Keen For Green 2011 Recap

Hapy New Year!  Here are some of my favorite Keen For Green green stories from 2011!

January 

• We looked at the Environmental Working Group's analysis of popular bottled water brands.  
  
  
• Joyce of LA Stormwater discussed the basics of stormwater.  
  
  
• Diapers, diapers, diapers!  We reviewed Earth's Best disposable diapers and Rumparooz cloth diapers.  We also profiled Thanks Mama's cloth diaper store.  
  
  
•  We talked about the report issued by CleanEdge looking at the top states for clean energy.  

February

• Our blogger John took a look at being a green skiier.  
  
  
• Our blogger Liz discussed the problems with ice melt.   
  
  
• The Grammys and the Oscars went green.   
  
  
• We debunked common myths about solar energy.   
  
  
• Costco adopts a sustainable seafood policy.   
  
  
• Sunchips introduces a new compostable bag after complaints that their previous bag was too loud.   
  
  
• Singer-songwriter Jackson Browne embarks on a green tour.   
  
  

March

• We introduced Keen For Green readers to Tristin and Tyler!  
  
  
• Our blogger Michelle gave us the basic lowdown on solar energy and offers a solar FAQ.   
  
  
• We made recommendations on products that the eco-friendly expectant parent can skip.   
  
  
• We discussed the benefits of having bats in your garden.   
  
  
• Gail of Peaked Mountain Farm in Maine talked about going green with pets.   
  
  
• DelMonte felt the need to wrap its bananas in plastic.  (Seriously, WTH?) 
  
  
• We took a look at college cafeterias who are going green.   
  
  
• Michelle wrote about wacky solar powered products.   Who wants a solar bikini?  
  
  
• Pepsi unveiled a plant-based bottle. 
  
  
•  The annual Earth Hour was on March 21 and World Water Day was on the 22nd.  
  
  
•  Michelle visited Deer Hollow Farm in Los Altos, California.  
  
  
• We interviewed Sarapage Bauguss from NewLeaf Clean and we later reviewed NewLeaf Clean's All Purpose Cleaner.  
  
  

April

• We offered advice on how to pack a waste-free lunch.
  
  
• We watched and sang along with 5 eco-themed Sesame Street sketches.   
  
  
• We chatted with an Eco Czar from Whole Foods Market.   
  
  
• Michelle went through solar rebates, incentives, and and tax credits by state.
  
  
• Tristin and Tyler donated denim!
  
  
•  Michelle gave us info on the history of Earth Day, which was on April 22.
  
  
• We interviewed inventor Tacoe Bell, who developed the Cardeomobile.  
  
  
• Michelle wrote up a glossary of solar terms.   
  
  
• Our blogger Jack asked if e-readers are green.
  
  
• We started thinking about ways that schools and students can make their prom green.  
  
  

 May

• With gardening season beginning, we listed gardening tips for beginners.  
  
  
• Sungevity was named "Innovator of the Year."   
  
  
• ecoSAFE analyzed disposable diapers.  
  
  
• Lacey of A Greener Kitchen challanged us to take The Lose The Plastic Pledge.
  
  
• Guest blogger Hasic told us how to recycle mattresses.    
  
  
• We gave green camping tips.   
  
  

June

• We interviewed beekeeper Jaime Cool of Bee Kind Family Farm.  
  
  
• John helped us learn about different recycling terms.   
  
  
• To celebrate summertime farmer's markets, we list reasons why farmer's markets are awesome.   
  
  
• Physicians for Social Responsibility - Los Angeles held The Toxies Red Carpet Awards.  
  
  
• We gave ideas for green Father's Day gifts.
  
  
• Guest blogger Seth answered the question of whether or not solar panels are recyclable.  
  
  
•  Michelle gave an overview of home solar panels.
  
  
•  We listed the green features of the Empire State Building.  
  
  

July

• Our blogger Matt urged readers to pick up litter in their neighborhood.
  
  
• Obama proposed fuel efficiency increases for new cars by 2025.  
  
  
• Alicia of Jem's Room encouraged readers to make their own toothpaste.  
  
  
•  Our blogger Jocelyn outlined green best practices for dog owners.  
  
  
• We offered advice on making your backyard greener.   
  
  
• We watched retro environmental PSAs.  Give a hoot, don't pollute!   
  
  
• Michelle gave us info about how to reduce your carbon footprint by what you eat.   
  
  
• We listed ways to green your bathroom habits.  
  
  

August 

• We looked at ways to green your guilty pleasures - like soda drinking, magazines, and Big Macs.  We later elaborated on how to green your beverages.
  
  
• Tristin and Tyler turned umbrellas into dresses and bottles into backpacks. 
  
  
• We urged Dunkin Donuts to ditch the styrofoam cups.   
  
  
• We listed ways to recycle broken crayons.   Later we also talked about how to recycle markers and pens.  
  
  
•  Chipkos, an eco-friendly sandal company, offered a 15% discount to Keen For Green readers.  It will expire on Feb. 17, so go get your sandals today!  Info is here.  
  
  
• We offered advice on how to start a fall garden.  
  
  

September

•  We shared a list of the most fuel-efficient vehicles.  
  
  
•  Keen For Green attended a Green Carpet Event at Whole Foods Market in Newton, Massachusetts.  
  
  
• Our blogger Daily Citron encouraged readers to downsize their garbage cans to reduce waste.  
   
• National Coffee Day was on September 29 and we encouraged readers to join a coffee CSA.   
  
  

October

•  We listed tips on how to green your Halloween.
  
  
•  Our blogger Rob looked at the upside of exporting computers.  
  
  
• Our blogger Jocelyn offered ways to upcycle pumpkins.   
  
  
• Our blogger Jack wrote about the history of SUVs.   
  
  
• We listed fun ways to cook with green tomatoes and also with pumpkins.   
  
  

November

•  After Halloween, we wrote up some ideas for upcycling candy wrappers.  
  
  
• We shared a video on how to upcycle old t-shirts into bags.   
  
  
• We helped readers make their Black Friday a little bit greener.   
  
  
• We listed amazing uses for aloe vera.   
  
  

December

•  We upcycled old holiday cards into gift tags.  
  
  
•  We listed the ways that the older generations were green.  
  
  
• We offered advice on how to take care of your cold in a green way.   
  
  
• Researchers at the University of Notre Dame developed a solar paint which they hope will be used in lieu of panels in the future.   
  
  
• Michael Long of GreenLocalJobs.com offered advice on how to get a job in green advocacy.  
  
  
•  We listed 10 Green New Year's Resolutions for 2012.  
  
  

Happy New Year!