The holidays have arrived… already. Ugh! What’s a green shopper supposed to give in this consumption driven, throwaway crazy world. Especially when all those new electronic gadgets seem to have a built-in one month obsoletion date. And, they are fast becoming the biggest hazardous waste recycling nightmare on the planet. Welllll, how about plants? After all, plants are literally as well as figuratively green. Plants also give back to both their caregiver and the planet by helping to clear the air we breathe. Some are even edible. And, all of them are completely recyclable too—think compost. Now I’m not saying you should run out to the local nursery and plunk down your hard-earned cash on just any old plant, especially not poinsettias or some other seasonal flora that is positively guaranteed to start dying as soon as you bring it home… I’m thinking gift certificates here. You know, the one-size fits all present that is also easy to wrap in a simple envelope, no need to buy any of that non-recyclable gift wrap and spend hours fussing with boxes, tape, ribbons and bows... unless you really want to. More...

Choosing an Environmentally Friendly Computer

When Apple debuted its famous “1984” Super Bowl commercial, the personal computer immediately became a statement of personal values, just as the Prius is today. But while most Portlanders wouldn’t be caught dead in a Hummer, they probably don’t know that their PC can be pretty “un-P.C.” if you’re into sustainable living. More...

The hazardous cleaning products that may be in your cabinets are also in the air — and they may release toxins long after you’ve finished scrubbing. Before your next cleaning spree look for natural cleaners and avoid products with labels reading “danger”, “warning”, or “caution”. Non-toxic brands Method and Seventh Generation are widely available. It’s also easy to make your own effective cleaners with ingredients like white vinegar, peroxide, and baking soda, and best of all you can scent them to your liking. More...