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As part of its re-organization at the helm of founder Howard Schultz, Starbucks has decided it will make ceramic cups the global standard in all stores again, at least for in-store orders.

The LaFontaine Automotive Group has spent about $15 million in the last two years building a sprawling, multibrand auto dealership in Highland, Mich., investing $2 million in "green" initiatives.

Did you know that UPS trucks have a “No Left Turn” policy on deliveries? The company has taken another step toward energy conservation by ordering 500 more hybrid and compressed natural gas (CNG) delivery vehicles.

You would think online selling would be pretty green from its inception. But companies selling online both to businesses and consumers are increasingly buying and selling green products. Many companies are cooperatively designing products with suppliers.

General Motors Corp. Chief Executive Richard Wagoner says global warming is not going to be solved with $100,000 electric cars, and his company is focusing on a vehicle more consumers can afford.

Sam's Club warehouse stores are starting a new online recycling program for electronics that will pay for some of the items that customers want to discard. Under the program announced Tuesday by Sterling, Va.-based NEW Customer Service Companies Inc., Sam's Club will help its members dispose of older small- to medium-size electronics.

Citing green hotels, coconut oil fuel for airlines and even recyclable golf tees, executives in one of the world's largest industries say they are urgently trying to shrink tourism's oversized environmental footprint.

Over seven billion Pepsi cans will be branded with recycling messages provided by the National Recycling Coalition as part of Pepsi’s new “Have we met before?” campaign.

In addition to the magical plastic bag disappearing act that took place on Earth Day at Whole Foods stores around the nation, the company has also tightened the belt on another major use of plastic—to go containers. Instead of the usual plastic, cardboard, or styrofoam (gasp!) containers found in most supermarket self-service food sections, Whole Foods customers now pile their ready-made salads and other such sundries into completely compostable containers.

Wal-Mart has called it quits on plastic baby bottles made with BPA, or bisphenol A. Nalgene Outdoor Products said it would stop using the chemical in its popular clear plastic bottles. Toys 'R' Us is nixing BPA-tinged products.

Detergent water, vacuum cleaners, door sweeps. These simple household products are on the front lines of "green" pest control. Amid a new wave of environmentalism, eco-savvy consumers are realizing they no longer need to rely on traditional pesticides — which may pose health risks — to combat rodents and insects.

Starwood is launching a "green hotel brand" called Element, with the first property opening in July in Lexington, Mass., and 20 more hotels scheduled to open in the next year.

One of the more unusual characteristics of Nature Maids owner Olga Douglas is her background: She grew up in northern Siberia, and she says that was part of the inspiration for starting her Richardson-based eco-friendly cleaning service.

A couple of travel booking Web sites are trying to make it easier for consumers to be environmentally friendly.

What is it like to take the plunge and set up your own green business? Diljit Binning, an Allen mother of three, is set to open an organic clothing store in McKinney on Earth Day, April 22 — and is going to tell us all about it. In the latest entry to a blog, she describes choosing stock for the store.

Attention, tree huggers: Your values aren't so exclusive anymore. Earth Day 2008, on April 22, marks a paradigm shift in the social consciousness of America as mainstream retail makes it easier for consumers to live a greener lifestyle. Merchandise that appeals to the environmentally conscious no longer requires a trip to a specialty store but is as close as the neighborhood shopping center.

Once, hotels seemed progressive if they asked you to consider reusing your towels to save water. Now they're doing the water-saving themselves: installing low-flow fixtures, recycling gray water in landscaping, even solar-heating your shower.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will open its latest generation of energy-efficient test stores this week with a Las Vegas Supercenter that uses new cooling technology to cut overall energy use by up to 45 percent.

The Maine lobster industry has long been held up as a well-run fishery. Now it's seeking a seal of approval to prove it. Efforts are under way to have the state's signature seafood certified as sustainable by an international organization that evaluates fishing practices worldwide. With consumers demanding more "green" food products, the lobster industry stands to lose out if it doesn't get certified, supporters say.

Looking to buy some new DVDs for the summer? Starting June 3, independent studio Lionsgate will begin packaging its DVDs in recycled and recyclable materials.

Nordstrom will introduce environmentally friendly packaging options for its customers throughout 2008

Kodak and Wal-Mart are launching a national program to recycle used materials from in-store picture kiosks, including ribbons, spool and cartridges.

When Bronna Bodenstein's "only child" Moe D. Beagle has a particularly hard day, she knows just how to pamper him: a few rounds of fetch, a belly rub and an evening unwinding to the relaxing scent of "Rose Petal Pooch," an aromatherapy candle made just for dogs, infused with essential oils and Peruvian balsam bark.

Tired of all the paper associated with credit card bills and your electricity statement? You may soon have one less piece to worry about.

Old Crocs are getting a second chance — and giving many needy people around the world their first pair of shoes. The maker of the ubiquitous plastic shoes is launching its SolesUnited initiative to the public, asking for donations of worn-out shoes to be recycled and turned into new ones.

Jim Mahoney / DMN

Whole Foods Market gave away hundreds of reusable shopping bags on Tuesday.

Whole Foods Markets announced today that it'll stop using disposable plastic grocery bags at its checkouts. The Austin-based natural and organic grocer says it'll encourage reusable bags instead.

Attention environmentally conscious shoppers: Many retail companies are reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy and launching various green initiatives.