Would you live in a house made out of hay? In Alabama, a group of professors and architecture students has been devising inspiring ways to reuse materials in homes and community buildings since 1993. The project is called Rural Studio, and was founded by Auburn University professors Samuel Mockbee and Dennis K. Ruth to give students practical experience in the field. Each year the group implements designs for four or five modest (but innovative) buildings in rural Alabama. Hale County, where the studio operates to the west of the University’s main campus, is one of the state’s poorer regions, with a significant proportion of its residents living below the poverty line. The Rural Studio aims to provide affordable yet well-constructed buildings for people in this community and impart lessons of social responsibility and fairness on its student participants, who leave school to live near the studio. To cut costs, many projects utilize found materials such as broken concrete, road signs, hay barrels, and salvaged wood. The Yancy Tire Chapel, for example, features walls made from 900 recycled tires, which were filled with dirt and tied together before being coated in stucco and topped with a roof of salvaged pine from a nearby house. The open-air chapel is built into a bluff overlooking a natural wetland landscape.
Another building, the Butterfly House, was built for Anderson and Ora Lee Harris in 1996 and is now occupied by the couple’s daughter. The placement of windows and walls in the house was carefully calculated so the interior may be heated and cooled passively, without use of mechanical power. Its roof is angled to collect water into a tank that may be used for laundry, and some of the siding was salvaged from a razed church.
Click here to see all nineteen years’ worth of projects! When it comes to buying clothes, few options say Reduce, Reuse, Recycle as much as choosing from racks of things other people don’t want. Finding a sweater at a thrift store means that sweater will not end up as trash so soon, but be granted a new life in your closet for another year or few to come! And what’s more, after spending an hour sifting through hanger after hanger, you’ll have a true appreciation for your finds — or steals, really, since secondhand shops are wonderfully inexpensive. You may not be able to pick up the most recent trend, but you’re almost guaranteed not to find anything your friends, or your friends’ friends, already own. If you’ve got a couple hours to spare this weekend, why not try your hand at the art of thrift shopping?
For novices, here we present a step-by-step guide: Step 1: Locate a thrift shop(s) Typing “thrift store [your city]” into Google is usually the simplest way to find a few local shops. Otherwise, search Salvation Army, Goodwill, or Volunteers of America online for locations. Make sure to check the hours — Salvation Army, for example, is generally closed on Sunday — and be sure you’ve located a retail store as opposed to a mere drop-off spot. Keep in mind that, like the mall, Saturday afternoons can be crowded and should be avoided if you prefer quieter shopping escapades. Step 2: Pack an iPod and hand sanitizer While this step is optional, it will maximize your enjoyment of the thrifting experience. Perusing every rack on your list can take at least an hour, so why not plug in some headphones and have fun with it? The hand sanitizer may or may not be necessary, but it’s nice to have. Those hangers might have been around the block a few times. Step 3: Arrive and grab a cart You will want to find a cart because there will be many articles of clothing that you A) are not sure if you like and B) are not sure will fit. Try them on. If it works, then you have a new $2 blazer! And bragging rights. Step 4: Have a broad idea of what you need Beware this one common pitfall of thrift shopping, and perhaps the most devastating. If you walk in with a specific cardigan in mind — navy blue with gold buttons, maybe — you will not find such a cardigan. If you walk in thinking that you simply need a blue-ish cardigan to go with your khaki shorts, you will likely be more successful. Most shops organize their massive volumes of clothing by type (button-downs, sweaters, jeans, pants, etc.) and then, within each category, by color. Don’t narrow your vision! Think broadly, or in terms of occasions — a shirt for a specific night out, for example — and you’ll be happier in the end. Step 5: Begin the search For best results, look at everything. If you need a black skirt, look at every one on the rack, and some grey ones besides. You never know what amazing, designer-label frock is hidden like a diamond among the more rough-hewn. And if you find something almost perfect, keep in mind that you can always enlist the help of a tailor. Skirts can be shortened and jackets taken in, still for under the price of new ones. Happy hunting!
Dec
31
Skiing a Green SlopeThe holiday season of 2011 is coming to a close — no more carols, lights, or ugly sweaters! You may feel a wave of relief, glad for the peace and maybe a quiet weekend without plans. But, if you live in Michigan like we do, you may soon realize that four to five more months of winter stretch before you, as seemingly endless as the grey, gloomy sky. You may start thinking about taking a nice mid-winter vacation. How about a ski trip? Many resorts around the country, and the world, are adopting more eco-friendly operations systems. In Spain, a Dutch company is even hoping to open an entirely self-sufficient ski resort in sunny Barcelona within the next five years. The resort would recycle liquified natural gas normally warmed with seawater from a temperature of about negative 238 degrees Fahrenheit, and then emptied into the bay. Instead, cooling energy provided by the gas would be harnessed and channeled toward the resort, which would also utilize solar panels for its other energy needs. Awesome, right? But since that’s a few years off, here are some stateside suggestions on where you can relax at an eco-conscious resort. An organization called the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition provides ratings based on how well western U.S. resorts address habitat protection and energy issues. These are their top three:
Located near Lake Tahoe in California, this 4,000-acre resort incorporates energy-efficient power sources into nearly every aspect of its operation. A geothermal heat pump, designed uniquely for the resort, powers its 12,000 square foot children’s center, and various “heat exchange” systems are used to cool certain elements (an ice rink, for example) while heating others (such as a swimming center). The resort also offers educational outreach programs to teach visitors about its conservation efforts.
This Colorado facility implemented a “green building” policy in 1999 to conserve energy and lessen its impact on the local habitat. Its employee housing is LEED Platinum certified, and a restaurant on the premises was awarded LEED Gold. Many Aspen employees contribute a dollar per week to the Environmental Foundation, which funds projects to maintain clean water and air, and the facility is actively pursuing other ways to provide renewable energy for itself with wind and solar power.
The 2,000-acre Utah facility uses biodiesel in all of its off-road vehicles and to power its ski lifts and offsets 10% of its power usage with Renewable Energy Credits. Water used to cover the slopes with snow is taken from nearby lakes, where it returns in the springtime as it melts. Additionally, many of the raw ingredients that go into dishes at the resort’s restaurants and cafes are sourced locally, and adheres to a forest management plan set up by the Utah State Forester in 1986 to maintain a healthy natural environment for years to come. Now that the Season of Giving is fully upon us, do you find yourself scrambling to think of one more present, send one more card, or plan your menu? It wouldn’t be the holidays without a little last-minute frenzy, but as you’re wrapping up all your preparations, here are five quick tips to make your holiday a little greener:
1. If you’re planning a big meal, consider the ingredients in each of your dishes. Are you using seasonable produce for the region you live in? Shop at local farmer’s markets where you can, and avoid using fruits and vegetables flown in from a tropical climate to help reduce energy used for transportation and refrigeration. 2. If you’re going to be traveling this season, remember not to wrap gifts before boarding your flight! The TSA may open and search any of your bags — including wrapped Christmas gifts — so pack some gift wrap separately to avoid paper waste. 3. Speaking of gift wrap, last week we showed you how to use cloth that your recipient can repurpose on his or her own. But if you’re short on fabric, try reusing some other common household materials such as leftover wallpaper or sample swatches, old road maps, or sheet music. Newspaper might seem like a last-minute alternative to gift wrap, but a foreign newspaper can give a gift a quirky, offbeat look. Baskets are also a good alternative to paper gift bags. 4. For that impossible-to-buy-for person still on your list, think about gifting them with an experience — a class they might enjoy, for example. Check out a local community college or community center for listings. 5. Just open a card from someone not on your list? Consider reciprocating with an e-card, the eco-friendly alternative to snail mail! Paperless Post offers creatively animated cards that you can personalize with a family photo and message for a lesser fee than paper cards with postage (and some are free!).
Dec
14
Wrapping Without WasteIn the United States, annual waste from gift wrap and shopping bags totals about four million tons, according to earth911.com. Some eco-conscious consumers save used wrapping paper for future gift-giving or stick to gift bags, which can be easier to repurpose. But the Japanese have been using cloth for centuries to wrap gifts, in a process called furoshiki. The cloth can then be reused many times — not to mention that it’s easier to wrap round or oddly-shaped items in a more flexible material.
Furoshiki, which translates to “bath spread,” originated in Japan around the 18th century as a means for a bather to easily carry his or her clothing, but soon became known as a convenient way to carry other things, as well — including gifts. Furoshiki declined in popularity with the rise of plastic bags in Japan after the second world war, but is currently experiencing a revival among concerned environmentalists. To wrap a gift this way, start with a square of fabric in a material not so thick that it will be difficult to knot. You can go to a craft supply store and pick out a cheerful pattern, use a square scarf or, if your gift is large enough, even use a small tablecloth. The Japanese Ministry of the Environment created a very useful chart explaining all the different ways the cloth can be folded, wrapped, and tied to accommodate its contents:  Click the image for a larger view!
A quick YouTube search also turns up many instructional furoshiki videos, such as this one. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can help cut back on paper waste this holiday season!
Dec
8
Truly “Green” TreesReal or fake? When it comes to Christmas trees, this is a question that has plagued eco-conscious consumers for some time. And while researchers have come to opposite conclusions regarding the environmental impact of pre-cut versus plastic trees, there is a new option that may provide a clearer solution: a living tree. The benefits are plentiful: live evergreen trees shed needles less frequently, represent less of a fire hazard, and give off a constant, festive piney aroma that dying trees lose over the days.
Oregon’s Original Living Christmas Tree Company has been providing Portlandians with their choice of evergreen — various species, six to seven-and-a-half feet tall — for twenty years. The company will even deliver your selection, with its roots wrapped in burlap, to your door, and then pick it up in a few weeks so it can be replanted by a school, church, private homeowner, or landscaper to live out its next 70-80 years. The Living Christmas Tree Co. in southern California offers a similar service to residents of the Greater Los Angeles Area — but replants the trees in a cooler locale!
Living with a tree is easy. Just make sure to give it one to two pints of water per day, and keep it away from heating vents so it doesn’t dry out — or start to think spring has come early. Avoid decorating with large light bulbs and using flock, too. It’s worth noting that some studies suggest a correlation between music and healthy trees, so don’t be afraid to sing. And you don’t need to live in Portland or L.A. to decorate your home with a lovely live tree for the holidays. You can source, transport, and replant one all by yourself! The Original Living Tree Company suggests calling local plant nurseries to inquire about four or five -foot conifers — due to the weight of the roots, the company recommends purchasing a shorter tree for ease of moving. Trees can be set diagonally in the trunk of a car (with a cable to secure the hood) or in a truck bed. In January, replant in the yard for use in 2012, or call local community organizations and offer to donate it. You could even post an ad to Craigslist and let someone else replant your tree near their home.
Nov
21
Art with no limitsSome of the most unique pieces in the world are made by artists that take everyday things, that most people throw away, and make unbelievable art. The artists mind is the only limitation to his work, and these few artists have no limits. Their art enables you to look at things in a much deeper and meaningful way. Ha Schult, a German artists, is world renowned for his work with garbage. He has made “trash people” that have been featured in famous places throughout the world. The “trash people” are life sized and are made from mostly recycled cans and old computer parts, but Shult incorporates anything and everything that he finds. These statues make a definite statement, however, the meaning of that statement is left to individual interpretation.
Dr. Evermor has created the world’s largest metal scrap sculpture as well as an entire park devoted to his creations. The park is located in Wisconsin and it incorporates metal from as far back as the 1880’s. Dr. Evermor’s work began nearly 30 years ago with just a simple exhibition. Evermor always liked collecting odd metals and other objects. As time went on he let his inner child free and decided to make something extraordinary out of his hobby.
Based in London, Tim Noble and Sue Webster have created multiple exhibitions that allow people to see garbage in a beautiful way. They accomplish this by playing with light and shadow. They create art pieces that look like nothing more tha a pile of trash, but all it takes it the right amount of light to be able to see a shadows of the most amazing forms.
There are many other artists such as the ones described above. They all work to bring awareness to the growing problem of pollution and the importance of recycling, reusing and re-purposing your old materials. Along with conveying an important message, the artists are revolutionizing modern day art. We are excited to announce our new line of kitchen products. The new items include everything from dining accesories to food preparation products. They come in a variety of colors and sizes. Wooden kitchen items have many benefits to you and your family. They decrease the risk of harmful chemicals entering into the food, since they are made from sustainable wood, such as mango or Acacia wood. All the items are also coated with food-safe lacquer. Contrary to popular belief, wooden dishes are just as easy to maintainas plastic or ceramics. Adding eco- friendly wood dining items will also enabe you to further your environmentally conscious efforts. You can be surethat each product will be unique, thanks to the expert hand made craftsmenship used to create it. Here are just some of the many items we now sell:
These versatile bowls can be used to hold a variety of things such as fruits or salad. They also will look elegant and expensive on the dinner table.
The serving platter has a nice texture and very appealing colors. It is made of the highest quality wood and is hand carved.
This utensil vase is a very original conversation piece. It is carved from mango trees in Thailand, with tree bark accents. To see the full assortment of our new kitchen products, please visit our website. http://www.verdelifestyles.com/Wood-Kitchen-and-Dining-s/314.htm.
Oct
31
From Trash to TreasuresEco-friendly projects around the world are not only helping prevent further damage to our environment but are also improving the economy. All over Africa there are programs being developed to provide jobs to employe women and even children. The programs are designed to bring awareness to the unimaginable living conditions and the economic situations. BeadforLife is an organization that allows women to work. The women make bracelets, necklaces from recycled materials and even shea butter. The profits made from the sales are used to develop the community and enrich the lives of many women. Since the larger part of the population lives in extreme poverty, new members are always joining. The goal is not to give handouts or aid but to enable the members to live independently.
Fashion, Love, Africa is an another organization located in Kenya. Mothers, grandmothers who can not afford food or do not make a steady income are given an opportunity for work. They make purses from recycled consumer plastic bags. Each bag is unique and varies in size, shape and even color, since it is handmade. The ten dollars earned from each sale is put into a fund that will provide money for loan, child care, and relocation programs.
Programs like, the two described above, are a good way to help the people in countries that are suffering economically. It is also incredibly easy to contribute. You can volunteer, you can donate to the programs, and you can buy the products for you or your loved ones. A small purchase, such as a 5-15 dollar bracelet can change the lives of not only one, but several women in Uganda and other third world countries.
Oct
8
Drink to Save the Planet
All the environmentally conscious people who like to enjoy a martini or a bottle of beer from time to time, now have a reason to celebrate! Eco-friendly alcoholic beverages are on the rise, everything from wine to vodka now has an organic version. What makes regular alcohol different from an eco friendly one? “Green” alcohol is a broad term. This could me anything from the way the ingredients that the alcohol is made from are grown to how sustainable the actual brewery or distillery is. To be labeled USDA Organic, Spirits must be made from organic materials which are grown in soil that uses no pesticides and processed in an distillery that follows organic standards. Organic standards go as far as restricting the cleaning products used inside the distillery. The two brands that made eco friendly spirits a household product are Square One Vodka and Eco 360 Vodka. These two companies go beyond just growing organic ingredients, but also incorporate the “green” initiative to the way they do business. Square One recognizes people in their community for their eco friendly efforts as well as reducing the amount of energy and gas consumption within their company. 360 Vodka has an environmental benefits statement that is posted on their website where consumers can see in what other ways the business is going “Green”. Another brand of Vodka that is worth mentioning is Tru Organic Vodka, which is promising to plant a tree for every bottle that is sold. Besides this clever marketing technique, the company makes their bottles with 25% less glass, and uses recycled corks and soy ink. But with Eco-friendly drinks come eco friendly bars! These types of bars are becoming more popular and can be seen across the country. The very first organic bar/restaurant, Gustorganics, was opened in New York City in 2008. The venue itself was built from recycled materials and uses solar lighting and energy powered by only wind. A bar in Portland Oregon, called Hopworks Urban Brewery, has an unbelievably long list of ways that their building, surrounding area, brewery and food/drinks are eco friendly. They went as far as having water retention systems on the territory. There is also a bar that is not only incorporating “green” technique in their business but is also reaching out to the local community. Uncommon Ground, located in Chicago hosts monthly mixers to bring people together and expose them to their rooftop garden and their free organic appetizers, while also getting them interested in supporting other causes. Along with mixers, Uncommon Ground has educational programs and the company partners with local business to bring more awareness to the “green” way of living. So next time you are going out for a drink, or maybe two, pick organic alcohol and help preserve our environment. |
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