Green is the New Internet

5 Must-Have Non-Toxic Toddler Dishes

2010-03-02T15:55:05Z

I didn't know that microwaving my toddler's oatmeal in a plastic dish could be

Green Irene is Not a Scam!

2009-06-25T17:37:31Z

Green Irene trains green-minded people to be Eco-Consultants, or what I'd call "residential green experts". They don't install solar panels or grey water tanks (yet) but they do perform personalized home evaluations, called Green Home Makeovers, that can result in significant energy savings. Ever heard of Avon or the Pampered Chef? Same type of concept except instead of make-up or cookware, they sell green products that help you save money and conserve resources at home.

The founders are successful entrepreneurs with a Harvard MBA and a Georgetown Law degree between them.

If you're thinking of becoming a Green Irene Eco-Consultant - you shouldn't worry that there is anything shady behind this company. Instead, ask yourself if you have the time and motivation to rustle up clients, the confidence to market yourself and the patience to stick with it through this recession. Green products are here to stay, from high tech innovations like the Bloom Box, to everyday items like Biodegradable Sugarcane Tableware. Green Irene is an affordable and accessible opportunity to get into the green space at a time when green innovation is just beginning. Go for it!

Chicago Wilderness

2009-02-11T20:15:49Z

I just picked up my first issue of Chicago Wilderness Magazine at Whole Foods. I was interested in so many of the places that were mentioned in the magazine but being a city dweller it's going to take some research to figure out where they are and the best way to get there. There is nothing I hate more than being excited to get outside only to get in the car and get stuck in traffic. It's amazing how much planning you have to do to enjoy the outdoors when you live in a big city.

I was really surprised and happy to discover the magazine and the organization, Chicago Wilderness. I even wrote to tell them so and they sent me some great links to opportunities and resources to get more involved with nature in Chicago.

Nature in Chicago

Friends of the Forest Preserves

Chicagoland Environmental Network

Affordable, Modern, Green Development

2009-02-10T22:25:06Z

I love this company! It's called Postgreen and they want to build affordable green homes in urban areas for $100 per square foot. Their first project is the 100k house in Philadelphia, PA. I just read about them in Inc. Magazine.

From Inc.'s article, 11 Businesses You Can Start In Your Pajamas in 2009:
When it comes to purchasing products and services, consumers are increasingly making their decisions with the environment in mind. One company that has capitalized on this growing consumer awareness is Postgreen, a Philadelphia-based real-estate development company whose mission is to build green homes that are affordable for the average family. Founders Chad and Courtney Ludeman, and marketing director, Nic Darling, are working on a line of LEED-certified homes that will sell for $100 a square foot -- a cost equal to a regular home without green efficiencies. "We are making consumers look at houses differently," says Darling. "Instead of just a monthly payment, they are starting to look at all the costs that go into owning a home, and we have a distinct advantage in being much less expensive [to maintain] than a normal house."

They also have a blog called the 100k House which follows the construction of their first project and a photo stream going on flickr with construction images of the 100k house.

I'm definitely going to follow Postgreen's current and future projects.

Green Jobs: Become an Eco Consultant with Green Irene

2009-01-22T20:30:45Z

I've been waiting for a band of green consultants to hit the streets toting energy saving solutions and waste reduction techniques. Green Irene is the first company I've seen offering training for eco consultants. I found the company accidentally by clicking on a banner ad on a green blog I was reading today.

To become an eco consultant you don't need any previous experience because this is really a brand new field. Green Irene offers online training to teach their recruits all about their products and services. The start-up cost for the trainee is $450.

Once you are trained, it's time to hit the streets in your community and start greening your neighbors' homes.Their flagship product is the Green Home Makeover which for $99 includes:

Energy conservation improvements
Energy efficient lighting replacements
Water conservation and purity tools
Green energy sources available in your area (i.e. electricity from wind power and other renewable sources rather than coal)
Improving indoor air quality
Toxic free living by reducing harmful chemicals in use
Recycling and waste reduction
Safety and emergency preparedness
Tax Credits, rebates and other financial incentives available in your area
Your carbon footprint and Carbon Offset Programs
Referrals to members of Green Irene's Sustainable Contractor Network
Included is a six-month membership with Ask Green Irene

I think this is a fantastic idea and I plan to contact them to learn more so stay tuned.

What is a Green Job?

2009-01-10T21:47:19Z

Labor Secretary-nominee Hilda Solis is going to promote green jobs - making sure policy supports green technology and investment so jobs stay in America.

What is a green job?
Time Magazine defined green jobs the article, "What is a Green Job Exactly?" in May, 2008. They interviewed Phil Angelides, chair of the Apollo Alliance who defined a green job like this, "It has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family. It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility. And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment."

The article continues, "labor leaders see green jobs as a way to fight outsourcing and keep manufacturing alive in America." I understand why manufacturing is important to the American economy, so it's great news that the Obama administration is going to support the development of green collar jobs.

But I'm still wondering: what's the white collar equivalent of a green job?

How to Compost in Winter

2009-01-08T22:00:36Z

As I threw a bunch of wilted greens on my frozen, snow covered compost heap this morning, it occurred to me that I must be doing this wrong. These greens are going to blow away or join the rodent-chewed, sagging gourds that I tossed on once it was time to transition from harvest time to christmas decor inside. So I did some research on how to compost in winter and here's what I found.

This is a good summary of an article from Organic Gardening courtesy of EnviroMom: How to Compost in the Depths of Winter. Key points: chop and shred your browns and greens, keep pile damp, don't turn it! I'm defnitely not out there turning my heap over so I get points for that!
Winter Composting Tips from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources by Vicky Viens. From the winter composting strategies she lists, I guess I would fall into "build your pile", since I continue to toss our kitchen organics on there, and little else. She mentions several other tips for people who keep a compost bin, and goes on to suggest bringing a bin inside and enriching it with worms, "Worms eat more than one-half their weight daily and produce excellent compost." I am not interested in bringing a worm bin indoors at this point. Too risky.
I like this tip from (link is a PDF) The Cornell Cooperative Extension: "One common mistake [when composting] is to pile all the winter's kitchen scraps onto your pile without layering or mixing in browns. All-green piles are almost always stinky! If your pile is excessively wet due to the spring thaw, turn it and add more browns to soak up this moisture."

I am going to have to carve out some time to get outside and stomp those half chewed gourds and deflated, moldy pumpkins into a pulp!

Rain Barrels in Chicago

2009-01-07T17:58:22Z

It's January 7th and I'm thinking about SPRING!!! Did a bit of research on rain barrels in preparation for the thaw that is still 4 months away. The City of Chicago actually has a rain barrel program - very progressive of them! I wrote to rainbarrel@cityofchicago.org and received this automated response with very helpful info (if you're into rain barrels that is):

Thank you very much for your interest in the Chicago Rain Barrel Program.

As the frost approaches, we regret to inform you that there are no more rain barrels left this year. Compost bin sales are also closed until next Spring.

We have automatically added your contact information to our 2009 mailing list and will let you know about future opportunities to purchase a subsidized rain barrel. In the meantime, we welcome you to make your rain barrel, instructions below, or purchase an unsubsidized rain barrel from one of the many local retailers, a sample few are listed below.

Other Local Rain Barrel Retailers and Internet Sales

Greenmaker Building Supply (Available at store)
www.greenmakersupply.com
Price: $75.00 + 10% discount to folks who say "the City sent me!"
866.702.7500
2500 N. Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60639

Lake Street Landscape Supply (Phone order only)
Price: $95.00
Call 312.226.0760 to order your barrel.
1810 W. Lake Street
Chicago IL 60612

SustainDane's RainReserve Rain Barrel Systems (Online order only)
https://www.rainfordane.com/order/index.php?storecategory_id=247
Price: $89.99
608.316.6844
Madison, WI

Midwest Internet Sales (Online order only)
http://www.midwestinternetsales.com/rainbarrels.htm
Price: $124.95 (shipping included)
877.888.5609

Aaron's Rain Barrels (Online order only)
http://www.ne-design.net/
Price: $150.00 (shipping included)
978.790.1816

i'm glad these resources exist, but I'm going to wait to participate in the subsidized City of Chicago program in the spring. I'm not trying to spend $100 on a rain barrel! Green living needs to be affordable!

How do I get a green job?

2008-11-06T18:48:29Z

Now that Obama has been elected, I'm counting on him to back domestic policies that promote investment in green technology. I've heard about the millions of jobs this investment will create in the future, but what's available now? Below are the online resources I found for green job hunters:

Best website for searching green jobs by state and keyword at GreenBiz.com
For engineers and consultants: greenjobs.com
Examples of green jobs at The Center for American Progress.
Directory of green job boards at GreenJobs.net

I'm going to keep updating this list as I find more, so stay tuned.

Green Toilet

2008-10-15T21:17:20Z

I saw our new "green toilet."on TV this weekend. It was featured on the show Greenovate on the Planet Green Network. Watching that show makes me think of the upside of all the work we do to keep up and renovate our 100 year old house: at least we didn't do it 10 years ago. There are so many green products coming to market right now to help lower energy costs, water consumption, and waste! As we chip away at each room in the house, each project is sure to get greener, and we are just getting started. For our new 2nd floor bathroom, at least we can say we opted for a green toilet with Dual Flush technology (this means it includes a 1.6 flush option for #2 and an eco-friendly, 0.8-gallon flush option for #1). Remarkably, it can save as much as 6,000 gallons of water annually over a traditional 1.6-gallon toilet. I'm telling you, this toilet makes me feel a lot better about the whole project!

Green Toys

2008-10-02T18:56:16Z

Why didn't I think of that? I could kick myself. Green toys are made out of recycled plastic milk containers. DUH!
They are so cute and packaged in recycled corrugated boxes with no plastics, cellophane or twist-ties, and are 100% recyclable. Laurie Hyman, the cousin of a good friend and my former coworker from Semio Inc., actually started the business and I know it is going to be a big hit! I even felt kind of proud when I saw the toys at a Galt Baby in downtown Chicago.

How to Recycle Everything

2008-09-29T15:34:53Z

Real Simple's September 2008 issue has the most comprehensive article I've ever seen on recycling - How to Recycle Anything. It's best to read online so you can follow the links, because each item they highlight has it's own unique non-profit or service that does the recycling. It's a lot of information, and again, you have to be really resourceful and have a ton of time to pull batteries out, tear magazines apart, ship shoes back to the manufacturer, drop off cell phones, lightbulbs and scrap metal (at 3 different places) and send eyeglasses and formal wear to the needy. But it's a good list of resources.

I'm definitely going to take my first generation iPod to the Apple store to be recycled so I can collect my 10% discount on my next iPod. Although, if my next iPod is actually an iPhone, do I still get the discount?

I love my Sigg water bottle

2008-09-26T14:30:43Z

There are 3 big reasons to invest in a reusable water bottle:

BPA is found in plastic bottles and animal studies indicate that it mimics the human hormone estrogen, and can induce long-term changes in animals exposed to it. BPA is used in polycarbonate plastic, used to make plastic water and baby bottles and other containers because it is as hard and transparent as glass but resists shattering. Learn more about BPA. Here is a good article on the Bisphenol-A Debate in National Geographic's Green Guide.
As I write this over 95 billion beverage containers have been littered, landfilled or incineratedin the U.S. this year according to the Container Recycling Institute. You can find lots of graphs on container waste here. Here's a good visual:
Sigg water bottles are cool! There are lots of options for BPA-free reusable water bottles. I started with Nalgene but when I heard buzz that even their plastic was toxic I switched to a Sigg. It cost me $20 but I've really bonded with it. I eyed them at Whole Foods for months before I talked myself into spending the $20 on a bottle. Seems insane, but now I love it. You can get a Sigg Bottle or Kleen Kanteen at Amazon.

Welcome to Green is the New Internet!

2008-09-25T21:30:11Z

It's so hip to be green! The problem is you have to be super resourceful and rich to be green right now. I wanted to start blogging about being green because I truly think it's going to be a revolution that changes our daily life: the food we buy, our kids' toys, how we get to work (do we really need to go somewhere?), what our jobs are, how we buy our energy and the type of energy we buy.

Why is this blog called Green is the new Internet? I was inspired by Nancy Floyd, who delivered a very concise speech on renewable energy and economic policy at the Democratic National Convention in August, 2008. My favorite part of her speech:

"Let me put it this way. Green technology is where the computer industry was in 1984, the year the Macintosh computer was introduced. Think about how far we've come since then. That's how far-reaching and how transformational green technology will be. Thousands of new companies. Millions of new jobs. In fact, investments in wind and solar technologies have already created 2.4 million jobs."

And so, Floyd confirmed what I was already thinking: green IS the new Internet. I really wanted to follow the movement since the last time I was this excited about a potential cultural phenomenon it was 1996, I was out in San Francisco and I wanted to create a website to share stories, pictures, and gossip with my friends. Although I don't work at facebook, I do work in social media at CarePages and I'd like to spend some of my free time looking ahead to the next industry that has the potential to make meaningful, postive, and sweeping changes in our lives.