PORTLAND, Ore.--Oct. 13, 2005-- The West Coast business magazine Sustainable Industries Journal is one of four finalists in the "New Launch" category for the first AVEDA award for environmental excellence in the magazine industry. Started in 2003 by Editor Brian J. Back and Publisher Nik Blosser as a business newsletter, Sustainable Industries Journal(SIJ) was re-launched as a magazine in March 2005. The magazine covers sustainable business news on the West Coast and beyond, primarily in the areas of green building, clean energy, recycling and food. SIJ provides business people, entrepreneurs and policymakers with information and inspiration to achieve economic gain through environmental innovation. The AVEDA Environmental Award is the first major magazine industry award to recognize environmental achievement by magazines through their paper use and production processes. There are three categories of finalists: New Launch, New Environmental Commitment and Long-Time Environmental Leader. Sustainable Industries Journal is a finalist in the New Launch category. Sustainable Industries Journal is printed on 100% post-consumer recycled, process-chlorine free paper supplied by New Leaf Paper and made by Grays Harbor Paper in Grays Harbor, Wash. The Grays Harbor mill purchases renewable energy from windpower, and 3 Phases Energy provides renewable power offsets for the printing of the publication. Soy-based inks are used in the printing process. "We are pleased to be recognized for exactly the kind of sustainable business practices our magazine helps other businesses to transition to and benefit from," said Nik Blosser, Publisher of the magazine. Sustainable Industries Journal is the only business publication that is a finalist for the AVEDA award. Other finalists in the New Launch category are Breathe, Ode and Plenty. The winner will be announced at the FOLIO annual awards gala in New York City on November 1, 2005.