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Find an Environmental Job

October 14, 2009 in Community by Jennifer | No comments

Environmental jobs are becoming more and more popular and that’s a good thing. Cleaner jobs mean a cleaner environment overall, plus it allows people to really submerge themselves in a career that matters. If you’re looking for a green job though, the newspaper and typical job boards aren’t the best place to start. You’ll usually need to do some targeted job searches with organizations who frequently share environmental job opportunities. Although, it’s smart to note that job boards are not the only way to find work.

First of all, think outside the typical job board. For general green jobs you can check out green companies on a one-by-one basis. For example, Gaiam, Origins, The Arbor Day Foundation and Whole Foods all have career pages that update fairly frequently, as do many other green companies. You can also walk into a green company and talk with the staff and owners.

Secondly, network with others interested in green living and green careers. Choose a thriving green forum or interactive green social networking site and make pals. You may learn about companies you never even knew existed.

Thirdly take a look at those job boards I mentioned above. Some good environmental job boards include… Read the rest of this entry »

Can You Green Your Move?

April 16, 2009 in Community, Green Your Home by Jennifer | 2 comments

Greening a move to a new home is a tough one. Hands down, one of the greenest moves you can make is not to move at all. Find a location you like (a green community preferably) and stay put.

Moving creates waste, uses oodles of energy (depending on where you move to), and creates a need for disposables. For example, it’s common to see a family eat a ton of take-out, or use paper plates during a move.

That said, we don’t always have a choice. Sometimes a move to a new home is unavoidable. In that case, the second best thing you can do is to try and green your move.

GENERAL GREEN MOVING TIPS:

GREEN BOX TIPS:

Use recycled boxes. You can get freebies at grocery stores, warehouse stores, or my favorite – liquor stores. Liquor boxes rock because many have compartments (good for glasses and vases) and are super strong. If the great box hunt is not for you contact a recycled box retailer or exchange site like:

You can also check with local moving companies, many carry recycled boxes now. By the way, just for fun, after you move, save your boxes and build a killer desk.

GREEN PACKING TIPS:

Don’t use polystyrene packing peanuts – these are a huge eco-baddie because they’re made from non-renewable resources. You should use biodegradable packing peanuts – they dissolve in water and can even be composted. Get some at U-Haul.

Save all sorts of recycled stuff for packing – old bubble wrap, which is not eco-friendly, at least can be used again and again to pack breakables. Newspaper and tissue paper are good to save as well for packing.

Padding Paper is great for breakables. It’s 100% recyclable and has a, “Honeycomb-embossed corrugated texture that gives it impact-absorbing qualities when wrapped or folded around delicate items.”

ABOUT THE MOVING TRUCK:

This is one of those areas where almost nothing will help you stay green. No matter if you move by car or truck, you’re gonna use gas. If you’re moving cross country, you’re going to use tons of it. That said, following are some ideas and tips.

In Move Across the Country the Eco-Friendly Way, Planet Green suggests moving by train, or shipping items by train, rather than by truck because trains are more efficient.

See if any local moving truck companies near you are using eco-friendly trucks. Some are, but it can take some searching and luck to find a company near you. You’ll have more luck if you live in a larger area – like L.A.

Do you have any green moving tips to share?

On-the-go green gear you need

March 27, 2009 in Community by Jennifer | No comments

Yesterday we started to look at how you can keep it green outside the home front. So far we checked out green consumer know-how, and today we’ll look at some must have on-the-go green gear.

When you leave your house it’s good to be stocked up on all the green gear you’ll need when you’re out and about. Here are some ideas…

Reusable bags – it’s silly to use paper and plastic store bags when you can take your own. A good set of reusable bags for a large family can cost as little as $40 – less if you’re willing to settle. Keep in mind though, the better the bags the longer they last. You’ll have to re-buy less frequently and that means a smaller footprint. I have some recycled cotton reusable bags that are super nice – and didn’t cost much.

Other reusable baggies: Besides reusable grocery bags you can also invest in some reusable produce bags and snack bags for kids on the go. Good options are:

Reusable water bottles: Each family member should have their own reusable water bottle. Water bottles are sort of a long topic though. There are some that are made safer than others, some that can be recycled and some that can’t, and some that leak or don’t. To get an idea about good water bottle choices read the following:

Reusable coffee mug: If you like to stop for coffee or tea, make sure you’ve got at least two reusable coffee mugs in your car. Two is smart because you can switch out as each one needs washed.

Above are the most basic green items you need when you’re on-the-go. Of course if you own a laptop, have a baby, or carry work stuff around you can focus on keeping gear for these activities green too. For example, choose organic cotton laptop bags over conventional and so fourth.

What other green essentials can you think of for on-the-go ease?

Be a good green consumer

March 25, 2009 in Community by Jennifer | 4 comments

Because this blog is “Best Green Home Tips” I tend to discuss green home options – ideas for in and around the home-front. However, I’m betting you leave the house once in a while (hoping), so this week I thought we’d look a few issues that happen outside the home. A few issues that affect your family when you’re on the go include shopping options, transport, and on the go green gear. We’re not going to stray too far from home but these are important eco-issues so we should take a peek at least.

Today; how to be a better green consumer.

This is actually something we’ve looked at a little here. Check out the post Is This Product Really A Smart Green Choice?

When it comes to finding a green company, one that you actually want to buy from and support you want to look for the following traits:

  • A local company over a distant company (whenever possible).
  • A company who has some sort of eco goal or statement that’s backed up. Look for a company brochure or check out their website. Look for green minded goals that aren’t greenwashing. For example, a company who makes bleach, yet claims to be green because they recycle is pretty iffy – their goals and actions collide and not in a green way.
  • A company who doesn’t test on animals.
  • A company who uses minimal packaging for their products and when they do package they go with recycled content.

To learn about various companies you can visit some of the following sites:

  • Climate Counts = rates companies and gives them scores based on the companies impact (or non-impact) on global warming. You can even print out a pocket scorecard to carry in your wallet.
  • For beauty product safety visit Skin Deep.
  • Visit Caring Consumer to learn about companies that do and do not test on animals.
  • Co-op America has a basic green code that their listed companies follow. This is a great place to find merchants with your eco-ethics. They also have LOADS of green shopping guides available for free download.

How do you make greener shopping decisions?

Do you live in one of the most polluted U.S. states or cities?

March 3, 2009 in Air Quality, Community, Water by Jennifer | No comments

Where you live is as important as your green home. Obviously a green home is important, but it can only go so far; there are better and worse places to set up camp.

First the states… How can you find out how polluted your state is? Many places compile info like this, but if you want to get picky, it’ll take a little searching.

Overall pollution: For a broad look at pollution in your area, check out the following sites…

Air quality: You can check The AirData Web site for access to air pollution data for the entire United States. You can learn about the highest ozone level measured in your state last year, where air pollution monitoring sites are located, sources of air pollution in your town, and more. If you’re looking for indoor air quality check out this EPA site.

Water quality: The USDA has a massive water quality page; good for an overall view of water where you live. If you want fast specifics on water safety in your local area read this post; Earth Friendly Beverages for more info.

If you’re moving at some point, and where is somewhat up to you, AND you’d like to make a smarter, greener choice about where you live read Choose A Green Community.

How much do you know about pollution in your local area?

Live simply for a better, greener life

February 25, 2009 in Community, Healthy Green Home by Jennifer | 2 comments

Living simply is not all that complicated, but it can take effort. Simple living is basically learning to live happily on less stuff. Learning to enjoy people over things. Trying to live more of life in nature and reconnecting to what matters. Of course there’s a lot more to simple living than what I wrote above (we’d be here all day). For more tips on what simple living is and is not read one or all of the following…

Why is simple living green?

It limits the possessions you own, thus cutting your footprint and saves both energy and resources.

It connects you with both nature and community – both of these connections are necessary for people who care about the planet. You can’t hope to protect the earth and it’s members if you aren’t invested.

It allows you to live sustainably naturally as you look for other options (i.e. non-money, simple options) over the typical American goal of having more, more, more.

It incorporates healthy living and lifestyle choices which gears your thinking toward issues like eco-exercise, organic food, and healthy body and natural cleaning choices.

Are you living simply – or is life sort of bogging you down?

Choose A Green Community

October 10, 2008 in Community by Jennifer | 2 comments

Part of living green is based on green building material choices for your home. Another green consideration is house size (the smaller the better). It’s also important to think about the goods you bring into your home. Working on all of the above help you to achieve green living. However, another green living choice is your community.

Community matters, or it should. I think people sometimes forget that where they live is just as important as the building materials around them. You can have a green home, far from green spaces, but that seems somehow redundant – don’t you think?

If you’re moving or building and want to go green, and build a love of nature and the earth in your kids, then look for the following in a community…
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