Choosing People-Friendly and Planet-Friendly Clothing The kind of clothing you select does make a difference. In our day-to-day lives, it is easy to not think about who makes our clothing, where it comes from and what materials have went into the creation of our clothing. More than ever there are options for those looking for eco-friendly clothing options. These clothing options are good for both the planet and for people alike. Trailblazing companies have embraced a future that is dedicated to providing customers with eco-friendly and people-friendly options. Let’s take a look at some of the best sustainable clothing options available. Recycling, Repurposing and Reusing Nothing beats recycling, repurposing and reusing old clothing. If your clothing is still in good shape. then don’t throw it away, instead find new life for your clothing. Clothing that no longer fits you can be a stellar find for someone else. Donating or consigning your old furniture is a way to help the planet. Few steps are greener than taking something old and keeping it in circulation. This reduces your carbon footprint, as old clothing requires no new material, no new manufacturing and no expenditure of energy. Don’t Overlook the Tremendous Value of Vintage Vintage clothing also falls into the category of recycling, repurposing and reusing. Many fashion experts feel that vintage clothing is very tough to beat. Vintage clothing has not only stood the test of time. but is also like wearing a little piece of history. Recycled Clothing While on the topic of recycling. why not consider recycled clothing? Recycled clothing is an idea that is really going to catch on in the future; after all, recycled clothing has a lot going for it. Recycled clothing, as the name indicates, takes old clothing and gives in a new and very exciting new look and life. If you are interested in recycled clothing then you’ll want to check out Dirtball at www.dirtballfashion.com. The innovative minds over at Dirtball have created made in the USA recycled clothing that is eco-friendly and looks great at the same time. From t-shirts, sweaters and hoodies to jeans, shorts, pants and even kids clothing. you’ll find 100% made in the USA recycled clothing at Dirtball. Clothing is made from recycled cotton, recycled polyester and recycled plastic water bottles. Dirtball even has jeans. Their Green Jeans are made from 70% recycled cotton and 30% recycled polyester so they are designed to be tougher than your average pair of blue jeans. Hopefully more companies will embrace this trend of turning waste, such as water bottles, into something usable. Organic Cotton Organic cotton is a winner for a range of reasons. One of the big benefits of organic cotton is that it does not use harmful pesticides in its production. That stated, organic cotton does have some drawbacks. For example organic cotton requires a great deal of water, yet organic cotton is definitely a better choice for the planet and your body than standard cotton. Hemp Clothing One very interesting hemp clothing company is Rawganique. Rawganique takes organically grown USA and European fibers that are free of pesticides and chemicals and makes everything from clothing to sheets and even footwear. Rawganique even has hemp jeans, organic cotton jeans and handmade hemp shoes such as their Hemp Sneaker Boots and Unisex Long Beach Hemp Sports Shoes. All Rawganique products are made by artisans in the USA, Europe and Canada and are paid above-average salaries. Learn more by visiting www.rawganique.com. Hemp is a very tough fabric and it requires very little in the way of pest control and will grow with low amounts of fertilizer. As a result, hemp is a great clothing choice for those looking for a planet friendly clothing option. Many feel that hemp is easily superior to cotton clothing. Hemp clothing is free of pesticides, and it is possible to find products that are chemical free and made in a responsible fashion. Quite often, clothing is manufactured with harmful compounds, such as formaldehyde, but with hemp clothing, it is possible to skip such concerns. Etsy When you are looking for healthy and eco-friendly clothing choices, consider using Etsy. You might pay a little bit more but you’ll also know that you’re supporting the creator of original and sustainable clothing. Etsy is full of small manufacturers and artisans who are looking to provide consumers with often one-of-a-kind clothing options. With just a small amount of research, you can use Etsy to find clothing made from the materials we’ve discussed in this article. Fair trade Fair trade products aim to promote sustainability while at the same time promote a higher level of environmental and social standards. The idea is to provide producers of goods with a fairer price for their goods. Goods such as chocolate, fruits and other foods often earn a fair trade label, and it is possible to find fair trade clothing as well. It is estimated that there are currently 75,000+ cotton farmers in developing countries who have fair trade certification. Planet Friendly Clothing That You’ll Look Great Wearing There are more ways than ever to find durable, well made and stylish eco-friendly and people-friendly clothing. Companies such as Rawganique are providing customers with clothing that is pesticide-free, formaldehyde-free, free of heavy metals and more. Such companies are leading the way in the future of clothing and doing so in style! Posted by → May 23, 2015 at 10:20 PM under Environment
8 Quick Tips for Lowering Your Carbon Footprint If you are unsure as to how your actions impact your carbon footprint, you are not alone. Your carbon footprint is calculated as what you do that contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Greenhouse gases cause the planet to warm and are produced in a variety of ways. Any event that takes energy can produce them! That means that the manufactured goods you use play a big role in your carbon footprint. The more energy it takes to create a given object, the higher your carbon footprint may become. Food production and what you do in your home can also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can minimize your personal impact on the planet. Luckily, there are many easy and painless steps you can take to make a difference. Reconsider Meat Consumption No one is stating that you have to become a vegan or vegetarian; however, it is important to note that eating meat creates far more greenhouse gases than not eating meat. Vegetarians and vegans, for example, are responsible for producing far less greenhouse gas emissions than meat eaters. Simply skipping meat one or two days a week will help you lower your carbon footprint in an impressive fashion. Buy Local Food and Goods Locally produced food and goods have a huge edge when it comes to reducing one’s carbon footprint. The fact that locally produced goods does not have to be transported long distances means less energy is consumed in their transport. Produce grown a few miles away has a far lower carbon footprint than produce grown thousands of miles away. Buying local products is one of the simpler ways to lower your carbon footprint. Reuse as Much as Possible Manufacturing any good causes greenhouse gases to be released and that increases your carbon footprint. Reusing goods when possible, giving things you will not use to other people and recycling are all ways that you can lower your carbon footprint. Keeping a manufactured item in use means that you’ve kept a manufactured good from being purchased and, ultimately, maybe even from being made in the first place. While this is no doubt a simple step, it is also a very effective one in reducing your carbon footprint. Adjusting Your Thermostat Up and Down Setting your thermostat lower in winter and higher in the summer means that you will use less energy when heating and cooling your home. Reducing the amount of energy you use in your home is a fantastic way to reduce your carbon footprint. Energy production takes a tremendous amount of energy, and any time you can skip using energy, you are lowering your carbon footprint. Wearing an extra layer of clothing in the winter to stay warm and putting reflective material in your windows during the summer are two ways that you can save energy, money and lower your carbon footprint. Public Transportation and Driving Fewer Miles Another easy way to reduce your carbon footprint is to simply drive fewer hours a year. Using public transportation or carpooling even one day a week can help you lower your carbon footprint substantially. There are other benefits to using public transportation such as having more time to read. When it comes to driving fewer miles, there is a clever trick that can make a substantial difference in your overall carbon footprint. If you can live closer to your work, then you instantly lower your carbon footprint. Keep this factor in mind when buying a new home or renting a new apartment. The simple selection of where you live can make a massive difference on your carbon footprint. Only Fly When Necessary If you can take a train, bus or drive your car instead of flying, strongly consider that option. You can’t beat flying when it comes to speed, but that speed comes a price. Flying produces a lot of greenhouse gases. There are times when flying is literally the only way to go, but consider other options especially for shorter trips. Power Strips and Your Carbon Footprint There are many household items that use a great deal of energy even when they are not in use or appear to be off. Cable boxes often use as much energy as a refrigerator. Gaming consoles can also use a lot of energy even when they are off. Try plugging in your cable box, video game consoles and other electronics into a power strip, and then turn that power strip off when those items are not in use. Not only does this tip help you lower your carbon footprint, but it should also help you save on your annual energy bill as well. Steps Around the Home Those seeking ways to lower one’s carbon footprint will discover that there are ample opportunities right at home. Installing new insulation and replacing old insulation is a perfect place to start as insulation reduces energy costs year round. Installing solar can be an exceptional way to lower one’s carbon footprint. Soon solar energy will be both very easy and affordable. Adding weather-strips to doors and windows and caulking up leaky areas is another inexpensive way to lower your energy bill and your carbon footprint. Other simple steps, such as reading by a window instead of using a lamp and growing even a small amount of your food, all add up to a big difference. Thinking about energy consumption and how to use less energy is the first and greatest step. Your carbon footprint isn’t set in stone. There are steps and they will make a difference. Posted by → May 08, 2015 at 9:32 PM under Environment Home Living Tips
5 Easy Ways to Reduce Your Water Consumption The recent yearlong drought in California has lots of people not just in the United States, but also around the globe looking for new ways to reduce water consumption. Fresh water is a precious resource. But let’s face it; fresh water hasn’t always been treated that way. All of that is set to change in the coming years. Environmental scientists are declaring very clearly that the planet is under considerable stress. Our resources are being strained, but there are steps you can take today to help reduce water consumption. By reducing the amount of water you use, you are both helping the planet and your own bank account. Water bills are likely to become increasingly expensive. Making changes now will help you get ready for those increasing prices. You’ll be well equipped to weather any financial storms that might come your way! Water Reducing Tip One-Low Flow Toilets Toilets can use a tremendous amount of water. One easy way to reduce your water consumption is to invest in a low flow toilet. A low flow toilet still gets the job done, but uses far less energy than a standard toilet. Another way to save water is to simply flush your toilet less. Flushing your toilet a few times per week is enough to make a difference. Part of what makes a low flow toilet an attractive option is that they are relatively inexpensive and work very well. The old idea that a toilet must sound like a jet engine taking off just isn’t accurate. The modern toilet has most definitely been reinvented. You’ll love the difference. Water Reducing Tip Two-Deal with Dripping Faucets A dripping faucet might not initially seem like that big of a deal, but a dripping faucet is always dripping. Twenty-four hours a day of dripping adds up to a lot of wasted water. Most of the time, repairing a dripping faucet is a quick and easy process. However, even if you need to replace a faucet you’ll enjoy immediate cost savings. If you have several dripping faucets in your house, taking steps to fix those faucets can save a tremendous amount of water on a annual basis. Besides, just imagine how wonderful it will be not to hearing running water constantly! Water Reducing Tip Three-A Low Flow Shower Head & Shorter Showers Installing a low flow showerhead can dramatically reduce your water consumption. Showers tend to use a lot of water, but you do have an alternative in the form of a low flow showerhead. The cost of a low flow showerhead is quite reasonable and you’ll have the added bonus of knowing you’re doing something great to help the environment. In addition to installing a low flow showerhead, consider taking shorter showers. Just opting to take one shorter shower per week will help reduce your water consumption. If possible, eliminate showering one day a week. You might just find that there are side benefits such as less instances of feeling like your skin is dried out and even reduced spending on things like soap! Water Reducing Tip Four-A Low Water Use Lawn In the coming years, low water consumption lawns are going to be quite popular, so why not become a pioneer? Grass may look nice, but it uses up a great deal of water. Opting for low water consumption plants for your yard is a significant water saving tip! Here are some hearty yard plants and trees that look great and use very little water: lavender, shrubs, juniper, chokecherry, and white oak. These are just a few of the options to consider, and you’ll find that they are just as colorful and beautiful as the alternatives. Remember that the amount of water used by grass is substantial. Switching out a percentage of your grass yard for low water use plants, shrubs and trees is a great place to start. Regardless of what kind of plants you have, try to group your plants together by water requirements. In this way, the water you do use will be used much more efficiently. Also a layer of organic mulch goes a very long way in preserving moisture levels. A couple of inches of strategically placed mulch can save a hundreds of gallons of water annually. Finally, only water your lawn when it truly needs it. Overwatering your lawn is nothing more than wasting water. Water Reducing Tip Five-A New Approach to Your Washing Machine When it comes to using water around the house, the washing machine is a major consumer. The larger your family may be, the more laundry you have to do, and that means a lot of water. Clearly, you need clean clothes, but by only doing full loads you can be sure that you’ll waste as little water as possible. A full washing machine should make you happy, as it lets you know that you are taking a prudent step in saving water. The fact that most households do hundreds of loads of laundry every year makes Water Reducing Tip Five one that shouldn’t be overlooked. Combine these tips and do so consistently, and over the course of a year, you’ll save a tremendous amount of money. By being creative and thinking through your water usage issues, you can save both a tremendous amount water and see huge financial savings as well. All of us have to work together to preserve our precious water resources. Implement these five tips and you’ll know that you are contributing to preserve precious water resources. Posted by → May 02, 2015 at 10:12 PM under Alternative Energy Environment Home Living Tips
