dimondites

I’ve been evaluating gray water systems for a potential future install in my home. They’re complicated and confusing. They also require serious planning and installation requirements. Yesterday my friend Spench told me about this - I can’t believe this was not thought of and introduced before now. It is a no-brainer and an incredibly easy solution that will save tons of water!

One of the fastest eco-adoption product to date, these flourescents are flying off store shelves. Since these bulbs use 1/3 of the energy and lasts 10 times longer than regular bulbs, this high demand is a good thing.

However… that high demand means a lot of dead bulbs in 5-10 years. It is important to note that these flourescent bulbs carry mercury, which is really bad for the environment and for you.  It can cause brain and kidney failures if exposed to in high amount (that’s just scary).

These bulbs cause no danger intact. It is when they are broken that they pose a problem. So do not dump these in your garbage cans. They require hazardous waste management (just like batteries). For hazardous waste information and schedule, click here.

Leave it to Martha to come up with some of the most amazing ways to dye your eggs naturally. Look at these beautiful botanical eggs (pictured). Even I can’t be a cynic about Easter when looking at these. Makes me want to go out and try some myself (ah, yeah right…)

Click on image to view an animated video about RecycledBank’s shared cash incentive to recruit participation. Unfortunate for us, it’s in Philadelphia. I think we are seeing the first of many changes to happen soon. Competition has decided it wants to be eco-friendly too.  The increasingly burdening competition between two recyclers has created the need for self-promotion, and there’s no better promotion than “cash back.” There’s something to be said about having a little competition. (I happen to like competition,

I find this extremely encouraging. [Sadly,] I do feel that mass change will most likely happen (or happen at a much faster pace) only when the individuals are rewarded at the individual level for their actions.

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I’ve finally experienced my first biodegradable take-out containers last week (apparently due to high demand, suppliers were sold out for weeks). I’m thrilled to be a part of a city that enforces environmentally friendly policies, and I’m even more thrilled to discover how beautiful these containers really are. Their organic shape and texture remind me of wonderful Japanese items from upscale retailer Muji, who I credit for introducing the American market to the beauty to recycled paper products.