Gear Repair Quote

Many times it seems easier and sometimes more economical to buy new gear when our existing gear tears or gets broken and finding a suitable repair facility can be a frustrating endeavor.  Part of being a green adventurer is to use our gear as long as possible.  If you have some gear that needs repaired, Green Earth Outdoors may be able to help.  We offer gear repair services on many standard outdoor items, from tents and backpacks to stove and trekking poles and more.

To receive a gear repair quote which includes return carbon neutral shipping back to you, send your name, shipping address, phone, email, type/brand/model of the gear needing repair, approximately when and where you purchased it, and a description of the problem.  Usually within 48 hours we will let you know if we can give your gear new life and save it from a landfill.  Send your request for a quote to info@greenearthoutdoors.com or give us a call at 502-475-7445.

Carbon Offset Adventures

At Green Earth Outdoors, our mission revolves around finding sustainable ways to bring families, young people and groups to the outdoors.   One of the ways we accomplish this is by minimizing and offsetting our carbon footprint.  Green Earth Outdoors offsets 100% of the carbon emissions generated from our trips, programs and daily business operations by purchasing renewable energy certificates or “Green Tags” and participating in other global-cooling initiatives (see Giving Back below). 

This voluntary program allows us to invest in the overall improvement of the environment by providing funds to acquire renewable energy certificates also known as "green tags." Green tags represent the environmental benefits associated with energy being created from environmentally friendly sources such as landfill, biomass (discarded plant material and animal waste), hydro, wind, solar or other renewable sources. The program also allows the opportunity to develop additional renewable energy from green energy contributions as it becomes economically feasible.

Presently, most of the renewable energy funded by Green Earth Outdoors comes from landfill and biomass generators, since they are the most economical and readily available sources of renewable energy in the Midwest.

Landfill energy is developed by capturing the methane created from decaying organic waste. Biomass is the burning of dead trees, tree branches, yard clippings, left-over crops, wood chips, bark and sawdust from lumber mills and livestock manure.

Want to know how to reduce your carbon footprint?  Before you can change it, you first need to know how much carbon dioxide (CO­2) you and your family create. Calculate your personal impact using the EPA’s online Personal Emissions Calculator and discover ways to minimize its effects. Go to www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html

We know that purchasing carbon offsets isn’t a complete solution, the ultimate goal of course being to eliminate our carbon footprint all together.   Be assured as technology and techniques become available that brings us closer to this goal, Green Earth Outdoors will do it’s part to support such initiatives. 

Tips for Minimizing Your Carbon Footprint

There are literally hundreds of simple ways we can all minimize our carbon footprint on a daily basis.  Here are just a few:

• Air-dry your hands after washing instead of using paper towels.
• Avoid clothing that is "Dry Clean Only".
• Avoid disposable items and seek out products with longevity.
• Avoid using chlorine bleach, use natural stain removers like white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide or lemon juice.
• Borrow or rent something instead of buying it.
• Bring your own reusable bag when shopping.
• Buy and eat fresh foods instead of processed foods.
• Buy carbon offsets.
• Buy everything you can from a local source.
• Buy foods in bulk to avoid frequent return trips, less packaging, more savings.
• Buy locally grown, fresh and unpackaged foods.
• Carpool or ride the bus/train, or better yet, walk or ride a bike.
• Caulk, weather strip and insulate your home.
• Collect rainwater for watering and other non-consumption uses.
• Compost yard waste and kitchen scraps. 
• Do laundry in fewer large loads instead of several smaller loads.
• Don't smoke for better health and fewer cigarette butts littering the earth.
• Eat less meat.
• Get involved with global cooling conservation projects.
• Grow your own herbs.
• If its yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.
• If you must have a car, drive a hybrid or electric and keep it tuned up.
• If you must print to paper, use recycled paper.
• If you must rent a car, rent a hybrid.
• Install a low flow showerhead.
• Install a programmable thermostat.
• Keep your groups small when traveling.
• Line dry laundry or clothes rack instead of a dryer.
• Make mulch from yard waste and use in your garden or around trees.
• Mow your lawn less or not at all.  Or use an electric mower.
• Only cook what you can eat or save and eat leftovers later.
• Pack lighter when traveling to save on airline fuel.
• Participate in tree planting projects.
• Pay bills online.
• Plant a tree.
• Put a gallon jug of water in your toilet tank so less water is used during each flush.
• Remove your name from unwanted mailing list.
• Request catalogs to be sent electronically only.
• Reuse boxes and packaging material for shipping items.
• Run the dishwasher only when it is full.
• Share, read and view files electronically instead of printing them.
• Shop at thrift stores or yard sales for reusable clothing and goods.
• Stay at hotels that recycle.
• Stay at locally owned hotels and inns instead of chains.
• Support retailers who carry earth friendly products.
• Take shorter and fewer showers. 
• Take vacations and outdoor adventures close to home.
• Take your own shampoos and soaps to hotels that are biodegradable.
• Think about durability, repairability and recyclability when buying goods.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
• Turn off your monitor instead of using a screensaver.
• Turn out the lights when not in use.
• Use a lid when boiling water.
• Use a toilet that recycles wash water to fill the tank.
• Use baking soda to absorb odors instead of air fresheners.
• Use ceiling fans instead of AC, or better yet open your windows for cross ventilation.
• Use cloth towels for cleaning instead of paper towels.
• Use clothing made from recycled or sustainable material.
• Use compact fluorescents lights or better yet, use natural light.
• Use junk mail for scrap paper or wrapping paper and then recycle it.
• Use natural or organic fertilizers instead of chemical ones.
• Use non-toxic biodegradable cleaners.
• Use outdoor guide services whose focus is on the environment.
• Use public transportation instead of renting a car.
• Use real plates, bowls, cups and silverware and not paper or plastic.
• Use rechargeable batteries.
• Use recycled office supplies.
• Use the microwave instead of a conventional stove or oven.
• Use vegetable-based soaps instead of petroleum based ones.
• Walk anytime you can.
• Wash clothes in cold water without a hot rinse.
• Wear clothes more than once before washing.
• Wear clothes you already have instead of buying new ones.
• When buying candles, seek those made with vegetable products rather than petroleum.
• When driving, if you must, avoid left turns and idling in traffic. 
• When lodging, reuse towels and linens.
• Work from home.

Do you have additional ideas to add to this list?  If so, send them to: coolerworld@greenearthoutdoors.com.

Send us your ideas for greening your outdoor adventure and be entered to win a Recycled Cotton Green Earth Outdoors T-shirt. 

Giving Back

Green Earth Outdoors maintains a commitment to improving the environment through support of global-cooling initiatives and hands-on participation in grassroots events and activities.  From providing education programs to youth and outdoor groups, volunteering and encourage participation in conservation projects, supporting businesses that focus on reducing their environmental impact and partnering with other like-minded organizations, Green Earth Outdoors actively seeks ways to give back and maintain our natural world. 

If you have ideas or suggestions that our readers might enjoy, we welcome your thoughts and invite you to send us your comments to coolerworld@greenearthoutdoors.com.