Recycled T-Shirts
December 27, 2007
We are sisters with a local company that recycles t-shirts into beautiful, comfy quilts — the perfect keepsake for all the memories represented in your old t-shirts. Please check us out at www.QuilTee.com. Thank you — Laurie Matasar and Nancy Rothstein
Eco-Friendly Band
December 27, 2007
I’m a member of The Giving Tree Band of Chicago. We’re an eco-friendly acoustic quartet and the all-encompassing goal of our group is to inspire a culture of sustainability with our music.
We’ve tried to think green when making every band decision. For example, our instruments have been made with naturally fallen trees and recycled woods (one guitar was made out of an old piano). Our gear is eco-friendly such as our Ecolution organic hemp guitar straps. Our CD’s are manufactured in the most environmentally friendly way currently possible, at a wind-powered facility in Minnesota using recycled materials and nontoxic soy ink printing. The company plants 10 trees for every 1,000 CD’s to offset any CO2 gases created in the manufacturing and shipping process. Also, nearly all of our concerts are organized to support charities and green organizations at the local level (including Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois Renewable! Energy Association, Illinois Stewardship Alliance, Prairie Rivers Network, Literacy Works, and Growing Home Farm) and the national level (including Co-Op America, Hand In Hand USA, World Vision, The One Campaign, Action Without Borders, and The Tibetan Cultural Center).
This year, we’ve been featured at the Green Festival, WGN TV, and on local radio including 93WXRT and Chicago Public Radio. We also shared the stage with Senator Dick Durbin at a rally in Federal Plaza to advocate for the more than 1 billion people worldwide without access to clean water.
Please feel free to visit our website for further info and feel free to contact.
The Giving Tree Band
Mister Miser™ Urinal
December 7, 2007
I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to an exciting new product on the market. It’s called Mister Miser™ Urinal and it’s a residential urinal whose unique design allows it to be installed not only in bathrooms, but anywhere with a water source and drainage. Unlike any other urinal on the market, Mister Miser™ uses only ten ounces of water per flush;
just a fraction of a standard toilet flush. It mounts behind the wall, only the attractive porcelain-like lid is visible. When opened, the backside of the lid is the pee trough, and because of its angle, prevents splashback. When closed, a metering valve is triggered, dispensing the ten ounces of water through four spray jets which rinse clean all of the interior surfaces of the urinal’s body. Weighing just six and a half pounds and made of ABS plastic, Mister Miser is ideal for new construction or retrofitting.
With water conservation being more critical today than ever and toilet flushing accounting for such a significant percentage of water consumption, the Mister Miser™ Urinal can help reduce overall water consumption in households, especially where males outnumber females. Check out our website at http://www.mistermiser.net/ for more information or to place orders. — Rocco Corbino
Organic Caterers
December 5, 2007
Daily Candy recently ran a piece about a catering company that will whip up organic meals. Click here to read the piece, and thanks to Joshua Kulp for passing it along!
Create Bicycle Expressway?
December 5, 2007
I was driving home last night down Peterson and had an idea. There is construction just west of Pulaski on an old railroad bridge. I am thinking that we can convert all these old train tracks in the city to a sort of bicycle expressway. most of these tracks go over the main streets so it could be a faster way to commute than driving. I have sent a letter to the city about this, but I will probably not get a response from them. Its just an idea of mine that I think should be at least looked at to see if it is feasible. Please let me know what you think. Thanks, Max Bartosik
Green Synagogue
December 5, 2007
The Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation (JRC), located in north suburban Chicago is expected to inaugurate the “greenest” synagogue in North America early in 2008.
The new facility, built upon the site of the former synagogue building at 303 Dodge Avenue in Evanston, Illinois, is expected to be awarded one of the two highest levels of environmental design certification by the U.S. Green Building Council.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a review process created by the U.S. Green Building Council to rate six major areas: sustainable sites; water efficiency; energy and atmosphere; materials and resources; indoor environmental quality; and innovation and design process.
Several ideas were formulated to make a sustainable transition from old to new. The new building is built on foundations of the old. Rubble from the original building will be placed in wire cages to create “gabion” walls to retain the edges of gardens and children’s playgrounds, which are sunken down so that lower level spaces get no less natural light than the spaces above. The memorial trees that shaded the original building were reconstituted as paneling or furniture in order to preserve the memory of those associated with their planting and care.
The building, nearing completion, not only incorporates recycled materials, but also resources from the existing building and reclaimed materials from other sites. It is also being constructed to ensure non-toxicity and includes features that are created from renewable resources.
Fulfilling the vision of a “green” synagogue involves more than the internal environmental considerations. A “sustainable design” takes into account the interaction of the synagogue and its members with their community environment. This includes details such as preferred parking for hybrid vehicles and the encouragement of carpooling and alternative transportation to the synagogue, including public transportation, walking and bicycling; a stormwater detention system to east impact on the natural environment and municipal systems; and exterior light fixtures with full cut-off optics to mitigate light pollution.
A detailed listing of the “green” features of the new Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation building can be obtained by calling Bryna Cytrynbaum at (847) 328-7678 or contacting her at blcytrynbaum@jrc-evanston.org.
It’s Easy Being Green!
December 5, 2007
A few decades back, a certain lovable muppet etched the indelible words of his theme song in our hearts: It’s Not Easy Being Green. Well, a lot has changed since Kermit the Frog starred on the big and small screens, and thanks to revolutionary products like EarthShell biodegradable plates and bowls, being green has never been easier!
Made of limestone and the starch from potatoes and corn, EarthShell products are now readily available in more than 5,000 stores across the country. Composed of abundant, natural materials, EarthShell plates and bowls are completely biodegradable, providing a “green” alternative to foam, plastic and paper products.
New laws like San Francisco’s ban on plastic grocery bags, and many California communities’ bans on Styrofoam, are helping to reshape the consumer conscience. More and more consumers are extending their line of sight and considering the long range effects of common practices such as eating off of paper plates. The paper plate they use one time will be cluttering up the earth for 400+ years!
If you would like to learn more about Earthshell, please visit www.renewable-products.com. — Anne Marie Moy
Cloth Diapers
December 5, 2007
One thing I’d like to see covered in your “Going Green” series is how cloth diapers have become very easy to use and positively impact the environment, as opposed to using disposable diapers. Cloth diapering is really not “hard to do” as everyone seems to claim. I’m a working mom and I have no problems using cloth diapers!
Some local resources might include the Bottoms Up Diaper Service in Waukegan and Be By Baby in Chicago. A good collection of information about cloth diapering can also be found at http://www.diaperpin.com/clothdiapers/cloth_diapering.asp. I should point out that I have no affiliation with any of these businesses/organizations. Thank you for considering this topic that can make such a difference in our environment and the health of our babies! — Janice Ropers
Green Education
December 5, 2007
Since the 1990’s the Lake County Solid Waste Managment district (LCSWMD) has been comitted to the addressingenvironmental issues in the overwhelming, highly populated, highly industrialized Northwest Indiana. The LCSWMD is an entity dedicated to educating our community on managing solid waste and coserving our natural environment and its resources. With 3 educational facilities and 3 mobile units called the Enviromobiles, we are able to reach students of all ages. Throughout Lake County we let our message be known about caring for the environment. Our innovative educational programs are provided at no cost to schools and empower children and adults to make informed decisions about everyday solid waste issues.
One program that we thought you might be interested in is our Edible Landfill. Our team of educators are often asked to do this program because not only is it fun but it educates the children all at the same time. Through this hands on activity students use food to build a model landfill (Ex. Frosted Flakes=Glass). They
learn how today’s landfills are designed to minimize potential effects on the environment. Best part, once they are finished they get to eat the results.
This is just one example of some of our many fun and educational programs we provide in hopes of getting the Green message out. — Amy Kalinowicz
Green Travel
December 5, 2007
In a recent study done by the Travel Industry Association well over half of the respondents said that they support businesses that “go green,” but surprisingly enough only 13 percent of those same respondents (U.S. adults) said that they would be willing to pay more to support environmentally responsible travel services.
A brand new travel website, RezHub.com is the first to both recognize and solve this quandary. With the launch of their Green Travel website, travelers can book with green hotels, hybrid rental cars, and participate in carbon offsetting programs…OR book the vacation of their dreams and still feel good (and green) about it. RezHub.com is donating a portion of their revenue from all travel booked at the Green Travel Hub to a green organization, and that is whether or not the customer was able to book a green specific trip.
Visit http://www.rezhub.com or http://www.greentravelhub.com for more information.
Creating Green Buildings
December 5, 2007
Green buildings are more and more popular and many new construction projects (as well as renovations) need to take into account environmental efforts – including recycling systems – for residents.
Nu-Recycling Technology, Inc., based outside of Chicago, has developed a system that saves builders valuable floor space and is able to be retrofitted into existing structures. More importantly, it also makes recycling a simple process for all tenants.
Gone are the blue bins and special bags (which are rarely picked up anyway). The NuReTec 3000 system automates the recycling process and uses the same garbage disposal chute.
As codes and mandates change and become stricter, plans for new construction and renovations will be forced to include better solutions. www.NuReTec.com
Nice Day For A GREEN Wedding
December 5, 2007
white CHICAGO, a designer bridal consignment boutique allows brides from all across the country to go green when it comes to their gown!
Located in River North, white CHICAGO has revamped bridal consignment and is giving designer gowns another chance to walk down the aisle. From Vera Wang to Romona Keveza, these designer gowns are both off-the-rack and half the retail price, allowing brides to save time, money and the earth all at the same time!
In addition to nurturing the planet with an ecofriendly celebration, brides can be green after the wedding too. By consigning their gown at white CHICAGO, they can pass on the love, recoup some of the wedding costs and most of all, recycle! Whether it’s purchasing, consigning or donating, green-minded brides everywhere are “recycling” and loving it. Aaahhh, saving the world one wedding at a time…
white CHICAGO, 222 W. Huron, Chicago, IL (312) 397-1571 www.whitechicago.com
Cleaning Green
December 5, 2007
I am an entrepreneur who is the co-owner of one of Chicago’s newest green businesses, The Green Maid, Inc. We are officially announcing our opening to the media just three weeks after our initial launch. Business has taken off like a rocket and we are happily very busy.
Our mission is to deliver superior cleaning in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. http://www.greenmaidinc.com
School Goes Green
December 5, 2007
The Alexander Graham Bell Montessori School, currently located at 2020 E. Camp McDonald Rd. in Mt. Prospect, IL, with the help of Vanderwerff Construction of Libertyville and Gillespie Design of Ringwood, is constructing a new LEED’s certified green building at 9300 Capitol Drive in Wheeling, IL, to be its wonderful new home.
To save energy, the building will have a specially designed heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system that meets LEED’s requirements for energy use, including an energy recovery system that saves heat energy from used air before exhausting it out and special monitoring systems that automatically adjust when rooms are unoccupied, windows are open, etc. We will also save energy via the use of special lighting fixtures known as “Solatubes” that bring in lots of natural light, special monitoring systems that automatically turn off lights when rooms are unoccupied, and a special roof that is highly reflective.
To make our building more healthy for its occupants, our HVAC system includes a fresh air exchange system to provide lots of fresh air for our students and staff and special UV equipment that kills germs and mold before the air is circulated back out into the building. We have also chosen to use building materials that do not emit unhealthy fumes.
We have also designed our green building to include features that will allow us to save water. We will have dual flush toilets, which use less water when less is needed! We are also installing storm water collection and storage systems which collect rainwater into cisterns or “rain barrels” that the students will then use to water the school’s gardens and other landscaping. We are planting “no-mow” grass, which requires little or no watering and no mowing — meaning less greenhouse gas emissions from lawn mowing equipment!
Finally, we are using recycled-content materials, as much as possible, in the building of the school, including our drywall and concrete block. Also, we are doing onsite recycling of all construction waste material. The school has received a $50,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to help achieve these designs.
We are very excited about moving into our new home next year and providing our students with a firm example of what we can do to help the environment. — Carol Martorano
ReStore: Retail With a Mission
December 5, 2007
ReStore is a 20,000 sq. ft. building materials reuse center located at 860 N. State St.(Rt 31)in Elgin, IL (www.restoreelgin.org) ReStore accepts donated new and gently used goods from retailers, manufacturers, distributors, contractors and homeowners. Building supplies are then sold, at greatly reduced prices, to the general public. The store’s operation generates funds to support Habitat’s house building program in
the Northern Fox Valley area, while reducing the amount of material that would otherwise go to overflowing landfills, which makes ReStore environmentally and economically friendly.
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley opened up ReStore 18 months ago and since that time,we estimate that ReStore has managed to divert almost 425 tons of
materials from landfills. Best regards, Deanna Davies
Green Manufacturer
December 5, 2007
We are a manufacturer of concrete forming, concrete testing, glass & glazing shims and other construction products.
One of our main products over the years as been our plastic cylinder molds, testing laboratories use these molds to cast specimens so that they can in turn test the strength and properties of the concrete being used in our highways and buildings.
We have recently, in 2007, developed a process to manufacture our cylinders, not from an oil based plastic resin , but from a bio-degradable – corn starch based powder.
Now after the labs are finished with their molds they will be able to throw them in the garbage/landfill with a clear conscience knowing that in 4-6 weeks they will completely decompose into a 100% organic corn starch based powder. — Phil Cozza
Deslauriers Inc.
3040 S. 26th Ave
Broadview, IL 60155
Green Ad Agency
December 5, 2007
I started an ad agency that only does environmental advertising. I look for clients who are doing good things for the environment. My web address is www.imagineworksllc.com.
Thanks, Peggy Atkins
Punish Corporations?
December 5, 2007
Something that not many people mention is the power consumers have to punish corporations that aren’t socially and environmentally responsible. For example,
ExxonMobil is still in denial about climate change and wants to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Kleenex brand tissue products and its manufacturer
Kimberly-Clark was flunked on a tissue product scorecard released in the UK by Greenpeace. Kimberly-Clark uses no recycled fibre in Kleenex tissue products in the UK or in North America and the company buys much of its virgin fibre from clearcut
areas in Canada’s ancient Boreal Forest. The company is wiping out the habitat of threatened woodland caribou. These are two examples out of a multitude. A great resource for you:
http://www.coopamerica.org/
Fluorescent Bulbs
December 5, 2007
I am surprised that you are promoting the use of the small fluorescent bulbs without expressing the warning that they contain mercury and must be recycled. I would guess that 95% of these bulbs will go into regular garbage. Are we saving energy and reducing green house gases, but poisoning our water supply? — Doug Wilmoth
Green Your Community
December 5, 2007
I’d like to tell you about www.NeighborHuddle.com. This is a website that helps residential communities (condo, homeowner and neighborhood associations) simplify their operations and reduce their environmental impact. Besides reducing the amount of paper waste generated by routine communication and documentation, NeighborHuddle educates users with easy to understand and implement ways of being green in a community living environment. Our key to success in this area is keeping things simple so the everyday person can make a difference. When this information gets communicated to our associations and exponentially to the users, the difference we can make is vast and exciting! — Kris Petersen
Organic Childrens’ Products
December 5, 2007
My wife and I reside in Lombard, IL. We own an online store which provides 100% natural organic products mainly for babies and small children. These organic products consist of bedding and bath products, baby clothes, toys & accessories, and also organic adult-sized bedding. It’s just our way of contributing to the Going Green push. It not only helps us with an extra avenue of income, especially with the new addition of our 1 month old baby boy, but it also constantly reminds us to be environmentally aware.
Feel free to check it out at www.babygreenco.com. — Kevin Leurck
Heisler Green Product
December 5, 2007
Heisler Green, a Chicago-based company, has developed the first Green, biodegradable, bio-renewable chemicals for industrial and HVAC water treatment. 98% of industrial water usage is used for cooling. Heisler Green’s new product, CoolGreen, can help reduce this water usage by up to 80%. These products can replace current, dangerous, environmentally harmful products.
These products can help businesses and buildings meet Mayor Daley’s initiatives to “Go Green” as well as help federal buildings comply with executive orders from the President.
