Top 5 Reasons to Recycle Your Cell Phone

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Technology is constantly evolving, especially in the realm of cellar devices. You can’t turn on your TV without being bombarded by the newest, fastest, sleekest cell phone model. Each one comes with more capabilities and bells and whistles. So the time comes in every cell phone’s life to say goodbye. Change is good, but what happens to your old friend? Does it end up in a junk drawer? In an old box somewhere? If you’re like millions of Americans, it ends up in the trash….and this can be a serious problem. Recycling cell phones is an easy process which has many benefits. Below are 5 reasons why recycling your cell should be a priority.

Cell Phones Contain Toxic Materials

That sweet gun metal finish, back lit LCD screen, and QWERTY keypad come at a price, and that price is toxic materials. Most all cell phones these days contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Yeah, arsenic. When you toss it in the trash, it ends up in an incinerator or landfill, where those materials can combust causing some major environmental issues. These materials often times sweep into the soil or drinking water which ends up affecting a lot more than just the landfill they get dumped in. Many of these materials like cadmium and lead are known to cause liver and lung cancer in humans. With the average shelf life of a cell phone peaking out at 18 months, it’s easy to see how these little devices can result in a much larger problem.

All Those Phones Add Up!

When was the last time you met someone without a cell phone? Nowadays kids take notes via text message and surf myspace on their iPhones. Just about everyone has a cell, and they all want the newer, better version coming out next year. If the average cell phone user is only holding on to a phone for 18 months, that creates a LOT of waste. The EPA predicts that more than 150 MILLION cell phones are thrown away each year. That’s 75,000 tons of toxic material waste every single year. There is no sign of those numbers slowing or decreasing in the future. By recycling your phone, you are helping to cut down on this growing problem.

Just Because It’s Not New, Doesn’t Mean It Can’t Work

Wait, you’re telling me that my phone only has a 7 mega pixel camera, but this super new phone has a 16 mega pixel camera?? I’m ready to upgrade. But that doesn’t mean that Mr. 7 mega pixel no longer works. In fact 80% of the 150 million cells that are thrown out each year are in perfect, or close to perfect working order. When you recycle your phone, it is thoroughly inspected for its quality and whenever possible, it is refurbished and resold. But how does this benefit you? You’ve moved on to higher quality pictures and unlimited texts. By recycling your phone, you’ve helped keep production costs down, and in turn it keeps product costs down as well. That’ll come in handy next time you upgrade.

Even If Your Phone Is Dead, It Can Still Be Recycled

You spilled coffee on your phone, your dog chewed it up, and the screen is dead? It can still be recycled even if it can’t be reused. Many times broken phones still have many working parts which are reused in the production of new phones. Even in the event your old faithful phone is truly dead, all the metals and materials used to make it can be broken down and reused to make new cell phones. By recirculating the materials, it can significantly cut back on the need for new metal mining. All this is done in a completely environmentally safe process.

Recycle and Get Involved

November 15th is “America Recycles Day”. This national holiday is in its 11th year and going stronger than ever. Through the countless efforts of many local and national recycling and environmental facilities millions of Americans will learn what they can do to help. According to the EPA, if only 1 million cell phones were recycled, they could produce enough energy to power 1,940 homes with electricity for a full year! If 150 million phones got recycled that’d mean electricity for 291,000 homes. What better way to be a part of ARD than by starting off with recycling your old cell phone.

If you’d like more information on cell phone recycling, or if you’d like to find out what you can do to help, contact GRC Recycling, http://www.grcrecycling.com/

What is a Carbon Footprint? Why is it Important to Offset Your Carbon Footprint?

Our carbon footprint is the direct effect our actions and lifestyle have on the environment in terms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 increases greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. We all contribute to global warming every day.

Carbon Footprints are made up of two parts, the direct or primary footprint and the indirect or secondary footprint. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels. These are probably the biggest contributors to your Carbon Footprint; they include electricity consumption and transportation. The secondary footprint is a measure of indirect CO2 emissions from the entire lifecycle of products we use - from their manufacture to their eventual breakdown in the ecosystem.

The greenhouse effect is the increase in Earth’s temperature caused by the growing amount of certain gasses in the atmosphere – nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. These “Greenhouse gases” have the same effect on Earth as a greenhouse; letting sunlight in and keeping heat from escaping. The greenhouse effect is important to human life; otherwise, it would be too cold to live on the Earth.

By burning fossil fuels, we have tremendously increased the amount of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Earth is now heating up excessively, a process called “global warming.”

You can reduce your carbon footprint by changing things that you do in your daily life. These are a few things you can do to reduce your personal carbon footprint:

· Walk to your destination if possible instead of driving.

· Recycle glass, metals, plastics and paper.

· Select the most energy-efficient models when you replace your old appliances. Look for products that have earned the ENERGY STAR® label.

· Turn off and unplug stereos, radios, TVs, and DVDs when you leave home for a few days. These appliances have a stand-by function that uses energy even when they are turned off.

· Only run your dishwasher when full, and let dishes air dry.

There are many things you can do to offset your Carbon Footprint as well; one good choice is to plant a tree! An average tree absorbs more than 650 pounds of CO2 over its lifespan. Trees act as natural filters of our air; through the process of photosynthesis they absorb CO2 from the atmosphere and store it in their trunk, branches, leaves, and roots while releasing oxygen back out.


If you are interested in learning more about offsetting your Carbon Footprint, check out http://www.begreennow.com. There are simple tips to begin decreasing the energy you use each day, and offset the rest of your carbon-emitting energy use with their easy-to-use carbon calculator and BeGreensm carbon offset products. Be part of the solution to save the world from ourselves; we are all part of the problem.

Organic Pet Food

Organic? Organic refers to environment-friendly farming methods using no artificial pesticides, fertilizers or chemicals to produce the purest and most natural foods possible. Organic, earth-friendly farming practices promote the sustainable value of our natural resources and produce beneficial nourishing foods for our families and companion pets.

Since the advent of grocery store commercial dog food, there has been an explosion of pets dying from tumors, growths, cancers, and diseases that were unheard many years ago.

I truly believe this has been caused by the unhealthy chemicals, pesticides, hormones, fats and preservatives used to make this cereal based kibble palatable and long lived. Can you imagine eating a dry, cereal like, tasteless food every day, that in fact can sit on the shelf for years and not spoil. Obiously there are heavy duty chemicals and preservatives used to extend the shelf life. It's like eating sawdust with a chemical enhanced flavor, to cover up all the harmful additives.

Changing to organic dog food, whether it is home made organic, with the same all natural ingredients you eat for supper, or buying the premium high grade organic dog food that has become increasingly popular, is the best you can do for your four legged companion. An organic dog food marked 95% organic meets the same guidelines as organic food produced for humans. The food won't contain pesticides or antibiotics, and it's preserved with natural substances like Vitamins C and E. Organically certified pet food is more costly, just as our own organic food is more expensive, but the advantages of superior pet health and helping our environment is worth it to most of us.

Organic dog food will say it is using certified organic ingredients, and should say which agency has done the certification.

Foods with a lot of fillers are cheaper but less nutritious. Just as with human organic food, natural organic ingredients will go a long way toward giving your pet a long, healthy life.

Some of the benefits of switching to organic dog food are: Higher energy, more activity, stronger bones and teeth, and a beautiful healthy coat. - Helps prevent itching and irritating skin conditions, because organic dog food is free of artificial colors and flavor enhancers, chemical additives and toxic pesticides that could cause many of these skin allergies. In some cases completely eliminating these allergic skin reactions. - It is easier to maintain a healthier weight, because organic dog food is superior in nutritional value, and this prevents overeating in you dog as they are more satisfied eating smaller amounts. There are no bulk fillers in organic dog food. - Better overall health and a stronger immunity. Even if you dog seems healthy he/she can still benefit. An increased immune system will help prevent long term, costly illnesses and infections, that may require costly medical treatments. - Quality of life and longevity are increased by feeding organic dog food as opposed to the cereal filled cheap dog food.

Organic dog will be formulated with human grade meat, not ground bits and pieces of animals that are unfit for human consumption, or rancid road kill, as the cheaper store bought commercial food industry uses. Also you should find an organic dog food that boasts using no corn, wheat, soy, grain fractions, fillers or by-products.

Learn to decipher labels on commercial pet foods. They are purposefully deceiving us into buying low grade, unhealthy food all for profit, not for the health of our pet.

To buy organic dog food or to make home made organic dog food will guarantee what you pet is ingesting and give him/her a better chance at a healthy, longer, happier, more energetic life.

Recycled Golf Balls Save Money Without Compromising Your Game

Image via WikipediaLorne McCaslin

Recycled golf balls are easy to find and a smart choice for the golfer looking for a way to save money and exercise environmental responsibility. If you are an inexperienced golfer, recycled golf balls are definitely the way to go. You are bound to lose a few balls along the way as you develop into a skilled golfer. With recycled golf balls you don't have to worry as much about the occasional lost ball as you might feel playing with more expensive golf balls.

Why recycled golf balls?

Recycled golf balls have become a popular online business venture. The fact is that you can get high quality recycled golf balls that match your game. Some may even be difficult to tell apart from brand new golf balls in terms or appearance and performance. Lots of golfers of all levels are becoming aware of this cash saving secret. Perform a search online for recycled golf balls and you will find quite a few online businesses that have made retrieving and recycling golf balls into big business. Some recycled golf balls are actually constructed using recycled materials, while others are considered recycled because they have been used before. High quality recycled balls can be picked up for half of their retail value.

The grading system

There are usually four different grades of recycled golf balls: the top of the line recycled golf balls will usually be called AAA, PERFECT, 1st Quality or Grade 1. You may actually find it hard to distinguish between top of the line recycled balls golf balls and top quality newly purchased balls. The next grade of golf balls look and perform well, just like the top of the line recycled golf

balls. You may even come across some logo balls. The third grade recycled golf balls may be a bit worn and scuffed on the outside, but still perform suitably for a game. The fourth grade of recycled balls is usually reserved for practice shots only.

Where to find them

Recycled golf balls are often dutifully collected at the end of a game. Some have turned this collection process into big online businesses. Balls are gathered, cleaned and graded according to each individual ball's condition to determine the cost. Search online and you may be surprised to find so many dealers selling recycled balls over the Internet.

How much can you save?

Some golfers wonder how much they are really saving by choosing recycled golf balls over brand new. Is it really worth it? Well, you be the judge: If a brand new pack of one dozen Titleist Pro golf balls retail for around $58.00, and online prices for a dozen high grade golf ball sells for $24.00, $18.00 for second grade golf balls, $14.00 for third grade and $8.00 for fourth grade golf balls, the savings speaks for itself.

They say it's not the golf ball that makes the difference in one's game - it's the golfer. Still having a decent set of golf balls can't hurt. You can find well performing golf balls without paying high prices. Recycled golf balls are an affordable alternative to purchasing brand new.

Dummies Guide To Organic Food

Image via WikipediaPaul Hata

What is organic food? While we may have heard about it for over thousand times,many are still in the dark about organic food and its benefits.We hope this article would shed some light on organic food.

The Organic Revolution - The organic revolution is a global phenomenon witnessed in every part of the world. Global organic food market was about USD40 billion in 2006 and over 30 percent or USD12 billion of the global demand stems from the US. The world organic market has been growing by 20% a year since the early 1990s, with future growth estimates ranging from 10-50% annually depending on the country.

What Is Organic Food - Organic food are foods that are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge.and processed without ionizing radiation or food additives.For livestocks, they are reared without the routine use of antibiotics or growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.

The word organic food does not only apply to the food from your own home garden, but also to the store bought food products, in which no synthetic artificial inputs are used. In the contemporary times, the term organic food is usually used in reference to the certified organic foods. It has been claimed by health experts that organic food is more nutritious. Some of the features that can be associated with organic food are more attention to quality, good taste, proper selection of crop varieties etc.

Organic Gardening - Organic Gardening is gardening without the use of man-made chemical pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It is said by some of its supporters to be more in harmony with nature. An organic gardener strives to work in harmony with natural systems and to minimize and continually replenish any resources the garden consumes. Organic produce is also known for its superior flavor.

Organic Fertilizers - Organic fertilizers can actually be cheaper, because you can make them yourself. Fish emulsion is a common organic fertilizer. It is a sort of tea made from dead fish. Seaweed fertilizer is another tea-like fertilizer that many organic gardeners swear by.

And of course there is natural compost that can help you make use of your kitchen waste! The benefits of organic gardening far outweigh the few drawbacks. It may be a bit more work, but it is so rewarding!

Organic Food Consumption - Organic food consumption has become the trend of the time, but still there are many who do not have a clear idea regarding the definition of organic food and this can be attributed to the fact that we do not possess adequate organic food information. Well, organic food in simple terms can be defined as food that is natural and does not involve the usage of any kind of preservatives or artificial pesticides. Read further to explore organic food facts

Organic Food Production - Organic food production is legally regulated. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Japan and many other countries require producers to obtain organic certification in order to market food as organic.Organic products protect us from toxic and chemical induced diseases while nourishing our bodies to promote good health. Non-organic food only appears to be cheaper, but it costs us our health, our farmland, our eco-systems and taxes to pay for the disasters that chemical farming create. Chemical farming has led to dramatic erosion of the soil, killing off whole species of birds and near extinction of some of our beautiful wildlife. Sustainable Organic Agriculture is already feeding people around the world. Chemical farming can seriously damage farmer's health.

Benefits of Organic Food - Organic foods contain phenolic compounds that protect you from developing heart disease and cancer. Organic food ensures high food quality, which other conventional foods cannot commit. Since organic food is natural and fresh, it boasts off its rich taste. So, head your way towards leading a healthy lifestyle, by eating organic foods.

Apartment Recycling Tips

Image by Christine Renee via FlickrNina Seidl

According to a 2007 news story by the CBC, Ottawa’s apartment tenants throw out an astonishing 81 per cent of all materials that could be recycled!

While the routine behind garbage and recycling collection can certainly be different when you’re living in an apartment (compared to living in single-family house), just because you’re in a high-rise doesn’t mean you’re above recycling.

What You Can Recycle

Although the bins might be different sizes and different colours than the ones in single-family homes, the same types of materials can still be recycled when you’re living in an apartment building:

· Plastic containers with a recycling triangle on the bottom, including all bottles, pails, tubs and jugs

· Aluminum drink cans

· Tin food cans

· Milk and juice cartons

· Juice boxes

· Glass jars and bottles (clear and coloured)

· Newspapers and inserts, flyers and junk mail

· Magazines, phone books, household paper, shredded paper and envelopes

· Cardboard egg cartons and paper tubes

· Flattened cardboard (e.g., cereal, cracker, tissue, laundry, shoe and packing boxes)

All apartment buildings should have onsite recycling containers (and some even have dedicated recycling rooms on each floor, for maximum tenant convenience). If you’re not sure where the recycling bins in your building are located, check with your building manager.

For proper disposal of special waste such as paint, construction materials, appliances, tires, or old mattresses and furniture, talk to the building manager or superintendent of your building – don’t just mindlessly throw it away!

Avoid Recycling Bin Contamination

With so many things capable of being recycled, why then is so much of it thrown away? A leading factor in the amount of recyclables that are tossed out with the trash is the contamination of apartment recycling bins – and it’s an issue that apartment tenants can prevent with just a little bit of effort.

When materials are placed in the wrong recycling bin, nothing can be recycled! The bin is either left behind or the contents must be collected as garbage, as it is too costly and time-consuming to sort through. To avoid this:

· Don’t put your recyclables in plastic bags. These bags cannot be recycled, and as a result, anything placed inside plastic bags cannot be recycled either. As well, don’t tie your materials together, as processing facilities cannot remove string or wires.

· Remember, glass, metal and plastic go into one bin. Paper and cardboard go into the other. Don’t put your material into the first recycling bin you see, and don’t toss any sort of garbage into the recycling bin!

· Not everything is recyclable. Items such as hard plastics (cups and dishes), styrofoam packaging, motor oil bottles, aerosol cans, chip bags and candy wrappers, etc. should not be put in the recycling bins.

Get Paid to Recycle

If, for whatever reason, you need a bigger incentive to recycle than helping the environment, how’s this – recycling can save you money, too! Instead of placing them in your apartment building’s bins, you can always return your empty wine, beer, and spirit container to The Beer Store for a full deposit refund. This includes glass bottles, bag-in-box, Tetra Pak containers, plastic bottles, and aluminum and steel containers on which deposits have been charged.

It’s clear that as apartment tenants, we need to work extra hard to make sure we recycle everything we can. To this end, the City of Ottawa has made a Recycling and Disposal Guide available to all Ottawa residents living in apartment buildings. It can be downloaded at: http://www.ottawa.ca/city_services/recycling_garbage/apartment/index_en.html.

Choose Organic for Your Green Lifestyle

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeMarlene Affeld

More and more people are electing to avoid the risk of chemical contamination of their bodies, families and homes. Fortunately, solutions for addressing change exist and are within easy access. Choosing eco-friendly alternatives allows us to live a natural, green lifestyle.

The benefits of organic bedding, eating organic foods and wearing organic clothing are numerous. Organic Foods The Organic Food Association tells us: “It's common sense; organic food is good food. Good to eat, good for the environment, good for the small-scale farmers and farm workers who produce it.”

Organic farming is all about health and wellness. In order to assure optimum health and resistance against diseases, the natural balance in our own bodies and in the environment must be maintained. The use of artificial chemical pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, fertilizers, genetic engineering and drugs interfere with this delicate balance; with unknown and often harmful consequences! This is why organic farming impacts on much more than what can be tasted or seen.

Over the last fifty years, commercial farmers have, of necessity, continued to increase the amount of these hazardous applications. Cereal crops are sprayed as many as 8 times during the growing season. Many fruit and vegetable harvests have been sprayed 10 - 15 times. After harvesting the spraying process is repeated to inhibit grow of bacteria during storage and transport. Excessive spraying of fruit and vegetable crops destroys natural bacteria, leaving the plants increasingly vulnerable to attack from unwelcome pests or disease. More over insecticides and fungicides are then required to fight off infestation and decay. However, these pests rather quickly become immune to the chemicals applied and their population increases rapidly. More powerful and increasingly toxic chemicals are then required.

Organic certification is the consumer’s assurance that products have met stringent standards and have been grown and handled according to strict procedures without contamination from carcinogenic pesticides, fertilizers, human waste or sewage sludge and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or artificial food additives. Organic or non-organic, which would you rather put in your body? We are what we eat. When our diet is built upon natural organic choices we are providing our bodies optimum food, produced in optimum conditions. Organically raised vegetables and fruit provide more minerals and nutrients than commercially grown produce and are more intensely endowed with color, scent and flavor; they just taste better!

Organic meats are produced from animals that have been treated humanely and raised on certified organic pastures and feeds. Organic meat is the only meat product that guarantees that genetically modified organisms (GMOs) have not been used at any stage of growth production.

Organics And The Environment

The USDA estimates that within the next ten years half of all America’s farm products will come from only 1% of the farms. The EPA also states that commercial agriculture is accountable for 70% of the pollution in our country's rivers and streams. Small-scale organic farmers finance innovative and far reaching research designed to minimize agriculture’s impact on the environment. They preserve bio-diversity by planting heirloom varieties of plants and harvesting seeds for future crops. The loss of a large variety of species is one of the worlds most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been gathering, preserving seeds and growing unusual and unique varieties for decades.

Organic farming methods naturally enrich the soil with manure and compost. Well balanced soils product healthy, strong plants, nourishing for both people and animals. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms as it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair and equatable prices for crops. Organic farming may be one of the last ways to assure the survival of both our ecosystems and our rural farming communities .

Conventional farming endangers farm workers and their families. Scientific research confirms pesticide-related health problems which include cancer, birth defects, memory loss, paralysis and death. Unsecured storage, improper application methods and unsafe handling and transportation procedures are not at all uncommon and often lead to tragic mishaps. As pests develop resistance, farmers desperate to maintain or increase crop yields often resort to more and more applications of expensive and stronger chemical products. Facing rising costs, depleted fields and contaminated ground water, many small farmers have been forced to abandon their livelihood.

Organic farming, on the other hand, is not only safer and healthier for farmers, but also promotes just compensation in the supply chain. Organic farming provides an economically viable and socially acceptable alternative to large-scale farming and the accompanying dependence on government crop subsidies. Support of the small farmer supports America’s economy.

Organic production dramatically reduces health risks. Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered and approved prior to extensive research linking these noxious chemicals to cancer and other significant health problems. Crop dusting has often resulted in drifts of toxic pesticides from fields to residential areas.

Organic agriculture is one way to prevent more of these chemicals from contaminating the earth that sustains us. An increasing body of research indicates that pesticides and other contaminants are considerably more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies and in the environment than we previously believed.

By choosing organic products we lessen this toxic burden. Organic farmers regularly rotate crops and plant cover crops to control weeds, nutrient leaching and erosion. Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The focus of organic farming is to use methods that build and maintain healthy and sustainable soils.

Organic Skin Care And Personal Products

Skin care and cosmetics are the least regulated products under the US Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Whether it is soap, moisturizers or deodorants, skin care products are an essential part of daily life. But do we really understand what these products actually contain and what we are forcing our skin to absorb?

Have you ever suffered from stinging, burning or itchy skin? Chances are that your skin absorbed irritants and toxins from your skin care products. The skin absorbs ingredients in all the personal care products that come in contact with our skin. Consider nicotine or HRT patches. They rely solely on skin absorption.

As mothers we are always concerned for the well being of our children. We tenderly comfort and bathe them with a wide range of products. These include soaps, shampoos, creams and lotions, many of which are used on baby’s tender skin several times a day. The skin is the largest organ of the body and the delicate skin of an infant can be up to 100 times more sensitive and receptive to toxic chemicals and irritating ingredients that the skin of an adult.

Without even realizing, parents put their babies at risk daily. Did you know that applying baby powder to your baby’s skin may pose a cancer risk later in life? The principle ingredient in many baby powders is talc, which several medical studies have confirmed as a known carcinogenic.

Lanolin is a main ingredient in many personal care products and when processed from organically raised sheep, is a wonderful healing balm. The danger lies in non-organic lanolin that has been processed from sheep that were dipped or sprayed for lice with chemical pesticides that are contaminated with carcinogenic ingredients such as DDT, dieldrin or lindane. The residue of these toxin remains in the processed lanolin and can cause severe reactions and long term health hazards.

Chemical free and natural, organic products offer earth friendly options that eliminate these dangers. You can avoid these and similar safely concerns by using only certified organic products formulated from natural sources such as plants, fruits, vegetables and flowers. These products to do not contain synthetic chemicals such as lauryl sulphate, phthales, parabens, artificial fragrances or dyes.

Organic Textiles

By the end of 2008, the sale of organic textiles worldwide is expected to exceed $3 billion indicating that global demand for organic textiles is increasing in response to consumer demand. Organic production takes more time, requires more skills and knowledge, and at least for now, costs somewhat more. But it is worth it as organic materials do not contain any hidden costs to the environment.

Choose Earth Friendly Products! Choose Organic!

The consumption and use of green technologies is all about the challenges and choices we face if we are to enjoy a high quality of life within the limited resources of our world. If we become passionate about sustainability, together we can make the planet a cleaner and healthier place for all of us to live.

Do you wish to embrace a lifestyle that protects our children’s future? Do you want to to live in the greenest environment possible with a conscience and respect and appreciation for the earth? The quality of life for future generations is dependent on the choices we make today!

Surveys reflect that about a fourth of the US adult population has a profound sense of environmental enlightenment and social responsibility. Almost half of us will buy organic and make earth friendly choices in many aspects of our daily living. Consumer education and awareness is a powerful force for change.

The consumption of organically grown products has increase by 20 per cent in the last year alone. Organic alternatives are readily available and the trend is escalating. Sustainability should be within everyone’s reach. Our choices matter and have a long term global impact. Let’s Choose wisely!

Why is Recycling Important?

Image via WikipediaBeverly Saltonstall

Recycling is not so hard, yet it is one of the best ways you can do something positive for the environment. Your home is one place where you can find plenty of items to recycle.

If you have the room, you can even set out labeled containers and use them to sort recyclable items. Plastic garbage cans are perfect for this project.

The easiest items to sort are plastic, glass and cardboard. If you drink soda pop from aluminum cans, there should be a container especially for those cans. While you are at it, check with your local schools and churches to see if they collect the pop tops from these cans. Another use for the pop tops is to make household items. A Google search can give you ideas on what can be made with aluminum pop tops. Novica, a division of National Geographic sells beautifully crafted purses from aluminum pop tops.

Most towns have recycling centers. Find out where the one in your community is located so you can dispose of your recycled material properly. Towns often have a day set aside for hazardous waste disposal. Check to see what items they take and have a container especially for those items. Extreme care should be taken in storing hazardous wastes.

Towns that don't have a recycling center may have large containers in a designated area where you can bring recyclables. These containers are emptied on a regular schedule.

Since you know why recycling is important, if your town doesn't have recycling containers, or a recycling center, you need to find out why. Contact your government officials, either in person or by writing them a letter, to voice your concerns over the fact that recycling is not available for the citizens. If containers are not readily available, people will not be motivated to recycle.

Once you have your recycling program at home working, consider expanding your recycling efforts to your workplace and your schools. If you have children, they should be taught at an early age to recycle. After all, recycling is important for their future. Schools must have recycling programs in place to set a good example. Creative recycling programs are very exciting for children, and this excitement is often brought to the home. Parents are then encouraged by the children to recycle.

Offices and health care facilities are one of the largest consumers of our natural resources, yet many of these facilities do not have an active recycling program.

People need to be educated on why recycling is important and the benefits it has for our environment. The same items that are recycled at home can easily be recycled in the work place. Encouraging employees to avoid the use of paper cups and plastic water bottles (unless they are refilled at home), and to recycle computer paper and aluminum cans.

In order to complete the cycle of reduce, recycle, and reuse, purchasing products that have been made from recycled products is a must. Buying paper products, such as greeting cards, napkins, and computer paper that are made from recycled paper is essential to complete the cycle. Your use of these products shows your support for the recycling effort.

Another simple way to help the environment is by using "green" bags instead of plastic bags when you are grocery shopping. Every bit of plastic that has ever been manufactured is still in existence. Plastic takes hundreds of years to degrade. A reusable grocery bag helps keep those plastic bags out of the landfills.

Everyone is beginning to realize why recycling is important, but many people can't be bothered to recycle. Education and readily available recycling centers is essential if we are to save this environment.

How to be Green in the Kitchen, Eat Less Meat

Want to Green Your Kitchen? Watch Real World Green and learn practical green tips. Then visit our viewer forum, The Green House. http://www.green-house.tv and hang out with other practical green people. Distributed by Tubemogul.

All About Organic Wines

Image via WikipediaJames Copper

Wines are available in a number of different types and organic wines are one type that is getting more and more attention these days. Organic wines are processed from grapes which are grown without the use of synthetic fungicides or fertilizers. In vineyards where biodiversity is encouraged, vines are grown with the help of living soil i.e. soil full of worms and bacteria which helps to draw the maximum level of minerals from soil. The wines which are grown in living soil have good resistance to disease. Biodiversity also creates an eye catching landscape.

Grape growing is organic by origin but not all vineyards are organic. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is in charge of regulations for organic food products. USDA defines organic food as 'the food which is produced by farmers with the help of renewable resources and by conversion of water and soil which enhances the quality of environment for future generations'. Organic farming is done without the use of harmful pesticides or fertilizers or any ionizing radiation. Before declaring the farm as organic the government inspects the farmland and checks that the farmer rules of to meet the standards set by United States Department of Agriculture.

The Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) did not give permission for wines to be designated as organic. This decision of ATF was challenged by Hallcrest Vineyards. Since then few of the wineries have become certified processors of organic wines.

Organic wines are of four types:

• 100% organic: Produced with 100%organically grown grapes and contain no added sulphites.

• Made with organic ingredients: They have at least 70% of organically grown grapes and may contain sulfite.

• Organic: They contain at least 95% of ingredients from certified sources.

• Some organic ingredients: Thus, before buying organic wine one must know the difference between the four categories of organic wine.

The wine which is processed from organically grown grapes and which also gives information about its certifying agency is labelled as organic and is sealed by United States Department of Agriculture as 'organic wine'. Such wine does not contain any added sulfites but can consist of natural sulphites which must be less than 20 parts a million. Sulfite is a preservative of wine which is commonly known as sulphur dioxide. Sulfite has antioxidant properties and also some antimicrobial properties. It is a controversial topic whether it is possible that wine could be sulfite free. The producers of organic wine have to undergo various inspections by the organisations to get the organic certification.

Reconversion is the process by which conventional vineyards are converted to fully organic vineyards. The whole process takes up to 3 years to complete. The use of non organic treatment is strictly prohibited in the organic vineyards. As per law all the organic claims of wine are to be mentioned on the label so that one can read the label and can come to know about the contents of the bottle. Organic wines are a gem of ecosystem. Organic wines do not contain any harmful ingredients as the conventional wines.