Reusable Bags NewsReuse & Recycle Eco Community

Care about our world’s oceans, plants and animals?  Of course you do, and you’re not alone. Concerned people everywhere agree we have an environmental disaster of historic proportions on our hands in the Gulf of Mexico. You may have heard that the oil spill appears to be larger than previously thought.  Purdue University engineering professor Steve Wereley, after analyzing BP’s congressionally mandated live video feed of the spill, estimates that up to 100,000 barrels of oil are leaking from the bottom of the ocean every day.  This news adds to a laundry list of bad news on the worldwide environmental and economic front in recent years and it can be overwhelming and flat out depressing to think about.

But what can we do to help?  Most of us have jobs and families we must attend to. It’s not like we can just drop everything and head down the gulf to help with cleanup.  Furthermore, many of us wouldn’t have the slightest idea of how to help with an oil spill clean up or have the resources to make a significant difference.   So how can we be a part of the solution?

We have to stop thinking so big, and begin small.  It is little decisions like riding our bike to work and recycling our aluminum cans that is what we must do to help.   For far too long our culture has treated issues such as recycling as “optional” and with complete ignorance.  We have an extremely short memory as a society.  As an example, check out Anne Casselman’s article about the Top 10 Biggest Oil Spills in History at PopularMechanics.com. The shocker is that the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 doesn’t even make the list.  Oil spills keep happening throughout the world repeatedly and we all act like this is a once in a decade thing or something.

The truth is that oil will continue to be drilled as long as there is demand for it.  Our culture’s attitude about clean energy and the green movement needs an immediate shift.  But like I said, we must start small and simple!  For example, another huge environmental issue is the amount of plastic that is being used in this world, and this plastic is ending up in our oceans just like the oil.   You’ll be shocked if this is your first time hearing about The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and as Oprah Winfrey reported last year “ is estimated to be twice the size of Texas”.   Although this giant garbage dump is composed of all kinds of floating trash and debris, plastic is the biggest problem because it never really decays completely.  So not only do we have oil spills in to our oceans, we also have plastic and trash spills.  According to the Container Recycling Institute, 51.9 billion beverage containers have been consumed so far this year, as of late May.  Reusable water bottles are a perfect example of the kind of simple changes we can make in our individual habits and lifestyles. Imagine the difference that can be made if the average person chooses to use stainless steel water bottles instead of plastic bottles.  In the same way, we can prevent environmental catastrophes by not driving gas guzzling inefficient cars and walking or using public transportation instead.

We all care deeply about the health of our planet, and now we need to turn our disgust for the disaster in the Gulf into simple action and minor adjustments in our lifestyle.  Don’t let the latest news get you down, develop a vision for a healthy planet and do the right thing: Go Green.

Imagine for a moment, a future world where all the paper products we consume can sprout into a flower if planted in soil.  Like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory where everything is edible, except in this ideal world: all the paper is seeded and sproutable, and the schnozberries still taste like schnozberries!  As it turns out, seed paper makes this possibility a reality.

If you’ve never heard of seeded paper, you’re not alone; who knew paper made from seeds could produce a flower or any plant for that matter? Yes, despite the paper making process, the seeds can still germinate which allows them to sprout when planted.  Seed paper is a beautiful, attractive, and easily recyclable product that can include a variety of plant seeds.

But why should we use and spread the word about recyclable seed paper and all recycled paper for that matter?  According to the CWAC (Clean Water Action Council) the answer is because of the environmental damage caused by the paper industry, which is much more than just deforestation:

8 major environmental damages caused by the paper industry (CWAC.net):

• Contaminated Sediments, Fish & Ducks — major source of toxic chemicals in rivers.
• Continuing Toxic Pollution — major source of toxic chemical pollution.
• Conventional Air Pollution — large source of  air pollutants like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxides, sulfur dioxides, carbon monoxides and particulates.
• Energy Consumption — energy intensive, drawing larges amount of electricity from public utilities, or forcing mills to build their own power plants.
• Water Consumption — uses a great deal of water.
• Solid Waste — generally produces a large amount of solid waste
• Deforestation — Worldwide, enormous tracts of forest are affected by the paper industry, contributing to the world’s tragic deforestation trends.
• Corruption of Democracy — The paper industry is a special interest and is well taken care of by the politicians and government.

Most of us are aware of global warming, man’s ever-growing carbon footprint, and harmful man-made pollution of all kinds.  We see with our own eyes the harmful toll on the environment caused by the cumulative effects of our individual human actions and habits.  We want to reduce, reuse, recycle, and make this world a better place for future generations, but sometimes we need to be encouraged, inspired, and reminded.  Seed paper is a great way to inspire each other to go green.

If you’re a business professional, environmentalist, business owner, salesperson, or just sending your annual holiday letter to friends and family, using seeded paper as your correspondence stationary is a great way to convey your personal or organization-wide commitment to reducing your carbon footprint while also saving trees.   Every time you give out your seed business card, or send out your holiday seed cards you are spreading the good news about seeded paper, recycling, and the absolute necessity for all of us to live and be eco friendly.  As the 40^th anniversary of Earth Day approaches (April 22^nd), there has never been a more appropriate time for companies to show their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint by adopting green practices to make this world a better place for future generations.

So how’s that 2010 new years resolution going? Well, if you’re like many or even most of us, you may have already given up.  It can be extremely difficult to change one habit.  In fact, we may go year after year making the same promise to ourselves to break a bad habit.  Then we break the promise of breaking that habit (sound familiar smokers, habitual soda drinkers, or fast-food eaters?).  It’s a vicious cycle! How do we break it?

I propose we adopt a strategy of changing a variety of simple and easy things in our lives, right now, instead of having just one goal for change.  What if changing in just one way is not enough? As we make decisions to change, even in small ways, we gain momentum and confidence in our ability to make positive changes regarding some of the more difficult things like working out regularly and finally losing that extra weight.  So let’s start building that confidence!

I see two simple yet significant ways I can change our planet and myself.  First, I’ll use eco friendly reusable or recycled shopping bags instead of plastic and paper bags when I shop.  Secondly, I’ll remember to use stainless steel water bottles. You may be surprised by what a positive influence these two easy habits can have on the world.

These habits are simple, easy and affordable.  Furthermore, contrary to popular belief, plastic containers and bags are not addictive (we promise, no withdrawals or cravings)!  Many aren’t mindful of how our usage of these products affect our planet’s health.  Once upon a time not long ago, we weren’t mindful of the harmful effects of cigarettes.  We accepted cigarette smoke as the status quo.  Some of us still smoke or live in communities where smoking is allowed in public indoor spaces.  Using reusable grocery bags and reusable water bottles can be new healthy habits and so easy compared to something like quitting caffeine, high fructose corn syrup or eliminating fast food from our diets.  Keep a stash of eco friendly recycled bags in your car, backpack, or shoulder bag.  Make a small investment in a stainless steel reusable water bottle and bring it with you everywhere you go.  You will not only reduce the harmful affects of disposable bag and disposable bottle waste in our environment, you will also inspire others to make these simple changes in their lives as well.

The best part is how you will feel about yourself when you realize you’re now part of the solution, rather than the problem.  Check out the stats and facts:

Disposable bag usage:

• Plastic bag waste pollutes our lands, forests, ponds, rivers, lakes, and oceans.
• Just since the year began (as of March 1st, 2010), it is estimated that over 82 Billion plastic bags have been consumed in the USA.
• According to the EPA this contributes to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals (who ingest and subsequently choke or die of starvation as a result).
• In California alone, an estimated 19 billion plastic bags end up in landfills each year.
• Although there is debate about which one (plastic vs. paper) is worse for the environment, there is no debate that the widespread adoption of reusable eco bags is by far the best solution for this significant environmental problem.

Plastic bottle usage:

• According to the Container Recycling Institute (CRI), more than 21 billion beverage cans and bottles have been landfilled, littered and incinerated so far this year (yes just since 2010 began).
• CRI also reports that Americans purchase an estimated 34.6 billion single serve plastic bottles every year and hundreds of millions end up in the same places that disposable bags end up.

We all dream of a day when we finally break loose of our bad habits:  quitting smoking, eliminating fast food in our diet, or just getting off the couch and working out!  You know you can do it!  Determine what you can easily change now, and act on it.  So make a simple change in your life today: Adopt a reusable shopping bags and stainless steel water bottle habit and start building momentum for greater changes that are beginning in your life right now!

I’d like to welcome Gordon and Wendy with BioGreen Systems to our eco community. Here’s there vision on the importance of raising awareness and green education…

The mission of BioGreen Systems Inc is to help educate and bring awareness
to the fact that there are safe, non-toxic, “green” alternatives available
to replace the toxic and potentially hazardous products the average person
now uses on a daily basis.

At BioGreen Systems, Inc. we take great pride in being able to provide a
complete line of high quality “Green Products” for Personal Care, Home
Cleaning and Laundry Care. These are the types of products that we all use
on a daily basis. What is most important to you in your search for “Green
Products” to use in your home or office? Is it the quality, the value, the
benefits to you and the environment, the availability, the company’s “green
integrity” or all of the above? Whatever your answer, BioGreen can meet your
needs.

BioGreen’s products are the very best that science and technology has to
offer, they are not tested on animals and are truly non-toxic, earth
sensitive, “green” products. They are not only safe, but also, cost
effective and multi-purpose. (Example: BioGreen’s EcoPure, mixed 20 to 1
with water, costs less than 50 cents per quart!) Most importantly, the use
of BioGreen’s products will help protect not only you and your family, but
also the surrounding environment. Our products are easily available, just a
“click” away when ordered online and shipped directly to you. Since
BioGreen’s products are so highly concentrated, (many are mixed with water
before using, saving you money) they require less packaging, which means
less fuel to ship, thereby having less of an impact on the environment. By
careful packing BioGreen is able to ship the products in the least amount of
packaging possible. With our use of packing peanuts made from cornstarch,
which are completely water soluble and are harmless to the environment, this
demonstrates just one more way that BioGreen gives evidence of our “green
integrity”.

Learn more about their green sustainable products on their website. We all need to be more concious of the toxic and unnecessary waste we produce on a daily basis. Wendy and Gordon are leaders in the green revolution!

Universal Botanicals is the latest green company in our eco community and offers eco conscious green cleaners for your home which are chemical free and safe around children as well as healthy for the environment. Here’s some more about Universal Botanicals green approach and business practices…

Universal Botanicals’ Green Certified Cleaning Products are Chemical Free, Non Toxic, Biodegradable and most importantly, SAFE FOR CHILDREN!  Our Green Cleaners are made from 100% renewable & sustainable resources and are approved for the chemically-sensitive, immuno-compromised, those with asthma & allergies, babies and even your pets!

Universal Botanicals is the first and ONLY company to package its Green Cleaners in BIODEGRADABLE BOTTLES!  Over time, this will exponentially reduce our landfill dilemma and the oceanic plastic pollution mass, providing a safer world for future generations!

Universal Botanicals also features Benefect Botanical Disinfectant, the ONLY Disinfectant to ever have any  type of Green-Certification that is also 100% Chemical Free and Biodegradable.  It is EPA Registered & Approved and has been tested to kill over 99.99% of bacteria (including MRSA, STAPH, STREP, E-coli and much more), viruses (HIV, Influenza etc.) and even mold and mildew.  There’s nothing else like it in the world!

Visit Universal Botanicals today to learn more about how you can utilize green cleaning products in your home to make it safer for your children and pets and healthier for our environment!

I’d like to welcome Andy at SayItGreen.com, he just wrote a great article on the concerns of global warming and insurmountable statistical proof that if we don’t make large scale changes we could see a 6 degree increase in climate by 2050, Yikes! Here’s Andy’s vision with his organic cotton apparel outlet…

Say it Green! offers custom-printed apparel made exclusively from organically grown materials and produced according to fair trade/fair labor practices. At our wind-powered website, visitors can custom design eco-friendly gifts or personal wear including shirts, aprons, bags, and baby clothing. We also help many organizations provide their own organic and fair-trade apparel, and offer wholesale and non-profit pricing upon request.

Even though Say it Green! is a for-profit business, we do not delight in encouraging American over-consumption. Instead, we strive to not only honor our customers with environmentally and socially sound goods and services, but also empower our customers by providing education and transparency about the real impacts of the t-shirt printing supply chain.

All of our products are 100% certified organic cotton, which means non of the pesticides and harsh chemicals typical of conventional cotton are used in our products. In addition, we are proud that all of our products are made with fair labor practices: produced in a healthy and safe working environment by adult (not children) workers who are paid fair wages, work fair hours, and have the power for collective bargaining

Visit Andy’s organic apparel store and stay up with his blog for more insightful information on eco issues.

Green Teas have played a significant role in healing and herbal remedies dating back to ancient far eastern cultures. The health benefits, anti oxidants and natural elements detoxify cure and keep the body healthy. I came across a wonderful Green Tea provider and here’s what they have to say about their fascination and dedication to Green Teas.

GreenTeaLovers.com is a socially responsible company that sells healthy green and white teas for health conscious consumers. Whereas supermarket green teas contain about 5%-6% antioxidants, our teas have levels as high as 20%. We sell teas from Asia and Africa. Our teas have various organic, fair trade, haacp and ISO 14001 environmental certifications and also belong to the ethical tea partnership. Finally we make our own efforts to reduce our carbon footprint by reinvesting into renewable energy like solar power (90-95% of our current consumption) and energy star heating systems 25% reduction in the use of heating oil.

A strong dedication to eco friendly production  and mastery of the ingredients in their tea, GreenTeaLovers Virtual Tea House is a must visit, there is a lot more good information on the history of tea remedies and their unique formula on their website.

Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of the celebrity touch. From Jay-Z making Cristal cool (and then taking it all back) to Bob Dole making it OK to talk about “problems down there,” a strong celebrity endorsement is often what it takes to bring a brand into the limelight. I still remember drinking Gatorade with my Wheaties thanks to number #23. While my palette has since advanced; I must admit, I still want to be like Mike.
In the above examples an individual product or brand is being promoted, but the same effect can be had for an entire cause or movement. From Brad Pitt freeing Tibet to Pamela Anderson baring it all for PETA, celebrity endorsements are often what it takes to rally the masses. Now it is the environments turn. Celebs are now seen everywhere from the red carpet to the red clay roads of Georgia (Ludacris’ new hybrid) displaying an eco friendly message. Green has gone chic.
Actresses such as Natalie Portman are ditching the Louis Vuitton in favor of eco bags. Why spend so much in this economy when for under a $1.00 you can be just as stylish, and convey a positive message, with a custom reusable bag? Eco friendly bags have endless options and designers at Factory Direct Promos are ready to assist in making your creative vision a reality. A good nonwoven bag should last up to two years of regular use. When you are done with it, the recyclable raw materials mean that it can return to the Earth, not sit in a landfill. If a stylish eco bag is good enough for Natalie Portman or Gwyneth Paltrow, it should suffice just fine for the rest of us as well.
Quality reusable bags are just the start, eco friendliness is starting to pop up in celebrity driveways as well. Next time you see Ludacris cruising down the road know there is a lot more to his ride then just a set of chrome wheels and a thundering sound system. Under the hood you’ll find a hybrid engine that uses methods such as regenerative braking to increase his MPG, decreasing harmful emissions in the process. Perhaps he is going back to his mansion, where he has solar panels on the roof. Brad Pitt is another convert. He recently traded in his fleet of convertibles for the new Lexus RX 400h luxury SUV hybrid. Once the new Tesla electric sports car goes into mass production, look out for motorists cruising past you in eco friendly style.
These celebrities didn’t do anything dramatic or life altering. Ms. Portman simply opted to use reusable bags, while Ludacris and Brad bought a few new cars. This is exactly the point; there is no longer a reason not to use eco friendly products. They are cool and chic, display a positive message about your brand or self, and are quite affordable. The trendsetters are going the eco friendly route, so why shouldn’t you?
The impact is even more felt for business owners and marketing managers. No longer is it acceptable in the public’s eye to be wasteful or a polluter. Opting to use eco-friendly products, such as polypropylene bags in place of plastics, means that you are sending a message to your potential customers that you care about this Earth of ours. The little decisions we make really do add up. Next time you are in need of custom manufacturing, do the right thing, choose Factory Direct Promos.