When shopping for those perfect summer sunglasses, I usually search solely based on style. For the eco-conscious consumer, however, many stylish, environmentally friendly options exist.

Shoppers also need to remember to not neglect the purpose of sunglasses – to protect your eyes – in the pursuit of fashion. Sunglasses without at least 98 percent ultraviolet (UV) protection allow the sun’s harmful UV rays to damage the eyes.

Check out these shades that combine style, sustainability and safety.

iWood

iWood offers a collection of sunglasses and jewelry that strives to live up to its motto, “Sustain the planet, maintain your cool.”

Each pair of iWood sunglasses are made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified sustainable wood. The sunglasses are made in the United States and constructed from the unusable excess of a veneer supplier in Indiana. The multiple layers of wood in the sunglasses are pressed together with formaldehyde-free glue, and the frames are coated in an eco-friendly sealant, which preserves the product without emitting any volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Each pair also offers 100 percent protection from UVA and UVB rays.

All of iWood’s sunglasses have wooden frames shaped in a variety of styles. My favorite pair is the iWood Style 314 sunglasses. These larger sunglasses have square-shaped frames with rounded edges. They’re made of myrtle burl, a darker wood, with dark blue tinted lenses.

These iWood sunglasses are made of myrtle burl, a darker wood, with dark blue tinted lenses. Photo Courtesy iWood. 

All of iWood’s sunglasses cost $370 on the iWood website. They can be found for 20 dollars cheaper at www.thegreenloop.com. The sunglasses can also be purchased at iWood’s store in Louisville, Kentucky.

Kayu

As a renewable material, bamboo is found in everything from flooring to utensils, and now, even in fashion accessories.

Handcrafted Kayu sunglasses are constructed from bamboo. Because bamboo is a grass, not a wood, it grows quickly; it can restore itself in just three-and-a-half to seven years. Bamboo doesn’t require pesticides or fertilizers to produce, making it a very environmentally friendly material to use. However, because bamboo is native to Asia, it has a high embodied energy because of the fuel it takes to ship overseas.

All of Kayu’s sunglasses cost $180. They can be found at www.kayudesign.com, www.visionaryboutique.com, www.econsciousmarket.com, www.greenwithglamour.com, www.thegreenloop.com, www.skates.com or at the Visionary Boutique in West Hollywood, California.

Kayu’s sunglasses come in light colors with retro larger, square-shaped frames. Kayu sunglasses also offer 100 percent UV protection. My favorite pair is a light yellow with brown-tinted lenses.

Kayu's sunglasses come in light colors with retro larger, square-shaped frames. Photo Courtesy Kayu.

Kayu works with Unite for Sight, an international nonprofit organization devoted to improving eye health, to promote the elimination of preventable blindness. For each pair of sunglasses sold, Kayu donates $50 to fund one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world.

Next time you want to look good in a new pair of shades, feel good about yourself too by recycling your old ones. Donate old eyeglasses and sunglasses to Unite for Sight, which will deliver them to people in need in Africa or to the Lions Club International, which recycles and distributes the glasses to people in developing countries around the world.

My neighbors are replacing their 1950s windows with energy-efficient ones. I love old pieces of furniture with character, so when I saw that they were tossing their old windows, I relished at the opportunity to create a piece of furniture.

I wanted a natural piece of furniture where I could put everyday items, such as keys, my cell phone and wallet. I came up with this versatile table, part organizer and part living room furniture. I was inspired by the planter table in the July/August issue of Natural Home (page 11). I cut out a circle from the lower level plywood and turned an old piece of wood into a mini garden box.

For the two levels, (the box the plants sit in and side panels) I used my neighbor’s old windowpane and an old piece of plywood and scrap wood they gave me. I found the legs at the local hardwood store. Originally all white, I sanded and painted the legs and plywood with yellow eco-friendly paint from Sherwin Williams. Although I used these materials, you can substitute them for other materials that work with your natural space.

 

You can put a basket over the drilled planter holes.

Planter table
Estimated time: 1.5 to 2 hours
Materials: old glass window, four longer legs (I used 28 inch legs), four shorter legs (I used 6 inch legs), a piece of plywood and scrap pieces of wood (I used wood that is an inch wide and the length will depend on the size of your window or surface).

1.    Sand and paint the legs and pieces of wood. You can paint the window, too.
2.    Mark where the legs will be on the table and use screws and a drill to secure them.
3.    For the lower level, draw the shape of the mini garden. I drew a circle with a four-inch diameter. Drill a hole on the line of the shape; this will start the cut out. Carefully cut out the shape with a jigsaw tool.
4.    Return to the windowpane table and flip it upside down so the window is facing down and the legs are up. Place the piece of plywood on the four legs and make sure it is even on all sides. Draw a small dot where you will drill a small screw into the plywood and the leg. The dot should be just to the side of the center of the leg (not the center).
5.    I purchased six inch legs that had screws already in the center of them, which makes securing the legs to the plywood much easier. Leave a small dot where you will drill the hole; this should be in line with the longer leg. Once they are all marked, drill and screw the legs in.
6.    You can create a box for the plants to sit in or use a plastic pot. I used a plastic pot as the plywood is worn. You can add a piece of wood around the base of the table, which connects the four legs together, so you can’t see the plastic containers. This step is optional.

Do you have any ideas for my empty space? Share your ideas and thoughts by leaving me a comment or sending me an email (snelson[at]ogdenpubs.com).

No, I’m not on the remote Island of Bali, Indonesia, (although pronounced the same way) — I’m at the seventh annual Business Alliance of Local Living Economies (BALLE) in Denver, Colorado. The three-day conference is dedicated to inspiring small, local businesses to achieve their entrepreneur goals, which simultaneously builds sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the attendees’ communities.

Last night I heard software and networking developer June Holley and Tom Stearns, board president of the Center for an Agricultural Economy and founder of High Mowing Organic Seeds, speak about rural economic development strategies. Both speakers were fantastic, and delivered presentations that change your perspective on rural towns, economic strategies and the green movement.

Stearns has been an organic seed grower since he was 19 and transformed his passion for growing organic seeds and produce into a successful business, High Mowing Organic Seeds. In 2004 he joined the Center for an Agricultural Economy, based in Hardwick, Vermont (which has the most organic farms per capita in the world). Stearns and community members transformed this abandoned, desolate mining town into a thriving community of 3,000 residents.   

Stearns discussed the food system, its current broken state and how we can go about repairing it. He shared some interesting food for thought: Strawberries don’t grow year round in many communities, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the produce section of a grocery store. The food system is broken; just look at the spread of e. coli outbreaks and how far our food travels. To top this, Stearns said that 70 percent of people in the country will die from food related illnesses, such as diabetes and obesity. That's a lot to swallow.

As depressing as this appears, Stearns offers an easy solutions to repair the system: eat smarter, eat local and eat organic. He empowered the audience with the belief that we can create a healthy food system by knowing what a broken food system looks like. For the first time in history, we are consciously creating a food system that incorporates local businesses and communities.    

I’m off to my next session about educating the next generation of entrepreneurs. Stay tuned for the summary of living economy entrepreneurs and more session recaps to come. In the mean time, have you heard of BALLE? Are you a local living entrepreneur? How have you developed your local community and economy? Do you have a question for one of these community entrepreneurs? Email me (snelson[at]ogdenpubs.com) and I’ll let you know their response!

As the weather warms up in Kansas and the advent of graduation signals one last free summer for me, my mind is turning to camping. Since last September I’ve been carrying around a tent, sleeping bag and other camping supplies in the trunk of my car, and now that I finally have some free time I’m itching to spend the night outside, go hiking and simply enjoy nature. 

While getting away for a weekend to the woods might seem relaxing, the benefits for nature are not necessarily reciprocal. Most of us probably camp the traditional way—sleeping bags and tents—but that doesn’t mean we’re minimizing our impact on the environment. While camping may seem like an eco-friendly activity, it’s important to leave no trace of our visit when we’re gone to preserve the land. 

Trash

• Taking care of your trash is one of the most important – and obvious – ways of greening your camping. Be sure to take out everything you bring in. Keep bags around for collecting waste and for recycling.

• Dispose of waste according to your campsite’s rules.

• When hiking, stuff trash in your pockets. If you see any litter left behind by other hikers, be courteous and pick up after them. Just because it’s not your trash doesn’t mean you can’t help out!

Cooking and Dishes

• Bringing disposable paper or Styrofoam plates and utensils may seem the easiest option, but it’s certainly not the most eco-friendly. Instead, bring along reusable dishes and silverware that you can wash.

• When washing dishes, carry them far away from any water sources (about 200 feet), such as streams and lakes. Use biodegradable soap, and scatter the dishwater.

Enjoy nature while preserving it for future generations. When camping, bring recyclable dishes, use LED flashlights and propery dispose of your trash and human waste. Photo By mariachily/Courtesy Flickr 

Flashlights

• If you’re going to bring a flashlight (and most people do), consider investing in a LED flashlight. LED lights can provide up to 600 hours of light from a single set of batteries, and they produce a brighter light than traditional flashlights. You can also buy wind-up LED flashlights. The friction created from winding the light’s lever will power it.

Campfires

• Build your campfires within an existing ring and keep them small.

• If you’re going to fuel your fire with the wood surrounding your campsite, keep in mind that both standing and fallen trees, dead or alive, may be home to animals and insects. It’s always better to collect dead wood than saw off living branches, however.

• Gather wood from a wide area around the campsite so as to lessen your impact.

• If possible, use dry drift wood from rivers and seashores.

• Burn all wood to ash, soak in water (not cover with dirt) and scatter the remains over a large area. 

Waste

If you’re not using a campground with bathroom facilities, it’s important to know how to properly dispose of your body waste. While urine leaves little to no effect on the environment, other types of waste can.

• Catholes: This is the most common and accepted way of disposing of human waste when you’re out camping. For this, be sure to bring a garden trowel with you. Dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches wide. Be sure to locate your cathole away from your campsite or any hiking trails, and place it especially far away from water sources as human waste can pollute them. If possible, place your cathole where it will receive the most sunlight, as this well help aid decomposition.

• Toilet paper and Tampons: Use toilet paper sparingly. Bury it deep in your cathole or carry out in a plastic bag. Tampons must be packed in a plastic bag and carried out; they don’t decompose, and animals are likely to dig them up.

For more information, check out Leave No Trace, a program that provides outdoor skills and ethics training.

Blogger Laurie Dickson is blogging from the  Living Future  "unconference" in Portland, Oregon, this weekend. Living Future is devoted to promoting innovative green design that focuses on real solutions for real planetary problems.

Day Two: May 8 

8 a.m.
Thomas Crum

Every good building is a collaboration of ideas, concepts, and people working together, but sometimes in the collaboration conflict arises. Not missing a beat, the Deep Green thinkers at the 2009 Living Future conference want to make sure that you have the tools to effectively deal and more importantly, learn from the stress and conflicts. Thomas Crum begins the morning, (600 building professionals) with exercises to enhance our awareness about reducing stress and therefore potential conflicts with coworkers, spouses and associates. The core of his work emanates from his Aikido training and mastery. His books include Three Deep Breaths, Understanding the Magic of Conflict, Mind-Body Training – A Journey to Center. 

And how does this relate to our sustainable building sessions this week? As Thomas says, “Creating a space for centering and meditation is essential to our well being. Our spaces can enhance or detract from our ability to remain centered. Our homes and our spaces can support peaceful conflict resolution.” 

12 p.m.
Jason McLennan

The backbone and the creator of the event is a remarkable man, Jason McLennan, considered one of the most influential individuals in the green building movement today. He is CEO of the Cascadia Green Building Council, author of The Philosophy of Sustainable Design, and most recently, the founder of the Living Building Movement.

The principles of Living Building begin “to define the highest measure of sustainability attainable in the built environment based on the best current thinking.” 

Living Buildings are the new green building standard to achieve in our buildings. Breathing, life generating, net-zero energy, beautiful-built environments. It is the reason all these professionals have gathered in Portland; to attain a new level of brilliance in all of our homes, offices, schools and communities. Living Buildings is the evolving pinnacle and the Living Building Institute has launched to assist the professionals in the designs that will carry us into a healthy, verdant and sustainable world.

Although we all need to get away, our travel can negatively affect the environment of the place we visit. However, by taking a few small steps, we can help protect our vacation spot’s environment and keep it clean for those who come after us. 

On your next vacation – whether local, national or international – keep these tips in mind to ensure you’re being a responsible tourist. By following them, you can adhere to the old mantra of “take only a photograph, and leave nothing but a footprint” – but not a carbon footprint! 

• Bring a reusable water bottle: Every year millions of plastic water bottles end up in a landfill. Unfortunately, plastic water bottles are popular with tourists. On vacation access to water isn’t as easy as going to the kitchen and grabbing a glass, so many tourists fall prey to the water bottle trap – buying them in packs, rarely reusing them and then dumping them in the trash when done. Fixing this is simple: bring your own reusable water bottle and fill it up multiple times. If you’re visiting a place where the drinking water isn’t safe, it’s even easier to give in to water bottles. Other options, however, such as water purification tablets, will allow you access to water without the pesky plastic bottles.

• Buy local: If you’re looking for a snack or making yourself dinner away from home, try to buy from a farmer’s market. Buy souvenirs from local sources as well, but watch out for items made from endangered plants and animals. Not only will you be supporting the local economy, but you’ll be minimizing your carbon footprint by buying products that weren’t flown in from overseas.

• Hike friendly: Always stay on the marked path. Wandering off the trail can hurt the vegetation and disturb animals. Keep track of your trash and take it out with you – and if you see trash from other hikers, pick it up!

 

Save plastic water bottles from a landfill by bringing your own reusable water bottle when you travel. Photo coutesy Kaeru.

• Don’t buy new guide books: Instead of getting a new one for every trip, borrow from a friend or – better yet – the library. That’s what it’s there for after all, and you might be surprised how many guide books your local library has.

• Bring your own toiletries: Instead of using the miniature bottles of shampoo and conditioner that hotels provide, pick up a set of empty travel-size bottles and fill them with products you already have. By reusing the bottles, you’re saving them from a landfill, and wouldn’t you rather use your own products anyway?

• Ditch the car: Walk, rent bicycles or use public transportation. If you need to use a car, consider renting a hybrid or a smaller car that gets better gas mileage than your own.

• Travel with an eco-friendly tour guide: For a list of these, check out Independent Traveler’s guide.

• Take a volunteer vacation: Give back to the place you’re going.

Blogger Laurie Dickson is blogging from the Living Future "unconference" in Portland, Oregon, this weekend. Living Future is devoted to promoting innovative green design that focuses on real solutions for real planetary problems.

Day One: May 7

8 a.m.
Janine Benyus

How do you write in just a few short paragraphs the inspirational presentations of the sustainable world’s leading thinkers? Let’s back up and review last night with Janine Benyus. If you haven’t heard of Biomimicry and the Biomimicry Institute, check it out online.

Janine Benyus, founder of of the Biomimicry Guild, has led the world with her challenge for all of us to not just learn about nature, but to also learn from nature.  “How does a gecko stick to a wall…why are spider webs so strong…how can we use photosynthesis for our next generation of solar designs?”

Here is a scientist who reaches beyond the science and into the passionate realms of nature inspiring and educating our designs. “We need a change of heart which is not one of pity towards nature but instead respect," Janine says. When we ask the question, “How would nature solve this problem?” then we search the world’s creatures and ecosystems for the answers.

As if that is not enough, Janine and her dedicated researchers and scientists have developed a web site where we can ask those questions…only 1.8 million species to ask! Those answers are readily available online.  

1 p.m.
Denis Hayes

Denis Hayes launched Earth Day in 1970.

Unless you have been living in a cave the last few weeks, then you probably celebrated one of the largest non-religious events in the world (with more than 180 nations participating): Earth Day. 

In 1970, Denis Hayes launched the single biggest celebration of our planet, and it continues to be the event that inspires communities to plant trees, recycle, join a neighborhood food cooperative and more. Time magazine selected Hayes as one of its "Heroes of the Planet." Look magazine named him one of the 100 most influential Americans of the 20th Century, and the National Audubon Society included him in its list of the 100 Environmental Heroes of the 20th Century. 

What does he consider some of the pressing environmental issues we need to address today? Reducing our footprint by approaching zero population growth. His current heroes? Barack Obama and Al Gore. Denis is a hero in the world of sustainability and continues his work through foundations, spreading the environmental word and reaching new heights in helping the planet.

According to those catchy computer commercials, there are only two types of people: Mac people and PC people. I am a Mac person.

Photo Courtesy Apple

I received my laptop, a PowerBook G4, in May 2004 as a high school graduation gift. My Mac has never crashed or lost any documents, and the battery life isn’t too bad. I used it throughout college and now that it has reached its 5-year mark, I think it might be time for a new Mac.

When buying a new computer people often give their old machines to computer-less friends or donate it local schools or libraries. I’ve researched the school and libraries in my area to see if they want my computer; however, they are deterred because it is too old or because it is a Mac. Depressed by the outcome, I found an alternative option to tossing my computer.

When you buy a new computer from the Apple store, you are eligible to participate in the Apple Recycling Program. The program has spread since 1994 to 95 percent of countries where Apple products are sold. The recycling program is so successful that it has redirected computers, monitors, iPods and most recently, iPhones, from landfills—83 million pounds of e-waste to be exact.

I like Macs for a couple of reasons. I use my computer for graphic design work and digital photo work, which is the first reason why Macs are perfect for my needs. Secondly, I like Apple’s environmental philosophy. Apple has banned lead, cadmium and short-chain chlorinated paraffins among many other substances in all of their products. In addition to eliminating many toxins, Apple has redesigned its products to be lighter and more compact to reduce the amount of material needed to build each product.

Do you have a Mac or a PC? What do you think about Apple’s environmental stand? What have you done with your old computer?

In a few weeks, I’ll be graduating from the University of Kansas. This graduation will mark the end of my college career as well as the end of my internship at Natural Home, but it won’t end with a fizzle. Instead, in an effort to combine these two momentous occasions, I’ll be hosting a green graduation party. I’ve learned so much about living a greener life while at Natural Home, and here are the things I’ll be considering when planning my eco-friendly bash:

Instead of buying fancy centerpieces, opt for a more natural (and earth-friendly) approach. Arrange in-season fruits and vegetables in bowls, and fill any empty spaces with potted plants and herbs. Photo by Cherry and Eric/Courtesy Flickr

Food and Drinks

-I’ve written a lot about buying organic and local foods, as well as about how to be a greener cook, and here’s my chance to finally practice what I’ve preached. Of all my green grocery tips, I’ll mainly be focusing on buying organic and in-season produce, and of course using all those canvas shopping bags I’ve been hoarding.

-When deciding what to serve, I’ll be looking up great finger food recipes. Finger foods are fun to eat, plus they cut down on the number of plates and utensils people use.

-With all the leftovers that I’m bound to end up with, this will be the perfect opportunity for me to start a compost pile instead of just throwing out all the extra food.

-Any alcohol I buy will be organic or local. The Organic Wine Company offers a plethora of wine choices from all over the nation and world, while I have two great local breweries to choose from: Free State Brewing Company and 23rd St. Brewery.

-Because aluminum cans and glass bottles are easy to recycle, I’ll be serving soda that comes in either of those two containers. In addition, I’ll place easily accessible and clearly marked recycling bins around so people know where to put each container when they’re done with their beverage.

-For after-dinner treats, I’ll brew Mother Earth News Conscientious Coffees and Teas for an early evening eco-friendly caffeine boost.

-I’ll serve water and mixed drinks in some extra vases and old wine bottles instead of buying new pitchers. I don’t need any more stuff, and my goal is to use as much from around my house as possible.

Decorations

-Making and sending party invitations is always fun, but it creates a lot of waste. Instead, I’ll be sending e-vites to my guests. It’s faster than standard mail, and only requires the amount of energy to view it once or twice. Still, if you want to make invites, you can repurpose old magazines and stuff from around your house to add a touch of uniqueness to each one.

-For place cards, I’m going to use wine corks and paint chips (which I collect). Just a slice down the middle of the top of the cork serves as a snug holder for the paint chip, on which I’ll write each guest’s name with nontoxic ink.

You can make creative place cards by slicing a cork and inserting a paint chip with the person’s name on it. Photo Courtesy Epicurious.

-Instead of wasting hundreds of paper napkins, I’m going to provide my guests with cloth bandanas. It’ll add a bit of sophistication to the party, plus it’s been my experience that people don’t waste as many cloth napkins as paper ones, which will greatly cut down on waste generation.

-If I end up needing more tables and chairs than I have, I’m going to rent more instead of buying them. Again, I don’t need any new stuff, and renting is a very practical alternative to buying all new products.

-I can already tell that I won’t have enough dishes and silverware for all my guests from my own stash, and because I refuse to use all disposable items, I’ll ask friends if they have any I can borrow. This way, the place settings will have an eclectic feel instead of being too formal. And, of course, I’ll be washing the many after-party dishes in an Energy Star-rated dishwasher because it’ll be more energy efficient than washing them all by hand.

-Instead of buying anything pre-made, I’ll be making my own table centerpieces out of colorful in-season fruits and vegetables and scattering potted plants and herbs around the tables, too. My guests and I can consume the fruits and veggies either at the party or after, and I can give away the potted plants and herbs or plant them in a garden at a later date. These are both much more sustainable choices than cut flowers, but if flowers are what you want, make sure to buy local and organic ones.

-Because graduation is in May, there is a good chance the weather will permit an outdoor get-together, or at least will provide enough natural light that I won’t have to turn on many lights inside. Taking advantage of natural light is a great way to save on energy bills as well as add some ambience to any party.