Tomorrow is World Vegan Day, which has been a holiday since 1994 to celebrate the anniversary of the creation of The Vegan Society.
The Vegan Society was founded in Britain on November 1, 1944, by Donald Watson. It was the first ever society for vegans, and coined the the word vegan for “non-dairy vegetarians”.
So…celebrate with the world tomorrow and go vegan (at least for one day).
Great informative video on why you should be using a reusable bag when you go shopping.
Why recycle you ask? Well, maybe how long somthing takes to decompose in a landfill is answer enough. The Tree Hugging Family posted some figures the other day that really make you think and will hopefully inspire you to take some action to go green.
How long will it take to decompose…
Cotton rags = 1 to 5 months
Paper = 2 to 5 months
Rope = 3 to 14 months
Orange peels = 6 months
Wool socks = 1 to 5 years
Cigarette butts = 1 to 12 years
Plastic coated paper milk cartons = 5 years
Leather shoes = 25 to 40 years
Nylon fabric = 30 to 40 years
Tin cans = 50 to 100 years
Aluminum cans = 80 to 100 years
Plastic 6-pack holder rings = 450 years
Glass bottles = 1 million years
Plastic bottles = Forever
Also, to learn more about how scientists date the decomposition process read Will My Plastic Bag Still Be Here in 2507. Super awesome article!
The pumpkin is one of the most eco-friendly holiday decorations out there. It is 100% natural, yet a majority of the nature gets thrown out once you’ve carved them. This autumn, don’t just throw away the flesh from your pumpkin…compost it. This simple solution to use the whole pumpkin will not only decrease the amount of material that you send to the landfill, it can also help turn your organic waste into a landscape asset.
The folks over at Earth 911 have put together one of the most extensive composting resources out there, where you can find more information on what composting means and its benefits.
If you don’t already compost at home, go green and start today!
Think about how many people go for their morning cup of java at the local coffee house and get served in a disposable paper cup with a plastic top & a cardboard sleeve? Yeah, it’s probably a lot. Now consider what goes into making these disposable products and the impact they have on the environment.
Two of the simplest, easiest ways to go green are to reduce and reuse. Eliminate the production and consumption of these disposable items each day by bringing your own reusable travel mug to the coffee house for that morning fix.
Not only are you saving the planet but you can possibly save money too! Many coffee houses will give you a cup discount for bringing in your own mug. So go ahead, find that perfect travel mug and make the investment to be Green.
Wouldn’t you rather have your home truly clean, rather than covered in toxic chemicals?
Try making your own non-toxic cleaners at home. It’s easy! The crew over at ecocycle have compiled recipes for all your cleaning needs. From the basic household cleaners to metal polishes, and even a flea repellent for your pets. All recipes are created from basic ingredients found in your kitchen.
Check out this awesome blog that features great green shoes that are animal free & environmentally friendly. They feature shoes suitable for vegans, vegetarians and everyone who prefers an alternative to leather.
There is a company out there called Bonded Logic that is manufacturing a wide range of thermal and acoustical insulation products for multiple industries. All of their products are fire-rated and safe for the environment. They incorporate no harmful chemicals or irritants and do not pose off-gassing or VOC concerns. One of their products is called UltraTouch, which is an insulator made from high-quality natural fibers and contains over 85% recycled denim and cotton fibers. It is extremely effective for both sound absorption and maximum thermal insulation in homes or other architectural structures. UltraTouch is also itch-free, making it is harmless and easy to install.
In 2004, Ray Anderson (founder of Interface) told us, “No one should be claiming sustainable products. There is no such thing yet in terms of zero footprint. What you can do is demonstrate reduced footprint.”
This is still true today; however there is light at the end of the tunnel. Martin C. Pedersen over at Metropolis has recently published an article called “7 Steps in the Lifecycle of a Green Product. Pedersen writes, “Despite claims to the contrary, products with zero environmental impact do not yet exist. But these new approaches to green design point to a day when that might just be possible.”
The 7 Steps include:
1. Innovation: The Shape of Things to Come
2. The Right Materials: The Vinyl Question
3. Clean & Green Production: Balancing Act
4. Efficient Distribution: Delivering the Goods
5. Low-Impact Use: A New Standard
6. Made to Last: The Chair
7. Avoiding the Landfill: Afterlife
For decades there have been only two choices in diapers. Cloth or disposable. Now there is a third option. Flushable.
gDiapers has introduced the first flushable diaper. It puts waste where it belongs, in the toilet and not the landfill.
This new eco-friendly diaper is a cross between cloth and disposable. It has a disposable, flushable insert in a breathable, washable cloth cover.
While traditional diapers can take up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill, this new eco-friendly alternative has no guilt. Flushable gDiapers have no elemental chlorine, no perfumes, no smell, and no garbage. They are so gentle on the planet that you can even garden compost the wet ones, which will take approximately 50 – 150 days to biodegrade.
These new thinking diapers have been available in Australia since 1991 and are now available nationwide at Whole Foods Markets, Wild Oats and independent natural markets.
