It's springtime, and the livin' is greener.
Whether you're seeking a pen, shower curtain or audio system, there's an earth-friendly option these days.
In honor of Earth Day today, help yourself -- and your planet -- by replacing an everyday household item with an eco-savvy alternate. The keen green options below are available in stores and online.
1. This one's for you, bachelors
Dude, your scuzzy mildewed shower curtain has got to go (frankly, it makes our skin crawl). Dream Designs' Hemp Shower Curtain is fair trade, ecological, sustainable and designed to stay clean and look good. Made from tightly woven hemp canvas, the curtain is naturally resistant to bacteria and fungi, air -dries quickly, and does not require a plastic or vinyl liner. When it's dirty, throw it in the washing machine, a fine alternative to a landfill any day. Measures 72 inches by 72 inches and available in seafoam, keylime and sand, $89.
2. Back away from aerosol spray, slowly ...
Sweaty sneakers, smoky ashtrays, icky kitty litter boxes ... you get the whiff. Sure, you can spray perfume-y, headache-inducing deodorizers that deplete the ozone. We prefer biodegradable, less invasive options like Fresh Wave's line of air-clearing products that use plant extracts ( lime, pine needles, aniseed, clove and cedar wood) to break down malodorous molecules. The 3-in-1 Green Home Kit contains a mist spray for bad-news bathrooms, a jar of continuous-release crystals for 24/7 freshness, and a soy candle for onion-chopping sessions in the kitchen, $29.99.
3. For sensitive teens with sensitive skin
Bye-bye, zits. Meet Facial Freedom, a line of organic skin care from Brittanie's Thyme designed for 14 year olds and up. Harsh chemicals are taboo; soothing vegan and essential oils rule. The soothing Face Toner uses essence of peppermint and sweet orange to calm complexions, the Acne Treatment, healing witch hazel, tea tree and lavender oils. As for the Almond Oatmeal Facial Scrub, Citrus Fruit Cleanser, and antioxidant -laced Moisturizer, they smell good to eat. A women-owned company, Brittanie's lines are surprisingly affordable and we hope the new line of organic insect repellents is an all-ages hit, $5 and up.
4. In the bag
Students, book it with an earth-friendly backpack. EcoGear's sleek, tough Palila backpack looks, feels, and lugs like a regular backpack but the fabric's made of recycled plastic bottles. All materials and dyes are nontoxic as well. . Recycled never looked so sporty, down to the padded shoulder straps, mesh side pockets and standard main compartments. There's even an MP3 player pouch with port. Available in garnet red, charcoal gray and ocean blue, $39.99.
5. Mint-y freshness
You can toss your toothbrush every few months. Or you can make it last forever, snapping on new bristles like you would replace a razor blade. You'll feel like a million bucks wielding a Radius Source toothbrush with a handle molded from old U.S. dollar bills. The recycled, bioplastic handle is surprisingly strong and the shredded-greenbacks look like solid jade. As a bonus, the ergonomic grip is reversible for lefties. Snap on a new nylon-bristled head as needed. Also available with flaxseed or wood handles, $6.95.
6. For high-end audiophiles
The Klipsch LightSpeaker is a quadruple threat: a space-saving, energy-efficient wireless sound system and LED light combined into a single unit that installs like a light bulb. Twist the two LightSpeakers (think mini-bullhorns with screw caps) into lamps or recessed fixtures. Plug your MP3 or CD players into the transmitter, click the remote, and your favorite music -- along with light -- stream through the room. You can even program the system to play different tunes in separate listening zones. The LED bulbs last 15 years and reduce lighting expenses by 80 percent, so the system helps pay for itself over the years. For a good time, invite tech-minded guests to hunt for the hidden speakers, $599.
7. Squeaky clean and fragrance-free
Keep it clean, naturally. There's a laundry basket of toxin-free, bleach-free, and ammonia-and-phospate free cleaners and detergents on the market. Among the newcomers: Earth Friendly Product's DuoDish (use in the sink or dishwasher); Oransi's RobbyWash, a French detergent ball that lasts in the washer up to 12 months, replacing 75 pounds of detergent; and Eco Nuts, long used in India and China. These dried fruit shells (from the Sapindus mukorossi tree) contain saponin, a natural cleaner and stain-lifter. Place four to five acorn-sized husks in the provided bag and toss in the washer. While old stains may persist, Eco Nuts yields decent results on fresh ones and clothes come out nice and fluffy. Reuse the nuts five to seven times in hot water and up to 10 times in cold, $4 and up.
8. The write way to go green
You can lead a pencil, but can you make it compost? Paper Mate's new line of green-and-white mechanical pencils and ball point pens look like old-school writing instruments but the liner is made from corn. Yes, corn. Once discarded, the majority of components naturally break down within a year when they come into contact with soil or a compost pile. They're packaged in recycled paper, too, under $5 for a pen four-pack or refillable pencil starter set.
9. The green lunchbox
Bag lunch "leftovers" should exclude brown paper bags, plastic baggies and cling-film. Students to office workers can do their part to reduce waste with reusable dishes. The EasyLunchbox is a study of convenience and cute efficiency, with compartmented meal containers fitting neatly inside a portable, soft-sided cooler. There are four lidded dishes per set, so you can pack lunch for yourself - with plenty of room for a thermos and snacks -- or use the color-coded lids to make sure Logan gets his peanut butter sandwich and Ashley her vegan hummus. A set of four BPA-free containers is $13.95, the carrying bag, $7.95.
10. A bounty of books
There's a ton of tomes aimed at greenhorns unsure how they can make a difference. It's easier than you think to get started. Some standouts: Billee Sharp's "Fix It, Make It, Grow It, Bake It" (Cleis Press, $15.95), a do-it-yourself guide to the good life; Corey Colwell-Lipson and Lynn Colwell's "Celebrate Green!" (Green Year, $24.95), bursting with eco-savvy recipes, holiday and tradition ideas; and Jenna Woginrich's "Made from Scratch: Discovering the Pleasures of a Handmade Life" (Storey Publishing, $12.95), a saga of one woman's odyssey toward self-reliance.
