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Shortly after the UCLA South Bay banners went up at the university’s newly acquired 35 acres over the summer, officials hinted the Rancho Palos Verdes campus’s proximity to the shore would likely steer its acadmic focus toward biology and marine life.
And now, it’s official: UCLA South Bay’s academic focus will be sustainability, climate change and environmental justice, according to a letter from UCLA Chancellor Gene D.Block.
The UCLA South Bay campus in Rancho Palos Verdes and the UCLA South Bay Villas in San Pedro are near the Pacific Ocean and the twin ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The Peninsula locale, Block said in an update on the new South Bay and downtown campuses, provided “significant opportunities for education and research relating to sustainability.”
The goal is to have programs for students in place fall. An implementation committee will design the academic programs and make sure the physical spaces are ready for use by then, Block said in his November update.
The $80 million acquisition of the former Marymount California University campus on the Palos Verdes Peninsula was the largest in UCLA’s more than 100-year history, Bruins officials said previously.
The South Bay campus will allow UCLA to expand enrollment while also tackling student crowding. The Rancho Palos Verdes campus can accommodate nearly 1,000 students ,while the San Pedro dormitories, called the UCLA South Bay Villas, can house 400.
The university, Block said, is also planning to partner with community groups such as AltaSea, the Port of Los Angeles and other San Pedro and Rancho Palos Verdes neighborhood organizations.
The physical expansion from UCLA South Bay will help the university strengthen its ties to the entire Los Angeles region, Block said.
“These facilities,” he said, “will help us foster stronger community engagement beyond our existing campus footprint, continue to produce applied scholarship that improves our communities, and increase the opportunities for research and learning collaboration.”
For RPV Mayor John Cruikshank, the campus’s focus is apt, given its location.
“The City of Rancho Palos Verdes was founded 50 years ago to preserve the Peninsula’s natural resources and open space,” Cruikshank said. “With 7.5 miles of coastline, the 1,500-acre Palos Verdes Nature Preserve supporting endangered and sensitive species, the Abalone Cove Ecological Reserve, and two state-designated marine protected areas, RPV is an excellent fit for this new academic hub of environmental science and sustainability.”
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Biodiversity – the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems – is declining globally, faster than at any other time in human history. Csondy / Getty Images
By Marie Quinney
Biodiversity is critically important – to your health, to your safety and, probably, to your business or livelihood.
But biodiversity – the diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems – is declining globally, faster than at any other time in human history. The world’s 7.6 billion people represent just 0.01% of all living things by weight, but humanity has caused the loss of 83% of all wild mammals and half of all plants. (Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse is one of the top five risks in the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Risks Report, too.)
In celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity, we break down the five ways in which biodiversity supports our economies and enhances our wellbeing – and has the potential to do even more.
Biodiversity underpins global nutrition and food security. Millions of species work together to provide us with a large array of fruits, vegetables and animal products essential to a healthy, balanced diet – but they are increasingly under threat.
Every country has indigenous produce – such as wild greens and grains – which have adapted to local conditions, making them more resilient to pests and extreme weather. In the past, this produce provided much-needed micronutrients for local populations. Unfortunately, however, the simplification of diets, processed foods and poor access to food have led to poor-quality diets. As a result, one-third of the world suffers from micronutrient deficiencies.
Three crops – wheat, corn and rice – provide almost 60% of total plant-based calories consumed by humans. This leads to reduced resiliency in our supply chains and on our plates. For example, the number of rice varieties cultivated in Asia has dropped from tens of thousands to just a few dozen; in Thailand, 50% of land used for growing rice only produces two varieties.
People once understood that the conservation of species was crucial for healthy societies and ecosystems. We must ensure this knowledge remains part of our modern agricultural and food systems to prevent diet-related diseases and reduce the environmental impact of feeding ourselves.
Higher rates of biodiversity have been linked to an increase in human health.
First, plants are essential for medicines. For example, 25% of drugs used in modern medicine are derived from rainforest plants while 70% of cancer drugs are natural or synthetic products inspired by nature. This means that every time a species goes extinct, we miss out on a potential new medicine.
Second, biodiversity due to protected natural areas has been linked to lower instances of disease such as Lyme disease and malaria. While the exact origin of the virus causing COVID-19 is still unknown, 60% of infectious diseases originate from animals and 70% of emerging infectious diseases originate from wildlife. As human activities encroach upon the natural world, through deforestation and urbanization, we reduce the size and number of ecosystems. As a result, animals live in closer quarters with one another and with humans, creating ideal conditions for the spread of zoonotic diseases.
Simply put: more species means less disease.
Human activity is eroding biodiversity. World Economic Forum Nature Risk Rising
According to the World Economic Forum’s recent Nature Risk Rising Report, more than half of the world’s GDP ( trillion) is highly or moderately dependent on nature. Many businesses are, therefore, at risk due to increasing nature loss. Global sales of pharmaceuticals based on materials of natural origin are worth an estimated billion a year, while natural wonders such as coral reefs are essential to food and tourism.
There is great potential for the economy to grow and become more resilient by ensuring biodiversity. Every dollar spent on nature restoration leads to at least of economic benefits. In addition, changing agricultural and food production methods could unlock .5 trillion per year in new business opportunities by 2030, while also preventing trillions of dollars’ worth of social and environmental harms.
Humans derive approximately 5 trillion of value from natural ecosystems each year. Globally, three out of four jobs are dependent on water while the agricultural sector employs over 60% of the world’s working poor. In the Global South, forests are the source of livelihoods for over 1.6 billion people. In India, forest ecosystems contribute only 7% to India’s GDP yet 57% of rural Indian communities’ livelihoods.
Ecosystems, therefore, must be protected and restored – not only for the good of nature but also for the communities that depend on them.
Although some fear environmental regulation and the safeguarding of nature could threaten businesses, the “restoration economy” – the restoration of natural landscapes – provides more jobs in the United States than most of the extractives sector, with the potential to create even more. According to some estimates, the restoration economy is worth billion per year and directly employs more than the coal, mining, logging and steel industries altogether. Nature-positive businesses can provide cost-effective, robot-proof, business-friendly jobs that stimulate the rural economy without harming the environment.
Biodiversity makes the earth habitable. Biodiverse ecosystems provide nature-based solutions that buffer us from natural disasters such as floods and storms, filter our water and regenerate our soils.
The clearance of over 35% of the world’s mangroves for human activities has increasingly put people and their homes at risk from floods and sea-level rise. If today’s mangroves were lost, 18 million more people would be flooded every year (an increase of 39%) and annual damages to property would increase by 16% ( billion).
Protecting and restoring natural ecosystems is vital to fighting climate change. Nature-based solutions could provide 37% of the cost-effective CO2 mitigation needed by 2030 to maintain global warming within 2°C (35.6 F).
Natural ecosystems provide the foundations for economic growth, human health and prosperity. Our fate as a species is deeply connected to the fate of our natural environment.
As ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activity, acknowledging the benefits of biodiversity is the first step in ensuring that we look after it. We know biodiversity matters. Now, as a society, we should protect it – and in doing so, protect our own long-term interests.
Reposted with permission from World Economic Forum.

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By Alex Hawkins Updated February 6, 2024
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There is an entire world of sustainable, eco-friendly homeownership right above your head. 
Many homeowners focus on refurbished furniture or switching to glass kitchenware to improve their home’s carbon footprint. However, roof options like solar, green, and cool roofs can be environmentally friendly and beautiful.
We have compiled the best eco-friendly roof designs that you might want to add to your home:
Let’s face it: You will be the talk of your street with a bright, white roof. 
A cool roof—often simply called a “white roof”—keeps your home cool by using reflective color in its design. Though you may not often see white roofs, they’re becoming increasingly popular as an energy-efficient alternative to dark, asphalt roof shingles. 
You can install a cool roof using a wide variety of materials, such as metal shingles for steep roofs or reflective dark gravel in gray slag for low-sloped roofs. The lighter colors reflect light to keep your home’s interior temperature cooler—and your summer energy bills lower. 
If you own a home in the city, a cool roof could also help reduce the effect of so-called heat islands, where buildings and other infrastructure absorb more heat and raise surrounding temperatures by 1 degree F to 7 degrees F.
A cool roof doesn’t have to be white—you can use any light-colored paint to help keep your home cool, reduce your use of air conditioning, and keep your carbon emissions in check. As long as you don’t mind the extra attention to this bold choice, a cool roof is an excellent eco-friendly choice.
Upsides
Downsides

✔ Reduces summer energy bills

✘ May cause higher winter energy bills in colder regions

✔ Often priced similarly to darker shingle colors

✘ Higher chance of mold growth

✔ Helps decrease the “heat island effect“

Imagine a verdant oasis just upstairs. That’s just one benefit of choosing a green roof. 
Green roofs, or rooftop gardens, use a layer of small trees, bushes, and other plants fixed over a waterproofing system installed on a flat or slightly sloped roof with levels for drainage. Rooftop gardens are a common sight throughout Europe, including Germany, France, Austria, and Switzerland, and are sprouting up throughout North America. 
Replacing black asphalt with plants provides shade, lowering the surrounding air temperature and reducing your home’s energy use. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), green roof temperatures can be 30 degrees F to 40 degrees F lower than conventional roofs. A rooftop garden can also help improve air quality for you and your neighbors and help manage stormwater with your plants soaking up some of the rainwater.
Whether you’re in the city center or out in the country, a green roof is perfect for any nature lover. Depending on your local climate, you can help nurture new plant life and sustainability through a green roof. In addition, you may be able to ​​foster a healthy habitat for insects, birds, and other nearby wildlife. 
✔ Improves air quality
✘ High up-front cost
✔ Helps sustain plant and wildlife
✘ Requires ongoing maintenance
✔ Improves drainage and energy consumption
✘ Adds a heavy load to your home’s roof
Made of materials such as aluminum, copper, galvanized steel, and tin, metal roofs offer an incredibly durable, long-lasting, and fully recyclable roof design. They’re also a smart, eco-friendly roof option.
Let’s start with durability. Metal roofs can last between 40 and 80 years, and some materials, like copper, may last for more than 100 years. Once copper ages to a patina-green color, the oxide-sulfate coating makes it even more durable and resistant to corrosion. Just think of the Berlin Cathedral’s historic dome.
Also, metal roofing is often originally made from recycled metal, and it then can be recycled again when you choose to replace it, keeping your roof out of the landfill.
In addition, this roof type is naturally reflective and, like cool and green roofs, can mitigate heat island effects. But if you’ve got a color palette in mind, you can increase the eco-friendliness of a metal roof by using one that is pre-painted a lighter color.
✔ Long-lasting
✘ Can possibly be dented
✔ Reflects heat and reduces energy bills
✘ Are noisy during rain and thunderstorms
✔ Are 100% recyclable

What’s old is new again: Although building clay roofs is a practice that’s been around for centuries, clay roofs turn out to be a highly eco-friendly option.
Not only do clay tiles have an average life span of 100 years, but they are also made of all-natural materials, meaning you won’t be adding plastics or other forever chemicals to your roof choice. Opt for reclaimed clay for a layer of antique luxury.
Traditional curved red tiles reflect sunlight due to their lighter terracotta color and won’t trap hot air, making them an energy-saving choice in warmer climates. It’s no wonder they’re so frequently found in Spanish Revival homes in the hot climates of California, Florida, and the Southwest.
✔ Can last for a century
✘ Adds a lot of weight to your home
✔ Uses 100% natural materials
✘ Fragile material
✔ Adds a layer of upscale luxury to any home

Slate tiles offer a highly durable eco-friendly roofing option. These tiles offer a stunning look and last for centuries. With soft slate, you can provide a sustainable roof for up to 125 years, and hard slate roofs can last up to 200 years. In addition, slate tile roofs are entirely fire-resistant. 
Slate roofing creates a beautiful, natural, historic aesthetic. This roofing style works well for any homeowner looking to maximize the styles offered by brick and stone homes. However, slate tile requires an experienced professional due to how difficult it is to handle. Similarly to clay roofs, slate tile roofs are incredibly heavy and require extra structural support.
To ensure that your slate tile roof is an even more eco-friendly design, make sure you are using reclaimed and all-natural materials. In addition, you can apply a special tile coating to help make the roof more energy-efficient.
✔ Lasts for hundreds of years
✘ Requires professional installation
✔ Offers a natural, historic aesthetic
✘ Requires additional structural support
✔ Uses all-natural materials

Solar roofs are a relatively new roof design. Offered by Tesla, a solar roof is created from small, high-efficiency, monocrystalline solar panels that mimic the appearance of roof shingles. This design creates a low-key, sleek, modern aesthetic for a solar energy system that does not distract passersby with a mounting system. However, you might also work with another solar company to get similar panels laid flat against your roof if renewal energy interests you. 
With a solar roof, you can check your energy consumption and goals through active monitoring. This service is most often offered through the form of a smartphone app. Many solar roofs and solar energy systems also utilize solar batteries. These batteries are now often designed to work as an electric vehicle (EV) charger. This way, you have a fully integrated, clean, renewable energy system. 
✔ Reduces your energy bills over time
✘ High up-front capital cost
✔ Provides clean and efficient energy for your home
✘ Local climate may make a solar roof not ideal for you
✔ Increases your home’s value

There are plenty of eco-friendly roof designs, and each offers something different for various types of homeowners. We recommend looking into rooftop gardens and green roofs for the most adventurous and daring homeowners. Cool and metal roofs are excellent choices for those concerned about sustainability and functionality. 
Clay roofs are excellent for homeowners looking for a more traditional yet eye-catching, classy, and eco-friendly roof design. However, a solar roof (or just the inclusion of solar panels on any of these designs) leads to the most eco-friendly option. Solar panels are modern and durable, and they produce clean, renewable energy for your home and your community through net-metering programs.
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April 1, 2024 | 9 min read
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Though much of the heavy lifting of decarbonization in adland requires proactive supply chain management, advertisers also have the opportunity to promote sustainable transformation in the messages they put out in the world, writes Ad Net Zero director John Osborn.
/ Adobe Stock
As advertisers do the difficult work to reduce their own emissions, many are turning to another, and possibly even larger, opportunity to have a positive impact on the planet – the messages they choose for their ads. Advertising has the power to positively influence consumer behavior, and every brand can and should consider how their creative work can deliver on that promise.
The need to consider advertising that promotes sustainability is profound. People are ready for it, and in fact, many are demanding it.
A recent study from Dentsu shows that in five years, three quarters of respondents will only want to spend money with companies that practice sustainable advertising. A study from the ARF notes that 78% of consumers want to buy from environmentally friendly companies, but don’t know how to identify them.
While an advertiser’s path to net zero requires consideration for their company’s environmental impact overall as well as the emissions caused by making and showing the ad itself, what’s in the message is also a critical component.
The good news is that there is a growing stable of resources for advertisers eager to infuse their work with sustainable concepts in a way that is successful for brands, consumers and the planet. For example, Google partnered with Drawdown Labs, a part of Project Drawdown, to create a sustainable marketing playbook. Drawdown Labs notes that “one of a marketer’s greatest superpowers is the ability to influence culture. Great storytelling has the power to move people to action in ways big and small.”
Throughout Google’s playbook and in the other resources below, three main concepts emerge again and again that are most successful at spurring action: education, inspiration, and finding the ’and.’
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Consumers can’t make sustainable decisions in a vacuum, and there is a lot of misinformation and or lack of information, which has confused the consumer. Advertisers have the opportunity – and responsibility – to provide clarifying information through their products and how they are advertised to help people make choices that are better for the planet.
Whether regarding the design of the product or service and most responsible use, or providing more transparency on their sustainability steps as a company, these are examples of information that should be shared more regularly with consumers. Google’s playbook showcases Uber as an example, which now gives consumers the option of choosing an electric car for their ride, and created a program to encourage drivers to use Teslas, the subject of an informative ad.
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Education is also a neutral approach, as it doesn’t come across as preachy, leaving the ultimate decision up to the consumer.
Research from Potential Energy shows that many people have misconceptions about which actions are most effective in reducing emissions. Providing research, data and information can correct these misperceptions.
Cascade Detergent has a campaign called ’Rethink the Sink’ which provides consumers with information about the total water used for washing dishes by hand compared to washing them using a dishwasher.
A study from Ipsos notes that a creative will be even more powerful if they ’show’ in addition to telling the audience something. Using the ad to illustrate what, exactly, a consumer can do, was proven to lead to higher performance.
Research from a number of sources, including this study from Kantar and Potential Energy’s Later is Too Late study, show that ads with positive messages perform better than doomsday ads.
The world is well aware of the climate crisis, what they want is inspiration. Brands can show consumers a positive path forward with the right creative message. This approach can flow naturally from an education approach. Once a consumer has gotten new insight, brands can empower them to take action.
Through our Ad Net Zero Awards, we see great work that follows this principle already in the market. For example, Hellmann’s won for its concept of creatively using the leftovers in the fridge to reduce waste. A consumer has ingrained behaviors, such as shopping for food at the grocery store. Rather than making them feel bad for buying too much food, (overconsumption is a contributor to climate change, especially in rich countries,) Hellmann’s focused on a creative solution, inspiring consumers to use what they’ve bought while still making their friends and family excited for dinner – a win-win.
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At the end of the day, sustainability must still meet core consumer needs. This idea is evidenced in Boston Consulting Group’s research across markets, which has informed the firm’s sustainability playbook for advertisers.
And for many consumers today, sustainability brings a concern of sacrificing performance, price or design. As such, successful design and messaging needs to show sustainability as an ’and’ rather than an ’or.’
Better yet, brands should show that there is no decrease in value to the consumer, and in fact offer a benefit when they design the product or service with sustainability at its core, which will become the new normal.
Brands can focus on the performance, durability and value inherent in the greener choice. Communicate how a product using recycled material performs just as well as the original version. An obvious example of this is how consumers are hesitant to purchase an electric vehicle until they believe that the range and charging options are similar to gas-powered cars.
These win-win opportunities are what helps drive the little and big changes needed everywhere if we are to reduce emissions and reach net zero.
Companies committed to sustainability are leaning into advertising that includes sustainable messaging. Research from Vivvix shows that Ford, a company that has set aggressive sustainability targets, committed 23% of their US advertising spend to EV messaging in the first half of 2023, much more than its top US competitor.
For this advertising to work, it needs to influence consumer behavior quickly and definitively, while guarding against greenwashing. While advertisers have a sense of urgency, consumers are ultimately in control of their own actions. Therefore, presenting consumers with the information that inspires them to act and providing an option that delivers a win-win will prove to be the one of the most effective ways forward.
For more, sign up for The Drum’s daily newsletter here.
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Earth Day 2024: Easy ways to save money and take better care of the planet  KTALnews.com
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By Rebecca Barnes, Publisher of Prince William Living
With spring in full swing, our backyards are coming alive, offering us more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. As environmental challenges loom large, the importance of sustainability has never been clearer. The challenge now is to find innovative ways to design outdoor spaces that meet our needs while also respecting and preserving nature. One exciting approach is to draw inspiration from the natural world, creating backyard havens that not only enhance our lives but also contribute to the health of the environment.
A cornerstone of nature-inspired backyard design is the use of native plants. These plants are perfectly adapted to our local climate, requiring less water and maintenance while providing essential support for local wildlife. By embracing native species, we can reduce our reliance on irrigation and harmful chemicals,
all while promoting biodiversity and resilience in our backyard ecosystems.
Water conservation is essential in backyard design. Techniques like xeriscaping and rain gardens prioritize drought-tolerant plants and efficient irrigation systems, helping us make the most of this precious resource. Rain gardens not only capture and filter rainwater but also create habitats for a variety of plant and animal species, enriching our backyard ecosystems.
Choosing eco-friendly materials for our backyard projects can significantly reduce our environmental impact. Recycled wood, reclaimed stone, and sustainable composite decking offer beautiful and durable options that support sustainable living. By opting for these materials, we can create backyard spaces that
are as eco-conscious as they are stylish.
Our backyard spaces can cater to a wide range of activities, from active play to quiet relaxation. Whether it’s a cozy reading nook or a nature-inspired play area for the kids, our outdoor spaces offer endless opportunities for connection and enjoyment.
Lush greenery, comfortable seating, and meandering pathways transform our backyard spaces into tranquil retreats. These peaceful oases provide the perfect setting for unwinding, meditating, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature.
Designing our backyard spaces with wildlife in mind creates havens for birds, bees, and other creatures. Birdhouses, bee friendly plants, and water features attract a diverse array of wildlife, contributing to the biodiversity of our backyard ecosystems.
Transforming our backyards into sustainable havens is not just good for the environment; it’s also a source of hope and inspiration.
Rebecca Barnes is the Publisher of Prince William Living magazine and Brides & Weddings magazine. She is a lifelong resident of Prince William and a volunteer with OWL VFD. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, being a Grandma, visiting Walt Disney World, reading, and sleeping.
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Stats: 87% of Travelers Want to Travel Sustainably  Travel Agent Central
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Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov launched the construction of an eco-technological plant for the production of electricity with the disposal of solid household waste in Bishkek. The press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reported.
The head of government noted that environmental issues have been acute in the capital in recent years. For two years, work has been underway to eliminate stationary sources of air pollution in the city, including work is carried out on supply of residential areas with gas, autonomous boiler houses have been switched to gas, environmentally friendly types of public transport have been purchased, and more than 600,000 plants have been planted within the framework of Zhashyl Muras initiative.
«The landfill in Bishkek needed a plant for processing household waste. Today we are starting the construction of the plant for the production of electricity with the disposal of solid household waste. Cleaning systems, living quarters, and sports facilities will also be built. This project is important to us. We wish success to the enterprise,» he said.
Akylbek Japarov told that the Cabinet of Ministers considers the construction of waste processing and incineration plants in seven regions and two cities of the country a priority. Last year, funds were allocated to support the development of the cities of Karakol and Jalal-Abad.
Currently, a large waste incineration plant is being built in the city of Jalal-Abad. A Belarusian company began building a waste incineration plant in Karakol for 135 million soms.
The waste processing plant, which is planned to be built on the territory of the landfill, will dispose waste in an amount of about 850 tons per day.
The following production lines will be built on the territory of the plant: waste incinerators, power generation generators, purification systems, residential premises, and sports facilities.
Construction of the plant is planned to be completed in November 2025.

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George Cobb, Ph.D., leads committee that provides independent scientific advice and recommendations to the EPA for chemicals regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act
George Cobb, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Science at Baylor University with a student researcher in his lab. (Robert Rogers/Baylor University)
Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media & Public Relations, 254-709-5959
Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (Aug. 30, 2023) – George Cobb, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Science at Baylor University, has been selected to serve as chair of the Science Advisory Committee on Chemicals (SACC), which provides independent advice on science and technical issues to assist the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in implementing the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as amended in 2016 by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.
The SACC is composed of experts in toxicology; environmental risk assessment; exposure assessment; and related sciences, including synthetic biology, pharmacology, biotechnology, nanotechnology, biochemistry, biostatistics, physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling (PBPK), computational toxicology, epidemiology, environmental fate and environmental engineering and sustainability. Cobb’s area of expertise is environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry and exposure assessment.
“I am honored and humbled to be named as the chair of the Science Advisory Committee for Chemicals. Serving on any U.S. EPA Advisory Committee is a great honor. Serving as chair of the SACC is especially gratifying,” Cobb said. “First, the SACC membership includes a true who’s who of scientists, physicians and engineers, and it’s a privilege to serve alongside them. Second, the SACC advises EPA’s approaches for assessing chemicals that are regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act. Thus, the Committee speaks directly to the science that is used to evaluate the human and environmental risks posed by chemicals used in commerce.”
SACC provides its science-based advice to the EPA Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics for risk assessments, methodologies and pollution prevention measures or approaches, including models, tools, guidance documents, chemical category documents and other chemical assessment and pollution prevention products.
“This advice can address approaches that are being considered and are proposed for use in evaluations of whether an overall assessment has been conducted using the most appropriate techniques,” Cobb said. “Ultimately, our committee speaks directly into the process that determines if chemicals are retained for use in commerce, have modifications to conditions of use or are removed from use. That is a tremendous responsibility for protecting our citizens while allowing commerce to proceed in a reasonable manner.”
Cobb has more than 35 years of experience assessing the fate and effects of chemicals in the environment. He has published over 140 peer-reviewed journal articles in this area of inquiry and has successfully assessed adverse effects that contaminants cause in organisms, both in the environment and in controlled laboratory studies. Successful field assessments include normal-use pesticide applications, National Priorities List sites, and state and municipal air and water quality.
Most recently, Cobb’s research group has emphasized personal care product transformation in wastewater treatment; nanomaterial alteration of amphibian development; metal toxicant accumulation by rice; airborne steroid movement from concentrated animal feeding operations; transformation of explosives in mammals; and ultra-high resolution Mass Spectrometry screening.
In addition to his leadership of SACC, Cobb has been named a Fellow of the American Chemical Society and has served as the immediate past chair of the Environmental Chemistry Division and a member of the Committee for Environmental Improvement. He is a Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) Fellow and the former president of SETAC, North America. He is an editor for the journal Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
The College of Arts & Sciences is Baylor University’s largest academic division, consisting of 25 academic departments in the sciences, humanities, fine arts and social sciences, as well as 11 academic centers and institutes. The more than 5,000 courses taught in the College span topics from art and theatre to religion, philosophy, sociology and the natural sciences. The College’s undergraduate Unified Core Curriculum, which routinely receives top grades in national assessments, emphasizes a liberal education characterized by critical thinking, communication, civic engagement and Christian commitment. Arts & Sciences faculty conduct research around the world, and research on the undergraduate and graduate level is prevalent throughout all disciplines. Visit the College of Arts & Sciences website.
Baylor University
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Waco, TX 76798

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Kickstart your research for sustainable shipping and and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Eight founders to share their tips for shipping products with the environment in mind.
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As consumers become more conscious of their shopping habits, they’re looking not only for eco-friendly products. They’re also concerned about sustainable business practices across the board.
How items ordered from Shopify businesses are packaged and shipped has a major impact on the planet—and customers are taking note.
We spoke to founders about their sustainability practices, including eco-friendly packaging options and how they’re shipping and fulfilling their orders with the environment in mind. 
Let’s dive into each of these eco-friendly packaging ideas, with advice from ecommerce business owners on everything including recyclable packaging, compostables, sustainable alternatives to plastic bags, filler, and more.
Eric and Yana Dales met while doing humanitarian aid work in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Being in a garment manufacturing hub, the Dales saw the environmental drain and social impact of fast fashion. In response to the unsustainable raw materials, plastic packaging, and poor labor conditions of these companies, they created the fashion company they wanted to see in the world. 
The couple started TAMGA Designs, a sustainable clothing brand that aims to be style-, people-, and planet-conscious. 
Their main objective is to not contribute to the deforestation taking place in ancient Indonesian jungles. They found a production partner that produces fabric from sustainably grown eucalyptus and beechwood trees to create pieces colored with low-impact dyes. 
Still, their garments are sourced in Asia, travel to their facilities in Canada, then ship out to consumers in more than 25 different countries. With all the miles their garments are traveling, the Dales set their sights on becoming a carbon-neutral company. “We looked at the carbon emissions per kilometer per kilogram of garments on different modes of transportation,” Eric says. “We have a big spreadsheet, and at the end of the month, we put together a tally and purchase offsets on those emissions.” 
TAMGA shares its process openly in the hope of creating systems other businesses will follow.
TAMGA Designs also packages each of its garments in eco-friendly packaging materials, specifically, 100% biodegradable cassava-based mailers. This compostable packaging solution replaces conventional plastic or kraft mailers.
“It’s really important for small businesses to know this isn’t something that is going to take away from their profitability,” Eric says. “In the long run, we honestly believe it’s a net-positive impact on our bottom line, because customers do see it and they do value it.”
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Harriet Simonis, David Fragomeni, and Scott Ferguson first became friends while living in Bali. When surfing the local waves, they were distressed to find that the ocean was overflowing with single-use plastic packaging and discarded fishing nets. That moment served as the catalyst to adopt the zero-waste lifestyles they still practice today. As they searched for plastic-free and eco-friendly products, they realized something ironic. “A lot of environmentally friendly products come affixed in plastic,” Harriet says. “It almost undoes the good.” 
Determined to create an eco-friendly solution, the trio founded Zero Waste Cartel, a brand of bath, body, and kitchen products in biodegradable or reusable packaging.

Their pledge to go plastic-free came with its own set of distinct challenges. For example, Harriet says the company had a hard time finding a warehouse that would actually use the compostable mailers they provided because of the additional time and effort involved. 
They’ve since found a suitable partner in the United States, where most of their orders are placed, which further reduced their environmental impact by shortening the shipping distance between warehouse and customers. 
“We prefer to ship in bulk, for the dual reason that it’s a better value for customers and better for the environment too,” Harriet says. Zero Waste Cartel only sells its bamboo toothbrushes in packs of 10 to encourage customers to plan their purchases or share orders, so that products can ship in a more sustainable manner. What might otherwise seem like an inflexible policy has resonated with Zero Waste Cartel’s customers, who see value in bulk purchases for the planet and their own wallets. 
Since 2016, Roth Martin and Stephen (Hawthy) Hawthornthwaite have created high-end, durable, and machine-washable footwear made from plastic water bottles, under the moniker Rothy’s. With products that place style and sustainability on equal footing, Rothy’s counts Meghan Markle and supermodel Karlie Kloss among its fans.
Lauren Taflinger, who was Rothy’s director of production, says the company has recycled and repurposed more than 34 million water bottles to date. Rothy’s production process also knits shoe uppers to shape, which creates virtually zero waste, unlike traditional cutting, where 30% to 40% of material is wasted. 
Like TAMGA Designs, Rothy’s also offsets its carbon emissions from production and fulfillment by partnering with the Envira Amazonia Project to fund ecosystem services and forest conservation projects.
Rothy’s team took a logical approach to reduce waste in its shipping and packaging practices. “Rather than shipping a box within a box, our shoeboxes are the vehicle for both shipping and returns,” Lauren says. Rothy’s vegan, biodegradable boxes are made from 85% post-consumer recycled materials. Rothy’s hopes to reduce the additional use of paper cards and make their boxes even more versatile.
When it comes to sustainability, Rothy’s is all about reimagining the details, from products to packaging, so that every component of a customer’s order produces less waste. 
Visual artists Tara Pelletier and Jeff Kurosaki are the life and business partners behind Meow Meow Tweet, an organic skin care company that features adorable animal illustrations on its eco-friendly product packaging. Their love of animals, also the motivation behind their vegan lifestyle, eventually inspired them to create products made with organic unrefined plant oils, cold-pressed essential oils, and botanicals.
Jeff and Tara want everything they create to either return back to the earth or be reusable. In pursuit of that goal, they use biodegradable packing peanuts as filler and non-reinforced paper tape throughout their environmentally friendly shipping process. Their solid products, like deodorants, soaps, and lip balms, come in biodegradable kraft packages, while liquid products like cleansers, toners, and sunscreen, are packaged in recyclable packaging like glass or aluminum bottles. Plastic pumps can be recycled by their partner, TerraCycle. 
Holy Lamb Organics has come a long way since its early days, when founder Willow Whitton sold bedding out of a repurposed school bus. 
The brand has attracted a loyal following that includes rave reviews. Part of the appeal can be attributed to husband-and-wife team Jason and Mindy Schaefer’s steadfast adherence to a zero-waste production process.
“Our production model is carefully designed to make the most effective use of every cut, and any excess in a cut is used for something else,” Mindy says. The same goes for the company’s wool suppliers, who use cardboard rolls and kraft paper for their eco-friendly packaging, while scraps can be sent back to their suppliers to be repurposed.
When it comes to sustainable shipping, the Holy Lamb Organics team has a knack for getting their items to fit into smaller packages—an eco-friendly packaging solution for larger items. “We keep our boxes as light as possible by not adding extra collateral or material, and vacuum sealing all mattresses so they ship smaller,” says Jason. 
For all the other shipping and logistics components they cannot control, Mindy says the team uses a carbon offset program to help mitigate the effects.
The team wants to work with fulfillment partners who can help shorten the distance of each shipment by having their products stored at warehouses closer to the majority of their customers.
A big trend in eco-friendly packaging right now is compostable and biodegradable packaging. Speaking to this growing area of focus for many retailers, Hero Packaging is a supplier dedicated to making 100% compostable mailers, which replace traditional hard to recycle poly mailers.
Life and business partners Anaita Sarkar and Vik Davé were originally running a fashion business when they realized how much plastic waste went into fulfilling their orders. “We were throwing away a lot of packaging from suppliers then having to repackage things again, adding to the world’s plastic and landfill woes,” Vik says.
So they took matters into their own hands. “We did some digging and found out that you can actually have compostable shipping labels and mailers to replace plastic,” Vik says. The material Hero Packaging uses is cornstarch and cassava based.
Now that business has taken off in Australia, Vik and Anaita have begun seeing a large portion of sales of their eco-friendly packaging from North America. To respond to newfound demand, they’re keen to start partnering with fulfillment centers in the US.
Vik jokes that “being a business which is essentially located at the bottom of the Earth makes it difficult to viably ship heavy boxes to different parts of the world.” The couple says their goal is to further reduce their carbon footprint by shipping closer to their customers in the most sustainable way available.
The common thread with all of these brands is a desire to be more environmentally responsible. For some, this commitment offered a way to connect with customers around core values. For others, the time, energy, and research involved in sourcing sustainable packaging solutions just felt like the right thing to do. 
Depending on your industry, location, and resources, the right packaging and shipping solutions for your business can vary widely. Whatever you choose for your business, know that your efforts will pay off as more and more customers are speaking up for the environment with their dollars.
Feature image by Unsplash / Sticker Mule
Eco-friendly packaging refers to alternatives to typical wasteful packaging like plastics. These alternatives include renewable packaging, compostable poly mailers (bioplastics), recycled kraft shopping bags or filler, biodegradable packing tape and stickers, recycled corrugated cardboard boxes, and other packaging materials that contribute less waste.
Packaging accounts for a huge amount of waste produced globally. Taking steps to replace some of this with sustainable alternatives will reduce the strain on our planet, including plastics that end up in our oceans and deforestation.
There are many alternatives that all have their pros and cons. The best packaging is no packaging at all, but this is an unrealistic standard to meet, especially as an ecommerce company. The most eco-friendly packaging is that which uses the least new resources and is easy to either reuse, home compost, or recycle.
Eco-friendly packaging may cost more than conventional packaging, and the prices will range widely depending on a number of factors, including material and volume. Buying anything in bulk will save you money and is a great solution for businesses that ship many things in the same size packaging. Compare rates and options. The extra cost is worth it for the positive impact you will make on the planet—and in customer’s minds.
There are multiple packaging supplies that offer eco-friendly options from large businesses like Hero Packaging and noissue that offer custom packaging options. Weigh the offerings of each of these sources based on your volume and other needs.
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