Cool Green Businesses

Christmas trees have come under critical fire for the environmental damage that they can generate - mostly to wildlife habitats through mass tree plantation and the associated use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. After all, you are cutting down a living part of the environment, bringing it into your home, and decorating it for a few weeks before discarding it then repeating the whole process again next year. However, going real is the best way to “go green” this holiday. For all the traditional merriment they embody, Christmas trees are a) awkward to transport and b) terribly depressing when they're discarded in January. No ... Read Full Story

In recent years, we have seen the emergence of a variety of new approaches in the social sector. New types of funders and philanthropists have increased the pressure for accountability and evidence-based social impact. GOOD is the integrated media platform for people who want to live well and do good. It is a company and community for the people, businesses, and NGOs moving the world forward. Their  mission is to provide content, experiences, and utilities to serve this community. They currently produces a website, videos, live events, and a print magazine. Launched in September 2006, the company has garnered praise for its unique editorial ... Read Full Story

Haute Couture is a French phrase for high fashion. Couture means dressmaking, sewing, or needlework and haute means elegant or high, so the two combined imply excellent artistry with the fashioning of garments. Dependant on the design house and the garment, the cost of an item can runs from about USD10,000 for a simple blouse to more than USD40,000 and often beyond that figure making it an impossible proposition for most fashion aware people. From fine automobiles to designer handbags, we've covered various companies that let consumers rent expensive objects instead of buying them. The latest to join the herd is New York-based Rent ... Read Full Story

Don’t toss reusable stuff into the trash. Donating or selling used items in good condition helps those in need, provides a source of revenue for charitable organizations or yourself, and may even give you a tax deduction. Purchasing used goods can also save you some money. Fundraising for charity is difficult enough in the best of times, but during a recession it's much more harder to persuade potential donors to part with their hard-won cash. Enter Kidonaki , a Belgian site that has come up with a way for consumers to help finance the causes they care about by buying and selling unused stuff. ... Read Full Story

Bioplastics (also called organic plastics) are a form of plastics derived from renewable biomass sources, such as vegetable oil, corn starch, pea starch or microorganisms, rather than fossil fuel plastics which are derived from petroleum. Because of their biological degradability, their use is especially popular for disposable items, such as packaging and catering items (crockery, cutlery, pots, bowls, straws). These materials have been sprouting up in various applications, but a recent study puts the total market of green packaging at $43.9Billion by 2013. The highest growth gains in this market will be in bio plastics for reasons of price stability and increased capacity the ... Read Full Story