While browsing the web for inspiration for an eco-friendly project, I found a clever and creative eco-friendly business card. Instead of printing the designs on recycled card stock with multiple colors, we can design more clever and fun business cards using humble recycled stuff.

I believe that one creative idea leads to successful designs, and this business card would be a perfect example. This is a business card for an environmental consultant, Andrea Romani. This fun business card is created with a rubber stamp and any recycled papers, instead of printing the design on paper. It can be stamped on anything you have at hand, like cardboard, fliers, cigarette packs, napkins, and even on someone’s wrist.

Indeed, this business card idea saves money compared to printing huge packs of business cards. I think if someone threw away my paper business card, I would be very sad that I spent money for the ink and nice, pricy paper. In addition, it is a functional business card. The purpose of passing business cards is to gather attention and gain contacts. A business card is more than just a piece of paper with contact information. It describes someone’s personality and their profession. I think this is a perfect business card for an environmental consultant. Tell us what you think or if you know of any more fun eco business cards.

By Anna Kim

Everyday we use something that is made from trees. One of the things we use most often especially in school is paper. Although paper can be made from a variety of natural materials including cotton, hemp, grass, banana plants, tobacco and even elephant dung in some parts of the world, paper is most often made from pulp that is produced by grinding up trees.  Because paper is so important to us and because we use so much of it, we need to make sure we don’t waste it. It only takes a second to use a paper napkin or tissue, but decades for a tree to grow. Fortunately, we can save trees by using less paper and by recycling paper. Here’s how you can make your own homemade paper.

What you need:

Scrap paper and/or newspaper

A measuring cup

A blender or wire whisk

A bucket

Water

A big pan that’s about 8 to 10 cm deep

A screen (any widow screen will work)

A rolling pin

1. Tear the scrap paper into tiny pieces and soak them in a bucket of hot water for about 30 minutes. Put a handful of the soaked paper into the blender and mix until mush. Or if using a whisk, beat the mixture until it is a creamy pulp. Add a small amount of vegetable scraps or dye for color (or even leaves for added texture).

2. Pour the blended pulp into a measuring cup. Pour roughly 3 cm of water into the pan. Put the screen into the pan and pour one cup of the paper pulp onto the screen.

3. Spread the pulp evenly in the water with your fingers. It should feel kind of mushy. Lift the screen and let the water drain.

4. Lay the pulp-covered screen face down on a cloth (tea towel) or in between some newspaper. Lift the screen away, leaving the paper pulp on the cloth. Cover with another cloth and iron with a hot iron, or use a rolling pin to flatten and press out excess moisture. Let the pulp dry for at least 24 hours.

5. Once it’s dry, use the newly made paper to create greeting cards for your friends and family, or any thing else you can think of!

Written by: Joey Harrell

It’s an old question, when it comes time to check out at the grocery store do you choose a paper bag or a plastic bag? It seems like it should be an easy choice, but there are an incredible number of details and inputs hidden in each bag. In a recent article I read, it discusses everything from durability, energy consumption, and reusability to life cycle costs. It’s amazing how much it takes to make a bag, which is only used for about 15 minutes. Ultimately, the article states neither paper nor plastic bags are the best choice; reusable canvas bags instead are the best way to go. From an energy standpoint and according to a recent study conducted, canvas bags are 14 times better than plastic bags and 39 times better than paper bags, assuming that canvas bags get a good workout and are used at least 500 times during their life cycle.

I always knew canvas bags were the way to go. However, what if it was left at home and I had to choose between paper and plastics? After reading this article, I now know I should either put the items back on the shelf or carry them home with my bare hands. There’s nothing good about either of them. One requires several trees to be cut down while the other uses a crazy large amount of energy. What made you decide to switch to a reusable bag?

Written by: Craila Nixon

This is a great project to do if you have lots of old books, magazines, scrap book paper or even felt that you’re looking to get rid of. These roses can be used to add a little flair to any gift package, gift tag, card, scrapbook cover, or to spruce up any project that’s lacking that a little “razzle dazzle”. The materials needed to do this project are: the desired paper (scrap book and magazine pages for a colorful look, or book pages for a class black and white look) and hot glue. To begin, choose your pages and cut them down to a square shape. Layer three pages for a more voluminous flower and draw a spiral beginning in the outside of the square to the middle of the page. Cut along the line until you get to the center and leave a small circle at the end of the strip. Begin with the outside of the spiral strip and roll the paper inward and create a cone shape until you reach the end of the strips. Place a dab of hot glue on the end of the strip and secure it to the back of the flower. And you have a beautiful flower to decorate your projects. For step my step photos, visit Stephanie Lynn’s blog where I found this awesome project: http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2009/12/rolled-flower-gift-toppers.html. Has anyone else tried this idea? How did your turn out?

Written by: Karly Poole

So I know what you’re thinking, “Toilet paper roll wall art? Seriously?” Yes, seriously. This was an art project a friend of mine tackled a few months back. When she first started collecting the toilet paper rolls, I was a skeptic. How could a roll of cardboard become art? But she proved me wrong. Follow these simple instructions and you can complete this simple and creative project too!

Materials:

• Toilet Paper rolls
• Scissors
• White glue
• Stapler
• Paint + brushes
• Glitter
• Laundry pins

Steps:

1. Crush paper roll.
2. Cut into approximately 5 equal parts don’t have to be exact.
3. Place the rolls on a flat surface creating a desired pattern. Spend time trying different compositions and patterns.
4. Glue where rolls are touching, hold with laundry pins to dry. You may use a stapler as an alternative, whatever is easier. I find that glue is easier for the younger kids.
5. You may paint and add sparkles. Sprinkle the glitter on the wet paint, this way it will sticks and you won’t need any glue.

This project is a fun and easy alternative to forking over the big bucks for a unique piece of art or settling for a generic, over-priced work. The possibilities for shapes and colors are endless, so start collecting those toilet paper rolls today!
What other do it yourself projects have you done in the past that you would recommend?

By – Megan Bowman

I don’t know about you, but when I think of a typical office setting, I think of paper everywhere, paper clips lying about, trash bins full of material that could be reused or recycled, electronics and technology using a lot of power and random disposable coffee cups sitting around. If your office is like this in any way, there are simple steps you can take to green your workspace that won’t hassle you in any way. First, let’s address the paper everywhere. If you can avoid printing something and send the message over the internet that will cut back on all the waste that is created by using all that paper. If you need to print a lot of material, try using both sides of the paper and recycling it when you are finished. Also, make sure if you are going to throw away any other office materials like folders for example, make sure they are of absolutely no use to you anymore (as in they are ripped or torn) and then make sure you throw it into the recycling bin rather than a trash can. Next, if something technological, like a computer or printer, does not need to be turned on or charged, turn the power off. Lastly, I wrote a blog about disposable coffee cups and how to take them out of your daily routine without inconveniencing yourself a few blogs ago in which you can read, or you can simply use ceramic or plastic coffee cups in which you plan to reuse day after day to replace the wasteful paper cups. Let us know if you have any other suggestions on how to green your workspace.

Written by: Jen Ebenrick

]]> http://trileafdesigns.com/blog/5-business_dealings/3-eco_office/green-your-workspace/feed 0 http://trileafdesigns.com/blog/4-everything_environmental/4-leafy_tips/eco-friendly-lunch-break http://trileafdesigns.com/blog/4-everything_environmental/4-leafy_tips/eco-friendly-lunch-break#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000 Jen Ebenrick http://trileafdesigns.com/blog/?p=6666 Although it took us a while, we (meaning the people of this planet) have finally started to realize that Earth as we know it isn’t going to last forever if we don’t take care of it. Hopefully our children and our children’s children will continue the efforts to be thoughtful of the environment. And why [...]]]>

Although it took us a while, we (meaning the people of this planet) have finally started to realize that Earth as we know it isn’t going to last forever if we don’t take care of it. Hopefully our children and our children’s children will continue the efforts to be thoughtful of the environment. And why not start them off early? I found these really cute eco -friendly lunch bags at imorganic.com that can take the place of paper bag lunches. They are resusable and made of 100% certified organic cotton. What’s also great about these is they come in a variety of designs, so adults can use them as well! These bags are ony $13.99, do you know how much money that will save you compared to what you spend on paper bags? If you have one of these, or use something similar, please let us know how it has benefitted you.

Written by: Jen Ebenrick

My desk at home is overwhelmed with paper right now. I have old bank statements, car insurance receipts, and pre-approved offers for credit cards that I am never going to apply for. This pile of paperwork seems to keep getting larger and larger because I haven’t seen a solution for my sensitive document problem. I recently found a ray of hope for my situation. On Saturday, April 30th, 1st Financial Federal Credit Union will be holding a free shred day at their Saint Charles, Hazelwood, and Wentzville branches from 9am to Noon. I can take them my mountain of old mail and have it safely and securely shredded for free. For more information on the event, you can go here or call them at 636-916-8300.

Written by: Dan Goeke

Don’t Print the Receipt Too

Many of us prefer to pay for things by credit/debit card instead of carrying a bunch of cash in our pockets all of the time. When it comes to paying at the pump, there is a small favor you can do for the environment that will add up in the end, and all it requires you to do is press the “no” button when asked if you’d like a receipt. By doing this, you can save a lot of trees with little effort. Just imagine the good it would do if everyone pitched in! Please mention any other effortless things we can do to help our environment.

Written by: Jen Ebenrick

Reusing Paper in Creative Ways

If you have a hole punch and some paper handy, your art options are endless. This is especially good for scrapbooking, but hopefully this blog gives you ideas for all kinds of different ways to be artsy. My first idea came to me when I was scrapbooking and needed something to fill space. That’s when I thought of using my hole punch to make polka dots out of old magazine pages. It made for a great effect and interesting patterns. This trick works with almost any kind of paper, even paper plates. In college, I was shown a clever business card example. On the back, it had a texture that was made by gluing on polka dots made of thick paper and a hole punch. Since people typically hold business cards in their hands, this attempt to appeal to the sense of feeling ended up being an original and effective idea. What have you created by using your hole punch and some paper? Let us know!

Written by: Jen Ebenrick