Guffly is a one product per day online store and community featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren't interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly's green products are stylish, fun and attractive - eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
With the kickoff of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada on the 12th of February, here are some fun facts about little things that the competition does to help the earth!
Reducing the Budget: While Beijing’s architectural masterpieces like the Birds Nest stadium and Water Cube were ridiculously cool, China spent over $40 billion on making Beijing ready for the games. Vancouver has only spent around $2 billion, with a lot of it going towards eco-friendly initiatives. Everything they build must have a purpose beyond the games. Instead of building a new stadium, Vancouver is remodeling the 25-year old BC Place Stadium, which will save them millions of dollars. Way to reuse Vancouver!
Transportation: One great step towards reducing the Olympics’ carbon footprint is reducing transportation. With over athletes in the city, the city is opening more lines on the Vancouver Sky Train and has opened the Canada Line rapid transit, which will connect the international airport quickly with downtown. There is also a bunch of hybrid and fuel efficient taxis. All of this will help to reduce traffic congestion with the massive flow of people in the area!
Housing: Every time a city is picked to host the games, one of the main things they have to build is housing for all of the athletes. Vancouver has created the Olympic Village in South East Creek that can hold 10,000 people. It certified with the LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council and half of the condos have green roofs. This means that they will be growing plants on the top of roofs. A set of the condos, called Millennium Water have solar panels on the rooftops to help cut back on energy consumption. After the games are over, the condos will be sustainability-minded apartments. Also, the planning of the Village will have walking paths and easy access to transit services to cut back on driving cars!
New facilities that will have lasting purpose: Of the new buildings being built, all will be converted over to public use after the games. The Hillcrest and Nat Bailey Stadium Park, which are curling rinks for the games, will later be converted to community centers and recreation parks that will include a gymnasium, library, ice hockey rink, curling rinks, and swimming pools. The old Trout Lake community center is being converted to ice rinks for the games and will become a public rink afterwards.
Medals made from recycled materials: The over 1,000 medals awarded at the games this year will be made from recycled circuit boards from old gadgets that would have otherwise ended up in a landfill. They will be made by Teck Resources and the Royal Canadian Mint and will feature Aboriginal art by Corrine Hunt.
Coca –Cola goes Green: One of the main corporate sponsors, Coke, is becoming as eco-friendly as possible during the games. From coolers to uniforms, here are several of the different ways the company is committed to saving the earth:
The 1,500 coolers will use eKOfresh technology that will nearly eliminate direct greenhouse gases and will help reduce indirect gases.
Beverages will be delivered from hybrid vehicles from bottling facilities to the venues and once on the venue, only electric carts will be used.
Recycling bins will be placed throughout all the venues to encourage recycling. They are reaching for nothing less than 100% of all bottles to be recycled.
They’ve created a PlantBottle, which will be used for water and sparkling beverages.
All of the staff’s uniforms, literally everything but underwear and shoes, will be made of recycled bottles.
Habitat Island: This island is just off the shores of the southeast Olympic Villages apartments. It’s a tiny island that is about the of a football field. Although man-made, the island is a plant and bird sanctuary that has the hopes of restoring a significant amount of shoreline to the area.
It seems like year after year flies by and you are constantly striving to better yourself and how you interact with the world. The transition from 2009 to 2010 is no different –it has become crucial to look at your environmental impact and some people look to New Year’s Resolutions as their motivators. While some Resolutions, like giving up chocolate, are just crazy talk that usually is forgotten around the second week of February resolving to make a smaller footprint on our planet is a no-brainer smart decision.
Here are some great suggestions on simple ways to green up your lifestyle a bit without feeling as if you’re really sacrificing:
Recycle Everything You Can – Yes, yes…recycling is still as important as ever and chances are it will be for the rest of our lives. Studies show that 60% to 75% of garbage in landfills can be recycled. That means that if everybody recycled, we’d have 60% to 75% less garbage in our landfills, and we’d need at least that much less land for garbage disposal.
Ditch the Plastic Water Bottles – People in the U.S. throw away 2.5 million plastic water bottles in a hour. Now that’s embarrassing! With so many options of reusable water bottles out there, it’s not difficult to find one that works for your lifestyle – get two and rotate them. It’s a piece of cake to walk down the hall to the drinking fountain at work and fill it up.
Bring Your Own Bags – Many stores even offer discounts when you bring your bags! That’s even easier than clipping coupons and there are many great reusable tote options to choose from. Consider not only having grocery bags on hand but also bags for when your clothes, home, or pet shopping and even reusable produce bags. Leave a couple in your car for whenever you might need them and feel good by cutting down on your plastic (aka oil) use.
Keep the Washer on Cold – According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water.” That’s no joke. Additionally, washing your clothes in cold water can be better for the fabric too! It’s a simple switch.
Buy Smart, Buy Local – How was that TV made? Where does that potato come from? Through purchasing items that are made with sound, fair trade, eco-friendly manufacturing practices you are supporting the companies that are supporting change in a real way. Also, whenever possible choose local products – it stimulates your local economy, builds relationships in the community and as an added bonus, if you’re purchasing food you’re going to be getting the freshest stuff out there!
Power Strips For the Win – Chances are many of your electronics around the home and office are already plugged into power strips – good thinking. Turn the whole strip off when you’re not using the devices connected to it to avoid phantom energy use. Just remember to group items on the strips in a way that makes sense for how you use them.
Even if each person made a solid effort to do just one or two of these ideas a difference can be made. Living a more eco-friendly lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to be a hippie, rich or Al Gore – you can choose simple modifications to your lifestyle that are kind to the environment without feeling like you’re sacrificing anything. You may also notice that your bank account feels a little fluffier since things like bottled water and energy bills can really add up! Try it – you might just like it and when you do, tell your friends!
Guffly is a one product per day online store featuring eco friendly products and fair trade lifestyle goods like home, pet, clothing, office and personal accessories. We know that people aren’t interested in ugly stuff, so you can bet Guffly’s green products are stylish, fun and attractive – eco stylish if you will. Shop the Daily Guff at http://www.guffly.com
The fabulous designer Besty at Foundling brings us the gorgeous Recycled Vintage Fabric Necklace on the Daily Guff! She is inspired by old things and loves to repurpose them – like the beautiful quilt fabric in today’s necklace pendant.
She says that she, “Hope[s] that my work will be loved and worn by people who imagine the adventures all these scraps of fabric, baubles and old, brittle pages had before they reached their hands–and that they might take them on some of their own.
Thanks for bringing us this awesome recycled necklace that is a unique gift for her! Get it on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com
Back by popular demand the Buckle Up Tote made reclaimed seatbelts from our wonderful supplier, Maggie Bags! We are proud to offer this stylish, eco-friendly recycled purse to you once again. Many of you already know but, for first-timers let’s go over the stats of this unique purse:
Material: Seatbelt webbing that has been rejected or left over from the auto industry. This material is diverted from landfills and made into these totes. 10 colors to choose from!
Lining: Maggie Bags signature plum satin lining – an elegant contrast to the durable exterior
Features: One zip pocket, two open pockets, and two pen holders. Plus this purse has feet on it to keep it standing up straight.
Why This Rocks: We have been hearing incredible things from our Buckle Up Tote carrying gals – people actually ask to try this purse on and even look inside! Most people don’t even realize what it’s made of until they’re told – it really just looks that good! On top of that, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more functional tote that’s not too big and not too small. Check out this video of Antonella and her Buckle Up Tote:
Get your Buckle Up Tote and be prepared for compliments (seriously this bag will grow your ego) on the Daily Guff: http://guffly.com/
The chic, supremely functional and, of course, environmentally responsibly UV sunBrelli comes to the Daily Guff from Pam & Co. They are a hip New York company that was founded by Pam Zonsius. Guffly loves that Pam is concerned with treading lightly on our planet, which drove her to invent the Brelli.
The structure of this eco-stylish umbrella is sustainable bamboo and the canopy made of a patented biodegradable material that (with the sunBrelli) provides 99% UVA/B protection. Just a reminder, UVA is the stuff that can create skin cancer and UVB are the rays that burn your skin – neither of them are a good thing!
What we mean by this umbrella biodegrading is when you’re done (and not a moment sooner) and find yourself disposing of this umbrella, it will biodegrade in 5 years (not forever like traditional umbrellas) without producing harmful gases. In fact, Pam & Co say, “That gas released by each discarded Brelli in a conditional landfill can be harvested to generate enough electricity to recoup more than 90% of the energy that was used to create it.” Brilliant. Fantastic. And oh so chic.
Thank you Pam & Co for designing what could be called the world’s most eco-friendly umbrella! The UVA/B protection is really the icing on the cake. Protect yourself from not only the rainy season but also the sun’s harmful rays by getting your sunBrelli on the Daily Guff: http://www.guffly.com/
The Bluebird of Happiness Necklace on the Daily Guff is handmade by 215 Design founded by Trudy, a 7th grade teacher in Missouri. In her spare time (what’s that right?!), she creates beautiful necklaces out of paper and various other components. We love that she uses this creative outlet to maintain her sanity and work with her love of paper – and can pull it off eco-friendly style.
The bluebird of happiness has roots that go back many moons. Essentially all feelings related to the bluebird are positive. Don’t believe us, check it out here!
Pass on some positive vibes, support a talented designer and get some brownie points by getting your favorite lady one of these necklaces on the Daily Guff: www.guffly.com
These handy dandy notebooks come from the brilliant company, O’BON – a US based creator of a variety of eco-friendly school/office supplies! They have a revolutionary process for pencil making by rolling newspaper around graphite and these Fly Sugarcane Notebooks are made from Bagasse, which is essentially what remains of the sugarcane plant after the juice has been drained. How fun is that?!
We were hooked at hello with this company, here’s what they say about themselves:
“At O’BON we strive to incorporate 3 fundamental elements into every one of our products, specifically Quality, Responsibility and Affordability. Our loyalty lies passionately in the hands of our customers, and behind every single product we make exists a determined effort to surpass any and all expectations you may have of us.”
Well how about that? Pretty impressive if you ask us. Plus their products are fun, attractive and items we use every day of our lives. These notebooks aren’t just for show either – they’re functional and durable. Wow your friends when you head back to school with your cool eco-friendly supplies! Make them wish they were as hip as you were by getting yours on the Daily Guff: http://www.guffly.com!
If you’re reading this extra blurb then you’re one smart cookie! For the first three customers to purchase the Fly Sugarcane Notebooks we’re throwing in an extra notebook for freezies! Happy Friday to you!
This Handcrafted Rainbow Coil Bracelet made of beautiful Amazonian jewels comes to us from the kind folks at Rainforest Native. While living in the rain forest Christian (company’s co-founder) healed himself of a case of malaria using plants that were given to him by the medicine men or Shamans. After gaining his health back, he vowed to dedicate his life to saving the Amazon rain forests. He and his wife, Erika, have done just that – finding fantastic goods and treating the artisans that create them fairly.
At Guffly, we have nothing but love for folks that are fighting the good fight and trying to keep things real. We thank Christian and Erika for their efforts and continued support of rainforest conservation…and bringing us this awesome bracelet made from acai seeds by artisans on the Amazon River. Buy it at http://guffly.com and support a great cause!
And now a brief lesson in ASL from Guffly
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With the kickoff of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada on the 12th of February, here are some fun facts about little things that the competition does to help the earth!
It seems like year after year flies by and you are constantly striving to better yourself and how you interact with the world. The transition from 2009 to 2010 is no different –it has become crucial to look at your environmental impact and some people look to New Year’s Resolutions as their motivators. While some Resolutions, like giving up chocolate, are just crazy talk that usually is forgotten around the second week of February resolving to make a smaller footprint on our planet is a no-brainer smart decision.
The fabulous designer Besty at Foundling brings us the gorgeous Recycled Vintage Fabric Necklace on the Daily Guff! She is inspired by old things and loves to repurpose them – like the beautiful quilt fabric in today’s necklace pendant.
Back by popular demand the Buckle Up Tote made reclaimed seatbelts from our wonderful supplier, Maggie Bags! We are proud to offer this stylish, eco-friendly recycled purse to you once again. Many of you already know but, for first-timers let’s go over the stats of this unique purse:
The chic, supremely functional and, of course, environmentally responsibly UV sunBrelli comes to the Daily Guff from Pam & Co. They are a hip New York company that was founded by Pam Zonsius. Guffly loves that Pam is concerned with treading lightly on our planet, which drove her to invent the Brelli.
The Bluebird of Happiness Necklace on the Daily Guff is handmade by 215 Design founded by Trudy, a 7th grade teacher in Missouri. In her spare time (what’s that right?!), she creates beautiful necklaces out of paper and various other components. We love that she uses this creative outlet to maintain her sanity and work with her love of paper – and can pull it off eco-friendly style.
These handy dandy notebooks come from the brilliant company, O’BON – a US based creator of a variety of eco-friendly school/office supplies! They have a revolutionary process for pencil making by rolling newspaper around graphite and these Fly Sugarcane Notebooks are made from Bagasse, which is essentially what remains of the sugarcane plant after the juice has been drained. How fun is that?!
This Handcrafted Rainbow Coil Bracelet made of beautiful Amazonian jewels comes to us from the kind folks at Rainforest Native. While living in the rain forest Christian (company’s co-founder) healed himself of a case of malaria using plants that were given to him by the medicine men or Shamans. After gaining his health back, he vowed to dedicate his life to saving the Amazon rain forests. He and his wife, Erika, have done just that – finding fantastic goods and treating the artisans that create them fairly.
