Thomas R. Cutler makes the case for reusable containers, from a financial and environmental point of view. The EarthWorks Group estimates that thirty percent of landfill waste is created by plastic and paper packaging. The use of cardboard and other one-time-use packaging products contribute significantly to this waste. David Madden, President of ContainerExchanger.com noted, ÔÇ£The initial investment in returnable packaging may cost more that one-time use packaging.

Change management and learningAfter developing a succinct vision, and designing an organizational structure that supports the vision and enables the implementation of the strategy, CEOs must prepare their organizations for the planned change and lead the transformation. Part three of a series on managing and leading people by Jon Minerich, Principal, Oliver Wight Americas, Inc.┬á As Mark Twain quipped many years ago, ÔÇ£You know, IÔÇÖm all for progress. ItÔÇÖs change I object to.ÔÇØ This applies only too well in business.

Oregon┬á Health┬á &┬á Science┬á UniversityOregon Health & Science University hired its first manager of sustainable operations in 2007 but, as Keith Regan learns, that was just the beginning of a larger effort to be on the forefront of the green movement. When Oregon Health & Science University in Portland set out to design its Center for Health & Healing more than two years ago, the institution wanted to treat the project as more than just another building on its multi-site campus.

Construction Consultants CollaborativeIn rescuing the Esplanade project, C3 president Rowland Hand has taken on his most interesting challenge yet, Jenn Monroe reports. Rowland Hand is anything but typical in his approach to planning and problem solving. As the president of the Fort Myers, FloridaÔÇôbased Construction Consultants Collaborative (C3), Hand has developed innovative processes and tools to ensure a project is successful from planning to completion.

 Dutch brewer Heineken NV increased first-half profits by 35 percent after raising prices and acquiring FosterÔÇÖs lager and Strongbow cider in the partial consolidation of Scottish & Newcastle. Heineken, the worldÔÇÖs fourth largest brewer by volume, said the rise took place against the ÔÇ£background of weaker economies and increased input costs.ÔÇØ ┬á Net profit for Heineken during the first six months was up to $596 million from $441 million last year.

Half-year profits at mining giant Rio Tinto soar based on strong demand and high commodity prices.

With the Pentagon expected to release the final bid request this week for the second round of bidding on a $40 billion contract to supply the US Air Force with refueling tankers, Boeing has threatened to withdraw from the contest unless the Department of Defense grants a six month extension to the bid process, so it can work on the design of a larger aircraft.  ┬á The contract to build 179 refueling tankers over 15 years was awarded on February 29 to Los Angeles-based Northrop Grumman and its partner, EADS North America, a subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Sp

Canada needs to invest an estimated $200 billion in public infrastructure to help keep private sector industry competitive, according to a new study by the Institute for Research on Public Policy.  ┬á In the report, University of Waterloo economist James Brox analyzed the condition of Canada's infrastructure and its impact on productivity, specifically within the manufacturing sector.┬á┬á The study argues that Canada's competitiveness depends on a modern, efficient and well-maintained public infrastructure network, and that productivity in Canada's manufacturing sector h

H.J. Heinz announced an 11 percent rise in first-quarter profits today, after double-digit sales growth in North America and Europe.  ┬á For the three months ending July 30, Pittsburgh-based Heinz declared earnings of $229 million (72 cents per share), up from $205.3 million (63 cents per share) in the first quarter last year.┬á┬á Revenue increased 14.9 percent to $2.58 billion from $2.25 billion during the same period last year.

ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steelmaker, has acquired the Brazilian iron ore assets of Anglo-African miner London Mining for $810 million.  ┬á London Mining (Lonmin) purchased its assets in Brazil in May 2007, and has since been investing in the subsidiary to more than double production to 3.2 million metric tons per annum.