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Recyclebank helps you be green, save some green

With Earth Day less than a week away, it's a great time to join Recyclebank, a website that rewards you with a little green for being green.

Through a points system, Recyclebank members earn coupons, gift cards and merchandise from companies like Kashi, Harris Teeter, Macy's and Home Depot -- all in the name of being more environmentally aware.

Recyclebank, which has more than three million members, is free to join, by the way.

Target celebrating Earth Day with coupons and a FREE reusable bag

                           

In celebration of Earth Day, Target will be giving away free reusable shopping bags to customers on April 22.

But in the meantime, the big box store has issued a set of coupons on natural, organic and earth-friendly products. There are 38 coupons with a combined total of more than $50. The coupons are valid through May 5.

Apple plans giant solar farm, fuel cell power for N.C. data center

Apple revealed additional details Monday about its massive data center located in Maiden, North Carolina.

The 500,000 square foot facility, costing a reported $1 billion, hosts data for Apple's iCloud and Siri services. 

Having already obtained LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certification, the report from Apple includes plans to go greener by building what it calls "the nation’s largest end user–owned, onsite solar array" and the "largest non-utility fuel cell installation."

N.C. green jobs census to start Friday

The N.C. Sustainable Association is about to conduct a count of companies and jobs that make up the state's clean energy sector. 

The Raleigh-based group will begin its annual census Friday, with emails sent out to about 1,800 companies it identifies as part of the sector. The organization will follow-up with phone calls to companies that don't respond to email.

Classifying and estimating the size of the green economy is an inexact science at best, resulting in widely divergent results, depending on criteria used. There is no uniform standard on what counts as a green job.

The sustainable energy association limits its definition to energy efficiency, renewable energy, smart grid, green buildings and electric vehicles.

Are you a green hypocrite?

Trying to be greener is better than not being green at all, right? That all depends on your other actions. Driving a hybrid, but driving everywhere alone, buying everything organic but eating meat at every meal, and using reusable shopping bags but shopping constantly while buying alot of disposable items are some of the signs that you or someone you know is a green hypocrite. Find out if you fall under this label here.

A green home in more ways than one

Have you checked out June's Home of the Month? The modern and sustainable house is not only certified green, but its name even has green in it: GREENvilleHOUSE. You can take a photo tour of the home here.
 

And the winner is ...

A winner has been drawn from the pool of entries in the Green Giveaway – and it's Claire Watkins of Raleigh! She received a "green kit," which included a YakPak tote bag made from a recycled billboard and two green books. Here are the tips she shared:

Affordable LED bulb now on sale

LED lighting for the home has been pretty expensive until now.

An app for greener shopping

Do you want to make smarter choices when you're out shopping? Then whip out your trusty iPhone and download the GoodGuide app.

No poo

There is a growing movement out there about getting rid of your shampoo, known as the "No Poo Revolution."  Many people are using substitutes such as a baking soda and apple cider vinegar mix.  And why is this happening?  Shampoo contains chemicals which are not great for the environment or us.  According to "True Green Life in 100 Everyday Ways" by National Geographic, shampoos alter our natural oils and can foster skin conditions such as eczema.  There are numerous blogs out there touting "no poo" as well as a how-to video which is based on a combination of castile soap with three herbs.

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