Logo Owl
After moving back to Maine from away several years ago, Gwen Hall landed a job as an embroiderer for a local promotions company, rather than in her chosen field of Environmental Studies. Graduating from embroidery to promotional product sales, Gwen spent the next seven years learning about the industry. During this time, Gwen also noticed that green promotional products were entering the scene, which got her thinking about ways that she could combine her most recent work experience with her background in Environmental Education. As Gwen tells it, “I saw this as a unique opportunity that I could really relate to and the idea of of my own eco-responsible promotional products company started to form.” What began as an idea then blossomed into the Logo Owl company, which Gwen created a little over a year ago.
The name “Logo Owl,” Gwen says, developed as a result of her work as an Environmental Educator with non-releasable wild animals. “The owls I took care of were such incredible creatures and that experience had a lasting effect on me,” she says, “I wanted the name of my business to be representative of the two things I was trying to integrate.” Logo Owl offers embroidery, art, screen printing, digital printing, and heat pressing services, in addition to a wide selection of promotional products. Additionally, Gwen offers marketing ideas and solutions to her clients as well as educates them about the benefits of green products. She says, “It seems that the green movement has virtually exploded in the promotional products industry. Suppliers are (motivated) to offer more and more green items. It’s really exciting to see it happening-finally!”
In addition to offering promotional products that are produced with green and recycled materials, many of the products on the Logo Owl website are meant to encourage people to make greener lifestyle choices in general. For example, reusable sports bottles, lunch bags, grocery and tote bags, and refillable pens all serve an environmentally-responsible purpose. When a company gives out one of these products to market themselves or to reward employees, it not only makes them look good, but the environmental savings keeps going after people receive them, as they are reused over and over.
Among some of the other green promotional products that Logo Owl offers are: wind-up and solar flashlights, water-powered calculators and biodegradable and compostable office products. There are even journals that are produced out of a lesser-known renewable resource…elephant waste! Logo Owl also offers products that are printed with soy and water-based paints or are digitally printed to reduce the need for chemical processing.
When asked if her clients usually choose the eco-friendly choices that she offers, Gwen responded that some clients hesitate if this means that they will need to spend extra money. The good news, as Gwen reports it, is that her suppliers’ prices continue to go down. As more cost-effective products become available, more and more clients see the benefit of going the greener route. Gwen also points out to her clients that the public responds very positively to socially and environmentally responsible companies. According to Gwen, “One thing is clear. If you are going to spend the extra money to buy green, let everyone know about it! It can make a big difference in how your company is perceived.”
In addition to selling greener products, Gwen tries to conduct her own business in an environmentally responsible manner as well. When possible, she uses local suppliers and is looking for new ways to partner with other Maine businesses. She also tries to be as paperless as she can, emailing presentations to clients and offering an online, rather than printed product catalog. Logo Owl is operated out of Gwen’s home office, and she makes a point to keep her heat turned low, even during the colder months. What else does Gwen want people to know about her business? Gwen says, “I have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and use green products as much as possible.” She also wants to point out that although some of the eco-friendly choices she offers may cost a little more, the long-term benefits to the environment are priceless.
Logo Owl
Cumberland, Maine
gwen@logoowl.com
www.logoowl.com
Get Out and Enjoy the Snow
This has been a very active winter with several major snow storms. Why not get outside and enjoy that snow instead of sitting in the house and using electronics.
When I was young, I would also get so excited when it snowed outside. My brother and I would be out in the snow as soon as we could and stay out much of the day. We wold have snowball fights with other kids in the neighborhood, finding a perfect sledding spot or help my dad clear out the snow of the driveway. Regardless of what we did, all kept us out of the house, active and playing with other kids.
Even as an adult, you can still enjoy the snow by just taking a walk in the snow and bringing back those childhood memories. There is also outdoor skating in many towns across our country. Who every said you can’t have fun in the snow just because you are over a certain age?
No snow? There is still a world of nature out there that your kids can enjoy. Getting outdoors and enjoying nature is the key to keeping an active lifestyle. Regardless of whether that is snow, water sports, hiking or running.
What are some of your favorite outdoor activities to do when it snows?
Be My Green Valentine! Eco Fresh Products for the Women in your Life.
Ok, so Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow again this year, meaning six more weeks of winter to go. But this does not mean that we can’t start thinking about spring products for the face and body. Any of these products would make a thoughtful gift for Valentine’s Day for someone special in your life and will show her that you care about her health as well as the planet’s. Many people do not realize that when they apply lotion, make-up, even lip balm, that they may be exposing their skin and bodies to a virtual chemical soup. With the triple P’s to watch out for (phthalates, parabens and petroleum products), it is hard to know which products are safe for us to put on our faces, lips, bodies… Here are a few great, green products to get you in the mood (for spring, that is…)
For the body…
J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary Shea Butter Body Cream www.JRWatkins.com
This thick and creamy body cream is 99.10% natural and is free of parabens, dyes and phthalates. The sample I tried, Lemon Cream, smelled as good as a slice of lemon meringue pie and won’t add a single calorie to your day. It is made from shea and cocoa butters and is blended with other natural oils. Great for hands, feet and dry, rough patches left over from winter. Probably gentle enough for kids, too. Priced under $10.00, this cream is one of my absolute favorites!
Femme by Olivier Shower Gel and Body Scrub www.oliviernewyork.com
Femme is the all-natural skin care line from Olivier, New York. Femme bath products are made from oils found in nature, such as olive, rosemary, and coconut. According to their website, their products for women promote healthy, younger-looking skin. The shower gel has a light, clean smell and lathers up nicely. The scrub smells like coconut and is great for sloughing off dead skin cells.
Bath and Body Naturals Roll-On Perfume www.bathandbodynaturals.com
Not to be confused with the similar-sounding Bath and Body Works, whose products are full of artificial fragrances galore, this roll-on perfume is 100% natural and made from pure, essential oils, such as jojoba, sandalwood and orange. Because the fragrances are made from all-natural ingredients, the scents are not as long-lasting as with traditional perfume sprays, but it’s worth it. Applying these great-smelling perfumes to my wrists 3 or 4 times per day is a better pick-me-up than a cup of coffee (and I smell better, too). I sampled “Comfort” (meant to be warm and welcoming) and “Passion” (meant to be rich and complex). I like Comfort for daytime and Passion for nights out.
For the Face…
Ecotools Bamboo Five Piece Brush Set www.eco-tools.com
This five-piece brush set, another of my new favorites, is made from natural and recycled materials. The handles are made of bamboo, a renewable resource. The bristles are soooo soft, are made from synthetic taklon (not animal hair) and therefore, are cruelty-free. These brushes are meant to work well with mineral make-up styles and come with a natural cotton and hemp linen bag to impress your friends.
For the Lips…
Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Natural Lip Gloss www.burtsbees.com
This shiny, moisturizing lip gloss comes in four shades and is everything an eco lip gloss should be: all-natural and free of any animal testing, paraben/phthalates and petrochemicals. According to their website, the featured ingredient is sweet almond oil, which absorbs quickly and is very emollient. Other ingredients include sunflower and citrus oils. The gloss I tried, Sweet Pink, smelled (and tasted) like oranges- yum!
Jane Iredale PureMoist Lip Color SPF 18 www.janeiredale.com
The Jane Iredale line of PureMoist lipsticks are meant to taste and smell like mint and vanilla. Made with fewer chemicals than traditional brands, this lipstick offers an SPF of 18 using edible zinc oxide and also contains antioxidants. As most of us lick our lips throughout the day, this lipstick should be safer to ingest than most traditional alternatives. Who knew?
Buddha Nose Organic Lemongrass Ginger Lime Lip Balm www.buddhanose.com
In addition to being made with certified organic ingredients, this lip balm is extremely emollient and leaves a nice shine on your lips. Ingredients include jojoba oil, organic beeswax and hemp seed oil. If you are not partial to the strong aroma and taste of ginger (the root kind, not the ale kind), then this lip balm is not for you. I also noticed a tingling feeling after applying it, that can also be attributed to the power of the ginger root.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Taking the ‘Ugly’ Out of Flowers
I will be the gladdest thing
Under the sun!
I will touch a hundred flowers
And not pick one.
va~Edna St. Vincent Millay, “Afternoon on a Hill”
Flowers can symbolize love, thank you, sorry, and goodbye yet behind this sentimental gesture is an extensive global supply chain that is often anything but beautiful.
The cut flower industry is worth over $40 billion dollars, the majority of which are imported from Latin America if you are living in the United States. According to Amy Stewart’s book Flower Confidential, an Ecuadorian flower farmer earns $150/month, totaling less than 4 cents per rose sold. This is on top of the extensive chemicals used to manipulate the plants including pesticides, herbicides, and “growth” sprays. The cut flower industry is anything but personal, and has a significant impact for a one-time use product.
Here are five things to consider when giving flowers to the green at heart:
Plants
Bouquets can be beautiful, yet during the winter months local, organic, or fair trade flowers can be hard to come by. By giving the gift of a plant, you can provide them with something to nurture, that can have positive effects on their health, and hopefully something to add to their spring garden! These will last longer than cut flowers, even with the miracle grow they come with these days, and can beautify their living space. Keep in mind though that not everyone with a green heart has a green thumb, so for those of us with black thumbs perhaps there are other options.
Plant -able Cards
Perhaps one of my favorite ideas that has sprouted up (pun intended) over the years, are cards that can be shredded and then watered, turning into indoor wildflower gardens. This gives it an element of surprise since you never know what will pop-up and makes the card not only compostable, but an instant nutrient. Flower card artisans each have their own approach, so make sure that the flowers are native to your region, then plant away.
The Symbol of the Flower: Not only roses
Cultures have developed special relationships with their native plants. Roses, tulips and carnations make up the majority of cut flower sales in the US, but what do these flowers symbolize? In some regions of China, the carnation symbolizes marriage, while in Western cultures the rose is connected to love, psychic powers, and protection. You can make your gift more personal by not only selecting based on local, seasonal, organic, and native flowers but also what the plant itself signifies. Here are a few ideas taken from China and the Western World, these resources are based more on suggestion than extensive research.
| Plant | Symbolism | Culture |
| Apricot | Beauty, Beautiful woman, Spring, Good Fortune | China |
| Bloodroot | Love, Protection, Purification | Western World |
| Gardenia | Love, Peace, Healing, Spirituality | Western World |
| Passion Flower | Peace, Sleep, Friendship | Western World |
| Peach Petals | State of an intense trance of love | China |
| Tangerine | Abundant happiness | China |
| Willow Branch | Able to bend/adapt but not break | China |
| Violet | Luck, Wishes, Lust, and Faith | Western World |
To learn more, please follow these links:
China’s Plant Symbology
Western World’s Plant Symbology
Eco-Friendly Plants
As mentioned earlier, selecting flowers or plants from an eco-friendly perspective can include the following combination of factors:
- In season
- Local
- Organic
- Fair-Trade
- Transferable to your own garden
Of course come spring time, any flowers cut from your own garden meet much of this criteria, so snip and then compost away.
Flowers are Dead to Me
Now for some of us, the thought of spending money to show someone that we care isn’t our chosen route. There are plenty of remedies beyond flowers, but hopefully this will help when flowers feel appropriate.
And now to leave you with a little sarcastic humor:
Why do people give each other flowers? To celebrate various important occasions, they’re killing living creatures? Why restrict it to plants? “Sweetheart, let’s make up. Have this deceased squirrel.”
~The Washington Post
For more information on the cut flower industry, I highly recommend Amy Stewart’s Flower Confidential. Here is a link to her fact sheet with information, statistics, and tips for maintaining cut flowers . She has also printed other books about floriculture and other garden-related pieces that can be found on her website.
Scrappy is Sexy: Something for Him on Valentine’s Day
Come Valentine’s Day there is a surplus of things for “her” but what about the men? Enter Junk Drawers. These playfully re-purposed briefs make romantic nights and the everyday a unique experience. A Minnesotan entrepreneur, Haley, founded Junk Drawers about two years ago and sells her goods on Etsy as well as at various festivals throughout the year. In her own words
“We take this fabric from its certain death
in a landfill and make clothes out of it.”
To put this into perspective, the apparel manufacturing industry discards a large amount of fabric, but small companies like Junk Drawers pick up the scraps and create value-added upcycled goods. The underwear is made of remnant scraps and commercial cuts discarded by apparel manufacturers as well as vintage fabrics. Each pair of undies is unique, due to the variety of fabrics available and their creative eye. Handmade in the US, you can support their small business and give him something that is truly one of a kind.
Marcal Paper Product Giveaway – CLOSED
Marcal is one of the leading recycled paper product companies on the market today. Marcal uses 100% recycled paper to make all their products, saving millions of trees from being cut down every year. They combine softness with strength all at an affordable price.
Contest
Marcal is offering one of my readers the chance to win a prize package that contains a sampling of each of their paper products. It will contain:
- Dinner Napkins
- 180ct Napkin Drawstring Bag
- Upright-80ct Facial Tissues
- 144ct Facial
- Single Roll Giant Towel
- 1,000ct Bath
- 4 ct bath 1000 ct
- 3 roll Regular towel
This package is valued at approximately $25.
How to Win
There are many opportunities to win this contest. You must leave a separate comment for each entry. Here’s all the ways to increase your chances to win:
- Comment ( 1 entry ): Tell us which of Marcal’s paper products you would like to try the most.
- Subscribe to my subscription services ( up to 2 entries ): Follow my daily articles by simply subscribing to to my email subscription service and/or RSS feed. This will give you a great chance to win and give you all the latest updates to my blog. A win-win situation. You get 1 entry for each subscription.
- Spread the Word ( 2 entries ): You can get a better advantage by publicizing this giveaway on your blog. All you have to do is give a brief description of this contest and a link to it. Be sure to include a link to the post in a comment.
- Twitter ( 1 entry ): Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest including a brief description of this contest and a link to it. Include a link to your Twitter account in the comment.
- StumbleUpon ( 1 entry ): Stumble this contest or one of my popular tools and leave a review.
When is it over?
This giveaway will end February 24th, 2010 at 11:59pm. I will randomly select an winner from the list of all entries and announce the winner the following day. This contest is only to U.S. residents 18 years or older.
Good luck to everybody!
Toxic Candles under Fire this Valentine’s Day
Turn on the romance, not the toxins with candles. The seemingly innocuous candle can be a source of lead poisoning, indoor air pollution, and cause long-term damage to your house along with the environment. So here are the top things to know about candles to make any romantic venture a safe one.
Wax and Waning
There are seven candle waxes used to date: beeswax, palm wax, paraffin, soya, synthetic gel, tallow, and vegetable oil. Tallow, at one time the most widely used wax, is made essentially from animal fat. As you may have guessed, production of tallow-based candles has significantly declined since the industrialization of food, in particular the meat industry so these candles are rare in developed countries. Palm wax, harvested primarily in Southeast Asia, undergoes a refining process prior to being used in a variety of body products including candles. It is not a major candle resource, so there is little research on its impact but it is expected to be small. Vegetable oil has a similar story to palm oil, yet is more readily available locally.
Paraffin is the most common and least expensive wax available. It is a petroleum byproduct, although is more commonly produced synthetically today. It is linked to non-renewable resources and a global supply chain. Studies by the EPA and American Lung Association link these candles to poor indoor air quality and Black Soot Deposition. There are other particulate emissions linked to these candles. Since manufacturers are not required to provide an inclusive ingredient list, it is uncertain whether the carcinogens found in the candle emissions are due to paraffin or other additives. The bottom line is to avoid buying these candles, and if you have some in your household, do not burn several at one time.
The synthetic gel candles, although intriguing to look at and play with, are severely understudied regarding their health and environmental impacts. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has on record several issues with gel candle containers exploding. I use the precautionary principle on this one, if there isn’t enough research to prove that it is safe for me to use, I avoid it. This gel is also non-renewable and typically manufactured in several different locations adding to its overall footprint.
Soy candles have exploded in popularity, yet they are not without their own hazards. Soy candles are considerably better for human health and the environment than paraffin and synthetic gel candles. Yet, as a monoculture that is quickly catching up to corn, it is also not as renewable as it once was. Studies on adverse health effects have proven the candle benign, but there are new studies analyzing “White’ Soot Deposition, so the jury is out on damage to the home. As for the age old concoction of beeswax, well there is only good news except for the bees. It is believed with a few supporting scientific documents that burning beeswax releases negative ions that improve an individual’s health. As for being renewable, the debate continues as bee populations are in flux. So time will tell if this resource will continue to renew itself.
Here is a wax guide to help you choose:
| Wax | Renewable Resource | Supports Local Economy | Negative Health Benefits | Cost | Green Rating |
| Beeswax | Yes | Yes | No | $$$ | #1 – Greenest |
| Soya | Yes | Sometimes | Unproven | $ | #2 – Green |
| Veggie Oil | Yes | Yes | Unknown | $ | #3 –Green |
| Palm Wax | Yes | No | Unknown | $$ | #4 – Green |
| Tallow | Somewhat | Sometimes | Unknown | $$$ | #5 – Green |
| Gel | No | No | Unproven | $$ | #6 – Not Green |
| Paraffin | No | No | Yes | $ | #7 – Not Green |
Wicked Wicks
Lead poisoning is back in a big way when you burn a lead core wick candle for an hour. Lead, zinc, and tin are added to provide support to the wick, but after health studies urged the National Candle Association to voluntarily ban lead from wicks, their use has declined significantly. Unfortunately, a study of a few US candles and the majority of candles from Asia revealed lead core wicks that could be lethal. So perform this simple test on all your candles: rub a piece of paper on the wick and watch for a pencil-like residue. If you see this result, immediately dispose of the candle, otherwise you could be exposing yourself and family to carcinogenic levels of lead poisoning.
Scents
Be aware that there is a difference between fragrances and synthetic scents versus essential oils. Essential oils can be therapeutic, while the others are fillers. There are a few studies conducted that have found adverse health effects from various fragrances. It was unclear whether these were tied to specific cases or overall sensitivities to the fragrances. So if a product advertises calming sensations and the like, check for the use of essential oils. If they are fragrance based it is unlikely to have this effect.
Colorants & Containers
Au natural is best when it comes to colors, although the majority of dyes have been found to be benign. If you are fortunate enough to buy your candles from a local artisan feel free to enquire to learn more. As for containers, beware of plastic containers. The US Consumer Safety Commission has documented several containers melting or imploding due to excessive heat, these studies were typically linked to the container and the synthetic wax.
So what now?
Top Tips
Here is a quick tip list to help you make the season of romance healthy and eco-friendly.
1) Check your Wax
2) Do the lead wick test
3) Do not burn several synthetic candles at one time
4) Check the claims of the company
5) Enjoy your romantic dinner for two!
Sources:
National Candle Association
EPA Candle Report
Palm Wax
Encyclopedia Britannica
Spirit of Change
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
