Got drugs? National Take Back Initiative Sat. Oct. 29th
Don’t flush those prescription drugs down the toilet! Be sure to properly dispose of unused or expired medication to protect our water supplies and the environment. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. On Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, the DEA is having a nation wide take back initiative.
For more information and to find collection sites near you go to:
Safety 1st Natures Next Bamboo Gate
I needed a baby gate to keep my dog in a certain area when I am out. On one end of the hall I have a metal gate with a door. On the other end of the hall is a door to a room and I am unable to mount a similar metal gate there. So, I needed to find a pressure mounted gate. You might think “why don’t you just close that door?” The reason I like 2 gates on each end is because the air flow is better and my dog can stay cool in hot weather.
I decided to get the Safety 1st Natures Next Bamboo Gate. It is similar to those cheap plastic ones, but much better quality and it’s eco-friendly.
The Safety 1st® Nature Next™ Bamboo Gate is an eco-conscious way to restrict access between rooms. Made from durable bamboo, a renewable resource, the gate also features 100% recycled plastic panels. The gate can be used in doorways and openings anywhere from 28 to 42 inches wide where it provides a barrier that is 24 inches tall. Pressure mounting ensures that this gate is easy to install, and also allows you to easily move it between rooms.
I really like this gate and would recommend it instead of the cheap, plastic ones. This gate looks great and the quality is nice.
Green Festival Los Angeles – Oct. 29-30
The Green Festival® Los Angeles is this weekend, so don’t miss out! Lot’s of authors, leaders, educators, workshops, films, activities, food, drinks, and more. Check it out!
About the Green Festival®:
“At Green Festival®, a project of Green America and Global Exchange, we’re celebrating what’s working in our communities and around the world – for people, business and the environment.
Think of Green Festival® as a walk through a sustainable community. It begins with finding solutions to help make our lives healthier-socially, economically and environmentally. Individuals, business and community leaders come together to discuss critical issues that impact us at home and abroad. Organizations and businesses showcase programs and products that restore the planet and all that inhabit it. Neighbor-to-neighbor connections are formed and skills are shared to empower people to create positive change in the world.
Join us at the nation’s premier sustainability event, where you will see the best in green. Enjoy more than 125 renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music. Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 300 eco-friendly businesses-everything from all-natural body care products and organic cotton clothing to Fair Trade gifts and beautiful kitchen tiles made from renewable resources.
See the most recent developments in renewable energy and green technology; sample Fair Trade chocolate, tea, coffee and oils (yes, they really do taste better); and learn how to invest in your community, green your home and avoid products made without consideration of the earth or its people.
Recharge your batteries with all the hope, inspiration and practical ideas you’ll find at the one and only Green Festival.”
For more information about the Green Festival™, visit: http://www.greenfestivals.org
Kelly Green Grand Opening This Weekend!
| I’ve been a fan of Kelly Green for a few years and was bummed when they closed their Silverlake location. Luckily, they opened one location in Santa Monica and opening their Echo Park store this weekend! Please check them out! | |
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Solar Trash Compactor Hits the Streets of L.A.
Photo by LA Stormwater Program
Recently, two BigBelly Solar trash compactors have been installed in Echo Park. Do you think this will make an impact on the amount of litter on the streets? We can only hope there is an improvement.
Developed by entrepreneur James Poss, the BigBelly Solar trash compactor can hold four times as much trash as a normal trashcan. The BigBelly trash compactors were purchased with funds allocated to the Echo Park’s Trash Abatement Project (TAP) by the City Office of Community Beautification and Keep Los Angeles Beautiful. The LA Stormwater Program donated the time and produced the graphics that appear on the BigBelly trash devices.
To read more about the project go to: http://www.lastormwater.info/blog/2011/10/18/solar-trash-compactor
Stop Junk Mail
Is your mailbox full of unwanted junk mail? It takes 17 trees to make of ton of paper. That means nearly 100 million trees get used for junk mail every year in the U.S. Let’s keep trees in the forest, and get the junk mail out of our lives!
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
Bags for Bneato: A reusable bag collection drive in Silver Lake and Echo Park
My friend Beth Zeigler of Bneato Professional Organizing came up with the awesome idea of collecting extra reusable bags that people have lying around. I love this idea! Here is the press release for her reusable bag collection drive:
BNEATO ORGANIZING ANNOUNCES “BAGS FOR BNEATO” EVENT
a reusable bag collection drive in Silver Lake and Echo Park
Tuesday, September 27, 2011 — Los Angeles / Silver Lake, CA — When professional organizer Beth Zeigler helps her clients pare down their belongings, she often finds an extensive collection of reusable bags lurking in their cabinets and closets. Instead of donating them to the Salvation Army, or worse throwing them away, Beth started thinking about how she could recycle the bags back into the community so they’d get into the hands of people who aren’t using reusable shopping bags. “While many folks take reusable bags with them to shop at my local Vons and Trader Joe’s, I’d love to see even more people getting excited about using them,” she says.
“We all have them – so many of them,” Beth Zeigler explains. “They just build up, clogging drawers, cabinets and the other nooks and crannies where we shove them.” Most people have learned that these one-use bags are terrible for the environment. But that doesn’t necessarily mean people have been able to make the clutter disappear.
For the next two months, Beth will be collecting reusable bags from clients, friends and the community. So dig through your cabinets and donate your extra reusable bags at one of our drop zones. At the BAGS FOR BNEATO event, Beth will re-distribute the donated bags along with tip sheets (in English and Spanish) on how to organize your reusable bags so that you always have them when and where you need them.
It only took one person (a one, Mrs. Ilka Erren Pardiñas of Fly PR) to volunteer to cultivate the PR buzz and the project was off the ground and running. Sarah from Mac + Cob wrote our press release while other key players (Cleo Murlane from Project M + donated and designed the poster for the event). And the event wouldn’t be happening without the support of the Silver Lake and Echo Park Drop Zones for the community to donate their extra reusable bags. And there’s more… So far, Baggu and 1 Bag At a Time (reusable bag companies have donated more than 100 bags combined).
So, dig deep into your reusable bag collection and donate your extras for this great cause!
DROP ZONES are located in Silver Lake and Echo Park at:
Origami Vinyl, Local Restaurant, Jill’s Paint, Yolk, Still Yoga and the Living Room.
Check website and Facebook page for updates on more drop zones as they’re added:
http://www.facebook.com/Organizes
Tour de Fat – Los Angeles – Sat 10/8
The Tour de Fat will be in 13 U.S. cities spreading the good word about the positive societal offerings of the bicycle. Along with our exceptional ability to roust a city’s inner-cyclist, in 2011 they hope to drive their message even deeper by bringing you the biggest, most enjoyable traveling bike festival that we know of. For more info, go to:
http://www.newbelgium.com/events/tour-de-fat/cities/los-angeles-ca.aspx
Seedbomb sprouts
I did a post about what Seedbombs were back in May. I planted mine back then, and still I haven’t seen any flowers. Should it really take more than 4 months to see blossoms? I don’t have a lot of experience with flowers. Has anyone planted these before? Here is my progress so far…
Update 11/15/11: I just had 2 tiny blossom after 6 months. (Pictured below)
