Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability (LOHAS) held its 13th annual conference at the St. Julien Hotel in Boulder, Colorado from June 17 - 19. LOHAS is an organization of businesses that are a part of the national 'green' and health markets, sharing the mission of responsible capitalism. From publishing a journal and weekly newsletter to myriad resources they have online, LOHAS aids both producers and consumers in achieving conservation goals. Search its list of sustainable businesses by category.

 

This year's forum included booths for marketing wares, colloquium among industry experts and entrepreneurs, as well as publicity through local media, beyond this MNN blogger. Several local and national companies were present for the conference, with a dozen speakers who shared sustainability secrets and green market trends. Gaiam was the primary sponsor of this year's event, providing financial and public support. Colorado State University was showcasing its new School of Global Environmental Sustainability, to commence next year. Celebrity appearances included the cast of the Meatrix, who confront factory farming and offer consumers alternatives to inhumane animal products. Check out organic and sustainable restaurants near you.

 

I was amazed by the creativity behind several new products being produced on the national to international scale. Ingeo utilizes a biopolymer created by NatureWorks to replace petrochemicals in products from synthetic clothing to food packaging. For example, Sun Chips bags will use 100 percent of this biopolymer by next year, and Apple iTunes giftcards are already composed solely of the biodegradable compound, helping to reduce landfill waste.

 

 

One sponsor I found particularly innovative was Wellness Enterprises, a Florida-based company that creates water filters for residential and personal use using magnetic and other technologies. Such filters reduce the need for bottled water by providing healthy, great-tasting water. They even filtered all the drinking water at the LOHAS event! A home (or farm, restaurant or spa) filter around costs around $6,000; however, smaller personal products are available for sale. Your reusable water bottle, pitcher or shower filter can be purchased online. 

 

Independent scientific studies have shown that Wellness filtered water has unequaled quality, for uses from skincare, to livestock and crop yield (see picture from a Texas A&M study below), to individual health by removing contaminants like chlorine and free radicals.

 

 

Here is a video showing my experience at LOHAS 13, as well as a brief interview on the campaign to end bottled water with Mr. Thomas Smith, Director of Business Relations at Wellness Enterprises. Enjoy!