A Billion Acts of Green
February 28, 2011
Earth Day organizers are striving to get one billion acts of green for Earth Day 2011 (April 22). That’s a big number…but does it really mean anything?
I think it does. One of the most important acts of green that we can do at this stage of eco-evolution is engaging in conversations. Conversations create momentum, energy, synergy; they spread ideas, resources, lessons learned, creative ideas, challenges…you get the picture. So I see initiatives like A Billion Acts of Green as a conversation. Ok, it’s a conversation in which everyone is talking at once… I didn’t say it was good communication.
I just added my voice to the conversation and pledged my act of green to use AusPen eco-friendly markers. Then I browsed through the other ideas under the section of Green Schools and Education.
When I really think about it, a product like AusPen eco-friendly markers is a conversation. Consider the conversations you’ve had with administrators, colleagues, students, or family members that have been sparked by this one sustainable product. We’d love to hear what type of conversations have come out of your use of AusPen markers. Let us in on the conversation at info@ecosmartworld.com
And don’t forget to log your act of green at: http://act.earthday.org/
How to replace AusPen marker nibs
February 23, 2011
One of the features of AusPen eco-friendly markers is that the nibs are reinforced for durability, and they are double-sided for double the life. When the nib wears down, you can reverse it, and/or replace it with a new one. Every AusPen marker is compatible with either bullet or chisel nibs.
Here are the simple steps for reversing or replacing your AusPen marker nib: 
- Unscrew the neck of the barrel
- Take the parts apart, as in the illustration
- Reverse the nib (or use a new nib) and insert into the nib holder
- Replace the nib holder into the housing
- Re-screw the housing into the neck of the barrel firmly
Now get back to work!
Always take care when handling ink. The ink will wash off hands easily, but not off of fabrics.
Lower Prices for AusPen Eco-Friendly Markers
February 21, 2011
New! AusPen Eco-Friendly Markers has lowered its prices!
With new, more competitive prices, AusPen eco-friendly markers is helping whole schools and departments make the switch to non-toxic, refillable and recyclable markers!
Now available at a per-marker price comparable to disposable dry-erase markers like Expo brand, AusPen markers will save your school or workplace even more money. Refilling your markers means no more marker waste…and no more purchase of markers, adding up to incredible savings.
Take a look at our new prices for AusPen dry-erase markers:
Now: $49.95
(was $69.95)
The AusPen kit gives you 6 markers and their inks, an equivalent of about 246 disposable markers!
AusPen 12-pack of markers
NOW: $17.95
(was: $59.95)
AusPen 6-pack of markers
A Special Message…
February 14, 2011
The Last Lecture and AusPen Markers
February 9, 2011
Like many of you, I read “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch - the final words of wisdom from a professor, and father of 3 young children, dieing of pancreatic cancer. The lecture was entitled, “Achieving Your Childhood Dreams”.
One of his pieces of advice to parents was to let children draw on their walls, to let them express their creativity. His parents gave him carte blanche to paint on his bedroom walls, and that act of freedom left an indelible mark on him…and his walls.
Not sold on letting your children draw on their walls?
Here’s a cute video of a boy trying out his new whiteboard wall, made of whiteboard paint, and AusPen eco-friendly markers. Whiteboard paint – like Idea Paint - is a great alternative to a whiteboard – no dumping of the whiteboard in the landfill when it’s done, and the canvas can be as large as you paint it . Watch the joy of this boy as he learns that it’s ok to write on his walls! I love how he starts small with a tentative little “hi”, then quickly moves on to arm-sweeping squiggles!
Watch the video here: AusPen Markers and Whiteboard Paint
A Green Valentine’s Day Tip
February 7, 2011
As Valentine’s Day approaches, consider the path of destruction in the name of love: flowers flown in from different countries, chocolates wrapped in celophane, cards made from virgin paper stocks, diamonds from regions of conflict… and then there’s the new kid on the block: 75 million pounds of PVC plastic (per year) due to gift card waste.*
At EcoSmart Products, we are proud that our AusPen eco-friendly markers are not made with PVC plastic (a..k.a. ‘the poison plastic’), the way most disposable markers are.
So this year, our big green Valentine’s Day tip is to replace a plastic gift card with a gift e-card. Many companies offer these virtual gift cards from their websites. Alternatively, if you have any gift cards that you’ve already used from the holidays, you can just pay to have them re-loaded and re-gifted, so to speak.
Love is all you really need. But if you are treating your sweetheart this Valentine’s day, the simple act of buying an e-card or going to the store together will send less PVC plastic to the landfill.
Have a great green Valentine’s Day!
*This stat brought to us by Plenty Magazine.
How to refill AusPen refillable markers
February 3, 2011
It’s an easy process to top up your AusPen eco-friendly markers. Here is a step by step guide to keep your AusPen marker going:
1. Unscrew the neck of the barrel using the specially designed AusPen tool supplied inside the AusPen carrycase.
2. Auspen Markers are individually wax sealed to ensure they are airlocked. This may result in initial tightness of the neck. Subsequent openings are easier.
3. Remove only the head and nib of pen, insert 10 to 12 drops to keep the pen topped up, or up to 25-30 drops for a full refill only of AusPen ink into the felt inside the barrel.
4. Replace neck of the barrel firmly.Note: It is important to refill marker before it completely dries out.The use of a tissue or rag is recommended, but ink will wash easily off your hands.
February’s AusPen Giveaway Draw
February 3, 2011
AusPen Giveaways
Where it pays to go green
Welcome to EcoSmart’s giveaway program where your “Green” stories can get you great free eco-friendly products. Each month we choose a theme, welcome your input, and have an AusPen draw, ranging each month from AusPen starter kits, to marker packs to accessories.
February Theme: Green Things You Really, Really Like
A mom friend of mine taught her children to never say that they ‘love’ anything, that love is reserved for people and not material things. I admired that lesson she was teaching her girls, who, like so many of us, were surrounded by beautiful things.
But certainly we can really, really like things… so our theme for February’s AusPen Giveaway Draw is: green things you really, really (just this side of love) like. We are interested in hearing about your eco finds, and also what you may love about your AusPen eco-friendly markers. Share your thoughts at info@ecosmartworld.com. (You will be automatically entered into a draw for AusPen giveaways!)
Please note some portion of your submission may be used by EcoSmart Products in promotional material.
The 7 biggest snowstorms of all time
February 2, 2011
Photo credit: Mark Z/Flickr
It’s all anyone in my corner of the earth can talk about! The snow! The storm! It’s snowpocalypse!
For those of you buried at home under the snow, and especially for those of you who are being spared, I’m sharing this slideshow of the 7 biggest snowstorms of all time, compiled by Mother Nature Network:
Stay warm!
How to Save Paper and Go Green at School: 3 Easy Tips to Re-Think Paper
February 1, 2011
Paper is one of the leading causes of waste in our schools, despite all of our recycling activities. The United States uses an incredible 100 million tons of paper product a year, and much of the paper that we put into recycling bins is not making it into the new paper that we’re buying, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Since 2011 is the United Nation’s International Year of Forests, it’s time to re-think the way we use paper in our schools, look into new green school supplies, and help our schools take practical steps to save paper and go green.
These 3 tips will help reduce paper usage at school and tell your staff, teachers, students and parents that your school is working to save our forests.
- 1. Use individual whiteboard slates for students at their desks. This enables students to work out math problems, hold up their individual answers, and have scrap paper, without the paper. While this strategy effectively saves paper, uncapping 20+ dry-erase markers can create a toxic soup in a poorly ventilated classroom, not to mention the excessive waste of disposable plastic markers. An ultra low-odor, non-toxic dry-erase marker like AusPen eco-friendly markers will keep noxious fumes out of the room. As an added bonus, AusPen markers are made from recycled materials and are refillable, for a waste-free marker. Look for AusPen markers at: http://www.ecosmartworld.com
2. Look into paper products with recycled content, or alternative products made from non-tree sources. Exciting earth friendly alternatives for paper are hitting the market in a big way, using fiber from plants such as hemp, bamboo, banana and kenaf. There is even paper made from crushed stone. National Geographic’s latest Green Guide demystifies the labels, certifications and what to look for in paper products, and gives alternatives to regular paper. The paper buying guide can be found at: http://www.environment.nationalgeographic.com
3. Conduct a simple paper waste audit to find out what is being thrown out, and from where. If you know what gives rise to the most paper waste, you can make a plan (with numeric goals) for reducing and recycling, or looking for more sustainable products. Many initiatives can arise from seeing how much paper waste is generated, such as creating a GOOS (good on one side) system for collecting scrap paper, signs for the photocopy room saying ‘Do you really need to print that?’, technology such as SMART Boards in the classroom, or programs like an exam booklet swap.
Whether it’s through the use of individual whiteboards, alternative paper products or technology, or whether it’s by creating programs to reinforce a paper-aware school culture, every step towards reducing the paper trail is a step in the right direction.
