Share & Voice: A Healthy Environment Starts at Home

I found this interesting website while I was looking for information about healthy environment.
It tells you about different household hazardous products and suggests the use of non-toxic alternatives whenever possible. It also tells you what you should do with the paints and solvents instead of just dumping them down the sink, pour down a storm drain, toss in the trash or pour on the ground because they are a hazard to the environment. The website gives you alternatives for how to properly discard automotive batteries and pesticides. This website is really usefull when you want to become more eco-friendly and take care of our environment.
http://www.mwra.state.ma.us/03sewer/trac/athome.htm

Reflection: Weeks 5-8

I learned how to create a graphical header for the blog. I think it was really unique to learn and it’s great to use it in my blog.
I think it was fun to find out my ecological footprint and how many planets it would take to support my lifestyle. It was a shock when I saw my result. I couldn’t believe it would take 5 planets to support my lifestyle. I have started to take the bus to school or drive more with my roommates.
I chose 1 cosmetic item that I use and I used the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Cosmetic Safety Database to find out about the safety of that product. I found out that my product might cause cancer so I decided to find another face cleaning product that would be safer to use.

I learned about antiques/antiquing, junk/junking, flea market, thrift shop, upcycling, and about resale shops. I found out where you can find all of these in Duluth and what kind of interesting things you can make from junk. I think this was really cool because I realized that you don’t need to buy new things all the time, you can be creative and make new things from your old things.

I think the video we watched about plastic bottles and manufacturers was really interesting and it really opened my eyes. It is really sad how much plastic there is in the ocean, and even sadder how the water manufacturers are taking our water and selling it back to us with bigger prices. It was really good that I saw this video because I used to believe that bottled water is pure and safer to drink than tap water, however, it is just the bottled water companies way to advertise their product.

After learning more about the environment, I have really tried to be more eco-friendly and use the bus more and car-pool. I have never really bought bottled water and after seeing the video I am never going to. It’s actually to the point that if I see my friend having bottled water I am going to tell about the video and what I learned.

Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

PART 1:

* antiques/antiquing

An antigue is an old item that is collected because of its age and beauty.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique

* junk/junking

Junk is a number of different materials that are used in a different form than it wass used for before.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junk

* flea market

A flea market is a place where old and used goods are sold. It can be outdoors or indoors.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_market

* thrift shop

Thrift stores sell used clothes and another items that somebody else doesn't want anymore. The most known thrift store is probably Goodwill.http://www.wikihow.com/Shop-at-Thrift-Stores

* upcycling

Upcycling is the process of reusing waste materials and making new materials or products.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upcycling

* resale shop

Resale shops sell gently-used goods and they buy their goods from individual owners.http://www.tgtbt.com/consumer.htm#whatresale

PART 2:

1. What do the terms above have to do with environmental health?

They all help to save the environment. Selling old clothes or furniture rather than just throwing them away will help the environment.

2. Identify at least one local resource for each of the terms above...provide name, location, contact info, and link to website or blog.

Antigues/antiguing
Name: Father Time Antiques
Location: 395 S Lake Ave Duluth, MN 55802
Contact info: 218-625-2379
Website: http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Father.Time.Antiques

Junk/junking
Name: Junkologie
Contact info: alvn.mail@gmail.com.
Website: http://www.junkologie.com/

Flea market:
Name: Flea Market at Fair Grounds
Location: Carlton County Fairgrounds - Barnum, MN.
Contact info: 218-273-4096
Website: http://www.visitbarnum.com/SearchResults/Rummagegaragefleamarketandmovingsales/tabid/1787/Default.aspx

Thrift shop:
Name: Goodwill Industries Vocational Enterprises, Inc.
Location: 700 Garfield Avenue Duluth, MN 55802
Contact info: Marge Bray, Executive Director
E-mail: mbray@goodwillduluth.org
Voice: (218) 722-6351
FAX: (218) 722-8108
Website: http://www.goodwillduluth.org/

Upcycling:
I could not find anything specific on upcycling in Duluth, MN or close by.

Resale Shop:
Name: Plato’s Closet
Location: 5115 Burning Tree Rd, Duluth, MN
Contact info: (218) 733-9455
Website: http://www.platosclosetduluth.com/

Identify whether you do any or use any of these things. Why or why not?
I have never been to any of these stores but now that I have learned more about them I really want to go to some resale or thrift shops.

PART 3
JunkMarketStyle.com Projects:

I think this floral display is really cool and very creative. It is made using window frame and a toolbox.
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/28993/everythings-coming-up-kale

I really like this clock which is made of gear mold.
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/21319/how-to-make-a-gear-mold-clock

This is a really pretty candle holder, made from an old coffee cup and a plate.
http://www.junkmarketstyle.com/item/17832/simple-monday-evening