BlogGreen Tips of the Week
Green Tip #39
Monday, August 4
Recycling 101
Cardboard: Do not recycle wet cardboard. It can clog sorting machines.
Plastic Bottles: Do not recycle bottle tops; they're not made from the same plastic as recyclable bottles.
Cans: Cans are the most commonly recycled items. Recycling aluminum and steel cans directs valuable metal into new products, saving 95% of the energy required to manufacture aluminum from scratch and 74% of the energy needed to make steel. It's so efficient these days that a can is regenerated and back on the shelf in as little as 60 days.
Bottle Contaminants: Don't worry if there's a lime stuck in the bottle or a little bit of peanut butter stuck to the bottom of the jar. The recycler's machinery can tell the difference between contaminants and recyclable materials. It will zap all contaminants.
Electronic Recycling Plans
The US Post Office has a pilot program for sending cameras, cell phones, and MP3 players (small gadgets) in for recycling. The "Mail Back" program is being tested in 10 cities. Just grab a free envelope from one of 1,500 participating offices and mail in your old gadget or inkjet cartridge for free.
Visit the EPA's website (http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/plugin/index.htm) for a list of all the e-cycling locations in the US and visit Earth 911 (http://earth911.org/recycling/) for more great e-cycling resources.
Source: http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple
Green Tip #38
Thursday, July 31
Stop Mail Delivery of Catalogs
Catalog Choice is a FREE service which offers participants the ability to choose which catalogs end up in their mailbox. The steps are simple and you can opt out of most catalogs through one comprehensive website. Visit www.catalogchoice.org for more information and to choose which catalogs you wish to discontinue. The mission of Catalog Choice is to reduce the number of repeat and unwanted catalog mailings, and to promote the adoption of sustainable industry best practices. Choose to shop online at your favorite retailers rather than using their catalogs!
Source: www.catalogchoice.org
Green Tip #37
Monday, July 28
What’s your carbon footprint?
Thanks to our friends at Live Earth, you can calculate your own carbon footprint from your home, energy use, commute, travel, work and lifestyle. Visit http://www.earthlab.com/liveearth to find your Earth Conservation Plan (ECP) score, where you rate with other people in North America and lifestyle tips on how to minimize your carbon footprint.
Source: www.earthlab.com
Green Tip #36
Thursday, July 24
Restaurant Takeout and Doggie Bags
When dining out, bring your own reusable container for leftovers instead of using the restaurant’s plastic or Styrofoam containers. For takeout, limit the unnecessary items such as plastic ware, paper napkins and condiments that you already have at home. Bring your own canvas, or other reusable bag, to carry your order. When ordering delivery, ask the person on the phone to specifically write “no napkins, flatware or condiments” on the ticket.
Source: It’s Easy Being Green by Crissy Trask
Green Tip #35
Monday, July 21
Air Travel Tips
Traveling by air? Planes not only emit tremendous amounts of CO2, they also create contrails – the white streaks which resemble clouds – which trap heat in the atmosphere. The best solution is simply to fly as seldom as possible. If you cannot avoid air travel entirely, try to choose flights which are direct (take off and landing consume the most fuel), long distance (over 600 miles), during the day rather than at night (contrails produced at night create more warming) and use a newer, more fuel-efficient plane (an Airbus A340 or A380 or a Boeing B787). For shorter distances take the train. It’s fun and the most ecological mode of transportation over long distances.
Source: The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook by David De Rothschild
Green Tip #34
Thursday, July 17
Join We
Climate change is real and it’s happening right now. We don’t have a lot of time. The good news is that the solutions exist. What’s missing is leadership. We need our leaders to make climate change a priority. But none of that can happen if they don’t know you care. Join We by going to www.wecansolveit.org. Together we can solve the climate crisis.
Source: www.wecansolveit.org
Green Tip #33
Monday, July 14
Farmers' Markets
By now you’ve probably heard the phrase, “Think globally, act locally.” With the onset of summer, you have the chance to do just that. Farmer’s markets are a great way to support locally produced items which are often grown organically and have a low carbon footprint. They tend to be a much more economical option as well. To find your nearest market you may do an online search or click one of the links below:
Seasonal produce is among the riches you’ll find at all the markets. Keep in mind that fresh produce is available only during short periods of time. The following calendar will give you a general idea of when certain fresh fruits and vegetables are harvested in Colorado during Convention week.
In addition to fresh produce, you’ll find other fantastic items at most farmer’s markets. These include fresh flowers, breads, meats, honey, wines, crafts, and many others. So, be good to your community and visit a local market this summer.
Green Tip #32
Thursday, July 10
Reduce/Reuse/Recycle
We all know the basics, but here are a few innovative ways to expand your recycling efforts. Buy rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. Most rechargeable batteries can be charged up to 1,000 times. When they no longer hold charge, recycle them. Find the nearest battery drop-off location by visiting www.rbrc.org. Recycle your worn-out athletic shoes. Nike will take your old athletic shoes and turn them into Nike Grind – a material used in sports surfaces. Shred unrecyclable paper or use crumpled newspaper as packing material, instead of to polystyrene foam (such as Styrofoam) peanuts. The production of polystyrene depletes the ozone and it takes several hundred years to degrade in a landfill. Finally, take used motor oil to your local service station for recycling. Motor oil never wears out; it can be recycled, re-refined and used again and again.
Source: It's Easy Being Green: A Source for Earth-Friendly Living
Green Tip #31
Monday, July 7
U.S. Cities Pedaling in the Right Direction
Will 2008 be the Year of the Bike? Washington, D.C., San Francisco, New York, Chicago, Arlington and Portland all have low cost bike-sharing programs in the works – with several set to launch in 2008. Most US bike-share plans will be modeled after Paris’ successful Velib program that is funded by advertising giant JCDecaux, who purchased the bikes as partial payment for Paris billboard and advertising rights. The simple efficiency of the bicycle, as a short-distance mode of transportation, is amazing. If automobiles advanced to a place where they were soundless and ran on pollution-free, rapidly renewable fuel, they would still pale in comparison to a bike that offers low-impact exercise and is made with significantly less material. Kudos to modern cities for jumping on the bike-sharing bandwagon!
Source: www.LowImpactLiving.com
Green Tip #30
Thursday, July 3
Traveling Green
Book a trip to a destination that will benefit the local people and environment, instead of vacationing in a destination that is often visited and overburdened by tourists. If your home will be vacant while you’re traveling, turn down your thermostat in winter and up in summer to a temperature only necessary to protect houseplants or pets left behind. If you own a boat, protect the water by always using a funnel when refueling from a gas can. Be equally conscientious when refueling from a gas pump to avoid spills. Finally, when visiting a park, never leave paths and try not to disrupt or remove anything. Leave them for the next person to enjoy and for the species that depend upon them. Remember, it’s easy to enjoy your summer travels in an eco-friendly way!
Source: It's Easy Being Green: A Source for Earth-Friendly Living
Green Tip #29
Monday, June 30
Support Companies Working to Stop Climate Change
In addition to working to conserve energy in our personal lives and supporting political candidates who are serious about the environment, we can try to buy from companies that are working to stop climate change. There are some great resources you can use to locate these companies, such as www.ClimateCounts.org. Climate Counts uses a 1-100 point scale and 22 criteria to determine if companies have measured their climate “footprint,” reduced their impact on global warming, supported progressive climate legislation and publicly disclosed their climate actions clearly and comprehensively. Another good resource for us as consumers is the United States Climate Action Partnership (USCAP), a group of businesses and leading environmental organizations that have come together to call on the federal government to enact strong national legislation to require significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
Source: www.LowImpactLiving.com
Green Tip #28
Thursday, June 26
Clean Up Your Coffee
Enjoy a cup of joe with a cleaner conscience. If you brew it yourself, eliminate paper filters by purchasing a reusable filter, available for just a few dollars at natural food stores and elsewhere. White paper filters pollute water with chlorine and other harmful chemicals. Unbleached filters are an improvement but, over time, waste vast amounts of paper. If you buy your coffee by the cup, bring your own reusable cup with you. You’ll save paper, reduce chlorine used to bleach cups and reduce your contribution to landfills. Whether you make your own coffee or have it made for you, look for shade-grown organic coffee, which preserves land for birds and avoids pesticides and other chemicals.
Source: www.NationalZoo.si.edu
Green Tip #27
Monday, June 23
Great New Resource for Green Rebates and Tax Incentives
An excellent new resource, www.GreenMadeSimple.com, has created a very comprehensive database of green rebates, tax incentives and free offers across the US. The zip-code guided search allows you to find incentives and deals related to energy-efficient appliances and lighting, solar power, hybrid and alt-fuel vehicles and more. Here are a few examples of what you’ll find: the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will give you $250 back on the purchase of an Energy Star clothes washer; the State of Illinois will give buyers of hybrid cars a $1,000 rebate; and Austin Energy in Texas will give customers 20% of the cost of certain improvements (insulation, weatherization, appliance swaps) up to $1,575. Prepare to go green and save money!
Source: www.LowImpactLiving.com
Green Tip #26
Thursday, June 19
Greening Your Bathroom
If you have a non-conserving toilet (a 3.5 gallon flush or greater), retrofit the toilet with a water-saving device. Talk to your local hardware professional about the different options. Fix all leaks. In fact, leaks waste so much water that you should check for leaks. Fixing leaks you can identify may be as simple as replacing a washer or tightening a connection. Take shorter showers. With water flowing up to five gallons per minute from a non-conserving showerhead, showers consume about 1/5 of the water used indoors. Buy a shower curtain made of hemp, as it will naturally resist mildew, is machine washable and will far outlast a cheap plastic one. A few simple steps toward greening your bathroom can make a big difference!
Author: Crissy Trask
Green Tip #25
Monday, June 16
Five Clever Tips to Lower Your Impact
Here are five easy ways you may not have thought of for living a more low-impact life. They’re simple, will save water and energy and lessen your contribution to global warming. Start by putting a bucket in your shower to catch the water as it warms up. You can use that water for your plants, animals, dishes, etc. Don’t use bags for your fruits and veggies at the grocery store. You can put your produce in the cart and weigh them at the counter in separate piles. Eat by candlelight one night each week. It’s romantic, fun and you can save thousands of watts of electricity each year. Turn your hot water heater down – and make sure you’ve turned it down all the way until it’s comfortable to use the hot water by itself. Finally, use the microwave instead of the oven. Not only is it faster, but your microwave is much more energy efficient than your oven.
Source: www.lowImpactLiving.com
Green Tip #24
Thursday, June 12
Money-Saving Tips for Eating Greener
It takes a little more planning, some flexibility and creativity, but you can shave big bucks off your grocery bill while keeping ethics and the environment in mind. Start by planning ahead – watching the sales, reading the circular and planning menus ahead of time saves money by using more sale items in your diet. Buy and cook in bulk. You’ll save money by not eating out and by stretching ingredients and time by cooking once and eating twice. Next, try to eat seasonally and locally by visiting your local farmers market on a regular basis. There’s a reason strawberries cost five dollars a pint in December and as fuel costs rise, so will the cost of your produce imported from other countries. Finally, grow your own. Seeds and plants, even organic, can cost next-to-nothing and gardening is a therapeutic and rewarding hobby.
Source: www.GreenOptions.com
Green Tip #23
Monday, June 9
Green Cleaning
Did you know cleaning your home can be harmful to your health? Many common household cleaners contain toxic solvents, fragrances, disinfectants and other ingredients that can pollute the air and cause respiratory, skin and other reactions. Before you clean out your garage and cart everything off to the dumpster, go to www.Earth911.org to find out where to recycle, donate and safely dispose of many of your possessions. Need to clean up your yard? Choose exercise over emissions – leave the leaf blower behind and pick up a rake; forget the gas-powered lawn mower and purchase a manual push or electric mower. Learn about vegetable-based cleaning products, recipes for cleaners you can make at home and more tips on green cleaning on the National Zoo website.
Source: www.NationalZoo.si.edu
Green Tip #22
Thursday, June 5
PVC: The Poison Plastic
PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride (#3) has many harmful environmental effects. PVC is used in plumbing pipe, shrink wrap, outdoor furniture, some water bottles and salad dressing bottles. Its manufacturing processes consume approximately 30% of the chlorine used in industrial processes and release many other toxic chemicals, some of which accumulate in the body. Disposal of PVC also presents problems. It is widely used for medical purposes and medical waste is usually disposed of through incineration. Incineration of PVC can release dioxin, which is a carcinogen. As a consumer, you can help by avoiding purchase of PVC bottles (look for #3), telling your retailer why you aren’t buying brands with PVC and keeping PVC bottles you might end up with out of the recycling box.
Source: www.EcologyCenter.org/recycling
Green Tip #21
Monday, June 2
Pack a Waste-Free Lunch
Did you know that one kid’s average school lunch generates 67 pounds of waste over a year? There are lots of ways you can cut back on lunch waste and save money at the same time. First of all, reuse containers. Next, when you go to the grocery store, try to buy chips, cookies, crackers, applesauce, yogurt, cheese and other food in bulk, not single-serving packages. Try to avoid plastic sandwich bags, disposable utensils and paper lunch bags. When you pack your lunch, put your sandwich, snacks and beverage in reusable containers and store everything in a long-lasting reusable lunch bag or box. It’s a great opportunity to show your kids or co-workers how easy living green can be!
Source: www.NationalZoo.si.edu
Green Tip #20
Thursday, May 29
How to Green Your Building and Home-Improvement
If you’re planning to build a new home, remember that smaller homes are far more efficient. Check out salvage yards and antique stores for used building materials and fixtures. If you live in a cold climate, paint your house a dark color, as they absorb more heat. For those in warmer climates, choose a light color that will reflect up to 90% of sunlight. If you’re finished painting and have paint left over, don’t throw it away. Properly sealed and stored, paint will last for years. Finally, seeking out green building materials is worth the extra effort. Choosing lower-impact products for home-improvement projects can reduce toxins in the home and environment and preserve precious natural resources.
Source: Crissy Trask, It’s Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living
Green Tip #19
Monday, May 26
How to Green Your Electricity
Reduce your use by replacing your light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) or even cutting-edge LEDs and by turning off lights and other devices when they’re not needed. Cooling and heating are the biggest users of energy in your home, so keep your house cool with natural ventilation instead of air conditioning as much as possible. If your house uses electricity for water heating, wrapping your water tank in an insulating blanket can save on power. When shopping for new appliances, seek out the most energy-efficient models. And when you need to charge your electronics, your MP3 player, laptop, PDA, cell phone and camera can all be charged with portable solar and you’ll never find yourself looking for a plug!
Source: www.TreeHugger.com
Green Tip #18
Thursday, May 22
How to Green Your Car
Drive a green car or, if a hybrid isn’t in your future, try to find a car with the best fuel efficiency. Once you’re on the road, remember that driving technique has a lot to do with your fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Drive wisely and minimize unnecessary miles by doing errands in one trip, getting good directions and calling ahead. Next, take care of your car. Getting regular tune-ups, maintenance and having clean air filters will help you burn less gas, pollute less and prevent car trouble down the line. Also, check your tires: if every American’s tires were properly inflated we could save around 2 billion gallons of gas each year! As the weather warms up, use the windows to keep the car cool or try an electric or solar fan. Finally, leave the car at home whenever possible and try walking, biking, skateboarding, rollerblading or taking public transportation. Over 64% of DNCC staff walk to work daily.
Source: www.TreeHugger.com
Green Tip #17
Monday, May 19
How to Green Your Community
Start by buying local whenever possible. Not only does shopping locally reduce food miles, it also keeps resources circulating in the community. Next, rethink the way you travel. Limiting car use can be a great way of reducing your individual carbon footprint, but it doesn’t end there. When we walk, cycle or take the train or bus, we make it easier for others to do the same and it can be a great way of meeting people. Spread the love by donating any unwanted clothing, books, electronics, etc. to individuals or organizations in your community. Finally, spread the word! If you bike to work, compost or buy organic, tell people why. If people are interested in trying it themselves, show them how. Regional newspapers, radio and TV are always looking for interesting community-related stories and it can be relatively easy to put a green spin on things.
Source: www.TreeHugger.com
Green Tip #16
Thursday, May 15
How to Green Your Wardrobe
Start by shopping with a plan—in the long run, knowing what you’re looking for before you shop will save time and eliminate clutter. Whatever you’ve chosen, take good care of it. Washing requires lots of water and energy, so only do it when you absolutely need to and have a full load. If dry cleaning is necessary, see if there is a local cleaner employing “wet cleaning” or liquid CO2 techniques. If you’re wondering how that item of clothing was produced, keep in mind that clothing made under fair-wage and labor practices will usually advertise it. Sweat Shop Watch and Behind the Label are good sources of information. Finally, when you’re finished with an item of clothing, don’t just abandon it into the waste-stream. You can always donate or Freecycle the item to ensure it can be used by someone else.
Source: www.TreeHugger.com
Green Tip #15
Monday, May 12
How to Green Your Gardening
First of all, keep it real—stay away from pesticides, weed killers and chemical fertilizers and layer on some all-natural compost instead. Next, go native—already adapted to local conditions, native plants are easy to grow and maintain, generally requiring less fertilizer and water, as well as less effort to rein in pests. When you’re watering, remember that adding a rain barrel is an inexpensive and effortless way to capture mineral- and chlorine-free water for watering lawns, yards and gardens, as well as washing cars or rinsing windows. Also, adding mulch and compost to your soil will retain water and reduce evaporation. Finally, urban dwellers bereft of a yard shouldn’t fret: you can still get in on the hoeing and growing action by signing up for a plot at your local community garden.
Source: www.TreeHugger.com
Green Tip #14
Thursday, May 8
Household Appliance Money- and Energy-Saving Tips
While cooking, remember that size matters—a microwave can reduce the energy you use cooking by about two-thirds, while a toaster oven can cut energy consumption in half. Choose a pan that matches the size of the burner and put a lid on it to decrease time on the burner. Even when not in use, some appliances may still be consuming “phantom” or standby energy, so unplug them whenever possible.
When you’re doing the laundry, try to use the lowest temperature settings in the washer and dryer. Also, fill them up (but not too full), as both appliances run most efficiently with full loads. Finally, clotheslines make ecological sense and limit wrinkles, so take advantage of nice weather and hang your laundry outside.
Source: www.TheGreenGuide.com
Green Tip #13
Monday, May 5
Choosing Healthy Beef
Shoppers committed to buying healthier and more humanely raised beef face a number of confusing label claims, such as “free range” or “natural,” neither of which are independently verified, while cloned meat won’t be labeled at all. Among the most meaningful certifications is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “certified organic” label, which prohibits the use of antibiotics and growth hormones on animals and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on feed.You’ll also find “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” beef, backed by Humane Farm Animal Care and “Animal Welfare Approved” beef certified by the Animal Welfare Institute, both of which ensure that cattle are raised and processed humanely.
Source: www.TheGreenGuide.com
Green Tip # 12
May 1, 2008
How to Reduce Kitchen Paper Waste
Try to follow the 80/20 rule and choose reusable cloths at least 80 percent of the time. Handi Wipes reusable polyester wiping cloths work just like paper towels on messy or sticky spills, or try organic cotton kitchen towels and colorful hemp napkins for everyday use. For the other 20 percent of the time, look for processed-chlorine free (PCF) recycled paper goods with the highest post-consumer-waste (PCW) content possible. Finally, cut down on packaging waste by eating fewer processed foods and packing lunches in reusable containers.
Source: www.TheGreenGuide.com
Green Tip #11
April 28, 2008
Control-Alt-Recycle: Tips on Greener Computing
Avoid buying new computer equipment unnecessarily; whenever possible, upgrade your current machine. If you do need to purchase a computer, consider buying used: RefurbDepot.com sells refurbished computers and other electronics for somewhat less than the cost of new systems. Also, look for Energy Star-certified machines; they consume 70 percent less electricity than computers that lack power-management systems. Finally, ask about consumer take-back programs like the Electronics Recycling Shared Responsibility Program, which includes Panasonic, Sharp and Sony.
Source: Grist Magazine
Green Tip #10
April 22, 2008
How to Green Your Everyday Life
Author: Crissy Trask
On Earth Day, we would like to remind you that small changes can make a big difference. Switching from paper or plastic to reusable cloth grocery bags can offset significant environmental harm and eliminate a portion of our waste stream. Paying attention to your water usage can save natural resources and money. Installing a low-flow showerhead can save a family of four 20,000 gallons of water a year and costs just $5! Finally, watch your spending. Our consumer-driven culture takes a huge toll on the environment by increasing industrial waste and urban sprawl. Exercise environmentally-friendly behaviors, such as recycling and cutting back on excessive consumption, whenever possible. >Most importantly, don’t forget that every little bit helps!
Source: It’s Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living
Green Tip #9
April 15, 2008
Greening Your Office
Initially, abide by the first word of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra.Encourage employees to print less and you’re saving paper, energy, ink, toner and time. Where you can’t use less, use smarter—recycled paper, refillable pens, pencils and ink cartridges, CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, solar-powered calculators. Reduce paper waste by making email communication standard and by getting off unwanted mailing lists. The USPS has a variety of C2C Certified priority and express mail packages and envelopes, and shipping companies. FedEx and UPS have recycled-content packaging for those times when mailing is necessary.
Source: www.GreenBiz.com
Green Tip #8
April 10, 2008
In honor of Earth Day on April 22nd , we wanted to give you the Top 10 Reasons why trees are so important and the ecosystemic services they provide.
1. Trees Produce Oxygen
Let's face it, we could not exist as we do if there were no trees. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. What many people don't realize is the forest also acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe.
2. Trees Clean the Soil
The term phytoremediation is a fancy word for the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil. Trees can either store harmful pollutants or actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams.
3. Trees Control Noise Pollution
Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighborhood or around your house, can abate major noises from freeways and airports.
4. Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff
Flash flooding can be dramatically reduced by a forest or by planting trees. One Colorado blue spruce, either planted or growing wild, can intercept more than 1000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this slowing down of water runoff.
5. Trees Are Carbon Sinks
To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is a global warming suspect. A forest is a carbon storage area or a "sink" that can lock up as much carbon as it produces. This locking-up process "stores" carbon as wood and not as an available "greenhouse" gas.
6. Trees Clean the Air
Trees help cleanse the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove this air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulates.
7. Trees Shade and Cool
Shade resulting in cooling is what a tree is best known for. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. In winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be "heat islands" with temperatures as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding areas.
8. Trees Act as Windbreaks
During windy and cold seasons, trees located on the windward side act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home heating bills up to 30% and have a significant effect on reducing snow drifts. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place.
9. Trees Fight Soil Erosion
Erosion control has always started with tree and grass planting projects. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms.
10. Trees Increase Property Values
Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighborhood. Trees can increase the property value of your home by 15% or more.
Source: http://forestry.about.com/od/treephysiology/tp/tree_value.htm
Green Tip #7
April 4, 2008
Walk to Work for Exercise and the Environment
Since 2004, the U.S. has celebrated National Walk to Work Day on the first Friday of April. Friday, April 4th, 2008 marks National Walk to Work Day this year and is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Podiatric Medical Association. The act of walking to work is a step in the right direction away from dependency on foreign oil and also reduces emissions that would be produced by transit via buses, cars or trains.
DNCC Fun Fact: 67 % of DNCC staff walk to work or take public transportation (64% of total staff are walkers)!
Source: http://walking.about.com/od/pedestrians/p/walktoworkday.htm
Green Tip #6
April 2, 2008
If 10,000 DemConvention.com visitors eat 1 lb. of locally produced food per week, we’ll save 2,500 lbs. of CO2 emissions from polluting our air. Eating locally not only supports local growers, but reduces the amount of goods shipped from overseas via planes and cargo ships (two major sources of air pollution).
Source: www.idealbite.com
Green Tip #5
March 27, 2008
Choose your seafood wisely!
Next time you find yourself at a sushi bar or market, consult this seafood chart to make educated choices for the planet and your health. At present rates of destruction by over-fishing, the world's stocks of seafood will have collapsed by the year 2048, says a four-year study of 7,800 marine species around the world's marine ecosystems. Over-fishing also sabotages the stability of marine environments, greatly reducing the ocean's ability to produce seafood, resist diseases, filter pollutants and rebound from stresses such as climate change. Dr. Boris Worm, of Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, the lead author of the study, said: "This is what is projected, not predicted, to happen. I am confident we will not go there because we will do something about it. But if this trend continues in this predictable fashion, as it has for the last 50 years, the world's currently fished sea foods will have reached what we define as collapse by 2048.”
Click here to download the seafood chart
(Source: Charles Clover, Telegraph.co.uk)
Green Tip #4
March 25, 2008
Question: Paper or Plastic?
Answer: Neither! Purchase your own reusable bag and bring it with you.
Did you know these facts about disposable bags?
• 14 plastic bags contain enough petroleum to drive a car a mile.
• 380 billion plastic bags or wraps are thrown away in America each year.
• Making a paper bag emits 70% more global warming gases than making a plastic bag.
• Paper bags do not biodegrade in landfills due to lack of oxygen.
• Cities spend up to 17 cents per bag in disposal costs, wasting millions of tax dollars.
(Source: 1 Bag at a Time)
Green Tip #3
March 20, 2008
In honor of the United Nations’ World Water Day taking place on March 22nd, we would like to share the Nature Conservancy’s “Top 10 Ways to Reduce Water Use and Save Money.”
Top 10 List
- Consider cutting a little water usage from your morning routine. Keeping a timer in your bathroom will remind you to wrap up and get out. And please turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and while applying soap to your dirty dishes.
- If a home renovation is in the cards, splurge on low-flow and water-efficient appliances − they’ll save you money in the long-run. A front-loading washing machine, for example, uses 40-60% less water than top-loading machines -- and 30-50% less energy.
- Even a new toilet can save you water! New technology can help you limit the gallons used each time you flush. And there are more old-fashioned ways to save water, too: if you can’t install a low-flow toilet, reduce the amount of water used by placing a jar or other closed container full of water into your toilet tank.
- Install low-flow shower heads and sink spigots, which can both be purchased at your local hardware store, or contact your water utility company to find out if they distribute them for free. Low-flow shower heads reduce water by an average of five gallons per minute. In a year, a low-flow shower head can save over 5,400 gallons of water.
- When running the dishwasher, make sure it’s full to get the maximum use per drop. There’s no need to pre-rinse, since most of today’s models can handle any kind of grime. An added environmental bonus: save energy by turning off the auto-dry setting and letting your dishes dry naturally.
- Check for—and hastily repair— leaky pipes and faucets. In fact, many cities lose 40 to 60 percent (or more!) of their water supply due to leaky pipes.
- Don’t use your sinks and drains as trash cans, and dispose of oil and other toxic materials properly. Just one gallon of oil reaching the sewer can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water. Don’t flush pills down the toilet, either. These chemicals and hormones can end up in our drinking water supply, and it’s difficult to filter them all out. A better solution than flushing: return excess medication to your pharmacy.
- Reduce water use in your own yard:
a. Try collecting rainwater by placing containers at the end of each gutter. It’s perfect for watering your garden.
b. Water your lawn or garden in the morning or the evening and adjust sprinklers to avoid the pointless watering of sidewalks or paved areas.
c. Sweep patios and sidewalks rather than hosing them, which wastes water and carries contaminants into freshwater systems.
d.Limit pesticide use. Pesticides are the only substances we intentionally introduce into our environment to kill living things, and besides being potentially dangerous to people, pets and wildlife, they’ll eventually be carried into our freshwater supply by runoff. - Take the easy way out and hit the car wash. A car wash typically uses about 32 gallons of water per vehicle, but the EPA estimates that washing it yourself can use up to 500 gallons of water…not to mention loads of your time and energy.
- Take advantage of recreation opportunities on local lakes and rivers, and learn about the wildlife they support. It will help you understand what we could lose if we don't manage our water wisely.
Source: The Nature Conservancy
To learn more about how The Nature Conservancy is working to restore and protect freshwater systems around the globe, visit: www.nature.org/freshwaters.
Green Tip #2
March 17, 2008
Sign up for paperless statements & billing on all of your utilities and cell phone bills. Many companies even provide incentives or cash rebates for doing so. This will reduce your paper consumption, save time paying your bills and save you money on stamps.
Source: DNCC Green Team
Green Tip #1
March 10, 2008
Did you know nearly 40 percent of our individual carbon emissions come from our buildings? What can you do?
Step one: conserve, turn off, unplug, reduce.
Step two: sign up for renewable energy from your energy utility.
You can usually subscribe right on your bill or online. To find Green Power in your state, click here. The planet will thank you, and so will your lungs.
Source: U.S. Green Building Council
