An Earth-friendly, eco-chic gift guide for him and her
November 25th, 2009
By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now
Men and women who are big on green style and earth-friendly substance have discovered that the Web is littered with natural and free-trade clothes and accessories. You can get vegan shoes for hundreds of dollars, or hoodies and Ts for a lot less.
We’ve combed through online shops to create a very merry Green His and Hers Gift Guide.
HIGH STYLE
Related Topics: · Alima Pure makeup, Beau Soleil, Beyond Skin, Deborah Lindquist, Demeter, Dirty Librarian, ecoSkin, Eden Home, Etsy, green gift guide, green gifts, Green Guru Gear, green his and her gift guide, Green Karat, LetoileNoire, Linda Loudermilk, Livity, Loomstate, Melissa, Mooshoes, natural gifts, Nimli, Novica, Organic gifts, Preserve recycled razor, Purely Alpaca, recycled chains, recycled razor, sustainable gifts, Terra Plana, vintage '60s clothes, vintage '60s gifts, vintage jewelry
Eco-geek gifts for the ga-ga green or the earnestly energy efficient
November 24th, 2009
By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
Got a greenie on your shopping list this year, someone who’s yearning for a composter or a bat house? Here are a few gift ideas for the newly minted or entrenched ecoist.
A Chlorine Filter for the Shower.
Rainfall Showerhead filters out the chlorine and other chemicals
Related Topics: · air leak detector, Black & Decker Air Leak Detector, chlorine filter, composter, Eco-gifts, Envirocycle, Frugality Towels, Gaiam., gourd bird house, Greenfeet, lap top computer bag, Niagara Conservation, shower head, The Rainforest Site, Uncommon Goods
Gifts you didn’t know were green
November 23rd, 2009
By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
Let’s shop green without being obvious about it, OK? You can, you know. There are many ways to tweak the holiday list this year to skew it toward recycled, socially conscious, energy-conserving goods. Of course, we don’t like to advocate lots of consuming. We definitely don’t buy that theory that it’s our patriotic duty to purchase our way out of the recession.
On the other hand, we are going to exchange gifts this holiday season. With that in mind, here are a few humble suggestions for keeping it green (and affordable), subtly.
A TOASTER OVEN
Black and Decker CTO6301 Convection Toaster Oven
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Chicago’s Greenheart Shop declares ‘Green Friday’
November 19th, 2009
Green Right Now Reports
Chicago’s Greenheart Shop is declaring that Black Friday will be Green Friday this year at their store, which sells Fair Trade, eco-friendly and socially conscious gifts, food, clothes and accessories.
Greenheart, a non-profit cultural exchange and storefront (at 1911 W. Division) will be serving free Fair Trade wine, cocoa and snacks to shoppers. Visitors can also see a make-your-own gift wrap demonstration. The event, on Friday, Nov. 27, will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those who can’t attend can still buy Greenheart products online.
The goodies sold at Greenheart benefit disadvantaged workers, coops in developing nations and support ecologically sound growing methods, like shade-grown cocoa. They include:
Related Topics: · artisans, developing nations, eco-friendly food, eco-friendly materials, ecological shopping, Fair Trade items, Food/Drink, Greenheart Shop, recycled products, work coops
LEDs can light your way to a greener Christmas
November 9th, 2009
By Bill Sullivan
Green Right Now
In Omaha, Neb., Travis Freeman is a bit of a local Christmas legend. Not only does he own and operate Brite Ideas Decorating – which specializes in both commercial and residential seasonal lighting – but he also is known for his efforts in putting together the Salvation Army’s Tree of Lights, a big part of the local holiday landscape.
Omaha's Tree of Lights uses LEDs (Photo: Brite Ideas Decorating)
Related Topics: · 80 percent energy savings, Brite Ideas Decorating, energy-saving LED lights, LED Christmas lights, LED decor lights, LED holiday lights, Omaha Salvation Army, Omaha Tree of Lights, Salvation Army Tree of Lights
Wildly meaningful gifts from World Wildlife Fund
November 6th, 2009
Green Right Now Reports
As we were prowling for practical green gifts to feature in our coming 2009 Green Gifts Lists, this simple T-shirt caught our eye. It’s green, unisex and made with organic cotton. And you’ve got that iconic Panda there on the side. What more could a greenie want?
Organic cotton T from World Wildlife Fund
Related Topics: · donations, holiday gifts, wildlife conservation, wildlife donations, World Wildlife Fund
Some toys turn up with lead, again…though most tested are clean
October 30th, 2009
Green Right Now Reports
Illinois’ PIRG, a non-profit public interest group, released results of recent testing for toxic chemicals on toys this week, finding that three items intended for children exceeded current safety standards, and two products contact phthalates in violation of federal law.
The tested toys and products can be seen at HealthyToys.org, where they will be incorporated into a much larger list. Researchers at HealthyToys.org are readying a long list of items that will be available before the 2009 December holidays.
Related Topics: · Healthy Toys, HealthyStuff.org, Illinois PIRG, lead in toys, Public Interest Research Groups, Toxic chemicals, toxic toys, toys with lead content
It’s a small gourd, after all: Fall’s zany array of mini-ornamentals
October 21st, 2009
By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now
Ornamental gourds (Photo: Cooksgarden.com)
If you’ve cruised the produce section at the grocery lately, you probably stopped to eye the small, colorful, oddball gourds near the pumpkins and winter squash.
Related Topics: · American Gourd Society, gourds, Organic Gardening magazine, organic gourds, ornamental gourds, small gourds, small ornamental gourds, USDA National Organic Program, Whole Foods Market, winter gourds
Fair-trade fall fashion: stylish, warm and oh, so earthy
September 30th, 2009
By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now
Rummaging through sweaters? Trying on last year’s jackets? Tired of that same old gray hoodie? It is possible to make a fashion statement this fall and express concern for artisans of the world with an assortment of fair-trade apparel. Your choices range from high-end big-name designers to small, globally conscious entrepreneurs. We’ve piled up a lot of crisp, autumn goodies for you to sort through.
Related Topics: · Ali Hewson, Birch Clothing, Bono, boucle Porrima motorcycle jacket, Edun, gray wool Olesia coat, Greenloop, Juno and Jove, Les Fees de Bangale, Linda Loudermilk, Loomstate, Peruvian Connection, Stella McCartney
No forests were harmed for these chopsticks
September 25th, 2009
By Barbara Kessler
Green Right Now
You’ve gotten rid of your plastic water bottle. You turn down polystyrene to-go containers. You ask for local fruit and you only drink Fair Trade coffee.
What’s left to help lower your dining-out carbon profile?
Reusable titanium chopsticks.
Alan Folts’ colorful and gracefully turned titanium “TiStix” chopsticks are made from surplus titanium; they’re [...]
Related Topics: · Chopsticks, deforestation, disposable chopsticks, greener dining, recycled titanium, reusable chopsticks, TiStix
From collars to coats: A compendium of chemicals in consumer goods
September 18th, 2009
By Melissa Segrest
Green Right Now
Lead in toys is scary enough, but that’s only the start. Now, you might need to take a second look at your handbag, your car, your pet’s bed and even your clothes. The non-profit group Healthy Stuff reports that their recent tests of 900 everyday consumer products turned up some toxic [...]
Related Topics: · chemical testing, chemicals in cars, chemicals in pet goods, Ecology Center, EPA, Healthy Stuff, HealthyStuff.org, purses, purses chemicals, testing consumer goods chemical, Toxic chemicals
Energy Star TVs will have to meet higher test
September 3rd, 2009
The EPA announced today it has revised the qualifications for televisions to achieve the Energy Star label, requiring TVs to be 40 percent more energy efficient than conventional models.
The new requirements raise the bar on how energy efficient a TV must be to earn the Energy Star label. They require TVs to use less energy when turned on, ensure a satisfactory level of brightness and curb power associated with downloading program guide data. The EPA says this will translate to greater savings for consumers and the environment. If all televisions sold in the United States met the new Energy Star requirements, Americans would save $2.5 billion annually in energy costs while reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the emissions of about 3 million cars, the agency says.
Related Topics: · Energy Star, EPA
