Green Products Plus » Environmental Awareness

Mick Fanning and Rip Curl Go GREEN to support Enviroweek

admin — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:41:12 +0000

Rip Curl announced a few weeks ago that former ASP world champion, Mick Fanning would surf in a new green wetsuit during the Billabong Pro Mundaka, in an effort to raise eco-friendly awareness for Enviroweek & the Rip Curl Planet initiative. Fanning signed on as an Enviroweek ambassador this year, hoping to help spread their eco-message and raise funds for this year’s program. “In Australia Enviroweek runs from October 11 to 17 and is all about improving environmental awareness, encouraging behavior change and raising funds for environmental charities. People can sponsor my Enviroweek mission and make a donation at Enviroweek.org “When I joined forces with Enviroweek I spoke with Rip Curl about creating a green suit to wear at the Mundaka event to help get the message out there. They’d been developing on a new eco-friendly suit, so it worked out beautifully.” Rip Curl is Mick’s major sponsor and they also coordinates a host of eco-friendly initiatives under the slogan – Rip Curl Planet. The green Rip Curl wetsuit features a new neoprene that uses non-solvent glues in the lamination process, resulting in a major reduction of chemicals polluting the air.

Approximately 800 tonnes of solvents currently evaporate into the air because of current neoprene laminating processes, so this development will be a huge improvement for the environment and will also benefit worker health. “Wherever we can we are looking for ways to reduce any impact on the environment that our products may have,” said Mick Ray, Rip Curl Global Wetsuit Chairman. “The laminating process has always been a particulary toxic one so this initiative of using non-solvent based glues is going to be massive in terms of improving working conditions in the factories as well as reducing the amount of nasty pollutants in our air.”
Rip Curl also runs a “Project Resurrection” program that sees Rip Curl recycle used wetsuits and production offcuts for re-use in other products.

Rip Curl is currently using recycled wetsuits in the production of travel bags and footwear, but the list will continue to grow in 2010. You can read more information on Enviroweek can be found at http://www.enviroweek.org and get more insight on Mick Fanning at http://www.mickfanning.com.au.

Green Lending

admin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:44:38 +0000

Many mortgage brokers, loan officers and realtors are become a Green Lending Specialist, or a GLS. Green lending is a national designation program for a mortgage lending professional who has attended the comprehensive 2-day training, successfully passed two exams and adopted the principles set out in the Green Lending Specialist Code of Conduct. FHA has come out with several energy efficient home loans so homeowners can update their home with solar and energy efficient products that conserve energy and water.

Federal Agencies Cutting Greenhouse Emmissions by 2020

admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 06:15:27 +0000

In environmental news, a recent Reuters article reported that President Barack Obama ordered that federal agencies on Monday to set a goal within ninety days for cutting their greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. A White House spokesman said, aiming to “lead by example” to fight climate change and reverse global warming. The White House said in a statement that the new executive order, signed by the president, mandates agencies across the federal government to “measure, manage, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions toward agency-defined targets.”

Other environmental measures such as reducing petroleum use in vehicle fleets by 30 percent by 2020, improving efficiency for water usage by 2020, and increasing rates of recycling by 2015 were also included in the order. “The federal government can and should lead by example when it comes to creating innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally-responsible products and technologies,” Obama said in a statement.

Obama’s international credentials on fighting climate change have been called into question as chances dim that the Senate will pass a bill mandating emissions cuts across the United States economy by December, when U.N. talks on a global warming treaty take place in Copenhagen. The White House order may be intended to counter concerns about the president’s climate change commitment. The federal government is the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, the statement noted, occupying nearly 500,000 buildings and operating more than 600,000 vehicles. The order also calls on the government to “leverage federal purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies.” This original article was reported by Jeff Mason and Eric Walsh

CA Recyclers Offers Electronic Waste Disposal Solutions

admin — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:42:11 +0000

The good news is that more than ever before, Americans are starting to do their part recycling with plastic, aluminum and paper. What do you do with your old hardware? Let us help you dispose of it properly. We make sure your old hardware is recycled, and any sensitive data is destroyed. It’s good for the environment and us all.

CA Recyclers can help with any of your E-Waste disposal needs. They offer an environmentally friendly option when it comes to disposing of the electronic hardware you don’t need, want, or use. Learn more about how you can help our environment by calling

Coastal Commission Denies Santa Barbara County Beach Armoring

admin — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:18:33 +0000

“The Coastal Commission has sent a clear message to the County,” explained Linda Krop, chief counsel of the Environmental Defense Center. “A hard structure such as groin will rob downcoast beaches of sand, causing bluffs and beaches to erode.” According to EDC environmental analyst Brian Trautwein, “This decision is a victory for beaches and people who love the coast. The proposed groin would have required ongoing dredging off Goleta Beach, causing beach and park closures, as well as air and water pollution.”

Maintenance work being done in January 2003 to the previous beach erosion fix, a rock wall. Paul Wellman and Surfrider hired the engineering firm Phillip Williams and Associates (PWA) to critique the County’s proposal, and develop an alternative, long term plan for Goleta Beach. PWA designed the Park Reconfiguraton Alternative (PRA) to protect the entire length of beach by relocating threatened facilities and park amenities, while retaining the restaurant, lawn area and parking lot. EDC and Surfrider submitted over 580 letters in opposition to the groin and in favor of the alternative.

Although Commission staff found the alternative to be both feasible and environmentally superior, the staff recommended against the alternative on the grounds that 1.3 acres of turf could be lost. However, this assertion was refuted by EDC and PWA at the hearing. At the end of the hearing, the Commissioners advised the County to consider an option that respects and incorporates natural processes, and plans for future sea level rise. “We are pleased that environmental solutions are back on the table,” said Scott Bull, Santa Barbara Chapter Surfrider representative and member of the County’s original Goleta Beach Working Group. “Surfrider remains committed to a plan that protects the beach, the Park, and the environment.” EDC and Surfrider hope to work with the County to develop a workable, environmentally-sensitive solution.