Articles Written by Julie Hancher

Have a family member or friend that refuses to kick an ugly not-so-green habit? For their next birthday or holiday, casually give them a greener option. Have a friend that goes through Starbucks coffee cups like cigarettes? Maybe your sister uses bottled water at the gym? Purchase aluminum water bottles, coffee mugs, or grocery totes to give to the perpetrator.  With so many varieties available, you'll definitely find something that fits his or her personality. Try browsing Philly's Big Green Earth Store or Olde city/Midtown boutiques for earth-friendly finds. Plus, the gift of green... keeps on giving! :-)

Confession: When I was supposed to give up something for Lent growing up, I failed miserably. (Sorry Mom & Dad!)  Whether it was chocolate or swearing, I caved at some point. Instead of failing again at a petty sacrifice, I decided to make a 40-day commitment in 2012 that could make an environmental impact.  Some of my potential options... "Going vegan for 40 days"? Overdone.  (Plus, many people are vegan by choice... like the Skinny Bitches, LA & this Team Vegan Philly.  It would be like one of my friends saying "Guess what! I'm going eco-friendly for 40 days." Yawn.)  Zero-waste household? The Johnsons have already documented their transformation. So, I decided to go back to my roots... My 40 day challenge is

OK, so I came across this article the other day: Schick’s eco razor is coined (by Schick) ‘the most sustainably produced disposable razor and associated packaging.” While the way it’s produced is “green (handle is 100% recycle plastic, package composed of 100% post-consumer paper)… IT'S STILL DISPOSABLE!  Meaning, (find out more, after the jump!)

Hope ya'll had a great, sustainable Valentine's day week!  Here's the green news in Philly & around we just couldn't fit in this week: McDonald's Giving Pigs More Room - Nope, we're not talking about the customers.  The Golden Arch is stopping the no-room cages for pigs in favor of more room.  Although the exact alternative isn't provided, combined with Chipotle's ex-factory farm ad, fast food's trying to make baby steps in the right direction. We won't be running out for a Big Mac anytime soon,  but hope for continuous progress... (Click through for our other exciting links!)

Ever wonder what you can recycle next? As we've mentioned before, "going green" is rarely an overnight process.  Feel stuck in your progress?  (Find out more, after the jump!)

Starting now, I decided to implement a new column on Green Philly Blog called "Where the Hell Do I Recycle That Wednesdays?!? (in Philly.)" (I considered How the F*@! but realized we should keep this somewhat family-friendly.) Lately, I've been going through a cleaning frenzy in my apartment trying to get rid of crap. But as I was going through my ultimate cleanse, I realized a lot of items aren't as easy to find a new home for - especially when avoiding the garbage. Avoid the landfill with our new column. Need to figure out how to recycle something? (Find out how our new column will work, where to submit your recycling questions AND where to recycle battery chargers after the jump!)

While we've previously given you advice to green your valentine's day, here's another tradition to consider: flowers. Our advice? Ditch the roses. Valentine's Day roses are not only pricey, but often come with hefty carbon footprints after being flown from far distances, having  been plucked from pesticide-filled fields.  There's nothing  that says "I love you"  more than chemicals filling one's nostrils on a romantic holiday, right? Instead, (find out more, after the jump!)

I was pretty psyched to see the Philadelphia Auto Show… not because I wanted to see the rich, expensive cars I could never dream of affording… but because I've received many updates from corporate car brands to test-drive the latest and greatest green models. So how did everything pan out?  With the Grammys on Sunday and Oscars fast approaching, I wanted to share my winners for green themes at the 2012 Philadelphia Auto Show: (What are you waiting for? Click here! I know you're dying to know...)

Happy Tu B'Shevat to our Jewish friends, friends who believe in the Jewish son of god (Jesus) or any religion! Luckily my good friend Steph enlightened me: Tu B'Shevat is the New Year for Trees to the Jewish faith, or the cut-off date to calculate the tree's bday. (Find out more and how you can celebrate, after the jump!)