Long Island GreenFest Highlights Green Living    by Maureen O'Neill

in Society / Environment    (submitted 2010-02-02)

EcoSmart Products, the North American distributor of the AusPen, is looking forward to celebrating all things green at the upcoming Long Island GreenFest February 6 - 7, 2010. The world's most environmentally-responsible dry-erase (whiteboard) marker will be at home among the exhibits showcasing innovative solutions for a sustainable lifestyle.

Located at the SUNY Farmingdale campus, the Long Island GreenFest will welcome the environmentally-conscious who want to explore practical solutions to make a positive change. Local music, healthy food and an array of exhibitors of natural and sustainable products promise to make an exciting green marketplace.

Several features of the AusPen make it the ideal green solution for schools and offices. The AusPen was uniquely designed by its Australian makers to reduce the amount of waste generated by disposable markers, cut costs associated with purchasing short-lived products, and remove harmful toxins from the air.

North American teachers will throw away over 500 million dry-erase markers into their local landfills this year, making dry-erase markers one of the top sources of toxic waste for schools and offices. Since the AusPen is refillable, one starter kit of 6 markers and their refill inks is the equivalent of 246 disposable markers and, as such, keeps approximately 20 pounds of toxic waste out of the landfill. Eventually, since all good things must come to an end, when the aluminum-built AusPen reaches the end of its long user-lifespan, it goes into the recycling box.

Far from being an eco-friendly product that is more of a luxury item than a necessity, the AusPen fetches cost savings of approximately 70%. Since each refill bottle contains the ink equivalent to 40 disposable markers, the per-marker cost of the AusPen is 28 cents, compared to 70 cents to 1 dollar of the traditional markers. Considering that schools, campuses and offices are ordering dry-erase markers for dozens and even hundreds of classrooms and offices, this represents appreciable savings.

Finally, the AusPen has eliminated xylene from its ink, the commonly-used chemical - a neurotoxin - linked to headaches, dizziness and breathing difficulties such as asthma. The ink from the AusPen is derived from vegetable dyes, offering significant benefits to human health and indoor air quality. This green product, in more ways than one, is a breath of fresh air.

Other exhibitors at the festival hail from many different green walks of life including: renewable energy, organic products, natural health and beauty, green transportation, earth friendly fashion, and waste reduction.

About the Author

Maureen O'Neill is a researcher/writer for EcoSmart Products, the North American distributor of the AusPen, the world's most environmentally-responsible dry-erase marker.