Hear Ye, Hear Ye Colorado Residents

If you're looking for a local source of information about a myriad of ways to conserve, look no further than the Center for ReSource Conservation. From building green to saving electricity to efficiently using water, they've got answers to your questions for commercial, residential and government purposes.

Not to be a Grinch, but...

Christmas is over and it's time for those lights to come down. Especially at those houses that went completely overboard, AGAIN. Every year, millions of kilowatts of electricity are wasted by those neighbors on your street which can't seem to resist every giant whirling snowglobe, blinking string of lights and rotating Santas. How about next year we downsize just a bit?

Another Green Website

Just can't get enough green information? Then check out The Daily Green, another green resource with the latest news, suggestions and events created by Hearst Digital Media.

Mountains O' Paper

Hard to see your floor, with all the wrapping paper laying around after Christmas? Well, try these tips from Real Simple Magazine (December 2007 issue) to reuse that paper, instead of sending it to the landfill:
- Donate scraps to your local elementary school for kids' art creations.
- Receive any fragile ornaments as a present? Then use the paper to store them for next year.
- Finally, frame a favorite picture and use the paper as the mat.

Hemp 101

Much has been said in the discussion about hemp and here are some points to consider:
- The plant grows extremely quickly.
- It does not need chemicals to protect it while growing or while it is processed into a product.
- Hemp plant seeds have a high nutritional value.
- Nearly all portions of the plants can be used in production for fabric, paper or skin care products, to name a few. (Photograph courtesy of Tree Hugger.)

Forestry Standards

The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization which helps educate the world about sustainable forestry as well as provide certification for eco-friendly practices. Their standards set green precedent for the construction, paper and printing industries.

Wrapping Paper

You've missed the Christmas shipping deadline for Fish Lips, but there's always hope for the next birthday in your life. Fish Lips makes eco-sensitive wrapping paper for all occasions - Utilizing soy-based ink and 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. Just ignore the 1980's style web site design and go straight to their creative wrapping papers designs. (Thanks Amy!)

Last Minute Cards?

Crunch time has hit and if you haven't sent out your holiday cards yet, annie/catherine might be the card manufacturer for you. Based in Maine, they offer cards made of recycled paper, soy-based ink and they donate 5 percent of their profits to local charities. They've even started working with the Forest Stewardship Council to guarantee their paper is responsibly harvested. (Another huge thanks to Amy for this great tip.)

Bows A Flying'

Before you buy that ordinary wrapping paper for your mountain of gifts this holiday season, try Paporganics, a line of gift wrap that is made from recycled paper and organic materials. They also sell stationary and natural ribbon too at their website and at retailers around the US. (Thanks Amy for this tip!)

More Holiday Shopping...

Looking for just the perfect gift this season? Then check out Crescent Moon Snowshoes, an environmentally responsible company in Boulder, CO - Not only do they buy wind energy to offset their electrical needs, but they have also refused to make their snowshoe frames from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a commonly used building material. PVC is cheap to make, but extremely expensive to break down, so it does not get recycled.

Win a Green Office

Corporate Express is out to change the business world, one office at a time. They are sponsoring a contest to encourage businesses in Colorado to go green as well as show how to sustain the efforts. Simply write a 600 word or less essay explaining how your office has gone green and why it's important by December 19 and you could win a $20,000 package of green products and expert advice.

Solar Tubes

Think skylight, but easier and cheaper to install...Solar tubes or tubular skylights as they are known in the industry are green alternatives which do not use any electricity. They are simply a tube, attached to your roof and ceiling, which utilizes natural light and is perfect for ceilings in small rooms. They look just like a regular light and are available at Home Depot and Lowe's.

Consume Less...

During this crazy shopping holiday season, the best way to be green is to remember that by consuming less, you have less impact on the environment. Consider giving a donation to a favorite charity in your friend or family member's name, instead of the latest technological gadget. Or cook or bake a favorite dish for when they want a home cooked meal. There are a lot of opportunities to think creatively and still be green...

Party Tips

Hosting a party this holiday season? Then consider buying recyclable cups, plates and other accessories from Eco Products, located in Colorado. They feature a large variety of these items made from corn, sugarcane and other compostable ingredients. And they offer bulk size orders too, if you want to mention it to your favorite local restaurant, coffee shop or bar.

Eco Options from Home Depot

The Home Depot has jumped on the green bandwagon and actually created a labeling system, Eco Options, to help you find environmentally friendly products in their stores. Whether you're looking for energy efficient products or water saving appliances, this easy system will cut the guesswork out.

Shopping for the Holidays

Looking for a unique gift that didn't leave a carbon footprint when it was manufactured? Try the Eco Thermo 6 sleeping pad from Pacific Outdoor Equipment. This pad was created with bamboo fibers and the company, based in Bozeman, MT, buys solar and wind energy to offset the electricity needed to create it. Sleep even better...

Recycle Those Greens

If you can't forgo the live Christmas tree this season in favor of a plastic one, then make sure to at least recycle it after the big day is come and gone. If you live:

• In a city, check your local government website as many park departments collect the trees, chip them and then offer free mulch to residents in the spring.
• If you live in a coastal area, many preservation groups use the trees to help prevent further erosion on beaches.
• Near a lake, some municipalities use trees to help rebuild fish habitat.
  
• Finally, if you are highly motivated and have your own garden, chop single branches off your tree and cover your flower beds.
  

What's Biomass?

In the field of energy consumption, biomass is simply fuel made from biological material, such as wood, hemp, corn, willow or switchgrass. (Also known by another name - biodiesel.) These fuels can be used to run vehicles, but are not 100 percent without drawbacks. For example, if forests are cleared to make room for the production of these crops, they can still contribute to global warming.

Samsoe Island Goes Off the Grid

On the 44-square mile island of Samsoe off the coast of Denmark, 4,200 residents are officially off the grid - The entire island's electricity needs are being met by wind turbines and 70 percent of their heat derives from solar panels, hay building construction techniques and biomass.

Next step? Residents are rallying to use biodiesel fuel in their automobiles. (Thanks to my friend Kelley, a very talented photographer, for this tip.)

Holcim Awards

If you are in the field of architecture or construction, you might want to check out the international competition for sustainable construction, the Holcim Awards. There is $2 million dollars of award money at stake and bragging rights in the green design world.

For everyone else, check out the innovative and inspiring design ideas.