Dec 7, 2008

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.



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