Parducci – The First Carbon Neutral Winery

The next time you toast your wine glass, will the Merlot or Zinfandel you drink come from an earth-friendly establishment? Are they making as many strides in favor of the environment as Parducci Wine Cellars – a California-based, family-farmed business with an impressive commitment to sustainable winegrowing? With many onsite improvements and the help of carbon credits, Parducci is known as the first winery in the United States to successfully reach a carbon neutral status. Thanks to the California Climate Action Registry, Parducci was able to calculate their greenhouse gas emissions, which prompted the changes we now see all around the board. Within three years, the winery and vineyards were outfitted with solar energy features, installed fluorescent lighting, embraced a local tree-planting program, and powered their company vehicles and farm equipment with biodiesel, a cleaner-burning diesel fuel made from natural, renewable sources (like vegetable oils). Earth-Friendly Farming Practices Parducci follows farming practices that produce certified organic, sustainable, and biodynamic results. For example, California Certified Organic Farmers has certified the winery for their synthetic, chemical-free approach towards protecting and cultivating their biodynamic vineyards. Instead, Parducci grapes rely on the power of living organisms and other natural methods of pest control. The winery has also received a Fish Friendly Farming stamp of approval for the restoration of fish and wildlife habitats, as well as improved water quality in vineyards. Non-Toxic Packaging Parducci has even taken their earth-friendly approach in winemaking to include their packaging choices. To help decrease consumer waste and avoid the butchering of forests, 100% post-consumer (New Leaf) and tree-free (Kenaf) papers are used for their stationery, brochures, and all other printed materials. Chlorine-free corrugated cardboard is fashioned into case boxes. Soy-based inks decorate packing cartons and labels. Uncork Parducci Haven't sampled Parducci wine yet? Join the club or order a bottle now. Image Credits: Parducci

Transform Your Water into Eco-Friendly Sparkling Water and Soda

Whether it's a bulky plastic jug, aluminum can, or even the container used to hold your Starbucks double latte, the cups and other items used to quench your thirst continue to threaten the environment – despite advancements in recycling and recyclable packaging. If you enjoy soda, seltzer, and energy drinks, then you're in luck – the Soda-Club has something to keep you eco-friendly and hydrated. The Pros of the Soda-Club Home Soda Maker In addition to reducing the waste that ends up in your local landfill, the Soda Club offers a handful of benefits that allows you to save money. You no longer have to wait for your favorite flavor of soda to go on sale. What about the physical demands of dragging bottled soda, finding a place to store your drinks, and then battling beverages that goes flat? Today, you can create your own flavors on the spot without ever leaving the comforts of your home. All you have to do is press a button and out comes delicious flavors, like vanilla cola and Soda-Club's version of Dr. Pepper. The Soda-Club Home Soda Maker is also: A great conversation piece. Comes in a sleek color combination of black and silver. Fun for the whole family – kids really get a kick out of the process. Easy to operate and quick to deliver. A Wealth of Flavors With selections starting at $4.99 (about 40 cents per liter), you will receive an economy-sized bottle of soda mix that produces 12 liters of fresh soda. That's about 1 ½ cases of eco-friendly beverages. I'm sure you'll be able to find a couple of Soda-Club flavors that suits your fancy. A sample of choice includes: Soda Mixes: Available in regular, diet, and caffeine-free flavors, choose from the likes of Lemon-Lime, Root Beer, and a rather appetizing Cranberry-Raspberry creation. Seltzer: Lemon Lime, Orange, Berry Energy Drink: Imagine an energy drink at 25 cents per serving that revitalizes your body with vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, folate, riboflavin, vitamin C, caffeine and biotin. If you're ready to indulge in the luxury of having soda and seltzer at your fingertips, you'll be pleased to know that the Soda-Club Home Soda Maker does not require a membership, offers a three-year warranty, and provides a money-back guarantee if you are not completely satisfied.

In the end, the Soda-Club helps you cut down on the amount of waste that damages the environment. This is accomplished through the use of reusable carbonating bottles fitted with hermetic seals that also protect your carbonated drinks from going flat. Available in stainless steel, black, white, and half-liter designs, you can easily choose a unit to match the décor of your kitchen.