Green Shopping

Eco-Friendly Flip-Flops

Flip-flops are some of the most convenient and comfy shoes to wear because they are easy to put on and take off, and you can get them super cheap. Every brand makes them and almost every store sells them. But have you ever considered how eco-friendly or not your flip-flops actually are? Unfortunately for the flip-flop lovers of the world, many flip-flops are made with non-biodegradable plastics that end up washing up in the oceans and lakes of the world as waste. Most people will use their flip flops all summer long and then toss them in the trash and replace them with new ones. This is bad for the environment because these flip-flops are just ending up in landfills or oceans. Fortunately a company called Okabashi started up cycling and recycling flip-flops. The typical shoe is 15-25% recycled content and you can send your old flip flops back when you’re done with them so that they can recycle them. They use 100% of all materials and have closed the loop in manufacturing as they aim to be zero-waste. You can buy these flip-flops on Amazon or find out more about them on earth911.com. There is also the Flip Flop Initiative which ...

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Cash Versus Credit

The days of carrying a wad of cash in your pocket are slowing going away because nowadays, people are traveling with an array of plastic; debit cards, credit cards, and gift cards. Have you ever thought about what type of plastic you are carrying in your wallet or purse? Or how short the lifespan of these cards really is? Is this method of carrying money really a good move for the environment? Did you know that 17 billion cards are made annually around the globe? The plastic in debit, credit and gift cards is typically Polyvinyl Chloride aka PVC. As you probably know, PVC isn't a very eco-friendly plastic in regards to its manufacturing or as an end product. PVC is broken down through granulation, whereby the pieces just become smaller. This can be a problem for creatures that may potentially ingest the pieces. PVC isn't really recyclable, and even if it were, you wouldn't want to throw it in the recycling bin with how rampant credit card theft is these days. Especially considering that your information is encoded on the card's magnetic strip. The issue is that we need cards that are durable but also disposable because most cards expire ...

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Is UV Protective Clothing Worth Buying – Pros and Cons

All clothing protects you from the sun to some extent. UV protective clothing, however, has a specific, protective scale not unlike sunscreen. A lot of UV protective clothing actually contains sunscreen in the fabric itself. Some garments are said to be UV protective due to their weave, color, and/or reflective nature. SPF and UPF are acronyms you will see as you look into UV protective clothing. SPF stands for "sun protection factor," and it's what you see on lotion, sunscreen, and other topical protectors. SPF is measured by how long it takes your skin to turn red in the sun. UPF stands for "ultraviolet protection factor" and refers specifically to the amount of UV radiation that can go through fabric and burn your skin. Therefore, you are going to see UPF more frequently in reference to UV protective clothing. If you are considering purchasing this protective clothing, here are some pros and cons to keep in mind. Pros * When you wear UV protective clothing, you need not be concerned about rubbing potentially harmful chemicals into your skin. The chemical content of sunscreen has come under scrutiny lately, and many people are concerned about its safety. * Comfort is a factor - applying sunscreen can be ...

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Eco-Friendly Smart Windows

A new window coating is being manufactured that automatically adjusts to control solar gain through windows. The company behind the window coating, RavenBrick, calls their product Raven Windows. The Raven Windows are made with a special nanomaterial coating, which makes the windows responsive to outdoor temperatures. Essentially, the Raven Windows perform like an intelligent window filter that automatically adjusts to block solar heat when the temperature outside becomes too hot. Conversely, the Raven Window allows the solar heat inside when the temperature outside is too cold. RavenBrick is a clean tech company that provides innovative solar-control technology that works to cut down on energy expenses by up to 50% in most buildings. RavenBrick's product is a major improvement in both cost and functionality over other sun-blocking windows. Not only that, RavenBrick has a smart-window solution for almost every building exterior. Check out some of the benefits of RavenBrick's technology: - The Raven Window will help you cut down on your heating and cooling costs, for significant savings over time. - The Raven Window is fully automatic, and requires no electricity or controls. - The Raven Window is easy to install on new windows and just as easy to fit to existing windows. - The Raven Window ...

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Green Rugs

Carpets can be troublesome because they catch all different types of pollutants and dust, as well as pesticides that are brought in on the bottoms of shoes. Insects like bed bugs like to hide in carpets and they are not easily detectable. Vacuuming helps to combat the dirt that accumulates in the carpet, but vacuums aren't able to get everything. If you've ever ripped up your old carpet, you know how much dust and filth is sitting underneath. Furthermore, carpets are typically produced with petrochemicals, which means they are not eco-friendly because petrochemicals are derived from crude oil. Some great alternatives to carpet flooring are tile, wooden or slate floors. The downside is that you lose the warmth and comfort of having a carpeted floor. The solution to this downside is to place rugs on the floor for comfort and decoration. Rugs can be washed in the washing machine and hung outside to dry, or you can beat them with a stick or broom to clean them. Thus, rugs are much easier to maintain then carpet. There are some qualities to look out for in rugs in regards to their manufacturing and the materials used to make them to make sure ...

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