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Apartment Recycling: Challenges and Solutions

April 26, 2012 / Michael / No comments

Alexis Petru 04/10/12 Original post: www.earth911.com<!– –> There are numerous challenges to setting up successful recycling programs at apartment complexes including limited space for recycling bins and local recycling programs that only accept a few materials. Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911 It’s a common complaint from eco-minded apartment residents: Why doesn’t my complex have a [...]

Get Inspired to Fall Back In Love with Green Again

April 5, 2012 / Michael / No comments

by Alexis Petru 02/27/12 original post: www.earth911.com Have you been feeling frustrated with making eco-minded choices lately or guilty that you’re not a model of environmental responsibility? Here at Earth911, we know that pursuing a sustainable lifestyle can be a challenge; sometimes it seems like you have to give up things you love or that [...]

Category: earth friendly, eco articles, eco friendly, environmentally friendly, green, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, environmentally friendly, green, sustainable

Corporate Sustainability: Green from the Top

April 2, 2012 / Michael / No comments

Original Post: www.earth911.com Many companies these days are introducing sustainability initiatives such as reducing waste, cutting back on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and implementing greener building practices, but few among them can claim to have started these types of programs as early as WhiteWave Foods, the company that makes Silk®, Horizon Organic® and International Delight® [...]

Category: corporate responsibility, earth friendly, eco articles, eco friendly, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, recycle, reuse, sustainable / Tags: corporate reponsibilty, eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, recycle, reuse, sustainable

10 Eco-Questions to Ask Before Buying A Home

March 30, 2012 / Michael / No comments

original post: www.earth911.com by Alexis Petru 03/29/12 [My comments will be in brackets]<!– –> Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911 You’re faced with numerous questions when you decide to buy a home: Can I afford the monthly mortgage payments? Does the house need any major repairs? And how is the local school district? But Earth911 poses this [...]

Category: earth friendly, eco articles, eco friendly, energy saving, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, sustainable

Apartment Recycling: Challenges and Solutions

April 26, 2012 / Michael / No comments

Alexis Petru 04/10/12

Original post: www.earth911.com<!– –>

There are numerous challenges to setting up successful recycling programs at apartment complexes including limited space for recycling bins and local recycling programs that only accept a few materials. Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

It’s a common complaint from eco-minded apartment residents: Why doesn’t my complex have a recycling program?

While there are a number of barriers preventing recycling at multifamily complexes, setting up a successful recycling program at your apartment building is not a lost cause. Earth911 spoke with Josh Allen, CEO of waste and recycling consulting company Global Disposal Reduction Services, about common challenges to apartment recycling and ways to overcome them.

Limited space, restrictive local programs and high recycling rates

“In a perfect world, there would be a trash and recycling bin at every [trash enclosure in an apartment complex],” says Allen, whose San Diego-based company works with small- and medium-sized businesses, including multifamily complexes, to reduce their waste streams and garbage bills.

But many apartments were not designed with recycling in mind and have little space to set recycling bins next to trash containers.

Apartment recycling programs are also limited by what their local municipal program accepts, says Allen, who works with complexes across the U.S.

“We worked on one [apartment] project in New Mexico, where the only thing the city accepts is glass,” he says. “At a project in Missouri, the local program only collected cardboard.”

And, of course, money plays a role in establishing any recycling program. It’s easier to convince property managers and homeowner associations (HOAs) to set up recycling programs in cities like Seattle, where the apartment complex pays for garbage to be hauled away, but recycling collection is free, Allen says.

But starting a recycling program in a city where garbage and recycling rates are comparable can prove to be a challenge; there is no economic incentive for the complex’s management to recycle, Allen points out.

Legislating Recycling: Calif. Gives Apartment Renters ‘Right to Recycle’

curbside, rental

Photo: Alexis Petru, Earth911

Tips to start a recycling program in your apartment complex

Despite these obstacles, Allen’s company has successfully launched recycling programs at numerous apartment complexes, and he offers these tips to residents who want to motivate their property manager or HOA to start their own program.

But if you live in California, your campaign may be easier than you expect: Last year, the Golden State passed a law requiring owners of multifamily housing with five or more units to provide recycling programs to their tenants starting in 2012.

1. Show them the money

The most compelling evidence you have to encourage your complex’s management to set up a recycling program is the cold, hard cash.

“If you’re someone in your community who wants to make a difference…showing [management] how it could save them money and presenting the return on investment is what the people in charge are looking for,” Allen says. “They have a budget; they have goals they have to hit.”

In Allen’s experience, management will be more likely to make the necessary investments – enlarging trash enclosures to accommodate recycling bins and dedicating extra staff time to recycling – if they see that the recycling program will reduce the complex’s garbage bills and pay for these expenses in two years or less.

Look up your city’s garbage and recycling rates and talk to your city’s recycling coordinator or waste management company about how much money a recycling program could save your complex.

Even More Benefits: 6 Ways Recycling Can Boost Small Business

2. Audit your waste

To get a clearer picture of the cost savings your complex could achieve through recycling, Allen recommends convincing management to undertake an assessment of the complex’s waste stream: the amount of garbage you’re currently throwing out and how much of it could be recycled.

But digging through an entire apartment complex’s trash isn’t a task for one resident on his own; Allen advises that the apartment’s custodial staff carry out the audit or that management hire a waste consulting firm to perform the survey.

See for Yourself: True Life Trash Audit

3. Market your recyclables

Did the waste audit reveal that your complex is generating a recyclable that is not accepted by the local curbside program?

At the apartment complex in the New Mexico city that sponsors a glass-only recycling program, Allen’s company was able to find local scrap recyclers that set up bins at the complex for other recyclables and picked them up for free or – in a more attractive option for management – paid the complex for them.

Cardboard is the most marketable commodity an apartment complex can generate, according to Allen, and recycling cardboard can also significantly reduce a complex’s trash output.

“Cardboard takes up so much space in a dumpster,” Allen says. “If a complex has 20 trash dumpsters being emptied three times a week, you can set up a cardboard recycling program and cut down to 10 dumpsters or reduce dumpster collection to once or twice a week.”

Cash In: 7 Ways to Make Money by Going Green

4. Spread the word

Once your apartment establishes its recycling program, you’ll need to educate other residents to make sure they’re sorting their waste and recyclables properly. And one of the best ways to do that is to label trash and recycling bins and enclosures with eye-catching signs, Allen says.

“Proper signage can increase recycling by 10 percent,” he says.

Get creative and come up with funny and encouraging messages on your signs, Allen recommends.

Is the recycling bin a few hundred yards from the trash can? Allen suggests making a sign that reads, “Burn 46 calories and recycle this way.”

You can also add statistics to your signs to show residents the impact of their recycling efforts, Allen says. For example, a sign on a paper and cardboard recycling bin can mention the number of trees saved by the complex’s recycling program in one year.

If there are separate enclosures for trash and recycling bins, paint the enclosures in different colors to help residents easily locate the correct containers, Allen says.

Get Inspired to Fall Back In Love with Green Again

April 5, 2012 / Michael / No comments

by Alexis Petru 02/27/12

original post: www.earth911.com

Have you been feeling frustrated with making eco-minded choices lately or guilty that you’re not a model of environmental responsibility?

Here at Earth911, we know that pursuing a sustainable lifestyle can be a challenge; sometimes it seems like you have to give up things you love or that it takes more time and money to help the planet.

So we asked three environmental experts for their sage advice to get you re-inspired to go green and focused on Earth-friendly actions that can improve your quality of life – giving you more time to spend with friends and family, saving you money and enhancing your health.

Chef Laura Stec: Make green fun again

Chef, food educator and author Laura Stec thinks you should adopt green habits that you enjoy. “If it ain’t fun, it don’t get done,” she says. Photo: Laura Stec

Laura Stec, a San Francisco Bay Area-based chef, food educator and author, feels like the environmental movement often drives people away by setting its standards too high.

“It’s like it’s a private club where you have to do things a certain way,” she says. “You have to be a super-person, or you can’t participate. That message has never resonated with me.”

In her work helping others choose a diet that benefits both the planet and their health, Stec learned early on that negative messages don’t change people’s behavior.

“If you tell someone, ‘Don’t eat meat. Don’t eat junk food,’ they will say, ‘Well, then what else can I eat?’” she says.

Instead, through her speaking engagements and book, “Cool Cuisine: Taking the Bite Out of Global Warming,” Stec teaches specific cooking techniques to create homemade meals that are delicious, first and foremost; it’s an added benefit that the meals also happen to be nutritious and eco-friendly. For example, she instructs her students on expertly preparing a stir-fry of grains and vegetables; meat is used as a seasoning, rather than the main part of the dish.

For Earth911 readers struggling to live more sustainably, Stec stresses that you have many options, and you should choose activities you enjoy; don’t think you have to give up things you love to go green.

“Do you love driving? You may think as an environmentalist, you can’t drive. But you don’t have to give it up. You can choose something else – like reducing your meat consumption – and you might have a larger effect on the planet,” she says.

Or maybe it’s difficult for you to eat both local and organic, but eating organic is more important to you. By just choosing one option – eating organic – you’re still helping the environment.

Stec’s philosophy of making choices that you take pleasure in are reflected in one of her favorite mottos: “If it ain’t fun, it don’t get done.”

READ: Your Local Guide to Winter Produce

Consultant Paul Smith: Make a profit from eco-friendly choices

Green business consultant Paul Smith suggests starting with eco-friendly actions that can save or even make you money — like clothes swapping and car sharing. Photo: Paul Smith

Even though Paul Smith founded his own sustainability consulting firm, the Portland-based new father recently found himself embroiled in environmental quandaries when his son was born three months ago.

Smith and his wife had aspirations of reducing the environmental footprint of their tiny tot, starting with cloth diapers. But soon, the extra work of washing and reusing their own cloth diapers became too much to handle with all the other responsibilities of caring for an infant.

“When you’re a new parent, everything is new. [Cloth diapers were] just another new thing we had to figure out,” he says.

They tried a cloth diaper service that collected and washed the diapers for them, but found they were going through a considerable amount of diapers, making Smith question the sustainability of their decision. They ultimately switched to disposable diapers – at least for the short term.

“I felt a tinge of guilt,” Smith says. “It’s a lot of waste.”

But the couple hasn’t entirely given up on the idea of low-waste diapers; they’re currently experimenting with hybrid diapers – diapers with an outer liner that is washed and reused and an inner part that can be flushed down the toilet or composted.

READ: Diaper Disposal a Dirty Dilemma

Smith offers this advice to Earth911 readers who feel weighed down by green decisions or guilty when they can’t be a perfect environmentalist:

“It’s about not being so steadfast about one way to be sustainable,” he says. “Be open to other options that work for your life. Learn to choose your battles.”

He thinks the emerging “sharing economy” is a convenient way for individuals looking to adopt greener habits to save – or even make – money. Parents can swap baby clothes and anyone can rent out his car, motorcycle, boat or snowmobile to others through services like JustShareIt.

“The sharing economy, which is also called collective consumption, allows people to make sustainable choices and make a profit,” he says. “If something is more enjoyable and profitable, it’s more likely to happen.”

READ: 8 Things You Can Share, Rent or Borrow

PR Pro Paige Wolf: Don’t aim for perfect – just better

Publicist and author Paige Wolf reminds frustrated greenies that just because you can’t do everything, doesn’t mean you should do nothing. Photo: Paige Wolf

Like Smith, Paige Wolf quickly became overwhelmed with eco-dilemmas when she embarked into parenthood, trying to wade through the enormous amount of information on environmental issues that could affect her son’s health – like BPA in baby bottles or flame retardants in pajamas.

Wolf, who owns a public relations firm in Philadelphia that represents sustainability-minded clients, decided to help other parents go green without going crazy by writing the book, “Spit That Out! The Overly Informed Parent’s Guide to Raising Children in the Age of Environmental Guilt.” With the second edition published last year, the book compiles expert advice on issues from lead in toys to the debate on cloth vs. disposable diapers.

To other folks grappling with earth-conscious choices on a daily basis, she puts forward the following mantra that helps her stay sane after she reads another new study on toxic toys or tainted food:

“Just because you can’t do everything doesn’t mean you should do nothing,” she says.

“Some people refuse to make small changes because they are so overwhelmed by feeling like there’s just too much to do,” she continues. “But just because you can’t figure out how to compost doesn’t mean you shouldn’t recycle. Just because you can’t make fresh, organic meals every night doesn’t mean you have to succumb to a pattern of takeout. It’s okay to just ‘do what’s doable’ and make small changes as you go along.”

Wolf wants eco-aware individuals to remember that at its core, green living is about simplicity. She recommends focusing on simple actions that save you money or allow you to spend more time with your family: buying secondhand or borrowing, repairing instead of replacing, gardening and experimenting with home-cooked meals.

Wolf sums up her straightforward approach to sustainability with her final mantra, the one she inscribes in all her books:

“Perfect is unattainable. But better is always possible,” she says.

READ: Moms Who Made a Difference

Corporate Sustainability: Green from the Top

April 2, 2012 / Michael / No comments

Original Post: www.earth911.com

Many companies these days are introducing sustainability initiatives such as reducing waste, cutting back on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and implementing greener building practices, but few among them can claim to have started these types of programs as early as WhiteWave Foods, the company that makes Silk®, Horizon Organic® and International Delight® and licenses LAND O LAKES®. After beginning this work in 2006, WhiteWave has now achieved many of its original sustainability targets, leading the company to set up even stricter guidelines.

“Producing food choices responsibly, reducing our impact on the environment and giving back to our communities are all part of our mission of becoming the Earth’s favorite food company,” said Blaine McPeak, president of WhiteWave Foods. “We are incredibly pleased with our progress to date – we surpassed our original expectations, which gives us the confidence to aspire for even more in our future goals.”

Let’s take a deeper look at what the company has done and what it’s preparing to do.

WhiteWave Foods Headquarters

A view of the headquarters of WhiteWave Foods, which has implemented green features and guidelines to meet its corporate sustainability goals.

Waste Reduction

WhiteWave has worked to reduce waste in multiple ways since this reduction was established as part of its sustainability goals.

Based on 2007 data, the company set a goal to reduce waste to landfill 30 percent by 2013. Impressively, this goal has already been achieved by incorporating more recycling programs and increasing material efficiency at production facilities.

As part of the initiative, a zero-waste recycling and composting program was introduced at WhiteWave’s headquarters that diverted roughly 115,000 pounds of waste from landfills in 2010 alone.

By recycling and composting the company’s food waste, paper, cardboard and other recyclables, WhiteWave was able to make strides toward its goal.

WhiteWave also helped eliminate 50 sludge tankers and associated transportation emissions by recapturing useable product in an aseptic tank for use and preventing it from entering the public waste system.

READ: How to Calculate the Impact of Your Recycling

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

After tracking company GHG emissions in 2006, WhiteWave set a goal to reduce those emissions 10 percent by 2011. The company met and exceeded this goal by 2010, but rather than stop there, WhiteWave set a new objective to reduce GHG emissions by an additional 15 percent to a total of 25 percent by 2013, and is well on its way.

Efforts to improve herd, soil and pasture management at Horizon Organic dairy farms, as well as new measures in energy efficiency, have already reduced GHG emissions per gallon of product by 16 percent.

According to WhiteWave, these environmental metrics are all normalized per gallon of product produced and apply to facilities under the company’s operational control. The GHG goal includes WhiteWave’s two company-owned Horizon Organic dairy farms, its five company-owned plants, four sales offices, CreaMiser Products division, research and development center and its headquarters in Broomfield, Colo.

All GHG calculations are conducted in accordance with the World Resources Institute and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WRI/WBCSD) Protocol for Corporate GHG Reporting. Waste and water reduction goals apply to WhiteWave’s company-owned plants, research and development center and Colorado headquarters.

Water Reduction and Restoration

Compared with 2008, WhiteWave has already reduced its non-ingredient water consumption by 5 percent as a result of updating equipment, conducting on-site water audits at its facilities and making improvements based on the audit findings. However, the company won’t be stopping there — its sustainability goal is a 15 percent reduction by 2013.

In addition, WhiteWave’s corporate headquarters in Colorado has managed to reduce its potable water usage by 33 percent by updating the building’s plumbing fixtures with retrofitted hardware and installing low flow aerators and automatic flush valves in the restrooms.

Also, as part of the company’s water stewardship efforts, WhiteWave participates in the Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Water Restoration Certificate (WRC) program. WRCs allow businesses to take responsibility for their water consumption by helping to restore water to critically de-watered rivers or streams.

READ: Recycled Glass Used to Purify Water in Singapore

White Wave’s company headquarters uses 37 percent less energy than the average U.S. office structure.

Green Building Efficiency

WhiteWave also has made important, sustainability-related changes at its headquarters such as upgrading to energy-efficient lights and incorporating new energy efficiency practices. Based on its Energy Star score, the company’s headquarters uses 37 percent less energy compared with average U.S. office structures. At that rate, it’s no wonder WhiteWave’s headquarters has earned the Energy Star label every year since 2008!

Thanks to its updates in energy efficiency, the company’s corporate headquarters also has received a silver certification under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program for existing buildings – a program used to rate design, construction and operations efficiency of green buildings.

The corporate headquarters also has included a high-performance green cleaning policy that has been incorporated into janitorial service contracts. This means WhiteWave is making efforts to standardize operating and chemical handling procedures and increase staff training and development with regard to all things green. This even includes purchasing cleaning products and equipment that meet the Carpet and Rug Institute’s Green Label standard.

In addition, WhiteWave also recently launched a green purchasing initiative and training program. By keeping employees up to speed on sustainable purchasing choices, the program ensures that opportunities to utilize environmentally-friendly office supplies, electronics and office fixtures are identified and implemented where possible. These efforts keep WhiteWave employees up to date and empowered to participate in WhiteWave’s environmental initiatives in a variety of ways.

READ: Must-Ask Eco-Questions for Your Contractor

Volunteerism

Because WhiteWave’s sustainability efforts are company-wide, the company encourages and rewards employees to live a healthy lifestyle and get involved in their community. The company created an employee program, Values in Action (VIA), where participants earn points when they volunteer with community organizations or cut GHG emissions by carpooling, biking or using public transportation to get to work. WhiteWave also started an annual Impact Day during which employees volunteer in the community to plant trees, restore trails and habitats, and develop community gardens. After volunteering nearly 7,700 hours over the course of 2010, employees came together for Impact Day in 2011, contributing close to 1,100 hours in a single day!

READ: Get Inspired to Fall Back in Love with Green

With so much room for improvement in corporate sustainability efforts, WhiteWave offers a refreshing approach by not stopping at “good enough.” Despite having already met many of its sustainability goals, the company remains committed to continuing improvement efforts that reduce waste, costs and environmental impact.

Editor’s Note: Earth911 partners with many industries, manufacturers and organizations to support its Recycling Directory, the largest in the nation, which is provided to consumers at no cost. WhiteWave is one of these partners.

10 Eco-Questions to Ask Before Buying A Home

March 30, 2012 / Michael / No comments

original post: www.earth911.com

by Alexis Petru 03/29/12 [My comments will be in brackets]<!– –>

Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

You’re faced with numerous questions when you decide to buy a home: Can I afford the monthly mortgage payments? Does the house need any major repairs? And how is the local school district?

But Earth911 poses this question: How will your new home impact the planet? Before you get ready to make an offer, here are 10 questions to ask that will help you determine if your prospective home will help you lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

1. What size home do you need?

The larger the home, the greater its environmental footprint – in both its construction and ongoing maintenance.

Consider your family’s current – and future – size and think realistically about how much space you need to be comfortable. We’re not suggesting you squeeze your family of five into a two-bedroom, one-bathroom home, but ask yourself if you really need a house with extra space beyond what your family will use every day – a three-car garage or extra guest rooms.

You’ll not only be reducing your impact on the planet by passing up on the “McMansion;” smaller homes are more affordable to purchase and will require less upkeep.

In fact, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported last year that the average American home is shrinking due to the economic downturn. They found that the average size of a current single-family home is 2,400 square feet, but predict this number will drop to 2,150 square feet by 2015.

Learn More: What Your New Home Will Look Like in 2015

2. How energy efficient is the house?

Learning about the energy efficiency features of your prospective home will not only help you determine how much you’ll be spending – or saving – on annual utility bills, but it will also reveal what home improvement projects you’ll need to undertake after buying the home. [It doesn't hurt to ask questions. If possible get the model number of the appliances and fixtures to do some research. An informed buyer is a happy buyer.]

Ask the real estate agent what weatherization projects have been completed at the home to seal air leaks: Is there attic and wall insulation or double-paned windows? How old is the roof, and when does the manufacturer recommend replacement?

Also inquire about the home’s heating and cooling systems: furnaces, boilers, air conditioners and water heaters. When were these appliances last replaced? If new appliances were installed recently, were the most energy efficient models on the market purchased?

If the real estate agent can’t answer all your questions, a home inspection should uncover the information for you.

Seal Up Your House: Home Weatherizing Tips for Renters and Owners

water conservation

Question #3: Does the house have low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to help you save water? Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

3. How efficiently does the home use water?

Water efficiency is just as important as energy efficiency when it comes to reducing your home’s environmental footprint and saving on utility bills.

Are the home’s toilets, showerheads and faucets all low-flow? If not, you may want to plan on few low-cost DIY fixes after you buy the home: adding aerators to the faucets and replacing showerheads with low-flow models. To convert toilets to low-flow, simply fill a plastic bottle with water, drop in a few pebbles and place the bottle into the toilet tank.[Some plumbers advise against this practice. They suggest replacing the entire toilet. It could be they are trying to pad their pocket, but I am NOT a plumber and I try to follow the advice of trusted professionals.]

If appliances such as dishwashers and clothes washers come with the house, look for the EPA Energy Star label to guarantee the most efficient products.

Weekend Eco-Project: How to Find and Fix Household Leaks

4. Is there “water-wise” landscaping?

Of the 29 billion gallons of water used daily in the U.S., thirty percent goes to outdoor landscaping, according to the EPA. And that number can climb to as high as 70 percent in drier climates.

Choosing a home with landscaping suited to the local environment will not only conserve water, but will also require less upkeep than gardens with regionally inappropriate plants or lawns that need to be mowed weekly. If you’re not sure which plants are best adapted to your area, check out the EPA’s “What To Plant” lists or talk to an expert at your local nursery.[You need to consider the costs with maintaining a "pretty" landscaped yard. If you can do the work yourself, it can be rewarding. However if you have to pay someone to maintain it, the costs increase quickly.]

Also, see if the yard has a drip irrigation system – the most efficient landscape watering system.

Of course, a home with a thirsty lawn and an inefficient sprinkler system doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker, but you’ll have to decide if your home improvement budget will allow for a garden makeover after you move in. Or you may come to the conclusion that a house or condo with no yard is better for both the environment and your lifestyle.

For Your Backyard: A Budgeter’s Guide to Rainwater Harvesting

Question #5: If you’ve been wanting to try growing your own veggies, look for space on the property to start a vegetable garden. Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

5. Is there a place for a vegetable garden?

What could be more sustainable than growing some of your own veggies? If you’ve been looking to exercise your green thumb, poke around the yard of your prospective home for a small plot of land that you can turn into a vegetable garden. [I suggest stopping by your future home at different times of the day to see how the sunlight hits the area as well as to see h9ow the area changes througout the day.]

Look for an area that receives of plenty of sunshine, is protected from strong winds and has good water drainage. The size of the plot is up to you – depending on what you want to grow and your gardening experience (if this is your first veggie-growing attempt, we recommend starting small).

If the soil isn’t suitable for a veggie garden, you can plan to build a raised bed and buy potting soil from the local nursery or home improvement store. Or if the yard is more concrete than dirt, you can start a container garden, choosing veggies that grow well in pots.

Try It Yourself: How to Farm in Your Big City Apartment

6. Is it legal to raise chickens or keep bees?

Want to go beyond growing your own veggies and get in on the urban homesteading trend, raising chickens or keeping bees in your backyard for the freshest, hyper-local food products?

Before you buy the house, check with the city government to see if there are any regulations prohibiting or restricting flocks of chickens or beehives. Even if raising chickens and keeping bees are perfectly legal in your area, check with the next-door neighbors to see if they have any noise concerns or serious allergies to bee stings.

Find Out: Is Raising Chickens Right for You?

Question #7: Choosing a home within walking or biking distance of local parks, restaurants and stores can reduce your carbon footprint and improve your qualify of life. Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

7. Is the house within walking or biking distance of amenities?

We all know the real estate saying, “Location, location, location.” But a property’s location doesn’t just determine its school district or property value; it also can contribute to the home’ sustainability.

If you don’t live in a dense urban environment like New York or San Francisco, it may be difficult to access the amenities you need without your car. But even in the suburbs, you can look for important locations within walking or biking distance of the prospective home: a neighborhood park or playground for your kids to enjoy, a restaurant or movie theater for a Friday night out, or a convenience store to pick up that carton of milk you forgot on your weekly grocery run.

Being able to walk or bike from your home to several businesses or attractions will not only reduce your carbon footprint, but will also save you money on gas, increase your physical activity and improve your overall quality of life.

Get Inspired: Family Embarks on 365 Days of Local

8. How will the home’s location affect your commute?

Sure, it’s nice to have a grocery store or movie theater within walking or biking distance of your new home, but the house’s affect on your commute to work or school will have a greater impact on your daily life and the environment.

Calculate how many miles you and others members of your household will drive to school or work to determine how much money and how much time you’ll spend commuting from the new location.

You can also consider ways you can commute that cut down on your driving time. If your office or school is near a bus, train or subway station, find out if there is a connecting transit station close to the house; can you walk, bike or drive to the station and then commute via public transit? Or talk to your co-workers or classmates to see if they live nearby and are interested in setting up a carpool.

Get Started Green: Ride Public Transit

Question #9: Has the home been verified by a green certification program like LEED or Energy Star? Photo: Alex Vietti, Earth911

9. Is the home certified as eco-friendly?

There are numerous certification programs that confirm the green features of a house: The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Homes and Build It Green’s GreenPoint Rated evaluates a home’s overall sustainability, while Energy Star verifies homes that are at least 15 percent more efficient than those built to internationally-accepted building codes.

Green certification programs are a great way to guarantee a home’s eco-credentials, but just because a home isn’t rated by one of these programs doesn’t mean it isn’t green; the evaluation process for many programs can be cost-prohibitive for builders and homeowners. If the house isn’t LEED- or Energy Star-certified, ask the real estate agent to list the home’s green features: energy efficient appliances, eco-friendly building materials or non-toxic paints.

Take A Sneak Peek: PHOTOS: Japan’s Most Efficient Home

10. Does the home qualify for an Energy Efficient Mortgage?

An Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM), or “green mortgage,” is a private- and government-backed mortgage program that helps you qualify for larger loans to purchase a newly constructed home that is certified as energy efficient. EEMs are also available if you plan on buying an existing house and upgrading its energy efficiency. Visit the Energy Star website to learn more about EEMs. [This is new to me, but I will be investigating it for myself.]

More Savings: Don’t Forget About Green Write-offs This Tax Season

7 Ways to Make Money by Going Green

March 13, 2012 / Michael / No comments

Orignal post: www.earth911.com

by Mary Mazzoni 03/07/12 <!– –>

Many of us are on pretty tight budgets these days. So, if you could use a few extra dollars in your pocket this month, why not cash in on your green habits to fatten your wallet and lighten your footprint? From recycling your iPhone to renting out your parking space, here are seven ways to make money by being green.

parking, sign, park, parking garage, garage, paid parking, neon, sign

Tip #4: Cash in on helping your neighbors reduce transportation-related emissions by renting out your personal parking space when you’re not using it. Photo: Flickr/pixeljones

1. Selling your old clothes online

If you have a closet full of clothes that are still in good condition but just aren’t your size or style anymore, you could be making loads of extra cash by selling them to other fashionistas online.

At SwapStyle.com you can sell, buy or swap all your used fashions in good condition. In addition to women’s wear, the site features kids’ and maternity clothes, shoes and accessories. You can also use to the site to cash in on your old books, DVDs, electronics and purchased but unused cosmetics. Sorry to all you fashion-forward guys out there; SwapStyle.com doesn’t include menswear.

For a swap site that accepts both men’s and women’s clothing, head to Dresm.com to trade, sell or buy in just a few clicks. Or, for U.K. swappers, check out Clothes For Cash – where you can sell and swap everything from trousers to shoes to kids’ clothes and receive payment on the same day.

READ: Guide to Swapping and Selling Clothes Online

2. Disposing of e-waste responsibly

Listen up, tech junkies! If you’re constantly replacing your “outdated” (aka 6-month-old) gadgets, don’t throw your old ones away! Recycle them with paid collection companies like YouRenew, BuyMyTronics or Gazelle, and receive up to $1,000 per item.

Just answer a few quick questions about the age and condition of your items and send them in via prepaid postage. You’ll usually receive payment for the full market value in less than two weeks. Accepted items include cell phones, smart phones, laptop and desktop computers, tablets and e-readers, MP3 players and digital cameras.

All three sites will send you a check in the mail or pay you directly via PayPal. Gazelle will also give you a Walmart Prepaid Visa or Amazon gift card instead of cash, and YouRenew allows you to donate your earnings to environmental causes like tree plantings and renewable energy projects.

READ: Get Paid for Your Old iPhone

3. Sharing your car

If you have a car for long trips but don’t use it on a daily basis for eco reasons, you could be making a pretty penny by renting it out to your neighbors. Companies like RelayRides connect people who need a car with vehicle owners whose rides would otherwise be sitting idle. And you could be making as much as $7,000 per year by loaning out your wheels, according to the company.

Just answer a few quick questions about your car and start a listing for free. Once you’re approved, simply pick the dates and times that your car is available, set the price and start selecting renters.

RelayRides currently only supports listings in San Francisco and Boston, but they’re growing quickly. So, if you want to share your car, just start a listing and the company will notify you as its service area expands.

Another ride-sharing option is JustShareIt, which helps drivers rent out their cars in Virginia, Texas, Oregon and California and offers paid sharing for boats, RVs, motorcycles and snowmobiles in all 50 states and Washington D.C.

READ: Couple Travels the World Without Planes, Cars

4. Renting your parking space

Searching for a parking spot on crowded city streets is seriously annoying. But it’s also bad for the environment: the more drivers circle the block, the more carbon emissions their cars release into the atmosphere.

Two companies, ParkatmyHouse and ParkCirca, have developed an innovative solution to the urban parking problem: connect drivers looking for a spot for a few hours with city-dwellers who want to earn money by renting their personal parking spaces when they’re not using them.

ParkatmyHouse operates as an online marketplace for parking spaces, while ParkCirca is a mobile app, still in its beta testing phase. Both services are free of charge for renters. Depending on the city you call home, you could be making more than $1,000 per year by sharing your space.

READ: 8 Things You Can Rent, Share or Borrow

man, driving, car, country, road, country road, sedan, silver, hills, green, grass, trees

Tip #6: Whether you’re taking a cross-country road trip or commuting to work, carpooling can save on carbon emissions (and make you hundreds of dollars each month!). Photo: Flickr/timo_w2s

5. Starting an Etsy shop

Are you always churning out loads of creative crafts to give away as presents to friends and family? If your crafts closet is getting full and your mom already owns four of your oh-so-lovely mason jar candle holders, why not make a little extra cash with your artistic creativity?

Etsy allows everyday crafters to open online stores and sell their handmade goods, vintage items and crafts supplies right from their living rooms.

Typically, rent and overhead costs for a small shop can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. But you can register your Etsy shop for free, and it will only cost you 20 cents to list an item for up to four months. When your item sells, you’ll pay a 3.5 percent transaction fee on the final sale price and the rest is yours!

You can sell as many or as few items in your shop as you’d like. If you’re worried you may not have the time to keep a shop fully stocked, you can also create an account with multiple users and collaborate with crafty friends to cash in on your upcycling genius.

READ: 5 Unbelievable Recycled Crafts

6. Carpooling

We all know that carpooling is a great way to reduce air pollution, save money and relieve the stress of your commute. But did you know you could make money from it?

Sites like Zimride allow you to sell empty seats in your car – whether it’s your daily commute or a cross-country road trip. The amount charged by the driver covers the cost of gas and travel, meaning you can take your trips for less by filling all your empty seats.

You can also sign up for GoLoco, which allows you to split the cost of your ride between all passengers evenly based on a 50 cents-per-mile estimate. So, if you’re headed on a 300-mile road trip, you could save $100 on gas by sharing your ride with two other people. Not too shabby!

READ: A Greenie’s Guide to the Open Road

7. Recycling curbside

You already toss cans, bottles and other recyclables into your curbside bin each week. So, why not get paid for it? Recyclebank will give you points for each item you recycle, which can be redeemed for discounts and deals at all your favorite stores and online retailers.

So, how does it work? Recyclebank partners with with waste haulers across the country to find out how much recyclable material was collected and converts the total into Recyclebank Points, which are distributed amongst all recyclers in the community. So, the more you and your neighbors recycle, the more everyone gets paid!

But Recyclebank isn’t just for your curbside bin. You can also earn points for other green actions, including saving energy at home, getting your postal mail online and supporting environmental initiatives. And, in case you haven’t heard, you can also collect Recyclebank points from reading articles here on Earth911. Just click the link at the bottom of each story to get your points!

READ: Donate Your Recyclebank Points to Schools

Homepage Image: Alexandra Vietti, Earth911

Category: earth friendly, eco articles, eco friendly, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, recycle, reuse, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, energy saving, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, recycle, recycling, reuse, sustainable

Anti-cancer fungus found to naturally eat away plastic waste

February 28, 2012 / Michael / No comments

from: NaturalNews.com

Monday, February 27, 2012 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer

(NaturalNews) What if it was possible to eliminate much of the world’s otherwise very-slowly-biodegrading plastic waste using a natural Amazonian fungus? Well, it just might be, thanks to research conducted by Jonathan Russell and colleagues from Yale University‘s Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, who recently discovered that Pestalotiopsis microsporaeffectively eats away polyurethane (PUR) plastics, and is capable of using plastic as its sole food source in both aerobic and anaerobic environments.

Entitled Biodegradation of Polyester Polyurethane by Endophytic Fungi, the study aimed to find new potential plant sources of bioremediation, also known as the use of microorganisms to biodegrade and eliminate pollutants that otherwise persist in the environment. Several students attending Yale‘s annual Rainforest Expedition and Laboratory course collected various samples from the Yasuni National Forest in the Amazon basin, and took them home for testing.

Of all the microorganisms tested, nine of the most active came from the Pestalotiopsis genus, which represents the first time endophytic fungi have been identified as having bioremediation properties. It was discovered that a key enzyme in this fungal genus known as taxol is responsible for eating away PUR, and that this “extracellular, secreted and diffusible” substance diffuses to “a significant distance,” which means it has huge potential for large-scale PUR cleanup efforts.

“This is the first study that demonstrates PUR degradation by endophytic fungi,” wrote the authors in their discussion. “The broad distribution of activity suggests that endophytes might be a promising source of biodiversity in which to test for activities important for bioremediation.”

Taxol, which is also derived from the bark of Pacific Yew trees, happens to be the same enzyme used in conventional medicine to treat cancer patients. Though it is now administered to patients in synthetic, patented forms created by drug companies that now produce it using genetically-modified (GM) bacterium, taxol in its natural form has demonstrable anti-cancer properties, and has been used in native cultures by herbalists to treat disease naturally.

As interesting as this new discovery about taxol’s PUR bioremediation properties may be, it is more than likely that, should this substance ever be used to eat plastics on an industrial scale, it will likely be derived from synthetic, patented sources rather than from natural sources. But as it currently stands, the Pestalotiopsis genus of endophytic fungi appear to be nature’s built-in remedy for helping to keep the environment clean and toxin-free, as it already appears to be performing this function in rainforests around the world.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.activistpost.com

http://www.herbcyclopedia.com

http://www.thepracticalherbalist.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035077_fungus_plastic_bioremediation.html#ixzz1nijyS9pF

Category: eco articles, eco friendly, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, plastic recycling, recycle, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, sustainable

Why Ocean Trash is Everyone’s Problem

February 21, 2012 / Michael / No comments

by Leah Blunt & Jennifer Berry 01/30/12

from www.earth911.com <!–

–>

The Isles of Shoals (above) are common patrolling grounds for the plastic hunters of the Rozalia Project. Photo: Flickr/PHOTOPHANATIC1

Off the eastern coast of the U.S., out from the border between New Hampshire and Maine, the Isles of Shoals rest peacefully in the early morning. Underwater, whales feed, schools of fish flutter by, and yellow, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) clasp old cans, discarded lobster traps and other debris on the ocean floor.

On the American Promise floating overhead, the ship’s crew, who sport accolades including Ivy League degrees, U.S. Coastguard Captain certifications, and a U.S. Sailing Team coach, operate the ROVs using sophisticated imaging systems that allow them to target and remove trash in a non-invasive way. The team from the Rozalia Project has a goal: to remove every, single bit of waste from the ocean that they can through direct action, and to show people what it looks like to see the impact of ocean litter through awareness education.

“We’re connecting people to their underwater world, not the underwater world, not the nameless, faceless ocean they think of,” says Rachael Miller, founder of the Rozalia Project. “Right under anybody’s feet, in any water body, there’s something cool – and probably right next to it, there’s something not cool, like a beer can or a chip bag or somebody’s shoe.”

Named after her great-grandmother, Rozalia Belsky, the Rozalia Project aims to protect the seas that brought Miller’s family to a better life in America almost 90 years ago.

Taking Individual Responsibility

Miller travels around the country with her ROVs, showing everyone from children to yacht club members what their local body of water really looks like, hoping that the reality of the images they see will change behaviors that are trashing the world’s seas, rivers, harbors and lakes.

“I think sometimes the unexpectedness of seeing a cool underwater habitat interrupted by [trash], that is very alarming. We were at one yacht club and showing people the images from the ROV, and someone said ‘Let’s go over to Bob’s boat and see what it looks like.’ His boat was surrounded by forks, plates cups, cans – basically, Bob was busted. I’m willing to bet he hasn’t added anything to the pile since our visit.”

But since there are 13,000 pieces of litter per square kilometer in the world’s oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Miller and her team can’t do it alone.

This ROV is one of the tools the Rozalia Project utilizes to pinpoint and remove debris from the sea. Photo: Courtesy of The Rozalia Project

This is why plastics industry leaders from across the world met in Dubai late last year to create a global action plan for solutions on marine litter. The meeting was an extension of the “Declaration for Solutions on Marine Litter” pledge, released in March 2011 and signed by 54 plastic organizations in 33 countries.

The issue is receiving worldwide, global attention, and not just from countries whose borders touch the sea.

Land-based litter is usually the result of improperly discarded trash by beachgoers or from areas where trash gets washed into sewers or storm drains and finds its way to major waterways. Common types of marine debris include plastic bags, bottles and cans, cigarette filters, bottle caps and lids. For this reason, recycling-on-the-go can be a major player in helping curb this harmful litter.

“In California, [the American Chemistry Council] has placed nearly 700 bins at 19 coastal locations in the San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Cruz areas,” said Allyson Wilson, public relations manager for the ACC. “These bins divert 45 tons of plastics and over 105 tons of other recyclables from the waste stream annually and help to make sure these valuable resources end up with recyclers instead of in waterways or landfills.” The ACC also donates to research and cleanup programs like the Rozalia Project to support a wider effort.

“Litter and marine debris is a global problem, and it cannot be solved by any one country, organization, region or entity,” said Wilson. “The more stakeholders we have at the table working on solutions, the more successful we’ll be.”

What Can We Really Do?

Miller agrees. When Earth911 asked about what can truly be done, because the problem seems so overwhelming, she illustrated the power of the collective effort with a story from the Olympic Games in Beijing, where her husband was a coach for a U.S. women’s sailing team.

“A few weeks before the Olympics were about to start, this humongous mat of seaweed algae came in, and it covered the sailing areas. Not only could you not drive a motorboat through it, but the sailboats were completely disabled. At first nothing happened, everybody panicked, and then the Associated Press got their hands on the story, and the Chinese government got many thousands of fishing boats and thousands of Chinese citizens with pitchforks, and they removed it all.“

According to BBC News, “it took more than 10,000 people to clean up, removing over one million tonnes of algae from the beach and coast.”

“But the amazing thing is, they got rid of it,” Miler said. “And with a whole lot of people and a whole lot of determination, this [the problem of trash in our seas] can be fixed.”

So where can you start making a difference?

Trash like this from Bearskin Beach in Rockport, Mass., is commonly collected in both beach and ocean cleanups. Photo: Courtesy of The Rozalia Project

Act Like a Local

Even if you’re vacationing at the beach, treat the surrounding area as if it was your home. Pick up litter, and try to use reusable items instead of single-use or disposable items that might be left behind.

Always dispose of any trash properly, even if you’re in the street away from the beach. Often, misplaced trash runs into the ocean through storm drains or the wind carries it to the water.

Boat Responsibly

If you own a boat, one of the biggest things you can do is properly dispose of all your trash. Not only is it illegal to put plastic material in U.S. waters or anywhere in the ocean, but it’s also unhealthy for the waterways you use.

You can also support environmentally friendly marinas and report any illegal dumping to the U.S. Coast Guard. NOAA suggests using Channel 16 on your VHF marine radio or calling (800) 424-8802 to locate the Sector Office near you.

Give Your Time

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2008 over 183,000 people across the U.S. participated in beach cleanups, removing almost 4 million pounds of debris from more than 9,000 miles of coasts, shorelines and underwater sites. Start with one of these organizations:

NOAA Marine Debris Program – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.noaa.gov/, a bureaus of the US Department of Commerce, has instituted a Marine Debris Program that supports national and global efforts to research, prevent and reduce the impacts of marine debris through various projects and partnerships of its own.
International Coastal Cleanup – Each year, the Ocean Conservancy sponsors the International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers from around the globe and 55 U.S. states and territories participate, clearing tons of trash from coastlines, rivers and lakes.
Keep America Beautiful, Inc. – KAB works with businesses, schools, neighborhood groups and local governments to improve our land, waters and built environment, providing programs that help communities reduce, reuse and recycle.
Marine Debris Solutions – America’s plastics makers are committed to working on the problem of ocean litter. They support efforts to reduce waste, increase recycling and litter prevention programs, and foster regional and global partnerships. This site is dedicated to providing the latest and most substantive information available on the causes and sources of marine debris, and most importantly, to showing what the industry is doing to help find solutions.
Sea Education Association – Sea Education Association is an internationally recognized leader in undergraduate ocean education. For 40 years and more than one million nautical miles, they have educated students about the world’s oceans through their fully accredited study abroad program, SEA Semester. SEA is based on Cape Cod in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts
GESAMP – As an effort to support marine debris research and prevention, organizations are partnered with the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP). GESAMP is an advisory committee to the United Nations focused on evaluating the sources, fate and effects of micro-plastics in the global marine environment.
Operation Clean Sweep – Operation Clean Sweep is an industry created initiative to ensure that resin pellets are properly contained and prevented from entering various waterways. The plastic pellets the program is focused on are the raw materials used to create other plastic products. They are a common debris item and hazardous to marine animals who eat them, but can’t digest them. Because the resin pellets are a pre-consumer good, it is up to the plastics industry to ensure that they are being properly contained and disposed of. OCS has a goal of zero pellet loss and provides education and materials to companies to help make that goal a reality.

Just as the founders of the Rozalia Project have a personal connection to the well-being of the seas, so does every other person on the planet, even if you’ve never visited. The world’s oceans feed millions of people, help regulate the weather, and provide beautiful reminders of the importance of protecting natural resources.

Miller writes it best: “For me, protecting and cleaning the ocean is an ode to my past and hope for the future – to protect all of the creatures the ocean keeps and nourishes from the smallest bit of plankton up to the whales and us people and to keep the pathway to a better life, whether people are going east, west, north or south, clean and clear.”

Category: eco articles, eco friendly, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, plastic recycling, recycle, reuse, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly article, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, plastic recycling, recycle, recycling, reuse, sustainable

How To Save Energy in the Laundry Room

February 14, 2012 / Michael / No comments

by Alexis Petru 01/27/12

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Hand washing and line drying may be the most eco- and budget-friendly options for doing laundry, but our busy schedules and local weather often don’t allow us to take up these greener housekeeping practices. Earth911 has rounded up nine ways to reduce your energy use and lower your utility bills, while still taking advantage of the conveniences of the modern laundry room.

1. Wash with cooler water

About 90 percent of the energy consumed by your washing machine is used just to heat the water, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Switch to cold water for many of your loads, especially those with dark or bright colors and delicates like silk or wool. Cold-water washing won’t just save you money: It will also keep colors bright, reduce wrinkling and won’t set stains.

Using cold water to wash your clothes for one year can save enough energy to run an average home for up to two weeks, the Alliance says.

If you find that your regular detergent isn’t cleaning effectively enough with your cold-water loads, look for cold-water detergents that are specifically made to get clothes clean in cooler temperatures.

Can’t make the change to cold water for all your loads? Even switching from hot water to warm can cut a load’s energy use in half, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

READ: 8 Quick Ways to Save $290 This Month

2. Run full loads

Your washer and dryer use the same amount of mechanical energy, regardless of how full they are, so the best way to save energy is to run full loads of laundry.

If you need to run a smaller load in the washing machine, be sure to use the appropriate water-level setting.

3. Set your machine for energy savings

Take advantage of your washer and dryer’s energy-saving settings – like the washing machine’s “high spin” option, which cuts down on drying time. Avoid running the sanitary cycle, which hogs energy by heating the water to excessively high temperatures. Also, be sure not to wash items for longer than you need to; many loads only need 10 minutes of washing to be cleaned effectively.

When you’re drying clothes, select the low temperature setting for delicates and medium heat for most clothes. Use your machine’s moisture sensor, if it has one, to prevent over-drying your clothes, which shrinks clothes, causes static electricity and generally wears clothes out.

4. Turn down the water heater

The default temperature setting for your water heater is usually 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which actually provides water that is too hot for most residential needs. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and you’ll be saving energy even when you wash clothes in hot or warm water.

You can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs for each 10 degree reduction in water temperature, the DOE says.

But before you turn down your water heater, be sure to check your dishwasher’s instruction manual to make sure it will operate effectively with water cooler than 140 degrees. While most dishwashers can clean dishes in 120-degree water, some older dishwashers may not function properly with water at temperatures lower than 130 degrees.

The DOE says that reducing your water’s temperature also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes, helping your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.

READ: Home Weatherizing Tips for Renters and Owners

5. Dry similar fabrics together

Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight, faster-drying clothes. Do back-to-back loads to take advantage of residual heat, starting with a load of fast-drying fabrics.

6. Clean the lint filter

After each load, clean the lint screen in your dryer to improve air circulation, reduce drying time and prevent fires. The DOE recommends periodically using the long nozzle tip of your vacuum cleaner to remove the lint that builds up below the dryer’s lint screen slot.

Also, inspect your dryer vent from time to time to ensure it is not blocked; this precautionary measure will also save energy and prevent fires.

7. Throw in the towel

Toss a clean, dry towel or tennis ball into the dryer to get clothes to dry quicker, the Alliance suggests. The towel absorbs moisture, while the tennis ball helps circulate air between clothes.

READ: 7 Surprising Ways to Save Energy

8. Hang out to dry

Even if your busy schedule or local weather doesn’t allow you to line dry your clothes, purchase an indoor drying rack for delicate fabrics and silks. You can also use the drying rack for “almost-dry” clothes, rather than running the dryer for additional time.

Some fabrics like wool need to be laid flat to dry, and you can buy special drying racks for these items like this stackable sweater dryer or pop-open dryer from The Container Store.

9. Shop for efficiency

If it’s time to replace your old washing machine, look for washers with the EPA Energy Star label. Energy Star washing machines use 37 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than their conventional counterparts – which can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the machine.

While Energy Star does not certify clothes dryers because most of them use similar amounts of energy, the DOE advises buying a dryer with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry.

And, of course, don’t forget to recycle your old washers and dryers. Most major appliance retailers will haul away the old machines for recycling when they deliver the new ones. If not, search Earth911’s recycling directory for an appliance recycler near you.

READ: Green Buyer’s Guide to Washers and Dryers

Category: eco articles, eco friendly, energy saving, environmentally friendly, green, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, energy saving, environmentally friendly, green, sustainable

Conserve Energy in the Kitchen

January 26, 2012 / Michael / No comments

by Marisa McNatt 09/29/11

from www.earth911.com

Ever wondered if washing dishes by hand saves water and energy over using the dishwasher? Or, should you replace the fridge from 1989, even though it’s still running? We’ve got the inside information on keeping it efficient in the kitchen.

A more efficient refrigerator

Photo: Flickr/edcrowle

The fridge is the single biggest energy-consuming appliance in most households, according to the EPA. And the older it is, the higher its energy load.

On average, refrigerators bought before 1993 use twice the energy of Energy Star-qualified models and cost over $65 more to operate per year. Refrigerators bought before 1980 cost $200 more per year on average. Get an idea of how much it costs to operate your current fridge model. Use the Energy Star Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator and compare the operating cost of your current model compared to an Energy Star qualified model.

If it’s time to replace your fridge, make sure your old refrigerator gets recycled. There are more than 120 pounds of recyclable steel in the average refrigerator aged ten years or older. Recycling 120 pounds of steel saves an equivalent of almost 290 kilowatt-hours.

Quick tips for the fridge:

Check the internal temperature of the refrigerator and freezer. The internal temperature of the fridge should be set between 36 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer should be set at 3 degrees Fahrenheit. A small thermometer can be used to make sure the fridge and freezer aren’t colder than necessary.
Seal dishes stored in the fridge tightly. Moisture released from foods can make the refrigerator work harder to keep cool.
Going away for four weeks or longer? It’s generally recommended to unplug your fridge. However, Energy Star recommends contacting the manufacturer of your refrigerator model for detailed advice.

Try conservation cooking

Stock Photo

What are the most energy efficient ovens and stove ranges? Ovens and stove ranges used in the home are not included in the Energy Star labeling program. However, homeowner cans find oven and stove ranges that are more efficient than others.

When buying a new oven and stove range “look beyond the initial price tag,” suggests the California Energy Commission. You could have your oven for another 20 years, so the operating cost should also be considered.

Quick tips for ovens:

Install your oven away from the refrigerator. Or, the oven’s heat will make the refrigerator work harder. If the refrigerator and oven have to be installed next to each other, place a sheet of insulation foam between them.
Consider a convection oven. On average, convection ovens use about one-third the energy of an electric oven. They distribute heat more evenly than ordinary ovens, so cooking time and cooking temperature can be reduced.
Keep the oven door closed. The temperature in the oven can actually drop by 25 degrees each time you open the oven door. Trust your recipes, or make sure the oven light is working.
Preheat the oven only when necessary. Only on steps three of the recipe, and the oven’s already preheated? Your recipes may tell you to preheat the oven first thing, but don’t preheat the oven until you have to. Also, unless you’re baking breads, or pastries, you may not even have to preheat the oven.
If you have a self-cleaning oven, take advantage of the remaining heat and clean the oven right after you use it. Check the seal on your oven door. Cracks and tears can allow heat to escape.

Quick tips for stove ranges:

Go with gas cooking instead of electric. A gas stovetop with an electronic ignition costs half as much to operate as an electric stovetop, according to the California Energy Commission.
Choose a pot the same diameter as the burner. If you choose the right size pot, you can save up to $36 annually using an electric range stove and $18 annually for a gas range stove. If you have a gas range, make sure to keep the burners clean. A blue flame means your gas range is working correctly. A yellow flame, however, may mean that the stove needs to be serviced to run more efficiently.
Reduce the amount of heat your need. Use a pot that is the right size for the amount of food you’re cooking, replace warped pots and pans that no longer distribute heat evenly and efficiently and put lids on pots.

Best dishwashing techniques

By saving water, you’re also saving energy. It takes energy to pump, treat, heat and clean the water after it’s used in you city’s wastewater treatment facility, according to the California Energy Commission.

Wonder if you should replace your dishwasher? A dishwasher built before 1994 wastes more than 10 gallons of water per cycle and costs an extra $40 per year, according to Energy Star. And, an Energy Star qualified model will save about 1,300 gallons of water over its lifetime.

Quick tips for the dishwasher:

Run the dishwasher at night. This is when the utility rates are low, says Adam Gottlieb, manager for the California Energy Commission.
Unclog the sprayer arms. To ensure your dishwasher if working efficiently, clear the sprayer arms of debris such as food particles and mineral deposits. To loosen obstructions, remove the sprayer arms and soak them in warm vinegar for a few hours, suggests Horizon Services Inc., a home services company in the Delaware Valley.
Air dry the dishes. Turn off the heated drying setting and crack open the dishwasher to save energy.
Run hot water in the sink and avoid the delay cycle. About 80 percent of the total energy used by dishwashers goes toward heating water, according to Horizons Services Inc. Run the water in the kitchen sink, so the dishwashing cycle starts off with hot water.

Quick tips for hand-washing dishes:

If you have an older faucet, consider replacing the aerator – the screw-on tip of the faucet. New aerators are inexpensive and will make your faucet run more efficiently.
If it takes awhile for the kitchen-sink water to heat up, put the running water to use. Fill up water bottles, the watering-flowering can or the tea kettle as the water is running.
Use refillable and concentrated dishwashing soaps. Concentrates use less packaging, less water and less energy to transport.

Adjust your kitchen lighting

Photo: Flickr/ineffable_pulchritude

Kitchen lights are some of the most used lights in a home, according to Energy Star. You can dial it down a notch, and you may not even notice the reduced lighting.

Quick lighting tips:

Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs. You can save up to $40 in electricity costs annually and use up to 75 percent less energy if you replace incandescent bulbs with Energy Star-qualified light bulbs.
Install light fixtures that are Energy Star-qualified. Light fixtures that are Energy Star qualified use 75 percent less energy, generate 70 percent less heat and last up to ten times longer than standard lighting.
Turn down the lights when you’re finished cooking. No need to keep on the four kitchen light fixtures with six light bulbs each when you’re finished cooking. Create a nice ambiance and use lamps and candles instead during meals.

Category: eco articles, eco friendly, energy saving, environmentally friendly, green / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, energy saving, environmentally friendly, green, sustainable

Recycling Facts & Statistics Infographic

January 25, 2012 / Michael / No comments

from www.buildingsguide.com

Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air and water pollution. The infographic below shows some fun recycling facts about aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass along with the environmental impact by US state.

Category: environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, recycle, sustainable / Tags: eco article, eco friendly, eco friendly article, environmentally friendly, green, green economy, green jobs, recycle, recycling, sustainable

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