Ian Somerhalder Wants to Brighten Your Day

By EMA Staff | Wednesday March 20, 2013 @ 09:15am PDT
Tags: eco, energy, ian somerhalder, lightbulb

ian-s Environmental activist and EMA Futures Award Honoree Ian Somerhalder would like to brighten your day with an utlra eco-friendly, long lasting new lightbulb. Somerhalder has partnered with CREE, to promote their newest LED fixture.

Somerhalder talked to the Huffington Post about the bulb and his involvement with CREE.

“They use the saying, which is kind of awesome, ‘the coolest invention since the light bulb.,’ And you know what? It is, man! It uses 84 percent less energy, and Thomas Edison always said something to the effect of, “do it more or do it better.” I mean, it gives a 10 year warranty on a light bulb! 25,000 hours! It’s amazing what they’ve accomplished, so that’s why I’m really excited about this partnership. I really believe in these guys and I’m very fortunate.” Continue reading →

Which is Better for the Environment – Washing by Hand or The Dishwasher?

By EMA Staff | Tuesday February 26, 2013 @ 09:06am PDT
Tags: dishwasher vs. hand washing, eco, energy

The age old question brought up by many a reluctant teenager griping about having to do their chores finally has a definitive answer.

A study done by the University of Bonn in Germany found that washing a load of dishes (12 place settings) by hand uses on average 27 gallons of water and 2.5 kilowatt-hours of energy to heat the water — equivalent to running a hair dryer for two and a half hours.

By comparison, an energy-efficient dishwasher uses about 4 gallons of water and 1 kWh of energy per load. Researchers also found that dishwashers cleaned better, as half of the hand-washers failed to reach an “acceptable level” of cleanliness. So yes, the dishwasher is the more eco-friendly way to do the dishes. Teenagers worldwide rejoice.

Follow these simple steps to ensure an even more green dish-washing experience: Continue reading →

Constance Zimmer’s Simple Tips for a Green Home & Family

By EMA Staff | Tuesday November 6, 2012 @ 11:41am PDT
Tags: Constance Zimmer, eco, EMA Parent Board, green tips, home

EMA Parent Board Chair, Constance Zimmer shares her favorite (simple) tips for greening your home and family.

There are many simple ways to make green, healthy choices for yourself, your family, and the environment. These are a few of my favorites that I practice at home with my family.

Bring your own bags everywhere and use them for everything, not just groceries. Shove them into your purse, your car, your bike basket, etc. BAGGU makes amazing foldable, smashable bags to keep with you at all times.

Buy organic whenever you can. Farmer’s markets are the cheapest, most sustainable way to buy organic and local. Trader Joe’s is a good inexpensive alternative if there’s not a farmer’s market near you.

Use cloth napkins instead of paper at home. It’s also a great touch for a lunchbox.

Recycle, recycle, recycle.

Buy products that use recycled materials.

Buy craft books that inspire and teach how to use materials/things you have in your home to make new unique toys and gifts. This is a great activity to do with your kids as well.

My daughter, Coco, has found a wonderful amount of joy in giving some of her friends an old toy that she has loved but grown out of, so it becomes a gift from the heart and a great toy for someone else. An old Elmo doll that has been loved and has her smells on it becomes a new baby’s favorite snuggly toy. Continue reading →