Eco-Smart Consumer

Bring Recycling With You!

2009-10-07T16:18:00.004-04:00

Check out the iRecycle app from Earth 911 on iTunes. With this iPhone download you can just type in your location and what needs recycling and voila...the closest disposal locations are in your hot little hand!

T.O.M.T.

2009-08-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

If you're into upcycling, then T.O.M.T. is definitely a site that you need to check out. From an ottoman made out of a garden hose to a lamp made out of an old Hoover vaccuum cleaner, you are sure to be amazed and the crazy yet elegant creations you'll find. Oh, and don't call it "recycling" - the good folks at T.O.M.T prefer to think of it as "refitting." And they aren't involved in "waste handling," but rather "object career counseling." Learn more and be amazed at the T.O.M.T web site!

Make Some Music

2009-08-20T12:58:00.004-04:00

Don't worry! Thinking about the green-ness of your music does not mean you'll be stuck listening to earthy, hippie music all the time (unless of couse that's what you're into). A recent white paper by folks from Carnegie Mellon University and Stanford University takes a look at the carbon footprint and energy usage of various music acquisition methods. Do you buy CDs at the music store, or do you download music? How you get your music may have ecological impacts that you've never really considered. Learn more by looking at The Energy and Climate Change Impacts of Different Music Delivery Methods!

Get to Know Your Farmer

2009-07-23T09:19:00.003-04:00

Five Farms is a combination of audio stories and photographs produced by Wesley Horner Productions and the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University and distributed by Public Radio International. It shares the stories of five different farming families throughout the country in an effort to connect the food on our tables with the people who worked hard to grow it. Through a series of five one-hour radio documentaries and accompanying photos, you will get to know the individuals in each of these five families - hear about their stories, their struggles, and their triumphs - as they provide others with sustenance. I'm pleased to say that one of the families showcased is a hard-working couple in North Carolina - Eddie and Dorothy Wise from Wise Family Farm near Whitakers. Their farm is home to about 250 hogs raised from brith without hormones or antibiotics and even sold to a local pork processor. Their story is inspiring, as their journey to own their own farm was a long and hard one. Find out more about this amazing family and four others through Five Farms: Stories From American Farm Families.

Healthy Home Tips

2009-06-30T11:34:00.003-04:00

If you've kept up with this blog, you already know that we're big fans of the Environmental Working Group and the wealth of information they offer consumers. Last month they began their Healthy Home Tips Series for Parents. You can sign up via e-mail to be alerted of the next installment of the Healthy Home Series, and you don't have to be a parent to benefit from the content. The series is check full of ways that you can ensure your home is as healthy as possible. The latest installment is all about personal care products and how you can be a better label decipherer. Click your way on over to a healthier home for you and your family!

Personalize Your Drink

2009-06-26T08:44:00.004-04:00

Sure, your water bottle is BPA-free, but does it represent you as an individual? SIGG bottles now can be designed specifically for you! There are thousands of designs to choose from, but with seven special-edition designs you can actually add your own wording. Just go to Cafe Press to design your SIGG bottle. You can even preview just how it will look clipped to a backpack or sitting on your desk. Now you can cut down on disposable bottles AND be your own unique self while doing it!

Go Green Tube

2009-06-24T10:00:00.002-04:00

Haven't you ever wished for an all green YouTube? Well, now you have it! Go Green Tube was launched just a year ago. It hosts videos with information on the environment, green technology, products and services. Find out how you can repurpose your old t-shirt into a sexy little number. Join a New Yorker on his fire escape to see how he's gardening organically in buckets. It's all at Go Green Tube!

Company Practices

2009-06-23T10:00:00.001-04:00

You already spend time looking at the products you purchase and how your purchasing behavior can impact the environment, but what about looking at the companies behind the products? Is a green product still green if it's made by an un-green company? Should a company be considered green if it treats the environment well but not its employees? We're getting so philosophical here! Before I start asking about trees falling in the woods, let me urge you to take a look at the Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire. It's a great resource to learn about socially responsible steps that companies are taking. The great thing about it is the wide range of topics that are covered. Not only can you sign up for news on the environment, green building and renewable energy, but also on such topics as diversity, fair trade and socially responsible investing. CSRwire can provide you with a wealth of information on which companies are taking socially responsible actions in today's marketplace.

You've Got the Green Power!

2009-06-22T11:44:00.004-04:00

EPA's Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that supports organizations purchasing green power options. You can look at their Top Partner Rankings which highlights the annual green power purchases of leading organizations across the U.S. It is updated quarterly, so you can always see which companies are making large-scale efforts to power themselves with alternative energy options. It's interesting to see which companies are listed as well as which companies don't show up on the list. It's a quick way to see who os taking the lead in supporting alternative energy, because hwith so many companies out there making green claims, it's gettin' kinda hectic!

You Mean I'm Supposed to Observe the Speed Limit?

2009-06-18T10:53:00.004-04:00

Go to FuelEconomy.gov for their helpful Gas Mileage Tips. Learn how you can drive more efficiently, keep your car in shape, plan and combine trips and choose the most efficient vehicle possible in order to save fule and funds! FuelEconomy.gov is maintained by the US Department of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The information on the site helps consumers make informed fuel economy choices when purchasing a new vehicle and helps them achieve the best fuel economy possible from the cars they already own. If you're looking for fuel economy estimates, energy and environmental impact ratings or fuel-saving tips, go to FuelEconomy.gov!

Your Water Footprint

2009-06-17T09:59:00.003-04:00

You may have used carbon footprint calculators or ecological footprint calculators, but H2O Conserve has a handy-dandy water footprint calculator that you should try! It not only tells you how much water you are using, but where you are using it and how you can work on using less of it. What's great about this footprint calculator is that it doesn't just look at the water you are using in your house. It asks you questions about fuel use and eating habits - things that impact the amount of water you use beyond the faucet. Check it out!

Saving the World...One Cow Burp at a Time

2009-06-12T10:00:00.002-04:00

This story was just too crazy not to share! The folks at Stonyfield Farm have been looking at their carbon footprint for some time. Stonyfield, the world's leading organic yogurt company, knew that the biggest carbon contributor in their overall footprint was the milk production itself. While they had worked to decrease carbon emissions from transportation, farm energy, etc., they figured they couldn't do much about their largest source of farm emissions - methane from cows. I mean, you can't green a cow...can you? Well, it turns out you can! Stonyfield learned about research from it's global partner, Groupe Danone, that indicated a diet higher in natural omega-3 sources would reduce the number of burps coming out of their cows. That is how the Stonyfield Greener Cow project was born. The result? Fewer methane emissions from the cows and milk with more omega-3s and lower saturated fat content. A win-win-win, for poeple, cows, and the planet!

Looking to Drive Greener? Don't Drive Like my Brother!

2009-06-10T10:00:00.002-04:00

Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers, host NPR's Car Talk radio show each week (please tell me you already knew that... SO funny!). Did you know that they also host Car Talk's Eco Area on their cartalk.com Web site? It's full of ways that you can reduce the impact of your automobile. With driving and maintenance tips, new car options, and even "ideas from the fringe," the site is loaded with information and resources to help you drive a little greener. Plus, it's Tom and Ray Magliozzi, so it's hysterical - snort-out-loud funny, in fact! My favorite part are the tips, which are each rated with a "Tree-Hugging Factor" of up to five trees. For example, "stop your idling" gets one tree, while "carpool with the yutz next door" earns four. So, check out Car Talk's Eco Area and, in the words of Click and Clack, "before you know it, you'll be wearing Birkenstocks and eating free-range tofu!"

Green by Design

2009-06-09T10:00:00.002-04:00

Green by Design is a great site filled with information and products for living a greener lifestyle. Learn more about green living with their blog, online shop with hand-picked goods, product guides, and green designer profiles. The products in their online shop come from a variety of sources and include furniture, household items, and fabric (my husband is now panicking and placing a freeze on our checking account). Each item listing includes a Green Scorecard with information on packaging, recycled content, company practices and more. There are also a number of buying guides to help you choose more environmentally friendly options for insulation, linens, water heaters, paint and on and on... it all can be found at Green by Design!

Is Your Facial Tissue Green? Ewww...Is it Environmentally Friendly?

2009-06-08T10:00:00.003-04:00

Everyone has a line that they won't cross when it comes to looking for environmentally preferable products. If yours doesn't come before the bathroom, then you should take a look at the Greenpeace Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide. They looked at more than 100 brands and divided them into three categories (recommended, could do better, and avoid). Product placement in these categories were based on whether they were made from 100% overall recycled content, at least 50% post-consumer recycled content, and whether they were bleached without chlorine. You can download and print (on recycled paper, of course) a handy pocket card, or download the iPhone app.

So You Think You're Smart?

2009-06-04T16:40:00.003-04:00

But are you water smart? Test out your water IQ with Planet Green's Water Conservation Quiz! Which household item uses the most water? How much do most homes lose through leaks? No cheating! Don't go looking up the answers before you take the quiz! Still feeling brainy? Check out the other Planet Green quizzes online - from cycling to happy hour to topics that cannot even be mentioned on a state employee blog. See, now you really want to go check it out, don't you?

A Fair Trade

2009-05-28T10:00:00.002-04:00

Most of us are familiar with the term "fair trade," but do you really know what it means? If you are interested in learning more about it, a great resource is Green America's Guide to Fair Trade. Do you think the fair trade label only applies to coffee? Not true...find out about the people behind fair trade chocolate, tea, fruit, sugar, fashion, jewelry, home decor and even sports equipment. Learn about what the term means and why it matters. Explore some of the places where fair trade is in action. Finally, learn about how you can get involved. It's all in Green America's Guide to Fair Trade!

With Budget Cuts I'm A-R-Y Stationary

2009-05-27T10:00:00.002-04:00

I have a confession to make...I love paper. The eco-conscious and the paper-philes don't generally hang out in the same circles, but this year's National Stationery Show indicates that things may be changing. I did not actually attend the stationery show. Insane, I know, that with huge budget cuts and travel restrictions I was not able to convince the powers that be to allow me to travel to a trade show that has nothing to do with my job. I am fortunate that the good folks at Treehugger reported back on some of the amazing eco-friendly paper products that were showcased at the show.

Now, the stationers that made this best of the best list are doing some amazing work. We're not just talking about 10% post-consumer fiber. We're talking reclaimed cotton, carbon neutral, paper mills running on landfill gas, carbon-footprint labeled eco-friendly stationery! And it's gorgeous! The whimsical designs are matched by whimsical company names like Two Trick Pony and Fugu Fugu Press. Check out the dazzling stationery slideshow at treehugger! If you think you'll forget, just jot a note on your hydroelectric-paper-mill-made-soy-based-ink-printed notepad. Oh, you don't have one? Check out these companies and you can remedy that situation.

How Much Is That Rebate In the Window?

2009-05-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't like a rebate? Or better yet, a tax credit? Want to find out what eco-friendly rebates are available in your area? Check out the Energy Star Rebate Finder! This easy-to-use resources allows you to type in your zip code and find what rebates are available for appliances, fans, heating and cooling, lighting, office equipment, residential water heaters, and your home envelope (yes, your home has an envelope). Are you considering energy-efficient windows for your home? You could be eligible for a tax credit! Take a look at Energy Star's Rebates and Tax Credit page for more information. So, get a check in an envelope when you check you home envelope...how great is that?!

Your Insulation Is So Fashionable

2009-05-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

So maybe the skinny-leg jeans weren't such a good idea after all. Whatever the reason for being done with your denim, you can now ensure your old jeans will get new life! Cotton Incorporated is holding their From Blue to Green denim drive. Get your denim in by June 30th and it will be converted into insulation...not only will it be recycled, but it's being recycled into something that helps saves energy in homes! That rocks! But your old jean jacket does not rock, so go ahead and send it in to be recycled!

This Forecast is for Green

2009-05-22T10:00:00.003-04:00

Terri Bennett is a meteorologist, earth scientist, mom and all-round eco-guru! Folks from the Charlotte, NC area may recognize her from her weather reporting days, but Terri's Do Your Part initiative should earn her recognition across the state and beyond! Check out the Do Your Part Web site to find out what you can do at home, at work, at play, with your kids and on the road to reduce your ecological footprint. Learn water consrvation tips for the bathroom, greener grilling techniques for the backyard an ways to make the office break room more eco-friendly. I'd say the forecast looks bright from here.

What's Green About eBay...Besides the "y"?

2009-05-21T10:00:00.003-04:00

Why, the eBay Green Team, of course! What started back in 2007 with 40 people is now over 1,000-strong. Go to the eBay Green Team site for great resources on not only how to buy green, but also on selling green - from operations to shipping to marketing. The site has fun, lighthearted content like the "What's Your Green Personality?" quiz, but also more serious sections with questions to ask yourself before making purchasing decisions. You are even invited to join the eBay Green Team and share your own experiences with the green community.

Re-Duce, Re-Use, Re-Nest!

2009-05-20T14:53:00.003-04:00

Who can't get into a site that says it's at the intersection of the "green" movement and the "home decor" movement? That's re-nest, and their goal is to "connect people to the resources they need to improve their homes, while reducing their reliance on stuff." A noble goal indeed! From shopping guides to home tours, it's surely worth a visit.

A Gold Project Gone Green

2009-05-19T10:00:00.009-04:00

I must admit, my own career in the Girl Scouts was short-lived - one year as a Brownie and that was it. Luckily there are other girls out there who stick with it, and some accomplish some pretty amazing things. Enter Margaret, a high school student from Winston-Salem who decided that for her Gold Award Project, she would teach small groups how to re-purpose old t-shirts into reusable tote bags.

If you're like me, you don't know what a Gold Award Project is. It's a big deal. It is the highest award that a Girl Scout aged 14-18 can earn, and it has been described as the thing that you really want to be remembered for as a Girl Scout. It should be something that the girl is passionate about and that fills a need in her community. Oh, and this one will just happen to impress hipsters, crafters and the eco-minded everywhere, although that is not a requirement.

Margaret chose her project because it combines many of her interests - sewing, repurposing clothing and living green. She is scheduling sewing workshops to teach as many people as possible how to sew the t-shirt tote bags, and she is requesting that each workshop attendee teach at least one other person (how's that for community building?). In addition, she is sewing t-shirt totes to give away at a local supermarket. In each tote she's placing a copy of the sewing instructions and information about the City of Winston-Salem's recycling program.

Margaret hopes that her simple sewing project will empower others by showing them that one person can make a difference and that small steps can be accomplished cost-effectively and creatively...so that everyone can say NO to "paper or plastic."

Congratulations, Margaret, on a thoughtful, needed, timely, creative and eco-chic job well-done!

Do They Have This Stuff on Snopes?

2009-05-18T09:44:00.004-04:00

Check out The Christian Science Monitor's discussion of Climate Culture's Top 10 Green Living Myths! There are some things that may really surprise you, and it highlights the reason why critical thinking skills are such a fundamental focus of environmental education. Recycled paper is always better than virgin paper, right? Well, not necessarily according to the list. There are so many factors that we need to consider that the answer to "what's best for the environment?" can get pretty tricky. This list and the discussion and comments that follow will definitely get you thinking, and that's a good thing!

PaperbackBookSwap

2009-05-15T14:37:00.006-04:00

What a cool idea...it's like Netflix, but with books (you remember books, dont you?). And the best part...it's free (for now, at least)! At PaperBackSwap you list books that you are willing to swap with other members. Once you do that, you get two free book credits with which you can order two books online from the more than 3 million available. That book is now your book to keep. For each book you swap, you get another credit with which you can choose another book. Read on....

Guide to Greener Electronics

2009-04-02T10:00:00.001-04:00

Every three months Greenpeace comes out with an updated Guide to Greener Electronics. Find out which companies were docked points for breaking their promises of phasing out toxic chemicals. Learn which companies really are cleaning up their act. It's all inside...the Guide to Greener Electronics!

Time to Address Your Drinking Habit

2009-04-01T12:10:00.004-04:00

Interested in knowing exactly how much money you would save if you cut your consumption of bottled water? Well, the Center for a New American Dream is interested in you knowing. Check out their Bottled Water Cost Calculator to find out exactly what you spend on your habit. You'll also see how much water, oil and energy is used to get you that bottled water as well as the amount of CO2 produced. Just in case you were wondering...

Do You Have a Health eHome?

2009-03-30T10:00:00.002-04:00

WebMD and the nonprofit Healthy Child Healthy World have partnered to produce Health eHome. Wander through the kitchen, family room, bathroom, bedroom and even out to the yard and find out what items may be impacting your health or that of the environment. Click on the shower curtain in the bathroom, for example, and you'll get a short blurb on cleaning options and PVC health issues. Want to know more? You can click to watch a video about offgassing, or read about ways to prevent mold and allergies. Learn about the issues, test your knowledge and find out ways that you can take action...it's all at the Health eHome!

The Electronics Recycling Superguide

2009-03-26T15:42:00.004-04:00

It is hard to keep up with which manufacturers and retailers offer which services for recycling your old electronics. PC Mag has developed a comprehensive list that can help you figure it all out! Their folks researched all of the major electronics manufacturers to find out what kinds of recycling programs they offer, where they are available, and whether there is a cost or opportunity for cash back associated with them. Also included in the Superguide are programs run by major retailers and opportunities for cash back or gift cards when you recycle your used electronics. It's all in the Electronics Recycling Guide...Landfill shmandfill!

Because Old is the New Green!

2009-02-25T11:56:00.004-05:00

Check out the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Green Home Tips. As they say, "the greenest house is the house already built." So, how can you save energy and save money in your historic home? Learn more about winterizing your home, how to make wood windows more energy-efficient, and much more with these Green Home Tips!

You've Got the Power!

2009-02-23T16:34:00.004-05:00

Interested in learning more about green power options where you live? Check out the U.S. Department of Energy's Green Power Network. This great resource, operated and maintained by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, shows you which organizations in your state offer green power. It includes three different green power markets - utility green pricing programs, retail green power products offered in competitive electricity markets, and renewable energy certificate products sold separate from electricity. To learn more about these markets and about how you can help support green power options where you live, visit the Green Power Network!

Mother (Nature's) Little Helper

2009-02-12T16:36:00.004-05:00

The latest in green news is MNN - Mother Nature Network. You know this won't be your run-of-the-mill news site when the Chuck Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, is the founder and director of environmental affairs. MNN covers loads of topics including transportation, business, food, home and family. It also offers a wide range of blogs, RSS feeds and photo galleries. In March of this year, MNN Local will be launched, with students reporting from college campuses aross the country. That's not the only way that folks out in the community can get involved. MNN doesn't just invite you to read their blogs, they invite you to ceate your own blog on their site. With so many features, it's sure to bring some satisfaction (sorry, I couldn't help it).

It's All Good...

2009-02-11T14:48:00.005-05:00

I am a frequent user of the Environmental Worling Group's Cosmetic Safety Database, so I was extremely excited to see another product database called GoodGuide. GoodGuide ranks products not only on environmental performance and health performance, but also on social performance. Rankings go from 0 (the worst) to 10 (the best). This "higher number is better" scale is the opposite of the Cosmetic Safety Database, so be careful. GoodGuide also goes beyond personal care products to include toys and household chemicals. I, for one, am excited to dive deeper into this new resource!

Cucumbers are Liberal and Zucchinis are Conservative...Food Politics!

2009-02-05T11:14:00.004-05:00

I just finished reading Food Politics by Marion Nestle, and highly recommend it. She provides an extremely thorough explanation of how our nation's food and political systems are intertwined and interact. Do you know...

How nutrition guidelines get developed?
Where the food pyramid came from?
Why we all learned about the 4 food groups growing up?
Why some sugar cereals are labeled as "heart smart" and others are not?
Why dietary guidelines never say to "eat less" of anything?
That there is a Western Pistachio Association? (who knew??)
How olestra got produced?
That enough soda is produced in this country for every person (man, woman, child, baby) to drink 556 12-oz servings a year?

If any of these topics and issues are of interest to you, Food Politics is definitely worth the read!

Even His Font Is Green...

2009-01-29T09:58:00.004-05:00

We've all heard about printing less and printing double-sided to save paper, but what about saving ink? Creating those cartridges uses up natural resources as well. SPRANQ, a company based in the Netherlands, has created ecofont, a green font that uses less ink than your more traditional fonts. When enlarged, you can see that the letters in ecofont have holes all over them. At regularly-used font sizes, the holes cannot be seen, but 20% less ink is used. Ecofont is free to download, so check it out and save some ink!

Have Your CAKE With No Guilt!

2009-01-28T10:00:00.002-05:00

The Sacramento-based band, CAKE, isn't just paying lip service to their support of renewable energy. They have taken matters into their own hands! CAKE's sixth album of original songs is being produced with 100% solar energy. The band had solar panels installed on their recording studio. You can even check out the process in a short video on their Web site, and the background music rocks!

Red Light, Green Light...Actually, Just Green Light

2009-01-27T10:00:00.002-05:00

The Environmental Working Group has a handy-dandy shopper's guide to compact fluorescent light bulbs. Where should you replace them first? How much money and energy can you save by switching to CFLs? Which bulbs have the lowest levels of mercury? Find out all of this and more! Plus, there's a printable one-page information sheet covering most of what you need to know.

Room by Room

2009-01-26T13:37:00.004-05:00

Check out the Green Guide's Room by Room Interactive where you can click on household objects to learn how to save energy and make smart purchasing choices. Each clickable object provides helpful tips and a link to a complete buying guide. From the bedroom to the bathroom to the laundry room and beyond...you'll be making greener choices all over!

Looking for Something to Read?

2009-01-08T10:30:00.001-05:00

Check out Green Cotton's list of the Top 10 Green Books for 2009! It includes some green favs that have been around for a little while like Cradle to Cradle by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. It also has some very recently published books such as My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolt Taylor. Dr. Taylor and her book were featured on NPR's Fresh Air last summer. So, if you're looking to curl up with some good green books this winter, this is a list you'll want to see. Grab your cup of fair trade coffee and start reading!

rent A toy!

2009-01-07T10:00:00.002-05:00

Our kids do it now just as we did it to our parents a generation before...beg for a toy and then tire of it in a month or two. A friend of mine asks her son to choose several of his toys to donate to less fortunate kids every year before the holidays and his birthday - a great idea for extending the life of an item and making somebody else's life happier. Another idea is to check out rent A toy. It's kind of like Netflix, but with toys instead of movies. Pick out the toys you and your little ones want, have them delivered to your house, and send them back when you're done! What if one of the toys becomes a cherished favorite? You can purchase the item for a below-retail price. The Web site gives all of the details. My favorite part of the rent A toy site? The description of the staff members includes their favorite childhood toys...that tells you much more about a person than most employee descriptions I've seen!

Combine Artist and Do-It-Yourselfer, Mix with Reuse and Sprinkle with a Dash of Humor

2009-01-06T10:00:00.003-05:00

That's my best attempt at describing Jim Rosenau and his This Into That collection. Rosenau uses second-hand books and turns them into functional works of art. His pieces range from themed bookshelves to bird houses made from books about birds. Shown here is a piece Rosenau calls "One Fish." Five different fish-themed books and a giant hook make a wall-mounted bookshelf. Past shelf themes have included cooking, gardening and woodworking. He'll even do custom made designs. Creative reuse of materials is a topic of interest to lots of eco-smart consumers out there. Jim Rosenau has made it into a fine art!

Who'll Take My MTV?

2009-01-05T10:00:00.002-05:00

We've been hearing a lot about electronics recycling in the computer industry, but what about old TVs? The Electronics TakeBack Coalition, a national coalition of non-profit organizations promoting green design and responsible electrionics recycling, has launched the Take Back My TV Campaign. On their site you'll find the TV Recycling Report Card. It grades 17 television manufacturers and retailers on their recyling efforts. Companies are evaluated on the scope of their program, the level of responsible recycling provided, program visibility and volume, and public policy. With the TV digital deadline quickly approaching, responsible disposal programs will be more critical. Find out how the brands measure up!

Bill Nye is Back

2009-01-02T10:00:00.004-05:00

The whole point of Eco-Smart Consumer is to help illustrate the connections between natural resources and our everyday actions. I don't think anybody puts this idea quite as simply as Bill Nye in the title of his show "Stuff Happens." Yep, that Bill Nye, the Science Guy...he's back! On his show Stuff Happens, which airs on Planet Green, Nye seeks to explain what happens when we use stuff, make stuff and toss stuff and how it can impact the environment. He does so in a manner that is both easy to understand and upbeat. So, whether you're eating breakfast, in the garage or on the beach, stuff is happening...and Bill Nye can tell you what it is!

Welcome to the PowerHouse

2008-12-31T10:00:00.002-05:00

Black & Decker has come out with a new Energy Saver Series to help homeowners shave down their energy use. Energy Saver products include the Lights Out AutoSwitch that automatically turns out the lights in rooms not being used, the Thermal Leak Detector to find out where leaks could be costing you energy and money, and the Power Monitor that tracks your energy use in kilowatts and dollars as it's being used. Even if you don't get any of these gadgets, you can check out the PowerHouse Interactive Demo for tips on how to reduce your energy use in the home.

Raise a Green Glass

2008-12-30T10:00:00.003-05:00

There is a line that divides this country. It's not between red states and blue states or between the north and the south...it separates those for whom it is more carbon efficient to drink wine from California from people for whom it’s more efficient to drink wine from Bordeaux. That is according to Tyler Colman, otherwise known as Dr. Vino. You may be hesitant to trust someone who calls themselves Dr. Vino, but this guy actually did his Ph.D. dissertation on the politics and economics of wine! Check out his research findings on calculating the carbon footprint of wine for more on how farming practices, distance traveled, packaging and more help determine the carbon footprint of your favorite bottle. Plan on raising a pint instead of a wine glass? Then check out How to Choose Green Wine and Beer from Yahoo Green. Cheers!

Cell-ebrate

2008-12-29T10:00:00.002-05:00

Did you get a new phone over the holidays? Lucky you! What should you do with your old phone? Why, recycle it, of course. One way to do this is through Earthworks' Recycle My Cell Phone program. Sending in your old phone (and batteries, chargers, etc.) is free and tax deductable. Your phone will be refurbished or recycled, so you can enjoy your new gadget without worrying about where your old gadget will end up. You can even go crazy and collect old cell phones from friends and family. Cell-ebrate your way to the new year!

Thinking Outside the Big Box

2008-12-23T10:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes it's difficult to know what small, green businesses are in your area. It's getting easier thanks to the Organic Consumers Associations Breaking the Chains Buying Guide. Just type in your zip code and find the little green gems hidden in your neighborhood!

Thinking Outside the Box

2008-12-22T10:00:00.002-05:00

Haven't you ever scrounged for boxes before moving day, only to find that they're not as sturdy or clean as you had hoped. Well, before your next move be sure to check out UsedCardboardBoxes.com. There you can order cardboard boxes that have been gently used or that were overruns, misprints or returns. Now you can get the boxes you need quickly and easily without using as many natural resources. As the folks at UsedCardboardBoxes say "you don't have cut down a tree to make a used cardboard box!"

Green Holidays

2008-12-19T10:00:00.002-05:00

This time of year you see a lot of information on how to green your holiday season. Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa are almost upon us, so here are just a few of the sites providing ideas ans resources. Whatever you celebrate or don't celebrate, the point of these eco-friendly tips is to think about the choices you make. From the Decorating Diva, check out Eco Friendly Christmas 2008 - Resources and Inspiration Guide. Getting ready to light the menorah? Take a look at Jessica Jensen's Thoughts on a Green Chanukah. For those celebrating Kwanzaa, you may want to look at Eco-Friendly Kwanzaa from the folks at Healthy & Green Living. Happy Holidays!

Now You Can Recycle Your Caps!

2008-12-18T10:00:00.002-05:00

Every recycling program has slightly different rules regarding what they will and won't accept. Sometimes plastic bottle caps can pose a problem, but now there is a solution! Recycle Caps With Aveda is a new campaign aimed at providing people with a way to recycle their bottle caps, keeping them out of the landfill. Individuals can go to their local Aveda store or salon to recycle their caps, and schools can collect caps and get special shipping labels from Aveda to send them in for recycling. Any rigid, polypropylene caps (#5) are accepted, so start collecting!

Turns Out That Local is Sexy...Who Knew?

2008-12-17T10:00:00.002-05:00

Let's face it...those of us focused on environmental issues aren't used to being on the "What's Hot This Year" lists. Well, times are changing! The National Restaurant Association conducted a survey of more than 1600 chefs to find out "What's Hot in 2009." Eco-minded readers will be pleased to know the following made it on the top-20 list - #20 free-range poultry/pork, #18 organic wine, #10 sustainable seafood, #3 organic produce and #1 locally-grown produce. How's that for a new year to look forward to?

The Think Tank for All Things Warm and Fuzzy

2008-12-16T10:00:00.002-05:00

Have you noticed lately that you see a lot of commercials brought to you by some group that you've never heard of and whose name sounds wholesome and vague? The Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow or the Environmental Literacy Council, for example. Consumer Reports has put together a fun little matching game in which your goal is to match the name of the think tank to its mission, and it is surprisingly difficult! Give it a try, and to learn more you can visit frontgroups.org, a joint project between Consumer Reports and the Center for Media and Democracy. Frontgroup.org is based on the principle that, as FCC commissioner Jonathan Adelstein said, "the American public deserves to know when someone is trying to persuade them."

DIY Home Energy Audit

2008-12-15T10:00:00.002-05:00

Check out the Home Energy Saver, an online do-it-yourself audit tool that can help you identify ways to save energy in your home and find the resources you need to do it. Sponsors of this cool tool include the U.S. Department of Energy and the EPA. By answering questions about your use of energy, appliances and your home's construction, the Home Energy Saver can help you pinpoint what can be changed, how much less energy would be needed and how much money you could be saving!

Ecodriving Tips

2008-12-12T10:00:00.003-05:00

It can be frustrating to read a "Top 5 ways to..." list about greening a specific segment of your life only to find that the 5 suggestions listed don't apply to you, you already do, are not possible where you live...you get the point. So, I was excited to find this list from EcoModder titled "108 Hypermiling/Eco-Driving Tips." Surely we can all pick up some new ideas with 108 to choose from!

No More Sushi Blues

2008-12-11T10:00:00.001-05:00

Now you can be a sushi aficionado AND an environmental aficionado at the same time! Thanks to a collaboration between the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Blue Ocean Institute and the Environmental Defense Fund, it's easy to make sushi choices that safeguard ocean wildlife and human health. The folks that brought us the easy-to-use seafood wallet cards have a new pocket guide dedicated to sushi. As with the originals, the new sushi guide takes into account fishing and farming practices as well as mercury and PCB contamination that could be harmful to human health. So, pile on the wasabi and go for it!

Peruse Alternative News and Reviews

2008-12-10T10:00:00.002-05:00

If you have not already checked out the Alternative Consumer blog, you owe it to yourself to do so! Launched in early 2007, it offers green product reviews and environmental news. Even better, the posts are quick, upbeat and choc full of good information and resources. Find information on books, appliances, travel, alternative energy, food, reuse, recycling...the list goes on and on, so check out the Alternative Consumer already! Go, now...are you still here?

Save Some Green as You Green

2008-12-09T10:33:00.006-05:00

Check out the SustainLane GreenSaver for coupons on sustainable products. You can even sign up for weekly e-mails to have the latest deals come to you!

Food Fight!!!!

2008-11-24T13:44:00.005-05:00

Producer-Director Chris Taylor brings us Food Fight, a documentary about how American agriculture and food culture developed throughout the 20th century and the California food movement that has developed as a response. The film shares the story of the anti-corporate protesters, led by Alice Waters, who emerged in the 1960s and 1970s to create their own food chain of local, organic and sustainably-raised foods. They rejected what they saw as trading taste and nutrition for money and shelf-life. Food Fight was recently screened at the American Film Institute's AFI Fest in Los Angeles and continues to receive high praise.

Recycling at the NC State Fair!

2008-09-16T16:50:00.003-04:00

The NC Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance is working with the NC Department of Agriculture to coordinate recycling stations for the collection of plastic bottles and aluminum cans throughout the fairgrounds during the 2008 State Fair. We are seeking volunteers to help staff these stations to prevent contamination of the recyclables. The fair will be held in Raleigh off Blue Ridge Road Thursday, October 16, 2008-Sunday, October 26, 2008.

There will be 4 recycling stations throughout the fairgrounds that need 2 volunteers per station per shift. The stations will be located by Dorton Arena, the Midway, the Green NC booth and by the Village of Yesteryear. The shifts will be 3 hours each starting at 10AM and ending at 10PM. Volunteers will NOT need to haul or sort recyclables but will be asked to communicate with the public about sorting their recyclables from regular trash. Volunteers will be given: 1. A worker day pass to get into the fair for free to work their shift, 2. A parking pass (if you sign up to work 2, 3 hour shifts - they do not need to be consecutive shifts) , 3. Fair t-shirt, and 4. Gloves. Keep in mind, parking is very limited and using the Park and Ride may still be your best option to get to the fairgrounds. Bus passes may be available.

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete this form (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=XYkyYrhXkJTUE0xJYU_2f7Lg_3d_3d) with the preferred days and times you can work, along with the location you would like to be stationed at. NC DPPEA will contact you closer to the event to confirm your date, time and station.

Chris Jordan Photo Art

2008-08-28T15:43:00.006-04:00

We all hear a lot of numbers regarding consumption that are supposed to wow us, but it can be hard to comprehend what the numbers really mean. Enter Chris Jordan - a photographic artist whose work allows our left brain and right brain to communicate and actually comprehend the enormity of the issue. Take Plastic Cups from Running the Numbers: An American Self Portrait, for example. From afar it looks like a funky, modern work that we might expect hanging on the wall in an art museum. Take a closer look, however, and you'll see that the funky, swirly lines are actually made up of plastic cups, 1 million of them to be exact, the number used on US airline flights every 6 hours. Jordan is able to stun the viewer over and over as he looks at cell phones, paper bags, aluminum cans, batteries and more. What I find most interesting is that each work is preceded by a title telling you what you are looking at, how many of them there are and what time period that represents. Even so, as one scrolls through the 3 versions of each piece, zooming in closer and closer, it is the visual depiction that is so stunning. Maybe all statistics should be accompanied by visuals such as this! Check it out for yourself at http://www.chrisjordan.com/.

Throwplace

2008-08-20T09:00:00.004-04:00

Another great option for getting rid of items you no longer want without sending them to the landfill...Throwplace.com. Their tagline says it best - "Take what you need & throw what you don't." Users can list goods that they want to give away, and charities, businesses, or individuals registered with Throwplace can search the site and make requests for items. It is free to list items that you are giving away, and as a thrower you can designate whether you want the item in the charity, business, or free-for-all section. Charities can then request items listed in the charity section for free. Businesses must pay a small subscription fee in order to take things listed in the business section. The free-for-all section is pretty self-explanatory. So, shed your excess and get it to people who need it...at Throwplace!

Earth and Wallet Friendly Printing Tips From Lifehacker

2008-08-08T09:07:00.002-04:00

If you have never checked out LifeHacker, you owe it to yourself. The Wall Street Journal, Oprah and Wired Magazine can't all be wrong! It's a daily blog packed with tips, tricks, downloads and shortcuts to make things in your life more efficient. Start by checking out "Smart and Easy Ways to Reduce Printing Costs" on LifeHacker. It takes you step by step not just on what print-settings can help you save some dough and be easier on the environment, but where you go to change those settings. It even includes tips on digital photos and avoiding wasting ink on unnecessary graphics. It's totally geek-chic, and now green to boot!

Re$ycle Some More

2008-08-07T15:00:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I told you how you could get some money for recycling your cell phone. Turns out this works for more than just cell phones. Check out Gazelle, a site through which people have already kept 5 tons of electronics out of the landfill! Look up your used electronic device of choice (digital camera, laptop, camcorder...you get the idea) and the folks at Gazelle will make an offer on it. They send you the box to send it back to them in, and once they inspect your gadgets they will send you the money. They pay you for recycling! C'mon, it can't get much easier than that!

Re$ycle

2008-08-06T15:00:00.002-04:00

Want to be green and maybe get some green? (That has been so overused...I don't know why I just wrote that). The Cell For Cash web site lists hundreds of cell phone. Simply indicate which one you have and Cell For Cash will send you a box to send it back to them for free. For some models, they will then send you a check! The company refurbishes the cell phones and then sells them is developing countries where cell service is often the most reliable type of communication.

Kelley Green Book

2008-08-05T17:37:00.004-04:00

Many of us have relied on the Kelley Blue Book to find out the value of a used car or truck. Well, now the Kelley Blue Book folks have gone green! The new KBB Green section on their web site provides all sorts of information on hybrid diesel, biofuel and other alternative fuel vehicles. Have you been wondering whether it's worth it to trade in your clunker for a more fuel-efficient model? Answer a few simple questions and find out the upfront cost of trading in your car for a new one, how much money you'll save on fuel per month, and the time it will take for you to financially and emotionally break even. Yes, this site can even gauge your emotions! It also lets you know how many barrels of oil and metric tons of CO2 you's be saving the Earth. It's definitely a site worth checking out!

Word to Your Mother...

2008-07-24T16:05:00.004-04:00

If you're a mom, a dad, or know any moms or dads, then you should check out the NatureMomsBlog - A Guide to Natural Family Life. It is written by Tiffany - Midwestern freelance writer and newspaper journalist, mother of three, cancer survivor and all-round guru of things that are green and natural. From book reviews to product reviews, parenting tips to project ideas - the NatureMomsBlog provides it all in a short, easy-to-read, interesting and organized format. Still not sure it's worth checking out? Well, are you interested in having less of an environmental impact while saving money, finding out about the latest BPA-free bottles for kids and adults, or how to detangle your child's hair without unknown frangrances? The NatureMomsBlog has covered all of that...in the last three days! You've got to check it out...mom said so.

Take Charge of Your Printing

2008-06-30T17:29:00.005-04:00

Don't you hate it when you print something and you get that last page that has nothing on it? Well, now you can kiss that page goodbye! Check out GreenPrint, a free download that highlights and deletes unwanted pages, lets you choose what you really want to print, and even keeps track of all of the paper and money that you're saving while using it.

A Step (In Cute Shoes) In the Right Direction

2008-06-13T09:41:00.004-04:00

As global climate change and other environmental impacts get more attention, more companies are attempting to somehow quantify the "green-ness" of their products. One attempt to do just that worth checking out is Patagonia's Footprint Chronicles. The Chronicles track the impact of specific products from their design to their delivery. Information provided includes distance traveled, CO2 emissions, waste generated, and energy consumed. Patagonia openly points out, from the company's perspective, what is good about a particular product and its lifecycle and what could use some work. There are currently ten products for which a Footprint Chronicle exists, and Patagonia plans on adding a few new products each season. Some folks question how well various methods of "footprint reporting" actually measure ecological impact and, perhaps more important, whether this information will change consumer behavior.

Measuring Your Green-ness

2008-06-05T11:11:00.004-04:00

Wondering how green you are? How about how green entire countries are? National Geographic wanted to know just that. Check out Greendex, a worldwide tracking survey to measure consumer progress toward environmental sustainability. The Greendex survey included 14,000 people in 14 countries. It included questions about energy use, transportation, food, green products, personal attitudes and knowledge of environmental facts. National Geographic plans to track countries' Greendex over time. Go to the Greendex site to learn about which countries rank the highest, test your environmental knowledge, and measure your own personal Greendex!

Life Is a Highway...What Car Should You Drive On It?

2008-06-03T13:53:00.001-04:00

Consumer Reports brings you the Guide to Driving Green. This thorough report contains much more that fuel efficiency comparisons. Learn when it makes sense (and cents) to trade in your current wheels for a more fuel-efficient model. Speaking of fuel-efficient models, find out how the various choices stack up. And it's not only about what kind of car you're driving, but also about how you drive it. Find out what things you can do to make your current car more fuel-efficient. What's in store for hybrids in the future? How do hybrids work, anyway? What about hydrogen fuel cells? An what's the difference between the various kinds of alternative fuels? Discover all of this and more in the Guide to Driving Green!

Neither Rain, Nor Sleet, Nor Global Warming...

2008-06-02T13:05:00.006-04:00

Did you know that the U.S. Postal Service has the largest civilian alternative vehicle fleet in the nation? In fact, the USPS has been taking many steps towards greening their operations and helping others do the same. Many of their mailing and shipping supplies carry a Cradle to Cradle Certification (not yet an evaluated certification program) which looks at products' impacts on human and environmental health, recyclability, and energy and water demands. The USPS is also testing out several mailback programs that would help consumers responsibly dispose of electronics, compact fluorescent bulbs and unused prescription medications. Oh, and did we mention that they have postage stamps made with soy ink and are upgrading their buildings to reduce energy use? Their colors may be red, white and blue, but the U.S. Postal Service is looking quite green these days! For more information, check out Greener Choices With the U.S. Postal Service.

The Green Home Guide

2008-05-27T14:46:00.004-04:00

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization that promotes buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy. Check out their Green Home Guide. This online resource provides renovation guidelines, project profiles, green building news, and information on green products and sustainable living. Whether you are looking to build your dreamhome or just making a few changes to your current digs, it's worth taking a look! Want to move into a home that is green already? Then check out their "Green Homes For Sale" listings.

The Makeup of Your Makeup

2008-05-20T08:11:00.005-04:00

Sorry that it's been so long since the last Eco-Smart post. I've been busy struggling with the moral dilemma of whether to replace my BPA-containing water bottles with BPA-free bottles that (a) are made in the USA, but from a company that resisted the phasing out of BPA or (b) are made by a company that was quick to provide a no-BPA alternative, but produced overseas. Nevermind my moral dilemma...check out this book! Not Just a Pretty Face is by Stacey Malkan, co-founder of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. That will sound familiar to you if you've checked out the Environmental Working Group's Cosmetic Safety Database (a GREAT resource!). Malkan takes a close look at the chemicals found in our daily beauty routine and tells the stories of folks she has met who are trying to make our products safer. Grist recently interviewed Malkan about the book. You can also learn more at the book's own Web site!

Eco-Smart Parent Guide

2008-05-01T09:53:00.005-04:00

Check out the new Eco-Smart Parent Guide from the NC Office of Environmental Education! It's a helpful brochure meant to highlight some of the environmental and health issues surrounding your choices as a parent. It provides a top-ten list of helpful resources to get you started learning about the issues and how we can make choices that we feel good about for ourselves and our families. Feel free to print the guide and distribute it wherever you think it may be helpful. As with any of our publications, we're open to feedback on the guide. Enjoy!

It's Been a Bad Few Weeks For Seafood Lovers - EcoSmart News Clips

2008-04-28T16:32:00.004-04:00

Be Smart. Buy Smart. Know Your Choices!

The Office of Environmental Education's Informed Consumer Initiative seeks to highlight some of the issues surrounding our consumer choices. The information and resources provided are not meant to advocate for any particular choice, but rather to let folks know what choices are out there and the costs and benefits associated with them.

Topics covered include: Food, Lawn & Garden, Energy, Water, Waste, Household Products, Personal Products, Product Distribution, Green Development, Recreation and Global Climate. On our Web site, current new articles relevant to North Carolina are posted so that you can continue to be an Informed Consumer! Click on each topic area to get to the articles.

News stories are bulleted

==> Resources are marked with an arrow

Consumer news articles posted in the past several weeks include:

Water

Cistern In Park Saves Water For City Flowers and Plants

Roll Out the Barrel In Time for Rain

State Awaits Federal Study On Drugs In Water

Homeowners Association Wants Additional Rain Barrels To Roll Away

Saving Water the Low-Tech Way

Rain Barrels Prove Functional and Beautiful

Recent NC Rains Ease Drought, But Experts Still Concerned

US Water Pipelines Are Breaking

Water Bottlers Face Growing Opposition

Expert: Harvesting Rainwater Critical In Drought

Personal

Plastic May Be Bad For Health

Plastics Additive Raises Safety Fears

CDC: Americans Carry 'Body Burden' of Toxic Sunscreen Chemical

Feds Not Addressing Drugs In Water

Canada First To Label Bisphenol A As Officially Dangerous

Bottle Maker To Stop Using Plastic Linked to Health Concerns

High Chemical Levels Found In Dogs and Cats

U.S. Cites Fears On Chemicals In Plastics

Studies On Chemical In Plastics Questioned

Plastic-Bottle Scare Is a Boon For Some

Food

State (of Virginia) OKs Plan For Asian Oysters

Pollution Complicates Advice On Fish

Council Approves Salmon Fishing Ban

Maple Hill Couple Rewarded For Farming Technique

California Winery Brings Green Ideas to This Year's Street Fair

Maryland, Virginia Blue Crab Harvest to be Cut 34%

Amid Crab Crunch, Legislators Push For State of Emergency

Want to Reduce Your Food-Related Carbon Footprint? What You Eat Is More Important

Than Where It Came From

Fuel Prices, Regulations Affecting Seafood Landings

Global

Western Antarctic Ice Chunk Collapses

Global Warming Rushes Timing of Spring

States Suing EPA Over Global Warming

Scientist Denies Global Warming-Hurricane Link

Unfrozen Arctic Unwatched

Expert: Warming Means More Algae

Poor Left Out of Environmental Loop

Health Damage From Climate Change Has Already Started

Hunters Worry About Global Warming

Climate Expert Says He Underestimated Threat

Pine Beetles May Affect Climate Change

Watch for Climate Flaws In Fixes, Experts Warn

Energy

Salt Could Shake Up World Energy Supply

Drought Fuels Concerns About Ethanol Plant

Credit Woes Afflict N.C. Biofuel Plans

Changing Road Design Can Save Gas

Fueled By Opportunities: Triad Has Key Roles In State's Drive For Alternative Fuels

Spring Auto Fair Throws 'Green' Innovations In With Classic Works

New Lightbulbs Up Energy Efficiency But Contain Mercury

Rentals Will Sip Energy

Trash Is No Place For Fluorescent

Big Decision: How Much Corn To Plant

Waste Not, Want Not? Researcher's Work Could Yield Alternative Fuel

Aviation First: Plane Flies On Hydrogen, Fuel Cells

Solid State Steps Out of the Shadows

Inflation Spurs Biofuel Backlash

WSTA Considers Hybrids Again

Expert: Counties Need Wind Power Rules

Crumbling Coal Power: Anticipated Federal Curbs On Emissions Signal Change

Getting Wind of Proposed Turbine Rules

Going Solar Without Breaking Budgets

Ethanol Plane Will Add Bit of Green to Weekend Air Show

Biofuels Center To Distribute $2.55M

Fibrowatt To Harvest Chicken Scat

Pain At the Pump

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Are Getting the Green Light

Government to Release Proposed Fuel Economy Rules

DC To Launch Nation's First European-Style Bike Share

State Clears Coastal Wind Farm

Kids, Marines Help Out the Planet

Recreation

All American Trail A Place to Explore Naturally

Go Outside and Play: Picking the Park For You

Paddlers Take to the River In Preparation for April Event

Serenity Beckons At Nature Preserve

Birders Migrate to the Sandhills

Land Trust Leads Yadkin Excursion to Connect People With the River

Bicyclist Finds His Route

Green Development

Parking Lot Is Big...Big and Eco-Friendly

In 25 Years, County's Green Could Disappear

Biowheels Goes Green In Bike Store Renovation

New Complex Reuses Rubble

Washington DC Home to First 'Green' Stadium In U.S.

Past Is Prologue

In Search of Investors, Builders Go Green

Group Wants To Make Green Profitable

Enterprise Opens 'Green' Branches

Charlotte-Area Companies Honored for Green Practices

New Blue Cross Building Is Going Green

Green Design: Family Services Is Moving Into Its Environmentally Responsible Office Building

On Earth Day, L.A. Passes a 'Green' Building Law to Clean the Air

Lodgers Look to Walk the Eco-Talk

What's Green In New York City

Waste

Efforts To Stop Junk Mail Slowed

In World's Dumps, Help For Warming

Recycling Rises At Bars, Eateries Under New Law

Ban On Garbage Disposals Is Fizzling

Primo Goes National, Green

Paper or Plastic? No Thanks, I Brought My Own From Home

Plastic Grocery Bags Raise Environmental Issues

==> Battle of the Bags - Check out this MSNBC in depth look at the age-old question of
paper vs. plastic!

Where Did You Get That?

Local Farmers and Shoppers Reaping Benefits From CSAs

Eating Healthy Getting Pricey

Lawn & Garden

Backyard Stewards

Cary to Pay Owners of Drought-Tolerant Grass

Bounty of Garden Lessons To Be Shared

5 Tips For Drought-Smart Gardening

Ontario To Ban Sale, Use of Garden Pesticides

Plant Sale Focuses On Water Conservation

Greener Than Grass: Beautiful Yards Don't Need Lawns

==> Going Native: Urban Landscaping For Wildlife With Native Plants

House

==> HealthyCar - Find out which cars and car seats are low in potential hazards

General

Is Earth Day the New Christmas?

'Green' Overload On Eve of Earth Day

Marketers, Not Consumers, Need Environmental Education

==> GreenYour

==> SustainLane

==> Responsible Shopper from Co-op America

On the highway of green...

2008-04-15T14:33:00.004-04:00

Check out SustainLane, an online green directory where you can find reviews of new green products and businesses. Sign up and contribute your opinions and ideas on green products that you have tried. You can even search by location for local green listings. It's all at SustainLane!

GreenYour...

2008-04-11T13:34:00.005-04:00

Green your what? Green your whatever! It's up to you to fill in the blank. GreenYour is an interactive resource that provides carefully researched facts, tips, and product information on loads of topics. Writers and researchers collaborate to provide you with lots of helpful, quality information from greening your cleaning to greening your travel. Organizations and individuals with environmental backgrounds are invited to contribute their expertise. GreenYour does not accept any money from manufacturers or retailers. So, check out GreenYour and decide what you want to green. You can green your garden, your dog even your baby. You cannot, however (as I suspected) green your mother.

My Beer's In Trouble?...Now I Care About Global Climate Change!

2008-04-10T13:40:00.005-04:00

Jim Salinger, a climate scientist with New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, recently shared some bad news with attendees at the Brewing and Distilling Convention. It turns out that global climate change will likely reduce the amount of malting barley that can be grown in New Zealand and Australia. This could mean more expensive beer or no beer at all, and these changes will likely occur within the next 30 years. Salinger only spoke about New Zealand and Australia, but similar changes could happen worldwide. This is the kind of climate research I can see researchers jumping on. You could be the one who saved the world one beer at a time.

EcoSmart News Clips

2008-03-20T12:35:00.005-04:00

Be sure to check out EcoSmart News Clips from the past few weeks. Topics include:

The disposal of the disposal

Killer couches

Drugs in the drinking water

What?! Car washes aren't required to recycle water?

Chemicals in plastics and body products

Biofuel issues

Better LEDs

Why the drought could mean losing power

Find these stories and more by clicking on each of these EcoSmart news sections: Water, Personal, Food, Global Climate, Energy, Recreation, Green Development, Waste, Where Did You Get That?, Lawn & Garden, and House.

No More Throw Away Fashion

2008-02-28T15:13:00.006-05:00

Are you all for the idea of buying used clothing but finding that your local thrift store is not high fashion enough for your taste? Check out WhatsMineIsYours.com, a swap Web site that feautures stylish, high fashion items. Unfortunately for all of us on this side of the lake, it's a British site. It was founded in 2004 by fashionista, stylist and personal shopper Judy Berger. Berger says she is interested in the journey of an item. Her site has made fashion more available and less wasteful. Sounds good to me!

What is a carbon footprint, anyway?

2008-02-21T09:46:00.005-05:00

Carbon offsets, carbon footprints, ecological footprints...it's enough to make your head spin! So, wondering what a carbon footprint really is? Check out Treehugger's "Green Basics" explanation. Then follow the links to calculate your own carbon footprint!

How Many Times Do You See the Word 'Green' In This Installment of Eco-Smart News Clips???

2008-02-05T08:47:00.001-05:00

News Items are bulleted

>> New resources are marked with an arrow

Consumer News Articles Posted in the Last Few Weeks Include:

Energy

Currituck Eyes Wind Turbine Ordinance
Cities Jump On Hybrid Buses
Power, Politics & Poultry: Are Litter Plants Worth Trade-Off For Energy?
Coalition Plugs Electric Car Goals
South Carolina Is a Battleground In the Debate Over America’s Coal Future
Wind Power Growth Gusts Strongly In USA In 2007
TREV (Two-Seater Renewable Energy Vehicle)
Currituck County Commissioners OK Ordinance Regulating Wind Turbines
Finally. Biofuels Crank Up In N.C.
UN Warns of Biofuels’ Environmental Risk
Coal-Fired Plant OK’d
A Sustainable Superbowl
Turbines Sprout As Wind Power Draws Attention In N.C.

Waste

Whole Foods Sacks Plastic Bags
More Stores Offer Alternatives to Plastic Bags
Restaurant Owners Explore Recycling Options
A Bagging Problem
TVs Dump Lead In Landfills

House

Household Products Are Going Green
New Home Store Sells Green Supplies To Locals

Green Development
>> The Blue Green Alliance

Green Subdivision In Fletcher May Be Wave of the Future
Slow But Steady Gains In Raleigh’s ‘Green’ Goals
Architects Design a Green Headquarters
Home Builders Bet ‘Green’ Will Sell
Triangle Home Builders Go Green
Architecture Grad Goes ‘Green’
Sustainability Scorecard Shows Green Business Has a Long Way To Go
Choosing Green Building Materials Can Be Tricky
‘Green-Collar Jobs’ Increasing

Global

UNC Joins Global Warming Teach-In
Warmer Atlantic Worsens Hurricanes

Food

High Levels of Mercury Found In Seafood
Oyster Shell Recycling Looking To Expand

Personal

Heat Causes Chemical To Leach From Plastic
Tests On Babies Find Suspect Chemicals
Plastic Bottles Release Potentially Harmful Chemicals (Bisphenol A) After Contact With Hot Liquids

Water

Wastewater Could Aid Parched Raleigh YardsDrought Could Force Nuclear Plants To Shut Down

Hydrate Carefully

2008-02-04T14:54:00.002-05:00

We've all heard the criticisms that bottled water is a needlessly wasteful product. Many consumers concerned with the health of themselves and the environment are drinking their water out of reusable containers. Unfortunately, there are dangers lurking there as well. Polycarbonate water bottles (like Nalgene) release small amounts of Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-like chemical. Makers of water bottles have long-claimed that the levels were safe, but a growing number of scientists are beginning to have their doubts. Studies have shown BPA to have negative impacts in animal studies, and the human health concerns include increased cancer risks, reduced fertility and childhood behavioral problems. In a recent study, University of Cincinnati scientists tested both old and new polycarbonate water bottles exposed to boiling water. Their results showed BPA being released as 55 times the normal room temperature rate. BPA is not a rare chemical, either. Besides water bottles, it is found in many baby bottles, the epoxy resins lining most tin cans and dental fillings. Some retailers, such as Mountain Equipment Co-op of Canada, have actually chosen to pull their polycarbonate water bottles from their shelves until more conclusive research is done. Don't give up yet on your quest to remain hydrated. Companies are already coming up with alternatives, like CamelBak, which is now offering a new BPA-free water bottle. Drink responsibly!

Land of Greenwash Confusion

2008-02-01T16:12:00.001-05:00

Check out the MSNBC special on greenwashing featuring Grist's Katharine Wroth. Find out why "green" and "natural" might not be very reliable buzz words to go by. According to Katharine, labels that do have meaning behind them include USDA Organic, EnergyStar, Green Seal Certified and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). There are also several reliable Web sites suggested for more information that won't try and pull the green wool over your eyes. These include GreenerCars.org, the Responsible Purchasing Network and the Cosmetics Database. If nothing else, you get to hear a clip of the Genesis classic Land of Confusion. Check it out!

The Secret Life of Cell Phones

2008-01-24T08:30:00.002-05:00

Seafood Watch Pocket Guides

2008-01-22T08:32:00.002-05:00

It's hard to keep up with which seafood is sustainably harvested and which isn't. You don't have to, because the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch program does it for you! Just order one of their FREE handy-dandy pocket guides so that you can make smart seafood choices. The guides are meant to empower consumers and businesses to make choices for healthier oceans. Options are broken down into three categories - GREEN - best choice, YELLOW - good alternative, and RED - avoid. But don't harvesting practices, aquaculture techniques and species populations change? Yes, and that is why the cards are updated twice a year! But aren't different options available in different places? Yes, which is why Seafood Watch offers guides specific to your region! But shouldn't health concerns also be considered? Yes, which is why the cards indicate which choices have health concerns associated with them! Quit asking questions and order your card already so that you can make smart, sustainable seafood choices. Go to http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp to learn more!

Eco-Smart News Clips

2008-01-18T16:00:00.002-05:00

Here are your Eco-Smart news clips from the past few weeks!

--> Resources marked with an arrow

Articles marked with a bullet

ENERGY

Forests May Offer Energy Solutions
City Eyes New Rate for Solar Power

Officials: Free Energy Audits Save Money

Study Boosts Switchgrass As New Alternative Fuel

Ford to Unveil Eco-Friendlier Engine

GM Eyes Breakthrough In Cellulosic Ethanol

Auto Industry Shows Off Fuel Efficiency

Study: Prarie Grass Can Produce Ethanol

Biofuel Producers Launch State Trade Group

Europe May Ban Imports of Some Biofuel Crops

Variety Show: Hybrids, Gas Guzzlers Both On View

GREEN DEVELOPMENT

--> Green Builing Technology Database

--> North Carolina Solar Center

Town Encourages Residents To Learn Smart-Growth Strategies

'Green' Insurance Policies Offer Home Upgrades

Water-Absorbing Gardens Could Blossom In Region

WATER

Keeping Clean With Less Water

GLOBAL

Climate Talk's Cancellation Splits A Town

2007 Was Tied As Earth's Second-Warmest Year

WASTE

China Launches Surprise Crackdown On Plastic Bags

Bags Sold To Help Give Plastic the Sack

HOUSE

Clorox Introduces Green Line of Cleaning Products

FOOD

Woman Works to Create Bounty of Chemical-Free Local Produce

Ocean Fish, Fresh From the Farm

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?

Triangle Family Will Eat Local

You DO Have a Choice (at least about catalogs)

2008-01-17T08:58:00.001-05:00

Getting lots of catalogs in the mail that you have no interest in? Check out Catalog Choice, a free service that lets you decide which catalogs you want to receive. Catalog Choice is a sponsored project of the Ecology Center and is endorsed by the National Wildlife Federation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. Its mission is to reduce the number of repeat and unwanted catalogs in your mailbox and to promote sustainable business practices. Each year 53 million trees worth of catalogs show up in American mailboxes. Go to http://www.catalogchoice.org/ to clean out your mailbox!

Vroom Vroom

2008-01-15T08:29:00.001-05:00

This week is the beginning of the North American International Auto Show (formerly the Detroit Auto Show). So, what's so eco-smart about that you ask? Well, it turns out that this year there are many automakers showing off their new green technologies. Check out these articles to learn more about them!

Greenwash Brigade

2008-01-10T16:37:00.001-05:00

Sound too good to be true? It might be... Don't be lured by environmental claims that aren't true! Check out the Greenwash Brigade, part of American Public Media's Public Insight Network. These environmental professionals examine the eco-friendly claims made by companies, governments, and other organizations so you'll know what's fact and what's just a marketing tactic.

From Greener Gadgets to Greener Bars - It's Eco-Smart Consumer News!

2008-01-07T14:53:00.002-05:00

Topics covered include: Food, Lawn & Garden, Energy, Water, Waste, Household Products, Personal Products, Product Distribution, Green Development, Farm News, Recreation and Global Climate. On our Web site, current new articles relevant to North Carolina are posted so that you can continue to be an Informed Consumer!

News Items are bulleted

>> New resources are marked with an arrow

Consumer News Articles Posted in the Last Few Weeks Include:

Energy

Asphalt Roads Providing Soalr Heat
Energy Bill Phases Out Light In Favor of Greener Devices
Airport Trying Hybrid Shuttles
For Fuel, N.C. Looks Homeward
Saving Energy, Money: There Are Simple, Low-Cost and No-Cost Steps To Make Your Home More Efficient
Bioheat May See Surge of Its Own
Energy Savers: Managing Resources Is Good Business
Energy Savers: Biodiesel Helps Run Diverse Fleet
Energy Savers: House Captures Warmth of the Sun
Energy Savers: Greasing His Wheels
Energy Savings: Myth or Money

Waste

N.C. Businesses Must Recycle Glass Bottles, Cans
Holiday Season Right Time to Recycle

Where Did You Get That?

N.C. Leads Fight To Stop Tainted Food
Shun Imports From China's Polluting Factories?
Yes: U.S. Should Put Pressure On Bloated Chinese Industrial Base
No: Boycott Would Hurt Chinese People, Not the Polluters

Consumer Main

Cities Enticing Residents to Go Green

>> MapEcos

House

Gadget Makers Edge Toward Going Green

Green Development

NCSU To Unveil $20 Million Sustainable Neighborhood
'Green' Building to Gain Ground at Modest Pace
Green Homes Mark Milestone In Region
Southern Living Goes Green for WNC Idea House
New Home Outlook: Green Is Still a Go
Walking In City Gets a Bit Safer

Global

Melting Ice Pinned On Man, Nature
350: The Number to Remember On Global Warming
Scientist Drills Shrinking Ice For Clues
Increased Carbon Dioxide In Atmosphere Will Kill More People

All About Biofuels

2008-01-04T13:39:00.002-05:00

What is the difference between ethanol and biodiesel? What is E85? Should you worry that food prices will rise if corn is used for ethanol? Get answers to all of these and MUCH more with Fill 'er Up - A Grist Special Series on Biofuels! Learn why people are for it, why people are against it and then make your own informed decision!

From Fashionista Meteorologists to Green Racetracks - It's Eco-Smart News Clips!

2007-12-25T13:01:00.002-05:00

Be Smart. Buy Smart. Know Your Choices!

The Office of Environmental Education's Informed Consumer Initiative seeks to highlight some of the issues surrounding our consumer choices. The information and resources provided are not meant to advocate for any particular choice, but rather to let folks know what choices are out there and the costs and benefits associated with them.

Topics covered include: Food, Lawn & Garden, Energy, Water, Waste, Household Products, Personal Products, Product Distribution, Green Development, Farm News, Recreation and Global Climate. On our Web site, current new articles relevant to North Carolina are posted so that you can continue to be an Informed Consumer!

. News Items are bulleted

>> New resources are marked with an arrow

Consumer News Articles Posted in the Last Few Weeks Include:

Global Climate
. Bill Moves Ahead On Global Warming
. Earth's Tropical Waistline Grows Wider
. 2007 Set to Be Sixth Warmest Year On Record
. Meteorologists Shape Fashion Trends
. WWF Says Warming Puts Amazon At Risk
. An Interview With State Climatologist Ryan Boyles
. Simple Numbers to Shape Climate Talks
. This Year Among Warmest On Record
. 2007 Melts Arctic Ice Records
. Bali Forum Backs Climate 'Road Map'

Energy
. First NC Ethanol Plant Breaks Ground In Hoke County
. Stanly Considered For New Poultry-Litter Power Plant
. Red Tape Stalls Effort to Sell Ethanol
. Think' Solar: Arby's to Use Renewable Energy
. Jewish Holiday Shines Light On the Environment
. Discount Triggers Hot Sales of Energy-Saving Light Bulbs
. Winter-Proof to Save Planet, Purse
. Goals for Fuel-Efficiency Advance
. 'Green' Gifts From Watt-Killer to Zipcar
. Rockefeller Chriwstmas Tree Gets Green Makeover
. Google Plans Renewable Energy Push
. Biodiesel Bus Rolls Onto WHS Campus
. Greensboro Company Gets 1,052 Orders for Hybrid Buses
. Ethanol Craze Worsens Gulf 'Dead Zone'
. Pioneers Blaze Trail for LEDs
. Seal Up Your Home for Winter Weather
. Senate Approves Fuel Economy Increase For Cars, SUVs
. Company Turns to Sun for Power
. Geothermal Systems Get the EPA's Praise
. Congress Approves Sweeping Energy Bill

Food
. Bacteria Stays a Step Ahead of Meat Processors
. Proposed Ban on Genetically-Modified Corn in Europe
. GreenChill Advanced Refrigeration Partnership
. Report: Drought Cuts $573 Million From Agriculture Economy
. Salmon Farming May Hurt Wild Fish

Waste
. Ashtrays Help Keep Litter Off the Streets
. Plastic Grocery Bags Rarely Recycled
. NC Officials Wish Residents An Eco-Friendly Holiday

Personal
. The Dirt On Antibacterial Soaps
. Minnesota to Ban Mercury in Beauty Products

House
>> Greener Computing
. Toxins In the Home: Indoor Air Can Be Polluted Too
. Sears, Kmart to Remove Products With Polyvinyl Chloride

Water
. La Nina Suggests NC to Endure Lingering Drought Through Winter
. New Generation of Toilets Do the Job
. Durham Leaders Tap New Ideas for Providing Water
. Communities Under Pressure to Find Ways to Continue to Conserve Water
. Barrels Ready to Catch Water
. Rainwater Collection Gaining In Popularity

GrEEn Development
. Gaston Green Efforts Pay Off
. Group Working to Build 'Green' Racetrack
. 'Green-Collar' Work Could Add Jobs Locally
. County Plants Seeds for 'Green Business'
. Grandfather Goes Green
. $9.8 Million Visitor Center Opens Along Blue Ridge Parkway
. Experiment in Green Building Goes Undercover In NC Home

Lawn & Garden
. Solar Greenhouse Provides Plants, Savings

RecrEEation
. Book Tells About 'Saving Magic Places'
. Trail Guide Gets An Update

General
. Eco-Friendly Product Claims Often Misleading

Christmas Tree Recycling

2007-12-19T08:52:00.003-05:00

There are those who promote real trees and those who promote fake trees. There are those who wrap gifts in recycled paper and those who promote giving non-material gifts. One thing is for sure...there is no lack of folks sharing their opinions about the holidays and natural resources. What you do is up to you (after all, that is what environmental education is all about), but here is some help figuring out how to recycle that tree. Fake trees are by nature recyclable because you can use them year after year, but go to Earth 911 and put in your zip code to find out where there is Christmas tree recycling for real trees near you!

Guide to responsible consumption

2007-12-07T11:39:00.003-05:00

Check out the Guide to Responsible Consumption video from the Worldwatch Institute!

From Toilet Makers to Walking Off Thanksgiving Dinner - It's Eco-Smart News Clips!

2007-12-06T08:48:00.002-05:00

The Office of Environmental Education's Informed Consumer Initiative seeks to highlight some of the issues surrounding our consumer choices. The information and resources provided are not meant to advocate for any particular choice, but rather to let folks know what choices are out there and the costs and benefits associated with them.

Topics covered include: Food, Lawn & Garden, Energy, Water, Waste, Household Products, Personal Products, Product Distribution, Green Development, Farm News, Recreation and Global Climate. On our Web site, current new articles relevant to North Carolina are posted so that you can continue to be an Informed Consumer!

· News Items are bulleted
>> New resources are marked with an arrow

Consumer News Articles Posted in the Last Few Weeks Include...

Global Climate
>> Climate Classroom: What’s Up With Global Warming from the National Wildlife Federation
· Most Ready for ‘Green Sacrafices’
· Warming Worries Coastal Officials
· How Do You Ski If There Is No Snow?
· Warming Risks Are Real, Panel Warns
· Sea Level’s Rise to Bring Issues for N.C.
· U.N. Panel Gives Dire Warming Forecast
· Millions of Jobs At Risk From Climate Change: U.N.
· When Seas Rise, Who Owns Shoreline?

Energy
· Schools Brew Biodiesel Success Story
· Green Building: Staying Warm, Saving Energy Go Hand In Hand
· Solar Savings: Energy From the Sun Can Lead to Cheaper Utility Bills
· Switching to Renewable Energy, Conservation
· Only Cree’s LEDs Will Light Its Buildings
· Longer Daylight Time May Save Energy – But Stats Are Stale
· Government to Explore Coast’s Alternative Energy Sources
· Garbage Plus Gas Equals Green
· GE Hopes To Cut Mercury In ‘Green’ Light Bulbs
· In Farm Belt, Ethanol Plants Hit Resistance
· On Mileage, Car Makers Offer a Hybrid Message
· Chevy Hybrid SUV Wins ‘Green Car of Year’
· Alternative Fuels’ Future Debated· LEDs Gaining Allure

Food
· The Greening of Thanksgiving
· Battle Over ‘Natural’ Food Designation
· Target Seeks to Label Treated Meat
· Organic Produce ‘Better for You’
· Pa. Bans Hormone-Free Milk Labels
· In Eco-Friendly Factory, Low-Guilt Potato Chips
· USDA Revokes OK For Tyson Chicken Labels

Waste
· IBM Can Recycle Microchip Scraps
· Turning Trash Into Treasure
· Businesses In a Bind Over Recycling Bottles
· Recycling Cuts Arena’s Waste Stream
· U.S. Electronic Waste Ending Up As a Danger Overseas
· Freecycle Computers Get a Second Chance

Personal
· Study: Chemicals From Household Plastics Found In Volunteers’ Blood
· Target Will Reduce PVC Use
· Don’t Flush Leftover Meds – Mix With Kitty Litter
· Alternative Funeral Services Include Cremation and Green or Natural Burial

House
· Sustainability In the Global Paint Industry – Performance Technology That Is Also Better for the Environment
· FSC’s ‘Green’ Label for Wood Products Gets Growing Pains

Water
>> U.S. Drought Portal and the NC Drought Management Advisory Council
· Check Drought Status At New Site· Reuse of Water Often Illegal
· Drought Council: Water Supploes Could Be Tapped Out Next Year
· Drought Has Conservationists Scrambling To Get Hands On Rain Barrels
· Residents Get Creative While Conserving Water
· Recycling Water? It’s a Gray Area
· Waste Not Water: Toilet Makers Respond On Conservation

GrEEn Development
>> GreenBizGreenBiz is an information resource for how to align environmental responsibility with business success. It provides valuable news and resources to large and smallbusinesses through a combination of Web sites, workshops, daily news feeds, electronic newsletters, and briefing papers. These resources are free to all users.
· Build-Green Rebate Propsed
· Green Building: How Green Is Your Plumber and Your Plumbing System?
· Commissioners OK ‘Green’ High School Construction Method
· ‘Green Park’ May Be Model For State
· Lessons On Green Building Take Root
· ‘Green Roof’ Browns As Drought Drags On
· North Carolina Business Park Weighed For 2 Kinds of Green· Engineer’s Work Grows Greener Army

RecrEEation
· How To Get Fit and Save the Planet
· Weaving a Web of Trails
· How Do You Ski If There Is No Snow?
· Stay Fit With Parks and Rec
· Guidebooks Show Travelers How To Go Green
· Where to Walk Off Dinner

General
>> The Green Guide – “the green living source for today’s conscious consumer”
· Check out “Consumed” from American Public Media which asks if our consumer society issustainable
· Most Products’ Green Claims Exagerated, Study Finds
. What Happened to Thrift?