Sustainability: Finally, A Trend That’s Good For The Planet.

You’ve heard the buzz words: Green, eco-friendly, sustainable, organic. They’ve infiltrated our TV commercials, they are plastered on products from cleaning supplies to light bulbs to food, and they are popping up in the headlines. Companies everywhere are making the choice to “go green,” and there are new companies sprouting up every day dedicated to providing sustainable choices to people worldwide. A trend like this is usually a marketing ploy that catches on and spreads like wildfire: a fashion statement, a catch phrase, a popular movie. But a trend that is both incredibly popular and good for humanity? Catch your breath folks, because it’s here.

Sustainability and the 3 R’s, Reduce Reuse and Recycle, have been gaining strength since the 80’s, but just in the past few years it seems everyone is buying into the idea that making choices that benefit the environment is the way to go. To say it simply, “tree hugging” isn’t just for hippies anymore. In fact, Philadelphia city mayor, Michael Nutter showed his support for the sustainability movement by launching the Greenworks campaign in 2009, pledging to make “his city the greenest city in America.” Since then, he has implemented recycling, tree planting, energy saving, and green job training around Philadelphia, making huge strides towards the mayor’s goal.

Joining our nation’s oldest city in the sustainability trend, our nation’s capital also has shown their dedication to the 3 R’s. Specifically the U.S. House of Representatives, who showcased the results of their green efforts in April 2010 at the U.S. House of Representatives’ Green Expo. The House partnered with Atlantic Exhibits – an exhibit design firm who has offices in both Philadelphia and the Washington DC Metro area – to create an exhibit for the Expo. Atlantic Exhibits designed and constructed a 50 foot wall using repurposed materials depicting the steps taken to lower the amount of energy used in everyday activities. Among the achievements of the House were eliminating several tons of landfill waste per year, reducing the total amount of energy used, and saving 46 million gallons of water annually, all by making minor adjustments in everyday life.

Sustainability has also given rise to a crop of new companies, dedicated solely to providing environmentally friendly options to consumers wanting to make less of a carbon footprint. In Philadelphia alone there are numerous companies whose purpose involves offering their product or service in a sustainable way. Parable Painting, for example, established in 2009 offers eco-friendly options for paints, finishes and millwork. Premier Cleaning Services Inc. provides janitorial support, floor maintenance and other Green services to provide healthy environments to their clients. Another new company, Eco-Ventive, is a brand new architectural design firm dedicated to creating quality and sustainable structures using modern technology and proven architectural strategies. Even the Organic/sustainable eater has plenty of options in Philly, including Mugshots Café, who provides fair trade beverages and locally produced food at 3 different locations throughout the city.

An easy way to find sustainable businesses in your city is through your local Sustainable Business Network, the first of which originated in Philadelphia and spurred similar websites in just about every major city in the country. A simple Google search can guide the user to the best resource in their city to find a green option for just about any business need.

It seems Sustainability is everywhere, and it no longer takes much, if any, extra effort to lower your carbon footprint and live by the 3 R’s. It is refreshing to see a trend sweep the nation that can actually do some good.

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