Arizona’s solar aspirations in peril: The sun shines 325 days a year in Arizona, on average, and some here see that as the state’s biggest energy asset. But fledgling efforts to turn Arizona into the solar capital of the world depend on making the initial investment in new energy plants affordable – something that could become much more difficult, perhaps even impossible, if a federal tax credit for solar projects expires at the end of the year as scheduled. [CSM]

“Green” Banana Farming Gains Industry Appeal: Today EARTH’s 600-acre (243-hectare) farm is the oldest working banana plantation in Costa Rica, selling its wares exclusively to the eco-friendly Whole Foods Market chain, which has more than 270 stores in the U.S. and the U.K. [National Geographic]

Just how ‘green’ is that shirt?: But judging competing social and environmental claims isn’t so easy, and the task is getting more complex now that companies like Britain’s Marks & Spencer are taking on climate change directly with a “carbon free” lingerie factory in Sri Lanka promising a garment produced entirely with renewable energy. [CSM]

A City Committed to Recycling Is Ready for More: So Mr. Newsom will soon be sending the city’s Board of Supervisors a proposal that would make the recycling of cans, bottles, paper, yard waste and food scraps mandatory instead of voluntary, on the pain of having garbage pickups suspended. [NYT]