That Pale Blue Dot

My friend Trayce over at All of a Peace posted this video and I was so taken with how small yet full of life it made me feel, it seemed more than appropriate to share it with everyone.

Carl Sagan was a guru of all things related to the moon and stars (not to mention an astrophysicist and author among many other talents) and his knowledge of just how vital it was to protect our planet is something that should be shared by all.

Our planet may just be a tiny speck in the grander scale, but it is a whole big world to all of us! Enjoy this short reminder of just what all of us are fighting to maintain every day.

Eco Fashion Friday Halloween Series Costume Creation Tips

Here are some more tips in the continuing series here at GLR about how to create a more eco-friendly Halloween this year!

eHow has a great article on ways to be Earth friendly this Halloween. My favorite tip of all here is raiding the closets of family and friends. Some clothing buried deep in an older family member’s closet could be perfect to complete a retro look, or pieces from their collection might just be the perfect accent like a brooch or a nice pair of shoes.

Get creative in your own closet! Last year my husband, in the business for thirteen years, went as an Out of Work Mortgage Banker. He got dressed as he normally would for work but put on pants that had shrunk, wore a pair of really scuffed shoes, un-tucked one side of his collar shirt, buttoned it askew, tied his tie haphazardly and messed up his hair. I think he even had a folded up resume in his pocket. It was hilarious and timely and did not cost a dime.

Trade costumes with a friend. One of the biggest bits of waste on Halloween is in fact the costume. Worn for just one night then given away we can greatly increase the lifecycle if we hold onto it and exchange with a friend or colleague the following year.

If you must buy new, think of going with something handmade. One of our favorite shopping experiences here at GLR is the community of unparalleled artists and designers over at Etsy. I typed the words “Halloween costume” into the main page search field and got a hit of just under 13,000 results. Chances are there will be something there to suit every need or desire imaginable. Not only is it nice to support independent artists but most items are going to be one of a kind (OOAK) so you won’t arrive at the party in the same outfit as a friend!

Sew your own. In a week or two I will be sharing the makings of the costume I am creating for myself this year out of a little creativity and a couple T-shirts. I am still working on sketches and the overall concept but stay tuned for at least half of a costume created from very simple sewing techniques as well as extremely inexpensive items from thrift shops or my very own closet!

Photo thanks goes out to Judi FitzPatrick Studios again. Thanks Mom!

Extending the Life of Your Refrigerator

A fridge is one appliance just about everyone has, it works to keep our food from spoiling by keeping it cold and protected. It is often forgotten about but can be a huge energy sucker if not properly maintained as it has to work doubly hard in order to do its job. This risks early burn out or malfunctions. There are super simple steps we can all take to ensure these things do not happen!

☼ Clean inside -- No need to keep muck cold, make sure the shelves are free of old and expired foods. It is also good to clean up spills or leaks as they happen to avoid bacterial growth. Once the shelves and drawers are grime free make sure the temperature is set somewhere between 36 to 38 degrees (Fahrenheit).

☼ Keep it stocked -- To maintain the temperature and avoid overworking the motor keep the fridge full. A good trick I used to do is when I was running low on groceries, but also too lazy to go buy them, was to fill up a few pitchers or gallon jugs of water. Filtered tap water, ice cold, is also really yummy and better than buying lots of plastic bottles so it is a double benefit!

☼ Clean under and around -- Maintaining a functioning condenser coil is vital to the survival and smooth operation of a fridge. Unplug the fridge and pull it out. Dust and / or vacuum under and behind the machine to remove dust and particles. Every six months is a good schedule for this maintenance.

☼ Check the gasket -- That rubber piece attached to the door should be free of grime to ensure a proper seal and interior temperature. If it looks yucky grab a damp towel and wipe it down. Dish soap is mild enough to not wear the rubber and works great to degrease.

☼ Level the feet -- To make sure the fridge is operating properly and not throwing heat to strange areas make sure the unit is level with the floor. Most fridges have feet on the front that adjust by screwing up or down.

☼ Keep it cool -- by making less trips to open and close the door the fridge will not need to work as hard to maintain its coolness. When making dinner or otherwise grabbing items from the fridge try to gather as many as possible in one trip.

Making sure all of these steps are taken will keep energy costs down and extend the life of this snazzy, uber cool appliance for years to come!

The Solution for Used Toner and Ink Cartridges

Quick -- raise your hand if you have used a Xerox copier, printer or fax machine? Now keep your hand up if you have ever been forced to throw away the empty ink or toner cartridge because you had no idea what else to do with it? Aha! Just as I suspected, many of us have. Well never again will I be doing this now that I have discovered the safe haven known as Cartridge World!

Yesterday I was helping my favorite Accountant reorganize her office and there was a stack of old, empty cartridges just hanging out in the corner. She told me she does not want to pitch them but did not know what else to do. I was convinced the town had a DPW station where they could be dropped so we did a quick Google search but came across Cartridge World instead.

Upon exploring their website we discovered that one of the company’s over 1600 international* locations was conveniently only about five minutes away. Their website said they took just about anything so even though some of her items were from printers that even the most seasoned Techie Geek has never heard of, we boxed them up and took a ride down there. She went in with a full box saying ‘wish me luck’ and came out empty handed with a smile. She said he even thanked her and it cost nothing to drop off! Score!

The stores are franchised locations (independently owned and operated) and in addition to recycling old empty cartridges they might just carry replacements for the toner cartridge that was just dropped off. Make sure to get a toner Recycling Collection Bin from your local store and start collecting not only yours but your friend’s and family’s, office’s or neighbor’s cartridges so everything can be recycled and kept out of landfills. Cartridge World is committed to a Greener Environment and they are proving it.

I have read every page of their website, and now have first hand experience with the convenience and eco-impact of this company, so although I have tried to find anything preventing it I have no choice but to grant Cartridge World the illustrious and well deserved Five Leaf Rating!

I am truly impressed by this amazing business model making a surge to employ local workers, encourage entrepreneurship and do their part to save this planet. Way to go, keep up the amazing work!

To find a location near you please visit their website or call 1-888-99-REFILL

* currently operating locations in the US and Canada.

The Cutest Eco Car From GM and Segway

It is common knowledge that United States auto makers are not only struggling in this current economy but some are flailing to the point of potential shut down. President Obama has encouraged these manufacturers to conceive of innovative solutions in order to offer a fresh face to the consumers of the country and reestablish their ability to turn a profit, keep thousands of people employed and provide financially viable solutions. As President Obama is also a supporter of smart environmental practices, it was only a matter of time before the two concepts met, fell in love and got married. The happy couple in this case is GM and Segway.

The baby that these two companies produced is the most adorable and efficient thing I have ever seen. The vehicle, known as PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), is an electric, two seat vehicle that only weighs 300 pounds, can reach speeds of 35 mph and can run up to 35 miles per charge of the lithium-ion battery, making it the ideal city car. In addition, there will be an interconnected network between vehicles that allow users to discuss impediments in their way. In an even more futuristic development, the eventual ideal is to have the vehicle run itself via a GPS transponder ensuring it would never be part of an accident or stuck in traffic. Fun! The cost has not yet been revealed but has been estimated to be around a quarter of the cost of the average vehicle.

Because of their attention on the environment, the American consumer’s wallet and the desire to begin thinking outside the SUV as a means to keep their company from drowning in the proverbial economic sludge, I am granting this little baby Four Green Leaves and allowing both GM and Segway to bask in the glory of the rating as well.

Keep up the amazing innovative partnerships and your company will be right back on top again GM!

Interesting and Fun -- Around the House Tips

Yesterday my good friend sent me an email chock full of those super handy household secrets that save time and money. Some of them were hidden green gems so it seemed only fair to spread the love and share these hints with all of you as well! If you have some tips on ways to get greener by saving money, time, the planet, our sanity, etc. please feel free to leave a comment!

☼ Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser; works much better than paper towels.

☼ When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

☼ To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

☼ Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

☼ To avoid waxy build up on your dryer’s lint filter (from dryer sheets) and the best way to keep your electric bill lower is to wash the filter with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.

☼ Use left over hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and a great way to use up the conditioner you didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

☼ Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up small shards of glass you can't see.