bstephens on October 7th, 2008
While everyone in the green industry is breathing a sigh of relief over the extension of the 18 billion dollars in energy tax credits, now we all get to see how the credit crunch will actually affect green businesses and individuals ready to move forward with projects and growth.
Thankfully, for those of us already investing in home efficiency and renovations and green energy, the tax credits – which go to individuals and businesses alike who invest in alternative energy from solar panels and solar thermal to wind turbines and power systems – have been officially extended for some time.
At this stage of the game though, despite credits and incentives, cash flow is key in integrating renewable technology - since you have to pay up front and get reimbursed from various entities. Hopefully, many individuals, families and businesses will be able to benefit as much as hoped – creating jobs and moving the US into a competitive position among worldwide renewable energy producers.
While the renewable energy tax credits will certainly create jobs and pave the way forward for the alternative energy industry, the US will have to work hard to gain ground and catch up with foreign countries that have been developing and pushing the technology farther, faster.
The good news is that ultimately, experts in the RE industry think that the tax credit extension will more than triple the investment in and employment opportunities in the industry over the next eight years.
bstephens on October 7th, 2008
The fall is upon us up here in the Northeast and I must say there is nothing better than coming down on a chilly morning to a delicious cup of hot fresh coffee in my cozy slippers. This is why I love fall. I’m sure come January I’ll be sick of my slippers but for now they are a welcome sign of fall and the cold weather to come. Choosing slippers can be more complicated than you might think – especially here at Planet. We have so many brands and styles from which to choose – wait, perhaps this is how I’ll get through my winter boredom!
So we’re going to do a little post series over the next few weeks on homage to slippers and the joy they bring to those of us in colder climates!
Acorn
Acorn is a terrific brand of casual shoes, slippers and socks. Some of their styles are classified as Vegan, some are Earth Friendly and they are very conscious of recycling materials and packaging. This is a company worth supporting – and they support consumers with a high quality products and extended sizes and widths to ensure that everyone has warm and happy feet through the winter months.
Acorn slippers come in most of the standard shapes you would expect to see. You’ll find the Mule, the Mocassin, the Clog and the Slipper Sock. They also have higher booties – although if you’re looking for cozy ankles you’ll definitely want to look seriously at the slipper socks.
You’ll also find a variety of looks and materials from mock sheepskin to mock fur and even a mock fleece. Acorn even has a line they call “chinchilla” because they are luxuriously lined with faux chinchilla and these are offered in both an ankle bootie and a more standard moccasin slipper height. The rich textures, thick feeling and variety of colors and shapes will please anyone looking for the perfect pair of slippers while the interior construction and design will keep you contented and warm.
Acorn slippers are created for maximum flexibility – meaning if you need to take the dog out in the morning or you need to go out and get the mail, they are designed with a weatherproof outsole. The The footbed construction does vary – in some cases the slippers are designed for comfort and long wear with a molded footbed while others have a memory foam midsole over a comfort cushion layer which means these slippers are not only cozy, they make you feel like you’re walking on air. Note the features while you’re browsing through the site.
Acorn is also smart – they have a travel option for you when you’re on the road. Don’t think you have to just keep your toes warm with socks at the ski lodge this winter – check out the Acorn Travel Tech Moc in soft, water resistant rip-stop material. With a micro-fleece lining, you won’t feel like you’re in your “travel slippers.”
Finally, Acorn also has a lovely selection of stylish slippers that look beautiful as well as being comfortable, warm and durable. The Acorn Caftan series bring whimsy to the standard slip on slipper shape with contrast embroidered Nubuck uppers and contrast colored piping. The Acorn Biba is another whimsical slip on made in luscious pink Nubuck and with charming details. Cozy and stylish – how can you go wrong?
So if you’re sitting at home right now – or in the office longing for your Sunday morning with coffee and newspaper in comfortable, cozy and good looking slippers – check out Acorn this fall and find the pair of your dreams!
bstephens on October 3rd, 2008
Several of our brands, including Pikolinos and Groundhog use sustainable practices in treating leather. This is part of a revolution occurring in the leather tanning industry. Tanning is the process that makes leather suppler, stronger and more resistant to rot. Tanned leather is used in a wide variety of applications including footwear, accessories, furniture and in automobiles. Environmental groups have been focusing on the leather tanning industry recently, not only because of the treatment of animals but also because of the impact from the processing of the hides for human use.
Traditionally, tanning has been done via chemical treatment – and those chemicals end up polluting areas around tanning plants with air, water and solid waste pollutants. Among the almost 130 different chemicals used in traditional tanning, is Chromium which can be damaging to both the environment and the humans processing leather. There is also a significant impact on the environment from the diesel engines used to power these plants and the amount of water being used in the process. Currently, especially in Pakistan where leather tanning is a leading industry, the chemicals and process used are creating a serious environmental impact.
Although not every shoe company is ready or able to convert to vegetable based leather treating, there is some good news on the horizon relating to leather production and the carbon and environmental footprint that production is currently creating. The automotive industry, for example, has already been working away from chrome treated leather because it is more susceptible to shrinkage in hot weather. As shoe companies also become more aware of the importance of sustainable business decisions, new technology and plants are beginning to come online that answer the need for durable leathers manufactured responsibly.
In 2009 a new, green leather processing plant is opening in Vietnam. The plan will reduce water usage by 50% and energy loads by 30%. The plant will use renewable energy technology including solar hot water, wind turbines and even a green roof. Owned by ISA TanTec, a Chinese and German consortium, the plant is also employing interesting water conservation techniques, even using hydraulic system waste water in the leather tanning process. The leather produced by this plant will be supplying a number of our Planet brands with sustainable leather!
• Timberland
• New Balance
• Keen
• Simple Shoes
Hopefully, this will give other leather manufacturing plants a template to follow, to reduce emissions, water waster and to use fewer (or no) chemicals in treating leather.
bstephens on October 2nd, 2008
One of the most fun trends for fall is the vintage look being offered my several makers. These detail driven shoes offer adorable piping, stitching, bows, colors and materials that stand out in any crowd. Paired with simple and classic styles, you’re sure to draw plenty of compliments and quite a lot of attention!
The Poetic License Tilly is perhaps the ultimate in vintage frivolity. Available in Kelly green or the more versatile brown they are made up of a canvas upper, with leather trim, a 2 ½ inch architectural heel and a charming and stabilizing ankle strap.
Topped with a jaunty bow, these pumps would look great paired with designer jeans or your perfect little black dress. Poetic license is known for its detailed construction and high quality materials so you are assured to look your best in a shoe that is as durable as it is fashionable. I, for one, must have the green ones.
If you’re looking for a more classic and clean vintage look, check out the Naturalizer Daybreak, a really pretty, mid to high heel, mary jane offered in graphite and coffee suede. The stacked 2 and ¼ inch heel is high enough for a pretty look but not so high that they are uncomfortable or unstable.
Trimmed in leather and beautifully turned out with a double strap and button details this shoe is simple but offers enough pretty detail to stand out. Classic and comfortable, Naturalizer is well known as a maker of high quality footwear so if maintained, these vintage look heels will last a lifetime.
Looking for a really modern twist on the vintage look? Check out the J Shoes Florence. These innovative loafers are elevated with a 3 inch stacked leather heel and detailed with a charming bow.
Available in a sleek patent leather or in soft suede with contrasting leather trim they have a sophisticated look with a vintage edge. These look great with skinny jeans, leggings, stovepipe pants and more! You’ll love the attention you get in these modernized classics.
Another innovation on the classic oxford is the vintage inspired Poetic License Fusion. With sumptuous velvet lacing and an upper created with a combination of leather and tartan plaid, this shoe is truly like no other.
Despite their unique styling, this heel is surprisingly versatile, working with any denim or brown neutral to complete the simplest outfit with a punch of style. The 2 and ¾ inch heel offers some sexy height and as always, Poetic License shoes are the highest quality shoe available. If you have been looking for a unique vintage shoe or high heeled oxford, look no further!
If you like the idea of the high heeled oxford or the trendy shoetie with vintage styling, check out the Indigo by Clarks Paddington. In Café Brown and classic black, with menswear inspired stitching on the full grain leather upper and topped with elegant ribbon lacing, these shoeties are sexy and classic – the perfect addition to your favorite suit or menswear inspired fall fashion.
The 2 and ¾ inch heel won’t even feel high because of the sturdy Clark’s construction which makes them lightweight but extremely stable. Additionally, the soles are made of super soft rubber and a specially designed forepart to ensure comfort on even the longest walks.
Not everyone wants a high heel – so Clark’s offer a vintage inspired lower heel – only an inch and ¾ on the Clarks Apple Snow. This elegant little T-Strap in black, dark brown and deep red offers a little boost and a gorgeous profile with pretty stitching and a small buckle.
Perfect with a forties inspired suit of a fifties inspired dress, the heel is stacked for stability and this shoe uses all of Clarks wonderful comfort technology like super soft rubber and special cement construction. These shoes are really perfect for all, offering an elegant and classic look with modern styling in the mix!
Finally, here’s one last sweet vintage inspired shoe – the Clarks Bluebird - this time a ballet flat with a sexy peep toe and a cute bow detail. In black, beige and red, these ballet flats have vintage inspired contrast stitching and Clarks fabulous modern technology that ensures your comfort every time. Fully lined in leather and made super comfortable with a cushioned foot bed, these shoes will finish off any outfit and the classic styling is timeless.
Enjoy the vintage inspired styling offered at Planet Shoes and complete your simple and elegant outfit with a pop of trendy vintage style!
bstephens on October 1st, 2008
I love a shoe that looks great and feels greater. Camper offers a wonderful creative line of shoes that mate form and function seamlessly.
Based in Spain, Camper shoes have a long history that goes beyond their 40 years in official business. Founded in 1974, Camper’s original designs were based in the needs of Mediterranean workers so they were comfortable, durable and made to withstand miles of walking. Today, Camper stays rooted in its origins while offering creative, urban and trendy shoes with a wonderful European feel.
Form:
While Camper holds true to its origins in comfort and durability, a number of their pairs put fashion forward and can keep up with the trendiest designers out there. A great example, the Camper Twins Paint – a charming pair of shoeties, or are the boot shoes?
These patent leather confections answer the trend of today with classic black and white styling. And elegant 3 inch heel and an ergonomic sole mean you’ll look gorgeous and feel comfortable – the ultimate combination!
Equally unique, but in a flat, the Camper Twins Napa mary jane is unique and contemporary, with a removable cameo detail and sharp black and white print pattern. Fabulous with your little black dress or with jeans and a blazer, these are not your standard mary jane! Camper also brings function to form with the comfortable and ergonomically design foot bed. Even the heel of this shoe has gorgeous detailing,
Finally, stride into fall with these gorgeous tall boots in light, high quality leather. The flat, rubber sole means comfort for those long walks while the supple leather will look great in the office, on the weekend or out on the town.
Tuck in your skinny jeans, wear them over a legging or with a great skirt and you are sure to draw notice. In fashionable red and classic black, these tall boots are perfect for the function conscious fashionista.
Function:
Several of the camper shoe designs are clearly designed for function, while incorporating a modern and innovative look. The Camper Right Kips was inspired by traditional Indian shoes and offer the popular ballet flat with a twist – a wide, comfortable elastic strap. This strap holds the shoe firmly but comfortably in place ensuring a glove like feel. The soft leather uppers will mould to your foot over time while the durable foot bed will keep you comfortable on long walks or merely popping from the desk to the copier. Offered in black with bright pink elastic and a versatile chocolate brown, this adaptable flat can follow you anywhere.
Another great functional shoe is the Camper Signature Men, essentially a classically constructed brown suede sneaker. This shoe will look great for business casual or on the weekends and is super comfortable and easy with elastic laces for slip on and off comfort. The sole is designed for the footbed so you can walk for miles but without the casual look of a traditional sneaker.
Finally, if you are looking for a comfortable shoe that will really make you stand out in a crowd, check out the Camper Senda. This modified flat reaches up and around the ankle, keeping your feet snugly ensconced in a leather upper reinforced with a rubber heel insert. The rubber toe covering offers additional protection.
Camper has included its ergonomic sole for ultimate comfort and its durable and long lasting materials and construction. Great for that funky outfit for which you’ve been seeking the perfect, comfortable off beat shoe, this suede beauty is offered in both bright blue and more neutral black.
bstephens on September 30th, 2008
Tune in for the second part of the interview with Tom’s Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie to learn even more about this great environmentally friendly and human friendly shoe company!
And of course, we’ll remind you with these cool Tom’s Split Decision Votee Shoes - get out there an vote!
bstephens on September 29th, 2008
Groundhog Footwear is one of our newer environmentally friendly shoe brands here at PlanetShoes.com.
Canadian based, Bosco Shoes Sales Limited has been in the shoe business since 1976. Manufacturing and distributing high quality men’s and woman’s footwear for 40+ years means they know everything about shoe making and how it effects the environment. Groundhog through Bos. & Co. is a footwear brand with a carbon conscience, not only producing and shipping shoes with environmentally friendly materials and process, but engaging in sustainable business practices in the making of the shoes as well.
First, the shoes! All of the Groundhog styles are simple, comfortable and a little bit funky, offering Mary Janes, loafers, clogs, flats and even boots. With leather uppers in multiple colors and styles, you’ll find plenty of options from which to choose. All of their leathers are treated with vegetable oil which eliminates dangerous chemicals from the process and from the environment. This also leaves the leather supple and comfortable and with the meticulous stitching and simple but attractive details, these shoes will work with multiple looks and through all the seasons.
The soles of the shoes are made up of several layers or environmentally friendly materials. First, the bottom is constructed of molded natural rubber. This Crepe rubber is actually harvested from the sap of sustainable rubber trees and made into a latex compound to offer good gripping tread and water protection. The footbed itself is made of a coconut matting, entirely biodegradable and offering a firm but comfortable cushion for walking and support. Finally, the footbed on the interior of the shoe is a soft fabric made with bamboo charcoal – also biodegradable and offering one of nature’s most effective anti bacterial and anti odorants! This bamboo charcoal fabric also has excellent insulating attributes making Groundhog boots and shoes a great choice for fall and winter!
The packaging materials used by Groundhog shoes are also environmentally friendly, using recycled fibers and materials. Their tissue paper is entirely recycled and uses no bleach. Instead of inserting the typical packet of silica gel in each package of shoes, Groundhog inserts a packet of Nano Charcoal which achieves the same anti-moisture goal, but can be used as fertilizer by the consumer!
Additionally, Groundhog ships by sea carriage, one of the more eco-friendly shipping options, to reduce the carbon footprint of their shoes. As shipping makes up about 2% of the greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, this practice is quite important. Groundhog shoes also works hard at finding materials for their shoes locally, to reduce more shipping costs and unnecessary emissions – as well as to support local economy, a human friendly practice!
By manufacturing shoes in an environmentally friendly manner and making sustainable business decisions, Groundhog Footwear has created a line of green shoes anyone would be proud to walk in. Check out all of their styles online here at PlanetShoes.com!
bstephens on September 28th, 2008
One of the best aspects of the new focus on renewable energy are the terrific tax breaks, rebates and other incentives available to you as you make your home more efficient. Making your home more energy efficient is the right thing to do, not only for the earth but also for your wallet!
These incentives can be as small as getting a rebate for purchasing and installing a programmable thermostat or as large as a significant, interest free loan, to improve the efficiency of your home heating or home water heating system.
Although these incentives are fairly well publicized, there is a terrific website relating to state renewable energy programs.
The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency gives state by state listings of programs. This includes programs for production and development, corporate and residential conversion to renewable and improvement of home efficiency.
Additionally, they have links to all federal programs relating to renewable energy.
So if you’re ready to go green, check out dsireusa.org and find out if you can expand your project with the help of local or federal incentives!
bstephens on September 23rd, 2008
Gardening is one of the easiest ways to make an immediate impact on your own environment while giving back to the earth. Many people think of mowing their lawn or creating artful “grounds” but if you take a couple of tips from relaxed and organic gardeners you can help the bee colonies, support native plant growth and enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors.
First of all, make sure you are ready to garden.
- Wear comfortable, breathable clothing – and we recommend long sleeves if you aren’t yet savvy about poison ivy, oak or sumac.
- Pick up a great hat – baseball cap or wide brimmed for gardening to protect your face (and neck) and to keep you cool.
- Choose fun and functional gardening clogs or some great rubber boots for autumn and spring. These will keep your feet dry and stand up to cut grass, dirt, water and the like – we washable and super comfortable.
- Check out Bogs Boots for garden clogs or great insulated rubber boots for gardening in all weather conditions.
- Cloggens has an amazing variety of clogs perfect for the garden – vented, slip resistant and made with anti-bacterial and anti-macrobial odor resistant materials.
- Get one of those kneeling pads unless you just don’t care about getting dirty. They might seem frivolous until you’ve been bent over your bed weeding with your knees in mud, mulch or wet grass.
- Grab a couple of portable tubs with simple handles. They will be more useful than you know!
Once you are dressed and ready to rock, consider your style and choices.
For example, say you are a fan of hummingbirds or that, as someone environmentally aware, you want to make sure you have lots of bee friendly plants. Menarda (or bee balm) is a great choice from the mint family. Great color, incredible fragrance and it spreads like mad and blooms for a long time.
Flox, Echinacea and Daisy’s are some other wonderful choices for the simple and easy to maintain cottage garden. The idea being that you plant large clumps of wildflowers and let them flourish – weeding occasionally but keeping them pesticide free to encourage pollination and a more natural landscape.
One of the next great tips is to not go crazy on your lawn. Honestly, the golf course is beautiful but did you know one of the leading causes of the death of bees is actually pesticides? It isn’t a disease as much as it is poison. Additionally, you are deterring the natural order of bugs, frogs, toads and the like that flourish in a more natural lawn environment. Keep the natural order going and relax a little bit on your lawn!
Additionally, did you know that gas powered lawn mowers make up 5% of the U.S. air pollution? According to the EPA we spill more that 17 million gallons of gasoline onto the ground filling up our lawnmowers every summer in the US alone. This is a great reason to cultivate a wildflower garden – just so you use your lawnmower less!
Feel free to leave some habitat untouched! This year we left the back quarter of our lawn to grow as it would. I admit I kept the bittersweet under control, but otherwise we let it run wild and the number of animals making their homes back there, and the wonderful wild flowers we got accidentally was charming and fun.
So get out there in your garden, get some fresh air, look fabulous while you do it and watch your garden come to life with color, insects and animals.
bstephens on September 22nd, 2008
We’re all bombarded with doomsday messages these days about the polar ice cap and the poor bee colonies. More folks are buying reusable grocery bags, conserving fuel and making some smaller and smarter decisions. Researching renewable energy technology like solar electric, wind turbines and geo-thermal can get very overwhelming if you aren’t an engineer. How the heck do you really start going green?
The first things to do are really super simple. And anyone in the solar power or wind turbine business should tell you the same thing – conserve. Why this first step? Because in order to ultimately invest in an alternative energy technology, you need to know how much power you actually need. If you just slap a solar electric system on your house before you make your house efficient, you are just perpetuating the usage and need for too much power.
Step One:
Turn stuff off! Turn off lights and AC when you aren’t using it directly. Plug those pesky silent energy drainers into a power strip and turn the strip off at night. Replace whichever bulbs you can with Compact Fluorescent. Wait until your old incandescent bulbs burn out and replace old technology with new. As your old appliances fail, or when you have the resources, replace them with new, Energy Saver models.
If you really want to get serious on evaluating your power usage, you can also grab a Kill-A-Watt, which is a gadget you plug into the wall, and then you plug your appliance into the Kill-O-Watt. Leave your appliance plugged in for a couple of weeks and you can figure out how much you are paying per billing cycle per appliance. This can help you quickly find out which of your existing or old appliances are the worst energy hogs – helping you to make smarter decisions about what to replace first!
Step Two:
Once you have reduced your power consumption and you’ve worked through replacing appliances and light bulbs, look at the construction of your home. Do you have old leaky windows? How thick is your insulation? Do you have conifers planted on your home’s windward side and deciduous trees planted on the southerly side? Do you have a solar powered attic fan helping to vent the hot air from your attic in the summer to keep your AC from working so hard?
Make sure your home isn’t leaky and can hold heat in the winter and stay cooler in the summer. By making your home “tighter” you’ll need less energy to modulate the interior temperature and you’ll all me more comfortable.
Step Three:
Now you can consider the most cost effective alternative energy technology in terms of getting a return on your investment. Solar thermal is the way to go! Whether you want to look at installing a solar air heater as a supplemental heat source for 700 square feet of your home, or a solar water heater to remove heating water from your oil or natural gas heating needs, these systems are not only comparable in price with traditional technologies, but also will yield a return on your investment within a few years!
At the end of the day, these three steps will get you well on your way to being less energy consumptive and less dependent on fossil fuels. Going green, unless you have a lot of money to invest, is something that takes time so treat it that way. Build up gradually and then you’ll know when it’s time to really explore introducing solar electric, wind electric or even hydro electric power.
