House
Eyebrow:
LED Holiday Lights
LED a Charmed Life
Submitted by tmeronek on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 12:00am.
Want things to always go your way when it comes to your energy bill? Light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs for short) will bring down that bill even more. Try switching just your holiday lights to LEDs for starters. The livin' is easy.
Eyebrow:
Eco Home Style
Wallflower
Submitted by dsimmons on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 12:00am. Just shy of finishing decorating your pad? Reserve some space for Binth's mod posters, like colorful prints of the Chicago skyline made from recycled paper and hand-mixed, nontoxic, water-based ink.Why Care?:
Using postconsumer recycled paper saves trees, and opting for water-based, low-VOC ink means fewer toxic chems flushing into waterways during production.
Eyebrow:
Eco-Organizers
Light as a Heather
Submitted by mroemer on Wed, 11/18/2009 - 12:00am. Cluttered pad weighing you down? Let Heather and Brooke of H|B Interior Organization do some heavy-duty rearranging.Why Care?:
Hiring these gals means less hassle and less waste - for example, donating or trading unwanted clothing to places like Wasteland or Buffalo Exchange will ensure that stuff stays outta the dump.
Eyebrow:
Recyclable Shower Curtain
Curtain Call
Submitted by jharper on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 12:00am. Looking for a shower curtain that can handle an encore? Put your hands together for Ty, a recyclable version from Bainbridge Island's Grain Design.Why Care?:
Conventional vinyl shower curtains off-gas plasticizers - potential hormone disrupters - into your home.
Eyebrow:
Locally Made Soaps
On Your Soap Box
Submitted by bdisylvester on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 12:00am. Wanna spread the word, not germs? Shout out for some Saipua soaps. These buttery soft (thanks to shea butter) sudsers are handmade in Hudson, NY, with olive oil, herbs, and natural extracts (no petroleum or artificial dyes and fragrances here) - and smell good enough to eat. For mornings, try the Coffee Mint Soap with brewed coffee grounds, and peppermint, or the citrusy Red Currant.Why Care?:
Unlike many conventional varieties, Saipua makes its soaps without artificial fragrances that contain cancer-linked phthalates, which are absorbed through your skin and wash into waterways via your shower drain.
Eyebrow:
Phantom Loads
Power Shift
Submitted by tmeronek on Mon, 11/16/2009 - 12:00am.
Unwittingly handing over power through your home electronics? Take control of the energy that your TVs, Blu-ray players, speakers, and other appliances drain when they're plugged in, but turned off.
Eyebrow:
Radiant Heating
Totally Rad-iant
Submitted by tmeronek on Thu, 11/12/2009 - 12:00am.
Is your heater as overused as certain '80s lingo? Bogus. If you or a homeowner you know wants to up home efficiency, consider energy-saving radiant floors and ceiling or wall panels. They're way awesome.
Eyebrow:
Reusing Broken Ceramics
Crack-Pot
Submitted by tmeronek on Thu, 11/05/2009 - 12:00am.
Is it crazy to chuck broken ceramics? Eccentric as it may seem, those broken pots are totally useful. You can't recycle 'em in most areas, but try donating, fixing, or creating functional goods out of chipped and shattered earthenware. The possibilities are insane.
It's Electric!
The gas and electric bill of my new apt. runs me about $6-7 a month – cheaper than when I split the bill with a roommate. And it’s not like I do anything dramatic (like take cold showers) or inconvenient (live by candlelight) to make them lower.
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Send to a FriendEyebrow:
Locally Made Table Accessories
Turntable
Submitted by bdisylvester on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 12:00am. Wanna put an eco-spin on your holiday table? Round up Dinner-Ware's cork coasters, trivets, and porcelain napkin rings - all handmade locally in Hudson, NY. The rings come with letters or in mod-like designs including colorful dots and pinwheel-ish flowers.Why Care?:
Napkin rings keep cloth napkins separate and sanitary, so you (and guests) can reuse them a few times before washing. And cork is a sustainable material made from stripping bark off cork oak trees without damaging the trees.
