Source: Reanne Li

Prairie Pulp and Paper Inc.’s straw wheat paper innovation is an example of how CSR’s growing popularity is bringing about positive environmental change. Step Forward Paper is made of 80% waste straw wheat, and 20% Forest Stewardship Council certified wood fibre, in order to maintain strength and quality that consumers expect in their paper products (par. 8, 12). Prairie Pulp and Paper has changed waste straw wheat from being a waste material to a valuable resource.

I disagree with Kat’s argument in her blog that this product may not necessarily be sustainable. Not only is Prairie Pulp and Paper making use of a material that would otherwise go to waste, but with fewer trees needed for paper consumption, the deforestation of virgin forests in Canada will decrease. The use of trees allocated for new purposes will prevent other virgin forests which are currently protected from being exploited because of increasing demand for wood products.

While this may be an example of yet another company jumping onto the CSR bandwagon, is that really such a bad thing? Although companies are adopting CSR in order to gain access to the large environmentally conscious market and the high prices those consumers are willing to pay for eco-friendly products, they are still the ones with the most capital and power to lead the change towards a more sustainable future.

Works Cited

“Together wheat can make a difference!” Step-Forward Paper – Eco-Friendly Paper. Prairie Pulp & Paper Inc., n.d. Web. 17 November 2012.<http://www.stepforwardpaper.com/product.shtml>

Celia’s blog post on ‘dirty companies’ leading sustainable change through business innovation reminded me of an article I read about a number of new technologies in the oil industry which have led to significant improvements to oil extraction practices.

For instance, Suncor Energy was the first company to successfully reclaim a tailings pond in September 2010, through its tailings reduction operations technology. It now takes only a few years to transform tailings ponds into natural habitat, instead of the previous standard of over 40 years for an environment half as successfully reclaimed (McCullough par. 2, 3).

Another revolutionary innovation is the toe-to-heel air injection (THAI) system, which does not require water to liquefy the bitumen before extracting it. All carbon dioxide emissions remain underground, and 17% more oil can be extracted from reservoirs using this system (McCullough par. 13, 14).

I feel that while these developments in the oil industry have greatly improved its environmental sustainability,  there are a number of issues with this model of corporate sustainability. It does not change the fact that we are still expecting oil to be our main energy source for the future, instead of beginning to transition towards relying on renewable energy sources. Also, the technologies and efforts of these companies can still lead to negative impacts on the environment, such as carbon emissions still being emitted, albeit not into the atmosphere.

Extra: Check out a video of Suncor Energy’s reclaimed tailings pond, now called Wapisiw Lookout (0:47-3:00).

Works Cited

Beketa, Celia. “The Unforeseen “Leaders” in Corporate Sustainability?” Celia Beketa’s Blog. 13 November 2012. Web. 14 November 2012.

McCullough, Michael. “Oilsands: Environmental disaster?” Canadian Business. Rogers Communications. 25 October 2010. Web. 14 November 2012.

Owner Tarren Wolfe with his cultivation units at Living Produce Aisle in Gastown. Source: Vancouver Sun.

On Saturday, a new produce store opened its doors in Gastown (Wood). Living Produce Aisle provides customers with herbs, sprouts, and micro-greens, which are all grown in-store. In one month, they can grow between 1000 and 2000 pounds of produce, in 20 cultivators. It also has a café which sells salads and smoothies (Shore).

While grocery stores have the advantage of selling herbs, sprouts and micro-greens conveniently in the same location as most other food products that customers need on a regular basis, Living Produce Aisle has a number of points of difference that will attract a lot of customers in the coming months. An original idea like this appeals to health-conscious consumers, customers who are mindful of the environmental impact of transporting produce from far away, and for chefs who are looking for a source of fresh greens. Greens sold in grocery stores are usually limp by the time they reach the shelves, since they are usually imported in the winter months. Living Produce Aisle, on the other hand, takes “locally grown” to a whole new level: it is able to provide fresh greens to customers 12 months a year, without having to travel any distance at all. In addition, the produce can be cut to the consumer’s specifications, allowing purchases to be customized (Shore).

Living Produce Aisle is expecting to bring in approximately $50,000/month, and this can be credited to their unique idea and active brand positioning.

Works Cited

Shore, Randy. “Bright idea transforms basement into greens farm.” The Vancouver Sun 3 October 2012: A1, A3. Print.

Wood, Amy. “Get Über-fresh Greens from Urban Cultivator and the Living Produce Aisle.” Alive. Alive Publishing Group Inc., 5 October 2012. Web. 6 October 2012.

The indirect environmental impacts of electric cars from production mean that electric vehicles can be just as unsustainable as conventional diesel or gasoline vehicles. Source: RideLust.

The words “electric car” are normally associated with being a sustainable vehicle choice. However, according to a study conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, electric cars (EVs) may not necessarily be better for the environment.

The main difference in the environmental impact of EVs and conventional vehicles is due to the different production inputs and methods for making batteries and motors for EVs. The human toxicity potential of electric vehicles is around 200% greater than that of conventional cars due to sulfidic tailings created when processing copper and nickel (Hawkins et al. 6). These metals also cause a stronger acidification impact (BBC). Another issue to consider is where the electricity to charge the car’s battery comes from: if electricity is provided by coal, oil, or lignite combustion, the environmental benefits from using an EV are outweighed (Hawkins et al. 9). For instance, when powered by coal electricity, EVs increase the global warming potential by 17-27% in comparison to using conventional vehicles (Hawkins et al. 4).

Consumers should be made aware of the actual impacts of EVs on the environment, so they can make more sustainable choices when searching for an environmentally responsible car. Electric car companies have established a clear word association in consumers’ minds between electric cars and sustainability, without acknowledging that in order to be sustainable, we must take into account where our electricity comes from, and how the production of these cars impacts the environment.

Works Cited

BBC. “Electric cars ‘pose environmental threat.’” BBC News. BBC News, 4 October 2012. Web. 7 October 2012.

Hawkins, Troy R., Bhawna Singh, Guillaume Majeau-Bettez,  and Anders Hammer Strømman. “Comparative Environmental Life Cycle Assessment of Conventional and Electric Vehicles.” Journal of Industrial Ecology 16.5 (2012): 665-773. Web. 7 October 2012.

RideLust. “e-mobility Berlin: The German Electric Car Infrastructure.” RideLust. SeaWaves & Brains. 8 September 2008. Web. 7 October 2012.