Earth Day Local Businesses to Visit

Earth Day is upon us and there are many businesses out there supporting Mother Earth. Here is a short list of some businesses where I regularly shop.

It's Our Earth, Inc.
Located on Main Street in Wheaton. Owners Xristina and Richard Rahn have a passion for the environment and love to repurpose all kinds of things. This little shop has something for everyone, from new and old fashion to accessories, books, jewelry and more. My favorite purchase is my cloth wallet with peace symbol. Check them out online or stop in to see the entire selection.

Green Home Experts
Located on Oak Park Ave. in Oak Park. Owner Maria Moran opened Green Home Experts (GHE) just over one year ago. Her shop is full of great things for your home. Whether you are remodeling, working on your garden, or just looking for some green cleaning supplies, this is a great place to shop. I have been looking for environmentally responsible window shades and found some great choices at GHE's. Visit online or stop in for some expert advise from Maria.

Drew's Eatery
Located on Montrose in Chicago, this eatery is something special. Owner Andrew Baker has created a warm and wonderful place to get some great food that is also good for you and the environment. I stop frequently with my kids, who always ask for the organic shakes with organic whipped cream. But Drew's has a lot more than just shakes! Check them out online to see their entire menu. You can ride your bike and park it at the rack right out front.

There are many green businesses around Chicagoland. Please add your favorites. These are just a few that I regularly visit.

Thank You Seattle Green Fest!

Thank you to all the friends, new and old, and family who stopped by our booth at Seattle Green Fest, March 28-29. We had an amazing time connecting, sharing, and selling. I especially want to thank my dear friend Emilee who traveled many miles to help me run the booth.





Seattle also inspired us to try something new. This is our "Free Hugs" sign. We were having such a good time we wanted to share our joy. We met many wonderful people because of this sign, who stopped for a hug. This tradition will continue at Chicago Green Fest. We hope you can stop by to see us, stock up on some awesome, environmentally responsible shirts and share in a hug or two!

RECYCLE ME Week 7 Trivia Challenge Winner!

Monday, April 13th, I asked the following questions for a chance to win and I AM GREEN shirt:

QUESTIONS:

1. When was the first Earth Day celebrated, day, month, and year?

2. Who founded the original Earth Day and why?

3. When do we celebrate Earth Day in the United States and who chose this date?

ANSWERS:

1. The first Earth Day was celebrated on March 21st, 1970. This is the day the United Nations celebrates Earth Day.

2. John McConnell, a peace activist, first introduced the idea of Earth Day at a UN Conference. He felt it necessary to propose a holiday in which we celebrate the Earth's life and beauty and he also intended Earth Day to alert people about the need for preserving and renewing the threatened ecological balances upon which all life on Earth depends.

3. In the United States (and many other countries) Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. Senator Gaylord Nelson, from WI, chose this date for an environmental teach-in.

WINNER: Nicole Muchridge, Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who participated in our 7 week Trivia Challenge.

Earth Day is a day celebrated by millions throughout the world. John McConnell was the first person to introduce the idea of Earth Day. He became interested in environmental issues in 1939 when he worked in a plastics factory and realized how much plastic polluted the Earth. Senator Nelson organized a "teach-in" for April 22nd, 1970, as a nationwide grassroots demonstration on the environment. At this time many people were concerned about population growth and DDT. About 20 million Americans participated in the event. In 2007, about a billion people participated in Earth Day events in over 141 countries around the world. And although we currently face many environmental challenges, today we have a mass environmental movement, thousands of green organizations, including businesses, and the general population is embracing the shift to a greener lifestyle. With this mass movement many positive changes are taking place and hope is taking the place of doubt and fear.

Have a wonederful Earth Day and take a moment to celebrate!

Plastics and Safety

I read this blog about plastics a while ago but thought people would be interested in the information.

1 Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE)

Used to make soft drink, water, sports drink, ketchup, and salad dressing bottles, and peanut butter, pickle, jelly and jam jars.

GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.

2 High density polyethylene (HDPE)

Milk, water, and juice bottles, yogurt and margarine tubs, cereal box liners, and grocery, trash, and retail bags.

GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.

3 Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC)

Most cling-wrapped meats, cheeses, and other foods sold in delicatessens and groceries are wrapped in PVC.

BAD: To soften into its flexible form, manufacturers add “plasticizers” during production. Traces of these chemicals can leach out of PVC when in contact with foods. According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen.

4 Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

Some bread and frozen food bags and squeezable bottles.

OK: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones, but not as widely recycled as #1 or #2.

5 Polypropylene (PP)

Some ketchup bottles and yogurt and margarine tubs.

OK: Hazardous during production, but not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones. Not as widely recycled as #1 and #2.

6 Polystyrene (PS)

Foam insulation and also for hard applications (e.g. cups, some toys)

BAD: Benzene (material used in production) is a known human carcinogen. Butadiene and styrene (the basic building block of the plastic) are suspected carcinogens. Energy intensive and poor recycling.

7 Other (usually polycarbonate)

Baby bottles, microwave ovenware, eating utensils, plastic coating for metal cans

BAD: Made with biphenyl-A, a chemical invented in the 1930s in search for synthetic estrogens. A hormone disruptor. Simulates the action of estrogen when tested in human breast cancer studies. Can leach into food as product ages.

From the website CARE2 Make a difference

Adapted from Green Remodeling, by David Johnston and Kim Master (New Society Publishers, 2004).

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/which-plastics-are-safe.html

Earth Day Events

I've put together a list of events, and places to find events, that are happening on or around Earth Day throughout Chicagoland and the U.S. Feel free to add events in the comments section.

In the picture is Boise Thomas, co host of Alter Eco, and Ziggy Marley at the Green Apple Music Fest at Santa Monica Pier where we opened our business for Earth Day in 2008. If you look closely you can see Boise wearing I AM GREEN. I took this picture. I don't know if Ziggy ever wore his I AM GREEN. I don't think he will call to let me know.

1. Chicago Park District Earth Day events and other Nature Programs including Birdwatching.

2. Green Apple Music Festival Earth Day Event. Nationwide at ten major cities throughout the U.S.

3. Local Chicagoland Events RECYCLE ME will be attending.
Irish American Heritage Earth Day Event, 4626 N. Knox, Chicago, April 18th 10am-4pm; Greener U Earth Day Event, McHenry County Conservation District, Crystal Lake, April 18th 12pm-4pm;
Earth Days in Lake Bluff, April 22nd - 25th, Lakebluff;
Grab Your Girls and Go! Opening event celebrating Green Awareness Month at Dragonfly Restaurant, April 23rd, 6 - 10pm. Click on the link for details and reservations.
North Lake Shore Earth Day Celebration, April 25th, 930am-4pm, Loyola University Lakeview Campus, 1050 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago;
ECCO GREEN EXPO, April 25th, 10am - 4pm, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin

4. EnviroLink. Find out what's happening for Earth Day around the world!

There are lots of ways to celebrate Earth Day. Most of these events are free and have seminars, lectures, kids areas, products, education, and even hikes. How you celebrate Earth Day is a personal choice. It's important to support green businesses and it's also important to take a quiet moment and be one with the Earth. Have a great time. We have lots to celebrate!

RECYCLE ME Trivia Challenge and T-Shirt Giveaway! Test your EQ.

Week 7 and our final trivia challenge to test your environmental knowledge or EQ. Answer correctly and you can win a 100% organic cotton I AM GREEN shirt from RECYCLE ME.

This week's Trivia Challenge is focused on Earth Day!

QUESTIONS:

1. When was the first Earth Day celebrated, day, month, and year?

2. Who founded the original Earth Day and why?

3. When do we celebrate Earth Day in the United States and who chose this date?

RULES:

1. Send answers to contact@recyclemeorganictees.com Monday through Thursday (CST) with the heading "contest entry."

2. No entries will be accepted after Thursday.

3. Only one entry per person will be accepted.

4. Entrents who answer correctly will be entered into a drawing for a free shirt.

5. No Rainchecks. Winner is allowed to choose from any I AM GREEN shirt in stock.

6. Must be over 18 and a resident of the U.S. or Canada.

7. Relatives of RECYCLE ME partners/employees are not elligible. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, first cousins, nieces and nephews.

The winner will receive a 100% organic cotton "I AM GREEN" t-shirt, preshrunk, USA grown and sewn, with water based dyes and inks. A t-shirt you can be proud to wear on Earth Day and every day. A t-shirt you can feel good about!

Books for Earth Day

Here is a list of books for different ages that are good to read anytime, but especially around Earth Day:

1. Silent Spring, Rachel Carson. 1962. Called the leader of the modern environmental movement, Rachel Carson was a Biologist and a Writer who was driven to write Silent Spring because of her concern of the overuse of pesticides. A must read.

2. A Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold. 1949. Considered by many as the father of wildlife management and of the United States’ wilderness system, Aldo Leopold was a conservationist, forester, philosopher, educator, writer, and outdoor enthusiast.

3. Anything by E. O. Wilson.

4. The Green Thoreau. 1992. And Walden, Henry David Thoreau. 1854. Thoreau was an American author, poet, naturalist, tax resister, development critic, surveyor, historian, philosopher, and leading transcendentalist.

5. What's It Like Living Green? Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live, Jill Ammon Vanderwood. 2009. Everyone's talking about being green but who's really living it? Find out in this brand new book that highlights kids from around the country and the things they do for the environment.

6. Green Sugar Press: Environmental Books for Kids. An Environmental Guide from A to Z (8 - 13); Earl the Earthworm Digs for His Life (5 - 9); N is for Nature: An Environmental Alphabet Book (2 - 6). 2009. Green Sugar Press’ children’s books deliver words and images to spark instincts already in kids—that desire to get outside and wander, wonder, dig and climb. They encourage kids to be kids: exploring, examining and investigating the natural world around them. For lifelong dividends, get your kids hooked on nature.

7. There's a Hair in My Dirt! A Worm's Story, Gary Larson. 1999. Just a humorous classic for a little science and fun as always.

I can't pick a favorite, but I will say that for over a decade I've been carrying The Green Thoreau out into nature on April 22nd to reflect. We all have our traditions. If you have any other essentials please comment and let us know what else we should be reading!

RECYCLE ME Week 6 Trivia Challenge Winner!

Monday, April 6th, I asked the following questions for a chance to win an I AM GREEN shirt:

QUESTIONS:

1. Who is Rachel Carson?
2. What famous book did she write?
3. What was she concerned about that was happening after World War II?

ANSWERS:

1. Rachel Carson was a Marine Biologist, Writer, and Environmentalist.
2. Rachel Carson wrote many books, but she is most famous for Silent Spring.
3. Rachel Carson was concerned about the reckless use of synthetic chemical pesticides after World War II.

WINNER: Courtney Kimsey, Congratulations! And thanks to everyone who participated. All of
your comments were appreciated. REMEMBER! Next Monday, April 13th we will post our next and LAST Trivia Challenge!

Rachel Carson is credited with being the pioneer of the Modern Environmental Movement. She graduated from College in PA and received her MA in zoology from Johns Hopkins University in 1932. Ms. Carson wrote radio scripts during the Depression and supplemented her income with feature articles on natural history for the Baltimore Sun. In 1936 she became Editor-in-Chief of all publications for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She wrote scientific articles for the government but in her free time wrote nature prose. Finally, after WWII Ms. Carson wrote about the dangers of pesticide use in Silent Spring. For more information on this amazing woman visit http://www.rachelcarson.org/.

Fun ways to offset Carbon!

Purchasing a Carbon Offset can be fun. You do get a great feeling knowing you've contributed either to renewable energy or tree planting. But I've found a couple of really fun ways to offset carbon. Something to think about year round, but especially during April which hosts Earth Day.

1. Play A Game!
At the Greenwala website, a green social networking site, you can play "Treewala" a trivia game that for every question you answer correct you receive a leaf. Once you have 20 leaves a tree is planted. This is done through AD revenue. It's fun and you can learn some things while you play!

2. Treetinis!
At Uncommon Ground, an environmentally responsible restaurant in Chicago, Treetini's are sold. A Treetini is a martini with a twist. For every Treetini you buy a tree is planted! The last time I was there over 5,000 trees had been planted. Another fun way to plant a tree! I'm going with a group of friends on April 9th in an effort to "plant a forest" for Earth Day.

I am sure there are other great ways to offset carbon. If you know of any please leave a comment, I'd love to hear about them.

RECYCLE ME Trivia Challenge and T-Shirt Giveaway! Test your EQ.

Week 6 of our 7 week trivia challenge to test your environmental knowledge or EQ. Answer correctly and you can win a 100% organic cotton I AM GREEN shirt from RECYCLE ME.

This week's Trivia Challenge is focused on Rachel Carson.

QUESTIONS:
1. Who is Rachel Carson?
2. What famous book did she write?
3. What was she concerned about that was happening after World War II?


RULES:
1. Send answers to contact@recyclemeorganictees.com Monday through Thursday (CST) with the heading "contest entry."
2. No entries will be accepted after Thursday.
3. Only one entry per person will be accepted.
4. Entrents who answer correctly will be entered into a drawing for a free shirt.
5. No Rainchecks. Winner is allowed to choose from any I AM GREEN shirt in stock.
6. Contestants restricted to US and Canadian residents 18 and over.
7. Relatives of RECYCLE ME partners/employees are not elligible. This includes parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, first cousins, nieces and nephews.

The winner will receive a 100% organic cotton "I AM GREEN" t-shirt, preshrunk, USA grown and sewn, with water based dyes and inks. A t-shirt you can be proud to wear on Earth Day and every day. A t-shirt you can feel good about!

RECYCLE ME Week 5 Trivia Challenge Winner

Monday, March 30th I asked the following questions for a chance to win an I AM GREEN shirt:

QUESTIONS:
1. What country grows the most Organic Cotton?
2. By how much did Organic Cotton production increase worldwide?
3. Can farmer's use genetically modified organisms in Organic Cotton production?

ANSWERS:
1. India grows the most Organic Cotton surpassing Turkey seeing its production increase 292% in 2008 to 73,702 Metric Tons.
2. Organic Cotton production increased worldwide by 152% during the 2007-2008.
3. Farmer's cannot use genetically modified organisms (gmo's). Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. Organically produced crops also must be produced without the use of antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering and other excluded practices, sewage sludge, or irradiation.

WINNER: misc.121design Congratulations! And thanks to everyone who participated.REMEMBER! Next Monday, April 6th we will post our next Trivia Challenge.

Organic Cotton production increase by 73% in the United States from 2006 to 2007 (stats for 2008 are not yet available). The top ten Organic Cotton producing countries by rank were India, Syria, Turkey, China, Tanzania, United States, Uganda, Peru, and Egypt. One of the reasons Organic Cotton produciton increase is important is because cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world. By increasing organic production less pesticides and synthetic fertilizers will be in the air, water, and soil, in our food, our clothes, and on our skin. There will be less Green House Gas emissions, less soil erosion, and less water use. The World Health Organization estimates that over 200,000 cotton workers die every year from exposure to the pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Buying Organic Cotton can make a difference.