ECO EDUCATES BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS TO “THINK MORE, USE LESS”
The Los Angeles-headquartered Earth Communications Office (ECO) launched an international educational communications program earlier this year which urges businesses and individuals to “think more” and “use less” as consumers, both in the workplace and at home. In an effort to promote responsible consumerism across the board, ECO utilizes celebrity narrated theatrical, television and radio public service announcements designed to reach and educate millions. Also, the organization has organized a number of promotional events and media interviews to help spread the word.
ECO’s “Think More, Use Less” campaign is unique in that it offers practical, realistic tips that can be applied by any corporation or individual in the office or home. There are no scare tactics, no requests for money,just straightforward information and workable suggestions designed to help people become less wasteful in their offices and homes.
“We’re not asking people to totally change or abandon their current lifestyles,” said Ruben Aronin, ECO’s Managing Director. “There are very simple actions which anyone can take that actually make a huge, positive impact on the environment. We believe that if we empower enough people with this information, a tangible difference can be made.”
ECO’s maintains a strong track record for reaching people. The “Think More, Use Less” campaign is their eighth in a series of powerful environmental message campaigns seen and heard by more than one billion people around the globe. This latest campaign takes a new and innovative twist, however, as it deals with consumption — an issue that affects everyone and opens the door for highly accessible participation from the public.
“There’s no brain surgery required here,” said Aronin. “Making a contribution to responsible consumerism is literally as easy as changing a light bulb. By altering our consumption habits, we can improve our quality of life and help the environment at the same time.”
Complimenting the national distribution of the PSAs are ECO’s popular, interactive “Think More, Use Less” website at www.OneEarth.org, a CD insert campaign, and a nationwide series of media interviews with experts on the subject of responsible consumption. In addition, ECO is joining with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department Of Energy (DOE) in Los Angeles on July 14 to visit the home of Ed Begley, Jr., actor, environmentalist and ECO board member at Begley’s home to showcase a variety of energy-efficient home appliances and products. ECO has also developed a list of workable tips, listed below, that anyone can follow in their day-to-day lives to become several steps closer to being a responsible consumer.
ECO’S TIPS: “THINK MORE” AND “USE LESS”
ECO reports that Americans, while comprising less than 5% of the world’s population, use up more than 30% of the planet’s resources. That makes us easily the most wasteful people on earth! Scientists say that we’re using up our resources faster than we can replace them. In fact, if everyone in the world were to consume at our level, we would need two additional planets-worth of resources. The good news is that we don’t have to sit around worrying and feeling guilty. The first step to becoming a responsible consumer is to take action ? be it in the office or in the home. Sound difficult? It isn’t!
There are a number of simple things that one can do around the home or office to make a difference. ECO has compiled a list of things people can do to “use less.” They are easy, they take virtually no time away from the daily work schedule, and they improve quality of life while making a substantial contribution to the preservation of our environment and natural resources. By practicing these tips, businesses and individuals can also save money benefiting the pocket book as well as the planet.
1. BUY SMART
Before buying office supplies or items for your home, stop to think. Are you really going to use that, or file it in a supply closet? If you are out and buying, look into purchasing recycled products or check items for indicators of energy efficiency such as the Energy Star logo. You can also check out Energy Star’s website at www.EnergyStar.gov for a complete listing of household and office items that make the grade, environmentally.
2. TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER MONITOR AT NIGHT
At home or at work, many don’t realize that monitors suck up the majority of the energy used to fuel computer systems.
3. WATCH YOUR WASTE
Over 7 million tons of office paper are discarded in the United States every year! Keep that paper out of landfills by using e-mail and electronic files to communicate, re-use paper that is blank on one side, and recycle whenever possible.
4. GO FLUORESCENT
Replace as many light bulbs as you can with compact fluorescent bulbs. One fluorescent bulb (home or office), in its lifetime, prevents a half ton of carbon dioxide from invading our atmosphere and will save you nearly $40 on your electric bill.
5. CUT BACK ON CARS
Cars choke us and our atmosphere, but there are lots of ways to cut back. Get a tune up. Carpool to work or participate in other ride share programs at the office. Buy a fuel efficient car. Buy fewer cars, period!
6. CUT BACK ON COWS
At home and at work, you don’t have to become a complete vegetarian to positively impact the environment. If everyone ate just two less meat dishes per week, the savings in grain alone could feed 225 million people each year.
7. AVOID PRODUCTS THAT ARE “OVER PACKAGED”
More than a fifth of our national waste is from packaging!! Check the bag or box of a product ? was it packaged responsibly? Recyclable is always better, especially if you take the time to drop it in a recycling bin when you’re done, instead of a trash can!!
8. AVOID USING CHEMICAL CLEANING SUPPLIES
Find out what’s in the stuff you’re using at home and in the office. The evaporation of commercial and consumer solvents contribute half a million tons of toxic chemicals into our air every year. When buying cleaning products, try to make sure they’re 100 percent natural and biodegradable and do not contain phosphates, chlorine, dyes or scents.
9. FREE YOURSELF FROM JUNK MAIL
Unsolicited junk mail: Nobody likes it. Everybody gets it. And it wastes millions of tons
of paper. Escape the onslaught by contacting the Mail Prevention Service of the Direct Marketing Association at P.O. Box 9008, Farmingdale, N.Y. 11733-9008.
10. AVOID DRY CLEANING
The main chemical compound used by dry cleaners is extremely carcinogenic. Hand wash delicate fabrics instead of dry cleaning them or seek out a “wet cleaning” facility in your area which uses a new technology to clean clothes without damaging the fabrics.
Because they are so simple, it’s easy to view actions such as these as trivial or insignificant. In the case of responsible consumerism, however, it’s the little things like these that can really make a difference. ECO urges that everyone select a few to apply at home and in the office.
ECO is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles that uses the power of the entertainment and communications industries to deliver messages about the environment to the general public. ECO’s campaigns have been endorsed by President Clinton and the United Nations. The board is made up of Hollywood’s premier talent in the film, television, music, advertising and public relations realms. For more information, contact them directly at (310) 656-0577 or at their website, (www.OneEarth.org).
