Mulino Bianco, Barilla group, goes on renewables
All Mulino Bianco products (biscuits, bread and snacks) will soon be powered by renewable energies. The operation will be carried out through RECS certificates, which will guarantee that the over 100 millions of yearly kw (equal to the consumptions of a 900.000 town!) will come from clean energy.
Sustainable shopping at Simply supermarket in Milan
The Italian food retail store Simply opens a sustainable point of sale in Milan (Italy). The new supermarket is mainly built with recycled materials, from furniture to carriers. Most part of the offer is made of eco products.
Energy efficiency systems will allow Simply to save 16% of energy compared to other supermarkets of same size. All energy comes from renewables.
Moreover all food products that can’t be sold anymore, though still edible, will go to charity.
Gli accessori d’arredo sono in materiali riciclati: la plastica di carrelli, gettoni, cestini della spesa (…) . Sugli scaffali una ricca selezione di prodotti ecoattenti.”
Dal lato energetico si stima annualmente “un risparmio energetico di 296.800 kWh, pari al 16% dei consumi del supermercato. (…). Inoltre, anche grazie l’utilizzo di energia rinnovabile, si evita l’emissione circa 1 milione di kg di CO2 all’anno. La fornitura elettrica utilizzata per coprire il fabbisogno proviene dalle centrali idroelettriche della Valle d’Aosta.”
Anche l’area del sociale risulta importante, ad esempio tramite ”la donazione dei prodotti alimentari ancora edibili ma non più commercializzabili al Piccolo Cottolengo” (fonte: gdoweek)
“In EPA’s most recent ranking of Fortune 500 companies that purchase renewable energy, Intel comes out on top, edging out PepsiCo by about 75 million kWh.” (source: environmentalleader.com)
Aegis Media Italy switches to renewable energySince the 1st of May 2009 Aegis Media Italy sources its electricity from renewable sources (solar, wind, hydroelectric).
The media powerhouse, including agencies like Carat, Vizeum and Isobar, is using RECS (Renewable Energy Certificate System) certifications to have evidence of the production of renewable energy equivalent to its own consumption. ENEL is the energy provider for the more than 400 Aegis Media Italy employees. Clean energy won’t cost Aegis more than previously used energy.
Switching to renewables is part of the “Green Bean” project, Aegis Media Italy commitment to sustainability. Among other achievements to date, a national recycling waste policy and the usage of FSC certified paper only.
Vodafone recycles old mobiles, sells eco top-ups and produces recycled bags
Vodafone is promoting some of its most successful sustainability programs at “My Future” exhibition point in Milan (1st-11th April), where people can for example contribute to Vodafone recycling scheme for old mobiles, parts and plugs. Since year 2.000 the scheme saved from landfill 1.600.000 old mobiles, providing 30 tons of materials for reuse or recycling. All earnings have been used to finance photovoltaic panels installation in Italian schools. Another financial contribution to photovoltaic panels is coming also from the “eco top up” program, seeing Vodafone donating one euro from its pocket for every 60 euro top up from its customers. To date “Eco top ups” have provided 27.048 euro. Another very interesting initiative is Vodafone reusing plastic from its own old billboards adverts to produce “eco bags”. Again, earnings will contribute to provide Italian schools with clean energy (bags are prices from 25euro).
