Reusable Bags NewsReuse & Recycle Eco Community

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.

In these tough economic times, shopping may be a luxury for most.  But if the things you use the most in life are wearing thin from use, such as your favorite kitchen, bed and bath linens,  buying organic is a guilt free way to breathe some life back into your favorite areas of the home.  Home entertainment is on the rise and it will lift your spirits to invite friends and family members over for a fabulous home cooked meal and “game night”. 

The Pristine Home strives to bring you the finest organic bedding, bath, and kitchen linens.  The owner, Lee Hemming, wants to provide her customers with a little bit of luxury. Organics cost a little more, so they want to be sure that you get more. You’ll get the softest, longest lasting sheets and the silkiest, most absorbent towels from The Pristine Home. The offerings are more limited than some other stores because they just aren’t satisfied with average, big store volume products. 

So invite your friends and family members over for a great dinner and game night and let The Pristine Home nourish your lifestyle. Clean, original, of the earth, “Pristine”.  And try this great organic smoothy recipe for plenty of energy too:

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces ice cubes
• 1-2 ripe bananas
• 1/4-1/2 cup organic vanilla yogurt (substitute flavor to suit your taste)
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 1 tablespoon raw honey
• 1/2 cup cubed fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
• 1 cup frozen whole strawberries
• 2 cups orange juice

Directions

1. Fill your blender with ingredients and blend until smooth.  Change the fruit depending on availability.

I’d like to introduce Yvonne and her company Environmental Products Distribution Company (EDPCO) to our eco community. She distributes reusable tightly woven cotton coffee filters around the world to cut down on one-use paper filters! Here’s some more about the Eco Filter

Environmental Products Distribution Company was founded in 1993. EPDCO is the manufacture and distributor of the trademarked product, Eco Filter. Yvonne Amarillas directs the manufacturing and distribution through out the US from our headquarters in Hermosa Beach, California, USA.  In 1997  EPDCO introduced the Eco Filter to the European market and expanded its distribution.

Our primary goal is to preserve our precious trees, reduce waste factor and strive for all of us to breathe cleaner air. EPDCO is determined to make a difference by educating people about sustainable lifestyles. EPDCO is dedicated to the preservation of our environment for the future generation.

Eco Filter is made of 100% natural tightly woven cotton that  filters out all, but the most aromatic, smoothest tasting coffee possible.  Aroma is what Eco Filters deliver best. Easy to use, clean and its durability are considered it’s unique advantages over all other coffee filters.

We take great pride in manufacturing our product in the USA, and stand 100% behind our product ,satisfaction guaranteed.

Check out her website for more information on her cotton coffee filters.

I’d like to welcome the innovators at Rishi Tea to our eco community. They produce only authentic loose leaf teas straight from tea gardens across Asia using ancient artisanal practices, organic cultivation methods and fair trade practices. It began in 1997 by a man named Joshua Kaiser, a long time traveler and student of asian tea-making techniques and the 1000’s of years of history behind tea-making in the far east. He had a vision to bring this unique taste to North America.

Each year Rishi Tea travels thousands of miles to find the points of origin where the tea leaves are harvested creating personal bonds with the families who have been cultivating the leafs for generations and setting up relationships that benefit the tea farmers and helps them sustain their industry and ancient techniques. Here’s Rishi’s dedication to sustainable organic manufacturing of their teas…

Rishi Tea’s commitment to sustainability is a core company philosophy that stems from the organic tea gardens where our teas are harvested. Our firsthand experience in many tea-growing regions led to our heightened awareness of the dire need for social responsibility. Rishi Tea was among the first to earn organic certification under the USDA’s Natural Organic Program in November of 2002 and at the forefront in the advancement of Fair Trade Certified tea, becoming one of the highest payers of social premiums from the sale of Fair Trade tea. The TransFair USA Fair Trade Certified projects with which Rishi partners directly support a better life for the tea-farming families and their communities through fair prices, fair wages, safe working conditions, environmental sustainability, education and community development.

Visit Rishi Tea and browse all of their different unique flavors and blends. You will notice a distinct difference in flavor and quality when you taste the true origin of loose leaf tea from asian tea gardens.

I’d like to welcome Sandie and her company Organic Matters who run 4 beautiful websites focusing on equine nutrition, cozy egyptian sheets, organic skin care products and organic cosmetics online. With their dedication to organic made products and environmental consciousness they are ambassadors for the future of our planet and it’s animals! Here is some information on each of their online stores. Visit them today!

Equine Nutrition
We understand and believe that nutrition is the key to performance and health. There are interesting health and performance similarities between human and horse, particularly when either is developing physical perfection and athleticism. When we ask more of our horse we need to give back in the way of nutrients to ensure continued health and stamina. This is vital and we want to be here to supply you with the highest quality products possible. It does not matter whether you are competing at any level or have a beloved pet in your care we know you want the best quality nutrients. We provide the industry’s highest concentration of active ingredients.

Organic Skin Care
Organic Skin Care Online is proud to provide you with organic skin care that is safe and nourishing to your skin and body. Our full line of skin care, baby care, body care and toothpaste provide with everything you need to nourish your skin with products you know are good for you and the planet too! We know how important your health is and so understand why you would want to put only certified organic products on and in your body. You will love the way they make your skin and hair feel too.

Organic Cosmetics
We believe looking great shouldn’t mean you have to put yourself at risk of making your body ill. Nature gives us the plants and fibers we can use to protect our skin, smell great, and have lovely healthy skin too. It is our mission to help you get all the organic products you want while feeling great about what you put on your skin. The rise of various illnesses in women may have a correlation with the toxins in regular products we have been using without realizing how harmful chemicals can be.

Cozy Egyptian Cotton Sheets
Egyptian cotton is noted across the world for its quality, durability, and luxurious comfort. For that reason, we only offer 100% Egyptian cotton. Crafted from cotton grown in the lush Nile River Valley, Egyptian cotton is sturdy, yet its softness is enhanced with each washing. Unlike other sheets, Egyptian cotton sheets just keep getting better with age. Whether you need a king pillow case or the luxury of a goose down pillow, trust us with all your bedding needs.

“We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb.

This is the first thing that caught my eye when I visited Positively Organic and it touched me deeply. I’d like to welcome Peter with Positively Organic to our eco community.  They offer a wide variety of excellent apparel for children and organic baby clothes. Here’s some information on the history of Postively Organic and their eco friendly approach…

Combining luxuriously-soft organic cotton and sweatshop-free manufacturing with bold graphics, bright colors and hip, yet simple designs, Positively Organic’s delightful collection of children’s apparel is not just fun to wear — it’s kinder to the planet and to the people who make them.

Positively Organic was founded by New York city residents Nancy and Peter Possenti, on the simple belief that when it comes to dressing kids, parents shouldn’t have to choose between style and sustainability. With a clear vision, great passion and big dreams — but limited resources — the Possenti’s started their company working late nights and weekends while also holding other jobs.  Tapping into their diverse backgrounds and talents, they designed a website, ordered some inventory and, with a heat press in their living room, started fulfilling orders.

At Positively Organic, we passionately believe in the idea of doing well by doing good.  As our company grows, we’re strongly committed to “putting our money where our heart is”  by taking care of our environment, our communities and, most importantly, our children in a number of ways. Working exclusively with socially responsible companies and making sure that the workers who make our products are paid a living wage and treated with dignity. Supporting causes that are near and dear to our hearts in 4 key areas:  Children’s Health and Welfare, Environmental Sustainability, Economic Justice, Artistic Expression.

I personally love olive oil, I cook all my food with it and being a Psoriasis sufferer I supplement my diet with a good amount of olive oil to help my skin. I just swallow a spoonful everyday! I’m happy to welcome Steve McCulley with Apollo Olive Oil to our eco community. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary and have been awarded Five Golds, Three Silvers, and a Bronze so far this year along with – Best US Organic Olive Oil – Biol, Italy 2009 and Best of Class at the LA County International Olive Oil Competition 2009. Here’s what Steve has to say about their approach to making delicious organic olive oil…

Our olive oil is 100% raw, first-crush, cold-pressed on the only mill in America designed to maximize polyphenol (anti-oxidant) extraction, resulting in oils with extraordinary intensity of flavor and health benefits. Apollo Olive Oil is one of just a few California olive oils that are certified both organic and extra virgin.

In 2006, Apollo Olive Oil was named one of the Top Ten Olive Oil Producers In The World, by the prestigious Milan judging panel, I Mastri Oleari, the first California oil to be so honored.

Our commitment to craftsmanship extends from grove to bottle. We propagate our own cuttings from superior stock, tend our trees with organic, sustainable methods, harvest by hand at optimum ripeness and closely monitor every phase of the milling process. Our oil is a pure, unadulterated product, certified as Extra Virgin by the California Olive Oil Council, and documented by a top Italian lab for its extremely high polyphenolic content.

Check out his website to learn more about their olive oil selections!

I’d like to welcome Cecilia at Green Poppies Florists to our eco community.  Green Poppies has an excellent commitment to eco friendly practice and organic flower arrangements. They have very good prices even though they take every measure to provide only the finest and most beautiful flower arrangements and special wedding flower arrangements as well. Here’s Cecilia’s vision and cause as an eco friendly Florist…

Eventhough no existing company is perfectly environmentally responsible, here in Montreal, at L’atelier de Fleurs Green Poppies we do our best efforts to become one.  We created this small business in Quebec and is managed by individual proprietors.  Our flowers are either fair trade, local or organic and therefore its production minimizes the release of toxic chemicals into the environment

Some efforts are being done such as using all the packaging of recycled materials and reuse all the materials that come from the original vendor. Environmental considerations as production, distribution and disposal are always integrated on our daily sales and floral creations. Our flowers are certified fair trade and we try to buy all other products sold in our shop from local artists, products that are locally made or that have a social impact.

We open our doors to clients, students and people in general to our volunteer program, for people to get in touch with nature and with the fair trade concept. And of course are trying to get known by consumers and getting them to buy fair trade flowers not only for their green events, but also in their day-to-day life.

Our floral arranging workshops are fully loaded with information not only regarding the floral arranging, but the importance of buying fair trade products.

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.