Forget Black Friday & Cyber Monday. Shop Small Business Saturday!
Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is another day, one dedicated to the businesses that boost the economy and invigorate neighborhoods across the country. It’s Small Business Saturday, and this year it’s happening on November 24th.
Shop Small this Nov 24th, and let’s make this the biggest day of the year for small business.
To learn more, visit ShopSmall.com
Introducing a new site sponsor: Be Good Be Green Online Store
Be Good Be Green is a new website selling a variety of eco-friendly products. They are the latest sponsor of Eco Enthusiast, and offering a discount to new customers. Check out the Eco Enthusiast side bar for more info.
Be Good Be Green sells: Reusables, Home & Cleaning, Bath & Beauty, Health, and Lifestyle eco-friendly products. They have everything from reusable water bottles, kitchenware, makeup tools, yoga mats, tea, and much more…
Why BG² cares:
“We pride ourselves on offering amazing environmentally friendly products to consumers and to raise awareness about the changes that are happening to our planet, but the other part of our mission is social cause. We care deeply about what happens on the other side and believe everyone should have the opportunity to grow up well fed, well sheltered and educated.
Beyond our 1% annual donation to environmental green causes, BG² ‘s recurring monthly donation goes to SOS Global Village Builders. Global Village Builders joins with SOS Children’s Villages (www.sos-usa.org) to fund the development of new homes and villages for children in need.”
I’m excited about this new shop and I hope you show them some support. Also, check them out on Facebook and their blog.
Shop: http://www.bgbgtwo.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BGBGtwo
Blog: http://bgbgtwo.blog.com
Green Gift Monday
This Cyber Monday give a gift that’s good for the planet. The Nature Conservancy wants to encourage you to find responsible, meaningful holiday gifts—make something, give an experience, donate to a cause or purchase an eco-friendly product.
Take the pledge now: http://blog.nature.org/green-gift-monday/
Forget Black Friday & Shop Small Business Saturday
This Friday is Black Friday where there are big bargains everywhere. Instead, of supporting the large super stores, please take the pledge to support small businesses. Shopping at local stores helps fuel the economy. When we all shop small, it will be huge. So, shop small this Saturday November 26th!
ecoATM
The other day, my significant other and I were walking to the Apple store to recycle our old iPhones. We weren’t expecting anything in return. On our way there we passed by an ecoATM. They pay cash for old cell phones and other electronic devices. We decided to give it a try. We had an original iPhone and an iPhone 3G. We got $96 total for the two phones! We were super stoked to get money that we weren’t expecting. Love it!
When I got home I looked them up and discovered that they are a San Diego based company and mostly has locations in Southern CA. There are a couple other locations in other states, too.
The Story of Stuff Project
I’ve been following this project for a while now, and wanted to help spread the word. Have you ever wondered where stuff comes from and what happens to it when you throw it out? Check out this animated short film to learn more. Also, check out the other films on their site: http://www.storyofstuff.com
STOPstart: Stop the trafficking. Start a new life.
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While searching online, I came across these wallets made from recycled rice & feed bags by STOPstart. I decided to purchase one and 2-3 days later it was in my mailbox. This wallet is very well made, professional and I would recommend it. They make items such as handbags, totes, messenger bags, travel bags, wallets, and billfolds.
“StopStart is a registered World Fair Trade organization. They are committed to building sustainable businesses through the education, training and development of local Cambodians. StopStart Enterprises has its roots in the mission of Stopping human trafficking and Starting new lives. Their desire is to build sustainable businesses that will change the lives of the Cambodian people and bring hope where there has been despair. They are training and developing local Cambodians to grow and develop the businesses. Currently approx. 30% of the StopStart Enterprise workforce have been rescued from slavery and are being trained and developed in language, design, machining and management.”
By purchase their products, you enable men, women, and children who have been trafficked, impoverished or abandoned to be reintegrated back into society.
Purchase items from STOPstart with free shipping in the US: http://www.kingdom-ventures.com
Sustainable Bedding
A few weeks ago I was doing laundry and a friend read the label and puzzlingly asked “Your sheets are organic?” I replied “Yes, they’re organic cotton.” A lot of people only think of food as being organic and don’t realize that natural fabrics come from crops, too.
There are several types of bed sheets such as Organic Cotton, Bamboo, Sateen, Linen, Birch, Hemp, Beech, and more. These sheets can be found in several stores and also online. Next time you need some new sheets, then please consider getting some sustainable bedding. We spend a lot of time in bed and being in a toxic-free bed is definitely worth it.
Klean Kanteen
The original BPA-free stainless steel water bottles are by Klean Kanteen. They started in 2004 as an alternative to plastic and lined aluminum bottles. Plastic bottles and the epoxy lining of aluminum bottles contain BPA (Bisphenol-A) which is a synthetic estrogen causing several health concerns.
I’ve talked to some people who said they tried other stainless steel water bottles and it had a metallic taste. I’ve been using a Klean Kanteen for a few years and I never noticed any taste at all. It tastes clean and crisp!
I really like the new Klean Kanteen reflect (pictured below). They are purely steel + silicone + bamboo. No paint or plastic. I totally want to get one, but I already have 3 kanteens.
Klean Kanteens come in several sizes, colors, caps, and mouth openings to choose from. They also make insulated bottles, baby bottles and wine carafes. I have used the same bottle for a few years and I don’t have any dings in it. They are light weight, highly rust resistant and will last a long time. Check out their site for all of their products.
