CONSEJOS PARA LA VIDA DIARIA

Imprime estos consejos y pégalos en tu empresa, escuela, casa. Mándalos a tus conocidos.

Cuando vayas al súper, si no compras demasiado, llévatelo sin bolsa, o lleva tu propia bolsa de tela. Cuantas bolsas en la basura puedes evitar si reusas la tuya. Si vas al súper una vez por semana, en 5 años evitaras entre 750 a 1,500 bolsas en los basureros. Compra los paquetes más grandes de alimentos o rellenables, para ahorrar empaque y generar menos desperdicios. Piensa en las consecuencias de desperdicio de todas tus compras. Busca productos ecológicos.

En la generación de la electricidad se genera CO2: Cambia los focos por focos de bajo consumo. Desconecta los aparatos que no uses, usa teléfonos no eléctricos, ten sólo un teléfono inalámbrico, sólo uno se necesita cuando hablas. Apaga la luz cuando no estés en el cuarto. Prende sólo los focos necesarios. Compra focos fluorescentes en lugar de incandescentes. Duran 10 veces más y gastan menos electricidad. En un año recuperaras en ahorro el costo extra. Un solo foco fluorescente evita que media tonelada de CO2 llegue a la atmósfera.

Usa, reusa, recicla. Usa las notas de compras para recados, folders usados del trabajo para la casa. Usa las hojas por los dos lados y ajusta la impresora para impresión rápida -en borrador para documentos no importantes, usa impresoras de injección de tinta-ink jet, en lugar de laser, que gastan hasta 90% más energia. Compra papel reciclado y sin cloro (el papel no es blanco por naturaleza), ajusta los márgenes de los documentos en la computadora para usar menos hojas. Dona tus computadoras y equipos a instituciones de ayuda, escuelas, iglesias. Compra productos de companias responsables que los reciclan, como HP, Dell, Toshiba. Compra laptops, con pantalla LCD: usan menos de la mitad de electricidad que una computadora de escritorio.

Usa tazas y cubiertos no desechables en la oficina, aunque tengas que lavarlos. Si usas desechables, que sean de cartón y si no, de plástico preferentemente que de unicel. El unicel es el mas contaminante. Usa servilletas de tela, o al menos recicladas. Cuando te quedes en un hotel, usa las sabanas y toallas varias veces.

Planta árboles. En la ciudad abundan los espacios vacíos donde puede vivir un árbol. Un árbol absorbe una tonelada de CO2 durante su vida. http://www.botany.org/PlantTalkingPoints/CO2andTrees.php http://www.treesftf.org/about.htm http://www.plant-trees.org/ Una persona (si incluimos auto) genera entre 15 y 20 toneladas de CO2 al año, dependiendo del tipo de auto. Esto significa que si queremos ser responsables de nuestros efectos, debemos plantar alrededor de 20 árboles (grandes) al año. Si tienes muchos árboles alrededor de la casa, estos le darán sombra, estará más fresca y absorberán el calor de otra forma reflejado por el cemento. Planta árboles frutales que te darán el excedente de alimentarte. Ten plantas en interiores: limpian el aire. Compra muebles de fabricantes que usan maderas certificadas, que reforestan los bosques http://www.certifiedwoodsearch.org/

Cuando vayas a tomar un café y te quedes ahí, exige que te lo den en taza y no en vaso de papel, recicla los cartones para lo caliente y bolsas, en lugar de usar una cada vez, guárdalas en la puerta del coche y tómalas cuando vayas por un café. Recicla el periódico, revistas, propaganda. Si cada mexicano reciclara un periódico a la semana, se salvarían alrededor de 12 millones de árboles al año. Realiza tus trámites electrónicamente. Exige que todos tus recibos y estados de cuenta se te manden electrónicamente, no en papel.

Guarda las pilas y llévalas a un centro de reciclado especial. Los químicos de una sola pila pueden contaminar miles de litros de agua. Usa pilas recargables. El vidrio y aluminio son el material mas limpio moléstate un poco y compra productos (como cerveza y agua) en envases retornables. Recicla también envases de plástico, aluminio, cartón. En los EU, el deseo de beber agua embotellada manda 30 millones de botellas al día a la basura; 5.6 millones de litros de petróleo al año para producirlas. ¡Que agua tan saludable! Escoge un gimnasio cerca de tu casa y ve a el caminando, corriendo o en bicicleta. Hay algo de contradictorio en manejar kilómetros de ida y regreso. O escoge una rutina que puedas hacer en casa.

El cloro es toxico y se va por el drenaje a ríos y mares. Usa blanqueadores y limpiadores sin cloro. Trata de no usar productos químicos. Usa productos con ingredientes biológicos y biodegradables. En lugar de destapacaños, trata la bomba; cubetaza; bicarbonato de sodio y después agua caliente.

Comparte tu coche. Comunícate con vecinos de casa u organiza un sistema de transporte compartido en tu empresa con personas que vivan en tu colonia, para generar menos CO2. También te ahorraras el estrés del transito. Una opción mas eficiente para ciudades con mucho transito: Semanas de trabajo de 10horas en cuatro días; se ahorrara el combustible (20%)del transporte y también el estrés. Horarios distintos de trabajo, o trabajar algún día desde la casa (con teléfono, celular, e Internet, no se necesita mas).

Realiza cargas de lavadora con agua fría. La mayoría de la ropa sucia no necesita agua caliente, con excepción de la ropa interior, sabanas y ropa manchada. Ahorraras gas y emisiones de Co2. Usa un calentador de paso, y si tienes uno automático ponlo en piloto cuando no se use agua caliente o apagado si sales de fin de semana. En días calurosos el agua del tinaco se calienta lo suficiente para no necesitar se calentada. Evita la secadora de ropa, tiéndela, úsala solo si no tienes donde hacerlo. Cuando calientes o hiervas comida, ponle tapa: concentra el calor, ahorras tiempo, gas, y emisiones de Co2.

Usa pañales reciclables o biodegradables. Amamanta a tus hijos. No hay procesamiento, transporte ni basura en su producción, y es la leche más saludable.

Apaga tu computadora cuando la acabes de usar en la casa u oficina: no pasa nada. Una computadora prendida por la noche es responsable de una tonelada de CO2 al año. Propón a la dirección de tu empresa o edificio, poner un jardín en el techo. Las plantas absorben el calor de otra forma reflejado por el cemento, filtran el agua de la lluvia de tóxicos y absorben CO2. Junta agua de la lluvia y de la regadera en cubetas, y úsala para lavar el coche o regar las plantas. Riega las plantas después del atardecer. Una gran parte del agua se evapora si se hace durante el día. Las plantas absorben mejor el agua si se hace en tres sesiones de 10minutos, que en una de 30.Ajusta el nivel del agua de los escusados. Instala escusados que tienen la opción de una o media descarga. Una alternativa a esto, para escusados tradicionales o antiguos que no tienen esta opción, es introducir una botella de 1/2 litro llena de agua, al deposito del escusado, y asi se ahorrará 1/2 litro cada vez que se jale la palanca. Usar regaderas que dispersan mejor el agua, y usan menos.

Evita el uso de aire acondicionado en tu auto (y casa, oficina; mejor usa ventiladores). Enfría el coche pero calienta el planeta. Gastas más gasolina y generas más CO2. Usalo sólo cuando estés bajo el sol, sin avanzar en medio del transito, de otra manera baja las ventanas. Maneja eficientemente, sin acelerar ni frenar bruscamente; manten las revoluciones bajas. Checa el color del piloto en el calentador y estufa. Azul significa combustión eficiente. Si esta amarillo necesita mantenimiento. Compra alimentos frescos. Producir comida congelada consume 10 veces mas energía.

Considera seriamente comprar un auto eléctrico-híbrido. Se generan 9 kilos de CO2 por cada galón de gasolina gastado. La diferencia es abismal. 75 toneladas de C02 por cada 160,000km (sin contar embotellamientos) en una camioneta, 40 en un sedan típico y 20 en un Toyota Prius. En carretara usa el piloto automático o cruise control. No dejes el auto prendido si te vas a tardar más de 30 segundos esperando-se gasta más gasolina que reencendiendolo.

Si tienes un jardín grande o rancho, y tienes animales, considera tener una cabra (si, es chistoso). Las cabras comen casi cualquier cosa biológica, así que le podrías dar todos los restos de tu cocina; como una planta procesadora de basura domestica. Otra opción es depositar toda la basura orgánica en un sitio y hacer abono de ella. En lugar de tirar el árbol de Navidad, deshojalo y úsalo como abono. Si fumas, no eches las colillas en la calle. Estas no son biodegradables, tapan las coladeras y matan a animales que se ahogan pensando que son comida. No tires basura en general por la misma razón. Y además, ¿a quién le gusta vivir en un lugar sucio?

Cuando construyas una casa, usa aislantes sobre las paredes, que mantendrán el frió del cemento a raya y se tendrá menos necesidad de calefacción. Usa ventanas aislantes que evitan la perdida de calor o la entrada del mismo.

Productos

CALENTAMIENTO SOLAR DE AGUA
El utilizar un sistema de calefacción solar de agua genera ahorros de consumo de gas para su calentamiento hasta del 70%, y reduce la emisión de Co2 a la atmósfera. La inversión realizada se puede amortizar en 21/2 años. Yo propongo el sistema de Modulo Solar SA de CV, 2º lugar del premio Nacional de Energías Renovables CONAE 2006. Certificado con la norma NMX ES-001 por parte de NORMEX en México, por el FSEC en EUA, y por CONAE (Comisión Nacional para el Ahorro de Energía) y aprobado por el INFONAVIT.
Para contacto o más detalles, escribe a pablonia@yahoo.com

Detergente Sparkling para ropa, 100% biodegradable
A diferencia de la mayoría de los productos biodegradables que sólo se degradan parcialmente. Muy rendidor: 4 litros alcanzan para 160+ cargas estándares. Para casa o tintorerias. Es neutro, sin químicos agresivos y de buen aroma, para ropa blanca o de color.
Para contacto o más detalles, escribe a pablonia@yahoo.com Muestras disponibles para el Oeste del DF-Edo Mex. ( Polanco, Lomas, Tecamachalco, Herradura, Interlomas)

Directorio de Servicios y Productos Sustentables
http://www.laspaginasverdes.com/

Consultoria especializada en sustentabilidad corporativa
http://www.nvm.org.mx/

Urinales/mingitorios que no usan agua ni químicos
http://www.urimat.com.mx/

Regadera ahorradora de agua con buen flujo
http://www.cumnda.com/

Leche de Soya -Silk-

Ademas de ser una leche saludable y mas digerible, esta marca, la produce con energía del viento. Disponible en supermercados.

Productos solares y de viento domesticos, generadores de electricidad

http://www.sunforceproducts.com/

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-alias=automotive&field-brandtextbin=Sunforce

http://www.appliedmaterials.com/products/solar_3.html

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&search-alias=tools&field-brandtextbin=Windmax

http://www.greenpower4less.com/index.html

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/windmax-500w-hybrid-wind-turbine

Noticias sobre energía renovable http://mail.elsevier-alerts.com/go.asp?/bEEA001/mOLVFW8/u17X4PW9/xQ4VOW8

Negocios/Distribuidores http://www.appliedmaterials.com/ Busca distribuidores para sus productos. Escribir a Marius Kloppers, BHP Billiton Plc para más información pbhpbilliton@live.co.uk

Tesis: Economía, Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo Sostenible, México 1997, UIA disponible para consulta/copia. pablonia@yahoo.com

Plumas biodegradables de bioplasticos, hechas de polimeros de maiz:

www.sustenta.com Catálogo de productos, regalos y alimentos ecológicos

Green Advices from "Living Green" VI

These advices are from "Living Green" calendar 2008, from http://www.pageaday.com/

virtual staples
The staples you use to fasten pages together can be dispensed with altogether. The steel industry is resource-intensive, generating even higher levels of stack emissions than waste incineration.
do your part: Eliminate this bit of steel consumption altogether and simplify the task of recycling the papers. http://www.thinkgeek.com/ and other online vendors now offer a stapleless stapler that does the job with a clever cut-and-tuck method.

after the roses
Your pleasure in receiving holiday flowers may be tempered by the feeling that there’s nothing to do with the vases and baskets but throw them out. Instead, try phoning local florists to see if they can use these containers. Many are glad to have them. The flowers themselves can be composted.

dryer savings
Never overdry your clothes—it wastes energy and is hard on fabrics. Correct settings for your machine help it to run the proper length of time. If your dryer has a moisture sensor (more dry/less dry), be sure to use it. This gadget can reduce energy costs by 10 to 15 percent, and may make your clothing last longer. Also, use the machine’s cooldown cycle if it has one.

use it twice
Get extra mileage out of all those holiday greeting cards piling up around the mantel; save the fronts and recycle them as thrifty thank-you cards or gift tags. For unique wrapping paper, tape the covers or pages of magazines together; newsprint tied up with twine also makes for a heartwarmingly rustic package.

your cup of tea
Measure the water you put into the teakettle. By using only as much as you need, you can cut the heat needed in proportion to the unused water. Also, choosing a whistling kettle prevents you from heating water longer than necessary.

oil well
One quart of oil leaked into groundwater can pollute 250,000 gallons of water. If you change the oil on your own car, never dump the old stuff on the ground or into storm sewers, and don’t put it in the trash, even in sealed containers. Contact your local sanitation authority for information about recycling it. If a garage handles your oil changes, ask them to take part in a recycling program.

promoting volunteerism
The most motivated employees in many companies are also the ones who give freely of their time for worthwhile causes. Help steer this impulse toward environmental organizations by offering special perks for volunteers, or even just instituting procedural changes that make it easier for coworkers to take part.Some examples: comp time for work with environmental groups, travel reimbursement for workers serving such groups, and matching funds for employee contributions.

sound off
Don’t hesitate—if you see pollution in the place you live, report it to your state environmental protection agency or to the federal EPA. Write your elected officials to support legislation that protects the environment. And organize with others of like mind to help with the issues that matter most to you.

not in the pot
Your toilet is not a wastebasket, and it’s wisest not to use it that way. Disposable diapers and tampon applicators are among the many items that sewage treatment doesn’t treat. All too often, they pass through the system and wind up in waterways and on beaches.

nontoxic from the start
Dispose of leftover toxic household products properly. Better still, don’t buy them in the first place. Nasty chemicals—nitrobenzene in floor polish, phenol and cresol in disinfectants, ammonia in glass cleaner, and so on—are common in such products. Many can be replaced with relatively mild substances such as vinegar, baking soda, borax, cornstarch, and lemon juice.
do your part: Check out the EPA’s EnviroSense fact sheet—Safe Substitutes at Home: Non-toxic Household Products (http://es.epa.gov/techinfo/facts/safe-fs.html). You’ll find benign and sometimes more effective alternatives to chemical-laden cleansers, polishes, and powders.

abhor a vacuum
The electricity consumption of a conventional vacuum simply isn’t justifiable outside of an industrial context. Brooms have done the job for centuries!

truth in labeling
Green consumerism has enticed many companies to get on the ecological bandwagon. Unfortunately, some companies may be all talk. Label buzzwords like “natural,” “green,” and “environmentally friendly” might have little actual meaning. Look instead for established, reliable certifications such as SCS (Scientific Certification Systems), Green Seal, Energy Star, and the marks of the Chlorine Free Products Association.

note to self

If you’re in the habit of writing yourself task notes on a memo pad and chucking them once the task is accomplished, consider investing in a mini whiteboard—also a good choice in a larger size for business presentations. Be sure to purchase markers without toxic chemicals such as xylene or propylene glycol. An online search for “water-based markers” will help you find the ones you want.

in high gear
When you’ve attained cruising speed on the highway, always drive in the highest possible gear to maximize fuel economy. Some cars with automatic transmissions include a “sport” mode. Don’t use it; this feature sacrifices fuel in favor of performance.

a beacon in the dark
A child’s bedroom can feel a little safer with a night light. The Moonlight Night Light lasts for years, and features 14 energy-stingy LEDs to keep under-bed and closet-dwelling monsters at bay with minimal energy consumption.do your part: Learn more at http://www.smarthome.com/.

sneakers underfoot

Nothing lasts forever, and some things do need to be replaced periodically. In a wonderful example of a company taking responsibility for its environmental footprint (no pun intended), Nike will take back your worn-out athletic shoes. Their innovative program grinds up old shoes and converts them into surfaces for athletic fields and tennis courts, and padding under hardwood basketball courts.do your part: See http://www.nike.com/nikebiz/nikebiz.jhtml?page=27&cat=reuseashoe& to learn how you can turn in your old shoes.

a cup of your own

Bring your own mug or thermos into the coffee shop. In some places you’ll even get a discount—a dime at Starbucks, a quarter at Espresso Royale.The real savings: You can eliminate the use of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) disposable plastic cup outright.

keep your seat
Don’t give up on your furniture just because the upholstery is wearing out. Many serviceable sofas, chairs, and love seats are broken up and sent to the landfill, or even burned, every year. Reupholster them or put on slipcovers to extend their useful life, or give them away to someone in need.

organic woolens

It’s a little easier to find USDA-certified organic wool garments than it used to be. The Organic Wool Network brings together suppliers who raise sheep without synthetic hormones or pesticides, on land that’s not overgrazed. The sheep must also receive organic feed and be under continuous organic management from the last third of pregnancy onward.do your part: At http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/10/organic_wool_ne.php, you’ll find a list of sources for organic woolens including sweaters, coats, socks, and baby togs and blankets.

low salt
Sidewalk salt can harm your lawn and garden; it also runs off into storm sewers and can contaminate rivers and streams. Remove ice manually with a chopper or shovel, scatter sand or ashes for traction, or use a gentler chemical like calcium chloride.

Green Advices from "Living Green" V

These advices are from "Living Green" calendar, from http://www.pageaday.com/
(Next set of advices will be published in the beginning of January)

what not to recycle
Some consumer items can’t be easily recycled, among them carbon paper, stickers, laminated paper, and mixed or layered plastics (identified by the number 7). Check with your recycling service or municipality about what they won’t accept, and try to avoid purchasing those items.

loud and proud
If you’re making the effort to use recycled paper in your office publications, why not let your audiences know about it? Include a boldface note reminding them that the document is “Printed on Recycled Paper”—it’s just possible that you’ll inspire others to do the same.

at the threshold
Install door sweeps to close off that energy-leaking gap between door and floor. Even using a draft blocker or a rolled-up towel can help.

green plastic
Credit cards are an ever-present manifestation of the consumption trends largely responsible for the deteriorating state of our planet. Flip the paradigm on its head by choosing a card that delivers benefits in the form of green contributions.do your part: You’ll need to research this subject to find a choice that suits your needs, but you can find one possibility at http://www.workingassets.com/creditcard; the Working Assets card racks up a donation of ten cents per purchase to a wide range of charities, including environmental organizations.

a winning flush
If your toilet dates back further than the mid-1990s, it’s probably wasting water every time you use it. Those manufactured since then are required by law to use just 1.6 gallons a shot. But not all low-flow toilets are created equal; see http://www.cuwcc.org/uploads/product/MaP-5th-Edition-Revised-10-6-05.pdf for helpful ratings of popular models.do your part: If everyone replaced current toilets with today’s low-flush types, the country would save more than 900 billion gallons of water annually.

air cleaner
A simple way to improve your car’s gas mileage is to maintain the air filter. A dirty filter results in a “richer” mixture of air and gasoline, cutting into combustion efficiency. Change single-use filters every 12,000 miles; if you have a washable or reusable filter, clean off the dust and bugs at intervals recommended by the manufacturer.do your part: Replacing a clogged filter can improve gas mileage up to 10 percent.

tread lightly
When you hike at high altitudes or latitudes, watch where you put your boots. The native plants in such places grow slowly. If you step on them, they can take years to regenerate—and may not make it at all.

purchasing questions
Ask yourself a few key questions before making any office purchase, be it a printer, a computer, or a telephone. How long will this product last? Can we lease, share, or trade instead of buying? How much energy/materials does it use? Does it include recycled materials? Can it easily be repaired or recycled later? Advance considerations like these will help you make greener buys.

all you need
Many of us are in the habit of using toiletries lavishly—big dollops of shampoo, shaving cream, and toothpaste every morning. It all goes down the drain, to be dealt with by sewage or septic systems. Can you use half as much? Your purchases will last twice as long, you’ll consume half as many containers, and fewer resources will be used in manufacture and water treatment.

untarnished
Want to shine up the silverware for Thanksgiving without resorting to the petrochemicals in silver polish? Just boil a few strips of aluminum foil in a pan with baking soda and put the tableware in the simmering water. Presto—off comes the tarnish. Dry thoroughly and buff to a high gloss.

solar starter
If you’re interested in trying renewable energy sources, solar powering your water heater is a manageable point of entry. An investment of about $7,000 can slice 10 percent a year off water-heating bills, paying for itself in about ten years. Life expectancy of the system is about 30 years. Some states offer rebates of up to half the cost of the unit.do your part: Helpful details on solar water heat are available on the U.S. Department of Energy’s website at http://www.eere.energy.gov/.

packing up
Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and other shipping materials are practically made for reuse. Set aside a box or area in the office mailroom for storing these items as they come in so they’re available to coworkers. Your office manager will soon see there’s really no need to ever purchase bubble wrap again.

fresh air
So-called air fresheners really don’t improve your home atmosphere; instead, they release chemicals that numb your olfactory nerves or coat your nasal passages with oil. A better answer is investing in a HEPA air filter or opening windows for a cross-breeze.Among the substances in commercial air fresheners: formaldehyde, 1,4 dichlorobenzene, and petroleum distillates. Now what’s that smell?

home cheapo
In your home office, there may be scant need to keep up appearances—secondhand often works great for this corner of the business world. Look for used desks, file boxes, bookcases, and so on when you visit yard sales or used furniture stores. You can limit needless consumption, cut waste, and even save money.do your part: By choosing remanufactured furniture, American business could avoid $93 million in disposal costs. Worldwide, annual material savings from furniture remanufacturing amount to 14 million tons.

pumped
Solar water pumps can move water effectively in many situations without any help from the electrical grid. Surface pumps are best for wells less than 20 feet deep; submersibles fill the bill for deeper wells.do your part: Visit the Alternative Energy Store’s website, http://store.altenergystore.com/Solar-Water-Pumps/c489/, to learn more.

the clean power transaction
Consumers used to be stuck with whichever power company held the monopoly in their home areas. That’s changing: At least 18 states now permit competition in electricity sales, and 15 require power firms to produce part of their electricity using renewable methods. It takes some study, but you may be able purchase cleaner power where you are.do your part: See the Energy Information Administration’s report on the subject (http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/analysispaper/rps/index.html): it lists the 15 states and provides links to their applicable websites. Also, check out http://www.green-e.org/ to identify power companies that are using renewable generation methods.

spay or neuter
The tragic numbers of animals euthanized each year—9.6 million, according to the American Humane Association—is reason enough to help control pet population growth. But there’s more. Feral animals kill mammals and songbirds and have been known to infect wild populations—and they’re often the offspring of family pets. (It’s believed, for instance, that the feline distemper afflicting the endangered Florida panther was transmitted by house cats.) Controlling the population reduces these problems, so make sure you spay or neuter your pet.

foiled again
Holiday cooking seems to spawn a lot of used aluminum foil. It may not have occurred to you, but it can be recycled, just like beverage cans. Check with your local recycling authority. Most want it rinsed off first.

mail order
This time of year, many people buy gifts from direct-mail marketers. Get together with friends, neighbors, and family members to share catalogs, then order from the same sources and have your purchases shipped together to reduce waste.

magazine co-op
Look around your office; chances are the fellow in the cube next to you is reading the very same trade magazine that’s sitting on your desk. Cancel multiple subscriptions and learn to share. Route the journals by affixing a list of your coworkers’ initials to the
magazine’s front cover to make sure everyone gets a turn.

e-greetings
Seven billion greeting cards are sold each year, and many are ultimately thrown away, along with their envelopes. E-greetings are a tree-saving alternative.do your part: Some sources for electronic cards: http://www.e-cards.com/ (part of the proceeds go to World Wildlife Fund and other environmental groups); http://www.hallmark.com/; http://cards.amazon.com/; http://www.123greetings.com/; http://www.bluemountain.com/.

co-op dining
Our nuclear-family-centric culture supports a food production system that favors small quantities heavy on packaging. Though it isn’t always possible to buy your foods in environmentally friendly bulk, Thanksgiving is a good time to buck the trend. Beyond that, think about organizing a dinner co-op with friends and neighbors. Apart from the fun and fellowship you’ll enjoy, the co-op idea enables you to buy ingredients in bulk
and reduce waste every time you gather.

better litter
Commercial cat litter is effective, but the clay in it is a product of strip-mining. Alternatives include litter based on wheat, corn, citrus peel, and recycled newspaper. Some are flushable, which means the leavings are exposed to sewage treatment.do your part: Learn more and see products on sale at http://www.petsmart.com/’s Alternative Cat Litter Section.

holiday lights
Celebrate the fact that light-emitting diode (LED) holiday lights use 90 percent less power than the old incandescent kind.do your part: It’s easy to forget to turn those lights off. Use a timer so you don’t let them burn longer than three hours. Lights left on all day can drive your energy consumption up eightfold.

with these hands
Annual holiday sales in the U.S. amount to more than $200 billion—and there’s no telling how much of the product ends up on the curb. Memorable holiday gifts don’t have to cost a lot of money—and they don’t have to have to consume much in the way of resources. Learn someone’s favorite tune on the piano, promise a month’s worth of back rubs, or issue a snow-shoveling voucher.

multitasking
Though upgrading office equipment means contributing to the landfill, every opportunity to buy is an opportunity to buy greener. Consider replacing single-purpose office equipment with a multifunction system.According to Xerox, an office copier, two printers, and a fax machine use 1,070 kWh of electricity per year; in contrast, one multifunction machine capable of doing all these jobs would use 800 kWh over the same period.

ghosts of christmas presents
With a little planning, you can reduce the heaps of ribbon and wrapping paper left behind on Christmas morning. Reusable gift boxes and bags deliver cheer again and again, and some attractive boxes are gifts in their own right. Those with dainty fingers can try to carefully unwrap the gifts they receive so they can “regift” the paper.

easy does it
Steady, gradual acceleration boosts your car’s fuel economy—according to the federal EPA, eliminating “jackrabbit” starts can reduce fuel use up to 20 percent. So put away those NASCAR fantasies and keep yourself a little safer while you’re at it.

cleaner gold
For all its popularity, gold remains a nasty metal to dig and refine. “The process is hugely destructive and wasteful,” says The New York Times, relying on land-scarring open-pit mining, and on cyanide to remove the metal from the ore. Buy antique jewelry from estate dealers or select baubles fashioned from recycled gold.do your part: Information on recycled gold jewelry is available online at http://www.greenkarat.com/ and http://www.leberjeweler.com/.

chocolate without guilt
While organic chocolate doesn’t metabolize like a stalk of celery, at least it leaves a light footprint on the environment. Green & Black’s, the first organic dark chocolate, is made from cocoa grown in Belize by independent farmers, not plantations, and without harmful chemicals.

batteries not included
By one estimate, 40 percent of all batteries are sold during the holiday season. You can help reduce that number; don’t ask for or purchase gifts that need them.Batteries contain mercury, cadmium, and lead; nearly three billion are thrown away each year.