ecoBlog by Kit Parks, president of ecoroot
May 30, 2009
Been busy with spring trade shows, so not much time to comment. Was recently in Las
Vegas and noticed that they sell bottled beer in aluminum bottles instead of glass.
I wonder if we did that with water bottles if the recycle rate would go up significantly. Also
wonder if they couldn't put a reusable top on them so we could sanitize and re-use. Sure
would save a lot of plastic, though I doubt the water bottle folks would care to do this.
April 29, 2009
Finally: a silver lining to the recession! Since everyone is being more cautious with their
spending, trash is way down, as we keep and live with some items we may have tossed.
One landfill reports trash arriving at his site is down 30%. That's one good way to extend
the life of a landfill! Maybe the new frugalness will continue and we will repair rather than
replace many servicable items in the future. That would be the best legacy of this
recession!
April 21, 2009
Many thanks to all of you who stopped by our GoGreen Expo booth in NYC last weekend! It
was great meeting you in person, and we loved hearing about the many ways you use our
bags. Please let us know how you are celebrating Earth Day tomorrow.
April 7, 2009
Next week is the big GoGreen Expo in New York City. We will be exhibiting in booth 716 on
April 17-19th. Be sure to stop by!
April 1, 2009
Aquafina has announced a new lighter weight plastic for its water bottles. While it is still
best to use an aluminum or stainless steel bottle, sometimes you can't, and it's good to
know that we now have an alternative that is slightly better than we had. Get the complete
details at the link above.
March 14, 2009
March 22 is World Water Day. What steps are you making to help conserve water?
March 3, 2009
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day this year? We will be in New York City at the Go
Green Expo (Hilton) along with hundreds of other manufacturers, businesses and
consumers learning about new ways we can help our planet. If you are in town April 17
-19, check it out! Also: Ecoroot wants to partner with a NYC green charity by donating
reusable bags the group can sell to raise funds for the charity. Open call for suggested
charities -- Thanks!
February 17, 2009
Here's a popular link to talk to other like-minded eco-friendly folks: www.treehugger.com.
Exchange ideas and learn new ways to help our planet.
February 5, 2009
I hope you've checked out Earth911.com's site. It's a one stop shop for figuring out how to
recycle anything. You just tell the site what you are trying to get rid of and where you live,
and it directs you to the appropriate place. While you're there, see Jennifer Berry's
interview about Ecoroot. Earth911 also offers a free weekly e-newletter that I'd
recommend signing up for as well to keep you updated on 'green' issues.
January 23, 2009
Now available from our warehouse: Our new GBW1500 large bags with a 9" gusset.
Holds three times more than our regular bag. Available with our trademark, "Paper,
pplastic...or Planet?" logo, or we can customize the pocket with your logo with just a 100 pc
minimum! Check it out!
January 19, 2009
I just discovered the most clever business idea I've seen in ages. Using goats to 'mow'
difficult to mow areas, large areas (ie, airports) or where ever you don't have the time or
money to keep the vegetation down. This is a perfect green solution to noisy, polluting
mowers. Check out Goat Trimmer's website and see what I'm talking about. Too cool!
January 9, 2009
Recycling Post Op -- what happens with the stuff you're recycling? Your glass turns into
landscape pebbles, road surfaces, tiles and food containers. Your aluminum turns back
into beverage cans, cookware, parts and even tennis rackets. Your old steel may become
a filing cabinet or your next dishwasher! That paper your recycle may turn up in your pet's
bedding, a box or letter you receive in the mail, or even tomorrow's newspaper. The
popular #1 and #2 plastic turns up as playground equipment, fencing, even carpet, or filler
for a ski jacket. Please keep this in mind next time you are tempted to toss one of these
easily recycled products into the trash. Every effort makes a difference.
December 24, 2008
Last week the FDA announced that it plans to do more research on BPA, the chemical
used to make many plastic water bottles. After initially declaring that the chemical was
safe earlier this year, it now says that the research was significantly flawed and that more
studies need to be done. That said, user beware, and be especially careful about plastic
water bottles left in the sun which can cause the chemical to release more easily into the
drinking water.
December 18, 2008
We've just started a great new eco-fundraiser for groups, clubs and other organizations
who need to raise some serious cash on a proven hot seller. Low 240 piece minimums,
and unlike many fundraisers, you actually make a nice profit per sale!
December 17, 2008
Ecoroot will be working with NC Keep America Beautiful to hold an environmental
awareness campaign about the dangers of plastic bags this spring, and while
researching, I came across this fantastic website/resource to help you get involved with
Earth Day. Check out EarthDayNetwork to get ideas about how you can help next year and
beyond.
December 12, 2008
We are thrilled to announce our latest Reusable Shopping Bag made right here in North
Carolina! Check it out! It is currently stocked in red, but for orders of 50 or more, we can
get you your own custom color and logo!
November 25, 2008
I want to call your attention to a fine four star charity called The Conservation Fund.
Virtually all dollars donated go directly to programs, such as working with the government
to find practical yet ecologically sound options for infrastructure growth. While I hope many
of you take advantage of our 10-pack Stocking Stuffer Special for holiday gift giving, I hope
you'll also consider making a donation in the name of your gift recipient to The
Conservation Fund, Keep America Beautiful or NC Big Sweep so they can continue their
important work.
November 17, 2008
Here's a startling statistic: A faucet leaking 1 drop per second wastes about 2700 gallons
of water per year - Five times what an average car uses in gas. Source: EPA Energy
Information Administration. It takes just a little packing material to correct most faucet
leaks, a simple DIY job. If your toilet leaks at the flapper valve (the rubber thing that closes
to allow the tank to refill after flushing), it is a five second, one dollar fix. All hardware
stores sell them. You simply unhook the two loops and insert the new flapper valve, then
hook the chain on the flushing arm. Adjust as needed. It should be just a little looser than
snug.
November 3, 2008
Just in time for the Holidays...our popular reusable mesh bags are ON SALE!!! Check out
the Stocking Stuffer Special which includes 10 bags (5 each of red and green). Makes a
great eco-friendly and pocketbook friendly gift!
October 11, 2008
An interesting article in September '08 AARP magazine summarizes the average
American's waste in her lifetime. Some statistics: 11,500 lbs of food scraps (only 2%
recycled), 3700 lbs of glass and metal containers (40% recycled), 1600 lbs of plastic bags
and wrap (only 8% recycled). The article states that over our lifetime, we each will
contribute 50 tons of waste. Recently I read another stat that we could easily recycle 70%
of our trash. Although I have considered myself an avid recycler for more than a decade,
I decided to put this statistic to a test. Sure enough, with just a little more effort, my
husband and I were able to make the recycle pickup three times the size of our trash. My
concern though is, when we rinse the cans, is the waste of water worse than the benefit of
reclaimed metal? Anyone know?
September 26, 2008
The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time, is a
book, according to author Thomas Kostigena "that provides solutions — more than four
hundred — that people can easily adopt into their everyday lives. Chapter 8:Where the
currents take our trash" Here is an excerpt:
Chapter 8: The Eastern Garbage Patch, Pacific Ocean
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean drifts a garbage patch twice the size of Texas. The
circular rotation around it draws in trash like a vortex. Flotsam and other debris combine to
form huge floating clouds of waste. This waste comes from cargo ships: eighty thousand
pairs of Nike sneakers, tens of thousands of rubber duckies — yes, rubber duckies,
bobbing around since a cargo spill in 1992 — the odd, or should I say odder, disgorge of
hockey equipment from yet another spill. All this mashed together with plastic bottles,
tops, six-pack holders, and other litter that degrades into smaller and smaller fragments
as it is exposed to the elements; bite-sized pieces for birds and fish that eventually die
from ingesting them.
September 25, 2008
Here's an interesting idea for turning trash to treasure: the Fishing For Energy program in
New England collects debris fishermen pull up that gets tangled in their nets, and recycles
the metals and burns the rest for energy. They use special emission controls to remove
the pollutants. Each ton of debris burned can power a house for 25 days. One fisherman
weighed his garbage collected over a year, and it totalled 5000 pounds. So far the
program has collected 47 tons. The program started in Hawaii, and now Cape May, NJ
plans to adopt it. The goal is 30 ports within a year. Fishing lines and broken traps or
nets entangle wildlife and propellers, and the plastics never fully decompose. Kudos for a
twisting a problem into an energy solution!
September 20, 2008
A 70 year old man named Rufus showed a group of us meeting for a coastal litter cleanup
this morning that, no matter our circumstances, we all can contribute to a better society.
As the group headed towards the kayaks and canoes, this obviously frail man pulled up in
his pick up and said, "I'm not capable of helping you pick up litter, but that doesn't mean I
can't help. Here's my pickup. Keep filling it and I'll take all of the litter you young people
collect and will pay the tipping fee." Today Rufus is my hero.
September 18, 2008
A new study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA indicates a
possible link to heart disease, diabetes and liver problems from to exposure to BPA's
commonly found in plastic bottles(particularly those with the recycle 7 symbol). Although
further studies are definitely in order, at this time the report recommends that the FDA list
PBA as a "toxic substance" in line with Canada and other European communities. In its
concluding paragraph it states: "The good news is that government action to reduce
exposures may offer an effective intervention for improving health and reducing the burden
of some of the most consequential human health problems. Thus, even while awaiting
confirmation of the findings of Lang et al,1 decreasing exposure to BPA and developing
alternatives to its use are the logical next steps to minimize risk to public health."
September 16, 2008
The French are now debating whether to tax such items as plastic forks and knives used
at picnics in an effort to encourage families to use traditional metal utensils, and to
discourage the tossaways. Rather than a tax, they are outright banning plastic bags in
2010. A PlasTax on plastic bags in Ireland reduced plastic bag usage by 90%, and saves
the country 430 barrels of oil a year. Likewise, the US could save up to 40 million barrels of
oil per year by switching to reusable bags. A ban can mean switching to just as bad
replacements (ie, paper bags), but a tax allows people to vote with their wallets, and
allows them plastic forks at the picnic if they so choose.
September 9, 2008
My main focus has been in trying to reduce plastic waste in America, but I just read some
startling statistics from the EPA that should make us weep:
Aluminum Cans:
Between 1970 - 2003, we Americans threw away a trillion cans worth $15 billion.
We throw away enough aluminum cans EVERY 3 MONTHS to rebuild our entire
commercial air fleet.
The energy we used to replace the cans tossed in 2001 would have bought 16 million
barrels of oil.
One can recycled would run your TV for 3 hours or a 100 w light for 20 hours.
Something to think about before you toss that can...
September 2, 2008
The main focus of this blog will be to call attention to cool eco sites and environmental
efforts across the country and beyond, particularly in the cause of reducing plastic waste
both in our landfills and as litter.
My favorite video thus far is by Vishal Mody, a science teacher in Chicago. To demonstrate
to his kids the ">dangers of plastic bags, he created this powerful video. He then got the
kids excited about making an effort to help the planet and the animals suffering from
plastic waste. They are now getting names on a petition to present to Illinois legislators to
ban plastic bags in the state. I encourage you to visit the site and if you are from Illinois, to
sign the petition.
Copyright 2008 by ecoroot
ecoroot, "We make it easy to go "Green"!, "The bag you don't forget!" and "Paper, Plastic,... or Planet?"
the mesh fabric and self-storing logo pocket are trademarks of ecoroot.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Statement
Webmaster
Been busy with spring trade shows, so not much time to comment. Was recently in Las
Vegas and noticed that they sell bottled beer in aluminum bottles instead of glass.
I wonder if we did that with water bottles if the recycle rate would go up significantly. Also
wonder if they couldn't put a reusable top on them so we could sanitize and re-use. Sure
would save a lot of plastic, though I doubt the water bottle folks would care to do this.
April 29, 2009
Finally: a silver lining to the recession! Since everyone is being more cautious with their
spending, trash is way down, as we keep and live with some items we may have tossed.
One landfill reports trash arriving at his site is down 30%. That's one good way to extend
the life of a landfill! Maybe the new frugalness will continue and we will repair rather than
replace many servicable items in the future. That would be the best legacy of this
recession!
April 21, 2009
Many thanks to all of you who stopped by our GoGreen Expo booth in NYC last weekend! It
was great meeting you in person, and we loved hearing about the many ways you use our
bags. Please let us know how you are celebrating Earth Day tomorrow.
April 7, 2009
Next week is the big GoGreen Expo in New York City. We will be exhibiting in booth 716 on
April 17-19th. Be sure to stop by!
April 1, 2009
Aquafina has announced a new lighter weight plastic for its water bottles. While it is still
best to use an aluminum or stainless steel bottle, sometimes you can't, and it's good to
know that we now have an alternative that is slightly better than we had. Get the complete
details at the link above.
March 14, 2009
March 22 is World Water Day. What steps are you making to help conserve water?
March 3, 2009
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day this year? We will be in New York City at the Go
Green Expo (Hilton) along with hundreds of other manufacturers, businesses and
consumers learning about new ways we can help our planet. If you are in town April 17
-19, check it out! Also: Ecoroot wants to partner with a NYC green charity by donating
reusable bags the group can sell to raise funds for the charity. Open call for suggested
charities -- Thanks!
February 17, 2009
Here's a popular link to talk to other like-minded eco-friendly folks: www.treehugger.com.
Exchange ideas and learn new ways to help our planet.
February 5, 2009
I hope you've checked out Earth911.com's site. It's a one stop shop for figuring out how to
recycle anything. You just tell the site what you are trying to get rid of and where you live,
and it directs you to the appropriate place. While you're there, see Jennifer Berry's
interview about Ecoroot. Earth911 also offers a free weekly e-newletter that I'd
recommend signing up for as well to keep you updated on 'green' issues.
January 23, 2009
Now available from our warehouse: Our new GBW1500 large bags with a 9" gusset.
Holds three times more than our regular bag. Available with our trademark, "Paper,
pplastic...or Planet?" logo, or we can customize the pocket with your logo with just a 100 pc
minimum! Check it out!
January 19, 2009
I just discovered the most clever business idea I've seen in ages. Using goats to 'mow'
difficult to mow areas, large areas (ie, airports) or where ever you don't have the time or
money to keep the vegetation down. This is a perfect green solution to noisy, polluting
mowers. Check out Goat Trimmer's website and see what I'm talking about. Too cool!
January 9, 2009
Recycling Post Op -- what happens with the stuff you're recycling? Your glass turns into
landscape pebbles, road surfaces, tiles and food containers. Your aluminum turns back
into beverage cans, cookware, parts and even tennis rackets. Your old steel may become
a filing cabinet or your next dishwasher! That paper your recycle may turn up in your pet's
bedding, a box or letter you receive in the mail, or even tomorrow's newspaper. The
popular #1 and #2 plastic turns up as playground equipment, fencing, even carpet, or filler
for a ski jacket. Please keep this in mind next time you are tempted to toss one of these
easily recycled products into the trash. Every effort makes a difference.
December 24, 2008
Last week the FDA announced that it plans to do more research on BPA, the chemical
used to make many plastic water bottles. After initially declaring that the chemical was
safe earlier this year, it now says that the research was significantly flawed and that more
studies need to be done. That said, user beware, and be especially careful about plastic
water bottles left in the sun which can cause the chemical to release more easily into the
drinking water.
December 18, 2008
We've just started a great new eco-fundraiser for groups, clubs and other organizations
who need to raise some serious cash on a proven hot seller. Low 240 piece minimums,
and unlike many fundraisers, you actually make a nice profit per sale!
December 17, 2008
Ecoroot will be working with NC Keep America Beautiful to hold an environmental
awareness campaign about the dangers of plastic bags this spring, and while
researching, I came across this fantastic website/resource to help you get involved with
Earth Day. Check out EarthDayNetwork to get ideas about how you can help next year and
beyond.
December 12, 2008
We are thrilled to announce our latest Reusable Shopping Bag made right here in North
Carolina! Check it out! It is currently stocked in red, but for orders of 50 or more, we can
get you your own custom color and logo!
November 25, 2008
I want to call your attention to a fine four star charity called The Conservation Fund.
Virtually all dollars donated go directly to programs, such as working with the government
to find practical yet ecologically sound options for infrastructure growth. While I hope many
of you take advantage of our 10-pack Stocking Stuffer Special for holiday gift giving, I hope
you'll also consider making a donation in the name of your gift recipient to The
Conservation Fund, Keep America Beautiful or NC Big Sweep so they can continue their
important work.
November 17, 2008
Here's a startling statistic: A faucet leaking 1 drop per second wastes about 2700 gallons
of water per year - Five times what an average car uses in gas. Source: EPA Energy
Information Administration. It takes just a little packing material to correct most faucet
leaks, a simple DIY job. If your toilet leaks at the flapper valve (the rubber thing that closes
to allow the tank to refill after flushing), it is a five second, one dollar fix. All hardware
stores sell them. You simply unhook the two loops and insert the new flapper valve, then
hook the chain on the flushing arm. Adjust as needed. It should be just a little looser than
snug.
November 3, 2008
Just in time for the Holidays...our popular reusable mesh bags are ON SALE!!! Check out
the Stocking Stuffer Special which includes 10 bags (5 each of red and green). Makes a
great eco-friendly and pocketbook friendly gift!
October 11, 2008
An interesting article in September '08 AARP magazine summarizes the average
American's waste in her lifetime. Some statistics: 11,500 lbs of food scraps (only 2%
recycled), 3700 lbs of glass and metal containers (40% recycled), 1600 lbs of plastic bags
and wrap (only 8% recycled). The article states that over our lifetime, we each will
contribute 50 tons of waste. Recently I read another stat that we could easily recycle 70%
of our trash. Although I have considered myself an avid recycler for more than a decade,
I decided to put this statistic to a test. Sure enough, with just a little more effort, my
husband and I were able to make the recycle pickup three times the size of our trash. My
concern though is, when we rinse the cans, is the waste of water worse than the benefit of
reclaimed metal? Anyone know?
September 26, 2008
The Green Book: The Everyday Guide to Saving the Planet One Simple Step at a Time, is a
book, according to author Thomas Kostigena "that provides solutions — more than four
hundred — that people can easily adopt into their everyday lives. Chapter 8:Where the
currents take our trash" Here is an excerpt:
Chapter 8: The Eastern Garbage Patch, Pacific Ocean
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean drifts a garbage patch twice the size of Texas. The
circular rotation around it draws in trash like a vortex. Flotsam and other debris combine to
form huge floating clouds of waste. This waste comes from cargo ships: eighty thousand
pairs of Nike sneakers, tens of thousands of rubber duckies — yes, rubber duckies,
bobbing around since a cargo spill in 1992 — the odd, or should I say odder, disgorge of
hockey equipment from yet another spill. All this mashed together with plastic bottles,
tops, six-pack holders, and other litter that degrades into smaller and smaller fragments
as it is exposed to the elements; bite-sized pieces for birds and fish that eventually die
from ingesting them.
September 25, 2008
Here's an interesting idea for turning trash to treasure: the Fishing For Energy program in
New England collects debris fishermen pull up that gets tangled in their nets, and recycles
the metals and burns the rest for energy. They use special emission controls to remove
the pollutants. Each ton of debris burned can power a house for 25 days. One fisherman
weighed his garbage collected over a year, and it totalled 5000 pounds. So far the
program has collected 47 tons. The program started in Hawaii, and now Cape May, NJ
plans to adopt it. The goal is 30 ports within a year. Fishing lines and broken traps or
nets entangle wildlife and propellers, and the plastics never fully decompose. Kudos for a
twisting a problem into an energy solution!
September 20, 2008
A 70 year old man named Rufus showed a group of us meeting for a coastal litter cleanup
this morning that, no matter our circumstances, we all can contribute to a better society.
As the group headed towards the kayaks and canoes, this obviously frail man pulled up in
his pick up and said, "I'm not capable of helping you pick up litter, but that doesn't mean I
can't help. Here's my pickup. Keep filling it and I'll take all of the litter you young people
collect and will pay the tipping fee." Today Rufus is my hero.
September 18, 2008
A new study released in the Journal of the American Medical Association, JAMA indicates a
possible link to heart disease, diabetes and liver problems from to exposure to BPA's
commonly found in plastic bottles(particularly those with the recycle 7 symbol). Although
further studies are definitely in order, at this time the report recommends that the FDA list
PBA as a "toxic substance" in line with Canada and other European communities. In its
concluding paragraph it states: "The good news is that government action to reduce
exposures may offer an effective intervention for improving health and reducing the burden
of some of the most consequential human health problems. Thus, even while awaiting
confirmation of the findings of Lang et al,1 decreasing exposure to BPA and developing
alternatives to its use are the logical next steps to minimize risk to public health."
September 16, 2008
The French are now debating whether to tax such items as plastic forks and knives used
at picnics in an effort to encourage families to use traditional metal utensils, and to
discourage the tossaways. Rather than a tax, they are outright banning plastic bags in
2010. A PlasTax on plastic bags in Ireland reduced plastic bag usage by 90%, and saves
the country 430 barrels of oil a year. Likewise, the US could save up to 40 million barrels of
oil per year by switching to reusable bags. A ban can mean switching to just as bad
replacements (ie, paper bags), but a tax allows people to vote with their wallets, and
allows them plastic forks at the picnic if they so choose.
September 9, 2008
My main focus has been in trying to reduce plastic waste in America, but I just read some
startling statistics from the EPA that should make us weep:
Aluminum Cans:
Between 1970 - 2003, we Americans threw away a trillion cans worth $15 billion.
We throw away enough aluminum cans EVERY 3 MONTHS to rebuild our entire
commercial air fleet.
The energy we used to replace the cans tossed in 2001 would have bought 16 million
barrels of oil.
One can recycled would run your TV for 3 hours or a 100 w light for 20 hours.
Something to think about before you toss that can...
September 2, 2008
The main focus of this blog will be to call attention to cool eco sites and environmental
efforts across the country and beyond, particularly in the cause of reducing plastic waste
both in our landfills and as litter.
My favorite video thus far is by Vishal Mody, a science teacher in Chicago. To demonstrate
to his kids the ">dangers of plastic bags, he created this powerful video. He then got the
kids excited about making an effort to help the planet and the animals suffering from
plastic waste. They are now getting names on a petition to present to Illinois legislators to
ban plastic bags in the state. I encourage you to visit the site and if you are from Illinois, to
sign the petition.
Copyright 2008 by ecoroot
ecoroot, "We make it easy to go "Green"!, "The bag you don't forget!" and "Paper, Plastic,... or Planet?"
the mesh fabric and self-storing logo pocket are trademarks of ecoroot.
All rights reserved.
Privacy Statement
Webmaster
Click here to see our latest press releases:
Ecoroot's New Reusable Mesh Shopping Bag Fundraiser Package
Ecoroot's New Reusable Mesh Shopping Bag Fundraiser Package
We make it easy to go "Green"!
TM
Ecoroot P.O. Box 5604, Emerald Isle, NC 28594 347 Star Hill Drive, Cape Carteret, NC 28584 Phone or fax 252-393-2548 |
ecoroot
TM
| Reusable Shopping Bags and Bottles * Retail * Wholesale * Custom * |
We make it easy to go "Green"!
TM
| Copyright 2008 by ecoroot ecoroot, "We make it easy to go "Green"!, "The bag you don't forget!" and "Paper, Plastic,... or Planet?" the mesh fabric and self-storing logo pocket are trademarks of ecoroot. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement Webmaster |
Photo courtesy of the Melbourne Zoo
Photo courtesy of the E.P.A.
| Click here to read Kit Park's latest articles on promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle |
Recent Articles by Kit Parks:
Plastic Water Bottles --
Environmental and Safety Issues
Plastic Bag Vs Paper Bag Facts --
What is best?
Plastic Bag Bans --
World Update
Plastic Bag Bans -
US Update
Easy Eco- Green up your life in five
easy steps
Plastic Bag Bans Gain Momentum in
the US
Big Oil Fight Plastic Bag Bans
Reusable Bags - Green Bag tips for
Choosing the right shopping bag for
you
Plastic Water Bottles --
Environmental and Safety Issues
Plastic Bag Vs Paper Bag Facts --
What is best?
Plastic Bag Bans --
World Update
Plastic Bag Bans -
US Update
Easy Eco- Green up your life in five
easy steps
Plastic Bag Bans Gain Momentum in
the US
Big Oil Fight Plastic Bag Bans
Reusable Bags - Green Bag tips for
Choosing the right shopping bag for
you
| Check out the good work of one of Ecoroot's charities, NC Big Sweep |
