Downtown Luray, Virginia

How many of you shop locally?  Guess what? Shopping online can can have a huge financial impact on your local economy.  Jenn Savedge, our newest Green Gal Next Door and the editor of the Green Parent and numerous books brought her power of words to spur  her town’s Buy Local Challenge initiative.  Listen to the below video and podcast, as Jenn explains what she learned in helping her little town of  Luray, Virginia rediscovered their local shops.

Just to give your some background, Jenn was approached by Liz Lewis of the Downtown Luray Initiative to help with the Buy Local Challenge.  Over four months, Jenn, the ultimate wordsmith, crafted compelling posts encouraging local buying.  

What Did She Discovered?

As Jenn explains, she realized that most town people really didn’t know what products exisited in the town.  It was easier to punch in the word “Amazon” or go to a bigger town to obtain what was needed.   She also learned that despite the public’s social media craze, the town wasn’t using their Facebook page to connect with its citizens.

Through Jenn’s effort, she created a buzz so that slowly but surely, people started buying locally.   The conversation spilled into the Luray Downtown Facebook Page where people could regularly ask about where to find certain items.

Why Does it Matter if We Buy Locally?

Local vs Out of Town Purchasing

As Jenn, explains dollars leaving the community hurts our neighbors who own stores.  Those store owners employ people, pay for other services, and donate like kind gifts to our schools.  In addition, those store owners pay taxes  which benefit your town.  The more tax money available, the more money available for parks, additional polices, and roadways.

You might be wondering is the buy local theory simply hype?  According to a study prepared by Civic Economics, who was retained by the Local First of Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2008, local town lose significant dollars when residents shop outside the town.   The study revealed the following as illustrated by the above chart:

“For $73 of every $100 spent stays in the community. By contrast, only $43 of every $100 spent at a non-locally owned business remains in the community.”

The studied noted that a 10% shift in consumer local spending would amount to 1600 new jobs, $140 million in new economic activity, and $50 million in job wages.

Local Buying is Green

If you wish to lower your carbon footprint, local shopping is the best option.  Think about the gas used and car emissions generated  to drive to the nearest big town.  How about the travel miles your product logs before it shows up at your door?

Can You Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?

My last question to Jenn was how did the residents react to the initiative.  She said the residents jumped on the bandwagon; however, the retailers slowly realize that they too had to participate in announcing sales and new products on the Luray’s Facebook Page.

Could We Do this in Our Town, Anna?

I joked with Jenn that she now has a new career.  She is now referred to as the “Buy locally Lady.”  In the video, Jenn provided me with some pearls of wisdom on how to make this plan work in any town.  I urge you to watch it.  In a nutshell, she explained you need one centralized organization to pull all the parties together.  Utilize a social media outlet such as Facebook or an online Yahoo group to facilitate the conversation.

If your town doesn’t have a social savvy person, you can easily hire or obtain a volunteer who could coordinate your city’s effort.  Or you can hire Jenn!  (PS I get a 10% referral fee from every job that Jenn gets from this post.  Just kidding.)

Join the Conversation:

• Has your Town initiated a buy local challenge?  If so, what were the pros and cons of the challenge?
• Could such an initiative help your town?
• Do you buy locally?  If not, what has stopped you.
• If you own a small store, is your store on Facebook?  If not, how come?

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• Turn the White House Lawn into an Edible Garden!
• Double Impact: The Business of Creating Social Change
• Green News for 09.06.10 Cement Eating C02, Smart Meters, and Green Mom Social Study
• New Jersey Gets a New Recycling Website
• Green Talk Added a Forum

Eco by Consentino's River Bed Countertop

I am frequently asked for suggestions for environmentally friendly countertops.  One of the countertops that comes to mind is Eco by Cosentino, from the makers of Stilestone.  Why do I love this product?  Hands down anything made of recycled content wins a check plus in my book.  Plus, you don’t have to seal it. Check Plus Plus. Easy Peezy to maintain.

In 2009, I interviewed a representative of the Company right after their launch of the product. (Listen to the podcast here. It is 6 minutes long. Peter gives a nice detailed description of the product.)  However, I just plain forgot to air the podcast.  I still love the concept behind this countertop.  See why.

Recycled Attributes:

Why do I love thee?  The countertop is made of up to 75% recycled post industrial and post consumer products of the following materials:

• mirrors salvaged from houses, building and factories;
• glass from windshields, windows and bottles;
• granulated glass from consumer recycling practices;
• porcelain from china, tiles, sinks, toilets and ECO by Cosentino elements.

Eco by Cosentino 's Crystal Sand Countertop

Other elements worth considering:

• High performance against staining, scratching and scorching.  However, the Company does not suggest you use your countertop like a butcher block.
• Heat resistance.  It can take moderately high temperature for short periods. (Read below.)
• Non-porous, does not require sealers.  (Remember, granite needs to be resealed.)
• 10 designer colors available in polished.
• Available in 63″x 128″ slab and standard size tiles
• Backed by a 10-year limited residential warranty which is nontransferable to your next buyer.  Be sure to read what can void your warranty.
• Can acquire points towards LEED Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
• No microban added (via the podcast.)
• Can be use for both residential or commercial application.
• GreenGuard, NSF and Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification

How Heat Resistant Are These “Tops”

I wondered how heat resistant were these countertops.  In a  2009 New York Times article, Robert  Contreras, the CEO of the Company, stated that if you left a pan coming from a 450 degree oven on the countertops for 15 minutes, the countertop might crack.  In addition, the warranty can be voided if  you put a crock pot, skillet or other hot items directly on your countertop.

So, the countertops are not as heat resistant as granite.  If you are a careless cook or don’t want the hassle of remembering a trivet, this countertop may not be for  you.  However, don’t rule it out for your bathrooms.

Where Can I buy?

The countertops are offered throughout North and South America and Europe.  Within each region, such as the USA, there is a store locator link.  (In the US, see here.)  Although the store locator states both the Home Depot and Lowes carry the product, call before you go.  I did a quick search for my own area and found they didn’t carry it.  However, there were plenty of local kitchen and bath stores that did.

Price?

In 2009, Peter in the podcast said the price to template and install is $65 to 95 per square foot to. I wanted to hear my tri-state reality price from an installer.   Phil of Tri-State Stone stated the price would be approximately $80-130 depending on thickness.  However, Phil noted that Tri-State bases their price on the drawing not necessarily the square foot.  In addition, they also try to minimize seams which might increase the price.  (Kitchen alert!  Ask the question about seams.  Nothing looks worse than a ton of seams.)

In the market for a green countertop, make sure you read some of my other eco-countertop articles:

• Icestone
• Veterro 
• Gleenglass 

Join the Conversation:

• Are you in the market for a new countertop?  If so, would you consider this one?
• Would you rule this countertop out because of the corn oil resin?
• Are you only looking for 100% recycled?
• How do you feel about their heat resistant policy?
• Are you a hazardous cook like me?

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A Sinful Bite of Dark Chocolate. So good.

How many of you want to go to the dark side for Valentine’s Day?  Don’t kid yourself. Valentine’s Day is all about sex.  Giving your sweetie chocolate is simply organic, fair trade dark chocolate foreplay.  But don’t just give chocolate on Valentine’s Day.  Chocolate giving is your gate way to the forbidden land.  If you are a numbers guy, think ROI.  Trust me.

Chocolate is Erotic

Who doesn’t love dark chocolate?  It’s decadent and oh so, rich.  Bonus points.  Chocolate is an aphrodisiac.  (So is avocado, but a girl wants chocolate.)

But organic chocolate doesn’t have to be ordinary.  The chocolate I tried at the NYC Chocolate show was anything but ordinary believe me.  I felt like I was at Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. Yep. That good.

Just to give you a hint.  Think rosemary and chocolate.  Or perhaps Belgian dark chocolate topped with organic cashews.  (Are you smacking your lips together yet?) Sinful and full of flavor. Yeah, these organic chocolates are not your Mama’s off the shelf/store bought chocolate.  They are the real deal.  Check out my two articles:

• Organic Chocolates Never Tasted So Good.  Love Theo Chocolates.  TCHO is to die for.
• Organic Chocolate, a Little Taste of Heaven.  Berkshire Bark is delicious.

 Pamper Him or Her in Chocolate With the Added Weight

The last thing you want to do is give your honey chocolates when all you have heard over the course of the month is rumblings about “love handles” and “the scale must be broken.”  Your stock will definitively plummet if you deliver the bon-bons.   Instead consider  buying the following decadent chocolate for the body:

• Eminence Organic Skincare. Chocolate Mousse Hydration Masque.  (Eminence makes wonderful products.)    Think  Kevin Costner as he was painting Susan Sarandon’s toe nails in Bull Durham.  Put the mask on your loved one.
• Treat White Chocolate Organic Body Cream.  (I haven’t personally tried this but white chocolate is delish.   Sounds lick-able doesn’t it?)
• Shea Terra Organics Premium Dark Chocolate Sugar-Stone Exfoliating Cream.  Again, exfoliate your honey.  Talk about stimulating.
• SanRe Organic Skinfood – Chocolate Lips – 100% USDA Organic Yummy Cocoa Day Lip Balm.  Do I need to tell you what to do here?
•  Chocolate Decadence 8 oz Organic Bubble Bath & Shower Gel.  Yep.  Is it getting steamy in here yet?

Don’t forget. There is always the organic chocolate dessert syrup route.

Chocolate May Not Be Enough

Chocolate may not be enough to get your mate in the mood.  We all have alot on our minds.  The House.  Our Jobs (Our Blogs.)  The Kids.  It’s a wonder how we keep it all together.  And sex.  Well, it isn’t on the priority list.

Green Talk is not a stranger to the Green Valentine’s Day.  Check out my 10 Sexy Valentine’s Day Tips.  Don’t forget hubby’s top 10 green tips  how to get to the end game.   His advice:  Porn.  Heck, think about how less heat you will be consuming since yours is free.

Join the Conversation

• So, does chocolate set the mood?
• Would you prefer organic chocolate or a great sensual body product from your mate?
• Have you used any of the above products?

Disclaimer: Some links are Amazon affiliate links. Please help to support Green Talk. Buy and have sex.

Photo by Diana House
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• Organic Chocolate, a Little Taste of Heaven
• Your Vinyl Blow-Up Doll is a Health Hazard
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View of SitorSquat Application

How many of you have to “hold it” until you get home because you can’t find a bathroom or you refuse to use a public bathroom?  Personally, I am a “got to go girl.” After 4 kids I am ready for adult underpants.  Well, the Sit and Squat Mobile App and website is a dream come true for us frequent bathroom users and parents with small children.

This application is available all over the world through the website but is dependent on users to rate and add public restrooms to the site.

The only bad thing about this app is it is now only available for iPhones, iPads, and Blackberry users.  Obviously, andriod users don’t have to go the bathroom. (See But the website said they are working on an app for the Droid.  Wouldn’t you know it? I have a Droid!)

Never fear, you can text the word, “sitorsquat” to DOTCOM (328266) and follow the instructions to find the closest public restroom.  Whew.  That’s a relief.

An Example of a SitorSquat Toilet Description

Before You Say Ewww.

People rate the toliets (sometimes) and list the hours of operation.  The maps contain different color toilet icons.

• Green means it is open.
• Red means the bathroom is closed at the time of day you are searching
• Yellow/Orange means the application isn’t sure of the hours of operation.
• Blue means you click a particular toilet.  It changes back to one of the above colors.

Should I Squat or Sit?

Disclaimer About Squatting

Social Share Your Toilet Comment

How Can Businesses Team with the Squat Team?

Other Apps:

Join the Conversation

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Toyota Prius Plug-in

While attending the International Auto Show, I made a bee-line to Toyota to view their new roomier Prius.  When I got to their booth, my eyes quickly shifted to the Company’s eye candy Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car. Sexy, Sleek and boosting impressive gas-less miles without the “electric plug-in anxiety.”

I was smitten. 

I highly encourage you to listen to my interview with  Jana Hartline, the Environmental Communication Manager for Toyota Motor Sales about their 2013 line-up.  (It is 11 minutes.)   Bear in mind, I remain cool through the interview but couldn’t wait to talk about the hydrogen fuel cell. Talk about a school girl’s crush.

What’s New in the Prius Family?

Toyota Prius v

Well, Mama Prius gave birth to the new Prius v.  (Did you get the announcement?)  The “v” stands for versatility.  This car has the same cargo capicity of a small SUV and achieves 42 miles to the gallon.  Plus, it has tons of cargo space as well as more back seat leg room than the regular Prius.  What family wouldn’t love that?

Personally, the “v” reminded me of a stretched out Prius.  The look was not very stylish.  Personally, I don’t see it appealing to the SUV loving crowd.  It sits low like a car rather than your normal SUV.  However, Prius has their loyal following and that’s all that matters.

Prius on Steroids

The next baby brother in the Prius family is the Prius Plug-in, which Jana lovingly called the “Prius on Steroids.”  (The car is pictured above.) This car provides a longer electric range than the original Prius but also features the convenience of the hybrid technology.  This newbie can be plugged into a regular outlet and be all charged up in three hours.  Note, You can charge the car in 1.5 hours using a 220 volt system.

Prius C: Compact for the City Folks

Toyota Prius c

The Prius c is a more compact, youthful looking car for city folks. Toyota’s goal is is to lure the younger crowd with this sportier version.  Don’t you just love its orange color?

Here Comes the Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Toyota Hydrogen Fuel Cell

In 2015, Toyota will bring to market their sedan Fuel Cell Hybrid car.  Its platform is based upon the Highlander mid-size sport utility vehicle.  The car achieves an average of  350-400 miles on a single tank.  According to Jana, this works out to an average of 65 miles/kg per gallon fuel economy.  The tank holds 6 kilograms of hydrogen.

Then I raised my hand to ask a question?  Where can you refuel? The California Hydrogen Project is further developing  the infrastructure in California to support the project.

Price point?  Jana stated the target price is $50,000.

Join the Conversation:

• Thoughts about the fuel cell technology?
• How do you feel about the look of the Prius v
• If you have shied away from Prius in the past due to its look, would you consider the Prius c?
• Do you own a Prius?  Do you like driving it?  How about the maintenance?  Would you trade it in for a Prius plug-in?

Photos courtesy of Toyota

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• Ford Fusion 2013 Green Year Lineup: Gas, Hybrid, Electric/Hybrid.

Could MSG Be Lurking in Your Doritos & Soup?

Innocently, I started writing an article about using old chicken bones to make chicken stock to avoid sodium, BPA, and MSG.  The more I delved into the the MSG subject, it became apparent how evasive MSG has become in our food.  The more I researched the angrier I got.  I too, “Ms. health Nut,” had been duped.  Simply looking for MSG as an ingredient wasn’t enough.  Worse yet, MSG can lead to obesity.

I have Been Duped to Believe I am Eating MSG Free

Maybe you are like me.

• You tell restaurants no MSG when they prepare your food.
• You read labels and look for the words, monosodium glutamate or MSG.
• When you see the words, “no MSG added”  you feel rest assured you are safe.

Why is MSG added to Food?

MSG is “the sodium salt of the naturally occurring glutamic acid.”   In my opinion, Monosodium glutamate is the new salt. Like salt, it enhances food’s taste.  However, using MSG won’t increase your sodium levels.   So, yes be forwarned about what is in your low sodium products.

How does glutamate make food taste good?  According to a 2009 study conducted by Edmund Rolls, he concluded that glutamate makes food taste better due to its interaction with our brains.  The study revealed:

“Glutamate is thus a flavor enhancer because of the way that it can combine supralinearly with consonant odors in cortical areas in which the taste and olfactory pathways converge far beyond the receptors. Cognitive and attentional modulation of the orbitofrontal cortex also contributes to the pleasantness and appetitive value of umami.”

Brain trickery for lousy food.

Common Names for MSG

In the US, the FDA only requires food companies to list added Monosodium glutamate to their ingredient labels.   Some of its alias names according to the Australia’s government agency, NSW Food Authority, are:

•  L -glutamic acid
•  Monosodium glutamate, L-
• Monopotassium glutamate, L-
•  Calcium glutamate, Di-L-
•  Monoammonium glutamate, L-
•  Magnesium glutamate, Di-L-
• Disodium guanylate, 5’-
•  Disodium inosinate, 5’-
•  Disodium ribonucleotides, 5’-

Note, the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 1.2.4 — Labelling of Ingredients requires manufactures to list MSG or flavor enhancer  by either the name above or a numerical number assigned to the chemical.  See here for the list.

I don’t know about you but that is whole lot of names to remember. By the way, there will be a quiz after this article to see how many names you can remember.

Hidden MSG-What They Don’t Tell You Won’t Hurt You

Okay, I thought I was out of the woods.  All I had to do was remember all of the Monosodium glutamate’s aliases and I was good to go.  As I continued researching, I found out that  free glutamate is added to our food.  Here is the rub.  It is hidden.

Free glutamate?  You have got to kidding.  Just put a stake in my heart now.  It is just so much easier.

 What the Heck is Free Glutamate, Anna?

Glutamates are naturally occurring in certain food such as Ripe peas, mushrooms, peas, Parmesan cheese, and corn.  However, the glutamates found in these products are bound amino acids.

On the other hand, chemically synthezied glutamates are created from foods such as corn, molasses and wheat.  These foods “are hydrolyzed, autolyzed, modified or fermented using chemicals, bacteria or enzymes” to create glutamates.  Yes, living better through chemistry.  (Or maybe eating better through chemistry.)

So Wouldn’t all Natural and Chemical Glutamates be Harmful?

Dr. Russell Blaylock, a board-certified neurosurgeon and author of “Excitotoxins: The Taste that Kills,” explains in  an interview with Natural News  the difference between naturally occurring glutamates in food such as tomatoes and chemically synthesized glutamates.  Although the quote is lengthy, it really sums up the harm of chemically synthesized glutamates.  He states:

“However, when you hydrolize them, this is when glutamate becomes danagerous.  Sure, but you see, all of these types of glutamate are bound. They’re in oligosaccharides, polysaccharides. They are bound in amino acids groupings. They’re not free amino acids. If you have it as a complex protein, you absorb it in your GI tract. In the GI tract, there are almost no free amino acids if you eat foods such as tomatoes. The level of free amino acids is nil; it’s almost all absorbed as combined amino acids, and then it’s only broken down in the liver, where it’s released in very low concentrations that the body can deal with. It was never meant to have free amino acids in such high concentrations.

Well, when you hydrolyze them — or you use yeast extract or enzymes to break down these various proteins into their free, released amino acids — they’re not natural any longer. What you’ve done is artificially release the amino acids in an unnatural way, and when they enter your GI tract, they are absorbed as free amino acids, then your blood level of that glutamic acid goes up significantly. As I said, it can go up as high as 20-fold, in some cases 40-fold. Your blood brain barrier is not constructed to handle such high levels of glutamate, because it doesn’t naturally occur that way. It can handle the lower levels, but it can’t handle these very high levels. So this argument, “Oh, it’s natural,” is just a lot of nonsense.”

Hidden MSG.  Link to Obesity?

Why do we care about MSG?  In a 2008 study, researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Northwestern University, Guangxi Medical University, and Yu County Hospital found that there was a link to obesity and the consumption of MSG.

“MSG intake was significantly related to prevalence of overweight. This study is of public health interest because MSG is increasingly used worldwide. This study also provides the first human data on this issue and raises a concern about MSG use and body weight in addition to allergenic effects.”

Other Effects of MSG

Although the effects of MSG are highly debatable in the medical community, there are several articles and books that indicate additional effects of the use of MSG.  Livestrong’s article reports that a diet high in MSG may cause stomach cancer.  Discovery’s Fit and Health article reports a study linking MSG to damage of the retina.  In addition, some people have reported headaches, chest pain, nausea, and other symptoms.  Son #2 has migraines once in a while. I think they were induced by MSG.

So why Isn’t Free Glutamates Required to be on the Label?

As noted above, the FDA requires that if MSG is added to the food, it must be included in the label.  However, the FDA defines “natural flavoring” as

“(3) The term natural flavor or natural flavoring means the essential oil, oleoresin, essence or extractive, protein hydrolysate, distillate, or any product of roasting, heating or enzymolysis, which contains the flavoring constituents derived from a spice, fruit or fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable juice, edible yeast, herb, bark, bud, root, leaf or similar plant material, meat, seafood, poultry, eggs, dairy products, or fermentation products thereof, whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional. Natural flavors include the natural essence or extractives obtained from plants listed in 182.10, 182.20, 182.40, and 182.50 and part 184 of this chapter, and the substances listed in 172.510 of this chapter.” [Source.]

The words, “protein hydrosalate” threw up a red flag. According to the FDA, protein hydrosalate contain 5 to 20% free glumate, and are used in the same manner as MSG in canned vegetables,  soups, and meat.  (Note, the FDA resource is a PDF attachment to SustainableTable.org since it is no longer on the FDA’s site.)

So, I got a little suspicious.  Do you blame me? I am not the only one.

Truth in Labeling Campaign, a not for profit organization, indicates that hidden MSG is in many other ingredients.  They state,

“Even if a manufacturer tells you there is no MSG in a product, there may be autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed pea protein, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, enzymes, and a whole slew of other ingredients that contain or create processed free glutamic acid (MSG) during manufacture.” [Source.]

Just to give you an idea how deceptive labels can be check out Truth in Labeling list of soups which shows you where there is hidden MSG. (Check out the organic ones too on the list.) Don’t think you are out of the woods simply because you buy organic products.

List for Hidden MSG

Living Without, a magazine for people with allergies and food sensitives lists the following ingredients that have MSG in them:

These ALWAYS contain MSG These very OFTEN contain MSG

These ALWAYS contain MSG

Autolyzed yeast

Calcium caseinate

Gelatin

Glutamate

Glutamic acid

Hydrolyzed protein

Monopotassium glutamate

Monosodium glutamate

Sodium caseinate

Textured protein

Yeast extract

Yeast food

Yeast Nutrient

These very OFTEN contain MSG

Barley Malt

Calcium caseinate Bouillon

Gelatin Broth

Glutamate Carrageenan

Glutamic acid Enzyme-modified substances

Hydrolyzed protein Flavoring

Monopotassium glutamate Flavors

Monosodium glutamate Malt Extract

Sodium caseinate Malt flavoring

Textured protein Maltodextrin

Yeast extract Natural flavor/flavorings

Yeast food Natural pork/beef/chicken flavoring

Yeast Nutrient Pectin

Protein-fortified substances

Seasonings

Soy protein

Soy protein isolate or concentrate

Soy sauce

Soy sauce extract

Stock

Vegetable gum

Whey protein

Whey protein isolate or concentrate

When I originally read the list, I am surprised my family couldn’t hear me say “holy sh*t.” I had been eating a mound of MSG.   If you want a printable chart, see this chart linked to one of the Healthy Home Economist’s posts.

Health Food Claims

Think You Are Out of MSG Woods With Health Foods? Think again.

Many health foods contain hidden MSG.  Natural News reported about the MSG contained in veggie burgers.  Many contained autolyzed yeast extract,  hydrolyzed vegetable protein, and yeast extract.  All those names are on the list above.

Rule of thumb.  Print the form above.  Check the labels.

So, now I understand why my sons tell me that food at a restaurant tastes so good.  Their taste buds are accustomed to MSG, the hidden enhancer.

Join the Conversation:

• Do you avoid Monosodium glutamate?
• Which health food do you avoid?
• Were you as shocked as I was about the prevalence of MSG in our food?
• How does your country handle the MSG labeling issue?
• Add to the conversation.

Photo by BC’s Mom (soup)

Photo by Peter Woodman (Veggie Burger.)

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What Do You Do With Your Old Panty Hose?

Green Talk is getting a lot of interest from Jezebel’s article. “I Sold My Panties Online and My Mom Found Out.”  I swear I never wrote an underwear recycling article, although it would be interesting.  It took awhile for me to figure out why everyone was coming to the site from the Panty article.  So, if you are reading this article, you are looking for How to reuse your old panty hose article.

Check out the link above directing you to the right page and leave a comment on how you reuse your panty hose.  While you are here check out all my reuse articles.

Photo by Fidelio

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One of ioby's local green projects

Erin Barnes is a green gal next door.  What is a green gal, you might ask?  She is someone who is simply an ordinary woman who is creating much needed change in the world.  This green gal rolled up her sleeves and set out to change the world one block at a time.   How so?  Barnes is the co- founder and executive director of ioby, a local fundraising platform where local projects are funded by neighbors.  But it isn’t just about the project. It is about bringing neighbors together.

Ioby stands for “in our backyard ”  currently based in NYC.  However, if  Barnes has her way, the concept will go national.  If you listen to Barnes during her 6 minute video interview, you have no doubt that ioby projects will start sprouting up all over the country.  (Listen to the podcast by clicking here.)

Why ioby?

Barnes stated,

“[w]e know people care about the environment, but their most prominent option is to purchase something. Buying a table or a new light bulb leaves a lot of people thinking, ‘Now what?’ They are hungry to get their hands dirty,” says Barnes.

Erin Barnes, co-founder and Exec Director of ioby

Partners Cassie Flynn, Brandon Whitney, and Barnes who met in Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies  saw the need for local impact in changing the world.  Hence, ioby was born as a place where local funders and people who seek change in their neighborhood meet.

 ” ioby connects change with resources. It enables all of us to invest in change—then see (and live with) the return on our investment. These pages aren’t glamorous. There are no celebrities, no large-scale protests. There are everyday neighbors taking small steps—bringing sunlight, open space, fresh food and greenery into our backyards.”

Although there are matching funds donations, the majority of the projects are funded by local $10 and $20 donations.  Thus far, the Company has brought together funders and 86 projects  in which $132,000 was raised. The average donor lives two miles from the projects.

If you or your company wishes to donate, pick a project here.

How Does ioby work?

Compost Station. One of ioby's funded projects

Have a project?  First check out to see if you meet the Companies’ criteria. Then post your idea. ioby adds 8% to the budget for administrative costs such as credit card fees and postage.  Then the fun begins for project teams to solicit funds.  The beauty of the projects is that it brings neighbors together whether funding or getting their hands dirty.

Learn more about their 2011 heroes here.  Listed below are a few examples:

“In 2009, Stacey and Bee wanted to start a decentralized project where underutilized snippets of backyards, rooftops, community gardens, school grounds, and other open space could be converted into places for food production. With Molly and Martha they produce vegetables, eggs, flowers and new farmers and chicken apprentices!” (pictured above.)

And

“In the 1970’s the Bronx burned.  In the 1980’s the Bronx became the birthplace of break dance, rap and hip-hop.  In 1996 Troy Lancaster arrived to take out the trash.  If you know Troy you know that chatting for a while and getting trees are just some of his many special talents.  With a big empty lot cleaned and tree planted, the birds started to arrive.  Troy worked with neighborhood and planted more trees, plants and flowers.  More migrating birds flew by.  Each year the Dred Scott Bird Sanctuary uses approximately 900 lbs of bird seed to help and encourage the migrating flocks while educating neighborhood residents.  Troy is currently looking for donations for his ioby project.”

Take Aways:

I asked Barnes what advice could she give to others.  She said ask  for help when forming your organization.  The NY environmental community was extremely collaborative.  After I learned what Barnes did, I replied via email that it must feel amazing to get up in the morning.   And she replied that she has a good life.  Yes, she created it not only for her but others.

Join the Conversation:

• How do you feel about ioby?  Do you see a need in your neighborhood?
• What’s your take away about what Barnes accomplished
• Does she inspire you?
•  What characteristics inspire you?

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