Why not make your next dinner party greener by toasting with recycled glassware? Thanks to some fabulous recycled glass options making a statement with innovative glass pieces and reducing unnecessary waste now go hand in hand.

Recycled Glasses

Why recycled glass? Using recycled glass reduces energy input into glass industry furnaces and decreases processing by-products by eliminating the additional waste usually produced. It also significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The numbers are noteworthy: for every six tons of recycled container glass used, one ton of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is reduced.

West Elm Galss Collection

West Elm has a great collections of glassware that’s perfect for upgrading your morning OJ or toning down a fancy table. Head on over to West Elm HERE and check them out.

As most of you know, I’m a self-professed organic face cream junkie. A few months ago I was asked to write a review for Sustainable Youth’s Immune Performance Elasticity Cream. I’m happy to report that I’m still a proud user of this wonderful product. You can purchase the elasticity cream at Sustainable Youth for $65.00. That’s roughly less then a $1.50 a day, but during these financially difficult times, $65.00 for facial cream can seem a bit pricey.

Sustainable Youth

Sustainable Youth recently launched an Anti-Agent Program. It works like this: For every dollar spent by one of your referrals, you will receive one “GreenRewards” that can be redeemed for cash or a Members Only product discount that can be used towards a future purchase of your own Sustainable Youth products – helping you to sustain your youth without breaking the bank.

Do you have what it takes to be a Sustainable Youth Anti-Agent? Find out  by answering a few simple questions on the Sustainable Youth site and you could be on your way to earning Sustainable Youth GreenRewards. It’s as simple as spreading the good news about Sustainable Youth, and helping your friends, family, and associates feel and look younger, naturally.

The company holds itself to the highest standards of ethics and sustainability as part of its core philosophy to restore the beauty of our environment – one person at a time.

This cool program can help you supplement your income, or help you save your hard-earned money by using your “Members Only” discount on Sustainable Youth products.

Head on over to determine if you are a Sustainable Youth Anti-Agent! Let me know how it goes.

It’s tradition at my house; every year, we have over the entire family on Super Bowl Sunday to watch the big game and of course, eat great food. With just three days before the Saints take on the Colts, I thought I’d share my favorite tips on throwing the biggest, baddest, and greenest Super Bowl party on the block.

Deliver Evites

Send Super Bowl-themed Evites

I’m the type of person who loves to send out invites for every type of event; formal or casual, intimate or a big bash. Since jumping on the green bandwagon, I’ve found sending evites over traditional paper invites is just as good for your wallet as it is the environment. There are a myriad of online websites that offer free evites designed specifically for the Super Bowl (one of my favorites is Evite.com) or get creative and make your own using a computer graphics program!

Think Plastic, Not Paper

While using regular dishes and tableware is the most eco-friendly way to go, it certainly isn’t the most convenient. If you must use disposable serving ware, opt for products made from compostable, recyclable, or renewable materials (such as sugarcane or corn starch), which are fully biodegradable and fully compostable. Greeno Products and Bare by Solo are just a few of the many manufacturers that now offer environmentally-friendly compostable tableware.

Buy Local Beer

It’s a green tip we hear over and over again: “support the local economy and buy local!” And since no Super Bowl party is complete without a little brewski, why not purchase from local breweries? Right here in my hometown of Salt Lake City, there are a handful of micro breweries and chances are, there’s one near you! Check out BeerPal.com for a directory of breweries in the U.S.

Offer a Healthy & Green Spread

Skip the buffet spread of store-bought snacks in favor of a homemade, healthy, and more eco-friendly spread that will satisfy all your guests. Forget the stigma and serve delicious and healthy vegetarian dishes, such as pico de gallo with baked corn chips, curry dip with veggies, or vegetarian chili. If possible, purchase local produce and ingredients for your recipes.

Serve healthy dishes prepared with local ingredients.

Football Décor with Zero Waste

Don’t buy paper decorations you’ll use once and throw away. Instead decorate using jerseys, footballs, team hats, t-shirts, and other sports memorabilia.

Recycle!

Duh, right? But did you know most plastic utensils, pizza boxes, paper napkins, and plastic packaging can be recycled?

Valentines Day is just around the corner and even though the colors are generally red or pink, I say make this Valentines a shade of green. Celebrate the ones you love with gifts that make an eco difference! Nubius Organic is offering free shipping for V-Day on orders of $50 and over. Use coupon code FS50 at checkout. Here are some of our top Nubius picks!

The new Rebel Green Zipper Pouches come in three hip and stylish designs, and are made with sturdy, American-made organic cotton.

The Messenger rePETe is made of lightweight recycled PET ripstop fabric and features an integrated zipper pouch. The Messenger rePETe unstuffs into a full-size messenger pack, featuring two separate zipper pockets, flexible lycra bottle pockets, an adjustable strap, and a sleek magnetized closure system.

Sawgrass Green Hydration Vessel. Sales benefit The Wetlands Initiative: Watersheds are everywhere – they come in all shapes and sizes, cross county, state, and national boundaries and no matter where you are, you’re in a watershed. We may not give it much thought, but our individual actions directly affect the watersheds we live in and over 50% of the nation’s wetlands have already been drained or destroyed.

In response to popular demand, Envirosax introduces the new Oxford series of pattern-neutral bags, for those who like to keep their eco-friendly fashion simple!

It’s not often that I come across a product that impresses me as much in person as it does in theory. It should be obvious at this point, (given that I write about them often) that I am a lover of Way Basics furniture. If you need simple, basic furniture that’s practical and versatile, Way Basics is for you. Their zBoards are easy to put together, sustainably made and completely recyclable.

This simple table seats four for an instant gathering, craft time, game play, poker night or play set. Table sets up in seconds, just slide the base boards together and put on the tabletop. Each piece is sturdy yet lightweight enough for kids and adults to move to where they want it. Created with four cubes, and one square table from their basic series. You can also customize your modular table by choosing from a variety of colors.

The eco-friendly pieces feature recycled-paperboard construction that provides unmatched durability, weighing less than half the weight of traditional particleboard, pressed wood, or plywood furniture–without sacrificing any of the strength.

Check out our review of one of their cubes HERE.

Modern Eco Homes is very proud to announce our new partnership offers Free online Energy Audits through their partners, significantly lowering and eliminating energy costs for their customers. The Program benefits both consumers and commercial building owners. It allows the user to receive calculations and information about their current energy usage and provides targeted by zip code information on incentives, credits, rebates and grants offered by the US government and utility companies for maximum energy savings. The Free Energy Audit, delivered through SEES’ proprietary Energy Calculator, provides a comprehensive report and suggests the most cost-effective efficiency improvements for the home or business, saving money, energy and improving the environment.

Sign up by clicking the banner below and start enjoying your energy savings!

Red roses, chocolate and champagne scream out romance to your loved one on Valentine’s Day – but at what environmental cost? While you’re planning a sweet treat for your lover, don’t forget to be sweet to the planet as well.

As you walk through the shop-o-plexus’s in the next week or two, you may not feel like you don’t have a lot of environmentally sound options when it comes to V-Day gifts. Well, before you toss in the towel and buy your loved one something boring, you might want to consider giving it one more try.

Lucky for us last-minute types, you can find a cornucopia of eco-friendly V-day jewelry, bags, home accessories, etc. online. And although there’s some contention regarding this day, we still think you should have a (green) heart and add a little romance in your life. I’ve put together a list of the more attractive, kitschy, and affordable green Valentine’s gifts. Check ‘em out below!

302desigsn Shine T: 302designs is clothing label whose poetic and artistic shirts inspire, define and push the limits of the t-shirt fashion status quo. Great tees for both guys and girls all made with natural, organic cotton and 100% sweatshop-free.

Shine T

Project Earth H2o Water Bottles: Project Earth H2o’s goal is to drive awareness to the profound negative environmental, economic, and health issues related and created by the production, transportation, and selling of single-use bottled water. The company donates $2.00 of every Ocean, Earth & Air bottle to non-profit environmental & humanitarian charities focused on preserving our planet, as well as donates $2.00 of every Get Pink Bottle to breast cancer research.

Project Earth H2o

Kris Nations Birds in Flight Necklace: Medium bird in flight cutout charm on chain. Made of recycled metals in either sterling silver overlay or 14k gold overlay.

Birds in Flight

Skateboard Belt Buckle: Decked Out! Artsy one of a kind belt buckles made from broken skateboards. Standard size and easily clips onto any belt with snaps, also super light weight.

Belt Buckle

Biodegradable Recycled Rubber Yoga Mat: Made from sustainable rubber, from trees in Malaysia and Indonesia, and recycled rubber, with a scrim of recycled cotton and polyester fibers, this mat contains no lead, PVC, cadmium or heavy metals.

Biodegradable Yoga Mat

Dynomighty 35 mm Photo Wallet: This fun & functional Mighty wallet is made from long lasting Tyvek. With plenty of pockets for your credit cards and cash, the genius origami design and clever artwork make the Mighty Wallet a true conversation piece. Printed with eco-friendly inks.

Dynomighty 35 mm Photo Tyvek Wallet

Medium Cone: A sheet of handcrafted lead-free crystal glass wrapped into the shape of a cone makes a dramatic presentation of chocolate truffles, candies, nuts, or potpourri. Or use the glass cone as a decorative centerpiece or give as a wonderful present for that special occasion.

Eco Glass Cone

Artecnica tranSglass Beak Vase: The top of this beak vase makes it unique and it will beautifully display either a couple or a whole assortment of flowers. With its recycled origins and sleek, fluid design, tranSglass conveys a positive attitude towards the environment, affirmed as an Artecnica Design With Conscience project.

transglass Vase

Chrystalyn Kae Velvet Vines Soiree: The Soirée goes everywhere, carries it all and makes a statement while doing it. Adjustable strap can be worn on the shoulder or across the body like a messenger bag. Practical and pretty, it’s also a limited-edition series, so only small amounts of each bag are available. Kick pleat: reclaimed vintage fabric in ‘Sunflowers’ purple and orange sunflower barkcloth.

Crystalyn Kae Velvet Vines Soiree

Matt & Nat Streamline Ando Briefcase: Future-forward designers Matt & Nat offer this eco- and animal-friendly briefcase-style bag for a slim, urban-style look perfect for work, school and out-of-town trips. Handsomely crafted with 100% manmade materials, the Streamline Ando features a secure zip-top closure that opens wide to a spacious, fully-lined interior and zippered pouch for valuables.

Matt and Nat Bag

Reclaimed Bottle Cufflinks: Handmade from “bottle butts,” as artist Kathleen Plate calls them, these subtly sophisticated cufflinks feature a dime-sized piece of brilliant, glossy recycled glass taken from the bottom of water and beer bottles.

Reclaimed Cuffs

Kena Kai Eco-Friendly FELTtech Computer Sleeve: Exclusive felttech material is made from 100% recycled pet bottles!

Eco-Friendly FELTtech Computer Sleeve

Pop Rock & Roll Earrings: The cutest piece of rock history around! These fun earrings are created from shiny old records and come in a rainbow of colors. Light, bright, and colorful, they’ll add a little something to any outfit.

Rock & Roll Earrings

Wood Cuffs: This cuff has a beautiful pattern of the natural wood – light and dark hues. A great accessory for men and women. It is made from sustainable sono wood.

Wood Cuffs

Chico Bag rePete: Each rePETe has uniquely accented handles with the phrase, “This bag is made from 7 plastic bottles!” accompanied by a custom illustration. A list of the recycled materials used in manufacturing the rePETe is printed on the inside of each bag.

Chico Bag rePete

Domestic Aesthetic Spice Block: This piece evolved from a lesson in resourcefulness. When we found out a nearby window company threw out hundreds of pounds of wood, we used their leftove mahogany to create a beautiful way to serve up salt and spices.

Domestic Aesthetic Spice Block

Girls Can Tell Bicycles Rule Coaster Set: Durable, soft industrial felt coaster set, hand printed with a bicycle diagram.

Felt Coasters

Railroad Spike Bottle Opener: Reclaimed railroad spike hand-forged into a unique bottle opener design.

Railroad Spike Bottle Opener

Vers 1.5R Alarm Clock Radio: The 1.5R is a true hybrid: great as a bedside alarm, even better in the kitchen, den or office, anywhere great sound belongs.

Vers

AON BOX Speakers: The AON BOX Speakers are the first and only eco-friendly speakers in the market.  The speaker boxes’ outer housing and packaging are made with 100% Renewable Resources. Each speaker provides 1 watt of quality sound without the need for batteries! This means that they are not only good for you, but good for the environment.

Portable Speakers

The Mighty Wallet is tear-resistant, water-resistant, expandable and, most importantly, recyclable. Made from Tyvek (think express mail envelopes), the Mighty Wallet resists tearing because of thousands of interlocking plastic fibers spun in random patterns giving the wallet incredible strength.

Mighty Wallet ~ Mix Tape

The ingenious origami design reinforces that strength by using a single folded stitch less construction allowing the wallet to gradually expand and adapt to meet your own personal storage needs.

Because of the slim, lightweight and water resistant features, you can take your Mighty Wallet anywhere. Dynomighty Design established seeks to create a vibrant array of products to complement and accentuate the modern urban lifestyle with the designs of Terrence Kelleman. His whimsical and innovative designs spark fascination and inspiration in their users. He aims to create new takes on old products and foster completely alternative views of traditional concepts.

Dynomighty Stop Shopping Tyvek Wallet

The Mighty Wallet comes in fifteen different designs, ranging from an all-black version and one that looks as if its folded out of comic book pages to Kelleman’s old French homework and a printout of the first 3,000 digits of Pi. Available for only $14.95 at Kir DeVries!

More than two weeks after the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the nation of Haiti, relief efforts continue to build in order to bring aid to survivors. The Haitian government has confirmed the death toll to be well over 150,000, while another quarter of a million individuals sustained injuries. Thousands of buildings were destroyed, leaving countless Haitians homeless and the Red Cross estimates that as many as 3 million people have been affected by the quake.

A young victim of the earthquake receives medical attention. Image via guardian.co.uk

Given the utter devastation and enormity of the situation, I felt it was important and appropriate to highlight just a few of the many ways we can help those in need.

The American Red Cross – As one of the nation’s most well-established and reputable emergency response organizations, the Red Cross offers neutral and global humanitarian care to victims of war and natural disasters. Financial donations through the Red Cross are used to support emergency relief efforts in Haiti, including providing life-saving supplies such as food, water, blankets, and temporary shelters for displaced survivors.

Hope for Haiti Now – Hope for Haiti Now was a global benefit that was nationally televised on Friday, January 22 in order to raise funds for earthquake relief. Hundreds of celebrities participated and more than 80 million people tuned in. Thus far, $57 million has been raised through Hope for Haiti Now, which supports a myriad of prominent non-profits, including the American Red Cross and Oxfam America. The Entertainment Industry Foundation is providing philanthropic support to ensure proper administration of all donated funds.

Partners in Health – Another organization excepting cash donations for quake relief is Partners in Health, which works to bring modern medical care to poor communities in nine countries. PIH has been working in Haiti for the past 20 years and is instrumental in providing urgent medical care to quake victims.

World Food Programme – WFP is dedicated to fighting hunger worldwide and since the earthquake hit, has served millions of meals to survivors in Haiti. Cash donations to WFP will be used to continue providing life-saving meals to victims of the quake.

Craft Websites – Donating cash directly isn’t the only way you can help; a number of websites that sell handcrafted items are donating profits to Haiti relief efforts. Indie Fixx is running a silent auction of donated items while Etsy has “Handmade for Haiti” which lists sellers that are donating profits to relief efforts.

Musicians – Blink 182 and Lady Gaga are just a few of the many celebrities jumping on the Haiti bandwagon. Both artists are selling t-shirts and donating 100 percent from each sale.

5000Shoes.com – Soles4Shoes and Jessica Simpson have teamed up to send shoes to Haiti, a much-needed commodity for survivors who must walk amid the broken glass, twisted metal, and raw sewage. The charity has is working to acquire 50,000 pairs in just 50 days and has pledged one million pairs in total. For the price of your daily coffee – just $5 – you can provide someone in need with two pairs of shoes.

As a reminder, always make financial donations to reputable charitable organizations that you know and trust to ensure your donation is properly utilized.