Earth Week - April 21st

Yay! Earth Week!

It's understandable to scoff at the idea of hyping eco for only 7days, but the argument should be made that any publicity is good, new/positive habits can be formed if stuck to for several days in a row, and what the heck...@ least it's one week out of the year, right? Hmmm...is there more we can do?

I wonder about advocating a 1-2-3 eco change in one's day on a monthly basis: one change in the morning before you head out for the day, two things to do during the day, and three ways to improve your evening impact.

Por ejemplo:

Morning

1. Clean out fridge, but rinse and put all tupperware-like containers in the dishwasher (uses less energy than hand washing). We already keep cottage cheese + sour cream containers to store leftovers and so I can ship mini-cookies to my sister (freshman in the dorms). But now I'm thinking we should be able to reuse basically all plastic/glass containers that our food comes in originally.
2. Consider washing hair the night before so time to style is reduced by not having wet hair to begin with.
3. Look for FreeTrade coffee or ask your local barista where your morning java is coming from. No need to support abused farmers, etc.
   

Daytime:

1. Actually use my "Hydrate or Die" water bottle I HAD to get from REI.
2. Try not to get yelled at in the grocery stores for not bringing enough reusable bags for purchases (true story). Throw a carton of milk and PBjar into your purse purse to silence the crowd.
   
3. Continue campaign to get others to start recycling. San Jose has a great recycling program, they provide recycling containers for free, and I have friends who are CHOOSING to not recycle. They're going to be new parents soon so you can only imagine how incredibly appalled we were to discover this shameful fact. A change WILL occur...no other option.
   

Evening:

1. Keep lights on only in occupied room. Avoid turning on unnecessarily.
   
2. Use the dishwasher instead of hand washing the dishes. Surprisingly enough, saves water volume and CO2 emissions to heat the water.
   
3. Wash laundry on a cool setting and save about 349 pounds of CO2 emissions a year. Even making the transition from hot to warm will help out. Plus, lots of detergents are made specifically for cold water! Check 'em out.
   
4. If on the computer, turn off TV. And vice versa. Our household tends to "multi-task" way too often (televisl-phoner-netting). In addition to burning up loads of unnecessary energy, it makes one wonder about reduction of overall productivity. Especially in the season of repeat syndication (the writers' strike should have made for fewer hours with the TV on), the radio or ipod will provide enough background noise for those of us who need it to concentrate (silence ain't golden here).

Trees for Books

At a local Barnes & Noble.

With so much information available on the internet and the terrible amount of trees and energy to make a box of books, does anyone else find it painfully ironic that there are so many out there on the subject of being green? It's encouraging to see so much hype, but at some point does too much add negativity to the scene? Are the authors truly well-intended or simply profit mongers, taking financial advantage of a trend?

We took some time to flip through many of the publications on the table and weren't sold on any single piece; again, because so much info is on the 'net. Seriously, people. Now if one were to break down and purchase one, "EcoDogs" should be tops on your list (is this contradictory or what?). The authors have great insight into to greenifying a dog's life; including safer bathing, healthier diet, and toys with fewer chemical byproduct. They provide a complete, but not overwhelming, list of resources in the back and was honestly, the prettiest book in the stack. Can't beat that, right? Really, how cute would this be on your coffee table? It screams, "I'm cool and hip and if I could do it without getting arrested, I'd slash the tires of your stupid looking Hummer. Honestly, you're stupid in the head for buying that car."


One method of justifying book purchases is to regift the ones you've already read/loved or the ones you just haven't read yet! There are so many people in your life that have similar interests as you; why wouldn't they love the same books you've selected for yourself? All gifts and care packages from here on out should include at least one book or magazine the recipient will adore!

Happy wrapping.

Erin Ruth is eco-happy!

Erin Ruth throws her fun/graphic patterns onto 50% recycled paper to make astonishingly luxe wrapping paper available to both wholesalers and the general public. The modern color palette is vibrant and incredibly non-hemp looking; yay for advancement in recycling! She promises to provide a "silk finish for an ultra-luxurious feel"....makes for easily and professionally achieving those ever-evasive, crisp corners on beautiful packages and gifts. A surefire way to wow the crowd at the next bridal shower or birthday party! Remember, it's fun to spread eco-happiness. What better way than letting folks know you're being green even in your gift-wrapping? Chic AND environmentally friendly, you guys.

Try using her notecards to invite folks to an event somewhere equally glam (say, the Viceroy Hotel in Santa Monica) and provide mini-packages wrapped in Hannah/Felicity papers and some chic shiny or heavily textured ribbon. V. Hollywood Regency. We're also digging the idea of wrapping cork boards with the paper and hanging them along an office or kitchen wall -- add some inspiring magazine clippings or your fave recipes and BAM, personalized style.

24"x36" sheets for $4.50 or a roll of two sheets for $9 (duh, simply math, right?) @ erinruth.com or on etsy.