Simple Ideas, Big Impacts™

Turning Boo Boos into Book Bags

2010-07-07T15:58:00.007-04:00

Sometimes we make mistakes. It happens. And sometimes we create "boo boo bags" as a result of the mistakes.

This year we custom printed some gorgeous ECOBAGS for Nancy's Yogurt...the second time. The not-quite-perfect first batch of bags contained brand new, 100% recycled, full size canvas grocery totes and they arrived in Washington State at Springfield Creamery.

Now what?

We worked with the folks at Nancy's to make sure the bags went to places where they'd be used and appreciated. Our Nancy’s contact, who agreed that these bags should be put to great use, recommended that half of the bags be sent to Haiti, through MedicalTeams.org, to deliver medical supplies to earthquake survivors.

The other half of the bags were sent to the Long Beach Public Library system in Long Beach, CA. The serendipitous timing of their inquiry was amazing! Here’s what they asked:

“I was wondering if Eco Bags would be willing to donate any scrapped materials to Long Beach Public Library for our summer reading program? I noticed that Eco Bags does logos on canvas bags and we are doing a craft project at several locations where kids/teens can decorate their own beach bag. We could take your bags with mistakes/misspellings and use them if you are willing to donate?" Catrina

We're thrilled to share one of several photos of the bags created by the teens in at the Bay Shore library this summer! Six libraries are giving these bags new life, with teens decorating the blank back sides, to be used as beach bags.

Thanks to Nancy's Yogurt, for their interest in seeing that the bags go to good places and for underwriting the costs and coordination to get them from their warehouse to the group that left to do good work in Haiti and to the libraries in Long Beach! Thanks also to Catrina, the Youth Services Librarian at Long Beach Public Library, for coordinating the distribution and sending us the photos.

We love happy endings and these bags are SO cool.

100 Use Bags & the California Bill

2010-06-09T14:50:00.005-04:00

This past Tuesday the California Assembly passed Bill 1998, banning single-use plastic bags from being given out at large retailers, including supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores and liquor stores. According to the bill, stores will still be permitted to offer reusable bags and 40% post consumer paper bags for a fee. This is huge.

Here's an interesting fact about the bill. It defines reusable bags as those made of washable materials and without lead or heavy metals in amounts that are toxic. Also, the bags must be "designed and manufactured for at least 100 uses."

I have a few questions:

Who's testing the reusable bags that are sold by the zillions and are made of lightweight plastic materials ? Who's going to check to ensure that these bags don't contain lead or heavy metals? What about BPA and phthalates, which are common plastic additives and known to contribute to serious health concerns?
What's washable? Are the lawmakers encouraging people to buy/sell bags made of fabrics that can go through the wash (i.e., cotton, hemp, bamboo, nylon, etc.) or simply bags that can be cleaned with detergent or cleanser?
Who's up for testing their bags to see if they withstand the 100-use test? I have several from ECOBAGS that I've washed and used for 10+ years! I think those will qualify. But I also have a pile of ripped bags made from materials that are not natural fibers or are poorly made. There's no easy re-use for that pile, except maybe to use as base for mulching in the garden.

In a state struggling to find ways to balance its financial house the impacts of this bill will be immediate; last year California taxpayers spent $25 million annually to collect and bury 19 billion (that's Billion, with a B) plastic bags. According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board, less than five percent of all single use plastic bags in the state are actually recycled. This bill will have an immediate impact on those numbers, as we've seen in DC recently and in Ireland a few years ago.

So yay for California; for being progressive, for being pro-active and for showing how leadership can work to benefit the environment. Let's hope that consumers choose quality bags made from natural or sturdy synthetic fibers rather than thin plastic. We don't want California to trade one environmental problem for another.

Fast Books - Big Packaging

2010-06-01T13:41:00.005-04:00

Sharon, our CEO, stole my copy of "Tribes" by Seth Godin. She was at my house, saw it and took it. When I asked her to return it the following weekend she said she wasn't done and then said, "I ordered you a new one through (a very popular online bookseller). You'll have it in a few days." She evidently loved it so much that she wanted to keep the copy and talk with our team about it. Fair enough. Seth's work is fantastic and his blog is a daily dose of aha moments.

Here's a picture of my new copy of "Tribes," which arrived today. Do you notice anything of concern? The box is about the size of the book. Good. The book came wrapped in shrink wrap, backed by cardboard. Not good. This is a hardcover book; it's not delicate. There has to be a better way to get it to me, say in a padded envelope or packed with rice peanuts, than this. It's enough to make me buy local :).

Do the big online booksellers really need to protect our books with plastic wrap and cardboard? To me, it seems like if the big A and the B&N folks stopped using excess packaging they could spin it in a "look what we're doing to green up" way and we'd all win. Or give me the choice to opt out of excess packaging at checkout - I'll assume the "risk."

Simple ideas, big impacts.

What do you think?

Reusable Bag Collection

2010-05-10T15:20:00.004-04:00

It all started last Thanksgiving as an idea without a plan. We had a bunch of random reusable bags around the office and we didn't have a way to distribute them. It wasn't like we had hundreds to give away but we had a bunch. About that time I received an email from our local food bank, asking for donations of bags that they could use to distribute their holiday dinners.

Bingo! We could donate our bags to the food bank and encourage others to do so. Great idea, right? Unfortunately our local folks were in the midst of moving so it didn't come together. The idea still remained, though, waiting for the right opportunity.

Washington, DC passed its bag tax earlier this year. At five cents per bag the city has seen an 85% reduction in plastic bag consumption, which is phenomenal.The bag tax is tied to cleaning up the Anaconda River and is widely regarded as a success; it's reducing plastic consumption, the fees are going to a definable project and the amount isn't onerous. Score one for the environment, right?

The challenge for the city's poor though, is that five cents per bag adds up. Shortly after the DC tax was enacted I was contacted by Jeffrey Wankel at Bread for the City, a DC food pantry. He was seeking a donation of reusable bags with a goal of giving a set to each food pantry client. "Aha," I thought, "here's the place to try that idea."

If you've gone to conferences or trade shows or gotten to the register and purchased cheap bags at the checkout, you may have a surplus of reusable bags. I do. The question is how many inexpensive trade show & grocery bags do you need? They’re sturdy, they’re brand new and they accumulate in closets and attics; too good to throw away, not able to be recycled and not really needed.

What if your local food pantry asked YOU to go into your attic and send clean, extra reusable bags to them? Would it feel awesome to do it? You betcha. It's like Freecycle for reusable bags with end-users in mind. As we say, "It's all good."

Will you lead a bag collection in your office? Remember, this isn't about buying bags to donate (although that's fine, too). It's about going into your attic, closets, basements and cars and paring down your reusable bag collection to the ones you really use. And donating the rest.

You can contact your local food pantry to see if they want them. Jeffrey and the folks at Bread for the City will happily accept your donations (they have a goal of collecting another 3,000 this year) but if you want to keep it local, that's great, too.

We're going to collect ours this week and get them to Jeffrey in DC. Based on the number of events coming up, I'm sure we'll have more soon. Stay tuned for photos.

Think Like a Mom

2010-05-06T15:15:00.010-04:00

I'm traveling to visit my parents this weekend and being the good daughter that I am, I've already obtained the perfect Mothers' Day gift. But as my departure drew near I realized, No wrapping paper! I'm not against giving unwrapped gifts, but I had gotten a couple of larger items and a couple of smaller items and didn't want Mom lugging around an armful of presents post-Sunday brunch.

It'll be okay, I can run out to the store and still not miss my bus...AH the cats need to be fed...and laundry needs to be done! So I thought, what would Mom do? My mom, like all moms, is quite resourceful. My brother and I sported many a Halloween costume made of paper bags and yarn wigs and you should've seen the things we ate on "Clean Out the Fridge Night." So, I used the resource I have aplenty - Eco-bags! Luckily, they're also pretty attractive (unlike a yarn wig). Here's the final result:

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out! This particular bag is the Cranberry color from our long-handle Earthtone string bag collection. I don't mind that she can sort of see what's inside. It saves her from having to be completely blindsided by the contents; "Oh, zucchini scented soap. How....lovely.”*

Thanks to all the mothers (and mother-type people) for blessing us with your love, your kindness and your resourcefulness. Happy Mothers' Day, everyone!

*Yes, I really did buy my mother zucchini soap.

Green Envy

2010-04-29T11:19:00.004-04:00

Forget Tweet Ups and Meet Ups. We had an impromptu meeting of "Women Shopping Who Work in the 'Green' Sector" last Saturday while wandering through the shops in Newport! It was the embroidered ECOBAGS® totes in the window that caught our eyes.

Rachel Lessne is the owner of Green Envy, a small store filled with fair trade and eco-friendly products. Her shop just won awards as "Best Eco-Friendly Store" from the 2009 Rhode Island Monthly Editors' Poll and "Best New Store" from Newport Life Magazine's 2010 Reader's Poll. We met her on the day she was scheduled to get her picture taken for the Newport Chamber of Commerce for her "Best Micro Business 2010" award! She's a star!

While we were in there Pamela Ardizzone wandered in and joined the conversation. It turns out she owns Green Machine PR. I think we would have hung out and talked longer except that the Pamela's kids were at the doorway saying, "C'mon Mom," in that adorable, exasperated way that kids say it when mom is, yet again, chatting with strangers.

We exchanged cards, I scored a fabulous new bamboo shirt and on we went. For more info visit Green Envy's Eco-Store online or stop by and say "hi" to Rachel in beautiful downtown Newport, Rhode Island.

Happy 40th Earth Day!

2010-04-22T10:33:00.005-04:00

We celebrated Earth Day a few weeks ago in our hometown of Ossining, NY, along the Hudson River. It was a windy (chilly), sunny day and lots of people came out for the festivities.

After weeks of planning with a great group, led by our town supervisor Catherine Borgia, we got a chance to chat with our neighbors about all that can be done to green up our lives and the planet. I imagine there are Earth Day celebrations all over bringing like minded and newly engaged people together.

We donated ECOBAGS lunch bags and the children created bags they'll be proud to use again and again. We're happy to "clean up the planet, one bag at a time.™"

Savanna's Take on Being a New "Green" Mom

2010-04-14T12:20:00.007-04:00

Being a new mom can be challenging and rewarding. Considering more sustainable life practices while tackling new mommy responsibilities can be overwhelming, too.

I'm a new intern at Eco-Bags (www.ecobags.com). In my few weeks here I've gotten a real education about what it means to be "green" from co-worker moms and dads who’ve been down this road. Initially, I had thoughts about "sustainability" that included higher prices, longer routines, and more complicated tasks. Any mother knows that the thought of doing more or having things be more complicated is enough to send us to a couch with exhaustion! However, after diving further into the 'green realm' I discarded a lot of my stereotypes immediately.

With a child comes heightened concern about certain daily procedures and their effects. Cleaning chemicals with toxic fumes, plastics that leach harmful chemicals into food and drink and even contaminated dirt (70% of dirt contains chemicals) are all aspects of everyday life that made my head spin with worry. Doing something about these scary concerns doesn't mean organizing an angry mob to picket in the streets, but instead involves making simple alternative choices that have the same level of impact as minus the hostile storming of the castle!

In the world of 'simple ideas, big impacts,' the more I researched the more I discovered the simple changes I could make without huge effort or expenses. These included:
1) Diapers: Who knew there were such choices in diapers? Bamboo diapers sell from $13 to $25 apiece. A box of regular diapers sells for $25 to $40, without factoring in the cost/impact of garbage disposal , and must be replaced within a three to four week period (depending on how quickly they are used). By comparison, the bamboo diapers are washable, soft and eco-friendly.
2) Sheets made from organic cotton cover my son's toddler bed instead of synthetic ones. They wash really well, they’re not scratchy and knowing there were no chemicals involved in growing, harvesting or manufacturing them makes them ok for my baby’s bed.
3) Plastic shopping bags are extinct in my household with the ECOBAGS replacements I received. I got to reclaim a whole drawer in my kitchen when I started saying “no thanks” to the baggers with the plastic bags!

I know that these are small steps but it feels good to make a difference in my family’s life with these changes. After all it is a simple, yet impactful concept to “clean the planet, one bag at a time.”

Neighborhood Association Brings Eco-Style to Their Mission

2010-04-14T08:22:00.010-04:00

Have you mailed in your 2010 Census Form?

Washington, DC - The Executive Board of the Fairlawn Citizens Association, a Complete Count Committee, recently purchased ECOBAGS® for their Census 2010 complete count promotions.

The bags encourage residents to be counted and also helps them avoid a city imposed 5-cents per paper or plastic bag charge at stores in Washington, DC.

Thanks to Fairlawn's board for choosing ECOBAGS® for your project!

Did you know: It costs the Census Bureau (our tax dollars) just $.42 to process the form if you mail it in. But it costs $57 for each Census Taker's visit to your house, if you don't mail it in.

Better Than a Puppy

2010-02-24T15:46:00.003-05:00

Our customers have a great sense of humor. Check out this email from Leo in ME:

"Dear Eco Bag,

I have to say that your Green Bags are a big attraction. I've loved using them from the day I got them. I have also discovered that women love them and they are a great conversation starter. This was not my intent, my intent was to try to be more environmentally aware.

I do most of the cooking and also groceries. About 80% of the time when I go to the store with the Green Bag whoever is behind me (mostly women) at the cash comment on the bags..."Where did you get those?", "I Love your bags", "You're smart to...". It's like having a puppy at the park. I told my wife the other day I may need to switch reusable bags not to draw unwanted advances. Think of the promotional possibilities."

And so we did: I sent Leo a special code that he and his friends can use for the next month (FOL10 - you can use it, too) for 10% off of their purchases of bags and other reusables at ECOBAGS.com and he was just tickled!

He said, "My own promo, how cool."

But here's the kicker. Leo said,"I've always told my single male friends that the best place to meet people is at the grocery store. You can tell a lot about a person by what they have in their basket. And being "green" is certainly a plus. A six pack of beer in a "Green Bag" is way more attractive than landfill."

We say, "Amen to that, Leo!" What do you think,friends?

Countdown to Earth Day: February FIRE Recipe!

2010-02-11T15:07:00.007-05:00

Just in time for sweetening up your sweetheart and firing up our month of fire, VegNews has shared their killer recipe for "Fiery Red Devil's Food Cake." Besides the gorgeous burgundy tint, this recipe is awesome because it uses the natural dye of beets and is 100% vegan! What more could you ask for? Top it off with some shredded coconut and call me a happy woman.

To add some extra fuel to your fire, try adding a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne, casually mentioning the phrase "Mexican Hot Chocolate," and watch as your guests glow with delight.

Posh Goes a Bit Eco

2010-02-09T11:23:00.003-05:00

We don't know enough about Victoria Beckham (aka Posh Spice) to say what "green" practices she's worked into her busy life. We can say, unequivocally, that those Whole Foods canvas bags made by ECOBAGS® worked well for her trip to the grocery store and they sure do hold a lot!

We took a poll in the office and we agree that four inch heels may not be the best choice for a trip to Whole Foods but the picture sure is fun. Thanks Glamour!

Countdown to Earth Day: February FIRE

2010-02-04T12:16:00.004-05:00

The combination of years of Western North American wildfire footage on the news and traumatic childhood memories of my father by the fireplace wielding a can of lighter fluid has caused me to treat fire as an uncontrollable, unpredictable force of nature, worthy of my fear. I was aware that some fires were started deliberately for the purpose of environmental management but wasn't quite sure I trusted the concept. But a post on Treehugger.com has proven to me that not only can fire be safely harnessed for brush-clearing but it can help mitigate climate change and has many social benefits!

According to the article by David DeFranza, indigenous Australian communities have advised their government on fire management techniques which have had the following results:

Reducing CO2-equivalent emissions in Northern Australia by 488,000 tonnes
Creating 200+ jobs
Generating 1 million tonnes of carbon credit sales every year
Transferring traditional knowledge among generations
Increasing cross-cultural confidence
Creating a model for poverty reduction

Who knew that following traditional methods to attain our modern day goals could have such positive effects? It is a concept to which I hadn't given enough thought as I figured, as most of us do, that our problems are too complex to be solved in ancient ways. I appreciate the quote by Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, chair of the UN body on Indigenous Issues, "the world would gain greatly from proven ancient approaches built on profound respect for the Earth" which seems simultaneously inspired and grounded. I wonder what other existing solutions we are overlooking because they seem too traditional or too simple?

While you're over at Treehugger, make sure to check out their "Earth on Fire" slideshow. It's home to some truly awe-inspiring photos of the beauty and power of fire. My favorite is the one of Kilauea where the forces of fire and water come together with some steamy consequences.

Do you have photos or stories about the environmental impact of fire that you'd like to share? Feel free to use the comment section here or post on our Facebook page!

Some thoughts on fire...

2010-02-02T15:07:00.014-05:00

We step into the month of February on "fire" with ideas. Fire conjures up so many images, from the flickering flame of a candle to the widespread ravages of wildfires out of control. From the molten core at the center of our world to the hot flame that makes chocolate fondue dippable. Fire, in all of its forms, is an essential part of our lives.

Fire's associated with the heart (burning with desire) and the circulatory system (hot blooded), with appeal (light my fire) and with ambition (fire in the belly). You can BE fired and you can fire a piece of pottery. The word "fire" weaves its way through language in all languages; it's temperature and taste, temperament and tint.

Join us as we explore fire. We'll look at fuel and alternative fuel options, explore solar arrays and cover some "off the grid" stories. We'll check in with Sharon & Blake to see what their heating and power bills are like now that they have solar on the roof and a pellet stove in the house.

And of course you'll find recipes, folk songs and more to explore on our Celebrate Earth Day 40 page at ECOBAGS.com.

Let us know what you'd like to see covered this month. Or better yet, post your comments here or on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. The fire's burning and we're waiting for you to add some heat!

Speaking of fire, here's a fabulous beginning point - an article from the Nature Conservancy about the important role of fire to ecosystems and what they're doing in fire management.

Countdown to Earth Day: January WIND Finale

2010-01-29T15:04:00.008-05:00

And so we say goodbye to the month of January and along with it our Earth Day theme of "wind." Before our time together has officially drawn to a close, here's one more article on the subject of windpower that's worth a glance. It's a post over on Treehugger.com by Michael Graham Richard and it reflects on the progress (and regress) of windpower legislation and implementation over the past year. While the comments section is often a place I avoid on many blogs, the comments on this article are actually quite interesting and informative.

With that, our series on wind has come to a close. No time to lament, for we have to move on to our next exciting theme in our Countdown to Earth Day 40....FIRE!

If you have ideas on what you'd like to see us cover during our Countdown to Earth Day 40, please do share! We want to write what you want to read!

I LOVE NEW YORK Recycled Collection at NY Gift Show

2010-01-29T13:40:00.005-05:00

ECOBAGS® will premiere the I LOVE NEW YORK "Recycled" Collection at the NY Gift Show this weekend. The collection features totes with the licensed I LOVE NY graphic and popular NY images by NY artists Mary Ellis.

Visit us: Jan 31-Feb 3rd at the Jacob Javits Center in NY - Big Apple Enterprises Suite of Booths, booth #1056.

Obama Likes Wind!

2010-01-28T14:41:00.006-05:00

And all kinds of clean energy! [stand and clap] It's the key to our future! [stand and clap some more] I mean, who doesn't believe in climate change? [hysteria]

If nothing else, you have to admire how our President rolls with the punches. All politics aside, given his sense of humor and humility last night (and maybe also his prior remarks about Kanye West...) he's a pretty cool guy in my book. Plus he likes wind power and if you've been keeping up with our blog you know that we do too!

Thanks to repoweramerica.org for sharing the footage from last night's State of the Union address.

Hear the Wind - A Song for All Ages

2010-01-28T13:05:00.016-05:00

Blake Rowe co-founded ECOBAGS with Sharon in 1989. He's a frequent contributor on our blog and has been Sharon's partner in this passion-inspired adventure since its inception.

One of Blake's unique talents is the ability to write and arrange rounds that blend harmonies like the winds on the beach in the summer.

My family and I were among a group of very fortunate people whosang Blake's rounds at a tiny summer family camp in Portland, CT. Our voices mixed with the wind in the trees, accompanied by Blake's ever present guitar and encouragement.

If you're smiling right now you understand what it's like when children and adults sing together in harmony.

We hope you enjoy the simple, beautiful lyrics to "Hear the Wind," which was written by Blake as a three part round. The guitar chords are C-Dm-Em-F-C-G-C-Am-G (one measure each, then repeat!).
Here's a link to download the recording:
http://www.blakerowe.com/songs/HeartheWind.mp3?attredirects=0&d=1
Enjoy the wind.

Countdown to Earth Day: January WIND

2010-01-27T14:48:00.007-05:00

Wind is so often taken for granted. We hardly notice it except for those few, lone instances whence we happen to be reading a Shakespearean sonnet or listening to a Patrick Swayze song and the breeze doth blow. Often overlooked, from time to time we are reminded that it can be a powerful force wreaking havoc in the form of deadly tornadoes and destructive hurricanes.

Though unable to be controlled, wind can be harnessed in some pretty amazing ways. Last week an article by Todd Woody over at Grist.org explored the costs and benefits of transitioning a sizable portion of our nation's power generation from traditional methods to wind power. Job creation, sustainable fuel sourcing and improved national security are just a few of the benefits mentioned by Todd Woody.

To me, the key takeaway is found in the last 5 or so paragraphs of the article when Woody explains Republican pollster Frank Luntz's rebirth as a wind power advocate; Lesson: Sometimes you gotta spin it to sell it, and sometimes that mean spinning away from the environmental story. And hey, if that's what it takes to get me my wind, then go ahead and keep those turbines a-spinnin'.

Watch the Dominoes Fall!

2010-01-22T13:38:00.002-05:00

It's kind of funny how politics, and really human nature, work sometimes. Once one country, state, city or even person demonstrates success with a particular initiative it's suddenly, hey, we can do that too! This can work either in or against your favor but in this particular case it seems to be very much in!

Now that DC has survived the implementation of our $0.05 disposable bag tax for a whopping 21 days, our friendly neighbors to the North and South (and all around really), Maryland and Virginia, have both stepped up to the plate!

MD Delegate Al Carr (D-18) plans to re-introduce a similar $0.05 bag tax in his home state this year. Carr first introduced the bill in 2009 but is more hopeful for its passing this year thanks to progress made in the District; "Now we can come back in Maryland and point to the success in D.C. and have the momentum." A portion of the planned tax revenue would go directly to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund.

VA Delegate Adam Ebbin (D-49) has a very similar initiative in mind for his state. He's chosen to mirror his neighbors' legislation due not only to the success exhibited thus far but also its compatibility with our consumer-driven market economy: "“This bill is different [from previous years] because there are incentives for businesses, for folks to collect money from the small fee...It’s not a ban, it’s a consumer choice.” Similar to the legislation in DC and MD, a portion of proceeds from the tax would benefit the Virginia Water Quality Improvement Fund.

These both seem like steps in the right direction, but I would love to eventually see a complete proposal for the environmental plans for each state. Disposable bags are an important issue but so are all disposable goods, water use, emissions, transportation, etc. Little steps are great but I think they would have an even greater impact and message if they were part of a larger mission. As someone who doesn't touch politics with a 10 foot pole, I'm not sure if that's realistic or just a pipe dream but hey, a girl's gotta have dreams.

Read more about the proposed legislation as well as some early consumer and business responses at The Montgomery Gazette article by Jen Beasley (MD) and The Alexandria Times article by Austin Danforth (VA).

Do You Want to Know?

2010-01-21T17:27:00.003-05:00

What's the fine line between sharing what we know (or think we know) and preaching? How many times have you seen a friend take a water bottle out of the freezer and think, "she's not supposed to freeze those; BPA leaches into the water when the molecules slow down?" She should be using a reusable, BPA-free, stainless steel bottle.

The reason I ask is because I walked on that fine line with a friend today.

It was on Facebook. A pregnant friend posted that she had to get a coat of primer on the walls of her unborn baby's nursery. My first thought was, "REALLY? Pregnant and painting?" My next was, "I wonder if there are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in that paint." That's stuff's toxic - really dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies, right?

I felt like I should warn her, share what I've read and then I felt like a certain relative who insists on sharing all she knows whether it's solicited or not :).

I took a risk. I went to Google, searched "Toxins in Paint" and found an excellent article on VOCs that I sent to her through Facebook in a chatty, "You might wanna look at this" way. I felt better, knowing that at least she was on notice that she has choices when it comes to paint, some more healthy than others. I didn't preach; I shared.

So maybe that's the lesson: Share and let others choose. Seems like a reasonable way to manage my "DANGER WILL ROBINSON" tendencies and hey, what's the benefit of working in this sustainability and healthy living network if I don't share info about the good stuff and the harmful stuff?

Richmond County Gives Back with ECOBAGS

2010-01-19T16:23:00.005-05:00

For the past couple of years, we've received rather large orders from the Richmond County Department Aging Services in Rockingham, North Carolina and I've always sort of wondered, hmm I wonder what they do with all those bags, but have been too caught up in the holiday season buzz to delve further. Well, this year I made it a point to contact a few customers who inspired inklings* of interesting stories (hey, if it wasn't you don't be offended. By inkling I mean slap in the face).

So, back to the important stuff. Richmond County Department of Aging Services held their 31st Annual Senior Christmas Party this past December and they distributed fruit, snacks and gifts in a whole bunch of ECOBAGS - 1400 to be exact!

Just look at all these gorgeous, smiling faces! It must be the winning combination of good will, positive action, the holiday season and ECOBAGS. It seems to have that effect on people.

For more info on the County's Aging Services visit their website at http://www.co.richmond.nc.us/dept_agingsvcs.aspx

*On the note of inklings, if you have an interesting (or even dull - heck, one man's dull is another man's sliced bread) story of how you use your ECOBAGS, give us a shout and we'll include your story and spiffy photo on our blog!

City of Change

2010-01-08T14:09:00.004-05:00

Thanks to MTV's Real World DC, Bravo's The Real Housewives of DC and the main man himself, President Obama, the District of Columbia has become the trendiest, hippest, place-in-transition to be. And our new $0.05 bag tax is just one more amazing new change to add to the list! We here at ECOBAGS.com are always excited to see real progress that benefits the environment so you can imagine my overwhelming joy and pride to see this huge (maybe 7' square?!) advertisement at the Verizon Center during the Capitals hockey game last night.

iLiana (my iPhone companion) tries her best, but in case you can't read the smaller print it says: "Beginning January 1, 2010, District businesses that sell food or alcohol must charge you 5 cents for each disposable paper or plastic carryout bag."

I love that the main message is about saving the river and showing that its a tax thats main goal is to prohibit you from paying it. It says 'We value the environment over tax revenue'...we just happen to know that hitting your wallet is an effective way of making you change your habits :)

Kudos, DC and especially to the District Department of the Environment!

Ride for the Lights

2009-12-11T12:19:00.003-05:00

Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Today, we hope you'll take a few minutes to read about Eric Klein, founder of CAN-DO.org and the Ride for Lights Campaign.

Award-winning disaster relief agency CAN-DO, as highlighted on Oprah’s "Big Give," proudly announces the launch of their Ride for Lights Campaign, to raise awareness and the funds needed to put an end to the abuses and human rights violations taking place today on the Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.

Right now people are forced to live without power in sub-zero temperatures on the Crow Creek Reservation. This is a situation CAN-DO has continued to bring to light for more than two years and for 13 days this December, Eric Klein, Founder of CAN-DO, will participate in the "Mankato Ride" to honor those 38 who were killed on December 26, 1862 in Mankato MN.

From December 13th -26th, Klein will ride alongside others to raise awareness and establish a fund for those who are challenged with outrageous electricity bills. The ride is 330 miles and CAN-DO is making a call to action to gain pledges for every mile Klein rides to help restore the rights - and lights - of the people of Crow Creek.

“Our Ride for Lights is more than a fundraising campaign, it is a critical call to action to our nation and our nation’s leaders to put an immediate end to the cultural genocide that continues on our American soil,” said Eric Klein. “These abuses must stop and we must unite to build a better future for these communities that are at the heart of our American heritage. With annual incomes averaging less than $5,000 per household, this community knows suffering far beyond what most of us can image – that paired with having their power illegitimately shut off in sub-zero temperatures. We must address these unfathomable abuses.”

These abuses today mirror those that occurred on December 26, 1862 when 38 Dakota men were marched in single file to a scaffold guarded by 1,400 troops. The pull of a single lever ended the lives of 38 Dakota men, while a crowd of citizens witnessed the largest mass execution in the history of United States. In addition to the mass execution, 265 Dakota men were sent to prison near Davenport, Iowa while 1,300 Dakota men, women, and children were exiled to a concentration camp known today as The Crow Creek Reservation in South Dakota.

CAN-DO has focused on working with the Crow Creek community to meet their immediate survival needs while promoting long-term sustainability, improved quality of life, and community revitalization through comprehensive, community-led solutions. Together, Brandon Sazue, Crow Creek Tribal Chairman, Peter Lengkeek and the Crow Creek Reservation in coordination with CAN-DO are working tirelessly to help bring the ongoing abuses to light and together have developed their Five Point Revitalization Plan focused on sustainable solutions to promote energy independence, economic development, and most importantly, cultural preservation.

CAN-DO’s Five Point Revitalization Plan was recently distributed at the White House Tribal Conference hosted by President Barack Obama. At the weeklong conference, Klein and Lengkeek presented the Crow Creek Revitalization Plan to more than 37 government leaders including members of the Senate, House of Representatives, and others.

Per the Associated Press’ story this past week, “The Internal Revenue Service on Thursday auctioned off a large swath of land owned by an impoverished Indian tribe to help pay off more than $3 million in back taxes, penalties and interest - a sale the tribe says is illegal under federal laws protecting Indian land. The 7,100 acres, or 11 square miles, of Crow Creek Sioux tribal land in central South Dakota sold for almost $2.6 million, less than the $4.6 million it was appraised at, said IRS spokeswoman Carrie Resch…The tribe filed a lawsuit Monday in U.S. District court in Pierre seeking to block the sale. Judge Roberto A. Lange declined their request but promised to schedule a trial to hear the tribe's arguments.”

Appalled by such continued abuse and neglect, US Marine and Crow Creek resident Peter Lengkeek has continued to take action to publicize this exploitation. Two years ago, using a hand-held video recorder, Lengkeek documented Central Electric physically cutting electricity lines and removing meters in the peak of winter and joined forces with CAN-DO.

“In the past, there have been people who have come to here to help, but have had ulterior motives, and nothing ever came of it,” said Peter Lengkeek. “CAN-DO is coming here and working beside us. They have given us a voice we've never had before. What I can see in the future is a beautiful community where people have their pride, respect and dignity…I can see self-reliance again. CAN-DO is providing hope in a place where there is no hope."

“Do not let these abuses continue on our own soil, take Peter’s lead and DO something,” stated Klein. “We can make a difference. We can make this right. Help put an end to these abuses. Make Human Rights a priority here at home.”

About CAN-DO:

Founded by Eric Klein, CAN-DO has set a new standard for humanitarian aid and is changing the face of philanthropy. CAN-DO's successful missions to bring immediate and direct relief to areas in need have captured the attention of renowned philanthropists including Oprah Winfrey and former president Bill Clinton. The organization was recently awarded the Global Compassion Award at the United Nations for its global impact, unparalleled transparency and accountability.

Video footage, photographs and the web site offer documentation of the organization's efforts at every phase. For further information, please visit www.can-do.org. To schedule media interviews or to get involved, please contact Alissa Sears of Christie Communications at 805-969-3744 or by email at alissa@christiecomm.com.

Mulching Leaves for Raised Beds

2009-11-22T02:15:00.003-05:00