Not everyone is blessed with having a name that goes hand-in-hand with their line of work. (Much to the chagrin of Beermans everywhere.) For Dr. Steve Green, it was only natural to make his dental practice as environmentally friendly as possible. Team Green Dentistry, based in Fishers, goes beyond the ubiquitous office recycling bin to include such pleasantries as a waiting room stocked with organic and locally grown fruit, fair trade coffee, and 100% recycled coffee cups, stirrers, lids, and EcoGrip coffee sleeves.

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

We used to call them cheapskates, tightwads, and penny pinchers, but now the savers are considered the smart ones. Yes, thanks to the good ol’ economy, frugality is back in fashion. If you’d rather not dust off your coupon-clipping scissors just yet, we invite you to try Green Savings Indy www.greensavingsindy.com, Green Piece Indy’s thrifty little sister.

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

Busy. It’s a word we throw around a lot these days. We know you’ve got deadlines to meet, kids and pets that need to eat, a lawn to mow and flowers to grow, a house to clean and other stuff in between. But you’ve still gotta give yourself a break once in awhile. And, of course, if you’re going to unwind, you might as well do it as greenly as possible.

Who: Westside commuters
What: Rush Hour Recycling - electronics and cardboard recycling
When: Wednesay, July 1, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Where: Family Video, 7301 Rockville Rd.

Sorry to ruin your squeaky clean reputation, but that soap you’ve been using is full of all sorts of un-natural stuff. From weird chemicals you can’t pronounce to artificial coloring, you’re headed down a slippery slope with many conventional cleansers.

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

Dear Closet,

We’ve been friends for some time now. For years, you have housed my favorite shirts, my prized pair of boots, my party dresses. You didn’t complain during last year’s holiday party when I hid a heap of junk inside you. And when others said you looked small, I found ways to maximize your vertical space. You’ve been a champ, dear storage star. Still, I’m afraid you’ve gotten rather messy. I don’t know how to break this to you…I need some space. I’m cleaning you out.

I’m recycling my gently used suits and blouses by donating them to Dress For Success, a non-profit organization that empowers disadvantaged women by outfitting them with professional attire and helping them strengthen their career development tools. Lucky for me, I can drop off these items at my neighborhood Classic Cleaners, saving me a trip to Dress for Success’s downtown boutique, where they accept an extended selection of items such as dress shoes, purses, briefcases, and new hosiery.

But I’m not stopping there. Remember all those old bridesmaid dresses I thought I’d wear again? Not happening. And there’s no way I’m ever going to fit into my prom dress again. So I’m gathering up all my LBDs and other fancy and semi-fancy frocks and taking them to Morellis Cleaners. From now until October 31, they’re collecting dresses for Dollars for Dresses, a new fundraiser for the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA). Then, on Sunday, Nov. 2, I can shop the Dollars for Dresses sale, where every dress, no matter its original price, will be sold for $50. Fifty percent of the proceeds benefit toddler Lauren Seiders, a local child whose family needs help covering the outstanding bills for their daughter’s two liver transplants. The remaining 50% of proceeds benefit COTA’s general fund, which helps families with children who have had or need life-saving organ transplants.

Just think, Closet, you’ll be full again in no time.

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

Spending too much time in the pool is one way to end up with green hair. (Meghan has the childhood photos to prove it.) Or, you could spare yourself the Incredible Hulk look and just opt for a planet-conscious salon. Our pick for the most progressive: Aveda.
 
Aveda is the first beauty company to manufacture with renewable energy, offseting the energy from its manufacturing plant, distribution center, and headquarters with 100% certified wind power. They also minimize packaging while maximizing use of post-consumer, recycled, and recyclable materials for packaging. Inside the package you’ll find ethical, sustainable, and organic products that not only smell amazing but are also very effective. Who knew that marshmallow root could smooth frizzy locks? (And who knew there was such a thing as marshmallow root?)  
 
Renee’s favorite place to get her “hair did” is Salon Orange Moon in Fall Creek Place. Since it’s close to home, she walks there, and the salon recycles everything, right down to bottle caps and color foils. In September, Salon Orange Moon is taking their do-gooding one step further by collecting pasta for Second Helpings. Bring a box to your next appointment or just pop in to check out the local green business. Meghan recommends Reeda Todd, which also offers Aveda’s line of Elemental Nature facials, massages, and other indulgent spa treatments in addition to being a full service salon. 
 
With more than 20 locations around the Indy area, finding an Aveda salon near you is easy. You can stop combing the city now.
 
Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

We’ll be the first to admit that there’s nothing particularly chic about composting (though we still recommend trying it). Eco-friendly handbags, however, are a fashionable way to make a statement about your concern for the planet. Here are a few of our faves, all of which are made of recycled materials (and one that’s not but was just too clever to not mention).

• Silver in the City offers a number of enviro-friendly bags, in materials from sturdy canvas to recycled seatbelts. They also carry Envirosax, a line of stylish nylon bags that fold up super-small. Silver in the City even offers 5% off your in-store purchases when you use a tote purchased from their store or website. 434 Massachusetts Ave., 866-955-9925
• Indy designer Anita Hopper takes discarded leather apparel and upholstery and recycles it into cute handbags for her ReFind Originals line. Even the adorably-named Woof Packs-a line of children’s backpacks featuring a canine design-is made from old leather jackets. 348-0123
• Ever wonder what Endangered Species Chocolate does with all those extra chocolate bar wrappers? Duh! You’ll find an assortment of shoulder bags and one very sweet clutch-all made from reused wrappers-at the Indianapolis-based company’s Web site.
• The rubber meets the road with English Retreads’ line of bags made from-you guessed it-recycled tires. These durable totes come in chic styles and are virtually stain-proof, making them a prime choice for green girls and boys (yes, they offer a totally masculine messenger bag) who are always on the go. 

Piece out,
Renee & Meghan

You wouldn’t pucker up to a gas pump, so why are you still settling for lip balm made with petroleum?

Before you smooch your Valentine, be sure to slather on one of these all-natural balms—you’ll help drive down the price of oil with every kiss.

The following balms include a sweet local find and a selection that are available at a variety of retailers around Indy, ranging from Georgetown Market, Good Earth, and Whole Foods Market to CVS and Marsh Supermarkets. Check the product manufacturer’s website for a location nearest you.

• Why not smooch your honey with…well…honey! Located on the westside, Bluffwodd Creek Honey makes a variety of lip balms in addition to their other amazing honey products. Order online, or just pick some up in Brownsburg or at a participating local farmers market. 
• Not going to Maui this spring? Take a trip to the Hawaiian islands in your mind every time you apply Alba’s Coconut Creme lip balm, made with coconut (duh), jojoba, and licorice root extract. www.albaorganics.com 
• The number one ingredient in Badger lip balm: organic extra virgin olive oil. Choose from yummy flavors like Chai Rose, Ginger & Lemon, Lavender & Orange. www.badgerbalm.com 
• What’s all the buzz about Burt’s Bees lip balm? The little yellow tube packs an ultra-moisturizing punch, thanks to beeswax, lanolin, and coconut and sunflower oils. In addition to the original peppermint-flavored variety, Burt’s also carries pomegranate- and honey-flavored balms. www.burtsbees.com
• It’s the best of both worlds: When you purchase a tube of Kiss My Face Lip Action lip balm, the company donates $1 to the Alliance for Climate Protection. Made with safflower seed oil, castor oil, and cocoa butter, this SPF 15 balm comes in flavors like Coconut Crisis, Mango Melt, Berry Warm, and Glacial Mint. See a pattern here? www.kissmyface.com

xoxo,
Renee & Meghan

¿No tomarías de una bomba de gasolina, verdad? Entonces por qué sigues usando bálsamo para labios hecho con petróleo?

Antes de que le des el beso a tu San Valentín, asegúrate de ponerte uno de esos bálsamos naturales – ayudarás a disminuir el precio del aceite con cada beso.

Los siguientes bálsamos incluyen una selección variable que están disponibles en las tiendas en todo Indy, las cuales van desde Georgetown Market, Good Earth y Whole Foods Market hasta CVS y Supermercados Marsh. Checa el sitio de Internet para encontrar la localidad más cercana para ti.

• ¡Por qué no hacer de tu miel… buena… miel! Localizado en el lado oeste, Bluffwodd Creek Honey hace una variedad de bálsamos para labios además de sus otros productos de miel asombrosos. Ordénales por Internet o ve a Brownsburg o en las localidades participantes.
• ¿No vas a ir a Maui esta primavera? Haz un viaje mental a las islas de Hawai cada vez que te aplicas bálsamo Alba’s Coconut Creme, hecho con coco (duh), joroba y extracto de raíz de regaliz.
• El ingrediente número 1 de Badger en bálsamo para labios: aceite de oliva orgánico extra virgen. Escoge entre los ricos sabores como Chai Rose, Ginger & Lemon, Lavander y Orange.
• ¿Qué hay del “Buzz” del bálsamo de Burt’s Bees? El pequeño tubo amarillo contiene una pizca de ultra suavizante, gracias a la cera de abeja, lanolina, coco y aceites florales. Además de la variedad original del sabor menta, Burt’z también tiene bálsamo con sabor granada y miel.
• Es lo mejor de ambos mundos: Cuando compras un tubo de bálsamo para labios Kiss My Face Lip Action, la compañía dona $1.00 a la Alianza por la Protección Climatológica. Hecha con aceite de semilla de alazor, aceite de castor y mantequilla de cacao, este bálsamo de SPF 15 viene en sabores como, Coconut Crisis, Mango Melt, Berry Warm y Glacial Mint. ¿Ves algún patrono aquí?