Have a Green Superbowl Party
How do you have a Superbowl party at home and stay green? Most people opt for the convenience of disposables, and may not want to use their “good” dishes for a party. A trip to the dollar store or discount store can really save you money and you can buy reusable items for future gatherings. Get some ceramic dishes, drinking glasses, cloth napkins, and bamboo or stainless steel serving utensils. You could also buy some kitchen towels and washcloths in place of paper towels to clean up any spills. If any of these items were to get ruined, then it isn’t a big deal. Here are a few tips:
• Use reusable dishes, utensils, napkins, etc…
• Pick up a box of empty jam/jelly Mason jars at the grocery store and use them as drinking glasses.
• Put out pitchers of water instead of individual plastic water bottles.
• Be sure to set up stations for recycling and composting.
• Ask guests to carpool or use public transportation.
• Try to serve healthy snacks. Shop at the farmers market in the morning to serve fresh, local, organic food.
These are just a few ideas. If use must use disposable items, then please buy biodegradable/compostable items. They are becoming more and more available, so keep an eye out for them. Go team!
Recycle Your Christmas Tree
It’s that time of the year where there will be several dead Christmas trees on the side of the road. It is very sad and wasteful. Instead of tossing your tree to the curb, please recycle it and turn it into something useful such as mulch or wood chips. Go to earth911.com to find out where to recycle Christmas trees in your area.
Recycle old Christmas lights in exchange for LED lights
If you have some old Christmas lights, please don’t throw them away. There is a recycling program that will let you exchange your old Christmas lights and give you a coupon towards a purchase of LED Christmas lights.
You can mail them in to HolidayLEDs.com Recycling Program or look for a local collection site. The best thing to do is coordinate with your friends, neighbors, co-works, social groups, church groups, or other organizations when possible to collect lights and send in one bulk shipment (this reduces shipping costs for everyone and reduces environmental impact of shipping.)
When I purchased my LED lights a few years ago, the only option was bright white. Now, they offer warm white and various other colors. Generally speaking, LED Christmas lights are safer than incandescent holiday lights. The primary cause of Christmas light related injuries and property damage is fire.
LEDs are safer especially for homes with small children and pets. This is for two reasons. First, because the bulbs are cool to the touch they will not burn the hands of curious children. Second, because LED bulbs are make of shatter proof epoxy plastic and not glass there is not risk of children or animals cutting themselves or hurting them selves by chewing on broken glass.
Go to HolidayLEDs.com to learn more.
Happy America Recycles Day!
November 15 is America Recycles DaySM (ARD), the only nationally recognized day dedicated to promoting recycling in the United States. Recycling is the easiest thing we can all do to improve our community, conserve natural resources, and create green jobs. Together we can make recycling bigger and better 365 days a year. Check out americarecyclesday.org for more info.
eco-friendly surfboards
Sustainable surf: http://sustainablesurf.org/ Marko Foam: http://www.markofoamblanks.com/ Waste to Waves: http://wastetowaves.org/ envirosurfer: http://www.greensurfshop.com/
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I went to Hawaii a couple months ago and took my first surf lesson. It was fun, and I caught a few waves. I haven’t tried to surf since, and I’m unsure which products I would like to buy. I would have to get a new eco-friendly board or buy a used one. I also need to get an eco-friendly wetsuit. Surfboards are probably the least eco-friendly part of the sport, considering that their polyurethane foam cores, fiberglass wrapping and polyester or epoxy coatings are toxic and petroleum-based, and manufacturing new boards is generally energy-intensive. Sadly, eco-friendly boards are 2-3 times more expensive than the toxic foam boards out there. I did a post a while back about the Waste to Waves program. “Waste to Waves™ is a recycling program developed by nonprofit organization Sustainable Surf, that’s designed to turn waste materials into new, eco-friendlier surfing products. Partners for the initial launch campaign include Reef, SPY Optic, Marko Foam, Surfrider Foundation and Waste Management. This is an awesome program! I prefer not to spend a lot of money, especially for something I don’t know if I will continue to do on a regular basis. Although, I would rather get products that have a lower environmental impact. The search continues, and I will let you know which surfboard I decide to get. For now, I will probably just rent one until I get the hang of it. |
Safe Disposal of Household Hazardous Wastes
Everyday household products that are under your kitchen sink or in your garage, items such as paint, paint thinners, cleaners and solvents, used oil, furniture polish and unwanted electronic equipment are household hazardous wastes (HHW).
Not In Your Trash!
HHW that you wish to discard should not be placed in your regular trash. Such wastes can be corrosive, toxic, ignitable, flammable, or reactive and co-mingling them with your regular trash could create a dangerous situation. Much of your regular trash goes to landfills where HHW can contaminate soil and seep into ground water. Disposing of household chemicals in your trash, storm drains or sewers damages the environment, and is AGAINST THE LAW.
Find a location in your area, and dispose of household hazardous waste properly. Although, the best thing to do is avoid these products as much as possible.
Okabashi: Wear. Re-wear. Recycle.
I purchased my first pair of Okabashi flip flops and I absolutely love them! They are the most comfortable thongs that I’ve ever worn. I noticed the comfort immediately and I didn’t want to take them off. I can’t wear flats because I need a little bit of an arch and heel for my feet. The Okabashi Splash flip flops give me everything I need, plus they are eco-friendly.
Okabashi sandals and shoes are made in Buford, GA using a zero-waste production process. Their products are made of Microplast, which is comfortable, durable, washable, vegan-friendly, and 100% recyclable – a feature combination that is extremely rare in the footwear industry. Their designs are based on the studies of reflexology, support, and proper body alignment. Okabashi is dedicated to overall wellness, delivering shoes that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Cork ReHarvest Recycling Program
Do you ever wonder what to do with used wine & champagne corks? I usually save them, because I never really knew what to do with them. Cork is a renewable, recyclable material that doesn’t belong in our landfills. I discovered that you can return corks to Whole Foods Market who has partnered with Cork ReHarvest in a cork recycling program so that shoppers can recycle their natural wine corks.
“Cork recycling helps to reduce demand placed on cork plantations while maintaining the delicate ecosystem of the Mediterranean forests and helps thousands of producers maintain a sustainable income to support their families.”
http://blog.wholefoodsmarket.com/2010/04/cork-reharvest
Cork ReHarvest: http://www.corkforest.org
eco-friendly postal packaging
When I receive a package in the mail from an eco-friendly company, then it gives me the wrong impression when the company doesn’t use eco-friendly postal packaging. I’ve seen a lot bubble wrap, styrofoam, and plastic envelopes. If the product is eco, then the postal packaging should be, too. It is always great to reduce, reuse, and recycle packaging when it’s available. If you need to buy new supplies here, is a list of some eco-friendly packaging products from Office Frog:
Scotch Magic Greener Tape
Eco-friendly Scotch Magic Tape is made from more than 75 percent renewable, plant-based materials.
Caremail Rugged Padded Mailer
Mailers are plastic-free and made from renewable resources with a high percentage of recycled material. Mailers are recyclable with mixed papers.
Recycled Business Envelopes
Recycled business envelopes are made from recycled, chlorine-free, and contain a high percentage of recycled material.
Caremail Custom Wrap
Custom wrap offers a plastic-free substitute to bubble cushioning material and delivers protection for your shipments. Custom wrap is made of a high percentage of recycled material.
Caremail EcoPacking Packing Paper Kraft
Made from renewable resources. EcoPacking contains a high percentage of recycled material and is recyclable with mixed papers.
Also, the Post Office offers free boxes that are eco-friendly. USPS packaging products have been awarded Cradle to Cradle Certification℠ for their ecologically-intelligent design. For more information go to mbdc.com/uspseco_shipping
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Recycled Steel Dog Food Storage Bins
I have been eyeing these Bon Chien dog food storage bins by Harry Barker for a while now. I put it off because the price seemed a little steep for me. I finally broke down and bought one and I couldn’t be more pleased. It is very nice quality, attractive, recycled, and recyclable.
I give my dog high quality organic USA made dog food, because I want her to live a long and healthy life. I also want her to eat the same quality level of food that I eat. I don’t store my food in plastic containers, so why should I do that with hers? These storage bins are definitely worth the investment.
“Bon Chien, Bon Appetit” Harry Barker food storage bins come in 3 colors and 3 sizes, and they also offer matching dog treat canisters and stoneware food bowls! These sturdy bins are made of recycled steel and are recyclable as well, but they will remain strong and good-looking for many years. Includes a handy aluminum scoop. Vive le Bon Chien! (Long live the Good Dog)
