an important topic that affects every stage of hotel development and operation. Hotel Sustainable Development: Principles and Best Practices, published by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), provides hospitality professionals with a wealth of information about key factors to be considered when exploring sustainability.

Editors A.J. Singh, international lodging, finance and real estate associate professor in The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University, and Hervé Houdré, general manager of the InterContinental New York Barclay, and leading sustainable development experts identify emerging trends and discuss how sustainability affects regulatory, policy, development, architectural, financial, and operational issues. Each chapter presents important elements in the implementation of sustainable development to provide valuable insights to hotel investors, developers, owners, and lodging operators.

The book is divided into four sections:

  • Historical Context: Local and Global Perspective
  • Development and Investment Perspective
  • Hotel Corporate and Property Perspective
  • Operating Perspective

The overarching theme of the book follows John Elkington’s approach of the “Triple Bottom-line.” This is the most commonly accepted perspective of sustainable development by most businesses, as it comprehensively looks at sustainable development from three perspectives: People, Planet and Profit. The common theme across all the chapters is “value creation.” While value creation addresses all stakeholders in a hotel development or operation, the primary question that each chapter addresses is whether sustainable development metrics indicate financial incentives for investors, developers, owners, and lodging operators.

A number of hospitality organizations supported the publication of this book, including the International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC), Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), Green Meetings Industry Council (GMIC), National Association of Hotel and Lodging Engineers (NAHLE), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Hotel Asset Managers Association (HAMA). (Source: Hotelnewsresource.com)

Stockholm hosting the upcoming FCSI Europe–Africa–Middle East Conference

Next September, from 16th to 18th, 2011 Stockholm, the very first Green Capital  will host the FCSI Europe–Africa–Middle East Conference.

Stockholm has been chosen by FCSI for its long-term target green policy, set to make the Swedish capital a fossil fuel free city by 2050.
The Conference speakers are highly recommended and the opening keynote speaker has been awarded speaker of the year 2009.
The program will be of course focused on the relation between sustainability and the Food industry, dealing with important subjects such as “Water and Waste. About water footprints and solutions to global water crisis. Solutions to the lack of sanitation”. Attendees will also have the chance to participate to interesting workshops such as “Food for thought on climate change: Saving our planet one carbon bite at a time!” or “ Why should a SPA be “green”.

Unfortunately, because of previously planned meetings, I will not be able to attend the Conference but I am sure it will be a great successful event and I wish to our FCSI Italia President Mr. Luciano Cattaneo a nice, enjoyable and profitable journey- feedbacks and updates about the Congress are welcomed!.

I also would like to remind all the FCSI members visiting the Milan HOST exhibition (October 21st – 25th ) that FCSI Italia will welcome all of you at Stand A03-C02 – Hall6.

Norman Cescut’s Tweets: August 2011

In case you missed my tweets, here’s a summary of the most important ones.                  You are more than welcome to follow me on Twitter @norman_cescut to get real-time updates. Enjoy!

You are more than welcome to follow me on Twitter @norman_cescut to get real-time updates!

DESITA and ECOFFEE at 2011 Meeting Rimini

DESITA and its ECOFFEE partner Serint Group Italia are pleased to announce the partnership reached with the Fondazione Meeting, the organizing committee of Meeting Rimini (Rimini, Italy 21-27 August 2011), event which is recognized as one of the most important festivals in Europe collecting great political personalities, managers, representatives of different religions and cultures, intellectuals and artists, athletes and protagonists of the world scene. It offers stories of men and women through conferences, exhibitions, shows, and sporting events.

The partnership signed among DESITA, Serint Group and Fondazione Meeting concerns the development and creation of a long-term and ambitious project, called “Il Parco del Meeting (The Meeting Park)” which will be disclosed to a large number of invited companies at the Rimini Meeting next Friday, August 26 during a day-long meeting together with the Fondazione Board of Directors. In the next following months, the project will be implemented involving companies, local authorities, institutions and schools belonging to the province of Rimini (Italy)

The project aims to gradually introduce sustainability in the MeetingRimini event, thus creating a tighter bond between the city of Rimini and the event and allowing the Parco del Meeting to become a place for dissemination of the best sustainable practices related to culture, products, technology , projects and services. The Parco del Meeting will become the park of the city of Rimini, a place of reference and aggregation active throughout the year, with restaurants designed according to our ECOFFEE guidelines, event areas and much more.

Other collateral projects are under development, including the design of sustainable exhibition areas of a pavillon of the RiminiMeeting offering to those exhibitors attentive to environmental issues the opportunity to participate actively in the Park project, as early as next year.

With this great news, we are going to take a little rest from a period of intense and successful work, wishing you a wonderful holiday time. We will be back on September or, if you are spending your holidays in Italy, we will be more than happy to meet you at the RiminiMeeting on Friday August 26th

For more information norman [at] ecoffee.it

PS. Have you already voted for the Green Sheikh, Ambassador ECOFFEE, who has been nominated as Best Green International Celebrity at next Best Green Awards? Do not hesitate to vote for him! Vote for Green Sheikh!