A Revolutionary Evolution - going from a linear to circular economy

image from Sense of  Events Blog

Until relatively recent history a flat, linear and finite Earth was common belief. Although 6th century BC astronomer Pythagoras introduced the spherical Earth paradigm and third century BC Greek scholar Eratosthenes of Cyrene calculated the Earth's circumference, it took Christopher Columbus' 1492 Atlantic voyage to dispel the flat Earth myth. With the fear of "falling off the Earth" gone, a new world of possibilities and discoveries emerged.

Humanity is in the midst of a similar paradigm shift from a linear economy to a circular economy. The entrenched world economy is based on a linear mentality of produce, use and dispose without regard to nature's no waste systems. A circular economy is modeled after nature's perfection where systems flow in holographic patterns where all benefit and waste is nonexistent.

A  spiral is indicative of growth &
mirrors our DNA.
Image from Next Wave

In the Zero Waste in ACTION Blog posts, Perpetual Life Cycle System - simplicity is key and The Perpetual Spiral, the evolution from a zero waste focus to nature's no waste systems is introduced as an Elemental Impact platform. Here are several quotes from the posts:

In nature "waste" does not exist, rather a perpetual life cycle rearranges molecular structures so the finished product for one use is the basis for its next life. 

Remember death is always followed by birth - we are in the process of birthing a civilization where technology-based solutions mirror nature's perfect regeneration processes. 

Emerging from prominent publications - Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough & Michael Braungart  and “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature” by Janine Benyus as two examples - the circular economy platform is a major stride in moving away from linear production systems. As with nature, in a circular economy there is no waste generated and products are made for reuse, whether in their current form or as the raw material for another use. Renewable energy is integral to a successful circular economy.

For a circular economy to replace linear structures in-place, the WE Consciousness is a necessity within the economic culture. Ei introduces the WE Consciousness in the ZWA Blog post, Zero Waste is a Team Sport.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is at the helm of the economy's revolutionary evolution as the home to the Circular Economy 100, a platform to re-think the future. Committed to action, the CE100 is a global platform bringing together leading companies, emerging innovators and regions to accelerate the transition to a circular economy over a 1000-day (3 year) period. 

A CE100 overview presentation is available for download on the Ei Reference Materials & Tools page. The short video, What is the Circular Economy 100, is an excellent, interesting introduction.

At the foundation of the CE100 is the McKinsey & Company issued paper,Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition, commissioned by the EMF. The January 2012, paper quantifies the tremendous resource savings inherent in evolving from a linear to a circular economy along with other benefits.

Every six months the CE100 hosts two-day acceleration workshops that include core circular economy topics and elective sessions focused on common challenges, best practices, emerging trends and key learnings for circular economy innovation.

On June 19, the CE100 hosted their first annual summit in London with an impressive program consisting of three sessions: Macro Challenge and Opportunity,  Circular Economy - Solution Space and Rethinking Design with topics covered in a series of presentations. 

Wendy & Eric Schmidt w/ Ellen

MacArthur

photo from resource.uk.com

In the evening the EMF hosted a Schmidt-MacArthur Public Lecture. Eric Schmidt - Google Executive Chair - was the keynote speaker and Dominic Waughray, World Economic Forum, chaired a stellar panel: Dayna Baumeister (Biomimicry 3.8), Professor Michael Braungart (Erasmus University),  William McDonough (McDonough Advisors), Jeremy Oppenheim (McKinsey & Company) and Professor Walter Stahel (Product Life Institute).

Taking our first global footsteps, Ei Chair Scott Seydel attended the summit as a CE100 guest.

Paradigms are shifting with a new world of possibilities ready to emerge. Like Columbus grounded the Earth as spherical, soon a major event will serve as a catapult  to shift humanity from a linear way of life to a circular economy.

Atlanta Sustainability Leaders Recognized

The Atlanta Business Chronicle published their inaugural Who's Who in Sustainability list on the 2013 Summer Solstice. Inherent within the publication is recognition of the important role sustainability plays in corporate, community and personal economic vitality. In the opening copy, the ABC states their commitment to including a broad spectrum of leaders:

In this section we highlight 50 men and women who are making strides in sustainability throughout metro Atlanta, including those working in the nonprofit, government, business, education and public-private partnership sectors.

It is important for main stream media, especially business-oriented outlets, to place sustainability among their top-tier topics. Astute business leaders know sustainability is integral to successful business practices. Beyond bottom line improvement, sustainable operating practices are often demanded by their customers and employees.

Holly & Laura

Photo courtesy of Leonardo Ruscitto

In addition to Elemental Impact founder Holly Elmore's listing, Ei relationships are intertwined among many of the featured leaders. Ei Environmental Adviser Laura Turner Seydel is listed for her work as the Captain Planet Foundation Chair along with co-founding Mothers & Others for Clean Air and the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.  

Laura's prominent role in Atlanta's sustainability platform underlies several additional listings: Judy Adler & Michael Finley - The Turner Foundation and Sally Bethea - Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. In addition, Laura along with her husband Rutherford Seydel - eldest son of Ei Chair Scott Seydel - work closely with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and City of Atlanta director of sustainability Denise Quarles on the City's Power to Change program, a pathway for the Mayor's goal to make Atlanta a top-tier city for sustainability.

Sharon Douglas, Michael & Kyle Mastin
accepting 2012 ABC Enpact Award 

Atlanta is home to two of the three Sustainable Food Court Initiative Pilots - SFCI Atlanta Airport and SFCI Georgia Dome - and the leadership for each pilot is included in the list. Michael Cheyne, Atlanta Airport director of asset management and sustainability, was the driving force for the Atlanta Airport's groundbreaking compostable packaging concessionaire contract provision. The Zero Waste in ACTION Blog post, Atlanta Airport Makes Bold Sustainable Statement, announces the contract provision. For an SFCI Atlanta Airport Pilot update, read the ZWA Blog post, SFCI Atlanta Airport: ACTION Update.

Holly & Tim during a  GA Dome tour.

photo courtesy of Susan Montgomery

Tim Trefzer, Georgia World Congress Center Authority director of sustainability, is recognized for his stellar performance as chair of the 2013 Atlanta Final Four sustainability committee; the Georgia Dome hosted the games that brought over 100,000 fans to downtown Atlanta for games, concerts and events. To learn about the committee's success under Tim's leadership, read the ZWA Blog post, Final Four green footprints continue after the games.


Ei's close bond with Suzanne Burnes, Sustainable Atlanta executive director, is grounded in the Zero Waste Zones' early days when Suzanne was Georgia DNR Department of Sustainability assistant director. As an Ei Strategic Ally, Sustainable Atlanta serves on the Atlanta-based SFCI Pilot Teams and is integral to several soon-to-be announced food waste and recycling initiatives.

The maize of intertwining relationships among Atlanta's sustainability leadership exemplifies the WE Consciousness necessary for success is alive and healthy in our grand city.

Note: The WE Consciousness is introduced in the ZWA Blog post, Zero Waste is a Team Sport. 

Another Yr, Another Great NRA Show

In mid-May Elemental Impact Partners gather in Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show held at McCormick Place. Whether exhibitors, attendees or participants in NRA activities, the Show is always a powerful and fun experience.

Orwak Baler @ O'Hare

Ei founder Holly Elmore arrives in Chicago several days prior to the Show for tours, meetings and simple enjoyment of a grand city. Upon landing at Chicago O'Hare International Airport,  the 2013 Chicago sojourn started with a tour of Ei Partner HMSHost's loading dock area where an Orwak baler was delivered days prior. How fun to witness the first Starbucks' milk jug recycling bales!  In addition, Waste Management collects limited organics, mainly coffee grinds and fruit rinds.  

For more information on HMSHost's Starbucks milk jug recycling program, visit the Zero Waste in ACTION Blog post, Milk Jugs Recycled at Atlanta Airport.  In late 2011 the HMSHost - Atlanta Airport team developed an effective, efficient system to recycle their approximately 2,600 milk jugs generated weekly. Revenue from the milk jug bales essentially covers the baler rental, making the program cost-effective when landfill tipping fee reduction is added to the equation. HMSHost also recycles milk jugs at the Tampa Airport.

Chicago tulips

As in prior years, the Hotel Monaco served as Holly's Chicago home base - it is important to stay in a hotel with in-room recycling, great location and superb dining. Chicago tulips were at their prime and gone after the second day. Intertwined with business, Holly experienced Chicago via long walks, documenting the City's magnificence while discovering excellent eclectic dining. For a recap of Holly's Chicago experience, visit her personal FB albums, A Wonderful Spring Visit to Chicago and 2013 Chicago Tulip Extravaganza, 

First on the agenda upon arrival at the NRA Show was a tour of the Hyatt Regency McCormick Places' back-of-the-house cardboard baling operation. Ei Partner Tomra | Orwak orchestrated the Hyatt tour where their ten+ year old baler is the foundation for successful cardboard baling in limited space. The Hyatt's cardboard bales rank with the "prettiest" bales seen on Ei's many tours. The Ei FB album, Small Balers Increase Recycling, is a pictorial recap of the O'Hare and Hyatt Regency loading dock tours.

SFCI recycling station on
display at the CleanRiver booth

Walking the Show exhibitor hall is always full of unexpected encounters with long-time friends along with visits to Ei Partner booths. CleanRiver Recycling Solutions, Tomra | Orwak and Asean | Stalkmarket each had showroom booths. As a long-time exhibitor, Buzz Chandler of Asean served on the NRA Show 2013 Exhibitor Advisory Committee. CleanRiver showcased the Sustainable Food Court Initiative Recycling Center at their booth.

Ruth Watts of Ei Partner BASF attended the Show and kept a busy meeting schedule with her NRA ConSERVE program participation. SFCI Co-Chair Doug Kunnemann - NatureWorks  Global Segment Leader, Food Service - and Ei Partner Anslem Doering of EcoLogic Solutions made Show attendance a priority in their hectic schedules.

For a pictorial recap of Ei's NRA and Chicago experience, visit the Ei FB album, 05-13 The NRA Show, a wonderful Chicago visit.

Another year, another great National Restaurant Association Show experience!

A Powerful Cyberspace Voice : A Creation Guide

a powerful industry voice

Yesterday The IMPACT Blog surpassed the 25,000 pageviews milestone - an amazing accomplishment, considering the limited number of posts.  With its sister blog Zero Waste in ACTION at 81,000+ pageviews, Elemental Impact achieved a 100,000+ cyberspace reach.

Niche in nature, the two blogs generate industry-specific readership often research oriented.  Most posts are longer than recommended blog copy yet Ei readers search for in-depth information. Escalating pageview rhythm supports the writing style, in general augmented by an Ei FB album.

Search engine optimization is essential for creating a powerful cyberspace voice. Here are some loose rules to establishing strong search engine optimization without paying hefty fees to a social media marketing firm:

Rule #1: post and update often on all internet mediums, which requires discipline and dedication. 
Rule #2: use "searched words"in each post e.g. food waste versus politically correct food scrap or food residual. 
Rule #3: create a presence on the myriad of cyberspace vehicles: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest and others. 
Rule #4: share pertinent information interesting to your audience. 
Rule #5: promote visually using photos and videos.
Rule #6: be a renegade, share your passion and let go of what others say "should or should not be done."

Remember cyberspace network building is a frontier. Grounded in common sense and street smarts, the pioneer who is willing to invest in their message with the plethora of communication tools available is staged for success.

In the ZWA Blog post, Zero Waste is a Team Sport, the WE Conciousness was introduced as integral to zero waste success. Ei's cyberspace journey is grounded in the WE, a multi-dimensional focus. Committed to building a tremendous communication network, Ei Partners share each others' achievements and messages within the network. Ei serves as the network hub. 

A powerful cyberspace voice is grounded in community support - find or create a community to support AND who will share your messages and activities. Others will share your message when they witness you sharing theirs. Retweet and favorite often on Twitter, like and contribute to LinkedIN discussions, like, comment & share FB posts and follow & repin on Pinterest. Cyberspace network building is similar to a game - play well together!

Hmm.... how many times was "grounded" used in the copy?  Not a coincident as "grounding" the etheric nature of the cyberspace world is key to success. Part of "grounding" is addressing the economic value of a potent cyberspace network. How does a 100,000+ reach "ground' into revenue?

Ei is honored to behold a powerful voice. It took tremendous effort to document Ei action in the almost 350 blog posts, nearly 70 Ei FB albums and 12 Pinterest Boards with over 200 "pins"  A fun anecdote: the initial pageview escalation occurred when fewer, yet more powerful, posts were published. Other noted increases were synchronous with the following:

1. initiating LinkedIN discussions, responding to every comment
2. creating an active Twitter presence
3. establishing a Pinterest board system for blog posts by category boards     

Follow the analytics to understand how your audience responds with visits and pageviews. Note Ei has a limited Pinterest following yet the board creation enhanced search engine optimization. Readership rewards are often indirect in nature.

Before embarking on creating a cyberspace voice, do an internal checklist of the benefits and make sure it is cost | revenue justified. The effort resembles marathon endurance, a consistent commitment from the heart is necessary for success.

Charlotte Ei Partner Tours

Ei Ptrs @ Hilex Poly Plant
Ei Chair & Chief FUN Advisor
Scott Seydel on ground

Elemental Impact Partner tours launched in July, 2012 when Heritage Interactive Services and Hilex Poly hosted their fellow partners in Indianapolis for two dynamic days of sharing, strategizing, bonding and FUN. The IMPACT Blog post, Ei Partner Tours Launch in Indy, gives an overview of the inaugural tours while the Ei FB album, July, 2012 Ei Partner Tours in Indy, is the pictorial recap.

An Ei Partner Program benefit, tours are excellent vehicles for partners to explore their tremendous synergies and potential business relationships. Action points are always an outcome as partners bid each other farewell until their next encounter.

A second tour was scheduled in NYC for early November to tag-team with Global Green's CoRR Food Waste Conference. With Hurricane Sandy ravaging the Eastern Seaboard days prior to the tours, the group reduced to those residing in the NYC area or participating at the CoRR conference. Even with fewer folks, the tours were powerful.  

The IMPACT Blog post, NYC Ei Partner Tours, is an overall tour synopsis with details on the EcoLogic Solutions facility tour. The ZWA Blog post, Food Waste: Too Valuable for the Landfill, is a tour recap of Global Enviro's on-site food waste digester NYC installations. For a pictorial recount, see the Ei FB albums, 11-05-12 Global Enviro System Tour and 11-06-12 EcoLogic Solutions Tour.

In early March, Ei Partners converged on Charlotte, NC for the third Ei Partner Tours. Hosted by HMSHost and Simon Property Group, Concord Mills was the destination for DAY 1, filled with presentations and tours. Concord Mills, a Simon mall, is the Sustainable Food Court Shopping Mall Pilot with the food court operated by HMSHost.

The tour tone was set by a professional package designed and printed by CleanRiver Recycling Solutions, a featured tour partner. Ei founder Holly Elmore (me!) baked dessert bundles for each partner. A perfect host, Brian Shetron, Concord Mills HMSHost, kept the group with plenty of excellent food & beverage throughout the day, all done in zero waste style!

During the day presentations alternated with mall tours for first-hand observation of programs in action mode. Overall the tour focus was on food waste collection for composting, wasted food donation and plastic film recycling. CleanRiver and Orwak presented and later demonstrated how their equipment was at the foundation of pilot success.

Linda Dunn with HMSHost gave an overview of their impressive sustainability commitment grounded in sound business principles. Brian and Ray Soporowski, CM GM, presented on the SFCI Pilot action items along with anecdotes from the journey. EcoLogic Solutions and Ellis Fibre | Grease Lock rounded out the sustainability balance with their product & service presentations. 

Ei Ptrs enjoying dinner @ AZN
see Ei FB album for names

Ei is known for augmenting important business with excellent food and wine - the first day ended at AZN Azian Cuizine for a fabulous dinner along with lively, productive, FUN conversation. A perfect way to end DAY 1 and get ready for DAY 2. 

The Ei FB album, 03-04-13 Charlotte Ei Partner Tours - Day One, gives the pictorial recap of the first tour day. Ei Partner PPT presentations are available for download on the Ei Partner Tours website page.

Day 2 tours began at SouthPark Mall, a sister Simon Mall to Concord Mills. Ray and Brian joined the group at SouthPark to validate the support provided by Ei and the SFCI Team. Following the tour, the partners convened in the mall offices for a strategy session. Success: the group left with action points! 

Jim Lanier & Ei Chair Scott Seydel
during SouthPark tour

Next the Ei Partners traveled to Stanley, NC where Earth Farms owner Jim Lanier treated the group to a lovely lunch at Northstar Seafood Restaurant.  At lunch Jim educated enthusiastic partners about Earth Farm's origins and future plans. A fantastic tour of Earth Farm's composting facility followed lunch. The Ei FB album, 03-05-13 Charlotte Ei Partner Tours - Day Two, includes a pictorial recap of the Earth Farms' tour.

The final presentation and tour was at the Charlotte Airport where HMSHost operates the food & beverage outlets. Bob Lucas with the airport gave the partners a formal presentation on the recently opened recycling center. Due to permit status, the group was not allowed to tour the center. With many partners traveling from across the North America, the airport was a convenient last stop on the tours.

It was a busy, productive and fun two days. Stay tuned for the next Ei Partner tour in the planning stages for late summer.

Elemental Impact Yr Three in Review - Amazing!

Happy, Happy Birthday to Elemental Impact!  On February 05, Ei completed a magnificent third year of Sustainability in ACTION and crossed the threshold to the fourth year of impact. The following Ei Year Three in Review summarizes the astonishing milestones and accomplishments achieved.  

Ei Programs:

In September the Zero Waste Zones were purchased by the National Restaurant Association with intentions for national expansion through their state restaurant association network. For additional details, visit the Zero Waste in ACTION Blog post, Ei: An Established Program Creator

With the ZWZ under NRA guardianship, the Sustainable Food Court Initiative takes center stage for Ei zero waste focus. It was a busy year for the SFCI with the following pilot action:

• Georgia Dome, SFCI Event Venue Pilot: The  ZWA Blog post, Georgia Dome - SFCI Event Venue Pilot, announces the pilot while the GA Dome SFCI Pilot Team Tour documents the inaugural team tour.
• Concord Mills, SFCI Shopping Mall Pilot: The ZWA Blog post, Concord Mills - SFCI Shopping Mall Pilot, announces the pilot. Committed to action, the following posts document the Concord Mills Team enthusiasm: ACTION, Theme for SFCI Shopping Mall Pilot, Food Donation - Everyone Wins! and Concord Mills: The Power of WE in ACTION!.
• Atlanta Airport, SFCI Airport Pilot: To support the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport concessionaires meet the contract provision requiring the use of compostable packaging (1), the SFCI Airport Team issued the  HJAIA Compostable Foodservice Ware Packet. Ei Partner Brenda Platt with the Institute for Local Self-Reliance took the lead on developing the valuable industry tool. The ZWA Blog post, Compostable Packaging Info Packet, announces the packet and gives links to download the document. In April, the SFCI Atlanta Airport Team toured the under-construction International Concourse. Ei Partner HMSHost operates the foodservice - the ZWA Blog post,  SFCI Team Tours New ATL Airport Int’l Airport, is an overview of the tour.

(1) For details on the Atlanta Airport contract provision, visit the Atlanta Airport Makes a Bold Sustainable Statement post. 

During the year Doug Kunnemann of NatureWorks took the helm as SFCI Chair when his co-chair pursued adventures in another industry.  The IMPACT Blog post, Strong Leadership Maximizes Impact, where Doug is profiled along with Ei Board Members.

National Media:

Affairs Team during interview
photo courtesy of ATR

Ei continues to garner national media attention for pioneering work, especially in the food waste arena.  In November Martha Stewart's Whole Living published the feature article Spoil Alert where author Elizabeth Royte refers to Ei founder Holly Elmore as "the Kevin Bacon of wasted food."  For details on Elizabeth's two-day Atlanta interview marathon along with article anecdotes see the ZWA Blog posts, Atlanta's Focus on Food Waste Reduction and Atlanta Wasted Food Heroes in National Spotlight.

In January Holly along with Ei pals Affairs to Remember and the Georgia World Congress Center were highlighted in CBS SmartPlanet's For business, food waste is a ripe opportunity for savings. Author Kevin Gray refers to Holly as "one of those Erin Brockovich whistleblowers." The ZWA Blog post, Food Waste, the business perspective, is a commentary on the article and beyond.

Speaking Engagements, Workshops & Industry Meetings:

In addition to the media, the industry values Ei's initiatives and Holly is invited to speak at national conferences and gatherings. Below are highlights of Holly's prominent speaking engagements with the supporting ZWA Blog post in parentheses:   

Holly @ podium in ATL

• Global Green's CoRR NOLA Green Growth & Resource Recovery Opportunities ( Global Green Team Work in NOLA ), New Orleans, LA
• U.S. Zero Waste Business Council's Creating Value Through Zero Waste Conference (U.S. Zero Waste Business Council hosts first-rate conference), Costa Mesa, CA
• Biopolymers Conference (Biopolymer End of Life - or is it?), San Antonio, TX
• U.S. Composting Council's The Magic of Compost Conference (Compost, A Magical Experience), Orlando, FL

Holly's PPT presentations are available on the Ei Speaking Engagements page.

Beyond conferences Ei participated in the City of Chattanooga Zero Waste Workshop orchestrated by Ei Partner Neil Seldman of the ILSR. The ZWA Blog post, Chattanooga Building a Green Brick Road, gives workshop details. In October Ei orchestrated a two-day series of zero waste workshops and meetings for the City of Newark. Ei Partners Chris Bradlee of BASF and Amy Moreland of Heritage Interactive Services joined Holly for the educational visit.  For an overview of the Newark visit, see the ZWA Blost post, Ei Team Visits Newark for Zero Waste Education.  PPT presentations from the workshops are available on the Ei Meetings & Events page.

2012 F&B Pkging Mtg
Group Picture

In December Global Green's Washington D.C. office hosted and Ei orchestrated the second annual Sustainable Food & Beverage Packaging Meeting. The gathering included the trade associations and non-profits representing the entire food and beverage packaging value chain. For an overview of the meeting, visit the ZWA Blog post, Second Annual F&B Packaging Meeting. Participant PPT presentations are available on the Ei Meetings & Events page.

Industry & Ei Partner Tours:

Tours are excellent vehicles to learn first-hand about industry practices and fellow partner business expertise. Ei hosts industry and partner tours designed for experiential education, strategic planning and bonding among the Ei Team. The following lists Ei Year Three tours along with supporting blog posts in parenthesis:

WOP uses an on-site digester
for inedible animal parts

• South Georgia Farm Tours, May ( Consumer Demand:  A Powerful Voice to Effect Change) - Taking the first steps into the Product Stewardship focus, Ei Partners traveled to South Georgia to learn about meat packaging at on-farm slaughter houses.  White Oak Pastures and Thompson Farms Smokehouse were gracious in hosting and educating the Ei Partners on their farm practices. 
• Simon Mall Tour @ Gurnee Mills, May (Simon Property Group @ Sustainability Helm) - a group of Ei Partners took a day off from the NRA Show in Chicago to travel north for an educational day on mall operations.
• Ei Indy Partner Tours, July ( Ei Partner Tours Launch in Indy) - Heritage Interactive Services hosted fellow partners for the inaugural Ei Partner Tours in Indianapolis. Tours included the 99.9% zero waste Subaru plant, Heritage’s impressive research & development laboratory and Hilex Poly’s plastic film recycling plant.
• Indy Organic Tours, September (Zero Waste is A Team Sport and Perpetual Life Cycle Systems - Simplicity is Key)  With Ei Partners Heritage Interactive Services and Simon Property Group corporate headquarters located in Indianapolis, IN it seems many activities revolve around the city.  
• NYC Ei Partner Tours, November (Food Waste: Too Valuable for the Landfill and  Ei NYC Tours) The second Ei Partner tours were scheduled in NYC for early November to tag-team with Global Green's CoRR Food Waste Conference.

Links to the Ei FB albums with tour pictorial recaps are listed in the respective blog posts and on the Ei Tours page.

Ei Evolution:

As Ei completed year three, it was time to evolve the mission statement, partner program and focus areas to continue maximum impact in new dimensions. In December the new Ei Mission statement was announced in the IMPACT Blog post, Ei: New Mission Statement | New Directions: 

To work with industry leaders to create best operating practices where the entire value-chain benefits, including corporate bottom lines and the environment.  Through education and collaboration, establish the best practices as standard practices.

Along with the Ei What We Do page, the post introduces Ei's three focus areas: Product Stewardship, Toxin-Free Environments and Zero Waste Initiatives.

Early in 2012 the Ei Sponsor program was renamed the Ei Partner Program. In December the entire program was overhauled to reflect the true partnership nature of the program. The IMPACT Blog post, Ei Partner Program Evolves, announces the evolution along with emphasizing the required active participation.

Ei Communication:

Ei Chair Scott Seydel
filming @ NOLA meeting

Documentation of successes, milestones and the template creation process is essential to inspiring others to take action within their unique circumstances. A clear narrative, in pictures, videos and copy, is intertwined within Ei's communication tools.  Ei uses the following on-line tools to document the journey:

• Ei Website - serves as a solid central point to communicate Ei action.
• Milestone Page - details major events by month in reverse chronological order. Related blog post links are included where appropriate.
• Zero Waste in ACTION Blog - documents Ei zero waste activities along with pertinent related topics. YEA, the blog recently topped 75,000 page views!!!!
• IMPACT Blog - documents Ei work and influence in areas other than zero waste initiatives. The blog is closing in on 25,000 page views!
• Ei FB Page - each blog post is shared on the Ei FB page along with links to Ei Partners, Strategic Allies, Advisory Council and SFCI Pilot Team articles, videos and activities.
• Ei FB Albums - whenever possible Ei action is documented with pictures and organized into albums including thorough descriptions.The 60+ Ei FB albums serve as a valuable industry resource.
• Ei Twitter - Ei is active on Twitter as part of the cyberspace network building process and is developing a strong following.  @elementalimpact is the Ei name.
• Ei Pinterest Board - blog posts are "pinned" to one of the current twelve boards on the Ei Pinterest page. In addition to increasing search optimization, the Pinterest boards organize the blog posts by category and are listed in reverse chronological order.

Ei is building a powerful industry cyberspace network grounded in the above tools. Part of Ei Partner active participation is sharing within the network.

Whew, Ei was busy during Year Three!  The foundation is set for a major metamorphosis into new realms of action and impact. Follow the Ei journey on the above cyberspace venues and stay tuned for pending exciting announcements.  Thank you for your support!