Sigg Water Bottle Review

Sigg Water Bottles. Click play on the video to watch a review of the renown eco-friendly Sigg water bottles.

Moonlight Low Energy Night Light

This Moonlight plug is a newely designed low energy night light that fits into a normal house plug socket. It uses NASA space-age technology, developed to illuminate cockpit panels, to give a soft restful blue/green light making rooms feel safer at night.

The low energy night light is so green it will run continuously for less than $1 (50p) per year. The electro-luminescent bulb-free panel is safe and cool to touch and ideal for night lighting in bedrooms, hallways, corridors at home or on holiday.

Eco Friendly Paint

Eco Surface Paint And Finishes
By Nicola Elizabeth Jones

Interior design paint choices can be difficult. This article will look at each type of eco and natural paint, giving you the low down on each so that you can make an informed decision. Some paints and finishes claim to be natural, organic or non-toxic. As with all claims of eco-friendliness, be careful when choosing finishes as there are currently no legal requirements for manufacturers regarding toxic chemical content.

The following list looks at natural and eco interior paint ideas for your walls and ceilings:

Eco interior paint ideas – First choice

Linseed oil based paint

Linseed comes from the flax plant is an ideal resource that is renewable, sustainable and readily available. Some sources are found in by-products from the food industry. The content of linseed oil in paints can vary with some types that are made with 100%. Any pigments which are added do not contain solvents and are natural. The product lifetime can exceed synthetic paint types by up to one third. Suitable for interior and exterior applications. Paint will age and colours will fade over time. This can be restored with a coat of new linseed oil.

Eco interior paint ideas – Second choice

Wood and vegetable oil based paint

Made from natural elements such as soya bean oils, oak bark and madder root – readily available and renewable materials. Vegetable based pigments fade over time. Natural VOCs are released from natural resins like turpentine and citrus oils – these VOCs are not as toxic as traditional synthetic paint. Low levels of embodied energy.

Casein, protein, distemper, milk based paint

An old fashioned interior paint mix made from milk protein and lime. Materials are non chemical, renewable and readily available. The product comes in powder form, to be mixed when needed. The casein/milk acts as the binder. Raw materials are a non renewable resource extracted through quarrying, which destroys the surrounding natural environment. Application may cause skin and eyes sensitivity as lime is a known irritant. Some sources are found in by-products from the food industry. Suitable for interior and exterior applications. A breathable, water based and non toxic paint. Multiple coats are needed for an opaque finish. Milk paint is not appropriate for damp environments as this causes the paint to flake. The finish is washable, matt, soft and chalk like.

Clay based paint

Natural clay is a readily available and non toxic resource. Available in a small variety of colours. Finish is entirely breathable and has very good natural anti fungal and anti static properties. Entirely breathable finish which helps humidity and trapped moisture levels. Available in flat matt or textured wall effects. Good anti-static properties. A naturally non drip paint without polyurethane. Low levels of embodied energy.

Stone and mineral paint

A water based paint made from crushed stones and minerals such as limestone, soap stone, quartz sand and dolomite without the use of solvents. Materials are readily available. Mineral pigments are available in bold colours and do not fade as easily as vegetable based paints. Durability on porous surfaces is very high. Good light reflectivity. Interior paint finish is entirely breathable and has very good natural anti-fungal properties. These finishes create the same surface properties found in natural stone. Non combustible. Medium levels of embodied energy.

Lime, lime wash, whitewash, distemper paint

An alkaline powdered chalk or lime based paint which is suited to painting on top of a clay or lime plaster base. Raw materials are a non renewable resource extracted through quarrying, which destroys the surrounding natural environment. Quite a soft finish which can flake. Good anti-fungal properties. A breathable, water based and non toxic paint. Contains very low level of VOCs. Multiple coats are needed for an opaque finish. Application may cause skin and eyes sensitivity as materials are known irritants. Some paints contain acrylic polymers. Cannot be painted on gypsum plaster walls.

Eco interior paint ideas – Third choice

Low-odour, low VOCs or zero VOCs paints

There is some conflicting information surrounding these paints as low odour paints ‘seem’ to be safe as they do not give off the typical paint smell – leading you into a false sense of security. This does not mean that they are safe, only that a different chemical process has been used. Interior paints which state zero VOCs may well be made with alternative chemical and toxic substances which are not classed as VOCs. Paint which states low VOCs offgas lower levels of chemical vapours than synthetic paints. Both zero and low VOCs paints could have as a negative effect on your health, wellbeing and to the natural environment as traditional synthetic paints do, even though the level of exposure might be reduced. It is important to note that low VOCs still offgas, however the level is lower than with traditional paint types. There are currently no legislations as to what a low or zero VOC paint can contain to be put into this class.

Shellac paint

An interior paint made from natural, renewable and sustainable insect resin which is a by product of the insects draining sap from tree bark. Lac is imported from overseas from regions such as Thailand and India. A quick drying timber varnish which releases low levels of VOC emissions after application. Can suffer from wear and tear easier than other timber finishes. Suitable for low traffic timber flooring areas. When sourcing shellac, check the label for added methanol as this chemical reduces the eco-friendly nature of the product.

Interior wood finish, both eco and natural alternatives to synthetic timber finishes, oils and stains:

Natural wax

Plant based resources such as carnauba, candelilla plants and oils made from sunflower, soya bean and thistle. All materials are renewable, sustainable and readily available. Lower levels of toxic elements and low odour binding solvents – low levels of natural VOCs are released. Excellent stain resistant properties. Microporous products are suitable for interior & exterior applications allowing the timber to breathe. Finishes are naturally transparent and oil-based making them water-repellent. Suitable for interior uses, can be polished to a sheen. Products must cure over a few days before full strength and water resistant properties take effect. Once the wood has been penetrated with the wax, it will not flake, peel or blister.

Natural oils

This finish is made from nuts and seeds such as linseed, soya, coumarone resin and tung oil. All of these renewable, sustainable materials are readily available. Transparent finishes are naturally oil-based making them water-repellent, however less water resistant than synthetic finishes. Suitable for timber flooring and stairs and heavier wear areas as the oils are durable. Flooring oil doesn’t contain biocides or preservatives. Can be used on all timber including cork finishes as well as stone and natural tiles. Natural oils are microporous allowing timber to breathe and the oils prevent timber from becoming too dry. Soya oils are quicker drying than linseed oils. Some products contain carcinogens and naturally low levels of VOCs. Two to three times the number of coats needed as well as longer drying times. Low levels of embodied energy due to minimal manufacture. Reapplication is more often than synthetic finishes. Linseed oil alone can be used as a primer for applying wax and great as an eco furniture oil. Once the wood has been penetrated with oil, it will not flake, peel or blister.

Beeswax

A fragrant and abundant resource giving a golden toned finish on timber surfaces. Finishes are naturally oil-based making them water-repellent, however less durable and water resistant than synthetic finishes. Reapplication is more often than synthetic finishes. Once the wood has been penetrated with the wax, it will not flake, peel or blister.

Water based timber finish

Releases low levels of VOCs. The low VOCs content and water based name does not mean that chemical additives & binders have not been used. An odourless and clear finish. Not recommended for flooring applications where heavy wear will occur. Solvent is water based however may contain toxic elements. Lifespan is slightly less than synthetic varnish. No solvents necessary to clean.

Primer, under coat, primer, eggshell, gloss and varnish

Made from renewable and sustainable materials; natural linseed oil and soya. Both microporous materials allowing the timber beneath to breathe. Good moisture resistance and material flexibility. Suits both interior and exterior applications, available in varying strengths. Available in a gloss or satin finish. Natural oil based materials may still offgas VOC emissions within your home.
Interior wood finish; treatments, solvents, strippers and removers:

Borax

A timber treatment with good insect and fungal repellent properties. Made from natural minerals derivatives.

Natural solvents

Natural resin oils, citrus peel and aliphatic solvents release allergens which you may be sensitive to. A fragrant additive which is used in strippers, thinners and paint.

Paint stripper & varnish remover

Water based without the use of solvents suitable for removing water and oil based paints or finishes whether natural or synthetic. Gel paint remover is biodegradable and doesn’t contain any corrosive elements.

Interior wood finish to avoid: solvent based such as oil or alkyd

Synthetic ingredients to avoid

The following list of chemical compounds are found in a variety of surface finishes from paints, stains, adhesives, strippers to cleaning agents:

Acrylic resin

Ammonia

Ashphalt chlorobenzene

Ethylene

Kerosene

Formaldehyde

Methylene chloride

Petrol

Polyurethane

Trichloroethylene

Toluene

Vinyl chloride

Xylene

Nicola Elizabeth Jones is the owner of http://www.holistic-interior-designs.com and Earth Balance Interiors. Her core passion is working as an eco interior designer and consultant, based in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a wealth of interior design experience ranging from commercial to residential interior design projects in the UK. She also holds a number of years teaching experience working both in the classroom and distance learning environment with interior design students globally. She is a member of O2 Ireland who are the voluntary group of sustainable designers, linking up with the international group O2. She is also a member of Cultivate the sustainable community organisation for Ireland.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicola_Elizabeth_Jones

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

You Should Buy a Stainless Steel Water Bottle
By Jenna H

When you want to a way to help the planet and save the environment, you can go buy a stainless steel water bottle.

All of us were purchasing plastic bottles for a long time and we were harming our bodies and our world at once. The easy thing is a steel bottle is a great answer to these two problems. To date I have already purchased seven stainless water bottles, an amount to supply my whole household. I think the Sigg bottle is number one. Many of my co-workers bought a Kleen Kanteen stainless steel bottle because of their bright colors and designs.

Most shops sell a refillable sports bottle that is constructed from plastic, this way you don’t have to buy water from the stores. Surely it will reduce your impact on the environment and reduce your carbon footprint, only it doesn’t have any health benefits. Regular drinking bottles will leech dangerous chemicals into your beverage. You need a real stainless steel water bottle if you want it to be safe to drink from.

If you dislike the thought of a steel drinking bottle, there are a few other alternatives. A Nalgene water bottle has been manufactured from a plastic that contains no BPA chemicals and will not be as hazardous for your drinking water. As well, they sell several kinds of stainless bottles in their online store. Recently there has been a recall of plastic bottles made by Nalgene and that means I will not be switching from my stainless steel bottle any time soon.

An advantage I have found for drinking from my Sigg bottle is that spent a lot less money on water. Before, I would use a whole box of bottled water every two weeks by myself. Also I found the weight of a case of water was taking its toll on my back. Water should not be an expense, the cost of the stainless water bottle is nothing compared to what you will save. It’s a good idea to buy another steel drinking bottle to leave at the office. When I first showed my new bottle at work, all of my friends were excited about it. A day later many of my co-workers already bought themselves one too in many different designs.

On my blogger I will be writing about stainless water bottles, brands like Kleen Kanteen, Sigg and Nalgene. Don’t wait until I make my next post, run out and buy a stainless steel drinking bottle now.

More about stainless steel water bottles on my blog.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jenna_H

Eco Friendly Products and the Green Movement

Eco Friendly Products and the Green Movement

Eco friendly products are goods and services that were manufactured with the idea that the process of producing and distributing them will not have a negative impact to the environment. Increasing awareness and concern for the environment has been affecting a lot of industries, with the “green” movement and ideals seeping into the collective consciousness of the buying public. There are many people who want to make a contribution, no matter how small, to protect the environment, which is actually a very good thing.

As a result of the public’s efforts to be more environmentally friendly, Eco friendly products can now be found everywhere from online stores to actual stores at the mall. To be called eco friendly, a product, such as clothes and accessories, must be made up of materials that were created and manufactured from organic materials. For example, cotton is the most predominantly used material for clothing. When growing cotton, the farmers sometimes used pesticides to protect the quality of the cotton. For eco friendly purposes, this has to be done away with. Pesticides should not be used in the production of cotton. The large-scale production and use of materials such as rayon has been a leading cause of environmental problems like deforestation.

In keeping with the efforts of trying to maintain the ecological balance, several alternatives are being pursued to protect the environment. Chemicals, such as dye used for coloring the fabric, should also be scrapped. These chemicals are harmful to the environment and can also be detrimental to people’s health. If the fabrics and textiles made for manufacturing clothes can be produced without dyeing, thus eliminating the use of harmful chemicals, then it will be much better for the environment and the public. Moreover, the fabric should also be made to be more long lasting. If the clothes easily become old and worn out, disposing them can be an environmentally problematic option because these materials do not decompose easily. They will keep filling up garbage dumps and contribute to pollution and waste. Therefore, Eco friendly products must be made of strong and renewable materials.

Recycling is also a considerable option. Clothes can either be made from recyclable plastic bottles and reusable fabrics. The above-mentioned processes may be small things compared to the wide-scale environmental issues but the tiniest things can have a huge impact if this is to be taken seriously. Fortunately, although the eco friendly production of cloth products and other accessories is still relatively new, it already has gained much popularity that even the most famous designers and fashion world’s who’s who are increasingly being swayed into promoting and supporting the go green movement.

However, protecting the environment is not the only objective of eco friendly campaigns. They also protect the rights of individuals for fair trade. Eco friendly products, besides being in most part organic, must also come from manufacturers that provide their workers with genuinely fair and decent working environment. They must be working in comfortable conditions and are being paid fair wages according to their hard work.
Danny Wright

For an assortment of eco friendly products , please visit the at home shopping mall MerchantLand.com. We provide safe and secure shopping, insightful consumer product reviews and daily discount on your favorite brands.

Why We Must All Go in For Eco Friendly Products Today?
By Hayi Mansoor Platinum Quality Author

Over the ages, being eco friendly has taken on a lot of meanings. There was a time when you were eco friendly if you just stopped using paper. But the definition of eco friendly products definitely changed over the times. In more recent times, if you used predominantly natural products, or their derivatives, you were using eco friendly products. However, today, the definition has broadened more. Today, you are eco friendly not just by using eco friendly products, but also by taking care that the environment is not harmed in any way by the way you are using these products.

Though the meanings have changed, the basic essence remains the same. We have to be friendly to the ecology. And what does ecology mean? Ecology is a broad biological term that encompasses the various interactions different plants and animals have with each other. Our earth would not have survived if these relations did not exist. Thus ecology becomes the basic supporting system of the planet, whether it is the ecology of the Pacific Ocean, of the ecology of a rotting tree stump in a forest in Ghana. These are all parts that make up the all-important whole.

And that is why we need to go in for eco friendly products today. By doing so, we are using products that are all natural and non synthetic, and not just that, we are taking care that our environment is not harmed in any way. Replacing internal combustion engine vehicles by electric driven cars is one way we are trying to do this. Putting solar panels on the roofs of our houses is another way. Farms in most European and American houses that are using the power generated from windmills is yet another superb manner in which we are becoming eco friendly.

But we need not think eco friendly products are always big and expensive. There are various small things that we can do at our own level to become eco friendly. Just using only as much electricity as we want or recycling all paper that we use or not allowing the faucets to drip are all ways that we can implement in our homes. Though these are not eco friendly products per se, they are acting for the same purpose. They are also helping us to protect the environment by saving the exhaustible resources that exist in it and that way they are helping us to secure ourselves and your succeeding generations for the future.

But we can use completely eco friendly products and provide our contribution to the environment too. We can use solar cookers for example. We can use only cotton and linen and not those synthetic materials that look flashy but do nothing to protect our environment. We can put our own household mini-bans on using plastic and buy products of friendlier materials such as paper and cardboard. There are hundreds of things that we can do to be harmonious with the environment. It is all in taking the first step!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hayi_Mansoor