Monthly Feature: From Principles to Practice

"The Hannover Principles were conceived to lay the foundation for [a] hopeful, new paradigm. We knew at the time that our efforts were just a first step. Though we were striving to identify universal principles based on the enduring laws of nature, we also understood that our knowledge of the world was incomplete. ...Thus, we saw the Principles as a living document—a set of enduring ideals and an open system of thought that would evolve as it was put into practice."

William McDonough and Michael Braungart recently celebrated the 10th anniversary of the publication of their groundbreaking manifesto, The Hannover Principles: Design for Sustainability with a new, updated edition. This feature is excerpted from an article in the May/June 2003 issue of Green@Work magazine, which was adapted from the new edition, available from William McDonough + Partners and MBDC.

Read this month's feature story at MBDC.com.
http://www.mbdc.com

Shaw Industries Receives Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award

(6/24/03) MBDC congratulates Shaw Industries, which recently received a Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award from EPA for the company's EcoWorx carpet tile backing and Eco Solution Q carpet yarn. In a ceremony held at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, Shaw was given the award for its use of technology and chemistry to benefit the environment, as exemplified in the EcoWorx and Eco Solution Q products. Both William McDonough and Michael Braungart were included in the Shaw team that was given the award, receiving cirtificates acknowledging their involvement. Having initially developed their backing and yarn combination for its inherent recyclability and other environmental attributes, Shaw then engaged MBDC to assess each ingredient in the products using the Cradle-to-Cradle Design Protocol, to assure maximum environmental and human health benefits. The Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award has been given annually since its introduction in 1996.

Find out more at Shaw's website, or the EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge's website:
http://www.shawcontract.com; http://www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/dsca03.html

MBDC Receives 2003 LOHAS Leadership Award

At the LOHAS Market Trends Conference last month, MBDC received a LOHAS 2003 Leadership Award. Other organizations that received a Leadership Award: Co-op America, Patagonia Inc. and White Wave Inc. The award is given annually to recognize "outstanding leadership and excellence in the LOHAS market."

"We are honored to present these titans of the industry with our annual Leadership Award," says Frank Lampe, Conference Director for Conscious Media Inc., producer of the three-day event. "These organizations have made a solid commitment to sustainability and have helped pave the way for a change in the way we all conduct business."

Report: Cradle-to-Cradle Packaging Industry Workshop & Discussion (July 11th)

More than 30 participants attended the Cradle to Cradle and Packaging Design Workshop and Discussion on July 11, 2003. MBDC and University of Virginia's Darden Graduate School of Business Administration co-hosted the event at Darden's excellent facilities. Attendees represented a cross-section of the packaging industry and stakeholders including consumer brand-name companies, suppliers, regulatory agencies, consultants and media. The purpose of the workshop was to provide an overview of cradle-to-cradle principles and to provide an opportunity to discuss forming an ongoing working group dedicated to cradle-to-cradle packaging.

There was lively discussion among participants, raising concerns and identifying opportunities worth exploring in pursuit of cradle-to-cradle packaging design. At the end of the day there was significant interest in pursuing the idea of meeting again and pursuing an industry working group. GreenBlue, which conducted the workshop and facilitated the afternoon discussion, volunteered to follow up with participants and coordinate future meetings and organizational developments as needed.

"It was really inspiring to see so much enthusiasm," said Anne Johnson, MBDC Senior Project Engineer and leader of the EPA/MBDC packaging design challenge. "There really seems to be a lot of potential for this group to get some exciting results working together. It's great that MBDC could co-host the event, and be there to see so much interest from the participants." Darden's Prof. Richard Brownlee was equally impressed. "I am delighted that this significant and innovative workshop was held here at the Darden School through our Division of Executive Education. This event was a great example of the benefits of collaboration. I fully expect other interested organizations to join with us as we proceed with this important environmental journey."

MBDC wishes the group and all its participants the greatest success.

Learn more about GreenBlue at the organization's website.
http://www.greenblue.org

Thanks for keeping up with MBDC. I hope you'll continue to do so, and will share our newsletter with friends and colleagues.

Phil

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Phil Storey
MBDC, Manager of Communications
phil.storey@mbdc.com