Posts filed under 'Be Green'
Recycling Technology – what to do with the stuff that is obsolete?
With Earth Day around the corner, I wanted to share this interesting article with you. It is on the National Geographic – Green Guide website. Can you believe that there is over 22 million tons of electronic waste each year!!???!!! With all the toxins in the electronics, there’s no telling the true amount of damage and the possible effects to people and the environment. In todays world, we all need Technology to “survive”, but the article brings important ideas to light as well as a few ways you can help out.
There are also a few good links listed to help :
-Buy computers rated by the EPA’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), which rates models according to 51 environmental criteria, including takeback programs and the use of a minimum of 65 percent reusable or recyclable components. See www.epeat.net.
-Donate your old computer if it still works. The National Cristina Foundation (www.cristina.org) and Computers for Schools (www.pcsforschools.org) accept computers.
-Take non-working computers to nonprofits that can use them for job training, such as Per Scholas (www.perscholas.org).
-As a last resort, recycle your obsolete electronics at a responsible recycler approved by the Computer Takeback Campaign. See www.electronicstakeback.com.
Add comment April 15, 2009
Going Native Garden Tour
This is a pretty cool idea and a great start to enjoy Spring: Going Native Garden Tour. This is a free community-based tour of native gardens in the San Francisco Bay Area. People graciously open up their gardens on April 19th to share with the community. There are over 50 gardens included in this tour showcasing California native plants, reduced chemical, water & pesticide use, and improving habitat. I registered for the event. Hope to see you there!
Add comment April 9, 2009
Earth Hour Pics – Downtown San Francisco
Justin and I headed downtown to watch the lights go down in the city. It was chilly, but worth the wait. We stood on a pier to see both the city view and the Golden Gate Bridge. Check out the results.
For safety reasons, all of the lights on the bridge could not be turned off, but it is still a rare view to see without the towers lit up.
Not exactly total darkness in the city, but you can see these structures dark: Coit Tower (to the left) and Palace of Fine Arts (bottom right). If you look closely you can also notice other lights that were shut off in various buildings and the glow in the haze around the city was diminished slightly.
Afterward we headed downtown to Market Bar – a restaurant participating in Earth Hour – for a candlelit dinner and some live music powered by people riding stationary bicycles. 
Add comment March 31, 2009
Earth Hour – March 28th 8:30pm (in your time zone)
If you haven’t been hiding under a rock you have heard about Earth Hour happening tomorrow at 8:30pm. Here is a blurb from the Earth Hour Website explaining how Earth Hour started:
“Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007, when 2.2 million homes and businesses switched off their lights for one hour. In 2008 the message had grown into a global sustainability movement, with 50 million people switching off their lights. Global landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Rome’s Colosseum, the Sydney Opera House and the Coca Cola billboard in Times Square all stood in darkness.
In 2009, Earth Hour is being taken to the next level, with the goal of 1 billion people switching off their lights as part of a global vote. Unlike any election in history, it is not about what country you’re from, but instead, what planet you’re from. VOTE EARTH is a global call to action for every individual, every business, and every community. A call to stand up and take control over the future of our planet. Over 74 countries and territories have pledged their support to VOTE EARTH during Earth Hour 2009, and this number is growing everyday.”
Have you signed up yet? Pledge to participate in Earth Hour here.
Add comment March 27, 2009
Just LOOKING for an excuse to get RID of that Bridesmaids Dress???
Okay…I know there may have been the lucky chance that you were in a wedding where you absolutely LOVED your bridesmaid dress; but what about those other ones in the WAAAYYYY back of your closet??? I just found out about this great website – http://thebridesmaidparty.com/
Okay, so the gist is that you can donate your old bridesmaids dresses to help empower poverty stricken, abused women. The Bridesmaid Party set up a program with Hopecraft & Rubia (non-profits) where your dress breathes new hope to women in Lea Toto, Africa and Darra-i-Nur, Afghanistan. They reuse your beloved bridesmaid dress; transforming it into a different product making everyone overall much happier.
As a special bonus, http://thebridesmaidparty.com is offering a $25 credit towards future purchases on their website (applied $40 or more purchase). So not only do you get to clear out your closet and help women around the world, you also get to pick up a few cool things for your wedding or event at a nice discount.
Here is the link to get more info on donating your bridesmaids dress.
Add comment June 10, 2008
Wedding Favor Idea: Trees in Celebration
Justin and I did this for our wedding. I think it was a great idea and wanted to share it with you too. Instead of doing a traditional wedding favor, we made a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation in honor of our guests. We estimated the number of people attending our wedding, and donated the amount needed so at least one tree was planted for each guest. With the donation, you get a certificate that you can display at your reception to let your guests know, you planted a tree in their honor. Here is a link to learn more.
Add comment May 1, 2008
Looking for Something? Have Something to Give? FREECYCLE
Today I stumbled across Freecycle. What a great idea! This sums it up best,
“The nonprofit organization Freecycle practices the old adage, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” What started in 2003 as a way to reduce garbage in Tucson’s landfills has grown to a worldwide phenomenon of goods exchange. What you don’t want, you gift away. What you might need, someone else might have to give you.
The goal is not to collect more free stuff, but rather, build communities intent on consuming only what is necessary, and recycling the rest. According to a recent study, Freecycle members reduced garbage in landfills by nearly 500 tons a day in 2007, simply by sharing goods, rather than tossing them in the trash.”
Add comment April 30, 2008
Vinegar, Baking Soda, and Lemon Cleaning Resources
Good morning! I found this link on about.com for some safe and easy cleaning recipes for around the house. I am going to try some of these out. Have a great day!
http://housekeeping.about.com/od/environment/a/vinbaklemons.htm
Add comment April 18, 2008
