Local Wool Products & Community – Echoview Fiber Mill

sustainable wool products

At 17,000 square feet, the Echoview Fiber Mill, which opened in April of 2012, is an unexpected find in quiet Weaverville, NC. It took two years to build, a process that was made a bit longer due to the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification process. The building attained the first Gold LEED certification for a manufacturing mill …

What Does Fair Trade Mean?

Fair Trade is a term thrown around a lot in marketing and on labels on everything from chocolate and coffee to jewelry, but what does it mean? Fair Trade can be defined as: An organized, market-based social movement which strives to help developing country producers promote sustainability and improve trading conditions. The movement focuses on reducing egregious middleman importer profits …

Green Holiday Preparation – More than Just the Tree!

Green Holiday Preparation – More than Just the Tree! Besides the fact that green is basically one of only two colors we have to think about for an entire month and your home is probably about to get be-decked in greenery from pine trees and boughs and wreaths galore, not a lot of us (surely not enough of us) really think …

Sustainable Sushi in Seattle – Mashiko

I am a true sushi lover, but getting information about the fish I am eating can be a difficult ordeal. Most sushi places aren’t very forthcoming on where they get their fish, or even what kind of fish it is you are actually eating (Hamachi is often labeled as yellowtail when it actually should be Amberjack, although it can vary …

Ford Focus Global Drive

In an effort to promote the Ford Focus, the Ford Motor Company is promoting a competition called Global Drive. While I am optimistic of future electric cars such as the Chevy Volt, I myself am a fan of this small, fuel efficient car until we reach that place. Ford is interested in making contact with individuals passionate about environmental causes, …

Government Vehicles Going Green

As some of you know, I work for a lab run by the Department of Energy. I get the opportunity to not only witness exciting research that furthers tomorrow’s sustainable lifestyles, but also to see the changes the federal government is making to make their sites as ‘green’ as possible. Current government regulations stipulate that “each agency shall reduce annual …

Eco Diamonds

You love the look of diamonds, but want a more environmentally and socially responsible alternative to a unknown origin mined diamond- enter eco diamonds. This phrase can be thrown around loosely, so the first and foremost thing to do when looking for an eco diamond is do your research! Lets first dive into some of the terminology, pros and cons …

Green On The Go

With life becoming increasing more busy, many people simply don’t have time to think about what they can do to help the environment, or the steps they can take to start living green. Here are some easy tips and items for an on-the-go lifestyle that won’t hurt the planet. Buy in bulk – Buying in bulk and stocking up on …

Gulf Oil Spill Disaster

So by now everyone who doesn’t live in a cave has heard about the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Since the April 20th explosion of the offshore oil rig, Deepwater Horizon, an estimated 210,000 gallons of crude oil per day has been released into the waters off the coast of Louisiana. So far the slick has traveled …

Sustainability Focused Careers Workshop

Last week I had the chance to attend Foresight Designs Initiative Sustainability Careers Workshop here in Seattle. The workshop was put on by Seattle Green Drinks in collaboration with Foresight Design, based out of Chicago. Facilitated by the executive director of Foresight Designs, Peter Nicholson, the workshop was an excellent interactive exploration of various career paths in sustainability. Peter was …