Ecoscene Blog

Natural snow removal

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:54:00 -0500

Chemical ice melt products are bad for the environment, but can a product that is eco-friendly work better than ice-melting chemicals?

We tried EcoTraction, an all natural, high-traction mineral that replaces chemical ice melts to provide traction on the iciest pavements, even on the coldest of days. It is made from volcanic mineral that has also been used for filtering drinking water, neutralizing odors, absorbing chemical spills, and rehabilitating poor soils.

Do you have any green methods for taking care of snow?

Top Takeaways at Eugene Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show

Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:02:00 -0500

We were just at the Eugene Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show.

Some of favorite things included:

Izip hybrid bikes: A hybrid electric bicycle
Seedballz: fertilizer, clay, and seeds in one
KB Originals: handbags from mens neckties
Stahlbush Island Farms: Amazing frozen and canned organic produce

Saving face - from winter

Sun, 25 Jan 2009 22:00:00 -0500

Every time I face the raging winter outside, my face takes the brunt of it, sometimes suffering major freezer burn. How do you protect your skin from winter wind?

Something that saves my face while being good to the environment is Argan Oils face and body serum, which we recently reviewed.

Would you try a recycled toothbrush handle?

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Today we reviewed the Radius Source toothbrush with a recycled handle. So, that makes me wonder...

Obama to create jobs with renewable energy

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:07:00 -0500

When Barack Obama is sworn in as President at 11:30 ET tomorrow, the moment will signify many changes, including a new emphasis on energy efficiency and job creation.

Obama promises to restore the economy with new, clean sources of energy. "A renewable energy economy isn't some pie-in-the-sky, far-off future," he said. "It's happening all across America right now. It's providing alternatives to foreign oil now. It can create millions of additional jobs and entire new industries if we act right now." Obama’s Recovery and Reinvestment Plan aims to save or create three to four million American jobs and make the long-term investments needed to rebuild the economy.

If you’re looking for ways to start being more energy efficient, check out these recent Ecoscene reviews:

Speak up! How do you plan to support Obama’s push for greater energy efficiency?

Safer bathing for baby

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:13:00 -0500

Eco-conscious moms, take heart! If you seek baby products made from safe ingredients, check out Little Twig Baby Wash, which we reviewed today.

What baby products do you recommend?

Homemade cleaning products

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 01:02:00 -0500

Today we reviewed the Eco-Me home cleaning kit. Eco-Me supplied an all-purpose cleaner, a wood polish cleaner, and a scrub cleanser, including the reusable containers, microfiber cloth, a scrub brush, and their Home Blend essential oil mix. All we had to supply was the olive oil, vinegar, and baking soda.

Have you tried homemade cleaning products? Share your experiences here.

Ecoscene in Eugene -- Need Volunteers

Sun, 11 Jan 2009 18:36:00 -0500

Ecoscene is seeking volunteers to help us at this year's Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show January 23 - 25.

Qualifications: We are looking for responsible eco-minded individuals to volunteer two hours of their time at the Ecoscene booth helping to collect e-mail address. Volunteers are provided a free organic tee shirt and free entry to Good Earth Home, Garden & Living Show.

How to apply:info@ecosceneinc.com

From salty to sweet

Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:33:00 -0500

Today our "Ecoscene for Her" edition reviewed a sassy little Recycled Potato Chip Bag available from five accessories, which donates $5 dollars from each bag and 15% of total sales to a women's co-op in Honduras.

These bags are not only made from used snack bags, but they also provide income to the women who make them. Turning trash into treasure is not only smart -- it's pretty sweet.

Have you seen any better reincarnations of waste?

Green Your Resolution

Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:54:00 -0500

Do you make new year's resolutions? Last year, I resolved to turn in by 11 pm every night, but pushed it to midnight (or later) more often than not.

This year, make a resolution you can keep by committing to make greener choices. We're making it even easier for you to find out which eco-friendly products deserve your time and support. Read more about it here >>

Will you make a new year's resolution for 2009? Why or why not?

What's your wrapping choice?

Wed, 24 Dec 2008 02:04:00 -0500

Win $25! Join our Alternative Wrapping Paper Contest.

Soy candles versus paraffin

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:04:00 -0500

Most candles are made with paraffin wax, which is derived from petroleum. So, burning a sooty, paraffin candle is like having an diesel truck idling in your living room.

Soy candles provide a clean burning alternative because soy is plant based. Not only a renewable resource, soybean oil also burns longer than paraffin.

We tested and recommend two soy candles here >>

Do you burn paraffin candles? Why or why not?

Alternative Wrapping Paper Contest

Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:02:00 -0500

The gift giving season has barely begun, and I already regret the amount of waste generated by our discarded gift wrap. According to the Green Guide, Americans threw away 78.5 million tons of packaging in 2007. Unfortunately, many wrapping papers are not recyclable because they are dyed, lack enough quality fibers for recycling, or contain metal, glitter, or plastic.

Calling all creative recyclers! I challenge you to wrap at least ONE gift using alternative materials and then to share your creativity by entering our Alternative Wrapping Paper Contest.

Contest Details
Email us a photo of your most creative, alternative gift wrap implementing reused or recyclable materials to info@ecosceneinc.com by Tuesday, December 30, 2008. Please include a brief description of your alternative wrapping materials.

We'll post photos of your submissions here, announce the winner by January 6, 2009, and mail the winner a $25 American Express gift card.

Readers, don't let me down! Earth 911 offers some great suggestions to get you thinking.

What are some other creative ideas for alternative wrapping paper?

Eco-Me's cat products kit

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:28:00 -0500

We were excited to test Eco-Me's cat products kit, which promises flea and bug spray, litter freshener, and cat treats, along with a cat pillow. The idea is to help people make their own natural, non-toxic, chemical-free products. It looks like a sweet gift for a pet lover, but how did these cat products purrform? Read our review here >>

Do you blend your own household products? Is it better for the environment, or a waste of time?

Natural bar soaps versus pumps

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 00:03:00 -0500

Not all natural soaps perform equally. From scent strength and lasting power to exfoliating ability and price, natural bar soaps range from meek to marvelous. We tested and reviewed three natural bar soaps here >>

We love bars of natural soaps because they use far less packaging than pumps. How do you rate pumps versus bars?