Some Eco-Resolutions for the New Year!

So, you've got just over a day to come up with your best New Years resolutions.  Try not to stress too much about big changes you're going to make.  Think about a few small changes that you can implement, if not starting January 1st, then sometime soon, that will lead you towards a more sustainable lifestyle.  You know as well as we do that resolutions do not stick unless they are realistic, so think about a few of the ideas below; pick one or a few that might work for you, or come up with your own!

Look at and reevaluate your food sources 

• Try to cook from whole ingredients whenever possible, and resolve to buy in bulk when you can (save precious packaging)
  
• Moving towards a diet that is more plant-heavy as opposed to meat will always be more sustainable - the lower you eat on the food chain, the less resources went into your food's production.  Perhaps you could resolve to replace one meat meal a week with a veggie meal.  Remember - start small to be successful.
• Your best and most creative effort could be in resolving to grow some of your own food once the ground thaws out.  You can use the time until then to read up on best growing practices in your region and plan a garden plot.  You'll save food miles traveled of the produce you'd buy in the grocery store, and it's a great way to connect with your natural surroundings.

Increase your output of Reducing, Reusing and Recycling

• Most importantly, emphasize following them in that order - first reduce your need to use new resources; if you do, purchase for quality over quantity so that you can reuse them to their longest lifestyle; once items cannot be reused anymore, recycle or repurpose them!

Shrink your carbon footprint

• You can focus on your travel-induced carbon footprint and try to pick up biking for short trips and errands, carpool more than you already do, or make it a priority to plan errands ahead and squeeze as many in one trip as possible to avoid making the same route more than you need to.
  
• You could also make your energy bill the priority.  Look around your house or apartment and try to determine what your biggest energy loads are.  Are you and your roommates guilty of leaving the lights on when you go to work?  Could you turn the heat down a few degrees more?  Would it help if you had a shower timer that encouraged you to take shorter showers, saving water and the electricity needed to heat the water?
  

Put "local" first 

Supporting local economy is green in more than one way: it's better for the environment, and it's always beneficial to keep your "green" in the same economic loop.  While it may be tempting to go to Walmart to save a few dollars, buy from your local shops and companies to ensure that much more of the money stays in your community.  The domino effect of keeping business local is multi-fold.  Some of the many reasons to shop locally:

• The shorter distances traveled by the consumer (you), the less fuel is used in transportation.  
• Local shops tend to find and support other local businesses, lessening the transportation cost and environmental cost of shipping goods long distances.

and last...Resolve to educate yourself more!

Whatever area you think you have the most room to improve and grow when it comes to living with the smallest environmental impact, no one is expected to be born an expert.  We all require gaining knowledge and insight into the field to learn what we can do.  For you, one of the most important resolutions you can make could be to continue to read into the field, and make the changes you can as you go.  In fact, you should be proud of yourself - simply reading this blog is a great first step!   Good luck!

Prepare for your New Years Celebration with green glassware and more!

Reclaimed Glassware by The Green Glass Company

Hosting a New Years Eve Party?  Do you host often and think about freshening up your glassware collection?  Change things up with any of these beautiful glasses, from The Green Glass Company, made from reclaimed glass bottles.  The Green Glass Company has clearly been doing something right, as they originated in 1992, and have actually patented their "wine bottle to goblet conversion process".

Their clever and beautiful transformations of wine and beer bottles into goblets and tumblers gives a visible offering of how glass can be reclaimed and recycled - details are left behind on each glass to show it's history, be it a printed label, the obvious frosted blue, brown or green glass, or a give-away texture that can be traced to it's origins.   Their line of goblets crafted from old wine bottles makes use of both the top and the bottom half of the bottle - as you'll see upon examining the pieces, their goblets are typically fashioned from the top half of a wine bottle, and their tumblers from the bottom.

Take a look at a sampling of the Green Glass Company products you can find in your nearest 'g' showroom...

The Forest Clear Goblet.  The text you see actually says "Protect Our Earth" in 4 languages, fluidly wrapping around the glass.  The green color and the phrase deemed it the company's ever-present reminder of Earth Day. 

The Royal Tumbler Frosted.  This deep blue frosted glass is perfect for pouring a cool beer or other carbonated beverage.  We also think it makes a great receptacle for a root beer float.  The detailing at the base of this glass show its roots as a wine bottle.  

Wine tags (Vinotagz) by Modern Twist. 

We couldn't resist putting in a plug for this neat little cube of wine tags, or should we say Vinotagz. A must-have for the entertainer, you can pick up a pack of 6 silicone markers for each guests' wine glass (or new goblet from The Green Glass Company!). Not only will the color hue identify the glass's owner, they can also be written on with a ball-point pen (and washed off later). The hole in the middle conveniently allows them to double as a napkin ring. 

Your party host will be thrilled to get these! If you're feeling extra generous, pack them up with your favorite bottle of organic wine to show up for your New Years soiree in style. Stop in today before we run out!

Find these and more, at 'g'!

Happy Holidays!

from 'g'

Now is it wrong that on Christmas Day we want to remind you about the ReGift program at 'g'? We didn't think so, and we hope you don't either! Through ReGift, unloved, unwanted gifts get new life through a creative recycling program. You can ReGift with 'g' at our Mashpee showroom through December 31st.

Our ReGifting program is a way for people to reduce the waste stream by ReGifting items stored around their homes going unloved. As many of you opened up thoughtful gifts that just might be enjoyed more by someone else, don't wait until next holiday season - stop in sometime in the next week to drop it off at 'g' to be regifted, and you might be able to instantly exchange it for something you can use more. Don't feel guilty - it's called being practical! See our website for more details.

Also, we would like to extend our congratulations to a successful few weeks at our newest 'g' location in Norwell. If you haven't stopped in to the Norwell showroom, don't wait - go today! (Ok, maybe you should wait until tomorrow when it is open...)

We hope you are relaxing and enjoying the holiday with family and friends!

Last minute gift ideas: Not Your Average Bags

Today we bring you two extremely functional bag gift ideas: A solar powered backpack and a line of assorted stylish insulated lunch bags and food-carriers. (And this is the LAST edition of last-minute gift ideas - stop procrastinating and pick up your gifts today!)

Solar-powered backpack by Voltaic

These solar bags have photovoltaic panels designed to charge virtually all handheld electronics. Embedded in the outside of the backpacks are lightweight, tough, waterproof solar panels. The bag produces 4 watts of power, so one hour in direct sun will power over 3 hours of iPod play time or 1.5 hours of cell phone talk time. Whether you're thinking of gifting this to an avid hiker or explorer, or perhaps a student in engineering or environmental studies, this bag not only has impressive function, it also makes a statement. Stop in to 'g' to pick up this gift - it is guaranteed to be unforgettable!

Insulated bags by Mario Batali

These lunch bags effortlessly combine fashion with function, at very affordable prices! See below for a peek at the line of insulated lunch bags designed by Mario Batali, and come to a 'g' showroom to pick one up!

A charming insulated "market bag", with pockets-a-plenty to hold everything for a picnic in the park or cart your groceries and goods home from the market or over to a gathering.

A fashionable insulated lunch bag to carry to work...and it can pass as a purse!

One of our favorites at 'g', this cute tote has the insulated liner to keep your food fresh, but the zip-in liner can be completely removed to yield a wonderful tote that your friends will envy.

Last minute gift ideas: For Kids!

Our favorite holiday gift for children at 'g'?  A beautifully packaged "Stone Soup Garden Growing Kit".  If you don't remember the story of stone soup, study up so you can  best tell it to the child who receives this gift - they will absolutely love the story of trickery (for good) and learning to share with others in need, and the adventure of plotting their own stone soup garden once the weather warms up.

In the sleek little tin come 6 varieties of seeds - red acre cabbage, little finger carrots, mammoth melting peas, evergreen bunching onion, roma tomato, and blue lake pole beans.  The kit also comes with a burlap pouch to carry the seeds and hide a stone, stakes to mark the treasures buried in the ground, and the stone soup recipe.  Once the veggies are ready, you'll never see a child more excited to spend a day in the kitchen preparing the much awaited stone soup!  

To cater to a child's sense of adventure, make them a picnic kit!  

Come to 'g' to pick up a set of 4 brightly colored plates (with 3 partitioned compartments), 4 bowls and 4 cups!  

These confetti dishes, made by Zak! Designs, are made of recycled plastic and come in bright decorative colors that children (and adults!) will love.  

Pack them in a basket with a promise of a picnic in the park to pique this child's adventurous spirit.  (And of course, these dishwasher-safe dishes do not have to be confined to picnics, and are sure to be their lucky owner's favorite every day dish!)

Last minute gift ideas: For the Host/Entertainer

What can you get that friend or relative that is constantly hosting parties or gatherings? Here are a few eco-friendly ideas we have at 'g'...

COASTERS.

A good host has coasters on hand, because they not only take pride in their furnishings, they take pride in all the decorative touches, such as the coaster you place your beverage on! Luckily for you, 'g' has a couple of options to choose from...

Decorative Cork.

If you weren't aware, cork is an extremely sustainable material. It is made from the bark of a species of tree whose bark will actually regenerate after being stripped from the tree.

Cork producers follow the guidelines of how often to "harvest" the bark to make cork, so that the process remains sustainable (the myth that cork is a threatened material was created by the wine industry to excuse the desire to make cheaper and less desirable plastic wine stoppers!). The cork coasters you will find at 'g', made by Dinner Ware, are beautifully printed with images - a colorful steaming cup of coffee, geometric shapes, and more. If you pick up a pack of four of these elegant and durable cork coasters, you can also opt to pair them with a matching trivet.

Stylish Silicone. Modern Twist makes these simple yet sleek silicone coasters, and ironically enough the best way to describe the minimalist prints is modern. The prints vary from lines and

circles to other geometric shapes. The silicone is very easily washed and maintained, extending the life of these coasters longer than any other option. Another great feature? They can be written on with a ball-point pen, personalized for each user! This also gives them the ability to serve a dual purpose of a place card. When in our showroom, you can also purchase silicone "Doileez" made by Modern Twist. When you see how great they look your mind will swim with the possibilities of how best to use them - under your flower arrangement, under the casserole or ship bowl at your next party, an accent with the candy dish in the front hall. Since they're food-grade, they can be set in your serving dish as well. Come in and see them for yourself!

Last minute gift ideas: Buying in Bulk from 'g'

EnviroSax foldable bags.  Purchase one EnviroSax bag for $8.50 or a pack of 5 for $42.50.  Give them to everyone on your list...and save one for yourself!  They roll up to the size of a small pair of balled socks, and it's so easy!  Keep one in your purse at all times so that you're prepared for any shopping moment, and can avoid getting a store bag (and they look good!).  They're also the perfect size to be a stocking stuffer, but thoughtful enough to stand alone as a gift.  And, another great idea is to use an envirosax bag as your gift wrapping - see their website for more details!

Sporks by Bambu.  

Buy a single one for $2.10 or pick up the super-saver pack of 24 for only $10.50.  These sporks are incredibly practical - they can be kept in s child's lunch box, or in a purse or car glove compartment, so plasticware can be avoided whenever possible.  How perfect is it that it is a spoon and fork in one?!  Besides giving you the ability to say no to plastic, these sporks are made from certified organic bamboo, and have no chemicals or dyes in them.  It can be washed and reused several times, and will biodegrade within 4-6 months of being disposed of.  This is such a nifty little treat, it's perfect as a stocking stuffer or a small token of appreciation for someone in your life.

Last minute gift ideas: For the Pet Owner

Some people might be upset if the gift they open is not something they personally were pining for...but for the pet-lovers in your life, you know that they'll be just as happy to receive a dog sweater than a cashmere cardigan for themselves. Show them you care during this years holidays by giving them treats for their furry friends. You'll be sure to impress with these thoughtful presents that are also great for the environment!

Fresh Wave Pets Shampoo. For only $13.99 you can treat the pet fanatic in your life and the planet with this biodegradable, chemical-free pet shampoo, made of coconut oil, natural lime extract, pine needle, aniseed, clover, and more. Stop into 'g' to pick up your "Stinky Pet Fur Fresh Shampoo" - an all-natural odor neutralizer for all pets!

BioBag Dog Waste Bags. Give the dog-person on your gift list a box or two of BioBag Dog Waste Bags. Help them ditch plastic bags by gifting these dog waste bags that are 100% biodegradable and compostable! Finish your shopping today - come into 'g' and pick up these up. $5.15 for a box of 50 small bags (11.5" x 7.8") or 35 large bags (13" x 9.75").

At 'g' we're happy to help you choose gifts that are environmentally sound. We'll also gladly package up your gift (in our recycled paper bags) so that you don't have to worry about it. Come visit us today!

Cape Cod Green Drinks @ 'g', Wednesday December 16th

Hyannis Green Drinks (although, with participants hailing from across the Cape, it could more accurately be referred to as Cape Cod Green Drinks) is coming to Mashpee next Week.  The ‘g’ Green Design Center showroom in Mashpee Commons will be hosting this social gathering, Hyannis Green Drinks, on Wednesday December 16^th, from 5:30-8:00pm. 

 

Green drinks is a national movement – the first one started in New York City as an excuse to create a forum for like-minded individuals who have both personal and professional interests in all things green to join together.  The Hyannis group meets once a month, and we feel lucky to be hosting in December.  We welcome all of the regulars, and encourage those of you who haven’t been to a Hyannis Green Drinks to please come!

 

Some Green Drinks events are associated with a theme, and ours is no exception.  We would like to encourage all participants to bring an item for our ReGift program.  This can include any item you received as a gift or purchased and haven’t used, and think you could live without.  And, you all know the saying – one [wo]man’s trash is another’s treasure.  Hopefully, you’ll also be able to find an item you want to swap with.  However, if you don’t have an item to bring, don’t let that hold you back (it is not a requirement by any means)!  There will be tasty snacks and drinks for all (maybe even some green nog). 

 

Call the Mashpee Showroom with any questions, but we hope to see you next Wednesday!

Impress your co-workers: Green the office holiday party!

Depending on your work atmosphere and management priorities, while you might be able to green your personal “Standard Operating Procedures”, your workplace might not be on the same page as you yet. Whether or not it is, use this year’s office holiday party as an opportunity to showcase your eco-savviness! With the tips below, you’ll be able to green your office holiday party and impress your co-workers…have fun!

1. Provide compostable flatware and silverware to guests

*Many holiday parties fall victim to the use of disposable (usually plastic) plates, cups, and utensils, with office social functions being no exception (hey – at this time of year we all have a lot of competing priorities, and washing dishes isn’t one...especially when you're "off the clock"!). Instead of dismally looking into a garbage can full of plastic trash at the end of the night, use compostable flatware and silverware! ‘g’ carries compostable cups (hot and cold), small and large plates, bowls, utensils, and even straws! If you chose to throw them away (most can be reused several times), they will decompose naturally in an expedited process!

2. Use "green" serving platters

*Instead of plastic serving trays and platters, choose something that is visibly unconventional and green. It will start some great conversations about what makes these items better for the environment…A few choices you can find at ‘g’ are the new Verterra palm leaf single use plates. They may be single use, but once you’re through with them they will decompose naturally, and no natural resources were exploited to make them – they’re made up of leaves that have fallen from the tree – how sustainable! We also carry a variety of bamboo serving platters made by bamboo, that are quite beautiful, yet won’t break the bank.

3. Collect the waste in compostable trash bags

*Light green in color, your co-workers will likely notice that these are not your standard Glad trash bags. When they ask about them, you can rave about these compostable trash bags made by BioBag will biodegrade in 30-60 days filled with your trash, as opposed to the million years it could take for the plastic bag!

4. Make sure there is a recycling bin on hand!

*It might seem like a no-brainer to have a blue bin in your office, but you’ll likely find that the space you’re in for your holiday gathering won’t come equipped with one. To make sure all of the bottles and cans don’t end up with the trash, and to subliminally encourage all to recycle, bring a bin with you.

5. Decorate with your green thumb

*Whether it’s finding used decorations at a thrift shop, or creating your own out of items you find at home or in the office, avoid purchasing new decorations this year. Do something original and green – we know you’ve got it in you! Or, if you really aren’t feeling creative, appoint someone else on your holiday party committee in charge of decorations…

Product Spotlight: Smart Strips (and a lesson on Phantom Loads)

Today we want to tell you about a great invention that tackles one aspect of home energy conservation: The Smart Strip.  

Smart Strips look like an average power strip to plug appliances into, but it does so much more.  Using a Smart Strip to plug in your electronics can save up to about 73% of your energy use!  How, you ask?  Well, we’ll tell you!

You plug any and everything into it: your electronics, appliances, phone and laptop chargers, etc.  What the Smart Strip does is stop the draw of electricity from your electronics that are not on and being used.  Even though appliances and electronics are not in power on mode or being used, they pull electricity from the grid, which you are charged for – this draw of unwanted electricity is commonly referred to as a “vampire load” or “phantom load”; these phantom loads can cost hundreds of dollars a year, and smart strips help eliminate them! 

They’re labeled smart because they can detect whether or not you are using an appliance, electronic or battery charger (cell phone and laptop chargers are the worst offenders!).  If the item plugged in is determined not to be in use, the smart strip will stop the electricity flow, saving electricity, therefore cutting down on CO2 emissions, and saving you money!  For the items that you never want turned off (fax and answering machines, cable boxes, computer equipment you need remote access to), each strip has a few “always on” plugs, so you don’t need to fear that these will shut down (you never need to fear that the TiVo will shut down and you’ll miss taping your favorite show!).  This really is the prefect invention!

‘g’ carries two Smart Strips that you can choose from, and we are now able to offer these at a reduced price due to a rebate for their energy efficiency.  The “Small” strip, which has 7 plugs, is now $23.95, and the “Large” with 10 outlets, is now $41.95.  Stop in today and get yours – they also make perfect holiday gifts!

Lunch and Learn, Wednesday November 9th: Creating a Tight Building Envelope

In the building and design industry, it is constantly emphasized that conservation should be the first step in green building design and reducing energy consumption.  Before turning to [more expensive] renewable energy sources to cut down on energy bills, you should learn to tighten your building envelope.  And, as a building and design professional, it is your responsibility to be able to impart this knowledge onto your clients and turn it into practice.  

In the last Lunch and Learn of 2009, next Wednesday, December 9th, we will be joined by Building Diagnostics' Bruce Torrey, a building envelope and design specialist.  Bruce Torrey founded Building Diagnostics to provide consulting and design services to improve buildings' health, comfort, and efficiency, and next Wednesday will talk with Lunch and Learn participants about the practice of tightening a building envelope; from insulation, to looking for and treating leaks, maintaining healthy air circulation, to mitigating leaky windows and more.  

We will also look at and review many of the insulation products that 'g' Green Design Center has to offer.  By attending this Lunch and Learn session, you will obtain the tools to determine if your customer should choose batts of blue jean insulation or a blown-in soy based insulation, and help you understand the "evils" of commonly used non-green insulations such as fiberglass batting and icynene.  

Again, the Lunch and Learn educational workshop series was designed as an educational forum for building professionals to learn how to green their practices.  We invite you to join us at the next session!  Lunch is provided, but we ask that you please RSVP.  Call our showroom to RSVP at (508) 477-7988.  

*Also going on @ 'g'...

• ReGift has started.  Stop in today to drop off or pick up a Regifted present!
  
• Wednesday, December 16, Cape Cod Green Drinks will be hosted at the 'g' Green Design Center showroom in Mashpee Commons.  More info to come!
  

Your Green Holiday Giving Guide

Our best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season...

We share with you our ideas on how to make this season more green and eco-friendly from the gifts you give to the lights you display to the wrapping you use.

Enjoy a greener holiday season this year and give the Earth a gift!

Holiday Hints

1. Send online e-cards instead of printed greeting cards.

2. Use biocompostable dinnerware when entertaining guests.

3. Purchase eco-friendly gifts. Look for gifts with environmental messages or benefits: a nature book, refillable thermos bottle, battery recharger or items made from recycled materials. Choose solar powered products.

4. Bring a reusable bag when shopping, such as a tote to carry your purchases.

5. Use LED holiday lights to decorate your home. These lights are up to 90 percent more efficient than incandescent lights and can last up to 20 years! Available at .

6. Use timers for your holiday lights to limit their use to only six hours a day.

7. Use materials like newspapers, magazine cut outs and brown bags with stamps or stickers instead of wrapping paper.

8. Close the flue in your fireplace and block the hearth to prevent heat loss when you're not enjoying a fire.

9. Give your friends and family the gift of energy-efficiency found at Green Design Center

10. Donate your time to an environmental group. Get into the holiday spirit by volunteering!