like-minded links

Biomimicry
Biomimicry (from bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate) is a relatively new science that studies nature, its models, systems, processes and elements and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems sustainably. —Wikipedia
> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomimicry
> biomimicry.net

Cradle to Cradle (C2C)
In Cradle-to-cradle cycles, materials are perpetually circulated in closed loops. Maintaining materials in closed loops maximizes material value without damaging ecosystems.—MBDC
> mbdc.com/c2c_home.htm
> mcdonough.com/cradle_to_cradle.htm

Design for Environment (DfE)
DfE is based upon consideration of the entire lifecycle of a product “upfront” during design. This unique perspective reveals new windows of opportunity for optimizing designs, to simultaneously improve product function and appeal along with efficient use of materials and energy.—Better by Design: An Innovation Guide
> proteus.pca.state.mn.us/oea/p2/design.cfm

The Natural Step (TNS)
A framework grounded in natural science that serves as a guide for businesses, communities, educators, government entities, and individuals on the path toward sustainable development.
> naturalstep.org

Sustainability Defined
Sustainable development is development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” — Former Norwegian Prime Minister Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland in her 1987 report, Our Common Future
> sustainability.aiga.org/discussion/2006/12/defining_sustai_1.cfm

Triple Bottom Line (TBL)
The triple bottom line (or "TBL", "3BL", or "People, Planet, Profit") captures an expanded spectrum of values and criteria for measuring organizational (and societal) success; economic, environmental and social.—Wikipedia
> en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triple_bottom_line

100 Things Designers Can Do To Save The Earth
This site is an extension of a workshop of the same name originally held May 30, 2007 by School of Visual Concepts in Seattle. Like the workshop, it is full of good, practical advice and actions that graphic designers can readily implement into their daily work.
> onehundredthings.wordpress.com

A Field Guide: Eco-Friendly, Efficient, and Effective Print (PDF)
Monadnock Paper Mills has compiled a single resource that presents objective information and points out alternatives for design decisions that support sustainability.
> mpm.com

Better by Design (DfE)
This guide (2006) offers a simple, systematic way to weave environmental considerations into product design while using inspiration from the natural world to distinguish products and optimize design.
> pca.state.mn.us/oea/p2/design.cfm

Eco-Indicator 99
Develped for the Dutch government, Eco-indicator 99 helps you evaluate impacts of materials and processes. Download the Eco-indicator 99 Manual for Designers published in 2000 (PDF).
> Eco-indicator 99 Manual for Designers (PDF)

Eco-labels
Provides information to consumers regarding eco-labels, products that carry eco-labels, the organizations that produce eco-labels, and government and private standards for "green" products. Their goal is to help consumers make more informed choices in the marketplace, and participate more effectively as citizens in important decisions that affect the environment.
> eco-labels.org

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Complying with the Environmental Marketing Guides
The Guides indicate how the Federal Trade Commission will apply Section 5 of the FTC Act, which prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices, to environmental marketing claims.
> (FTC) Complying with the Environmental Marketing Guides (PDF)

IDSA Okala Design Guide
Put out by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the Okala Design Guide provides an introduction to ecological and sustainable design for industrial designers.
> idsa.org/whatsnew/sections/ecosection

Independent Designers Network
Tons of links to sustainable design and production related resources.
> indes.net

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Links
LCA is an objective process to evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, and to evaluate and implement opportunities to affect environmental improvements.
> life-cycle.org

ODO eco-design toolkit
Time-tested, practical and constantly updated, the ODO eco-design toolkit includes worksheets and resources devised specifically to aid graphic designers in the creation of eco-friendly projects.
> themightyodo.com

Recycling Symbols
Recycling symbols defined and demystified. Also contains a link to the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.
> earthodyssey.com/symbols.html

Renourish
Renourish offers definitions, tips, links, information and inspiration to aid in the development of a sustainable and more environmentally conscious graphic design craft.
> re-nourish.com

Scorecard
Resource for information about pollution problems and toxic chemicals.
> scorecard.org

SPC Design Guidelines for Sustainable Packaging
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC) has compiled guidance on the design and development of environmentally responsible packaging.
> packagingdigest.com

ILSR Biochemicals for the Printing Industry (PDF)
This 1997 report, put out by Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), reviews some available plant matter products for the printing industry. Covers ag-based press washes, soy-based ink, and other products.
> BiochemforthePrintingInd-1.pdf

ODO about ink
Tools and tips for specifying ink on your eco print projects.
> themightyodo.com

Conservatree
How do you go about selecting an environmentally friendly paper? This site is your one-stop source for information on environmental papers!
> conservatree.org

Papercalculator.org
Put out by Environmental Defense, this paper calculator shows the environmental impacts of different papers across their full lifecycle.
> http://www.environmentaldefense.org/papercalculator/incompat.cfm

Great Printers Project
Great Printers go beyond what is required by government regulatory agencies in environmental, health and safety compliance. Great Printers are green printers.
> Illinois Great Printers
> Michigan Great Printers
> Minnesota Great Printers
> Wisconsin Great Printers

Green Printers
Renourish offers a periodically updated list of green printers.
> re-nourish.com

Printers Environmental Assistance Center
PNEAC is your direct conduit to experts and reliable information on environmental issues related to the printing, publishing and packaging industry.
> pneac.org

Ecosynthetix
Ecosynthetix has developed a commercial line of biobased latex paper coating binders (proven in pilot plant and mill trials) to cost effectively replace a significant percentage of petroleum-based paper coating binders.
> ecosynthetix.com

Wisdom Adhesives
Wisdom Adhesives is a supplier of environmentally safe and compliant waterbased and hot melt adhesives to industrial users throughout the world.
> wisdomadhesives.com

MCAD Sustainable design online
The Minneapolis College of Art and Design Sustainable Design Online program offers a great way to gain in-depth, actionable knowledge that keeps you and your organization at the forefront of this exploding field. The courses are applicable for anyone involved in graphic, packaging and product design, including designers, brand managers, product planners, buyers and executives.
> mcad.edu

AIGA Center for Sustainable Design
Dedicated to providing designers with a wide range of information regarding sustainable business practice. Through case studies, interviews, resources and discourse, this site will encourage and support designers as they incorporate sustainable thinking into their professional lives.
> sustainability.aiga.org

Independent Designers Network
A group of design consultants and mid-sized firms working in graphic and packaging design and their associated fields.
> indes.net

Design Can Change
Building awareness and resources for graphic designers around the topic of sustainability. Take “The Design Can Change Pledge” and utilize their many resources to begin making that change today.
> designcanchange.org

Eco-minded design firms
Renourish offers a periodically updated list of practicing green firms.
> re-nourish.com

John Moes Design
Sustainable design solutions for a sustainable world. Website coming soon.
> john@themightyodo.com

Lovely as a Tree
Lovely as a Tree aims to enable and inspire graphic designers to make more environmentally friendly choices in their work.
> lovelyasatree.com

The Moderns
A solutions-oriented creative agency specializing in brand strategy, marketing communications and multidisciplinary design. Their multidisciplinary "idea circle" approach is designed to create holistic design solutions.
> themoderns.com

Renourish
Renourish offers definitions, tips, links, information and inspiration to aid in the development of a sustainable and more environmentally conscious graphic design craft.
> re-nourish.com

Sustainable Design Network
Global network for basically anybody interested in sustainable design.
> o2.org

Sustainable Packaging Coalition (SPC)
The Sustainable Packaging Coalition is an industry working group inspired by cradle to cradle principles and dedicated to transforming packaging into a system that encourages economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials.
> sustainablepackaging.org/

Sustainable Packaging Resource Guide
Package Design Magazine has a great list of resources for sustainable packaging designers.
> packagedesignmag.com

IDSA Ecodesign
The Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA) Ecodesign page offers tools, awards, principles and practices, links and ways for industrial designers to get involved.
> http://www.idsa.org/whatsnew/sections/ecosection/okala.html

Studio Eg
A research, design and development firm committed to the creative utilization of recycled, reused and non-toxic materials. Honored by ID Magazine as one of the top socially responsible design firms at work today.
> studioeg.com

Sustainable Design Network
Global network for basically anybody interested in sustainable design.
> o2.org

AIA (American Institute of Architects)
The AIA is the voice of the architectural profession and the resource for its members in service to society.
> aia.org/sustainability

PrairieMod
Dedicated to the “Art of Living in the Modern World”. Ongoing themes include art, organic architecture, and sustainable design.
> prairiemod.typepad.com

EcoGeek
EcoGeek devotes its pages to exploring the symbiosis between nature and technology. If you're interested in that, then stop by, and stop by often.
> ecogeek.org

GreenBiz
The leading information resource on how to align environmental responsibility with business success.
> greenbiz.com

Hugg
How many times have you found an article, a video or a website that you’ve wanted to share with all your green friends? Well, Hugg lets you to share this stuff with everyone.
> hugg.com

Sustainablebusiness.com
Sustainable businesses offer products and services that fulfill society's needs while contributing to the well-being of all earth's inhabitants.
> sustainablebusiness.com

Sustainableisgood.com
Covers developments and trends in green products and packaging.
> sustainableisgood.com

Sustainablelifemedia.com
People, Information and Events to Help You Innovate for Sustainability, Profitably.
> sustainablelifemedia

TreeHugger
A fast-growing web magazine, dedicated to everything that has a modern aesthetic yet is environmentally responsible.
> treehugger.com

Worldchanging
Founded on the idea that real solutions already exist for building the future we want. it's just a matter of grabbing hold and getting moving.
> worldchanging.com

Biomimicry Institute
Online resource for Biomimicry, innovation inspired by nature. This site is developed and maintained by the Biomimicry Institute.
> biomimicry.net

The Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA)
An independent not-for-profit accreditation & standard setting organization. Our focus is promoting sustainable manufacturing practices, implementing advanced technologies free of chlorine chemistry, educating consumers on alternatives.
> chlorinefreeproducts.org

Earth Island Institute
Develops and supports projects that counteract threats to the biological and cultural diversity that sustain the environment. Through education and activism, these projects promote the conservation, preservation, and restoration of the Earth.
> earthisland.org

Fitjof Capra, Ph.D.
Physicist and systems theorist, is a founding director of the Center for Ecoliteracy.
> fritjofcapra.net

GreenBlue
A nonprofit institute that stimulates the creative redesign of industry by focusing the expertise of professional communities to create practical solutions, resources, and opportunities for implementing sustainability.
> greenblue.org

New American Dream
The Center for a New American Dream helps Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice.
> newdream.org

NextStep
NextStep seeks to provide users with a way to post and share information related to sustainability, and also to search for information on this topic.
> nextstep.state.mn.us

Rocky Mountain Institute
An independent, entrepreneurial, nonprofit organization. We foster the efficient and restorative use of resources to make the world secure, just, prosperous, and life-sustaining.
> rmi.org

The Natural Step
A framework grounded in natural science that serves as a guide for businesses, communities, educators, government entities, and individuals on the path toward sustainable development.
> naturalstep.org

The Sustainable Packaging Coalition
An industry working group inspired by cradle to cradle principles and dedicated to transforming packaging into a system that encourages economic prosperity and a sustainable flow of materials.
> sustainablepackaging.org

Union of Concerned Scientists
An independent nonprofit alliance of more than 100,000 concerned citizens and scientists. We augment rigorous scientific analysis with innovative thinking and committed citizen advocacy to build a cleaner, healthier environment and a safer world.
> ucsusa.org

United Nations Environment Programme
Working with governments and the private sector to achieve responsible behaviour, positive investment and a cleaner environment.
> unep
> unep creative gallery on sustainability communications

Worldwatch Institute
Offers a unique blend of interdisciplinary research, global focus, and accessible writing that has made it a leading source of information on the interactions among key environmental, social, and economic trends. Our work revolves around the transition to an environmentally sustainable and socially just society—and how to achieve it.
> worldwatch.org

Ecoenvelopes
Reusable envelopes eliminate the need for a separate reply envelope in your mailings. Perfect for bill paying, direct marketing, subscription and membership services. That saves you money while also reducing impacts on the planet—that’s a win-win for you and your audience.
> ecoenvelopes.com