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What does it take to change the world? Small actions. In fact, author Duane Elgin spoke of small actions creating a tidal wave of change. Because ALR is a socially conscious design firm, we run across information with the power to change the world every day. We share it in hopes of bringing on the tidal wave. As always we appreciate your feedback. If you like what you see, be sure to visit the ALR blog for near-daily updates. Thanks for reading! -Noah Scalin, ALR founder in this issue Q&A on Enviva Materials Logo. Subversive Shopping Bags. [01] 5-Quick-Questions Project Profile  Logo for Green Energy Company, Enviva Materials
Q1: How does Enviva work with its parent company, Intrinergy, to benefit the environment? A1: Intrinergy provides clean, renewable, affordable energies for industry, as opposed to fossil fuels. Among other things, Enviva recycles old tires for gasification feedstock for Intrinergy as well as rubber products for playgrounds, mulch and other beneficial uses. Gasification allows the efficient conversion from solid hydrocarbons such as rubber crumb to a synthetic gas, which can be cleaned and conditioned before combustion to ensure a superior environmental profile of the syngas.
Q2: What was the goal of your new logo? A2: Communicating that what we do helps the environment and benefits communities by reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gases. Also creating a distinct look between Enviva Materials and Intrinergy to ensure separate awareness in the market of our feedstock and energy divisions.
Q3: What was the biggest design challenge? A3: Avoiding the clichéd recycling elements seen in most “green” logos. It was also really important to distinguish Enviva from traditional waste management companies.
Q4: What inspired the design? A4: ALR started with the classic Moebius Strip and went from there. They also custom-designed the typography and made the “e” and “a” rotational to express the infinite cycle of use and reuse our company encourages.
Q5: Your thoughts on the finished product? A5: I’m very pleased with it. It’s modern, clean and dynamic. I also love that the orange represents energy and the silver represents industry. Perfect.
Visit the Enviva Materials website for more information.
[02] resource  Your favorite natural brands owned by corporate behemoths? Say it ain’t so. Sure, you love Odwalla juices, but did you know that Coca-Cola – #15 among the top 25 North American food processors – bought it in 2001? (It gets worse.) Kraft (#2) owns Boca Foods, General Mills (#7) owns Cascadian Farm and Kellogg’s (#14) owns Kashi. Want to see which of your favorite organic/natural brands are owned by megacorporations? Download this pdf from the Organic Consumers Association, a grassroots organization that deals with food-related issued such as food safety, genetic engineering, corporate accountability and more. Conversely, to see which brands still remain independent, go here. [03] environment  Monitor this: we throw out about 400 million units of consumer electronics every year in America. The Computer Take Back Campaign wants to do something – actually a number of things – about it. Among its goals are reducing e-waste from computers, monitors, printers and TVs; protecting the health of consumers and the communities where electronics are made and trashed; and requiring manufacturers and consumers to take responsibility for the “life cycle” of their products. Next time you’re ready to upgrade, visit the site for its downloadable PDF of the latest information on recycling old electronics. You’ll find the pdf here and find the site here.
[04] ideas + action  Paper or plastic? For the love of all that is good and pure, fabric! With over a million plastic bags consumed per minute worldwide, it’s time to get serious. A United Kingdom-based organization known as Morsbags has a very social approach to the problem. It’s asking people to form “pods” of friends who’ll get together regularly to make cloth shopping bags from old curtains and sheets, then distribute the bags free at local stores. Love Morsbag’s thoroughly British instructions: they encourage you to buy some wine and a chocolate cake and then “organise some friends to come round and make some together.” Check it out here[05] blog For more items of interest be sure to visit the ALR blog. Recent entries include: Clothesline Activism What's Wrong With Ethanol How To Shut Down McDonald's |
written by Jo Lord edited by Noah Scalin about designletter Designletter is a semi-regular update on the activities at Another Limited Rebellion, the world of socially conscious design, and beyond. Another Limited Rebellion is a socially conscious consulting and design firm committed to helping businesses and organizations bring positive changes to their communities in a sustainable manner. Noah is a lifelong activist whose first protest marches were spent in a stroller and then on roller skates. In addition to starting Another Limited Rebellion, Noah created the community supported agriculture group Sprout and teaches a course on socially conscious design called Design Rebels at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jo is a socially conscious writer who eats vegetarian, drives a 40-mile-a-gallon car and recycles like mad. When she isn’t fretting about global warming, nuclear proliferation, the nursing shortage, trans fats and the correct way to hang toilet paper, she volunteers for cool organizations and anxiously awaits November 2008. Sign-up or read back issues here. |