There are a lot of shampoo companies out there promising to make your hair lush & beautiful. But do they really? And to what cost? They are full of toxins & chemicals and often just turn your hair into a dry & brittle mess.

Try making your own eco-friendly shampoo & conditioner. It is a gentle way to cleanse your hair without drying it out.

Shampoo Recipe: A tablespoon of baking soda mixed with a cup of water.
Conditioner Recipe: Two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with a cup of water.

Artists and crafters have always been recyclers, but for many, it has not only become a thrifty choice, it has become a moral imperative. 1000 Ideas for Creative Reuse contains a cutting edge collection of the most inventive work being made with re-used, upcycled, and already existing materials. The work in this book ranges from clever and humble personal accessories to unique and important large-scale works of art, including paper art, fashion, jewelry, housewares, interiors, and installations.

Buy Now for only $16.50!

About the Author
Garth Johnson is a studio artist, writer and educator who lives in Eureka, California. In addition to maintaining the website “Exteme Craft” (www.extremecraft.com) Garth writes for CRAFT magazine and his writing has been featured in museum catalogs, magazines, and books worldwide, including a contribution to the upcoming book Handmade Nation from Princeton Architectural Press. His first DVD, ReVision: Recycled Crafts for Earth-Friendly Living will be released by Eyekiss Films later this year. His artwork was featured in a solo show at Gallerie Maxim in Cologne, Germany in August, 2008. Garth received a BFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an MFA from Alfred University. He has taught at Georgia State University, Columbus State University and is currently a full-time instructor at College of the Redwoods in Eureka, CA. In addition to teaching, he is a sought-after lecturer and visiting artist, with recent lectures at Ohio State University, Illinois State University, and the Kansas City Art Institute.

Hey all you smokers out there…please choose to light your cancer sticks with the most eco-friendly option out there. Matches!

Matches may not be the most convenient but they sure are more green than lighters. That’s because the majority of  lighters are made of plastic and considered disposable, so they will most likely end up gathering in a landfill somewhere when you’re done with them. While most match packs, on the other hand, are made of cardboard which is a recyclable material and can go on to a second life of some sort.

Got egg cartons?

Then donate your extras to a local egg farmer. The farmers will reuse your egg cartons giving them a second life, thus helping out the local farmers as well as the planet.

Also, check with the store that sold you the eggs because you can sometimes make your donation directly through them.

Save gas by avoiding drive through lines at restaurants & coffee shops. Instead park your vehicle, go inside, and to order your food & drink.

In many cases, this is the fastest way anyway. Think about how many times you have gone inside and came back out only to see people were still waiting in line idling.

For more gas saving tips check out 20 Under $5 Tips to Improve Your Cars Gas Mileage.

Wrapping paper from holiday gifts is largely to blame for a 25% spike in curbside trash volume between Thanksgiving & New Year’s Day, according to the EPA.

What is the eco-minded gift-giver to do?

The best thing to do if you are giving physical gifts this season is to wrap them in an eco-friendly way. You can make the wrapping a part of the gift, something that can be used for another purpose afterwords, or just use plainer wraps made from recycled materials.

Here are a few ways to give a thoughtfully wrapped present and give back to the Earth too.

Use a Container as Gift Wrap:
Containers make great no-wrapping-needed packaging. It’ll give the recipient a little hint as to what’s inside, but your creative wrapping will get years of use.

• Wooden wine boxes, baskets or tins
• Watering can or garden bucket
• Mixing bowls or a stock pot
• Canvas shopping bag
• Scarves or handkerchiefs
• Towels
• Blankets

Use Art as Gift Wrap:
When you wrap your gifts with art work you can personalize them for each recipient.

• Outdated maps, old posters, sheet music or leftover lightweight wallpaper
• Newspapers, foreign newspapers are great or the Sunday comics
• Kids’ artwork
• Magazine images

Use Recycled Gift Wrap:
To reuse gift wrap is a great way to extend the life of a product.

• Aluminum foil
• Paper or bag from last year

Jessica Aldred put together a great list of  A-Z tips for a Green Holiday, so this holiday doesn’t have to be time consuming, expensive, and cost the earth.

Here is a sample of the list…

A is for artificial trees These are not necessarily the greener tree – although they last for longer, they are made from plastic, not recyclable or from a renewable source and have probably been shipped great distances. There are also question marks over where they are made and the labor used. Real trees also help to remove carbon from the atmosphere while they are growing.

B is for batteries New gifts at Christmas often mean that households go through a lot of batteries. Batteries contain toxic chemicals, do not biodegrade and are difficult to recycle. As an alternative, we recommend using rechargeable batteries or trying the new AA size USB rechargeable batteries. By opening the cap and plugging into a USB connector, you can recharge them pretty much anywhere.

C is for Candles Paraffin candles are made from petroleum residue and are no good for your health or for the environment. Candles made from soy, beeswax or natural vegetable-based wax are more eco-friendly because they biodegrade and are smoke-free.

Check out the rest of Jessica Aldred’s A-Z tips for a Green Holiday over at the guardian.co.uk.

Thanks Jessica!

The simple task of changing or cleaning your furnace filter can really improve the efficiency of your furnace, as well as improve your indoor air quality.

Traveling this holiday season? Consider these top 5 easy, eco-effective travel tips:

1- Pack Lightly.
The more weight you carry on, the more fuel the train, plane, automobile, or boat will use. So don’t pack unnecessarily stuff. If you are traveling with companions only bring one of something that can be shared, like toothpaste & shaving cream. Also, find out if the hotel or host has a hairdryer or other appliances, to avoid packing them. And remember, shoes & boots add major weight to a bag, so try to keep extras to a minimum.

2- Take The Bus Or Train.

• According to the UCS, a couple who go by bus instead of flying coach will reduce their carbon dioxde emissions by 55 to 75%, depending upon the distance traveled. Even if 2 travelers use a fuel-efficient hybrid car, a bus trip will cut their trip emissions in half.

• UCS researchers report that a train emits 60% less carbon per passenger mile than a car with a single occupant. Compared to a 500-mile trip on a small jet plane, a train emits 30% less carbon.

3- Choose A Direct Flight.
If you are flying this holiday try to find a non-stop flight. Not only will it save you time, it is a greener choice.

4- Go Before You Fly.
Use the airport lavatory, not the one on the plane, since, believe it or not, the fuel used for every mile-high flush could run a car for six miles.

5- Look For Green Hotels.
Look around for eco-friendly lodging that has efficient lighting and water fixtures, alternative fuel vehicles, and that recycles. 

When you start a fire in your hearth, at campground, or in your back yard pit – only burn dry wood. That’s becasue wet wood doesn’t burn as completely as dry wood, meaning it releases more pollutants into the air.

The biggest concern with this is particulate pollution, or solid particles smaller than a red blood cell that can cause and irritate, asthma and allergies, as well as lung problems.

By sticking to dry wood, you’ll help reduce particulate air pollution and breathe easier.