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Environment

Green Living Show Returns This Weekend

Posted by Joshua / April 21, 2009

Green Living ShowThe entire exhibition space of the Direct Energy Centre will be turned over to purveyors of green products, tips, and food as the third annual Green Living Show opens on Friday. Ideas for a more sustainable lifestyle are on display and visitors will be able to go home with armloads of freebies - and plenty of merchandise available for purchase. Plus there are loads of activities, foods, workshops and speakers, all helping to fill our collective conscience (and tummies).

I found last year's event to be insightful and a fun use of my Saturday and am looking forward to attending again this year. Naturally, event organizers are hoping to see another good turnout so they're offering some free tickets to blogTO readers (see below).

Even at full price of $12 it's worth attending, and that can be reduced to $10.50 if you buy online or with your mobile (after all, paperless is green).

Whether it is to check out the latest local food creations by Jamie Kennedy, check out what Stephen Lewis has to say, or to visit as many exhibitor booths as possible, the show really does have something for everybody. Although it's not specifically geared for kids, there are plenty of activities for children to hold their interest, headlined by the Kid's Zone.

After a couple years of mega-stars speaking (President Bill Clinton last year, Al Gore the year before) requiring a special, expensive ticket, it's nice to see that the roster of speakers and special guests this year are included in the regular admission price. Perhaps there isn't the cache of a Clinton or Kennedy, but Stephen Lewis headlines and each speaker has an expertise that can be translated into practical application.

Living a more sustainable life doesn't require a big event, but it does make going green that much easier when all sorts of products and ideas are on display. And for those of us worried about green-washing, the Green Living Show provides pretty direct access to people in the know about a product.

To win a pair of tickets: (read carefully!)
Be one of the first 3 people to make a comment that includes a "green living tip" below, at or after 4pm today (blogTO time). One comment per reader only (we'll be watching IPs). Please provide a valid email address on the comment form field so we can contact you for prize claim details.

The show opens at 10am each day, going until 9pm Friday and Saturday and until 6pm Sunday.

Photos from 2008 Green Living Show by Joshua.

Discussion

28 Comments

Stephen / April 21, 2009 at 02:00 pm
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My green living tip is simple.. bring your own plastic bags or cloth bags when you go grocery shopping.
Todd Ross / April 21, 2009 at 02:12 pm
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Schedule a green day every week - One day where you commit to eating a meat free, locally grown diet and you leave the car at home.
Bloggerton / April 21, 2009 at 02:20 pm
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Turn the lights out when you leave the room.
Jerrold / April 21, 2009 at 02:22 pm
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Read the instructions, folks! 4pm contest start!
John Henry / April 21, 2009 at 03:03 pm
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Oh shoot! I should have finished reading the article before I bought my tickets!!
Human Fly / April 21, 2009 at 03:15 pm
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"And for those of us worried about green-washing, the Green Living Show provides pretty direct access to people in the know about a product."

I'm not so convinced. I was there last year and mostly saw a lot of "green" vendors eager to push product. I wouldn't expect an objective, unbiased opinion from anyone looking to make a quick buck.

Green Living's great, but I don't see why the show has to be so focussed on buying stuff. Follow the three green commandments in order -- Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. More than anything, we need to reduce consumption, including products labelled eco-friendly. First ask yourself "Do I really need this wonderful green product?" If the answer's no, you'll do more good for the environment by keeping your money in your wallet.
Cliff / April 21, 2009 at 03:21 pm
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everyone is in this for business.. so you have to expect some sales pushing, right?
Darrick Li / April 21, 2009 at 03:57 pm
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My eco-ist tip is contest-winning worthy.  Just use your BlackBerry (or your iPhone - if that floats your boat) to do most of your computer needs.  Your phone will be on 24/7, so try and turn that computer off earlier at night, and later in the morning.  Take me for example, I turned off my computer at work JUST so that I can submit this comment through my BlackBerry.  I saved 2 minutes of computer energy! (Yes, I know it takes more energy to boot up the computer than to leave it on for 2 minutes – but it’s the thought the counts!)
katie / April 21, 2009 at 03:59 pm
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test
Sheila / April 21, 2009 at 03:59 pm
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Reduce buying or using. What you have to buy, Reuse. When you can't do that anymore, Recycle. They are written in that order for a reason.
Dan / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Green Living Tip

Bike to work.
It easy, healthy and faster than taking the street car through downtown during rush hour
Darrick Li / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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My eco-ist tip is contest-winning worthy. Just use your BlackBerry (or your iPhone - if that floats your boat) to do most of your computer needs. Your phone is on 24/7 anyway, so try and turn that computer off earlier at night, and later in the morning. Take me for example, I turned off my computer at work JUST so that I can submit this comment through my BlackBerry. I saved 2 minutes of computer energy! (Yes, I know it takes more energy to boot up the computer than to leave it on for 2 minutes – but it’s the thought the counts!)
Vic / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Tip: Don't advertise automobiles and call it "green".
Helen W. / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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My green living tip is simply to bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!!! Make sure you use your green bin and your recycle bin!!
Duncan / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Green tip: Before reaching for harsh and harmful chemical cleaners, remember that white vinegar and baking soda will do much of the same work as chemical cleaners and with the added benefit of being less harmful to your health.
Cliff / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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bring a backpack with you when you shop--not just when you shop for groceries. those ridiculous paper bags from A|X, french connection, A&F, etc are such a waste!
katie / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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My green living tip is to get rid of paper towels! Keep a stash of old tea towels or even cut down old tshirts and sweatshirts. Your greasy stove doesn’t care what fabric is wiping it down. Cloths are nicer on the hands and don’t end up in the garbage can.
Lindsey / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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"green living tip": buy locally roasted coffee and take a giant carbon footprint out of your morning brew!! :)
Mary / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Take shorter showers to conserve water.
MattP / April 21, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Im going whether i win a free pass or not...

Using an old fashioned clothes line saves you money and reduces energy consumption, both at home and at the laundromat. It also wont shrink your clothes. And it allowed me to be close to my computer at 4 pm.

John Henry / April 21, 2009 at 04:03 pm
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Shower together to save water!
Sheryl / April 21, 2009 at 04:03 pm
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Go vegetarian!
David / April 21, 2009 at 05:48 pm
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Anyone who's interested in tips for eating green; you can try a vegetarian diet for one week at http://veggiechallenge.com
Joshua replying to a comment from Human Fly / April 21, 2009 at 09:18 pm
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Of course the people are there to push their product, but if you're skeptical, ask probing questions and see how they're answered. It's more access than if you only have the product label in a store.
Joshua / April 21, 2009 at 09:28 pm
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An impressive number of comments right at 4:00pm, but the powers that be (i.e. the Moveable Type platform and timestamp) show Dan, Darrick Li and Duncan to be the winners. I'll contact each of you by email with details on how to claim your tickets.

Thanks for all of the great eco tips!
mmmm / April 21, 2009 at 10:55 pm
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Greening Homes is exhibiting at the Green Living Show again this year from this Friday, April 24th to Sunday, April 26th. We’d love to see you there! Our booth number is 2041. Check it out :)
Brenda Grant / April 23, 2009 at 04:00 pm
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Now that the nice weather is here, walk or cycle instead of using a car. Both you and the environment benefit! Also, attending show such as the Green Living show can give you many ideas on how to reduce your carbon footprint.
Tanya / April 20, 2010 at 01:31 pm
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Remember if you are where you can hang out your clothes please do so and if you start a load in the washer on a timer at 5:00am they will be done when you get up and will save you money on your electric bill.

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