Green Washing Tips

Energy-efficient washers can use up to 50 percent less energy and 60 percent less water than standard machines. If you have a top loader, regardless of how old it is, consider replacing it with an energy-efficient front loader.

Energy Star-rated: These machines are 37 percent more energy-efficient and use 18 to 25 gallons per load, about half what traditional washers use. The percentages on our Product Comparison chart represent how much more energy-efficient an appliance is than federal standards require.

Water Factor: Part of the Energy Star rating, the Water Factor is a ratio of how much water is used compared to the size of the drum. For example, a machine with a 4-cubic-foot drum that uses 24 gallons per load has a water factor of 6. The figure is more accurate than gallons per load, since washers vary so much in size. The lower the number, the better. Energy Star-rated machines have water factors ranging from 3.2 to 7.9.

Front-loaders: Front-loading machines are, in general, more efficient than their top-loading counterparts, using 40 to 60 percent less water and 30 to 50 percent less energy. They also have the benefit of faster spin times, which means your clothes dry faster. Some local utilities offer rebates for purchasing front loaders.

Shopping Tips

• Select a washer with variable spin times. Faster spin cycles rid clothes of more water and aid in drying times.

Usage Tips

• Adjust the washing machine so that water levels match the load of laundry.
  
• Wash only full loads.
  
• Wash your clothes in cold water. A slight 10 percent of the electricity consumed in washing a load of clothes goes to run a washer's motor; the remaining 90 percent is used to heat the water. Washing clothes in cold water can cut CO2 emissions down by 100 pounds and save you up to $64 a year on your energy bill. In situations where hot water is necessary (for instance, to kill dust mites in bedding), use cold water to rinse.
  
• Use less detergent, and you'll save water by not having to run extra rinse cycles.

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Green Shopping and Marketing

Here are few eco-friendly products that you can use on your daily shopping and marketing activities. With these products, you can still be trendy and fashionable while saving our environment from further damage.

This fashionable eco-friendly reusable grocery bag can hold up to 30 lbs, has extra long handles, extra pockets, and tucks into a neat matching pocket for easy storage.

Red Hibiscus TuckerBag

Quantity = 1
Price = $7.95

Super strong and made of 100% rip-stop polyester, this bag is not only washable but incredibly versatile as to its use.

Buy one today or add this bag to any of our three or five pack combo's. The perfect gift or lifestyle companion.

Fair Trade African Market Basket Round
Quantity = 1
Price = $29.80

The Fair Trade African Market Baskets are GREAT! The Fair Trade African Market Basket are large (16"-18" diameter) (08-10 tall) strong durable colorful and every one is unique being entirely hand-made. Because the Fair Trade African Market Basket are hand made the sizes and colors might be different on every one.

Hemp-Fused Large Zipper Tote
Quantity = 1
Sale Price: $83.80 $79.61
You Save: $4.19

20L x 14H x 4.5W, Inner Zipper Pocket, Recessed Top Zipper Closure

The Anything Hemp Tote
Quantity = 1
Sale Price: $54.00 $41.99
You Save: $12.01

Sizes: Dimensions: 14" x 15.5"

Hemp-Cotton Tote

Sale Price: $9.99 $7.50
You Save: $2.49

A versatile durable tote bag made of hemp & cotton canvas (50/40). This Hemp-Cotton Tote is 11 1/4"w x 14.5" tall with a 6.5" bottom gusset 6" side gusset and 22" handles. 5.2 oz weight. Reinforced handles. The hemp fabric makes this bag both UV and mildew resistant...perfect for grocery shopping! Fun Fact: hemp is the oldest fiber used by man & has 8 times the tensile strength of cotton.

More eco-friendly products just click the banners below:

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10 Ways To Go Green At Work

Greener homes are in the spotlight these days, but what about the other places where many of us spend huge chunks of our time--our offices? Some simple changes of habit can save energy and resources at work, and these small steps can be multiplied by persuading the powers-that-be at your workplace to adopt environmentally friendly (and often cost-effective) policies. Here are your additional 10 ways to go green at work:

1. Be bright about light
Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.

• Make it a habit to turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
• Make it a policy to buy Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least two-thirds less energy than regular lighting, and install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.

2. Maximize computer efficiency
Computers in the business sector unnecessarily waste $1 billion worth of electricity a year.

• Make it a habit to turn off your computer—and the power strip it's plugged into—when you leave for the day. Otherwise, you're still burning energy even if you're not burning the midnight oil. (Check with your IT department to make sure the computer doesn't need to be on to run backups or other maintenance.) During the day, setting your computer to go to sleep automatically during short breaks can cut energy use by 70 percent. Remember, screen savers don't save energy.
• Make it a policy to invest in energy-saving computers, monitors, and printers and make sure that old equipment is properly recycled. Look for a recycler that has pledged not to export hazardous e-waste and to follow other safety guidelines. Old computers that still work, and are less than five years old, can be donated to organizations that will refurbish them and find them new homes. (You may even get a tax deduction.)

3. Print smarter
The average U.S. office worker goes through 10,000 sheets of copy paper a year.

• Make it a habit to print on both sides or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts. Avoid color printing and print in draft mode whenever feasible.
• Make it a policy to buy chlorine-free paper with a higher percentage of post-consumer recycled content. Also consider switching to a lighter stock of paper or alternatives made from bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, or kenaf. Recycle toner and ink cartridges and buy remanufactured ones. According to Office Depot, each remanufactured toner cartridge "keeps approximately 2.5 pounds of metal and plastic out of landfills...and conserves about a half gallon of oil."
  

4. Go paperless when possible

• Make it a habit to think before you print: could this be read or stored online instead? When you receive unwanted catalogs, newsletters, magazines, or junk mail, request to be removed from the mailing list before you recycle the item.
• Make it a policy to post employee manuals and similar materials online, rather than distribute print copies. They're easier to update that way too.
  

5. Ramp up your recycling

• Make it a habit to recycle everything your company collects. Just about any kind of paper you would encounter in an office, including fax paper, envelopes, and junk mail, can be recycled. So can your old cell phone, PDA, or pager.
• Make it a policy to place recycling bins in accessible, high-traffic areas and provide clear information about what can and can not be recycled.
  

6. Close the loop

• Make it a policy to purchase office supplies and furniture made from recycled materials.

7. Watch what (and how) you eat

• Make it a habit to bring your own mug and dishware for those meals you eat at the office.
• Make it a policy to provide reusable dishes, silverware, and glasses. Switch to Fair Trade and organic coffee and tea, and buy as much organic and local food as possible for parties and other events. Provide filtered drinking water to reduce bottled-water waste.
  

8. Rethink your travel

• Make it a habit to take the train, bus, or subway when feasible instead of a rental car when traveling on business. If you have to rent a car, some rental agencies now offer hybrids and other high-mileage vehicles.
• Make it a policy to invest in videoconferencing and other technological solutions that can reduce the amount of employee travel.
  

9. Reconsider your commute

• Make it a habit to carpool, bike, or take transit to work, and/or telecommute when possible. If you need to drive occasionally, consider joining a car-sharing service like Zipcar and Flexcar instead of owning your own wheels.
• Make it a policy to encourage telecommuting (a nice perk that's also good for the planet!) and make it easy for employees to take alternative modes of transportation by subsidizing commuter checks, offering bike parking, or organizing a carpool board.
  

10. Create a healthy office environment

• Make it a habit to use nontoxic cleaning products. Brighten up your cubicle with plants, which absorb indoor pollution.
• Make it a policy to buy furniture, carpeting, and paint that are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and won't off-gas toxic chemicals.

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39th Earth Day Celebration : Its History

What is Earth Day?

"Earth Day" is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. It is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. "Earth Day and every day "is a time to act to protect our planet.

How Earth Day was formed?

Earth Day is one of two observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. The United Nations celebrates an Earth Day each year on the March equinox, a tradition which was founded by peace activist John McConnell in 1969.

A second Earth Day, which was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970, is celebrated in many countries each year on April 22 with its history of creation below:

In September 1969 a conference was held in Seattle, Washington, U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin announced that in spring 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment. This occurred during a time of great concern about overpopulation and when there was a strong movement towards "Zero Population Growth." He viewed the stabilization of the nation's population is an important aspect of environmentalism. "The bigger the population gets, the more serious the problems become.

The United Nations, with the U.S. supporting it, took the position in Cairo in 1994 that every country was responsible for stabilizing its own population.

Five months before the first April 22 Earth Day, on Sunday, November 30, 1969, The New York Times carried a lengthy article by Gladwin Hill reporting on the rising hysteria of "global cooling":

"Rising concern about the environmental crisis is sweeping the nation's campuses with an intensity that may be on its way to eclipsing student discontent over the war in Vietnam. A national day of observance of environmental problems is being planned for next spring.

April 22, 1970, Earth Day marks the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Approximately 20 million Americans participated, with a goal of a healthy, sustainable environment.

Denis Hayes, the national coordinator, and his youthful staff organized massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting the status of environmental issues onto the world stage, Earth Day on April 22 in 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. The April 22 Earth Day in 2000 combined the big-picture feistiness of the first Earth Day with the international grassroots activism of Earth Day 1990.

For 2000, Earth Day had the Internet to help link activists around the world. By the time April 22 rolled around, 5,000 environmental groups around the world were on board, reaching out to hundreds of millions of people in a record 184 countries. Events varied: A talking drum chain traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa, for example, while hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., USA.

Earth Day 2000 sent the message loud and clear that citizens the world 'round wanted quick and decisive action on clean energy. Earth Day 2007 was one of the largest Earth Days to date, with an estimated billion people participating in the activities in thousands of places like Kiev, Ukraine; Caracas, Venezuela; Tuvalu; Manila, Philippines; Togo; Madrid, Spain; London; and New York.

Founded by the organizers of the first April 22 Earth Day in 1970, Earth Day Network promotes environmental citizenship and year round progressive action worldwide. Earth Day Network is a driving force steering environmental awareness around the world. Through Earth Day Network, activists connect change in local, national, and global policies. Earth Day Network’s international network reaches over 17,000 organizations in 174 countries, while the domestic program engages 5,000 groups and over 25,000 educators coordinating millions of community development and environmental protection activities throughout the year. Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year.

Are You One Of Us?

plan your earth day activities ahead!

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Eco-Friendly Products For Home & Garden

A. PEST CONTROL

Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap - 16 oz Concentrate #5118

This Insect Killing Soap can be used on houseplants, ornamental foliage plants, flowering plants, and fruits and vegetables.

Product Description

Safer, 16 OZ Insecticidal Soap Concentrate, Biodegradable, Kills Harmful Insects Such As Aphids, Mealy Bugs, White Flies, Mites & Others, Spares Honey Bees & Lady Bugs, Safe Around People & Pets, Restricted In CA, DC, ID, KS, MT, NE, ND, WI, WY, WV.

Monterey Sluggo Snail & Slug Control For Organic Gardening - 2.5 lb Shaker Bottle #LG6500

Now you can kill slimy slugs and snails that are eating your plants without fear of poisoning your pets!

The active ingredient in SLUGGO is iron phosphate so it is an organic compound that breaks down into fertilizer in your yard.

SLUGGO can also be used in vegetable and berry gardens up to the day of harvest.

SLUGGO is used the same as the other bait materials. Simply scatter in the evening where snails and slugs feed. Once they have eaten the bait they crawl back under the plants to die. It is slower acting than metaldehyde but is active on the soil surface longer that other baits.

• 2.5 LB Slug & Snail Killer
  
• Contains Iron Phosphate & Is Used Around Pets & Wildlife
  
• Can Be Used In Vegetable Gardens Up Until Harvest & Ornamentals
  
• Organic Products That Breaks Down Into Fertilizer

Safer Brand Caterpillar Killer With BT - 8 oz Concentrate #5160

After consuming, caterpillars stop eating and die within a few days. Use in late afternoon or on cloudy days since the BT breaks down in sunlight. Controls tent caterpillars, gypsy moths, cabbage loopers, tomato horn worms, and more. 8 oz.

Product Description

Safer, 8 OZ, Concentrate, Caterpillar Killer With BT, Kills A Variety Of Caterpillars & Worms.

B. TOOLS AND HARDWARE

Sylvania 29490 23-Watt CFL Mini Twist, Soft White, 6-Pack

This Sylvania 6-pack of 23-watt bulbs is EnergyStar qualified to help reduce your energy consumption and electric bills. Soft white is the light these mini twist CFL bulbs will cast in your home. The screw base is 120V ballast medium. #CF23ELMINITWISTBL6CLUBPALLET

This Product Is ENERGY STAR® Qualified. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy--plus they help us all save money while making a difference.

C. HOME CARE

Seventh Generation Glass & Surface Cleaner, 32-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)

Seventh Generation Ruby Grapefruit & Herb Glass & Surface Cleaner cleans without streaks, and is 100% solvent and VOC free. Most conventional glass cleaners are made with solvents: alcohols that are toxic (typically poisonous), ammonia, which is a respiratory irritant, or glycol ethers that cause systemic organ damage. Unlike these cleaning products, our product does not create unpleasant fumes and will not leave harmful residues. We guarantee you'll be able to smell the difference. Our Natural Glass and Surface cleaner is non-toxic, hypo-allergenic, biodegradable, vegetable based and contains NO dyes.

KLEEN FREE NATURALLY, 24oz Pre-Mix, Bed Bugs, Scabies, Lice, Mites, any Insect Eliminator and Treatment, all Natural Enzymes, Non-Toxic, Organic, USDA Ecologically Safe, Insect Eliminator, Treatment and Cleaner - (24 oz. Pre-Mix with ready to use Sprayer)

Kleen Free Naturally is a proven biodegradable enzyme insecticide soap that is used world wide as a pest control (bio-pesticide) multi-purpose cleaner. We sell it in a concentrated (8 to 1 with water) and pre-mixed form, large and small quantities. Please contact: info@nitbusters.com for more information. This revolutionary product is now available to the general consumer. Preformed enzymes have been used widely in restaurant and institutional settings for many years, due to their low toxicity and superior cleaning properties. They are also becoming widely accepted in the field pest removal, as enzymes leave no toxic residues and the enzymatic effect on the insect exoskeleton is quick and safe.

Product Features

• Kleen Free Naturally is an organic, non-toxic, ecologically safe cleaner and bug eliminator.
• Gets rid of: fleas, roaches, bedbugs, scabies, fire ants, mites, lice, fruit flies and many more type
• A unique organic enzymes formula specifically designed to eliminate pests and clean areas safely.
• Used at Home and by Restaurants, Pest Control Companies, Hotels, Cleaning Professionals etc.
• PLEASE CALL FOR INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL PRICING, BEDBUG and Drain Fly Mixtures Available Now !!

D. LAUNDRY and DISH DETERGENT

Earth Friendly Products Ecos Liquid Laundry Detergent, Magnolia & Lily, 100-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 4)

Product Features

• Ultra-concentrated, color safe, all-temperature detergent with built-in fabric softener, and made with naturally pure essential oils of Magnolia & Lily
• Tough on dirt yet kind to your clothes, ECOS liquid laundry is residue-free and safe to use in standard and HE washers, and with septic and greywater systems
• Phosphate-free, chlorine-free, enzyme-free, dye-free, and free of petroleum ingredients
• Earth Friendly Products is a leading brand of 100% natural, plant-based, non-toxic, biodegradable household cleaners, made with renewable and cruelty-free ingredients, never tested on animals, and packaged in recyclable containers
• Pack of 4 100-Ounce bottles of liquid laundry detergent cleans 50 loads for top loader machines and 100 loads for HE machines (200-400 loads/pack)

Earth Friendly Products Ecos 3x Magnolia & Lily Liquid Laundry Detergent with Built-In Fabric Softener, Magnolia & Lily, 32-Ounce Bottle (Pack of 6)

Earth Friendly Products 3X Ecos Liquid Laundry Detergent, Magnolia & Lily, 32-Ounce Bottle 64 HE Loads, 32 Regular Loads(Pack of 6)

Product Features

• Ultra-concentrated, color safe, all-temperature detergent with built-in fabric softener, and made with naturally pure essential oils of Magnolia & Lily
• Tough on dirt yet kind to your clothes, ECOS liquid laundry is residue-free and safe to use in standard and HE washers, and with septic and greywater systems
• Phosphate-free, chlorine-free, enzyme-free, dye-free, and free of petroleum ingredients
• Earth Friendly Products is a leading brand of 100% natural, plant-based, non-toxic, biodegradable household cleaners, made with renewable and cruelty-free ingredients, never tested on animals, and packaged in recyclable containers

Citra Dish Automatic Dishwashing Detergent, Powder, Valencia Orange, 45-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 12)

Product Features

• Sweet, juicy and delightfully effervescent.
• All in one formula leaves dishes spotless and shining.
• Contains no synthetic perfumes or dyes.
• Contains no phosphates, EDTA or NTA.
• Chlorine BleachFree.
  

Ingredients

Cleaning agents (sodium percarbonate, a non-chlorine oxygen bleach alloxylated fatty alcohol nonionic, low sudsing surfactant), non-animal derived enzymes, water softeners (sodium carbonate, sodium citrate), spot prevention agent (sodium polyacrylate polymer), dishwasher and china protection agent (hydrous polysilicate), processing aids (sodium sulfate, sodium chloride), rinse aid (hydroxy mixed ether using vegetable derived fatty alcohol) and natural citrus extracts.

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