I used to enjoy walking along the beach…taking in the salt air, wind and surf…spotting pretty shells here and there. But lately this relaxing pastime has become more like an unending battle:  man versus trash. I’m distressed by the unending wave of trash that swims to shore.

For the past few months we’ve been visiting a state park that offers kayaking, fishing, surfing and swimming; it’s a beautiful spot. Days that we walk along the beach, we’ve gotten into the habit of picking up the trash that’s inevitably in our path. The other day we noticed a sign announcing a Beach Sweep, asking for volunteers to help clean up the area for a couple of hours on Sunday morning, so the hub and I figured we’d take part.

There were about 40 volunteers, and in just two hours, we collected a total of about 40 large bags of trash.  The 3 mile stretch of beach that we covered looked pristine. Although we were exhausted, it was gratifying to see such a clean sweep of dunes, water and sand – however fleeting.

What amazes me is the fact that the trash surfacing along the coast is a constant stream. Whenever we walk along the shore in one direction and think we’ve gathered up all the debris, when we turn around and make our way back, (more…)

Keeping it green by using materials otherwise landfill-bound – designer August Eliason creates these cool, etched ladies’ belt buckles from salvaged leather scraps. Reduce, REUSE, recycle… (more…)

Keep America Beautiful has declared November 15 America Recycles Day – and fortunately, there are a lot of easy ways for us to recycle stuff that we no longer need or want.

Here are a few of our recommendations on where to recycle/unload items that may be of no value to you anymore:

• Earth911.org - comprehensive info, by zip code.
• Moving? Use Recycled Boxes.
• Here’s how to recycle clothes. (more…)

As “Turkey Day” fast approaches we thought we’d revisit Rose’s list of tips for greening your fall feast.

In my family, Thanksgiving was always the most stressful of holidays. Would there be enough food? Would so-and-so come? Would the house be clean enough? Rarely among those concerns was, how sustainable is this holiday? Well, times they are a changing and this Thanksgiving we’ll have a local turkey, relatives arriving via carpools and organic wine. You can join the green Thanksgiving festivities with these easy tips. (more…)

As one of Brooklyn based Urban Organic‘s first customers, I’m excited to see that they’re featured in Groupon today.

Servicing New York City boroughs since 1993, UO delivers certified organic fruits and veggies from organic farmers’ coops, distributors and local farmers to doorsteps in the tri-state area once a week.  Today’s Groupon deal:  Get a box of fresh organic produce for only $19, including delivery.

Not familiar with Groupon?  After a simple sign-up, you’ll receive a coupon a day for special savings in your region, via your email inbox.

In true sustainable style, so many of today’s hip designers are creating beautiful pieces by re-shaping existing garments or upcycling found materials. Here’s a handful of personal faves to adorn fingers, wrists and necks…

Brooklyn based Dirty Librarian Chains will ecofashion a unique piece for you – starting at $30, just deposit your vintage treasure in their expert hands and let them craft a new unique piece for you, your mom, mate, sister or girlfriend. (one of a kind bracelets L to R above, $240 & $190); more @ DLCbrooklyn.com

above – Designer Tonya O’Hara’s PET:cell line is aimed to inspire hope – she transforms PET (recycled plastic bottles) into jewelry that mimics microscopic organisms and cells. Individually cut and made by hand, above: Quill and Tarantula rings are quite intriguing.

above – Teardrop necklaces from recycled vinyl records by award winning jewelery designer An Alleweireldt … find them at Pure Design’s U.K. website.

above – Redefining neck ware – 3 vintage neckties become a chic, ruffled neck kerchief; ($135) @ supermarkethq.com

above – Just when you’ve thought already you’ve seen it all – shirtsleeves turned neck treatments … from Junk Styling, a very cool London-based boutique for guys and girls.

May some of these designs inspire the DIY in you … here’s to a jolly good, low carbon impact weekend.

I intend to lead a long, long life in doggie-years. In pursuit of canine longevity I try not to ingest anything that could contribute to my early demise. Since I spend an inordinate portion of my day chewing and licking both appropriate (toys), and – I admit – inappropriate (the occasional throw pillow) stuff, I’m very careful about what my toys are made of.

I don’t want to be ingesting harmful pesticides, herbicides, dyes and chemicals. That’s why simple, eco-friendly toys like those pictured above have tremendous appeal. They’re made of chemical-free certified organic cotton, without dyes or additives. Handmade in Vermont.

Note: not for super-destructive hounds.

6 designs to choose from @ olivegreendog.com (Use OliveAC at checkout for 10% off.)

First the book, now the documentary.  Hoping to see it soon!  Based on Bjorn Lomborg’s controversial book, Cool It: the Skeptical Environmentalist, award winning doc filmmaker Ondi Timoni’s production opens in theaters across the country today.  Purported to offer affordable, practical solutions such as geo-engineering to counter climate change.

Lomborg is currently an adjunct professor at Copenhagen Business School and director of The Copenhagen Consensus Center (fixtheclimate.com).  Check out the trailer and learn more @ coolit-themovie.com

• Hard times, hard choices: long term environmental health + clean drinking water vs. local energy production, short term economic gains and jobs. ‘Fracking’ for Energy: Boon or Doom? – msnbc
• Smart business…buying American, creating infrastructure, job creation and selling their own chargers…GE to Buy 25,000 Electric Cars, Including GM Volts – reuters
• If you have problems with the concept of evolution, stop reading…Eggs With Oldest Known Dinosaur Embryos Found – bbc
• Solution to mitigate global warming could create other problems…Adding Iron to Oceans Would Backfire, Algae Study Suggests – livescience
• Thank you. Save those trees. Companies Yank Cord on Residential Phone Books – myway
• Does India’s subsidies for diesel cars promote luxury polluters? Indian Minister Discourages Sales of BMWs, Audis, SUVs – earth times news
• Diet was not a contributor…Formation of Bulge on Far Side of Moon Explained – sciencedaily