Waste from gold and other kinds of mining pollutes the planet. Miners often use arsenic, a toxic metal, to leach gold from rock, creating a nasty slurry that contaminates drinking water and kills wildlife when it’s released into the environment. Anyone who thinks dousing our waterways or landscapes with such toxic pollution deserves to have his or her head […]
Archive | Green Living
Environmental In-Box: Marmoleum, the Eco-Friendly Flooring
2.3kviewsWhen it comes to choosing flooring for your home, you might not even know eco-friendly options exist. But for over 100 years, Forbo has been manufacturing Marmoleum, an all natural linoleum. Katie Kelleher reports: What is it? Marmoleum is made into flooring sheets or tiles from a compound of linseed oil, rosins, cork flour, limestone and […]
Environmental In-Box: Planet Matters Water Filtration Bottle
What’s stopping you from using a reusable water bottle? Worries that tap water isn’t safe to drink? The inconvenience of carrying around a clumsy bottle that doesn’t fit in your purse, briefcase, or cup holder? Concerns about BPA in plastic water bottles? Planet Matters claims it tackles all three issues head on with its water filtration […]
ZipCar Comes to the Rescue (and Saves Me a Lot of Money)!
My 2002 Prius can’t be beat for everyday driving. I regularly get 40-45 mpg, saving me hundreds of dollars every year on gas. It’s got a lot of pep, so highway driving is a snap. And its terrific turning radius and compact size make it a dream to park, whether at the mall or on […]
Organic Chocolate from Seeds of Change
Today begins a new feature on Diane’s Big Green Purse: the Environmental In-Box product review. Every Monday morning, I’ll review at least one of the products I’ve been sent during the previous week. I’ll award three green purses to products that merit your consideration, two purses that are almost there, one purse to a product that’s on the […]
Don’t Buy Plants. Swap! (I did, and saved $50.)
One of the most economical gardening moves I ever made was to join my local horticulture club. For just $12 a year, I get access to great gardening advice, some lovely garden tours, and a list-serv of other gardeners who are not only willing but eager to swap plants with me so we can all […]
Here’s How You Can Afford to Spend 30% More on Organic Food
Clean out your fridge. But before you toss all the expired or rotted food you find into the trash can, put it on your counter. Now do a rough calculation of how much that ‘trash’ cost you. Don’t be surprised if it amounts to as much as 30% of your weekly household budget. According to the U.S. […]
Ten Low Cost, High Impact Ways to Celebrate Earth Day
Low Cost: 1) Go outside. Take a walk, sit on your porch, have lunch in the park, eat a picnic dinner with family or friends. Looking outside doesn't count. Get out there and just…relax. 2) Plant something. If the idea of relaxing drives you a little bit crazy, do something useful. Plant a tree, sow vegetable […]