Recycle Oil
Did you know that used oil can recycled into new oil? Surprisingly, a lot of people don’t. If you recycle just two gallons of used oil it can generate enough electricity to run the average household for almost 24 hours. Cars are an indispensable fact of life for most of us. So too are abundant and clean supplies of drinking water. What we do with the used oil from our cars plays an important role in balancing our desire for convenient transportation with our desire for a clean and healthy environment today and for future generations.
We are all familiar with recycling newspapers, aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, but you may not be aware of the efforts of the petroleum industry and other groups to promote used motor oil recycling. The provide convenient collection sites for the purpose of keeping used motor oil out of our waterways and ground water supplies and getting used oil into the recycling system.
Solution? If you change your own oil, be certain that you take it to a collection center for recycling. If you take your car to an automotive service outlet, you can be fairly certain that they recycle the oil that they change. But if you’re not sure, ask.
THE FACTS
Quit Smoking
Unless you’ve been living in an underwater cave for the last 20 years, you already know that smoking is not good for you. But did you know tobacco growth is also bad for the environment?
CIGARETTES AS AIR POLLUTION
This is what you all must have already understood, still to clear things up I want to introduce some statistics in this article. Each cigarette is a blend of over 4,000 chemicals that are inhaled and then exhaled unknowingly into the atmosphere. This means that there is a massive amount of pollution released into the air everyday. Trees - the lungs of the planet - have to work hard to clear all this mess from the environment. We have to be a bit more lenient towards trees because they are the only oxygen generating sources on the planet and everyone needs to breathe to live, but no one needs to smoke to live.
CIGARETTES AS LAND POLLUTION
The harmful effects of cigarettes do not end in the air only millions of butts are discarded on the ground everyday. Every year California has a statewide cleanup and cigarette butts account for almost half of the waste that is collected. These are the ones that are picked up and disposed off properly still there are millions more that remain unattended.
CIGARETTES AS WATER POLLUTION
The butts that remain unattended find their way to water streams, rivers, and lakes where fish and animals eat them by mistake and quite often they die from them. These diseased fish are also consumed by humans hence the disease enters our body. These butts also pollute water, which in turn pollutes the soil and finally damages plants.
Tobacco industries are unwilling to adopt better techniques for the production of cigarettes because they are already profiting in billions of dollars each year with old techniques. The best way to stop this pollution is to stop buying their products. We have to understand that together we all can make a difference.
THE FACTS
A cigarette is a blend of over 4,000 chemicals that are inhaled and then exhaled unknowingly into the atmosphere.
Earth Day
April 21st, 2009 is Earth Day, the one day a year we exclusively give back to our planet. There are many ways to get involved in your community as well in your home. Take the time to clean up your home, neighborhood and community and recycle whatever you clean up. For more way to get involved in your community visit www.EarthDay.net.
History of Earth Day
The idea for Earth Day evolved over a period of seven years starting in 1962. For many years, the state of our environment was simply a non-issue in the politics of the country. In November 1962, an idea occurred to Senator Gaylord Nelson that would put the environment into the political “limelight” once and for all. The idea was to persuade President Kennedy to give visibility to this issue by going on a national conservation tour. The President began his five-day, eleven-state conservation tour in September 1963. For many reasons the tour did not succeed in putting the issue onto the national political agenda. However, it was the germ of the idea that ultimately flowered into Earth Day.
Senator Nelson continued to speak on environmental issues to a variety of audiences in some twenty-five states. All across the country, evidence of environmental degradation was appearing everywhere, and everyone noticed except the political establishment. The environmental issue simply was not to be found on the nation’s political agenda. The people were concerned, but the politicians were not.
After President Kennedy’s tour, many earth lovers hoped for some idea that would thrust the environment into the political mainstream. Six years would pass before the idea that became Earth Day occurred while Senator Nelson was on a conservation speaking tour out West in the summer of 1969. At the time, anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, called “teach-ins,” had spread to college campuses all across the nation. Why not organize a huge grassroots protest over what was happening to our environment?
At a conference in Seattle in September 1969, Senator Nelson announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. The wire services carried the story from coast to coast. The response was electric. It took off like gangbusters. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air - and they did so with spectacular exuberance.
On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day was held. People all over the country made promises to help the environment. Everyone got involved and since then, Earth Day has spread all over the planet. People all over the world know that there are problems we need to work on and this is our special day to look at the planet and see what needs changing.
Project571, Organic College Apparel
Project571 is the world’s first all organic college apparel company. Educating people on the effects of climate change and what can be done in our daily lives to reduce our carbon footprint begins in our grade schools, our high schools, and in our universities. Project571 is proud to be the first all organic collegiate apparel company in the world. We give students, fans, faculty, and alumni the option to show their support for the environment while supporting their favorite university. All of the apparel is made from organic cotton or a mixture of recycled polyester and organic cotton. We use water based non-toxic environmentally friendly inks on all our apparel and only non toxic cleaners and chemicals during production.
Project571 also designs and markets organic alternative apparel also also made from organic cotton and water based environmentally friendly ink.
Organic Cotton
What exactly is organic cotton and what are the benefits? Organic cotton is grown without the use of petroleum based chemical pesticides and insecticides. These pesticides high are highly toxic and can cause cancer, headaches and other health problems especially in infants and young children. They also wash into the soil and eventually make their water into our water supply. Cotton is the second most pesticide and insecticide laden crop in the world next to corn.
Infants and Young Children
The younger you are the more susceptible you are to toxic chemicals. This it true not only from the toxic chemicals in conventional cotton, but also a variety of other things including VOC paint that often covers the walls of nursery and children’s bedrooms. Project571 offers a whole line of collegiate infant apparel including onesies, bibs, and youth t-shirts.
Universities We Currently Offer
Project571 is continuously working to add new universities to our line of organic t-shirts, sweatshirts, sweat pants, sweat shorts, infant and youth apparel. If you don’t see your favorite university, check back later as we are as we add green minded universities every month.
Here is a list of the universities we currently offer:
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Michigan State University is one of the top athletic schools in the nation and enjoys a large following in the Midwest. With an enrollment of over 46,000 and only a 3 hour drive from Chicago many alumni reside in the city. Michigan State’s continued success in athletics as well as its tireless support of the environment has made them a prefect fit for our unique organic product. For organic Michigan State Spartans T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY
Indiana University is a 5 time NCAA basketball champion and enjoys a nationwide following of their basketball program. Indiana has an enrollment around 38,000 and has long been a top seller of collegiate apparel. Indiana’s campus wide effort on environmental education and large national following make them an ideal university for our unique brand of collegiate apparel. For organic Indiana Hoosiers T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
The University of Iowa has an enrollment of over 28,800 and enjoys statewide support from their loyal fan base. Due to their lack of professional teams within the state, Iowa has long been at the state’s epicenter when it comes to fan support. Project571 is proud to have Iowa as a partner. For organic Iowa Hawkeye T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
DEPAUL UNIVERSITY
DePaul is the largest Catholic institution in the United States with a student population of more than 23,000. DePaul is Chicago’s hometown university located in the heart of Lincoln Park. This affluent neighborhood is home to thousands of alumni from schools all over the country making them a perfect partner for Project571. For organic DePaul Blue Demons T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO
Loyola is made up of four campuses: three in the Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy. Loyola has an enrollment of more than 14,500 and is one of the largest Jesuit universities in the United States. In 2008, the first annual Loyola Eco Fair was held in Chicago put forth by their own Student Environmental Alliance (SEA) to raise awareness on local environmental issues. Their downtown location, large following in Chicago and dedication to helping the environment make them a perfect fit for our organic product. For organic Loyola of Chicago Ramblers T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY
Although not a Midwestern or Big Ten University, Wake Forest University enjoys an incredible fan base stemming from their successful athletic programs and also gave Project571 its first ACC partner. Wake Forest jumped at the opportunity to show their support for the environment to their faulty, students, fans and alumni. We look forward to the partnership with them and hope to add many more East Coast universities in the future. For organic Wake Forest Demon Deacons T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
Arizona State University is one of the largest public universities in the United States with an enrollment of more than 57,000 students. They also provide Project571 the luxury of having its first Pac-10 university from the Green-Minded West Coast. ASU is so green minded they even created a school called The Arizona State Global Institute for Sustainability, so we are very proud to have them as a partner. For organic Arizona State Sun Devils T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Northern Illinois University has a student enrollment of more than 23,000 and a main campus in DeKalb, Illinois that covers more than 750 acres. The University has four satellite campuses, including two in Chicago-area suburbs. NIU enjoys a large following in the Chicagoland area due to their recent success in football. For organic Northern Illinois Huskies T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO
UIC has an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, and remains true to its roots as a medical training institution and the nation’s largest medical school. Located just south of downtown Chicago, UIC now competes is 18 Division 1 men’s and women’s athletic programs. For organic UIC Flames T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Western Michigan University has an enrollment of more than 26,000 and is located in nearby Kalamazoo, Michigan. WMU is dedicated to educating their students on the environment making them an ideal partner. For organic Western Michigan Broncos T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (OHIO)
Miami is known as one of the nation’s eight “Public Ivies,” with an enrollment of more than 16,000. Chicago is home to thousands of Miami of Ohio alumni making them a perfect partner for Project571. For organic Miami of Ohio Redhawks T-Shirts and Apparel visit www.Project571.com.
THE FACTS
According to the Organic Trade Association, organic cotton sales in the US grew from $160 million in 2005 to $2.8 billion in 2008.
Petroleum Based Pesticides
Chemical pesticides and insecticides are made from fossil fuels, a nonrenewable energy source and a leading cause of global warming. They also wash into our soil eventually making their way into our rivers and oceans. An environmentally friendly option is to use a “natural” or “organic” pesticide around your home or garden. Organic pesticides are usually considered pesticides that come from natural sources. These natural sources are usually plants or minerals.
PROJECT571
Conventionally grown cotton accounts for more than 25% of worldwide insecticide use and 10% of pesticide use. Organic Cotton is cotton grown without the used of petroleum based pesticides. Organic cotton sales have swelled from $160 million in 2005 to $2.8 billion in 2008. Project571 is a all organic college apparel company and the only company in the world to use all organic cotton. To learn more visit www.Project571.com.
Even if a product is considered to be organic, it is still a pesticide. It is important to be careful when using any pesticide, organic or not. Just because a product is thought to be organic, or natural, does not mean that it is not toxic. The big difference is organic pesticides break down after use and don’t harm the environment.
To learn more about Organic Pesticides visit www.arbico-organics.com.
THE FACTS
Organic pesticides break down after use and don’t harm the environment.
Green Packaging
The internet has changed the way we shop. People are spending more time buying products online and less time in the retail stores. The packaging used to ship these items usually consists of a cardboard box with foam “peanuts” that are used to cushion the product and prevent damage. These peanuts are useful because they lightweight, but strong enough protect whatever is inside. The problem is traditional peanuts are made of foam which takes a very long time to break down. The good news is that traditional foam peanuts are becoming a thing of the past. Most large retailers, like Bloomingdales, use peanuts made from pure corn and potato starch. These new kind of peanuts break down in water within 9 minutes!
So next time you’re buying online look to see if there is an option to have your purchase shipped using biodegradable packaging. Biodegradable packaging consists of recycled cardboard and biodegradable bubble wrap that decomposes into oxygen, water and food for microbes as soon as left outdoors in the elements. Boxes are composed of 70% post-consumer recycled materials so be sure to ask next time you shop.
THE FACTS
Packaging “peanuts” made from pure corn and potato starch break down in water within 9 minutes.
Join an Online Community
Joining an online community is a great way to learn more about living Green, as well as educate those who are just getting started. They are informative, fun and can help you connect with other people who care about the environment the same way you do. Its no all about turning off lights and picking up garbage either. Many concerts, events, and parties are planned via online communities which are fun ways to raise money for Green charities.
Green571 is an online community in itself, so hopefully you’ve already signed up for our free daily newsletter. Our newsletter is full of tips and trends to help you live a Green lifestyle. It also has links about environmentally friendly products to help you change the way you live. If you haven’t signed up yet, be sure to sign up today to receive our free daily email.
THE FACTS
Many concerts, events, and parties are planned via online communities which are fun ways to raise money for Green charities.
Read the Newspaper Online
The New York Times and Chicago Tribune cost about $330 a year for home delivery, yet the same articles are online for free. Considering the amount of paper that goes into producing newspapers on a daily basis. Few life changes would help the environment more than reading the newspaper online. According to the Natural Resource Defense Council, the paper industry contributes more to global warming than any other industry worldwide. Harvesting trees for paper reduces the CO2 offset trees normally provide, pollutes our waterways, and create garbage. Paper products are thought to embody a third of all landfill space in our country. The average American office worker prints or copies 10,000 sheets of paper every year, with an average office sending 4 million tons of paper into landfills every year.
The solution is to put down the newspaper and read it online instead, it doesn’t get much easier than that. You’ll save money and save the environment. Its that simple…
THE FACTS
The New York Times and Chicago Tribune cost about $330 a year for home delivery, yet the same articles are online for free.
Littering
We all know what littering is and we all know its wrong. Throwing garbage on the ground is the most careless and laziness thing you can do. We’ve already done so much damage to our planet, it seems unthinkable to do it any more harm. Studies have shown that areas of high litter volume attract even more volume. That means places where people often litter only get worse - there’s already trash on the ground so what is a little going to hurt right? The most common forms of litter are fast food wrappers and paper. Fast food wrappers make up 33%, and paper adds another 29% of all litter on the ground today.
The effect of littering on the environment are unmistakable. Animals may get trapped or poisoned with litter in their habitats, and litter can end up in rivers and canals, polluting the water supply. About 100,000 sea mammals and turtles choke on or get tangled in plastic ocean debris each year. In the state of California, the punishment for first-time littering starts at a $100 (USD) fine and eight hours of picking up roadside litter. A defendant’s third offense and all subsequent offenses are punished with a minimum penalty of a $750 fine and 24 hours of litter cleanup (per offense). Not to mention, every 12 minutes a fire starts because of litter which is big problem for drier states out West.
Solution? Well obviously don’t litter… but if you’re reading the information on this site my guess is that you aren’t someone that does! Sometimes the only way to get something done is to do it yourself, so try and pick up one piece of litter every day. If we all do that millions of tons of trash will be disposed of properly every year. Clean up around your own house or office. Volunteer with your state or town to help clean up parks and common areas. Not only will you be helping the environment, you’ll be setting a great example as well.
THE FACTS
Lawn Mowers
Here’s another thing you probably don’t know, gas powered lawn movers are horrible for the environment. A riding lawn mower emits as much CO2 into the atmosphere as an average car does traveling 100 miles. Americans use 800 million gallons of gas each year on gasoline powered lawn equipment. Trading in your gas powered lawn mover for an electric one will not only save you money, but you’ll be doing the environment a great service. The average electric mower costs $5 a year in electricity to operate. Most come in cordless models as well making them easier to use.
THE FACTS
A riding lawn mower emits as much CO2 in the atmosphere as an average car does traveling 100 miles.
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