This Month’s Roundup of Top Green Initiatives

The potential for sustainability is nearly limitless and is a great investment into the future for generations. Many corporations, colleges and cities, and more have been moving toward this goal for years. Here are this month’s top 6 roundup of green initiatives, from big business to city government and more.

Loyola University Chicago

Loyola U has been steadily increasing it’s sustainability. In fact, they earned the number five spot on College Magazine’s Top 10 Most Eco-Friendly Colleges. Their green initiatives are found across campus. These range from travel options which leave a smaller carbon footprint, such as bicycles, to ensuring that micro- and macroscopic organisms alike have a healthy environment. Furthermore, they divert and recycle rainwater from Chicago as well as using recycled plastic bottles in the chairs found in the campus cafe.

Alfahim

Alfahim, a United Arab Emirates family-run tire making company, isn’t new to sustainability practices. Since 2005 it has been making changes at it’s offices across Abu Dhabi, including even such small steps as switching to LED lighting and adding recycling bins. Over the last 5 years, in partnership with brands and campaigns, it has recycled over 740 tons of paper and has significantly reduced its carbon footprint. These practices and more are built into the core of the company.

Coca-Cola’s Public Space Recycling Grant

Coca-Cola, in partnership with Keep America Beautiful, is helping to make recycling bins available in communities. According to the initiative’s website, “The grant program awards actual recycling bins to schools government agencies, colleges, and other community organizations.” 2017’s grant cycle awarded 3,250 recycling bins across the country. Recipients include the Pauloff Harbor Tribe in Sand Point, AK, the city of Hartford, CT and the University of Southern Mississippi. Recipients were chosen based on several factors including recycling potential and need.

Green Square

Green Square in Sydney, AU is a transformed area of sustainability. What was once Sydney’s oldest industrial area is now a vibrant neighborhood chock full of green innovation such as the neighborhood’s new recycling depot, Alexandra Canal. The building itself is made of eco-friendly concrete and has a Tesla battery that will allow energy storage. It’s website boasts plenty of bike-routes, parks and plazas. In lieu of active transport, car sharing is available as well as a future light rail system. Once completed, Green Square will be nearly 100 percent green.

Teens Saving Gorillas

As part of Dallas Zoo’s youth conservation group, teens in Dallas, Texas have begun a cell phone recycling campaign. By recycling unwanted mobile devices such as phones and iPods, they hope to reduce the demand for coltan, a widely used mineral in the manufacturing of compact devices. Coltan is mined heavily and is an important contributor to deforestation in Africa, which is the home of the African Silverback Gorilla. By recycling and repurposing these devices, the demand for this mineral will decrease and these creatures’ homes will be spared.

Sustainable Polyester

A new, sustainable polyester is in the works. Not only is this initiative green, it’s the first of it’s kind. Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. is collaborating with Loop Industries in order to support and encourage a circular economy as well as the growing demand by merchandise packaging and beverage companies. According to Aloke Lohia, group CEO of Indorama Ventures, “This is a first strategic step in our global commercialization plan and mission to accelerate the world’s shift toward sustainable plastic and away from the traditional, take, make and dispose economy.”