Way Basics is proud to be a sponsor of OurEarth.org. Founded in 2006 by several recent graduates of Johns Hopkins University, this non-profit organization is led by an all volunteer team of graduate and medical students as well as environmental experts and leaders from around the country. The organization also involves undergraduate and graduate students from over 40 U.S. college campuses.
Environmental information can be daunting and confusing. OurEarth.org makes it easier for us to find information, programs, and news. In 2009 OurEarth.org debuted a one-of-a-kind, national directory to help high school students pursue environmental degrees and enable college students be more environmentally-responsible on their campuses. Get started on a healthier lifestyle today. Here are 10 10 easy ways to be green from OurEarth.org
1. ReduceJust by turning off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving, you can save more than 200 gallons of water per month. Here are some other effective ways you can help to conserve resources …
Turn off the lights when leaving a room.
Use both sides of the paper when printing and copying.
Walk or bike instead of driving.
Take short showers.
Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
Remove unnecessary items from your car to reduce weight.
2. Unplug Unused Electronics Did you know that a cell phone charger can still consume electricity even when a phone isn’t connected to it? In the average home, 25% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. To stop these “phantom loads” when devices are not in use, unplug them or connect them to power strips, which can then be turned off. (Source: U.S.DOE)
3. RecycleBy recycling materials such as aluminum cans, newspapers, and glass jars, you can save energy and landfill space, conserve natural resources, and also prevent pollution. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, three cubic yards of landfill space, two barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity – enough energy to power the average US home for five months. Visit our recycling directoryto find recycling opportunities in your community. (Source: U.S. EPA)
4. Look For The ENERGY STAR Label If a product has the ENERGY STAR seal, it meets certain energy efficiency standards. Home appliances, electronics, windows, and roofing are just a few of the products that can qualify, so check a product’s box or manual, or speak to a salesperson to see if it is ENERGY STAR compliant. In 2006, ENERGY STAR products helped US consumers save an estimated $14 billion on their utility bills. In addition to energy savings, there are rebates and federal tax credits available for some ENERGY STAR products. VisitENERGYSTAR.gov or our energy section for more information. (Source: ENERGY STAR)
5. Use Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs)Almost all of the electricity used by an incandescent bulb is converted to heat and not light; CFLs provide a much more efficient alternative. ENERGY STAR labeled CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs, saving an average of $30 over the lifetime of each bulb. To maximize their effectiveness, check the packaging to make sure that each CFL is the proper type and wattage for your lamps. (Source: ENERGY STAR)
6. Fix LeaksA faucet that leaks one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water each year. A leaky toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water every day. To determine whether your toilet has a leak, place a drop of food coloring in the tank; if the color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak. To find and fix air leaks, ENERGY STAR offers a free guide. (Source: U.S. EPA)
7. Buy Recycled Look for the words “postconsumer” or “recycled” when shopping. There are over 4,500 recycled-content products available including paper towels, printer paper, note pads, packing boxes, sleeping bags, laundry detergent bottles, glass containers, nails, carpeting, trash cans, and trash bags. The amount of postconsumer content can vary from a small percentage to 100 percent, so look for labels that indicate the highest percentage.(Source: U.S. EPA)
8. Computer Power Management Enable low-power sleep modes and turn off computers and monitors at night. General Electric implemented power management features on 75,000 of its computers, annually saving the company $2.5 million dollars and preventing 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. For step-by-step instructions on how to optimize the settings on your computer, visit ENERGY STAR. Network administrators can also set system wide power management settings by using EZ GPO, a free software tool from ENERGY STAR. (Source: ENERGY STAR)
9. Properly Dispose of Hazardous WasteElectronics, CFLs, certain batteries, and other household hazardous wastes contain toxic materials so they should not be sent to landfills where they can pollute the surrounding land and water. A single computer monitor may contain 4 pounds of lead as well as other toxic heavy metals. Many companies and municipal governments offer free collection programs, and in some cases you can even get paid to recycle old electronics. Visit our collection events page to find disposal options.(Source: U.S. EPA)
10. Fresh, Local, OrganicFood travels an average of 1,200 miles before it reaches your plate, so buy locally produced items to save energy and prevent emissions from going into the air. Visit USDA.gov to find a farmers market in your area. Also, choose fresh foods instead of frozen, since frozen foods require 10 times more energy to produce. Finally, organic foods are both good for the environment and good for your health since synthetic hormones, most conventional pesticides, as well as other potentially hazardous practices are not used. (Source: U.S. EPA)
Taking care of a newborn and children can be a challenging experience. At Way Basics, you know we like to keep things simple. In our new Way Basics Baby category, we’ve partnered with innovative companies that have embraced our philosophy of easy, functional, safe and eco. Introducing the Go Crib from Guava Family and the Puj Baby Bath Tub from Puj Baby.
The Go Crib is more than just a crib. It’s a super simple safe playground and rest environment for your little ones. Compactly packaged in a go anywhere backpack, it sets up instantly with a few pumps to the inflatable frame. This isn’t your normal inflatable pool toy! The tubes inside the Go Crib are developed from the extreme sports kite surfing industry, so rest assured they are super strong. If you’re interested in learning more about the technical these ‘leading edge inflatables‘ click here.
Once you’ve unpacked the Go Crib simply insert the included air pump and with a few pushes, the frame pops up. The see through mesh netting is soft and easy to keep your eye on your precious ones. Included is also a soft mat that sets into the bottom of the crib. More than just a resting environment, the organic styled frame also encourages children to play around.
Why has Way Basics considered the Go Crib as part of our collection? First the product is functionally simple to use and very well made with quality in the forethought. Secondly, the smart design is mindful of our environment. Because of the compact design, it is much smaller to transport than traditional crib and playpen products. Products that have small cub space like the Vapur bottle reduce carbon emissions since you can transport more product in the same space. The small size also allows for mobile transport, thus the name Go Crib. This one crib eliminates the need to have multiple products at the parent’s house, grandparent’s house and the other grandparent’s house. The Go Crib makes it easy for you to take your child’s play and rest space wherever you go. Even the park and beach! Enjoy family time anywhere, your way. That’s Way Basics.
Another product we have introduced is the Puj Baby Tub. Simply it’s just a better solution to washing newborns. Safe, easy, and much less strain on your back. You can take baby baths in no time. Instead of big, hard plastic tubs, Puj Baby Tub is soft and easy to setup, take down, and hang dry. Lightweight and snaps together in a matter of seconds, it is the most simple solution you can find. The flat pack design again make it easy to ship and saves space and carbon emissions on transportation. Take a look at these videos to see how it works.
Way Basics is continuously striving to improve our products and bring on new products that make everyday living a bit more easy. Right now, our designers are working hard to come up with new designs for our Modular Table Set. There’s been high demand for the Modular Table Set, partly because of the simplicity of it, but also because it is 100% safe for your family and 100% safe for the environment.
While all this designing is taking place, we don’t want to lose sight of what is most important in this endeavor, and that is YOU, our friends! We are seeking your feedback to let us know how you would like to see the new Modular Table Set designed. What could make it better? What colors would you like to see?
Original Modular Table Set
Current Modular Table Set
What will the next one look like?
The Modular Table Set is one of our most popular designs, so we are quite honored by any and all feedback you might have! Send emails to talktous |at| waybasics.com or give us a call at 949-892-5279. We’d love to get the chance to talk!
Just as spring turns to summer, a caterpillar into a butterfly, or watching our children grow, Way Basics is growing and evolving in order to share the wonderful solutions our community has to offer.
At the birth of Way Basics, we wanted to create fun, affordable, and eco friendly furniture and storage solutions for our friends, family and community. We quickly learned that there was so much else in the world that we wanted to share!
We introduced our line of paper based furniture in 2008 and it has quickly become the most popular, simplest, most ingenious storage furniture ever. Made from environmentally sound building blocks we call zBoards® – we use recycled paper rather than chopping down new trees to create our furniture.
At Way Basics, we’re all about sharing and spreading the love. We care about you and our environment, so why not share our knowledge about how to make our lives simpler and better? We see so many wonderful products in the market place that are designed smartly, easy to use, safe for us, and nice to the earth. We thought waybasics.com would be a great place to share with you our findings from around the world and be your place to go where you can learn and shop about products that could help you live simply. Enjoy!
Have you ever had an idea that you wanted to share with the world, but didn’t have a podium to stand on? Now is your chance to let Way Basics be your podium! If you like what we’re doing at Way Basics and you want to be a part of it, we’re looking for a few BFFs to work with us on developing the next best product to come out of Way Basics.
We’re all about creating simple solutions for you and your family, so this is a perfect opportunity to give your input on what you think would help to make your life simpler, and more fun!
Just a couple of the perks associated with the program:
- You’ll receive exclusive discounts on any products at www.waybasics.com
- You will also receive free product!
If you think that you’d be a good fit, click on the link below to look over the BFF form and submit! Anyone who submits an application will automatically get a coupon code for 15% off!
Who would have thought so many products could be made from paper. Alternative materials are becoming more popular and prevalent in consumer products. Way Basics is leading the way with recycled paper. We started 2 years ago with the patented recycled paperboard we call zBoard and created the amazingly simple peel, stick, done storage furniture.
We’d like to share with you other paper creations we believe are simple to use and good for the planet and your family. Introducing Ditto paper hangers! Hangers are often thrown away after the dry cleaners, when we move, or children clothes are outgrown. An estimated 15.5 million plastic, wire, and wooden hangers are thrown away each day in the US alone. What a waste and irresponsible contribution to landfills! Let’s join the revolution and try these alternative styled hangers made from 100% recycled paper.
Available in kraft finish and come in 3 different sizes: adult, children, and infant. Hang your latest eco fashion on Ditto Hangers today. Click here to shop.
As you may know our team at Way Basics say no to drinking from pre-bottled plastic bottles. Yes, they can be recycled and respun into clothing like Nau (one of our CEO’s favorite brands), why not help lessen the consumption and save some money from buying these bottles. One of the biggest reasons people buy bottled water is that they’re convenient. A reason why people don’t carry their own bottles it that they’re not disposable nor convenient…. until we discovered Vapur.
Vapur Water Bottles (we like to call them pouches) are basically Capri Sun drink pouches that are reusable. We find them so ‘way basics’ because they not only easy to use, but safe for humans and eco-consciously designed. Because of it’s flat packed designed, Vapur bottles can be transported much more efficiently, saving on carbon emissions. The pouch design also let’s us roll it up or fold it in our handbag, purse, or pocket when we’re done. Now there’s no excuse not to use a reusable water container!
Get yours today, available in 5 hot summer colors. Shop here!
We want you, our loyal fans, to vote for Way Basics’ fearless leader, Jimmy Chiang, in Nau’s 2nd annual Grant for Change Contest! Here’s our chance to share with the world, the positive and lasting change we can make in neighborhoods all across the country. Let’s encourage conscious buying decisions and environmental sustainability!
Nau (pronounced “now”) is a Portland, Oregon based clothing company that designs sustainable urban & outdoor apparel for the modern mobile lifestyle. This competition will award a company or person that gets the most votes. The theme is design! Nau want’s to know how we are using design as a tool for positive change. Well, well, well.. are they in for a treat. Since Way Basics is all about sustainable practices and simplifying everyday life, we’re a natural fit! Vote for Jimmy here
We love the look of modular shelving, but we dread the thought of having to assemble yet another piece of IKEA furniture – you feel the same way? Enter the cute, eco-friendly cubes from Way Basics. These cubes come in a variety of colors… (read more)
How do you go green without sacrificing style? This is the question that defines EcoSalon. They believe that environmental consciousness doesn’t have to mean granola, that style and sustainability belong in the same sentence and that living green is fun, not frumpy.
Located in Palo Alto, California, Live Greene is the newest addition to the Way Basics family. We’re glad to have them on board. Check out the awesome displays that they made with Way Basics products! If you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and check it out. Don’t take our word for it, find out for yourself why we are so excited to be partners with Live Greene! You can also find them online at www.livegreene.com
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