What Are Green Collar Jobs
Filed under: Archives, At Work, Business Opportunity, Going Green, Governmental Grants, Making Money, Recycling
You may be hearing the term “green collar jobs”, and wonder what this means.
Green collar jobs are positions in the clean energy sector. These are jobs in the areas of renewal energy, recycling, green building, wind power farms, solar energy, organics (of all types), or any other type of position that has been established to help “save the planet” and/or reduce global warming.
Although these jobs are actually white or blue collar jobs, because these workers are involved in the energy/environmental sector, the name “green collar jobs has been attached to these positions.
Many politicians are urging the government, corporations and/or small businesses to create more green collar jobs; jobs which will help to save the environment and reduce our dependency on oil.
Tax breaks, loans and/or grant opportunities may become available to businesses for the creation of green collar jobs.
Years ago, we created green collar jobs with a recycling business. For the tutorial, read Wood Recycling, A Green Opportunity
Tags: blue collar jobs, clean energy, energy sector, environmental sector, government corporations, oil tax, organics, renewal energy, solar energy, wind powerStop Junk Mail For A Greener Planet
Junk mail is a waste. It’s a waste of valuable trees, paper and time. For the benefit of the planet, a reduction in the amount of junk mail is essential.
Can you imagine how many trees are cut down to produce the paper junk mail is printed on? How many hours are wasted by postal handlers sorting all of that junk mail? It has to be millions.
And have you ever calculated how much time you spend, opening, sorting, shredding and/or tossing junk mail? For me, it’s a lot.
When I look at the whole junk mail picture, I realize jobs are created and big money is made in the forest industry, paper companies, printing (junk mail)l companies, credit card companies, and within the postal system.
When I pick up my mail, about 75% of it ends up in the recycle bin, shredder or garbage.
So how does a consumer stop this influx of junk mail?
Thus far, I have found two ways.
1) Call the 1-800 number in your credit card statements and ask to “opt out” of future credit card offers.
Then, proceed to call or write to all companies who are sending you catalogs, brochures, sales letters, contest entries, or other junk mail. Ask them to take your name off of their mailing lists.
2) Sign up for Green Dimes.
Green Dimes does the work for you. For a small annual fee, they not only reduce the amount of junk mail you’re receiving, they will also plant trees “in your honor”.
For me, this is a win-win-win situation. They do the work, freeing up your precious time. Your junk mail is reduced, and best of all trees are planted to replace the ones that were chopped down to produce the junk mail.
On Green Dimes website you can view their tree planting partners, plus read testimonials from satisfied customers.
Say “no” to junk mail, and help make the world more green.
Photo Credit miss karen’s photos
Tags: brochures, catalogs, credit card statements, garbage, green dimes, junk mail, postal system, shredder, treesOprah Is Going Green
Filed under: Archives, At Home, At Work, Going Green, Recycling
Today, January 4, 2008, Oprah’s show was all about going green.
Oprah and her guests, suggested the following ways to go green:
1) Get yourself a reusable shopping bag, and use that instead of “paper or plastic”
2) Use your own organic cotton produce bag, when buying fruits and vegetables
3) Use a reusable water bottle, instead of buying bottled water
4) Use bio diesel for diesel powered vehicles
5) Use less paper napkins. Switch to cloth ones at home.
6) Avoid the use of toxic chemicals in your home or business
7) Run your dishwasher full, avoid wasting water
8.) Donate old clothes to charity
9) Buy from resale shops
10) Use power strips on your TV and computer. Turn the power strip off when your TV and/or computer are not in use
11) Change your light bulbs, and use the compact fluorescents
12) Recycle as much as you can…paper, plastics, glass, etc
13) Take shorter showers
14) For junk mail reduction, check with Green Dimes.com
15) To find out what can be recycled in your area, check with Earth 911.org
Want to read more about recycling, check out the following articles:
Going Green May Mean Big Bucks
Recycling May Slow Down Global Warming
My Recycling Category is filled with more great ways to recycle and go green, just like Oprah.
Tags: oprahGoing Green May Mean Big Bucks
Filed under: Archives, Business Opportunity, Going Green, Making Money, Recycling
Tonight (11/8/07), on CNBC’s “The Big Idea”, Donny Deustch interviewed individuals who are making millions by “going green”.
Going green, means making and selling products that are friendly to the environment. Some companies strive to recycle, while others are finding ways to eliminate the amount of garbage that goes into landfills.
The guests on tonight’s show, included the founders of:
gGDiapers This invention was developed to eliminate the amount of disposable diapers that end up in land fills. The gDiaper, uses plastics free, flushable liners. The outer layer of the diaper is washable, reusable, and available in a variety of colors. Very stylish!
Method - This is a line of biodegradable, non toxic, cleaning products. Not something new, however, the packaging of the product, makes this one stand out. What a great way to enjoy cleaning.
Josie Maran Cosmetics -This is a line of makeup, that is totally natural and/or organic. The packaging is glamorous, and even that is recyclable. Great job Josie!
Stonyfield Farms This company makes organic yogurts, smoothies, ice cream, and milk, for the whole family. They are against using products that contain rBST, and buy all of their milk products from local organic farmers. The circle is complete.
Recycline. Here’s a company that took recycling seriously. Their first product was a toothbrush make from recycled materials. They then added razors to the list, and now tableware. Happy brushing. 
EcoHangers Here’s a company whose goal is to divert wire hangers from ending up in landfills. They have created a recyclable hanger, that shows advertising on it. The dry cleaning companies get them free (saving money), and the companies that advertise on the hangers, get mass exposure. Brilliant!
360 Vodka. This company is making vodka with a twist. Their vodka is bottled in a bottle that has been made from 85% recycled glass, their label is 100 percent recyclable, and they provide a prepaid stamped envelope in which to return the closure (from the top of the bottle). They then sanitize and reuse the closure. Their website even includes ways to “go green” and assists you in finding a recycling center in your area. Cheers!
TerraCycle Inc.- Here’s an ingenious idea. This company started out by “bottling” worm poop, and packaged it in recycled plastic bottles. This is a natural fertilizer for plants, The company has since branched out, and now sells other organic gardening products, as well as products made from recycled packaging materials. Check out their website, as they also offer money for used yogurt containers, drink pouches, soda bottles. Worm poop, who knew?
Finding a way to create a green product, isn’t necessarily hard. The goal is to create a niche, and do it better than others.
If you look around, you could find many ideas.
In an earlier article, titled: “Recycling May Slow Down Global Warming, I listed 17 products that are recyclable. If you were to divide those into “subclasses, the possibilities are endless.
For six years, I was involved in a wood recycling business. For a tutorial on wood recycling, read: “Wood Recycling – A Green Opportunity” . We let nothing go to waste. Waste wood was ground up, used as compost, and used in blended topsoil. Wood chips were used for biofuel, animal bedding, and ground cover.
Going green can make you big bucks. It’s a business adventure that is good for the environment, and one that may stave off global warming.
Take time to look around. Is there something you can do to create a green product? Do you have a “big idea”?
Going green means you will leave this planet a little better than you found it. That’s great for the current generation, but more importantly, for those who follow. 
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