Food packaging has always been one of those things that always bothered me.  Think about all the food that is sitting on the shelves in your grocery store....how much is packaged in some type of plastic?  

How much of that plastic packaging is going to end up in the landfill?

Now multiply by that by the 1000's of grocery stores in the United States alone!

The waste really adds up to alot.  There are biodegradable packaging materials out there, and i've been finding that food companies and grocery stores are finally starting to catch on.

SunChips is one company that is using biodegradable chip bags.  They even show you with pictures on the bag how it biodegrades after 13 weeks of being buried in the soil.  The bag surprisingly crinkles much louder in the way that potatoe chip bags generally do, so they might not be the best snack to sneak into the movies.


I was shopping at Henry's Market in San Diego and noticed that their rotisserie chickens are no longer being packaged in those bulky plastic 'bubble dome' style containers.  To take steps towards reducing plastic waste, Henry's is not using 100% paper packaging for those chickens.  

If you are having a party some time soon, remember that there are eco-friendly alternatives to plasticwear(although you should always try to use reuables whenever possible).   There are companies out there that are making plastic forks, knives, cups, and trays out of corn gluten and plant starch....which is 100% biodegradable!   So stay away from that styrofoam and go with something a little more green.  Check out www.trellisearth.com for wholesale corn plastic cups and containers.

So the next time you are out shopping, be sure to consider the waste created by the type of packaging that comes with your food.  One type of packaging that particularly annoys me are those bags of shredded cheese!  I would even like to present a challenge:

Try to go 1 week without buying any food that is packages in some type of plastic...I dare you.  It's harder than you think.
 




  

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Upon arriving, I could see that the expo was even bigger than last year’s.  This year, the Go Green Expo was able to bring together over 300 booths showcasing a complete array of ‘green’ products and services….pretty much anything and everything you can think of related to sustainability and healthy living!  Electric vehicles, windmills, solar panels, lights, clothing, clubs, organizations, vitamins and supplements, home and office supplies, organic foods, Ed Begley Jr,  and so much more.  Check out www.gogreenexpo.com for a complete list of exhibitors and speakers.

Ever since our 2009 Earth-List.com Eco Fashion Show, I have been on the lookout for notable eco clothing companies to include in our 2010 fashion show, and I found plenty here!  Here are a few that are definitely worth taking a look at:

Lady Muse, specializing in high end ladies coats crafted from reclaimed materials

Conscious Clothing, with an impressive line of hemp formal wear

Hemptress, with a collection of stylish ladies hand bags made mostly of hemp

Hemp Elegance, with a complete assortment of ladies clothing and accessories

Caerus & Muse, producing fabric and clothing made out of recycled coffee grinds, and I liked the fabric so much I ended up buying one. Here's me modeling the shirt!

The Earth-List Green Man had fun working the expo floor with his new friend Blue Man!!!  They showcased their dance moves and checked out all the vendor booths at the expo. The Earthwise Bag Company was even nice enough to give them matching reusable shopping bags!

The Ultimate Green Store let them try out their backpacks with built-in solar chargers.

The Clark Adams Company spotted them in one of their hybrid windows

Blue Man got caught taking a nap in a Terramor organic bed.

The Eco Panda girls fell in love with them!

They even got spotted by a photographer from the Huffington Post, here’s a link to their article

If you have any pictures of Green Man or Blue Man, email them to gogreen@earth-list.com

On Sunday I ran into former Baywatch star Alexandra Paul, who has been working with Plug In America to promote electric vehicles.  Alexandra ended up interviewing me for her online radio show and I gave her the scoop on Earth-List, plus a little insider info about what UCSD is doing to go green.  For those of you who don’t know, I currently work full-time as the Head Sports Field Groundskeeper at UCSD.  This year on the fields, I was finally able to implement an organic fertilizer program, and I must say that the results really do show! The dormant bermudagrass has never been so green…..in more ways than 1 ;-)

Last year, Alexandra and I were amongst the speakers on the Alternative Energy Transportation Panel at the 2009 Go Green Expo.

All in all, the 2010 Go Green Expo was a success.  We met so many awesome people, both attendees and exhibitors, who are truly making a difference.  It is really great to see so many people in the green industry come together, and in essence that is what Earth-List is about….bringing people together!

*Expo videos are coming soon.....

-Green Man Mike

Founder & CEO

www.earth-list.com

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San Diego, CA – San Diego Gas & Electric will be on hand at the Green Meets Green Expo at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, January 22,23, 24, 2010. All attendees to the event should bring a copy of their current SDG&E bill or their California ID to receive their FREE no-cost Home Energy & Water Saving Kit. The kit includes a low-flow showerhead and three faucet aerators. SDG&E will also be on hand to provide energy efficiency tips as well as update them on their smart meter installation efforts throughout the county. San Diego Gas & Electric will be located in the Bing Crosby Exhibition Hall in the 21^st Century Friends of the Planet Market, booth #s 111 & 112.

PLUS the first 500 attendees to the event each day will receive a certificate for a free spa and wellness service from Mind Body Partnerships. To redeem this service, visitors will want to present this certificate at the Mind Body Partnerships booth, also located in the Bing Crosby Exhibition Hall, 21^st Century Friends of the Planet Market, Booths # 2 & 3.

The Green Meets Green Expo is produced by Calendar Shows, LLC. This exciting event combines the Del Mar Antique Show and Sale, a.k.a. “The World of Recycled Relics” in the O’Brien Exhibition Hall and the new world of green technology, The 21^st Century Friends of the Planet Market, in the Bing Crosby Exhibition Hall. Two amazing GREEN shows, one admission!

GREEN MEETS GREEN EXPO

Friday, Saturday & Sunday, January 22, 23, 24, 2010

Friday: 11am – 7pm

Saturday: 11am – 7pm

Sunday: 11am – 5pm

Del Mar Fairgrounds

Del Mar, CA

Admission: $8 (free weekend return privileges)

www.calendarshows.com

http://www.greenmeetsgreenexpo.com/

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Go Green Expo invites all business leaders, eco-minded consumers and their families to explore the latest innovations in energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly products and services and participate in interactive seminars featuring leaders in the green industry, local politicians and community organizations. Joining the lineup this year are keynote speeches by actress and holistic living author Mariel Hemingway, award-winning actor and director Ed Begley Jr., industry adored eco futurist John Picard, son of famed Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Paul Pelosi, Jr., eco-fashion icon Linda Loudermilk and Sarah Backhouse, host of The Planet 100 on Discovery's Planet Green.

Highlights to include:

     Over 300 local and national businesses showcasing products and services in all areas including Business & Electronics; Energy, Conservation & Recycling; Food & Beverage; Health, Beauty & Fashion, Home & Building, Media, Education & Careers, and Travel & Transportation.

     First-ever Go Green Expo Green Career Fair featuring 16 companies such as Coca-Cola Enterprises, ITT Systems, California Solar Innovations, ICF International and Sun Edison. Qualified candidates are invited to discuss positions in fields of sustainability, the growing green economy and the future of green jobs

     Environmental activist, local city and eco-politician Paul Pelosi, Jr. will speak about taking strides in green jobs and the green economy, making the green revolution a reality for all

     The latest in cutting edge and high performance greener transportation including the sleek and chic Tesla Roadster, Honda's 2010 Insight - the most affordable hybrid, the fuel-efficient and surprisingly pet-friendly Honda Element, more Electric Vehicles, Electric Bikes and Converter Kits

     Organic Food & Spirit Pavilion featuring LA's favorite local green restaurants and distillers including Paleta, Blue Hen Restaurant, Ocean Vodka, The Six Restaurant, Fenix Five Four, Vital Zuman Organic Farm and others. Each will focus on an environmentally-responsible menu with eco-cuisine and eco-imbibitions sampling from 12pm-3pm daily

     Screening of top enviro-film "Tapped," an inspiring movie that features an alarming look at the bottled water industry, its rampant growth and damaging effects on the environment, and what's been called the greatest marketing swindle of all time

     Collaboration and co-location with Pet Expo USA, the nation's green pet show. Attendees can peruse eco-friendly pet products from toys to food and bedding to accessories, learn about new pet services, enjoy pet training demonstrations and even adopt a furry friend

     Los Angeles Public School children from LA's BEST artistic creations about what a greener LA looks like to them. The winning piece will be featured in the Los Angeles Times and the finalist will cut the ceremonial Green Ribbon on Saturday morning to kick off the weekend event

     Kids Zone, featuring eco-friendly games, non-toxic art, fun folk music and other earth-loving activities for pint-sized environmentalists

     Complimentary Yoga Classes for people of all ages and experience levels on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Attendees are encouraged to try their hand at this ancient form of exercise and meditation that is known for helping to tune the mind and body

     Opportunity to take the challenge with Indoor Rock ClimbingWall on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm-4pm

     Demonstrations and tastings by Americraft Cookware, whose line of pots and pans utilize the waterless cooking method to make healthier and more nutritious food

     Notable environmental and business leaders will be informing attendees on topics including Green Entrepreneurship, Creating an Eco-logical Home, Energy & Conservation, Sustainable Investing, Green Jobs, Kids Going Green, Healthy Living & Eating, and Eco-Fashion & Lifestyle.

.....and the Earth-List.com Green Man!!!

WHERE AND WHEN:

Business-to-Business Expo

Friday, January 22, 2010 - 10am - 5pm

Tickets are complimentary to Trade Professionals and Corporate Buyers (please bring business card for admission)

Open to Public:

Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 10am - 6pm

Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 10am - 5pm

Adults - Weekend pass for Saturday & Sunday - $10

Children under the age of 12 - Free

Senior citizens (65+) - $5

Students - Please bring Valid Student ID for $5 admission

Los Angeles Convention Center - South Hall J

1201 South Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90015

www.lacclink.com

Tickets can be purchased online for 1/2 price admission with promo code gge50: www.gogreenexpo.com or at the show. All tickets provide access to the entire exhibit floor, all panel & speakers discussions along with all film presentations.

For exhibiting and sponsorship information please contact:

Seth Berk, Go Green Expo, LLC, (212) 655-4505 x244 or SBerk@GoGreenExpo.com

For press information please contact:

Megan Roarty, organicworks PR, (212) 253-0474 or Megan@organicworkspr.com

Ivy Goldberg, organicworks PR, (212) 253-0474 or Ivy@organicworkspr.com

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October 24th is approaching, and I think it's safe to say that this fashion show is going to ROCK! We have a great lineup of eco clothes from quite a few clothing companies, including: Prana, Peligrosa, Niksters, Seedless, Hempy's, Simple Shoes, and Splaff Flops. We have a great host, Capone from 91X Radio, and we have a dance battle between Green Man and Blue Man to open up the show! I still need to pick out the music for the models to walk to, but I have a few ideas in mind ;) I'm excited to be promoting eco fashion....fashion is EVERYWHERE. It transcends all boundaries and is apart of everyone's life. I have some plans in the works to create my own eco fashion line.....but not for a year or two. My main focus now is on building this website(and our soon to be released sister websites) into the best they can possibly be!

earth-list.com 

The World Eco Directory

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