Archive for April, 2007
Happy Earth Day! I read a lot of great articles yesterday which made me feel excited. Is it me, or does it seem that more attention and awareness is being given to global warming as each day goes by? I feel hopeful that we can start to effect some change - changes in the way people behave and changes in our laws and policies...
Anyway, I read this article about Sheryl Crow and how she has committed herself to finding new ways to save the environment. Great! Her proposal? "Only one square per restroom visit, except, of course, on those pesky occasions where two to three could be required".
This reminded me of a story I heard about 5 or 6 years ago from a nameless friend. Her husband insisted that they limit their toilet paper use to 4 squares, for cost reasons. I thought it was amusing at the time (as well as somewhat dictatorial), but now... well, maybe he's on to something! If not for the cost savings, then for forest conservation.
Regardless, whatever people start doing to be less wasteful and more environmentally-minded, I commend. Make every day Earth Day!
I was at my local hardware store this evening when I noticed a sign about eco-friendly products. This reminded me of the article I saw this morning in the NY Times about how major retail chains are starting to take the initiative of merchandising products as eco friendly.Â
The article refers specifically to Home Depot, which is the 2nd largest retailer in the US, just behind Walmart. In the US, Home Depot customers will be able to more easily identify eco-friendly products when they see the "Eco Options" label. [This program has already been implemented in Canada where "Eco Options make it easy for you to choose products for your home improvement projects that are more environmentally friendly, healthier and can save you money."]
I love this idea and hope other retailers start to catch on to this important issue.  I am looking forward to the day when ALL retailers go green!Â
A few years ago when I went to Japan, one of the things I noticed was that the Japanese take great care in wrapping things. The use of materials can be excessive: some grocery stores wrap each piece of fruit individually, which all goes into yet another plastic bag when the customer makes her purchase.
With practices like these, it's no surprise that Japan is one of the biggest consumers of plastic bags - at about 300 billion per year.
Well, Triumph International has decided to do something about it. They have released the No Regi-bukuro (No Plastic Bag) bra to raise awareness. These bras are made of recycled polyester and can transformed into a shopping bag when not being worn.
Check out this video... I particularly liked this quote: "conservative members of society could be shocked when women remove their bras to buy a loaf of bread at the supermarket..."
I hate my cell phone for many reasons, and not a day goes by where I wish I could throw it out the window. (By the way, I wouldn't do that because littering is bad!)
Anyway, I've been pining for an iPhone, along with every other teenager in the US. However, this new report by Greenpeace is making me think twice. Greenpeace recently reviewed the top mobile and PC manufacturers on their "global policies and practice on eliminating harmful chemicals and on taking responsibility for their products once they are discarded by consumers." Apple came in dead last on their list. Here are their reasons why.Â
I know there are always two sides to every story. Apple refers to its long history of environmental history here. They also point out their progress in product design, manufacturing, recycling and energy efficiency - this includes minimizing the use of ozone depleting materials, optimizing energy efficiency in their hardware and software, and so forth.
As a consumer who cares about her impact to the environment, who and what are you to believe?Â
Related Articles:
Do you remember my post about No Impact Man?Â
Here's a clip of him being interviewed by Stephen Colbert.
 Thoughts? Comments?