Rigel Celeste
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Don't Rinse
Don't rinse.
A Completely Cardboard Office
An advertising agency based in Amsterdam has come up with a very unique way to brand itself, by building its office out of cardboard. Everything, 100% of all the furniture, desks, shelves, stairs, railings, and even stairs are made up of interlocking pieces of very thick, very strong, corrugated cardboard. No glue and no nails or screws needed.
I think it's ugly as sin (what's wrong with investing in a little eco-friendly paint?) but I admit it does catch attention. I wonder if they have a bathroom and if so, how much of that is cardboard?
[via psfk]
Handbags Made from Trash on the Streets of Honduras
Buying new handbags can be a hard habit to give up for some, but you won't have to worry so much about it if you can find an eco-friendly brand or designer that you really like. BasuraBags are quickly gaining popularity here in the States thanks to their fresh designs and bright, spunky color combinations. Their philosophy is "if you can do more, you should" and every bag is made with recycled chip bags that are picked up off the streets of Honduras. And in addition to finding a new use for old litter, all of BasuraBags' profits go back to Honduras and support education for the country's youth in the form of textbooks and school buildings. 
Live with Less: The Incredible "Transforming Desk"
Living with less is a great goal in theory but it's often hard to do in real life. French furniture designer Florian Jouy has made an attempt to tackle at least one area of that issue by combining a desk and bed. It's a sleek, modern look that would certainly look awesome in a dorm room or studio apartment, although I'm with Treehugger on this one and think it looks pretty uncomfortable. But even though it might not work as your everyday bed it would probably make a great backup for when guests and friends want to stay over.
[via psfk]
Gallery: The Transforming Desk
Ask Me About My Pile.
Pretty much all baby clothes are cute but few are genuinely funny, so I just had to share this "Ask Me About My Compost Pile" because as corny as it is it makes me chuckle almost every time I read it. And not only is it funny (in the cutest way) but it might actually inspire a conversation about your compost pile -- you could inspire somebody to help the environment by starting their own. All with your baby's outfit! (And if it doesn't work that way then at least your kid has something to wear while you get the occasional chuckle).
Available from What on Earth in 100% organic cotton for $14.98.
[via Book of Joe]
A 100% Recyclable Kitchen
Valcucine has come up with a 100% recyclable kitchen design, which if ever put into mass production could really make a difference considering how un-environmentally friendly the current average kitchen is. The 100% recyclability factor is achieved through innovations like a special glass cabinet system (they call it "Invitrum") and a base kitchen structure made of drawn, recycled aluminum instead of primary aluminum. Also, all the joints are made mechanically, which means not only are no toxic glues required but (if need be) it can all be easily disassembled. Very cool.
[via Trendir]
Make Your Own Toothpaste
Make your own toothpaste.
Solar-Powered Blinds Save the Light for Later
One of the most frustrating things about a lot of solar powered gadgets is the fact that it's so hard to get them into the sun often enough, and for long enough periods of time, to be sure they're always fully charged when you need them to be. This solar Venetian blind concept, called "Blight" by Vincent Gerkens, solves not only that problem but it also helps save energy. It works by saving up solar energy during the day and then replacing a lamp or two during the night when it uses that energy to light up.
Not the most attractive light fixture (a little 'rave party' or something), but definitely a cool idea.
[via DVICE]
Catch of the Day: Condoms, Cigarettes, & Styrofoam
The Surfrider Foundation has come up with an advertising campaign that catches people's attention by being unexpected and (mostly) downright gross. Called "Catch of the Day" the point is to bring awareness to the pollution and trash that collects on our beaches every day by picking up that trash, packaging it neatly, labeling it as if it were seafood, and then planting it strategically at area farmer's markets for innocent shoppers to find. A bit shocking, I'm sure, to be looking for crab legs and come across a package of fresh-off-the-beach "Condom Strips" instead. Do you suppose they're better baked or battered and deep fried? (I feel a little sick.)
Pack a Greener Lunch with Reusable Sandwich Bags
I don't have to pack my lunch very often but when I do I love to have a sandwich, and somehow it just doesn't feel right jamming bread and stuff into a Tupperware container with a lid. I know they make those sandwich-shaped ones, but I guess I just like my old-fashioned sandwich bags. They're easy to pack, easy to handle (I have an impairment when it comes to getting lids off things), and nostalgic of my childhood.
Enter the Reusable Fresh Snack Pack! It's a reusable sandwich bag, and I personally think it's great because it's doesn't do the stiff, bulky, awkward box thing, but neither does it do the "always seems dirty because it's made out of cloth" sandwich bag thing. $4.50-$5.50 each.
[via GroovyGreen]
Garden Your Way to Food Freedom
Here's an interesting quote I came across over at Nature Mom's Blog:Of course it's sarcasm because we all want to be free. We don't even really realize how dependent we are (some would call us slaves, although I'm not quite that dramatic) on the government and business and the food industry to keep us all alive and healthy and happy. What if we really were able to, and did, grow all of our own food? It would be outrageously freeing, wouldn't it?Growing food is one of the most dangerous occupations on this earth because you are in danger of becoming free. - Jules Dervaes
I can't help but think it would also be an enormous amount of work, but then nobody ever said freedom comes easy.
This or That: Soy ink or Vegetable ink?
Soy-based ink or vegetable ink?
Get a Greener Night Light
Get a greener night light.
Tips for a Green Thanksgiving
10 Tips for Making Your Home More Energy Efficient
Green Gift Ideas: Beauty Gift Sets
