From Green Right Now Reports

Here’s a product that gives new meaning to the phrase, “tread lightly.” The Timberland Company has unveiled the Earthkeepers 2.0 boot, designed to be disassembled and recycled rather than discarded at the end of its product life.

The company says consumers who buy the Earthkeepers 2.0 boots can simply return them to any Timberland store for recycling at the end of their use. Timberland says it will launch a “second life” program to pilot reusing components from the returned boot to make a new pair of shoes.

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By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

Once, people pounded clothes with rocks to get them cleaned. Now we’ve come full circle, with dry cleaning headed back to those Earthy roots.

Many people are familiar with the use of hazardous chemicals in modern dry-cleaning solution. The primary cleaning solvent used in most dry-cleaners is perchloroethylene or “perc”. The Environmental Protection Agency classified this petroleum chemical as a Toxic Air Contaminant and a probable human carcinogen and many environmentalists believe that the residue on your clothes can’t be a healthything.

Now there is a better alternative and believe it or not, it is made essentially from liquefied sand.

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By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now

It sounds like an oxymoron - a car “wash” that uses no water.

But some of the best green ideas turn traditional practices upside down. Bayes High Performance Waterless Wash/Detailer reinvents the car wash by subtracting the water. It’s not a “wash” in the conventional sense and the only water used is that contained with the biodegradable cleaner itself.

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By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now

Monarch butterflies can be found in every continental state in America. Seven states have even named the monarch their “state insect,” according to the Environmental Defense Fund.

That’s good news for those who would like to create a backyard space to attract monarchs as they make their way north or south for their long annual migrations.

The first step is a to do a little research to learn what monarchs and other butterflies are fluttering around your community. Books can provide information, but lepidopterists (people who collect and study butterflies and moths) or butterfly organizations in your area also will have details.

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From Green Right Now Reports:

As the days get longer and hotter, we’re heading for the summer solstice here north of the equator, marking the official start of summer on June 21. SOLSTICE Sunglass Boutiques will be celebrating with a benefit for The Climate Project, by donating 10 percent of all their sunglasses sales at U.S. SOLTICE Sunglass Boutiques on the solstice (Sunday).

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By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now

This Father’s Day go green and sustainable with gifts that support eco-friendly clothing, are made with recycled products or help de-toxify dad’s bath and body routine.

• Whether dad is a rugged outdoorsman or just likes to trek around the ‘hood and occasionally go off-road, he might appreciate these Finn Vegan Hiking Shoes by Patagonia. Made without any animal by-products, they’re topped by a breathable mesh and have a footbed composed of 70 percent recycled foam containing carbon and cork bits to wick moisture and control odor. (Making for a lighter footprint!). The insole board is made from recycled polyethylene and the patented “Vibram Ecostep” outsole is composed of up to 30 percent recycled scrap rubber. Patagonia has been producing green clothing and gear for many years, so these shoes are backed by eco-experience that newer green shoemakers are still acquiring. About $100 at Zappos, which carries many more vegan shoes.

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By Sommer Saadi
Green Right Now

As I unloaded my groceries onto the conveyor belt, I realized I was buying more than could fit in my reusable bags.

“Can you try to fit everything in these?” I asked, handing over my assortment of canvas totes.

“I can try,” the cashier answered. “But it’s no big deal, I can just use plastic bags for whatever we can’t fit into the ones you brought.”

“Oh no,” I said. “No plastic bags. Please.”

She stared back at me. She had already stretched out a plastic bag and was ready to load.

“I have this thing,” I told her. “I just really hate plastic bags.”

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By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now

Those pretty knick-knacks and decorative items around your home likely have a history. There’s the crystal bowl that was an anniversary gift from a dear friend, or the candleholder your mom gave you before she died — they all hold great significance.

We’ve found 20 lovely decorative items with their own stories. Our picks come from far-flung nations or close to home, made by fair-trade artisans or creative artists using recycled, natural materials. Take a moment to shop our selections. (Most of the websites selling these goodies have lots of other green items to check out.)

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Green Right Now Reports:

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Biokleen has released three new eco-sensitive, consumer products that compete head-to-head with conventional-brand soaps and sprays.

The new products extend the company’s “Bac-Out” and include a floor cleaner, a bathroom cleaner and a “freshener”.

Bac-Out Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner uses Biokleen’s trademark enzymes to clean tile, stone, vinyl and most wood floors. With lime and citrus oil extracts, this convient cleaner leaves a fresh scent and uses no harsh or floor-stripping chemicals.

Bac-Out Fresh is a fabric “refresher” that can eliminate odors on pet beds, curtains, linens and in cars. It uses Biokleen’s proprietary enzymes to “digest” odor-causing dirt and bacteria. Bac-out Fresh is designed to compete with the ubiquitous Febreeze, but uses natural lavender or lemon and thyme oils instead of artificial fragrances.

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By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now

Paul Dorn knows that getting Americans to ride a bike to work instead of driving a car is quite the uphill battle. Even on a good day, he says, only a tiny percentage of the nation’s commuters use pedal power to get to their jobs.

He remains undeterred.

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Oak is such a trendy fashion Web site, just perusing their lineup of hip indie designers will elevate your cool factor substantially. Mixed in with all that fabulousness are three design lines that are exotically earth-friendly.

A Peace Treaty: This line was created by partners Farah Malik, a Muslim from Pakistan, and Dana Arbib, a Jew from Libya. Their scarves, stoles and bandanas are made by artisans working in war-torn parts of the world.

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By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now

Here we were still searching for a lead-free hose because I forgot to order one earlier and I just couldn’t believe that you can’t pick up such a thing at a nearby store.

Finally, success this past weekend. We found a “lead safe” Swan-brand hose at Lowe’s that claims to have no lead material. So I snatched it up and attached it to my new handy Evo Organics garden blanket.

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