With Memorial Day fast approaching it’s time to start thinking about you and your canine companion hitting the road for some summer travel.  Styling eco-dogs will find this Hemp Dog Carrier from Doggles to be one pretty sweet ride.

Made from eco friendly, renewable hemp this baby has a wide range of features for both dog and owner:  UV mesh panels for pooch UV protection, exterior water bottle pocket, (more…)

It happened again.  I was contentedly reading my NY Post sports section when I was confronted by a familiar, official looking two-page add.  A photo of a lab coated, glove-wearing dude (obviously not a Chinese engineer) holding up a penny, over the headline, “Public staying cool for just pennies” – no doubt signifying my savings to come.  Reading further I found that a free giveaway was launching a breakthrough in home cooling technology. Upon further reading, I found that if I ordered a unit within the next 24 hours I’d get a second $298 (plus shipping – they always get you on shipping) Cool Surge, for free.  A rolling air cooler that contains no nasty freon, needs no vents and rolls from room-to-room like you mother-in-law.  Hand me the phone?

Okay, not so fast.  (more…)

Is your sunscreen really protecting your skin from the sun, or simply giving you a false sense of security? According to an investigation by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), four out of five sunscreens under perform and contain chemicals that may pose health hazards. Some of the worst offenders, the study found, are the mainstream, leading brands.

We’ve compiled a list of sunscreens that the EWG has found to be both safe and effective. Slather them on before you hit the beach or the city streets this summer.

1. Top Rated
Soléo Organics Sunscreen
The EWG’s top-rated product for sunscreen stability and safety is Soléo Organics. Free of titanium dioxide, synthetic preservatives, parabens, PABA and petrochemicals, this Naturopathic sunscreen is water-resistant, non-irritating and contains organic botanical extracts. Bonus: The packaging is made of 100-percent recyclable material.  **If you’d like to purchase, just click on the Blue Button at the bottom of this post.

2. Safe for Kids
California Baby Sunblock Stick spf 30+
This convenient, PABA- and chemical-free sunblock stick is great for throwing in a purse or diaper bag, so you can add extra protection on exposed areas when you’re on the go. It’s hypoallergenic, contains organic and sustainably grown ingredients and boasts broad-spectrum protection. This product scored a zero, the best possible score, on the EWG’s effectiveness breakdown.

3. Sensitive Skin Saver
Jason Sunbrellas Chemical-Free Sun Block spf 30+
Jason’s paraben-free, fragrance-free sunblock is hypoallergenic and extra mild so as to not irritate sensitive skin. It’s enriched with chamomile and marigold extracts to both protect and smooth.

4. Great for Your Face
Kiss My Face Face Factor spf 30
Rich in such skin-benefiting ingredients as alpha lipoic acid and green tea extract, Face Factor protects from damaging rays while claiming to help reduce wrinkles. It contains no animal ingredients, artificial colors or unnecessary chemicals and is not tested on animals.

5. Ideal for a Day at the Beach
UV Natural Sport Sunscreen spf 30+
Perfect for outdoorsy types, UV Natural’s broad-spectrum Sport Sunscreen is very water and sweat resistant and has an aroma of sandalwood, patchouli and lavender. It contains grape seed oil, natural vitamin E, macadamia oil and green tea extract to nourish skin while protecting it.

6. For Lips
Badger Balm spf 15 Stick
This moisturizing lip sunscreen, made with certified-organic botanicals, maintains its water resistance after 40 minutes of activity in the water, and it does so without the use of any questionable chemicals.

Sustainable furniture maker, Knú, will be making an appearance at the NeoCon World Trade Fair 2009 at Chicago’s Merchantile Mart, June 15-17.  Knú will be debuting new designs like the one pictured above at Booth 6114 on the seventh floor.  Find out more about the company’s sustainable manufacturing practices @ getknu.com

Related:  previously on altCon -
Knu’s Sustainable Red Ball Rocker (4.10.09)
knu- eco friendly furniture for home or office (5.31.07)

When I stopped by the K Studio booth at ICFF NY I was duly impressed with artist Shelly Klein and her eco friendly line of pillows, wall art and bags.

All K Studios whimsical creations are designed, assembled and embroidered in-house, at their Grand Rapids, Michigan studio.  The artfully designed items are available in sustainable hemp, organic cotton or recycled wool.

• I hear a lot of grumbling from Republicans who like their vehicles big and manly…New Auto Standards: The Start of Obama’s Green Revolution – enn/cs monitor
• Why does the word “irrelevant” spring to mind?  Is Laurie David Stirring Up Environmental Trouble on Martha’s Vineyard Again? – ecorazzi
• Desperate times and all that…Needing Cash, Calif. Rethinks Offshore Oil – msnbc
• Holy transparency! A new concept…protect consumers.  U.S. Lawmakers OK Expanding NatGas Market Oversight – reuters
• I guess this falls under ‘sustainable.’  Aussies Cram 2,000 Movies Onto Single DVD – cnet
• Weird Festival Photos: Snake Roundups, Worm Races, More…natgeo
• Plastic That Grows on Trees – sciencedaily

Two days ago, I had the distinct pleasure of attending this year’s National Audubon Society Women in Conservation Luncheon at The Plaza honoring six exceptional women, recipients of the prestigious Rachel Carson Awards, and I’m still high from it.

I had a great time and met several lovely people, but my favorite moment was having the opportunity to converse with (more…)

I first spied designer Mark Sanders’s IF MODE folding bike at the AREAWARE booth at the recent ICFF in NYC.  This lightweight, full size folding bike is designed for storage-challenged urban commuters who may have a disdain for greasy chains and unsightly traditional bike whatnot and whohah.   Possessing both eye-catching style and practical functionality, the IF MODE, which weighs a people-friendly 32 lbs, folds-up into a compact package that fits easily into one’s closet or the F Train.

find in nyc @ areaware.com

A spunky name, creative designs efficiently manufactured from mostly recycled materials, made in the USA in quantities to meet customer demand – designer Josh Jakus appears to have touched all the green bases with FUZ, his funky new line of green home accessories.

FUZ employs a variety of eco-friendly materials – recycled cork, industrial waste, scrap felt, recycled plastic (see lights below) and recycled rubber – to create their products.

FUZ is so new you can’t buy their baskets, noteboards, placemats and lights just yet, but you will soon.

more @ fuzfarm.com