Week 23 - COMPUTERS

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:

1. Opt for a laptop over a desktop. A laptop uses about half the energy of a desktop.
2. 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
3. Buy a computer that grows with you.
4. Buy the right system for your specific needs.
5. 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.

1. 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
2. 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%.
3. 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.
4. 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.

1. Buy recycled paper.
2. Print on both sides.
3. Print only your final copy.
4. Utilize your “print preview” option.
5. 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:

1. On average three quarts of oil are burned to make one new cartridge.
2. An estimated 375,000,000 cartridges are thrown away every year.
3. Every cartridge thrown away turns into 2 quarts of oil in our landfills.
4. 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

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:

1. Maintain your appliances.
2. Choose the right appliance for the job, and…
3. 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

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.

1. Areca Palm
2. Lady Palm
3. Zamioculcas zamifolia
4. Philodendron
5. Miniature Date Palm
6. Peace Lilly
7. Dracaena
8. Boston Fern
9. Ficus
10. 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"?

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.

1. When purchasing household products such as appliances.
2. When purchasing a new home.
3. 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.

1. Seal leaks which let in drafts, or allow heat to escape.
2. Use weather stripping around windows and doors.
3. Insulate.
4. Choose energy efficient windows when old ones need to be replaced.
5. Have you heating and cooling system serviced regularly.
6. Change your air filters.
7. Install a programmable thermostat.
8. 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

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

1. 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.
   
2. 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!
   
3. 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.
   
4. Make a memorial donation in a loved ones name.
   
5. 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:

1. Protect wildlife.


2. Give hope for the future of wildlife, and


3. 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?!