Welcome to Our Blog

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Asker, Norway, TOMRA is a global leader in helping the world to recycle and reuse its valuable natural resources.

With operations in nearly 50 countries, TOMRA provides end-to-end recycling solutions including automated recycling machines for empty beverage containers; pickup, transportation and processing services; and waste sorting and compaction equipment sales.

TOMRA started operations in North America in 1985 and today represents nearly 40% of total global revenue. TOMRA of North America is headquartered in Shelton, CT.

Making a Difference for the Planet and Your Home!

People that have green on the brain are always looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to run-of-the-mill cleaning products. It’s not difficult to come by natural cleaning products; however, they’re often times a lot pricier than the average products on the market.  The positive news is that greening up your daily life is easier than you may know… (and don’t forget to add mixologist to your list of capabilities)!  

Instead of using… Use Eco-Friendly Alternatives

Bleach… Borax

Detergent & Soap… Elbow grease

Scouring Powders… Baking soda. Or rub area with one-half lemon dipped in borax, then rinse

General Cleaner… Baking soda and vinegar. Or lemon juice combined with borax paste

Floor Cleaner… One cup vinegar + 2 gallons of water

Window Cleaner… One cup vinegar + 1 qt. warm water. Rinse and squeegee

Aluminum Cleaner… 2 Tbsp. cream of tartar + 1 qt. of hot water

Brass Cleaner… Worcestershire sauce. Or paste made of equal amounts of salt, vinegar, and water

Copper Cleaner… Lemon juice and water. Or paste of lemon juice, salt, and flour

Chrome Cleaner/Polish… Apple cider vinegar to clean; baby oil to polish

Stainless Steel Cleaner… Baking soda or mineral oil for polishing, vinegar to remove spots

Fiberglass Stain Remover… Baking soda and salt in a wet paste

Mildew Remover… Paste with equal amounts of lemon juice and salt, or white vinegar and salt OR diluted tea tree oil

Drain Opener… Dissemble or use plumber’s snake. Or flush with boiling water + one-quarter cup baking soda + one-quarter cup vinegar

Wood Polish… Olive or almond oil (interior walls only)

Rug/Upholstery Cleaner… Dry corn starch sprinkled on; vacuum

After-Cleaning Cocktail… One part rum mixed with 2 parts fruit juice. Add ice as needed.

We’re always trying to stay in the loop on green blogs offering fresh ideas that are chock full of valuable real-life information; see http://thegreenmamas.blogspot.com/ for more ideas!

A Greener Lifestyle

Are you ready to incorporate green living into your personal life and home? If you’re ready to take that next step, then you have to check out Livingreen. This great resource is for those striving to make earth-conscious and healthier choices in their personal lives. This online venue offers tips and ideas and promotes alternative products for your home and workplace. With a wide range of offerings from books, furniture, cleaning products, gardening, and nursery items…plus more! Check it out if you want to start really living – living green that is! Go to: http://www1.livingreen.com/

Recycle Glass and Reap the Benefits!

Do you recycle because it invokes in you feelings of earth-friendliness? Perhaps you recycle because those around you do and you don’t want to be the odd man out. Whatever the reason, continue to unleash the recycler in you! Many of us recycle and are completely unaware of the positive impacts that unfold as a result. Recycling glass has significant recompenses – here are a few of them:

Glass is Infinitely Recyclable Glass used to make our pickle, salsa and olive jars and the glass that makes up our milk and cold mocha bottles is infinitely recyclable. This glass can be recycled over and over without affecting its quality.

Recycling Glass Saves Energy Too many recycling detractors claim that recycling uses more energy than the value. It’s a clear shut case – they’re entirely wrong. Want proof? The energy saved from recycling one bottle will:

Power a 100 watt light bulb for almost an hour

Power a computer for 25 minutes

Power a color TV for 20 minutes

Power a washing machine for 10 minutes

Reduce Landfill Size Glass never biodegrades. Let’s reuse it instead of burying it in a hole.

 Preserving Raw Materials For every ton of recycled glass used, 1.2 tons of raw materials are preserved.

Good for Society Another positive influence that recycling glass has are its societal benefits. It can create green jobs and even raise further recycling awareness.

Do you recycle glass? We highly recommend it!

To read more on this topic click on the link: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/shattering-reasons-recycle-glass.html?campaign=daylife-article

25 Best Eco-friendly & Great Green Blogs

With more than 6,000 blogs in relation to the environment, including news feeds, and webzines, it can be difficult to find the best ones. Check out WebEcoist for their top 25 Best Eco-friendly & Great Green Blogs. This site is a great tool for research, pleasure reading, or specific findings in the environmental realm. WebEcoist manages to narrow it down while represent diversity and a broad range of blogs with topics including news, lifestyle, and tech. Go to: http://webecoist.com/2008/09/03/25-best-green-blogs-by-category/

Recession polls unveil strength in recycling

Every year Earth Day comes to pass, echoing our world’s environmental trends and habits. In more recent years, this day has begun to encompass recycling practices as well.

 

Rasmussen’s latest survey of 1,000 Americans revealed that 70% actively partake in recycling programs in their households, and 53% of those polled rated their workplace’s recycling efforts between “good” and “excellent.” A recent MSN survey validates these numbers, indicating that 20% of Americans do not have access to a recycling service in their local area. Call2Recycle’s most current survey found that 92% of respondents regularly recycle at least one item, while 84% said they’re likely to recycle glass, plastic, or newspaper in the upcoming six months, which leads many to believe that the current “green” trend is withstanding the economic downturn.

 

According to Call2Recylce, we live in a time where feelings of “green guilt” have the ability to run rampant if consumers don’t feel like they’re somehow directly contributing to a reduced carbon footprint and overall waste. Regardless of the economic climate, or the positive polls, everyone needs to continue to focus on the environment and take individual action. 

 

What did you do this past Earth Day?

 

Source: Resource Recycling

Unwind on the Green Side

Spring has arrived and summer is fast-approaching and we all know what that equates to, it is time, time to do some travelling. According to TripAdvisor, a number a vacationers plan to travel to “greener pastures” literally, by way of incorporating environmentally-friendly travel choices into their plans this upcoming season. Their survey found Portland, Ore., to be the highest on the green-friendly chart, and New York City was determined the least green-friendly. With that in mind, do a little digging prior to finalizing your vacation plans and you can read the full article at: http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/04/tripadvisor_man.html

National Cell Phone Recycling Week

National Cell Phone Recycling Week is April 6 through April 12. Participate in this national event by recycling your unwanted cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and accessories. Plug-In To eCycling’s National Cell Phone Recycling Week 2009 is increasing awareness by teaming up with AT&T, Best Buy, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Office Depot, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.

You can bring (or mail in) your unwanted cell phones to these retailers or service providers. Prior to donating your phone keep these tips in mind:

-Terminate the service for the donated phone
-Clear the phone’s memory
-Do a factory reset
-Remove the SIM card

 

http://www.thetowntalk.com/article/20090408/NEWS01/90408012

 

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/42706057.html

 

 

Companies Grasp for Green

Will sustainability efforts save companies money? Staples, is a firm believer that it can, and it will. Merely switching their light bulbs from three-amp to two-amp, will add $4.2 million dollars to the company’s bottom line. John Mahoney, the chief finance officer of Staples, spoke at the CFO Green Conference in New York stating, “Companies that have not done much work on “green” initiatives will likely get moving as a result of their declining business fortunes.”

 

Green practices can have a strong positive impact on the financial performance at companies. For example, Staples modified their trucks last year to not go exceed speeds of 60mph. This saved 540,000 gallons of diesel fuel per year, with a cost-savings of $1.5 million. “When diesel prices spiked we were able to offset about 80% of the increase just through this program,” Mahoney claimed. Many companies, like Staples, are realizing that tax credits can aid them in their efforts to save while being environmentally friendly. Staples also utilized tax credits to install solar panels which generated a savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars with virtually no capital investment on their part.

 

One thing this questionable economy is doing is making companies take a long hard look at their expenditure, which is aiding them in discovering ways to be green while saving green. Gwen Ruta, vice president of corporate partnerships for the Environmental Defense Fund, says, “We’ve seen over and over again that companies can find ways to benefit both the environment and their bottom lines.”

Find the entire article at: http://www.cfo.com/article.cfm/13402881/c_13401288?f=home_todayinfinance 

 

 

 

Spring, a season to Recycle

Many people are welcoming spring with open arms and an abundance of trash as they do an annual round of spring cleaning. The Raleigh County Waste Authority offers up some ideas on how to remain green, while you clean and disperse of no-longer wanted or needed household items.

They drive home three straightforward, but often overlooked points: For every load of trash brought to the disposal at the landfill you can also drop off recyclable items. All newspaper, cardboard and aluminum can be, and should be, recycled. Last, the metal from old appliances can be melted down and reused in order to create new products.  Raleigh County Officials have crushers on standby to recycle old appliances. They’re also are encouraging residents to donate anything that is unwanted and in decent condition to the new Second Chance Mercantile at the Solid Waste Authority.

It is likely that your town has its own “green” offerings when it comes to recycling and spring cleaning. Reach out to your local Waste Authority to discover what they’re encouraging local residents to do. Being green doesn’t need to be complicated, let’s bring it back to simplicity.

Click below to access the article,

http://www.wvnstv.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=55025

Get in the zone – The Green Zone

Michigan residents can now benefit from trekking their recyclables to Recycle Here! The Green Zone Shoppe recently opened a new facility carrying Michigan Green Safe Products – one can go there to retrieve toilet paper and paper towels made from 100 percent post-manufacturer materials. Not to mention, all-natural soaps and cleaning products, biodegradable “plastic” bags of all sizes, as well as cutlery and utensils – there’s a plethora of all the typically thrown-away, chemically-laden products used by the majority of households.

The main Holden Recycle Here! facility sees an average of 600 drop-offs a week. Matt Naimi, director of operations of Recycle Here! and co-owner of Michigan Green Safe, says The Green Zone Shoppe’s opening was all about demand. Naimi hopes The Green Zone Shoppe will reel in many more individuals, encouraging more people to make the effort. The Green Shoppe additionally carries “Bee Green” merchandise, featured by a local artist, and Naimi says the shop would be open to selling locally-made green products if appropriate.

Is your city in the zone?

 

For further reading, check out these sites:

http://www.recyclehere.net/

http://www.modeldmedia.com/developmentnews/greenzone18309.aspx