BCCPAC Conference

EcoSmart Products will be exhibiting the AusPen markers at the BCCPAC event this week. We’re looking forward to introducing the PAC (Parent Advisory Committee) members from around the province of BC to an eco-friendly whiteboard marker option for their children’s schools. We have had plenty of great feedback from parents and PACs from around North America.

We’ll be at the conference on May 1st and May 2nd.

AusPen At EPIC

We had a great time at the EPIC Sustainable Living Expo last weekend. The EcoSmart booth was busy all three days, as attendees came by to learn more about our AusPen markers. It was also very cool to meet with a good number of people who were satisfied users of the markers – from teachers to office workers – some who had been using them for over two years and absolutely loving them.
We spoke with one teacher from the Fraser Valley who estimates she alone has pulled over 50 pounds of waste out of her local landfill by using the AusPen markers and no longer throwing away the disposbale ones (and she loves the fact they are non-toxic, so she isn’t getting any more headaches).

Just from the number of kits that were purchased at EPIC we reduced the number disposable markers thrown into local landfills by almost 10,000 markers. Thanks to all of those who came by to learn more about an eco-friendly whiteboard marker alternative, thanks to all those who purchased a kit and thanks to the EPIC crew for putting on a first-rate event.

Happy Earth Day

All of us here at EcoSmart Products and AusPen hope everyone has a great “Earth Day”, however you are recognizing the event. Some us are joining in to help clean beaches in our local areas…and we also attended a talk sponsored by Mills Basics (an office products supply company) focused on sustainability in the stationery sector.

Enjoy the day.

EcoSmart Dines At Boneta

We dropped into one of the newer restaurants on the Vancouver scene, Boneta (they haven’t been open for quite a year yet). They are located in a very cool refurbished building in Gastown. We were curious to check it out as we’d heard about their attention to sustainability during the construction phase, and being eco-conscious in how they operate.

From what we read and were told, a good portion of the furniture has been made from eco-friendly material and/or recycled materials from other establishments…and they try to source local providers as much as possible.

I had the Halibut Filet which was very nice and the two others dining with me raved about the seared scallops dish. And of course we took a pretty good swipe at the wine list…be sure to ask what’s available that isn’t listed, there were a couple of gems.

All in all, a great new dining spot, with an eco-friendly sensibility.

You can find it 1 West Cordova, (Gastown) Vancouver, BC

Interesting Newsweek Article

I just read an interesting article from the April 14th issue of Newsweek magazine. It’s titled “Sounds Good, But…” and is focused on the topic of making sure what we believe is helping the “green” cause, is in fact, really helping the cause.

The author, Sharon Begley, looks specifically at Ethanol, as well as using examples of other well meaning initiatives that have unintended consequences that might outweigh the good they produce.

It was insightful, well-written and certainly worth the read, which is exactly as I would expect from Begley, as she is one of my favorite writers. She has been a Senior Editor at Newsweek for years and always does an impressive job of tackling complex issues, notably scientific issues.

Here’s alink to the online version of her recent article “Sounds Good, But…”

AusPen In Ontario

AusPen is on the move, as we head to Niagara Falls next week for the TSAA Conference (Toronto School Administrators’ Conference). We’ll be displaying the AusPen markers on Thursday, April 17th at our booth, so we invite anyone who is attending to stop by and say hello to our rep Maureen.

See you there.

Eating Organic

We eat organic food as much as possible, which has become so much easier over the last couple of years, as availability and price barriers are changing.

This evening we had a few people over for dinner and one of the items on the menu was organic chicken. Those who choose to have the chicken were amazed at the taste difference compared to the commerically grown poultry. It is something you notice right away, and the usual response is that you can’t go back once you’ve had the organically raised one.

Organic, free-range meat and poultry, plus fruit and vegetables, offer so many benefits, from health, to environmental, to ethical…and if you can add in “locally grown or raised”, which you usually can, all the better. I think we grabbed a couple of converts after tonight’s meal.

Does Your School Have A Recycling Program?

If your school does have a formal recycling program, congratulations. If it doesn’t, what better time to start one than right now. You can have it in place before the end of the school year. Everyday we speak with schools, many do have programs in place, but a surprisingly number still haven’t put one in place.

Designating a staff member and engaging a few eager students will get the ball rolling. This is a great project to take on in the last months of the school year.

AusPen At Epic

If any of you are planning on attending the Epic Sustainable Living Expo on April 18-20, stop by our booth. EcoSmart Products will be there displaying the AusPen eco-friendly markers.

From the lineup we’ve seen, there will be a lot of great companies dedicated to sustainability.
We hope to see you there.