An Environmentally Friendly Blog|Information on Going Green and Eco-Friendly Products
Dec
12
Filed Under (Green Products) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Alyssa Nair asked:
Organic products are now a $7 billion market that has been growing at a rate of 20% a year and will continue to grow in years to come. While retailers who sell organic products are one of the few businesses exempt from following the requirement for certification of organic products, Whole Foods Market was the first to become a certified grocery store in the nation. There are several other industries that are coming out with new organic products, including clothing, and baby products that are among the top choices for consumers. Natural Organic Products both protect and help the environment, plus it is great for your overall health. Often, organic products are priced higher at health-food and department stores, but drugstores and discount retailers offer brands that are less expensive.
Organic Foods
When you go to your local grocery store be sure to check out the organic labels throughout the store because when you purchase organic products it helps support those farmers, producers, and handlers who have a strong commitment to good health, quality foods, and earth-friendly agricultural practices. About 14 percent of people indicated they bought organic items at their local Wal-Mart or Target super center, reinforcing the fact that organic foods play a role in everyday American households, and they are choosing to support their community and eat healthier for their family. Due to the limited supply of organic foods from both foreign land and domestic sources, they say that organic foods account for only about a third of the stores inventory, which shows there is room for growth in the coming years.
Health Lifestyle
Major products include tea, guavas, oranges, pineapples, rice, taro root, sweet potatoes and specialty crops like yams are believed to offer better health and more benefits to a healthy family. Consumers are increasingly choosing to purchase organic foods and products that offer alternatives to potentially harmful chemical and pesticides that genetically modify foods and may be undesirable from both a health and environmental standpoint. At one point these products were forgotten and ignored in the innermost corners of store shelves and health food stores, but now they are in the spotlight and taking center stage because of the newly found benefits of going organic and living a healthy lifestyle.
Skin Products
Organic skincare has long been established as an expensive yet healthy alternative to the ordinary and potentially dangerous skincare products that we have been exposed to. Nowadays, organic skincare products are coming out with more competitive prices and better environmental friendly ways of producing products, which makes them more affordable. If you have had any skin reactions to lotions or face creams in the past then you have to be careful, because everything you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body, which can cause an allergic reaction. When you get an allergic reaction your body is telling you that the chemicals you’re putting on are harmful to you. Make sure to pay attention and try an organic product to see the difference because your body knows what’s best.
With the buying power of chains like Kroger and Wal-Mart, which are increasing their organic-products selection daily, prices for organic products are likely to become more affordable. But even in many conventional supermarkets, organic products are moving out of their isolate aisles and taking their place on many shelves next to non-organics products. From my experience in the industry, it is almost always the case that the people who make organic products are those who value their work and love what they do.
HOWARD
Organic products are now a $7 billion market that has been growing at a rate of 20% a year and will continue to grow in years to come. While retailers who sell organic products are one of the few businesses exempt from following the requirement for certification of organic products, Whole Foods Market was the first to become a certified grocery store in the nation. There are several other industries that are coming out with new organic products, including clothing, and baby products that are among the top choices for consumers. Natural Organic Products both protect and help the environment, plus it is great for your overall health. Often, organic products are priced higher at health-food and department stores, but drugstores and discount retailers offer brands that are less expensive.
Organic Foods
When you go to your local grocery store be sure to check out the organic labels throughout the store because when you purchase organic products it helps support those farmers, producers, and handlers who have a strong commitment to good health, quality foods, and earth-friendly agricultural practices. About 14 percent of people indicated they bought organic items at their local Wal-Mart or Target super center, reinforcing the fact that organic foods play a role in everyday American households, and they are choosing to support their community and eat healthier for their family. Due to the limited supply of organic foods from both foreign land and domestic sources, they say that organic foods account for only about a third of the stores inventory, which shows there is room for growth in the coming years.
Health Lifestyle
Major products include tea, guavas, oranges, pineapples, rice, taro root, sweet potatoes and specialty crops like yams are believed to offer better health and more benefits to a healthy family. Consumers are increasingly choosing to purchase organic foods and products that offer alternatives to potentially harmful chemical and pesticides that genetically modify foods and may be undesirable from both a health and environmental standpoint. At one point these products were forgotten and ignored in the innermost corners of store shelves and health food stores, but now they are in the spotlight and taking center stage because of the newly found benefits of going organic and living a healthy lifestyle.
Skin Products
Organic skincare has long been established as an expensive yet healthy alternative to the ordinary and potentially dangerous skincare products that we have been exposed to. Nowadays, organic skincare products are coming out with more competitive prices and better environmental friendly ways of producing products, which makes them more affordable. If you have had any skin reactions to lotions or face creams in the past then you have to be careful, because everything you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body, which can cause an allergic reaction. When you get an allergic reaction your body is telling you that the chemicals you’re putting on are harmful to you. Make sure to pay attention and try an organic product to see the difference because your body knows what’s best.
With the buying power of chains like Kroger and Wal-Mart, which are increasing their organic-products selection daily, prices for organic products are likely to become more affordable. But even in many conventional supermarkets, organic products are moving out of their isolate aisles and taking their place on many shelves next to non-organics products. From my experience in the industry, it is almost always the case that the people who make organic products are those who value their work and love what they do.
HOWARD
Comments Off
Dec
11
Filed Under (Green Products) by Eco Friendly Advisor
m.jeya asked:
KOBO soy candles are hand-poured with 100% domestically grown pure soy wax. They feature lead free, environmentally safe cotton wicks. We love earth-friendly products, we really do, but with scents as rich and complex and packaging (including a box which may be saved to store the candle when not in use, a slim box of matches, and a candle holder to protect your surfaces from heat) this great, it’s easy to forget that one is saving the world.
Anisette Pure soy candle is hand poured using the cleanest environmentally friendly waxes, wicks and oils available. Made and grown in the UK. This Anisette Orange Pure Soy Candle is a multi layered fragrance blend of anise, red peppercorn and blood orange. Burn time is 70 hours. Hand poured pure soy candle. Multi-layered fragrance blends of anise, red peppercorn, and blood orange. Environment-safe wicks. Beautiful packaging includes box of long-stem matches.
Create a truly relaxing environment in your home with our highly concentrated and long lasting soy candles. 100% cotton wick is safe and non-toxic. Made with pure essential oils and/or a blend of fragrance oils as listed below, they deliver pure aromatic bliss. Sometimes, good things come in beautiful packages. Kobo Anisette Orange Pure Soy Candles are creative and complex fragrances. These candles are 70 hours born.
Each Kobo Anisette Pure soy candle is hand poured using the cleanest environmentally friendly waxes, wicks, and oils available. Multilayered fragrance blends of anise, red peppercorn, and blood orange. The Kobo candles are High quality candle packaged in a beautiful printed decorative box. This candle is perfect for a gift. Please purchase online www.katiewongnyc.com in Newyork city.
JEROME
KOBO soy candles are hand-poured with 100% domestically grown pure soy wax. They feature lead free, environmentally safe cotton wicks. We love earth-friendly products, we really do, but with scents as rich and complex and packaging (including a box which may be saved to store the candle when not in use, a slim box of matches, and a candle holder to protect your surfaces from heat) this great, it’s easy to forget that one is saving the world.
Anisette Pure soy candle is hand poured using the cleanest environmentally friendly waxes, wicks and oils available. Made and grown in the UK. This Anisette Orange Pure Soy Candle is a multi layered fragrance blend of anise, red peppercorn and blood orange. Burn time is 70 hours. Hand poured pure soy candle. Multi-layered fragrance blends of anise, red peppercorn, and blood orange. Environment-safe wicks. Beautiful packaging includes box of long-stem matches.
Create a truly relaxing environment in your home with our highly concentrated and long lasting soy candles. 100% cotton wick is safe and non-toxic. Made with pure essential oils and/or a blend of fragrance oils as listed below, they deliver pure aromatic bliss. Sometimes, good things come in beautiful packages. Kobo Anisette Orange Pure Soy Candles are creative and complex fragrances. These candles are 70 hours born.
Each Kobo Anisette Pure soy candle is hand poured using the cleanest environmentally friendly waxes, wicks, and oils available. Multilayered fragrance blends of anise, red peppercorn, and blood orange. The Kobo candles are High quality candle packaged in a beautiful printed decorative box. This candle is perfect for a gift. Please purchase online www.katiewongnyc.com in Newyork city.
JEROME
Comments Off
Dec
11
Filed Under (Clean Fuel) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Hilal Abdelwali asked:
The expansion of the alternative fuel business has exploded these days as people are looking more and more toward improving the environment and perhaps even saving some money in the process. As gas prices continue to skyrocket, gasoline companies know that they must start considering an expansion of their companies to compete in the alternative fuel race if they want to stay afloat.
Alternative fuels are simply those that are not made with any oil products. They are manufactured using products such as corn, vegetable oil, and even garbage! The expansion of the alternative fuel business has its advantages as alternative fuels burn cleaner and have less of an effect on the environment.
As people start to take notice of the issue of global warming, it sparks their interest in alternative fuels as a way to help the environment and keep our world from imploding. That is why oil companies and refineries are finding that they have to keep up with this public interest through an expansion of their alternative fuel divisions.
Another area of expansion in the alternative fuel market is with big car companies. They are starting to make more and more vehicles that are able to run on E85 fuel, ethanol, electricity, and propane. In fact, beginning in 1998, the Ford Motor Company committed 1 billion USD toward the expansion of their alternative fuel vehicle production lines.
In addition, the proliferation of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles is driving demand for new kinds of technician training. Considerable market expansion has occurred in CNG, propane, ethanol, and biodiesel, with more modest advances in battery-electric power. The expansion in this area of alternative fuel requires new training when it comes to making repairs to vehicles that run on alternative fuels.
Even gas stations are starting to find out that they also have to take part in the expansion of the market when it comes to alternative fuels. As more people start to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, they are also demanding easy accessibility to the fuels that run them. In order to meet the demand for alternative fuels, expansion of gas station facilities is nearly a requirement these days.
There is no doubt about it that the expansion of the alternative fuel market affects all kinds of people and businesses. The good news is that it is affecting them in a GOOD way! Expansion is always good for business, and when it comes to alternative fuels, it is good for the environment and the consumer as well. I say, let the expansion continue!
NICOLE
The expansion of the alternative fuel business has exploded these days as people are looking more and more toward improving the environment and perhaps even saving some money in the process. As gas prices continue to skyrocket, gasoline companies know that they must start considering an expansion of their companies to compete in the alternative fuel race if they want to stay afloat.
Alternative fuels are simply those that are not made with any oil products. They are manufactured using products such as corn, vegetable oil, and even garbage! The expansion of the alternative fuel business has its advantages as alternative fuels burn cleaner and have less of an effect on the environment.
As people start to take notice of the issue of global warming, it sparks their interest in alternative fuels as a way to help the environment and keep our world from imploding. That is why oil companies and refineries are finding that they have to keep up with this public interest through an expansion of their alternative fuel divisions.
Another area of expansion in the alternative fuel market is with big car companies. They are starting to make more and more vehicles that are able to run on E85 fuel, ethanol, electricity, and propane. In fact, beginning in 1998, the Ford Motor Company committed 1 billion USD toward the expansion of their alternative fuel vehicle production lines.
In addition, the proliferation of alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles is driving demand for new kinds of technician training. Considerable market expansion has occurred in CNG, propane, ethanol, and biodiesel, with more modest advances in battery-electric power. The expansion in this area of alternative fuel requires new training when it comes to making repairs to vehicles that run on alternative fuels.
Even gas stations are starting to find out that they also have to take part in the expansion of the market when it comes to alternative fuels. As more people start to purchase alternative fuel vehicles, they are also demanding easy accessibility to the fuels that run them. In order to meet the demand for alternative fuels, expansion of gas station facilities is nearly a requirement these days.
There is no doubt about it that the expansion of the alternative fuel market affects all kinds of people and businesses. The good news is that it is affecting them in a GOOD way! Expansion is always good for business, and when it comes to alternative fuels, it is good for the environment and the consumer as well. I say, let the expansion continue!
NICOLE
Comments Off
Dec
09
Filed Under (Green Products) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Marc Choyt asked:
Over the next twelve months, roughly 2.4 million Americans will spend 70 billion dollars (US) getting married. Green and socially responsible weddings can have a huge impact for the better on local economies and ecologies. Here are ten ways to express your commitment to the interconnectedness of life on earth during your wedding day.
1. Eco Engagement Rings and Eco Wedding Rings
It can take up to twenty tons of rock to produce a single wedding ring, yet there is more than enough gold available now for the entire jewelry industry. Some jewelers offer rings that are made from recycled gold. The ethical jeweler who has committed to using recycled gold will more than likely have a selection of conflict free diamonds or other gemstones that are responsibly sourced. Start your search locally, but realize that ethical wedding rings have not reached the mainstream yet and may be difficult to find.
Here are several online ethical jewelers, arranged by price range, for your consideration:
low-mid price range
high price range
Here is a guide to buying green wedding rings.
http://www.articles-collections.com/culture-and-society/consumer/ten-tips-to-purchasing-green-ethically-sourced-wedding-rings-online.html
2. Greening Your Guests
Consider reducing the numbers of people who have to travel for your wedding. This is NOT easy, but then again neither is a commitment to the earth, much less to your spouse-to-be. If you decide to have a larger wedding with many guests coming in from out of town, consider donating some money to an organization that offsets the carbon imprint of the travel.
Here is a wedding carbon dioxide offset calculator:
http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/index.html
Here are some US companies that offset carbon emissions:
TerraPass
http://www.terrapass.com/
Native Energy
http://www.nativeenergy.com/
MyClimate
http://www.myclimate.org/index.php?lang=en
3. Greening Your Invitations
Another reason that reducing your number of guests is significant is that you will also reduce the amount of paper required for printing. There are often save the date announcements, actual invitations, wedding handouts for each guest and then all the thank you letters. Be sure you’re using recycled paper or - if you can - use email as much as possible.
Here are some great sources for recycled paper:
Twisted Limb Paper - 100% Recycled Invitations
http://www.twistedlimbpaper.com/
Invite Site - Eco Invites
http://www.invitesite.com/
Green Field Paper - non-tree paper, 100% recycled paper
http://www.greenfieldpaper.com/
4. Your Green Venue
The marriage should take place somewhere that is beautiful, inspirational and resonant with your green values. Look locally for meeting houses, farms, retreat centers, community gardens, parks or a building that supports a cause you believe in. Further, make the location central to the majority of your guests. If possible, consider having two ceremonies if you have large groups of guests at opposite ends of the country.
If you choose an indoor location, talk with the building managers about the energy efficiency of their facilities. If they are working to meet LEED standards for high-efficency buildings then you’re in good shape. Ideally the place will have outdoor and indoor space, allowing for different weather contingencies. Try to choose your venue as far in advance as possible; the best places book up quickly.
Wilderness Weddings (location suggestions from the Sierra Club)
http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/weddings.asp
Learn more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
http://www.usgbc.org/
5. Your Food and Drink
A wedding is - for the majority of the attendants - a great big party. Buy organic food that is, if possible, locally grown. There are now excellent organic, and often locally produced, wines and beers. Food can be one of the most expensive parts of a wedding, but this is part of your gifting to the community that witnesses your vows. If you can’t afford an entirely organic menu, then consider going with organic meat, or choose a vegetarian option. Another idea is to ask friends to help prepare the feast.
Local Harvest: Find Organic Food Near You
http://www.localharvest.org/
Green Restaurant Association: search for green restaurants for catering
http://www.dinegreen.com/restaurant_guide.asp?page=search
6. Green Wedding Clothing
To purchase dress that will only be worn on one occasion for the wedding ceremony does not make a lot of sense. Purchase clothing that you will enjoy wearing on special occasions after the wedding. Organic fabrics are still limited, but you can choose to purchase clothing that is not made in a sweat shop. You can also rent your outfit or buy something that was worn by someone else once or twice.
Get Conscious: Hemp Wedding Gowns
http://www.getconscious.com/
Faernyn’s Grove: Green Bridal
http://mycorset.com/bridal.htm
Rawganique: Hemp, Organic Cotton Clothing
http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm
7. Gifting And Being Gifted
The experience of gifting and being gifted is an integral part of any wedding ceremony. You can decide to make your party favors environmentally responsible products. Look for locally made regional products that visitors from out of town might appreciate. People want to gift the bride and groom. Everyone wants their gift to be appreciated. So it is best to open a Green Gift Registry. Those who feel as if they have everything they need may want to ask that, instead of gifts, money be donated to a particular environmental organization.
I Do Foundation: Charity Registry
http://www.idofoundation.org/
Vivaterra
http://www.vivaterra.com/
Branch: Sustainable Design
http://branchhome.com/
GAIAM
http://www.gaiam.com/
Send Us Off: request donations towards your green honeymoon
http://www.sendusoff.com/ecofriendly.htm
8. Dishes, Recycling and Redistributing
It is more environmentally sound to rent your dishes and glasses instead of simply using disposable paper products. Ask your caterer to use earth friendly soaps when cleaning up. Also, make sure that you have bins for recycling all aluminum and glass products. Look in advance for a food depot or soup kitchen that can take the left over food and distribute it.
Nat-Ur Store: Biodegradable Cups, Cutlery, Garbage Bags
http://w5inter2.hivelocity.net/biocorp/cart/showall.asp
Recycline: Green Table Ware
http://www.recycline.com
Second Harvest: Donate Perishable/Preparred Food
http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/donate_food/perishable_food.html
9. Support Your Local Economy
Purchase locally from small businesses whenever possible. Buy local and organic flowers, which reduces transportation and pesticide impact on the environment. Or consider growing your own! Hire a local band or DJ who does not have to travel far to your venue.
10. Your Green Vows
This is the most important part of your wedding ceremony and it needs to be deeply considered. Spend some months and meditate on what is in your heart and what you can commit to. Write it out. Talk to friends who have been married a while. Include life affirming commitment to living in balance with the ecology. I was married by an Apache Medicine Woman, and she had us publicly state what my wife and I brought to the marriage-our good qualities and our flaws. For my wife and I, this exercise in front of our friends and family was a powerful expression of our humanity. Your vows are also your opportunity to spread the idea of eco-friendly values to your guests.
11. A Green Honeymoon
You will want to go to a place in nature that can restore and inspire you. Many people are familiar with ecotourism, yet know nothing about geotourism. The Geotourists has opportunities to improve the places that they visit and have meaningful experiences of local culture.
Here are some links to sites that offer green honeymoon opportunities:
National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable
The International Ecotourism Society
www.ecotourism.org
Responsible Travel
www.responsibletravel.com
Travel By Train
http://www.seat61.com/
Green Hotels:
GreenSeal Approved Green Lodging
http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm#lodging
Green Hotels Members
http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm
More Green Wedding Resources:
Eco-Friendly Wedding Planning Magazine
http://www.portovert.com/
Ethical Weddings: Forums, Blog
http://www.ethicalweddings.com/
Green Wedding Planner
http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/index.html
Co-op America: Green Businesses
http://www.coopamerica.org/
Green Confetti
http://www.ecoparti.com/toec.html
Organic Flowers Online
http://www.organicbouquet.com/
In CA: California Organic Flowers
http://www.californiaorganicflowers.com/
Conscious Living Tips
http://www.newdream.org/
Other Green Wedding Guides:
A Green Wedding
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/96/wedding
How To Green Your Wedding
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/how-to-green-your-wedding.php
10 Steps to a Green Wedding
http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/03/10_steps_to_a_g.html
Guide to a Growing Trend: The “Green” or Ecological Wedding
http://www.americanbridal.com/gutogrtrgore.html
Wedding Industry Stats (2002)
http://www.theknot.com/au_industrystats.shtml
SHON
Over the next twelve months, roughly 2.4 million Americans will spend 70 billion dollars (US) getting married. Green and socially responsible weddings can have a huge impact for the better on local economies and ecologies. Here are ten ways to express your commitment to the interconnectedness of life on earth during your wedding day.
1. Eco Engagement Rings and Eco Wedding Rings
It can take up to twenty tons of rock to produce a single wedding ring, yet there is more than enough gold available now for the entire jewelry industry. Some jewelers offer rings that are made from recycled gold. The ethical jeweler who has committed to using recycled gold will more than likely have a selection of conflict free diamonds or other gemstones that are responsibly sourced. Start your search locally, but realize that ethical wedding rings have not reached the mainstream yet and may be difficult to find.
Here are several online ethical jewelers, arranged by price range, for your consideration:
low-mid price range
high price range
Here is a guide to buying green wedding rings.
http://www.articles-collections.com/culture-and-society/consumer/ten-tips-to-purchasing-green-ethically-sourced-wedding-rings-online.html
2. Greening Your Guests
Consider reducing the numbers of people who have to travel for your wedding. This is NOT easy, but then again neither is a commitment to the earth, much less to your spouse-to-be. If you decide to have a larger wedding with many guests coming in from out of town, consider donating some money to an organization that offsets the carbon imprint of the travel.
Here is a wedding carbon dioxide offset calculator:
http://www.terrapass.com/wedding/index.html
Here are some US companies that offset carbon emissions:
TerraPass
http://www.terrapass.com/
Native Energy
http://www.nativeenergy.com/
MyClimate
http://www.myclimate.org/index.php?lang=en
3. Greening Your Invitations
Another reason that reducing your number of guests is significant is that you will also reduce the amount of paper required for printing. There are often save the date announcements, actual invitations, wedding handouts for each guest and then all the thank you letters. Be sure you’re using recycled paper or - if you can - use email as much as possible.
Here are some great sources for recycled paper:
Twisted Limb Paper - 100% Recycled Invitations
http://www.twistedlimbpaper.com/
Invite Site - Eco Invites
http://www.invitesite.com/
Green Field Paper - non-tree paper, 100% recycled paper
http://www.greenfieldpaper.com/
4. Your Green Venue
The marriage should take place somewhere that is beautiful, inspirational and resonant with your green values. Look locally for meeting houses, farms, retreat centers, community gardens, parks or a building that supports a cause you believe in. Further, make the location central to the majority of your guests. If possible, consider having two ceremonies if you have large groups of guests at opposite ends of the country.
If you choose an indoor location, talk with the building managers about the energy efficiency of their facilities. If they are working to meet LEED standards for high-efficency buildings then you’re in good shape. Ideally the place will have outdoor and indoor space, allowing for different weather contingencies. Try to choose your venue as far in advance as possible; the best places book up quickly.
Wilderness Weddings (location suggestions from the Sierra Club)
http://www.sierraclub.org/e-files/weddings.asp
Learn more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
http://www.usgbc.org/
5. Your Food and Drink
A wedding is - for the majority of the attendants - a great big party. Buy organic food that is, if possible, locally grown. There are now excellent organic, and often locally produced, wines and beers. Food can be one of the most expensive parts of a wedding, but this is part of your gifting to the community that witnesses your vows. If you can’t afford an entirely organic menu, then consider going with organic meat, or choose a vegetarian option. Another idea is to ask friends to help prepare the feast.
Local Harvest: Find Organic Food Near You
http://www.localharvest.org/
Green Restaurant Association: search for green restaurants for catering
http://www.dinegreen.com/restaurant_guide.asp?page=search
6. Green Wedding Clothing
To purchase dress that will only be worn on one occasion for the wedding ceremony does not make a lot of sense. Purchase clothing that you will enjoy wearing on special occasions after the wedding. Organic fabrics are still limited, but you can choose to purchase clothing that is not made in a sweat shop. You can also rent your outfit or buy something that was worn by someone else once or twice.
Get Conscious: Hemp Wedding Gowns
http://www.getconscious.com/
Faernyn’s Grove: Green Bridal
http://mycorset.com/bridal.htm
Rawganique: Hemp, Organic Cotton Clothing
http://www.rawganique.com/organic-hemp-wedding-clothes.htm
7. Gifting And Being Gifted
The experience of gifting and being gifted is an integral part of any wedding ceremony. You can decide to make your party favors environmentally responsible products. Look for locally made regional products that visitors from out of town might appreciate. People want to gift the bride and groom. Everyone wants their gift to be appreciated. So it is best to open a Green Gift Registry. Those who feel as if they have everything they need may want to ask that, instead of gifts, money be donated to a particular environmental organization.
I Do Foundation: Charity Registry
http://www.idofoundation.org/
Vivaterra
http://www.vivaterra.com/
Branch: Sustainable Design
http://branchhome.com/
GAIAM
http://www.gaiam.com/
Send Us Off: request donations towards your green honeymoon
http://www.sendusoff.com/ecofriendly.htm
8. Dishes, Recycling and Redistributing
It is more environmentally sound to rent your dishes and glasses instead of simply using disposable paper products. Ask your caterer to use earth friendly soaps when cleaning up. Also, make sure that you have bins for recycling all aluminum and glass products. Look in advance for a food depot or soup kitchen that can take the left over food and distribute it.
Nat-Ur Store: Biodegradable Cups, Cutlery, Garbage Bags
http://w5inter2.hivelocity.net/biocorp/cart/showall.asp
Recycline: Green Table Ware
http://www.recycline.com
Second Harvest: Donate Perishable/Preparred Food
http://www.secondharvest.org/how_to_help/donate_food/perishable_food.html
9. Support Your Local Economy
Purchase locally from small businesses whenever possible. Buy local and organic flowers, which reduces transportation and pesticide impact on the environment. Or consider growing your own! Hire a local band or DJ who does not have to travel far to your venue.
10. Your Green Vows
This is the most important part of your wedding ceremony and it needs to be deeply considered. Spend some months and meditate on what is in your heart and what you can commit to. Write it out. Talk to friends who have been married a while. Include life affirming commitment to living in balance with the ecology. I was married by an Apache Medicine Woman, and she had us publicly state what my wife and I brought to the marriage-our good qualities and our flaws. For my wife and I, this exercise in front of our friends and family was a powerful expression of our humanity. Your vows are also your opportunity to spread the idea of eco-friendly values to your guests.
11. A Green Honeymoon
You will want to go to a place in nature that can restore and inspire you. Many people are familiar with ecotourism, yet know nothing about geotourism. The Geotourists has opportunities to improve the places that they visit and have meaningful experiences of local culture.
Here are some links to sites that offer green honeymoon opportunities:
National Geographic Center for Sustainable Destinations
www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/sustainable
The International Ecotourism Society
www.ecotourism.org
Responsible Travel
www.responsibletravel.com
Travel By Train
http://www.seat61.com/
Green Hotels:
GreenSeal Approved Green Lodging
http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm#lodging
Green Hotels Members
http://www.greenhotels.com/members.htm
More Green Wedding Resources:
Eco-Friendly Wedding Planning Magazine
http://www.portovert.com/
Ethical Weddings: Forums, Blog
http://www.ethicalweddings.com/
Green Wedding Planner
http://www.greeneleganceweddings.com/index.html
Co-op America: Green Businesses
http://www.coopamerica.org/
Green Confetti
http://www.ecoparti.com/toec.html
Organic Flowers Online
http://www.organicbouquet.com/
In CA: California Organic Flowers
http://www.californiaorganicflowers.com/
Conscious Living Tips
http://www.newdream.org/
Other Green Wedding Guides:
A Green Wedding
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/96/wedding
How To Green Your Wedding
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/04/how-to-green-your-wedding.php
10 Steps to a Green Wedding
http://sierraclub.typepad.com/greenlife/2007/03/10_steps_to_a_g.html
Guide to a Growing Trend: The “Green” or Ecological Wedding
http://www.americanbridal.com/gutogrtrgore.html
Wedding Industry Stats (2002)
http://www.theknot.com/au_industrystats.shtml
SHON
Comments Off
Dec
07
Filed Under (Going Green) by Eco Friendly Advisor
bluetea asked:
I have heard so much discussion about trying to be more environmentally friendly including buying organic, purchasing cars that uses less fossil fuel, drinking tap water instead of bottled water, using more environmentally friendly materials; the list goes on and on. Yet what immediate benefit can one say to convince either oneself or others that “going green” is a good move? Or are the effects going to be long term, if there is any at all, that no one will know until 50 years or 100 years or more? I need help deciphering truth from panic. I want to help what lives in this earth not help destroy, how does one do that?
EDDIE
I have heard so much discussion about trying to be more environmentally friendly including buying organic, purchasing cars that uses less fossil fuel, drinking tap water instead of bottled water, using more environmentally friendly materials; the list goes on and on. Yet what immediate benefit can one say to convince either oneself or others that “going green” is a good move? Or are the effects going to be long term, if there is any at all, that no one will know until 50 years or 100 years or more? I need help deciphering truth from panic. I want to help what lives in this earth not help destroy, how does one do that?
EDDIE
Dec
06
Filed Under (Green Products) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Phoenix Delray asked:
It is a luxury to decorate your living space with contemporary home decor, but what better way to add to your life style than with items and decorations that not only look good but become a hobby to collect, and a life style choice that makes you feel good. Some of the top trends in contemporary home decor include green decorating, or eco friendly designs and decorations, decorating your home with colorful objects, which researchers show triggers endorphins in people and makes them feel good, and then mixing colors with textures such as woods, metals or fabrics even.
No Matter what combination you choose, if the style you choose to decorate your home makes you feel as though you are living a luxury life style then you are making improvements to your life which is always a good thing.
Green decorations or eco friendly designs utilize natural, sustainable, organic, recycled and or repurposed products. Although these words are not typically associated with luxury life style and fine living, artists and designers are taking one mans trash and making original forms of art that are other peoples treasures. Eco friendly details and designs are being interpreted in stylish ways that excite decorators, artists and earth preserving enthusiasts. The term going green refers to shifting ones mindset and typical routines to include earth friendly life style choices that will help make the world a better place for future generations. And if one can stylize their space while doing good for the earth, why not.
Adding bright colors is a trend associated with contemporary home decor and might include rich hues of eggplant, or robins nest blue. For a sharp color contrast, or a color contrast that has particular sharp appeal. If a decorator chooses to go the extreme bold route, one large piece such as a bright couch might work especially in a room that is of neutral paint color. The other option might be to scatter colors throughout the home, such as with accent pillows, colorful curtains and other details to rugs and throw blankets.
Adding textures alongside bright colors and eco friendly contemporary home decor will give your living space an even keeled style. Textures like shiny metal or mattes next to woods and bright colors really brightens your living space and brings life to dull, flat areas. Grey metals like pewter, steel aluminum and silver look great alongside animal prints and even landscape or outdoors related themes. For fine living life style and luxury contemporary home decor any of these design combinations will have your living space looking fantastic.
JONAS
It is a luxury to decorate your living space with contemporary home decor, but what better way to add to your life style than with items and decorations that not only look good but become a hobby to collect, and a life style choice that makes you feel good. Some of the top trends in contemporary home decor include green decorating, or eco friendly designs and decorations, decorating your home with colorful objects, which researchers show triggers endorphins in people and makes them feel good, and then mixing colors with textures such as woods, metals or fabrics even.
No Matter what combination you choose, if the style you choose to decorate your home makes you feel as though you are living a luxury life style then you are making improvements to your life which is always a good thing.
Green decorations or eco friendly designs utilize natural, sustainable, organic, recycled and or repurposed products. Although these words are not typically associated with luxury life style and fine living, artists and designers are taking one mans trash and making original forms of art that are other peoples treasures. Eco friendly details and designs are being interpreted in stylish ways that excite decorators, artists and earth preserving enthusiasts. The term going green refers to shifting ones mindset and typical routines to include earth friendly life style choices that will help make the world a better place for future generations. And if one can stylize their space while doing good for the earth, why not.
Adding bright colors is a trend associated with contemporary home decor and might include rich hues of eggplant, or robins nest blue. For a sharp color contrast, or a color contrast that has particular sharp appeal. If a decorator chooses to go the extreme bold route, one large piece such as a bright couch might work especially in a room that is of neutral paint color. The other option might be to scatter colors throughout the home, such as with accent pillows, colorful curtains and other details to rugs and throw blankets.
Adding textures alongside bright colors and eco friendly contemporary home decor will give your living space an even keeled style. Textures like shiny metal or mattes next to woods and bright colors really brightens your living space and brings life to dull, flat areas. Grey metals like pewter, steel aluminum and silver look great alongside animal prints and even landscape or outdoors related themes. For fine living life style and luxury contemporary home decor any of these design combinations will have your living space looking fantastic.
JONAS
Comments Off
Dec
03
Filed Under (Going Green) by Eco Friendly Advisor
Kristen H asked:
I am the marketing manager in a small multimedia company (under 20 people). We are looking to get involved environmentally, going GREEN. How can we get involved in a local community with little budget? Also, we are self-serving in the fact that we would like to get some recognition out of this.
DUSTIN
I am the marketing manager in a small multimedia company (under 20 people). We are looking to get involved environmentally, going GREEN. How can we get involved in a local community with little budget? Also, we are self-serving in the fact that we would like to get some recognition out of this.
DUSTIN