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Building the Sustainability Pathway!
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| EarthShift Newsletter | May 2012 |
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Greetings! 
Spring is in the air, and in addition to attending some thought-provoking conferences like the upcoming IEEE Symposium, we are also launching our Integrated Solutions Packages - training, software, and consulting engagements that are designed to be both targeted and cost-effective.
The Smarter Packaging solution brings the cradle-to-grave analysis of Life Cycle Assessment to your packaging decisions. Packaging is at the forefront of many B2B and B2C conversations today, and choosing the right materials could mean the difference between making the news and being the news.
Because we run the largest LCA training program in the U.S. for both LCA managers and practitioners, we get a lot of great questions about training. That's why we recently started a series on the EarthShift blog called "7½ Steps to Designing an Effective LCA Training Program" to answer some of these questions. We hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring season and would love to know what's on your mind. If you have a question about your sustainability initiatives, or a thought you would like to share, please use our new "Ask the LCA Experts" section in this newsletter. Submit a question, and we'd be happy to send you an answer - and we might even publish it in our next newsletter!
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  PackageSmart LCA Software Puts the
Science Behind Your Sustainability Initiatives
PackageSmart enables packaging designers to make environmentally sustainable material selections early, when freedom of design is high and the cost of change is low. PackageSmart simplifies the Life Cycle Assessment process whether in-sourced or outsourced. PackageSmart gathers the LCA information and presents it to your package engineers/designers in terms they understand. In and easy to deploy, collaborative web-based environment.
 PackageSmart's intuitive design minimizes the need for the packaging designer to know the intricacies of the LCA methodology. Rather, the designers simply drag and drop materials into the packaging systems that includes Primary, Secondary and Tertiary packaging. PackageSmart does the rest!
Designers can then begin to tweak the model by quickly analyzing weight changes, different materials, recycled content, take back programs, shipping and distribution pathways. PackageSmart then brings it all together via a built in report generator that allows the designer to quickly share the results within the organization.
The end result is a package that is optimally designed to meet the rigors of its intended purpose - delivering the product with minimal breakage - and has the scientific rigor required to support an organizations marketing initiatives.
Still don't know whether PackageSmart can help you, or want to try it before you buy it? Click here for more information. |
 EarthShift To Present At Upcoming IEEE ISSST Symposium
From May 16-18, The IEEE Computer Society's Technical Committee on Sustainable Systems and Technology is holding the 2012 IEEE International Symposium on Sustainable Systems and Technology (ISSST). According to the event Web site, the program includes sessions covering the spectrum of issues for assessing and managing products and services across their life cycle, and the design, management, and policy implications of sustainable systems and technologies, including design for environment, design for sustainability, materials selection, energy management, end-of-life policy and reuse/recycling, and institutional and policy implications of services and technology systems.
EarthShift founder Lise Laurin says the ISSST event is where thought leaders in the sustainability space gather. "The organizers are some of the big picture thinkers and they get me out of my box," Laurin says. "It is one of the few places where real social issues are openly discussed and people are looking a future that is much different from today."
Laurin will present on two topics at the event. Read more on the EarthShift blog.
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7 1/2 Steps To Designing an Effective LCA Training Program
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Integrated Solutions for LCA Training, LCA Software, and Consulting
At EarthShift, we strive to demystify sustainability and to empower you to make more informed decisions regarding your business, and the social, economic, and environmental consequences that flow from its activities.
That's why we don't just offer stand-alone and pre-packaged solutions. Our experience has demonstrated that the sustainability challenges facing many of our clients require integrated and customized solutions that combine software, training, and consulting. Regardless of your size and industry, the complexity of the issue, or the business drivers behind requirements, EarthShift has an integrated solution to fit your needs.
Here are a few of our new Integrated Solutions:
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PackageSmart Software
Watch this video to find out about a tool specifically built for packaging designers to be able to easily evaluate the impacts of multiple packaging options.
A Free One Month Demo
Click here to Start Now!
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Ask the LCA Experts!
Have a question about Life Cycle Assessment methodology? Need some advice on an LCA you're working on now?
Click here to submit a question. Our team of sustainability experts will get back to you with an answer. And we might even publish it in our next newsletter!
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LCA Training Certificate Program
Our multi-step LCA training certificate program is designed to couple LCA modeling skills with LCA interpretation and report writing skills, preparing you to become an LCA professional. |
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Upcoming Conferences
IEEE ISSST 2012
May 16-18
Boston, Mass.
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Upcoming Training Courses...
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*indicates on-site class (all others are online)
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Environmental Mechanisms and Impact Assessment Methods - May 8
To explain the methodology for how environmental impacts are evaluated in a life cycle assessment (LCA) and to provide the basic knowledge required for interpreting LCA results.
Advanced SimaPro- Modeling and Interpretation - May 9 and 10* One day of modeling includes Creating Impact Assessment Methods, Parameters and End of Life Advanced. Participants will receive an Advanced SimaPro User certificate. Second day of Interpretation includes Impact Assessment Methods, and Recycling. Take one or both days.
ISO Compliant Report Writing - May 15 - Seattle, WA To prepare students to critique their corporate LCA reports. To demonstrate to participants how to promote their findings with persuasive LCA reports that follow ISO 14040/14044 requirements for transparent, fair, complete and accurate reporting.
Environmental Mechanisms and Impact Assessment Methods - May 29 To explain the methodology for how environmental impacts are evaluated in a life cycle assessment (LCA) and to provide the basic knowledge required for interpreting LCA results.
Incorporating LCA into your Package Design Workshop - May 30 - Seattle, WA
Hands on workshop on using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology to evaluate packaging designs
Introduction to LCA - May 31
To introduce students to the concept of life cycle thinking, and the ISO standard methodology for conducting a LCA.
Impact Assessment Methods - June 5
To give students hands-on experience building a custom impact assessment method in SimaPro.
3-hr course to prepare students to critique their internal LCA reports
Sustainability-ROI Facilitation Workshop - June 7*
To teach the Sustainability Return on Investsment (S-ROI) methodology and train participants to become a workshop facilitator for your company.
Environmental Mechanisms and Impact Assessment Methods - June 19
To explain the methodology for how environmental impacts are evaluated in a life cycle assessment (LCA) and to provide the basic knowledge required for interpreting LCA results.
*Introduction to LCA in SimaPro- June 20 & 21, Portsmouth, NH
To introduce students to SimaPro and teach the methodological details as standardized in the ISO 14040/14044 LCA methodology.
Applied LCA in SimaPro - June 27 and 28
This is a two part, six hour online providing hands-on experience learning the SimaPro software and reviewing the basics of life cycle assessment (covered in our Introduction to LCA course).
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| Contact Us!! | | EarthShift
802-434-3326
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