NYUGEN SMITH: BUNDLE HOUSE from LE ARSENAL AV on Vimeo.

The largest and most comprehensive Earth Day event ever held in New Jersey is this weekend:
Global Green Expo 2008
April 25th, 26th and 27th
Liberty State Park
(Historic Central Railroad Terminal)

Speakers include, Ted Danson, Ed Begley Jr. and Animal Planet Host, Jeff Corwin. Music from Kevin and Michael Bacon. Seminars on everything from eco-fashion to composting.

Visit their site for a complete schedule and to purchase tickets: globalgreen2008.com

I have been a vegetarian for 10 years now and there have only been a few spots in those 10 years that I have been a big fan of. Subia's has the most delicious veggie burgers, veggie spicy buffalo wings. I am very much addicted. They also sell organic produce, supplements and more. If you aren't already a fan -- definitely worth checking out!

On the weekend after Earth Day (4.25-27), PSEG is going to be putting on the "Global Green Expo," an event designed for folks to learn about eco-friendly products, programs and services available for consumers and businesses. The confab will bring eco-celebs like Ed Begley Jr., Ted Danson, Deirdre Imus and Jeff Corwin to the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal at Liberty State Park.

Unfortunately, the event isn't going to be free, but at least part of the proceeds (not sure how much) will go to the Friends of Liberty State Park for the purchase and planting of trees to offset greenhouse gas emissions in the park, and to the funding of an environmental literacy program in NJ schools.

In a press release, state DEP commissioner Lisa P. Jackson gushed about JC's state park, most of which was formerly a relatively toxic area: "I can't think of a more fitting venue for this event than historic Liberty State Park, the crown jewel of our world-class parks system. With its views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, this oasis on the Jersey City waterfront stands as a testament to the power each of us has to transform possibilities into progress. It's an especially uplifting backdrop for those who will gather there to bring about substantive environmental change."

More info at CNN Money

I love my stylish brown + turquoise Bag the Habit bag, I take it to the post office, to run errands and out shopping -- so I am definitely excited to order a new bag in one of the cool new colors! The bags are made partly with recycled PET and are 100% recyclable.

What in the world is recycled PET you may ask?? PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is one of the most common types of plastic, it is found mostly in clear soft drink bottles. Statistics from the American Plastics Council indicate that 48 percent of all plastic bottles in the United States market are made with PET.

According to the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), the average household used about 38 pounds of PET plastic bottles in 2002.The total number of PET bottles used in the U.S. in 2003 was 4.293 billion. PET use in beverage containers is growing at about a 6 percent rate, with bottled water and ever-new drink products contributing the most to the growth. Lucky for us, more than half of recycled PET is used to make fiber for bags, carpet and clothing.

Both of the new styles come with an inside pocket and are priced at $8.
Buy one at bagthehabit.com

If you haven't yet caught this video -- which was screened originally at the opening night for Bag the Habit and their exhibit REDUCE -- then you should definitely check it out now. It is was produced by Le Arsenal a Jersey City based audio/video group.

Hamilton Park Farmers Market is back!
Every Wednesday this summer (beginning tomorrow, June 20)
2:00 pm until 7:00 pm

Vendors include:
Peaceful Valley Orchards
Hoboken Farms
Sassy Sweet Treats
Dr. Pickle

For more information on the Farmers Market or for more information on Hamilton Park events be sure to visit the Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association online.

Bag the Habit unveils its first reusable shopping bag in a month-long art exhibition exploring the environmental repercussions of common consumer behaviors. The show will run from June 14th to July 14th at Lex Leonard Gallery. Along with Bag the Habit’s signature tote, a limited edition line of bags created by recognized artists and designers will be for sale.  The proceeds of the latter will be donated to New York City’s Gaia Institute. The show, titled REDUCE, highlights the impact of single-use bags as well as other disposables similar in method of production and volume, such as cups, napkins and plastic utensils. Through symbolic works, informational displays and short film, the exhibit brings attention to the items we habitually overuse, and often overlook, on a daily basis.

By combining the functions of “store” and “gallery”, the creative team (Curator Nyugen Smith, Holly Tienken of Design Grace and Bag the Habit’s Liz Long) hopes to promote more thoughtful consumerism. “Helping people understand the true value of a product is not what conventional stores are known for”, says Smith. “We are creating a new kind of retail model”. Long adds, “As people accept the fundamental importance of reduction, their buying habits will change. They’ll avoid wasteful products and by-products and the demand for responsible, low-impact choices will grow. The disposable culture won’t survive.”

Check out REDUCE and be inspired, then - buy your Bag The Habit bag and be part of this positive change!