Green Thinking Blog

Just about everyone is annoyed with junk mail. We don’t want to see it in our email boxes, but its even worse in our physical, snail mail boxes. How many days a week do you get junk mail? If you’re like me, you get it every day and there’s at least two pieces that you have to shred or throw away. So what can we do about all the wasted paper resources and piles of trash that junk mail causes?

First, go sign the petition to stop junk mail at DoNotMail.org. You can remain anonymous or you can include your info and rant about why the junk mail really makes you angry.

Second, take some action to “opt out” of the junk mail you receive. Visit the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service page and follow the three steps to register. The service costs $1.00 and its estimated that it can reduce your junk mail by 75%. PrivacyRights.org also has an informative page about reducing your junk mail from specific types of business or services. They usually advise you to contact companies directly and ask to be removed from their contact list.

Third, designate a box in your home or a corner of your desk where you can stack junk mail. As long as it doesn’t have any of your personal information, toss the mail in that pile and drop it off for recycling once a month. Of course, if it does include your personal information, shred it and throw it away.

Have some ideas or advice of your own? Share with us!

Okay Happy Campers:

Summer is just around the corner & for those of us in the warmer climates - it is already here!  That can only mean one thing for those who love the outdoors…it is CAMPING TIME!  A group of Laurel & I’s friends got together to partake in a little R&R in the best gift you get ever get…the great outdoors.  It got me thinking, green thinking that is, that while I am enjoying the outdoors, some products I use to get me there could have actually harmed it in some way.  Check out the list below for some eco-friendly camping gear to enjoy the environment all the way around.

Essentials:

• Tent - Eureka! Camping gear features a tent that uses solar power.  The Solar Intent will provide electricity during your stay in the great outdoors by using the natural powers of the shining sun. 
• Sleeping Bag -The EcoPro line by Marmot features sleeping bags made from and filled with recycled materials.  These bags are a part of Marmot’s UpCycle products, the shell is made of recycled soda cans and the insulation is made of post-consumer waste.
• Clothes - Need something waterproof?  Check out the water-based waterproofing system of Nikwax
• Bug Spray - GreenYour.com had some excellent homemade remedies to keep those pesky bugs away, but still alive. Another idea: Remember to eat garlic like you will never kiss another soul again - this is a tride & true method to keeping flies & mosquitos away.  Another idea from the Technical Advisor with the American Mosquito Control Association sais to try a concentrated formula of oil of lemon eucalyptus, or purchase Repel Lemon Eucalyptus Spray (Real Simple July 2008 p. 54.) .  Yummy!

Reminders:

• Be sure to pack plenty of biodegradable dishes and utensils (check out Bioplast and our previous post Break it Down, Break it Down Now)  if you don’t bring reusables
• Set up a recycle area
• Use environmentally safe soap
• HAVE FUN!

Yes, I really meant a Compost Potty vs. Compost Party.  While a Compost Party could be a great time, and a long party, this particular post is to send kudos to those Denverites in the great state of Colorado.  I recently headed west from the humid climate of Florida to my happy place, the mountains of Denver. 

While avoiding bears and hiking trails, the call of nature reached my bladder & to my happiness, I found the image you see to your left.

This may look like an ordinary outhouse -  but oh the amenities.

Toilet paper, feminine waste bag, clean, and instructions (for some at eye level).  Instructions are necessary when making waste in the woods and mountains.  For a closer look, see the image below.

It reads:

You are using a recycling toilet by Clivus

1. This toilet uses no water or chemicals.
2. Waste is being composted in the equipment below this building.
3. Do not throw cigarettes, plastics, bottles, or cans into this recycling toilet.

Thank you for helping us preserve the environment.

For states and nature trails and Clivus that have already adopted this technology for public use, we commend you.  This outhouse has provided a haven for my digestive system in the middle of the Lair o’ a Bear,  and assisted my friend Mother Earth.

A gift that gives back is the best gift to be given.  My boyfriend recently bought me a flower pot to fill with flower seeds that I got in a business card (a post at a later date).  Yes, a sweet thought, but it gets better.  The flower pot is compostable!  It is made from a rice base and will eventually decompose along with your plant into the ground!  This way, if I happen to abandon it, or it is suddenly stolen from my porch in all its beauty, it can do a disappearing act with no harm to my Mother Earth.

This amazing garden tool is created by Terra Cycle, and upon further research, this company is fabulous.  Their focus is to provide a plant food made from waste, worm poop to be exact, and distribute it in waste, recycled plastic bottles, ie. like the one your soda comes in.  Their product is sold at The Home Depot (You really can do it!), Whole Foods, Wal-Mart, and other retailers. 

Better yet, they will buy your waste from you!  You get paid and save space in a landfill.  Cookie lovers:  Send them your old Oreo wrapper - get $.02.  Caffeine Addicts:  Send them your old soda bottle - get $.05.  Winos:  Send them your old corks - get a good samaritan feeling.  Ah, getting rich by the saving the world has got to be the best feeling you can get. 

I just had to share this video.  Please take the 7 minutes and 17 seconds to watch - it is an inspiration to see what someone can do from waste.  A HUGE THANK YOU! to Brittney for sharing her link on videos about recycled bags.

What better way to celebrate Dear Old Dad than let him know his kid will live in a healthier world for years to come? Well, there isn’t a better way!

Check out some gift ideas for Pops this Father’s day…It is June 15 in case you need reminding…

• Dads are always mowing the lawn, why not let him save some carbon footprints and get some exercise while he makes his lawn green green green! Cleanairgardening.com offers many options for manual lawn mowers.
• Swinging atop the lawn he just mowed on his new HAMMOCK! This hammock by Gaiam is made of recycled soda cans. Also check out a hemp version handmade by the Tekiah Hemp Co-Op.
• While we are at it, let Dad take out the trash to his new Compost Bin! The Green Machine is easy to spin & provides the perfect environment for decomposition.

Okay, maybe your Dad isn’t into chores when it comes to celebrating his fatherhood. Why not celebrate his favorite pasttime by giving him…

• A pen made from the wooden chairs in his favorite baseball stadium. Unique, provides a conversation in any business situation, and brings in a flood of memories allowing the wood to live forever in a different form.
• Or give him what he really needs after dealing with his kids all day…a drink! Try a sampler set of Organic Beer. Ranging from a pack of 4-10 beers depending on how much grief you have given him over the years.

Fresh off our experience at the 2008 Green Earth Expo, Kate and I are bursting with ideas for simple and functional green products. After some extensive research, we tried to pick things that are affordable and easy to add in to your lifestyle in the near future. Read on for our top ten green products to buy now.

1. Stainless Steel or Aluminum Water Bottle - Cut down your waste and avoid sending more plastic bottles to our landfills (those suckers take hundreds and hundreds of years to decompose). Try out a reusable bottle and make sure to buy a skinny scrub brush so you can thoroughly clean it. Many grocery stores are selling their own bottles, or you could try one of these: Sigg Silver Traveler Water Bottle or Klean Kanteen Water Bottle. Bring it to work, bring it to school, or anytime you leave the house.
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2. Green Cleaning Products - It’s spring time and you’re probably doing lots of cleaning. Why not clean with some products you can feel good about (those which are environmentally safe, made from natural cleaning agents, free of toxic chemicals/phosphorus/bleach, and hypo-allergenic)? Kate and I tried Clorox Green Works products and we love them so far ($2.99-$3.39). Choose from All-Purpose Cleaner, Glass & Surface Cleaner, Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Dilutable Cleaner, and Bathroom Cleaner. We also like Seventh Generation products, though I don’t recommend the Automatic Dishwasher Gel. It’s just too gentle and it fails to get your dishes really clean.
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3. Reusable Shopping Bags - If you haven’t done it already, its really time to get some reusable shopping bags to cut down on our plastic waste. You can read Kate’s post on canvas tote bags where she talks about some fabulous, fashionable bag options. Or try out Baggu — they come in 19 different colors at $8 for one, $22 for three, or $38 for six.
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4. Natural Skincare - Not only do we have to protect our impact on the environment, we’ve got to protect our own bodies and reduce the amount of chemicals and toxins we absorb. Skincare is so important and its a topic we think a lot about here in sunny Florida. Try these or look for natural products free of parabens, perfumes, colorants, alcohols, and preservatives: Burt’s Bees Chemical-Free Sunscreen SPF 15 Burt’s Bees Radiance Lip Shimmer (LOVE this stuff!) L’Occitane Shea & Organic Cotton Cleansing Milk
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5. Energy Efficient Light Bulbs - We know you’ve heard about these before, but have you switched out ALL of your light bulbs yet? Compact florescent bulbs (CFLs) help you save on your electric bill, they use about a quarter of the energy that traditional bulbs do, and they can last for years! Visit Energy Star’s website and click on their “Choose a Light Guide” to help make a list of which bulbs you need for your home.
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6. Rain Barrel - Get a rain barrel made from recycled plastic and catch some clean, healthy water during the rainy months. Your garden will love you for it, and you’ll cut down your water usage. Clean Air Gardening has a 50 gallon barrel designed to blend into your landscape. They have a cheaper 60 gallon barrel too, but it’s bright blue. If you’re clueless, read this Rain Barrel Guide for help.
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7. Energy Saving Power Strip - Pick up one of these power strips that will automatically switch off power to your devices when you’re not using them. Energy-efficient power strips are a great option for those of us that just can’t take the time to unplug and re-plug everything day in and day out. We read great reviews of the USB Ecostrip, but it’s currently sold out in the US. Smart Strip is another good brand.
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8. TerraPass - If you can’t afford a hybrid or flex-fuel vehicle just yet, opt for the TerraPass to offset your carbon emissions. You can also offset your flights, wedding, home, or office. Read our post here for more info. TerraPass’ profits fund clean energy and efficiency projects like wind farms.
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9. Low Flow Showerhead - Switch to a low flow showerhead to cut down your water usage by half. The Roadrunner has ShowerStart™ technology that shuts off flow to a trickle once the water heats up. When you’re ready to get in, just switch on the valve to enjoy your shower. You can also get regular showerheads at Home Depot with easy switches on the head to turn water flow on and off while you’re soaping up.
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10. Organic and Local Food - We know it’s not practical or affordable for most of us to buy ONLY organic food, but every little bit helps. Organics are not only much healthier for you, but organic practices are healthier for the environment and animals too. They reduce the amount of toxins, pesticides, and pollutants that seep into the ground and air supply. Restaurants and grocery stores are carrying more organic foods as each day passes, so try them out when you can. A few easy options: Amy’s Natural and Organic Frozen Meals Stonyfield Farms dairy products Grow your own veggies (ex. hanging tomato plant) Also, purchase local produce whenever you can. Check out our post on farmer’s markets and local co-ops here.

Green things come in so many shapes and sizes, especially when you aren’t expecting them.

I was asked to travel a distance of 20 minutes to assist a friend in picking up a part for his car. This is not a normal task, but he is a nice friend, so I rode along for good music and conversation. Little did I know he was on a mission that turned out to be one of eco-friendliness.

What he purchased at his local auto parts store was The World’s Best Air Filter. Literally. This air filter by K&N will not only improve gas mileage on his already efficient Subaru, but it comes with a million mile warranty, can be washed and reused, and will never have to be replaced for the lifetime of the car.

Here is what you can contribrute to the Earth and save for a small price in changing your air filter:

• Improved gas mileage - saves dollars & emissions. Cars work better when there is more air flow to the engine, a clogged air filter will restrict this flow.
• Waste - both in dollars & land fills. According to the very informative box this air filter comes in, over 100 million disposable air filters are thrown out every year.
• Paper - unlike traditional air filters made of layers of paper, the World’s Best Air Filter is made of cotton gauze which is easy to wash.
• Time - this air filter is very easy to install (we did it right in the parking lot with no tools!), and it only has to be cleaned every 50,000 miles, so no need to rush your laundry.

H. Dale Hall, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, says that “medications that are flushed down the toilet or thrown straight into the garbage can and do find their way into our nation’s waterways every day. Those drugs are present in water that supports many species of fish and other wildlife.” The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) teamed up to raise public awareness about this very real problem.

So what can we do with unused medications? APhA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service say to follow these three easy steps:

1. Do NOT flush your unused medications. The FDA has determined that some medications should be flushed because they have high potential for abuse, but for the most part, avoid flushing them. Read the label on your medications and ask your pharmacist for advice.

2. When you need to toss unused medications, protect your family and pets from potential harm. Follow these guidelines:

• Dissolve medications in water (crush first if they are solid) and add cat litter, sawdust, or coffee grounds (any material that will absorb the medication and be unattractive to children or pets). Place the mixture in a sealed, biodegradable plastic bag before you throw it away.
• Remove and destroy all personal information from the medication container before throwing away. Look into approved state/local collection programs or hazardous waste facilities. Some states allow you to return unused medications to your local pharmacy.

3. Talk to your pharmacist. Pharmacists are medication experts and they can advise you on the best way to dispose of unused medications.

Taking these three steps helps protect your family, prevents illegal distribution of unused medications, and reduces the risk of negative impact on the environment and wildlife.

Uh huh—you are guilty. Yes, you, who habitually forgets to bring your canvas tote to the grocery store. Or even worse, you, who doesn’t even ever think about using a canvas tote when going to the grocer! Okay, don’t feel too bad, we have all done it before, or have recently adopted the idea of reusable grocery bags. The good news is that you can start being green on your next grocery adventure!!!

Reusable grocery bags have become a way a life that we are reminded of every time we are standing in the check-out lane. Target, Publix, and Whole Foods all offer green totes at their check-out. My personal favorite reusable bag comes from IKEA. Purchased for five cents at the check-out with proceeds given to saving forests, it is large enough for my entire grocery load, laundry load, beach bag, or whatever I want! Plus, it is bright blue with excellent handles (extremely important) and it can’t be missed. Everywhere I go I am a walking reminder to all my fellow shoppers, laundry mat attendees, or beach bums to be green.

The craze is so huge that some locations of Whole Foods have adopted the idea of being “bag” free. My local Whole Foods store will be joining this multitude come Earth Day 2008, and they are to be commended. According to the organic market’s website, plastic grocery bags take up to 1,000 years to decompose! I know what you are thinking, “Yea, but I re-use my plastic bags for garbage bags and pooper scoopers for dog walks.” Both are excellent ideas, but your lucky bags are only .6% of all 100 billion+ bags that are recycled every year. The Environmental Protection Agency says plastic bags are not only an endangerment to wildlife, but they pollute our land and water. I know my car has fallen victim many a time to the bag collection on the pollute pipe simply driving to work.

Okay, so I have chastised you, I have praised your efforts, but I have yet to indulge your stylish side. Grocery bags can be completely chic! Check out Ecobags.com or Peaceful Company for stylish, reusable options. They have Totes with Quotes, natural canvas, fade-resistant graphic prints, and even lunch sacks for everyday use.

The bags shown above are available at PeacefulCompany.com.