I love companies that are formed out of a founder’s own frustration especially when they have a green mission.  In the case of Rentalic, founder, Punsir Abeywickrema, borrowed a wheelbarrow one weekend from his neighbor.  Unfortunately, he was unable to finish the job and felt guilty to ask the neighbor to borrow it again.  Instead he rented it from a rental company.

The green light bulb went off in his entrepreneurial mind.  And ta dah!  He created Rentalic so others could borrow without feeling guilty.  So, how did he absolve the guilt?  Money.

So what is Rentalic?

As explained on the website, Rentalic is a

“Person-to-person rental marketplace

Renting as an alternative to buying new products benefits the environment.

Individuals can earn money by renting out items they own to family, friends, & neighbors

Individuals can save money by renting, instead of buying.

Rentalic provides an innovative online rental marketplace that enables…

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Take your casino night to a higher level with our new LIGHTED, COLOR CHANGING casino tables. These battery powered LED lit tables are finished in brushed chrome and trimmed with clear acrylic to help disperse the light.

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The India red slate base (no two identical) provides a sturdy foundation for the maple tabletop and poplar pedestal. Mortise and tenon joinery is used throughout. An LED light source offers an energy-efficient means to illuminate the piece all day.

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The recent recall of half a billion eggs from 2 large farms in Iowa is shining a spotlight on our food chain. Are factory farming practices of increasing profits by squeezing hens in close quarters causing these problems?  Having just a handful of food producers due to industry consolidation add to the problem.  California has new regulations taking in effect in 2015 requiring cage-free treatment of hens.  It also bans all eggs coming from outside the state that fail to comply with this battery-cage rule.

Confusing Egg Terminology

Cage-free - Most cage-free hens live in very large flocks that can consist of many thousands of hens who never go outside. However, unlike battery hens, cage-free hens are able to walk, spread their wings and lay their eggs in nests.

Organic - As certified by the USDA, this label requires some outdoor exposure.

Pasture-raised - This and other classifications indicate outside forage on vegetation and insects.

Certified humane - Endorsed by the <a rel=”nofollow” href=”http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/confinement_farm/facts/cage-free_vs_battery-cage.html”…

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Site assessments by an architect are useful for many reasons: The architect:

     1. Reviews the condition and characteristics of the site;
 
     2. Analyzes the site location, driveway access, and makes notes about views;


     3. Studies and notes the solar access, prevailing winds, vegetation and natural features;


     4. Considers any special considerations (Shoreland Protection, land use, etc.)

If you own land and are planning to build a home in the Dartmouth Lake Sunapee region, contact Bonin Architects for a free one-hour consultation in our office or at your site to answer any questions your might have about the design and building process.

Or, attend our next Open House and Q&A with local green building experts on Saturday, September 18th at a Lake Sunapee custom home. For more details, see our upcoming events page.

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With everyone sporting their own BYOB (bring your own water bottle) wouldn’t it be nice to have a refill water fountain? Just stick your bottle in the slot and water to go. No more plastic water bottles or paper cups at the cooler.

Well, you are in luck since Elkay’s EZH2O fillable water station with or without a water fountain makes the ubiquitous plastic water bottle or paper cup a thing of the past.  Many of you might recognize the name, Elkay, as it pertains to high quality kitchen sinks.  In fact, I have their sink products as well. So,  I can only imagine the quality of their new venture.

Elkay offers a variety of fillable water stations for new construction or retrofit situations. See here for more information on the different types of EZH2O stations available.

Why am I so excited about this water station?  Think about how many water bottles are thrown away rather than recycled.  Plus, don’t forget the health concerns surrounding plastic water…

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For the second year in a row, Paolo Design Group wins an award in the Street of Dreams.  The award this year is for a Professional’s Choice Award for the Best Master Bedroom after comparing all the homes.  The success behind the overall Interior Design for “The Maybeck” in Macleay Overlook includes the blending of [...]

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New rebates have been added for 2010.

San Diego’s power utility San Diego Gas and Electric rebates are here.  SDGE or SDG&E has a bunch of cash SDGE rebates and ways to go green for energy efficient appliances, appliance recycling, insulation, Central Natural Gas Furnace, Whole House Fan, Duct Sealing, cool roofs, water heaters, pool pumps, Home lighting, and more. You can even submit rebate requests online and then send in proof of purchase.

Check your local utility’s web site for similar deals before you buy a new item.  Most rebates run through December 31.

We recently bought a new dishwasher that had a $50 rebate that was not advertised by the vendor. The rebate in only 2 weeks. Green your home and get cash back.

You can also call San Diego Gas and Electric at 800-411-7343 and ask about San Diego Gas and Electric rebates, SDG&E rebates, or SDGE Rebates.

Be sure to also take advantage of the 30% Federal Energy Tax Credit which expires 12/31/2010.

Ways to Save…

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Have you noticed that the Alps have gotten taller? Probably not, but you have probably heard that they are losing their glaciers at a very rapid pace. This is going to have a whole list of consequences, but one of the oddest is the fact that their loss is actually going to make the mountains “rebound” and get a bit taller.

How does this work? Well, just imagine how heavy a small block of ice is, and then use this to envision the vast amount of weight that centuries of glaciers place atop the many mountain peaks. Because of global warming, however, these glaciers are rapidly receding and melting away at a speed that is disconcerting at best. Once they begin melting, they also begin reducing the amount of downward pressure atop each of the mountains. This triggers the surface of the Earth to rebound or to assume its more natural shape, and this forces the mountains to attain a higher overall height.

Does this have any environmental significance? It means that the bases of the…

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