If kids can have eco-friendly birthday parties, then so can adults. It may sound daunting, but you really can be zero waste, eco-chic, and still have a blast celebrating your very adult birthday. The zero waste magic happens before and after the party, so while you’re mingling with your guests, don’t worry, just party! Try digital, paperless invites like Evite or Punchbowl. If you really need to use formal paper invites, try recycled or plantable paper cards. If you’re having a small party, real, reusable tableware is the most eco-friendly option. If you’re having a big party, use compostable dinnerware. Use cloth napkins and in general stick with reusables as much as possible. If you do need to rely on disposable items, be sure to get recyclable or compostable items. [Read this article]

Whether you’ve been taking steps toward green living or you’re a newbie and want to jump start your efforts and reduce your carbon footprint on earth, one area of opportunity is your toddler’s room. “Sustainability is a popular subject, and most experts in design agree sustainability has to be a way of living and incorporated into our every day,” says Kristina Held, interior design instructor at The Art Institute of Charlotte. “Wooden toys are a small investment and a good place to start.” Held recommends Plan toys or Haba toys which are wood and naturally antibacterial. For fabrics, consider bedding, curtain treatments and upholstery. “Think about choosing natural fibers such as linens and bamboo,” says Kelly Spewock, interior design department director at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. “Bamboo is the most popular at the moment, and it is also a renewable resource.” A blend of cottons with acrylic and rayon make great upholstery fabrics, Held says. Carefully consider flooring and carpeting because toddlers are just a few feet off the floor and on their hands and knees all day. [Read this article]

Your employees’ behavior can make the difference between whether your company’s energy strategy produces outstanding results or insignificant savings.
In a report, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy distills five case studies on the subject to offer advice. ACEEE Senior Researcher Shui Bin took a look at the federal “Green the Capitol” program in the United States, the Empire State Building’s energy management program for tenants, and programs in Canada at a utility, a government building and a university-owned hospital. Based on that review, Bin found four elements common to each of the efforts: Leadership Set the Tone; Programs Involved Strong Teams; Smart Use of Communication Tools; and Use of Multiple Engagement Techniques. Two other recent reports indicate that now is the time to tap into Americans’ interest in saving energy.
A survey by the Consumers Union and the Building Codes Assistance Project found that upwards of 75 percent of respondents support energy codes being adopted by a growing number of cities and states. [Read this article]

These simple steps will not only clear space in every room, from the bedroom and kitchen to the home office and hall closet – but they’ll also cut waste and reduce your environmental impact. Clutter is what we bring into our homes that we don’t want. The first step in successfully reducing clutter is to stop bringing clutter into our homes! Here are two easy ways to do that: stop receiving junk mail, and stop receiving phone books. Never in history have we had so much stuff – but never in history have we had so many ways to get rid of the stuff we no longer want. Start with your closet, and all those clothes you think you might wear one day. Take a tip from Good Housekeeping and have an annual fashion show. Be ruthlessly honest about what the mirror tells you, and get rid of anything that doesn’t make you look good. [Read this article]