Posted by admin on August 31, 2009
We all know by now that we should be using reusable bags.
You can read up on some additional facts about plastic bags here and see why you should be using reusable bags.
If you can’t get one that’s made from recycled cotton or reused materials (make your own from a tee shirt or scraps, jeans, etc.) then get one made from organic cotton.
Organic cotton is a superior alternative to conventional cotton that is laden with chemical pesticides.
(from reusablebags.com)
# Cotton ranks second for most pesticide use of all crops.
# According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 84 million pounds of pesticides and 2.03 billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers were applied to 14.4 million acres of cotton in the US in 2000.
# In the US, it takes about 1/3 of a pound of pesticides and herbicides to grow enough conventional cotton for just one T-shirt.
# In 1997, large apparel companies purchased 2.15 million pounds of organic cotton, which eliminated an estimated 43,000 pounds of pesticides and 485,190 pounds of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. (Organic Fiber Council)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Our organic cotton tote is made from strong organic cotton canvas and has been left in the natural cotton coloring, with no bleaches or dyes used. This bag is available with long handles for over-the-shoulder carrying.
Comments:
Filed Under: Misc
Posted by admin on August 26, 2009
15 Great Reasons To Get a Green Home Makeover from Your Local, Certified Green Irene Eco-Consultant
1) Your Green Irene Eco-Consultant(in South Florida), or other areas is supported by the resources of Green Irene LLC, is the LOCAL, knowledgeable green friend you have been waiting for. He or she has the tools and information necessary to move you and your family toward a healthier, greener life. Let them share their knowledge! Get a Green Home Makeover for $99 in about 90 minutes and save thousands!
Energy and Water Savings
2) Save over $3,500 on your electric bill over the life of your first set of energy efficient bulbs by replacing your old light bulbs with energy-saving bulbs of every shape from candelabras to reflectors and even dimmables.
3) Save $8,000 and 300,000 gallons of water over 7 years with a $133 Green Irene 2 bathroom water conservation kit.
4) Save 9% on your electric bill by eliminating Phantom Power loss.
5) Learn dozens of free and low cost ways to save energy, which you can implement immediately such as how to use your oven, dryer and fridge in the most efficient ways.
6) Save 8% of the energy to heat your water and reduce your family’s carbon emissions by 1,000 lbs a year with a few simple changes to your hot water heater.
Indoor Air Quality, Toxic-Free Living and Water Purity
7) Improve your Indoor Air Quality with (no cost) changes in behavior combined with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) cleaner and more effective furnace and a/c filters.
Create a less toxic indoor environment for your children and pets. Learn to avoid Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and the benefits of non-toxic household cleaners like Green Irene’s vinegar-based line.
9) Understand your household water filtering options from countertop-based 10-stage filtration to chlorine-removing shower filters to whole house reverse osmosis systems and banish bottled water from your home.
Waste Reduction and Recycling
10) Learn how to turn your food and yard waste (which account for 25% of all landfill contents) into nutrient-rich, non-polluting fertilizer for your houseplants and garden.
11) Save $1,000s and keep hundreds of pounds of toxic battery waste from your local landfill and groundwater by giving up one-use batteries forever.
12) Eliminate 1,000s of soda cans and bottles by making your own sparkling water and soda for pennies per quart.
13) Kick the paper towel habit saving both virgin forests and $100s a year.
Family Carbon Footprint Reduction
14) Learn how to source “green power” from non-polluting, renewable resources, often from your current utility.
Ongoing Support on Your Path to a Greener, More Sustainable Life
15) Unlimited support for three months from Green Irene’s member only database of green home solutions and our team of Green experts.
Posted by admin on August 25, 2009
The Green Tip of The Day is part of the the Green and Clean Mom Blog Tour.
Introducing a new site offering some great hip eco deals!
HipGreenDeals.com is a daily deal website that is helping women accessorize themselves with fresh, eco-friendly finds such as jewelry, bags, and body care at 40-80% off retail. HipGreenDeals.com caters to women across the country who are making an effort to go green without sacrificing style.
Every day at 6am MST there is something new to discover on HipGreenDeals.com.
HipGreenDeals.com has partnered with some of the top leading brands in the eco-fashion industry. Shoppers will be able to get deep discounts from companies such as The Andean Collection, BYOB, Moonrise Jewelry, Priti Nails NYC among many others at 40-80% off retail.
“In this economy you have to stand out both in your work and your appearance. As a new mom I found myself wearing the same black dress all too often in order to dress conservatively and hide the baby weight. I needed to freshen up my wardrobe but I wanted to be environmentally and socially responsible just as I was teaching my son to be. I chose to purchase a few key accessories rather than spending the money on new clothes.” said Christine Altavilla, founder of HipGreenDeals.com. “Because eco-friendly jewelry is handmade, I tend to get many compliments and questions about where I make my purchases. I created HipGreenDeals.com to make eco-friendly shopping easy, fun and affordable for women like myself.”
HipGreenDeals.com offers more than just accessories for the workplace. One might find the perfect bag for the farmer’s market or a great pair of sandals for the beach. “Accessories are fun. People need them in all areas of life.” said Altavilla. “They can transform your mood, appearance, and lessen your carbon footprint. It’s the little things that make a big difference.”
Comments:
Filed Under: Misc
Posted by admin on August 24, 2009
Those who have carpeting in their homes probably realize that carpeting absorbs aroma’s and pollutants from outside (they come in on your shoes, the dog’s feet, etc.), smoke and every day odors.
If you’re using a carpet powder or deodorizer that contains chemicals you may run into the following:
Contact with skin may cause mild irritation.
It may cause abrasive eye damage.
Sometimes the dust can irritate lungs or aggravate asthma symptoms.
Some carpet deodorizers simply mask the aroma and don’t really absorb the smells or alleviate it.
The most natural way to absorb odors is to use baking soda on the carpet and leave on for awhile then vacuum up. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda if you want it to have a natural aroma, or you can buy some already made for you that doesn’t contain toxins.
Item #: VA-H-ARO-CAR
Aromatherapy For Your Carpet
This product is a biodegradable, concentrated deodorant powder specially formulated to suppress and control odors and provide a clean pleasant fragrance for your surroundings. It eliminates foul odors from carpets, floors and garbage containers. Grapefruit and lavender essential oils are the secret to its success.
Posted by admin on August 14, 2009
Are you confused when it comes to all the recycling numbers?
Now, you can get this quick reference guide.
Just click here for this free pdf guide to recycling by numbers compliments of The Green Tip Of The Day.
Recycling numbers usually appear on the bottom of containers.
Check with your local recycling facility to find out which plastics are acceptable.
Here’s some information from Ideal Bite regarding recyclables:
Usually recyclable:
1. PET - 2-liter and mouthwash bottles, boil-in-bag pouches.
2. HDPE - milk jugs, trash bags, detergent bottles, some yogurt cups.
Sometimes recyclable:
4. LDPE - grocery bags, produce bags, food wrap.
5. PP - diapers, straws, yogurt containers.
6. PS - CD cases, egg cartons, Styrofoam.
Not so much…
3. PVC - cooking-oil bottles, meat packaging, office binders.
7. Other - other types of plastic, plus things made from more than one type of plastic (see below).
Bioplastics (7, and marked as either compostable or biodegradable):
7. Compostable Plastic - is nontoxic and breaks down as fast as paper in compost.
7. Biodegradable Plastic - may contain toxins, so you have to send it to a special composting facility
~~Earth911 - find out if you can recycle specific items in your area.
Posted by admin on August 12, 2009
It’s sadly that time of year again…kids are getting ready to go back to school in many states.
You want to send them off on a green note by getting eco friendly, recycled school supplies.
Try a few of these ‘must have’ items for back to school.
The first recyclable three-ring binder made of recycled corrugated cardboard. Durable and eco-friendly, this binder comes in three convenient sizes-1, 2 and 3 inch
Naturally you’ll need
binder dividers as well to keep each subject separate in your binder.
The tabs are made from durable, 18-point bending chipboard, containing 100% recycled fibers (56% Post-Consumer Recycled and 44% Post-Industrial Recycled). They are a great way to sort out your binder contents and come in sets of eight.
This notebook is bound with a sturdy, recycled bending chipboard cover (100% recycled fibers) with 100% Post-Consumer FSC Certified Recycled Paper.
Each notebook comes with 40 pages, college ruled on both sides and printed with soy-based inks. 8″ x 10″.
This presentation folder has two pockets and is made from 100% recycled fibers. This folder is thicker than traditional pocket folders because it is constructed of 20 mil, 100% recycled bending chip paperboard.
Similar to the 2-pocket presentation folder, this pouch has one pocket and is hole-punched to fit into the recycled binder. Great for organization.
Posted by admin on August 7, 2009
Use Eco-Font to save paper and ink!
Your ink cartridges could last longer if your fonts required less ink to print.
The Ecofont is a new font that allows you to do just that. The font has small circles removed from it, which are visible when the text size is extremely large but not when used at the normal size 12 or size 10.
Visit ecofont here
Posted by admin on August 4, 2009
Chlorine is added to water in order to help kill microorganisms and other materials, but when it enters our body, it can also kill some of the healthy bacteria and cause itchy irritated skin.
Most people think chlorine is only in pool water, they don’t realize it’s in most municipal water sources, thus they’re in contact with it every time they shower and/or bathe. Chlorine is powerful in combating against many parasites and disease causing pathogens. While it attacks parasites and the such, it also attacks delicate body tissue when absorbed through the skin or breathed in. When you shower, the heat of the water causes pores to expand and these enlarged pores absorb chlorine instantly.
Chlorine not only dries and damages skin and hair, but it may also cause permanent respiratory problems. Shower and bath filters can help combat the effects of chlorine when you bathe and shower.
Babies and children have smaller bodies (obviously) and are more sensitive than most grown adults. A bath tub filter will help remove the chlorine as the tub is filling for baby/kid bath time.
Item #: 32740
Premium Shower Filter
This filter easily attaches behind a showerhead and removes chlorine and other chemicals. The result is smoother skin, healthier hair, longer lasting color (for dyed hair) and you won’t ingest chlorine.
This filter easily attaches behind a showerhead and removes chlorine and other chemicals.
Note: Not compatible with 1.59 GPM RoadRunner low flow showerhead.
Item #: 32710
Splish Splash Bathtub Filter
The Splish Splash Bathtub filter removes chlorine and other harmful chemicals from your bath water. This product allows you to enjoy a healthier bath, with the added benefits of softer skin and hair.
Green Irene says: A bath filter is really great idea, especially if you have young kids (and especially babies, who don’t ever want bath-time to end!)
Comments:
Filed Under: Misc
Posted by admin on August 3, 2009
No one person has to do it all but if each one of us follow our heart and our own inclinations we will find the small things that we can do to create a sustainable future and a healthy environment. - John Denver
It can be overwhelming to think about all the changes one can make to live a greener lifestyle.
You do not have to do it all at once…make small changes daily and it’ll come to be second nature to you and those added changes will amount to a substantial change and improvement.
You can visit here for hints, tips on how to be green, you can hire a green coach…make an effort every day to just do even one thing to be more eco friendly…it does make a difference.
Posted by admin on August 2, 2009
Your body is about 60% water, so drinking lots of clean water is essential for good health, especially in the summer heat. Many people reach for bottled water because they think it’s a healthier alternative to tap. But in fact, bottled water is less regulated than tap water and, in many cases, bottled water is simply filtered tap water. Aquafina and Dasani, two of the best-selling bottled water brands in America, actually fill their bottles with filtered tap water. Why should you pay for someone to bottle tap water, when you could do it for pennies yourself at home?
Green Irene’s 10-stage water filter effectively removes a wide range of water contaminants, improving taste and water quality. Although the EPA monitors tap water closely, it is still possible for contaminants to leach off pipes in your home or office, affecting your water’s taste and purity. Our filter first removes any particles that may be left in the water. In subsequent stages, it removes free chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, bacteria, and other harmful contaminants. The filter also removes many aesthetic contaminants, leaving you with crisp tasting water. The technology has been proven very effective in lab tests, yet is still very affordable.
By using our water filter, you’ll be getting pure water without creating plastic water bottle waste. The process of making plastic water bottles sold in the United States alone uses approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil. That’s enough to run 100,000 cars for an entire year. Nearly 80% of water bottles are not recycled, resulting in 38 billion water bottles clogging landfills each year. Using a water filter not only makes sense for your wallet and your health, but for the planet’s health as well.
This is a top quality filter that is long lasting and effective. The 10-stage filtration system contains a contaminant-removing filter that lasts three times longer than the common carbon block filter.
The filter also removes nearly every possible contaminant or chemical, so the only thing left in your water is all-natural, good-for-you minerals such as potassium, magnesium, chlorides and fluoride.
The filter sits easily on your counter top and connects directly to your normal tap. One of the great features of this product is that you can flip a switch on the faucet to allow normal water to flow through, so you don’t waste your filter as you do dishes. Then just flip back to the filter for pure drinkable water.
You can get yours for only $125 now here and search 32770
