Justin's

Sustainable Squeeze Pack Journey Continues!

2010-11-03T10:29:00.000-07:00

Great news! Two advocates for our Sustainable Squeeze Pack Journey have made some great headway.

Martha Young, writer for ColoradoBiz, has made contact with Proctor and Gamble as well as Kraft and is working on getting them on board to be a part of the solution.

Catherine Greener, Principle and Co-founder of Cleargreen Advisors, has spoken with Heinz and is working hard to engage them!

If any of these companies were to commit to changing even .5% of their packaging, industry would change.

Thank you Catherine and Martha for all your help and support in our cause! We can't wait to see what come out of these great first steps.

Google!

2010-10-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

Just discovered a great tool the other day – the Google PowerMeter – an online platform that allows the average person to see their energy consumption throughout the day. For the longest time, people have just received their bill from the energy company at the end of every month and paid it with no idea where it’s all going. Turns out that air conditioner you left on while you were at work today is using lot of energy!

This is one of those great ideas that saves you money and supports our natural environment (win - win). Studies show that people cut their energy usage by 15% when they have access to detail like the PowerMeter provides.

Obviously the energy crisis needs to be confronted on a much greater scale as well, but starting with the average consumer is an awesome start!

Snyder's Film Conversion

2010-10-18T13:39:00.000-07:00

So this sustainability trend is really beginning to catch on.

Snyder’s of Hanover, has followed suit with Frito-Lays sustainable packaging for SunChips -yes they are just as noisy. But that is the sound of sustainable innovation folks!!

Snyder’s has only converted their organic line to the plant-based bags, but hey, it’s a start! The more companies that opt-out of using the current, and might I add cost-effective, petroleum-based bags the easier it will be for smaller companies like Justin’s to convert as well. Very cool!

Sustainable Squeeze Pack Conference -The Aftermath

2010-10-11T12:14:00.000-07:00

We held the first ever sustainable squeeze pack summit this past Thursday in Boulder. I'm still recovering, so here's a brief, brief, synopsis. More to follow on future posts . . .

Wednesday night we held a roundtable discussion with film resin suppliers, manufacturers and retailers. There were around 15 participants that included Whole Foods Market, GU, Powergel, Cargill and Archer Daniels.

Thursday started with presentations by Alex Bogusky, Hunter Lovins, Whole Foods Market, and
Clear Green Advisors for Walmart. After lunch we began our panel discussion that focused on two major components to a successfully crafted sustainable squeeze pack.

Does the film come from a renewable resource?
Can the film structure break down (compost)?

Keeping the performance of the squeeze pack as our #1 priority does a film structure exist that is 100% from a renewable resource and also compostable? Today's answer is no.

After healthy discussion we decided as a group that a small start somewhere is better than nothing at all.

So we put our stake into the ground to achieve at least 30% of our squeeze pack film packaging to come from renewable resources by Earth Day 2011.

The summit has been called the beginning of a journey that will take several steps to achieve our ultimate goal: 100% renewable film that is 100% compostable.

Stay tuned!

Dell has been bamboo-ified

2010-09-20T10:51:00.000-07:00

Compostable packaging is shaping up to be the next big trend in sustainable product design.

At the beginning of this year, Dell announced that its bamboo packaging, which is used as cushioning in its laptops and certain net books, is officially compostable.

Dell started to use the bamboo cushions in 2009 as a plan to integrate sustainable packaging into its supply chain: “We previously used oil-based products like Styrofoam and polyethylene as cushioning, but we hear from our customers that they were interested in smaller packaging and recycled or organic materials,” explained Oliver Campbell, Dell’s senior manager of Global Packaging.

Lesson Learned: Consumer demand ultimately drives manufacturer and retailer interest. It is all up to us!!

Bamboo is a fast growing plant and it’s strong yet light enough for cushioning. Did you know that bamboo can grow up to two feet per day in some areas and harvesting can occur in as little as 3 years?

The harvesting of the bamboo has a minimal impact on the land, can protect from erosion, and doesn't require replanting.

The American Society of Testing and Materials certified the bamboo packaging as compostable and gave it a D-6400 certification. Compostable is defined that the packing will compost and biodegrade at a rate comparable to known compostable materials when added to a hot, active compost pile. In laymen’s terms and according to www.greenprofitcommunity.org, this is simply a material that breaks down to become what is effectively soil. It contains no toxin and can support plant life.

With Dell and many other companies looking to switch to compostable and sustainable packaging, I feel that these small steps are a positive start.

For more information and fun facts check out these websites:

http://www.fastcompany.com/1643493/dells-bamboo-packaging-now-certified-compostable

http://content.dell.com/us/en/corp/d/press-releases/2010-05-11-compostable-bamboo.aspx

http://www.matternetwork.com/2010/5/dell-launches-compostable-packaging-laptops.cfm

For more information on what the D-6400 certification is, check out these websites:

http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6400.htm

Here's to Greener Boulder Housing

2010-09-09T14:05:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to SmartRegs, a proposed program to make rental units here in Boulder more energy efficient. In a town like Boulder, with so many college kids arriving and leaving every year, rentals are the lifeblood of the housing market. Unfortunately, without policies like SmartRegs, landlords do not have much incentive to make energy-efficient improvements when tenants generally pay the utility bills. Nothing against the landlords, energy efficiency can be expensive up-front, but in the long run it is worthwhile – both on the pocketbooks and the environment.

SmartRegs comes up for a vote on September 21st. How will you vote?

Anyone want an overview on sustainability?

2010-08-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

I have been reading through some of the previous posts and it occurred to me that words like “sustainability” and phrases like “carbon footprint” have been thrown around, but how many readers truly understand the meaning of these words? Sure, we all know businesses and individuals alike are striving for this so-called “sustainable way of life,” but what does that mean exactly? And what is wrong with our current way of life? I’ll keep it short and simple to maintain your attention, but I do encourage everyone to take some time to do a little of their own research (Check out what the EPA's has to say about sustainability)

Ok, here we go!

Sustainability is the importance of maintaining our natural environment so future generations can enjoy the Earth as we do today. Without the sustainable management of our natural resources we will slowly destroy our environment and create a challenging world for future generations. Imagine if your grand children only knew what a polar bear was from looking in a text book! Or what if major cities had to import all of their drinking water by the truck load? Don’t scoff, some cities in India already have to do this.

One major way to sustain the environment is to reduce the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) we release into the atmosphere. CO2 is not only released by large manufacturers either. Are your light bulbs energy efficient? CO2 is a man-made fuel used for energy, often referred to as a greenhouse gas. The release of greenhouse gases creates a “greenhouse effect” on the Earth. What enters the Earth’s atmosphere cannot leave; similar to heat entering a greenhouse. Consequently, greenhouse gases are causing an unnatural and unwanted change in our ecosystem.

Of course the issue is much more demanding and complex than my description may convey, but overall, reducing the amount of CO2 emissions can help to maintain our environment and future generations. This is why I want to bring sustainability to Justin’s.

Keep checking our website as we begin to determine and measure the CO2 footprint on some of our most popular products.

There are plenty of everyday choices that we can make to support greener alternatives. Something as little as turning off a light when not in a room or installing water reducing shower heads can go a long way . . .

Local companies already committed to compostable packaging!

2010-07-16T08:57:00.000-07:00

Boulder, CO is one of my favorite places in the country!

Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder is surrounded by 36,000 acres of open space, making it a playground for any outdoor enthusiast. Surrounded by all this natural beauty also helps the Boulder community stay committed towards preserving their natural environment. By establishing various sustainable practices, citizens, public officials, and local companies have made Boulder somewhat of a "mecca" for everything green.

Needless to say, I feel extremely lucky to call this outdoor paradise home.

Through the development of compostable packaging, (along with many other "green" practices) we are trying our best to fulfill a commitment towards sustainability for future generations. While we are still in the process of establishing biodegradable packaging for our single serve squeeze packs, other Boulder companies have already shown their commitment for sustainable packaging.

Specifically, Boulder Canyon Natural Foods now uses wood pulp sourced from plantations that have Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) or similar certification for a line of new kettle cooked chips with compostable bags.
Even more eco-conscience is the packaging from 'Pangea Organics' for their bar soap line.

Pangea created a 100% compostable, biodegradable and plantable package!! Yup, in the egg crate like packaging are embedded medicinal herbs that come to life once the box is soaked and planted about 1 inch deep in soil.

To learn more check out their websites below or click on their images. If you know of any other companies ANYWHERE that are making a sustainable difference with packaging please let me know!

http://www.pangeaorganics.com/

http://www.bouldercanyonfoods.com/

The Least You Can Do

2010-06-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Today I attended a creative meeting at Boulder Digital Works with Alex and Ana Bogusky to flush out a new platform BDW is launching called
The Least You Can Do.

This is still a top secret project so I won't say too much about it yet, but I will say that it pretty much blows my mind to sit in a room with some brilliant people and have them talk about our company as a catalyst for change across an entire industry.

Here's a hidden phone video of Alex teaching me about capturing emails . . . something I know nothing about.

Justin's sustainable squeeze pack initiative will be the first topic of discussion on The Least You Can Do and I'm psyched to see the response!

Thanks BDW, CP+B and Alex and Ana for having Justin's be a part of Least you Can Do!

The practice of sustainable business

2010-06-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

I recently finished Yvon Chouinard’s book, “Let My People Go Surfing.” Yvon is a personal hero and the founder/owner of Patagonia Clothing Company.

This is an inspiring story of how he weaves a conscience into his business, products and practices.

I truly find it fascinating to learn how companies are founded, especially when it’s by individuals whom personally needed something that didn’t exist and had the courage to bring that product or service to market themselves.

I was asked recently by Alex Bogusky why sustainable businesses practices wouldn’t interest everyone. (my answer: short-term profits).

By definition, a sustainable business would ensure the self-preservation of itself with the business of future generations.

Sustainable business practices should interest EVERY business because their future customers depends upon the survival of our species and this planet.

I truly enjoyed Yvon’s perspective of not yearning to become a big company, but a great one. To ask questions and seek the answers (i.e. truth) about how your business may affect other businesses, people and the environment.

Are we doing everything that we can as a business and as a person to make a positive difference and empower change?

Yvon sums up his book through the mission statement of Patagonia Clothing Company:

“To make the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis.”

Brilliant.

Biodegradable Sq Pk Test - Canyonlands National Park, UT

2010-05-21T04:54:00.000-07:00

Biodegradable film is great if it works in a compost environment, but could it compost too well??

A squeeze pack of peanut butter biodegrading in a compost pile over a few months is one thing, but to biodegrade in your pocket or backpack is another . . .

My goal was to conduct my first 'active' life tests during one of my favorite activities: pushing the limits outdoors.

This adventure, mountain biking the White Rim Trail loop in Canyonlands National Park in near Moab, UT in one day. I figured that if this biodegradable film can survive a self supported 11-14 hour bike ride in the desert crammed into the back of my jersey then we're onto something!

More on the trail: www.utah.com/offroad/white_rim_trail.htm

Canyonlands National Park and Map: www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/whiterimroad.htm

I was able to rope in a few helpers on my test and I can happily report that after 12.5 hours and 115 miles of trail riding in temps ranging from 50 F to 85 F not only did WE survive the ride (each consuming nearly a gallon of water and eating 8-12 nut butter packs, gels, bars, etc along the way) but the pack made it back in great shape!

Sure it looked like it had gone through the washer AND drier, but the pack was intact!!

The last pic was taken at the end, and that is me smiling . . .

Queen of Green

2010-04-28T15:19:00.000-07:00

Met with Catherine Greener from ClearGreen Advisors.

Catherine is the CEO and founder of Greener Solutions Inc. and co-founder of Cleargreen Advisors, both of which are directed towards helping firms become more sustainable for the future. Additionally, Catherine sits on a number of advisory boards promoting sustainability in higher education programs, for-profit companies and the city of Denver.

Catherine and I were introduced through Alex Bogusky to help us find ways of measuring and improving the environmental impact of our nut butters. She's worked with everyone from major retailers like Walmart to car manufacturers.

As we are both feverishly scribbling down notes she lays down her first of what would be several acronyms from our meeting. "I suffer from CRS, so I have to always take notes" Catherine spurts out. "What" I ask! "Can't Remember Shit" she replies. I like her already.

As we discussed the sustainability of our product line, we began by identifying the Hot Spots (areas to focus on), Bright Spots (area's we excel at) and the Blind Spots (area's not yet identified).

We then move onto what a LCR or LCA would look like for each of our nut butters (Life Cycle Review; Life Cycle Analysis) and applauded Patagonia Clothing for their footprint chronicles that follow several of their products from raw materials to finished products and the environmental impact and choices that went into the process. It's very cool, and I'd love to create something like that for our site. Amazing how sometimes we are so focused with where something will end up that we forget to consider where it came from . . . Check it out: http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/footprint/index.jsp?slc=en_US&sct=US.

We ended our conversation by discussing the possibilities of a Sustainable Packaging Summit this Summer/Fall in Boulder, CO and what that would look like. An opportunity for retailers, manufacturers, packaging suppliers and thought leaders to commit to one common goal: sustainable packaging.

As my pencil became too dull to write, I felt a little overwhelmed realizing how much help I truly needed, yet still determined knowing that I could count on Catherine the Queen of Green to help.

Whole Foods - The Real Deal

2010-04-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

I met with Will Paradise, president of Whole Foods Market Regional in the Rockies, as well as Jim McConnell, sustainability guru at Whole Foods. They are a truly inspiring! I'm thrilled to be working with them to support some of their WFM Green Mission Team initiatives.

Check out Will in front of Everest in the Khumbu region of Nepal with a squeeze pack! Very cool.

Justin's 2010 Earth Day Commitment

2010-04-22T15:09:00.000-07:00

Today is an exciting day...

In honor of Earth Day, I decided to announce to the public that Justin’s will be aggressively seeking out methods to make the packaging of our squeeze packs completely biodegradable. Since starting the company, I wanted to solve the problem of environmentally unfriendly packaging. With the support of my investors and amazing customers like you, I hope to set the pace for the industry to take steps in reducing their impact on our planet.

Sitting on my desk as I write this blog, is a biodegradable, plant/PET based squeeze pack full of my favorite Almond Butter -Maple. I am so excited to see how this new method will develop and hopefully spark others to recognize such an endeavor and take steps in their own practices.

It's not the PERFECT biodegradable solution. But it's a step in the right direction to hopefully spark greater demand for sustainable packaging!!

Wouldn’t it be amazing to see other companies commit to do the same a year from now on Earth Day 2011?

We'd be using this packaging today if it didn't cost four times as our current . . .