You’ve undoubtedly seen Patagonia apparel and outdoor gear. But do you know about the company’s commitment to the environment?
Patagonia models corporate responsibility when comes to environmentalism. Patagonia uses organic cotton, recycled plastic bottles for their fleece jackets, and old clothes for materials for their new garments.
“Our definition of quality includes a mandate for building products and working with processes that cause the least harm to the environment,” states the Patagonia website.
Patagonia goes above and beyond just making eco-friendly products. The corporate culture revolves around the environment.
Employees are able to take two months off with pay to assist an environmental group of their choice. To date, 750 employees have done so. Patagonia also co-founded The Conservation Alliance in 1989 to help the industry donate more money to environmental causes. Patagonia also gives 1% of their sales to charity. They have given more than $38 million to more than 1,000 organizations. These are just a few of the major efforts Patagonia makes in running a green corporation.
We believe eco-friendly shoppers would like to support a dedicated company like Patagonia. You can purchase their products at their website (http://www.patagonia.com) or at Patagonia retail stores throughout the country.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Paper or Plastic? What's the Eco-Friendly Choice?
“Paper or plastic?” You’re asked that question nearly every time you go to the grocery store.
Most people assume that paper bags are better for the environment. After all, paper can be recycled and it’s biodegradable. Paper just sounds a lot more natural than plastic. But, that doesn’t make it a green choice. Over 14 million trees are cut down each year to produce paper bags. Paper bags also produce 70% more air pollution and 50% more water pollution than plastic bags do.
Plastic bags are much more popular, with about 80% of grocery store bags being plastic. This is because they are cheaper to make. Plastic bags aren’t the green choice either. Over 12 million barrels of oil are used each year to make them. Four billion plastic bags end up as litter annually.
So what’s the better choice? The best alternative is neither paper nor plastic. Purchase and use a reusable cloth or canvas bag. Many grocery stores now offer discounts to people that bring their own bags, so it may save you some green too!
Most people assume that paper bags are better for the environment. After all, paper can be recycled and it’s biodegradable. Paper just sounds a lot more natural than plastic. But, that doesn’t make it a green choice. Over 14 million trees are cut down each year to produce paper bags. Paper bags also produce 70% more air pollution and 50% more water pollution than plastic bags do.
Plastic bags are much more popular, with about 80% of grocery store bags being plastic. This is because they are cheaper to make. Plastic bags aren’t the green choice either. Over 12 million barrels of oil are used each year to make them. Four billion plastic bags end up as litter annually.
So what’s the better choice? The best alternative is neither paper nor plastic. Purchase and use a reusable cloth or canvas bag. Many grocery stores now offer discounts to people that bring their own bags, so it may save you some green too!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Debit or Credit When Shopping Online?
Should you use you debit card or your credit card when you make online purchases? Most experts recommend using a credit card since you have more protection.
Credit card purchases are protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If you want to dispute a charge on that you made, you can call your card issuer and request a charge back. They can legally withhold the payment from the retailer until the issue is resolved. For fraud, your liability is limited to $50, however Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover all offer zero liability.
Debit cards, on the other hand, are covered under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and have different rules. If you purchase with a debit card, odds are that the retailer all ready has your money. The bank doesn't have to credit you the disputed amount while they investigate. You'll be forced to deal with the retailer to try to work things out. For unauthorized transactions, if you notify the bank within two days your liability is limited to $50. It increases to $500 for 2 to 60 days, and is unlimited after that.
Credit card purchases are protected under the Fair Credit Billing Act. If you want to dispute a charge on that you made, you can call your card issuer and request a charge back. They can legally withhold the payment from the retailer until the issue is resolved. For fraud, your liability is limited to $50, however Visa, Master Card, American Express, and Discover all offer zero liability.
Debit cards, on the other hand, are covered under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and have different rules. If you purchase with a debit card, odds are that the retailer all ready has your money. The bank doesn't have to credit you the disputed amount while they investigate. You'll be forced to deal with the retailer to try to work things out. For unauthorized transactions, if you notify the bank within two days your liability is limited to $50. It increases to $500 for 2 to 60 days, and is unlimited after that.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Buying Light Bulbs
Replacing your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFLs) bulbs makes a lot of sense, both financially and environmentally. Each CFL bulb will save you about $30 over the life of the bulb. CFL light bulbs last 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs, use 2/3 less energy, and give off 70% less heat. Don’t make the mistake of waiting for your incandescent bulbs to burn out before replacing them. You’ll be wasting money and energy if you do.
Some people oppose CFLs since they contain mercury. They shouldn’t. Being concerned about mercury is good, but CFLs only contain a small amount of mercury. More mercury is actually created by using incandescent light bulbs since they use more electricity. The coal mining from producing the extra electricity actually created far more mercury than the amount in the CFL bulb. The CFL bulb is clearly the better green choice.
Some people oppose CFLs since they contain mercury. They shouldn’t. Being concerned about mercury is good, but CFLs only contain a small amount of mercury. More mercury is actually created by using incandescent light bulbs since they use more electricity. The coal mining from producing the extra electricity actually created far more mercury than the amount in the CFL bulb. The CFL bulb is clearly the better green choice.
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