Green Libraries

Going green is no longer an option, but a "must" for successful businesses who want to turn greater profits, expand their customer base, and compete in today's market. Author Rich Mintzer presents you with 101 ways to turn your current company into a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly business.

Targeted at businesses, although most information is applicable to any organization. The chapter on pitfalls to avoid when implementing a sustainability program is particularly useful.

An economy low in carbon and high in life satisfaction will require thousands, if not millions of exceptional leaders. This book brings together sustainability knowledge with the leadership skills and tools to help you become one of those leaders. It is suitable for those in or aspiring to sustainability-literate leadership.

What do a clothesline, a locally grown tomato, and a microchip have in common? They’re all ordinary things that can have an extraordinary impact in the fight against global warming. Carbon dioxide from vehicles, appliances, heating and cooling systems, and other common devices is thickening the Earth’s atmosphere and causing dangerous climate changes around the globe. But some everyday things — like the seven wonders described in this book — can vastly reduce these impacts. The wonders are profiled in short, lively chapters that also explore the key issues behind global warming: transportation ("The Bicycle"), population ("The Condom"), fossil fuel efficiency ("The Ceiling Fan"), renewable energy ("The Clothesline"), food production and distribution ("The Real Tomato"), resource conservation and reuse ("The Library Book"), and the information economy ("The Microchip").

You already know why your company should go green. This comprehensive guide tells you how to do it profitably. It details every step of the process -- from getting employee buy-in and conducting a current sustainability audit to developing a plan of action and measuring progress.

Using case studies of nearly 40 successful West Michigan companies and associations, including furniture industry giants Haworth, Herman Miller and Steelcase; Cascade Engineering; Nichols Paper and Supply; Gazelle Sports; Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA); and the West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, readers are taught to incorporate small changes immediately while developing a comprehensive foundation for long-term sustainable business practices.

Detailed guide to creating a sustainability plan and sustainability report. Each chapter contains background reading, tips, case studies, and worksheets to help with the process. While targeted at businesses, library administrators should also be able to apply the information to their operations.