Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream No Longer "All Natural"

Ben & Jerry's had the label "all natural" on their ice cream cartons until the Center for Science in the Public Interest told the company that the alkalized cocoa, corn syrup and hydrogenated oils their product contains are not natural.

So what is natural? Currently, there is no internationally recognized government definition or industry-wide standard that exists for the term. With over 90 ecolabels being used on food products alone, consumers are faced with an overwhelming number of colorful, yet often unsubstantiated claims.

Progressive companies are cautious about how they use undefined ecolabels in the event the FDA steps in with a definition and regulations. Companies that are ahead of the curve in their understanding of leading thinking shaping these undefined terms could save money in the long run if the government does put forth regulations around eco claims.

Read more:

Ben and Jerry's to drop 'All Natural' from labels, Wall Street Journal, September 2010

Future of Eco-labels debated at Sustainable Foods Summit, Organic Monitor, June 2010

Product Sustainability Roundtable

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Corporate leaders furthering sustainable product design

Keystone Green Products Roundtable meets at Wingspread

An Interview with Roger Dower, President of The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread

What prompted the Johnson Foundation to host the Keystone Green Products Roundtable?

"The Johnson Foundation has a long-standing interest in environmental and sustainability issues. The work being done by the Keystone Green Products Roundtable aligns with the Foundation’s interest in better understanding markets that promote sustainability."

In your opinion, what is notable about their work?

"Their work is particularly noteworthy because the group is not going in with preconceived notions about what the answer is. It's not about presuming there is too little or too much of something. They are trying to understand what makes a good marketplace."

What do you anticipate their major impacts will be?

"This is a hard question, because the group is truly going in with an open mind as to what the issues are. In the broadest of terms, we are seeing a market trend that can have some very important effects on environmental progress. If the impact of the Roundtable is to better understand how this market trend is evolving and how various stakeholders are contributing -- this is huge. The Keystone Green Products Roundtable is a forum that sets the stage for bringing the most powerful force on earth - the economy - to bear on environmental protection."

About the Keystone Green Products Roundtable

The Keystone Green Products Roundtable is a multi-stakeholder group helping to shape the future around eco-labels and, more broadly, how greener products are defined and marketed. Five Winds International is a founding member of the Keystone Green Products Roundtable

Product Sustainability Roundtable

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Corporate leaders furthering sustainable product design

USDA BioPreferred program -- figuring out what is preferable

The public meeting held by the USDA in early January 2010 focused on the life cycle assessment piece of the BioPreferred program. One of the most debated topics is the type and number of indicators to include in the LCA. While some feel the 12 proposed social, environmental, and economic indicators provide the necessary information for a comparison between bio-based and petroleum-based products, others believe such a detailed assessment only muddies the water. They feel looking only at carbon and perhaps a few other indicators provides consumers with more comprehensible information on which to base their product choices.

When The Going Gets Tough….

With strong sustainability values, Patagonia’s 2010 goal is 100% product recyclability- shirts to ski poles- no exceptions. They are currently at about 80% with their toughest hurdle looming ahead… nylon. The material poses exceptional recycling challenging thwarting Patagonia’s move toward a completely closed loop system.

In response, Patagonia assembled an all star team, bringing in top competitors like REI and Mountain Equipment Coop (MEC) to pool their brains and resources. The challenges for businesses on the path toward closed loop systems are real but corporate sustainability icons like Patagonia lead the way by setting high goals and addressing tough technical challenges through collaboration with recycling partners and industry leaders.

Read more…

Patagonia’s Ongoing Recycling Program, Business Week, November 2008

Wal-Mart Turns Corrugated Waste into Pizza Boxes Environmental Leader, November 2009

Product Sustainability Roundtable

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Corporate leaders furthering sustainable product design

Hybrid Thinking

Hybrid thinking is transforming more than just cars. It is popping up in buildings, clothing and even permeating overall organizational strategy. Take Procter&Gamble for example, VP for design Claudia Kotchka is credited for hybrid thinking strategies that brought P&G much success.

Why has hybrid thinking worked well for companies like P&G? Simply put, today’s problems are complex. Companies that are able to effectively address a single issue through multiple angles break free from the confines of unidimensional thought. Blending different fields of thought can surface ideas unseen by the status quo. Where might hybrid thinking be applied in your organizational or design process?

Read more…

Forget Design Thinking and Try Hybrid Thinking Fast Company, August 2009

Hybrid Vigor, ArchitectureBoston, December 2008

Product Sustainability Round Table

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Corporate leaders furthering sustainable product design