This post was originally posted here: 5 Easy Recycling Ideas to Save Our Landfills

Back when cavemen and women walked the earth, there wasn’t a lot of waste. If a guy’s stone club broke it was still, well, a stone. That’s not so today. We use a huge variety of products to the end of their life cycle and then struggle to dispose of them properly.

Here are 5 easy recycling ideas to help our landfills.

Cellphones and Other Electronics

Many of us have lost count of how many cellphones we’ve had over the years. These need to be properly disposed. There’s good news in the case of cellphones: many can be sold online for cash. Sellcell.com and Ecosquid.com are two sites that will hook you up with a company willing to buy your old phone. Just enter the make, model and condition and within a few seconds you’ll see if there’s cash in your old cellphone.

Try Buymytronics.com or Nextworth.com for other electronic items. They take a wide range electronic items, such as game consoles, computers, Blu-Ray players, audio systems, tablets, digital cameras and more. If you don’t want to bother with an eBay auction, or Craig’s List ad, this is the way to go.

If you would like to support a charity, take a look at eBay’s Rethink program, and for basic recycling, your local Best Buy store will take your old electronics off your hands for no charge. Apple will also take various electronics and computers and sometimes give you an Apple gift card.

Some cell phone providers have collection bins at their offices, especially near the holidays, to collect old cell phones for our troops. This enables our overseas soldiers to call home for Christmas.

Batteries: Big and Small

Rechargeable batteries can be recycled. There are valuable metals in the batteries, including cellphone batteries, that can be reclaimed and reused. Sometimes old batteries can be refurbished and resold. Find a drop off spot near you at Call2recycle. Call2Recycle donates a percentage of its proceeds to various charities.

For bigger batteries, car batteries specifically, local automotive garages and car part dealers often act as drop off points for recyclers. There may be a small fee assessed. The first place to check is wherever your battery initially came from. Also, local solid waste agencies may have a location that accepts batteries.

Plastic Bags and Packaging

Plastic is everywhere and we all probably have a horror story or two that involves wrestling with clamshell packaging. Fortunately, much of the plastic we encounter on a daily basis can be recycled, including grocery bags.

Many stores have a drop off location where you can stuff your used plastic bags. Of course, reusable bags are the best long term option, but for some families, toting around a boxful of strong, reusable bags isn’t a practical option. If your store isn’t recycling plastic bags point your browser over to Plasticbagrecycling.org and get connected to a local drop-off spot.

Other packaging, like plastic bottles, can usually be taken to your local recycler. Check the code on the bottom and find out which kinds of plastics are accepted.

Automotive oil

Frequent oil changes are absolutely necessary to prolong the life of your car’s engine, and fortunately modern oil lasts a bit longer than the oil we used to pour into our cars. However, Americans still go through a lot of oil. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that if everyone who changes their own motor oil recycled, it would save enough motor oil each year for more than 50 million automobiles. Pretty slick, huh?

With just a little research you’ll be able to find a service station or recycling center that will take your old oil. And, don’t forget about the used oil from marine engines, lawnmowers, farm equipment and other motors.

Wood

If you’ve ever done any remodeling, you probably have a good appreciation for the amount of debris that is created. Many of us remember to recycle our office paper in order to “save a tree” but we forget about all the wood scraps sitting around our yards and garages. Imagine the number of trees we could save!

The federal government estimates that they are more than 500 plants across the nation that will process your scrap wood and sometimes they’ll even pay between $12 and $24 for each ton. Call your local recycler to find the location nearest to you.

Those my 5 easy recycling ideas, but I suspect many of you have your own recycling tips you could share. How about it?

Chris Turberville-Tully is a marketing strategist for Denios, a hazardous material storage company in Germany specializing in health and safety products storage, containtment and spills.

This post was originally posted here: Honda Civic Beats 2012 Green Car Competitors

Honda Civic Beats 2012 Green Car Competitors

Each year the race is on to create automobiles that are more fuel-efficient and cost-effective than their predecessors, especially with the marketplace for green cars growing as consumers look for ways to save money while reducing their carbon footprint.  And the Green Car Journal has chronicled the advancement of this eco-friendly undertaking since 2005 by bestowing the title of Green Car of the Year on the vehicle that best embodies what it means to be an environmentally responsible driver in an era of global warming.  The competition was stiff, but the Honda Civic Natural Gas won the award, beating out a heavyweight lineup that included the Ford Focus Electric, the Mitsubishi i-Miev, the Toyota Prius v, and the Volkswagen Passat TDI (diesel).  Thanks to a prestigious panel of judges (including Carroll Shelby, Carl Pope, Frances Bienecke, and even Jay Leno) the Honda took home the prize.  And here are some of the features that helped this green car to win.

1. Alternative fuel.  The Honda Civic hybrid has been in production for nearly a decade now, but the inclusion of a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine seems to have made all the difference.  This source of fuel is notably greener than regular gasoline in that it reduces carbon emissions by up to 20%.  That may not sound significant, but when paired with a partially electric engine it just increases a driver’s ability to do his/her part for cleaner air, lower emissions, and a planet that is habitable for future generations.
2. Cost.  Honda has long been associated with cars that are just as friendly for the wallet as they are for the environment, and this little number is no exception.  With a price point that starts around $26,000, it is fairly affordable (especially when stacked up against green competitors).  But drivers of this eco-friendly vehicle will also pay less at the pump, thanks to fuel prices that generally run about a third less than the standard fare.
3. Domestic support.  Most Americans have a tough time buying American products for two reasons.  First, they tend to be more expensive than imports (strange, but true).  And second, it can be difficult to find made-in-America options.  Not so with the Honda Civic.  Not only is it a car that is manufactured in the United States, but the natural gas fuel that it runs on is found in abundance in America, making it a home-grown product that continues to support local businesses.
4. Range.  While fully electric vehicles may beat the Civic in terms of environmental friendliness, the practicality of a vehicle cannot be overlooked, and many electric cars simply can’t compete with hybrids.  The Civic, for its part, offers an estimated range of 240 miles on a full tank, which means it can go about 2 ½ times the distance of even the best of its electric brethren.
5. Industry-leading advances.  The Green Car Journal has made it their mission to “showcase environmental progress in the auto industry”.  To that end they are seeking eco-friendly automobiles that are both progressive and practical.  While they didn’t exactly perform an auto insurance comparison, check registration fees, or look into maintenance costs, they did choose a vehicle that is functional and affordable for most drivers while offering eco-friendly incentives that go above and beyond industry standards.  That’s why it was chosen over the competition as the Green Car of the Year for 2012.

This post was originally posted here: Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

With today’s trend toward going green, one unique and exciting project is to raise chickens. Though it may sound like a lot of work, personal chickens can help the environment, help maintain a healthy lifestyle and teach social responsibility.

Just like any pet, chickens can have names and tags, called poultry leg bands, to identify them. The responsibility is the same as any pet. They need to be fed, cleaned and loved. However, chickens can benefit the planet more than other pets because they are a regenerating food source.

So Many Eggs

It is common knowledge that chickens lay eggs, but how many eggs does a chicken lay? Chickens naturally lay one egg per day, depending on the type of chicken, feed, lighting and the sort. Poultry bands on the chickens can help distinguish between the hens to keep track of the ones that lay most.

In the egg industry however, because of practices that might be considered abuse, chickens lay many more eggs, but their life spans are limited because of it. By taking on chickens, it not only creates an eco-friendly breakfast, it helps the chickens live up to their potential. The chickens can also be used for their hormone-free meat, but to keep the family friendly environment, keeping the chickens for their eggs and good humor should suffice.

Side Benefits

Raising chickens also help the earth because they are a great source of organic fertilizer. The excrement from the chickens can help with other environmentally friendly activities, like growing a garden. As well, the chickens are a great form of pest control because chickens eat bugs along with their regular diet. This keeps from having to rely on dangerous, poisonous herbicides that can potentially harm the land and eventually the water supply.

Having a henhouse with chickens is also a great way to teach social responsibility. By allowing children to identify their pets with poultry leg bands, they can attach themselves and learn to nurture and care for their new friends. Plus, they can learn why it is important to be friendly to the environment by taking care of the animals that help take care of them.

Get Started

When deciding to raise chickens, make sure to research the subject well. With enough preparation, the task is not difficult, but like any animals, chickens take some work. Check city ordinances and make sure there is enough space for the chickens to make themselves at home. Look into poultry leg bands to find the ones that are most effective, and feel good about the contributions being made to save the chickens and the environment.

Janet thinks that raising chickens is an awesome idea – and tagging them with chicken leg bands seems just so…cute! She loves walking around her town and finding new inspiration.

This post was originally posted here: The Environmental Impact of Throwing Dead Batteries into the Trash

We live in an era in which consumption is first. We consume everything, with great frenzy. Among the millions of necessary products for modern human being, are the batteries. Our landfills are full with hundreds of millions of dead batteries. Yes, we are able to replace the cu trees but, what about the hundreds of millions of batteries that poison our environment.

However, the impact to our environment depends of what type are these batteries. Some of the batteries are more toxic then others but in the final, all end at landfill. Unfortunately, all dead batteries pollute our environment.

“Green Batteries” were not invented yet. Therefore, it is vital to recycle our batteries.

We need to recycle our batteries

We need to protect our landfills. In time, the batteries that we throw in the garbage, degrade and start leaking heavy metals in our topsoil and underground water. In the end, these toxins will end in our ecosystem and will poison the vegetation, animals and people.

Burning the dead batteries in waste incinerators is not an option. The smoke resulting from burning is also polluting. Moreover, this smoke can increase the risk of cancer and other related diseases.

Recycling the car batteries gives us the possibility to reuse their metals. It is economical and a wise way to fight against global warming.

Why we cannot do the same with small batteries as we are doing with car batteries?

The recycle of car batteries rate is over 90%. There are over than 70 % recycled materials included in the component of the new batteries.

In the last years, environmental organizations are trying to educate more and more people to recycle their batteries. Hopeful is that the rate of people interested in recycling is growing. This is great. It may be a chance to save our ecosystem.

Way to create advance portable power and to save the environment

To make a change, you can start choosing less harm portable power such as batteries with zinc and oxygen. Another option is batteries with nickel. These are smaller batteries and they can replace the toxically, the batteries with mercury. The great thing is that they are solar power rechargeable.

Tips for long life rechargeable batteries

1. Read carefully and follow the manufacturer manual guidelines.
2. When you do not use them, remove your batteries from charger. This way you will prolong your batteries life.
3. Never ever, try to recharge an already charged battery. This will decrease its life term.

In fact, rechargeable batteries are the future of batteries. You can use them hundreds of time before you need to recycle them. The only thing disadvantageous is they are more toxic compared with the single use ones.

We all should act responsible and have a little contribution to save our ecosystem.

If you like this article, there are other articles you may enjoy reading. Visit: http://dietandi.com

This post was originally posted here: Protecting the Ocean’s Unloved: Endangered Sharks

Environmentalists have long been concerned with protecting life in the oceans. The effort to protect the majestic whales has been going on almost since Herman Melville wrote Moby Dick. When people learned that adorable dolphins were being caught in tuna nets, a large public outcry helped change the practices of the tuna fishing industry. Dedicated environmentalists will cut apart the plastic rings from their six-packs of soft drinks so that cute sea birds aren’t strangled by them. The die off of the beautiful coral reefs alarms many about global warming. Even the fishermen themselves are worried about declining populations of edible fish. But one creature in the sea induces fear and revulsion — the shark — and has not had an advocate until recently.

Few in Western world are even aware that sharks are being harvested, putting their populations in danger. Many Asians, however, consider shark fin soup a delicacy. The soup is considered to grant vitality. The soup also is a kind of status symbol, like caviar, that the Chinese consider being served it an show of honor and respect. With a price tag of $100 per bowl, being served shark fin soup is an honor. With the rise in prosperity in Asia, more can afford that luxury, so demand for shark fins has skyrocketed. One pound of shark fins can sell for $300, and in 2008 at least 10 million passed through Hong Kong.

Biology plays an important role in the shark’s demise. Having been at the top of the food chain for so long, they do not reproduce quickly. They don’t have many offspring, and they can take 10 years to mature, so they are not replacing themselves as fast as they are being harvested.

International treaties have proven ineffective. The United Nations prohibits trade in endangered species, but five endangered shark species were denied protection because of the votes of countries that profit from the trade. Local regulations are working better. The United States bans removing shark fins at sea, reducing the size of the catch. California recently joined Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington in banning shark fin sales. While the United States allows shark fishing without a permit, Honduras and the Bahamas have banned shark fishing altogether.

The most recent and most effective efforts have aimed at reducing demand. The Food Network has removed shark fin recipes, and a popular Chinese auction site no longer allows sales. Celebrities campaign against restaurants offering the soup and people consuming the soup. These efforts have successfully reduced demand in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States, but the Chinese continue increasing consumption.

Even though they are not cute and cuddly, sharks play a vital role in the ecosystem of the seas, and they need our protection. People are starting to understand this, but more needs to be done. If we fail to drastically cut back the harvest to the point where the sharks can replace their numbers, eventually no one will be able to buy a bowl of shark fin soup at any price.

This guest post was written by Harrison Lapari, who writes for Hotel Dealers. Visit www.hoteldealers.net today if you want to book the cheapest hotels in your next vacation. You can use their hotel price comparison service to find the cheapest hotels.

This post was originally posted here: Get your home ready for winter

In January, the U.S.was gripped by one of the coldest winters on record, with temperatures in some parts of the country falling as low as -50F. As another winter approaches, households are advised to prepare their homes for winter, a task that can be made more affordable by considering savings at moneysupermarket.

The prospect of an especially harsh winter should not be dismissed by households. Every year, cold weather causes thousands of deaths and extensive damage to properties in the United States.

Although the east coast is often worst hit, severely cold weather can strike any part of the country, which is why all property owners should prepare for the forthcoming winter.

One of the most important areas of the home to protect from the cold is the plumbing. Pipes can easily freeze overnight, often resulting in supply shortages, leaks and building damage.

Insulating pipes wherever possibly is highly recommended, while it is also useful to locate and clear access to the internal and external water supply pipes in the event of an emergency.

Central heating systems should also be checked ahead of the winter. Money can be saved by replacing old or inefficient boilers during the warmer months.

Servicing a boiler in the fall can also help to prevent component failures, which are likely to be more expensive to fix or replace in winter when plumbers and engineers are at their busiest.

Considering that heating systems will be more heavily relied upon during winter, it is advisable to check and, if necessary, replace all carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms in the home.

Meanwhile, furnaces and radiators should be inspected by suitably qualified engineers. Fireplaces should also be checked, while chimneys ought to be cleaned.

Reducing energy consumption is another good way to save money in preparation for winter. Installing smart meters in the home to identify where power savings can be made helps to reduce energy bills.

Efficiency can be improved even further by insulating lofts, ceilings and cavity walls. It may also be worth installing solar panels on rooftops (ideally in spring) to generate energy for use in the home.

Another useful pre-winter measure is to inspect, clear and repair all drains and gutters, which can cause various problems that are exacerbated by rain, snow and ice.

Strong winds often cause damage during the fall, so repairing roof tiles, shingles and flashing may be necessary to ensure that a home is ready for more challenging weather conditions.

The grounds of a home should also be maintained in preparation for winter. Lawns should be mowed and trees with large or overhanging branches should be trimmed to avoid problems with ice and high winds.

The foundations of a property and its exterior walls and doors ought to be checked for cracks and other such problems. Sealing even the smallest of holes in an outside wall can prevent a major rodent infestation.

Finally, households should prepare for the worst. Gritting salt or sand should be purchased to keep ice from settling on drives, while basic provisions such as food, blankets and candles should be stockpiled in case of an emergency.

This post was originally posted here: Eco-Friendly Board Games

In this day and age it is rare to find people who regularly play board games.  Most are more interested in testing the next big thing in massive multiplayer online games (MMOs), like FarmVille, FrontierVille, CityVille, GagaVille, or whatever new craziness Zynga decides to post on Facebook.  Or they’re glued to their phones, trying to crush elaborate constructions of wood and cinderblocks with nothing but a slingshot and a few disgruntled fowl.  In short, the modern gamer likes it electronic.  But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still scads of board games being produced to meet the entertainment needs of a new generation.  And if you’re interested in finding some for the whole family that not only provide for hours of fun, but also do something good for the environment, then you’re in luck.  There are quite a few eco-friendly board games prepared to meet your demands.

1. Xeko.  For anyone who enjoys complex card games like Magic: the Gathering and Yuh-Gi-Oh, this game will be right up your alley.  You start by selecting a mission in Madagascar, Costa Rica, or Indonesia (each is a different version of the game and comes in its own box with board/map and cards).  Players use cards in combination to save endangered ecosystems while learning about local ecology.  The game is suitable for kids 10 and over and expansion card packs can be purchased separately.
2. Garden-Opoly.  If you guessed from the name that this board game is a spinoff of the classic Monopoly, you would be correct.  Instead of buying property in the city, you purchase the deeds to gardens, which you populate with greenhouses (rather than hotels).  And while you won’t have to worry about property tax or going to jail, you can expect aphids, dandelions, and water bills to pop up occasionally.  You can also pick up alternate versions such as Bug-Opoly, Farm-Opoly, and Ocean-Opoly, amongst others in the series.
3. A Beautiful Place.  This cooperative game will appeal to many parents not only for its eco-friendly theme, but also for the fact that it encourages players to work together for a unified goal rather than engaging in competitive behavior.  The gist of it is that Earth has been damaged by pollution and the players must try to return it to a natural state of beauty.  Even better than the game itself is the fact that its components are made from recycled paper products, soy-based inks, water-based glues, and safe paints.
4. Plan Toys Eco Recycling Game.  This one is for the younger tots (pre-school age) and all the pieces are made from eco-friendly materials (recycled, chemical-free, and water-based) with the added purpose of minimizing waste in manufacturing.  The goal of the game is for players to get rid of all of their tokens first.
5. The Yoga Garden Game.  If you want to incorporate exercise into your game time with the kids, this is a great way to go.  You’ll practice simple yoga moves while learning about plants and animals, and kids are encouraged to plant their own gardens.

If you’ve grown bored with your MMOs and RPGs, and the free roulette game that drew you to online gambling have dried up, then perhaps it’s time to go retro by trying out a new slate of board games that are played in the real world (without the use of electronic devices).  With the addition of green sensibilities, you can not only enjoy the fun of spending quality time with your family, but also teach your kids about conservation and environmentalism.

This post was originally posted here: Selecting Eco-Friendly Furniture for Your Home

From bed-knobs and bar-rails to couches, chairs, and cabinets, every piece of furniture in your home has the potential to do less harm to the Earth. Whether these items are made from recycled materials, manufactured with cleaner, greener processes, or purchased used in order to give them a second life, every single stick that supports you or your stuff can be in keeping with your environmental sensibilities. And you might be surprised by the number of options available. You can not only find some incredible pieces that have been refurbished, you can also find many new products to suit your furnishing needs.
Here are just a few options when it comes to filling your home with eco-friendly furniture.
1. Thrift stores and yard sales. This is sort of the bottom-of-the-barrel way of shopping for new furniture, but you just never know what you might find; you’d be surprised at the perfectly good pieces other people will throw away. At the very least, you can find furniture that fits your needs at a great, low price, and then spend a little more to have it refurbished so that it also suits your aesthetics. You’ll still spend less than you would on new furniture and you’ll reduce your carbon footprint along the way.
2. Estate sales. As garage sales go, this type will likely yield some nicer results than your average household can offer. Of course, you’ll pay a little more and the atmosphere may be one of auction rather than simply walking in and buying the piece you want, but you can probably find some furniture that is in great shape and you could possibly even get matching sets. The bonus with this type of sale is that you can likely use the furniture as-is rather than having to undertake any refurbishing (and you’re still doing less harm to the environment).
3. Reclaimed furniture outlets. If you strike out at local estate sales, and thrift stores are a hard sell for you, then perhaps reclaimed furniture will offer you the opportunity to get items that are used, but feel like new. Retailers that deal in reclaimed furnishings are often choosy about the pieces they take and many will do some refurbishing before they resell the items. This means that you will pay more, but you’ll get furnishings that are in great shape, look new, and support your green initiative.
4. Online shopping. There are a couple of ways you could go about using the internet to your advantage when it comes to eco-furnishings. For starters, you could use Craigslist to find exactly what you’re looking for (so that you don’t have to pollute the air with emissions as you go from one yard sale to the next on your search for furniture). You can also find some great ideas for refurbishing pieces you already have (cutting down on waste and decreasing the demand for manufacturing). Finally, you can locate brand new items that are built green (or at least come from environmentally responsible sources).
5. Eco-friendly home stores. This last option will probably cost you the most, since the items they sell are technically new (although some may be composed of recycled materials). But you can find furniture that is made with sustainable wood (or other materials), low-VOC varnish and adhesives, and organic fabric components, all of which do less harm to the planet we call home (as well as your house).

Sarah Danielson is a writer for Everlasting Hardwoods where you can find a great selection of Ipe decking for your home.

This post was originally posted here: 5 Environmental Films Everyone Should See

You might be surprised by the vast number of films on the market that pertain to environmental issues; and they’re not all slow-moving, voice-over-heavy Discovery documentaries, either.  There are quite a few mainstream movies that focus on the many problems facing our environment, from pollution and waste to conservation issues.  So whether you’re looking for the facts through your media consumption or you just want a couple hours of entertainment (with a little added value), here are a few environmentally focused movies that you won’t want to miss.

1.       An Inconvenient Truth (2006).  Probably the most lauded environmental film ever, this cinematic representation of Al Gore’s presentation on global warming not only won awards, but also caught the attention of the consumer public.  Since its release, more people than ever are looking at ways to cut emissions, pollution, and waste on both a personal level and a larger scale.  Although some of the findings were later disputed, it cannot be denied that our planet is headed for trouble if we don’t find a way to reduce the damage we’re causing.

2.       Erin Brokovich (2000).  By now everyone has heard about the rags-to-riches story that made struggling single-mom Erin Brokovich into an advocate for the people.  But the movie is still a great watch, bearing all the hallmarks of a fantastic story arc, including an evil mega-corporation (PG&E), a nefarious cover-up (hexavalent chromium polluting the water supply), and of course, a happy ending (sort of…millions of dollars won’t bring back those who have died from cancer).  It’s an apt warning about the dangers of trusting big business too much.

3.       Wall-E (2008).  This is not just a kid’s movie, although it’s a good place for them to start their journey towards an environmental consciousness.  It’s pretty overt, starting with a mass exodus of humans off the planet that they destroyed (leaving only machines to clean up their overwhelming mess).  But as with all Pixar movies, the underlying message is delivered with aplomb and more than a little heart.

4.       Soylent Green (1973).  Yeah, it’s people.  This kitschy movie about shortages that lead food companies to add people to their products is both disturbing and frighteningly relevant as we look into a future in which our population continues to expand while farmland used to grow crops and raise animals shrinks.  Is this outcome likely in real life?  Probably not.  But it definitely provides food for thought.

5.       Gorillas in the Mist (1988).  Sometimes we get so caught up in worrying about overwhelming issues like pollution, global warming, and deforestation that we forget about more targeted problems like particular species that are losing their habitat and their lives to human encroachment and poaching.  This movie is based on real-life zoologist Dian Fossey, who lived with and studied mountain gorillas in Rwanda for over 18 years (until her murder in 1985, which remains unsolved).  Although this is a dramatization, it is an apt one; Sigourney Weaver received a Golden Globe and an Oscar nod for her riveting portrayal of a woman on the edge of civilization who is fighting a losing battle against ignorance and corruption.

Sarah Danielson writes for San Francisco Blu Ray Replication which offers blu-ray replication and an array of other video related services.

This post was originally posted here: How College Campuses are Going Green

Despite the rising cost of tuition, the reduction in scholarships, and the ongoing recession that makes getting a job and a loan harder than ever, many students on college campuses are still using their famously high energy levels and penchant for social consciousness to try to improve the state of our planet – starting with their own college campuses.  Of course, many schools are also looking for ways to embrace an eco-consciousness, especially considering the money that can be saved through conservation and returned through government incentives.  In short, many colleges are at the forefront of technology and innovation when it comes to going green.  Here are just a few ways that institutions of higher learning are making the air a little easier to breathe.

For starters, you’d be hard pressed to find a college campus anywhere that doesn’t have recycling bins for plastic, glass, and aluminum (at the least).  While most teenagers will toss a can out the window of a car just as soon as they’ll put it in a trash can or recycle bin, college seems to bring out the liberal bone in just about every post-adolescent body.  So recycling is definitely a big deal.  What’s truly amazing is that more students don’t raid these bins and recycle the contents themselves for a little extra cash (although it’s hard to squeeze a trip to the recycling center between chem lab and the dorm mixer).  In any case, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Many classrooms are opting to conserve energy by turning off lights (when windows provide ample daylight) or using compact fluorescent bulbs instead of energy-guzzling incandescents, bathrooms come with low-flow toilets and motion sensors on faucets to cut back on water consumption, and towel dispensers are being replaced by automatic air dryers.  Further, keeping the grounds green is made easier by using recycled waste water, drought-resistant plants, and compost from the cafeteria instead of fertilizer.  In addition, buildings are being retrofitted with solar panels to provide clean, alternative energy.  And in many locations, newer buildings are being erected with recycled materials and energy-efficient technology as a way to reduce or even eliminate the carbon footprint.

Even better, many schools are providing transportation for students as a way to cut down on car usage.  Some offer rebates or even free passes for students who utilize area mass transit such as the bus system or subway.  Others encourage staff to drive hybrid, electric, or alternative fuel vehicles.  And while this change is sometimes driven by student petitions and initiatives, often those who run the institution feel that they have a responsibility to provide a good example for the future leaders of the world.

Students that are trained to observe conservation, sustainability, and waste reduction are going to take those principles forward into the world and promote them in their own lives, no matter where they go.  Simply planting the idea may be enough, but showing eco-friendly sensibilities in action will help to inspire adherence and drive innovation.  This, in turn, will create a better world for everyone; and it’s all thanks to green college campuses.

Sarah Danielson writes for Go College where you can find helpful information on Bank of America student loans and Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants.

This post was originally posted here: The Massage Industry in the US

In the US, the massage industry is one industry that appears to be flourishing in every state. Because of its wide ranging health benefits, it is a very popular and lucrative industry. There are a number of factors that affect the massage industry ranging from consumer practices and demands to new health trends. Every year, the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) gathers and analyzes data from such sources as consumer surveys, clinical studies, massage therapist surveys, and government statistics, in order to get an overview of the current state of the massage industry in the US.

Through their analysis, the AMTA has been able to gain valuable insight into the state of the massage industry in the US. The AMTA estimates that in 2010, “massage therapy was a $12-17 billion industry. It also estimated that there are 280,000 to 320,000 massage therapists and massage school students in the United States. Between July 2009 and July 2010, roughly 48 million adult Americans (18 percent) had a massage at least once. And today, there are nearly 90,000 nationally certified massage therapists and body-workers.”  As well, according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2010 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, “employment for massage therapists is expected to increase 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than average for all occupations.”

2010 and 2009 AMTA Consumer Surveys revealed the following: “86 percent agree that massage can be effective in reducing pain. 85 percent agree that massage can be beneficial to health and wellness.” Because an overwhelming number of consumers view massage therapy as an important part of achieving health and wellness, the massage industry is one industry that is showing no signs of slowing down.

This post was originally posted here: The Business of Growing Marijuana in the United States

Although you will not find it traded on stock market, growing marijuana has become a prosperous industry in the US. Most states do not allow marijuana use for recreation purposes, but it is legal for medical use in a number of US states, Marijuana is now a mainstream product used by millions of Americans all across the country. Marijuana entrepreneurs are jumping on the marijuana industry bandwagon and growing and selling their own marijuana.

One example showing that marijuana is now a mainstream industry is in Northern California’s “Emerald Triangle.” This region is now the marijuana capital of the US and makes up as much as two-thirds of the local economy. In the US, the marijuana industry generates tens of billions of dollars each year. The majority of product demand-based studies puts the marijuana market at $10-$40 billion, with most of it illegally sold. If marijuana was legalized for the entire country, experts have calculated that the cannabis industry would generate $35 to $45 billion.

After about three decades of trying to get rid of marijuana, the marijuana industry is thriving more than ever. America’s marijuana crop is worth more than some of the top food crops such as wheat and corn. As well, over the years, there have been many studies showing the health benefits of medical marijuana. If legalized, prisons would be freed up to make room for more dangerous criminals, and with a reduction in crime and criminal charges, police officers would be able to focus on more serious crimes. As well, the court system would be relieved of backed up marijuana cases and tax payers would save tens of millions of dollars. After looking at the potential profits generated each year, it is quite clear that there is a lot of tax revenue that could be generated for cash strapped US States. It could be money put towards health care resources, schools, roads…etc. With more states enacting some form of marijuana legalization, it just makes sense to have a regulated pot growing industry in the US.

This post was originally posted here: Initiatives to maintain GREEN Environment

An Environment, is the surrounding place of any living thing which includes all living things and non living things. At present, our environment is getting polluted at an alarming rate and this is posing a great threat to us. Global warming is increasing at such a high rate that working towards a green environment is very essential. All measures should be taken to protect the environment we live in. It is essential to conduct green projects which help deliver a greener environment. Various biological projects like ecological restoration, waste disposal, forestry planning is highly essential to save our environment.

Grebids Inc. is a company which provides a network where one can find all that is needed to fulfill a green project which can save our environment. This organization provides all the required assistance for all green initiatives anywhere across the world. Grebids Inc. provides all required assistance from helping to find a supplier whom you require to supply green products or to a serviced provider who will assist you or carry out green initiatives for you. Grebids Inc. serves individual customers or consumers as well as bigger business organizations who want to conduct green initiatives in order to protect our environment. This company has experience in rendering green initiatives across the world.

Grebids Inc. has been successful in conducting green project initiatives which help us protect our environment. They offer services associated with green projects like forest planning, biological disposal based projects, ecological green initiatives, waste disposal, recycling used and waste products, alternate energy production based services and many more services that are based on green initiatives are undertaken by various service providers through Grebids Inc. in the recent past, this company has delivered many successful projects based on green initiatives. Some of their successful projects that were completed recently are ecological restoration, forestry planning, reducing energy, agricultural restructuring, solar panel installation to name a few. These projects are a huge success and all individual consumers and business organizations who quoted these projects are immensely satisfied with the performance of Grebids Inc.

At Grebids Inc, you will be able to locate suppliers for any green products that you need as well as identify service providers for your green initiatives.  If you register on our website for free of cost, you will be able to post your projects on our websites. Posted projects will attract our certified suppliers and service providers to bid for your projects. After biding, you will be able to choose your suppliers and service providers.

Locate all your green services and products, and outsource your projects to freelancers on grebids.com.

This post was originally posted here: Greener and quieter mowing Alternatives

Lawn mowing is a very popular activity during the spring and summer times. Everyone loves a great looking lawn and it is vital to carry out the regular maintenance to keep the lawns neat and attractive. Traditionally, the walk behind rotary mowers were very popular, but they are pretty strenuous to operate which is why they have slowly gone out of vogue.

Gasoline powered mowers: the pros and cons

The most popular lawn mowers today are the gasoline powered mowers. They offer many benefits over the traditional mowers. They are more powerful, more efficient and certainly more versatile. With features like mulching, these mowers help return the cut grass clippings back into the lawn as fertilisers.

Despite all these benefits, these mowers are powered by gasoline and hence cause a lot of air pollution. If that is not enough, they are also quite noisy so they add a lot of noise pollution too. So if you are serious about going green, you must look at other better options.

Electric Mowers

These are certainly much better alternatives to gasoline powered mowers. They use electricity and rechargeable batteries for power. These are certainly great alternatives as the use of gasoline is eliminated. Besides, the electric motors tend to be much less noisy than gasoline ones. You can pick from corded or cordless mowers. The cordless mowers tend to be of lower capacity and lower performance whereas the corded ones are high power and high performance models.

Of course, how green is this option really depends on how is the electricity produced in your locality. The ones produced through thermal power stations are highly polluting where as if the source is something renewable like hydro power, wind power or even tidal or geothermal, then you really are using the greener alternative.

Solar mowers

The solar powered mowers are probably the ultimate green mowing machines. The mowers are akin to the cordless electric mowers. The sole difference is that in the electric mowers the batteries need to be charged overnight from an electric plug, while the solar mowers utilise the solar panel for the same purpose. Solar charging typically takes much longer than electric charging due to inherent limitations of tapping solar energy.

Given that mowing is not a daily or even a weekly operation, the use of solar panels is ideal for such mowers. Typically solar panel can recharge the mower battery within two to five days. So if you are planning to mow over the next weekend, you can just put the battery to charge from solar panel at the beginning of the week.

Besides the charging the performance of the mowers is no different from any regular lawn mower of similar capacity.

Here are some more Lawn Mower Reviews and Tips

This post was originally posted here: Small Steps to Making Your Home Eco Friendly

It seems like everyone is doing everything they can these days to make themselves more eco friendly. From simply recycling to driving a hybrid car, everyone is trying to do his or her part. One of the biggest ways we can be more eco friendly is by adjusting the ways we live our lives while we are at home. There are several small things that everyone can do around their house to save energy and help the environment.

Use Green Appliances

The appliances that we use are some of the largest energy sinks in our homes. The refrigerator uses the most energy out of all common household appliances. This means that you should get rid of that old extra refrigerator that you keep in your garage or shed and never really use. In addition, you should replace any refrigerators that are over 10 years old. You should replace your old model with a refrigerator that is Energy Star qualified. An Energy Star refrigerator will use up to 50% less energy than a traditional refrigerator.

Use Green Paint

The paint that most people use has a negative effect on the air quality in your home. Traditional paint produces harmful emissions called volatile organic compounds. Paint is actually the second largest producer of volatile organic compounds after cars. You should choose latex or natural paints to help reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds in the air. Latex paint is based on water instead of the petroleum that is used in traditional paint. Latex produces far fewer volatile organic compounds than petroleum. Natural paints are made out of renewable resources or resources that are widely available. They produce almost no volatile organic compounds and can look just as beautiful as traditional paint. More and more painting contractors are beginning to use latex or natural paint. They are very concerned with improving the environment and keeping clients safe and happy. You can contact your local <a href=”http://paintingcontractorusa.com/”>painting contractor</a> to find out if they are using latex or natural paint.

Keep the Temperature Down

About half of your home’s energy use comes from using the furnace in winter or the air conditioner during summer. You do not have to completely stop using these devices to have an eco friendly home. Instead, just try to turn your thermostat down a few degrees in the winter and up a couple degrees in the summer. You will be surprised by how much energy you can save by only changing a couple of degrees.

Conserve Water

One of the easiest ways to have a more eco friendly house is to carefully observe your water use. You can save a lot of water by turning the faucet off when you brush your teeth or by taking fewer showers. In addition, you can install a low-flow toilet to help conserve water. Low-flow toilets use about half as much water as traditional toilets. You can also adjust the float valve on old toilets to help save water. There are plenty of other ways to conserve water. For example, you can use a broom to clean your driveway instead of spraying it with a hose.

This post was originally posted here: How to Encourage Your Kids to Go Green

Show them Why: What better way to get your kids enthusiastic about the environment than by showing them the beauty of it? This will help your children understand just how much nature gives to us and why we should give back. Take them out to the park or the beach. Go hiking or camping as a family. Plant a garden together or go apple-picking this season. Teach them about the eco-system and how it works. Educate them on the dangers of pollution and how to reduce their contribution. Once they see first-hand how important the environment is, encourage them to become a part of helping it.

Become a Good Example: Your child will be much more likely to ‘go green’ if you set a great example. Always recycle and encourage your kids to do so. Teach them early on how recycling works and why we should do it. Recycling isn’t necessarily limited to the stereotypical plastic bottles and newspapers however – recycling can also involve donations given to the less fortunate. Encourage your children to donate used toys and clothes. As parents, be sure to bring something of your own to donate as well. Almost anything can be recycled or donated if you look hard enough.

Use environmentally-safe products in your household; avoid aerosol cans and use naturally scented or unscented cleaners whenever possible. Don’t be wasteful. Stress the importance of conserving water and electricity. Have them shut off the lights when they leave a room, or turn off the water faucet while they brush their teeth. Take shorter showers and encourage them to do so as well. Don’t buy bottled water; use filtered tap water instead.

Start a compost pile to help reduce waste generated by your household and make them aware of why you’re using it. Reuse bags when you go shopping rather than getting new plastic ones each time. Let them know that their actions are truly making a difference when they help you do these things.

Make it Fun: Let them see how much fun giving back to the environment can be. Do some crafts together to help the environment and get your kid enthusiastic about it. Plant some seeds in a small cup and watch as they grow together. Or, you might choose to start a small fruit and vegetable garden instead. Let your kid have a huge part in maintaining and harvesting it. When it comes time to eat the produce, praise your child for their hard work. Make a big deal out of the fact that your kid grew the fruits or vegetables you’re eating. You could even make some useful items out of recycled material. A soda bottle cut in half, for instance, could easily become a planter for the seeds you two grow together.

Volunteer Together: If there are ever any green events going on, get your family involved! Many communities will have annual park, river or lake cleanups. Bringing your children along to these lets them see just how many people care about the cause and are willing to help. Becoming involved in your community also helps you stay involved in the future. Your kid might even be the one pushing you to go to future events!

Author: Sarah Danielson writes for Online Doctoral Programs where you can find information about various online colleges and find the school and program that is right for you.

This post was originally posted here: Green Way to Save and Get Free Stuff

As people become more conscious of what they are using and what their consumption means to the planet, they are coming to understand that being earth-friendly can also be wallet-friendly. When you attempt to become more earth conscious you will be amazed at how much money you can save. Plus, you can get free stuff!
Here are some ways that you can get things for free or save money while you are saving the planet:

Books

One of the most obvious ways to save money and be more earth-friendly is with books. If you are a reader, you likely have shelves and shelves filled with books that you read once and never opened again. Many thousands upon thousands of trees are cut down every year just for printing books and magazines. Try reading your favorites electronically, like as an e-book. This saves the environment and keeps books from collecting dust on your shelves. You could also use online resources, like online references and encyclopedias to do research for school or work.

Magazines

If you love magazines consider starting a local magazine club where each member is responsible to buy one magazine per month. Once you’ve read the magazine you meet up and swap. Magazines often end up in the garbage after they have been read and many people do not even think to recycle them.

Music

Music lovers can do the same thing with eMusic.com or Amazon.com. They can cut down on the plastic use for CD covers and the paper that is used in the covers by buying music online. Often, online music will cost only a fraction of what a brand new CD will cost. Look for places that offer a free trial period and you may find yourself saving even more money.

Local lending programs

Lending programs offer a way for people to get all sorts of things that they need while cutting down on the consumption costs of the world we live in. People run out and buy things when they need them and they rarely think about how much they are actually going to use them. That’s how our garages get filled with stuff that we hardly use. A community lending program allows people to offer up items that they don’t use often in exchange for the ability to borrow things from other people. This can be anything from tools to large equipment (like lawn mowers) to furniture (like rolling cots).

By thinking creatively you can think of many things that you have that you bought to be used only once, or only use a couple times a year. Things like these are ideal for lending programs or online swaps. The Internet offers many opportunities for people to save money and make the earth more ecologically-friendly by cutting down on our rates of consumption. How do you save money and save the planet at the same time?

This post was originally posted here: Eco-Friendly Jewelry

If you aren’t aware of how the precious metals and brilliant gemstones you keep in your jewelry box make their way from the Earth to your finger, then you might be in for a bit of a shock (especially if you harbor eco-friendly sensibilities).  All are pulled from mining operations, many in poor nations around the world that are not governed by the same strict environmental protections that we uphold in the United States.  These mines are not only invasive, burrowing into the ground to leave an ugly blight upon an otherwise pristine landscape, they are also notorious for polluting the area for miles around with harmful sediment and toxic chemical byproducts that can unbalance the ecosystem for years to come.  That rock is not looking quite so pretty now, is it?  Then, of course, there are all the political and social ramifications of mining, but that’s another issue.  In any case, despite this unfortunate situation, most people still want the shiny things in life.  And luckily, there are ways to have the jewelry you love without harming the environment.

For starters, there is a growing market for lab-created gemstones.  Diamonds, in particular, have become much more widely available through this process, but you can really find just about any gem you desire with nary a drill-bit touching the soil.  And there are a lot of benefits to buying these beautiful stones.  They are often less expensive than natural, Earth-created gems because while the latter may take billions of years to form and are, as a result, somewhat rare, those made in the lab can be ready in a matter of days.  They will not obtain a “natural” rating when appraised, leading some to voice the opinion that they are “fake”, but they are just like the real thing in every way except their creation.  In fact, many gemologists cannot tell the difference without specialized equipment (and you certainly can’t tell with the naked eye).  And more and more jewelers start selling them every day, reducing the need for stones from the Earth.

As for precious metals, there are, unfortunately, no synthetic substitutes.  However, there are still eco-friendly options.  Recycled and reclaimed metals are, of course, the best since they undercut mining operations and take nothing new from the ground.  Purchasing antique jewelry for the purpose of re-using it with your own stones (whether by simply re-setting them or melting down the metal to form a new setting) is a great way to put your money where your mouth is and let your consumer dollars speak.  If you’re having trouble finding what you want or it’s just too much trouble and expense, then look for one of the many companies that support eco-friendly mining operations or utilizes recycled metal for their products.  That way you can still get it new without having to worry about the impact on the planet.

So whether you’re looking for an engagement ring, an anniversary present, a special and timeless piece, or simply something to wear every day, consider the environmental impact of the jewelry you want before you lay out your cash.  There are options for eco-friendly jewelry that are easy to find, comparably priced, and a lot lighter on your conscience.

Author: Sarah Danielson is a marketing manager for Adiamor Diamond Jewelry. Adiamor offers a large selection of engagement rings, engagement ring settings, loose diamonds and other fine diamond accessories.

This post was originally posted here: How to Do Eco-Friendly Pest Control

When we were growing up, seeing our parents use pesticides and
insecticides to kill mosquitoes, flies, ants, etc. were a normal
enough occurrence. The most we were told to do was cover our noses and stay away from the fumes, but those chemicals were a regular part of our households. Several studies have recently shown that pesticides have been linked to leukemia, and in some cases this research was discovered too late.

These days, the world’s efforts to use ecologically-friendly pest control measures are due largely to the fact that any sprayed chemical is harmful to our already ultra-thin ozone layer. Whether you want to be eco-friendly or want to prolong your and your family members’ lives, here are a few ways that can help you get rid of pests and bugs without using harmful chemicals.

Secure your home from pests and other
animals by making sure all holes, cracks and crevices are
repaired. Bugs and other small animals use the holes and
cracks on your walls and ceilings as their entry point to your home.
Repair holes and seal any cracks, and make sure your doors and windows are properly aligned and sealed. Periodically go through your house, the attic, the basement and even inside closets to make sure you haven’t missed any openings and crevices.

Maximize the use of household ingredients in getting rid of
insects and bugs. Your kitchen is a goldmine of those
ingredients. Garlic, onion, chili, pepper, lemon, peppermint,
vegetable oil, dishwashing liquid, hot water, essential oils, and even
cigarette butts – these are just a few of the things you can use
to concoct an eco-friendly spray to kill pests, and they’re
cheap and readily available. The internet is one huge library of
eco-friendly recipes. Do keyword searches on “eco-friendly
insect repellants” or “DIY bug spray” and
you’ll probably be reading all afternoon. There are recipes
targeted at specific pests. Make up a batch and see if it works. If
not, move on to the next recipe.

Hire a pest control
company that practices Integrated Pest Management. If
you’d rather pay for the service than do it yourself, select
your pest company carefully. Choose one that practices integrated pest management – where the company does not just kill the pests but also works to prevent them, using the least harmful pesticides possible. They take a holistic approach and cover the entire perimeter of your property implementing both defensive and preventive measures using non-toxic pesticides.

Protecting our homes and families while making sure we don’t endanger the environment any further is important. There is currently a bug epidemic in several states. If you’re in New York, now is a good time to call your New York Pest Control company to see if you’ve got unwanted critters in your home.

This post was originally posted here: Living Green By Eating Organically

One of the easiest and most rewarding ways to live greener and help the environment as well as yourself is to eat organic food. It’s the perfect example of how living green doesn’t have to be hard and can in fact make your life more pleasurable.

One of the primary things to take a look at when making an effort to become more environmentally and ecologically conscious is the food you eat. There are several good reasons for this – some of which you may not even be aware of. First off and perhaps most important is that organically grown food is better for the environment due to the lack of dangerous pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These chemicals can have numerous detrimental and often disastrous side effects including rendering soil poisoned and lifeless over time. Prolonged usage of chemical fertilizers has the nasty effect of leaching valuable nutrients and minerals from the soil. Organic fertilizers on the other hand will keep the soil rich, healthy and fully capable of supporting plant life. And of course there is the benefit of better health for not only the planet but yourself. This is because food which is grown organically is much better for you due to being more nutritionally dense as well as free of poisonous chemicals!

Buying organic food becomes even more ecologically friendly when you make the effort to purchase fruits, vegetables and other food products  which have been produced close to home. An important point to consider about the food you eat is the distance that it has to travel in order to make it to your kitchen table. The more fuel that is burned while transporting food products the greater the amount of greenhouse gases that are released into the atmosphere. And while we can’t live without some wonderful imported foods and drinks (certain fine wines, beers and cheeses quickly come to mind) it’s well worth considering that food imported from overseas has even more of a carbon footprint than food that is sourced locally or even from elsewhere in your own state or country. While I certainly wouldn’t advocate foregoing all imports it is worth a little extra effort to see if you can find similar products produced closer to home. For instance a locally brewed craft beer may well rival anything imported from Germany. An added bonus is that many breweries are expanding their offerings of beers made exclusively from organically grown ingredients.

Yet another thing to look at in your quest to live a green life is the meat you eat. Now I can’t argue against the fact that being a vegetarian is the best choice when you’re striving to reduce your carbon footprint but the fact of the matter is that many of us love to partake of meat from time to time. If you are also of this mind you definitely want to look for meat and other animal products such as cheese and milk that came from humanely raised animals which were only fed an appropriate organic diet. In addition if you can buy your meat from a local producer it’s even better.

Minimizing and eliminating our harmful effects on the planet is where it’s at these days and making a commitment to eat organically is a great way to live a greener lifestyle!

Author: Eric Waters writes for Home Exercise System, an online retailer of top-quality Total Gym exercise equipment including the Total Gym XLS.

This post was originally posted here: Air-Conditioning Systems For Green Homes

Deciding on the right air-conditioning is an important decision and can prove itself as a big money saver in the long run

When choosing an Air-Conditioning for your Green Home here are some ideas:

Geothermal Air-Conditioning “ sounds like something that works from the steam in the ground like the Old Faithful geyser, doesn’t it? Well, it might sounds that way, but a Geothermal Heat Pump works like other heat pumps.

For many people who have central air conditioning our system is a heat pump“ in fact, if you have gas heating and “normal” air conditioning, your air conditioning system is a “cool only” heat pump. They all work the same: in the cooling season they take heat out of the home; in the heating season they put heat into the house.

What makes a geothermal pump different?

Let us think about the A/C unit you have outside with a big fan making quite a bit of noise when it is running. During the hot summer, its job is to take heat out by blowing air at high speed over some coils. The question then is how efficient is it? Think about it “ when it’s 100C° outside and you blow 100C° air over a coil to cool it down can that be really efficient? That is exactly what an old-fashioned air conditioning system is doing.

With a Geothermal, instead of trying to cool off some- thing with 100° air, we use the ground itself will accomplish the job. The Geothermal unit pumps water some 250-ft. down into the ground using a pipe where the temperature is about 55F° Fahrenheit. Just try to think about it“ trying to cool off something with 100C° Fahrenheit vs. 55 degrees F the answer is more than clear. A Geothermal Heat Pump works just like the aire conditioning you’re used to as there is a compressor, a fan inside to distribute the air, etc. “ except now it uses the ground to exchange heat while the air conditioning equipment unit you are used to uses air. That is why a Geothermal Heat Pump is referred to as a “ground-source heat pump” and the unit you’re used to seeing is referred to as an “air source heat pump.”

The Geothermal unit is MUCH more efficient, it heats and cools, and is a big electricity $$$ saver. It is so efficient that it is connected to the water heater in the home because it produces enough extra hot water to supply your home with much of the needs it has for hot water showers, baths, dish-washing, etc.. The pay-back for it is about 3-4 years for a Geothermal A/C system. In addition to that, many utility companies offer rebate programs that reduce pay-back times.

Bio: Michael Schnippering is Chief Executive Officer of Feng Shui at Work. Feng Shui at Work is an international company that provides onsite and online <a href=”http://www.fengshuiatwork.com/feng-shui-consultation/fengshui-offices.php“>Feng Shui for Offices</a> and houses worldwide. Follow them on Twitter: @fengshuiatwork

This post was originally posted here: Your Kid’s Lunch can be Eco-Friendly, Too

As the summer comes to an end, it means it’s time to pack lunches again. When it comes to packing a healthy lunch and to green up your child’s lunch box, it is important to be realistic. Kids are cruel and being different can make lunchtime a humiliating experience as your child is sitting there eating a sprout sandwich and tofu. Remember, children do have the same self-confidence issues as adults when it comes to being different. You also need to recall your school lunch days. Ask yourself, how many trades went on in the lunchroom? Depending on what you pack your child, they may not even be the ones eating the lunch you worked so hard to pack.

Here’s some advice on how to keep lunches green, healthy, and cool:

Discuss lunches with your child

The best way to make a lunch that everyone is happy with is to determine what foods you and your child both agree on. It is important to remember that packing a lunch full of foods mom or dad want is not the way to go. It will likely end up in the garbage can. Your child will be hungry and you will have just wasted your money. Compose a list of healthy foods that everyone agrees on. You’ll be happy and so will your child.

Their Lunch doesn’t Have to be 100% Healthy

If a majority of your child’s lunch is healthy, well-balanced and organic then a little treat won’t hurt anyone. It is perfectly okay to add a sweet treat to your child’s lunch. Decide on a sweet treat that your child will not throw away or trade away. Cookies or pudding cups will not hurt your child.

Buy in Bulk

If there is a treat or snack that your child absolutely loves, save money and trips to the store by buying this snack in bulk. Buying in bulk is a great choice for everyone. You know your child is getting a healthy snack that they will actually eat and your child will be pleased when they see this snack in their lunch box. Plus, you get the satisfaction of saving money.

Buy an Eco-Friendly Lunch Box

Eliminate the plastic baggies and brown paper bags. Many eco-friendly lunch boxes will come with containers and wrap n’ mats for sandwiches. These can be used over and over again. Just be prepared to accidentally lose a container or two if this is your child’s first time not using throw-away lunch bags.

Keeping them Hydrated

Some schools will allow their students to have a water bottle at their desk, so a reusable water bottle is a treat back to school item to invest in. For lunch, organic milk or cold water is great for the lunch box.

A Cafeteria Lunch Here and There

Standing in the lunch line is an experience every child should have. As a parent, you may be leery about the greasy and fattening foods your school may serve. It is important to understand your child cannot be shielded from everything that is bad for them. Teaching your child about eating in moderation is important.  Also remember, that most schools are improving their lunch menus, too.

Get involved

Join the P.T.A or P.T.O. While not all parents have the resources or time to pack a healthy lunch, working to improve school lunches and vending machines is a step in the right direction. This can help to fight the epidemic that childhood obesity has become.

Author: Veronica Davis is a freelance writer and WAHM that currently works with several green and saving money sites. She recommends checking to see if you can find an Ebay coupon or online coupons from stores like Walmart to save money on reusable lunch boxes and food. Ebay often has online coupons for their green lifestyle section.

This post was originally posted here: Micro Inverters just reached a new level of efficiency

With technology progressing quickly on its revolutionary path, the use of solar power throughout the world is on the increase. People from all around the globe are taking advantage of the suns energy and many are relishing the decrease in their utility bills. Yet the majority of solar users know little about the technology they are using and how their solar panels do what they do.  Although solar power has relied on many different pieces of kit throughout its development, the most effective one in use today is the micro inverter. A device utilized by many, yet appreciated by little.

The micro inverter is unknown to the uninformed solar user simply because of its location. It sits neatly behind the solar panel, enclosed in a small box.  In terms of the use of alternative energy, its purpose could not be of any more importance. It converts direct current into alternating current; and it ensures the power supplied is compliant with the grid power. There is no point in absorbing the suns energy if it cannot be converted into a useful form. It is vital.

A micro inverter offers a solar user many advantages that the older central inverters do not. One of the device’s key benefits is that it is connected to the solar modules in parallel. This means that, unlike when modules are connected in series, if one of the solar panels is to have a fault, the rest of the modules will still function. Moreover micro inverters run with a lower DC voltage than a central inverter, making them a safer option for the average solar user. The micro inverters main difference to older devices is its ‘per module’ running style. It converts current from a single module; thus meaning that individual modules can be monitored closely, and any problems can be addressed more easily then with a centralized inverter.

The micro inverter is so important to solar power because it ultimately decides the life of a module. Due to leaks in capacitors the micro inverter has been given a life expectancy of a decade and a half, which, when you consider the purpose of solar power, is a disappointing estimate. Many see inverters to be the weakest part of solar technology and with a 10 year life expectancy, it’s hard to argue with them. However micro inverters are forever developing and some are becoming extremely sophisticated.

These new and improved micro inverters have left behind the use of electrolytic capacitors meaning leaking is no longer a concern. They include extra head storage in order to sustain the highest of voltages and currents, meaning they will last longer as a result. The replacement of micro inverters is a costly operation, with installation rates emptying people’s pockets. To make solar power a worthy investment, it is vital that the micro inverter you use can survive longer than a decade. When looking into solar power, remember to look behind the panel, at the small box that lies within. As it is this box that will determine the success of your solar adventure. Quality means reliability, and reliability means a longer life expectancy. Remember that.

Author: Chris Hoole has a passion for Green Technology  and Saving our planet. He is a Creative and Persuasive Copywriter from Apple Copywriting. Chris is also a freelance writer for greenraysloar, a company that offers an innovative micro inverter solution.

This post was originally posted here: How to Become “Greener” by Shopping Online

(Image: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/)

The Good in Green Shopping
Over the past decade, online shopping has exploded and quickly become a preferred method of consumer buying. Internet shopping is very convenient and there’s more variety in finding items that are diverse for all types of tastes and lifestyles.

Moreover, sites such as Offers.com encourage savings through promotional discount coupons on almost anything a consumer wants to buy.

Shopping online is also more conducive to green living because of its basic nature; it requires less materials and costs to buy and ship online, therefore it lends itself more readily to the concept.

The Benefits of Going Green
Green shopping is relatively easy to do and only requires diligent planning to make it accommodating. One of the reasons why green shopping is preferable is because it drastically reduces costs for both the vendor and the consumer.

It costs far less for a consumer to order a product online and have it shipped to him versus driving to a store and picking it up. Stores and manufacturers favor online shopping because they are able to offer more products available for the customer to browse and purchase online as compared to stocking it on store shelves. This also reduces their storage costs for items and takes up less space.

Why Online Shopping?
Online shopping provides convenience for the purchaser to browse before deciding on a purchase- it opens up a lot of opportunities as long as you’re safe and secure while shopping. In addition, sites like that offer discounts and fantastic savings through their offers and discount coupons make green shopping also more profitable for the consumer.

There is also the option to ask the customer service department questions about their purchases, which can minimize store returns.

To become greener by shopping online, you can follow these basic principles when purchasing:

• If possible, shop with one vendor for all of your online purchasing needs.

This reduces the packaging and shipping materials and costs significantly. For vendors who specialize in selling multiple categories of items, this works very well for the consumer.

• Place your order with a vendor for multiple items instead of having one item at a time shipped to you. This works well if you have the flexibility to manage your order and can wait.
• Use the buddy system when you place an order with a vendor. This works well for co-workers or friends who use the same vendor for certain purchases. This system reduces packaging and shipping costs from the vendor to the purchasers. Since the costs are split amongst the buyers, it decreases that shipping cost as well.
• For vendors, using manufacturers that ship directly to the consumer helps also to stay within green principles. Instead of handling the item twice or even three times, the company can arrange to have the item(s) drop-shipped to the customer and eliminate any additional handling costs.

Green online shopping will continue to grow and expand as it becomes more popular and easier to do for consumers and manufacturers. As more brick-and-mortar businesses start to bring their product businesses online, the inherent advantages of green shopping will become even more evident.

Author bio: Elysabeth Teeko is a Martha Stewart of the online world. She loves all things technology, home decorating, interior decorating and generally being a homebody. You can follow her on Twitter (when she updates) @elysateek

This post was originally posted here: Green Food for Green Living

There may be one good thing that can be said about a tight economy and that is people pay more attention. This means more attention in general to everything, and not just where we are spending our money. Perhaps it is because we are shopping around more for deals so we tend to read more in general. Then again when the money isn’t flowing, the fast paced life style seems to slow down and people relax a bit more because there is no spare money for anything else. This makes it a prime time to read about and adopt the habits of green food for green living.

Green food for green living, sounds like a bit of tongue twister but you must admit it does tweak a bit of interest as how this phrase relates to each other, but it is quite simple. Green food equates to healthier living, and green living focuses on a healthy earth. Now you can see where the two can be compared. At first I personally found this a little mind boggling but the phrase kept running through my head and then finally it made a lot of sense! Let me explain.

First of all, green food means eating salads and most vegetables (even if they are not green). So by simply increasing our green food what does it really do?

• It improves our health. The more we pack ourselves with vegetables the less meat we eat. The less meat we eat the less fat we consume. The less fat we consume the fewer pounds that are put on. The fewer pounds we put on the less health issues we have like cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, and a whole gambit of other problems.

Okay so I for one have convinced myself that based on this I really can sacrifice one or two meals a week of steak, potatoes and a vegetable saturated in butter. I will make myself feel good mentally about doing something right for my body. Besides I really do have a big issue when it comes to the weight factor.

But as far as the green living part of all, this I really didn’t get it at first but then think about this.

• If I was going to sacrifice two cooked meals a week that meant there was two nights    that I was not going to be using the stove plus the oven. That was a savings of one hour of electricity a week. That’s 52 hours in a year. Now that’s pretty substantial.

So where else can I go with this?

By consuming less meat I am creating less green house gases. I have just started to learn about bio gases that are created from the raising of livestock. My part in this is just a drop in the bucket but saving the environment has to start somewhere right?

Letting my imagination run wild I got to thinking, what if everyone in the country were to refrain from using their stoves twice a week by eating salads, and eliminating meat twice a week. I bet if one were to do the mathematics concerning this, the figures would be staggering on the amount of energy saved, and the reduction in livestock for food.

So, I for one am hooked on green food for green living. I have to say that I feel pretty good about myself in more ways than one.

This was written by Lior who is an avid fan of green food. Lior works for a startup company that crated an online task management tool, and he also advises a website that sells Judaica Items.

This post was originally posted here: World’s 10 Greenest Airports

Denver International Airport by a writer afoot

It can be tough to justify airline travel if you’re concerned about the environment. After all, the sheer amount of fuel used up by an airplane is something of concern to green-minded people. However, the airline industry is working hard to get greener. They may not be perfect, yet, but they’ve definitely come a long way. Ease your green conscience by booking your flights through some of the world’s greenest airport.

Ten of the leading green airports in the world are:

1. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport, Panama City Beach, Florida. This is one of the newest green buildings in the world. Green characteristics include:
   • Recycled materials used in construction
   • Automated lighting and faucets to reduce energy waste
   • Extensive use of natural lighting
   • Cutting-edge efficiency in heating and cooling
   • Landscaping done with local native plants to reduce water waste
2. Logan International Airport, Boston. Massachusetts. This airport is one of the twenty busiest airports in the world so it’s important that it strive to reduce its waste. So far, it’s been succeeding. Green features include:
   • 1^st U.S. airport to use an environmentally friendlier runway material
   • LEED certified terminals
   • Roofing membrane and storm water filtration to counteract the “heat island” effect
   • Water-efficient plumbing and irrigation
   • Energy-efficient lighting and use of natural lighting where possible
   • Construction waste recycling
   • Use of recycled local materials in constructing the building
   • Purchase of renewable energy credits to offset waste
   • High percentage of staff using public transportation to get to work

3. Denver International Airport, Denver, Colorado. This airport uses renewable energy resources and innovative ideas to be one of the world’s greenest airports.
   • Development of world’s greenest parking lot
   • On-site composting
   • Extensive use of solar panels for generating solar electricity
   • Development of an environmental management system to oversee eco-issues
   • Regular recycling of more than 19 on-site materials
   • Use of energy-efficient LCD screens in computing and monitors
4. Zurich Airport, Switzerland. The most notable green feature of this airport is a nature conservation zone that it has located between two of its runways. Other green characteristics include:
   • An on-site compressed-natural-gas station
   • Use of rainwater to flush airport toilets
   • Solar cells
   • Geothermal energy for heating and cooling
5. Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport, Texas.This airport is ranked number 9 in the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of the Top 20 Local Government largest green power purchasers. It purchases wind power and other green power to counteract its use carbon dioxide emissions.
6. Stevens Point Airport, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.Not all of the world’s greenest airports are large airports. Small local airports like this one are also making an effort. Stevens Point has the greenest hangar in the Midwest. Its features include solar panels and a geothermal heat pump.
7. Bob Hope Airport, Burbank, California.Another small airport with a great green hangar is Bob Hope Airport. This hangar actually uses solar panels to generate even more power than it uses each year. It was built with primarily recycled materials and is a highly water-efficient building.
8. San Francisco International Airport, California. Another California airport that’s generating a lot of solar power is SFO. The solar panels atop terminal three generate all of the power needed by that terminal. Some other notable green features of this large airport include:
   • Airport kiosks selling carbon offsets
   • The first green car rental program in the U.S.
   • Energy efficient lighting and machinery
   • Plans for hydration stations and organic local food options
9. Munich Airport, Germany. This airport is making efforts to be entirely carbon neutral by 2020. Plans include sustainable construction with 40% reduction in CO2 emissions, energy-saving lighting around airport ramps and green landscaping.
10. East Midlands Airport, England. This airport has made the top of eco-friendly airport lists more than once. This is because it has an eco-friendly pier that uses ground-heating pumps, water recycling and wind catchers. They also have some great future plans include new wind turbines, green transportation options, wildlife walks around the airport and increased on-site recycling.

Sujan Patel has been writing about the travel industry for over 4 years and is currently the head blogger for Airport Parking, an up and coming travel blog.

This post was originally posted here: Green Careers

With the ever changing world we live in, saving the environment has been a large focus for many people, households and companies. With hybrid vehicles, recycling programs, and energy saving appliances emerging by the second, it’s hard to ignore the “Go Green” movement. Saving the environment has become a great thing and has many people feeling inspired. Along with that, why not have a “Green” career? Are you constantly finding ways to save energy in your home? Does it irk you when someone throws a soda can in the trash instead of a recycling bin? If finding new ways to save the environment has become one of your hobbies, a “Green” career may be just right for you.So where do you start? What do you major in? Thousands of colleges and universities out there offer many degrees that can open the door to your “Green” career.

Degrees such as Environmental Science, Chemistry, and Biology are all gateways to getting that career started in helping the environment. Courses would most likely include: Natural Resources, ecology, physics etc. Many employers prefer to higher those with master’s degrees, so going the extra mile and completing 2 extra years is worth it in the long run, in getting you a solid position. Environmental careers are not only in a scientific sense, but can also branch out into many different settings such as government jobs, large firms and corporations, and even non-profit organizations. You can work as a consultant for such firms as scientific and research skills are needed.

If you already have a degree and realized that you would like to do something environmentally, but can’t imagine yourself going through another 4 years of school, don’t fret! You can still use that degree and your past skills to change your career path. For example, if you have a Business Administration Degree, you can still qualify to be a Program Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Office Manager etc. for one of the many conservations across the U.S that focus on the conservation of animals, the environment and other global issues.

With new discoveries everyday on how important conserving our environment is, many organizations need people like YOU who are concerned and passionate about keeping the earth green and our animals healthy. There are many resources and tools online that can help you find the fulfilling Green career you have been looking for.

Melanie Norwood

Writer For: 866mymajor.com

**866mymajor has been a resource to millions of students nationwide. We provide information on programs, schools and financial aid information that meets your hectic lifestyle. We have been a tool for people from all walks of life helping them to continue their education and pursue their dream careers.

This post was originally posted here: 5 Green ways to lose weight

This post was originally posted here: Compositing toilets

With the modern push to green technology, it is becoming more and more important to make green improvements around the home. One of the most effective ways to do this is through investing in a composting toilet. The average toilet flushes over 6000 gallons of water each year, and that is just one single toilet. If you consider older toilets that are not low flow, you can be wasting thousands more gallons of water a year.  For new installations and houses that are not highly trafficked (such as a cabin, pool house or garage), a compositing toilet can save you a lot of money on your water bill while also saving the environment.

How does a compositing toilet work?

The fear of installing a composting toilet has been passed down by consumers that have had bad experiences using wilderness toilets and port a potties. They believe these toilets would remind them of that experience; however, that cannot be further from the truth. Compositing toilets have harmless bacteria that mixes with mulch at the bottom of the toilet and allows the waste to be degraded into a substance that is much like normal fertilizer used in a garden.  Kept at the right temperature and with a good flow of oxygen the toilet is able to degrade the waste quickly. Most composting toilets have built in fans and temperature controls to keep the toilet at the needed temperature as well as having automatic liquid controls and a mixer to dispose of the waste with relatively no problems for the user. Once a month, or once a year for some toilets, you do have to dispose of the waste, but since the waste is deemed to be germ free you can dispose of it near plants around the house. All of this makes for an extremely green product that has many different uses.

Cost of a composting toilet

Composting toilets can be very expensive initially. Most run from $700 all the way to $3000, but after the initial cost there is relatively no upkeep fee. The only additional product you have to purchase is the mulch that is at the bottom of the toilet and is changed once a month depending on the toilet. Considering just the amount of water you save when switching to one of these toilets, the price quickly pays for itself.  So what are you waiting for? Switch to a compositing toilet today, your wallet and the environment will thank you.

Bio: Josh McNair is an expert on making your home more environmentally friendly. He works for the online home improvement retailer Plumbersurplus.com which specializes in “plumbing supplies “.

This post was originally posted here: Paws To Claws And Everything In Between – Tips For Greener Pet Care

As we become increasingly aware of our impact on the environment and the planet as a whole, we sometimes forget about the little ways that we can improve our green lifestyle. According to recent statistics there are over 300 million pets in American Households. From cats and dogs to fish, birds, and many other animals, the environmental impact is immeasurable. So how can we as individuals minimize our companions paw prints on the planet? I believe by simply becoming more conscious about how we care for our pets much in the same way that we have become more aware of our own impact on this planet. After all it is our responsibility to care for our pets in a way that reflects good stewardship, knowing that our pets can’t make these lifestyle choices for themselves.

If you’re a cat owner chances are that you use clay based cat litter. A lot has changed since the introduction of clay based cat litter. There are many more environmentally friendly litters made from a wide variety of recycled and natural items. There are many cat litter products made into pellets from corn, newspaper, compost material, sawdust, soy, and even wheat. Not only are these products much better for our environment but they are also much healthier for cats.

Most everyone has owned a dog at one time or another in their life. Fortunately, our pooches are pretty easy going and require fewer resources than most of the other pets one could have. One of the best tips for going green with your dog is to use biodegradable waste bags when cleaning up after your pup’s messes. I used to think I was recycling plastic grocery bags when walking my dog by depositing their waste into the bags and then tossing them. When I invested in reusable grocery totes there were no more grocery bags to dispose of the waste. I found biodegradable bags at the local pet store that are made of recycled materials.

Without a doubt those who fancy fish, especially the marine variety, have the most energy intensive pets to care for. Unfortunately there are not nearly as many energy saving alternatives for fish keeping. There are some things that can help to reduce energy consumption and water usage making the effort worthwhile. Low output fluorescent light ballasts, energy efficient pumps, and shorter lighting times will certainly reduce energy usage. Keeping a tight lid on the tank helps to minimize water evaporation and cuts down on the need to top off the tank. Finally, my favorite fish keeping tip implements the use of natural filtration. Aquariums with live rock and plant algae naturally filter the water thereby reducing the need for water changes.

The last little bit comes from personal experience. As an owner of two wonderful parrots, I am always looking for ways to cut down on the waste generated from my birds. I used to buy paper cage liners and then throw them away. Looking for a better alternative I started what I call double recycling. Once I read the paper it goes into a pile. Every day I remove the old newspaper from under the grate and shake off any debris into the garbage. Once removed, the newspaper can go into the recycling bin after it has served its purpose. I also use water bottles for my birds not only for the health reasons but it also reduces the amount of water that my birds used to go through in a day.

These are just a few of the many simple and more creative ways to care for your pet in a greener fashion.  If every pet owner did just one or two things to cut down on their pets waste and energy usage there is no doubt that it would have a substantial positive impact on our planet.

A guest post by Joe Wiedenbeck, owner of The Pampered Parrot

This post was originally posted here: Green- Is a business Challenge

“Are you green?” has become a question that is on the tip of the tongue. We apply to everything from shopping bags to shoes, to emphasise the fact that various products now cause less harm to the environment than they were previously known to cause.  However, when it comes to business, ensuring your employees carry their work home in hemp bags simply isn’t going to be enough to save the planet.

You need to address the following

1. Reducing your business’s environmental impact.
2. Save money through increased energy efficiency.
3. Identify the tax advantages of capital investments that improve energy efficiency
4. Highly regarded brand reputation as you demonstrate to customers, suppliers and employees that you are a green business.
5. Increase your bottom line with energy and cost savings.
6. Reduce carbon emissions.
7. Differentiate yourself from your competitors.
8. Stimulate innovation

Among the changes businesses are expected to make, commitment to reduction of carbon emissions is amongst the most important.  Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) is a new scheme aimed at slashing the amounts of carbon dioxide pumped into the atmosphere by large companies by offering financial rewards for doing so.  As sad as it may be that companies require financial incentive to stop destroyed the planet, this is the state we find ourselves in.  Of course, there are myriad different ways in which a company can reduce its carbon emissions, though one of the most effective ways is by ensuring they are using energy efficient buildings.  Every day, a massive amount of energy is wasted on fuelling commercial buildings; buildings with a lack of decent insulation, filled with energy inefficient machinery and devices, and lit by incandescent light bulbs with a lifespan a tenth as long florescent alternatives.

Simply investing in suitable windows, light bulbs and equipment in a commercial building will go a huge way to reducing the carbon emissions of the company as a whole.  Turning off lights and electronic devices when not in use, as well as investing in eco-friendly boiler systems and furnaces will also help make a building more energy efficient and help your company get in line with new legislation.

As a director of a company, your habits and routine will have an impact on the rest of your team. Think about how many times a day you are boiling the kettle, how much paper you are using and are you more electrical appliances than necessary? Making these cut backs and influencing others to do the same will have a big effect on your ability to stay ‘green’.

While we must ensure we take every little step towards making businesses and households as eco-friendly as possible, we must ensure we don’t overlook the big changes as well.  If recycling and hemp bags are a small step in the right direction, ensuring our buildings are as energy efficient as possible is a huge leap.

Author

Tim Smith; advising on energy efficient buildings and providing greener environments in the workplace.

This post was originally posted here: Solar Power Secrets

Everything you need to know about harnessing solar power to save money…and the planet
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This post was originally posted here: 14 Easy Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tips

Tips and Tricks to Make Your Cleaning Process More Eco-Friendly

Green is the new gold, and everyone wants a piece of it. People are realizing how important the simple things we do every day are to help sustain our planet, environment, and our ways of living. It is more important than ever to be eco-friendly in all we do from eating, working, playing and traveling to cleaning our homes.

Here are some tips, tricks, ideas and advice to help make your cleaning more eco-friendly.

1. Make your own eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning materials
2. Use baking soda to clean and deodorize. Baking soda can also be used to soften water, to increase the soap suds and power of soap, or for scouring powder.
3. Or use borax to clean and deodorize. Borax can also be used for disinfecting things and to soften water.
4. Washing soda can also be used to cut grease, remove stains, disinfect and soften water. It can be found under the name “sodium carbonate”.
5. Use white vinegar or Lemon juice to cut grease
6. Use peanut butter to get gum out of hair or carpet instead of a chemical alternative.
7. Use vinegar to deter ants instead of bug killing spray or poisonous ant traps.
8. Use soap that biodegrades completely can be found as liquid, flakes, powder or bars.
9. Don’t get any of the soaps that have added scents, colors or other additional materials or ingredients that are unnatural and unnecessary.
10. Remove toxic products
11. Replace toxic products with non-toxic, biodegradable versions
12. Learn organic and kitchen-cupboard ways to clean things
13. Use old clothing and towels as rags instead of buying new ones
14. Use cloth towels not paper towels
15. Get a low-water washing machine
16. If you can’t get a low-water use washing machine, do the dishes by hand by filling the sink (not by leaving the water running
17. Keep plants in the house to keep the air clean instead of using other electronic means
18. Compost your garbage instead of throwing it in the bin or down the disposal
19. Grind up lemons in the disposal to freshen the air instead of using a spray
20. Use candles instead of an air freshener
21. Visit www.ecoycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm for eco-friendly recipes for the following: household cleaner, window cleaner, disinfectant, oven cleaner, drain cleaner, toilet bowls, air fresheners, ceramic tile cleaner, basin, tub and tile cleaner, garbage disposal freshener, mildew remover, rug and upholstery cleaner, carpet cleaning foam, floors cleaner, furniture polish for wood surfaces, silver polish, copper cleaner, chrome cleaner, brass cleaner, laundry soap, pre-soak, fabric softener, spray starch, dry cleaning, and removers for heavy soils, fruit and wine, ink, coffee, lipstick, mildew, soiled diapers, grease, blood, chewing gum, rust and scorches.
22. Recycle your unwanted items instead of just throwing them away. Sort out all the things you no longer want and have an eco-friendly junk removal company assist you in both hauling your stuff away to be recycled as well as eco-friendly disposal through their professional waste removal.

Bio: Diane Ferraro is a green living advocate and is a believer that anyone can go green if they try.  In addition to blogging, she is also a freelance writer for an eco-friendly junk removal company.  In her free time she likes to hike with her two dogs.

This post was originally posted here: The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4

Peugeot have released their latest product… the 3008 Crossover, with Hybrid4 technology, the first diesel ‘full hybrid’ production car in the world, putting them firmly in the history books. The 3008 is powered by both a 2.0 litre HDi diesel engine and 37bhp electric motor, this being the optimal combination for a hybrid vehicle. Unlike previous hybrid vehicles, which have chosen a less fuel efficient petrol engine, the Peugeot’s diesel engine provides superior combined drive cycle fuel consumption of 74.4 mpg and CO₂ emissions of only 99 g/km.

Managing the hybrid system is pretty simple to… Peugeot has given the driver 4 different modes that they can drive the new hybrid in: “Auto” mode, which will see the entire system automatically controlled, including operation of the HDi diesel engine and electric motor; ZEV Mode (Zero Emission Vehicle), this provides access to an extensive all-electric mode. Activation of this is programmed to happen together with the more prolonged phases of acceleration; Four wheel drive mode (4WD), the rear wheels are driven by the electric motor and the front wheels driven by the diesel engine, and Sports Mode which favours the quicker gear changes at higher engine speeds than normal mode.

The new 3008 is also fitted with an electronically-controlled 6-speed manual gearbox, which the engine is joined to. This basically means that in the automatic mode its electronic control helps provide considerable savings in fuel consumption, compared to traditional automatic gearboxes or even a traditional manual gearbox.

The interior of Peugeot’s newest edition is very spacious with plenty of ‘gadgets’ to keep you safe on the road. An expansive fascia panel, controls within easy reach and an ergonomic centre console. It has a transparent panel which comes out of the instrument panel to project driving information should you need to take your eyes off the road for any reason. This panel can be adjusted using toggle switches that are located above the centre console. These switches add a further touch of class and style to the new hybrid. Not only that, they control the ‘Distance Alert’ system, which does what it says, it lets the driver know how far away they are from the car in front to prevent them getting too close.

Another item of equipment that has been added to this car is the Parallel Park Assist (or PPA). This feature determines the size of a parking space during a parallel park manoeuvre and works out the likelihood of parking in it, a genius piece of technology if you ask me.

The car also has the hill assist function, which helps drivers who aren’t comfortable taking off on hills move off easily.

The new Peugeot 3008 Crossover is set to be manufactured in France and will be marketed in the spring of 2011. Prices are not yet available and are expected nearer to the time of marketing.

About the Author:

Ant Bradshaw works for Saveonnewcars.co.uk who work alongside the UK’s leading Peugeot dealerships to provide cheap deals on all New Peugeot models

This post was originally posted here: Home Energy Kit – Hot New Energy Product!

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This post was originally posted here: Have you ever heard about Green Sofas?

Know about them now…

Going green is not only concerned with the outside environment but also for the home interiors. There are several things that we use at home. It is highly necessary to keep the home environment also green.

One of the several products that are used at home is the furniture. Furniture also contributes to the quality of the home environment. It is always better to choose the furniture that is sustainable and made up of renewable and non-toxic resources.

One such furniture that comes in the green category is the green sofas. Some of the features of this piece of furniture are:

• Bio-polyols are used for foam filling in the green sofas. Such fillings reduce the carbon emissions that affect the environment. These foams do not contain any chlorofluorocarbons that are responsible for depletion of ozone layer. Blowing agents do not have methylene chloride and the foam is free from fire retardant chemical, polybrominated diphenyl which is known to be the cause for cancer.
• The wood used for making green furniture is cultivated exclusively and separately, with the special permission obtained from the forest department. Most of the artificial wood that is used in the manufacture of furniture release toxins that are very harmful to the environment and the human beings. Hence, green sofas made from sustainable wood are free from all toxins.
• The fabrics used in these sofas are eco friendly and recyclable polyesters.

Hence, the next time you go for furniture shopping, keep the above mentioned points in your mind and make all the possible efforts for buying green sofas instead of those which are harmful to your home environment and the outside environment.

This post was originally posted here: Free Energy Sky 4 Energy $47/Sale + $67 Backend Sale

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This post was originally posted here: A Beginners Guide To Solar Panels – Solar Power Your Home!

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This post was originally posted here: How To Tackle Industrial Pollution

Industrial Pollution is the pollution that is caused by the harmful emissions released into the environment –may be in to ground water, rivers, air etc. Industries may lead to various kinds of pollution like noise pollution, land pollution, water pollution, air pollution.

Serious ecological imbalances are the consequences of industrialisation. Deforesation, oil spills, destruction of aquatic life, floods etc can also be attributed to high levels of industrialisation. Even the most serious kinds of health hazards to human and animal lives are caused due to harmful emissions of factories. Chernobyl and Bhopal gas tragedy are some examples of the disasters caused by the industries, which has led to irreparable damages.

Thus controlling the pollution, which is caused by the industries is the need of the hour, lest it may devour our planet .The governments of all the countries around the world –developed and developing must work hand in hand to fight with the pollution.

Governments must make it mandatory for the industries to take the following measures:

• Manage the waste disposal and recycle the waste to the maximum. Goods like refrigerators, television sets, computers etc must be carefully disposed.
• State must encourage people to recycle and reuse the domestic goods.
• The government must carry out proper planning for land allotment for setting up of industries. They should be located such that they are away from the water bodies and human settlement areas.
• Strict emission norms must be in place.
• Increased fuel efficiency and adoption of bio fuels must be made compulsory by law.
• Any unethical practice by the industry, which threatens the environment, should be made punishable by law.
• The wastewater must be treated and reused. This way it can be conserved.
• Energy efficient equipment and technology must be used.
• Regular inspection of the water content in the nearby areas like rivers, lakes and drains must be done. The level of emissions in to the air must be also checked at regular intervals so that if there are any alarming levels, appropriate action may be taken in time.

This post was originally posted here: Energy – Guide To Building Home Wind Turbines And Home Solar Power.

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This post was originally posted here: It’s Hot Outside…So Save money Inside

Did you know that approximately 40% of your electric bill is attributed to air conditioning energy usage in the summer? How can you keep your house cool this summer without the added expense of turning your thermostat down?

Try following these simple and cost effective steps to cool your house during Georgia’s summer heat…you’ll save energy, money and reduce the stress on your air conditioner.

• Use ceiling fans to create a wind chill effect to make you more comfortable. When used with your air conditioner, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.

• Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature to a higher setting at night or when no one is home. Remember, Sawnee offers a rebate for this device!

• Keep lamps and TVs away from your thermostat. The heat from these appliances may cause your air conditioner to run longer than is needed.

• Consider installing window shades, drapes or blinds with white backing to reflect the sun light and the associated heat away from the inside of your home.

• Be sure to close curtains on the southerly and westward facing windows of your home during the day to help keep unwanted sun light from adding heat to your home.

• Consider applying solar reflective window film on your southward facing windows.

• Make sure there’s adequate caulking and weather stripping at and around your windows and doors to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.

• On hot days, avoid using the oven, cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.

These easy and low cost steps will help keep your home comfortable and save you money.

This post was originally posted here: Free Solar Power Energy Diy Guide – Now With High Conversions.

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This post was originally posted here: Time to go for Green Watches

Going green is the present buzz. Many corporations and individuals have taken up the ‘green concept’ and have started taking their possible steps for preserving the environment. This happens to be high on their agenda. Adopting eco friendly measures and taking steps to preserve the environment indicates their commitment and sincerity towards the nature and the mankind, as well.

One such organization that has shouldered the burden of preserving the environment has started an Eco Drive. Citizen, a leading watch making company of Japan is proud to associate itself with the eco-friendly project. It has introduced a technology, particularly for all those eco-conscious customers.

The Eco-Drive innovation uses the light in all the available forms and successfully transforms it into the required source of energy that is used in the working of the watch. This novel innovation promotes the use of eco friendly technology that is clean and also ensures precise timekeeping.

The Eco Drive watches contain a special storage device that stores the electricity generated from the light source, which mainly helps in the smooth functioning of the watch. This sort of storage eliminates the need for watch batteries.

These watches do not contain any chemical components and hence they are totally regarded as eco friendly.

Globally, Eco Drive is considered to be the most advanced technology adopted in the watch industry that is used for generating of power and storage of the same, for the effective functioning of the wrist watch.

The technology uses light as the source of energy, which is readily available and that too in abundance. So there does not arise any problem of scarcity of the source. Moreover, it is very eco friendly.

Presently, these watches form major part of the production schedule and they are the most sought out watches by the eco conscious customers.

Eco Drive has proved it time and again that technology and nature can go hand in hand, protecting each other and at the same time rendering the fashion touch.

This post was originally posted here: Green Power Easy – The Easy Guide To Solar And Wind Power.

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This post was originally posted here: E-Ricks, the New Eco-friendly Rickshaws

With everything changing to green and eco friendly, there are changes coming up in the transport system also. E-ricks are one of the eco-friendly transport options which have lower emissions and thus contribute to reducing the pollution levels.

E-ricks are a hybrid between the cycle rickshaw and an auto rickshaw. It has an inbuilt GPS system in it. This battery powered transport system is in operation in almost 43 countries across the globe.

The e-ricks are made up of components which are fully recyclable. It has a polyethylene cabin, a propeller system that is digitally controlled and a heavy duty modular steel frame.

The rickshaw is designed to work on sealed lead battery of 250W. If the battery is charged once, it will run up to 95kmph at a maximum speed of 25kmph. It is very important to charge the battery for 6 to 8 hours on daily basis.

The e-ricks consist of GPS system and a locator device that will enable a timely and safe service. These rickshaws can be used for ferrying people to the famous tourist spots around the city, for commuting domestic and international airports and even for a jolly ride, enjoying the fresh air. Two or three people can sit comfortably in these rickshaws.

These types of modern rickshaws are plying in several countries like Australia, England, China, Denmark, Canada, Germany and Italy. E-ricks were used earlier in many international events like the Olympic Games in the year 2004 which was held in Athens, at Expo 2005 that was held in Japan and the World Football Championship, held in Germany, in 2006.

Even India is planning the launch of these eco friendly vehicles during the 2010 Common Wealth Games. The drivers of the rickshaws will be given formal training so that they can ferry the visitors to the event, comfortably to their destinations.

This post was originally posted here: Free Energy Options – Wind & Solar Power – Renewable Energy.

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This post was originally posted here: Building Green Homes to Conserve Environment

Our environment has been paying a heavy price to fulfil the housing needs of ever increasing population. The excessive use of building materials; power etc, has led to global warming. It is time that we seriously start thinking about building green homes. The green home along with being environment friendly, is also easy on our pocket. You can stay in touch with the latest environment news as well.

In this article we shall provide some tips on how we can create energy efficient homes.

• The roofs should be painted white. White roofs keep the house cooler, thus cutting the air conditioning costs by nearly 25%.

• In order to increase the air-conditioning or heating effects, all the open spaces and gaps between the walls must be closed properly. This prevents the loss of energy.

• The interiors must have some indoor plants. These plants release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, thus making the air inside the house, healthier. The plants also help in beautifying and brightening up the place. Even the small apartments can have indoor plants.

• The construction materials used to construct a home must be energy efficient. The paints chosen should have low content of volatile organic compounds.

• LED light bulbs are ideal for lighting solutions.

• Even furnishings and flooring can be environment friendly. Bamboo flooring looks very attractive and is very stable at the same time. Bamboo furniture is also a good choice. Some real stylish stuff made of bamboo is available theses days. Rugs made of hemp, look very beautiful.

• House owners must be encouraged to install solar panel for heating. Rainwater harvesting system can help in meeting the water requirements.

• Bathrooms rolls used in the toilets must be made out of recyclable paper. Other article like notepads, greetings cards can also manufactured from recyclable paper. This implies that we need not cut down trees to meet our requirements. More and more things made of materials like jute, hemp etc should be used.

Thus, by following the above tips, we can create an eco friendly home, at a reasonable price.

This post was originally posted here: Eco Home Energy Savings.

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This post was originally posted here: Wind energy can be Generated from the Ocean Surface

Do you know that wind energy can also be generated from the ocean winds? From the recent studies conducted by NASA, a new ray of hope, promises this. Nearly for a decade, the QuikSCAT satellite sent by NASA, is conducting the research and has given the results that confirm that ocean’s wind can be used for harnessing energy generation. The satellite maps can be utilized for identifying the wind farms that can be used for electric energy production.
From the revelations of the satellite, it can be estimated that potentially, the wind energy can meet at least 10 to 15 percentages of the energy requirements of the world.

If the ocean areas having high winds can be effectively used for producing wind energy, then at least 500 to 800 watts of energy per sqm can be generated. Though the solar energy produces one kilo watt of energy per sqm, the wind energy produces little lesser than that. But the main advantage of using the wind energy is that they can be converted into electricity at low cost and more efficiently than the solar energy.
The wind farms at the ocean are also more environment friendly as compared to the onshore farms. The onshore wind farms make lot of noise which becomes the cause of disturbance for the sensitive wildlife living in the vicinity.
The onshore wind farms have the advantage of strong currents from the ocean rather than on land. This is because there is less friction in water which can slow down the winds. Moreover, the wind’s path will not be blocked by the mountains.
It is necessary that the offshore wind farms have to be located at the places where the wind blows at high speed and continuously. The new research can point out such areas which produce high winds.
The maps sent by QuikSCAT can be useful for identifying the areas in the ocean, with high winds that are dangerous for the ships.

This post was originally posted here: Energy2Green – Wind And Solar Power System – *#1 Home Energy Program*

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