Looking for an event, party or open house in the Seattle area? Click the calendar below...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Recycled Cycles
By Guest Blogger Mark Verner
The weather here in Seattle has been great the past several weeks. Why not get out and enjoy it on your bike? If you don't have one, don't worry, Seattle has a lot of great bike shops. One of those great bike shops is Recycled Cycles located in Wallingford. Recycled Cycles was founded in 1994 and specializes in used and reconditioned bicycles. They sell new bikes as well, plus a full array of both new and used bicycle components, accessories, and parts.
Not only is purchasing a used and reconditioned bike more affordable than a brand new bike, but it is also good for the environment! Why go out and purchase a brand new bike when there are plenty of perfectly good used bikes out there to purchase. Recycled Cycles also offers bike rentals. Check them out at their website www.recycledcycles.com
Are you one of those people who saves your wine bottle corks thinking that you can use them for something in the future? Maybe you were thinking of making a cork board out of them or maybe even a trivet for your kitchen. Some people just like to throw them all in a clear jar to show off their yearly wine consumption. Well I've come across a pretty cool idea for those corks you keep saving. Why not make them into placecard holders for your next dinner party?
I've actually seen these wine cork placecard holders for sale, and they can cost up to as much as $30! Seriously? For a used wine cork? I don't know about you but for $30 I could buy another three or more bottles of wine! Why not save that $30 and make your own cork placecard holders. They are very easy to make. Not only will your guests think you are creative like Martha Stewart, but they will surely use the idea for their next dinner party.
Basically all you need are some wine corks, a razor blade or sharp knife, and some cardstock. First, you slice off one side of the cork lengthwise so it can lay flat on the table and not roll around. Then, with the cork laying flat, make a slice down the middle lengthwise. Be sure not to go all the way through. Now you're all set to place your cardstock into the top of your cork placecard holder.
These cork placecard holders can be used for name cards at dinner parties, for displaying the names of cheeses on a cheese platter, or you can even use them as picture holders to display pictures from your recent wine tour. So go grab all those old corks out of your kitchen drawer and be creative!
How Green is your office? Do you do your part to help reduce waste and recycle when you can? If you're recycling office paper, reusing binders, and reducing your office waste you're off to a great start! Why not continue your eco-friendly ways and make sure all of your office products are environmentally-friendly?
TheGreenOffice.com is the first online retailer to offer a full selection of office products focused on Green choices, giving you the power to make socially and environmentally responsible purchasing decisions for the workplace. As a Green business they "walk the talk" and give you the tools to model the best practices that they have developed, tested, and put into practice. Their Green Team is comprised of industry leaders whose values are in line with their business. They are dedicated to the environment and social justice, they love sustainable foods, ride their bikes and take public transportation, they're passionate about enjoying the outdoors, and they all are driven by a need to make a meaningful impact with their work and have fun while they're at it. They are working to achieve sustainability in the workplace by bringing you world-class office products, exceptional service, and the knowledge that you are sending a clear message to the big guys that going green is where it's at.
A good example of their great products is their SoyPrint™ toner for printers. SoyPrint™ toner represents the latest environmental breakthrough in office printing! Made from renewable, environmentally-friendly soybeans, SoyPrint™ toner allows you to print greener without sacrificing cost, quality or page yield! Every conventional petroleum-based toner cartridge replaced with SoyPrint™ represents up to two liters of oil saved, and prevents the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Check out TheGreenOffice.com and continue to make your office as Green as it can be!
We were inspired by a book titled: The Most Beautiful Libraries of the World by Guillaume de Laubier (Author), Jacques Bosser (Photographer), James H. Billington (Contributor), Laurel Hirsch (translator) (Author). In the day and age of information, with the primary sourcing appears to be electronics and the internet, it is the "wow" factor of these incredible libraries that make us take a little step back. Here are just a hand full of the libraries we thought you might enjoy from the above book. Headed in the direction of any of these magnificant structures? Eco-tour idea: walk through and feed your eyes and your mind.
A: Bibliteca di Belle Arti Milano B: Stiftsbibliothek Klosterneuburg, Klosterneuburg, Austria C: Ruggs Library, Georgetown, NY D: Central Library - Seattle E: Suzzallo Library-Seattle F: Abbey Library St. Gallen, Switzerland G: Blioteca-general-da-universidade-de-coimbra-iv H: Melk Monastery Library, Melk, Austria I: Codrington-Oxford-England J: St Gall
Do you love fine art? Are you environmentally conscious? You should definitely check out Schimmel Art. Sandhi Schimmel Gold turns everyday, ordinary junk mail into beautiful works of art. The picture above is an example of Sandhi's work. Sandhi explains her art in this excerpt from her website:
"My vision is to create beautiful images – I employ the disciplines of painting & mosaic to create a connected collection of representational or abstract images in segments of color - utilizing resources that would otherwise go to waste. It is my mission to create fine art from a variety of materials and messages. I upcycle the materials advertisers use to bombard society with their version of beauty – in images and verbiage."
Sandhi can create an original custom portrait on canvas. Below is an example.
Please visit Sandhi's website (http://schimmelart.com/index.htm) for more information and examples of her beautiful, eco-friendly art.
Do you always leave your cell phone charger plugged in continuously because it's convenient? Do you leave you computer or laptop on all night in "sleep" mode? Do you leave some kitchen appliances plugged in even though you only use them once a month?
Even though these items are not being used or turned on, they still drain power out of your outlets. During these tough economic times most people are doing everything they can to help save some money. How much money could you be saving? Well you can easily find out with the Kill-A-Watt Power Monitor by P3. With the Kill-A-Watt you can find out which appliances are the energy abusers in your house. The Kill-A-Watt will pay for itself in about two months. Check out the Kill-A-Watt at the Choose Renewables website.
Are you moving? Packing up materials for a tradeshow? Or just cleaning up around the house and need some boxes for storage? Well instead of going out and buying new cardboard boxes, check out UsedCardboardBoxes.com. They "rescue" truckloads of quality used boxes from large companies that might otherwise recycle them or throw them away.
UsedCardboardBoxes.com brings the boxes back to one of their regional distribution centers where they are inspected and sorted. Boxes that meet their strict requirements for quality, shape and strength are pre-packed into low-cost, earth-friendly "stacks" and "kits". They then "resell" those boxes to customers all across North America, via their website. They offer free shipping on any residential order and guarantee delivery in 1-2 business days.
UsedCardboardBoxes.com also has a service called FreeCardboardBoxes.com. UsedCardboardBoxes.com cannot buy back or pick up the boxes they sell, so they created this free service so that their customers, and the public at large, can exchange their used boxes for free. All you have to do is go to FreeCardboardBoxes.com and setup a free account. You can then either list the boxes you need, or post the boxes you have to give away. You can then pickup or deliver your boxes to people in your area. This will ensure that the box life cycle is extended!
The Netherlands based company, Royal Boon Edam Group Holding, has created the world's first energy generating revolving door that is currently installed at the Driebergen-Zeist railway station in Holland. The door stores power generated in a capicitor bank and illuminates LED lights in its ceiling, while a large scale display outside the building shows pedestrians how much overall power has been generated by the door. This commercialized door is not to be confused with the "Revolution Door" project which still remains a prototype.
We recently read about this innovative branding company from one of our favorite blogs, Mix Mingle & Glow, and we just had to share the idea with you. If you are looking for a new and innovative way to brand your company logo, name, icon or image then consider a Flogo. What is a flogo, you ask? SnowMasters research and development facility in northern Alabama became the home of what is now known as Flogos, or "logos that fly." A flogo is a cloudlike, balloonlike object created out of proprietary surfactant (soap) based foam formulations and lighter-than-air gases such as helium. Flogos are designed to last for as long as their visual impact is needed. Specific formulations are available to provide a life expectancy of a few minutes to an hour or so. The visual impact also greatly depends on atmospheric conditions such as wind and relative humidity. On average, Flogos last for 30 to 40 minutes. Flogos are Green and 100% environmentally safe.
Even though Valentine's Day is all about Red and Pink, you can still go Green for your sweetheart! You can give your Valentine a more eco-friendly bouquet with Organic Bouquet.
Organic Bouquet is a boutique shopping experience that balances your personal sense of style with their shared concern for the well being of people and the planet. Their unique collection of stylish and one of kind products are carefully selected based on the highest social and environmental standards—giving you the comfort and peace of mind in knowing that your purchases make a world of difference.
Organic Bouquet's Bio:
Since 2001, as Organic Bouquet, we've been offering sustainably grown flowers fresh from our partner farms. In fact, we've played a key role in the transformation of the floral industry by promoting and living up to the highest social and environmental standards—developing the most eco-friendly floral packaging, initiating the industry's first carbon offset program, and growing our flowers in a way that is gentle on the earth and that safeguards the ecology and the well-being of wildlife and farm workers.
Washington now has a FREE, convenient and environmentally responsible recycling program for computers, monitors, laptops and televisions. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this free service as most people are getting rid of their current TV's for new HDTV's in preparation for the February 17, 2009 switch to digital TV transmissions. Even though this date may be pushed back to June 2009, you can still take advantage of this service.
Who can use the program?
Households, small businesses, schools & school districts, small governmants, special purpose districts, and charities can recycle electronic products free of charge in this program. Click here for more information.
Where can I recycle?Call 1-800-RECYCLE or visit 1800recycle.wa.gov to find electronic product recycling services in your area. If you don't live in WA, check your local recycling facility for similar recycling programs like this one.
What can I recycle for free?
Televisions Computers Computer Monitors Portable or Laptop Computers
Please note that computer peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and printers are not included in this program.
Today will truly go down as one very historic day. President Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Millions of people will gather in Washington D.C. to witness the historic event and millions more will watch the event on TV. During Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, one of his major issues was the environment and climate change. He will do all he can to make the United States the leader in battling climate change.
President Obama won’t be wasting any time. Events like this that are on such a large scale create a pretty big carbon footprint. There will be a lot of people flying in and driving in for the event. The Obama Administration is doing their part to help minimize that footprint. Obama will walk from the bottom of the U.S. Capitol's Rotunda to the West Front podium on an "environmentally-friendly" carpet runner. He will also be sworn in on recycled blue carpet. A group by the name of Litter Free Inauguration is encouraging all those who attend to bring their own personal garbage bag to pick up after themselves. There will even be people walking in the Inauguration parade scooping up all the horse manure so that it can be used as fertilizer at nearby farms.
After the swearing-in ceremony and parade, there will be two Green Inaugural Balls. One will be hosted by Planet Green and Wyclef Jean and the other is a private, invitation-only Green Ball hosted by Al Gore.
So as you’re watching or listening to the Inauguration, feel proud to be an American and also feel proud that America is doing its part to minimize its carbon footprint.
Did you make a resolution this year to be more eco-friendly? If so, check out TerraCycle. This company makes all of its products from 100% used items. They make plant pots and recycle bins from 100% e-waste (crushed old fax machines and computers). They also make bags, portfolios and backpacks from 100% used drink pouches.
All of these urban pots are made from 100% e-waste. Old fax machines and computers are crushed and made into these very colorful urban pots. The urban pots are also painted by inner city artists.
These bags are made from 100% used cookie wrappers and juice pouches collected by the Drink Pouch Brigade. You can sign up for the Drink Pouch Brigade at TerraCycle's website. As a member of the Drink Pouch Brigade you collect drink pouches and mail them in with pre-paid collection bags. Once you have collected 100 drink pouches they are mailed to TerraCycle. Capri Sun and Honest Tea will donate $.02 for each Capri Sun, Kool-Aid and Honest Tea drink pouch, which will go to the charity of your choice.
Check out TerraCycle's website to learn more about their 100% post-consumer products.
The economy is calling for all of us to "think creative" - More and more people are riding the scooter scene which is loaded with character from the classic original "Vespa" to the hot new entries in the market. Don't stop there - why not show YOUR style if you ride or are thinking of riding. It's just not "vanilla" anymore. The local Vespa store website is: http://www.vespaseattle.com/
Since you can easily customize your scooter - why not the helmet?
The helmet company, Ruby, designed by Honet, has painted a schizophrenic character he named: Pale Rider vs Surfin' Zombie." These are the tree helmet views at the bottom of the photo. The price tag on this pure style component is running anywhere from $500 to $1100. These are exclusive designs of the famous helmet designer in Paris. If you haven't checked these out - feast your eyes on their website: http://www.ateliersruby.com/. One of the closest dealers on the West Coast is VESPA OF CALIFORNIA. Enjoy the ride!
Why not start out the New Year right by Greening up your life? Try making some Green New Year's resolutions. To help get you started here are some Green resolution ideas.
Recycle Everything - Pretty much every city and/or town has a recycling program. Take advantage of it by recycling all of your paper, plastic and glass items.
Reusable Shopping Bags - Instead of going with paper or plastic purchase some reusable shopping bags and use them when buying groceries. Reusable bags hold more and are more durable than their paper and plastic counterparts, plus you can finally get rid of all of those paper and plastic bags you have crammed in that kitchen drawer.
Reusable Water Bottles - Stop buying plastic water bottles and start using a reusable water bottle. This will help keep all of those plastic water bottles out of our landfills.
Replace Light Bulbs - This is an easy one. Replace all of your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. You will not only help save the environment, you'll save money! Each light bulb will save you an average of $30 throughout the course of its life.
Biodegradable Cleaners - Start replacing all of your cleaners and detergents with biodegradable cleaners and detergents. Less chemicals in your house is good for you and the environment.
Digital Thermostats - Replace your old thermostat with a digital, programmable thermostat. You can save money by cooling and heating your house only when you need to rather than wasting energy when no one is even home.
Transportation - Use public transportation, carpool, bike and walk to work as much as possible. Taking public transportation frees up some time to get a little extra work done, read a book/newspaper, listen to some relaxing music on your iPod, or catch a little nap. Carpooling helps save on your gas spending, and biking or walking to work is great excercise.
Eat Organic - Try eating more local, organic foods. By eating organic foods you are eating foods that contains no toxic pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics. Buying local, organic foods helps your local farmers and community.
These are just a few resolution ideas, so try coming up with some of your own Green ideas to help make the next year the most Green, healthy and money-saving year yet!
Do you have your Christmas tree up yet? No? Well instead of going out and buying a pre-cut tree, try buying a living Christmas tree. A living Christmas tree is the perfect way to decorate your home for Christmas and have a new tree to plant in your yard when you're done with it.
If you don't have room in your yard for a new tree, you can take advantage of a program offered by Swansons Nursery in Seattle. Swansons Nursery and Carkeek Park have teamed up for a program called "Trees for Salmon". Once you are done with your tree, you can take the tree back to Swansons Nursery and they will plant the tree at Carkeek Park. Native vegetation help salmon streams by reducing surface water runoff, lowering water temperature, and providing food and habitat for other beneficial critters.
Check your local nursery to purchase a living Christmas tree.
Why not give mother nature the gift of a new tree this Holiday season?
I'm sure most of you have Thanksgiving leftovers still sitting in your refrigerator. And most likely you store them in a Tupperware, Rubbermaid, Gladware or some other plastic container. These containers are great for storing and organizing your food, but they may not be the healthiest or most eco-friendly choice for food storage.
Disposable food storage containers and plastic zip bags are piling up in our landfills. And certain plastic containers release toxins when placed in the microwave. Plastic storage containers tend to stain and warp over time. Why not use glass food containers? The glass containers won't stain or warp, and they won't release any harmful toxins into your food when you heat up your leftovers in the microwave. Check out these handy food storage containers.
This glass food storage container is available from Amazon.com. It's perfect for those leftovers from Thanksgiving, Holiday parties, or to store any food item. It's microwave and dishwasher safe.
Another great idea for food storage is the Glass Lock collection from Kinetic. These are also available from Amazon.com. These containers come with a locking lid. These are also freezer safe. So when you're thinking of buying some new food storage containers, pass on the plastic and go with glass. It's not only better for the environment, it's also better for your health.
With all those holiday parties you'll be attending this year, here is a great idea for a hostess gift to accompany a great bottle of wine. Check out these completely eco-friendly wine bags from Grassroots Gallery. These stunning wine bags make a statement. Carefully crafted of sumptuous, eco-friendly handmade papers, the bags feature exquisite floral embossing, velvet flocking, hand silk-screened prints and real rose petals. The finishing touch are beautiful velvet or soft cotton handles, a mark of true distinction.
You've heard it said many times, but what is a carbon-footprint? Any ideas? Well now is your chance to find out. Take the quiz at myfootprint.org and find out what your personal carbon footprint is.
The Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates the area of land and ocean required to support your consumption of food, goods, services, housing, and energy and assimilate your wastes. Your ecological footprint is expressed in "global hectares" or "global acres", which are standardized units that take into account the differences in biological productivity of various ecosystems impacted by your consumption activities. Your footprint is broken down into four consumption categories: carbon (home energy use and transportation), food, housing, and goods and services.
Here are some tips to plan an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving…
1. Send eco-friendly invitations made of 100% post consumer recycled paper, or made of hemp, banana stalks, organic cotton, or bamboo. Better yet, just send an evite, no paper required.
2. Suggest carpooling. Encourage guests to carpool to your Thanksgiving dinner.
3. Buy an organic Free-Range Turkey. Also purchase everything you can that is organic: milk, meat, veggies, fruits, etc.
4. Purchase organic wines.
5. Reduce packaging. When you go to the store to buy items that have the least amount of packaging and try to buy packaging that is environmentally friendly.
6. If you have to use paper plates, be sure to purchase dinnerware that is biodegradable.
7. Reuse decorations from last year. Use items from your back yard and fall fabric colors to make a nice centerpiece.
8. Plant a tree. Winter season is a good time to plant trees and shrubs so take this time to plant a tree and keep the green growing.
9. If you’re like most people, you will most likely have a lot of leftovers after your Thanksgiving feast. Instead of cramming all of those leftovers into the fridge to rot away, why not donate all of your leftovers to your local shelter or food bank? Be sure to call before your party to arrange pickup or delivery. Or you can send your guests home with little leftover doggie-bags!
America Recycles Day (ARD), November 15, is the only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging Americans to recycle and to buy recycled products. Celebrating its 11th year, it has grown to include millions of Americans pledging to increase their recycling habits at home and work and to buy products made with recycled materials. Through America Recycles Day, the National Recycling Coalition supports local communities and raises awareness by educating citizens about the benefits of recycling. Volunteer America Recycles Day coordinators are positioned throughout the country and work to organize recycling awareness events in their schools and communities, and in conjunction with their local municipalities.
On November 15 each year, millions of people become better informed about the importance of daily recycling and buying recycled products. The purpose of America Recycles Day is to continue to promote the social, environmental and economic benefits of recycling and encourage more people to join the movement toward creating a better natural environment.
Check out the National Recycling Coalition's website to learn more about recycling and America Recycles Day. Do your part and start a recycling event in your neighborhood, school or work.
We recently heard about a great organization that is making a difference in the lives of our military troops.
Cell Phones for Soldiers hopes to turn old cell phones into more than 12 million minutes of prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed overseas in 2008. To do so, Cell Phones for Soldiers expects to collect 15,000 cell phones each month through a network of more than 3,000 collection sites across the country.
The phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers for each donated phone – enough to provide an hour of talk time to soldiers abroad.
Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 400,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.
Through increased fundraising efforts, the Bergquist family hopes to raise more than $9 million in the next five years to fund new programs, such as providing video phones with prepaid service to allow soldiers abroad to see their families on a regular basis.
If you are like many of us and have an old cell phone just sitting in a drawer, consider donating it to this great cause. Click here for details on how to donate your phone.
2008 Northwest Event Show Sponsor Highlight: Stella Color
We'd like to introduce you to another newbie at the Northwest Event Show this year, Stella Color. At Stella Color, it's all about making big ideas come to life, and doing it with eco-friendly techniques.
Stella Color has been a leader in the digital large format print industry since 1988, and is now helping to lead the way in exploring eco-friendly green printing processes in the large format digital printing world.
They offer a broad variety of digitally printed products and services. They print and produce convention and trade show displays, exhibit displays, indoor and outdoor signage, custom wall coverings for business and home, poster printing, advertising graphics, custom window displays, retail wall displays, vinyl vehicle graphics, and much more!
All of the signage at the 2008 Northwest Event Show will be printed by Stella Color, so we urge you to pay special attention to their quality and start thinking about the ways you can utilize Stella's services for own events or business needs.
As you know, the Northwest Event Show is going green this year and we look forward to presenting you with fresh ideas and inspirations to help you think outside the box in event design.
There is nothing more beautiful than nature, so it is no wonder that current trends in event planning design and decor are gathering inspiration from nature's finest elements. A key theme in event design trends for 2009 is to bring the outdoors inside in the form of floral centerpieces and room focal points.
Below we have provided samples from Los Angeles event planner Krislyn Designs. Krislyn Designs successfully uses natural shapes, colors and textures found in nature to create stunning and masterful event decor sensations. We particularly love the use of potted trees and plants as room centerpieces.
Only three weeks now until the 2008 Northwest Event Show takes place at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center on September 23. Have you registered yet? If not, here are just a few of the reasons why you should...
It's 100% free to attend. That's right, the Northwest Event Show is free for all qualified meeting and event planners. Heck, even if you only plan one event a year, or have never planned an event before but have a major one coming up, this show is for you!
Not only is it free, but we'll also give you free stuff! Just for attending the show you'll receive the 2009 B&E Event Resource Guide as our complimentary gift. The guide retails for $14.95 in bookstores, and truly is the most comprehensive planning tool around. The best part is, the 2009 edition will be in FULL COLOR for the first time ever. And you'll be receiving it hot of the press!
The Northwest Event Show is occurring in conjunction with the 2008 SUMMIT INDUSTRY Meeting, also a first. If you are planning on attending the SUMMIT you'll get two great shows on one day.
You'll learn the latest Green Event Planning Tips. This year's event is going green and we have the best ideas and inspirations in town so you can plan greener events too.
Chances to win three weekend getaways to Skamania Lodge, Suncadia Resort, and Sunriver Resort complete with the royal treatment.
The exhibitors are top-notch! With over 250 booths you'll never get another chance like this to meet with the area's top event planning professionals, in one place, on one day. They are the best of the best in design, catering, entertainment, team building and more!
All the food your belly can take, and then a little more. You'll get to sample the best food Northwest caterers have to offer. It's definitely not a day to wear tight pants!
Have we convinced you yet? If so, head on over to nweventshow.com and register for the 2008 Northwest Event Show! You cannot afford to miss this spectacular event!
We've all seen them hanging on a rack at the local grocery store. Eco-friendly, reusable grocery bags are now a hot item when food shopping. But let's face it, now that these earth-saving bags are the way to reduce the use of paper and plastic bags, there is no reason why these new accessories can't be stylish.
From Dogeared, comes these "superheros" of the "supermarket" and they are pretty darn cute. Some of them even have funny phrases much like bumper stickers for those of you that truly want to make a statement.
The bags retail anywhere from $22 to $27. The bags are made of all natural cotton.
And if you are an advocate for greener-bags, you'll love our eco-friendly trade show bags that we'll be handing out for free to all of the attendees of the Northwest Event Show thanks to our sponsor Zippydogs. Have you registered for the show yet? Click here to do so now.
College is a great time for any young (and sometimes, not so young) person. But, with all the rising costs, college and all the expenses that come along with it can make you feel pressed for cash. So, whenever a student can pinch a few extra dollars and save them for a rainy day, they are more than willing do what it takes to save.
If you know someone about to enter college this Fall or know someone who is already in the thralls of learning, we have a completely fantastic online tool you NEED to share with them.
Meet Flat World Knowledge. Flat World Knowledge preserves the best of the old textbooks by leading experts that are rigorously reviewed and developed to the highest standards. Then they flip it all on its head. All of their textbooks are free online. They offer convenient, low-cost choices for students – print, audio, by-the-chapter, and more. The textbooks are open for instructors to mix, mash, and make their own. The other part this is great about Flat World Knowledge is that an online social learning network is automatically created every time you open a chapter to read, because you can also see who is reading the same chapter (even if they are across the globe) and ask them questions if you need help understanding what you are reading. How cool is that?
To learn more about Flat World Knowledge, watch the video below.
Kimpton Hotels has given their "Pick Your Perks" program a makeover and have made the commitment to be environmentally and socially responsible with their newly implemented Great Meetings Great Causes Program. By booking a meeting at one of the Kimpton Hotel facilities, you will reap the benefits of eco-minded rewards that you and the planet will appreciate. Book your next meeting and pick TWO of the following:
A $100 donation to one of Kimpton Hotels' national corporate social responsibility partners (Trust for Public Land, Red Ribbon Campaign or Dress for Success) OR to the corporate social responsibility partner of your choice
A complimentary meeting upgrade with one of the following:
- Eco Signature Meeting - Full breakfast - Complimentary organic morning or afternoon break
One complimentary night at any eco-friendly Kimpton Hotel
A $50 gift certificate to Kimpton Style
A Greensender.com box to help anyone get started or continue incorporating green practices into their daily lives.
A $105 donation to environmental organizations to offset carbon use.
You name the best way you think we can work together to best serve the community and the planet. Our hotels and restaurants will do their very best to accommodate your request.
Click below for more information on one of Seattle's Kimpton Hotels.
Hey all you iPhone users....Did you know your iPhone can actually help you save gas by tracking your mileage. In this day and age, we are all penny-pinchers. Wherever we can save a few extra dollars we try to take advantage of it. There are three applications available for your iPhone that can actually help put money back in your pocket. Here are our favorites...
AccuFuel Fuel Efficiency Tracker - Monitor fuel use by tracking how your driving habits affect your fuel efficiency. You can even track more than one car.
Price $0.99
CarStat - CarStat is a replacement for that little white book that all of our dads used to keep track of the car's mileage. Anytime you fillup your car or take it in for service, record what was done. You can then have CarStat compute a number of different stats on the data.
Price: $1.99
FuelGauge - FuelGauge is a simple little app that does about what you would expect, it helps you keep track of the milage you are getting out of your vehicle. The Miles Per Gallon.
Living green is really about taking advantage of alternative methods of doing everyday activities. Whenever we hear about a new and improved way of doing ordinary things, we just have to share them with you. We recently heard about a company based out of Orange County California that is changing the way families and business pack and move to new locations. Meet EarthFriendlyMoving, the do-it-yourself pack and move solution that allows you to rent packing eco-friendly packing supplies. EarthFriendlyMoving recycles all of those hard-to-recycle colorful plastic bottles from under your kitchen sink, laundry room and garage shelves- like bleach bottles, household cleaning products, dishwashing and laundry detergent to make the famous: RecoPack™
The word RecoPack™ is short for "Recycled Ecological Packing Solution." Made in five consumer friendly sizes, these lightweight, stackable containers are rented to relocating households for a buck a box per week.
Following the move, the Recopacks are picked-up at customers’ new home by a fleet of vegetable oil powered trucks, cleaned, sanitized and then rented out to another customer.
EarthFriendlyMoving is currently operating in Orange County and Long Beach, and will expand throughout Southern California and then nation wide over the next three years. To learn more about EarthFriendlyMoving, click here.
Since Seattle and other Northwest cities like Bremerton and Everett rest along the shores of the Puget Sound, we have the opportunity to watch cargo ships enter and leave our ports, attributing to our area's economy. Our offices are located in West Seattle, so each day we drive parallel to Elliott Bay where hundreds of goods are transported each day. With as much action as our waters undergo, one has to wonder what effect each ship has on our environment. Recently we came across something quite unique that could change the way cargo ships travel from port to port. Meet SkySails. That's right, just like a sailboat moves through the waters by the force of wind against its sails, now the same energy source is being used to move large vessels.
It's a simple fact: wind is cheaper than oil and the most cost-effective offshore energy source. Yet, despite its attractive saving potential, it is not presently being used by cargo ships - for a simple reason: so far no sailing system has met the requirements of commercial shipping.
SkySails is now offering a wind propulsion system based on large towing kites, which, for the first time, meets the requirements of shipping companies. By using the SkySails-System, a ship‘s fuel costs can be reduced by 10- 35% on annual average, depending on wind conditions. Under optimal wind conditions, fuel consumption can temporarily be reduced by up to 50%.
So the next time you drive past a water port, be on the lookout for a "sailing" ship. You never know what the wind might bring.
Introducing The New and Improved Washington State Convention & Trade Center
As you may have heard us mention, once or twice, the 2008 Northwest Event Show is going green! In honor of our Emerald City, the Northwest Event Show will showcase green event planning methods, decor, tips and trends to make your own green event planning ever the more simple and easy-to-do. To start off, the 2008 Northwest Event Show will be held in one of the greenest event venues in the city, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. Located in the center of one of the most environmentally progressive cities in the nation, the Washington State Convention & Trade Center (Center) has long been an industry leader in energy conservation and recycling.
Here is the short list on how the WSCTC stays green...
1. They continue to invest our resources into renovation projects to make the facility even more efficient
2. The Center’s lighting systems to replace older equipment with more efficient fixtures, resulting in savings of over 3,000,000 kWh per year
3. New touchless faucets and self-flushing toilets are being installed throughout the facility to reduce water consumption
4. Tons of food scraps, food soiled paper and disposable service items are separated from
trash and recyclable materials and sent for composting instead of to local landfills
5. The new meeting facility at 800 Pike will achieve LEED Silver Certification following completion of renovations in 2010
The Washington State Convention & Trade Center is doing their part to preserve the city and world we live in. To read even more about what the WSCTC is doing, click below for their "GREEN NEWSLETTER."
Have you ever wondered how green the hotels in Seattle are in comparison to each other? Now you can easily find this information available at RezHub.com. Hotels around the globe are making a huge effort to lower their energy and water usage, and reduce solid wastes. They are installing energy efficient lighting, low flow showers and toilets, participating in recycling programs, and contributing to the local communities. What's even better is whether you're looking for a luxury suite, or something a little more budget friendly there are green options for you and they are all reviewed for you with price comparisons in RezHub's Green Travel Hub section. You can also find information for other cities, plus search for Green Rental Cars, Green Flights and read the Green Travel Blog.
Check below for a quick comparison of the greenest hotels in Seattle.
Have you ever wondered which hotels in the Seattle area are the greenist?
Sometimes in this new green-friendly world, it is easy to wonder what part you can make as an individual. But the truth of the matter is that the best way to make your contributions to sustaining the earth is to make small commitments and changes to your every day lives. Here is one way to start.
Let's face it, Seattleites love their morning cup of java. Whether you get your cup at Starbucks or Seattle's Best or Tully's or even the local stand in your office, each time you order a piping hot cup of joe, your barista most likely also includes a cardboard sleeve to protect your hands from being burned. Just think how many of these paper products are used and thrown away each day.
Now comes a reusable alternative to the cardboard sleeves. CupKozy, available through Etsy, creates new cup sleeves made of felt, chosen for its superior insulating properties. They will fit most 12, 16 and 20 oz. disposable coffee cups, and the best part is they are reusable day after day.
And we think they are pretty darn stylish too. See what you think below.
Whenever we hear about a company that is conducting green business practices, we like to toot their horn a little for them. The FritoLay Company, known for salty snacks and chips, has made huge changes in their everyday business methods to conduct greener practices. Since 1999, FritoLay has reduced their use of water by 39%, natural gas by 30%, and electricity by 22% for each bag of snacks they make. They have also dedicated Green Teams at all of their manufacturing facilities who are focused on finding ways to optimize operations and reduce consumption of resources. By making changes to their overall facilities and fleet, they are able to prevent over 96 million pounds of CO2 emissions from reaching the atmosphere each year.
And if you are still thinking that FritoLay's tasty snacks are still really bad for you, think again. You may have noticed the introduction of FritoLay's natural line including the American classic, Cheetos. That's right, Frito-Lay now makes “natural” Cheetos with organic corn meal, and no preservatives or artificial colors. Sure, a carrot would still be a better choice, but if you ever get the craving for a cheesy bag of goodness, at least you don't need to feel as guilty.
In June, the City of Seattle launched a new program called Bike Smart Seattle, a campaign designed to encourage more Seattleites to ditch their cars for their two-wheeled rider. This summer Bike Smart Seattle will bring neighborhoods an exciting program of group rides, repair clinics, and special bike-oriented events to help Seattle residents overcome hesitations about cycling and promote it as a transportation option.
At its onset, Bike Smart will start in the northwest and central east sections of Seattle, but will eventually be implemented citywide. If you live in these areas, you may have already received a postcard that can be returned for a free bicycle kit containing a calendar of events, citywide bike map, safety information and other helpful materials.
“With the high price of gas and climate change concerns, bicycling should be a transportation option for local trips,” said Grace Crunican, director of SDOT. “Bike Smart Seattle will help create excitement about using bicycles to get around - whether going to the library, meeting a friend for coffee, or picking up groceries at a farmer’s market. As regular riders already understand, bicycling is a fun and healthy way to experience your neighborhood.”
For more information about Bike Smart Seattle, contact Serena Lehman at 206-957-4439.
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts, TrailsFest 2008 is the event for you! This outdoor extravaganza features clinics on everything from wilderness first aid to hiking with kids to backcountry cooking. Take a guided hike, tie a fly on, or climb a rock wall.
Event Details: Saturday July 19, 9am - 4pm at Rattlesnake Lake near North Bend
TrailsFest is a hands-on event for all ages, providing families and other adventurers with a fun and safe environment to explore the outdoors. Been wanting to explore the North Cascades? Attend a clinic with Craig Romano, author of Day Hiking – North Cascades published by Mountaineers Books. Learn how to whip up a tasty backcountry meal in no time from the author of Freezer Bag Cooking. Want to be a responsible hiker with your dog? Check out the clinic on hiking with dogs and trail etiquette. Wanting to try backpacking? Go to Hilleberg the Tentmaker’s clinic on smart packing and learn how to take less, still be comfortable and safe, and have lots more fun!
Looking for a unique gift to send a client as a thank you? Here is a great idea that is completely green. Put together yourself or talk to your local gift basket company about sending a "green" gift consisting of a planters box, soil, seeds and gardening gear. Give the gift of life, plant life, that is.
CREATE THIS LOOK...
Planter:Smith & Hawken Windsor Window Box Crafted from durable resin to lend the appearance wood without cracking or rotting. Price: $169
Trowel: Smith & Hawken Trowel Guaranteed for life, our English trowel is ideal for excavating, shaping and digging small holes for planting. Price: $25
Hand Fork:Smith & Hawken Hand Fork Guaranteed for life, our English hand fork is ideal for light weeding and digging in shallow soil. Price: $25
Gardening Gloves:Essential WorkArmor Gloves from Target Save Your Hands with this Gardening Glove Set. Great for the Green Thumb in Your Life. Made of Resin Price: $29.99
Planter Starter Kit:Buzzy Porcelain Kitchen Herbs Grow Kit This do-it-yourself growing kit makes it easy to enjoy cooking with fresh basil, parsley, chives, marjoram and thyme. Price: $12.99
You've probably already noticed or are already using these completely reusable bags for grocery shopping, packing a picnic, carrying books or whatever other useful need they are great for. Get Hip Get Green brings reusable shopping bags to a forefront of both “E”s: environmentalism and education. With three styles of bags that encourage users to get- hip- get- green and love-this-planet, Get Hip Get Green sells bags to help alleviate the amount of other bags that are regularly discarded and not recycled. The bags are great for multi-use. We even used similar bags last year at the Northwest Event Show, and we're still using them for various purposes to this day.
About Get Hip Bags...
Each Bag comes with hangtag that explains just some of just some of the issues facing the environment today.
Each Bag holds the equivalent load of 3-4 plastic bags or 2 Paper bags.
Each bag is made from non-woven polypropolene and is 100% recyclable.
Five of our Bags will hold the contents of a completely filled grocery cart.
Each bag has a bottom stiffener that protects groceries and that can be easily removed for a quick wipe down.
World wide we consume nearly 1 million plastic bags per minute. By using my bag you can help reduce this startling statistic.
1. Looking for an excuse to replace that bulky computer monitor in the home office? An LCD flat panel model uses as little as a third of the electricity of conventional tube-based models, saving you on your power bill the equivalent of leaving a 50-watt bulb on all year.
When buying large-screen TVs, the savings comes from LCDs and rear-projection models, which use less than half the energy of plasma TVs.
2. You knew grilling was a healthy way to cook vittles, but did you know it was good for the air? Outdoor grills take less energy than electric kitchen stoves. They also keep heat out of the house, lowering air conditioning costs.
Stick with grills that use propane or natural gas; they emit 5.6 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere per hour while a charcoal grill belches 11 pounds of the air-polluting compound for the same.
One more thing: dine on reusable plates made from bamboo, not disposable paper ones. The trees will thank you.
3. If you feel a little woozy after painting the bedroom with latex-based enamel, choose a product low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) instead. New designer colors and improved quality make these safer paints equivalent to standard ones and they benefit your health as well as the planet’s.
If you don't mind a paint fume buzz, try recycled paints. Filtered, reprocessed latex keeps harmful chemicals out of the landfill and at $5 to $7.50 a gallon, they’re a bargain. Colors and finishes are sometimes limited, though..
4. Skip the pesticides and use nature's method of bug-eradication: other animals. Install birdhouses to shelter feathered friends who dine on pesky beetles and grubs. Put out egg cases of Green Lacewings or Praying Mantises (less than $15, www.mastergardening.com) and they’ll gobble up aphids. Bats, and toads will dine on mosquitoes; attract them with bat houses ($25) and toad houses you can make yourself by overturning flower pots.
5. Organic food tastes better and it’s kinder to the earth. Thirty percent of the fossil fuel used on farms goes into the making of fertilizers.
Get greener by buying items grown or produced within 100 miles and you’ll reduce the amount of diesel fuel needed to ship food. You can get fresher food and help small-scale agriculture by shopping at neighborhood farmers’ markets.
Get more of these HGTV Green Ideas by clicking here.
There are thousands of Father's Day cards to choose from each year. Finding the card that says exactly how you feel can be a daunting task. So this Father's Day, give a card that also gives back.
Check out these cards from Hallmark in their (PRODUCT) RED™ line. These cards literally help eliminate AIDS in Africa. There's no extra cost or special effort from you. The contributions to Global Fund comes right out of Hallmark's profits. Make a difference. Choose Hallmark (PRODUCT) RED™ and see how far a card can go.
Here are just a few samples of the Father's Day cards available at your local Hallmark right now.
THESE CARDS ARE MADE WITH RECYCLED PAPER. 20% recycled fiber.
Planet Green is the first and only 24-hour eco-lifestyle television network with a robust online presence and community. This new all green network launched yesterday and on-air content will reach 50 million homes with more than 250 hours of original green lifestyle programming. Both online and on-air, Planet Green's content is entertaining, relevant, and accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. By representing a broad range of ideas and perspectives, Planet Green is taking an active role in generating conversation and motivating individuals to take action when it comes to improving the environmental status of our planet.
Click here to find the channel in your area where Planet Green will air.
Businesses and corporations now have a simple way to contribute to a greener planet through a unique philanthropy opportunity. 1% For The Planet, a non-profit organization, acts as a conduit for action by working with companies willing to donate just 1% of their profits to various causes created to preserving the planet. In return, this growing alliance of companies is given the opportunity not only to see their self-worth rise, but their net worth climb as well.
One Percent for the Planet has also teamed up with Jack Johnson on his 2008 World Tour and All At Once, a new social action network connecting nonprofits with people who want to become active in their local and world community. All At Once comes to life online at www.AllAtOnce.org and at every Jack Johnson concert in the Village Green, a collection of interactive booths where you can get educated, get inspired, and connect face-to-face with us and other local, national, and international non-profits.
If you share a passion for clean, minimalist design, you'll love a company called Modern-Twist. Modern-twist is a result of founder Kat Nouri's ongoing search and passion for products with attention to that extra little something--detail. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, Modern-Twist takes cues from their environment to create household products by modern means, using materials or objects in new ways, often combining industry with nature. As a result, products by Modern-Twist have an organic feel to them. With a background in U.S. manufacturing, Nouri strives to manufacture Modern-Twist products responsibly. U.S. and overseas manufacturers that produce Modern-twist products share our values in respecting the environment, workers and consumers. Modern-twist donates one percent of profits to OnePercentForThePlanet.org.
Check out more of Modern-Twist's products including placemats, coasters, table runners, storage boxs and bags and more.
You may have noticed recent advertisements for the Starbucks Coffee Company's latest addition, cocoa! Together, Starbucks Coffee Company and The Hershey Company have created chocolates that are crafted with high-quality, flavorful cacao from around the world and then blended with premium natural ingredients, authentic Starbucks® coffee, Tazo tea and other authentic coffeehouse flavors.
Starbucks and The Hersey Company are working to make a positive difference in the world’s cacao-growing regions. As part of this commitment and shared values, The Hershey Company has begun to pilot and implement Cocoa Practices, in addition to the company’s current responsible sourcing initiatives. Cocoa Practices is Starbucks sustainable cocoa purchasing guidelines for Starbucks branded products, including Starbucks Chocolate. The effort encourages best practices in cocoa production among farmers, processors and exporters. The two companies are evaluating, identifying and supporting producers of quality, sustainably grown cacao.
We'd like to introduce you to some everyday home decor items with a twist. Below we'll post some images of these items. See if you can guess what they are made of. Find the answers below the image.
Item #1: The Placemat
You may not believe it, but this intricately woven placemat is made of recycled candy wrappers. That's right, if you look closely you'll see the familiar logos of the tasty treats you've been eating for years. This placemat is fun, playful, totally recycled, and calorie-free, to boot! Pick yours up for $26 at VivaTerra.com.
Item#2: Decorative Bowls
You'll never guess what these handcrafted decorative bowls are formed from. Inventive natural sculptor Margaret Dorfman brilliantly transforms edibles into luminescent vessels. Building her bowls slice by slice from fresh produce, Dorfman presses each one into durable parchment, which she hand-shapes to resemble large, bright undulating flowers with vivid repeating patterns. Invisibly coated to maintain their vibrant translucent colors, the bowls comfortably hold a votive candle in a cup. The bowls above are made from Zucchini, Papaya and Beets. Retails for $42 and available at VivaTerra.com
Item #3: Lamps
This is one of our favorite works of “nature."
Founded in 1995 by Frank Lefebvre, Bleu Nature is a craft-based business located near Lille, in Northern France. Their principal material is driftwood, but they also use pebbles, lacquered wood, lacquered metal, leather, skins and petrified wood to create incredible home decor items. These pieces may be made in France, but they fit perfectly into the Northwest style.
One of the best things you can do around the office to practice greener methods of business is to avoid printing unnecessarily. We at banquetevent.com collective include a signature at the bottom of our emails with the simple phrase, "Save a tree. Please do not print this email unless you have to."
If this is something you too would like to do, an online service called GreenPrint now offers free green email signatures that you can add your email. Here are your options...
Greenprint also offers a software program that you install in your computer that helps you weed out unnecessary pages from things you want to print so you can print only what you need. Think about it, how often have you printed directions from Google Maps or Mapquest and the first page prints with just the web address at the top and the second page prints the directions. You never needed the first page, only the second. (See example below).
Greenprint offers a free at home version or a premium home version available for $29. For businesses Greenprint offers Enterprise available for $70.
Everywhere you turn these days you are seeing more and more people making changes in their everyday lives to live a greener life. Whether at home or in the office, people are choosing alternative methods to conduct everyday activities in ways that preserve the environment. Even if one person does one small thing to make a difference the impact of their action is massive. We like to continually provide you with ideas and solutions on how you can make the choice to live greener without requiring a major change in lifestyle.
From the Food Channel, comes the following simple steps on how to live a greener life. Try to make one change in your life and watch the results unfold and grow!
1. Plant a garden. What could be more sustainable than growing your own food? Tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, peppers and so many more wonderful vegetables can be easily harvested out of your own backyard. It’s good exercise, gives you a chance to get some fresh air, and if you grow more than you can consume, you can share it with your neighbors and become better friends. If your yard is too small or you live in an apartment or condo, you can still grow patio vegetable plants, or grow fresh herbs indoors.
2. Use appliances more efficiently. If you’re thinking about remodeling, look for appliances with the Energy Star sticker. The refrigerator is one of the home’s major users of energy. Those that have been built since July 2001 have more efficient standards. Use the water- and energy-saving settings on your appliances as much as possible. Wait until the dishwasher is full before running it. And if it breaks down, fix it, rather than throwing it out and buying a new one.
3. Use compact fluorescent lighting. CFL bulbs can really cut down on your utility bill. They’re 75% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Yes, they cost a bit more, but they last much longer. We all know what a pain it is to replace the bulb in the refrigerator. LED lights are another energy-efficient choice.
4. Ditch the plastic water bottles. Americans buy more than 8 billion gallons of bottled water and some 22 billion empty plastic water bottles are thrown away each year, according to National Geographic magazine. If you really can’t stand using plain old tap water, get a filter, such as Brita, and fill up a reusable neoprene bottle for your H2O to go.
5. Buy from the produce bin. Try to avoid products with excess packaging. Instead of picking up the veggies that are sealed (and sometimes re-sealed) in plastic packaging, buy the stuff right out of the bins. You can purchase only what you need that way, too, so there’s likely to be less waste. Instead of buying the bagged lettuce every time, buy a head of lettuce or two, and chop it up the way you like it.
6. Buy locally grown. If there’s a farmers market near you, support those local growers. Their fruits and vegetables will be fresher, better tasting and better for the environment. Produce that is flown or trucked to your store results in greenhouse gas pollution. According to figures from the National Resources Defense Council, most produce in the U.S. travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold. If you don’t live close to a farmers market, ask your local supermarket to stock more locally grown products in season.
7. Use reusables, not disposables. Keep the use of paper plates, napkins and plastic silverware to a minimum, if at all. Buy some nice cloth napkins, and use real dishes, glasses and flatware. It adds more class to your table and less waste to the landfill.
8. Neither paper nor plastic. Bring your own shopping tote bags to the market. According to National Geographic, 500 billion plastic bags are used per year worldwide, and it takes a lot of trees to create all the paper bags we use. Plus, you’ll be a good green role model, and you won’t have to deal with that tiresome question at the checkout counter.
9. Conserve water. You can do easy things like waiting till the dishwasher is full before using, and feeding excess water to your houseplants instead of pouring it down the drain. And it’s not really that hard to install a tap aerator to your kitchen faucet, which will reduce the flow by 50 to 75%.
10. Clean green. Use reusable microfiber cloth towels instead of paper towels and clean with earth-friendly cleaning solutions. But read labels carefully. Linda Chipperfield is V.P. of marketing for Green Seal™, the largest U.S.-based ecolabeling organization. Green Seal provides independent, science-based guidance to manufacturers and consumers. Chipperfield says it’s not always easy to tell which cleaning products really are earth-friendly. “There are a lot of green claims being made out there today, and many are unsubstantiated,” she says. Look for the Green Seal logo on the package, she advises, and watch out for ingredients such as phosphates, formaldehyde, and chlorine. “Hydrogen peroxide, for example, is a better-for-the-planet cleaning agent than chlorine,” Chipperfield says. “Nonylphenol ethers (NPE’s) are other ingredients to watch out for,” she says, “and avoid products with warnings about toxins or hazardous substances.”
11. Eat more veggies, less meat. Cattle-rearing generates more global warming greenhouse gases than driving cars, according to a 2006 study by the United Nations. Cattle raising is also a major source of land and water degradation. And plenty of studies have shown that consuming less meat and more fruits and vegetables is a healthier way to go.
12. Eat more home-cooked meals. Dining out frequently involves lots of disposable packaging and utensils. Not to mention the gasoline you’ll burn getting there. You’ll put less pollution into the air, and probably healthier foods into your body when you’re eating home cooking. When you do go out, try to patronize establishments that serve locally grown foods, and that minimize the use of disposables.
Based in Washington, D.C., the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857. Through education, legislative and regulatory development, professional education, and research, the AIA and its more than 83,500 members express their commitment to excellence in design and livability in our nation’s buildings and communities.
Each year, the AIA, receives entries for their Top 10 Green Projects awards, and this year, a local building has made the list. The Discovery Center at South Lake Union is known as the "pavilion in the park." Its first use was for an exhibit telling the story of the South Lake Union neighborhood—its past, present, and future. This project was chosen as an AIA Committee on the Environment Top Ten Green Project for 2008. It was submitted by The Miller|Hull Partnership in Seattle, Washington. Additional project team members are listed on the "Process" screen.
The location of the Discovery Center, located in the heart of South Lake Union, is known for being a sustainable community. Sustainability is a term we often hear, but few people really understand its meaning:
building, working and living in a way that is sensitive to our environment
using local resources
working to create positive impacts and changes throughout the community.
To find out more about the exhibits happening right now at the Discovery Center, click here.
April 26 , 2008 - BioLyle's Biodiesel Workshops (Saturday), 10 AM - 3 PM. South Seattle Community College Class Fee: $59 Register by calling 206-764-5339 For more information visit http://biolyle.com/workshops/index.html Learn to make your own fuel from used restaurant oil! Discover the chemistry and tricks of making quality biodiesel, as well as experimenting with different vegetable oils, catalysts, and pH indicators. Various reactor designs will be presented, with an emphasis on the appleseed reactor (made from an electric water heater) which will be operated in class. Other topics include myths and cacts about biodiesel; quality control, washing, cold weather issues, local availabilty and what's going on nationally and locally.
April 26, 2008 - Crooked Trails Annual Fundraiser Museum of History & Industry, Seattle 7 PM Crooked Trails, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting culturally and environmentally responsible travel, will host its annual fundraiser on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 7 p.m. at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle. The celebration will feature world-fusion appetizers, Chilean wine by PengWine, northwest microbrews, global rhythms and both live and silent auctions.
The theme of this year’s event is “Share Yourself: The World Is Waiting to Meet You” – a reflection of Crooked Trails’ belief that by sharing ourselves we are enriched and inspired. Crooked Trails believes that everyone on the planet has something to share, whether it be time, knowledge, skills, energy, or enthusiasm. Through this sharing we make new connections that help us learn, grow, and change. Crooked Trails’ explores the ways in which we can share ourselves with the world and celebrates the endless possibilities this sharing can hold.
Past Crooked Trails fundraisers have been extremely popular, and a sell-out crowd of 200 guests is expected. All are welcome to join the festivities in order to learn about and support Crooked Trails’ partnerships with communities around the world. Pre-registration is required through the Crooked Trails website, http://www.crookedtrails.com/. The cost of the event is $50 per person.
More About Crooked Trails Crooked Trails is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve cultural, ecological, and economic conditions around the world by changing the way people travel. Crooked Trails believes that travel should happen with host communities, not to them. If done properly, and with consent and management from the communities involved, tourism can bring much-needed community development as well as cultural sharing. Crooked Trails programs enrich the lives of both participants and the communities they visit. In addition to tourism activities, every Crooked Trails program includes a community service component. Participants may work on building a school in Kenya with a Maasai warrior, helping to make a documentary film in Peru with a Quechua shaman, digging a community well in the Himalayas with a Nepali farmer, or rebuilding a Thai coastal community destroyed by the tsunami. Crooked Trails also works to promote responsible travel through educational outreach programs in the Seattle area. Co-founders Christine Mackay and Tammy Leland are popular speakers and consultants on responsible travel and community-based tourism.
Many people want to do their part to reduce pollution by carpooling, but it can be difficult to find other commuters near you that also want to carpool. A new service called RideSearch.com offers commuters a way to connect with other people traveling to the same or similar location and interested in carpooling. RideSearch began operation in January of 2008 and is quickly gaining buzz about its unique service. There are many benefits of carpooling. The average commuter knows gas prices are steadily climbing and are predicted to go even higher. Carpooling empowers you the commuter not to be at the mercy of the gas pump and helps your pocketbook at the same time.
Here is how RideSearch works... 1) Create your personal RideSearch profile. 2) Sign up for a membership. 3) Search listings using the "Find a Ride" button. 4) Reply to other listings by checking the message center for new messages from other carpoolers.
Help RideShare spread the word about their service by doing one or more of the following.
1) Post these flyers on office bulletin boards & at apartment complexes.
2) Send emails to coworkers about carpooling with RideSearch.
3) Create blue and white street signs that say: "Carpool. RideSearch.com" & ask your city council where you can put them up.
4) Blog about the benefits of carpooling with RideSearch.com.
Spring Into Action with the King County Earth Day Expo April 22 @ Westlake Park: Join King County at Westlake Park (4th & Pine, Seattle) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate Earth Day and learn more about King County programs that protect and preserve the environment.
Help King County mulch, weed, or pot up trees. Restoration projects are focused on restoring stream and wetland buffer habitats for fish and wildlife. Potted up plants are grown at the nursery for future projects. Volunteer efforts have been and continue to be critical to the success of our restoration projects.
Meet the Yard Talk duo Doug Rice and Greg Rabourn, resident gardening gurus of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks will be on site to answer your garden lawn care questions.
Northwest Natural Yard Days - April 15 - May 15, 2008 Northwest Natural Yard Days is a region-wide promotion of pesticide free and salmon friendly yard care practices. Northwest Natural Yard Days offers discounts of up to 25% off mulch mowing lawn mowers, bagged compost, natural organic fertilizer, less toxic pest and weed control, weed pullers and water conscience garden tools in home improvement centers and garden stores throughout Seattle, King County and Tacoma.
Looking for Earth Day Events in your area? Just check out your local tourism or city website. Cities all over the U.S. today are offering opportunities to get involved.
Happy Earth Day! Now Get Out There And Make A Difference!
We found these great Earth Day Tips from Treehugger.com and want to share them with you. Get out there and make a difference in your workplace today !
What’s the Big Deal About Earth Day Anyway? A greener workplace can mean a lighter ecological footprint, a healthier and more productive place to work, and good news for the bottom line. Whether you’re the boss or the employee, whether your office is green already or still waiting to see the light, some practical steps can lay the groundwork for a healthy, low-impact workspace.
More work, less energy Optimizing the energy settings for computers and other devices can be more than a modest energy saver. Set computers to energy-saving settings and make sure to shut them down when you leave for the day (“standby” settings will continue to draw power even when not in use). By plugging hardware into a power strip with an on/off switch (or a smart power strip), the whole desktop setup can be turned off at once (make sure to power down inkjet printers before killing the power—they need to seal their cartridges). Printers, scanners, and other peripherals that are only used occasionally can be unplugged until they’re needed. And of course, turn off lights in spaces that are unoccupied.
Digitize The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. New software like Greenprint helps eliminate blank pages from documents before printing and can also convert to PDF for paperless document sharing. Right now Greenprint is offer $6 off your order throughout the month of April.
Don’t be a paper pusher When buying printer paper, look for recycled paper with a high percentage of post-consumer content and the minimum of chlorine bleaching. Try to choose printers and photocopiers that do double-sided printing. If your office ships packages, reuse boxes and use shredded waste paper as packing material.
Greening the commute Some employers are giving a bonus to bike and carpool commuters and special perks to hybrid drivers. For those who think bike riding is for kids and tattooed couriers, consider a high-tech folding bike or an electrically assisted one (see below for more). To find other carpoolers in your area click here.
Work from home Instant messaging, video conferencing, and other innovative workflow tools make effective telecommuting a reality. If you can telecommute, hold phone conferences, take online classes, or otherwise work from home, give it a try. It'll save you the time you would have spent on the trip as well as sparing the air. As a bonus, you get to work in your pajamas. Telecommuting works for 44 million Americans (not to mention the TreeHugger and the banquetevent.com staff at times). Also, consider the possibility of working four ten-hour days instead of five eight-hour days (a consolidated workweek), cutting the energy and time spent on commuting by 20% and giving you some lovely three-day weekends.
Use green materials Some paper use can't be avoided, so use recycled paper and envelopes that have been processed and colored using eco-friendly methods. Pens and pencils can also be made of recycled materials, and refillable pens and markers are preferable to disposable ones. Use biodegradable soaps and recycled paper or cloth towels in the bathroom and kitchen, and provide biodegradable cleaners for the custodial staff. Buy in bulk so that shipping and packaging waste are reduced, and reuse the shipping boxes. Recycling printer cartridges is often free, and recycled replacements are cheaper than new ones.
Redesign the workspace Greening the space in which you work has almost limitless possibilities. Start with good furniture, good lighting, and good air. Furniture can be manufactured from recycled materials as well as recyclable. Herman-Miller and Steelcase are two groundbreaking companies that have adopted the Cradle-to-Cradle protocol for many of their office chairs. Incandescent bulbs can be replaced with compact fluorescents and there is an ever-growing selection of high-end LED desk lamps that use miniscule amounts of energy. Not only is natural daylight a free source of lighting for the office, it has been proven to improve worker productivity and satisfaction (as well as boost sales in retail settings). Workspace air quality is also crucial. Good ventilation and low-VOC paints and materials (such as furniture and carpet) will keep employees healthy.
Lunch time Bringing lunch to work in reusable containers is likely the greenest (and healthiest) way to eat at work. Getting delivery and takeout almost inevitably ends with a miniature mountain of packaging waste. But if you do order delivery, join coworkers in placing a large order (more efficient than many separate ones). Also, bring in a reusable plate, utensils, and napkins. If you do go out for lunch, try biking or walking instead of driving.
Get others in on the act Share these tips with your colleagues. ...... and go to www.treehugger.com for even more information. Yeah we know, we are not that crazy about the name either..... but it works!
A week from today, marks Earth Day. And what better time to start making an impact to preserve the world we live in than on this national day of awareness? Need some ideas on how you can do your part to share in the cause? Take our advice and do something to make a difference.
1. Send an Earth Day E-Card: Remind others that Earth Day is coming up and share a special note on how they can join you in doing something to preserve the Earth.
2. Plant a Tree: Contribute to the planet by donating one dollar to assist in the planting of 1 billion trees in the Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Learn more at PlantaBillion.org.
3. Visit a Nature Preserve:Sometimes the best way to get motivated is to see conservation efforts first hand. Visit a local nature preserve near you. If you live in Washington, click here for locations on preserves in your area. Any time of year, you can visit one of these great places, enjoy its natural wonders, and know that your investment in the Conservancy is working to protect it for generations to come.
5. Take part in Video Conferencing: Many businesses like to conduct face-to-face interaction time with their clients. But that usually means driving across town to go meet them. Install free video conferencing tools, such as skype, to your computer and encourage your clients to do the same. Now you can communicate face-to-face, but reduce pollution by staying out of your car.
Take a look at the computer or monitor you are using right now. Do you know what it is made of? Possibly plastic or some other man-made material. But we'd like to ask why can't computers be made of a natural product like wood or bamboo? After all, these materials are quite beautiful and can be naturally harvested. Others have already begun the process of created electronics housed in natural material casings, although most of them do not come from America. Remarkable and beautiful designs made of sustainable materials include keyboards, monitor, cases, mice, LCD panels, sound systyems and even the mouse pad. The Swedish company, Swedx, works to ensure that the wood they use is harvested sustainably. They offer rather bulky mice and have a smaller selection of woods to chose from compared to a similar company out of Russia, but also much more affordable. See below for some of their products. What really catches our eye, however, are the electronics made of bamboo as seen below. Bamboo is a grass rather than wood, but it is harder than oak. The fibers are even stronger than wood and steel. The Bamboo used in these LCD TVs is made from the Gramineae monocotyledonous plant. This type of plant is hard and panda friendly and as pandas only feed on soft bamboo there is no harm to wildlife. The unique bamboo color offers natural beauty and style which provides many advantages for consumers. It is one of a kind, ideal for homes, offices and of course an alternative to plastic surround. The other positive to using bamboo is the rate at which it grows. If you've ever had a bamboo plant in your yard, you know how strong of a plant it is and how quickly it matures.
We are completely enthralled by these designs and can't wait to see what designers come up with next.
We'd like to introduce you to the electric car, Zenn. Zenn cars are ideal for those travelers wishing to do their part to preserve the environment by reducing the use of oil and air pollution caused by gas powered vehicles. Zenn cars provide excellent alternative transportation for those who live and work in densely populated areas or who only travel within a corporate campus, city fleet, military base, etc. and only travel short, but frequent distances. Unlike an electric golf cart, Zenn cars look just like a gas powered vehicle and are enclosed to protect the driver from inclement weather. The Zenn car is also fully-equipped with safety features. Golf carts are also limited to private roads and cannot exceed a 15 mph speed limit, whereas Zenn cars can travel up to 35 mph.
Here are the basic facts about a Zenn Car...
How far can they go before needing to be recharged? About 35 miles
How fast can they go? Up to 25 mph
How long do they take to charge? Fully charged after 8 hours, and 80% charged after 4 hours
Is it legal on public streets? Yes, so long as the speed limit is no more than 35 mph.
Is Zenn like a hybrid? Not really. It is purely electric relying solely on battery power. Hybrids operate on both gas and electric power.
What is the cost of running it? Solely dependent on your regular electric bills.
Can you see yourself hob-knobbing around in your very own Zenn car? Here's where to get yours...
Remember when you were a child and you'd image what the "Future" would be like, with flying cars and robots walking around? Well, maybe the "future" isn't as far off as we think? Let us introduce you to a new robot-like knee brace that actually generates electricity as you walk, strong enough to recharge your cell phone or operate a GPS locator. Researchers at Simon Fraser University Locomotion Laboratory in Burnaby, Canada, have created an accessory that attaches to your knee to generate power with every step that you take.
Without getting too technical, the knee brace works much like a hybrid vehicle because it utilizes the kinetic energy released from your knee as it moves to take a step. The energy is harvested by the brace, preserving energy that is normally wasted. Not only is the device recycling energy, but it also acts as a protective brace for your knee muscles.
Create electricity and lose weight while doing it. Is there anything not to like?
"The most provocative residental high rise in Seattle since World War II"?
Mosler Lofts, a collection of 150 New York loft-style condominiums and town homes, is Seattle's first condominium tower that is certified Built Green and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the Seattle-Post Intelligencer calls it "the most interesting and provocative residential high-rise to appear in Seattle since World War II."
Seven homes remain at Developer Direct pricing from $449,900. Homes range from an open one-bedroom to a 1,545-square-foot two-bedroom, southwesterly facing penthouse home priced at $1.395 million.
So how is this condominium built green, you ask? For one, the building is surrounded by Green Streets, meaning, the landscaping on the building's grounds incorporates eco-friendly techniques to finish the overall tranquil setting of a green building. The building itself is built with a green rooftop with a landscaped surface that will filter water naturally. Inside you'll find Energy Star appliances, non-toxic wall paint, and other eco-friendly home materials such as Sile stone kitchen countertops, Kahrs hardwood flooring, and imported porcelain bath tiles selected both for their beauty and sensibility.
36% of total energy use and 65% of electricity consumption
30% of greenhouse gas emissions
30% of raw materials use
30% of waste output (136 million tons annually)
12% of potable water consumption
In the event industry, we rely heavily on tourism. The Northwest is famous for its beautiful waters, clean air and natural green vegetation, factoring for the increase in tourism to our lovely region. A “green” building incorporates design techniques, technologies, and materials that lessen its dependence on fossil fuels and minimize its overall negative environmental impact, allowing both our Northwest land and our economy to flourish as a result of simple eco-friendly building tactics.
It’s no secret that needless waste and heaps of scraps are part of the equation in today’s textile and garment manufacturing process. Granted there are some amazing results in terms of cutting edge fashion and eye-catching furniture designs, but this often comes at a huge cost in terms of the throw-away elements. The Cabbage Chair by Japanese designers, Nendo, defies this trend by taking waste paper from the pleated fabric industry and turning it into an organic marvel. The Cabbage Chair appears naturally as you peel away a roll of pleated fabric layer by layer. Naturally, due to the softness of the fabric, the chair is extremely comfortable and cozy. This recycled textile waste chair was designed for the XXIst Century Man exhibition curated by Issey Miyake. Nendo calls the chair a "primitive design [that] responds gently to fabrication and distribution costs and environmental concerns, the kinds of issues that face our 21st century selves."
So what do you think? Could you see having this chair in your living room or office?
Hey all you party planners, we have a new on-the-go-planner for you to help you jot down important notes during all your busy meetings. Let us introduce you to the eco-friendly day planner from Nahui Ollin. Nahui Ollin is a collection of unique and fashionable accessories made from recycled materials. All merchandise is entirely hand-made by specially folding and weaving individual candy wrappers, gum wrappers and soda bottle labels--together to create the various beautiful shapes and sizes. That's right, these planners are made of recycled candy wrappers.
The wrappers are collected from manufacturers. The specific wrappers used are considered rejects by the manufacturer often because they have a small defect. What a creative way to practice recycling in an innovative and fresh way.
We hope this inspires you to be just as creative in the design of your next event.
Have you used someone's trash to create a treasure? Share it with us.
Ever wished you could do away with all those annoying cell phone chargers that are cluttering up your space? Have you ever taken to cursing cell phone manufacturers for their extremely wasteful and inconvenient policies to manufacturer different types of batteries and chargers for every make and model of phone known to man? (We certainly have). Well here’s a design that promises an eco-friendly end to the hassles of multiple batteries and chargers - by offering up a single standardized battery that can fit in every type of personal electronic device. The Green Cell battery is safe, environmentally friendly, made without toxic chemicals, and — here’s the best part — when it runs out of juice on the go, it can easily be exchanged for a freshly charged battery at a local vendor machine.
Right now, this solution is only a concept, as it was presented recently at the New York City Greener Gadget Competition. The idea took 3rd place in the competition. Here's to hoping this genius idea becomes a reality.
The Northwest Event Show was designed for event planners, by event planners. This once a year event, blends entertainment, food, decor and networking to create an incredible and interactive display of innovation and design.
This year marks the 13th Anniversary of the Northwest Event Show. This year's theme for the show is GLOBALLY GETTING GREEN. In today's highly interactive and fast paced world, nuances in both design and interaction are infused in the event planning world to utilize eco-friendly tools in the planning of incredible events. Come to the Northwest Event Show to gain insight into the ever-evolving world of event planning. The Northwest Event Show is always one step ahead of the curve in presenting the latest trends and newest services available to you. But don't take our word for it, come and see for yourself.
Show Details: Date: September 23, 2008 Location: Washington State Convention & Trade Center Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost: Free for meeting & event planners
Check out what's new in King County: the first and only all hybrid cab company on the road. Green Cab Seattle is an environmentally friendly taxi company that offers all the regular amenities of a taxi service, but when you hail one of their cars, you also make the choice to save the planet.
Green Cab offers: • 24-hour service - 365 days a year • Door to door service • Commercial and personal account • Express Airport Service • Delivery Service
Way to go Green Cab. Next time we ride, we'll be going green!
How often does your company send out mail to a client and provide a self addressed return envelope? As a publishing company, we do it all the time. We've found an excellent alternative to supplying return envelopes that helps us save costs and the environment with one swoop. Meet ecoEnvelopes. ecoEnvelopes creates reusable envelopes that zip open and seal just like a normal envelope. Then once your receiver opens the mailer, they simply reinsert a reply and reseal before sending it back to you.
Here's what ecoEnvelopes has to say about their product, "Our revolutionary envelopes are less expensive, easier-to-use, simpler to open than traditional envelopes and use approximately 50% less paper. Companies save 15% to 45% on envelope and related mailing costs, and they benefit from higher response rates."
ecoEnvelopes are made exclusively on certified papers from managed forests with up to 100% recycled content. USPS approved, ecoEnvelopes run seamlessly on existing equipment.
We promote green meetings & events a lot because we sincerely care about our environment and our role in preserving it. So, we will continue to provide you with green friendly products & services that you can incorporate into your next event or every day activities. Here are some of our latest great finds.
For your next company picnic or potluck, use these fantastic fully biodegradable platesfrom Branch Home. These plates are created from a byproduct of sugar cane fiber and supplies to create this product are practically available everywhere. The utensils shown are made of 80% potato starch and 20% vegetable oil.
After use, recycle these plates to make other paper products. Bulk order is available.
Another new idea for corporate promotions is to hand out real trees with your company's information tucked inside a tube. Through Arbor Day, earth friendly tree tubes are prepared with your customized label. These tree tubes make incredible corporate gifts or promotional items at a trade show.
Got a sweet tooth? Even sweets can be prepared organically. This St. Patrick's Day enjoy organically prepared Shamrock Cookies available at Organic Style. These handmade delights are excellent choices for your St. Patty's party. Plus they taste as good as they look.
Send the gift of green through the mail with these fantastic, and totally sendable Wood Postcards from Patina. Created from a thin "slice" of eco-friendly, sustainable harvested wood, complete with address lines on the flip side. The Owl Wood Postcard measures 6" x 4 and requires standard postcard postage.
Here are a few easy and completely doable steps you can take to help improve the environment according to GreenHotels.com with a few extra tips from B&E added in...
1. Share seeds and plant cuttings with friends and neighbors to make our Earth greener! (Banquetevent.com recommends giving seeds as party favors at your next event. Check out ecoparti.com for ideas and options).
2. Buy or make some inexpensive cloth napkins to use instead of sending thousands of paper napkins to the dump each year. (You could also check out rice napkins available at ecoparti.com for another earth friendly alternative).
3. When you see a streetlight burning during the daytime, report it to the local light company. Keep calling until the repair is made.
4. Rarely do we need to use the amount of detergent recommended. Use about half or two-thirds of a measure, and then adjust with each load.
5. Don't throw anything out of your car windows, and don't let any of your passengers throw anything out either. Keep our countryside clean and beautiful.
6. Install dimmers on light switches and save electricity. We don't always need full lighting. (At your next event we highly recommend lowlight anyhow. It's way more attractive and actually helps you focus on the event speaker, food, and each other).
7. Use of pesticides and all lawn and garden chemicals should be kept to the absolute minimum necessary. The detrimental effects of these chemicals are multiplied as they are washed by rainwater into our sewers and then into our waterways. (Ask your office building manager what types of chemicals are being used in office lawns and plants. If harmful substances are being used, find out what it would take to get the building landscapers to change products. Sometimes all it takes is having someone ask).
8. Direct rainwater downspouts into gardens rather than into the street so that plantings can benefit.
9. Turn off the lights and TV, and close the drapes when you leave your office, hotel room, conference room, and other common areas.
According to GreenHotels.com, hotels are making a conscious effort to initiate eco-friendly methods of service.
The next time you are planning a stay at a hotel or a meeting in one of their banquet halls, ask your hotel if they are doing their part to save the earth.
Here is a sample of what's going on around the world according to GreenHotels.com...
1. Meeting and banquet facilities are using pourers for sugar, pitchers for cream and small serving dishes for butter and jellies.
2. A Toronto hotel is recycling stained tablecloths into napkins, chef's aprons and neckties.
3. Bicycles are being loaned or rented to guests.
4. Coins or chips are being used for car parking and coat checking instead of paper tickets.
5. Hotels are making cloth laundry bags from retired sheets.
6. Mowed landscaping is being replaced by ground cover. Lawnmowers are used less, so air pollution and noise are reduced.
7. A Florida hotel bought a mulcher to chop up their garden clippings and create their own mulch. The mulcher paid for itself in three months.
8. A Wisconsin B&B has installed beautiful blue floor tile made from recycled automobile windshields.
9. Chief engineers have found that toilet tank fill diverters in older toilets save about 3/4 of a gallon of water per flush.
10. A Pennsylvania property has a 400' garden and produces organically-grown vegetables for its restaurant.
11. Restaurants and bars in hotels are using daylight exclusively for as much of each day as possible.
12. Solar energy is lighting signage and heating water for hotels in tropical areas.
We think you'll love this nifty solar disco ball available at Patina. The disco ball which can be powered either by the sun or a light will spin! All you need to do is dance the night or sunny day away. The Solar Disco Ball measures 18" from the top of the chain to the bottom of the dazzling mirrored ball!
Price: $29.95
Also check out this Disco Ball Air Refresher. Place it on your lamp switch or hang it from your rear view mirror. Either way, you'll be stayin' alive 70's style.
Today will truly go down as one very historic day. President Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Millions of people will gather in Washington D.C. to witness the historic event and millions more will watch the event on TV. During Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, one of his major issues was the environment and climate change. He will do all he can to make the United States the leader in battling climate change.
