what makes you earth-friendly contest
By on June 4th, 2008
GRAND PRIZE: Eco-fabulous end/side table from EWF Modern. Notice the rustic, reclaimed wood mixed with modern, sustainable Mahogany. The craftsmanship on this item is impeccable, inside and out and looks gorgeous next to chair, couch, in a foyer or in a bedroom.
Retail value: $795
Introducing PPnG’s “What Makes You Earth Friendly? Contest ending on August 31st, 2008.
Here’s how it works…
Tell us how you are eco-conscious. What are you, your friends, family and/or animals doing to help heal this beautiful planet of ours? You can submit photos, a blog, a video (please, no more than three minutes and submit as an .FLV file) with your story.
We want to hear it all. Don’t hold back, and please keep it eco-clean.
SECOND PRIZE (to the right) is a fabulous wall hanging Rajastani work of art from Kush Carpets. Created with remnant Saris and other Northwestern Indian textiles, this is the ultimate expression of recycling as art. It’s a stunning piece.
Retail value: $120
Please note: The winners are responsible for all shipping costs. See more in Rules.
July 18th, 2008 at 11:25 pm
First off…the table and the hanging are both gorgeous. We have lived wastefully for waaaay too long. We have begun recycling. Walking more often, when we can. No more driving around aimlessly. We only go when we have somewhere to be. Also, I have been trying to instill the importance of water conservation to my daughter. No running water while brushing teeth. Minimal water in bathtubs and in the kitchen sink. We have a long way to go, but we are working on it and getting greener!
August 4th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I absolutely love the prizes and the fact that you had this great idea, of sharing our “good” habits. We all love to talk about ourselves, no? When the discussion is about being Earth friendly, I personally get all excited. Please view my webpages to find out more about me, and where I am today in my quest for helping our Earth.
Keeping in mind that our level of comfort is learned, influenced by the culture that surrounds us, our approach to green, sustainable habits is different than in a country forced to be more “green” by its natural resources, lack of land, small quarters, etc.
We are fortunate to live in a blessed country, but our over-consumption habits are forcing us in taking extra time and effort in order to make the necessary steps toward sustainability, and respecting the Earth.
Coming from Europe, where I spent my first 21 years in less than 900 SQFT apartment with my other 3 siblings, I have to mention that my sustainable practices were part of my daily living. Things like: turning of the light, eating produce from my parent’s organic farm, saving energy by hanging out to dry, using the public transportation, were taken for granted, and now, they give me a “head start” in my green and permanent quest mission.
Here is my small contribution to our sustainable, green goal:
1. I do not buy bottled water, and use the tap water. It is coming from the refrigerator, filtered, while always cold. When travel, I refill a stainless container.
2. Buy some organic food, on staples like: eggs, cereals, and chicken. My constant one, because of the taste of the yogurt and the company sustainable, environmental and giving back to Earth programs: Stonyfield yogurt. Check them out next time when shopping, or on the net.
3. Read labels and buy fair trade food, especially coffee.
4. Buy some of my vegetables from local farmers at my Saturday’s farmers market, and buy seasonal. I buy fruits and vegetables when they are in season, and keep in mind the local factor.
5. I love cooking, and I am very creative in the kitchen- at least that’s what my husband and relatives are saying- making as many meals as possible out of few ingredients, and not wasting anything. I got this talent part from my family, part by training and just love to improve and be inventive.
6. When shopping for groceries, I use my own reusable bags, and having the grocery store logo on them, I hope that other shoppers will follow suit.
7. I started a small garden, since I have a horticultural background, and my love for plants is more than just a hobby. I started with the easy ones: tomatoes, green pepper, herbs. Please ask for tips if you want to start one.
8. Trim my own bushes, and pull the weeds (one of my other talents, he, he) by hand, therefore use less gas eating machines.
9. I collect water from rain under the gutter pipe, and use it to water my flowers. It has been a stormy summer here in Atlanta, and I had to use the water from the house faucet only a couple of times.
10. The plastic bags that end up in my house, I take back to the recycle bin.
11. Our family is saving water in the house by using a cup when brushing teeth, collecting water at shower, taking shorter showers, doing less loads of dishwashing and laundry. It works, because our water bill went down 60% from last year! This one is our most financially rewarding action this year. The bucket at the shower is a nuisance, and I hope to buy a temperature controlled switch soon.
12. I am checking the clothes twice before washing them, and wear it at least twice when possible.
13. I use the dryer only half of cycle. When I take them out damp, the wrinkles are gone, and I hang them to dry, or place them on hangers. Is no need to iron most of them this way.
14. I am buying recycled paper napkins, and cut them in half, to get more usage out of them.
15. We are turning off the light when not in the room, and we replaced the standard switches with dimmers. The LED bulbs will follow soon.
16. We keep the air-condition thermostat at constant temperature, 79 in the summer and to 72 in the winter. We already saw the difference on the electric bill.
17. Like most of the people, I recycle paper, plastic, metal and glass.
18. Being a fashion designer, I remake some of my clothes, and donate my son’s too small to wear items.
19. I buy organic clothes sometimes, now that I have a better knowledge of fabrics, and always with a grain of salt.
20. My husband and I are driving less, and combine chores in one driving. I cannot use a bike in my area, but I would love to see busses sometime soon.
This is what I have been doing, and I am looking forward for new green ways, while loving the challenge all the way.