Crafy Recycling At Ecologue

I admit I do this too.. keep your cell phone charger in the plug. Did you know that this is one way you are using needless energy? Appliances on stand-by can consume up to 20% of your electricity. In a study by Environmental Energy Technologies Division of the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory:

Miscellaneous electricity use now accounts for about one-fifth of all electricity used in U.S. homes, and it’s growing quickly,” says Marla Sanchez, lead author of the study. Miscellaneous uses are becoming relatively more important because some of the conventional uses of energy have become much more efficient (due to EPA and DOE’s voluntary ENERGY STAR Programs, efficiency standards, and other policies) and because people are buying more energy-using appliances that fall into the miscellaneous category.

Ecologue is a site that’s very concerned about these miscellaneous energy uses and wants to do something about it. “Ecologue is dedicated to enabling and inspiring healthy, practical, eco-friendly changes to homes, gardens and everyday life.  With hundreds of videos, articles and practical tips, Ecologue.com helps the new-to-green consumer make easy, everyday changes.  Visitors to the site can learn to save money with home efficiency upgrades, keep a greener lawn, shop for healthier foods, select stylish eco-friendly home designs and more”.

It’s the sister site of HGTV which addresses the concerns its viewers had. I really like the site’s design and seems to have a wealth of information for the concerned consumer. Check them out and tell them that Jolly Green Girl sent you there.

While browsing through Flickr for some inspiration; I came across Eco Lofts. If you live in Atlanta area and are looking for a stylish Eco abode to call home; I think you found it here. Although it’s located in what you would call suburb of Atlanta, these Eco-conscious condos are starting at less than $200,000 for two bedroom loft. Unheard of in places like New York City or Miami, and you will also get southern hospitality which I have always been a fan of.

Atlanta is an up and coming city. It’s great that they are trying to go green too. These lofts are powered by renewable wind energy that’s clean and very green. Kudos to Eco loft for promoting alternative energy source. I LOVE the modern amenities and love that you don’t have to sacrifice style to be more green.

Seeking a change from the mundane? Consider the high brow furniture from Green Tea Design that’s stylishly green and epitome of modern zen. Taking reclaimed wood from Asian countries like Japan, China, and Korea; they recreate modern and functional pieces that recycles old materials.

Although it’s heavily Asian influenced; many of their pieces are also a perfect fit for modern and minimalist homes. I am totally loving their display bookcase pictured above. According to their website, “green is not just part of our name but part of our philosophy. All of our furniture is constructed using resalvaged hard woods like Elm and Ginkgo.” Love their philosophy as well as their design aesthetics.

Green Tea Design also offers custom cabinetry from salvaged wood. Their one of kind design is sure to please even the creme de la creme of design enthusiasts. Although it’s pricier option; these furnitures are heirloom quality that you will keep for generations; which means less junk in the landfills too. Jolly Green Girl is totally loving this company. Mix it up with some Salvation Army finds and say good-bye to MDF forever.

Throw out your Ajax and say hello to Le Scrub Cleaner from Method. Method is a perennial favorite here at Jolly Green Girl household. I covered it here and here. The Eco-friendly company created serendipitiously by a college project has been cleaning people’s home naturally and toxic-free. I love its wide availability and affordability. According to the People Against Dirty Blog (written by the Method People)

Lil’ Bowl Blu’s partner in the fight against dirty, Le Scrub, rounds out our yummy eucalyptus mint-smelling spa bathroom collection.  It uses milled marble as a natural abrasive and purified clay and xanthum gum as thickeners, and it’s safe on ceramic tile, grout, stainless steel, and formica.  Use it when you need a bit of muscle for tough stains, soap scum and grime.

We use this le scrub anytime we need that extra muscle to get anything clean. That includes kitchen counter and bathroom tiles. It smells so divine; doesn’t even feel like cleaning, but rather like a nice aromatherapy. Can you say that about your Ajax? Seriously, it’s no wonder Method is a up and comer in the Eco world. It gets the job done AND it’s green to boot. Great for Child(ren) and Pet-friendly homes due to its non-toxic ingredients but great for singles because it gets your place clean for some good old lovin.

I could sing rapturous praises about Flor forever. Which I did on my blog. You can read my love affair with these eco-friendly tiles, Flor Flor, How Do I love Thee; Let Me Count the Ways.

Changes are here over here at Jolly Green Girl. We will be covering everything from Eco-fashion to Eco-abode. This is your one stop destination for stylish green living. You can start with Flor. The Eco-friendly and affordable option in floor coverings. With modern designs and whimsical pairings like with designers such as Alexander Girard. Flor is one of Jolly Green Girl’s jollylicious finds.

Let me rewax the poetics on why Flor is Eco-friendly and Green

•  FLOR modular carpet squares are designed with the end in mind. They are beautiful, functional and recyclable. Flor uses recycled and renewable raw materials as much as possible. 
• Because FLOR is modular, it is a flexible, livable and scalable flooring solution that naturally lends itself to less trimming waste while suiting any space
• All FLOR carpet squares are designed to be taken apart so face fibers and backing can be recycled and made into new FLOR product. Through their R&R Program (return & recycle) Flor pays to have your old FLOR returned to them so Flor can recycle it into new FLOR and prevent any FLOR from going to landfills.

Kudos to Flor for being being uber stylish, green, and affordable.