Biking green with Bambike

Riding a bike instead of driving is certainly one way to live a more eco-friendly life. You can make things even greener if you're riding an eco-friendly bike, though. Bambike (Bamb EcoLogical Technology Inc.) offers a number of bicycles made out of bamboo and feature a rattan seat. The bikes are handmade by people who are involved with Gawad Kalinga, a Philippine community development organization for the poor. Check out all their different models here. You can find different bikes for cruising and even off-road biking.

Jessica Alba launches Honest.com

Actress Jessica Alba has a new role: founder of The Honest Company, which came about out a desire to find safe, healthful, eco-friendly baby products for her kids. The Honest Company also makes sure to give back to organizations concerned with health and social issues and for this year, they are teaming up with Baby2Baby, a group that provides families in need with essential baby clothing and gear.

The Honest Company isn't just an online shop featuring green products. They can help you customize an online nursery containing all your preferences for your child, and you 'subscribe' to a catalog of products that you want to purchase, which you'll receive every month.

The site's product lines are set to expand in the future. The Honest Company is just the latest among the work Alba has done to support the environment.

The good green days of yore

This particular blog post has been shared by a few people on my Facebook news feed. Simply put, it's someone hitting back at the cashier who told him or her that the older generation didn't do enough for the environment when they were younger, and the person who wrote this rattled off all the ways that things used to be done, from using cloth diapers to refilling pens with inks to returning glass beverage bottles.

Recycled bottles can create a dream home

In El Salvador, a couple, Prudencio Amaya, 102, and Maria Ponce, 78, decided that not having enough money to build a home won't stop them from having their dream house. Their home, called "La Casita Encantada" or "The Enchanted Cottage", has drawn attention for its clever use of recycled bottles as building material. Prudencio and Maria are reaping the benefits of their innovation as well--tourists have been stopping by to see the house and leaving donations for the couple.

Slovenian biologist embarks on a green flight

Matevz Lenarcic, a Slovenian biologist and environmentalist, has a pretty interesting project this year: fly around the world in the lightest plane while using up the least amount of fuel. His aircraft, a Virus-SW914, weighs only 640 lbs. While he's up in the air, the plane will record level of black carbon, and Lenarcic will also take pictures of various sights around the world to help emphasize the importance of protecting the environment. Learn more about his goals and his project at his website, GreenLight WorldFlight.

Good, wholesome products for your pups

If you're trying to make a switch to organic products, there's no reason why you should leave your dog out of your efforts. The Welcome Mutt gives you a chance to shop for healthful, eco-friendly products for your dog. Organic treats are available here, as well as biodegradable poop bags, organic toys and shampoos, and hemp collars and harnesses. The store carries products from brands like Wagging Green and The Good Dog Company.

The Welcome Mutt also makes sure to help look after rescue dogs with its Rescue Rewards program, which allows people to link their order to a dog rescue organization of their choice. After you've placed 20 orders, The Welcome Mutt sends the organization a free Welcome Kit, which includes a collar, leash, poop bags and food/water bowls, helping to keep that organization well stocked with those necessities.

Eco-fashion predictions for 2012

Happy new year, everybody! With 2012 just getting started, you can expect that people are weighing in on what will be fresh, hot, and new for the year. Even the eco-fashion world is coming out with its own predictions for the year. Ecouterre has all the details in its feature entitled "22 Eco-Fashion Predictions for 2012", with forecasts by Summer Rayne Oakes, Starre Vartan of Eco-Chick, and Safia Minney of People Tree.