Play Goes Green, Act One

Based upon an emerging internal interest in how Play can leverage “sustainability” (i.e. environmental stewardship, community give-back, corporate social responsibility, etc.), I have been quite the feisty advocate of authenticity around the office these days. With “green” as a passion, I want to challenge and encourage us to think about how we as a collective walk the walk before (ideally)/as (likely) we continue to work more and more with our clients on the topic.

After a heated discussion with me at the party last night, this morning, Andy announced that Play would no longer be buying bottled water. Looking for an immediate area of improvement, it’s a small step towards us being just a bit better. If you’re not sure why it matters, here’s two unique links to educate us on the matter:

http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/117/features-message-in-a-bottle.html

An article that provides the “equal signs” for the energy that is used in producing and transporting startling numbers of bottled water. A lengthy article, but you can get the most crucial information in the first couple of pages. This is a good place to “get smart” on the topic quickly; it also has good business value case stories.

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/waterwatch/?fs=plasma.nationalgeographic.com

This one is a little more fun/visual. Learn about the world water crisis that is happening already – think it doesn’t matter in the US? Check out the map. Also, think that bottled water is cleaner than tap water? Check out the FDA article on why it’s a “6 in one, half a dozen in the other” outcome: bottled water versus tap.

If we can look at this as the first step to 1. initiating some “sustainable” changes in-house and 2. stimulating good fodder to use in sustainability conversations with clients, then I’ll stop making such a fuss about the whole thing and we’ll be better for it overall. To be continued . . .Thanks team.