Buy organic
Conventionally grown cotton is responsible for as much as 10% of pesticide use in the world and up to 25% of insecticide use annually, according to Grist. The chemicals can impact workers and leach into the groundwater. Because the United States produces more cotton than all countries except China, much of this is on our soil.

Next, ask about the processing method for cotton, wool, and other fabrics. Look for those that use natural dyes and avoid chlorine bleaching. Organic Consumers estimates that 1/3lb of chemicals are used in the production of a cotton T-shirt, so buying secondhand comes second to buying a product that avoids the conventional cycle.
 
Image: CreativeCommons/Cosmic Kitty More...

SpielWerk Toys Online Coupon (free!)
Good through January 15th, save $10 off $50 or $15 off $100 or more at SpielWerk Toys (7956 SE 13th Ave). Click here to download the PDF.

My Dad Recycles More Than Your Dad T-Shirt ($24)
Printed on organic cotton with water based inks, Little Green Stars clothes are sweet and sassy. Our favorites are the "My Dad Recycles More than Your Dad" t-shirt and "My Other Ride is a Hybrid" onesie with a stroller image. Available online. More...

World Forestry Center Discover Museum’s Wolf to Woof: The Story of Dogs
Join us as we sniff out the facts on what makes the human and dog relationship so unique.
October 7 Senior Day discounted admission and activities
Through January
* View the coupon

Sustainable Industries Economic Forums
In a stormy and unprecedented economic climate, businesses large and small are pursuing economic advantage through ambitious environmental innovation and social responsibility. We are proud to have Karl-Henrik Robert of the Natural Step as our keynote, along with Mayor Sam Adams as one of our guests.
October 14, 7-10am

Portland Open Studios
Watch artists at work. Portland Open Studios invites you to visit 98 individual artists’ studios throughout the Portland metro area. You will see a diverse group of artists working in their chosen media—painting, sculpting, blowing glass and much more.
October 11-12, 18-19 10am-5pm

ECO-SICKO Film Series
The Northwest Film Center presents the film series ECO-SICKO that reflects wonderment about what or who our environment really is and considers the factors that shape the world we live in. ECO-SICKO is an effort to establish the terms of a filmic enviro-awareness that is both fantasy-friendly and eyes-wide-open committed.
October, many dates

The MAiZE at the Pumpkin Patch
The MAiZE at the Pumpkin Patch is happily donating 50% of our proceeds to The Leukemia Lymphoma Society on Thursday, October 9th from 5pm to 10pm. Haunted Field of Screams is open Friday-Sunday, 6:30 to 10pm. $5-$10
Closes October 31
The Pumpkin Patch, Sauvie Island

Fall Colors at the Portland Japanese Garden
October 18-Nov 2, The Chrysanthemum Festival
October 18, Tea Ceremony Demonstrations, 1 & 2pm
November 11th, Free Admission to the garden!
* View the coupon

Family Fun on the Farm at Draper Girls Country Farm
Bring the family out to the farm. September brings our biggest selection of fruit for picking. We have peaches, nectarines, plums, pears, raspberries, and many kinds of apples. Enjoy our fresh, non-pasteurized apple cider as you walk around the farm and visit the animals.
Through October 25

Last Month of Summer Hours at Portland Classical Chinese Garden
October 25th & 26 Autumn Plant Sale for Chinese plants and Edible Plants of the Chinese Garden with Fruit Sampling.
*View the coupon

October Events at the Portland Farmers Market
October 25th, The Great Pumpkin Event, with carving contest and parade
S.W. Park Blocks
* View the coupon

Go: River City Bicycles Free Maintenance Classes
- 1st Wednesday:     Fixing Flats
- 2nd Wednesday:    Brake & Derailleur Adjustments
- 3rd Wednesday:     Fixing Flats
- 4th Wednesday:     Shifting & Riding Techniques
- 5th Wednesdays (when applicable) Open Forum
Weekly on Wednesdays, starting at 5:30
River City Bicycles, 706 SE MLK Blvd.

Live: PDX Clothing Swaps
So, what is PDXSwap, anyway? Well, we're a group of women in the Portland Metro area who get together on a regular basis for a clothing swap! If you've ever been to a clothing swap (or even a thrift store), you know what a pain it is to sift through racks and piles of clothes, hunting desperately for your size. By concentrating on one segment of clothing sizes in each swap group, we're able to have a fun, easy time of just swapping clothes (and shoes, and belts, and mittens...). Kids swaps too!
Throughout the month, locations differ.
Sign up for your size group at pdxswap.com More...

We're on Facebook and have a Twitter, which Huffington Post named one of the Best Green Twitter Feeds! Be our fan or follower for updates, events, and new online coupons.

Food: Northwest Chocolate Festival
The Northwest Chocolate Festival is a Benefit Event with proceeds benefiting regional farmers and farmers in cocoa regions from around the world including Oregon Tilth and Sustainable Harvest International. In the Northwest Chocolate Festival Education Center we will be bringing top educators in the culinary, history, and health of chocolate. We will be offering tasting, spa classes, culinary workshops & demonstrations, and seminars on trade and farming practices. Come learn how to make a chocolate martini! $20 for both days.
September 12-14
Ecotrust and Jean Vollum Natural Capital Center, 721 NW 9th Ave

Play: Scrap Iron Artist Competition
This high-energy celebration of creative reuse is a large-scale sculpt-off competition involving teams of local artists, rowdy referees, celebrity judges, live music, kid’s activities, merriment and mayhem. Teams have three hours to complete a sculpture using only the materials and theme provided. Over the years, Iron Artist has become one of the most beloved events in the Portland metro area
with incredible support from the community. Iron Artist is an event that challenges the creative community while raising money for one of Portland’s most unique and well-respected environmental arts organizations. SCRAP combines three of Portland’s passions – sustainability, waste reduction and creativity.
September 13, 11am-7pm
SE 2nd at Main and Salmon

Go:  Kidical Mass
WHO: Trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, tandems, oh my! Kids, Parents, and any Kids at Heart
WHAT: We’ll ride legal, safe, and hoot it up. Honk if you know a kid.
WHY: To celebrate the fact that Kids are Traffic Too. For family fun on vehicles that don’t hurt the future! Another excuse to pedal with your family. Last month's rides were hugely successful to the degree that all rides reported much fun by all. Thanks for your support and participation, and hey, let's keep it up! Neighborhood leaders are needed, email angela@bta4bikes.org. The Downtown ride will once again start at the playground at the North Park Blocks. We will meet on the *south* side of the playground, closest to NW Couch, between 8th and 9th. Plan to arrive for bike decorating at 6pm, safety talk and ride orientation at 6:15 and the ride will leave promptly at 6:30.
September 19, 6pm
Rides and potlucks in each quadrant, see BTA for up to date meeting information.

Go: BTA Bike Commute Challenge and Drink a Pint Benefit
There's still time to join the Bike Commute Challenge as an individual or work team. Challenge us (under EcoMetro) or a friend, log your miles, and take advantage of discounts and incentives. This year the website is the flashiest, most engaging yet. The Bike Commute Challenge is a friendly competition — workplace against workplace — to see who can get more people biking to work in September. Any business, non-profit or public agency is eligible to participate — and individual cyclists can also participate on their own.
Challenge: All of September
Drink a Pint Benefit: September 22, 5pm to close
McMenamins Market Street Pub, 1526 SW 10th Ave

Food: Zeneger Farm "Writing our Bellies Full"
Join Zenger this fall for a food writing workshop, “Writing our Bellies Full,” taught by local creative writer and food lover, Becca Deysach. Becca will lead food-inspired writing activities as we share good food, explore the farm fields and wetlands of Zenger, and share our food stories in an intimate group setting. There is only room for 12 participants and space is filling fast. The cost for the 6-week course is $125. Open farm tours are every Friday 4-5, $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Thursdays 7-9, September 25-October 30
Zeneger Farm, 11741 SE Foster Road

Go: River City Bicycles Free Maintenance Classes
- 1st Wednesday:     Fixing Flats
- 2nd Wednesday:    Brake & Derailleur Adjustments
- 3rd Wednesday:     Fixing Flats
- 4th Wednesday:     Shifting & Riding Techniques
- 5th Wednesdays (when applicable) Open Forum
Weekly on Wednesdays, starting at 5:30
River City Bicycles, 706 SE MLK Blvd.

Live: PDX Clothing Swaps
So, what is PDXSwap, anyway? Well, we're a group of women in the Portland Metro area who get together on a regular basis for a clothing swap! If you've ever been to a clothing swap (or even a thrift store), you know what a pain it is to sift through racks and piles of clothes, hunting desperately for your size. By concentrating on one segment of clothing sizes in each swap group, we're able to have a fun, easy time of just swapping clothes (and shoes, and belts, and mittens...). Kids swaps too!
Throughout the month, locations differ.
Sign up for your size group at pdxswap.com More...

The number of BIC® pens that I pitched into the trash in college was regrettable, but it’s never too late to learn. What better lesson can be taught in school than how to practice living sustainably?  If you are a student yourself, or have kids starting off their school year, check out some of these eco-friendly supplies. There’s some really great stuff out there, beyond just recycled pens, pencils and paper. Did you know they made highlighters with over 70% real post-consumer plastic from old CDs and cell phones? More...

Last week on Craft Thursday we profiled the local non-profit Trillium Artisans. This week we're looking at an international group that unifies crafters by family (ok, city), the Craft Mafia. Originating in Austin, TX, the reign of craft has spread to cities small and large, including Portland. EcoMetro cities Berkeley/Oakland and Seattle are suspiciously absent, though St Paul has a familia. Join the current family and climb the ranks of craft associates and bosses.  More...

EcoMetro Green Events

Go:  Kidical Mass
WHO: Trailers, trail-a-bikes, Xtracycles, tandems, oh my! Kids, Parents, and any Kids at Heart
WHAT: We'll ride legal, safe, and hoot it up. Honk if you know a kid.
WHY: To celebrate the fact that Kids are Traffic Too. For family fun on vehicles that don't hurt the future! Another excuse to pedal with your family. Check site for additional dates and tips.
August 15th, 6pm
Rides and potlucks in each quadrant, see BTA for up to date meeting information.

Play: Summer Artisans Fair
Our focus is grounded in Cooperative concepts. For the artists, by the artists! We are a community of local crafters, artisans and artists who focus on promoting unique handcrafted items which you can purchase directly from their creators.
August 19th and 20th, 8am-3pm
Montgomery Park, 2701 NW Vaughn St

Live: Sony Electronics Take Back Recycling Event
Sony Electronics Inc. and Waste Management Recycle America (WM) invite the public to drop off any brand of used or outdated electronics for proper recycling at the Portland Metropolitan Expo Center on Aug. 23 for free. As part of their ongoing efforts to help consumers recycle electronic devices safely, Sony and WM are picking up the tab for this event, at which old electronics will be properly collected and recycled. The first 2,000 participants to drop off their unwanted electronics will receive a free eco-friendly cloth tote bag. View year round battery and e-waste drop centers.
August 23, 9am-3pm
Portland Expo Center, 2060 N. Marine Drive

Go: Bike Gallery Wine Ride-Stoller Vineyards
This fully supported ride and catered lunch is hosted at award-winning Stoller Vineyards. Space is limited so register early. A benefit for the Children's Heart Foundation. More info: Email wineride@bikegallery.com or call 503.636.1600. More in September.
August 24

Play: Riverfest
Riverfest offers a family-friendly chance to come down by the riverside, get out on the water, take river tours, enjoy live music, learn ï¬ rst-hand about the river's history and environment, clean-up the riverbank, and view river spectacles.
August 28-September 7

Play: Muddy Boot Festival
The Muddy Boot Organic Festival features: Workshops and exhibits on sustainable living, local and healthy organic foods and beverages, organic beer and wine, kids' activities and entertainment, musical entertainment. Buy tickets online for keynote address, $15. Festival is $5, kids under 12 free.
September 6th-7th
St. Philip Neri Church, 2408 SE 16th Ave

Go: River City Rubber to the Road Featured Ride
Each month, we'll feature a ride from Rubber to the Road, an RCB original two-volume guide to 60 rides around the Portland area. Sales of the books benefit the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and the Community Cycling Center, so stop by River City and pick up your copy today.
This month: Happy Valley

Live: PDX Clothing Swaps
So, what is PDXSwap, anyway? Well, we're a group of women in the Portland Metro area who get together on a regular basis for a clothing swap! If you've ever been to a clothing swap (or even a thrift store), you know what a pain it is to sift through racks and piles of clothes, hunting desperately for your size. By concentrating on one segment of clothing sizes in each swap group, we're able to have a fun, easy time of just swapping clothes (and shoes, and belts, and mittens...). Kids swaps too!
Throughout the month, locations differ.
Sign up for your size group at pdxswap.com More...

PDX Clothing Swaps
So, what is PDXSwap, anyway? Well, we're a group of women in the Portland Metro area who get together on a regular basis for a clothing swap! If you've ever been to a clothing swap (or even a thrift store), you know what a pain it is to sift through racks and piles of clothes, hunting desperately for your size. By concentrating on one segment of clothing sizes in each swap group, we're able to have a fun, easy time of just swapping clothes (and shoes, and belts, and mittens...). Kids swaps too!
Sign up for your size at pdxswap.com More...

EcoMetro Green Events, July 10-13

Celebrate Portland’s Renewable Fuel Standard!
Join City Commissioner Randy Leonard and other Industry Partners to celebrate the first anniversary of Portland’s Renewable Fuel Standard, a law requiring minimum blends of 5% biodiesel in diesel fuel and 10% ethanol in gasoline for all on-road motor vehicle fuel sold for use within the city limits, making Portland the first city in the US to adopt a local Renewable Fuel Standard.
July 10, 10am
Jay’s Garage, 734 SE 7th Ave

The Story Behind City Repair: Free Brown Bag Lunch
Mark Lakeman, the co-founder of City Repair, will be sharing with us the City Repair story.  By reclaiming urban spaces to create community-oriented places, they plant the seeds for greater neighborhood communication, empower our communities and nurture our local culture.
July 11, 12pm-1pm
Ecotrust, 721 NW 9th Ave

Much much more... More...

I recently picked up a small flyer in Milagro's Boutique, advertising a new Web site, Enviromom: "Making green lifestyle changes doesn't have to be overwhelming. Take baby steps with other Portland EnviroMoms!" Now of course I would like to encourage DADS to visit the site and learn baby steps too, but aside from that, what a great idea! More...