How often do you think about your lawn? Perhaps after a rainy spell when you suddenly notice it is growing out of control and you resign yourself to dragging out the mower, the weed eater and the rakes? Or maybe it’s in the heat of the summer, when the lawn starts looking dry and brown, and you worry about having to water it all the time. What if thinking about your lawn meant sitting outside enjoying the view of  your [...]]]>

How often do you think about your lawn? Perhaps after a rainy spell when you suddenly notice it is growing out of control and you resign yourself to dragging out the mower, the weed eater and the rakes? Or maybe it’s in the heat of the summer, when the lawn starts looking dry and brown, and you worry about having to water it all the time. What if thinking about your lawn meant sitting outside enjoying the view of  your green, healthy carpet of grass, one that hasn’t been watered or mowed in quite some time? Or as you are enjoying outside time with your family and pets without thoughts of chemical fertilizers or harmful pesticides and weed killers. If it sounds too good to be true, than you may not have heard of Eco-Lawn, a blend of grass seeds developed by Paul Jenkins and Miriam Goldberger, the husband-and-wife owners of Wildflower Farm in Coldwater, Ontario.

Wildflower Farm began in 1988 as a wholesale grower of dried flowers. Over time, the company became a pick-your-own flower farm, a provider of wildflower seeds, and a Natural Garden Centre. However, it was time the owners spent exploring the forest that cultivated the idea to develop an eco-friendly, low-maintenance grass seed mix. While out walking, Paul and Miriam were intrigued by the healthy green grass growing in the deep shade of the trees. They began testing seeds and mixtures for a grass that could be used for pathways in the wildflower meadows. Soon it became apparent that this grass seed mixture of seven fescue grasses had the potential to do so much more, and Eco-Lawn was born.

Maybe you believe that having a nice lawn means hours of maintenance work, including trimming, watering, and developing the lawn. Ultimately, this translates to money spent on lawn products, gasoline or labor. And still, homeowners may worry about the cost to the environment from the use of oil and gasoline, pesticides, and chemicals, and rightly so. According to Wildflower Farm, a lawnmower emits as much pollution in one hour as 40 new automobiles! Other concerns include the 13 million gallons of gasoline spilled annually filling up our lawn tools, and the harm that can come to children and pets after repeated exposure to lawn chemicals. Thanks to Eco-Lawn, it’s not impossible to have a lawn that is beautiful, sturdy, chemical-free and practically maintenance-free, although many lawn care product manufacturers lead us to believe this is so.

The best part about having an Eco-Lawn, aside from the reduced costs to you and to the environment, is the ability of this lawn to adapt to any kind of setting because of the unique deep root system. Whether your yard is sandy or clay-based, the Eco-Lawn seeds will grow deep into the soil to produce a hardier grass that is better able to seek out its own nutrients and moisture, while at the same time proving to be less hospitable to grubs. Once the Eco-Lawn has taken root, it maintains a slow growth that reaches about 9 inches in height, but then folds over to create a 4-inch-high carpeted appearance. However, homeowners that prefer a trimmed look can mow . . .twice a month rather than once a week! And no matter what type of growing conditions your yard provides, be it full sun, shade or a combination, the Eco-Lawn will thrive.

Once you decide to plant an Eco-Lawn, you may find that you start thinking about your lawn differently than you did in the past. Rather than a headache or a chore, your lawn will be a beautiful, low-maintenance part of your home that helps your whole property become “greener.”

It seems like there’s an app for everything these days. You can bank, shop, chat and play on your Smart phone, and more apps are being added every day. Some apps are incredibly useful, while some are merely a diversion. So which category does the new inBloom app, released January 9th for free download through iTunes, fall into? For people in the New York area who are looking for fresh, healthy, local food; green lodging; or businesses they can feel [...]]]>  

It seems like there’s an app for everything these days. You can bank, shop, chat and play on your Smart phone, and more apps are being added every day. Some apps are incredibly useful, while some are merely a diversion. So which category does the new inBloom app, released January 9th for free download through iTunes, fall into? For people in the New York area who are looking for fresh, healthy, local food; green lodging; or businesses they can feel good about patronizing, this new app is worth it’s weight in gold. Soon, people across the country will be able to use inBloom in their region, as the app plans to expand throughout the country in 2012.

So what is inBloom? The app was created by Ok Go guitarist Andy Ross and Eytan Oren, lead singer of Eytan and The Embassy, for a very specific purpose. As bands travel the country and the world touring and performing, it can become very difficult for musicians to stay true to their values if they are vegetarian, vegan or eco-conscious. In many cities and locales, there is a fast food restaurant on every corner and you never truly know whether the place where you are lodging has high green standards or merely fluffs the comforter before the next guest. Eytan and Andy, who both also have a background in the tech industry, decided to create an app just for musicians that would help them locate healthy food and eco-friendly lodging on the road.

 It soon became apparent that this app could have effects far beyond the music community, as eco-conscious and health conscious people far and wide were also in need of an app that could tell them where the nearest farmer’s market was or whether that new steak place served grass-fed beef. The creators decided to make two versions of the app. One version is for the members of the Musician’s Energy Conservation Alliance (MECA), a group started by Eytan to help musicians go green while touring, and will feature locations found along popular touring routes. The other version of inBloom is the non-musician release, currently available in five New York boroughs and listing over 500 locations, and is set to expand across the country as the year progresses.

 If the current positive ratings of the app in the short time it has been available are any indication, then this app will soon have a loyal and very happy fan base. Users looking for healthy food can search using specific criteria to locate the best options nearby, from gluten-free, organic or renewable businesses to preset options for vegetarians, vegans, or organic eaters. The power of the app is in the incredible detail that went in to researching locations and presenting the options app users will be looking for. You can even determine if your potential dinner was supplied by a local farmer. In addition to supplying eco- and health-conscious users with in depth information on nearby eateries, the app can also point you toward green hotels, grocery stores, farmers markets, thrift stores, and businesses that use renewable energy.

As more people become aware of the importance of supporting local businesses, eating locally grown foods and sticking to a healthy diet even when out and about, the inBloom app will become a valuable and often used resource. Users might find a nearby farmer’s market that they didn’t know was there, or locate a great restaurant that serves only fish that were wild-caught. Getting around your city will become easy and green, and you will never again have to give in to the siren call of the fast food neon lights when your inBloom app tells you there is a small, healthy cafe right around the corner that serves your favorite meal. An easy way to “buy what you believe in?” Yes, there’s an app for that!

For more information on the inBloom app, visit http://vimeo.com/33741279 to watch a quick video. Download the app at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/inbloom-preview/id486125682?mt=8

Keeping track of the energy consumption in our homes is important for our utility bills and important for the environment. Since there are more appliances and electronic devices than ever taking up residence in our homes and offices, it can seem like an overwhelming task to monitor and keep up with everything. Belkin, a company that makes devices that support and simplify electronics use, estimates that a typical home has 40 power drawing devices. Thanks to their new Conserve line [...]]]>

Keeping track of the energy consumption in our homes is important for our utility bills and important for the environment. Since there are more appliances and electronic devices than ever taking up residence in our homes and offices, it can seem like an overwhelming task to monitor and keep up with everything. Belkin, a company that makes devices that support and simplify electronics use, estimates that a typical home has 40 power drawing devices. Thanks to their new Conserve line of energy-reducing products, monitoring and reducing your home’s energy consumption is easier than ever. In the long run, it benefits your family with reduced energy usage and smaller utility bills. It also benefits the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.

The Conserve Insight energy usage monitor

 The Conserve Insight is a small device that may become your home’s best friend. It consists of a tabletop display unit that can be plugged into any outlet. Once it is plugged in, you can plug any appliance or electronic device into the Conserve outlet and instantly monitor the cost to operate, CO2 usage or watts used on the display screen. Find out how much energy your TV’s really use, or what it costs to operate your computer for a day, a month or the projected cost for the year. It makes it easy to determine which of your home’s items draws the most energy, costs the most to operate, or would be most beneficial to unplug. Using the Conserve Insight will allow you to truly understand the energy usage of your home and allow you to think of ways to conserve and reduce.

The Conserve Valet

With every member of your family juggling multiple mobile devices, does it seem like there is a charging cord everywhere you look? Belkin’s Conserve Valet ends the clutter and ups the convenience of taking care of all your mobile devices, without drawing unnecessary energy. This charging station consists of a flat top for laying mobile devices on with a compartment underneath for storing and hiding all those charging cords. You only need to plug in one cord, which means the unsightly mass of charging cords are a thing of the past. Even better is that your devices start charging when you push the start button, and the Valet automatically shuts off once you unplug, meaning it draws no power when not in use.

The Conserve line of sockets, switches and power strips

Belkin’s line of Conserve products also features several outlet and switch accessories to help reduce power usage in your home:

•  The Conserve socket allows you to plug in electronic devices, hair dryers or lights and fans and the timer will turn off the devices according to the length of time you set.
• A Conserve Power Switch will plug in to any wall socket and will turn the power off to any device when you press the switch. This eliminates the power draw common to many appliances and devices, even standby power; yet allows them to stay plugged in.
• Conserve surge protectors offer many options for conserving power while giving you control of when, where and how energy will be used. The Conserve surge protectors include auto-off, remote, or timer features.

The entire line of Belkin Conserve products also comes in eco-friendly packaging. Belkin has tried to reduce the amount of packaging needed and all but eliminated any plastic. Making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible is increasingly more important thanks to an abundance of products, devices and appliances that are modern necessities. As your family’s use of their favorite devices continues to increase, Belkin’s Conserve line of products will help your utility costs and your impact on the environment to decrease.

There are more paint products on the market than ever before, and many paint manufacturers are starting to offer healthier paints with fewer harmful chemicals. Still, there are only a handful of companies that offer paint that is truly zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and healthy to use during and after application. There is one paint brand that is zero-VOC, made from real eggshells and actually makes the air healthier once used. The brand name is ECOtrend.  ECOtrend paint is the [...]]]>  

There are more paint products on the market than ever before, and many paint manufacturers are starting to offer healthier paints with fewer harmful chemicals. Still, there are only a handful of companies that offer paint that is truly zero-VOC (volatile organic compounds) and healthy to use during and after application. There is one paint brand that is zero-VOC, made from real eggshells and actually makes the air healthier once used. The brand name is ECOtrend.  ECOtrend paint is the first natural paint to be certified for children and schools by GREENGUARD^®, a non-profit organization that establishes acceptable air standards for indoor products, environments and buildings. It has also received the highest LEED interior paint rating.

How do they make paint from eggshells?

ECOtrend is a collagen-based paint, which is one of the reasons it is so healthy to use and live with. The company has come up with an innovative way to make healthy paint that seems to come straight out of a science fiction movie. The collagen is extracted from eggshells sourced from food processing centers after the yolks and whites have been used. The eggshells are normally sent to landfills, but have found a new purpose through this inspired recycling effort.  This process enables them to provide a binding agent for ECOtrend’s paints. At ECOtrend’s facilities, eggshells are cleaned, dried and ground into a fine powder that is then placed in a centrifuge machine where the eggshell particles are separated from the eggshell membrane, which contains the collagen.

Why is ECOtrend paint better for inside air quality?

Most traditional paints are formulated from a cocktail of chemicals that are harmful to breathe in, and even release fumes and harmful compounds into the air after they’ve been applied to a surface. ECOtrend’s collagen base allows the paint to work as well (and in some cases even better than) traditional paints despite the fact that it contains no:

• Formaldehyde
• Fungicides, mildewcides or biocides
• Organic solvents, environmental hormones or heavy metals
• Volatile organic compounds
• Preservatives

In fact, in addition to not containing any of the above harmful ingredients, ECOtrend paint has added minerals that actually add negative ions to the air, making it healthier to breathe!

Does a collagen-based paint match traditional paints in quality?

Since ECOtrend paints are made using recycled eggshells, it is natural to wonder if the paint will hold up compared to traditional paints. Many people are surprised to find that in addition to actually improving indoor air quality, ECOtrend paints perform as well as traditional paints. The secret is again in those eggshells, which have a high binding energy that help the paint adhere to surfaces, while also being highly durable, washable and fast drying. ECOtrend paints have a two-hour drying time, with paint being dry to the touch after only thirty minutes, making application of the paint easy and quick. The paint also has powdered silver and aluminum oxide added, which provide natural resistance to mold and mildew. This feature classifies the paint as anti-bacterial and is highly recommended for use in damp places such as bathrooms and basements. Another benefit of ECOtrend is that it won’t be hard to find the perfect color for any room in your house, since ECOtrend comes in 120 stock colors, with available custom color mixing.

ECOtrend paint is the only paint that can truly call itself an “eggshell” finish. (Available ECOtrend finishes do include flat, eggshell, and semi gloss.) It is also the only paint that creates healthier air once it is applied. Your walls and your lungs will thank you.

Exotic Home, a furniture store located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a complete home furnishings store that evokes a sense of world travel with its furniture and accessories. In addition to the natural and beautiful artwork, sculpture and accessories offered for purchase at Exotic Home, the store sells furniture made from the coconut palm.  The coconut palm helps farmers in Fiji produce more sustainable crops and is also sourced for beautiful, environmentally responsible furniture. The store also features beautiful hand carved [...]]]>  

Exotic Home, a furniture store located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a complete home furnishings store that evokes a sense of world travel with its furniture and accessories. In addition to the natural and beautiful artwork, sculpture and accessories offered for purchase at Exotic Home, the store sells furniture made from the coconut palm.  The coconut palm helps farmers in Fiji produce more sustainable crops and is also sourced for beautiful, environmentally responsible furniture. The store also features beautiful hand carved and handmade treasures from around the world alongside organic, environmentally friendly and sustainable furniture and accessories. Buying a piece from Exotic Home allows you to bring a little piece of culture to your home in an environmentally minded way. 

Unique Home Décor

 In addition to furniture and artistic pieces from around the world, Exotic Home offers some unique home décor items that are sure to become a conversation piece in your home. A full line of water walls featuring many colors and styles would add a relaxed, peaceful atmosphere to any room. An added benefit of having a water wall in your home is its ability to clean the surrounding air using negative ions. A unique line of lamps featuring earthy tones and tripod bases are available. Other lamps feature mica lampshades or Moroccan style henna-dyed goatskin lampshades. Several different types of Native American themed wooden carvings are offered, along with practical wood items such as trays, picture frames and wastebaskets. 

Furniture Made With Coconut Palmwood 

In the Pacific Isles, the coconut palm tree is a popular crop with local farmers. However, there is one problem. Once the tree reaches maturity, about 85 years old, it stops producing coconuts and takes up valuable crop space. Cutting down the tree simply creates more waste, as the tree will not burn. Jamie Michaels, owner of Exotic Home, is helping farmers solve this problem. His mills help farmers clear out the mature trees to make way for a new crop of coconut-producing young trees. The old trees are taken through a rigorous process that turns them into the beautiful red-hued furniture available at Exotic Home’s store in Scottsdale. It’s a win-win situation for Jamie Michaels and for Fiji’s local farmers, who can continue to harvest their crops. It’s also a winning situation for the customer who purchases this beautiful and unique furniture. 

Exotic Home Helps Customers Have a Green Home 

Helping farmers sustain their livelihood is only one way Exotic Home operates in an environmentally friendly way, and passes this green mindset along to customers. The company is committed to supporting craftsmen and women from across the globe and to providing products that are organic or sustainable. The furniture offered at the Scottsdale, AZ store is constructed using no glue, chemicals, or stains, meaning it will have no negative impact on the air quality in your home. Customers may find sculptures made from recycled oil drums, hand carved wood pieces from Africa that support the Ndebele Art Project, or a line of organic mattresses made using handpicked cotton from Peru and pure wool from Holland. Each piece from different points on the globe helps support the work of local artists and handcrafters and creates a sustainable and healthy offering of home décor items. 

Exotic Home enables customers to bring an exotic touch to their home décor, but it’s the stories behind the individual pieces that are most interesting. Having beautiful, unique, earth-friendly pieces in your home allows artisans from all over the world to build livelihoods from their craft. Purchasing from an environmentally responsible supplier, like Exotic Home, ensures that a beautifully decorated home and a healthy planet go hand-in-hand.

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization committed to encouraging green buildings worldwide. Since 1998, it has certified thousands of businesses, schools and homes in the United States and around the world with the LEED certification system. This system provides people seeking to build, or renovate, with a framework for measuring green building design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Becoming LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified is the most recognized way for a building to show its commitment [...]]]>

The U.S. Green Building Council is a non-profit organization committed to encouraging green buildings worldwide. Since 1998, it has certified thousands of businesses, schools and homes in the United States and around the world with the LEED certification system. This system provides people seeking to build, or renovate, with a framework for measuring green building design, construction, operation and maintenance.

Becoming LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified is the most recognized way for a building to show its commitment to the environment, as LEED certification is the highest recognition given for green buildings worldwide. LEED certified buildings such as Boston’s Logan Airport, the Empire State Building and the Pentagon display their certification with pride, as do companies including Target, Starbucks, and Marriott. However, you don’t have to be a famous landmark or national brand to achieve certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Your home can achieve Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum LEED certification with the LEED for Homes program.

 What is LEED for Homes?

LEED for Homes is a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council to measure your home’s green performance in eight areas: 

 LEED certification is available for both existing homes and for new home construction. For existing homes, LEED certification is available to homeowners or homebuyers performing green renovations or upgrades to existing homes. If you are building a new home, your homebuilder will register with the LEED for Homes program and then work with everyone involved in the construction process to adhere to all the points on the LEED certification checklist. For both categories, upon completion of the renovations or construction, a certified rater will inspect the home and ensure that it meets LEED’s rigorous standards. The home will then be awarded a points rating and a certification level.

What are the Benefits of LEED Home Certification? 

Having your home LEED certified provides many important benefits. First, when your home meets LEED standards, your energy usage will be 30-60% less, resulting in lower utility bills. Also, the indoor air quality of your home will be healthier for your family and the environmental footprint of your home will be greatly reduced. Your home’s resale value will increase and it may sell easier and faster than other homes. Second, a home that is LEED certified may qualify for many incentives, such as tax rebates, zoning allowances, reduced fees or technical assistance. The incentives vary by state and town, and more are being added as more homes and buildings become interested in LEED certification. Third, your home will become an example in your community and throughout the country. The LEED Seal of Quality announces that your home is a model of efficiency and represents a high commitment to the environment.

Your home is a representation of yourself and your personal values. Achieving LEED certification through the U.S. Green Building Council is a rigorous and highly comprehensive process, but the outcome is unmatched. With LEED certification, your home will be recognized as among the best in the country.

Bethesda, Maryland has a green champion on its side. Bethesda Green is a non-profit organization comprised of individuals, businesses and government entities dedicated to promoting sustainable living and green thinking. It is a unique idea with a big local impact. The education, support and awareness offered by Bethesda Green has created a community that works together to support green business, promote green initiatives and create green change on every level, from family activities to government policies. It is a concept [...]]]>

Bethesda, Maryland has a green champion on its side. Bethesda Green is a non-profit organization comprised of individuals, businesses and government entities dedicated to promoting sustainable living and green thinking. It is a unique idea with a big local impact. The education, support and awareness offered by Bethesda Green has created a community that works together to support green business, promote green initiatives and create green change on every level, from family activities to government policies. It is a concept that shows how easy it is to incorporate green living into your community when you have a group of dedicated and enthusiastic people at the helm.

 The Bethesda Green initiatives focus on three areas: incubate, educate, and initiate. Here is how those areas have helped Bethesda become a greener place to live:

 Incubate

Bethesda Green incubates green business ideas and growth. The Bethesda Green incubator began in 2009 and remains focused on encouraging and supporting the creation of green or energy efficient companies. Companies interested in the incubator must apply and submit a business plan to Bethesda Green’s incubator program, and those that make it in are carefully selected on a basis of sustainability and positive local impact, among other criteria.  Businesses that are accepted are given a large dose of support, from shared office space and supplies to marketing assistance. In this manner, Bethesda Green is supporting and encouraging the formation of businesses that are focused on community, support the local economy and promote environmentally sound practices. It’s a win for everyone involved.

 Educate

A large portion of Bethesda Green’s efforts are focused on educating the people of Bethesda on all things green, from recycling to sustainability. Since the organization’s formation in 2008, Bethesda Green has worked to help the local community by offering and promoting educational events and programs such as local farm tours, a farmer’s market and green-themed street fairs offering information and products.

 Initiate

 Bethesda Green’s initiatives are far reaching in that they are designed to support every aspect of green living and change within the local community. Bethesda Green is also unique because it can implement successful programs due to the participation of people, from business owners to government officials, who can put plans into action. It’s a model that makes sense, as more good can be done with diverse people working together toward common goals. Examples of the work this group has successfully brought to life include partnering with the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection to recycle electronic items and microwaves, creating community recycling initiatives and conducting surveys and research projects to gather information that can lead to sustainable change.

The Bethesda Green organization was recognized by Montgomery County as one of the first local organizations to receive a Green Business Certification. Bethesda Green in turn recognizes local green champions with its annual Bethesda Green Gala, to be held this year on October 5, 2011 at the Round House Theater in Bethesda, MD. The purpose of this event is to recognize and reward all of the local people and businesses who work hard during the year to promote green living. The gala offers a chance for these groups and individuals to celebrate their accomplishments and receive recognition for being the agents for sustainable, local change in the community.

Anyone who has ever tackled a home improvement or building project knows that many materials and supplies are available to consumers from hardware and home improvement stores. However, fewer options are available to people who want to buy safe, eco-friendly materials. Sometimes trying to locate, research or budget for these materials can be frustrating and may leave you with many questions. What does the label really mean? How and where is this product made? And, for many, the question that [...]]]>

Anyone who has ever tackled a home improvement or building project knows that many materials and supplies are available to consumers from hardware and home improvement stores. However, fewer options are available to people who want to buy safe, eco-friendly materials. Sometimes trying to locate, research or budget for these materials can be frustrating and may leave you with many questions. What does the label really mean? How and where is this product made? And, for many, the question that is at the top of the list: Why is it so expensive? Unfortunately, many stores don’t have the experience with these products or in depth knowledge to answer questions.

If you’ve ever felt the frustration of trying to locate and purchase supplies for your green building project through popular stores, or if you have a project in the early stages and would like it to be green but have lots of questions, Green Building Supply hopes to put your mind at ease. In fact, Green Building Supply, an Iowa-based home supply store, has everything the eco-conscious buyer could possibly need, either at their physical store, or–for those not planning to travel to Iowa–online through their user-friendly website. In fact, you receive the same careful, attentive customer service online as you would if you walked into their store. How many “big-box” stores can say the same?

Truthfully, many stores do offer several types of green materials and supplies, if you know what you are looking for and are willing to spend more to get them. This is where Green Building Supply sets itself apart from the rest by going beyond simply offering products. When you buy from GBS you are also given the knowledge of exactly what goes into your product and how to fits it into your home design or project needs. You can even use the Recycle & Reuse Center to list unwanted or unused building materials after your project is complete so that they don’t end up in the landfill. Also, customers can purchase from GBS knowing everything sold has been researched, tested or personally used by Green Building Supply’s owners. This particular philosophy came from their personal journey in green building and the vision they had of using materials that were eco-friendly, natural and healthy to use and live with. At the time, it wasn’t easy…

In the late 1980’s, when owners Joy and Joel Hirshberg came to Fairfield, IA, the town was very forward thinking but the materials they needed to build the home they were planning, one modeled after Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie House and using Vedic architecture principles, were difficult to locate. Since the Internet boom had not yet occurred, the Hirshbergs traveled far and wide seeking and testing green, healthy materials and supplies for their own home and eventually provided their knowledge and resources to others seeking a green change in their home improvement or building projects.

Once they opened Green Building Supply in 1991, people in Fairfield responded by supporting the new business.concept. Eventually, customers from all parts of the country began to purchase and use the green supplies. People also began to rely heavily on the advice, knowledge and consultation GBS gives to individuals, contractors and builders.  Unlike some other stores, GBS goes the extra distance and can tell you what materials your product actually contains and how the facility that manufactured it is run. Oftentimes they’ll travel to the facility for a tour so that they’ll know with absolute certainty that the product is safe for their customers and safe for the environment.

That’s not something you’ll find everyday and it’s exactly the reason GBS has become one of the country’s authorities on green materials, design principals and environmental impact. They care enough to offer exactly what their customers are looking for and will even find natural products that can compete in price with cheaper unnatural products. It’s the basis for excellent customer service in any business model, and it’s a breath of fresh air (so to speak) for people who want or need a safe, healthy home. This places the least amount of stress on our planet from the start of a project through to completion and for years beyond. At Green Building Supply, doing business this way is just the right thing to do.

Traditional composting requires yard space and daily attention, involves bugs and strong odors and is limited to when and what can be composted. NatureMill, however, only requires a 20” by 20” by 12” space in your home. The indoor/outdoor unit requires less space than [...]]]> Composting reduces landfill waste, greenhouse gases, and generates a medium for growth…but comes at a price. NatureMill is an alternative to traditional composting. By eliminating the mess and making composting easy, NatureMill has integrated luxury into composting.

Traditional composting requires yard space and daily attention, involves bugs and strong odors and is limited to when and what can be composted. NatureMill, however, only requires a 20” by 20” by 12” space in your home. The indoor/outdoor unit requires less space than a standard kitchen trash can, eliminates the hassles of traditional composting and expands composting options.

NatureMill makes composting as simple as one, two, three:  add waste to the bin, let NatureMill do its work and remove the composted fertilizer.

It works by proportionately adding green and brown waste to the bin – any day, any time. In addition to your household waste, the user also places a small amount of saw dust pellets and baking soda into the machine. All NatureMill composters can compost pet waste, kitty litter, and cage bedding and, unlike other composters, NatureMill accepts meat, fish, and dairy. Due to high temperatures inside the unit, the variety of what can be composted is larger than your typical compostable material. The sealed, upper chamber automatically mixes, heats and aerates. The finished material transfers to the lower chamber, ready for use, and new material can then be added to the upper chamber again.  The attractive, modern-looking unit has a 120 lb monthly waste capacity. This compost is generated every two weeks.

Because all of this can be done within the machine, inside your home, composting can be done year round. Sealed chambers, continuous airflow and a powerful carbon filter remove odors and eliminate the hassles of a finicky, outdoor compost heap or tumbler. No watering, mixing, monitoring, transporting of rotten material or worms are required. Waste is simply placed directly from the plate into the unit. Aside from a small amount of space and a standard electrical outlet, no other special plumbing or electrical connections are needed.

NatureMill itself is eco-friendly in itself. NatureMill composters use only about 5 kwh of energy per month – that’s only about $0.50 a month. In addition, with the new Energy Save Mode, composting energy consumption is reduced by 75%. NatureMill composters are also made from recycled materials and are 100% recyclable.

NatureMill has two models:  the Plus XE ($299) and the Pro XE ($399). The Plus XE is the “industry standard” for home composting with a 5-7 year filter and a one year warranty. The Pro XE series has upgraded features like a foot pedal for hands-free composting, a heavy-duty mode for extra composting capacity, designer colors, a lifetime filter and a three year warranty – ideal for large families, gourmet cooks, offices and small restaurants.

NatureMill also offers a gliding cabinet kit to allow the composter to be stored conveniently out of sight away from children and pets, as well as pellets that improve the quality of your compost. If you ever need replacement parts, NatureMill supplies extra filters, drip trays, cube trays, latch replacements, circuit boards and motors.

NatureMill provides nutrient rich, organic compost without the sacrifice. It provides an easy, convenient way to contribute to the environment minus the added labor and mess…all while reducing one of the major contributors to landfills.

http://naturemill.com/