Down to Earth

Posted on April 22, 2008

Down to Earth
April 22, 2008
Published in Lei Chic
By Christine Thomas

10 ways to green-up your life on Earth Day (and every day) – the day we remember we’re not the only ones living on an island – our planet is one, too.

1 – Bottled Water Be Gone
700 years. That’s a plastic water bottle’s landfill life. Add the energy used to ship it to our islands – home to some of the world’s best tasting, cleanest, non-fluoridated tap water – and it’s a no-brainer to switch to Sigg Reusable Water bottles, made from sturdy aluminum with a non-leaching plastic liner (unlike No. 7 Nalgenes), in 144 colors and designs. Available at Red Pineapple in Ward Center , 808.593.2733

2 – Do It Yourself
You want to compost, use water catchment, naturally control pests, and make your own natural cleansers, but don’t know how? The Green House will teach you how in one lazy Saturday afternoon. Call 808.524.8427 or email <!– var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; var addy61890 = 'thehawaiigreenhouse' + '@'; addy61890 = addy61890 + 'hawaiiantel' + '.' + 'net'; var addy_text61890 = 'thehawaiigreenhouse' + '@' + 'hawaiiantel' + '.' + 'net'; document.write( '‘ ); document.write( addy_text61890 ); document.write( ” ); //–>\n thehawaiigreenhouse@hawaiiantel.net <!– document.write( '‘ ); //–> for current course schedule.

3 – Grow a Native Forest
Donate your tax refund to The Tree Center Hawai‘i, a nonprofit group restoring native dryland forest with endangered trees like Wili wili and Hawaiian Hibiscus, in Kona’s Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park. The Tree Center Hawai‘i, 808.333.0330.

4 – Save O‘ahu
In the new book Disappearing Destinations: 37 Places in Peril and What Can Be Done to Help Save Them,two journalists and environmentalists detail 37 travel destinations we assume will always be there but are in fact alarmingly fragile. Among them: O‘ahu. Discover how we can prevent Kailua Bay from suffering Lanikai’s fate, and more, online at amazon.com and at local booksellers.

5 – Sack it Up
Bust out your Envirosax, (or any reusable bag) to carry your groceries, Costco supplies, takeout food, Long’s purchase…and look super stylish when you do.

6 – Kick it to the Curb
Hawai‘i is still lagging on statewide curbside recycling, so until you get your new green bin have O‘ahu Community Recycling come to your house and whisk your reusables away.

7 – Drink Up
Mark your calendar: Green Drinks at E&O Trading, 5 p.m. Tuesday May 6 – join the global trend of networking with other professionals and people passionate about living green. Ward Center , 808.591.9555. More info here.

8 – Eat Local
Reduce fossil fuels by eating local as often as possible. FarmFreshHawaii.com and Just Add Water veggie delivery services bring you the freshest, “greenest” local produce (not like supermarket stuff that’s been in crates for weeks before arrival). Of course Farmer’s Markets work, too.

9 – Wear Green Sleeves
With sustainable fabric (like organic cotton, bamboo and recycled water bottle polyester) tees, hoodies and other casual wear, Big Island clothiers The Organik’s high environmental standards make them our eco-fashion pick.

10 – Move It
Moving closer to work to cut back on driving? Malama Moving Company will help you move in a green flash, without using “virgin” materials, adding nothing to the landfill, saving you money, and even using a bio-diesel powered truck.