causes
graphic design with the planet in mind
In an on-going effort to offer our clients up-to-date, relevant knowledge about packaging trends, we invited John Bernardo of Sustainable Innovations to hold a seminar at Foerstel last week on The Essentials of Sustainable Packaging. What an amazing and complex subject, as well as timely and important to our industry!
John’s long history of consulting to assist businesses with their triple bottom line and sustainable operations, along with his association with the Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC), GreenBlue, and the Dupont Innovative Packaging Awards provides him with a strong knowledge base and true, hands-on experience.
At Foerstel, one of our requirements in package design development is to consider the sustainable potential for each project, and we encourage and assist our customers in doing the same. John’s seminar was based on the SPC’s 8-part definition of sustainable packaging, which provided a deeper understanding of how these criteria can be integrated into packaging development. This definition has been widely adopted throughout the packaging industry and provides a common vision, framework and strategies that work towards more sustainable packaging.
A key point in the seminar was that trade-offs are an inherent part of pursuing sustainability. The SCP definition considers all facets of design and production, which results in the bar being set so high that today there is no such thing as a completely sustainable package. But there are eight steps, so the key is to choose one or two to focus on initially, determining which aspects of Sustainable Packaging are most important to your company and its mission and vision. It’s important to inform your suppliers of your interest and emphasis on Sustainable Packaging. The other key point that we found interesting is that committing to sustainable package design and production reduction typically saves money in the long run.
Many thanks to John for a truly fascinating and significant seminar, and thanks to Treasure Valley Packaging Group and our client, Kelly Kunzweiler of Good Cow, for attending the seminar with us!
local, organic farm tour
Early last Wednesday morning, strong coffee in hand, Jim Hall and I made the 2 hour journey to Buhl, one of Southwest Idaho’s quaint farming towns. We volunteered to help with the Organic Farm Tour sponsored by NCAP (Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides). As members of NCAP and with a good portion of our business being in the organic food industry, Jim and I thought volunteering would give us the opportunity to learn more about local sustainable agriculture. Little did we know how much our help was needed. Jen Miller, the only NCAP staff member in Idaho, handles each event from beginning to end.
NCAP organizes these tours each summer at several different farms to give organic farmers a forum to discuss and learn from experts and their peers in the sustainable agriculture community. This particular tour was hosted by Mike Heath at his farm, M&M Heath Organic Farms. Mike is a leader in Idaho’s organic agriculture and has been farming organically for 28 years. He currently runs 450 acres of certified organic production!
The day included several speakers from University of Idaho, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Idaho’s Bounty, tours of two of Mike’s fields, a 15-minute downpour that drenched us while we toured the first field, and a delicious lunch that consisted of all local foods from Mike’s and neighboring farms. We were amazed at the network of programs and agencies available to assist organic farmers. Valuable information was shared about agricultural trials and tests, non-pesticide alternatives for potato blight and other common pests, the best process for rotating crops, and more! You cannot help but admire this community of local farmers and organic agricultural specialists in their quest for a better food supply and a better environment. Foerstel applauds the local organic farmers in Idaho!
it’s a win, win, win!
Here’s something that really gets us excited - The first annual Good Food Awards recognizing the trifecta of good food: delicious, socially responsible, and sustainably produced.
In its inaugural year, with an organic all-star judging panel that includes Alice Waters and Nell Newman, Good Food Awards will be given to winners in seven categories: beer, charcuterie, cheese, chocolate, coffee, pickles and preserves. Awards will be given to producers and their food communities from each of five regions of the US. The Good Food Awards seal, found on winning products, assures consumers they have found something exceptionally delicious that also supports sustainability and social good.
shakespeare takes the stage
This time it is the web stage! We are pleased to present the re-launch of IdahoShakespeare.org.
Complete with a Box Office, Calendar and overall information architecture–and a hot new look–the site has launched for what will be yet another wonderful season of performances.
We are thrilled to contribute to an organization that adds so much color to the cultural community here in Idaho. Check out Bat Boy: The Musical and Midsummer’s Night Dream - both now playing!
On Saturday evening, we celebrated the launch of the site and beginning of the season at Bat Boy (hilarious - a must see!). It was wonderful to be in the Amphitheater again eating good food with great people and enjoying such amazing talents. Other highlights from the night: alpine glow (after weeks of rain here in the high mountain desert) and two eagles soaring overhead throughout the show. A perfect night and wonderful way to celebrate work by our rockin’ web team.
for the love of facebook
Can’t get enough facebook? Pick up an Idaho Shakespeare program next time you’re at Shakespeare Under the Stars and see how creative foerstel can be (in print)!
don’t give up on green
One of our clients recently decided to explore the possibility of packaging their products in “corn plastic”, otherwise known as Polylactic Acid (PLA). Due to the controversy surrounding PLA our client is still debating if the product will make it to the shelf in the “corn bottle”. We decided some additional research was in order on our part to understand the current thinking on the pros and cons of PLA.
We discovered that several factors need to be considered—biodegradability, compostability, fossil fuels used, air pollution produced, the dreaded GMO corn and its entire controversy — these are just some of the issues that are being discussed. It can all seem very complicated and discouraging, but it’s important to stay focused on the progress being made rather than the problems we are encountering. Solutions are being developed and improved upon, and we are much further along in the sustainability movement than we were 10 years ago.
The following articles, the first from 2006 and the second from 2010, are perfect examples of the evolution of a new development.
2006 Smithsonian Article
2010 Green Right Now Article
It’s not a perfect answer yet, and sometimes announcements of marginal or untested solutions are simply greenwashing, so we need to be vigilant and attentive. But if we voice our concerns and stay involved, eventually new solutions evolve for the better. As Eric Lombardi, president of the Grassroots Recycling Network and a leader in the international Zero Waste movement says, “let’s not kill the good in pursuit of the perfect”.
the man brunch
As the joke goes, what is Mother’s Day without all the gifts and hoopla? Father’s Day!
But our client, Chandlers Steakhouse, is working to change all that at the Man Brunch where not only will dads get their day in the sun, but 100% of the proceeds go to benefit the Women’s & Children’s Alliance. So put away that tie or aftershave and give dad what he really wants - beef & beer - for dad’s day!
one is a lonely yet efficient number
Here is a true example of “it’s the little things that matter.”
To truly understand the genesis of this idea, you have to first understand the large and well-used soapbox we have in our office. On any given day one to seven people can be found standing on it spouting their opinion about a current topic of imagined interest. One day I was having a discussion with Mary K about how you really can dry your hands with one paper towel. She is a great believer in this concept and so am I - drilling it into my kids in all public restrooms we visit. So why not at work? We both realized we take two towels at work just out of habit. This deserved not only stepping on the soapbox and shouting at the top of my voice, but also a sign. Oooo, my favorite!
So, I made it an office-wide challenge for May. A sign went into the men’s and women’s facilities on the paper towel holder. I am happy to report (from the women’s side at least) that I have seen many very wet “one-sies” in the trash lately. Good job team!
the diehards
You have to give these two props. Yesterday–80% chance of rain, 100% chance of soggy bottoms–and they still rode their bikes to work. Today–a repeat of yesterday’s weather, but let’s throw in 25 mph winds to make it that much more exciting. And, guess what? They still both rode in to work again. Linda and John, we applaud you!
sticking it to may in motion
Everyone loves stickers, right? Remember the really important ones as a kid? A gold star for a job well done, a Scooby Doo for a brave visit to the doctor’s office - cherished prizes of accomplishment. Here at Foerstel we cater to our inner children and our May in Motion participation screamed for stickers-a-plenty. We created a variety of stickers for specific alternative transportation mode used, and others to just keep you thinking about what you can do for May in Motion….and beyond.
Because our inner children were taught manners, we feel compelled to share. So, if you would like to use our specially designed May in Motion stickers we would be happy to send you a pdf to print for your office. Just send an email to debbie@foerstel.com and we’ll help you put things in motion!
