D(eco) the Halls

There's such magic in Christmas. The smell of freshly baked cookies at Grandma's house, rosy cheeks & hot chocolate at the end of a chilly December day, the soft glow of the twinkling pine lighting up the room with love. In an instant, it brings you right back to being a kid again. Tack on a few candy canes and popcorn balls and all of a sudden you're 8, beaming with excitement in your footie pajamas. 

These days, we could all use a little bit more of that... as long as we don't hurt the earth along the way. You already know where we stand on the age-old tree debate, but your planet-friendly d(eco)r shouldn't stop there. So in the spirit of the season, here are some of our favorite ways to spread Christmas cheer to the only home we'll ever know. We owe her that much. ☺

Oh, Christmas Tree!

L, E & D: these three little letters are all the rage - and for good reason. LEDs, or ultra-efficient Light Emitting Diode bulbs use 95% less energy than traditional incandescent lighting. When used indoors, they last up to ten times longer than the alternative. Plus, they don't burn or shatter (are you listening, cat lovers?). It's a Christmas miracle! 

How about money as a motivator? 'Cause this time of year, Santa is all tapped out. Powering 500 LED's over a 30 day period will set you back about $0.19, while your go-to set from the 80's racks up an $18 bill. That's almost 20 bucks worth of stocking stuffers we're talking about here. Either way you go (cough, LED, cough), remember that both types of lights are recyclable. Check your local hazardous waste collection site, or donate your broken strands to The Christmas Light Source: a non-profit that donates proceeds to Toys for Tots. We're feelin' all holiday time warm & fuzzy over here.

  

Santa Baby

Remember your 8-year-old self on Christmas morning, buried in an endless sea of crumpled wrapping paper? Well, if you were me, it was nicely folded, but that's another story. Eventually your mom comes in to ruin the fun, massive garbage bag in hand. And since endless rolls of Santa and Rudolph are dyed & laminated, your holiday cheer ends up on one-way trip to the dump. It's a not so festive fact: each year, Americans generate 4 million tons of trash from gift-wrap alone. That's enough red & green to circle the planet 9 times.

 

According to Stanford University, if each American wrapped three gifts in reused materials, the saved paper would cover 14,000 football fields. Think earth-friendly alternatives, like old comic books, paper bags (hello, 7th grade book covers), or funky scraps of fabric. Even old shipping envelopes and clay flowerpots make for one-of-a-kind wrapping. Slap on a repurposed bow (we're loving these from a 1940's hymnal!) or some vintage twine, and your fellow flower child will thank you. Mother Earth will, too. 

Silver Bells

No Christmas tree is complete without ornaments. Unless of course you have toddlers or 6 cats, in which case we'll give you a pass. But while the baubles you've been decorating with for the last few decades might be picture-perfect, they're probably full of more than just memories. Most vintage ornaments contain mercury and lead, making them toxic to handle. If you insist on carrying on tradition, break out the gloves. Your stellar bill of health will thank us later.

New seasonal products like tinsel, artificial wreaths and beaded garlands have also been proven to contain high levels of dangerous, cancer-causing chemicals like lead and bromine. Consider getting crafty and making your own decorations this year (yes, we're serious - you can do it). Here's a roundup of 75 DIY decor ideas that'll be sure to get you in the spirit. Plus, how cute are these homemade holiday ornaments that bake right in the oven? And no, you can't eat them... we asked. 

This holiday season, let's give back to the earth the best way we know how. 'Cause there's no time like the present. 

Bohemian Dreamin'

Driving through the northwest hills of Connecticut, a quaint and colorful little place caught my eye. Decked out in Christmas lights (it was August), painted top to bottom in bright, sunny hues, and covered in weathered shingles behind a rainbow of flower boxes, the warm "welcome" sign and open doorway had me feeling like home. I veered off my path and pulled right in to the old, dirt drive.

Stepping onto the creaky, wooden deck, the aroma of freshly-charred pie filled the sticky summer air. I had stumbled upon Litchfield's well-loved Bohemian Pizza, and it just happened to be lunchtime. I was there to stay.

80's record sleeves lined the walls, peanut shells crunched beneath my feet, and strings of old-fashioned lights gave the space a soft, cozy glow. My eyes met a soul-filling sign: "Loved you yesterday. Love you still. Always Have. Always will." There was a country-playing jukebox, a bar full of locals and genuine smiles from the staff. This is the kind of spot you don't forget... and you wouldn't want to.

I cozied up at the only free spot at the bar, and was greeted by an older, blue-eyed gentleman. "Want some pizza?" he asked. "I've got plenty, it'll go to waste." As I was politely declining, he slid his box full of pie on over to me. My eyes lit up. To my utter delight, it was the GreenBox...and I couldn't contain my excitement.

Next thing I knew, a small crowd formed as I was breaking down our beloved GreenBox. Ooh's and aah's were plenty, and I could feel myself beaming with pride. The owner eventually joined us, exclaiming how the GreenBox has been the "perfect fit" for Bohemian Pizza. He gave me a hug, and thanked me. I couldn't help but think...this is what it's all about. 

I eventually helped myself to a few slices of the man's "HamBurglar" pie, hopped in my car and drove off through the rolling hills of my hometown. GreenBox in hand, always.

Sorting It All Out: 5 Tree Hugging Toss-Ups

Not sure if you've caught on, but recycling is big here at GreenBox HQ. It's in our Earth-obsessed, pizza-lovin' bones... and we're thinking it's in yours, too.

So when we found out that the recyclable materials in the U.S. waste stream would generate over $7 billion if they were recycled, well, that got us going. How is this possible? And most importantly, what can be done to fix it?

We could speculate for days (with the help of an extra large pepperoni pie, of course), but we thought this list might be a good place to start. We've put together a roundup of some of the biggest recycling mix-ups, hoping that we'll learn a thing or two along the way. Because if we don't make a change now, who will?

1. Keep it Capped

Back in the day, tossing the cap before recycling the bottle was the way to go. But as of 2012, facilities across the U.S now accept plastic bottles, caps included. And since 25 million of these are recycled per hour, it's nice to know the cap can come too. Simply empty the bottle, crush it (the best part, obviously), replace the top and you're good to go. Sidenote: since not every municipality has hopped on the cap-crazed bandwagon, make sure to check with your recycling center to confirm.

2. Peace Out, Plastic

"Paper or plastic?" You know the drill. Collectively, we discard over 1 trillion plastic bags annually - but it's a myth that these can't be recycled. 

In fact, plastic bags are often transformed into playground equipment (weird, but cool), backyard decking, piping, fences and yes.. even new bags. 

But recycling curbside may not be the best option, as most local facilities do not have the manufacturing capabilities to recycle such thin, lightweight plastic material. But never fear, Target is here. Most large retailers like Wal-Mart and Home Depot provide collection bins at the front entrance (you know, conveniently close to the gum ball machine). Your local grocery store might even recycle them, too. Check here for a list of drop-off centers near you. 

Still craving canvas? Lucky for you, we're Etsy obsessed - and they've got some of the cutest re-usable grocery bags around. Your eggs (and the Earth!) have never been more excited.

3. Donezo with Details

Labels. They're everywhere. And I swear they're super glued on just to bug me. Don't pretend like you haven't spent 20 solid minutes, sweating, trying to remove every last bit of paper from your recyclable container. But come to find out, it's a totally unnecessary step. The same goes for staples or other metal fasteners stuck in cardboard, as recycling centers use massive magnets to do the work for us. So let's save ourselves the stress (or in my case, a freshly manicured set of nails) and toss 'em in - labels, staples and all.

4. Did You Shred It? Forget It.

In the U.S., we recycle 60% of all paper products (cue us patting ourselves on the back). But when it comes to the shredded stuff, you've got to forget it. Most often, this material is incompatible with recycling center machinery... and just ends up sprawled across the facility floor. Fun times. But glossy paper products, such as old magazines are fully recyclable (but only 20% of them make it to the bin). A good rule to live by? When it comes to paper, if you can rip it, recycle it!

5. A Toss In Toss Up 

Think twice before you trash an old CD or 90's video game (especially if it's Mario Kart, in which case we call dibs). Even old appliances, mattresses, furniture and that pile of wire hangers from the dry cleaners could be kept of out landfills based on the rules of your local recycling department. 

Earth911 has a trusty tool we live by, where you enter an item and your zip to find out how best to recycle it. And, in case you're wondering, the recycling center in my area accepts old trophies. Excuse me while I collect my slew of "participation" awards. :) 

Going Green? There’s an App for That!

Let’s be honest. We could all be a little bit nicer to Mother Earth.

Luckily, there’s an app for that. And, not surprisingly – we’ve given them all a whirl.

For the sake of phone storage, we were forced to choose a few of our favorites. Here are the apps that made the cut.

Now, let’s make every day Earth Day. Because it’s the only place we have to live. ☺

1. Farmstand

Craving a handful of sun-kissed strawberries? How about a bushel of crisp, organic lettuce? Mmmm…sounds like a sweet summer salad in the making! Luckily for you (and your taste buds), Farmstand is here to help. With a list of over 8,700 farmers markets worldwide, this app is your guide to fresh, local produce – complete with community photos, directions, open times and more. Your new favorite market – and your strawberry salad – awaits.

2. Carma Carpooling

Being in the pizza industry, we’re all about sharing. Most of the time. (“Hangriness” is very, very real, guys). So, when we hear about an app that combines sharing with sustainability – you know we’ve gotta have it. Enter Carma Carpooling: the real-time ride-sharing app that helps you find nearby commuters to ride and drive with. Because, on top of reducing traffic, carbon emissions and even the cost of your trip, who doesn’t want a car-full of new friends?

3. GoodGuide

How socially responsible is your shampoo? How “eco” is your Aveeno? In a world where it’s cool to be “all-natural,” GoodGuide is separating Earth-friendly fact from fiction – and all you need is a barcode. Simply scan a product to reveal its health, environmental and social rating, each based on extensive research from an in-house team of experts. From your laundry detergent to your lipstick, GoodGuide’s got your green-lovin’ life covered.

4. Ecoviate

A Twitter-style app for tree-huggers, Ecoviate is a must-have for all gung-ho greenies. Between a newsfeed chock full of eco-friendly tips and photos, to an ever-growing list of green activities in your area, the app is designed to spread sustainability – the social way. Complete with “Eco-points” and rewards, a leaderboard reveals how your environmental impact rates among your friends (come on, who doesn’t love a little competition?!). Plus, they plant one tree for every download. Sold!

Now, tell us. What are some of your go-to’s in green apps?

Great Wolf Lodge Goes GreenBox!

They've got six-story funnel slides, 4D movie theaters, water fort tree houses, indoor mazes & lazy rivers. 

And now, they've got the GreenBox.

It's official: Great Wolf Resorts, America's largest family of indoor water parks is makin' a sustainable splash across the nation. 

From the east coast to the west, from the Rockies to the Plains - all 13 Great Wolf Lodge destinations across 12 states have gone GreenBox.  

That sounds like something to "howl" about. ☺ 

So next time you're Hungry As A Wolf, stop by Great Wolf Lodge's on-site pizzeria: the newest home to our planet-friendly pizza box. 

How lucky are we to be hanging out in the throws of signature 5 cheese pies, massive meatball subs & cheesy loaves of garlic bread? 

 Yup. We're definitely going to stay.

 

But going GreenBox isn't the only way that Great Wolf Resorts is putting the Earth first. 

In 2007, they launched Project Green Wolf: a company-wide dedication to environmental sustainability. Think composting, food sharing, recycling and most importantly - water conservation. 

That settles it then. We call top bunk in the Wolf Den!

 

For Great Wolf, the GreenBox was the missing piece in the Project Green Wolf puzzle. And we couldn't be happier knowing it's the perfect fit.

Food Fact or Fiction?

We could fill 730 football stadiums a year with the food we throw away.

You heard that right. Across the U.S., 40% of food is tossed annually. That equates to over $165 billion of wasted meals – while 1 in every 6 Americans go hungry.

What’s wrong with this picture?

Maybe the fact that the 1.3 billion tons of food we waste each year would be enough to feed all the hungry in the world… 4 times. Or that, if discarded food was a country, it would be the third-largest producer of carbon dioxide in the world.

Well, that’s good enough reason for us.

It’s time to acknowledge the top three myths that help contribute to food waste. Then, we must ask ourselves: Which am I guilty of believing? And, most importantly, how will I make a difference?

Myth #1: “Sell By” or Die

We’ve all been there. Your morning bowl of Cheerios is begging to be drenched in a sea of fresh, cold milk. But it’s “best before” two days ago, so you and your Cheerios are out of luck. Because who wants to start their day off with a hefty dose of food poisoning?

But, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), that carton of milk is best before… well, whenever your nose and taste buds say so. And – for non-refrigerated foods, there is no difference in taste or quality after the expiration date.

It’s a fact: most dates on products are simply an indicator of peak freshness, not edibility. Oh, and what about “sell by”? Surprise, surprise… it’s a marketing tool that ensures proper turnover in retail stores.

But confusion over “sell by” dates causes 9 out of 10 Americans to toss their food, good or bad. While your box of easy mac might be “expired” this June, we promise it’ll taste just as creamy, cheesy and delicious a whole year from now. Even eggs can be consumed well past those arbitrary sell by dates.

Your best bet? Go grandma-style and practice the good ‘ol fashioned sniff test. Your Cheerios, your wallet and your full belly will thank you.

Myth #2: Misfits Must Go

26% of produce never makes it to grocery store shelves. Why? Because it’s ugly.

Due to retailers’ strict cosmetic standards, that lumpy carrot or bumpy tomato won’t even see the fluorescent light of day. The smallest blemish will have it cast aside like a leper, despite being both perfectly tasty and nutritious.

So, where does this freaky fruit end up? The mouths of the homeless? The tables of the hungry? Not even close. It’s transported to landfills… by the truckload. The worst offender is the potato, with 35% getting the boot for its flaws.

Wait – are potatoes even “pretty” to begin with?

Up to 30% of a farm’s harvest succumbs to the strict beauty standards of the produce aisle. And, if the farmer complains, well – the store will just find another farmer.

Who isn’t a little bruised, misshapen or a tad discolored (think lobster-like sunburn)? In a world with more than enough judgment to go around, our green beans shouldn’t have to face it too.   

Myth #3: Don’t Feed Fido!

80% of corn grown in the U.S. goes to feed livestock – a process that involves massive amounts of fossil fuels and the destruction of forests for farmland.

All the while, food scraps are bee-lining it to the dump, converting to methane (a greenhouse gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide) along the way. Since when did it become taboo to feed our animals “people food”?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), boiling scraps at high temperatures makes them safe for animals to consume – and brings farmers back to an age-old tradition (humans have been feeding animals food scraps for thousands of years).

Just ask Pinter Farms, a family-owned pig and cattle farm local to Rutgers University. Rutgers donates over a ton of dining hall food scraps daily to feed the animals at Pinter Farms, saving the university from landfill hauling fees – and Mother Earth from toxic gases.

So next time you find yourself with a stale loaf of bread or some leftover brown rice, think of your backyard buddies. They’re sure to appreciate it.

Solutions?

Eat ugly food. Eat or, better yet – donate your leftovers. Juice your old produce. Plan your meals. Make use of the freezer. And remember: 868 million people across the globe go to bed hungry each night.

An Eco Extravaganza

Did someone say cotton candy? Oh. We are so there.

 

Tack on a petting zoo, a Ferris wheel and a whole lot of GreenBox-lovin' college students, and we're in.

So when St. John's University invited us to be a part of this year's Earth Fest, it was a no-brainer. And when they decided to combine the event with their Spring Carnival - well, we even considered bringing along our sleeping bags.

"We saw you guys on Shark Tank!" never gets old. And neither does the look of amazement on people's faces when we break down our handy dandy pizza box right before their eyes.

 

And we couldn't be more grateful for such an opportunity.

 

Between the beautiful spring day and the fluffy alpaca in our sight line, it was one heck of an Earth-lovin' afternoon. The piping hot pie from our friends at SkinnyPizza was the icing on the cake - making for a one-of-a-kind event we'll never forget.

Here are few snaps of the action... tallest woman in the world and all.