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

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!

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.

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.

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.

Check out this great article about women in green jobs by Ms. Magazine:

http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2010/08/23/can-rosie-get-a-green-collar-job/

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

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!

Launching the Women In Green Forum was something that felt more like a calling than the birth of a conference.  I have spent the majority of my professional career focused on environmental initiatives in traditionally male-dominated industries (transportation, ports and goods movement, waste management, and others). I have also been involved in developing agendas for and organizing several of the nation’s leading conferences on environmental topics, usually working with an event planning committee on selecting topics and speakers.  I realized that many of these conference speaker rosters featured primarily male speakers.

On August 3, 2009, I was discussing this very issue with the visionary green building expert John Picard.  He agreed that there was an unmet need.  Where were the venues to encourage more women to enter these increasingly important fields?  Which events highlighted the achievements of those women who have lead the way?  I started to list off the women who had shifted the paradigm in their industries – Geraldine Knatz, Mary Nichols, Nancy Sutley, Lisa Jackson, Maggie Fox, Linda Adams, Cindy Tuck, Majora Carter and on and on.  It felt as if the other industry conferences were blind to their successes.  We needed to create a space which celebrated and inspired women’s leadership in environmental industries.  That day, I promised Picard that Three Squares Inc. would develop a forum: to honor female trailblazers, educate and motivate future female leaders, build community for women in environmental fields, and showcase environmentally-sound products and services.

Voila!  The Women In Green Forum was conceived.

Since its launch, my staff and I have been overwhelmed by support from women and men across the globe.  We receive emails daily from passionate individuals who want to network with other professionals, share their achievements, display innovative products and services in the expo, or volunteer on our guerilla marketing team to help spread the word about the forum.  To assist with agenda development, we are fortunate to have an Advisory Board made up of the best and brightest minds from academia, government, corporate, and the nonprofit organizations.

We have witnessed what happens when amazing women occupy powerful positions – they are the drivers of environmental change.  Real economic risks come with any significant venture, and self-funding an effort of this size and scope has only been possible by growing the Women In Green Forum into a worldwide community.  To encourage this type of growth, we took a risk: innovating the attendee registration experience by offering lifetime membership to the annual Women In Green Forum for all 2010 paid registrants.  September 1st and 2nd mark the birth of a network of inspiring professionals that will be sustained through the forum’s online communities via Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

As my team and I work towards our goal, I am thankful – for the professional experiences I had prior to Three Squares Inc. and especially for those women and men who have mentored me throughout this journey.

Onward and upward!

Jaime Nack
President, Three Squares Inc.
Founder, Women In Green Forum

[And, special thanks to my sister Adina Nack for encouraging me to write this post and share my thoughts via the web.]