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Looking for more ways to green your home? Acquire some more tips from my Pinterest board 
Friday, 27 March 2009 09:55
Junk Mail update
I have been really good about contacting companies and being removed from their mailing lists, and I encourage you to do the same. I found a really easy and fast method.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008 09:54
Green Wrapping Paper (part 2)
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I'm back to searching for eco-friendly wrapping paper.
- A few months ago I found some beautiful paper by PapOrganics/Perennial Paper, but they don't have any information about how to buy it on their website.
- The Green Life now carries paper by Fish Lips, but it's not quite what I'm looking for
- Whole Foods in Venice carries pretty paper by Soolip but it's not holiday themed
- Bloomin' is cool because you can plant all their products when you're done with them (but they don't have a huge selection of wrapping paper).
- Natural Elements has really cool paper, and I've seen it at a few stores (though I don't see any for the holidays)
- Of The Earth has plant-able paper too, and some for the holidays!
- Peaceful Valley has a good selection, but not much for the holidays.
- Seltzer has really fun products, but not much for the holidays.
Green Girl Gift Wrap - small selection, including for the holidays
Paper Mojo - a large selection for the holidays, and it's on sale!
Amy Butler Design - BEAUTIFUL paper, but not for the holidays ; (
ErinRuth - very nice paper, some could work for the holidays
Green Solutions has paper that can pass for the holidays
CrinkleCo has really cute paper, and some for the holidays
** GreenYour.com has great advice: Be careful with wrapping paper advertised as "recycled." This could mean it merely employs a mix of virgin wood fiber and pre-consumer waste. Instead, check product labels for a high percentage of post-consumer waste (ideally, 100 percent PCW).
Let's not forget the reusable options:
- Newspaper
- Cloth
- Pre-used gift bags
More...
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 10:58
Company Spotlight: No Wire Hangers (Los Angeles)
I met Julie, owner of eco-organization business No Wire Hangers, at the Sustainable Works Residential Greening Class. I am very impressed with Julie's intelligence and experience.
Julie convinced me to try out Green Dimes, another junk-mail reduction company. For $20 (premium service) you can get rid of it all, plus they plant 5 trees for you. Or you can sign up for free.
Friday, 21 November 2008 02:11
Junk Mail
I've had it up to here with junk mail! At my job it just comes pouring in and I'm sick of it. I've registered us on the Do Not Mail list and I've used Catalog Choice, but it keeps coming! So I am doing it all manually, and it really isn't that bad if you do it everyday.
** I just revisited DMA Choice and they have a fantastic website - very similar to Catalog Choice, but even better because with one click of a button you can be taken off all catalog, magazine, and mail offer lists. Definitely sign up for it.
Here's my method:
- I collect all catalogs/magazines, newsletters, mailings, postcards, etc. - I keep a list of what I've cancelled so I didn't duplicate the process with the same company
- I used to call all the companies, but it took forever. So now I Google them, find their websites, look for "Contact Us" or "Customer Service", and email them.
- In the email heading I write "Please remove from mailing list" and in the body I write that again, followed by the address EXACTLY as it is on the mailing. If there is a customer number and key code I include that as well.
Surprisingly, most of the companies respond within a day, and politely say they've removed me from their mailing list.
What I really wish these companies would do to make my (and your) life easier is to have a button on the bottom of their websites that says "remove from mailing list", just like most do at the bottom of mass emails.
Or, if they really wanted to help the environment - they would STOP SENDING JUNK MAIL! Almost everyone uses the internet these days - why do we need catalogs and post cards announcing every sale and new product?
Ideal Bite is on the same track today with their tip about no longer receiving phone books by mail. Yellow Pages now has a great website that makes the process easy - do it today!
UPDATE: Friends highly suggest using GreenDimes to get rid of junk mail.
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Wednesday, 12 November 2008 11:48
Glass drinking straws
We drink at lot of fresh veggie juice at my job, which is wonderful, but I noticed we were using a lot of plastic straws (read, bad for the earth). Sure, we could not use straws at all, but you gotta admit that it's more pleasant to use them. So, I researched reusable straws and found a fantastic product.
GlassDharma makes Glass Drinking Straws (Made in USA). Not only are they a great alternative to the plastic we toss out, but they won't have that plastic-y taste to them, and you're less at risk to ingest plastic toxins. The best part: these straws are so durable and enjoyable, they come with a lifetime, satisfaction guarantee. If your straw breaks, they will send you a new one for free!
You have your choice of 2 sizes - one for thin drinks (water, tea) and one for thicker (smoothies). You can buy them on their website, or from a company like GreenFeet.
What makes them so strong? They're made from the strongest glass commercially available.
They are great for hot or cold drinks, since they're microwave and dishwasher safe
They are great for hot or cold drinks, since they're microwave and dishwasher safe
UPDATE: I bought these straws for work and they're beautiful!