
With kids across America heading back to school there’s no better time to take a look at a unique line of notebooks that just may make a difference while helping them realize the importance of considering their paper usage on a daily basis as The Banana Paper Company has put out these spiral notebooks with the eco-conscious child in mind....
Fashionable, Flexible, and Socially Responsible
Designed in New Jersey, sourced and manufactured in New Orleans; these reusable shopping bags support Americans as well as a green lifestyle, with emphasis on
style. "What'S ur Bag" was dreamed up by Susan Princiotto (designer, founder and CEO) and Joan Elmore-Nutting (Business Development and Marketing specialist) because they could not find a reusable bag that met their expectations.
After many prototypes, a happy coincidence occurred: the fabric selected for its bright green flair was the perfect combination of light, small when empty and able to contain a lot when full. Even better, the gentle bounce of the elastic fabric harmonized with each step, making the bag seem a lighter load. The fabric application was trademarked as its-laS-tik(TM), as in "it's not paper, it's not plastic,
its-laS-tik!" And a bag was born....

Today's the big day--a full 24-hours dedicated to wearing your heart on your sleeve, and eating chocolate with friends, S.O.'s, and even colleagues. But if you haven't put enough thought into what you should be doing for that one special person in your life, it's not too late. Our Valentine's Day Gift Guide is a green cheat sheet to the perfect last-minute memento or bouquet, and we also give you hour-by-hour ideas for keeping it sexy all day long.
::Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...
Images by H&M, Photographer: Daniel Jackson
H&M, the Swedish high street store, has yet again made it into the TreeHugger news, just on time to spread some love for Valentine's day (check out
Green Valentine for other great gifts). After
applying the EU eco-label and
the launch of their organic cotton collection last spring, H&M has launched
Fashion Against Aids to spread awareness about HIV this month. Well-known artists such as Rihanna, Chicks on Speed, Good Charlotte, Henrik Vibskov, Jade Jagger, Justice, Katharine Hamnett, My Chemical Romance, Rufus Wainwright, Scissor Sisters, The Cardigans, Tiga, Timbaland and Ziggy Marley have each designed a 100% organic cotton T-shirts, tank tops or hooded sweater. Judging by the sold out racks of clothing the first days of the launch (at least here in Barcelona), the campaign is a great success....
Credit: Abbey Goes Design Scouting
Valentine's Day is almost here. What's that? You haven't picked out something perfect your sweetheart just yet? Never fear! Our Valentine's Day Gift Guide will save the day. Whether you're looking for something sexy (eco-lingerie, anyone?), standard (organic chocolate and flowers always do the trick), or dematerialized (giving to charity comes from the heart), we've got something for everyone for a full day of good green lovin'. ::
Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...
Credit: ulterior epicure
It may be the thought that counts, but let's face it, if your intention doesn't come wrapped up with a big pink bow on Valentine's Day, you could be sleeping alone. Luckily, we've put on our thinking caps and come up with a plan so you won't get a figurative dagger through the heart (ouch!). From standards like chocolate and flowers to totally kissable coffee breath, we've got you covered morning, noon, and night. ::
Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...

It may be the thought that counts, but let's face it, if your intention doesn't come wrapped up with a big pink bow on Valentine's Day, you could be sleeping alone. Luckily, we've put on our thinking caps and come up with a plan so you won't get a figurative dagger through the heart (ouch!). From standards like chocolate and flowers to totally kissable coffee breath, we've got you covered morning, noon, and night. ::
Valentine's Day Gift Guide: Giving Greener Love...

Valentine's day looms. Chocolate is on your mind. So we are pleased that the prestigious "
International Brands with a Conscience Award 2008" reminds us to remind you of the incredible story behind Tony's Chocolonely chocolates. You may remember that
Tony's slavefree chocolate attracted attention due to founder Teun van de Keuken's remarkable attempts to publicize the
bitter truth about chocolate. Van de Keuken tried to force Dutch authorities to prosecute him for buying and eating chocolate in violation of Dutch law that makes it illegal to receive goods that have been obtained unlawfully....

Here’s a new shop paradigm for you: Shop according to the revealed ingredients of every object. Because those ingredients sure look yummy with a range of products made from sustainable wood, cork, bamboo, organic and recycled materials. Monica Potvin in Barcelona and Anu Suominen in Finland have joined forces and created ‘a new version shop presenting a collection of objects for living made as sustainable as possible’.
Matteriashop is finally a shop that guarantees eco-smartness as well as fabulous design.
Through close collaboration with designers all over the globe, the Matteriashop offers a unique transparency and behind-the-scene information on each carefully selected product, taking into account its entire lifecycle. Monica Potvin explains:...

It is the first of January, which means it’s time to leave the worn-out diary behind and open up a new one. If you haven’t found the perfect agenda to start this New Year yet, here are a few fun and practical eco options. From recycled to social and paperless, there’s an even wider range of treehugger-style diaries this year than any of the previous years.
Starting with the recycled options,
Kara suggested Scribesdelight journals that are made from recycled saddle leather. A
recycled saddle leather agenda/address book is available for $79. If you got one last year, just order your re-fill now and reuse the sleeve.
::Scribesdelight
Another recycled option is the diary by
Bandaderodadura, a Spanish company. The sturdy black
sleeves of these diaries are made from recycled car tire inner tubes and are locally made in Barcelona. The sleeves come with a zip pocket for extra storage space and are guaranteed to last you through quite a few years.
::Bandaderodadura
More diaries after the jump....

If you’re wondering what an inspired 12 year-old can do to help stop global warming, look no further than a 7th grader named Hunter Gross from Long Island, NY. He’s launched a project with his mom and dad dubbed
Project Kool, and it’s goal is to help get kids involved replacing the endless stream of paper and plastic bags they cart their lunch to school in each day by swapping ‘em for The Lunch Sak.
What’s
The Lunch Sak? Well, it’s a reusable lunch bag made of natural cotton that has a Velcro strip to make it resealable. For fun it comes with a pair of markers that wash out easily, making it possible for kids of all ages to redesign their Lunch Sak on a daily basis without harming the environment in the process.
...

Ever wonder how to turn your parents green? Well, author James Russell
set out to answer just that question, and in a most entertaining manner too I might add.
Meet the Greens and the Groans... The Greens being kids who get the problem of global warming and the general environmental mess we're in while the Groans (their parents) are busy causing most of the trouble without a world of care or an inch of interest in solving the problem.
Of course the book is quick to point out there's lots a kid can do...
...

This is a sneak preview of a gorgeous jewellery collection and bags named Jova Design. It’s a joined project between the Ducth fair trade organisation
Tilingo Nepra,
Dutch Design in Development (DDiD) and jewellery designer
Joanne Zwart.
Working with local people in Nepal, designer Zwart decided to use natural and local materials like wood, hemp, cotton and bone. She also found inspiration in the symbolic Nepalese jewellery like the Buddhist and Hindu prayer beads, made from the dark rudraksha berries.
This project is one of many others set up by the DDiD, who specialise in linking Dutch designers and companies to businesses in developing countries. They create opportunities for companies in the developing world, to step into the European market under fair trade conditions. Via
::Design.nl
...

It seems there's a great little book out for the holidays titled "When Santa Turned Green" by Victoria Perla that tackles global warming for kids in a fun way. Santa, beset by a leak in the roof of his North Pole factory steps outside to give it a look and comes to the realization that it's connected to a far bigger problem, global warming.
Now I haven't had a chance to read it through yet myself, but there's not a lot of time left before the holiday and the
3 reader reviews on F.A.O. Schwarz website raved about it. Apparently, Santa is determined to turn things around and sets about doing just that by helping kids see everyday actions they can take to make a difference.
I bet it could make a wonderful gift for kids from 5-11yrs, and it's priced at $15.95.
See also::
The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming ,
Rockefeller Center's Christmas Tree Lights Up Holiday Season with LEDs!
via::
FAO Schwarz...
Ring the bells! Pop the (organic) champagne! TreeHugger's 2007 Gift Guide is here!
We've made this guide the most comprehensive yet, with 180+ gift ideas in three shades of green, making it a perfect reference while shopping for everyone on your gift list. In addition, we'll be adding organizations to support and useful tips for making your holidays more efficient.
Go to Part II here and
Part III here.
For more great ideas, don't forget to visit our past guides from 2006 and 2005.
...

If you can’t get enough of your online social networks like Facebook or Linkedin and you’d also like to see more trees on this planet, then it’s time for you to join
Tree-nation. The goal of this ecological project is to plant 8 million trees in the Sahara to fight climate change, desertification and poverty. With their project, they support
UNEP’s Billion Tree Campaign.
8 Million trees in the desert, a unique mapping technique and a growing online community is what makes this project stand out. You can buy your own tree online: choose one of 5 tree species (prices range from 10-75€), personalise it and plant it. A GPS allows you to spot your tree online anytime. ...

Why not shut down your email for an hour or two and write some notecards to catch up with your correspondence? This is what Mike at
ReadyMade suggests while putting the old issues of their bi-monthly magazine to good use. ReadyMade, for people who like to make stuff, have turned their surplus back issues into beautiful funky envelopes they sell in packs of 10, together with 10 cards of recycled paper and white labels for $12. Because of email, snail mail has become even more appreciated but imagine, if on top of writing a real card, someone does it on colourful recycled material- it’d definitely impress me, whatever it said on the card! Find the notecards
here and more great ready ideas on
::ReadyMade...

One hilarious way from
The Onion to stand out while you shop at the local store. But seriously, despite the fact everyone knows a reusable tote is a good idea, I can still feel the eyes of people looking at me- I pretend it's envy. In the words of Mark Twain:
Power, money, persuasion, supplication, persecution -- these can lift at a colossal humbug -- push it a little -- weaken it a little over the course of a century; but only laughter can blow it to rags and atoms at a blast. Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand.
We often
post on paper or plastic, but when it gets down to it, just bring your own tote- make a statement without saying a word. It also comes in black. ::
The Onion...

That’s right, shea butter. Ya know, as in that wonderful lotion that clears even the driest skin. (Perfect for all of you girls new to the west coast who are still getting acclimated to living in the desert. Ahem.) Shea Terra Organics offers products free of fillers, artificial fragrances/colors, sulfates, parabins and 99.5% natural, and if that wasn’t enough, Shea Terra was formed in part to offer local cooperatives in Africa a way to earn steady income without depleting resources or harming workers.
...
We'll be working on better category archives soon. In the meantime, take a look at the
if you really want to dig around, or use the search box at the top of the page.