Going Green Painlessly!

Week 52 - Spread the Word!!

2008-03-23T09:42:00.002-04:00

We made it! Fifty two weeks of environmentally friendly ideas, topics and ways to take action.

Key Lessons Learned

We kind of go through life with blinders on. Once you choose to take a look, it's apparent we can make small changes that have a big impact. Which leads me to...

Living in a more environmentally friendly way is easy once you know you have options. Doing research to discover those options was one of my favorite things about going green and writing this blog.

It's possible to make changes that aren't going to make your wallet suffer. If you remember from my introduction, I wasn't going to commit to things that were ridiculously priced; changes had to stay within my budget, and for the most part they did.

Changes with Big Impact

I made a lot of changes in how my family lives. The following made a difference in a big way:

Recycling - this is likely the change that takes the most time, because it's ongoing. But going to the Recycling Center a few times a month isn't a big deal. It was immediate gratification. I could see how much less we were sending to the landfill.

Reusable Bags - this is one of my favorites. A couple months after I purchased my bags, the grocery stores in town started selling them. I have been asked about them often and store clerks have expressed how they wish more people would use them (younger clerks in particular). I used to have plastic bags exploding from my pantry; now I currently have one.

Reusable Containers for Lunches - my kids' lunches are now almost waste free. We purchased containers for them to use over and over. Obviously we have to wash them between uses, but it's a small price to pay.

What Now?

One thing I came to realize was change takes time. There were different things I wanted to do but couldn't fit them in when I wrote about them. Take composting for example. I already have the compost bin. I just have to do some repairs to it, buy a compost pail for my kitchen and start adding to it. I will try to have this done by Spring.

So that's my plan. I will go back to see what changes I haven't set into motion and try to accomplish them. I encourage you, to do the same.

One Last Thought

For the last few weeks I have been thinking about how I should end this blog; thinking about what my final suggestion for helping the environment should be. Here it is: start an eco-conversation everywhere you go. You don't have to take it to the extreme and say, write a blog about it and you don't have to "hit people over the head" either. When opportunities present themselves, share what you know (and at this point you know a lot). If you don't feel comfortable talking, share this blog (it will still be here, I just won't be adding to it).

To close, I would just like to say thank you for going on this journey with me. I hope it has been as interesting, informative and persuasive for you, as it has been for me!

Week 51 - Go Fish, but Keep This in Mind

2008-03-16T12:43:00.000-04:00

From the edf.org (The Environmental Defense Fund): "According to a 2006 report in the journal Science, several of the world’s leading marine biologists concluded that, if bad fishing practices continued, in a worse-case scenario all fish and seafood species worldwide would crash by 2048. Worldwide, it is estimated that some 90 percent of species of large predatory fish are gone. Domestically, of 230 assessed U.S. fisheries, 54 stocks are classified as over-fished, 45 are experiencing over-fishing, and the status of just over half of the nation’s stocks are unknown".

We have all heard about the health benefits of eating fish. What we don't hear a lot about is how to:

Choose eco-friendly fish

Avoid buying over-fished species, and

Avoid mercury/PCB contaminated fish.

To make the best choice for the environment and your family, visit the following websites before your next trip to the seafood counter.

Oceansalive.org

This is a fabulous website, with tons of environmental and health information.

Under 'features' click on 'seafood choices'. This takes you to a page that lists various fish as being: eco-friendly, eco-o.k., or eco-worst, and provides a description of what these terms mean.

They also provide:

A Health Alert chart. This chart lists all the fish and how many servings/month are safe (due to mercury and PCBs) for men, women, older kids and younger kids. I have to say, I was quite surprised at the number of fish that are not safe to eat at all, and at the low number of suggested servings for older and younger kids.
Recipes for eco-friendly fish

Alternative eco-friendly choices which are similar in flavor and/or texture for the 'eco-o.k.' and 'eco-worst' fish. .

A printable pocket guide to keep in your wallet.

Blueocean.org

Blue Ocean Institute Guide to Ocean Friendly Seafood. Click on "Click here to learn all about your seafood".

Blue Ocean uses a Fish Key to rate the fish. It also indicates the best environmental choice with a check mark and uses a red flag to indicate which fish are contaminated.

They also provide:

FishPhone (fishphone.org): Blue Ocean’s new sustainable seafood text messaging service (see their website for details on how to access it).

A down loadable pocket guide.

The ability to search for your favorite species.

NRDC.org

The Natural Resources Defense Council has a down loadable wallet card. The card rates seafood according to how much mercury it contains, and tells us how many servings are advisable.

They also provide:

A lot of information about what mercury is, where it's found, and how to protect your family.

Why Should We Care?

A lot of the world population relies on fish for food and fishing for income. Yes these same countries are often responsible for a lot of the over fishing (there's enough blame to go around). Someone needs to step up and convince them this is not the way to go; that current practices are a threat to their livelihood. We can send that message by not buying their product.
Obviously, we want aquatic life. I don't think any of us support the extinction of any animal. The loss of sea creatures would be the start of a disastrous domino effect. Think of all the animals (bears, birds, and people) that eat fish.

The amount of mercury, PCBs and other contaminants in fish is staggering. If what industries dump (both in our waterways and into the air) is left unchecked (or at current standards), we won't have any safe fish to eat. What can we do? Vote for a candidate who supports the Clean Air /Water Act and its expansion.

I believe all of us can make this very simple change. It just takes a click of the mouse and you will have in your hand all you need to make an environmentally friendly choice every time you shop. It's good for the earth and your family. One more win-win!

Week 50 - The 3Rs of Sports Equipment

2008-03-08T18:10:00.002-05:00

We are now into March and the spring athletic season if off and running. Kids have begun practice and parents are digging deep to ensure their children have the newest and coolest sports equipment. Before you go out and drop a ridiculous amount of money on new equipment, consider swapping or purchasing used equipment. That's right. Once again, I'm talking about the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

The Why

There are several reasons to consider swapping or purchasing used equipment.

It's cheaper (and the items generally look 'almost new' or better).
It keeps stuff out of landfills
It reduces the number of resources used to manufacture and transport items.

The How

1. Try a No Cost Exchange (like Freecycle.org)

From their website: The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,281 groups with 4,622,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns.

They have everything. Go to their site and sign-up (it's free). You can then browse by county or town. If your community doesn't have a group, start one!

Freecycle's purpose is to keep stuff out of the landfill and to help reduce consumption.

Another notable exchange site is Craigslist.com.

2. Purchase Used Sports Equipment

There are a number of ways to purchase used equipment.

Play it Again Sports: This is a nationwide used sports equipment chain. Visit their website at playitagainsports.com to locate one in your area. Before you go, make a phone call to see if they have what you're looking for.

EBay (ebay.com): This online auction site offers everything you can imagine. You can choose to bid on items, or buy them outright.

Recycling Sports (recyclingsports.com): Online classifieds for used sports equipment. According to their site: Sellers are charged a $1.00 listing fee for posting and a closing fee of 2% of the sales price when the item is purchased. Visit the site for details.

Garage Sales: Spring not only brings sports, it also brings garage sales. Obviously you won't be able to anticipate what you may find, but keep an eye out anyway.

Swap or Give Your Stuff to Friends: We all have friends with kids at various stages of growth. Swap equipment with them just like you would clothes. If you can't swap, give your stuff to someone you know. You may not get equipment you need right now, but its great karma and you may get something else you need in the future.

Donate: If you don't have friends that can use your equipment, donate your items to Boys/Girls Clubs, after school programs, coaches or Goodwill.

3. Still Not on Board?

If you still are not convinced that used equipment is the way to go, ask yourself these questions:

How old is my kid and is s/he still growing?

Keep in mind your child may only be using a particular piece of equipment for one season (if you're lucky - think shoes). Why spend so much on brand new. Help the environment and your wallet by borrowing or buying previously owned.

Is this the first time my child is trying a sport or does my kid change sports at the drop of a hat?

If your child hasn't made a commitment to a sport, don't commit with your cash or environmental resources.

Is it important to ME or my child if something is brand new and/or a particular brand?

Does your five year old really need brand new Nike cleats? That's a purchase parents make for themselves.

We often want to put the affects of branding off on the kids ("they just have to have that name brand"), but it's often our own ideas of giving our children the very "best" that motivates us. I would rather have my kids understand everything is not disposable; that when we have something, we should use it up and not cast it aside because something supposedly better has come along. That way of thinking has put us in this environmental crisis.

I understand when our kids get older (or if our child honestly shows exceptional talent in a sport), it gets more difficult. But try not to assume what your child's response to previously owned equipment will be. Instead, use it as a learning opportunity and just maybe they’ll surprise you!!

Week 49 - Greening Baby

2008-03-01T12:28:00.005-05:00

All of us at one time or another have either been pregnant or have known someone that is and most of us can say we have attended at least one baby shower in our lives. Expecting a new little life is an exciting time, but it's also an expensive time. You can count on that little person draining your finances for the next, say 24 years. So while you are busy spending hand over fist getting ready for Junior's arrival, the last thing you may be considering is adding even more to the already hefty price tag by throwing in "green" and/or organic products into the mix. But trust me. There are a slew of ways to green your baby (and your pregnancy) without breaking the bank. Let's start with the 3 Rs.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Let's begin with the mom-to-be and maternity wear. When I was pregnant Target wasn't in our area, and maternity clothing were expensive and ugly (I still don't understand the whole bow thing). Things have come a long way, but ask yourself: do I really need a new wardrobe; one that will essentially be worn for only about 5 or 6 months? Check with your friends to see if they have any nice pieces, to carry you through that short period. When you are finished with them, pass them on to the next friend that is expecting.
Baby furniture (crib, change table, rocker, etc.) are the items that cost a lot. Why buy new? I know we all feel the urge to give our children the best of everything and that begins with the nursery furnishings. But remember the days when families handed down cradles? That's what we should be doing. Check with relatives, or the Salvation Army and Goodwill stores, to see what is available at a fraction of the cost. Before you accept or buy used furniture (particularly the crib) ensure it meets all safety standards and is sturdy.

If you must buy new, look into buying a crib which will convert to a toddler bed at a later date, and a change table which will later become a chest of drawers.

Strollers and car seats. Check out garage sales, the Salvation Army, Goodwill, friends and family first. Again ensure the items meet the current safety standards. I had 4 strollers (two umbrellas, one for rugged terrain, one double stroller and a side-by-side jogger/bike trailer. One soon to be grandparents couple, purchased all of them at our garage sale. Now granted, I'm a little particular so the strollers were in excellent condition. But I'm definitely not the only one like that, so take a look at what's out there first.

The above also applies to car seats. **YOU MUST KNOW THE SAFETY STANDARDS! This is an area where I would only be comfortable getting a seat from someone I know and trust (for example, maybe a friend had a baby a short while ago and has moved up to a larger seat).

Baby clothes. The amount you receive and buy is staggering and unnecessary. Again, friends, family, garage sales, consignment shops, etc. This would be a great time to organize some friends and do a children's clothing exchange.

This entire section is about reducing how much stuff we accumulate; stuff that may end up in the landfill. It's such a waste, particularly because we use the items for such a short period of time. Remember, if you do want to get rid of things, donate the gently used items to charity.

Cloth or Disposable? (Canadian Living Magazine)

The next chunk of change you spend will be on diapers. But do you choose cloth over disposable? It's not as obvious as it seems. Here's how it breaks down:

Cloth

You will use about 10/day depending on the age of the child

The pros:

they now have Velcro and plastic clips which make changing them easier

they are softer then disposable

they may cause fewer rashes

The cons:

they are not convenient for traveling

many day cares will not use them

The environmental impact:

home laundered diapers use about 9,000 gallons of water a year; a commercial service uses about 5,500 gallons.

also, you are likely using hot water (energy), soap and possibly bleach.

Disposable

You will use on average 5/day (that seems low to me)

The pros:

they are convenient; they can bought and disposed of anywhere

The cons: see below.

The environmental impact:

the manufacturing process uses 29% less energy than home laundered cloth diapers; 20% less energy than commercially washed diapers.

according to idealbite.com: disposable diapers produce at least 70 times more waste than cloth diapers, and Americans trash 18 bil diapers each year.

So in the end (outside of the convenience factor), it seems you have to decide between conserving water/energy, and sending trash to the landfill. It will largely depend on where you live (for example, drought conditions?).

A few other options:

Visit gdiapers.com. They offer diaper pants with flushable liners. According to their website: "gDiapers have no elemental chlorine, no perfumes, no smell, no garbage and no guilt. In fact, flushables are so gentle on the Earth you can even garden compost the wet ones in one compost cycle, approximately 50 – 150 days. Just think of the standing ovation you’ll get from the planet."

This is icky to me, but there are some North American cities that offer curbside composting programs, where you can compost your kids' diapers. Check it out, if you are up for it.

Green Baby Care Products

What should you choose to bathe, shampoo, wipe and moisturize your baby? Organic and all natural products would be the place to start. You want to choose products that are free of preservatives, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, petroleum and of course they should not be tested on animals. There are many companies out there and you don't have to pay a fortune. Do a little research and shop around. You will find something to fit your budget.

Here are a few places to start:

Burt'sBees.com

Avalonorganics.com

WholeFoods.com: they have a baby guide. Click on "whole body", then "whole baby" and you will see the link for the .PDF file.

So yes there is a lot to think about and you may feel you just don't need another thing on your list. But keep in mind we are trying to live in a more environmentally friendly way, so we leave a healthy planet for future generations. I can't think of a better reminder of the importance of what we are trying to do, then a new arrival to our families; even if it's just our global family!

Week 48 - 20/20 for Everyone!

2008-02-23T08:07:00.008-05:00

I am happy to say that at 42 years of age, I still have perfect vision. Granted my eyes do get tired faster and if I read for a few hours at a time things do get a little fuzzy. But I don’t wear glasses yet, so the number of useless eye glasses that may be lying around taking up space never really occurred to me. Just think about it. Prescriptions and fashion change often, as does a growing child. Not to mention those of us who have gone the Lasik route. Usually these outgrown, out of style or obsolete glasses end up in the landfill and that’s a shame. As a matter of fact, according to the Vision Council of America, “64% of adult Americans wear prescription glasses, yet less than 1/10 of 1% of glasses sold each year are donated and reused.” This is terrible since according to the World Health Organization, about 25% of the world’s population require eyeglasses. So what can we do with all those spare specs to help the environment? Recycle them of course!

Who: Give the Gift of Sight Program (givethegiftofsight.org)

Since 1991 this organization has collected and distributed used eyeglasses to people in developing countries. To date they have restored vision to 2.6 million people in 30 countries. They also provide free vision screening.

How:

Drop off your old glasses at:

LensCrafters
Pearle Vision
Sears
Target
BJ’s Optical

Who: The Lions Club (lionsclubs.org)

This organization collects more than 20 million glasses a year and passes them on to underprivileged kids and adults around the world.

How:

Visit lionsclub.org to find a donation box in your area (check out your local library). Also, on their website you can find a recycling center you can send the glasses to.

Who: New Eyes for the Needy (neweyesfortheneedy.org)

Last year, this organization provided recycled eye wear to more than 280,000 people in 22 countries.

How:

Send your “gently worn” glasses to:

549 Millburn Ave.
P.O. Box 332
Short Hills, NJ 07078

Keep in mind all of these organizations accept glasses which may need some repair, non-prescription sunglasses and are always very happy to receive children’s glasses.

The Why:

If you require incentive other than the warm fuzzy feeling, consider the following:

Reusing glasses means saving the energy and materials needed to create a new pair. Okay it’s not a ton, but it’s something.

Giving away your old glasses is a tax deductible donation.

This is another one of those win-win-win changes. The environment wins with less junk in landfills and less energy/material being used for production; our optically challenged brothers and sisters worldwide win by receiving glasses at minimal if any cost, which restores their vision and surely changes their lives; and we really make out: 1) above mentioned warm and fuzzy feeling from helping others, 2) less clutter in our drawers and 3) a tax deduction to boot. Whoever coined the phrase ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’ was undoubtedly talking about eyeglasses!

Week 47 - Eco-Wine

2008-02-18T11:44:00.012-05:00

Eco-wine. Hmmm. I don’t know.

To start, I should tell you I really enjoy wine and try to have a glass every day for “health” reasons. Before you laugh, research shows drinking about 6 oz. of red wine daily is good for the heart. Studies have also shown it can protect against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other neurological diseases and has been shown to inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer. That being said, I am in no way a wine snob. In fact I am just the opposite. I believe there is an abundance of lovely, drinkable wines in the $10 - $12 per bottle range. The key word here is drinkable. So are eco-wines truly drinkable? The general consensus is, they've come a long way (apparently they needed to because they weren't very good), and are worth a second look. Below I have outlined what you need to know before making your first eco-wine purchase.

The Key Terms

Organic

To be considered organic, a winery must meet stringent rules outlined by the USDA. The winery must use grapes that have been organically grown. This means no genetically modified seeds, no fertilizers from sewer sludge (yuck), or pesticides. Additionally, these wines must not contain any added sulfites and the vineyard must be inspected every year to ensure they are adhering to the guidelines.

Biodynamic

This is considered the most environmentally sensitive form of agriculture. Biodynamic farmers plant, prune and harvest according to the phases of the moon and apply compost teas.

According to thegreenguide.com “biodynamic standards are older than organic, but very closely allied in their promotion of sustainable practices and elimination of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers“. For more information about biodynamic wines, visit demeter-usa.org.

Sulfites

All wines contain naturally occurring sulfites; it’s what keeps wine from spoiling in the bottle. A lot of people are very sensitive to sulfites and can experience physical reactions that range from headaches and asthma to in rare instances death. USDA certified organic wines must not contain any added sulfites. This is tricky as it makes the wine more susceptible to spoilage. You wouldn’t really consider an organic wine for aging as the whites have about an 18th month shelf life and the reds about 8 years.

If you want to store an organic wine you may want to opt for one with added sulfites. Rather than the USDA certified organic label, the wine will be labeled “made with organic grapes”.

Sustainable

Tricky, tricky! This can mean a number of things. It could mean the winery is in the process of becoming certified organic or it could mean the growers try to farm in an environmentally conscious way. It could also just be a marketing term tossed around to appeal to the ever growing segment of the population that is becoming environmentally sensitive.

Be aware, there are no criteria set out by a governing body which must be met in order to label your wine sustainable. Take time to do your research.

LIVE/Salmon Safe (from thegreenguide.com)

LIVE (liveinc.org), Oregon viticulture industry's Low Input Viticulture and Enology label was put in place to ensure that Oregon vineyards remain disease-free, as they have been historically, while limiting the use of chemical pesticides. Certified by the International Organization for Biological Control, LIVE promotes planting of species appropriate to local conditions, reliance on beneficial insects, fungi and plants, and increased biodiversity.

Salmon Safe (salmon safe.org/wine/wine list.cfm) is a Northwest eco-label for agricultural practices that restores watershed conditions to allow salmon to spawn and thrive. It works in partnership with LIVE to promote runoff control, planting trees near streams and utilizing integrated pest management. Vineyards are inspected by an independent contractor (often an organic certifier) to ensure compliance with both LIVE's and Salmon Safe's standards.

Where to Find Eco-Wines

So now that we know what the terms mean, where can we buy the wine (note: they will be more expensive)?

1) An Online Wine Club (not all states allow wine to be sent through the mail)

EcoVine Wine Club (ecovinewine.com; $39/month for two bottles)
Organic Connection (fwbchicago.com; $38/month for three bottles)

Organic Wine Company (theorganicwinecompany.com; $47/month for two bottles)

There are a ton of wine stores on the internet, but not all ship to all states. Some stores like Organic Wine Company have occasional free shipping. They currently have a free shipping special where they will send you 3 bottles of wine with the shipping and handling fees waived. They also ship to PA.

2) Storefronts

Whole Foods Market (whole foods.com)

Check out wines shops in your area

Unfortunately in PA we have state stores. In an online search of their website, only one organic wine was available. Since I regularly visit our local store, I’m going to talk to them about getting some organic options in and see what happens.

3) Restaurants

This may be the simplest and least expensive way to sample organic wine. The next time you are dining out, take a look at the wine list and see if the restaurant offers any organic, bio-dynamic, or sustainable wines. Although the cost of wine by the glass is ridiculous, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to see if you will like it before committing to an entire bottle.

So when it comes to eco-wine the caveat is: read the label. You now know the terms, so you can assess if the additional cost is warranted. It may be worth paying a few dollars more for a nice USDA certified organic wine; however, paying more for a wine labeled “sustainable” may not be wise. In the end it comes down to how the wine tastes and only you can be the judge of that. For me, I’m always willing to give something a try, but this is definitely one band-wagon I’ll jump off, if the drink ability isn’t there.

À votre santé! To your health!

Week 46 - Don't Flush 'em!

2008-02-09T12:03:00.000-05:00

Expired or unused medications that is! North Americans have typically disposed of prescription and over-the-counter drugs in one of two ways. We either:

Flush them down the toilet, or

Throw them in the trash.

The Problem

According to thegreenguide.com, “45% of Americans take at least one drug. When we flush old meds they":

Can still be active, and

Don’t disappear because we no longer see them.

They move on to water treatment plants, into waterways and possibly back to your tap. If they hit the waterways some really freaky things can happen. They have found gender-blended salmon (in Oregon), transgender trout (in Colorado) and bisexual bass (in the Potomac). If this happens to fish, what could this mean for people in communities where they use treated waste water for drinking water? The answer isn’t good. Generally speaking, treatment plants are not equipped to filter out that kind of contamination.

Throwing old meds in the trash isn’t the best option either, as they can contaminate not only the soil, but ground water as well.

Some Solutions

Some communities are setting up drug “take-back” programs at pharmacies and police stations so consumers have an alternative to flushing them and contaminating our waterways. I contacted CVS, and was told they unfortunately do not have a program in place. There are a few more drugstores in our area, which I will check out. Give your area pharmacies a call to see if they can lead you in the right direction.

Check out The Starfish Project at thestarfishproject.org. It’s a program run out of New York-Presbyterian Hospital which takes donations of certain meds by mail and distributes them to people in Africa.

Visit earth911.org and enter your zip code to find nearby drop sites.

Check with your local Department of Health for local disposal sites.

If you cannot find a take back program, here are the federal guidelines for drug disposal from whitehousedrugpolicy.gov:

Take unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs out of their original containers and throw them in the trash.

Mixing prescription drugs with an undesirable substance, such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter, and putting them in impermeable, non-descript containers, such as empty cans or sealable bags, will further ensure the drugs are not diverted.

Flush prescription drugs down the toilet only if the label or accompanying patient information specifically instructs doing so.

The Benefits

We help reduce water pollution.

We reduce fish contamination. This is not only important for preserving aquatic species, but as we are being told to consume more fish, we are protecting our health.

Ditto for our drinking water.

We also don’t want to forget that whether we care about the environment or not, proper disposal of medications is incredibly important if you have young children around. As a matter or fact, it’s important with teenagers around too (we’ve all heard of “pharm parties“, where older kids rifle through their parents old meds and trade them). These parties could be a myth, but are you willing to take the chance?

The best thing for everyone and everything (the environment, wildlife, humans) is to dispose of medications in the most safe and responsible way possible. This is a no brainer and a really simple solution to a variety of potential problems!

Week 45 - The Big To Do About Bamboo!

2008-02-03T09:37:00.000-05:00

I’m starting to see it everywhere. Bamboo sheets, bamboo clothing, bamboo flooring, bamboo cutting boards, bamboo fencing etc. So I was thinking, what’s so great about bamboo? It turns out it may be pretty amazing stuff!

What it is: Bamboo is a grass.

What it’s not: Bamboo is not a tree.

Why it’s great: There are several reasons.

Bamboo sucks up four times more CO2 when it grows than trees do.
It’s a rapidly renewable resource.
It can grow 1 - 2 feet, a day.
It can be harvested every 3 - 5 years.
It can be grown without pesticides or chemicals.
It takes very little water to grow.
It’s by products are biodegradable.
Bamboo will break down in landfills.
It’s durable (some varieties can be as strong as steel).
When made into clothing, sheets etc. it is so soft it has been compared to silk and cashmere.
Bamboo is innately anti-microbial and lets your skin breathe with its naturally formed micro-structure.
Bamboo fabric keeps you close to two degrees cooler in hot weather and also keeps you significantly warmer in the cold.
As flooring, it is durable, beautiful and often less expensive than wood.
It is harder than some popular hardwoods, including maple and oak.

The Concerns

Too good to be true right? Well there are some concerns; some significant concerns.

According to thegreenguide.com: “some questions have been raised about the environmental soundness of the manufacturing process involved in turning the bamboo stalk into fiber. Because most of it takes place in China (need you read on?), the process is not transparent to consumers, nor is the environmental regulation stringent; this viscose process is thought to involve harsh chemicals in a process similar to the production of rayon. However, much of the bamboo, including that used by Bamboosa and Shirts of Bamboo, goes through a strict Swiss certification known as Oeko-Tex, which ensures that fabric made from bamboo fibers is chemical-free.”

Others have raised concerns about how bamboo is grown:

To keep up with demand, some farmers have now started raising bamboo on plantations as a mono-crop or single crop. This reduces biodiversity (for info on biodiversity, see my post about growing heirloom varieties), leading to increases in pests (thereby increasing pesticide use) and plant diseases.

The clear-cutting of forests is taking place, to make room for plantations.

The increased erosion which results from clear cutting.

Toxic glues. One booming area for bamboo is cutting boards. They are beautiful, but you need to know what you are buying. Some cheaply made boards are glue together with formaldehyde-based glues. Formaldehyde is used to in the drying process. Tom Sullivan, president and founder of Totally Bamboo (totally bamboo.com offers formaldehyde free cutting boards, as does bambuhome.com), explains “bamboo is so porous, it requires a thicker glue to prevent absorption while keeping the product intact. But thick glue takes longer to dry. "Formaldehyde allows you to apply heat and have the glue-bond done in about ten minutes," he notes, their formaldehyde-free glue takes a few hours to dry.
Although it’s said the levels of formaldehyde are safe, who wants to knowingly expose themselves and their families to it?

The Bottom Line

“Despite the environmental shortcomings in production, bamboo still has a much lighter environmental impact than pesticide-laden conventional cotton and petroleum-derived nylon and polyester synthetics“.

If you are going to try bamboo products (and I would be willing), do a little research first and read the packaging. Just keep in mind, that although bamboo looks promising as being the answer to many of our environmental problems, its widespread use is relatively new; there are many kinks to work out in both its production and manufacture. On the up side, the more people get on board, the more quickly those kinks can be straightened out!

Week 44 - Pass it On!

2008-01-22T11:43:00.000-05:00

Over the past several months I have made some suggestions on how to invoke both environmental awareness and interest in our kids. I’ve mentioned ideas like, planning to do something as a family for Earth Day, giving Christmas gifts like books and movies that show the importance of protecting our environment, gardening with kids etc. I now want to provide some resources for kids that want to learn more on their own and for those that want some concrete ways in which they as kids can help our planet.

The easiest way for kids to learn more is for them to surf the web. There are a plethora of websites just for them. They provide information in fun ways that may include games, puzzles, projects, and so on. Adults can learn a lot too, so give them a try!

1. Nature Challenge for Kids

David Suzuki, an environmentalist (a fellow Canadian), has been around it seems forever. He was so far ahead of his time. I remember watching him as a kid. At his website www.davidsuzuki.org/kids, he offers 10 fun and easy ways kids can help the environment. They include things like going meatless once a week and using “kid power” to get around. There’s also a checklist kids can print off, to keep track of how they are doing.

2. EcoKids Online

This is Earth Day Canada’s environmental education program for kids. Their website includes interactive games, activities and an eco-calendar with trivia, riddles and other information. Visit them at ecokids.earthday.ca.

3. Environment Canada Kids Page

This site (www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroZine) by Natural Resources Canada has an “envirozine” with a lot of information. One neat thing I found on is a game called Pathways & Pitfalls which can be printed out. You move along the “board” trying to do positives things for the environment (eating locally grown foods), while avoiding environmental pitfalls (running a sprinkler too long).

4. Fun Zone

Fisheries and Oceans Canada offers games, puzzles, coloring pages etc. about, water conservation, aquatic life and oceans. Their best offering accessed through their site at
dfo-mpo.gc.ca is the Big Blue Bus. It is an interactive website with neat things for kids of all ages to do.

5. Tunza

Tunza (www.unep.org/Tunza) is the United Nations Environment Programme. It has separate sections for children and youth. I love the ‘Story time’ link in the children’s section. It has 9 full text story books in Adobe format. The pictures are wonderful!

6. Children of the Earth

This site can be found at childrenoftheearth.org. It has information on plants and animals; info from Native Peoples; you can read stories written by other kids and pictures drawn by kids about the planet. There is a lot!

If you are so inclined, you can also help this non-profit by making your Amazon.com purchase through their website. It costs you nothing (there is no difference in what you pay), but you will be donating about 5% of your purchase price to them.

7. Field Trip Earth

Fieldtripearth.org is a wildlife conservation website. You can click on a particular animal or select a field trip and you begin a journey to discover all there is to know about that animal. This site is probably better for older kids (10 and up) as there is a lot of reading, but it also offers plenty of pictures too.

8. Treetures

This website is definitely for little kids. It has characters with names like Woody, Humus, and Mama Greenleaf. The Treetures (tiny tree friends) teach kids about trees, tree care and tree planting. Visit them at treetures.com

9. Rodale Institute

The Rodale Institute offers kidsregen.org, which is a very comprehensive website. There mission: “To empower children to make healthy choices for the environment and for themselves“. It has a ton of stuff. Information about food, fitness, gardening, world news… More importantly it reaches everyone: kids, adults, parents, families, and teachers. It’s a terrific site!

10. Climate Change

This is the EPA’s site for kids (epa.gov/climatechange/kids). It explains climate change, weather, and the green house effect. It also offers games and the opportunity to be a climate detective. It’s a nice comprehensive site.

11. The Green Squad

This website by the NRDC (www.nrdc.org/greensquad) encourages older kids to try and make their school environment a healthier place. This is a great site that will really get those activist kids in gear, but providing them with concrete ways to take action. I love how the site outlines the steps kids can take right up to ways to approach school officials.

As you can see there is no shortage of websites to help get your kids interested and excited about the environment. For an even larger list (which includes some of what I have here) follow this link: eartheasy.com/article_enviro_sites_kids.html. I have only checked out what I have listed above, so you may want to visit the other sites before your kids do. The most important thing is to share what you are learning with your kids, so they can grow passionate about the environment and pass it on to their children. Now that’s a legacy I would love to leave!

Week 43 - Green Your Vote!

2008-01-21T08:59:00.000-05:00

As you may have noticed, we are now on week 43 of Going Green Painlessly, with this post being one of the last ten. I was thinking about all the different ideas I have written about and how if we can stick with even just a few of them we can make a big difference. One other thing entered my mind. This is an election year.

I realize we have some big problems right now (the War, a slumping real estate market, the tanking economy, oil prices, unemployment, health care…jeez, I’m getting depressed), but I think if the environment is important to us, we need to add it to that list. Now obviously I wouldn’t expect someone to vote for a candidate based solely on where they stand on the “environment“, but what if we were to phrase things differently? How does a candidate plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil? How important does s/he (it’s great adding the “she“!) believe research for alternative fuels is? How focused are they on alternative/renewable energy? Will they place pressure on the automobile makers to manufacture more fuel-efficient models/hybrids? Do they support the Clean Air and Water Acts? What about the Kyoto Protocol? Will they support the US being part of a global effort to reduce greenhouse gases? When put another way, we can see how these issues can affect our economy, and our health.

So what’s the first thing you need to do? Get registered to vote if you haven’t already. You can do this from home. Visit the League of Women Voters’ website vote411.org. Print the form, fill it out and mail it in . That’s it! No excuses!

The next thing we need to know is where the candidates stand on environmental issues. The League of Conservation Voters has a terrific website presidentialprofiles2008.org, which not only outlines where the candidates, but also grades them based on their voting history regarding those issues. They also document candidate responses to various environmental questions. It’s a wonderfully informative website. Grist.org also offers information about each presidential candidate’s stance on environment issues. It may also be a good idea to visit the candidates’ websites to see if what they claim to do is indeed, what they do.

Whether or not you care about the environment, the truth is with the rising cost of both oil and energy everyone is going to feel the crunch. It is becoming more and more expensive to manufacture and move product. As a result, we pay more for them. Therefore, we need to make a smart choice this November and vote for someone who will support the changes necessary (and for those that know me, by "we" I mean those of you who can vote. Since I am Canadian I have to do my part in other ways - like writing an informative blog).

If the environment benefits from those changes even in a secondary way, I’m fine with that. Job well done!

Week 42 - Recycle Your Cell Phone

2008-01-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

Christmas was a few weeks ago and I’m certain many people received new cell phones. As a result, there are likely several old phones laying around because you are not sure what to do with them. Well, you should recycle them! The Environmental Protection Agency has launched a campaign to get Americans to recycle their cell phones.

Why should we recycle cell phones?

According to the EPA, “the recycling of the 100 million cell phones ready for end of life management in the US would save enough energy to power more than 194,000 US households with electricity for one year“.

Recycling just a million cell phones reduces greenhouse gas emissions equal to taking 1,368 cars off the road for a year.

Using less energy means reducing greenhouse gas pollution.

We can keep valuable and potentially toxic materials out of landfills and incinerators. Cell phones are potentially hazardous waste because they contain lead, mercury, cadmium and arsenic.

We can conserve natural resources (like the metals mined for components).

We can help save Gorillas (huh?).

What can be done with the phones?

New customers can reuse them.

They can be taken apart and their components, such as gold, copper and plastic, can be recycled.

How can we recycle the phones?

1. Drop It Off

The obvious place would be where your purchased your phone, or with your service provider. AT&T, Best Buy, Office Depot, Sony, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile and LG Electronics all offer a drop off service. Visit their websites for detailed information.

2. Mail It In

You can also mail in your old cell phone, PDA, cell phone batteries, chargers, or other accessories. Nokia, T-Mobile, Sprint, Motorola, Samsung, and LG Electronics have mail in programs. Again, visit their websites.

3. Donate to Charities

There are tons of charities that could use your old phone. Start with your community and check out what agencies would be happy to put an older phone (14 months old; the average age of a phone) to good use.

Earlier I mentioned how you can help save the African Gorilla. I was surprised to learn the manufacture of cell phones poses a threat to the Gorilla. An ore by the name of colian, which is used in cell phones, is mined in eastern areas of the Congo. The mining takes place in the middle of endangered gorilla and elephant habitats. According to the UN in the past five years, the eastern lowland gorilla population in the Congo has declined 90 percent. Fifty zoos across North America participate in a cell phone recycling program. It is their hope that by promoting the recycling program, less colian will have to be mined and as a result, more animals can be saved. The zoos gather cell phones at drop boxes and turn the phones over to ECO-CELL, which sells the phones to companies that refurbish and re-sell them to first-time users abroad. Some of the phones are also donated to senior citizens' centers and hospitals for discharged patients to use for emergency calls. Phones that cannot be re-sold are recycled. A complete list of participating zoos can be found at eco-cell.org. If you cannot get to a zoo, phones can be mailed directly to ECO-CELL where you can designate which zoo should receive the proceeds.

What you need to do before donating your phone

Before you drop off or mail in your old cell phone, make sure you have terminated your service contract and erased any data in the phone. To ensure personal information is cleared from the phone, you can:

manually delete all information and remove the SIM card

contact your service provider or phone manufacturer for instructions, or

use a data erasing tool such as ReCellular's Cell Phone Data Eraser

There are many options for cell phone recycling. You can do some good not only for the environment, but for any number of charities too. Again, we have an easy change with many positive implications. If I haven’t said it before, I love it when that happens!

Week 41 - Just One Thing...

2008-01-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

If you make just one change this year this should be it and it’s super easy. Recycle your toothbrush! I hadn’t really thought about it, but it makes sense. According to Natural Health Magazine (naturalhealthmag.com), “if every American changes toothbrushes every three months, as dentists recommend, that adds up to almost 100 million pounds dumped into landfills”. Wow, even half that amount is astounding.

Obviously we’re not going to stop brushing our teeth or continue using the same toothbrush over and over again (that‘s just yuck!), so here are some other options:

1. Opt for a brush made from recycled materials.

The Recycline Preserve toothbrush has a handle made from recycled Stonyfield Yogurt cups. That’s not the only good thing about it. When you have finished using it, you can send it back to the company (in the envelope it provides) where it will again be reprocessed into material for plastic lumber. How cool is that?!

The good news doesn’t stop there; the brush comes in packaging which eliminates unnecessary waste. It’s made from recyclable materials, and the reusable brush canister “provides a sanitary holder to keep your brush clean and portable“.

Visit recycline.com for more information on how these toothbrushes are manufactured. You can even watch a video of the process that aired on Robert Redford’s show, The Green on the Sundance Channel.

This toothbrush can be purchased at Target, Wegman’s and online at greenfeet.com for a very reasonable $3.50. Check Recycline’s website for other stores in your area.

2. Opt for Replaceable Heads

This type of toothbrush can be found at any store. You would certainly help the environment when purchasing this type because you would be reducing the amount of plastic being thrown away. But you can do even better by purchasing a brush made from recycled materials or cellulose.

a) Radius offers the Intelligent toothbrush.

It not only uses replaceable heads, it is also made from sustainable natural cellulose and is battery operated. Radius will take back the handle for recycling once the battery dies (lasts through 6 replacement heads or about 18 months).

The Intelligent toothbrush also offers:

2 minute timer -- toothbrush beeps once and green light flashes once every 30 sec. to 2 minutes.
90 Day wear meter - after 180 uses the light changes to red to indicate time to check bristle wear. Depressing the button for 5 seconds resets the meter to zero.
Radial bristling - first toothbrush in the world to have it. Makes brushing easier and more effective.
They are available in soft or medium. Right or left hand.
One brush runs $7.95, but you can buy 3 packs and 6 packs at significant savings. The replacement heads are 3 for $6.95. They ship from PA and the cost for either a 3 or 6 pack is $4.60.

Visit the radiustoothbrush.com website for more information.

b) Lotus Brands offers the Eco-Dent TerrAdenT toothbrush.

These brushes have snap-on replaceable heads. They cost about $3.00 each and can be purchased at most health food stores or online at eco-dent.com.

3. Join a Recycling Program

ToothbrushExpress.com has the ‘Save the Planet One Toothbrush at a Time’ recycling program. Sign-up to receive a new toothbrush at specific intervals which you specify. Along with the toothbrush, they will send you a postage-paid mailer for you to return your old toothbrushes. The brushes will be recycled into planters, decking or benches.

4. Reuse Your Brushes

So maybe you are picky and prefer a particular toothbrush; or maybe you feel finding one of the above brushes is a pain, what else can you do instead? Use it elsewhere of course. Here is a list of uses for your old toothbrush:

Use as an eyebrow brush (I’ve done this for years; obviously clean it first)
Scrub around faucets
Clean grout
Clean jewelry
Spot clean clothing
Clean fingernails
Clean carpet stains
Clean your garlic press
Clean your screens

The list can go on forever; think of any small or tight space that needs to be cleaned.

In closing, here is the ultimate in recycling and reusing. Follow this link hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_occasions/article/0,,HGTV_3268_1382191,00.html for an inspired craft project your daughter(s) would love!

Week 40 - New Year Resolutions

2007-12-30T15:19:00.000-05:00

This week’s post is short and sweet:

Resolve to make more “green” changes to your lifestyle for 2008!

It’s simple. Just go through the archives (listed on the right side of the screen; point and click), and commit to making just one or two more changes you have not yet been able to do. I know there are topics I have covered over the past 40 weeks that I have not yet implemented, so I will try to “catch-up” on the ones I have missed.

The bonus here is, unlike traditional resolutions (losing weight, quitting smoking, drinking less), even short-lived success can benefit the environment and make you feel good about yourself! Give it a try!

Have a healthy, happy and safe 2008!

Week 39 - 12 Green Ideas for Christmas

2007-12-23T11:44:00.000-05:00

We are just one day and a wake-up from Christmas and I want to gently remind you of a few ways we can help the environment once the pandemonium is over. The following is a list of 12 simple things you can do to stay “green” this week.

When grocery shopping for your holiday gatherings, buy local first and then organic (nice for you, if you don’t have to choose between the two).
Sample some organic or bio-dynamic wine along with your old stand-bys (just in case the former tanks).
Don’t use disposable plates and cutlery for your holiday gatherings.
When you realize you’ve forgotten batteries for some of the toys and electronics, purchase rechargeable. Remember they can be charged hundreds of times and then be recycled (at Best Buy, Home Depot, and Target amongst others).
Save any wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbons that have not been decimated by your family, for reuse.
Use your Christmas cards for crafts. For example, kids can make ornaments for next year or I’m going to use mine for next year’s gift tags (cut out a shape, punch a hole, slip some of the saved ribbon through if you like, and there you have it).
Recycle any cardboard boxes.
Have your tree mulched.
Assess whether it’s time to recycle your Christmas lights. If so send them out and remember after Christmas is a great time to purchase new LED Christmas lights.
Grind the candy canes that have been on your tree to a powdered sugar consistency and add to hot chocolate, coffee etc.
When you are hitting the after Christmas sales, remember to purchase gift wrap and cards made from recycled paper.
When family and friends ask why you save this, recycle that, buy local/organic, use china instead of paper, tell them. It’s a great opportunity to get them on board!

Have a wonderful Christmas!!!!

Week 38 - Green the Next Generation

2007-12-16T12:46:00.000-05:00

We have 8 more days until Christmas and I was thinking it would be a great time to introduce the idea of green living to your kids. While you are shopping for their gifts, pick up a little something that will teach them about environmentalism. The key is to not only give them something to create awareness, but to give them something they connect with.

Gifts Which Describe the Earth

Kids may have a tough time understanding the concepts of “the earth” or “global warming”. They haven’t learned the world extends far beyond their home or neighborhood. What we have to do is show them the earth and space, to help them understand there is more than what they can actually see. There are a few ways we can do this.

Globes - They show kids what the earth looks like. Kids always think its fun when you show them where they live, where other family members live, and where people on the other side of the world live.

Atlases - Like a globe but includes detailed information. Not only detailed maps but also detailed cultural information. So for example, when you tell your child to turn the water off when brushing their teeth because water is a luxury that the majority of the people in the world do not have, you can show them the different places in the world where people don’t have access to running water. It makes ideas concrete.

Nationalgeographic.com offers:

An extremely detailed (and pricey) atlas at $99 - $165

An award winning Atlas for Kids ages 8 - 12 at $24.95

And a Student Atlas for $19.95

Magazine Subscription - A subscription to National Geographic Kids is a great gift. It brings the world to your child. It provides information, photos, games and ideas on ways kids can help. Ensure you teach your child to not only share the mag with friends, but to recycle it too.

Gardening

What better way to teach your child about locally grown food than to give them a book about growing vegetables? Nothing is more local than your own backyard. If you include kid sized gardening gloves, a trowel and a packet of seeds, you’re child will be chomping at the bit for spring!

One of the best kid books about gardening is Roots Shoots Buckets & Boots by Sharon Lovejoy. The book offers a lot of fun activities for kids to do in the garden. There are projects like, planting a pizza garden and making a sunflower house.

Supporting Wildlife

If your child loves birds, butterflies, bats and toads what would be a better gift than something that will help them provide a habitat for those animals, bringing them closer to home for better observation.

Buy a bird house, seed and a book about the birds in your area. Purchase a butterfly or bat house and again include books about local species. Same goes for a toad house; your child will be excited to place it in the new garden they will make this spring.

Support Their Cause

If your child has a favorite animal, “adopt” that animal in their name. You can do this by visiting worldwildlife.org or your local zoo’s website. In most cases you get a stuffed animal as a thank you for your support. Wrap the stuffed animal with a book or DVD about that animal and explain to your child that you have adopted it. Go online together to see pictures and what the adoption means. Your child will feel very proud they are helping something they care about.

All About Recycling

Kids typically enjoy recycling because kids like collecting things. When they get older the novelty sometimes wears off. One way to continue encouraging recycling is to move the focus from collecting to utilizing. Crafts are the way to do this; here the focus now becomes the “reuse” aspect of the 3Rs.

There are many good books out there, but one particularly good book is entitled, Good Earth Art, Environmental Art for Kids by MaryAnn Kohl and Cindy Gainer. This book features more than two hundred projects, and includes ideas for painting and drawing, sculpture and mobiles, collage and printing, weaving and crafts, and handmade art supplies all emphasizing the use of found objects. So if you have a budding artist, this is the way to go!

DVDs

There are a ton of DVDs about the earth, the environment, animal life etc., but if there is one gift you get for your family this holiday season, it should be: The Planet Earth Series (I know I've said it a lot). It truly brings the world home!

With a little thought we can educate our kids in a fun way without being preachy or making them feel they got “ripped off” (present wise). When you give your child a gift that not only informs them but gives them the power to change something, you truly give a gift to the earth!

Week 37 - Take Out, Again?!

2007-12-09T12:23:00.000-05:00

So here we are in the midst of all the seasonal craziness. We have so much to get done, and feel there is so little time. While we are tearing through our to-do lists, we realize we have forgotten to take something out for dinner! No problem, we’ll pick something up. But wait! Remember what I wrote about a few weeks ago? You know, the fact that the amount of waste we produce at this time of year skyrockets? Well here is an area where we can make less of an impact on the environment by COOKING AT HOME!

I know what you’re thinking. You’re stressed to the max; you’ve got to stay focused if the family wants a “nice” Christmas; something’s gotta give! But I don’t think it should be cooking meals at home and here’s why.

According to idealbite.com more than 15 million tons of polystyrene plastic is produced each year, but less than 1% is recycled.
Styrofoam is made using cancer-causing benzene and the brain toxin styrene.
Most of the take out consumed by Americans is horrible for the body. You need energy. Quality food and a decent night’s sleep is the only way to get it!
You know that holiday weight we hear about and/or experience each year? It’s not just because of the sweets and alcohol. It’s also the continual eating on the go.
Making a home cooked meal will slow you down. You will spend time talking with your family. It will help you relax and remember what’s important.

Here are some ideas to make home cooked meals easier:

Keep it simple. They don’t have to be big productions. A bowl of pasta or soup with salad and bread is enough.
When you are cooking, make enough for at least one more meal.
If you are making a big batch of something, freeze some and than offer a portion to a friend. That would be a much appreciated gift!
Freeze meals so they are ready to go.
Make the crock pot your best friend; nothing could be simpler than putting all the meal ingredients in one pot and letting it cook itself. This Christmas would be a great time to ask for slow cooker recipe books.
Organize friends and have each one make a large quantity of a dish to share.
Plan ahead. You know you and your family have to eat; meals should be at the top of your list.

So what can you do if you decide you can’t cook at home?

BYOContainer. It will reduce waste.
Don’t forget your reusable bag for the food to be packed in.
Ask the business if they have anything other than Styrofoam and suggest they change to something more environmentally friendly.
Say "no" to the extras: plastic cutlery, napkins, salt and pepper packets, condiments.
Say “no” do the umpteenth menu.
Recycle the containers the food comes in.
Recycle cardboard pizza boxes.
Dine in. Enjoy a sit down meal at the restaurant, instead of carting the food home.

You may feel you just can’t think about one more thing; but this is pretty simple. More importantly, making this small change gives us several things to feel good about.

You help the environment by reducing waste,
You have a better chance at maintaining your weight,
You will have more energy to get things done, and
You will spend more time engaging with your family, which is what the holiday season is supposed to be about.

Just think of what it will mean to the people that love you when they see how relaxed and happy you look, as opposed to frazzled and grumpy. You will not only be doing a good thing for the earth, but you may actually give the impression you ENJOY creating a “nice” Christmas for your family!

Week 36 - GIVING GREEN

2007-12-02T10:04:00.000-05:00

Ti's the season of giving and receiving, so I thought I should discuss the various ways we can be kinder to the environment while doing so. Let’s begin with ‘receiving’.

RECEIVING

The most obvious way to help the environment is to ask for nothing. Consider if you really need more stuff. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds if you focus on the true meaning of the season. When my family asks me what I want for Christmas, I always say nothing. Although there have been years when my husband and I have stuck to that ‘deal‘, I usually do get something. Nevertheless, the truth is, I mean what I say. Maybe in time my family will believe I really just want them to enjoy the day.

If you do want gifts, ask for things like:

Tickets to the theatre, the movies or a sporting event. This limits packaging and gives you something you will use.
Ask that a donation be made to your favorite charity. This has zero packaging and helps others.
Alcohol. A nice bottle of wine or liquor is perfect. It definitely won’t go to waste and the packaging is recyclable.

GIVING

‘Giving’ is the area we need to work on. Most of us are generous and feel we are showing our love for our families and friends when we go overboard with the gift giving. This is especially easy to do with kids. On our eldest child’s first Christmas (when she was aware something special was happening), I bought so much stuff she was overwhelmed; she just wanted to play with the first thing she opened. Her glazed look made it clear I had gone crazy. So now, my kids receive three gifts each and things feel just right. We need to show restraint and realize we can show our love in other ways. Here are some ideas to keep in mind this holiday season:

Ask the person what they want and then GET it (it's not important if you like it or think it's a good gift). No fuss, no muss, no waste!
Again, as with 'receiving', give gifts like tickets to an event.
Make a donation in someone’s name.
Give gift cards. They allow a person to choose what they want, again reducing waste.
You may think it tacky, but give money. Kids love it (and adults do too)! If you can't go the cash route, buy bonds or contribute to a college fund.
Buy memberships to organizations like a local zoo, aquarium, museum, gallery or national park.
Adopt an animal through a zoo or the World Wildlife Fund for the kids on your list.
Give the gift of a housekeeping service.
Give edible items.
Give alcohol.
Give the gift of knowledge by giving books, movies or documentaries about the environment (or any other topic they may be interested in).
Buy gifts with minimal packaging.
Shop from your computer.
When making on-line purchases, have items shipped directly to the gift recipient. This reduces 'double shipping'.
Do not ask for boxes. Wrap gifts in reusable containers.
Try to support businesses that:

Are local
Offer sustainable products
Are organic
Don’t test on animals
Give a portion of their profits to charities

Last and certainly not least (in fact, I think it's the most important), give the gift of your time.

Try coupons for babysitting.
A home cooked meal.
If someone has just moved into a new home - help him or her paint or decorate.
Offer to walk their dog.
House sit during their next trip.
Commit to have sit down meals with your kids.
Commit to monthly meals with your extended family.

We are always rushing around. The days blend into each other and we wonder where has time gone? This holiday season, stop! Look at what you have on your to do list and ask, is it really necessary. When the kids are grown-ups, will they remember a particular ‘item’ you bought them, or will they remember the time you spent baking cookies, playing or just ‘being’ together? By keeping it simple, we not only work wonders for the environment, but for our sanity and families too!

Week 35 - HOLIDAY LIGHTS

2007-11-26T09:03:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving is over for another year and it’s time to turn our focus to the next holiday, Christmas. Many people bought their Christmas tree and began decorating their homes on the weekend. What is the first thing we do to our trees and our homes? We untangle the lights and get them strung. This year we should consider something new: LED lights. LED stands for light-emitting diode and its technology that uses very little energy. In fact, LEDs will likely become the norm in our homes; they are the next step beyond CFLs.

So what makes them so special, why are they better for the environment and why should we use them? The following explains all you need to know.

The Good News

LED string lighting uses approximately 90% less energy than standard incandescent string lights. The EPA says Americans will consume about 2,220 giga watt hours (GWh) of electricity with incandescent Christmas lights in 30 days during the holiday season. If everyone in the country switched to LEDs, it would save about 2,000 giga watt hours of energy. That’s amazing!
The product has a long life-cycle. LED string lighting will last for 50,000 hours or more. Obviously, replacing lights less often reduces waste.
Price wise, LEDs cost about five times as much as incandescent lights upfront. But remember, their life span is 50,000 hours, instead of 1,000-2,000 hours for incandescents. That means if you lit the LEDs for 45 days each year, 24 hours a day, it would take 46 years for them to dim. The LEDs would pay for themselves in about 4 years.
LED string lighting produces very little heat and remains cool to the touch even after hours of operation. In comparison, incandescent lights give off as much as 90% of their energy as heat. So it follows LEDs are safer to use next to combustible materials like say, Christmas trees.
HolidayLEDs.com has a Christmas light recycling program. Visit their website for details.

The Bad News

We will be seeing labels on Christmas lights which states they contain lead. Don’t panic, they always have, they just didn‘t have to label them. The wire covering of the lights are unfortunately made of PVC and the lead “acts as a heat resistant insulator and color stabilizer for the wiring“. The U.S. government has determined that they are safe when properly used. Even so, keep the following in mind to ensure everyone’s safety:

Do not allow children to handle the lights.
Always wash hands thoroughly after handling the lights.
Make sure curious toddlers (who want to put everything in their mouths) are kept away from the lights and any other items that may contain lead.

Regardless of the type of lights you choose here are two more things to keep in mind:

You can maximize holiday lighting savings by using a timer. Leaving lights on 24 hours a day will quadruple your energy costs--and create four times the pollution.
Remember untended incandescent lights can cause fires, so always unplug your interior holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house.

It’s comforting to know we don’t have to “Grinch” Christmas to be kind to the environment. We just have to know what our choices are and when we’re ready, make the best one. I won’t be getting rid of my incandescent lights this year, but when it’s time to replace them, I will definitely go with the LEDs!

Week 34 - Real vs. Fake

2007-11-19T09:13:00.000-05:00

This week is Thanksgiving and the weekend to follow is a huge Christmas tree buying time so I thought I should address the various choices we have in terms of what kind of tree to buy and the environmental impact of each.

Artificial Trees

The Pros

They are fire- retardant.
They can be used for years (although thegreenguide.com claims people throw away their artificial trees after only 6 years of use).

The Cons

The trees are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) which produces cancer-causing dioxin during both their manufacture and incineration.
They also contain lead.
Many are manufactured in China.
They travel a long distance.

Fresh Cut Trees

The Pros

Although farmers may clear land for tree farms, the land is still being used for farming (instead of being developed into say, the next strip mall).
Although trees are being cut down, they are continually being replaced; they are a renewable resource.
Some claim the trees do not provide animal habitats, but I have seen plenty of bird nests at the farm we get our trees, so I beg to differ.
The trees can be mulched after Christmas.

The Cons

Land is sometimes cleared in order to plant the trees.
Herbicides are used in the care of the trees.

Other Things to Keep in Mind

If you can find one, buy an organic tree.
Buy from a local grower so you leave a smaller carbon footprint (an actual farm versus a tree lot).
This one has nothing to do with the environment, but taking your family to a tree farm to select the tree and cut it down, is a wonderful holiday tradition.

Potted Live Trees (perhaps the best choice)

The Pros

Live trees can be planted outdoors after Christmas. If you don’t have space, ask a friend if they would like it or check with a local park.
They are a renewable resource.
Even if it dies, it can still be mulched.

The Cons

Land is sometimes cleared in order to plant the trees.
Herbicides are used in the care of the trees.
Potted trees are more expensive.

Keep these ideas in mind when purchasing your Christmas tree and make the choice that’s best for your family. If you prefer an artificial tree (say someone has allergies), use it forever and pass it on to the next generation. If you choose a fresh cut tree, recycle it. If you opt for a live tree, plant it or mulch it if it doesn’t “make it“. Whatever you choose, just get the most out of it!

Week 33 - Greetings and Wrappings

2007-11-11T13:54:00.000-05:00

As I mentioned last week, this time of year is when Americans generate tons of additional garbage that will end up in our landfills. There are two very wasteful traditions which come to mind, and to change them, we need to refocus on what is important. The first is the tradition of sending holiday cards and the second (far worse environmentally speaking), is the tradition of wrapping presents. We’ll begin with the perhaps easier one, cards.

Holiday Cards

According to the Greeting Card Association, Americans spend $7.5 billion dollars on greeting cards each year. That’s amazing! Think of what $7.5 billion dollars/year could do to improve our world! Why do we do it? Well, because we like to be remembered and we enjoy sending out holiday wishes and family photos to let others know we are thinking of them too. That’s ok. We just have to think of better ways to do it. Here are some ideas:

1. Send your greetings electronically

Yes, I know email seems cold and impersonal, but it really is the most environmentally friendly way (oh, and the cheapest). Just think about it.

There’s:

no paper

no envelope

no stamps

you can send your family photos

you can mass email your family holiday letter (if that’s something you do), and make it as long as you like

you don’t have to think of something “special” to write in each card (not to mention the hand cramp), and most importantly,

there’s nothing to throw away after Christmas

2. Buy recycled

If you must buy cards, look for those made from the highest percentage of PCW (post consumer waste). Sadly, according to idealbite.com only “a tiny percentage of the 2.65 billion cards bought in the United States each year are made from sustainable paper“.

If you have no luck in stores, search online. Sites like paporganics.com and store.gxonlinestore.org offer organic cotton and/or fair-trade holiday cards. There are many options.

3. Make your own

I think it may be easier to find blank cards and envelopes made from recycled paper. So here’s a time when you can be creative or if you are not particularly crafty use your computer. If you don’t have the time, let the kids do it. Whatever you choose, the card will have more meaning to the recipient since the time and effort you put into it will be apparent.

4. Don’t send anything

Make a call instead.

Make an agreement with friends and family, not to send cards. That way no one will feel slighted if they don’t receive one from you.

5. Get together

I know we all feel rushed and stressed at this time of year, but we are in complete control of that. This year put the brakes on and only do as much as what makes you HAPPY! It’s supposed to be a cheerful time. Take more time to actually enjoy your family and friends. It really doesn’t matter if you give great gifts, if you’re miserable to be around. Stop with the gifts and the cards; give 'yourself' instead. Choose a day/night, a restaurant or bar, and meet your friends for a meal or drink. Have some down time, enjoy each others’ company and truly celebrate the season!

Now to the more difficult one:

Wrapping paper

Every year I think the same thing, “what a waste”! My kids take 10 minutes to undo a few hours of work and in the trash it goes! But what can we do because there's no way we will put the gifts under the tree “naked”? Well we can,

Again, look for wrapping paper made from the highest percentage of PCW. To be honest, I don’t know how easy it will be to find.

Use gift bags. They may be easier to find and can be used over and over again.

Buy rolls of recycled paper and let the kids decorate their own. They will have no problem finding their gifts Christmas morning.

Place gifts in items that can be reused. Boxes with lids, decorative tins, baskets etc.

Make the “wrapping” part of the gift. Place items in a purse or scarf.

Make gift bags from fabric you may have on hand.

I had an uncle who was an artist of sorts. He gave us gifts wrapped in newspaper and foil. I always thought they were so cool, because they looked so different. Think of using things like newspaper or maps.

Don’t even consider bows.

In general, try to think outside the box. If you do that, you will at least reduce the amount of paper you use. Keep in mind the focus should be on what’s inside the package, not what it’s wrapped in. And seriously when it comes to kids, they don’t care!

All this being said, I have to make a disclosure. I purchased both my wrapping paper and holiday cards just after Christmas last year; well before I began this blog. None of it is environmentally friendly. If you typically receive a card from me, don’t bother looking for the little recycled symbol because it won’t be there, I checked. But I will keep these ideas in mind for next year or any other time I send cards or gifts and you should too!

Week 32 - GREEN YOUR THANKSGIVING!

2007-11-04T13:46:00.000-05:00

If you can believe it Thanksgiving is less than 3 weeks away; 17 days to be exact! We are heading into what is likely the toughest time on our environment for a number of reasons. Tons more trash; increased electricity use; astronomical fuel consumption etc. In the following, I have outlined what we can do to reduce our burden on the environment this holiday season.

Travel

Thanksgiving is the most traveled time of the year (think of all the fuel used just while driving and flying alone), so it would follow that two of the significant changes we could make to help the environment is 1) stay home and 2) don’t invite anyone over. HA! It wouldn’t be the holidays if you weren’t bickering with one relative, giving the silent treatment to another, and walking on eggshells with the rest! Seriously, to preserve this sacred tradition you should travel wisely. To do so:

Consider the distance. Do you have family close by you could gather with?
Maybe the long trek could become an every other year thing.
Spread fuel consumption around. Travel early.
Ensure your car is in efficient travel condition. Refer to my post Week 10 - Hittin’ the Road for what you need to do to make your car trip ready.

Decorating

Americans generate tons more trash between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. So think twice before buying yet another new table cloth and seasonal decorations. Are you the kind of person that uses things over and over again? Great! But if you are like me, someone that feels the need to change things up every year, stop and think. Don’t buy, use natural things instead. Not only will you reduce what is sent to the landfill, things from nature can be composted and put to good use in your garden next year. Take a walk with your kids and utilize what you find.

Here are some ideas from care2.com/greenliving (visit their site for a complete list):

Centerpieces: Pumpkins and other winter squashes, Native American corn, acorns, nuts, grapes, pears, pomegranates, and apples overflowing from a wicker cornucopia or heaped in a wooden bowl look abundant and beautiful in the center of your table.
Natural napkin rings: Tie napkins with raffia and tuck in a pretty fallen leaf and an acorn, etc.
Simple arrangements: There is a beautiful Zen simplicity in a perfect branch bearing colored leaves set into an earthen vase. Sometimes that’s all you need for a seasonal and dramatic focal point.
Pumpkin vase: Hollow out a pumpkin and place a cup inside to hold fresh or dried flowers.
Grapevine: Gather grapevines and twist them into garlands or wreaths for table, mantelpiece, doorway, or stairs. Add leaves and berries, if you like.

Setting the Table

Here are some dos and don’t for the table:

Don’t use disposable anything. There are enough people around (and the dishwasher) that doing the dishes will not be a time consuming chore.
If you MUST buy disposable, choose paper products that are biodegradable.
If you want something prettier, consider bamboo. Visit greenfeet.com to check out Bambu’s All-Occasion Veneerware bamboo plates which decompose in the compost pile in 4 - 6 months. Cool!
If your tablecloths and cloth napkins are in good shape, don’t by new ones.
If you have enough china, glassware and silverware, don’t by more.

I know us non-traditionalists feel the urge to create something new by using new things, but there are other ways to change things up without increasing consumption. Just follow the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

The most obvious way to reduce is to borrow things from, and lend things to friends. Someone else’s tablecloths and china will be new to you and look fresh on your table.
Shop at thrift or antique stores for tableware to reuse.
If you must buy something new, ensure it is recyclable.

In general, think pilgrim. They made do with very little.

The Menu

This is my favorite since I am always up for a challenge. Treehugger.com has challenged us to have a “100 mile Thanksgiving“. This challenge is based on the book entitled “The 100 Mile Diet” by Canadians Alisa Smith and J.B. MacKinnon, who made the commitment that “for one year, they would buy or gather their food and drink from within 100 miles of their apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia“; that is, food grown locally (see their website 100milediet.org for tons of info and my post from Week 8 - Buying Locally).

It’s an actual contest where you can submit your menu and potentially win a year of free organic milk, but that’s not the part I’m interested in. I just want to see how much I can get from within 100 miles of me; I think there’s a lot! For example, turkey, fruit and pumpkins for pie, the necessary dairy ingredients, potatoes and other root vegetables stored by local growers (each year I dig up my own home grown potatoes for Thanksgiving; this year I have carrots too).

I’m not going to get crazy about it because there are some things I just won’t eliminate from the Thanksgiving table. Cranberries come to mind. According to the American Cranberry Company (Americran.com): Cranberries are grown in the United States and more recently, in South America. In the United States almost all cranberries are grown in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington and Oregon. In South America, Chile is becoming a primary cranberry producer. I’m in Pennsylvania. I may not be able to get cranberries from within 100 miles of me, but I would want NJ or Massachusetts cranberries as opposed to mid- or west coast cranberries and Chilean cranberries are just out of the question.

One more thing to keep in mind is buy organic where possible, but if you have to choose, buying local is better for then environment.

The Bird

The piece-de-resistance, the star of the show, what can we do about the bird?

Loose it! Yes, all meat and go vegan! If you can do it great, if not read on.
Consider a “heritage” turkey. From The American Livestock Breeders Conservancy (albc-usa.org): “There is a movement to reintroduce different varieties of turkeys back to the public” (this is the same concept as the heirlooms seeds I discussed in Week 7 - Variety is the Spice of Life). “Heritage turkeys are raised outdoors, freely roam on pasture, and eat the varied diet nature intended them to eat, unlike most turkeys today that are raised indoors in confinement and are fed grains, fillers and supplements like antibiotics. Whereas conventional supermarket turkeys can be tasteless and dry, heritage birds raised outdoors are juicy and succulent and taste the way a turkey is supposed to taste (does that mean gamy?). Heritage turkeys cost more money, but consumers rave about the great taste and say once you buy one, you can't go back to the tasteless white turkeys found in most supermarkets. The one drawback to buying a heritage bird is that in many cases you must order in advance. Many farmers only grow enough turkeys to cover the demand, so most consumers order their birds months in advance.
If you aren't ready yet to buy a heritage turkey, or can't find one, your other option is to buy an organic and/or sustainable bird. An organic turkey is certified by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) and must be raised under strict guidelines – no antibiotics, no growth enhancers, only organic feed, and the animals must be given access to outdoors. The animals can be a heritage breed, or the more common Broad breasted White.
To find a heritage, organic or sustainable turkey, albc-usa.org, heritagefoodsusa.com, or slowfoodusa.org.

What Next?

Since every one will be in a tryptophan induced haze, this would be the perfect time to discuss Christmas. Why not propose the idea that instead of the adults exchanging gifts, everyone could contribute the money they would spend to a charity. You can decide as a family what charity to donate to, or you can have each person write down their favorite charity and draw from a hat. Make it a tradition and choose a different charity each year.

Right there you will have one more thing to be thankful for, as you will have one less thing to do this Christmas. Oh and again, the warm, fuzzy feeling you’ll have from knowing you are helping others is nice too!

I have covered a lot here! Don’t feel overwhelmed! Remember it’s not about perfection; it’s about doing what we can, where we can! I will let you know how well I do on the 100 mile challenge, and I hope you’ll consider doing it too!

Week 31 - Scary, Boooooo!!!!!

2007-10-28T10:38:00.000-04:00

Next week is Halloween and even on this scariest, and next to Christmas most fun holiday, we can help the environment by considering the following:

COSTUMES

I have never been a fan of store bought costumes, so I have usually made them for my kids. A few years ago it dawned on me it was taking hours of my time to create a costume that would be worn for about 2 hours of trick-or-treating. Our school district doesn’t celebrate Halloween and in all these years, my kids have never been invited to a party (we have only hosted one once). So I decided 2 hours was not worth my time, effort and craziness. Since then, I have purchased a few costumes, but usually we use things that are around the house to create them. You know, just like we did when we were kids! My girls think it’s hilarious when I tell them stories of how we would decide what we were going to be the afternoon of Halloween, go home, throw it on, and head out the door. Like in so many other areas, we have gone a little bonkers with this holiday. But it can be a little sobering when we think about what happens to all those costumes and other accoutrement on Nov. 1st.

One of my children will be Paris Hilton, and the only things we purchased was a blond wig and a plain t-shirt (which can be worn again) to do a transfer on. My other child will be a boxer. Again we purchased a hoodie (which can be worn again) and an iron on transfer. Everything else we have. They will look great and the only thing we will eventually toss will be the blond wig. Give it some thought and you will be able to come up with something terrific!

A few other things you can do is 1) rent a costume and 2) pass your old costumes on to others.

CANDY HOLDERS

Please do not purchase yet another jack-o-lantern bucket for your child to collect candy in. It’s just more plastic! Instead, a reusable, canvass or even grocery bag (gasp, if you have one) can be used; when we were kids we used pillow cases! If you must have a bag with a Halloween theme, use it from year to year. In fact, your child should only have one for his/her entire trick-or-treating career.

BEWARE MARKETING

As I mentioned earlier, we are getting a little crazy with this holiday (to the tune of 5 billion dollars). I should say marketers are trying to lure us into the idea that we have to decorate our homes (lights and all) as if it were Christmas. Don’t buy into it! It’s ridiculous! Carving pumpkins with your kids is enough (don‘t forget pumpkins can be composted). If you do want to kick things up a notch, search on-line for environmentally friendly ways to decorate. Most of the ideas are about reusing items. For example, you can use a permanent marker to draw ghostlike eyes and a mouth on an empty and clean gallon milk jug. You can then use some white Christmas lights inside, to illuminate them. Cute and you are using what you already have.

If you do want to buy the decorations, store them and use them year to year.

WALK (HUH?)

I don’t believe I even have to address this, but the last few Halloweens I have actually seen people driving their kids trick-or-treating. Come on! If I have to say it, walk with your kids. It’s better for you and the environment!

DON’T LITTER

Now some people may tell you to bring along an extra bag to hold the wrappers from the candy your kids will be eating en route. I won’t tell you that because your kids SHOULD NOT be eating any candy until you get home and inspect it!

But everyone does things differently and older kids go out on their own, so I might suggest you bring along an extra bag, to pick-up after less environmentally conscious ghouls. That way our neighborhoods will look nice the morning after Halloween.

BUYING TREATS

I bet you think I’m going to say something like, buy organic candy and chocolate. Well if you want your house egged or tp’d go ahead! Most kids just aren’t ready for that and you don’t want your money wasted. What you can do here is 1) buy the most amount of candy in a single package you can find (there are variety packs out there) and 2) consider handing out non-edibles that don’t require wrappers; refillable mechanical pencils for example.

This marks the first of a series of holidays coming up. For each one I will try to give you some tips for enjoying them in a “greener” way.

Have a really wonderful time with your kids and...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Week 30 - What's the Problem with My Candles?

2007-10-22T12:02:00.000-04:00

While on this “going green” adventure there have been instances when it feels as though we have been doing everything wrong, as though we lack common sense. This is one of those instances. There we are in our favorite home store sniffing one candle after another for just the right scent to create ambiance and make our homes feel welcoming. Little do we realize we are contributing to the “dependence on oil” problem, diminishing our homes’ air quality, and along with all the other people worldwide who are making the same purchase, releasing tons of carbon into the air.

It’s true. Candles are wonderful. Scented candles can invoke memories of childhood, special occasions or favorite vacations. They can even imprint a memory (good or bad). Candlelight makes everyone look fabulous and really, is a romantic dinner sans candlelight, truly romantic?

We don’t have to give candles up; we just have to look for a few key things to make them safer for our environment and us.

INDOOR/OUTDOOR ISSUES

Regular paraffin candles (the most abundant candles on the market) are petroleum based (a non-renewable resource); you know the same petroleum as fuel. And what does fuel create when it’s burned? Exhaust. And what is exhaust? Pollution. This pollution contains carbon dioxide, which is responsible for global warming. You may say, “come on, I’m just burning a candle”, but think of it globally. Jeez, think of it nationally and that’s a ton of candles! Sure it may not be a major contributor to global warming, but remember we like the ‘every little bit helps’ philosophy. It’s what makes creating change more accessible and manageable.

By burning paraffin candles, we are bringing that same problem into our homes. There is a school of thought, which believes the soot residue from burned petroleum based candles is responsible for breathing problems in some people. True or not, we obviously want to reduce our indoor air pollution, not contribute to it.

So what do we shop for instead? Consider soy candles or even better, beeswax.

SOY CANDLES

Pros

Soybeans are a renewable resource.

You help support the farming industry.

Soya candles burn slower and cooler than paraffin candles.

Soya candles are cleaner burning since they are not petroleum based.

Soy wax is biodegradable.

Soy wax is easier to clean up. It is plant based; you can just use soap and water.

Soy wax is non-toxic, so it is safe for children and pets.

Scented soy candles are just as readily available as paraffin.

One additional bonus may be, if you have a company invested in manufacturing a “cleaner” more environmentally safe soy candle, they will likely use natural oils in creating their scents.

Cons

Soy is one of the most common allergens. If you or a family member is allergic, this is not the way to go.

BEES WAX CANDLES

Pros

They are made from a renewable resource, as opposed to petroleum.

They are cleaner burning and therefore produce less soot.

They last longer than paraffin candles. About 3 times longer since, they have a higher melting point.

Cons

These candles may not be easy to find. If you strike out in your area (again, buying locally is better for the environment), shop the internet.

Beeswax candles will likely be more expensive.

One more thing, read the label. You want 100% beeswax. Manufacturers can label candles as “beeswax” as long as the product contains 51% beeswax.

So why do I feel like we are losing our common sense, particularly when we are just talking about candles? What do we look for in a candle? Color and scent, right? We don’t consider a thing about it’s contents or how it‘s made. It’s superficial and we do it all the time. If you really think about it, that approach has put us in this environment crisis. I think we have handed over control of our safety. We assume (and remember the outcome of “ass”-uming), someone else is looking out for our best interests! Look at this Chinese manufacturing debacle. We need to be vigilant in our advocacy for our families’ safety and well-being. That includes knowing what we are buying. We have to come off autopilot, become aware, and make educated choices. Even in seemingly meaningless things like choosing the perfect candle.

Week 29 - Hemp Hysteria

2007-10-14T11:37:00.000-04:00

For quite a while I have been hearing about hemp, it’s illegality, it’s ban, the environment, Woody Harrelson…you get the picture. All I know about hemp is, it’s a plant you can make clothing from. Well it turns out the history of hemp is pretty interesting and it’s versatility can really help the environment, there’s just one little problem. Read on!

History (from hemp.com)

Hemp has been cultivated since 2800 BC in China.

Thomas Jefferson and George Washington grew hemp.

In the early 1940’s, children participating in 4H clubs grew hemp.

Hemp is naturally archival quality and can be safely bleached using hydrogen peroxide.

The first paper was made from hemp as well as the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, the first draft of the U.S. Constitution, and even the first Gutenberg Bibles.

90% of all ship sails from at least Fifth Century BC until the late 19th century were made from hemp.

In 1941 Henry Ford built a hemp fueled and fabricated automobile that weighed only two/thirds the amount of a steel car and could resist blows 10 times as great without denting.

Uses for Hemp (various sources)

Hemp is harvested for its fibers to make clothing. Hemp clothing is warmer, softer, more absorbent, extremely breathable and significantly longer lasting than clothing made from cotton. It is nice to have clothing that looks like linen, feels like flannel, and wears two to three times longer than other fabrics.

The seeds are an excellent nutritional source that can provide quality fats and proteins. The protein contained in hemp seeds is the most complete and body available of any in the plant kingdom.

Hemp seed oil is utilized for it’s healing qualities in many salves and cosmetics but can also be used to create paint, varnishes, lubricants, and much more.

One acre of hemp produces as much paper as 4 acres of trees. Also, making paper from hemp uses only a fraction of the chemicals required to turn trees into paper.

The high fiber content of hemp makes it a natural resource for building materials, papermaking, and even biodegradable plastics.

Hemp is a presently viable environmentally sound energy source.

Hemp is natures longest, strongest, most durable fiber. Just about anything that can be made out of wood or plastic can be made from hemp, and is biodegradable.

Why Hemp Is a Great Crop to Grow (from rootedtonature.com)

Hemp plants have anti microbial properties, so they are not very susceptible to pests and do not have to rely on pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides to grow. Hemp’s dense growth habit also crowds out weeds. These properties taken together make hemp a good choice for organic farming.

With a relatively short growth cycle of 100-120 days, it is an efficient and economical crop.

Hemp can be grown in cooler climates than cotton, replenishes the soil it grows in, and produces three times more fabric per acre than cotton.

The Problem

In spite of hemp’s versatility, in 1970 Congress designated hemp, along with its relative marijuana, as a “Schedule 1” drug under the Controlled Substances Act, making it illegal to grow without a license from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Although both hemp and marijuana are from the species: cannabis sativa, hemp contains virtually no THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. Apparently smoking large amounts of hemp flowers can produce a headache, but not a high. Industrial hemp has no illicit uses. While it is theoretically possible to get permission from the government to grow hemp, the DEA would require that the field be secured by fence, razor wire, dogs, guards and lights, making it cost-prohibitive.

Have I mentioned the U.S. is the only developed country that continues to ban hemp as an agricultural crop? Britain lifted their ban of hemp in 1993, with Germany and Canada (which in 2005, tripled the amount of acreage dedicated to growing hemp to meet rising demand) soon following suit. Europe has subsidized hemp production since the 1990s.

So What Now?

From about.com: American farmers are intensifying their lobbying efforts to lift the U.S. ban. State legislatures in Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia have all passed laws that would make hemp legal if the U.S. government were to allow it. But a hemp farming bill introduced into Congress this past year [2006] by Texas Republican Ron Paul stalled out due to opposition from the DEA and the White House. For its part, the DEA maintains that allowing American farmers to grow hemp would undermine the “war on drugs,” as marijuana growers could camouflage their illicit operations with similar-looking hemp plants.

Okay I don’t know a lot about the intricacies of the illegal drug trade, but I do know marijuana is the least of our problems when we are talking about street drugs. I just don’t buy the idea we will have an influx of dealers growing marijuana by disguising it with an industrial hemp crop (now college students,…). Considering the fact one is able to say, mix up a batch of crystal meth in their kitchen, the logic appears outdated. It just seems strange that other countries have embraced it (they can‘t be any less concerned about their drug issues), while the U.S. drags it’s feet.

What We Can Do

On the plus side, the government does not ban the import of items made from hemp (what, people won‘t try to smoke their shirts?), so we can purchase them legally. We can help the environment by supporting companies that manufacture these items. This may also go a long way in showing a demand for such products.

If you wish to learn more about and/or show your support for re-legalizing hemp, you can visit votehemp.com. This website provides a ton of information: who is lobbying for what, where our tax dollars are being spent in the fight against drugs, why it won’t be legalized, the value of hemp etc.

This is a complex issue; one I can’t possibly sum up in this post. If you feel there is value in a hemp crop, you can email your legislators via the votehemp.com website. If not, you will at least learn enough about it to quell the urge to giggle and wink when someone says the word!

Week 28 - TAKE IT OUTDOORS!

2007-10-07T12:17:00.000-04:00

Here we are in the first week of October and we are experiencing atypical summer like temperatures. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be hot anymore. I want to wear a sweater. In fact, snow would not bother me! These temps cause me to think about how the hazy, hot and humid days of summer can make working out difficult and push many people indoors to seek out the A/C. Any day now we are going to be able to take our workouts back outdoors without trying to cram them in at the coolest parts of the day (read: prior to 7:00 am).

There are many options for outdoor physical fitness:

running
walking
hiking
bike riding
rollerblading
stadium running
fitness trails
sports: basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis
playing games with your kids.
taking your yoga or pilates practice outside. And so on.

Outdoor workouts also have several benefits:

fresh air
natural light
clears the mind
boosts your immune system
it’s more fun!
stimulates the endorphins
focuses the mind and body
it's more challenging which means you work harder and in turn burn more calories
it's environmentally friendly

How is it environmentally friendly? Well there are many ways, least of which is the wonderful opportunity for learning when you take your kids along.

Consider the following:

The last thing you want to do is DRIVE to the gym to run/walk on the treadmill (run by electricity) or ride the stationary bike (also run by electricity). You can start your workout by opening your front door. Walk, run or bike directly from your home. You do not have to waste gas to get to the gym, where you will then waste electricity on cardio equipment.
If you are heading to the gym to lift or attend a class or you want to hit a fitness trail at a neighborhood park, make getting there part of your workout and ride your bike (or walk, run).
Unless you live extremely close to state, national or local parks/game lands/trails, you will likely have to drive there in order to hike. Take along as many people as you can in one vehicle! Remember to bring out anything you take into the area and always stay on the trails.
I do not belong to a gym. I have lots of “portable” equipment at home. When it’s comfortable out, I set up a circuit with weights, a step, a jump rope, the stability ball, mats, etc. I will go through the circuit a certain number of times or for 45 - 60 minutes. It’s hard work, fun, time flies by and I haven’t wasted gas, electricity or time.

Once you start spending your workout time outdoors, it will be tough to head back inside. So why do it? I laugh when people say its cold, or it’s dark! Maybe it’s because I am a Canadian girl, but I just think that’s why we have clothing. So many people hate the winter and suffer from seasonal affective disorder; it’s because people act like bears! Get out there! There are so many fun winter sports you can participate in which would make the season more enjoyable. Try it this winter and I promise you will feel happier. Find a place to skate. Load up one vehicle and go skiing. Purchase some inexpensive snow shoes or cross country skis and you can head to a local park or school to get some much needed exercise at this typically gluttonous time of year (again, you don’t necessarily have to drive there).

Obviously, it does get dark earlier, so use common sense. If you are on or near roads, you need to wear something reflective. If safety is a concern, buddy up. Focus on the fact you will be seeing your neighborhood in a new way (maybe a peaceful way) and that can be refreshing!

The last thing I want to say is likely the most important. Given our current environmental crisis and the deplorably high rate of obesity in this nation (particularly in our children), we need to take advantage of the gifts we are given to combat these problems. Luck is on our side since we can “kill two birds with one stone”. The key is we must lead by example. First, get your families up and outside playing and having fun. If your kids see you getting your exercise (especially if you are playing with them), there is a greater chance they will make exercise part of their lifestyle. Secondly, if you make the effort to take your children outdoors to enjoy the natural beauty, which surrounds them, you are creating future environmentalists and green living adults. You are doing so by providing them with the opportunity to develop a respect and love for the earth. They will care more about nature when they have spent time enjoying it. They will want to take care of nature because it will no longer be just an abstract idea; it will be something they will want THEIR children to experience and enjoy! Now what could be better than that?

Week 27 - One Woman's Trash...

2007-10-01T08:13:00.000-04:00

This past week I went through my daughters’ closets and drawers. They tried on clothes, passed down what didn’t fit, and I was left with one huge pile for Goodwill and one smaller (but still quite large) pile too worn to donate. I usually think this is a chore, but this time I was thinking two additional things. The first was in regard to the clothing that was being sent to the landfill. It was a lot of fabric. I felt bad throwing it away and outside of making a ton of dusting cloths, I was wondering what else could I do with it. The second thing I was thinking was how donating gently used clothing to Goodwill, The Salvation Army, your church etc. is the ultimate in recycling. As a matter of fact the whole process is a lesson in, reducing (getting rid of clothing no longer worn; seeing what you actually have, so you know what you actually need), reusing (hand-me downs), and recycling (donating clothes).

What I think we need are more options for where we can donate our used items. No offense to the old standbys (Goodwill etc), but we can opt for not-for-profits that are a little more exciting and spread our donations around.

Donating Clothing

The charities “Dress for Success” (dressforsuccess.org) and Careerwardrobe.org (a member of The Women’s Alliance) assist women in being dressed appropriately for interviews, so they may obtain better jobs and become self-sufficient. They accept new or gently used: contemporary suits, blouses, blazers, jackets, professional shoes, purses, briefcases, scarves and jewelry. They suggest you ask yourself “what would I be comfortable wearing to an interview” before making your donation. Visit their websites for details.

Glassslipperproject.org is a wonderful organization that made me think of my niece (now in the working world) and how many beautiful dresses she had for proms and homecomings. They accept donations of prom dresses to help underprivileged kids look great for their proms.

These are just a few of the countless organizations you can find online. Keep in mind homeless shelters and women’s shelters are often looking for clothing donations for all ages and both genders.

Making $$ With Your Clothing

Clothing is expensive so it’s nice to make a little bit of your money back from your gently used pieces. This is especially true when it comes to baby and toddler clothing since they grow so quickly their clothes can often look new. Find a knowledgeable and well patronized consignment shop in your area (take a look in the yellow pages) and recoup a portion of your costs.

Another way to make some of your money back is to include your clothing in a “dreaded” garage sale. It’s true, clothing can be hit or miss but it’s worth a try. Unfortunately what I find in my area is people expect you to have ridiculously low prices. I have felt that if I’m going to “give the clothes away” I would rather actually give the clothes away. Things may be different where you are, so try it!

You can also post your items on eBay.com, Craigslist.com, quikdrop.com, auctiondrop.com, or foundvalue.com. Visit each site to determine what they allow to be posted and on how to actually do it. Always include a picture.

Sharing Kids Clothes

I have friends with kids in staggered ages and sizes. They pass the clothes their kids have outgrown onto friends with kids of the right size. I think it’s great. The kids love getting something that is new to them, and the little kids get a kick out of having something which belonged to their bigger friends.

Host a Clothing Swap

Do you have any items in your closet you haven’t worn in quite a while? Maybe your job or your (gulp) weight has changed? Whatever the reason, if you haven’t worn it in a while chances are you won’t again. But a friend may be coveting those items, so why not host a clothes swapping party? It’s simple: 1) invite friends, 2) set a minimum number of pieces and 3) let the trading begin! I think even ‘tween and teen girls would enjoy this.

Swapstyle.com offers an international completely online clothing swap. It’s free to register and there are no limits. Check it out and make certain you understand their terms and conditions (the site itself is not responsible for bad swaps, inequitable swaps etc.).

You can also check out clothingswap.org, swaporamarama.org and buffaloexchange.com for fashion exchanging events.

Sneakers

Nike has their Reuse-A-Shoe program (nikereuseashoe.com) which recycles old and unusable shoe material into basketball and tennis courts, soccer fields and running tracks.

From their website:

To keep our recycling equipment running smoothly, we have a few guidelines for recycling:
Athletic shoes only (any brand)
No shoes containing metal
No cleats or dress shoes
No wet or damp shoes

Check their website for drop off locations. If there is not a collection partner in your area, you can send any number of shoes to:

Nike Recycling Centerc/o Reuse-A-Shoe26755 SW 95th Ave. Wilsonville, OR 97070(Nike will not accept shoes delivered with postage due)

Here are some other websites to check out before tossing those sneakers:
shoebank.org and shoe4africa.org

Uses For Too Worn Items

I have to say, I have not found any exciting uses. There are of course rag rugs, which do sound pretty cool and seem fairly straight forward to make. There are also braided rugs. Instructions for both can be found online. I think what I’m looking for is a place to send them the items other than the landfill. If you have any ideas let me know.

This one is soooooo easy! Not only do we have a lot of options for how to reduce, reuse and recycle our clothing so we make less of a negative impact on the environment, we get to help others and save a boat load of money too! I love it when our choices are win-win!

Week 26 - CFLs: Yes or No?

2007-09-23T18:25:00.000-04:00

Before I begin I would like to point out this post marks the half way point in my “going green” adventure. To date it’s been fairly easy and really just involves paying attention; being aware of all my options. In the last 6 months I have noticed a ton of environmentally friendly products hit the market, providing more choices at realistic price points. For me the most exciting thing to happen since I began this blog is, both grocery stores in our town now offer reusable grocery bags at $.99! I think it’s great because they are available to all, are more than reasonably priced and will make a truly positive change for the environment with very little effort.

Now onto CFLs a.k.a.: compact fluorescent lights. I have to say with what I’ve been reading the last few months, I’m miffed. Here’s why. For about the last year we have been inundated by media from various sources (including environmental and governmental) encouraging everyone to switch from incandescent light bulbs to the new energy saving CFLs. We were led to believe the biggest hurdle for us would be the upfront higher cost of these bulbs and were assured we would experience savings over time. Using these bulbs would greatly reduce our energy expenditure and many countries including ours, have plans to eliminate incandescent bulbs altogether.

What we have not heard is CFLs contain mercury and as such are considered hazardous waste which requires specific methods and locations for disposal. We also have not heard, if we break one of these bulbs in our homes we have a hazardous waste situation; we have released mercury into the air. What’s the deal? Have we exchanged one problem for another? That is, greater energy consumption for hazardous waste?

Well here are some key points from National Geographic News (to read the article in it’s entirety visit news.nationalgeographic.com):

1. CFLs' cool-burning illumination is made possible by a pinch of poison—about five milligrams of mercury sealed inside every glass tube—and the need for the element is unlikely to change anytime soon.

2. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin and long-lived environmental contaminant, and even the small amount present in CFLs poses a problem. When the bulbs break, either in the house or at a waste disposal site, their mercury content is released.

3. "There's a lot of misleading information out there," said Joel Hogue, president of Elemental Services and Consulting, an Ohio-based company specializing in the cleanup of sites contaminated with mercury. "But when people learn the facts, the level of hysteria dies down." Like with many other household products, Hogue said, the use of CFLs requires some commonsense precautions. But if a bulb breaks, his company's clean-up services are not required. "There's an extremely small amount of mercury in those bulbs," "It's a very minimal risk" and can easily be cleaned up at home.

4. One CFL contains a hundred times less mercury than is found in a single dental amalgam filling or old-style glass thermometer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

5. A compact fluorescent bulb can produce the same amount of light for less than quarter of the energy and last eight to ten times as long.

6. Because of these benefits, CFLs are widely seen as an "easy" first step for nations seeking to reduce global warming. The burning of coal for electrical power is a major source of atmospheric carbon dioxide, which is now widely believed to be changing the earth's climate.

7. According to a recent report by the Washington, D.C.-based Earth Policy Institute, a worldwide shift to CFLs would permit the closing of more than 270 coal-fired power plants. Switching to CFLs in the U.S. alone could save the energy output of 80 plants.

8. For environmentalists, the clincher is that by requiring less energy, CFLs will actually cut down on mercury pollution produced by coal burning, and the EPA agrees.

Okay! It’s #8 which puts it into perspective.

While the use of mercury in these bulbs hasn’t been shouted from the rooftops (although it is labeled on the bulbs’ boxes, but who reads those?), it's origins have not been explained either. We just know it’s dangerous. More importantly, the average person probably has no idea to what extent we are already exposed to mercury.

What is mercury (from the EPA)? Mercury is an element (Hg on the periodic table) found naturally in the environment. Mercury emissions in the air can come from both natural and man-made sources. Coal-fired power plants are the largest man-made source because mercury that naturally exists in coal is released into the air when coal is burned to make electricity. Coal-fired power generation accounts for roughly 40 percent of the mercury emissions in the U.S.

This explanations tells us we will have mercury in varying degrees, one way or another. But here’s the kicker: deliberately bringing mercury into my home! I had to really think about this. What other hazardous materials do I have already? Paint, cleaning products, oil, gasoline, batteries and I may have a couple tins of tuna. I think what it comes down to is this: these bulbs are something new and new things can make us nervous. There’s no doubt about it, we could have been provided with a lot more information AND I believe given the life of these bulbs, our government and manufacturers just felt they would have a lot of time to figure out pesky details like recycling availability and disposal procedures. They should have been upfront.

Our key concerns are how to dispose of spent bulbs and how to clean up broken ones. Here’s how from Energystar.gov‘s FAQ August 2007:

What precautions should I take when using CFLs in my home?

CFLs are made of glass and can break if dropped or roughly handled. Be careful when removing the bulb from its packaging, installing it, or replacing it. Always screw and unscrew the lamp by its base (not the glass), and never forcefully twist the CFL into a light socket. If a CFL breaks in your home, follow the clean-up recommendations below. Used CFLs should be disposed of properly (see below).

What should I do with a CFL when it burns out?

EPA recommends that consumers take advantage of available local recycling options for compact fluorescent light bulbs. EPA is working with CFL manufacturers and major U.S. retailers to expand recycling and disposal options. Consumers can contact their local municipal solid waste agency directly, or go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or http://www.earth911.org/ to identify local recycling options.

If your state permits you to put used or broken CFLs in the garbage, seal the bulb in two plastic bags and put it into the outside trash, or other protected outside location, for the next normal trash collection. CFLs should not be disposed of in an incinerator.

ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs have a warranty. If the bulb has failed within the warranty period, return it to your retailer.

How should I clean up a broken fluorescent bulb?

The following steps can be performed by the general public:

**Never allow children or pregnant women near the spill area!!
**Do not use a vacuum or broom!!

Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more.
Remove all metal jewelry, which might attract mercury magnetically.
Use disposable rubber gloves, if available (i.e., do not use bare hands).
Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a sealed plastic bag.
Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the plastic bag.
Place all cleanup materials in a second sealed plastic bag and put it in the outdoor trash container or in another outdoor protected area for the next normal trash disposal. Note: some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken lamps be taken to a local recycling center.
Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.

If a fluorescent bulb breaks on a rug or carpet:

Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner, following the steps above. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.
If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag or vacuum debris in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

For both:

Leave the window open and turn on a fan to air out the room for at least 24 to 48 hours.
If you've touched mercury or are concerned about your exposure, call the Poison Control Center at 800-222-1222.

Here's one more from me:

Ensure everyone in your house knows how to deal with a broken bulb.

I know it sounds scary! Initially I wanted them out of my house, but then I calmed down. I thought about how often I’ve actually broken a light bulb (maybe twice in my life) and knowing how to clean it up safely definitely makes me feel better. The next thing I thought was, how disposing of them is a pain. But 1) the mercury recovered is completely recyclable and 2) using them makes such a difference to the environment - so what’s a little inconvenience? In the end the answer to the question “CFLs: Yes or No?” is yes (I think, at least for me). But with this one, I’m not putting ANY pressure on you!

Week 25 - What's In That Polish?

2007-09-16T09:00:00.000-04:00

In the past several years it has become quite a trend for women and girls to go have a "mani" and/or "pedi" at their local nail salon. Ten years ago this was not a common occurrence. I for one have never had either done by a “professional”. It’s not because the products used there are bad for the environment (and believe me, are they ever!), it’s because a) the salons smell horrible, b) you put your feet in a thingy that several other people have put their feet in (yes, I know they get cleaned but really how clean?) and c) a stranger is touching you (oddly enough, massages don’t bother me). I just try to keep my nails clipped and cleaned.

Manicures and pedicures make people feel good and I’m all for that. We just have to know what we are exposing ourselves and the environment to and how to make better choices. So let’s start with nail polish.

Nail Polish

According to Puresolutions.com, the major safety concerns of nail polish are:

1. Chemical fumes: Solvent-based nail polish formulas use aromatic chemicals that quickly evaporate, leaving behind a hardened coat of paint. Environmental chemicals do not simply bounce off our bodies in a neutral fashion. In order to prevent damage, our bodies have to efficiently process them. Most chemical that you inhale, will be absorbed into your blood stream, deactivated by your liver and expelled from your system (via your colon, urine, or sweat). Noxious chemicals like the ones found in solvent-based nail polish can place an increased burden on your liver. The more chemicals you are exposed to, the harder it is for your liver to function efficiently. Overwhelmed livers can set the stage for a variety of health problems. It is generally recommended to limit your toxin exposure when possible - switching to a safer nail polish brand is a great start.

2. Dibutyl Phthalates: Prevents nail polish from chipping. Prenatal exposure to phthalates has been shown in animal studies to cause birth defects. Phthalates also improve absorption of topical ingredients into the skin (this is a negative quality when used in formulas that contain other chemical ingredients).

3. Toluene and xylene: Petroleum-based organic solvents that are toxic and may be linked to cancer.

4. Formaldehyde: (the stuff they preserve dead things with, YUCK) Noxious chemical - highly toxic to the liver and carcinogenic.

It goes without saying these chemicals are bad for us. But to keep things in perspective, how often and how long are we exposing ourselves to them? Unless you have some kind of sensitivity or work in an industry where you have increased exposure, we are likely going to be okay.

The environmental effects however, are of greater consequence because of 1) the manufacturing process where chemicals are released into the air, are absorbed by the soil and can end up in waterways, and 2) although polish is packaged in glass they are almost never recycled since we rarely finish an entire bottle before throwing it out! The waste increases chemical levels in landfills.

So what to do?

If you want to continue using nail polish (and I’m certain most of us do), choose safer options. Go to cosmeticsdatabase.com, a cosmetic safety database which rates various brands of nail polish products and removers. Most popular brands of nail polishes (Cover Girl, Sally Hansen, Revlon) come in with a 5-6 rating, on a scale of 1-7, with 7 being the worst. OPI—perhaps the most popular brand of nail polish at salons—recently removed toxic chemicals from its products. So that’s some good news.

Don’t be fooled by the term “natural formula”. A solvent based nail polish can still be “natural”. If a polish is solvent based, it likely contains acetate. Read the labels and decide what you can live with. The safest nail polish is water-based.

HoneybeeGardens.com's Water Based Nail Polish is considered the safest, can be found at Whole Foods stores or ordered from their website. They offer both no peel and peel options. Their no peel polish can be removed with rubbing alcohol, vodka/grain alcohol or their own Odorless Polish Remover

Colornpeel.com offers ToeShades Nail Polish. It looks like a pretty cool product. It contains no formaldehyde or toluene; requires no acetone to remove since it just peels off; it’s low odor; it’s non-flammable and it will last 21 days or longer on your toes.

Here are some other suggestions from Idealbite.com:

SpaRitual Nail Lacquers - 72 different hues of vegan, phthalate-free polish ($10).
Peacekeeper Nail Paint - we like the muted purple Paint Me Grateful. All profits go to women's health and human rights orgs ($12-$17).
Firoze Nail & Skin Care Products are hypoallergenic & never tested on animals

Note: most natural polishes take longer to dry (remember they are lacking the chemical that speeds drying). Use a blow dryer to speed things along.

One other thing we can do is purchase the smallest bottle of safe polish we can find. Maybe than we have a chance of both finishing the product and recycling the bottle.

Nail Polish Remover

Anything that can take the finish off a table, eat a hole through fabric or discolor a carpet cannot be good for us or the environment! Nail polish remover is nasty stuff! Here’s the ingredient list as outlined at CareFair.com:

Acetone

Acetone is the main ingredient found in most nail polish removers and is a highly inflammable liquid widely used as an organic solvent and as material for making plastics.
Acetone can irritate and cause redness to eyes, but it can cause lung congestion and even shortness of breath when exposed to its’ vapors. The effects however are only temporary if exposure is minimal.

Toluene

A colorless flammable liquid obtained from petroleum or coal tar, toluene is found in many nail polish removers and is also used as a solvent in high-octane fuels.
Toluene can also cause dizziness, headaches, nausea, confusion and even memory loss in minimal exposure. Repeated exposure to the chemical has been known to cause birth defects in children.

Ethyl Acetate

This chemical has been found as a substitute for nail polish removers that label themselves as non-acetone. Ethyl acetate is a fragrant colorless flammable volatile liquid ester made from ethanol and acetic acid. The chemical is also used in perfumes and as a solvent for plastics.
Ethyl acetate has been known to have the same effects as both acetone and toluene when exposed to.

The fix? Switch to a safer product. There are a lot of other options on the market that contain gentler ingredients. Also keep in mind that non-acetone removers are no safer than ones that contain acetone. Try:

Suncoat Natural Nail Polish Remover (a number of on-line vendors carry it) is “an earth friendly product which is 100% Soya and Corn based. It is naturally derived from farm crops and does not contain any petroleum ingredients. Non-toxic, non-carcinogenic and is also readily biodegradable.”

HoneybeeGardens.com offers their acetone-free fragrance-free formula enriched with horsetail extract to strengthen nails, and fortified with vitamin E and aloe to soothe and protect cuticles.

Fake Nails

Sometimes I wonder what future anthropologists will say about our current culture. Picture it. There they will be, brushing away at a skeleton when they come to a grinding halt because several things just seem off. There's a pair of silicone “pillows”, the teeth are still blindingly white, and what’s that by the hands - it appears to be extra fingernails, decals and all! Can you imagine what they will think? Will it be as interesting to them as discovering say, the ancient Egyptians? Anyway…

Artificial nails are made from acrylic resins, residues of which can cause allergic reactions. The ingredients in adhesives used to secure the artificial nail to the real nail can cause irritation or reaction as well. Worst of all is the solvent used to remove acrylic nails: acetonitrile. This chemical breaks down into cyanide when swallowed and at least one child has died after ingesting a single mouthful of a nail remover containing acetonitrile.

Do we really need them? Instead, let’s try and take care of what we were born with. Consider the following:

1. Your nails are going to reflect what you eat. If you eat nothing but junk, don't expect your nails to be strong and healthy
2. Get into the habit of wearing rubber gloves as often as possible.
3. Wear gloves while gardening.
4. Moisturize your hands AND nails with lotion. It helps strengthen them.
5. Moisturize your cuticles daily.
6. Trimming your nails will keep them looking nicer, longer.
7. Keep emery boards everywhere and remember to file in one direction.
8. Don’t use your nails as tools.
9. Don’t bite your nails. Besides being icky, it makes your fingers look terrible.
10. Using a buffer regularly will create a natural low lustre sheen.

I think this might be an area where making a change could be tough. Sure we can take better care of ourselves and the environment by shopping for less toxic supplies (which are not readily available yet), but if you have the quantity of polish I have (3 females in the house) it’s going to take a while to make this change. It’s not an area I would feel comfortable just dumping what I have and starting over because it would be releasing more toxins into the environment. So we just have to be patient, use what we have with care and make better choices in the future!

Week 24 - Back To School

2007-09-09T09:00:00.000-04:00

For most kids, school began last Tuesday and like my family many of you did the traditional back-to-school shopping for supplies (yes I realize I am a little late with this post, but we buy school stuff throughout the year so I think it's still pertinent). It’s always a little exciting picking out the new items that will help get the year off to a good start. The question is: were you thinking green? No doubt about it many environmentally friendly school supplies cost more (a lot more). Prices are slowly coming down, but I won’t be fully on board until they are comparable. Still, there are areas we can make a change and not take a big financial hit.

To start, here is the World Wildlife Fund’s list of 10 ways to green your child’s backpack and my commentary on each tip:

1) See if there are things such as pencils and pens, left over from last year that can be used this fall.

Besides, pencils and pens etc. determine if your child really needs a new backpack, or book bag? Does your child really need a new lunchbox? (I have to say we have a lot of backpacks from previous years. We use them to store toys and such, so they are being reused but it is kind of crazy). Once you know what you need, it’s time to shop.

2) Look for school supplies—folders, notebooks, staples—made of recycled materials. Using recycled products helps save landfill space and cut pollution.

I’ve said it once, twice, maybe 20 times, buy recycled paper! That is, paper made from paper. Look for paper with the highest post-consumer waste content. Do this for computer paper, notebooks, composition books etc.

3) Try finding back-to-school deals on the Web. Ordering school supplies online or by phone saves you a trip to the store as well as the fuel needed to drive from store to store.

Okay, this one is just dumb. Do the supplies walk to your house? Someone is doing the driving, either you or the shipping company. I think it’s a net zero. It might be a good idea to use the internet to determine who has most of the supplies your are looking for, and then make one trip to that particular store. Don't spend forever driving around looking for that one specific pencil!

4) Look for the FSC label on pencils and paper. Many paper products are made from trees specifically grown and harvested for papermaking, thus sparing delicate rainforest ecosystems. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies that wood and paper products are grown and managed responsibly.

Other ways to be environmentally friendly when it comes to pencils are:

a) Buy refillable pencils made from recycled plastic (make sure you check with your child’s school about this, our school does not allow them).

b) Purchase Papermate’s EarthWrite Recycled Pencils. These No. 2 pencils, which contain 100% recycled materials, can be easily found (Staples, Office Depot, etc.).

c) Consider buying Smencils. Smencils are “gourmet scented pencils made from recycled newspapers”. They are made by wrapping newspaper around a #2 graphite core and come in 10 scents: bubble-gum, cherry, popcorn, grape, chocolate, cotton candy, watermelon, orange, very-berry and root beer. Cost: $.66 - $1.00/pencil.

Here are more Smencil facts:

An average sized cedar tree will make about 172,000 wood pencils.
172,000 Smencils can be made from 430 newspapers.
Recycling a single run of the Sunday New York Times saves about 75,000 trees.
The average tree can filter about 60 pounds of air pollution per year.
If everyone in the US recycled just 10% of their newspapers, we would save about 25 million trees each year.

5) Purchase supplies with minimal packaging. Packaging makes up about a third of the garbage that piles up in landfills. Also, less processing and packaging means less energy goes into production, and less global warming pollution is created.

Buy in bulk!

6) Brown bag meals and avoid plastic. Pack school lunches in brown, unbleached, recycled paper bags whenever possible. And if your child has a favorite superhero, there's a good chance the character is printed on a re-usable lunchbox.

Buy reusable containers for sandwiches and snacks. Using 2-3 bags per lunch creates a lot of unnecessary waste and expense! It is estimated that each student generates 67 pounds of waste per school year. That equates to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for just one average-size elementary school!

Also check out wastefreelunches.org which provides information about how to pack a waste free lunch and where to get a "laptop lunch box" with reusable containers that neatly fit into a lunch box.

7) Prepare lunches using local produce. Be aware of the distances food travels and the emissions necessary to ship and truck it there. Although broccoli is grown at nearby farms, the ones that shoppers pick up at the supermarket traverse an average distance of 1,800 miles.

We are getting into harvest time and there will be a lot of fresh and nutritious foods to choose from. By shopping locally you not only help the environment, you support your local farmers and boost the economy.

8) Refill water bottles. Don't throw them away. One and a half million tons of plastic are used to bottle water every year. Such large-scale manufacturing and disposal of water bottles can release toxic chemicals into the environment.

In a previous post I outlined the types of water bottles to choose. Consider purchasing one not just for your child’s lunch, but also if your child participates in after school sports.

9) Look for laptops made by companies working to reduce their global emissions. The ENERGY STAR sticker is a good tip-off that a product is compliant with EPA guidelines. Some backpacks even have built-in solar panels to provide an eco-friendly way to power laptops. Also, turn off your computer and monitor when not in use.

10) Walk or bike to school, not only to get exercise but also to benefit the environment. By burning calories walking, you and your child don’t burn a vehicle's gasoline and thus do your part to help reduce global warming. Surely, the PE instructor will approve.

Unfortunately we are not able to do this. But if your school is nearby and doesn’t involve crossing dangerous roads, try this!

Do you need more ideas? Okay. You can,

11) Reuse book covers until they can be used no more. You can even use brown paper bags from your groceries to cover your child‘s textbooks (you shouldn’t really have brown paper bags because you have been shopping with your reusable bags, right?). Your child can then decorate them any way s(he) wants.

12) Reuse last year’s plastic art or pencil box by decorating it for a new look. There’s no need to buy another one, but if you do ensure it is recyclable.

13) Try to buy water-based paints and soy-based crayons, which are better for the environment than oil-based products. Prang makes Soybean Crayons which cost $1 for 8.

Soy crayons have the following advantages:
Soy crayons are easier to use: they glide smoother and don’t flake.
The colors of the soy crayons are brighter.
They are safer for children (less toxic).
Soy crayons are better for the environment. Soy crayons are completely biodegradable and are made from renewable resources.

Also check out crp3.tripod.com which has a cool crayon recycling program (a neat way for little kids to learn about recycling).

Finally…

14) Support companies and businesses that manufacture and/or sell recycled products.

Office Depot sells products by Mead and Second Nature, which include notebook paper, bound notebooks, and other paper products (50% recycled paper, 30% post-consumer waste). Dixon-Ticonderoga pencils made from certified sustainable-harvest wood; and EnviroTech products, which have a higher recycled content.

Staples sells Ampad Recycled Notebooks (50% recycled content, 20% PCW), Staples Recycled copy paper (30% PCW), Earthwise Recycled Composition Book (100% recycled), Southworth 25% Cotton Recycled Paper.

Many Glad (TM) products are made with polypropylene and are PVC-free, including Glad bags, Gladware reusable containers, and Glad plastic wrap. Avoid #3 plastics.

More and more options are becoming available all the time. Instead of reaching for the same old thing take a look around, there is likely an environmentally sound option right next to it. Be sure to read the packaging as everyone is sticking the words eco, green, and environmentally friendly on everything. Know what you are buying and feel proud that you are sending your children back to school with their first lesson already under their belts. That is, how to be a socially and environmentally responsible citizen!

Week 23 - COMPUTERS

2007-09-02T12:35:00.000-04:00

We own them, we use them, and we wouldn’t want to live without them, but computers can be a big drain. Not just brain drain as seen in our kids who have difficulty pulling themselves away from what is the desktop version of the idiot box, but also a drain on resources. Computers use a lot of energy and paper, but also create a lot of waste in the form of ink cartridges and the computers themselves. With a little forethought and the press of a few buttons, we can reduce the negative affect computers have on the environment.

What to Buy

The kids have headed back to school, Christmas will be here before your know it and you may be in the market for a new computer. Here are a few things to keep in mind before making that purchase:

Opt for a laptop over a desktop. A laptop uses about half the energy of a desktop.
Opt for an Energy Star rated computer. Whatever type of computer you choose, if it’s Energy Star rated it will use 70% less energy than its non-rated counterpart
Buy a computer that grows with you.
Buy the right system for your specific needs.
If you are comfortable with it, consider buying refurbished products. Ensure you get a decent warranty.

Conserving Power

Regardless of the type of computer you have, you can save power by changing your computer’s energy settings.

Microsoft Windows XP offers two convenient ways to power down, rather than completely turning off your computer. The following descriptions are from Microsoft.com: Standby is energy conserving because your entire computer switches to a low-power state. Devices, such as the monitor and hard disks, turn off and your computer uses less power. It's easy to return to work, because Standby leaves applications and files open on your desktop. Hibernate mode writes an image of what you're currently working on to a special file on your hard drive, and then shuts your computer almost completely off. It takes a bit longer than Standby, since it needs to write to your hard drive. Hibernate also takes a bit longer to resume, since you must go through essentially the normal boot process, although in Windows XP your computer wakes faster from Hibernate than in previous versions of Windows. The advantage is that you can leave your laptop in Hibernate mode for days without any ill effect. When you start it back up, you'll see everything exactly as you left it. Hibernate is the perfect mode for shutting down for the night or even the weekend
Use power options in “control panel“ on your computer. You can adjust any power management option your computer's hardware configuration supports. For example, by enabling sleep mode, you can reduce energy consumption by up to 70%.
Skip the screen saver. Active, moving screen savers don't save energy. Screen savers were initially designed to save the phosphorescent coating inside monochrome monitors - but this type of monitor is rarely used today.
At the very least, turn off your monitor when you are not using the computer. Leaving a monitor running uses significant energy.

Paper

Just a reminder of the ways you can save trees.

Buy recycled paper.
Print on both sides.
Print only your final copy.
Utilize your “print preview” option.
Recycle your used paper.

Ink Cartridges

Ink for computers is ridiculously expensive. A $40 cartridge, costs less than $3 to make, but their effect on the environment is dumbfounding. Read on:

On average three quarts of oil are burned to make one new cartridge.
An estimated 375,000,000 cartridges are thrown away every year.
Every cartridge thrown away turns into 2 quarts of oil in our landfills.
It takes about 1000 years for every one of those millions of cartridges to decompose in our landfills.

So what to do? The first thing to do is to continue printing with your ink cartridge until the words on the paper cannot be read. People will often replace the cartridge as soon as the little warning pops up that the ink is low. Wait a while, there is plenty of ink left.

After that it’s simple: Recycle your ink cartridges and buy recycled cartridges.

Recycled (or, more accurately, refilled or re manufactured) cartridges are increasingly available, but only 20 percent of used cartridges are currently re manufactured. We can do better than that!

There are a number of places that will accept used cartridges. The first place to look is in the box of the cartridge you just purchased. Companies often supply a postage paid envelope. Just put the spent cartridge in the envelope, seal it and stick it in the mail. Staples offers an incentive to customers to return their cartridges. The store will donate $1 to charity for every cartridge submitted for re manufacturing. Check out myinkcartridge.com. They will reward you for sending them used cartridges. They pay your postage and offer you credit toward your next purchase. For the location of more recyclers in your area, visit earth911.org.

There are several companies that offer recycled cartridges. I think it’s safe to say almost any store that carries new cartridges, will have a recycled brand right next to them. Take the leap and opt for the recycled. You’ll save a lot of money, and do the environment some good.

Extend Your Computer’s Life

From thegreenguide.com, “keeping electronics out of garbage protects our health and the environment. Many substances used in computers and electronics make them toxic additions to the waste stream: contaminating landfill sites, leaching out into drinking water supplies, and polluting the air if the products are incinerated. Each computer monitor contains on average 5 to 8 pounds of lead, for example, and consumer electronics as a whole contribute an astonishing 40% of the lead that is found in landfills”.

There are four key ways in which we can extend the life of our computers.

1. Participate in a buy back program

The following computer manufacturers and sellers have take back programs, some of which can even save you money on new PC's:

Compaq: In seven Midwest states, residents and small business that buy new Compaq products can get a 6 - 9% discount for recycling old technology through the United Recycling Industries' (URI's) Electronics Take-Back Program.
Dell: Dell has launched DellExchange, an online website with three options for dealing with end-of-life computers: 1) trade in to receive a discount on a new computer based on fair market value, 2) donation through the National Cristina Foundation, or 3) auction through dellauction.com. DellExchange accepts non-Dell computers.
Gateway: Gateway offers customers a rebate of up to $50 on a new Gateway PC if they donate or recycle their old system. Customers are responsible for finding a recycler or receiving organization for their computer, after which they submit confirmation forms to Gateway to receive the rebate.

2. Donate it

When you are finished using your computer consider donating it to a non-profit organization. You’re needs may have changed, but someone else may be able to use it, as is, for many years to come. Ask around your community. Churches, community service orgs, child care centers, theater groups etc. may love to have your old computer. Also check out Dell.com which connects consumers to donation opportunities through the National Cristina Foundation.

3. Recycle it

IBM's PC Recycling Service allows consumers and small businesses to recycle any PC and peripherals. For $29.99, the customer receives a pre-paid mailing label and ships the computer equipment via UPS to Envirocycle, an electronics recycler in Pennsylvania. If the computer can be donated, the donor receives a receipt which can be used for tax deduction purposes. Customers can purchase the recycling service when they buy a new IBM computer or purchase the service separately by calling 1-888-SHOP-IBM or shopping online.

Also look for take-back days at Best Buy and Staples, (you can bring your old computers to the stores during take-back days and recycle them for a small fee).

Check earth911.org for where your can recycle computers in your area.

4. Reuse its components

Your monitor, keyboard and mouse can be reused with a new computer. Make sure your next computer is compatible with these components.

As a culture we have become tech junkies. We are always looking for the next “best thing“; the “newest thing”. Technology is constantly changing (and that's a good thing), but it really aids us in living our lives on autopilot. If we want to be kind to the environment we have to take a step back and consider 1) do I need that item or just want that item? and 2) do I need a whole new thing, or will new parts do? Again it’s about tuning in and being aware. There's a happy balance between what we want and what we need. We (without the influence of advertisers or the Jones’s) just have to think about it!

Week 22 - APPLIANCES

2007-08-26T09:00:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Energy Star logo and how by looking for products with that logo, you could save energy and money. This week I want to discuss how you can save energy, water and money with the appliances you already own whether they are Energy Star rated or not.

You can make significant changes in three ways:

Maintain your appliances.
Choose the right appliance for the job, and…
Change how you use an appliance.

I think the easiest way to explain this is to go appliance by appliance, so let’s start with:

The Pig in the Kitchen

No, I do not mean your spouse I mean your refrigerator. The refrigerator is the biggest energy glutton in the kitchen. To keep things under control:

Vacuum the coils every 6 months.
Ensure the door seal is airtight.
Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold. Recommended temperatures are 37° to 40°F for the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator and 5°F for the freezer section.
Don’t leave the door open. Know what you want before you open it.
Switch to an Energy Star model when it’s time to purchase a new one.
Recycle your old one. Go to earth911.org for a recycling location in your area.

The Freezer

Your freezer will run more efficiently when well stocked. So load it up!
Don’t put hot foods in the freeze. Let them cool first.
Ensure the door seal is airtight.
Don’t place your freezer by a heat source.

The Stove/Oven

This is an area where you should ask yourself, “Do I need to use the stove or oven?”

Will the toaster oven suffice?
Will the electric kettle work?
Will the microwave or convection oven do the job in less time?
Should I use the crock-pot (a soup or stew will taste just as good)?

All of the above small appliances can do the job of the stove/oven, do it more efficiently, and cost effectively. Your stove/oven is not your friend, so think twice!

When you do use your stove, cover the pots to avoid losing heat.
Keep burners and reflectors clean so they heat better.
In the cooler months after you have finished baking, leave the oven door ajar to heat your home.
Ensure the oven door seal is airtight.

The Dishwasher

In a previous post, I discussed how a dishwasher could use less water than washing dishes by hand. Here are a few more ways to conserve with this appliance:

Do a full load - you can save $40 over a year.
Choose the most efficient setting.
Don’t pre-rinse. Studies have shown it’s unnecessary and you can save 20 gallons of water each load (note: a friend of mine mentioned if you use an environmentally friendly dishwasher detergent which contains no bleach, you may want to rinse your coffee mugs or dishes that held tomato products as they can permanently stain your dishwasher).
Let your dishes air dry. Open the door after the rinse cycle, and…
Just a reminder, use a green detergent like Seventh Generation or Ecover.

The Washer

When it comes to washing clothes, the first thing you have to ask yourself is, “is it dirty?” If the item doesn’t stink, it doesn’t need washing. My kids are always sticking their sweatshirts in the laundry after about 10 minutes of wear. If they smell fresh and they haven’t spilled anything on them, I put them back in their closets. This could save a load a week and at 40 gallons of water a load, that’s a significant savings!
Wash full loads.
Wash whites in warm instead of hot water.
Wash colors in cold.

The Dryer

According to Real Simple magazine, “the average U.S. household spends up to $135 a year in energy costs drying clothes”. The dryer is the second largest energy-sucking appliance. Here is how we can reduce its energy consumption.

Clean the lint filter on your machine after every load. If you don’t, your dryer can use 30 percent more energy to dry your clothes.
Dry only full loads, but don’t over dry.
Dry two or more loads in a row, taking advantage of the dryer's retained heat.
Use the cool-down cycle (perma-press cycle) to allow the clothes to finish drying with the residual heat in the dryer.
In the spring, summer and even early fall, consider line drying your clothes.

We have all these appliances because they make our lives easier. No doubt about it, I would be hard pressed to find someone willing to pound laundry against rocks. We just have to use them more responsibly and again, that’s simple when we make ourselves aware.

Week 21 - SUPER HOUSE PLANTS

2007-08-14T19:59:00.000-04:00

We already know one way to save energy is to make our homes air tight so heat or air conditioning can’t escape. We save money and power, but being sealed up does come at a cost - greater indoor air pollution. In many homes, indoor air quality is much worse than the quality of air outdoors. As a matter of fact the EPA claims that in general, indoor air is four to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This isn’t difficult to believe when you consider all the toxins we introduce from cleaners alone (hopefully less so, now that we’ve cut back on our use of toxic products, right? - see post from Week 3). Add to that what we track in from outdoors, our pets, carpeting, paint, dust from our heating/cooling systems, artificial air fresheners, fire places etc. and it’s a wonder more of us do not suffer from allergies and asthma.

But there is something we can do to improve our indoor environment and in turn our health. This "something" is economical, enhances our home, and is environmentally safe. We can purchase plants! Dr. B.C. Wolverton (of NASA) writes in his book How to Grow Fresh Air “while plants can't cure major indoor pollution problems on their own, they are an ideal antidote to the minor contamination introduced into our indoor environments through everyday household products and building materials. Plants produce oxygen, add precious moisture and remove toxins from the air through the tiny openings in their leaves. In fact, as few as 15 houseplants in an average-size home can offer a significant reduction in the number of indoor contaminants“. Fifteen plants?! To be clear it’s fifteen plants in a 1,800 square foot home, which really isn‘t that many, but for me I’m thinkin’ that’s a miniature forest! I can barely keep three indoor plants alive!

So what else can this miniature forest do for us? The website houseofplants.co.uk provides the following list. Plants,

· Absorb harmful substances
· Filter dust and dirt from the environment
· Dampen sound levels
· Reduce stress levels
· Increase humidity levels
· Have a cooling effect
· Lift general mood, and
· Emit oxygen refreshing air

Although all plants can be beneficial there are 10 specific plants which are rated for their environmental benefits (interpreted from NASA studies and NIGZ lists). These plants have been selected according to how easy they can be grown and maintained, resistance to pests, efficiency at removing chemical vapors, and transpiration rates.

Areca Palm
Lady Palm
Zamioculcas zamifolia
Philodendron
Miniature Date Palm
Peace Lilly
Dracaena
Boston Fern
Ficus
Rubber Plant

Additionally,

Spider Plant, Gerbera Daisy, Bamboo Palm, Mass Cane, Weeping Fig, Golden Pothos, Aloe Vera, Mini-Schefflera, Peperomia, Corn Plant and Mother-In Law’s Tongue, have also been shown to remove some indoor air pollution.

There are a lot of researchers that believe 15 plants is not enough to change indoor air quality. They feel the number of plants necessary would be totally impractical. But there are many others that believe the results are clear. Even if it turns out house plants are not the super air purifiers we hope they are, maybe adding them to the list of things we are already doing, like using less toxic cleaners and removing our shoes while indoors will make our environment all the more comfortable. Really, what harm can they do? This is an easy win-win!

Week 20 - WHAT'S "ENERGY STAR"?

2007-08-08T20:16:00.000-04:00

We have all seen the Energy Star logo on appliances, but how many of us know what it means and why we should look for it on the products we buy?

According to energystar.gov, “Energy star is a government program that offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions, making it easy to save money while protecting the environment for future generations. Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice.”

There are three areas in which you can make Energy Star work for you.

When purchasing household products such as appliances.
When purchasing a new home.
When renovating your home.

Household Products

Household products with the Energy Star label have to meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by both the EPA and US Department of Energy.

One day while browsing through the appliance department of a home improvement store, I noticed the Energy Star appliances were more expensive. However, when I compared their annual energy usage/cost with the non Energy Star appliances, the savings were significant. You may pay more up front, but I feel confident you will make up for it over the life of the appliance.

New Homes

According to energystar.gov,

“these homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes“.

Some of the features an Energy Star home may have are:

Effective insulation.
High performance windows.
Tight construction and ducts.
Efficient heating and cooling.
Efficient products like appliances, lighting etc.
They must pass third party inspection.

The benefits of owning an Energy Star home are:

Peace of Mind - By just looking for the energy star label, you know the home is energy efficient.
Lower Ownership Cost - Energy Star qualified homes use less energy which results in a $200 to $400 annual savings.
Better Performance - An energy-efficient home helps ensure consistent temperatures, improved indoor air quality, and greater durability.
Smart Investment - Energy Star homes is a trend that will continue to grow as consumers become more savvy. Such homes will likely increase in value and be desirable on the market.
Environmental Protection - 16 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are generated from the energy used in houses. “Energy used in our homes often comes from the burning of fossil fuels at power plants, which contributes to smog, acid rain, and global warming. Simply put, the less energy we use in our homes, the less air pollution we generate”.

Home Improvements

You can reduce the amount of energy your home uses by making improvements that will not only reduce your energy bills, but make your home more comfortable.

The first thing you need to do is get a whole house assessment. You can do this at energystar.gov (if you have your last 12 utility bills), your power provider’s website, or lowes.com. They will ask you some questions, make an assessment and then provide you with some ideas on how you can improve your home’s energy efficiency.

There are a few basic things everyone can do to improve their home’s energy efficiency.

Seal leaks which let in drafts, or allow heat to escape.
Use weather stripping around windows and doors.
Insulate.
Choose energy efficient windows when old ones need to be replaced.
Have you heating and cooling system serviced regularly.
Change your air filters.
Install a programmable thermostat.
Seal your heating and cooling ducts.

Additionally, there are some tax credits you may qualify for if you purchase high efficiency products like windows or heating/cooling systems. The credits do not amount to a ton of cash, but they are something extra on top of what you will save with the improvements you make.

Even if you don’t give a wit about the environment, it’s silly not to take a look at what you can do to make your home more energy efficient for the mere fact it will save you money. As a matter of fact, in light of the ever increasing cost of electric power, gas and oil, it can save you a lot of money! So maybe you don't want to "live" green, but come on, who doesn't want to save green?!

Week 19 - ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL

2007-08-05T09:00:00.000-04:00

SPECIAL ALERT!: Before I begin this week's post, I want to share a possibly paranoid thought with you. I am starting to believe someone is poaching my ideas from this blog and using them for professional gain. Yes I realize the point of the blog is to share what I learn so we can all make a difference, but I'm talkin' the world of media here! I'm not naming any names (Odaytay Howsay), but in case I'm not paranoid, just give me a little shout out!

Okay.

The focus of my posts to date has been about ways we can be kinder to the environment so humans can be less negatively affected. But of course humans are not the only living things inhabiting the planet. We have a plethora of wildlife that is also struggling with the results of poor decision making. The difference being, they have to respond and adjust to changes not of their own making. Yes we are at the top of the food chain, but that doesn’t give us free reign. It gives us greater responsibility.

I feel heavy hearted when I think of the possibility that my future grandchildren or great-grandchildren will only hear about or see in books pictures of various species we take for granted. Even the idea of an animal only existing in a controlled man-made environment, although better than non existence, is troubling.

I have already touched on the idea of protecting our water by using less chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and toxic cleaning products; reducing deforestation by purchasing paper products made from paper not trees; purchasing fair trade coffee which preserves the rain forest and protects numerous bird species, etc. If we do all these things consistently, we can help protect our wildlife. But we can be even more proactive!

This is a topic you can get your kids really excited about, since kids love animals. The place to start is by viewing some or all of the Planet Earth series. It is phenomenal! Truly so far beyond any wildlife media we have to date. You will be amazed at the up close and personal footage. You will laugh, you will feel sad and you will be humbled by the reminder we are not here alone. We have a few more weeks left before school starts, so try to find it on the Discovery channel on Sundays at 8:00 pm (you can go to discovery.com for their TV listing of dates and times), rent it, or purchase the set (deepdiscountdvd.com has the complete set for $53.90, amazon.com for $53.99). It will change you!

Once you feel all warm, fuzzy and possibly aghast, check out and/or commit to any of the following:

The World Wildlife Fund at worldwildlife.org

You can join their Conservation Action Network which will email you “alerts on breaking issues and let you send free personalized messages to policy makers. You can track which actions you've taken and learn about your victories.” Note they do not use your email address for anything else.
Adopt an animal. “Choose From 40 Symbolic Animal Adoptions! Each symbolic adoption includes: a formal adoption certificate, a full-color photo and species fact sheet. Adoptions of $50 and up include a plush likeness of your adopted animal for the gift recipient. Gifts made online come with an Online Digipak, which includes: a personalized electronic adoption certificate, screen savers, wallpaper and AIM icons. The recipient must have a valid e-mail address to receive this benefit". Younger kids would love this!
Make a gift membership. Here you make a donation in someone else’s name. Based on the size of the donation, you can then select an item to be sent to the recipient. This is a terrific idea for that person that “has everything” or for bigger kids’ birthdays when they would rather do something for someone/thing else, than receive presents from their guests.
Make a memorial donation in a loved ones name.
Make a donation in the amount of your choosing.

The National Wildlife Federation

Visit their website at nwf.com, where you can learn how they:

Protect wildlife.

Give hope for the future of wildlife, and

Are America’s conservation organization.

Then make a donation of $30.00 and get a little backpack. Again, this would make a great gift for a child and will remind them that wildlife is not just gorillas, elephants and lions some where else, but also deer, raccoon, and wolves in their own back yards.

Your local zoo

You can help support endangered animals and habitat preservation at your local zoo. Visit their website and you will find a variety of options for ways you can make a difference. The most obvious would be supporting the zoo by taking your family for a visit.

Visit epa.gov

This is the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The website contains a ton of information about endangered and threatened animals, and what extinction actually means. It also offers coloring books, picture books and fact pages.

This is an area where making a difference really doesn’t take a lot of effort. By educating ourselves, educating our children, staying committed to purchasing environmentally friendly products and making small monetary donations, we can help preserve the wonderful species that are at risk. Now what could make you feel more warm and fuzzy then that?!

Week 18 - GO VEGETARIAN!

2007-07-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Well, at least a couple times a week! Believe it or not, in this instance I am not promoting vegetarianism for the ethical reason of not killing a living thing for food. That is a perfectly sound reason particularly in light of the fact we can healthfully exist on fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes; we are omnivores after all. No, I am promoting vegetarianism for another ethical reason, the environment. I bet you have no concept of the impact raising animals for food has on the environment; I didn’t and you will be surprised!

According to greenpeace.org:

In the United States, more than one third of all fossil fuel and raw material consumption is used to raise livestock.
It can take up to 15 times as much water to produce animal protein as it does to produce protein from plants. According to author John Robbins in his book The Food Revolution, you could save more water by not eating a pound of California beef than you could by not showering for an entire year.
Animal agriculture contributes significantly to global warming by producing more than 100 million tons of methane annually. (Women’s Health magazine adds, “cattle and sheep alone pass so much wind - that’s just the way they are - that they generate a whopping 18 percent of all methane, a greenhouse gas”).
Livestock operations generate roughly 130 times as much bodily waste as the entire human population of the United States, which makes its way into the environment without going through the sewage treatment systems found in our cities and towns. This untreated waste pollutes American waterways more than all other industrial sources combined.
It takes up to 10 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of meat. In the US, we feed more than 70 percent of the grains and cereals we grow to farmed animals, only a fraction of which is actually converted into the meat that people eat. The world’s cattle alone consume a quantity of food equal to the caloric needs of 8.7 billion people — more than the entire human population on Earth. (Also note, growing corn requires fertilizer, which releases nitrous oxide, another greenhouse gas. When you want to eat beef, choose pasture-fed cattle. I saw some in the grocery store the other day. Ask your butcher about it or visit eatwild.com).
More than 260 million acres of US forests have been cleared to grow grain for livestock. In the Amazon, more than 2.9 million acres of rainforest were destroyed in the 2004-2005 growing season to raise crops that were used to feed animals in factory farms. Up to 220 square feet of rainforest are sacrificed to produce just one pound of hamburger.
Due to the amount of land required to raise animals for food and the destructive effect livestock has on the land, animal farming is the leading threat to endangered species and the number one cause of species extinction in the US and around the world.
According to the Worldwatch Institute, the meat industry is directly responsible for 85 percent of all soil erosion in the US.

Now that’s astounding! Who woulda thunk it? We thought we were just harmlessly enjoying our t-bone! I know most people are not about to give up meat completely, but I think we could give it up once or twice a week. If you are not motivated by the environment, you should be motivated by your health!

The following is a list of on-line sites to help you go meatless:

MeatlessMonday.com : A site dedicated to getting people to reduce the amount of saturated fat in their diets. They focus on starting to make a change one day a week; in this case Mondays. Search the archives where the recipes are organized by holidays, cooking methods, ethnicity and ingredients.
Allrecipes.com: This is my “go to” recipe site. I’ve used it for years and it just gets better. You can search for both meatless meals and vegetarian meals. What’s great about it is the recipes get rated which helps you decide if they are worth giving a try. Also, the little tweaks some of the raters provide, lets you know about some minor adjustments you may want to make.
Recipezaar.com: It has recipes for everything and they are also rated. Search for vegetarian meals and it will provide you with a lot of recipes for vegetarian versions of your favorites.

You can also peruse your local library’s collection of cook books. Or ask your friends what meatless meals they enjoy.

Listen, if worse comes to worst, how hard is it to boil up some nice whole wheat pasta and top it with plain or vegetable marina sauce, or fresh garden tomato sauce, or olive oil and garlic. Along with a side salad and a crusty roll, you’re good! The environment will thank you, the animals will thank you and oh yeah, your arteries will thank you too!

Week 17 - TIMBER!!!!!

2007-07-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

I often see people sitting by their mailboxes, combing through their cache of mail. If they are anything like me, I know what they are doing. They are making piles. One, a little pile, with maybe 2 or 3 pieces of what we consider necessary mail and two, a humongous pile of useless, unwanted, invasive junk! I hate the mail for this very reason. I actually feel my privacy is being invaded and my time infringed upon because I am forced to weed through a bunch of stuff I didn’t request.

But junk mail isn’t the only way we waste one of our most valuable resources - trees. According to Conservatree.com “the average American uses an astonishing 730 pounds of paper product a year. Unfortunately, a scant 5 percent of our national paper consumption is currently made from recycled pulp.” When it comes to paper, we are once again, gluttons (didn’t I say that about gas? Hmm, I’m seeing a trend). Why are we so wasteful? Is it because we have access to too many things without any limits? Have we just forgotten the fact, things don’t always last?
Whatever the answers, I’ve found some painless ways to turn this around!

JUNK MAIL

NativeForest.org's facts on junk mail:

The average person gets only 1.5 personal letters each week, compared to 10.8 pieces of junk mail.
Each person will receive almost 560 pieces of junk mail this year. That's 4.5 million tons of junk mail produced each year!
44% of all junk mail is thrown in the trash, unopened and unread.
Approximately 40% of the solid mass that makes up our landfills is paper and paperboard waste.
By the year 2010, it is predicted to make up about 48%.
100 million trees are ground up each year to produce junk mail.
Lists of names and addresses used in bulk mailings are in mass data-collection networks, compiled from phone books, warranty cards, and charity donations (to name a few).
Your name is typically worth 3 to 20 cents each time it is sold.

The following is a list of websites that can help you reduce the amount of junk mail you receive.

Dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist ($1.00 fee) - removes you from direct marketing lists
Directmail.com (free)
Optoutprescreen.com (free; opts you out of credit card offers)
NativeForest.org

Keep in mind every time you enter a sweepstakes, fill out and submit a warranty card, or register for a grocery store’s reward card, you are being added to a list. Indicate right on the card/form you do not wish to have your information sold.

It may take a few months, but you should eventually see a decrease in the amount of junk mail you receive.

BUY RECYCLED PAPER PRODUCTS

The book Worldchanging: A User’s Guide to the 21st Century, states “it takes 40% less energy to make paper from recycled stock than from virgin materials”. Thegreenguide.com describes paper made from trees as creating a “double environmental burden”. The first from deforestation and the second from the papers subsequent toxic bleaching process. What does this mean? It means, buy paper products made from paper, not from trees.

There are 2 key things to look for:

Look for goods that have the highest Post Consumer Waste (PCW) content. The percentage of PCW in a recycled product refers to the amount of pulp derived from paper that was used by consumers and then recycled. This saves trees and promotes the use of recycled paper.
Look for products labeled Processed Chlorine Free (PCF). This means that no additional chlorine or chlorine derivatives have been used to bleach the final recycled product.

Also, don’t be confused by the recycling symbol on a particular package. This can be a marketing ploy and may just mean their product packaging is recyclable. Don’t just look at the symbol, read the label too.

NEWSPAPERS

Recycle it - Americans throw away 44 million newspapers every day. That's 500,000 trees a week.
Read it online.
Ask your local newspaper to print on recycled paper.

THE COMPUTER

Buy recycled paper.
Print on both sides.
Only print your final copy - an easy way to cut the amount of paper that goes into the trash or recycle bin is to perfect all of your documents before you print them. Run grammar and spell check to eliminate careless mistakes, and then preview your document in print preview.
Use discarded paper for scrap paper. Keep a bin by the desk and encourage your kids to use that paper for all their arts and craft projects.
Where appropriate, send e-mails and e-greetings instead of letters and cards.
Pay your bills online - you save on envelopes (trees) and stamps (money and trees).
Request e-statements from your bank.
Sign-up for e-billing from your utility companies, banks, credit card companies and any other service companies.

IN THE KITCHEN

Use less paper towel and napkins. Wipe spills with cloths and use cloth napkins. (I’m not certain how this pans out. Yes you use less paper thereby saving trees and the energy used to make them. However, you use water and energy to repeatedly wash the cloths. Hmm?). Marcal brand (found in several grocery stores) makes napkins and paper towel from recycled paper and do so at comparable prices. Seventh Generation has a line of paper products made from recycled paper. They can be found at groceries, health food stores and online. They are pricier.
Limit your use of paper plates and cups. If you have to use them, opt for those made from recycled paper. Also, look for brands (like Chinet) that will decompose in your compost bin.

IN THE BATHROOM - Purchase toilet paper and tissue made from recycled paper.

AT THE ATM - Don’t print out a receipt. Here are the benefits according to idealbite.com:

Less litter. Receipts from the 8 billion ATM transactions each year in the United States create a lotta waste.
Easy access. You can view all your transactions on your bank's website, and some stores, such as Apple, will send an e-receipt to your email.
Peace of mind. Misplaced receipts can help identity thieves steal your info.

FOR SCHOOL - School will be starting again in about a month.

Purchase school supplies made from recycled materials whenever you can.
Encourage your child’s school to use recycled paper products.

A FEW OTHER THINGS

Think about whether or not you really require a phone book. If not, call and cancel it. If you do need one, ensure you recycle them yearly.
Use your shredded junk mail as packing materials ( I used some of ours when I put away the Christmas ornaments last year).
Money talks. Support businesses that use recycled materials.

I believe it’s possible to make a change in at least one of these areas. But if you do nothing else, recycle your paper and together we can save a lot of trees!

Week 16 - YOUR CUP O' JOE!

2007-07-15T08:45:00.000-04:00

I love coffee! I don’t mean any of that cappuccino, mochaccino, frappuccino, latte stuff. I mean good old regular coffee. Black. Strong. No sugar. No milk. I have it every morning by setting my coffee maker the night before. I drink it in excess, although I know I shouldn’t. I love coffee. Most people might wonder what coffee has to do with the environment, but take a closer look and we see not only does how coffee is grown have an environmental impact, it has a social one too. So what are we looking for and how can we help?

1. Reconsider how you brew your coffee at home.

Filters

- Purchase a reusable coffee filter. You dump it, rinse it and put it back in your machine.
- If you want to use disposable filters, ensure they are unbleached.
- Compost your used disposable filters with the grounds.

Coffeemakers

Using a French Press (no filter needed, therefore less trash), where you boil the water on your stove uses less energy than a traditional coffee maker. I own a Bodum and I love how full bodied the coffee tastes when I use it. There is however, one problem. You can’t set it to have the coffee ready for you when you wake up. Therefore, until they come out with a version that includes a person to actually boil the water and pour it into the press, I will enjoy French pressed coffee in the afternoon. For those of you with no such issues, consider making the switch. You will be pleasantly surprised at the difference in taste; one cup may be enough for you.

2. Change how you carry out coffee from your favorite shop.

Think of this. If one person buys one coffee from a shop five days a week, how many empty cups (sometimes Styrofoam) does that one person throw away each year? The answer is, 260 cups. That is staggering! Bring your own mug or thermos and if you do nothing else to help the environment, you will make quite a dent in our trash problem.

3. Stirrers? We don’t need no stinkin’ stirrers!

Apparently, Americans toss out about 138 billion of those little non-biodegradable plastic straws! When possible, add your cream/milk and sugar first (or make that request), then your coffee and a stirrer will not be necessary.

4. Read the labels and try to buy shade grown, organic and fair trade coffee.

Shade Grown Coffee

Until fairly recently, coffee had traditionally been grown in the shade (to be more precise, under the rainforest's canopy), with little or no pesticides. Around 1972, new hybrids of coffee were introduced which produced significantly greater yields, but required sunlight. Many growers made the switch and according to eartheasy.com “of the 6 million acres of coffee lands, 60% have been stripped of shade trees since 1972. Only the small, low-tech farms, often too poor to afford chemicals, preserved their shade trees.” As you can imagine, this reduction has had a few consequences. For example, habitat loss for migratory birds and a massive loss of CO2 busting trees in the tropical rainforest.

Organic Coffee

Just like other organic crops, organic coffee is grown without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers. According to eartheasy.com, organic coffee is:

Healthier. Next to tobacco, coffee is sprayed with more chemicals than any other product consumed by humans. Shade grown coffee is most often organically grown, free of chemical use.
Promotes healthy environment. Shade grown coffee requires little or no chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. The shade trees filter carbon dioxide, which causes global warming, and aid in soil moisture retention, which minimizes erosion.
Helps sustain rainforests. Coffee plantations, which are chemically dependent, suffer from soil depletion and increased erosion. Rainforest is stripped to provide fresh growing ground. Shade coffee farms are, for the most part, organic and sustainable.

Certified Fair Trade Coffee

According to peacecoffee.com, “Fair Trade coffee is grown by small, organized cooperatives of farmers. Lives are given a fair chance to flourish. Businesses are driven by a desire to fairly exchange and share the benefits of the world's second most traded commodity after oil. Fair Trade is simply fair-minded thinking put into practice.” Faircoffee.com also adds, “the Fair Trade Certified label on coffee guarantees that farmers and workers received a fair price for their product. The Fair Trade price means that farmers can feed their families and that their children can go to school instead of working in the fields.” Essentially, it means a better standard of living for the coffee growers and their families.

You can buy shade grown, organic, fair trade coffee at grocery stores, discount stores, health food stores, coffee houses and online (uniqueroasts.com, groundsforchange.com and auduboncoffeeclub.com are worth checking out). You will definitely pay more for this coffee. For 12 oz. you’re looking at $8.50 - $10.00. I have found some sites where you can buy a full pound for that price. You want to ensure the coffee bag carries the USDA certified organic and Fair Trade symbols, so you know you are getting what you pay for.

So is it worth the additional cost? Environmentally speaking, we have less use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers; the preservation and enrichment of the soil; and the preservation of avian habitat. It sounds worth it to me. However, when you purchase fair-trade coffee in particular (and remember, you are looking for the trifecta: fair trade, organic and shade grown), you are paying for something bigger and potentially more important. You are paying for an opportunity. An opportunity for someone you don’t know, in a different country, to try to create a good life for his or her family. You are also paying for their protection. Protection from opportunists and that is what Fair Trade really is. Yes, capitalism is a great thing, but why do so many wealthy people and businesses feel its okay to get wealthier on the backs of the poor? Maybe it’s not something you can purchase all the time, but it’s likely something you can purchase occasionally. Besides, just think how much more you’ll enjoy your morning cup, knowing you’ve helped not only the environment, but also someone, somewhere, thrive!

Week 15 - THE GRASS IS ALWAYS GREENER...

2007-07-08T09:00:00.000-04:00

We have about an acre and a half of sloped property with a 1,200 square foot house on it. We have no detached garage or other outbuildings. What we have is “lawn” and I use the term loosely. When we first moved to our home, my husband did all the customary things one does to a lawn. He fertilized it, applied insect control (which he now believes led to a few years of millipede infestation, since they fled the soil and ran to our house), over-seeded it, etc. However, one day it dawned on us, we have a hedgerow on one side, wild scrub on another and one neighbor that doesn't treat for weeds. What we were doing was not only bad for the environment, it was useless, and just money down the drain. So now, outside of mowing, we do nothing. We have embraced our weeds, and really, as long as its green (well most the time), we don’t care. Sure, we all admire a green, weed free lawn that feels great underfoot, but at what cost. To have that, it takes a lot of time, money and dangerous chemicals. So what are the alternatives? How can we create something around our home that is attractive, easy to maintain and is kind to the environment? Well, we have a few options.

Option #1: Practice Organic Lawn Care

Wean yourself off chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These chemicals have been linked to such things as asthma and cancer. Then you must consider how the chemicals can run into streams effecting wildlife and groundwater, potentially affecting us. Instead, fertilize by leaving your grass clippings in place. They are nitrogen rich. You can also purchase organic fertilizers (Concern and Espoma are two brand names), use dried poultry waste or cottonseed meal. Corn gluten is a plant food as well as a weed suppressor. As a weed suppressant, corn gluten acts as a natural "pre-emergent" - it inhibits seed germination by drying out a seed as soon as it cracks open to sprout. Buy the palletized kind and apply in the spring or fall.
Improve your soil. Have your local cooperative extension test your soil. Once you know what is in your soil you will know what to add to it to make it healthy. Lawns prefer acidic soil. Lime helps balance acidic soil, while sulfur helps with alkaline. You can also use, compost or compost tea, worm castings, kelp, fish wastes and other decomposed organic matter to improve your soil.
Grow native grasses that will thrive under the conditions around your home and in your region. Do not try to grow something that requires full sun, if you have a lot of shade. Nor is it wise to grow something that requires year round warmth, if you live in the Northeast or Midwest.

No one would like to be scalped and your lawn doesn’t appreciate it either. The type of grass you have will determine how much you should take off when mowing, but you should leave about 3”. Longer grass absorbs more sunlight, and in turn can develop deeper roots. Cutting too short weakens the grass and its ability to compete with weeds. Also, ensure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades tear the grass and make it susceptible to disease.

Water only when needed. According to the EPA, “the average lawn consumes about 10,000 gallons of water annually beyond what it gets from rainfall. Nearly a third of municipal water in the Northeast goes to irrigating lawns“. If you improve the soil, your grass will develop deep roots and you will need to water less often. I have previously mentioned my “do or die” philosophy for my flowerbeds, and it goes double for our lawn. However, if you have a smaller yard, water in the morning (to reduce evaporation), until the soil is soaked about 6 inches down.

Option #2: Lose the Lawn!

This is my preferred option because you can create something beautiful, low-maintenance and environmentally friendly.

Now before I say it, open your mind, wide! FAKE GRASS. Yes, that’s what I said and before your groan, you need to check it out. It’s not the indoor/outdoor carpeting of yesteryear anymore. This industry is really responding to the increased drought in the U.S. and the growing environmental concerns regarding lawn care. True, it’s not for everyone and it won’t work in all situations, but it may work for you (particularly if you live in dry areas, have large play areas for your kids, dogs, etc). At least look into it. Envylawn.com and Astrolawn.com are decent places to start.

There is a great website called LessLawn.com that provides a ton of ideas for getting rid of your lawn. They cover such things as, where to start shrinking your lawn, "lawnless" landscapes and low maintenance lawn alternatives. It’s worth checking out.

A number of companies have created lawn mixes. They are a blend of short grasses, herbs, wildflowers, clovers etc. Once they are established, they require very little mowing, feeding and watering. They are pretty to look at and feel great underfoot. Nicholsgardennursery.com offers, “ecology lawn mixes”. The mixes are blended for success in a particular region of the country. Protimelawnseed.com offers a mix called Fleur de Lawn, which is a combination of small flowers, low growing strawberry clover and perennial rye grass. When shopping for a blend, ensure you are choosing one that is appropriate for your area.
Eartheasy.com has several ideas on how to reduce the size of your lawn and if you require more incentive to do so, here are their reasons:
reduced water consumption
saves time and energy on lawn maintenance
less yard waste to be composted or taken to a landfill - a 2000 sq ft lawn produces 600-800 pounds of clippings per summer on average
reduction in use of herbicides, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
reduction in air and noise pollution caused by gas mowers - lawns cover 20 million acres of residential land in the US, and lawnmowers account for 5% of the air pollution. A 3.5 hp lawnmower pollutes as much in one hour as an automobile driving 350 miles.
enhanced biodiversity - varied plantings offer shelter and feeding opportunities for wildlife
increased property values - attractive, low-maintenance landscaping adds value to the home.

I realize for some of us striving for a green, plush, weed free lawn is almost as American as apple pie. So if you choose to keep it that’s fine, just opt for environmentally friendly ways of maintaining it. If you choose to lose it (or at least some of it), know this involves an initial investment of time and patience. Sure, you can put new beds in or plant trees over a weekend, but it will take longer to see the results from over planting your lawn with a blended mix. Remember the adage, “anything worth having, is worth waiting for”. In the meantime, start thinking about what you will do with your time when lawn care isn’t eating into your summer weekends!

Week 14 - BYOB of water!

2007-07-01T12:00:00.000-04:00

Bottled water is America’s second favorite beverage (soda is #1). As a matter of fact, we spend 7.7 billion dollars a year on it! Why? This is one of those marketing feats I talked about several weeks ago. Americans have literally bought into the myth bottled water is better than tap water, to the tune of “$10,000 a minute for something that is readily available for free”, (thegreenguide.com). So what’s the big deal about buying bottled water? You might be surprised by the negative effects this industry is having on the environment.

The following outlines the environmental impact of bottled water consumption according to ucsusa.org (Union of Concerned Scientists - Citizens and Scientists for Environmental Solutions), PBS.org and thegreenguide.com:

Fossil fuel consumption: Approximately 1.5 million barrels of oil—enough to run 100,000 cars for a whole year—are used to make plastic water bottles, while transporting these bottles burns thousands more gallons of oil. In addition, the burning of oil and other fossil fuels (which are also used to generate the energy that powers the manufacturing process) emits global warming pollution into the atmosphere.

Water consumption: The growth in bottled water production has increased water extraction in areas near bottling plants, leading to water shortages that affect nearby consumers and farmers. In addition to the millions of gallons of water used in the plastic-making process, two gallons of water are wasted in the purification process for every gallon that goes into the bottles.

Waste: Only about 10 percent of water bottles are recycled. Most bottles will be either incinerated or end up in landfills.

Bottling and shipping water: is the least efficient method of water delivery ever invented. The energy we waste using bottled water would be enough to power 190,000 homes. But refilling your water bottle from the tap requires no expenditure of energy, and zero waste of resources.

Cost: Bottled water can cost up to 10,000 times more per gallon than tap water.

Here are some additional things you need to know about bottled water:

According to government and industry estimates, about one fourth of bottled water is bottled tap water. Others say up to 40% of all bottled water comes from a city water system, just like tap water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standards for tap water are more stringent than the Food and Drug Administration’s standards for bottled water. For example, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) did a four year study of the bottled water industry (go to nrdc.org for the full report). The study found that tap water is often better regulated than bottled water and has to meet more stringent standards at both the federal and local levels. Cities must test their water for chemical contaminants at least once a quarter, but bottlers must only test annually. Among the 1,000 bottles tested, about one-fifth contained chemicals such as toluene, xylene, or styrene, known or possible carcinogens and neurotoxins. We won’t even get into the fact that “city’s tap water cannot have any E. coli or fecal coli form bacteria, while bottled water is allowed a certain amount of these bacteria”. Yuck!!

So how can we make a change?

If you don’t like the taste of your tap water or are unsure of its quality, you can buy a filter pitcher or install an inexpensive faucet filter to remove trace chemicals and bacteria. Brita and Pur are two popular brands, but there are several others so search the web. According to bottledwaterblues.com, the filtered water will cost you under 10¢ a gallon.

Fill a reusable bottle from your tap. Be careful in your selection as there are concerns about chemicals leaching from plastic. The best choices are: HDPE (soft, opaque #2 plastic), stainless steel which doesn’t react or leach, aluminum that has been coated on the interior and glass which is non-reactive and dishwasher safe. Whatever you choose, ensure you clean it often and well; you really don't want to be ingesting the bacteria that can build up. I know some of you will say, this is the reason why you buy bottled water, but really, how long does it take to wash a bottle or toss it in the dishwasher? Here is a list of companies from idealbite.com that make safe reusable containers:

KleanKanteen – lightweight, food-grade stainless steel, with no toxic leaching or mineral migration ($14).
SIGG – Swiss-made, lightweight aluminum bottles in cool colors and designs. The water-based inner coating is non-toxic and resistant to fruit acids and isotonic drinks ($20).
Nalgene HDPE – can’t live without the old camping stand-by? Same Nalgene styling, in a safer, opaque plastic ($7).

Limit your bottled water purchases for those times when you’re traveling where water quality is questionable.

Finally, if you really must buy bottled water there is still two things you can do to help the environment:

Buy from local companies. You will help reduce the energy wasted in shipping. At thegreenguide.com you can find a list of companies for your region. And…

Recycle your bottles!

I think this is a big problem with really simple solutions. Bottled water is not a fashion accessory. If we have safe, drinkable tap water, why aren’t we using it? So much of the world’s population would give anything to have it. If every person were able to reduce there use by just ½, we would make a significant dent in this problem. We didn’t always have bottled water and we were just fine - as a matter of fact, I think we were better off!

Week 13 - IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE!

2007-06-24T09:23:00.000-04:00

It’s now officially summer, and we have already had several samplings of hot, humid, and sticky weather. I can’t believe as a kid I loved it! I have reluctantly turned on the a/c because I can’t stand humidity - it makes me miserable. So my mood trumps my frugality and I close all the windows sealing us in and flip the switch. This is no small feat since the one thing I hate almost as much as I hate humidity, is being sealed in our house. You see, I love fresh air!

So what’s the scoop on air conditioning and the environment? The Rocky Mountain Institute estimates “in peak summer months, about 50 percent of all electricity used in the United States is devoted to powering air conditioners“.

Cost isn't the only bad news. The amount of pollution created when power companies have to generate so much electricity is staggering. The goods news is, “ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) - formerly used as a cooling agent in a/c units - are no longer used and have been replaced by HCFCs (hydro chlorofluorocarbons), which deplete 95 percent less ozone than their older counterparts. Energy efficiency has also improved dramatically.

We all want to be comfortable, but we can be mindful too. There are a slew of things we can do to reduce our a/c usage (energy) and in turn reduce pollution and save some cash.

If your current a/c is more than eight years old, consider replacing it. Over the life of the product, the amount you'll save in energy bills will likely pay for the cost of the unit.
Make sure you get the right size model for your needs. If your air conditioner is too small for an area, it will have to run continuously. If it's too large, it will constantly turn off and on, increasing energy consumption.
Have your a/c serviced. The service person can clean your coils and drainage system, change your filters and ward off any potential problems. It’s not expensive and you waste less energy and money when your unit runs efficiently.
Install a programmable thermostat and set it just one degree higher than you normally would.
Keep your shades drawn.
Install ceiling fans to circulate air. Fans don’t cool air, but they move air causing it to feel a cooler.
At night, use you’re a/c's fan-only mode.
Use the re-circulate option instead of constantly cooling hot air from outdoors.
Turn the a/c off when you're out and close the vents in unused rooms.
For a room a/c - clean the filter often and make sure window models are installed as tightly as possible to prevent hot air from seeping in around the unit's edges.

If you don’t have a/c, there are still things you can do to stay cool.

Keep your shades drawn.
Close your windows once the outside temperature reaches 78 degrees.
Buy window fans.
Install a whole-house fan in your attic - it consumes one-tenth as much power as an a/c (years ago we had one of these in a house we rented and it worked well).
Open your windows at night.
Plant shade trees or trellised vines on the western and eastern sides of your home to reduce heat absorption.
Install awnings or roof overhangs.
Add light-colored or reflective roof and wall materials.
Choose energy-efficient indoor lighting and appliances to reduce the amount of waste heat produced by these devices. For example, stand near your computer and you can feel how much heat it throws off. Does it need to be on all day?

Keep these ideas in mind and you will help the environment, control your energy bill and have a much more comfortable summer ahead!

Week 12 - PESKY INSECTS

2007-06-17T09:00:00.000-04:00

According to eartheasy.com, "Each year North American homes use approximately 136 million pounds of pesticides on lawns and gardens, and in the home. In fact, homeowners use about three times the amount of pesticides as farmers. Most wildlife pest poisonings, and most surface water contamination from pesticides, come from single-family homes." Crazy, right?

This year the goal for my vegetable garden (besides being bountiful), is to be “organic”. By that I mean I am making every effort to not use any pesticides or fertilizers that would be considered inorganic. Don’t get me wrong, if something goes awry I will responsibly use whatever necessary to save my plants, but I’m trying not to.

To date I haven’t had anything occur that I have not been able to handle. My grapes had some kind of funky bumpy thing going on with it’s leaves. I removed the damaged leaves, sprayed the vines with a fungicide from Safer Brand, thinned out the vines for better air circulation and things look okay. I have since read the bumpy things are essentially scars from some pesky insect feeding on them. I have a “herd” of slugs that are enjoying my strawberries and although I know beer in a shallow dish will take care of them, they haven’t done so much damage that I wasn't able to can 7 jars of jam this week. I don’t think killing them is necessary, although drowning in beer is not a bad way to go! There are of course all sorts of little bugs making holes here and there and for them I have sprayed the plants with Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap. All in all, so far so good!

There are several things you can do to maintain a healthy garden, but one of the most important is to be vigilant. Watch your gardens carefully and take action the minute you see something is off. The sooner you address a problem, the less likely it is you will have to haul out the “big guns”.

Here are some environmentally friendly suggestions for keeping destructive insects at bay.

Pull out any weak plants. Chances are they are already infested and you don’t want the infestation to spread.
Build healthy soil. By adding compost, natural fertilizer and mulch, you build healthy, strong plants, which are less likely to succumb to insects and disease.

Clear the garden area of debris and weeds which are breeding places for insects.

Rotate crops. Rotating crops helps avoid re-infestation of pests which have over-wintered in the soil.

Water in the early morning to keep foliage dry. Wet foliage encourages insect and fungal damage to your plants.

Disinfect. If you've been working with infested plants, clean your tools (and even your shoes), before moving on to other garden areas.

Invite beneficial insects into your garden. Wasps, Hover-flies, Praying Mantis, Ladybugs, Lacewings, and nematodes, all feast on a variety of destructive insects. You can purchase them at gardensalive.com and gardeners.com.

Birds eat insects so attract them to your garden by providing a bird bath or feeders.

Put up bat houses. Ensure they are at least 10 feet off the ground.

Plant herbs as companion plants. Seedsofchange.com has a nice list of herbs which act as natural insect repellents for other plants. Just search their e-newsletter for “companion plantings”.

If you are infested and do require the “big guns” proceed with caution.

First, do some research to establish what the problem truly is. Yellow sticky traps are great for finding out what’s buzzing around your garden. Go through your gardening books, search online, or contact your local cooperative extension.

Read the product label to ensure it, treats your problem, treats your plant, and focus here: the amount to use. Less is more! Don’t feel you need to drown the vegetation, particularly if it’s something you will eat.

Treat only the plants that are infested.

This is what you want to keep in mind: anything you use can effect other things. We don't want to harm beneficial insects (particularly bees which pollinate the things we grow), birds, toads and frogs which help control undesirable insects. We don't want to contaminate our ground water. We don't want to saturate the food we grow with poisons and then ingest them. It’s all a delicate balance. Bottom line? Protect what’s yours, but do so as responsibly as you can!

Week 11 - H2O

2007-06-10T09:00:00.000-04:00

Does anyone else live in a pocket? A weather pocket that is. It seems we can have rain a mile from us in any direction and we always get missed. I mean, someone will say 'how about that storm last night" and I will be clueless. Sure, I can get the hose and water the vegetable garden and some of the flower beds close to the house, but I refuse to cart the hose to the far away beds. So over the years I have developed a "do or die" garden philosphy. Even if I were to get the hose out there, I would never provide the amount of water the plants actually need, because I'm too cheap. I would not want to pay for the electricity. True, not an environmentally noble attitude, but in the end the results are the same.

With pollution, waste and surging population, water is becoming an increasingly precious commodity, so this summer I thought I would try to save rain water. I'm not planning anything fancy. I happen to have plenty of left over buckets from a cut flower business and I think I will place them on the driveway when rain is expected. As I previously mentioned, we live in a pocket so I don't know how well this will work, but I'll take a shot. At the very least it will provide me with information about whether or not I should go bigger.

Here is a list of some other ways to conserve water and in turn, energy:

Take shorter showers. According to stopglobalwarming.org showers account for 2/3 of all water heating costs.
Install a low-flow shower head. eartheasy.com explains there are two types of low-flow shower heads: aerating and non-aerating.
Aerating - mixes air into the water stream. This maintains steady pressure so the flow has an even, full shower spray. Because air is mixed in with the water, the water temperature can cool down a bit towards the floor of the shower. Aerating shower heads are the most popular type of low-flow shower head.
Non-aerating - air is not mixed into the water stream. This maintains temperature well and delivers a strong spray. The water flow pulses with non-aerating shower heads, giving more of a massaging-showerhead effect.
According to thegreenguide.com, " the average faucet flows about 3 gallons of water per minute, so turn off the tap while you brush your teeth", wash dishes, wash your hands or clean vegetables.

Fix leaking pipes right away.
Run your diswasher only when it is full.
Ensure your water level matches your washing machine load size.

Rinse/pre-wash dishes only when necessary.
Try not to use your garbage disposal. They require a lot of water to work properly. Compost instead.
Upgrade your toilet to a low-flush model.
Insulate your water pipes with those grey foam thingies. Your water will warm faster and with less waste.

Keep a pitcher of water in the fridge, so you don't have to run water to get it cold.

Outside and in the garden you can:

Water less frequently, but more deeply. Or you can adopt my "do or die" philosophy and let nature take it's course.

Plant drought resistant shrubs and plants. At wateruseitwisely.com you can find a list of plants for your area. They also have a Landscape Watering Guide to help you calculate how often you should water and for how long.
Mulch, because it retains moisture.
Weed. I hate it too, but weeds compete with your desirable plants for water and other nutrients.

Clean driveways and walkways with a broom and not the hose.

Wash your car and pet on the grass.
Reduce the amount of grass in your yard.
Consider purchasing a rain barrel. Women's Health Magazine reported, "runoff from a 1-inch rainfall on a 1,000 square-foot roof equals 600 gallons. Amazing! Check out cleanairgardening.com for their 50 gallon rain barrel with built-in overflow valve, water spigot, and hose connector all for $90.

It's time we got serious about conserving this natural resource. Water is life, just ask someone who doesn't have it, but we take it for granted. Perhaps we can get focused by knowing that according to the unwater.org (the UN's Global Water Day Report) "globally, 1.1 billion people do not have access to improved water supply... (horribly) 3.2 million children under the age of 5 die each year from water related diseases. You don't have to look over seas to see the impact of drought, climate change and pollution, look in your own backyard. It's time to make a change. Let's do what we can to not be wasteful, because sooner or later, we may not have a choice.

Week 10 - HITTIN' THE ROAD

2007-06-03T09:00:00.000-04:00

This week I wanted to get away from the garden because it's now unofficially summer and the kids are getting out of school. This is the time of year when we start to take road trips and vacations. It's also the time of year when we tend to add, more than usual, to our pollution and energy problems. This is not where I say we should fore go the family vacation (that would be crazy), but there are some things we can do to limit our vehicles' negative effects on the environment this summer and all year long.

Get your oil and air filter changed. Your car will run more efficiently and therefore use less gas.
Check the air pressure in your tires, since under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency.
Get a tune-up if needed.
Don't carry a lot of stuff in the trunk. The more you haul, the more gas you will use.

Drive under 60 mph (yikes, that would be hard for me!) and try to drive less often (infinitely easier than driving under 60 mph).
Try not to use your AC, roll down your windows instead. Running your AC in hot weather increases fuel consumption by 20%.

Don't idle your car! According to idealbite.com, "idling for more than 10 seconds produces emissions at almost 2x the rate of normal driving. For post-1970s cars, turning the car off and on again doesn't use extra gas or cause additional wear and tear". Since I'm on this point, we should all try to get a "no idling" policy enacted at our schools. People think nothing of leaving their cars running while they are waiting for their kids (this could be 5, 10, 15+ minutes). Think of all the schools across the country and how much wasted gas and pollution that is. This is an incredibly easy change that can make a big difference. Tell everyone you know!

Use cruise control when you can - you'll get up to 15% better mileage.
Take the bus or train.
Carpool.

If appropriate take your bikes on vacation. Once at your destination you can use "pedal power" to get around. We should all try to use our bikes more. It's great exercise, you save money on gas, and you get to see your neighborhood in a way you never have.

Buy a hybrid car. Not everyone is going to run out and make this change immediately, but the next time a car purchase comes up, consider it. More companies are starting to manufacture them so they will be readily available and you will have more options in terms of what kind of vehicle you can buy. According to stopglobalwarming.org, the average driver could save 16,000 lbs. of CO2 and $3,750 per year driving a hybrid. If you would like more information about hybrid cars you can visit hybridcars.com.

If you're not ready to go the hybrid route, at least purchase a fuel efficient car.

Have a plan when you run errands. If I have to go into town, I make a list of all the things I need to do and the places I need to go so I get them done in one trip.
Walk when you can.

These are just basic suggestions all of us can do. If we maintain our vehicles, we get more efficient performance. If we are aware, we can reduce how often we use them. We'll help the environment and we'll help our wallets. What do we have to lose except maybe a few pounds?

Week 9 - COMPOSTING

2007-05-27T09:00:00.000-04:00

I have been recycling for about 9 weeks now and it has greatly reduced our amount of garbage. So given that summer is almost here, I thought I would move on to the next step and begin composting. I don't even have to be doing it yet to know we will see another big drop in our amount of trash. I know this because we eat a ton of fruits and vegetables.

Now, this is not my first attempt at composting. Several years ago I went to a mini seminar at our local cooperative extension and received a free composter made of recycled plastic (you can find your local office at csrees.usda.gov and click on local extension office on the right; they seem to have these seminars annually). I started composting in earnest and then... I don't know what happened, I just stopped. So this week my plan is to remove all the weeds around my composter so I have easy access, "turn" what's still in there and start adding to it again.

Some people may not have the space or the desire to compost at their home. That's okay. In many areas you can still compost by collecting your trimmings and leaving them by the curb to be picked up (many urban areas have added this service in conjunction with their recycling programs), or like in our area you can drop your organic matter off at the town composting site.

But for those that are interested, here is a quick how-to from www.montgomerycountymd.gov.

Slow and Easy Composting

1. Build your compost pile anytime of year.
2. Create a simple, freestanding pile no more than 5 feet high (preferably 3 feet long on each side), or build or buy an inexpensive bin to keep your pile tidy.
3. Locate on level, well-drained ground in either sun or shade -- stay away from wooden fences and buildings, and avoid placing on your neighbor's property line. Don't set up over shallow tree roots.
4. Build a six inch base of branches, twigs or brush for drainage and aeration (old wooden pallets work extremely well).
5. Use leaves by themselves -- or mix in grass and other "green" garden trimmings for quicker compost. When adding new materials to an existing pile, be sure to mix them in thoroughly -- especially green materials like grass. Don't create layers.
6. Don't build your pile with grass alone -- mix in dry leaves, straw or wood chips to avoid odors. 7. Moisten materials as you add them and leave a concave depression at the top of the pile to capture rainwater.
8. Keep materials moist throughout the year -- but not wet. It is often best not to cover your pile to let water in. A dry pile will not compost.
9. Never add meat, bones, fat, oils, dairy products or processed foods to avoid odors and pests. Never add diseased plants, weeds with seeds, or cat or dog wastes.
10. Try to turn, fluff, or aerate on occasion -- whether every week, every month or just once or twice a year.
11. Wait a while (6-12 months) and get ready to use your compost as a top-dressing for your lawn, a mulch for trees and shrubs, or a side-dressing for annuals, herbs, and vegetables.
12. Compost is ready to use when it is dark brown-black, crumbly, and sweet-smelling. Enjoy!

Now here's my two cents:

I prefer a bin since it hides the waste not only from view, but also from animals.
What can be composted? Anything except meat and dairy. This includes coffee (with paper filter), tea bags, veggie/fruit trimmings, straw, grass/yard clippings, weeds (before they've gone to seed), shredded newspaper, manure, etc. Speaking of shredding, cutting the waste into smaller pieces helps it break down faster. You don't have to do it, it just speeds things along. When you add veggie/fruit waste, bury it in your bin instead of just placing it on top. This will prevent fruit flies, gnats and other things you don't want.

There are a number of containers available to collect your waste in. If you want to keep your container on the counter (and more accessible I might add), you probably want something attractive. If you are keeping your container under the sink it doesn't matter so much. You can purchase containers with filters that reduce odor. Consider how often you will be emptying the container and that will help you determine what you need. I happen to be "nose sensitive". I don't want to gag every time I open the container, so I will need some kind of odor control. But if that sort of thing doesn't bother you, a simple plastic container with a tight fitting lid should do the trick. I have found some reasonably priced plastic compost pails at www.leevalley.com which can be attached to a cabinet door.

If you would like more in-depth information, there are a ton of websites and you can check out "The Rodale Book of Composting" which is a comprehensive guide.

I am interested to see how well I do with this. Although it says "slow and easy composting" it seems really involved. But I'm willing to give it a try. I'll let you know how it all turns out.

Week 8 - BUYING LOCALLY

2007-05-20T10:00:00.000-04:00

It's that time of year when farm stands and farmers' markets will be opening all around the country. What do farm stands have to do with being kind to the environment and what are the benefits of buying locally?

When you buy locally, you prevent food from travelling long distances, and therefore reduce the use of fuel. I've recently read, "before reaching your table, the average food item in the United States will travel 1,300 miles! In fact, only about 10% of the fossil fuel energy used in the world’s food system is used for production. The other 90% goes into packaging, transportation, and marketing of the food. All this inefficiency creates many environmental problems."

Buying locally, keeps money in your region's economy.
You support your local farmers and protect their livelihood from developers.
You develop a face to face relationship with your growers. Farmers are typically quite proud of their product and are dedicated to what they do. Fostering this type of relationship is helpful when you want to know more about how something is "raised", whether it's a tomato or beef. (Not every grower is going to be organic and that doesn't mean those who aren't, don't grow their products safely. Personally, I would rather buy my produce from a farming couple I have known for years, then organic produce that has travelled across country or from another country all together. Think of what can happen when produce travels 1,000+ miles - mine comes from about 10 miles away.

Produce grown locally is picked when ripe. This usually means it tastes better.

Farmers' market prices are generally lower than at grocery stores. I tend to pay less for better quality at my local market.
To find a farmers' market near you, go to www.usda.gov and search farmers markets.

Farmers' markets are not the only way you can buy locally. Here are some other ideas:

Find a local meat grower. I know the family that raises our beef. I know what the cattle eats, I know the family grows the food themselves, I know if they need more feed they have a relationship with another family they trust and I know they eat their own product.
Support U-picks. Each year my kids and I pick blueberries and strawberries. We eat some fresh, I'll make a few desserts, and I'll freeze the rest to make delicious smoothies or even crisps, throughout the year.
You can also support your local farms that maintain their own stores. We have several in our area. They always have some special event going on when a particular fruit or vegetable has come into season (IE. strawberry, peach or pumpkin festivals). It's a great opportunity to show your kids a working farm and how something ends up on their plates.

Trade with your neighbors (including food cupboards, if applicable). Maybe you have a bumper crop of something, so share!

Now a word about organic produce. I have no doubt ingesting less pesticides is better for you, but I do have concerns about whether or not I will be taken where I want to go if I jump on the organic band wagon. For example:

Fairness. It is very expensive to become a certified organic grower. This excludes a lot of family owned farms.

I have not yet heard any evidence from an unbiased party that organic produce (pesticides aside) is nutritionally better. I have repeatedly heard, nutritionally, there is no difference. I take issue with the fact every time I read something by an organic supporter, they make reference to how the "other" produce is SWIMMING in pesticides; as though non-organic growers don't care about their product or their customers; as though they are all irresponsible and use no controls. I get miffed about that - it's a scare tactic.

How do we truly know something is organic and how can that be managed if an organic farm is sitting in the middle of non-organic farms? If pesticides leach into the soil and groundwater, than...
Walmart purchasing a large organic grower. They're trying to corner the organic produce market edging out small business owners (again), in this case farmers.

Anyway, this summer whether you choose organic produce or non-organic produce, choose to buy it locally. Your family and the environment will be happy you did.

Oh, and don't forget to take along your reusable bags!

Week 7 - VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

2007-05-13T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last week I learned something interesting - it seems the US imports about 70% of it's food. First we're dependent on others for gas, and now food (fuel of another sort). This is obvious when you take a look at the labels on produce in the grocery store. You'll find: product of Chile, product of Peru, product of Mexico etc. It's not such a bad thing having asparagus available all year round, right?

But there is something else taking place in the produce section that may be cause for concern. Have you ever wondered why we have a choice of say, 3 types of apples, oranges, or tomatoes and maybe a choice of 2 types of cucs, etc. These limited choices are what commercial seed companies (there are about 5 major ones) and large growers are making available to us, but they are by no stretch of the imagination what is possible. Here in lies the root of the agricultural biodiversity (variety) vs. monoculture (one crop) debate.

Seed companies and large growers strive to create a product that is completely disease resistant, can be grown as cheaply as possible for the largest yields and can withstand travel cross country (or internationally). As a result they focus on a single variety (even going so far as to genetically engineer one) and this is what creates a monoculture. In fact, according to thegreenguide.com "63 percent of Native American crop varieties have disappeared since Europeans arrived on the continent". So maybe you're thinking, what's wrong with specializing? LOTS! First there are all the ecological ramifications like soil depletion, the effects on wildlife, and the overuse of crop specific pesticides which can lead to mutant diseases and the poisoning of groundwater, just to name a few. Then think what can happen if something does attack a particular crop! Remember the Irish potato famine, the European wine grape blight (eek!), or the Boll Weevil's effect on our Cotton industry in the early 20th century? Should I even get into how these seed companies are controlling the price of seed and even their use by obtaining patents for seed (when anything comes under the control of a few, the results are usually negative for us, the consumer). This is a worldwide trend that really needs to be examined. Although proponents of monoculture insist it is perfectly safe (and it may well be), I for one, do not want my and my family's dietary sustenance reliant upon a few crops that are grown in a few places!

Speaking of family, let's look at another major reason to promote agricultural biodiversity - our health! The greater the variety of fruits and vegetables we consume, the more likely we are to get all the nutrients we need. So how do we do this in the face of narrowing choices? We plant a garden of course and it doesn't have to be a big one, it can be a few pots. The key is to look for heirloom plants and seeds. Heirlooms are varieties that have been passed down through generations. They are beautiful in color and appearance. They may not look as "perfect" as what we see in the grocery store (we can live without the waxy coating anyway), but they also won't taste mealy or lack flavor. As a matter of fact, flavor is the number one reason given for growing heirlooms. They will look real and taste splendid! Here are some websites that offer heirloom seeds and in some cases, plants:

You can also check out your local garden centers (and even discount stores) for heirloom varieties. I'm fairly confident you will be able to find at least one type of tomato.

If you want to really get serious about things, you can learn how to save your seeds so you can have them from year to year. Check out seedsave.org and click on "free online seed saving instructions". It will give you information on how to save seed from 27 common vegetables. I think it would be really nice to pass down seeds from a favorite vegetable (or even flower for that matter). True, it's kind of old-fashioned, but I think we could use a little of that these days.

So whether you save heirloom seed or support companies that do, whether you grow your own heirloom produce or buy from someone who does, you can feel proud that you help preserve our agricultural biodiversity - our agricultural history. At least in this case it's true, variety is the spice of life!

Week 6 - BOOKS & MAGAZINES EVERYWHERE!

2007-05-06T09:00:00.000-04:00

I LOVE books and magazines! I mean, I get pretty excited about them. I grew up watching my Mom and others always with a book in hand and a few at the ready. I have to say reading is one of my favorite things to do. This love has caused me to become fairly anal-retentive when it comes to my reads. I like my books and magazines to look new - brand spanking new. I won't choose any that have the spine creased or any corners bent. I don't like it when I try to remove any store placed stickers and some of the stickiness remains. I don't even like the idea that someone has touched a book or mag I'm going to purchase, which always has me pulling from the back (to be honest this is true of anything I buy, I tell my kids, "don't pick the front one"!). Yeah, I'm pretty rigid about what comes home with me. So one can imagine my feelings about libraries and until pretty recently, even loaning books out!

A few years ago when my kids were very small, I knew it was in their best interest to teach them about the library process. You know, making a trip to the library to peruse and select our reads for the week, whipping out our library card (aah, when can I get one of my own Mom?) and returning them when finished. It's great, it's free (or at least cheap) and it encourages reading. But ugh, all those hands on those books. I'm happy to say I've gotten over it (kinda). I just try not to give it too much thought!

Today when I think of libraries, I think this is recycling at it's finest. The bottom line is, if you share you will not only save trees and energy, but money too.

Outside of texts, coffee table books, and the classics, most people purchase soft-covered books. Here are some ideas on what to do with them once they've been read:

There is a cool website called Paperbackswap.com. It is currently free and allows you to post "like new/gently used" books you are willing to part with. When someone requests a book you've posted and you send it to them, you earn a point (when you sign-up you are given 3 points as a welcome). You can then request a book and a person will send it to you. One book "costs" one point. There are wrappers you print off of the site for you to mail the book in. You then pay the postage, which is about $1.59 for one book and in turn someone will pay the postage to send you a book. This site is really worth checking out and they have books for all ages.
Second hand bookstores are another way to go. You can sell them your books or at least make a swap.
You can make a little money by selling your books on Amazon.com or BN.com (Barnes & Noble). The sites will walk you through the process.
Donate your books to the local library. They will let you know what they are looking for, or if they have a book sale coming up. Some libraries have a program where you purchase a book selection from the library's wish list, and once you've read it, you donate the book to them.
Donate your books to the Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Check with your school libraries and area preschools to see if they are in need of any of the titles you have.
Get together with friends and have a giant book swap.
RECYCLE them!

Did you know magazine production uses more than 2.2 million tons of paper per year? What about the fact that according to idealbite.com "2.9 billion magazines delivered to newsstands each year are never read; placed end to end they would encircle the earth 20 times." How many people do you know either subscribe to or purchase the same magazines you do? Here are some easy ways to make a difference:

Talk to your friends and see who gets what - maybe you can share the cost of ONE subscription.
If you must have your crisp, new copies of your favorite mags (or if you tend to tear out a lot of articles, etc.), at least see if anyone would like to read them after you.
Maybe doctors' offices, nursing homes or salons could use them.
Check your local library to see if they have a magazine exchange.
Consider if you really need to purchase a hard copy. Most magazines now have websites which contain a lot of the information included in their monthly issues.
RECYCLE them!

There are also a number of household and crafty uses for old magazines (some of these might be a stretch, but to each his/her own):

Use colorful pages as gift wrap.
Use crumpled pages to shape wet shoes/boots
Line small drawers with pages.
Use them for kids craft projects.
Make your own framed art.
Use them for scrap booking.

If you have any other ideas on what to do with our used books and magazines, let us know!

Week 5 - NO GLOBAL WARMING?

2007-04-29T09:00:00.000-04:00

Global Warming: 'carbon stays in the atmosphere, acts like a warm blanket, and holds in the heat'

This is a definition excerpted from StopGlobalWarming.org. The carbon comes from our cars, homes, factories and power plants. It's easy to imagine an increase in this gas as the world becomes more populated and industrialized. If left unchecked this increase could lead to some serious problems, such as: 1) the melting of glaciers and arctic sheets which raises sea-level and may cause significant flooding 2) changes in weather patterns leading to droughts and hurricanes and 3) health problems like allergies, asthma and potentially, malaria and encephalitis, just to name a few.

Recently I have read in various media the statement, "global warming does not exist". Apparently there are reputable scientists that refute the data (they feel GW is a naturally occurring event). Along with this statement, there are usually ones like, "the public is being (mis)led by the media", "the public is not discerning in terms of where it get it's news", "the entertainment industry is leading this left wing cause to undermine the current administration" (like you can't just sit back and watch that situation implode). What if there is no global warming? What if it is the media's 'cause du jour'? What if we are being manipulated? My response is: so what? How are we supposed to react? Oh, since there's no global warming let's get rid of the Clean Air Act (who needs quality air to breathe) and the Clean Water Act (so what if our ground water gets contaminated, and leaches into the soil - you know, the same soil we grow our food in); we'll just allow industry to run amok. Or hey, let's put the brakes on this whole "reduce, reuse, recycle" business! We can just keep sending our trash to landfills. When they get full, we'll find more land (I'm certain there's a third world country willing to take it for a price). What about our gas gluttony? Well since we don't have to be concerned about pollution, fill 'er up! (but jeez, we have to know that every time we fill our gas guzzling cars, we increase demand and in turn drive up the price). I don't get the point. You don't have to believe in global warming to believe you can't suck the resources out of something, abuse said thing and still have something of quality left. View it as any other relationship you have. What do you think the point is?

Say what you will about the entertainment industry, but they have generated a ton of media coverage that has pushed this movement along. They have done it by speaking in a way lay people can understand. They have appealed to our morals and ethics; they have spoken to the parent in us; they have made us aware of personal responsibility and have given us ideas and concrete actions we can take to help the situation. In the end I believe the world will be a better place, even if there is no global warming.

Around the world there is a general consensus that greenhouse gas emissions are a problem. However there is some disagreement on how to solve the problem. Around 1997 141 countries began to ratify the Kyoto Protocol which aims to reduce green house gases about 29% by the year 2012. It took effect in 2005. While running for office Bush promised to reduce carbon emissions. Once he took office, he withdrew U.S. support for the Kyoto Protocol and refused to submit it to Congress for ratification stating it "would result in serious harm to the economy of the United States" (read, serious harm to my and my fat cat friends' wallets). Losing U.S. involvement in the Protocol is huge, since the U.S. is responsible for 25% of greenhouse gas emissions. You can follow this link to the Natural Resources Defense Council nrdc.org/bushrecord/for detailed articles on the President's environmental record (it's not good). To be fair, you can also check out this link whitehouse.gov/infocus/environment (of course, it's infinitely better).

A really great way to help our environment is to let your voice be heard, and you don't have to leave your computer to do so. Your first stop can be StopGlobalWarming.org where you can join a virtual march to "become part of the movement to demand our leaders freeze and reduce our carbon dioxide emissions now".

The mayor of Seattle took matters into his own hands after the U.S. pulled it's support for the Kyoto Protocol and began the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. You can petition your mayor to sign onto the Agreement. Check out seattle.gov/mayor/climate to see if your city is listed (I believe cities have to have at least 30,000 people). The Agreement now includes 464 mayors representing about 62 million Americans - their goal, to reduce global warming pollution by making changes at the local level.

Show support for global warming bills that are coming up this year:

The Climate Stewardship and Innovation Act. It would lower the industrial CO2 emission cap to a third of 2000 emission levels by 2050. Go to undoit.org/home.cfm and click "sign the petition".
The Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act. It calls for an 80% reduction in global warming pollutants by 2050. Use this link senate.gov to contact your senators and ask that he/she support this bill.

At nrdc.org/action, you can ask you representatives to sponsor: 1) a bill to raise fuel efficiency standards immediately, and 2) the above mentioned Global Warming Pollution Reduction Act. There are other environmental issues on their "action center" page you can support.

Also, keep in mind money talks. If you support charities, consider donating to an organization that works to end global warming. Check out networkforgood.org for a database of organizations.

Finally, remember the power of word-of-mouth and share what you know! One great way to do this would be to gather some friends and "screen" An Inconvenient Truth. Whether you believe it all or not, I bet you'll come away thinking a little differently!

Week 4 - EARTH DAY!!

2007-04-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Today's post is a two-fer since we have Earth Day and Arbor Day falling in the same week (at least in PA - Arbor Day varies from state to state). Earth Day was years in the making beginning in 1962 when it's founder Senator Gaylord Nelson had an idea for JFK to go on a conservation tour in 1963. The tour's purpose was to bring the state of the environment into the political limelight. It didn't work, but it was as Nelson stated, "the germ of the idea that would eventually flower into Earth Day". Seven years later on April 22, "over 20 million people participated in what is known as the largest grassroots environmental movement in U.S. history! Since then, more and more people have joined in the celebrations every April. Now more than 500 million people in over 180 countries participate in Earth Day activities! " To learn more about Earth Day and it's purpose, you can visit earthday.org.

Today is just perfect for reinforcing any environmental lessons or activities the kids have been doing at school this past week. Or for taking a few moments to talk with them about the earth, it's gifts, and our responsibility for taking care of it - every day.

There are a myriad of ways in which to celebrate Earth Day. You can:

Honor Arbor Day by planting a tree. It doesn't sound like making a significant contribution, but look at the benefits:

Trees take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. Apparently if every household planted one tree, we would cut global CO2 (that's carbon dioxide) by a billion pounds a year. That equals 100,000 cars.
Planting 3 shade trees around your home, could reduce your air conditioning bill by 50%. They can also act as wind breaks keeping your home warmer in the winter.
Trees absorb noise pollution and filter pollutants out of the air.
Trees control erosion.
Groups of trees (aka forests) create eco-systems and make soil.

Join the National Arbor Foundation at arborday.org for $10.00. They will send you 10 little trees for your donation (granted the trees/sticks are only 6 - 12 inches so patience is necessary). If you can't use the trees you can send them to someone else, or even an organization. Maybe you can plant them in a neighborhood park. Just know that your $10 will go to supporting the Foundation's tree planting programs, education, conferences, seminars, and re-foresting.

Have your family or organization clean-up. Sadly there is always a lot of trash along our roadways, in our parks, along our rivers and lakes, around our playing fields, etc. Choose a place and pick up what you can.

Plant/plan a habitat garden for butterflies or birds.

Go for a hike and/or have a picnic.

If possible leave the car at home.

Visit a zoo.

Share what you know!

Lastly, say a prayer of thanks and one for wisdom. Be thankful we have decent water to drink, our soil is not contaminated and our air (although it could always be better) is breathable. Be thankful for people (like Rachel Carson RachelCarson.org, Senator Nelson, Al Gore et al.) who persevered and took action so we could be made aware of important issues. Most importantly, be thankful we have the power to change and to do better when we know better. That's what I want my children to know - that this is entirely in our hands.

Happy Earth Day Everybody!

Week 3 - CLEANING!

2007-04-15T08:18:00.000-04:00

Easter is behind us, so I can now turn my attention to another annual rite of the season: Spring Cleaning!!! Every one's idea of a clean house is likely associated with a particular smell - for me it's ammonia and sadly, ammonia can be toxic. I would like to change how I think of clean by associating it with a pleasant smell, so I am trying to make more environmentally sound choices when it comes to my cleaning products.

My initial hang up was, what does it mean when we say something is "clean"? A question not to be asked while standing in Target with your arms full of Method products, and your husband saying "none of these are antibacterial". My reply was, "so, we haven't always had everything antibacterial", but inside I wavered. I had to make a clear determination of what clean means, and here it is. "Clean" is the result of all the day to day wiping we do in order to prevent bacteria and germs from occurring in the first place. Disinfecting is what we think we're doing when we use sanitizing or antibacterial cleaning products to kill existing germs. I say "think" because few of us read the directions for our products and fail to realize most disinfectants/antibacterials must be left on a surface for 2 - 10 minutes to be effective. What this means is, we have fallen victim to brilliant marketing and now find it difficult to believe our homes can be clean without disinfecting every square inch! The Method company (link below), which makes environmentally friendly cleaning products does a nice job of countering this marketing by explaining why their products are not antibacterial (yes it's still marketing, but at least we get some balance). If you need a little extra courage to go against what we've been brainwashed to believe, go to their site, click "support" at the bottom of the page and then click "antibacterial".

So when is cleaning okay and when do we really need to use something stronger? It seems we don't need to be constantly disinfecting our homes unless someone is ill or has a compromised immune system. Further, when we do disinfect, it does not have to be the entire house. Do we really need to disinfect our dining rooms, bedrooms, or even living rooms? Probably not. But we probably want to do our kitchens and baths. Even within rooms, do we need to disinfect things like the walls, doors, and trim, or is it enough to do just the door knobs, sinks and toilets? Every individual will have their own level of comfort, just keep in mind we need most things to be clean, not necessarily disinfected.

This also holds true for antibacterial soap. It seems that antibacterial soap is no better at cleaning hands than soap and water; it is the act of washing your hands that kills the germs. Again, this is great marketing that cost the consumer more money. There does however seem to be a consensus that antibacterial gels are a good option for when soap and water is not available. There is one concern about antibacterial soaps/gels that the FDA is currently looking into and that is the effect of the ingredient triclosan. According to one article on http://www.webmd.com/, a FDA "committee heard some evidence that two common antimicrobial agents, triclosan and triclocarban, accumulate in groundwater and soil. That could make them a risk for contaminating drinking water and farmed food and giving rise to potentially dangerous resistant bacteria. The risk of resistant bacteria is theoretical. But several experts cautioned that even the potential risk of resistance may not be worth continued mass marketing of soaps that have no proven benefit to consumers. Drug-resistant bacteria are considered a major health threat by public health experts. Some strains, including S. aureus (staph), have alarmed experts with increased levels of resistance to multiple antibiotics". Inconclusive, but interesting and a little scary!

In choosing your products you want to remember what is best for you, your family and pets. Opt for environmentally friendly products when you can and harsh products when you must. The following are some other things that can make a difference:

Choose products in containers that are recyclable in your area (this is a good habit for whatever you buy).
Look for concentrated products that can be mixed with COLD water. They use less packaging and energy.
Stay away from products with bold warnings that they are poison or toxic.
When choosing a disinfectant, stick with the mildest ingredients like citrus or hydrogen peroxide (as opposed to chlorine).
Check that the product is biodegradable.
Buy products that are phosphate free (.5% or less). Phosphates have a terrible effect on our waterways.
Avoid products that contain any of the following, listed as: APEs, glycol ether, VOCs, or EDTA
When you discover a product that works well, let others know. (I did buy some Method products and have so far used the daily shower spray [which smells like eucalyptus and mint] and the hand soap [which smells like pink grapefruit]. Both work well and I'll keep you posted on whatever else I try).

Here are links to some of the numerous companies that make environmentally friendly products (they also do not test on animals): http://www.methodhome.com/, http://www.seventhgeneration.com/, and http://www.mrsmeyers.com/. They are also available at area stores and you can find one near you when you visit their websites. You can also peruse the shelves at your local stores (grocery, discount, health food), for environmentally friendly alternatives. No doubt about it, some of them will be more expensive, but a lot of them are on par with mainstream products (ensure you are comparing apples to apples when figuring cost, especially when looking at concentrated products). Also, it may be a trial and error process to find out what works the way you want. Having said that, changing even one cleaning product can make a big difference by letting companies know we want something better than what meets the minimum standards for safety they can get away with.

In the end, if you have the option of something that cleans well, smells great, is better for the environment and is comparably priced, why wouldn't you use it?!!

Week 2 - BYOBags!!!!

2007-04-08T09:12:00.000-04:00

Earlier this week I received my order of reusable shopping bags and I've already road tested them! They are terrific! They are made of non woven polypropylene, shaped like a box with handles, very roomy (they easily hold more than a regular plastic grocery bag, more like a paper grocery bag), very sturdy (especially because they come with an insert for the bottom) and they cost about $1.25 each. What's not to like? I know what's not to like - these bags draw attention!! I can't tell you how many looks I was getting because I had these bags! I tend to be pretty private, so that was a little tough. But instead of putting on my "what are YOU lookin' at" face, I should wear my "hey ask me where I got these bags" face. I have to work on that!

I checked out a number of reusable bags. Canvass and string bags are great options, but their price tag is a little crazy, at least for me. When I go grocery shopping, I generally have at least 10 -12 bags. Am I really going to pay around $6 - $8 for one bag? NO!!!! So I was thrilled when I found the website earthwisebags.com. You click on "store" and you can purchase the bags in quantities of 10, 20, 50 or 200. The shipping is a little pricey at $7.77, but it's the same if you purchase 10 or 20 bags, so order 20 and have someone split the shipping cost with you. I should add these bags are not just reusable, they are also 100% recyclable, hypoallergenic, odorless, non-toxic, washable and water repellent!

I know some of you are thinking "reusable bags, ugh!", but check out these stats. Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic grocery bags a year! That's a lot of petroleum that's being used to produce them and how about the space they take up in the landfills since only about 1 - 3% of plastic bags are recycled. Oh, and if you're thinking "I'll just use paper" - that's not any better. Americans consume about 10 billion paper bags annually and it has been found that the manufacture of plastic bags produce considerably less air pollution, water borne wastes, and industrial solid-waste than the manufacture of paper. So environmentally speaking, paper or plastic is a toss up. They both use a lot of natural resources, pollute the air, can be harmful to wildlife and neither are effectively recycled. The best option is to bring your own reusable bags when you go shopping. Leave them in the car and you will always be prepared, whether at the market or the mall. Just remember, work on your "face"!

Week 1 - RECYCLING

2007-04-01T09:54:00.000-04:00

Can you believe that the average American is responsible for about 4.3 pounds of garbage per day? Do the math for just one week and it's not comforting! Do the math for over a lifetime, and the amount is staggering! Put in these terms we can see why recycling came about, but ask the average person why we recycle and the general answer is: to keep our landfills from filling up thereby using more and more of our land for garbage dumps. I have found the answer to this question to be a little more complex.

We are asked to recycle for a variety of reasons, such as:

Saving virgin resources (like trees and mining the earth) that would be used to make new products.
Preventing environmental problems in landfills like ground water contamination.
Saving energy when using recycled materials rather than virgin materials in manufacturing, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Preventing pollution.
Creating jobs. The recycling industry is a growing one.
Saving families money in those area where garbage pick-up fees, are based on how much garbage you have.

Now for the complex part, many of these reasons have been refuted on the grounds that they are not industry specific. You can follow this link, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Recycling_criticism&oldid=118955910 if you would like to read more about the criticisms of recycling. Having read the criticisms, I still think recycling is worthwhile.

That being said, I've never done it! We live outside of town and we do not have curb side pick-up (we don't even have curbs). I've always thought of it as an inconvenience. However, I have to say, I can easily drive by the Recycling Center each week as I have to go into town anyway. So, I went online and searched for our Recycling Center's website. It provided me with information on what they accept, how I should prepare it and the Center's hours.

Next, my kids and I picked up some inexpensive 5 gallon buckets and we've started collecting. I get a little excited with each item we put in - I know, I know, that's going to wear off!

My cost for 4 buckets was less than $8.00. I had to purchase another larger container at about $3.50 because I seem to have a lot of plastic. That's okay; I may need a few more. To date my total cost is $11.50 and just a little extra time to rinse things out.

Here is a link that will help you find recycling services of all kinds in your area: http://earth911.org

This was an easy one! Everyone should do this! If you don't, check into it!

I'll talk to you next week.