Super Eco

Photo credit: Brian Gratwicke, flickr

Labor Day is over, the kids are back at their desks and autumn is nibbling at our sleeveless outfits with a few crisper mornings. Need a boost to nudge you out of your post-holiday weekend haze? We've discovered so many intriguing eco-tidbits and green ideas floating around that we decided to round up the whole lot for you—inspiration to carry you forward into a greener fall season.

• Grow your own energy-reducing curtains Here's an idea that goes way beyond windowsill gardening—why didn't we think of this? One Japanese company is growing indoor window trellises to filter sunlight and cut down on energy bills.
• Repel pests with plants No matter how little you use, pesticides (and their health effects) linger. There's no need to spray your yard and house to get rid of bugs. Grow plants that repel bugs naturally.
• Community controversy: pool vs. pond Doesn't a natural swimming pond sound like a good idea? We thought so, too—but one community seems to have doubts. 
• Ed Begley on living green NaturalNews.com talks with Ed Begley, Jr., the star of the hit TV series Living with Ed on Planet Green.
• Chill your fridge's energy use Did you know that refrigerators gobble about one-quarter of a household's energy use? Here's how to boost its efficiency.
• Patagonia cuts ties with SIGG Patagonia terminates sales and relationships with SIGG in response to the drinking bottle manufacturer's wishy-washy approach to BPA in its bottle liners.