Interesting GREEN Ideas from the Web ...Read more about it!
JULY 2010
Driving Green Taken from: www.greencars.org Buying green is just the first step in reducing the environmental impacts of automobile use. Your choice of vehicle is most important, but how you drive and how well you maintain your car, van, or light truck will also make a difference. ■Avoid “jack rabbit” starts and aggressive driving. Flooring the gas pedal not only wastes gas, it leads to drastically higher pollution rates. One second of high-powered driving can produce nearly the same volume of carbon monoxide emissions as a half hour of normal driving. ■Think ahead. Try to anticipate stops and let your vehicle coast down as much as possible. Avoid the increased pollution, wasted gas, and wear on your brakes created by accelerating hard and braking hard ■Follow the speed limit! Driving 75 mph instead of 65 mph will lower your fuel economy by about 10 percent, and can dramatically increase tailpipe pollution in many vehicles ■When possible, plan your trips to avoid rush hour. Stop-and-go driving burns gas and increases emissions of smog-forming pollutants. ■Combine trips. Warmed-up engines and catalysts generate much less air pollution, so combining several short trips into one can make a big difference ■Take a load off. Carrying around an extra 100 pounds reduces fuel economy by about 1 percent. Take a few moments to unload your cargo area.
■If your vehicle has it, use overdrive gear at cruising speeds. When driving a manual transmission, shift up as soon as possible. Running in a higher gear decreases the rpm and will decrease fuel use and engine wear.
JUNE 2010
Driving Green Maintenance Tips Taken from: www.greencars.org ■Keep your tires properly inflated. Tires should be inflated to the pressure recommended for your vehicle; this information is often printed inside the door frame or in your owner’s manual. For every 3 pounds below recommended pressure, fuel economy goes down by about 1 percent. Tires can lose about 1 pound of pressure in a month, so check the air pressure regularly and always before going on a long trip or carrying heavy loads. Under inflated tires can also detract from handling, safety, and how long the tires will last. ■Buy low-rolling-resistance (LRR) replacement tires. Switching to a typical set of replacement tires lowers a vehicle’s fuel economy as much as 4 percent. LRR tires, on the other hand, are specially designed to improve a vehicle’s fuel economy. Most major tire manufacturers now produce LRR models, so when it comes time to replace your tires, seek out a set of LRRs. ■Check your own fuel economy every few weeks. If you notice it slipping, that could mean you have a minor problem with the engine or your brakes. Using this advance warning, you can fix problems before you have a breakdown on the road. ■Get a tune-up. Whether you do it yourself or go to a mechanic, a tune-up can increase your fuel economy. Follow owner’s manual guidelines. Be sure to check for worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, and low transmission fluid; have your wheels aligned and tires rotated; and replace the air filter if needed. Make sure all used vehicle fluids are recycled or disposed of safely.More tips are at: www.greencars.orgCheck it out!
MAY 2010
Look For The ENERGY STAR Label If a product has the ENERGY STAR seal, it meets certain energy efficiency standards. Home appliances, electronics, windows, and roofing are just a few of the products that can qualify, so check a product’s box or manual, or speak to a salesperson to see if it is ENERGY STAR compliant. In 2006, ENERGY STAR products helped US consumers save an estimated $14 billion on their utility bills. In addition to energy savings, there are rebates and federal tax credits available for some ENERGY STAR products. Visit ENERGYSTAR.gov or our energy section for more information. (Source: ENERGY STAR)
APRIL 2010
How to Dispose of Pharmaceuticals Properly Presented by: Beth Carlisle
It's a common problem most of us have faced: what's the best way to dispose of unused, unneeded, or expired prescription drugs? Throw them in the trash? Flush them down the toilet? Give unused painkillers to your brother-in-law with the bad back? The US government decided to study this problem for two reasons. One, it wants to stop the growing problem of prescription drug abuse and theft, and two, it wants to protect the environment from the toxic effects of improper disposal of prescription drugs. To that end, the US Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) teamed up and devised a short-term solution. It suggests taking the following steps:
1.Remove the prescription drugs from their original containers. 2. Mix the drugs with an undesirable substance such as used coffee grounds or kitty litter. 3.Put this unsavory mixture into a plain, sturdy container, such as an empty can or bag so that children or pets won't accidently ingest them. 4. Throw the container in the trash.
Another option for safe drug disposal is to find out if your community has a pharmaceutical take-back program. These programs let you bring unwanted prescription medications to a location where they will be disposed of safely. Disposing of pharmaceuticals properly helps you go green because…
* It keeps harmful chemicals found in medications from contaminating groundwater and causing potential health hazards for humans, animals, and wildlife. A 1997 survey found that 63 percent of people have disposed of leftover medications in the past, either by flushing them down the toilet, throwing them in the trash, or giving them to another person. These leftover medications are referred to by the EPA as pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). Sales of over-the-counter medicines in the US have increased by 60 percent since the 1990s, adding to the disposal problem.
Solar Battery Charging Consider switching to rechargeable batteries for your portable electronic devices. Then charge your batteries with a solar charger and you’re saving a lot of energy and material over using disposable batteries.
FEBRUARY 2010
Helpful Hints for a GREENER tomorrow
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A GREEN VALENTINE?
From the folks at: GREEN LIVING. See the complete story at: greenlivingtips.com
Some fast consumption related facts about Valentines day:
❤ Around a billion valentines are sent each year globally, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas
❤ 25 percent of all seasonal cards annually are valentines
❤ Over 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate are sold each year.
❤ Valentine’s Day is the top holiday for fresh flower purchases with red roses being most popular
❤ 10% of engagements happen on Valentine’s Day
Valentines day gifts with the planet in mind
If Valentines Day is an important day for you or the one you love; then you can show a bit of extra love for the environment by carefully considering what you buy. Here's some ideas:
❤ Cards made from recycled or tree free paper (This will be indicated on the card)
❤ Consider sending an e-card instead using one of the many quality services around.
❤ Fair trade or organic chocolate
❤ Choose organic and/or locally grown flowers
❤ Make a donation to an environmental organization on behalf of the person.
❤ If you wish to give jewelry, consider pre-owned, antique or purchasing from jewelers who are certified to be sourcing precious metals and gemstones in a responsible manner.
❤ Buy the person a gift certificate for holistic therapies e.g. massage, naturopath, health spa.
❤ Arrange dinner at a local restaurant specializing in organic or locally grown food
December 2009
Helpful Hints for a GREENER tomorrowThese ideas are brought to you by The Sierra Club. For more ideas go to:http://www.sierraclub.org/holidays/
GET A PESTICIDE-FREE TREEDemand is on the rise for Christmas trees that are not covered in chemicals;some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. Thegood news is that there are now a number of tree-farms that sell pesticide-freetrees, so ask your local Christmas tree seller.
RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREENinety-eight percent of Christmas trees were grown on farms, not in forests, so atleast it's not as if you're cutting down an ancient tree. Each year, 10 millionChristmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won't fit in the recycling binwith your newspapers and bottles, you can recycle your tree: many cities offerprograms to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips. Call (800) CLEANUP or visitwww.earth911.org to find the tree-recycling program near you. BUY ENERGY-SAVING "LED" HOLIDAY LIGHTSNow you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent lessenergy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 onyour energy bills during the holiday season! LED lights are available at manymajor retailers, including Target, CostCo, and Ace Hardware. MAKE YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPERMost mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable andends up in landfills. Instead, here's a great chance to get creative! Wrap presentswith old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children's artwork. Or use ascarf, attractive dish towel, bandana, or some other useful cloth item. If everyfamily wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover45,000 football fields.
November 2009
Consider a GREEN Thanksgiving Look for local organic pastured turkey…hopefully from a local farm. Support local farmers and local businesses to cut down on transport emissions. Buy organic, locally grown produce. When shopping, look for organic options with the least amount of packaging. And remember…bring your own shopping bags to the market.
October 2009
Computer Power Management Enable low-power sleep modes and turn off computers and monitors at night. General Electric implemented power management features on 75,000 of its computers, annually saving the company $2.5 million dollars and preventing 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. For step-by-step instructions on how to optimize the settings on your computer, visit ENERGY STAR Network:http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power_management
FACT: In 1948, CA's In-N-Out Burger became the first fast food joint to have a drive-thru. On Vacation…In Your Car, Traveling… and the HUNGER BUG strikes you! While on the highway, your options are few, so why not try the following to be MORE GREEN! Park your car and avoid the drive through window…you will stretch your legs and use less fuel instead of waiting in line with your engine idling.It’s usually faster to pop in.. as lines are often shorter. When asked if the order is“to go” say “NO”…even if you are indeed taking it to go.You will avoid the bag and excess numbers of napkins. Take only what you will need from the condiment counter…How much ketchup do you actually need? Opt out of the Burgers…try the veggie option as it takes fewer resources to produce fruits and vegetables rather than the beef in that burger. Leave the kid’s toy out of the children’s meal.Plastic toys are not healthy for little ones to chew on and are usually tossed aside and into the rubbish after a short amount of time. Support fast food restaurants that use local produce and use recycled paper products.
AUGUST 2009 Helpful Hints for a GREENER tomorrow
A whopping 46 percent of home energy use is, umm, energy loss! In other words, no productive energy use at all! Here are simple ways of reversing this, mostly by changes of habit. Thanks to climatecrisis.net and The Home Energy Diet (New Society Publishers, 2005), for many of the carbon savings figures.
Each degree you turn down the heat saves 3 percent of heating costs, while each degree you raise the temperature of your air conditioner saves 3-4 percent of cooling costs. By changing the temperature by 2 degrees all year, you can save about 2,000 pounds of C02 a year.
Cook with a slow cooker or a toaster oven (or even a solar oven!) to reduce electrical use from kitchen appliances. For a meal that requires one hour to cook in an electric oven, and which uses 2.7 pounds of C02, a crockpot uses 0.9 pounds of C02 for seven hours, a toaster oven takes 1.3 pounds of C02 for 50 minutes, and a microwave only 0.5 pounds of C02 for 15 minutes of cooking. A solar cooker requires NO C02!
Switch to a laptop instead of using a desktop computer and cut three-quarters off your electrical use. Turn off the laptop at the end of the day.
Switch to cold water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for laundry and save an estimated $60 a year. Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year.
Plug anything that can be powered by a remote control or that has a power cube transformer (little black box) into a power strip, and turn it off, and/or unplug, when not in use. (Power cubes are 60-80 percent inefficient.
JULY 2009 Helpful Hints for a GREENER tomorrow
✮ In the garden, use white vinegar to kill grasses between the patio stones. ✮ Put cayenne pepper in pots to keep the chipmunks away ✮ Keep aphids away from your roses - place banana peels underneath. ✮ Catch slugs and snails with beer traps ✮ Don't over-fertilize your gardens or lawn, follow directions as to the quantity andan added note...use organic.
MAY 2009 LEARN MORE ABOUT BEING GREEN
Agroforestry Resource Center Cornell Cooperative Extension 6055 Route 23, Acra, NY 12405
Announces it’s Spring 2009 Programs
Learn to GREEN your world with KNOWLEDGE.
Call today 518-622-9820
APRIL 2009 Save MORE MONEY
Less gas = MORE MONEY (and better health!). Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity. Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term. Also….Keep electronics out of the trash. Keep your cell phones, your computers and other electronics as long as possible. Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. These electronic items added to the waste stream are toxic and is a growing environmental problem.
Turn in and recycle your old cell phones
Ask your local government to set up dates at your transfer stations to accept electronic equipment.
MARCH 2009 Think Bamboo
When gardeners think of BAMBOO…they cringe.It is often thought of as just a weed…a really terrible weed...and one that can easily grow out of control. Worldwide there are over 1400 species of this type of grass.It is easily grown and resistant to attempts to keep it inbounds.It needs little nutrients and thrives in poor water deprived areas.Bamboo is a fast growing plant.Some species are able to grow 12 inches in one day making it extremely difficult to control.On a positive note….Bamboo has many useful functions:
Baskets, Bird Cages, Blinds, Boats , Bridges, Brushes, Canoes, Carts, Charcoal, Chopsticks, Clothing, Cooking Utensils, Fans, Fences, Firewood, Fishing rods, Flooring, Food steamers, Garden tools, Handicrafts, Hats, Musical instruments,Paper, Particle board, Pens, Scaffolding, Tableware, Toothpicks, Umbrellas, Walking sticks…..And that is only the short list!
Bamboo is also used as a food source in many Asian counties.Bamboo shoots may be eaten raw, steamed or boiled.Bamboo is also used to brew a Chinese beer-like beverage. So consider Bamboo …you can eat it, wear it, build with it and play with it.It is versatile and renewable and will help to cut down on our reliance with petroleum based plastic products.
FEBRUARY 2009 Be a smart shopper Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging. Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
Invest in high quality...long lasting products.You'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).
JANUARY 2009 Borrow instead of buying!
Why not borrow a book from the library instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books. Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.
15 DECEMBER 2008 Save Energy and Save Money
Set your thermostat degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a smart power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.
15 NOVEMBER 2008
Read about new GREEN initiatives at the DISCOVERY CHANNEL blog, Click on the link bellow:
15 OCTOBER 2008 Great GREEN Ideas…Compact Florescent Lightbulbs are a slam-dunk when it comes to saving energy. Unfortunately, CFLs contain mercury. Learn Five Ways to Dispose of CFL’s (Compact Florescent Light Bulbs) Read about it at:http://lighterfootstep.com/2007/09/five-ways-to-dispose-of-old-cfls/
15 SEPTEMBER 2008 Great Green Ideas: The following tips are from About My Planet and maybe found on the web at: www.aboutmyplanet.com
Vinegar Vinegar is a superhero.Acetic acid (albeit a dilute solution) by its other name, it is one of the most cheapest and general purpose cleaners around. Being a light acid it is an excellent solvent and it is this very property which makes it such a wonderful disinfectant, antiseptic and preservative. Vinegar solutions Even normal detergents cannot remove the pesky mass of chewing gum off your clothes. A rub of vinegar just before a wash does the trick. Vinegar also acts as a fine fabric softener. Badly stained stainless steel or copper clad cookware can be easily cleaned by applying a solution of few tablespoons of white vinegar mixed with a few teaspoons of common table salt. Need an environmentally friendly window cleaner? Use one cup of vinegar and four cups of water along with few flakes of soap to swipe the window panes clean. Baking Soda Baking soda or its true moniker, sodium bicarbonate is the next wonder chemical on the list. Forget about its use as a cooking ingredient and as a tooth whitening agent. It has some other important applications at home too. The inherent chemical properties of baking soda make it a wonder neutralization (i.e. it prevents acid formation) agent. It neutralizes chemical odors chemically rather than absorbing them. Its use as a cleaner in paste form or dry on a damp washing cloth or sponge, allows for a gentle scraping that helps to remove dirt without scratching sensitive surfaces. Its mild alkalinity helps to churn fatty acids contained in dirt and grease into a form of soap that can be broken up in water and rinsed off easily. Baking soda solutions For truly white laundry and less detergent consumption, pour half a cup of baking soda to the wash when you add your regular liquid detergent. The baking soda has been known to give you whiter whites, brighter brights, and odor free clothing. Baking soda (Sodium Bicarbonate) can also be used as it is a natural deodorizer as it absorbs smelly volatile compounds in the air. Pour some baking soda in your trash cans and 'smell' the odors go away. Use it inside a refrigerator by stowing it in an opened box. Replace every couple of months. The same action hold true for every nook and cranny where you want to drive the smells away. Unclog your drains by pouring a cup of baking soda and half a cup of salt down the drain pipe. Let this mixture sit in the drain preferably overnight. Flush down the solution with two cups of boiling water. Using these chemicals eliminates not only dirt and stains but also obviates the need to buy and use environmentally harsher products for cleaner homes. After all, isn't Earth the only home we have?
15 AUGUST 2008 Great Green Ideas from: The Real Dirt – Number 8 Fall 2007 Save the Blue by Going Green By: Susan Osborne, Carmel-by-the-Sea GC, Zone XII While many people are aware of the problem of industrial pollution, fewer realize how their own actions--even such common ones as disposing of used kitty litter--also affect oceans and the species that live in them. This is why Earth’s largest bodies of water, the final destination for many things people dispose of, are increasingly at risk. (1) The amount of oil, for example, that is spilled on streets and driveways and ends up in United States waters is estimated to be equal to one Exxon Valdez disaster every eight months. Nutrient run-off from fertilizers and nitrates causes algae blooms that kill fish and result in dead zones in the ocean. Sea birds have strangled after becoming entangled in plastic and have starved to death when they have swallowed plastic bags as food. What can we do?A very basic way to reduce some pollution is to recycle plastic and glass and pick up trash when you go for a walk on the beach or elsewhere. Debris can clog storm drains, litter streams, lakes or oceans and harm wildlife. Do you notice polluting runoff? One of the major environmental concerns is non-point source pollution (NPS) which comes from diverse, often not easily identified sources, frequently far away. Run-off from snowmelt, rain, sprinklers and hoses carry oil, chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides through storm drains and flood control channels to rivers, coastal waters and oceans. Storm water is not treated before it is discharged into the sea, and untreated sewage from sanitary sewage systems can overflow when lines are blocked. Wastewater treatment facilities have steps to remove pathogens from sewage, but some organisms such as Cryptospiridium are tough to kill. Thus, pollutants on land end up impacting our oceans, wetlands and wildlife. Use non-toxic agents around your house and garden and do not flush toxic chemicals down toilets, sinks or drains.Pick up after your pets and never flush or bury kitty litter. Water can be polluted by animal waste washed into streams, rivers and oceans. The parasitic protozoa Toxoplasma gondii, a pathogen found in cat feces, can cause disease or death in coastal otters. To avoid spreading the parasite, dispose of kitty litter in a sealed plastic bag within a garbage bag.
15 JULY 2008 Great Green Ideas Save Money-Use Less Electricity
The following information is from: The Daily Green, Consumers Guide to the Green revolution www.thedailygreen.com
Put a Timer on Your Hot Water Heater Decide when you need your hot water the most and set the timer…for instance: an hour in the early morning and 2 hours in the late afternoon. You will reduce your use by 21 hours.And you will have plenty of hot water.More info available at:www.thedailygreen.com
15 JUNE 2008 Great Green Ideas Shop Locally with BerkShares
The following Information is from: http://www.berkshares.org/localcurrency.htm What are BerkShares? BerkShares are a local currency designed for use in the Southern Berkshire region of Massachusetts with issue by BerkShares, Inc., a non-profit organization working in collaboration with the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, participating local banks, local businesses, and local non-profit organizations. The purpose of a local currency is to function on a local scale the same way that national currencies have functioned on a national scale—building the local economy by maximizing circulation of trade within a defined region. Widely used in the early 1900s, local currencies are again being recognized as a tool for sustainable economic development. The currency distinguishes the local businesses that accept the currency from those that do not, building stronger relationships and a greater affinity between the business community and the citizens of a particular place. The people who choose to use the currency make a conscious commitment to buy local first. They are taking personal responsibility for the health and well-being of their community by laying the foundation of a truly vibrant, thriving local economy. BerkShares will not, and are not intended to, replace federal currency. Their use will help strengthen the regional economy, favoring locally owned enterprises, local manufacturing, and local jobs, and reducing the region's dependence on an unpredictable global economy. How are BerkShares placed in circulation? BerkShares are placed in circulation when citizens exchange federal dollars for BerkShares at any of the BerkShares Exchange Banks (see list below). Some restrictions may apply. Citizens may exchange federal dollars for BerkShares at any of the BerkShare Exchange Banks during normal bank hours (some restrictions may apply): Banks Accepting Berkshares- see list Berkshire Bank—Main Street, Great Barrington branch Berkshire Bank—Stockbridge Road, Great Barrington branch Berkshire Bank—Main Street, Stockbridge branch Berkshire Bank—Sheffield branch Berkshire Bank—West Stockbridge branch Lee Bank—Main Street, Great Barrington branch Lee Bank—Elm Street branch Lenox National Bank-Main Street branch, Lenox Pittsfield Coop Bank—Main Street, Great Barrington branch Salisbury Bank—Egremont branch Salisbury Bank—Sheffield branch More information at: www.berkshares.org
15 MAY 2008 GREAT GREEN IDEAS
Eat Right to Save the Planet Everyone is Dieting, But… HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE LO-CARBON DIET? Eat locally and only buy what you need. Don’t throw away your leftovers. Minimize food waste. Make seasonal and regional your new mantra! Don’t buy foods from half way around the world. Think before you eat. And check out this website calculator from BON APPETIT…You might be surprised. Less fuel to bring your items to market means a Lo-Carbon Diet. http://www.eatlowcarbon.org/Carbon-Calculator.html Slow Food for Western Massachusetts http://www.slowfoodwesternmass.org/ Slow Food Newsletter Archives Take a look at see what your neighbors are doing. http://slowfoodwesternmass.wordpress.com/ Learn more about New York’s initiative http://www.farmandfood.org/ Learn more about SLOW FOOD http://www.slowfoodusa.org/index.html Garden to Table Projects Slow Food on Campus Renewing America’s Food Traditions How to live a slow life Learn more about local chapters of SLOW LIFE Blog General Store Press Support
15 APRIL 2008 GREAT GREEN IDEAS
Ideas by Annie B. Bond, Executive Producer of Care2's Green Living content. Browse through this list of simple solutions designed to save energy and reduce carbon emissions for the planet, and at the same time save you money.
SIMPLE SOLUTION: 10 Tips to Save Energy (and Money) in Your Home A whopping 46 percent of home energy use is, umm, energy loss! In other words, no productive energy use at all! Here are simple ways of reversing this, mostly by changes of habit. Thanks to climatecrisis.net and The Home Energy Diet (New Society Publishers, 2005), for many of the carbon savings figures. 1. Each degree you turn down the heat saves 3 percent of heating costs, while each degree you raise the temperature of your air conditioner saves 3-4 percent of cooling costs. By changing the temperature by two degrees all year you can save about 2,000 pounds of C02 a year. 2. Cook with a slow cooker or a toaster oven (or even a solar oven!) to reduce electrical use from kitchen appliances. For a meal that requires 1 hour to cook in an electric oven, and which uses 2.7 pounds of C02, a crockpot uses 0.9 pounds of C02 for seven hours, a toaster oven takes 1.3 pounds of C02 for 50 minutes, and a microwave only 0.5 pounds of C02 for 15 minutes of cooking. A solar cooker requires NO C02! 3. Switch to a laptop instead of using a desktop computer and cut three-quarters off your electrical use. Turn off the laptop at the end of the day. 4. Switch to cold water washing and save 80 percent on energy used for laundry and save an estimated $60 a year. Hang dry your clothes instead of using the dryer and save 700 pounds of C02 a year. 5. Plug anything that can be powered by a remote control or that has a power cube transformer (little black box) into a power strip, and turn it off, and/or unplug, when not in use. (Power cubes are 60-80 percent inefficient.) 6. Turn off the lights when you aren't using them and reduce your direct lighting energy use by 45 percent. Stop using heat-producing halogen lamps (they can also be fire hazards). Install occupancy or motion sensors on outdoor lights. 7. Switch to compact fluorescent from regular incandescent bulbs and use 60 percent less energy per bulb and save 300 pounds of C02 a year. 8. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket and save 1,000 pounds of C02 a year. Insulate your hot water pipes. 9. Use public transportation whenever possible, carpool, shop locally, and ideally switch to a hybrid or energy-efficient car (if you haven't already). 10. Keep your tires inflated to improve gas mileage by three percent. Every gallon you save also saves 20 pounds of C02 emissions.
15 MARCH 2008 GREAT GREEN IDEAS
Why do I need a Rain Barrel? Residential irrigation can account for 40% of domestic water consumption in a given municipality. Rain barrels not only store water they help decrease the demand during the sweltering summer months VISIT: http://www.nerainbarrel.com for more information
Other GREAT Ideas STOCK YOU FRIDGE A full refrigerator will use less energy BUY A DISHWASHER You will save as much as 37% more water than by hand washing your dirty dishes MICROWAVE WHEN POSSIBLE Microwave ovens use less energy HOOD OPTIONAL Range hoods or exhaust fans can be helpful for kitchen ventilation, but they’re dangerous if used incorrectly. The average kitchen only needs a hood that sucks out 100 cubic feet per minute; in most spaces, any fan more powerful can cause excessive depressurization, potentially filling your kitchen with carbon monoxide, mold, soot, or other nasty pollutants. The same effect can occur if the vent is blocked with grease and dust, so have it cleaned regularly. CHOOSE THE RIGHT BAKING PANS Using glass or ceramic baking pans helps conserve energy: They warm up more quickly and retain heat longer than metal pans, so you can lower the oven temperature by 25 degrees. COOL THE FAT Let your pans cool and wipe out the grease. Never put grease down your drain…Not even olive oil. These fats can harden causing many problems. COOK WITH A NATURAL NON-STICK Stay away from teflon coated pans…these may be linked to cancer causing chemicals and end up in the water supply and our blood streams. Why not try an old-fashioned cast iron pan. SEPARATE YOUR STOVE FROM YOUR FRIDGE It’s best to keep your refrigerator and stove separated by at least a foot or two, because the extra heat near the fridge causes it to work harder. BUILD WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS Many conventional building materials, like PVC, paint, and particle board, release volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), formaldehyde, or other noxious agents. Fortunately, there are plenty of nontoxic choices for the kitchen (and they won’t break the bank). USE NATURAL LIGHT Even the greenest cabinets and countertops can cause unintended environmental consequences if they’re the wrong color: Dark wood and stone suck up light, which means you’ll be more likely to flip on the overhead lighting or install higher-wattage bulbs, using extra electricity. Choose light-colored materials—if your kitchen has a window, you’ll be able to see by its natural light for most of the day. And when you do have to use artificial illumination, it will appear brighter, reducing eye strain.
FEBRUARY 15, 2008 GREAT GREEN IDEAS….
Try these BRIGHT Ideas Recycle, Re-use and Reduce Supermarket/Department Store Plastic Bags Use Paper or Plastic? How many times have we been asked that question? Paper bags may be recycled and made from a renewable resource…but we still should think about cutting fewer trees for pulp. So now do you really want to use a plastic bag? Difficult and problematic to deal with once you get them home. They accumulate everywhere. Filling your drawers and overflowing out of your closets. Yes they can be recycled. Look for the code: High Density Type 2 Polyethylene bags and Type 4 Low Density Polyethylene can be recycled. Once these bags are recycled, they have a new life as garbage bins, trash bags and water resistant (lumber) decking material. Often some plastic bags used for food stuffs such as breads are not marked…but are Type 2 and Type 4 and are recyclable. Look out for Type 7 Plastic – THIS IS NOT RECYCLABLE! If you don’t like these options. Why not plan ahead before you go out the door to grocery shop…Bring cloth bags with you to the supermarket to carry your groceries home in. Large pre-packaged items such as toilet paper and multi packages of paper towels can be placed in your grocery cart unbagged. Keep a supply of cloth bags in your car to carry your purchases home in. Shopping in the mall? Bring your cloth bag there too. Have your items placed in your own bag. Leave the store bags at the store. Still wishing you could do more? Check out these web sites: http://www.betterbudgeting.com/articles/frugality/plasticgrocerybag.htm 22 ways to recycle plastic bags!
If you’re crafty and looking for a project ….Consider the following; Recycle your Plastic Bags into a Cool Tote. This site offers directions to crochet a NEW BAG from your old bag. An opportunity to get creative! http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/11/diy_recycled_to.php
This could be a really neat container for our Club Flower Show… CLASS 3 RE-USE & RECYCLE, Restore Our Earth An Assemblage Arrangement that must incorporate recycled component(s). To be displayed on a matte black 16” cube. To be viewed from all sides. Arrangement may not to exceed 24” in width and may rise to 60” not including the base. 4 Entries Consultant: Gloria McMahon 413-698-321 imdynaglo@msn.com
JANUARY 15, 2008 GREAT GREEN IDEAS…. Recycle your Mobile Devices at any Staples store in the US to protect the environment and to support the Sierra Club
RECYCLE YOUR OLD CELLPHONE. Did you receive new cell phone for Christmas? Not sure what to do with the old one? Now, you can drop off that old phone at any Staples store, as part of the Sierra Club cell phone recycling program. Each year, 130 million cell phones are thrown out, weighing approximately 65,000 tons. Recycling your old phone prevents hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from ending up in our landfills. CollectiveGood andnow offer a nationwide Mobile Devices Recycling program in all Staples stores that makes it easy for customers to recycle their used cell phones, PDAs, pagers and rechargeable batteries. Customers can recycle these devices by simply dropping them off while they shop at their local Staples store. A large portion of the proceeds generated from recycling the mobile electronics devices will be donated to the Sierra Club, America’s largest grassroots environmental organization to fund environmental education and conservation programs. By recycling your spare mobile devices through this program, you transform them into funds used by the Sierra Club, America’s largest grassroots environmental organization to fund environmental education and conservation programs. You also accomplish the following environmentally and socially responsible good deeds: Recycling and Donating your phone so it can be recycled is important, because mobile phones contain toxic elements like Mercury, Cadmium, Lead, Galium Arsenide and other toxic materials that shouldn’t be thrown into a landfill. Reuse is the best form of recycling, and this is the focus of CollectiveGood. If your phone cannot be recycled back into reuse, it will be recycled for its metals and plastics in accordance with federal and local environmental standards Recycling To Support A Great Cause Recycling your phone helps Sierra Club earn additional funds used for environmental education and conservation programs. This program offers a way for everyone to become personally involved - so join with us in our efforts to protect our environment. Please note that you will not be eligible for a tax-deduction for your donated phone through this program Help People In The Developing World CollectiveGood will recycle your mobile phone back into reuse, usually in the developing world, providing affordable, first-time modern communications for many people. These phones help bridge the digital divide, improving the local economies and quality of life throughout the region More information about the Sierra Club may be found at:
DECEMBER 15, 2007 Great GREEN Ideas for the Holiday’s Theseideas are brought to you by: The Sierra Club….Visit them at: http://www.sierraclub.org/holidays/
MAKE YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER. Most mass-produced wrapping paper you find in stores is not recyclable and ends up in landfills. Instead, here's a great chance to get creative! Wrap presents with old maps, the comics section of a newspaper, or children's artwork. If every family wrapped just three gifts this way, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.
ADD ORGANIC & LOCAL FOODS TO YOUR HOLIDAY FEAST. Support local family farmers who grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, you'll be doing your part for the planet too.
DO A "COOL HOME" TOUR WITH OUR ENERGY-SAVING CHECKLIST. Take a pledge this New Years' to reduce your home energy use by buying energy-efficient light bulbs. Installing only 6 compact fluorescent light bulbs will save the average American family $60 per year. You can also use our handy "Cool Homes" checklist to see what easy things you can do in your home to save energy. If there's a fire in your fireplace this Christmas, turn down that thermostat! Lowering the temperature even five degrees can take 10% off your energy bill.
BUY ENERGY-SAVING "LED" HOLIDAY LIGHTS. Now you can decorate your house with LED lights that use 90 percent less energy than conventional holiday lights, and can save your family up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season! LED lights are available at many major retailers, including Target, CostCo, and Ace Hardware.
GET A PESTICIDE-FREE TREE. Demand is on the rise for Christmas trees that are not covered in chemicals; some growers use 40 different pesticides, as well as chemical colorants. The good news is that there are now a number of tree-farms that sell pesticide-free trees, so ask your local Christmas tree seller.
RECYCLE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE. Ninety-eight percent of Christmas trees were grown on farms, not in forests, so at least it's not as if you're cutting down an ancient tree. Each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfill. While your tree won't fit in the recycling bin with your newspapers and bottles, you can recycle your tree: many cities offer programs to turn your tree to mulch or wood chips. Call (800) CLEANUP or visit www.earth911.org to find the tree-recycling program near you.