Lenovo Thinkpad L series: Green and sturdy

If you're looking for a laptop that is tough like anything and kind to the planet, the soon-to-be-released  Lenovo Thinkpad L series could just be your thing. Apparently, both the L412 and L512 meet military specifications for temperature, altitude, dust, vibration, and more. But what makes them really special is their consideration for the environment. The L series features an LCD cover, palm rests, and top/bottom case made with up to 30% post-consumer recycled content sourced from office water jugs and used IT equipment; the L512 is made with 18% post-consumer content. The packaging is nearly 100% recycled and recyclable, and the laptops themselves are Energy Star and EPEAT Gold certified.

Puma's Clever Little Bag is...clever

Now here's something that falls under the "Hey, why didn't everyone else think of that before?" category. Puma teamed up with industrial designer Yves Béhar to come up with the Clever Little Bag, which will replace the traditional shoeboxes. This isn't the first time that Puma has made efforts to protect the environment. Next on its list is the replacement of plastic and paper bags in their stores, to be replaced by biodegradable shopping bags.

Graduates gone green

In the U.S., college graduates are starting to use eco-friendly caps and gowns made from recycled plastic bottles. A good start indeed, but I personally prefer my university's version.

The University of the Philippines in Diliman had its graduation rites just this weekend, and it's always a nice event to witness. For many years now, the graduates no longer make use of the traditional cap and gown, but a sash known as the sablay, which features the school's colors and the letters U and P written in baybayin, or the country's indigenous script. The sablay began to be used because it's more appropriate to the country's weather around graduation time, plus it's truly Filipino as well.

The reuse potential is also great, especially if you have a younger sibling who will graduate from the same school, or if you're done with your masters or Ph.D. The design doesn't change and it can pretty much lie in wait in your closet until it's time for you to use it. Even if you never use it again, however, it's a gorgeous enough piece that you just wouldn't want to throw away, and it's a really nice reminder of your university days, and much easier to store than caps and gowns.

Eco-friendly hair care

Elizabeth Eng over at Green Daily has a great post on eco-friendly hair care, with plenty of great advice on how you can green up your hair care routine. I've been using a local organic shampoo and conditioner lately, and I hardly ever get my hair treated, but I have to confess that I simply can't give up my hair dryer. Without it, my hair just explodes all over the place and I'd look like I have a cloud on my head. I do my best to dry my hair as quickly as possible by towel-drying first, however. It would be nice if there's such a thing as a really eco-friendly hair dryer.

Anything Pawsible

April 25 is National Pet Parents Day! Are you looking for eco-friendly pet products and organic treats for your furry "children"? If you're in the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tri-state area, Anything Pawsible will be at the Lexington Avenue Festival between 60th and 66th st. on 01 May, 22nd Annual Broadway Spring Festival between 86th and 96th street on 02 May, and the Ninth Avenue International Food Fair on May 15 and 16. Percentage of the sales will go to Broadway Barks and the Mayor's Alliance for Sheltered Pets in New York City.

Happy Earth Day!

Click here to sign the Earth Day 2010 Climate Declaration. The Climate Rally is on 25 April at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

How about celebrating by going on a digital cleanse? No computer, TV or iPod use...perhaps even no cellphone. Do an extended version of Earth Hour. Turn off non-essential electrical appliances. Don't use the drive through. Drop off plastic bags at recycling centers. Bring reusable bags on your shopping trip. Bring a reusable mug to your favorite cafe. Plan your trips to avoid wasting gas. If you can, plant a tree or help clean up the community.

Whatever you decide to do, Mother Earth will thank you for it.


(photo from space images)

Mugging it Up

For Starbucks customers:

"One person can save trees. Together, we can save forests. That's why we'd like to encourage everyone to switch from paper cups to reusable travel mugs. Visit Starbucks.com to see the thousands of people taking the pledge to make a difference.

Join the movement. On April 15th, bring a mug to your local Starbucks and we'll give you a free brewed coffee*.

Bring in a mug any day, and get 10 cents off your beverage, anytime.

This event is taking place at locations all around the world. As your local barista for details."

*up to 20 fl. oz. while supplies last

Earth Day

From Environment New York:

"What better way to celebrate the upcoming 40th anniversary of Earth Day than to help break through the political logjam that's holding America back from achieving real energy independence.

Fortunately, our friends at environmental groups across the country agree. Together, we're launching a massive petition drive -- and we've pledged to do our part by gathering thousands of signatures for an online Declaration of Energy Independence, which we'll deliver to our senators on April 22, Earth Day.

40 years ago this month, a group of Americans responded to a growing environmental crisis by organizing the first Earth Day. Roughly 20 million people took part in protests, teach-ins and rallies. And it worked. In short order, Congress passed the Clean Air Act, strengthened the Clean Water Act, and created the Environmental Protection Agency.

40 years later, we've made real progress on so many fronts -- but we're even more dependent on foreign oil than we were then. Politicians keep making promises about energy independence, but we keep getting the same results -- more oil, more coal, more pollution, less security and a bleaker future for our children.

It's time to stop the insanity. Our online petition says:

Since the first Earth Day began 40 years ago, and despite incredible progress on environmental protection, America has a failing energy policy that continues to reward polluters, undermines the health of the American people, threatens our national and economic security, and keeps us dependent on energy sources from overseas.

We call on Congress to finally push aside the obstruction of the polluter lobby and stand with America's Clean Energy Patriots. We call for America's elected leaders to join us as Clean Energy Patriots and deliver on the promise of a clean energy revolution and climate action now.

The first Earth Day unleashed a movement that brought about cleaner air, cleaner water and new protections for parks, wilderness and wildlife across America. This Earth Day, we can unleash the power of clean energy to end our dependence on oil, resolve the climate crisis, and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.

Click here to sign what we hope will be a massive petition drive to kick-start a new energy future.

And, thanks, as always, for making it all possible."

Dye your Easter eggs green

Easter's nearly upon us all--have you decided yet how you're going to decorate your Easter eggs? How about dyeing them green this year? Jaclyn Gallucci of the Long Island Press sacrificed her skin and her orderly surroundings to come up with eco-friendly ways to dye Easter eggs--and the results are fantastic. The picture you see on the left was dyed using patterned silk fabric wrapped around each egg and boiled with water and a bit of vinegar. The design is then transferred to the egg. Just look around your house for any old, worn-out silken materials that you can use.

Check out the rest of the green dyeing methods now so you can get all the materials ready in time for Easter!