Eco-friendly clothing companies are gaining in popularity, and many people are proud to champion them along. Eco-fashions have a lot going for them: They are environmentally friendly, and they are fashion-forward in every sense of the word. Sustainable fibers make it possible to create high-quality garments that are comfortable and that last.
If you ask shoppers what the appeal is, you are likely to get a range of responses. For instance, some may simply say they like the fact that they are doing something nice for the environment, but other consumers may say they like the style or fashion design, and still others may insist that the reason they buy eco-friendly fashions is because pesticides are not used in growing the materials.
Designers of today have lots of choices when using eco-friendly fabrics.... read more
Although metal roofing has been around for hundreds of years, the concept has only recently gained traction among folks who care about humanity's impact on the environment. In addition to its obvious financial and practical benefits, metal roofing has a number of attributes that conspire to make it a particularly eco-friendly construction material.... read more
The Massachusetts DEP has released their “Master Plan” for solid waste management in Massachusetts. The major components in the plan include increase in recycling, reduction in overall waste, monitoring and enforcement of waste bans, and modification to the incinerator moratorium. The proposed modification of the incinerator moratorium would encourage the use of alternative technologies, such as gasification, for converting waste to energy or fuel under certain conditions (nma.org).
The incinerator moratorium was introduced in 1988. At that time there were fourteen applications at DEP for new incinerators to be built. Fourteen were way too much for the DEP to handle. Having that many incinerators would mean our state would be burning all trash/MSW. Possibly hurting municipal recycling programs. ... read more
In present times, where technology seems to have the ability to deliver and offer everything a man can wish for, computers and gadgets can be found everywhere. Especially computers, from offices, cafes, malls, these peripheral devices can be found even at your home. But what do you exactly do when your computer become obsolete, outdated, or all of a sudden, broke down.
Well, some creative minds offered the following ideas on turning their Apple iMac computers to cool and uncanny house decorations:
•iMac Aquarium – is computer-aquarium made by detaching the electrical component inside an iMac monitor including the cathode-ray tube and replacing it with a custom-made aquarium. The idea came from a professional photographer named Jake Harms from Nebraska, United States. He admitted that it took him a great deal of time to create a perfect curved shape similar to the iMac’s cathode ray tube. Presently, he sells iMac Aquarium online for $250 each, available in colors red, blue, aqua and white.
•Crunching G4 Table – is a geeky-chic table made of two iMac G4 CPUs. Mike Elgan of Houzz.com, described the Crunching G4 Table as, “a coffee table made with Macintosh G4s. The machine itself is obsolete. But the product is too beautiful to destroy or discard. Repurposing it into furniture lets us remember it.” It is available for the price of $600 at Reform-Designs.com.... read more
Steel buildings have become a popular trend among companies and residents that are in need of some additional space. Steel is a type of material that is used for a number of different purposes, from heavy industry to the household, and many other applications. Steel buildings have a lot of significant benefits over other types of structures such as the ones made of concrete and wood. Furthermore, structures containing steel as their major constituent are easier to build and offer a number of environmental benefits as well as being durable and sustainable.
The main advantages of a steel building include durability, reliability, and flexibility, which make steel an attractive option for many different types of structures and buildings. Previously, these types of buildings were linked with objective storage structures such as aircraft hangers, silos, or warehouses. Nowadays, it does not come as a surprise when you witness buildings constructed out of steel such as churches, sports arenas or even houses. With the introduction of many new options and features, the steel structures can no longer be considered as uncommon. Moreover, steel is still considered to be a great option for roofs that are supported by bordering walls.... read more
What could be greener than flooring made from grass? The answer is all around us.
by Tim Snyder
Bamboo has become an all-but-essential ingredient in any “green” house. Prefinished bamboo flooring is the most commonly used bamboo product, but today it’s possible to buy cabinets, countertops and cutting boards made from this tree-like grass. According to a report by Dovetail Partners (http://www.dovetailinc.org/), there are over 1,200 bamboo species worldwide, covering an estimated 54 million acres.
A stand of bamboo can be harvested for processing into flooring and other lumber products in just 3-7 years. Compared to an oak tree that might require 125 years to mature, bamboo can truly be considered an exceptionally renewable resource. But before you commit to bamboo flooring, cabinetry or furniture, consider a few details that aren’t so green. The Dovetail Partners report points out that in China (the world’s largest producer of bamboo products), clear-cutting practices to harvest bamboo have caused erosion and loss of natural forestlands. Details in the report indicate that widespread demand for bamboo has led to unsustainable practices in some areas.... read more
If you’re looking for a sustainable material to integrate into your home, look no further than bamboo. Bamboo is a fast growing plant that takes a short time to fully grow and regrow again, making bamboo an eco-friendly option in comparison to other woods. It’s an extremely versatile material, used in construction, home goods, clothing, and even for transportation. Prized for its renewability and sustainability, bamboo is one of the most popular materials in the green home design and décor.
How to Use Bamboo
Regardless of your budget, space or restrictions on time, there are a variety of ways in which bamboo can be easily added throughout the home. The following are several ideas on how to integrate this versatile material in your space:
1.Flooring
Instead of using hardwoods, bamboo can be a great alternative for flooring. Bamboo flooring is known for its strength and durability, and is even resistant to insects and moisture damage. It’s also widely available, given the quick maturity and renewability of bamboo. Homeowners who are looking to build a more eco-friendly home will find bamboo to be a great option for their home.... read more
Every once in a while construction materials from certain, relatively exotic locations become aesthetically and artistically desirable, particularly in the west. In the last few years this seems to have become the case with the African tropical timber known as Wenge.
Wenge is popular probably due to its physical aesthetic, it is an extremely dark, oddly porous wood and it has a distinctive figure with what is known as a partridge pattern. It is often compared to mahogany and ebony and is known by several names including: African Rosewood, Bokonge and Faux Ebony.... read more
Environmentalism has emerged as a robust social movement that has impacted the entire United States, and the principles behind the movement are no more apparent today than in the construction industry. Advocates of green construction aim to approach the building process in a way that minimizes environmental impact. That includes using energy efficient materials and attempting to reduce construction waste. But while modern technological advances have paved the way for innovative (though sometimes expensive) alternatives to traditional construction methods, some builders, architects, and homeowners are rejecting technology and are instead consulting history for inspiration in the effort to go green. Natural building techniques harken back to a simpler time when people used the resources immediately available to them to create structures for shelter, taking into account the local ecology and climate. Today, that approach has reemerged, as many Americans are embracing natural building techniques as an often less expensive alternative to some of the modern approaches to green construction.... read more
Today we have a guest blog post by from our friends at The Back Burner. Here is the low-down on compostable materials for restaurants.
--
In the hack and slash world of cost-cutting and price adjusting those traversing the tricky trail through the restaurant industry know the value of inexpensive disposable products. Chances are if you own a restaurant or work in the business you handle a handful of disposable materials on a daily basis, ranging from takeout containers to cups and utensils. Unfortunately, most of these products end up resting at the bottom of one landfill or another, used and tossed without second thought. After all, they weren’t that expensive and came in a case pack of 1,000, right?
Yet more restaurants are noticing unnecessary waste and focusing on ways to cut back. Replacing traditional disposables with compostable versions is one such solution.... read more
In present times, where technology seems to have the ability to deliver and offer everything a man can wish for, computers and gadgets can be found everywhere. Especially computers, from offices, cafes, malls, these peripheral devices can be found even at your home. But what do you exactly do when your computer become obsolete, outdated, or all of a sudden, broke down.
Steel buildings have become a popular trend among companies and residents that are in need of some additional space. Steel is a type of material that is used for a number of different purposes, from heavy industry to the household, and many other applications. 
If you’re looking for a sustainable material to integrate into your home, look no further than bamboo. Bamboo is a fast growing plant that takes a short time to fully grow and regrow again, making bamboo an eco-friendly option in comparison to other woods. It’s an extremely versatile material, used in construction, home goods, clothing, and even for transportation. Prized for its renewability and sustainability, bamboo is one of the most popular materials in the green home design and décor.
