Posts Tagged ‘Green’

The Jacket of the Future

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Technology is advancing daily, but how far can it really go? Some say it’s close to reaching its limit, while others believe today’s technology is only the beginning.

If we date back to the history of music outlets we will find a long line of advances. We’ve gone through the age of records, radios, 8 tracks, tapes, CDs, MP3 players, Sirius radio, and now music that can be played off of our own phones. What could be next?

Well, Zegna Sports has opened the closet doors to the newest technical enhancement in clothing. This energy efficient organization has designed an Eco-tech Solar Jacket that combines recycled innovation with solar technology to produce a high performance apparel. The green product guarantees protection against wind and rain, while sustaining a constant body temperature. Zegna Sports has incorporated a detachable solar cell system in the sleeves that converts sunlight into renewable energy. Its made from 100 % recycled materials and has renewable power source hidden in its pocket that can charge a hand-held communication device.

Now you might be asking yourself what’s the catch. Does it look like it is from outer space? How long does it need to be in the sunlight to work and how do I wash it? Well, the good news is that it looks just like a normal male jacket and only takes 4-5 hours to charge. The solar panels are detachable so it can be washed and be charged without having to wear it!

Can you imagine a world where people walked around with designer clothing made from used materials and supplies natural power? The Discovery channel must see the potential in the product, because they are highlighting Zegna Sports on their new television series called Green Magazine TV. The show showcases some of the newest and “greenest technologies being utilized by the most energy efficient organizations in the world.

For more information check out www.zegnasport.com or www.greenmagazinetv.com

Now you can feel just a little bit better about going shopping…

Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Today shoppers are starting to opt for the Green version of everything. It may be the trend, but it’s helping us all out nonetheless. Until now, it was a bit difficult to find exactly what you were looking for. Fortunately, it has become more common to find local stores that carry eco-friendly products and even easier to find great eco-stores online. What used to be frumpy and inconvenient has now become fashionable and simple to use. Some of the eco-stores carry a wide range of products that can help you to simplify your life. But be careful what you shop for, some stores might try to convince you that something is not damaging to the environment without really having any reason to say so. What does organic, all-natural, or eco-friendly mean? It means the products are less wasteful and less toxic than mainstream products.

From eco-friendly items such as make up and beauty products to large ticket items like water heaters, refrigerators and composters, we are able to compare prices, and potential environmental gains from the product’s use. For instance, when you use a Nature Mill composter it “recycles its weight in waste every 10 days, diverting over two tons of waste from landfills over its life. This reduces emissions of methane, a harmful greenhouse gas produced when organic matter decomposes in oxygen-starved landfills.” www.nautremill.com

Of course you can also find websites such as, greenhome.com, which will help you to completely overhaul your home from toilet paper to appliances. If you are looking for something more luxurious, check out Vivavi for some great pieces with intentional green design. Pristine planet offers links to a range of items from eco-friendly clothing to services for wedding and event planning. If you are looking for gift baskets, go ahead and check out Fresh Unlimited for organic fruit and gifts.

Whatever you may be looking for, somewhere out there has an eco-friendly way of doing it. It may take a few extra bucks or a few extra minutes, but it’s well worth it when it comes to saving the planet and being socially responsible.

Wal-Mart Becomes Eco-Friendly

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Wal-Mart, one of the largest retailers in the world, announced via webcast and conference call with bloggers and journalists that they are going to begin their sustainability efforts.  Wal-Mart CEO Mike Duke announced that Wal-Mart would take into consideration everything from recycling to packaging.

Duke also spoke of Wal-Mart’s Zero Waste Initiative in which each action throughout Wal-Mart’s supply chain system would be changed in an effort to promote efficiency and sustainability. Wal-Mart will create a Sustainability Index of which will outline the eco-friendly nature of their production and distribution processes. In order to gauge companies’ efforts towards emissions targets and other eco-friendly initiatives, Wal-Mart has released a questionnaire document.

It is monumental that a company of this size is undertaking an initiative of this caliber and they aren’t going to stop there. Wal-Mart also outlined a plan for their Sam’s Club stores. The Sam’s Club stores will receive a Home Efficiency Aisle that will provide items to consumers that are eco-friendly and packaged in sustainable packaging.

How do you feel about Wal-Mart’s latest initiative?  Do you think they will carry out their proposed actions or do you think they will fail?  Leave a comment below!

SubZero Water Bottles: A Very Disappointing Product Review

Sunday, May 10th, 2009

This is a blog post that I recently read online and felt compelled to share.

While at the local Walgreen’s a week ago I spotted one of those cool new stainless steel water bottles which was advertising it was “Reusable, Refillable, & Recyclable”. It came in several colors and sizes and was made by SubZero.

Since I am concerned about plastic usage, I felt this was a great reusable alternative and bought three of them. What convinced me to buy was the tagged features list, which seemed significant: “Does not leach harmful chemicals into liquids, Producing stainless steel is toxin-free, Surface has no pores or cracks to hold bacteria, Life expectancy is over 100 years because of its impact and rust resistance, Can also be recycled 100%.”

My first concern – there are a LOT of cautions on the exterior of the bottle, but they seemed fairly obvious like, “Intended for cool and cold beverages SubZero Rustonly” or “Do not use cleaners containing bleach or chlorine.”

My disappointment and shock began the first day I gave my eight year old daughter the water bottle to use. THE FIRST DAY! She brought it home from school and said, “I can’t drink out of this, it has rust at the bottom.” It did NOT have rust on the bottom when I gave it to her. I thought perhaps it was mold or something so took the lid off and looked in. Here’s a photo; yep, rust!

Then I examined the exterior of the bottle. Where the bottom of the bottle was connected there was a strange white slimish substance oozing out of the rim. SubZero Slime

WHAT?!?!?! Here’s a photo of that.  I had a hard time getting a clear picture with my camera, but you get the idea. What is that stuff?

Next I poured the remaining water from only ONE DAY of exposure of the bottle into a clear glass. Let me assure you people, this water went in to the bottle CLEAR and fresh. This horrid stuff filled with rust and gosh only knows what. This is what my daughter was drinking after it was inside the SubZero Water Bottle. I made this photo large. I want you to see how disgusting that is. DISGUSTING!SubZero Disgusting Water

I was downright horrified. Although I did not save my receipts from Walgreen’s (uh yeah, very stupid) I DID save the SubZero tags and re-examined them. “Made in China” and distributed by SUBZERO / Global Advantage in Missouri. Today I will be sending Walgreen’s and SubZero a link to this review.  SUBZERO PLEASE TAKE THIS PRODUCT OFF THE MARKET! This should NOT be happening after one day of use. Our children need fresh, clean, drinking water and I was very disappointed with it and found it is NOT the green product you are touting it to be.

Shawna Coronado says Get Healthy! Get Green! Get Community! www.thecasualgardener.com, The Green Blog – www.gardeningnude.com , or The Garden Blog – http://thecasualgardener.blogspot.com

10 Amazing Recycled-Trash Homes

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Are you seeking a “green” way to build your next home? We’re operating on the principle that one person’s trash is another person’s castle. While trash isn’t always free, using cast-offs to build a home is a great way to recycle. While the homes below use tires, cans, earth, plastic water bottles and other items – or a combination of these items – the possibilities are as limitless as your imagination and your local building codes.

If you’re expecting “trashy” results with this recycling effort, we hope that our choices listed below will surprise you with their depth of creativity, beauty and charm. Although the homes are listed in no particular order, this does not mean that we favor one trash method over another or one design above any other layout. (more…)

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