I was surprised on a recent trip to the Disney Animal Kingdom. At every turn there was a new use for something old, recycled or just plain earth friendly. No I am not saying the whole park is this way, but small changes to a destination with such popularity turns out to be huge. Which is why I took a straw home to research! Aardvark is the name of the company and they have been manufacturing paper straws since 1888. That is right. 1888!

There are all different sizes and price points. You really need to check it out. AND if you are a business owner they can even do custom printing!

One more conversation starter!

      

With Earth Hour coming, Saturday March 28th at 8:30, I want you to think about it more than "how is 1 hour in MY house going to change anything?"

Here are some very simple ways you can change just one thing in your house ONLY ONCE and make a difference:

Facial Tissue
If every household in the United States replaced just one box of virgin fiber facial tissues (175 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 163,000 trees.

Toilet Paper
If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber toilet paper (500 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 423,900 trees.

Paper Towels
If every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 544,000 trees.
(Seriously, they are not touching a delicate body part!)

Napkins
If every household in the United States replaced just one package of virgin fiber napkins (250 count) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 1 million trees.
(Seriously, they are not touching a delicate body part either!)

(If you want the full report please go to: NRDC)

If every house changed one roll, imagine if you turned off the electricity in every room of your house/ apartment for 1 hour.

Big stuff. And hey, it is kind of fun to hangout in the dark.

Go play some flashlight tag!

      

Lets face it unless you live in an area that makes it really easy to recycle, it can be annoying. Then the question of what can be recycled? (I'll cover that another time) But for today know there are programs out there to help.

For instance Waste Management (WM) has taken the bull by the horns and implemented a mail-back program for CLF light bulbs, batteries and computers. Take a look at them ThinkGreenFromHome Now I admit, it seemed expensive for disposing of a light bulb but when I read on the return packaging is for 13!

So I'm going to see. I think we'll start a box for bulbs and see where it goes.
(and hey if you are close with your neighbors you can always combine!)

As for those Juice Boxes, that are oh so convenient, Terracycle has those covered. A postage-paid bag is sent to you, AND... you will get back .02¢ per box for the charity/school of your choice. .02¢ is not a lot, but it is something, and I love this one, because it gets the kids involved. They feel good for recycling, earn money with simple act of kindness and can see the end result with products made from their recycling effort. Take a look Terracycle.net they have EVEN MORE going on.

I have already brought this program up to the local school, and with the summer coming there will definately be a juice box, box at our house.