Green Books for the Young and Young Adult

Guest blogger Jennifer Ochs is a freelance writer. She currently conducts book reviews and author interviews for her weblog NY Book Cafe. In addition she is a freelance manuscript reader, editor/proofreader.

“Generation Green: The Ultimate Teen Guide to Living an Eco-Friendly Life”, by Linda Sivertsen and Tosh Siversten – Simon & Schuster, August 2008

Generation Green is a practical guide for green living today. Particularly geared towards teens, this book provides various ways in which all of us can make small changes in our lifestyle which can lead to big changes and promote a better world. The theme of the book is that individual change can cause collective change for a brighter and better tomorrow.

This book provides many useful tips as well as resources. From recycling to marshland preservation, many environmental issues are discussed. Linda Sivertsen wrote this book along with her 18 year old son. Therefore, the information presented is very user friendly, promotes environmental consciousness and is overall a good read for all ages.

“Michael Recycle Meets Litterbug Doug”, by Ellie Bethel – Worthwhile Books, March 2009

In this addition to the Michael Recycle Books, Litterbug Doug lives in a green town. However, he leaves his garbage everywhere, he is lazy and doesn’t clean up after himself. Michael Recycle, the caped crusader, seeks to show Litterbug Doug a better way of living to promote a greener environment. In this installation to her Michael Recycle books, author Ellie Bethel conveys a good message to the young reader.

Home Staging: It Gets Results and It’s Green

Despite the down economy, home stagers are busier than ever, as today’s realtors insist that staging is the most cost effective way to maximize home sale profits. It also happens to be one of the most sustainable ways to attract buyers.

Home staging is not tasteful decorating. In fact, when potential buyers walk into un-staged but tastefully decorated homes, the personal style of the existing homeowner distracts them from envisioning the space as a home of their own.

Home stagers, like retail display designers, aim to enhance a product’s appeal. Although the scale is different, the principles are the same: maximize the space, eliminate distractions and increase the traffic flow.

Sustainable Ways to Successfully Stage Your Home

Approach the big purge with mindfulness and commitment.
De-cluttering is an essential step that cannot be missed. Homeowners usually find this phase of the process tiresome, tedious and frustrating but it is a critical one, nonetheless. Trimming ship is the first step towards punching up profits. I advise my clients to reduce everything on display by half and then to recycle unwanted items by selling them or donating them. Three worthy, tax-deductible recipients are Goodwill, local homeless shelters and the public library. Also keep in mind that animal shelters and vets love used linens!
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Green Cleaning this Spring: Healthier and Still Cost-Effective

Still have some spring cleaning to do? Maybe you’re just obsessive compulsive and follow guests, pests and everything else around your home with a Swiffer and bleach to keep things squeaky clean. Whatever your weapon of choice may be — bleach, Windex, knee pads and a toothbrush — the point here is that standard cleaning products can be harmful to both you and the environment. What to do? Well, let’s have a look at how you can clean green without spending too much green…

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Electronics Recycling Guide 2009

Did you receive a new TV, computer, or cell phone for the holidays? Don’t just throw away your old devices! Recycling electronic items is critical for preserving landfill space and for ensuring that hazardous materials used to make electronics are properly disposed.

Here is a list of resources to help you get rid of your old stuff in a safe, efficient manner.

Online Cellphone Recycling Programs

Provider Cellphone Recycling Programs

Manufacturer Take-Back Programs

Retailer Take-Back Programs

Sell Your Stuff Online
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The Greenest (and best) Team in Major League Baseball

The 2008 World Champions of Green?  The Philadelphia Phillies are not only top competitors on the field, but also are leading Major League Baseball toward an eco-friendly future.  The Phillies are the first MLB team to join the EPA’s Green Power Partnership program, which encourages organizations to buy green power to reduce the environmental affects associated with purchased electricity use.

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Finally, I Can Recycle At Home Again

So I finally have recycling collection at my new home, courtesy of the city of Denver.  But I lived in Denver before this new place, with no pickup…what gives?

Turns out that the city only provides residential pickup for homes with 7 or fewer apartment units.  According to the Denver Recycles website:

Denver Recycles is only authorized to serve residential homes of seven or fewer units, and…not authorized to provide services to commercial properties such as businesses and apartment communities.

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