So, if I (Robin, owner of The Green Robin) want to be just as much action as I am talk I guess it is time I really go green. In the coming weeks I will be preparing things for my Year of Green - 2008 and blogging my journey along the way.

I am teaching a class at our local community college - Green Living 101 - so I guess I should be practicing what I preach.
While certain things are going to be fun and interesting (purchasing only produce that is locally grown and in season) there are others that I am really not looking foward to (eliminating harmful personal care items like my beloved hair spray and super efficient deodorant).

In any event, it is time that I truly become The Green Robin. I hope you will join me, comiserate with me, and cheer me on as I make drastic changes in the way that I (and my family by extension) live to be more green. I do this for myself, my family, and of course my planet.

Onward and Upward… Let’s Go Green Baby!

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!

We all know that recycling allows materials to live a second life (paper, glass, aluminum) but did you know that it also saves the energy that would have been used to mine and manufacture the original materials? Check out the breakdown, part of a recent article published through Co-Op America’s Quarterly news magazine:

Recycled Material                     Energy Saved

Aluminum                                            95%

Steel                                                     80%

Plastic                                                  80%

Paper                                                   64%

Glass                                                    50%

So, if you don’t already have a recycle bin in your home you may want to create one and not only save natural resources but energy to!

According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA) 2007 Manufacturers Survey, sales of organic products grew overall by 21.8% in 2006. Organic food and beverage sales were up 20.9% while nonfood organic sales (personal care, home cleaning, fiber items, pet food, etc.) were up 26%.

The survey is anticipating growth to continue for organic food and beverages to be approximately 18% and nonfood organic sales to be anywhere between 16% and 40% each year for 2007 through 2010. 

Looks like this crazy organic thing is catching on!

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!

Effective January 1, 2008 all businesses in North Carolina licensed to sell alcohol will be required to recycle the bottle, cans or other containers used to serve it. While some businesses are not to happy about this program citing the limited amount of storage space available for recycling, others are ecstatic and are eager to be part of the solution. If a municipality has the capacity to not only pick up but store and transport these recycled items then it is a great first step for businesses to take - and I am sure their customers will be singing (and drinking) their praises. Bartender, can I get another?

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.

It is hard to believe that today is the first official day of summer seeing as we have been experiencing record high temperatures in the last few weeks. But alas, the golden days of summer are upon us. And what better way to protect ourselves from that ever-oppressive (but fabulous) sun? With LOTS of sunscreen. While it is important for us to take a few minutes before we head out to the beach, the pool, or even just working in the yard to throw on some sunscreen we must also remember it is twice as important to lather up our children and especially babies.

Did you know that a typical cotton t-shirt only provides an SPF of about 5? How about that one blistering sunburn for a child greatly increases their risk for melanoma later in life? Sunscreen is a MUST for children of all ages; here are some tips to remember when heading into the great outdoors…

• Apply sunscreen to children every two hours when they are playing sports or swimming
• Look for clothing that has UVB/UVA protection built into the fabric
• Get them in the habit of wearing a hat to cover their face when out in direct sun
• The American Academy of Pediatrics gives the green light to sunscreen on babies who are six months and older (look for an organic version such as Avalon Organics) but always keep baby in the shade and out of direct sunlight
• Wear sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection and at least SPF 15 (we recommend SPF 30 or SPF 45)

Remember, you are your children’s defense when it comes to the elements… so get them protected and get out there and have fun!