Mushrooms as the new styrofoam?

 Green Living  1 Response »
Oct 272011
 

Eben Bayer's sustainable plastic

I’ve been pondering the problem of plastics for the past few days and in my research I’ve discovered what some consider being the most menacing member of the plastic family.

Styrofoam.

Did you know that 20% of the waste in landfills is comprised of Styrofoam?  I remember using this material at parties in grade school, at church brunches, and family gatherings.  Styrofoam can support a whole meal, making cups, bowls, and plates.  Not to mention my last computer came padded in Styrofoam packaging, and come to think of it, so did my TV.

Now consider this:  Next time you sip out of a Styrofoam cup or take your new appliance out of the box, take a look at the white material in your hands.  This packaging is going to last longer than you.  When humans die, our bodies decompose and become part of the earth within the first 100 years.  Any Styrofoam that you’ve encountered in your life will still be around long after you’ve been dead and buried.

It’s a disturbing thought.  People talk about leaving behind a legacy.  Is this the legacy of our generation?

Looking for something to reaffirm my faith in  humanity I consulted TED Talks.  Here I found Eben Bayer, a man who asks “Are Mushrooms the new plastic?”

Bayer says they could be.  Using a part of the root system of mushrooms called Mycelium, Bayer and his collegues have been able to grow an insulating, fire resistant, vapor resistant alternative to plastic which can also absorb impact like Styrofoam.  This organic material is compostable, which allows it to fit into the natural recycling system of the natural world.  Bayer is proving that the great minds of our time are putting themselves to good use.

Sources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/eben_bayer_are_mushrooms_the_new_plastic.html

http://the-green-campaign.blogspot.com/2009/01/what-you-should-know-about-styrofoam.html

http://www.highcountryconservation.org/pdf/The%20Facts%20on%20Styrofoam.pdf

Images:

http://www.dreamstime.com/royalty-free-stock-images-styrofoam-cup-image14196359

http://www.motherboard.tv/2010/12/2/now-mushrooms-can-be-turned-into-plastic

Spread sustainability with Pinterest

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Oct 272011
 

home decor branch design

Post your interests with Pinterest!

The community of social networkers is once again spreading it’s wings with a new social networking site called Pintrest.  Instead of sharing your status, posting personal pictures, or catching up with friends, Pinterest is a place where you can categorize pictures, hobbies, quotes, or articles from your favorite websites.

So what does this new social site have to do with sustainability?  As a place dedicated to sharing people’s interests, I’ve discovered a gold nugget of sustainable themed information, crafts, and images.

For instance, I signed into my account this afternoon only to discover that a friend had “pinned” an entry from a blog that described how to hang fallen yard branches from the ceiling for interior decorating purposes in her nursery.

Last week I came home to find my roommate struggling with an old picture frame in the living room.  Inspired by John Hardy’s innovative green school and their use of old car windshields as whiteboards, she told me she had seen a similar idea on Pinterest which involved putting recycled paper in an old picture frame to make a white board.  It’s now hanging in our living room.

Currently 29,443 boards exist on Pinterest showing the people who have created a space for keeping track of clever, sustainable, green living ideas.  These include sustainable household items, designs, fashion, poetry, pictures of bikes and alternate transportation, tips on gardening, and alternative crafts that are aimed at reusing and recycling.

With the wide wealth of information that is spread over the World Wide Web, Pinterest is a snazzy way for the sustainable community to spread ideas across the globe.

Sources:

http://pinterest.com/

http://www.makeandtakes.com/wipe-off-weekly-menu-board?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+allaboutthemakeandtakes+%28Make+and+Takes%29

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/hanging-branch-tutorial.html

Images:

 

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/hanging-branch-tutorial.html

http://www.faithfullyfrugal-and-free.com/2011/09/corny-halloween-crafts.html

Phthalates and BPA

 What's Hot  No Responses »
Oct 252011
 

Unsafe baby bottles?

Although the world is still buzzing with green gossip, today I thought I’d address a more relevant issue.  There’s been word traveling through the world about the dangers of Phthalates and BPA.  Companies including GreenCupboards.com are working tirelessly to offer products that are safe from these chemicals and others, but why?  I’d like a clear explanation.

What’s the big deal?  What are they?  What do they do?  Why should we care?  When someone picks up a water bottle and says, “It’s BPA free!” why do we get excited?

I want the facts.

And the facts are available.  Although, at times, they’re hidden in some exceptionally dry research.  To spare you the time and effort of muddling through the analysis of the National Toxicity Program to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I’ll give you a little synopsis.

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics more flexible.  For over 25 years people have known that some Phthalates are dangerous to humans.  The basic risk with Phthalates is cancer, specifically in the reproductive organs of males who’ve been exposed to phthalates at a young age or as a fetus.  There are two categories of Phthalates.  “Active” Phthalates are the ones that are being referred to when people speak of dangerous Phthalates.  In studies with animals, specifically rats, these active Phthalates were the chemicals which induced cancerous tumors in the reproductive system.

BPA stands for Bisphenol A.   Bisphenol A is an industrial chemical found in most hard plastics.  In 2004 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study that showed noticeable levels of BPA in 93% of the 2500 people tested over the age of 6.  BPA is said to mimic estrogen in large doses and recent studies have linked high exposure to BPA to behavioral problems in adolescent girls.

Overall, the full effects of these chemicals are unknown.  The evidence shows that they have adverse effects on lab animals, and that high levels are apparent in the majority of the population.  No, we don’t know if they’ll cause physical damage, but our high exposure makes us very susceptible to any damage they may cause.

So here’s the big question: why do we care?

Well, I’m a bit more grateful to the industries that have chosen to exclude these chemicals in their production.  Dangerous chemicals have no place in the home, when the safety of one’s family is at stake.  Although I’m sure there’s no avoiding BPA or Phthalates completely, I plan to be more selective of the plastics I’m buying.

Sources:

http://www.fda.gov/newsevents/publichealthfocus/ucm064437.htm

http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/2008/06/t20080610a.html

http://www.cdc.gov/exposurereport/BisphenolA_FactSheet.html

Images:

http://www.knowabouthealth.com/high-bpa-levels-affect-male-fertility-by-hurting-sperm-quality/7004/

http://pregnancyandbaby.sheknows.com/pregnancy/baby/Teaching-your-breastfed-baby-to-take-a-bottle-6597.htm

Zanesville Tragedy

 What's Hot  1 Response »
Oct 202011
 

Jack Hanna and Sheriff debrief

Big news this week is Terry Thompson and his exotic animal farm.  For those of you who haven’t heard, Terry Thompson, owner of an exotic animal farm in Zanesville Ohio, released all of his animals on October 18th before committing suicide.  Within the next 24 hours 49 of his 56 animals were hunted and killed by 50 deputies from the Sheriff’s office in Zanesville.

Among these rare animals were 18 Bengal tigers, two wolves, eight lionesses, six black bears, and one baboon.  As of yesterday there was only one monkey missing, but deputies have announced that he was eaten by one of the loose tigers.

Thompson had a history with the police department including complaints from neighbors, animal cruelty, fines for loose animals, and a term in prison after being found with illegal weapons.  There is speculation that his actions stemmed from his wife recently leaving him.

Photos from Zanesville are hard to stomach.  Rare animals slaughtered in a mass hunt.  Even so, representatives from the Humane Society and even Jack Hanna have said that deputies were not wrong in their actions.  Concerned with their own safety and the safety of residents, deputies were forced to act.  Many deputies have voiced their sadness at being put in such a position.

Jack Hanna, who drove up to aid deputies and to transport the captured animals to the Columbus Zoo, has voiced his dismay at the Ohio laws that allow civilians to own exotic animals at their homes.  The County Sheriff and Wayne Pacelle, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, have also voiced outrage about this incident in reference to loose state policy where exotic animals are concerned.

What makes it green?  The destruction of these exotic animals is a horrific incident.  Sustainable treatment of this planets treasure’s and resources doesn’t include the mistreatment of animals. The fact that Terry Thompson’s actions could lead to the death of 49 exotic animals is disturbing.  I’m interested to see what happens in the future.  This event has given the Ohio state legislature something to consider and activists a new cause.

Sources:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/zanesville-escaped-animal-tragedy-officials-call-off-hunt/story?id=14775964

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2011/oct/20/menagerie-release-brings-night-of-terror/

Images:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204485304576640791304008536.html

http://calgary.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20111019/zanesville-ohio-police-hunt-escaped-exotic-animals-111019/20111019/?hub=CalgaryHome

Project Green School

 What's Hot  No Responses »
Oct 112011
 

Modern Classroom

In the wake of Steve Jobs death, messages of inspiration have been spiraling through the web.  An influential member of society and major contributor to the past and future of technology, Jobs lived an inspired life.  Personally, inspired by this great man, I wanted to find what other great members of humanity are doing in the name of sustainable innovation and inspiration.

The man who stood out among others is John Hardy, the founder of the Green School inBali, Indonesia. Originally known for success in business, this owner and designer of a Balinese jewelry line decided that he would use his business success to start a school.  Inspired from the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”,   Hardy contemplated the idea that his world is deteriorating and that his children and grandchildren may not be exposed to the wonders of nature as he experienced them.  Disturbed by this fact, he moved into action.

In efforts to truly make a change for the next generation, Hardy and his wife, Cynthia, began a project to start a school that was solely focused on creating a “whole” person.  As Hardy says, “we practice whole-ism, and for me it’s just the idea that if this little girl graduates as a whole person the chances are she’ll demand a whole world in which to live”.

To do this the Green School teaches reading, writing, arithmetic, along with bamboo building, gardening and Balinese arts.  This school has no walls, which allow for natural light classrooms.  It teaches children through observation and interaction with nature, and Hardy believes one of the most important lessons is that the world is not indestructible. In its third year, the Green School has 160 students, and 20% are from local Bali.

With a concern for the loss of forests and global water issues, Green School is made from sustainable, local bamboo.  The school is one of the largest bamboo buildings in the world and Hardy has incorporated the practice of using bamboo infrastructure into many of the locations for designers of his jewelry line.  The facilities lie on 20 acres, next to a river, and surrounded by gardens where children learn to take care of and produce their own food.

John Hardy’s school is becoming a model for sustainable efforts internationally and his influence and passion for sustainability is being passed down to his students.  Greencupboards.com tips our hat to this man who accepted the challenge to change the world, and started locally.

 

Sources:

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/john_hardy_my_green_school_dream.html

http://www.greenschool.org/

http://www.johnhardy.com/women/featured&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=john%20hardy%20alone&utm_term=john%20hardy?utm_nooverride=1

http://www.thesourceasia.com/index.php/mind/227-cynthia-and-john-hardys-green-school

Images:

http://www.alternative-learning.org/?paged=2

http://www.thesourceasia.com/index.php/mind/227-cynthia-and-john-hardys-green-school

The Mix up with Make-up

 What's Hot  1 Response »
Oct 062011
 

natural and sustainable

After spending much too much time digging through my make-up bag I decided I needed to do a little fall cleaning.  Here’s what I discovered.

According to ecosalon.com most women end up trying to branch out with new cosmetics but our fear of change combined with what naturally looks good with our skin tone ends up being a shade very close to what we already have.  I can now identify myself as an owner of four almost identical lip glosses, three one-shade-away eye shadows, and two matching eye pencils that I was sure were different.

What does this mean?  Maybe branching out isn’t in the cards for all of us.  Or maybe we just need to organize our stash of cosmetics more often.  Either way, I’ve decided to keep trying to mix it up, but my efforts will now be dedicated to switching my cosmetics over to all natural cosmetics made by sustainable companies.

To be honest, my sister-in-law is the one who really encouraged this transition.  Last Christmas my present was a package of cover up, blush, and loose powder from Physicians Formula Organic Wear.  I rarely wear powder cosmetics but I tried it out and I love it.

I’ve done a little reading lately and here’s the sustainable scoop on what people are recommending from the world of cosmetics.

Erika Mayyasi from sheknows.com recommends Alima Pure and the Austrailian brand Nvey Eco.  My friend from college, Lauren, said she uses Colorscience Brightening Primer, and my co-worker, Sarah, who has oodles of experience in the sustainable region of the cosmetic world gave me a full review on her favorite sustainable cosmetic brands such as Kiss my Face, Dr. Bronner, Alba, and Avalon.

Inspired by all of the people out there switching over to natural cosmetics, I did a little research to see what the cosmetic companies are up to.  To my surprise and delight I discovered the Sustainable Cosmetic Summit.  This year will mark the 6th European Cosmetic Summit during which cosmetic companies meet to discuss issues in the industry including how to best practice sustainability and how to use green ingredients.  The Summit takes place on the weekend of November 28, 2011.  I’ll keep you updated.

Sources:

http://www.sheknows.com/beauty-and-style/articles/809081/5-eco-friendly-makeup-lines

http://www.sustainablecosmeticssummit.com/aboutthesummit.htm

http://ecosalon.com/high-definition-curbing-makeup-repeats-250/

Images:

http://www.c2cportal.net/2011/05/sustainable-cosmetics-summit-comes-to.html

http://www.healthtrition.com/category/makeup/

http://www.makeupcore.com/

Junk, Junk, JUNK!

 Green Living  No Responses »
Sep 122011
 

A Tissue Box for Plastic Bags

No, it’s not time for spring cleaning yet, but don’t waste these upcoming cold months surrounded by clutter.  At GreenCupboards.com we believe the age old saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Check out our Top Ten resourceful tips to transform clutter into creative design.

1. Peppermint Tin

Need a tissue?  How about a Q-Tip?  Peppermint tins are the perfect purse accessory for those little day to day essentials.

2. Oven Mit

Missing an oven mit?  Instead of tossing the spare, move it to the bathroom.  These mits are perfect for protecting your counters from all hot items including hair crimpers, curlers, and straighteners.

3. Plastic Easter Eggs

Before you make a trip to the grocery store for more Tupperware or plastic bags, take a moment to dig into your Easter stash.  Those colorful pastel eggs are good for more than Easter candy.  Pack your grade-schooler’s cheesy goldfish in these eggs for an easily hatched snack at school.

4. Shoeboxes

Are empty shoeboxes taking up your closet space?  Pair them up with the papers spilling off your desk.  These boxes are the perfect for extra files, recipes, or business cards.

5. Tissue Box

Are wasted tissue boxes affecting your carbon footprint?  Don’t let that empty box  go to waste.  Use it for extra plastic bags.  Use the tissue box to stuff those extra plastic bags from under the sink.  It’s an easy way to organize and to recycle!

6. Shower Rings

Have a few extra?  These convenient rings are fantastic hangings for more than curtains. Use them in your closet to hang scarves, or take them to the kitchen for a hand towel hanger.

7. Step Stool

Have your tykes sprouted into teens?  Now that they no longer need a step stool to reach the sink, it’s your turn to find a use for it.  Try your closet! These stools fit in to optimize closet space as a shoe rack.

8. Wine Cork
Don’t want to toss another cork?  Use it as an accessory in your jewelry box to hold earrings.  Not into jewelry? These corks are good for holding sewing needles, pins, and extra tacks.

9. Linen bag
Have an extra linen bag?  This zippered plastic may seem like a waste of space, but it can serve as the perfect supply bag.  Put your art supplies or extra school supplies here for space optimization and organization!

10.  Button Bag

Surrounded by tiny plastic button bags?  Well they’re good for more than just buttons.  Button bags fit perfectly into your purse as pill carriers.

Images:

http://bloomingdesign.wordpress.com/page/19/?pages-list

http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=1792

http://www.yemmhart.com/news+/winecorkrecycling.htm

Sky Park

 What's Hot  No Responses »
Sep 092011
 

Before High Line Park

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- the three big “R”’s have been ingrained in our minds since childhood.  Could these three simple ideas be applied to more than milk cartons and pop cans?  New York City entrepreneur, Robert Hammond sure thinks so.

When the abandoned raised Manhattan railroad, the High Line, was scheduled for destruction Hammond and travel writer, Joshua David, concocted a plan to save it.  They created a group called “Friends of the High Line” and decided to take the 1.5 miles of track, overgrown with wildflowers, and transform it into a city park.  From this oasis you can see breathtaking views of the Empire State Building, the Hudson River, and the Statue of Liberty.

Fighting multiple lawsuits and the opinion of then Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Hammond and David persevered and the park opened in 2009.

This isn’t New Yorks first experience with revamping industrial areas into eco-friendly playgrounds- check out the Floyd Bennett campground in upstate New York. http://www.greencupboards.com/blog/2011/06/15/floyd-bennett-campground/

What Makes It Green:

Let’s bring some more green into the city! GreenCupboards.com supports an effort that allows for children and inner city inhabitants to spend some time in nature.  An appreciation for the outdoors is at the heart of every sustainable guru.  Our love of the earth comes from an exposure to the beauty and glory of all that is wild whether it stands of two, four, or six feet, or sprouts from the dark soil.  We’d like to applaud Robert Hammond and Joshua David for their creativity.  With the extraordinary task of turning an industrial relic into a city park, they’ve shown us that sustainability can be a leap of faith but that it can exceed all expectations.

Sources:

http://www.thehighline.org/about/friends-of-the-high-line/staff/robert-hammond

http://www.greencupboards.com/blog/2011/06/15/floyd-bennett-campground/

http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/robert_hammond_building_a_park_in_the_sky.html

Images:

http://joonbug.com/newyork/firstcourse/High-Line-Park-The-Citys-First-Elevated-Park/BQywIQxYz1y

http://gliving.com/nyc-highline-park/

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/06/sour-grapes-griping-about-the-high-line-already-starting.php

Second-Hand Soldier

 What's Hot  No Responses »
Aug 252011
 

Jessi Arrington

Can’t fit any more crème colored blouses in your closet?  Or are those perfectly fitted designer jeans suddenly too tight for your budget?  You may be in need of some feel good fashion fundamentals.  Just ask Jessi Arrington.

With her heart on her sleeve and her mother’s advice echoing in her head, this optimistic songbird is a small-town girl turned designer businesswoman.  What’s more, she is a soldier for the sustainable cause.

Arrington, who founded the socially responsible design company WORKSHOP with her husband and best friend, caused jaws to drop in March 2011 when she spoke at the TED Conference.  During her presentation she admitted that her suitcase only contained 7 pairs of underpants, and all of her outfits for the weeklong conference were found at second-hand stores.

This brilliant blogger can’t get over the perks of sustainable shopping.  She’s able to put together outfits for under twenty dollars and says she meets the most interesting people along the way.  Declaring that her favorite color is “rainbow,” Arrington encourages fellow shoppers to branch out from neutral tones and take advantage of the whole color spectrum. She assures her following, “If you believe you’re a beautiful person inside and out, there’s no look you can’t pull off.”

What Makes It Green:

GreenCupboards.com has been won over by this savvy sustainable charmer.  We support not only her optimism but her dedication to integrating conservative buying practices into her efforts to decrease her own consumer footprint.  Stepping out each day with vigorous enthusiasm for living an ecologically responsible lifestyle, Arrington serves as inspiration for all sustainable greenies out there.

Sources:

http://luckysoandso.com/

http://www.ted.com/talks/jessi_arrington_wearing_nothing_new.html

http://idsgn.org/posts/design-love-workshop/

Image:

http://www.ecouterre.com/wear-nothing-new-how-ted-speaker-jessi-arrington-survived-on-7-days-of-undies/jessi-arrington-lucky-so-and-so-6/

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