DAY 3 - Looking to the Future

It IS Easy Being Green

Toy companies are faced not only with selling products and developing the next great “play memory” – they now also need to implement changes to their businesses to become more “green” and eco-friendly. Dr. Steve Dunn, Professor at the University of Wisconsin School of Business, brought his multi-disciplined career experiences to ToyCon to advise the toy industry on the simple actions we can take right now to improve efficiencies, lower energy costs, and help care for the environment. Some of these include:

• Recycle waste, including packaging materials that account for over half of many company’s waste
• Print two-sided copies instead of using single sheets of paper
• Turn down the thermostat two degrees in the winter, and turn it up two degrees in the summer
• Install low-flow water fixtures
• Encourage telecommuting to help reduce carbon emissions and fuel costs
• You can even paint the ceilings of your manufacturing plants white to reflect light and reduce your energy costs

Dr. Dunn offered other suggestions and action items for companies that want to take an even more ambitious approach to long-term sustainability. For these and other ideas, visit Dr. Dunn’s website at http://www.iso2050.com/