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We at greenupgrader believe being Green doesn’t have to be difficult and it shouldn’t feel overwhelming. I think we can all agree that we, as a community, need to take better care of the earth, our home. What’s not as easy to agree on is how to go about it. Instead of telling you how to live, we are going to provide you with options that can help you live a Greener life. We want to make sustainable living accessible to everyone, because we believe that if everyone makes at least a small change, the impact will be big! To help you along your journey to being Green, we will bring you interesting and novel products and ideas that can help you live Greener. The topics we feature will vary levels of eco-friendliness, from Light Green products that only offer minor improvements, to Dark Green items that represent a paradigm shift in sustainable living.

Most Recent Blog Posts from greenUPGRADER

Earth Month Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered our Earth Month giveaway! We picked the winners this morning using a random number generator. Here they are!

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Reminder: Last Day to Enter the Earth Month Giveaway!

To help you get started this Earth month, Dr. Energy Saver and Green Upgrader are hosting an "Energy Saving Basket" giveaway, and today is the last day to enter!

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RE-Case: iPhone Case Made from Trash

You know we love upcycling around here, so when the folks at MINIWIZ offered to send me their case for the iPhone 4 that's made from trash, I knew I had to take them up on it.

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Earth Month Giveaway: Win an Energy Saving Kit

Win an "Energy Saving Basket" kit including energy-saving goodies like an LED lightbulb and a weather stripping kit!

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A Greener Swimsuit: Ecobikinis by Meadow

Swimsuits from the big box store tend to be bad news from a social and environmental standpoint. You can't really tell if they're made in a sweatshop, and they tend to be made from petroleum...

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Green Options Tags: clothing-accessories /

Craft Recycled: Recycled Cardboard Art

When you buy something new, packaging is usually just part of the deal. Whether it's a set of dishes or a piece of IKEA furniture, that cardboard becomes useless after you unpack the box right? No...

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Green Options Tags: recycling-and-reusing / diy-do-it-yourself /

How-to: Repair Old Shoes with Decoupage

As a lover of shoes, it can be a real bummer when a favorite pair meets with a tear or fray. But have no fear: in a case like this you don't have to be a cobbler to remedy this pedestrian...

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Spotted: Reclaimed Whiskey Barrel Planters

Whiskey barrels that have done their time in the distillery are great for planting all kinds of ornamental and food plants, and they're low impact to boot!

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Green Options Tags: recycling-and-reusing /

Spotted: Vintage Suitcase Drawers

Need more hidden storage? Hit the thrift stores and track down mismatched vintage suitcases to transform a boring bookshelf into a conversation piece for any room.

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10 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Water Consumption

We talk a lot about conserving energy, but what about conserving water at home?

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Water Saving Tip: Turn off the Tap when Washing Your Hands

Chances are you know by now that you shouldn't run the tap while you're brushing your teeth, but what about while you're washing your hands?

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Should Gardeners End Their Love Affair with Peat?

Mining peat unlocks stored carbon into the atmosphere, and there are far better alternatives to help your garden grow

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Green Options Tags: climate-change /

Spotted: Hanging Bud Vase from Reclaimed Light Bulbs

Have you upgraded the light bulbs in your house to CFLs or LEDs? Now, you're staring at a pile of incandescent light bulbs and wondering what to do with them.

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Reader Tips: Getting Rid of Ants

It was a warm winter in a lot of places, and that means we're probably in for some insect invasions this spring. Last week, I shared some tips on getting rid of ants naturally and asked you guys...

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10 Recycled Craft Projects for Easter

Instead of heading to a big box store this year, why not make this year's Easter celebration an eco-friendly one? Here are 10 projects to get you started!

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Green Options Tags: diy-do-it-yourself / recycling-and-reusing /

Spotted: DIY Baking Soda Air Freshener

We talked on Monday about indoor air quality, and how getting "fragrance" out of your life was one good way to make the air in your home healthier. That's all well and good, but what about when...

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The Art of Recycling and Flipping Your Lid

A friend, who is also a nurse, has access to thousands of flip offs or caps that literally "flip off" medicinal vials. The caps are made from Polypropylene (PP 5) which is a strong resin that...

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8 Innovations for Home Energy Savings

Energy prices spiked in 2011, and we're not expected to see much of a drop (if any) this year, so even if the environmental impacts of fossil fuels aren't high on your priority list, making your...

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9 Simple Tips for Better Indoor Air Quality

We talk a lot about pollution around here, but what about the environment inside your home? Most of us spend a good bit of each day indoors, and your house's indoor air quality can be just as...

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Spotted: Pallet Eye Candy

If you follow us over on our Facebook page, you've seen this video already, but in case you missed it over here, I couldn't resist sharing this awesome video from The Canadian Wood Pallet &...

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Green Options Tags: diy-do-it-yourself / media-resources /

Craft Recycled: Retro Earrings from a Bike Inner Tube

Don't you just love simple earrings that go with everything? Extra long earrings are all the rage these days, so I made a pair using an old bike inner tube. Here's how you can make your own retro...

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Green Options Tags: recycling-and-reusing / diy-do-it-yourself /

How to Get Rid of Ants Naturally

When you're facing an ant invasion, your instinct may be to grab a can of insecticide, but that stuff is terrible for indoor air quality and for your health. Next time you see a row of ants...

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How to Infuse Vinegar

Who would have thought a cask of wine gone bad some 10,000 years ago would have produced such a magical, medicinal and/or flavorful elixir? Of course, I speak of vinegar!

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How to Tell If Wood Pallets are Safe for Crafting

Setting aside the contamination question, there's another safety issue to consider, if you're thinking about crafting with reclaimed wood pallets: fumigated or pressure treated wood.

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Green Options Tags: diy-do-it-yourself / recycling-and-reusing /

Slow Design: Alabama Studio Sewing + Design

Slow design is all about creating well-made clothing from sustainable, organic fabrics, and her garments feature gorgeous, hand-sewn embroidery and applique.

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Craft Recycled: Cell Phone Charging Station from a Lotion Bottle

Ashley over at Make It Love It was tired of leaving her cell phone on the floor while it charged. The phone got grungy, and it was sort of an eyesore. She decided to get crafty and do something...

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Green Options Tags: recycling-and-reusing / diy-do-it-yourself /

Rooftop Bus Gardens Give NYC More Green Space

You know we love little ways to add green to small spaces, but what about bigger areas that could use more green space?

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Craft Recycled: 5 Upcycled Soda Can Crafts

Reusing before recycling is always the best way to go. Luckily, there are all sorts of fun, crafty ways to reuse empty soda cans! Here are some of our faves.

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Green Options Tags: recycling-and-reusing / diy-do-it-yourself /

Spotted: Soda Can Lanterns

How lovely are these sweet, upcycled tin lanterns made from reclaimed soda cans?

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Turn an Old Egg Tray into a Memo Board With French Flair

What happens when you receive a donation of 200 cardboard egg trays and have a date with just as many first graders? You come up with a project fast - and one that is cute, quick and easy. Voila,...

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Green Options Tags: diy-do-it-yourself / recycling-and-reusing /

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