Eco-urinals?

One of the more...interesting innovations launched by the Metro Manila Development Authority in the Philippines is the urinal, with several of those scattered in unexpected locations all over the city in an attempt to address the...needs of men who just can't hold it in any longer. But now, the urinals are not just for men. The MMDA has also begun constructing these for women, with three of them opened just recently. Apparently, the green thing about this urinals is not just their color, but also their waterless toilets and translucent roofs that make good use of sunlight. Probably worth checking out, eh?

Emma Watson debuts People Tree line

The lovely Emma Watson, who we're pleased to see isn't going down the typical destructive Hollywood road, has been a busy bee, making a name for herself as an actress, a fashion icon, a model, and is also currently a student at Brown University. She has also begun trying her hand at becoming a designer, and her efforts haven't been in vain. She recently teamed up with People Tree, a fair trade fashion company offering organic clothing. Check out her clothing line right here.

Sun Life Philippines HQ to go green for Gold

I was about and about yesterday and spent sometime in Bonifacio Global City, where a lot of buildings are being constructed, and I spotted a sign proudly proclaiming that Sun Life Financial is setting up house there--and that their future building is shooting for LEED Gold certification! The building is set to rise in 2011, and it'll be interesting to find out what is being done to meet LEED requirements.

The ECOsack

I could've just bought any old reusable bag out there, but the ECOsack called to me yesterday and I responded happily. The bag is made of organic canvas and comes in three different styles: a tote, a body bag, and a foldable bag that tucks neatly into a little pouch, which also serves as the main bag's pocket when it's unfolded. I purchased my ECOsack at Sesou in a nearby mall, along with Messy Bessy's dishwashing liquid. If you can't tell, I'm positively thrilled about the presence of more green products here in Manila.

Kudos, Sunday Inquirer Magazine

I rarely get a chance to read an actual, physical newspaper these days, but I was able to flip through Inquirer's Sunday issue, which comes with a weekly magazine. I was pleased to find out that they print it with mineral-based inks on recycled paper. Great job!

Green Valentine's day ideas, anyone?

Instead of dishing out tips on having a green Valentine's day, we want to know how you spend Valentine's in an eco-friendly manner. E-mail us at greenunlimited101(at)gmail.com and share your stories and suggestions!

Omega-3 Man

I happened upon a headline that the demand for Omega-3 fish oil tablets is adversely affecting fish population. I searched for alternatives and found this, Cardiotabs Ocean Safe Marine Oil supplement. It is made from calamari instead of fish.

Be a Green Explorer with Nokia

Need tips on living a greener life and a guide for eco-friendly travel? Who'd have thought that you can turn to Nokia for that kind of advice? They recently launched Green Explorer, perfect for anyone who wants to see more of the world. Green Explorer also comes as a widget for several of Nokia's phones. This is still an experimental project from the looks of it, and they're even on the lookout for more writers and photographers. Hopefully, it catches on and that Nokia also begins to do even more for the environment.

Protect the Hudson

From PIRG's Anna Aurilio:

"The Hudson River is one of New York's treasures -- a home to wildlife, a place to enjoy with our families and an asset to our economy.

Unfortunately, polluters have been given a free pass to pollute in the streams that feed the Hudson and many of the rivers, lakes and streams across our state.

It's time to protect the Hudson and all of New York's waters. Click here to join me in telling Congress to take tough action now.

We know why our rivers and streams are threatened. Recent Bush-era rollbacks to the Clean Water Act have swept away 30 years of protections for streams, lakes and wetlands across the country.

We know that polluters are taking advantage of the loopholes in the Clean Water Act. Right now, industrial facilities are dumping in our rivers and paving over our wetlands.

Fortunately, the answers are just as clear: Congress needs to step up and finally reverse the rollbacks to the Clean Water Act as soon as possible. Without timely action, the EPA estimates that 20 million acres of wetlands across the United States could lose protection.

While the Senate has introduced legislation to strengthen protections, our leaders in the House still need to stand up for America's waters."

Thank you for taking action.

A green residential building: Arya Residences

I received an e-mail a couple of days ago from a real estate professional exhorting me--and probably a dozen other people--to check out Arya Residences by ArthaLand. Since I'm always ready to sneer, I was just about to do so until I came upon this portion of the e-mail:

Setting a new standard at the prestigious Bonifacio Global City, Arya Residences gives its future residents the chance to Live Well, enjoying the comforts of gracious living, and to Live Right, leading a greener, healthier and more cost efficient lifestyle. 

We are the first environmentally sustainable high rise residential in the Philippines registered with the USGBC'S LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program with a certification goal of Gold.

Okay, now I'm impressed. That's Gold, people. They must have really pulled out all the stops on this one. Completely unrelated: The same day I received the e-mail, I came across a full-page ad for Arya Residences in the newspaper. A sign that I should invest in a unit? Nah, probably just a reminder for me to check it out myself and learn more about how they made it green.

Buttermilk Spa

I was looking up information on medical spas the other day and found Buttermilk Spa in New York's Hudson Valley. Now how cool was it that I found an eco-friendly medical spa? Because that's what Buttermilk is. Not only do they use organic and natural products--obsessively organic, in their words--but they also use renewable energy. Solar and geothermal energy are toiling hard to heat the sauna, steam room, and mineral pool. The best part is you get to enjoy luxurious services and even have access to hiking trails, the nearby waterfalls, and the gardens of the Buttermilk Falls Inn, and even enjoy organic cuisine. Sounds like it's got the ingredients of a perfect weekend getaway.

A green PC?

This creation by Design Hara is calling itself an eco-friendly PC, with its recyclable casing made from untreated cypress and rosewood and the front cover from sheep leather. Hmm, not entirely sure that ups its green qualities, but at least its insides can be taken apart from recycling purposes? Anyway. It mainly banks its eco-friendliness on its energy-saving properties, using 60 watts an hour. The specs: 1TB of space, 4GB of RAM which can be expanded up to 8GB, Blu-Ray/DVD. (You gotta admit, it looks pretty good.)

Florida cities clean up with eco-friendly garbage trucks

Hialeah, Miami, and Miami-Dade county are making the switch to eco-friendly, fuel-efficient garbage trucks, looking to cut carbon emissions by 28 tons a year. Apart from that, Hialeah also plans to switch to an automated garbage pickup system in the future.