Difference between revisions of "Potential Green Business Ideas"

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(Foundational Elements)
(Foundational Elements)
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** Like the natural systems, all of what we create needs to return to the natural systems in a way that makes them healthier ... or as a minimum does no harm.
 
** Like the natural systems, all of what we create needs to return to the natural systems in a way that makes them healthier ... or as a minimum does no harm.
 
* [http://www.ixda.org/resources/ezio-manzini-design-social-innovation-and-sustainability Ezio Manzini]
 
* [http://www.ixda.org/resources/ezio-manzini-design-social-innovation-and-sustainability Ezio Manzini]
** "For a sustainable future all design is systems design."
+
** "For a sustainable future all design is systems (services) design."
  
 
==== The Process ====
 
==== The Process ====

Revision as of 18:56, 27 December 2010

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Incubator

The Concept

  • Growing businesses naturally..not making them.
  • Uses natural process that have been proven over a billion years
  • A form of biomimicry...working in the way natural systems work In fact, it try's to match the way we're made...so there are not any built-in conflict points (energy losses)
  • No waste...like natural systems
  • As best we try, it will be imperfect at the start, but like natural systems it will evolve.
  • Not done because it's cool or right thing to do (which it is) it's done because it's better....for the planet, people, and profits.

Foundational Elements

  • Natural Step Framework...holds that in a sustainable society, nature will not be subject to:
    • What We Take from the Earth
      • Avoid "systematically increasing the concentrations of substances extracted from the Earth's crust."
      • Be careful ... you're disrupting a billion year process.
    • What We Make
      • Nature must not be subjected to systematically increasing concentrations of substances produced by society.
      • Substances we create must be biodegradable...don't spread toxins.
    • What We Do to the Earth
      • Protect and restore ecosystems and diversity
      • Protect and improve our soils, water and air...all creation (including us) need to eat, drink and breath.
    • Meeting Basic Human Needs (One Earth Patterns)
      • Use the least amount of stuff (means) to meet human needs
      • Ensure everyone has access to the means
    • Further Reading
  • Permaculture
    • Key design principles
    • Start with what is closest to you to meet your needs
  • Nature of Economies by Jane Jacobs...the natural sciences behind economies...the biology of economies
    • All development is based on a new differentiated product/service being developed a general product (branch on a tree)
      • The value of this differentiated product/service needs to be tested quickly and cheaply
      • Humans start will all the cells the same but then start to create specialized cells (e.g. brain and bones).
    • The differentiated product/service then becomes a general product and the process repeats itself (new branches from the branch)
      • The brain cells then start to specialize in memory and language.
    • Co-development is the main process for creating differentiated products/ services
      • Takes two minds/ideas/talents to create the new.
      • Co-working / co-locating is a great way to create the opportunity for this to happen
  • Leadership in the New Science by M. Wheatley
    • In quantum physics it is the "relationships" that are primary...and in fact they are all that exists.
    • We change at the molecular level based on our relationships. They change who we are.
    • All that exists is a large flow.
    • Information is energy.
  • A Timeless Way to Build by Christopher Alexander
    • Nature grows by repeating patterns (i.e. a leaf)...this is the way all life is formed
  • Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough.
    • Like the natural systems, all of what we create needs to return to the natural systems in a way that makes them healthier ... or as a minimum does no harm.
  • Ezio Manzini
    • "For a sustainable future all design is systems (services) design."

The Process

Seed Formation
  • Kernal
    • Produces more energy than it takes to do it...it makes the planet, people and profits better
      • Direct Margins
      • Commons..."one in"... "two out"
  • Ecosystems, Relationships and Energy Flow (sharing of energy)
    • Existing - Relationships - Inertia
    • New
      • Change takes energy and time to stabilize...increases variability
  • Cycles and Waste Analysis
    • Water, Carbon, Energy Cycle
      • Water Cleaner
      • Carbon Neutral
  • Risks and Deep Roots Analysis
    • Systemic risk
      • Where is there variability in the systems?
      • Where is there growth in the systems (trends)?
      • Where is there competitors (need new term)?
      • What forces outside the system could affect the system most?
        • 20, 50, 100 year perfect storm/drought
    • Deep Root Design
      • How do we develop a capacity to withstand the natural variability?
      • Think of how plants or babies do it?
    • Growing Pattern
      • How with this Seed grow?
      • What patterns will it repeat?
      • Volumes
Capable Entity
  • Leadership - Emotional Intelligence
  • Competency
  • Soil
    • Relationships
    • Learning Culture
    • Information Platform
  • Proven Natural Business Patterns
    • Accounting
    • Form of Legal Entity
Resourced Plan
  • Pull model for money...new VC model

Ecobator Ideas

  • Biology for Business 101 class

Green Garage Business Ideas

Just started putting them in 1/27/08... If you have an idea for a project that might be researched by the future Green Garage, feel free to put it here. Combination of coming to us and self generated.

Workshop / Studio

  • Pedal Taxi
  • Wooden Pen maker...from scrap wood
  • Rain Barrels... team with Coke, CCS students paint the barrels, develop art rain barrel stands
  • Bim Willow Design Studio for willow furniture
  • Insect larvae for chicken feed (Jon)
  • H2V design studio
  • Crafts group (Hilda)


Office

  • Green Soft...software that helps people reduce their ecological footprint.
  • net-Zero designs
  • Yoga + Food (Greg)
  • Carbon Credit (woman that visited)
  • Become a Reseller with Insulation Depot and help solve these issues RIGHT NOW while making a tidy profit for you and your family.
  • e-U connecting homes and businesses to a green future

Reseller


Sustainable Business Greenhouse

  • Mentoring Council
    • Avalon
    • Dan MCBW
    • Slo's

Viridia Energy

Company

Background

Research

Analysis

  • Questions
    • What is the solid waste that is produced from the process and where does/can it go?
    • How are the trucks scheduled? What keeps there from being many or none there at one time?
    • What is the information flow?
  • Risks
    • Declining use of #6 Fuel Oil...see wikipedia article...Fuel Oil Uses
    • Temperatures (Bergen = 20F - 100F)
    • Where does the solids go? One plants had to take them to GA from NJ.
    • Liability for environmental impact...who's liable? Securing liability insurance. Cost?
    • Odor for the neighborhood?
    • BMI is very, very small...warranty, repairs, ability to support multiple sites with trouble.
    • Large construction projects on the Tollway..check it out here. Don't see anything yet...however, there is a $7 billion capital campaign for next 10 years.
    • How is the equipment utilization optimized by the ecosystem? How is the system incented to get this right?
    • What is the maintenance requirement for the equipment? What wears out first? What moves?
  • Ideas
    • Leverage Insurance companies with restaurants...grease leads to fires.
    • Toll Discounts for trucks drivers if all on one account ...see it here.
    • Why not produce methane like Riverside vs. #6 Fuel Oil (Residual)
    • Improve truck scheduling
    • Information is energy (Wheatley)...what could be the information flow?
    • Can microbes be used? Woody's friend?

Construction Waste Recycling


Scott Dunbar would like to know how to recycle roof shingles for an upcoming job. We recently had a meeting with Scott Dunbar, a local contractor, and he asked about recycling roof shingles. Peggy researched the topic, and found that Michigan does not recycle roof shingles. Many states do, however. This has potential for a project for us.



Human Powered Vehicles

go-one vehicle

Community Building Ideas