Nothing screams “summer” like a barbecue. The smell of good food cooking on the grill, the company of friends and family, and the long summer evenings spent are all characteristics that keep this gathering alive and well. Though there is nothing wrong with enjoying yourself and relishing in the good times, some of our actions at these events can take their toll on the environment. It is important that, when we are celebrating during this warm season, we don’t forget about the environment, and we make some small effort to make sure that our get-togethers are also sustainable. Whether you’re wit ..read more

Books are a great way to waste an afternoon or a rainy day by informing or taking you on many adventures to faraway lands.  As great as books are, what do you do with the old ones that take up space and are not wanted or needed anymore?  Some recycling programs won’t accept them, and second-hand bookstores can only take on so many books and have standards for what condition the books have to be in. Well, worry no more!  Rather than tossing it into the trash, why not upcycle them instead?  So whether you use them for yourself or a bibliophile friend, these projects are ideal for turning a new p ..read more

Recycling is a rewarding experience.  In separating materials from your garbage to be reused in the production of certain goods like aluminium cans, paper, and plastic products, you are making the first step in moving toward a sustainable life. However, getting such a program set up can be a challenging and costly endeavour.  While some problems you may face will vary depending on the location and the needs of that program, investing in this venture may be pricey. Fortunately, there are grants for such situations that will grant you the chance to get your program off the ground – an opportunit ..read more

As good eco-citizens, we are constantly trying to figure out what we can do to reduce our energy consumption. Simple actions can go a long way in saving energy, such as turning off the lights when we leave a room, but there are several other simple tasks that you can perform around the house to reduce your energy consumption even more. Well, fear not fellow energy reducers! Here we have listed some simple tricks to reduce your home’s power consumption. Heating and Cooling System There’s nothing too hot or too cool about these tips. They’re just right. Try to change or clean your furnace filt ..read more

While many people realize that waste can be reduced by recycling, they sometimes tend to forget about the waste generated by uneaten/spoiled food. To be able to reduce waste overall, we need to not only recycle materials that can be reused but reduce the food waste we generate daily as well.       When buying food, being a little more strategic and checking what is already in the refrigerator and the pantry can help. This way you can avoid buying more of the items you already have and can prevent throwing spoiled food into the trash when you don’t finish everything you’ve purchased before they ..read more

With summer now upon us, many people will be making travel plans to a wide variety of destinations.  The highways will be plugged up with cars, beaches will be crowded, and city streets will be alive with festivals and other events.  Some people will be traveling to more natural regions to take in the wonders of nature. In a world where traveling almost anywhere is possible, it is important to make sure our vacation doesn’t leave a harsh impact on the environment.  The concept of ecotourism allows for us to be environmentally conscious while having fun on our adventures. What is Ecotourism ..read more

With summer finally here, many will be out and about with barbeques, traveling, and reaching for the air conditioner to keep cool.  Some of these activities can take their toll on the environment so it is important that we balance summer fun with You might be asking: “How can I be environmentally conscious and enjoy my summer?”  Well, take a seat in your lounge chair by the pool, here are some suggestions for how you can stay green in the red hot summer. Travel Locally With the coming of summer means traveling, and lots of it!  Whether it’s a trip to the amusement park or a weekend at the co ..read more

Father’s day is just around the corner which means it’s time for all the lame joke telling, pull-my-finger enthusiast dads from across the land to have some appreciation tossed their way. If you’re an eco-warrior who’s stumped on what to get dad, you’ve come to the right place! We’ve gathered some green gift ideas that you can get for your old man while keeping your environmental impact to a minimum. “Why do chicken coops only have two doors? Because if they had four, they would be chicken sedans!” Bow Ties Made from Reclaimed Wood & Fabric www.woodenbowties.com Price: $45-$145 If you h ..read more

It is amazing to find new ways to reuse and upcycle items like plastic bottles, and keep them from ending up in landfills. While many people know that plastic bottles can be reused in different ways such as making lamps, or gift containers (see some more examples here), there is one project taking place in Panama that truly pushes upcycling plastic to the limit! ROBERT BEZEAU – Center. PHOTO CRED Mr. Robert Bezeau – a Canadian who has lived in Panama for quite a while now – is constructing a village made out of plastic bottles. The community is being built in Isla Colon, on of Bocas del Tor ..read more

Music festival season is in full swing meaning thousands of people will be descending on parks, farmland, and various other green spaces all over North America and Europe to let loose, take in some awesome bands, get sunburnt and spend too much money on festival libations. While music festivals give you an opportunity to take a break from being a responsible adult or relieving you from faking it as an adult for a few days, that doesn’t mean you should shirk your responsibility towards the environment. Organizers have taken note of the environmental impact of their festivals and have been impro ..read more