Luckily for the earth and their owners, domestic animals don’t (need to) consume much.

Food, water, whatever is needed for their “waste disposal needs,” and if a pet is not satisfied with a tennis ball or a cardboard box, toys.

Food

In addition to taking into consideration your pet’s breed, age and activity level, it is important to read the label on the food you are purchasing for your pet. Many of the processed foods available commercially contain “meat and poultry by-products,” which can mean dead, dying, or diseased animals, among many other nasty things that made me gag. Look for foods that are natural and organic that do not contain growth hormones, preservatives or colorings and flavorings. Some brands to check out are: Ark Natural Products for Pets, Newman’s Own, and Integrated Pet Foods. There are lots of biscuit and snack options too, such as Wagatha’s Dog Treats and Natural Products for Pets.

Waste

All cats use a litter box (I hope!), and thus all owners use kitty litter. Most litter contains clay and a lot of chemicals to control dust and odor (although the odor of the kitty litter by itself is enough to make me gag, once again). There are more pet and eco-friendly options available on the market now such as those made from recycled paper, wood waste, corn and all-natural, biodegradable, flushable and scoopable wheat; and if you add baking soda to the box it will keep it fresher longer, which requires less kitty litter in the long run.

Dogs are a little easier, as they dispose of their waste out of doors. The only catch is that we humans have to pick it up. This requires using a plastic bag. But instead of using a new bag (or buying bags specifically for dog poo pick up), you can use the plastic bags that your newspaper comes in, or save the bags that your bread comes in. An even better option is to use biodegradable plastic poop bags from companies like Oops….I Pooped.

Toys
With toys the concern lies in what your pet is ingesting in their mouth. Many toys are made of plastic and coated with toxic paints. A great option is to get organic pet toys, such as those offered by Simply Fido.

Other Considerations

Yet another reason to switch your cleaning products that are all natural and organic is for your pet’s health and safety–your pets are often laying on the floor and coming in contact with (and possibly eating) things that contain toxins from conventional cleaning products.

And as Bob Barker always said at the end of each Price if Right “help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered.”

More Resources for Raising a Healthy and Green Pet:
Harmful Pet Products– NRDC

American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association

Planet Dog/Planet Cat

Petguard

I received an e-mail from a blog reader (yay Jessica!) asking me about plastic bag recycling.

“Is the recycling of the plastic bags worth still using them or is it ultimately best just to use all reusable?”  

Of course recycling plastic bags is an option. However, at most, 3% of plastic bags sent to the recycling bin actually get recycled. Many of them end up being shipped to developing countries. This may be because recycling plastic bags is not verey profitable (yet!); because of its low quality and the various inks on the bags, the cost of recycling bags is much higher than its resale value.

You can never escape the resources and chemicals used to produce the bags in the first place. It is always best to use resuable bags…but there is inevitably going to be a time when you don’t have yours with you, so be sure to recycle (or reuse) the plastic bag you get.

Question 1: Paper or Plastic?

Short answer: neither.

Long answer: Plastic bags tend to be considered the ultimate “bad guy,” and have been villainized by retailers such as Whole Foods, cities such as San Francisco, and countries such as China. It may be because their presence is seen throughout the natural environment—in trees and in the ocean, and they are blamed for clogged sewers and wildlife deaths all over the world. Regardless, it is important to be aware that paper bags require just as much energy (aka oil) as plastic bags to produce. And because they are a heavier weight, transporting them produces much higher amounts of greenhouse gases than plastic bags.

So, please, please, please, I beg you—get a reusable bag for ALL of the shopping you do. This includes not only trips to the grocery store, but also to convenience stores, pharmacies, clothing stores, music stores, electronics stores, toy stores, apothecaries, garden centers, wine shops….you get the point.

Or you could adopt the phrase, “That’s o.k., I don’t need a bag thanks” when you are purchasing a single item, or if you are like me and have a (vegan) purse the size of a carry on bag.

I have started reading Ecological Intelligence by Daniel Goleman; his message is one of encouraging absolute transparency and (finally) taking responsibility for our actions. He writes, in a section entitled “Vital Lies, Simple Truths,” “we endorse the vital lie what we don’t know or can’t see does not matter….and recycling can feed our self-deception by creating a momentary green bubble that offers the illusion that our individual efforts are solving the problem.” Don’t get me (us?) wrong, I truly believe that individual efforts can make a difference (because without the individuals, there is never a collective), however his point is that by putting an emphasis on recycling—and only recycling—it “lulls us into the illusion that we are doing enough, while ignoring the remaining adverse impacts of what we buy and do.”

It really is about raising your consciousness, taking the environment into consideration in your choices, and recognizing that everything is interconnected and derived from nature in some way or another. That is what Goleman calls “ecological intelligence…only such an all-encompassing sensibility can let us see the interconnections between our actions and their hidden impacts on the planet, our health, and our social systems.”  

So what can you do in addition to recycling? Add reducing and reusing (remember, there are 3 Rs) into the mix:

• Educate yourself before you buy. Much like you would read a nutrition label, examine the products you purchase. Look for things with minimal packaging and avoid individually wrapped items.                       

• Choose durable and reusable things such as cloth napkins over single-use, disposable items such as paper napkins. 

• Reuse bags, containers, boxes, paper—and whatever else you can think of! 

• Continue to learn and ask how you can change your habits to be more environmentally friendly.

I just returned from a ten day adventure in Burlington, Vermont visiting my best friend, Alison—which in some circles is considered the greenest place in the United States. I can attest that this area is almost like a promise land to me. Recycling and composting everywhere (I even went to their community facility—incredible), community gardens, and locally grown…well, everything. Alison’s, neighbors even have chickens (in downtown Burlington!). It was a true inspiration for me…

I was so lucky to be able to have a one-on-one individual tour of the Stowe Mountain Lodge (Alison’s place of employment) with their Sustainability Chief extraordinaire, Andre. SML is a new five-star hotel located high atop Spruce Peak at Stowe, and is part of Destination Hotels & Resorts’ “Destination Earth” program.

Earlier this year, the lodge received Audubon International’s Green Leaf certification, a program that honors a property’s commitment to water quality, water conservation, waste minimization, resource conservation and energy efficiency. 

Some cool things they do:

• Materials used in construction are sourced within 500 miles, and local crews are used to build everything
• The scrap materials used in construction were taken to Recycled North
• They divert 90% of their waste from the landfill through recycling (recycling bins are in all guest rooms) and composting efforts—this includes composting and recycling virtually ALL of their kitchen waste (Farmer John comes to pick up the food waste)
• Their menus feature foods that are in season
• Most of their lighting fixtures contain CFL bulbs
• Cleaning products are all natural
• Landscaping is minimal (they don’t need it anyway—the mountains are beautiful enough!) so as to limit water use
• Their stormwater runoff system feeds their snowmaking system!!!!
• The Spa uses natural products, and stocks sustainable products in the gift shop

It was really encouraging to visit the hotel and see the commitment of the staff, particularly Andre and Maggy (Spa Director) to their inititives. SML has gone beyond the easy steps to take, and gotten really creative and innovative with their environmental efforts.
 

The thing I liked the most about it was that they don’t have to be making all of these efforts. They are making the effort because it is the right thing to do–because the natural environment is what draws people to them, to Stowe, they are being responsible stewards of the land.

Two weeks ago, my Dad proudly told me that he had used a push mower on the lawn, as opposed to his usual gas powered mower. But today, he reverted back to his bad habits, because he claimed the push mower doesn’t cut the grass as low as he would like.

Each weekend, millions of people like my dad mow their lawns with gas-powered mowers, using 800 million gallons of gas per year and producing tons of air pollutants. By some estimates, air pollution from cutting grass for an hour with a gas-powered mower is abour the same as driving a car for 100 miles. Mowers emit high levels of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, which combine to create smog and ground level ozone, as well as cause respiratory problems in humans. Also, the EPA states that 17 million gallons of fuel, mostly gasoline, are spilled each year while refueling lawn equipment (more than the Exxon Valdez spill).

What are the other options?
Push Mower (my favorite!): It is human powered–meaning zero emissions. It is light and easy to use. And it is very good exercise!

Electric Mowers: Essentially the mower is plugged in for power, therefore they only work for small lawns. (Also note that anytime you use electricity, you are still causing emissions)

Solar-powered Mowers: This is a cordless lawnmower, that runs by itself, while turning sunlight into power. 

And of course, goats are always an option…

greenover recently partnered with Adlumia to create in-store green wedding displays. We chose three possible wedding themes: vintage, growth and modern, as a way of showing that no matter the desired look and feel of the wedding, you can do it in a more environmentally friendly manner.

vintage wedding

vintage wedding

growth wedding

modern wedding

Rings

• Buy a ring with a diamond from Canada or one that is certified “conflict free”
• Purchase a ring that is made from recycled metals
• Purchase an antique ring

Where to find:

www.brilliantearth.com

www.greenkarat.com

www.touchwoodrings.com

Dresses

• Consider wearing a preowned wedding dress
• Buy a dress made of sustainable fibers such as hemp or flax silk
• Or buy sustainable fabrics and have your dress made by a local dressmaker

Where to find:
www.conciousclothing.com

www.deborahlindquist.com
www.vintagegown.com

www.preownedweddingdresses.com

Invitations

• Choose invitations made from recycled paper or handmade paper
• Use paper infused with seeds that can be planted
• If it fits with your theme—go digital and send evites
• Send just the invitation and a response card, and give details online at your wedding website

Where to find:

www.smudgeink.com

www.yellowbirdgreetings.com

www.nightowlpapergoods.com

www.elumdesigns.com

www.wastenotpaper.com

www.ewedding.com

Gifts and Registering

• Register online with eco-retailers such a Gaiam and Greenfeet
• Register with companies that have a commitment to sustainability
• Consider what you really need when you register
• Consider registering for items that have an environmental component, such as reclaimed wood or organic cotton towels
• Have guests donate to a charity, or purchase carbon offsets, instead of giving gifts

Where to find:

www.gaiam.com

www.greenfeet.com

www.terrapass.com

Flowers

• Choose Flowers that are in season
• Choose organic flowers
• Opt for silk flowers
• Donate or give away the flowers after the wedding

Where to find:

www.theflowerexpert.com

www.organicbouquet.com

www.beeandblossom.com

Transportation

• If you have your wedding and reception in the same place, it eliminates the need for the trip from ceremony to after-party.
• Encourage carpooling or offer transportation from the hotel to the ceremony and from the ceremony to the reception
• Choose transportation that is eco-friendly, such as hybrid cars or a horse and buggy

Where to find:

www.gogreenshuttle.com

Venue

• Choose a place with inherent style, such as a museum or an historic building to avoid excess flowers and decorations
• Choose a place that has made a commitment to sustainability

Where to find:

http://greenhotels.com

www.uniquevenues.com

http://gatheringguide.com

Decorations

• Use centerpieces that guests can take home, such as potted plants or flowering bulbs
• Choose soy or beeswax candles, instead of petroleum based candles
• Use edible arrangements made from locally grown food
• Skip balloons and wedding themed decor

Favors

• Give away seedlings or something made from recycled materials
• Give something edible, such as organic cookies or chocolate
• Consider not giving away favors
• Keep the packaging to a minimum
• Make a donation to your favorite charity in your guests name

Food

• Serve locally grown and organic food
• Consider cutting out meat from the menu
• Have the baker bake an organic cake
• Plan your menu around what is in season
• Consider having just appetizers and drinks
• Make sure the caterer uses reusable platters, utensils, glasses and napkins
• Package up extra food for your guests to take home with them
• Encourage recycling and composting at your reception
• Serve local and organic wines and beers

Where to find:

www.localharvest.org

http://eatwellguide.org

http://organicconsumers.org

Those of you who don’t know me may not know that I have a brother who is my polar opposite. Among our many differences is our attitude toward the natural environment. I couldn’t care more, and he couldn’t care less. 

However, when he decided to make some improvements to my bedroom, he suprised me by incorporating some green principles and products into the mix. It is not hard to do so-it just takes a little change in the way you approach the project.

For example, at my request, my brother used low VOC paint for the walls. Conventional paint contains solvents and other volatile organic compounds that stick around for a long time after they are applied, and can cause headaches, allergies and other respiratory problems. Benjamin Moore makes two different kinds of low VOC paint–Natura and Aura–in every color imaginable, and that goes on very nicely on any surface.

We also purchased a carpet that was made of recycled Polyethylene terephthalate  or polyester, and a low flow toilet, which uses at least 3 gallons less water per flush than a traditional toilet.

And all on his own, my darling brother reused wood from one area of the bedroom to frame the new and much smaller (ie less water use) tub in the bathroom. Maybe I am getting through to him!

If you are or someone you know is planning home improvements, don’t hesitate to contact us for suggestions to make it greener!

Make your own. It’s easy.

Also a great present when you are visiting your family for Easter.

Tips:

- terracotta pots or wooden bowl (my brother made this one)

- color eggs in onion skins

- get some branches from outside or local farm

- don’t forget favorite chocolate

….protecting the environment, while looking good

I was so excited to be one of the hosts of Amy Dufault’s first ever Eco-fashion Sample Sale last Wednesday night.  Amy was able to secure samples or overstock items from various eco-fashion designers.  Then I, along with Bev Dunn (of The Island Merchant) and Amy invited all of our local friends to come out and shop for organic and eco-friendly clothes at very low prices while enjoying the food and drink at the Island Merchant.  Can you imagine a more fun evening!?

Amy wearing a fabulous Moda Spia silk dress

So, why is this so exciting to me?
Because your clothing choices can be one more way (a very fun way!) you reduce your environmental footprint.

Never thought about this before?  Here are some facts:
Conventionally grown cotton (found in most clothing and fabrics) is one of the most pesticide-intensive crops in the world.  these pesticides are harmful to wildlife, the ecosystem and to humans.
Nylon and polyester are made from petrochemicals. They are also energy intensive and water intensive to make, and they never biodegrade.
Traditional fabrics are bleached and dyed, which can produce poluution and carcinogens.

Shoppers reveling amongst the beautiful green designs by Moda Spia, Marchuska and filly

What makes a design green?
The materials used and the processes by which the clothing is made.

What materials should you look for?
Those that do not require pesticides to grow or are made from wood pulp such as:
Organic Cotton, Bamboo, Hemp, Tencel, Lyocell, Modal, Lenpur, Linen, Merino Wool, Organic Wool, Soy, or clothing made from recycled, vintage or surplus materials.

Anna Korte redesigned vintage jewelry

Check out Amy’s repurposed headband with found feathers from Mothlove