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Water Saving Ideas

May 8, 2012 By Leave a Comment

May is “Water Awareness” Month in California so I would like to share some of the quick tips from Save Our Water!  My favorite is to NOT hose off your driveway, sweep it off.  You will also burn calories!!  :)   And while you are at it, how about eschewing the noisy smelly blower and using a broom instead?

Here are 10 quick tips from Save Our Water to get you started!  from Save Our Water.

  1. Fix those drips. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a day, while a leaking toilet can waste 90,000 gallons in a month.
  2. Shorten that shower. Cut five minutes off your shower time and save up to 25 gallons a day.
  3. Slow the flow. Inexpensive faucet aerators can save gallons of water per person every day.
  4. Turn off the tap.When brushing your teeth or shaving, turn off the tap and save eight gallons a day.
  5. Go low-flow.Replace your old shower head with a low-flow model and cut your water use by 20% or more every time you shower.
  6. Update those appliances. When it’s time to update your appliances, go for a front-loading washing machine and a water-efficient dishwasher. You’ll save both water and energy.
  7. Replace that water-guzzling toilet. If possible, replace your old toilet with a modern, water-efficient one and use about half the water per flush.
  8. Sweep up savings.Instead of hosing your driveway or sidewalk, use a broom.
  9. Think beyond the lawn. Choose plants appropriate to your climate when you landscape. They’ll need much less water.
  10. Irrigate like a pro. Your lawn probably needs less water than you think. And your sidewalk doesn’t need any.
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Dangers of Pet Poop?

April 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Here is something that has never occurred to me! I don’t have a dog, but do have cats with accompanying litter box waste.  The litter and cat “you know what” all go into the garbage and not into ground water!  But wait a minute, what about wild animals body products?  Don’t they eventually go into our ground water?

Today’s environmental tip from the EPA: “Don’t let pet waste run off! You can help reduce polluted storm water runoff by just picking up your pet’s poop and dispose of it properly. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria or organic material to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies. So remember – always scoop the poop!”

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Is Bamboo Fabric Eco-Friendly?

April 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has prohibited American businesses from promoting bamboo fabric as eco-friendly.  Never mind that every other country in the world allows business to make that claim… and never mind that bamboo is the most sustainable fiber in the world!  Here’s a great blog that sums up the “green-ness” of bamboo fabric.

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Save Water with Showers

April 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Today’s environmental tip from the EPA:  ” Shower power! A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Put a little timer or clock near your shower so you can see how fast you are. Save even more water, and money on your water bill, by installing a water-efficient shower head, or ask your landlord to install one if you rent.”

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Clothing Made from Bamboo Spreads!

March 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’m glad to see that more and more fashion designers are using sustainable bamboo fabric!  Here is one in Vancouver, Soleone Luxury Basics, that uses bamboo for everything, ““We find there’s at least one style for everyone—whether it’s just a T-shirt or underwear,” says Jahroudi, who is clearly encouraged by the company’s early success. “Eventually, we’ll be doing socks, towels, sheets. Basically anything that’s gonna touch your skin, we feel it should be this soft, amazing, organic material.”

Soleone Bamboo T-Shirt Dress

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Lions are Amazing Animals!

February 29, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Lion Around

Lion Around

Great photo of lions in love!  Perhaps we should put this image on a bamboo t-shirt?

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Does Cotton Pollute Our Water?

February 21, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Did you know that “only 2.4% of the world’s cropland is planted with cotton, it accounts for 24% of the world’s insecticide market and 11% of sale of global pesticides. 73% of global cotton harvest comes from areas under irrigation.”

Pesticide Cans

Pesticide Cans


“It can take more than 20,000 litres of water to produce 1kg of cotton; equivalent to a single T-shirt and pair of jeans. 73% of global cotton harvest comes from irrigated land (as documented in the WWF report The Impact of Cotton on Freshwater Resources and Ecosystems).”

Pesticide Cans


“Agriculture is the largest source of pollution in most countries. 2.4% of the world’s crop land is planted with cotton and yet it accounts for 24% and 11% of the global sales of insecticide and pesticides respectively. Unsafe use of agricultural chemicals has severe health impacts on workers in the field and on ecosystems that receive excess doses that run-off from farms.”

(Source:  World Wildlife Fund) I wonder why WWF isn’t supporting bamboo fiber as a replacement for cotton?  Bamboo needs very little water and no chemicals…

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Bamboo Fiber Safe for Baby’s Skin?

February 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

New Mom decides that only safe and natural products can be next to her baby’s skin and so she starts her own business selling safe and natural products:

“We got the idea of starting Alloit when I started reading the ingredients of the products I was buying for my baby, and my whole family, and realized that most commercial personal and baby products have ingredients such as parabens, aluminum, synthetic fragrances and many others that are not healthy for our bodies. So, I decided to only buy natural/organic items. However I was spending a lot of time looking for and purchasing baby merchandise in one place, personal care in another, and home items in a different store, which was consuming a lot of my time. So, I decided to open a web store, where consumers can find natural products for home, baby, personal and even pet needs in one place….We carry a wide range of items. Our personal care section includes natural shampoos, soap, lotions, sunscreen; our baby section has bamboo blankets, bamboo feeding accessories, natural baby bath items, green toys, and many more; in our home section, we carry bamboo bedding, bamboo towels, natural candles, natural cleaning supplies, bamboo kitchen utensils, etc. And, for pets we offer natural odor removing candles, pet wash, even natural dog/cat treats!”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/02/14/3013271/meet-the-mompreneur-alloit-natural.html#storylink=cpy
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Do You Look Good When You Work Out?

February 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment

There are some great examples of bamboo clothing from Asquith London that look great on you while you work out at this link. It’s interesting to see how bamboo clothing has really taken off in Great Britain.

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Bamboo Saves Water, Avoids Chemicals and is Sustainable

January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

From Weaving magic with bamboo yarn:  Widely touted for its strength, soft texture and unrivalled moisture wicking capabilities, bamboo fabrics have become the latest trend in sustainable fashion the world over. In Sri Lanka, Kandygs have initiated and brought in the concept of sustainable fashion, through the introduction of bamboo fabrics.
Stepping into Kandygs last week on a gloomy evening, I was instantly cheered by the vibrant colours that greeted me, and I must admit, there is no better feeling in the world than to wrap yourself in a luxurious bamboo fabric that breathes with your skin.
The bamboo fabrics, known for its luxurious feeling on the skin, is soft like cashmere and shines like silk, and is perfect for our climate as it is permeable and breathes actively thereby cooling the body. What’s more amazing about this fabric is the fact that it does not stick to the body, but holds its shape well.
This week we speak to Anuradha Yahampath of Kandygs about the recently concluded exhibition featuring bamboo fabrics, and Kandygs involvement in bringing bamboo fabrics to the local market and the rural weavers. Anuradha Yahampath, qualified in Textile Design from University of Leeds, works as a designer at Kandygs which was started off by her parents Sita and Felix Yahampath 40 years ago.
“My parents started with just 10 handlooms, and now we work with around 300 people,” she says adding that they now export to many countries the world over. Speaking about the designs and the vibrant colours that are being used at Kandygs for their handlooms, she explains, “We work on the colours for the yarn we use for weaving, the structures and the colour co-ordinations for the fabric, also the end product and the shapes.”
It is clear that a lot of work go into their designs especially when it is intended for the export market as they have to research on colour forecasts and market requirements. “Today the handloom products have to fit into a niche market, therefore the design aspect is very important.”

For the remainder of the blog

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