This Friday, don’t just Buy Nothing—use nothing!

This Friday, don’t just Buy Nothing—use nothing!
by Umbra Fisk
23 Nov 2009 Link to full article below

For twenty years, the people behind Buy Nothing Day have been pleading with consumers to avoid the frenzy inherent in “Black Friday,” the no-holds-barred shop-o-rama that comes the day after Thanksgiving. This year, they’re ramping things up and calling for an all-out Wildcat Strike against the “capitalist consumption machine.” Socialists, you say? No, just worried people who want to take a stand in the face of “crises of ecology, psychology, and faith.”

Dearest readers, I’ll let them say it themselves—give this a look, and visit the Buy Nothing Day site to learn more:

This year we’re calling for a wildcat general strike. On November 27/28 we’re asking tens of millions of people around the world to bring the capitalist consumption machine to a grinding – if only momentary – halt. We want you to shut off your lights, your televisions and other nonessential appliances. We want you to park your car, turn off your phones and log off your computer for the day. We’re calling for a Ramadan-like fast. From sunrise to sunset, we abstain en masse. Not only from shopping but from all the temptations of our five-planet lifestyles.

Instead we’ll feed our spirits and minds with a feast of subversive activities: pranks, shenanigans, credit card cut-ups, bicycle swarms, mall invasions and all manner of culture jams and creative détournements … ...

Please read the full article: http://www.grist.org/article/2009-11-23-this-friday-dont-just-buy-nothing-use-nothing

Schools promote waste-free lunches

Schools promote waste-free lunches
‘Trash talk’ takes on new meaning as more schools promote waste-free programs
By Karen Ann Cullotta
September 27, 2009 Link to full article below

In the lunchroom at Stowe Elementary School in Duluth, Minn., forlorn piles of half-eaten sandwiches and bruised bananas are transformed from trash to treasure.

Instead of tossing their uneaten school lunch scraps in the garbage bin, Stowe students donate their leftover fruits and vegetables to the school’s worm compost. Items that aren’t as compost-friendly, such as breads and potatoes, are donated to area farmers, who feed the free and tasty slop to their pigs.

“Knowing it won’t all be going into a landfill feels good,” said 10-year-old Bradley MacDougall, a fifth-grader at Stowe. “Most of the kids at our school are pretty good about it.”

To read the full article: http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2009/sep/27/health/chi-tc-fam-lunch-waste-0924-0927--dot--ar0sep27

50 Ways to Never Waste Food Again

50 Ways to Never Waste Food Again
Simple ideas that make a big difference in your budget and help save resources too.
By Colleen Vanderlinden Harper Woods, MI, USA
Tue Oct 13, 2009 Link to full article below

"Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without" is a favorite adage in both frugal and green circles, and it is something I strive to live by. One of the best ways to "use it up" is to think differently about our food and ways to avoid wasting it. Lloyd wrote a great post a while back about the statistics for how much food we waste in the U.S., and the numbers are, frankly, appalling. On average, we waste 14% of our food purchases per year, and the average American family throws out over $600 of fruit per year. Most of the food we waste is due to spoilage; we're buying too much and using too little of it.

We've all had it happen: half the loaf of bread goes stale because no one wants to eat sandwiches today, and the grapes we bought as healthy snacks for the kids' lunches languish in the crisper. With a little creativity, and an eye toward vanquishing waste in our lives, we can make use of more of our food before it goes to waste. Here are a few ideas for you.

Using Up Vegetables

1. Leftover mashed potatoes from dinner? Make them into patty shapes the next morning and cook them in butter for a pretty good "mock hash brown."

2. Don't toss those trimmed ends from onions, carrots, celery, or peppers. Store them in your freezer, and once you have a good amount saved up, add them to a large pot with a few cups of water and make homemade vegetable broth. This is also a great use for cabbage cores and corn cobs.

3. Don't toss broccoli stalks. They can be peeled and sliced, then prepared just like broccoli florets.

4. If you have to dice part of an onion or pepper for a recipe, don't waste the rest of it. Chop it up and store it in the freezer for the next time you need diced onion or peppers.

5. Roasted root vegetable leftovers can be turned into an easy, simple soup the next day. Add the veggies to a blender, along with enough broth or water to thin them enough to blend. Heat and enjoy.

Please read all 50: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/ways-avoid-waste-food.html?campaign=TH_rotator

Excellent article: 12 Surprising Uses for Leftover Oatmeal

12 Surprising Uses for Leftover Oatmeal
The health-promoting cereal grain is good for your skin, pets, neutralizing odors, crafts and other applications.
Link to full article below

More Than Just Food
You may think of oatmeal as on the bland side of the food aisle, as something that your doctor told you to eat but that you're not thrilled about. Or maybe it's something you take only with a lot of cream and sugar. But even if you already love oatmeal, you might not know that you can use it to save money and get crafty, as well as get healthier. Don't throw out any excess!

The healthiest type of oatmeal is made from whole-grain, steel-cut oats, also known as coarse-cut or Irish oats, because they retain more of the nutritious (though tough) bran layer. The more common "rolled oats" are steamed, flattened and lightly toasted. "Instant" oatmeal is pre-cooked and usually has sweeteners and flavors added. Nutritionists say you're better off buying unsweetened, and adding a touch of honey, maple syrup, agave or other flavoring yourself.

Oats are an excellent source of fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, thiamine, iron, beta-glucan (which may help regulate blood sugar) and the antioxidants known as avenanthramides (which may help promote healthy circulation). Oatmeal is also believed to help reduce harmful cholesterol levels and it may boost the immune system.

But what happens when you have too much of a good thing, or you just don't get around to eating it and your oatmeal gets old and stale in your cupboard? Don't throw it out! It has many great uses besides filling up your family (in some cases you really can put food on your family):

Treat Acne
Many people swear by oatmeal as a natural remedy to acne. One easy recipe is to cook up some of the stuff, let cool until lukewarm, then apply to the affected areas. Let stand for several minutes, then rinse.

Some people prefer to use oatmeal-based scrubs (see slide 7). Others bathe with "colloidal oatmeal," which is made by mixing oatmeal that has been ground into a very fine powder in water.

Neutralize Odors
Few realize that oatmeal can help absorb odors. Try placing an open container of the stuff in your fridge. Some people use oatmeal to line ashtrays, and claim the flakes help neutralize the smell of smoke.

To read the full article: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/latest/oatmeal-uses-skin-460809?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist

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More Energy Efficent Lamps Coming to the Market

More Energy Efficent Lamps Coming to the Market
A range of other consumer appliances are scheduled for energy efficiency upgrades, too, under a new initiative by President Obama.
By Dan Shapley 6.30.2009 Link to full article below

Following up on a pledge President Obama he made in February, The Department of Energy is moving fast to upgrade the energy efficiency standards that affect a range of consumer products -- most notably, lightbulbs.

For decades, presidents have ignored, obscured and otherwise delayed Congressional mandates, upheld repeatedly by the courts, to improve the energy efficiency of consumer appliances, electronics, lightbulbs and other products. In February, Obama signed a presidential memorandum requesting that the Department of Energy set new efficiency standards for common household appliances.

The greatest untapped energy source in America is energy efficiency. Using less electricity is the cheapest, cleanest possible way to power the U.S. lifestyle with the least sacrifice.

To read the full article: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/energy-star-47020904?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr

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The Waste-free Lunchbox

The Waste-free Lunchbox

http://www.wastefreelunches.org/

If you're interested in finding out more about
waste-free lunches, you've come to the right place.
Our aim is to provide you with all the information you
need to participate in (or to start!) a waste-free
lunch program at your school or place of employment.
If you have information to share, we'd love to hear
from you!

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?

As Americans we have come to depend on the many
convenience products that are available to us, and
nowhere is this more evident than in the school lunch
room. Most parents pack lunch items in single-use
plastic bags, aluminum foil, or wax paper, or they
purchase single-serving items that come in their own
disposable package. Admittedly, these products are
extremely convenient, but what is the environmental
cost to a country that relies so heavily on them?

To read the full article: http://www.wastefreelunches.org/

How to Program a Digital Thermostat to Slash Utility Bills

How to Program a Digital Thermostat to Slash Utility Bills
By Actor-Activist Ed Begley Jr.

It requires a huge amount of energy to raise or lower the temperature in your home by even a few degrees. That's energy you pay for on your electric, oil, or gas bills. Controlling these costs, and the amount of energy you use, means controlling the temperature both when you’re at home and when you’re away. This is the magic of an energy-saving thermostat.

Most people simply turn their heating and air-conditioning system on and off when they want to be warmer or colder. Some even leave the system on when they leave the house, so that it will be the right temperature when they return.

Maybe you leave the heat running at your preferred temperature all night long — even though you’re sleeping under a blanket or a comforter — because you want the house to be nice and warm when you get up in the morning.

But why spend all that money, and waste all that energy, keeping your house comfortable when you’re not there, or when you can simply add another blanket to your bed at night?

If you have central heating or central air-conditioning or both, you can install and use a programmable thermostat instead of an old “set the temperature and it’s either on or off” thermostat. This way, you can save energy and money and have your house at the right temperature when you get home, when you wake up in the morning, and when you’re asleep.

To read the full article: http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/How-to-Program-a-Digital-Thermostat-to-Slash-Utility-Bills.html

Taking in the trash: An adventure in the thrifty, nifty world of die-hard scavenging

Taking in the trash
An adventure in the thrifty, nifty world of die-hard scavenging, where you won't believe what you can find if you just know where to look.
By Katharine Mieszkowski
Mar. 30, 2009

Kristan Lawson's legs are dangling out of the mouth of a Dumpster, as if he's being eaten alive. Inside, the scavenger is grabbing loaf after loaf of freshly baked bread. This isn't just any bread; it's rarefied artisanal bread, the kind of baguettes and ciabattas that are displayed as impulse purchases in their own tempting wooden stand near the checkout at posh grocery stores, because shoppers just can't resist them, despite the eye-popping prices.

The price is free at this Dumpster behind a bakery in an East Bay neighborhood. Lawson, 48, hands the spoils off to Anneli Rufus, 49, his wife of almost 20 years. He opens his backpack to reveal another empty bag, which he takes out and stuffs with about 15 loaves of bread, which they will freeze and eat for weeks to come.

To read the full article: http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/03/30/scavengers_manifesto

How Giving Up Just One Thing Can Cut Your Expenses 20%

How Giving Up Just One Thing Can Cut Your Expenses 20%
One car-free week can save you serious money -- and the environment.
Jeff Yeager
March 5, 2009

http://www.thedailygreen.com/print-this/living-green/blogs/save-money/car-free-lent-460309
http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/blogs/save-money/car-free-lent-460309?src=nl&mag=tdg&list=dgr&kw=ist

Forget about a tree falling in the forest when no one's there to hear it. What I really want to know is: Would anyone drive a $60,000 automobile if no one was there to see them in it? (Clearly the folks at Esquire would.)
city street

Fortunately I was born without the vanity gene. That has saved me a lot of money over the years, and it has made it easier for me to live a little lighter on the planet. It means I tend to reuse, reduce and recycle, with total disregard to what the Joneses might think of me.

I couldn't care less, for example, about the appearance of the car I drive. I drive sparingly, maintain my vehicles faithfully, and get every ounce of life out of them, no matter how people might laugh and stare when I drive by in my 20-year-old, 200,000+ mile Toyota pickup. Leave your vanity parked at home whenever you go shopping, particularly for a big ticket item like a car.

And also join me in leaving your car parked at home for at least one week during this season of Lent. Go car-free for a week? Heresy -- if not a metaphysical impossibility -- I know. But let's think about it and give it a try.

According to the AAA, on average it costs almost one dollar to drive the typical car one mile. That's after factoring in the cost of the car/depreciation, gas, insurance, maintenance, repairs, parking, tolls, traffic tickets, etc. The average American spends almost 20% of their income on their cars, and spends about 20% of their work week sitting behind the wheel ... much of it to get to and from work, in order to earn that 20% of their income they need to pay for the trip! At about a buck per mile, just think about how much you'll save by going car-free for a week.

And if all that driving is killing our household budgets, it's also killing our planet. How would you like to be stuck at a railroad crossing, waiting for a 50,000-mile long train to pass? According to Environmental Defense, you'd need to burn all the coal that train could carry in order to generate the CO2 emissions generated by U.S. cars and trucks in a single year. That's about 314 million metric tons of CO2, and the train would circle the world, twice.

So for at least one measly week during Lent, let's give up our cars, shall we? Let's try carpooling to work, taking public transportation, walking or bicycling. Or tell your boss about your car-free-week resolution and see if she'll let you telecommute for a change. For additional tips and insight into How to Live Well Without Owning a Car, see Chris Balish's terrific book by the same title.

As E.B. White once quipped, "Everything in life is somewhere else, and you get there in a car." For at least one week out of the year, let's choose otherwise.

Global Warming Spurs Commercial Fishing Moratorium in US Arctic

Global warming spurs commercial fishing moratorium in U.S. Arctic
By Hal Bernton
206-464-2581 or hbernton@...
Seattle Times staff reporter
Friday, February 6, 2009

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/PrintStory.pl?document_id=2008712029&zs\
ection_id=2003925728&slug=arcticclosure6m&date=20090205
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008712029_arcticclosure6m.htm\
l

Spurred by global warming concerns in the U.S. Arctic, a federal fishery council
on Thursday established a moratorium on commercial seafood harvests in a vast
zone off Alaska's northern coast.

In a unanimous vote in Seattle, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council
approved the plan in response to the dramatic retreat of summertime ice in
Arctic waters.

The plan covers a nearly 200,000-square-mile area stretching from the Bering
Strait waters near Russia to the U.S. maritime boundary with the Canadian
Arctic. The plan will be forwarded to the U.S. Commerce Department for final
approval, and would be a boost to State Department efforts to negotiate similar
fishing closures off the Arctic coasts of Canada and the Russian Far East.

There are currently no commercial harvests in the federal waters of the U.S.
Arctic, which stretch from 3 to as far as 200 miles offshore through the Chukchi
and Beaufort seas.

But many believe that pressures to fish those areas will increase in the years
ahead if warming waters cause a migration there of pollock and other species
that now sustain major harvests farther south in the Bering Sea.

"The rate of change in the Arctic is fairly well understood," said David Benton,
executive director of the Marine Conservation Alliance, which represents
commercial fishing groups, processors and Alaska communities. "What is not
understood is the way that it's going to affect the marine environment and the
Arctic people."

The council is a mix of federal, state and industry officials who help set the
rules guiding North Pacific commercial harvests, which are the largest in North
America.

Their plan would not impose a permanent ban on commercial fishing. Fishing would
be allowed only if additional surveys indicate harvests could be sustainable and
not harm the broader marine ecosystem.

"This is a precautionary approach," said Eric Olson, a Native Alaskan who chairs
the federal council. "It's protective. It lays out a framework for fisheries
development in the Arctic."

The summer ice pack retreated to its lowest level on record in 2007, and last
summer marked the second-smallest ice pack. Climate scientists expect that
global warming, caused by the buildup of greenhouse-gas emissions in the
atmosphere, will cause the melting of the summer ice pack in Arctic waters by
about 2030.

There have been relatively few surveys of fishery stocks in the U.S. Arctic. The
latest effort was last summer, when federal fisheries scientists in Seattle
chartered a fishing vessel for a three-week cruise. The top species found in the
survey included Arctic cod, a fish that is important for Arctic marine birds and
mammals, and snow crab, according to Elizabeth Logerwell, the lead federal
biologist.

The survey nets also caught small amounts of pollock, Pacific cod and Bering
flounder, three commercial fish Logerwell said were not noted in a 1977 survey.
Small numbers of the species might have always inhabited the waters, or they may
have migrated north in recent decades as summer ocean ice retreated.

The plan's passage reflects an unusual consensus between the fishing industry
and conservationists. Jim Ayers, vice president of the environmental group
Oceana, called the plan a "model for management of the Arctic Ocean." He said he
found common ground with industry officials in numerous late-night conversations
fueled by coffee and whiskey shots.

The plan also has garnered support from Native Alaskans in the Arctic. They are
wary of the impacts of a large-scale commercial harvest upon whales, seals and
other marine life that support their subsistence harvests.

But there is interest in the king crab that now congregate in federal waters off
Kotzebue in northwest Alaska. If surveys indicate a sustainable harvest is
possible, officials of the regional borough would like to leave that option open
for a local fleet.

State Department officials say they already are discussing ocean conservation
measures in other Arctic areas.

Want to impress your boss? Suggest these simple ways to save money and the planet - at work...

Need to Impress Your Boss
Suggest These Simple Ways to Save Money (and the Planet) at Work
January 2009

It can be hard to get back into the swing of things at work after the cheer of the holiday season. But we have some tips that might help get your creative juices flowing again during the dark, cold weeks of winter. You can become a new office hero by suggesting ways for your employer to save money while helping out the planet.

In today's tough economy, every penny saved can help keep folks employed. Plus, it can't hurt your reputation in the boardroom if you are the one to show your boss how he or she can trim expenses.

Businesses use a tremendous amount of water, energy, paper and other products, and reducing waste saves money, as well as valuable resources. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

1. Turn the Heat Down

Office spaces and other places of work require enormous amounts of energy to maintain an even temperature, whether it's the heating or cooling season doing the work. While this can be a tricky subject among coworkers, who may have different body types, metabolisms, expectations and preferences for temperature, by talking things through you may be able to encourage your building manager to set a more eco-friendly temperature. He or she may not know that the air around your desk feels like a summer night in Alabama, even if it's snowing outside. Or perhaps your team can agree to try out lowering the thermostat by just a few degrees, and avoid wearing short sleeves for a while. The savings can be substantial, especially if you suggest that temperature is lowered at night, or other times when few folks will be present.

2. Suggest Energy-Efficient Lighting

You've probably heard that you can save money by switching to fluorescent lighting. But maybe no one at your office got the green memo. Also, are there times when you can raise blinds and turn down the lights? Does everyone remember to shut off unneeded lights when they leave at night?

3. Turn Off Those Computers!

If your office is like many others, people leave their computers on all the time, even when they aren't using them! However, you can tell your boss that every worker who shuts his or her machine down before heading out each night saves an average of $90 worth of electricity a year. That adds up! The Department of Energy recommends shutting off your monitor if you aren't going to use it for more than 20 minutes, and the whole system if you're not going to use it for more than two hours. The agency says time spent off extends your machine’s life—tell that to the IT guys!

4. Just Say “No” to Water Bottles

A lot of companies provide employees and clients with bottled water. That's a nice thought, but carting around all those plastic bottles isn't doing the environment any favors. Suggest a cheaper filter system instead. You'll even have a talking point to impress those clients when they need a little refreshment.

5. Encourage Car Pooling and Biking

Ask around and see if some of your coworkers might be interested in doing some car pooling. Not only can everyone save on gas, but you'll also reduce emissions and build camaraderie among your team. Point out to your bosses that the company can save on maintenance and security of parking lots, and in a number of areas may qualify for valuable incentives from city governments. Does your company have a bulletin board, either virtual or the kind with actual thumbtacks? Ask your boss if you can post a sign-up sheet for those who might be interested in participating. Similarly, does your work place have bike racks? Those who bike to work also tend to be healthier, and more fit employees are sick less often and require less health care. Aren't you smart for thinking of that?

6. Save on Printing

As anyone who has ever owned an inkjet or laser printer knows, replacement cartridges are mighty pricey, and soon eclipse the original cost of the device. You can save your company a pile of cash if you help encourage people to print black and white as much as possible, to use draft settings, and to only print when needed. For draft copies recommend that people print on both sides (it's easy!), and definitely suggest that your company recycle if they don't already!

7. Provide Reusable Mugs and Dishes

Put out ceramic mugs and plates instead of paper or Styrofoam and people will use them. Tell people to clean up after themselves, and they'll also develop a greater sense of pride in their surroundings, instead of just tossing things away after a single use.

8. Green the Chow Hall

If your company has a cafeteria, suggest that it also provide reusable utensils, and minimize packaging. Suggest that food buyers look for local and seasonal ingredients, as well as plenty of meatless options, which are greener and generally cheaper.

9. Invest in Some Plants

If you had success with the proceeding steps, we salute you! If you're feeling a little ambitious, you might try suggesting that your company provide a few house plants, which help clean the air, leading to more comfortable, and productive, employees. Plants also can improve the mood of employees and guests. At the least, ask that your boss consider reversing a ban on plants, if you work in one of the unfortunate places with such a strict policy.

Top 10 Ways to NOT Screw the Earth at Work

Top 10 Ways to NOT Screw the Earth at Work
Easy Going Green Tips for Any Office
Going green is much easier than you might think, especially in the office. Check out these tips to reduce your footprint.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/print-this/green-homes/eco-friendly/office-going-green-tips-460528

Sure, work might be the most boring part of your life — perhaps you routinely count the seconds until each workday is over and dread coming in the following day. But so long as you're there, why not do your best to not screw up the environment?

Here are 10 ways anyone can get started:

10. Use energy-efficient lighting

Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. Both CFLs and LEDs give off less heat than incandescents, plus they last longer. Even Fidel has made sure every Cuban office is using more efficient lights. If you haven't already, it's time to make the switch!

9. Get rid of water bottles

We've known about it for years, but never done a thing. Millions of plastic water bottles are being thrown away daily, and removing them from the office will help! Try using tap water, refilling old bottles, or even buying a water purification device. You can also purchase reusable beverage containers such as Nalgene (soon to be bisphenol A free)
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/
or Sigg
http://www.mysigg.com/

8. Advocate your company's switch to renewable energy sources

Over 70 percent of electricity in the United States is generated through the use of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas. Try being the voice that gets your company to switch to cleaner, renewable sources — talk to your boss, start a petition or, if need be, refuse to wear clothing at work until your company gets its act together.

You might lose your job in the process, but at least you'll make your point. For a practical guide on switching to green energy, check out the World Resources Institute's "Switching to Green: A renewable energy guide for office and retail companies."
http://www.wri.org/publication/switching-green-renewable-energy-guide-office-and-retail-companies

7. Join a carpool

The average automobile burns over 12 liters of gasoline in just one hour. Whether you're going to the same office, or just the same neighborhood, carpooling makes a heck of a lot of sense. It's not only easy on the wallet (particularly in light of current insane gas prices), but will reduce harmful CO2 and fossil fuel emissions. Sites like erideshare.com
http://www.erideshare.com/
are cool if you're looking for potential carpool companions.

6. Power off your computer

Instead of putting your computer in sleep mode when you leave for an extended period of time, go ahead and shut the puppy off. Believe it or not, powering off completely can save up to 10 times the energy. And if you want to be a hero (and potentially piss off your co-workers), make sure their computers are also turned off after they've gone home for the evening. A word to the wise, however: first make sure everything is saved.

5. Use a laptop

On average, a laptop uses 10% less energy than a standard PC. Plus, if you're accustomed to spending a long time in the bathroom (after lunch, for example) you can multitask by bringing in your laptop — just be sure you don't drop it in the toilet.

4. Keep a keg under your desk

Not sure how it helps the environment, but it sure would make work a lot more fun!

3. Recharge your batteries

Offices use tons of batteries to power things like calculators and hand-held massage devices (at least my office does). When possible, buy rechargeable batteries — so they can be used time and time again and ultimately, create less waste. According to rechargeable battery makers Uniross,
http://www.uniross.com/consumer_html/index.php
rechargeable batteries have 32 times less impact on the environment and use less than 1/23rd the natural resources of their disposable counterparts.

2. Turn off the AC and wear lighter-weight fabrics

Although the thermostat is usually governed by committee, turning off the AC is a quick and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint in the office. If your co-workers aren't happy to accommodate by wearing lighter clothing, you can either a) insulate heat by drawing blinds and curtains (roughly 40% of unwanted heat comes through windows) or b) lay an old-fashioned guilt trip on them (e.g., "You're single-handedly killing Mother Nature, Sally! How do you sleep at night?!")

1. Use paper wisely

This is the big one. Start printing documents double-sided, save scrap paper to jot notes on, and of course, recycle whenever possible. On the more novel side of things, those offices that still use paper time cards (a huge waste of paper!) should consider going electronic with a company like T-sheets.
http://www.tsheets.com/
As a general rule of thumb, if you can move paper correspondence online, then go for it.