At first, it seems extremely eco-friendly, the biannual Compost Giveaway Events every fall and spring in San Francisco hosted by the city’s Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC).

Residents are offered free compost to produce soil for community and school gardens and local backyards. It’s the green and organic thing to do.

The problem is the mulch isn’t made of food scraps and manure but a combination of toxic sewage sludge from waste water treatment, green waste, yard waste and wood chips.

What’s in sewage sludge? Stuff that’s foul and harmful to people and …

Tags: agriculture , biosolids , compost , eco , fertilizer , food , garden , giveaways , green , heavy metals , Mayor Gavin Newsom , mulch , organic , pathogens , PCB , pharmaceuticals , pollutants , Public Utilities Commission , San Francisco , sewage sludge , soil , toxic

4 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

If you haven’t heard, fancy-shmancy cupcakes are stealing the hearts of America as we downsize our celebrations with treats that fill us up, not out.

For a growing number of sweet teeth, four bites and one candle do the trick as we replace the wasteful sheet cake of old with an indulgent Red Velvet vegan confection made to order at your chic neighborhood cupcake boutique.

Call it theater in the round for the bakery hound!

The new stars are the vegan assortments  introduced by bakers such as Yummy Cupcakes in …

Tags: baby , birthdays , compost , Conserve , dairy-free , decor , design , gluten-free , Gourtmet cupcakes , green , parties , recycle , showers , special events , sugar-free , vegan , weddings

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

This is the third in Luanne’s new lifestyle column, Life in the Green Lane. Read the inaugural column, “The Pros & Cons of Being Married to an Eco Man” and the follow-up, “Why Is it So Hard to Get My Mom to Go Green?”.

My dog has fleece. And that’s not all. There are dozens of reasons why this impossibly adorable pug is leaving behind a puny carbon paw print.

If you consider dogs part of the family then it’s important they’re pulling their weight in the eco …

Tags: bio bags , biodegradable , birds , carpool , china , compost , Conserve , dog beds , dog food , dog toys , dogs , endangered , fleece , fuel , green , hybrid , Life in the Green Lane , organic , pets , plastic , pugs , recycle , reuse , Smoky Bear , walking

9 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

From organic cotton garb to reusable serving ware, they have raised the bar in San Francisco this week as more than 1,500 Jewish teen athletes from 40 U.S. cities and four international countries (Mexico, Guatemala, Israel and Canada) compete in the Maccabi Games 2009.

This year, for the first time, organizers introduced a Green Team – a committee chaired by Miriam Gordon, an environmental activist, and games director, Jackie Lewis. Their game plan: a zero-waste event that completely circumvents the dreaded landfill.

Instead of the usual bottled water …

Tags: athletes , carbon , compost , Conserve , garbage , golf , Jewish , Jewish Community Center , Jewish National Fund , Maccabi Games , organic cotton , pins , recycle , reuse , San Francisco , soccer , water bottles , zero-waste

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

I’m totally Swede on the Stockholm-based Jantze Brogard Asshoff studio and the thoughtful, elegant designs these craftswomen are producing for both eco function and beauty.

Founders Moa Jantze, Hanna Brogård and Johanna Asshoff strive to simplify their surroundings to improve everyday life.

“We create sophisticated, useful products with a poetic soul and playful character,” they explain. “Our backgrounds from different parts of Sweden will always be a great source of inspiration. We like to mix modern with traditional, folklore with decadent luxury and regional Swedish handicraft with industrial production.”

The results are …

Tags: compost , containers , decor , Dwell Magazine , eco , ecology , felt , furniture , green , modern , Scandinavian , trash , wool

Add Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

The San Francisco Public Library is lending an ear to the landfill crisis by piloting a new library card program that substitutes plastic cards with ones made from corn. You’ve seen the corn utensils. This invention is just as ingenious, but it fits into your wallet much better.

Check out the new ecocard. It’s a true-blue alternative that might catch on

…

Tags: biodegradable corn , compost , corn products , environment , landfills , library , library cards , plastic , San Francisco

1 Comment |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Every time you treat your tresses to a new ‘do, you watch your stylist sweep away heaps of hair. But why should your clippings pile up in a landfill when they can be put to good use? There are plenty of ways to reuse trimmed locks, so speak up next time you’re at the salon. Trust me, you won’t be the first person to ask them for a doggie bag.

Add it to your compost bin. Although it takes awhile to decompose, human hair …

Tags: clippings , compost , hair , haircut , howto , tips

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

Call me a dirt girl, but I’ve always loved composting. There’s something very special about helping nature along in the process of turning orange peels and carrot tops into dark, rich, fertile soil. There’s such joy in helping to create more of the soil that grows the food that sustains us – and the cycle is complete. To the novice, it may seems like a messy and mysterious process, but done right, composting is tidy, easy and fairly low-maintenance. Here’s how to do it.

…

Tags: biodegradable , compost , disposal , DIY , garbage , garden , gardening , how to

4 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark

I’m one of those people who quickly tidy up my car before handing it over at the car wash, disposing of the banana peels jammed into paper cups and cookie crumbs taking up residence in the carpet and upholstery. Such treasures are routinely left behind by my daughters who view my Volvo as their waste can on wheels.

It occurred to me this morning that I should create a car compost system with a portable bin to chase those necessary after-school car treats.  Instead of grinding the granola bar remains into my wagon’s cup holders, certain passengers could simply …

Tags: auto , car , cleaning , compost , transportation

2 Comments |

Link to this post |

|

Bookmark