Plastic pervades all aspects of our lives – from the wrapping on the food we eat to the microfibers that wash out of the clothes we wear. We are producing nearly 300 million tons of plastic every year and more than 8 million tons end up in the ocean each year. These plastics break down into smaller pieces, which are then consumed by marine life and eventually us when we put seafood on our plates…

Grounds for Change, a Certified member of the Green Business Network since 2007, is making waves as an industry leader for its impressive environmental sustainability and social commitments. This article originally appeared as the Impact department titled “Organic Coffee Changing the Lives of Peruvian Women” in the Fall 2016 issue of B Magazine. Grounds for Change co-founder Kelsey Marshall…

The Obama administration's new overtime rule, originally set to take effect on December 1, 2016, has hit a roadblock in court. A federal judge issued an injunction, thereby stalling President Obama's attempted overtime reform that would have impacted 4.2 million workers in the US. The original rule would have allowed employees to earn overtime if they make under $47,476 a year, more than…

After 34 years, Green Business Network Director Denise Hamler has retired from Green America. Whether you’ve met Denise once or have worked with her for a lifetime, you know she is a force for good and makes real change happen. Her joy for life—and bubbly laughter—always leave you energized. Green America (then Co-op America) first opened its office on September 25, 1982, in…

The Social Venture Network (SVN) is hosting its Fall Conference in Philadelphia, PA from November 2-5. Attendees will learn about social entrepreneurship and hear from experts about the importance of making an impact through social ventures.For 29 years, high-impact business leaders, social entrepreneurs, and impact investors have convened at SVN conferences to have conversations…

Inspired by our Summer 2016 issue of the Green American on recycling, editorial fellow Ilana Berger investigated why and how to buy recycled eyeglasses. Here's what she discovered.... A few weeks ago, I went to LensCrafters with my mom to help her pick out a new pair of glasses. Having been blessed with 20/20 vision, I had never been glasses shopping before. I must have picked out around…

A recent expose by Fortune followed cocoa farmers in West Africa to unveil how dependent the cocoa industry remains on child labor and impoverished communities.  Green consumers and the Fair Trade movement have advocated to end child labor and uplift cocoa farmers with fair trade infrastructure. But after 15 years of the $100 billion chocolate industry reporting to work on the issues…

The Social Venture Network (SVN) is hosting its Spring Conference in San Diego, CA from April 14-17. Attendees will learn about social entrepreneurship and hear from experts about the importance of making an impact through social ventures. The SVN Spring Conference‘s goal is to create highly interactive, inspiring experiences that lead to valuable new insights,…

In another big win against GMOs, Hellmann's, a Unilever company, announced two new non-GMO product lines, following pressure from Green America's GMO Inside campaign. Hellmann’s announced a new organic mayonnaise and Hellmann’s “Carefully Crafted” egg-free dressing and sandwich spread. Both products are made with non-GMO ingredients. The announcement of Hellmann's non-GMO mayo and spread…

  American Apparel, one of the most widely known Made in the USA companies, filed for bankruptcy this month. Known for commitments to sweatshop-free clothing since the company’s founding, American Apparel’s troubles may seem to signify challenges with keeping those commitments. Other companies embrace cost savings when they source from overseas factories with poor labor practices, while…