Whether your next trip is by land, air or sea, you’ll most definitely be bringing at least one bag with you. If the bag you carry on your shoulders, stow under your seat or stash in an overhead bin is made from traditional materials, you might be carrying more baggage than you realize. Most backpacks and messenger bags are made with chemical-emitting PVC plastic, which is pretty nasty stuff. PVC production fuses vinyl chloride molecules with toxic metals such as lead and cadmium, which are added as plasticizers and stabilizers. Because of the chemical properties of chlorine, the by-products of PVC production tend to be far more toxic, more persistent in the environment, and more ...
June’s Product of the Month: Eco-Gear
Posted on May 26th, 2008
Whether your next trip is by land, air or sea, you’ll most definitely be bringing at least one bag with you. If the bag you carry on your shoulders, stow under your seat or stash in an overhead bin is made from traditional materials, you might be carrying more baggage than you realize. Most backpacks and messenger bags are made with chemical-emitting PVC plastic, which is pretty nasty stuff. PVC production fuses vinyl chloride molecules with toxic metals such as lead and cadmium, which are added as plasticizers and stabilizers. Because of the chemical properties of chlorine, the by-products of PVC production tend to be far more toxic, more persistent in the environment, and more ...
May’s Product of the Month: Low VOC Paint
Posted on April 28th, 2008
Does your annual Spring Cleaning include painting this year? Whether you’re re-painting a room, adding color to your front door or giving the whole house a new coat of fresh paint, consider the environment when you dive in to the color charts. Traditional paint contains Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) which release low-level toxic emissions for years after application. VOC’s are bad for the Environment and bad for you. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air, thanks largely to paints and finishes containing VOC’s. Standard, VOC-containing paints and finishes have been linked to respiratory problems, chemical sensitivities and allergies as well as headaches and eye irritation.
Try painting ...
April’s Product of the Month: The Bicycle
Posted on March 28th, 2008
To find April’s Product of the Month you may only need to go as far as your garage or your basement. This month, we’re highlighting everyone’s favorite two-wheeled friend: the bicycle! One part childhood toy, one part transportation device, the bike is back in a major way, helping you get from A to B while shrinking your carbon footprint.
The bicycle is the most efficient self-powered means of transportation, since 99% of the energy expended by the rider goes directly to the pedals. 1.4 billion worldwide users can’t be wrong, right? Not only is riding your bike inexpensive (no insurance or parking fees), it produces no toxic emissions and is a great form ...
March’s Product of the Month: Endangered Specied Chocolate
Posted on February 27th, 2008
Didn't get your fill of chocolate on Valentine's Day? Neither did we, which is why we've made super yummy Endangered Species Chocolate March's product of the month. Endangered Species Chocolate (ESC) was founded in 1993 in an effort to spread awareness and to make an impact on the growing number of plant and animal species that are disappearing from Earth. Since then the mission has grown to embrace a new definition of “endangered” - that all species, habitat and humanity are endangered on our planet, not just animals on a list. 10 percent of the company’s net profits are donated to help support these groups.
For those of you who crave premium, all-natural chocolate – and who ...
February’s Product of the Month
Posted on January 31st, 2008 · 3 Comments
Nothing helps protect you from a winter chill quite like fleece. Fleece jackets, vests, pants, socks and blankets are a great way to stay warm without bulking up or turning on the heat. Our favorite fleece is made by Patagonia, which is one heck of an awesome company, environmentally speaking.
Patagonia is a $275 million a year, privately owned company based in Ventura, California. In addition to fleece apparel, they develop and market clothing and gear for a wide range of outdoor sports, travel and everyday wear. They are best known for innovative designs, quality products and a strong environmental conscience. Patagonia's Mission Statement is: "Build the best product, cause no unnecessary harm, and use business to ...
December’s Product of the Month: Green gift guide
Posted on December 29th, 2007
The time of year that seems almost completely dedicated to the buying, wrapping and giving of gifts. This year, try dreaming of a Green Christmas by thoughtfully spoiling your loved ones without spoiling the Earth. Can’t make a sweater? Make a difference instead. Check out some of our favorite eco-friendly gift ideas and gift-giving tips to help keep the planet in your holiday planning.
The Eco Starter Kit
You’re sexy, but are your friends? Change can be scary and makes some folks uncomfortable. This Holiday season, why not create a “Green for Dummies” gift basket for your loved ones? Used baskets are easy to come by ...
You’re sexy, but are your friends? Change can be scary and makes some folks uncomfortable. This Holiday season, why not create a “Green for Dummies” gift basket for your loved ones? Used baskets are easy to come by ...
January’s Product of the Month: SIGG bottles
Posted on December 26th, 2007
SIGG bottles
By now you may have heard that plastic beverage bottles “leach” chemicals into the stuff you sip, which is pretty gross. Americans dispose of an estimated 30 million plastic bottles per day (only 14% are recycled) and it takes them up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Most plastic bottles are made from PET plastic, which is short for Polyethylene terephthalate, a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family. PET plastic bottles contain chemicals like Phthlalates and bisephenol A which can seep or leach into the water. These toxins disrupt the endocrine system, interfering with hormonal balance to trigger ...
By now you may have heard that plastic beverage bottles “leach” chemicals into the stuff you sip, which is pretty gross. Americans dispose of an estimated 30 million plastic bottles per day (only 14% are recycled) and it takes them up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Most plastic bottles are made from PET plastic, which is short for Polyethylene terephthalate, a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family. PET plastic bottles contain chemicals like Phthlalates and bisephenol A which can seep or leach into the water. These toxins disrupt the endocrine system, interfering with hormonal balance to trigger ...
November’s Product of the Month: UJeans
Posted on October 31st, 2007 · 4 Comments
What’s better than a pair of jeans perfectly tailored to your body? Environmentally-friendly jeans designed specifically for your body! Since great jeans are the Holy Grail of clothes, we’re so excited to tell you about UJeans. UJeans are made for you because you tell the company your exact measurements, as well as what style and wash you like. You can even tell them whether or not you want belt loops or that little coin pouch in the pockets. UJeans cost about $140 and are worth every penny. You can even give UJeans gift certificates to your favorite people so they can design and order ...
October’s Product of the Month : Vinegar
Posted on September 20th, 2007 · 7 Comments
October’s product of the month is something you probably already have in your pantry: vinegar! Sure, vinegar isn’t new and it isn’t high-tech, but it’s an eco-staple you should get to know. Vinegar is made from the fermentation of ethanol and has been used for Centuries in food, as medicine, and as a great cleansing agent. Hippocrates used vinegar to treat skin conditions and other ailments, while today vinegar is used in China as a home prevention for SAARS. Vinegar makes several appearances as “turned wine” throughout the Bible, and even Martha Stewart uses vinegar to clean her tea kettles!
Our favorite use for ...
September’s Product of the Month: Reusable Shopping Bags
Posted on August 15th, 2007 · 13 Comments
We think that it's sexy to BYOB (bring your own bag) , but finding the right one can leave you feeling like Goldilocks; your messenger bag is too small for groceries, your beach bag is too big for the drug store and that free bag that came with your gym membership? It's just embarrassing. For September, we thought we'd help weed through the sack stack and profile a trio of bags that we think are just right.
FEED 1 bags are a product of the United Nations World Food Programme, which helps feed hungry children in school around the world through ...
FEED 1 bags are a product of the United Nations World Food Programme, which helps feed hungry children in school around the world through ...
