Big Green Breakthrough

The Sustainable Brands 09 conference currently going on in Monterey, CA focused a bright spotlight on green brands that are taking the market by storm.  Three that have been featured:

* Sun Chips – This company, owned by PepsiCo, is shrinking its environmental footprint by using solar panels to power manufacturing facilities in Modesto, CA. But the most impressive development has to do with the packaging. The SunChips bag itself will be, safely compostable by Earth Day (April 22), 2010. Regardless of what you think of snack food, this is an innovation worth celebrating.

* Green Works – This cleaning products line generated substantial controversy when it launched over a year ago because it’s made by Clorox – a business not known for its kindness to Mother Nature. But Green Works succeeds because it’s “99%” natural – and can back up the claim with verification from former staunch critic the Sierra Club. Women love it because it’s as effective as conventional Clorox cleansers; because it’s cheap; and because it’s easily available. Other companies should take note.

*Kaiser Permanente – This huge health care provider is taking its “health” mission seriously. It’s a leader in eliminating mercury and other toxic products in hospitals. It’s also gotten rid of that nasty green jello you associate with a hospital menu in favor of whole foods. Kaiser even encourages its complexes to host famers markets in their parking lots; 30 around the country are doing so so far.

Check out the Sustainable Brands website to watch video of all presentations.