CustomEarthPromos - Eco Blog US

An ecological as well as cheap alternative to simply disposing household items is to recycle and reuse them. Many common household items can be reused in many different ways thereby protecting the environment from significant damage and reducing the amount of waste that gets created. At the same time, by reusing things people also end up saving a considerable amount of money. Common Household Items You Can Recycle Easily By being creative, there are many household items that people can recycle in their everyday lives. It is important to properly dispose of expired medicines. One of the ways is by mixing the medicines coffee refuse. One can also drop off old pills at local drug recycling programs. Likewise, with regards to old cell phones, people can donate them away to different charity programs that recycle them and hand them out to people in need. Instead of simply discarding old batteries in the open, the correct way to discard old batteries is by dropping them off at centers that collect hazardous household waste. Similarly, since household cleaners and pesticides are highly dangerous as well as toxic in nature, they should be handed over to HHW centers for safe disposal. One can also recycle old motor oil by placing it in plastic containers. There are also many takers for old kitchen knives and people can donate them to shelters, soup kitchens or thrift stores. Old propane tanks. can be given away to scrap dealers or propane dealers for recycling or reprocessing. Even used paint cans can be given away to scrap dealers for safe removal. Using Common Household Items Is Another Eco-Friendly Choice Wholesale reusable bags have become an important tool in the fight against environmental pollution. These eco-friendly bags are extremely effective at bringing down the buildup of plastic waste in the environment. Being recyclable in nature, people can use them a number of time without polluting the environment. Another benefit of such bags is that unlike plastic bags they do not clog drains and sewage lines or damage marine environment. At the same time, being made from strong and sturdy materials, they do not tear easily leading to a less creation of plastic waste. Businesses, on the other hand, can use these wholesale reusable bags to attract potential clients to their company. People need to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives so that the environment is not damaged further. Along with using environment-friendly bags, people should also develop good recycling habits. Source

The city of Pleasant Hill could see a ban on plastic bags, which have already been banned in five other cities of Contra Costa County. In a proposal that has been put forth, this ban might come into effect by the end of summer. What Does the Proposal Say about Custom Reusable Totes? State Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) has put a bill in motion similar to the one adopted by Walnut Creek. The bill prohibits major grocery stores from giving out plastic bags to customers. However, plastic bags for meat, fresh produce and medical prescriptions are exceptions as per the proposal. Customers can either choose to pay an extra 10 cents for a recycled paper bag, or bring their own custom reusable totes to the store. After September 1, cities and counties will not be able to add any other plastic bag regulations, which apply to grocery stores and convenience stores. It is for this reason that Pleasant Hill wants to adopt the proposal by September 1. Food establishments are asking Pleasant Hill to consider giving them an exemption. According to them, plastic bags in comparison to paper bags are better for carrying food items, as they can easily catch leaks. As is the case with most bans, there are two sides to this one as well. Councilman Jack Weir has said that Pleasant Hill does not need to spend any money on bringing this ban into place. He has not received any complaints about plastic bags littering the city. On the other hand, Councilman Ken Carlson strongly supports the ban, believing it will improve the environment. According to him, grocery stores should not find it too difficult to switch from plastic to paper when packing groceries. Consumers should also be aware of the pitfalls of the increasing use of plastic bags. Pleasant Hill Residents Should Go for Custom Reusable Totes Going for custom reusable totes is the first step you can take to reduce the use of plastic bags. Reusable bags are environmentally friendly, and are a better option when compared to normal plastic bags. They fit more items and do not tear from too much weight. Some stores give discounts or deals to customers who use their own reusable bags. Custom reusable totes are also non-toxic and do not harm the surroundings. Plastic bags can be toxic for the environment. They can end up in water bodies where they cause harm to marine life. Source

Ann Arbor Public Schools and University of Michigan had organized a ‘three-day free recycling of electronic waste' event which concluded recently. The venues for the e-waste disposal event were the U-M State Street Commuter Parking Lot and Pioneer High School where telephones, televisions, desktops and laptops were accepted for disposal. Recycling Your Electronic Waste Containing toxic materials such as mercury and lead, electronic waste is not only bad for the environment, but for humans as well. In keeping with the facts and figures provided by the United Nations led e-waste plan, the United States is the world's biggest producer of e-waste and produced an estimated 9.4 million tons of e-waste in 2012. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency only a small percentage of electronic goods nearing their end – an estimated 25 percent – are recycled. Since the inception of the annual event in 2008, Ann Arbor Public Schools and the University have turned away electronic waste amounting 1,374 tons from landfills in their neighborhood and filled up 106 trailers as a result of the move. By allowing people to safely dispose of their electronic goods, the event organizers tried to keep local landfills from being damaged by harmful toxins generated by electronic waste. At the same time, over the years many people have wholeheartedly begun to capitalize on this opportunity to safely dispose their e-waste without causing harm to the environment. The collected e-waste is broken up, demolished and recycled at various certified North American centers. Items that are hazardous in nature along with household electronic appliances, light bulbs, hairdryers and Styrofoam are not accepted for disposal. The recycling event is part of the University's environmental initiative called Planet Blue. Headed by the Office of Campus Sustainability, the annual event is open to the general public, non-profit organizations and local business owners. Using Eco-Friendly Promotional Items for Encouraging Electronic Waste Recycling Businesses have an important role to play when it comes to encouraging people to recycle their electronic waste. One of the ways that eco-friendliness can be developed in people is through the use of eco-friendly promotional items. By choosing to use such eco-friendly products, companies end up conveying the message that they are an environment friendly organization and their products or services do not harm the environment. Businesses can also use eco-friendly promotional items to start an environmental awareness drive as part of their corporate responsibility or to launch a new product range manufactured using recyclable materials, thereby influencing people to go green through such initiatives. It is important to properly dispose of electronic goods so that the environment is not damaged by their harmful toxins. Both businesses and individuals can do so through many environment-friendly ways and programs. Source

Made from industry generated paper waste, Paperboy is a new line of wine that comes in cardboard containers. Weighing less than 80 percent of traditional glass bottles, these cardboard containers are not only easy to carry, but also environment friendly. This new wine bottle is the creation of graphic designer Kevin Shaw and the Truett-Hurst winery. Paperboy's Eco-Friendly Wine Packaging In addition to the reduced weight, the cardboard design also offers many benefits to wine drinkers. Designed with a plastic lining inside, the cardboard wine sleeves provide better insulation as well as less chances of breakage of the bottle. Composed of paper pulp, these wine containers are easily recyclable compared to traditional glass bottles. Users can easily crush the bottles and discard them at recycling centers. Although glass bottles are recyclable in nature, they only have a 28 percent rate of reusability. Paper, on the other hand, is known to have 91 percent reusability. The company has also made known that by adopting such eco-friendly wine packaging, it can bring down its transport costs. According to an estimation put forward by Truett-Hurst, the company will be able to save about 61 gallons of diesel during a one way transport of Paperboy wine bottles. As a result, about 1,365 pounds of carbon dioxide are prevented from being released into the atmosphere. At the same time, requiring less energy to produce, these cardboard bottles are designed to leave a 67 percent lower carbon footprint. Targeted towards millennial drinkers and not wine connoisseurs, Paperboy bottles have an attention grabbing and funky design. According to the CEO of Truett-Hurst, outdoor lovers of all kinds ranging from fishermen to campers to hikers can enjoy their superior quality wine in these lightweight wine bottles anywhere. Offering numerous benefits, such Paperboy's eco-friendly packaging is another effort by the wine industry to make cheaper and greener wine bottles. Why Businesses Should Opt for Eco-Friendly Wine Packaging Along with individuals, businesses too play an active role when it comes to promoting eco-friendly ways of living in the society. To do so, businesses can use eco-friendly promotional items such as shopping bags, keychains and other products to generate awareness about the environment and make people environmentally responsible in the process. By encouraging people to reuse these items, businesses can provide people with the opportunity to lower waste generation. Most importantly, since they are manufactured in an eco-friendly way, they do more good than harm. Source

Chicago has inched forward another step in banning plastic bags and promoting the use of custom tote bags. The proposed ban, if passed by the council, may come into effect in August 2015. The ban will apply to large franchise stores as well as chain stores in Chicago. Chicago Needs to Replace Plastic Bags for Custom Tote Bags Alderman George Cardenas, 12th ward, committee chairman commented that banning plastic bags would not result in people losing their jobs. He has received assurance from officials in Los Angeles that the implementation of the ban would not rack up costs as claimed earlier. He also said that the city faces a loss of millions of dollars every year to clean up the litter caused by plastic bags. With a ban on plastic bags, the city will save a lot of money in terms of clean-up procedures, and will also have a smaller carbon footprint on the environment. Mayor Rahm Emanuel also endorses this ban, as it will only lead to improvement of the environment. The ban against plastic bags has already won a vote of approval from the Health and Environment Protection Committee. It will now be put forth in the City Council in the next council meeting. Once the ban gets implemented, franchise and chain stores will have to stop giving out plastic bags. However, this ban will not be applicable on independent stores and restaurants. Stores will be allowed to hand out recyclable bags, paper bags and decomposable plastic bags. Customers can opt to pay a few extra bucks for bags at the stores or use their own custom tote bags. It is being hoped that asking customers to spend extra money on bags might encourage them to use their own recyclable ones. Why Choose Custom Tote Bags Custom tote bags allow consumers to save money at the cashier. It also reduces the damage done to the environment by plastic bags. Plastic takes a long time to decompose completely. Not only that, but it causes problems during litter clean-up due to improper disposal. It pollutes rivers as well as creeks and ruins the city's urban look. With custom tote bags, customers can carry around reusable bags with them while shopping. These bags are generally bigger in size compared to plastic bags, and can store more items. In fact, a reusable bag can replace up to 500 plastic bags. Source

Earth Day is a day on which we affirm our commitment to save this planet and the best way to do this is to recycle old things rather than sending them to the dumping grounds. Santa Monica has done just that, and has passed a bill that mandates that all big businesses have to recycle their daily waste. Recycling in Santa Monica The Public Works department of Santa Monica has installed blue no-sort recycling carts. These are available for free, and are for disposing of glass, can, mixed paper and plastic. Even the recycling done is absolutely free. The blue containers are for independent homes and multifamily buildings as well as condominiums. A neighborhood has to share the blue containers, which are to be placed in alleyways. The containers are of 300-gallon capacity and if one blue container is filled up, the next one can be used. All kinds of waste, other than electric and electronic waste, are accepted. Foils, cans of all kinds, glass bottles of alcoholic drinks like wine, beer and none alcoholic drinks like juices, coolers, jam, jelly, mayo bottles are allowed. Also allowed are plastic and paper wastes, though it is advisable to use wholesale reusable bags. What are absolutely not allowed are clothes or any textile, hoses, ceramic or glass, electronic products, batteries or fluorescent lights. These items, if put in the blue container, can contaminate other items and render them unfit for recycling. Although some of the above items are recyclable, they have no market value and so are not allowed. Another great way to recycle is to construct composts pits in your backyard. This is best for the vegetable and fruit wastes, egg shells and such other waste. This prevents landfills and dumping grounds from getting filled up unnecessarily. The City's Resource Recovery & Recycling Division is ready to provide you with a SoilSaver Composter that makes composting a faster process. Using wholesale reusable bags is a good idea too Apart from taking recourse to recycling methods, why not do something or use something which can be used over and over again? One such useful and non-wastage item is reusable bags. These bags are made for multiple uses and are made from natural fibers mostly. After using them, you can keep them for future use and thus reduce waste production. Source

With each passing year, many Americans are opting to go green with transports such as cycles and public transport in place of their cars. This change in the automotive habits is a part of the growing need for developing eco-friendly habits in everyday life ranging from the use of reusable shopping bags to the waste collection setup. Go Green and Follow the Sustainable Path It has therefore become of utmost importance for both individuals and companies to adopt environment friendly practices to achieve a sustainable development. This can be done by making changes in the way businesses or individuals conduct themselves. The first change that one can make is a cutback on generation of waste. For companies, it will lead to a decrease in operation costs in the form of less consumption of water, paper and energy and resulting in an increase in profits. Individuals, on the other hand, need to practice proper waste management such as composting and use of bio-degradable products in place of plastic items. Most importantly, since the use of fossil fuels is a major cause of earth, air and water pollution, clean and renewable energy resources such as solar, thermal, biomass and so on are important to eliminate the pollution problem. Another reason that has made going green attractive for businesses and individuals alike is the increased business sales as well as creation of a positive brand image. Companies that champion the cause of saving the environment are highly perceived by people who are more loyal to such companies. The distribution of green products and incorporation of eco-friendly programs have become the most common way to do so. Companies have also come to realize that a healthy corporate environment is needed for increasing the productivity of employees and many professionals prefer to work with businesses that practice eco-friendly methods. Promotional Reusable Bags Are an Easy Way to Go Green Businesses can derive maximum amount of benefits by using promotional reusable bags as an advertising tool as well as to promote eco-friendliness. Being used on a daily basis for a number of purposes besides shopping, businesses that use such bags have more success at attracting new customers. Also, since people nowadays have become quite environment conscious, they love receiving promotional products that are recyclable and do not pollute the environment. Customers also develop a high perception value for companies that promote eco-friendliness. Recyclable and handy on a daily basis, promotional reusable bags are reasonably priced and can be customized in all kinds of eye catching manner. Source

The councilors of Portland city are going to cast their vote on the planned ban of polystyrene foam containers used for holding food and drink. At the same time, council members have put on hold their decision with regards to the fee that should be charged for the use of plastic bags at various shopping outlets. Portland to Vote on the Proposal The Transportation, Sustainability and Energy Committee has put on hold the issue of plastic bags for another month since council members are still discussing all the points such as the fee amount and its distribution as well as the issue of an overall plastic ban in the city. The staff attorney of the City has been asked to prepare a proposal that calls for placing a user charge on paper and plastic bags, instead of an overall plastic ban. Vegetable bags have been kept out of the proposed charge along with dry cleaners and restaurant owners. While there are many supporters of the fee charge on custom reusable shopping bags with logo and details on them, many local businesses are not happy with the ordinance. According to them, people would go outside Portland for shopping purposes if the fee is imposed. For this reason, they have advocated recycling and education as key to reducing plastic waste and trash. Supporters, on the other hand, have declared that it would not only reduce environmental degradation, but also reduce people's dependency on plastic bags. Many committee members have also opined that retailers can keep the total fee amount, which is 10 cent instead of just 4 cents. At the same time, one of the councilors has declared that a legal view should be sought (with regards to fixing the plastic bag charge) by the city. This is because the city will be entering into a domain of fixing a product price thereby not being fair in its decision. Benefits of Custom Reusable Shopping Bags in Portland Custom reusable shopping bags with logo and business information printed on them are a great way for companies to promote their business while building awareness amongst their customers about saving the environment. In other words, they not only put across a positive environmental message, but also help to create a positive impression of the company. In comparison to other modes of advertisement, promotional shopping bags are inexpensive promotional tools for businesses. Branded with the business name and logo and being reusable in nature, these bags can not only help companies to build brand awareness and widen their target market, but also allow their customers to reuse them whenever they go shopping. Source

There is an increasing sense all over the country about preserving the planet for future generations. The excessive use of plastic bags, which take hundreds of years to decompose completely, has come to the forefront of this battle and is being seen as a major problem all over the world. Studies show that discarded plastic bags account for as much as 40 million tons in waste annually in the US alone. Also, the fact that they are a major eyesore on the landscape and clog a number of waterways imply that they have a disturbing effect animals in the ecosystem too. Using Sleeping Mats in a Better Way Promotion of different ways to recycle plastic bags as well as to use them more than once have been two of the many ways that environmentalist groups have decided to deal with the problem. Student groups in many colleges and schools have also taken a keen interest in the many uses that one can extract from discarded plastic bags. One such student group from Westside High School, Glenn Hills High as well as Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School have caught the nations attention with its ingenuity and innovations. The group has created 15 sleeping mats with 6,000 discarded plastic bags. The philanthropic aspect of the project lent even more credit to the project when these 15 mattresses were donated to homeless individuals. Recycling is a very important aspect of doing away with the excessive use of single use plastic bags that has become more of a habit. A number of counties, cities and even states have taken the problem head on by implementing bans on the use of plastic bags. Many of them even require merchants to charge customers a minimal charge for the use of promotional reusable bags to carry the items they purchase at the store. Promotional Reusable Bags for Such Initiatives Like Recycling Sleeping Mats Promotional reusable bags made of recycled material has become one of the most widely appreciated solutions to the bans on plastic bags in the country. There are a number of advantages seen with the use of promotional reusable bags when compared to their plastic counterparts. Such bags also lend a certain advantage to an organizations reputation by making then look eco-friendly. They also offer merchants to have their names and logos printed on the bags to reinforce that reputation. Source

Our over reliance on plastic has become a very serious concern with regards to the sustainability of our environment. It is important to change a few aspects of our lifestyle decisions to bring in a change. Our excessive reliance on plastic bags has become an ecological issue all over the planet as plastic bags takes hundreds of years to decompose. Towns, counties and states all over the country have taken the issue rather seriously in their attempts to prevent the use of plastic bags through laws and ordinances that ban them. Make Your Own Seed Pots Seed pots, commercially available in the plastic variety, are useful tools for growing plants. However, there are a number of do-it-yourself options when it comes to seed pot usage that are much better in an environmental sense. Pots can be created with the help of a number of regular household materials. For instance, regular newspaper can act as one of the best seed pot materials as it is biodegradable. Plants in growing in newspaper pots can also be easily transferred into the soil when the seed matures. Newspaper also allows the roots of the seed to break through it when they are strong enough. Coffee ‘to-go' cups, especially the ones with the transparent covers, are also highly regarded as options for seed pots. The paper cups are large and thick enough for you to use a lot of soil to plant the seeds. When you are transferring the sprouted seed to soil, you can even crush the paper cups and use them as part of your compost pile. Paper towels, yogurt cups and egg trays are also hugely popular for this purpose. Grow Plants in Seed Pots with Seed Paper While the most obvious advantage of using seed paper is that it is very eco-friendly, another advantage is that it is very customizable. Using seed paper is a simple and fun way to plant trees. There has been a major surge in the popularity of seed paper use in the US. Depending on the variety of seeds used, seed paper can be crafted to appear in different ranges of thickness, color and textures. Major conglomerates all over the nation have realized that seed paper can be effectively used for a variety of their stationary needs apart from eco-friendly causes, while also promoting the company as a green one. Source