Reusable: Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Rolls

You do not have to be a crafter to repurpose your left over toilet paper rolls and prevent waste.

Here are a few ideas we collected:

1. Donate them to your local animal shelter. Small animals love playing in toilet paper rolls and chewing them up to make bedding.

2. Keep spare electrical cords tangle-free by fanfolding the cord and putting it through a toilet paper roll. You can even decorate the roll with colorful paper.

3. Store string around the outside of a roll to prevent tangles. You can create notches at each end to attach the string ends to.

4. Give to kids along with some markers or paint and see what crafts they come up with!

5. Roll your linens up in longer paper towel rolls to avoid creases caused by storage.

6. Use the rolls as seedling planters. Rather than purchase several small starter pots, use one tray, insert in several rolls cut in half horizontally and place soil and the plants in each roll.

7. Poke holes in the rolls and use them as toy building blocks. Kids can poke the ends of pencils into the rolls to build objects.

8. Create wall art! Take a look at these amazing designs by blogger Tali Schiffer Oren for inspiration. Here is one of Tara’s creations:

9. Prevent your kids’ artwork from sitting in boxes and wrinkling by rolling the pieces up and fitting them into paper towel tubes.

Passive Houses Come to America

Upon first hearing the term “passive house,” one might think, “Aren’t all houses passive?” I mean, they do just kind of sit there. They don’t really make a scene or step on any toes. In reality, the homes we live in are often inflicting some kind of footprint onto the environment with high energy consumption. The U.S. Energy Information Administration states buildings are responsible for 48% of greenhouse gas emissions each year and that 76% of all electricity generated by power plants in the United States goes towards the building sector.

A passive house, on the other hand, seeks to conserve energy, while also functioning as a livable home. PassiveHouse.us says:

“A Passive House is a very well-insulated, virtually air-tight building that is primarily heated by passive solar gain and by internal gains from people, electrical equipment, etc. Energy losses are minimized. Any remaining heat demand is provided by an extremely small source. Avoidance of heat gain through shading and window orientation also helps to limit any cooling load, which is similarly minimized. An energy recovery ventilator provides a constant, balanced fresh air supply. The result is an impressive system that not only saves up to 90% of space heating costs, but also provides a uniquely terrific indoor air quality.”

Or, in other words, it’s a building which follows the German Passivhaus standard for energy efficiency, one which focuses on reducing its ecological footprint resulting in ultra-low energy for heating and cooling. The U.S. is taking interest in this standard, however slowly. As of 2010, there were under 20 houses in the U.S., but across the global map there are around 25,000.

Inhabitat reposted an article on their Facebook and Twitter pages of an amazing Williamsburg, NY passive house above a creative shop. The space had been transformed from a standard Brooklyn apartment to a modern, energy efficient home, and the effects are quite stunning. A family in Utah also completed the project last year, to suit their family’s needs. The family bungalow is now an open, welcoming area, perfect for entertaining. See more at OurPassiveHouse.org.

For more information on the passive house movement, visit the Passive House Institute website as well as Passipedia – there is a wiki for everything. And now, more photos!

Where the Trees Are

Researchers at the Woods Hole Research Center, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey created the map pictured above, an inventory of the United States’ concentrations of biomass. The darkest greens on the map show areas with the densest and most robust forest growth.

According to the NASA Earth Observatory, the map provides perhaps the most detailed “view of forest structure and carbon storage ever assembled for any country.”

The purpose of the map is to take an accurate, current inventory of the nation’s forests in order to know how best to manage and preserve forests.

Trees fill our air with oxygen. They provide shade on sunny days, prevent erosion and slow a harsh wind. They provide us with raw materials, food, medicines and more. What actions have you made in your daily life to protect our forests?

Santa’s Last Days to Ship from Organic Bug

Be sure to follow these guidelines to get your packages in time for Christmas!*

Ground Shipping: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15th by 1 pm EST
takes 2-5 business days after processing for delivery~you will get a tracking number but NO Guaranteed delivery date

2 Day Express: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20th by 1:00 pm EST
takes 2-3 business days after processing for delivery~you will get a tracking number and a Guaranteed delivery date

Overnight: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21st by 1:00 pm EST
call for availability

Should you have any questions, please contact us using our Toll Free Number: 888.428.7050 9 am to 5 pm EST M-F
(if you are calling from outside the US, please call 386.428.7050)

*IMPORTANT NOTES:

Check AVAILABILITY and any special shipping notes in RED on each product page. Some products ship direct from our vendors and orders may not ship immediately so notice the AVAILABILITY of each product prior to ordering to know when the item will ship.

We are unable to guarantee delivery if there are weather delays. These Shipping Dates are for packages shipped to addresses in the Continental US only. Products shipping to PO Boxes CANNOT be shipped using 2 Day Express or Next Day Air.

Of course, if you are just too late or you don’t know what to buy,

Santa uses INSTANT DELIVERY when you buy Organic Bug eGift Certificates!

Climate Change Activist’s Uphill Battle

What do you do when you find yourself between a rock and a hard place when it comes to defending the defenseless? It wasn’t all that long ago when environmental activist Tim DeChristopher was convicted on two felony counts for “making $1.8 million in false oil and gas drilling bids at a federal auction,” according to the Associated Press. The 29-year old DeChristopher did so “to run up the price of 13 oil-and-gas leases near Utah’s Arches and Canyonlands national parks,” in order to save them. Tim registered under the name “Bidder 70″ and outbid the oil companies, but was then unable to pay. This same auction was later ruled as possibly illegal, and definitely poorly conducted. He was eventually sentenced to two years in prison; and many supporters are stating the obvious. DeChristopher’s conviction wasn’t about the bids; it was about preserving power (Treehugger).

DeChristopher’s defense team claimed a necessity defense, meaning he had to choose between two evils and bidding was the lesser of those evils to avoid imminent harm. Prosecutors prohibited this defense and disallowed evidence which could have supported his case for the necessity defense. Prosecutor John Huber stated, “It becomes clear that the defendant’s hopes are to have a prominent venue for his global-warming show — a platform from which he could educate the masses.” The overall stance in cases like DeChristopher’s is that it is criminal to educate the masses about the destruction of national parks and the environment in favor of oil. Additionally, Judge Benson, who presided over the case and sentenced DeChristopher to prison for two years, asserted that DeChristopher’s actions were undeserving of comparisons to historical acts of nonviolent protest or civil disobedience, essentially reiterating the hardball stance that the environment is not a valid cause worth federal protections.

The point of these heavy sentences is to deter future environmental protestors to reach out to help stave off the effects of climate change. Activists such as DeChristopher believe the path our earth is headed down will be extremely disastrous. Barriers to solving the environmental crisis are political, not technological. DeChristopher responded to the judge’s statement during his court address:

“The certainty of this statement [that his sentence will act to deter] not only ignores the history of political prisoners, it ignores the severity of the present situation. Those who are inspired to follow my actions are those who understand that we are on a path toward catastrophic consequences of climate change. They know their future, and the future of their loved ones, is on the line. And they know we are running out of time to turn things around. The closer we get to that point where it’s too late, the less people have to lose by fighting back. The power of the Justice Department is based on its ability to take things away from people. The more that people feel that they have nothing to lose, the more that power begins to shrivel. The people who are committed to fighting for a livable future will not be discouraged or intimidated by anything that happens here today.

And neither will I. I will continue to confront the system that threatens our future. Given the destruction of our democratic institutions that once gave citizens access to power, my future will likely involve civil disobedience. Nothing that happens here today will change that. I don’t mean that in any sort of disrespectful way at all, but you don’t have that authority. You have authority over my life, but not my principles. Those are mine alone.”

DeChristopher’s defense team is seeking an appeal. In the meantime, DeChristopher is writing from prison for the environmental blog Grist in order to spread the word about climate change and the urgency with which he hopes others will begin to get involved. He also cofounded the activism network, Peaceful Uprising to spread the word about a sustainable future.

What is your opinion on the Tim DeChristopher case?

Win Two Bamboo Dreams Ribbed Bath Towels!

Save cash this holiday season by winning your gifts! Through November 17th, enter to win two Bamboo Dreams ribbed bath towels in the color pewter.

These beautiful towels will make you feel like you are in your very own home spa. They are wonderfully absorbent and very durable.

Organic Bug has them available in a variety of sizes including:

Organic Bug Launches New Website!

We’re so excited to announce that Organic Bug has a newly designed website! Check it out: http://www.organicbug.com!

The new site has easy-to-navigate shopping categories. For example, our personal care section breaks down further into 26 shopping categories including, among others, personal care for balanced skin, for demanding skin and for thirsty skin.

Also featured on the new site are collections featuring vegan, handmade, fair trade, made in the USA, natural, organic, recycled, sustainable and holiday items.

We’ve also added 30% more products!! Take a look around the site. Let us know what you think…

Green Your Commute

I used to be one of those people who took public transportation out of necessity. In an urban environment that appreciated its pedestrians, commuting sans car was a breeze. Plus, I used to be able to squeeze in some quality reading time while on the train or bus. Unfortunately, I now reside in a burgeoning suburban mecca where the lack of available pervasive bike paths is mirrored by the increasingly decrepit public transit system. The city, favoring the wealthy neighborhoods far from the grimy “city” operates under the mantra that if you don’t have a car, you’re on your own.

However, even while relying on my car much more than I used to, there are some green commuter tips that could be helpful for those in a similar situation. Treehugger provides a nice guide to novice green commuting. If you’re dissatisfied with horrific gas prices or the dilapidated state of your car and are looking to decrease your footprint, here are some things to keep in mind.

• Walk or bike. Obviously this is less of an option for those traveling a long distance into work every day. But for those who can get in a walking or biking routine, it’s not so bad once it becomes a regular part of your schedule. You may have to get comfortable adding a little extra time to your ETA, but you might enjoy the peace and quiet. Check the end of this article for scaredy-cat cyclists (like me).
• Work from home. If this is an option at your job, Treehugger suggests taking more work-from-home days or making a four-day work week a habit. With more businesses relying more heavily on freelancers, telecommuting employees are becoming more prevalent. Industries more likely to operate on a work-from-home system are creative fields, advertising or marketing and other office environments.
• Carpool or use a car sharing service, like WeCar to keep more cars off the road. Plus, sitting in traffic might be a bit more enjoyable with company. And, of course, public transportation is a viable method if it’s available in your area.
• Maintenance. If you have the money, keeping your car up to speed is a good way to save on fuel. Also, check into biodiesel or ethanol options for fuel as well.

Look for events in your area similar to Kansas City, Missouri’s Green Commute Challenge to provide the push you need to leave the car behind.

And for those not quite ready to merge the old bicycle in with fast-moving auto traffic, especially in lieu of well-spaced bike lanes, here are some pointers for the faint of heart from GOOD and the Solo Traveler Blog:

• Know your local bike laws
• Obey the rules of the road
• Become visible with lights and volume
• Be aware of your surroundings and watch for car doors
• Wear a helmet
• Make eye contact with drivers
• Ride further to the left than you might think
• Lock your bike when unattended. Be sure you know which parts are easy to remove and lock accordingly.

Check out OurGreenCommute.com to see the effects of your daily commute. For example, if you drive alone for 30 miles per day, 7244 pounds of CO2 are emitted on a yearly basis. Use the tips above to cut down on this number. Start small.

Now all it takes is a little courage to get out of your routine, get out of the car and get on a bike or meet a stranger on the train!

Organic Explorer Unearths New Zealand Eco Locales

Eco-conscious travelers venturing to New Zealand can now take advantage of an entirely green voyage with the help of Organic Explorer. OE does all the hard work of seeking coveted locales like organic cafes or artisan retreats near farmers’ markets; all the eager explorer has to do is visit OE’s website and begin searching by region or type of establishment. Search bar selections range from organic wineries, to farmstays and other types of eco-lodging, to broader searches like nature tourism. There are over “600 places to eat and shop, to stay,” according to the site.

Husband and wife team Leonie Johnsen and Dr. Tony Ward first created Organic Explorer in 2007 as a guidebook for the eco inclined. Now, the website stretches this original idea to provide knowledge of the New Zealand landscape to more people across the globe who might be planning their next big trip. Organic Explorer plays a more active role in educating travelers about the realities our environment is faced with at the present time while simultaneously providing a nice game plan for the New Zealand bound.

For explorers wanting the organic experience even down to New Zealand’s culture, Organic Explorer also features Maori culture tours, a native people that gives New Zealand part of its original flavor. For example, one of the many sustainable tours of Maori culture, Kaikoura, brings eco tourists into a realm where plants are used as food and medicine and stories are told of Maori people dating back 800 years. Additionally, tourists can rest easy knowing the Kaikoura area uses environmentally-friendly practices including composting, limiting carbon emissions, and wildlife conservation. Organic Explorer also offers information on the non-profit Leave No Trace, the center for outdoor ethics teaching an “environmental care code for low impact adventures,” to keep up the sustainable ethos after the vacation is over.

Those travelers who may want a more plan-as-you-go experience can pocket the Organic Explorer’s eco-tourism book to plan adventures on the fly. On top of insider’s views of where to go when green trailblazing, the 3rd edition manual also provides a critical eye, featuring articles discussing New Zealand conservation issues and threats, so tourists can keep abreast of new advancements or things to lookout for, things like tourism’s role in farming, wilderness mining or deep sea oil exploration. No worries, though, the manual guide is produced locally and uses “sustainable forestry sourced paper.” It is also “printed with vegetable inks” rather than other commercial ones.

Even those who may not be able to get out to New Zealand any time soon can still learn about sustainable tourism and dream about the beautiful organic landscape awaiting them across the map.

Cheers to Organic Buzz: Pesticide Free Hops

Amidst the weekend transition from September to October, ringing in cooler temperatures in many places as a pleasant break from record heat waves, another welcome announcement appeared on Huffington Post Green: Organic hops. That’s right, some clever farmers-turned-innovators are seeking a pesticide-free method of brewing up a cold one.

There have been some busy bees in the Northwestern part of the U.S., where farmers worked alongside researchers in the great hops adventure. In a rare call for transparency in labels, though possibly meant as a slight to local breweries, “brewers who label their beer as organic” are now required “to use organic hops beginning in 2013.” So the search is on for the best method. This could either be a time for breaking down in the face of changing ye ole’ family recipe, or, a chance to progress the beer industry to a higher standard. The best outcome would be for organic beers to become much more prevalent among the homogeneous rows of monopolizing top retailers.

As with many sustainable and organic goods, the demand is increasing, even if slowly.

“The organic beer market is still relatively small, but it’s definitely catching on,” said Ronnie Cummins, national director of the Organic Consumers Association, to Huffington Post. “Just like a few years ago, organic cosmetics and body products were a niche. Across the board, whether it’s pet food or whatever kind of consumer product, there’s increasing demand.”

Additionally, the U.S. is strategically in a good place to be a leader in the organic hops business, if they so choose, as the second largest producer of hops next only to Germany. Prost! The Northwest region of the country is especially primed to spearhead this mission as the originator of the craft beer movement, bringing focus to local beverages over commercial alternatives. Craft beer festivals all over the country would also be prime places to introduce new brands to the consumers most likely to be first adopters in the movement.

Don’t think craft, organic beers are completely absent today, however. Peak Organic Brewing Company boasts of offerings ranging from the Fall Summit Ale, to Hop Noir or to Nut Brown Ale, as well as standard IPAs. There are definitely several other organic breweries out there as well, and many craft breweries have a sampling of organic beers, like New Belgium and Dogfish Head Brewing Co.

Green America says the reason to go for organic beers is to eliminate the chemicals leading to “at least 67 million birds [that] die each year from pesticides sprayed on US fields. The number of fish killed is conservatively estimated at six to 14 million.” Humans should beware of toxic chemicals as well, says the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But an even more personal, economic reason for going organic is that the family farm is affected by devastated ecosystems. “The US lost an estimated 650,000 family farms in the last decade. Organic farming, on the other hand, is proving to be small-farmer friendly-most organic farms are less than 100 acres,” reported the blog.

The highest level of organic certification to aspire to would be 100%, meaning “ only organically produced ingredients and processing aids are used,” says CraftBeer.com. The lower levels are the ones affected by the new regulations. Huffington Post says, “for many years, brewers could market their beer as organic even if they used conventional hops, arguing that organic hops simply weren’t available,” but cost may be one deterrent. “Organic hops can be anywhere from 30 percent to 50 percent more expensive to brewers, so even if they could buy organic hops, many brewers opted for conventional varieties.” But the sales numbers are always steadily growing.

That’s what’s on tap.

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