Everyone knows that Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs are the way to go -

• They use 1/10th of the energy as a regular light-bulb
• They last 5 times as long as a regular light-bulb
• They reduce your total electricity cost
• They help cut down on your carbon emissions

However, did you know that CFLs contain small amounts of mercury? This metal can be very dangerous if inhaled or ingested. So, when your CFLs finally bite the dust be sure to contact your local recycling facility and ask them where you can take it. Our local fire-stations are where we take ours to be recycled.

Additionally, if you have one that happens to break (like if it drops onto a hard surface or floor) be sure to sweep up the mess and store in a zip lock plastic bag. Do not vacuum it up as the mercury will get up in the air and into your vacuum cleaner. The same folks that recycle the old non-broken ones should be able to help you with your broken ones as well.

Now… go out and get you some CFLs (if you haven’t done so already!)

Even the simple things we do each day can have a huge impact on our planet and on our fellow citizens. Most of us wander aimlessly through the shopping malls and blindly throw things into our carts, not giving much thought to the actual process each item has undergone to get all the way from where it started to comfortably in our shopping bags.

How about this idea… the next time you go shopping why don’t you stop and ask yourself some hard questions about where the item came from and what its life-cycle will be now that it has come into your possession. You may be surprised (and saddened) when you think about the impact even one little thing can have. Try, however, to be empowered and know that you can make a difference through how you spend your almighty dollar.

Some things to consider -

Do I really need this? (the most important question you can ask)

Is there any way I can get this second hand?

Is there any way I can make this myself?

Is it worth the cost - is it a quality item or made from materials that will not last long?  

Who made this item -

In what country?

Under what conditions?

How much did they get paid?

Were they under a certain age?

What is the environmental impact of this product -

What raw materials were excavated or used to make this item?

Did these materials come from a renewable source or were they sustainably harvested?

Is their country of origin being exploited for its natural resources?

How much energy and water went into making this product?

Were there any harmful chemicals used in making this product?

How far did this item have to travel to get to me?

Is there a locally made alternative to this item? 

Does it have too much packaging - what is the packaging made of? Is it recyclable?

What is the impact of this product on me and my family -

Are my ethics in line with the way this item was made, marketed, or distributed?

Are there chemicals in this product that will harm me or my family?

Is this product built to last or is it made poorly so I will have to replace it soon?

Will the chemicals in this product harm the soil or groundwater when it is disposed of?

What happens when I am done with this product -

Am I able to reuse this item in some other way?

Can I send the packaging back to be refilled?

Am I able to recycle this product?

Can I donate this product?

Is it biodegradable or will it linger in the landfill for a long time?

I think that as you spend more time thinking about how much your simple shopping decisions can have an impact you will become more aware of the world of “stuff” around you… and realize that it is not about how much you “have” that really even matters.

Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day! Share your love by going green!

While the term “green washing” may sound eco-friendly (the first thing I always think of is washing my clothing or dishes using green products), it is actually a expression used as “the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.”

According to Seventh Generation (c/o writer Gary Hirshberg) here are the six sins of Greenwashing:

1) The Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off. This occurs when a product claims it is green because it has a single environmental characteristic that ignores other impacts it may have. For example, a paper product may label itself “green” because it is made from recycled content. But if that paper is bleached with toxic chlorine, it doesn’t represent a true green option.

2) The Sin of No Proof. This is an environmental claim that can’t be proven by easily accessible information on the label or the company’s website, or by third-party certification. Because green labeling is largely unregulated, a company can say it’s products are green in almost any way without having to provide any evidence that such claims are true.

3) The Sin of Vagueness. This happens when a product makes an environmental claim that’s so poorly defined or overly broad as to be easily misunderstood by or essentially meaningless to consumers. For example, terms like “natural” and “environmentally-friendly” have no regulated definition and so can (and often do!) mean anything in the hands of marketers.

4) The Sin of Irrelevance. This occurs when a product makes an environmental claim that’s true but not very important and is therefore unhelpful if not distracting to consumers legitimately seeking the greenest option. According to TerraChoice, the most frequent example of irrelevance is the “CFC-free” label which refers to the lack of ozone layer-depleting chemicals in a product. The claim is true but also a bit disingenuous because CFCs have been banned in all products for decades.

5) Sin of Lesser of Two Evils. This is a claim that’s true but ignores other more serious environmental impacts. For example, organic cigarettes may be made from tobacco grown without pesticides, but they’re still cigarettes! TerraChoice says it considers a product to commit this sin when environmental claims like “organic” or “green” are applied to products whose basic product category is one of questionable overall environmental performance or value.

6) The Sin of Fibbing. Here’s the last and worst of all: Making a claim that’s just not true. While few products dare to go this far, they’re out there as evidenced by shampoo labels claiming certified organic status without a shred of proof and the household caulk claiming to be an official Energy Star product despite contrary information found on the official Energy Star website.

So - be on the lookout for these “sins” of greenwashing - now that you’re educated go forth and shop smart!

We have all become so accustomed to adjusting the thermostat whenever we get the slightest chill in winter. How about next time you kind of chilly, just put on an extra layer like an organic cotton sweater, or some comfy natural wool socks?

Did you know you can save over 300 pounds of C02 each year by keeping your temperature set at 68 during the winter?

What a great excuse to put on some warm pjs and snuggle up under the covers with a good book and a hot cup of organic tea!

Dress appropriately for the weather and save some money on your power bill and reduce your overall emissions. Fabulous!

Ok, so perhaps there really is no debate and perhaps it is not so great… but it is still about paper.

I am planning my son’s birthday party and along with all of the hoopla of thinking up games and making delicious (organic) food fit for children I started to think about disposable plates and utensils. Hmmm… Children often make a huge mess and many don’t want to be carrying around heavy cups and bowls. Well, thank goodness their parents will be around to help them!

It is only making sense for me to shelve the paper and plastic and use the regular plates, utensils, and cups that I do every day. Sure, they won’t have cute designs on them and heaven forbid they take away from the overall party theme (pirates by the way) but that is ok - setting examples is one of the greatest ways we can teach our children and what better way to show them how easy it can be to be green!

So, the next time you want to party down and need your plates/cups/napkins to match… skip it and let your guests know that you were thinking of them and the planet when you decided against them. And if “watch me toil in the kitchen washing your dishes after the party” doesn’t say “thanks for coming, I really appreciate you!” then what does!?

And yes, the water you use in washing the dishes pales in comparison to the landfill space they take up and the trees that were destroyed to make them… not to mention the chemicals used to create the plastic and the gas used in the transportation to get them to the store and to your house and I’ll stop now…  :)

It’s that time of year when we get ready for the holiday giving frenzy. Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, and the many other holidays that are celebrated this time of year typically involve gift exchange. Why not make some smart and green giving choices this year and think before you buy.

Here are some green gift ideas:

• Make you own gifts - skip the big box store and put your heart into it (nothing says “I care” more than a hand made present!)

• Donate in someone’s name - everyone has a passion or a cause, why not find out what your family and friends care about and donate some dinero or volunteer your time in their name?

• Create some delicious treats - spend some time in the kitchen whipping up a batch of something that makes people smile and feel warm during this chilly season - how about homemade chocolate cookies, a spicy tea mix, or some banana bread?

• Music makes ‘em smile - put people in the holiday spirit with a homemade CD mix of your seasonal favorites

We’ll be putting more Green Giving ideas in the coming weeks!

Did you know that each year Americans throw away approximately 200 billion beverage containers - including plastic bottles and aluminum cans? These containers make up about 15% of all packaging waste in the US and on average only about 30% of them are recycled. Scarier even still… the plastic water bottles we use each year require 47 million gallons of oil to produce!

As sales of bottled water continue to rise, the number of containers ending up in our landfills will grow as well. Some manufacturers are doing their part by using recycled materials to make new beverage containers. Even better, 11 states currently have “bottle bills” in legislation whereby they will establish a five or ten cent deposit when bottles/cans are returned. While this has proven difficult (manufactures are fighting back saying this will add to their costs) it is not impossible - you can help the cause by supporting the CRI (Consumer Recycling Institute) and educating your state representatives.

You can also help nip this problem in the bud with a few easy steps -

• Use a reusable container for your beverages (skip plastic, try stainless steel)

• Install a water filter on your home faucet if you don’t like your city/well water

• Use a water filter pitcher in your refrigerator - ice cold and always ready

• Always recycle your plastic, glass, and aluminum beverage containers… always!

So, the bagger at the grocery store says “paper or plastic” and even though you have heard this each week for many years you still get a blank stare. “Neither” is what you should be saying. If you were carrying your own grocery bags then you wouldn’t have to worry about contributing to the outrageous consumption of plastic (and paper) bags - neither an appropriate green option.

Did you know that each year an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are consumed - 380 billion in the United States alone?

Did you know that it takes up to 1,000 years for one of these bags to degrade in a landfill?

Did you know that many marine mammals and even livestock often mistake bags for food?

These bags do not biodegrade but instead photo-degrade - while some argue this is more beneficial in the long run, the bags still break down into smaller toxic pieces which contaminate soil and water - harmfully effecting all life forms in the food chain.

Each reusable shopping bag that you take with you has the potential to help reduce the production and consumption of hundreds, if not thousands, of bags over its lifetime.

So, get a dozen or so cloth bags (better yet get organic cotton/hemp bags from ReusableBags.com) and keep them in your trunk, use them when you go to the grocery or convenient store, and smile at yourself in the window as you pass by knowing you are doing your part to reduce the impact of the ever prevalent plastic bag! 

Winter is just around the corner and taking a peak at your heating bills last year the chills you get will be from more than just the drop in temperature. Save yourself some money and reduce your energy consumption too!

This year, why not try to be green about heating with these energy saving tips

• The easiest way to save energy is to lower your thermostat - you can save as much as 10% a year on heating/cooling bills by turning it down between 10 and 15% for just 8 hours a day (perhaps while you’re away at work). To make it even easier (especially for those of us who would forget) install a programmable thermostat.

• Be sure your heating units, fans, and vents are all clean and functioning normally - replace your furnace or heat pump air filter regularly.

• Close the damper to your fireplace.

• Check the insulation in your home - many manufactures advise at least 15.5″ of insulation in the attic.

• Be sure all windows and doors are a snug fit - if not then look for eco-friendly weather stripping for windows and additional caulking for doors.

• If you have unoccupied rooms in your home, close the vents in them and close the doors.

• Install an insulation blanket around your water heater.

• Double check your wall outlets - outside air can seep into these often unnoticed.

• Throw on an extra sweater, comfy socks, and snuggle with a loved one under a blanket!

Stay warm this winter by taking simple steps to reduce your energy consumption and save money at the same time!

This weekend there was a huge concert celebration held all across the globe to celebrate the Earth and bring awareness to the global warming crisis. Now that we’re in the midst of a very hot summer what better time to check our carbon footprints and see what we can be doing to reduce our impact on this fragile planet.

Simple things like turning your AC off (or at least down) during the day while you are away can make a difference. Try opening the windows and running ceiling or floor fans in the middle of the night when temperatures are at their lowest.

Here is a list of a few other simple things you can do to reduce your impact -

• Adjust the temperature on your hot water heater and wrap it in insulation
• Turn off AND UNPLUG any electrical devices that are not currently in use
• Wash your clothing in hot water and hang them outside to dry
• Use energy efficient light bulbs (like compact fluorescent)
• Install a low-flow shower head and low-flow toilets

There are tons of other simple ways you can lend a hand in the fight against global warming and climate crisis. We can work together to make some serious change by making some simple changes in our lives. Check back soon for more easy ways you can make a difference.