The 2009 US Open is underway. But before you start debating whether or not Roger Federer can pull out another win or which Williams sister will last longer, check out how this year’s tournament is going for a grand slam in the green department. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) have teamed up to make the event eco-friendly and help raise awareness with over 700,000 spectators.

Last year, several green initiatives were put into place and this year, the US Open is even greener. One of the biggest sources of waste for the sport are all those Wilson tennis balls and tennis ball cans, which are made up of four different materials. This year the 60,000 tennis balls will be reused for National Tennis Center programming and later donated to community and youth programs. About 18,000 to 20,000 of the tricky-to-recycle ball cans will be saved from landfills.

Eco-friendly US Open merchandise will be available, too, including the organic cotton t-shirt designed by Venus Williams (shown above) and hats made from 50% recycled plastic soda bottles. US Open shopping bags will be made for reuse with the words “recycled and reuse” printed on the bottom, or you can be a real reusable tote for $5.

And the green initiatives list goes on and on: Click here to read more

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Furry, adorable little Fido couldn’t be making much of an impact on the environment could he? Well, dog fanatics might not want to think about all the plastic doggy poo bags going in the garbage, heavy dog food that’s getting shipped at a high carbon cost (and it often has lots of additives) and dog toys made of plastic. But a few smart eco products can help reduce your pup’s carbon pawprint.

Choose a leash that’s made from eco-friendly materials like a hemp Planet Dog leash. Hemp has a short growth cycle of only 100-120 days, which means it’s highly renewable and can be harvested more often than traditional fibers. Play fetch with West Paw Designs’ Hurley, a non-toxic, latex-free, recyclable bone that was manufactured with virtually zero waste. And reward your pooch with a 100% Certified Organic biscuit treat from Wagatha’s.

Click here to read more

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Daily Greenz #145

New eco-designer Kate D’Arcy knows the way into a woman’s heart is through her wardrobe – or more specifically, through beautifully designed, absolutely comfortable clothing.  Her company Toggery uses 100% organic cotton and bamboo fibers for all her pieces and combines a classic design with vibrant colors, which are made from low-impact reactive dyes that use less energy and chemicals than natural or vegetable dyes.  Whether dressed up or dressed down, her collection of breathable, stretchy shirts, dresses, and leggings exudes a sense of luxury without the discomfort.  Best of all, it’s all produced locally in Pennsylvania by a certified socially compliant apparel manufacturer.  Toggery makes sustainable fashion available to budget-conscious consumers for $29 – $115 – a very reasonable price for these classic pieces.  View the summer collection at www.shopmodify.com or find a local retailer near you at www.toggerycollection.com.

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