New technologies help retailers become green

Environmental stewardship is on the minds of many, some more than others. That was one of the things that became clear early on while gathering information for this issue's green feature. While we were on the subject I asked a few retailers about which steps, if any, they were taking in their own stores to recycle and save energy. Two topics came up repeatedly — packaging materials and light bulbs.

Louise Kondakow of Vanderwees Greenhouses & Nursery, Thunder Bay, Ontario, is picky about Styrofoam peanuts. "Several years ago we started repackaging and selling them back to customers for use in the bottom of planters, a perfect base since they don't break down. We recycle all cardboard and I'm looking into something to break it down further."

Anna Schuster of Anna's Mostly Mahogany Warehouse and Marketplace, Highwood, Ill., uses only shredded paper or airbags in shipping — no Styrofoam. But there may be an even better solution in the works for small retailers: Avangard Innovative's Foam Densifier, exhibited on video in a space at World Market Center's Living Green Pavilion this summer.

Avangard, a Houston-based company that offers full-service recycling services worldwide, markets something called the FD-25, a machine that sits onsite and takes up a space of just a few cubic feet. Packing materials of Styrofoam, polyethylene or polypropylene foam are fed through an opening at the top, melted or "densified" at the rate of 200 to 300 pounds per hour, and reduced in size by an output ratio of up to 80:1.

The output, called a "purge patty" (picture ice cream as it is dispensed from a soft-serve machine), hardens as it cools and can be sold back to Avangard where they'll further segregate, grind, wash and pelletize it at one of its processing centers for reuse in another life, as composite decking, for example.

"We recycle for some of the largest companies in the country, including furniture companies, helping them find ways to recycle their cardboard, Styrofoam and stretch film," said Avangard CEO and President Rick Perez. "But one of the biggest misconceptions is that recycling programs are only for large corporations and distribution centers. We're coming out with a smaller, plug-in model of the FD-25 for smaller-volume companies and retailers. It's currently in the testing process and should be out within the next 3 to 4 months."

On the lighter side, Kathy Slayter and Alan Lambert of Driftwood Galleries in Bradenton, Fla., discussed the use of fluorescents in their store. "We're in an old building that's not insulated so we use a lot of fluorescent lighting, and while it saves on energy and heat, we still have to consider how it affects the look of the product. I'll sometimes bring things out into warmer, natural light to show a customer the true color." Anna Schuster said she's changed all the bulbs in her store's lamp and lighting fixtures, no small feat since Anna's sells hundreds of styles. "I recently switched all of the light bulbs — which is probably 500 in my shop — to those new energy saving bulbs and it's the best thing I ever did."

Compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs last longer, use less energy, generate less heat and are available in different sizes and shapes to fit almost any fixture, indoors and out. But they contain mercury and must be disposed of properly, i.e. in an appropriate recycling center, so the toxins don't end up in a garbage dump or landfill — scary thought considering an estimated 150 million CFLs were sold in the United States last year. One alternative was exhibited by American Lighting, who also had a space in WMC's Living Green Pavilion: its LVD induction lamps (light bulbs). Like the CFLs, they last longer, use less energy and generate less heat than incandescents, but LVDs contain no mercury.

Designer Mark Abrams uses a mix to achieve the right result for interiors and showrooms. Abrams' work lights the showrooms of Oriental Accent, home to his licensed lines of accessories and lighting, and Trees International, botanicals producer. He also just completed the lighting of High Point's International Home Furnishing Center's newly expanded and renovated Interhall. "I mix in fluorescent bulbs and spots where it makes sense, Abrams said. "I won't use them if it changes color and finish in a store or home but in hallways, storage rooms and showroom track for fill light, fluorescent is great. They use less energy and seem to last forever."

Monique Nguyen of Mona Boutique in Manhattan Beach, Calif., offered a few more creative recycling solutions while describing her new store. "We did the floors and stairs from recycled wood and made hangers from denim. Manhattan Beach's citizens are all about the environment and living green. I realized this a long time ago when customers began turning down shopping bags. Now, our store T-shirts are made from bamboo and everyone buys and loves them."

To comment on this story, please write to me at susan.dickenson@reedbusiness.com or share your thoughts on my blog at homeaccentstoday.com.