I know that I’ve written a lot recently about eco-friendly winter-wear(long underwear, gear, boots), but with winter lasting so long and being so cold (and snowy), you can always use another pair of gloves or socks, an extra hat to keep in the car, or ski pants for outdoor activities. Seeing as it’s January and I have no immediate plans for a warm weather vacation, I’m apt to write about what’s on my mind and what I could use to keep me a little toastier on these chilly evenings and even colder mornings (can you tell I just can’t get warm)!

Keep Warm at Home

Blankets – Each of these DreamSacks Silk Filled Comforters are handmade by 4 women who sit together and hand stretch layer after layer of silk fibers to create the comforters’ silk fillings. According to the company’s website, the silk adjusts to your body’s temperature and provides an extra layer of warmth so you drift off to sleep feeling as if you’re wrapped in a silk cloud. While pricey at $480 a piece, I have to admit that I would buy one of these comforters if I had the extra cash lying around! If you can’t afford one of their comforters, you might consider a Silk Fleece Blanket (starting at $99) instead.

Pajamas – I love that this SheAndMe 100% organic cotton Little Green Riding Hood comes equip with a hoodie – it shows the designers understand what it’s like to live in buildings that lack adequate insulation! Paired with these 100% be organic Everyday Lounge Pants you’re sure to keep warm and look cute to boot! Both items are made in the USA, and are relatively affordable ($95 for the hoodie and $68 for the bottoms).

Sheets – If it’s affordable and organic that you’re looking for, you might want to check out Target’s Organic Sheet Sets. Made from 100% organic cotton, these sheets are available in Sage Green, and range in price from $10.50-$42.00. For slightly more luxourious organic sheets, you might consider West Elm’s Organic Cotton Frayed-Edge Sheet Sets. These sheets have a 230-thread count and can be purchased for between $79 and $119 per set (includes a flat & fitted sheet, plus 2 pillowcases).

Slippers – According to the ‘disclaimer’ on Viva Terra’s website, you shouldn’t try these slippers on first if you’re intending on giving them as a gift – they’re that comfortable! Hand assembled and knit by a group of indigenous people in South America, these Cozy Knit Slipper Booties look to be well-worth their $58 price tag. I also like the looks of these Acorn Cozy Booties – vegan slippers that are made with memory foam mid-soles and weatherproof out-soles so your toes stay dry when you run out to start your car or grab the mail in your slippers!

Notice how limited my world view is when it comes to keeping warm! I haven’t included any hardcore winter athletic gear here, as I’m mostly concerned with finding eco-goods that can keep you warm when you’re not intentionally putting yourself in situations where being cold is part of the plan (i.e. snowshoeing, bike riding, winter surfing and skiing).

Stay tuned – I have 2 more posts planned to help you find great eco-goods that will keep you warm outside (gloves, hats, etc), and at work – because life is too short to be cold all winter long!

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I know that long underwear isn’t the sexiest or most exciting thing out there – but on nights like tonight (it’s about 15 degrees and windy outside, and I’m sitting here watch huge trucks haul snow around my town) – long johns are the greatest product ever made! And since winter here lasts forever (well, not really – I’d rather be here than in Alaska!) – I try to buy several different kinds of long underwear to last me through the season.

The good people who make Icebreaker products sent me an email about their products back in November. I wasn’t ready to write about eco-long johns at the time, and saved the email for future reference. In looking over their product line, I wish now that I’d ordered one of these Delta Scoop long sleeved shirts (to the right). Icebreaker uses all natural merino gathered from 30 New Zealand farmers to make the Nature Ultralight fabric from which their clothing is produced. The company is passionate about the wool they buy to make their clothing, and even discusses how purchasing inferior merino in the past almost put them out of business! Fortunately for us, the company prevailed and is still making their luxurious wool clothing.

If you’re looking for cold-weather athletic gear, consider the Midweight Rapid Leggings for men or women – these leggings enable you to stay warm, dry and comfortable when you’re running, biking or hiking in chilly temperatures, while their articulated knees give you extra freedom of movement. The Bodyfit Active Base Layer for men (below on the right) and the Olympia Crewe for women are the perfect complements to the leggings, and are both rated for cold to very cold conditions.

Icebreaker is committed to manufacturing sustainable products, to the welfare of the animals from which they source their merino, to an ethical manufacturing process, to maintaining a transparent supply chain, and to buying merino from local farmers with whom they have long-term relationships. And if you’re looking for something other than long johns, Icebreaker also makes merino wool socks for all seasons, and as well as athletic gear and accessories for men, women and children.

Cuddl Duds is another eco-retailer that is making sustainable long underwear to keep us warm on chilly nights. If you’re looking for traditional long underwear with an eco-twist, you might like their eco-bamboo Scoop Neck Long Sleeve Shirt. At $28 this shirt is affordable and sustainable, and is finished with a gray stripe and ribbon that add a feminine touch to the practical garment. You can also grab matching Long Pants or a Tank Top to complete your winter wardrobe.

Other excellent sources for environmentally friendly all-weather long underwear and layering garments include gear companies like REI, The North Face, Patagonia and Marmot. Look for all natural merino wool baselayers for men and women on the North Face website, and Marmot Upcycle underwear that’s made from natural, organic, recycled and discarded materials. Even though Upcycle goods are made using materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, there’s no way you could tell when you are wearing midweight crews and midweight bottoms created using this revolutionary technology.

Hopefully you can find something here that’ll help on these frigid winter nights and keep you cozy all season.

If you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, consider unplugging, recycling or simply not buying any number of electronic and battery-operated gadgets. Since so many gadgets are already fully integrated into our lives, (think Blackberries, iPod docking stations and speakers, and wireless mice), manufacturers are starting to develop eco-friendly gadgets that can help us all stay connected while lowering our global and individual carbon footprints.

Some eco-friendly gadgets are solar powered, wind powered, or powered using kinetic energy. Gadgets are also being developed with more efficient processors, longer battery lives (which reduces the time needed to plug in and power up), and increased durability (for longer lives). When making your purchasing decisions however, keep in mind that the greenest route is also the one that doesn’t involve your actually buying anything! While green gadgets are an excellent step towards lower carbon emissions, you make the most impact when you choose not to make that purchase at all.

There will always be a need for certain gadgets, so make sure you choose wisely when you’re ready to make your purchase. Try to stay clear of totally useless or unnecessary consumer goods. Do you really need a Canine Treadmill? Will your life be that much more complete with a Cooper Cooler to chill your beverages on the spot, or are there other appliances in your life that can take care of that job? And honestly, how many crimping irons, curling irons, hair dryers and other power-hungry hair gadgets does one really need? The same holds true for the number of televisions, cable boxes, video game consoles, DVD/Blu-ray players, cell phones, MP3 players, blenders, and bread ovens in a given house – do you really need all that you have?

Next time you’re thinking about buying a new gadget, first consider whether you really need it or if you simply want it before making your purchase. If it turns out to be one of those gadgets you just can’t live without, make sure you buy green when you can, unplug it when it’s not in use, and use recycle the packaging materials if possible. To learn more about the impact your gadgets have on the environment, check out these recent articles:

Today’s New Gadget Gift Could be Tomorrow’s eWaste by Jordana Huber in Canada.com.

Home Electronics Significantly Impact Electricity Costs and Carbon Footprint by Dave Lewis of National Semiconductor on Green Supply Lin.

Green Gadgets on Green Inc., the New York Times environmental blog.

Finally, check out green-focused media outlets, blogs and consumer goods companies before buying any new green gadgets. Companies like Popular Mechanics are good sources of information when you’re looking to buy any kind of electronics equipment. Their recent article, Top 4 Eco-Friendly Gadgets Coming This Year by Seth Porges profiles the best green gadget’s from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.? TerraPass sells eco-friendly gadgets and chargers in their online store, and sites like EnviroGadget always have the latest news on eco-gadgets for people interested in cutting-edge consumer goods.

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This post is Part 2 of my holiday gift to readers and to other environmental researchers and writers that spend their time trolling through the web in search of good sites.

Consumerism

GreenerChoices.org – Published by the folks who bring us Consumer Reports, GreenerChoices.org is an online initiative designed to inform, engage, and empower consumers about environmentally-friendly products and practices. The site includes product ratings, calculators, eco-label information and buying guides to help steer your eco-dollars in the right direction.

Knowmore.org – A resource for those looking for information on Ethical Consumerism. Initially compiled as a wiki by volunteers, Knowmore.org runs the “Behind the Logos” project to help consumers understand the corporate practices of the world’s most profitable companies.

The Center for a New American Dream - An organization with the mission to help Americans consume responsibly to protect the environment, enhance quality of life, and promote social justice. The Center identifies environmental issues facing consumers and provides tools, resources and solutions to help Americans change their ways.

Directories & Guides

Local Harvest – Local Harvest is a comprehensive directory for?small farms, farmers markets, and sustainably grown foods. Whether you’re looking to find a farmer’s market where you’re going to be vacationing or are interested in learning more about CSA programs, you can find what you need by visiting the Local Harvest site.

MetaEfficient – Dubbed “the guide to highly efficient things,” MetaEfficient publishes lists of all kinds of highly efficient and green goods. From broad product categories like “Furniture,” to niche goods like earpods, MetaEfficient finds the most sustainable goods and delivers the scoop in their guides.?

The Green Guide?- Find out how to incorporate “green” into every area of your life with National Geographic’s Green Guide. The Green Guide is updated regularly with tips, products, companies, services and advice on going green, and is a reputable source of information for all things green.

Online Communities/Social Networks

Huddler’s Green Home – If you’re looking for a community full of like-minded eco-individuals, consider joining Huddler’s Green Home. You can submit product reviews, contribute to the site’s green wiki or engage in any number of green forums on this eco-focused social networking site.

MakeMeSustainable – MakeMeSustainable is an online community that provides individuals and businesses with the tools necessary to identify and accomplish their sustainable goals. Members can calculate and track their carbon emissions, encourage others to join the movement, and build a network of individuals, businesses and organizations that are committed to achieving a sustainable future.

People For Earth – People for Earth members work together to take action, learn, share, connect and collaborate on projects that promote eco-friendly living while addressing the serious issues related to the future of the planet. Community members can launch and join groups, post content, engage in debate and network with others who share their goals and ideals.

Research Resources

CorpWatch – The CorpWatch website is packed with information, links and research that citizens, journalists and organizations can use to hold corporations accountable for their actions. In an effort to aid researchers and keep an eye on big companies, CorpWatch provides news, analysis, research tools and action alerts about corporate practices around the globe.

The University of Michigan: Statistical Resources on the Environment – This no-nonsense site is a portal for statistical information related to the environment, global warming, climate change, pollution, alternative energy and other eco-topics. Use this site to find facts that back up your claims and fight propaganda and incomplete arguments with concrete data.

USGBC Green Building Links – The USGBC has compiled an extensive list of green and sustainable building resources. You can use this site to find organizations and governments that have implemented sustainable practices in the planning and development of their communities.

Think Tanks & Research Centers

RAND: Energy & Environment – RAND works to solve complex social, economic and governmental problems using scientifically-backed research and quality analysis. Drawing on multiple departments within RAND, the Energy & Environment group compiles research and works toward developing solutions that balance environmental concerns with economic development and social needs.

Union of Concerned Scientists – The Union of Concerned Scientists is a science-based alliance of citizens and scientists working together for environmental solutions and responsible change in government policy. Combining rigorous scientific analysis, innovative policy development, and effective citizen advocacy, the Union of Concerned Scientists strives to achieve practical environmental solutions.

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Image via Wikipedia

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I like the simplicity of Thanksgiving – that on this day you are meant to join together with friends and family, eat a large, lovingly prepared meal, and give thanks for all the blessings in your life.

I also know that Thanksgiving can be a stressful time for all kinds of reasons – vegans and vegetarians may have a hard time finding food that suits their philosophies (and often have to fight their families about their beliefs), people battling eating disorders are barraged with food at every turn, and those struggling to take charge of their diets (for health reasons, for philosophical reasons, for monetary reasons), are usually forced to give up control and eat what others have prepared.

If you’ve arranged your life around organic and locally produced foods, Thanksgiving might seem like the beginning of the end – it’s the official kick off of holiday parties, holiday food and holiday meals that are filled with foods you might otherwise never touch! While you may have to take a few deep breaths this season and eat what others have cooked, you don’t have to drop your efforts at organic if you’re making the meals. Small and family farmers all over the country raise organic turkeys under humane conditions. While you may have to place your orders early (most of the sites I saw listed November 21 as the cut-off date), you will be rewarded when a healthful, fresh, organic turkey arrives on your doorstep ready to cool.

Organic Turkey Farmers & Retailers

The Diestel Family Turkey Ranch raises Heidi’s Hens – Certified Organic Turkeys that are range grown on the family’s ranch in the Sierra Foothills, fed certified organic corn and soy, and blessed with the Certified Organic label by Oregon Tilth. Diestel Family Turkeys can be found in stores all over the US and in nationwide Whole Foods Markets.

Lobel’s Organic Free-Range Thanksgiving Turkeys are raised in an all-natural environment that is free of hormones and sub-therapeutic antibiotics. The turkeys are fattened up on a diet of certified organic grains, and arrive fresh (never frozen) on your doorstop on the day of your choice between November 21 and 25. Lobel’s turkeys are from 10-24 pounds, and range in price from $75-$140.

Organic Whole Young Turkeys from Organic Prairie are small birds (less than 14 pounds each) that are produced by an independent cooperative of organic family farms. According to their website, Organic Prairie farmers never use antibiotics, or synthetic hormones or pesticides in production, and for turkeys, organic management starts the first day out of the egg. You can purchase these birds through the website or find a store that sells the turkeys near you.

Tropical Traditions Pasteurized Turkeys are free-range turkeys that are raised on Cocofeed – an organic turkey-feed ration that contains no soy products and has been specially developed by Tropical Traditions for their turkeys. Tropical Traditions is a family farm in Wisconsin where they’re allowed to roam free on diversified farms practicing sustainable agriculture. Tropical Traditions turkeys cost from $75 – $140 and the are shipping now for receipt before Thanksgiving.

Willie Bird Organic Turkey from Williams-Sonoma are raised on natural grains and vegetable proteins and certified by the Oregon Tilth to be free of artificial pesticides and chemicals. These 10-18 pound birds are shipped overnight from Oregon and arrive at your home the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Orders can be accepted until noon on November 21, and cost from $72-$105.

You’ll obviously need more than organic turkeys to get you through the season, and while you might already have a whole list of organic and local food providers, it never hurts to connect with new famers or find farmers when you’re traveling. LocalHarvest is an organization committed to preserving the connection between farms and communities by providing information on small, locally-owned, and family farms. LocalHarvest maintains a Turkey Guide to help people find turkeys that have been raised under organic conditions on small-scale and family farms. Most of the turkeys in the LocalHarvest guide are certified organic and have been raised without the use of antibiotics or hormonees. You can also find information about all kinds of other foods through the LocalHarvest website, including all the fixens you’ll need for your holiday meals.

If you’re interested in learning more about organic and heritage turkeys, check out these resources:

Heritage, Organic & Wild Turkeys: Better Than Butterball? in The Nibble

How to Have an Organic Thanksgiving from iVilliage

Take the Local, Organic Thanksgiving Challenge! from The Green Fork

It’s come to my attention recently that I have not been entirely fair in presenting a selection of eco-friendly products that work for both men and women. Since writing for the Green Buy Guide, I’ve realized that, while it’s relatively easy to find interesting, hip, stylish eco-goods for the ladies, tracking down equally cool goods for guys is a little trickier.

In tracking down products for this publication, I’ve come across hundreds of eco-businesses owned by women who design cool, interesting and stylish clothes, shoes and accessories specifically for women. When it comes to finding similar products for men however, I often come up short. Perhaps it’s because women buy more clothes, shoes, and accessories than do men, thus creating a larger market for their wares. Regardless, I’ve decided I need to work harder and uncover more green goods for my male readers. In the spirit of my previous post, I thought I’d start by introducing eco-boots that guys can wear too.

Timberland has a reputation for making high-quality rugged shoes and boots that keep the wet and cold away from your feet without sacrificing comfort. And with the introduction of their Earthkeepers line of footwear, the company has stepped up their environmental stewardship and made a real commitment toward treading lightly on the Earth. Shoes with the Earthkeepers label are manufactured using recycled materials and must meet design criteria around recycled, organic and renewable content, solvent-free adhesives, and reduced climate impact.

The Earthkeepers label includes both work and dress boots that are eco-friendly, comfortable and generally waterproof as well. If you’re looking for heavy-duty workboots, you might like the Earthkeepers 6-inch brown waterproof leather boot. The boot lining and outsoles are made from recycled materials that wick moisture away thereby keeping your feet dry all day, and the soles are designed for all-day comfort. These light-weight boots retail for $160 and are available in black, dark brown and brown. If you’re in need of a dress boot, check out these Earthkeepers Leather Chukka boots. Worn under dress slacks, these ankle-high leather boots are also made from recycled materials, are entirely waterproof and retail for $140.?

If you’re in search of Friday night footwear that you can feel good about sporting, NOVASCAS offers stylish shoes and boots that look like leather but are actually crafted from the finest microfibers and cruelty-free materials available. NOVASCAS products are 100% vegan, are produced in European factories and distributed by a few retailers in US, Canada and the UK. NOVASCAS’s Jacob boot is ankle-high, finished with decorative stitching and could easily pass for leather (at least from the photos). You can purchase the Jacob boot for $140 through the MooShoes site or through one of the other fine retailers listed on the company’s website.

While it’s easy to find eco-boots of any color and style if you’re a woman, there are fewer funky options out there for guys who want to mix it up and make a statement with their footwear. Vegetarian Shoes makes unforgettable footwear using microfibers and biodegradable synthetics (including something called Stretch Fake Suede) in worker-friendly European factories. These shoes are cruelty-free and made-to-order according to your specifications and measurements. Check out these Airseal Paraboots in bright green! These “military-style” 10-eyelet boots are made from Vegetan Micro-microfibre uppers and look, wear, and feel like real leather. Vegetarian Shoes also makes the Acton Boot – a good choice if you’re looking for a tall boot that doesn’t need to be unlaced everytime you kick off your shoes.

I am always looking to expand my database of eco-retailers, so if you know about eco-companies – especially those making products for both men and women – feel free to drop me a line and let me know what’s up. Here’s hoping you can find eco-boots that suit your tastes and that will keep your toes warm all winter long!

When you live in New England, winter starts once Halloween ends, and you have to be prepared for snow, sleet, ice or rain until you think that it will never be warm again (a time most commonly referred to as “May”). And since you’ll be wearing it for so very long, it’s critical to outfit yourself with winter gear that’s warm, well-made and hip enough to wear ALL the time.? With such long winters it’s easy to get sick of your boots – so I’ve compiled a list of companies that are designing eco-friendly boots that will keep your toes toasty and look cool as you slog through the snow.

Beyond Skin is a British shoe company that hand-makes shoes using ethical labor and trade practices,? eco-friendly synthetic materials (non of the company’s products are made with animal products), and sustainable manufacturing processes. Beyond Skin products are are crafted out synthetic fabrics (thereby reducing the waste generated by the overall production of the products), and are suitable for vegetarians and vegans who are looking for cruelty-free footwear.? Beyond Skin boots are made with Polyurethane (PU) – a synthetic material that looks like PVC leatherette, but doesn’t contain dioxin – an environmentally damaging chemical.

While Beyond Skin doesn’t offer a huge selection of boots, their slouchy Celeste boots (shown above) are stylish and ethical. Made from faux suede, these mid-calf boots come in brown or black, and will set you back a few bucks (about $374). If you’re looking for ankle boots, Beyond Skin also makes funky black hemp Nadia boots which retail for about $690.

If you want eco-boots and don’t mind wearing leather, you might like the boots offered by California designer Calleen Cordero. Hand-made in a small California factory, these boots are crafted out of beautiful Italian leathers, hand-sculpted wood bottoms, and molded orthopedic foam insoles. Quantities of each product are limited (as each boot is hand produced by artisans), and expensive – though it looks like each pair is well worth its price. If you have the budget to splurge this season, consider outfitting yourself with a pair of Calleen Cordero’s truly unique boots.

If I could pick just one pair of Calleen Cordero boots for my feet, I think I’d go for these sexy Topa Boots (above & to the right).? Hand-stitching on the boot uppers adds a flirty finish that would look great over jeans, and the funky heel makes the boots all the hipper. The $670 Topa Boot is only made in limited sizes – 8 and 8.5 (which just happens to be my size!), and can be purchased online or from boutiques in North America, Europe and Japan. Calleen Cordero offers ankle boots too, including the Adrianna Half Boot (to the left). With 4 1/2 inch heels, these short boots will help you stand out in a crowd and feel confident that your $620 was well spent on eco-friendly footwear.? For further insight into the production of these boots, make sure you check out the company’s online Factory Tour.

Founded in 2005 out of the idea to create a “luxurious, socially-conscious fashion label,” Charmone incorporates the founders’ eco-ideas into the design and production of their high-end shoes and boots. By using microfibers (instead of leather) in their footwear, Charmone products are crafted with the philosophy of “compassionate design,” and product less waste than do leather boots.? In an effort to bring compassion to every part of their business, Charmone shoes and boots are manufactured in sweat-shop free factories where quality craftmanship is encouraged.

If you want something really different this winter, consider Charmone’s moss green Darjeeling ankle boots. Crafted out of microfiber faux suede and faux leather, these $250 vegan boots will look cool peeping out from under your jeans. Darjeeling boots also come in black, but I think the mossy color is what really makes these boots! Charmone also makes a knee-high boot called the Dragonwell – I like the how they look,? but the boot heels don’t really suite my pragmatic winter needs.

Form & Fauna is another eco-shoe company that makes hip and funky footwear using sustainable materials and practices. Using non-traditional and renewable materials to manufacture their boots, Flora & Fauna is committed to reducing their environmental impact on the Earth. Fabrics and materials included in the production process include Italian synthetics, organic hemp, bamboo and regenerative wood (for the heels), rubber outsoles, recycled fibers and breathable eco-liners for inside the shoes. These Cocca Hot Rod thigh-high boots (to the left) have Anil Kid uppers and rubber outsoles that keep the eco-conscious in stylish attire.

Terra Planet makes sustainable footwear that fits into three primary categories: 21st century artisan (shoes made using classical designs with modern technologies), Recycled (shoes made from recycled materials), and Barefoot (shoes that are as close to the principle of going barefoot as possible). While Terra Planet does manufacture their shoes in China, they work hard to develop life cycle metrics for all of their products and to minimize their negative environmental impacts through better sourcing, the use of sustainable and recyclable materials, and a professional code of conduct for all of their factories.

The Terra Planet Janis boot (shown at right) is made from vegetable tanned leather and is adorned? with a recycled quilt panel (made from recycled Pakistani and Bangladeshi quilts) in the shape of a flower on the boot’s back. These $295 boots eco-boots are held together with minimal glues (to reduce their environmental impact), and built with recycled materials when possible. Finally, if you’re looking for some really different boots this winter, make sure you check out these quilted ankle Lauren boots. These high-heeled short boots are also made from recycled quilts, are vegetable tanned and locally sourced.

The boots and companies listed here are just a sampling of the eco-comitted businesses out there who are dedicated to designing, crating and selling environmentally friendly goods. If you have an eco-business, or know of eco-companies that you’d like to see promoted, let me know! I am always looking for new sites to visit and new products to share with the eco-aware.

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• Good for the sole

A few weeks ago my mom and I set out to find me a new winter coat. I had donated 2 coats to charity at the end of last winter in an effort to force myself to buy a new coat before it got cold this fall. Thinking that it’d be easy enough to find a reasonably priced, attractive and eco-friendly garment at Macy’s, my mom and I set out to the mall with high hopes of finding something quickly and with little effort.

The mall was a bad idea (isn’t it always…) – the coats were all overpriced ($400 – $700 for “brand name” wool overcoats manufactured in countries like Bangladesh and China), unflattering and ugly, and poorly made. After trying on 2 or 3, I knew my new coat wasn’t at Macy’s, but I noticed something else as well… the coats all smelled like formaldehyde! Yeah – no. My mom and I were out of there as soon as we both realized what the smell was, and we both realized the need to stop supporting companies that don’t manufacture sustainable goods.

From our horrible experience at Macy’s, my mom and I headed over to REI – I had wanted an overcoat but decided to go with a ski coat instead. My new North Face jacket was designed in a LEED-Certified building that’s powered by 100% renewable energy, and sold by a cooperatively-owned company that takes environmental concerns into consideration when buying products and working with vendors. In an effort to help others out there who may be looking for outwear and winter gear, I’ve compiled a list of eco-committed companies who make great coats that DON’T smell like formaldehyde when they’re unpacked and tried on.

Patagonia - Patagonia’s commitment to the environment is evident when you visit their home page – instead of having an environmental policy that’s buried in the “About Us” section of the site, Patagonia advertises their environmental policies in the site’s navigation bar, and directs users to learn more about how their company is “leading the examined life.”

Patagonia has developed an online tool that I’ve been searching for, but had yet to find until I checked out the company’s environmental policies. Dubbed the “Footprint Chronicles,” Patagonia has built an interactive site where you can track the environmental impact of Patagonia products – from design through delivery. I have always wanted to know the carbon footprint of bumper stickers and t-shirts, and while I can’t track the exact carbon footprint of a “Visualize Whirled Peas” bumper sticker, I can track the movement of Patagonia t-shirts and know that each one produces 3.5 pounds of CO_2. In addition to tracking their products as they move across the world, Patagonia includes commentary on each of the products they track, and points out the positive and negative impacts generated by each item.

In researching all kinds of companies and looking over their eco-policies, I would have to say that Patagonia ranks pretty high in terms of their commitment and actions related to reducing their environmental impact. Look for shoes, clothing, outwear, and backpacks on their site and feel confident that Patagonia is looking out for the Earth and spending their profits wisely.

REI - OK, before I get started with REI, let me just disclose that I am a partial owner of the company, and have been since about 1990. REI is a cooperatively run company, and members are invited to vote on the Board of Directors (who are responsible for the overall direction of the affairs and the performance of REI), examine the company’s financial statements, and share in company profits in the form of annual dividends.

With that said, I can honestly say I feel good about the fact that I’ve held an REI membership for so long – the company is committed to environmental stewardship and gives serious thought to how they manufacture, source, package, distribute and sell their products. REI has developed a strategic focus in planning for the future, and in doing so has identified 5 environmental-+ priorities in which they want to create change: greenhouse gas emissions and energy use, green building, paper sourcing, reducing waste and recycling, and responsible product stewardship. You can read the company’s Environmental Stewardship Report to learn exactly how REI is cutting their greenhouse gas emissions, reducing their reliance on paper, eliminating waste, building greener retail facilities, and designing ecoSensitive gear.

In terms of immediate benefits to consumers, REI has started the ecoSensitive Label – clothing and gear made using eco-friendly fabrics and materials that include bamboo, organic cotton, organic wool, Polylactic acid (PLA) – a biodegradable and recyclable polymer, recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) – an easily reclaimed and re-purposed recyclable type of plastic, as well as post-industrial recycled polyester from Polartec.

The North Face - A dedicated ski gear company, The North Face is named after the coldest side of a mountain, and sells clothing designed to keep people warm in the coldest of places. As with much of what the company does, The North Face approaches sustainability as a journey, and has been developing and tweaking their technologies over time to create the most sustainable products possible.

With LEED-Certified headquarters in Quebec, and renewable energy powering their North American operations, The North Face has identified 4 key areas where they are committed to focusing their eco-energies: the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; the design of innovative and sustainable products; the elimination of waste in operations; and the encouragement of employees and customers to “Live the Brand” (I am not sure what this means, but I am guessing it is related to volunteering and giving back to the community/the environment in the name of North Face).

While I found plenty of information about the technologies The North Face uses in designing their products, the R&D section of their site didn’t specifically call out any environmental benefits realized by these practices. From looking over the corporate website, I get the impression that they don’t have anyone updating the environmental policies being put into place by the company – their page on sustainability was last updated in May, and while I know that my coat has tags explaining the various eco-policies used in its design, there was nothing like that on the site. If you’re looking for the warmest gear around, check out North Face products and don’t be shy about asking sales people or telephone representatives to explain the eco-benefits of your purchase.

Marmot – Founded in 1974 by UCSC grad students working in Alaska, Marmot is a premiere manufacturer of clothing, outerwear, tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and other outdoor gear for men, women and children. With a Code of Ethics to outline their sustainability practices, Marmot has built eco-practices into the foundation of how the company does business. The Marmot Code of Ethics applies to “every employee, executive officer, agent, representative, consultant, and intern of Marmot Mountain LLC, and…directs the conduct between any employee and our customers, distributors, competitors, vendors, and contractors.”

In defining their goal of reducing their negative impact on the environment and creating a company that will be sustainable for years to come, Marmot has declared a corporate ethic that seems to guide how the company makes business decisions, designs products and selects vendors and partners with whom they will work. You can also read about the small steps the company (and their employees) is taking to clean up the planet and do their part for the environment.

Many products produced by Marmot (and the other companies listed here) are made from GORE-TEX fabrics; if you want to learn more about the environmental stewardship of GORE-TEX Fabrics, you check out the W.L. Gore & Associates Environmental Statement.

You can find other gear companies that are doing their part below:

Keen Footwear – Learn about how Keen is rethinking their product design on their Hybrid.Think page.

Columbia Sportswear – Find out how Columbia gives back to environmental organizations.

Timberland – Read about New Hampshire-based Timberland’s Environmental Stewardship.

Mountain Hardware – Learn how Mountain Hardware is funding eco-organizations.

Merrell - See which eco-based companies Merrell has been supporting.

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After 9 months of writing for the Green Buy Guide, it dawned on me today that I’ve never actually defined what it means to be green! All this time I have been posting articles about green goods, green politics and lving a greener life with the assumption that there’s a single definition of what it means to be green, and that everyone reading knows what it is! The irony, of course, is that I don’t even really know what it means to be green – I have a pretty good idea, but when it comes to really promoting green living, I should probably be better informed.

Because of my lack of knowledge in this area, I’ve taken some time to research existing green standards and certifications, and hopefully shine a little light on what it really means when a company calls itself green.

Furniture & Home Furnishings

Green furniture manufacturers can apply for, and be awarded certifications by global not-for-profit organizations concerned with establishing standards for environmentally sustainable furniture production. The Forest Stewardship Council is an independent, non-governmental, not for profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world?s forests. According to their website:

FSC provides standard setting, trademark assurance and accreditation services for companies and organizations interested in responsible forestry. Products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations.

The FSC is supported by all of the top environmental organizations from around the world, has certified businesses in 46 countries, and ensures the companies they certify comply with the highest social and environmental standards on the market. If a company wants to achieve FSC certification, they must conform with the 10 principles and 56 guiding criteria established by the organization. Once a company is certified, they can use the organization’s logos and branding in promoting their products, and sell their goods on the global markets (FSC certification removes all barriers to trading through the WTO).

Appliances, Electronics & Computers

If you’re in search of energy efficient household and business products, look for those that bear the ENERGY STAR label. A joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on 35 product categories including computers, appliances, home construction and electronics. While complying with ENERGY STAR standards is voluntary, the program has proven to be highly successful among both manufacturers and consumers.

In order to promote ENERGY STAR standards, the EPA has allotted funds to remove cost-prohibitive barriers to producing and building energy efficient products and buildings. By lowering the initial costs incurred in the development of green technologies, the ENERGY STAR program enhances the market for energy efficient products and reduces the risks involved in developing efficient products.

Building & Construction

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization committed to expanding sustainable building practices, and to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. Comprised of 15,000 organizations from the building industry, the USGBC has developed the LEED Rating System to encourage sustainable building and design practices in commercial, governmental and residential construction. Although the LEED Rating System is a voluntary program, federal, state and local governments have started incorporating LEED standards in their new construction and working with LEED certified builders.

Within the building industry, there are organizations who have developed their own sets of green standards. While the development of green standards by industry groups is honorable, there could be conflicts of interest involved if the regulatory body is comprised of those being regulated.? One organization that has created their own standards is The Sustainable Furnishings Council, a non-profit industry association founded to promote sustainable practices among furniture manufacturers, and retailers. Comprised of 250 industry organizations, the Council is launching a public advertising and in-store tagging program for consumers to identify retailers and products which exceed their threshold of sustainability standards.

General Household Products

Green Seal is a non-profit organization that provides science-based environmental certification standards for cleaning products, paints and coatings, lodging properties and other household goods.? To gain certification from Green Seal, a product, service or property must be evaluated at every stage of its production – from the extraction of materials used in production, to the manufacture of the goods, and through the disposal and recycling of waste produced during manufacturing. The federal government’s green procurement program is closely aligned with Green Seal, and works with the organization in identifying and selecting environmentally preferable products.

A Note About Organic

The Organic Label is a whole different kind of green certification that really desearves its own article. I will write about the ins and outs of organic certification and labeling in a future post. If you’re interested in learning more about how the US Department of Agriculture certifies farms, crops, and foods, you can visit their website here.

In researching green standards, certifications and the organizations that oversee the programs, I’ve come to realize that we are still a long way from having a universal definition of what it means to be green. While the EPA is responsible for protecting the environment, they aren’t involved in the wholesale regulation of green goods, services and companies. I’m interested in learning more about this issue, so drop me a line if you are aware of certifications I may have missed or standards that I haven’t listed here.

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Ever since my parents moved to New England and purchased an antique colonial (built in 1739), they’ve spent their time, energy and money repairing, updating, and rebuilding this little piece of history. We all love the house (more so since the major renovations were completed in 2005), and my parents have worked hard to maintain the historical integrity of the structure while still adding their own touches and updating the space to suit their needs.

When planning the original renovations (which included the construction of a small addition, the complete remodeling of the kitchen, the replacement of 7 out of 10 corners of the house (!), new windows, the re-clapboarding of most of the exterior, and a new floor plan for half of the first floor), my mom and dad hired 2 amazing contractors who specialize in working on old houses.

The contractors – Robin and Bill – spent months ripping out rotted posts, fitting level windows into less-than-level walls, designing a functional staircase for the most frustrating space possible, figuring out how unsupported walls were still standing, building new bathrooms, and generally fixing every problem you could possibly imagine (boulders beneath the kitchen floor, rotted-out walls, antiquated everything). And while Robin and Bill did the heavy lifting (and hammering and building and installing), my parents did what they could to cut costs, speed up construction, and reduce the waste generated in the renovations.

One of my parents’ main concerns during the construction was in reducing construction waste, recycling what could be salvaged, and reusing materials whenever possible. Construction jobs generally generate lots and lots of trash (everything from old appliances to lumber tends to get tossed in dumpsters), but my parents were committed to making their project as green as possible. And they seemed to have succeeded in that regard – according to their contractors, the waste generated during the renovations of my parent’s house was about 50% less than the waste generated on their typical jobs.

One way that my mom and dad reduced their output was by reusing fixtures, doors, moldings and floorboards that were already stashed away somewhere in the house. Instead of buying new doors, they used doors that had lived in the attic for over 100 years. Instead of pouring a concrete walk, they built a path using bricks a friend had been planning on trashing. My dad cut down old doors and built a cover for their 50 X 55 inch fireplace, while my mom crafted a pot rack out of a discarded metal wheel she found on the side of the road.

My parents also visited salvage yards (specifically Antique Salvage Inc. in Exeter, New Hampshire) and bought columns for their front porch, floor joists, and a sink for their potting bench. The floorboards in their front hallway were the original attic boards, and are amazing foot-wide boards that you simply cannot buy. When the front porch was built, my mom had a massive stone (dug out during construction) hauled to the front of the house, and installed as a step up to the porch. My parents reused anything they could, and were able to incorporate their green principles into the structure of their home.

If you’re contemplating a home renovation, you may not have the same stock of stuff my parents had when they were working on their project (when you are married for 39 years, and you buy a 269 year-old home, you just have a lot of everything), but you can take baby steps to reduce your footprint in the process.

1. Consider buying light fixtures, doors, garden accessories, and lumber from architectural salvage yards. These businesses are repositories of all kinds of interesting, difficult to find, and antique building materials that are generally less expensive and more environmentally-friendly than buying similar new materials.

2. Think of your town or city’s transfer station (or dump) as a place to drop-off and potentially pick-up stuff. My parents rescued several plants that had been left at the dump – perfectly good plants that would have otherwise died, and which now thrive in their yard. You can sometimes find discarded bricks, lumber and other building materials at dumps too – just check with your city’s rules regarding removing materials from the dump.

3. While installing new windows and doors isn’t cheap, your investment will be repaid in lower energy costs and a cozier home once the weather turns cold. Make sure you replace windows and exterior door with energy efficient upgrades. My parents went with Marvin Windows for their home (specifically because they fit the architectural style of their house), but Pella and Anderson Windows also make energy efficient models.

4. Don’t just throw away appliances, building materials and fixtures that are ripped out during construction. While my mom got a beautiful new sink for her kitchen, she held on to the old sink and installed it in her art studio. You can breathe new life into light fixtures, doors, floorboards and other items by using them differently elsewhere in your home.

5. If you need specific items to finish a project, don’t just head to the store and buy something new. Post your need on a bulletin board like CraigsList, scour the classifieds in your local newspaper and in building publications (such as This Old House), and don’t be ashamed to grab discarded items off of curbs on trash day! One man’s trash is truly another man’s treasure, and people throw out all kinds of perfectly clean, usable items. Yard sales, flea markets and antique stores can be good places to find items you need to finish your renovations, so consider getting up early on the weekends before simply heading out to buy stuff at Target.

For too long we’ve been a society that’s ready to junk what’s old and replace it with newly minted products that aren’t made using sustainable practices. It’s time to change our habits and start redefining our definition of garbage. Home renovations are expensive to begin with, but you can cut costs and cut your waste if you take some of the above practices into consideration when you think about updating your home.

All photos courtesey of Ann & Charlie Bacon.