Environment, Organics, Fair Trade & Recycling at Big Green Purse

'Green' is the New Black: Eco-Friendly Fashion Finds for Summer

Whether we look good in green or not, more and more of us are wearing it.

Soft organic cotton T-shirts. Bamboo-based business attire. Versatile vests spun from recycled soda bottles. Raw silk scarves. Linen shirts, slacks, and dresses. Shoes carved out of cork and padded with refurbished rubber. From top to toe, our wardrobes are getting earth friendlier; they're becoming snazzier, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Mother Nature herself was inspired to accessorize her fig leaf with a charming little handbag hewn from hemp.

She's probably also starting to breathe a sigh of relief. The apparel industry has never been a friend of the earth, given its often toxic impact on our natural resources. Every dollar we spend on clothing and accessories to 'green' our wardrobe helps protect our air, water, wildlife, and wilderness. Of that, Mother Nature would approve.

Shopping for 'green' a la mode, does not require the sacrifice of personal style or personal finances. I never travel without my trendy sienna-colored hemp sweater because it fits me perfectly, doesn't wrinkle, and is easy to launder in a sink; I just wash it in a little hand soap and water, wring it out, and let it line dry. And guess what? It only cost $40. My organic t-shirts wear just as well as ones made from industrial cotton but are a lot softer. Plus, I get a kick out of the tongue-in-cheek messages on the shirts, like this one from Green Label Organics that takes Hummers to task.

The industry of sustainable clothing is expanding, providing you with a variety of trendy and affordable options. So choose 'green' this summer and dress your part.

How to Flush a Toilet in Australia

G'Day, Mates! I've spent the last ten days or so traveling around Australia and will be sharing my observations and experiences in the next few blog posts.

What has really stood out - apart from the country's natural beauty and the friendliness of the Australian people - is how easy it is to save energy and water here.

ENERGY

In the U.S., electronics waste 40% of the energy they consume just by being plugged in. Even if they're turned off, they pull energy through the socket, which is why the U.S. EPA calls them "vampires." If you want to stop the waste, you need to plug into an energy-saving powerstrip; the powerstrip turns the energy off when the electronics aren't being used. The device saves energy, but it's an extra expense to buy and can be a hassle to use if all your cords are behind your computer or desk.

Twist into 'Nature's Pose' by Recycling Your Yoga Mat

In 2008, Yoga Journal's "Yoga in America" reported that 6.9 percent of U.S. adults, or 15.8 million people, practice yoga. The study also showed that Americans spend $5.7 billion a year on yoga classes and products, including yoga mats, clothing, and media (DVDs, videos, books and magazines). (image source)

Where's the eco in all of  this?

In the past, we've talked about the value of recycling your clothes. And we're big proponents of getting books and DVDs from the library or swapping with friends.

But what should you do about yoga mats?

Good question. Traditional mats are primarily made from polyvinyl chlorides, or PVC. PVC is widely considered to be the most toxic plastic produced because dioxins and other carcinogens are released into the atmosphere during its manufacture. Furthermore, the plasticizers added to make the PVC, and your mat, soft and sticky, include lead, cadmium, and phthalates, which have been found to disrupt the endocrine system and contribute to other health problems. The toxins embedded within the PVC make it non-biodegradable. When incinerated or buried in landfills, the dioxin and other carcinogens, could pollute the air.

How can you become part of the solution?  Recycle your mat.Here's how.

Green Moms Want Safer, Cleaner Transportation Choices

The sickening disaster in the Gulf of Mexico is irrefutable evidence: We face a moral imperative to use less oil.

But how can we cut back if, as President Bush once famously said, "We're addicted to oil"?

The fearless women behind the Green Moms Carnival tackle the issue head-on this month.

Jen at PuddleJumping in D.C. puts things in perspective with these amazing statistics: The U.S. consumed almost 3 gallons of oil per person per day in 2007, with about 70% of that fueling transportation. Jen compares that to the 1.6 gallons per day per Japanese citizen and 1.2 per person per day in Great Britain. Jen recounts her family's efforts to travel by foot, bicycle and stroller as much as possible, and makes a strong argument for planning communities that don't depend on cars.

How You Can Help Clean Up the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster

It's not a "spill." It's a disaster, and it needs to be treated as such. Here's what you can do to help, courtesy of U.S. News & World Report:

1) Volunteer. Folks in the affected areas need help washing wildlife, answering phones, and doing everything in between. Register online if you live in Louisiana or Florida.  Oil Spill Volunteers will also help match you to a group that needs your services. You can also call toll-free 1-866-448-5816.

2) Pick up beach trash. Garbage harbors oil and can be dangerous for wildlife. Work with local beach crews to get debris off shores.

3) Get help for injured wildlife. That doesn't mean you should try to pick up birds or animals covered with oil. Distressed animals bite. Plus, crude oil can hurt your skin. A hotline has been established for injured and dead animal sightings. Call 1-866-557-1401 to leave a message with the animal's precise location. iPhone users in the Gulf can download the Noah project's app to document distressed animals and the spill's impact on wildlife.

4) Use your boat. If you're a fisherman in the Gulf Coast, BP, the company responsible for the disaster, will pay you to help with the clean up. For more information, call 281-366-5511.