TOMRA iPhone/iPod app surpasses 1000 downloads & more coming..

As of 29 May 2011, the ”Tomra Recycle Game,” has now been downloaded by 1,233 users since its launch in February 2011. “I wouldn’t have believed when we created the game that it would achieve such a level of interest,” says Torsten Gabrielsen, one of the principal developers of the app. ”I think it just goes to show how huge a community is using the Apple AppStore.”

For those of you who have an iPhone or an iPod touch and might be interested in downloading the free game, just go to into your iTunes Store and type ”Tomra Recycle Game” in the search field. The game requires iOS version 4.0 or above.

The game was developed by Torsten Gabrielsen, Kwok Ho and Helene Solheim.

TOMRA – yesterday, today, tomorrow

TOMRA’s automated recycling machines are equipped today with True Vision™ crate recognition technology providing premium performance in handling today’s complex crate assortment while enabling an opportunity for stores to get more value out of their return processes.

Find out more about TOMRA products at: http://www.tomra.com

TOMRA Sure Return Technology!

TOMRA automated recycling machines equipped with the company’s patented Sure Return™ Technology feature a unique video surveillance system that provides constant monitoring and control of objects inserted into the machine, providing unmatched recognition, security and sorting capabilities.

TOMRA is the leading global provider of advanced solutions enabling recovery and recycling of materials.

Find out more about Tomra at: http://www.tomra.com

MUCH More than a Parking Zone

If you haven’t heard of PARK(ing) Day then you have missed the boat! There is a lot going on in parking spaces across the country – even across the world. Curbside parking spots are being ‘recycled’ for events, celebration and community happenings, here, there and everywhere!

These tansformed parking lots are being converted into relaxation spots in recognition of PARK(ing) Day. States like California have plans to remodel their communities encouraging people to lessen their use of vehicles by way of Vision California, supported by Senate Bill 375. Vision CA will encourage Californians to walk more and bike more, in turn decreasing parking needs.  It began in 2005 when Rebar, a San Francisco-based design and art studio,  would convert parking spaces in environmental art pieces for civic activities at least one day every year. This goal of this grassroots project is to encourage people to rethink the way streets and spaces are ordinarily used.

PARK(ing) Day was celebrated again this month, worldwide. Since its inception, over 700 ‘parks’ have been set up by Rebar in over 140 cities and 21 countries. A few other cities that’re jumping on the Rebar bandwagon (including San Francisco) are Berlin, Barcelona, Lisbon, Rome, New York and Rio de Janeiro. The 2010 global launch took place in Paris via aFrench cultural organization known as Dedale. Blaine Merker of Rebar states, “From public parks to free health clinics, from art galleries to demonstration gardens, Parking Day participants have claimed the metered parking space as a rich new territory for creative experimentation, activism, socializing and play.”

Rebar’s team believes it’s all about re-imagining the possibilities of urban landscape as we know it. Matthew Passmore of Rebar states, “Parking Day is about re-imagining the possibilities of the urban landscape. In urban centers around the world, inexpensive curbside parking results in increased traffic, wasted fuel and more pollution. The strategies that generated these conditions are not sustainable, nor do they promote a healthy, vibrant human habitat. Parking Day is about re-imagining the possibilities of the urban landscape.”

What is your city doing to celebrate PARK(ing) Day? You may be the person needed to lead the pack in your own community.

 To read more on this subject visit, http://www.ecoseed.org/en/living-green/environment/article/51-environment/8082-from-parking-spaces-to-real-parks

Where O Where Can You Find GREEN Events?

In case you’re growing weary of scouring the Internet for the latest buzz in the world of green living, events and happenings, then check out the latest blog that we’ve stumbled across, Blog it Green.  

Blog it Green focuses on the latest news and events, and they claim that their little green elves will do all of the heavy lifting on your behalf!  See for yourself at – http://www.blogit-green.info/green-news/

Earth Day is almost here!

The day that celebrates our planet is rapidly approaching. Earth day is April 22nd! If you’re reflecting on your actions and seeking out ways to commemorate the day read below for some simple steps you can carry out. Sometimes less is more, and the little things we do can really add up and influence our world! Here are some efforts you can make on behalf of our planet:  

Stay Current – All of the latest and greatest technology advances make it simple to customize a computer or cell phone to receive eco-news on the go. Stay current on happenings and informed of what is going on in the eco-realm. Set up your devices to follow green trends, news, and blogs. You can even setup green alerts to be sent straight to your RSS feed. Then pass on what you learn!

Be Community-driven – Get involved in your local area. Use Facebook Groups and Meetup.com as resources to find people in your area that are also pursuing green events. These sources will help you find local efforts that are already happening such as Earth Day festivals, or assist you in organizing your own! Check out close by farmer’s market for any local green happenings and to get the latest buzz. While you’re there do your grocery shopping! Supporting local businesses is another way you can do your part.  

Vacation anyone? – If you’re in the mindset of planning your summer vacation maybe its time to try something different by helping the planet as you get away. The World Wildlife Fund offers several travel opportunities to see rare and exotic animals in their natural habitat. Other organizations offer “volunteer vacations” where you can help save the rainforest, work on an organic farm, or track an endangered species to increase conservation efforts. You can check out Charity Guide for more information. There are some places that will include your accommodations and meals in exchange for your volunteer efforts. Now we’re talking, you can save green while going green!

You can peruse further ideas at: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/greenpicks/277/five-things-you-can-do-for-earth-day.html

Greenify by Going Paperless!

Over the past few years more and more companies have been edging closer to a paperless operation in order to save significant money and resources, but despite all that could be saved and the increased daily use of computers and electronic documents many haven’t made the switch.  A recent report released by J.P. Morgan testifies that if companies would cut the paper from even their treasury departments they could not only reduce tons of waste, but could also save millions. Millions!

“These paper documents are also expensive to handle,” the report’s authors write. “On average, to file and maintain 500,000 pieces of paper, companies spend an estimated $250,000 in workflow management, another $115,000 to research lost files and approximately $150,000 in storage and disposal costs.”

Considerable savings can be achieved by looking at all the elements of a companies treasury department (to include, collection of cash and receivables, disbursement processing, and storing the reports/data), and then determines the best practices that will reduce or eliminate paper in valuable ways. Many of the large treasury departments produce over 5 tons of paper each year (that’s comparable to 143 trees and the creation of 106 tons of greenhouse gases). A more paper-free system that converts files to electronic documents can also lead to superior safety measures.

Check out the full report, “Sustainable Treasury Management: It’s Easier than You Think,” at -
http://www.greenbiz.com/news/2010/02/18/cut-paper-out-your-operations-save-millions

Alternative Eco-Friendly News

If you’re looking for an alternative green site I encourage you to pursue www.greenlivingtips.com. Michael Bloch, owner and editor of this site may be unconventional, but he is certainly compelling. If you are seeking a view on earth friendly advice with a twist, then look no further! You’ll find insights for going green, reducing consumption & costs, and its continual impact on the environment.

Say NO to Paper and Plastic

Are you in the know? BYOB (bring your own bag) is certainly the way to go. Here are a few reasons why…

• Annually in the United States 380 billion plastic bags are used
• Each plastic bag is used for roughly twenty-five minutes
• Less than 3% of bags are recycled
• They’re not biodegradable
• The average person uses an average of 18,000 plastic bags in a lifetime

In fact, plastic bags photodegrade, which means they break down into smaller segments of toxic pieces that contaminate our soil, waterways, and end up in our food-chain.

Paper bags also have a downside. Each year fourteen million trees are cut down to produce ten billion paper bags for U.S. grocery stores.

Next time you head out to the store, bring your own bag! Most stores now offer reusable bags at the check out line for roughly one dollar. Each reusable bag used will eliminate thousands of one-time use bags. Do your part to reduce your use. Find more green living tips at: http://www.buygreen.com/greenlivingtips.aspx

Grow Green! How to Navigate Organic Produce

Shopping for organic food and produce can be daunting. Not only for your wallet, but it’s also intimidating if you don’t know what to look for, or what to avoid (i.e. pesticides). We all want the best nutrition for our loved ones and ourselves, and there are ways you can go organic without going overboard, or over budget.

The nonprofit Environmental Working Group ranks fruits and vegetables according to pesticide content (details at www.foodnews.org). Here are a few examples:

Fruits and Vegetables to Buy Organic: peaches, strawberries, apples, spinach, nectarines, celery, pears, cherries, potatoes, bell peppers, raspberries, imported grapes.

Fruits and Vegetables that can be bought Non-organic: sweet corn, avocadoes, pineapples, cauliflower, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, onions, broccoli, bananas, kiwis.

Another great option, buy locally grown food and help family farmers stay in business! Farmers markets and family farms sell food that is fresher than anything sold in the supermarket, which means it’s tastier and more nutritious. Another benefit, it’s really good for your local economy. Go to www.localharvest.org to find the best organic food grown closet to you.

Want to learn more? Go to: http://family.go.com/hot-topics/pkg-go-green/article-gg-631171-when-to-buy-organic-t/