My daughter is crazy about wildlife. Every little bird or animal that she sees that seems to be hurt, we always take the time to nurture it and nurse it back to health. That is something that I just love about her. What really makes me proud is when I see companies who do the same thing. One of those companies is Dawn.

Celebrity Narrator Rob Lowe presents Dawn dish soap teaming up with wildlife rescue workers to create a safer environment for ducks and other wildlife species. Learn more about these efforts by watching the video and find out more about how you can support Dawn’s wildlife rescue initiative.

 Dawn Helps Save Wildlife

To learn more about this wonderful effort, visit http://www.DawnSavesWildlife.com today!

When my kids were little, I only used one name brand of diaper. Honestly, it was the only brand I trusted. I had heard so many horror stories about the other brands and how my friend’s children had suffered severe diaper rashes and more. I did not want my kids to go through that, so I made sure to use something that I knew and trusted. There was no other brand for me at that time.

Now — if Seventh Generation Diapers had been around when my kids were little, I would have made the switch without even thinking twice.

Seventh Generation’s newest diapers are helping the toxin-free generation go au natural. Incredibly absorbent and naturally kind, they are free from fragrances, chlorine-processing, and conventions. They make childhood an incredibly joyful place to be.

Watch this video to learn more about the Au Natural!

These diapers are Designed to be Kind to baby’s sensitive skin, with everything you need in a diaper and nothing you don’t. Seventh Generation diapers are made with chlorine-free processing and fragrance free material and are incredibly absorbent and naturally kind.

To learn more about Seventh Generation Diapers, be sure to visit: www.toxinfreegeneration.com

So — as a mom — answer this question for me:

Have there ever been products in your life that you loved more than any other because of the great benefit they had for your family? We would love to hear your thoughts!

So why conduct a tree survey? If you’re in town planning or property development, looking for a mortgage approval, concerned with health and safety issues, or even environmental issues, tree surveys are a must.

Those looking to buy property may not think initially to conduct a survey, but the truth is that anyone who doesn’t may soon wish they had. Tree surveys examine many factors relating to the trees located on and around a property, such as location, size, age and extent of the roots. They
also reveal the presence of habitats for endangered species like bats. This information is absolutely crucial when working out the true value of a property, and more importantly, when examining the potential for subsidence in the future. A simple tree survey costing a few hundred pounds can save tens of thousands in the long term.

In modern society, health and safety considerations have become an inseparable element of every business. When developing land for business purposes, or when there are trees present on land where people are working, it’s vital that one knows the potential health and safety risks posed by surrounding trees. For instance, knowing the age of a tree might indicate how high the risk of large branches falling, or even total collapse. In addition, knowing what wildlife might be present will also reveal potential health and safety risks. A single tree survey now can prevent a lengthy and costly lawsuit later on and companies like Arbtech operate all over the country to provide an efficient service to developers looking for a professional survey fast.

From an environmental perspective, the community at large can benefit from knowing more about the trees around them. Tree surveys will allow us to understand how best to conserve trees, and protect any wildlife dwelling within them. Also, if we understand what impact and importance the trees have on our ecosystem, then we can better understand how to enhance that ecosystem.

Looking at these factors, we can quite easily see the importance and benefits of tree surveys. While seeming a highly unlikely requirement, we can see that all levels of society really can benefit. For more information on the planning application process or to organise a tree survey in your area, visit Arbtech by clicking here where more information can be found.

5 Minutes for Going Green is as a Sister Site of 5 Minutes for Mom that started back in July 2008. Over the years we’ve had several great editors and writers contribute here at 5 Minutes for Going Green.

But with all our busy schedules, we’ve unfortunately neglected this site.

That is going to change. We’re going to kick Going Green back into action and we want you to join us.

If you would like to get involved either by writing a single guest post, becoming a regular contributor or even taking on the role of managing editor, please contact us. Email us at info at 5minutesformom dot com or use this contact form.

Eat Smart

Livestock production accounts for about 18 percent of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for about 23 percent of all global water used in agriculture. Meat costs a lot at the store, it’s even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.

You don’t have to become a vegetarian, simply cutting down on the amount of meat you consume can go a long way. Consider substituting one meal a week with a vegetarian option. Your waistline and your wallet will say thank you.

Borrow instead of buy

The best way to stop the waste is to cut down on what we purchase. Visit your local library instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.

Also, get to know your neighbors and share your resources. Sharing items like power tools and household appliances will not only help you save money but will cut down the number of things cluttering your closets or garage.

Recycle

If you find that you have items in your home that you know you will never use again, recycle them. Listia.com offers an easy way people can significantly lessen their impact on the environment while at the same time save money.

Water is in the news all the time it seems, and the use of water and rights to it are predicted to be a huge source of conflict in the world in the near future. In the United States, the average amount of water used by each person every day is 100 gallons, and that number is rising.

Water is a precious natural resource that is not infinitely available – there are limits to how much we can use and not be taking away from others in the world. So it is a good idea to learn how to conserve water on a very personal level, and thereby help sustain the planet. Here are 5 tips to save water easily, every day.

1. Upgrade to water saving shower heads, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers
All of us use water in many ways every day. Many of these uses could be made more environmentally friendly by swapping out old appliances and fixtures for new ones that save water. Shower heads are the first thing most of us think of, and there are water-saving fixtures readily available that really make a difference. Toilets are major users of water in the home, and the installation of more efficient units also can make a difference in your household water consumption. Other appliances that use water have become available in water-saving versions – washing machines and dishwashers, for example. More energy efficient as well as conserving water, these space-age products are very worthwhile investing in for the average homeowner.

2. Don’t wash your car(s) at home
Commercial car washes are much more efficient and effective at keeping your vehicles clean. When you wash a car at home, you waste water in washing, rinsing and the overall process. Take your car(s) to a public car wash and be water smart. The same goes of course, for campers, tractors, riding lawnmowers, and so on.

3. Save water outside of the home
Sprinklers watering the lawn on hot summer days are an American tradition – that has to go. Well, not completely, but it at least should be governed by common sense. Do lawn and garden watering in the cool of the evening or night so the water is absorbed, not evaporated. Set the cut height on your lawnmower an inch or two higher – taller grass stays moister and helps the soil retain water as well. Don’t use water to clean your driveway or patio – use a broom. It’s a very inefficient use of water to clean large dusty surfaces.

4. Don’t let the water run, and teach your kids not to do the same
Many people have the habit of leaving the tap running while they are brushing their teeth, washing their face, or even washing and preparing food in the kitchen. These habits are incredibly wasteful, and you can provide a model to children by showing them how to turn off the tap when the water is not being used. Another related conservation method is to learn to take faster, shorter, slightly cooler showers. It’s possible to save hundreds of gallons of water a month in the average household this way.

5. Be a smart water consumer
Learn how to read your water meter and check your home and property for leaks. If no one is using water and you see a usage registered, there is a leak somewhere that should be fixed. Notice when the most water is used in your house, and try to determine how it’s being used, and if the amount used can be reduced.

About Mike
Mike Sorensen is a master cabinet maker, structural engineer and the author of www.AcousticFields.com audio blog. He provides tips for soundproofing a room using environmentally sound production methods and helping control energy savings.

There are 5 easy steps you can take to reduce your packaging waste:

1. Always take your own bags when you go to the grocery store to do your weekly shop. You can buy strong, long lasting bags which you can take out with you every time you go shopping. Also, it is a good idea to keep ‘a bag for life’ on you at all times so that you never have the need to ask the shop for a bag. More than one billion bags are thrown away every year. That is a shocking statistic as it is so easy to do something about it. Many consumers have become lazy and just throw bags in the garbage as well as on to the streets. This includes dog poop bags as well. This thoughtlessness is ruining our world and can easily be tackled with just a little collective will.

2. Change the type of diapers that you usually use. By switching to eco diapers, you will literally reduce your diaper wasted by half. These environmentally friendly diapers are made from 50% more biodegradable materials and are chlorine free. They can be kinder to sensitive skin than generic diapers and are no more expensive. Alternatively, you could go back to the old fashioned method of using towelling diapers and washing them which will give you no waste at all.

3. When buying washing detergents and cleaning sprays try to buy the largest sizes you can and decant into smaller bottles and boxes at home. This will also save on trips to the grocery store so will save your gas as well. You can actually buy catering sizes of these products at wholesale outlets which can last you for as long as 6 months so you should end up saving about five months worth of waste from going into the garbage.

4. Stop buying bottled water to use at home. If you are unable to drink tap water for whatever reason, the solution is easy. Buy a water filter and it will remove anything unpleasant from your tap water, such as a metallic taste or too much chlorine. Water filters are inexpensive and easy to pick up from the grocery store, chemist or online. They normally come with a spare cartridge but these are inexpensive to replace anyway. Not only will you save a lot of cash by doing this, you will be reducing your packaging waste dramatically as you will not be throwing several plastic bottles in the garbage every week.

5. Always prepare meals from scratch. Instead of buying handy convenience food which you can cook in the oven or microwave, start buying fresh ingredients and making your own pizzas, casseroles and pasta. Buy meat from a butcher as it is usually just wrapped in paper unlike the grocery store which places everything in plastic containers; create your own marinades so that you can stop buying these pieces of meat which have been sprinkled with a few herbs! It is cheaper, tastier and healthier to cook from scratch. You will not have any more lasagne cartons or aluminium boxes to throw away.

There will be more space in your cupboards and freezer by cooking with fresh produce. Another great reason for doing this is it that you will also be supporting local farmers. Everyone knows that fresh food tastes much better anyway. You just have to be organised. Assess what you already have in your kitchen and plan meals around that. Even if you just spend one afternoon each week cooking, then freezing what you have made, it will make your life a lot easier and will improve your health.

By reducing your packaging waste using these 5 easy steps, you are preventing thousands of tonnes of petrochemicals and chemicals entering our atmosphere. By disposing of less boxes and paper products, you are saving thousand of trees from being chopped down every week. A little effort and thought is all it takes to go a little greener, and do your bit for the environment.

About the Author
Grace Pamer is a work from home eco mom and the author of www.RomanceNeverDies.com, one womanís on going quest to get the world reaquainted with the art of writing love letters for her and for him.

The first step, of course, is modeling the behaviors you would like your children to value. If they see you carelessly toss recyclables into the trash, what do you think they will do? Setting up an easy to use recycling system in your kitchen is a great first step in teaching your kids to recycle. Make it easy for them to comply by having individual bins for cardboard and paper, glass, cans and plastics. The younger you introduce them to this system, the more certain it will become a life-long habit for them. Let them know early on why you recycle. Kids understand a lot more than we often give them credit for. Show them a big beautiful tree in the yard and how it provides shelter for so many bird, insects and animals. Then show them paper, and explain that most paper is made from cut down trees. You will be surprised at the impact this simple lesson will have.

Making those connections is so important. Kids really want to know the “why” behind what they are doing; it makes their actions much for meaningful to them. Research now shows that the young generation is very disconnected from the natural world. Rather than going outside to explore the woods, fish or swim in a pond, or just lie on their backs and watch the clouds, kids are mostly indoors at school, watching TV, playing video games or shopping at the mall. When they are outdoors, they are usually participating in sports and have little time to watch the world around the ball field. If you don’t introduce them to the wonders of nature, who else will? This is the only way they can truly have an interest in and feelings of concern for the environment. A trip to the zoo is fine to show them animals from other continents, but what they really need is a sense of connection to their immediate environment.

Seek out local, state or national parks that have programs for youth and families. Definitely introduce them to the wonders found in your own back yard. Set up some bird feeders and get your kids a bird identification field guide. Show them how many of the most endearing birds we see in at our feeders and in the trees during the summer migrate as far away as southern hemisphere in the winter. This helps give them a sense of how the whole world is connected and provides them with a real life example of how what happens there affects what happens here. Eco friendly kids really do require constant exposure to the natural world, so be their guide. If you didn’t spend a great amount of time exploring the outdoors in your youth, you will learn plenty from your family excursions too!

About the author

Grace Pamer is a work from home mom and the author of www.RomanticFrugalMom.com, one womanís on going quest to get her family to go green whilst keeping romance alive in her marriage. Check out her love letters for him section if you need help writing a love letter to your nearest and dearest because of a hectic schedule because ethical living starts at home.

Image source BigStockPhoto.com

After the euphoria of the wedding and the honeymoon, comes the time for the young couple to settle into routine life. They may be moving into a new flat or house and will naturally have much to do when it comes to the interior decor. Two different individuals with different tastes in style will have to merge their preferences into one acceptable choice. This is where eco-friendly products can come into their bedroom as a neutral choice to start with. Recycled and sustainable material is all the rage now for any bedroom and the young couple can cash in on this. This is not so much as for a particular trend but bedroom products, made of natural material, are clearly more healthy and reusable. There are many ways in which newlyweds can have a green bedroom by choosing the right fabrics and styles.

Go in for organic fabrics and products

Bamboo is one of the most durable, soft and light fabrics being in used these days for bed linen and bath towels. The bed linen range offers a wide variety of colors and they are easy to maintain. What is more, they are good absorbent material and are comfortable to sleep in, as they are natural fibers with no chemical additives. You can go in for mattresses, mattress pad, pillows and comforters made of organic material which will add to the new decor. These products are lightweight, breathable and do not have any toxic chemical substances, assuring a good night’s rest for the newlyweds.

Use complementary accessories

Lighten up your bedroom with curtains and other accessories such as picture frame, flower vases or pots in organic material. They need not be terribly expensive as you can use re-purported its use in a creative way. This means that you use old things which you need not throw away by using them in another way. Try to keep your bedroom free of electronics as these things have a way of cluttering the room’s appearance.

For nightwear and bath towels

You can coordinate your bath towels in organic fabrics to mimic the bed covers and linen. Use bedroom slippers made of the same fabrics as they are more comfortable. As far as nightwear is concerned, it is tempting to go in for the synthetic variety for their various styles. However, nightwear for both newlyweds is now available in a wide range, made out of organic material.

Furniture for the bedroom

The furniture plays a big role in the setting of the room, so it is best to choose furniture which will not only be durable but eco-friendly as well. You could go in for cane bed or invest in vintage beds instead of having to minus another tree from nature. Why not have some of your old furniture pieces repainted for a new and refreshing look.

Choosing the organic material, for your new bedroom, is not only fun but can go a long way towards a healthy living. You will also be bonding with your spouse as you bring two ideas together for a creative bedroom. More than that, you will be contributing towards the real essence of green living.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger who is passionate about eco friendly lifestyle. Her home is quite eco friendly right from exteriors to interiors, including appliances and furniture. Beside this she frequently writes on Silver Bridesmaid Dresses. These days she is busy in writing an article on Coffee shops.

Photos from Big Stock Photo.

1. Venue

One way to go green is to select the venue wisely. Go for an outdoor location which would match the theme perfectly well. It would also mean less lighting used and less decoration as the natural beauty in itself would play the part. Also, conducting the wedding and reception in the same place, easily accessible by all, would not only reduce costs but also reduce environmental impact caused by travelling.
2. Invitations

Invitations set the tone for a wedding and going green is the best way to stress it. Creating e-invites and emailing it out to your guests would be the best way to do this. But if you insist on having hand held invitations then go for eco-friendly products like paper made with organic cotton, bamboo, hemp etc. and use vegetable based dyes instead of fancy ink for writing. You could also do a post card invite to save paper on envelopes and maybe even use innovative rags and burlap materials to create invites.
3. Attire

While your wedding day is all about looking good, you do not need to spend a fortune on it to do so. By wearing your mom’s or grandmom’s gown not only brings forth the emotional aspect of it, but also reduces cost and helps with the going green aspect. Vintage gowns are in style these days and going to a charity store to scout around for those would be a great idea as well. Men can hire a tux or even wear suits made out of eco-friendly products like hemp for instance. But if you are completely adamant on getting a new gown made, and then do so with organic materials
4. Jewelry

Diamond is definitely a girl’s best friend, but you could be all creative and wear something different instead, like rings with a wooden touch or thread based jewelry. If you are adamant about diamonds then at least make sure they are conflict-free. Considering using antique or heirloom jewelry is also a great way to go green. You could use jewelry handed down in your family, which will only increase the sentimental value attached to it. That said if you are not the type who is emotionally attached to your jewelry, and then recycling it would be a great idea.

5. Wedding decor

Using potted plants and shrubs with flowers are a great way to go green on your wedding day. If you are hell bent on using flowers then go for the organic ones which are pesticide free and are grown locally. Avoid transporting exotic flowers from faraway destinations, which would only add to the carbon footprint. Use the same flowers and arrangements for both the wedding and reception and once you are done with it, give it off to another couple for them to use or donate to a hospital instead of just throwing them away at the end of the day. DIY wedding ideas are available in plenty. Get your friends together and make all the decorations by hand.

6. Food and drinks

The first and foremost thing to remember is to use local, organic and seasonal food for the event. If you can source them from a nearby farmers market then it tops the purpose as it reduced carbon emission from travel completely. If you are getting a caterer take care of such details, make sure you give instructions to send off excess food to a food bank or homeless shelter instead of just discarding them. Try and avoid alcohol and serve organic juices instead. And remember, renting table ware, cutlery and such is always better than buying disposable ones.

7. Photography

Arrange for a professional photographer who works with digital copies which would save a lot of paper and chemicals. Instead of having individual disposable cameras on each table, ask guests to bring their own cameras and then request them to post the pictures they took on a photo sharing website for all to see.

8. Wedding favors

Instead of giving wedding favors you could donate that money to a charitable organization and explain to the guests the purpose behind it. If you are adamant on giving something, then perhaps a seedling or small pots with herbs in them, organic chocolates etc. can be given.

9. Gifts

Get gifts that are organic and environment friendly instead of large gift wrapped gifts. Gifts made out of recycled products, handmade gifts that support a small business or local talent, homemade candles and cosmetics, an organic spa date etc. are some of the options.

10. Honeymoon

Of course every couple needs to go on a honeymoon and you could do that in the greenest possible way as well. For starters, decide to go to a nearby location which would help reduce carbon footprint drastically. Then, select an eco friendly resort to stay in and engage in activities that require less travelling around. Hire a bike and cycle around the place, use public transport or even better walk hand in hand and take in the beauty of the place.

Keeping all these factors in mind will help you attain that perfect wedding you have been dreaming of, in a greener and much healthier environment. The fact that you are able to do something for mother earth, while tying the knot, is a feeling you would cherish for the rest of your lives.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and luxury. Beside this she is fond of cell phones and bags. She recently added two Burberry Handbags to her collection. These days she is busy in writing an article on LED Bulbs.

Photos by Lolli