The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of Sustainable Search Word Trends

Two more links that are worth checking out

Link 1: Google Adwords Article - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of Sustainable Search Words

http://unicyclecreative.com/wordpress/archives/216#more-216

Link 2: Green Meetings

http://www.thegreenmeeting.com/2008/10/tripadvisor-survey-finds-jump-in-green.html

Basic Tips for for Environmentally Friendly Meetings

Hi All

We thought that these tips were interesting. They are from a website called Meeting Strategies Worldwide. Have a read and let us know what you think:


You have the power to make a difference. Just start by adopting a few common sense policies that will not sacrifice the attendee experience. In fact, it will probably enhance their experience. Attendees can feel good about participating and knowing what is being done on their behalf.

Ask for:

all catering plates, cups and glasses to be china or glass (non-disposable). If plastic, they must be washable (biodegradable or compostable is better). NO Styrofoam under any circumstances.

condiments to be served in bulk containers, not individual servings, to save packaging. This includes sugar, creamer, butter, cream cheese, etc.

all napkins to be cloth whenever possible. Use coasters instead of cocktail napkins.

separate recycling bins for attendees to use at all catered functions, registration, and especially on the exhibit floor.

all handouts to be printed on two sides using post-consumer recycled paper.

recycled-content promotional products when deciding on pens, bags, shirts and caps. There are beautiful awards made of recycled glass.

the hotels are not to change the sheets and towels daily unless requested by the guest.

the hotels not to replace the amenities daily unless they are gone. Use of soap and shampoo dispensers would be optimal.

the hotels' housekeeping staff to shut blinds and turn down the heat/air conditioning during the day in rooms while attendees are gone.

information about the facilities' recycling program for all areas.

all leftover food to be donated to a local food bank.

Reduce:

the amount of handouts. Make them available on the web site.
the size of the registration brochure and make the rest of the information available on-line.

These tips are just a starting place, but the impact of even these few changes can be dramatic. It has been our experience that most hotels and meeting facilities are willing to work with you-they benefit as well.

Holidaymakers Rate Environment Highly

Check out the below link for more stat on holidaymakers view of environmental holidays:

http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1131915.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=_rs~s~ms~T_

Travel Trends for 2008 - Going Green

Hi Everyone

Please see link below for a piece of research conducted on green travel:

http://www.travel-advocate.com/2008/10/01/travel-trends-for-2009-going-green/

Thanks, Karen.

New Book on Hemp Lime Construction

Dear Greenbox Members:

Please see some information below from Tom Wooley:

attached is a flyer for a new book about Hemp Lime construction.
Construction with hemp was pioneered in Northern Ireland as a result of the late farmer John McGrady who was one of the first people to grow hemp in Ireland and Mark Alexander of Castlewellan.

A Hemp Lime wall has been built at the Hillsborough Research Centre which some NIEL members recently visited. We are currently building a hemcrete house in Crossgar

The book can be obtain from BRE Press or any good book service/shop
Rachel Bevan or I are available to give talks/demonstrations of hemp lime building
Hemp Lime buildings are carbon negative as they absorb C)2 into the building fabric.
Construction of typical house can save 30-60 tonnes of C02 or more compared with conventional construction

Click here to find out more

Sustainable Travel International

Sustainable Travel International has written a small piece about Greenbox's accreditation system. It's very complimentary, here is the extract:

Ireland’s Ecolabel Standard AssessedSustainable Travel International recently assessed Ireland’s Greenbox Ecolabel Standard and associated training course for community business owner participants. We met with Greenbox representatives, and assessed the course and participant knowledge in order to verify the strength of the program. We are happy to announce that thanks to Greenbox, the Northwest border region between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK) has one of the strongest regional ecotourism development efforts we have seen. Greenbox was founded upon a regional peace-through-tourism initiative geared toward educating communities about how to develop sustainable ecotourism practices. Through its membership base, Greenbox also offers travelers hundreds of short breaks, green holidays and eco tours. You can now travel to Ireland, and find quality tourism products and services that promote environmental, community and cultural heritage by visiting the Greenbox web site at http://www.greenbox.ie/.

To see the full e-newsletter, please click on the link below:

http://sustainabletravelinternational.qm4.net/members/ViewMailing.aspx?MailingID=116094

Change.ie Website

Hi Everyone

Change.ie have posted information about the Greenbox Ecolabel and the EU Flower.

Check it out here:

http://www.change.ie/en/Personal-Actions-II/Transport/Holidays/Environmental-standards/

Thanks! Karen.