What's the twist?

Social Media For Commercial Decisions

2009-05-28T13:04:00.002-04:00

A new report by Knowledge Networks reports that 83% of the Internet population (ages 13 to 54) participates in social media, with 47% on a weekly basis. However, less than 5% of social media users regularly turn to these sites for guidance on purchase decisions in any of nine product/service categories. In addition, only 16% of social media users say they are more likely to buy from companies that advertise on social sites.
"Social media use" was defined as having visited any one of 27 social sites or having used social features on other sites. Participation in social media is widespread among those 13 to 54, but when asked whether they regularly turn to these sites when trying to make a purchase decision, the highest percentages among nine categories were 4%, for travel and banks/financial services.
63% of social media users agree that ads are a "fair price to pay" for use of these sites and features, but only 16% say they are more likely to buy from advertising brands. 54% "most like" staying connected to friends and family, and meeting new people, about participating in social media.

The study also shows that:

34% of social media users report using these sites or features more often now compared to a year ago, while 18% said they use them less
just 1% of the total online population, and the same proportion of social media participants, uses Twitter once a week or more
60% of social media participants say they only access these sites and features at home

David Tice, Vice President and Group Account Director, Knowledge Networks, says "... social media users do not have a strong association between these sites and purchase decisions... they see them as being more about personal connection... (though) the fact that they are using social media more now than a year ago is a strong indicator (of) the influence of these sites... "
For the purposes of this study, social media users were defined as those who ever use any of 27 pre-specified websites commonly categorized as social media sites, or those who have used social media features on other websites that are not primarily social media sites.

And, MarketingProfs announced the results of a small, informal survey that shows Twitter is rapidly gaining acceptance among users as an important social media business tool. According to the survey of mostly small businesses, 84% of respondents said they expect their company's use of Twitter to increase over the next six months, 46% saying "by a significant" margin.
Currently, 66% consider Twitter either "somewhat important" or "extremely important" to their company's business/marketing operations, compared to 29% who consider it "not very important."
On a five-point scale, 41% of respondents said Twitter delivers "great value" to their company, ranking ahead of LinkedIn, which garnered 25% of that category, and Facebook, which had 17%. Corporate blogs ranked at the top of the list with 52% saying it delivered great value, according the survey of more than 200 Twitter users.
Ann Handley, Chief Content Officer for MarketingProfs, concludes that "This data shows that Twitter users, typically early adopters, no longer think of Twitter as just a personal networking tool... "
MarketingProfs' survey results are part of a new case study collection Twitter Success Stories: "How 11 companies are achieving their marketing objectives, 140 characters at a time," conducted between April 11-14, 2009. It included a total of 213 completed responses, 66% of which were filled out by people with fewer than 50 people in their company. The rest of the breakdown:

101-1000 employees... 14.6%
1000+ employees... 11.3%
51-100 employees... 8%

6 Eco Myths Debunked

2009-05-06T14:58:00.004-04:00

Congratulations, Factcheck.org, on your well-deserved Webby. Here's a look at six recent environmental and energy myths that the fact-checking site has debunked.

Factcheck.org has won a 2009 Webby "People's Voice" award, and The Daily Green thinks it is well deserved.
Designed to check the facts spouted by politicians and those seeking to influence politics and policy debates, the nonprofit Factcheck.org is an indispensable nonpartisan resource. (The Daily Green republishes the fact-checks related to energy and the environment, and nominated the site for one of its 2009 Heart of Green Awards.)
In celebration of the site's Webby, here's a look at six of its greatest recent hits:

6 Environmental Myths Debunked

1. There's enough wind power in the Atlantic to offset all the electricity we now get from coal.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar made waves when he said the U.S. East Coast was so rich in wind that offshore wind farms could produce as much electricity as every U.S. coal-fired power plant. It sounds great. Coal, which produces roughly half our electricity, is a major source of pollution that causes smog, acid rain, mercury contamination and global warming; wind power causes none of these. Unfortunately, it's just not true, according to Factcheck.org. "We calculate that converting wind to enough electricity to replace all U.S. coal-fired plants would require building 3,540 offshore wind farms as big as the world's largest, which is off the coast of Denmark," Factcheck.org reported. "So far the U.S. has built exactly zero offshore wind farms."

2. Congress is outlawing your backyard organic garden.

A vast campaign, spread via e-mail, Facebook and elsewhere, has tried to convince people that a food safety bill being considered in Congress will wipe out organic farming as we know it, and even possibly make it illegal to have a garden in your backyard. According to Factcheck.org, though, there's hardly anything to worry about. "We suppose in the grand realm of all that's possible, or more likely a futuristic B movie, federal bureaucrats could decide that public safety calls for inspections of every backyard garden in the nation, leading everyday citizens to surreptitiously cultivate tomato plants in a closet with a sunlamp, lest they get busted by the cops," Factcheck.org concluded. "But we kinda doubt it."

3. "Clean coal" is a reality, or at least a possibility.
During the presidential campaign and beyond, as the coal industry and the Waterkeeper Alliance (yay Gloria Reuben!) and other environmental groups have engaged in an epic advertising battle, Factcheck.org has been tamping down enthusiasm for clean coal, which is an expensive concept for removing carbon dioxide from coal-fired power plants, not a reality. "There are no commercial 'clean coal' plants operating currently in the U.S.," Factcheck.org reported. "The larger question posed by these dueling ad campaigns is implied rather than stated outright. Can coal can be 'clean' in the future? Is 'clean coal' a laudable, achievable goal as Obama and the coal miners and electric utilities would have us believe? Or is it a ridiculous oxymoron on par with 'controlled chaos,' as Gore and other environmental groups suggest?"

4. Congress outlawed second-hand clothing.

In the wake of toy safety scares (remember all those lead toy recalls? There are more nearly every week) Congress moved to get the lead (and the phthalates) out of toys, including those sold at second-hand shops. While the law doesn't explicitly ban the sale of second-hand clothing, selling children's clothing that contains lead or phthalates (think about colorful embossed designs) could result in a hefty fine, making this myth partially true. "A recently passed law won't ban resale, but it will hold resellers responsible for selling items with lead content that exceeds new limits," Factcheck.org reported. "Some resellers are fearful this will force them out of business."

5. The EPA wants to tax cows.

As the Environmental Protection Agency addresses global warming, it will crack down on agriculture, which -- through land use and the belching of cattle -- contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. (The EPA's recent finding that global warming endangers public health and the environment is most likely to affect power plants and vehicles first.) Not possible, according to Factcheck.org: "EPA issued a statement saying it isn't proposing a tax and doesn't have legal authority to impose one anyway."

6. The U.S. is ignoring the world's largest oil reserve in the Western U.S.

According to an e-mail chain that vastly exaggerates its size, the Bakken formation in the Western U.S. is a ripe and ready oil source that the U.S. won't tap because of those darn tree huggers. (Sounds like the penultimate moment, before the laugh-line, in a Scooby Doo cartoon: "And I would have gotten away with it if it wasn't for those meddling kids!") Well, not quite. Not by a long shot, according to Factcheck.org. "Unfortunately, it is false. It combines and twists several different news stories and studies into a longer tale of sound and fury that ultimately signifies nothing (factually anyway)."

found on the www.dailygreen.com

Online Ad Spending To Follow Video and Social Networking

2009-05-05T12:47:00.001-04:00

According to a new report on the Global Online Media Landscape by The Nielsen Company Online, engagement by Internet users is deepening, in part a result of a shift toward video content and social networking as popular online subcategories.
Highlights of the report include:
The number of American users frequenting online video destinations has climbed 339% since 2003
Time spent on video sites has shot up almost 2,000% over the same period
In the last year, unique viewers of online video grew 10%, the number of streams grew 41%, the streams per user grew 27% and the total minutes engaged with online video grew 71%
There are 87% more online social media users now than in 2003, with 883% more time devoted to those sites.
In the last year, time spent on social networking sites has surged 73%
In February, social network usage exceeded Web-based e-mail usage for the first time.
Charles Buchwalter, SVP, Research and Analytics, Nielsen Online, says "The Internet remains a place of continuing innovation, with users finding new ways to integrate online usage into their daily lives... "
Since 2003, interests of the average online user have shifted significantly from portal-oriented browsing sites such as Shopping Directories and Guides and Internet Tools/Web Services, to video and social networking sites that have moved to the forefront, becoming the two fastest growing categories in 2009.

With the global recession in full swing, says the report, online display advertising has plateaued at 20% of total online ad spend in the U.S.. Spending on online display advertising by financial services, automobile and retail companies has declined steeply. On the other hand, several key, heavy ad-spending industries such as healthcare, consumer products and telecommunications appear to be moving even more spending online.

The longer-term prospects for global online advertising continue to be brighter. Projecting, Nielsen reported:
Led by social media, search and video, the Internet's share of total ad spend will continue its steady upward trend as global economies emerge from the current recession
Given the increased focus on digital marketing by leading packaged goods companies, the Internet's share of commerce will continue to rise
In the age of Twitter, feedback barriers have all but disappeared, creating a near friction-free environment for playing back brand experience, campaign reactions or brand events. Recent public cases show that marketers must be quick to react to these channels of instant feedback
30% of U.S. mobile subscribers recalled seeing some form of advertising while using their mobile phones, up from 18% one year prior
To download Nielsen's full report on the global online landscape found on The Nielsen Wire, please visit here.

Found on www.mediapost.com

The Persuasive Power Of Face To Face

2009-04-30T14:38:00.000-04:00

Think of the most persuasive person you know. The salesperson you can't say no to, your mother (guilt always works), your spouse or your six-year-old child. Now, imagine if you had never met the person in person and they were trying to persuade you over the phone, or by email. Would they be as persuasive? No. Persuasion just don't work as well if you're not face to face

Hardwired for Face to Face

Robert Cialdini wrote an entire book on the " Psychology of Persuasion." He explains the hot buttons that get pushed, moving us toward doing something we might not otherwise have done. But if you look through all the persuasion buttons, one thing is true: they all work much better when you're face to face.

Let's take just one: reciprocity. Reciprocity, you scratching my back and me scratching yours, is a gut instinct for us. In fact, many of our treasured social institutions, including economic markets and the justice system, are based on our emotional connection to the concepts of reciprocity and fairness. Every single major faith has its own variation of the Golden Rule, which is reciprocity enshrined. But reciprocity is far more potent if the social conditions are set up in person. Political scientist Robert Putnam calls this "thick trust" as opposed to the "thin trust" represented by anonymous rules, law and mores. Study after study shows that even a simple act of giving makes the recipient feel indebted. Something as basic as asking how someone's day is going makes one feel indebted and more likely to give something back. It's one of the most powerful persuasion buttons you can push.

Another inherent human trait is empathy. We have an amazing ability to pick up on the emotions of others. We have a special type of neuron, called mirror neurons, that seem to be the seat of empathy. Mirror neurons explain why emotions can be contagious, why monkeys that see tend to be monkeys that do -- and why, when you're talking with someone, you find yourself subconsciously mimicking their actions or even their accent. Mirror neurons aren't found in every animal. So far, they've been discovered in just a few primates, including us humans. Mirror neurons may be why the more you like someone, the more empathetic you are, leaving you more open to persuasion

What This Means for Selling Online

Somewhere along the line, face-to-face contact seemed to be considered superfluous in our new online world. We moved to virtual sales, commerce transacted at a distance, electronically, with nary a handshake, a wink, a smile or an eye roll to be seen. In theory, it should work, but in practice, it leaves a lot to be desired. We were not designed to communicate electronically. We can and do adapt to it, but like any instrument designed for a specific purpose, things just work better when we do what we were made to do. And we were made to connect with others in person.

We're in the middle of an extensive research project exploring B2B buying and decision-making, and this lack of human contact in online sales strategies proved to be a huge obstacle to success. B2B buying is all about building trust and eliminating risk. It's pretty difficult to build trust with someone you've never met. That's not to say that electronic communication isn't effective, but the social foundations have to be built in person. Research has shown that on Facebook, the vast majority of close "friends" that people keep are all people they know and have met face to face. You can find ideological common ground with someone over the Net, but the bonding happens when you can look in their eye and read their body language.

by Gord Hotchkiss , Thursday, April 30, 2009 www.mediapost.com

Consumers Want Proof It's Green

2009-04-23T06:58:00.000-04:00

According to the new BBMG Conscious Consumer Report: Redefining Value in a New Economy, 23% of U.S. consumers say they have "no way of knowing" if a product is green or actually does what it claims. But, 77% agree that they "can make a positive difference by purchasing products from socially or environmentally responsible companies," and they are actively seeking information to verify green claims.

To find the necessary information, consumers are:

most likely to turn to consumer reports .....29%
most likely to look at certification seals or labels on products .....28%
most likely to consider the list of ingredients on products .....27%
least likely to look to statements on product packaging .....11%
least likely to believe company advertising .....5%

Raphael Bemporad, co-founder of BBMG, says "... consumers are redefining what truly matters and evaluating purchases based on both value and values... by delivering... price, performance and purpose... brands will be able to close the green trust gap... "

Key findings from the Conscious Consumer Report (2009):

67% Americans agree that "even in tough economic times, it is important to purchase products with social and environmental benefits"
51% say they are "willing to pay more" for them
66% say price very important in purchase decision
64% look for quality
55% want "good for your health"
49% look for "made in the USA"

Green benefits have increased in importance since last year, says the report:

Energy efficiency (47% very important in 2008, 41% in 2007)
Locally grown or made nearby (32% in 2008, 26% in 2007)
All natural (31% in 2008, 24% in 2007)
Made from recycled materials (29% in 2008, 22% in 2007)
USDA organic (22% in 2008, 17% in 2007)

When asked unaided which companies come to mind as the most socially or environmentally responsible companies:

7% of Americans named Wal-Mart
6% said Johnson & Johnson
4% Procter & Gamble
4% GE
3% Whole Foods

Asked to name the least responsible companies:

9% named Wal-Mart
9% said Exxon Mobile
3% GM
3% Ford
2% Shell
2% McDonald's

41% of Americans could not name a single company that they consider the most socially and environmentally responsible. And:

71% of consumers agree that they "avoid purchasing from companies whose practices they disagree with"
55% tell others to shop products based on a company's social and environmental practices
48% tell others to drop products based on a company's social and environmental practices

Mitch Baranowski, co-founder of BBMG, concludes that "At a time of... growing demand for accountability, ... consumers are rewarding brands that align with their values... punishing those that don't... and spreading the word with their family, friends and peers... "

For more information, and access to purchase report from BBMG, please visit here. article found on www.mediapost.com

Trending Up: Nielsen Says Online Video Usage Soars

2009-04-21T09:52:00.001-04:00

Online video continues to expand -- now up 40% versus the same levels a year ago.

Nielsen Online says March's 9.6 billion streams and 130 million Web users are a 38.8% hike over March 2008. Total streams for viewers during March were at an average 74.4 with the total time per viewer, in terms of minutes, at over three hours per month -- 190.7 minutes.

Nielsen says the total time per viewer in March -- which includes progressive downloads but excludes video advertising -- was up a big 12.6% versus February. This seems to suggest -- as other research has found -- that users are watching longer-length videos.

YouTube, the big Internet video site, continues to dwarf the competition in two big key areas -- 5.5 billion streams and 89.4 million unique viewers.

Among streams, the next-biggest site after YouTube is hulu.com at 348.5 million. Yahoo comes after that at 231.8 million; Fox Interaction Media (which includes MySpace)is 207.5 million; Nickelodeon, 196.1 million; ABC.com, 176.9 million; MSN/Windows Live, 168.9 million; Turner Sports/Entertainment, 137.6 million; MTV, 123.8 million; and CNN, 103.5 million.

Among the unique viewers, Yahoo came in second at 24.8 million, followed by Fox Interactive Media (which includes MySpace) at 14.7 million, and MSN/Windows Live at 12 million. CNN was next at 9.0 million; hulu.com, 8.9 million; ABC.com, 6.9 million; Nickelodeon, 6.4 million; MTV Networks, 6.3 million; and Turner Sports/Entertainment at 5.8 million.

written by:by Wayne Friedman, Monday, April 13, 2009, 4:07 PM
found here.

Newspapers Online Bigger Than Local TV... In Video Ad Revenue?

2009-04-08T09:36:00.004-04:00

A media critique by Wayne Friedman , Friday, March 27, 2009

It's bad enough both newspapers and local TV stations are getting kicked around in this economy (and, in the case of newspapers, even when the economy was good.)

But now comes word old-media newspapers actually beat newer-media local televisions in overall revenue when it comes to -- are you ready for this? -- video advertising revenues!

What?

Borrell Research will release a report soon that says newspapers made about $165 million last year from streaming video advertising, while TV stations made $105 million -- more than a 50% gap.

Not only that, but another traditional print vehicle -- yellow pages -- did almost as well as TV stations, pulling $85 million to $100 million in online streaming video.

One note here: Streaming video ads are still a tiny piece of the pie for older media. For example, for newspapers it comes to just 5% of Web site revenues. It's a bit more for TV stations -- 10% of their overall revenue take.

Newspaper sites have opened up Web areas for small and mid-size businesses' video advertising, which is also being used as video content.

This is not something TV stations are used to. They are more familiar with selling mainstream local 15- and 30-second commercials for network-supplied programs, syndicated programs, or local newscasts.

TV stations still have the big brand names that -- in theory -- can turn this equation around. But they need to work fast. For years, marketing executives have touted the next big online thing as the growth of local portals and local Web destinations.

Perhaps TV station executives are distracted; many have wide eyes when talking about mobile technology. But just repurposing news, weather updates and local TV shows may not be enough for local market mobile phone users -- nor for demanding local video advertisers.

Newspapers beating TV stations in their own backyard makes them the unlikely video kings -- for the moment.

Study Shows Mags Reap More Ad Value Per Minute

2009-04-01T13:26:00.002-04:00

The magazine industry, which has historically opposed time-spent-with-media metrics as fair basis for comparing the involvement consumers have with various media, is warming to the idea, albeit, with a caveat. Instead of looking at all minutes of media usage as equal, the Magazine Publishers of America today is releasing an analysis that assigns a relative value to each minute consumed, and not surprisingly, consumer magazine stack up very well vs. other major consumer media on that basis, including TV, radio, the Internet, and even the other major consumer print medium, newspapers.

"One of the things that is important in understanding how advertising works, is to separate the consumer relationship with the medium from the consumer relationship with advertising in the medium. And very often people look at time spent as a leading indicator of advertising engagement, or advertising wantedness," Ellen Oppenheim, CMO of the Magazine Publishers of America told MediaDailyNews, explaining why the MPA's new "Ad Value Per Minute" analysis is a relevant measure for advertisers and agencies to use when planning and buying media.

Raw time spent analyses, she said, are about consumer usage of "the medium, not the advertising" within them. To get at the relative value of time spent with advertising in the major media, the MPA factored a well-regarded analysis conducted by a respected third party, ad impact scores created by consulting firm Deloitte ("State of the Media Democracy" Study, 2008), and incorporated it into a new "Time/Ad Impact Ratio" for the major consumer media.

On that basis, magazines index with more than twice the impact of TV, online or radio, and are actually considerably higher than printed newspapers too (see table below).

Oppenheim said other impact scores could be substituted with the Deloitte data, and it would show similar patterns of stronger relative advertising impact of magazines.

She acknowledged that the studies are all surveys based on consumer perceptions about media, and not necessarily behavior, and therefore are not a "gold standard.

"No one is suggesting this is a currency," she said, adding that the analysis nonetheless is a good way of factoring raw time-spent analyses of media. One that is receiving considerable attention in recent weeks, is a highly regarded study conducted by Ball State University for the Nielsen-funded Council for Research Excellence. That study, which directly observed how consumers use media, initially reported findings only on the major "screen-based" media, such as TV, online, mobile, and gaming platforms. But the findings are sparking a new round of interest in advertising circles about the relative value of time spent with all media, especially as the industry struggles through an economic recession and prepares for another upfront television sales season.

TIME-AD IMPACT RATIO
Factors Behind the Calculation

	Time Spent	% Share	Media
	with Media*	of Total	Influence**	Time-Ad Impact
Media	(Minutes)	Time Spent	%	Ratio
Magazines	70	8.9	49	5.51

Newspaper	68	8.6	42	4.88

Internet	154	19.5	48	2.46

Television	302	38.2	88	2.30

Radio	196	24.8	27	1.09


Sources:
* Time Spent with Media on Average Day by User of that Medium, MRI MediaDay, 2008
** % of U.S. Consumers Who Said Advertising in this Medium Has the Most Influence on Their Buying Decisions,
Deloitte "State of the Media Democracy" Study, 2008
Time-Ad Impact Index = Media Influence / Share of Total Time Spent

found on www.mediapost.com

Return to Sender

2009-03-30T05:28:00.000-04:00

One of the best inventions ever, they're made to make life easier - write your (short) note and put it where you need it. If you go digital, though, where you need it isn't always on your computer. For example, what good is my grocery list on my virtual desktop?

That's where the Notes area on my phone comes in - totally indispensable, since it automatically comes with me everywhere. Even better if you can check email on your phone - just type up a list and send it to yourself (or even take a digital photo of, say, a wine bottle you want to match up).

Works for work too - emailing a reminder to yourself (in the sub line) puts it back into your attention queue automatically, and when you're done, I have to say that deleting it is just as satisfying as crossing a chore off your list with a pen. There's also the magical whiteboard…

Daily Tip found on idealbite.com

Internet Article-Based Ads Grab More Clicks

2009-03-26T14:46:00.001-04:00

According to a new national study by Opinion Research Corporation, sponsored by Adfusion, American consumers say articles that include brand information is the type of online advertising they're most likely to read and act upon, compared to banner ads, pop-up ads, email offers or sponsored links, according to a new survey.

Favorable Response to Advertising
*Type of Advertisement*	*% Saying Very or Somewhat Likely to Respond*
Articles that include brand information	51%
Email offers	47%
Sponsored search engine links	39%
Banner ads	25%
Pop-up ads	13%
Source: Adfusion, March 2009

According to the survey, 67% of people between the ages of 18 and 24, and 56% of those making at least $75,000 per year say they are "very likely" or "somewhat likely" to read and act upon article-based advertising. Pop-up ads were least likely to be read or acted upon.

When asked how frequently they conduct Internet searches for products or services they read about in online articles, half the respondents said "very frequently" or "somewhat frequently." 69% of 18-to-24-year-olds said they were likely to conduct a search for products or services based on an article, and 57% of those making more than $75,000 per year expressed their likelihood to perform a search, says the report.

Additional data included in the survey:

87% of survey respondents said they were not very likely or not at all likely to read and act upon pop-up ads
56% of households containing three or more people said they are very likely or somewhat likely to read and act upon articles that include brand information.
62% of households with 13 to 17 year-old children said they are very likely or somewhat likely to read and act upon articles that include brand information
52% of college graduates said they conduct Internet searches for products or services they read about in online articles either very frequently or somewhat frequently

Scott Severson, ARAnet president, concludes that. "A key finding for marketers is that... more than two-thirds of the respondents between 18 and 34 said they conduct Internet searches for products or services they read about in online articles... compared to banner ads or other options, people respond better when they can read an article, evaluate it, and then decide to click through... "

(The survey presents the findings of a sample of 1,074 adults comprising 520 men and 554 women 18 years of age and older, completed on March 9-10, 2009)

For more information, and to access the PDF file from ARAnet, please visit here.

Article found on www.mediapost.com

7 Ways to Get Rid of Unwanted DVDs

2009-03-20T13:56:00.004-04:00

Get something thing back when you get rid of something you didn't even want.

How many of us woke up this Christmas to find our stockings needlessly stuffed with horrible DVDs such as Ghost Dad, Gone Fishing, The Happening, Weekend at Bernie's or, the infamous "worst movie ever" Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever? These movies were probably purchased out of a pharmacy dump bin for $2.99-$4.99 and cleverly placed into your stocking as some sort of filler.

Of course, not all movies are as bad as those listed above. If you're fussy like me, you may not like or want most of the movies you receive. And some movies may be positively embarrassing to place in your collection. "How can you consider yourself a Kubrick fan if you own a copy of Dunston Checks In?" your friends will inevitably ask. And you will sigh, posture slumping and say, "My mom bought it for me because I liked monkeys as a kid."

Unwanted DVDs and the Environment

Putting something back in circulation is better than hoarding it or tossing it into a hole somewhere. When someone buys a used copy, it cuts down on the new copies that need to be made by one. When 1,000 people do it, it cuts down on the new copies by 1,000. In order for people to buy used, someone has to sell used. Get it?

There are several ways to get rid of those DVDs in a way that profits you to some extent. (I can't promise that anyone will take Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever off your hands. You may have to re-gift that at your own risk. ) If you're looking to become some sort of used DVD millionaire, you are looking in the wrong place. But if you're looking for store credit, cash or tax breaks, you've come to the right place.

Online Buy Back
Bre Software has an online buy back system. They offer a whopping 12 cents for Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever.

BuyBack Madness is another online DVD buyback site. They won't take Ballistic: Ecks Vs. Sever, but they do pay a bit more for good movies than Bre.

Sell your DVDs yourself
You can list them on Ebay or sell them on Craigslist for whatever you think you can get for them.

Trade at Brick and Mortar Stores
I used to trade my DVDs for store credit at Babbages at the mall. There was this one time, however, where I brought in my stack of unwanted Christmas DVDs, all of them still wrapped in the cellophane. The clerk wouldn't take my DVDs. He wasn't allowed to take DVDs still wrapped in cellophane, cause I might have stolen them from Suncoast Video.

"So what's stopping me from stealing some DVDs from Suncoast and taking off the cellophane before I bring them here next time?" I asked the clerk.

"I don't know." he said.

And that was that.

The Lesson: Call ahead and ask if you have to remove the cellophane before you try and trade in your DVDs for store credit.

Donate Your DVDs to Libraries
You can donate your DVDs to libraries and get a tax credit.

Donate to Videos for Voices
Donate your unwanted to DVDs to Videos for Voices. This organization helps children with apraxia, a motor-planning speech disorder. You can get a little tax credit for your good deed.

DVDs for Soldiers
Donate your old DVDs to veterans. Or you can donate to Operation Showtime and support the troops still in the service. The choice is yours. Please be kind to the troops and send them watchable movies.

Goodwill
You can donate DVDs to your local Goodwill and rake in the tax cred.

By Josh Peterson
Los Angeles, CA, USA found on www.planetgreen.com

7 Greenest Spring Break Trips

2009-03-16T13:21:00.000-04:00

by Blythe Copeland, Great Neck, New York on 03.11.09Photo via joiseyshowaa @ flickr

For most people, spring break conjures up memories (or expectations) of beaches, beer, and--if MTV is your source--lots of bikinis. And while there’s nothing wrong with collecting your best friends and heading out for a week of partying, greener alternatives abound. No matter what kind of break you had in mind (A beach-side bacchanalia? A week of sunning yourself on the sand?), or where your academic interests lie (Love science? Can’t get enough nature?), or what you like to do in your spare time (Cook? Hike?), we’ve found the perfect eco-friendly trip. Read on for everything from hotels with minimal carbon footprints to volunteer organizations that let you make a hands-on environmental impact--and don't worry: We included some bikini-friendly locations, too.

1. For the Study-Abroad Student: Ard Nahoo Eco Cabins, Dromahair, Ireland

Photo via catsper @ flickr

If you’ve already made your way across the pond for a semester in London, Rome, Paris, or Madrid, gather some friends and celebrate your spring break at the Ard Nahoo Eco Cabins in Dromahair, Ireland. Each sustainable-ceder cabin sleeps four to seven people in a space kept warm with hemp insulation and pellet stoves, where the electricity comes from wind power and even the paint is natural. Keep yourself occupied with massages and yoga classes, or sign up for one of the multi-day ecological, detox, or yoga retreats. (Via National Geographic)

2. For the Outdoorsy Type: EcoCamp in Patagonia, Chile

Photo via EcoCamp

Maybe you’re the kind who just doesn’t think it’s a vacation unless you have plenty of time to get in touch with nature--and if that’s the case, then book a stay at EcoCamp in Patagonia, Chile. You’ll stay in domes inspired by the nomadic Kawesqar people; the accommodations are big on gorgeous views of the surroundings and the starry skies, but not so into modern amenities (think running water, but no television). From there, you’ll spend your days hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, or just strolling through the Torres del Paine national park’s glaciers, lakes, and mountains. (Via Forbes Traveler)

3. For the Beach Bum: Guludo Beach Resort, Mozambique

Photo via Guludo Beach Resort

Skip the generic oceanfront condo in Cabo and instead spend your days off on the pristine beaches of Mozambique at the Guludo Beach Lodge. The eco-friendly beachfront accommodations--known as bandas--were built by locals as part of the Lodge’s effort to bring the surrounding community out of poverty; of course, when you’re watching the sunrise from the comfort of your king-sized bed, you may not be thinking about them that carefully. Elsewhere on the property, take advantage of scuba diving spots, get your PADI Dive certification, enjoy a sunset sail, or go whale watching.

4. For the Party Kid: Miami, Florida

Photo via joiseyshowaa @ flickr

No city says party like Miami, Florida, so if all you want from your spring break is cocktails, warm weather, and skimpy bathing suits, it’s the perfect destination. Of course, you can still travel green while you’re there: Take advantage of the city’s public transportation instead of shelling out for taxis; stay at an eco-friendly hotel--like Comfort Suites Miami--that minimizes water use with low-flow showerheads; and fuel up for nights on the town with local, organic food from neighborhood restaurants like Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink or Gourmet Carrot.

5. For the Science Junkie: The Earthwatch Expedition, Canada

Photo via Earthwatch

Get out of the lab for the week without giving up your passion for science with an Earthwatch expedition that lets you study climate change in the Arctic’s tundra and forests. At the Churchill Northern Studies Center in the Hudson Bay Lowlands in Canada, guests study growth rings in trees, permafrost, ice crystals, and snowpack thickness--and while you’ll sleep in dorm-style rooms at the Center, you’ll also learn how to build an igloo that stays warm at temps as low as -40 Celsius.

6. For the Foodie: Organic Farming Through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms

Photo via Ron1478 @ flickr

Get in touch with the land--and your food--by volunteering through World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF), which pairs aspiring foodies or farmers with organic growers all over the world; think Belize, Canada, France, Germany, Brazil, Turkey, Sierra Leone, Nepal, Australia, and many others. In most cases you’ll live with the family that runs the farm, trading long days and hard work for an intimate look at the culture and organic food processes of the country you’re visiting.

7. For the Volunteer: VolunteerAbroad.com

Photo via indigoprime @ flickr

Spending your spring break giving back to your community (or to a larger organization) may not be as relaxing as swimming and sunning yourself in Miami, but it looks better on a resume. Love animals? Work with Biosphere Expeditions to protect snow leopards in Asia. Are you an experienced scuba diver? Help Coral Cay Conservation track the effect of global warming on Caribbean reefs. Love nature? Sign up for a Colorado Trail Volunteer Crew, where you’ll help keep the 500-mile-long path in pristine condition. All of these organizations--and many others found at VolunteerAbroad.com--help you leave the environment better than you found it, which trumps even the biggest spring break party.

More Green Travel Ideas
Eco-Friendly Travel
Green City Guides
Happy Trails: Green Travel Blogs Pick Their Top Eco Destinations
How to Go Green: Skiing and Snowboarding
The Top 7 Greenest Ski Destinations in the U.S.
How to Go Green: Spring Break

Found on www.treehugger.com

Did you leave us with the short straw?

2009-03-13T13:15:00.000-04:00

The Bite:

Fine by us, as long as it's reusable. Glass and stainless steel drinking straws add garbage-free class to your glass, even if you get stuck sucking down a cuppa SunnyD.

The Benefits:

Fewer fistfuls of trash. Most disposable straws are made from polypropylene (so you can recycle them), but remember: plastic never fully biodegrades, so generally just try to avoid it.
Shorter bills; not-so-short lifetimes. At about $5 per box of 50, straws aren't superexpensive, but reusable options will pretty much last forever.

Personally Speaking:

Jen (co-founder and a bit of a klutz) uses stainless steel 'cuz she's afraid she'll break the glass ones. But Jenifer (editorial director and amateur ballerina) prefers the "see-through-ness" of glass, and after three months, hasn’t broken one yet.

Wanna Try:

Endurance Drink Straws - heavy, shiny, stainless steel straws ($10/4).
Glass Dharma Beautiful Bend Drinking Straw - substantial-feeling glass straw; comes with thin scrubber to clean the inside ($8).

What's the honest-to-goodness best way to wash your produce?

2009-03-11T13:05:00.000-04:00

The Bite:

Use water and white vinegar - no lie. A few squirts on your fruits and veggies gets rid of the nasty stuff (like pesticide residue) that you don't want - no store-bought washes necessary. Sincerely yours, Ideal Bite.

The Benefits:

Brushing bugs under the rug. A diluted vinegar rinse kills 98% of bacteria on produce - researchers found it works even better than a scrub brush.
Cash savings you can believe in. Water and vinegar rinses cost just pennies; the premade washes we found cost $4 and up.
It's a simple truth: Buying plastic bottles of produce wash means having to recycle them too (not to mention the energy and materials needed to make and ship them in the first place) - you'll still need to buy bottles of vinegar, but you'll buy fewer of them.

Personally Speaking:

Some of us who happen to have white vinegar in our pantries actually have no idea how it got there. Now we've got a use for it…

Wanna Try:

Mix water to white vinegar 3:1 in a spray bottle (if you've already got a bottle of the premade stuff, use it up and reuse the sprayer). Rinse with water after you spray. Yes, it's that easy.

Tip found on www.idealbite.com

Are you gunning for the forest every time you use an ATM?

2009-03-03T13:35:00.000-05:00

The Bite:

Maybe, since the number of trees that go to making receipts is just plain criminal. Hold up on requesting a receipt at the ATM, gas pump, checkout stand, and anywhere else where you have the choice, ski mask or not.

The Benefits:

Less eco-thievery. Receipts from the 8 billion U.S. ATM transactions each year create a lotta waste - and most end up in the trash.
Not robbing yourself of time. You can view all your transactions on your bank's website, and some stores, such as Apple, will send an e-receipt to your email - überconvenient.
Peace of mind. Misplaced receipts can help thieves steal your identity.

Personally Speaking:

Wallets stuffed with receipts give the illusion of more cash, and personally, we can't afford to be any more deluded about our spending reserves than we already are.

Wanna Try:

Just say (or press) no.

The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient 2009 Cars and SUVs

2009-02-16T11:55:00.005-05:00

1. 2009 Toyota Prius

Price: $22,000

If it's lonely at the top, the Prius knows it. The iconic hybrid is the most fuel-efficient buy again in 2009.

Fuel Economy
City: 48 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,133
CO2 Emitted: 4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 7.4
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

2. 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid

Price: $23,550

Second again, the Honda Civic Hybrid achieves the same strong fuel economy stats as the 2008 model. It can't match the Prius in city driving or price — but it does have a higher (better) EPA air pollution score.

Fuel Economy
City: 40 mpg
Highway: 45 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,242
CO2 Emitted: 4.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 8.2
Air Pollution Score: 9 (of 10)

3. 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid

Price: $26,650

The Nissan Altima Hybrid notches the third spot on the list again. What does third place mean? Better than most, but still 27 percent less efficient than the No. 1 Prius.

Fuel Economy
City: 35 mpg
Highway: 33 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,535
CO2 Emitted: 5.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.1
Air Pollution Score: N/A

4. 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $29,750

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mercury Mariner is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

4. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $29,305

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Ford Escape is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

4. 2009 Mazda Tribute Hybrid (Tie)

Price: $28,175

Tied with its sister hybrids in the Ford family, the Mazda Tribute is the most fuel-efficient SUV on the market this year.

Fuel Economy
City: 34 mpg
Highway: 31 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

5. 2009 Smart Fortwo

Price: $11,590

A newcomer to the list in 2009, the diminutive Smart Fortwo may not be a hybrid, but it makes a statement. Choose the coupe or the convertible: Both models get the same mileage. The coupe is the most affordable model on the list of most-efficient 2009 models.

Fuel Economy
City: 33 mpg
Highway: 41 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,564
CO2 Emitted: 5.1 tons
Barrels of Oil: 9.5
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

6. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Price: $26,150

The Toyota Camry Hybrid is unchanged from the 2008 model, but a notch down the list, thanks to the Smart Fortwo.

Fuel Economy
City: 33 mpg
Highway: 34 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,535
CO2 Emitted: 5.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.1
Air Pollution Score: 8 (of 10)

7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta (Tie)

Price: $17,340

The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta and the Jetta SportWagen are the only diesel vehicles to make the list in 2009.

Fuel Economy
City: 30 mpg
Highway: 41 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,711
CO2 Emitted: 6.2 tons
Barrels of Oil: 11.6
Air Pollution Score: N/A

7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen (Tie)

Price: $19,649

If you choose the automatic transmission rather than the manual, in either the VW Jetta or Jetta SportWagen, you lose 1 mpg in both highway and city driving — enough to cost $52 in diesel fuel per year.

Fuel Economy
City: 29 mpg
Highway: 40 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,763
CO2 Emitted: 6.4 tons
Barrels of Oil: 11.9
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

8. 2009 Toyota Yaris

Price: $12,965

The third Toyota to make the most-fuel-efficient list (and the most affordable of the three), the Yaris gets a combined fuel economy of 32 mpg. (Knock off 1 mpg in highway driving if you choose an automatic, rather than a standard transmission.)

Fuel Economy
City: 29 mpg
Highway: 36 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,634
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

9. 2009 Mini Cooper (Tie)

Price: $18,550

There's a big advertising campaign around the fuel-efficiency of the 2009 Mini Cooper. The stylish little car delivers, besting 30 mpg in combined city/highway driving.

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,761
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

9. 2009 Mini Cooper Clubman (Tie)

Price: $18,880

Tied with its sister, the bigger Clubman is in its second year on the market.

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 37 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,761
CO2 Emitted: 5.7 tons
Barrels of Oil: 10.7
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

10. 2009 Honda Fit

Price: $14,550

Rounding out the most-fuel-efficient list is Honda's second selection, the Fit. It's the third-least-expensive choice, behind the Smart Fortwo and the Toyota Yaris. Choose the manual instead of the automatic, and you'll lose 2 mpg, and pay $115 more per year.

Fuel Economy
City: 28 mpg
Highway: 35 mpg

Annual Impact
Cost to Drive: $1,686
CO2 Emitted: 5.9 tons
Barrels of Oil: 11
Air Pollution Score: 6 (of 10)

article by By Dan Shapley on www.thedailygreen.com

Valentine's Day Gifts: Green Love for Everyone

2009-02-13T15:59:00.006-05:00

Valentine’s Day might just be the most polarizing holiday out there: either you think it’s a can’t-miss opportunity to show your love for your spouse, friends, and family, or you think it’s a lame excuse to sell more greeting cards. Of course, if you and your partner don’t agree, that’s when the problems pop up. You might be perfectly happy with nothing more than an extra kiss in the morning—but if she (or he) wants an extravagant dinner, memorable jewelry, and a sentimental card, then you’d better get shopping. Luckily, stores and websites are full of eco-friendly alternatives to traditional chocolates, flowers, gems, and wines, so you can satisfy your partner’s Valentine’s Day requirements without investing in a bunch of environmentally harsh consumer products. Read on for our favorite ways to say “I love you”—to your significant other and the environment.

Traditional Gift: A dozen roses

Eco-alternative: A dozen organic roses

Photo via XcBiker @ flickr

Take the classic route with a bouquet of stems delivered to her (at work, preferably, for maximum “awwww”ing from her coworkers)—but go the organic route with a bunch from Organic Bouquet. In addition to sending an arrangement of organic blooms, the company purchases enough carbon offsets to make every order carbon neutral. If you’d rather go the creative (and longer-lasting) route, try making flowers from recycled paper; you might feel like you’re back at summer camp, but the display will last longer than any fresh bouquet.

Traditional Gift: A box of candy

Eco-alternative: Fair trade chocolate bars

Photo via Digital Sextant @ flickr

Boxes of chocolate look nice on the outside, but inside they’re a different story: a hit-or-miss collection of treats that get eaten within minutes of breaking off that red ribbon (like coconut-filled dark chocolate or mocha truffles) paired with the ones that get left for days (like strawberry mousse and chocolate-covered cherries). Cut out the risk with a collection of Fair Trade chocolate bars in his or her favorite flavor from companies like Green & Black or Global Exchange. Handy in the kitchen? Make your own dark chocolate truffles (using organic ingredients) with this recipe from Chef Nathan Lyon.

Traditional Gift: A romantic movie

Eco-alternative: A film of the Earth’s most exotic locales (at 50% off!)

Photo via Spirit Level Film

Forget Casablanca or When Harry Met Sally: This Valentine’s Day, you’ll want to snuggle in with your sweetheart and a copy of Spirit Films' Earth from the Air. The sweeping views of water, land, and wildlife from renowned photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand will have you falling in love—with your sweetheart and the Earth—all over again, while eagerly planning your next romantic vacation. (See some example shots in our Arthus-Bertrand slideshow.) Budget a little tight this year? Check out our TH Deals column and get the DVD for 50 percent off, with 10% of the purchase price going to one of TH's fave non-profits Architecture for Humanity.

Traditional Gift: Jewelry

Eco-alternative: Recycled or Fair Trade gems

Photo via stephend9 @ flickr

Jewelry is a go-to gift for Valentine’s Day, but just grabbing something on your way home from work says “I completely forgot” instead of, "You're the love of my life." Put a little thought into it by tracking down handmade pieces formed from recycled metal and paired with natural stones and gems, like the conflict-free pieces from Kirsten Muenster, recycled stainless-steel from Tarma Designs, reused magazine earrings from BtheNV Designs, or classic diamonds from Green Karat. Dress your guy in cufflinks made with LED lights or fashioned from obselete subway tokens.

Traditional Gift: A weekend getaway

Eco-alternative: A stay at an eco-friendly hotel

Photo via Dan Harrelson @ flickr

Instead of jetting away for the weekend to the cheapest hotel in the best destination, try to find green accommodations in your vacation spot. Green Hotels offers descriptions and contact information for hotels across the country, all of which have taken eco-friendly steps like using VOC-free paint or furnishings or doing away with travel-size shampoos. Amelia Island Plantation in Florida, for example, uses green cleaners, encourages guests to re-use their towels, and installed Energy Star thermostats. (And, of course, buy carbon offsets to neutralize your travel output.) Planet Green's City Guides can also steer you in the right direction. Of course, if the economy makes it impossible to travel this year, raise the romance level with a staycation in your own city: take a leisurely stroll through your local park, spend the afternoon at a museum, and then snuggle in at home with chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne. It's all the fun of a hotel stay without the environmental or financial cost.

Traditional Gift: A fancy restaurant dinner

Eco-alternative: A meal at home from local ingredients

Photo via Trent Bigelow @ flickr

Skip the crowded restaurants, overpriced prix fixe meals, and the uninspired chocolate mousse desserts this year and instead treat your sweetie to a homemade meal based around organic, local ingredients. Check out Kelly’s lineup of romantic menus on Planet Green for inspiration, or give a collection of recipes meant to inspire romance—like The Seduction Cookbook by Diane Brown. Pick up your ingredients from a local farmer’s market for a locally-sourced, organic spread, pop open some organic or biodynamic wine to set the mood, and get things cooking.

Article found on www.treehugger.com

Are you walking down the beauty aisle?

2009-02-11T18:53:00.000-05:00

Say "I Do" to greener styling tools. Getting hitched to eco-friendlier beauty instruments is a piece of three-tiered cake with our list of planet-positive beauty tools.

The Benefits

Unveiling your prettiness. These tools work as well as or better than conventional ones we've used in the past.
Eloping to a less wasteful world. Buying high-quality beauty tools that last a lifetime means less waste in the end.
Vowing to support eco-materials. Incorporating sustainable supplies such as recycled aluminum and packaging, these aesthetic assistants help you give good face while leaving less of a trace on the earth.

Wanna Try?

Silence HP Graphite - superquiet hairdryer that uses about 2/3 the power of conventional versions, is made in USA, and includes a lifetime warranty ($139).
Paris Presents EcoTools - five-makeup brush set with bamboo handles and nonanimal bristles that don't shed like some of their more expensive, noneco counterparts ($11).
Boscia Rose Blotting Linens - leaf fiber removes sweat and oil from shiny faces (without messing your makeup) and blots lipstick, and 10% of your sale supports breast cancer research ($10).
Tweezerman Go Green Tweezer - well-aligned, travel-size tweezers that come in recycled packaging; $1 of your purchase goes to planting trees ($10).
95 and Sunny Nail Files - these colored crystal glass nail files last forever, so you don't have to keep buying emery boards ($5-$10).

Tip found on www.idealbite.com

Is an unsafe bottle repressing your thirst?

2009-02-06T14:23:00.002-05:00

The Bite

Time for some bottle therapy. It used to be practically a requirement for the eco-conscious urbanite to lug water in reusable hard-plastic bottles, but it turns out those bottles can leach toxins. Choose lined aluminum, stainless steel, or glass instead.

The Benefits

Health-consciousness. Polycarbonate plastic used in bottles by Nalgene and other companies leaches bisphenol-A, which is linked to birth defects, miscarriage, and prostate cancer.
Less waste. Plastic water bottles require 1.5 million barrels of oil each year to make.
Hydration. Experts recommend we drink six to seven glasses of H2O per day, so keep a bottle handy.
Hipster appeal. Metal and glass options now come in supercool colors and designs.

Personally Speaking

The Biter team probably looks like a group of crazy evangelicals when we hang out away from the office, with all of our Biter bottles in tow.

Wanna Try?

Biter Bottles - our very own light, lined aluminum bottle ($20).
Kleen Kanteen Water Bottle - made from dishwasher-safe stainless steel and holds 27 oz ($18).
SIGG Kids Series - get lil' Biters started down the healthier path ($18).
VOSS - its water comes in cool-looking reusable glass bottles; buy one, and use the bottle for life ($3).

tip found on www.theidealbite.com

Built In Dishwashers vs. Hand Washing: Which is Greener?

2009-01-29T08:26:00.002-05:00

Image credit: Getty Images/Sami Sarkis

For a while, when it comes to green impacts, the prevailing wisdom has been that built in dishwashers beat hand-washing dishes, in a runaway. By the numbers, according to one study at the University of Bonn in Germany, the dishwasher uses only half the energy, one-sixth of the water, and less soap, to boot. That sounds easy enough, but there's a lot more to it than and black-and-white comparison between your faucet and sink and the appliance under your counter.

For example: How do the results vary with model of dishwasher? What hand-washing habits are people using? How do you heat the water in your home? And how often do you do the dishes? Turns out all these factors can change the impacts; keep reading to learn what goes in to calculating the greenest way to do your dishes.

Water use, energy use, and carbon footprint

There are three big factors we'll consider: water use, energy use (for heating the water, largely), and the carbon footprint that results -- we'll save things like soap and dishwasher cooking for another post. And, of course, following energy-saving tips like running the "light" cycle and turning off the "heated drying" option will change the way the numbers work.

Built-in dishwasher efficiency

The average dishwasher uses 6 gallons of water per cycle; the average Energy Star-rated dishwasher uses 4 gallons per cycle, and their energy use ranges from 1.59 kWh per load down to 0.87 kWh per load. Using the Department of Energy's carbon dioxide emissions numbers of 1.34 pounds of CO₂ per kWh, that's 1.16 to 2.13 pounds of carbon dioxide emitted per load, to go along with 4 gallons of water.

Energy Star assumes each load in a "standard" dishwasher (usually 24 inches in size) has "a capacity greater than or equal to eight place settings and six serving pieces," so we'll go with that when considering how many dishes need to be washed by hand.

Can hand washing be as efficient as dishwashing?

The short answer: maybe. First, let's look at water usage alone. The average faucet flows at 2 gallons per minute, so if you can successfully wash and rinse eight place settings -- plates, bowls, forks, knives, spoons, glasses, etc. -- and those six serving dishes that your dishwasher can handle without running the faucet for more than 2 total minutes, then, you might be better off hand-washing. Assuming you're washing 54 pieces of dishware (that's 48 pieces of dishware -- 6 pieces per setting -- and 6 serving dishes), you've got about 4.4 seconds of wide-open tap water per piece, or about 9.5 ounces of water to wash and rinse each dish.

Impacts of heating the water

Let's assume you use warm water for both washing and rinsing -- half hot water and half cold water. Heating 2 gallons of water with a gas hot water heater (from about 60 degrees as it enters your house to, say, 120 degrees, set by the thermostat on your hot water heater) takes about 960 BTUs, or about 0.9% of one therm (100,000 BTUs), assuming 100 percent efficiency.

Gas storage tank water heaters

Gas water-heaters are usually more like 65 percent efficient, so it really takes 1477 BTUs, or about 1.5 percent of a therm, to heat that water. One therm emits 11.7 pounds of CO₂, according to the EPA (pdf), so heating the water with gas for each 2-gallon load emits about .17 pounds of carbon dioxide.

On-demand (or tankless) water heaters are closer to 80 percent efficient, which changes the numbers a bit; it works out to about 1200 BTUs, or about .14 pounds of carbon dioxide.

Electric storage tank water heaters

The story is a bit different when considering an electric water heater; while most electric water heaters use between 86 and 93 percent of their energy for heat (compared to between 60 and 65 percent for gas), electric heaters aren't as efficient at heating water. It still takes 960 BTUs to heat that much water; it just takes about .28 kWh (since, according to the EIA, 1 kWh equals 3412 BTUs) to heat 2 gallons of water at 100 percent efficiency, or about .30 kWh at 93 percent efficiency. Each kWh emits 1.715 pounds of CO₂, on average (thank you, EPA), so heating water with electricity for each 2-gallon load emits about .51 pounds of CO₂.

Built in dishwasher vs. hand-washing: And the winner is...

These numbers indicate that it's possible to be more efficient when hand-washing, but it's pretty tough. Can you successfully wash and rinse a soiled dinner plate in just over a cup of water? If you can keep the water use low, equal to an efficient machine, you'll require less energy, but doing an entire load of dishes in 4 gallons of water is roughly equivalent to doing them all in the same amount of water you use in 96 seconds of showering (using a showerhead that emits 2.5 gallons per minute).

So, as long as you don't often run your dishwasher when it's only half full of dirty dishes, or unless you are very miserly with your water use (or have an old, inefficient dishwasher), the automatic dishwasher is likely to be more efficient. That is to say, it's possible to use less water and energy by hand washing your dishes, but it's not easy. Of course, if you do it just right, it might just be a wash.

article found here.

Unused Clothes Are Ruining Your Life

2009-01-23T14:22:00.000-05:00

A passionate plea for simplicity and smart consumption. And 30 Easy Ways to Save Money

The message was unanimous at the kick off to the 5th Annual "Readings on the 4th Floor" at P.S. 107 in Brooklyn last night: freedom is simplifying and getting rid of stuff we really don't need, to make room for the more important things in life. Sure, you may be thinking, "consuming less is going green, but easier said than done."

Well take heart, because last night's panelists have some simple suggestions to ease your way to greater fulfillment. The ebullient Helen Coronato, mother and author of Eco-Friendly Families, suggested going through your closet and dividing your clothes into three sections: things you never wear, things you can't live without and things you maybe don't wear. Take the "nevers" to a thrift store or donation center immediately, and give the "maybes" a month. If you don't touch them, get rid of those, she said.

"Those maybes are ruining your life," said Coronato. "Freedom is getting rid of stuff, not being attached to things. You'll be amazed at how your life will change by getting rid of things. Get rid of them and make room for the stuff we really want: time."

Coronato suggests donating gently used business attire to a nonprofit organization like Dress for Success, which distributes clothes to low-income women who need to look sharp to pass a job interview. Weighted down by too many stuffed animals that no organizations will accept? No problem! Coronato pointed out that nonprofit Project Smile will get them in the hands of children who have suffered through a house fire, accident or other trauma.

Coronato's suggestions echo the mission of the Center for a New American Dream, which aims to help people live happier, more fulfilling lives while simultaneously reducing unnecessary consumption. The center has recently updated its book Your Money or Your Life, which "helps individuals calculate hours wasted working to pay for unnecessary stuff--stuff that dents both pocketbooks and planet while failing to fulfill."

Brooklyn Panelist Elizabeth Royte, author of Garbage Land and Bottlemania (the book I should have written in 2003 but didn't, not that I'm bitter or anything), suggested that people pick up free placards from local businesses and government offices to display on their homes. The signs alert mail carriers that the home is a "junk mail free zone," and she says the notice on her Park Slope, Brooklyn place has reduced her inflow of unwanted circulars and offers by at least 90% (paper has a huge impact on the environment).

From Water to Fashion, How Refreshing

Royte has also been working with municipalities across the country to bring back public drinking fountains, which she says health studies show are safe, encourage people to stay hydrated, and buck the trend of reaching for a new plastic bottle every time we need a sip. She pointed out that a number of local governments have let their once-robust supply of fountains deteriorate in the name of cost savings, what with everyone buying their own water anyway.

Coronato added that it's important to remember that everything we use has hidden costs, be it underpaid child laborers who made it in other countries, heavy fuel use to transport goods across vast oceans, and toxic by-products we don't see. She said a good place to start is to think about other solutions to needs than just buying what's most convenient. Check out thrift stores and consignment shops, skip dollar bins in discount stores (which are packed with low-quality goods you probably don't need anyway), and to regift stuff you haven't used.

Panelist Starre Vartan, TDG contributor, blogger, Greenopian and author of the Eco-Chick Guide to Life, said to her one of the most important decisions in buying clothes is longevity. She said her goal is to buy only things she'll have to wear for years to come (even after that they can be repurposed for quilts, covers, and so on).

Starre also added that two-thirds of the energy that goes into keeping us clothed is taken up by how we treat the garments we have. She suggested line drying when possible (she said if everyone in the Northeast gave up their dryers we could shutter two nuclear power plants), washing with cold water, reducing detergent, hand washing delicates and only using "green" dry cleaners if you need professional assistance (find a directory of vetted local providers at Greenopia).

The panel's moderator, Treehugger founder Graham Hill, shared some of his successes with saving money by swapping out lighting with CFLs, drying his clothes on furniture in his small apartment, and even composting in a nifty device in his kitchen.

Is All this Worth It Compared to Bigger Problems ?

When an audience member questioned whether it is really worth the time of the environmental movement to harp on and quibble about bottled water, line drying and sippy cups when the planet is facing serious threats from global warming, population explosion and other massive problems, the panelists tried to put things in perspective. "I have leared that everything we do really does matter," answered Coronato. "Every little decision. Ask if you're doing something because that's just what you did before, or if there's a better way you could be doing it. Change begins in each heart."

Royte pointed out that although consumer packaging and cast-offs are only a small portion of our overall solid waste stream, reducing that material can have a big compounding effect. "In the great book Natural Capitalism, Paul Hawken talks about how every barrel of waste we prevent from going out to our curbs saves 32 barrels of waste upstream, from all the processes that go into making the stuff we use everyday," said Royte.

Starre added, to nods from the audience, "I feel like we've gone momentarily insane over the last 25 years or so. It used to be standard to reuse things, conserve, and so on. Then everyone started thinking we had to buy all new stuff all the time."

Royte suggested that if we really want to focus on the three big areas of consumption that have the most impact, those would be: how we heat and cool our homes, how we get around and how much meat we eat.

For her part, Coronato says her goal this year is to make sure everything in her house is both beautiful and functional. With the right tips, you too can go greener, and live better.

Check these 30 Easy Ways to Save Money and Simplify

Photo Credit: Gerville Hall / Istock
found on www.thedailygreen.com

Organic Food: Healthier for You and the Planet

2009-01-21T14:46:00.001-05:00

Though known colloquially as food that is grown to be more healthy (and is more expensive), in order for organic food to be certified as such, it must be produced under specific, legally-regulated standards and be subject to testing in order to retain certification.

Organic food: the definition
In agriculture, this means that crops were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without food additives (like chemical preservatives). When it comes to animals, they must be reared without the routine use of antibiotics and growth hormones and fed a diet of organic foods. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.

Organic food "stores": a history
Historically, organic produce was almost exclusively available directly from small family-run farms or at community farmer's markets. Lately, though, organic foods are becoming much more widely available; organic food sales in the United States have grown by 17 to 20 percent a year for the past few years, while sales of conventional food have grown more slowly, at about 2 to 3 percent a year. This explosion in popularity has led the way for bigger companies, like Wal-Mart, to get into the organic food business and change the way that organics are perceived and, to a certain extent, the way they're produced.

Keep reading to learn more about the ins and outs of organic certification, the market for organic food and more. Click here for the full story on Treehugger.com.

Biodegradable Doggie Bags

2009-01-19T15:16:00.000-05:00

When it comes time to pick up after your beloved pooch, choose a biodegradable bag instead of regular plastic. Otherwise, you are wrapping one of nature's quickest degrading substances in something that takes decades to break down.

The typical dog produces 274 pounds of waste each year, according to the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service. That's no small pile of poop. For neatness and sanitary reasons, most towns require owners to pick up after their pets, but what to do with it?

Unfortunately, if you put Lassie's waste in a plastic bag, it takes up to 100 years to decompose. Flushing it down the toilet is inconvenient, and can potentially cause problems in sewer systems because of its high amount of grit. Instead, use sturdy paper, or the biodegradable offerings from several companies. The corn-based BioBags, for example, are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute to break down in a matter of days. They work very well in communities that have aerobic landfills that are churned up. True, biodegradable products don't work near as well in closed, anaerobic landfills, but they certainly won't hurt.

Even better is to compost the biodegradable bags, and their contents, at home or in a local community garden. Experts recommend keeping a separate setup for composting animal waste, and never use the resulting soil on anything edible, in case some pathogens survive the process. The best practice is to ensure optimum temperatures and layering, which you can learn about here.

Tip found at www.thedailygreen.com

Five Ways Obama's Inauguration Festivities Will Be Green

2009-01-16T11:47:00.000-05:00

by April Streeter, Gothenburg, Sweden on 01.15.09 Photo of the presidential seal by eschipul @ flickr.

Let's just say up front that nobody claims the Inauguration will be deep green - events like this, by their very nature, require a huge amount of car and plane travel, entailing a corresponding belch of CO2. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, reportedly says efforts to make the Inauguration green are just a joke. Just as Jimmy Carter did back in 1977, however, Obama is at least making an effort to follow some green event principles...you've gotta start somewhere, right?

Photo of green carpet by Adria Garcia @ flickr.

1. Green Carpet That is Actually Blue

Obama will walk from the bottom of the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda to the West Front podium on an "environmentally-friendly" carpet runner, according to The Hill. He will also be sworn in on recycled blue carpet. The approximately 725 yards of carpet were put together by the employees at Chief Administrative Office.

2. Talking Trash

With the hordes in D.C., trash is going to be a major topic. The group Litter Free Inauguration was dismayed by the amount of trash clogging the streets of Chicago after Obama's Election Night speech, and came together to try to get Inauguration attendees (only those without tickets, as ticket holders are under security restrictions) to bring their own trash bag and pick up after themselves, instead of depending on the many volunteers offering to do some clean up. Special recycling cans, an uncommon sight in D.C., will also reportedly grace the Mall.

Photo of "Out of Service" police horse by Richard Masoner @ flickr.

3. Recycling Horse Manure, Too

Really. No joke! The incoming Obama administration knows the Inauguration has a huge carbon footprint from an estimated 4 million people traveling to D.C. to see the swearing-in and party. So different groups are doing what they can to make the Inauguration greener - and one thing the trash corp will do is pick up all the horse manure from horses walking in the parade and deliver it to a nearby farm.

4. Day of Service, With Plenty of Green Projects

Obama's call to action for Monday, January 19th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day - may end up being the long-lasting green to come out of the horrendously expensive (estimates around $50 million) Inauguration. You can get involved with a lot of different projects, many in D.C. but also all over the country, everything from delivering food to senior citizens in need, to helping the Sierra Club clean up streams, or join Ryan Bowen as he rides his bike into town after a 50-day cycling trek from L.A.

Grammy winner Wyclef Jean will host a Green Inaugural Ball. Photo Event Emissary.

5. Not One, But Two Green Balls

There's a Green Inaugural ball hosted by Planet Green and Wyclef Jean - this one is designed to have a minimal impact, and will among other things be located a block from a Metro station; the food will be primarily organic and local; LEDs will be used for decorative lighting. Al Gore is also hosting a private, invitation-only Green Ball at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
Info found on www.treehugger.com

Personality Quiz Going Green - What Is Your Green Personality Quiz - thedailygreen.com

2009-01-15T15:15:00.001-05:00

Personality Quiz Going Green - What Is Your Green Personality Quiz - thedailygreen.com

Posted using ShareThis

10 Green Home Improvement Resolutions You Must Make Now

2009-01-09T13:53:00.000-05:00

Most of us will make resolutions on January 1st. We'll vow to quit smoking, lose weight, go to church regularly, stop drinking and to quit loafing. Most of these resolutions will be forgotten or discarded after a few weeks, and we will find ourselves back on the smokes, cakes, football, booze or the couch.

Why not make some resolutions now that will help you lower your carbon footprint and increase the energy-efficiency of your home throughout the winter and for years to come. You know what they say, "If you can't change yourself, you can at least change the environment in which you live." Nobody actually says that, but I am sure they will once they learn about these 10 green home improvement resolutions.

Resolution One: Heating
The number one source of energy consumption in the wintertime is heating. Your first resolution should be to replace your inefficient heating system. If your furnace is over twenty years old, you should think about investing in a new one. Find a contractor who has experience with energy-efficient heating systems. He should be able to calculate your home's heat loss and prescribe the proper heater for it. Make sure to purchase an Energy Star heater.

Resolution Two: Improve Furnace Efficiency
You may have a top-of-the-line furnace, but it can always stand to be tweaked for further efficiency. The easiest way to do this is to keep your filters clean, close off rooms you do not use and keep baseboards and registers clear. Make sure that drapes don't hang in front of vents. Also, you might want to invest in sealing your ducts if not already sealed. This can reduce heat loss by twenty percent.

Resolution Three: Improve Your Insulation
When you hire that contractor, have him recommend the insulation that is best for your climate. Insulating spray foam and cellulose insulation are great ways to insulate the attic of your home without undergoing a complete renovation.

Resolution Four: Improve Your Windows
Your windows are also a source of wintertime heat loss. The best but most expensive thing to do would be to replace them with double or triple pane windows. Make sure the cracks between window and house are sealed tightly. Hanging blackout curtains is a cheap way to keep warm. These curtains can reduce heat loss by 25%. A loose window pane can be fixed with little muss.

Resolution Five: Improve Your Doors
Any place a hole is punched in the thermal envelope of your house is a great place to look to for improvements. You can replace your old garage door with an insulated version. Garages are tremendous energy sucks, rarely built with efficiency in mind. Put weather stripping around your doors and windows to keep the cold air from coming in the crack. You can also purchase thick insulated doors for a few hundred dollars. These doors, like the garage doors, are filled with polystyrene.

Resolution Six: Improve Your Thermal Envelope
Warm air can escape through even the tiniest of holes. The electrical outlet is no exception. Foam insulating gaskets can easily stop this problem. An old fireplace may still have a cast iron flue damper. These flue dampers aren't known for being energy efficient. It might be time to upgrade to a modern damper. They can reduce heat loss by 90% when compared to the old-school cast iron models. Glass doors on the fireplace can also save energy.

Resolution Seven: Improve Your Water Heater
Now that you're all cozy and warm, you'll want to make sure that you have plenty of hot showers for those cold winter days. Water heaters can last about 15 years max. Replace your model with an Energy Star model. Also, you can put an insulating jacket around the tank. This has the potential to eliminate heat loss by 40%. Your water should be set at 120 degrees and make sure to insulate your hot water pipes as well as the length of pipe that leads into the heater.

Resolution Eight: Install A Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can save fifteen percent on your heating bills. On top of the monetary savings, it is good for the environment. While you are at work during the day, your heater will turn completely off or go down to the lowest setting to, you know, keep your goldfish and other fragile things warm.

Resolution Nine: Invest in a Pellet Stove
Tired of not having a fireplace? Why not get something better? Burn your bio-trash to stay warm. Spend the day roasting chestnuts on an open fire at Grandma's house. Spend the evening roasting chestnut shells for warmth in your pellet stove. Pellet stoves are a bit pricey, but they are cleaner than log-burning stoves, pump out the grip of warmth and put bio-waste to good use.

Resolution Ten: Go Solar
The best way to power your furnace and your water heater is with solar power. Solar power packages are expensive, but you don't have to buy them all at once. You can start with a converter and work your way off the grid. Each time you install a solar panel, you will eventually save money on it. Being that it is wintertime, the best solar investment may be evacuated tubes. These tubes are marvelous solar collectors that work even in cold and overcast climates.

article and image found HERE.

How to Go Green: Workouts

2009-01-07T13:38:00.002-05:00

At this point, all those holiday cookies, cocktail parties, and lavish lunches are a distant memory—and the reality is that you're (at least) five pounds heavier than you were when you last stepped on the scale. With that post-holiday realization usually comes the equally depressing one that the wedding/vacation/other big event you thought was months away is now only a matter of weeks. It's all enough to make anyone jump right on the treadmill. But before you commit to a workout plan that depends on massive electricity usage, automotive transportation, and a slew of new gear, wait: There's a greener way.

For most of recorded history, people got their workouts the old-fashioned way: by getting outside. Of course, a lot of them were harvesting crops and tending fields, but you too can take your routine outdoors, add a modern twist, and still kill two birds with one stone. Walk to the supermarket, ride your bike to work, take up hiking or gardening—all of these ideas will have you fit and toned without the investment of a gym. If you are a gym rat, look for one that has eco-friendly qualities. And when you're looking at other exercise equipment—like sneakers, weights, and water bottles—choose green alternatives to traditional products. Who knows? You might even find exercising fun again—or, at least enjoyable enough that you can finally stick with your New Year's resolution. Read on to get started.

Top Green Workout Tips

Click here to check them out on planetgreen.com

2009 New Year's Resolutions: Make Green a Habit

2009-01-04T19:38:00.003-05:00

The Daily Green and the Natural Resources Defense Council offer these new year's resolutions — 15 simple steps you can take each day in the new year to go green.

By NRDC Simple Steps

Switch to Reusable Towels

Cost: $6.95
No matter how you look at it, paper towels create waste. During your next trip to the grocery store, buy some reusable microfiber towels, which grip dirt and dust like a magnet, even when they get wet. When you are finished with them, toss the towels in the wash and reuse them again and again. They are even great for countertops and mirrors. When you absolutely have to use disposable towels, look for recycled products. If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100 percent recycled ones, we could save 544,000 trees.

TDG Editor note: Check out DIY green cleaning.

Run a Fully Loaded Dishwasher

Cost: $0
If you have dishwasher, use it. Running a fully loaded dishwasher -- without prerinsing the dishes -- can use a third less water than washing the dishes by hand, saving up to 10 to 20 gallons of water a day. Simply scrape large pieces of food off your dishes and let the dishwasher handle the rest. And by using the air-dry setting (instead of heat-dry), you will consume half the amount of electricity without spending a dime.

TDG Editor note: In the market for a new dishwasher? Buy an energy-efficient dishwasher.

Lower the Temp in Your Fridge

Cost: $0
As one of the biggest appliances in your kitchen, the refrigerator is also one of the most power hungry, accounting for 10 to 15 percent of the average home energy bill each month. Get your fridge running in tip-top shape. First, set the refrigerator thermostat to maintain a temperature between 38 and 42 degrees (F). This temperature will protect your food from spoiling while saving electricity. Twice a year, clean the condenser coil at the back of your fridge. Condenser coils tend to get dusty, making them less efficient.

TDG Editor note: Remodeling? Check out these green and gorgeous kitchen appliances.

Stop Buying Bottled Water

Cost: $14.98 for aluminum water bottle
Did you know that it takes 26 bottles of water to produce the plastic container for a one-liter bottle of water, and that doing so pollutes 25 liters of groundwater? Don’t leave a trail of plastic water bottles in your wake! Stop buying bottled water. Use reusable water bottles instead made from materials like stainless steel or aluminum that are not likely to degrade over time. If you choose a plastic water bottle, check the number on the bottom first: Plastics numbered 3, 6 and 7 could pose a health threat to you, so look for plastics numbered 1, 2, 4 or 5.

Turn Down Your Thermostat

Cost: $0
Electric power plants are the country's largest industrial source of the pollutants that cause global warming. By snuggling under a blanket on the couch on a snowy winter night instead of turning up the heat, or enjoying the breeze from a fan in the height of summer instead of turning up the air conditioning, you can save pounds of pollution, as well as some money off your utility bills. Set your thermostat in winter to 68 degrees F (20° C) or less during the daytime and 55 degrees F (13° C) before going to sleep or when you are away for the day. And during the summer, set thermostats to 78 degrees F (26° C) or more.

TDG Editor note: See more winterization tips.

Stop Receiving Unwanted Catalogs

Cost: $0
Each year, 19 billion catalogs are mailed to American consumers. All those catalogs require more than 53 million trees and 56 billion gallons of wastewater to produce -- and many of us don't even know how we got on so many mailing lists! So grab that stack of catalogs piling up on your coffee table and clear out the clutter. Visit CatalogChoice.org to put a stop to unwanted catalogs. Within 10 weeks, your mailbox will be empty of unwanted catalogs. A less cluttered mailbox means less pollution, less waste and less of the pollution that cause global warming.

To view the rest of the list please click here and you will be redirected to thedailygreen.com.

5 Ways Marketers Can Help the Environment

2009-01-01T17:05:00.000-05:00

Reduce Waste, Save Paper and Spend Less

1. Get your direct mail marketing materials printed on recycled paper. When you're choosing a printing company, look for one that says they offer recycled paper. And make sure your pieces are printed on it. You are the driver.

2. Get your marketing materials printed with environmentally friendly ink. Many printing companies are switching to it, especially for processes like offset printing, which require an ample amount of ink. This way, you will not have to sacrifice the low cost and high quality of offset printing.

3. Make sure that you and the companies you hire recycle. Some do not! Recycling paper is an easy way to make a big impact on the environment. Because businesses use so much paper it's important that all businesses have a recycling program in place and actively participate in recycling paper waste. If your business doesn't have a recycling program start one. Supporting companies that recycle by giving them your business sends a strong message. Be the change you desire to see in your world.

4. Use targeted direct mail advertising. Send your marketing pieces to customers who are likely to be interested. In today's marketing world there are tools called Saturation Lists. This is a list purchased from a database company that targets residents within regional areas; from whole cities to select zip-codes, even to specific mail carrier routes. You could even generate a list of residents within an X-mile radius around your business. It even gets better: after the regional selection, you can then target very specific demographics within that selection. Do this, and you will gain more for less, whichever way you look at it.

5. Go digital. Instead of submitting print copies of your marketing materials, photos and other graphics to a printing company use digital images and documents that can be sent through email or uploaded to a website. It's faster, cheaper, and much better for the environment. You may see this as trivial, but the small things add up.

The Postcard Pros Team

found on thedailygreen.com

Recycle Your Holiday Waste

2008-12-30T17:01:00.001-05:00

You now know to look for recycled paper and alternative fiber wrapping paper for the holidays, but it's easy to forget to make sure all that material gets recycled when you are done celebrating. This year, collect the paper, bows and boxes and keep them out of your garbage.

Between Thanksgiving and New Year's, the average American household increases its trash output by 25%, resulting in 5 million extra tons of garbage. But it doesn't have to be a total loss. Most paper can be readily recycled, either through curbside programs or local drop-off centers. The trick is to prepare by having a box or bag ready, so when everyone starts tearing through their presents under the tree in an ecstatic frenzy, you can easily divert the scraps into one convenient location.

Better than third-party recycling is to save wrapping paper, bows and boxes for reuse later. If you have room, you can use them for next year, or possibly even other holidays. Wrapping paper scraps make great packaging or craft material, and ribbons can be used as ties.

Green Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list

2008-12-17T14:15:00.003-05:00

The Daily Green's gift guide features the season's best sustainable and nontoxic gifts — safe toys, stylish gifts for the home, chic choices for fashionistas, gear for outdoors lovers...even treats for pets!

Whether you're the green guru of the house, or you're struggling to find a gift for one...whether you're a budget stocking stuffer or tying a big red bow around a car...you'll find selections that you can be proud to give. There are unique gifts you'll find only from independent artists and artisans, and items you can find in any shopping mall in America.

And, because The Daily Green believes citizens do a service by consuming less, we've highlighted ways to give without giving stuff at all — through volunteerism, charitable donations and more.

Special thanks to Olivia Zaleski for her hard work and research. Happy holidays to all!

* 20 Ways to Give Without Giving "Stuff"

Cick here at the Daily Green for the full article.

Can you chuck your yogurt carton into the recycling bin?

2008-12-10T13:42:00.001-05:00

The Bite
It depends on your recycling program. Figuring out exactly what's recyclable can be harder than navigating the shoe section during clearance season, but our cheat-sheet makes at least one of these tasks a whole lot easier.

The Benefits

* Less confusion. Proper disposal ensures that your recyclables end up in the right place.
* Save energy. Recycling an aluminum can takes 96% less energy than creating a new one.
* Less landfill. According to the EPA, 75% of Americans' trash can be recycled, but only 25% actually is.
* Cleaner groundwater. Most landfill liners are just 1/10th of an inch thick, so toxins from garbage often leak into the groundwater.

Personally Speaking
Bozeman Biters are lamenting that the city just stopped recycling glass due to the expense of shipping it to a recycling facility. Need to kvetch or create an action plan to green up your town's recycling options? Join the discussion in today's blog.

Wanna Try?
General

* Earth911 - local listings of where you can recycle anything under the sun.
* You don't need to remove labels from cans and bottles, but you do need to remove plastic caps (and throw them away).
* Your recyclables don't need to be spotless - just not moldy or full of food. Save water - don't rinse 'til clean.

Glass

* Unbroken bottles are easier for workers to sort than broken ones.

Metal

* Most containers, such as tins and cans, and aluminum foil.

Paper

* Newspapers, magazines, photocopies, shoe boxes, envelopes (including ones with glassine windows).

Plastic

* Plastics #1-#2 – recyclable in most areas. Usually found in 2-liter and detergent bottles, milk jugs and food containers.
* Plastics #3-#7 – more difficult to recycle, they are found in Styrofoam, pipes, shrink wrap, padded envelopes, trash liners and more. Check with your local facility to see if it recycles these plastics.
* Yogurt Cups - recyclable in most areas, especially the #2 plastic kind.
* Grocery Bags - reuse them first! You usually can't recycle them curbside, but some supermarkets have recycling bins in-store. Try to avoid them altogether by bringing your own Biter bag to the store.

Found on www.idealbite.com

How to Plan a Green Christmas

2008-12-05T08:57:00.000-05:00

Americans create 25 million tons of waste every year in the winter holidays. Organizing a Green Christmas takes a little advance planning, but will be well worth the time and save you money too! You can start small and recycle things one at a time. It is a matter of changing your seasonal habits and doing things a little differently. Follow these ideas to go green this holiday season.

Step1
If you are using a real tree for Christmas, buy one that has a root ball for replanting. Contact the tree growers early in the season to ask them about trees with root balls.Ask them if you can return the tree to them after Christmas for replanting or replant the tree in your own backyard.
Step2
Buy organic trees only instead of chemically treated trees. Fill your dinner tables with natural items like fruit, nuts, pine cones, tree branches with leaves, acorns, or other natural items. Use plastic covered artwork, on cloth fabrics, for your placemats.
Step3
Cut back on giving out cards and gifts for a green Christmas. Start making homemade gifts from crafts or cooking some delicious foods in your kitchen. Decorate the Christmas tree with food, natural items, or homemade crafts.
Step4
When mailing out gifts to relatives and friends, send items like gift debit cards, new memberships cards; discount restaurant certificates, free merchandise offers, and plastic store gift certificates. Use the Internet to send electronic greeting cards instead of paper cards. If you do not buy greeting cards, or use recycled paper, you will save 380 gallons of oil and 17 trees by going green this Christmas.
Step5
Research how to create your own paper and make recycled paper from paper towels, napkins, gift wrappings, food and candy wrappers. Use alternative materials to wrap your Christmas gifts in such as grocery bags, newspapers, old shirts, plastics or other fabrics and cover them with colored pieces of ribbon. Start earlier in the year and create your own homemade gifts to give out the year for a green Christmas.
Step6
Buy energy efficient light bulbs and replace your old ones. Replace all Christmas lights with LEDs, which use 90% less energy that the regular Christmas lights. Purchase nicely decorated and scented soy candles and use them this holiday season to light up your home.
Step7
Think green this Christmas and recycle all your trash and other throwaway materials. In addition, after everyone has opened their presents, fold the gift-wrap up, ribbons and all, and store it away for next season.

Found here on e-how.com

Making the move from print to digital

2008-12-02T14:39:00.000-05:00

This was found on the RR Donnelley Weekly Collator.

Ever shopped in your birthday suit?

2008-12-02T14:20:00.002-05:00

The Bite
We have, and so can you. This year, look for gifts online to save major retail store shopping-related energy (and major cash, thanks to our today-only exclusive online deals). Just keep a scarf handy in case it gets drafty.
The Benefits

* Au naturel energy savings. Despite their size, running an ecommerce warehouse takes 1/16th of the energy you'd need to operate a retail store. And even overnight air shipping uses 40% less fuel than the average car trip to shop.
* Buck naked discounts. For our third annual Green Tuesday, we got some of our favorite online merchants to offer Biter-exclusive discounts (today only) as a green alternative to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
* Clothes-less convenience. Online, there's no waiting in line, and you can shop 24 hours a day. Plus you can send gifts straight to the giftee, bypassing double shipping.
* Raw variety. You'll find everything from clothing-optional vacation packages to paraben-free sunblock on the Internet.

Personally Speaking
Toshio spent hours online searching for a UPS uniform to wear to a costume party, only to discover that you can't buy them for security reasons. Guess we'll just have to admire the one on our favorite delivery guy...
Wanna Try?

* Big Dipper Wax Works - beeswax candles. Get 20% off, plus free shipping with orders over $125 when you enter the code GREENTUESDAY during checkout.
* Blooming Lotus - personal care products. Get 20% off, plus a free gift with orders over $50 when you enter the code SeasonsGreenings during checkout.
* Brilliant Earth - jewelry. Get 20% off its fair-trade gold Choco pendant when you enter the code IDEALBITE in the reference code field during checkout.
* BTC Elements - apparel, jewelry, and gifts. Get 20% off when you enter the code bite during checkout.
* Greenloop - fashion. Get 25% off when you enter the code IB25 during checkout.
* HER Design - handbags, laptop covers, and messenger bags. Get 25% off when you enter the code GREEN2SDAY08 during checkout.
* Nau - activewear and outdoor clothing. Get 20% off, plus free shipping with orders over $150 when you enter the code IBUTW during checkout.
* Organic Wine Company - vino. Get 20% off its general catalog of wines when you use this link.
* Pangea Organics - personal care products. Get a 50%-off order form when you send an email to holiday@pangeaorganics.com with "Ideal Bite" in the subject line.
* Saffron Rouge - cosmetics. Get 20% off when you enter the code Bite into 20 during checkout.
* Smart Glass - recycled glass jewelry. Get 20% off when you enter the code IDEALBITE during checkout.
* VivaTerra - style for your home. Get $20 off a purchase of $100 or more when you enter the code ID08 during checkout.
* West Paw Design - gifts for your pet. Get 20% off when you enter the code ideal20offgreen during checkout.
* Ideal Bite Biter Gear - Biter merch. Get 20% off anything in our Biter Gear store (except for our Biter for Life Kit) - discount applies automatically.

Wanna study up on how to stop getting phonebooks?

2008-11-29T09:06:00.000-05:00

The Bite

Don't cheat yourself or the forest. Sign up and you'll never receive another paper phonebook. Taking notes?

The Benefits

More paper for textbooks. About 540 million unsolicited phonebooks arrive at American doors annually - takes a lotta trees to make those.
Majoring in waste reduction. Phonebooks make for about 660,000 tons of trash every year.
Extra credit: less annoyance. Just lugging phonebooks into the house when you know you'll never use them is a pain.

Personally Speaking

None of us have used a paper phonebook since the advent of Google SMS (send a text message to 466453 with business name and zip code, and you'll get the number and address sent to you).

Wanna Try?

YellowPagesGoesGreen - enter your info here to get your name off the mailing list.
Earth 911 - recycle your old phonebooks (if you have curbside recycling, just toss them in there).

Found on www.idealbite.com

Online Green Education Available for Design Professionals

2008-11-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

Written by Dawn Killough

Published on November 12th, 2008

Posted in Websites

John Wiley & Sons, the leader in architecture/engineering/construction publishing, is now offering WileyCPE (www.wileyCPE.com), an online continuing education system created specifically for A/E/C professionals. WileyCPE.com courses are approved by the American Institute of Architects and enable design professionals to earn the credits they need to satisfy membership and state licensing board requirements. The online courses are developed and delivered by Wiley’s expert editorial and author teams, and focus on sustainability or health, safety, and welfare (HSW) topics.

» Read more on Websites

Current topics dealing with green design and construction include:

“Green Building Assessment”
“Life Cycle Assessment for Green Buildings”
“Site Analysis for Sustainability”
“Resource Efficiency for Sustainable Sites”

Other courses are offered on project management, integrated design, and other basics of good building design. The courses are self-paced, available 24/7, and include audio files, interactive self-learning, and bonus materials. The cost of the courses ranges from $50-100, and all offer immediate certificates showing completion of CEU credits, as well as management of credits achieved through the system.

The site is user-friendly and, as more courses are offered, will become a valuable tool for any design or construction professional looking to expand their knowledge and keep up with current trends in the industry.

For a full list of courses and pricing, see the WileyCPE site.

Tags: CEU, continuing education, on-line education, sustainable design, Wiley
article found on www.greenbuildingelements.com

Web Site Offers Green Home Resources

2008-11-26T07:40:00.000-05:00

Help Making Eco-Friendly and Health Choices for Home and Office


Buzz up!

COMMUNITY NEWS

EcoHomeResource.com is a new website that is dedicated to helping people create and maintain a healthy home and work environment. The site features a large database full of eco-friendly products and services, inspiring articles written by a variety of experts on sustainable and healthy living, as well as product comparisons that allow you to quickly and easily see some of your product options. The companies in the database also indicate whether a product or service has earned the approval from one or more of the following third-party organizations; GreenGuard, Energy Star, Green Seal, US Green Building Council, Co-Op America, and the Forest Stewardship Council. We also have a secure eco-store right on the site!

Relevant information can easily be found on the site through navigating to each room (e.g. Kitchen, Nursery, Laundry Room, Office, etc.). For example, in the laundry room you will find product comparisons on different vacuums, energy saving washers, and the benefits of using natural laundry detergent.

Due to the fact that Eco Home Resource is specifically focused on the home and work environments, you can easily find information that will cut down on some of the confusion of the overwhelming choices and options in the marketplace. Knowing that life is hectic, we aim to be your one-stop resource for creating a supportive and sustainable living environment for you and your family. We are here to be of service to you, so we are always open to story ideas or questions you would like to have answered on the site.

The site covers topics from how to green your baby's nursery to the most energy-efficient appliances and great ways to conserve water. The site also covers topics that are "beyond green," what we call Transformational Design, and explores subjects such as Color Theory, Feng Shui and Aromatherapy. It is the goal that the site will inspire conscious, healthy choices that will benefit people and the planet in which we live. Thank you for visiting EcoHomeResource.com, we look forward to hearing from you!

-Lindsey

Article found on www.thedailygreen.com

The Living Walls on San Francisco's Embarcadero

2008-11-24T07:33:00.003-05:00

by Eliza Barclay, Nomad on 11.23.08
Credit: Pelli Clarke Pelli
In a blog post on design applications of water resource management, New York Times design blogger Allison Arrieff included a photograph of a glass office building currently under construction in San Francisco with veritable living walls. Intrigued, we decided to research the project at 110 Embarcadero, and learned it belongs to the design firm Pelli Clarke Pelli and is one of the most creative green buildings in the world in development right now.

We are especially excited about the building's use of walls alive with creeping, curling vines. As Arrieff points out, living walls are not only beautiful and seasonal, but they also absorb and filter storm water, digest nasty particulates, improve outdoor and air quality, and regulate the building's temperature to lower heating and cooling bills.

For the 110 Embarcadero building, planters housed in a trellis-like mesh will be attached between each floor. Each planter will have a variety of vine species to ensure that something will be in bloom all year long. The building aspires to receive a LEED Platinum rating, an award that has never been given to an office building. According to an article earlier this year in the San Francisco Chronicle, the building will open in 2009, and we can't wait.

More on Living Walls:

Guide to Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls
All in all it’s Just Another Plant in the Wall
Living, Green Wall Fends Off Encroaching Desert

Green Walls Growing Everywhere
article found on www.treehugger.com

World Carbon Emissions Continue to Increase

2008-11-20T07:15:00.000-05:00

Obama Won't Visit U.N. Climate Conference Before Taking Office

Carbon emissions from industrialized nations rose through the first six years of the 21st century, reversing a slackening in the 1990s caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, according to new figures from the United Nations. There was a slight plateau in 2006 that experts cautioned is unlikely to continue as a trend.

As of 2006, emissions from the industrialized nations stood 5% below the 1990 level, but emissions had increased 2.3% since 2000. Emissions in 2007 and 2008 aren't reflected in the totals, and neither are emissions from developing nations like China and India, which have risen quickly and now stand among the world's top sources of pollution.

Meanwhile, President-elect Barack Obama is not expected to attend the next U.N. meeting on global warming, in Poland, because President Bush will still be in office. The U.N. is working toward a new agreement, to be ratified in 2009, that would act as a successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which was supposed to rein in carbon emissions from industrialized nations. The United States is the only major industrialized polluter not to have joined in the pact.

Obama did, however, meet with his former rival Republican Sen. John McCain, and climate change was reportedly one of the topics on which they discussed collaborating.

Article and photo found on www.thedailygreen.com

Green Piece

2008-11-19T09:33:00.000-05:00

Monday, November 17, 2008

Green Piece

According to a recent Yahoo! Green study, 77% of consumers describe themselves as "Green," actively living their lives conscious of their health and environment, and 57% have made a Green purchase in the past 6 months.

But, concludes the study, the fact that not all green consumers are the same creates a great opportunity for advertisers to better understand the purchasing motivations of mainstream green consumers, one of the largest and fastest growing markets nationwide. The study segments green consumers into four main groups:

Deeply Committed:

23% of market... early-adopters of green who are looking to make a long-term impact
Mostly adults (35+)
Skew female
More educated
Higher percent live in metropolitan areas
Respond most to the "positively impact the environment" message

Trendy:

24% of market... trend-setters who are motivated to be green to look cool
Younger (18-34)
More ethnically diverse
Respond to messages about "everybody else is doing it," newest technology, cool/hip.

Practical:

13% of market... motivated to be green by immediate benefits such as saving money or improving health
Skew a bit older (45+)
More with children
Over-index in rural areas

Passive:

17% of market, recognize green as important but place the responsibility more on others than themselves
Younger adults (25-34)
More women with kids
Respond to messages about providing a better life for their family

Other:

The other 23% of the market says they don't care about the environment, or they say they care, but they don't take any action.

Two of the segments present the biggest opportunity for advertisers, says the report... the "trendy" consumers who go green to be cool, and the "deeply committed". These segments buy more green products, discuss green issues often, and convince others to make the same green purchases.

80% of the "deeply committed" and 69% of the "trendy" consumers have made a green purchase in the past 6 months
79% of "deeply committed" and "trendy" consumers say that if they like a product they will always tell their friends
70% of the "trendy" and 66% of "deeply committed" consumers who have recently purchased a green alternative product have convinced a family/friend to buy the same product

The study reports that Online is an important source for green information:

More than two-thirds (68%) of survey respondents cite online as a source of green information, on par with traditional media (72%)
In the online space, people look most to portal websites (Yahoo!, MSN, etc.) for more information on green products (51%), likely due to the richness of content offered by such sites.
Second is online search (44%)
Reading online reviews by users also high (40%). People look to user reviews more than professional reviews (24%)
Lowest is a company website (20%) and blogs (21%)
A large percent of people still look to TV ads for more info on green products (47%), especially in the household cleaning product category (37%)

This study included 1,500 internet respondents between the ages of 18-54 from a diverse cross-section of the population from around the country, as well as in-person interviews with people who live in Los Angeles, Chicago and Portland. 8% of people were screened out of this survey because they stated that they were "not at all conscious with regard to their health and the environment". Therefore, survey respondents include an Internet representative sample of 92% of consumers.

article found on www.mediapost.com

Times Square Begins Building Green Billboard

2008-11-18T09:29:00.002-05:00

By: NY1 News

Click HERE to view the video of the billboard.

The lights in Manhattan's Times Square are starting to go green.

Construction begins this month on a 35,000 lbs., environmentally-friendly electronic billboard which will carry advertising for the office equipment company Ricoh.

The billboard will be powered by 16 wind turbines and 64 solar panels, enough to light six homes.

The sign will not be as bright as the other billboards and it does not have a generator, which means it could go dark after long periods without wind or sunshine.

California Air Pollution Kills More People Than Car Crashes, Study Shows

2008-11-17T08:14:00.006-05:00

FRESNO, Calif. — Lowering air pollution in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley would save more lives annually than ending all motor vehicle fatalities in the two regions, according to a new study.

This Tuesday, July 15, 2003 file photo shows the Los Angeles skyline being obscured by a heavy layer of smog and fog . Decreasing air pollution in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley would save more lives annually than ending all motor vehicle fatalities in the two regions, according to a study. (AP Photo/Jerome T. Nakagawa, file)

The study, which examined the costs of air pollution in two areas with the worst levels in the country, also said meeting federal ozone and fine particulate standards could save $28 billion annually in health care costs, school absences, missed work and lost income potential from premature deaths.

The price tag amounts to $1,600 annually per person in the San Joaquin Valley and $1,250 in the South Coast Air Basin.

Researchers at California State University-Fullerton sought to assess the potential economic benefits that could be achieved by reducing air pollution to levels within federal standards.

"For decades there has been a tug of war over what to do about air pollution," said Jane Hall, lead author of the study at Cal State Fullerton. "We are paying now for not having done enough."

To illustrate its point, the study noted that the California Highway Patrol recorded 2,521 vehicular deaths in the San Joaquin Valley and South Coast Air Basin in 2006, compared to 3,812 deaths attributed to respiratory illness caused by particulate pollution.

Studies have indicated a relationship between ozone and particulate pollution and asthma and other respiratory problems, including chronic bronchitis. They also have connected particulate pollution with an increase in cardiovascular problems.

Hall and colleague Victor Brajer analyzed ozone and fine particulate concentrations across the two basins in 5-by-5 kilometer grids from 2005 through 2007. The researchers applied those numbers to the health affects they are known to cause, then assigned peer-reviewed economic values to each illness or death that could result.

"It may be tempting to think California can't afford to clean up, but in fact dirty air is like a $28 billion lead balloon on our economy," Hall said.

The findings were released Wednesday as the California Air Resources Board considers controversial new regulations to reduce diesel truck emissions, a move that could cost 170,000 business owners $5.5 billion. According to a board staff report, the savings in health care costs would be $68 billion by 2020 if the regulations were adopted next month.

The Cal State Fullerton study says that particulate pollution levels must fall by 50 percent in both regions for health and economic benefits to occur, something they acknowledged would be "very difficult to achieve."

If pollution levels were to improve to federal standards, the study says residents of the two air basins would suffer 3,860 fewer premature deaths, 3,780 fewer nonfatal heart attacks and would miss 470,000 fewer days of work annually. School children would miss more than 1.2 million fewer days of school, a savings of $112 million in caregiver costs. There also would be more than 2 million fewer cases of upper respiratory problems.

"As a society we make decisions to spend money on things such as railroad crossings or air traffic control _ things that improve safety," Brajer said. "There are a lot of ways society spends money to make things safer, and that's what we're trying to get at."

Article found at The Huffington Post

by TRACIE CONE | November 13, 2008 06:02 AM EST

UPS Going Labeless with Super Cool Paper-Free Printer

2008-11-13T18:02:00.002-05:00

by Jaymi Heimbuch, Central Coast, California on 11.13.08 Science & Technology (electronics)
Photo via HP

UPS has long been interested in improving efficiency. For a year and a half, HP and UPS have been working together to develop a scanner/printer that prints sorting labels directly on packages. The time and effort looks to be worth it because this awesome little device means huge paper, money and time savings.

The device underscores that it pays to be green – according to UPS's estimates, it will save about 92,456 hours year through increased productivity, save about 1,338 tons of paper, and reduce carbon emissions by 3,807 tons each year.

Read on for details of how it works, plus a video.

The HP Handheld sp400 All-in-One was tested in Orlando Florida, where it was used on 40,000 packages per day with zero errors. The device scans the label, and prints sorting information directly on the package with fast-drying ink designed by HP. It replaces the previous system that included a large thermal printer, PC, monitor and scanner, which hopefully means a lot less electricity and e-waste in addition to all the other savings.

The device should last quite awhile, as it was made to resist multiple 6-foot drops, and uses a lithium-ion battery. However, the website only states “multiple hours” of printing and scanning per charge. So exactly how long a charge lasts, we aren't yet quite sure. Though, with the ability to do over 1,250 prints per hour, that seems reasonable for today’s Li-Ion battery capabilities. Perhaps future upgrades will include environmentally friendly inks and better battery power.

Check out a video co-produced by HP and UPS that demonstrates the use and innovation behind this cool new device.

More on HP:
HP's Pavilion Has Gone Green - Or Has It?
HP Bags Wal-Mart's Reduced Packaging Award With Laptop In A Bag

More on UPS:
UPS Delivering Small Packages With Small Vehicles
UPS Deploys 167 Compressed Natural Gas Trucks

flip & tumble- reusable bags

2008-11-09T19:18:00.002-05:00

We surveyed shoppers. Almost everyone has reusable bags, so why aren�t they getting used? Too difficult to remember. Too many unplanned shopping trips. Just too hard.

You�ve been there, done that. You know the moment you get to the checkout line, you remember the bags are at home by the front door, or maybe they are just in the trunk of your car. In any case, they are not there when you need them.

We saw a a big problem. After all, reusable bags are really only useful if they actually get reused. We figured if we could make the bags small enough to simply be kept with you all the time, there would be no more forgetting. We designed our bags to be small enough to stash in a messenger bag, purse, or pocket, so they are simply there when you needed them We had them tested by friends, family, and just about anyone who was willing to give them a try, and they worked! We knew we had something we wanted to share when even our most forgetful friends were reusing their bags.

The average person in the US goes through 332 bags a year. Often we use these bags for what amounts to just minutes or hours, but plastic bags stick around for 500+ years.

While biodegradable bags and paper bags are a bit better in terms of decomposing, the real problem is that there is a lot of wasted energy making single-use bags. It takes a commitment to change, but once you get the hang of carrying reusable bags all the time, you�ll find that they�re good for all sorts of things: carrying those extras to work, toting gear to the beach or to the soccer field, having an extra travel bag, or maybe just as a hackeysack for kicking back with some friends.

At heart we are designers. We like taking those pesky, annoying problems and finding clever, simple, joyful solutions. We, Hetal Jariwala and Eva Bauer, met while attending Stanford Universitys Product Design graduate program where worked on everything from redesigning the public transportation experience to making kites that flew in the clear blue sky. After graduating we quickly figured out that the standard 9-5 hohum wasn't working for us so we took the leap and started flip & tumble.

Information found on flip & tumble website.

Recycline

2008-11-04T12:27:00.001-05:00

Eric Hudson’s dentist always told him he needed to hold his toothbrush at a 45-degree angle when cleaning his teeth, but Hudson hadn’t found a brush shaped to encourage that positioning. By using boiling water to soften conventional toothbrushes, he was able to bend them into a shape he found more comfortable—and that dental professionals praised. In 1996, Hudson combined his dental-hygiene interest with his environmental dedication and business expertise when he founded Recycline, which manufactures toothbrushes made from recycled plastic.

“I saw that around 45 percent of the population was interested in recycling, but there wasn’t a lot of action turning recycled materials into new products,” Hudson explains. “I wanted to show that you can make high-quality products from recycled materials.” And he wanted to ensure that the products he made were, in turn, recyclable.

His interest in brushing technique wasn’t the only thing that made toothbrushes a good choice for his company’s first product, either; toothbrushes are something that people need to keep buying and discarding (the American Dental Association recommends replacing them every three months).

In collaboration with his industrial-designer father and a panel of dentists, Hudson designed the Preserve® toothbrush, with nylon bristles and a 100-percent- recycled plastic handle.

“The Preserve® curve of the handle helps you brush at the 45-degree angle most comfortably throughout your mouth,” Hudson explains of its patented design. The brushes come with (or you can request) postage-paid mailers, and the company recycles returned toothbrushes into plastic lumber for park benches and other outdoor furniture.

Over the past decade, Recycline has launched a partnership with Stonyfield Farms, whose yogurt containers are recycled into plastics for Recycline products—a line that has grown to include a razor, tongue cleaner, children’s toothbrush, and, most recently, plates and cutlery. These products are all made of 100-percent recycled plastic, and everything except the toothbrushes can go directly into #5 recycling bins (though Hudson prefers that razor users simply replace their blades). Recycline also introduced a toothbrush subscription program, in which subscribers receive new toothbrushes in the mail four times a year and send their old ones to be recycled once again.

—Liz Borkowski

Story found on Coopamerica.org

Greening School Fundraisers

2008-10-27T21:55:00.002-04:00

If your school or community group needs to raise some cash, think about selling eco-friendly goods from the greenest businesses.
For several years, the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) at the Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School in Rockville, MD, had held an annual fundraiser selling Sally Foster gift wrap to raise money for the sixth-grade field trip. But the gift wrap chosen for the sale contained no recycled content and couldn’t itself be recycled, which concerned a group of green-minded students so much, they called a boycott.

“This particular group of friends called themselves ‘the Treehuggers,’” says Miriam Glaser, who teaches sixth grade science at the school. “I got wind of the boycott, so I met with them, and we started working together as an official school group on green issues.”

As a result of the boycott, the PTO saw a significant reduction in the amount of money they earned, and it didn’t take them long to agree to meet the Treehuggers to discuss sustainable fundraiser alternatives.

Though it was too late to stop the Sally Foster sale, the Treehuggers decided to conduct a sale of their own, to raise money for compost bins and recycled paper for the school. Glaser helped them find Greenraising.com, an eco-friendly fundraising company.

“I was very excited about how much we raised,” says Glaser. “We were all happy with the variety of green products, and the kids felt good that they’d made a difference.”

Are you a parent or grandparent who is tired of seeing your child sell unsustainable products to raise money for her or his school? Does your house of worship or nonprofit run fundraiser programs through businesses whose products could be cleaner and greener? Read on for a variety of responsible alternatives to conventional fundraisers.

Greenraising.com
Started by a group of eco-minded parents, Greenraising.com exists to help schools and other nonprofits raise money from sales of useful green products. Many items come from members of Co-op America’s Green Business Network™, including: EcoBags reusable bags; Laptop Lunches reusable lunchboxes; Fair Trade Zhena’s Gypsy Tea, Ithaca Fine Chocolates, and Peace Coffee; and Earth Friendly Products cleaning supplies.

Greenraising.com offers three different fundraising options: 1) Your group can hold an ongoing Web sale, where supporters use your specially designated code on the Greenraising.com online retail store. 2) You can hold a two- or three- week “Web site drive” and earn higher profit margins than with an ongoing sale. 3) You can run an in-person (recycled paper) Greenraising catalog drive.

Fair Trade Chocolate, Coffee
As many US students are learning, the coffee and cocoa industries have been tied to worker exploitation and environmental degradation. Now, schools and other nonprofits can raise money and support cocoa and coffee farmers through a Divine Chocolate or Grounds for Change fundraiser.

Farmers in the Fair Trade system work cooperatively and earn a living wage that allows them to improve their lives, communities, and local environment.

Divine sells Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate from Ghana. Schools and other organizations can buy 1.5-oz. dark, milk, and crispy rice Divine Chocolate bars at wholesale prices, then resell them at retail and keep the profits.

Through Grounds for Change, your group can hand-sell 12-oz. bags of organic, shade-grown, Fair Trade coffee, using the company’s order forms and information cards, or you can purchase it in bulk at a discount and resell it, pocketing a percentage of the profits.

Both companies will also provide materials to help you educate buyers about Fair Trade.

Fair Trade Gourmet Food
A catalog of gourmet treats can be a popular fundraiser, too—especially around the holidays. Equal Exchange’s program helps your group raise money by selling Fair Trade chocolate, coffee, tea, and cocoa, as well as certified-organic, US-grown cranberries, almonds, and pecans.

Equal Exchange will send order forms and recycled paper catalogs displaying its organic, Fair Trade, premium-quality products. Once your organization has completed its sales, you order the products at a discount and pocket the profits.

By request, Equal Exchange will provide recycled paper posters and flyers to advertise your sale and the benefits of Fair Trade. It also offers a Fair Trade curriculum for grades 4–9, as well as an incentive program where students earn green prizes for achieving certain sales quotas.

Fair Trade Crafts
If you like import stores like Pier One and World Market, you’ll love the Fair Trade craft items from A Better Footprint (formerly Worldgoods) and Global Goods Partners, which include recycled cotton handbags from India; glass pendants from Ecuador; soccer balls from Pakistan; and more.

Schools and community groups have four options for holding fundraisers through A Better Footprint: 1) The company will give you a special Web link to its online store, so you earn profits when supporters shop. 2) You can order a box of products on consignment and sell them at an event. Once the sale is over, you simply send back any unsold items with payment. 3) You can hold a catalog sale. 4) If you’re with a school in Wisconsin or Illinois, A Better Footprint can come to your school to sell products at an event.

A Global Goods fundraiser is held entirely online. The company gives your school or nonprofit a special code for supporters to use when shopping from its online store, and you’ll earn a percentage of the profits from those sales. For schools, it will also provide posters and other promotional materials.

Energy-Saving Products
It’s been hard to miss the fact that fuel costs are skyrocketing, and electricity costs are sure to follow. So selling energy-saving products from E3Living.com might turn out to be the best fundraiser your organization has ever held.

This Web-based company sells a variety of green items, including compact fluorescent light bulbs, energy-saving “SmartStrip” power strips, and LED holiday lights, as well as other household products like water-saving devices.

Organizations sell products through their own special URL on E3 Living’s fundraising site, ECOmmitted.com, earning a portion of the profits, plus an additional two percent of your total annual sales at the end of the calendar year.

Reduce E-waste for Cash
Your group can provide a valuable recycling service for your community while earning needed cash with Project KOPEG’s e-waste recycling fundraiser. Your group collects unwanted cell phones and chargers, ink cartridges, MP3 players, digital cameras, and PDAs to send to the company for cash. As long as you’ve collected at least 30 cell phones, or 30 ink cartridges and 15 cell phones, Project KOPEG will pay all shipping costs. Prices vary according to items—you’ll earn at least $0.95 per pound of e-waste.

RecyclePlace.com offers a similar fundraising program for groups that collect cell phones or ink cartridges for recycling.

Neither company ships used electronics to overseas facilities, ensuring that everything is refurbished or recycled responsibly.

Books for Sale
Better World Books (BWB) helps high school and college students raise money through book drives to benefit their school and literacy programs around the world.

Students collect used books, including old textbooks, from their community. They ship the books to BWB at no cost to them, and then BWB resells the books online, donating or recycling those that can’t be sold. The school gets a percentage of the profits and designates one of four literacy programs to receive an additional portion: Books for Africa, Room to Read, WorldFund, or the National Center for Family Literacy.

BWB also offers a similar program to help libraries raise money in exchange for book discards.

Two other organizations provide green-themed books at a discount to schools and nonprofits, which can resell them at retail to raise money: Contact Kids Think Big to get its brightly illustrated children’s book, Think Green!, which is about simple ways kids and adults can help green our world. And Laura Bruzas, editor of Healthy Dining Chicago offers a useful 32-page booklet called “50 Simple Ways to Eat Well for Less,” on greening your food choices while saving money, no matter where you live.

Artistic Accessories and Decor
If you’re looking for a quirky and fun fundraiser, look no further than TheJuicyPearGiftShop.com. This Web store offers a wide variety of unique items, from bags made from old fire hoses, to jewelry fashioned from antique typewriter keys, to belts made from recycled rubber and bottle caps.

Schools and groups can sell Juicy Pear items through recycled paper or electronic catalogs. The company ships items directly to buyers.

Artistic Accessories and Decor
There’s no two ways about it—students need school supplies. Launch an ongoing fundraiser through MyEarth360.com, and your organization can sell school supplies and other necessities that are good for people and the planet.

MyEarth360 sells a range of green products on its Web store, from lunchboxes made from recycled drink containers to Fair Trade backpacks to pencils made from wood scraps. In addition, the store offers household items like water purifiers, compostable zip-lock bags, and more.

MyEarth360 assigns your school or organization a unique code for supporters to use when they shop the site, earmarking a percentage of the profits for your group. Four times a year, the retailer will increase that profit margin for a specific amount of time, giving even more to your group.

Artistic Accessories and Decor
Paper products tend to be a popular fundraiser. Now, through Twisted Limb Paperworks, you can ensure that the stationery, bookmarks, and scrapbooking papers your organization sells are made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content. The paper is all handmade at Twisted Limb’s Bloomington, IN, facilities and is often embedded with flowers and seeds.

You may choose to sell the papers first and then place an order, or purchase products to resell.

Recycled Greeting Cards
If your group likes the idea of selling greeting cards, consider offering the beautiful cards from Arbutus Images, made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper and printed with soy inks.

Arbutus will provide order forms and samples to your group’s fundraiser. You sell each box of eight cards for $15 and keep $5.

For every box of Arbutus cards your organization sells, the company will donate ten cents to Trees for the Future’s Tree Pals program, which covers the cost of planting one tree for a school in a developing country. Schools can also sell Arbutus cards to fund participation in Tree Pals Sponsorship program, planting a forest for a partner school in a developing country.

Reusable Shopping Bags
Reusable shopping bags are increasing in popularity, so why not sell them and make some much-needed cash?

Greenbenefits.net is an online company that offers a different themed fundraising program for schools each year. This year’s theme is “reducing plastic,” so the company is providing reusable nylon bags for schools to sell for cash. The bags are sweatshop-free and can be compacted to fit in a pocket or purse. Green Benefits will provide your school with a special URL or even design a Web site for you to sell the bags online.

Ecobags.com offers several types of reusable shopping bags through its fundraising program, from organic cotton string bags to whisper-thin cotton produce bags. Your group purchases the bags in bundles of ten at wholesale prices (minimum $125 initial purchase) to resell.

AAh Haa! sells its recycled-canvas and recycled-PET reusable tote bags at wholesale prices to schools for resale. You can add a logo for a fee.

And Weaddup.com offers organic cotton totes—and T-shirts—with environmental messages on them. You sell the items via catalog, and the company pays for shipping at least 50 items, giving your group a percentage of the profits.

A Final Word
Next time your school or organization suggests selling toxin-laden cleaners or conventional candy that may be tied to worker exploitation, feel free to hand out copies of this article and lobby for sustainable alternatives. With a green fundraiser, you can help spread the word about high-quality green products and support the green economy, while raising money for schools or causes that are close to your heart.

—Tracy Fernandez Rysavy

Article found here

Save $4,000 Next Year (And Every Year)

2008-10-24T13:31:00.003-04:00

A 12-Step Plan to Save Money By Going Green

October 23, 2008 at 9:22AM by Diane MacEachern

You can save almost $4,000 every year if you live a greener life.

Here's how:

Take lunch to work and stop tossing disposable takeout waste
Annual cost savings: $1,560
Sell your gas-guzzler and invest in a fuel-efficient model
Annual cost savings: $884
Drive smart to improve fuel economy
Annual cost savings: $600
Buy a reusable water bottle and stop buying bottled water
Annual cost savings: $500
Make your own non-toxic cleaners
Annual cost savings: $300
Skip one driving trip each week
Annual cost savings: $225
Install window and door weather stripping
Annual cost savings: $129
Get a programmable thermostat and use it to regulate heating and cooling
Annual cost savings: $150
Buy a smart power strip and really turn off energy-sucking electronics
Annual cost savings: $94
Install low-flow shower heads, and water-saving toilets and faucets
Annual cost savings: $72
Replace an old washing machine with an EnergyStar model
Annual cost savings: $50 (plus 7,000 gallons of water)
Swap out old bulbs for compact fluorescents
Annual cost savings: $5-10 (per bulb)
Total cost savings: $3,690 per year

PLUS: Swap, Trade Using Freecycle.org, EBay, Craig’s List to save more $$$$$.

For years, naysayers have claimed that "being eco is too expensive." Not any more.

Want more ideas on how to shift spending to live greener and save money? Check out the One in a Million budget sheet.

Article found on www.thedailygreen.com

What's in It for Me?

2008-10-22T21:28:00.003-04:00

[Editor's note: In this exclusive excerpt from Joel Makower's new book, "Strategies for the Green Economy," he describes how to tap into the prevailing mentalities of most shoppers in order to make green products appealing. Previous excerpts can be found here and here.]

Ted Levitt, the Harvard marketing professor whose name is often preceded by the word guru, famously said: "People don't want to buy a quarter-inch drill. They want a quarterinch hole." Levitt's point is that people usually buy things because they have needs or desires that demand solutions or fulfillment. Rocky Mountain Institute cofounder Amory Lovins, one of the pioneers and innovators in energy efficiency and conservation, expressed the same sentiment: "People don't want heating fuel or coolant; people want cold beer and hot showers." That is, their interest is less in products than in the benefits those products provide.

When it comes to the environment, hardly anyone shops with a mind-set to "save the planet," despite what many marketing professionals seem to think. They want what everyone in developed economies want: comfort, security, reliability, aesthetics, affordability, status, and pleasure.

And yet, so many green-minded companies end up selling "quarter-inch drills." They'll explain:

Why the world needs their drill ("The polar bears are dying!" "We're running out of resources!")
The benefits of their drill ("Uses less energy and emits fewer toxic emissions." "Recyclable, so it won't end up in landfills.")
The drill's technical makeup ("Made of 100 percent plant- and mineral-based ingredients." "Uses 20 percent less energy than the competitor.")
What the drill doesn't contain ("No petroleum-based products or artificial dyes or preservatives.")
How it's better than competitors' drills ("The highest percentage of recycled material on the market." "Available wherever you buy organic foods.")
The benefits to the planet if everyone bought their drill instead of the competitors' ("We'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of taking 135,000 cars off the road." "We would save 11 million gallons of water, 23,000 acres of trees, and enough energy to power Toledo for a month.")

But little or nothing about the quarter-inch hole-about how this product will get the job done, whether the "job" is cleaning my house, transporting me from hither to yon, satisfying my hunger, or making me feel attractive and cool.

Much of environmental strategy and marketing seems disconnected from most people's lives. Indeed, research shows that many shoppers view the environmental movement as traditional, dated, and somewhat out of touch with current society.

This is ironic perhaps. Many environmentalists I know believe that they have a better understanding of the state of the world than do other people. And they might. But that's of little consequence. The millions of "Security Moms" and "NASCAR Dads" who haven't yet tuned into how climate change and fisheries loss might mess with their kids' future aren't about to be beaten into submission by the latest technical arguments or evidence. They're not about to make purchase decisions based on a maybe-someday rationale for stemming environmental problems. They want to know: What's in it for me, today?

So, big news: Most consumers may be shallow, misinformed, selfinterested, and unsophisticated, but they're also our neighbors, colleagues, and relatives. And they're likely your clients, customers, or employees. If you want to move them toward greener behaviors and actions, you'll need to deal -- carefully and creatively -- with all the sobering reality of the green economy: that the overwhelming majority of shoppers in developing countries are, to put it mildly, self-absorbed. They want what they want-a safe and cleaner world, of course, but also a life filled with comfort and joy. No matter that the former may be directly linked to the latter. In the day-to-day struggles of work, family, finances, and all the rest, most people can't be bothered with the bigger picture-shifting social mores, political trends, changing family values, or the declining fate of the Earth. They're important, to be sure, but for most folks, saving the planet usually takes a back seat to saving the day.

Consumers find no irony in jumping into a sports-utility vehicle with underinflated tires and driving several miles out of their way to buy their favorite brand of recycled toilet paper. It eludes them that the environmental impacts of getting to and from the store might outweigh any of the green choices they can make up and down the aisles.

We want it all: inexpensive products made by companies that don't pollute and pay their workers well; luxury without guilt; safe, roomy, classy cars that don't use much gas; wind and solar power plants, as long as they're not nearby or in view; simple solutions to complex problems; and changes without changing.

Some of this is possible, technically speaking. We may yet reach the day when vehicles are powered by sunlight and oxygen, emitting nothing but air and water. We may clean up conditions in factories in the developing world-the ones that manufacture our dirt-cheap goods -- without raising the prices of the things they produce. We may reinvent our manufacturing systems so that they use renewable resources and closed-loop systems, eliminating smokestacks, drainpipes, and dumpsters. We may even curb rampant consumption, somehow deciding that less is more and that the lavish lifestyles of a relative few are bad for us all.

Maybe. But the road to a greener, cleaner economy will be long and arduous, with roadblocks, speed bumps, and detours at every turn. It will be more evolutionary than revolutionary, and we may never reach the state referred to as sustainability, in which we are able to conduct our affairs and live the way we do for eternity while ensuring quality lives for others.

But we'll try, and smart companies will prosper in the process.

Article found on ww.greenbiz.com

Digital Ad Spend Up At The Expense of Traditional

2008-10-20T20:23:00.001-04:00

According to a new Epsilon CMO Survey, Chief Marketing Officers at many of the biggest brands in the nation are seeing a major shift in the marketing landscape. 63% of the 175 marketing executives surveyed see an increase in their spending on interactive/digital marketing while 59% report a decrease in traditional marketing spend.

65% of CMOs say that the money spent on advertising as a whole will decrease due to the current economy. In contrast, 94% of CMOs and marketing executives agreed with the statement, 'A tough economic period is precisely the time when marketing plays a key role.'

When asked how their firm determines their target market for each channel:

50% stated that they use data driven marketing techniques
31% of respondents agreed that they use sophisticated modeling tools to analyze existing customer behavioral, preference and demographic data
19% said that they analyze past purchase behavior
28% said they made rough estimates based on past experience

Mike Iaccarino, CEO of Epsilon, says "... marketing executives are seeking accountability and measurable results. Data driven marketing is an increasingly important component of corporate marketing campaigns... "

CMOs of the biggest brands have been early adopters of new media with social computing and blogs receiving the most interest whereas instant messaging and interactive TV ads were the least popular.

Social computing (including word of mouth, social networking sites, viral advertising, etc.) was the most popular emerging channel with 42% of marketing executives expressing interest in adding it to their marketing mix
Blogs were the second most popular emerging channel: 35% of marketing executives want to pursue blogs and 19% already use blogs
Almost one-third of CMOs mentioned Podcasting as an area of interest: 31% are interested in adding Podcasting to their marketing mix and 18% already have.
Mobile devices also elicited interest: 29% are interested in Mobile Devices (Phones/PDAs) and 22% have added them to their marketing mix

Senior marketing executives anticipate further cuts, says the study, but are confident that they will be able to manage their budgets by focusing spending where it will have the greatest impact. As the overall marketing pool diminishes, the budget for interactive and digital marketing is dramatically increasing, while that for traditional marketing continues to shrink toward interactive, digital marketing:

Interactive/Digital Marketing:

Decreased... 14%
Increased... 63%
Stayed the same... 23%

While Traditional Marketing

Decreased... 59%
Increased... 13%
Stayed the same... 29%

Source: Epsilon, September 2008

The survey included 175 U.S. Chief Marketing Officers and marketing executives of some of the largest brands in the nation. 27% of respondents work at companies with $10 billion or more in annual revenues last year.

For additional information and a PDF file, please visit here.

Article found at mediapost.com

Complete LIME website up and running

2008-10-13T14:15:00.004-04:00

Marketing, with a twist of LIME

LIME Marketing uses proven strategies to increase sales and build your business, but with a green mindset. We provide environmental marketing strategies to business and industry throughout Ohio. We work with you to determine and implement the most cost effective, environmentally sensitive methods of achieving your goals.

How green is your marketing?

Every business needs to be on the edge of technology. It’s how you stay ahead of your competition. The science of materials, processes and sales techniques are all coordinated to deliver the best results for your company.

Shouldn’t your marketing do that, too?

With a carefully-planned perspective and positioning of your products and services, we’ll help you use the power of green to differentiate your marketing and your company. To position you in your prospect’s mind as the leader in what you do, and how you do it.

Slices of LIME

LIME is a cooperative effort of five companies located throughout Columbus and Central Ohio.

Recycle Your Inkjet Cartridges

2008-10-05T07:44:00.002-04:00

It's easy to reuse or recycle your inkjet cartridges, so get started today.

If you've been chucking your inkjet and toner cartridges in the garbage up to this point, you're not alone. Over 13 cartridges are discarded in the U.S. every second, according to CartridgeFundraising.com.

That's hundreds of millions of cartridges that end up in landfills every year, made with plastics that can take at least 1,000 years to decompose. Not a good thing.

It's actually easy to cut down on this waste. First off, some inkjet cartridges can be used more than once by buying a refill kit. If this seems too messy, take your empties (think copiers and faxes, too) to the nearest drop off center to be reused or recycled by others. (Plug your zip code into Earth911.org for nearby collection places.)

Many companies, such as Hewlett-Packard, take them back for free. They provide mailers or labels for you to ship them back to be recycled or refurbished.

It takes about 80% less energy to remanufacture plastic than to produce it new. And remanufactured laser cartridges use about half the amount of oil (a nonrenewable fossil fuel) needed to make brand new ones. So buy recycled cartridges to begin with. You'll save them from entering the waste stream.

This article was found here on thedailygreen.com.

How to Go Green: Furniture

2008-09-30T19:54:00.002-04:00

[by Jacob Gordon]

Some people obsess over furniture. Others hardly even notice it's there. One way or the other, making environmentally savvy choices in furnishing your home or office can make a big difference in your impact on the planet and your health. The modern sustainability movement has attracted such a large number of innovative designers that it's hard to know where to start.

In this article we won’t be listing every green furniture company or designer under the sun but rather give a rundown of basic concepts that might guide your search. Of the specific products and brands we do mention, not all will be budget-friendly for everyone--at this point, a lot of the green design is still specialty stuff, and thus pretty high-end. But don't worry. There are always cost effective ways to go green. Keep reading to learn more about the best ways to go green with your furniture.

Read the article here on Planet Green.

Want to run a "GREEN" meeting or event?

2008-09-18T14:04:00.002-04:00

Please click here to see some tips that will enable you to throw a great event and be environmentally conscious at the same time!

Reusable Bagging It, Envirosax-Style

2008-09-09T13:05:00.002-04:00

There are quite a collection of cloth bags hanging in my kitchen closet - some washed so many times in the last half-dozen years the different advertising images are faded and barely legible. So perhaps it's not surprising that the bins full of designy shopping bags (mostly from Envirosax) at the Dansk Design Center store were a lot like colorful candy to me on the day I visited.

Reusable bags - how much would you pay?
But the prices were an obstacle. Never mind that everything in Copenhagen is just a little bit cooler and more expensive than it is in my home town. It just seemed that almost $20 for a reusable bag was outside my comfort level. Pretty far outside. (I later also realized the mark-up was outrageous...buy on the web.) But Envirosax' new Mikado prints were pretty cool - and the organic hemp, bamboo, and linen bags were just gorgeous (but are way past the comfort level at U.S.$24.95). So what did I do? The same thing I always do when I really love something - and this is 9 times out of 10 an eco-item that I think is too expensive...

...I bought it as a gift for a loved one. In this case, my husband, who actually had expressed previous desire for a cool reusable bag that would neatly fit in his go-everywhere backpack.

And really, despite the rather high price, the Envirosax turned out to be worth it - primarily because the giftee liked it so much our incoming plastic bag problem (aha!) suddenly dropped to almost zero. Light as a feather, which is great, but also roomy enough to hold the mid-week replenishing groceries - milk, butter, salad veggies, apples, and cereal - as well as a few items from the hardware store. Easily rolls back up into its squashed shape and snaps into its self-made pouch, which doesn't seem like a big deal but is great when you've got 50 other things in said back pack. The only downside (and it's a big one) - Envirosax' material is very handy, but it's polyester. Bummer.

Now my only regret is that Envirosax hasn't found suitable eco-polyester and that I didn't go ahead and really splurge on the 5-in-1 pack of Mikado designs. Then I could stop coveting my partner's bag from afar. Live and learn. Via ::Envirosax

Article found here.

2008-08-29T13:40:00.002-04:00

Greenie Points

Apr 1, 2006 12:00 PM , By Dick Goldsmith and Meta Brophy

Several years ago, McDonald's started serving Big Macs in paper containers instead of Styrofoam holders. The reason? Environmental groups took issue with the amount of Styrofoam winding up in landfills, almost never to be decomposed.

By making the switch to paper, McDonald's saved $12 million a year on oil. The company also saved a lot of Styrofoam, a non-renewable resource, from going into landfills and did wonders for its corporate image. These three points — saving money, saving resources and being a good corporate citizen — are the components of the triple bottom line.

Everyone should be concerned about the environment, but those in direct mail should be especially sensitive. After all, the first complaint many people make about direct mail is “Look at the waste of trees in my mailbox.” As more legislative bodies contemplate do-not-mail lists, this is something to consider.

Being proactive will help to mitigate this argument, aid the environment, and save mailers money as they improve their corporate and industry image. So what can individual mailers do? First, don't think it's just up to the big boys to switch to recycled paper. As the old public service ads used to say, “Every litter bit helps.”

Start at the beginning when you plan a new campaign. Design with the environment in mind.

Do you need to have a poly window on your envelope? The poly makes it much more difficult to recycle. Use an open window or glassine patch made from cellulose. Some marketers are using a corn-film-based window patch. It's biodegradable and made from a renewable resource.
Can you reduce the size of your mailing piece? If it's smaller you'll use less paper and save money on printing (see illustration).
Speaking of smaller, can you use a self-mailer or postcard? Again, you'll use less paper and pay less for printing and for inserting fewer components. In other words, can you effectively generate response while having a lower environmental impact?
Use a preprinted indicia or a meter on your outer envelopes. Self-adhesive stamps make the envelopes more difficult to recycle. The same is true for other pressure-sensitive stickers: Try to avoid using them.
Print on both sides of the paper. And try using a lighter weight paper or a slightly smaller roll size. As long as the opacity is OK, you shouldn't be affecting response.
Look into using groundwood paper, which is made using a mechanical pulping process instead of the chemical procedure used to make freesheet paper. It takes about 50% fewer trees to make an equivalent amount of paper and many groundwood sheets look pretty good these days. Check out Abitibi Consolidated's equal offset grade or its new innovative offset. It's 20% lighter than the equivalent sheet with a comparable look and feel. Fewer trees are used to make a groundwood sheet.
Check with your printers to see if you're making the best use of their press sizes. By reducing the size of a component by just a little you may get more pieces out of each press sheet
Find out if similar components can be run on the same press sheet.
Do you really need four-color process printing for that rate chart? Maybe two colors will work just as well.
With a personalized piece, try to make all changes in the data. By keeping different lots in a single stream, you'll save money by eliminating additional plates, paper and ink. Streamlining data saves version and setup charges, too.

Catalogers can implement these ideas as well.
Check trim size and find out from your printer if it's using the best size for the equipment.
Can you use a lighter weight paper? It's possible to save on postage if you're paying a piece/pound rate. In any event, you'll save on freight and fuel if you ship a lighter piece. Test to find out.
Can your catalog be as productive with fewer pages? Do a careful analysis of each item to make sure it's pulling its weight.
Use selective binding so customers get fewer — but more relevant — pages.
Are a lot of people using those bound-in envelopes to place orders? Check to see if the cost is worth it for your catalog.
Ask your suppliers about their environmental policies and internal practices. Online proofing provides many environmental savings. Ask your printer if it stocks recycled or certified paper, and tracks chain of custody. Does the printer use soy inks? Does it recycle wastepaper and ink?
Make sure you use all the tools available — targeting, modeling, merge/purge and USPS address correction — to facilitate mail delivery to your best prospects. Also, use the Direct Marketing Association's Mail Preference Service. If people don't want your mail, why waste money and resources sending it to them?
Try to print near your lettershop to avoid extra transportation miles and costs. Use drop shipping to get your mail to its destination in the most direct manner. Ask whether your supplier or drop-ship destination can accept rail-side deliveries. Rail shipping uses much less fuel than trucking. If you're sending a large national mailing, it might make sense to split production to more than one shop to economize on transportation.

What can you do right now? Develop an environmental policy statement for your company. Appoint an environmental leader who will carry the ball and has management support. Put together a team of employees who also are concerned. Measure results, just like you measure all the other things you do in direct marketing. Take action and then reinvest your savings in additional initiatives. Seek partnerships with other companies, environmental organizations and the community groups where you do business.

Finally, let everyone know what you've accomplished. And encourage customers to recycle what they've received from you.

Article found here.

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Paper Power

Recycled paper use — and better collection — can benefit direct mailers

If your company already has a control that possibly could be improved from an environmental standpoint, start slowly by testing every component. Like all other testing, test only one change at a time. It's a slow, evolutionary process, so start with the items that can have the biggest impact, like printing on both sides of a piece of paper.

Many people think switching to paper with recycled content is all that's required to help the environment. It does help. But other things can have a greater impact. When considering recycled paper, think post-consumer content, which is actually recovered from recycling programs. The more post-consumer fiber we use, the greater the demand grows, capturing the attention of more paper companies that might be more inclined to make an effort to collect and recycle.

Collection is a big issue. One of the bigger problems associated with collection is that so many people live in remote areas and collection is economically prohibitive. One idea that seems to make a lot of sense and warrants further discussion is for the U.S. Postal Service to use its vehicles to collect paper from these areas. The vehicles go out with mail every day; they could come back with recyclable paper. The USPS already has a recycling program for undeliverable mail and has trash bins in post offices. This would expand the program and provide an additional revenue stream, which the USPS certainly can use.

Environmentalists also are concerned with preserving our old-growth forests, which provide unique ecosystems for plant and animal life. Clear-cutting — the felling and removal of all trees from a given tract of forest — can destroy these ecosystems. Therefore, programs now exist by which the forestry practices of paper companies can be certified by independent auditors. Look for and ask your firm's printers to buy paper made from trees harvested under one of these forestry certification programs.
— Dick Goldsmith and Meta Brophy

Head Back to School in Great Green Style

2008-08-25T14:42:00.002-04:00

When summer, glorious summer, comes to an end, that means its back to school for millions of children and adults. This year, why not head back to the classroom in great green style?

Green schools are popping up everywhere, from preschools in New York City to major universities such as Harvard, Duke and Oberlin College. Both new institutions and old are switching to renewable energy, green building, and local and organic foods. They are boosting recycling, reducing waste and teaching environmental education.

At The Daily Green, we've put together this collection of articles to help you find the coolest green school supplies, pack the healthiest lunches and breakfasts, and help your schools make the greenest choices.

1. Shop for the Hottest Green School Supplies

School supplies can be a significant expense, and they can have a substantial environmental impact. Luckily, eco-friendly options are now becoming more widely available in every category. For example, avoid backpacks made of nylon or new plastics, especially PVC (vinyl), and look instead for bags made from recycled materials or natural materials, such as hemp. Choose recycled paper and paper products made from alternative fibers like hemp or kenaf. You can also get cool pens, post-its, scissors and so on with recycled content.

2. 7 Eco-Focused Classroom Projects

Get your students or children on the path to going green with these fun, hands-on experiments. There are projects for students of varying ages, from elementary school to middle school and high school. Get tips for simple classroom gardening, a project that teaches about solar power, and some ideas for helping students conduct their own basic energy audits.

3. What's the Greenest Way to Get Your Kid to School?

Before children can start learning and interacting with peers, they need to get to school. And how they do has an enormous impact on our environment as well as their health. You may be surprised at which modes of transportation are the safest for kids. We take a close look at school buses, walking and biking, "walking school buses," transit and driving. Find out what is best for you.

4. The 3 R's of School Bus Pollution Reduction

It's not just about reading, 'riting and 'rithmetic anymore; it's also about replacement (of the oldest buses), renovation (of pollution controls) and restraint (from idling). There's good reason for schools to make some changes, given that pollution from the nation's school bus fleet contributes to asthma, the leading cause of absenteeism from chronic illness. Learn how the Diesel Reduction Act of 2005, the EPA's Clean School Bus USA Program and various state initiatives are blazing a cleaner trail forward — although there are still many districts that need help.

Suzanne Tucker / Istock

5. 4 Ways to Green Your Kids' Lunch Box

The idea of lunch brought to and from school might seem so '80s, but the use of an actual lunch box or reusable sack is back in style, and it is a great way to reduce waste (containers made of recycled and green materials are even coming online!). There are lots of other easy ways to make your family's lunches more eco-friendly, from cloth napkins and reusable dividing containers to crowd-pleasing organic snacks and tasty meal suggestions.

Thomas M Perkins / Getty Images

6. 10 Ways to Eat Quick, Healthy and Green Breakfasts

Resist the trend to eat the most important meal of the day at the drive-through. Instead of filling up on high-fat sandwiches, overcooked eggs or sugary doughnuts, check out these creative and quick breakfast options, from money-saving DIY breakfast bars to easy fruit smoothies, portable sandwiches and organic coffee. You'll get a healthy start to your day, and leave a lighter footprint on the Earth.

Michael Flippo / Istock

7. Why Children and Adults Need Breakfast

More than just a basic fill-up of calories, the morning meal provides important fuels for the brain, and even aids in weight control. Studies show that children learn and recall better, and concentrate longer, if they have eaten a healthy breakfast. Check out our tips for eating better, even when you are rushed to get everyone out the door on time.

Elke Dennis / Istock

8. Marion Nestle: Demand Healthy School Food

Nutrition Professor and author Marion Nestle explains why schools need to kiss junk food good-bye, both to combat the obesity epidemic and to foster healthier children. She says research "clearly implies that all foods sold in schools — no exceptions — should be foods that promote kids' health."

Courtesy of Middlebury College

9. 10 of the Greenest Colleges in America

If you or your children are considering higher education, it doesn't hurt to give a thought to the environmental responsibility of the schools you apply to. The good news is many colleges and universities are on the cutting edge of the sustainability movement, going way beyond simple recycling to starting organic gardens and farms, installing green roofs and solar panels, treating wastes with "living machines" and offsetting all emissions. Check out our list of some of the colleges that excite us with their commitment to going green.

Courtesy of Northland College

10. How Are College Campuses Going Green?

Learn more about all the specific green initiatives at colleges around North America, from the nearly 500 schools that have signed the American College and University Presidents (ACUP) Climate Commitment to go carbon neutral to programs that encourage public transportation, build bicycle lanes, establish green building guidelines and reduce waste. Many schools are also incorporating principles of sustainability into their curriculum and core philosophies.

Wireimage

11. VIDEO: Laurie David and Sheryl Crow on College Activism

Celebrity activist and Democratic Hollywood insider Laurie David talks to The Daily Green in the third of a six-part interview. The producer of An Inconvenient Truth discusses the Stop Global Warming college tour she and Sheryl Crow recently embarked on.

Nicole S. Young / Istock

12. Organic Preschool Might Sound Funny, But ...

"Organic Moms" blogger Alexandra Zissu discusses the environmental health questions to ask schools before enrolling your children in them. She also takes a look at first green preschool in New York City: LePetitParadisPreschool.com. That means good paints and toys, low flow toilets, organic snacks and more.

Daily Search Engine Users Closing in On Email Users

2008-08-14T15:40:00.000-04:00

According to a recently released PEW Internet study, the percentage of internet users who use search engines on a typical day has been steadily rising from about one-third of all users in 2002, to a new high of 49%. The number of those using a search engine on a typical day is pulling ever closer to the 60% of internet users who use email on a typical day.

Underscoring the dramatic increase over time, the percentage of internet users who search on a typical day grew 69% from 2002 to May 2008. During the same six-year time period, the use of email on a typical day rose from 52% to 60%, for a growth rate of just 15%.

These new figures propel search further out of the pack, well ahead of other popular internet activities. This chart shows the percentage of internet users who did these activities "yesterday," which in a tracking survey like this one yields a picture of the "typical day" online (30% of internet users are offline on a typical day).

Daily Internet Activities (% Internet users who do this on a typical day)
Activity	% of Search Users
Email	60%
Online search	49%
Check news	39%
Check weather	30%
Research hobby	29%
Surf web for fun	28%
Visit social Networking site	13%
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

Internet users with higher levels of education are more likely to use search on a typical day, with those having at least some college education significantly more likely to do so than those with less education:

Education	% of Search Users
College graduate	+ 66%
Some college	49%
High school graduate or less	32%
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

Internet users living in higher-income households are more likely to use search on a typical day, with those having an income higher than $50,000 per year being significantly more likely than those with lower incomes:

Income	% Search Users
$75,000	+ 62%
$50,000 - 74,999	56%
$30,000 - 49,999	34%
<$30,000	36%
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

Those who use broadband connections at home are significantly more likely than those who use dial-up to have ever tried using search engines at all, by 94% to 80%. They are dramatically more likely to search on a typical day:

Connection	% Search Users
Broadband at home	58%
Dial-up at home	26%
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

Younger internet users have been consistently more likely to search on a typical day over the last five years of survey research.

Age	% Search Users
18 - 29 years	55%
30 - 49 years	54%
50 - 64 years	40%
65 years and older	27%
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

While just about equal numbers of men (91%) and women (88%) report having ever used search engines at all, men who use the internet have consistently been more likely than women to integrate search into their daily lives:

Gender	% Search Users
Men	53%
Women	45%
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

While the number of internet users who search on a typical day has been steadily rising, this is the second time since the Pew Internet Project began tracking search engine use that we have seen a demonstrable leap in the numbers. The first came in late 2005, when percentage of users searching on a typical day rose from about 30% from June 2004 to about 40% in September 2005, attributed to media coverage and search engine buzz.

Currently, the percentage of users searching on a typical day has risen again, from about 40% to 49%. This rapid increase PEW attributes to:

Expectation to find a high-performing, site-specific search engine on just about every content-rich website that has value
A growing mass of web content from blogs, news sites, image and video archives, personal websites, allows internet users to turn not only to the major search engines, but also to search engines on individual sites
The fact that fully 55% of American homes have a high speed internet connection, which has the strongest relationship with a user's propensity to use a search engine on a typical day
Finally, search engine sites have become so useful and well tuned that people turn to them for an increasingly broad range of questions

Use of Online Search to Find Current Information (% of responding Internet users)
Response Date	Total Have Ever Done This	Did Yesterday	Have Not Done This	Don't Know/ Refused
Current (5/19/08)	89%	49%	10%	*
December 2006	91	41	9	1
August 2006	88	42	11	*
Nov/Dec 2005	91	38	9	1
September 2005	90	41	9	*
May/June 2004	84	30	16	*
June 2003	89	31	10	1
Jan 2002	85	29	14	1
Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project, August, 2008

Get Green in a Month : Week 1

2008-08-13T21:03:00.003-04:00

On Greenovate, Emily Johnson embarks on a renovation plan to green up a 2,650 square foot home in one month.While a month doesn’t seem like much time to tackle a major project, read how you can go green by just making one simple change each day.

Start with your paper. While there are a ton of items you can recycle, start with a commonly used material. Recycling paper is easy because it does not require anything but sorting.

Keep it dark. When you leave for a day at the office or a night on the town, save money and energy by turning off your lights.Placing reminders on your light switches can help you remember until you get in the habit of doing so.

Bring your own bag. Eliminating the need for plastic grocery and shopping bags is a great way to reduce waste. Don’t feel pressured to purchase reusable bags at the store if you aren’t up for the investment right away. You probably have a suitable bag at home to get you started.

Dine in. If you frequently call upon the services of your local restaurant delivery guy, try cutting back at least one or two meals out of the week.Making your own food reduces food container waste immensely.

Walk there. Find at least one neighborhood destination you can travel to on foot.Save gas and the environment by hiking there instead of heading out in your hot rod.

Get muggy. Have your favorite coffee mug or reusable water bottle on hand at all times.Save the paper cups and reduce waste.

Shut off the spigot. Make sure you completely turn off the water every time you finish using it.

This post was inspired by Greenovate.

Hung out to dry

2008-08-05T08:12:00.001-04:00

Want to give a practical, little green gift to a friend, or maybe yourself? Think: clothesline. As ridiculous as it sounds, it will change your life. How? Hanging laundry out to dry will bring you more in touch with the weather, the grass, the birds and the bees.

Beloved hubby went all out and really splurged on my over the top, b-day present, a retractable clothesline. With my clothesline in place, I feel so 21st century — old tech becomes new tech. The Energy Star dryer still tumbles for me when lack of time interferes with my energy-saving plan. And when the winds of change bring rain, I drape the wet threads on some hangers and place them over my shower bar in the bath; open the window, and voila, indoor air dry to the rescue. Then I take the unmentionables, drape these little ditties on a collapsible, portable dryer and treat them to breezes that come sailing in through the windows in my living room.

Strange as it may sound, I get a cool karmic kick whenever I use the clean, renewable, sustainable power of both the wind and sun to dry my threads. Lower your carbon footprint, save some dough, and give it a go. It’s a simple way to be clean and green.

Don’t have a backyard, but want to dry your clothes naturally? There are many options available for both indoors and out, from hanging a rope either across a room or from tree to tree, to T-poles, umbrellas, retractables (above, $22) and collapsibles… @ clothesline.com

Hills Clotheslines are sleek, sturdy and hot in Hollywood; more @ linedryit.com. (Just above), the Extendaline Quatro 4 ($82), the Extendaline Sietro 6 ($99); available @ breezedryer.com. Letting it all hang out can be a little more time intensive, but eco-friendly, money saving and fun.

This article was found here at the Alternative Consumer.

Saving Energy: One State at a Time

2008-07-30T14:52:00.002-04:00

by Marian Hopkins, Business Roundtable on 07.28.08
Improving energy efficiency is a critical component of Business Roundtable’s overall strategy for enhancing energy security. With every unit of energy we conserve through greater efficiency, we lower energy consumption and therefore use less oil, gas or coal to meet increasing energy demand.

Energy efficient improvements span from consumers making simple lifestyle changes to businesses retrofitting their aging infrastructure.

However dramatic or small, energy efficient improvements can lead to real, substantial results in reducing our energy demand and our energy costs.

Business Roundtable member Siemens is a leader in developing energy innovations impacting power generation to IT solutions and services to financial services.

Founded more than 160 years ago, Siemens is a prime example of a Business Roundtable member that understands how doing business well equates to a positive return both for their company and for the world.

Saving Energy One State at a Time

In Kentucky, Siemens is part of an energy performance contract that will lead to the installation of LED modules on every state maintained traffic signal. The six-year contract is expected to save the state $1.7 million a year in energy costs, resulting in Kentucky saving $10.2 million across the course of the contract.

The LED technology being used in the retrofitting effort is more energy efficient and lasts eight to ten times longer than incandescent light blubs, which need to be replaced annually. The energy performance contract allows Kentucky to make upgrades with no upfront capital expenditures, since the funding will come exclusively from the energy cost savings resulting from the upgrades.

Siemen’s partnership with the state of Kentucky is a real-life example of how energy efficiency improvements can reduce energy demands, our impact on the environment and energy costs.

Saving energy one state at a time is leading to real results. As more regions across the country implement programs like these, we’ll continue on the track to improving our nation’s energy efficiency.

How To Green Your Electronics

2008-07-22T08:10:00.001-04:00

What’s the Big Deal?

Yes, electronic devices are becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives, especially as they get smaller and smaller. We use them as tools and toys to communicate, work, enjoy media, and be expressive. Being green with electronics doesn’t mean living in a teepee listening to truckers squalk on the old short-wave. Greening your electronics is a matter of knowing what tech to get, how to use it best, and what to do with it when its useful life is done. Many of these best practices aren’t things you’ll read in the instruction manual, either. In this guide we’ll tell you how to stop wasted energy, what gizmos are greener than others, and what to do about e-waste and electronics recycling. We’ll also show you some of the newest green gadgets coming over the horizon.

Guide Navigation

1. Go rechargeable

Of the 15 billion batteries produced and sold each year, most of them are disposable alkaline batteries, and only a fraction of those are recycled. Look for electronics that are rechargeable. For removable batteries, lithium-ion (Li-Ion) and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) are cost-effective, green alternatives. The fastest battery chargers can juice up AAs in as little as 15 minutes, and will pay for themselves quite quickly.

2. Kill vampire power

Just because your cell phone is unplugged from the charger or your TV is off, doesn’t mean these devices aren’t drawing a current and running up your electricity bill. Many AC adapters (or “wall warts”) if left plugged in will continue to pull a current from the wall socket (you may notice they are warm to the touch). Many devices that have a standby mode do the same thing. To make sure you aren’t wasting energy, pull the plug on devices when not in use or put all of your electronics and chargers on a power strip. This way you can simply flip the power strip off when your electronics are not in use. There are also a number of “smart” power strips on the market that sense when electronics are turned off, or that turn off the strip when one main unit (like your PC) is powered down. (Note that some electronics need to be turned off via the on/off switch before cutting the power. Inkjet printers, for example, need to seal the cartridge heads to avoid clogging.)

3. Buy with energy in mind

Some types of electronics suck more than others, at least in energy terms. Doing research on different technologies and their respective energy consumption can save you a lot in the long run. For example, if you want a flat panel television, look into LCD models, which use much less energy than plasmas. The Energy Star site will help you identify energy-saving electronic devices like cordless phones, stereo systems, TVs, DVD players, battery chargers, and a whole bunch more.

4. Treat those batteries right

While battery recycling programs are increasingly common and easy to use, the process of recycling anything still takes energy and resources and should not be overused (one of the most polluted sites on the planet is a battery recycling plant in the Dominican Republic). Knowing how to best use and maintain rechargeable batteries will boost their longevity and performance. See Getting Techie below for more on the specifics.

5. Make it a short circuit

So, you just bought the newest, sleekest cell phone. It takes video, filters out calls from exes, and charts barometric pressure. What should you do with the old one? Whatever you do, don’t just throw it in the trash--this risks releasing chemicals into the ecosystem. There are plenty of organizations and charities that recycle and reuse old electronics. If you want a return on your old gadgets, sell them on an online auction site--people will often buy them even if they are broken. Bonus! A growing number of computer manufacturers are adopting take-back programs as well, under which they will accept and recycle their units when you’re done with them.

6. Buy used

Don’t want to spend a fortune on technology? You can find top quality, totally functional used electronics at sites like Ebay and Craigslist, and even at yard sales and flea markets. This not only cuts down on the amount of new resources being used for the production of more stuff, it also creates a market for sellers to safely recirculate electronics they’re no longer using. Ebay’s Easytradein.com is a good resource for the electronics you are ready to part with. You might even be surprised what comes up on Freecycle.

7. Bright idea: The solar charger

There are an increasing number of options for on-the-go solar power. From handheld to backpack power, solar chargers now come in a spectrum of types for juicing up phones, PDAs, Bluetooth headsets, iPods, and laptops. Many have an onboard battery pack that can charge while the solar cells are in the sun, and then transfer the power to your device when you need it. See “Digging Deeper into TreeHugger” below for a list of solar chargers on the market.

8. Extend use

There’s definitely a cult around replacing our electronic toys and tools every 15 minutes or so when a new model comes out. In some cases, the newest technologies are cleaner and more efficient, but often, the older ones will faithfully do their assigned task for a lot longer than the marketplace would have us believe. In some cases, the older models are even superior. Step back a few paces from the whole technophelia thing and take stock of what your real needs are. It couldn’t hurt to practice some of this in the rest of our lives, as well.

9. Look for EPEAT

EPEAT (electronic product environmental assessment tool) is a new attempt at environmental certification for computers (CPUs, monitors, and notebooks). Released in early 2006, only a limited number of products have been registered with EPEAT so far, however, look for this certification to pick up steam in the near future. (EPEAT homepage)

10. Buy a less toxic system

Europe is making huge inroads on reducing the presence of toxic chemicals in electronics such as lead, cadmium, and mercury with a directive called RoHS (Restriction on Hazardous Substances). Look for companies that are adhering to--and even going beyond--the RoHS compliance in Europe and around the globe. [ROHS UK Homepage, Wikipedia's ROHS page]

1. Demand product recycling

In a perfect world, product manufacturers would happily take back the products they sold you at the end of their useful life. Many companies do offer to recycle their old products, but plenty still lag behind. Get vocal with manufacturers and your government representatives to improve both voluntary and mandated electronics recycling, and vote with your dollars for companies that take it back.

2. The right tool for the job

Does your computer really need a 3-D graphics card for your email correspondences? Do you need 500 GB of memory for bidding on those limited edition organic cotton Vans on Ebay? A 30“ cinematic display for reading TreeHugger? Most often, the more powerful your computer and the more extra doodads it has, the more energy it will consume, the more it will cost, and the more physical mass it will take up. It’s also a uniquely sad feeling when a piece of hardware or software goes obsolete before you even got to play with it. Itemize your computing needs and then find the computer, PDA, cell phone, stereo, digital camera that is going to best fit your needs. Also keep your eyes peeled for upgradability: the ability to expand or update a device’s capabilities.

3. Offset your energy

Carbon offsets aren’t just for travel. Individual offsets that you purchase can help negate your energy usage, including time on your computer or chatting away on your cell phone. This is particularly valuable if you are a heavy user. For more carbon offsets and renewable energy credits, see How to Green Your Electricity.

4. The digital thermostat

The most energy-saving electronic device you ever buy might be a simple programmable thermostat for your home. For more, see How to Green Your Heating.

5. USB-it

Charge your phone or PDA off your computer’s USB port and never have to worry about leaving your AC adapter plugged in.

6. iPod surgery

Is your iPod’s flagging longevity starting to make you antsy? Battery replacement kits are out there if you’re ready to get hands-on. Don’t forget to recycle the old li-ion battery after you’ve removed it. Apple will also replace any out-of-warranty iPod battery that has lost its ability to hold a charge for around $65 .

7. Battery switcheroo

If you’ve bought a new battery pack for your laptop (because the old one pooped out on you—yes, that’s normal), you can keep the old, weak battery inserted when the computer is plugged in, like when working at a desk. Save the fresh battery for travel. Li-ion batteries are very sensitive to temperature and so keeping the new battery away from the laptop’s heat will prolong its life.

1. Of the $250 billion spent per year on powering computers worldwide, only about 15% of that power is spent computing-the rest is wasted idling. (link)

2. Electronics make up 70 percent of all hazardous waste. (link)

3. Making the average PC requires 10 times the weight of the product in chemicals and fossil fuels. (link)

4. 15 billion batteries are produced annually worldwide. (link)

5. 40% of the energy used for electronics in your home is used while these devices are turned off.

6. In the US, energy efficient battery chargers could save American consumers more than 1 billion kilowatt hours of power per year, which would save more than $100 million each year, and prevent the release of more than a million tons of greenhouse gasses. (link)

How to care for your batteries

Knowing how to best maintain rechargeable batteries can help them last longer and perform better. Advice on how to best care for rechargeables does vary depending on the info source, likely because different battery formulas work best under different conditions. There are two main types of rechargeable batteries: lithium-ion and nickel metal hydride, both of which suit different applications.

Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)

Advantages: Li-ion batteries have the advantage of a higher energy density (energy/weight ratio) and higher voltages than other batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are also designed to recharge hundreds of times and hold their charge for long periods when not in use.

Disadvantages: Li-ion batteries (and their chargers) are typically more expensive than other rechargeable batteries. Li-ions also don’t come in standard battery sizes (like AA, D, etc.).

Care: If you plan to store a Li-ion battery, store it with a partial or full charge. It is also typically suggested that you “move the electrons around” every month or so, putting the battery in use. Like all batteries, Li-ions should be recycled when they’re done for.

Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH)

Advantages: NiMH batteries come in almost all standard sizes (like AA, AAA, 9 Volt, C, and D) so they’re a perfect substitute for conventional disposable batteries. These batteries can also provide power longer than alkaline batteries, especially in some power-hungry electronics like digital cameras.

Disadvantages: NiMH batteries have a relatively fast self-discharge rate and can lose up to 40% of their charge in a month when stored. The higher the temperature, the faster the self-discharge rate will be. Newer NiMH batteries, however, claim to have solved the self-discharge problem. Sanyo's Eneloop batteries, for example, claim to lose only 15% of their charge over the course of a year if unused.

Care: To avoid the risk of permanent voltage depletion, do an occasional full drain and recharge cycle for NiMH rechargeable batteries. NiMH batteries can be stored in the freezer to help retain their charge, just make sure they’re tightly sealed from moisture, and allow batteries to come back to room temperature before use. A “smart charger,” while more expensive, will control the charge of batteries via a microprocessor and will prolong battery life and improve performance.

(many of these battery facts gathered from GreenBatteries.com) Back To Top Λ

The TH archives are full of products, policies, and practices that can make your electronics situation a greener one. Browse through the selected links below or try taking a peek at the Science & Technology category. If you know exactly what you are looking for, try a simple search on TreeHugger. If you can’t find an answer to your question, feel free to drop us a line: tips "at" treehugger "dot" com

Computers

As computers do more and more for us (and we do more for them), they gobble up more energy. Here are some computer posts that have come across the pages of TreeHugger.

Sun Microsystems’ Sun Ray thin client uses 1/40th the energy of a regular desktop.

Take a look at how Windows XP cost the world $25 billion in energy bills, the "Vista landfill effect."

Details on EPEAT green electronics certification that recently became part of a federal mandate in the US.

Greenpeace has assembled a rating system for electronics and computers. Check out their work as well as the controversy and constructive criticism it has aroused.

Ready to recycle your computer? Here's how.

The RoHS standards are creating a new crop of non-toxic computers.

Wal-Mart has big plans for energy-efficient notebook computers costing less than $500.

Looking for something green to nestle your iPod into for safe keeping?

Wooden iPod cases made from reclaimed parts.

Recycled plastic cases for the Nano.

Eco-friendly jute cases.

Handmade bamboo cases for the shuffle.

Tread Cases from Solio are made from re-engineered rubber inner tube for your iPod or solar charger.

Freitag iPod cases are made from recycled truck tarps.

Or perhaps an iPod case made from a reincarnated 45 rpm record.

Saving iPods from the landfill is a trend that’s catching on nicely.

Kinetic watches from Fossil mean you won’t have to change your timepiece’s battery again.

TreeHugger’s Hank Green reviews the ins and outs of the light and efficient Li-po, or lithium polymer battery. A great post, especially if you like seeing things explode.

With the Battery X-tender alkaline batteries are now rechargeable.

Charging your cell phone while riding your bike might seem extraneous, but for the millions of people who have phones, no cars, and unreliable power grids, it makes perfect sense.

Here’s a universal remote that never needs batteries.

The Wattson home energy monitor is an appliance for Do-It-Yourself Kyoto compliance.

British designer Thomas James Owen has a conceptual design for a sleek in-home energy monitor.

The Mini Power Minder is a clever power strip shuts down your computer’s peripherals when the computer itself is shut down.

A wooden prototype camera from Olympus.

Check out NiMH battery charging systems from GP.

More evidence of the benefits of NiMH batteries over conventional counterparts.

The UK has plans to actually outlaw the notoriously wasteful standby buttons from consumer electronics.

Panasonic has managed to work bamboo fibers into the inner workings of its speakers.

Pioneer’s Pure Malt Speakers are crafted from well-aged whiskey barrels (reviewed at CNET).

Tone Tubby amplifier speakers roll their cones with hemp.

Escalante’s speakers are recycled and low-VOC/non-toxic for your breathing enjoyment.

Solar chargers

In addition to this concise roundup, here are some solar chargers and integrated devises we’ve covered. Our own Justin Thomas uses a $20 solar charger for all his gizmos.

The Enloop from Sanyo

The Soldius1 for cell phones and MP3 players.

Sundance Solar’s light, folding charger, (this one does laptops)

The Votaic solar backpacks and computer bags are TreeHugger favorites

The foot-powered Freecharge will jumpstart your car or your iPod

To run your electronics on elbow grease, try a wind-up charger

This device from Copycat Solar will charge your cell phone or iPod as you ride your bike

The Solio, reviewed here, is already something of a classic in the solar charger category

The Freeloader is a tough solar charger for an array of devices

In addition to TreeHugger.com, other organizations have put together resources that may be helpful as you continue to green your life.

Apple Computer’s electronics recycling site and advice on optimizing battery performance.

Dell’s recycling homepage.

Hewlett Packard’s recycling homepage.

EPEAT is an attempt to certify green electronics.

WorldChanging talks about “bright green” computers of the future (and why computers use so much energy now).

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s site on electronic recycling.

See if someone in your community can use your old electronics by placing them on Freecycle.

Or try to sell your electronics on a community hub such as Craigslist.

Green Batteries has loads of intelligible info on rechargeable batteries.

Batteries in a Portable World: A Handbook on Rechargeable Batteries for Non-Engineers.

Wikipedia’s pages on lithium-ion batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, and rechargeable batteries in general are, of course, invaluable.

BatteryUniversity.com walks readers through the ins and outs of battery tech from beginner to advanced

For questions and answers about iPod battery issues, go to iPodBatteryFAQ.com

The US government’s Energy Star homepage.

myGreenElectronics lets you search electronics recycling resources by zip code.

Battery Recharger

Rechargeables Online

Mega Batteries

Wattson home energy monitor

Freitag recycled iPod cases

Native Energy

Bullfrog Power

TerraPass

Bonneville Energy Fund and Green Tags

Renewable Choice Energy

(portable nickel metal hydride NiMH chargers)

Chicken Is Dunked in Chlorine? Believe It.

2008-07-01T12:19:00.009-04:00

Know Where Your Meat Comes From to Avoid Unwanted Chemicals
I was giving an eco-parenting talk last week when a pregnant-with-her-second-child mom asked me if it were true that all chicken is bathed in chlorine as part of its slaughterhouse processing. I was grossed out, appalled, and stumped. I wasn’t, however, surprised. Conventional meat is about as grim and questionable as it gets. The slaughterhouses must have some serious gunk in need of disinfecting, especially as it is done in (potentially cross contaminating) bulk. I haven’t personally used chlorine bleach in years and years and clearly would not want the food I feed my family to be dunked in it.

When I got home, I immediately started researching her query. I personally get chicken from three places: my local farmers market, a pastured meat and poultry CSA I belong to, and a butcher shop near my parents’ place in upstate New York called Fleisher's. I have never smelled anything even remotely chlorine-y about any of these birds. But apparently a lot of people have smelled the chemical on theirs.

My first mode of action was to email my CSA contact to find out what they do to “clean” poultry, and to see if they could help get me up to date on what USDA organic regulations are when it comes to chlorine (I highly doubted they permit such a caustic chemical). Then I started reading everything I could about chlorinated chickens. I had given the mom who asked my email address and she forwarded me some links. One article she sent from Britain’s Daily Mail lamenting a possible lift of a ban against US chicken pointed out that it “would have to be labeled as 'treated with antimicrobial substances' or 'decontaminated by chemicals'.” Would that we had such labels here!

My basic understanding is that most big poultry producers in the United States do put their chicken in chlorine baths to decontaminate it. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced earlier this year new policies and practices related to something called a Salmonella verification sampling program. It’s part of an overall initiative to raise performance standards among poultry and beef processing plants in testing and eliminating Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter and Listeria. To put this in a little context: chlorine baths are currently banned in the EU for meat and organic food in general, though apparently not for salad mixes. (Though of course it also sounds like rules and regulations change frequently. It’s hard to keep up on what is and isn’t permitted to be bathed in chlorine and, also, who, exactly is making sure what isn’t permitted isn’t happening.) In America, these baths are permitted for salad mixes, meat, and more.

Stateside, many organic and/or pastured poultry producers use ozone instead of chlorine. Apparently the USDA organic rules for chlorine levels in water must not exceed the maxim residual disinfectant limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act. By all accounts I read the levels used for chlorine baths are quite a bit higher than for regular old drinking water. In other words: chlorine baths like the ones conventional processing plants are using aren’t permitted for organic chicken. (Any meat wonks out there reading this please let me know by posting in comments if I’m getting this wrong!) Besides, I don’t personally know many organic farmers who would willingly use chlorine when there are other viable, safer disinfecting options like ozone.

That said I know not everyone “sources” (or can source) their chicken as intimately as I do, so I emailed the people at Murray’s Chicken to figure out what they do. Murray’s is the most natural, widely available brand where I live. I like the fact that they’ve recently phased out styrofoam trays in favor of more eco-friendly packaging. And, back in 2001, when I was writing about food for Details magazine, I decided it would be a good idea to see turkeys be slaughtered for a Thanksgiving column. I wound up going to see one of Murray’s Turkey farms. It was an eye opening experience and I was -- and am -- happy to report the conditions seemed quite ok, considering. I had expected the day would turn me into a vegetarian but mere hours after stroking a free range baby turkey in my arms, I ate some breast right there on the clean, gorgeous farm.

It turns out Murray’s uses electrolyzed “eco water” to clean their birds. A press release they sent me about the new-ish water says they’re the first poultry processor to use this technology in its food sanitation process on an industrial scale. More from the press release:

“Successful trials, including several at the University of Georgia, have shown that electrolyzed water is highly effective at killing food-borne bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Listeria, without affecting the quality of the food. '...We grow our chickens without administering any antibiotics, and our chickens are fed a 100% vegetarian feed free of any animal fats or animal by-products. EAU’s electrolyzed water is created using natural ingredients and has been proven non-toxic in addition to being effective,’ said Steve Gold, Vice President of Marketing for Murray’s Chicken. Electrolyzed water, marketed as Empowered Water(TM) by EAU, is created by combining salt and water with an electrical charge. The process separates the positive and negative ions of water, creating two forms of water, one very acidic and one very alkaline. The alkaline EO water is used to clean the chicken, followed by a rinse of the electrolyzed acidic water to kill any remaining food-borne pathogens.”

Yet another reason to know your farmers and/or butchers whenever possible. Or to spend the extra time to seek out trustworthy companies. Chlorine should not be what’s for dinner.

article from thedailygreen.com

Air Travelers Avoided 41 Million Trips

2008-06-26T14:23:00.000-04:00

According to the Travel Industry Association (TIA), deep frustration among air travelers caused them to avoid an estimated 41 million trips over the past 12 months at a cost of more than $26 billion to the U.S. economy.

The study, conducted by the polling firms of Peter D. Hart Research Associates and The Winston Group, demonstrated that air travelers express little optimism for positive change, with nearly 50 percent saying that the air travel system is not likely to improve in the near future.

Roger Dow, President and CEO of TIA, said "… more than 100,000 travelers each day are voting with their wallets by choosing to avoid trips."

Dow noted that the 41 million avoided trips during the last 12 months rippled outward across the entire travel community:

Costing airlines more than $9 billion in revenue
Hotels nearly $6 billion
Restaurants more than $3 billion
Federal, state and local governments lost more than $4 billion in tax revenue

Additional findings of the study:

28% of air travelers avoided at least one trip over the past year (2.1 trips on average) due to the problems in the air travel process.
Over the past 12 months, approximately 112,000 trips were avoided per day; a total of 12 million business trips and 29 million leisure trips.
More than 60% believe the air travel system is deteriorating
33% of all air travelers are dissatisfied with the air travel system, and 48% of frequent air travelers (5+ trips per year) are dissatisfied
39% of all air travelers feel their time is not respected in the air travel process, and among frequent air travelers that number surges to 51%.
Nearly 50% of all air travelers do not think it is likely that the air travel system will be improved in the near future.

Travelers tend to appreciate the convenience and safety of air travel, but at least as many passengers say air travel is frustrating

Attitudes About Traveling By Air and Airport Experience
*Attitude*	*All Travelers*	*3+ Trips/Year*	*5+ Trips/Year*
Frustrating	40%	48%	52%
Convenient	40	37	32
Safe	32	29	30
Efficient	18	15	15
Unreliable	16	21	26
Relaxing	15	13	14
Infuriating	10	11	11
Broken	5	6	10
Source: Peter D. Hart Research & The Winston Group, May 2008

The statistical margin of sampling error is ± 3.2 percentage points

Allan Rivlin, a partner at Peter D. Hart Research Associates, said "…Inefficient security screening and flight cancellations and delays are air travelers' top frustrations."

For additional information about the study, please visit TIA here.

IBM, Nokia, Sony, Others to Share Their Green Patents

2008-06-23T14:58:00.001-04:00

Jan. 14, 2008 IBM and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development are teaming with Nokia, Pitney Bowes, and Sony to release dozens of environmentally responsible patents into the public domain. The portfolio, called the "Eco-Patent Commons," aims to encourage researchers, entrepreneurs, and companies to develop greener products and services.

Patents pledged to Eco-Patent Commons feature innovations focused on environmental matters and innovations in manufacturing or business processes where the solution provides an environmental benefit. For example, Nokia submitted a patent on creating new electronics products such as clocks, calculators, and PDAs from old
cellphone components.

Any individual or company may pledge one or more patents, to be included in the Eco-Patent Commons at the organization's discretion.

Innovation to address environmental issues will require both the application of technology as well as new models for sharing intellectual property among companies in different industries,Â says Dr. John E. Kelly III, IBM senior vice president and director of IBM Research. In addition to enabling new players to engage in protecting the environment, the free exchange of valuable intellectual property will accelerate work on the next level of environmental challenges."

For more information visit the Eco-Patent Commons website, download this brochure (PDF).

To view a video highlighting some of the patented innovations IBM has pledged, click here.

FEED 1 BAG

2008-06-10T13:20:00.000-04:00

FEED 1 bag = 1 child fed in school for 1 year

buy FEED 1 Bag

The FEED 1 bag is a simple, well-designed burlap and 100% organic cotton bag that has a mighty mission - to help raise awareness and funds for child hunger.

Thanks to lots of incredible customer support, we have been able to FEED over 40,000 children for a year in school and counting!

Support FEED and the World Food Program's School Feeding operations in 74 countries by BUYING a FEED 1 BAG.

Freecycling

2008-06-03T13:56:00.003-04:00

By Sally Deneen


Buzz up!

Let’s say you have a perfectly good fish tank or swing set or computer you no longer want, but it’s too much of a hassle to drag it to a thrift store – where it may be turned away, anyway.

A fun way to find new homes for stuff is posting your items at Freecycle.org, a grassroots, volunteer-driven Internet movement committed to the notion that one person's trash is another person's treasure. Think of it as an on-line message center that connects people who want to get rid of stuff with those who can use it. Members of the free web site can give and receive items for free.

It’s a "free cycle" of giving, which keeps good things out of landfills, reduces waste and saves resources. Begun in 2003 when Deron Beal sent out an e-mail announcing the Freecycle Network to about 30 or 40 friends and a handful of nonprofit organizations in Tucson, the Arizona-based nonprofit organization since has spread around the world. So far, there are more than 4,000 local Freecycle Network groups (reachable via Freecycle.org). Among rules: All items must be completely free with no strings attached. No illegal or adult-themed materials are allowed.

No item is too big or too small to post at Freecycle. Offerings have included comforters, beds, mattresses, a 10-year-old glider rocker that rocks smoothly but its arm joints are broken, a working dryer, clothing of all kinds, a satellite dish, Halloween costumes, jogging strollers, file cabinets, computer stuff, picture frames, vases, kids’ stuff, an avocado green refrigerator that must be picked up the next day, coupons for infant formula… You get the idea. Imagine if all of that ended up at the dump. The network estimates that it’s daily keeping more than 300 tons of stuff out of landfills.

If you’re in the market for an item, you can browse the listings or tell the community what you’re seeking. You never know what people have tucked in the attic. You sure can’t beat free!

article found on thedailygreen.com

BeGreen Store Home

2008-05-28T13:07:00.000-04:00

Choose Wisely. It's a Small Planet

Looking for that perfect green product or gift? The BeGreen store stocks only the highest-quality carbon offset products and sustainable merchandise. And whats unique about us is that every product we sell supports green technologies like renewable energy, forest sequestration, and energy efficiency projects.

		BeGreen Driver
		BeGreen Home
		BeGreen Traveler
		Gift of Green
		BeGreen Carbon Offsets

California Winemaker Thinks Outside the Bottle

2008-05-16T14:13:00.001-04:00

Dec. 19, 2007 Five years after becoming one of the first U.S. vintners to package wine in lightweight, space-saving cartons instead of bottles, California winemaker Three Thieves has expanded its green-packaging program to include new varietals, citing significant savings in materials and shipping costs.
Since 2001, Three Thieves's Bandit-brand wines have been sold in packaging-pioneer Tetra Pak's "aseptic" cartons, which reduce the packaging waste associated with bottled wine by 90% and can be distributed, warehoused, and displayed in stores without refrigeration. Aseptic cartons also fit into delivery trucks more efficiently and weigh less than glass bottles, reducing carbon dioxide emissions and saving fuel.

The savings that we pass along to the consumer are significant, considering that there are no corks, labels, or foils used, and the cartons are a fraction of the weight and cost of glass,Â says company cofounder Charles Bieler.

Three Thieves is now offering Bandit merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and pinot grigio in Tetra Pak's 1-liter Tetra Prisma cartons, comprised of 70% paper, as well as single-serve 250 ml cartons.

article found on sustainablelifemedia.com

Let The Pros Wash Your Car

2008-05-06T10:55:00.002-04:00

Which is greener, a commercial car wash or DIY? The answer: go with the pros.

Commercial car washes require an average of about 45 gallons of water per car, whereas home washers typically use between 80 and 140 gallons, according to the trade group International Carwash Association. That's a big difference! Federal law requires commercial carwashes to drain their wastewater into sewers, where it normally receives some treatment, versus simply running across the land.

If you are going to clean your own vehicle, check out the waterless wash products available now from many manufacturers, such as Eco Touch. Many are non-toxic, biodegradable and petrochemical-free. Just spray on, wipe and buff gently with a clean towel, and voila. Clean car.

article found on thedailygreen.com

Scotts Miracle-Gro Recalls Pesticides After Rogue Employee Discovered

2008-04-28T13:07:00.001-04:00

Lawn Chemicals Were Improperly Labeled and Not EPA-Registered

This week the EPA has ordered Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. to stop selling and distributing two pesticide products that have not been registered with the EPA. The pesticides are "Garden Weed Preventer + Plant Food" and "SLS Fertilizer With .28 Halts," and they are in common use on lawns.

Why? According to the government, the products were not registered with the EPA, and carry invalid EPA registration numbers. This means the agency has not had a chance to review any information about the safety of the products.

Scotts is currently setting up a way for collecting any sold product, and the EPA has issued a stop order for all retailers to cease distribution. To determine if you already bought one of these items, look for these numbers: 62355-4 (garden weed prevention products) and 538-304 (SLS fertilizer). Regulators advise you to then store any product in a cool, dry place and contact Scotts or your retail outlet. You can call the EPA at 888-838-1304.

How did this happen? According to AP reports, the chairman of Scotts, Jim Hagedorn, has said the company has recently learned that a now-fired employee had "deliberately circumvented company policies, caused invalid product registration forms to be submitted to federal and state regulators and then hid those actions from co-workers and manager."

Scotts is reportedly investigating the employee's actions, and has also issued a recall for fertilizer products sold under the "Bonus S Max" and "Turf Builder Plus 2 Max" names. Although those products had been issued proper EPA registrations, it turns out the packaging was printed incorrectly.

Hagedorn says the company will be taking steps to tighten up its internal procedures, and is looking to hire a consulting firm to review policies.

Although risk to consumers seems low with this recall, the very fact that unregistered pesticides were sold for some time should give another reason to use the most natural, organic treatments possible on lawns. It's obvious that there are major cracks in our regulatory framework.