You can actually change it up just like a real bonsai; only this of course you don’t clip or water. Or, at least I wouldn’t recommend it. My favorite part is actually the cardboard dish.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Natural burials with biodegradable coffins and no embalming have been popular in Britain for many years, and now green cemeteries are popping up in states like New York and California, among others. For more details, see this CNN article.

The Green Burial Council maintains a list of approved providers who will facilitate green burials with conventional cemeteries in eight states. These providers can also assist people interested in being buried on their own land.

So, what do these biodegradable coffins look like? Eco Coffins offers cardboard coffins in natural, creative or custom. The poppy coffin falls in their creative category.

Here’s a natural version:

Or, if you want a sleeker natural coffin made of recycled paper, you can go with Ecopod:

Obviously, burial is a very personal choice. It’s also something many people, including me, don’t really like to think about. However, as the option of natural burial becomes increasingly available, it’s something to consider.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family

Buy boxed food items items in recycled packaging: For almost every boxed food item that comes in packaging there are variables. One such variable is recycled (or not) packaging. Lots of recycled packaging is easy to spot because the package will say so, such as, “100% recycled packaging.” Some will have the little recycled label on it. However, even if it doesn’t say so you can play detective and find out by looking at the underside of a box (like a cereal box). If the cardboard is grat that means recycled. If the underside of cardboard is pure white; and a boxed food item, you can be almost certain that it’s unrecycled.

Boycott one non-green product: Make the product something you like and would buy. Don’t buy it anymore but; and this is key, write the company and tell them why.

Fix one item this year: Broken toaster, camera, car, roller skates, what have you. Fixing an item will save you from buying a new one. One exception may be major appliances. Most new washers, dryers, fridges, etc. are more efficient now than in the past and new ones can save massive amounts of energy. However, if you make a big purchase donate your old item to a cause.

Take a hike: Actually take 12. Make it a goal to get out and see your community at least once a month for the better part of a day. You can’t appreciate something you never see. You also can’t solve problems you don’t know about. Getting out to your local parks and hiking areas can clue you in if there’s trash on the grounds or people burning where they shouldn’t be. Plus you’ll be healthier and happier.

Talk about your resolution: Even if you only set one green resolution for you and your family this year you can still make a big difference. One way to make a bigger difference is to talk about it. If your goal is to make sure all the light bulbs in your home are energy efficient tell your friends, family, co-workers. You may inspire someone else and your one small resolution can spread across your neighborhood, town, city, even further.

Before the new year I’ll likely post some different green resolutions of varying difficulty (plus my own). You can start thinking about your own green resolutions for 2008 as well; and let me know what they are.

Post from: Tree Hugging Family