Quit Tossing Those Batteries!

Everyday, landfills across the country are littered with thousands of alkaline batteries. Sundance Solar, has a broad range of products to cut down on this pollution. They have a foldable solar charger available for purchase, which can fold away when not in use. It has a high upfront cost, but pays for itself over time. If you do not have $300 or do not get the solar charger on December 25th (it should be on everyone's list), you can try their AA/AAA battery chargers for only $40. Check them out here:

http://store.sundancesolar.com/po10wafosoba.html

Also, before you throw out your alkaline batteries, check out this site, enter your zip code, and select Battery Recycling. Make the extra effort and help our environment!

http://www.earth911.org/master.asp

How Appliances Attack While You Sleep

The Daily Tip from Ideal Bite had a very great, yet not so novel tip today, unplug your appliances when not in use. Cell phone chargers, laptop computers, telelvision sets, DVD players, etc. all use electricity when plugged in even though they are not in use. Ideal Bite states that "40% of all electricity is used to power home appliances while they're turned off." Now that is a lot of kilowatt hours.

It may sound strange to some, but trust me, I started unplugging my electronics last month, and I saw a nice savings in the electricity bill. Try it yourself, and as always, let me know how it goes!

Subscribe to the Daily Tip here:
http://idealbite.com/

Save Water

The focus for today is utilities. While they may not be as glamorous as solar panels, knowing your appliances and how to conserve energy through their use is a powerful way to save money and the environment.

WaterSaver Technologies has a product out called the Aqus, a mechanism that collects water from the bathroom sink and sends it to the toilet for use when flushing. It's a great way to conserve water and save on your utilities bill. It retails for $195, and you can find out more about the Aqus, including how much water and money it can save you here:

http://www.watersavertech.com/

Wells Fargo Jumps on the Green Train

Wells Fargo has committed to the largest corporate purchase of renewable energy. By large, I am referring to 550 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy over the next three years. This will cover roughly 40% of the company's electricity needs. Wells Fargo will use wind energy and prevent 380,000 tons of carbon dioxide from getting into the atmosphere per year. Wouldn't it be great if more big businesses followed suit? Read the press release here:

https://www.wellsfargo.com/press/20061003_GreenPower?year=2006

Need Your Help

Dear Readers,

I have been publishing the Green Means Business blog for about a month now, and I have to admit, it has been very rewarding. We are starting to gain more and more readers, and we are being linked to by a few popular eco-blogs. The problem is that I am only one person with limited time to research all the great green companies and products out there. This is where you come into the picture. If you know of a company that's doing great things for the environment, let me know about them by leaving comments. Or, if interested, I'm always willing to have guest authors on the blog. If green writing tickles your fancy, leave a comment, and I'll get back to you shortly.

Your partner in green,
Evan

Adorable Organic Threads for Infants

Kee-Ka offers 100% organic cotton outfits and blankets for infants. These little treasures are perfect to give as gifts at a baby shower, or to give your own infant to make him or her the talk of the eco-town. What better way to get the new baby in your family started on a green way of life? Check them out at:

http://www.kee-ka.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc

Target Goes Organic

In a move to better please the green crowd, Target and Super Target stores will start carrying organic products. Archer Farms organic foods will be the main brand carrying Target into the world of eco-friendliness! You can read about the move and sign up for the LOHAS weekly newsletter at:

http://lohas.datajoe.com/app/ecom/pub_article_details.php?id=83267

Honda Goes for the Green

Honda has been making significant strides in the alternative fuel industry. I discovered their 2005 North American Environmental Report, and while it is rather lengthy, it is worth a moment of your time. The report goes into what Honda has done with its operations to improve the environment as well as what it will do in the future. The report even explains the technology behind converting solar energy into hydrogen. Can you imagine how different the environment would be if every company created and fulfilled its environmental goals? Download the report here:

http://corporate.honda.com/environment/report.aspx?id=2005

Stop Junk Mail, Start Planting Trees!

Joel Makower's blog, two steps forward, highlights a company called greendimes. For 10 cents a day, or $3 a month, greendimes will see to it that your name is not on any junk mail lists. With your $3 a month, greendimes will also plant one tree a month. The idea is to replace trees wasted by junk mailers. It is a novel idea, and I am more than excited to sign up. You can sign up too at:

http://www.greendimes.com/index.html

Minding Our Pocketbooks

After getting to work this morning, I read on the elevator billboard that searches for hybrid cars have decreased by 80% on Yahoo since last March. This is most likely due to decreasing oil prices. It is somewhat saddening to know that people are more concerned about saving cents per gallon than on finding a renewable and environmentally friendly alternative to oil. Fortunately, I believe the alternatives movement has significant momentum and is too far along to be stopped by declining prices at the pump. Share your thoughts on the issue by leaving a comment.

Not Satisfied With AAA?

Ideal Bite recommends the Better World Club, the only eco-friendly auto assistance program in the United States. It is a rather comprehensive company, providing travel assistance, insurance, bicycle assistance, and discounts on hybrid rentals. Better World Club is taking serious strides in making the travel business more environmentally friendly. Check them out and compare them to AAA at:

http://www.betterworldclub.com/

Global Warming Nearing Dangerous Levels

This article reaffirms my entire reasoning for setting up this blog. I want to give readers the names of businesses and the products they provide to make for a better consumer and environment.

This article published on MSNBC states that global temperatures are the highest they have been in a million years. It goes on to state that we are getting close to dangerous levels of man-made pollution. Be sure to let me know what you think by leaving comments!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15003895/