As the weather cools, many of us are putting aside our summer household projects. And, in the process, we might have some old paint cans lying around. If you've got a few old colors you don't plan to use, think about recycling them.

 

Photo credit: Suat Eman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Here are some simple eco tips for what to do with your used up paint and paint cans:

1. Using a rubber scraper, transfer any remnants of paint into a small aluminum canister or glass jar and save it for emergency touch-ups or give it to the kids for art projects (appropriate aged children only, of course.)

2. Recycle any water-based, or latex, paint with your local facility. This type of paint can be recycled into new paint or used to create nonpaint products such as cement. (see below)

3. Recycle any oil-based, or alkyd, paint. It can usually be burned to create energy at a power plant. (see below)

4. Many communities have paint and paint can recycling programs. Check with your local municipality to see if this is offered by your nearby recycling or hazardous waste center and which guidelines you'll need to follow.

5. Clean old paint cans out thoroughly and let your kids decorate the exterior and convert them into planter pots, piggie banks, crayon holders or other school project containers.

 

Not sure whether paint recycling is available near you? Visit the Earth911 website or call (800) 253-2687 to find out.

 

About: Katherine DalPra is owner/designer for Green Diva Jewelry, an eco jewelry boutique. Follow her at facebook.com/GreenDivaJewelry or twitter.com/green_diva

 

 

Pink Cloud Events, a sustainable event planning company in L.A., is celebrating the turnover of Proposition 8 and the legalization of gay marriage in California with a $10,000 giveway!


Pink Cloud's “Modern Day Romance” Wedding Contest starts now.  They are looking for gay couples in California to tell Pink Cloud why they embody the modern day romance. The winning couple will win $10,000 worth of wedding planning services provided by Pink Cloud and very special friends in the wedding industry.

Did you know that, according to the “What’s on Brides’ Minds” 2009 survey by David’s Bridal, almost half of all brides (48%) are committed to going green this year, and this includes registering for eco-friendly products?

Well, your prayers have been answered.  Finally, a well-organized, modern registry for green brides and grooms.  Kate Harrison has done it again!  I absolutely love the simplicity and ease of use of the Green Bride Guide's green wedding registry.  Forget wasting the gas and time it will take to wander from aisle to aisle in your local department store trying to piece together, with no rhyme or reason, various selections for your newlywed home.  Instead, get the eco home accessories you want the easiest way imaginable...online!  It's the easiest way to start going green in your new life together...while letting those that love you help you along the way.




In this incredible new wedding registry, you've got endless ways to shop...catered to the way you uniquely think and buy as a couple. Shop by color, room, object and even eco-commitment.  That's right, want FSC-certified products in your home?  No problem!  Looking for handmade or made in the USA?  Absolutely!  However YOU prefer to shop, there's an easy-to-use search function made just for you.  Oh, and even better?  You get everything you register for with FREE carbon neutral shipping!!!  Fabulous darling!

So what can you find in this new green wedding registry?

• Non-toxic cookware
• Recycled wine glasses
• Earth-friendly fine china
• Quality, recycled and sustainable wood tables
• Recycled kitchen tools and items
• Organic bedding
• Lots, lots more!

What does Founder of Green Bride Guide, Kate Harrison, have to say about this incredible resource for eco wedding couples? “Guests spend $19 billion a year on wedding gifts,” said Kate L. Harrison, Founder and CEO of the Green Bride Guide. “Our new website offers couples the opportunity to use their wedding registry to support environmentally-conscious businesses. We offer hundreds of pre-screened environmentally responsible and affordable choices couples can feel good about adding to their wish list, without sacrificing style or quality....The idea is to provide shoppers with as much information as possible so they can make informed decisions about the products they are buying,” said Harrison. “Every product is hand-picked by our team and carefully screened to avoid ‘greenwashing,’ the practice of passing off non-green products as eco-friendly.”

Want more tips on going green for your wedding day?

Get my F.R.E.E  report  "7 Secrets to Your Luxury Green Wedding Without the Celebrity Pricetag"



Kathy DalPra is owner/designer of Green Diva Jewelry, eco jewelry for brides and style-ready women.  Get 15-35% off any piece of jewelry when you recycle your cell phone.

 

Author:  Kathy, owner/designer for Green Diva eco friendly jewelry.

Treat Your Guests to Greener Wedding Favors

 

Celebrating 40 Earth Days with 40 Free Wedding Favors!
The 40th anniversary of Earth Day is April 22, and to celebrate, Dream Green Weddings is giving away 40 seeded eco wedding favors to one lucky couple for their upcoming wedding or bridal shower. For details and how to enter, visit the Dream Green Wedding blog.

If you are thinking about “greening” your wedding, you may consider avoiding wedding favors that are mass produced and made from plastic (the production of these favors can be harmful to the environment and they usually just end up in a land fill). Instead, more brides are opting for favors that are either handmade or created with sustainable materials like bamboo, organic or all-natural ingredients, recycled seeded paper (plant these favors to grow beautiful flowers), or real tree favors. Birdseed favors have become very popular.

One of the hottest trends we are seeing for weddings in 2010 are favors made from organic ingredients—especially all-natural luxury soaps, lotions and body products. At Dream Green Weddings, we recently launched a new collection of organic spa wedding favors. Available in several different shapes, sizes and recycled or recyclable packaging, these wonderfully luxurious eco-friendly soaps make an eco-lovely wedding favor that you can feel good about giving. The collection features unique wedding favors hand-made from organic ingredients such as olive oil, beeswax lotion, Shea butter, even organic Fair Trade Certified chocolate!

 

On behalf of Green Girl Guru, Kathy of Green Diva eco bridal jewelry, this guest post was kindly submitted by Heather of Dream Green Weddings.