Who is the largest single U.S. consumer, one of the largest worldwide consumers, and a supporter of environmentally friendly products and services? Answer: the U.S. government. With $350 billion in annual spending, it is no surprise that the federal government makes a big impact with their massive purchasing power. Currently federal laws and executive orders require factoring in environmental considerations and sustainable practices in governmental purchasing decisions. Assisting governmental agencies, green vendors, and consumers is the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program.

People may think of going green with energy efficiency measures like changing their light bulbs. It may dawn on them to help the environment when buying paper products and choosing ones with recycled content. But, who really thinks of being more eco-friendly when it comes to consuming alcoholic beverages? It’s not likely at the top of people’s going green list. Yet, due to the success of their ultra premium organic tequila in restaurants and bars in the Bay Area, California, Artá Holdings has been broadening their market and expanding distribution throughout Colorado with plans to expand nationwide.

These days many schools are striving to be more environmentally friendly. There are a number of different programs available to help them to achieve this goal. Examples include fostering good indoor air quality, utilizing integrated pest management techniques, and for new schools, implementing LEED building standards. A new trend has emerged that has been getting green attention: embracing iPad technology.

It’s time to buy a gift. So you did your due-diligence and found an eco-friendly product. Hooray! Now you’re ready to wrap it. But, what do you use? Reuse your Sunday comics? Perhaps. How about decorate the inside of a brown paper bag? Classy. These days you have more choices than sifting through your recycling bin.

With textile waste accounting for 5% of our landfills, it's no surprise that the fashion industry has gotten a bad reputation for environmental pollution. A handful of designers have decided to change that with new efforts to raise environmental awareness. The March 29th event, Runway to Green, kicked off an eco fashion show benefiting environmental organizations such as the Alliance for Climate Protection, the National Resource Defense Council and Oceana.

With the boom of green, more and more businesses are finding ways of marketing with a green angle. But, what does green marketing really do for companies? The Environmental Leader talks about this situation of green conferences and green networking with a wonder to the true benefit of green sales pitches. The bottom line is that businesses will ultimately do what is, no surprise, good for business.

Staples 2^nd Annual Global EcoEasy Challenge is a competition for university students to create the most innovative eco friendly office supplies. Promoted by Staples, Inc. and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), this international challenge responds to increasing global awareness and sustainability.

There’s more to eco-friendly coffee than avoiding the Styrofoam cups and using a reusable mesh filter. Most of us have learned about the benefits of chemical-free organic coffee. Some of us have even heard about fair trade coffee and the support it provides to not only the trees and land but also the farmers who make their livelihood off the crop.

With so many products claiming to be green or friendly to the environment, it is hard to know what truly constitutes an eco friendly product these days. Whether they are called green products, sustainable products or environmentally responsible products, these eco friendly products cause minimal harm to people and the environment. The manufacturing and/or consumption of these goods have a minimal impact on the environment. Although there are no universal certifications or standards to deem a product as eco-friendly, there are some questions that you can ask when trying to buy green.

It seems that here in the United States, we’re getting hit with green from all sides. These days, we hear green murmurs in international conferences, from the federal government, in the media, and through advertising which all trickle down into the general population. Nearly 60% of people who pick up a newspaper and magazine find themselves reading a green article. And over 30% of consumers go into stores and realize that they are now buying more green products. How has all this green snuck into our lives?