GOING GREEN IS THE NEW GREEN

It's the new year and the Obama team is working hard to get the nation back on track. The buzz words I keep hearing from the new administration is green job and sustainability. Well, what is a "green job" and what does "sustainability" mean?

I was in 40 carrots, Bloomingdale's yesterday (the best carrot cake in NYC) having lunch with some friends from and we think the next great job growth is going to be in government related jobs and the green industry (sustainability), meaning industries where they produce a product and the by-product is something can be used again OR the materials needed come from "discarded" materials from within the sector.

This got me to thinking, will there be green jobs in the retail industry.

I let my fingers do the walking and came across some retailers that are look at going green to make some green.

Marks & Spencer, the prominent U.K. clothing, food and housewares retailer, launched an ambitious, five-year “eco plan” in January 2007 to force the organization of more than 75,000 workers spread globally to re-think the way it measures, manages and reports on social, environmental and ethical issues. Plan A, as Marks & Spencer calls it, is a voluminous pledge of 100 commitments that challenge the breadth of the organization on issues ranging from climate change, waste, sustainable raw materials, fair partnering and health.

It includes goals for M&S to “become carbon-neutral, send no waste to landfill, extend sustainable sourcing, be a fair trading partner and help our customers and employees to lead healthier lifestyles,” according to CEO Stuart Rose.With 622 stores in the U.K., Marks & Spencer sources goods and services from 2,000 suppliers globally and is pushing an ever-expanding international business portfolio that includes ventures in India, Greece, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

Influencing its business partners and suppliers to join in the effort is a tenet of Plan A. Rose says engaging suppliers, customers and employees is part of Plan A’s “virtuous circle” for ideas to advance progress and find solutions.

The company wants its business partners to approach environmental and social issues as opportunities for innovation rather than as a means to achieving rudimentary compliance.

Good for them. Here are some other green articles I came across. Click on the links to read the full story

Green Grows at Retail
Award-winning programs support Kohl’s green mission
Target takes a holistic approach to sustainability
Safeway switches truck fleet to biodiesel
Starbucks program supports ethical practices and sustainability
Wal-Mart brings associates, suppliers and other experts together
REI applies environmental sensibilities to store design
Whole Foods uses green tickets to purchase wind energy
Office Depot utilizes a wide pallet of earth-friendly initiatives
Consumers say they are becoming more environmentally aware – and expect retailers to do the same