Chicks go green...

Greening Your Work Space

Are you ready to go green at work? It can be a challenge to achieve a more environmentally-friendly work space. Our advice is to take it one step at a time.

This week’s tip: Save paper; do you really need to print it out? 

•  Print out fewer documents
•  Read your documents on-line or on your mobile device 
•  Buy recycled paper
  

Specifically seek out Post Consumer Recycled. (Often called PCR or PCW; post consumer waste.) Be wary of recycled paper that does not indicate the percentage of post-consumer content.

Check out Mr. Ellie Pooh the green business of the year for 2008 making elephant-poo paper.Choosing Mr.Ellie Pooh papers and products partially made from elephant dung, helps to preserve forests, provides jobs in Sri Lanka, and saves the elephants.

On-line retailer Green Office shares the philosophy that “businesses should exist to improve lives while sustaining the planet.” Green Office challenges manufacturers to do their part and empowers you to do yours by offering webinars like Office Greening 101.

For a detailed list of resources to help you green your work space, visit planet green.

Another great blog...

I am always on the lookout for great blogs to follow and I just found another one that is noteworthy:

www.ecowomen.wordpress.com

I love their subtitle: "Protectors of the Planet!" So, stay tuned to their blog and keep the green flowing.

Eco-friendly dry cleaners

I just found a website that lets you look up by zip code and find green dry cleaners! I am thrilled to know that I have several choices in my immediate area. Check them out here:

http://nodryclean.com/

Green Fashions and Shoes

Are you ready to update your wardrobe? Think green and choose environmentally friendly apparel that is stylish, comfortable, and easy on our planet. Look for clothing made from organically grown natural fibers, such as cotton, hemp, wool, and silk, as well as newer synthetics, including bio-plastics and man-made cellulosics. These materials require less harmful chemical and energy use in the production process and help protect land resources. If you’re shopping for footwear, try on a pair of vegan shoes made from advanced synthetic materials. Vegan shoes not only get you where you’re going, but they also look great and are animal-friendly.

You can look your best and really feel good about what you wear, especially when you choose sustainable fashions. Here are some great sites to shop:  

https://www.organicfred.com/
http://www.patagonia.com/web/us/home/index.jsp?OPTION=HOME_PAGE&assetid=1704
http://www.timberland.com/home/index.jsp
http://www.thegreenloop.com/
http://www.sprig.com/fashion/shoes/
http://www.shoefly.com/

Green Promotional Products

Everyone loves getting something for free! Whether it’s a pen, mug, or logo imprinted t-shirt, promotional items are great for marketing a product, building brand recognition, or even outfitting your child’s soccer team. Whatever your need, you can choose to buy from a “green” company that offers eco-friendly products made from materials which help sustain our environment. Green companies offer a wide variety of items that are biodegradable, recycled, organic, solar-powered, and even post industrial plastic. Some companies further demonstrate their good citizenship by donating a portion of their sales to help nonprofit organizations.

So, the next time you are in the market for a promotional product, consider a green company and help support their commitment to a healthier environment.  Here are a few resources to help you find what you’re looking for:

http://greenpromotionalitems.com/

http://www.iaspromotes.com/Categories/SubCategories/Ecofriendly.html

http://www.motivators.com/Promotional-EnvironmentallyFriendly-Products-252.html

http://www.greenpromotions.com/

http://www.newdream.org/consumer/promotion.php  

ewaste

Shopping for a new computer, TV, or cell phone? If so, how will you dispose of your old or obsolete equipment?  Electronic waste, better known as ewaste, is a growing environmental problem and health hazard. Electronics are often composed of plastic, glass, metal, and some very toxic chemicals, including lead, cadmium, and mercury. These components are not biodegradable and if discarded improperly, the toxins can pollute our soil, water, and air. Fortunately, you can prevent further damage to our environment by managing your own personal ewaste. Consider ways to reuse the item by selling it on eBay or donating it to charity. Check into recycling programs that can help recover steel, glass, plastic, and precious metals for other purposes. For more information on ewaste, as well as available programs and services in your local area, visit these resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_waste
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm
http://www.globalwarmingsolutions.org/personal-action/recycle-your-e-waste
http://www.cristina.org/donate.html

Manufacturers, federal, state and local governments, and environmental groups are all working together to manage the ewaste issue. You can help, too!

Green Investing

Money is a great way to green our world! By practicing socially responsible investing, you can support companies that meet your personal standards for social and environmental performance. Before you invest, learn more about  a company’s workplace practices to see if it’s a good fit for you.  Are employees treated fairly and provided with health insurance options? Does the company participate in fair trade agreements? Is the company in compliance with environmental regulations and committed to recycling?  Does the company support the local community?  The answers to these and other questions will help guide you to make good choices. 

These books are great resources to help you get started. Begin green investing and maximize both financial return and positive social impact!

(All books listed are in the Amazon widget to the right, if you are interested in purchasing.)

Socially Responsible Investing : Making a Difference and Making Money (Paperback)
by Amy Domini

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Socially Responsible Investing (Complete Idiot's Guide to) (Paperback)
by Ken Little

The SRI Advantage: Why Socially Responsible Investing Has Outperformed Financially (Hardcover)
by Peter Camejo (Editor)

Compelling Returns: A Practical Guide to Socially Responsible Investing (Hardcover)
by S. J. Budde

Kids Making a Difference!

Who says you need to be an adult to help our environment! Kids of all ages around the world are getting involved in projects to plant trees, clean up litter, and recycle soda cans and clothes. Your kids can make a difference, too. Encourage them to bike, jog, or walk to cut down air pollution, turn off lights, the radio, or TV to save energy, and turn off the tap while brushing their teeth. Make it fun! A weekly bike trip to the local farmer’s market not only supports local food production and improves air quality, but it’s also a great family outing.

 

You, too, can help inspire your kids to take action! For more information and kid-friendly ideas, check out these paperback books—the first book is my 9-year old’s favorite about the environment!

 

(All books listed are in the Amazon widget to the right, if you are interested in purchasing.)

 

Everything Kids' Environment Book: Learn How You Can Help the Environment-by Getting Involved at School, at Home, or at Play (Everything Kids Series
by Sheri Amsel and Christopher J. Maron

 

The New 50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth
by Sophie and John Javna (to be published in September 2008)

 

Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth and Get Rich Trying
by David Bach and Hillary Rosner

 

50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Save the Earth
by The EarthWorks Group

 

Earth Book for Kids: Activities to Help Heal the Environment
by Linda Schwartz

 

This Is My Planet: The Kids' Guide to Global Warming
by Jan Thornhill

 

Down-to-Earth Guide To Global Warming
by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon

 

Green Olympics

Have you heard? The 2008 Summer Olympics are going green! The city of Beijing will host this year’s games and the city has been working to get in better environmental shape for the athletes and international community who will descend on the city in August. Beijing is among the most polluted cities in the world and the bid for The Olympics has been a major catalyst to improve air and water quality. Efforts include closing or moving factories, converting dirty coal-fired furnaces and boilers to cleaner natural gas, improving wastewater treatment and reuse, as well as the planting of trees. The Olympic Village is green, too.  Buildings and stadiums are powered by clean energy like solar, wind, and geothermal power, to meet lighting and water demands. Beijing is a great example that environmental initiatives work and with continued effort can bring about improvements for everyone to enjoy!

To learn more, visit:
http://en.beijing2008.cn/12/12/greenolympics.shtml
http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/magazine/15-08/ff_pollution

Let the Games begin!

Green Printing

Did you know that the printing industry is the single largest polluter in the world? Forests and forest habitats are sacrificed to paper production, but there is more environmental damage that is less obvious. Conventional printing processes release toxic chemicals, generate greenhouse gases, and consume large volumes of water. What can we do? Plenty! The next time you have a printing need or need to purchase office or promotional items, consider a green vendor, who shares your mission of sustainability.

Green vendors use recycled materials, non-toxic soy and water-based inks, organic textiles, sustainable fibers, and other natural ingredients. They produce quality products that are cost-effective and meet the highest environmental standards. Give a green vendor a try!   

Here are some of my favorite resources to help you green your next project or purchase:

Sustainable Group (recycled & customized office products) – www.sustainablegroup.net
Print.net Inc. (reasonably priced green printing) – www.printnetinc.com
Co-Op America (great resource for green vendors) – www.coopamerica.org
Rethreads (entirely green promotional products) – www.rethreads.com
GreenerPrinter (good eco-friendly printer) – www.greenerprinter.com