Mighty Wallet: A Green Place to Store Your Green

If you're looking for a new, eco-friendly, and inexpensive wallet, you might want to pay a visit to www.mightywallets.com. There you will find uniquely designed wallets to fit every taste made of an innovative substance called Tyvek, which is a single, folded sheet of microfiber that has been bent to form a wallet. Also, 25% of the wallet is made of recycled plastic. And, naturally, 25% of the wallets themselves are also recyclable. The wallets are made in a lower-energy facility, which helps reduce Mighty Wallet's carbon footprint. Tyvek is also non-toxic and ph neutral, and only SGS certified, environmentally friendly inks. This is as good as it gets, and at only 15 dollars a pop, what do you have to lose?

50 Ways; an Online List of Ways to Help the Environment

Wondering what you can do to help the environment in a simple, convenient way? Well, now you have a solution. A production of Wire & Twine, "50 Ways" is a cool online list of 50 quick things that you can do to help the environment, and your wallet. Better yet, they're simple things that won't cost you anything significant in terms of time commitment. To see the list, visit here: http://www.50waystohelp.com/

Threadless Tees: Go Green, Look Awesome

Want an easy, non-expensive way to go green? If so, take a look at the site (or store) of t-shirt company Threadless. Not only is Threadless a place to get "awesomely awesome" tees, tanks and sweatshirts, but they also sell ridiculously cool-looking re-useable tote bags, among other items ranging from iPhone cases to scarves to backpacks. What could possibly be better?
As a business that operates locally inside the Chicagoland area with a warehouse down by the Madhouse and a sole store in Lakeview, their tees and other merch are produced solely to the amount required by the demands of the people, meaning that they can minimize waste through only manufacturing as much merchandise as they need. They also hold local design competitions, which people of all ages can participate in. The winning design in typically featured on a T-shirt, and the more successful designs can even make it onto the tote or messenger  bags. Threadless is, as a whole, a great way to support local business and reduce waste by buying a super-cool reusable bag.
You can visit their web page at http://www.threadless.com/

What Teens Are Doing to Reach Out!

All around the nation, there is an ever-increasing aspect of growing environmental awareness - especially among teenagers - that is encouraging people and families to take "green" action, especially in places such as homes and schools. Most people know that there are really simple things you can do to "go green"; you can change to fluorescent lightbulbs, buy a hybrid vehicle, or - even better - start riding your bike or taking public transportation instead of driving to places such as your work or the supermarket. But some teenagers are coming up with unique and inspirational ideas to help their communities go green. One 3 person group of Chicago teenagers have taken items such as trash bags and aluminum cans and have made dresses and shirts out of them as well as trendy accessories. What's even cooler? An elementary school is sponsoring the project, allowing them to use their auditorium and facilities to put on the show. Another group of 4 teenagers have organized a 3-part series of beach cleanups around Chicago, inspiring over 30 people to help clean up Chicago's shoreline. Steve Jobs once noted that "the [people] who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do." So what are you waiting for?

Chicago Farmers Markets

Finally, Spring seems to be here to stay! With trees throughout the city bursting into full bloom and flower buds poking their heads out of the ground, one can not help but think how they can spend more time outdoors during the - in my opinion, best - but shortest season of the year. A great way to get out and around during the season are the Chicago Farmer's Markets. With over 70 vendors in places such as Beverly, Lincoln Park and Bucktown, there is almost certainly a farmers market near you. Although many vendors sell fresh produce among all other things, certain vendors will actually supply meals, such as fresh crepes, smoothies, burgers and even ice creams. You can find dates and other information through the official Chicago Farmers Markets website at: http://www.explorechicago.org/ key word "farmers markets".

Going Green in a Beautiful Way

As a girl, I love using makeup to enhance my natural features as well as cool gadgets to help speed up my daily routines. But more than once has the question of "how does all this packaging and energy waste impact the environment?" crossed my mind. Sadly, it's hard to find eco-friendly packaging and products at your run-of-the-mill Walgreens or CVS. Luckily, Seventeen magazine has responded to many-a-reader's plea to produce a small slide show of beauty products that zero in on minimizing waste in addition to energy use. This compilation of yummy looking lipglosses, colorful eyeshadows and smooth foundations is enough to make any girl drool. Bonus! You'll even find affordable gift ideas in there, too.
Here's the link: http://www.seventeen.com/beauty/tips/eco-beauty-products?click=main_sr#slide-1

Enjoy, Ladies!
-Kat

Working together with more teams!

We worked together with another group to create a safe environment in which we can clean up glass, paper bags, plastic bags, wrappers, and assorted scattered plastics. This gave us both a way to see the other side in working together and getting extra training.

Reactions to Cleaning the Beach.

This is the amazing reaction to doing something great in your community. It's fun and you feel satisfied immediately after! I think that if people would keep on doing this in their community, it can be really cool!   I brought along my brother and my friend and we all did this and they thought it was really fun, and cool!

Beach Clean-up

This is what we did to clean up at 12th Street Beach in Chicago. Everything that you do in the environment can help in a big way. If more people can do this once in a while, the world would be a much safer place for animals and humans too.

Chicago B-cycle Bike Share

Bike sharing has arrived in Chicago!  Chicago B-cycle, operated by Bike and Roll Chicago, offers residents and visitors an entirely new, and green, way of exploring of the city.  With B-cycle, Chicago joins Denver, Colorado; Montreal, Canada; and cities throughout Europe in offering bike-sharing to the public. 

Chicago B-cycle is designed to make all your short excursions fun and healthy. Simply check out a B-cycle when you need one, and return it to any open station when you arrive at your destination. It's quick, easy, affordable, and kind to the environment!

With both monthly and day pass options available, riders can easily check out a bike at one of six convenient 'B-stations' located in and around downtown.

B-cycling is not only good for the environment, but it is good for you too!

Expensive and bad for the environment!

Haven't you ever heard about these high gas prices? They are sky rocketing and as far as we can see, it's really expensive! Why not try something more eco friendly? Like biking to school? Or walking? Gas is as expensive as it is harmful to the environment and lets be honest, who wants to spend the extra cash?

Learn to Barter to Help Reduce Waste!

Bartering, believe it or not, is a great way to help the environment! Bartering websites, allow you to trade for items instead of spending money. It cuts back on waste, since instead of throwing out what you don't need, and buying new things, you can give the old to someone who wants it... in exchange for something new that you want!

Bartering websites are gaining popularity all over Canada, with members exchanging everything from books, movies and furniture, to negotiating apartment swaps for low-cost family vacations. With sections for business bartering between companies, vehicle trade and services like music lessons and hairdressing, you can trade out the old for new without having to spend a dime. Check out www.u-exchange.com andwww.transcanadabarter.com for more information. 

Eco-Friendly Activities

Summer is almost here, and these are some fun, eco-friendly activities to start thinking about!

Ride a bike: The first way to make your summer more earth friendly  is to ride your bike more often. This is good way to cut down on pollution and a  great way to stay looking great. Riding your bike may not be ideal  all-day-everyday but when popping over to a friends house or making a quick run  to the market why not hop on that bike that has been collecting dust. If you’re  your new to town or want to join a new club, check out bicycling clubs in your  area. It’s a great way to meet new people and explore town!

Camping: Camping is a cheap and eco-friendly activity that is  great for all ages. It allows you to enjoy nature and spend quality time with  friends and family. It can be as rugged or as modern as you like but if you want  to be really eco friendly go for the rugged camping site. These will have little  to no electricity and will truly test your survival skills. While camping, be  sure to go on a hike, swim or just sit around the camp fire sharing scary  stories.

Plant an organic garden: Eating organic is easy when it’s in your  own backyard. If you are interested in planting a vegetable or fruit garden head  over to your local food co-op or farmers market and start planting your own  food. This is a great way to cut down on all those unmentionable chemicals in  our fruits and vegetables we see today. It is also a great way to get the whole  family involved. If you have kids or know little kids have them help you, it’s  an activity they will be sure to enjoy.