This guy Graham Bergh collects thousands of these things every year and makes, of all things, bottle openers out of them. It’s actually a pretty cool thing when you think about it. Not only does it look pretty cool, but it’s easy to keep around. The tensile strength of the circle of chain is enough to give you more than enough leverage on the bottle cap, and it hangs on your belt or key chain very easily. In an all around kind of way, this thing is well worth the paltry 14 bucks.

And it doesn’t stop there! The only chains that get turned into bottle openers are the ones that are so messed up that they can’t be used for anything else. Any of the chains they collect that could still be worked into something usable are sent to a non-profit that teaches kids how to maintain their own bikes. It’s like an extra little something to make you feel that much better about this purchase. It looks cool, it works, it keeps trash off the ground, and it helps educate children. That’s pretty damn hard to beat.

This is probably the ten billionth thing I’ve written about that’s recycled, but I can’t help it. Recycled stuff is where it’s at, and there are obviously a lot of cool things you can do with this stuff.

First, keep in mind how garlic works. When you first plant it, it goes into what I like to call the “dormant” stage. Sure, it’s not really dormant in the classical sense of the word, but it’s dormant in the sense that it isn’t going to be turning any heads for a while. In most parts of the country, the winter is a time for garlic to store up energy and weather the bad… weather. That is, it spends all its time storing up energy all winter for its impressive skyward explosion in the spring time.

Because of this, it’s ok to plant garlic a little later than you’d plant other crops, and that’s great because not everyone plans as well as they should. All you have to do is get yourself a clove of garlic and drop it into the ground. It’s fairly simple, but keep a few things in mind.

First, stay away from garlic you buy in the grocery store if you can. This garlic is often treated with a chemical that inhibits the growth of roots to make the bulbs keep longer on the shelves. Second, make sure you’re getting a breed that is suitable for the time of year you’re planting and the part of the country you live in. Some people find that “hard neck” varieties often do better in harsher climates, but that can sometime be a subjective estimation and you should decide for yourself what’s best.

Also, don’t forget that if it’s too late to plant your garlic outside, there’s always the option to grow it indoors in pots. There are a lot of great, eco-friendly pot options out there that can be a great substitution for outdoor planting.

Thankfully, there’s something to do with this food waste other than simply chucking it into the trash: compost it. Composting is one of those ridiculously simple things that just about anyone can do, but barely anyone actually does. There are a lot of reasons for this, but primarily it’s because most people live in apartments, and they therefore think they can’t get do composting. They worry about the smell, the mess, and a number of other things that they really don’t need to worry about.

The truth is that composting doesn’t really smell all that bad, and will only have a noticeable smell if you’re doing it incorrectly. If you keep a proper balance of mulch or peat moss, then your compost should have a very earthy, very sweet smell. It shouldn’t smell like rotting food, so that takes care of the smell issue.

In terms of the mess one can expect from composting indoors, well a lot of that is based on you. Improper care of your composting bin will definitely lead to some cleanliness issues, but that could be said about any other appliance you use. With regular maintenance and a little common sense, keeping your composting bin clean should not be difficult at all. In fact, there are a lot of different composting bins online that are perfectly suited to being used in an apartment setting. If you don’t have any experience with composting, these bins are a great way to get started. Sometimes you can even find full kits with everything you need to get started.

All of us can do a little more to lower our negative footprint on the world. While it’s definitely better to just not waste the food in the first place, composting can be a good way to do something useful with the food you would otherwise just toss away. At least this way you get some great soil for an indoor herb garden or something like that.

Not only do we have them to thank for most of the fruits and nuts that we see in the grocery store, but they produce a number of extremely useful byproducts throughout the course of their lives. These byproducts can be used in any number of awesome home crafts that are very easy and economical to make– chief among them being lip balm. Keeping in line with our theme of talking about great homemade products, and with an eye toward the coming winter months, now is as good a time as ever to talk about making your own lip balm.

Lip balm is actually much easier to make than you would think. While you can easily make it yourself with a bunch of research, you can bypass all that research by simply buying yourself a kit. These kits are very easy to find online, and their costs vary a lot depending on a number of different factors. The biggest thing that will drive up the price of your homemade lip balm kit will be the exact type of beeswax you get with it.

For example, take a look at organic beeswax. Some people look at the organic label as mandatory for anything they buy or use in their home. However, to provide you with organic beeswax, farmers need to take extra measures to make sure their bees are only able to come into contact with organically grown feed crops. This extra expense translates into a much more expensive product for you at checkout. If it’s worth it to you, then great– if not, then keep looking.

Aside from the type of beeswax you get with your kit, the size of the kit itself will also have a big impact on your final costs. However, this is mitigated in the long term due to the affordability of making the lip balm in bulk.

If you’re interested in taking on this fun, simple, and engaging project, you’ll be glad to know that it’s not difficult to find these kits online. There are even a lot of local retailers that sell them, and you should focus your search on home-craft or home hobby stores.

There is, in fact, a good chance that the first generation of alternative fuels (biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal power and heat) will not be abandoned any time soon. They have demonstrated potential, they are cheaper when compared to the emerging technologies and they are marketable. Their future use depends on further research into existing potential, specifically in the developing countries, and on addressing issues related to their effects on the environment and to societal approval.

Second generation technologies include solar heating, photovoltaics, wind power, solar thermal power stations and modern forms of bioenergy. The markets for these have been growing in the recent decade, coinciding with the rise of green consciousness, and some notable countries are spearheading the movement. Germany, Spain, the United States and Japan have major economic sectors already dedicated to furthering the emergence and the acceptance of these technologies. Many industrial and financial companies have come on board as well, sensing an emerging market and the next wave of major profit-generating ventures.

Third generation alternative energy technologies are still under development and they include: advanced biomass gasification, biorefinery technologies, hot-dry-rock geothermal power and ocean energy. All of them need further research as they have not yet demonstrated any real potential. Billions of dollars are needed to further their research and development, though many of them are promising enough to find the funding necessary in the near future. The demand is rising and it will soon be a question of which of these emerging technologies is cheaper, which one leaves a lighter footprint on the planet, and which one is logistically easier to adapt to the existing infrastructure. It will be a race and, hopefully, we will all be winners in this one.

Alongside other countries, Canada continues to lead the emergence and application of alternative fuels. In addition to the federal government recently announcing its intention to invest another $1.5 billion in renewable energies, many of the country’s regions are already developing their own green energy programs. One example comes from Alberta where customers of EPCOR have the unique option of choosing some or all of their power to come from renewable sources (wind or solar).

Air pollutions has for a long time been associated with health risks and numerous studies exist that point out that connection. CBC reports that thousands of Canadians die annually as a result of air pollution. The situation is undoubtedly direr in less developed countries where this negative trend is not as closely monitored and the issue goes largely unnoticed. If not for the sake of our burdened planet, then for the sake of ourselves and our children, we should focus on quickly phasing out the polluting technologies and on turning to renewable sources of power.

Regardless of the cost.

There is certainly no shortage to the number of renewable energy flashlights out there. Whether solar powered, shakeable, or crack up, these eco friendly devices don’t rely on the energy of fossil fuels. One company has now added another option to the list with their water powered electronic device. Such a fuel source would be perfect for any camper and supply a cheap and easy energy source.

Named the NoPoPo Water Powered Flashlight, the device can run on water, beer, coke, and even urine. Use it as an emergency light source or and everyday lantern. As long as the battery is supplied with water, the light will stay on. The flashlight would make a great gift for an electronics geek or an avid camper. Portable and durable, the light can easy be put to good use. You can purchase the NoPoPo Water-Powered Flashlight for $54 from the Japan Trend Shop.

Source: GeekyGadgets

Through the website you can order shipping supplies which enable you to ship those recyclables directly from via USPS, UPS or Fed Ex (depending on the size of the package it seems). The shipping supplies are specific to each item, so battery shipment can only contain batteries etc, unlike the single stream curbside recycling they also offer though not in all locations. After ordering and receiving the boxes you can fill them at your leisure. When the package is full, seal it and mail it. If you sign up on their website for “My Green Activity” on the “Think Green From Home” website you can also:

• Receive a recycling certificate via email for each kit returned

• Track your recycling progress online

• Receive a free postage paid Waste Management cell phone/ink cartridge recycling bag with each recycling kit ordered

• Sign up for Auto Reorder – when your return a kit, we can
  automatically send your a new one

There is a fee for the recycling units which basically really covers the return shipping fees to recycle the items, but it really is a great service for those of us that can’t get out to recycling centers or don’t have a curbside recycling service, or simply cannot find recycling facilities in their area for certain items. Kudos to Waste Management for offering the service!

Just because winter has finally arrived in full force, there is no excuse not to try to ride your bike to work.  The cold has gripped the country, even as far south as Florida, but neither cold nor snow should stop those of you who regularly commute to work on a bicycle when the weather is nicer.  Here are some tips for battling the wintry weather.

Firstly, make sure you have the proper gear that combats the wind and still gives you control.  Gloves, not mittens, neck gaiters, and extra socks will keep you nice and cozy throughout the ride. Balaclavas are particularly useful, and waterproof boots are a must. It is important to keep your fingers, toes, neck and face warm as they will be exposed to the wind the most.  When getting ready, think of riding through the winter similar to winter skiing and prepare in such a way. Since you will be exerting energy, it is not vital that your core needs to be covered more than usual, as you will warm up naturally.

Secondly, make sure you are safe when riding.  Lights and reflectors are a must, more so than a normal ride, especially considering it gets darker much earlier in the winter. Biking in the snow is not meant to be fashionable; your outer wear must be visible and eye-catching. Some bike lanes may not be as easily accessible with snow, and many drivers are not used to sharing the roads with cyclists in the winter. Also, the same route that is used during the rest of the year may not be the safest or most accessible during the winter, so plan accordingly.

Thirdly, maintain your bike and set it up to ride in the winter.  Remove the pedal clips to allow more freedom, and add on some mud flaps to help control the slush.  After a ride, make sure to dry off the bike and ensure the brakes are still in working order. It also may be wise to invest in a less flashy junker bike that you don’t mind getting battered and beaten.

Riding your bike in the winter requires more work and care than when the weather is nice, but the rewards far exceed the cost. The commute saves gas, money, and it is very likely it saves time as well. And of course, there is the added satisfaction of knowing you are doing something positive for the environment. Upon arrival at work, everyone will know how you traveled, and some may be think about doing the same.

Ah yes the great holiday tradition of 100 ways to use leftovers! In our house this isn’t something that is solely reserved for the holidays though it is something we practice every day.
According to a report from the Stockholm International Water Institute “as much as 30 percent of food, worth some $48.3 billion, is discarded in the USA alone.” That is a staggering fact. Imagine going on your holiday grocery shopping trip and then just throwing 30% of it into a dumpster? The resources used to grown, manufacturer, package and ship the food all wasted! Not to mention throwing the money straight there with it, after all frugality and green living often go hand in hand. The holidays are a great time of year to get into the habit of using leftovers and actually consuming the food we buy on a regular basis. How many times have you found that UFO (unidentified food object) in the back of the fridge? A half container of yogurt gone bad? Meat products well past their use by date? Or packets in the cupboard that even Old Mother Hubbard wouldn’t touch? All these things can be avoided with some basic kitchen planning.

Check the fridge daily for items nearing their use by dates, pull them to the front and USE THEM. If you have leftovers make sure to eat them in the next day or two to avoid spoiling. We all know that over the holidays we get tired of Turkey, Turkey stew, Turkey soup, Turkey Sandwiches, but better to be tired of it than to get sick FROM it!: Some families find it helps to have a shelf just for “Use
today/tomorrow” items. When preparing meals or snacks you can see
instantly what SHOULD be used. If the items can be frozen and you know you won’t be able to use them in time, then freeze them now.

Once every 3 -6 months check those cupboards. We all have those jars and packets that seem to get shoved aside each season, buried at the back of the cupboard, this is especially important with those holiday food items. Ours was a jar of pickled onions bought for a family holiday gathering. I thought my father-in-law wanted them, turns out no-one did. In the cupboard they remain… If you know that you won’t be using the item, see if friends/family want them? It’s not charity, it’s good sense! Better the item be used than gathering dust.

A few simple steps to take to avoid wasting food, energy, resources and money.