For months now I’ve been yearning to see the mountains. My family used to spend every summer in Vail, Colorado, but it’s been nearly four years since my last trip—so I’ve been scheming about how I can get my friends to go. My best idea so far: a ski trip.

Autumn may just have begun, but it’s never too early to start planning a ski trip. As I began looking for green ski resorts, I ran across a list of the top ten green ski resorts from the Ski Area Citizens’ Coalition (SACC), a group that works to ensure ski areas are responsive to environmental concerns, local communities and the skiing public.

These ski resorts earned an A in sustainability—literally. Each of these American ski resorts received an A grade on SACC’s Ski Area Environmental Scorecard. The Scorecard rates 83 resorts in the West on issues such as environmental policies, renewable energy, waste stream management and preserving environmentally sensitive areas.

SACC’s top ten ski resorts are:

1. Aspen Mountain Ski Resort, Colorado

This resort’s solar photovoltaic system, hydroelectric plant, two LEED-certified buildings and climate change education campaign helped secure it the top spot on the list. The Aspen Skiing Company owns this mountain—as well as two other mountains on this list.

2. Buttermilk Mountain Ski Resort, Colorado

Owned by the Aspen Skiing Company, this resort has many of the same green features as Aspen Mountain. The company founded the Environment Foundation, to which more than half of the company’s employees donate to support environmental projects in the community.

3. Sundance Resort, Utah 

Sundance’s commitment has been to develop very little and preserve a great deal. Green features include the use of hybrid vehicles, mountain preservation and a unique glass works kiln that breaks down bottles and turns them into art and house wares. 

"Our committment to Sundance has always been to develop very little and preserve a great deal." —Robert Redford/ Photo Courtesy Sundance Resort.

4. Park City Mountain Resort, Utah 

This resort offsets 100 percent of its energy use with renewable energy credits for which it received a Green Power Leadership Award from the Environmental Protection Agency. It also has decreased its snowmobile fleet by 30 percent, uses biodiesel fuel, prints mountain guides on recyclable paper and has commissioned a scientific study of global warming’s effect on the area.

5. Squaw Valley USA, California 

Squaw Valley won the Waste Reduction Award in 2003 and 2008 for incorporating waste reduction, reuse and recycling efforts into daily business activities. This resort has a comprehensive recycling program, environmentally focused community outreach programs and an environmental improvement department devoted to erosion control, re-vegetation and other projects.

6. Alpine Meadows Ski Area, California 

Green features include biodiesel fuel use, native plant revegetation projects and extensive recycling programs. Alpine Meadows also donates to the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, which restores watersheds and develops renewable energy in the Northwest.

7. Aspen Highlands Ski Resort, Colorado 

The Aspen Skiing Company also owns this mountain resort. Green features are the same as its sister resorts.

Telluride Ski Resort's green efforts have earned it a Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence. Photo Courtesy Telluride Ski Resort.

8. Bogus Basin Mountain Resort, Idaho 

Located near Boise, Idaho, this resort says it strives to be good stewards of its mountain by focusing on energy conversation, air and water quality, waste management and environmental education.

9. Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, Oregon

Mt. Bachelor purchases 100 percent of its power from renewable energy sources. It tries to reduce its carbon footprint by recycling, using green cleaning agents for its vehicles and remodeling the kitchen to allow for china service.

10. Telluride Ski Resort, Colorado

Telluride has won the National Ski Area Association’s Golden Eagle Award for Environmental Excellence and the Regional Forester’s Caring for the Land Stewardship Award. Its environmental efforts include energy conservation, waste reduction, air quality and fuel reduction.

For information on green ski resorts in Canada, check out Under the Sleeping Buffalo (UTSB) Research. USTB uses the same criteria as SAAC to rate its green ski resorts.

Today is Earth Overshoot Day—and it is not a day of celebration. This date marks a sad milestone: The day of the year when humans begin living beyond their environmental means.

Increasing global consumption of the earth's resources makes Earth Overshoot Day arrive earlier each year. Photo By megafon/Courtesy Flickr.

Ecological overshoot is when we begin using up the earth’s resources faster than it can regenerate them; for example, cutting down trees faster than they can grow back or catching fish faster than they can repopulate. In 10 months we’ve used up the amount of resources the earth can replenish in a year. We now require 1.4 planets to support our lifestyles.

Overshoot also includes the amount of carbon dioxide we produce versus how much Mother Earth can reabsorb. The cost of our reckless expenditure and over-the-top CO2 production is high—leading to climate change, dwindling forests, loss of species and many more environmental hazards.

Overshoot first happened in 1986. Before that we used resources and produced carbon dioxide at a rate that consisted with what the earth could regenerate and reabsorb.

As human consumption grows, the day of the year when we reach the end of our allotted resources comes earlier. In 2008, Earth Overshoot Day was September 23.

Earth Overshoot Day is calculated using the ratio of global available biocapacity to the global ecological footprint multiplied by 365. In 2009 the ratio shows that in just 267 days—on September 25—we used up the earth’s capacity for the year.

Disturbing isn’t it? Tell me what you think about Earth Overshoot Day in the comments section.

Long before I knew about reducing my own carbon footprint beyond turning off the water while brushing my teeth or switching off the lights when I wasn’t in the room, I was already dressing myself in sustainable clothes without even realizing it. Through my middle school and high school years (and today!) I loved visiting Goodwill, the D.A.V. and thrift stores to find unique clothes.

The idea of reusing an old fashion in a new way always appealed to me. Plus I always love a good bargain! Not only does buying others’ unwanted clothes create a personal wardrobe unlike any other, but it exemplifies living a sustainable lifestyle. And that’s just one of the reasons you’ll see listed here about why sustainable fashion matters.

Green your wardrobe for a healthier planet and a more personalized style. Photo By kthread/Courtesy Flickr 

1) It’s environmentally-friendly

To get that perfect outfit onto the racks, the fashion industry creates a huge carbon footprint. The energy, toxic dyes and pesticides used to produce the clothes plus the landfill waste after they get tossed all have a negative impact on the environment.

Choosing sustainable fabrics is an important first step to creating an eco-chic wardrobe. Twenty-five percent of all pesticides in the U.S. are applied to conventional cotton. But certified-organic cotton requires that no pesticides or chemicals be used to grow the plant. Choosing green fabrics such as those made from hemp and bamboo is also an eco-friendly choice. Both hemp and bamboo are renewable resources because they grow so quickly. They also are resistant to weeds and pests, which allows them to grow well chemical-free.

2) It’s people-friendly

Buying sustainable clothing also contributes to making sure the workers creating the clothing are treated fairly with safe working conditions and reasonable wages. Although clothing doesn’t have Fair Trade certification yet, you can check to see if the company you’re purchasing clothes from is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.

3) It’s animal-friendly

Even though that cute pair of leather boots may be tempting, cruelty-free clothing makes a better statement. Cruelty-free clothing means wearing no leather or fur, and for some, no wool or silk. This “vegan” clothing may seem difficult to find, but there are options out there. Jade Planet sells vegan accessories including leather-like purses and bags made from rubber-tree sap and The Vegan Store offers winter wear, shoes and belts. Feel better about what you’re wearing when you pull on cruelty-free clothes.

4) It’s local

Carry that “go local” methodology you use for shopping for food over into your clothes. Search for local designers or boutiques to minimize the impact of buying clothes that get shipped all over the country.

5) It gives you a unique, personal style

Make your own eco-fashion statement with vintage clothes. Great thrift store or Goodwill finds create a personal and sustainable wardrobe. Or if you’re a savvy sewer, break out the sewing machine and repurpose old clothes into new fashions.

How do you make your wardrobe eco-friendly? Tell me about it in the comments section.

While researching for my post on recycling shoes, I ran across this Kenya-based foundation called UniquEco. I was impressed by their story. UniquEco cleans up beaches and oceans from pollution, turns the waste into new consumer products and uses the proceeds from the sales to fund environmental and social issues. Talk about tackling a lot of problems and doing a lot of good!

Discarded flip flops line the shores of the East African coast. Photo Courtesy Swahili Imports. 

Every year thousands of lost or discarded flip flops wash up on the shores of East Africa, blighting the ocean and beaches with rubbish and endangering marine life. Turtle hatchlings couldn’t reach the sea through all the trash, and plankton feeders such as whales would swallow and suffocate on the rubber.

The flip flops were just one more problem in communities already suffering from poverty and underdevelopment. But as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure—and in this case, “just one more problem” turned out to be a solution to the communities’ needs.

The project that would eventually lead to the foundation of UniquEco began with a group of women from Kiwayu, a small island on the northern Kenyan coastline. They began to clean the coast by collecting the waste, which included plastic and old tires in addition to flip flops. From there, the discarded items gained new life. The waste was cleaned, beaded into raw material for production and turned into colorful and unique hand-made art pieces.

Local women turn the waste into beautiful, handmade pieces for sale. Photo Courtesy Swahili Imports.

This process kills two birds with one stone. Not only is it environmentally helpful, but the project also employs local artisans, providing a sustainable livelihood to those in need. The environmental impact UniquEco has is two-fold as well. The money earned from the products sold goes to raise awareness of issues such as whaling and marine pollution and its effect on ecosystems.

Proceeds from the sales also benefit the locals. Funds are invested in tools, equipment and training that will allow communities to produce a product to be sold on the open market. Funding also supports education, conservation and development initiatives in the communities. The founders of UniquEco believe that setting up a business—and not just a charity—will have a longer run of success.

Saving the environment. Helping a community. That seems pretty noble to me.

Vodka is effective for more purposes than making a tasty martini. Check out these 10 alternative uses for vodka.

And you thought it was just for drinking. Check out these alternative uses for vodka. Photo By Merljin Hoek/Courtesy Flickr.

1) Clothing refresher

Don’t have time to wash that shirt? Fill a spray bottle with cheap vodka and spritz on the garment. The alcohol kills odor-causing bacteria and dries quickly. Voila!

2) Remove a bandage

Not brave enough to just rip off that bandage? Dab the bandage with vodka for easy, painless removal. Plus it won’t leave any of that sticky residue on your skin! (Make sure the wound is completely healed first.)

3) Clean tiles and caulking

Fill a spray bottle with vodka and spray tile and caulking. Let it sit for five to 10 minutes, then wipe clean. The alcohol will kill mold and mildew.

4) Spotless glasses cleaner

Wipe glasses with a clean cloth or newsprint dampened with a small amount of vodka. The alcohol cleans the glass and kills germs.

5) Treat bad breath

Don’t have time to brush? Steep cloves in vodka then swish for an effective mouthwash.

6) Astringent

For a quick astringent, lightly dampen a cotton ball with vodka. Dab on your face to cleanse the skin and minimize pores.

7) Razor care

Keep your razor from rusting as quickly by setting the blade in a cup of vodka after shaving. The alcohol also kills bacteria on the blade.

8) Keep flowers fresh

Combine vodka, sugar and water to give your flowers a longer life.

9) Remove foot odor

Soak your tootsies in vodka for a few minutes to eliminate bacteria that cause odors. Or, try this grapefruit-vodka foot treatment.

Find out more interesting uses for everyday items.

Do you have any alternative uses for vodka? Tell me about them in the comments section.

At the request of Olivia Blanco, marketing coordinator for Ogden Publications and former Natural Home intern, I researched a few green hotels in Houston, Texas. I’ve been to Houston just twice, and let’s just say it’s not my favorite city. When I think of Houston I conjure up images of a massive urban sprawl and rainstorms in 100-degree heat. However, the hotels I discovered are making me consider giving Houston a second chance. 

The Houstonian  

In this green hotel you can escape the chaos and commotion of the city while remaining in the city. Settled on an 18-acre wooded oasis in the heart of Houston, this hotel offers a luxury spa, first-class fitness center, spectacular views—and more green features than I imagined it would. 

With a luxury spa and 18 acres of woods, the Houstonian is a good place to relax for a weekend while still staying green. Photo Courtesy The Houstonian.

Here are some of the green features that impressed me:

• low-VOC paint and high-efficiency lighting

• rain-sensing irrigation system that prohibits watering during rain storms

• hydrocarbon filters for run-off water from the loading docks and construction areas

• laundry plant with water reclamation services

• 42-inch LCD Energy-Star televisions in all guestrooms

• eco-friendly retail products and clothing at the spa

• occupancy sensors in guestrooms, which communicate to an energy management system to reduce energy consumption in unoccupied rooms

Along with the green features, I was enchanted by some of the services and perks of this hotel, including:

• floor-to-ceiling windows in every guest room that showcase the woods surrounding the hotel

• the Houstonian Club, one of the top fitness centers in the nation. The fitness center is available to all hotel guests and features three resort-like pools, rock climbing wall, boxing ring, eight tennis courts, full-court gymnasium and more than 100 group exercise classes each week.

• the Trellis Spa, which features an indoor float pool and more than 100 treatments, including facials, manicures, pedicures, hair styling, massages and body wraps

Hilton Americas Houston   

The Hilton Americas Houston was the first hotel in Texas to earn the Green Seal certification. Photo Courtesy the Hilton Americas Houston. 

If the Houstonian is too pricey or posh for you, check out the Hilton Americas Houston. This hotel was the first hotel in Texas to achieve Green Seal certification for its many green features, which include:

• CFLs in all guest rooms and public spaces

• water-conserving faucets, toilets and showerheads

• a recycling program for kitchen oil, commingled plastic, paper, metal cans, cardboard, fluorescent bulbs and toner cartridges

• an in-room program that allows guest to use their bed sheets and towels for multiple nights

• energy-saving thermostats that automatically turn off when a guest checks out and won’t turn on until another guest checks in 

Where will you be traveling in the future? Will you be staying in a green hotel? If you have a city that you’d like me to explore for green hotels, please leave me a comment!