December 08, 2009
In the spirit of mass transit, check out these really cool metro stations worldwide! If only the US could catch up, both in infrastructure and esthetics.
 Innovative design from metro / subway stations around the world
December 07, 2009
With two storms hitting the San Diego region this week (just look outside!), the Water Authority is reminding residents, businesses, and public agencies to temporarily shut off their landscape watering systems. Irrigation systems can be turned off for several days following storms bringing measurable amounts of rain and up to a week or more following heavy storms.
The frequency and length of watering cycles should be reduced during the fall and winter because of the shorter, cooler days. Additional water-saving tips are available a www.20gallonchallenge.com.
Check it out!!
November 23, 2009
 Green Trash Bags and Green Aluminum Foil
In I went to the grocery store (Ralph’s) tonight, and out I came with some surprising finds!
Our household (2 adults) goes through a box of trash bags once or twice a year. Luckily we recycle everything we can, and compost our food waste. Tonight I made a rare detour from my usual grocery store (Trader Joe’s) to the Ralph’s next store.
When looking for our next 6 month’s supply of trash bags I saw a ton of options ranging from the indestructible force flex option to the generic store option. And then Hefty Renew Tall Kitchen Bags caught my eye. The trash bags are made from 65% recycled plastic (44% post-consumer; 21% pre-consumer material) packaged in 100% paperboard. While I’d prefer to see an option with a higher % of recycled material, I felt relieved that I even saw an option (hopefully many more will be carried in the future).
Right next to the trash bags was aluminum foil, which I have been out of for several months. I have eliminated using it to line my pans when baking, but have found times where I wish I had the option to cover my goodies once I store them in the fridge, or send some home with friends. The one and only option I found was Reynolds Wrap foil made from 100% recycled aluminum foil, 100% recycled paperboard, and water based printing inks. I was impressed that they dedicated an entire side of the packaging to demonstrate their commitment to the environment….. “you don’t have to sacrifice quality for the well-being of our environment.” Which leads me to the question, “Why aren’t ALL of the Reynolds Wrap products made from 100% aluminum if quality has not been sacrificed?” I’ll keep you posted on how well these stack up to the non-green options.
These name brands were the ONLY recycled options in their respective product categories. I look forward to the day when the shelves are stocked exclusively with environmentally responsible products! I’m happy about progress, but scratch my head when Hefty sells 9 out of 10 product variations made from virgin materials.
Oh, and feel free to apply some friendly pressure on your local, regional and/or national grocery stores to carry more green options! Money talks, and taking the time to make more informed choices will help us all have more green choices!
November 16, 2009
Many of us hear that it simply is not possible to eat meat and
keep in line with sustainability. However, a new study out of Germany has found quite the contrary. Great read!
Check it out here.
September 02, 2009
I saw an advertisement for this movie and wanted to share it with you all! http://www.noimpactdoc.com
Here’s a quick synopsis:
Colin Beavan decides to completely eliminate his personal impact on the environment for the next year.
It means eating vegetarian, buying only local food, and turning off the refrigerator. It also means no elevators, no television, no cars, busses, or airplanes, no toxic cleaning products, no electricity, no material consumption, and no garbage.
No problem – at least for Colin – but he and his family live in Manhattan. So when his espresso-guzzling, retail-worshipping wife Michelle and their two-year-old daughter are dragged into the fray, the No Impact Project has an unforeseen impact of its own.
Watch the trailer here: http://www.noimpactdoc.com/trailer.php. Movie opens at Landmark Theaters in San Diego October 2nd!
You can even sign up to live no impact for a week! They’ll put you on a team and guide you through the steps day-by-day. Sign up at www.noimpactproject.org!
September 01, 2009
 Live Green & Work Green by Telecommuting Looking for ways to be more green? Why not combine your ‘Live’ and ‘Work’ by telecommuting from home! This article offers some great tips everyone can apply to help save energy, reduce your carbon footprint, and simplify your life.
Read the article here:
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/green-telecommute.html
May 26, 2009
NEW ECO SECTION AT THREAD!
Whether it’s your first time, or you’re an old friend, this weekend’s Thread shouldn’t be missed. With it’s focus on local and emerging designers, unique art installations, and dj’s mixing in chill downtempo beats, Live & Work Green is most excited about this year’s addition of it’s dedicated Eco section.
This new section at Thread focuses exclusively on eco-fashion and sustainability. This year they are introducing eco-friendly lines for men, women and kids and covering everything from beauty, home decor, gifts and more! Check out a list of Thread’s Eco Designers.
Also, keep reading below for a few additional features that Live & Work Green thought were worth checking out!
2 WAYS TO RECYCLE YOUR CLOTHES AT THREAD
1. DONATE: AND GET INTO THREAD FOR $2 LESS!
Bring along one bag of clean clothes in great condition and get into to THREAD for less. Your clothes will be donated to 5 chairities to support less fortunate teens and children. Presented by Its All About The Kids.
2. SWAP: ONE WOMANS TRASH IS ANOTHERS TREASURE
OPEN 11AM – 1PM EACH DAY ONLY
Bring along 10 items of clean designer clothing in excellent condition and trade it for 5 someone else’s. Hosted Presented by jeans for justice.
COLLABORATE WITH ARTISTS IN THE NATIVE LOUNGE.
presented by SET AND DRIFT
Join in a collaborative art installation featuring native plants in the historic flour silo of the Wonderhaus Bakery, Pieces start at $20. Bargain!
LIVING WALL DISPLAY
Watch local artists build art with plants presented by Pigment Design & Tend Living
DESIGN YOUR ECO OWN TEE
Choose your very own style and color of organic T’s and collaborate with on-site printers to design your own T Shirt you can take home and wear that day : presented by SEZIO
Come see for yourself, talk to the designers and artists and I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you find, and maybe you’ll even come home with a cool new eco-friendly outfit :)
May 05, 2009
Filed Under (Water) by Michael McKibben on 05-05-2009
photo by shiphome via flickr
Just approved by the city council, beginning June 1, San Diego city residents will have to abide by the following new water restrictions.
Lawn watering for Residents:
- Address ending in odd number – SUN, TUE, WED
- Address ending in even number – MON, WED, SAT
Lawn watering for businesses, condo’s, apartments:
In addition, watering can only be performed for 10 minutes, and only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
Vehicles may only be washed by hand between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., and only with a hose equipped with an auto-shutoff sprayer.
Many agree however that this not a viable long term solution. A true fix as we know is water efficiency and reducing our demand overall. This includes installing more efficient toilets, shower heads, clothes washers, and faucet aerators. If your’re not Bob Villa, we offer our WaterWise service to install shower heads and faucet aerators for you. In less than an hour we can instantly make your home more water and energy efficient.
If you are looking to permanently reduce your outdoor watering demand, our WaterSmart landscaping takes all the guesswork out of creating the perfect drought-tolerant property. How does saving 50% in water expenses your first year when compared to a traditional lawn sound? What if we told you by year two your water savings would be 80% and by year 3, 90% on average? Contact Us today for an estimate.
April 24, 2009
Filed Under (Water) by Michael McKibben on 04-24-2009
 Drought Level 2 On Thursday, April 23rd, the San Diego Water Authority moved to a Level 2 drought alert.
Level 1, which we were previously under, asked for mostly voluntary reductions. Now, under drought Level 2 an 8% mandatory reduction in water use must be met. In addition, water rates will be increasing dramatically this summer.
Drought Level 2
- Limits outdoor watering to certain days and times.
- Mandates repair of all leaks within 72 hours.
- Bans water runoff from properties.
- Forces restaurants to serve water only on request.
- Directs construction companies to use recycled water when possible.
- Requires hotels to offer guests the option of not laundering towels daily.
The city of San Diego’s latest proposal for water conservation relies on:
- Communicating conservation goals to customers.
- Training utility staff to spot water waste.
- Hiring 10 people to enforce restrictions.
- Responding to complaints about water wasters.
- Issuing fines of $100 to $2,500.
Action you can take now
Water efficiency is your key to saving money and meeting the necessary mandate of the Level 2 alert.
- Properly adjust your irrigation, cutting back on your watering days and time, check for broken heads, make sure you are watering only in the early morning
- Replace old toilets with new water efficient dual-flushing toilets, many of which are eligible for a rebate.
- Replace your top-loading water with an Energy Star rated front loading model, and wash only full loads.
- Wash dishes in your fully loaded dishwasher, which is far more efficient than hand washing.
- Take your car to a car wash instead of cleaning it at home, most recycle the water they use.
If you are concerned about water wasters in your neighborhood and you live within the City of San Diego, the Water Conservation Program website has more information, including a link to report water wasters. Of course, if you really want to cut your water use, installing our discounted WaterSmart Landscaping using California natives is the best long term solution in drastically cutting your water use and saving money. To learn more about the Level 2 alert, visit http://www.sdcwa.org/.
April 22, 2009
Looking to mix a little offbeat humor with learning how to go green? Check out http://theguidegirls.com for online “instructisodes” that teach people how to lead more ecofriendly lifestyles.
Winnie and Maxine, as the alter egos like to be called, will give you the play-by-play on composting your garbage, saving bathroom water, and using a clothesline to save energy — in a unique way that only these girls can pull off.
Enjoy!
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