Plenty Magazine

We’re big fans of Plenty Magazine (and not just because the AusPen markers will be in their issue coming out in July, although that certainly makes us bigger fans) but this publication does a great job of informing and entertaining for the “green” sector. It’s a very well designed magazine from cover-to-cover. I just put down their latest issue and it was well worth the time invested.

If you see it on the newsstand, pick a copy up, or check out their website here

Surrey Schools Getting Greener

We wanted to acknowledge the Surrey School District (Surrey, BC, Canada), as several of their schools have taken a keen interest in making an “eco”-difference in their schools and local communities. This spring, these schools have been introducing our AusPen eco-friendly markers into the classrooms and so far, by our count of the orders placed, the Surrey School District has pulled over 800 pounds of non-biodegradable waste out of local landfills…and that’s just the start, as they move into next term and start to order refill inks for those markers already ordered, the number will just keep rising.

And there is also the fact every one of those classrooms now using an AusPen marker is a better environment for the children and teachers, as our non-toxic ink reduces the overall toxicity level.

And wait, they’ve also saved thousands of dollars on their whiteboard marker costs, which is money that can go to other needs in their schools.

Not to mention all the benefits the kids receive by watching their teachers actually practicing sustainability and eco-friendly modeling, by refilling a recyclable marker – one that never goes in the garbage bin.

Thanks to those schools from us, and parents I’m sure will be thankful as well, and the City of Surrey, that now doesn’t have to deal with close to half a ton of waste that will sit in their landfill forever.

Dell Computers Reacts To Blog Bashing

According to Sustainablelifemedia.com, Dell Computers has reacted to a bashing by bloggers related to the excess waste in their packaging practices. This is what was written about the situation:

Dell has responded to a barrage of blogger complaints by pledging to work with its vendors on designing more resource-efficient product packaging.

The company was hit with an Earth Day pileup from blogs including Consumerist, Gizmodo, and Y2Kers, whose writers slammed the company for shipping a tiny flash drive in an outsized cardboard box.

Writing on Dell’s official blog last week, Todd Dwyer, the company’s community liaison on environmental issues, said small items will be shipped in envelopes instead of boxes, effective immediately. Dell is working with the offending flash-drive supplier to improve packaging practices and will include “volumetric metrics on void space” in product packaging in its evaluation of all vendors moving forward, according to Dwyer.

“Happy Mother’s Day” Eco-Spa Treatment

Ask most Moms if they’d like 30-to-60 minutes of alone time, with serene music lilting through the air, a gentle touch on the back, shoulders and head mixed with warm oils…finished with a steam and time lounging in a warm robe…well, I guess that’s a rhetorical question.

Gifts for spa treatments have always been popular on Mother’s Day, as they should be. But if you are planning on sending Mom away for a couple of hours of bliss this year, have a look for eco-friendly options, which are becoming very popular in the industry.

An eco-friendly spa will have products that are chemical-free, that aren’t petroluem-based and have been produced in an environmentally-responsible way. They’ll serve organic wine, use organic bedding and adhere to stringent recycling principles. Their entire operation will be as “green” as possible.

Eco-focused spa experiences are relatively easy to find these days, even if you don’t live near a major center.

So if you’re thinking of a spa for Mom, still think green.

Speaking To Parents

We had a great day and half at the BCCPAC conference held in Richmond on May 1st and 2nd. We spoke with many parents representing their PACs from around BC and about the issues that are important to them in their children’s schools. It was great to get so much feedback on our AusPen markers, several of whom were already familiar with them, as their schools have converted to them from the disposable markers.

Tight budgets, fund-raising, classroom environments and ecological issues were all topics of conversation. The fact the AusPen markers are non-toxic, which reduces the toxicity level of classrooms, was of significant interest.

Thakns to all the parents for stopping by our table. We hope to see you again soon.

The EcoSmart Products team.  

Thinking Green For Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is on the horizon and in our house we’ve started to think about a few eco-friendly ways to celebrate. Something we’ve been talking about is visiting the local outdoor market, which are getting going now that spring is here, and putting together a special Mother’s Day dinner with all locally grown, organic items.

At our local “farmer’s” market, it’s possible to get produce, meat, cheese, eggs, etc. And grab your flowers there as well.

Think seasonal, think local.

We’ll add a few more ideas as Mother’s Day approaches.