Eco Cruise Liner

The 2010 Friends of the Earth Environmental Report Card graded Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Princess Cruise Lines at the top in terms of reducing air pollution, treatment of sewage, water quality compliance, and environmental information accessibility.

2010 FOE Environmental Scorecard for Cruises

Holland America

Holland America earned a B-, the highest of any cruise line, on the Environmental Report Card. This cruise line has taken basic steps that result in a huge impact, from covering the windows with a dark film to reduce the load on the air conditioners to its towel re-use program. Other simple eco-friendly steps include using only non-toxic cleaning supplies, installing low-flow showerheads and faucets, and switching to dry cleaning detergent made from soy, banana, and orange extracts. Each ship has two systems that treat bilge water before it is dumped. To maximize fuel, all Holland America ships’ hulls have been painted with silicone to reduce drag and they are using shorter routes that take tide schedules into account.

We were excited to read through Holland America’s sustainability report which has an awesome infographic explaining the impact a cruise ship has;

Holland America Sustainability Impact Infographic

The Holland America Cruise line group earned a high Environmental Report Card rating because they focused on ways to reduce every single aspect of their impact on surrounding air, land and water.

Norwegian Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Lines conducts its own annual environmental audits to ensure they are compliant with both mandated regulations and their own. To ensure that water dumped from the ships do not contain invasive species or toxins, this cruise line has installed eco-ballast systems on each of their ships. All gray and black water is treated to standards that surpass most municipal tap water and is dumped at least four and 12 miles from shore, respectfully. Norwegian Cruise Lines donates all of its used cooking oil to farmers in its port cities, both as a way to dispose of it and to provide free oil to the farmers. For its efforts, Norwegian Cruise Line tied for first place and earned a B- on the Environmental Report Card.

Princess Cruise Lines

Coming in with a C+, in second place, is Princess Cruise Lines. Princess Cruise Lines has won several awards for its commitment to using cleaner burning fuels. This cruise line uses high-tech waste management systems to comply with its zero solid waste discharge policy. Princess Cruise Lines was the first cruise line to use shore power technology, which results in reduced emissions while in port. Grinders, dehydrators, and pulpers process all of the ships’ biodegradable food waste. Much of the plastic used onboard has been replaced with biodegradable material, such as plastic laundry bags being replaced with paper.

Bed Spring Christmas Tree Topper

You simply cut an old bed spring from a metal sprung mattress base and then spray paint it with your desired color. You can then glue or tie ornaments such as old buttons and ribbons to decorate your recycled bedspring tree topper!

We found some ready made Bed Spring Christmas tree toppers on Etsy in the Shabby USA Creations store;

Shabby USA Creations on Etsy

These ornamental holiday bed spring creations can also be used as decorative candle holders.

Do you have your own ideas for creative recycled holiday ornaments? We’d love to hear from you…

1. Discarded Plastic Bottle Christmas Tree

We found this wonderful tree on the Panama Casco Viejo blog;

Eco Christmas Tree Made From Discarded Plastic Bottles

We found larger examples such as this huge plastic bottle Christmas tree in Sydney, Australia;

Huge Eco Christmas Tree Made from Plastic Bottles in Sydney, Australia

Image by cleong

And here is another monster recycled plastic bottle Christmas tree in Agua Calientes, Peru;

Another Monster Christmas Tree Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles in Agua Calientes, Peru

image by ShashiBellamkonda

2. Recycled Newspaper Christmas Tree

Our first recycled newspaper Christmas comes once again from the Panama Casco Viejo blog;

A Wonderful Eco Christmas Tree Made From Old Newspapers

The second example of a recycled newspaper tree is one that we bought at a local crafts store, we display it every year on our side table and love that it’s eco friendly.

This Newspaper Tree is Made with a Cotton Bobbin, Wooden Dowel and Lots of Patience!

3. Toilet Roll Christmas Tree!

Made from paper towel cores and old mailing tubes, this Christmas tree even came with its own gift! We found this wonderfully eco friendly tree on Flickr thanks to the thedaisychick

A Toilet Roll Tree With a Built in Gift!

Image by thedaisychick

4. Kids Toys Christmas Tree

The holidays are all about giving, well how about taking last years toys and making a Christmas tree?

Here is a huge Christmas tree made from Lego, the beauty is you can disassemble it once the holidays are over! You could use Mechano or K’Nex as an alternative too;

Giant Lego Christmas Tree

Image by Näystin

5. A Tron Inspired Christmas Tree!

With the upcoming remake of Tron hitting the big screens it seems only fitting that we include a pure LED tree inspired by the neon glow of the Tron movie! You could make an LED light tree using lights wrapped around a tomato plant stake or some other cone shaped frame;

An LED Light Tree Inspired by TRON!

• Eco-friendly beauty supplies. From nail polish to facial masks, most women love to receive cosmetics and beauty products. Whereas some products contain harsh chemicals and ingredients, organic products will be a winner with both your wife and the environment. Finding products that fit the bill is often as simple as visiting a specialty retailer that carries such gifts. Furthermore, you may be able to find similar products in grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.
• Clothing and accessories. Nearly every woman alive loves getting new clothes, including those who want to make environmentally-friendly purchasing decisions. Fortunately, many retailers have begun catering to the demand for such products. Look for garments and accessories that have been made with renewable resources, and pay attention to the environmental practices of the stores you visit. If picking out a perfect blouse or gorgeous pair of stilettos isn’t your strong suit, consider a gift card from a store your wife loves.
• Kitchen products. Some women love to spend hours baking in their kitchens. Unfortunately, much of today’s modern equipment is made with toxic plastics and chemicals. If your wife is a baking fan or domestic goddess, consider purchasing a set of baking molds or new kitchen utensils. Many major chains now sell products that meet environmental guidelines, including Pottery Barn and Bed, Bath, and Beyond. You may even find such products in chains like Walmart or Target. Look out for packaging that signals that such items are indeed environmentally-friendly, and be certain to read about the particular manufacturer’s environmental policies.
• Jewelry. One of the most classic gifts of all time, jewelry is a present that your wife is absolutely certain to love. Pick a piece that uses precious stones from a reputable source, and be certain to ask the salesperson what adhesives and glues were used in the making of the jewelry. For a more unique gift, consider jewelry that has been handcrafted by women and children in poor countries. Many stores offer such pieces, which benefit charities and support organizations. In doing so, you’ll be selecting an environmentally-friendly gift that also embraces humanity.

From perfumes to lipstick, necklaces to spatulas, regardless of what gift you choose for your wife, remember that it truly is the thought that counts the most. Spend time reflecting on what your wife would likely enjoy, and use those reflections to find a gift that will suit her personality and character. Choosing an environmentally-friendly gift is yet another way to show her that you truly care.

Sarah Danielson writes for wedding bands where you can find information on what to look for when shopping for a diamond engagement ring and other fine diamond jewelry.

Green Gift Ideas for Your Husband

• An e-Reader many guys are big gadget fans. If your husband is always after the latest technological goodie, consider purchasing an e-Reader for him. While the manufacturing process of the device itself inevitably leaves an environmental footprint, using his e-Reader to read his morning paper and paperbacks during his commute will save many a tree for destruction. Popular options include the Amazon Kindle and the Sony Reader. For that extra “oomph” factors, you may also want to consider a heavier duty device that includes e-Reading capabilities, such as the Apple iPad.
• Recycled-Rubber Accessories that are truly full of flair, wallets and belts made from recycled rubber are both functional and stylish. In addition to being a rather unique gift, these gifts ooze activism, and are perfect for any environmentally conscious guy. Some of the great products on the market use materials like recycled bicycle tires, making for a truly “individual” gift this Christmas.
• Specialty wines. Wine aficionados will love bottles of rare or unique wines. Organic wines from vineyards from California to Europe are all the rage, and are full of robust, delicious flavors. You may also want to consider a locally-produced wine, to further limit your environmental footprint.
• Solar chargers. Any techno geek is eternally in search of power for his many devices. Consider purchasing your husband one of the many solar chargers this Christmas, so he can get a boost wherever he may be. Utilizing nothing more than the sun’s rays, solar chargers are a great way to recharge the batteries on cell phones, mp3 players, and cameras. Furthermore, these devices are great for travelers, as they eliminate the need to find an electrical outlet.
• Clothing. Though women are traditionally known to be more interested in fashion and clothing, some guys have closets that rival their wives’ wardrobes. Purchasing a new shirt or pair of slacks for your husband is always a perfect Christmas gift. Look for items made with environmentally-friendly fabrics, such as organic cotton.
• Chocolate treats. Any husband will appreciate a box of gourmet chocolates under the tree this Christmas. Choose chocolates that are made with products from organic sources, and look for those packaged in recycled paper.

Regardless of what gift you ultimately decide on for your husband, by spending your time and energy finding a great present, you are sure to select something that will make him happy. Furthermore, by choosing an environmentally-friendly gift, you’ll be helping out the environment and picking a product that can be enjoyed with a clear conscious! Truly, what could be a better Christmas gift?

Sarah Danielson writes for Fathers Day where you can find great gift ideas like Father’s Day Flowers, cards, and poems for the inspirational man in your life.

Top Five Tips for a Green Birthday

Image by caaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

1. Invitations:

You are probably aware that much of the card stock used for invitations is not only made from new paper (as in, trees wrenched from rapidly shrinking forested lands), but it is also non-recyclable.  For this reason, you can do your part (and save some greenbacks) by creating your own printable birthday cards from recycled paper.  Even better, consider setting up a phone tree to pass information (requiring no paper whatsoever) or join the digital age by sending out Evites.  Even if your child’s friends don’t have email (although many probably do), you can send the electronic invitations to their parents.

2. Decorations:

Streamers and balloons are standard fare, but do you really want to paper your house with high-impact dyes and pepper the ceiling with harmfully produced latex globes or foil pouches?  Instead, consider eco-friendly alternatives when it comes time to decorate.  In this arena, you can do a lot with cloth.  Use sustainable organic cotton to create table cloths, banners, streamers, and goodie bags that can be used over and over again rather than purchasing paper counterparts (saving both trees and money).  And when it comes to plates, cups, napkins, and utensils, consider bamboo as an alternative to paper.  Although these items will certainly cost more than paper, they are thin and easy to store (unlike permanent dishware) and they can be washed and reused.  Also, bamboo is a sustainable material that regrows in 3-5 years (unlike most wood, which takes 20-30 years to repopulate).

3. Entertainment:

Instead of wasting electricity by offering up movies or video games for a party, consider some options for entertainment that don’t require pollution or energy consumption.  This could be as simple as an old-school game of pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey or setting up board games, to hiring a company that offers eco-friendly vehicle options for transport to other locations.

4. Food:

Choosing food items that are organic is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and you can do it in a way that saves you money.  Instead of ordering pizza, why not make your own pies?  Use items from your garden (tomatoes, onions, herbs, etc.) to make organic sauce and purchase cheese from a local source whenever possible (cutting out transport costs and greenhouse gas emissions).

5. Presents:

This can be one of the hardest areas to meet both your goal of providing an eco-friendly party and your desire to keep costs down (since your child will likely want specific toys).  However, you can often find green alternatives to name-brand toys and clothing items.  No doubt your tots will get the consumer goods they want from friends anyway.  Just remember to use eco-friendly wrapping so that waste can be recycled instead of going to the landfill.

Green Gift Wrapping

Image by chatirygirl

1.       Recycle old wrapping

If you can manage to save gift wrap from complete destruction, salvage it to reuse for next year.  Taking the time to fold it to a manageable size and shove it in a drawer will not only save you money, it will also keep it out of the landfills and cut back on the demand from manufacturers.  You can also do this with gift bags.

2.       Buy recycled wrapping paper

There are several companies that offer gift wrap made from 100% recycled paper.  They come in a wide variety of colors and patterns for every occasion, and the best part is, they can be recycled again (unlike most holiday wrap).  If you’re looking to buy some of this ingenious wrapping, check out the offerings from Green Field Paper Company and EndoPrint.

3.       Extra!  Extra!  Read all about it!

Many people are reviving an old tradition that their grandparents (or great-grandparents) used during the Depression era; the use of newspaper as wrapping paper.  You can use the funnies for a colorful camouflage or go black and white for something a little more adult.  Try spritzing on a fixative spray beforehand to make sure the ink doesn’t stray to every surface it touches.

4.       Go rustic with butcher paper

Plain, brown, butcher paper may not seem too exciting, but it is biodegradable, which puts it head and shoulders above most wrapping paper.  Plus, it is ridiculously easy to decorate.  Use woodsy stamps, some twine, and a pinecone or two on top to give it a bit of texture, pattern, and color.  And lucky for you, the old-timey, homey look is in fashion (as is protecting our planet from pollution).

5.       Try homespun

In case you didn’t know, gift-wrap doesn’t have to be paper at all.  Consider creating some bags from organic or sustainable fabrics to lift the burden on the Earth as well as enhance your gift by including a reusable bag.  Simply throw your gift inside and tie off the top with a festive ribbon or a soft hemp rope.  It will make your gift even prettier than paper because it has the added bonus of being green.

Sarah Danielson writes for Boston Garage Equipment a leading supplier of vehicle workshop equipment.

1. The Recycled Alien!

A colander mixed in with some recycled plastic cups and plastic plates make for an awesome recycled alien!

2. Plastic Bag Monster and his nemesis Captain Recycle Bin

These two ancient foes meet each year at Halloween to do battle, will the plastic shopping bag monster win or will Captain recycle bin prevail?

3. Newspaper Boy

Newspaper boy, he crafts his costume from all the promotional fliers and newspapers that are discarded each year.

4. Recycled Cardboard Dalek

Dr. Who would be hard pressed to battle this enemy, the cardboard box Dalek has a death ray nozzle crafted from an old toilet plunger!

5. A Cleaner Planet Lady

Armed with her eco friendly cleaning products and some tempting Halloween candy, “A Cleaner Planet Lady” can clean up and stay green.

6. Awesome-O the Sad Robot!

You may recognize Awesome-O from a popular TV cartoon, he is looking rather sad in this photo….

7. Turn it Off!

That’s right, celebrating Earth Hour all year round, Turn it Off reminds us to switch of lights when they are not required.

8. Happy Eco Astronaut

A little home crafting and we have a happy eco astronaut! This was one of our favorites.

9. Recycled Slinky Dog

Need a simple costume? Have an old slinky? You can quickly turn yourself in a recycled slinky dog.

10. Cute Viking Costume

Lots of work went into this cute viking costume including use of an old rug as a cape, recycled cardboard turned into a shield and a sword and a home made knitted chain mail along with a re-used paper helmet.

Craft Activities - Eco Friendly Ideas for the Holidays

Image by San Jose Library

1. Bubble Packaging Holiday Calendar

A fun and easy craft that involves reusing bubble packaging would be to make a Christmas countdown calendar. Instead of throwing out the bubble wrap, cut a Christmas tree shape into the packaging with twenty-four bubbles. Use double-sided tape, or glue to attach the Christmas tree cut out to a piece of paper. With friends and family, decorate circular stickers with crayons, glitter glue, or markers and attach them to each individual bubble.

Create a Bubble Wrap Advent Calendar

Your kids will have a great time popping each bubble at the start of a new day. This craft allows you to reuse materials you already have and is a fun way of keeping track of the Christmas countdown. This craft can easily become a tradition and could be incorporate into your holiday festivities every year.

2. Revive Your Recycled Gift Boxes

Another great craft activity is to spruce up old gift boxes and packages you probably already have. Instead of disposing of them, or if you have grown tired of recycling the same ones year on end, try making them more festive. With your family, collect scraps of wrapping paper throughout the year and use these items to liven up your old boxes. Creating a collage of paper will enhance the beauty of the box and make it a memorable gift. You can also reuse fiberfill by gluing it the box in order to create a snowy effect.

Breath Life Into Old Gift Boxes

Image by Little Green Shoot

3. Make Your Own Tree Ornaments

For those of you that enjoy making ornaments, consider using macaroni, or old jewelry to string these items on your Christmas tree. Jewelry can be taken apart for beads, which children would enjoy using as decorations on their ornaments. You may even want to decorate your entire tree with recycled items using soda cans, toilet paper rolls, and CD’s. Using paper to cut out snowflake designs would also be a great way of contributing to the eco-friendly holiday theme.

Make Your Own Tree Ornaments

Image by Nigels Eco Store

4. Handmade Holiday Cards

When it comes time to send out your holiday Christmas cards, try recycling your old ones by cutting out your favorite pictures. You can make your own cards by gluing these images on a folded piece of paper and by decorating it with old scraps of fabric. This will create a unique and original look that friends and family will appreciate. You can also reuse the cutout images to make tags for presents or to turn into ornaments for your tree.

Make Your Own Holiday Cards

Image by Lizabits Designs

5. Let’s Wrap It Up!

Sometimes the best way to stay green during the holidays is to wrap any gifts in brown bags, or newspaper. It conserves a significant amount of paper and also looks adorable under the tree. You could use the “comics” section of the paper to wrap any children’s gifts and even decorate plain paper bags with paint, or drawings. Reuse old ribbons, or string to tie the box for a finished look.

To have a greener holiday season, try reusing household items and be conscientious of how much you are spending and throwing away. Helping the environment will ensure more wonderful holidays for the future and make yours the most memorable one yet.

Sarah Danielson writes for Wine Glass Racks where you can find a wine rack to fit your individual needs, taste, and style

How to Make Your Halloween Green

Here are our top five ways to make your Halloween Green;

1.       Decorate Naturally

Instead of buying plastic decorations that will only languish in a landfill after Halloween, try your hand at natural décor.  Stuff some old clothes with fallen leaves to create a creepy scarecrow, hang old bed sheets from the trees as ghosts, and grow a few pumpkins organically in your vegetable patch (and use the innards for oven-roasted pumpkin seeds and pulp for pumpkin pie).

(P.S. Check out our guide to the Top Ten Pumpkin Carvings for some inspiration too!)

2.       Sew Your Own Costumes

Does it get any worse that those cheaply-made, polyester costumes and rubbery masks from the costume shop?  Skip the holiday aisle at the drug store and head to the fabric store instead.  You can pick up all the warm fabric you’ll need on a chilly autumn night and whip up a far better costume from organic cotton, hemp, or bamboo, all of which are sustainable, recyclable, and probably more comfortable. If you haven’t already seen it we thoroughly recommend our Top Ten Homemade Halloween Costumes Article.

3.       Go Organic

Yummy Earth Organic is a USDA certified company that makes all kinds of organic treats, from hard candy to gummy bears to lollipops.  The pops in particular are individually wrapped, organic, and free of allergens, nuts, soy, casein, dairy, gluten, and egg.  They also lack artificial dyes and flavors.  They come in a variety of natural flavors and best of all, you can order them on Amazon.  While other companies offer similar organic fare, many products can be hard to find.  If you don’t like the idea of ordering online, simply shop your local Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s.

4.       Support a Cause

Endangered Species chocolates are likewise organic (although they do not appear to be certified).  They also support a worthy cause.  With an eye on social responsibility and conservancy, they endorse ethical trade and natural products, as well as spreading awareness of species endangerment and donating 10% of their net profits to habitat conservation efforts.

5.       Set the Mood

You may think that having an eco-friendly Halloween means cutting out a lot of your favorite tricks and treats, but nothing could be further from the truth.  Once you’ve got your green costumes and candy in place, consider the atmosphere of your home.  By setting up some organic beeswax candles, you can save on electricity all night long while you fill the house with flickering shadows.  As for mood music, hang a mobile of hollow reeds outside for a little mournful moaning.  With just a few simple touches, you can have a magical Halloween night without the frightening specter of global warming haunting your thoughts.

We hope our top five list has given you some inspiration to make this years Halloween green? We’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment with your own ideas for a more eco friendly Halloween…

Sarah Danielson writes for a website that specializes in audiobooks where you can find audio book reviews and read the latest industry news.