LEED certified homes

The LEED certification program originated with commercial buildings, but has expanded in recent years to include schools and even residential buildings. And in a sure sign of progress, there have been 10,250 homes registered to be reviewed by the LEED Council in 2008 - Up from a total of 3,100 in 2006. Yet, only 48 of these homes have qualified for the highest rating of platinum.

Grass Roots Store

Want one stop shopping for environmentally friendly products? Try: The Grass Roots Store.

Take It Back...Flor Exchange

Like many other companies, such as Patagonia, Flor has developed a recycling program for discarded tiles - When you are ready for your next style, just give the company a call at 1.866.281.3567 and they will pay the shipping costs to take the tiles back. They then turn them into the next generation of Flor tiles.

Coir Pots

Keeping with the garden pot theme of the week, here is another eco-friendly container - The Coir Pots, also from ecosource Home & Garden. Made from coconut fiber and natural rubber.

greenPots

greenPots are just one of three lines of wares from ecosource Home & Garden which are biodegradable and actually made from rice hulls. They come in a variety of colors, include matching saucers and produce very little waste in the manufacturing process, as all materials are recycled into the next batch.

LoooLo Textiles

Made with 100 percent organic cotton and water-based inks, LoooLo Textiles's owners are creating blankets, pillows and scarves which will bio-degrade in one year when put in a landfill, if you can part with them. Tip courtesy of Real Simple Magazine.

EarthWorks Orchards

Some projects absolutely restore my faith in people's ingenuity and selflessness and EarthWorks is one such example. In addition to promoting environmental awareness in inner city schools, they are changing the face of urban landscapes by planting orchards of fruit and nut trees. These trees and shrubs not only provide shade and beautify ravaged neighborhoods, but they also provide fresh produce to community members.

Digital TV Revolution

With only 12 percent of all electronic goods being recycled, we all need to make more of an effort and Sony is leading the way with TVs. Check out Take Back My TV for places near you to safely recycle electronics as well as get political and send those other lagging manufacturers a letter.

From Worst to Best

Styrofoam peanuts - The worst! Recycling them when potting plants? Much better! In order to help plants stay hydrated, fill the bottom third of the pot with your peanuts, put in the plant and fill with dirt. This keeps plants from drowning, if you over-water them.

Ode to the Obvious

There are very few things worse than running or biking first thing in the morning and then being dowsed with a rogue sprinkler - Worse still, the water wasted flying all over the pavement, instead of the plants. Check your sprinkler system to ensure you're saving the water for your yard, not your exercising neighbors.

Eco Landscaping Association

This non-profit organization is promoting green landscaping, one yard at a time. Check out their website for mp3 podcasts and current articles written by members from around the country.

SunEdison

Introducing one of the country's largest solar energy providers - SunEdison. With large influxes of capital from investors, their business model of aggregate energy seems to be a sure, and profitable, bet.

Put the Bags Down!

Reduce trash and help protect your lawn by mulching your grass clippings instead of bagging them. This allows the organic ingredients to seep back into the grass...

Mow Down Pollution - June 14

Did you know that if you replace your old gas lawnmower with an electric one, you could prevent 70 pounds of unstable organic compounds from entering the atmosphere each year? Learn more about electric lawnmowers, chemical-free lawn products, and green landscaping businesses in Denver on June 14 from 10am-2pm at Cuernavaca Park at 200 Little Raven in Denver - Hosted by a variety of government and non-profit organizations promoting green practices.

Tubular

A big shoutout to the author of the Unclutterer blog for this next tip. Instead of dropping those paper towel cardboard tubes in the recycling, get a little extra life out of them - They make a simple holder for extension cords, making you green AND organized.

Planet Green

Instead of flipping through the channels and watching reruns of Ugly Betty, try Planet Green instead. This new TV channel promotes sustainability and cool shows to help people live green.