Green Tips
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Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ·
Driving Tips ·
Start a Solutions Group ·
Events Recycling ·
·Earth Friendly Cleaning ·
There are thousands of ways we can be gentle to the world.
Here are just a few for your consideration.
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Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
You really help the environment as soon as you start to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Source reduction is the very best practice, next best is to reuse items, and, when
all else fails, RECYCLE IT!
Here is the “official” word about the 3 R’s!
Reduce (Source Reduction) is any action
that reduces the amount of waste exiting a process. According to the EPA,
Source Reduction means consuming and throwing away less.
Source reduction actually prevents the generation of waste in the first place,
so it is the most preferred method of waste management and goes a long way towards
protecting the environment. It includes:
Purchasing durable, long-lasting goods Seeking products and packaging that are as free of toxics as possible Redesigning products to use fewer raw materials in production, have a longer life,
or be used again after its original use.
Reuse is reusing items by repairing them,
donating them to charity and community groups, or selling them to reduce waste. Reusing products,
when possible, is even better than recycling because the item does not need to be reprocessed
before it can be used again.
Recycling is the use, reuse or reclamation of a waste,
either on or off site, after it is generated. Recycling methods include:
Using or reusing a waste as a substitute for a commercial product Reusing a waste in order to delay the purchase of new commercial product Removing contaminants from a waste to allow its reuse Reclaiming useful constituents from within a waste material |
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Change your bulbs
If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an
Energy Star qualified compact
fluorescent bulb (CFL), we would save enough energy to light more than
3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs,
and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than
800,000 cars! Change out all your old bulbs for low energy CFLs and
save your old bulbs for spares. Do it today and watch your savings mount. |
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Walk
Ride your bicycle, roller skate, skateboard or skip instead of driving your
car whenever possible. You’ll get a little exercise and do the planet a good
turn at the same time!
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Refill
Many stores sell items in bulk. Take your own shampoo/conditioner/soap/lotion
or food containers & refill them at your local market. It usually costs less
and you can use the same container over and over again. Think of all the plastic
and glass you’ll keep from the recycle center or landfill. Yeah! |
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Just say NO to plastic
Use cloth bags or a basket when you shop. Many stores offer
a cash discount for each bag you bring. Show your individuality or promote a cause
with your favorite tote bag. If you must, reuse the plastic or paper bags you get
at the supermarket. Either way, it gives the environment a big break! |
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Use your own cup
Take your own reusable “to go” cup to the store or restaurant for
coffee or other drinks. You’ll keep HEAPS of one-use cups out of the
trash and off the streets, while saving trees at the same time. WHAT A DEAL! |
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Stop junk mail
100 million trees are pulped every year in the USA in order to make
bulk mail. More than half of that mail is thrown away, unopened.
Visit
www.directmail.com to have your name removed for free. Other ways to reduce pulping of
trees – use a tote bag when you shop, switch to cloth napkins, use rags
in place of paper towels. Print on both sides of the paper. And don’t
forget, buy recycled paper products whenever possible. Paper production
and waste is considered to be the third leading cause of global warming. |
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Mow-ercise
Today's non-gasoline-powered reel lawn mowers are easier to push than the old models.
Their eco-benefit: zero emissions (plus, you're getting great exercise). If you prefer
a power mower, consider a quiet, battery-operated model from Black & Decker. |
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Driving Tips
Internal combustion engines are polluting and their use
should be minimized. Period.
But if you must drive, keep these tips in mind…
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Gas mileage decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph.
Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.10 per gallon for gas.
Plan your trips before you go.
Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer
multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. You will also
avoid retracing your route and reduce the distance you travel. You will not only
save fuel, but also reduce wear and tear on your car.
Idling gets 0 miles per gallon.
You will save gas by turning the engine off and restarting it again if you expect to
idle for more than 10 seconds. You will also prevent pollution by avoiding long idles.
Try parking your car and going into restaurants, banks, and such instead of idling in
drive-up lanes. You might even finish your errands faster! Or, turn your car off while
you’re in the line. Idling can consume as much as a gallon of gas per hour. Idling
also wastes more fuel than restarting the engine.
Keep tires properly inflated.
Under inflated tires waste gas and affect the life of your tires.
Myth #1:
The engine should be warmed up before driving. Reality: Idling is not an
effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The best way
to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today’s modern engines, you need
no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving away.
Myth #2:
Idling is good for your engine. Reality: Excessive idling can actually damage
your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs and exhaust systems.
Myth #3:
Shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine and uses more gas
than if you leave it running. Reality: Frequent restarting has little impact on
engine components like the battery and the starter motor. Component wear caused
by restarting the engine is estimated to add $10 per year to the cost of driving,
money that will likely be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced
idling. The bottom line is that over ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting
the engine. |
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Start a Solutions Group
It is easy to start a
Solutions group! Here are some simple steps:
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1. Pick a roadside, a trail, a stream, a public walkway, or any
other place where you want to remove littered trash and recycling.
2.Get a couple of 5 gallon buckets, mesh bags, or trash bags (we
try to only use reusable containers). Bring some work gloves along in case you need
them. You might want to buy a pick-up, (grabber-type), stick. These come in a variety
of prices and are helpful for reaching under bushes, around trees, or over fences.
3. Make a sign that promotes your Solutions group, like the one shown here.
We like to make signs with cardboard or other items we can recycle. This is where you can have
fun and get creative.
4. See if your family or friends would like to work with you. We have
seen two-year-olds working with their mothers. A few people working for half an hour each
can get an amazing amount of work done.
5. Start picking up everything that doesn’t belong! We find that it is
easier to collect trash in one container and recycling in another bag or container. That way,
you don't have to sort through it when you are through. However, there are as many methods of
removing and redirecting recycling and trash from the earth as there are people! Experiment
until you find the most comfortable method for you. Then, let us know about it. In fact, if
you start a Solutions group in your area, send us photos from your clean ups. We'd love to post
them on the website.
6. Invite your community to join you. Take photos of the items you’ve
cleaned up and publicize them. Take short videos of clean ups on progress.
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Note: Nature attempts to incorporate litter into the earth. You may find insects in cardboard boxes
or cups. We try to shake out the insects before disposing of the containers.
After all, the land is their home!
Feel free to contact us at moab_solutions@hotmail.com
if you have any questions about starting a Solutions group. |
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Events Recycling
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Plan for recycling as soon as you begin planning your event.
This will allow you ample time to obtain recycle containers and make signs for them before
the event begins. It is important to place a recycle bin next to each trashcan. (Often,
you'll need less than half the number of trash cans, since recyclables make up a large
percentage of the “trash".) Because the goal is to make recycling easier than wasting,
the more people grow accustomed to seeing recycle bins next to trashcans, the better.
Even if you don't think you need a recycle bin at your event, consider placing one there
anyway. Remember, over 138 billion containers were wasted in the USA in 2006.
Only use items that can be recycled in your community.
Or, take it a step further and use large, multi-serving containers. Serve beverages in reusable
dishware. (Maybe several groups could pitch in and buy a good set of reusable dishware that could
be shared by various groups. Ditto for cloth napkins.)
If you will have vendors at your location, make sure to
ask them to only use the items recyclable in your community. Ask them to put a sign at their site
encouraging recycling of the items they sell. That means less time for you pulling the recyclables
from the trashcan! Make sure to let them know they can break down their cardboard and place it by
a recycle container.
As noted above, paper production and waste is considered to
be the 3rd leading cause of climate changing greenhouse gas emissions and forest destruction. When
you put up a flyer for your event, make sure it is printed on recycled paper that can be recycled
in your community. Make a list of the places where you have hung flyers, and go retrieve them for
recycling right after the event. Include a line on the bottom of your flyer saying something like
“This flyer is made from recycled paper that can be recycled at...”. It may seem like a small thing,
but it's not! This sets a great example about being responsible for the things we put out in the world.
Coffee grounds, tea bags and fruit leavings make great compost.
Consider placing compost buckets next to your recycling bin, which is next to your trash can!
Contact Solutions for a consultation on your event recycle
system. We are constantly learning about the best way to collect recycling at events large and
small and are more than happy to share our thoughts about recycling at your event with you. Or,
tell us what we need to add to this guide! (435) 259-0910. |
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Cleaning Without Harming the World
(From Co-op America’s Real Money - FEATURE ARTICLE - July/Aug 2006)
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There are many benefits to making your own green cleaners. You may already have most of the ingredients
in your cupboards. You’ll save money by not buying an array of expensive products, each targeted to clean
only one type of surface in your home. And, in most cases, green cleaners work just as well as their
commercial counterparts.
Perhaps the most compelling reason to use green cleaners is to keep potent toxins out of your home. The US
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that many household cleaners contain volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) such as formaldehyde and harsh acids. Since indoor VOC levels are often two to five times greater
than outdoor levels, humans can experience “eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; loss of
coordination; nausea; and damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous systems” from indoor exposure to
these chemicals, according to the EPA.
“Some [VOCs] can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans,” the
agency says. Most modern chemical cleaners are, quite simply, overkill, notes the nonprofit Children’s
Health Environmental Coalition (CHEC). “Atomic energy is not necessary to unclog a drain, nor are the
Marines necessary to combat ants,” Jan Williams writes in the CHEC’s book Household Detective. “Most
of the time, we can use milder, natural chemicals ... to do the same jobs.”
Sure, you say, but who has time to make their own cleaners?
You do -- with our help. Just ten basic ingredients that are probably already in your home will
tackle most cleaning jobs Your home will sparkle, germs will still run in fear from your sponges
and rags, and your indoor air will be better than ever.
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-- The Basic Ten --
Stock your cupboards with these ten products, and you can clean just about anything:
1. White vinegar:
An antifungal that also kills germs and bacteria.
2) Baking soda:
Eliminates odors and works as a gentle scouring powder.
3) Borax:
Borax, the common name for the natural mineral compound sodium borate, eliminates odors,
removes dirt, and acts as an antifungal and possible disinfectant. Use with care around
children and pets, as it can be toxic if swallowed.
4) Hydrogen peroxide (3% concentration):
A great nontoxic bleach and stain remover, as well as a proven disinfectant.
5) Club soda (fresh):
A stain remover and polisher.
6) Lemon juice:
A pleasant-smelling nontoxic bleach, grease-cutter, and stain remover.
7) Liquid castile soap:
An all-purpose cleaner, grease-cutter, and disinfectant. “Castile” means the
soap is vegetable-based, not animal-fat-based.
8) Corn meal:
Great at picking up carpet spills.
9) Olive oil:
Makes a wonderful furniture polish.
10) Pure essential oils:
Adding all-natural, organic essential oils to your cleaning concoctions can add wonderful
scents to your housekeeping endeavors. Some—such as lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass,
and tea tree oils—also may have antibacterial, antifungal, or insect-repelling properties. To find
pure, organic essential oils, visit your local health food store or consult the “Aromatherapy/
Essential Oils” category of our National Green Pages™. Remember to use care with essential oils,
as they can cause harmful reactions when ingested or put directly on the skin. Some are considered
dangerous for pregnant women (To be safe and simplify things, stick with eucalyptus, lemongrass,
and tea tree oils for all recipes below if you’re pregnant).
If you want to try an oil we haven’t mentioned in this article, consult a reliable source on its
proper usage, such as the aromatherapy education section of
Frontier Natural Products Co-op’s web site. |
-- The Basic Ten at Work --
Now that you know what products you need, grab a few clean, empty spray bottles; some rags
and sponges; and a bucket of water, and you’re ready to clean your house the green way.
All-purpose cleaners:
An all-purpose cleaner is just that—something you can use for just about every surface in your
home, from kitchen counters and appliances to bathroom surfaces and walls. Clean House, Clean
Planet author Karen Logan offers this recipe for the all-purpose “Alice’s Wonder Spray”: Put 2
Tbsp. white vinegar and 1 tsp. borax into a 16 oz. spray bottle. Fill the rest with very hot
water and shake to blend until the borax is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup of liquid castile soap only
after you’ve completed the above steps. If you want to scent your spray, also add 10–15 drops
of an essential oil, such as lavender, lemongrass, thyme, eucalyptus, rosemary, rose, or clove.
The spray will keep indefinitely. For an even simpler solution, try cleaning with two cups of
club soda in a spray bottle.
Hard floor cleaner:
Author and Care2.com healthy living editor Annie Bond (a.k.a. Annie Berthold-Bond) recommends
this solution for all hard floors (except when directed by the manufacturer to avoid even mild
detergents): Combine 1/4 liquid castile soap, up to 1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice, and 2
gallons of warm water in a large plastic bucket. Use with a mop or sponge.
Carpet cleaner:
To clean and disinfect your carpet, the CHEC recommends blending 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup
borax, and 1 cup cornmeal. Sprinkle mixture over rug and rub with a cloth. Let rest for several
hours or overnight, then vacuum. To remove stains from your carpet, Logan advises mixing 1/4 cup
liquid castile soap and 1/3 cup water in a blender until foamy. Spread the mixture on the carpet
and let sit for a few minutes, then scrub the stain with a brush or clean rag. Also, club soda
will remove many acidic stains, like coffee, wine, or juice. To deal with big carpet spills,
pour cornmeal on the spill, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum.
Glass cleaner:
Glass cleaner: To make your windows shine, you can simply use club soda in a spray bottle.
Add 1 tsp. of lemon juice to increase your window cleaner’s degreasing power. Logan recommends
using a terry-cloth cotton rag for best results.
Bathroom surface cleaners:
You can use the all-purpose cleaners recommended above or, for even simpler bathroom cleaning,
use baking soda or borax as a scouring powder. For a softer scrub, Bond says to combine 1/2 cup
baking soda with enough liquid soap to achieve a frosting-like consistency. You may want to add
5-10 drops of an essential oil for fragrance. Club soda works wonders on plumbing fixtures.
Toilet cleaner:
Sprinkle baking soda or borax, or pour white vinegar into the toilet, and let sit for a few
minutes. Scrub with a good toilet brush.
Oven cleaner:
Cover the oven floor with baking soda, spray with water until very damp, and let set overnight.
Spray with water every few hours before you go to bed to keep damp. In the morning, clean out
the baking soda, and the stuck-on gunk will be loosened and ready to scrub off.
Mold remover:
Bond recommends combining 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar with 1 cup water.
Spray on mold and do not rinse. She also recommends treating mold with a spray mixture
of 2 tsp. tea tree oil and 2 cups water.
Wood polish:
To polish wood furniture, dab olive oil onto a soft cloth and rub.
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-- Germs and Other Concerns --
You may be worried about do-it-yourself green cleaners not being able to kill germs
effectively. Researchers at Tufts New England Medical Center, on the other hand, worry
that we’re killing too many microorganisms, saying that disinfectants found in household
cleaners may contribute to drug resistant bacteria. The CHEC says that ordinary soap and
water do the job well enough to keep our families safe, barring someone with a seriously
compromised immune system.
For most of us, the best way to prevent the spread of harmful microorganisms is to wash
our hands frequently. Also, disinfect any sponges you’re using weekly by boiling them in
water for three minutes and then microwaving them for a minute or two. Launder dish rags
every week.
If you prefer over-the-counter products, look for green cleaners made with natural ingredients.
Check your local health food store, or consult the box below for screened green cleaning product
companies listed in our National Green Pages™.
—Tracy Fernandez Rysavy |
-- Resources --
Green cleaning Products:
• Aberdeen Enterprises/BioGreen: 321-639-3324
• American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM): 800-239-0321
• Bi-O-Kleen Industries: 800-477-0188
• Citra-Solv, LLC: 800-343-6588
• Descale-It Products Co.: 520-294-5676
• Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Soaps: 760-743-2211
• ECO-Source: 613-239-4951
• Ecover: 800-449-4925
• Gaiam: 800-869-3603
• Global Balance Co.: 617-527-5639
• Green Planet Products LLC: 678-521-0036
• GreenBulldog.com: 601-212-7580
• Helyn’s Clean Solutions: 860-871-1808
• LifeKind Products Inc.: 800-284-4983
• Mia Rose Products: 800-292-6339
• Natural Choices Home Safe Products: 866-699-2667
• Naturally Home: 888-696-8113
• Naturally Yours: 888-801-7347
• Orbeco: 415-647-0207
• Rochester Midland Corp.: 800-836-162
• Seaside Naturals LLC: 800-870-1697
• Seventh Generation: 802-658-3773
• Sun & Earth: 800-596-7233, x11
• Treecycle: 406-626-0200
• Vermont Soap Organics: 802-388-4302
Information:
• Annie B. Bond—Her books Better Basics for the Home (Three Rivers Press, 1999)
and Home Enlightenment (Rodale, 2005) offer plenty of recipes and advice for
green cleaning and living.
• Care2.com—Find recipes and advice for green cleaning and living on this
site’s “Healthy Living” channel, edited by Annie B. Bond.
• The Children’s Health Environmental Coalition—310/820-2030. A nonprofit dedicated
to educating people about preventable children’s health and developmental problems
caused by toxins in their environments.
• Karen Logan’s Clean House, Clean Planet—(Pocket Books, 1997).
• Washington Toxics Coalition—206/632-1545. A nonprofit working to protect public
health and the environment by eliminating toxic pollutants.
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©2005 Co-op America. All rights reserved. |
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