Daily Greenz #140

Mama needs a new pair of shoes!  And what better time than now, in the aftermath of all that spring cleaning?  Terra Plana makes it that much more irresistible with their funky collection of eco-friendly shoes, like the quilted Juniper pump pictured here.  Not only is it ergonomic (i.e., very comfortable), it’s also made from recycled quilts from Pakistan and Bangladesh, with the forepart consisting entirely of recycled rubber.  Ever eco-responsible, Terra Plana makes all their shoes lightweight and sources material locally whenever possible, so as to minimize energy consumption.  This beautiful pump is available in four different quilt patterns and colors for $200 at www.terraplana.com.

Daily Greenz #139

When it comes to clothes libraries, organizations like Dress for Success have already set a great example for the need for and effectiveness of clothes sharing, so we wanted to share what their international counterparts are doing around the world.  The Australian organization Belmont Clothes Library has expanded upon their idea by creating a library of over 1,500 articles of clothing, which are available to both unemployed men and women to help them ace those crucial job interviews.  Belmont has also partnered up with a men’s retail store, Worth’s Menswear, to incent customers to donate their pre-loved, dry-cleaned suits for $50, which then are promptly donated to the library.

On the maternity front, British organization Maternity Clothes Library offers a large selection of maternity clothes, which expecting mothers can borrow for a little over $3 for their entire pregnancy.  We love that these organizations have taken the concept of libraries to a whole new level and hope to see more clothes libraries crop up in the U.S.  As we all know, libraries in any form are friendly to the environment and the communities they serve.  To find out where to donate your clothes or how to get involved in other ways, visit www.dressforsuccess.org to find an affiliate clothes library near you.

Daily Greenz #138

With the mucky winter months behind us, you’ve been itching to give your car a proper hose-down, but can’t banish the guilt of wasting so much water and polluting waterways with toxic cleansers.  As an alternative to running your car through the car wash, Lucky Earth offers a more economical option with its non-toxic, “waterless” car wash spray.  This eco-friendly solution works on both exteriors and interiors, and promises both to protect your vehicle from the elements and bring out the color in your body paint.  Best of all, the spray contains no VOCs, dyes, fragrances, or parabens, so you can rest easy knowing that no family members will accidentally be ingesting any toxins by being around the car.  Each 32-ounce bottle is good for 7-10 washes and is available for $16.99 at www.luckyearth.com.

Daily Greenz #137

Want to see your old shirts repurposed as part of an exclusive Loomstate t-shirt collection?  Between April 13th to 27th, bring your old duds to Barneys New York, receive 20% off all Loomstate clothing, and look forward to seeing your shirts “re-fashioned” in the Barneys for Holiday 2008 collection!

The Sundance Channel recently partnered up with Barneys New York and Loomstate to promote Season 2 of THE GREEN by launching this new eco-fashion idea of recycled shirts.  The show’s purpose is to inspire viewers to make changes in their lives to positively impact the environment, without sacrificing style or quality.  The t-shirt campaign is their way of demonstrating that such a change is possible.  Loomstate is a fitting designer for the t-shirt recycling program, as they normally use 100% certified organic materials to make eco-luxe clothing.

As an added incentive, proceeds from the t-shirt recycling program will go to 1% for the Planet, which is a growing network of businesses that donate 1% of their sales to help environmental organizations worldwide.  If you’re looking to do a little spring cleaning, now’s the time!  Find a Barneys store near you at www.sundancechannel.com/ecommunity.

Last night, as Earth Day came to a close, we launched the greenzer.com public beta. We’re very excited about this first important milestone and eager to continue to  build our service as THE shopping destination for greener products. We’re only getting started!

We launched the site with over 10,000 products from some of the web’s best retailers. We’ve highlighted some of the key green attributes for products to make the search easier and more informative.

We also launched the Greenzer Score on selected electronics and computer products. It brings together the extensive work of groups like Climate Counts and EPEAT in a 1 - 10 measure of greenness on hundreds of products.

Browse the site, share the news with your friends and drop us a line to tell us what you think. Happy greenzing!

Daily Greenz #136

With wedding season hitting us full force this spring, we thought we would highlight one great way that eco-conscious couples could help the environment during the wedding planning craze.  If you and your fiancé(e) have all the energy-efficient appliances you need and don’t want the clutter of any more gifts, Changing the Present offers you the option of registering for charitable donations to hundreds of non-profits that support a wide range of causes.  Whether your passion is the environment, international health, or human rights, you and your soon-to-be can personalize your wishlist by adding commentary to the causes you choose.  For example, your family and friends will want to know that you met surfing on your favorite beach and that’s why you want them to help the National Resources Defense Council prevent the contamination of local beach areas.  Charitable gifts range from a modest $5 to an eye-popping $1,000, so guests from all walks of life can comfortably choose a donation to fit their respective budgets.  For more information, visit www.changingthepresent.org.

Daily Greenz # 135

For homeowners looking to spruce up their homes at a minimal cost, there’s no better way than giving your walls a fresh coat of paint.  Not only is it more affordable than replacing your wallpaper or furniture, it can also be an eco-friendly option if you use Freshaire Choice Paint, which is a new, zero-VOC (volatile organic compound) collection exclusively available at Home Depot.  Most paint products contain harmful VOC ingredients, which can cause a gamut of health problems, such as headaches, nausea, and respiratory illness.  Freshaire, on the other hand, is certified by the Greenguard Environmental Institute, which guarantees that their products are safe, and their practices and packaging are eco-friendly.  In fact, their cans are made from 100% recycled materials, and their chips and brochures are also derived from reclaimed materials.  With over 65 different shades to choose from, why not go green?  Available for $35 per gallon at www.homedepot.com.

Daily Greenz #134

Fashion giant Banana Republic has finally gone green.  They’re launching their eco-collection of 50 stylish pieces to coincide with Earth Day and will be donating 1% of all in-store sales from April 22nd to 27th to Trust for Public Lands.  Their eco-pieces, which are identified by a green elephant icon, are made from a mix of sustainable materials, such as bamboo, organic cotton, and linen.  They’re also making efforts to green all their packaging by using recycled material whenever possible (their shoe boxes and price tags contain at least 50% recycled material) and switching store lighting to energy-efficient halogen bulbs to reduce carbon emissions.

They’re not stopping there.  Having partnered up with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Leaders program, they’re serious about doing their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11% by the end of the year.  In addition to the lighting switch, they’re also incorporating temperature control and other energy-saving practices in their stores – changes which have already resulted in an overall energy savings of 41% this year.  Their stores are getting an attractive makeover, too, with floors made of certified wood from sustainable forests and restroom tiles made of 15% recycled material.

So the next time you see a Banana Republic billboard, don’t turn your nose up at it.  They’re also being recycled and re-used as roofing material for homes.  While they still have a ways to go before they can be considered bona fide green, we still want to tip our hats to them for taking a step in the right direction.  Check out their new collection at www.bananarepublic.com.

Daily Greenz #133

Reminiscent of our childhoods, building blocks are the quintessential child’s toy, providing a safe and creative way for small children to develop mental agility and a sense of fun.  To that end, the Uncle Goose Alphabet Blocks have revamped the classic look of these toys with something a little chicer and greener.  Their blocks are crafted from domestic Basswood, meticulously embossed with numbers, letters, and animals for learning, and then lightly painted with non-toxic inks that meet strict U.S. and European safety guidelines.  Whether your child decides to stack them or chomp on them, there are no hidden dangers lurking in these eco-friendly toys.  Find out why Uncle Goose blocks have won numerous accolades, such as the Parent Choice Awards and Dr. Toy’s “100 Best Toys” award by buying a set for your little tyke.  Find a local retailer near you at www.lindenwoodinc.com.

Daily Greenz #132

Runners all the world over will love the idea behind Yanko design’s new LED sneakers, which not only light a path for those evening runs, but also alert drivers to your presence, so that you won’t have to worry about accidentally getting run off the road.  These Pioneer sneakers contain built-in headlights that recharge with every step, shining a path of nearly five feet in length for up to 12 hours.  We love Yanko’s ingenious invention because it encourages the sport of running, which is a great, affordable way to keep yourself and the environment healthy.  Also, these kicks pave the way for being active during the evenings, which is when your body is most energetic and responsive to a workout.

Although only a concept for now, we’ll eagerly be tracking the Pioneer’s progress into reality.  We hope to see these kicks on the shelves and on our feet soon for runner-friendly evenings.