Mushrooms That Eat Plastic & Mushroom Packaging
In the Ecuadorian rain forest, they’ve found the first fungus species able to survive exclusively on polyurethane. Polyurethane doesn’t degrade naturally. Scientists have found Pestalotiopsis microspora, a polyurethane eating mushroom. Found by a group of Yale students, the mushroom can live off of polyurethane exclusively, even without oxygen! Amazing!
Also, a couple of college friends discovered that the sticky substance on the bottom of mushrooms called mycelium could be turned into a glue and when that glue is combined with corn husks and other food byproducts it takes on a form similar to Styrofoam. Their company, Ecovative wants used Styrofoam to become mulch, not waste.
Watch a video about these magic mushrooms here.
Cream City Ribbon – The Natural Choice
I’ve done some coastal & river clean ups and it never fails to find ribbon caught up in a tangled mess. When wrapping gifts, it doesn’t occur to everyone that most ribbons and bows found at your local store are made using petroleum products. They’re not sustainable nor are they recyclable or biodegradable. I use paper raffia ribbon, hemp cord, and make my own bows from old magazines.
I discovered Cream City Ribbon® which is produced from renewable, biodegradable cotton fiber, grown and processed responsibly in the USA with water based dyes and without chlorine bleaches. They also offer organic and recycled cotton by special order. They have solid colors, designs, and custom made ribbon. Cream City Ribbon® is the natural choice.
Paperflops – Recycled Newspaper Flip Flops
I saw these online and I am fascinated with them. I totally want to get a pair. I wonder how well the newspaper will hold up? I watched an episode of Mythbusters the other day and they were testing ancient paper armor against steel armor. The folded paper armor held up rather well against several weapons. So, I would assume the folded paper here would hold up rather well.
“The PaperFlops flip flops exist in different models and of course different sizes. They are made from entirely natural and biodegradable materials.
These Flip Flops are made of recycled and up-cycled newspapers. It takes approximately 1kg of old newspapers to produce a pair of PaperFlops Flip Flops. Other materials for the PaperFlop Flip Flops include root from old palm trees, coconut shells, and 100% natural rubber. The PaperFlop Flip Flops are quite durable and water proof since they are protected with a natural rubber sealant.
PaperFlops is a creative workshop that employs underprivileged people including street children and disabled people throughout Yogyakarta, Indonesia. This workshop trains and educates these people in arts and crafts to creating amazing products so they can be entirely self-sufficient.”
Here is their catalog: PaperArt Studios Catalog 2011
Natural Carpets and Rugs
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Materials used in commercial carpet or rugs can cause health and environmental concerns. According to the EPA, chemicals in carpet can be a potential risk to reduce indoor air quality because of the emissions and VOC’s from the adhesives used in carpeting. The most common adhesive is Polypropylene which can cause health issues.
Choosing 100% Natural rugs like wool, jute, hemp, cotton, sisal, sea grass, etc… could ensure better air quality and reduce the risk of exposure to chemicals. Also, choose carpeting with natural rubber adhesive.
Natural fiber carpets and rugs may not be as soft or cushy as some synthetic carpeting. If you are just protecting the floor, then isn’t it worth it to live in a healthy environment?
EPA on Greening Your Carpet: http://www.epa.gov/epp/pubs/carpets2.htm
Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent in a cardboard bottle
Are you tired of lugging around those heavy, plastic, wasteful laundry detergent bottles? I know I am. There are a few alternatives available when it comes to eco-friendly laundry soap. I want to experiment with them all.
I finally had the opportunity to try the new Seventh Generation Natural 4X Laundry detergent. The compostable bottle is available in many natural food stores around the country. The new bottle uses 66% less plastic than a typical 100 oz laundry form and is completely recyclable! The inside is a small plastic bag filled with detergent. When it is gone, then the bottle breaks apart and can be recycled or composted. The detergent itself works well, and I’m happy with the results. I also like the idea of less waste.
If You Care Household Gloves
I love the environmentally friendly products by If You Care. I picked up a pair of reusable Household Gloves that are made from FSC Ethically Sourced Latex. They are just as durable as regular household gloves, and they are eco-friendly.
If You Care Household Gloves are made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified latex, i.e. the natural rubber is sourced from a responsibly managed plantation. Furthermore, the rubber tappers, who cut the bark to get the raw material flowing, have received a fair trade premium, and it is their decision how to spend their extra income. If You Care Household Gloves – good for nature, good for people.
Product Attributes
- FSC Certified latex from responsibly managed plantation
- 100% natural cotton lining
- 100% renewable resources
- Cardboard from FSC Certified recycled paper
- Cardboard processed chlorine-free (PCF)
- Biodegradable non-toxic inks and glues
- Cardboard packaging should be recycled
- Perfect for dishwashing, oven cleaning, house & bathroom cleaning and gardening
For more info, go to: http://www.ifyoucare.com/
eco-friendly yoga mats
I finally tried yoga for the first time and I really liked it. I used to do martial arts so, yoga didn’t really interest me. I was a little bit curious about it, but I didn’t want to do it just because everyone else was. I’ve been pretty inactive for a while, and I knew it was time for me to get back into shape. There was also one of those group deals for a 1 month trial, so I figured I’d give it a try.
I needed a yoga mat and you know me, it’s gotta be eco-friendly. I was pleased to find there were a few different types available. I got one made by Gaiam. It is latex free and made of natural materials. The company headquarters is solar-powered and zero waste.
It did what I needed it to do and it makes me feel good knowing this mat is a healthier choice for me and the planet.
