With more and more opting for greener lifestyles, environmental concerns are obviously the driving factor. The request and popularity of green merchandise has compelled companies to listen, making more choices available. However, with increased exposure and demand is there also a silent cost added to the consumer? Are we being tricked into thinking we need to have all the latest in green gear in order to do our part and be environmentally responsible? Does our need to accrue better products precede our need to be more mindful of what being environmentally accountable is more capable of, instead of only what can… read more

Reuse centers and warehouses accept donations and gather items that are still in usable condition, then offer them at economical prices for resale. Many are non-profit organizations that are available to the public for shopping, although some are only open to specialty customers, such as schools, construction industries or other particular businesses. In order to keep perfectly good items from local landfills, reuse supply centers generally operate by collecting and then offering materials at affordable prices, thus providing the community with needed, reasonably priced products. The inventory is continuously changing as new merchandise and contributions are received, but some available items… read more

There are many companies that produce solar lighting in order to assist those who have no electricity. Some of these are non-profits and a number operate as for-profit organizations. Some may question which one is a better option in providing humanitarian assistance. Non-profit operations normally are established in order to serve a social need, and usually receive charitable donations, government funding and tax deductions; however this is not to say that they are in business without the goal of turning a profit. Much of the generated profit though is in turn put back into the needs of the organization. For-profits… read more

Many companies sell environmentally friendly products. However not all of those are so committed to the green process that they earn the highest available rating from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), producing many of their products with 100% FSC certified materials. Forms + Surfaces, a California based business that specializes in doors, recycling bins, fencing and elevators, has accomplished this with their wood slat benches and other creations. Additionally, they either meet or exceed many other sustainable certification standards. In business for 40 years, their products are made from a high amount of recycled materials and are also responsibly obtained…. read more

What started as a friendly contest between two Colorado cities has now become a documentary on the hazards of using plastic bags. In October last year, I attended a film screening at Oregon State University.  All in attendance learned something new that day and left a little more aware of why not to use plastic bags. The film screening was for “Bag-It: The Movie”.  It follows an average Colorado man named Jeb Berrier, who makes a pledge to stop using plastic bags.  This decision leads Berrier to start being more conscientious of plastic bag consumption, how the bags are made,… read more

The modern office of today doesn’t look very different from the office of the mid-90’s, which says a lot about how some businesses view technology and innovation. This also applies to many companies’ views on working efficiently, since one can assume that outdated equipment is detrimental to worker’s success, and should be replaced immediately. That being said, there are many technology standards in use today that will soon be rendered ancient tomorrow. For instance: desk phones. This tired old model of secretarial and cubical communication has passed beyond its peak of usefulness and must take its leave from the office…. read more

What do you reckon? Is the cause of today’s environmental challenges over-population? Over-consumption? Apathy? Greed? Various writers claim that our industrial system of economic development is the reason for our planetary malaise. Is the economic structure of the so-called democratically “free” world guilty? If so, how on earth can we transform a system whose global reach is ever-expanding? If poverty, like population, is a key player in our environmental challenges, surely a system established to generate prosperity is more of a help than a hindrance? Surely…not. The bad news is when you dig below the surface, the values and ideologies… read more

Were the British government to continue with current carbon limits around 80% of fossil fuels could be classed as unusable. The problem here is that mining and gas companies have spent an extortionate amount on extracting these resources and dumping them in favor of renewables may well have a sizable and negative impact on the UK’s energy economy. Over four trillion British pounds could be wasted if government changes continue, resulting in massive losses for oil, coal, and gas firms. London is the fossil fuel center of the world in terms of market investment and capital. Government changes, by way… read more

In the battle of the digital dollar versus the printed, minted physical version, which is a more viable option in an increasingly networked age? Through the course of money’s history, it has often developed and adapted around the existing society who needed to use it. For one example of electronic money, take the Bitcoin, which is in the e-currency spotlight and soring, falling and rising again in value. Surfacing in 2009, bitcoins are online cash in which holders, referred to as miners, can accumulate and spread around coins. Collected bitcoins are ready to be gifted, traded or used for payments… read more

Whatever your religious affiliation holidays are a means of celebrating life. Holidays bring about excitement and festivities, which more than make up for the accompanying headaches of the season. And of course, these celebrations would be nothing without a colorful cast of family and friends. But with the season comes gift giving. Though it can be fun to search out tokens of affection that suit your loved one’s personality, every family has one or two members who are hard to gift. In fact, you may be one of them. Perhaps they may have everything or simply want nothing. This can result… read more