Even states are starting to recognize that there is a higher demand for green practices, in all levels of business, and publicizing your leadership will lead to higher revenues - For example, when you are traveling to Vermont or California, you can check the following websites for green hotels in your locale:
www.vtgreenhotels.org
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/EPP/GreenLodging
Crown Victorias to the Prius
Here's a short salute to Metro Taxi of Denver - They have purchased 10 Toyota Prius Hybrids to replace their aging Crown Victorias and are aiming to replace their entire fleet over the next few years. Here's hoping other taxi services take notice!
Earthworks Expo - Denver
If you are in the Denver area the weekend of June 21-22, swing on by the Merchandise Mart for EarthWorks Expo 2008. Featuring hands-on workshops and green vendors, find all your local resources for everything from energy efficient homes to edible landscaping!
Green Seal
If you are looking to be more earth-friendly, check product labels for the Green Seal. This 501(c)(3) non-profit reviews and then certifies green products, ranging from paint to coffee filters. What makes them unique is that they inspect each product's life cycle to see everything from where the ingredients came from all the way to how the item is packaged.
The Green Exchange - Physical Features
The building which houses the Green Exchange in Chicago features a variety of green characteristics as well as historic landmark status . (It used to be the Vassar Swiss Underwear Company Building, built in 1914.) The builders kept the outer skeleton of the former factory, while installing solar panels, preferential parking for electric cars, low toxic paint, a green roof and a highly efficient heating and cooling system.
The Green Exchange
In order to become a leading green city, you need to push the envelope and try new ideas to see what will sink and what will fly - Here's hoping The Green Exchange in Chicago does the latter. This innovative building complex will house up to 100 companies promoting green products and ideas in a LEEDs certified building.
Green Enzyme Cleaner
While Draino might be the first brand that comes to mind when a sink clogs, next time try an environmentally-friendlier brand - Earth Enzymes Drain Opener. No chemicals and it utilizes natural enzymes to eat through gunk!
Reuse those Boxes
Courtesy of Real Simple magazine, here are two creative ways to reuse boxes around your home, instead of kicking them to the curb in your recycling bin.- Empty tissue boxes can become organizers for plastic shopping bags, especially if you are a dog owner and need them every day.
- Empty paper copier boxes are sturdy and excellent for storing a myriad of items, next time you have items crashing down on you from an overflowing closet.
Bravo Chicago!
All hail to Chicago, with a city administration that is thinking out of the box to promote and reward green building. City officials actually fast-track construction permits and reviews for buildings which are seeking Leeds certification. Instead of wallowing in red-tape bureaucracy, they move to the top of the pile. In the world of construction, with rising raw costs, even small delays can cost a builder millions, or in the case of green builders in Chicago, make them millions over their competitors. How about it Denver?
Pass Along...
Okay, all of you out there who are hoarding the latest edition of Seventeen magazine, try passing it along instead of throwing it out. Bring it to your doctor's office, pass it along to a deserving friend or take it to the gym for the poor sap on the treadmill.
An Inspiring Story...
A growing number of NY city residents are taking back vacant lots in their neighborhoods and turning them into urban gardens. With the assistance from several non-profits, who are teaching them about different kinds of plants and providing them with seeds, these residents are beautifying their community, producing healthy and organic foods and making a little money too by selling their produce at local markets.
Container City
Fact: Most goods in the world are now manufactured in India and China. Fact: These products are then shipped in giant freight containers to the U.S. and Europe. Fact: It is cheaper to make new containers, rather than ship back empty ones. Fact: Innovative builders are now using these crates to build spectacular housing, such as Container City in London.
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