If you’re a runner and you’re not in the midst of training for a marathon, chances are you have a 5K or 10K next weekend, right? During the summer running season you can never have too many tees and shorts. Since you’re always sweating in them, they go through a lot of wear and tear and could end up getting ditched after only a few months.

So choose recycled workout wear so you don’t feel bad if yours end up being disposable. Start with a Patagonia Capilene T-Shirt. Capilene is a green fabric, it’s just a fancy term for recycled polyester, that’s breathable and moisture-wicking–percet for hot and humid summer runs.

Next go for Patagonia Men’s Long Haul Runners, which are made from 50% recycled polyester. They’re a great style for distance runners because they’re made to reduce the uncomfortable chafe factor and they have an eco-friendly Capilene liner that’s moisture-wicking.

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A new survey shows that Americans are all for being more eco-friendly, as long as it doesn’t make them uncomfortable or inconvenienced. The Shelton Group polled 1,006 American households about their buying habits. Sixty percent want green products, but most don’t want to give up their favorite modern conveniences like iPods and air conditioning. In fact, over one fifth of the respondents said they wouldn’t give up anything despite the harm done to the environment.

The survey showed that 62 percent of Americans wouldn’t give up their iPods, 65 percent wouldn’t stop using their dishwashers, 75 percent couldn’t part ways with their microwaves, 79 percent would rather hang on to their cell phones than be green, 86 percent said air conditioning was a must and 87 percent had to have their televisions.

So what’s the takeaway, other than the fact that Americans are a little spoiled and selfish when it comes to saving the planet they call home? Click here to read more

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You can be green even when having one of the laziest afternoons. Kick back and enjoy summer in the Ultimate Hammock. What makes it an eco product? The hammock is made from recycled soda bottles. You can recycle plastic bottles all you want, but unless consumers like you are going out and buying products made from that old stuff, the process doesn’t work.

What’s cool is that this material is actually perfect for a backyard hammock. It will repel water so you’ll always have a dry seat and it won’t deteriorate in the sun. And most importantly, it feels just as soft as cotton so you can really relax and enjoy nature. Even the wooden pieces, which are made of white oak, are treated naturally with linseed oil and they’re Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified.

If you’re going to hang your hammock between two trees, be sure to select them carefully. Look for trees that are big and strong enough to support the weight of whoever may pile on the hammock. Generally, you’ll need a trunk that’s at least 6 inches in diameter. You should also look for any signs of decay or weakness because you don’t want to risk injuring yourself or a tree.

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When we talk about personal care products, we often mention that they end up flowing down your drain to later enter waterways. While it might sound like a scare tactic, a new research study gives us even more proof that it can happen. The antibacterial chemical triclosan has been found in the blood of bottlenose dolphins living in areas where treated sewage is released.

Triclosan, a registered pesticide, is found in some toothpastes, soaps and deodorants to help control bacteria. For the same reason, garbage bags, cutting boards and socks are often treated with the chemical as well. Home sinks are the main route for triclosan to enter waterways. But even though 95 percent is removed during water treatment, it’s one of the most commonly found contaminants in rivers and estuaries near treatment plants.

This study measured levels in dolphins from South Carolina and Florida living in a harbor, a lagoon, an estuary and rivers. At this point, researchers don’t know how the accumulation affects the dolphins’ health, but it’s certainly an indication that we need to consider the bigger picture when making buying decisions. Click here to read more

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Golf seems like a fairly green sport, right? Well, not always considering all the water and pesticides courses use to keep those greens so green. The Golf & Environment Initiative was started to get the sport going in the right direction, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do your part, too. If you’ve got U.S. Open fever and are dying to get on the green in a new pair of golf shoes, go for an eco-friendly pair. Hi-Tec’s Enviro shoe is made from 99% eco-friendly materials. The main part of the shoe is made from organic vegetable-tanned leather. In other words, it’s chrome-free leather. This is an important distinction because during the tanning process, most leather is treated with chrome, a heavy metal that can later leach into our waterways. Recycled plastics are used for the laces and inside the sole. Plus, the sole of the shoe is made from rice husks and latex rubber.

These shoes will help you lower your carbon footprint on your next round. And in the future you might be able to tee off at an eco-friendly golf course. Click here to read more

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