{ Archive for September, 2008 }

tv recycling

tv tv recyclingRecently, I decided to buy a new TV and an HD PVR to boot: I’m out and about a lot, the television scheduling gods were against me (taping more than one program on my VCR at the same time was impossible) and a PVR was incompatible with my eons-old TV.

But I wasn’t just willing to trash the old TV — it still worked — so I lined up a friend who was willing to take it, but it got me thinking: if my old TV hadn’t been working anymore, what would I have done with it? Just dumping it in the trash wasn’t an option. TVs are filled with lead and I didn’t want that ending up in a landfill.

I started doing some research, sure that there would be a recycling option available here in Toronto through the city, but what I found was discouraging, to say the least.

It turns out that dumping it in the trash would have been the easiest solution and one that I’m sure many people would opt for because they couldn’t be bothered doing anything else.

But there are other options!

Below is a list of what I discovered you can do with unwanted TVs across Canada. In some places, the options are rather limited right now, so if you can, hold on to old non-working TVs until recycling comes to town (my friend Becky, who took my TV, has a veritable TV graveyard in her basement, waiting for just that opportunity to arise here in Ontario). You can also drop off all Sony products for no charge at designated spots; just click here for a list of sites.

The one encouraging sign? Many governments are working on projects that involves up-front charges on future TV and electronics sales that will cover the costs of future recycling projects.

* If there’s something I’ve missed or if you know of any companies that offer environmentally responsible recycling services that I haven’t listed, please post a comment to let me know, and I’ll update the list as soon as possible.

Alberta • Drop off your electronics for recycling at 250 depots across the province; for info, go to www.albertarecycling.ca.

British Columbia • Drop off your electronics for recycling at 92 sites in a program led by the Electronics Stewardship Association of British Columbia and managed by the not-for-profit stewardship corporation Encorp Pacific; see www.encorp.ca/electronics.

Manitoba • Temporary drop-off locations were established this year from May 1 to Sept. 30; in 2007 some 305,000 kg of electronic waste was kept from landfills due to the initiative, which has existed for two years. Visit www.greenmanitoba.ca to see if you’ll have another chance to drop off electronics next year.

Newfoundland and Labrador • Not yet available.

New Brunswick • In Northumberland County, there’s a springtime e-waste collection period, during which TVs are collected and the tubes are recycled. I’m waiting to hear back from other county officials.

Northwest Territories • Not yet available.

Nova Scotia • Starting Feb. 1, 2008, Nova Scotians were able to recycle TVs responsibly — hurrah! Visit www.acestewardship.ca for info on the 34 drop-off centres. The province charges an environmental handling fee on electronics that funds the program, but that means there are no charges levied at the drop-off centres.

Nunavut • Not yet available.

Ontario • The province is establishing a program as of April 1, 2009. After it launches, there will be info in local newspapers about collection sites, and I’ll be posting a link for a website that will allow you to search for a site by municipality and postal code. For now, drop off TVs for a fee in Brampton, Ont., at Sims Recycling Solutions, www.saveourplanet.ca/television-monitor-recycle.html.

Prince Edward Island • Not yet available.

Quebec • Check out the Recyc-Québec site at www.recyc-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/client/fr/gerer/maison/detail.asp?id=152 for a list of companies that accept TVs for recycling.

Saskatchewan • The province has TV recycling and 70 drop-off centres – impressive! Visit www.sweepit.ca.

Yukon • No TV recycling yet, but Yukoners can take old computers and TVs for reuse to the Yukon chapter of Computers for Schools (www.yecs.ca), which is operated by the Yukon Entrepreneurship Centre Society.

pink brita for breast cancer research

britapink11 pink brita for breast cancer researchThis year, Brita is donating $50,000 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

To mark their support, they’ve come out with a limited edition pink water pitcher. So take a break from soda, quench your thirst with some crisp, cold tap water, and brighten up your life with one of these colourful beauties to boot!

You’ll be doing women and the earth a favour!

P.S. This post is for Sarah and Diana.

Available at: Home Hardware, London Drugs, Wal-Mart, Zellers, and participarting Real Canadian Superstores and Atlantic Superstores

Price: $35

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email Laurie at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

haute note: stylish stationery

hautenote haute note: stylish stationeryA friend recently sent me a gorgeous, personalized thank you card and as soon as I opened it, I knew I`d just discovered something for an upcoming blog entry. I`ve professed my love for pretty paper and stylish stationery many a time before but with so many fabulous options out there, it`s hard to choose just one to gush about. Today, I`m swooning over the gorgeous designs from Haute Note. This Vancouver-based company makes beautiful note cards and invitations and I love that you can personalize them. Simply pick a design and then personalize it with your name or a phrase like Thank you from Natalie. You can choose from six different fonts and if you can`t decide on just one design, you can mix and match and create a custom order. A packaged set of eight cards and nine envelopes (just in case, they say), costs $24. They`re perfect to have on hand for those occasions when you want to send something special and they also make a wonderful gift. Order online at hautenote.com.

Visit us at the Style at Home Show, Oct. 17 to 19, at the Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition Place, Toronto. Go to styleathomeshow.com for more information and to order tickets.

crate and barrel thinks green

cratebarrel crate and barrel thinks greenLove, love, love U.S. retailer Crate and Barrel, and I’m thrilled that they’re opening their first international store in Toronto at Yorkdale Shopping Centre this Thursday, Sept. 25.

I also love that the company highlights the environmentally friendly aspects of its products in its catalogues, so anyone who’s interested can easily spot them — something  that’s sure to be appreciated by people like me who are trying to make the best decisions possible.

For example, the Cayman sofa pictured here is constructed with certified sustainable hardwood; and the cushions are made from soy-based polyfoam. A good start to a greener world, I’d say!

For more from Crate and Barrel, see the post below…

Available at: crateandbarrel.ca

Price: $2,799

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email Laurie at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

more crate and barrel

seguro more crate and barrelThe Seguro Media Console, one of my fave pieces in the store, has a facade covered with lengths of Brazilian peroba wood, which is reclaimed from the siding and floors of old buildings, then restored for use on these fabulous pieces, which are available in different widths. Shown is the 68″ width.

In addition to furniture, C&B carries oodles more for your home, including amazing tableware, brilliant small appliances, beautiful bedding and more. I could go on forever, but if you live in Toronto, check out the store, or, if not, go online at the address below to see the fabulousness that is Crate and Barrel.

And for more about Crate and Barrel, see the post above…

Available at: crateandbarrel.ca

Price: $1,899

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email Laurie at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

steven and chris… and margot!

stevenandchris1 steven and chris... and margot!

Mark Thursday, September 25, down in your calendars! My lovely and talented colleague, STYLE AT HOME’s Senior Design Editor Margot Austin, is making her debut appearance on CBC’s Steven and Chris! Ms Margot will be chatting with the guys on the latest in decorating, design and style. Can’t wait to see it!

Tune in to CBC: Thursday, September 25, 2:00PM EST

in defence of objets

picture 1 in defence of objetsI love the word “objets”. It’s a pretty, all-encompassing term for anything in a home that’s relatively small and gorgeous, and unabashedly afunctional outside the fact that it exists to be beautiful. An Eames house bird. A crystal paperweight. My Colin & Justin desktop bobbleheads. These are objets.

But what the heck are “bibelots”? I’ve seen this word pop up more and more in design literature, and as with anything I find that’s unusual and vaguely irritating, I ignored it and hoped it would go away. I finally broke down and looked it up this morning – apparently, it’s pronounced “beeble-ohs” – and it turns out it’s just an ultra-pretentious (not to mention silly sounding) synonym for “objets”.

Just as trends shape home decor, so do trends sweep through home decor jargon. I just hope this one’s short-lived.

More importantly, what’s on-trend in the world of objets? Just pop into Teatro Verde and take a look – these guys are honestly Toronto’s tastemakers when it comes to those small, gorgeous things that make a house a home.

Amber bubble spheres

Price: From $30 (3-3/4″ diameter)

Available at: Teatro Verde, 888-483-2876; Toronto, 416-966-2227

read your way to healthier living

housekeepingguide read your way to healthier livingThis entertaining book by Christina Strutt is chock full of interesting information about keeping your home in an earth-friendly way.

Strutt covers everything from saving energy (chop vegetables smaller so they cook more quickly) and stocking a pantry (apples keep for up to 4 months if wrapped individually in newspaper) to keeping a kitchen garden (Epsom salts promote plant growth) and doing laundry (“sun will bleach robust white fabrics beautifully”).

Here are 5 of the ways Strutt lists to put white vinegar to good use.

1 Baby clothes To freshen baby clothes, add one cup of vinegar to the detergent dispenser of the washing machine for the final rinse cycle. This will break down the uric acid and soapy residue on the clothes, leaving them soft and fresh.

2 Brass, copper and pewter To make an effective polish, mix 1 tsp of salt and 1 cup of vinegar, stirring in enough flour to make a paste. Cover the item with the paste and leave for 15 minutes. Wash off with warm water and polish with a soft dry cloth.

3 Cigarette odours To remove the odour of cigar or cigarette smoke, leave a saucer of vinegar in the room overnight.

4 Deodorant stains To remove deodorant stains on coloured clothes, rub with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar and wash as usual.

5 Insects If you have trouble with insects (silverfish, ants, etc.), wipe down kitchen surfaces with neat vinegar to deter visits. This will also disinfect the surfaces.

Available at: book stores across Canada

Price: $23

Do you have a product you’d like to recommend for this blog? Email Laurie at naturalchic@styleathome.com!

sieguzi scoop

picture 1 sieguzi scoopRegular readers of STYLE AT HOME will know Sieguzi Interior Designs for their award-winning approach to kitchens. Here’s your chance to take some Sieguzi-style home – for a fraction of the price! Interior designer Robin Siegerman just gave me the inside scoop that they’re about to refresh and renew their gorgeous Designer’s Walk showroom, and as a result, she’s put a lot of their displays and accessories in their clearance centre. This includes two award-winning kitchen displays, and great deals on light fixtures, silk floral arrangements, vanities and mirrors… AND they’ll accept Visa over the phone! Check out the Sieguzi clearance centre before everything disappears!

Available at: Sieguzi Interior Designs, Toronto, 416-944-9492

tickled pink

pink barcelona cropped tickled pinkThe iconic Barcelona Chair goes girlie! This rose-tinted classic is a special offer at Barami for the month of October, with 10 per cent of proceeds going towards Breast Cancer Research. Check out the October 2008 issue of STYLE AT HOME - on newsstands now – for a full page of the sweetest pretty-in-pink home essentials!

Price: $999

Available at: Barami, Montreal, 514-849-5000

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