Bamboo is not a tree. In fact, it is a giant grass. And just like the grass on a lawn, when bamboo is cut it’s root system is unharmed, healthy and regenerative. Best of all, bamboo has the ability to grow to maturity in 4-6 years while hardwoods take decades to achieve maturity. Once cut, most hardwoods are left lifeless. Whereas after bamboo is cut, it is able to grow again and again.

Bamboo makes a great fabric alternative to conventional cotton. Besides being amazingly soft to the touch, bamboo is also naturally anti-microbial, which means the fabric actually prevents bacteria from growing on it, resulting in clothing that remains odor-free longer than other fabrics . . . meaning less trips to the dry cleaner, which is always a major plus for the planet and your wallet!

Bamboo as a fabric is not completely virtuous. The process of converting bamboo into a soft fiber requires harmful chemicals and energy intensive machinery. BUT bamboo growth does not require any pesticides, which in the end makes it a better alternative to conventional cotton.

Bamboo flooring seen here is an excellent alternative to conventional wood flooring, because using bamboo in place of wood prevents further exploitation of world’s already dwindling timber resources.

Hi there!

My name is Stancie and I’m thrilled to be the newest addition to the ShopGreen blog. How exciting that one year ago this month PriceGrabber decided to group “green” products together and I’m joining the team on ShopGreen’s anniversary!

I’m of the mindset that we can and should work towards being ‘conscious consumers’. We owe it to ourselves to take a step further and be aware of the impact of our decisions. “Sustainability”, “carbon offsets”, and “lighter footprints” have all been gracing the covers of magazines and news headlines, but what do they really mean and how do they apply to your busy daily life? My goal is to bring an element of simplicity in order to decode “green” messages being hurled your way. To learn a bit more about me, visit our Meet The Writers page. I very much look forward to sharing my latest and greatest organic and eco-friendly finds with you! And please feel free to say hello or comment. I’d love to hear from you and welcome your feedback!

And just in case you’re wondering, my Dad’s name isn’t “Stan” and my Mom’s name isn’t “Nancy”…the number one question asked of me.

Standard wool has scales that make it itchy and coarse and cause it to shrink. To reduce the scales and itchiness, most manufacturers treat their whole with chlorine. But chlorine is a pollutant.

To avoid the environmental problems associated with chlorine, Patagonia insists on sourcing only the softest, least coarse wool possible. Such wool comes from just three Merino sheep ranches, all located in the southern alps of New Zealand, where ranchers follow the strictest environmental mandates of low head to hectares and natural grass feeding.

With room to graze and a healthy diet, it’s no wonder these sheep produce the world’s thinnest wool—at one-fifth as thick as human hair. At such a fine gauge, this 100% merino wool does not require chlorine to make it soft. It is naturally soft on its own.

Patagonia Women’s Wild Isle Sweater features images of Nordic wilderness - conifers, full moon, snow geese and whales. Made from Patagonia’s signature soft merino wool it is exceptionally soft.

Patagonia’s definition of success stretches far beyond units sold and profits earned. The company prides itself on creating products that not only offer great value, but also tread lightly on the planet.

Patagonia ensures a product’s environmental integrity by starting at the source—fabric. The company travels the globe in search of only the best quality performance fabrics that carry the lightest environmental impact. Hemp, organic cotton and chemical-free wool are just a few signature woven and knit materials.

Shopgreen offers many items for men and women that are made from these eco-materials. Stay tuned for explanations as to why Patagonia sourced materials offer exceptional environmental and performance benefits.

Patagonia Men’s Prefontaine Jacket is made of stretch-jersey 100% organic cotton. Just one of many of the companies eco-fabric garments.

Though I’ve loved Patagonia clothing for as long as I can remember, I have only recently come to know how great the company truly is. After reading, an article on Patagonia founder and CEO, Yvon Chouinard, I am stunned by the company’s longstanding commitment to environmentalism. From habitat protection funds to company grants for wilderness exploration and biodiversity study, Patagonia donates a significant portion of their profits to environmentalism. Then, consider Patagonia’s products. All are designed with environmental best practice in mind.

The Patagonia Capilene 3 Zip Neck for Women is one of Patagonia’s many eco-designed products. Made from 64% recycled polyester, it is 100% recycleable at the end of its lifetime.

Given my recent findings and enthusiasm for Patagonia’s work, I would like to take the next few days to elaborate on the company’s various environmental initiatives, while highlighting the ways in which Patagonia is a model company from which the rest of corporate America can learn. Stay tuned for more on Patagonia.

Many parents argue that Patagonia is too expensive for their growing kids. “I don’t want to spend too much money on my sons’ clothes if they’re going to outgrow them in a 6 months,” explained my friend Sarah, mother of growing boys Jake and James.

Agreed Patagonia can be a bit pricey—especially for growing kids, but think of it as a long-term investment. You’ll actually save money because Patagonia’s products last and last and last. Given their outstanding quality, you won’t have to spend precious time and money on replacements. Patagonia kids clothes are designed for growth. Many feature snaps, buttons and adjustable elastics allowing garments to follow your kids’ rapidly lengthening legs and oddly elongating arms.

Patagonia’s Baby Baggies Apron Dress for Toddler Girls is one example of Patagonia’s “growth technology.” This adorable A-line apron dress with matching diaper cover features the gentlest elastic that stretches as a baby grows. Crossover back straps also accommodate spurts with adjustable, double-snap closure fronts.

 A Dual-Trel Composter.

Any beautiful garden starts with lush, moist soil. Contrary to common conviction, however, fertility doesn’t come in a 30 pound bag from your local Wal-Mart.

With the help of a little compost, rich soil can come straight from the your backyard. Roughly one third of all waste dumped in landfills across the United States consists of garden clippings and kitchen waste. This “waste” is loaded with good nutrients—good nutrients that could enrich your soil while dramatically reducing your landfill load.

The concept is simple. In basic terms, compost is essentially result of the natural process of hundreds of different organisms (including bacteria, fungi, worms, and insects) breaking organic material down to smaller organic material. It’s decomposition at it’s finest.

To compost, just collect your food and yard scraps in a compost bin. Turn, water occasionally and let sit until it naturally decomposes into . . . tada—compost a rich, earthy substance to mix with your soil.

If you’re not ready to take on your own compost, consider finding your area’s local compost drop off spot. Many towns and cities across the US are offering programs to take yard clipping “donations” for municipal compost piles. These communal piles then that provide soil for local parks. Look up your region’s parks department for more details.

For many, if not most gardeners, concern for the environment comes naturally. Traditional garden supplies (harsh pesticides, chemical weed whackers and splattering sprinkler systems) however, can be harmful to the environment. In many cases they can even be harmful to gardens, gardeners and family members—especially small children and four-legged ones.

As awareness of the environmental harm of conventional agro chemicals grows, however, so too does the assortment of natural garden tools and products. Many mainstream gardening companies (Mantis, Scotts, P3 International) now offer natural and environmentally responsible alternatives to the traditional gardening staples.

Over the next week, I’ll be running a full report on the recent trend and the latest and greatest in environmentally responsible garden products. Check in for tips and great products sure to make your garden is green.

Every holiday has its own, “essentials.” You know the customary colors, songs, drinks, food or flowers? Like clockwork they’re there, year after year, reliably decorating your table with time-honored tradition. At Easter, these “essentials” often include decorated eggs, baskets, chocolate bunnies, egg hunts, parades, and, of course, the Easter Lily.

Reminiscent of a heralding trumpet, the Lily symbolizes not only purity, but also the arrival of Spring. Yet, like the majority of flowers sold today, Lilies are often made with large amounts of pesticides. These pesticides are harmful to both workers and the environment. According to the United Nations, the majority of third world flower workers suffer serious health problems from pesticide poisoning.

This Easter, Spring forward with Organic Bouquet’s Calla Lilies. Certified organic and biodynamic and cut with extra long stems, these flowers are 100% pesticide free.

Put your money where your mouth is. For those much needed essentials in life: clothing, bedding, wine and even chocolate why not buy responsibly? Today there are many companies concerned about the environment. These companies look for ways to reduce their impact on the world around them through recycling, using less energy, and supporting conservation efforts in other countries. By supporting those companies that have also taken the pledge to protect the environment, the environment will be better off.

If you’re not sure if a company is “eco” or not, there are ways to determine “eco-credentials.” Ask the following questions: does the company minimize or “offset” the pollution it produces? Does it donate money to environmental causes? Does the company offer recycled or recycleable products?

Some of my favorite companies by include: Patagonia, Under the Nile, Loomstate, Stewart and Brown,