Shaving is another territory where our daily actions can have an immediate and huge impact on the environment.  Such a small choice, you would think, but consider all the people using razors and shaving products daily.  What if everyone used plastic disposable daisy razors and cheap, canned foam?

I’ve had this draft saved for over six months, but it took seeing Tiny Choices post on swapping razors to finish this up.

I’ll keep this easy… check out the Tiny Choices post.  Check out Allie’s post.  These two will be super comprehensive.

My vote?  I am a HUGE fan of Recycline’s Preserve razors.  My sister bought me a pack so we could get off our Gillette Sensor addiction.  I relate to Tiny Choices and her Gillette:

I have a Gillette Sensor lady’s razor and I dare say I’ve had it since the early 1990s – it’s been with me through high school and college, for sure, and ever since then. It’s served me well, and more so because it isn’t a disposable (the USEPA estimates that 2 billion disposable razors end up in landfills every year).

But Preserve has a great product, made of recycled plastic.  The double razor replacement heads can be a little rough, and you will notice the difference in quality if you had been using Gillette.  Spring and get the triple blade replacement heads.  You’ll totally dig them.

Or, just get really hairy when your razor is done, and save the water and waste.

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue Allen

The list of companies claiming natural and green efforts grows every day, and often, unfortunately, these companies have little to offer.  Two national companies, however, showing progress in their sustainability practices are Reynolds and Kerr Drug.

What do these two companies have to offer?

Reynolds finally caught on to recycled foil.  For an Earth Day promotion, they gave away coupons for a free roll of their 100% recycled aluminum foil.  I am partly excited by this because I do think Reynolds foil is often better quality than many off-brand foils.  Plus, Aluminum, which can be recycled countless times, is a great way to practice your Rs.  When you finish with using foil, you can recycle it or reuse it yourself.  No matter what, make sure you clean off the foil.  Any foil with residual grease and oil cannot be used by recycling facilities, and you certainly do not want to reuse sticky foil.

Kerr Drug, which I never thought I would be giving thumbs-up, sent a “Naturally Kerr” flier in the mail this week.  Claiming to carry “over 3,000 natural and organic products for a healthy lifestyle”, I opened the paper and gave it a look.

Honestly, I was thrilled to see how many legit products they stock.  From organic groceries such as sugar, Late July brand crackers, FEED granola, JASON and Avalon Organics toiletries, natracare tampons and organic cotton pads, Seventh Generation products, Amy’s Organics, gluten-free foods, vegan foods, and even Pirate’s Booty snacks (I wonder if they carry Tings), Naturally Kerr by Kerr Drug is setting a standard for what a chain pharmacy/store can provide for their communities.  Who knows where this chain can go and where they are headed!

If you have not noticed, I rarely give chains a shout-out, so this post is a big deal for me.  Naturally Kerr, which is located at Harvest Plaza, 9650 Strickland Road, Suite 105, Raleigh, and 1124 Patton Ave. in Asheville, even had an Earth Day celebration today.  They gave away free reusable tote bags filled with natural and organic goodies.  The store also had drawings for a free mountain bike, as well as gift certificates to my absolute favorite Raleigh restaurant Irregardless Cafe and Flying Biscuit (never been).  I love the local aspect of this.

So, Kerr and Reynolds, cheers.  Keep up the amazing progress and set even higher standards.  Ready, set, go!

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

Granted, I assumed when The Real Yellow Pages publicized their going green campaign last year, they would have an incredibly difficult time abiding by their attempt to reduce waste.

The story goes, by heading over to yellowpagesgoesgreen.org, you can opt out of receiving the Yellow Pages at your doorstep.  I wrote about this a while back (and here too), and immediately signed up.

Imagine my disappointment when Marc and I walked up our stairs this weekend to find a plastic bag with The Real Yellow Pages sitting on our doormat.  So much for accuracy in the going green campaign.

I revisited the YellowPagesGoesGreen.org website to see what I could find out.  As it turns out, this page isn’t sponsored, operated, managed, or even affiliated with The Real Yellow Pages at all.  This site was created by a Missouri student, overwhelmed by his and his neighbors own piles of unsolicited phonebooks, who decided to create a site to educate the general public about the need to tell publishers to stop sending them.

Just above the fold of the page, the website says “OPT OUT and Stop the Delivery of Unsolicited Telephone Books” and below that, “We Will Notify the Publishers to Stop Sending Books”.

How exactly they “notify” the publishers, I cannot tell you.  That, actually, is explained as that the website group will send a list of names of people who do not want to receive the phone books anymore.

Really, however, the telephone book companies rely on printing massive amounts in order to ask advertisers to spend what they do on a paper ad.  ”Our telephone books reach X amount of households annually” sounds much better when pitching to get ad money than “well, we print a ton of books, most of which end up in dumpsters”.

So, if you go to YellowPagesGoesGreen.org, realize you are not ACTUALLY opting-out of anything, but think of it more as signing a petition that says you support an uncluttered, untrashed doorstep at your home.

Sustainably yours,

Ashley Sue

Quick tip for greener living: 

Get everything you can out of the toilettries you buy prepackaged.

Instead of always buying travel-sized toilettries for your convenience, just get a couple (preferrably ones you already have), and always refill them with the goods from your regular-sized shampoo, conditioner, lotion, face soap bottles.  Reusing those is better than constantly throwing tiny bottles in the recycling bin (or worse – gasp! – trash!!).  A big no-brainer that’s easy to overlook.  Just remember to write what’s in each bottle with a sharpie so you don’t forget which is shampoo and which is facial soap!

And toothpaste, for instance.  In fact, After seeing how long I fought with a flattened out tube of Colgate Total toothpaste last month, this article topic came to me.  Despising that when I finish using a tube of toothpaste that a chunk of aluminum and plastic ends up in a landfill, I was able to continue covering my toothbrush head with minty-fresh paste for two solid weeks AFTER the tube seemed empty.

Just use a little ol’ fashioned “elbow-grease”, and a credit card, smoothing all of the remaining paste from the end of the tube to the tip.  Then, clip the tube and be careful when filling your toothbrush not to distribute the paste back into the tube again.  Voila!

Conserving my toothpaste saved me a morsel more of money, and in this economy, any money savers are welcomed.  Further, I put off adding to the trash a bit longer.

If you want to go a step further, I have read that some people actually cut open the tube and use their brush to get every last smear of paste for use!

I also did this with a tube of chapstick I had.  When I was so close to running out that the dial on the bottom couldn’t push the gloss high enough to actually apply to my lips, I would use my pinky to scoop out a little and apply it myself.  I did this for over a week until I had scooped that little plastic cylinder clean.

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

In case you are not attending what may be one of the most environmentally-unfriendly Super Bowl parties you know, like I will, you may be wondering how a Super Bowl party can be green and eco-friendly.  At least greener than the disposable plates, cups, lack of recycling, and meat-oriented everything that normally goes with these events.

In fact, if you are lucky enough to be hosting your own shindig, and you are curious in this short notice how to make your party have more splash with your friends but less impact with the environment, I have rounded up some great links to check out for your pursuit:

Lighter Footstep advises you on grilling (oh, tasty!). 

Green Diva Mom writer shares a full-out healthy menu plan.

Trey of Earth911 has got the eight best tips, from menu, to toilets, to gambling, and souvenirs.

Last year, I posted these tips on buying bulk, beer, and links I liked.

The NFL consistently works to progress their sustainability initiatives and reduce their environmental impact.  The NFL as an organization and the Tampa Bay Super Bowl are only a small part of the picture:  we fans are accountable for our impact, and it adds up.

We are not pushing to provide only organic, fair-trade, and locally-grown foods, or to use solar power to fuel your party, because as great as those choices are, many of us and our friends are just “getting our feet wet” with being more environmentally-friendly (if they care at all).  So do what you can, and be proud of that.

So, in whatever effort you can, make that difference, and go have fun!  

Sustainably Steelers,

Ashley Sue

Each of us add tremendously to our carbon footprint during the holiday season. Waste is a major consequence of all our generosity, so here are a few tips for reducing your waste load in the next few weeks.  As much fun as opening presents with your family and friends is, I always feel the momentum deflate as envelopes, cards, and paper continue to pile over the floor, covering gifts, the carpet, and our better sense of environmental oneness.

Here is the Green Grounded Guide to Less Holiday Waste:  Four Ways to Reduce Your Paper Impact.

1. Reconsider which holiday cards you send.  

My sister purchased two different sets to send: one set supports Unicef, so her money is going to a great cause (they were also made in the USA and the box is made of 100% recycled materials), and the other set is made with sustainability at its core (from Tree-Free greetings with the message “reduce. reuse. rejoice.”, these cards are USA made of reclaimed sugar-cane fibers, wind power, soy-inks, and a biodegradable cornstarch lid).

If you cannot shell out the extra bit for socially-conscious and eco-designed cards, consider yourself in my boat. My recent move has me living more frugally than usual, but I knew I could still be aware of the impact my cards have. I get simply giddy when I see glitter and shiny, metallic foil, but as I perused through the box store’s card collection, I snubbed all the prettily embellished cards of winter sparkle and golden luster. Cards donning glitter and foil are not recyclable, so bypass these in favor of more subdued traditional holiday card splendor.

Points earned:
+2 Recycled paper, soy ink, or other sustainable materials in card selection
+1 Recyclable materials only
+1 Cards made in USA
+1 Handmade cards from USA
-3 Purchasing glittered and/or foiled cards or envelopes

Bonus points:
+5 for sending e-cards (try www.jibjab.com for hilariously personalizing options)

2. Reconsider your wrapping paper.

Holy wowser at the mass pile of paper and packaging that makes it into trash cans across the globe on December 26th. Gift bags can be regifted, however, so consider that option. Or purchase craft-paper and decorate your own wrapping job. Or the old standby – the Sunday comics. Or get creative and use fabric remnants on boxes and around baskets.

Points earned:
+2 Using the remnant fabrics, newspaper comics or magazine cutouts
+2 Recycled paper, soy ink, or other sustainable materials in purchased wrap/gift bags
+1 Recyclable materials only (the glitter and foil applies to wrap and gift bags as well)
+1 Using gift bags
-2 Using more than two sheets of tissue paper in any gift wrapping/gift bag
-3 Purchasing glittered and/or foiled wrap
-3 Wrapping gift baskets in Mylar or cellophane wrap

Bonus points:
+5 Regifting a gift bag you have been given gifts in
+5 Finding a creative way to give gifts without wrapping

3. Consider gift bling.

Instead of buying that cheap, tacky bag of pre-adhesive bows in an array of cliche holiday colors, adorn your gifts in true style. Use twine or hemp string to tie in a rustic fashion around your gifts. Use long strips of reusable fabric ribbons on people you feel will find a good reuse for the ribbons. If you feel these are too simple looking, tie-on a real cinnamon stick, horehound stick, or peppermint stick to add extra flair.

Points earned:
+2 Using hemp, twine, remnants, etc.
+1 Using a spool of ribbon
-3 Purchasing a new bag of plastic, pre-adhesive ribbons and bows

Bonus points:
+5 Using plastic, pre-adhesive ribbons and bows from gifts you received last year

4. Reconsider gift name tags.

Why spend another couple dollars on some shiny, factory-produced, tiny, paperboard cutouts donning Santa or a toy soldier? These are just extra blobs of trash, not to mention the paperboard and plastic packaging they come in. Instead, why not just write the name of the recipient somewhere on the gift… maybe an inconspicuous side or corner?

Points earned:
+2 Completely avoiding unnecessary gift name tags.

5.  No matter how your holiday is wrapped up, enjoy the time you are sharing with the people you care about. That is where change begins.

A couple extra bonus points:

+7 Talking with your family ahead of the holidays to share your neat wrapping tips and suggestions in a fun, friendly manner.
+10 Making sure not to judge or act haughty with family members and friends who forgot to consider the environmental impact of their wrappings and trim. The holidays truly are about gratitude for the love and time you share with each other. You will have plenty of opportunities to talk up environmental politics later, and without making them feel guilty for something they gave out of love and generosity.

Sustainably yours ~ Ashley Sue

A couple nights ago, my sister and I had picked up some groceries from Asheville’s amazing thrift-grocer (stocked FULL of healthy, off-beat options that I am alllllll about)), Amazing Savings.  I picked up some vegan, macrobiotic noodles with a tangy asian-styled sauce in the cooler section.  

So, we got home, and I dove right into them.  It had been hours before when we purchased our loot, and I had been a little slobbery for them since.  

Unfortunately, they were really dry.  They were covered in a tasty sauce, but I kid you not, the noodles and mushroom combination sucked all the moisture from your mouth while you ate.  Plus, it was a STONG earthy, mushroom taste that was a bit too much for me.  So, after eating about half, I knew I had to toss the noodles.

So, I chunked the whole thing in the trash.  Plastic prepared-food package and all.  

My sister scorned me instantly and removed the plastic from the trash can, dumping only the noodles back in.  ”What’s up with that, Green Rockstar?” she said (or something like that).

Oops!  Hadn’t thought twice about it!  I’m so in the habit of tossing all plastic that isn’t a bottle, since Raleigh only recycles plastic bottles.

Guess that’s one more thing I’ll adjust to as I settle here in Asheville!

Sustainably yours, Ashley Sue

In the sticky transition I am in, lodged back and forth amidst my new home (Asheville) and the home we’re leaving (Raleigh), I was lucky enough last week to have two goodbye outings with work colleagues.  The first was fun and official.  The second one was impromptu.  On a whim, four of us went to my favorite pizza place in all of the Triangle (or anywhere I’ve been, actually):  Moonlight Pizza. 

(That’s Lisa on her blackberry in the pic.)

My sister discovered this place several years ago and introduced me to its wonderfulness.  I love that it is locally-owned and better than anywhere else around.  I love the funky, warm ambiance of its inside area.  I love the essence of Raleigh you feel when you eat on their patio, which we did being the great night it was (plus Doug brought his buddy-dog Willow Bee ~ btw, thank you, Doug, for suggesting Moonlight!). 

I love that I can order a tasty pizza without cheese and have avocado and pistachios on my marinara instead.  I love that two of the four beers they had on draft were Angry Angel (my favorite Raleigh beer) and Highland Oatmeal Porter (an Asheville brewery).

Then, when I asked for the to-go box for my leftovers, I found another thing to love about Moonlight:

100% Recycled-content box.  Heck yeah!  Locally-owned and steps toward a more sustainable business practice and smaller footprint!

Cheers to what is wonderful about Raleigh and Moonlight!  ~ Ashley Sue

In the controversies of the world, the sustainability impact of paper towels will be historically noted. 

While that may not be entirely true, the ecological impact of deforestation certainly has already made its way into our children’s textbooks and society’s pop-culture.

Yet, people frankly don’t think about the ramifications of disposable items such as paper towels and toilet paper.  They are easy and darn convenient, and frankly, I think people don’t want to ponder the damage they cause.

About five years ago, my family was lodging in a WV cabin for a summer family trip.  Dad had purchased a 15 pack (or something equally massive) of paper towels.  At the end of the trip, Dad offered them to my sister and myself to split up.  Bonnie said, “No, but thank you.  Dave and I don’t use paper towels.  We use kitchen towels.”  I grabbed the whole sack and said, “We’ll take them all.  We’re broke and they’re free.  Thanks, Dad!”

Five years later, Marc and I still use paper towels, and considerably more than we should.  I have decided that upon the full move to Asheville, we will use cloth napkins at meals, and that will be a dramatic decrease.  Also, for most spills, I would be happy using a cloth towel.  And, since I’m temporarily moving in with my sister and her husband, Marc and I better get used to that!

Still yet, Marc and I will probably always use paper towels for some cleaning jobs.  And just like toilet paper and tissues, when you start to realize how much you use, you have to think about how to quieten the impact from your destruction.

As far as TP goes, Flahute gives a pretty accurate (if not graphic) description into the recycled TP dilemma.  It’s a FUNNY read, concise, and really taps into a TRUE issue of buying recycled paper products.  And RiverWired taps into the conundrum of recycled-paper costs.  While I find the recycled-content goods are more expensive than those I’d get at the local warehouse store, GoGreen – Save the Environment says

…what’s more, Seventh Generation’s recycled-fiber toilet paper costs less per square foot than most of the leading brands-reason enough to make the switch.

So, I have to make that switch next.

Frankly, having virgin paper products for wiping, blowing, and grease-cleaning is absolutely absurd.  Recycling paper may not be the best thing for the environment, but it absolutely trumps further deforestation on every level.

Any other thoughts on the various ways and wastes of paper in our lives?

Sustainably yours,  Ashley Sue

The Green Grounded Team could not believe how many envelopes, letters, postcards, brochures, and copies of our police report ended up in our mailbox after the accident.  Apparently, advertising your law services and chiropractic practice keeps the USPS in business… and unfortunately, continues deforestation for paper products. I think a whole tree died just to advertise to Marc and myself.  The worst of it is, we got duplicates of many services ~ one to each of us from the same practice.

…and I never saw a single “printed on recycled paper” or “printed with soy ink” stamp on any of it.

Add this to the onslaught of political ads we receive in the mail, and we have a true waste nightmare. 

I hope each of you are recycling the political smear-papers you’re receiving.  According to a recent issue of “Triangle Home Improvement”,

City of Raleigh Waste Reduction Specialist Linda Leighton says nearly 40% of the trash in the local landfill is paper products that could have been recycled.

Sustainably yours ~ Ashley Sue