Why Recycle?
1. Recycling conserves our valuable natural resources.
2. Recycling saves energy.
3. Recycling saves clean air and clean water.
4. Recycling saves landfill space.
The Little Green Store is not only a shop specializing in eco-friendly products, green supplies and local art, it also offers on-site glass recycling options (green, brown, and clear). Sustainable Recycle
Cardboard recycling is offered accross the street from the store at Monte Sano Elementary.
Electronics recycling should be done at 9540 Madison Blvd in Madison, Al.
Organic
Eco-Lingo
The philosophy of organic food production maintains certain principles: biodiversity, ecological balance, sustainability, natural plant fertilization, natural pest management, and soil integrity. Since farms vary in product and practice, there is also a wide variety in how these principles are applied.
A product capable of being continued with minimal long-term effect on the environment. This is key in all aspects of the life cycle of any product. Examples include anything (building materials, furniture, fabrics, upholstery, etc.) made from bamboo, cork, soy or organic cotton. The Cork Family tables by Jasper Morrison pictured here are great examples of sustainable furniture, as the cork bark stripped from trees will grow back.
Certified company and/or product the incorporates policies and standards that include a fair living wage for all factory employees, ample breaks, no obligation to work overtime without compensation, and a safe work environment with emergency protocols in place. Examples include factories in many Third World countries.
Carbon Footprint
Carbon footprint is "the total set of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product" (UK Carbon Trust 2008). An individual nation, or organization's carbon footprint is measured by undertaking a GHG emissions assessment. Once the size of a carbon footprint is known, a strategy can be devised to reduce it.
Global Warming
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the last century.
Recycling involves processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air pollution and water pollution by reducing the need for "conventional" waste disposal, and lower greenhouse gas emissions as compared to virgin production.
Sites to Know
- The Green Guide
- National Geographic
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Planet Green
- Daily Grommet