If ever there was a trend we welcomed with open arms, it’s eco-friendliness and boy, is it taking the world and companies by storm.

And not even 3M is left out in the cold with the announcement of a new product, Scotch Magic Eco-Friendly Tape.  Made from more than 75% renewable or recycled materials, this new tape is just what you’ve been wanting to switch to.

The boxed refill roll, including packaging, is made from more than 65 percent renewable or recycled materials. Because of its great adhesive strength, photo-safe formulation and performance, Scotch Magic Tape has been a fixture in homes, schools and offices for 50 years. Scotch Magic Eco-Friendly Tape offers these same great properties, now in an even more environmentally-friendly version.

While it seems like a most  unlikely source, Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has apparently launched an eco-friendly reusable garment bag.

Teaming up with The Green Garmento, The Situation has created a reusable garment bag, dubbed the GTL, named for Sorrentino’s infamous “gym, tan, laundry” mantra.

The reusable bag can be purchased for a mere $12 and even features carbon-balanced shipping if you purchase the bag online.

The best thing out there right now is Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer, where you can get your California glow without having to go with something that is made from preservatives.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Bronzer comes to you free of genetically modified cornstarch and sans synthetic preservatives and fragrances and the packaging is as recyclable as your worry!  Cost, $14.

Claiming to be the World’s First Eco-Friendly Premium Spirit, 360 Vodka has been making headlines and happy mouths since its debut in 2008.

Not only is 360 Vodka shipped in a 85% recycled glass bottle with a New Leaf 100% PCW paper label using water-based inks instead of petroleum-based inks for label and packaging printing, this vodka also comes with a prepaid postage envelope allowing you to mail back the recyclable flip-top closure for re-use.

And the eco-friendliness doesn’t stop there!

All impurities are removed by distilling the vodka four times using the column distillation process and later it is filtered five times though granulated charcoaled coconut shell filtration system. The state-of-the-art distillery meets or exceeds all EPA air and water quality standards for distilleries. The production process reduced its volatile organic compounds output by 70% and sulfur dioxide emissions by 99% and the company states that it uses 250% less fossil fuel energy during production process.

If all of that wasn’t good enough for you, the company pledged to donate $20 from the sale of each case of 360 Vodka in Florida to the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Florida nonprofit marine conservation organization which protects marine resources in the state. Lastly, nationwide a “close the loop” initiative is taking place whereby McCormick Distilling promises to donate $1 for environmental causes.

Wow, talk about a big problem that may soon be over for good. Tokyo-based company Globeride Inc. is in the works to create a specialized fishing line that dissolves in water.

The strong filament is a huge leap in fishing technological innovation and we can’t wait to this fishing line in full effect.  Made of a special plastic that would dissolve in water in an average of five years, no longer will our waters have to abide with the long-lasting fishing line malice.

“The time it takes depends on water temperature and other conditions, but it usually dissolves completely in five years,” said Tokuo Ichikawa, a developer on the project.

The impetus for developing an environment-friendly fishing line came five years ago when Ichikawa, 53, and his colleagues took part in recovering discarded fishing line and sinkers underwater at Lake Kawaguchi in Yamanashi Prefecture. A small truck full of garbage, including fishing gear, is collected at the lake every day.

“Garbage you find on the ground should be removed out of common decency, but garbage left underwater should be taken away by companies,” Ichikawa said.

]]> http://www.greenlifestyle.com/eco-friendly-fishing-line-dissolves-in-water/feed/ 0 http://www.greenlifestyle.com/solo-bare-bamboo-plates/ http://www.greenlifestyle.com/solo-bare-bamboo-plates/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 16:07:24 +0000 Allison http://www.greenlifestyle.com/?p=1385

For some of us in the States, the weather this week has been a godsend, sunshiny days with temps finally rising above freezing.  So, what better way to celebrate this welcome weather than with an impromptu cookout?

If you’d rather not spend the evening washing plates, be sure to check out Solo’s Bare Bamboo Plates at your local grocers.  These 10-inch plates are made from annually renewable bamboo and are as eco-friendly as can be.  You can even add them to the compost bin without harm.

Cost per 12 pack, around $3-4.

It’s been a hard go of it trying to find affordable eco-friendly lip glosses and shimmers but it appears as if the search is finally over!

From Kiss My Face comes a new green collection, the SOS Sheer Organic Shimmers and Sheer Organic Shines Collection.  Each gloss and shimmer is mineral based and 91% organic and 100% natural, making these lip saviors the perfect gift for anytime fun.

Sheer Organic Shimmers will only lessen your wallet a mere $5 spot and offer your lips a sultry shine with Vanilla Mint flavor while conditioning and moisturizing your lips with Beeswax, Coconut Oil, Shea Butter and Vitamin E.

$7 Sheer Organic Shines offers offer moisture and fashion in a variety of shades, making you the hottest, sweetest lips out there!

* Garnet  – warm berry shade perfect for adding a touch of drama to a natural look
* Amethyst – edgy blend of mauve and lilac for rock star shine
* Topaz – gorgeous bronze with a hint of pink
* Ruby – sweet and subtle medium pink to brighten any skin tone
* Opal – soft lilac ideal for a natural look
* Pearl – ethereal pale pink that can be worn alone or layered for an icy sheen

The soon-to-be-wed Kate Middleton has been dubbed “Waity Katie” due to her long, eight year courtship with Prince William but that will end soon enough and in the meantime, let’s paint our nails with a new Kate-inspired eco-friendly shade!

From eco-friendly nail care company, Butter London, comes a new glittery shade in honor of Kate’s upcoming nuptials to Prince William.

“No More Waity, Katie” will debut this March and retail for $22, not too bad when you consider all of the commemorative plates and towels you could end up with.

The limited-edition polish is grayish-blue and glitter-filled, while remaining organic and animal friendly without the use of any carcinogens (no formaldehyde, toluene, or phthalates). Sounds fit for a royal environmentalist like Middleton, right?

Count us in!  This is such a wonderful shade to honor Kate’s upcoming wedding and we can’t wait to start sporting this new shade!

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday that a new, voluntary product seal indicating eco-friendliness would be on the way this spring.

The new seals would not only distinguish eco-friendly food and drinks but also cleaning supplies, skin care products and household goods.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan revealed in a statement that family purchases were kept in mind when coming up with the green seal idea, saying, “Today’s consumers are increasingly interested in making educated purchasing choices for their families. This label will make those decisions easier by identifying products as biobased.”

A great piece of news is that the USDA is estimating that around 20,000 bio-based products are currently being manufactured in the U.S. which accounts for over 100,000 jobs.

J&O Fabrics has recently added some more eco-friendly options to the fabric line and they’re pulling their green weight with a 15% discount code through November if you’d like to give them a try.

A rep at the fabric retailer stated, “There are multiple reasons why J&O Fabrics added an eco-friendly line of fabric. We wanted to bring in fabrics where people could make their kids items and not have to worry about where the fabric came from or be concerned about any potential health hazards.”

The new and greener line includes organic cottons, 100% bamboo fabric and recycled cotton.  If you’d like to give the new fabrics a whirl, just use the coupon code STITCH until the end of the month and see just how versatile these pieces can be!