Chris Jordan – Environmental Awareness Photographer

I have always been fascinated with photography, its ability to tell a story in a single frame. Sustainable and environmental photography hardly ever gets its place in the spotlight, mainly because the images can be so graphic or disturbing that nobody wants to put them on their wall at home. Chris Jordan may be one of the only exceptions in …

Verterra Sustainable Disposable Dinnerware Plates

I know it sounds like a complete oxymoron, but these picnic plates are both disposable and truly sustainable. Best when composted (as things don’t biodegrade in a landfill) to be truly sustainable cradle to cradle compliant, these sturdy plates are as much at home on your fancy dining room table as they are in the backyard. They feel as if …

How Long Does it Take to Biodegrade?

I talk a lot about biodegradable items, biodegradable soaps, and even biodegradable diaper services, but what does ‘biodegrade’ even mean? In our effort to keep from burying ourselves in trash and waste since we are still very much a ‘disposable’ society, how can we reduce our impacts (other than the obvious re-use of materials?) By making everything biodegradable! Bio-degradation happens …

Eco-Friendly Slot Cars for Older Kids

Adults shouldn’t have the only eco-friendly fun. Green toys and eco-friendly stuffed animals are quite common for babies and little kids, but what about the older kids? Race in a Case portable slot cars of course! Slot cars have always been one of my favorites, and while I doubt they use that much energy to begin with, these don’t use …

Eco Friendly Laundry Detergent – Vaska

I have been interested in the different eco friendly laundry detergents out there for awhile now, mostly- what separates them? Are some better than other for the environment, are some better at cleaning? I set out to find out. I have been using Second Generation and Method laundry detergent for some time now, and from time to time I will …

Eco-Friendly Friday – Sustainable Sushi n Rice + Tshirts

If you are following me on Twitter, you probably already have seen many of these, so start following @chicecologist for up-to-the-minute eco-friendly updates from The Chic Ecologist. Hope you are having a great Friday, and hopefully this will make it even better! Sustainable Sushi If you love sushi like I do, then you should check out Seafood Watch’s sustainable seafood …

Greening of Seattles Paramount Theater

Seattle is a pretty green city, both in vegetation and environmental awareness (although the lack of public transportation situation is mind boggling), so it is only fitting that one of the most recognizable entertainment icons is getting a green revamp. The Paramount Theater near the heart of downtown Seattle is in the process of a green upgrade, starting with the …

5 Seemingly Gross Ways to Go Green

1. Don’t use toilet seat covers Strange as it may sound, but these wafer-thin little pieces of paper do nothing for your touche. While they give you a feel-good barrier between you and a public toilet, it is basically only that. According to Dr. Sherry Marts, scientific director of the Society for Women’s Health Research, “It’s OK to sit down. …

Tools for Sustainable Investing

One way I like to try and make a difference is supporting sustainable companies that I can feel good about. There are two ways to do this, one is by buying their products, the other is by investing in their future and showing your support and investing in their future. The second way also leaves you an opportunity to benefit …

North America’s Largest Living Green Wall

PNC now holds the title for the largest living green wall in North America currently hanging on the exterior of their Pittsburgh headquarters building located at One PNC Plaza. With approximately 14,448 plants covering 602 modular panels, the 2,380 square-feet living mural really livens up the 30-story building. The eight varieties of plants, installed by locally sourced (within a 500 …