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Friday, 26 February 2010 22:24

A Chemical Reaction: movie

A Chemical Reaction is screening across the country, and will be in Los Angeles this Sunday afternoon. I'm going to try to make it.

A documentary movie that tells the story of one of the most powerful and effective community initiatives in the history of North America. It started with one lone voice in 1984. Dr. June Irwin, a dermatologist, noticed a connection between her patients’ health conditions and their exposure to chemical pesticides and herbicides. With relentless persistence she brought her concerns to town meetings to warn her fellow citizens that the chemicals they were putting on their lawns posed severe health risks and had unknown side effects on the environment.

Tukey and Rhys and numerous other members of the California environmental and health community will be on hand for the screening and a panel discussion. To reserve a seat at the screening, contact Brett Plymale at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

TICKETS: By donation only ($10 suggested).

February 28th at 1 p.m. at the New Beverly Cinema

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Wednesday, 09 December 2009 10:39

Rent a Live Christmas Tree!

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Last year at Eco Gift 2008, I met Scotty Claus of The Living Christmas Tree Co, and I fell in love with his company, which rents live Christmas Trees in the Los Angeles area. Instead of buying a cut tree and throwing it out, rent a living tree for a few weeks! (I wish there was a company like this in Massachusetts for my family to rent.)

Here's my short video with Scotty from last year.

Sunday, 24 May 2009 11:04

Earth Class Mail

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I passed a neat looking store in West Hollywood called Earth Class Mail. Since it had the word earth in it, I wondered if it was eco-friendly. It is.

Earth Class Mail is a cool concept. Instead of receiving mail in your mailbox, it goes to the company. They scan the UNSEALED envelopes and email them to you. Then you decide:

More...

Wednesday, 15 April 2009 07:54

Better junk mail

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As I went through the usual office junk mail, I came across an eco-friendly mailing from Lexus. Even though it was another unnecessary letter, I was quite impressed it because not only was it made from Mixed Sources, but the envelope was the letter! The letter was created to fold into a sealable envelope. So at the very least Lexus saved an envelope in a very creative way...but I'm still going to request to be taken off their mailing list!

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

I did find a great site just now that has a list of companies I haven't researched yet.

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

Wednesday, 03 December 2008 09:14

The Amazing Amazon Kindle

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.

Saturday, 22 November 2008 15:57

Eco holiday decorations

Friday, 21 November 2008 02:11

Junk Mail

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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.

Wednesday, 19 November 2008 22:55

CFLs (compact fluorescent lighting)

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