I have been saving corks for many years thinking I would someday make cork boards for people....and well, I havent so I wanted to find someplace that would use them for something other than landfill.

I found Recork America.....

We are partners in recycling. ReCORK by Amorim (previously ReCORK America) is a natural wine cork recycling program. The ReCORK program is sponsored by Amorim of Portugal, the world's largest producer of natural cork wine closures, SOLE, a leading manufacturer of footwear products, and Amorim’s U.S. sales affiliates – Amorim Cork America and Portocork America. The goal is to recycle corks and to educate and inform our audiences about
 the crucial role cork forests play in curbing climate change....... recycled cork can become flooring tiles, building insulation, automotive gaskets, craft materials, soil conditioner and sports equipment

To locate a drop off location for your corks, visit the Recork America website .

Baby Stroller Drive

During October, drop off a new or used stroller that's in good operating condition to a Community First Credit Union branch. CFCU will deliver each stroller (along with $20 for each) to The Living Room, a local agency that provides help to at-risk women and their children.

LOCATIONS in Santa Rosa:

Central Santa Rosa
501 College Ave.
(northeast corner of Mendocino & College avenues - just south of the JC)
9a to 5:30p, Monday-Friday; 9a to 1p, Saturday


West Santa Rosa 70A Stony Point Rd.
(just south of Finley Aquatic Center)
9a to 5:30p, Monday-Friday

Like most children, Halloween is one of my kids' favorite things about the month of October. However, it is a holiday that's celebration can have a real negative impact on the environment. From the disposable costumes and plastic candy wrappers that are littered throughout the neighborhoods, to the electrically lit pumpkins and blow up lawn decorations that are kept inflated night after night, Halloween can have a SCARY effect on our planet. Luckily there are many simple steps we can take as parents to make Halloween an eco- friendly holiday.

Costumes - I know this is a difficult one with all the commercialism and cartoon bombardment our kids get at every turn, but avoiding brand new store bought costumes each year can significantly reduce our carbon footprint. Costume ideas that are more eco friendly include renting a costume, passing on your older costumes to someone else’s kids or have someone else’s kids pass down their costumes to your kids. You can also make cute and simple costumes out of old sheets and clothing. September and October are also times of the year when thrift stores carry many costumes. These eco-friendly costume ideas not only promote recycling but will also save you a lot of money.

Treat bags - Instead of buying a new plastic bucket every year for your kids to collect their treats in, try using a cloth bag, a bucket from home, a pillowcase or a basket which you can decorate to match your kid’s costume. In September and October, you will likely find recycled Halloween buckets/baskets for sale at your local thrift store as well.

Treats - Try to buy treats that use as little packaging as possible or treats that use eco-friendly packaging. We as parents can also remind our kids and neighborhood trick-or-treaters to keep plastic wrappers and all other garbage off the ground and in the garbage. Some chidlren may even feel inspired to pick up wrappers found on their trick or treating route.

Pumpkins - If you are able to purchase your pumpkin from a local farmer instead of a large supermarket, your local farmer will receive a larger portion of the food dollar supporting endangered family farms and ensuring that healthy, flavorful, nourishing and abundant food will be available for future generations. Buying local keeps your dollars circulating in your community and builds a stronger regional economy. When your pumpkin has lost its Halloween flair, you can compost it in your yard waste bin and save precious space in our landfill.

We have been checking Craigslist and Ebay for a bike for Noah but haven't had any luck. So today we peaked into a local bike shop to check prices.....I was surprised that most were over $200. which is not in our budget right now.

Then I remembered about Santa Rosa's Community Bikes store.

We found a great 20" Trek bike in perfect condition that they will tune up and add training wheels to, for $60. In addition to the great deal, we are also keeping a bike out of the landfill and not adding to the waste of more new raw materials that would be used to make a new bike.

I would recommend anyone in the market for an adult bike, kid's bike (they even had princess and Ariel bikes for little girls), unicycles, tandem bikes (yes.... they had it all) to check out Community Bikes in Santa Rosa.

Noah is very happy with his "new to him" bike and we are even more happy for the green choice Community Bikes gave us the opportunity to make.

ALSO, if you have a bike that you would like to donate, they will take it, fix it up and sell to someone else. The money made from the sale will go to their great cause of keeping bikes out of the landfill and encouraging biking more and driving less. 

NEED A NEW-TO-YOU BIKE?

Community Bikes is a non-profit collaborative that promotes driving less, biking, repair and reuse. We support these programs by refurbishing and selling good quality bikes and parts donated by individuals and local agencies. Our inventory varies week to week - road bikes, mountain bikes and everything in between. Please come by or visit us on Craigslist! Volunteers and donations welcome. COMMUNITY BIKES 4009 Sebastopol Rd, Santa Rosa One block south of Highway 12 and one block east of Wright/Fulton Rd & Joe Rodota Trail; Halfway between Sebastopol and downtown Santa Rosa Sunday, 1-5pm and Thursday, 5-9pm A project of LITE Initiatives www.liteinit.org, 707 579-5811 

I was just reading the "Santa Rosa Recycling News" and there was an article about responsible electronic waste recycling.  I started looking at some information online and came across the "60 Minutes" story that aired in November about what REALLY happens to some to the e-waste we think we are recycling.  It's really worth taking a look at, http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4586903n&tag=mncol;txt

sat and sun

Mar 28-29

8:30- 4:30

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa

 examples of items accepted include:

laptops, monitors, keyboards, TV, cell phones,  fax machines,

blenders, toaster, coffee makers, vacuum cleaners

Santa Rosa recycling and collection now accepts the following itmes in your blue recycling bin.

-Plastic toys

-Plastic crates

-Laundry baskets

-Lawn furniture

-Play Equiptment

-5 Gallon buckets 

With the holiday season fast approaching, your mailbox is likely to get stuffed with catalogs from companies you have never heard of before let alone the usual suspects, most of which you will likely not open or not be interested in. 

If you are interested in reducing the amount  of paper wasted by way of catalogs mailed to your home, here's a website I found that will help you  do that.

My Sister-in-law gave us 2 booster seats to use.  Well, I looked at the date the seats were made, and they have expired. One was made in 1999 and the other in 2001.  Car seats expire after 6 years.

I was searching the internet to see if there was a place in California that does that. I found 2 websites that I thought would be of interest to you.

http://www.momgogreen.com/2008/05/recycle-car-seats.html

http://www.enviromom.com/2008/05/critical-mass-f.html

They have a recycling program in Portland, Oregon. 

As for California, right now the only thing to do is either break apart the seat yourself or take them to your local CHP.  If you do throw away the car seat, make sure you cut the straps so it can't be used.  Since the ones I have don't have straps, I find it best to take it to the CHP, since they have the proper tools to cut them up. Also, if they need to, they will use them as demostrations in their car seat safety classes. 

From Ode magazine....probably my favorite mag at the time. Check it out if you are unfamiliar. I thought this article would be of interest to you all. Talk about, uhm...obsessed?!? But in a good way! But...don't expect to find this type of 'toilet' at this greenmommy's house!

Rebekah and Stephen Hren took a 75-year-old house and turned it into a model zero-carbon home. Here’s how.

Cameron and I have been looking for a new set of pots and pans since we have been borrowing my sisters during the last year and now need to return them. I bought a set for $185 at Costco today and then happened to check Craigslist just out of curiosity. It just so happened someone was selling the EXACT same set, hardly used, for $60 on Craigslist. I am so excited!! Not only do I get to save lots of money (over 60% off what I was going to pay) but I also can make the eco choice of not buying new, using new resources, etc.

Just reminder - that you all know anyway - to always check out the used option. It's not only great for the wallet but great for the environment too.

So, in the past month I have talked with TJ's as well as our local Parks and Rec regarding recycling issues. At TJ's store, I started a discussion regarding their sample cups (which are often plastic and thrown away immediately). Each store is operated independently in many ways, so this local Sac store was willing to look into other more sustainable options for sampling, and in the meantime they told me they would take my suggestion and put a bucket there to encourage people to put their plastic sample cups in, so that they can be recycled with their weekly recyclables.I was very happy to hear this! Now, I will address the other store.

 Also, I was thrilled when Joaquin and I hit our neighborhood park today and saw them finishing the recycling center that they put right by the play structure! My talks with park and rec turned to action! They have a nice sheltered center with a garbage can in it and a bottles/cans can in it as well.  I'm so happy to see it there, and that they cared enough to follow through.

Point being....this was easy. I asked,discussed a bit, and it happened. Took a few emails and a call. I want to encourage you all to take it a step further next time you think of something that could improve. Thanks Emily for being my inspiration after reading what you facilitated at your local Y. 

We got our Santa Rosa Recycling Newsletter today and I found this link on their website about a planned Center for the Environment that will hopefully start being constructed in 2 years. If you support this idea and want to take the "Go Green" pledge, click here.

North Bay Corporation's Planned Center for the Environment

The North Bay Corporation's planned Center for the Environment is a materials recovery facility (MRF) designed for sustainability and will expand the management of Sonoma County's waste disposal far beyond California's current recycling mandates.

What is a Materials Recovery Facility?

A Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is a state-of-the-art plant designed specifically to recover recyclable materials from our waste stream. Through a series of manual and automated sort processes recyclables are classified into separate areas, baled and transported to a re-manufacturing facility where they can be further processed and made into new marketable materials.

Environmental Impact

Our goal is to achieve 90% diversion, directing valuable resources away from area landfills...propelling us years ahead in the fight against global warming.

The North Bay Corporation's Center for the Environment will offer:

• Enhanced Sorting of Residential and Business Waste for Recyclable Recovery
• On-Site Green Waste Processing for Compost Preparation
• Bio-Diesel Refining Station
• Extensive Processing of Construction and Demolition Materials
• On-Site Restaurant and Grocery Store Food Waste Processing
• Environmental Education for School Children and the Community
• Further Reduction of Sonoma County's Carbon Footprint

Sustainable Building Design and Construction

• Silver LEED Construction Certified
• Solar Panels Covering Rooftop Generate Facility Power
• Wind Turbine Power Generation
• Recycled Building Materials Used in Construction of Facility

Financial and Environmental Benefits for Sonoma County and Area Cities

Jurisdictions that dedicate their waste and recycling stream to the North Bay Center for the Environment will recognize many benefits including:

• Maximizing diversion of waste stream away from area landfills
• No rate increases associated with the cost of construction of new facility
• $10 per ton rebate on all refuse passing through the facility
• Reduced Greenhouse gas emissions, vehicle traffic and noise on area roads

Construction Timeline

Upon receipt of permits we will begin construction on our state-of-the-art recycling complex. We anticipate breaking ground within two years.

I found these natural bug repellent wrist bands made with essential oils that are non-toxic, affordable, and recyclable. The company encourages recycling them, and for ever 5 you send them back, you get a free gift. Regardless, they look like a great alternative to anything with chemicals (i.e. DEET). I hope to be able to pick a couple up for camping this weekend and give them a try! There are also kid versions.

BUG BAM

I really need to purge all of our old bills, receipts, and other paper that we just don't need.

As I was sitting here shredding paper, I thought to myself. "I should just have a really big bon-fire and burn it all!"  But then I realized, 1.) I could start a fire and burn the house down. 2.) I would be releasing a bunch of chemicals into the air.

So, I decided to see if I could hire someone else to do it for me.

I found this local company: North Bay Document Shredding

Taken from their site: 

Environmental Concerns

By choosing North Bay Document Shredding, you are upholding California's waste reduction and recycling laws (AB939), because we recycle your shredded paper. Recycling shredded paper not only helps save space on our planet, it also helps spare the air. We bring your shredded paper back to our secure baling facility in Santa Rosa, California. It is then baled and transported directly from North Bay Document Shredding to Georgia Pacific's paper mill, in Halsey, Oregon. Your shredded paper is then further processed and manufactured into a variety of new paper products.

So, I think I'm going to call them up and ask if they will do a one time residential shred.  Anyone else have paper they need shredding?

If you are looking to buy a bike or have an old one you don't use any more or have one that needs a little repair, then here is a great web site for you......

Community Bikes is a volunteer run bike shop that refurbishes used bikes to keep them out of landfills and encourages to people to get on their bikes and out of their cars.

They are looking for volunteers at any skill level, bicycle donations, and people who want to purchase a bike.

 LOCATION:

4009 Sebastopol Rd,
Santa Rosa, Ca.
707 579-5811

HOURS: 

Thursdays 5:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Sundays 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
and by appointment
 

The kids and I went to the Goodwill today to do a little shopping and I noticed that the employees were wearing T shirts that read, "Goodwill, Not Landfill". I love that. They usually focus their marketing on all of their humanitarian efforts which are wonderful too and include education, training, and job placement programs for people with disabilities. But it seems now they are focusing on the ecological benefits of donating and shopping at thrift stores too.

I still cant believe how often I hear people say they went through their things and threw out everything they didn't use anymore.  I keep hoping they mean they gave it away but I have a feeling many times they REALLY mean that they threw it away. 

While at the checkout line, I found information on the Goodwill's new online store. What a great idea! 

I got this information on plastics from National Geographics "The Green Guide"

I thought it was a good resource and guide to choosing the healthiest (for our bodies and our environment) choice for plastic when you need to choose plastic. 

Here's a quick breakdown of plastic resin types:

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)
Product examples: Disposable soft drink and water bottles, cough-syrup bottles

#2 high density polyethylene (HDPE)/
Product examples: Milk jugs, toys, liquid detergent bottles, shampoo bottles

#3 polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)
Product examples: Meat wrap, cooking oil bottles, plumbing pipes

#4 low density polyethylene (LDPE)
Product examples: Cling wrap, grocery bags, sandwich bags

#5 polypropylene (PP)
Product examples: Syrup bottles, yogurt cups/tubs, diapers

#6 polystyrene (PS)
Product examples: Disposable coffee cups, clam-shell take-out containers

#7 other (misc.; usually polycarbonate, or PC, but also polylactide, or PLA, plastics made from renewable resources)
Product examples: Baby bottles, some reusable water bottles, stain-resistant food-storage containers, medical storage containers

Now that you know what each of the numbers represents, here are the kinds you should look for at the store:

Safer Plastics

#2HDPE, #4LDPE and #5PP

These three types of plastic are the healthiest. They transmit no known chemicals into your food and they're generally recyclable; #2 is very commonly accepted by municipal recycling programs, but you may have a more difficult time finding someone to recycle your #4 and #5 containers.

#1 PET

#1 bottles and containers are fine for single use and are widely accepted by municipal recyclers. You won't find many reusable containers made from #1, but they do exist. It's also best to avoid reusing #1 plastic bottles; water and soda bottles in particular are hard to clean, and because plastic is porous, these bottles absorb flavors and bacteria that you can't get rid of.

PLA

PLA (polylactide) plastics are made from renewable resources such as corn, potatoes and sugar cane and anything else with a high starch content. The starch is converted into polylactide acid (PLA). Although you can't recycle these plant-based plastics, you can compost them in a municipal composter or in your backyard compost heap. Most decompose in about twelve days unlike conventional plastic, which can take up to 100 years.

Plastics to Avoid

#3 PVC

#3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is often used frequently in cling wraps for meat. However, PVC contains softeners called phthalates that interfere with hormonal development, and its manufacture and incineration release dioxin, a potent carcinogen and hormone disruptor. Vinyl chloride, the primary building block of PVC, is a known human carcinogen that also poses a threat to workers during manufacture.

#6 PS

Extruded polystyrene (#6 PS; commonly known as Styrofoam) is used in take-out containers and cups, and non-extruded PS is used in clear disposable takeout containers, disposable plastic cutlery and cups. Both forms of PS can leach styrene into food; styrene is considered a possible human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. It may also disrupt hormones or affect reproduction.

#7 PC

#7 Polycarbonate (PC) is found in baby bottles, 5-gallon water bottles, water-cooler bottles and the epoxy linings of tin food cans. PC is composed of a hormone-disrupting chemical called bisphenol A, which has been linked to a wide variety of problems such as cancer and obesity.

Upcycling is the use of waste materials to provide useful products. Ideally, it is a reinvestment in the environment and embodiment of the notion that while using resources one is also contributing to them and their value. This is antithesis of the consume and waste concept in society.

This is the definition I found for "upcycling" in Wikipedia. I saw a featured artist on the Etsy.com site who creates all of her products she sells by upcycling from waste materials. 

Are there creative or practical things you do with disposable materials to upcycle? It doesnt have to be as fancy or artistic as this woman's work but I thought it would be interesting to hear what everyone's ideas were.....I know Jennifer K. has used toilet paper cardboard rolls as napkin holders. What are some other things anyone has done?????

When it’s time to replace your cell phone donate it to a place like Cell Phones for Soldiers.  Check out www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com to see how easy the program is.  Even better, it was started by kids!  The following is from their website.

Cell Phones for Soldiers was founded by teenagers Robbie and Brittany Bergquist from Norwell, Mass., with $21 of their own money. Since then, the registered 501c3 non-profit organization has raised almost $1 million in donations and distributed more than 400,000 prepaid calling cards to soldiers serving overseas.

Here is a great article about the recycling process in Sonoma County.  I like being able to visualize what happens after I put the bin out on the curb.

Press Democrat 

Flickr Photo

I found this site. Thought it was neat. 

http://www.baby-planet.com/Default.aspx

My son Noah got a remote control plastic car for a gift a few years ago and of course after a few smashes into the curb, it broke and fell apart. So, my husband Cameron being the optimist and engineer that he is put the smashed up car on his work bench and told himself that he would one day fix it. So he and Noah took it apart and it laid in about 20 pieces on the work bench  for about two years until yesterday when he finally threw it in the trash. I think the main thing we were avoiding by telling ourselves we were going to fix it and not throwing it away was all the guilt associated with putting that into a landfill. When I watched the garbage truck pick up our trash today and saw all those pieces of  plastic fly into the truck I felt awful. Here is just another batch of un-recyclable JUNK that we didnt even get good use or enjoyment out of that will now sit in a landfill perfectly intact for who know how many hundreds of years.

I "googled" the words biodegradable + plastic today on the internet and I found this article.

Here are a few excerpts: 

 Resistance to decomposition is often a virtue; you don’t want, say, your garbage can to disintegrate in the rain. But for items that are intended to be used only briefly, this robustness can be a problem. Hundreds of years from now, empty plastic bottles—not to mention discarded electronic devices, toys, and everything else—will still be pretty much intact deep in landfills all over the world. And although recycling helps considerably, it’s simply not practical or reasonable to expect that no recyclable goods will ever end up in the trash. So the next-best thing—and, in many instances, the very best thing—is plastic that will decompose........what we’re looking for in a truly “green” plastic is one that can either decompose completely via microbial digestion (into such products as water and carbon dioxide), or at the very least, leave only inert substances behind........

The interesting solutions, therefore, are largely to be found in biopolymers, a class of materials that look, feel, and act like the plastics we all know and love, but which, owing to their natural sources, can also serve as food for bacteria. Products made directly from cornstarch, other starches, or cellulose certainly fit that description. And such materials, which are used not only for packing peanuts but for things like fast-food containers, do show a great deal of promise. But if you’re looking for something bacteria might like to eat, how about the food they make themselves?

Many different kinds of bacteria (and other organisms, for that matter) create a substance known as polyhydroxybutyrate, or PHB, that they store as an energy source in much the same way humans store fat. PHB, it turns out, is a rather versatile plastic. It can be produced in quantity quite quickly simply by feeding sugar to the right kinds of bacteria in what amounts to a fermentation process  it can also be produced by genetically modified plants (including a type of potato). Because it is, in fact, a bacterial food product, it’s completely biodegradable. Another often-mentioned biopolymer is polylactic acid, or PLA, made from lactic acid—which, in turn, is produced by the fermentation of cornstarch.

The article is slightly scientific but the point is that there are some great potential eco-solutions for our addiction to plastic. Some which are already being utilized such as the grocery bags, disposable cups, forks, knives etc made from corn based material that you can find in many natural food stores now.

In the meantime I am going to continue to reduce my plastic consumption as much as I can. Dealing with the guilt of the Monday morning garbage pick up is a very good motivator for me : )

As usual , I am drooling over items on ETSY and came across this seller who is making purses out of used ( I am assuming used) men's ties. I love to see products made of recycled materials. The other day I found a seller who made earrings out of old bottle caps. I love that.

In a perfect world we would always have our reusable bags with us, but sometimes that's not the case and I'm happy to see Oliver's and Pacific Market are using Hippo Saks brand plastic bags.  They are made of 100% post industrial recycled resin.  And of course after you use them, you can bring them back to the grocery store to be recycled.  (Or for Emily to find when she digs through the bins!)  

Here's their web site if you want to read about it:

Hippo Sak 

Today I went to the store and had all my reuseable bags with me....YEAH! I remembered!!! (Sometimes, I will forget my bags or make a trip to the store that I hadn't planned and show up bag -less. On these occassions, I have found myself digging through the plastic bag recycling bin at the front of the store for bags I can reuse.....maybe I should keep that information to myself : )

Anyway, I was very proud of myself for having remembered my bags. Safeway has a new bulk nut section and I bought some cashews but asked them to put the nuts in a bag I had brought rather than in one of their plastic containers. Apparently that was a big inconvenience but they let me do it anyway. Then as I was checking out, the bagger was wrapping my vegetables in plastic bags before putting them in my bags. I didn't catch that until he was half way done doing it. AGH!!!!! Why is this so hard today to do the green thing??? 

My point of this post is that I  have been thinking it would be SO NICE if you had to request disposable bags (and were even charged for them) and  people looked at you funny if you DIDN'T bring in your own containers (instead of the opposite). It is frustrating how set up our culture is for everything disposable.

Check out  www.solesunited.com for more info and an inspirational video, it's a neat program. 

I heard this story on the radio yesterday (now I cant find the radio program online) and thought it was a great eco friendly idea.

The Goodwill and San Francisco designer Nick Graham will use used clothes donated to the Goodwill to make new fashions that will sell for more, be one of kind items and save LOTS of clothing from entering the landfills.  

What's different here is the green goal. The Bay Area Goodwill is the first in the country to try this pilot project, with the ultimate ambition of taking the line to the mass market and, in the process, saving 75 percent of all its donated items from ending up as landfill. 

 About 50 pieces will also be available at www.shopwilliamgood.com in mid-November.

Today I shopped at Sweet Pea, a local consignment store that sells children's clothing.  They lured me in with their 50% off sale and  I ended up spending WAY more than I  intended.  BUT, as I was trying to make myself not feel as guilty about the purchases on the way home, I thought about all the positives about spending my money at Sweet Pea (or a comparable business):

1) It is used clothing so no extra pollution, resources,  or low paid labor was involved in the purchase

2) I supported a local, non-chain business run by another mom

3) I am helping other moms make some extra cash (because of the consignment aspect of the business) 

4) And lastly, I still get to indulge in buying some darn cute baby girl clothes (a weakness for me ever since having a girl I am sorry to say...) 

I was at TraderJoes about 2 weeks ago and as I was going to my car, I saw one of the employees taking a cart full of uncooked pasta and packaged chicken broth to the dumpster. Before he dumped it, I asked him if I could have it. I am sure if it was expired at all, it was just by a matter of a few days (and does uncooked pasta go bad anyway???). I thought I could at least donate it to a food closet or some place that could really use it. Short story shorter, he said no. When I asked him why not he didnt have an answer although I am sure its all about liability.

Once he left the scene, I peeked my head into the dumpster hoping to retrieve the food but unfortunately I couldn't get at it without getting INTO the dumpster and I had my kids with me and well, I just wasn't going to go there that day. What I could reach in the dumpster however were 5 perfectly functional woven baskets that they had also thrown out. 

So now, everytime I go to TJ's, I peek my head in to see what's in there. If it is something good and within arms reach, I grab it. Yesterday, I pulled out a wrapped bouquet of Gerber daisies that look very nice in my house as I write this : )  

I am so frustrated to see all this fine food and reusable "stuff" going to the landfill. I wish we had a better system besides the occasional dumpster diver rescuing things here and there. Does anyone know of an organization that works with grocery stores to prevent this kind of waste? 

 One other observation.....I saw heaps of recyclable cardboard in TJ's garbage dumpster. I have written them a letter to let them know I think they should be more careful in their recycling practices. We will see what they say.....

My last post inspired this post.

When I read where the artist of the basket made of old Kodak film  got her material, she mentioned this store, Reverse Garbage.

It sounds like such a great idea for a store. I think it could really work, especially in a place like Santa Rosa where so many creative people live.  It's a store filled with items that would otherwise be thrown in the landfill but instead are being sold to people who can reuse anything from typewriter keys, to metal drums, nylon webbing,  furniture fabrics, and old CD's . It probably caters mostly to artists and sculptors and those creative types. I love the idea!!!!

The concept is very similar, in fact , to Santa Rosa's ReStore which sells recycled building materials and gives the money it generates to Habitat for Humanity.

I found this product on etsy and thought I would post it on the blog since I love products that are made from recycled material. It's just a reminder of all the beautiful things we can make (ok, some of us can make...not me because I am creatively challenged) by taking some old stuff  that would have probably ended  up in a landfill and turning it into something new and beautiful and maybe even functional.

Thanks to EnviroMom, I just learned that Goodwill and Salvation Army may be places we DON'T want to donate to.  This surprised me, but like most things, things are never as simple as they seem.  Seems like a simple and honorable situation of donating things, buying things and that's it!  But no, Goodwill and Salvation Army are big money operations, which usually translates to less than ideal aspects to the company.

Goodwill donates a large portion of clothing overseas.  Hmmm, besides the shipping aspect, this seems like a nice thing because people overseas get used clothing at a cheap price.  BUT this displaces local textile workers overseas.  So it's not such a good thing for those people trying to make a living.

 So do we stop shopping and donating to Goodwill?  Or just shop there and not donate?  But shopping there essentially tells Goodwill that their business practices are okay with us. 

 So, what are the alternatives?  Freecycle, Craigslist, Swaptree, Neighborrow,  ebay, consignment shops and good old fashioned garage sales to name a few.  Can anyone think of other ways to donate or recycle things we don't use anymore?

Since I saw this on The Ellen Show today, I figure this goes in Entertainment.

Anyway, Ellen had a boy on her program today. He is nuts about recycling! He helps the garbage man recycle every Tuesday when the guy comes.  He teaches other kids at his school, etc...

It was a really nice segment on her show. 

I put this post under the "Shopping" category even though it  is totally free : ) And because I couldn't find a more appropriate category that it would fit into.....

I confess I have been a dumpster diver from time to time (much to many of my family and friends' dismay). It is just amazing to me what people will throw away. Last night I pulled out of our neighbors dumpster a Little Tikes work bench which was in great shape. Noah and I had fun cleaning it up today and it really almost look like new. I have pulled out glass mosaic top coffee tables, plastic lawn chairs, books, book shelves, etc. I draw the line at food and clothes but my point is that we live in an incredibly wasteful society  and we need to start doing a better job of recycling. 

When we have something we are trying to get rid of  at our house that is still in good shape, we try to put it on craigslist in the free section or freecycle and almost always someone in need of that item has come to pick it up. I recently had a queen size bed I put on the list that was picked up within a half hour of posting it.  

Another resource for Sonoma County residence is the Sonoma County Recycling Guide which has information on where and how to recycle just about everything.  

Here is a blog on recycling I read that gave me some info that I didn't know. Most of it I had heard of, but some of it was news to me, so hopefully you all learn a little too :)

So when I pulled up to my house yesterday after running an errand, I noticed that my garbage can (which was lazily left out since pick up day) had shrunk. Yep, shrunk. I was convinced that someone in my neighborhood gave me their small 35 gallon can and took my spacious 96 gallon garbage oasis. I took a closer look and realized that this small can was brand new, no residue at all at the bottom. So I called Empire Waste Management to see what was up. As it turns out they did a "route audit" and the entire time I have lived here ( 3 years), I have been paying for the 35 gallon can, and basically stealing 61 gallons of land fill space each and every week. Go me ...

Well the last thing I need is a more expensive bill, so my husband and I decided to see this as a challenge. We are going to try our absolute hardest to only make 35 gallons of trash a week. This means being extra diligent about recycling and using disposable things more sparingly. It will be a great green step for us. I really don't know if we can do it but we are going to try. Ill let you know on Friday how we did and I promise to admit it if I use my neighbors can when they aren't home...

Tomorrow at Finley Community Center, the Santa Rosa Park and Rec Dept is hosting a Kids Stuff Flea Market.

There will be community members selling their used children's books, toys, games and clothes.It is a great way to recycle items, conserve resources and save money too.

Date: Saturday , Sept 29th (tomorrow) from 10-2 pm

Address: 2060 W College Ave in Santa Rosa 

While I was out for a walk  yesterday with the kids (in the stroller) going down Hopper (a street we normally drive down) I noticed how much garbage there was on the side of the road that I don't notice or miss when driving. More than anything else, I saw many, many plastic bottles. In second place was plastic bags which were hanging on tree limbs, stuck in bushes, or covering a drain grate. 

I started picking up all the recyclable material I found while on our our short walk and entirely filled every spare inch of the stroller (poor kids : ).

It was amazing to me how much I collected in such a short distance.  

Today I read that:

• recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a TV for 90 minutes, and
• recycling just one PETE bottle saves enough energy to power a 60 Watt light bulb for 6 hours

So the next time I look at something recyclable on the ground and think "Is it really worth it to pick up this ONE bottle or this ONE bag?", I will remember that bit of information and realize ...Yes! It is!