Green Is Good Show

Enviro-Log’s Ross McRoy and Green Box’s William Walsh - March 5, 2010

John and Mike speak with Ross McRoy, President and founder of Enviro-Log, a log made of 100% recycled materials. Already the largest recycler of wax cardboard in the United States, Enviro-Log isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

“We’re growing by 20, 30, 40% a year,” McRoy says. “We’re probably in the 15- 20,000-ton range [of recycled wax cardboard] right now, and we’re hoping to continue to grow the fire log market.”

McRoy describes his product as the “ultimate wood substitute,” and the use varies widely — from cooking, to camping and everything in between — for clean-burning fire. The energy savings and saved landfill space is quickly catching on, as Enviro-Logs are available nationwide at many traditional outlets.

Later in the show, Green Box’s William Walsh calls in to talk about how his pizza containers are revolutionizing the industry. For Walsh, it was a no-brainer: When he was a college football player, food container waste was all around him.

“Sixteen-and-a-half square feet of paper go into a pizza box,” Walsh reveals. “Two-point-three-seven billion are manufactured in this country every year.”

Needless to say, something needed to be done. Enter the Green Box, a 100% recycled, multifunctional pizza box. There is no need for cleaning materials; no need for other storage materials like Saran wrap, aluminum foil etc.; and it is 100% recyclable.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (36.4MB)

1-800-GOT-JUNK’s Brian Scudamore and the ‘Ultimate Cheapskate’ Jeff Yeager - February 26, 2010

In the wake of the Vancouver Olympics, Brian Scudamore of 1-800-GOT-JUNK, the largest privately held trash company in the world, talks about his humble beginnings in British Columbia. Scudamore’s green entrepreneurial success has expanded his business across the world.

Scudamore started the business before college in 1993, and it has been fueling a green waste revolution since then. Currently, 61.3% of all materials picked up are recycled. Scudamore’s goal is 75% by 2014.

“We will come by, a customer points and says, ‘Here’s what goes,’ and they know that we’ll take those things to the proper facilities out there,” Scudamore says of the simple process. “We call ourselves a junk-removal company, but we’re much more of a junk-recycling company.”

In keeping with the conservation angle, John and Mike chat with Jeff Yeager, “The Ultimate Cheapskate.” Yeager, author of The Ultimate Cheapskate’s Road Map to True Riches, has been conserving his entire life.

In his discussion, Yeager reveals how he has conserved all throughout his life — from freezing spending for a week every year to biking his entire book tour routes.

“I’ve been a proud environmentalist my entire life,” Yeager says. “I’ve always seen this inherent connection between consuming and spending less and living lighter on the planet.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (48.0MB)

YouRenew.com’s Rich Littlehale and Jessica Lundberg of Lundberg Farms - February 19, 2010

John and Mike welcome Rich Littlehale, founder of YouRenew.com. Rich, a student at Yale University, saw an opportunity to build and grow a digital e-waste empire with green incentives.

“I had always wanted to do something in the greenspace,” Littlehale says. He credits summers spent at camps for his love of the environment.

“There are a lot of ways you can make an impact responsibly using and recycling e-waste. We created a simple, convenient, easy process with a monetary incentive to trade in your electronics.”

Later in the show, Jessica Lundberg of Lundberg Farms discusses how her family’s Northern California farming heritage has close green ties.

Lundberg recalls how her grandfather established the family’s Richvale, CA, farm with the idea that sustainable, healthy, green practices were necessary from the get-go — not just for the sustainability and preservation of his farm, but also for the health and longevity of his family, friends and neighbors.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (10.3MB)

Atlanta’s Green Focus and Green Planet Bottling - February 12, 2010

In the first half-hour of the show, John and Mike welcome Mandy Mahoney, Director of Sustainability for the city of Atlanta. Mahoney happily tells “Green is Good” that Atlanta is a progressive, green-minded city that is really turning heads nationwide. Among several intitiatives currently underway, the city is focusing on ramping up its energy efficiency.

“Energy efficiency is the hottest issue in the Southeast,” Mahoney says. “It’s not an issue we pay much attention to. Energy prices are rising 8-10% a year. We’re trying to provide people the opportunity to cut energy use and save money.”

The city of Atlanta has cut its City Hall energy use by 20%, and the city is rolling out an incentive program to help residents cut energy usage.

Later in the show, Brad Schulman of Green Planet Bottling helps spread awareness about earth-friendly drinking containers. Schulman’s company, Green Planet Bottling, makes natural bottles that are completely compostable and safe for use.

“There’s a pandemic worldwide with the use of chemical-based plastics,” Schulman says. “We have a solution for that, and it’s made from plants, not oil.”

Green Planet Bottling makes bottles of 100% plant starch with no chemicals. For every 72 bottles the company produces, it saves 1 gallon of oil.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (73.0MB)

Rev. Sally Bingham and Jeff Mendelsohn’s Cutting-Edge Green Crusades - February 5, 2010

Rev. Sally Bingham of Interfaith Power & Light speaks to “Green is Good” to about her organization, Interfaith Power & Light, a faith-based response to global warming that incoporates more than 10,000 congregations.

“We’d like to see the religious community leading the environmental movement,” Bingham says. Based at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral, Rev. Bingham has been speaking on the ties between faith and the environment all over the world, and authored Love God Heal Earth, which brings together 21 spiritual leaders to make their case for tying religion and environmental stewardship together.

Jeff Mendelsohn founded New Leaf Paper in 1998, long before the green revolution. Mendelsohn entered the paper business in 1991 in New York, but his thought process shifted green soon after, as he was itching to do something with less environmental impact.

“New Leaf is the fruition of my original vision,” Mendelsohn says. “By 1998, we wanted to start fresh, turn over a new leaf, move to San Francisco and launch post-consumer paper products.”

Today, New Leaf is one of the leading producers of post-consumer paper products and FSC-certified fibers.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (77.5MB)

Peter Mondavi’s Sustainability in Napa and Lyndon Rive’s Solar City - January 29, 2010

As John and Mike debut an hour-long format for “Green is Good,” they welcome legendary winemaker Peter Mondavi and Lyndon Rive of Solar City.

Mondavi, responsible for the Charles Krug brand, has been practicing sustainable winemaking techniques in Napa Valley for years. The company harvests its grapes with as much natural control as possible, and has refurbished original Charles Krug-built buildings on the winery site.

“‘Sustainable’ is starting to become the norm [in the Napa Valley]. The Napa River is coming back to life again,” Mondavi proclaims, in response to his green practices. “It’s an evolution. We were looking at organic techniques and learned together.”

Rive got into the solar business to help speed up the adoption rate of solar energy.

“We asked our customers, ‘What’s preventing you from going solar?’ The number one reason was the upfront costs,” Rive recalls. “We focused on reducing the cost, but that wasn’t enough. That’s when we invented the solar lease program.”

The homeowner can now put a solar system on the home without making the huge investment. The idea is to bring this technology and clean energy to as many consumers as possible with as few challenges as possible.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (38.2MB)

Jeffrey Hollender and Seventh Generation: Making Homes Toxin-Free - January 22, 2010

In-home toxic chemicals are all around us. John and Mike learn from Jeffrey Hollender from Seventh Generation that it doesn’t have to be that way. Hollender, an accomplished CEO, author, blogger and green living pioneer, actually birthed Seventh Generation from a book he wrote in the 1980s, How to Make the World a Better Place. Fast-forward to today, and Seventh Generation has a family over more than 100 different cleaning products: laundry detergents, spray cleaners, disinfectants, tissue paper and more — natural and organic whenever possible.

Hollender and Seventh Generation want to give everyone the ability to buy safe household products.

“Most people assume that they can look on a label and see the ingredients they’re bringing into their homes,” Hollender comments. “Unfortunately, there is no ingredient disclosure requirement. You don’t know what you’re bringing into your house. We only use chemicals tested to be safe.”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (20.1MB)

New York High School for Environmental Studies: Making Public Education Green - January 15, 2010

In this episode, John and Mike learn about the New York High School for Environmental Studies, a Manhattan-based high school of nearly 1,500 students that focuses on environmental issues. John, who grew up in New York, is especially interested in this budding school, which has been open since 1992. Both John and the students — a number of whom are on the line on the show — believe the school is a primary example in a movement toward green-minded education.

The students discuss the Toshiba Youth Conference, which brings together students from New York High School of Environmental Sciences with students in Japan, Thailand and Poland to discuss alternative energy solutions for 2050. Each student was encouraged to bring a solution idea — no matter how outrageous — to be discussed at the conference. It was this sharing of sustainable ideas, concepts and knowledge that is the true mission of both the school and the conference.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (18.8MB)

UsedCisco.com’s Joshua Levitt Looks to Preowned Electronics to Curb E-Waste - January 8, 2010

Joshua Levitt, the Managing Director of UsedCisco.com, the world’s largest online network hardware outlet, tells John and Mike how the website is offering great value to its customers and an eco-friendly focus — reuse as much as possible.

“We looked at all the trends toward the environment,” Levitt says. “We figured selling and reusing preowned network hardware was part of that trend.”

Launched in 2007, UsedCisco.com simply uses the concept of reusing e-waste. The site has expanded worldwide fueled by the fact that e-waste contributes to 3% of the world’s overall carbon output. Levitt is hoping to curb e-waste in landfills, waterways, oceans and our streets. All of UsedCisco.com’s products come with a full warranty, easing consumers’ minds about buying preowned electronic equipment.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.0MB)

The Ovie Mughelli Foundation Helps Kids Go Green - January 1, 2010

Ovie Mughelli of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons joins John and Mike to talk about his Ovie Mughelli Foundation, and how he is using his star status to reach children and teach them how they can care for the environment and make important green lifestyle changes.

Mughelli tells John and Mike that his foundation really took an environmental slant once he arrived in Atlanta to play for the Falcons. Once there, he gained insight on all of the difficulties our natural environment is facing and what needs to be done. An important quote stuck with him: “You can’t love people if you don’t love the environment.” From there, his foundation adopted the motto “Our future is green.” Mughelli’s foundation focuses on the entire green space, from recycling to preserving the rain forest, and teaches children firsthand how to act at a young age.

“Going green — you can’t go wrong with that,” Mughelli says.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.7MB)

Reusing Cardboard and Lessening Our Impact - December 26, 2009

Following co-host Mike Brady’s move into a new home, John and Mike welcome Marty Metro, founder of UsedCardboardBoxes.com, to discuss how his company is changing the packing and shipping industry in a low-impact, eco-friendly way.

“I realized there was a big disconnect with people throwing away boxes and people needing boxes,” Metro tells John and Mike. And with that, UsedCardboardBoxes.com was born. Seven years later, Metro’s business has expanded from typical moving boxes to large-scale business-to-business accommodations, allowing for the transfer of massive amounts of cardboard efficiently.

Metro tells John and Mike how his “rescue, resell and recycle” model — “rescuing” boxes from large corporations, reselling or reusing them where there’s a need and recycling the poor-quality finds — is changing our usage of cardboard for the better, and how it’s lessening our eco-footprint in the process.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.2MB)

Clean the Green Way: Bayes Cleaners - December 19, 2009

Mark Cunningham of Bayes Cleaners talks to John and Mike about eco-friendly cleaning. Cunningham, who has a background in cleaning supply distribution, was frustrated with the lack of safe, eco-friendly cleaning solutions on the market. After nearly a year of perfecting a solution, Bayes Cleaners was born. Cunningham describes the difficulties in creating a powerful, sustainable, healthy product, while at the same time debunking the stigma that green cleaners can’t do the job of their unsafe counterparts. Now, three years in the making, Bayes has a successful line of cleaners and a state-of-the-art waterless carwash that’s greening the way we clean.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.5MB)

‘The Triple Bottom Line’ - December 12, 2009

John and Mike talk sustainable business practices with Andrew Savitz, founder of sustainability consultancy Sustainable Business Strategies and author of The Triple Bottom Line. Savitz outlines his “triple threat” of sustainability focus — people, planet and profits — and how he uses this to measure companies’ performance not only economically, but also sustainably. In this discussion, Savitz outlines specific business practices that have worked, and where we go from here to continue greening our world. The “bottom line” here: Savitz’s main goal is to increase awareness of the key social and environmental issues major corporations face. If they can overcome these concerns in today’s world, economic prosperity will follow.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (33.3MB)

Envirobro Knows Green! - December 5, 2009

John and Mike speak with Leonard Robinson, the Chief Deputy Director of the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. In addition to starting numerous recycling programs and hosting his own radio show, “Going Green with EnviroBro,” Leonard works to eliminate the use of toxic materials. Alongside Gov. Schwarzenegger, Leonard seeks to educate the public on the health and environmental hazards of toxic materials, as well as to encourage green behavior. Join John and Mike as they explore Leonard’s remarkable life and his current green endeavors.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.6MB)

Green News is Good News - November 28, 2009

John and Mike talk with Allan Gerlat, the editor of Waste & Recycling News, the top publication greening the waste and recycling industries. Currently in its 15th year of circulation, Waste & Recycling News leads the waste industry into the green revolution by delving into current events and green issues. Allan discusses the green movement as a cultural change that will continue to evolve throughout the generations. Tune in to hear about the green issues featured in the publication and to learn how going green can help you be more frugal in today’s economy.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.0MB)

Become an Empowered Consumer - November 21, 2009

John and Mike speak with Laura Klein, an organic expert with a green mission. Laura became interested in organic food and green products after enrolling in culinary school, where she learned one of the biggest secrets of top chefs: using organic ingredients. With her websites, organicauthority.com and laurakleingreenclub.com, Laura seeks to improve your quality of life and provide a “one-stop shop” for greening your life. Check out these resources and listen in to learn how you can work with Laura to create a green lifestyle and save money at the same time.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.0MB)

It’s Easy 2B Green - November 14, 2009

On this show, John and Mike speak with Bill Gueringer, the founder of Smart2BGreen, an eco-newsletter providing tips for greener living. With more than 35,000 subscribers and counting, Smart2BGreen provides information to help people live a more sustainable life. The newsletter is a humorous forum with a green mission: to show people that a few simple steps can help you become greener. Check out the newsletter at smart2begreen.com and join John and Mike now to pick up some green tips for your own life!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.5MB)

Confessions of a Radical Industrialist - November 7, 2009

John and Mike talk with Ray Anderson, the founder and Chairman of Interface, Inc., the leading carpet manufacturer in the world. As one of the preeminent green revolutionaries, Ray works to build an industrial system that focuses on resource productivity and actually improves the environment. Ray discusses the competitive advantage of sustainability as part of a business model, and how to live within the limits of a finite earth. Pick up a copy of Ray’s new book, Confessions of a Radical Industrialist, and tune in now to hear how sustainability can change an entire industry, and why we intrude on nature at our own risk.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.5MB)

Show Me the Green! - October 31, 2009

On today’s show, John and Mike speak with Leigh Steinberg, the legendary sports agent who served as the inspiration for the hit movie Jerry Maguire. Leigh discusses one of the main concerns of the green revolution: protecting future generations. After watching Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth, Leigh was encouraged to take action to protect not only our planet, but also our quality of life. Among other things, Leigh requires that contracts with his athletes contain a clause requiring them to give back to important causes. Listen now to learn new ways to encourage energy-efficient practices, and what some of your favorite sports entities are doing to help!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (20.0MB)

Connecting the Green Dots - October 24, 2009

Today John and Mike speak with Charisse McAuliffe, the founder and CEO of GenGreenLife.com, the largest database of green businesses and organizations on the Web. The database connects individuals with green business enterprises and creates a place where consumers can view all of the available green resources in their area. You can find businesses for every component of your green life, including recycling locations, green transportation, grocery stores and restaurants. Listen in to learn how you can easily find green products and even get a coupon application on your mobile phone!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.6MB)

Graduate Green - October 17, 2009

This week, John and Mike talk with Felix Ortiz, the founder and visionary behind Green University, a green career training center. Felix explains that the university will educate and train the workforce to become green consultants. Students at Green University will obtain certifications upon graduation that will allow them to serve as consultants on projects for any number of agencies. Tune in to find out how you can become a student, work in your desired field and become part of the green revolution.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.4MB)

Ideas for Life - October 9, 2009

John and Mike speak with David Thompson, Director of Panasonic’s Environmental Department. Since the 1930s, Panasonic has been committed to socially responsible technology, so that the corporation can “contribute to the betterment of society” through its products. In today’s society, Panasonic focuses on green goals — not only for its products, but also for its factories and employees. Dave discusses how Panasonic works to eliminate hazardous materials, reduce CO₂ emissions, and use energy-efficient designs to improve products. Panasonic is introducing innovative ideas and products into the market, including a home fuel cell that can be used to generate electricity. Listen in and check out the Panasonic Ecohouse for more information.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.2MB)

Green Minds Think Alike - October 2, 2009

John and Mike talk with Ed Ring, the Greentech and Politics Editor at AlwaysOn Media, about green conferences hosted for entrepreneurs by the organization and about emerging technologies in the green revolution. Ed evaluates the “intersection of technology and government” and emphasizes the relevance of green technologies and solutions. The conferences provide an opportunity for green entrepreneurs to showcase innovative technologies while simultaneously serving as forums for discussing every aspect of the green movement. How can you participate and meet with some of the brightest, greenest minds in the world? Listen in to find out.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.2MB)

Take Your Green Global - September 26, 2009

John and Mike speak with Matt Petersen, the President and CEO of Global Green USA, a national environmental nonprofit working toward a sustainable future. With the support of both political and entertainment communities, Global Green USA works on project such as providing affordable housing, developing green schools with more positive learning environments for students and rebuilding New Orleans in the wake of Katrina’s devastation. Matt discusses new environmental challenges and green solutions, and how stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Jake Gyllenhaal are taking time away from the silver screen to become green all-stars.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.6MB)

Print Friendly - September 19, 2009

John and Mike meet with Hayden Hamilton, the developer of the innovative GreenPrint product. Launched in the fall of 2006, GreenPrint software was created in order to eliminate excessive paper waste and help the environment by removing unnecessary pages from print jobs. This technology saves the average household $100 a year; you can also track how many trees, pages, and the amount of CO₂ you save. Listen in to learn how this software works and why you need to think green and implement this cost-effective solution.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.3MB)

Hotels with Heart - September 12, 2009

John and Mike speak with Glenn Hasek, who launched Green Lodging News — one of the premier lodging publications that provides information on properties that are “greening” the industry. With more than 20 years of experience writing and editing, Glenn started Green Lodging News as a way to discuss how hotels and motels clean up and green up day-to-day operations. Whether you’re planning your next vacation or you own or operate a hotel, listen in to find out which hotels are using green technologies and how simple items (like kitchen fryer oil) can revolutionize energy use.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (18.8MB)

claiming - September 9, 2009

claim-my-podcast-in-podbean{scid-Z3JlZW5pc2dvb2Q=-ecid}

Xchanging Green Ideas - September 5, 2009

John and Mike talk with David Abel, the Chairman and Managing Director of the VerdeXchange Institute, a think tank that publishes green ideas. David seeks to “lift the level of understanding in the new [green] marketplace” and, with over 25 years of publishing experience, share green technology with the world. VerdeXchange hosts an annual conference comprised of exceptional green thinkers from all over the United States and abroad. David explains why VerdeXchange is the “Sundance” of clean and green, the types of technologies and ideas discussed at the conference, and what we can expect from the green marketplace.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (19.5MB)

Shine on with Solar Energy - August 29, 2009

This week, John and Mike meet with Duane Deister, the President and owner of 4th Day Energy, a solar panel installation company located in the Central Valley of California. Having installed his first two systems in 1999, Duane has been working with solar energy since before the “green revolution.” With the cost of utilities skyrocketing, implementing solar energy in your home or business can save you thousands of dollars over the course of just a few years. Tune in now to hear how solar energy can make the United States more independent, why solar energy is “the right thing,” and how the state and federal governments are making it easier (and cheaper) than ever to use this green technology.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (16.4MB)