Last night I attended a vegan cake tasting for event planners at Sticky Fingers Bakery in Washington, DC.
OMG it was fabulous! They had an array of 7 different types of cupcakes. A favorite of couples is the Vanilla Cake with Almond Butter Cream, but my favorite was Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Butternut Cream and Chocolate Ganache. The Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Buttercream was also amazing. I just started drooling thinking about it again. I took the leftovers home to my chocoholic boyfriend who also gave them a thumbs up.
I know that SOME establishments give vegan and gluten free food a bad name. Not Sticky Fingers. Everything I’ve ever tried of theirs – from the sweets to the savories – is fabulous. Don’t just consider them for your wedding, if you need catering for an office party, they can do the job just fine.
So why go vegan for your wedding cake or birthday cake or Hey It’s the Weekend Let’s Celebrate Cake? As I wrote here previously, pretty much anything that comes from animals is bad for the environment because of all the care and, uh, feeding that goes into taking care of animals. The water, the feed, the fertilizers, the poop, it all makes for a bad scene for Mamma Earth. That is why vegan options are your BEST option.
The ladies at Sticky Fingers are hosting another cake tasting for planners THIS SUNDAY, MARCH 28TH at 6:00 p.m. at their store at 1370 Park Road, NW. It is just a five minute walk from Columbia Heights Metro on the Yellow/Green Line. They’ll also be serving organic coffee and tea (natch). If you want to go, RSVP to weddings@stickyfingers.com.
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, June 15, 2009
Am I a Hypocrite?
Am I a Hypocrite?
It's been entirely too long since my last post (I sound like a Catholic going to confession!), but I've been busy planning green events and spreading the gospel of green!
Since my last post had to do with polystyrene, I figured it was apropos for me to resume my blogging habit with another story about its evils.
Thursday night I had the pleasure of appearing on Washington Business Tonight on the local cable station News Channel 8 to talk about green events. I "outed" the host Rebecca Cooper for drinking out of a polystyrene cup. Hopefully, they'll switch to mugs or Sigg bottles or good old glassware at the station.
On my way home, I decided to stop at a favorite Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood. Normally, since I was by myself, I would just get carryout, but I remembered that their takeout containers are made of polystyrene; therefore, I decided to eat in. It was nice to sit down and relax and enjoy dinner and catch up on newsletters from Green America. What I didn't anticipate was getting so full that I couldn't eat my entire meal. What to do? Waste the food? I'd hate to do that AND I needed some food for lunch the next day. I compromised by requesting "the smallest takeout container you have" from the waitress.
I FELT AWFUL for accepting that darn polystyrene container, but vowed to NEVER accept them again AND to keep containers in my car for such a purpose. Heck, I have about 20 cloth bags in my car, so adding in a few Tupperware-type containers won't hurt. I also sent an email to the restaurant expressing my disappointment that they use polystyrene and I provided a link to a green alternative.
It's been entirely too long since my last post (I sound like a Catholic going to confession!), but I've been busy planning green events and spreading the gospel of green!
Since my last post had to do with polystyrene, I figured it was apropos for me to resume my blogging habit with another story about its evils.
Thursday night I had the pleasure of appearing on Washington Business Tonight on the local cable station News Channel 8 to talk about green events. I "outed" the host Rebecca Cooper for drinking out of a polystyrene cup. Hopefully, they'll switch to mugs or Sigg bottles or good old glassware at the station.
On my way home, I decided to stop at a favorite Mexican restaurant in my neighborhood. Normally, since I was by myself, I would just get carryout, but I remembered that their takeout containers are made of polystyrene; therefore, I decided to eat in. It was nice to sit down and relax and enjoy dinner and catch up on newsletters from Green America. What I didn't anticipate was getting so full that I couldn't eat my entire meal. What to do? Waste the food? I'd hate to do that AND I needed some food for lunch the next day. I compromised by requesting "the smallest takeout container you have" from the waitress.
I FELT AWFUL for accepting that darn polystyrene container, but vowed to NEVER accept them again AND to keep containers in my car for such a purpose. Heck, I have about 20 cloth bags in my car, so adding in a few Tupperware-type containers won't hurt. I also sent an email to the restaurant expressing my disappointment that they use polystyrene and I provided a link to a green alternative.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Houses of Worship Can Green It Up, Too
Yesterday, I attended a monthly meeting called The Baltimore Green Forum which is a monthly environmental and discussion forum held usually on the last Sunday of each month at Maryland Presbyterian Church, an eco conscious house of worship. A few of the many EASY things they do is collect the paper church bulletins after the service for recycling and have mugs available for their coffee service. They have also made sure to use native plants for their landscaping. This church understands that we need to do all we can to preserve God's creation and the smallest of efforts add up.
On a related note, while I was visiting my parents the weekend before, I went to my old church. Since I was a child, it has been my church's tradition to have a coffee hour immediately after the service. It once featured coffee, tea and lots of desserts, so I was happy so see that they have added some cheese and wheat crackers to the menu. However, it bummed me out that the hot beverages were still served in polystyrene cups. It was no surprise to me that the church uses them since the Dart Container factory, maker of foam cups, is a mere 2 miles away from the church.
I realize the church might not be able to afford the ecotainer, so I suggested to my dad that at the very least, they choose paper instead. He said, "Some people complained that the paper cups didn't insulate the coffee and was too hot to hold." Then use ceramic coffee cups, place them in the dishwasher at the end of the coffee hour and they'll be clean in time for next week! He said, "That sounds like a lot of effort." Being green sometimes takes a little bit of effort, but it's going to be a heck of lot more effort to find a home for all the polystyrene cups that won't biodegrade, pile up in our landfills and leave a not-too-desirable Earth for the generations that come after us.
We are a society of convenience. It is too inconvenient to hold a coffee cup that is a little warm. It is too inconvenient to throw some mugs (less than 50?) into a dishwasher and delay your arrival at home by 20 minutes. What will the generations that come after us think of us? I'd prefer to be known as the generation that turned things around, not the one that made things worse.
On a related note, while I was visiting my parents the weekend before, I went to my old church. Since I was a child, it has been my church's tradition to have a coffee hour immediately after the service. It once featured coffee, tea and lots of desserts, so I was happy so see that they have added some cheese and wheat crackers to the menu. However, it bummed me out that the hot beverages were still served in polystyrene cups. It was no surprise to me that the church uses them since the Dart Container factory, maker of foam cups, is a mere 2 miles away from the church.
I realize the church might not be able to afford the ecotainer, so I suggested to my dad that at the very least, they choose paper instead. He said, "Some people complained that the paper cups didn't insulate the coffee and was too hot to hold." Then use ceramic coffee cups, place them in the dishwasher at the end of the coffee hour and they'll be clean in time for next week! He said, "That sounds like a lot of effort." Being green sometimes takes a little bit of effort, but it's going to be a heck of lot more effort to find a home for all the polystyrene cups that won't biodegrade, pile up in our landfills and leave a not-too-desirable Earth for the generations that come after us.
We are a society of convenience. It is too inconvenient to hold a coffee cup that is a little warm. It is too inconvenient to throw some mugs (less than 50?) into a dishwasher and delay your arrival at home by 20 minutes. What will the generations that come after us think of us? I'd prefer to be known as the generation that turned things around, not the one that made things worse.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Must-Read Book and Green Wedding Guide
While it is touted as "A no-nonsense, tough-love guide for savvy girls who want to stop eating crap and start looking fabulous" the book Skinny Bitch is also a great food and beverage guide for your green meetings and events. The most enlightening chapters are "Sugar is the Devil" which talks about the evils of artificial sweeteners and the wonder of Stevia. Do you really want to feed your guests poison? I think not.
As you may know, it takes 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat, but 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat. If that doesn't convince you that a vegetarian diet is better for the Earth, "You Are What You Eat" outlines the evils of slaughterhouses. It was a tough chapter to read, but very enlightening. You'll never want to eat meat again when you hear what really happens to chickens, cows and other animals.
If you can't handle profanity, this book isn't for you (which means it was perfect for me!). Other favorite chapter titles include: The Dead, Rotting, Decomposing Flesh Diet; Pooping; and Have No Faith: Governmental Agencies Don't Give a Shit About Your Health.
While the title makes the book seem just for women, men should read it, too. In fact, I told my boyfriend to read it and he did. Unfortunately, he still hasn't kicked that diet Coke habit of his. One day at a time...
Green Tip:
Green Wedding Guide
Want to make your wedding green? Go to what Martha Stewart calls the #1 green wedding site - Portovert. It's your go to site for a sustainable wedding!
As you may know, it takes 25 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of wheat, but 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of meat. If that doesn't convince you that a vegetarian diet is better for the Earth, "You Are What You Eat" outlines the evils of slaughterhouses. It was a tough chapter to read, but very enlightening. You'll never want to eat meat again when you hear what really happens to chickens, cows and other animals.
If you can't handle profanity, this book isn't for you (which means it was perfect for me!). Other favorite chapter titles include: The Dead, Rotting, Decomposing Flesh Diet; Pooping; and Have No Faith: Governmental Agencies Don't Give a Shit About Your Health.
While the title makes the book seem just for women, men should read it, too. In fact, I told my boyfriend to read it and he did. Unfortunately, he still hasn't kicked that diet Coke habit of his. One day at a time...
Green Tip:
Green Wedding Guide
Want to make your wedding green? Go to what Martha Stewart calls the #1 green wedding site - Portovert. It's your go to site for a sustainable wedding!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
A Report from the Polar Bear Plunge and Eco Friendly Pens
I cannot thank you enough for supporting me in the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge! It means the world to me. Attached are some photos. I'm the gal in the black bathing suit with the toboggan, the black boa and pink gloves.
I'm happy to announce that I raised over $1,305 thanks to the generous donations of 40 family, friends, colleagues and clients.
About 200 people and dogs of all ages plunged. Despite the call for rain or snow, we had great weather. It was sunny and in the mid 30s and the water temperature was about 35 degrees. Last year, the air and water temperature was in the 40s (we also held the plunge in December).
I have to confess that as soon as I got in the water this year, I felt immense pain as my feet went numb and started to tingle in a scary way! It was all I could do to run into the water and quickly turn around and head back to the beach. All I could thing about was getting OUT of the water and putting socks ON my feet which felt like a block of ice! The whole water experience lasted probably 30 seconds or less. This was much different compared to last year when I went back in a SECOND time since I felt I hadn't spent sufficient time in the water.
Nonetheless, this year I had a great time and plan to do it again next year! I'm eternally grateful to the following companies who helped me make this a green event!
Rick Erber from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company provided the coffee and tea and all the fixings, including soy milk for the vegans! They are a local roaster (support your local economy and buy coffee that isn't shipped cross country) that offers fair trade/grown coffee/organic coffee (better for the Earth and the workers in the fields). They also contribute proceeds to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Dale Ball from New Leaf Vegan Society got up at 4 a.m. to make vegan applesauce oat muffins, corn muffins and chocolate chip cookies. The food was a hit (there were no leftovers!) and she proved to us that vegan food can be tasty and not scary! My non vegan boyfriend Jeff, who is a chocoholic, ate about ½ dozen of the chocolate chip cookies!
Peter Grazzini from Perfecting Settings provided me with beautiful, ocean-water colored, shimmery linens for our food buffet as well as recycling bins. Yes, if you place an order with them, they'll rent you recycling bins, too! They also take back the hangers and plastic wrap that linens come with and reuse the hangers and then bale and recycle the plastic wrap as well as the shrink wrap that is wrapped around their rental items.
Keith Losoya from Waste Neutral Group is composting all of our waste. We were able to compost the food waste as well as cups, wooden stirrers, napkins, etc. We had 2 bags of compost, a small bag of waste for the landfill and 1 PLASTIC bottle was placed in the recycling bin (I guess everybody else knew better than to bring plastic to an environmental event!). By composting your waste, you reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our already over extended landfills.
Our after party was at The Rockfish Restaurant, a green restaurant in Annapolis which offsets its energy consumption with wind power. They also recycle, utilize sustainable seafood, and have an organic herb and vegetable garden on their roof!
I hope you'll support these folks who have gone green.
Thanks again for your help and I hope this inspires you to live and work green!
Lori
Hear Lori talk about her plunge experience on NPR affiliate WAMU! Click here and listen to "Environmentalists Participate in Polar Bear Plunge".
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Pens
When purchasing disposable pens (I prefer non-disposable Cross pens and just purchase refills) for the office or a special event, use a brand that is made of recycled content. The ECOAdTMBio Pen is 95% biodegradable and will produce no toxic residue. The bio-polymers used in molding come from renewable U.S. grown resources such as soy proteins or starch from potatoes, corn, wheat, tapioca or beets (I just got hungry!) versus evil, traditional plastic. It is reinforced with less than 5% synthetic polymers and the plastics are 100% biodegradable.
I'm happy to announce that I raised over $1,305 thanks to the generous donations of 40 family, friends, colleagues and clients.
About 200 people and dogs of all ages plunged. Despite the call for rain or snow, we had great weather. It was sunny and in the mid 30s and the water temperature was about 35 degrees. Last year, the air and water temperature was in the 40s (we also held the plunge in December).
I have to confess that as soon as I got in the water this year, I felt immense pain as my feet went numb and started to tingle in a scary way! It was all I could do to run into the water and quickly turn around and head back to the beach. All I could thing about was getting OUT of the water and putting socks ON my feet which felt like a block of ice! The whole water experience lasted probably 30 seconds or less. This was much different compared to last year when I went back in a SECOND time since I felt I hadn't spent sufficient time in the water.
Nonetheless, this year I had a great time and plan to do it again next year! I'm eternally grateful to the following companies who helped me make this a green event!
Rick Erber from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company provided the coffee and tea and all the fixings, including soy milk for the vegans! They are a local roaster (support your local economy and buy coffee that isn't shipped cross country) that offers fair trade/grown coffee/organic coffee (better for the Earth and the workers in the fields). They also contribute proceeds to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Dale Ball from New Leaf Vegan Society got up at 4 a.m. to make vegan applesauce oat muffins, corn muffins and chocolate chip cookies. The food was a hit (there were no leftovers!) and she proved to us that vegan food can be tasty and not scary! My non vegan boyfriend Jeff, who is a chocoholic, ate about ½ dozen of the chocolate chip cookies!
Peter Grazzini from Perfecting Settings provided me with beautiful, ocean-water colored, shimmery linens for our food buffet as well as recycling bins. Yes, if you place an order with them, they'll rent you recycling bins, too! They also take back the hangers and plastic wrap that linens come with and reuse the hangers and then bale and recycle the plastic wrap as well as the shrink wrap that is wrapped around their rental items.
Keith Losoya from Waste Neutral Group is composting all of our waste. We were able to compost the food waste as well as cups, wooden stirrers, napkins, etc. We had 2 bags of compost, a small bag of waste for the landfill and 1 PLASTIC bottle was placed in the recycling bin (I guess everybody else knew better than to bring plastic to an environmental event!). By composting your waste, you reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our already over extended landfills.
Our after party was at The Rockfish Restaurant, a green restaurant in Annapolis which offsets its energy consumption with wind power. They also recycle, utilize sustainable seafood, and have an organic herb and vegetable garden on their roof!
I hope you'll support these folks who have gone green.
Thanks again for your help and I hope this inspires you to live and work green!
Lori
Hear Lori talk about her plunge experience on NPR affiliate WAMU! Click here and listen to "Environmentalists Participate in Polar Bear Plunge".
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Pens
When purchasing disposable pens (I prefer non-disposable Cross pens and just purchase refills) for the office or a special event, use a brand that is made of recycled content. The ECOAdTMBio Pen is 95% biodegradable and will produce no toxic residue. The bio-polymers used in molding come from renewable U.S. grown resources such as soy proteins or starch from potatoes, corn, wheat, tapioca or beets (I just got hungry!) versus evil, traditional plastic. It is reinforced with less than 5% synthetic polymers and the plastics are 100% biodegradable.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Join Me at the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge! and Green Scissors
I'm doing it again! I'm taking a cold plunge to fight global warming.THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10th, I'm going to jump into the icy Chesapeake Bay for a cause I am extremely passionate about: the fight against global warming.
I'll join hundreds of other crazy folks in the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The event, organized by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), is meant to raise awareness about the growing crisis of global warming and to raise the funds needed to continue the fight against it.
The basics are right below.
The Basics
Last year, I had a blast plunging AND I raised over $1,200. My goal this year is $2,000, but I'm only at $980! Help me out! Last year, my friends and family pledged anywhere from $25-$100 each. I realize that with the current economy, you may not be able to pledge that much, so GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN GIVE! $5, $10 or $20 is fine by me. Give up one of your vices for a week and put it towards a good cause! Contributions are tax-deductible.
Also, I'm donating my event planning services to ensure that the plunge is a green event!
How to Make a Pledge
It takes about TWO MINUTES to make a pledge! IF you pledge, I promise to email you photos of me plunging!
Credit Card
Donate via secure webpage.
If you pledged last year, you'll be happy to know that it is MUCH EASIER to pledge this year!
Check
Make your check out to "CCAN" and mail to
P.O. Box 11138
Takoma Park, MD 20912
On the memo line, write Plunge/Lori Hill on the memo line, so they know who your pledge is supporting.
Watch Me on the Video!
Watch the video of last year's plunge. That is me at the 1:40 mark – the gal with the toboggan.
Thanks in advance for your interest and support in the fight against global warming - and for supporting me while I turn a little blue in the process!
If you're not busy, please consider coming out to join me I the plunge or cheer me on this January 10th - it's a really fun event!
Thanks for helping CCAN save the world!
Warmly (but not in the global sense),
Lori
Green Tip:
Green Scissors
The folks at Ideal Bite sent me this tip about scissors from Klean Earth that have handles made of 70% recycled plastic and cost from $6-$14.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Takeout Food for the Office and Facts on Holiday Waste
As a vegetarian and a locovore (someone who tries to buy local), I try to make as many meals at home as possible. However, last Monday when I was out shopping, I stopped by the local PF Chang's for some takeout before I journeyed back to the office because I was low on food in the office fridge.
Normally, when I do any kind of shopping, I BMOB bring my own bag. The one exception has been when I get takeout. I keep making a mental note to BMOB, but have continued to fail on this front. Also, I just read an article about a green office that leaves those little tiny sacs which are the size of a small ball at the front desk for employees to use when they get takeout. Well, I couldn't be outdone, so I've made it my mission to begin this practice and I began on Monday!
When the take out guy waited on me, I sweetly asked, "Do you mind putting my order in this bag?" He didn't blink an eye. Whew! Let's hope behind that pleasant smile, he wasn't thinking I was a crazy environmentalist. I also asked him to not worry about the plasticware and some of the condiments. When he brought my order in my own bag - in my own bag - I was ecstatic and handed him a tip. I didn't look in the bag until I got in the car. Big mistake. It contained not only chopsticks, but plasticware and TWO sets of condiments. Argh! Did he do this to irritate me or was he on automatic pilot when he was loading my food into the bag? I'll never know. I emailed PF Chang's headquarters to tell them about my experience (I was nice about the quick service and the ability to use my own bag), but chastised them for all the waste with the condiments. Think of all the energy that goes into making those chopsticks, the plastic ware, the condiments and the containers they come in. Think of how many get thrown away without being used. Think of all those products in the landfill. Think of all that money wasted. I hope they change their ways...
Green Tip:
Facts on Holiday Waste
Below are some facts on holiday waste that I received from Eva at Earth Alley, a Baltimore gift shop that provides Earth friendly, fair-trade, locally-sourced gifts.
From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases at least 25%, an additional 1 million tons a week. U.S.'s annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons.
Christmas Trees
50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S., about 30 million go to the landfill.
Food
28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. One less cookie on Santa's plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Transportation
If each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by one gallon (about twenty miles), we'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons.
Cards
1.9 billion Christmas cards at this time, the amount of cards sold during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high, and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees.
Ribbons
38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year, enough to circle the Earth which is 25,000 miles.
Paper
Half of the paper America consumes is used to wrap and decorate consumer products.
(Sources: EPA; Use Less Stuff, 1998; www.recycleworks.org; Cygnus Group; Recycler's Handbook, 1990; Environmental News Network)
Normally, when I do any kind of shopping, I BMOB bring my own bag. The one exception has been when I get takeout. I keep making a mental note to BMOB, but have continued to fail on this front. Also, I just read an article about a green office that leaves those little tiny sacs which are the size of a small ball at the front desk for employees to use when they get takeout. Well, I couldn't be outdone, so I've made it my mission to begin this practice and I began on Monday!
When the take out guy waited on me, I sweetly asked, "Do you mind putting my order in this bag?" He didn't blink an eye. Whew! Let's hope behind that pleasant smile, he wasn't thinking I was a crazy environmentalist. I also asked him to not worry about the plasticware and some of the condiments. When he brought my order in my own bag - in my own bag - I was ecstatic and handed him a tip. I didn't look in the bag until I got in the car. Big mistake. It contained not only chopsticks, but plasticware and TWO sets of condiments. Argh! Did he do this to irritate me or was he on automatic pilot when he was loading my food into the bag? I'll never know. I emailed PF Chang's headquarters to tell them about my experience (I was nice about the quick service and the ability to use my own bag), but chastised them for all the waste with the condiments. Think of all the energy that goes into making those chopsticks, the plastic ware, the condiments and the containers they come in. Think of how many get thrown away without being used. Think of all those products in the landfill. Think of all that money wasted. I hope they change their ways...
Green Tip:
Facts on Holiday Waste
Below are some facts on holiday waste that I received from Eva at Earth Alley, a Baltimore gift shop that provides Earth friendly, fair-trade, locally-sourced gifts.
From Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases at least 25%, an additional 1 million tons a week. U.S.'s annual trash from gift-wrap and shopping bags totals 4 million tons.
Christmas Trees
50 million Christmas trees are purchased in the U.S., about 30 million go to the landfill.
Food
28 billion pounds of edible food are wasted each year - over 100 pounds per person. One less cookie on Santa's plate will reduce his snacking by about 2 million pounds.
Transportation
If each family reduced holiday gasoline consumption by one gallon (about twenty miles), we'd reduce greenhouse gas emissions by one million tons.
Cards
1.9 billion Christmas cards at this time, the amount of cards sold during the holiday season would fill a football field 10 stories high, and requires the harvesting of nearly 300,000 trees.
Ribbons
38,000 miles of ribbon is thrown out each year, enough to circle the Earth which is 25,000 miles.
Paper
Half of the paper America consumes is used to wrap and decorate consumer products.
(Sources: EPA; Use Less Stuff, 1998; www.recycleworks.org; Cygnus Group; Recycler's Handbook, 1990; Environmental News Network)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Join Me at the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge! and Wine Cork Recycling
I'm doing it again! I'm taking a cold plunge to fight global warming.In less than one month, on January 10th, I'm going to jump into the icy Chesapeake Bay for a cause I am extremely passionate about: the fight against global warming.
Yes, I, Lori Hill, the one who is ALWAYS cold in the winter time (I'm sitting in my basement office right now wearing 3 layers of clothing and fingerless gloves as I write this!), will be plunging right into the water near the headquarters of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation which happens to be one of the greenest building the country!. I'll join hundreds of other crazy folks in the Fourth Annual Polar Bear Plunge.
The event, organized by the Chesapeake Climate Action Network (CCAN), is meant to raise awareness about the growing crisis of global warming and to raise the funds needed to continue the fight against it.
The basics are right below. To read more about CCAN, see further below.
The Basics
Last year, I had a blast plunging AND I raised over $1,200. I'd like to nearly double that this year with a goal of $2,000. In addition, this year I'm donating my event planning services to ensure that the plunge is a green event!
Last year, my friends and family pledged anywhere from $25-$100 each. I realize that with the current economy, you may not be able to pledge that much, so GIVE WHATEVER YOU CAN GIVE! $5, $10 or $20 is fine by me. Give up one of your vices for a week and put it towards a good cause! Contributions are tax-deductible.
How to Make a Pledge
It takes about TWO MINUTES to make a pledge! IF you pledge, I promise to email you photos of me plunging!
Credit Card
Donate via secure webpage.
If you pledged last year, you'll be happy to know that it is MUCH EASIER to pledge this year!
Check
Make your check out to "CCAN" and mail to
P.O. Box 11138
Takoma Park, MD 20912
On the memo line, write Plunge/Lori Hill on the memo line, so they know who your pledge is supporting.
Watch Me on the Video!
Watch the video of last year's plunge. That is me at the 1:40 mark – the gal with the toboggan.
Thanks in advance for your interest and support in the fight against global warming - and for supporting me while I turn a little blue in the process!
If you're not busy, please consider coming out to join me I the plunge or cheer me on this January 10th - it's a really fun event!
Thanks for helping CCAN save the world!
Warmly (but not in the global sense),
Lori
*More About CCAN and How I Got Involved with the Plunge
Not too long after I saw "An Inconvenient Truth", I went to a clean energy open house at the home of CCAN's executive director Mike Tidwell. That was the impetus that began my quest to be as green as humanly possible.
By making a pledge to support my playful suffering, you'll help CCAN fulfill its very serious mission of educating and mobilizing the citizens of Maryland, DC and Virginia to take concrete steps to protect our climate. We are particularly at risk of the effects of climate change – Baltimore, Annapolis, Washington, DC and cities in Virginia could be under water if we don't act soon.
CCAN is an extremely reputable, nonprofit organization with an emphasis on community-based, grassroots organizing. They have been central to every major fight on global warming in the Maryland/Virginia/DC region, and are currently leading the charge for comprehensive global warming legislation in Maryland, for no new coal in Virginia and, as part of 1 Sky, for strong federal legislation in 2009. You can learn more about them at www.chesapeakeclimate.org.
Green Tip:
Wine Cork Recycling
Instead of pitching your wine corks in the trash (who would dare do such a thing?), send your corks to Yemm & Hart Ltd.
They are collecting wine cork stoppers with the goal of converting them into a useful self sustaining product (Y&H are all about converting recycled materials into something new).
Another alternative is to make your own cork board. Hot glue corks to a piece of plywood and attached photos, notes, etc. You can place the corks round side up and/or cylindrical side up.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Rental Recycling Hero and Eco Friendly Office Calendars for 2009
Peter Grazzini of Perfect Settings in Landover, MD really gets it. While the party rental industry is inherently green since equipment is used over and over again, it still has wasteful aspects such as all the plastic - shrink-wrap, bags and sheeting) and cardboard.
Peter now offers a service where he picks up plastic and cardboard from clients which he bales and then sends to a recycling center. He also offers recycling containers that his clients can rent and use for recycling cans and bottles.
To read more about what Peter and others in the event industry do to be green, read the November 2008 edition of Special Events magazine, Event Industry Adopts Greener Practices.
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Office Calendars for 2009
You can be Earth friendly while planning out 2009! The House of Doolittle has been a manufacturer of desk pads, calendars, and appointments books since 1919. Currently the paper used for their products is recycled with 30% to 100% post-consumer fiber. I get my Weekly Appointment Planner from them as well as my Yearly Planning Calendar.
Peter now offers a service where he picks up plastic and cardboard from clients which he bales and then sends to a recycling center. He also offers recycling containers that his clients can rent and use for recycling cans and bottles.
To read more about what Peter and others in the event industry do to be green, read the November 2008 edition of Special Events magazine, Event Industry Adopts Greener Practices.
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Office Calendars for 2009
You can be Earth friendly while planning out 2009! The House of Doolittle has been a manufacturer of desk pads, calendars, and appointments books since 1919. Currently the paper used for their products is recycled with 30% to 100% post-consumer fiber. I get my Weekly Appointment Planner from them as well as my Yearly Planning Calendar.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Turning Our Communities Green and Stainless Steel Water Bottles and Water Cooler Covers
A few days ago, I attended an event hosted by Bethesda Green, an organization that works to sustain the current and future development of Bethesda, Maryland by reducing the community's environmental footprint, attracting environmentally-conscious consumers, and promoting an environmental ethic.
The event, called the "Be Green" Showcase, was open to everyone in the community and showcased local initiatives, partners and ideas and featured over 25 information tables from local, green businesses and organizations.
Baltimore and Washington, DC have also hopped on the green bandwagon. What about your community? If it hasn't started a green movement, why don't you start it for them?
Green Tip:
Stainless Steel Water Bottles and Water Cooler Covers
CynerGreen, a member of Meeting Professionals International and the Green Meeting Industry Council, offers stainless steel water bottles that can be branded for your meeting, provide sponsorship opportunities and act as a take away gift for your attendees. They also offer 5-gallon water cooler covers that can share your message and logo during your meetings and events. These are high quality cooler covers that may be used event after event sharing your green message or company's logo.
The event, called the "Be Green" Showcase, was open to everyone in the community and showcased local initiatives, partners and ideas and featured over 25 information tables from local, green businesses and organizations.
Baltimore and Washington, DC have also hopped on the green bandwagon. What about your community? If it hasn't started a green movement, why don't you start it for them?
Green Tip:
Stainless Steel Water Bottles and Water Cooler Covers
CynerGreen, a member of Meeting Professionals International and the Green Meeting Industry Council, offers stainless steel water bottles that can be branded for your meeting, provide sponsorship opportunities and act as a take away gift for your attendees. They also offer 5-gallon water cooler covers that can share your message and logo during your meetings and events. These are high quality cooler covers that may be used event after event sharing your green message or company's logo.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Why Your Event Staff Should Wear Organic Cotton T-Shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Not only does organic cotton feel good on your skin, but it is much better for the environment. Organic cotton has the same fiber strength, length and other properties as conventional cotton, but farming it actually improves the overall quality of the land.
The conventional cotton growing method involves seeds that are usually treated with fungicides and insecticides and soil that is treated with synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, insecticides and pesticides (five are probable carcinogens). The industry frequently uses aerial spraying which can endanger wildlife, communities and farm workers due to potential drift. Chemicals are used in the defoliation process.
On the contrary, the organic cotton farming method uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds which are used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. Instead of fertilizers, soil is made strong through crop rotation and weeds are physically removed and controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Healthy soil maintains a balance between pests and their predators and the organic method uses the seasonal freeze for defoliation. (Source: www.aboutorganicotton.org)
According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to produce one t-shirt. Grist.org says, "In 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. (an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- and the EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens."
Do you and your event staff want to wear all those pesticides and support and industry that uses all those carcinogens?
It may cost an extra dollar or two per t-shirt, but the ethical choice is organic cotton.
Green Tip:
Organic Cotton T-shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton when ordering t-shirts for your event staff (or to sell to attendees!). Organic cotton is free of pesticides, herbicides (and all those other "ides") many of which have been found to cause cancer. Furthermore, the organic cotton farming method is much easier on the Earth. It may cost a teense more (the latest quote I received was $7.08 for a conventional cotton t-shirts vs. $8.97 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I choose my health and the health of the Earth over a few extra pennies spent.
The conventional cotton growing method involves seeds that are usually treated with fungicides and insecticides and soil that is treated with synthetic fertilizers and herbicides, insecticides and pesticides (five are probable carcinogens). The industry frequently uses aerial spraying which can endanger wildlife, communities and farm workers due to potential drift. Chemicals are used in the defoliation process.
On the contrary, the organic cotton farming method uses untreated seeds and never uses GMO (genetically modified organism) seeds which are used for approximately 70% of US-grown cotton. Instead of fertilizers, soil is made strong through crop rotation and weeds are physically removed and controlled through cultivation and hand hoeing. Healthy soil maintains a balance between pests and their predators and the organic method uses the seasonal freeze for defoliation. (Source: www.aboutorganicotton.org)
According to the Sustainable Cotton Project, it takes one-third of a pound of pesticides to produce one t-shirt. Grist.org says, "In 2000, 84 million pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 14.4 million acres of conventional cotton grown in the U.S. (an average of 5.8 pounds of pesticides per acre), according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture -- and the EPA considers seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops to be "possible," "likely," "probable," or "known" human carcinogens."
Do you and your event staff want to wear all those pesticides and support and industry that uses all those carcinogens?
It may cost an extra dollar or two per t-shirt, but the ethical choice is organic cotton.
Green Tip:
Organic Cotton T-shirts vs. Conventional Cotton
Choose organic cotton over conventional cotton when ordering t-shirts for your event staff (or to sell to attendees!). Organic cotton is free of pesticides, herbicides (and all those other "ides") many of which have been found to cause cancer. Furthermore, the organic cotton farming method is much easier on the Earth. It may cost a teense more (the latest quote I received was $7.08 for a conventional cotton t-shirts vs. $8.97 for an organic cotton t-shirt. I choose my health and the health of the Earth over a few extra pennies spent.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Treating Earth Like Our Living Room, Not Our Community Trash Can and Asking Your Attendees to Keep the Earth Clean
Since the weather has been pretty darn nice lately, I decided to replace my usual cardiovascular workout via the Elliptical trainer at the gym for power walks around my neighborhood. Being out in nature makes me happy, but that quickly sours when every time I go out for a walk, I find myself picking up trash -- lots of it. Just two days ago, at the beginning of my walk, I found 2 plastic bags. My initial reaction was fear of animals getting caught in them, so I picked them up and proceeded to fill them with recyclables as well as items for the landfill. Then I found a third plastic bag and filled that up fairly well, too. I ran into a neighbor who I've seen on my walks before and she said, "Thanks so much for doing this! I do it, too." She went on to explain that she had spotted another resident who cleaned up after our fellow residents. I was grateful to hear that because all of that trash, unless picked up, would end up in our treasured Chesapeake Bay.
We agreed that some of the waste we picked up had been blown around on trash day. However, some of it was just plain laziness... people treating Earth like a community trash can. When I see someone throwing a cigarette butt out their car window or dropping an ice cream wrapper on a sidewalk, I'm tempted to say, "Would you drop that trash on the floor of your living room at home?" Perhaps some people would, but I think the majority of us would not. We need to think of Earth as our living room. If you wouldn't throw it away on your living room floor, why dispose of it on Earth's floor?
Green Tip:
Asking Your Attendees to Keep the Earth Clean
When planning your next conference, ask your attendees to participate in your event's green initiatives including picking up a piece of litter each day. This is exactly what Cisco Systems did for Cisco Live 2008. In addition to asking attendees to participate in the hotel's linen reuse program, lowering their thermostat, reducing water and light usage and unplugging their phone chargers, Cisco encouraged attendees to pick up a piece of litter each day.
If we all made the effort to dispose of our waste appropriately (and making the landfill the last option), perhaps one day, we won't need to use the term litter.
We agreed that some of the waste we picked up had been blown around on trash day. However, some of it was just plain laziness... people treating Earth like a community trash can. When I see someone throwing a cigarette butt out their car window or dropping an ice cream wrapper on a sidewalk, I'm tempted to say, "Would you drop that trash on the floor of your living room at home?" Perhaps some people would, but I think the majority of us would not. We need to think of Earth as our living room. If you wouldn't throw it away on your living room floor, why dispose of it on Earth's floor?
Green Tip:
Asking Your Attendees to Keep the Earth Clean
When planning your next conference, ask your attendees to participate in your event's green initiatives including picking up a piece of litter each day. This is exactly what Cisco Systems did for Cisco Live 2008. In addition to asking attendees to participate in the hotel's linen reuse program, lowering their thermostat, reducing water and light usage and unplugging their phone chargers, Cisco encouraged attendees to pick up a piece of litter each day.
If we all made the effort to dispose of our waste appropriately (and making the landfill the last option), perhaps one day, we won't need to use the term litter.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Beer and Locally Brewed Beer
What do you know about the company that brews your beer? According to The Better World Shopping Guide, New Belgium and Sierra Nevada get grades of A. New Belgium is a 100% wind powered brewery that conserves 50% more water vs. the average brewery. It is an employee-owned business and has given $1.6 million to the local community.
On the contrary, Miller, which is part of Altria (Philip Morris), the #2 worst company on Earth, is currently the target of two major boycotts and has spent over $100 million on lobbyists. It is also on Multinational Monitor's Worst Corporation List for 5 years.
Green Tip:
Locally Brewed Beer
When purchasing your beverages this Memorial Day Weekend, support your local micro brewery. Now only will you be buying local and supporting your local community, but also, since the beer has less of a distance to travel, there are also reduced carbon emissions.
It's easy to find a local brewery near you. Just go to http://www.brewpubzone.com.
On the contrary, Miller, which is part of Altria (Philip Morris), the #2 worst company on Earth, is currently the target of two major boycotts and has spent over $100 million on lobbyists. It is also on Multinational Monitor's Worst Corporation List for 5 years.
Green Tip:
Locally Brewed Beer
When purchasing your beverages this Memorial Day Weekend, support your local micro brewery. Now only will you be buying local and supporting your local community, but also, since the beer has less of a distance to travel, there are also reduced carbon emissions.
It's easy to find a local brewery near you. Just go to http://www.brewpubzone.com.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Greening Your Office and Read tips for Greening Your Office
I read a statistic that 60% of paper in the United States is still not recycled. There is no excuse for this! Paper is EASY to recycle. When I talk to friends and colleagues about this, they shrug their shoulders and say, "We don't have a recycling program in our building."
So start one! Time is ticking! Office furniture may be challenging to recycle, file cabinets I can understand, but paper? Come on! Each employee should have a recycle bin at his/her desk and recycle every single scrap of paper that cannot be re-used (see my tips this week on re-using paper among other things). Items should be thrown in the trash ONLY as a last ditch option. It seems that too many people recycle paper on a whim. It needs to be a standard practice.
I heard a story about an office in New York City that ONLY had recycle bins at each desk. No trash can. If employees want to throw away trash, they have to go to a central location in the office. What a fabulous idea.
Green Tip:
Greening Your Office
» Read tips for Greening Your Office
So start one! Time is ticking! Office furniture may be challenging to recycle, file cabinets I can understand, but paper? Come on! Each employee should have a recycle bin at his/her desk and recycle every single scrap of paper that cannot be re-used (see my tips this week on re-using paper among other things). Items should be thrown in the trash ONLY as a last ditch option. It seems that too many people recycle paper on a whim. It needs to be a standard practice.
I heard a story about an office in New York City that ONLY had recycle bins at each desk. No trash can. If employees want to throw away trash, they have to go to a central location in the office. What a fabulous idea.
Green Tip:
Greening Your Office
» Read tips for Greening Your Office
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Earth Day Should Be Every Day and Preserving the Earth
Last week, I went to an Earth Day rally that featured many fabulous speakers that kept me motivated to continue on my mission to make changes to the special event and meeting industries and the world in general. I then realized that these people were preaching to the choir. They don't need to sell me on anything. I'm on their band wagon! While I'm pretty darn green (some say "off the deep end green") I started to realize that I need to invite my friends who are light green and even brown to these rallies so that they can hear how critically important it is for us to start making serious changes NOW!
Our Earth is a gift to us and we need to be thankful for it, cherish it and take care of it. We have been doing a very bad job lately, just ask James Hansen from NASA, one of the speakers at last week's rally. He had very disturbing information to share with us. Essentially, we are on the road to the point of no return, but we can turn this ship around if we all get SERIOUS about changing the way we function. We need to make serious lifestyle changes NOW! Our disposable world (or should I say country?) that is all about convenience isn't good for our home we call Earth.
Make changes today and every day. Check out the tips listed under my Green Tip of the Week. Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends. Save the Earth.
Green Tip:
Preserving the Earth
The guys at Sunnyside Solar Energy put together a fabulous list of 12 Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Preserve the Earth. Read it. Do it. Share it with your friends and family. Now.
Our Earth is a gift to us and we need to be thankful for it, cherish it and take care of it. We have been doing a very bad job lately, just ask James Hansen from NASA, one of the speakers at last week's rally. He had very disturbing information to share with us. Essentially, we are on the road to the point of no return, but we can turn this ship around if we all get SERIOUS about changing the way we function. We need to make serious lifestyle changes NOW! Our disposable world (or should I say country?) that is all about convenience isn't good for our home we call Earth.
Make changes today and every day. Check out the tips listed under my Green Tip of the Week. Spread the word. Talk to your family and friends. Save the Earth.
Green Tip:
Preserving the Earth
The guys at Sunnyside Solar Energy put together a fabulous list of 12 Easy Things You Can Do At Home to Preserve the Earth. Read it. Do it. Share it with your friends and family. Now.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
I've been doing a lot of traveling and staying at hotels lately. When I wrote my last blog entry, I had just returned from the ISES (International Special Events Society) Northeast Regional Education Conference in Providence, Rhode Island where I was a speaker. My topic was Green Events: A Standard, Not a Trend. I'm just trying to do my part about spreading the gospel of green and received lots of positive feedback. The movement is picking up momentum! Halleluiah! Praise the Lord!
Since then, I've traveled to Silver Thorne, Colorado, Dover, Delaware and New Orleans, Louisiana and I've experienced how different hotels are either diving in or merely dipping their toes into the green movement. Two properties featured compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their sleeping rooms, but one – a nice hotel -- had plastic cups instead of glass. Talk about a contradiction!
One of the properties was where I was producing a conference. It had a re-use your bed linen and towel program. Unfortunately, the housekeeping staff didn't seem to be towing the party line. For bed linens, I had to place a sign on my bed if I DIDN'T want my sheets changed. Wouldn't the more eco friendly alternative be to place the sign if I DID want my sheets changed? I surely don't need new sheets each day and since I'm usually in a hurry, remembering to place the sign on my bed to prevent the house keeping staff from removing my sheets can be a lot to ask! At home, I wash my sheets weekly (and on some occasions, less frequently depending on how chaotic my life is!).
The game plan for towels was that IF you wanted to reuse your towel, you should hang it on the rack. Others left in a heap on the floor would be changed. I dutifully hung up my towels, but they still took them away. The next day, I left a note indicating that I wanted to participate in the re-use your towel program. The morning housekeeper honored this request, but the staffer who handled the turn down service later that night didn't get the memo and took my towel away. I mentioned this to the sales director and she promised to speak with the house keeping staff.
From now on, I'm making a pledge to only stay at eco friendly hotels. And if I'm forced to stay at a semi-green or non-green hotel, I'll write a letter encouraging them to hop on the green band wagon.
Green Tip:
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
To locate an environmentally friendly hotel, go to www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com or www.greenhotels.com.
Since then, I've traveled to Silver Thorne, Colorado, Dover, Delaware and New Orleans, Louisiana and I've experienced how different hotels are either diving in or merely dipping their toes into the green movement. Two properties featured compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs) in their sleeping rooms, but one – a nice hotel -- had plastic cups instead of glass. Talk about a contradiction!
One of the properties was where I was producing a conference. It had a re-use your bed linen and towel program. Unfortunately, the housekeeping staff didn't seem to be towing the party line. For bed linens, I had to place a sign on my bed if I DIDN'T want my sheets changed. Wouldn't the more eco friendly alternative be to place the sign if I DID want my sheets changed? I surely don't need new sheets each day and since I'm usually in a hurry, remembering to place the sign on my bed to prevent the house keeping staff from removing my sheets can be a lot to ask! At home, I wash my sheets weekly (and on some occasions, less frequently depending on how chaotic my life is!).
The game plan for towels was that IF you wanted to reuse your towel, you should hang it on the rack. Others left in a heap on the floor would be changed. I dutifully hung up my towels, but they still took them away. The next day, I left a note indicating that I wanted to participate in the re-use your towel program. The morning housekeeper honored this request, but the staffer who handled the turn down service later that night didn't get the memo and took my towel away. I mentioned this to the sales director and she promised to speak with the house keeping staff.
From now on, I'm making a pledge to only stay at eco friendly hotels. And if I'm forced to stay at a semi-green or non-green hotel, I'll write a letter encouraging them to hop on the green band wagon.
Green Tip:
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
To locate an environmentally friendly hotel, go to www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com or www.greenhotels.com.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment and Thoughts on Shopping Bags
I've stopped using or accepting bags when I go shopping. I bring my own canvas bags (I have about a dozen from conferences and other sources) which I store in my trunk. At first, I started out just using them at the grocery store, then I realized I needed to use them EVERYWHERE - the drug store, office supply store, clothing store and even restaurants.
The other night, I went to one of my favorite fast food places - Chipotle. I was getting a burrito for take out. All I need is the burrito - no condiments, no plastic ware (heaven forbid!) so lately I've been telling the cashier, "Don't worry about a bag." I usually get a funny look.
My fellow event producer friend Dave just told me that when he brings his canvas bag to the office supply store, the cashier thinks he is BUYING the bag. He has to explain that the bag is his. When I was at the drugstore the other day, I told the cashier before the purchase was over, "Don't worry about a bag. I'll just put it in here." as I pointed to my large, durable bag made of recycled plastic bags (go to www.jadeplanet.net). She heard me. She understood. But when the transaction was complete, her automatic reaction was to put the merchandise in a plastic bag. I understood. But I didn't use her bag.
I hope that soon, it will be automatic to ask a customer for THEIR bag and that those who DON'T have their own bag get a funny look.
Green Tip:
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment
CarrotSeed offers a line of reusable shopping bags, including Happy Bags which are made from the end-runs of mill lines. They are durable and fashionable (check them out online!) and come in nearly two dozen styles that are constantly being updated.
Bags can be customized for retailers or conferences, trade shows and retreats.
The other night, I went to one of my favorite fast food places - Chipotle. I was getting a burrito for take out. All I need is the burrito - no condiments, no plastic ware (heaven forbid!) so lately I've been telling the cashier, "Don't worry about a bag." I usually get a funny look.
My fellow event producer friend Dave just told me that when he brings his canvas bag to the office supply store, the cashier thinks he is BUYING the bag. He has to explain that the bag is his. When I was at the drugstore the other day, I told the cashier before the purchase was over, "Don't worry about a bag. I'll just put it in here." as I pointed to my large, durable bag made of recycled plastic bags (go to www.jadeplanet.net). She heard me. She understood. But when the transaction was complete, her automatic reaction was to put the merchandise in a plastic bag. I understood. But I didn't use her bag.
I hope that soon, it will be automatic to ask a customer for THEIR bag and that those who DON'T have their own bag get a funny look.
Green Tip:
Stylish Bags Good for the Environment
CarrotSeed offers a line of reusable shopping bags, including Happy Bags which are made from the end-runs of mill lines. They are durable and fashionable (check them out online!) and come in nearly two dozen styles that are constantly being updated.
Bags can be customized for retailers or conferences, trade shows and retreats.
Monday, February 25, 2008
E-cycling My Old Computer and Electronics Recycling
I finally e-cycled my old computer and monitor. It was so easy. When my newest computer was shipped, the people at Dell included an e-cycle kit that included several packing slips with pre printed labels and straight forward information about how to pack up my old computer. All I had to do (okay, all my assistant had to do) was pack it up and then go online to arrange a pick up time with DHL. Dell paid for the shipping.
Luckily, I held on to my old computer boxes and their Styrofoam cushioning (my mother taught me well), but I could have used any box including the box from my new computer (which I also still have!).
Green Tip:
Electronics Recycling
Don't even think about sending your electronics to the landfill -- e-cycle them! To find a sustainable and socially just electronics recycling center near you, visit e-Steward.
Luckily, I held on to my old computer boxes and their Styrofoam cushioning (my mother taught me well), but I could have used any box including the box from my new computer (which I also still have!).
Green Tip:
Electronics Recycling
Don't even think about sending your electronics to the landfill -- e-cycle them! To find a sustainable and socially just electronics recycling center near you, visit e-Steward.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders
Eco Endure offers 2 eco friendly name badge holders in the very universal 3' x 4' size. One is made of PLA film which is compostable and is made from corn (an annually renewable resource, folks!) as opposed to petrochemicals.
Their other name badge holder is made from biodegradable polymer. What? I had to break that down, too. I hope by now you know what biodegradable means. Polymer is "numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units." I'm still a little confused, but as long as it is biodegradable, I'm happy.
Eco Friendly Name Badge Holders
Eco Endure offers 2 eco friendly name badge holders in the very universal 3' x 4' size. One is made of PLA film which is compostable and is made from corn (an annually renewable resource, folks!) as opposed to petrochemicals.
Their other name badge holder is made from biodegradable polymer. What? I had to break that down, too. I hope by now you know what biodegradable means. Polymer is "numerous natural and synthetic compounds of usually high molecular weight consisting of up to millions of repeated linked units." I'm still a little confused, but as long as it is biodegradable, I'm happy.
Monday, February 4, 2008
The Office and Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders
I have to laugh when I talk to someone who says they are green because they recycle. While recycling is a very green practice and the heart of the movement, there is more to being green than recycling!
Look at your office products. Are they made of recycled materials? About 6 months ago, I started looking at EVERYTHING in my office to determine if I was using the most eco-friendly option available. I had some work to do.
I purchased a desk calendar made of recycled products and my year at-a-glance calendar is also made of recycled materials. I no longer purchase disposable pens and have opted for Cross pens (choose whatever brand you like) and just pitch the refills. And just today, my 3 ring binders made of corrugated cardboard (not plastic) just arrived. Next, instead of purchasing my ink from a well-known office supply store, I plan to purchase eco-friendly toner and ink cartridges instead.
When I moved my office, I was looking for eco-friendly furniture. Much of it was out of my budget, so I went to the local antique store and struck it rich when I found an elegant vintage desk and matching chair made of oak. And the price was a steal. No new trees cut down for me.
So think twice the next time you place that order at the office supply store. Ask yourself, "Is there a better option?"
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders
Instead of using a 3-ring binder made of plastic materials, use one made of corrugated cardboard and is comprised of 35-38% recycled content. It's durable, recyclable and reusable.
Look at your office products. Are they made of recycled materials? About 6 months ago, I started looking at EVERYTHING in my office to determine if I was using the most eco-friendly option available. I had some work to do.
I purchased a desk calendar made of recycled products and my year at-a-glance calendar is also made of recycled materials. I no longer purchase disposable pens and have opted for Cross pens (choose whatever brand you like) and just pitch the refills. And just today, my 3 ring binders made of corrugated cardboard (not plastic) just arrived. Next, instead of purchasing my ink from a well-known office supply store, I plan to purchase eco-friendly toner and ink cartridges instead.
When I moved my office, I was looking for eco-friendly furniture. Much of it was out of my budget, so I went to the local antique store and struck it rich when I found an elegant vintage desk and matching chair made of oak. And the price was a steal. No new trees cut down for me.
So think twice the next time you place that order at the office supply store. Ask yourself, "Is there a better option?"
Green Tip:
Eco Friendly 3-Ring Binders
Instead of using a 3-ring binder made of plastic materials, use one made of corrugated cardboard and is comprised of 35-38% recycled content. It's durable, recyclable and reusable.
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