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Fact: Swimming neck-deep in energy bills

mattyhick@gmail.com — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:23:36 -0400

With covers being gleefully being ripped off many of the nearly 8 million American swimming pools (hello there, California) right about now, GY can't help but salivate at the thought of a refreshing dip. We're also reminded that these oversize chlorinated bathtubs consume massive amounts of water—those with the luxury of having a pool also have the luxury of using 58 percent more water outdoors than those without one.

With the obvious focal point of a swimming pool being the water—for some, it's what to wear in the water*—and how to clean and conserve it, it's easy to forgot the loads of energy required to keep water comfortably lukewarm and pumps, filters, and timers in working order. It's estimated that the energy costs to heat and operate America's pools and spas run in the billions of dollars annually although many energy-wise heating and cleaning alternatives are available. A pool's need for excessive energy isn't just painful on the pocket book. It also hurts the environment in form of carbon emissions. For locale-specific estimated energy costs of heating an outdoor pool (hello again, California), read and weep at H2ouse.org.

* It's certainly not the fetching hat above.

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Tip: Before you completely bug out...

mattyhick@gmail.com — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 13:22:43 -0400

Now that summer is officially in full-swing, let's quickly remind ourselves of the season's most irksome constants: uncomfortably balmy temps, burnt skin, Jimmy Buffet, and bugs (insert swatting noise here). Before you reach for that potent chem-laden spray to ward off—or annihilate—mosquitoes, flies, ticks and their pesky brethren consider the eco side-effects. DEET, the active ingredient in many conventional bug sprays, repels instead of kills pests—a relief for those who don't want to commit mosquito murder. However, the chemical is branded by the EPA as "slightly toxic" to humans along with birds, fish, and other forms of aquatic life.

So don't go around spritzing yourself head to toe with synthetic chems and jumping into lakes. There's no shortage of nontoxic bug sprays and remedies on the market that swap DEET with natural pest repellents like rosemary, citronella, eucalyptus. Thrifty DIY'ers afflicted by pests of the flying and crawling variety can create homemade sprays using boric acid or castile soap. And if you must relieve bug-induced aggression with swatting, give 'em a face to be fear.

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Product: The natural newbie on the soda pop block

mattyhick@gmail.com — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 01:47:31 -0400

Barbie has Ken. Batman has Robin. Pat has Vanna. Pinky even has the Brain. In the soda world, Cricket Cola can be considered Coca Cola's trendy green sidekick: it's done up with pure cane sugar (Splenda when she's watching her weight), green tea, and kola nut—instead of the usual high-fructose corn syrup, phosphoric acids, and chemical caffeine.

Aside from the eco-benefits of Cricket's chemical-free stature (soft drinks are the second largest user of pesticide-laden corn in North America) its surrogate ingredients include an array of health boons such as reduced blood pressure and cholesterol and improved digestion. Cola that's actually good for you? Yes, it's true...just keep your eyes peeled—and your mind open—for this non-traditional sweetheart at a grocer near you.

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Fact: The facts at your non-acrylic fingertips

mattyhick@gmail.com — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 01:32:30 -0400

One of the most conspicuous—and for some, squirm-inducing—harbingers of summer: alfresco footwear comes out of hibernation complete with exposed toes that have been clipped, buffed, and polished. Although the foot beautification ritual—the pedicure—makes the sight of someone's bare piggies a bit easier to digest, what goes on behind the scenes at nail salons isn't so pretty.

A 2004 survey conducted by New York City's Committee For Occupational Safety and Health and a Korean workers' advocacy group revealed health issues—allergies, skin problems, asthma, and eye irritation—among salon workers to be rampant. It's believed that these complications arose from poor ventilation and direct exposure to chemicals like formaldehyde, DBP, and toluene. Worrisome, yes, but you don't have to let those claws go unadorned this summer. Alongside the EPA's Nail Salon Project, there's been an emergence of eco-friendly nail salons that opt for low-risk water- and plant-based treatments and have stringent health and safety measures. Atlanta's Honey Nail Salon and Mani Pedi Cutie! in Hermosa Beach, California, are just a couple of spots to get your green mani pedi on.

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Tip: Fly the friendly green skies

mattyhick@gmail.com — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:31:01 -0400

With airplanes spewing more than 600 million tons of carbon annually, cruising at 20,000 feet isn't the most eco-sensible way to get from points A to B. However, GY realizes that if you hail from Topeka and have summer travel plans to visit Grandma in Tacoma and the beach in Thailand, other forms of transport aren't exactly sensible (or possible). The option? Book with an airline with sustainable policies and practices. Although it's tricky for a carrier to be green through and through, many are taking steps in the right direction. Just a taste:

Delta flight attendants initiated an on-board recycling program at a few hubs that will expand to all domestic flights by the end of 2008. British Airways has saved 50,000 tons of C02 over two years by flying shorter, more direct international routes. Virgin Atlantic is investing all profits for 10 years in programs to develop renewable energy technologies. The airline recently conducted a test flight using, in part, biofuels. And Icelandair—flag carrier for a nation at the forefront of the clean energy movement—is hosting a free concert headlined by Björk in Reykjavik on June 28 to raise environmental awareness. For those traveling to the show, yes, Icelandair does offer carbon offsetting.

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Product: This summer, don’t sweat it

mattyhick@gmail.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:30:05 -0400

LUSH, sweet-smelling UK-based purveyor of natural handmade goodies for body and bath, offers both solid deodorants and powders: Mr T, Aromaco, T'eo, and Fuwari, to name a few. All are vegan, aluminum- and synthetic-free, and contain sodium bicarbonate, vinegar, fruit juices, and essential oils to help fight "the BO Blues".

Perhaps the biggest eco-perk of the LUSH deodorant line is that the solid offerings are packaging-free. The company revealed that its unwrapped, solid products last longer and weigh less than its bottled and packaged products, which means they take less energy to transport. The GY Blog does not recommend minimal use of a LUSH solid deodorant (especially during the summer months) to extend its already impressive life. If you gotta use it, you gotta use it...

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Fact: The GY Shopping Bag: June

AKThorpe — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:27:44 -0400

Welcome to the debut of the GY Shopping Bag, a monthly run-down of eco-products on the GY Blog's radar. While we're an enthusiastic cheerleader of everything green, we also wholeheartedly endorse retail therapy. To make commerce as conscientious an act as possible, we have suggestions that range from utilitarian to extravagant—a lil' something for everyone. Now get shopping...

Looking for a last minute Dad's Day gift for an eco-minded, epi-curious father? Get him slicing and dicing with the help of these Bamboo Box Knife Holders. Available in both red and white and in two sizes—one for baby knives and the other for the big boys—the boxes are filled with hundreds of bamboo skewers that safely support knives without dulling them. Find it @ Viva Terra

Need help? Cure what ails 'ya—specifically cuts and headaches—with this line of hydrocolloid bandages and dye- and coating-free acetaminophen tablets. They're housed in eye-catching and compostable recycled molded paper pulp containers designed by ChappsMalina and packaged at a factory in upstate New York that helps adults with learning disabilities. The company also offers a remedy for boredom. Find it @ Help Remedies
Mac attack. Hemp meet Apple. Apple meet hemp. The Black ColcaSac laptop sleeve from AppleSac is crafted from rough and tumble black hemp canvas and lined with soft and snuggly polyester fleece. The ColcaSac comes in a variety of sizes to fit various Mac models, including MacBooks, iBooks, and PowerBooks. AppleSac is a member of the 1% For the Planet business alliance. Find it @ AppleSac
The green belt. Spare tire jokes aside, the stylish, masculine Tube Belt is as green as it gets—it's handcrafted from recycled inner tubes taken from bicycle tires. This makes each belt completely unique, a pleasant departure from less sustainable canvas and leather models. Available in black or brushed silver. Find it @ Charles and Marie

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Tip: Go green gadget go!

mattyhick@gmail.com — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:37:38 -0400

Although we all know dads who are loud and proud Luddites (and we still love 'em) there are a contingent of tech-savvy poppas out there who may be more glued to gadgets than their progeny. If this is the case, chargers that harness a renewable energy source—namely the sun—make a great gift for dads reliant on cell phones and PDAs. And if Dad fancies himself an amateur Davey Crockett, many solar-powered chargers are compatible with digital cameras, iPods (rockin' out to James Taylor, natch), and other small electronics that he may throw into his backpack for an outdoor excursion.

What's the eco-impact of using el sol to juice handheld electronics? If everyone in the US unplugged their charger or switched to an energy-efficient one, 4.5 billion kWh of electricity use and 3 million tons of carbon from power plant emissions would be saved yearly.

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Product: A greener shade of pail

mattyhick@gmail.com — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:33:25 -0400

Each Father's Day, we at GY are reminded how difficult it can be to shop for Dad without resorting to ugly ties, gadgets, and golf gear. Suggesting (via gifting) that the family sire practice sustainable living makes things even more tricky. This multifaceted 7 gallon tub will bring smiles to the faces of dads of all persuasions: the gardener, the grease monkey, and the Mr. Mom in need of a new laundry basket. Made of 100 percent recycled tire rubber, this versatile and tough around-the-house tool can take quite the beating and will always return to its original shape. Best of all, after Dad's used it as a tool caddy or car wash bucket, it can be filled with ice and the contents of a 12-pack for a post-chore cold one (or three).

Check out even more green gifts for guys at Clean Air Gardening. Lawn aerating shoes and pocket chain saws, anyone?

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Fact: GY lets the cat out of the bag

mattyhick@gmail.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:20:07 -0400

So here's the inside scoop (and it's nothing to LOL about):

Your beloved Fluffy, Muffy, and Mr. Peepers are just three of the approximately 88.3 million cats kept as household pets in the US. And, of course, where there are cats, there are litter boxes. The amount of litter winding up in landfills is equal in weight to more than five Empire State Buildings, a whole lot of mess generated from such sweet little furballs. If the litter in question is clay-based, it will take decades to decompose, is made of unsustainably strip-mined components, and may contain harmful silica dust.

And think twice before you hit the head. Flushing cat waste down the loo may contain Taxoplasmosis gondii, which is linked to sea otter deaths in California. It also may result in a big ol' plumbing headache.

No matter how you dump it, kitty litter presents an eco-impact. However, opting for a biodegrable litter minimizes it. If you're looking to adopt, now's the time: June is national Adopt-a-Cat-Month.

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Tip: Rent-a-tents: Thoreau would approve

mattyhick@gmail.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:17:27 -0400

Whether you're decamping from the city to spend some QT with Mother Nature in the near future—it's Great Outdoors Month, after all—or later in the season, consider borrowed paraphernalia. If communal bowling shoes make your stomach turn, renting tents, sleeping bags, and the like may not be appealing. However, the perks of renting outdoor gear are great on both the environmental and economic fronts. Rented items both utilitarian—think sleeping pads and stoves—and activity specific—think skis and kayaks—allow amateurs to take the plunge sans the financial commitment while preventing the consumption and disposal of new outdoor gear. Many reliable retailers such as REI have rental programs so no need to cut a lucrative deal with your mountain-climbing second cousin...that is unless they have a super nice pair of boots in your size.

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Product: Easy on the eyes and easy on the earth

mattyhick@gmail.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:50:53 -0400

For eco- and style-conscious parents comes this crib bedding set from LA-based Pixel Organics. The crib sheet is made with 100 percent Certified Organic cotton, while the bumper and comforter are filled with REFILL, a fill made from recycled plastic beverage bottles that emits zero VOCs and helps reduce waste. Available in three funky prints, all are printed through a low impact process that's been approved by the Organic Trade Association. Pixel Organics makes it fun, and, yes, even hip to shop for Junior with the environment and sustainable living in mind.

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Fact: Don’t kill your TV...just know the facts

mattyhick@gmail.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 13:26:05 -0400

It's a prime time for television in the US: season finales are winding down and the presidential race is snaring viewers, tax rebate checks are bolstering consumer electronics sales, and the HDTV scramble is on as analog bites the dust in early 2009.

Before you power up, remember that big isn't necessarily better. A 28-inch analog television, which was once the norm and still is used in about 21 million American households, runs on about 100 watts of electricity. A common upgrade, a 42-inch LCD flat panel sucks up twice that amount. A 42-inch plasma flat panel set uses 200 to 500 watts which can top that of a full-size refrigerator. Looking at it another way, sitting in front of your plasma television for three hours a day will increase the amount of carbon in the atmosphere by 250 kilograms annually or less than half the amount for a LCD telly.

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Tip: Spice up your summer with swapping

mattyhick@gmail.com — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:24:50 -0400

Book swaps are an ideal way to keep books in circulation and out of the waste steam. It also saves a few of the 30 million trees—1,153 times the number of trees in New York's Central Park—used each year for books sold in the US. Organizing your own book swap can be an eye-opening experience as lit-leanings may vary wildly (imagine walking away with both V.C. Andrews and Virgina Woolf). Also consider an eco-themed exchange where participants trade favorite green reads to raise awareness. GreenYour even has a few recommendations to get you started.

Don't have time to throw or attend a swappin' soirée? Websites like Title Trader, PaperBackSwap, 2Swap, Bookins, BookMooch, and Swaptree let you catch up with summer reading for next to nothing.

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Product: GreenYour kicks on Route 66

mattyhick@gmail.com — Mon, 26 May 2008 13:23:43 -0400

From the merry green pranksters at Adbusters magazine, John Fluevog-designed Blackspot Sneakers are the perfect fit for treading lighting on balmy summer excursions or casual Fridays at the office—just don't take the Blackspot campaign's anti-establishment ethos too literally and give the bossman or lady a swift kick in the derrierre.

These unique green sneaks feature 100 percent organic hemp uppers (no, you cannot smoke the shoes after they've served their purpose) and biodegradable rubber soles. The shoes are constructed with water-based glues and the "anti-logo" is hand-painted. What's more, Blackspots are crafted in a family-owned, union factory in rural Portugal. All proceeds are redirected to fund various nonprofit Adbuster campaigns like Mental Detox Week and Buy Nothing Day.

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