If that wasn’t a spectacular enough re-purposing, try this: make a summer-time dehydrator with nothing more than a cardboard box, foil and plastic wrap. Create the green living dehydrator by simply lining the inside of a plain cardboard box with foil. Punch a small hole in each side of the box for ventilation. Then, place a single layer of the foods to be dehydrated, such as apples, in the box and cover the opening with plastic wrap. Place in full sun in the hottest part of the summer, and see how quickly foods can dry!

Of course, no green eco-friendly home would be complete without appropriate décor made from the materials found in Nature. For example, large shells make fantastic bookends. Simply clean and dry well, then fill the inner shell area with Plaster of Paris, making sure to keep the plaster level and smooth. Once that is completely dry, cover with felt or material, and enjoy.

Repurposing items into crafts is not for everyone, and some people would simply prefer to conserve energy, enjoy green technology in their homes, or save money. As more people turn to simpler living, others are seeing how easy it can be. However, whether or not someone is a Michelangelo of the green movement and can build a cabin by hand with nothing more than a handsaw does not mean that everyone else can or should. Rather, consistent small steps often make the most difference.

For example, according to plasticbagrecycling.org, in 2010, the recycling centers in the United States reported an astonishing 50% increase in plastic bag recycling alone. This saved half a billion pounds of plastic from going into a landfill. Not only are plenty of people returning their plastic bags for recycling, they are now using eco-friendly reusable tote bags for their groceries instead.

The next time someone in the house wants to throw away cardboard, old fabric or even silverware, see if it can’t be used creatively instead. A good rule of thumb: if it hasn’t been used in the last year, it is time to let it go.

Among the worst household energy wasters are the rechargers that people tend to keep plugged in even when they’re not in use. With 44 percent of American households owning at least four devices that use rechargers, investing in a solar recharger is a greener option. Solar rechargers can be left on the dashboard of a car or a sunny windowsill when not in use. The devices use the power of the sun to recharge items like mobile devices and MP3 players.

There are a number of ways to reduce a home’s heating and cooling costs, from insulating the attic to weather sealing windows. One of the most affordable options is a programmable thermostat. These inexpensive devices can be programmed to turn off when the family is away and turn on in time to have the home cool or warm again when the family returns. Just making that one adjustment can save 10 percent on more on energy bills.

While it’s always advisable to purchase products with an Energy Star label when it comes to buying appliances, people needn’t spend one penny to begin making their homes more energy-efficient. Cooking a meal in a crock-pot takes less energy than cooking the same meal in the oven. Opening window coverings on south-facing windows during cold days allows sunlight to help warm the room. Cleaning refrigerator coils keeps the appliance running efficiently.

From replacing furnace filters every month during the winter to reduce heating costs to using power strips so that a number of electronics can be switched off all at once, even small changes in purchases and practices can add up to big savings, both for the pocketbook and the planet.

During our daily lives, we can find small ways to use less energy and save money. Lowering your hot water heater thermostat to 120 degrees Fahrenheit will save you money, as will taking shorter showers instead of running a bath tub full of hot water. When doing dishes, only use your dishwasher when you have a full load. Consider air drying your dishes instead of leaving them in the dishwasher to dry on high heat. Cell phone chargers, televisions, computers and DVD players all use energy while they are plugged into an outlet, even if they are on standby. By plugging your electronics into one power strip, you can easily flip the switch to turn them all off at once. Using Energy Star approved products such as light bulbs, electronics and appliances will save you money throughout the year. These products bear the Energy Star seal and have met strict energy efficiency guidelines.

By making these few small changes, you can save some money on your energy bills and lessen the impact on our energy resources. Taking the whole house approach to energy usage is the key to accomplishing this goal. Additional ways to save energy can be obtained by requesting a home energy audit from your energy provider. Technicians are trained to spot even the smallest ways energy usage can be saved, which will benefit you every month when you pay your electric bill.

Finally, don’t forget to use reusable shopping bags.  They save you money and save the environment too.

green shopping

More than just recycling, going green can be extended to many of our everyday activities. Take shopping. Everyone needs to shop at one time or another whether out of necessity or for pleasure. Why not try shopping green. It’s easy, fun, and rewarding.

If you think buying green is too expensive, you will be surprised to learn how much money you can actually save. Here are eleven amazingly easy ways to shop green.

1. Before you walk out the door, grab your reusable shopping bags. Using reusable shopping bags is an easy first step to going – and shopping – green. Cumulatively, the manufacture, transport, and disposal of plastic shopping bags creates a huge strain on the environment. A recent Wall Street Journal article reported, “The U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually at an estimated cost to retailers of $4 billion.” Retailers are passing that $4 billion dollar cost right back to the consumers.

2. Green-up your wardrobe. The greenest clothing is the clothing you already own. Change it up by adding unique buttons or a trendy scarf. When you really do need new clothes, buy items that can be washed in cold and line dried. Avoid items that require dry cleaning. Find treasures and trends at thrift stores.

3. Buy organic when possible. Organic food is grown without chemical pesticides. Pesticides contribute to water pollution and soil contamination.

4. Buy products with reusable containers. You’ll save money and won’t be adding to already overflowing landfills. Pass up styrofoam containers such as egg cartons. Buy products in cardboard containers, which are recyclable.

5. Purchase products made from recycled products. Look for the “100% Recycled Paperboard” logo on products. According to the EPA, each ton of recycled paper can save: 3.5 cubic yards of landfill, 17 thirty foot trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 380 gallons of oil, all the while eliminating 60 pounds of air pollutants.

6. Buy products in containers that can be recycled in your community. Your favorite ketchup may come in a handy squeezable container, but those containers are made with several layers of plastic and are difficult to recycle. Most communities accept glass and certain plastics for recycling. Find out what your community recycles and shop for products in those containers.

7. Vinegar, baking soda and hot water are your friends and not just for cooking. All three products make excellent household cleaners without harmful chemicals that could end up in the environment. Baking soda deodorizes, cleans, and softens water. Vinegar is great for cleaning windows and is also good for cleaning hard water deposits out of shower heads, irons and coffee pots.

8. Choose things that last, such as cloth diapers, rechargeable batteries, and energy saving light bulbs.

9. Look for the Star! Buy energy-efficient items. Choosing items with the Energy Star logo helps the environment, but also helps your pocket book by saving on your utilities bills.

10. Shop for your electronic equipment at a retailer who has or works with an electronic re-use or recycling facility. E-recycling is catching on everywhere and helps reduce the need for landfills.

11. Shop local. Buy locally grown or manufactured products that are not transported long distances, and therefore do not add to air pollution (greenhouse gas). Local businesses tend to also purchase locally, reducing the need for transporting products long distance. Less transport means less greenhouse gas.

plastic grocery bags

The growing concern for environmental conditions doesn’t always translate into immediate action in a busy household. Recycling takes effort, after all, and elimination of wasteful behaviors takes time. The rising concern is worthy of note, as according to the EPA, only eight percent of plastic waste created in 2010 was recycled. While recycling can help to limit wasteful behaviors, it’s also true that eliminating the need for plastic products can improve the scenario. Families can work creatively to approach the issue of limiting the wasteful use of plastic products, especially with regard to plastic grocery bags.

Large store chains have already promoted the cause of reusing bags, many incorporating monetary rewards into the process. For years, recycling boxes at the front of stores have provided a place for easy return of used plastic shopping bags. However, in the last two years reusable grocery bags have become a promotional alternative. Stores gain advertising traction by providing branded, reusable grocery bags for sale, and customers are able to use these bags in their shopping trips to save the waste that is associated with plastic bags.

There is an advantage in using the fabric grocery bags in terms of shape. The rectangular shape is easy to place in the vehicle and packs quite well. The formless plastic bag often leads to broken jars or mashed produce, but the defined shape of a reusable grocery sack makes it easy to pack properly. The material is sturdy, easy to carry with strong handles. Insulated versions are excellent for transporting cold or frozen products, especially during warm weather. The cost of a reusable bag is usually less than a dollar, and over time, the bags replace hundreds of plastic bags.

Stores offering incentives for reusable bags being used make it possible for customers to save. Some companies provide a monetary reward for periodic use of fabric bags. In the case of CVS, a dollar reward is given when a green bag tag is scanned for two visits. This must be in conjunction with a reusable bag being used or hand carrying of products replacing the use of plastic grocery bags. Other companies provide reward points for each reusable bag brought for bagging groceries. These points accrue for monetary or fuel discounts.

One of the biggest challenges for families in implementing this simple recycling strategy is time. Busy households sometimes move so quickly that they don’t remember to bring along the fabric bags. Assigning reminder responsibilities and using positive reinforcement can help. If a child is the recycling monitor for the household, he can take the responsibility of helping everyone else remember. In the process, he takes ownership and the family becomes more proficient at eliminating plastic waste.

Family cooperation can contribute to environmental improvements. Plastic waste can be reduced and plastic recycling can be improved. Working together, children and parents can make a difference.

reusable bags

Reusable bags are not only eco-friendly, but they also can help to save money. Some places give consumers a credit on their bill for every reusable bag they bring. While this usually amounts to five cents per bag in savings, it is still a cost reduction on the overall price paid. Unlike wimpy paper sacks that break when wet or plastic bags with easily ripped handles, reusable shopping bags hold more and can carry heavier weights without breaking. Consumers also gain an added benefit from not having to deal with piles of plastic or paper sacks after the groceries have been put away. Reusable bags fold flat for convenient storage anywhere, and keeping one or two in the back of a car is a good idea to be ready for an unplanned shopping trip.

Eco-friendly bags provide a service to consumers that paper grocery sacks cannot do: keep foods cold. Many reusable bags have insulation built into the material. These insulated grocery bags keep ice cream from melting and milk fresher longer than standard bags. These bags come in handy when making a trip to the grocery store is only one of several errands to run. Though they extend the time foods remain at a desired temperature, food should not be left in an insulated grocery bag for more than two hours to prevent spoilage. For safety, wash the bags regularly in hot, soapy water to kill germs. Insulated grocery bags have another use as extra-large picnic bags for carrying party-sized entrees to a picnic or potluck.

Rather than waiting for their city to ban plastic or paper bags, consumers can take the greener option now and opt for reusable shopping bags. These bags help retailers save money since they do not have to buy single-use bags and may help the customer to save money in bag incentive programs. Aside from the money savings, reusable bags free space in landfills and waterways where plastic sacks collect but do not readily decompose. If everyone used cloth or insulated shopping bags, the amount of bag waste overall could be dramatically reduced.

Reusable shopping bags appear to be the trend for future shoppers. Electing to use them creates a win-win situation for both the consumers and retailers. Consumers should embrace the future now and use the greener choice for shopping and grocery bags.

Reusable Grocery Bag

Reported by the Wall Street Journal in 2007, Keith Christman (senior director of packaging for the plastics division of the American Chemistry Council) defended the use of plastic bags by citing that 90 percent of Americans recycle plastic bags in the form of re-use for things such as trash disposal, lunch bags, and pet waste.

However, that doesn’t reduce the number of plastic bags that wind up in landfills and create toxins as they breakdown. The most sustainable and realistic solution seems to be the use of reusable shopping bags. The benefit of using these Green Bags goes far beyond catering to people who are interested in thinking green.

Fabric bags are capable of carrying a much heavier load than plastic bags, thereby reducing the trips from your car to the kitchen.  It means a small number of fabric Eco-friendly bags can replace many plastic bags. They also mean positive advertising for companies that sell reusable bags with their logos on them such as Whole Foods or Target. Additionally, many of these companies also provide an incentive to their customers for using reusable grocery bags by taking 5 or 10 cents off their bill.

It has been estimated that a single reusable shopping bag is capable of eliminating the use of hundreds of plastic bags. And, despite Mr. Christman’s argument that many people re-use plastics bags, a reusable fabric bag can serve many of the same purposes as a plastic one, such as carrying a lunch.

No doubt that Reusable Grocery Bags have come a long way so that you don’t just use them to shop, you use them to express yourself! They are a functional accessory that makes you Eco-friendly and helps you save money, even if it is just pennies. They have even designed insulated grocery bags that can keep your eggs and milk cool until you get home. Those bags can also be used for a more enjoyable picnic! A plastic bag cannot do that.

It’s not often that a trend addresses and benefits the greater good, but the reusable shopping bag is exactly that. No one wants to be the one responsible for damaging Mother Earth. If you haven’t already, select a few reusable grocery bags or perhaps even some insulated ones and make yourself a cutting edge green shopper. After all, being green is the cat’s meow.

Reusable Bags

High quality reusable bags are becoming more and more popular not only in the US, but around the world. Reusable bags are becoming fashionable accessories that are both eco friendly, trendy and stylish. Planet Earth Bag offers a wide range of personalized and brandable bags for people or agencies who want to save money, care about our environment, want to lower waste and really desire to sport their stylish-side. Reusable earth friendly bags are the future if we are to preserve our environment. Planet Earth Bag offers trendy eco type bags, recyclable totes and we can customize hot cold bag or insulated thermal bags, which are durable and sure to last. Groups can use these eco type bags for fundraisers, business promotion at trade shows, etc… Your use for eco type bags is only limited by your own imagination. This is a win-win situation and why so many people turn to Planet Earth located at www.PlanetEarthBag.com when looking for customized bags.

The Many Functions of Reusable Bags

These reusable grocery bags can be used for many situations. Some individuals use them for grocery shopping whereas others use them as purses, tote bags, or for weekend trips. These

bags are biodegradable and can be used for promotional events, to fund raise, or for businesses that really want to market themselves in a socially responsible manner. Thus, everyone from stay-at-home mothers to small businesses can make use of these accessories.

Durable Materials and Diverse Designs

Planet Earth friendly bags are made with the best materials around. Thus, one can be sure to not only have an eye-catching item, but one that will last. This ensures that both individuals and groups get their money’s worth from such an investment. One can invest in a number of styles, too. For example, there are gift and tote bag designs as well as thermal ones, too. Having so many different options means that people can choose the right message, logo, colors and design for their needs.

Help the Earth Be More Environmentally Conscious

Nations around the world are becoming more environmentally conscious. Thus, investing in reusable bags is important for people and businesses that want to keep up with the times, do something kind for the world and show customers they are conscious of such issues. Investing in these bags is sure to set businesses apart from the competition and help the world at the same time.

Planet Earth Bag make available bags in high quantities so that businesses/organizations can buy in bulk. Additionally, once ordered and designed, the reusable bags will be finished fast. This quick turnaround is important to groups that need the bags for a specific fundraiser or event. For a free custom reusable bag quote, interested parties need to email or call Planet Earth Bag at 1-888-623-3326 today to get started.

Eco-Scaping

Most homeowners take great delight in having a beautifully manicured, artfully arranged, aesthetically pleasing yard, but such perfection can wreak havoc upon the environment, not to mention the pocketbook. The climate change crisis brings with it loss of habitat, dwindling natural resources, and increased water conservation measures, and the imperative need for environmentally healthier alternatives must begin at home. Homeowners can contribute to a greener, safer world by eco-scaping at home in yards and gardens. Eco-scaping, also sometimes called greenscaping, is the careful, conscientious art of creating a harmonious, ecological balance between people and nature that preserves the delicate integrity of the environment while satisfying the desire for visual beauty.

Plastic Garbage

Have you ever wondered how big the plastic bag problem really is? Have you ever noticed that even though reusable canvas bags are offered for sale at most major supermarkets that nobody in line is actually using them? Most Americans don’t realize that by throwing away their plastic bags they are contributing to a world-wide problem that affects the landfills, the ocean, and in turn.. us.

We need to start thinking green and implementing reusable bags into our daily lives. It’s important to take a minute to think about the environment before getting your groceries double-bagged in plastic. A few interesting facts may deter you next time you are in line at the grocery store:

Americans use over 100 billion plastic bags every year. http://dnr.wi.gov/org/aw/wm/recycle/issues/plasticbagsfaq.htm (source), which is an enormous amount of plastic bags, especially if they aren’t be recycled. Although plastic bag cans and recycling facilities exist, very few take advantage of these programs. Although some plastic bag users do recycle the bag and reuse them for home use – it is still going into the landfill where it won’t degrade. Plastic bags interfere with the landfill operation of deterioration.

There is a floating landmass of plastic in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas. http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/master.html?http://www.naturalhistorymag.com/1103/1103_feature.html (source)

Really? Yes, really. Although plastic bags do break down into smaller particles and pieces, often times it raises a bigger issue for marine life and animals in their natural habitats. When plastic is in small pieces it can be mistaken as a food source and can even get trapped on the animal suffocating it. It is estimated by the California Coastal Commission that nearly 80 percent of all marine debris is plastic. This number can eventually be reduced if we start thinking green and become active now as to avoid adding to the problem.

Both plastic and paper bags have drawbacks.
Plastic bags take more energy to manufacture than paper, but paper bags are heavier to transport. Although there are recycling programs for both, why not use a canvas bag that can be continually used? They come in fashionable shapes and sizes and are available online or in your local major supermarket.

So why not use canvas or reusable bags? Think about the estimate of how many plastic bags you use in a year. Now think about how many you will save when you start thinking green and using reusable grocery bags instead.