I took my eco-friendly cleaning products collection one step further today when I realized I ran out of laundry detergent. So I wanted to try out Method’s concentrated formula. Living in a small apartment, this will be ideal for me as my storage for these products happen to be on top of my dryer. Here are the lovely editions to my cleaning collection. I haven’t used the products yet but I look forward to doing so.

I’ve been exploring Method products since I first bought some hand soap back in May. When I moved out in August, I ordered the Method Detox kit and the Omop. They have now become my favorite products. I no longer choke when I try to clean my bathroom. The mint eucalyptus cleaner smells yummy enough to eat. The lemon ginger floor cleaner smells clean but not sterile … because who wants sterile. Even the wood cleaner smells delish (like almonds) although I have limited wood surfaces to use it on. And the oMop unites the utilities of a broom and a mop. Unfortunately my building is against starting a compost pile so I can’t compost the sweeping cloths. All in all, very good investments that you can get from Method.

I recently finished reading “It’s Easy Being Green.” In it are a number of recommendations on what you can do to help the environment, a day at a time. So I’ve listed the items I want to focus on here so I can add them to my eco-wishlist.

• Take short showers.
• Turn the faucet off while shaving and brushing your teeth.
• Toss trash in the wastebasket, not the toilet.
• Take care of your vinyl shower curtain. – I now have a fabric shower curtain.
• Use water-based paints.
• Properly dispose of latex paint cans.
• Use rags instead of paper towels.
• Choose hydrogen- or oxygen-based bleaches.
• Buy concentrated products.
• Don’t wash clothes after every wear unless they’re really dirty.
• Buy phosphate-free, earth-friendly detergent.
• Keep my refrigerator full to cut down on energy.
• Keep the fridge at 37º F and the freezer at 3º F.
• Maintain my fridge twice a year.
• Use the toaster oven for smaller portion cooking.
• Switch to CFLs.
• Turn off the lights when not in use.
• Use ceiling fans to better circulate the air.
• Manage radiant solar gain.
• Buy gift wrap made of recycled paper.
• Reuse gift wrapping decorations.
• Get creative with gift wrapping.
• Recycle my Christmas tree.
• Choose energy-saving Christmas lights.
• Make my own gift tags.
• Participate in St. Jude’s Ranch for Children greeting cards program.
• Shop at my local farmer’s market.
• Eat less meat.
• Switch to cloth napkins.
• Decline  silverware, napkins and condiments when ordering out.
• Wash fruit and veggies in a bowl of cold water.
• Turn the faucet using half the volume.
• Buy in bulk instead of single-servings.
• Collect grey water for watering plants.
• Buy quality products.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Buy a paper shredder.
• Recycle old athletic shoes with the Nike program.
• Recycle plastic peanuts with loosefillpackaging.com.
• Download software instead of buying the CDs, when possible.
• Buy only plastic bottles labeled with 1 or 2.
• Create notepads out of scrap paper.
• Ride my bike when running errands three miles away.
• Once a week, use public transportation instead of driving.
• Buy eco-friendly antifreeze.
• Decline housekeeping when staying at a hotel.
• Don’t take the complementary bottles.
• Use biodegradable pet bags.

So a number of new items on the list. I’ll indicate that these are from It’s Easy Being Green with an “E” to clarify the source. Here’s to an eco-friendly 2008!

UPDATE: Reviewed Jan. 4, 2009.

It’s World Environment Day. This year’s theme is Melting Ice – a Hot Topic? which is a pretty important topic concerning the ecosystems of polar bears (thus this poster). Do your part and check out the information on the site. For ideas on how to celebrate, take a look at The World Environment Day Alphabet—77 Ways To Celebrate and try to integrate a few into your eco-ways.

I went to the here in Chicago today. I partly went as a function of work (I’m an editor for two concrete trade publications), as well as personal interest. Unfortunately, the show didn’t have much that fit my industry but was so much fun to walk around as a citizen and consumer. All kinds of industries were represented—food, skin care, clothing, home building, activism, energy-savings and much more.

I was seduced by the To-Go Ware—a utensil set made of sustainable bamboo in a handwoven carrying case. The purchase goes to a great cause. The cases are made by the Karen refugees on the Thai-Burma border. It also reduces the number of plastic cutlery thrown away. I’ve taken to sporting my set everywhere I go.

I also discovered some wonderful organic tea from a local vendor, Light of Day Organics. Let me tell you, this stuff was seductive. Of course, almost all of the flavors I wanted to try they weren’t able to bring with them but I did snag some Hummingbird Nectar that I brewed and iced and tasted delicious. I also snagged two organic cotton t-shirts, which have now become my most comfy shirts.

The show featured an all-vegan menu with recyclable cutlery and folk singers to serenade you during lunch. Mayer Daley was there talking about his various citywide initiatives to make us greener. At the end of the show, you received a free compact fluorescent light bulb to help reduce our carbon footprint. I look forward to next year’s show, which I’m hoping will be a little larger and include more home building aspects.