We’re excited to give you all an update on our great efforts with CarbonFund.org!

As many of you know, we’ve been donating proceeds from our opt in Carbon Free Plus Shipping every month to a few causes funded by CarbonFund.org. Basically, every time one of our customers chooses to pay a small amount to offset the carbon footprint of their shipping costs, we put it aside and then donate all of the money to CarbonFund.org at one time, each month.

We’re thrilled to let you all know thus far we’ve donated over $2000.00, in 2009 alone, towards our favorite projects!

• January: $863.72
• February: $593.48
• March: $487.12
• April: $502.55

So where is the money going? We’ve selected projects that relate to renewable energy production and the reduction of emissions due to shipping. Check out our selected projects:

• New Bedford Landfill Methane Project - New Bedford, Mass.
• Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center - Taylor and Nolan County, Texas
• California Solar Projects - Aliso Viejo, Stockton, Ontario, and Anderson, Calif.

We’re really excited to see the consistent interest of our customers relating to offsetting the impact of their shipping on the environment. We’ll keep you posted on our May and June donations, and in the meantime, if you’re interested in calculating your carbon footprint, check out the CarbonFund.org calculator and learn about what you may be able to do to help the environment!

As you may know if you’ve been following PlanetShoes.com or our blog here, we offer a great service called Carbon Free Plus Shipping. Basically, this means all of our customers can opt to pay a little bit of extra money to help offset the Carbon Emissions that result from shipping their shoes.

We take all of those small donations and amass them into a larger fund that is then donated to CarbonFund.org. We looked closely at all the projects currently being funded by CarbonFund.org and we chose these three as the focus of our donations:

• New Bedford Landfill Methane Project - New Bedford, Mass.
• Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center - Taylor and Nolan County, Texas
• California Solar Projects - Aliso Viejo, Stockton, Ontario, and Anderson, Calif.

As more and more of our customers have learned about this option, they have been opting in with every order, so while our first donations to CarbonFund.org weren’t as robust as we’d like, we’re thrilled to let people know that our donations are growing exponentially each month.

In February alone, we were able to amass just under $600.00 to donate to CarbonFund.org, which is enough to offset approximately 132,000 lbs of CO2 emissions. To put this into perspective, this will offset the average emissions of six SUV’s over a year.

If you’re interested in learning more about Carbon Offsets and about what you can do to calculate your own carbon footprint, to the CarbonFund.org website and learn more about their programs.

The North Face is one of our favorite brands here at Planet. Hugely popular, environmentally conscious, durable and stylish, we’re proud to have them in our lineup. Now they’re encouraging activism at the consumer level in a whole new way!

Partnering with Polartec and a social media site called Brickfish, The North Face is soliciting videos or blog entries nominating an eco champion. The top 25 people who have the most votes will win a North Face jacket made of 87% recycled materials and the grand prize gets $25,000 towards the green cause of their choice and a $1,000.00 gift certificate from The North Face. My favorite part about this prize is the consumer directed donation. As an environmental activist in my own small way, you dream of being able to really support a cause - and these companies are actually making that possible.

Are you an Eco-Champion? Check out the Campaign

We love to see large corporations sponsoring a contest that not only supports activism but also encourages financial support of green causes! Leveraging viral social media is a great way to get people involved, especially younger folks who are YouTube addicts.
The North Face is also highlighting its own sustainability, giving away the ’09 Denali Jacket which is one of their most eco-friendly designs. Did you know their shoes follow suit?

The Mountain Sneaker, for one, has married technology and green design into a rugged and eco-friendly shoe for the active outdoors enthusiast. This is the shoe The North Face is really highlighting now because they’ve put thought and work into every part of this shoe.

Using metal free suede, spun bamboo, plant cellulose, cork blended midsole and recycled rubber, every part of this shoe has been made greener, but remains ready for climbing, hiking or running in any outdoor condition.

Another more funky option from The North Face ecological line is the Sidney Chukka. Built to last in winter, this pull on ankle boot combines funky styling with earth friendliness.

The rubber outsole is made with 40% recycled materials and the suede and nubuck upper is metal free. Cotton used in the shoe’s laces and canvas lining is recycled and plant cellulose is used in the sockliner and the heel cushioning.
If you’re looking for a stylish bargain, you can stay earth friendly as well – check out the North Face Ex Boyfriend. A super cute women’s flip flop, the upper is made of cotton canvas and the rubber outsole is again, made with recycled material. The North Face has also done away with “virgin” packing materials and now offers packaging made from post-consumer recycled paper and tissue made from cornstarch.

Everywhere you look, The North Face is working to improve their environmental profile. They’ve removed their hang tags, they’ve improved their packaging and now they are introducing shoes and outerwear that use recycled materials and combine innovation with eco-friendliness. The challenge is keeping the same level of durability while using materials that are more eco-friendly.

Buying The North Face eco friendly footwear or participating in their activism campaign will keep sending the message that outdoor companies like this need to be conscious of their impact on the environment. Not to mention, you’ll get a great pair of durable North Face shoes, that if treated well, will last you a lifetime.

We wrote a few months ago about Timberland and their efforts, along with several other shoe makers to use greener leather. This was really the first I had heard of Timberland becoming more environmentally sustainable – but I thought it was pretty great that they were starting with a process as toxic as leather tanning, treating and dying.

Apparently they didn’t stop there! Timberland hired a woman named Betsy Blaisdell to work on help their entire company to reduce their carbon footprint and one of the first things she worked on was teaming up with other outdoor industry companies to create a “green metric.” In an interview with the Outdoor Retailer Show Daily Digest, she explained a number of their efforts, including the Eco Working Group.

The concept behind the Eco Working Group was to generate green metrics within an index so consumers can truly compare the carbon footprints of various products. By coming together with other outdoor companies who are equally interested in improving their environmental index, Timberland and companies like REI can both benefit from a more transparent manufacturing process and by making it clear they are taking the environmental impact of their products seriously.

The metric is made up of several factors including resource consumption, chemicals, climate impact and even shipping costs – it is complex but the idea is that it will be simply communicated across the outdoor industry to help both consumers and the company to identify their impact.

I found the article and interview really interesting because this is a great example of corporate responsibility, if the metrics are accurate and somewhat stringent, and a real way that companies that encourage people to engage in the outdoors can also help to preserve it. Plus, I love the idea of great big companies keeping each other honest! What a concept?!

Hopefully, this isn’t green washing and Timberland and REI are actually engaging in a methodology by which they will hold themselves accountable. Hopefully other industries will follow this kind of example to truly take steps to green their businesses instead of simply playing lip service. I don’t know about you, but I’d love it if there was some sort of centralized index that was thoroughly vetted that could prove or disprove claims of going green.

One of the most interesting parts of Ms. Blaisdell’s interview was when she revealed that the largest carbon footprint issue within Timberland was absolutely the manufacturing process, as opposed to the carbon footprint of the US employees or the corporate business processes. This makes a lot of sense when one starts to learn about the huge factories, massive uses of electricity, water and other materials and the shipping costs involved with a company of Timberland’s size.

Considering the negative environmental impact that occurs in the traditional treating of leather, it also appears that Timberland has identified where its most egregious environmental problems are and is actually working to solve them. Between the greening of the leather and the creation of the Eco Working Group with other outdoor companies, I am looking at Timberland in a whole new light.

During my web adventures, I’ve come across a lot of interesting topics and people - and green washing is one of the topics that comes up the most often.

We’ve had discussion here on the Planet Blog and we’ve explained our position as a company.

For me, there is a lot of grey in the corporate green movements we’re seeing out there - a lot of claims about going green, a lot of outright lying about going green but there are an equal number of companies making real strides towards sustainable business models.

These companies are trying. They have started. They aren’t perfect - they may not be perfectly green - but are they green washing if they tell you what they’re doing to legitimately make changes even if they aren’t purely green?

The discussion in which I’ve participated most recently is over on a site called Celsias. They are trying to find a new business model, and many of the activist voices on the site are demanding that their business model truly support the green movement. It has prompted a really interesting discussion.

It made me wonder: is purely green business even possible? Is there a company out there that is entirely solar and/or wind powered, that doesn’t need to use shipping methods and that uses only recycled technology, office furniture and exists in a perfect green building?

So my question is - where do we, as consumers draw the line?

If I go to a “green website,” can I not support them if they carry ads from “greenwashing” companies? Can I not support them if they are even running ads for Toyota Prius’ or other large corporate behemoths that might be making some moves towards green but aren’t anywhere near “green” yet? And, if I don’t support those sites, will the true voices of the environmental movement fade because they couldn’t find sustainable and conscionable business models?

Every time I read one of these discussions, I feel frustrated. Frustrated for the companies that are trying and frustrated that we aren’t further along in the eco-process. So I do something.

I Act.

I installed a programmable thermostat, I got an energy audit, I walked to breakfast instead of driving, I reduced, re-used and recycled. If we all think, support good products and companies and send the message that true green is important, all those companies that are greenwashing or who aren’t even pretending to green up yet will have to listen!

But I want to know what you think. This is a real issue that I see green companies with which I see green companies struggling as more and more people want to make sure companies are putting their money where their mouth is.

Where is your line between green and green washing?

As we announced back in August, Planet Shoes partners with CarbonFund.org to purchase Carbon Offsets on behalf of our clients to offset the impact of shipping all of our shoes. This voluntary service has become a runaway success and we’re thrilled to announce we’ve made our first contribution to CarbonFund.org on behalf of our PlanetShoes.com customers!

One reason we were excited to work with CarbonFund.org is that you can choose, as a donor, the project portfolio in which you invest your funds. Planet has chosen the Renewables and Methane portfolio, which supports clean energy development like wind, solar, geothermal and biomass.

Specifically, PlanetShoes.com will be supporting the following projects:

SunEdison Solar Projects
Location: Aliso Viejo, Stockton, Ontario, and Anderson, California
Owner/Developer: SunEdison

According to CarbonFund.org, SunEdison is working with companies, organizations and individuals to change purchasing of solar power. One of the largest obstacles to large solar power installations is the upfront cost, and SunEdison is removing that obstacle by purchasing and installing solar electric power and simply requiring the company, organization or individual to pay for the electricity itself.

SunEdison is currently North America’s largest solar energy services provider and by funding this project, solar power is becoming widely adopted by organizations who couldn’t otherwise afford the initial costs of the technology.

Customer Testimonials from SunEdison.com Projects

“SunEdison was selected by the California State University system because there were no up-front costs to the University. The entire solar project, the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting is covered by SunEdison with no out-of-pocket costs to the University. Basically, we are leasing our roof to SunEdison, they come in and install their panels, and we pay them a fixed rate with an annual escalation for the power generated from the solar panels over the next 20 years.” Mike Bates, Energy & Facilities Trades Manager, CSU, Chico

“SunEdison’s service model has been a true win-win for Staples - no capital expenses, no operating expenses, and no hassles. We’re lowering our energy costs even as we reduce our carbon emissions. It is definitely a great way to go solar.” Mark Buckley, VP of Environmental Affairs, Staples, Inc.

Horse Hollow Wind Energy Center
Location: Wingate, Texas
Owner/Developer: FPL Energy

CarbonFund.org is also a supporter of wind energy. Horse Hollow is the largest wind farm in the United States. Based in Taylor, Texas and spread out over 47 acres, FPL Energy maintains this facility that generated 213 MW of power.

With 142 wind turbines generating clean power, this is only one of the facilities being maintained and developed by FPL Energy, who generate enough power nationwide to power one million residential homes.

IdleAire
Location: Nationwide
Owner/Developer: IdleAire

PlanetShoes.com had a vested interest in reducing the carbon footprint of shipping, so by supporting IdleAire, we feel we’re having a direct impact on some less than optimal side effects of our business model. IdleAire reduces tailpipe emissions of 18 wheeler trucks that transport consumer goods all over the United States by installing a small device in the cab of the truck that removes the need to keep the truck idling for power.

This device heats, cools and powers the truck interior allowing truckers to sleep and rest comfortably, play the radio and even check email during their federally mandated 10 hours of rest per day.

By eliminating unnecessary idling time, this program reduces wear and tear on engines, offers better and more complete rest for the driver and saves approximately a gallon of diesel fuel per hour, per truck – which adds up to an amazing savings both in reducing fossil fuel use, and carbon emissions.

We’re really excited with the success of the Carbon Free Plys Shipping initiative, and by choosing projects in different renewable energy development sectors and carbon emission lowering projects, we feel like we’re having the best impact we can.  We look forward to investing much more in the future!

I mentioned hot coffee at the beginning of our slipper series here and it got me thinking about coffee! We’re located in Massachusetts and so is a great company called Dean’s Beans. They are out in Orange and growing fast because they are living by the same sustainable and responsible business practices to which we aspire.

All of Dean’s Beans are Fair Trade, Organic and Kosher. They believe in buying shade grown coffee and adhering to International standards of health and well being for the farmers and their environments.

I mean, I don’t know if you know but Coffee is a massively traded commodity and if you drink a cup or two per day did you know there are 18 coffee trees essentally dedicated to you? Because of the massive crop required, the farming techniques are critical to the environment so look for organic and fair trade no matter what coffee you choose.

But feel free to give Dean’s Beans a try - they rock - and if you’re here in the Northeast like we are, they are even local!

Several of our brands, including Pikolinos and Groundhog use sustainable practices in treating leather. This is part of a revolution occurring in the leather tanning industry. Tanning is the process that makes leather suppler, stronger and more resistant to rot. Tanned leather is used in a wide variety of applications including footwear, accessories, furniture and in automobiles. Environmental groups have been focusing on the leather tanning industry recently, not only because of the treatment of animals but also because of the impact from the processing of the hides for human use.

Traditionally, tanning has been done via chemical treatment – and those chemicals end up polluting areas around tanning plants with air, water and solid waste pollutants. Among the almost 130 different chemicals used in traditional tanning, is Chromium which can be damaging to both the environment and the humans processing leather. There is also a significant impact on the environment from the diesel engines used to power these plants and the amount of water being used in the process. Currently, especially in Pakistan where leather tanning is a leading industry, the chemicals and process used are creating a serious environmental impact.

Although not every shoe company is ready or able to convert to vegetable based leather treating, there is some good news on the horizon relating to leather production and the carbon and environmental footprint that production is currently creating. The automotive industry, for example, has already been working away from chrome treated leather because it is more susceptible to shrinkage in hot weather. As shoe companies also become more aware of the importance of sustainable business decisions, new technology and plants are beginning to come online that answer the need for durable leathers manufactured responsibly.

In 2009 a new, green leather processing plant is opening in Vietnam. The plan will reduce water usage by 50% and energy loads by 30%. The plant will use renewable energy technology including solar hot water, wind turbines and even a green roof. Owned by ISA TanTec, a Chinese and German consortium, the plant is also employing interesting water conservation techniques, even using hydraulic system waste water in the leather tanning process. The leather produced by this plant will be supplying a number of our Planet brands with sustainable leather!

• Timberland
• New Balance
• Keen
• Simple Shoes

Hopefully, this will give other leather manufacturing plants a template to follow, to reduce emissions, water waster and to use fewer (or no) chemicals in treating leather.

Tune in for the second part of the interview with Tom’s Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie to learn even more about this great environmentally friendly and human friendly shoe company!

And of course, we’ll remind you with these cool Tom’s Split Decision Votee Shoes - get out there an vote!

Green is everywhere these days which has caused consternation to the true environmentalists everywhere for some time. No one wants “going green” to become a fad that fades, and likewise no one wants “green” to be hijacked by companies who are not doing anything to improve their impact.

For example, Massachusetts is a state chock full of Universities and the recent buzz in academic circles is the development of business school programs with a “green” bent. This makes sense of course as more and more companies understand not only the importance of making sustainable business decisions (hopefully), but the actual benefit through revenues that follows (obviously).

Planet has always viewed our people as incredibly important and we’ve constantly sought out brands that support our philosophies as well. Now, just like in the internet boom, people are focusing on the potential of the environmental boom and the potential explosive nature of the renewable energy technology sector. We hope that consumers and companies alike will focus on companies that are actually doing things to make a difference in the environment and not those who are just selling a line.

Of course, what we all need to watch out for are companies and people who want to use Green Washing techniques to appear green or people friendly even if they aren’t.

What is green washing? Green washing is a technique used by businesses to appear environmentally friendly but who are actually not making sustainable business decisions. After all, just because you say you are environmentally friendly doesn’t mean you are.

There are several watchdog agencies out there watching out for green washers.

The Greenwashing Index
The Greenwashing index empowers community members to evaluate real ads and commercials that make environmental or “green” claims. This helps people to suss out green washing and to hold those companies responsible for their misleading claims.

Greenpeace| Greenwashing
Powered by Greenpeace, Greenwashing is all about helping consumers see through the fakery and assessing who is cleaning up their act and not just their image.

Greenwashing.net
You’ll find a great article about the 10 worst offenders of Green Washing – including Kraft, Clairol and General Motors

Terrachoice.com
This .pdf document is an excellent reference about the “Six Sins of Greenwashing” ™ which will help you be your own watchdog and ensure you don’t get sucked in by creative marketers!