Green Inspired Topics

Remember the days when you had to write out everything by hand?  What about when people had to use typewriters?  Every time something would get messed up with what you were typing, you would have to throw out the sheet and start over again.  But now with the digital age taking over and people wising up to more environmentally-friendly ways of thinking and acting, I'd like to believe that we are wasting less and saving more. 

Computers, The Internet , and Technology

The Internet has been nothing short of a godsend.  And while it has opened up entire worlds to us (which we may have not been exposed to previously), it also offers us another opportunity to be eco-friendly while we surf the net.  For example, while in college, I went to Office Max to buy more ink for my printer only to have the sales associate ask me if I had brought my old, empty cartridges with me (which I happened to have on me).  Before I could even ask why she was asking for my old cartridges, she informed me that they recycled old ink cartridges. In return for me turning the cartridges in, I received two packages of recycleable paper for my printer.  I thought that was a pretty sweet deal.

Getting free, recycleable paper and recycling your ink cartridges isn't the only eco-friendly thing there is.  Take the recent popularity of WiFi spots that are growing more popular by the day.  Now, you can bring your laptop to your favorite coffee shop or library and do your work.  Laptops run on battery power when they're not plugged in, so instead of sitting in your apartment using electricity, take your computer with you to the park or whatever your favorite meeting place is and chances are (if you have wireless or if there's a WiFi connection), you'll be able to hook into the Internet with no problem.   

To Summarize

1. Recycle your ink cartridges; don't just throw them out!
2. Buy recycleable paper for your printer!
3. Email papers versus printing them/Invest in a thumb drive!
4. Take advantage of WiFi spots (Not only will you get exercise, but you'll save energy)!
5. Take advantage of using your laptop battery versus plugging it
   

   

   

   

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Company Glance

One company, Hybrid Technologies , is hoping to change the way that people look at hybrid vehicles. Hybrid Technologies, according to their web site, is a concept and brand development corporation in the field of alternative-fuel automobiles, motorcycles , scooters, bicycles and alternative-fuel products. Currently, they are focused on developing and marketing lithium-powered vehicles and products in order to make the environment a cleaner, more fuel-efficient place to live and work.

According to a recent article published in the Huffington Post , Hybrid Technologies is planning to produce two working eco-friendly vehicle models by the end of the 2009/beginning of the 2010 year. The two models are said to be,

an all electric that will have a range of 150-180 miles, and a plug-in hybrid model that they are entering into the Progressive Automotive X-prize competition and will boast a 220 mile per gallon efficiency...

I don't know about you, but 220 miles per gallon is enough to get me excited!

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If you're like most college students, chances are you're probably always low on cash; but there are plenty of things that you can do to create a healthier living space as well as conserve energy resources. The following suggestions are just a few ways to to this:

1. Paper Deadlines- If you know you have a big paper due soon, see if the professor will allow you to email it versus having to print the entire thing out. If the professor prefers a paper copy and you don't want to use your paper, head to campus. Most college campuses are equipped with computer labs that will allow you to print out a certain amount of material for free before they start charging you. If you absolutely must print a paper out at your humble abode, make sure that you're using recycled paper. *Note that most stores like Staples or Office Max will actually give you recycled paper for free if you give them your empty ink cartridge from your printer!
2. Flatware- If you tend to make a lot of your own food, try to use something that you can wash by hand versus something that will just get thrown away (i.e. paper plates vs. plastic bowls). If you do use paper products, try to make sure that they are recycleable.
   
3. Park that Car ! Have you ever noticed how a lot of college campuses will make it really difficult to find parking? There's probably a reason for that. If you live on campus, don't use your car. Walk, ride a bike or (if your college offers it) ride the bus. It'll save you money in gas expenses, and you'll get the exercise!
4. Books- Did you ever notice how expensive books can be when you're in college? A lot of people like nice, new things. However, it's sometimes smarter (whenever you can) to buy used books. Think of it as recylcing. So what, someone used the book before! When your semester is over, a lot of universities will actually buy your books from you, so sell your book back to the bookstore when you're done!
5. Thirsty? Have you ever noticed how many vending machines there are on a college campus? If you're taking classes during the summer, there's a good chance that those machines will even be sold out. Buy a bottle of water. When you're done drinking it, don't throw it out; reuse it! Fill it up with one of the many water fountains on campus. If you're picky about tap water, buy one of the larger gallons of drinking water from the supermarket. If you feel like having something other than water, then fill it with whatever your favorite drink is.

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