E-Commerce Shopping

We have discussed whether shopping the internet is green or not. Sure it saves on transportation costs from the product and customer to the retailers. It also cuts down on utilities in the store, as well as, the need for more stores.

We haven't discussed the packaging. It is important to consider what packing materials your purchases arrive in and what you do with them after their arrival. Are all the packaging and packing materials recyclable and do you recycle them?

Amazon, the grand daddy of online retail, has launched a new four point rating feature on the site to allow customers to give feedback on Amazon and partner retailer's shipping. The system includes how easy it is to open the manufacturer's packaging as well. Amazon has been working with manufacturers to create easier to open and more environmentally friendly packaging since 2008.

So shop away and enjoy but please be responsible with packaging.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Happy New Year!

I don't know about you, but Fall always signals a new year for me and the first step to a fresh start is a good wardrobe clean out. This is a great time to review your Fall and Winter items for fit.

First review seasonal trends and pull items from your closet that you can work in. If you are obsessive, grab your digital camera and photo your items and outfits. Creating a persinal look book will help you save time on what to wear. It will get your creative juices going to make new combinations put of old garments and you will love your clothes again. Finally, make a list of any new items you need and a few you want. Shop from this list only!

Try on all ypur current clothes and check each item for fit and damage. If it doesn't fit or flatter let it go! Accept the body you have today and dress it well. New year - new attiitude.

What to do with the pile? Host a clothing swap with your friends. Shop their cast offs with your list. Donate what's left to a charitable thrift. Separate work appropriate items for organizations like the Career Wardrobe.

Damages can often be recycled. Get crafty! Holey sweaters can be felted and turned into all sorts of items. My latest reuse - felted wool fingerless gloves. The holes become the center of embroidered flowers. They will debut soon in my Etsy shop.

Get cleaning!

-- till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Premium Eco Denim

Looking for primo premium Eco Denim?
Sweden is poised to rule supreme. Scandanavian design is well known for modern, sleek sophistication wrapped with quality, craftsmanship and wearability - utilitarian chic. A tomboy attitude tracing back to Sweden's feminist movement keeps slim and straight the fit of the moment. Swedes are concerned with far larger issues than sex appeal. Sustainable production is the "now" issue.

Nudie offers every style in organic denim. Acne works with organic cotton. Whyred uses synthetic eco-fabrics. Cheap Monday is aiming for 11% of its cotton to be organic by 2011.

Look for these styles:
Kex by Acne
Tight Long John by Nudie
Jane Vertigo by Whyred
USA Blue by Cheap Monday

-- till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew

Premium Eco Denim

Looking for primo premium Eco Denim?
Sweden is poised to rule supreme. Scandanavian design is well known for modern, sleek sophistication wrapped with quality, craftsmanship and wearability - utilitarian chic. A tomboy attitude tracing back to Sweden's feminist movement keeps slim and straight the fit of the moment. Swedes are concerned with far larger issues than sex appeal. Sustainable production is the "now" issue.

Nudie offers every style in organic denim. Acne works with organic cotton. Whyred uses synthetic eco-fabrics. Cheap Monday is aiming for 11% of its cotton to be organic by 2011.

Look for these styles:
Kex by Acne
Tight Long John by Nudie
Jane Vertigo by Whyred
USA Blue by Cheap Monday

-- till next week Restore, Refresh, Recycle, Renew

Superficial Eco

What nobler use of your feminine wiles than to help planet green? Angry Green Girl is doing just that - reaching out to a larger audience by hitting them where they live;)

The website launched on August 25th with a live event in Hollywood, CA. 5 lovely models in teenie-weenie green bikinis, hand washed eco-friendly cars with eco-friendly products.

Angry Green Girl, tag line: "Shamelessly exploiting everything I've got to safe the world.", provides green tips, networking opportunities and of course 'hot' girls. A bit "Girls Gone Wild", a bit Match.com and a bit Facebook all in rolled in to one. Very Gen Y.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh & Renew

Rating Retailers Green

We've discussed on many occasions how difficult it is to determine the "greeness" of a product or retailer. Here are some criteria based on a Greenopia post, "Which Retailer is the Greenest? It's Not Who You Think!" by Starre Vartan to consider as you perform your due diligence and decision-making:

GREEN BUILDING INITIATIVES: Is the retailer using CFL or LED lighting? Is the building LEED certified? Are they using green energy sources like wind or solar? How are they handling their water use? Is the store recycling?

SUPPLY CHAIN: This is the most difficult criteria to judge. It is nearly impossible to trace the supply chain back through the production chain as a consumer. Concentrate your efforts on what happens once the product arrives Stateside. Where are the distribution centers in the US? How is product transported in the US from DC to store? What type of packaging is used for the product and shipping? Are these resources being recycled? Is there hangar waste? What practices are in place for shipping from Store to Consumer?

SUSTAINABILITY REPORTS: Does the company generate one? Is it readily available? Does it contain clear goals and quantitative measures to evaluate performance? Does it discuss "wins" and areas for improvement? Companies that do this well include Gap, Patagonia and H&M.

RECYCLING/TAKE BACK: Does the company promote recycling or take back of products (especially important with electronics, batteries, etc.) or shopping bags?

STOCK: Does the retailer offer sustainable products and or services?

Greenopia used a modified version of the above criteria to rate the top 25 US retailers. Ikea scored 3 Green Leaves. Target, Wal-mart and Nike got 2. 10 out of the 25 did not meet the criteria. Big companies can lead the way - good for the environment is good for business.

--till next week Restore, Recycle, Refresh, Renew