Our visit with Bob Lilienfeld, publisher of the "Use Less Stuff"newsletter, and sustainability consultant to WalMart, was one of our best events from an interaction perspective. Though our turn out was a little light due to snow, we were able to assemble a very vocal, well-informed crowd.

Bob talked to us about the tendency of so many of us to "use a lot of stuff."  Ranging from multiple automotibiles in a household, to multiple products that do the same thing, to an overadundance of packaging,  Bob presented us with the idea that tangible goods, or "Stuff" can't substitute for the experiences and memories we have as people and families.  Bob talked in detail about the growing trend to acquire and use multiple types of personal technology and the impact that has on personal and family relationships. In many situations, Lilienfeld asserted, we are increasingly drawn to forms of media that we consume alone and in virtual situations, avoiding the need to communicate directly with other actual human beings.  If we "Use Less Stuff", we might have to learn how to actually interact and cooperate mure successfully

Lilienfeld also spoke to us about his work with WalMart, assessing sustainability claims for products that WalMart may market in their stores.  Many kinds of claims are critically evaluated, ranging from packaging content, to types of testing, to product lifecycle impact.  Much of what passes for "sustainable" products truly stretches the truth, and WalMart has laid down the challenge to its suppliers and to itself to reduce the total impact of its operations and the products it sells.

Check out Bob's blog at www.use-less-stuff.com.

Anthony Tsai of Urban Solutions made a great point during last week’s talk – “Sustainability can actually save money”. His talk was refreshing for a small business. Small business by definition is barely able to make ends meet. In this tight economic entity, every penny saved is every penny earned. Urban Solutions as a non-profit organization, is helping such businesses save substantial dollars while promoting sustainability principles. Started as an organization to promote businesses in the low-income neighborhood of San Francisco’s sixth street, this organization has grown into helping businesses to become green and at the same time save money. For example, in one of the businesses, they went in and changed the old inefficient fluorescent lamps with efficient ones, saving 40% on their electricity bills. Anthony points out in this instance everybody benefits as PG&E can divert the savings to other areas where it is needed. 

Anthony was advocating for a complete sustainability framework, where one should not limit to just electricity and water to look for sustainable savings. The three main areas where savings are huge include: energy usage; water usage and garbage disposal. Energy and water are fairly well understood. Garbage is the least understood of the three. Anthony prescribed that every business should look into the amount of garbage generated more carefully. They should divert most of the garbage generated into recycling bins. The more they shrink the size of the regular garbage bins, better it is for the environment.

Overall, the talk was quite enlightening to most of the attendees. His experience in analyzing the rainforest in Borneo for carbon credits was unique. The greatest learning from the talk and the experience of Anthony was that it does not take much to be on the path of sustainability. Sustainability begins with everyone looking at their own lifestyle to realize the savings.