Green

How Green Is Blue?

Eco-Friendly Band Liquid Blue Goes Green

Liquid Blue was officially designated a "Green Business" by the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Community Health Division on May 22nd, 2009. The band also recieved a 2nd green certification in 2012 when Grent Point Rating (Build It Green) issued Liquid Blue an Elements Rating.

Through the power of music, Liquid Blue strives to increase public awareness on issues such as a clean environment, world peace and human rights. We talk about the issues; sing about them and most of all strive to live our lives according to these principles. The band has received recognition from various "socially conscious" organizations.

As the world's most traveled band, Liquid Blue has a unique perspective on world affairs which permeates the bands music and the mindsets of these musicians who have experience so much of planet Earth.

Liquid Blue owns and broadcasts a socially conscious internet radio station, Liquid Blue Radio on Live365.com. We also hold a monthly education meeting where we show a documentary movie followed by a discussion.

Liquid Blue facilities consists of a home recording & dance studio and a commercial business office. Both are located in Encinitas CA in San Diego County. The recording and dance studios are powered by the sun with 14 solar panels. Much of the content of this page relates to practices and procedures we've implemented at both our home studio and business location. See "The Band House" below.

In 2009 we began a program with CarbonFund.org to offset our carbon emissions. The band, along with many of our clients, donates to CarbonFund relative to the amount of carbon emissions generated from a particular event or tour.

Liquid Blue invests in SRI (Socially Responsible Investments) funds exclusively. We have electric vehicles. We use only Energy Star appliances, computers that are EPEAT rated, low-flow toilets and shower heads, non-toxic pest control, non-toxic low VOC paints and natural cleaning products. For food we choose locally grown organic produce, fair trade coffee and free range eggs and meats. Our low water landscaping is all California native plants.

We are long time supports of Amnesty International, The Sierra Club, The League of Conservation Voters, The Carter Center, Surfrider Foundation. We are members of the American Federation of Musicians. We support many music organizations such as The Positive Music Association, Musician's Alliance for Peace and Music For America.

This section is intended to inform our fans Liquid Blue, Inc. and Liquid Blue members are doing not only in public but in their daily lives to adhere to the principles we are writing about. It is also meant to show some examples of what every individual can do in their own lives to help make the world a better place.

Below is a list of "green lifestyle habits" adopted by members of Liquid Blue. This page is meant to be educational and imformative with links provided on most topics to provide additional, more detailed information.

Green Certifications

Liquid Blue facilities consists of a home recording & dance studio and a commercial business office. Both have been certified "green". The business office was designated a "Green Business" by the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Community Health Division on May 22nd, 2009. The studio also recieved a green certification in 2012 from Grent Point Rating (Build It Green). In 2012 Liquid Blue was nominated for an Excellence in Energy award by SANDEE.

Green Chamber of Commerce

Liquid Blue is a member of the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce. The group was the very first musical act to become a Green Chamber members.

The "Band House"

Liquid Blue's band house (owned by Scott Stephens) is a residence for several band members and features a recording studio, dance studio and also is often where the band hosts their monthly documentary series.

The band house has a multitude of unique, green features including: Solar power; Tankless Water Heater; Cork flooring; Energy Star Appliances; No VOC paint and native art from around the world. Other groovy indoor items include a crystal ball (from the witch capital of Salem MA); lava lamps; Tibetan prayer flags and a collection of rock and roll images. The yard features all California Native Plants; a Certified Wildlife Habitat; Outdoor Yoga Platforms; Meditation Area, Sundial, Bird Bath and a Peace Pole!

It is the creative headquarters of the band. See features below and view pictures on the "band house" page.

The "Band Office"

Liquid Blue's commercial office space is located in a strip mall near a major intersection in Encinitas CA.

The band office has lots of green features including: No VOC paint, Energy Star appliances and computers, recylced toner cartridges and other office products, have replaced incandescent bulbs with compact florescent, installed several opening windows for more natural light and temperature control, digital files, no plastic utensils in eating area, thermostat set between 65 and 75 degrees and much more!

Financial

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI)

Conscientious investing may be the single most important thing a concerned citizen can do to help create positive social change. SRI funds are screened for social responsibility. Liquid Blue invests 100% of profits into SRI Funds.

Consumer Purchasing

Vote with every dollar you spend! Purchase Organic and Fair Trade products whenever possible. Think about every purchase you make and how you can affect positive change.

Transportation

Electric Plug-In Vehicles

We walk, skate and bike whenever possible. We have an electric scooter for short commutes. BlueGirls leader Nikki drives a Toyota Prius. Another band member drives the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MIEV. We hope to convert our van to bio-diesal. All-Electric is the wave of the future. Click here to see more band vehicles.

Nikki Green of Liquid Blue with her 2012 Prius

Carbon Offsetting

In 2009 we began a program with CarbonFund.org to offset our carbon emissions. The band, along with many of our clients, donates to CarbonFund relative to the amount of carbon emissions generated from a particular event or tour.

Music

Digital Music Files

Beginning with our 2nd album, Earth Passport, we will no longer print CD's. Our music is distributed digitally on the internet and we are using Dropcards (Dropcards.com/LiquidBlue) at our shows.

Eco-Friendly Home Features

Solar Power

Liquid Blue home studios are powered by 14 Solar Panels. We power our recording studio, dance studio, numerous computers and other electronics via the sun. Our solar electric system was provided by GeckoLogic-USA.com.

Tankless Water Heater

20-40% of energy consumed by a traditional tank heater is wasted as heat is slowly lost due to radiant heat loss from the storage tank. Tankless is the most efficient way to heat your water.

Energy Star Appliances

We use a Whirlpool Energy Star non CFC refrigerator unit with no freezer. Who wants to eat frozen food anyways? Our washer is an LG Energy Star. We air dry our dishes instead of using a dishwasher.

Gold Rated EPEAT Computers

Liquid Blue uses computers that are both EPEAT and Energy Star compliant. These computers have reduced levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health and the environment. We use Sony Viao Lap-Tops.

Heating & Air Conditioning

We heat our home only to 65 degrees in winter and do not use air conditioning. In the Liquid Blue office we allow temps to fluctuate from 65 to 75. In the winter, put on an extra sweater instead of heating every cubic foot of space in the home.

Flooring

In 2011 we removed 25 year old carpet and replace it with cork flooring. The cork is harvested by cutting the bark from the Cork Oak tree. The tree is never cut down and is capable of regenerating its bark within 3 years.

Natural Tap Water

Bottled water has become over-hyped and creates plastic waste. The best option is to filter & purify the water from your tap. We use the Life 8000 system from Life Ionizers. The best pure alkaline water.

Low-Flow Shower Heads

We use the lowest flow shower heads from RealGoods.com. The product is called Lowest Flow Showerhead and has a water flow of about 1.2 gallons per minute as compared to the standard 2.5.

Recycling

We recycle all possible products and use reusable grocery bags. Our city has a great recycling program. For things like batteries, paint and florescent bulbs, there are inexpensive waste pick up companies. We use WM North County.

Non-Toxic Termite & Pest Control

We have switched to Xtermite to control termites. This company does not use toxic chemicals. We use no pesticides whatsoever in or outside of the home. Please check out Beyond Pesticides for more info.

Non-Toxic Paint

We use NO VOC paint products at home and office. It's one of the best things to do to keep your indoor environment less toxic. Paints off-gas with toxic fumes for up to six months!

Natural Cleaning Products

Use of non-toxic cleaning products. All of the cleaning products we use at home and office are "Green". There are healthy alternatives to bleach and other common household products. Try these non-toxic solutions.

Energy Efficient Lighting

At home and in the office we use of energy efficient LED and full spectrum lighting. Full Spectrum use light similar to the sun. Electric lighting burns 25% of the average home energy budget. Try LED or florescent lighting.

Recycled Paper Products

We use eco-friendly / recycled paper products and avoid using paper whenever possible. Our bills are paid electronically whenever possible. Use email rather than snail mail. Try to get off of junk mail lists.

Couch

Our coach is made of eco-friendly bonded leather made from recycled leather fibre. It is cost efficient and reduces landfill waste. It is a Palm Beach sectional.

Window Coverings

We use EcoGreen Solar Screen Shades, PVC-free EcoGreen fabrics are free from PVC and contain no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and is 100% Recyclable. Install double pane windows whenever possible to reduce heating costs.

Ocean Sports

We use the Gul Recore Eco Wetsuit. This suit uses recycled polyester super stretch and record thermospan inner with bamboo and recycled polyester and warm Non-petroleum based neoprene.

Garden

Native, Low-Water Landscaping

Our landscaping was done by Eco-Greenscape and features low-water Californian native plants. We use NO pesticides, only organic products. All grass has been removed and we utilize a drip irrigation system.

Certified Wildlife Habitat

Our yard has been certified as a "Wildlife Habitat" which must have native plants to provide food for wildlife, a water source, shelter and no chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

Houseplants For Clean Indoor Air

We have over 50 houseplants and 16 office plants at our Liquid Blue office. Houseplants are the most effective way to clean indoor air and the cheapest. We purchase organic flowers.

Food & Shopping

Organic Food

We use 100% organic food whenever possible from local farmers and outlets such as Whole Foods Market, Henry's and Jimbo's.

Local Food

Using 75% (or above) local, organic produce. We buy our produce from local, organic farmers markets and cooperatives such as Seabreeze Organic Farms.

Fair Trade

Using Fair Trade products whenever possible (coffee, chocolate, etc.). Workers are paid fair wages and slave labor is lessened.

Free Range Eggs and Meats

We select only organic "Free Range" eggs and meats. Animals on these farms are not kept in cages but allowed to roam freely.

Cruelty Free

We strive to use cruelty free organic products (not tested on animals), including cosmetics. We also do not eat Veal or product made from endangered species.

Travel

Green Travel

We look for green "eco-hotels" when possible. We try to lesson our impact on the environment by such things as not requesting fresh hotel towels until needed. See section above for our carbon offsetting program.