We spend about a third of our lives in the bedroom, why not do everything possible to make it a blissful environment? Spring is the perfect time to tap into white sales, so if those bed linens are looking funky, it may be a good time to upgrade to linens made from organic and natural fibers. Here are a few good finds at reduced prices to help get your green on…
organic cotton sateen sheets, throws, and pillow covers @ gaiam.com
hand made in India, organic cotton, pretty reversible quilts; duvets, shams, pillows, (photo, above) @ ploverorganic.com
Earth Day’s coming – time to transition to an eco friendlier lifestyle. Start by making small, incremental changes in your home and lifestyle that can end up making a big, green difference.
Your toothbrush is an everyday item that can certainly get greener. The Radius Source toothbrush is made of 93% Recycled Material – primarily recycled US Dollar bills, recycled flax and recycled wood all blended with recycled polypropylene resulting in a bio-plastic that is 100% renewable or recycled.
The brush features lightweight unbreakable replacement heads made from surgical-grade nylon that dramatically increase softness and efficacy of brushing with 65% more bristle tufts than ordinary toothbrush. The ergonomic handle is reversible for use by both righties and lefties. The handle lasts forever and won’t be headed for the landfill – just replace the head. BPA-free.
Here we are in mid-April, and the weather in the NYC area for the past few days has been sunny but cool. Taxes have been prepared (phew) and it’s time to hit the yard and do some spring cleaning of the outdoor kind. As backbreaking as it can be, there’s still something very rewarding about raking, weeding, digging into the earth and tilling the garden for summer’s bounty. Just be prepared to break out the arnica and tiger’s balm. I dug up some good resources to help lay the groundwork for an eco friendly-based landscape. (more…)
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to include going to the landfill. Swaptree is a great site that enables you to trade or exchange those books, cds, dvds, and video games that you’ve used and are tired of, for similar items from other folks – for free. List the items you want to trade, choose the items you want to receive and exchange them by mail – eliminating the need to buy more stuff and reducing, both your unwanted clutter and your carbon footprint.
On the other hand, if you either just want to find a new home for items you no longer need, or want to get things you need for free — join the Freecycle network. We’ve used it — it works great and people in your community will pick up your unwanted items – or you can pick up free items in your local vicinity. Aside from the environmental benefits, giving away perfectly good pre-loved stuff seems to lighten the soul:)
Tired of being surrounded by mundane traditionally-shaped furniture? Maybe it’s time for you to add the Hut-Hut (giddy-up for camels) to your eco-friendly home environment. This playful reinterpretation of the rocking horse is made on a 5-axis CNC machine and features an engraved star pattern that is both a decorative element and an efficient use of machining time.
Rather than resurfacing the piece to hide the machining lines, the lines have been incorporated into the seat of the piece as a decorative element, reducing the machining time by a very green 75%. Kalon Studios will be debuting Hut-Hut in Milan during the Salone del Mobile at the Posti di Vista ‘green block’ exhibition. The piece will be released in FSC Certified Spanish Cedar, Walnut, Cork, Bamboo and Maple.
Time to battle the allergies, garden and breathe a bit of fresh air… sweet. Also time to clean the cobwebs from their corners — both in my mind and in my home. Come spring, I seem to go on a feng shui tear. De-cluttering closets and re-organizing drawers. I don’t know which is worse, to have or not have — things, and places to store these things.
If you have a similar compunction to undertake spring cleaning, you may uncover many possessions that are of no use to you anymore. Here are a few recommendations on where to recycle/unload items that may be of no value to you anymore…
Once you’ve surrendered your “don’t need anymore stuff,” you’ll have more room…room to stretch on that yoga mat:) before diving in to spring clean your new-found space.
Years ago I read Isle Crawford’s The Sensual Home. What a find — her down to earth recommendations on how to care for your home are amazingly, still quite relevant. Crawford recommends the most natural and versatile tools: baking soda, distilled white vinegar (buy 2 of the largest jugs you can find), salt & lemon; and an old tooth brush for appliances (ie stove knobs & grills), faucets and drains. Covet clean, lint-free cloths. (more…)
Earlier this month, the Obama administration signed and put into effect rules that mandate automakers build car and truck lineups that average of 35.5 miles per gallon (39 mpg for cars and 30 mpg for light trucks) by 2016. That’s a big step toward a fuel efficient future, but let’s not forget that there’s plenty we can do in the meantime to improve economy on the road.
Buying Better
If you’re in the market for a new ride, there are plenty of eco options on today’s dealership lots. Says Chris Farrell, author of The New Frugality (Bloomsbury Press, 2010), “Small is beautiful. Small cars costs less to buy and are fuel efficient. Hybrids and electric cars are best.”
While 100 percent electric vehicles aren’t in mass production just yet, they will be later this year. Both the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf are zero emission sedans that will be in production this fall. If you can’t wait that long (or don’t have the money for new wheels), consider a hybrid car. Hybrids have been around since 2000 and can be purchased used for a good deal. When buying from a private owner, make sure a mechanic inspects the vehicle and battery before signing the dotted line. (For more tips, read this article.)
If a hybrid or electric car isn’t in your future, keep things simple by sticking to a small vehicle (like Smart, for instance) with a manual transmission. If it’s an option, purchase a vehicle with a diesel engine, which offers longer fuel life and therefore, fewer emissions.
Eco Driving Tips
In True Green Life (National Geographic, 2010), Kim McKay and Jenny Bonnin advise readers on lightening their lead foot. “By accelerating slowly, driving at moderate speed, and avoiding the need for hard braking, you can dramatically increase the miles you get from a fuel of tank,” the authors say. According to the book, every five mph driven over 60 mph decreases fuel efficiency by 7 to 8 percent. McKay and Bonnin also promote one long drive versus several short trip, noting that a warmed-up engine consumes less fuel than a cold one.
Calculate your “real” fuel economy (which takes your driving style into account), by filling out this worksheet courtesy of Consumer Reports.
Renting Wisely
The perfect time to test a car is when you’re on vacation. Take advantage of uncharted territory by renting a hybrid if you don’t have one at home. Most national car rental chains now offer green options in car and SUV styles. Not only will you save money with fewer fill-ups, you’ll promote the addition of eco vehicles to rental fleets. Of course, if you don’t need a car on your next trip, don’t rent one! Walk, hike, or even rent an e-bike to tour the new terrain. After all, it’s best to leave no footprint (carbon or otherwise) whenever possible.
This post is contributed by guest blogger, D. Salmons on behalf of TestFreaks, a website that collects product information and reviews from several thousand sources to give consumers the best possible advice.
The Outlet Regulator is the ingenious power-saving device from Conor Klein, a design student at RISD. It’s based on the concept of leech behavior. Just as a leech will suck all the blood it needs and release itself, so does the Outlet Regulator.
Whether you know it or not, many electronics do not stop consuming energy (even when, in the case of cellphones, they’re fully charged). This is a big energy waste over time. The Outlet Regulator eliminates this problem – by using a timer circuit and electromechanics – it physically ejects the plug. This disconnects your device from the wall outlet and all energy consumption ceases.
The Outlet Regulator is a magnificent design and a great way to be more eco-friendly. But for some reason I can’t help but think of the Outlet Regulator as a man. And because of this, I imagine these situations going on in many homes across the globe:
Scenario 1: Outlet: I’m so sick and tired of being “plugged in” all the time. It’s so… draining!
Outlet Regulator: I hear ya, man. I’ve fixed that problem. If I’m feeling tired and drained, I just spit that puppy (plug) out.
Scenario 2: Outlet 1: I was having a great time last night and just when things were heating up… out popped the plug. No “see ya” or “I’ll call you tomorrow”, just wham, bam, thank ya, ma’am.
Outlet Regulator: Yeah, he’s just not that into you!
Scenario 3: Outlet: You know… plugs are like leeches. They take what they want from you and then just “poof” they’re gone.
Outlet Regulator: Baby, don’t take it so personal. Trust me, I’ve got what they need… they’ll be back.
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