Sackaroos™ Reusable Bags

“Single use plastic bags which choke marine life, should be banned or phased out rapidly everywhere. There is simply zero justification for manufacturing them anymore, anywhere,” said Achim Steiner, executive director of the U.N. Environment Programme. His office advises U.N. member states on environmental policies.Steiner’s declaration accompanied a UNEP report that identifies plastic as the most pervasive form of ocean litter. According to the report, “Plastic, the most prevalent component of marine debris, poses hazards because it persists so long in the ocean, degrading into tinier and tinier bits that can be consumed by the smallest marine life at the base of the food web.”

Bring your own bags.

Love the earth!

Sue

Today is your day Mother Earth!  If you haven’t already, which I’m sure many of you have, start something new!  Drive less.  Recycle.  Plant a garden.  Purchase local produce.  Freecycle.  Ride a bike.  Use less paper products.  Use public transportation.  And bring your own bags.  See wasn’t that simple.  Your small part is helping the environment in a BIG way!!

Celebrate and love the earth!

Sue

Recycling cell phones are a great way to rid yourself of your outdated hand held communication to all.  Cell phones are made from precious metals, copper and plastics and there are 3 ways to take it off your hands!

• Recycle:  The EPA provides information about cellphone recycling at its web site www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/donate.htm.  Also, the United States Postal Service is accepting small electronics, such as PDAs, cellphones, digital cameras and music players, without paying for postage.  The USPS web site is www.usps.com.
• Donate:  Consider giving your cellphone to an organization that collects mobile devices for charity.  Charity Guide offers a list of donation groups through its web site at www.charityguide.org.
• Resell:  Some organizations willl buy your old mobile devices, though it’s tough to get much cash for your old phone.  Recycling or donation may be better options.

Happy Earth Day and love the earth!

Sue

Now, that we are comfortably into fall and winter is rounding the corner, it’s time to do an energy audit of your home.

• If you can see daylight coming through a closed door or feel cool air entering your home, it’s time to replace the weather stripping.
• Caulk around the windows, heat can escape this way. Wood blinds are best for energy-efficiency, just make sure you keep them open during the day to let the light shine in (and heat too!).
• Replace older lights with compact fluorescent light bulbs. You’ll be able to save $30 per lifetime of each bulb.
• Replace the air filter in the furnace every 3 months. If your filter’s edge is exposed, cover it with duct tape. This will prevent dust and particles from entering the system.
• Clean the refrigerator coils every 6 months, to keep the temperature cooler and running quietly. This can be accomplished by using a bottle brush.
• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. Try not adjusting the temperature more than 4 degrees on a daily basis. And when vacationing in cold months lower the temperature 6 degrees.

Love the earth and stay warm and toasty!

Sue

It’s December 2nd, the day after Cyber Monday! Sackaroos has plenty of styles and options for your eco-friendly family and friends. Sackaroos makes a great green gift for you holiday giving. Shop green!

Love the earth this holiday!

Sue

Good News! The Georgia State Department of Resources has just announced the recently ended nesting season for Loggerhead sea turtles has set a record! There were 125,000 estimated hatchlings that made it out of their nests and into the sea. During this past summer there were 1,646 nests counted on the barrier islands, the old record was1,504 nests set in 2003. Before the loggerhead sea turtle can be taken off the threatened species list, there has to be an annual number of 2,000 nests for a 25-year period. Ok, you beach walkers, while you’re picking up shells also make an effort to pick up the trash, particularly those plastic bags! To a sea turtle in the water a plastic bag resembles a jellyfish which is part of the diet of a sea turtle (besides crabs, clams, shrimp and some fish) Let’s set another record next year!

Love the earth (and the Loggerhead sea turtles!),

Sue

All week on the Today Show, Matt, Meredith, Anne and Al have covered the earth to report on the status of our oceans.  Just over 70% of our precious planet is covered by water.  The coral reefs which are the intricate habitats of much of the marine life that live in the oceans, is slowly vanishing.   I just had my first experience snorkeling in a coral reef off the coast of Maui.  When I went to rent my equipment, there was no mention of the care of the coral reef.  Stepping, breaking the coral for souvenirs kills the animals, yes coral reefs are not plants or rocks, they are living animals.  Also, there was no mention of touching the sea turtles which are an endangered species.  We need to educate, educate, educate businesses which rely on the coral reefs for their livelihoods.  We need the oceans….water is life.

Love the earth,

Sue

Have you ever been to Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta in the waiting pen? You know, at the top of the enormous escalator waiting for a loved-one or friend. It’s almost like red-carpet status, once you arrive at the top. The crowd has decorated themselves with signs, flowers or an occasional balloon. There are babies crying (mom, how much longer do we have to wait!!) and limo services with a business associate on their hand-written signs. This is also the same entry into Atlanta where our soldiers arrive. There is a USO podium with attentive women greeting our men and women as they step off the escalator. Sometimes I wonder…are they coming or going? Jubilation, if they are arriving on American soil, sadness and anxiety as they leave us temporarily. I’ve been there at the top of the escalator when they arrive, there are cheers, applause, it’s almost like rock-star status and that is the way we should honor our soldiers. They are putting their lives on the line for us (and we didn’t even ask them). It gives me chills when I think about it, just like when I’m at the top of the escalator. It should give you chills too, they are keeping us safe and fighting for us. Thank a soldier. Our men and women in uniform will appreciate it!

National Recycling Day is November 15th. Don’t put it off a day longer, now is the time to start!!

Interesting facts from the National Recycling Coalition -

• Twenty years ago there were 1,000 curbside recycling programs, today there are more than 10,000.
• Today the United States recycles 32% of it’s waste, a rate that has almost doubled in the last 15 years.
• In 2005, Americans discarded up to 2.2 million tons of unwanted electronics-80 % of it in landfills.
• Recycling prevents the emission of green house gases and water pollutants.
• Saves energy.
• Supplies valuable raw materials to industry.
• Creates jobs.
• Encourages the development of greener technologies.
• Conserves resources for our children’s future.
• Reduces the need for new landfills and combustors.

If America’s recycling rate for aluminum and steel cans, plastic PET and glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging increased by 10%, we would save enough energy to provide electricity to 1.8 million Americans for an entire year.

Now that’s impressive! A few easy steps to do the world good (and don’t forget your Sackaroos reusable bags!).

Love the earth (we only have one!),

Sue

Have you seen this video, The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard? Check out the video at www.storyofstuff.com and watch this amazing 20 minute video about where our “stuff” originates and how affects our communities. It will make you want to strive for a more sustainable home and community. Watch it!