Whole Earth Packaging Archive Page
Monday, April 30, 2012

Everyone should take steps to be friendlier to the environment, but you can’t be eco-friendly unless you know what you’re doing. Join us at Whole Earth Packaging, as we teach you about recycling and how to be environmentally friendly. During our last eco-glossary blog post we discussed terms beginning with A through C. This post defines terms D through E.

Downcycling – The process of recycling a material, so it’s made into a material or product of equal or lesser value. 

Earth Day – Founded in 1970 by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson, Earth Day is a day meant to bring awareness and appreciation for the Earth.

Eco-Assessment – An evaluation of a home or workplace, which is meant to reduce energy and water use.

Eco-Bag – A bag made from organic materials, which is used in replace of paper or plastic grocery bags.

Eco-Bus – A bus that uses a combination of diesel and electric power.

Ecotourism – Touring and/or vacationing in exotic, sometimes threatened, natural environments, in order to observe and support the conservation of wildlife and the environment.

Ecological Footprint – The impacts our choices have on the Earth’s environment.

Ecosystem – The way organisms interact with each other within their natural community, in order to sustain one another.

Embodied Energy – The energy required for the process to make a product and the molecular energy in the product’s material.

Emission – The release of gas particles or vapor into the environment.

Emissions Cap – A limit for a company, regarding the amount of greenhouse gases the company can emit.

Energy Star – The international standard for energy efficient consumer products that use 20%-30% less energy than is required by federal standards

Energy Efficient – Products and systems that use less energy, but work just as well or better than standard products or systems.
EnviroCitizen – People who believe they have a collective and individual responsibility to leave the Earth a better place for the following generations.

Environmental Cost – Expenditures that are used to fix the environmental effects that have resulted from the negative choices people have made.

Environmentally Friendly – Words used to describe goods and services that have little to no negative impact on our environment.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – An agency of the federal government, which was created in 1970 to enforce the regulations of the release of pollutants, and to protect the public’s health and the environment.

Energy Efficient – Methods, products or technology, which reduces the amount of electricity or fuel used, but does the same work as a standard model would.

If you know of any other important eco-friendly terms, let us know with a comment. Please join us next week, as we help you learn how to be environmentally friendly with our eco-glossary. 


by: Whole Earth Packaging
Monday, April 23, 2012

We’re all taught at a young age of the importance of recycling, but what’s even more eco-friendly is finding new and creative ways to reuse recyclable household items. Recycling uses energy and fuel to transport items, but reusing products can save time, energy, and produce fewer emissions. Check out these cool and fun eco-friendly ideas:

Spaghetti jars: Here is a 2-for-1 deal! By using empty spaghetti jars as small planters, you’re saving energy by re-using, and being earth friendly by planting.
Toilet paper roll: Use as an extension cord organizer to allow your PS2, Xbox & DVD wires to be hassle free!
Sunday Comics: Reuse as wrapping paper – its fun, entertaining, and there’s no need to ever buy wrapping paper again.
Toothbrushes: Can be used to clean and scrub the bathroom or hard to reach places, like around faucet handles.
Old CDs & DVDs: Paint or cover them to create a one-of-a-kind drink coaster, or cut them up to use as bike reflectors.
Drinking Straws: Cut them up and tie a string through all of the pieces to create a necklace or bracelet.
Toothpaste Tubes: Cut off the cap end and reuse the tube as a holder for scissors, or wash out the tube entirely, fill with icing, and you have a cake decorator.
Butter Tubs: Save them to store leftovers.
Paper: Cut used pieces and make notepads with the blank sides.
Plastic Bags: Reuse as doggy bags, or keep in your car as trash bags.
T-shirts: Use as rags for cleaning.

As you can see, being environmentally friendly has many advantages. It helps keep our earth clean, it can be fun for the whole family, and you can reuse your old household items to create something else that is uniquely you! What would you add to the list? Also, be sure to check out some of the eco-friendly products that we offer, for when you do need to shop again. 


by: Whole Earth Packaging
Thursday, April 19, 2012

Everyone knows about how to be environmentally friendly, but do you know what terms like biodegradable, organic, downcycling and sustainable actually mean? If not, Whole Earth Packaging can help. Join us, as we go define eco-friendly terms from A to Z. This week we’ll define eco-friendly terms starting with the letters A through C.

Alternative Energy – Energy that comes from uncommon sources, and replaces the fossil-fuels we normally use. Wind power and solar energy are two examples of alternative energy.

Alternative Fuels – Fuels that come from uncommon sources, and replaces the fuels we normally use. Natural gas, bio fuels and electricity are two examples of alternative fuels.

Bio-based Product – Products that are made from renewable agricultural resources, such as Nature Works products from Whole Earth Packaging

Biodegradable – A product or object that, when left alone, breaks down and is absorbed into the Earth and our eco-system.

Bio-Fuel – Fuel, such as wood, which is produced from dry organic matter or combustible oils produced by plants.

Blackwater – Wastewater generated by toilets.

Building Related Illness (BRI) – An illness caused by airborne building pollutants.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) – A naturally occurring greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, which is colorless, odorless, and incombustible.

Carbon Footprint – Measuring your impact on the environment, based on the amount of carbon dioxide you’ve produced.

Carbon Neutral – A business, person, family, or action that does not produce any carbon emissions.

Carbon Rationing – Limiting the amount of carbon you use every year.

Composting – The process of organic wastes decomposing naturally, which results in a produce rich in minerals that is often used as a soil conditioner for gardening.

Conservation – Preserving and renewing natural resources.

If you know of any other important eco-friendly terms, let us know with a comment. Please join us next week, as we define many more environmentally friendly terms.



by: Whole Earth Packaging
Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Spring is here. The flowers are in bloom, the chill is gone from the air and everywhere we look we can see little signs of new life in nature. On April 22nd more than a million people all over the world will participate in the 42nd Earth Day. It doesn’t matter whether you’re doing something huge for our planet or something small, such as using renewable and compostable products, every little bit counts towards a cleaner environment and a greener Earth.

In 1969 there was a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. This disastrous event caused Wisconsin U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson to begin “national teach-in on the environment.” In celebration of Earth Day 2012, here are some famous Earth Day quotes.

  • “All of the flowers of tomorrow are seeds of today.” – Chinese Proverb
  • “Nature is a painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty.” – John Ruskin
  • “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtfully committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
  • “There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all.” - Robert Orben
  • “Only when the last tree has died, and the last river been poisoned, and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” - Cree Indian Proverb
  • “There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew.” - Marshall McLuhan

How will you take part in Earth Day 2012? Let us know with a comment.



by: Whole Earth Packaging

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