Who doesn’t love a nice, comfortable pair of flip flops?

The summer is almost here, so flip flops are the perfect shoes for guys to wear with shorts and a t-shirt, or for ladies to make a fashion statement in a cool summer dress.

One way you can sport flip flops while also saving the environment is to purchase recycled flip flops…

Who doesn’t love a nice, comfortable pair of flip flops?

The summer is almost here, so flip flops are the perfect shoes for guys to wear with shorts and a t-shirt, or for ladies to make a fashion statement in a cool summer dress.

One way you can sport flip flops while also saving the environment is to purchase recycled flip flops. These flip flops are often made from reused materials such as rubber tires, fabric and cork, so they help reduce landfill waste. They also happen to be very comfortable.

Make a Flippin’ Decision

No matter what music festival, baseball game, green gathering or other casual event you attend, you’ll see people wearing flip flops.

Whether you practice living an eco lifestyle or not, it’s important to choose a pair of well-made, recycled flip flops instead of a cheap pair that you’ll just throw away after a few months. Instead of ending up in a landfill, your flip flops might just make it through a few extra summers.

Check out these cool recycled flip flops for women and men, and decide which pair best suits your personal style:

Women

Teva Lennox Sandal

Canvas and leather upper is made from 100% recycled material, and there is a 50% recycled rubber outsole.

Ocean Minded Laguna Sandal

Cushioned sandals with 100% recycled bottom sole.

Simple CA Bana Sandal

These sandals are made from washable suede, cork and rubber, and recycled paper forms are used to construct them.

Chaco Sunflower Sandals

These are embroidered with cute flowers and have a recycled rubber sole.

Body Glove Castaway Sandal

Made with organic cotton and cork, plus recycled foam and tire rubber.

Chaco Intersect Eco Tread Sandals

Provides great arch support and is made from 25% recycled rubber.

Men

Reef Remixed Sandal

Soles are made from recycled rubber tires.

DVS Ziggy Wolfgang Sandals

Midsole is made from a blend of cork and Ecotrue, and the sole is made from 100% recycled tires.

North Face Ex-Girlfriend Sandals

Top straps contain recycled PET lining.

Body Glove Castaway Sandal

These are made from organic cotton and cork, as well as recycled foam and tire rubber.

Timberland Rippler Thong Sandal

Contain organic cotton canvas and 30% recycled rubber outsoles.

Gravis Hempurpedic Sandal

Made with renewable hemp and recycled foam that shapes to your foot.

Unisex

Lazy Boy Natural Flip Flops

Vegan and cruelty-free, these are made from natural hemp and recycled race car soles, bicycle inner tube straps and rubber footbeds.

Splaff Flopps

Produced in a 100% waste-free environment, these flip flops are made from recycled car tires and bicycle inner tubes.

Ho Chi Minh Tire Sandals

100% recycled tire sandals made in Cambodia.

You really can’t go wrong with a pair of flip flops in the summer. And with a pair of eco-friendly flip flops, you’ll not only be doubling their lifespan, but you’ll also be helping out the environment.

Mother’s Day is only a few days away, and if you haven’t bought your mom a gift you still have time to send something unique and eco-friendly.

There are many websites that offer green alternatives to the traditional gifts that people buy on this holiday. The usual flowers and chocolates can be replaced with organic gifts that are made of healthy and natural products…

Mother’s Day is only a few days away, and if you haven’t bought your mom a gift you still have time to send something unique and eco-friendly.

There are many websites that offer green alternatives to the traditional gifts that people buy on this holiday. The usual flowers and chocolates can be replaced with organic gifts that are made of healthy and natural products.

Try These Green Gift Ideas

Here’s a list of green alternatives for the usual Mother’s Day gift:

Peaches and Cream Rose Bouquet from OrganicBouquet.com

These roses are all grown without harmful pesticides and under environmentally-superior working conditions.

Espress Yo’Self Coffee Gift Pack from thegroovymind.com

This coffee pack has three different flavors of organic coffee and comes gift-wrapped with organic cookies and a card.

Aromatherapy Growing Kit from RedEnvelope.com

This kit comes with seeds for growing chamomile, lavender and lemon balm, as well as organic soil and pots.

Rainforest Spa Gift Bags from EcoExpress.com

These gift sets come in bamboo print bags and feature organic soaps, oils, washcloths and candles.

Recycled Paper Jewelry Box from Novica.com

This beautifully decorated jewelry box made from recycled paper was created by Brazilian artist Luiz Freire.

Small Recycle Square on Snake Necklace from SmartGlassJewelry.com

These necklaces are handmade by artist Kathleen Plate and are made of sterling silver and recycled glass and bottles. Some of the proceeds go to Kathleen’s favorite non-profit organizations.

Organic White Chocolate Bath Fizzie from LifeByChocolates.com

Mom can add some fizz to her bath by dropping in these organic cocoa butter balls.

Mother’s Fruit and Treats Tray from Gotfuit.com

This try comes with a variety of organic fruit, mints, chocolate and cookies.

Texture Pillar Beeswax Candles from CandleBeeFarm.com

These candles are made from 100% beeswax, which last five times longer than other waxes.

Finally, you can give the best gift of all in your mother’s name when you buy a Breastfeeding Kit from MercyCorps.com. The proceeds of these kits will cover the cost of training a breastfeeding counselor in Jakarta, Indonesia, which will help reduce the infant mortality rate and malnutrition of children in this poor nation.

These are just a few ways to show your mom that you appreciate both her and the environment. You can put a smile on her face and reduce your carbon footprint at the same time.

Do you have 20 minutes to spare? What if I told you that those 20 minutes might change your entire way of thinking and living?

Take a break from your studies. Shut off your television. Sit comfortably at your computer chair and visit the website TheStoryOfStuff.com…

Do you have 20 minutes to spare? What if I told you that those 20 minutes might change your entire way of thinking and living?

Take a break from your studies. Shut off your television. Sit comfortably at your computer chair and visit the website TheStoryOfStuff.com.

The 20 minute online film called ‘The Story of Stuff’ is a comprehensive, fast-paced, semi-animated explanation of how the stuff you use in your daily life runs its course. In other words, the story about the life of your favorite appliance, piece of clothing, etc., from its creation to its destruction.

Where does your pair of sunglasses originate? What happens to most of our world’s soda cans after we drink from them? Who makes that inexpensive radio you listen to? How can your favorite pair of shoes sell for such a low price at a department store? Why do people feel compelled to purchase an infinite amount of lipsticks if they don’t need them? Why do we shop so often and spend money on so much’.stuff?

How can all of those questions and more be summarized in just 20 minutes?

Watch ‘The Story of Stuff’ at TheStoryOfStuff.com. It will make you think twice the next time you go to make a purchase.

You may start asking the questions, ‘Do I really need this?’, ‘Can my money be put to better uses?’, ‘Where does this product come from?’

This short film could save you money. It could break your shopping habit. You might even discover a new way to help save the planet!

For many sports fans, Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his Air Jordan sneakers may be some of the most popular shoes ever made. Of course everyone knows that Jordan’s jersey number is 23, and this year will mark the 23^rd version of his infamous name brand shoe to hit the market.

What makes this year extra special is that this time around the Air Jordan XX3 is going green…

For many sports fans, Michael Jordan is considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, and his Air Jordan sneakers may be some of the most popular shoes ever made. Of course everyone knows that Jordan’s jersey number is 23, and this year will mark the 23^rd version of his infamous name brand shoe to hit the market.

What makes this year extra special is that this time around the Air Jordan XX3 is going green! A new article from Brandweek.com explains how this ‘Become Legendary’ campaign from Nike is going to be a historical event that will be a huge stepping stone for other shoe retailers across the world.

Consider the Possibilities

I wrote a past blog about eco-friendly Simple shoes, which use recycled plastic bottles and organic cotton. So what makes the new Air Jordan green? The shoe is the first product from the Nike Considered initiative, a new program whose shoes are not only athletically superior, but also environmentally friendly. These shoes use very little adhesives or toxic glues, making them safer for the environment and easier for factory workers to assemble. And easier work means less time spent in the factory, and less energy being used to power the machines in the factory.

The XX3 also uses recycled rubber in the soles, so most of the shoe itself can be recycled over again. Overall, they can help reduce your carbon footprint and maximize your slam-dunk skills! You can read more about the Air Jordan XX3 here.

Nike’s Bold Goal

By 2011 Nike hopes to have all of their footwear to meet or exceed the same standards as stated in the ‘Considered’ line. I hope that this works and that other sports shoes follow this initiative because it would be a great way to get kids or anyone who loves sports involved in the green movement.

I think that ‘comfortable’ is one word that every college student would use to describe their clothing style. Most college students like to wear comfortable clothes that they can lounge around in, but most importantly, that they can go to class in. I remember getting up for 7:00 a.m. Monday morning classes and not even changing out of my sleepwear because it was so comfortable. A basic cotton t-shirt, a pair of jeans or sweatpants and some sneakers did the trick for me…

I think that ‘comfortable’ is one word that every college student would use to describe their clothing style. Most college students like to wear comfortable clothes that they can lounge around in, but most importantly, that they can go to class in. I remember getting up for 7:00 a.m. Monday morning classes and not even changing out of my sleepwear because it was so comfortable. A basic cotton t-shirt, a pair of jeans or sweatpants and some sneakers did the trick for me and most of the other people in my class. And it didn’t matter if someone wore the same thing two or three days in a row because washing machines were so scarce in the dorms!

Organic Cotton Measures Up

Since cotton is the main clothing material for most for college students, a great way for them to get their favorite threads and save the environment at the same time would be to purchase cotton organic clothing. Organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or other harmful chemicals, and it uses natural rain water instead of irrigation techniques. It produces purely natural and eco friendly clothing that is comfortable and sustainable. I recently found a web site, http://www.onnotextiles.com/, which produces plain t-shirts made exclusively from organic cotton. They also offer products made from bamboo and hemp. The prices are affordable and the t-shirts are soft and comfortable. It’s a great place for any student to get their standard college t-shirt!

Recycled Sneakers

Another great college apparel item that I discovered is the ecoSNEAK, which is manufactured by Simple. These ultra-comfortable shoes are made from organic cotton, melted plastic bottles and recycled car tires!

The pesticide-free organic cotton makes up the body of the shoe, plastic bottles are melted to make the shoelaces and old tires are cut up to be used as shoe soles. You can read more about these eco friendly shoes here: http://www.simpleshoes.com/index.aspx.

These are just two companies that have found ways to market to the college audience with an eco-friendly message. I personally think that if you’re going to buy a cotton t-shirt or sneakers anyways, you might as well purchase ones that are purely organic or have been recycled. Your money goes to a good cause, you feel better about yourself and the environment and you still stay comfortable anywhere you go on campus.

There’s no denying that most college students pay little, if any, attention to the cleanliness of their dorm rooms and apartments.

When you walk into a typical student’s room you are very likely to see half-eaten burritos and spilt soda forming some sort of protective layer over the floor. The room slowly transforms into a haven for germs and other scary microorganisms…

There’s no denying that most college students pay little, if any, attention to the cleanliness of their dorm rooms and apartments.

When you walk into a typical student’s room you are very likely to see half-eaten burritos and spilt soda forming some sort of protective layer over the floor. The room slowly transforms into a haven for germs and other scary microorganisms.

Organic = Safe

For the few students who try to combat these harmful invaders, the products they use to fight with are often just as harmful and damaging as the germs. So how can you eradicate germs while also protecting your health and the entire environment? One answer is to use Heather’s Natural & Organic Cleaning Products.

Created from all-natural, biodegradable and organic ingredients, Heather’s Natural & Organic Cleaning Products are possibly the best alternative to regular cleaning products because they don’t use alcohol, ammonia and other harmful additives.

All of Heather’s products are 100% safe for the environment and can be applied to almost any surface! Here are a few of the items:

• Window Cleaner: Made from natural products like apple cider vinegar and can be used on mirrors, toilets, refrigerators and other surfaces. It can also be used to clean up pet messes!
• MagniFiScents: Room deodorizes that are non-flammable because they don’t use kerosene in the base of the canister. Includes 4 all-natural scents.
• Oxygen Bleach Cleanser: Most popular product that contains all-natural and biodegradable ingredients. Whitens and brightens toilets, bathtubs and sinks.
• All Purpose Soap: Made from orange oil, vegetable thickener and other natural ingredients, this soap can be diluted in water and then used to clean floors, walls and counter tops.

Heather’s History

All of these products are completely safe for both you and the environment, and they come from a reliable source. Heather has over 20 years of experience cleaning houses. One day she realized that the products she was using were giving her headaches and fatigue.

She decided to research organic alternatives that would ensure her and others good health, as well as the best clean possible. After years of research and product development she was able to create her own line of organic cleaning products and market them to the world! She even gets to run her business and be a stay-at-home mom at the same time!

Heather’s recently became a division of Jason Natural Products, a company that makes consumer products with only pure and organic ingredients.

I like it when regular people come up with extraordinary ideas. It makes it seem possible for anyone to accomplish their dreams. I also appreciate the fact that there are 100% all-natural products out there that won’t have a harmful effect on my health. Heather’s products are just a great way to battle those dorm room germs and to make you feel good about protecting the environment.

As a college student you probably don’t pay much attention to the school supplies you buy. If you’re like me, you go to Wal-Mart the day before classes begin and grab whatever’s the cheapest. That means not paying attention to name brands or what the products are made of. But it’s important to know the products that you’re buying and where they came from because it could mean the difference between damaging the environment and saving it…

As a college student you probably don’t pay much attention to the school supplies you buy. If you’re like me, you go to Wal-Mart the day before classes begin and grab whatever’s the cheapest. That means not paying attention to name brands or what the products are made of. But it’s important to know the products that you’re buying and where they came from because it could mean the difference between damaging the environment and saving it.

Eco-Friendly School Supplies

I recently ran across a web site called Red Apple School Supplies. It offers school and office supplies that have been recycled and reclaimed from forest products all around the world, from Japan to the U.S. to Costa Rica. Here are a few of the items:

• Green Apple Recycled Wood Pencils: These #2 pencils are made from pencil manufacturing wood scraps and come in a cool triangular shape.
• Green Apple Recycled Ballpoint Pen: These medium ballpoint pens are made from recycled paper, plastic and wood!
• Recycled Filler Paper: This college rule paper is made from 100% recycled materials.
• Green Apple 3-Ring Recycled Binder: This binder is made from 100% recycled cardboard, and the metal rings can be removed and used in replacement binders.

These are just a few of the eco-friendly products offered by Red Apple School Supplies. All of these products have been recycled and reused to help promote the sustainability of the environment. They’re also affordable and easy to find, so you should make these green products a part of your everyday routine. All you have to do is order them online. It beats waiting in line for 3 hours at Wal-Mart.