Stories from Alexis Petru
Sponsored
Disrupting Short-Termism
Best Buy: E-Waste Take-Back is Excellent Customer Service
Americans throw away 400 million units of consumer electronics every year, according to the Electronics TakeBack Coalition. While many electronics […]
June 3, 2015
Sponsored
Disrupting Short-Termism
CVS Wants to Help Cities Safely Dispose of Old Medications
Between 10 and 30 percent of all prescription and over-the-counter drugs sold are left unconsumed, according to a State of […]
May 20, 2015
Sponsored
The Circular Economy and Green Electronics
Is There a Business Case for Product Take-Back?
There are many environmental and financial benefits to extended producer responsibility (EPR): the idea that a product’s manufacturers and retailers […]
May 5, 2015
Energy
California’s Hidden Water Consumer: Power Plants
As California suffers through its fourth year of record drought and Gov. Jerry Brown imposes mandatory water restrictions for the […]
April 16, 2015
Sponsored
Women in Leadership
What Does Women's Leadership Mean in 2015?
Nearly a century after women were granted the right to vote and a half century after the Equal Pay Act, […]
April 7, 2015
Voices for Change
Couture Smog Masks Unveiled At China Fashion Week
We’ve all seen the powerful images of residents in China’s most polluted cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, wearing face masks […]
March 30, 2015
Voices for Change
Airbnb Campaign Brings Attention to NYC Homeless
If you’re looking for a place to stay on your next trip to New York City, Airbnb user Jamie has […]
March 26, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Can the Guardian’s Climate Campaign Effect Real Political Change?
The early 20th century muckraking journalists criticized the meat-packing industry and child labor practices, Woodward and Bernstein exposed Nixon’s Watergate scandal, […]
March 20, 2015
Voices for Change
Documentary on China’s Air Pollution Spurs National Debate, Government Censorship
Last week, a biting documentary about China’s air pollution problem went viral in the country, garnering more than 300 million […]
March 10, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Designer Handbags Provide Jobs, Preserve Ancient Cultures
The term “sustainable fashion” has many meanings: It can refer to clothes and accessories made from organic, naturally-dyed fabrics; apparel […]
March 9, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Has China Reached Peak Coal?
Last fall, China made a historic climate agreement with the U.S., committing to reach peak carbon by 2030 and peak […]
March 3, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
SunEdison Invests $5M To Boost Solar Workforce Diversity
The U.S. solar workforce grew nearly 20 percent faster than the national average employment rate last year, according to the […]
March 2, 2015
Energy
Dietary Guidelines Consider Planet's Health
“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” These seven words are author and sustainable food advocate Michael Pollan’s sage advice […]
February 27, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
BP: Put A Price on Carbon, Let The Market Cut Emissions
One of the world’s six major oil and gas companies supports a global price on carbon – and no, this […]
February 23, 2015
Energy
Elon Musk's Next Business Venture: Home Energy Storage
How do you keep your 100-percent-solar-powered home’s lights burning bright at night? How do you maintain electricity during a power […]
February 18, 2015
Energy
Sprint Offers $5K to Students Who Find Innovative Ways to Recycle Smartphones
Have a bright idea for a new way to recycle an old smartphone? This week, Sprint launched its first-ever Smartphone […]
February 6, 2015
Energy
Recycling Startup: Market Should Be 'Main Driver' of Environmental Change
Leftover pizza dough into ethanol fuel and old uniforms into pet bed stuffing – where some peek into a business’ […]
February 4, 2015
Energy
Report: Food Industry Needs to Take Responsibility for Its Packaging Waste
Nearly a third of the United States’ solid waste stream is product packaging – Capri Sun drink pouches, Starbucks coffee […]
February 2, 2015
Corporate Responsibility
Report: Pollution is the Leading Cause of Death in the Developing World
It was only after Seynabou Mbengue saw five of her 10 children die that she realized the culprit: her job extracting […]
January 28, 2015
Finance
Report: U.S. Lags on Embracing the Sharing Economy
Approximately 80 million Americans took part in the sharing economy last year – from donating unwanted clothes to renting movies […]
January 26, 2015
Technology
Poll: Energy Efficiency is America’s No. 1 Housing Concern
Safety, affordability and privacy – it’s no surprise that these were some of top housing needs identified in a recent […]
January 21, 2015
Energy
Photo Gallery: Levi’s Turns Donated Denim into Field of Jeans
If you build it, they will come. In this case, the “it” was a series of bright red drop-off bins […]
December 23, 2014
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Sustainably Attired
TriplePundit's Guide to Buying Used Clothing
Want to save 700 gallons of water for under $10? The next time you buy a new shirt, make sure […]
December 5, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Report: How Organizations Can Turn Slacktivism into Clicktivism
The term, “slacktivism” – defined as “informal actions performed via the Internet in support of a political or social cause […]
December 1, 2014
Finance
Does a Company’s LGBT Policies Apply to Its Workers Abroad?
Most leading U.S. corporations now have LGBT nondiscrimination policies in place for their American gay and lesbian employees, according to […]
November 21, 2014
Energy
Philadelphia More Than Doubles Recycling Rate
Just in time for last week’s America Recycles Day, the city of Philadelphia announced an impressive achievement in waste reduction: […]
November 17, 2014
Sponsored
Sustainably Attired
After the Thrift Store: What Happens to Your Donated Clothes?
This past weekend, thousands of fans crowded Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, to watch the San Francisco 49ers play […]
November 5, 2014
Energy
A Brief History of the Plastic Bag
California made headlines this fall when it became the first U.S. state to place a ban on single-use plastic shopping […]
November 5, 2014
Voices for Change
World Vasectomy Day Pushes Men to Take an Active Role in Family Planning
Last year, 100 physicians in 26 countries performed nearly 100 vasectomies on Oct. 18. The occasion? The first-ever World Vasectomy […]
October 30, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
How Natural Infrastructure Can Boost Climate Change Resiliency
Are government officials doing enough to prepare their communities for natural disasters and extreme weather events – that are increasing […]
October 22, 2014
Technology
Method’s New Factory to Host World’s Largest Rooftop Farm
Back in March, eco-friendly cleaning supply company Method broke ground on its first U.S. manufacturing plant, set to be built […]
October 17, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Is Jessica Alba’s Diaper Company ‘Honest’ About Its Eco-Credentials?
The Honest Company, a line of eco-friendly baby, personal care and cleaning products dreamed up by Jessica Alba, has become […]
October 15, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Two Years After Sandy: NYC Plans for Transportation Resiliency
Editor’s Note: This article is part of a short series on creating resilient cities, sponsored by Siemens. Please join us for […]
September 29, 2014
Sponsored
Carbon Offsetting
Carbon Offsets 101: A Simple Guide to Buying Quality
Read more in this series Carbon offsets used to be maligned as a way for individuals to assuage their eco-guilt […]
September 24, 2014
Energy
Study: Cats, Cell Towers are More Deadly to Birds Than Wind Turbines
Wind energy has famously pitted environmentalists against each other – renewable energy and climate action advocates vs. wildlife conservationists concerned […]
September 22, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
New Technology Helps Companies Choose Products, Ingredients Based on Sustainability
How can a manufacturer reformulate a cleaning product to contain fewer harmful chemicals, and how can a retailer stock its […]
September 4, 2014
Energy
Poll Clears Up Misconceptions: People of Color Concerned About Climate Change
Earlier this month, hundreds of community activists gathered near the Chevron oil refinery in Richmond, Calif., to mark the two-year […]
August 20, 2014
Energy
Can Conan O’Brien Convince Californians to Save Water?
California’s historic drought is no laughing matter. But the state of California and the Natural Resources Defense Council are trying to […]
August 14, 2014
Sponsored
Setting The Standard
Navigating the 'Wild West' of Eco-Labels: Science-Backed Tips for Consumers
Read more in this series The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Star program is one […]
August 13, 2014
Energy
Carpet Recycling Jumps 52 Percent in 2013
Fourteen percent of carpet was recycled into new products or used to produce energy last year – rather than buried […]
August 13, 2014
Sponsored
Setting The Standard
Green Labels 101: What Labels Are Out There, and Which Ones Can We Trust?
Read more in this series “Energy Star,” “all-natural,” “biodegradable” and, of course, “organic” – these are just a few of […]
August 6, 2014
Energy
Houston’s One-Bin Recycling Program: Path to Zero Waste or Environmental Racism?
When you think of zero waste, you might picture towering compost heaps or overflowing recycling carts – but what about […]
July 23, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Obama: Climate Change Is a Threat to U.S. Infrastructure
More extreme droughts, floods and wildfires – these are just some of the impacts of climate change that won’t just […]
July 21, 2014
Energy
'Give Back Box' Turns Old Shipping Boxes Into Charitable Donations
Monika Wiela was walking to work on Michigan Avenue in Chicago when she passed a homeless man holding a sign […]
July 16, 2014
Energy
New Trend: Climate Optimists Say Climate Change Won’t Be So Bad
We all have that crazy uncle who shows up at family reunions, trying to convince us that climate change isn’t […]
July 16, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Apple’s Environmental Report Reveals Major Accomplishments, More Work To Be Done
Apple’s carbon footprint shrank 3 percent from 2012 to 2013. It’s a modest decline, but this is the first time […]
July 14, 2014
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Corporate Responsibility And Internet Security
Can Companies Restore Consumer Confidence After a Data Breach?
During the holiday shopping season last year, about 40 million consumers who made purchases at Target stores had their credit […]
July 8, 2014
Finance
Former BP CEO Makes the Business Case for LGBT Equality
A few years before Tony Hayward resigned as head of BP after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf […]
July 2, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
LinkedIn, VolunteerMatch Team Up to Connect Nonprofits with Volunteers
Just like private companies, nonprofit organizations are in need of talent: There are approximately 2 million nonprofit board member seats […]
July 1, 2014
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Understanding Sustainable Forestry
How International Paper Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Read more in this series The American Forest and Paper Association (AF&PA) has set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas […]
June 19, 2014
Energy
Stress and Anxiety: The Lesser-Known Effects of Climate Change
We now know all too well the effects that climate change will have on the environment and society: from making […]
June 18, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Farmers Insurance Drops Climate Change Lawsuits Against Chicago-Area Cities
Who should pay for the impacts of climate change? This conundrum was at the center of nine class action lawsuits […]
June 10, 2014
Energy
Will New Yorkers Jump on Board as the City’s Compost Program Expands?
In the fall of 2012, New York City launched a pilot program to test out the curbside collection of organic […]
June 9, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Funding the Future: Innovative Ways Cities Are Paying for Infrastructure
Ed note: This article is part of a short series on financing smart city infrastructure, sponsored by Siemens. Please join […]
June 5, 2014
Energy
Turning Garbage Into Jet Fuel: Sustainable Solution or Incineration in Disguise?
Can garbage power your plane ride from New York to London? That’s the idea behind a new production plant that […]
May 30, 2014
Energy
2012 Postcode Lottery Green Challenge Winner: Molly Morse Recycles Greenhouse Gas into Plastic
Ed note: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge Plastics are a thorn in the side of […]
May 27, 2014
Technology
2013 Postcode Lottery Green Challenge Winner: Ginger Dosier 'Grows' Bricks with Bacteria
Ed note: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Postcode Lottery Green Challenge The brick is the basic building block of […]
May 20, 2014
Finance
Win $75,000 for a Market-Based Solution to the National Forests’ Challenges
Ed Note: This is a sponsored post on behalf of the National Forest Foundation. Can the principles of the free […]
May 19, 2014
Energy
Obama: "We Don't Fear the Future" of Climate Change
On the heels of the administration’s release of the Third National Climate Assessment report, President Barack Obama today announced an array […]
May 9, 2014
Energy
New Aluminum Can Boasts 90 Percent Recycled Content
Environmentalists and beer lovers alike can raise their glasses in a toast: Aluminum manufacturer and recycler Novelis has unveiled an […]
May 9, 2014
Energy
Electronic Industry Doubles E-Waste Collection in 2013
The U.S. consumer electronics industry set a new record for electronic waste recycling in 2013, according to a new report. […]
May 8, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
3p Interview: Can RideScout Be the 'Kayak' of Ground Transportation?
More than 78 percent of cars on the road are single-occupancy vehicles, according to RideScout, a mobile app that aims […]
April 30, 2014
Sponsored
The Rise Of The Sharing Economy
'Netflix for Legos' Is More Than Mere Child’s 'Pley' in the Sharing Economy
Toddlers and preschoolers exchanging toys through the sharing economy – no, it’s not a scene from Portlandia’s recent sketch spoofing collaborative […]
April 18, 2014
Sponsored
Sustainable Seafood
Seafood Traceability Makes for Better Products and a Healthy Bottom Line
The environmental benefits of seafood traceability are obvious: By tracking a fish through the entire supply chain – from capture […]
April 16, 2014
Energy
Can Glad Start a National Conversation on Waste?
How much waste do you throw away every day? That’s the question the Glad Products Co. hopes people will ask […]
April 15, 2014
Energy
TerraCycle Wants to Help Businesses Go Zero Waste
TerraCycle is known for collecting materials that can’t be recycled through traditional curbside recycling programs – like chip bags, water […]
April 11, 2014
Energy
Honey Maid Defends Its Ad Featuring 'Nontraditional' Families
In early March, Honey Maid launched its “This Is Wholesome” ad campaign featuring several “unconventional” families – a family with […]
April 8, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Air Pollution Now Responsible for 1 in 8 Deaths Worldwide, Study Shows
Air pollution is now the world’s single greatest environmental health risk, according to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) new findings […]
April 8, 2014
Technology
Nest Freezes Sales of Smoke Alarm, Is Sued Over Thermostat’s Energy Savings Claims
Nest Labs quickly became a darling of both the sustainability and tech worlds for its sleek, Internet-connected thermostat and smoke […]
April 4, 2014
Energy
Students Design Edible, Plastic-Free Water Bottle
In an ideal, eco-friendly world, disposable plastic water bottles wouldn’t exist; everyone would drink their water from a reusable cup […]
April 3, 2014
Sponsored
Sustainable Seafood
Can Technology End Overfishing?
Back in 2002, Thomas Kraft, managing director of Norpac Fisheries Export, came up with the idea to electronically track each […]
April 2, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
U.S. Carbon Emissions Dip 3.3 Percent in 2012, EPA Finds
In 2012, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions dropped 3.3 percent from the previous year, but overall, the nation’s emissions have risen […]
March 19, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
U.S. Public Transit Reports Record Ridership in 2013
Don’t tell the public transit naysayers who maintain that Americans will never get out of their beloved automobiles: Americans took […]
March 19, 2014
Energy
Apple Brings iPhone Buyback Program to Canada
Apple enthusiasts in the U.S. looking to upgrade their iPhones have been able to trade in their old devices for […]
March 19, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Tesla CEO Elon Musk Calls New Jersey Direct-Sales Ban an 'Affront' on the Free Market
If you’re a New Jersey resident thinking about buying a Tesla Model S, you’d better act fast: You have until […]
March 18, 2014
Energy
Upcycling Food Waste into Fertilizer: Q&A with California Safe Soil
You’ve heard of recycling leftover food scraps into a soil amendment for farms, but now a California startup is transforming […]
March 18, 2014
Technology
Method Breaks Ground on Its First U.S. Factory in Chicago
Eco-friendly cleaning supply company Method is known for pushing the envelope even in the sustainable business community: encouraging a work culture […]
March 17, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
New IRS Video Guides Same-Sex Couples Through Tax Filing
Next month, legally married same-sex couples are going to be filing their taxes differently than in previous years, and the […]
March 17, 2014
Energy
Hilton Bans Shark Fin Soup in its Asian Pacific Locations
Guests at the Hilton hoping to order shark fin soup will have to take their business elsewhere: The hospitality giant […]
March 14, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Can California Make Drug Manufacturers Pay for Take-back?
Leftover prescription and over-the-counter drugs flushed down the toilet or tossed in the garbage can end up in oceans and […]
March 13, 2014
Voices for Change
Bridgestone Arena Recycles Cigarette Butts with Help from TerraCycle
Despite a nearly 30 percent decline in cigarette smoking in the U.S. over the past decade, cigarette butts are still […]
March 7, 2014
Finance
Harvesting a Wasted Resource: Q&A with Rainwater Bottler Agana
Cities and companies may try to ban bottled water, but this convenient form of hydration isn’t going anywhere soon. One […]
March 6, 2014
Voices for Change
Dating Profile Pics Showing Your Humanitarian Work: Hot or Not?
Profile pictures on social media platforms and dating apps are oh-so-easy to poke fun at: There’s the quirky girl with […]
March 6, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Chinese Man Sues Government Over Smog
China is infamous for its dangerously high levels of air pollution, and now one man is suing the government for […]
March 4, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Caesars Supports Marriage Equality with a Wedding Giveaway
New Jersey became the fourteenth state to legalize gay marriage last October, and now Caesars Entertainment is joining in the festivities, […]
March 3, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Bing to Put Brazil's Favelas on the Map
How can you provide social services or start a new business when your city doesn’t even show up on a […]
March 3, 2014
Technology
Google-Powered Map Shows Deforestation in Near Real Time
The Earth loses 50 soccer fields’ worth of forest land every minute of every day, according to data from the […]
February 27, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Chula Vista, Calif., Sprint, UC Irvine Named EPA Climate Leaders
A California city government enacting a strict energy efficient building code and installing electric vehicle charging stations, a wireless provider […]
February 27, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Corporations Rank Nonprofits in First-of-Its-Kind Report
Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) rank companies all the time: Greenpeace rates electronics companies for environmental responsibility in its Guide to Greener […]
February 21, 2014
Corporate Responsibility
Kellogg's Pledges to Track Palm Oil Through Its Supply Chain
When you’re snacking on Pringles or Pop-Tarts, you don’t want to be contributing to the destruction of orangutans’ homes. That’s […]
February 20, 2014