Shop Notes: Vintage Clothing Gift Certificates

So now you have a Vintage Clothing Retail Boutique of your very own and you are wondering why your sales seem to have gone backwards during this Holiday Shopping Season instead of moving forward. You notice that the other retailers in your area are claiming that they are selling allot more clothing and accessories than usual, yet you can't seem to understand why you are not. Sure it could do with the fact that no-one likes your store because your employees act like they are better then everyone else, if that is the case you should already know that by now. It may have to do with your lack of marketing or ability to make sure that you have a new selection of vintage clothing for your customers each week. It could have allot to do with a number of factors, but before you start changing everything up trying to figure out what is wrong, please don't forget the obvious. That is that people don't usually purchase vintage clothing as gifts. Sure we as collectors call it "Premium Recycled Vintage Apparel," but to the laymen it is still "Used Clothing"....and i hate to even say this but in most of their minds,"isn't that stuff you find in a thrift store?"

Sure they are off-base and hopefully you have trained your sales staff on how to answer such questions, however this does not mean that the consumer is going to get it and do all of their shopping with you. What you need to do is offer them incentive. Explain to them that each piece is unique and one of a kind, then give them an opportunity to purchase a Gift Certificate for their loved one. This way they don't appear "cheap" as they may call it, but instead a little cultured. The person receiving the gift certificate can redeem it for whatever they want.

You read that smart business owners offer gift certificates. You know from experience that you appreciate gift certificates. Now you're wondering how to create your own gift certificates.

No matter what your business is, even Vintage Clothing Boutiques can create their own gift certificates, with real value, and encourage your clients to buy and use them as gifts.

Suggestions on How to Create Your Own Gift Certificates

There are a number of different computer software programs that will assist you in making a gift certificate of your very own. If you know how to use a couple of different programs than you have way more options.

1. Microsoft Publisher: This program allows even a novice to create small business gift certificates. The software provides a gift certificate template to get you started. Simply start Microsoft Publisher. A "New Publications" window opens on the left. Click the top choice, "New Publications for Print" and then click "Gift certificates" in the new window. You will have a choice of 35 different small business gift certificates, ready for you to customize. Select a design you like, and click areas to type in your information. If you don't like the gift certificate color scheme or font, go to the task pane on the left and choose a new one.

2. Microsoft Word: This software, too, offers gift certificate templates. In Word, under "File" click on "new" and type "gift certificate" into the task pane on the right. These 30 templates offer all-purpose as well as specific occasion gift certificates. Select a line of text, and customize your small business gift certificates.

3. Adobe PhotoShop: This graphics program allows you to place a photo of your business or product on your small business gift certificates. In PhotoShop, under "File" click on "new" and enter the dimensions of your gift certificate. A common size is about 3.5" height by 7" width. Leave a margin of at least 0.25" on all sides. Color blocks are good, and can be added to your gift certificate easily in this program. Make it clear in writing that this is a gift certificate. Add your business name and address. Type the word "Number" with a line or box in which the number can be entered. Indicate that "This certificate entitles (space for a name) to (space for your offer)" or type the exact offer. You will also want a line that tells the recipient that the gift certificate is not redeemable for cash, and that its redemption value does not exceed a given amount. Provide authorization and expiration spaces, and print.

4. PageMaker: For clearer type, you may want to design the graphics of your small business gift certificates in a program such as Adobe PhotoShop, and then import those into PageMaker. Add the copy in PageMaker and print. You can line up 3 on a page by copy/pasting your gift certificates.

5. Giftango: This is not software, but a website where you can download and modify free small business gift certificates.

Gift Certificates for Online Businesses

You can create gift certificates for online businesses, too. Check first to see if the shopping cart service you use makes provision for gift certificates. They will be able to tell you how to create your own gift certificates for online shoppers.

Uses for Small Business Gift Certificates

Small business gift certificates are appreciated by both the gift givers and the gift recipients. They are easy to give and fun to spend.

Use small business gift certificates to introduce your business to new customers. You can potentially bring in a loyal customer or client who will be with you for years. Say thank you to loyal customers with gift certificates Add gift certificates to your regular line of merchandise.

Use small business gift certificates for private bookshops, boutiques, beauty salons, nail salons, restaurants, spas, candy stores, flower shops, etc. Use gift certificates online for any kind of business you have.

Authentic Gift Certificates, Presentation

Think about the presentation of your gift certificate and how it differ from others. We have created gift certificates for Vintage Boutiques by laying out a design in Adbe Photoshop, then cutting out a shape out of an old recycled cardboard boxes, then gluing the GC to the cut out cardboard. This gives the Vintage Gift Certificate a card stock backing which makes it look very nice. We have also used old denim jeans pockets for envelopes to put the Vintage Clothing Gift Certificate in for presentation.

Generic Gift Certificates

If you decide not to create your own gift certificates, you can purchase generic gift certificates. They will be less effective as an advertisement, but can still bring customers to your store.

Ugly Sweaters Bulk

It is that time of year again. Time to bust out your Ugliest Sweater and get ready to Break it down...Holiday Style. Dust Factory Vintage has Ugly Sweaters Wholesale for only $10 a sweater. There is a minimum, but what a great idea for buying them in bulk for all of your friends.

Contact http://dustfactoryvintage.com for more details

FOOD, INC. Coming to a Theater Near You!

FOOD, INC., directed by Robert Kenner, “lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that’s been hidden from the American consumer with the consent of our government’s regulatory agencies, USDA and FDA.”

Released by Magnolia Pictures, the film opens in select theaters (NY/LA/SF) Friday, June 12, but will receive a wider release in additional cities throughout June and July. Find play dates @ magpictures.com/and more info on Food, Inc. @ foodincmovie.com/.

Three Pieces of Trash

Happy Earth Day Everyone! Now get out their and start picking up some trash. No Seriously, if everyone picks up at least three pieces of trash on every one of their transits today, just think what difference that could make. You start out by picking up three pieces on the way to you car, then once you get to your morning coffee shop, you pick up three more. On your way into your office, three more, on your way to your car for lunch, three more and so on and so on all the way until you return home at the end of the day. Which of coarse you can pick up three more. It is simple, it is not asking too much and yes it will make a difference. If anything it will open the eyes of those who participate on how each person can make a individual difference. Think about how clean your beach would be if everyone picked up three pieces of trash on their way out and three more on their way in. Let's Do it!!

Sourcing American Recycled Clothing

Over the years Dust Factory has bean the leading supplier of American recycled clothing, aka Vintage.

We cater to designers seeking inspiration, vintage boutiques and stores, remake companies, department stores in need of larger quantities, online sellers and exporters. Many of our accounts use our knowledge of the vintage industry to their advantage. By using us as a bulk supplier, they can better idea of what’s selling around the world, and how to price, merchandise and better push their vintage finds. It’s the combination of great clothes and knowledge that make store successful.

Dust Factory is unique in that we have the ability and knowledge to prepare orders for you. Family owned and operated we are an environmentally conscious fashion forward experienced and tested used clothing wholesaler with no appointments necessary come on by and check us out !

Solar Power Neck Tie

This could be the 2008 sartorial equivalent of that 1980s classic, the Piano Tie, but it is certainly a lot more useful. Researchers at Iowa State University have glued solar panels using Photovoltaic thin film, onto the symbol of male corporate oppression and hooked it up to a Nokia phone, which sits in a handy pocket at the back of the tie.

Photovoltaic thin film has about the same thickness as paper, and properties similar to camera film. The film can be scratched, punctured, or rolled to a three inch diameter without impairing function. The researchers’ real challenge was to integrate it into an aesthetically pleasing garment. First, the team used a shiny cotton sateen to mimic the reflectiveness of the solar panels. Then they used digitally printed designs to create a pattern that looks, well, almost normal – for a tie.

The inventors even had the decency to laser-print a matching pattern between the panels to stop it looking like a patchwork quilt. The result? Success. The tie outputs 3.6 volts in full sun, enough to keep the Nokia battery topped up. And because the phone isn't actually running off the tie's power, even lesser light sources will allow some trickle-charging.

info via Wired & Inhabitat

Recycled Tents In Time for Camping Season

So far we have seen bags, sleeping bags, footwear, apparel, etc, made with recycled content, but so far no-one has yet stepped up to the plate and served us with a tent made from recycled material. Until now, that is. Backpacker Magazine correspondent, Kelly Bastone, trawling the aisles of the Outdoor Retailer Show reports for that mag’s blog that two such Tents are in development.

Big Agnes, who are doing interesting things with recycled content sleeping bags, have a two and three person tent coming in 2009. The Salt Creek is said to use recycled polyester floor, inner, mesh and flysheet. According to the reports even the zippers have recycled content zip tape.

Information brought to you by Treehugger

Photos provided by Treehugger

A back-to-school break: Cheap is in

"As fall approaches, thrift stores and bargain outlets are favored shopping destinations for the well-dressed teen. Back-to-school shopping is always fraught with peril for fashion-conscious teens. As they prowl the stores, they know that a summer blunder can mean a long fall stuck with stuff they don't want to wear."

Los Angeles Times reporter Leslie Earnest, just did a great bit in this weekends business section on Teens and Back to School Shopping that is worth pointing out.

"There's an added challenge this year, as higher gasoline prices and a sputtering economy have many teens and their parents keeping a closer watch on their wallets. A Deloitte survey set for release this week found that 71% of parents nationwide expected to spend less on back-to-school shopping this year than they did in 2007.

Luckily, the economic woes have ushered in the hottest trend of the season: Thrifty Chic."

See Entire Article at Los Angles Times
Photo by Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times

Go Green Go Shopping

There's no better way to go green than to go shopping! San Diego Living Green Scene reporter Erin Mikael did a piece this week on how to create your own signature style with recycled clothes. The segment was shot live at San Deigo's own Factory Vintage. This store takes a whole new look at Green design and products starting from the ground up.>

Watch Video

Shop Notes: 8 Ways To Increase Sales

Work with each employee on sales and promote good sellers.

Learn about your product and the story behind each piece or style. Share information with fellow workers and customers.

Merchandise the store in a new format each week. It will give your employees an opportunity to get involved, as well as show new looks and merchandise to your returning clientele.

Constantly turn product over. It is OK to put pieces on sale at cost in order to get new product in.

Work with each employee on sales and promote good sales people.

Start having weekly SALE'S with events attached to them. Like a T-shirt sale during an instore concert

Start giving away discounted product or promote with local hair stylists or bar tenders aka "connectors", anyone who makes a living talking while they work. Hook them up and they will most likely hook you up with allot of business.

San Diego Shop Sets the Pace with Trendsetting Eco Chic Boutique

SAN DIEGO – MAY 1, 2008 – Factory Vintage Store in San Diego, California is an eco friendly boutique that brings a whole new edge to green fashion and art. “We wanted to start out by making it easily accessible to everyone, so this way our eco conscience shoppers can walk or ride their bikes if they want.” say’s owner Sean Leonard. In order to this, they moved their shop to Bay Park right next to San Diego bike paths and just a mile down the road from the Old Town Trolley and Transit Station. It is safe to say that at Factory Vintage, location is only where their revolutionary concepts begin. After a brief look around the store, it becomes apparent that this independent San Diego shop might have a few things that they could teach the big boys.

Factory Vintage is located of Moreno Rd, in a space in that used to be an old warehouse and Dive shop. The store preserved much of the raw vintage warehouse feel yet stepped it up a notch by interlacing it with recycled fixtures, light boxes, organic displays and natural plants. They call it third world surf layout meets urban jungle, like what you may see in a beach town in the tropics, except they turn recycled materials into apparel and accessory displays. “We know that the product is what matters, with that in mind it’s amazing what you can get away with to display things on.”

Factory Vintage’s chic collection of eco-friendly clothing is what matters. They combine a mixture of recycled vintage clothing, re-constructed used clothing, and eco-friendly and responsible clothing brands. Half of their apparel collection is authentic vintage clothing consisting of hard to find vintage t-shirts, dresses, blazers, and a collection of Levis that would make a denim designer blush. Another 35% of the store is reconstructed vintage collections from, Particle Clothing, and Factory Vintage’s in-store label CCVintage. Each piece is a one of kind creation for both the fashion forward and eco conscience shopper alike. With the exception of a couple of other clothing labels uniquely sold at Factory Vintage, the rest of the merchandise in the store is recycled hand bags, boots, jewelry and more. Factory Vintage also features accessories and artwork from local area designers.

Originally coming from a Southern California and spending some time in both Dallas and Central America, when the founders of Factory Vintage were asked why they chose San Diego for their location, one said, “ We wanted to go somewhere where people would understand what we were doing so that we could make a difference.” I took note of an event flyer in Factory Vintage from a clothing drive they are doing for local homeless shelters, “Individuals throw away 67.9 pounds of used clothing and rags each year. Collectively, Americans discard two quadrillion pounds (that's a two with fifteen zeroes) of used clothing and textiles into the landfills each year.” With innovative shops like Factory Vintage mak setting the pace, the concept of recycled fashion might not be that far off from leading trends in the future.

Factory Vintage Joins the festivities at San Diego's Earth Fair

On Sunday April 20th Thousands of people saw varying shades of green at EarthFair yesterday at Balboa Park in San Diego.

On a nice cool, cloud-free day, the 19-year-old festival that organizers call the largest environmental fair in the world probably lived up to its billing. Traffic backed up for miles on state Route 163 before noon with visitors trying to reach the fair.

When people finally arrived, they found showcases for green technologies, artwork made from recycled materials, a children's parade, live music and “The Cleaner Car Concourse,” featuring vehicles that run on alternative fuels.

They also may have spotted a vine-draped child on stilts, free belly-dancing lessons and a few environmental juxtapositions, including gas-powered generators spewing fumes next to the Zero Waste San Diego booth.

Exhibitors form the heart of EarthFair, and this year there were more than ever – nearly 340. Some, including the Defenders of Wildlife and the Sierra Club, have well-established emerald credentials. But a new crop of startups – a fair-trade-chocolate maker, an eco-caterer and a soy-candle maker – were there trying to make green names for themselves.

Aslo amoungst the participants A new Vintage Clothing store in San Diego named Factory Vintage attracted a number of patrons to their booth with a bright colored spinning wheel, and wonderful prizes including sun flowers and Gift certificates to their eco-friendly shop. Once the wheel was spung you might loose a turn, hit the jackpot, or have to answer a question related to textiles and their effect on the environment.

“There's been an explosion of green businesses,” said Carolyn Chase, one of the fair's founders. “It really demonstrates to us the green movement has arrived in the marketplace. Green capitalism has taken root.”

But the green hues with some of the exhibitors were not always easily spotted. The San Diego Union Tribune pointed out that There was the chiropractor offering free computerized screenings, and the San Diego Middle Eastern Dance Association showing people how to do those belly dances. They were selling reusable tote bags.

Northrop Grumman, a $32 billion defense and technology company, had a booth in the children's activity
area to help children make paper airplanes. Next door was Bank of America San Diego, where children spun a wheel for a chance to win pencils, an Earth Day necklace, sunscreen, lollipops or Frisbees. The flying disks were made from recycled tires.

All in all it was a great time

Teens Turn to Thrift as Apparel Prices go Up

Another like-minded friend of ours turned us on to this Article in the Associated Press about Teens Turning to Thrift as Jobs Vanish and Prices Rise. The Article was written by ANNE D'INNOCENZIO, with contributions from Writers Lisa Cornwell and Marcus Kabel of the Associated Press. It touched on the subject of kids having to turn to thrift shopping and DYI projects to adjust to the flailing economy. You can view the article in its entirety at Yahoo Business News.

The Article states that, "The souring job market and rising costs of the usual teenage indulgences — a slice of pizza, a drive to the mall, the hottest new jeans — are causing teens to do something they rarely do: be thrifty.

It's a far cry from the freewheeling spending of recent years, when teens splurged on $100 Coach wristlet handbags, $60 Juicy Couture
T-shirts and $80 skinny jeans from Abercrombie & Fitch.

Now jobs for teens are less plentiful, and parents who supply the allowances are feeling the economic pinch themselves.

The stalwart retailers of teen apparel, such as Abercrombie and American Eagle Outfitters Inc., are reporting sluggish sales, defying the myth that teen spending is recession-proof: It holds up longer, but can eventually fold.

It's even becoming cool to be frugal.

Last week, Ellegirl.com, the teen offshoot of Elle magazine, launched a new video fixture called Self-Made Girl, which shows teens how to make clothes and accessories. The first video offers tips on how to create a prom clutch.

"It's a little tacky in the economic unrest to tote a big logo bag," said Holly Siegel, the site's senior editor. She said it's no longer about teens "one-upping each other," but rather where they can get it cheap.

Teen hiring has slumped by 5 percent since March 2007, with many mom-and-pop stores, which typically hire younger workers, laying off employees. Hiring in the overall job market fell by just 0.1 percent during the same period.

That's still not as bad as the 13 percent drop in teen hiring in the early 1990s. That means that if the larger job market mirrors the last teen hiring slump, "we're not out of the woods," said Michael P. Niemira, chief economist at the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Secondhand clothing chains have seen business surge this year as teens and their parents buy popular brands like Gap, Banana Republic and Juicy Couture at a fraction of the regular price.

"It is way cooler to get a super deal on that shirt rather than being able to spend the most money on something," said Anna D'Agrosa, director of Consumer Insights at The Zandl Group, a market research company focusing on teens. "Kids are becoming really aware of what is happening to their economy and to their families."

Perhaps something good can come out of this, that will stick with he teens in to their adult life.

-MILO

From the Ground Up :: Part 1

These notes are the beginning stages on how to take an average building and turn it into a Sustainable Vintage Clothing store.

First off you have to locate a building that will cater to the purpose. It is much easier on the budget if you can find a building that has little or no finish out needed. As far as major electrical and plumbing go. In this case we found a building that needed a little work, but not so much that we would have to take out loans just to turn on the electricity. We were choosing between two buildings we found that both had their pros and cons. One building was taking over a year lease in a high foot traffic shopping district in an artist neighborhood. The other building was quite a bit larger with a great rental rate next to the beach communities. We opted for the second location with the better rate. Because the building had sat vacant for the past few months we decided to negotiate early off in the lease to have the land lord bring the building up to code with Certificate of Occupancy. In order to get the land Lord to go along with this we agreed to pay a slightly higher rent to help subsidize the land lords expense. We also wholesale vintage clothing as well, so we needed a slightly larger location in order to have space to work in. We opted for a location outside the shopping districts but with with easy access from all directions, and good visibility. This first picture is what the building we found in Mission Bay San Diego looked like when we found it.

Once we got everything worked out with the lease we gave the land lord a little time to finish up what was left of the plumbing and electrical while we started collecting and processing our merchandise, and getting the inside ready.We have learned in the past that it is important to start collecting your product as soon as possible. When you get you shop ready you don't want to have to wait on a vendor to get your order ready last minute. You don't have to go rummaging through estate sales and border towns either. You can use a intermediate supplier like Dust Factory Vintage to locate and supply all your product, but you will still need time. You should start collection and washing you product a month or two before you plan on opening the doors.

After the walls were finished we started picking out the color samples,
and then began painting. (not our green)

 

 

 

Happy New Year From fashion & Recycling

Happy New Year from Fashion & Recycling! Today marks the beginning of a new calendar year, and it’s the perfect opportunity right now to look towards the coming year with new ideas, goals and resolutions. While it’s traditional for us to make personal resolutions, we at Fashion & Recycling feel it’s important to reflect on the environment and the state of the design industry and make some green design resolutions for 2008. What is the future of green design? What important issues, movements, and ideas do we foresee being influential? What do we hope to see in the coming year? Thank you for taking time to read and to hear our thoughts, and from all of us at Fashion & Recycling, here’s to a wonderful 2008!

Eco Friendly FASHION trade Show

Pooltradeshow is the original independent tradeshow, established in 2001 for the boutique market and better retailers worldwide.

It is a semi-annual event occurring every February and August in conjunction with the MAGIC Marketplace, when the apparel industry converges on Las Vegas for the most influential week in the business of fashion.

Pooltradeshow showcases the best emerging designers, featuring new product ranging from women’s and men’s apparel, to shoes and accessories, and including a variety of lifestyle products — from art, to music, to home.

Last Season pooltradeshow open their Second Show featuring Green, artists and designers. This platform gave eco-conscience designers and brands the opportunity to showcase their designs in a special environment highlighting their designs as well as tasks and mission. This February will be the second time they open door for their eco- showcase. If you have any desire to see who is up an coming in the world of fashion and recycling check out the pooltradeshow this February in Las Vegas.

Dallas Boutique Revolutionizes Shopping Experience

For the entire month of August Counter Culture Store at Mockingbird Station is having a donation drive called "PROJECT JUXTAPOSITION". Individuals throw away 67.9 pounds of used clothing and rags each year. Collectively, Americans discard two quadrillion pounds (that's a two with fifteen zeroes) of used clothing and textiles into the landfills each year. Fortunately, they can make sure they reach the people who need them rather than find their way into already-bulging landfills.

They are making it as easy as 1,2,3 to make a difference.

1. You drop off your old clothes in our donation bin

2. They give you a 10% discount on new, vintage or refurbished clothes

3.They make sure your old clothes make it to those in need through local charities.

Take the train, ride a bike, skate or drive a friend. They guarantee that once you revolutionize your shopping experience, you will want to teach others how they can.

Counter Culture Store is located at 5331 E. Mockingbird Ln. Suite 110 Dallas, TX 75226

Not Just A Load

When slapped with an order to clean up the poop of 12,000 dairy cows, the Hefer Valley Cooperative Society built a manure-driven power station to solve their problems. The first of its kind in Israel, the plant was inaugurated this week and is expected to process 600 tons of manure a day and generate 2-2.4 megawatts per hour (MW/h) within the year. At present the plant is operating at about half its capacity, and most of the energy is feeding back to the national grid.

The project is a joint effort between Tambour Hefer Ecology Ltd and Granite Hacarmel Investments Ltd. Granite Hacarmel CEO Amiaz Sagis said, "This is unquestionably an important milestone. This facility fits in with Granite Hacarmel's strategy to invest in infrastructures and ecology. The company is also investing resources to developalternative energy, water treatment, and desalination.” While it wasn’t made cheap – the new plant located in Hadera cost about $10 million to build, which included a $2 million grant from Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture to help improve Israel’s much-polluting dairy industry. First the manure is sterilized, then the solid and liquid waste are processed to produce methane, which drives
the generators. This Story was Originally Posted by Karin Kloosterman, Jerusalem, Israel on Tree Hugger.

Vintage T-Shirts 101

"The t-shirt is a symbol of freedom, but also a rebellion to society". Rin Taken. Did you know that the t-shirt is as North American as apple pie and blue jeans.

It wasn't until after the fighter pilots in the South Pacific returned home from WW2, in the 50's, that it was finally acceptable to wear an undershirt as a t-shirt. The first Surf Board Shapers had no idea that screen printing their logo on a t-shirt would change North American fashion forever. In the 80's T-shirt branding evolved from a grass roots marketing tool, to a billion dollar industry. Before a sneaker logo could sell a t-shirt, it had to have a great print or be a billboard and say something only a t-shirt could get away with. From Novelty tee's to brand tees no one could resist the comfort of a cotton tee

The first thing to look for when searching for authenticity of the perfect vintage tee is the tag/label. Before the store brand sold a tee, it was the brand on the blank itself that sold it. Knowing what to look for will save a lot of time during the hunt. Different tags can tell you about the era you tee come from. Current day American Made t-shirt manufactures continuously try to match the one of a kind comfort and feel found only in a 80's Screen star t-shirt blank.

Rock concert tees tell others that not only did you support the art of rocking by purchasing the newest 8 track released by your Rock Mentor, but you attended these ground breaking rock services yourself. Beware these are not to be mistaken as current day overprinted reproductions sold to the squares at urban corporate mall stores; but a genuine rare black market concert tee. Only recognizable traits are in the original print, date, tag and quality of blank. Some concert T-shirts will sell for well over $1000 in the dealer trade. The authenticity and timeless prints set these apart.

Find Vintage Tee's Retail :: CCVINTAGE.COM

Find Vintage Tee's Wholesale :: DUSTFACTORYVINTAGE.COM

 

 

Save The Beach

The struggle to preserve public access to the beach is spreading across the nation from California to Connecticut and from Florida to the Great Lakes. California's beaches belong to all the people. The wealthy rich prick beachfront enclave of Malibu and media mogul David Geffen nevertheless filed suit to cut off the people'sright to reach the beach. A Newport Beach city councilmember opposes improvements to a public beach because "with grass we usually get Mexicans coming in there early in the morning and they claim it as theirs and it becomes their personal, private grounds all day." People of color and low-income people suffer first and worst from the efforts to privatize public beaches. While eighty percent of the 34 million people of California live within an hour of the coast, disproportionately White and wealthy homeowners stand to benefit from the privatization of this public good, while communities of color and low-income communities are disproportionately denied the benefit of coastal access.

Beaches are not a luxury. Beaches are a public space that provide a different set of rhythms to renew public life. Beaches are a democratic commons that bring people together as equals. People swim and splash in the waves, "people watch," surf, wile away the afternoon under an umbrella, scamper between tide pools, or gaze off into the sunset. Public access to the beach is integral to democracy and equality. Rio de Janeiro, like Los Angeles, is marked by some of the greatest disparities between wealth and poverty in the world. Yet Rio's famous beaches are open to all, rich and poor, Black and White. The beach in Rio is the great equalizer. California's world famous beaches must also remain public for all, not the exclusive province of the rich and famous. The Connecticut Supreme Court has recognized the First Amendment right of non-residents to use a public beach against efforts by the city of Greenwhich to restrict access to its residents. A New Jersey appellate court has recognized the right of public access to reach the beach at a private club under the public trust doctrine. A Michigan court, however, has recently limited public access to the beach along Lake Michigan. In Florida, 60% of the "public" beaches are now "private."

In order to make a difference before it gets to late The center For the law and Public Justice along with the Surfrider foundation have put together a "Free the Beach" campaign. For more information go to http://www.surfrider.org/media5.asp

 

JOIN the REvOLUTiON

Retail Vintage Clothing :: Open A Store Yourself

With an estimated 1 million tons of textiles being thrown away each year, anyone with dedication can start making a difference in their city or town. Weather it be from just wearing vintage or recycled clothing, or by providing the option to find it easier to their friends and neighbors. Our years of retail experience with vintage clothing have led us to a formula that is easily transferable to someone wanting to run their own Counter Culture Store. This combined with our unique ability to provide inventory makes it a very profitable business for the right investor.

Our passion is educating people about sustainable business and lifestyles. Our business is selling vintage clothing, eco conscience brands and accessories; including jeans, T-shirts, corduroys, boots, dresses, sunglasses, jewelry and related items; much of which can be supplied by our wholesale division. The daily operations are easy by comparison with a minimal number of employees and relaxed business hours.

Broad support will be offered in terms of a detailed operations manual, sales and operations training, proactive idea sharing between stores, and 10 years of retail experience just a phone call away. Our experience includes extensive merchandising and buying knowledge, as well as, expertise in public relations, marketing, sales and vintage clothing.

With retail mark ups being the highest in the clothing industry, opening a vintage clothing store is an excellent business venture. If being your own boss and working in this profitable, fun environment appeals to you, this just might be for you.

If opening a store is something you always wanted to do, but never knew where to get started click here to view our Retail Start Up Questioner

Take it Off

Sometimes its easy to make a simple change that could make a huge difference, almost too easy. The Italian government has made an official request that businesses loosen up on the dress code during hot summer months. A statement from the ministry claims that, "Taking your tie off immediately lowers the body temperature by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Allowing a more sensible use of air conditioning that yields electricity savings and protects the environment.”

While this may not seem a significant message outside of Italy, by relating dress style to global warming the Italian government may have found a way to get the attention of a blasé public. One of the European Union’s most polluted members, Italy, in spite of various efforts to reduce emissions, is expected to exceed greenhouse gas emission targets. Perhaps by encouraging shabby dress in the workplace the government has tapped a nerve that will lead to other, more significant changes.

At least one tie-maker on the other hand is not impressed with the government’s anti-tie message. Reuters quotes from a letter to the newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore: "Italy confirms that it is a strange country," said Flavio Cima "I, tie maker, am responsible for global warming. We can now happily continue with our lifestyle, using cars, consuming fuel, heating and cooling our homes at leisure. On one condition: we should not wear a tie while we do so." Via ::Yahoo News

Large Microwave Converts Plastic Back to Oil

New Scientist Enviorment had interesting information on a US company that is taking plastics recycling to another level – turning them back into the oil they were made from, and gas.

All that is needed, claims Global Resource Corporation (GRC), is a finely tuned microwave and – hey presto! – a mix of materials that were made from oil can be reduced back to oil and combustible gas (and a few leftovers).

Key to GRC’s process is a machine that uses 1200 different frequencies within the microwave range, which act on specific hydrocarbon materials. As the material is zapped at the appropriate wavelength, part of the hydrocarbons that make up the plastic and rubber in the material are broken down into diesel oil and combustible gas.

GRC's machine is called the Hawk-10. Its smaller incarnations look just like an industrial microwave with bits of machinery attached to it. Larger versions resemble a concrete mixer.

Anything that has a hydrocarbon base will be affected by our process," says Jerry Meddick, director of business development at GRC, based in New Jersey. "We release those hydrocarbon molecules from the material and it then becomes gas and oil."

Whatever does not have a hydrocarbon base is left behind, minus any water it contained as this gets evaporated in the microwave.

"Take a piece of copper wiring," says Meddick. "It is encased in plastic – a kind of hydrocarbon material. We release all the hydrocarbons, which strips the casing off the wire." Not only does the process produce fuel in the form of oil and gas, it also makes it easier to extract the copper wire for recycling.

Similarly, running 9.1 kilograms of ground-up tyres through the Hawk-10 produces 4.54 litres of diesel oil, 1.42 cubic metres of combustible gas, 1 kg of steel and 3.40 kg of carbon black, Meddick says.

Powerful Poop

If you have dog then you already know how much crap those animals can produce. Imagine if that poop was worth something more than putting in a brown bag and lighting it on fire, like kids do. The guys over at inhabitat had a cool write up on some new initiative in San Francisco. Anyone who’s ever spent time in San Francisco (and perhaps stepped in a stinky patch in Duboce park) knows that this is a city that loves its dogs. So much so that dog poop is a real issue in terms of urban cleanliness — pet feces currently makes up nearly 4 percent of San Francisco’s residential waste! So its about time then, that someone came up with the brilliant idea to put San Francisco’s dog poop to work and find a better use for it than simply filling up garbage cans (and getting stuck on people’s shoes). The forward-thinking environmentally-friendly city will be the first in the nation to use dog feces as a renewable energy source through the production and combustion of methane gas.

6,500 tons of dog poop is produced in the San Francisco Bay Area every year. Rather than view this waste as a problem, San Francisco’s waste management contractor, Norcal Waste, saw this as an opportunity for the already environmental city to go a bit greener. Since January 2006, Norcal has been collecting dog feces throughout the city and now has dog-waste collection carts with biodegradable bags set up in Duboce Park, one of city’s most popular dog parks.

The poo-to-energy scheme works like this: the pet poop is first put into an anaerobic digester, which uses bacteria to convert organic waste into methane gas. Burning that gas produces energy in the form of electricity, natural gas, and liquefied natural gas. This gas is then captured and used to power equipment that normally runs on natural gas, such as a kitchen stove or a heater. The 2 week long “digestion process” also produces valuable compost for agriculture.

Despite the chuckles this project may elicit — it will provide a very tangible benefit to San Francisco by helping the city reach its goal of diverting 75 percent of its waste from landfills by 2010, also providing a clean new energy source! The city piloted another innovative bio-recycling program in 1996, collecting food scraps from houses and restaurants and turning them into fertilizer for local farms and vineyards. This project was very successful and still continues to this day.

Rag & Bone "Textile Recycling 101"

The folks over at Waist Online have a detailed page with allot of useful information about Textile Recycling. They note that textile recycling originated in the Yorkshire Dales about 200 years ago. These days the 'rag and bone' men are textile reclamation businesses, which collect textiles for reuse (often abroad), and send material to the 'wiping' and 'flocking' industry and fibres to be reclaimed to make new garments. Textiles made from both natural and man-made fibres can be recycled.

Why Bother:

It is estimated that more than 1 million tons of textiles are thrown away every year, with most of this coming from household sources. Textiles make up about 3% by weight of a household bin. At least 50% of the textiles we throw away are recyclable, however, the proportion of textile wastes reused or recycled annually in the US is only around 20%.

Although the majority of textile waste originates from household sources, waste textiles also arise during yarn and fabric manufacture, garment-making processes and from the retail industry. These are termed post-industrial waste, as opposed to the post-consumer waste which goes to jumble sales and charity shops. Together they provide a vast potential for recovery and recycling.

 

Recovery and recycling provide both environmental and economic benefits. Textile recovery:

• Reduces the need for landfill space. Textiles present particular problems in landfill as synthetic (man-made fibres) products will not decompose, while woollen garments do decompose and produce methane, which contributes to global warming.
• Reduces pressure on virgin resources.
• Aids the balance of payments as we import fewer materials for our needs.
• Results in less pollution and energy savings, as fibers do not have to be transported from abroad.

Reclaiming fiber avoids many of the polluting and energy intensive processes needed to make textiles from virgin materials, including: -

• Savings on energy consumption when processing, as items do not need to be re-dyed or scoured.
• Less effluent, as unlike raw wool, it does not have to be thoroughly washed using large volumes of water.
• Reduction of demand for dyes and fixing agents and the problems caused by their use and manufacture.

How, what and where of recycling textiles:

The majority of post-consumer textiles are currently collected by charities like The Salvation Army, Good Will and Chalk. Some charities, for example Good Will and The Salvation Army, sort collected material selling it on to merchants in the appropriate sectors.

Some postindustrial waste is recycled 'in-house', usually in the yarn and fabric manufacturing sector. The rest, aside from going to landfill or incineration, is sent to merchants.

Collection Method's:

At present the consumer has the option of putting textiles in 'clothes banks', taking them to charity shops or having them picked up for a donation drive.

The Salvation Army is the largest operator of textile banks in the US. On average, each of these banks is estimated to collect about six tons of textiles per year. Combined with door-to-door collections, The Salvation Army's textile recycling operations account for the processing of in excess of 17,000 tons of clothing a year. Clothes are given to the homeless, sold in charity shops or sold in developing countries in Africa, the Indian sub-continent and parts of Eastern Europe. Nearly 70% of items put into clothing banks are reused as clothes, and any un-wearable items are sold to merchants to be recycled and used as factory wiping cloths.

Processing and Outlets for Waste Textiles

All collected textiles are sorted and graded at a "Rag House" by highly skilled, experienced workers, who are able to recognize the large variety of fiber types resulting from the introduction of synthetics and blended fiber fabrics. Once sorted the items are sent to various destinations as outlined below:

Post industrial waste is often reprocessed in house. Clippings from garment manufacture are also used by fiber reclaimers to make into garments, felt and blankets.

Some selected items will be sold to the "Vintage Market" and reused by designers fashioning garments and bags from recovered items. Companies like Dust Factory Vintage grade the textiles even more to produce mixes that will sell in trendy Vintage Shops in te US, Japan and Europe, however this is a very small sector within the overall destinations of textiles. For more information on what happens with Vintage Clothing click here.

What You Can Do:

• Take your used clothes to a textile bank. Contact the recycling officer in your local authority if there are no banks in your area and ask why; they may collect textiles through other means. Alternatively you can take used clothing to local charity shops.
• Give old clothes/shoes/curtains/handbags etc. to jumble sales. Remember to tie shoes together: part of the 6% of textiles which is wastage for merchants are single shoes.
• Buy second-hand clothes - you can often pick up unusual period pieces! If bought from a charity shop, it will also benefit a charity.
• Buy things you are likely to wear a long time - a dedicated follower of fashion can also be a green one if items are chosen carefully.
• Look for recycled content in the garments you buy. This should be on the label, though at present there is no conventional marking scheme and some companies do not always advertise the recycled content.
• Buy cloth wipers instead of disposable paper products as the product can be used repeatedly.

 

Japan calls for 50% reduction in emissions by 2050

Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, unveiled ambitious plans the other day to cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2050 that would include the world's biggest emitters, the US and China.

"There is only one earth, and there are no national boundaries for the air," said Mr Abe, who will put the proposals up for discussion at next month's G8 summit in Germany.

"Even the most outstanding strategy would be meaningless unless all people living on earth participate in it. If the framework required economic growth to be sacrificed, we cannot expect many countries to participate.

We must create a new framework which moves beyond the Kyoto protocol, in which the entire world will participate in emissions reduction."

The 1997 protocol commits industrialised nations to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from 1990 levels between 2008 and 2012. The US withdrew from the agreement, however, and has said it will continue to oppose any proposals that it believes will harm its economy.

Discussion on a post-Kyoto agreement is expected to dominate talks at the G8 meeting, with countries divided on whether they should be bound by mandatory numerical targets, an approach favoured by the EU.

Japan, which will host next year's summit, is concerned that an insistence on numerical targets will discourage the US from signing up any agreement, particularly if other big emitters, such as India and China, continue to be exempted.

Today officials in Tokyo were quick to stress that Mr Abe's "Cool Earth 50" proposals were part of a non-binding "vision" for dealing with climate change.

"When we talk about 2050 ... we do not have sufficient scientific knowledge to be concrete and precise in identifying a goal," Koji Tsuruoka, the director general of global issues at the foreign ministry, told reporters.

"It is going to be a vision that could be shared as a target that could be accepted ... by all the countries of the world."

Earlier this week the Japanese foreign minister, Taro Aso, said that persuading China, India and developing economies to do more to cut emissions was more important than establishing targets.

"I think opinion is divided on whether it is easier to participate by setting a numerical target or whether it is easier without it," he said. "We need to make sure that major emitter nations will take part."

The British foreign minister, Margaret Beckett, said on a visit to Tokyo this week that it was unlikely the G8 countries would agree to numerical targets in Germany and made a point of praising the US and China for recent attempts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Japan, meanwhile, appears likely to fall short of its Kyoto target of a 6% reduction. Despite improvements in energy efficiency, its greenhouse gas emissions as of March last year were 14% higher than in 1990.

New Eco Friendly Fabrics

There are some new threads in town and it’s exciting to see them on catwalks and sidewalks — organic and sustainable fibers are the only way to go, whether we fashion our own clothes or buy off the rack.

#bamboo - one of the most sustainable fibers made. It can grow like wildfire, without pesticides or fertilizers. Formed from the pulp of the plant, this softy has wonderful anti-bacterial properties, wicking away sweat to keep us dry, we stay cool in summer and warm in winter. The folks at alternative consumer put together this list for us.

#hemp - one of the most durable natural fibers on the planet, and versatile. It requires no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, is harvested and processed by hand, and produces 2-3 times more fiber per acre than cotton.

# ingeo - a versatile, man-made fiber rom renewable corn.

# jute - a glossy fiber from a plant. Most often used to make: sacks, rope, twine.

# lyocell - from wood-pulp, 100% biodegradable. Look for garments manufactured in US or Europe if you have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities , ref: here.

# nettle - a coarse, wild herb that’s naturally moth-repellent.

# organic cotton - uses no harmful chemicals; supports biodiversity, healthy ecosystems, improves soil quality and often uses less water than conventionally grown cotton. It has a longer growth cycle, requires more skill and costs more than conventionally-grown cotton - but it’s worth it. Organic cotton farming practices are so much healthier for farmers and the planet & organic cotton feels fantastic on our bodies!

# organic linen - extremely durable, made from the flax plant, grown without pesticides or herbicides.

# polar fleece, Polartec and POP - made from recycled soda pop bottles.

# ramie - from a plant, native to eastern Asia. 3 to 5 times stronger than cotton, it’s extremely absorbent and dries quickly, and has been cultivated for the past 6000 years, is often mistaken for linen.

# sasawashi - a blend of Japanese paper and kumazasa herb, resembles linen. Has anti allergen & anti bacterial properties.

# seacell - contains Lyocell. A cellulose- (the natural polymer that makes up the living cells of all vegetation) and seaweed-based fiber, with anti bacterial properties.

# silk - look for cruelty-free silk which allows wild and semi-wild wilkworms to emerge from their cocoons before the silk is harvested, rather than killing them.

# soy - from the residue of soybeans from tofu manufacturing, soy proteins are woven into a light, cashmere-like material that drapes softly over your body and has a bit of stretch.

# Tencel - a brand name for a type of Lyocell, extracted from sustainably harvested wood pulp; lightweight and wrinkle-resistant. Look for garments made in US and Europe if you have Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

eco friendly reminders: DWH —

Donate your pre-loved threads, Wash in eco-friendly cleansers and Hang-dry as you hang with your friends or plants.

The Truth About Unproductive Employees.

If you are a manager or a business owner you can not afford to have negative non performing employees on your payroll. Often times unproductive people search out smaller companies because of their lack of direct management. As an owner you should always be ready to recognize both positive and negative behaviors in an employees performance. Large companies like 3M discovered that when they laid off the bottom 10 percent (the weakest performers) of employees, their productivity increased by 18 percent. It didn’t take them long that learn that negative employees not only produce less but also cost quite a bit more.

Negative employees destroy moral and turn off customers with their negativity. They don’t have a lot of drive and don’t take allot of initiative. So how do employees with good positive attitudes behave? Here are four characteristics you should look for in yourself – and your team.

1. Positive Employees Understand That Work is Good For their Soul. Most people know that it is good for a company. They understand that it good for the customer and they may even know that it is good for the country. But only positive people know that it is good for the soul. Something corrosive happens to the souls of people who stop caring about the quality of their work… and begin to go through motions.

2. Positive Employees Decide to Enjoy Their Work No Matter What. No Job will ever be perfect, and there will always be room for improvement. In spite of that, a positive employee decides that they are going to like their work. It’s a decision they make, not a feeling they have when everything is going well. If employees think that their job stinks, they need to try unemployment for a while.

3. Positive Employees See The Good In Every Situation. Like everyone else they see the wrong in every situation, but positive employees don’t get stuck on that point. Positive people keep themselves going by seeing the good in every situation and focus on how to make it better. By contrast negative employees focus on minor annoyance and let it ruin everything.

4. Positive Employees Do More than Is Expected. Positive people are never satisfied with getting by doing the bare minimum. They wouldn’t feel good about themselves if they did. Positive employees find out what is expected and do what they can to exceed those expectations. Whether it is dazzling a customer with better service than they have ever experienced before or surprising a coworker by offering extra help, positive employees focus on how they can do more, not less.

Ramblings Through Ignorance

I can’t really think of what to say, it would probably be stupid anyway…..


"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it."
- Sam Levenson

"I've coined new words, like, misunderstanding and Hispanically."
-George W. Bush, speaking at the Radio & Television Correspondents dinner, March 29, 2001

"With fame I become more and more stupid, which of course is a very common phenomenon."
- Albert Einstein

"I am mindful not only of preserving executive powers for myself, but for predecessors as well."
-George W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2001

"It's too bad that stupidity isn't painful"
- Anton Szandor LaVey

"I have opinions of my own --strong opinions-- but I don't always agree with them."
-George Bush

"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

- Albert Einstein

"The California crunch really is the result of not enough power-generating plants and then not enough power to power the power of generating plants."
-George W. Bush, Jan. 2001

"Many wise words are spoken in jest, but they don't compare with the number of stupid words" spoken in earnest.
- Sam Levenson (1911 - 1980) Humorist

"We are not without accomplishment. We have managed to distribute poverty equally."
-Nguyen Co Thatch, Vietnamese foreign minister

"Only the wisest and stupidest of men never change."
- Confucius

"If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can't it get us out?"
- Will Rogers (1879-1935)

"I'm hopeful. I know there is a lot of ambition in Washington, obviously. But I hope the ambitious realize that they are more likely to succeed with success as opposed to failure."
-George W. Bush, Jan. 2001

……. well, maybe not that stupid.