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We Live In A Single Serve Society Thursday, June 17th, 2010 Walk into any school lunchroom (well, school is over now) or summer-camp cafeteria and what do you see?  Single serving containers!  Everything, unfortunately, comes single-serving: utensils, yogurt, cheese, crackers/chips, popsicles, juice/water, I can go on and on.  But this is not limited to the children’s arena.  In offices or at home, too, you can find a plethora of single serving food and drinks. Oatmeal, coffees (Starbucks VIA ready Brew) or coffee pods that you (yikes!) throw away.  At least compost, please. How about Crystal Light’s single serve powders that I’ve seen people empty into their plastic water bottles.  Now that’s a double eco-whammy!  Don’t get me started on the condiments. The one single serving product I remember vividly as a kid: mini cereal boxes.  Not only are most of these horridly unhealthy (that’s a whole different blog), but they sit right beside their larger counterparts on the grocery store shelves.  Talk about a marketing ploy: what kid wouldn’t want that cute mini box of Fruit Loops?  I have seen large platters of these stacked boxes, in neat pyramids, I might add, at hotels as part of the free continental breakfasts. I find it surprising that these single-serve products are not only still here, but more and more seem to be available.  As consumers, we are growing more concerned about the environment and demanding more eco-friendly  products and packaging.  To many of us, then, it’s a no-brainer.  Single-serving products are more expensive and use more packaging which is therefore, wasteful.  Corporations, though, always feel the need to be one step ahead of its consumers. With obesity on the rise, these “single servings” are supposed to help with portion control.  Wouldn’t you think purchasing a larger container of yogurt (cheaper) and using a reusable container (better for the environment)be the better choice? Unfortunately, in the fast paced world that we live in, the battle of convenience often trumps the opportunity cost and that’s sad.  Here are two blog posts that I found interesting about single serving products. Fake Plastic Fish Growing a Greener Family Tags: eco-friendly, green ideas, green tips, single serve, single serving, VIA Ready Brew, water bottles Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

A No-Brainer For The Summer Traveler Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 It’s hot and we need to stay hydrated.  But to what expense?  If you are an avid airline traveler, then you know the drill:  guzzle down that $3 (and at some airports $5!!) bottled water before walking through the security check point. How many of you have actually tossed that half full (or half empty) bottle into the trash (or hopefully recycling bin), just so you can get to your gate on time?  And since you want to have water while on the plane, once again, you shell out another $3–$5 (to those price gougers) for yet an additional disposable water bottle.  Did you ever think of bringing your own reusable bottle with you?  Just show the security officers that it is empty.  This way, once you walk on the other side of security, all you need to do is find a water fountain or ask one of the myriad of vendors in the terminal to fill with ice and water. Voila!  Not only have you kept the landfill free of bottles (if there’s no recycling available), but now you have your reusable vessel for your travels.   Happy travelling!!! Do you have any green travelling tips you’d like to share?  Here at Earth Promise, we’d love to hear from you. Tags: airplane, disposable water bottles, green travel, reusable bottle, water bottle Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Summer-ize Your Home Monday, May 17th, 2010 Our winter down in South Florida was absolutely a breath of fresh air, (at least to me!!!!)  The fact that I could actually wear jeans was just bliss.  I usually have to crank down the air conditioner by the end of March, but Mother Nature gave us a reprieve this year; I was able to open the windows a few days here and there and I could actually sit on my patio and not feel the sweat dripping down my back. I didn’t have to focus on the AC until just a few weeks ago.  Although the official day of summer is still a few weeks off, it has officially started for us South Floridians!!! That said, here are some much needed ideas on how to cut back on your escalating electricity bills and how you can also leave a lighter carbon footprint: 1. Use ceiling fans as much as possible; it makes the room feel cooler so that you can actually not use your AC or raise the thermostat a few degrees.  They say to have the fan run in a counterclockwise direction to maximize cooling effects. 2. Invest in blackout shades and keep those blinds closed as much as possible.  You’d be surprised how much heat can penetrate through the windows. 3. Have your AC inspected.  I have mine checked out and tuned up twice a year.  This keeps it running smoothly and efficiently which can save you money.  I also change my filters about once a month which aids in efficiency.   4. Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you leave the house.  Truly, it does make a difference over time.  If climate permits, turn the AC off when leaving for the day.   5. Try to cook more with your BBQ and less with your oven.  The oven can raise the temperature in your house.  How about making more salads which don’t require oven/stove cooking?   6. Make sure your gutters are debris-free!  If this happens to be rainy season, then you will want to divert water away from the foundation to avoid mold in these warmer months   7. Make sure you have sturdy seals around your doorways to keep the cool air inside.   8. Be sure to run your dishwasher, washer and dryer in the early morning hours or evening as they produce heat in your home.   What other ideas do you have to summer-ize your home?  As always, Earth Promise would love to hear from you. Tags: air conditioner, blackout shades, carbon footprint, ceiling fans, electricity bill, green, green tips, gutters, summer Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Time For Another Reduce Footprints Challenge Thursday, May 13th, 2010 Yet another great challenge from Reduce Footprints in my email the other day: “Okay … ready for a new challenge? This week’s challenge was suggested by our friend Ange of Signed by Ange. It’s something that many people don’t think twice about but … it generates a lot of waste. Here it is: This week, stop using throw away wipes and cloths (baby wipes, single use window cleaner sheets, duster sheets, etc.). Or … If you never use these kinds of products, please write a post about what you use instead.” I stopped using all paper products over a year ago and haven’t looked back.  Here’s a post I wrote back in February 2009  that talks about my family’s Earth Promise to stop using paper products: “This isn’t a fancy restaurant!” my youngest daughter would say after I replaced my paper napkins with cloth.  One of the many small changes I’ve made in my house over the past year is that we no longer use paper and plastic throwaway products.  Through my girls’ eyes, I’ve added instant glamour to our every day meals.  We were big paper plate/disposable cup users.  I thought this was so much more convenient with children.  If my daughters wanted a bagel, we used a paper plate; if they spilled some water, off to go get a paper towel; if they wanted a drink, they (or I) opted for a disposable plastic cup.  After going to a BBQ dinner at a friend’s house, I realized the amount of paper and plastic waste my family contributed.  Since the napkins become soiled, these paper products, then, were unrecyclable.  Our eco-conscious friends used brightly colored cloth napkins (and we were having BBQ)!  I was so impressed with her amazing collection that I asked her about it.  “It was one of the easiest, yet impactful changes I’ve made,” my friend informed me.  She even puts the cloth napkins and regular (not plastic) utensils in her children’s lunches.  So that was it: from that moment on, I resolved to use up all the paper/plastic disposable products (napkins, cups, paper towels, plastic utensils) that I had left in the house. Here are some easy Earth Promises you can make to replace disposable products in your house:  - To use a hand towel for drying my hands as opposed to using paper towel or napkins  - To use a dish cloth or sponge for wiping up spills as opposed to using paper towel or napkins. - To replace paper napkins with cloth ones:  Many households use the cloth alternative only when company or big family dinners arise.  Make it part of your daily routine. If you don’t want to spend the money right now to purchase a bulk of new cloth napkins, make them from old articles of clothing - To use a lunch box instead of paper or plastic bags. - To use microfiber clothes in lieu of paper towels to clean windows and dusting.  These are a great alternative to the swiffer cloths. Microfiber cloths can be purchased in the auto department Now my girls acknowledge my contribution to the environment as well as their etiquette.  It’s not a matter of us dining as if at a fancy restaurant, but who puts the napkin on their lap first! Making these small changes is a great advantage to the environment and your budget. Think of the money that could be saved by not buying any of these products.   Visit, Earth Promise, for changes that make a difference.   Be sure to also visit Reduce Footprints and read how others have changed their paper-using habits. Tags: cloth napkins, green ideas, green tips, microfiber clothes, paper napkins, paper products, paper twels, reduce footprints Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Winner Of The Best Green Short Right In Our Backyard Thursday, May 6th, 2010 The Garbage of Jupiter Beach, Winner of the Best Green Short Delray Beach Film Festival 2010, was written, directed and produced by Cyndi Lenz and Tina Valant (a friend of EarthPromise) is the still photographer for this winning documentary.  How exciting to have such an award winner right in our backyard!  By the title of this environmental documentary, you’d think it was solely pertaining to a beach clean-up group.  Oh, but it is so much more….. So how did this all come about?  Dog lover and Jupiter resident, Anita Lankler, enjoyed going to Jupiter beach with her furry friends, but soon found out there were many who were opposed to the droppings left behind.  Spearheaded by Anita, a remarkable woman who tirelessly took on the position of leader and administrator, formed a dedicated group of volunteers, cleverly dubbed, The Friends of Jupiter Beach.  They decided to make a deal with the city – not only will dog owners pick up after their dogs, but they will clean up the beach allowing humans and dogs to enjoy the beaches harmoniously. In 1994, a prototype doggy–doo plastic bag was presented to the Jupiter Town Council to be used for beach clean-up and today there are over 250,000 bags printed a year.  Volunteers from The Friends of Jupiter Beach go weekly to replenish these bags.  Also, the first Saturday of every month for the past 15 years there is an organized beach clean-up.  All different groups and ages participate including Cub Scouts, middle schools, colleges, and just plain dog lovers who show up to pick up trash and even sort out the recyclables.  A local company also plays a part, Rapid Removal, and takes the recyclables to the Solid Waste Authority.  Everyone helping to keep our landfills to a minimum!  One Saturday, there were over 300 volunteers.  As of August 2006 (when they started calculating the weight of trash collected) over 20,000 pounds of trash had been collected from Jupiter Beach!  “The weight of a fire truck!” one woman proclaims.  Now that gives you some perspective. So who pays for all of the doggy-poop bags, signage, and complimentary beach clean-up breakfast?  The devoted volunteers from this small beach town, along with local sponsors keep it going.  Anita Lankler passed away in 2003, but The Friends of Jupiter Beach work diligently to keep her vision alive.   Together the volunteers maintain her promise of allowing dogs and dog lovers to enjoy the beaches. Watching the film, The Garbage of Jupiter Beach, makes you want to jump right in.  Not only does it look enjoyable (the catchy tunes and adorable photos of the dogs add to it), but all the assistance obviously contributes to keeping the beaches clean, saving the marine life and keeping the mangroves free of debris. (For information on what mangrove forests protect, click here.)  This is the message director, Cyndi Lenz is sending.  Work together as a town and you can make a world of difference. The people who have spent time volunteering receive a sense of satisfaction that is immeasurable and it is obvious through this film. Be sure to visit Cyndi Lenz’s website, where you can watch the trailer of this award winning environmental documentary.  If you live in the area, there will be a screening of The Garbage of Jupiter Beach at the Mosart Theater in North Palm Beach on Sunday May 9th. Tags: Anita Lankler, beach, beach clean-up, Best Green Short, Cyndi Lenz, Delray Film Festival, documentary, dog, environmental, Garbage of Jupiter Beach, green, green tips, Jupiter Beach, Rapid Removal, recycle, Solid waste Authority, The friends of Jupiter Beach, Tina Valant Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Our Next Generation Making Earth Promises Monday, May 3rd, 2010 In  April, Earth Promise posted a blog  on various Earth Day activities that some schools conducted.  Del Prado Elementary in Boca Raton, Florida had a variety of effortless activities going on.  One day was dedicated to making Earth Promises and posting them as they wish on their classrooms doors or bulletin boards.  Below are some of the fabulous ideas. (To view individual pictures click on the specific photo. To zoom in click on the photo again or hit back to return to the Earth Promise blog page): Tags: april 22, changes, children, climate change, conservation, del prado, del prado elementary school, earth, earth day, earthpromise, eco-friendly, education, environment, environmental, environmental issues, global warming, green, green changes, green living, green practice, green practices, green tips, reduce, reuse, school program, waste Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Happy Earth Day! Thursday, April 22nd, 2010 Everyone at Earth Promise wishes you a Happy Earth Day!  Enjoy the day and celebrate our planet.  Most importantly continue to care for her.  Today, I will not use my words but those of others.  Found a few quotes that I thought would be enlightening on this special day.   “Earth Day is the first completely international and universal holiday that the world has ever known.  Every other holiday was tied to one place, or some political or special event.  This day is tied to Earth itself, and to the place of Earth in the whole solar system.”                                                                       – Anthropologist Margaret Mead “Let every individual and institution now think and act as a responsible trustee of Earth, seeking choices in ecology, economics and ethics that will provide a sustainable future, eliminate pollution, poverty and violence, awaken the wonder of life and foster peaceful progress in the human adventure.”                                                                      – John McConnell, founder of International Earth Day “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”                                                                       -  Dr. Seuss, from The Lorax “Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth are never alone or weary of life.”                                                                      – Writer/Environmentalist Rachel Carson “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”                                                                       – Anthropologist Margaret Mead “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.”                                                                        – Greek Proverb Tags: changes, climate change, conservation, Dr. Seuss, earth, earth day, earth promise, earthpromise, eco-friendly, education, environment, environmental, environmental issues, environmental movement, global warming, green, green changes, green living, green revolution, John McConnell, Margaret Mead, Rachel Carson, The Lorax Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Earth Day 2010: Disneynature’s OCEANS – Donations Made to Save Coral Reefs Tuesday, April 20th, 2010 Last year at this time, Disneynature, celebrated Earth Day 2009 with the incredible debut of their movie EARTH.  This was an adaptation from the award winning series “Planet Earth” series from The BBC and Discovery Channel.  This year, they are releasing OCEANS, a second installment of the series to ring in Earth Day 2010.  Directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud dive deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind, exploring the harsh reality and the amazing creatures that live within. Featuring spectacular, never-before-seen imagery captured by the latest underwater technologies, OCEANS offers an unprecedented look beneath the sea in a powerful motion picture. The film comes out this Thursday, April 22nd.   Not that you need an added incentive to see this film, but during the opening week, Disneynature will make a donation to save coral reefs for every person who attends Oceans.  They did a similar deed last year when EARTH was release by planting a tree for each ticket sold.  Millions of trees were planted during that week and continue to be planted ever since.  Please visit the link below to learn about the film, watch the trailer, see some amazing photos, download wallpaper and screensavers (just did mine), and get involved.   In addition, there is section for educators/parents with excellent downloadable materials and ideas for additional learning. http://disney.go.com/disneynature/oceans/ Please forward this link on to others who might be interested. Every ticket sold will have a positive impact in the efforts to help save coral reef around the world. Tags: april 22, bbc, change, changes, children, climate change, conservation, disney, disneynature, earth, earth day, earth promise, earthpromise, education, environment, environmental, environmental issues, global warming, green, green changes, green living, Jacques Cluzaud, Jacques Perrin, oceans, planet earth Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Earth Day Activities – Teach Your Children Well Wednesday, April 14th, 2010 There are many ways we can make changes, whether small or large, that can have a positive influence on the environment.  From simply recycling to putting solar panels on the roof of your home….it all makes a difference.   All steps you take help.  Earth Promise was developed with the idea of tracking one’s changes but also as a tool to both learn from other members as well as teach others.  As we make these changes individually, it is important to teach, inform and inspire others.  What better way then in our schools.  Whether a student is in kindergarten or in college, they can each learn about changes they can make for the environment and which have an impact on helping our earth. With the 40th anniversary of Earth Day coming up next week, we ask that parents, teachers and everyone involved with schools, help teach and promote the importance and awareness of Earth Day. Below are programs that two schools are doing over the next week which are inspiring examples of teaching students about the issues and helping the cause.    Promote change among students.  Come up with a plan to help the environment.    Make Earth Day 2010 special for our students.   Del Prado Elementary School – Boca Raton, Florida    The celebration of Earth Dayis right around the corner.  It is a time when people around the world hold events to honor our planet and to remind everyone to love and care for the Earth. At Del Prado Elementary, what better way to honor Mother Earth than to celebrate the days leading up to the 40th anniversary of Earth Day.  Starting Monday, April 19th through Thursday April 22nd, there will be activities that promote environmental awareness. These will provide the students with the idea that “Every day is Earth Day”. Monday, April 19th—Write the change you will make on the Earth Promise wall located on your classroom door.  There are many little things we can do to make a big difference, so make sure your promise is something you haven’t done yet.  Most of us recycle by now, so talk about some new ideas with your family and share them with us. Then the top 5 classes, based on content, visual and uniqueness will get posted on the Earth Promise website! (http://www.earthpromise.com) Tuesday, April 20th—If you bring your lunch, let’s make it a waste-free lunch day by using only reusable containers, thermoses, reusable water bottles and cloth napkins.  Say NO to the single-serving packaged foods or juice boxes/pouches on Tuesday! (Check out www.kidskonserve.com) Wednesday, April 21st– Pick up at least one piece of trash from the school grounds and put it in the garbage or recycling bin. Thursday, April 22nd– Wear an Earth related t-shirt to school (i.e. a recycling logo/environmental slogan on it). Together, we will be a caring and positive voice for the environment.    Linden Avenue Elementary School – Glen Ridge, New Jersey  CELEBRATE WATER DAY! The Community Service Committee is proud to announce Water Day on Earth Day, April 22nd and the Linden Avenue Dime Collection In honor of Earth Day we will be focusing on the importance of water, one of our most precious resources.  We will be talking about ways in which we can help conserve and protect our sources of water and how we can help children around the world who do not have access to clean drinking water. This week, Linden Avenue children will be introduced to the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program and the PUR Packet®.  One packet can turn 10 liters (or approximately 2.5 gallons) of dirty water into safe, clean drinking water.   And each packet is only 10¢.  Go to www.csdw.org for details about the program and to see the demonstration your children will see at school. Help us provide children around the globe with clean, safe drinking water by donating to the LINDEN AVENUE DIME COLLECTION (yes, we only want dimes!) So, clean out those sofa cushions, check the car seats and shake down those piggy banks!     Dimes will be collected Thursday, April 22nd – Friday, April 30th.   Caring Together      Tags: april 22, changes, children, climate change, conservation, del prado, del prado elementary school, earth, earth day, earthpromise, eco-friendly, education, environment, environmental, environmental issues, global warming, green, green changes, green living, green practice, green practices, green tips, reduce, reuse, school program, waste Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Recycle Sports Paraphernalia Friday, April 9th, 2010 The “Go Green” community website, Greenwala has a fabulous post for recycling all sports related paraphernalia!  From sports garments, to latex swimming caps, this list is a must read!  If there is anything not mentioned here, please leave a comment below and share your wealth of information! Tags: green tips, greenwala, recyle sneakers, sports, sports equipment, yoga mat recycling Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

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