Archive for November, 2009

Wrapping and Reusing

Monday, November 30th, 2009

As the holiday craziness sets in, there is no reason why we have to continue to add to the growing pile of shredded printed paper and crumpled ribbons and bows. Sometimes it takes a little extra time, a little creativity and an open mind. If you are looking for a few ideas on how to wrap your gifts in a green and reusable way, you are just in luck- we always have ideas don’t we?!

Create a reusable collection that you can use next year (and the next).

Start using reusable gift bags. They might cost more the first year, but just think of how great it would be to never have to buy wrapping paper again? On top of that, you never need scissors, tape or the knowledge and savvy it takes to tie those crazy curling ribbons. One company specializing in these reusable bags, luckycrow.com, offers whimsical prints that are chosen with re-purposing in mind. The Christmas prints can also be used for Valentines Day and the birthday bags are gender neutral and festive. The bags are fitted with a grosgrain ribbon for tying- these bags are pretty and practical.

(more…)

NBC’s Third Annual “Green Week”

Thursday, November 19th, 2009

This week launches NBC’s third annual “Green Week”, which will feature environmentally friendly programming starting Sunday November 15th. Green Week will reinforce NBC’s environmental initiative “Green is Universal” by tuning their programming to deliver environmental initiatives within their plots.

This year NBC’s Green Week will be centered on their “Green Counts Here” campaign. This cross-platform initiative gives NBC Universal audiences to make sure that Green Week counts. NBC will give their audiences the opportunity to a make pledges that would result in them making small green changes to their everyday lives. The amount of these pledges will show consumers the collective impact people can have towards the environment when they chose to do so.

(more…)

Detroit’s Green Garage: Peggy Brennan

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

Check out the transcript of RFC’s conversation with Peggy Brennan.

Peggy Brennan
The Detroit area is not always known for its forward thinking, Green initiatives. More often, Detroit is often coupled with negative press whether it is for its politics, its economical troubles or its crime news. Until now, that is. Tom and Peggy Brennan are heading up Detroit’s Green Garage. Luckily Peggy carved out some time in her already busy schedule to sit down and talk with us about their project.

“The Green Garage is basically three different things, a building, a business and a community. It’s a building in midtown that used to be a Model T showroom. We bought it at the very end of 2007 and right now it is undergoing a green and historic renovation. It is going to become a green business incubator and finally the last component of it, is it is a community of people,” said Brennan.

With the help of a team of architects, designers, and people from the community, the Brennan’s are undertaking this renovation with high hopes. They are looking to bring people together with a common goal. They are taking a “community based approach” to the renovation with plans to take everyone’s opinions into play so that it is not just one persons plan but yet a group’s collective decision.

(more…)

Kodak Partners with Recycling for Charities

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Kodac
Recycling for Charities has the privilege of announcing their partnership with Kodak in a joint effort to reduce electronic waste. Kodak will be sporting the Recycling for Charities logo on the front of their latest Kodak EasyShare M320 digital camera bundles. “This partnership is a testament to the benefit we provide as a charity and good corporate citizenship on the part of Kodak,” stated Dario Chiarini, President of Recycling for Charities. The new camera packages will make it as simple as possible for people to donate to charities. The outside will boast of the RFC connection and the inside will provide consumers with the paid postage label and the 3 easy steps to take.

(more…)

What CAN You Do with Packing Peanuts?

Monday, November 16th, 2009

So we all know that we should be doing everything we can to reduce, reuse and recycle. We all recognize the little triangle with some number on the bottom of our plastics. Unfortunately, according to Earth911.com, while 80 percent of Americans have access to plastics recycling programs in some form, finding one that actually accepts our daily hard-to-recycle items is sometimes harder than we anticipate.

Instead, we should be getting creative. Think outside of the leftover box and find something crafty to do with those piled up CD cases! Here are a few tips to help you get started.

1. Medicine Bottles-

After you have finished your prescription, be sure to wash your bottles with antibacterial soap and warm water. After that, the sky’s the limit with the types of organizers you can make with these different size bottles.

  • From mini sewing kits to handy purse size first aid kits, they are easily labeled and can fit in tight spaces. If you are looking to organize a whole drawer or just a section of it, glue them together, or glue the bottoms to a piece of cardboard to keep them upright.
  • Watering Tool- The petite, tube-like structure of a medicine bottle is perfect for watering your plants. Just take off the cap, poke a hole in the bottom and push it into the soil. When your plant is thirsty, simply fill the bottle with water, and it will leak out at a slow and appropriate rate. Use more than one bottle for larger plants. Also, don’t forget to organize your gardening kit! Medicine bottles can also be used to store seeds as the container is designed to protect its contents from light and moisture.

(more…)

Follow RFC on Twitter Follow RFC on Facebook
Recycling for Charities Podcasts