Subject: RE: answers to your question |
From: "Nana Wilberforce" <nwilberforce@greenseal.org> |
Date: 6/2/08, 12:04 |
To: "Barrett Brown" <barriticus@gmail.com> |
Hello barrett,
I think LG, electrolux are some of the
examples that I know of. I hope it helps
Nana
From: Barrett Brown
[mailto:
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2008 11:58
AM
To:
Subject: Re: answers to your
question
Nana-
Hi, and thanks again for your answers for my article. I was wondering if you
could give me one more quick quote on the same subject sometime today or
tomorrow. Can you give me an example of a company that's reaped the financial
rewards of adopting greener policies? Let me know if this is possible.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 11:38 AM,
Hello Barrett
As a start I will try to answer your questions in the manner
you presented in your previous email
Q: I was hoping you might be able to provide me
with some examples of allegedly "green" products and services that
don't actually possess favorable LCA's or are otherwise not quite what they're
cracked up to be?
A:
the answer to this question may be biodiesel. There is a lot of noise about
biofuels being renewable and therefore green. However recent lca research has
shown that not all biofuels per se can reduce environmental impacts as compared
to fossil fuels. Currently of all the production paths investigated, it is
especially the use of biogenic wastes and grass to wood that brings a reduction
in the environmental impact as compared with fossil fuels. Also there is a new
buzz about clean coal, but a critical look will show you that coal is not
green.
Q: I was also curious to know if someone at your organization be
willing to give me a quick quote about what to look for when assessing the LCA
of the products they use
A:
When conducting an lca of products from different companies, the entire
life cycle of the product should be considered. First the acquisition of raw
materials and types of raw materials used in production (renewable resource,
recycled raw materials etc). Secondly the production processes should also be
considered (energy use, raw materials used, and emissions from production which
may be hazardous). Thirdly you have to look at the product use phase ( how long
can the product be used, how many times must repairs be made or parts be
replaced, how much energy does the product require, does the product contain
harmful chemicals that will be hazardous to the user). Lastly you have to also
look at the end of life of the product (what percentage of the product is
recyclable, what percentage contain harmful chemicals and how those chemicals
are disposed off, what types of waste management does the product require).
In all
the concept of sustainability must be taken into consideration
I hope I
have been able to give you some answers to your question
Regards
Dr. Nana Takyi Wilberforce
Environmental Scientist
Green Seal
202-872-6400
nwilberforce@greenseal.org
www.greenseal.org
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 5:02
PM
To:
Subject: Re: Media Request for
Article on Life Cycle Assessments
Nana-
Thanks for getting back to me. Tomorrow will be absolutely fine. I look forward
to getting your e-mail, and thanks in advance for your assistance.
Regards,
Barrett Brown
On Wed,
May 21, 2008 at 4:40 PM,
Hello barrett
I just got your email about the lca. I can provide some
answers for you hopefully tomorrow morning
Will that be fine with you? Today is kind of a busy day but
tomorrow will be fine with me
nana
Dr. Nana Takyi Wilberforce
Environmental Scientist
Green Seal
202-872-6400
nwilberforce@greenseal.org
www.greenseal.org
From: Barrett Brown [mailto:barriticus@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 21, 2008 2:59
PM
To: Green Seal
Subject: Media Request for Article
on Life Cycle Assessments
Sirs-
Howdy. I'm a freelance
writer and I'm working on an article for a new trade publication that serves
the convention display design and production industry. The piece concerns the
manner in which those involved in this and related fields can minimize the
environmental impact of their industry without being taken in by those firms
which purport to offer green options while ignoring legitimate barometers of
impact such as Life Cycle Assessment.
I've done a bit of
research on your organization and I'd like to mention it in the article as a
good place to start for those who are new to green purchasing or who would like
to become certified themselves. I was also curious to know if someone at your
organization be willing to give me a quick quote about what to look for when
assessing the LCA of the products they use. More importantly, I was hoping you
might be able to provide me with some examples of allegedly "green"
products and services that don't actually possess favorable LCA's or are otherwise
not quite what they're cracked up to be.
If you can provide me
with a quick quote or put me in touch with someone who might be able to, please
get back to me later today if possible.
Thanks,
Barrett Brown
512-560-2302