(above) Was this medieval-themed sweater coat inspired by the smash HBO series “Game of Thrones”? Probably not, but this Cottonwood flutterby pixie coat – constructed entirely of recycled sweaters – does make a heck of an “old-school” fashion statement. (more…)
We’re bringing the infamous Reduce, Reuse and Recycle program back. But it seems that many people have forgotten the importance of reducing and reusing. For this method of consumption and disposal to be most effective, we really must use the R’s in the above order, with recycling bringing up the tail end.
Why are the first two R’s so important? Basically, we have become used to the idea that our 
resources and consumables are in plentiful stock due to their low perceived costs. Markets are good at doing a great many things, but one thing they are not good a doing is adding the environmental cost of a product to the sale price. Since we lack an Invisible Hand of Environmental Protection, here are a few things we can do to be more sustainable.
If we’re thinking about reduction, one of the best places to start is with water use. We all know that we need to cut down on time spent in the shower as well as turning the faucet off when we’re brushing our teeth, but what about the other areas of our lives. Concerning the shower, looking into buying a low flow shower nozzle. These are typically low in price, easy to install and a great way to cut down on water use.
Next, if you’re a die-hard green thumb and can’t stand having brown grass during a dry season, remember to water the yard at or after dusk to cut down on evaporation. Also, use a layer of mulch around plants to retain more water. (more…)
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