Celebrate Earth Day With Tips From IKEA Canada On A More Sustainable Life At Home

Just in time for Earth Day! IKEA has put a list together of their top 10 tips for living a more sustainable life.


Top 10 tips from IKEA to Live a More Sustainable Life at Home

1. Choose toys that are safe for kids and better for our planet. The MULA collection is a series of safe and durable wooden toys that stimulate children's creativity.

2. Opt for solar lighting, both indoors and out. The SUNNAN work lamp combines low-energy LED technology with solar panels. For every SUNNAN sold in IKEA stores worldwide, one will be donated through UNICEF to children in Pakistan. These lamps enable children to read, write and study in the evenings, even if their homes have no electricity.

3. Cut down on food waste by storing and using leftovers. Using food storage containers such as RARITET can help cut down on wasted CO2 emissions from food production, as well as waste.

4. Use less water. Make sure your faucets are using as little water as possible. The RINGSKÄR tap comes with a flow control function, which can adjust the water flow in two steps and reduce water use by 30 per cent.

5. Recycle at home. The RATIONELL easy-to-clean sorting bins help organize and recycle household waste simply and easily.

6. Dispose of batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in a responsible way. Since 2001, IKEA has offered a "Free Take Back" recycling program - even for non-IKEA brands.

7. Go organic whenever possible. Organic agriculture excludes the use of synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and strives to maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. Organic SYLT jams are
one of the many organic food products sold in the Swedish Food Market at IKEA.

8. Buy furniture and accessories made from waste materials. The LUSY BLOM cushion is stuffed with leftover material from the production of other IKEA products.

9. Skip the dryer and let clothing air-dry. Instead of using an energy heavy dryer, hang laundry on the TVÄTTA drying rack instead.

10. Unplug computers and TVs when not in use. A power-strip that can be turned on and off, such as KOPPLA, prevents energy loss and can save up to 10 per cent on your electric bill.

IKEA has also recently launched the Never Ending List, a program that outlines the leading home furnishings retailer's commitment to taking social and environmental responsibility towards its customers, coworkers and suppliers.


Over 100 stories of IKEA's sustainable accomplishments and environmental tips can be found throughout thestore, and on-line at www.ikea.ca/theneverendinglist.

Top 10 Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2010 From Recycled Bride

When it comes to weddings, most couples are reluctant to sacrifice anything short of the best for their special day. Shifts have since occurred in the wedding industry with couples becoming more interested in sustainable, practical and budget-friendly suggestions and ideas for their big day.  The world's first eco-chic wedding resale website, Recycled Bride has defined a "sustainable wedding" as an event that includes elements which encourage positive social, financial and environmental growth.

"We're seeing the emergence of so many exciting wedding trends that reflect the big cultural, political and economic shifts happening in the world today." says Tracy DiNunzio, Founder and CEO of Recycled Bride. "Couples are using their weddings as an opportunity to promote their personal and financial well-being, help the environment, and support their communities. Recycled Bride is proud to offer these insights and trend forecasts based on our unique position on the cutting edge of the sustainability movement in weddings.

Recycled Bride has put together a list of the Top 10 Sustainable Wedding Trends for 2010:

 

1. There's No Place Like Home - Local is the hot word for sustainable weddings in 2010. From venues to menus, couples are making efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and cut their budgets by keeping celebrations "all in the neighborhood". Backyard weddings are helping guests cut back on travel, and caterers are responding to clients' demands for more locally produced food. Even wedding favors and decorations will be sought out from local artisans and shops.

2. Alterna-florals  - The hippest weddings are in full bloom with flower alternatives like sustainable succulents and DIY paper flowers. Conventional cut flowers are expensive, plus they're grown with pesticides and have a huge carbon footprint, so couples are seeking alternative ways to decorate. Many will eschew the floral look altogether by using soy candles, fruit, and found objects for table centerpieces and bouquets.

3. The Hourglass Bride - String beans in sheath dresses are so yesterday. Inspired by voluptuous newlyweds like Christina Hendricks of Mad Men, Salma Hayek, and Beyonce, brides are embracing their curves in wedding dresses that emphasize a well-rounded figure. Many are even flaunting -- or creating -- an hourglass silhouette with gowns that sport belted waists, peplums, and plunging necklines. This is the year that women will ditch their grueling "Buff Bride" workouts in favor of kinder, gentler activities like yoga, and celebrate their naturally feminine shapes.

4. Wedding Planning Goes Digital - From blogger brides to Facebook-ing florists, wedding planning has become an online community affair. "More and more, brides are turning to wedding forums to look for fresh wedding ideas and the latest wedding trends. Together, brides and vendors make these forums an incredible wedding planning resource to connect with others who are passionate about weddings." says Christine Dyer, Founder of BridalTweet.com. Brides increasingly connect with each other for advice, support, and even labor trades on community-based social networks like Give Get Nation and BrideShare.

5. Not-So-Mellow Yellow - The hottest color of 2010 is also the warmest. Sunshine-y yellow pairs beautifully with cobalt blue and violet for an electrifying palette that's bright and bold. Or combine pale yellows with white, ivory, and fresh green tones for a sunny and natural color theme. Many succulents bear yellow blossoms, making this cheerful color an easy choice for sustainable bouquets and centerpieces.

6. The Times Are A-Changing - Saturday night weddings aren't the only game in town. Brides and grooms are scheduling their nuptials on weeknights, Sundays, and even early mornings in 2010. It's less expensive to book  a venue or caterer on "off days", and as telecommuting becomes more popular, guests are gaining flexibility in their schedules. Weddings we'll see this year will include sunrise affairs followed by romantic brunches, and chic mid-week dinner parties.

7. Bright Bridal Shoes - Forget the white and ivory satin slippers and "dyeable" sandals of wedding days gone by. Bridal shoes in bright and bold hues like fuschia, emerald green and electric blue are hot hot hot in 2010. Colored shoes are a chic and stylish surprise under a white wedding gown, plus they're more versatile than white satin and can be worn again with a little black dress.

8. Flexible Registries  - The registry has been reinvented by sites like www.AlternativeGiftRegistry.org, and this year we'll see many brides and grooms skipping the Stepford registries in favor of more flexible options. More couples will opt for "open" online registries where they can request everything from charitable donations to eco-friendly housewares to cash for a down payment on a home.

9. Unexpected Seating - At both receptions and ceremonies, seating arrangements are being switched up. Think scattered chairs and benches for ceremonies, and long communal tables, clustered couches, and bar tables with stools for receptions. No more will the family and friends of the bride and groom be kept apart by rigid seating assignments at separate tables. This year's seating arrangements will encourage guests to mix, mingle, dine and dance.  

10. Something Old, Something New - The hottest sustainable trend for 2010 (and our personal favorite, of course!) is incorporating recycled elements like gently used wedding dresses and bridesmaids dresses, pre-owned wedding decorations, and vintage bridal jewelry into weddings. Sites like RecycledBride.com connect buyers and sellers for free, so they can reduce their wedding budgets and their carbon footprints. More and more brides are joining the wedding resale revolution, discovering how easy it is to save money and be a little greener by buying and selling their gently used wedding items.

Photo: Davids Bridal from Recycled Bride