Small changes can save energy and can really add up. Some changes are not hard to do at all ... just put your mind to it.
" ... simple changes in your life ... can reduce the amount of C02 released into the atmosphere and help stop global warming. Be part of the solution"
"Run your dishwasher only with a full load. Save 100 lbs. of carbon dioxide and $40 per year."
Via: stopglobalwarming.org LINK
Chicago's ConEd is conducting an experiment to determine how consumers manage their energy use when they have metrics on use, cost and use patterns. Home will be outfitted with solar panels and some homes will be allowed to sell back to the grid and others will not.
" ... will install smart electric meters and price the homes’ electric use by the hour. Half of the homes will be able to gain credits by sending stored solar power back to the grid. The other half won’t be able to store their energy."
" ... whether consumers have the ability, with this technology, to become little utilities. They will be able to buy and sell electricity at a real-time hourly price, which is very close to the wholesale price, from their homes."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
Small day changes in our day to day activities can add up and make a real difference. Here are some tips from greenandmore.com via: EPA USDOE and EnergyStar.gov that can help save energy, water and other resources:
"Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room. (www.epa.gov)"
" ... microwave to cook small meals. It uses less power than an oven. (www.epa.gov)"
"Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can. (www.epa.gov)"
See LINK for the complete list.
Via: greenandmore LINK
Dixon Golf's "GREEN" golf balls are truly green - made with recycled materials and themselves recyclable.
" ...first high-performance eco-friendly golf balls ... all balls manufactured by Dixon Golf are "green" to the core ... 100% recyclable and made from reprocessable materials ... packaging is made from 100% recycled material."
Via: LINK
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GE has created a new water heater - a next generation - that saves energy by novel use of technology. Advanced (for a water heater at least) technology from other areas like sophisticated controls, hybrid modes and heat pumps can result in a very energy efficient water heater.
" ... GE rethought every aspect of this appliance from the ground up. ... can reduce water heater operating cost up to 62% and save $320 pe
r year ... "
" eHeat™ Mode (most energy efficient mode) ... [using a heat pump] removes heat from the surrounding air, heats the water ... Time required to heat water is longer in this mode, but should be adequate for normal demand households. ... Hybrid Mode (default mode) Combines ... eHeat with the recovery speed and power of standard electric. ... High Demand Mode ... higher than average water usage ... Standard Electric Mode ... faster than all other modes but it is the LEAST energy-efficient mode."
A control panel at eye level allows for easy access and control. Leave it alone or use it as needed to customize your hot water needs . " ... enables the vacation mode " .... system will drop the temperature set point to 50°F to save energy ... preventing the water from freezing ... automatically heats the water to the previous set temperature the day before you are expected to return. ..
."
The GeoSpring electric heat pump water heater is the first residential electric water heater with an electronic back-lit LCD display. The panel features a user-friendly control system located at eye-level to eliminate the need to bend down to the floor to adjust temperature settings. Changing the mode and temperature is as easy as following the on-screen menu. This easy-to-use electronic control panel offers both simplicity and flexibility, giving consumers as much or as little control as they like.
Via: GE LINK
The "Low Carbon World" website ... www.LowCarbonEconomy.com - was officially launched today ... [25-Feb-2010] ...in Bali, Indonesia at the United Nations Environment Programme's annual Governing Council. ... joint project between Low Carbon Economy.com and the United Nation's Climate Neutral Network ... aims to facilitate the move to global low carbon economies, ..."
" ... will assist knowledge transfer and simplify access to information and tools that can be difficult to trace ... will list every country's carbon policies, commitments, historical performance, future projections and opportunities, ..."
David de Rothschild has built a boat from recycled plastic bottles and plans to sail it from San Francisco in the US to Sydney, Australia.
Yes he is from the famous Rothschild family.
The boat and crew will travel in a green manner (composting toilets and vertical green garden fertilized by composted poop) Power for on board electronics comes from solar cells and wind turbines. The boat uses glue made from cashew nuts.
Follow the journey and check out the web site for lots of geen info.
Via: Plastiki LINK
leaders in sustainability and will leverage this integration team to identify projects, measure reductions, engage its supply base, and drive proper procedures into each GHG reduction benefit. ...
... "Selection -- Walmart will focus on the product categories with the highest embedded carbon. This is defined as the amount of life cycle GHG emissions per unit multiplied by the amount the company sells. To find the embedded carbon, the ASC reviewed the GHG emissions associated with all Walmart product categories. This approach ensures the project team focuses on the categories that have the greatest opportunity for reductions. Reductions can come from any part of a product’s life cycle." ...Via Walmart Stores: http://bit.ly/aBy2pX
Walmart has received constructive feedback from its colaboraters, such as The Environmental Defense Fund. For example, EDF reviewed the WalMart’s Sustainability Report and made these comments: We’d also like to see Wal-Mart present more data that allows readers to verify the information presented. For example, the limited data presented on improvement to fuel efficiency in the truck fleet – an area where we know that WalMart has made progress – leave room for confusion. http://bit.ly/dfdj3s
Continue reading "Walmart green supply chain opportunity wiil target carbon intense products" »
" ... The number of affordable, energy-efficient modular homes continues to increase as Pennsylvania-based builder Excel Homes offers a new line aimed at first-time buyers ... targeted to be sold for under $100,000, and depending on region, for as low as $60,000. ..."
" ... Excel Homes ... has built 28,000 modular homes since its founding in 1984 ... built in sect
ions ... in Liverpool, Pa., and Marlboro, N.Y., and transported ... where they are assembled... come with the government's Energy Star label for energy efficiency ... prices do not include the cost of land...."
Via: USAToday LINK
San Francisco is known for embracing many things green. The city recently developed and released an iPhone app for recycling information.
"San Franciscans already lead the nation in recycling – in May [2009] we announced a 72% diversion rate of all materials going to the landfill ... pledged to recycle 75% of the materials that would otherwise go to the landfill by 2010 and zero waste by 2020."
" ... find out where to recycle or properly dispose of materials using ... location-based mobile application. Instead of dumping old electronics or furniture on the sidewalk, the EcoFinder iPhone app tells you where these materials should go, based on your location."
" ... EcoFinder iPhone app is part of our ongoing effort to provide residents and businesses in San Francisco with the information and tools to be environmentally responsible."
Via: CleanTechnica LINK
I was looking at Bo
se Wave radios and noticed an interesting section about recycling batteries ... they have 3 easy ways for you to recycle the rechargeable batteries in their Wave radios ...
... call Bose toll free, go to a Bose store or visit rbrc.com ... which takes you to call2recycle.
call2recycle has a look up by ZIP code feature for the US and Canada. In my ZIP code I found a number of drop off locations including K-Mart, Radio Shack,. hardware stores and Home Depot.
"Call2Recycle® offers consumers a free and easy way to care for the environment through its nationwide battery and cell phone recycling program ... follow these three easy steps ... If it's rechargeable, it's recyclable. Look for used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones in your home that are dead or not being used any longer ... Find the recycling drop-off location nearest you and drop off your used rechargeable batteries and old cell phones."
Via: call2recycle LINK
"San Francisco based, Climate Earth has developed new software technology that measures and analyzes the carbon impact inside the supply chain, from the production of a carton of orange juice to the construction of a giant skyscrape ...
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
"Equator Coffees ... is going green ... using sustainable farming practices to grow their coffee cherries by partnering with local farmers in developing countries. On their site, they also have a smart coffee roaster that burns 80 percent less natural gas than a traditional coffee roaster and a food composter that turns excess coffee waste into fertilizer."
To learn more about Equator Coffee CLICK HERE.
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
Dow has products for many part of the green economy ... from solar cells to batteries for electric cars to materials for solar cells.
"Dow ... has embarked upon a multi-pronged strategy to capitalize on the demand for renewable energy and low-carbon alternatives to conventional products. ... "
" ... Dow's secret [is] ... Material science, i.e. membranes, coatings and other difficult-to-manufacture items that require a lot of chemical know-how. ... will have a huge impact on ... core green markets ..."
" ... Dow Corning ... brought a silicone sealant originally devised for outer space solar panels to the conventional solar panel market ... Dow signed a multimillion dollar, multi-year research alliance with Caltech to develop next generation solar technologies. ..."
" ... will sell copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) solar roofing tiles. Initial customers for the tiles, developed in conjunction with Global Solar, include mass market home builders Lennar and Pulte Homes."
" ... is sponsoring Electric Avenue, the electric car hall at the North American International Auto Show .... Dow Kokam, a joint venture, will also discuss batteries for electric cars at the show."
" ... wants a larger part of the water purification and desalination market, buying Rohm & Haas to help it expand ..."
Via: Greentechmedia LINK
RecycleMania 2010 started on Jan 17th, 2010 and ends March 10th, 2010. In these 10 weeks participating schools compete to see who collects the largest quantity of recyclables PER CAPITA and in several other categories.
" ... record number of colleges and universities across the United States, Canada and as far away as Qatar, have begun collecting their recycling and trash weights as part of the first two weeks of trials ... "
" ... a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities.... ranked according to who collects the largest amount of recyclables per capita, the largest amount of total recyclables, the least amount of trash per capita, or ... highest recycling rate. ..."
Good luck to all and there really are no losers in this competition !
Via: RecycleMania LINK
There is a new Green building in NYC - at the southern tip of Manhattan in Battery Park City. Read about the Visionaire - it is one very green building - though a very expensive place to live with pricing startling at just under $700,000 and going to a little over $6 million.
" ... the Visionaire ... a testing ground for urban green architecture."
"... All building fixtures reduce use of potable water, and a blackwater treatment system means that all toilet water in the building is recycled, treated wastewater. Stormwater collection reserves irrigate the green roofs, which cover 70 percent of the roof surface ... a natural gas-powered microturbine on the structure’s roof harnesses its own waste energy to heat water."" ... saves an estimated 42 percent in energy costs against a base-line average. This is largely the result of efficient building systems and the building envelope ... goal was achieved through exhaustive attention to detail ... "
Via: Greensource LINK
This video shows interactively the carbon footrprint of two food choices - a cheesburger and a chicen sandwich. Knowing this which would you choose?
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
I came across the EnviroBubble wrap while looking for packing supplies on the U-Haul web site. It looked interesting so I researched some and have an interesting post ...
"Sancell’s ... EnviroBubble is the worlds first totally degradable bubble wrap incorporates EPI’s TDPA (Totally Degradable Plastic Additives) ... Since its release in May 2005, Sancell’s EnviroBubble product has become an industry leader ... strengthening its reputation as the most effective, versatile, cost effective and environmentally friendly product available today ... a controlled shelf life of a minimum of 12 months as the TDPA additives are added at a controlled rate to monitor and control the useable life of the product and allowing the bags to degrade at a specific rate."
" ... Sancell have now introduced EnviroProtecta Bags – the worlds first totally degradable padded mailer bags."
Via: Sancell LINK
"Green Pack is an importer and wholesaler specializing in environmentally sustainable products. We supply biodegradable and compostable tableware and packaging, and a fantastic new range of non-toxic, petrochemical free wax crayons and paper twine."
"Our product range includes: Areca palm leaf plates, sugarcane fibre (bagasse) tableware, GM-free starch cutlery, plantation timber cutlery, PLA Bioplastic cups and containers, PLA coated coffee cups, paper straws, recycled napkins and lots more..."
"Green Pack caters for a wide range of customers. From wholesalers, hospitality, general business users to schools, hospitals, airlines and the general public. We also specialise in green event supply from the small private event to the supply of large organised public events."
Via: greenpack LINK
Big Green Purse believes the way to drive environmentally friendly products is to spend on them ... and use dollars to vote in the marketplace.
" ... we believe that the fastest, easiest, most direct route to a clean and healthy environment is to shift our spending to environmentally-safe, socially responsible products and services."
" ... Big Green Purse ... our focus on women because women spend $.85 of every dollar in the marketplace. That's a lot of power packed in a purse...... used in a way that can't be ignored. ... encouraging A MILLION WOMEN to shift at least $1,000 of money they already spend for an initial $1 billion Big Green Purse impact. ..."
" ... saves you time. ... found products that are really green (not just "green washed") at prices you can afford ... pinpointed goods that are not only green but "fair trade," meaning people are paid a fair wage for their work and no child labor is involved."
Via: Big Green Purse LINK
I am always on the lookout for something GREEN to write about ... the advertising on some Chinet products caught my eye.
While at my local Costco last night I saw some interesting information info on Chinet plates ... they are now compostable !!
"Preserving natural resources for future generations i
s important to us, and to our extended family, which includes you. So, start to finish, we pursue sustainable practices, from using recycled materials to produce our disposable tableware products to reducing the amount of energy we use and waste we create to make them. "
They have "how to do it" instructions for composting their plates along with other compostable material ... LINK
Chinet is made by Huhtamaki Americas
Via: Chinet LINK
" ... inhabitants on the small Danish island of Samso have ... become one of the first industrialised places in the world to qualify as being totally energy self-sufficient ... Denmark ... can now boast a region that can be used by the rest of the planet as the blueprint for future green energy production ... started in 1997 when Samso won a competition ... to become Denmark's "Renewable Energy Island" by presenting a 10-year plan to convert its energy consumption from oil and gas to clean technology ... 21 wind turbines have been built on Samso ..."
" ... houses in Samso's 22 villages are heated by power plants that rely on furnaces fired by wood chips and straw and farms of man-sized solar panels inhabit the fields ... project also creates new jobs as ... island's plumbers and carpenters have now all become experts in energy-saving home conversion and insulation techniques, and even get the opportunity to carry out installations in mainland Europe and the US ..."
For more on this project check out this video ...
Via: Power and Energy News LINK
IBM has the perfect Green Gift ... bringing together both GREEN and Six Sigma.
" ... author, Eric Olson, is an IT strategist ... wields degrees from the likes of Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute ... approach... emphasizes practical steps for setting a specific “environmental stewardship” plan in motion ... draws heavily on IBM’s Green Sigma approach for running a green business ... might be just the ticket for someone who is sick of hearing ideas OR someone who might need proofpoints to get their own managers to buy into green."
Download a sample chapter - LINK.
Via: ZDNet.com LINK
Looking for a great gift for that special green tech or green dude in your life? Check out "I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas" by Anna Getty.
" ... Anna Getty ... heiress, environmental advocate, writer, television personality, chef, mother, organic living expert ... believes that being green is not a trend but a way of life and in her 180-page book, “I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas” she shares her favorite holiday projects and recipes. "
" ... printed on 100% post-consumer recycled paper ... is filled with ideas for gifts, decorations and recipes that use less and mean more ... shows readers how to reduce their carbon footprint and save money ... "
Check out this interesting video ... very cool ...
Via: EcoFabulous LINK
Japan's Matsushita ... "will claim first place in the race to put commercial home fuel cells on the market ... "
" ... can optimally provide 70 percent of the energy needs for a 1,280 square foot house with four people ... can reduce energy consumption by 22 percent and CO2 emissions by 12 percent as compared to all other power sources ... ".
" ... cogeneration home fuel cell hooks up to the city’s natural gas lines, extracting hydrogen from the gas ... hydrogen is combined with oxygen through a series of polyelectrolyte membranes, a process that creates electricity, heat, and water ... home fuel cell produces between 500 watts and a 1 kilowatt of electricity and captures the heat to warm a tank of water, used for showers, dishes etc."
" ... a contribution to Japan’s goals of reducing global CO2 emissions 50 percent by 2050." " ... fuel cells require a great deal of energy; for example, this unit contains more than 2,000 components. Whether the production of the units negates the energy and CO2 savings gained by customers is unclear."
Check out this video ...
Via: Mother Nature Network LINK
RecycleBank developed a program to help communities encourage recycling by combining recycling participation with a rewards program.
" ... RecycleBank, is a rewards and loyalty program that motivates households to recycle and adapt other positive green behaviors. As CEO and Co-founder, Gonen is revolutionizing the way people view recycling."
" ... launch in 2004 ... grown to servicing over one million people across 20 states and in the United Kingdom. RecycleBank is increasing participation in recycling from single digits to over 90% in communities along the way."
In an earlier post we showcased a CBS TV profile of Recyclebank. In this post we visit with Ron Gonen and get more of his perspective on the business and creating wins for so many stakeholders.
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
Starting Oct 1, 2009 NC residents can no longer put plastic bottles in their trash cans as plastic bottles are banned from NC landfills.
" ... new law taking effect Oct. 1 bans plastic bottles from landfills as a way to encourage recycling and reduce the amount of trash in the ground ... state regulators won't rummage through people's trash ... Some local government sanitation departments say they won't pick up trash that contains the plastic bottles until they are separated."
""Just because you can no longer dispose of plastic bottles and pallets in landfills does not make it okay to burn them," said Sheila Holman, deputy director of the N.C. Division of Air Quality. "It is always illegal to burn plastics, paper and other trash in North Carolina.""
Portions or all of more than 90 other laws also take effect Thursday. Some are designed to help protect more residents from identity theft, foreclosures, unwanted telephone solicitations and false concert advertising.
Via: Durham County - MyNC LINK
"CleanTech ... formerly the Cleantech Venture Network, pioneered clean technology as an investment category in 2002. ... has played an influential role in the development of the category, fostering growth through critical information products, world class research and the highest caliber industry connections. ..."
" ... international competition to dominate green industries will intensify ... Agreement on a new global climate regime, as well as one in the U.S., will make halting progress over the coming year ... Yet the race to dominate the emerging clean economy has already begun and will accelerate regardless. "
" ... gas guzzler vs. hyrbids? Forget it, ... “SMART MOBILITY” is the new direction ... Cleantech’s description, “In 2010, clean cars will form part of a broader shift to smart mobility. Smart mobility will quickly permeate beyond simply the transport sector, and will be integrated into the new energy paradigm and influence the design of urban systems, even shipping ports. Look increasingly in 2010 for eco-city designs based on concepts such as “new urbanism.”..."
"Leading governments around the world will rethink tax systems, fiscal incentives and budgets to encourage greener forms of work and transport based on smart mobility concepts….”
Via: ZDNet LINK
Zerofootprint offers software and services that help your organization measure and manage its environmental footprint."
For example, their "One Minute Calculators enable individuals to get a quick measure of their carbon footprint. After they input basic lifestyle information, the calculator will provide an estimate of a user’s carbon emissions in 60 seconds or less."
There are 10 One Minute Calculators ... looking at the Earth Hour version I found that my family uses 11.45 ton / year of CO2. By changing some variables like diet you can see the impact of various changes.
>>> Check it out.
Via: zerofootprint LINK
Cagoule, a small company from Portland, Oregon, sells a line of gloves, hats, blankets and scarves made from post consumer recycled plastic beverage bottles.
My wife found these at our local Whole Foods Markets (Devon, Pa) and thought they looked like a great idea ... quality warm fleece gloves from post consumer recycled bottles.
" ... everything we make is still created from superbly soft fleece itself made from post-consumer recycled materials ... We recycle absolutely everything we can and run the entire show with waste reduction firmly in mind ... "
" ... BottleFleece™ ... made from 85% post-consumer recycled fibers obtained from plastic soda bottles and post industrial waste ... soda bottles are collected by recyclers, then shredded, melted, and extruded into fibers which then become ultra-plush fleece ... about 2 one-liter bottles in every BottleFleece hat ... "
Via: Cagoule Fleece Link
Andy Pag has set off on a trip around the world - but with a low carbon twist. He is travelling on a "budget" of 2 tonnes of carbon per person per year. You can follow his progress and story on his blog 2tonnesofcarbon 
and see some of the technology he is using as well as ways to cut your carbon footprint.
"The Biotruck Expedition is a 12 month expedition to drive around the world to discover how people are using and generating energy, and their attitudes t0wards carbon emissions."
" ... I'll be trying to conduct the whole project with a carbon emissions budget of 2 tonnes per person ... doing this because I'm curious about energy use around the world, and I want to see if I can travel on a sustainable carbon budget myself."
"Over the next 10 years, I predict recreational travel will either change dramatically, or become as socially unacceptable as drink driving or smoking is today."
The USPS has made great efforts to be green and help others be green. Through an arrangement with several electronics companies select USPS locations are offering prepaid mailers that can be used to recycle small electronics.
" ... committed to leaving a “green” footprint across America. ... are pioneers in using alternative fuel-capable vehicle ... support recycling and offer eco-friendly products."
Via: USPS LINK
"President Barack Obama will travel to the climate summit in Copenhagen ... if the countries involved are on the verge of a deal and he thinks his presence will help to clinch agreement, ... Obama's strongest assertion yet that he will attend the meeting in Denmark to help secure a binding treaty in the fight against climate change ... "
"... key now is for the United States and China, the two largest emitters, to come up with a framework that, along with other big emitters ... and those ... projected to be large emitters ... can all buy into, ... "I remain optimistic that ... hat we can arrive at that framework."" ... House of Representatives has passed a bill setting a 17% reduction in America's emissions from 2005 levels, and a version currently in the Senate aims for a 20% cut by 2020."
"If Obama shows up next month, he will join more than 40 heads of state and government, including prime minister Gordon Brown and others from Europe, Africa and South America who have said they will attend the talks."
Via: The Guardian LINK
LEDs lights offer longer life and less energy usage than traditional incandescent bulbs. HolidayLEDS offers a selection of energy efficient LEDS and a recycling program to safely get rid of your old lights.
"HolidayLED's ... is committed to providing the best LED holiday, Christmas and decorative lighting available ... All of our products are UL listed and Energy Star qualified. ..."
"HolidayLEDs.com has a solution (and a final resting place) for your old and inefficient incandescent Christmas lights--we'll recycling them for you ... recycling program is open now and will continue through the end of February 2010. ...the third year in a row we have operated the program and participation has increased each year. ..."
Some suggestions before you mail in your old bulbs for recycling ... " ... be sure there is not a recycling facility locally who will accept them. ... There is an environmental cost associated with shipping your lights ... cost is greatly reduced if you put your lights together with several family members, friends, neighbors, or local groups. ... Don't use packing material. The lights are going to be placed in a commercial shredder. It does not matter if they get broken ..."
Here is the link to HolidayLEDS recycling program ... LINK
Via: HolidayLEDS LINK
The University of Illinois has developed the Carbon Capture Report™ that brings together all web information Carbon related. If you are looking for something carbon related this would be a good place to search!... monitors news services from around the world to offer the latest news on carbon capture, carbon sequestration, and climate change, updated every 24 hours, 7 days a week. ... compiling a list of all articles mentioning these topics, and preparing a series of analytical reports to make it easy to continually keep track of what the world's media is saying about carbon capture."
" ... Daily Map service overlays each day's coverage onto Google Maps and Google Earth, showing what different countries and different parts of those countries are saying about carbon capture. See how coverage has changed over time using the interactive timeline of the Google Earth display."
" ... Daily Summary Newsletter service sends you the latest headlines ... delivered to your inbox at 2AM CST each morning."
" ... is an ongoing, highly experimental research project. All results are generated entirely by machine, so reports may occasionally contain errors and no guarantees of any kind are provided ..."
Via: Carbon Capture Report LINK
Looking to add a green roof? Lots of building are now sporting green roofs. There are a number of environmental and economical reasons to green the roof. A green roof can even help get a LEED certification.
"Urban Heat Island Mitigation ... Green roof vegetation helps by cooling the air, slowing air movement and acting as a substrate for pollution to settle out and detoxify. ... Noise Reduction ... Plants, soil, and air trapped in the soil are great acoustic insulators. ... green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels ... Fire Prevention ... Succulent green roof plants help reduce the risk of fire. ..."
"Water Conservation/Reduction of Storm Water Runoff ... green roof systems acts like a sponge and absorbs excess rain water ... green roof systems can reduce runoff by up to 90+% annually ... Habitat Recreation
Plants and soil help recreate habitat for butterflies, insects, and songbirds. "
Check out LiveRoof for more information.
Via: LiveRoof LINK
Samsung is well know for developing greener cell phones -- including the Reclaim ...
Now Samsung introduces the Blue Earth environmentally friendly green cell phone. Unlike other green cell phones this is a full featured phone. Among the green features are ... a solar cell for charging, low power use while in standby mode and fewer harmful materials.
" ... Samsung Blue Earth combines the latest multimedia features ... while achieving lower energy consumption and incorporating eco-friendly materials ... made from Post Consumer Material (PCM), ... extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions during the manufacturing process. ... free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Phthalate."
" ... user interface ... designed to draw attention to preserving our fragile environment. With “Eco mode,” screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth can be set to an energy-efficient mode with just one click. ... “Eco Walk” ... allows users to ... calculate the reduction in CO2 emission realized by walking as opposed to using a motor vehicle. ... allows users to see the value of walking by calculating the number of trees that have been saved."
"... the solar panel located on the back of the phone ... can generate enough power to use the device anytime and anywhere. ..."
Via: Samsung LINK
Along with Net ZERO energy houses folks are now talking about Net ZERO Water homes. The idea is to be self sufficient - self sustaining and off the "water grid".
" ... Water ... requires energy to deliver, so excess use compounds our energy problems ... many renewable sources of power, such as solar, require massive amounts of water as an input, creating further pressure on limited resources."
"Net Zero water is an analogous concept to net zero energy. Through ... rainfall harvesting, aggressive conservation, and water recycling, buildings can achieve self-sufficiency from the water “grid.”"
" ... divide available sources of water into categories and treat them accordingly. Rainwater is relatively clean, and can be converted into drinking water with a minimum of processing.... grey water can be cleaned by filtering it through a biological wastewater treatment system ... "
While not yet achievavle for more that a few select instances ... Net ZERO water ..."makes as much sense as energy efficiency, and net zero water provides an admirably ambitious goal."
Via: TerraPAss LINK
It's always nice to save some energy (energy = money). Sometimes these are really easy low cost ideas. Check these out ...simple, easy and low tech ... 
" ... Put a timer on your hot-water heater ... no need for your hot water heater to keep running 24/7. ... if you're going away for a few days, turn your hot-water heater off altogether ... change the last of your old bulbs to CFLs. It's getting darker earlier, and than means we need more lighting. Be green and save energy. ... LED flashlights. ..."
Via: SustainLane LINK
Help your kids have a green Halloween and help the environment at the same time with these tips from Green Halloween.
" ... nationwide organization that helps kids and parents ... rally their communities to go green on Halloween. It offers great tips for green halloween parties, games, costumes ..."
Here are the tips ... " ... (1) don’t create litter with candy wrappers. Think about how you can use them for a craft project. If you don’t want piece of candy, ... Share it with a friend or save it for later. ... (2) Use a reusable bag for Trick-or-Treating t ... (3) ... don’t drive. Walk or take your bike there instead. ... (4) Istead of buying a a new Halloween costume, see if you can make one out of old stuff instead ...(5) Don’t eat too much candy."
Via: SustainLane LINK
Samsung recently announced another environmentally friendly phone. The Blue Earth joins the Reclaim as another environmentally friendly cell phone from Samsung.
To see our blog entry on the Reclaim ... LINK
" ... Previously, eco-friendly mobiles meant lower-energy consuming ... with very limited feature sets. ... Blue Earth combines the latest multimedia features ... while achieving lower energy consumption and incorporating eco-friendly materials."
" ... is made from Post Consumer Material (PCM), which is extracted from water bottles, helping to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions ... is free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants (BFR), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Phthalate."
" ... With “Eco mode,” screen brightness, backlight duration and Bluetooth can be set to an energy-efficient mode with just one click. The “Eco Walk” function allows users to count their steps with a built in pedometer and calculate the reduction in CO2 emission realized by walking ... allows users to see the value of walking by calculating the number of trees that have been saved. "
" ... packaging ... is ... compact. ... made from easy-to-recycle paper and printed in soy ink. It also suggests a simple DIY idea to reuse the package as a photo frame or a pencil box. "
" ... by charging with the solar panel located on the back of the phone, users can generate enough power to use the device anytime and anywhere. Solar energy is considered one of the most eco-friendly energy sources and it helps users reduce usage of energy from non-renewable sources. "
" ... launching in Sweden in October and will soon launch in France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Portugal and other European and Asian countries."
Via: Samsung LINK
GM is planning to sell an all electric small car in India ...
Read on for more >>>
" ... all-electric Spark will go on sale next year in India ... GM parners with Reva Electric Car Co. ... plug-in Spark can be re-charged
at any standard socket in India, requiring no new infrastructure. That’s what’s limited sales of other alternative-energy cars in India so far...."
Via: ZDNet LINK
San Francisco now accepts compostable materials as part of its waste stream pick up ... there are now 3 bins:
black = trash
blue = recyclables
green = compostables
" ... designed to make recycling easier, reduce waste, and control litter. ... green cart is for all compostable items, such as food scraps and yard trimmings. ... allows San Francisco to ... achieve the state-mandated 50% recycling goal."
Acceptable for composting are food scraps, yard waste, paper and cardboard and select otehr items. For a complete list see San Francisco COMPOSTABLES". They accepts more than you would expect ... lots more!
Do you compost? Why not?
I do (myself in my back yard) and it quickly turns into nice mulch ...
Via: San Francisco Recycling LINK
There is a new "movement" underway in the recycling space - call it extreme recycling ... "... a new movement afoot that is raising the bar on what’s good enough. ... story from the New York Times [Oct. 19, 20009 - Nudging Recycling From Less Waste to None] explains what’s being called the “zero waste” movement ... not only to dispose responsibly of the waste that commercial enterprises create BUT ALSO to drastically reduce the amount of waste... create less garbage, period."
" ... Honda now recycles so much of the trash created at eight of its North American facilities that it has gotten rid of the trash dumpsters at those sites. At Yellowstone National Park, concessions now use cups and utensils that dissolve when heated. ..."
Via: Smart Planet LINK
Continuing the very green theme at SFO Airport ... you can also rent green cars ... and offers an incentive in the form of a rental discount for renting HYBRIDS.
" ... offers the nation’s first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting “green” alternative-fueled vehicles. ... rent hybrid cars ... such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid or Toyota PRIUS will receive a $15 discount at the counter."
" ... estimated that more than 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year will be eliminated through the implementation of this program."
" ... 10 percent of the rental car fleet ... is comprised of high-mileage cars—such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Focus—in addition to alternative-fuel cars. ... SFO hopes to increase the total number of these cars to greater than 15 percent."
Via: San Francisco Int'l Airport LINK
San Francisco International (SFO) is committed to being green. They have efforts underway to reduce their environmental impact by reducing noise, reducing global warming and preserving natural resources like air and water.
" ... recognize the importance that environmental sustainability plays in helping achieve this goal ... committed to drastically reducing its environmental impact over the next decade. ... working to reduce contributions to global warming, improve air and water quality, reduce noise impacts, and preserve natural resources." 
SFO n
ow offers the Climate Passport program; a way to help travelers reduce their travel carbon footprint by purchasing offsets.
Here is how it works ... " ... drop by a kiosk that will calculate the carbon impact of your travel ... buy offsets from the kiosk manager, 3Degrees, ... Some of the money will also go to the San Francisco Carbon Fund ... offsets purchased ... are verified by the Climate Action Registry."
Check out the interactive carbon calculator ...
On Sunday Oct 18, the cost for a carbon offset for a round trip flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco and back would cost $22.82 and off set 3,727 lbs of CO2.
White roofs are the "hot" thing in roofing ... allowing for a lowed burden on a/c systems.
But dark colored roofs can bring solar gain to warm buildings ... if only roof tiles were smart enough to know ...
The next "hot" thing in roofing might be roofing that can change color based on outdoor temperature to maximize or minimize solar gain.
"MIT researchers have developed roof tiles that change color based on the temperature, turning white when it’s hot to deflect heat and turning black when it’s cold to absorb it ... the tiles can reflect about 80 percent of sunlight when they’re white and 30 percent of sunlight when they’re black. ... white state ... could save as much as 20 percent of present cooling costs ..."
" ... system ... made of a ... polymer in a water solution ... encapsulated between flexible plastic layers, with a dark layer at the back. When the temperature is above a certain level ... the polymer ... produce a white surface and scatter light. ... Below that temperature, the polymer stays dissolved, revealing the tile’s black backing and absorbing the sun’s heat ..."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
Oberlin College's Living Machine® is a waste water treatment system that teaches students how nature purified water for years ... but is unlike most modern systems.
" ... treats wastewater using a system of engineered ecologies that include microbes, plants, snails and insects, and is designed to treat up to 2,000 gallons of ... wastewater daily in a beautiful, garden-like atmosphere. ... Upon completion of a water- pressurization system, the treated wastewater will be recycled back through the building for non-potable re-use."
"Invented by Dr. John Todd, of Living Machines, Inc. ... Wastewater flows from the building into two underground reactors ... an anaerobic biological process begins digestion of the wastes. ... wastewater flows through two closed aerobic reactors ... where the remaining organic compounds are further degraded. ...[then] ... enters the Living Machine® solarium and flows through three open aerobic reactors. ... plants such as papyrus, calla lilies and willows root into the planted aerobic reactors and assist in the treatment process."
" ... biosolids are settled out of the wastewater in a clarifier. ... then flows through a constructed wetland surrounding the open aerobic tanks for final ‘polishing.’ Ultraviolet disinfection is the final step prior to the treated wastewater being reused in the buildings’ toilets."
The Dow Chemical company is active in the green energy space with several innovative products. They recently announced their entry into the solar cell market with the " ... POWERHOUSE™ Solar Shingle, ... panels in the form of solar shingles that can be integrated into rooftops with standard asphalt shingle materials. ... expected to be available in limited quantities by mid-2010 and ... more widely available in 2011, ..."
"... integrates low-cost, thin-film CIGS photovoltaic cells into a proprietary roofing shingle design, ... design reduces installation costs because the conventional roofing shingles and solar generating shingles are installed simultaneously by roofing contractors ..."
"... addresses two of the biggest challenges associated with solar power – cost and acceptance. "
CDs are a great way to store lots of data in a small place ... and take up much less space when tossed in the trash then VHS cartridge. Now you can easily recycle CDs and DVDs along with lots of other media at GreenDisk.
Read on for more ... 
" ... responsibly and securely dispose of ... your computer-related waste, spent supplies and obsolete accessories. GreenDisk handles all your technotrash disposal needs ... destroy your old data, recover reusable components, and recycle all of the rest of your accumulated technotrash - all at your convenience, at home or at work."
I really love their tag line is " GreenDisk: because good planets are hard to find. "
Via: GreenDisk LINK
o
Change yourself - change the world. The No Impact Project " ... is an international, environmental, nonprofit project ... inspired by the No Impact Man book, film, and blog."
" ... empower citizens to make choices which better their lives and lower their environmental impact through lifestyle change, community action, and participation in environmental politics. ... Living low-impact provides a clear entry point into the environmental movement. ..."
Goals are to "Promote behavioral change .... Enable the public ... Engage people who are not already tree-hugging, bicycle-riding, canvas-bag-toting, eco-warriors ..."
Via: No Impact Project LINK
Learn more about Green building and design trends .... see booths, vendors, exhibits ... listen to seminars and speeches and see demonstrations.
Open to industry professionals on Thursday Oct 8th and the public on Friday Oct 9th at the Edison NJ Convention and Expo Center.
The Green Dude and Green Tech visited this same show earlier in the year in Philadelphia and found it both interesting and worth the time to attend ... we may try to get to this one as well ...
Via: GoGreenExpo Link
Boston's entry in the Solar Decathlon is called Curio House and is built mostly from off the shelf technologies and powered by the sun. Cobuilt by Tufts University and the Boston Architecture School the building will be on its way to the Solar Decathlon competition in Washington, DC in October.
See related post on the Solar Decathlon.
" ... designed to run entirely from solar energy. ..."
" ... team has focused its design on affordability, making an 800-square-foot building using almost entirely off-the-shelf products and technologies. ... lined up a buyer for the home in Cape Cod where it is supposed to be the first unit in a green housing development. ... projected cost of the building, big enough for two people and a small child, is about $200,000. ..."
Via: ZDNet LINK
Samsung unveils a very green phone ... the casing is made of biodegradable plastic made from corn.
" ... SAMSUNG Reclaim™ is the first phone in the U.S. made with 
bio-plastic materials, which are 100% biodegradable. ... comes with an Energy Star-approved charger. ... packaging is made with recycled materials. ... Bio-Plastic materials make up 40% of the phone’s casing. "
And because cell phones are made of hard to recycle innards Samsung offers easy recycling. "... commitment to a greener future doesn't end when our products are sold. We have fixed drop-off locations in all 50 states, making it easy for you to recycle your old Samsung TVs, camcorders and other electronics."
Click to find a recycling location near you.
Via: Samsung LINK
Composting is a way to reduce demand on landfills and create great soil for plants in your own back yard. Composting can even reduce the number of trash pickups you need and might save you some money .... going from twice a week to once a week. It's good for you and good for the environment. Want to learn more about composting? check out BPI ... " ... a not-for-profit association ... from government, industry and academia ... Through our innovative "Compostable Label" we educate manufacturers, legislators and consumers about the importance of "Scientific standards for biodegradation" for biodegradable materials. ... promote the use and recovery of compostable materials through municipal and backyard composting." " ... the amount of waste that has been diverted from landfill disposal through composting has quadrupled since 1990, from 2% of total MSW to 8.4% today ... 62% of all yard trimmings are composted in more than 3,500 municipal yard trimming composting programs in the US and 23 states ban at least some organics disposal in landfills, mostly leaves, grass and other yard debris. "
Via: BPI - Biodegradable Products Institute LINK
" ... Coca-Cola ... unveiled ... a new plastic bottle made partially from plants. The "PlantBottle™" is fully recyclable, has a lower reliance on a non-renewable resource, and reduces carbon emissions, compared with petroleum-based PET plastic bottles."
" ... a significant development in sustainable packaging innovation ... builds on our legacy of environmental ingenuity and sets the course for us to realize our vision to eventually introduce bottles made with materials that are 100 percent recyclable and renewable."
"... made from a blend of petroleum-based materials and up to 30 percent plant-based materials. ... process that turns sugar cane and molasses ... into a key component for PET plastic. ... exploring the use of other plant materials for future generations of the "PlantBottle™."
" ... analysis ... indicates the "PlantBottle™" with 30 percent plant-base material reduces carbon emissions by up to 25 percent, compared with petroleum-based PET... can be processed through existing manufacturing and recycling facilities without contaminating traditional PET. "
Via: Coka-Cola LINK
"International Paper ... seek ways to improve our environmental impact while creating better solutions for our customers. ... partner with companies who share our values. ... goal is to create packaging made from fully renewable resources that leave a smaller environmental footprint. ... first step is ecotainer® - ... line of BPI certified compostable packaging ... includes paper hot cups, paper cold cups, food containers, ... ecotainer® uses a plastic lining made from plants. All products are compostable ..."
Via: International Paper LINK
Good Energy is a British " ... independent renewable energy company based in Wiltshire. ... started by a group
of people ... committed to addressing climate change."
" ... Mission ... is to fight climate change by EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS to make a difference, ... giving them practical ways to make positive changes in their attitude towards energy, and the way they use it ... switching to pure 100% renewable electricity ... improving their energy efficiency ... generating their own renewable energy, and ... playing a part in the campaign for
renewable energy in the UK"
" ... have over 500 indepe ndent renewable electricity generators on our books. This is almost 15% of all microgenerators in the UK ... Most of the electricity we buy comes from wind power. ... s and farmers getting into wind power ... water ... gives us about 13% of our clean green energy ..."
Via: GoodEnergy LINK
So you are going on a trip and want to be green and rent a hybrid. Sounds easy enough ... except that only approximately 1% of the rental fleet consist of hybrids.
"Booking a hybrid rental car can be a big hassle. To boost your chance of scoring one of these green rides, follow Budget Travel's advice in four easy steps ...".
For the Video "How to Rent a Hybrid" click the LINK ...
Via: BudgetTravel Link
Audi's e-tron is no Prius (gas / electric hybrid) or Volt (electric with gas powered battery charging engine).
Check out this prototype high performance electric car ... from Audi.
" ... e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro. ... the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h
(0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, ... The lithium-ion battery provides a truly useable energy content of 42.4 kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometers, or 154 miles.
Via: Audi LINK
The Omega Center for Sustainable Living in Rhinebeck, NY is " ... a state-of-the art education center and natural wastewater treatment facility. "
" ... is a pioneering project in the Living Building Challenge and is expected to be the first building in the United States to receive the Living Building designation in addition to receiving LEED Platinum certification."
" ... the Living Building Challenge requires buildings to be informed by their eco-region's characteristics; generate all of their own energy with renewable resources; capture and treat all of their water; operate efficiently; and be designed for maximum beauty. ... six performance areas—site, energy, materials, water, indoor quality, and beauty & inspiration—and certain criteria to be met in each category in order for a building to be designated a Living Building."
Via: Omega Center for Sustainable Living LINK
" ... Mohawk has been an industry leader in actively seeking innovative ways to recycle, reduce, reuse and renew. ... successful energy-saving initiatives and eco-friendly flooring options work for everyone ..."
Mohawk's environmentally responsible and sustainable approach to business is reflected in these numbers ... 
"500: ... number of ... products ... containing recycled materials."
"3 Billion: ... recycled plastic bottles we take in each year to manufacture ... carpet ... and other ... products."
"1.75 Billion: Pounds of pre- and post-consumer waste Mohawk diverts from landfills each year."
"1 Billion: Pounds of foam trim ... made into ... cushion instead of taking up space in landfills."
Via: Mohawk LINK
Serious Materials produces a line of green environmentally friendly building products that help homeowners save energy ...
"... develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that dramatically reduce the impact of the 'built environment' on the climate."
" ... aim for breakthroughs in product performance, without requiring changes in customer behavior or in how products are used – thus speeding market adoption."
" Serious Windows high-performance insulated windows and glass, which can reduce heating and cooling energy costs and emissions up to 40% ...QuietRock soundproof drywall & QuietHome Windows, which can reduce material use, GreenRock™, a green alternative to standard drywall ... uses 80% less energy to produce its core, resulting in 80% lower CO2 emissions. ... "
" ... manufacture products in ... Sunnyvale, California; Newark, California; Boulder, Colorado; Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. ... to create thousands of green collar jobs ... in the U.S. Products are widely available through building products dealers in the U.S. and Canada."
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle with Oak Hall Industries.
They have a selection of eco-friendly 100% recycled graduation gowns. Each gown is made from approx. 23 plastic bottles helping to reduce landfill space and reusing materials.
" ... Colleges and Universities are making the comm
itment to turn their campuses green. ... this movement can be carried forward to graduation. "
" ... new line of graduation wear, named "GreenWeaver" is made of fabric spun from molten plastic pellets. ... fabric so comfortably soft you have to feel it to believe it! It takes an average of 23 bottles to make each gown."
Via: Oak Hall Industries Link
Listen to Marc Porat, Chairman of the Board of Serious Materials, discus issues surrounding green homes ... from the Greentech MEdia's Green Building Summit ... how many can be built / retrofitted per year ... what does this do for energy savings and job creation ...
" ... Serious Material Chairman Marc Porat discusses the challenges associated with building "green" residential homes. He believes it's important for the green industry to persuade governments to mandate environmentally sustainable buildings in order to speed up construction."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
It is amazing that there are so many energy using devices in our homes. What many fail to realize is that some devices, like TVs, and PCs may still be drawing power when "turned off".
You can save energy by changing the type of appliance - if old it may be worth upgrading to an energy efficient (Energy Star) model.
Sometimes you just need to "turn if off". Sometimes you can made simple substitutions like CFL for incandescent bulbs.
Read on for the 5 Big Energy Hogs in your home ... and how to ZAP them !
" ... Turn down your thermostat to 68 or 69 degrees in fall and winter, and to 76 in the summer ... Heating and cooling are the top uses of energy ... consider upgrading ... to Energy Star ..."
" ... for some homes, small appliances are the second biggest use of energy ... consider turning off your TV ... or ... put your electronics on a SmartStrip to prevent them from creating “phantom loads,” which draw small amounts of power ... even when items are turned off."" ... refrigerator runs constantly. It can pay off to recycle your current model and buy a new EnergyStar rated model."
" ... likely have an inefficient hot water tank ... tankless water heater ... save energy and money by not keeping water hot 24/7. Rather ... heat your water when you demand ... make sure your tank heater and the pipes supplying the water to it are insulated."
" ... swap out the incandescent bulbs in the most used areas of your home ... replace them with CFLs. Here’s a trick you may not have heard of for CFLs: once you’ve installed the fluorescent bulb, turn on the light and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Doing so “burns in” the lamp, which improves its function, and its lifespan. ... dispose of them properly when they burn out in 7 years!"
Via: SustainLane LINK
Gainesville Regional Utilities, Gainesville, Florida's utility pormots solar and offers assistance to businesses and residences that will install solar.
" ... energy-producing solar panels in Gainesville has skyrocketed since the city implemented its new solar incentive program ... waiting list for the program - which is the first solar feed-in tariff in the United States and offers above-market-rate prices for electricity produced by privately owned and installed solar panels - now stretches until 2016."
Between the price GRU offers for the electricity and state rebates for solar panel installation, the feed-in tariff should prove lucrative for those installing solar photovoltaics in the program.
However, the program is limited on a first-come, first-served basis to 4 new megawatts of electricity a year from solar power - more than double the megawatts produced locally a year ago.
The first change proposed Thursday would allow those people waiting in line to install solar panels in 2010 to install the panels now and be paid market rate for the energy the panels produce until the contract they've signed up for kicks in and they are able to receive the higher rate.
"We don't have anything in the program that allows us to pay them for electricity," said Ed Regan, assistant general manager of strategic planning at GRU. "If they're in the queue for 2010, a year for which we know the price, then we would let them build it early."
Another part of that is that GRU is proposing to reinstate the commercial net-metering system that was discontinued when the feed-in tariff was adopted.
Net metering allows people with solar panels to use their own electricity, and if there is any excess energy produced, GRU credits the bill.
The other changes are largely administrative in nature.
"There was a fair amount of gaming or jockeying for position that made us institute additional rules," Regan said of the somewhat unexpected rush that filled up all 4 megawatts of solar panels for the first year in a matter of days.
At least one person has challenged technical terms in the ordinance, arguing the language in the ordinance allows more solar energy to be installed every year, or that the ordinance has fixed prices out to the year 2030.
Regan recommended the commission approve language for the ordinance specifying that only 4 megawatts will be permitted in the program every year and that the ordinance should be changed so that the payout rate after the year 2010 says "to be determined."
"I think Gainesville can be proud to be on the forefront," Hunzinger said. "We have heard some criticism saying 'do not use Gainesville as a model.' To me that's personally, professionally disturbing to hear. However, I do understand there will be criticism. No good deed goes unpunished. The primary reason for implementing the (feed-in tariff) was to encourage solar PV installations in our service area."
Via: GRU.com LINK
Here are some energy saving tips from the New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. Check out earlier posts about this GREEN and environmentally friendly brewery.
For the rest of the list, more details on the items listed and more info about this environmentally friendly brewery ... follow the link at the end of this post.
"Hang your clothes out to dry ... clothing-dryer is the 2nd-most energy consumptive household appliance after the refrigerator ... if you don’t have space for an outdoor clothesline there are indoor racks that are compact and work like a charm."
"Put on a sweater ... When the temperatures drop, ... put on some soft booties, and sip a steamy hot drink. It’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy."
"Drink tap water ... Shipping bottled water around the world in plastic bottles burns a heap of fuel, pollutes our air, and puts more plastic into an increasingly plastic-sheathed world. ... if tap water is not up to your standards, there are ... filters available at much more affordable prices than the cost of purchasing bottled water."
"Use your own shopping bag ... asked, “Paper or plastic?” say, “Neither, I have my own bags.”
Via: New Belgium Brewing LINK
For those who follow this blog and live in Cherry Hill, NJ - check out Sustainable Cherry Hill.
" ... The goal of Sustainable Cherry Hill is to help educate and empower our community to view the world through a different set of glasses and to act upon this new understanding of the world. We are all in this together and the one resource that Cherry Hill possesses is PEOPLE! Lots of folks making small changes will result in large scale transformation."
"Stay tuned for lots of great information about how we are creating and organizing SCH into a non-profit group. ... "
Join one of 11 task forces ... "Green Building, Educating for Sustainability, Community Composting, Green Business, Bike Path/Sidewalks, Transportation, Renewable Energy, Local Food/Gardening, Land, Air & Water Conservation, Zero Waste, Urban/Regional Partnerships for Environmental Justice"
Via: Sustainable Cherry Hill LINK
Imaging a ZERO energy home. Sound realistic? GE thinks so !
GE's “Net Zero Energy Home” ..." ... combines GE’s most efficient appliances and lighting, GE’s new energy management systems, and GE power generating and storing technologies. ... together, the system will enable a homeowner to achieve net zero energy costs by 2015."
" ... the Home Energy Manager, the central nervous system for the Net Zero Energy Home. ... smart thermostats will also be introduced ... to work in tandem with the energy manager. ... plans to develop residential power generation products like solar PV and residential wind products that will also contribute to the net zero concept."
" ... respondents in the U.S. and ... in the U.K. say they are willing to pay an increased monthly rate for smart grid technology if there is a corresponding reduction in overall energy costs by 15 percent."
Via: GE LINK
PC manufacturers have long craved a long live battery ... one that provides many hrs per charge as well as one that last several years. Consumers see this as a GREEN selling point and manufactures are looking to fill this need.
"HP has partnered with Boston-Power to offer 
a longer lasting notebook battery ... notebook batteries—powered by Boston-Power’s Sonata® lithium-ion battery cells— deliver like-new performance for three years ... longer-lasting power with Sonata cells that are Nordic Ecolabel certified. PLUS, enjoy the protection of HP’s 3-year battery warranty—an industry first!"
Via: HP LINK
Coke designed and produced " ... "Drink2Wear" fashion apparel made from recycled plastic bottles ... T-shirts are made from a blend of recycled plastic bottles and cotton and feature playful slogans such as "Make Your Plastic Fantastic" and "Rehash Your Trash." ..."
" ... we expanded ... to include totes, loungewear and caps ... the designs and messages on the product, are intended to promote recycling and eco-friendly food and clothing. ... are reusing and diverting more than 5 million PET bottles from our waste stream."
Via: Coka Cola LINK
PSE&G, a New Jersey based utility, will double its current solar capacity with a program called "Solar 4 All."
Components of the program are (1) utility pole mounted solar cells and (2) roof top solar installations.
"... invest $515 million in 80 megawatts of solar projects ... creating green jobs ... expects to complete the installations by the end of 2013."
" ... installing a solar unit ... on 200,000 utility poles in PSE&G’s service territory ... the largest pole-attached solar installation in the world ... power ... sold into the PJM wholesale grid."
" ... effectively double the size of New Jersey’s installed solar capacity ... more solar capacity than ... any state other than California ..."
AOL's downloadable green toolbar offers a series of tips that change every few seconds as well as the ability to get quick searches and fees from, several green blogs like Green Daily and Green Resources ... you can also add Green Tech from Engadget.
During the install process you have the ability to make a few system setups (or decline if you prefer) that will ... "... save $25-75 per year (up to 100 kilowatts) by adjusting your computer to quickly go to Standby mode ... use up to 15% less paper by simply printing more on each page ... For some older monitors, using a darker desktop wallpaper saves more energy than lighter colors ..."
On the far right of the bar is an area that shows a constantly changing list of tips and tip of the day.
Via: AOL Green Toolbar Download Link
Want to travel Green? Vroom, Vroom, Vroom is a car rental service that works with all the major rental aagencies and offers both lower prices and a carbon offset for your rental (based on the miles driven and carbon emissions of your rental car). You can even get a green hotel as well!
" ... paying for all of the carbon offsets for all car rentals reserved through VroomVroomVroom.com. .. Help the environment by renting a car with VroomVroom Vroom.com. The average contribution to offset carbon emissions for each car rental is $3.32. ...be "environmentally responsible" and drive to a green hotel available in every price range in almost every city."
Via: Vroom Vroom Vroom Link
Here is an interesting non turbine wind power generator. I saw the idea for this in the TerraPass Blog; another one of the Blogs I follow.
See the link below for a video with the details ... basically the vibrating film causes a magnet to move between coils ... which is effective in light breezes ...
" ... Shawn Frayne, a 28-year-old inventor ... saw the need for small-scale wind power to juice LED lamps and radios in the homes of the poor. ...took a new tack, ... Frayne's device, ... is a taut membrane fitted with a pair of magnets that oscillate between metal coils. Prototypes have generated 40 milliwatts in 10-mph slivers of wind, making his device 10 to 30 times as efficient as the best microturbines. ..."
Via: Popular Mechanics LINK
Yesterday I found packaged green peppers in what looked like a paper tray rather than #6 PS foam trays. The product is labeled 100 compostable and 100% biodegradab
le and is made by Biospherecorp.
Compostable and biodegradable beats PS foam! Made from starch that is used as it is and not converted to plastic first ...
" ...Biosphere® Industries joined forces with Sealed Air Corporation, ... as a joint venture partner to bring a new class of sustainable biodegradable packaging products to market. ... Renew-a-Pak® and Blueware™ product lines are ... ultra earth friendly starch based packaging systems. ... do not convert starch into plastic, but bake it, similar to the process of making bread, waffles or ice cream cones. ... manufacture rigid packaging products that perform unlike anything else on earth."
" ... made primarily of starches such as tapioca and potatoes and a smaller percentage of grass fibers making them not only biodegradable, but Earth friendly ... Custom engineered packaging shapes and sizes may be infused with signature colors and custom aromas."
" ... Renew-a-Pak's product line is readily naturally compostable and garbage disposal safe. ... biodegrade completely in 40 days outdoors ... or 10 days in a commercial compost environment while enjoying an indoor shelf life of many years ..."
Via: biosphereindustries LINK
In an earlier post of this blog (June 25th,m 2009) I wrote about Microsoft hohm, a new beta software application that would help homeowners better understand their energy usage and give suggestions to save money.
Yesterday I got the link inviting me to try it ... here are some of the details ...
hohm is a web application that develops a detailed "picture" of your home and its energy use using a very detailed series of questions. Questions cover ... the direction the front of your home faces ... and includes details about all major systems and about the number of windows and square footage of widows on each side of the house. See graphic to the right for pictures of the categories of questions.
After filling out 75% of the questions I was able to get a list of "best ways to spend
50, 100, and 500 dollars".
So far I found hohm easy to use and informative ... and the initial Q & A took about 20 minutes.
More details as the "experiment" continues !
Via: Microsoft hohm LINK
Fat Spaniel Technologies provides real time monitoring of your solar PV system. Read their case studies of Jay Leno's car garage and SF International Airport.
Track your actual generation / performance and see ... "... display total power generated by ... day, week, month, or year ... local irradiance, cell temperature, and ambient temperature ... avoided greenhouse gases (CO2, NOx and Sox) over the lifetime ..."
It can be used to proactively guide behavior changes ... " Generate Energy 
Savings Via Behavior Modification ..." ... Educate ... by publishing real-time and historical data ... Cut electricity usage up to 10% by changing habits of building occupants ..."
" ... Fat Spaniel provides ... an industrial-grade, Software-as-a-Service renewable energy plant management system that enables plant operators to: ... Manage renewable energy plants in real-time ... Communicate and interact with mobile personnel ... Generate revenue utilizing back-end services for regulatory agency reporting, renewable energy certificate (REC) registration, and environmental reporting"
Via: Fat Spaniel Technologies LINK
Zwahlen's is a local (Audubon PA) ice cream and chocolate establishment that just so happens to have the first commercial use of SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile Roof.
I was driving past the store last evening when my son told me about the sign on the front that said --- something along the lines "the best ice cream under the sun is now powered by the sun". I needed to check this out ...
" SRS Energy, ...installed ... the first building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing product designed for curved roofing systems, ... the first commercial installation of the Sole Power Tile(TM) system ..."
"T...a great example of how time-tested traditions and cutting-edge technology can meet to create something beautiful," said Marty Low, CEO of SRS Energy and owner of Zwahlen's. "
" ... designed to blend seamlessly with several styles of US Tile's clay tiles, providing energy without the use of traditional solar panels that can compromise a building's roofline and curb appeal. ... preserves Zwahlen's charming Swiss chalet look."
"SRS Energy recently introduced the Sole Power Tile(TM) system to the greater Philadelphia region at the PV America show, held at the Pennsylvania Convention center during the week of June 7, 2009."
SRS Energy's Sole Power Tile can generate 500 Watts per sq ft.
Via: EarthTimes LINK
Via: SRS Energy LINK
Pervious pavement solve the need for a hardscape surface that can also allow water to soak int the earth rather than flow into a storm sewer. Among the more costly means to handle water are catch basins and ponds to allow for a more controlled flow and absorption.
" ... a unique and effective means to address important environmental issues and support green, sustainable growth.... porous concrete is instrumental in recharging groundwater, reducing stormwater runoff, and meeting U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stormwater regulations. ... pervious concrete is among the Best Management Practices (BMPs) recommended by the EPA ... for the management of stormwater runoff ..."
" ... Typically, between 15% and 25% voids are achieved ... flow rates ... typically around 480 in./hr (0.34 cm/s, which is 5 gal/ft²/ min or 200 L/m²/min),... "
Via: PerviousPavement LINK
You can only manage what you can measure .. the old adage about management ... applies to energy usage as well. A new Microsoft product, Microsoft Hohm, will allow individuals to monitor their energy usage and make changes based on recommendations to SAVE MONEY and ELECTRICITY.
" ... Microsoft Hohm, a new online application that enables consumers to better understand their energy usage, get recommendations and start saving money. ... uses advanced analytics licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to provide consumers with personalized energy-saving recommendations. ... beta application is available at ...http://www.microsoft-hohm.com."
Ecolife is a Canadian company that makes a line of earth friendly line of cleaners and biodegradable plastic bags.
Ecolife Products tagline is "Changing the world without changing the Earth".
" ... we believe in making the world a better place ... by promoting biodegradable, compostable and other eco friendly products... "
" ... we care about the environment and our products are designed to work with no or little effect to the world around us. ... an old native proverb about the earth we believe in. It reads, " We did not inherit the Earth from our grandparents. We borrow it from our children"."
Via: Ecolife Products Link
Over the years dry cleaning has gained a non-environmentally friendly reputation ... mostly due to the petroleum based solvent "perc" which has possible heath effects and and the potential for ground water contamination.
Recently there have been several alternatives to using the industry standard "perc" including CO2 and less toxic solvents.
Green Earth Cleaning " ...is the world's largest solution provider for environment friendly dry cleaning. ... is an environmentally safe dry ... with liquid silicone, a gentle solution made from one of the earth's safest and most abundant natural resources: silica, or sand. ... cleans as effectively as traditional dry cleaning without costing more to operate. ...it can actually improve the look and feel of fabrics."
" ... the cleaning system of choice for Marriott®, Hyatt®, Hilton®, the Montage® and the Four Seasons®,..."
>>> Find a Green Earth Cleaner in your area ... LINK
Via: Green Earth Cleaning Link
Imaging a cell phone that is self powering ... ?
Nokia has something in the works that might just achieve that goal though it is a ew years off and not likely to be scalable for largeer appliances ,,, but you never know whaqt advances in technology might bring ...
... "...a cell phone that recharges itself ... harvests ambient radio waves from the air, and turns that energy into usabl
e power. Enough, at least, to keep a cell phone from running out of juice.
" ... ambient electromagnetic energy is never going to ... power your whole house or office, but it just might be enough to keep a cell phone alive ... enough to slowly recharge the cell phone battery while it's in standby mode, theoretically offering infinite power ..."
Via: Yahoo News LINK
Wired Magazine has created their Smart Home .. which is Green + Wired. The design uses green materials and techniques along with tools to allow you to be GREEN with energy.
" ... high-design demonstration homes ... technologies we present aren't stuck in beta, but are available now. Trends driving the developments? Environmentally smart architecture, affordable automation systems, and real-time energy monitoring."
" ... use prefab construction ... automation systems we use are affordable, and upgradeable ... same access to energy data as the latest car dashboards, showing daily and weekly electricity and water consumption, as well as up-to-the-minute electricity pricing to help homeowners make smart decisions."
The Wired Home is open from March 19th, 2009 through January 3red, 2010. If you are in Chicago and want to tour the home ... CLICK FOR DETAILS.
Via: Wired Link
San Francisco has developed a mapping system that can show, by ZIP CODE, greenhouse gases and track it to the source ... I follows the time honored management maxim - you cannot manage what you cannot measure ... so they are using this to reduce overall GHG emissions ...
" ... Urban EcoMap. ... tracks ... carbon emissions by zip code, and even breaks down the information to the source of the greenhouse gases: transportation, energy use or waste. .. goal ... to reveal San Francisco residents' bad habits and lower the City's emissions back to 20% below their 1990 levels (as per the Kyoto Protocol). ... a great case study for local action providing a global impact. "
Via: WholeTravel blog LINK
Green living options are increasing in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia. Manayunk is accessible to the R6 regional rail line to center city and is a very walkable village ...
Sheldon Crossing is a new Platinum LEED (to be certified) development ...
" ...16-unit carriage home development in Manayunk, PA, ... to meet and surpass green standards, which will earn us a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum level of certification. As we are redefining eco-conscious living, we have not lost sight of the importance of design. ..."
" ... less energy and resources consumed ... will result in significant savings for the homeowner as utility bills dwindle. ... Sheldon Crossing homes will use less energy, water, and natural resources. They create less waste, have less exposure to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. ... features to highlight are PV solar panels, green roofs, Icynene insulation, high efficiency heaters, WaterSense plumbing fixtures, water purification, heat recovery ventilators, smart home technology, Energy Star appliances, windows and doors and much more. ..."
Via: SheldonCrossing LINK
The Obama administration has announced significant fuel economy standards to be effective by 2016 and a single emissions standard country wide - rather than allowing some states - like California - to have their own emission standards.
Washington - DC - May 19th, 2009 -
" ... President Barack Obama outlined ... the nation's first comprehensive effort to curb vehicle emissions while cutting dependence on imported oil, ... will save 1.8 billion barrels of oil over the lifetime of the vehicles sold in the next five years. ..."
" ... new fuel and emission standards for cars and trucks will save billions of barrels of oil, they are expected to cost consumers an extra $1,300 per vehicle by the time the plan is complete in 2016. Obama said the fuel cost savings would offset the higher price of vehicles in three years."
" .... requiring ... carbon dioxide emissions be reduced by about one-third by the target date,... requires the auto industry to be building vehicles that average 35.5 miles per gallon."
" ... by 2016, with passenger cars reaching 39 mpg and light trucks hitting 30 mpg ..."
Via: Yahoo News Link
Starbucks is solidly behind the green 
movement ... from it LEED roasting facility to it "take the mug pledge". Some folks just want / need a "to go " cup ... and Starbucks is working to make that a greener cup.
Read on for more >>>
" ...environmental impact of our disposable ... cups is a big area of concern to our customers and we are committed to significantly reducing this impact by 2015. ... spent more than ten years looking for ways to decrease the environmental impact of our disposable cups ... In 2006 we launched the industry's first hot beverage paper cup with post-consumer re
cycled fiber. ... in 2008,... we rolled out a new plastic cup that has less of an environmental impact than our original plastic cups."
" ... a 10-cent discount in the U.S. and Canada to ... customers to use their own reusable mugs for their beverages. Customers staying in a store can also request that their beverages be served in a ceramic mug."
Via: Starbucks LINK
Check out these links on GOOGLE.org for ways to save energy. Some are NO COST and others are eitehr low or moderate cost ...
Read on for more and to get the actual LINKs ... >>>
" ... Grist, Alliance to Save Energy, Department of Energy, Carbon footprint calculator, ACEEE, Home Energy Savers, Get a home energy audit ..."
Via: Google LINK
China is full of business opportunities and is also looking to become / embrace the green movement. The China Green Business Summit - 2009 is being held May 13 - 15th in Beijing, China.
Via: China Green Business Summit 2009 LINK
Many crops have been considered / experimented with as a source of bio fuel or bio diesel. Some carry risks of causing unintended consequences as land is cleared for farming -- Now the mushroom is looming large!
" ... biofuels from corn and soy ... destructive to the planet in certain ways as farmers in developing nations slash and burn forests to grow new crops. ... alternative: a ... genetically-modified mushroom that yields a large biomass which can be converted into a first-rate biofuel."
" ... genetically-engineered them to be ... more sustainable in culture during fermentation, and have both enhanced growth rate and spore production...."
Via: TreeHugger LINK
I noticed an improved packaging design while buying some sunscreen at my local Costco. The packaging was 
marked as 100 % recyclable and called EnviroShell ; made by Winterborne, Inc.
Basically there is a top and bottom cardboard layer with a cut-out in the top layer for the items ... these are protested by a #1 plastic inset ... the package is sandwiched together and is all secure ... but comes apart into cardboard and a recyclable plastic that most locals can recycled.
The packaging is secure / tamper resistant / proof, uses eco-freindly adhesives, has post consumer recycled content and is recyclable!
Via: EnviroShell LINK
Most potted plants come in #5 PP containers that are not very easy to recycle (few facilities) or in plastic that is not marked. Bonnie Plants offers plants in biodegradable containers so there is no plastic to throw away ... 
" ... Bonnie Plants ... introduced a new line of earth-friendly products this season under the "Going Greener for You" banner. ... is a company-wide effort toward environmentally friendly products. ...Included in the first phase ... are ... Exclusive biodegradable peat pots ... Jumbo biodegradeable fiber pots ... New recycling and reuse practices and facilities"
"Peat pots,... have already prevented more than 100 million pounds of plastic from ending up in landfills. ... are the country's largest wholesaler of vegetable and herb plants for home gardeners."
" ... recycling facility at our headquarters reuses and recycles supplies, tags, pots, and plant container trays."
Via: Bonnie Plants LINK
Preserve Products are recyclable, made with 100% recycled content and made in the US.
" ... products that offer more. ... perform
ance and style are every bit as important as their impact on the earth. ... make our products from 100% recycled materials, ... all of our products are designed to stay out of landfills when you are finished with them."
" ... products are powered by you and your recycling efforts. ... Preserve's Gimme 5 program, you can recycle your #5 plastics—a kind of plastic that many towns and cities won't recycle...."
" ... Preserve team is made up of 17 people and a host of talented interns who bike, walk, train, and drive (some in bio-diesel fueled cars) to our office outside of Boston i..."
Via: Preserve Produts LINK
Here is an interesting area for green technology ... many folks use water filters but these end up being thrown in
to the trash when spent - and represent an opportunity for recyclers. This is very much in line with the manufacturers and 3rd parties that "rebuild / recondition laser and ink jet print cartridges.
"... Take Back The Filter campaign is thrilled to announce that Brita and Preserve have teamed up to create a take-back recycling program for Brita pitcher filter cartridges ... beginning in January [2009], ... drop off filters at Whole Foods Markets or mail them in. Preserve, a U.S. company manufacturing household products from recycled plastic, will recycle 100% of the plastic casing. And the filter material will be regenerated or converted to energy."
"Contact your local Whole Foods Market and ask the store manager to join Preserve's Gimme 5 program. Each individual store can decide whether or not to participate in collecting #5 plastics, including Brita filters, ..."
Via: takebackthefilter.org LINK
I found what seems like an environmentally friendly packaging material at Whole Foods.s .. they use Bio-Plus
Earth packaging for take out foods ... made by Fold-Pak.
Read more about Fold-Pak Bio-Plus >>>>
" ... Fold-Pak... favorite packaging choice for environmentally conscious restaurants because our containers are made from paper ... Our paper comes from environmentally managed 
forests, using no old growth trees.
" ... our newest product offering, Bio-Plus Earth®. ... is made from 100% recycled paper; using a minimum of 35% post-consumer reclaimed paper. Bio-Plus Earth is endorsed by the Green Restaurant Association and carries the endorsement printed on the bottom of each container. "
Via: Fold-Pak LINK
I have been paying a lot more attention to the packaging in the consumer and other products I use ... recently I saw the Green Restaurant Association logo on a non prepackaged salad package from a local Whole Foods. Most of their plastic containers are #2, well marked and therefore recyclable.
Their non prepackaged containers previously were plastic clamshells (I recall) ... now they area recycled paperboard ...
Read on for more about the Green Restaurant Association >>?
" ...Green Restaurant Association℠ (GRA), a national non-profit organization, provides services in research, consulting, education, marketing and community organizing. ... involves restaurants, manufacturers, vendors, grassroots organizations, government, media, and restaurant customers. ... provides a convenient way for all sectors of the restaurant industry, ... to become more environmentally sustainable."
Check out Dinegrenstore for an idea of the available green materials ... in a wide array of product lines.
Via: dinegreen LINK
Comcast's HQ in Philadelphia is now LEED Gold certified ... and the tallest such building in the US.
Read on for more >>>
" ... received LEED Gold certification for the building's core and shell from the national organization. ... using 40 percent less water than a typical office building, with fixtures that save more than 3 million gallons of drinking water annually and waterless urinals in all restrooms that save 1.2 million gallons."
" ... a shaded plaza reduces the heat-island effect caused by pavement by 70 percent and ... low-E coating ... blocks 60 percent of heat while allowing in 70 percent of the sun's visible light, reducing energy used for air conditioning while using natural light to its fullest."
Via: Philadelphia Business Journal LINK
What do you get when you take a Segway "scoote
r" and put a seat and "body" on it? GM and Segway are prototyping this concept to develop a P.U.M.A. - personal urban mobility and access device.
Read on for more ...
" ... Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility) prototype. ... working concept ... in collaboration with General Motors Corp. ..."
"... demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility ... Built off of the proven reliable and safe technology you find in Segway Personal Transporters (PTs), the prototype truly does expand upon the exhilarating riding experience…"
Via: Segway LINK
Get Ready - Earth Day is Coming!!
What are you planning to do for Earth Day / Earth Week?
"Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth's environment. ... held annually during both spring in the northern hemisphere and autumn in the southern hemisphere. ... "
"Many cities extend ... Earth Day observance events to be an entire week, usually starting on April 16, and ending on Earth Day, April 22.[22] These events are designed to encourage environmentally-aware behaviors, including increased recycling, improved energy-efficiency, and reduction in disposable items. ..."
So ... what are you going to do?
>>>> I will be making some mulch (chipping up leaves) and planting flowers ... and of course recycling ...
Happy Earth Day / Earth Week.
Via: Wikipedia LINK
I was in Washington DC this past weekend and saw some small buses with the Smithsonian log on the side - promoting them as green hybrids. This prompted me to see what else our nations museum is up too in the green space.
Turns out quite a bit ... Read on for more >>>
" ... in 2008, 3.7 percent of our electricity came from renewable energy sources. ... reducing our carbon footprint [by]... 4.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases..."
" ... Smithsonian manages a fleet of over 700 vehicles ... As we finished 2008, over 76 percent of that fleet is now either hybrid electric or capable of working off of alternative fuels."
" ... have several people on staff who are LEED accredited professionals, ... design managers, architects and some engineers and are there to assist Smithsonian in seeking these LEED certifications."
Via: Smithsonianmag.com LINK
CelluBlox is a man made building block - similar in some ways to cinder blocks but made with a high percentage of recycled materials.
"... CelluBlox ... is a structural building block made from recycled materials. It averages a rate of about 89% recycled materials with no harmful bi-products ... is virtually fireproof, with exceptional R-value and sound deadening qualities. Its incredible strength to weight ratio provides for ease of installation and a quality finish."
" ... a composite of materials, re-cycled and man-made products that when mixed together form an incredible bond. ... were created to not only offset the cost of construction prices, but to allow eco-friendly people and those that are concerned about the devastation of natural resources, the ability to do something about it ..."
Via: cellublox LINK
Here are some tips from Marcal Paper's web site for getting kids more involved in the green movement ... these ideas can be a fun way to educate kids and get them to start thinking green!
" ... CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs). If every American replaced just one ordinary bulb for a CFL Compact Florescent Light bulb, ... save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gasses equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. ..."
"... a reusable water bottle .... choose a stainless steel reusable water bottle that prevents harmful plastic or aluminum from leaching into the drinking water."
"... reusable grocery bags. ... saves using countless plastic bags ... keeps our landfills free of plastic bags which take up to 1000 years to break down in nature. ..."
" .... Compost your food and yard waste—make some clean, nutrient dirt!"
" ... time your showers and use a bucket to collect the cold water that runs while you're waiting for your shower or bath to heat up. Your garden and plants will appreciate it ..."
Via: Marcal Link
Marcal has been making recycled paper products for many years. Their "Small Steps" branding helps bring this to the markets attention.
In addition to providing employment and a use for recycled paper ... trees are not being cut down as new r
aw materials needlessly.
Read on for more >>>
" ... Marcal is an "Earth-Friendly Paper Goods Company" ... For over 50 years, Marcal has been making its paper from recycled paper, not from trees. ... saving trees and the wildlife it supports, ..."
" ... over five decades, ... saving trees and reducing landfill ... uses paper collected from curbs in residential neighborhoods in cities and towns across America ...uses recyclables from more than 600 municipalities from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and New England. ..."
Via: Marcal Paper LLC LINK
Cameron Catering of Seattle Washington, is a green caterer ... just what is a green caterer - what sets them apart from your regular caterer ?
" ... We also believe that we need to protect the earth and the people who live on it. That is why we research our menus with an eye towards ethics and sustainability and treat our environment with respect. ... commits to: ... Take advantage of seasonal fruits and vegetables from local producers ... Incorporate alternative energy vehicles into our delivery fleet ... Recycle everything possible ... Maintain partnerships with like-minded organizations "
" ... Cameron Catering offers a "zero waste" events. ... an event where all the items on the table are 100% compostable. ... able to find corn based products to replace all traditional plastic products. ... all food are compostable through our commercial composting service. In 60 days, these items become nutrient rich soil. ..."
Via: Cameron Catering LINK
Manufacturers are seeing a way to distinguish their products over the competition by emphasizing their green component - in Pentel's case it is recycled content - a new lone with a minimum of 50% recycled ...
Pentel's " ... Recology™ Products use a minimum of 50% recycled materials by weight ... contain recovered materials that have been reused in the manufacturing process. ... and residential recycling programs."
"... have the same quality, reliability, and dependability as other Pentel products.... Product packaging is also made of recycled and recyclable materials...."
"Recycology™ embodies the 3Rs and we hope that you do also: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle"
What can you do in 30 days? ebay believes you can change the world by making greener choices ... their "30 Days of Green" is meant to highlight this ... "
" ... In 2007, forty eBay employees stepped up to help the company make greener decisions. Now, more than 1,000 are working together as eBay Green Team members.
"
" ... 86 million buyers and sellers on eBay have reused over $100 billion worth of products since 1998. By giving used toasters and toys a longer life and keeping sweaters and cellphones out of landfills, they're making a big difference for the planet."
>>> For links from ebay for more tips, ideas and news about being green and buying green LINK
Via: Green Team LINK
" ... Fuji EnviroMAX™ batteries bring a long-overdue dimension of eco-responsibility to the replacement battery market ... at no added cost....EnviroMAX batteries equal, and most often exceed the performance and longevity of equivalent major brands. ... There is nothing inside a Fuji EnviroMAX battery that will harm the environment if it is disposed of through normal waste systems. ... contain no harmful mercury, cadmium - nor are they packaged with dangerous (and non-recyclable) PVC plastic. ... most of all resources used ... are reused and recycled...are labeled and packaged with recycled paper and P.E.T. plastic. ..."
Via: FUJI Link
Check out this BBC video of a prefab house ... some neat ideas that make for green living ...
" ... One of the exhibits at the TED2009 conference is a pre-fabricated house that boasts state-of-the-art technology and a sustainable design that promotes a green way of living. ... Peter Bowes was given a look inside the home. "
>>> To see the video "Inside the new 'green' house" ... LINK
Via: BBC Link
The Green Thing is about showing you how becoming green and offering easy ways to achieve this. There are 7 things you can do ... " ... walk the walk, stay grounded, all-consuming, easy on the meat, human heat, plug out, stick with what you've got .."
"Green Thing is a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. With the help of brilliant videos and inspiring stories etc. from creative people and community members around the world, Green Thing focuses on seven things you can do - and enjoy doing. ..."
Check out the cool video narrated by "green thing" that gives details to these 7 principles ...
Meet Green Thing from Green Thing on Vimeo.
Via: Green Thing Link
Staples Eco Easy program offers lots of products that are easy on the environment.
Staples will take back and recycle ink cartridges, cell phones and certain electronics gear.
In addition - they offer a variety of it