ECOSiZE Me

My (Not-So) Eco-Friendly Purse

 
World, meet my new purse:  

(Actually, mine is solid black but for picture clarity, I uploaded a lighter color bag).

Made by Maggie Bags, it is fabricated from rejected pre-consumer (automobile) seat belt webbing. Hip, eco-friendly, unique and stylish all in one.

It keeps perfectly good material out of the landfill so it falls inline with my "closing-the-loop" eco-resolution (buying more recycled stuff). The bag is also a sharp addition to the "what am I made of" section of our school programs in which we showcase unique recycled-content items.

Love, love this bag! Except (and I truly wish there wasn't an "except")...

It is made in China. Let's assume that the seat belt webbing originated in the U.S. and was shipped to China for manufacturing and back again. The greenhouse gas emissions generated from transportation more than likely offset the value of recycling the material. In other words...a bigger than desired carbon footprint. We can all learn much more about the environmental impact of our decisons at use-less-stuff.

Still love, love this bag. Just wish it was made here in the U.S.A.

Eco-Friendly Fashion: My 4 Favorite Sweaters

Here are my four favorite sweaters, acquired this season.

  

 

 

 

L to R; Top to Bottom: Limited brand brown shrug; Ann Taylor white open-front cardigan; Field Gear zip-front wool cardigan; Abercrombie wool/cotton pullover.

Total price tag for all sweaters combined: $20

None of them are made from recycled plastic. None of them are organic cotton. But they all are eco-friendly. How? Why? Because they are purchased second-hand (or vintage, or used, or thrift or resale). Call it what you will. I call it smart.

According to Wikipedia, the demand, acceptance and awareness of used clothing has increased significantly since the 90's. Two main reasons for this: it's fashionable (as seen in Hollywood) and it's environmentally-friendly. Did you know that it takes an estimated 100 gallons of water to manufacture one (new) wool sweater? And nearly 500 gallons to make one new pair of stonewashed jeans?

So, the next time you are looking for eco-friendly fashion, check out your local resale shops. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you can find.

May the Best Green Valentine Party Win!

Ok...so I am the chairperson of the Green School Committee at my children's elementary school. (This is my second favorite volunteer position EVER...right after helping in my children's classrooms).

Anyhow...sometimes I just don't understand how others don't get the importance of being green and I get a little frustrated. My forte' is not subtle encouragement. I'm more the "here-are-the-facts-so-go-ahead-and-make-the-changes-now" type. Often times, my "subtlety" is lost on others.

Valentine's Day is quickly approaching and room parents are undoubtedly planning the festivities. That is, until they read my email, from the green school committee chair. My committee is sponsoring a contest. Can you guess? The classroom that plans, hosts and carries out the "greenest" Valentine's  Day party will win...a pizza party. Kids like pizza and it's a great incentive so we went with it.

The committee members and I will remove ourselves from the "judging". I haven't finalized our judges yet, but my hope is they will include our media center instructor, our principal and another lucky individual. I just may extend that last invitation to our school superintendent. He has been one of our celebrity judges In the past, for our Earth Day poster contests.

The rules are pretty simple and straightforward...room parents will be asked to submit in writing, a list and description of how (their) classroom's Valentine's party will be green. This is meant to be creative and open-ended. The possibilities are endless and room parents will be encouraged to think in terms of snacks, tableware, decorations, crafts, waste-generation, recycling, etc.

Wish us luck on our contest.

Michigan PTSA Annual Convention

We just got word and wanted to share the news! We are both honored and excited that you will be able to find us at the 92nd Annual Michigan PTA Convention in April where we will be presenting the session "Creating a Greener Culture". More information will be provided as it becomes available. In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars. 

Green Fast Food Dining

Our blog is about being green while keeping it real. Here is a little anecdote about both. 

This past Saturday afternoon, the kids and I had lunch at Five Guys Burgers and Fries and did a little shopping at Target. On our drive to the shopping center, a piece of litter along the street caught the attention of my 6-year old. He commented that he "can't believe people litter and if he could, he would pick it up and recycle it." What ensued for the next several miles, was the counting of every piece of visible litter by all three of my children. We lost count as we neared our destination but we continued to talk about why people litter and what a terrible behavior it is because it disrespects our planet and our community.

The lunch destination was an upscale fast-food joint, serving none other than (yummy) burgers and fries. The burgers are wrapped in foil; fries are served in styrofoam, drinks are filled in paper cups and your complete order is placed in a brown paper bag. This is the real part...yes, upon occasion, we are fast-food patrons. Recycling is one of my core values and I feel a bit of hypocrisy when I visit a place like this, knowing full well every wrapper is meant to be disposable. Trash cans are the only option with no opportunities for recycling.

It's all about choices and perhaps I should have chosen a different place for lunch. But like I said earlier, this blog is meant to be green AND real. So, upon finishing our meal, we did the greenest thing possible...we took our foil wrappers, paper cups and paper bag home with us to recycle.

If you are curious about the Target portion of the trip...the answer is "yes" we did bring (and use) our own fabric shopping bags.

Green Resolutions

It's a new year and with that comes new resolutions. Our recommendation? Keep it simple, keep it real, keep it green. No matter where you are on the green spectrum, pick one new green habit to work on this month.

Wikihow breaks down how to form a (new) good habit in simple steps, which can easily be applied to being and going green. Know what you want to do. Make a list of the benefits. Commit to the habit. Set (realistic) goals and reward yourself. Start slow. Be consistent. Give yourself time for the action to become habit. Experts estimate that it takes 3-4 weeks for (good) habits to form. Add new green activities each month.

It doesn't have to be all or nothing. It can be a process, so long as you are taking steps in the green direction.

Cheers to a green 2010.

We're Back

We took a hiatus from our blog this month to focus on the holidays and spend time with family. In the process, we had some time to regroup and refocus. We hope that you will join us in the new year on our journey to be wise about our ecosize.

Green Gifting Part 1 - Ideas and a Sale!

From the Kids Konserve 2009 Holiday Gift Guide:

Put meaning in the greening this holiday season. Want to make this a truly eco-friendly holiday for your family and friends? The Kids Konserve gift guide features this season's best non-toxic and sustainable gifts.

Thinking about what to give the hostess of a party? Your child's teacher? A hairdresser? Neighbor? Whether you are the green guru of the house or you are struggling to find a gift for one, these are selections you can be proud to give:

1. Set of food grade leak-proof stainless steel containers.

2. Reusable party pack for the classroom. Take the trash out of the bash. 

3. Nesting Trio leak-proof containers. All the right sizes and easy to store.

4. Cotton napkins. Save a tree and use these at your family dinners.

5. Food kozies. A reusable wrap for just the right snacks. 

6. Waste-free lunch kit. Give a kid a kit.

7. Reusable Bottles. No liners and non-toxic.

8. Minis. Food grade stainless steel.

9. Drawstring bags. Great gift wrap. Great for on-the-go snacks or anytime bag.

10. Snack paks. Perfect for light lunches and on-the-go snacks.

11. Green cleaning. Greenwood Naturals. Biodegradable and non-toxic.

12. Insulated thermos. Going beyond the sandwich. Endless options.

WHO DOESN'T LOVE A SALE? Use the code "holidays" through December 31, 2009 and enjoy 15% off your order at Kids Konserve. Great ideas + great price = a green holiday.

Green Giveaway

Thank you for the comments on Our Favorite Green Things Giveaway. And, congratulations to Lori S., who is the winner of the set of 3 mini stainless steel food containers by Kids Konserve.

Ecostore USA Newsletter - Always worth the time to read

They are one of our favorite green things and we've blogged about them before. Ecostore USA's November newsletter is available here and it's always worth the time to read. Here at Ecosize Me, we believe in making a positive impact on our environment and we fancy those around us that believe the same. So this holiday weekend, kick back, read their newsletter, check out their site and be thankful for all that we have.

You won't want to miss their Share the Love:Holiday Sale. These items make great green holiday gifts. Turn your family and friends on to ecostore USA's plant and mineral based products and feel good that you are doing something especially green this holiday season.