Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, the fearless leader of major & massive online mag, Ecostiletto (for whom I write a column, thank you very much), just forwarded me her latest video which quickly & cutely spells out the difference in environmental impact between a standard cotton tee shirt and the sustainable alternatives. It’s got a cheeky, “learning’s fun” vibe, but the overall message is what we all need to hear. Check it!

Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, the fearless leader of major & massive online mag, Ecostiletto (for whom I write a column, thank you very much), just forwarded me her latest video which quickly & cutely spells out the difference in environmental impact between a standard cotton tee shirt and the sustainable alternatives. It’s got a cheeky, “learning’s fun” vibe, but the overall message is what we all need to hear. Check it!

As most of you know, I do write a weekly “Home” article for the massively-read online magazine Ecostiletto.  And sometimes my story subjects are a bit more “domestic” than I am… which I actually don’t completely mind because it teaches me about new “green” products.  Anywho, this story idea came to me and I was enthralled!  What is Bio-diesel – and are there any by-products? Fascinating!

According to the National Biodiesel Board, biodiesel is a biodegradable, non-toxic, clean-burning alternative fuel produced from domestic, renewable resources like discarded cooking oil.  And you may think biodiesel is a resource reserved for drivers of those oh-so-sexy vintage Mercedes Benz and the super groovy tour buses carrying the likes of Neil Young, Willie Nelson and Jack Johnson.  However, one of the byproducts is pure, clean glycerin, the basic building block of soap.

Now comes the genius part. After converting their beloved ’84 Benz 300D to run on Biodiesel, the Pasadena, CA based Megan and Marshall Dostal found themselves with a surplus of glycerin. Beauty junkie Megan started tinkering with fragrant oils like bergamot and olive and the gorgeously fragrant, light and sudsy Further Soap was born.

POST BY DEANA

According to OXFAM, Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – for the most part in developing/3rd world communities and countries. Fair Trade organizations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising, and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.

Bottom line: Fair Trade means 3rd world factory workers & artisans are paid reasonable rates in safe work environments for their hard work (as opposed to the horrific working conditions of sweat shops).

Ok… even writing this is making me clutch my metaphorical pearls.  It’s not that were a bunch of prudies here at Green with Glamour, but condom-talk just isn’t really our m.o.  Anywho, my incredible hair/make up artist & always-in-the-know dear friend, Vanessa Price, sent me this fun post from Daily Candy all about French Letter’s Eco-friendly condoms.  Read the D.C. article here… We’ll leave all of the cheeky puns to them, but our hats are off to French Letter for tackling such a touchy subject, for the support of Fair Trade – and for the tasteful packaging!

For those of us who listen to NPR (and I get it – all other news outlets) … you very well know – it’s been some particularly grim reporting lately.  THE ECONOMY, THE ECONOMY, the economy.  And certainly this isn’t the 1st time the dire financial situation our country is suffering has promoted some “green” lifestyle options (alternative energies, greater use of mass transportation, less gluttony overall), but I heard a story this morning, called Broken & Broke, that really gave me hope.

It was a story about the family-run Cortini shoe repair shop in Fulton, NY that has been operating since the 1920’s and business has never been better. The current owner (grandson of the original) was happy to report that now more than ever people are having their shoes repaired rather than replaced (cue heart swell!).  He said people were even bringing in inexpensive shoes… This is fantastic news!  Could this sucky economy finally bring to blossom the concept that REPAIRING & RE-USING is better than replacing or even recycling?  Be still me heart!

Mr. Cortini (I can only assume).

For those of you who are new to the repair game… don’t give up on your most beloved shoes, wallets, handbags, sweaters, jeans – the list could go on forever.  In these glorious days of the internet,  find the most respected repair shop near you and GO!  Having my shoes, bags & sweaters repaired gives me a natural high – and I am hard on my cherished pieces. And don’t you dare think that it’s too costly.  Ok, you only spent $40 on the shoes originally and the repair might be $15, but how is that not better than totally replacing???  You’re not supporting sweatshops, you’re not creating more waste for landfills and it’s only 15 f*%#ing dollars for a like new piece.  Once you’ve got the right repair shop on your speed dial… I promise – you’re life will be forever charged!

Ask anyone I know and they may tell you that I’m a bit crazy (or as I like to see it – passionate) about recycling/wasting. At home, it’s a cinch… while out & about, I will most definitely hang on to the recycling I (or others – even strangers) create and bring it home to my beloved bins… while staying in (non-recycling = most) hotels rooms, I will bring our plastic, glass & paper to a local facility before heading home, but on an airplane – I feel a little helpless. I have yet to find a domestic airline that recycles on it’s own and though I do try & fill my already stuffed carry-on with – you guessed it – I still don’t like being forced to create all of this waste with “throw away” containers. I can avoid plastic bottles ANYWHERE but in the airport & while flying… even 1st class has resorted to using the junkie water bottles. If we can’t go back to the days of flying with re-useable containers… can we at least move forward & adopt the bio-degradable ones?

From my last flight – Not exactly gluttonous (hummus, veggies & pita, 2 champagnes and 4 waters), but enough to impact a landfill.

If this bothers you too – a couple quick tips:

Fairmont Hotels have fantastic recycling (and other”eco”-friendly) programs. And they’re wonderful places to stay!

A lot of airports DO have recycling bins (LAX, LaGuardia, Logan, SFO, O’Hare… to name a few). If you can just walk off the plane with your waste, you’ll be sure to find those lovely receptacles.

Forgo the plastic “glass”. Drink from the can or bottle and cutout half of your waste. Bon Voyage!