Green Shopping

How To Purchasing Green Gifts This Holiday Season

Though the holidays are still a few months away, many consumers are taking to the stores early to find good deals on toys and other gifts for their families. However, it should be noted that just because you seek a deal does not mean you should overlook the safety and quality of the item. Those browsing for bargains should consider avoiding items that could put their family or friends safety in danger. When shopping, be sure to read the tags and manufacturer labels of products. You should be extremely cautious when considering an item with "Made in China" stamped on it. Everyone, especially parents, should be familiar with the news surrounding items produced in China. The lead paint scares and recalls on poisoned infant formula should be thought of when purchasing these kinds of products. It can sometimes be difficult to find anything else, however, as over 80% of the toys sold through the world are produced in factories in China. Though someone shopping at discount stores may not see anything other than the "Made in China" wording, you can rest easy knowing that other retailers offer environmentally and child friendly toys which are manufactured here in the USA. These items may ...

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Going Green with a Chairman Hybrid Smart Phone

Ulysse Nardin is known throughout the watch world for quality timepieces and now also for a hybrid version of the smart phone. This phone is the most advanced phone on the market today technologically. Why? It is because it can be charged through kinetic energy just like watches can along with being charged electronically. However, this is not a phone for just anyone with prices ranging from $12,800 to an unbelievable $129,000 depending on which model you are thinking of. Let's look into this interesting phone to learn more about it. The Chairman is the first mobile phone to ever have a mechanical rotor, like that in watches, in it. This is added while keeping the design appealing. This component is what makes this smart phone a green choice if you can afford it. Like the automatic watches this phone gets power through the action of the rotor. The rotor provides kinetic energy to charge the battery that is built in to supplement its power supply. Specifications on the Chairman -QWERTY keyboard that is full on the screen -3.2” capacitive touch screen -Owner identification through a fingerprint reader -Physical numeric keys -Video replay capability in high definition -8 megapixel camera -FacebookTM and YouTubeTM preloaded -Google AndroidTM operating platform -Google Maps -Google talk -GmailTM -Qualcomm ...

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How to Choose Eco-Friendly and Toxin-Free Paint or Wallpaper for Your Nursery

Preparing your baby's nursery can be a wonderful time of planning and dreaming.  Many times, that means choosing a paint color or wallpaper (or a combination of both), furnishings, and flooring. Today, many people are aware that the fumes from paint, wallpaper and carpet can be toxic.  Babies, with their tiny, developing systems, are especially vulnerable to toxins in the air and on surfaces they touch with their delicate skin.  In order to avoid these poisonous substances, you may choose to decorate baby's nursery with eco-friendly items. Here are some things to keep in mind as you seek to create a non-toxic environment for your little one. Paint Generally speaking, paint is less expensive than wallpaper.  When you look for paints, there are many green options available.  The first thing to look for in an eco-friendly paint is a lack of volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.  These are the chemicals that create the fumes and subsequent headaches and respiratory problems that many people experience with conventional paints. Look for water-based paints with labels that say things like "biodegradable," "phosphate-free" and, of course, "VOC-free."  While these types of environmentally friendly paints are more expensive, they generally only require one coat due to their rich pigmentation. Choosing paint ...

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Eco-Friendly Burial Options

What form of burial to choose is of great concern to many, but for those who are eco-conscious, the concerns are specifically related to being eco-friendly. You may wonder if conventional burial practices are harmful to the earth.  In truth, conventional burial is not particularly green.  Trees must be cut to make the coffin, and embalming fluids like formaldehyde and methanol are not earth-friendly.  Another concern is the use of land for conventional burial.  The earth itself must be dug up and cemetery plots take up space. If these are matters of concern to you, it might be a good idea to take a look at some alternatives and talk them over with your family.  Death is not an easy subject, but discovering eco-friendly options may make the subject more approachable for you. 1. Urns There are now urns available that are made of paper or biodegradable cotton.  They can be very simple or beautifully decorated with floral designs.  Rather than scattering the ashes and having an empty metal urn, these "earth urns" are placed on the water's surface or buried in the ground, where they will sink and/or eventually break down. 2. Coffins * Coffins made from sustainable wood are a viable option for the ...

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What to Look for When Buying a Green Home

More green homes are showing up on the market these days than ever before.  This is because the whole world is becoming more concerned about energy use today and leaving a carbon footprint.  But the buyer needs to be careful because not everything advertised as green is just that.  There are some things to consider before buying one of these houses. Try to find a real estate agent that knows about green houses for one thing.  Not all of them understand everything they should.  If you can find one that has been certified by the NAR (National Association of Realtors), that would be ideal.  The realtor that has gone through this certification process can acquaint you with the green features of the home along with explaining any tax credits you can get or other information you need to know in conjunction with the house. If you can't find a NAR realtor then you can tell if a house is totally green by looking for certification from a third party.  There are several organizations out there that do this Energy Star is probably the best known one.  This certification shows the house has been tested and inspected for it better using energy than ...

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