Real vs. Fake Christmas Trees - Which one is more Eco-friendly?

It's that time of the year again. Your neighbors have already finished decorating their house with lights, ornaments and Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving, but you're a still debating whether it is more eco-friendly to cut down a live Christmas tree or if you should stop by the store for an artificial one.

The answer to this much debated problem might surprise you!

Going Green at Work

Have you ever thought about the impact your office or work place has on the environment? If you're a full time employee you spend 40 hours or more a week at your workplace - that's a big chunk out of your week. Choosing to make environmentally friendly changes to your work space can make a difference.

Here's to a "Green" Fall Season

October is Energy Action Month. It was first brought into existence as “Energy Awareness Month” 24 years ago by President George H.W. Bush. Our current President Barack Obama proclaims Energy Action Month to be a “call upon the citizens of the United States to recognize this month by working together to achieve greater energy security, a more robust economy, and a healthier environment for our children.”  

Here are some easy ways to save energy and/or reevaluate your energy usage choices:

Eating Seasonally and Locally

With summer time slowly coming to an end, it’s time to start thinking about the seasonality of many fruits and vegetables. Do you know what's in season this month? According to USA Today Travel, the foods you should buy in September are pears and sweet potatoes. But what are the benefits of buying local and seasonal produce?

Why volunteer?

Many nonprofits are adept at finding innovative ways to utilize our limited resources within the financial constraints faced by our organizations. By doing this, we are better able to accomplish our nonprofits' missions. One of the most valuable ways to enhance our resources is to increase our reach with the aid of volunteers. NC GreenPower has nearly 700 individuals on our Speakers Bureau volunteer list, and most years we have almost 100 active volunteers staffing events for us!

It's Recycle Week, America!

Did you know that more than a dozen items are currently banned from North Carolina landfills? 

Here are a few that you might not know about:

1. Used oil
2. Yard trash
3. White goods (appliances, like an old dishwasher)
4. Antifreeze
5. Aluminum cans
6. Whole scrap tires
7. Lead-acid batteries
8. ABC beverage containers
9. Motor vehicle oil filters
10. Recyclable plastic bottles (except motor oil or pesticide bottles)
11. Wooden pallets
12. Oyster shells
13. Computer equipment
14. Televisions

Start by reducing your consumption of these items. Opt for rechargeable batteries when possible. Donate gently used appliances and electronics still in working condition before you upgrade to newer models. Reuse what you can and recycle items rather than tossing them.

NC GreenPower Tests New Focus on Solar for Schools & Community

(Blog reposted from original story by NC Sustainability Connection)

Haut Gap Middle School Solar School Dedication, Johns Island, S.C.
Photograph by Jim Huff and courtesy of Santee Cooper

NC GreenPower has announced two new pilot projects that signal a shift in the organization's focus. After more than a decade of helping to boost the state's voluntary renewable energy portfolio through production-based incentives, the group is transitioning its direction toward school solar installations and other community impact projects more likely to galvanize contributor support.

5 tips for a greener Valentine’s Day – Love is in the air!

Valentine's Day. It’s the time of year when roses are received from a secret admirer, gifts are exchanged between friends and couples in love enjoy romantic candle-lit dinners. On the other hand, plenty of couples ignore the over-commercialized holiday and do nothing… Or feel forced to do something.

theOatmeal.com

Whatever your opinion of the holiday is, please love the earth and have an eco-friendly celebration! We’ve pulled together 5 tips for you:

Eco New Year’s Resolutions

We at NC GreenPower hope you had wonderful holidays! Now that we have welcomed the New Year, it’s time to reflect on some ways you can make small changes to live more environmentally friendly. We’ve compiled a list of ideas for New Year’s Resolutions you can make that will help you live a greener life. A lot of the time, small behavioral changes make a big difference!