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Posts Tagged ‘going green’

Have you remembered to BYOB in 2010? This is a query everyone should ask themselves. We are flying through 2010 and there has by no means been a more critical period of time to bring your own reusable green bags. When you BYOB, instead of using single-use plastic or paper disposable bags, you immediately become a part of the solution to the enormous urban waste predicament linked with disposable shopping bag waste. As of July 1, 2010, it is estimated that greater than 240 billion plastic bags have been consumed in 2010 alone. Whats still even more alarming is the effect that plastic and paper single-use bags are continuing to have on the natural environment. The purpose of this article is to look at the most recent news regarding large-scale efforts to cut down on the use of plastic and paper throw-away bags along with the associated waste, and discuss what choices are available to each of us individual consumers in order to make sure we are a part of the answer to this dilemma.

The excellent news is that BYOB momentum is growing quickly in this year. If you havent heard yet, the California legislature has written a bill; AB 1998 (to be voted on by the Senate in August), which would outlaw single-use bags sold in supermarkets, drugstores, convenience, and liquor stores and take full effect around 2013. Even The Governator, Arnold Schwarzenegger, said that he would sign the bill if it makes it to his desk. This would be a huge win for all friends of the natural environment to have the most populated state, in the third biggest nation on the earth, to put a ban on single-use plastic bags. Bearing in mind that China first cracked down on plastic bags in 2008 and Ireland legislative efforts to reduce plastic bag consumption began in 2002, it is so terrific to hear that California lawmakers have presented this bill to the table.

In the United States, cities from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Washington DC have approved or enacted laws that either tax customers for the utilization of plastic bags or prohibit them overall, but California would be the first American state to take action if this legislation were to be approved. Believe it or not, even legislators from the state of Texas have created possible legislation that would add a seven-cent tax per single-use bag used. It is so exciting that there is a chance that both Texas and California may possibly soon have laws and regulations in place to combat the plastic bag epidemic. Efforts by individuals and governments to cut down large-scale use of single-use shopping bags is a good method to motivate people and spread the word about the extremely positive benefits of eco friendly reusable shopping bags.

Plastic bags might take up to one thousand years to biodegrade completely, and before that it just deteriorates down in smaller and even tinier poisonous pieces that find their way inside our food, water, and soil. Biodegradable and green reusable bags, are a good quality alternative, once discarded in landfill sites, the subjection to sunlight, oxygen, and high temperature will convert these bags into water, carbon dioxide, mineral salt and biomass. Similar to a fallen leaf, it will perish in time as well as leave NO Toxic Residue in the soil. Single-use plastic bags end up in our landfills as well as frequently get tangled and bring about permanent harm in trash management equipment. Millions if not billions of additional bags end up as urban litter and usually find their way in to creeks, large bodies of water, streams, as well as the ocean. Creatures, especially aquatic animals, get intertwined in single-use plastic bags, and/or swallow them and regularly asphyxiate or starve to death.

So the remedy takes us back to BYOB, which is extremely simple. Just remember to utilize ecologically friendly reusable grocery bags or recycled shopping bags, or reuse an old bag, period. Be sure to keep extra reusable bags in your sports car or inside your backpack, since you will want to ensure that they are easy to get to once you require them. Also remember to clean your bags after use, especially after transporting raw foods and cleaning supplies. You should also present them to your friends and family as a reminder to BYOB. Of course, always remember to recycle every time the opportunity presents itself, recycling is always a win-win situation for the natural environment. Adopting a BYOB habit in our personal lifestyles and businesses is in truth the greatest way to make sure we are truly part of the solution rather than the problem. Now is the time to go out and lead by example.

Albert Jefferson is an accomplished writer discussing eco and sustainability issues and spreading the word to consumers and companies to utilize eco friendly green bags to promote both their brand and awareness for the environment. We can help this planet with every bag we reuse.

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“When I started this business, I wanted to do more than just be the best hair salon in the area. I also wanted to be the most eco-friendly shop in town and insure that I did everything I possibly could to protect our precious environment in the process” stated 70-year old Nancy Boltz of Bee Beautiful in Hunt Valley, MD.After an independent third-party review of her business practices and facility, it was concluded that not only did Ms. Boltz live up to her words, but her “green” salon has gone well beyond anyone’s expectations.

Jean Cozzolino, a certified Green Consultant(TM) with Greener Perspectives, personally inspected Ms. Boltz’s facility and, upon completion of her formal Green Assessment, stated “In working with many environmentally-conscious companies over the past year, I can clearly state for the record that this is one the best examples of what a single-minded individual can accomplish when they set their mind to it. Not only did Bee Beautiful immediately qualify for national certification through the Green Business League, she qualified at the “Platinum” level of certification, an accomplishment that less than 10% of those companies audited ever achieve.”

Ms. Boltz sends her cuttings to a company that uses hair to help gather the oil in the Gulf of Mexico. To earn her in demand “Platinum” certification, her salon has bamboo floors, solar tinting on windows to decrease cooling costs, split ventilation system for color and nail rooms, all EnergyStar appliances, CFL bulbs nearly everywhere, low-flush toilets to conserve water, no VOC paints, and much, much more.

When informed of these findings, Boltz noted”Sure I’m proud of the things I’ve done but I’m committed to doing even more. I know I’m 70 but, in today’s world, you have a responsibility not only to your customers and employees but also to the community and the environment. I just want to make sure I’m doing my part.”

Plus, maybe because she’s also a grandmother, there are always cookies and snacks accessible to regulars. From easy haircuts to full-body treatments, Nancy Boltz and Bee Beautiful always keep an eye on the environment. Bee Beautiful offers a complete menu of salon and spa services but they also take pride on being both serene and green.

In conclusion, Ms. Cozzolino noted that “It’s always a privilege to work with any firm that is genuinely committed to minimizing its negative impact on the environment, but Nancy Boltz and Bee Beautiful are special. It was a pleasure to award them this small recognition for their achievement.

If you would want to know more about Bee Beautiful, you can go to their website at www.BeeBeautifulGreenSalon.com. If you would want to know more about national certification, you can go to www.GreenerPerspectives.com. Greener Perspectives is certified Green Consultant business from the Green Business League who are internationally known.

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When you are talking about going green there are literally thousands of products on the market to help you out. The question you must ask yourself first is just how green do you want to go and how fast? Many people are finding the easiest answer is to work at the process incrementally. This means you do not have to strip your home down to bare walls and start all over, but replace regular products with green products when the opportunity arises. For instance when it comes time to repaint your living room why not choose a “green” paint such as Nutra Paint from Benjamin Moore? Below are a few more environmentally friendly products you could choose.

Green Oil

Spring and summer come around every year which means it is time to mow and weed eat your lawn. Why not try a biodegradable two-cycle engine oil this year? These products are not made from traditional petroleum bases which makes them much safer for the environment overall. They work just as well as the two-cycle oil you have been using for years.

Shopping Bags

How would you like to decrease the number of plastic bags in America’s landfills? Green eco friendly grocery bags are a cheap and efficient way to accomplish this goal. For a few dollars you can purchase reusable grocery bags and even reusable produce bags. Make shopping more fun and environmentally friendly with these neat little bags.

Household Products

Another area where it is easy to make small consistent changes is in your household products. Instead of your regular laundry detergent, why not try one of the many eco friendly laundry soaps? Many of these products use essential oils for fragrance instead of harsh chemicals and most are created from natural plant based ingredients. Save the planet a little every time you do a load of laundry.

You can also choose from a wide variety of cleaners, diapers and even clothing that are all environmentally friendly. Green products are cropping up everywhere you look and across a variety of product lines. Before you know it your home will be filled with earth friendly products you can be proud to use.

Major Changes

After awhile you may find it is time to make some major changes in your home. Refinishing floors, furniture and even insulation can all be done with eco friendly products. Manufacturers have discovered that people are more interested in these products and are working overtime to provide them. Insulation made of recycled paper, natural wood stains created from the byproducts of the dairy industry and odorless paints are but a few of the many home improvement products you could use.

Conclusion

Going green does not have to be a difficult process; you do not have to go off the grid to do your part to save the world. Small changes made in your everyday life can have a big impact over time without inconveniencing you at all.

The Green Way Store carries a large variety of top quality Green Cleaning Products that will not only clean your home effectively, but also help to keep your family and your environment healthy and safe. We offer Cleaning Products like all purpose cleaners, disinfectants,carpet cleaners, and laundry products to personal hygiene products, pest control and pet care, we’ve got it all.

categories: friendly products,environmentally friendly,going green,eco friendly,green product

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It’s nice to see the trend of green living continue to rise. Each and everyday I hear arguments, “Why should I go green?” Many feel they will not be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor. One thing to keep in mind is our kids and the future of our planet for many families to come. When most of us get confronted with the idea of our kids being in danger it sends a shiver down our spines. Why should the future be any different. The time for rebuilding a healthier environment is now.

I took a look around my home today. Today I feel pretty good about the efforts my family and I have takend to help the environment. We now have a container in the kitchen for any recyclables that may need disposing. We are also now using the neat trendy shopping bags for our trip to the grocery store. The nice thing about these is they don’t tear like the flimsy plastic bags. Instead of buying bottled water every week we now use the refillable dish-washer safe bottles. Many items we buy also happen to be recycled products. Tucson also has a limited water supply and now we have built the habit of turning off our faucet while brushing our teeth. Although I feel we’re on the right path, I still feel there is so much to do.

There are still some things I can do to narrow my path of becoming more involved in green living. I’m still driving my SUV which gets about 18/22 miles per gallon. I have made more improvement with waste from my child’s diaper. I used to buy the regular diapers which happen to be horrible for the environment. Since then I came across the cloth diapers with flushable/bio-degradable inserts. These diapers are also called ‘G’ diapers. So this change reduced decomposition of the diapers from 100 years to 1 year. Not too shabby.

Did you know there is money to be saved by going green. Buying things you can reuse is a great way to save more. Last year I made a purchase on some rechargeable batteries which not only work great, they have saved me so much in the long run. The total investment was only $10 and for that I received 4 energizer batteries with the wall charger. After recharging these twice, you’ve already saved money. The price was very affordable also for the great product it is.

Make a commitment this year, plant a tree. Many benefits, besides it being great for the planet, will come from this. Benefits include the extra shade it will provide, the experience you may be able to share with your kids, and landscaping is great for your property value; even if it’s a single tree planted. Doing this will also give others ideas to do the same, especially if you plant it in the front yard. All your neighbors will see you hard at work and the results of it every day they pass by.

Bondi assists those in search for tucson real estate, condos and rentals. Learn more about making your home a green home.

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The Green Business League is on a movement to elevate the level of play when it comes to Green certification. Many websites are craftily designed to persuade the guest that the company is a “leader” and offers a “highly credible” certification. Worse yet, you cannot depend on the worth or brags made on these website either. With a lot of choices for Green certification, the problem is identifying the “Real Deal” among the crowds of clamoring websites. Part of the dispute this company faces is being heard over the hundreds of fake certifications. Looks can be misleading, and this is accurate for so many of the Green certification homepage.

Why are the phony Green certifications so popular? Well, imagine the profit of selling something worth $5.00 or $500! There is nothing to most of the voluntary-compliance, self-assessment programs except to pay the fee online and download some forms. No one checks on the compliance, no one asks questions, and you get a Green certification in minutes. It is as easy as downloading an iTune, except the buyer is paying far more than these programs are worth. No wonder that other Internet entrepreneurs are getting in on the lucrative game of greenwashed credentials.

Now, not only is the buyer of these greenwashed credentials being deceived; they are also deceiving their customers. The display of a Green certification should require more than a fee and some downloaded compliance forms. The display of a Green certification implies that there was a serious review of the processes whereby the consumer is assured that the brag is backed up by fact. Internet purchased certifications anticipate consumers will see their purchased certification on equal terms as an earned certification. This is purposeful, part of their appeal, and an intentional effort to deceive the public.

This is why the Green Business League stands alone in the area of Green business certification. They perform a live audit on every single certification awarded. This is a certification that cannot be bought, it must be earned. While this process may cost more than an Internet certification, any business concerned for its integrity needs to do so by a program that has honest and known standards, independent audit, and a certification that can be respected by all.

Businesses identified for high standards are turning to the Green Business League for their expert auditing service. The reason is that there are more than 375 Certified Green Consultants worldwide. They are placed in almost every neighborhood and city, and they are ready to execute a serious assessment and appraisal of a business operation. Usually, the majority companies have already made improvements, and these are noted. With several suggestions by the Green consultant, roughly any company can make the essential improvements and arrive at the 100 point level of silver certification.

Like many things in life, the easy way is not always the right way. The old saying is if it is too good to be true then it probably is. The GBL Green Business Certification is becoming the standard that the others cannot match, and the standard we need in a world that requires more than phony certifications. Green certification is earned, not bought. A company that is not dedicated will find it difficult to have a Green certification.

The Green Business League can literally certify any business that is dedicated to having green products, services, and daily practices. Green Business League has Certified Green Consultants all over the world that can help your business cut cost, appeal to new clients, and help your business.

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The planet is in dire straights due to the amount of energy we waste each day. People leave the lights on all night long or even small electronics that can quickly drain what natural resources we have left. Not to mention the fact that you are paying a huge monthly bill for this each month. If you can make your own solar panels, then you can surely save money as well as help to get the planet back on the right track!

You will have two options of installation once you have built your solar panels. You can either install them on the roof of your home, or in your front or backyard. Keep in mind, you will need to take measurements so that you know how much space you have to work with and to build on. The roof can be a major safety issue, but the backyard does need to have the right amount of sunlight. Check and see side of your house gets the most sun and build from there.

Once you have taken the proper measurements and you have found the right place to install, you are now ready to buy the plans to make your own solar panels. There are a number of sites that will offer great plans or even kits that will help you out greatly. If this is your first time with a solar panel project, go for a kit. The kits have the plans and most of the materials that are needed in order to complete a couple of solar panels to get started. Once you get the hang of things, you can start building your own without the use of a kit!

Along with the set of plans you are getting, will come a materials list. This list is required if you want to make your own solar panels properly. Do not skip certain things on the list or buy substitutes, otherwise you are going to run into a lot of trouble here. The internet will plug you into parts sites that will have what you need for a cheap price. This will also ensure that you build properly and get the most from these panels.

After you have what you need in front of you, you are ready to construct the battery box. These batteries are used as a backup with the sun goes down or when the sun is not able to shine on your home. Make sure that you have measured the batteries you are using and get the exact box perfect. This helps to save you from any trouble with the batteries.

Get some help out there with you if you can. This is not usually a one person job and a couple of friends can easily step in. You might also want to find out if they have certain tools that you could use that you do not have. This will help you to save a lot more money and will get the job done even fast. A minimum of 2 people are needed for this type of job.

You have options and tools at your side when you are ready to make your own solar panels. This is not going to be a difficult project as long as you follow all of the plans and lists that you get. Start today and make sure you get the right amount of panels installed in order to reap the benefits!

Find more details on the most effective alternative energy sources available now! You can begin saving money on your utility bills easy and fast when you start using a solar energy system in your home today!

categories: solar panel,alternative energy,solar energy,going green

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