In Paris, streets are lined with garbage bags – minus the cans. The clear bags keep garbage (“les déchets”) visible and function as a security measure. Specifically, they are intended to discourage people from depositing dangerous items (e.g., bombs), which could be more easily concealed in a can.

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate I just returned from a week in Brazil, and during my flights I was encouraged to see that Continental Airlines is now recycling plastic cups and aluminum cans used during their flights. The flight attendant announced the airline’s recycling policy just as I was about to sneak my plastic [...]

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate Last fall, during a trip to New York City, I noticed a high rise residential building called The Epic: “Green Rental Residences.” According to its Web site, The Epic, located at 125 W. 31st St. in Manhattan, is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification. The building features rooftop gardens, [...]

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate During my recent stay in Toronto, I noticed flyers indicating a new citywide tax on disposable plastic bags. Stores are now required to apply a minimum charge of 5 cents per bag requested by customers. The flyers, posted in businesses around the city, said the purpose of tax is [...]

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate This past spring, on my way to a conference in Las Vegas, I had a layover at Denver International Airport (DIA). My flight ended up getting delayed for several hours, so I took time to tour the airport and see if I could find evidence of any green initiatives. [...]

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate During my weekend in Toronto, Ontario, I was impressed by the city’s extensive number of environmental programs. For example, Toronto is currently offering a $60-$75 (CAD) rebate to residents toward the purchase of water-efficient replacement toilets. I learned of the program when I saw an advertisement on one of [...]

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate – July 8, 2009 During your next visit to Chicago, I recommend visiting Fox & Obel, a natural foods market in the River East. While I only stopped for a drink, I was tempted to bring a load of groceries back to Columbus. Fox & Obel opened in 2001 [...]

By Hudson McFann, Director at Greenovate – June 23, 2009 On a recent trip to Washington, D.C. I noticed a new Seventeenth Street building whose signage identified it as “Washington’s First Platinum LEED Certified Office Building.” Contrary to what I suspected, this is not a project by the U.S. Green Building Council, which is headquartered [...]