Another green report from 16-year old Zach McGrath

If you’re looking for a green and exciting way to vacation this year, you will be pleased to discover that Royal Caribbean offers some of the most eco-friendly cruise vacations out there. Their on-board “Save the Waves” program has transformed the way their ships run, while keeping the cruising experience as leisurely and adventurous as ever. The main goals of this program are to reduce the creation/generation of waste materials, recycle as much as possible, and ensure the proper disposal of any remaining waste. Royal Caribbean International has taken significant measures over the years to reduce the volume of ship-generated waste that must be processed.

Agreements are in place with their suppliers to control the volume of material delivered to ships that must be processed as waste. In addition, all disposable plastic items typically available to guests, such as shampoo bottles, plastic plates and flatware, have been eliminated. Finally, Royal Caribbean is committed to the pledge that nothing goes overboard.

Many waste products generated on-board Royal Caribbean ships must be handled with special care. These waste products include used paints and thinners, medical waste, dry-cleaning fluids, aerosol cans, used butane lighters and old batteries. These wastes are never disposed of in trash containers, in the ships’ sinks and drains, or in the ships’ toilet systems.

Regulations allow Royal Caribbean ships to have a zero-discharge policy for solid wastes. All wastes remaining are either incinerated or taken care of in other green ways.

But how does Royal Caribbean International ensure that all of these standards are upheld on every ship? An environmental officer is assigned to each ship to manage its overall environmental program. These officers receive specialized training to prepare them for overseeing and verifying all environmental systems, equipment, procedures and crew training.

Feel free to check out the Royal Caribbean website to uncover other ways they “keep it green to help keep the big blue, blue“.

Green Quote of the Week
“Everyday is Earth Day for Royal Caribbean International. We’re trying to save fuel and water all the time. It’s good business sense, and it’s just the right thing to do – for everybody. My grandkids have got to grow up in this world, and they want to be able to drink clean water at the end of the day. So anything we can do now is going to help.”

• Environmental Officer James Chapman of Royal Caribbean’s “Vision of the Seas”

plan a cruise @ royalcaribbean.com

Zooey tees are noted among my fashion circle as being the softest, most comfy lounge wear out there. If they were less expensive, I’d have one in every color.

If you’re looking for an excuse to stock up, here you go. Teaming up with Love & Eight, Zooey recently released the “Be The Cure” Tee that supports the Healthy Child Healthy World organization.

Made from organic bamboo (70%) and cotton (30%), $2 from each sale will go directly toward the organization. Choose from seven designs, this one on sale now @ $41. Free ground shipping at www.ShopBop.com.

• The U.N. is late to the table again. U.N. Aims to Set Example in Carbon Neutral Push – reuters
• This speaks for itself. Spice Girls Reunion Tour Features Five Private Jets – ecorazzi
• Shoot a wolf from a helicopter and kill a dozen trees. Wolves Help Yellowstone Trees Recover – livescience/msnbc
• The answer to this question is no, but maybe it’s a start. Can Green ‘Chic’ Save the Planet? – cs monitor
• Bush Environment Chief Draws Fire on Global Warming – enn

Sweat out the rest of summer’s heat the right way: fully protected from harsh sun rays. In its July issue, Consumer Reports Magazine ranked Keys Solar Rx All-Natural SPF 30+ Sunblock number one in its category—non-water resistant. Clean, green and vegan, it’s a broad spectrum UVA and UVB sunblock that uses nano-zinc oxide in an all-natural moisturizer to prevent aging UV rays from getting near your glowing skin.

Says Keys CEO Wendy Steele, “To be an all-natural sunblock is… proof that you don’t need a bunch of junk in a product for it to be superior.”

$19.95 at www.keys-soap.com.

How safe is your sunscreen? Check it out @ SkinDeep, the Environmental Working Group’s latest report on sunscreens. Their Top-rated and Bottom-rated Lists.

This tiny solar bugger comes in kit form recommended for kids 10+up.

A good, cheap intro to solar tech with an added sprinkle of DIY.

all for a modest $9.95 @ sundancesolar.com

Prompted by a recent bout with back pain, (thank you, bad golf swing) I went in search of an ergonomically- and sustainably-designed office chair, and dug up a few smartly executed seating options that are adjustable, good-looking and easy on the environment.

With a high recommendation from light house, a non-profit green building org, based in British Columbia, is Teknion’s “Contessa” chair, (pictured above) which has some very appealing attributes:

• 85% recyclable
• GREENGUARD certified for Indoor Air Quality
• Modular design allows replacement of parts — extending the chair’s life cycle.

more Contessa chair info @ sustainablebuildingcentre.com

(As an aside, Vancouver-based Light House offers a series of Green Building 101 workshops; the next is scheduled for Saturday, July 28; 10a-12n, $26. Click here for more details about this summer series.)

Another couple of green office chair contenders are Think, and Leap by Steelcase. Both styles receive high marks on the recyclable scale and comfort meter, and are GREENGUARD certified as well. Rest assured, with either of these chairs, you’d get a seriously sustainable seat, as both are Cradle to Cradle certified Silver.

Leap options range from $799 – $2399

Think ranges from $649 – $959. I would think before I leap.

Store Locator. If there isn’t a dealer near you, Steelcase offers free, 2-day shipping via FedEx.

Previously (4.16.07) on AltCon, Think green chair by Steelcase.

• Thousands Homeless as Asian Weather Spreads Misery – reuters
• Is anyone else seeing a pattern here? White House Trims Environmental Cops – enn
• Check packaging and frisk waiters. Wary Diners Ask: Is This Fish From China? – cs monitor
• Bad news for bong lovers. Medical Opinion Comes Full Circle on Cannabis Dangers – nature.com
• Celebrity environment. On a lighter note, I couldn’t resist this quote. Lindsay: “I wasn’t driving, the black kid was.” – tmz

Here’s a look at one of the UK’s best selling, fold-able bikes that comes with a nifty handle/shoulder bag. Use the bag to carry or store your bike. When ready to roll, zip open the bag and it doubles as a backpack to carry any incidentals you might need to bring along.

Bike in a bag is available in two models: Compact and Touring.

Compact, single-speed bike weighs 26 pounds (11.8kg), can accommodate riders up to 6’1″ and sells for €179.95

The new Touring 6-speed Shimano gears bike weighs 30.4 pounds, can accommodate riders up to 6’8″ and sells for €239.95.
available @ bike-in-a-bag.com or here.

via: hippyshopper.com

Satisfy your jones for retro-modern furniture with this handsome sofa that co-mingles light and dark woods with a harmonious result. Light Bamboo and Urban Harvested Black Walnut strike a nice visual balance. The folks at ifgreen pride themselves on the sustainable quality of their wood and upholstery as well as the eco-friendly non-toxic glues and finishes (featuring natural oils like tung and linseed) utilized in the production of their furnishings.

Dimensions: 31″ high x 80″ wide with 19″ seat depth, 18″ seat cushions and 23″ arm height

Price: $3545 @ ifgreen.com