The need to recycle is universal, spanning across country borders and over oceans. So too is the movement of populations, and, therefore, the spread of languages around the world.

Europe is one of the most idiomatically diverse regions in the world. The European Union, for instance, has 23 official languages, and is adding more all the time.* Because of the close proximity of countries whose citizens speak different languages, in any European nation there are bound to be huge minorities of people who don’t speak the country’s official dialect.

Despite the mixture of languages, all people should be able to use a country’s recycling system, right? Throughout Europe, nations employ different methods to make the instructions on recycling bins comprehensible to a multilingual society.

Some countries, like Italy, label their bins in the languages most commonly spoken in the area. This method is popular in nations where there are only a few predominate idioms.

Italian bin labeled in Italian and English.

Simply labeling bins in multiple languages becomes a problem, however, when a country’s population consists of people who speak many different idioms. Therefore, in an effort to make recycling bins comprehensible to people of varying dialects, countries often use images in addition to words.

Both words and images are used on English recycling bins.

While many countries prefer to have some written language on their recycling bins, using images is widely recognized as the easiest method to get information across to heterogeneous societies. For this reason, some countries do away with words all together and rely completely on pictures to label their bins.

This recycling bin at a French Airport uses only images.

At Three Squares Inc., we, too, pay close attention to how we label our recycling, compost, and landfill bins at events. While our signs use language to describe what should go in the respective bins, they also include pictures of what can and cannot be thrown away in them. These images not only help people visualize what they should put in what bin, but they also assure that all people, no matter their favored language, are able to effectively do their part to conserve resources and contribute to sustainability initiatives worldwide!

The effects of climate change will be felt by all people, so shouldn’t everyone have the ability to protect the environment and reduce waste? People in every country use goods made of materials that can, and should, be reused. By making recycling accessible to everyone, we can collectively make a positive impact on our planet and decrease our reliance on nonrenewable resources.

*Source Cited:

http://ec.europa.eu/education/languages/languages-of-europe/index_en.htm

Some people may pay more attention to what they eat than others, but in reality, who isn’t a foodie? All people rely on food to sustain themselves and help them get the nutrients to power their bodies. It is the very thing that gives us life and health. Not to mention, a lot of it is delicious and fun to eat! So, why shouldn’t we pay close attention to what food we consume and fuel ourselves with?

At TSI, we are very aware of the importance of food – and we show our great appreciation for it by snacking throughout the day! At any given time, you could bet that somebody in our office is eating something.

As a college student, I see a lot of unhealthy eating, especially when people snack. My friends constantly munch on everything from French fries to sugary candy all day long, and then wonder why they feel sluggish and sick later in the day. While we definitely understand the need to eat throughout the day, at TSI we realize that we only get out as much as we put in our bodies. Therefore, we try to bring mostly healthy and locally produced foods to snack on at work.

Some of our favorite nutritious treats to share with the office are peach apricot fruit bars and salted pumpkin seeds, both from Sprouts Farmers Market. We also enjoy brewing a pot of fair trade organic coffee every morning!

Salted Pumpkin Seeds.

While most of the food we bring in ends up being shared by everyone in the office, all of us have our own individual foods that especially tingle our taste buds!

Jaime has an appetite for locally grown, unique foods. Her snacks of choice include akan spiced almonds from the local Playa Vista Farmer’s Market and organic dried persimmons from the Whole Foods in Venice!

Dried Persimmons.

Jenna’s taste buds favor foods from south of the border. She loves digging into tortilla chips and guacamole made fresh from California avocados! To spice things up, she sometimes substitutes guacamole with locally produced salsa!

Chips and Guacamole.

Carolina prefers the simplicity of basic but delicious foods. She’s often caught munching on raw California almonds and organic banana chips! When she’s feeling a little daring, she’ll bring in a California Minneola tangelo (a cross between a grapefruit and a tangerine)!

Minneola Tangelos.

When I’m in the mood to snack, I often crave something sweet. To satisfy my sweet tooth, I normally choose to eat fruity treats! Some of my favorites are organic Fiji apples and organic and raw Synergy juices!

Fiji Apples.

No matter what we’re eating, there is always a plethora of healthy food to be found in the TSI office, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

While the Three Squares Inc. staff primarily focus on providing environmental consulting for other companies, the firm’s president, Jaime Nack, always tries to incorporate education into our jobs. Last week, for instance, she scheduled a visit to the Union Pacific’s (UP) Intermodal Container Transfer Facility (ICTF) in Long Beach so we could learn about their transportation system and sustainability program. We left our office in Santa Monica and headed down to Long Beach to tour the facility with Andy Perez, the Director of Port Affairs and Corporate Relations.

As soon as we arrived at Mr. Perez’s office and saw the view from his window overlooking the rail-yard, we were all struck by the vastness of the site and the quantity of containers passing through the area. Mr. Perez soon explained to us that the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles are the biggest in the nation and have a significant portion of the U.S.’s international goods pass through them. Not only are they responsible for unloading cargo ships, but they are also in charge of transporting goods to their final destinations, whether in California or across the country.

View of ICTF.

While he explained to us the significance of the ports and UP in the maritime world, it wasn’t until Mr. Perez described the importance of the shipping industry itself in the U.S. that we could fully understand the scope of its productions. Many of our everyday products now come from other countries, and this trend is only becoming more popular as more and more manufacturers outsource their labor to other parts of the world. The maritime industry is responsible for transporting these international goods throughout the U.S. every day and providing Americans with everything from basic necessities to luxury accessories.

After discussing the basics about the maritime industry and its influence on the American economy, we moved to the topic of sustainability. While the environmental community often condemns the maritime industry for its historically wasteful practices, many fail to realize that companies in the industry, like UP, now employ many energy-saving tactics and are looking to further reduce their emissions.

One of the most basic and effective ways that UP reduces emissions is by using trains to transport goods long distances. Trains are 2-4 times more fuel efficient and have 3 times cleaner emissions than trucks, while just one double-stacked train equals up to 280 trucks. Furthermore, they are in the process of aquiring more fuel-efficient trains, with over 2,6000 new, greener trains having been added to the UP fleet since 2000.

A train fueling up before taking another trip.

Besides utilizing trains rather than trucks, UP has invested in many other energy-saving technologies in an effort reduce their emissions. For instance, they purchased a hybrid, zero-emission crane for moving containers. Although they currently only possess one energy-efficient crane, they are looking to buy more sustainable equipment. In addition, they employ various other emission-reduction strategies, such as enhancing their on-dock container transportation system and utilizing propane-powered cleaning trucks.

The TSI staff in front of a hybrid crane.

Apart from their current green practices, UP is in the process of approval to begin a multi-million dollar modernization project. This plan calls for new zero emissions cranes, a more efficient traffic pattern for trucks, high-tech gates that will reduce trucks’ idling time, and ultra-low emissions trains. If allowed, this undertaking is projected to effectively reduce the facility’s emissions by 74%.

When our briefing about UP’s current and future green initiatives was complete, Mr. Perez gave us a private tour of ICTF! We were able to drive around the lot and got close-up views of the crates, cranes, trucks, and trains. Seeing all of the machinery and systems first-hand was a very nice way to end our educational trip to Long Beach!

A row of crates waiting to be shipped.

Most people don’t plan out every detail about what they will be doing three months in advance, or even 3 weeks in advance. In fact, I don’t normally know what I will be doing 3 days ahead of time! However, at Three Squares Inc. it is our job to plan our events down to the last detail months before they actually occur.

Although the 2011 Women In Green Forum isn’t until the end of August, here at TSI we are already hard at work preparing for it. For months we have been getting ready for the event – booking speakers, picking the venue, creating an agenda, and much more!

Last week, some of the TSI staff took a trip to the Sheraton Delfina to tour the facility and familiarize ourselves with the location of the upcoming Forum. I had never been to the hotel before, and upon entering I was immediately enchanted by its unique charm! Despite its association with the internationally renowned Sheraton name, the Delfina boasts a boutique-like feel and chic style that gives it an intimate and fun atmosphere.

The Sheraton Delfina lobby.

When entering the penthouse ballroom where the general sessions will be held, my attention was drawn to its the large windows lining the walls. These give the room a very open atmosphere and offer stunning views of the Southern California ocean and mountains, evoking a greater appreciation of our beautiful world. Furthermore, the room has an elegant and formal ambiance, which will likely remind attendees of the Forum’s focus on business. What a perfect setting to discuss the sustainability industry!

Another highlight of the tour was our trip to the luxurious pool deck, where the Forum will host a reception for attendees. With cabanas and sofas lining the pool, the area has a beachy, relaxed vibe. While the area is now mostly filled with lounge chairs, for the reception there will be tables around the pool for dining, as well as an eco-shopping center that will feature local vendors selling a variety of green merchandise, including jewelry, clothing, home goods, and more. This beautiful, open space will surely encourage productive networking, learning, and shopping!

Carolina and I admiring the view of the pool.

I left the Sheraton Delfina very impressed and convinced that it will provide attendees of this year’s Women in Green Forum with a perfect venue for learning about environmental sustainability and fostering lasting relationships.

Now, it is back to work, where we will continue to plan, plan, plan!

The Three Squares Staff admire

another unique decoration.

For more information about the Women in Green Forum, click here.

To learn more about the Sheraton Delfina, click here.

My name is Ali and I am very excited to be the new intern for Three Squares Inc.! Because I will be posting regularly on this blog for the next couple of months, I think it is fitting to give a quick introduction of myself.

Though I am from Huntington Beach, California, I recently moved to Missouri (I know, I always get strange reactions to this) where I attend Washington University in St. Louis. Beginning my sophomore year in the fall, I will major in International and Area Studies and minor in Environmental Policy. In the past, I have worked on environmental sustainability projects focusing on recycling, reforestation, and organic gardening in Costa Rica and Paraguay, as well as various local programs helping with wetlands revitalization and water pollution testing concentrated in Newport, California and Catalina Island. While home for my summer break, I will be working at TSI’s main office in Los Angeles and, among other responsibilities, running this blog!

Throughout the course of my internship I will post updates about what we at TSI are working on as well as opportunities for you to get involved with the green movement. Stay tuned for some exciting events we have coming up!

For more info about the programs I worked with in Latin America, CLICK HERE.

Recycling differs from country to country…state to state…even city to city…

CHINA

With over 1.3 billion people, China is the most populous country in the world and seems a likely place to find inventive recycling strategies. Although the use of community recycling bins has apparently not caught on, in China, everything is recycled! Suffering from a lack of resources, the Chinese reuse, reduce and, of course, recycle. A New York Times article I found quotes a spokesman for the China National Resources Recycling Association: “Chinese tradition is all about saving and being thrifty…people…would rather have things repaired several times before abandoning them.” (nytimes.com).

China's method of recycling!

PERU

Peruvian photos courtesy of Aleza Remis

In Peru, like China, recycling by sorting reusable objects into bins is not widespread. Instead, some  Peruvians make their living by rifling through trash and finding recyclable items, which can be resold. According to a 2009 Times magazine article, the government estimates that Peruvian “recyclers” currently reprocess about 1,800 tons of materials daily. The goal is to up that amount to 5,000 tons by organizing these “recyclers” into associations. These “scavengers” are looked down upon in Peruvian society and giving them government recognition would definitely help the recycling problems in Peru! Perhaps the recycling bins that Aleza Remis saw on her trip to Peru are a tribute to the recycling efforts of the Peruvian government!

SWITZERLAND

In Switzerland, every supermarket has a bottle bank with separate slots for different colors of glass (clear, brown, and green). Towns alternate monthly with separate bins for different types of recyclables. Switzerland has free paper collection once a month AND they collect “green waste” (scraps from the garden) every two weeks. Pretty exemplary! The Swiss have an incentive to recycle so much: The government charges for trash collection so more people choose the recycling route. I think the US would do well following such an amazing recycling campaign…it would create new jobs AND help save the environment!

GERMANY

In Germany, like Switzerland, recycling is highly promoted.  Differing from the Swiss “one recycling unit, many slots” method, in Germany, recycling items are thrown into reserved bins (usually five to seven lined up, each for a different item). Each bin is color coded, to make the recycling process easier for citizens. According to one survey I saw online, although recycling in Germany is optional, around 90% of civilians voluntarily sort their recyclables! Hats off to you Germany for your incredible recycling efforts…if only the US had such a willing green population!

The multi-bin recycling system of Germany....

Yellow = packaging

Blue= paper and cardboard,

Clear, Brown Green= 3 separate bins depending on the color of the glass

Red = leftover food and plant waste.

Black = for the rest of the trash

USA

I feel it is too difficult to generalize recycling practices in the United States. Some cities sort the trash for their citizens, some charge for disposal, some leave the option to their citizens. However, one commanality most Americans is the recycling bin they use: blue in color and usually with the three arrows in a circle.

Common US recycle bin!

Before I end my post on international recycling habits, check out the graph which illustrates how different countries in the EU manage their waste. Something to think about…

Interesting Data huh?

Sources Cited:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4620041.stm

http://www.earth.columbia.edu/news/2004/story04-16-04.html

http://isiria.wordpress.com/2009/03/16/china-suffering-from-collapsing-recycling-markets-and-so-do-our-recycling-efforts/

http://www.lunchoverip.com/2007/05/a_trashbin_that.html http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1878475,00.html#ixzz0w8rBZlad

http://portadown.50megs.com/berlin.html

Are you an environmentalist? Is green your favorite color? Thinking about a career in ecology, environmental science, or conservation? Hoping for a job after graduation? The Women in Green Forum is an incredible opportunity for college students to break out of the classroom and network with prominent environmental leaders from across the globe. Become a part of the environmental politics you’ve learned about in lecture! There’s a difference between learning about making a difference in the classroom, and actually being a part of the change. Some of the highlighted speakers include the Chair of the California Air Resources Board, California State Senator Fran Pavley who authored AB32, California Secretary of Education, the director for sustainability at Walmart, and President of the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works. The Women in Green Forum is more than just a conference: You might meet your next employer, co-worker, or client. So invest in your future and share ideas with successful business professionals in the environmental sector.

As a college intern for Three Squares Inc. (the company putting on the convention), I feel I’m the perfect person to explain the benefits of the Women in Green Forum to other students. While it’s sadly true that we students suffer the constant “lack of funds” predicament, for the price of half a dozen late-night pizzas and a few coffee drinks, you can participate in two days of priceless, up-close and personal, connection-making time with influential and unique environmental figures!  Not only that, but as a student, you qualify for a 50% discount! That’s a pretty big cut. On top of that, the price of admission grants you lifetime membership to the Forum. As in, you can continue to attend the event, free of charge, for years to come. Sooooo… not only are you getting a discounted rate, but that rate divided by 5, 10 years? Suddenly spending the money seems like a worthy investment, right?

At the Forum, there will be round table sessions with industry experts where attendees can ask questions, learn “tricks of the trade,” and hear experts’ stories (how they got to where they are). Laden with new information about how to become successful in the environmental field, you will have an advantage over your peers—having met and spoken with influential professionals from all sectors of the environmental arena.

One of the cool things about the event is that you’ll have the opportunity to learn firsthand, valuable information about alternative fuel vehicles. Were you thinking about getting a hybrid? Just want to experience the fun of driving an electric car? Well… you’re in luck because not only can you learn all about innovative new vehicles but you can test-drive them, free of charge, as well. How fun is that?

If the amazing networking opportunities and the chance to test-drive alternative fuel vehicles isn’t enough to convince you this event is awesome, what about the fact that there will be an Eco Walk-a-Bout? Models will be showcasing environmentally-friendly fashion merchandise whilst strutting among attendees during the expo hall reception. This Forum is not the usual long presentations, stuffy suit-wearing, traditional conference that comes to mind with the phrase “networking event.” Designers. Shoes. Models. Does that sound like any conference you’ve been to before?

So, if you haven’t gotten what I’m trying to say (how is that possible?!?), put the Women in Green Forum on your calendar. September 1^st and 2^nd, Pasadena Convention Center.  The event, one sure to be stimulating and remarkable, presents the opportunity to network with leading environmental professionals and create lifelong connections at one event. See you there!!

Register today at http://www.womeningreenforum.com for the time of your life!

Three Squares Inc. has teamed up with CleanTech Los Angeles to produce quarterly events that will support the development of Los Angeles’ clean tech industry. The first event is scheduled for June 29th at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. In addition to highlighting the partnership between CleanTech LA and Cleantech Open, it will serve as an unbeatable networking opportunity for emerging clean tech companies, investors and professional service firms. We hope to see you there!

Check out the most recent press release: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=631339

TSI President Jaime Nack was featured on June 3rd’s episode of “Feel and Look Fabulous with Irina,” a radio talk show hosted by Irina Wardas. The exclusive interview highlighted the Women in Green Forum, a two – day conference in September that will bring together leading women in the sustainability field.

Listen to the full interview here! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/search/jaime-nack/

What do you think of when you hear the phrase “eco-fashion”?  Does it make you think of the staid stereotype of a “crunchy-granola-hippie,” bedecked in roughhewn and hand-woven materials? Or does it make you think of the new über-environmentalist? A self-assured, spartan, and dare I say, modern representative of clean living, sequestered in an urban dwelling?

Are you following me?

It is telling of the eco-fashion industry that the references I just laid out before you don’t exactly fit together cohesively. The industry of sustainable fashion is in many ways a patchwork of ideas, a burgeoning movement that has gained a fair amount of notoriety, while its definition is still incomplete.

What defines eco-fashion? Does it come from the mind of a female, bike-friendly, design school student? Or does it hang out with two married jewelry makers using reclaimed metals in their Topanga Canyon home studio?

There is a reason you can’t pinpoint the origins of eco-fashion – it’s an anomaly.

Eco-fashion belongs to no one. It is a multi-layered phrase, open to interpretation. What makes the concept so intriguing is that almost anyone can buy in to it, if you have the materials and the vision.

There is no LEED certification system in place for clothing. There isn’t even a true arm of the Council of Fashion Designers of America that reviews “green clothing” (though the World Wildlife Fund tried). What you have is a talented crop of up-and-coming designers whose boutique clothing lines are slowly but surely building their reputation, not only because they are made in a sustainable manner, but because they are beautiful.

Is there room for aesthetics in the outpost of green? Of course. I believe that one of the true motivating forces behind anything sustainable is the human being’s appreciation for beauty. We love natural landscapes because they are beautiful, so we want to preserve them. As the famed environmental philosopher, Aldo Leopold, said, “A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise.”

So we pat ourselves on the back for supporting green designers, because it is right to want to preserve natural beauty. Right? And materials sourced using low-impact methods, creating little-to-zero waste, and consuming as few extraneous materials as possible sounds pretty righteous to me.

How one goes about creating a line from such materials is another story. While a team of designers may be using non-toxic dyes to color silk they produce in India, does the travel cost of shipping their materials to the States outweigh the benefits that they created by reducing the level of toxics their garments might have unleashed into India’s waterways? Was the production of materials in this fast-developing country going to happen anyway, and the designer’s choice to use an environmentally friendly dye therefore the only ethical precaution they could have possibly taken? Or is it more “righteous” to source your materials locally (they did both), even if it means that you might incur a small amount of water waste or garbage in New Jersey, where the designers of Feral Childe had their chic leggings printed? (See it all here)

Needless to say, one must consider a seemingly infinite number of decisions in the process of designing a clothing line. I give you a few examples: Where to source raw materials? Who does the sourcing? How are these workers treated? Where to buy the material once it is made? Does the garment factory use child labor? Does it use toxic chemicals to produce the fabrics? Who should one employ to make their clothing? Should this be in a developing country? Can one partner with local women to help them become financially independent?  Can one be certain of the fair treatment of their employees? How about the fair treatment of the natural landscape in which the inevitable amount of refuse, however small or large, must be deposited? What is the lowest impact one can have when producing something? Is it worth it to produce at all, when consumption lies at the very heart of this problematic industry called fashion?

Phew… that’s a lot to consider. From reading over those questions, it is evident to me that sustainable fashion is not simply relegated to the decision of whether or not to buy your silk in India. It is also a matter of humanitarian conditions in that country, and the lasting ramifications of perpetuating consumer capitalism.

Did it just get a little stuffy in here?

I won’t apologize for the serious tone I’ve taken, but I will say this: nobody’s perfect. Like your outfit on a wintry day, this quandary is multi-layered. I like clothes as much as the next girl, but I bear the burden of knowledge. It helps that I love vintage clothing – buying recycled fashion is one way to dodge the guilt of being a compulsive spender.

See, it’s not easy being green – not for me, not for anybody. What I like to tell my friends is this: “Whatever you’re doing to help, no matter how small or large an undertaking, it’s a good thing.” Attaining consciousness of the task laid out before us is the first step. Then, becoming aware of your surroundings and the impact that your lifestyle has upon them will follow. And ultimately, we hope, this will lead to manifesting your identity as a Global Citizen. Because once we all feel a little bit more rooted to this Earth, to this entity that lends us our existence whether we recognize it or not, we will be one step closer to feeling at peace in our own skin. And that’s what I call sustainable fashion.

For some pretty lines in all shapes and sizes, check out:
•    Loup Charmant – http://loupcharmant.com
•    Mociun – http://www.mociun.com
•    Prairie Underground – http://www.prairieunderground.com
•    Cri de Coeur – http://www.cri-de-coeur.com
•    Stacy J. Lee – http://www.stacyjlee.com
•    Melissa Plastic Dreams – http://www.melissaplasticdreams.com/home/usa
•    Samantha Pleet – http://www.samanthapleet.com
•    Popomomo – http://www.popomomo.com

And finally, the fairy godmother and royal princess of eco-fashion, respectively:
•    Linda Loudermilk – http://www.lindaloudermilk.com
•    Stella McCartney – http://www.stellamccartney.com