The infamous spam E-mail.  Those who are less technologically-savvy are often fooled by it, and those of us who can recognize a spam E-mail from a mile away are just annoyed by it.  Either way, it's clogging up all of our "Junk Mail" folders, and none of us like it.

But did you know that those trash E-mails also have a negative impact on our environment?  Web Page FX Weekly put together a comprehensive infographic explaining the environmental price of spam.  Click on the image to enlarge: 

To summarize, the amount of greenhouse gas that's associated with one spam E-mail is equivalent to the amount of harmful gas that enters the atmosphere after a vehicle has driven three feet.  Ninety-five trillion spam E-mails are sent a year.  That means each year spam E-mails emit the same amount of greenhouse gasses as would a car would that's driven around the globe two million times.

Is there a way to battle spam E-mails?  After all, they've been an annoyance for almost 20 years.  Web Page FX Weekly suggests adding a spam filter to your E-mail account, reporting spam E-mails to spam@uce.gov, and helping spread awareness about this little-known issue.

Greenwashing really complicates the lives of people who want to live eco-friendly lives.  How so?  According to Wikipedia, greenwashing "is a form of spin in which green PR or green marketing is deceptively used to promote the perception that a company's policies or products are environmentally friendly."  Often times, services that we use and items that we purchase are not as eco-friendly as they seem.

One way to determine which items and organizations are legitimately Earth-friendly is to look for eco-safe labels.  Let's go over a few you can trust:

 1.  The Energy Star Seal

You're probably familiar with the Energy Star seal.  It's often seen on electronics and appliances, and indicates that the product uses up to 75% less energy than its traditional counterpart.  According to RealSimple.com, the label was created by the Environmental Protection Agency.

2.  The FSC Logo 

Originated by the Forest Stewardship Council, this logo helps shoppers determine which wood and paper products were harvested under certified sustainable standards.  Look for it when shopping for things like furniture and flooring.

3.  The Fair Trade Tag 

The Fair Trade Certified tag confirms which foods (like coffee, chocolate, sugar and fruit) are grown using environmentally friendly practices.  Perhaps more importantly, it also ensures that farmers are receiving a fair price for their products.

Be sure to check out the full list of RealSimple.com's 8 Legitimate Earth-Friendly Seals. Purchasing products with one of these logos is a great way to avoid falling victim to greenwashing scams!

I'm starting my Holiday shopping this week. I tend to start before Thanksgiving so I can plan out what my line of attack, guarantee that I can find something in store or online and know that I'll have the money to purchase anything that I need.
One item that seems to be high on almost everyone's list is the iPhone 4S. With a better camera, Siri and a iOS 5, this phone is one of the most sought after on the market.
Once an item like a cellular phone is purchased, people tend to forget how important and expensive accesories can be. Not sure what custom imprinted cell phone case you want? It'll cost you.
Traveling anytime soon? Normally travel accessories can cost you the most - a different charger for the car, for the home and for elsewhere. Luckily, there is a charger that you can bring anywhere.
The custom imprinted Solar Panel iPhone Charger runs on a solar charge to charge the iPhone. It's quite useful wherever you are or amazing for a constant charge on the iPhone. If the weather doesn't allow the charger to do its job, the charge runs off of battery or even DC. Imprint your logo for a phenomenal item that will make people very happy this Holiday season. 

As I mentioned back in July on the Motivator's Company Blog, I attended the Camp Bisco music festival - now in its 10th year. It was a fun weekend filled with music, neon and camping out of the car.
When I wasn't taking photos or catching a glimpse of some of the great musicians, I spent the time near my campsite with a friend. This friend of mine brought in his mother's custom imprinted Deluxe Solar Charger, a promotional product that is item #44546 on the Motivator's site and included the name of the nursing home on the item. She had received it as a gift from her boss and she had gotten so much use out of it that she felt it would greatly help us on our exciting trip. 
And it certainly was a great help. Between two cellphones with little reception, (little reception = draining cell phone battery) my camera and two laptop computers, there was a lot of electronic charging. And with the outlets in the conversion van we called home, it would be no time until the car battery burned out.
Every year, 99,000,000 car batteries are made, each of which contain about 18lbs of lead each and 1lb of sulfuric acid. And with the amount of car batteries that are thrown out and not properly recycled, car batteries alone are doing a number on the planet. 
The custom imprinted Deluxe Solar Charger helped keep the van's car battery at maximum while being the electronic charger we all needed. We simply plugged in our electronic device, placed the charger in the sun (the charger even worked when it was partly cloudy) and just let the Deluxe Solar charger do its work. In just a few uses, the Deluxe Solar Charger pays for itself - and with the large imprint area, you know people will be seeing this logo when they need the power of the sun on their side.

When it comes to environmentally-friendly promotional products, we're all familiar with the usual suspects:  bamboo kitchen utensils, recycled pens and pencils, biodegradable plastic bags, etc.  But there are also plenty of eco-friendly products that would surprise you.  Let's take a look at some promotional products that'll have you saying, "Eco-friendly what?"

1.  Hats

If you're like most people, you had no idea that a cap could be made in an eco-friendly way.  But if you don't leave the house without something on your head, you're totally going to fall in love with these custom eco friendly caps and hats.  These high-quality hats are eco-friendly because of their organic materials.  For example, the super-attractive promotional Dri-Duck wildlife organic hat is made from 100% organic cotton chino twill.  Not only does this fine material allow the cap to be extremely comfortable, but it also means it was made with limited impact to the environment. 

2.  Electronics

Although we've all used a solar-powered calculator at one point or another, few people know the extent to which electronics can be eco-friendly.  But there are actually many different promotional energy-friendly products!  One great example of an electronic item that'll make you say, "That's eco-friendly?" is the promo water powered alarm clock.  This amazing item uses just a splash of water to keep you up-to-date on the time.  Users simply fill with water to activate.  There are also energy-friendly flashlights, eco-smart dynamo cell phone chargers, and more. 

3.  Messenger bags

While we absolutely love recycled tote bags and biodegradable plastic bags, many people don't realize that fancy bags can be eco-friendly, too.  Take the logo natural recycled cotton messenger bag, for example.  The fact that this bag is environmentally friendly is going to blow them all out of the water!  Made from 85% recycled cotton, this product can be used for everything, from commuting to work to carrying books to and from class.  Everyone's going to be thrilled to know such a trendy-looking bag is also safe for the environment! 

The next time you choose to go green for your promotional campaign, remember that you're not as limited as you think!  In fact, there are pages and pages of environmentally friendly promotional products through which you can browse.  We love recycled pens and biodegradable bags, but sometimes it's fun to think outside the box.  Plus, you're just going to love hearing people say "Eco-friendly what?"

Monday is the 4th of July, which means that this weekend will be chock-full of barbeques, picnics, and more. You can make it an eco-friendly fourth by incorporating some of the following eco-friendly promotional products into your weekend plans. There are many items you can opt to use in order to reduce your negative impact on the environment.

If you're planning on hosting an Independence Day BBQ, then you'll be pleased to know you can utilize eco-friendly items. For example, you can use this eco-friendly, custom imprinted non woven apron.  Made from 90 gram non-woven polypropylene, this item is sure to have a limited impact on our Earth. Plus, it's great-looking! 

Another big part of the 4th of July is the fireworks. However, in the dark night, people can trip and harm themselves or others. To prevent accidents in the dark, stock up on this fantastic environmentally-friendly dyno light. Its bulbs are powered by a hand crank, so you won't have to worry about wasting electricity. What a great way to light up the night without negatively impacting the environment! 

It's an unfortunate reality that not all of us will experience blue skies and gorgeous weather conditions this July 4th. So if rain's in your town's forecast, then you'll definitely want to think about investing in an eco-friendly umbrella.  These fabulous items are so attractive that you won't believe they're made from recycled materials!  They'll keep you dry and happy, even if the forecast calls for a soggy Independence Day.

No matter what your plans are for the holiday weekend, you can make it an eco-friendly Fourth by following these tips.  Just because it's a holiday doesn't mean our planet should suffer!  Remember to always consider your impact on the environment.

Recently, Sprint unveiled what it's calling the world's first environmentally-friendly smartphone. The brand new Samsung Replenish is meant to inspire eco-conscious living. The phone's specs make it particularly appealing to anyone who would like to take the next step toward living an eco-friendly lifestyle.

According to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle, "34% of the Samsung Replenish is made out of recycled material." However, the eco-phone, which runs on the Android 2.2 operating system, does not lack any of the features smartphone customers are used to. It touts a 2.8" touch screen, a keyboard, and a Micro USB charging port on its bottom. Its designers made sure to incorporate what is by now a standard 2-Mega Pixel camera and a built-in slot for micro SD memory. For the super environmentally-conscious individual, there is even an option for a solar paneled back cover. 

With all of these great features, the Samsung Replenish is sure to appeal to energy conscious and environmentally aware individuals. After all, who wouldn't "go green" with his or her phone, given the choice? But all of the excitement surrounding the new phone begs the question:  How green is it?

An article featured on the Indianapolis Star's Web site explores the legitimacy behind electronics' "eco-friendly" claims. The article's author, Edward C. Baig, calls the Samsung Replenish and similar products "obvious eco-friendly bonfires."  Because the manufacturers of these products promote the fact that they are made from recycled materials, their environmentally conscious attributes are clear.

But there are other, less obvious eco-friendly products, too. Baig cites Apple as an example. "Apple has been selling green for a while," said Baig. "The company's website provides exhaustive details on each of its products, down to power consumption, materials used and greenhouse gas emissions," he continued.

The difference is that Apple isn't promoting all of its products as environmentally friendly. It allows users to decide for themselves how eco-responsible each product is. With the growing popularity of green-washing, this may be an appropriate route.

Nevertheless, the Samsung Replenish does seem to be an honestly green product. Independent organizations, such as Underwriters Laboratories, rate companies and products based on policies regarding chemicals, recycling, and climate change. According to Baig, "Just this past week, the Samsung Replenish became the first phone to receive a UL Environment certification." Therefore, for anyone looking to go green with a new phone, the Samsung Replenish seems to be a great option!

There's a common misconception around the world that going green is expensive. But a recent article in the Los Angeles Times reports that some businesses have found the opposite to be true. Indeed, Wal-Mart super store is actually saving green (money) by going green.

According to the LA Times article, written by Tiffany Hsu, "[Wal-Mart] has been recognized for being eco-friendly, but Wal-Mart Stores Inc. officials say they're actually happier with how the upgrades have improved the bottom line." Since the supercenter installed fuel cells, punched holes in its roof for skylights, and painted its roof white, it has shaved $1 million from its electricity bill, say officials. 

Wal-Mart is not the only organization claiming to save money by becoming eco-friendly. Companies who have opted to use LED light bulbs as opposed to traditional light technologies are reporting savings, as well. As reported in an article for LEDs Magazine, "...[C]ompanies and individuals can slash greenhouse-gas emissions while positively impacting the financial bottom line.  Indeed, while LED lighting costs more than other technologies, savings in energy and maintenance costs more than cover the upfront premium." According to the article, the technology behind these light bulbs allows them to use less energy and last for longer periods of time.

It is clear that going green may actually have a positive impact on one's wallet rather than an adverse one. With technology moving forward, this trend will hopefully only continue in the coming years. Going green will be even easier once everyone realizes how cost effective it really is.

In the past few months we've checked out all different types of "green" products which have set trends in the eco-friendly market. This includes all different types of products like household cleaners, children's toys, apartment building roofs, and Valentine's Day gifts. Now, another eco-friendly products is ready to make its mark on the world, and it's part of one of the coolest industries in the world - the music business.

Branded as "environmentally friendly for the audiophile", these new headphones represent the cutting edge of eco-friendly technology for listening to tunes. The headphones were designed by Britt Ashcraft from Ashcraft Design in Los Angeles; the company creates all different types of design solutions for their clients.

As you can see from the picture above, the Ashcraft Aria headphones are made from a great combination of recycled materials and advanced audio technology. Not only do they take the vitality of the environment into consideration, but they are specifically designed for people seeking high-quality audio reproduction. Let's break down the parts of these nifty new headphones together so you can get a good idea of the design:

• The headband is crafted from recycled wood taken from acoustic guitars. The headphone is the most recognizable part of the Britt Ashcraft headphones, and the part which is most likely to be remembered by people who come into contact with them. The fact that the wood was reused from acoustic guitars is a very nice touch, as it maintains the theme of music. Not to mention, the beauty of the wood grain will remind people of their favorite Taylor or Martin guitar.
• The ear cups are satin spun and crafted from recycled aluminum. To get a better idea of what the ear cups look like, take a look at the image below. The combination of satin and metal is clean-looking, and has the same type of color scheme and materials as you would see on an iPod. This is convenient then, as plenty of people will be using the Ashcraft Aria headphones to listen to their favorite iPod tunes.
• The quilted leather which wraps around the ear cups and rest of the headphones is made from recycled bags, jackets, and other clothes. This part of the headphones is what gives it its plush design, and the element of luxury which disproves the stigma that people sometimes have about eco-friendly products being second-rate.

With its awesome eco-friendly design and sound facilitated by 40 millimeter titanium-plated drivers, the Ashcraft Aria headphones are a must-have for anyone who is truly passionate about music. Even the name of the headphones is clever, as the term "aria" refers to the solo that a singer takes during the course of an opera. There's never been a better opportunity to enjoy your music while maintaining environmental resources than right now.

One of the most important environmental issues at the forefront of the "Go Green" movement is energy. Government agencies and companies alike are trying to discover new ways that we can go forth as a planet with the use of clean energy. By leaving coal and oil behind, we can ensure a much better chance of sustaining life on the planet.

Since October is Energy Awareness Month, it seems like the right time to introduce some energy friendly promotional products into the mix. The items that will be described below have various benefits for both you and the person who receives them. They will position your company as one that follows eco-friendly trends, impress your customers, and help people to reduce the amount of energy that they consume both at home and work. So let's get started with the first eco-friendly item.

1. Hand Powered Flashlight

Light is one of the functions that taxes our energy grid the most. One of the best ways to spread awareness about this fact is by distributing this hand powered flashlight. The flashlight works exactly as it sounds - it is charged by squeezing the handle in the off position. Once you have enough charge in the flashlight, you can then use it to light your way. It's a simple fact that people need light to see throughout the night, so this hand powered flashlight is only a precursor to what we can accomplish on a grander level.

Are you wondering how it works? I did too. The flashlight has a built-in capacitor that stores energy when you squeeze the handle. That energy is then transferred into the rechargeable batteries. The concept is simple, yet is goes a long way towards make a statement for energy conservation.

2. Gemline Solar Alarm Clock

Wouldn't it be nice to wake up to an alarm clock that is powered solely by the sun? It is possible with the use of this Gemline solar alarm clock. The clock charges by absorbing light through the solar panel at the top of the clock. There is one battery included to power the large digital time display, but that is nothing compared to the amount of electricity that would be used by an alarm clock that plugs into the wall.

The clock is small, transportable, and perfect for the business traveler. It makes a great giveaway at trade shows and promotional events, and will really show people that your company is conscious of the strides that are being taken towards energy independence.

3. Water Powered Rotating Clock

One of the most interested energy friendly products that we feature is hydro-powered. Simply add water to the "green" battery and it creates the necessary conduction to power the clock. The water works to power this clock in a second way as well - water fills the four compartments of the clock as you can see below. As you turn the clock, the water falls into the compartment reserved for either the clock, alarm, temperature, or time and will display it accordingly.

This incredibly nifty design serves as a great example for just how capable we are of generating electricity through the power of water. The clock proves that water-powered devices can serve a very functional purpose in every day life, and thus will encourage people to get more involved in energy awareness.