TerraCycle’s Upcycling Valentine’s Day Program

Once again TerraCycle is at the forefront of upcycling and reusing products for a brighter future for all of us. They are ready for Valentine’s Day with a few DIY upcycling ideas.

While cleaning up trash doesn’t seem like a romantic way to spend the day, you can celebrate the holiday and effect real-world change with special Valentine’s Day items, products and decorations in Trash Tycoon, Facebook’s first upcycling game from Guerillapps and TerraCycle. In the game, you can clean up trash and upcycle it to fun products like necklaces, Valentine’s Day cards and heart shaped wreaths to send to friends or to decorate your town. Players’ hearts will swell because Trash Tycoon creates positive social impact by donating 10% of in-game dollars to environmental projects sponsored by CarbonFund.org.

Next, love Mother Earth and your Valentine by making an upcycled necklace out of Kraft Cheese wrappers or chocolate wrappers, just like the necklace in Trash Tycoon! TerraCycle’s Design Junkies have brought the beaded necklace into the real world with simple, do-it-yourself instructions available for download here: bit.ly/ValentineBraceletDIY, these bracelets are sure to be a hit with children of all ages while also educating them on the importance of recycling and upcycling. You can also check out this video for step-by-step instructions:

Finally, Valentine’s Day and candy go together like peas and carrots, but the packaging can be a real heartbreaker. All those red and pink wrappers left over from sweet treats can be sent to TerraCycle through Mars’ Candy Wrapper Brigade to be recycled and earn money for charity. Signing up is free and easy at www.terracycle.com.

About TerraCycle:
TerraCycle, Inc. is an international upcycling and recycling company that takes difficult-to recycle-packaging and turns it into affordable, innovative products.  Founded in 2001, TerraCycle (www.terracycle.com) is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste. TerraCycle works with more than 30 major brands in the U.S. and around the world to collect used packaging and products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It repurposes that waste into new, innovative materials and products that are available online and through major retailers. The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay for every piece of waste collected and returned. For information on how to join a TerraCycle Brigade and on purchasing TerraCycle products please visit www.terracycle.com.

Guest Post: Be Plastic-Smart: Remember to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Plastic is one of the most convenient materials to use, but it’s also one of the least recycled items on the planet. Plastic is non-biodegradable and virtually indestructible, so the presence of plastic in landfills only add to existing pollution, and these discarded materials can stay there for years and years. And while we can’t stop using plastic altogether because of its multitude of practical uses (plus, an Austrian study by a consultancy called Denkstatt shows that replacing plastic packaging with alternatives would triple the total packaging mass, and would use twice as much energy in producing), we should take measures in helping reduce discarded plastic in landfills all over the world (the Environmental Protection Agency reports that almost 3 trillion plastic bags were used in the US in just 2009-2011).

Recycling and reusing isn’t as difficult as it seems. Developing the habit of doing this would not only benefit the environment, but would help foster a positive attitude about things in general. Here are some tips to help you start getting into the green habit:

Check the packaging. A lot of companies are now very environment-conscious, and have started using packaging made of recycled content. The recycled content and recyclability of the item can also be found on the packaging, so checking before you put anything the shopping cart helps you find better options.

Think ‘reusability’. Resourcefulness is a trait that is not only practical and smart; it can also be good for the environment. You might not realize it now, but there are a lot of everyday things we purchase that can be reused or even repurposed, especially plastic items. From storage to do-it-yourself scour pads, there are a lot of ways to reuse household items. Plus, this environment-friendly practice saves you a lot of money too! Why buy something from the store when you already have what you need at home?

If you don’t need it, don’t use it. Conservation is key. We use a lot of resources in our day-to-day lives, and sometimes we take them for granted. Water and electricity, for example, are essential things in our lives. Turn off the lights and other electric items, and shut off faucets when not in use. In the same way, if you can use alternative items instead of plastic, use them instead. Go shopping with a reusable bag or opt for a paper bag instead of plastic. Think of plastic as an item that should be used only when needed. This way you can reduce the need for plastic items daily.

There are a lot of ways you can help reduce plastic pollution. From choosing plastic alternatives to purchasing items made out of recycled materials (such as plastic garbage bags with 80% recycled content from PlasticPlace.net), you can easily come up with your own environment-conscious practices to suit your lifestyle.

Guest Post: Truly The Best Way To Go Green

There is much advice to be taken about becoming environmentally friendly, ecologically conscious, and living sustainably — in other words - going greens. As people, our combined efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, recycle, and use renewable energy sources like wind, biofuel and solar energy will go a long way toward improving the state of our world. But perhaps the best way that we can improve the environment is to take personal responsibility for consuming less resources. Consuming fewer resources doesn't just mean turning off the water when you brush your teeth or flipping off the lights in the hallway when you go to bed. Consuming less is a comprehensive strategy for conserving our natural habitats by changing our societal roles from that of passive consumers to active citizens. Here are a few ways to 'go green' by consuming less:

Don't rely on fuel to move. For hundreds and thousands of years humans got around without spewing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. Clearly, in today's world there are times when we must transport ourselves quickly and for those occasions automobiles may be necessary. But as a citizen who is a part of the ecology that is suffering from global warming, make the decision to take public transportation, or choose to walk, go for a jog, or ride your bike. Make a conscious effort to consume less fuel.

Don't buy furniture without a C2C certification. Having a Cradle 2 Cradle certification means that the furniture was manufactured using sustainable lumber and energy-efficient production methods. It also ensures that your furniture won't have toxic chemicals in it and will be easy to recycle. The C2C standard can be applied just as meaningfully to appliances, buildings, and urban conditions as well.

Shop from local markets and merchants who don't use plastic. Stop buying materials packaged in non-sustainable plastics and non-biodegradable materials. When you buy groceries, don't get them from big grocery stores that spray their vegetables with pesticides. Instead, get them from local farmer's markets and take them home in your eco-friendly bags. Stop supporting chains that are wasteful.

In general, you should think about consuming less as a standard practice. Though we live in a consumer society, excessive commerce supports a mental environment of waste, indulgence, and un-sustainability. This translates into a physical environment of decimated ecosystems, over-fished oceans, and polluted skies. If we can curb our wasteful habits together, we will reduce our global footprint and live in harmony with the natural environment.

Five Ways to Make Your Move Green [sponsored]

Moving is a part of life. It can be from one home to another, going off to college or moving a business from one location to another. When moving or relocating there are certain environmentally unfriendly practices that cannot be avoided. However, you can still take a few eco-friendly measures when getting from here to there that may end up leaving you with a little extra green of your own.

• Conserve Fuel

You cannot substantially reduce the distance from point A to point B, but you can reduce the number of trips back and forth though. A smaller moving vehicle may be cheaper, but springing for the bigger truck reduces trips. You get the savings by spending less on fuel. Consider transporting smaller items in advance to further reduce the number of trips during the actual move. Place more items in boxes to make more room in the truck. Avoid using extra packing materials by wrapping breakables in blankets, towels or sheets that you need to pack anyway. Make sure you or the mover takes the most direct route possible to further cut back on fuel usage.

• Recycle Moving Materials

Before running out to buy a bunch of packing boxes, check with local business to see if they have extra boxes they can give you. This is not only environmentally friendly, but saves you a little money from buying so many packing boxes. Another source of packing materials is your local paper. Some people sell or give away moving boxes and packing materials. You can do the same once you complete your move. Consider placing some items in reusable bags that you normally use for grocery shopping. If you are moving a short distance, place some items in bins and storage containers instead of boxes.

• Do It Yourself

Consider renting a truck for the weekend and making the move yourself. During the week you can prepare for the move by transporting as much as you can in your own car. Ask friends to help with this task. If it is not practical for you to do the moving yourself, try to take care of as many small details as you can before the movers come. Pack items yourself. While moving services can do it for you, they do not always focus on making an effort to go green. You are likely to pack more items in one box. Be realistic about how much you stuff in a box though. Your green effort loses steam if your boxes break in the transport effort.

• Have a Moving Sale

Chances are that you have some stuff you have long been planning to get rid of at some point. Why take it with you just to stick it back in the attic or basement? Having a moving sale to get rid of clothes and other odds and ends you do not really need or use anymore. Not only does this cut back on the number of items you have to transport, but you earn a few bucks in the process. Put the money you make from the moving sale towards fuel or vehicle rental costs.

• Use Technology to Reduce Wasted Trips

If you are scoping out a new apartment or house, avoid making wasted trips. Instead of going back and forth to different locations, considering using Google Earth and other Internet-based tools. This way you get a real-time look at a location without making repeated trips. Once you select a location, try to make as many arrangements over the phone or via the Internet as possible. This way your only major trip is the day you actually move. Use Google Maps and other GPS-based tools to map out the best way to get to your location. Hired movers may not always choose the quickest way.

While saving the planet is not always your biggest priority when moving, a little advance planning and attention to details can reduce your carbon footprint and save you a few bucks in the process. In the end, it's a win-win situation for you and the planet. One more thing. If you are doing the moving yourself, avoid the temptation to throw your bottle of water or any food you get along the way into the trash at your first stop. Use Earth911′s iRecycle app to find the nearest recycling locations along your route. Mother Nature will appreciate the effort.

Author Bio:
Becky Harris is the head copywriter for U-Pack moving companies.

8 Eco-Friendly Ways to Pimp Out your Home Office [sponsored]

Adding elegance, environmental concern and style to any home office and living space

Glass whiteboards, also called glass dry ease boards, add a classy edge to any home office. These multi-functional tools are ideal for idea-generation and to keep the lines of communication open between your coworkers and your family members. Simply record messages, daily schedules, weekly to-dos, and even grocery lists on this handy, central communication tool.

When it comes to a stylish office, glass whiteboards have many eco-friendly benefits over traditional chalkboards, cork-style bulletin boards and even traditional whiteboards. Check out the following earth friendly benefits and pimp out your home office with the stylish elegance of a glass whiteboard for 2012.

1. Glass whiteboards produce less mess: By virtually eliminating dust—especially compared to the mess that traditional chalkboards make—glass whiteboards are high style with low maintenance. Chalk has a habit of producing a lot of dust that creates a dirty layer of dust on the surface of your computer, your keyboard, your lighting and your furniture. Chalk dust not only causes damage, but can create a hazardous breathing environment, especially for asthma sufferers.

2. Glass holds up longer over time: If you compare traditional dry erase whiteboards that experience a “ghosting” or deteriorating effect from markers use with glass dry erase boards—which don’t deteriorate at all over time.

3. Glass dry erase boards offer a clear solution to office clutter: If you work from home and want a pimp office, a glass white board will virtually reduce paper use (e.g., sticky notes) and fade into the background when you don’t need it so it doesn’t clutter your home office or small work/living space.

4. An all-around purpose surface: Glass dry erase boards are true multifunctional tools in every sense of the word, for instance they double as projection screens for slide shows and presentations; they act as office schedulers and organizers; and they’re used general bulletin boards for posting research notes, messages and even inspirational photos.

5. Glass whiteboards eliminate paper waste: Simply use less paper—such as office note pads, Post-it notes, graph paper and print outs by sharing information via your glass whiteboard.

6. Its recyclable: You can recyclable the glass surface—even including the metal hardware. Plus, they are completely free of plastics, formaldehyde, paint and adhesives—so your home or office will never be exposed to toxic vapors or gases.

7. Purchase for the long term: You don’t need to replace glass whiteboards as often as you do traditional white-coated dry erase boards or chalk boards because the glass surface is strong, stays clean and doesn’t break down as quickly.

8. It’s even eco-friendly to clean them: Compared to the chemical solvent sprays you have to use to erase dry clean marker from traditional whiteboards, you can easily clean a glass whiteboard with green-friendly and organic glass cleaners that are safe if pets or kids are exposed.