As temperatures are starting to drop and holiday decorations are going up, it can only mean one thing – it’s time to start thinking about buying gifts for family and friends. Perhaps you are struggling with what to get that special someone in your life. Maybe you’re stumped because you feel like you’ve given the same thing over and over again. Have no fear! Here are some unique and environmentally friendly gift ideas for everyone from your significant other to the coffee lover, golfer, artist, or general environmental enthusiast in your life. Those on your shopping list will be happy to know you care about them and the Earth.
Predict what your energy bills are going to be before they arrive! TED (aka The Energy Detective) helps you determine where you are wasting energy and where you can be saving money. TED quantifies electricity and displays the results on its easy-to-read LCD screen and/or a local or remote computer.
Feel good – physically and mentally – while playing your next round of golf. The 100% certified organic cotton golf shirt by Port Authority is better for the environment and softer on the skin. And while you’re being green on the green, pick up some biodegradable golf tees, too!
The all-in-one French press coffee maker and mug by Planetary Design is not only convenient, it is kind to the environment. No disposable coffee cups here! What’s even better is that you can select from a wide variety of styles and colors to match your personality.
Candles and other open flames can be harmful inside the home. With a firepot, however, you can have a piece of art in the middle of your home without introducing any harmful fumes or allergens. Fire pots can be used with odorless, smokeless gel fuel for a safe, clean burn.
Can’t settle on just one gift? Check out this book that offers 1,000 best things for you and the Earth. It makes a great gift and a perfect conversation starter as a coffee table centerpiece.
Use these ideas so that you don’t get stuck buying boring socks and pajamas again. And for green bonus points, wrap your gifts in recycled wrapping paper or get creative by using yesterday’s newspaper. Happy Holidays!
The USGBC’s annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo will be held this year in Chicago from November 17-19, and MilliCare is proud to be involved as an exhibitor. Given its growing popularity and recognition, most people are familiar with USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides third-party verification. The LEED program certifies new and existing buildings on a scale that ranges from Platinum (highest) to Certified (lowest).
Over the years, thousands of buildings within the United States and several other countries have applied for LEED certification and received one of the four possible classifications. Thanks to a nifty USGBC Green Buildings mapping tool by ArcGIS, an online system for using geographic information, you can now enter your location and find out how many LEED certified buildings are near your home or place of work. The map shows the location of green buildings, which are symbolized based on their USGBC certification level. Don’t be shy, try the tool and meet your green building neighbors!
As the world’s supply of nonrenewable resources is depleted, and environmental concerns continue to grow, alternative energy sources have become more popular and viable. Most people are familiar with the use of solar, wind and nuclear energy as other methods to create power. However, many would be surprised to know that carpet can also be used to create energy. Instead of sending used carpet into landfills, carpet can be recycled into fuel. This topic was recently covered in an article by Werner Braun, president of the Carpet and Rug Institute, in the Dalton Daily-Citizen.
Here are some interesting facts from the article about the use of carpet as an alternative fuel.
• Today, only about 15 percent of all carpet recycled is being used as an alternative fuel despite the fact that the BTU (British thermal unit, measurement of the heat value of a fuel) properties of carpet make it an excellent material as a fuel substitute for mined coal. • Post-consumer carpet has an estimated heating value of 13,900 BTUs per pound, or roughly 25 percent more than coal’s heating value. • Post-consumer carpet is also a cleaner fuel than coal. • The bulk of all carpet face fiber and backing is petroleum based, including materials such as nylon, polyester, latex and many other backing materials. All of these have high fuel value.
Apple’s iPhone Offers Multiple Green Apps for Users
Apple’s newest phone, the iPhone 4, was released on June 24 to five countries. If there is one thing the iPhone is known for, it’s the device’s wide variety of applications available for download. The technology can be very useful, ranging from apps for recipes and one that can start a vehicle remotely using your iPhone. While these are some of the more popular applications, there are also several available for download with sustainable living in mind. Since the new iPhone aims to be more efficient and have a longer battery life, why not also install these eco-friendly apps to be more environmentally conscious: Carbon Footprint Application This application is a great resource for calculating alternative routes or transportation to the places one visits most. The application is GPS-enabled and allows the user to calculate the carbon footprint- the amount of greenhouse gases produced and natural resources consumed- from daily commuting, business trips or vacation. My Water Diary My Water Diary is an app that helps you track the amount of water you consume within a given week through activities such as showering, washing clothes, mopping floors, cleaning dishes and more. By recording your water usage, you can see where you use the most water and determine ways to reduce consumption. 3rdWhale Mobile This app is designed to find green businesses in one’s location using GPS technology. The app offers six categories of search and is a great tool to find environmentally friendly businesses near a specific location. GreenMeter GreenMeter is an app that can be used to track a vehicle’s fuel and power usage. The app evaluates your driving habits to increase vehicle efficiency, reduce fuel consumption and lower your environmental impact. Results are displayed in real time, while driving, to give instantaneous feedback. These are just a few of the available options for using a powerful device to help make simple life decisions aimed at living a more sustainable lifestyle. Check out the full listing of green applications available for purchase from Apple’s App Store, by visiting these websites for more details: http://blog.taragana.com/index.php/archive/top-10-green-iphone-apps/ and http://www.thenewecologist.com/2010/02/8-money-saving-and-green-iphone-apps/.
U.S. Department of Interior Approves Wind Farm on Nantucket Sound
It’s no doubt that the world’s population is growing. It’s also no secret that one day the world will use up all the fossil fuel currently being produced. Growth brings the need for additional resources to fuel and power the vehicles, homes and workplaces everyone uses daily. The coming months will likely usher in more discussion and debate about how to safely and effectively seek out natural resources, especially in the wake of the oil spill currently affecting the Gulf of Mexico.
In a move viewed by some as highly controversial, the United States Department of the Interior recently approved the development and construction of a wind farm in Nantucket Sound off the Massachusetts coast. It’s estimated that the Cape Wind Project will generate enough power to meet 75 percent of the electrical demand in the Cape Cod area.
The Cape Wind project plans to dramatically reduce the country’s dependence on foreign oil by using wind power to replace an estimated 113 million gallons of oil a year that would have been imported. The project may also assist in stabilizing soaring energy and electricity prices in the Cape Cod area.
The project developers also had to receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to construct the towers, which will be located about 5.2 miles from the mainland. While the wind farm has obstacles, seeking alternative methods of energy is a welcome task that could benefit generations to come. Be sure to check out the project website at www.capewind.org to learn what you might be seeing from a beach near you.
For over a century, the most prominent “green” aspect of Major League baseball has been the lush outfield grass that adorns the playing field. But this year, in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22, Major League Baseball is undertaking several initiatives to educate fans about sustainability issues and practices. Throughout the 2010 baseball season, clubs will be hosting events that demonstrate their commitment to protecting and preserving our environment. For example, the Atlanta Braves are offering discounted tickets to fans who bring recyclables to Turner Field on May 19, while the Chicago White Sox will show videos during their April 22 game that provide tips for conservation and recycling.
MLB has also partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) to develop a software program to collect and analyze stadium operations data. This data will assist all 30 franchises in their ability to monitor issues such as energy consumption, waste management and recycling, water consumption and paper usage.
When planning activities this spring, consider participating in one of America’s favorite pastimes by attending a Major League Baseball game and learn what your favorite team is doing to promote green awareness this season. Now that’s something to cheer about.
With the 2010 Winter Olympics officially underway, the Olympic organizers are hoping the world notices sustainable efforts that have been implemented during the games.
Even before the opening ceremony, The Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC ) had been working with the UN Environment Program ( UNEP ) over the last three years in a bid to enhance the event's environmental performance and increase green awareness.
In fact, prior to the arrival of athletes from 76 countries, the city of Vancouver worked to create cleaner technology choices, expanded public transportation, green construction methods for some facilities and an effort to offset carbon emissions from the games.
Some noteworthy features at Olympic venues include the installation of low-flow toilets that use rainwater for flushing and energy-efficient grass-clad roofs and separate bins for compostable waste. The Richmond Olympic Oval’s (the site of the opening/closing ceremonies) roof captures rainwater which is diverted to the building’s utility system. Waste heat energy recovered from ice-making is also used throughout the heating and cooling system.
Just as MilliCare believes in using a sustainable cleaning method to reduce environmental impact, it’s great that planners wanted to use green construction and seek LEED certification for facilities to ensure the games will leave a lasting legacy for Vancouver and not a lasting carbon footprint.
