Green is my favorite color

Recycling Resources

Recycling is great, but I would like to preface this blog with a challenge:

Refuse…refuse the unnecessary, think about what you really need and what you can live without…don’t become a victim of excess.

Reduce…the less we use of the things we really need, the fewer leftovers we have to figure out what to do with afterward.

Reuse…buy reusable products, so they don’t have to be disposed of after use.

then…Recycle!!!

The great thing about recycling is that we can recycle more that we truly know.  It’s just about having the right information.  The following is a list of recycling resources for almost anything you can think of:

1. Basic Recyclables- It is fairly common knowledge that if you don’t pay for recycling service where you live, your city or county should provide a recycling drop-off center for glass, plastic, cardboard, paper, and aluminum. Find you local recycling center:

• www.wm.com   (Waste Management) – Type in your zip code and find the closest center.  Waste management also recycles toxic materials (batteries, electronics, etc.) however they do charge for recycling “kits”…keep reading to find out how you can recycle these items for FREE instead…

2. Appliances and Toxic materials- There used to not be facilities for recycling toxic materials such as batteries, light bulbs, computers, appliances, etc.  BUT…fear not!…that has all changed.

• I recently found a great website…you type in your zip code and it gives you a list of local area stores that will recycle batteries, re-chargeable batteries, and cell phones.  Check it out: www.call2recycle.org

• For Refrigerators, DP&L has started a great program.  There are a few stipulations: you have to be a DP&L customer, the refrigerator has to be in working condition and cleaned…BUT if you meet the requirements, they will pick up your old refrigerator, send it to be recycled, and you get a $25 rebate. Nice!                                       www. dpandl.com/save or call 1-877-545-4112

• To recycle light bulbs and pick up new energy efficient ones, stop in and see us at EcoMental!

• To recycle electronics (including computers), even if they don’t work…take them to your local Goodwill, who has a partnership with Dell to refurbish and re-sell, or recycle them if they are beyond repair: www.goodwill.org… ALSO, remember you can donate anything you don’t use, that is is good condition to you local Goodwill and document your donations for tax purposes.  And if theirs is something you need in your life, check Goodwill or your local consignment shop first…you would be amazed at what you can find!  Just the other day, I furnished my home with new wine glasses, a new vinyl, a favorite book of mine from high school, a ‘Best of Food and Wine Magazine’ cookbook, and lovely new coffee mugs, all for $15.oo and NO CONSUMPTION GUILT! Love it…

Have more recycling resources or tips? Leave ‘em in a comment or e-mail them!

Know the Truth!

As much as I generally hate trends, I can be completely honest when I say if there is one trend I don’t mind…it’s the sudden “green movement” that is sweeping the nation.

“Green Living” ideas, tips, and products are everywhere…which is great…but the problem is we still have to be informed customers.  As with all trends, there are knock-offs.  In the case of the green movement, advertising companies are taking advantage of something we like to call GREENWASHING.

What is Greenwashing?

US-based watchdog group CorpWatch (corpwatch.org) defines greenwashing as “…socially and environmentally destructive corporations attempting to preserve and expand their markets by posing as friends of the environment.”

All facets of the modern day world use these tactics (politicians, entire governmental systems, trade associations, and non-governmental organizations) but no organization has the true ability to sway the everyday consumer like the advertising agencies for corporate, capitalist,  America.  Every year billions of dollars are spent greenwashing products that are no better for the environment than their openly toxic predecessors.

In the case of greenwashing, advertising has developed “buzz words” and slogans that imply that products are environmentally responsible, but the fact is, they are lies wrapped in pretty bows.  Frankly, I find these products more dangerous than those who just admit what they are.

So what do you look out for?  The following are clever phrases that you may find on greenwashed products.  Know that the FDA has no regulations on the following phrases and that buying a product with any of them printed on the label DOES NOT guarantee it is safe or environmentally responsible:

-Natural/ All natural

-Environmentally Friendly

-”Low” (anything)…. ex. “Low Sulfates”

- Ecologically Friendly

- Botanical Ingredients

- Non-toxic (does not mean a product in environmentally sound, simply refers to the effect on humans in the instance of consumption)

- “Contains” (anything)…ex. “Contains natural ingredients”

Instead Look for specifics! The following are phrases that guarantee that you are getting what it actually says on the label:

- “Free” (anything)  ex.  “DEA – free”, “Dye and Fragrance free”, “Chemical free”, etc.

- “No” (anything)  ex.  “No synthetic fragrance”, “No synthetic dyes or coloring”, ” No preservatives”, etc.

- 100% pure ingredients or 100% all natural ingredients or 100% natural origin, etc.

- 100% Biodegradable Formula/ 100% Compostable

- 100% recycled (or any percent of recycled material is better than nothing)

- pH Neutral

The first step to change is KNOWING THE TRUTH!…..if anyone has info they would like to add to this blog to expand all of our knowledge please leave your comments!

Welcome to The EcoMental Blog: Green Is My Favorite Color!

As my dad would say…..”Howdy!”…..How is everyone doing?  Welcome to the new EcoMental website and the future home of  “Green is My Favorite Color”.

I’m Lary, but who I am is not important.  I am not a professional journalist. I have no environmental degree.  I am not a politician.  I am simply someone who loves the natural world around me (what little of it we have preserved) and wants to try and rally others in my effort to raise awareness about how we can live to love the planet more.

Without the earth, we die.  And without us, this earth would be it’s bountiful, healthy, blossoming self.  So how can we co-mingle? That is what this weekly “blog” is going to talk about.  It is possible to live a fulfilling and rewarding live without having to sacrifice things you enjoy, or the world that surrounds us.

‘Green is My Favorite Color’ will officially begin summer 2010 and a new issue will appear weekly.  If you would like to be notified weekly of new issues or to suggest a future topic send your e-mail to greenismyfavoritecolor@ecomentalstore.com

I would also love to get feedback on weekly issues and will include comments from those who give consent in following blogs.  I want this to be a discussion amongst the community, not a “preachy” diary. So Join in!