The Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance dedicated to stopping plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals and the environment through education and individual commitment. With Halloween around the corner, the Coalition came up with some novel ideas about how to make the holiday both orange AND green which I’d love to share:

1.     Create costumes out of discarded clothes and use face paints rather than store bought plastic masks to complete the look.

  2.     Trade out plastic-wrapped candy for foil-wrapped or boxed treats or even homemade finger puppets.

3.     Have kids use recycled or repurposed bags to serve as sturdy carryalls for their loot

4.     Go retro with holiday décor, turning your home haunted through ghosts made from sheets, real corn stalks & carved pumpkins lit from within.

5.     When it’s party time, go classic with apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, reusable party goods and streaming music. Use matches rather than lighters and let the kids make their own decorations, providing fabric bits and twine.

Halloween can be a wonderful holiday for family fun and creativity. Saving time by using plastic may be minute wise and hour foolish, given the long term effects discarded plastic has on the environment. Every action matters and each of us has an opportunity every day to do our part.

Sue Rigler

President, AdVinylize

According to a recent report conducted by the Advertising Specialty Institute, the sale of promotional bags has been skyrocketing over the past two years, fueled by a growing global trend to ban plastic.

ASI’s Global Advertising Specialties Impressions Study confirmed that bags generate the highest number of ad impressions in a month – 1,078 for a single bag – because they’re used repeatedly in and out of the office. The message they carry is seen by significant numbers of people. They have universal appear versus pens and caps. Whether carrying books or briefs, carting groceries or toys, used by men, women or children, promotional bags take you in style to your final destination!

As I race about getting four kids off to a new school year, I wonder where the summer went! It always moves too fast and leaves too quickly, but I’m grateful for the moments given to reflect and consider my life’s course. As an athlete, mom and businesswoman, I struggle with juggling many roles and read an article recently on a website called The Cool Hunter that really resonated and put a lot in perspective.

Especially in today’s world, fear reigns and we often take jobs doing what we must rather than what we love which is ultimately a big mistake. As they put it, “Anyone can change the world, and everybody should try. And it all starts with your own life.”

Passion for our earth and preserving its resources is what drove Advinylize’s launch several years ago – as a proactive means to repurpose discarded plastics that might otherwise end in landfills. It’s been a challenging journey but one I’m committed to for the long haul since I fully believe we can – and should – be responsible for the outcome of our actions.

AdVinlyze is here to help and would be delighted to find solutions that serve your company, your customers and the environment. Don’t put it off till tomorrow! As author Neale Donald Walsch put it, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone, so get used to being uncomfortable.”

Sue Rigler

President, AdVinylize

The results are in for 2011 and we’re excited to see Advinylize partner Toyota topping the 50 company list of Interbrand’s Best Global Green Brands, followed by 3M, Siemens, Johnson & Johnson and HP. This extensive report is based on analysis of publicly available data, and data from Thomson Reuter’s ASSET4  (which includes environmental sustainability performance data for over 3,000 companies) and reflects what a brand is doing rather than how they are perceived.

This important distinction is why some brand’s halos are large, despite nominal performance while others are little known, though their initiatives are remarkable. Interbrand’s Key Insights explains why and the site is filled with interesting information about what each brand is doing.

The bottom line is that ‘being green’ is a mindset that must touch every aspect of a business – could made the difference.

AdVinylize™ is here to help and would be delighted to find solutions that serve your company, your customers and the environment. Tomorrow’s generation is counting on us!

Sue Rigler

President, AdVinylize