Tag Archives: environment

GreenTown: The Future of Community – Illinois, Indiana, Ohio

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From greentownconference.com – “GreenTown: The Future of Community is designed to help create sustainable communities. Since 2007, mayors and other elected officials, city managers, public works directors, park district directors, planners, developers, builders, architects, landscape architects and engineers, school leaders – and many others interested in sustainable development – have gathered to hear inspiring speakers, learn from been-there case studies and discuss actionable steps to make communities more eco-effective.”

We need more events like this to help rebuild and strengthen our communities. It’s time that we ask more of our elected officials and those in roles that can create positive change to do so. I love the power of innovative thinking and that a simple concept can remake the world.

GreenTown: The Future of Community | Building Healthy, Sustainable Communities

Here’s to a different future.

Much Love, B

Why it Matters…

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Birds & Plastic

Via -Imgur.

Plain and simple our choices matter. We have a responsibility to ourselves, the world around us, and future generations. How could we change the world if we gave up convenience and ease for respect and responsibility? It’s not about pointing fingers and assigning guilt. It’s about taking the time to make your choice your voice for a new future.

Much Love, B

I Wonder What Else is Hidden Around Our Everyday Lives.

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“Twenty billion barrels of oil sit beneath Los Angeles. Hidden in plain sight, thousands of wells pump day and night all over the city covered by hollow office buildings, camouflaged next to high schools, and concealed behind shopping malls.”

Secret Oil of L.A. | Via -Palladium Boots.

Check out this interesting look at what is hidden in plain sight.

Much Love, B

Converting Plastic to Oil…

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Trash to Oil

from http://www.plastic2oil.com

Converting Plastic to Oil - plastic2oil.com

I haven’t had time to fully research this company but it sounds interesting and like a step in the right direction. I saw Plastic2Oil posted by a Redditor and wanted to share. Has anyone heard of them before? I’m looking forward to the day when sustainable fuel options are the norm. Until then, I’m trying my best (it can be so hard) not to waste our limited resources.

Much Love, B

Makes me think…Japanese Composting Method

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Bokashi, Japanese Composting Method, May Be New Food Waste Solution.

An interesting bit of information of the future of composting.

Growing up I watched as my grandparents recycled, reused, and composted almost all of their trash. They had a garden and did their best to live mindfully of the waste they were producing. They instilled a life long appreciation for being responsible for what I put into the world around me. As I set up a new home in the windy city, I’m looking and researching ways to successfully compost in an apartment setting. It looks fairly simple but I’m a bit nervous about bugs invading. Here’s to embracing a crunchy life!

Much Love, B

Your Choices Matter – World’s helium supply running low

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I enjoy a good party filled with decorations and goodie bags as much as anyone else. I love the thrill of seeing a balloon disappear into the upper atmosphere and who doesn’t wonder at the awesomeness of a helium induced chipmunk voice? However, I didn’t know that years of partaking in such shenanigans has actually caused the world’s supply of helium to run low enough that it has garnered the attention of congress.

It never ceases to amaze me how much our choices really impact the world around us. I hope that I can grow to be a more mindful consumer.

Much Love, B

World’s helium supply running low.

Washington post article.

In my shopping cart… Lunch Skins

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In my bid to say farewell to plastic in my life, I have discovered an underlaying addiction… Zip. Lock. Bags. They are so wonderfully convenient and easy and just make organizing so much simpler . There are moments that I feel like I will never be able to break my habit. How do you store delicious treats for on the go snacks? What will happen when I buy in bulk and need to freeze? How will I make it through airport security?

During Thanksgiving last year I was perusing an West Elm in Chicago when I stumbled upon the cutest little bag. I’m a sucker for storage and organization so I’m always on the look out for handy dandy cases. I was happy to find that this was not yet another pencil or make up case but a smartly crafted reusable sandwich bag created by Lunch Skins.

The bags feature a certified food-safe fabric that is lead, bpa, and phthalate free. You can even throw them in the dishwasher! They are on the pricy side ($10.95-$7.95 each) but well worth the investment.

Green Dot Eco Friendly Reusable Snack Bag.

I recently relocated and as I set up a new life in an amazing new city I’m going to try my best to move past disposable convenience and towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Here’s to making my choice, my voice.

Much Love, B

PS Etsy.com also has a growing number of members selling similar bags (at a much more affordable prices).

In my shopping cart…

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I’m kinda bummed out. I lost my water bottle which is in no way the end of the world but that thing traveled the world with me. The heat this week has been beyond intense and water is my refuge. Giving up disposable water bottles has been challenging at times. There have been a few instances where I didn’t pack my own water with me and found myself stranded in a desert of plastic bottles filled with cool water. Knowing that wasn’t an option, I stood debating wether or not to trust that the public drinking fountain is safe to drink from. (Germaphobe much)

I have been looking for a replacement and since I’m trying to get as much plastic as possible out of my life I thought that this glass/bamboo/minimal plastic bottle might do the trick. Stylish, functional, and hopefully environmentally friendly, I’m in.

Much Love, B

Bamboo Water Bottle.

Changes…

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I’m in the process of totally revamping my life to reflect what I value most. The last year has taught me a lot about the importance of choice. Most days it feels like the choices that I’m making don’t really matter, I mean who cares what shampoo I use right? However, the further I go on this journey the more I recognize that the small choices are the ones that I can utilize to make the biggest impact. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I can go a month without using a plastic bag or drinking from a plastic bottle. I like taking the time to research about the products I’m buying and in turn the companies I’m supporting. As I commit more of my life to making my choice my voice, I’m starting to see more areas where I can really reduce the amount of waste I create. The kitchen causes many issues for me.  Paper towels have become my nemesis. I love them but feel so wasteful using roll after roll.

I was perusing Etsy.com and stumbled across this most excellent idea. Washable, reusable, adorable “paper” towels. I will be ordering a set (or two) and I have a feeling they will become a staple gift to any house warming party that I attend. I’m encouraged that there are so many people that are creating practical solutions to creating more sustainable homes.

Here’s to making different choices.

Much Love, B

Unpaper Towels with snaps yellow red green brown by BCandCreate.