SharedVISION in High Heels

photo by Jaime Kowal

Our SharedVISION team is thrilled over the terrific things you’ve been saying about the magazine—the look and design, the writing, the features, the enhanced distribution. And now, with this March issue, we’ve put into place one more component you’ve been asking for: the vivid look and readability of all-glossy paper stock. It’s kinda like applying bright (natural) lipstick and slipping on (comfortable) classy high heels. Heck, it’s sexy.

It’s been a long time coming as it was vital to us to maintain our current commitment to recycled paper content. But only until recently has the price point for higher-end recycled paper stock been within reach for us. It’s a challenge to meet the hybrid of a glossy paper that has a significant amount of recycled content, the strength to stand up to the process required for the size of our print run, and affordability.

I want to thank Mitchell Press, a locally owned and operated printing company, for its help in this area. Mitchell is committed to partnering with paper mills that carry environmental certifications and was able to meet our needs for sources that are environmentally and socially responsible. SharedVISION is now composed of at least 20 per cent post-consumer recycled content (more consumer recycled content than before), more recycled fibre overall, is chlorine-free, and printed with 100 per cent vegetable-based inks.

When you are finished with your copy of SharedVISION, simply recycle it in the mixed-paper bin or bag, as you always have, and continue to step more lightly on the planet—albeit in high heels.

The Star in Our Backyard

She’s ultra-talented and quite a rarified beauty with black, Cherokee, and Creek blood coursing through her veins. Musician GreenTaRA lives in Vancouver, but as her career heats up she’s becoming an international favourite. Her songs are of social change, as is her life. Check out GreenTaRA’s personal story, which she calls “stranger than fiction.” You’ll probably agree. Read article here.

Would You Like Some Food with That Plastic?

Who doesn’t have a bunch of plastic storage containers nested in their cupboards? Some from Rubbermaid, some from Tupperware, some non-descript, and others from the Chinese take-out place down the street. After reading Melissa Breyer’s story, I’m planning to make a clean sweep of my kitchen shelves, paying close attention to the numbers encased within those little recycling logos stamped on the plastics. Funny how we’ve been moving to stainless steel water bottles because of the potential of leaching chemicals from the plastic ones. Yet, so many plastic food containers are kept at the ready for storage of leftovers and such. Here’s the perfect opportunity to discover which ones you might want to retire from mixing with your food.

While you’re doing some spring-cleaning, you might as well attend to your mailbox. I’m always astounded at the storm of junk mail that comes my way on a daily basis. I live in a high-rise and the overflowing recycle can in the mailroom attests to the fact that I’m not alone in wanting it to stop. In a stroke of genius, some really smart Vancouver women (who have been getting a lot of deserved publicity) have enlivened a 10-year-old Canada Post junk mail policy in order to lighten our load. Besides, imagine how happy you’ll make your mail carrier. Read article here.

It’s all good, it’s all a SharedVISION.

In gratitude,
Rebecca