Zem Joaquin

Last week’s opening night for Edun’s Pop-Up Shop at Clary Sage Organics in Pacific Heights was a huge success - the store was filled to the brim with Bay Area fashion aficionados sipping on wine and sampling eco-conscious skin care products while taking turns trying on Edun’s new Spring Line.

When I embarked upon a green remodel of my home in 2006, the kitchen took center stage. I employed such energy-saving technologies as LED lighting, Energy Star appliances and a simple fan to replace the defunct AC. To save water, I installed a high-efficiency dishwasher, a foot pedal for the faucet and an on-demand water heater. I especially love our whole-house water filter, which has helped the entire family eliminate plastic bottles.

There are many choices for 100 percent recycled, eco-conscious holiday cards, but Night Owl Paper Goods makes the ones I find most charming. I first received one from my husband on Valentine’s Day, and I cannot bear to part with it. Printed on FSC-certified paper made to look like birch wood, this messenger is as compelling as the message. $15 each (less when your order in quantity);

By now you have probably figured out that it is far easier to do the right thing from the beginning than it is to undo the wrong thing.

 

Take paint for example: Did you know the EPA estimates that 64 million gallons of paint are diverted away from landfills and incinerators thanks to responsible disposal and recycling? The only problem is that the EPA also estimates it could cost close to $500 million to keep a handle on all that incoming paint.

 

We’ve long been fans of cushions by LoooLo Textiles, which marry artful design with biodegradable yarn. Still, we can’t help but sing their praises once more with their introduction of a new line of cradle-to-cradle home accessories, which return to the earth within one year of repose.

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Think of it as fine art china for your cat. The Whisker-Wide Bowl for cats is handcrafted in the USA, using 100 percent recycled glass. The bowls are shallow and wide, so they won’t disrupt your kitty’s whiskers while she is eating, and they are attractive enough that they won’t disturb your décor when she isn’t (if that is your look).

Enjoy being outdoors? Need some motivation to turn off Top Design and actually do something? Want to provide people in Africa with clean, safe drinking water? Blue Planet Run is the humanitarian way to burn some fat.