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Recycled Plastic Park Benches & Picnic Tables



Total Solar Energy



NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)



U.S. Environmental Protection Agency


The Sustainability Ninja

Carbon footprints of your animal

Carbon foot Print of your Animal, What you can do to help.....

Maybe youre driving a Toyota Prius that gets 40 MPG. Or maybe youve got solar panels on your roof, eco friendly cleaning products in your home, and an organic garden in your backyard. But that doesnt mean you should stop exploring more ways to reduce your carbon footprint. And for the rest of us, it isnt too late to start either. There are plenty of things you can do as a pet owner, eco friendly garbage bags, to show your furry "little ones" that you care about the environment. After all, its their planet, too.

Reduce. It might seem obvious, but buying pet food and other pet products in bulk saves you extra trips to the store and avoids needless plastic packaging or cardboard boxes that end up in the local landfill anyway. Reducing shouldnt end there, though. As Bob Barker always said, "Help control the pet population, have your pets spayed or neutered." Every year millions of cats and dogs are euthanized around the world. This is the devastating reality, but its also avoidable. Having your pet spayed or neutered not only curbs its aggressiveness once it reaches maturity, it is the best way to avoid sending an unwanted puppy or kitten to the local shelter, many of which are never adopted.

Reuse. Why buy plastic toys (many of which are laden with chemicals) when you can find common household items for your pets to play with? If youve ever seen a cat with a ball of yarn, or a dog chase a stick, you know that it doesnt take something with a $10 price tag to entertain an animal for hours.

Recycle. When shopping for your pet, look for items that use the most recycled materials. Many companies now offer products made from natural fibers, such as hemp or organic cotton, and some are even packaged in Earth-friendly materials like biodegradable cardboard or recycled paper (the higher the percentage of "post-consumer" materials, the better). Buying these products supports environmentally aware manufacturers, encouraging more companies to move towards sustainable packaging and natural pet products.

Get a "green" lawn. Most of us know that plants and trees are great for absorbing the nasty (and destructive) carbon dioxide churned out into the atmosphere every day by our cars and power plants. What you may not know is that there are plants and herbs that you can use for landscaping, many of which are pet-friendly and healthy for them to eat. Check out our Herb N Living article for more information.

Donate print newspapers. For sanitary reasons, animal rescues and wildlife rehabilitation centers use discarded newspapers to line their cages. This is both cheap and efficient. Contact the Humane Society, ASPCA, or SPCA International to see if there are any shelters of rehabilitation centers in your area in need of old newspapers. If nothing else, the puppies at the shelter get a chance to catch up on their Marmaduke.

Visit a dog park. As the population of dog owners has boomed, so have the number of dog parks in the United States (use the PetMD Finder to find dog parks in your area). Grab a Frisbee, a ball, a stick, and take your furry, four-legged friend for a nice afternoon in the park. Its like a playground for them, except they cant go on the swings.

Adopt a pet. This may be a strange way of looking at it, but adopting a dog or cat is the ultimate way to recycle. Not only will you get a loveable best friend that cares for you, but you save at least one animal from being euthanized. Find a reputable animal shelter in your area and save a life.

Celebrate National Arbor Day

Emerald Brand wants to remind you it is National Arbor Day; how will you celebrate? If you need a suggestion, come join us at Alley Pond Park to help plant a tree this Saturday April 27, 2013,

http://www.nycgovparks.org/milliontrees/spring_2013_volunteer_planting_day!

It is all part of the initiative for the MillionTreesNYC program, this program was launched by the Parks Department and New York Restoration Project- with collaboration of many partners. MillionTreesNYC offers an opportunity for all New Yorkers to join together in strengthening their communitiesand creating a greener, greater New York.

This initiative, is a citywide, public-private program with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City's five boroughs over the next decade. By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forestour most valuable environmental asset made up of street trees, park trees, and trees on public, private and commercial landby an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees.

Emerald Brand is committed to support the MillionTreeNYC program. Planting trees is one of the most beneficial and cost-effective ways to help ease these growing pains. Trees help clean our air, and reduce the pollutants that trigger asthma attacks and exacerbate other respiratory diseases. They cool our streets, sidewalks, and homes on hot summer days. Trees increase property value, and encourage neighborhood revitalization. And trees make our City an even more beautiful and comfortable place to live, work, and visit. Our goal is to help educate people about alternative choices and ways to help the environment by using napkins made with tree free alternative materials like bagasse (derived from sugarcane) and Industrial Towels made from 100% recycled materials. Emerald offers products that significantly reduce our carbon footprint.

We are excited by this new comprehensive tree planting approach, If you would like to learn more about MillionTreesNYC please visit http://milliontreesnyc.org/html/care/care.shtml and remember by helping, you are also safe guarding your future and your childrens future.

DECADES-OLD QUESTION: IS ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP SAFE?

DECADES-OLD QUESTION: IS ANTIBACTERIAL SOAP SAFE?

Emerald Brand wanted to share the latest finding by the FDA. It seems that for years we have been under the impression that antibacterial soup is the safest and most effective way to ward off against germs, the main ingratiate being triclosan, this germ-killing ingredient found in an estimated 75 percent of antibacterial liquid soaps and body washes sold in the U.S. - is ineffective, or worse, harmful, claims the federal health regulators.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's a chemical that's been in U.S. households for more than 40 years, from the body wash in your bathroom shower to the knives on your kitchen counter to the bedding in your baby's basinet.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is planning to deliver a review this year of whether triclosan is safe. The ruling, which will determine whether triclosan continues to be used in household cleaners, could have implications for a $1 billion industry that includes hundreds of antibacterial products from toothpaste to toys.

The agency's review comes amid growing pressure from lawmakers, consumer advocates and others who are concerned about the safety of triclosan. Recent studies of triclosan in animals have led scientists to worry that it could increase the risk of infertility, early puberty and other hormone-related problems in humans.

"To me it looks like the risks outweigh any benefit associated with these products right now," said Allison Aiello, professor at the University of Michigan's School of Public Health. "At this point, it's just looking like a superfluous chemical."

The concerns over triclosan offer a sobering glimpse at a little-known fact: Many chemicals used in everyday household products have never been formally approved by U.S. health regulators. That's because many germ-killing chemicals were developed decades ago before there were laws requiring scientific review of cleaning ingredients.

The controversy also highlights how long it can take the federal government to review the safety of such chemicals. It's not uncommon for the process to drag on for years, since regulators must review volumes of research and take comments from the public on each draft.

In the case of triclosan, Congress passed a law in 1972 requiring that the FDA set guidelines for dozens of common antibacterial chemicals found in over-the-counter soaps and scrubs. The guidelines function like a cookbook for manufacturers, detailing which chemicals can be used in what products, and in what amounts.

In 1978, the FDA published its first tentative guidelines for chemicals used in liquid hand soaps and washes. The draft stated that triclosan was "not generally recognized as safe and effective," because regulators could not find enough scientific research demonstrating its safety and effectiveness.

The FDA published several drafts of the guidelines over the years, but the agency never finalized the results. So, companies have not had to remove triclosan from their products.

Meanwhile, the agency did approve triclosan for use in Colgate's Total toothpaste in 1997, after Colgate-Palmolive Co. submitted data showing that the ingredient helped fight gingivitis.

Then, last summer, the FDA said its review of triclosan would be complete by late 2012. That target date then slipped to February, which has also come and gone. But pressure on the agency from outside critics didn't let up.

In March, a federal appeals court said a lawsuit by the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council aimed at forcing the FDA to complete its review could move forward. A three-judge panel reinstated the 2010 lawsuit, which had been tossed out by a lower court, saying the nonprofit group presented evidence that triclosan could potentially be dangerous.

Now, four decades after it was charged with reviewing triclosan, the FDA is planning to complete its review. FDA spokeswoman Stephanie Yao said evaluating triclosan and other antibacterial agents is "one of the highest priorities" for the agency, but did not offer an explanation for the delay.

The FDA's website currently states that "the agency does not have evidence that triclosan in antibacterial soaps and body washes provides any benefit over washing with regular soap and water."

The American Cleaning Institute, a cleaning products trade organization, says it has provided reams of data to FDA showing that triclosan is both safe and effective.

"Triclosan is one of the most reviewed and researched ingredients used in consumer and health care products," says Brian Sansoni, a spokesman for the group, whose members include Colgate-Palmolive and Henkel Consumer Goods Inc., maker of Dial soap.

While it can take years for the government to make rules, members of Congress say there is little precedent for the FDA's four-decade review of triclosan.

"When FDA first started evaluating the rules governing triclosan's use, Richard Nixon was still president," said Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass, who asked the FDA to take a closer look at triclosan in 2010 after the European Union banned the chemical from products that come into contact with food.

"Science has evolved, and so should FDA's regulations guiding the use of this chemical in consumer products," he says.

U.S. scientists agree that the FDA's review is overdue. The Endocrine Society, a group of doctors and scientists who specialize in the hormone system, flagged triclosan four years ago as an ingredient that alters levels of thyroid hormones and reproductive hormones like testosterone and estrogen.

"I think the FDA is behind the curve," said Dr. Andrea Gore of the University of Texas at Austin, who was the lead author of the Endocrine Society's statement on hormone disrupting chemicals. "At what point do you draw a line and say we need to take this out of products that are being applied to our skin? What is enough evidence?"

Some Americans are shocked that the FDA has taken so long. Mallory Smith is troubled to learn that the government has never confirmed the safety of antibacterial soap's key ingredient.

Smith, who works for the federal government, says she keeps antibacterial soap in the kitchen to clean her hands after she's handled raw meat.

"As a regular consumer I rely on the government to identify products that are safe for me to use," Smith said. "If something is brought to their attention, they should look into it, and ban the chemical if necessary."

Others are less surprised by the government's multi-decade review. "It sounds like a typical government agency to me: totally unproductive," said David Fisher, who sells restaurant equipment in Arizona.

Ironically, triclosan first became widely used because it was considered safer than an older antibacterial ingredient, hexachlorophene. That chemical was banned from household items in 1972 after FDA scientists discovered that toxic levels could be absorbed through the skin. Several infant deaths in France were connected to baby powder that contained unsafe levels of the chemical, due to a manufacturing error.

Triclosan was initially used in hospitals in the 1970s as a scrub for surgeons preparing to perform an operation. It was also used to coat the surfaces of catheters, stitches and other surgical instruments.

Beginning in the 1990s, triclosan began making its way into hundreds of antibacterial consumer goods, ranging from soap to socks to lunchboxes. The growth has in part been fueled by Americans who believe that antibacterial ingredients provide an added level of protection against germs.

As the use of triclosan has expanded, more scientists have questioned its effectiveness. In 2007, researchers at the University of Michigan and other universities compiled data from 30 studies looking at the use of antibacterial soaps. The results showed soaps with triclosan were no more effective at preventing illness or reducing bacteria on the hands than plain soap.

Other studies have shown that longer hand-washing improves results far more than adding antibacterial ingredients. The Centers for Disease Control recommends washing hands at least 20 seconds. The CDC also recommends using hand sanitizer - most of which use alcohol or ethanol to kill germs, not chemicals like triclosan - if soap and water are not available.

Troclosan's safety also has become a growing concern in recent years. To date, nearly all of the research on triclosan's health impact comes from animal studies -which are not necessarily applicable to humans - but the findings still have researchers concerned.

A 2009 study by scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency showed that triclosan decreases levels of testosterone and sperm production in male rats. Female rats exposed to triclosan showed signs of early puberty and altered levels of estrogen and thyroid hormones.

And 2010 study by University of Florida researchers found that triclosan interfered with the transfer of estrogen to growing fetuses in pregnant sheep. Estrogen is important in both male and female development because it promotes growth of organs like the lungs and liver.

Sansoni, the soap and detergent industry spokesman, says those animal studies can't be applied to humans and "make exaggerated claims about the damaging effects" of triclosan.

But safety concerns over triclosan don't just involve rats and other animals. Some experts argue that routine use of antibacterial chemicals like triclosan is contributing to a surge in drug-resistant germs, or superbugs, that are immune to antibiotics. Few studies have attempted to track antibiotic resistance tied to Triclosan in the real world. But laboratory studies have shown that antibiotic-resistant strains of E. coli and other bacteria can grow in cultures with high levels of triclosan.

As a result of the growing concerns, some leading medical societies, hospitals and companies have abandoned the chemical.

Kaiser Permanente pulled triclosan from its 37 hospitals across the country in 2010, switching to traditional soaps and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Kathy Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente's vice president for workplace safety, said the hospital chain decided to phase out triclosan as part of its "precautionary approach" to safety issues.

"If there is credible evidence that a product we're using might have some disadvantages from a health or environmental standpoint, then it's our obligation to look for a safer alternative," Gerwig said.

Johnson & Johnson has pledged to remove triclosan from all of its adult products by the end of 2015. The company says none of its baby products currently contain the ingredient.

"We want people to have complete peace of mind when they use our products," Susan Nettesheim, vice president of product stewardship, said when the company made the announcement last summer.

Emerald Brands products contain no harmful ingredients for you or your family, if you would like to learn more, please visit at www.emeraldecobrand.com to understand the quality and safety we put in all of our products.

Eco Friendly Cleaning Ideas

Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions

Eco-friendly cleaning solutions reduce the risk of injury to children and pets.

Eco Friendly Cleansers

Non-toxic, bio-based, earth friendly and biodegradable

Eco-friendly cleaning solutions reduce risks associated with indoor cleaning products. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, commercial cleaning products pose a risk of eye, skin and respiratory irritation and many concentrated formulas are classified as hazardous materials that pose risks with handling, storage or disposal.

Labeling

Purchasing eco-friendly cleaning products can be confusing. Labels such as "environmentally friendly" and "eco-safe" may be misleading. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends reading labels carefully and asking clarifying questions if you are unsure about the claims on the packaging. Emerald Brand helps you understand, www.emeraldecobrand.com is not only user friendly but informative to guy you to eco friendly purchasing decisions.

Health Benefits

Eco-friendly products like earth essence cleaners, are free of toxins and hazardous materials, making them safe for use in the home or around children and small pets. They do not release harmful fumes into air, thereby eliminating the risk of respiratory symptoms associated with airborne chemicals. Most are mild on the hands, eliminating the danger of burns or injury from harsh chemicals.

Environmental Benefits

Eco-friendly cleaning products do not pose a risk to the ground water. Refillable or recyclable containers and biodegradable packaging help eliminate overfilling of landfills. Because many such cleaners are effective in cold water, energy is saved, eliminating environmental pollutants from fossil fuels used to heat water. That can mean using less oil or gas in your water heater or using less electricity, which is often generated using coal, oil and gas.

Homemade Formulas

Many household products make effective eco-friendly cleaning products. Baking soda removes stains and can be used as a mild abrasive to clean counter tops, cooking pans, household appliances and bathroom fixtures. White vinegar and lemon juice cut through greasy or waxy buildup, leaving the home smelling fresh and clean. Both borax and castile soap remove laundry stains and can be used as a cleaning solution.

Eco Friendly Father's Day Gifts

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Great Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas for Father's Day

Father's Day can be a fun way to celebrate everything you love about the special men in your life. Whether your father (or husband) is an eco-adventurer or a digital dabbler, there are great gifts to show your gratitude for all your dad does for you. So ditch the tie and consider one of these innovative, eco-friendly Father's Day gifts instead!

Outdoor lover

Lighten up the garbage load with a compost container for indoors or outdoors. This is an especially practical Father's Day gift idea if your father spends time gardening or landscaping, as the rich compost that remains after churning your organic materials will make any garden thrive.

Solar cooker

Wouldn't it be thrilling for your father to try some new, camp-friendly recipes with a solar cooker? He can practice in his own backyard for an impromptu picnic with this nifty piece of camping equipment that acts like an oven when placed in the sun.

Hammock

Just the idea of adding a hammock to your deck or backyard is relaxing. Bring an element of paradise to your dad this Father's Day by getting him a hammock where he (and you) may daydream in sunny surroundings. This is a good stress-relieving Father's Day idea with little assembly required, and many peaceful moments ahead.

Organic wine or beer

If your dad is the type who loves to host friends and family often, giving him a special bottle of organic or biodynamic wine, or a specially brewed six-pack of organic beer may open his horizons to new earth-friendly products. And, more likely than not, he'll probably share a drink with you!

Solar Backpack

This backpack is the perfect gift for a father that enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, or any other outdoor activity. This pack comes equipped with an integrated solar charging solution since in our day an age its difficult for almost anyone to leave technology behind. Now, even when hes in the middle of nowhere, he can stay connected.

The homebody

Germ-free warm and cool mist humidifier. Help dad combat allergies with a humidifier equipped with nano-silver antimicrobial technology. He'll love that it can run continuously for up to 72 hours.

Fire bowl

What is it with guys and fire? Let dad tap into his inner caveman in his own backyard with this fire bowl made from recycled copper.

Eco-friendly shower head

Why not enhance every morning of your father's day with a new shower head. Choose from shower heads that reduce water flow (and conserve water and energy), or purchase a water-filtering shower head, allowing your dad to bathe in purer water.

Rainwater catcher

Rainwater catchment systems catch and store natural rainfall until dad chooses to use it for gardening or washing the car. This is a great Father's Day gift idea for the dad who wants to be ahead of the curve and is concerned with environmental issues.

Emerald Brand is finding ways to give back!

Emerald Brand is finding ways to give back & so can YOU!

The Parks Departmentis the historic caretaker of New York Citys public trees, and in partnership with the New York Restoration Project is leading the MillionTreesNYC initiative - one part of Mayor Bloombergs PlaNYC to make our City greener and more sustainable by the year 2030. With 1,700 parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities, and a total of 29,000 acres of parkland under its care, the Parks Department is responsible for greening and maintaining the Citys public open spaces.

MillionTreesNYC, one of the 132 PlaNYC initiatives, is a citywide, public-private program with an ambitious goal: to plant and care for one million new trees across the City's five boroughs over the next decade. By planting one million trees, New York City can increase its urban forestour most valuable environmental asset made up of street trees, park trees, and trees on public, private and commercial landby an astounding 20%, while achieving the many quality-of-life benefits that come with planting trees.

The City of New York will plant 70% of trees in parks and other public spaces. The other 30% will come from private organizations, homeowners, and community organizations.

Trees enrich and improve our environment and dramatically increase the overall quality of life in New York City. The benefits provided by trees are numerous and diverse, making it important to quantify their value to our city and its residents.

The primary benefits provided by New York Citys urban forest come in three key areas:

1. Environmental Benefits

Slowing Global Climate Change - Urban trees help offset climate change by capturingatmospheric carbon dioxide in their tissue, reducing energy used by buildings, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel based power plants. Our Citys trees store about 1.35 million tons of carbon valued at $24.9 million. In addition, our trees remove over 42,000 tons of carbon each year.

Recently, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development cited a study by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) which advocates planting trees and increasing topsoil as preferable methods of combating global climate change. Since soil and trees effectively store carbon dioxide and other pollutants, ecosystems have been proven to play an essential role in climate mitigation.

Water Quality Protection - Urban trees capture rainfall on their leaves and branches and take up water, acting as natural stormwater capture and retention devices. Street trees intercept 890.6 million gallons of stormwater annually, or 1,525 gallons per tree on average. The total value of this benefit to New York City is over $35 million each year.
Improved Air Quality - Trees remove dust and other pollutants from the air. In fact, one tree can remove 26 pounds of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually, the equivalent of 11,000 miles of car emissions. Our trees remove about 2,200 tons of air pollution per year, valued at $10 million annually.
Lower Summer Air Temperature - According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, urban forests reduce urban temperatures significantly by shading buildings and concrete and returning humidity to the air through evaporative cooling.
Natural Resource Conservation - By using trees to modify temperatures, the amount of fossil fuels used for cooling and heating by homeowners and businesses is reduced. Our Citys street trees provide $27 million a year in energy savings.
Wildlife Habitat New York Citys urban forest provides habitat - including food and shelter for many species of birds, insects, and other wildlife, as well as environmental education resources for New Yorkers of all ages.

A recent Op-Ed piece in the New York Times outlines many of the environmental benefits of trees, including the role of riparian tree planting in fertilizing plankton populations which in turn feeds the local fish population. The effect of such riparian plantings in Japan have been studied by a recipient of the United Nations Forest Heroes Award.

2. Economic Benefits

High Return of Investment Over the years the City has invested millions in its urban forest. Trees provide $5.60 in benefits for every dollar spent on tree planting and care.
Increased Property Values - A significant link exists between the value of a property and its proximity to parks, greenbelts, and other green spaces. Smart Money magazine indicated that consumers value a landscaped home up to 11.3 percent higher than its base price. Street trees provide $52 million each year in increased property values. A recent article in the New York Observer illustrates an increase in property values for buildings in proximity to parks and large street tree species, especially the Callery Pear, Honeylocust, and Pin Oak.
Community and Business District Appeal - The greening of business districts increases community pride and positive perception of an area, drawing customers to the businesses. See case study from Washington D.C.

3. Social Benefits

Improved Health - There is growing evidence that trees help reduce air pollutants that can trigger asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Green spaces also encourage physical activity - a healthy habit for any New Yorker.

Emerald Brand wants to help you Think Green for Spring Break!

Thinking Green on Your Spring Break Getaway

Spring Break is fast approaching, the kids are almost out of school, and youre desperate for a vacation. Having a good time on vacation doesn't have to mean leaving your green ideals at the door. Check out these five tips to go Green on your upcoming vacationwithout the hassle.

Purchase reusable containers for your beauty products instead of the convenience-sized containers at the drug store. On your next trip, you can just refill them with your usual productsand youre keeping extra plastic out of the landfills, too!

Bring a reusable thermos and hot cups. This will keep you from having to repeatedly purchase water bottles on your trip and tossing them in the trash.

Unplug all energy sources in your home prior to leaving. Turn off your heat or air conditioning, unplug all appliances, and ensure all lights are off or on safety timers. Phantom loads can cost the average household $150 per year, so save that cash for your next vacation!

Enjoy the great outdoors. Pack some food and stretch your legs in the great outdoors by checking out local parks. Our friends at The National Parks Foundation offer a great list of parks, no matter where your journey takes you.

Consider staying at a Green hotel. Check out Green Hotels Association for a list of accredited members. Extended stay hotels and cabin rentals are also great options, as they are designed to be energy efficient!

Being Green while on vacation can also save you some big Green, too. Have any tips on how YOU are eco-friendly during your personal retreats? Let us know by commenting below

DING! You are now free to be Green!

Emerald Brand wants to help you Think Green for Spring Break!

Thinking Green on Your Spring Break Getaway

Bring a reusable thermos and hot cups. This will keep you from having to repeatedly purchase water bottles on your trip and tossing them in the trash.

Being Green while on vacation can also save you some big Green, too. Have any tips on how YOU are eco-friendly during your personal retreats? Let us know by commenting below

DING! You are now free to be Green!

Emerald brand wants to wish everyone an Eco-Friendly Easter!

Emerald brand wants to wish everyone an Eco-Friendly Easter!

Eco-Friendly Ideas

1. Homemade Easter Egg Dyes

Commercial dye packs can be expensive and may contain synthetic chemicals and all those nasty stuff you wouldn't want in the house. I highly suggest you make your own natural Easter egg dyes from common food ingredients such as coffee and orange peels. Not only it's a safe and chemical-free alternative to dye Easter eggs naturally without a store-bought kit, you also help reduce packaging waste. Your children will also get to experiment with different materials, and have more fun than simply dropping a coloring tablet in a bowl.

Yellow saffron, ground turmeric, ground cumin, celery seed, green tea, orange peel, lemon peel, carrot tops.

Orange yellow onion skins, paprika

Brown coffee, black tea, black walnut shells

Brown Gold dill seed

Brown Orange chili powder

Pink beets (fresh or canned), cranberries (or cranberry juice), raspberries, red grape juice

Red red onion skins (use lots), pomegranate juice

Yellow Green green apple peels

Green spinach leaves

Blue blueberries, red cabbage leaves, purple grape juice

Indigo blueberries

Lavender red zinger tea, splash or diluted purple grape juice

Purple red wine

Easter egg dying tips: If you desire more intensely colored eggs, simply soak them longer. Wrap a few rubber bands around the egg to make different banding colors (striped Easter eggs). For glossy eggs, rub on a little vegetable when the eggs are dyed and completely dry.

2. Green Easter Basket Ideas

Another great way to greenify Easter celebration is to make your own Easter baskets out of milk jugs instead of buying plastic baskets from the stores. This very inexpensive craft project is exceedingly simple for kids to make at home.

Grab an empty gallon container, wash and leave to completely dry. Cut out a 5 x 3 inch rectangle out from a piece of paper. With the empty milk jug facing you (the handle away from you). Tape the rectangle onto your milk jug. Follow the shape and carefully cut out to make the opening. Make sure to cover the edges with felt before you give them to your children.

Next, decide on an Easter design for your jug. Get kids to paint the outside pink or white to make a bunny, or yellow for a chick. Using different colors of construction paper, cut out eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Glue on, and attach pipe cleaners to make whiskers.

A nice but not-so-cheap alternative is to buy reusable shopping bag and put all the Easter goodies inside. Google Envirosax; they've a wide selection of kids themed bags that are really cute. These highly functional bags are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.

3. Eco-Friendly Basket Fill

I read somewhere about growing real grass in your Easter basket. You just need a plastic liner in the basket, some soil, and some wheatgrass seeds (rye seeds or wheat seeds). I have not tried growing Easter grass but they grow very quickly and sturdily. You need to plan ahead for this option.

If time is not on your side, consider putting colorful junk mail (or have your children color any paper with green crayons) in the paper shredder to create your own environmentally-friendly "grass". Newspapers, magazines, brochures, and scrap paper works well too.

You can also fill the bottom of your basket with popcorn instead of fake plastic grass. Better yet, make popcorn in your microwave and save some money. Lightly salted or buttered homemade popcorn is a healthier option than candies made with artificial colors and flavorings.

For inside fill, go for items such as organic chocolates, lollipops and candies because the ingredients found in them are grown without pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. While organic sweet treats are slightly more expensive, they're the best bargain for your childrens health and the environment in the long run.

Tip: Fill a real eggshell with organic jelly beans (or any healthy treats such as raisins, or mini pretzels) for the kids to crack open! You can also put a small toy, or a special message inside in place of sweet treats.

Make a hole big (enough for a jelly bean) in the bottom of an uncooked egg, drain out its content. I suggest you use duck or goose eggs since they're generally larger than chicken eggs. Wash thoroughly and then place the empty shell in simmering water for about 10-15 minutes. Remove and allow to completely dry inside. Stuff in jelly beans and covered the opening with a cute bunny sticker.

4. Environmentally-Friendly Easter Decoration Ideas

One of the best cost-efficient, earth-friendly ways to decorate the home is to have the kids make paper bunny, or chick garlands using recycled paper and some twine. Other recyclable items you can use in Easter craft projects include paper plates, paper bags, toilet paper rolls, CDs, old nylon stockings, etc.

And, if youve spring flowers such as tulips or spring blossoms in your yard, snip a few and put them in vases to dress up your Easter table.

Environmentally Friendly Corporate Office Ideas!

Environmentally Friendly Corporate Office Ideas

With the constant reminders from the media to reduce your carbon footprint, individuals and businesses alike are finding ways to become environmentally friendly . From recycling to buying local produce, individuals are adopting habits that frequently transition into their workplace. Many corporations are working with employees to embrace the green culture and make gradual changes around the office.

Some Toxic Ingredients and Their Effects on People and Pets:

Ammonia - Used in many de-greasers for ovens, glass and stainless steel, ammonia has a very high VOC, burns mucous membranes and contributes to asthma. If it is mixed with bleach, it creates a poisonous gas which can be deadly to small pets.

Chlorine - Used in disinfectants, toilet bowl cleaners and automatic dish detergent to name a few, chlorine is also used to bleach coffee filters. It can cause everything from dizziness to vomiting to laryngeal edema. Avoid this ingredient and be careful about letting your pet swim in the pool.

Glycol Ethers - Glycol ethers are found in many cleaning products that are not pet safe including glass cleaners, carpet cleaners and spot removers. It has been linked to anemia, lung damage and kidney damage in people and pets.

Formaldehyde - The thought of a funeral home comes to mind when formaldehyde is mentioned and everyone can recognize the strong, nauseating smell. But it's also used in products such as soaps and even some pet shampoos. It can contribute to asthma and is carcinogenic.

Some Cleaning Products That are Not Pet Safe

There are many, many cleaning products that are not safe for oets on the market. Here are a few popular cleaners that contain some of the ingredients mentioned above as well as others:

Floor Cleaners - These include Pine Sol and Mr. Clean. Even if you manage to get all of the residue off the floor, the vapors linger and are dangerous to your pet. Try a non-toxic, pet safe cleaner instead.

Bathroom Cleaners - These include Clorox Bathroom Cleaner and Scrubbing Bubbles. Try a product such as Emerald Brand Toilet cleaner instead. Never use a continuous toilet bowl cleaner such as Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner. It is very dangerous and the temptation to drink out of the toilet is a quirk in many of our pups.

All Purpose Cleaners - For use in the kitchen and around the house, the most common toxic all-purpose cleaners that scream "Danger!" are Mr. Clean Multi-Purpose Spray and Formula 409. Use products that are labeled 'all natural' instead.

Drain Openers - You may think that since this product is poured down the drain, it can't be harmful to your pet. But the toxic drain openers give off dangerous fumes long after you've emptied them. For a non-toxic, pet safe option, try a product such as Earth Friendly Enzymes Drain Opener.

Glass Cleaner - It may seem that toxic glass cleaners are simpler products and are, therefore, safe but they are not. Instead of something like Windex, try a product such as Emerald Brand Collection Glass Cleaner.

Liquid Laundry Detergent-Instead of using toxic cleaning products around the house, try one of the non-toxic and pet safe lines of cleaners. If you do decide to keep toxic cleaners, make absolutely sure they are put away. Put child safety locks on cabinet doors and put cleaners up as high as possible. Never use them when your pet is in the same room and air out the house after cleaning with them. Never leave any residue behind. But the warning signs are clear and you and your pet will be healthier and safer if you use cleaning products that are pet safe.

Is your toilet paper toxic?

If Your Toilet Paper Is White, It Could Be Toxic

Most people don't realize this, but white chlorine bleach is used during the manufacturing process of white toilet paper. And, sadly enough, the use of chlorine bleach creates dangerous toxins including dioxin and furans. These dangerous toxins can build up in your body and be the cause of serious health concerns.

What choice do you have?

Buy another type of toilet paper. There are toilet papers on the market that don't include Chlorine, just check the label carefully.

And while you're at it, you may want to search for a product that indicates that it is made from alternative paper sources like bagasse, made from sugar cane. Statistics suggest that if every household in the United States replaced one regular 4-pack, 500 sheet package of toilet paper with one made of 100% recycled fibers, we could save 1.2 million trees and 5.1 million cubic feet of landfill space.

Beware!

Also, be wary of those household cleaners designed to have your bathroom smelling fresh and clean. Some of them are downright poisonous!

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) conducted a test of 14 common air fresheners in 2007 and their findings may surprise you...

They discovered that 12 of the 14 products tested, including some being sold as all-natural contained toxins. More specifically, they contained phthalates, which are toxins often used because of their ability to make fragrances last longer. Phthalates are thought to be especially threatening to innocent, unsuspecting children and the unborn.

The guilty products this test uncovered included solids, aerosol sprays, and liquids. And price wasn't a factor because they ranged from some of the least expensive to some of the most expensive products on the market. For healthier alternatives, look for products that are free of alcohol, NPE, butyls and phthalates.

Remember:

Green living is more than a single, isolated act of environmental responsibility. We believe that living green trickles down to every aspect in life. Even cleaning our homes or using a tissue.

Spring Cleaning Tips - The Eco Friendly Way!

Spring Cleaning Tips - The Eco Friendly Way!

Time To Think About Spring Cleaning?

Some people think of Spring Cleaning as almost a rite of passage for the home.

As the weather begins to get warmer and the sun shines a little bit longer each day our minds turn to the thoughts of spring cleaning.

The heating gets turned down or even off and the windows start to get opened more frequently. We start to notice that the flowers are beginning to peek through on the ground. It seems as if the birds are chirping more happily.

As all this is happening people begin the process of spring cleaning as they clean out the dust and debris which is left behind from the long winter months.

The Benefits Of Spring Cleaning

The most obvious benefit of spring cleaning is that you have a clean home! I don't know about you but there's nothing better than having a home that's clean and feels clear of all the dust and clutter which gathers during the winter months however good you are at keeping the place keen.

Isn't it great to feel like you know where everything is? Having gone through every room, space, nook and cranny in your home you are able to take a full inventory and discover all those things you had forgotten about!

You can put things back where they actually belong and get rid of those things you no longer use. You are able to add more space, light, and organization to your home.

When your doors and windows are closed all through the winter your home doesn't get the opportunity to air out. There are many scientists and environmental experts who tell us that the pollution inside our home is often much worse than outdoor air pollution. So when you take the time to clean your home of all that mildew, dust and the bugs and mold you are also making a contribution to improving your health.

You are also helping to improve the health of both your family and your pets. In addition if you ensure that you use environmentally friendly cleaners then you are avoiding filling your home with even more toxins. So throw open the windows and enjoy some good old fashioned spring cleaning.

Spring cleaning also helps you to get rid of clutter. We all know how stressful clutter can be because it prevents you from being relaxed and productive. Spring cleaning helps you to eliminate the clutter and to get rid of what you don't need.

So this year, when you are planning your spring cleaning consider what you have to gain. Make sure that you are stocked up on eco-friendly cleaning supplies we find Emerald Brand's Earth Essence cleaners one of the best on the market, so go get busy!

You never know it may well change your attitude toward spring cleaning!

Tissue World 2013

in Barcelona
19-21 March 2013 Exhibition
18-21 March 2013 Conference
BARCELONA, Spain

Paper towels are hygienically superior to air dryers - Learn More at Tissue World in Barcelona

At the upcoming Tissue World Conference <http://online.ubmasia.com.sg/cgi-bin18/DM/t/hBIFg0RGT3i0sJX0SAUF0Eu> , which will take place less than two weeks from now during March 18 to 21st in Barcelona, Spain, more information regarding this topic (see the article below), as well as other very current studies on this theme, will be presented.

This is just one more good reason why thousands of key managers and executives from the tissue paper business will be coming to Barcelona. Already close to 1000 tissue professionals have signed up to be there. Nearly 300 are already registered <http://www.tissueworld.com/world/delegates.php> for the high-level conference and another 700 for the exhibition. Based on previous trends, these numbers indicate that Tissue World <http://online.ubmasia.com.sg/cgi-bin18/DM/t/hBIFg0RGT3i0sJX0SAUD0Es> will attract a crowd of over 2,500 total visitors during the course of the week.

Everybody who is anybody in the world of tissue is coming to Tissue World. Sign up for the conference Now <http://www.tissueworld.com/world/pre-registration.php> . Space is limited.

Hand drying - Mayo Clinic study shows paper towels are hygienically superior to air dryers

Paper towels versus hot air dryers? The question of relative efficiency, hygiene and cleanliness in the competition between paper hand towels and blow air dryers has been strongly debated in recent years. Now, in what is very good news for the tissue paper business, the very well respected and influential Mayo Clinic Proceedings has come out and concluded that, from a hygiene point of view, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers.

The Mayo Clinic Proceedings is one of the worlds premier peer-reviewed clinical journals in general medicine. With a circulation of 124,000, it is among the most widely read and highly cited scientific publications for physicians.

A recent article entitled The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence is based on a review of 12 scientific studies carried out from 1970 up to 2011. The article states that paper towels can dry hands efficiently, remove bacteria effectively, and cause less contamination of the washroom environment.

Recommended where hygiene is paramount. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, the article concludes that from a hygiene viewpoint, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers. Paper towels should be recommended in locations where hygiene is paramount, such as hospitals and clinics.

The very-well respected Washington Post newspaper, in commenting on the results, not only highlights the fact that paper towels are hygienically superior but more fundamentally "People prefer them. Studies in 2009 and 2000 found a significant majority (55 percent in the 2009 study, 62 percent in 2000) preferred paper towels to hot air or jet air dryers (no more than 28 percent in either study). In fact, concludes the author, I defy you to find anyone who actively enjoys hand dryers.

For further information and details about these articles and studies, please examine the links below:

Tissue World 2013

Tissue World 2013

in Barcelona
19-21 March 2013 Exhibition
18-21 March 2013 Conference
BARCELONA, Spain

Paper towels are hygienically superior to air dryers - Learn More at Tissue World in Barcelona

Emerald Brand products wants to make sure you don't miss the Tissue World Conference. The exhibit will have over 1000 professionals and 700 exhibitors in the tissue industry. They are focusing on the Mayo clinics reports of that from a hygiene point of view, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers. Emerald Brand wants to take it a step further to show you that not only can paper towels be hygienically superior to air dryers, but by using eco-friendly paper towels you are also saving the world one tissue at a time by using 100% recycled paper
At the upcoming Tissue World Conference, which will take place less than two weeks from now during March 18 to 21st in Barcelona, Spain, more information regarding this topic, as well as other very current studies on this theme, will be presented.

This is just one more good reason why thousands of key managers and executives from the tissue paper business will be coming to Barcelona. Already close to 1000 tissue professionals have signed up to be there. Nearly 300 are already registered for the high-level conference and another 700 for the exhibition. Based on previous trends, these numbers indicate that Tissue World will attract a crowd of over 2,500 total visitors during the course of the week.

Everybody who is anybody in the world of tissue is coming to Tissue World. Sign up for the conference Now. Space is limited.

Hand drying - Mayo Clinic study shows paper towels are hygienically superior to air dryers

Paper towels versus hot air dryers? The question of relative efficiency, hygiene and cleanliness in the competition between paper hand towels and blow air dryers has been strongly debated in recent years. Now, in what is very good news for the tissue paper business, the very well respected and influential Mayo Clinic Proceedings has come out and concluded that, from a hygiene point of view, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers.

The Mayo Clinic Proceedings is one of the worlds premier peer-reviewed clinical journals in general medicine. With a circulation of 124,000, it is among the most widely read and highly cited scientific publications for physicians.

A recent article entitled The Hygienic Efficacy of Different Hand-Drying Methods: A Review of the Evidence is based on a review of 12 scientific studies carried out from 1970 up to 2011. The article states that paper towels can dry hands efficiently, remove bacteria effectively, and cause less contamination of the washroom environment.

Recommended where hygiene is paramount. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, the article concludes that from a hygiene viewpoint, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers. Paper towels should be recommended in locations where hygiene is paramount, such as hospitals and clinics.

The very-well respected Washington Post newspaper, in commenting on the results, not only highlights the fact that paper towels are hygienically superior but more fundamentally "People prefer them. Studies in 2009 and 2000 found a significant majority (55 percent in the 2009 study, 62 percent in 2000) preferred paper towels to hot air or jet air dryers (no more than 28 percent in either study). In fact, concludes the author, I defy you to find anyone who actively enjoys hand dryers.

Top 10 Most Eco-Friendly U.S. Cities

Emerald Brand has taken the time to discover the top 10 eco-friendly cities in the United States. There are many methods to determine a city's eco-friendly ranking, yet no single standard is a complete measurement of a region's environmental commitment. When you compare a city's performance in containing air pollution, utilizing renewable energy use or constructing sustainable buildings, you'll find that no single city ranks at the top of each. As a result, the best approach to assessing the most eco-friendly U.S. cities is to see which cities rate most highly in some key green measurements.

Top Three Cities for Greenhouse Gas Abatement

According to the Urban Land Institute, the San Francisco metropolitan area has the lowest greenhouse gas pollution per capital of any large municipality in the U.S., with New York City and Philadelphia coming in second and third. These communities share three important characteristics: a high density of population, an effective transportation system and extended warm-weather temperature seasons. By reducing the urban sprawl common in many non-coastal regions, these three cities provide centralized services without the need for excessive automobile traffic and prevent the overuse of coal-fired electric energy.

Top Four Green Power Partnership Cities

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Green Power Partnership program promotes renewable energy use, and issues regular reports detailing which cities have purchased the largest amount of green power as an alternative to fossil fuel generated power. In 2011, the top three cities were in Texas: in order, Houston, Austin and Dallas. Placing fourth was the nation's capital, Washington D.C. Each city purchased over 244 million kilowatt hours of wind-generated electricity in place of coal- or natural gas-fired power plants that would have contributed high levels of carbon and other greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

Top Three Energy Star Buildings

The EPA awards structures with its Energy Star Certified designation for voluntarily surpassing established benchmarks for energy efficiency in lighting use, heating and air-conditioning use and other key measurements. Los Angeles has led the U.S. in the number of Energy Star Certified buildings from 2008 to 2011, with over 130 million square feet of energy-saving floor space. Washington, D.C. held second place in 2010 and 2011, and its certified structures are credited with preventing emissions equal to more than 12,000 homes' electrical use. Atlanta, Georgia place third in 2011.

Top Ten Eco-Friendly U.S. Cities

The top 10 eco-friendly cities from the above categories are, in no particular order: New York City, which is the home of Emerald Brand, an eco-friendly company. San Francisco, Philadelphia, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. Only the nation's capital appears twice among the top four of any green city list, which means that its community leaders may have established a goal to showcase Washington as first in war, first in peace and first among eco-friendly U.S. cities.

What Does Eco Friendly Mean?

What Does Eco-Friendly Mean?

Definition

Eco-friendly literally means earth-friendly or not harmful to the environment. This term most commonly refers to products that contribute to green living or practices that help conserve resources like water and energy. Eco-friendly products also prevent contributions to air, water and land pollution. You can engage in eco-friendly habits or practices by being more conscious of how you use resources.

Product Qualifications

Making a truly eco-friendly products keeps both environmental and human safety in mind. At a minimum, the product is non-toxic. Other eco-friendly attributes include the use of sustainably grown or raised ingredients, produced in ways that do not deplete the ecosystem. Organic ingredients or materials are grown without toxic pesticides or herbicides. Products with "made from recycled materials" contain glass, wood, metal or plastic reclaimed from waste products and made into something new. Biodegradable products break down through natural decomposition, which is less taxing on landfills and the ecosystem as a whole. Many products claim to be eco friendly today, but if you look closely you will find that they are impostors. We recommend Emerald Brand, for a complete line of eco-friendly products for all your home and office needs.

Practice Examples

You can develop eco-friendly habits to help you use less and make the most of what you have. Turn off lights in empty rooms and use a programmable thermostat so you're only heating or cooling your home when it's occupied . Businesses can also institute such practices, in addition to bigger initiatives, such as company-wide recycling programs to conserve natural resources, cleaning products to protect from the employees from the common cold to having the employees telecommute, which decreases air pollution and fuel consumption by eliminating daily travel to work.

Greenwashing

Companies sometimes label their products "eco-friendly" or "environmentally friendly" without them truly being so. Called "greenwashing," marketing campaigns perpetuate this practice, aimed at helping companies increase their product sales by appealing to ecologically conscious buyers. To avoid purchasing "greenwashed" products, look for products approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star program or an ecologically conscious consumer-advocacy group such as the Green Good Housekeeping Seal.

Worried about the footprint of your pet.

Eco-friendly Pet Care

Are you concerned with lessening your environmental footprint? What about the footprint of your pet? In recent years a variety of environmentally friendly or eco-friendly pet care strategies and products have emerged. Here are some tips to help you go green.

Look for products made from eco-friendly materials. While you may want to spoil your pets with new store bought items, many pet care goods are available at Goodwill and other thrift stores. Turn your old towels and blankets into pet bedding. Get creative! Try turning yarn and fabric scraps, wood scraps, toilet paper rolls, and other household items into pet toys. If you do end up shopping for pet collars, leashes, beds, carriers, etc., look for those made with organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and recycled materials. Choose items without dyes, scents, and chemical finishes. Choose ceramic food bowls over plastic ones.

Use Biodegradable Bags and Other Green Waste Solutions
When scooping cat litter or taking your dog for a walk, clean up with biodegradable bags like Emerald Brand,, or even paper bags. Use biodegradable or reusable housebreaking pads. For the cat box, use litter made from natural renewable sources, like Swheat Scoop, Yesterdays News, Corn Cob, and Feline Pine. Avoid the traditional clumping clay cat litters. Not only is clay strip-mined, but it can be harmful to you and your pets if inhaled or ingested. To dispose of dog waste, consider setting up an underground Doggie Dooley in your backyard. The Doggie Dooley Pet Waste Disposable System acts like a miniature septic tank by using natural bacteria and enzyme cultures to break down waste. While technically pet waste can be composted, the composting process will not remove harmful pathogens like e. coli. If you want to compost or bury pet waste in your backyard do it far away from your vegetable garden.

Eliminate Harmful Chemicals
When cleaning up after your pet, use biodegradable cleaning supplies like Topaz Multi Purpose Cleaner. Or make your own homemade cleaners out of hot water, vinegar, and baking soda. Neutralize especially tenacious odors and stains with an enzymatic cleaner like Bac-Out. At bath time, wash your pet in natural organic shampoos or even an all natural dish soap. Products that are gentle on the environment should also be gentle on your pet. Ask your vet about natural solutions to treating fleas and ticks. Instead of medicines made with pesticides, you might try milder remedies like Cedar oil or herbal flea powders and tonics. Reduce fleas in your backyard by introducing beneficial nematodes.

Spread the Word
Ask your veterinarian, trainer, groomer, kennel, or pet sitter what theyre doing to minimize the environmental footprint. Save paper by doing your business electronically. Ask that businesses email you rather than sending paper mail. When possible, use a fuel-efficient car to transport your pet. If you use a pet sitter who visits your home, or a pet taxi service, request that they do the same.

By following these simple tips and using biodegradable, natural products you can greatly reduce your pets toll on the environment. Ultimately what is good for the environment benefits all of uspeople and animals alike.

Resolve to be green in 2013

We all know the New Year gives us a clean slate to work with when it comes to making improvements in our daily lives. Typically we resolve to exercise more, eat better, stick to a budget or pick up that new hobby. For this year we have compiled a list of 10 eco-friendly habits that are easy to adopt and stick to:

I resolve to kick the plastic water bottle habit: Plastic water bottles are bad for the environment, no question. Last year we Americans consumed over 50 billion of them. This is a serious habit we need to kick and quickly. Bring your own refillable stainless steel bottle filled with water from home whenever you go out. If the water from your tap isnt to your liking then add a filtration system or get one of those pitchers that sit on the counter. Trust me; bottled water that you have purchased isnt that much better than water from your tap!

I resolve to use eco-friendly cleaning products at all times and to avoid chlorine: There are so many good and effective green products on the market now, that there is almost no excuse for this one. You can even do a lot with just baking soda, white vinegar, and water!

I resolve to bring my own bags with me to the grocery store: This is a no brainer. Most of us by now should have already adopted this habit. Try to take it one step further by bringing your own bags whenever you go shopping for anything in general, not just food.

I resolve to walk, bike or use public transportation whenever possible: This is one that I will admit took me a while to get used to, as I love the privacy of being in my car alone; but after reading today's headlines showing the cost of gas rising even higher, Ill be riding the bus a whole lot more this year!

I resolve to make small changes at home: Small changes at home can have a huge impact overall if everybody did them. Start by unplugging appliances when not in use like the toaster, coffee maker or microwave. Also, connect your computer and peripherals to a power strip; that way at the end of the day you can disconnect them with just a flick of the switch (Its best to turn your computer off instead of leaving it in hibernate or stand-by mode.) Wash your clothes in cold or the very least warm water and finally change out your light bulbs to CFLs. When you need to use disposables, be responsible, use products made from eco friendly alternative materials.

I resolve to start composting: This is a hard one, I know. I falter with this one myself but I do keep trying to stick with it.
I resolve to use less paper: This one is easy and I have been having great success with it! First I buy recycled content paper for everything (home and office); next I use both sides of the paper. Meaning, if one side is still clean, then I put that in my printer or fax, and I only print out materials or emails if I absolutely must have a hard copy of the item.
I resolve to volunteer for something this year: Even if its just for one day, give your time to a beach or park clean-up team in your neighborhood. If you really want to make big difference then put in some time at your community garden where you can learn to be a steward for the earth and really utilize resolution #5! If your neighborhood doesn't have a community garden then start one. I'm starting to see these pop up all over the place, especially in cities!

I resolve to pay attention to where my food comes from: I'm tempted to preach buy local, but realistically I know that is not always possible. But you can make sure that your food (and even clothing) is produced in an ethical and sustainable way. I believe if most people knew what really went on in factory farms they'd become vegans overnight! So pay attention to labels such as the USDA Organic, and Fair Trade.

I resolve to lead by example: It was Ghandi who once said, be the change you wish to see in the world.

I hope you all have a green and prosperous year!

Eco-Friendly New Year's Resolutions

Feeling dull sometimes is fine and actually will help realise how much activities would gain at being reframed. Or is it that the house need a bit of clearing out of clutter? In any event it is possible that in many cultures Christmas actually means spring cleaning. In tropical countries where Christmas occurs during the hot dry season, cleaning and clearing clutter is actually a pre-Christmas activity. It involves taking away clutter, re-organise the lounge and rooms and even do the load of window and doors cleaning. This means to let the spirit of Christmas get into the house with bright full clean energy.

Fine with us but what are the products used to clean could actually damage the energy flow more than opening it up. So here some tips to use eco-friendly materials to clean up clutter and energy clutter. Moreover, as Christmas moves on the New Year is also around the corner with its load of possibilities for new resolutions. Can we commit to make eco-friendly resolutions for the new year and keep the pace of one resolution per month. Okay here are twelve resolutions as a starter. First imagine what your grand-mother was using to clean the window. She most likely used vinegar so invest in a cheap white vinegar and mix it with little water and clean the windows with that. they will shine bright and clean instantly. Look for bio-friendly cleaning products for cleaning the floors. Install a small toilet shower by the toilet bowl and use shower rather than toilet paper. Toilet paper contains perfumes and or is bleached to make it look very white. It also is basically paper and clutter the waste channels. There is no need for toilet paper. Just a small shower and a towel.

You may decide to have toilet paper for the public toilet of your house. Although we do not encourage the use of it. Eliminate completely the use of plastic bottles. Use tumblers and at home use glass bottles. Refuse plastic bags systematically at any shops and in particular grocery shops. Use water filters system for drinking water at home and you can even put some amethyst and citrine crystals in the water tank to give you all the benefits of these two crystals. Do not wash your car with heavy soaps. They pollute and take away the car also. Instead make a mixture of lemon and water and pass it on the car with a sponge. It will take away the grease and the dirt very easily. Create a small compost area in you garden or terrace and fill it with all the organic waste produced by the kitchen. Anything can go in it except paper, plastic and metals. Pets waste it recommended to be put in compost though. You can learn more about good organic habits on the internet and make them new year's resolutions.

Green Quotes We Love

We love to be inspired!

Below are some quotes that motivate us to go green everyday.

"Like us" on facebook for more quotes

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'I'd like to see it get to the point where we never use trees to make paper because to me it's just a barbaric way to make it.'

-- Woody Harrelson

You could cover the whole earth with asphalt, but sooner or later green grass would break through

-- Ilya Ehrenburg

Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we control our appetites.

--William Ruckelshaus

We have met the enemy and he is us.

-- Walt Kelly

The Earth has a skin and that skin has diseases, one of its diseases is called man.

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.

-- Native American Proverb

We won't have a society if we destroy the environment.

-- Margaret Mead

Till now man has been up against Nature; from now on he will be up against his own nature.

--Dennis Gabor

Emerald Brand

Emerald Brand Collection Cold Prevention

Prevent Colds and Flu with Green Solutions

No one wants to catch a cold or flu. Both are contagious and you need to take steps to prevent infecting others if you are sick. Prevention the most common way that the flu spreads is when the infected person coughs or sneezes or talks and releases droplets into the air. The New York State Department of Health says that people within three feet of you can come into contact with the droplets and become infected. Remember to cover your mouth and nose when you cough, sneeze and use a tissue to prevent spreading germs.

Use Tissues

When you need to sneeze or blow your nose, it's important to use disposable tissues and throw them away right after use. By choosing tissues that are made from recycled or tree free paper, you can prevent illness without harming the environment. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety recommends that you try to use the tissue in a way that your bare hands do not come into contact with bodily fluids. Do not place the tissue on surfaces that other people will touch. The CCOHS notes that after using the tissue to not touch objects until you thoroughly wash your hands.

Ditch the dishes

In addition, do not share your eating utensils, plates, cups, sheets, or towels as they can be infected as well. Always wash these items well after use, or better still, use emerald barnd collection disposable dinnerware that can be discarded after use to ensure germs are contained.

Clean, Clean, Clean

The best defense against germs is to keep clean and the healthiest way to do so is with non-toxic, emerald brand collection cleaning products. They will eliminate the germs in your home without exposing you and your family to other harmful chemicals.

Emerald Brand Collection Shopping Tips

The weekend after Thanksgiving traditionally starts the holiday shopping season. Did you know that you can shop while incorporating a few emerald brand collection habits? Heres Emerald Brand Suggestion to be Eco Friendly on this season.

Try shopping on-line to save fuel and cut down on local pollution.
If you do go out shopping in stores, consider carpooling with friends and consolidating trips to save gas.
Use your own shopping bags and refuse any additional or unnecessary packing materials like tissue paper.
For electronics and appliances, look for ones that have the Energy Star label. These are products that use less energy than traditional electronics.
Look for clothing thats made with 100% organic cotton.
Use gift bags for wrapping as these are easily reused year after year.
Make your own gift tags from last years holiday cards. And dont forget the old standby: newspaper as a fun, funky but practical gift wrap.

How will you be going green this holiday season?

Emerald Brand Collection Thanksgiving Tips

1. Fly / Travel less Flying is one of the greatest contributors to climate change. Consider staying home for the holidays and/or encouraging your guests to carpool or take the train. Offset your carbon emissions if flying is the only option.

2. Leftover food Take your Thanksgiving leftovers to a local shelter. Or pass out turkey/tofurkey sandwiches to those in need the next day. Not everyone experiences the joys of holiday leftovers! Spread the wealth. When packing leftovers up, avoid Styrofoam containers, instead choose clay coated paper products to be kinder to the environment.

3. Go easy on turkey, chicken, ham, etc. Focus on emerald brand collection vegetarian side dishes or organic meats. Green Bean Casserole is where its at!

4. Decorate with organic flowers, branches, and dried plants. Find a florist who recycles and uses local sources.

5. Offer organic and local beverages. From apple cider to wine and beer, you have plenty of organic drinks to choose from. When serving hot beverages, choose chlorine free cups for a healthier drink.

6. Ditch the Paper Ditch the disposable dinnerware and use the real thing. Cloth napkins are a nice touch. Guests will be impressed! If you are having a big crowd and need to use disposables, use recycled or tree free paper products and utensils made from plant starch.

7. Autumn Leaves - Rake up your leaves and use them in your centerpiece decoration. They also make excellent drink coasters!

8. Soy Candles - Turn off the lights, and light up some all natural soy candles around your house. Sets the mood while saving energy!

9. Turn down the heat - More people in your house means more body heat. You can turn down your thermostat a few degrees nobody will notice, especially if they are filling up on warm food and wine.

10. Avoid the Holiday Shopping As Felicia stated in a previous blog post, consider giving personal services (i.e. baby sitting, car wash, house painting, etc.) this holiday season. Avoid driving to the mall the day after Thanksgiving.

11. After the big meal, clean up using non-toxic earth friendly cleaning products. They will get the job done and be healthier for your family and better for the environment.

How To Pick Healthy Facial Tissue

Selecting healthy facial tissue is not like studying advanced calculus. It's a fairly simple, mundane task. However, when you're sick, you have to choose among a variety of features designed to improve your comfort.

Consider Strength: Tissues need to be strong, especially at the height of your cold.

Look for Chlorine Free Options: Who wants a tissue bleached with harsh chlorine near their nose when it's red and sore? Chlorine free tissues are kinder to your nose and better for your overall health.

Evaluate softness: You would be surprised at how soft tissues can be, but commercial brands don't necessarily offer the softest options. Consider recycled or alternative paper options, you'd be surprised at the softness factor.

Explore alternative materials: The tissue you find on the grocery store shelf is not always the best option when considering your overall health. Many are treated with harsh chemicals, bleached with chlorine and use nasty additives to make them soft and strong. New materials like bagasse, the agricultural residue which is left over after sugar cane has been juiced, make soft strong tissues, free of chemicals, and better for the environment.

Paper waste in America

Ways to use tissues

Make Homemade Paper from Facial Tissue

What a great craft for the kids on a rainy day! And of course if you are using recycled or 60-70% Tree Free tissues you are not only teaching your kids about paper making, but about taking care of the environment as well.

A very simplified way of describing how paper is made begins with a solution of fibrous pulp suspended in water. The pulp is removed from the water on a screen and dried, thus creating a piece of paper. Various ways exist to make paper at home. A very simple, inexpensive way to make homemade paper is with facial tissue. This process is simple enough that children over the age of three can make a sheet of homemade paper. Adult supervision is required during the paper making process to ensure the children are able to complete each step. The instructions below will create approximately four sheets of homemade paper.

Things You'll Need:

Newspaper
30 sheets of facial tissue
Large mixing bowl
Water
Egg beater
Cake pan
Liquid starch
Measuring cup with ounce line
8-by-10-inch piece of plastic window screen
9-by-12-inch square of white felt or couching sheet - a couching sheet is a special absorbent piece of material used to make paper. It is available at local hobby and craft stores.

Instructions:

Step 1 - Cover a flat work surface with approximately a dozen sheets of newspaper. The newspaper acts like a blotter and absorbs the excess water spilled or dropped during the paper making process.

Step 2 - Fill the large mixing bowl half full of hot water (but not too hot to touch). Shred the facial tissue and drop it into the hot water. Now, place your fingers in the water. Continue to shred the facial tissue until it creates a mixture that looks like thin cereal.

Step 3 - Add 2 ounces of liquid starch to the mixing bowl. Stir the contents of the bowl with an egg beater.

Step 4 - Place the cake pan on the newspaper covered work surface. Pour the contents of the mixing bowl in the cake pan. Add more water until the cake pan contains approximately 1-inch of liquid. Stir the mixture with the egg beater to evenly distribute the facial tissue fibers.

Step 5 - Slide an 8-by-10-inch piece of screen along the bottom of the pan. Turn the screen so the 8-inch edge is on the bottom. Position the screen along the 9-inch side of the cake pan. Slide the screen along the bottom of the pan.

Step 6 - Slowly pull the screen from the bottom of the pan moving it back and forth slightly as you lift. Hold the screen above the water to allow the excess water to drain.

Step 7 - Place a piece of white felt or couching sheet over the top of the screen. Quickly, flip the screen allowing the facial tissue paper to fall from the screen onto the felt or couching sheet.

Step 8 - Place the felt or couching sheet in a safe location to dry for 30 minutes.

Step 9 - Carefully peal the sheet of facial tissue paper from the felt or couching sheet.

Hand dryers or paper towels?

It's an ongoing debate, which is better for both the environment and your health, hand dryers or paper towels?

The Mayo Clinic recently issued a review of Different Hand-Drying Methods. They found that most studies suggest that paper towels can dry hands efficiently, remove bacteria effectively, and cause less contamination of the washroom environment. Concluding that from a hygiene viewpoint, paper towels are superior to electric air dryers. They go on to recommend that paper towels should be recommended in locations where hygiene is paramount, such as hospitals and clinics.

I'll go one step further and suggest that paper towels should be recommended for use in all public facilities to ensure effective removal of contaminants. The Mayo Clinic article references the 2009 human swine influenza pandemic as a recent warning to health professionals and the community of the importance of hand hygiene to prevent the spread of diseases. Owners of public spaces should be aware of the potential dangers in harboring bacteria and it's consequences.

If the evidence suggests that using paper towels as a better, safer alternative to hand dryers, is it not our corporate responsibility to ensure we are providing the best hand drying method available?

The history of toilet paper

Creative Ways to Reuse Toilet Paper Rolls

On a roll!

Anyone who has children knows the dismay you feel when you hear, "Mom! We need toilet paper"! I feel like I buy it all the time and the price just doesn't go down, does it? Well, all that toilet paper used produces a lot of cardboard tubes. I was about to throw one into the recycle bin and decided to do a bit of digging and figure out how many things I could do with a leftover cardboard tube. There are long, wrapping paper tubes, shorter paper towel tubes, and, of course endless toilet paper tubes. But I have found cardboard tubes holding ribbon, plastic wrap and other items. Don't throw them away! And, before you recycle them, reuse them!

1. Boot dryer. Collect paper towel or wrapping paper tubes and stuff them into a clean can. Make sure they are tall enough so you can put a boot upside down over them and they are high enough above the ground that air can circulate. Use a wide enough can that they won't tip over. Set your boots above or in front of a heating vent. The cardboard will absorb some of the moisture and the warm air will rise into the boots. You can also use three wrapping paper tubes, taped together, inside tall boots to keep the tops from flopping over.

2. Vacuum cleaner extension. Use a long wrapping paper tube on the end of your vacuum tube to extend its reach another couple of feet. This is great for shop vacuums that sometimes are cumbersome. Use the tube when you vacuum your car and you can squash the end of the cardboard tube to get into tiny areas.

3. Taper candle storage. My taper candles always get scratched or broken when I just leave them inside a drawer to roll around. As a result, I almost never burn candles because they look so bad! Store your tapers inside a paper towel roll or cut down wrapping paper roll and they will stay looking new for the next time!

4. Start a fire. A toilet paper roll is the perfect size to use as a fire starter. I stuff it full of strips of cardboard from more toilet paper rolls, or cereal boxes. Stuff just as many pieces as you can and then drip candle wax or oil down into the tube. This will make it very flammable, so keep it away from kids!!

5. Cord Keeper. Cover the cardboard tube with pretty paper and store all your extension cords neatly! Use a tube in bathroom to keep the curling iron and hair dryer cords from getting tangled. Roll up extra cord behind TVs and other electronics and slip into a tube.

6. Bucket handle. Paint cans and five-gallon buckets get heavy and hurt my hands. I cut a tube up the side and slip it over the wire handles to make it easier to handle! If this is too awkward, roll the tube tight around the handle and secure with tape. It will save your hands!

7. Bird food scoop. I find bird food difficult to scoop into the tops of those narrow bird feeders. A toilet paper tube, closed at one end, makes a perfect scoop for that bird food.

8. Protect door handles. Doing a huge paint job and find you get paint on cupboard handles when you go get a drink of water? Slip a loop of cardboard tube over the door hardware and you can grab a glass easily. You can protect door knobs, too, when you are going in and out while gardening to wash your hands.

9. Fluorescent Light Storage. Do you buy long fluorescent bulbs and break them before you can use them? Slip each one inside a long wrapper paper tube and they wil be less likely to get broken.

10. Plastic bag storage. Stuff a few plastic grocery bags into a paper towel tube and keep under the sink in the bathroom for when you empty the garbage. Or, keep a tube full of plastic bags in your emergency kit in the car. You never know when you need a waterproof bag for wet towels or swimsuits! This is great for camping, too, to keep all those plastic bags from blowing away.

Simple Ways Business Can Go Green

Simple Ways Businesses Can Go Green

Lots of businesses are finally starting to go green. It makes sense, its great PR especially when you endear yourself to the community by showing that you care about the environment. Its also a great way to efficiently run a business and, when we use that e-word, it often means that youre saving some green when you decide to go green.

Below are some simple things even the smallest business can do to go green.

1. Doing business with green energy providers. Choose services like that source their power through alternative and renewable energy methods like hydropower, wind power and even solar energy. And because these methods dont involve fossil fuels or any pollution-causing chemical reactions, they are less destructive and could even be cheaper in the long run.

2. Installing motion-detecting light sensors. Not only are these emerald brand collection, they are just cool! There are no light switches and yet, when you enter the room, the lights magically flash on. Motion-detecting light sensors are a great way for businesses to ensure that the lights stay on in a room only when its in use; cutting back on energy waste.

3. Moderating water usage in the restrooms. Much like the sensors used to determine when the lights come on, there are also sensors used on the toilets and faucets that tell these devices when they should function. Some bathroom stalls even have two flush modes: one for fluid waste and another for larger amounts of waste. Both methods help moderate the use of water and minimize needless waste of water.

4. More reliance on windows and skylights. The installation of windows and skylights help make use of all the natural lighting happening outside. There are even special fixtures that operate on the same principal as skylights, and are capable of redirecting the light that shines down on the roof of a building to various fixtures spread all throughout the office.

5. Office-wide recycling programs. Even though many offices try to embrace the concept of going paperless, the fact remains that too much paper is wasted. Seeing this as a problem, many green offices now institute company-wide recycling programs that help minimize the amount of paper, plastic and glass waste being produced.

6. Choose emerald brand collection break room and jan san products. Little choices, like choosing emerald brand collection hot cups for your coffee can make a difference. There are distributors out there that offer emerald brand collection cups, towels, cleaning products and even emerald brand collection garbage bags.

The impact of Toilet Paper

Tiny Roll, Big Impact

It Doesn't Stop at Toilet Paper

According to the American Forest and Paper Association, tissue-grade papers are generally categorized into three major categories: at-home (consumer), away-from-home (commercial and industry) and specialty. Around the home, they are found in the forms of toilet and facial tissue, paper towels, napkins and other sanitary items. They also represent decorative and specialty papers such as wrapping tissue, dry cleaning paper and crepe paper.

The Soiled Paper Dilemma

While tissue-grade paper is made from, well, paper, this particular material is actually not recyclable due to the nature of its usage. When we add grease to a paper towel, food residue to napkins and you-know-what to toilet and facial tissue, these items are typically rendered non-recyclable.

When paper products are recycled, they are mixed with water and turned into a slurry. Grease, oils and other soiling materials form at the top of the slurry and paper fibers cannot separate from the oils during the pulping process, rendering the batch useless.

"The oil causes great problems for the quality of the paper, especially the binding of the fibers," said Terry Gellenbeck, a solid waste administrative analyst for the City of Phoenix. "It puts in contaminants, so when they do squeeze the water out, it has spots and holes."

Other products typically found on paper products, like ink, tend to break down fast as they are usually non-petroleum based.

Helpful Guides

Greenpeace's Recycled Tissue and Toilet Paper Guide- Greenpeace has created a guide as well as an iPhone application to help consumers find recycled and responsible paper products. The pocket guide ranks 18 popular toilet paper, paper towel, facial tissue and napkin brands on their use of recycled content, post-consumer recycled content and non-toxic chlorine compounds in the bleaching process.

NRDC Shopper's Guide to Home Tissue Products- A similar wallet-guide, it ranks tissue-grade paper products on their percentage of recycled content, post-consumer recycled content and bleaching process as well. These small steps can have a huge impact. For example, if every household in the U.S.

Replaced one 175-sheet box of virgin fiber facial tissues with 100 percent recycled tissues, we'd save 163,000 trees annually. Used 100 percent recycled paper towels rather than one 70-sheet roll of virgin fiber paper towels, we'd save 544,000 trees each year. Replaced one 250-count package of virgin fiber napkins with 100 percent recycled, we'd save 1 million trees annually.

The power of recycling

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Clean up after Hurricane Sandy

Now that Hurricane Sandy has wreaked its havoc on some 50 million people living along the northeastern coast, the storm cleanup begins.

Emerald Brand-for all your needed clean up supplies to help with the damage caused by this natural disaster.

Clean up supplies:

Cleaning up after a hurricane may seem like an insurmountable task but can be much more manageable with the correct supplies. Large, 33 gallon plastic garbage bags are great for not only cleaning up debris, but can be used as a poncho to keep rain off you. These large garbage bags can also be used to protect household items; such as using the bags as garment bags.

Gloves protect not only from germs and unsanitary conditions but keep our hands safe while cleaning up brush. Cleaning supplies are invaluable after a hurricane, from killing mold and mildew to purifying water for bathing. Remember, do not use bleach for any water used in food preparation or drinking water, instead, try to use cleaning products that are chemical free which will be effective in cleaning but will not contaminate your food and water supply. Rakes and shovels help clean up light debris outside.

Get your family and your business back to normal with Emerald Brand.

Green Directories

Listings of sites that promote Emerald Brand Products

The problems with deforestation

Big Conservation Benefits a Little Bird

By: Michelle Brown

Bicknell's thrush (scientific name, Catharus bicknelli) is one of the rarest birds to inhabit the high elevation forests of the Adirondacks (it also lives in selected other parts of the northeastern United States and southern Canada). Scientists estimate the entire population to be fewer than 100,000; 95 percent of which spends the winter on the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola. These birds face pressures, primarily from deforestation, at both ends of their range and the population has been in decline.

Called Bicknell's thrush since 1881, and for more than a century considered a sub-species of the gray-cheeked thrush, this songbird was recognized as a separate species in 1995. Quickly thereafter, it gained another, albeit less desirable, distinction: one of the most at-risk species in the region due to threats such as deforestation and climate change.

Now, in 2012, it is being considered for endangered species status by the federal government.

To see a Bicknell's thrush in its native breeding grounds typically requires an early morning start, a steep climb in the dark, and a whole lot of patience. Even if you make it above 2,800 feet to the tangle of spruce-fir forest where the birds nest and forage, you are more likely to hear them than see them. To some ears, the song sounds a little like aStar Warslaser gun, less fluty and clear than the hermit thrush, and its call note "peer" is more emphatic than the "whit" of the Swainson's thrush. The best time to search is in June (which typically coincides with the Adirondacks' notorious "black fly season" when swarms of biting insects put your resilience to the test).

Bicknell's thrush is a "target species," which in science speak means is that it's a bird species we pay special attention to when evaluating the importance of a conservation project. We know it is imperiled and while it shares habitat with other species, Bicknell's is more dependent on the islands of high forests that characterize our mountain terrain. Protecting habitat for Bicknell's is also beneficial for other birds, such as blackpoll warbler and ruby-crowned kinglet.

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Green Washing

Beware of the Green Label!

Green products are incredibly marketable 9 out of 10 shoppers feel the environmental impact of a product is important to consider when making a purchase, and 7 out of 10 will pay up to 20% more for a green product than a regular one. However, many companies will advertise a product as being more environmentally friendly than it really is. This infographic shows how to tell just how green a material is and get around the hype. Its amazing what misleading terms are legal to use, even when they dont accurately describe the product inside.

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Via CSG
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