Plastic No More – Committing to Re-Usable Bags
By Hana Haatainen Caye
In our retail driven culture, we often don’t give much thought to the plastic bags we use to carry home our purchases. But as we lean toward becoming environmentally conscious, moving away from plastic bags has become more important. Still, many of us are quick to make our own excuses as to why we don’t switch over to something more green. What many people fail to realize is that breaking free of those excuses and making the change is easier than you think.
Excuse #1: “What About Contamination?”
Fears over contamination have kept many consumers from adopting re-usable bags. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and George Mason University noted a rise in food borne illness following a plastic bag ban in San Francisco, which had many shoppers clinging to plastic for dear life. While the presence of bacteria is always a concern, these fears may be a bit misguided. If you already have reusable shopping totes, such as the ones you pick up at the grocery store, you can protect them from bacteria by not using them for raw meats and produce, and also by cleaning them with a damp cloth soaked in half distilled white vinegar and half hot water.
Washable cloth bags are a simple way to stay green. By washing your bags after each trip to the store, you help lessen the risk of food borne illness. Envirosax® (www.envirosax.com) manufactures
bags made of organic cotton, hemp, linen and polyester. While polyester is a plastic, these bags are designed to last for years, as opposed to the single use plastic variety. Lightweight yet strong, they can be rolled up and carried in your pocket or your purse. EasyFoldBag™ (www.easyfoldbag.com) also offers machine washable totes made out of nylon.
Excuse #2: “I’m Too Forgetful!”
Habits can be hard to break, and remembering to use plastic bags is no exception, but when you make a concerted effort to carry your own, it should eventually become second nature. Also, with foldable bags, it’s not difficult at all to carry them with you. Keep a selection of bags in your car for impromptu trips to the store. That way, you will never find yourself in need of a plastic bag when you approach the register. “No bag, please, I have my own,” will become your new mantra. Some stores such as Target will even reward you for it with a discount on your bill.
And don’t forget to recycle those plastic bags sitting around at home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, less than ten percent of plastic bags are recycled, with other estimates at less than one percent. Still, nearly every grocery store has a bin for collecting plastic bags. Use it! Gather up all the bags filling up space in your pantry and drop them off the next time you go shopping. Encourage your friends, co-workers and family members to do the same.
Excuse #3: “Plastic Makes My Home Life Easier!”
You can fight the green fight on the home front as well. Many people use plastic grocery bags to line their wastebaskets; however, there are many non-plastic ways to keep your trash bins clean. Round coffee filters fit nicely into the bottom of bathroom wastebaskets and can be replaced as needed. Additionally, wastebaskets can be wiped out weekly with the same white vinegar and hot water solution recommended for cleaning your re-usable bags. Ditching the plastic bin liners may seem like an inconvenience at first, but it’s one more small step toward living a greener life.
For packing lunches, reusable snack and sandwich bags can take the place of plastic and can be found at www.reusies.com. Children love the fun fabrics and they can be hand washed or tossed in the washing machine or dishwasher. Storing food in your refrigerator and freezer in BPA-free plastic or glass containers can also prevent piling up plastic in the landfills. Of course, if there is a reason you simply must use a plastic bag, opt for a biodegradable and/or compostable option.
As people become more aware of the need to conserve, it’s good to know that alternatives exist to the traditional plastic bag. These options will not only help you green up your life but will also keep needless waste to a minimum and keep the planet spinning toward a better future for all.
Back to School, Eco-Friendly Style –
By Hana Haatainen Caye
New pencils. New notebooks. New backpacks. New clothes. Don’t you just love the beginning of a new school year? But did you ever stop to think about how much waste each new round of education brings? Not to mention the expense! Maybe there’s a better, greener way to prepare.
Bare Necessities
Greening up your school year starts with changing your mindset. Going back to school does not mean having to buy a bunch of new stuff. Before you hit the mall, gather the kiddos and take inventory. If Betsy only used one-third of the paper in last year’s notebooks, rip out those pages and let her use the same ones this year. What about the backpacks? Talk to your kids about this and you’ll find they really don’t need a new one every year. And when it comes to wardrobe, pick up a new outfit for the first day of school, then stick with last year’s clothes, if they still fit.
Once you determine what supplies you need to buy, think about what exactly you are purchasing. Is it made from sustainable materials? Are there environmentally friendly options available? Look for pencils made from recycled material and sold in recyclable packaging. Buy refillable pens. Did you know that over 1.6 billion pens are thrown away in the U.S. every year? When you use refillable pens, you have a more convenient option that won’t contribute to wastefulness.
Myobon.com provides a nice assortment of reasonably priced, environmentally friendly school supplies, including pencils made from recycled newspaper, notebooks made with sugarcane paper, PVC-free binders built from compressed and recycled cardboard and much more.
There and Back Again
While your parents and grandparents may have walked to school (uphill both ways), this isn’t as safe an option as it was back in their time. In more recent decades, being chauffeured to school became the norm for an entire generation of children. Over time, riding the bus somehow became uncool or inconvenient, so parents succumbed to the whining and started dropping off and picking up their kids, an impractical scenario both economically and ecologically. Your taxes already pay for the transportation, so why not take advantage of the “free” bus ride?
Another option for those who live close enough to walk to school is arranging for a “driver” to walk with them. The concept of a paid walking “driver” was born in 2003 in Lecco, Italy. Paid staff or family members escorted kids to school in a Pied Piper fashion, picking up more kids along the route. This safe mode of transport eliminated 100,000 miles of car travel in six years!
What’s for Lunch?
Ditch the brown bag and invest in a reusable, washable lunch box made from organic cotton or recycled materials such as juice boxes, avoiding plastics and vinyl. Keep lunches cold by freezing water in a reusable container and slipping it in beside the food while utilizing safe BPA-free containers for sandwiches, fruit and snacks so you can avoid lunch waste altogether. Stay away from pre-packaged foods, which are not eco-friendly, economical or healthy. For easy clean up, keep a supply of cloth napkins in fun fabrics. Challenge your kids to a trash-free lunch routine and reward them for their efforts with a special prize at the end of each report period.
Going green is much easier than you think. By starting off the school year on an eco-friendly foot, you can convince your kids to conserve more and waste less for a better school experience.
5 Ways to Green Your Baby
By Hana Haatainen Caye
Responsible parenting involves more than just finding the safest car seat, paying attention to crib recalls, and keeping scheduled pediatric appointments. It also involves caring for the earth your children will inherit, which makes ‘greening your baby’ the responsible thing to do. But where do you start?
For many parents concerned about the environment, the first and most obvious choice is ditching the disposables and keeping their babies’ bottoms comfortably swathed in organic cotton, hemp or bamboo diapers. However, there is more to greening your baby than just diapers. Here are five additional ways to reduce your baby’s carbon footprint:
Wipes
It’s not just what your put on your baby’s bottom that matters; it’s also how you clean it. With an average baby needing over 8,000 wipes before being potty trained, the waste generated by using disposable wipes is both significant and expensive!
If you are already using cloth diapers, the alternative is simple. Reusable cloth wipes can be tossed in the wash with the diapers. A wide variety of cloth wipes are readily available through online retailers and environmentally conscious brick-and-mortar stores. You can also make your own by cutting up old receiving blankets. Spritz your wipes with eco-friendly and baby-safe solutions made from natural soap, such as Honey Chunks Foamer.
Clothing/Bedding
Most infant sections in retail stores will offer adorable versions of clothing and bedding just ready to be “oooed” and “awed” upon. What you can’t count on, however, is the safety of the clothing and bedding. Unless it’s made from organic cotton or hemp, chances are those adorable fabrics are packed full of chemicals, toxins and possible carcinogens. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) issued a report in 2000 identifying seven of the leading pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops as “possible,” “probable,” “likely” or “known” human carcinogens. Organic cotton is free of these toxins and safe for babies. The same is true of hemp, which is pesticide-free as well, due to its natural resistance to insects.
Skin Care
Too many well-meaning parents bathe their babies with questionable products. Recent revelations of toxins in some of the most popular baby shampoos and bath washes shocked many parents, as reports revealed an astonishing amount of formaldehyde-releasing agents, carcinogens and hormone disruptors. The investigation was prompted by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, an advocacy group committed to eliminating toxins from personal care products.
The solution? Check for the USDA Organic label and Zero Toxins pledge. Will it cost more? Possibly. Is it worth it? Undoubtedly. Besides being healthier for your baby, less chemicals and toxins will wind up in our water supplies once the tub is drained.
Green Laundry
There isn’t much point in dressing your baby in organic onesies if the clothing ends up being laundered in a washer and dryer full of toxins! Don’t fall for the appeal of an admittedly adorable bear promising cuddly softness with every load. Fabric softener can be hazardous to your health and the health of your baby. Industry MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) have outlined numerous health-related side effects connected with the use of fabric softener. Time-honored alternatives, such as using vinegar in the rinse cycle, are safe and effective substitutes.
Remember to choose an environmentally friendly detergent as well. According to the EPA, a detergent with a neutral pH, such as one that is enzyme-based, is the best eco-friendly choice. Rockin’ Green and Norwex laundry detergents are safe for both babies and the earth.
Toys
When it comes to toys, greener often equals old-fashioned. Handmade organic cotton teddy bears or wooden toys and puzzles (minus any harmful varnishes) can provide hours of imaginative play without the waste of batteries and electronic gizmos that end up in the landfill – and they’re safer to boot. According to a report compiled by The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), unsafe levels of phthalate (a chemical often found in plastics) may be responsible for contributing to potential health risks in children, including early onset of puberty.
Raising green-minded children begins in the nursery – from their first diaper to their first toy. The health of the earth will matter to them, because it matters to you.
Where to buy
Whether you are shopping online or in person, your choice of merchant matters! Here are just a few green retailers specializing in caring for the environment … and your baby!
- Wear the Earth – Located in Henderson, this retailer offers organic cotton and hemp clothing to outfit your little one (birth to 4T) in adorable sustainability. www.weartheearth.com
- Eco Friend Online – This Las Vegas-based company features a wide variety of eco-friendly apparel, bath and body products, bedding, furniture, cloth diapers, and toys – all perfectly suited for your green baby!
- Happy Baby Company – Focused primarily on cloth diapers and accessories, this online retailer offers a unique assortment of earth and kid-friendly products.
- Earth Mama Angel Baby – Known for the ‘zero toxins’ rating from the Safe Cosmetics Database, the EMAB line of bath and body products is ideal for every baby. They carry a full line for pregnant mamas as well.
- Well Rounded Baby – Another Las Vegas retailer, this store carries a range of products suited for the green and well-rounded baby!
- Oompa Toys – Carries a large selection of European, quality wooden toys by HABA. www.oompa.com
Into the Eco-Spirit – Beer and Wine the Organic Way
By Chad Felix
There’s only so much we can do to offset our personal carbon footprints. Already, we’ve changed out light bulbs, opted for more fuel-efficient cars, monitored our water usage and switched to organic produce. But just when you think you can’t get any “greener”, a new sector of business enters the fold. In this case, we’re talking about vintners and craft brewers who’ve turned wine and beer making into an eco-conscious art. When it comes to imbibing on these organic creations, showing mother Earth some love isn’t just simple; it can be a romping good time, too.
Organic, Defined
Eco-buzzwords run rampant in market places. Terms such as “sustainable”, “green”, “eco-friendly” and more adorn packaging, often with little to no explanation as to what they actually mean. The most heated debate in the worlds of beer and wine is over the “O” word: organic. In general, here is what the title means:
- Products are developed without the aid of fertilizers, toxic agents, chemical seed treatments or “-cides” (pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, etc.).
- Products are monitored and certified by a formal institution (in the United States this is the USDA) that grants the product official integrity.
- 95% of the product’s total ingredients are up to organic standards.
As we are dealing with international industries, it is important to note that organic standards vary by country, so you’ll have to pay close attention to the label. Now, let’s see how these guidelines affect our favorite libations.
Earth Friendly Brews
There’s been a kind-of renaissance in the beer community; one led by the unconventional hop-practices of a new generation of organic craft brewers. While their recipes don’t veer far from a traditional blend of barley and hops, with wheat, fruit, cocoa, etc. often added for flavor, brewing with organic ingredients affects nearly everything. In fact, many believe organic is the way beer should always be. The taste, some attest, is fresher and bolder. Because it’s made with better ingredients, the fermentation process is purer, leading to a notably clearer brew. Not to mention the health and environmental pros–it’s all-natural, chemical-free and requires 50% less energy to produce.
In keeping with the long history of experimentation in the craft, organic incarnations are plentiful and diverse. Eco-offerings vary from classics like North Coast’s Belgian Style Ale, Samuel Smith’s Organic Ale and New Belgium’s Mothership Wit, to more off-kilter selections like Peak Organic’s Hop Noir black IPA or Espresso Amber Ale. These can usually be found in stores such as Whole Foods and Sunflower Market.
Eco-Concerns
There is but one noteworthy shortfall to organic beer. Because the USDA only requires certified products to be 95% organic by weight, it is most often produced with non-organic hops, as they are a challenge to grow organically. For purists, it is a controversial source of weakness in organic beer standards. For more details, check out www.beeractivist.com and search “The Organic Hops Controversy”.
Green by the Glass
The jury is still out on whether or not organic wine is better than conventional overall. Advocates believe that the taste of a good organic wine, for its lack of chemicals, more wholly embodies the characteristics of the region in which it was cultivated. Skeptics contest that this same lack of artificial ingredients results in bottles that are inconsistent in taste. It is worth mentioning, however, that one of the most expensive wines in the world, the lavish Romanee-Conti, is organic. Try organic and see for yourself! Pick up a bottle of Bonterra’s Red Table (about $10) or choose from one of De Tierra’s many offerings, available at Khoury’s Fine Wine & Spirits (www.khourysfinewine.com).
Mind the Labels
Organic wines come tagged in many ways. The label “100% Organic Grapes” is the most common. While that claim may be accurate, most of these wines still contain sulfur dioxide (NSA), a preservative that helps the wine to age. This is of primary concern to the serious organic community, as NSA is not considered organic. Without such a preservative, wine only lasts between six to twelve months. For die-hard wine drinkers who believe that the aging process releases the true delicacies of the drink, this can be a deal breaker.
Other labels include “Natural” and “Sustainable”, indicating the producer has gone above and beyond organic requirements. In producing “Natural” wine, makers involve themselves in the process as little as possible, leaving the flavor solely up to the grapes by refuting additives and processes such as micro-oxygenation and reverse osmosis. “Sustainable” wine producers increase their wine’s quality by invoking some of nature’s best qualities. Using compost, for example, they intentionally attract insects and plant-life that benefit grape flavor. As early champions of the organic movement, The Organic Wine Company is a great resource for further information. Check them out at www.theorganicwinecompany.com.
Getting into the spirit of organic living is a learning process for all of us, and sure, it can be a tad overwhelming. Just keep in mind the most important thing: anytime you encourage an industry’s efforts to become more sustainable, you send a positive message not just to them, but to other industries as well. Support eco-conscious living, keep at it and enjoy it for what it is. After all, it’s not often enough that we can say to each other in earnest, “For the good of our planet and our bodies, drink up!”
Making the Most of the Sun’s Rays – A Solar Story for Nevada
By Lisha Ross
With approximately 320 days of sunshine per year, there’s no place on Earth that a solar energy system will produce more electricity than Southern Nevada. Perhaps that’s why these days just about everybody is pining to collect the sun’s rays. In 2008, PulteGroup Inc.’s Villa Triesta became the city’s first community to offer a roof-integrated solar power system as a standard option, and in March of this year Meritage Homes unveiled an eco-friendly development complete with solar systems to offset electricity, water heating and air conditioning.
Of course, this is all good news for “green” folks in the market for a new home, but what of home owners who want to join the movement in their existing abodes? Well, there’s even more good news! Options for incorporating solar power abound and the benefits are many. Aside from doing our part to reduce our dependence on non-renewable resources, we might just be able to save a few bucks in the long term with some sound financial decisions.
Systems Big and Small
When researching solar power, you’re likely to encounter a barrage of foreign-sounding words and phrases. The two most applicable for residential use are solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and solar thermal systems. PV systems are comprised of approximately 20 panels that convert the sun’s energy into electricity in order to offset a home’s total electrical usage. Solar thermal systems convert sunlight into heat that can furnish your home’s hot water needs.
No matter if you go totally PV or opt for a smaller scale thermal system, which requires fewer roof panels, the obvious financial benefit is lower bills. To put the savings in perspective, water heating accounts for about a quarter of total energy usage in a single family home. By some estimates, switching to a thermal system can potentially help owners save between 50% and 85% on their utility bills. It’s trickier to estimate savings from a PV system, as it depends on the size of your system and several other factors. Some estimates suggest it is around $500-$900 per year, but with an all encompassing system, you may never see a power bill again.
Nickels and Dimes
Potential savings notwithstanding, the two most common questions solar sales people hear are: How much does it cost? and Can I get a rebate? Unfortunately, these figures often stop potential customers in their tracks. It costs about $15,000 to $25,000 for an adequate PV system and anywhere between $2000 and $8000 for a solar thermal system, again depending on the size of your home and your family’s needs. Only a licensed contractor can provide a proper estimate after a careful evaluation of your home and electrical usage. While the state legislature and other entities are working hard to make solar more affordable to all, there are currently several incentive programs that can take a load off the initial expense. Here are just a few:
Federal Tax Credit: Until December 31, 2016, homeowners and businesses that install qualified PV systems and/or solar thermal systems are eligible to receive 30% of the installation cost in tax credits.
NV Energy: Through Net-Metering, NV Energy offers credits in exchange for energy your system produces that you do not use. As part of their Solar Hot Water Incentive Program, they also offer rebates of up to 50% of the installation cost of a solar thermal system up to $1500.
Southwest Gas: Through Southwest Gas’ Solar Water Program, they offer rebates based on the amount of therms (heat energy) expected to be generated by the system.
Nevada State: Nevada offers property tax incentives where any value added to the home by a qualified renewable energy system will be subtracted from the assessed value for property tax purposes.
Be sure to check out the eligibility requirements for each program. Most, if not all require you submit an application prior to installation. For more detailed information on these programs as well as financing, visit www.dsireusa.org.
The Final Figures
Yes, even with incentives, the initial expense packs a pretty hard punch. For many, the concern is that they will sell their home before they see a return, but that’s not usually the case. Randell Hynes, founder of Solar Forces, co-founder of Nevada Solar Authority, Ltd. and lobbyist for change in Nevada’s energy market, argues that it helps to understand how this investment pays for itself by increasing the value of your home. “For example,” he explains, “in the Nevada market, the net cost of a 20 solar panel PV system is $14,500 after the federal tax credit. By considering the annual value of the electricity that the system will generate over its 25-year life, the initial appraised value is nearly $27,000…and it will retain an appraised value of more than the [original] net cost for over 20 years.” With this added value, he continues, homeowners can “recover the net cost of the installation, or perhaps more, by selling the projected value of ‘not paying the utility’ to the new owner.”
Still have questions? There is no shortage of local contractors anxious to talk to you about your options, and a listing of them can be found at www.nevadasolarenergy.org. When considering any form of solar system, always remember: you’re not just investing in your own future; you’re investing in the future of the planet!
The Planet and Your Pocketbook – Greening Up Your Home to Save Money
By Chad Felix
On the whole, the last decade saw a population concerned with saving the planet. Coming into the new year, we’re all rightly concerned about saving something else as well: money. Thankfully, there is a way we can do both, starting with an in-home energy assessment. Also known as a home energy audit, an energy assessment is a home walk-through in search of ways to improve energy efficiency. Once inefficiencies are identified, homeowners can form an effective plan for their solution.
The benefits of an energy audit are three-fold. First, saving energy means saving you money. Reducing your monthly electric bill is just the start; additional savings, via federal tax credits, are also available to homeowners who upgrade their homes with energy efficient products deemed eligible by government programs like Energy Star (www.energystar.gov). Second, an energy efficient home is a comfortable home. And finally, conserving energy means conserving our planet’s valuable resources. Just think of it as the sound foundation for your new year of dollar-saving, Earth-conscious good deeds.
Bright Idea for Savings
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, home illumination accounts for nearly 15% of your total bill. Studies show that if every American home replaced just one light with a light that’s earned the Energy Star, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save about $600 million in energy costs, and prevent 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions per year. Though more expensive at the checkout counter, Energy Star CFLs make up for it by saving energy, replacing incandescent bulbs of 3-4 times their wattage and lasting up to fifteen times longer. Just be sure to recycle; most CFLs contain traces of soil leaching mercury.
Smart Tip: Invest in a Smart Strip ($20-40), a device that shuts off power devices when not in use, thereby eliminating unnecessary idle current and potentially boosting power savings to about 73%.
The Heat is On
In a typical U.S. home, heating and cooling account for 56% of energy usage. As such, it’s crucial units are maintained and inspected at intervals suggested by the manufacturer. Generally, if your unit is more than fifteen years old, it is costing you and the environment too much to maintain. While the replacement of large home-appliances is never cheap, the money saved in energy costs offsets the expense over time. Replacing a 10-year-old unit with a newer model boasting a high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating can reduce your costs by 20-40%. Moreover, tax incentives and manufacturer rebates are often available to lessen the burden. Visit www.energysavers.com for incentives offered in Las Vegas.
Weather Stripping Woes
Other culprits of energy waste are air leaks. By blocking these drafts, homeowners can save between 5% and 30% on their energy bill. Check for leaks first by observing, then attempting to shake doors and windows. If you see daylight around a closed door, or upon shaking they rattle or shift, you may need to add or replace old weather stripping. If your windows and doors are old, consider updating or enhancing them with products that promote efficiency, such as storm doors, awnings, high-reflectivity films, shades, etc. Next, examine baseboards, electrical outlets, switch plates and attic hatches. For many of these, hardware stores provide ready-made products designed to eliminate the problem, but they can usually be fixed with caulk (or weather stripping for attic hatches). In the attic, heed air leaks around exposed pipes, ductwork, etc.
Tip: Simple and cheap, weather stripping is a sure bet and relatively easy to install. A simple search for “weather stripping” on www.familyhandyman.com offers guidance for proper installation.
Behind the Walls
Proper insulation and draft elimination go hand in hand, working together to resist the natural flow of warm air into cooler air, thereby reducing your heating and cooling costs substantially. As evaluating and installing your own insulation requires a bit more know-how than changing a light bulb, only those with prior experience should attempt it without professional help. However, it is good to understand that some forms of insulation are greener than others. Fiberglass insulation, for example, is made up of 40% recycled content; however, the process of creating it is an energy-intensive one. Cellulose insulation is 30 times more efficient to make than fiberglass and mineral wool, and comes largely from recycled newspapers. Similarly, cotton insulation is recyclable, plant-based, renewable and made largely of recycled materials. Consult with a professional to determine the greenest option suitable for your home.
So, with an increased, eco-conscious fervor, 2011 can be another grandiose step in the direction of big savings. Practical and easy enough for most homeowners, a home energy assessment is an excellent jumpstart for both saving money and committing year-round to helping out good old planet Earth.
Sidebar
If 2011 has brought you less time and more work, or maybe you just don’t have the know-how, professional companies are available to perform an energy assessment at your convenience. With specialized tools, equipment and knowledge, these companies can help maximize your savings and foolproof your efforts.
Service 1st Energy Solutions:
463-0244
Southwest Thermal Solutions:
www.southwestthermalsolutions.com
570-5932
Nevada Energy Audit:
448-2500
E for Effort – Solving the E-Waste Enigma
By Lisha Ross
E-waste isn’t just another clever e-word in an e-friendly world. As our reliance on computers, TVs, cell phones and iPods grows, so too does a massive 2.25 million ton per year heap of a two-fold problem. Not only do our discarded electronic items–as a nation approximately 300-400 million annually–overflow landfills, the toxic chemicals used to make them leach into the ground, poisoning our soil and underground water resources with lead, mercury, barium and the like.
While it may seem like no big deal to set just one end-of-its life PC on the curb on trash day, bringing down e-waste levels to a manageable level requires the participation of both big businesses and individuals, and it starts with recycling. Many large corporations like AT&T, Best Buy and Staples have already taken the first step; now it’s our turn to do the green thing.
It can be as simple as dropping off your old flat screen when you pick up your new one, or arranging a pick-up service. Some organizations offer services for free while others charge a nominal fee to cover recycling costs. Just make sure you call before you haul or check out each organization’s website to find a complete list of acceptable and unacceptable donations.
Relaxed Recycling
If you’re like most people, you probably have at least two or more inactive cell phones with chargers and accessories monopolizing space in a junk drawer. T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint stores will take ‘em off your hands and send them to a recycle center, regardless of make, model, condition or carrier.
Best Buy will accept up to three items per household per day, including tube TVs and monitors up to 32”, flat panel TVs and monitors up to 60”, DVD players, home and car audio, cell phones, MP3 players and cables, desktop and laptops with hard drive removed, peripherals (keyboards, mice, printers, etc.) small electronics, fans and vacuums, all of which are sent for recycling. They do charge $10 for TVs and monitors but it goes toward a $10 Best Buy gift card.
With the slogan “Today’s tech trash is tomorrow’s results,” Office Depot’s Tech Recycling Services program asks you to box it up and bring it in. Ask an associate for a tech recycling box, small ($5), medium ($10) or large ($15), fill it with as many acceptable items as will fit and return it to the store. Likewise, Staples’ Eco Easy program recycles monitors, printers, desktop copiers and other electronic waste for a fee of $10 per item (Dell products are free). Smaller items such as peripherals, cell phones, PDAs and rechargeable batteries are recycled free, and if you recycle ink and toner cartridges you’ll get a $2 Staples reward card for each.
Reuse Free-for-All
You know what they say; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, and it may just help make our communities stronger.
The Public Education Foundation – Accepts in-kind donations of computers and peripherals in good working condition which will then be used to enhance classroom technology in our public schools.
The Blind Center of Nevada, Inc. – Refurbishes old electronics and sells them on eBay in order to fund programs and services to the visually impaired. They accept all manner of electronics, old or new, except for tube TVs. CRT computer screens require a $10 fee.
Goodwill of Southern Nevada – Accepts only functional electronics, including TVs, computers and mobile phones.
Computer Corps – Refurbishes and upgrades computer related items that are then sold at little cost or donated to other nonprofits, schools and individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford them. Unusable items are separated out and given or sold to recyclers.
Whether you recycle or donate, always remember that phones and computers contain sensitive, personal information about your life and finances, so it’s important to protect them. Most legitimate recycling and nonprofit organizations utilize standard practices for wiping out data, but it doesn’t hurt to make a preemptive strike. To delete a hard drive, use a wiping or erasing utility such as CyberCide, WipeDrive or DataEraser. If you don’t know how to delete personal contacts and info from your cell phone, you can download free instructions from www.recellular.com/recycling/data_eraser/.
Next time you upgrade to a newer, better this or that, get yourself and “E” for effort. Take advantage of all the local opportunities to preserve our natural environment, donate to those in need, and help save the biggest “E”–Earth.
Contact your local charity today!
The Public Education Foundation
799-1042
The Blind Center of Nevada
642-6000
Goodwill of Southern Nevada
214-2000
Computer Corps
732-2424
Health vs. Soft Clothes…An Even Trade?
By Hana Haatainen Caye
Ah, the smell of a clean breeze…right out of the dryer. What exactly is in that dryer sheet that makes your laundry smell oh so “off the line” fresh? And if you knew that those ingredients could potentially cause harm to your health, the environment, and even your dryer, would you think twice about using them? Often made with harsh chemicals, the unfortunate truth is, those little wonder sheets aren’t quite as innocuous as the snuggly mascots and fluffy blankies might suggest.
The Bad Guys
Although it is difficult to trace a particular disease back to its source, health-related issues with a proven link to the chemicals found in fabric softeners are numerous. Based on information from Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) from the Environmental Protection Agency, these chemicals, including known carcinogens and toxins, have been linked to a variety of central nervous system disorders, respiratory ailments and a multitude of other issues. Disorders ranging from Alzheimer’s and ADD to Strokes and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome are among the many disorders on the lengthy list. Many of these only occur following chronic exposure, some after inhaling the vapors, and others are a direct result of contact with the skin. Since we’re talking fabric softener here, that seems to be a big issue.
Some of the toxic culprits, like benzyl acetate and alpha–terpineol, are worse than others. Benzyl acetate, for instance, is directly linked to pancreatic cancer. It causes damage by being absorbed through the skin. The EPA warnings on alpha-terpineol include, “prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.” Other harmful chemicals in dryer sheets include benzyl alcohol, camphor, chloroform, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool and pentane. The warning from the EPA to “always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking and applying cosmetics” seems almost bizarre when you consider you are touching traces of it daily if your clothing and/or sheets are laundered in it.
Environmental and Filter Factors
As your dryer sends steam and heat outdoors through the vent, and all those toxins are emitted into the air, another problem arises. According to a report by Professor Anne C. Steinemann, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Public Affairs, University of Washington, OSHA has identified some of the toxins in fabric softener as air contaminants. The Clean Air Act links them to hazardous air pollution.
Compounding issues even further, fabric softener sheets can also create problems with your dryer. Because they are so laden with chemicals, they can and do cause a film to develop on your lint filter over time. Unless you wash your filter every month or so, the build-up can eventually cause a fire. Additionally, with a clogged lint catcher, your dryer has to work harder and harder as time goes by. This is such an issue that the manufacturers of new dryers are now advising against fabric softener sheets, and the use of them will nullify the warranty on the appliance.
Alternatives
Now that you have been given the bad news, it is time for the good. There are green alternatives.
- Line Drying – Why use a static-causing, energy-using dryer when the sun and wind can dry your clothes for free? The added bonus here is the amazing fragrance of sun-dried laundry. No chemical fragrance has ever been able to match it!
- PVC-Free Dryer Balls – Dryer balls not only eliminate static cling, they also fluff up your laundry, reduce wrinkles and reduce drying time by up to 25%, which naturally lowers your energy consumption. They can be found at www.truegreen2.com, www.nelliesallnatural.com and many local retail stores.
- Static Eliminator (www.staticeliminator.ca) – A box of these non-toxic fabric softener sheets will last up to 500 loads and are safe for your dryer, as well as for everyone in your family, including infants! Not only do they soften clothes and work on any heat setting, they are safe for all washable fabrics, 100% hypoallergenic and will not stain clothing.
- Natural Substitutes – If you are simply set on using fabric softener, look for natural alternatives, but be suspicious of misleading terms like “green” and “eco-friendly”. Read the ingredients and find a brand that’s free of the chemicals listed above.
Being green doesn’t mean having to sacrifice soft and static-free clothes. It just means making responsible, toxic-free choices for the health of your family…and the environment.
Recession-Proof and Green…It’s a Family Affair
Hooray for the recession! What? What good could come out of a recession? Quite simply, the answer is family time. Not ‘family in the minivan heading to the mall’ time, but ‘family finding things to do together at home’ time. With looming cuts in overtime giving moms and dads more hours to spend at home, while budget woes require eliminating expensive extracurricular activities like Tae Kwon Do or piano lessons, finding fun and affordable activities to fill those time slots requires a bit of creativity. Here’s how you can make the most of this time with budget and eco-friendly activities the whole family can enjoy.
Project Time
Pursuing a project together reaps a variety of benefits, including stronger bonds.
- Compost. From decisions on what to compost, to where to put your composting pile, to building your own container, this can be a green family project involving everyone. For more information on this, check out The Good Compost Guide at DoItYourself.com.
- Plant a garden. Everyone in the family can take part in the planning and care of the garden. Round up the kids to help build a container garden, plant seeds, make plant markers, water and weed. By avoiding chemical fertilizers and pest control products, your family can enjoy healthier vegetables all summer long.
- Scavenger hunt. Set the family lose in the attic, garage, basement or wherever unused stuff gets stored. The goal here is to see who can come up with the most creative use of forgotten junk. For instance, an old door can become a workbench when placed atop two old dressers.
TV Time
In today’s modern family, it’s not unusual for three or four televisions to be on at the same time. Mom’s watching HGTV, Dad’s tuned in to ESPN, and the kids are watching separate shows in their rooms. Between the televisions and the lights, that’s a lot of energy being used. Try planning one night a week or more where everyone has to gather in the family room and watch the same programs or DVDs. Tell the kids it’s all about being environmental; they’ll jump on that quicker than if you use the ‘family time’ excuse.
Game Night
Better yet, unplug entirely for one night a week. Turn off the Wii™, don’t worry about who said what on Facebook, forego tweeting, stash away the handheld video games and enjoy an eco-friendly night of entertainment. The kids may moan and groan at first, but they’ll be having fun in no time. If you’re really adventurous, bypass lights altogether and spend the night playing board games or cards by the light of lanterns or soy-based candles.
Suppertime
Get the whole family involved in meal planning. One way to do this is to let everyone have a turn at picking a meal that will fit into any of the following suggestions.
- Give up cooking one day a week. That got Mom’s attention, didn’t it? Don’t get too excited, though. The alternative to firing up your stove is not hopping in the car to go out to eat. Rather, plan on eating one cold dinner a week…cold as in sandwiches and salads made from as much local produce as possible.
- Cook out. Cooking outside doesn’t necessarily mean grilling. On really hot days, instead of heating up the kitchen and making the A/C work even harder, plug in your slow cooker out on the patio or deck.
- Use your toaster oven. Whenever possible, opt for the less-energy-consuming toaster oven over the conventional one.
Go for the Green!
Post-Olympic fervor doesn’t have to die out completely. Why not host your own Eco-Olympic games? Include extended family, friends and neighbors to make an even bigger impact. The goal is to go for the Green, not the Gold. See who can come up with the most innovative way to make their home environmentally-friendly. Nearly everyone recycles, but is there a better way? Is there a greener way to get to work or school safely? Who can cut down on the most waste? Could someone organize a community fundraiser or event for the environment? Choose non-partial judges (co-workers, church members, etc.) and create a clear set of rules. When it’s podium time, have metals available in Forest Green, Pea Green and Lime Green. You never know how big your own personal Eco-Olympics could become! Let’s just hope the news coverage isn’t on your ‘Turn off the T.V. night!’
For more ideas on eco-friendly activities for your family, check out a variety of creative ideas at Kaboose.com. Earth Day doesn’t have to be limited to a day in April. Enjoy the recession by making every day Earth Day in your home, develop healthier relationships within your family, and create memories that’ll last as long as the planet.
Nature’s Way…A Better Way to Clean
By Hana Haatainen Caye
You’ve put out the recycling, composted your coffee grounds and replaced your old light bulbs with energy efficient ones. You deserve a big ol’ environmental A+! But wait, what is in that spray bottle you’re using? If it’s a cleaning product containing chlorine, phosphates and other chemicals that are harmful to the environment (and your family’s health), your grade just dropped a smidge.
No worries! Bring up your environmental grade curve by cleaning your home nature’s way. Did you know you can eliminate mildew on your walls with undiluted vinegar? Or restore wood by wiping it down with a soft cloth and a mixture of ¼ cup olive oil, ½ cup vinegar and two cups water? You can also make your windows shine with a 50/50 mixture of vinegar and water wiped down with soft microfiber cloths or newspaper. The key ingredients for a naturally spotless home are baking soda, lemons and/or lemon juice, white distilled vinegar, rubbing alcohol and organic dish soap. When used with microfiber or chamois cleaning cloths, a scrubbing sponge, bucket and a cleaned-out recycled spray bottle, you can clean the eco-friendly way, saving a ton of money to boot.
The Heart of the Home
Let’s start in the kitchen, where bacteria love to hide! Keep your dishrags and sponges bacteria-free by soaking them for approximately 8 hours in hot water and ¼ cup vinegar.
Sink – Scour your sink with ¼ cup baking soda, one tablespoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and just enough vinegar to create a thick, creamy texture. Shine up your chrome fixtures by scrubbing them with four parts vinegar to one part salt. Or make your sinks and fixtures sparkle with a halved lemon sprinkled with baking soda on the cut side.
Garbage Disposal – After you’re done scrubbing with the lemon, cut it into smaller pieces and dump it down the disposal. The fresh citrus will have your kitchen smelling clean in no time. You can also make ice cubes out of undiluted vinegar and grind a few cubes in the disposal to kill bacteria; flush with cold running water.
Refrigerator – The walls and shelves of your refrigerator can be safely cleaned with a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar. If the top of your refrigerator has fallen victim to the telltale grime of the kitchen, eliminate it with full strength vinegar.
Microwave – In order to have a sparkling microwave, simply put a glass microwavable bowl inside with a mixture of ½ cup white distilled vinegar and ½ cup water. Heat on high for 90 seconds and wipe clean.
Dishwasher – On a monthly basis, it’s a good idea to run your empty dishwasher through a full cycle with just a cup of vinegar. Skip the rinse agent you usually use; vinegar is a much greener and cheaper solution. Just pour it in the dispenser and let it do its magic.
Homemade dishwashing detergent is another environmentally and economically friendly alternative to commercial brands. Simply add one tablespoon each of 20 Mule Team® Borax and Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda to your dishwasher soap dispenser. This averages to about four cents per load.
Countertops – The lemon’s natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties make them perfect for cleaning tile or laminate countertops. Simply spray lemon juice on your counter, let stand for a few minutes, then scrub with a sprinkling of baking soda. Rinse with additional lemon juice.
Granite countertops require a gentler alternative. In a spray bottle, mix one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water and a few drops of dish soap. Apply to granite and polish with a microfiber cloth for ultimate shine. For stubborn stains, mix baking soda with water or rubbing alcohol (for oil based stains) or peroxide (for water based stains) until the consistency of peanut butter. Dampen the stained granite and spread with the soda mixture. Leave until the mixture dries–usually a day or two–and polish with a microfiber towel and rubbing alcohol/water/dish soap solution.
Floor – Grab your spray bottle and add three drops dishwashing soap to 1/3 part rubbing alcohol, 1/3 part water and 1/3 part white distilled vinegar. Spray and mop. If you have tough stains, apply the vinegar full strength, add some baking soda and scrub. Stains can form on travertine flooring if lemon or vinegar is used to clean it, so substitute additional rubbing alcohol and water for the vinegar in the above cleaning solution. Check with the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning this and any other type of stone flooring.
The Bathroom
Another germ and bacteria-laden room in your home is the bathroom. Soak your loofah and sponges the same way as your kitchen sponges to keep them fresh.
Bathtub – Stubborn film in the bathtub can be easily eliminated by wiping down your tub with vinegar and then scouring with baking soda. Spray full strength vinegar on shower doors before turning on the shower to avoid hard water deposits.
Showerhead – Fill a plastic bag (an old bread bag works well) with ½ cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar and fasten it around the showerhead, submerging the head in the solution. Once the bubbling stops (in about an hour) remove the bag and turn on the water. No more scum!
Toilet – Before you head to bed, pour one cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl. Scrub it in the morning and your toilet will be sparkling.
This is just a small sampling of how you can make your home a greener and cleaner environment for your family. Being green never looked and smelled so good!
