Get Your Green Drink On for St. Patty’s Day

Whether you’re heading to the nearest Irish pub or having a round of drinks at home tonight to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, make sure the beer is green. Not literally green, unless that’s your bag – but organic or made in an environmentally responsible facility. Green beer is more popular than ever, which means the selection gets better practically by the day.

Everyone from the smallest microbreweries to the biggies like Anheuser-Busch are getting in on the green drinkin’ action. Here’s a selection of green beers to look for while you’re out rabble-rousing.

Wolaver’s Certified Organic Pale Ale – Wolaver’s three year-round brews are perhaps the most ubiquitous of green beers, since they’re widely available and extremely popular. This classic pale ale is creamy and full-bodied with a rich, malty flavor and a distinctive, crisp hoppy finish.

New Belgium’s Fat Tire – While not organic, this popular amber ale is made by Colorado craft brewery New Belgium, which is known for its eco-friendly practices. New Belgium takes extra steps to reduce energy and water consumption as well as waste output, purchasing much of its electricity from wind farms and offsetting CO2. Fat Tire is described as a having biscuit-like malt flavors balanced with hops.

Peak Organic Espresso Amber Ale – This robust amber ale is brewed with locally roasted, fair trade dark Sumatran blend espresso for a toasty flavor that plays nicely off the sweet malty flavors found on the back palate. This is the first Fair Trade Certified beer brewed in the United States.

Eel River Organic Amber Ale – A medium-bodied beer with a hoppy bouquet, rich taste and caramel-like sweetness balanced with a liberal dose of organic Pacific Gems and Hallertau hops, imported from New Zealand. Eel River, based in Fortuna, California, was the first brewery with certified organic beer and has won gold and silver medals at many craft brewing competitions.

Butte Creek Organic Porter – This dark brown porter with a thin white head has notes of roasted, nutty cocoa and caramel with a hint of coffee. It’s quite a substantial beer, with a slightly smoky aroma that’s balanced nicely with hops. It’s bold, with lots of flavor, but not too heavy.

Deschutes Green Lakes Organic Ale – A classic amber ale with caramel and Munich malts for a rich color, and six different varieties of hops including Salmon-Safe certified Sterling hops. Copper-colored with a dry, hoppy finish. Larry Sidor, Deschutes brewmaster, spent four years looking for organic barley that meets Deschutes’ challenging criteria.

Stone Mill Organic Pale Ale – Even Anheuser-Busch, the largest brewer in the US, is making organic ales these days. Stone Mill Pale Ale is made with 100% organic barley malt for a classic taste with a nice balance of maltiness and hop bouquet. A-B has stepped up its commitment to recycling, use of renewable energy and responsible wastewater management. 8 A-B facilities have been certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council for managing company-owned lands for the benefit of wildlife.

Roses Are Red, Lipstick (Still) Has Lead

In 2007, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested 33 popular brands of lipstick and published their shocking find: 61% of those lipsticks contained lead, even trusted ‘natural’ brands like Burt’s Bees. Levels ranged up to 0.65 parts per million – and experts say even tiny amounts can be harmful. Unfortunately, it’s now 2009 and many brands of lipstick still contain this hazardous substance.

From The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics:

“Lead builds up in the body over time and lead-containing lipstick applied several times a day, every day, can add up to significant exposure levels. The latest studies show there is no safe level of lead exposure,” according to Mark Mitchell, M.D., MPH, president of the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice.

The good news is that lipstick doesn’t need to contain lead: 39 percent of lipsticks tested by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics were lead-free – including a $1.99 tube of Wet & Wild. Obviously, it is possible to make lead-free red lipstick.

So why aren’t all companies doing so?

Because they don’t have to. It’s legal for lipstick and other cosmetic products sold in the United States to contain unlimited amounts of lead. While some companies are taking care to use raw materials that are not contaminated with lead and to purchase lead-free pigments, other companies are not taking these precautions. For the list of all the brands we tested for lead, see page 10 of our report, “A Poison Kiss”.

The FDA has still not taken action after the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics published its data on lead in lipstick. A Califonia state bill to ban lead in lipstick died in the Senate in 2008 after a massive industry lobby effort. We can’t trust companies to keep us safe, so we’ve got to be our own advocates.

So, when you’re applying a sexy red pout for your Valentine’s Day date this Saturday, make sure your chosen lip color is lead-free. Lead isn’t listed on the ingredients, so you can’t go by that – check out this list of 11 lead-free lipsticks at The Daily Green for surefire choices.

Link [Campaign for Safe Cosmetics] + [The Daily Green]
Photo credit: Flickr user Ká

Times Square New Year’s Eve Bash Resulted in 40 Tons of Trash

Now that it’s 2009 and New Year celebrations are over, what remains – in Times Square, at least – is tons and tons of trash. About 40 tons of confetti, cups, napkins, hats and other garbage accumulated in the streets during the New Year’s Eve bash and now the city Department of Sanitation gets to take on the job of cleaning it all up.

From USA Today:

Cleanup crews hit the streets shortly after midnight Thursday following the 2009 ball drop. Sanitation spokesman Keith Mellis said 163 people worked until 8 a.m. to sweep up the party trash, and a new shift started at 11 a.m. to tidy the area.

Because of the wind — nearly 25 mph gusts throughout the city — the department wasn’t quite sure how much trash was strewn about, but Mellis expected a little more than last year’s 40 tons. The Times Square Alliance, which puts on the event, said about 1 million people attended.

40 tons. That’s a lot of trash, and with the wind blowing, you wonder whether they managed to get it all. What a waste – literally. It’s amazing how many pieces of plastic or paper we use just once and then throw into a landfill. I guess this sort of takes away from the coolness of the new eco-friendly Times Square ball. Maybe next year New York City will make some kind of effort to cut back on the amount of trash that’s produced – that would really be getting somewhere.

Link [USA Today]

Send a 1Sky Green New Year’s E-Card

Keep sustainability at the forefront of your friends’ and family’s minds by sending them e-cards from 1Sky, an organization that is working to build a diverse, society-wide mobilization to convince the U.S. government to take bold action on climate change by 2010. Choose from three designs including Obama’s New Year’s resolutions, ‘One Ball We Can’t Let Drop’ and one that illustrates a potential effect of global warming.

What 1Sky’s all about:

1Sky was created in 2007 to focus the power of millions of concerned Americans on a single goal: bold federal action by 2010 that can reverse global warming. The 1Sky Solutions are grounded in scientific necessity—they are the bottom line of what’s needed to dramatically reduce carbon emissions while maximizing energy efficiency, renewable energy and breakthrough technologies. They also represent significant economic promise. By pivoting to a clean energy economy, we can relieve our dependence on foreign oil, unlock the potential of sustainable industry and usher in a new era of prosperity and green jobs.

American citizens are building support for the 1Sky Solutions in key Congressional districts on a non-partisan basis, using cutting-edge communications, Internet and old-fashioned neighbor-to-neighbor outreach. To get our leaders to take action, the 1Sky community is bringing together an incredibly diverse range of individuals and organizations in a collaborative effort. With the help of many leaders and groups, 1Sky has already gained the support of elected officials, student and business groups, and faith-based institutions, as well as organizations focused on health, civil society and the environment—and now we need you.

1Sky wants to involve as many people as possible in their grassroots movement for change. That means getting the word out, so send these e-cards or invite your friends to join the 1Sky email list.

Link [1Sky]

Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Gets Green Makeover

When the ball drops tonight in Times Square, New Year’s Eve revelers will get an up-close view of its energy-efficient makeover.  The 12-foot sphere will be double the size of previous balls yet use even less energy thanks to the 32,256 LED lights that will cover it. The new ball will become a year-round attraction above Times Square, in full public view January through December.

From Times Square NYC via Inhabitat:

PHILIPS LIGHTING provided the new solid state lighting technology for the Ball, resulting in an astounding increase in impact, energy efficiency, and color capabilities.  Capable of creating a palette of more than 16 million colors and billions of possible patterns, the 32,256 Philips Luxeon LEDs in this year’s Ball represent more than three times the number of LEDS used last year, to deliver a brighter and more beautiful New Year’s experience than ever before. And this year’s Ball is 10-20% more energy efficient than last year’s already energy-efficient Ball, consuming only the same amount of energy per hour as it would take to operate two traditional home ovens.

“At Philips Lighting, we are proud to be driving innovative and energy-efficient solutions for the world’s broad range of lighting applications – from celebrated landmarks to consumers’ homes — and we’re especially delighted to be the official Lighting Partner to the iconic New Year’s Eve Ball in Times Square,” said Philips Lighting Company Director of Corporate Communications Susan Bloom.  “Now bigger in size and incorporating even more powerful and energy-efficient Philips Luxeon LEDs than last year, this year’s Ball will deliver a New Year’s Eve experience that will be brighter, more beautiful, and more sustainable than ever before.”

Considering that LEDs are brighter and more vibrant than the incandescent bulbs that were previously used, it only makes sense. This year’s ball should be even more beautiful than ever, and hopefully as it drops it’ll usher in a green, sustainable 2009.

Link [Times Square NYC] via [Inhabitat]

Treehugger’s Top Green Hangover Remedies

In case you didn’t catch this over at Treehugger and are recovering from some Yuletide celebrations (or preparing for New Year’s parties), we’re giving you another chance to learn about some natural, green hangover remedies that will help you peel yourself off the floor and go at it again tonight.

Yoga

Athletic activity might sound a)exhausting and b)nauseating, but yoga is actually one of the quickest way to rid the toxins from your body. Try a routine of a couple of sun salutations followed by a series or moderate twists – literally “wring” the remaining alcohol from your body. Check out tips from Planet Green on how to make your yoga greener.

Wheatgrass

While a thick green juice might seem less than appetizing, take a shot of this curing beverage to balance all the not-so-curing ones you downed last night. Found at your local natural foods shop, wheatgrass’ chlorophyll content and detoxifying effects are a surefire cure.

Rescue Remedy

This product (which is made 100% naturally from spring water infused with wild flowers), which celebrities use for its calming effects (red carpet=nerve overload) is also known to help soothe a hungover system. A couple of drops in your water before bed and a pastille in the morning is the natural technique some swear by.

Coconut Water

Gatorade or other electrolyte-enhanced beverages are a common antidote. But since you’ve already been taxing the liver, why continue with the artificial colors and flavorings found in these sugary drinks? Young coconut water boasts electrolytes and more potassium than a banana, and is usually not packaged in polluting plastic.

Play in the Snow

A cold shower is a time honored remedy. But why waste the water? Lay your sad little head in the snow for the same effects. And make the snow look pretty while you are at it, with a nice imprint of your misbehaved body! If you must shower, read TH’s tips on saving water.

Hair of the dog

If all else fails, have another cocktail. My favorite? A nice Dubonnet aperitif, which has just enough alcohol (but not too much) to take the edge off. I like to mix a little in a glass with organic orange juice, home squeezed from the farmer’s market for a little vitamin C.

Link [Treehugger]
Photo credit: Flickr user Faster Panda Kill Kill

Start 2009 Off Right with a Green New Year’s Eve Party

If you’re planning on throwing a New Year’s Eve bash, The Daily Green has the guide you’ve been looking for that explains just how to pull off green, cheap and chic. Sent out cute e-vites, decorate creatively with recycled and re-purposed materials, set the table in style and make some delicious organic hors d’oeuvres.

Check out the first two here and then head on over to The Daily Green for the other 6!

Setting the Table

The easiest and cheapest way to get enough seating for your guests is to borrow from your neighbors (this might mean you’ll need to invite them to your party, so be prepared). If you still need more supplies, try renting them from a party supply store. You can get glasses, china and tablecloths as well. If you’re going the disposable route, try some eco-disposable options. BiodegradableStore.com has a plate made from sugarcane, an annually renewable resource. At $6.95 for a pack of 50, the price is pretty sweet too. Green Party Goods has great options for festive napkins, or take a look at Plum Party’s eco-supply section.

Invites

Keep it simple and free with an e-vite or e-card. Find “cards” at Evite or MyPunchbowl. Try Someecards if you want to get hilarious responses.

Link [The Daily Green]
Photo credit: someecards

Happy Holidays from EarthFirst.com

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy (belated) Hanukkah, Merry Winter Solstice, etc. etc. to all of you out there, and here’s hoping for an awesomely green new year! Now go and glut yourself on free-range ham, organic veggies and all the spiked beverages you can get your hands on.

Link [WrongCards.com]

Toxic Gifts: Read the Ingredients before Slathering on that Smelly Lotion

So, you’ve opened all your gifts and among them are some cologne, lotion, body wash or other personal care products loaded with fragrance. You might be eager to try out your new stuff, but before you douse yourself in that rank smelling body spray in the hopes of enticing your sister’s hot friend into joining you under the mistletoe, check the ingredients. There might be stuff in that harmless looking product that could seriously affect your health.

The number one ingredient you should look for? Fragrance. Whenever you see ‘fragrance’ you should read it as ‘hidden chemicals’, due to a major loophole in FDA federal law that allows manufacturers to include nearly any ingredient in their products under the word ‘fragrance’ without actually listing the chemical.

From the Environmental Working Group:

Companies that manufacture personal care products are required by law to list the ingredients they use, but fragrances and trade-secret formulas are exempt. An analysis of the chemical contents of products reveals that the innocuous-looking “fragrance” often contains chemicals linked to negative health effects. Phthalates, used to make fragrances last longer, are associated damage to the male reproductive system, and artificial musks accumulate in our bodies and can be found in breast milk. Some artificial musks are even linked to cancer. And if you’ve got asthma, watch out– fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens, and can trigger asthma attacks. The same kinds of chemicals are often used for fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, and air fresheners.

Never assume that ‘fragrance’ means natural essential oils. If the scents used in a product are natural, the manufacturer is going to make sure you’re aware of that – it’s a major selling point. It’s sad that we have to be responsible to ensure that neurotoxins, carcinogens and other dangerous substances don’t end up in our bodies without our knowledge, but the FDA simply doesn’t regulate the personal care/cosmetics industry as well as they should.

Look up any product you receive in the Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database, which rates products according to the safety of their ingredients. Don’t assume that just because a brand has a reputation for natural and organic products, that every product from that brand is safe.

Link [EWG] + [Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database]

Oxfam America Unwrapped: Give Gifts to the People Who Need Them Most

We’re in the home stretch as far as gift-giving goes – you’re almost left with no option but to see what’s still remaining on the disheveled shelves at Walgreens (sorry, but the answer to that is inevitably an Ove Glove, some candy and a Barbie pocket mirror).  If you still want to give a meaningful gift, however, we’ve got just the one: an eCard from Oxfam America Unwrapped.

Oxfam America Unwrapped allows you to choose a gift item that symbolically represents Oxfam’s work – like a goat, seeds, a bicycle, land irrigation, stocking a cereal bank or even starting a small business. If your recipient is a schoolteacher, you could choose to purchase school supplies for children in need, or if she’s a nurse, you could buy a medical kit.

The item you purchase is a contribution toward Oxfam America’s many programs throughout the world. You purchase an item, a printed card goes to your recipient and the gift goes to those who need it most.

Here’s an explanation of how it works:

As long as your recipient has an email address, you can send them notification that you’ve donated to Oxfam America in their name. A printed card will still follow, albeit a week or so after Christmas. To this, go through the regular purchase process on the Oxfam site and then click on ‘Tell a Friend’ up top. Choose an eCard to send, and in the message section, let your friend know that you’ve donated to Oxfam as a gift to them and to expect a card in the mail. You can also use these Oxfam eCards to spread the word to others about this great program.

Instant feel-good gifts, customized to the recipient’s interests. Instead of rushing around to buy someone a piece of crap they don’t really want, you’re really making a difference – and isn’t that what it’s all about?

Link [Oxfam America Unwrapped]

6 DIY Holiday Decorating Ideas

Still getting the house ready for the holidays? Don’t panic if you don’t have much of a budget for décor. It’s better to use what you have anyway, and the results can be surprisingly elegant. Apartment Therapy featured six DIY décor ideas from UK magazine Living Etc. that use natural materials along with what you’ve already got laying around your house to create festive accents.

No fireplace? No problem. Find a branch, spray paint it white (or leave it natural), and hang it in near the tree. This woodsy “mantel” can not only hang stockings, but it can also be decorated further by twining holiday lights around it. [top photo]

If you can’t get enough of tree branches, here’s a decorating idea that would make a statement in the dining room: hang a branch above the dining table and decorate it with ornaments.

Need a centerpiece? Clementines are in season right now, and their vibrant orange skin is a perfect and affordable way to brighten up a table.

Get the other 3, including reusable alternatives to Christmas trees and wreaths, over at Apartment Therapy.

Link [Apartment Therapy]

Most Eco-Unfriendly Holiday Décor

While you’re putting up your holiday décor, trimming the tree and wrapping your gifts, the environment may not in the forefront of your thoughts. But during the holiday season, we create more waste and consume far more power than any other time of the year. You may not have covered your entire house in blinking lights that stay on day and night, but there are still common elements of holiday décor that aren’t exactly eco-friendly. Here’s Newsweek’s list of the most environmentally damaging holiday paraphernalia:

Artificial Christmas Trees. While the upshot of fake trees is that you can use them for many years, when it comes time to toss them, they’re tough to recycle. Most are made of nonbiodegradable polyvinyl chloride (PVC.) It’s better to buy a real tree, says Lori Bongiorno author of the environmental guide “Green, Greener, Greenest.” But she warns that not all live trees are equally eco-friendly. “Buy live trees from a farm as close to home as possible so you cut down on emissions for transportation. If you can find a tree that’s both local and organic that’s even better,” she says.

Tinsel. This shiny silver stuff needs to be removed before you can recycle your tree, but it can be tricky to pick all of it off the branches. “Christmas trees are composed or mulched and tinsel won’t break down in this process,” says Bongiorno. “If you send a tree that still has tinsel on the branches … your tree will probably go straight to the landfill.”

Conventional Incandescent Lights. These traditional outdoor bulbs burn up to nine times more energy than light emitting diode lights (LEDs.) Though they cost a bit more, LEDs produce less heat, last longer and shine brighter from one holiday to the next.

Store-bought Ornaments. Those shiny new glass balls and plastic reindeer figurines might be relatively cheap to buy, but when you tally up the raw materials, manufacturing and (usually international) transportation they require, they’re environmentally costly. If your tree is bare, you’re better off buying local, trimming the tree with homemade ornaments or scouting for natural decorations by hanging painted pinecones or berries.

Wrapping Paper. It’s may be pretty, but it’s wasteful to spend a lot on something that ends up torn and crumpled on Christmas morning. Some alternatives to fancy wrapping: use newspaper or old cereal boxes to conceal gifts. Danny Seo, author of “Simply Green Giving” suggests using brown paper bags decorated with red, black and white electrical tape. With a little creativity and craftiness, he says “the end result looks like Burberry gift wrap.”

Electric Window Candles. These need to be plugged in, so they burn energy all through the night (especially if you have lots of windows.) And they’re a dangerous if placed too close to curtains. Bongiorno suggests using LED candles instead. “They’re difficult to break, last a long time, and they don’t get as hot as conventional bulbs so they’re less likely to cause fires.”

Spray-On Snow. Even if you’re yearning for a white Christmas, frosting your windows with faux snow can contribute to air pollution. “[It comes in] an aerosol can and is made from chemicals,” says Seo. Need we say more?

Inflatable Lawn Ornaments. Kids love them, but these giant billowing figures require a constant stream of electric-fan power to remain upright. According to the nonprofit green consulting firm, Efficiency Vermont, it’s best to cut the electricity when dark falls, let Santa deflate overnight, and plump him back up again in the morning.

These are decent tips, but I’ve got a quibble or two: please don’t use electrical tape to decorate brown kraft wrapping paper. Talk about wasteful. Reusable baskets, bags and boxes are a far better choice.

And instead of just shutting off your stupid inflatable lawn ornament at night, how about not buying one in the first place? Then you have a valid excuse not to stand in your front yard in the freezing cold wrestling with and swearing at a giant floppy piece of plastic.

Link [MSNBC]

The Ultimate Fantasy Green Holiday Wish List

There are a growing number of green millionaires and billionaires out there, who have amassed their fortunes by doing good things for the earth. And, after giving a good portion of that money to charities that help preserve the environment, they’ve still got plenty of money to spend on ultimate eco-luxury items like the 7 on this ultimate green holiday wish list. But even if you’re not among the eco elite, you can dream that someday Santa will bring you a few of the following green fantasy gifts.

Tesla Roadster

Why not splurge on a James Bond-worthy, 100% electric, $100,000 Tesla Roadster, the sexiest eco-friendly car on the market? It can travel 244 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack and goes up to 125 miles per hour. The 100th Tesla Roadster was sold just last week to the guy whose shoulder Oprah cried on during Obama’s victory speech, and if you get one for yourself, you’re joining the company of fellow owners George Clooney, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Luxury Eco Vacation to Dubai

The Presidential Suite at the Al Maha Eco Resort in Dubai will set you back a paltry $8,400 a night, appointed with all the luxuries an oil baron might enjoy – only they’re eco-friendly. Guests that stay here will enjoy three large bedrooms, a lounge, a private courtyard and swimming pool, fully appointed kitchen, two mini bars and your very own private staff including housekeeper, security and chef. A trained naturalist acts as your own private guide, taking you on tours of the Al Maha reserve. Al Maha preserves the desert habitat of Dubai and its native species, and has helped protect the formerly endangered Arabian oryx.

Biodegradeable Diamond-Studded LCD TV

The world’s most expensive television is available to you for just $130,000, and the good news is, its glass, aluminum and iron components are all either biodegradable or reusable. The bad news is, it doesn’t seem to use any less power than a normal television. But, hey, it’s studded with brilliant white V VS1 diamonds and white gold, such an important feature to have on a television. When you’re done with this luxury TV by Shaub Lorenz, you can strip it down and have them made into a necklace or something. It’s entirely handmade and has a 40-inch LCD display.

EcoMobile

If you’ve already got a Tesla Roadster and need something a little more streamlined to get around in, you might want to check out the EcoMobile by Swiss automaker Peraves.  This enclosed motorcycle, which can reach a top speed of 202 miles per hour in turbocharged mode, is ultra exclusive: Peraves only manufactures 100 per year. The $77,000 EcoMobile has stabilizing ‘training wheels’ that retract once the vehicle gets moving. It features a gull wing door with integrated sunroof and inside you’ll find everything you would expect from a luxury car, including air conditioning.

Lab-Grown Diamond Stud Earrings

Get the sparkle of diamonds without the guilt by purchasing eco-friendly, conflict-free lab-grown diamonds. These man-made diamonds are actually pretty rare, as only a handful of gem-quality diamonds are grown each month. No giant pits in the earth, no slave labor. This set of Ritani ‘Endless Love’ lab-grown diamond stud earrings feature .67 carat fancy blue diamonds surrounded by .15 carat white micro-pave diamonds set in platinum for $5,160.

Solar-Electric Hybrid Robot Lawnmower

The Husqvarna Automower runs on solar power and electricity to automatically roam your land and cut your grass for you while you lounge around sipping organic cocktails. Depending on light conditions it can handle 1,100 square meters without you lifting a finger. It’s ultra-quiet, can manage rough terrain and it even returns to its charging station on its own. It’ll set you back around $4,000.

Nature Preserve

(image via Forbes Traveler)

For the green millionaire who has everything, perhaps a parcel of land that you can turn into a nature preserve is just the thing you need this year. Follow in Leo DiCaprio’s footsteps by purchasing a private island with the intent of turning it into an ecotourism destination – Blackadore Cay in Belize only cost $1.75 million. Or, you could buy a few hundred thousand acres of rainforest and either manage it yourself or gift it to the country’s government for use as a national park.

Green DIY Holiday Crafts: Pop-Up Junk Mail Cards

Making your own holiday cards – let alone pop-up holiday cards – may seem like something best left to the Martha Stewart wannabe craftmasters, but it’s actually much easier than it sounds and it’s a great way to use up scrap paper like all those junk mail catalogs desperate retailers are sending out right now. The blog Junk Mail Gems created this awesome pop-up reindeer card from 100% recycled junk mail using Robert Sabuda’s easy pop-up card tutorials.

From Junk Mail Gems:

I added the red nose by simply using a hole punch on a piece of red junk mail and gluing the resulting dot on one side of the folded nose, and then painted on the eyes. The piece on the left side that I wrote on is the inside of a security envelope. I used a menswear catalog for the main card and the reindeer…the front and back covers, since they are a thicker stock.

Check out the selection of tutorials over at RobertSabuda.com and make a few craft masterpieces of your own! Though not holiday-related, my favorites are the Star Wars ones. Hey, just make them green and red and add a few little paper ornaments and they’ll work!

Link [Junk Mail Gems] + [Robert Sabuda]

10 Drool-Worthy Green Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Show your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers just how hip of an eco-shopper you are with gifts that are stylish, fun, modern and ultra environmentally conscious. Here are 10 green gift ideas that’ll work for pretty much everyone on your list – and you might just want to add them to your wish list, too, since they’re so damn irresistable.

Guerilla Gardening How-To

Surreptitiously beautify your neighborhood with On Guerilla Gardening by Richard Reynolds, the fun and inspirational guide to the practice of gardening plots that don’t technically belong to you. Full of beautiful color photography, accounts of guerilla gardening from around the world and instructions for the beginner, On Guerilla Gardening is an especially great resource for the city dweller longing for greenery.

“Discover the techniques of seed-bombers, the art of effective propaganda, how to love litter, what to grow in perilous circumstances and how to change your community. Let’s fight the filth with forks and flowers!”

$17.15 from Amazon.com

Organic Truffle Temptations

Suck up to your boss or that hot chick in 2A that you’ve been eyeing since October with a gift box of exotic organic chocolates. These all-natural, USDA organic truffles are handmade in small batches in Vermont and come in tantalizing flavors like Aztec (dark chocolate with cayenne, cinnamon, and lime), Ethiopian Coffee (dark chocolate with rich roasted coffee and lemon) and Honey Fig (milk chocolate with wild honey and figs). Eco Express will gift wrap it and send it directly to your recipient, too, so it’s great for those “Oh crap, I forgot Aunt Millie” last minute gifts.

$21.99 at EcoExpress.com

Stylish Solar Panel Bag

A paper thin, flexible solar panel decorates the outside of the Sawyer messenger bag by Noon, charging a battery pack located inside the bag that can supply power for your cell phone, iPod and other small gadgets. On bright, sunny days, the battery will be charged in 6-8 hours. Perfect for the guy who’s always on the go!

“Has 2 side pockets measuring 6×6,” 2 pockets under front flap, 2 pen/pencil pockets, 2 interior zipper pockets, one for lithium-ion storage battery and electronic accessories, interior cell phone pocket and small flat pocket. Leather is Bavarian sourced, chrome-free, naturally tanned and dyed full-grain cowhide. Has protective leather feet, catch lock closure, and sage colored organic hemp/cotton lining.”

$377 from NoonSolar.com

Sexy Chainless Bike

The Soho chainless bike by Trek is an ‘urban assault vehicle’ that’ll help you get around the city in style. “The 8-speed belt drive features a Gates C-Drive carbon composite belt that is brutally tough yet cleaner than any chain you’ve ever owned. All Weather Tested roller brakes along with features like a rubber top-tube bumper, puncture-resistant Bontrager Hardcase tires, and matching fenders give you an edge on whatever the city has planned for you.”

$990 from TrekBikes.com

Recycled Glass Hoop Earrings

These hoop earrings by Kathleen Plate for Smart Glass Jewelry are made from 100% recycled wine bottles with stainless steel ear wires. They’re big, dramatic, shimmery and come in an enticing hue of green (also available in amber). Each pair is hand-cut, so the exact shape and size varies, but they measure around 2 ¼” in diameter. And, for $5 extra, Delight.com will package them in a lovely recycled box approved by the Save the Forest foundation.

$42 at Delight.com

War on Plastic Tote Bag

The grenade-shaped outer shell of the ‘War on Plastic Bag’ sends a message of how serious you are about avoiding plastic. The roomy green bag is big enough to carry two to three times the amount that a plastic bag would, and it’ll get used again and again, unlike those petroleum-based planet-polluting disposables.

$17 from ShopWillow.com

Bamboo To-Go Ware

Make sure you’re never stuck with using disposable cutlery again with a set of bamboo utensils in a recycled plastic case. It’s just the right size to keep in your handbag or briefcase. “The unique holder for this utensil set has been produced by CONSERVE, an NGO project in Delhi.  It is made entirely of recycled plastic!  CONSERVE employs ragpickers to collect discarded plastic bags and repurposes them into incredible designs and products.”

$19.95 from To-GoWare.com

Handheld Wind & Solar Power Gadget Charger

The Hymini is a handheld mini green power station for small gadgets like cell phones, digital cameras, PDAs and mp3 players. It harnesses wind power and solar power to charge up 5V digital electronics, and can also be plugged into the wall or into your computer’s USB port. Comes with 1200mAh lithium-ion polymer rechargeable battery, AC/DC power adapter, USB transfer cable and 5 mobile phone connectors. Hook it to the handlebars of your bike with the optional bike adapter kit for ultra efficiency.

$49.99 at VerdantComputing.com

Japanese Motorcycle Vegan Wallet

Why carry a boring plain black wallet when you could have a fun graphic diagram of a vintage Japanese motorcycle? This wallet by Tinymeat is totally vegan, with artwork and paint chip swatches sewn between two layers of vinyl. It has a large money pocket and four smaller pockets for IDs and credit cards. “Tinymeat™ is a global design house creating readymade and bespoke accessories constructed of vinyl, art and love. They have a long-standing commitment to grow their brand in an ethical manner by supporting independent artists from around the globe and producing their goods in-house in Portland, Oregon.”

$14.95 at OrganicallyHappy.com

Luxe Recycled Handbag

Ecoist does the recycled candy wrapper thing right, with handbags that look like chic designer creations rather than sixth grade craft projects. The ‘Diva Clutch’ is sleek and stylish, self lined, strong, sturdy and water-resistant with a magnetic snap closure. It’s fair trade – hand made in Peru and Mexico.

$92 at Ecoist.com

Green DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments

Get a whole new tree’s worth of Christmas ornaments without buying a single item. Just do what Plenty Mag did and get some friends and family together for an ornament-making party. Check out what they managed to create with 100% found or recycled objects – they look pretty nice!  Here are instructions for the Tin Can Star – check out Plenty Mag online for the bottle-cap-and-bow, the wreath and a gingerbread man.

Tin Can Star

MATERIALS

• Three 42 oz aluminium cans
• Aluminum take-out food containers

INSTRUCTIONS

• Clean and dry cans. Then, carefully cut off each can’s top and bottom and uncurl the remaining piece of aluminum, flattening overnight under a heavy book if necessary.
• Make basic origami stars using flattened aluminum instead of paper (just be careful of the sharp edges). You can view an animated diagram of the pattern and folding technique at origami-club.com/en.
• Use one of the flattened 42 oz cans to make the biggest origami star. Use the aluminum take-out containers to make stars that get gradually smaller as you layer them. I used three stars for stacking.
• Use another 42 oz can to cut out the flat base star.
• Coil the third flattened can into a cone shape. Use a dab of nontoxic glue to seal the overlapping edges.
• Hold the smallest origami star with its center point facing away from you. Place a dab of glue inside the point. Put the next biggest star inside the smaller star, glue next center point and attach a slightly smaller star, and repeat, working toward the smallest star.
• Place the stacked stars on the base star. Add dots of glue where stackers touch the base star’s surface. Make rays from thin strips of tin. Glue these to the back of the base star.
• Carefully place star on tin cone, using a tiny dab of glue. Tin cans come in every conceivable color and pattern—have fun mixing it up.

We’ll be featuring more DIY holiday décor and gift ideas every week until the new year, so be sure to check back with us!

Link [Plenty Mag]

Which is the Greener Christmas Tree: Faux, Fresh Cut, or Potted?

Does buying that new, freshly cut live Christmas tree contribute to deforestation? Is buying an artificial tree made of petrochemicals worth the reusability benefits? Is buying a live potted tree really the best option? Eco-conscious consumers readying their homes for the holidays have these kinds of questions swirling through their minds as they try to prep for the season and stay true to their values.

There are pros and cons to each choice. The Chicago Tribune has a rundown:

ARTIFICIAL TREES

PROS:

An alternative for those with allergies or asthma. Some people are allergic to terpene, the substance found in the oil or sap of Christmas trees, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Durable. They last about six years.

Affordable. They’re generally cheaper than cut trees because you can use them more than once. Trees with polyethylene (PE) needles are more expensive than polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Some come with warranties. Home Depot (homedepot.com) sells trees ranging from $39.99 to $2,499. Target sells a 3-foot Willowstreet Fir artificial tree for $9.99.

Easier to assemble and maintain. Instant Plaid Pull-up Trees ($179) come with decorations in place. Simply pull the tree up over a metal stand and plug it in. Plastic trees don’t shed their needles and don’t need to be cared for.

No risk of a Charlie Brown tree. Artificial trees come in an astonishing array of sizes and appearances. Pre-lit trees save time in assembly, take-down and have been credited for reducing domestic squabbles.

CONS:

Gigantic carbon footprint. Artificial trees are usually made from petroleum and shipped from China; the pole and branches are primarily made of steel while the needles are made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl, or polyethylene (PE).The American Christmas Tree Association sponsored a study that shows artificial trees are healthier for the environment over a 10-year period due to the costs of transporting a real tree from a lot to someone’s home. Still, some beg to differ. “That’s absurd,” said Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree Association. “How big is the carbon footprint of the cargo ship that carried the fake tree across the Pacific ocean? OR the 18 wheeler that carried it froma port on the Pacific Coast to a store in Chicago.?”

PVC is not biodegradable. If incinerated, the PVC in the trees emits dioxins and other carcinogens. The manufacture of PVC also creates dioxins. Major retailers including Target and Toys “R” Us are phasing out products with PVC.

Lead is often used as a PVC stabilizer. Lead, a toxic metal that can cause damage to the brain and nervous system, is more dangerous for children. University of North Carolina researchers tested the lead content in branches, on hands after contact and in dust under the tree. They found that “while the average artificial Christmas tree does not present a significant exposure risk, in the worst-case scenario a substantial health risk to young children is quite possible.”

No natural scent. Some people solve this by using aerosol sprays or pine-scented air fresheners, but the fumes from most products contain dozens of chemicals, including several classified as toxic or hazardous, according to a University of Washington study.

Check out the Chicago Tribune’s assessment of freshly cut Christmas trees and potted trees as well.

Of course, you could always go for a mod look by decorating some branches with lights and ornaments, or simply decorate a tree in your front yard. Check back with us throughout December for tips on eco-friendly holiday decorating!

Link [The Chicago Tribune]
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

Green Your Office Holiday Party

Parties are already a major bane to the environment; they produce mountains of waste. Holiday parties are even worse, what with all the discarded wrapping paper and packaging. Considering the current economic conditions, many office parties will likely get scaled down this year from frou-frou corporate dinners to casual disposable tableware-laden get-togethers.

As usual, Grist.org has an excellent set of tips for making sure your company’s office party is as green as it can be.  Here are a few of our favorite pointers:

Work the pretty. When it comes to decorations, keep it simple. Buy a few plants, gather up some others from around the office — yeah, even the half-dead ones — and cluster them for an outside-in décor (just be sure you know whose desk they go back to). Ask staffers to contribute a favorite holiday item or their kids’ artwork to brighten up the scene (just be sure you know whose kid they go back to). Or use food as decoration — it’s pretty, it’s colorful, and when it all gets eaten, your Decorations Clean-Up Subcommittee will be happy. For lighting, try LED strings or candles (the non-yucky kind) — or have your party in the daytime so lights aren’t necessary.

Cut the crap. Don’t give out pewter pens or umbrellas stamped with your company logo to every staffer — it creates waste and inspires frustration. Instead, if you have that money to spare, put it into the next paycheck or a gift card. If staffers are pushing to uphold gift-giving traditions, consider a white-elephant exchange, and make it the kind where you bring an item from home, not purchase something new. And if custom dictates that you absolutely must give something to your (greedy, planet-fucking) clients, look into green options geared toward corporations (see Resources, below).

Get the rest at Grist – ‘The Frill is Gone: How to Green Your Office Party‘.

Link [Grist.org]

Green DIY Holiday Décor: Wine Bottle Candle Holders

If you’re looking for some cheap, green ideas for holiday décor that don’t look like a fourth grader’s art project, Design Sponge has instructions for wine bottle candle holders that look chic and cost far less than store-bought décor. And no, this doesn’t entail simply sticking a taper candle into the mouth of a wine bottle. Using a glass cutter, you cut the bottles at varying heights to create a custom-made tablescape.

From Design Sponge:

Here’s what you’ll need:

-Glass cutting kit (we like this one or this one)
-Empty wine or beer bottles
-Sandpaper for polishing cut edges
-Candle
-Ice cube

Making a vase or candle holders out of a glass bottle isn’t rocket science, but it does take some practice. Don’t be upset or frustrated if you end up sacrificing a few bottles to the recycling bin before you master the fine art of scoring. To get started, adjust the cutter so that your bottle lies flat on the rollers with the scoring blade at your desired height. Using both hands, carefully roll the bottle towards you, keeping steady pressure as you create as straight a score line as possible around the entire bottle. Remember that to get a nice clean break in your glass it’s more important that the line be straight, not necessarily deep.

Now it’s time for the fire and ice. Light your candle, and holding the score line directly above the flame, slowly rotate the bottle for 20-30 seconds. Then do a few quick rotations so that the score line is evenly heated all around. Next, grab an ice cube and slide it along the score. This is where it gets interesting. If you hear any clicks or tiny cracking noises, this is a good sign. Most bottles won’t separate during the first round, so you may have to repeat the fire and ice routine a few times before the bottle magically (and cleanly!) snaps in two.

Soften the cut edges of the glass with sandpaper and you’ve got yourself a perfect little vase (or candle holder, or drinking glass)… Experiment with different sizes and heights and you’ll see that the possibilities are endless!

This could be really beautiful with jewel-toned bottles in different shapes. It’s a great way to reuse the many wine bottles your family imbibed on Thanksgiving, and it totally cuts out the need to run out and consume more crap you don’t need. Check back with EarthFirst over the coming weeks for more cool DIY holiday projects.

Link [Design Sponge]

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