Exciting Times in San Diego!

Day 1

RILA welcomed leaders in retail sustainability to San Diego today for RILA’s Environmental Sustainability & Compliance Conference (ESCC) for two days of education, networking and even some behind-the-scenes, environmental tours of the San Diego Zoo and PETCO Park Stadium for the San Diego Padres.

Attendees were treated to back-of-the-house views of one of the largest and most highly-regarded zoos in the country. Highlights of the zoo’s green program include an extensive recycling program– they recycle more than 80% of what they bring in, advances in construction & energy usage, park-wide composting, and sustainable practices in food services and customer convenience. The zoo also participates in state and city programs to encourage reduced use of electricity and water, and focuses its resources on conservation in areas such as ensuring genetic diversity among its animals and working worldwide on preservation of endangered species.
 
The zoo tour, while highly educational, also featured some “up close and personal” feeding of giraffes and camels, though the camels were a much more receptive group to their retail feeders.

Other attendees took a behind-the-scenes look at what a major league baseball stadium is doing to enhance their sustainability efforts. PETCO Park, home of the San Diego Padres, prides itself on its on-grounds recycling systems to recycle not only paper and plastic, but also food waste, cooking oil and grass clippings. Water conservation is also a big concern for ballparks, and PETCO Park highlighted its advanced programs for the RILA group.

Leaders in retail sustainability, representing companies such as Best Buy, Costco, IKEA, J.C. Penney, Safeway, Target, Wal-Mart, and many more, opened the official conference activities with a cocktail reception in the exhibit hall, which featured cutting-edge vendors committed to helping retailers reach their sustainability goals. These vendors, representing products and services including consulting, supply chain services, alternative energy, certification programs, and more. Networking became even more fun as attendees sought to find their match in RILA’s match-a-badge game, designed to encourage relaxed interaction among participants.


Day 2

The educational programming for RILA’s third annual Environmental Sustainability and Compliance Conference (ESCC) with an inspiring keynote address from Casey Sheahan, CEO of Patagonia.

One of the pioneers of sustainability, Patagonia is widely known for its commitment to product quality and environmental responsibility. Sheahan described the company’s founding by climber and environmentalist Yvon Chouinard, and its subsequent growth, the result of a dedicated focus on its mission: Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis. Widely known for its quality outdoors products, its excellent work environment and generous benefits, and its dedication to environmental stewardship, the company has a loyal and expanding customer base and growing sales.

"Being green and socially responsible are essential, but it will become equally important to lead with mindfulness, compassion, and soul. As Patagonia has become more conscious of the impact of its business practices, we have been rewarded with increasing prosperity. There is no business to be done on a dead planet," said Sheahan.

“Casey’s story of Patagonia provided a poignant message about how strong sustainability leadership has built an ultra-loyal customer community and attracted a passionate and devoted employee base – both of which contribute significantly to any retailer’s bottom line,” said Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability and retail operations.

Also presenting was Linda Povey, vice president of strategic consulting for the Natural Marketing Institute, who spoke on the evolution of consumer attitudes toward environmental issues. Her research demonstrates how the values of the ultra-green consumers are increasingly becoming mainstream, as the general public’s views are trending toward and converging with the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS). Her research helped attendees’ understand what is most important to today’s consumers, and how corporations can tap into public desires to help the planet and drive their own sales.

On tap for later in the afternoon, members of the Sustainability Consortium will discuss the group’s mission, accomplishments and future direction. Panelists include Mary Capozzi, senior director of corporate responsibility for Best Buy; Fred Bedore, senior director of sustainability for Walmart and Jonathan L. Johnson, professor of sustainability at the University of Arkansas. Launched in 2009, the Sustainability Consortium is an independent organization of diverse global participants who work collaboratively to build a scientific, life-cycle based foundation to drive consumer product innovation.

Day 3

The final day of RILA’s 2010 Environmental Sustainability and Compliance (ESCC) Conference opened Friday with an eye-opening presentation from David Rapaport, senior director of corporate consciousness for Seventh Generation.

For more than 20 years, Seventh Generation has been a natural household and personal care product leader and company with a purpose beyond simply delivering financial returns. Rapaport shared the company's ongoing journey to deliver a return on its mission to be an authentic force for positive change.

"We operate with a level of authenticity and transparency that makes our customers confident that we operate with a consistent set of values," said Rapaport, speaking of the trust that Seventh Generation customers hold for its products.

“For more than a decade Seventh Generation has been the frontrunner in mainstreaming sustainable products that appeal to all consumers while raising their environmental consciousness,” said Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability and retail operations. “Dave’s presentation illustrated how organizations can use the tools of sustainability to stimulate business success, develop a devout customer base, and fulfill important environmental and societal missions,” Siegel concluded.

Rapaport’s was just one of ten sessions that closed the two-day conference, the only one of its kind that focuses on sustainability and compliance issues specific to general merchandise and specialty retailers. Companies leading the sustainability charge, as well as those just launching their green initiatives, were in attendance to learn from one another, network, and see a variety of sustainability solutions in the exhibit hall.

Wrapping up the conference, Ed Begley Jr., an actor and activist who is well known in Hollywood for his dedication to the environment, talked about his devotion to environmental sustainability. His well-researched knowledge of evolving consumer demands and green-tech innovations, coupled with financially practical advice, and coated with his humorous personality proved to be an energizing way to end the three day event. Though he is known for turning up at Hollywood events on his bicycle, Begley instead decided to drive his wife’s hybrid car from his home in Hollywood, costing $11 for gasoline. Begley sits on the board of countless environmental groups and hosts his own TV show, espousing a true belief in the power of green living.