Recycling is easy right? You just put your cans, plastics and newspapers in the appropriate bin. So which bin does your old cell phone go in? Or your shoes? And please don't answer with the trash can.

I live by the rule where I don't toss anything without taking a minute to ask myself, "should this be in a landfill, how harmful is this, could someone else use this, could I get money for this?" Let's talk electronics - these are something we all have and know shouldn't go near a landfill.

This year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, consumers will retire 2 million tons in e-waste, or "tech trash" – old or obsolete cellular phones, rechargeable batteries, ink jet cartridges, televisions, computer components, monitors, appliances.

Being lazy and tossing these items in the trash is not allowed anymore. It's just become too easy to recycle your e-waste. Best Buys across the U.S will allow you to drop off your e-waste. They will even come to your house and remove old appliances if you purchase a new one from them. Staples and Office Depot also take back electronics.

Let's look at something we all have sitting around the house, an old cell phone. We know this shouldn't be in a landfill. There are 2 great things to do with your cell phones.

First, donate it! Most cell phone companies will allow you to drop off your unwanted phone at their stores. They fix them up and donate them. At&t donates the phones to soldiers' families, Verizon gives them to domestic violence victims. Most of the cell phone companies will take any type of phone too, so it doesn't have to go back to your provider.

Another option with your cell phone is to get some cash for it! There is a site called Cell for Cash, they offer money for your cell phone. Depending on the make and model of your phone, Cell for Cash will give you money for your old phone. This company takes your old phone and charger, refurbishes it and sells it in developing countries. You get some cash and help those in need!

There is another site out there called, Gazelle. This site offers you cash for any old electronics, from cameras and laptops to video cameras. It works similar to Cell for Cash - you find your make and model, get a price quote, and ship the gadget to Gazelle for free. Your item is then refurbished and resold or recycled responsibly. I went on there and looked up my old digital camera, and they will give me 20 dollars for it. Not bad.

Companies like Dell Computers and Hewlett Packard have recycling programs and trade in deals for computers.

Let's move on to some less obvious items that don't belong in the trash. How about that old stroller that is sitting in your garage? Donating your old baby gear is great, and if they are in good condition I am all for donating them to charities, or passing them on to friends or family. Baby Planet will take your old stroller and they will refurbish them or recycle them, but most importantly, they will not go to the landfill.

As your children grow they will go through a lot of tennis shoes. These are also something that get worn to a point where they cannot be used any longer. Nike has a wonderful program that will take your old tennis shoes. This is the Reuse a Shoe Program by Nike. Through the Reuse-A-Shoe program, worn-out athletic shoes are collected by Nike and recycled into material used to build new athletic playing surfaces, like basketball courts, tennis courts, athletic fields, tracks and playgrounds. You can drop off your sneakers at most Nike stores.

Got a recycling tip? Leave a comment.

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 12 comments

The gro-pak system, features five separate component bags made completely of recycled materials. Durable, compact and stylish, the gro-pak system makes grocery shopping "eco-chic" and environmentally guilt-free.  All together, the gro-pak system holds up to 100 pounds of groceries. Each BlueAvocado gro-pak component bag also features the world's first audited "Carbon Impact Label" detailing the carbon emission reduction associated with each trip to the grocery store and plastic bags avoided which can total up to 1000 plastic bags annually.

Go to BlueAvocado.com to order today, enter the code goodkarma5 for 5% off a purchase of $60 or more, and did I mention 1% of all sales, goes to KIVA.org?

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 16 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Andrew's union has decided to strike, which means by the next week he will either be on strike or be laid off. This also means I am looking for another source of income. I hope this won't interfere with keeping the site up, but I'm letting everyone know just in case.

Kathy Hester (GeekyPoet) presents Finding Organic Coupons posted at Geek, Poet, Housewife Wannabe. For more organic coupon ideas in addition to Kathy's, check out our article on organic coupons.

PassionateGreen presents Dr. Kracker Makes Sticking to Your Healthy Eating Resolutions Easy posted at PassionateGreen. From the article:

Often consumers find whole grain foods to have a different, less-pleasing texture than foods made with refined grain. This is true of most breads, cereals, pasta, and baked goods, at least according to my family! I say for all the benefits of whole grain I will put up with texture differences, because eating refined grain is pretty much the nutritional equivalent of eating sand.

Aahz presents The Scoop On Poop: Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers posted at Aahz Reviews Morgan Hill. Aahz says, "Could conventional wisdom be wrong? If so, will environmentalists admit it?" This one is going to be controversial, considering most of us here have at least a bit of tree hugger in us.

Praveen presents Tao of Simplicity: Amazon.com Goes Green posted at Tao of Simplicity.

Meg A. presents Let's Make 2009 the Year for saying "No" posted at How to Make a Difference. From the article:

Lets make 2009 the year to lay claim to greatness and say 'No' to the things that don't fit our ideals of bounty and growth. Lets make this the year of standing up for what we believe in, being accountable and making a difference.

Phil for Humanity presents To All Global Warming Deniers « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity. Phil says, "For a moment, let us assume that global warming is false."

Lisa Robbins presents Resolution: Be Gorgeous & Green posted at City Living Girl. Lisa gives us her recommendation.

Summer presents Contessa Green Cuisine Review posted at Eco Child's Play. Summer says, "Contessa Green Cuisine is a frozen food company that strives to be as environmentally friendly as they are delicious."

Myscha Theriault presents When Going Green is Classy posted at Wise Bread. Myscha describes her submission as, "a service article on how to go green with style."

Ray K presents How Starting A Backyard Compost Can Save You Money posted at JustSaver.com.

ChristianPF presents Chick Fil A Nutrition Facts posted at ANO. ChristianPF says, "While Chick-Fil-A is about the best choice for healthy eating in the fast-food area, there still are some big downsides."

Janelle Sorensen presents Post Holiday Detox posted at Healthy Child Healthy World. Janelle says, "These are easy tips for a post-holiday detox or a year round routine for helping your body flush the chemicals and toxins we are exposed to every day."

Condo Blues presents Organize Your Life with Six Pack Containers! posted at Condo Blues. Condo Blues says, "I had condiments sliding all over the shelf on the refrigerator door. The solution was a recycling bin away!"

Stephanie presents Project Orange Thumb posted at Stop the Ride!.

Traci Hayner Vanover presents Tax Credit "Window Of Opportunity" Reopens In 2009 posted at News About Green Living - Green Living Resources - Eco-Friendly Tips & Information. Traci says, "With nearly 40 percent of home remodeling incorporating sustainable, green materials, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Fenestration Rating Council have established a new, stricter set of criteria for windows carrying the ENERGY STAR label, which will take effect in 2010."

banquet manager thatsme presents Bacteria On My Lemon Slice? posted at So You Want To Be a Banquet Manager.... A short one to make you think. For the record, I get my water sans lemon.

Kate presents Power Plastic posted at Green Thinking Blog. Kate says, "Our world has turned plastic. Almost everything you use is made of plastic. So, what if you could take that plastic and turn it into energy? Konarka Technologies is currently turning this dream into a reality by developing the technology for plastic to convert sunlight into power."

Kate also presents New Year’s Resolutions for the Blue Planet Foundation, saying, "Blue Planet Foundation is an organization that is dedicated to implementing renewable energy programs and creating a global awareness to respond the urgency of the climate change we face. Primarily, the Foundation is looking at Hawaii to be an example to the world of how to use clean energy. They have put in place 5 New Year’s Resolutions to make this goal a reality in 2009."

Paige Rodgers presents Save Green While Going Green in 2009 posted at Fabkins. I included Fabkins in Focus Organic Green Holidays Guide, and this is an article by the co-founder of Fabkins.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 7 comments

January 9th's Tip

Rechargeable Batteries: With the holidays over and gifts received, your kids (or you!) probably have some new toys to play with. If these new toys require batteries, consider investing in some rechargeables.

Why throw away batteries after each use when you can save money and do less harm to the planet by using rechargeable batteries? Rechargeables might cost more initially, but they will save you money in the long run. The environmental savings is obvious. Most disposables still end up in landfills, while rechargeables get reused and can be recycled.

The following is a very informative article on rechargeable vs. disposable batteries from Green Living Tips.

Disposable vs. rechargeable batteries

Rechargeable and disposable batteries - the environmental impact

I wouldn't call myself a gadget freak, but in my work and given I spend a good deal of time away from a mains power supply, I use a lot of battery powered equipment. I started using rechargeables some years back and it's definitely saved me a lot of cash.

But what about the environment?

I guess it's a bit of a no-brainer that if you use one of something compared to a zillion, it's got to be better for the planet, but not if the one of something is one zillion and one times toxic . So I decided to take a look at how rechargeable batteries stack up against their disposable counterparts.

Disposable and rechargeable battery types

Disposable, or dry-cell batteries are usually the alkaline type. They used to contain very high levels of mercury, but the amounts used have greatly decreased over the last couple of decades and some brands use none at all. Still, many do contain a small amount of mercury and given the massive waste involved should be avoided, or at the very least, recycled. In 2006, 40 billion disposable batteries were sold worldwide! According to the EPA, Americans purchase nearly 3 billion dry-cell disposable batteries every year.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult finding places that will actually recycle disposable alkaline batteries. Many recyclers separate them from rechargeables and they do wind up in landfill anyway.

A service I came across in the USA for alkaline (and rechargeable) battery recycling is Big Green Box, which is just a box you can dump batteries into and when it's full, send it back to the recycler. You can purchase a box for your home or office, or utilize one that's in one of the participating stores mentioned on their site.

Button batteries are a problem as a great deal of metal is used for their comparatively small size and they can contain mercury, silver, cadmium, lithium, or other heavy metals as their main component. Thankfully, due to the increasing price of raw materials, these are a desired recyclable item.

Rechargeable batteries used to be quite environmentally toxic beasties, containing cadmium (NiCad batteries). These days the most commonly sold batteries are Nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH). NiMH batteries have a better life and performance than Nicads and don't contain as toxic heavy metals, so they are a "greener" choice.

If you own a notebook, it's likely the battery in it is Lithium-ion. These are the top of the line in terms of performance and the type we'll see in cars of the future. Again, a more environmentally friendly option than NiCads.

You can also buy rechargeable alkaline batteries, but these peform poorly and will cost you more in the long run - and you'll create more waste.

Regardless of the lower environmental toxicity of today's rechargeable batteries, they should definitely be recycled rather than thrown in the bin to wind up in landfill.

Where to recycle rechargeable batteries

If you're in the USA or Canada, try Call2Recycle, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation (RBRC) program's web site for further information.

In Australia, BatteryWorld stores offer a free service.

In the UK, there's a free recycling program called BatteryBack.

Environmental savings

According to a study by Uniross carried out in 2007, the production of rechargeable batteries have the following advantages over disposables (comparing serviceable life):

• 23 times less potential impact on non-renewable natural resources
• 28 times less potential impact on global warming
• 30 times less potential impact on air pollution (ozone pollution)
• 9 times less potential impact on air acidification
• 2 times less potential impact on water pollution

Getting the most from rechargeable batteries

I made a few mistakes using rechargeable batteries in the beginning, so I offer the following tips so you might avoid the same. These simple tips will help ensure you get the maximum life from your rechargeables

• If you're going to buy rechargeables - keep track of them . Being small critters, batteries are easier to lose. Given that a rechargeable battery in itself is more toxic to the environment than a single disposable alkaline; if you keep losing them and keep buying more, it defeats the purpose. Have a central point in the house or your car where you store flat ones. I also mark each battery set (eg. mb1, mb2, mb3, mb4) so there's equal 'wear', rather than mixing old ones with new ones.
• Avoid using the batteries at high temperatures and store out of direct sunlight
• Recharge regularly
• Avoid overcharging the rechargeable battery

Cost savings

As mentioned, you can not only lighten your environmental footprint, but save a ton of cash by using rechargeable batteries.

A pack of 4 rechargeable batteries I purchased a short while ago cost me around $20. They'll be good for at least 500 recharges, likely more. A battery charger costs anywhere from about $10 -$30. The cost to recharge the set works out to to be just a couple of cents each time. So, in total, even factoring in the charger, a set of 4 AA will cost around $50 for their serviceable life.

A comparable set of heavy duty disposables cost around $2 - and that's at a discount price. The equivalent usage would cost $1000!

Environmentally and financially, rechargeable batteries just make more sense. If you can, try ditching your disposable battery habit and reap the rewards.

Contribute

If you want to contribute a tip (and I know you do!), shoot us an email (don't post the tip in the comments!). Be sure to include your URL if you want a link to your site included with your tip!

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I'm back from CT (unfortunately), so I apologize for the lack of attention paid to the site the past couple of weeks, and hope to get more into the swing of things again. Hope that everyone's New Year went well and would love to hear your resolutions! Mine is, obviously, to figure out a way to move home to CT... ASAP.

Hopefully with the holidays done and over and the new year started, the blog carnival will also pick up again and start receiving more submissions! Unfortunately for this week, a few of the submissions I received had not a thing to do with anything eco!

Astrid Lee presents Eating Organics Heals Our World; a How-To article posted at We Are One World Healing. Astrid Lee says, "Heard about the connection between red meat and the deforestation in the Amazon??!! Read up how you can make a difference in the world by eating right. Easy..."

SimplyForties presents Lower Gas Prices, A Mixed Blessing? posted at SimplyForties. From the article:

Regardless of the current prices, oil is a non-renewable resource and its reserves are finite. There is no question that, at some point, we are going to run out. If not in our lifetime, then in the future of a not-too-distant generation. If we don’t face it and get prepared, it’s going to be a disaster. The high price of gas was forcing us to get ready. Will we now slide back into complacency?

RecycleCindy presents The Green Shopping Bag posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy says, "What better way to start the new year than to recycle plastic bags into a wonderful reusable green shopping bag. I offer a free pattern and picture tutorial on how you can create a handy shopping bag from recycled plastic grocery bags. The free crochet pattern is found here."

sebastian@zoomiscooters.com presents The Top 5 Electric Scooters Of 2008 posted at Zoomi Life. Sebastian says, "Electric scooters are great short-distance commuter vehicles, and they are environmentally friendly, and inexpensive to operate. Here's our list of picks for the top 5 electric scooters of 2008."

Izmet presents Giving thanks for: water. and Mining e-waste: The New Gold Rush? posted at Izmet's Dream.

David presents Which Fruits & Vegetables You Should Be Buying Organic. | The Good Human posted at The Good Human. Another reminder of the produce you should be buying organic versus the ones that are less contaminated.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2009. | Permalink | 2 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

This Blog Carnival is the 200th post at Focus Organic! Thank you to everyone for continuing to visit and support the site. I hope we continue to grow and provide you with tons of green information. Use the banner to the right to become carbon neutral for a day, and to pass the chance on to your friends and family!

When you're done with the carnival, take a moment and enter our Horizon Organic Eggnog giveaway. Green Your Decor is also having an awesome Green Christmas Giveaway for a prize package valued at $189.59 (ends Dec. 12th), and Teensy Green is hosting a KEEN Footwear Giveaway where the winner gets to choose ANY KEEN Footwear product (ends Dec. 14th). Also, be sure to check out Focus Organic's Ultimate Green Holidays Guide for tips and gift and party ideas!

Julena presents Organic Makeup ? Balms and Lipsticks posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care. Julena says, "This article discusses all you need to know about taking care of your lips organically -- where to get organic lip balm and lipsticks, as well as how to make natural lip balm and tint at home."

Kerry presents Global Warming – fact or fiction – or does it matter? posted at Eco-friendly living. From the article:

There are still many people out there debating whether global warming is happening and if it is caused by man or natural causes. Honestly, we don’t know what is going to happen and how much is natural and how much is caused by man. We do know that our weather has gone a little crazy and it is predicted that it will get worse.

Heather Levin presents How To Have A Green Christmas posted at The Greenest Dollar. Heather presents tips for greening your holidays.

Alex Sysoef presents What Does Certified Organic Coffee Mean? | Organic Coffee Deals Blog posted at Organic Coffee Deals Blog. Alex says, "The term certified organic coffee is often seen on some labels. The question often asked is what does it really signify when a coffee product has this on its label? There are so many labels in the coffee industry that points out that a certain brand of coffee is organic. In reality, some coffee products are only partially organic because some manufacturers have also mixed in other substances that may have been processed using chemicals."

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Yard Yarns posted at Mad Kane's Humor Blog. A limerick and haiku prompt with the theme yards and/or gardens.

Dawn presents Waste-free Cards posted at The DreamBank Blog. Dawn presents some ideas for digital invitations and greeting cards.

Ahuva Goldstand presents A greener future for Jerusalem? - Jerusalem Metro Blog - Jerusalemite.net posted at Jerusalemite blog. Ahuva says, "Jerusalemite likes things that are green. We like our falafel green. We like our voodoo juices green. We like our East Jerusalem garbage bins green. We even like our not-pagan-at-all religious ceremonial waving branches green. And our open spaces? Yeah we like those green too."

Gil presents Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl posted at gilocafe. A beautiful photo and the interesting story behind the name of the mountains pictured.

Nancy Miller presents Time’s Are A Changin’… Global Warming Incorporated Into Educational Curriculum posted at Top Online Engineering Degree. From the article:

Ventura County, California, is set to perform the role of the stage for the local teenagers as they attempt to educate their fellow citizens on the dangers of the rising sea, another phenomenon attributed to none other than global warming.

Lisa Robbins presents Top 5 Green Holiday Must Haves... Under $40 posted at City Living Girl. The Boy Meets Girl Eco Tote is adorable.

Jim presents The Five Reasons Why I Recycle posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. Jim's reasons are reasons why everyone should recycle.

Summer presents Use Recycled Felt For Crafts posted at Wired For Noise. Summer tells us about felt made from recycled plastic bottles.

Russ presents Environmental Benefits of Homebrewing Beer posted at Simple Homebrew Beer. Russ says, "Can homebrewing beer really be environmentally friendly?"

Nichole Halsey presents Just Say No to Junk Mail posted at Bad Human! Don't take chemicals from strangers!. Nichole says, "Some more tips on how to to cut down on your junk mail."

Grace presents Living the simple life is not always simple posted at Face to the Sun. From the article:

It seems to me there is a fine line between ‘dreaming’ and ‘wanting’. Perhaps Buddha was right when he said that craving leads to most of the human suffering he saw in the world.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | No comment

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Update, 8pm: I designed a new graphic for the carnival, much nicer, IMO!

Sarah Lane presents Clean Coal's Dirty Little Secret posted at on a ledge. Very informative article on why clean coal is not the way to go.

Tiffany Washko presents Top Ten Green, Natural Toddler Toys for Christmas 2008! posted at Natural Family Living Blog. I wanted to tell you which of Tiffany's choices was my favorite, but they're too cute to decide.

Heather Levin presents How To Set Up A Community Lending Library posted at The Greenest Dollar. From the article:

The idea is simple: people in a community pool items they own to share with everyone. Some communities choose to set up the lending library in their local, book-based library, but other communities have set up lending libraries out of their own homes or community centers. Even more operate lending libraries entirely over the internet.

GrrlScientist presents Bottomfeeder: How to Eat Ethically in a World of Vanishing Seafood posted at Living the Scientific Life. GrrlScientist says, "There's plenty of fish in the sea, as the old addage goes -- but are there, really? I experienced a rude awakening at the peak popularity of Orange Roughy, which I loved. I learned that Orange Roughy, Hoplostethus atlanticus, an extremely long-lived benthic species in the Western Pacific Ocean that doesn't even reach sexual maturity until 40 years of age, was being eaten out of existence by people like me. After I learned that, I never touched Orange Roughy again."

GrrlScientist also presents Invasive Exotic Species: More than Meets the Eye. She says, "Genetic analyses of an exotic invasive parrot species reveals (1) a cryptic species and (2) support for the notion that the pet trade was involved in establishing this invasive species in the USA."

Ben Connor Barrie presents Sustainable Farming Maintains Biodiversity posted at Sustainable Design Update. Ben says, "This article discusses a method of tropical farming that does not negatively impact biodiversity."

Coatlicue presents Natural vs. bottled water posted at Raw Fitness Online. Coatlicue says, "An article about the health benefits of natural waters, and the dangers of bottled and distilled water."

Patrick Walsh, Tempe, Arizona, Real Estate presents Water Conservation Made Simple!! and Honoring Earth Day posted at Patrick Walsh, Realtor. Patrick says, "Water harvesting is practiced around the world and is a great benefit to the community when used on a large scale. You can take steps to contribute and save water by harvesting at home." I also realize Earth Day was months ago (in fact, it's the day this site began!), but Patrick's Earth Day post includes some interesting "Arizona Solar Power and Energy Efficiency Trivia."

Louise Manning presents 2012 vegetable gardens planned for London posted at The Human Imprint. 2012 gardens by the year 2012... should be totally doable!

Jim presents » Recycling Earns Money For Your County on Blueprint for Financial Prosperity posted at Blueprint for Financial Prosperity. From the article:

In Howard County, Maryland, the county has decided to give out over 71,000 recycling bins to the residents. The size of your home will dictate the size of the bin you’ll be receiving. Single family homes will receive a 65-gallon wheeled cart, townhomes with a garage will get a 35 gallon bin, and townhomes without a garage (like mine) will receive an 18 gallon bin.

Patricia Turner presents Top 50 Green Technology Blogs posted at Green Web Hosting Blog. Posts like these give me a whole lot of new websites to look at!

Surfer Sam presents Two Miracle Foods That Can Nourish You and Cure You posted at Surfer Sam and Friends. From the article:

The benefits from eating healthy are endless. Food can nourish you and cure you. And some foods that you eat can help you look and age better! Here are some breakthrough foods you may not have heard about, foods that will be on more tables this year.

sebastian@zoomiscooters.com presents BG’s C100 to Become First Mass-Produced Electric Car Available in USA posted at Zoomi Life. Sebastian says, "For those of you who have been waiting for a green, affordable transportation solution - BG Automotive is releasing the first affordable all-electric car available on the US market in February 2009. Finally, an affordable green transportation option!"

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 4 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I'm receiving more submissions that are not suitable for this carnival then ever... including astrology? While it may be interesting, it's just not right for All Things Eco! Try to keep the submissions on topic, everyone.

Julie Hall presents Beware the Chocolate Monsters: Keep Slave Labor Out of Halloween posted at on a ledge. From the article:

For most of us chocolate is a happy part of Halloween. It’s hands-down the best treat in the bag—so popular, in fact, that kids have to keep an eye on their chocolate-pilfering parents at this time of year. So, it’s especially ironic that this beloved sweet treat is a living nightmare for the children who are caught in the chocolate slave trade.

Kristen McCarthy presents Organic is Next to Godliness posted at this-sustainable-life.com. Kristen says, "Organic products have become the food of the bourgeois –and I’m not talking about the kind of food historically only available to the rich: calf liver pâtés, speckled Emu eggs, and ninety-nine dollar square watermelons –instead, I’m talking about the essential food groups that ensure our nutrition: vegetables, fruit, grains, and dairy."

Mac presents Eco Friendly Tips for the Home posted at Actorlicious. Mac presents some simple tips for a green home.

Annette Berlin presents 10 Crafty Ways To Recycle Greeting Cards posted at Craft Stew. Annette says, "I was trolling the newsgroups today and I saw a discussion on ways to use old greeting cards. The discussion never got too far, but it did get me thinking. Here are some of the ways to recycle old greeting cards that I’ve read about, tried out, or heard about over the years."

GrrlScientist presents Seattle Visit: The Montlake Fill (UBNA) posted at Living the Scientific Life. GrrlScientist says, "This photoessay describes my visit to one of the finest small- to medium-sized urban birding areas on the west coast of North America, the Montlake Fill. This is a reclaimed wetland that was formerly a city dump." She also presents Honeycomb, "A picture of a honeybee honeycomb, photographed at Russ Pittman Park, Texas."

Benjamin presents Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF): The Best In Green Building Technology posted at Trees Full of Money. Benjamin says, "If you are considering new construction, you need to know about an amazing green building technology known as Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF)."

MsUnreliable presents Beyond Spring posted at That Unreliable Girl. MsUnreliable says, "The growing trend towards green pools are setting the standards for a stylish, sustainable summer." This post is for those of you who in the parts of the world experiencing the start of summer.

Fiona King presents Obama vs McCain on Healthcare: Top 10 Issues posted at US PharmD. When it comes to health topics not directly related to eco living, I have a hard time deciding whether to include them. I usually include those related to health insurance because it is an important topic, and this one especially for Americans.

Surfer Sam presents The Secret Lives of Bees. Honey, Health and Harvests ! Surfer Sam posted at Surfer Sam and Friends. Sam's article includes the sections "The Honey Bee," "The Benefits of Bees," "The Bee Community," "Worker Bees and Drones," "The Life of the Queen Bee," "The Bee Business of Commercial Pollination," "Honey Bees Gone Mad," "Food Products from the Bee - Honey, Pollen, Propolis and Royal Jelly," "The Health Benefits of Honey," "Royal Jelly From the Honeybee," "What Is Honey Bee Propolis?," and "The Benefits of Honey Bee Pollen."

Laurel presents Natural Air Freshener posted at Green Thinking Blog. Laurel says, "A recent investigation of the chemical levels in some common air fresheners found that 12 out of 14 had hormone-disrupting chemicals called phthalates in them. The state of California maintains that 5 different types of phthalates are 'known to cause birth defects or reproductive harm.' Learn a simple recipe for making air fresheners the 'green way.'" Laurel also presents Climate Crisis Needs Media Support and says, "The television network ABC recently decided not to air the We Campaign’s 'Repower America' ad which says that 'massive spending on ads by oil and coal companies… is a key reason our nation hasn’t switched to clean, renewable sources for energy.' Find out about you can participate in a petition campaign to send a message to the major networks that they need to finally get on board with climate protection."

Kate presents Walking the Planet in Someone Else’s Car Tires, or Bike Tires, or Their Soda Bottle posted at Green Thinking Blog. Kate says, "Check out 2 videos about shoes that bring new meaning to walking-in-another-person’s-shoes. These shoes are made from old car tires, bike tires, beverage bottles and more."

NtJS presents The Cloth Diapering Rodeo posted at not the jet set. NtJS says, "Our baby would lay on the changing table so nicely while I changed her diapers. She would even hold her own legs up for me (to cute!). Now that she is 8 months old I have to wrestle her down, hold her legs up and keep her hands out of the way. Do I give up on my cloth diapers?"

RecycleCindy presents My Signature Recycled Bag posted at My Recycled Bags.com. Cindy says, "Crochet yourself this stylish shoulder bag from recycled plastic bags. I offer a free crochet pattern for everyone interested in green eco-friendly crafting."

Jason Isbell presents Reducing the Waste with Conscious Printing | Tired Garden posted at Shabam School. Jason says, "We have to print things out on paper. Knowing how to tell if the printer is eco friendly allows us to be more conscious consumers."

Curry Kenworthy presents Web hosts are going green posted at Web Hosting Scene. Curry says, "A look at the green hosting trend."

Allison presents 8 Fashionable Green Shopping Bags for Any Style posted at AfterGraduation. My personal favorites are the World Food Programme Feed Bag and the black and white b. happybags bag.

Ben Connor Barrie presents Ecuador’s New Constitution First to Guarantee Rights to Nature posted at Grown Ass People. Ben says, "Ecuador's new constitution is the first to grant unalienable rights to nature. This article discusses possible domestic and international implications of this move."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.
Thanks to everyone for all the Happy Birthdays! The weekend was fun. We picked up a few dozen or more used books from a charity organization. Would have grabbed more but, with all the hardcovers, it was all we could carry We got almost the entire 16 volume series of The Children's Hour hardcover storybooks from 1953... just missing volume 5. Anyway, on to the carnival!
Hilary Green presents 10 Ways to Save On Gas and Improve Mileage posted at Cars for Girls. Some useful tips, many of which you have probably already heard, but some you may not have.

Kevin Fleming presents Chevy Volt Aims for 100 MPG Rating posted at The Green Motorist. Is it just me, or do the interior pictures of the car make it look like a toy?

Athlyn Green presents An Innovative Way to Recycle Plastic Bags posted at Alternative Health/Holistic Living. Athlyn says, "A great way to convert plastic bags into usable products." Sounds similar to RecycleCindy's ideas

Dale Liebrecht presents Vegetarian posted at A Bag Full Of The Real Poop. Dale says, "It's cool and green to be a vegetarian!"

Jennae presents Top 10 Online Stores for Eco-Friendly Decorating posted at Green Your Decor. Jennae's site is one of my personal favorites, and this post is awesome and informative.

P.L. Frederick presents 9 Side Effects To Using The Clothes Line posted at Small & Big. P.L. says, "All true, I say." For your humorous side. An example side effect from the post:

Ghosts cruising the line for some sheet action

John presents Kona Sugarloaf: The White Pineapple posted at Only The Internet's Best Reviews. John says, "Is the fuel spent transporting pineapples from organic jungle farms in Hawaii to Boston worth it?"

Axel presents The Healthy Salad posted at axel g. From the article:

My favorite salad is as easy to prepare as it's healthy - full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and antioxidants. In short, this salad is a delicious health bomb made with easy-to-find ingredients.

Tiffany Washko presents Eco Friendly Halloween posted at Natural Family Living Blog. Not just a great post because Halloween is the best holiday ever, but because it's REALLY informative. Give yourself a good amount of time to really be able to check out all the resources Tiffany provides in this post!

Frugal Babe presents A Frugal Supplement For The Hydroponic Garden posted at Frugal Babe. More on Frugal Babe's new hydroponic garden.

Mac presents 10 Ways To Save A Dollar During Hard Times posted at Actorlicious. More examples of how being frugal can also lead to being green.

Traci Hayner Vanover presents Selling Where the Grass is Greener posted at Traci Hayner Vanover - The Caffeinated Marketing Musings of the Promo Diva®. Traci says, "For all those green-intentioned manufacturers that are interested in setting themselves apart from the crowd, you’ve got a friend, ally, and resource in Green Seal®."

Victoria E presents Ecoist Adds New, Chic Wrapper Bag Collection + Exclusive Discount on Victoria-E.com! and Seeing the Sustainable Side of Getting Limber and Centered posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living.

Miss Jocelyn & Miss Emily Rose presents Blessed Girlhood: Autograph Album posted at Growing In Grace Magazine. They say, "Recycle old books and make something worth using!" I'd like to add to use recycled paper or tree free paper (Google for it, you can find it all over the internet and many of the options are GORGEOUS).

AdmirableIndia.com presents Hogenakkal Falls: Part 1 posted at AdmirableIndia.com. More photos and some videos from AdmirableIndia.com.

Lauren Rose presents THE CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES | Own Home Style .com posted at Own Home Style .com. Lauren Rose says, "Nowadays due to the introduction of new hybrid varieties in vegetables, which are susceptible to pest and diseases, there is demand for more plant protection, usually with toxic chemicals."

Julena presents The Natural Anti Wrinkle Solutions posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care. Julena says, "Anti aging solutions do not have to involve toxic chemicals, painful injection or spooky face lifts. Learn about the myriads of natural anti wrinkle methods available to you. From nutrition, to creams, to exercise (yes, I said exercise!) . Staying pretty all the way is the natural choice."

Strogatel presents Wooden toys nourish the soul posted at Wood Toys. Strogatel says, "Wooden toys are not only a more natural choice for our kids. They transfer positive energy and remind us (and teach them) of our roots." If you are buying wood toys, try to make sure they come from sustainable forests. Look for toys with FSC certification.

Lisa Spinelli presents 50 Ways to Go Green | Greener Pastures: Personal Finance posted at Greener Pastures. Lisa says, "Feeling a little overwhelmed by the push to go green? If you’re driving around in a Hummer, having trouble grasping the “go green” concept, just ask yourself: what one thing can I do to make the planet greener -besides paint my SUV green?"

Laurel presents Algae Jet Fuel! posted at Green Thinking Blog. Laurel says, "Solazyme “is a synthetic biology company that has produced the first algal-based jet fuel that’s passed all ASTM specification tests for aviation fuel (freezing point, stability, density, etc). I’ve been researching biofuels for about two years, and algae biofuels seem to hold the most promise as a truly sustainable fuel."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 10 comments

San Antonio unveiled a deal on Tuesday that will make it the first U.S. city to harvest methane gas from human waste on a commercial scale and turn it into clean-burning fuel.

Yep, you heard that right! The methane gas from San Antonio's "biosolids" (in other words, the poo) will be converted into natural gas for burning in the city's power plants.

With this step, over 90% of the waste that gets flushed, quite literally, down the toilets and sinks of the city will get to be recycled. Liquids are currently in use for irrigation, while many solids are composted. Add in the methane gas power generation, and they've got themselves a poo-powered city!

Wouldn't it be neat to live in a world like in Futurama where everything is recycled?

Leela: We recycle everything. Robots are made out of old beer cans.
Bender: Yeah, and this beer can is made out of old robots.
Leela: And that sandwich you're eating is made out of old, discarded sandwiches. Nothing just gets thrown away.
Fry: The future is disgusting!

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

Can you believe it's September already? It's blog carnival day, the first day of September, Labor Day, and this is the 100th post here at Focus Organic! It doesn't feel like it

blogowner12 presents Toyota Prius Spy Photos posted at Tips to save gas and increase mileage. blogowner12 says, "Another car to make the Earth cleaner."

Melinda presents GREEN YOUR INSIDES: The #1 Cheapest & Most Versatile Product For Your Home posted at One Green Generation. Melinda's article presents 19 uses for vinegar.

Steve Faber presents How to Improve Diesel Fuel Economy for Your Truck or Car posted at super gas saver. From the article:

This is a beginning primer on how to maximize fuel economy for your diesel powered car or truck. Since better fuel economy is one of the main reasons people buy diesel vehicles, there is a bit of gold in here.

Patty Howe presents An Eco Guide to Consumer Electronics posted at { gathering home }. Patty says, "News on eco rankings of popular electronics companies!!"

Janel W presents Back to School Green posted at organic mommy's Weblog. Janel says, "Tips for sending your kids back to school without toxins!"

George L Smyth presents One Minute How-To - How To Leave No Trace In Your Favorite Wild Place posted at George L Smyth. George says, "Steve Sergeant explains how you can go into the wilderness without leaving a trace of your being there, allowing others to enjoy its unspoiled nature."

Christine C. Reed presents EcoBliss: 26 Questions to Bioregional Grounding posted at BlissChick. A wonderful article from Christine. From the article:

Every place is this unique. You just have to dig a bit.
And digging can lead to roots which can give you a sense of grounding that can be easily lost in this world that can seem precariously virtual, too fast, and too transient.

Alfa Mercado presents Moving Boxes Recycling Ideas posted at Moving Boxes. Exactly what it sounds like!

Kate presents Green & clean « Om Shanti Handcrafts posted at Om Shanti Handcrafts. Kate says, "A post about doing what I can to keep my business running green."

Tiffany presents The Great Homeschool Decision posted at Natural Family Living Blog. From the article:

The great decision I am talking about is method and curriculum. That seems to be the next step after deciding to teach your child at home. What curriculum or homeschooling method will best suit your family and your child?

Dave presents Modular Walls and LEED Credits posted at Modular Walls and Partitions.

ChristianPF presents How to make natural toothpaste posted at ChristianPF. ChristianPF says, "I never knew how cheap and easy it is to make your own!!"

AdmirableIndia.com presents Pearl Valley or Muthyala Maduvu, Karnataka posted at AdmirableIndia.com. More nature pictures and videos from AdmirableIndia.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I forgot to update the carnival listing on blogcarnival.com again! This seems to have an effect on the submissions, so I am going to try to keep my absent minded brain from forgetting again

Nicole Ravlin presents 8 Tips on How Not to Lose Your Cool posted at GreenHomes America. Nicole's article includes some good tips for keeping your home cool and energy efficient.

GP presents Sustaining Yourself posted at Innstyle Montana- Come on Inn. GP says, "Despite all the campaigns to promote fruit and vegetable intake - only a third of Americans eat two or more pieces of fruit per day." GP also presents Kid Friendly In Montana, saying, "Kid friendly and eco friendly travel in Montana."

Tiffany Washko presents Back to School - Green Style posted at Natural Family Living Blog. Tiffany's article is full of great back to school information and links for the eco-conscious parent.

EcoSalon presents A Precocious Pioneer Erin Schrode posted at EcoSalon. EcoSalon's article talks about an ambitious young woman who has started a group called Teens for Safe Cosmetics. From the article:

The coalition of passionate young women aims to raise awareness about the potentially harmful ingredients in beauty and daily use products that may be linked to cancer, reproductive interference, and other health risks.

Tip Diva presents Top Ten Tips - Greening Your Bathroom posted at Tip Diva. Tip Diva says, "If you’re looking to become more green, why not start with your bathroom? Here are ways to conserve energy, water and more."

Phil for Humanity presents Why Nuclear Power Plants are Horrible « Phil for Humanity posted at Phil for Humanity. Phil says, "The reasons against nuclear (fission) power plants are because they are non-renewable, dangerous, and create radioactive waste."

Elisa presents The Ecosexual is getting sexier! posted at Not Just Pretty : Sustainable Style. Elisa was worried this article might not fit well with this carnival, but I think it's great! Ecosexual is definitely a new term for me!

Janel W presents Paycheck to paycheck organic posted at organic mommy's Weblog. Janel posts some great tips for organic living on a budget.

Stephanie presents What is Green? posted at Stop the Ride!. From Stephanie's article:

Being green is not my primary motivation in the way we live. Frugality and self sufficiency take those top spots. In my eyes being green is a pleasant bi-product of our lifestyle.

RecycleCindy presents White Crocheted Plastic Hobo Purse posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy shows us another of her cool recycled reations and says, "Check out the latest in trash to treasure fashion. This cute hobo bag was crocheted from recycled plastic bags. The free crochet pattern is available for green crafters at the link above."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival. I am very happy with this week's turnout, so let's keep it going

RecycleCindy presents Recycled Paper Bag Mailer posted at My Recycled Bags.com. RecycleCindy says, "Recycle a brown paper grocery bag into a mailer envelope. I show several pictures how you can take a brown sack and upcycle it into a shipping mailer. Saves you money on buying an envelope and recycles the bag too." Since I know you all switched to reusable bags *gives you all the shifty eye*, this is a way to reuse any leftover paper bags you might have, and it's really easy, too!

GP presents Leaving the Road Less Traveled, Green posted at Innstyle Montana- Your Home on the Range. From GP's article:

Whether you want to hit the open road to find yourself or lose yourself along the way, you don’t have to sacrifice creature comforts or go off into the jungle to be a green traveler. All you need is a desire to preserve and protect the environment of the place you’re visiting — and it’s easier than you might think.

Sagar Satapathy presents How to: Get Great Deals on Organic Clothing - 25 Tips and Resources posted at Organicasm. This article includes some good tips and quite a few links to other great resources.

Stephanie Bryant presents 5 Low-Impact Birthday Gifts posted at U.S. Travel. Stephanie says, "Low-clutter gift ideas for birthdays or whenever." Stephanie also presents Attempted homemade hair conditioner? FAIL, saying, "A humorous exploration into making organic hair conditioner at home." Stephanie's second submission is sure to give you a giggle

Janel W presents Organic meat recipes on a budget posted at organic mommy's Weblog. Janel's article includes her recipes for meatballs, her version of Hamburger Helper, chicken and peppers, and curry chicken salad.

Lisa Spinelli presents Frugal Ways to Protect You, Your Yard, and Your Trash, From Summer Pests posted at Greener Pastures: Personal Finance. Lisa's article includes some environmentally and people friendly ways keep away pests.

Katrina Cain presents Biodegradable Feminine Hygeine Products. posted at Were You Wondering.... In her article, Katrina says:

With a wide variety of alternative feminine hygeine products available at a reasonable price, don’t you think we can get rid of the plastic pad in the plastic bag to be unearthed in a million years, with a record of both our DNA and wastefulness?

Sally Thompson presents Greener Thumb: 100 Resources to Grow Your Own Organic Fruits and Vegetables posted at Organicasm. This is a huge list of resource links.

Anthony Luafalealo presents Why We Are Too Rational to Stop Polluting, Part 2 posted at Amateur Economists. Anthony says, "This article explains, from the point-of-view of a game theorist, why people are unlikely to cooperate to switch to more eco-friendly modes of transportation. However, game theory is based on the assumption that people are rational, and, according to the author, people are not always rational, which could mean hope for the planet after all." An interesting take on rationality and saving the planet. I have to make a comment on this section of the article:

Conversely, if you’re the only one to use eco-friendly fuels, you will get creamed personally (babes stay away from you) as well as professionally (more time to reach a client, you have to stay closer to work, etc).

It wouldn't keep this babe away! But then, I've always liked people who don't blend in

Phil for Humanity presents Options for Asteroids Heading Towards Earth posted at Phil for Humanity. Phil says, "Evidence has proven that meteor impacts coincidence with several mass extinctions throughout the Earth's history, thus proving that objects falling from space are a real threat to mankind. Unfortunately, there are very few options if an asteroid or comet is on a collision course with Earth." Not exactly an eco topic in the way he talks about it, but an interesting read nonetheless.

Jamie McIntosh presents Benefits of Organic Produce posted at Suite101: Organic Gardens blog. Jamie says, "Two opposing sides argue about the nutrient content of organic produce. Is this the most important issue?" I agree with Jamie's take on the organic food nutritional benefits study.

Kelly Sonora presents Beyond Blood Diamonds: 5 Other Products That Are Soaked in Violence posted at Organicasm. From the article:

Much has been said about blood diamonds, but many people don’t realize that there are a number of other conflict resources that facilitate violence around the world. Products from lumber to your cell phone all play a part.

David presents Adobe/Thermal Mass Building - Eliminating The Need For Air Conditioning. | The Good Human posted at The Good Human. Eliminating the need would be wonderful... it is, at a bit after 11am here, 89F with a heat index (the temperature it actually feels like) of 101. According to the weather last night, it is supposed to get to 99F with a heat index of 110+. This is on top of humidity that may be 80%+, and we live on the 3rd floor (You know how heat rises? You never REALLY experience it until you deal with 100+ weather living on the 3rd floor!).

Matt DiChiara presents Los Angeles Apartments Get Free Recycling posted at MyNewPlace Blog. As I told Matt last week, I would love if this were implemented in more places. Our town has NO recycling pick up, we have to bring it to the center ourselves, and they don't give us containers. I'd take a guess that many more people would recycle if there was pick up...

Stephanie presents The Man's Thrift Store posted at Stop the Ride!. Stephanie says, "A place to donate or buy home improvement items." It's funny this article gets submitted because my husband and I were just talking about how thrift stores don't have much to appeal to men!

Jason Isbell presents Tire Swing posted at Tired Garden. Jason says, "Tire swings are cool. But how about one that is made to look like a horse or a dragon? Check out a cool way to reuse your old tires!" Cool, indeed!

Frugal Babe presents A Hydroponic Garden posted at Frugal Babe. Frugal Babe is starting a hydroponic garden to grow her own fruits and veggies in her crawl space. I agree with the commenters who say she's a genius, and we want pictures!

Health Blogger presents Eat Healthy And Exercise To Reduce That Fat Belly posted at Health and Fitness Blog. Health Blogger talks about some risks of belly fat, including some tips to start getting rid of it, with some humor.

While I have an overall skinny genetic predisposition, and on first glance you might immediately assume I was skinny all the way around and otherwise in shape, if I pulled up my T-shirt, you might think differently. Hidden under my shirt is a jiggly treasure trove of human belly fat - perfect for some fun loving squeezing and a show of wealth perhaps in some poorer countries...

Myscha Theriault presents Garbage Into Gold: Great Ways to Recycle Old Containers | Wise Bread posted at Wise Bread. Some cool ideas.

GrrlScientist presents Will The Great Animal Migrations Disappear Forever? posted at Living the Scientific Life. GrrlScientist says, "What do salmon, passenger pigeons, American bison and wildebeest have in common? They all are (or were) migratory, and their populations either are declining or have become extinct. In fact, the populations of nearly all migratory animals, from insects to fishes, birds to mammals, are suffering disproportionate population declines that sedentary species are not experiencing."

Naomi Stevens presents BRITAIN SET TO BECOME ELECTRIC CAR CAPITAL OF EUROPE posted at Diary From England. From the article:

Electric cars could be given away for free as part of a new government initiative. Gordon Brown unveiled his plans for the future of Britain’s motor industry at last week’s Motor Show. The idea is that electric cars will be given away free or at a heavily subsidised rate. At the same time drivers will be offered contracts similar to current mobile phone contracts by companies who will supply the electricity to run them.

Jzulueta presents Blog posted at jzulueta. Jzulueta says, "Reflections on being green, specially living in an oil and gas province." From he article:

Which goes back to my point. How do you find that balance? You certainly do not want to alienate people. I am green, you’re not. Then again, I don’t want to lose my job either. I struggle with this question myself.

Matthew Philip presents Removing the Fossil Fuel Blinders | EnviroHumanImpact | EnviroHumanImpact posted at EnviroHumanImpact. Matthew says, "This article details the main problems regarding our current energy situation, the damaged economy, climate change, and global/national security. We discuss factors that contribute to the current situation, including government subsidies, politicians overlooking truly clean alternative energy in favor of offshore drilling schemes, and potential solutions and approaches we may take to abate the problems." A long, but very good read, especially the sections involving politicians. A must read for any American as yet undecided on the upcoming presidential election.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Oh, and I have to add, it is now 96F with a heat index of 107. Movin on up...

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 10 comments

While I enjoy personalized gifts, sometimes a gift card is better... especially when the gift giver never gets the gift quite right. I've got some relatives who enjoy buying the same thing for each niece/nephew/grandchild/etc. in different colors. In these cases, I'd prefer a gift card!

Usually the cashier at the store throws these cards away for you when they run out of funds. In 2006, 17 billion plastic cards were produced, most of which probably wound up in the landfills. Not only do these take up space that they don't need to, but they often contain PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which is a carcinogen. So, what can we do with them to avoid this? Earthworks offers a solution.

Earthworks launched a Retailer Gift Card Return Program in January, which allows retailers and consumers to send their used plastic gift cards (and membership cards, library cards, etc.) to be recycled. They have teamed up with Starbucks and the Gap, which means your gift cards from these companies are recycled and recyclable.

From Plenty Magazine:

Does the recycling process create any waste?

It absolutely does not create any waste. It’s a really simple process that involves securely destroying the material by chopping it up and then melting the plastic down. There’s no chemical waste because we don’t use any chemicals in the process, which a lot of post-consumer products need in order to clean the material. The other great thing is that recycling a card and making it into a new one saves about 80 percent of the energy that would be used to make a brand new card. That’s because our product is made from 100 percent recycled materials with no raw materials and no petroleum.

Stay tuned tomorrow for an interview with Tom Szaky, CEO of Terracycle, and a review on some of their green cleaning products.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 33 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

All Things Eco was chosen as the featured carnival on BlogCatalog.com for yesterday. Thanks, guys! I was hoping it would bring in some more entries, but it was cool to be featured anyway

Matthew Philip presents Nalgene Reusable Plastic Water Bottle Product Review: Are Nalgene bottles safe? BPA concerns hinder green product which may leach harsh chemicals | EnviroHumanImpact posted at EnviroHumanImpact. Matthew says, "We recently ran a product review on the plastic Nalgene reusable water bottles. While the concept of a reusable water bottle is "greener" than disposable ones, the health risks of possible leaching chemicals into your water makes it seem a little less "green" and healthy."

Katrina Cain presents 24 Potentially Harmful Food Additives posted at Were You Wondering.... A VERY informative article, definitely a must read, and a great addition to the carnival.

Sasha Bobylev presents What to do with the empties? | American Winery Blog posted at American Winery Blog. Sasha says, "Post about creative uses for empty wine bottles." Some very neat ideas, I particularly like the wine bottle lamp and oil lamp ideas.

Anthony Luafalealo presents Poor Countries Reject U.S. Answer to World Hunger posted at Amateur Economists. Anthony says, "This article discusses the U.S.'s solution to world hunger: genetically modified foods. Many third-world countries and the EU do not support such a solution out of fear of possible health-related side effects. However, the AMA states that no side effects have been reported and supports ongoing research in food biotechnology." I would like to see more studies done on GM foods, but it may be a long time before we know of any real possible side effects.

Janel W presents Pesticide Dangers to Children posted at organic mommy's Weblog. From Janel's article:

So what can we do to protect our kids? Well remember that government standards for regulating environmental hazards are sometimes inadequate, at best a bare minimum, and could be a threat to your families health. In short I wouldn’t trust the government to tell us if something is safe for our kids because they have been wrong many times before and have special interests of their own. So you have to take the initiative to look at what might be harmful in your home and research products that you buy.

Wenchypoo presents Saving Energy Begins at Home II: Things You Can Do to Save Energy Costs posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo's Mental Wastebasket. Wenchypoo's post includes lots of tips for saving energy, ranging from expensive to free.

Karen Spaeder presents Rain Frog Blog: Tough Times and Why They Don't Matter in the Grand Scheme posted at Rain Frog Blog. From Karen's article:

My challenge for you today is to think long and hard about what your dreams are. What are you doing to achieve them? If you keep doing what you are doing now, will you ever achieve them? Will your current financial and emotional state allow you to bust through whatever barriers stand in your way in order to get what you want out of life? Or are you content to accept the status quo?

Naomi Stevens presents DANCERS GENERATE ELECTRICITY AT LONDON'S FIRST ECO NIGHTCLUB posted at Diary From England. This is definitely one of the coolest nightclubs I have heard of!

GrrlScientist presents Sizzle: A Global Warming Comedy posted at Living the Scientific Life (Scientist, Interrupted). GrrlScientist says, "a film about global warming by Randy Olson, this film fails miserably to blend humor and science into an entertaining and educational experience." From her article:

Sizzle is advertized as a combination of a documentary, mockumentary and reality about global warming, and therein lies its problem : it has no idea what it is supposed to be, and as a result, the audience (me, in this case), doesn't either.

Stephanie presents Planting Potatoes in Old Tires posted at Stop the Ride!. Stephanie says, "Gardening and recycling. Plant potatoes in in old tires to take up less space in your garden." Looks like a good way to recycle and grow some of your own food at the same time. And who doesn't love potatoes? I know I do

Jason presents 12 Household Uses for Used Plastic Containers posted at Frugal Dad. Jason posts ways to reuse plastic milk gallon containers. Some interesting ideas!

Wesley Joseph presents Product Review: Clorox Green Works Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner posted at EnviroHumanImpact. Wesley says, "We recently ran an article reviewing Clorox's Green Works Brand Toilet Bowl Cleaner. This line of detergents is a breakthrough, not so much because Clorox's main product, bleach, is so harsh on the environment, but because they are introducing greener products to so many more consumers than some other brands are currently able to do." I feel the need to add my own comment about this product. I bought it back about 4 months or so ago, and have used it only once. Why? I can't get the stupid thing open! Did I get one with a bad cap, or am I just a weakling? The one time I did use it, I had to have my husband get it open... he had no problem!

Grey presents Waste Not, Want Not: More Food for Thought in Week 2 posted at Frugal Fu. From Grey's article:

Granted, recycling restaurant meals or kitchen flops might not always be possible or feasible, but it's given me a lot to think about. Especially when I consider the growing problem of world hunger, and families like the one depicted in the photo above. I think to all the times I was a "starving college student", when in actuality I just wasn't happy with the food put in front of me.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I think some people might be confused as to how a blog carnival works. If you want to see your post included in the carnival, you have to submit it through Blog Carnivals, or you can email me the link, if you want, letting me know you want it included in the carnival. I see a lot of articles suited for the carnival, but I only include the ones that get submitted!

Update at 4:44pm: I thought I may have forgotten a submission, and when I double checked, I was right! I apologize to Jennae, your article was definitely worth inclusion!

Jennae Petersen presents No time for green shopping? Kanibal Home will find your vintage treasures for you — Your guide to stylish, eco-friendly decor! posted at Green Your Decor.

Adam Pieniazek presents Super Cyclist Troopers posted at Adam Pieniazek. Adam says, "Post about an encounter with an angry Bostonian driver while biking around my neighborhood." You have more restraint then me, Adam... I don't know that I could have biked away without saying something nasty!

Janel Wyczynski presents Being winter green?no more oil! posted at organic mommy's Weblog. My only worry is the trees that get cut down for wood burning stoves, but using wood that was cut for other projects and is leftover is better than making waste of what is left.

Naomi Stevens presents PRINCE CHARLES RUNNING HIS CAR ON WINE posted at Diary From England. Not just wine, but surplus supplies from vineyards which would probably have been discarded anyway... pretty cool.

Amanda Harris presents The Green Glass Company posted at Pajama Mommy. A cool way to recycle your glass bottles.

Lovelyn presents Natural Weed Killer posted at The Art of Balanced Living. Some chemical-free ways to get rid of weeds. Be sure to let us know how the way you chose works out, Lovelyn!

Cheap Like Me presents My life with the Diva Cup posted at Cheap Like Me. Cheap Like Me says, "Hello! I thought this post about my all-too-true experiences struggling with -- and then loving -- the super-eco-friendly Diva Cup might be a good fit for your carnival, and I haven't seen it in previous editions. Thanks for considering it." You guys might want to avoid this one, it's... "a girl thing." A good review and tips for the Diva Cup, though!

Benjamin presents Heating Your Home with Geothermal Energy Can Save You (And the Environment Big! posted at Trees Full of Money. Benjamin says, "Residential geothermal heat pump systems are without question one of the most exciting products in the world's quest for alternative and renewable energy sources." From Benjamin's article:

A geothermal unit will reduce your homes carbon footprint, and reliably warm and cool your home for many years. Best of all, a geothermal heat pump system can save you 70% or more per year on home heating and cooling bills!

Victoria E presents The Unspoken Global Warming Resolution: Short Hair and VE on Gaiam Life: 10 Ways to Green Your Pet posted at Victoria Everman :: Sustainable, Creative, Enlightened Living :: San Francisco. Victoria's first article talks about how cutting your hair short can help the environment, an interesting read. Her second highlights an article from Gaiam Life.

webrunner presents Dealing With The Wild Squirrel Humanely posted at Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Guide. Any humane suggestions for keeping squirrels from wrecking a wood house? My parents are having squirrel problems...

Leon Gettler presents Clueless on environmental risk posted at Sox First. Leon says, "You would think at a time when the world is aware of the effects of climate change, that companies would be getting ready with some risk analysis. Think again. A new report from the Economist Intelligence Unit shows that companies are struggling to get their heads around environmental risk."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of All Things Eco using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments

So, you wonder, what does that have to do with 360 Vodka? The company is teaming up with the designer of the handbag, Helen Marcoschamer of Ecoist, to design another recycled handbag. This one will be created using the raw materials from 360 Vodka's billboard in Times Square. Pretty cool, right?

“It is an exciting opportunity for us to partner with such a talented designer,” said Vic Morrison, Vice President of Marketing for McCormick Distilling. “She will be able to take the materials from our billboard and create something extraordinary and wearable. Sustainability is what our company is all about, and in this case it’s nice to see our efforts come full circle in this way.”

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 6 comments

July 4th's Tip

Recycle: Put out recycling bins at your 4th of July party for your guests to throw their bottles/cans into. Make sure the bins are easy to spot and everyone knows they are there.

I'd also like to repeat last week's tip, since it is for the 4th, also.

Don't use disposable dishes, utensils, cups and napkins. These contribute to environmental "trash" and are not biodegradable.

If you already have fun "picnic ware," use that. If you don't, don't go out and spend $$... have each guest bring their favorite dish. It can be china or something hand painted. Stack them all on the buffet table and have guests pick their favorite one.

What a fun way to enjoy your meal and the environment! - contributed by Green Girl

Contribute

If you want to contribute a tip, shoot us an email. Be sure to include your URL if you want a link to your site included with your tip!

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 7 comments

Be sure to Stumble the posts you like, or submit them to other social bookmarking services. Let's promote each other, as well as this blog carnival.

I'm still excited about the outcome of last week's blog carnival, since it was our first! On a side note, is anyone else having problems with Blogger websites today? They seem to load forever only to deliver this message "Server Error - The server encountered a temporary error and could not complete your request. Please try again in 30 seconds." I keep trying... but I keep getting that message, with the website only occasionally loading...

Joanna presents One Krusty Mama: organic makeup posted at One Krusty Mama, saying, "Organic makeup." I'd like to remind everyone about personal care product and ingredients to avoid, and Skin Deep, where you can search personal care products and learn if their ingredients are dangerous.

Andy Fletcher presents New Age Railroading posted at Hostess Orange Cupcake Railfan Diet, saying, "American Railroads have invested in the next generation of fuel efficiency and emissions. This is new age railroading." I should show this one to my hubby, he is a huge train fan.

Shana presents Greensburg World Premier posted at Science on TV. I am interested in the idea of rebuilding the town as an environmentally conscious one, but not too sure about Leonardo DiCaprio hosting! Edit: Shana has let me know that Leo will not be hosting, only producing. In that case, I might actually watch it, lol

Jessica Donnovan presents Freeganism - Living the Freegan Lifestyle posted at Sensible Self-Improvement. I can't help but wonder how healthy it is to eat foods that have been thrown away, but I'm something of a germophobe. I recommend Craigslist to these people for non-food items...

Diana Lee presents Shop Your Conscience: Get the Climate Counts Scorecard posted at Honor Thy Mother Earth. This is amazing, thank you for writing about this, Diana Lee!

Tip Diva presents Tip Diva | Top Ten Tips - Reduce Your Water Usage posted at Tip Diva, saying, "Whether you live in an area with a water shortage or drought, or just want to be a little more green, here are ways you can reduce your water usage." I want to enforce her tip to turn off your water while brushing your teeth, I think MANY of us forget to... I know I turn the water off on my brother when I am visiting my family!

Fiona King presents Eco-Gifts: 100 Great Web Sites to Browse & Buy Green Products posted at EcoTrekker. I have to add that this list is amazing, and I will be bookmarking it for future reference!

Julena presents Dr. Hauschka Daily Revitalizing Eye Cream Review posted at Organic Makeup and Skin Care, saying, "This is a review of a great new eco-friendly (and healthy!) find -- an organic/biodynamic eye cream that does exactly what it claims to. The company makes it is biodynamic and very eco-consious. Without any preservatives, parabens or other synthetic products, this cream is perfect for your eyes! (and the environment )" Reading Julena's review has me interested in the cream. My mom sent me another eye cream, but I can't currently use it because it burns (I must have some dry patches where I used it).

Jennifer presents Good to be Green Part 2 : Get Paid to Recycle posted at Sisterly Savings. Jennifer tells us about another program for recycling our electronics, like the post I made on recycling your cell phones.

Gary Hillery presents Electronic Recycling | The Green Path Company posted at Gary Hillery. Another post on recycling your electronics. Now you all REALLY have NO excuse for throwing them away!

Busy Bee Kim presents 10 Easy Ways to Go Green posted at Busy Bee Lifestyle. These are some really simple tips that we can all try to follow for becoming more green. I love these kinds of posts because they let you know you don't have spend outrageous amounts of money to help the earth, and yourself!

Jody DeVere presents Ask Patty Blog - How far are you willing to go for all-around economy? posted at Ask Patty - Automotive Advice for Women. I don't know that I'd go so far as to buy an old car to get great gas mileage, but my car already gets decent gas mileage. This article lists some fuel efficient cars, new and old.

Woody Maxim presents What car are you? posted at Woody Maxim. I'm not sure how this is on the carnival topic, but I can't imagine the sports car Woody Maxim got for his result as having good gas mileage

isabella mori presents quickie: enviro peeves posted at change therapy, saying, "cars, garbage, noise, public transit, smoking - what are your environmental peeves? and what solutions do you propose?" Isabella writes about a public transportation peeve, and I have to say that I agree. The public transportation where I live is lacking terribly, and needs a MAJOR overhaul. It shouldn't take having to transfer twice just to get a few miles across town. More people would use public transportation if it were user friendly.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of
All Things Eco using our href="http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_4244.html">carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 8 comments

There are many companies that will recycle your old cell phone. They range from ones who will buy the phone from you for a few bucks, to ones that will donate to your chosen charity, and even one who will plant a tree for every cell phone donated.

From iRecyclePhones.com:

With American Forest’s and the public’s help, iRecyclePhones.com will plant trees throughout locations in need of environmental restoration, including areas damaged by wildfire and urban communities that lack green coverage.

There is no cost in sending the company your cell phone. You just print out their shipping label, which can be found on their site, attach it to the box with your phone in it, and mail it off; they pay the shipping costs.

Other companies that will recycle your cell phone include Cell For Cash, who will buy the phone from you, Recycling for Charities, who donates proceeds from your cell phones and other electronic devices to the charity of your choice, and Call to Protect, where proceeds from phones will go to help agencies that fight domestic violence and other phones will be refurbished and given to domestic violence survivors.

Some stores have donation boxes to drop your phones in, including Best Buy, and some of the online programs also have drop boxes that can be found through searches on their websites. There are many other cell phone recycling programs out there, these are just to give you an idea of what is available. If the programs listed here aren't suited for you, you might be able to find one that is on 50 Ways to Leave Your Cell Phone at VoIP News.

Remember to remove your information from your phone before recycling it. Cancel your service (unless you have switched it to a new phone), clear stored information such as your contacts, and take out your SIM card, if your phone has one.

Photo Source: Gaetan Lee via Creative Commons

© Focus Organic for 2008. | Permalink | 29 comments