The Green Hiker

Eco-Friendly Tools and Programs

Consumer Reports Greener Choices, from the non-profit Consumers Union, has a wonderful resource page that links to an array of useful and eco-friendly programs and tools.

From “Appliance Calculators” to “Toxics”, you probably cannot find a more environmentally focused, single-page asset. Here are a few of the 21 categories:

• Appliance Recycling
• Carbon Footprint Calculators & Offsets
• Climate and Energy Basics
• Government and Industry Links
• Household Energy
• Toxics

I guarantee you’ll bookmark the page. It’s almost addicting to go from link to link.

Check out the Greener Choices page.

And if you’d like to donate to Greener Choices, go here.

Other Consumer Reports News Items

• Baby Boomers
• Aggressive Mosquito
• Healthy Fast Food Spurned

 Now Go Outdoors!

A study by Ethical Consumer magazine claims that companies that produce hiking boots, tents and all sorts of outdoor gear are causing serious damage to the environment …. and are abusing workers’ rights. Ouch!

You can read more about the allegations …. and some of the named outdoor gear manufacturer’s  responses here.

Other News Accounts:

• Common Dreams

• Toxic Shirts?

Related articles by Zemanta

• Outdoor gear contains petroleum, nanotech (sfgate.com)

Now Go Outdoors!

The Big Agnes Salt Creek Recycled Tent earned Backpacker Magazine “Editors’ Choice 2009 Green Award”. This 2-person, three-season tent uses 100% recycled materials (including the reflective guy lines and plastic clips). Without any toxic dyes, this green tent is a somewhat shocking white.

The Salt Creek is not just some eco-friendly experiment or “paean to green”. You’ll want to pack this tent from windy Spring through chilling Fall. The Big Agnes is a 3-season camping workhorse. From the Backpacker Magazine’s review :

“Wind and rain whipped the Salt Creek on trips from high-alpine Colorado to the peaks of northern Wales, and everywhere the green construction proved both durable and weatherproof”.

Specs:

• Packed weight 6 lb 12 oz
• Floor area 36 sq ft
• Head height 38 in
• Single side door with vestibule
• Recycled zippers
• 2 mesh floor pockets
• Hub/pole design makes set up easy
• More specs and features
  

Click here for more info on this great Big Agnes Recycled Tent!

Now Go Outdoors!