July 2007

• 6 Purchasers now listed and first round of Suppliers to be posted soon!
• Do you accept Calgary Dollars?
• Update: Plastic Bags in Superstore, MEC and Lululemon
• Links of the Month

6 Purchasers now listed and first round of Suppliers to be posted soon!

With the re-launch of the SPP Partner criteria for both Suppliers and Purchasers, we have now accepted 6 Purchasers into the SPP Purchasers list, and have received applications for Suppliers as well that we will be reviewing for posting shortly. To become a Purchaser, all you have to do is fill out a short SPP Purchaser Application Form that indicates your business supports the idea of social purchasing. To become a Supplier, there is a slightly longer application process that outlines what you do as an employer to help your employees enjoy a sustainable livelihood. We will review Supplier applications and accept those that meet 3 out of 5 Social Purchasing Assets areas.

Do you accept Calgary Dollars?

Calgary Dollars is a grassroots currency system that brings together local talents and resources to strengthen our local economy and build community. By encouraging local production and consumption, we are committed to creating a healthy economy that is rooted in a healthy society and a healthy ecosystem. Businesses can sign-up to become members of Calgary Dollars and decide what percentage of each sale you would accept in Calgary Dollars (i.e., 50% in Canadian and 50% in Calgary dollars). For more information, go to: www.calgarydollars.ca.

Update: Plastic Bags in Superstore, Mountain Equipment Co-op and Lululemon

In the April newsletter, we told you about a trend towards eliminating the use of plastic bags. If you know of other businesses encouraging their customers to reduce their plastic bag consumption, please send us the information at: info@sppcalgary.org. This month, we share with you three businesses and what they do to encourage consumers to go bag-free or use reusable bags:

• Superstore is offering customers 50 PC Points for every reusable 'Green' bag of theirs you use instead of using a disposable one. Their 'Green' resusable bags sell for 99 cents each.
• Mountain Equipment Co-op is donating 5 cents to a local charity for every purchase you make where you choose to not take one of their biodegradable bags.
• Lululemon is giving customers an 'Environmental Discount' of 50 cents every time you go bagless when making a purchase.

Links of the Month

• The Economics of Happiness (www.genuinewealth.net) is a recently published book about measuring the real determinants of well-being and helps us redefine progress. This addresses accounting, economics, capitalism and banking issues.
• The New Heroes (www.pbs.org/opb/thenewheroes) tells the dramatic stories of 14 daring people from all corners of the globe who, against all odds, are successfully alleviating poverty and illness, combating unemployment and violence, and bringing education, light, opportunity and freedom to poor and marginalized people around the world. Also known as "social entrepreneurs," they develop innovations that bring life-changing tools and resources to people desperate for viable solutions. What is possible? You'd be surprised. Take a journey into a world where people take action to make a big difference.

If you have good links to share, pass them along!

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