not my idea but it deserves a mention HOMEBREW AC at http://www.eng.uwaterloo.ca/%7Egmilburn/ac/

plus cleaning the coils on your fridge helps it to run more effeciantly

http://www.designboom.com/cardboard.html

not my doing either but if you can diy and reuse some cardboard it's cool.

My best tip would be too hook everything you use that can be turned off while your out of the house to surge protectors, stops resisdual powerdrain and makes it to turn on just the things you need together.

you know what makes me laugh---NEW JERSEY IS the state i reside??????????
they tell us to conserve energy???
take for example when you on the turnpike and go to a rest area and use the bathroom well the TOILET AND SINK AND THE PAPER TOWEL DISPENSER are all power. Now you dont turn the water on or bend over to pull the handle or even pulling the paper to get a few sheets..oh yea and if you work for the government, out in Elizabeth, NJ--THE cars on kellog street the lil white ones towards the beginning. there not all powered by just fuel ---but now this is the kicker when they get rid of them they take out there fuel efficiency item out. so as to not let the public know anything and these are the officials we put into office.... well this person will never vote for any of them. but all's well here now that i got my venting in take care an have a great life peace an "b" well....

i am an interior design student who is trying to incorperate as much affordable environmentally friendly products in my design as possible and your sight is extemly helpfull but information on companies is sometimes a bit lax information such as telephone numbers and/or email addresses should be essential and would be extremly helpful xx

I saw an old link to the MiEssence certified organic toothpaste. Not sure if you knew they sell all sorts of stuff these days. There's shampoo, conditioner, skin care, deoderant, cosmetics, etc... They're doing the organic thing in a very serious way. You can buy online in many countries. prices are listed for Australia, US, New Zealand, and Canada.

I use the shampoo, conditioner, skin stuff & probiotic. Best to put in an order with friends so you can get the 10% discount.

This link should jump you straight to the product list (bypassing general company info)...

http://www.onegrp.com/shop.aspx?niftycorp

i have two helpful tips:

i live in DC at the moment and one way that i try to conserve is by re-using rainwater. my apartment has tonnes of window ledges and ive put small rainbarrels on them. when it rains, i use the water for my plants, washing dishes and cleaning my bathtubs and toilets...

my other is to make friends with a local charity officer. that way you can always donate for their fundraising yardsales (i have a friend who runs a dog rescue in central VA and i give her EVERYTHING that i dont want or cant use anymore). it saves stuff from going into a landfill and you get a tax credit as well :-)

...and if they cant take something, remember on Craig's List on person's trash is another's treasure...there's bound to be someone who needs what you dont want.

ami :-)

if anyone is looking for vessel lights, at caban in toronto they are 19.- for 2!! excellent deal, i picked up 2 sets today, kinda doing the same thing as ami.

i thought of one other tip...i re-fill my empty water bottles and keep them in the freezer. The bottles filled with ice keep the freezer cooler, it saves electricity and if there is a power outtage...you know if your food defrosted and re-froze if the ice in the bottles is all "melty"...

This email address is better for organic skin care products, if you interested that is.

The REAL Buscycle FOR treehuggers . . .

http://busycle.com/index.shtml

i saw this company at 100% Design - with a range they call factum - of cardboard chairs and cube seats that fold flat in 10 seconds. they appear to be kosha. the material is 95% recycled already and you can hang it on the wall - they're not embarrassed by decoration either