Fall is most definitely in the air. As Carol Bishop Hipps put it, it's “the mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter.”
I hope you all take the time go out and enjoy this most splendid season. Getting outside and into nature is an important part of keeping everyone in your family happy and healthy. In fact, a University of Illinois study found that children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were able to raise their attentiveness scores simply by taking a walk outside. Not surprisingly, walks in natural settings had an even more significant impact than walking on city streets.
Being in nature can benefit your whole family's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, so here are some ideas to get you and your whole family outside this fall.
Visit a farm. Check out LocalHarvest.org for farms near you.
Try a hay or corn maze.
Go apple picking or search for the perfect pumpkin. Check out pickyourown.org to find a pick-your-own farm near you.
Go on a hay ride.
Jump in the leaves.
Create artwork from the leaves, acorns, and pine cones available in your yard or a nearby park. Click here for fall craft ideas and directions.
Round up the neighborhood for a game of touch or flag football.
Play outdoor games like freeze tag, Red Rover, hopscotch and Kick The Can.
Fly a kite.
Visit a local park.
Plant a tree. Many people don't realize that planting isn't just a springtime activity. The fall is a great time to plant trees and shrubs as well as flower bulbs like daffodils, crocus, and tulips.
Visit the zoo. Fall (and even winter) is a great time to visit the zoo. Summer's heat keeps many animals hidden in their cool, shady spots. Cooler temperatures mean more animals roaming about for easy viewing.
Visit state and national parks in your area. Many offer great family-friendly activities.
Go on a nature expedition at a local park, in your yard, or around your neighborhood. Bring along binoculars, a magnifying class, and a journal (young children can draw pictures of what they see) and teach your kids how to observe, enjoy and appreciate nature without disturbing it.
Make a nature journal. Have your kids decorate a notebook they can carry with them to note what they observe when they're outside. Even young kids can keep a nature journal by drawing what they see.
Explore the wonderful world of bugs. Check your local library for books about bugs and then head outside with a magnifying glass to see what you can find and identify.
Learn about birds. Check out some library books or use the online bird guide from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Then get outside with some binoculars and that nature journal and see what you can find.
Set up an outdoor scavenger hunt. The Love The Outdoors website offers a great guide to setting up your own scavenger hunt for kids, along with a few sample lists to get you started.
Have a picnic (even if it's in your own yard).
Start an outdoor hobby together. The options are limitless – biking, fishing, hiking, canoeing/kayaking, horseback riding, etc.
Build a fort. Use these simple directions from wikiHow or get fancy with these instructions from This Old House.
Go letterboxing. Letterboxing is an outdoor activity that dates back to the 1800s. It combines elements of orienteering, hiking, art, and puzzle solving. Participants search for letterboxes hidden in public places, such as parks, by following clues from a catalog or web site. These letterboxes usually contain a notebook and a rubber stamp. Finders stamp their personal journal with that stamp to record their find and then leave their personal stamp in the letterbox's log book. Your own local parks and recreation department may have a program or you can check out one of the many web sites available to help you get started. If you'd prefer a more high tech treasure hunt involving gps tracking, try geocaching.
Learn about the solar system. Kidsastronomy.com has several great resources you can check out before heading outside to connect the constellations together.
Showing posts with label Green Community. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Community. Show all posts
Making Your Child's School a Green School
What better contribution can you make to your child's school than to help make it a green school? After all, a green school is a healthy school and a healthy school is more conducive to learning.
According to the American Lung Association, schoolchildren miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can reduce children's ability to perform mental tasks involving memory, calculations, and concentration.
While some environmental factors can be an impediment to learning, others can help bolster learning. Studies show that students in classrooms receiving the most daylight during the school day perform up to 20% better on math tests than children in classrooms with artificial lights.
There's also schools' environmental impact to consider. According to the EPA, 50% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when machines are turned off. Imagine what's happening in schools! Now factor in all the faucets left on by small children, the paper carelessly wasted by students of all ages, and the countless recyclables being tossed in the trash and that is one major carbon footprint.
Green schools strive to reduce their ecological footprint, while making the school environment more conducive to learning and all around healthier for students and staff.
Here are some ways you can help green up your child's school.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to avoid plastic and reduce trash.
Have your child walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. Alternatively, you can organize a carpool.
If driving, don’t idle your car at the school's pick-up/drop-off area.
Ask your child's teacher if the school has a formal policy about unplugging computers and turning off lights at the end of the day and during down times like lunch and recess.
Volunteer to make signs for your child's teacher reminding children to turn off the faucet when they're done washing their hands.
Donate an air-cleaning plant to your child's classroom. NASA spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove common pollutants from the air. The most effective plants were proven to be philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and snake plant.
Offer to help your child's teacher with green projects and activities, such as nature walks (children can keep a journal of what they observe), making recycled crafts like milk carton birdhouses, growing plants in the classroom, planting a tree outside the school, or starting a recycling program.
Be an example for other families. Check out Raising a Green Kid to learn more.
Ready to go bigger? Organize a group for these green school initiatives.
Start your school's PTA or Wellness Committee (any school receiving federal funding for lunch programs is mandated to have one) on a get green campaign or establish a separate Green Team or Eco-Committee. The Green School Initiative offers a variety of resources to get you started.
Take the individual measures you've taken to a school-wide level. Encourage all parents to pack waste-free lunches and carpool. Install air-cleaning plants throughout the building and develop an energy conservation policy for the entire school.
Implement a no-idling policy for all cars and buses.
Seek out transportation companies with bio-diesel, clean diesel, natural gas or hybrid school buses.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or fluorescent ones. Consider the installation of skylights.
Start a school recycling program.
Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Many of the products used to clean school buildings contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and threaten children's developing respiratory systems. Look for products with the EcoLogo or Green Seal label (a list is available at greencleaning.ny.gov/Products.asp), use micro-fiber mops and cloths, and convert to high efficiency equipment such as HEPA vacuum cleaners.
Convert to environmentally-friendly school and office supplies. At the very least, try to avoid products made of PVC or #3 plastic.
Go to epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html for a free Tools for Schools Action Kit. The step-by-step guide shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little, or no, cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
Make sure school grounds are maintained using Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Consider a garden as a school-wide project. A school garden can be used in a variety of lessons – from art to science.
Remove vending machines and any other sources of processed foods from your lunch room. Promote fresh produce instead. This may involve that school garden or a CSA or Food Co-op program available from local farmers.
Green your school events. Cut back on disposable paper products and opt for reusable decorations.
For fundraisers, try selling energy efficient light bulbs, crafts made from recycled materials, or experiences instead of wrapping paper or candy.
Green up the curriculum. Earth Day Network's national GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, offers a variety of resources, including free K-12 environmental lesson plans and activities.
The Earth Day Network's goal is to green all U.S. schools within a generation. Help make that goal a reality by helping to make your child's school a green school.
According to the American Lung Association, schoolchildren miss more than 14 million school days a year because of asthma exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), poor indoor air quality can reduce children's ability to perform mental tasks involving memory, calculations, and concentration.
While some environmental factors can be an impediment to learning, others can help bolster learning. Studies show that students in classrooms receiving the most daylight during the school day perform up to 20% better on math tests than children in classrooms with artificial lights.
There's also schools' environmental impact to consider. According to the EPA, 50% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when machines are turned off. Imagine what's happening in schools! Now factor in all the faucets left on by small children, the paper carelessly wasted by students of all ages, and the countless recyclables being tossed in the trash and that is one major carbon footprint.
Green schools strive to reduce their ecological footprint, while making the school environment more conducive to learning and all around healthier for students and staff.
Here are some ways you can help green up your child's school.
Pack lunches in reusable containers to avoid plastic and reduce trash.
Have your child walk, bike, or ride the bus to school. Alternatively, you can organize a carpool.
If driving, don’t idle your car at the school's pick-up/drop-off area.
Ask your child's teacher if the school has a formal policy about unplugging computers and turning off lights at the end of the day and during down times like lunch and recess.
Volunteer to make signs for your child's teacher reminding children to turn off the faucet when they're done washing their hands.
Donate an air-cleaning plant to your child's classroom. NASA spent two years testing 19 different house plants for their ability to remove common pollutants from the air. The most effective plants were proven to be philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, weeping fig, golden pothos, peace lily, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and snake plant.
Offer to help your child's teacher with green projects and activities, such as nature walks (children can keep a journal of what they observe), making recycled crafts like milk carton birdhouses, growing plants in the classroom, planting a tree outside the school, or starting a recycling program.
Be an example for other families. Check out Raising a Green Kid to learn more.
Ready to go bigger? Organize a group for these green school initiatives.
Start your school's PTA or Wellness Committee (any school receiving federal funding for lunch programs is mandated to have one) on a get green campaign or establish a separate Green Team or Eco-Committee. The Green School Initiative offers a variety of resources to get you started.
Take the individual measures you've taken to a school-wide level. Encourage all parents to pack waste-free lunches and carpool. Install air-cleaning plants throughout the building and develop an energy conservation policy for the entire school.
Implement a no-idling policy for all cars and buses.
Seek out transportation companies with bio-diesel, clean diesel, natural gas or hybrid school buses.
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED or fluorescent ones. Consider the installation of skylights.
Start a school recycling program.
Opt for eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products. Many of the products used to clean school buildings contain toxic chemicals that pollute the air and threaten children's developing respiratory systems. Look for products with the EcoLogo or Green Seal label (a list is available at greencleaning.ny.gov/Products.asp), use micro-fiber mops and cloths, and convert to high efficiency equipment such as HEPA vacuum cleaners.
Convert to environmentally-friendly school and office supplies. At the very least, try to avoid products made of PVC or #3 plastic.
Go to epa.gov/iaq/schools/actionkit.html for a free Tools for Schools Action Kit. The step-by-step guide shows schools how to carry out a practical plan to improve indoor air problems at little, or no, cost using straightforward activities and in-house staff. The kit provides best practices, industry guidelines, sample policies, and a sample IAQ management plan.
Make sure school grounds are maintained using Integrated Pest Management to reduce the use of chemical pesticides.
Consider a garden as a school-wide project. A school garden can be used in a variety of lessons – from art to science.
Remove vending machines and any other sources of processed foods from your lunch room. Promote fresh produce instead. This may involve that school garden or a CSA or Food Co-op program available from local farmers.
Green your school events. Cut back on disposable paper products and opt for reusable decorations.
For fundraisers, try selling energy efficient light bulbs, crafts made from recycled materials, or experiences instead of wrapping paper or candy.
Green up the curriculum. Earth Day Network's national GREEN Schools Campaign, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and The Clinton Foundation, offers a variety of resources, including free K-12 environmental lesson plans and activities.
The Earth Day Network's goal is to green all U.S. schools within a generation. Help make that goal a reality by helping to make your child's school a green school.
Understanding Organic Labels
A common misconception is that the term “natural” is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or some other regulatory agency, while the organic label is nothing more than “a fancy way of saying pricey.” The truth is actually the very opposite. Anyone can claim their product is “natural,” but only farmers and manufacturers who have been third-party verified as having met standards set by the USDA's National Organic Program (NOP) may use the organic label.
USDA-certified organic produce must be grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds for at least three years. Organic fruits and vegetables are typically identified as organic with a small sticker that says organic on it.
USDA-certified organic meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones and fed a diet free of animal by-products, fertilizers, pesticides and genetically engineered food. These single ingredient foods are labeled organic with a round USDA Organic seal on the packaging.
Processed foods with multiple ingredients may also carry the USDA Organic seal. For these foods, manufacturers must adhere to the following labeling guidelines.
To use the USDA Organic label a product must contain at least 95% organic ingredients (by weight). The remaining ingredients must be approved by the NOP.
To use the 100% Organic label a product must be made of all organic ingredients. Not a single ingredient may have been produced with pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones, or genetic engineering.
USDA-certified organic produce must be grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds for at least three years. Organic fruits and vegetables are typically identified as organic with a small sticker that says organic on it.
USDA-certified organic meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones and fed a diet free of animal by-products, fertilizers, pesticides and genetically engineered food. These single ingredient foods are labeled organic with a round USDA Organic seal on the packaging.
Processed foods with multiple ingredients may also carry the USDA Organic seal. For these foods, manufacturers must adhere to the following labeling guidelines.
To use the USDA Organic label a product must contain at least 95% organic ingredients (by weight). The remaining ingredients must be approved by the NOP.
To use the 100% Organic label a product must be made of all organic ingredients. Not a single ingredient may have been produced with pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, hormones, or genetic engineering.
To use the Made with Organic Ingredients label a product must contain at least 70% organic ingredients. Such products may not use the USDA Organic seal, but are allowed to list up to three organic ingredients on the front of the packaging. The remaining ingredients must be on the NOP-approved ingredient list.
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients are not allowed to use the USDA Organic seal or the word organic on their product label. They can, however, list organic ingredients on the information panel of their packaging.
This overview should help you better understand organic labels at the grocery store, but keep in mind that earning organic certification is a lengthy and costly process that not all farmers can afford. When shopping at a farm stand or farmers market, ask the vendor if they use organic practices or, if they’re not organic, if they use non-synthetic pesticides and/or practice minimal spraying. If they answer yes to any of these questions, then you're likely buying from a conscientious farmer who’s producing good quality, minimally-processed food.
Products with less than 70% organic ingredients are not allowed to use the USDA Organic seal or the word organic on their product label. They can, however, list organic ingredients on the information panel of their packaging.
This overview should help you better understand organic labels at the grocery store, but keep in mind that earning organic certification is a lengthy and costly process that not all farmers can afford. When shopping at a farm stand or farmers market, ask the vendor if they use organic practices or, if they’re not organic, if they use non-synthetic pesticides and/or practice minimal spraying. If they answer yes to any of these questions, then you're likely buying from a conscientious farmer who’s producing good quality, minimally-processed food.
Give Greener Toys This Holiday Season
When you give a child a gift of course you want to see their face light up in excitement as they beg to play with it right away. If it can engage their imagination and enrich their mind, all the better. But not all toys are created equal and even some of the most popular, highly sought after toys out there this holiday season can be harmful to children and the environment.
Toys considered “greener” pose no health risk for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when shopping for greener, safer toys this holiday season.
Start by taking into consideration the toy's durability. What fun is a toy that only lasts a short time? Plus, parts that break off easily can be dangerous. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) is more likely to engage a child's imagination and will last longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. Give the little artist in your life a few simple supplies like non-toxic paints and glue, scissors, and recycled paper and watch what masterpieces they create.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper instead.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and another to actually try and figure out how those toys on the shelves are made. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult, and worrisome when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, the Healthy Stuff Project by ecocenter.com provides a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers. The site provides consumers toxic chemical information on over 8,300 products, including toys and other children's products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green Toy category. By supporting these toy makers we can help increase the demand for safer, greener toys until the day when all toys are green toys.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
Toys considered “greener” pose no health risk for children (especially the very young ones who put things in their mouths), are made of sustainable materials, and are manufactured in way that produces less environmental waste and pollution. Here's what to look for when shopping for greener, safer toys this holiday season.
Start by taking into consideration the toy's durability. What fun is a toy that only lasts a short time? Plus, parts that break off easily can be dangerous. A multi-faceted toy that can be used in multiple ways (think blocks and simple dolls and cars) is more likely to engage a child's imagination and will last longer than a gadget toy that only performs one function.
Crafts are another great way to get kids using their imagination. Give the little artist in your life a few simple supplies like non-toxic paints and glue, scissors, and recycled paper and watch what masterpieces they create.
Avoid toys made with polyvinyl chloride (i.e., PVC or vinyl). PVC releases toxins into the environment through every step of its life cycle – from manufacturing to disposal. Many PVC toys also contain phthalates, hormone-disruptors with strong links to cancer. Opt for plastic-free toys made of wood, cloth, wool, or paper instead.
Avoid metal kids' jewelry and toys with small metal pieces or magnets. These items are perpetually being recalled due to lead content or paint. Despite all the recalls, a study by the Center for Environmental Health found that many of these products still on shelves are also tainted with lead. Even if lead is not an issue, there are still other toxic metals, such as cadmium, antimony and barium, being used to make imported kids' jewelry.
Toys made of wood, on the other hand, are a great idea. Wood toys last much longer than plastic ones and, so long as they are not treated or painted, are safer for young children to chew on. Toys made of bamboo are a particularly good option because bamboo is a fast-growing renewable resource that requires no pesticides and little water.
Thanks to its excessive use of pesticides, cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. Not exactly the what you want your little ones snuggling up with. When selecting fabric toys, like stuffed animals, opt for ones made from organic and naturally-dyed cotton, bamboo, or wool.
It's one thing to say avoid toys made with PVC or painted with lead paint and another to actually try and figure out how those toys on the shelves are made. Toys today do not include an ingredient list on their labels, which can make the shopping process difficult, and worrisome when you consider that about one third of the 1,500 toys tested by the Ecology Center contained medium to high levels of toxic chemicals. Fortunately, the Healthy Stuff Project by ecocenter.com provides a tremendous resource for conscientious toy shoppers. The site provides consumers toxic chemical information on over 8,300 products, including toys and other children's products. Each product tested is given an overall rating, as well as an individual chemical rating for cadmium, chlorine, lead, arsenic, bromine, mercury and, for some product categories, tin.
Today even companies like Amazon and Toys R Us have an Eco-Friendly or Green Toy category. By supporting these toy makers we can help increase the demand for safer, greener toys until the day when all toys are green toys.
Happy Holiday Shopping!
Green Holiday Gifts Ideas
Need some help with your holiday gift list? Why not think green this holiday season? Even if your gift recipient isn't very eco-conscious, you can still give a gift that they'll find useful and that you can feel good about.
Here are some green gift ideas:
Experiences. Sometimes the best gift you can give is your time. You can plan a sporty adventure like cross-country skiing or rock climbing, take someone to a concert, sporting event or show, or offer to teach something you're an expert at (cooking, knitting, computers, etc.).
Provide a service. Offer to green clean their home, babysit for a day, or cook them an organic dinner.
Classes. Give your foodie friend the gift of a cooking class or the fitness fanatic in your life a session of their favorite yoga class. If your loved one is really into a sport like tennis or golf, buy them a one-on-one consult with a pro to help them improve their game.
Charitable donation in the person's name.
CSA Farm Share. Give the gift of local, seasonal food that comes straight from the farm. A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is basically a membership to a farm that includes a parcel of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. Find a CSA near you at www.localharvest.org/csa.
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. For $80 this pass provides up to four adults access to federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee for a year. Learn more at www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm.
State Parks Pass. Many states offer some sort of pass that grants access to most or all state parks.
Plants. Give an air-cleaning plant (some of the most effective are philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and peace lily) or herbs in decorative pots.
Clothing and accessories made of organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp.
Sheets or towels made of organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp.
Cast Iron Skillet. This durable and versatile cooking tool can be a great replacement for questionable non-stick cookware.
Food containers made of glass, ceramic, porcelain, Pyrex, bamboo, or stainless steel to replace plastic containers which may be unsafe.
Home Water Filter. Filtered tap water is purer than bottled water, not to mention less expensive and better for the environment.
Fair-Trade, Organic, Shade-Grown Coffee. Eco-friendly coffee, a reusable coffee filter, and/or reusable coffee mugs would make a great gift basket for the coffee lover in your life.
Organic, Fair-Trade Chocolate
Biodynamic Wine
Organic Beer
Organic bath and beauty products made without synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens, or pthalates.
Jewelry, accessories, artwork or housewares made from recycled materials and/or made by local artisans.
Kids' books with a eco-conscious message.
Eco-Friendly Toys
Once you've selected your green gift, opt for wrapping paper made of recycled paper. Even better, wrap gifts in materials you already have on hand like fabric or the newspaper comics.
Here are some green gift ideas:
Experiences. Sometimes the best gift you can give is your time. You can plan a sporty adventure like cross-country skiing or rock climbing, take someone to a concert, sporting event or show, or offer to teach something you're an expert at (cooking, knitting, computers, etc.).
Provide a service. Offer to green clean their home, babysit for a day, or cook them an organic dinner.
Classes. Give your foodie friend the gift of a cooking class or the fitness fanatic in your life a session of their favorite yoga class. If your loved one is really into a sport like tennis or golf, buy them a one-on-one consult with a pro to help them improve their game.
Charitable donation in the person's name.
CSA Farm Share. Give the gift of local, seasonal food that comes straight from the farm. A Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is basically a membership to a farm that includes a parcel of seasonal produce each week throughout the farming season. Find a CSA near you at www.localharvest.org/csa.
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. For $80 this pass provides up to four adults access to federal recreation sites that charge an entrance fee for a year. Learn more at www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm.
State Parks Pass. Many states offer some sort of pass that grants access to most or all state parks.
Plants. Give an air-cleaning plant (some of the most effective are philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, dracaena, Chinese evergreen, bamboo or reed palm, and peace lily) or herbs in decorative pots.
Clothing and accessories made of organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp.
Sheets or towels made of organic cotton, bamboo, or hemp.
Cast Iron Skillet. This durable and versatile cooking tool can be a great replacement for questionable non-stick cookware.
Food containers made of glass, ceramic, porcelain, Pyrex, bamboo, or stainless steel to replace plastic containers which may be unsafe.
Home Water Filter. Filtered tap water is purer than bottled water, not to mention less expensive and better for the environment.
Fair-Trade, Organic, Shade-Grown Coffee. Eco-friendly coffee, a reusable coffee filter, and/or reusable coffee mugs would make a great gift basket for the coffee lover in your life.
Organic, Fair-Trade Chocolate
Biodynamic Wine
Organic Beer
Organic bath and beauty products made without synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens, or pthalates.
Jewelry, accessories, artwork or housewares made from recycled materials and/or made by local artisans.
Kids' books with a eco-conscious message.
Eco-Friendly Toys
Once you've selected your green gift, opt for wrapping paper made of recycled paper. Even better, wrap gifts in materials you already have on hand like fabric or the newspaper comics.
A Green Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. With it comes the start of the holiday season, full of gatherings with family and friends, beautiful décor, and fun gift shopping. As much as I love getting into the holiday spirit, I want to be sure to avoid those post-holiday blues that come from overeating and overspending. Plus, the holiday season is no friend to Mother Earth . . . from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day household waste increases by over 25%.
By taking just a few simple steps anyone can have a fun, budget-friendly, healthy and eco-friendly holiday season. Start by greening up your Thanksgiving traditions. Doing so will leave less of a dent on your diet and your wallet and may even make it more meaningful for you and your family.
First, let's consider travel – a major part of the holidays for many folks. Remember, buses and trains have less of an impact on your wallet and the environment than air travel. You could even avoid the travel crowds and forge a new tradition by celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends that live in your area rather than traveling far. If you are going to be traveling, remember to turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights to save energy while you’re gone.
If you are the brave soul hosting, start off on the right, green foot with your invitations. You can call to invite guests, use an online resource such as Evite or Facebook, or print invitations on recycled paper.
What's the first thought we have company coming? Gotta clean! If you haven't done so already, swap those expensive, smelly, chemical-laden cleaning products for cheap, non-toxic, earth-friendly solutions you can make right at home. With a few simple products, like vinegar, baking soda, and peroxide, you can get your house just as clean as with traditional cleaning products. You’ll save money, keep plastic bottles out of landfills, and avoid harsh chemicals that can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritations. Click here for details.
For decoration, utilize materials you already have on hand or purchase items you can use again. Bringing the outside in (think pine cones, plant or flower clippings, gourds, leaves, and living plants) is a great way to decorate for little or no money. Plus, Thanksgiving craft making is a wonderful activity the whole family can do together.
Whatever décor you decide on, steer clear of traditional paraffin candles. Despite how nice they may look or smell, these candles and the smoke and soot they produce can contain harmful toxins. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Paraffin is the last petroleum byproduct removed in the refining process (right after asphalt). The fumes released by paraffin candles are comparable to those produced by burning diesel. For a healthier, greener alternative look for candles made from soy or beeswax, scented with essential oil, with non-lead wicks.
When it comes to the food opt for organic and local. Doing so helps ensure that you're getting the freshest, most nutritious food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Plus, you'll be supporting your local economy. You can find farmers’ markets, farms, and community-supported agriculture programs in your area at localharvest.org. For help planning your meal around what’s in season check out the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
You can make your meal healthier and less costly by swapping out meat with more veggies. Even a slight reduction in meat consumption can have a significant impact. Click here to learn more about how giving up meat just once a week can make a significant difference in your health and your carbon footprint.
Buying food in bulk will reduce packaging waste and save you money, but you don't want to overbuy and waste food. You can cut down on waste by planning ahead and calculating how much food you will actually need. This list of approximate food and drink portions should help:
Turkey - 1 pound per person
Stuffing - ¼ pound per person
Casserole (side dish) - ¼ pound per person
Green beans or Brussels sprouts - ¼ pound per person
Cranberry Sauce or Chutney - 3 tablespoons per person
Pie (9-inch) - 1/8 slice per person
Keeping track of how much was consumed can help you better plan for future holiday meals.
For drinks, consider serving biodynamic wine. Don't be thrown off by the label. Biodynamic , or sustainable, wine-making is nothing more than a return to European vineyard traditions like natural fertilizers and pest management and planting cover crops. Biodynamic wine is a better quality wine with higher levels of resveratrol, the heart-healthy antioxidant found in wine, making biodynamic wine better for your health as well as the planet. There is a growing number of biodynamic wines available and many are quite reasonably priced. Click here to learn more about biodynamic wine.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times! Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware. Other options are reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates.
When it's time to clean up, fill the dishwasher to capacity before running it and use unheated air to dry dishes to save electricity and water. Make sure to give away and/or freeze any leftovers, compost food scraps, and make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Finally, no matter how inviting that couch may look after the big meal, don't just plop yourself down for the rest of the day. You'll feel so much better if you get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Go for a walk, play baseball or football, jump in the leaves, or hit the local park. You'll take full advantage of this precious time with family and friends, burn some calories, and cut down on home energy usage.
May you have a happy, healthy, and green holiday season!
By taking just a few simple steps anyone can have a fun, budget-friendly, healthy and eco-friendly holiday season. Start by greening up your Thanksgiving traditions. Doing so will leave less of a dent on your diet and your wallet and may even make it more meaningful for you and your family.
First, let's consider travel – a major part of the holidays for many folks. Remember, buses and trains have less of an impact on your wallet and the environment than air travel. You could even avoid the travel crowds and forge a new tradition by celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends that live in your area rather than traveling far. If you are going to be traveling, remember to turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights to save energy while you’re gone.
If you are the brave soul hosting, start off on the right, green foot with your invitations. You can call to invite guests, use an online resource such as Evite or Facebook, or print invitations on recycled paper.
What's the first thought we have company coming? Gotta clean! If you haven't done so already, swap those expensive, smelly, chemical-laden cleaning products for cheap, non-toxic, earth-friendly solutions you can make right at home. With a few simple products, like vinegar, baking soda, and peroxide, you can get your house just as clean as with traditional cleaning products. You’ll save money, keep plastic bottles out of landfills, and avoid harsh chemicals that can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritations. Click here for details.
For decoration, utilize materials you already have on hand or purchase items you can use again. Bringing the outside in (think pine cones, plant or flower clippings, gourds, leaves, and living plants) is a great way to decorate for little or no money. Plus, Thanksgiving craft making is a wonderful activity the whole family can do together.
Whatever décor you decide on, steer clear of traditional paraffin candles. Despite how nice they may look or smell, these candles and the smoke and soot they produce can contain harmful toxins. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Paraffin is the last petroleum byproduct removed in the refining process (right after asphalt). The fumes released by paraffin candles are comparable to those produced by burning diesel. For a healthier, greener alternative look for candles made from soy or beeswax, scented with essential oil, with non-lead wicks.
When it comes to the food opt for organic and local. Doing so helps ensure that you're getting the freshest, most nutritious food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Plus, you'll be supporting your local economy. You can find farmers’ markets, farms, and community-supported agriculture programs in your area at localharvest.org. For help planning your meal around what’s in season check out the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
You can make your meal healthier and less costly by swapping out meat with more veggies. Even a slight reduction in meat consumption can have a significant impact. Click here to learn more about how giving up meat just once a week can make a significant difference in your health and your carbon footprint.
Buying food in bulk will reduce packaging waste and save you money, but you don't want to overbuy and waste food. You can cut down on waste by planning ahead and calculating how much food you will actually need. This list of approximate food and drink portions should help:
Turkey - 1 pound per person
Stuffing - ¼ pound per person
Casserole (side dish) - ¼ pound per person
Green beans or Brussels sprouts - ¼ pound per person
Cranberry Sauce or Chutney - 3 tablespoons per person
Pie (9-inch) - 1/8 slice per person
Keeping track of how much was consumed can help you better plan for future holiday meals.
For drinks, consider serving biodynamic wine. Don't be thrown off by the label. Biodynamic , or sustainable, wine-making is nothing more than a return to European vineyard traditions like natural fertilizers and pest management and planting cover crops. Biodynamic wine is a better quality wine with higher levels of resveratrol, the heart-healthy antioxidant found in wine, making biodynamic wine better for your health as well as the planet. There is a growing number of biodynamic wines available and many are quite reasonably priced. Click here to learn more about biodynamic wine.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Americans throw away enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times! Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware. Other options are reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates.
When it's time to clean up, fill the dishwasher to capacity before running it and use unheated air to dry dishes to save electricity and water. Make sure to give away and/or freeze any leftovers, compost food scraps, and make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Finally, no matter how inviting that couch may look after the big meal, don't just plop yourself down for the rest of the day. You'll feel so much better if you get outside for some fresh air and exercise. Go for a walk, play baseball or football, jump in the leaves, or hit the local park. You'll take full advantage of this precious time with family and friends, burn some calories, and cut down on home energy usage.
May you have a happy, healthy, and green holiday season!
Eating Green
What does it mean to “eat green”? Eating green means eating whole, nutritious, minimally-processed foods that are healthy for you and the environment. Two important considerations for eating green are how the food is grown and where it comes from. Does that mean that everything you eat must come from a local, organic farm? Obviously not, but eating green is actually quite simple. Here’s what you should take into consideration.
Is it organic? The arguments for eating organic are plentiful: Organic foods are free of not only pesticides, but hydrogenated fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, and preservatives as well. Organic foods are not genetically modified, when the long term health effects of GM foods are still unknown. They taste better and studies show they are more nutritious and richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic food. And when it comes to the environment, organic farmers avoid the pesticides and herbicides that contaminate groundwater, erode soil, and damage local ecosystems. Now on the flip side: Who can afford to only buy organic food and are all conventional foods really so bad? Knowing which organic food is worth the extra cost can be confusing. Fortunately the Environmental Working Group offers a great resource with its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides, along with a list of the 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables. According to the EWG, you can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce. You can print out a wallet-size list or download the iPhone app at ewg.org/foodnews.
Is it local? Purchasing from local farmers is a great way to get fresh, healthy food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Find farms and farmer's markets in your area at localharvest.org. What if the farm you like isn’t certified organic? Earning organic certification is a lengthy and costly process that not all farmers can afford. Instead you can ask your local farmer if they use organic practices or, if they’re not organic, if they use non-synthetic pesticides and/or practice minimal spraying. If they answer yes to any of these questions, then you're likely buying from a conscientious farmer who’s producing good quality, minimally-processed food.
Is it in season? Even if you don’t get to the farmers’ market, you can still make an effort to purchase local produce at the grocery store. To buy local means to buy in season. Yes you can buy pretty much any type of fruit or vegetable any time of year, but what sacrifices in quality and impact to the environment do you have to make? By purchasing local foods when they are in season, you avoid the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles and you’ll get fresher tasting fruits and vegetables. You can better plan your meals around what’s in season with the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
How else can you green up your diet? You can cut down on your waistline and your food budget, while doing the environment a good turn, by swapping one or two meat-based meals a week with a vegetarian or seafood dish. One of your best options for fish is Wild Alaskan Salmon. Because it is wild-caught, it's purer in flavor than farm-raised salmon (which is fed pigment and antibiotics) and higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Another great option is canned sardines. Unlike tuna, sardines aren't in danger of being over-fished and are low in mercury.
Finally, one cost-efficient way to eat green is to simply cook at home and pack a lunch (in reusable containers) as often as you can. By preparing your own food you'll be better able to avoid preservatives, cut down on packaging (think of all those ketchup packets and napkins in take-out bags), and save money. Now that is eating green.
Is it organic? The arguments for eating organic are plentiful: Organic foods are free of not only pesticides, but hydrogenated fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, and preservatives as well. Organic foods are not genetically modified, when the long term health effects of GM foods are still unknown. They taste better and studies show they are more nutritious and richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic food. And when it comes to the environment, organic farmers avoid the pesticides and herbicides that contaminate groundwater, erode soil, and damage local ecosystems. Now on the flip side: Who can afford to only buy organic food and are all conventional foods really so bad? Knowing which organic food is worth the extra cost can be confusing. Fortunately the Environmental Working Group offers a great resource with its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides, along with a list of the 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables. According to the EWG, you can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce. You can print out a wallet-size list or download the iPhone app at ewg.org/foodnews.
Is it local? Purchasing from local farmers is a great way to get fresh, healthy food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Find farms and farmer's markets in your area at localharvest.org. What if the farm you like isn’t certified organic? Earning organic certification is a lengthy and costly process that not all farmers can afford. Instead you can ask your local farmer if they use organic practices or, if they’re not organic, if they use non-synthetic pesticides and/or practice minimal spraying. If they answer yes to any of these questions, then you're likely buying from a conscientious farmer who’s producing good quality, minimally-processed food.
Is it in season? Even if you don’t get to the farmers’ market, you can still make an effort to purchase local produce at the grocery store. To buy local means to buy in season. Yes you can buy pretty much any type of fruit or vegetable any time of year, but what sacrifices in quality and impact to the environment do you have to make? By purchasing local foods when they are in season, you avoid the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles and you’ll get fresher tasting fruits and vegetables. You can better plan your meals around what’s in season with the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
How else can you green up your diet? You can cut down on your waistline and your food budget, while doing the environment a good turn, by swapping one or two meat-based meals a week with a vegetarian or seafood dish. One of your best options for fish is Wild Alaskan Salmon. Because it is wild-caught, it's purer in flavor than farm-raised salmon (which is fed pigment and antibiotics) and higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Another great option is canned sardines. Unlike tuna, sardines aren't in danger of being over-fished and are low in mercury.
Finally, one cost-efficient way to eat green is to simply cook at home and pack a lunch (in reusable containers) as often as you can. By preparing your own food you'll be better able to avoid preservatives, cut down on packaging (think of all those ketchup packets and napkins in take-out bags), and save money. Now that is eating green.
A Green Halloween
It's October. Time for visions of ghosts and goblins (plus costume parties and candy) to start dancing in our heads. Halloween can be a fun and exciting time for children and adults alike. But you don't need to spend a fortune on plastic décor, cheap costumes, and processed foods to have a great time. A Green Halloween is healthier, costs less, and has less of an environmental impact than a traditional Halloween, without sacrificing any of the holiday fun. Check out how to make this Halloween a green one.
The Treats
The processed food industry uses over 6,000 different synthetic chemicals (check out Food Additives to Avoid). Do your trick-or-treaters (and their parents) a favor and opt for healthier options that, at the very least, do not contain hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils or artificial coloring. Organic and fair-trade treats with limited salt, sugar and caffeine are an even better idea. You may be surprised by the number of healthier, greener options on the market today. A few options include fair-trade chocolates, organic dried fruit, granola bars, or candy made with fruit juice and natural colors.
Also, try handing out less. Back in the day we had to work for our candy – walking a couple hours to fill our little plastic pumpkins. Now with so many households handing out full-size candy bars or fist-full amounts of minis, kids can be done filling their basket after a single block. What's the fun in that?! Hand out just one or two pieces of good quality, healthier candy. Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.
You could even forget the sweets all together and offer non-candy treats like a small toy made from recycled plastics, pencils, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, or stickers.
You can also think green when you are the one doing the trick-or-treating. If you already own a plastic pumpkin for carrying candy, use it year after year rather than buying a new one. If not, craft your own tote from a pillowcase, basket, or other already-owned item that goes with the costume. If possible, walk to where you trick-or-treat rather than drive. Older children can do reverse trick-or-treating and collect donations for charities like UNICEF, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Red Cross. Or, skip the trick-or-treating and organize a neighborhood party instead.
Costumes
Forgo costumes and accessories made of plastic, especially soft vinyl/ PVC which offgases dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for costumes made from all-natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Check thrift stores or even around your home for clothing and other materials you can use to craft your own unique costume.
Carefully consider the makeup you use as well. Many cosmetics, even the ones labeled “nontoxic”, contain mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and/or other harmful chemicals.
In fact, last year the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found lead in every makeup sample it analyzed. Look for eco-friendly makeup or make your own with food-based ingredients. Simply check online for recipes.
Decorating
Halloween is the second biggest holiday for the sale of décor after Christmas. Instead of spending money on plastic pumpkins and skeletons, look around for items you already own, check thrift stores, and scour online sites like Freecycle for items you can use to make your own Halloween decorations. You can use old clothes, newspaper, and leaves to craft a scarecrow or decorate with natural items that can be composted like leaves, apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.
Candles can provide the just-right spooky glow, but traditional paraffin candles can produce some pretty scary toxins when burned. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Opt for organic soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oil with non-lead wicks instead.
Parties
Start your Halloween party on the right, green note by sending invitations electronically, via email, Facebook, or a site like Evite. You'll save paper and money and make it easier for people to respond.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware you can use for future parties. Reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates are another option.
The principles of eating green apply to party food as well. Prepare as much as you can at home and opt for local and organic when possible. Reduce waste by filling pitchers with beverages rather than offering bottled or boxed drinks.
Some of the most fun party games and activities require little or no materials. Just a few options to consider: limbo, hula-hoop contest, musical chairs, dancing, dunking for apples or trying to bite apples hanging from strings, building scarecrows from recycled materials. Have guest bring candy wrappers for crafts such as candy wrapper wallets, belts, picture frames, bracelets and purses (just search “candy wrapper purse” online for ideas).
Finally, make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Now, go out and enjoy your Green Halloween!
The Treats
The processed food industry uses over 6,000 different synthetic chemicals (check out Food Additives to Avoid). Do your trick-or-treaters (and their parents) a favor and opt for healthier options that, at the very least, do not contain hydrogenated/partially hydrogenated oils or artificial coloring. Organic and fair-trade treats with limited salt, sugar and caffeine are an even better idea. You may be surprised by the number of healthier, greener options on the market today. A few options include fair-trade chocolates, organic dried fruit, granola bars, or candy made with fruit juice and natural colors.
Also, try handing out less. Back in the day we had to work for our candy – walking a couple hours to fill our little plastic pumpkins. Now with so many households handing out full-size candy bars or fist-full amounts of minis, kids can be done filling their basket after a single block. What's the fun in that?! Hand out just one or two pieces of good quality, healthier candy. Encourage friends and neighbors to do the same.
You could even forget the sweets all together and offer non-candy treats like a small toy made from recycled plastics, pencils, tattoos, crayons, coloring books, or stickers.
You can also think green when you are the one doing the trick-or-treating. If you already own a plastic pumpkin for carrying candy, use it year after year rather than buying a new one. If not, craft your own tote from a pillowcase, basket, or other already-owned item that goes with the costume. If possible, walk to where you trick-or-treat rather than drive. Older children can do reverse trick-or-treating and collect donations for charities like UNICEF, the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, or the Red Cross. Or, skip the trick-or-treating and organize a neighborhood party instead.
Costumes
Forgo costumes and accessories made of plastic, especially soft vinyl/ PVC which offgases dangerous chemicals and cannot be recycled. Instead, opt for costumes made from all-natural materials such as cotton, silk, and wool. Check thrift stores or even around your home for clothing and other materials you can use to craft your own unique costume.
Carefully consider the makeup you use as well. Many cosmetics, even the ones labeled “nontoxic”, contain mercury, lead, pthalates, parabens, and/or other harmful chemicals.
In fact, last year the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found lead in every makeup sample it analyzed. Look for eco-friendly makeup or make your own with food-based ingredients. Simply check online for recipes.
Decorating
Halloween is the second biggest holiday for the sale of décor after Christmas. Instead of spending money on plastic pumpkins and skeletons, look around for items you already own, check thrift stores, and scour online sites like Freecycle for items you can use to make your own Halloween decorations. You can use old clothes, newspaper, and leaves to craft a scarecrow or decorate with natural items that can be composted like leaves, apples, pumpkins, gourds, and hay bales.
Candles can provide the just-right spooky glow, but traditional paraffin candles can produce some pretty scary toxins when burned. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles can decrease indoor air quality. Opt for organic soy or beeswax candles scented with essential oil with non-lead wicks instead.
Parties
Start your Halloween party on the right, green note by sending invitations electronically, via email, Facebook, or a site like Evite. You'll save paper and money and make it easier for people to respond.
When it comes to any type of party, the worst environmental offender is usually all the disposable plates, cups, utensils, napkins, and tablecloths. Instead of buying paper or plastic tableware, offer reusable options. If you don't have enough at home, you can always check out thrift stores for an eclectic mix of tableware you can use for future parties. Reusable plastic cutlery and compostable paper plates are another option.
The principles of eating green apply to party food as well. Prepare as much as you can at home and opt for local and organic when possible. Reduce waste by filling pitchers with beverages rather than offering bottled or boxed drinks.
Some of the most fun party games and activities require little or no materials. Just a few options to consider: limbo, hula-hoop contest, musical chairs, dancing, dunking for apples or trying to bite apples hanging from strings, building scarecrows from recycled materials. Have guest bring candy wrappers for crafts such as candy wrapper wallets, belts, picture frames, bracelets and purses (just search “candy wrapper purse” online for ideas).
Finally, make recycling easy for guests by placing clearly labeled recycling bins in a convenient location everyone can reach.
Now, go out and enjoy your Green Halloween!
The ABC’s of Being Green
Always remember the three Rs . . . Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Every piece of advice about being green resonates back to at least one of these basic tenets.
Bike or ride the Bus instead of driving.
Clean green with homemade cleaning solutions made from simple and natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Donate goods you can’t recycle or sell. Freecycle is a great online nonprofit that helps you to donate to people in your community.
Eat produce from the Environmental Working Group’s 15 Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in place of produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
Filter your tap water with a home filtration system instead of buying bottled water.
Go outside! Turn off the TV and video games and let your kids explore outdoors. Check out state and national parks in your area and the variety of family friendly activities most of them offer.
Hit the local library or used book store for books, CDs, and DVDs instead of buying them new.
Install timers to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping and out of the house.
Juice up your cell phone with a car charger. Or, when using the computer, charge your phone using the USB port. Both options will save energy compared to using a wall plug.
Keep rain water for a variety of non-potable uses, such as watering plants or washing your car, by installing a rain barrel.
Launder your clothes with ½ to ¾ of the manufacturer’s suggested amount. You’ll cut down on waste and get your clothes cleaner.
Make the most of each car trip by combining as many errands as you can. Save time and gas.
Nurture your skin with personal care products that are safe for your health and the environment.
Opt for energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances to replace your old ones as they wear out.
Quit topping off your gas tank. It’s bad for your health and the environment (click here for details).
Recharge your batteries instead of using disposable batteries.
Shower instead of taking baths. Try to keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
Toss food scrapes and yard refuse into a compost bin to make your own organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Utilize what you already have before buying anything new. Don’t just “shop your closet”. Shop your entire home. Go a step further and organize a swap (of clothes, shoes, and accessories; or home goods; or kid toys; or books and movies) with your friends.
Visit farmers’ markets in your area and support local farmers while getting super-fresh, locally-produced food.
Wash with fragrance-free soap. Opt for fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, shampoo, and moisturizer to avoid chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
X April 22nd on your calendar. It’s Earth Day. Visit earthday.org to volunteer for events organized in your community or get together with friends for a community clean-up of your own.
Yank out your stash of reusable shopping bags whenever you go shopping.
Zap away less energy by unplugging appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers, when they’re not in use. “Standby usage” accounts for anywhere from 6% to 26% of a homes' electricity use.
Bike or ride the Bus instead of driving.
Clean green with homemade cleaning solutions made from simple and natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide.
Donate goods you can’t recycle or sell. Freecycle is a great online nonprofit that helps you to donate to people in your community.
Eat produce from the Environmental Working Group’s 15 Cleanest Fruits and Vegetables in place of produce from the Dirty Dozen list.
Filter your tap water with a home filtration system instead of buying bottled water.
Go outside! Turn off the TV and video games and let your kids explore outdoors. Check out state and national parks in your area and the variety of family friendly activities most of them offer.
Hit the local library or used book store for books, CDs, and DVDs instead of buying them new.
Install timers to automatically adjust your thermostat when you’re sleeping and out of the house.
Juice up your cell phone with a car charger. Or, when using the computer, charge your phone using the USB port. Both options will save energy compared to using a wall plug.
Keep rain water for a variety of non-potable uses, such as watering plants or washing your car, by installing a rain barrel.
Launder your clothes with ½ to ¾ of the manufacturer’s suggested amount. You’ll cut down on waste and get your clothes cleaner.
Make the most of each car trip by combining as many errands as you can. Save time and gas.
Nurture your skin with personal care products that are safe for your health and the environment.
Opt for energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs.
Purchase energy-efficient appliances to replace your old ones as they wear out.
Quit topping off your gas tank. It’s bad for your health and the environment (click here for details).
Recharge your batteries instead of using disposable batteries.
Shower instead of taking baths. Try to keep it to 5 to 10 minutes.
Toss food scrapes and yard refuse into a compost bin to make your own organic, nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Utilize what you already have before buying anything new. Don’t just “shop your closet”. Shop your entire home. Go a step further and organize a swap (of clothes, shoes, and accessories; or home goods; or kid toys; or books and movies) with your friends.
Visit farmers’ markets in your area and support local farmers while getting super-fresh, locally-produced food.
Wash with fragrance-free soap. Opt for fragrance-free body wash, hand soap, shampoo, and moisturizer to avoid chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
X April 22nd on your calendar. It’s Earth Day. Visit earthday.org to volunteer for events organized in your community or get together with friends for a community clean-up of your own.
Yank out your stash of reusable shopping bags whenever you go shopping.
Zap away less energy by unplugging appliances, like toasters and coffeemakers, when they’re not in use. “Standby usage” accounts for anywhere from 6% to 26% of a homes' electricity use.
Eating Seasonally This Fall
Buying local is a great way to get fresh, healthy food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Buying local means buying seasonal . . . purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables when they are in season in your area. By buying in season you get the freshest, best-tasting produce at the best price, while eliminating the environmental damage caused by shipping food thousands of miles.
You can better plan your meals around what’s in season with the seasonal produce guide available from Natural Resources Defense Council.
Now that fall is on its way, we here in the northeast can look forward to the following fruits and vegetables coming into season: Apples, Asian Pears, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Onions, Peaches, Peas, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Raspberries, Snap Peas, Spinach, Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips, and Watermelon.
Eating seasonally is a great reason to try new foods. Check out the seasonal recipe guides from Allrecipes, Cooking Light, Epicurious, and The Food Network. Martha Stewart's Seasonal Produce Recipe Guide, in addition to offering seasonal recipes, lets you know what produce is in season, what to look for when selecting a particular type of produce, and how it should be stored.
Try eating seasonally. Your taste buds, wallet, and planet will thank you.
You can better plan your meals around what’s in season with the seasonal produce guide available from Natural Resources Defense Council.
Now that fall is on its way, we here in the northeast can look forward to the following fruits and vegetables coming into season: Apples, Asian Pears, Beets, Blackberries, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Onions, Peaches, Peas, Pears, Potatoes, Pumpkins, Radishes, Raspberries, Snap Peas, Spinach, Squash, Tomatoes, Turnips, and Watermelon.
Eating seasonally is a great reason to try new foods. Check out the seasonal recipe guides from Allrecipes, Cooking Light, Epicurious, and The Food Network. Martha Stewart's Seasonal Produce Recipe Guide, in addition to offering seasonal recipes, lets you know what produce is in season, what to look for when selecting a particular type of produce, and how it should be stored.
Try eating seasonally. Your taste buds, wallet, and planet will thank you.
The Greenest Bag of All?
We all know that reusable shopping bags are more eco-friendly than plastic bags, but are all reusable bags equally green? Take a look around the register at the stores you frequent and you'll notice a variety of options. Are some greener than others? If so, what is the the greenest option? Let's review.
When reusable shopping bags first started becoming popular they were typically canvas bags made of fibers like cotton and hemp. Thanks to its heavy use of insecticides (using 16% of the world's insecticides for 2.5% of the world's cultivated land) cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. The environmental impact of cotton production (pesticides, pollution, and the significant amount of water used) is directly correlated to its weight. So when choosing a canvas bag opt for lighter bags, preferably made of organic cotton or hemp.
Polyester is thin and extremely durable. The production of an average-size polyester shopping bag creates as much greenhouse emissions as it would take to produce seven disposable plastic shopping bags.
When reusable shopping bags first started becoming popular they were typically canvas bags made of fibers like cotton and hemp. Thanks to its heavy use of insecticides (using 16% of the world's insecticides for 2.5% of the world's cultivated land) cotton is considered the world's dirtiest crop. The environmental impact of cotton production (pesticides, pollution, and the significant amount of water used) is directly correlated to its weight. So when choosing a canvas bag opt for lighter bags, preferably made of organic cotton or hemp.
Polyester is thin and extremely durable. The production of an average-size polyester shopping bag creates as much greenhouse emissions as it would take to produce seven disposable plastic shopping bags.
More often these days you will see bags made of polypropylene. These are those soft, plastic-y looking bags shaped like brown paper grocery bags that most major chain stores offer. In terms of greenhouse emissions, the manufacturing of one polypropylene bag equals 11 disposable plastic bags.
All three reusable bag options are greener than the disposable paper and plastic bags available in stores. Polyester and polypropylene bags are pretty comparable. Both have a moderate edge over canvas. You can feel good about using any type of reusable type. Just remember:
All three reusable bag options are greener than the disposable paper and plastic bags available in stores. Polyester and polypropylene bags are pretty comparable. Both have a moderate edge over canvas. You can feel good about using any type of reusable type. Just remember:
- Reusable bags need to be cleaned. You don't want to be carrying bacteria along with your groceries. You should always choose bags that can withstand a cycle in the washing machine. If you retire a bag once it gets soiled, you're not really being all that green.
- Look for lightweight, but sturdy. Again, if the bag doesn't last very long because it starts falling apart then it can't be very green.
- You have to actually use the bags for them to be green. A reusable bag needs to be used 171 times to negate the environmental impact of one plastic bag. Keep a stash of bags in your car so they're always readily available. And remember, they can be used for every type of shopping not just groceries.
Recycling Plastic Bags
While it’s best to avoid plastic as much as you can, it’s inevitable that you’ll end up with some plastic bags and packaging. Plastic bag recycling is becoming more widely available, so at least you don't have to toss those items in the trash
In an attempt to keep lawmakers from banning plastic bags completely, plastic bag manufacturers have begun establishing more plastic recycling programs. While, it's not the best solution and certainly not for the right reason, it's still best to take advantage of the programs and recycle plastics rather than adding any more to our landfills.
In an attempt to keep lawmakers from banning plastic bags completely, plastic bag manufacturers have begun establishing more plastic recycling programs. While, it's not the best solution and certainly not for the right reason, it's still best to take advantage of the programs and recycle plastics rather than adding any more to our landfills.
You may have already noticed plastic bag recycling drop offs in local stores, but did you know that you can drop off more than just plastic grocery bags? They will also accept retail bags, paper towel and toilet paper plastic wrap, plastic newspaper bags, plastic dry cleaning bags, bread bags, produce bags, sandwich bags, and any clear bags labeled with a #2 or #4 recycling code. You just have to make sure they are clean and dry.
Drop off bins can be found at several major retailers, including many grocery chains, JC Penney, Lowes, and Wal-Mart. Visit plasticbagrecycling.org for drop off locations in your area.
Drop off bins can be found at several major retailers, including many grocery chains, JC Penney, Lowes, and Wal-Mart. Visit plasticbagrecycling.org for drop off locations in your area.
Reducing Your Exposure to PBDEs
You may never have heard of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), but chances are you have them in your bloodstream. PBDEs are commonly used flame retardants that have been found in everything from human breast milk to birds’ eggs. Multiple studies link these bioaccumulative chemicals to neurodevelopmental deficits in children, lowered testosterone levels in men, reduced fertility in women, and thyroid disruption. In 2010, after years of study, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that PBDEs are bioaccumulative and toxic to both humans and the environment and began working on a voluntary phase out of the chemicals by the end of 2013.
The phase out is a good first step, but the fact of the matter is that many of the products containing PBDEs will remain in use for a long time. Plus, PBDEs can be stored in the body for years. There are, however, steps you can take to help minimize your exposure.
The phase out is a good first step, but the fact of the matter is that many of the products containing PBDEs will remain in use for a long time. Plus, PBDEs can be stored in the body for years. There are, however, steps you can take to help minimize your exposure.
- A recent study of PBDEs in the workplace shows that hand washing may be people's first and best line of defense. The study tested 31 adults working in 8 different office buildings around Boston. PBDEs where found in every work space (think carpeting, chairs, computers, etc.) tested, including the one newly constructed building included in the study. Despite such prevalence, workers who washed their hands at least four times a day had lower levels of PBDEs on their skin and blood levels of PBDEs that were about three times lower than people who washed their hands less frequently. The study made the important discovery that people aren’t coming into contact with PBDEs by inhaling them, but rather they're absorbing them through their skin or eating them. So, regardless where you work, make sure to lather up often throughout the workday.
- PBDEs are prevalent in homes as well. They are most commonly found in polyurethane foam products (i.e, carpet padding, mattresses, pillows, couches, etc.) and electronics. And again, there are measures you can take to minimize your exposure.
- Inspect furniture, pillows, car seats, and any other household items containing foam. Replace anything that's lost its shape or appears to be breaking down. Make sure foam remains completely encased in protective fabric. This is especially important for items made before 2005. U.S. manufacturers stopped using PBDEs in foam furniture in 2005, so new foam goods are unlikely to contain PBDEs.
- Use a HEPA filter vacuum. HEPA filters are designed to trap very small particles, picking up pollutants, dust, and allergens that would normally remain in the air. A trademarked HEPA filter (beware "HEPA-type" or "high-efficiency" filters) removes at least 99.97% of dust, smoke, lead, mold, and PBDE particles.
- Never reupholster foam furniture. Even if they don't contain PBDEs, they may contain other less studied fire retardants with potentially harmful effects.
- Take care removing old carpet. Try to keep the kicked up dust and fabric particles contained and to a minimum. When done, vacuum with a HEPA filter vacuum and mop to remove as many particles as possible. Wear protective clothing and shower afterward.
- Shop wisely. When buying something new check what type of fire retardants may have been used. Avoid products with brominated fire retardants. Opt for less flammable fabrics and materials, like wool, silk, leather and metal.
- Keep young children from touching and mouthing electronics and appliances likely to contain PBDEs. This includes remote controls, cell phones, and TV components.
- Purchase electronics from companies that have committed not to use PBDEs. The following companies have publicly committed to phasing out all brominated fire retardants: Acer, Apple, Eizo Nanao, LG Electronics, Lenovo, Matsushita, Microsoft, Nokia, Panasonic (from mobile phones and computers), Phillips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony-Ericsson, and Toshiba.
- Make sure everyone in your household washes their hands with soap and water before eating.
- Check the tag on those footsie pajamas. Children are exposed to PBDEs not only from wearing flame resistant sleepwear, but also from mouthing the fabric. Opt for pajamas made of natural fibers with tags stating “must be snug fitting” and “not flame resistant.”
Why to Choose Fair Trade, Organic Chocolate This Valentine's Day
By now we all know chocolate can be good for one's health. Chocolate, particularly less-processed dark chocolate, contains high levels of antioxidants and flavonoids which protect against cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. Cocoa is also high in magnesium which is good for the circulatory system and heart.
Yet, despite all these great benefits, chocolate can have some very negative consequences for the people whole cultivate it and the environment.
Most of the world's cocoa comes from the Ivory Coast and Latin America. Several years ago it came to light that cocoa producers in these areas were engaging in forced child labor and trafficking. While some of the worst offenders have been shut down, the problem still persists in too many places. Even if child labor is not an issue, workers on conventional chocolate farms endure difficult, even hazardous, conditions and low wages. And in many cases the farmers themselves receive only a fraction of what the unscrupulous middlemen make.
One way to help small, local farmers provide better working conditions and wages for their workers, as well as engage in sustainable farming practices, is to support the fair trade industry. To be certified as fair trade by the Fair Trade Federation companies must guarantee a "fair price" to producers, as well as meet rigorous, transparent social and environmental standards. The goal is to help producers in developing countries become economically self-sufficient, protect the environment and bring improved living conditions to the people of these regions. Today, consumers can purchase fair trade coffee, tea, apparel and linens, grains, flowers, fruits, honey, nuts, olive oil and sugar, as well as chocolate. Just look for the TransFair USA Fair Trade logo. TransFair is the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.
Organic chocolate is also a growing market. Chocolate certified organic uses cocoa beans and other ingredients grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. Organic cocoa trees are grown under a thick canopy of rainforest vegetation. These trees filter rain and moisture down through the vegetation and provide rich organic material which falls to the forest floor below. Organic cocoa production helps ensure the health of the rainforest’s ecosystems.
Fortunately, the options for organic and fair trade chocolate continue to grow, making it easier to choose chocolate that is better for the environment and for the people who cultivate it. This Valentine's Day opt for organic, fair trade chocolate to show how much you really care.
Yet, despite all these great benefits, chocolate can have some very negative consequences for the people whole cultivate it and the environment.
Most of the world's cocoa comes from the Ivory Coast and Latin America. Several years ago it came to light that cocoa producers in these areas were engaging in forced child labor and trafficking. While some of the worst offenders have been shut down, the problem still persists in too many places. Even if child labor is not an issue, workers on conventional chocolate farms endure difficult, even hazardous, conditions and low wages. And in many cases the farmers themselves receive only a fraction of what the unscrupulous middlemen make.
One way to help small, local farmers provide better working conditions and wages for their workers, as well as engage in sustainable farming practices, is to support the fair trade industry. To be certified as fair trade by the Fair Trade Federation companies must guarantee a "fair price" to producers, as well as meet rigorous, transparent social and environmental standards. The goal is to help producers in developing countries become economically self-sufficient, protect the environment and bring improved living conditions to the people of these regions. Today, consumers can purchase fair trade coffee, tea, apparel and linens, grains, flowers, fruits, honey, nuts, olive oil and sugar, as well as chocolate. Just look for the TransFair USA Fair Trade logo. TransFair is the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States.
Organic chocolate is also a growing market. Chocolate certified organic uses cocoa beans and other ingredients grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers. Organic cocoa trees are grown under a thick canopy of rainforest vegetation. These trees filter rain and moisture down through the vegetation and provide rich organic material which falls to the forest floor below. Organic cocoa production helps ensure the health of the rainforest’s ecosystems.
Fortunately, the options for organic and fair trade chocolate continue to grow, making it easier to choose chocolate that is better for the environment and for the people who cultivate it. This Valentine's Day opt for organic, fair trade chocolate to show how much you really care.
Green Pet Care
Pets can make wonderful companions and pet ownership is associated with multiple health benefits, including lower blood pressure. It only seems fair to care for your pet in the healthiest, most natural way. Plus, if you're an environmentally-conscientious person, reducing your pets' carbon paw print is just a natural part of being “everyday green.”
Here is Everyday Green's Guide to Green Pet Care:
Opt to adopt. Each year between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats in the U.S. are put to death due to overcrowding in shelters. Yet, many people still insist on buying animals from breeders. Not only are they overpriced, but many keep their animals in poor living conditions and engage in unscrupulous practices such as inbreeding, over-breeding, and culling of unwanted animals. The greenest (and not to mention kindest) way to get a pet is to adopt one.
Spay or neuter your pet. Help put a curb on the 70,000 cats and dogs born every day in the U.S. and have your pet spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering not only help reduce the numbers of abandoned animals, but help prevent certain types of cancers and disease in pets as well.
Give your pet a cleaner, greener diet. Avoid pet foods with the chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Look for organic or free-range ingredients rather than the assortment of animal by-products found in many pet foods. Vary your cat's food to reduce its exposure to mercury in seafood. A great way to give your pet a safe, healthy diet is to make your own pet food. If you're up for it, there are plenty of recipes available online.
Green up your waste management. Clean up after your dog with biodegradable dog waste bags, available from most pet supply stores. If you own a cat, make sure to avoid clumping clay kitty litter. The clay is usually strip-mined, which causes extreme environmental damage during extraction, and contains carcinogenic silica dust which is associated with a variety of health problems. Instead, opt for green kitty litters made from plant sources like recycled newspaper, wheat, pine, corn or wood chips.
Opt for green toys and accessories. Nowadays most pet supply stores carry at least one line of green pet toys and accessories, which are better not only for the environment but your pet's health as well. Look for pet toys, scratch posts, bedding, collars, leashes, and other accessories made with recycled materials, sustainable fibers like as hemp and organic cotton, plant-based dyes, and BPA-free plastics. Replace pet bedding or any other products with old (pre-2005), misshapen, or broken down foam as it's likely to contain harmful PBDEs.
Check labels for safer grooming products. Pet shampoos and grooming products can contain harmful and even toxic chemicals. Read product labels and avoid anything that contains parabens, ingredients ending in “eth”, PEG, urea, or fragrance. Also, take a pass on anything without an ingredient list.
Ditch the flea collar. Flea collars are generally ineffective and expose your pet, you and your whole family to toxic chemicals. Instead, bathe your pet often, check regularly for ticks, vacuum frequently, and ask your vet about safer flea treatments and repellents.
Keep your home clean and safe for your pet. Vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum and remove your shoes at the door to reduce dust, allergens, and pollutants that can be harmful to you and your pets. Avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn so it is safe for your pet (and the rest of your family) to walk, play, and lay on.
Here is Everyday Green's Guide to Green Pet Care:
Opt to adopt. Each year between 3 and 4 million dogs and cats in the U.S. are put to death due to overcrowding in shelters. Yet, many people still insist on buying animals from breeders. Not only are they overpriced, but many keep their animals in poor living conditions and engage in unscrupulous practices such as inbreeding, over-breeding, and culling of unwanted animals. The greenest (and not to mention kindest) way to get a pet is to adopt one.
Spay or neuter your pet. Help put a curb on the 70,000 cats and dogs born every day in the U.S. and have your pet spayed or neutered. Spaying and neutering not only help reduce the numbers of abandoned animals, but help prevent certain types of cancers and disease in pets as well.
Give your pet a cleaner, greener diet. Avoid pet foods with the chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin. Look for organic or free-range ingredients rather than the assortment of animal by-products found in many pet foods. Vary your cat's food to reduce its exposure to mercury in seafood. A great way to give your pet a safe, healthy diet is to make your own pet food. If you're up for it, there are plenty of recipes available online.
Green up your waste management. Clean up after your dog with biodegradable dog waste bags, available from most pet supply stores. If you own a cat, make sure to avoid clumping clay kitty litter. The clay is usually strip-mined, which causes extreme environmental damage during extraction, and contains carcinogenic silica dust which is associated with a variety of health problems. Instead, opt for green kitty litters made from plant sources like recycled newspaper, wheat, pine, corn or wood chips.
Opt for green toys and accessories. Nowadays most pet supply stores carry at least one line of green pet toys and accessories, which are better not only for the environment but your pet's health as well. Look for pet toys, scratch posts, bedding, collars, leashes, and other accessories made with recycled materials, sustainable fibers like as hemp and organic cotton, plant-based dyes, and BPA-free plastics. Replace pet bedding or any other products with old (pre-2005), misshapen, or broken down foam as it's likely to contain harmful PBDEs.
Check labels for safer grooming products. Pet shampoos and grooming products can contain harmful and even toxic chemicals. Read product labels and avoid anything that contains parabens, ingredients ending in “eth”, PEG, urea, or fragrance. Also, take a pass on anything without an ingredient list.
Ditch the flea collar. Flea collars are generally ineffective and expose your pet, you and your whole family to toxic chemicals. Instead, bathe your pet often, check regularly for ticks, vacuum frequently, and ask your vet about safer flea treatments and repellents.
Keep your home clean and safe for your pet. Vacuum with a HEPA-filter vacuum and remove your shoes at the door to reduce dust, allergens, and pollutants that can be harmful to you and your pets. Avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers on your lawn so it is safe for your pet (and the rest of your family) to walk, play, and lay on.
Tap Water: Better for Your Health and The Environment
Time and again we hear how great drinking water is for us. It aids in weight loss, flushes out toxins, prevents headaches and illness and giving us clear, supple skin. Yet, do we really know what we’re getting when we twist open a bottle of water?
According to the Environmental Working Group, most bottled water companies are not very forthcoming about what exactly is going into their bottles. Only 3 of the 173 companies the nonprofit analyzed disclosed information on where their water comes from, how or if their water is treated, and whether the results of purity testing are made public. Some of the worst-rated brands, from the companies disclosing little or no information, also happen to be some of the best-selling in the country. Aquafina, Dasani, and Poland Spring all received a grade of D for information disclosure.
According to the EWG, the only A grade option is filtered tap water. Properly filtered tap water is purer than bottled water, not to mention less expensive and better for the environment.
Unlike bottled water, tap water is regularly tested with the test results openly reported. A simple, faucet-mounted water filter can improve the smell and taste of drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants. [Click here for additional water filtration options.]
Not sure you want to splurge on a $35 water filter and $10 re-usable bottle? Consider this: Some bottled water can cost up to 1,900 times more than tap water. According to the New York Times, a person drinking only bottled water will spend about $1,400 a year compared to the 49 cents it costs for a year's supply of tap water.
There's also the cost to the environment. One and a half million barrels of oil are used every year to manufacture disposable plastic water bottles for the U.S. That's enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year. About 80% of those bottles will end up as litter or in landfills where they’ll take at least 450 years to break down. Plus, the process of bottling water actually wastes two gallons of water for every gallon of water packaged.
So, want to drink cleaner, cheaper, greener? Just turn on the tap!
According to the Environmental Working Group, most bottled water companies are not very forthcoming about what exactly is going into their bottles. Only 3 of the 173 companies the nonprofit analyzed disclosed information on where their water comes from, how or if their water is treated, and whether the results of purity testing are made public. Some of the worst-rated brands, from the companies disclosing little or no information, also happen to be some of the best-selling in the country. Aquafina, Dasani, and Poland Spring all received a grade of D for information disclosure.
According to the EWG, the only A grade option is filtered tap water. Properly filtered tap water is purer than bottled water, not to mention less expensive and better for the environment.
Unlike bottled water, tap water is regularly tested with the test results openly reported. A simple, faucet-mounted water filter can improve the smell and taste of drinking water by removing chlorine and bacterial contaminants. [Click here for additional water filtration options.]
Not sure you want to splurge on a $35 water filter and $10 re-usable bottle? Consider this: Some bottled water can cost up to 1,900 times more than tap water. According to the New York Times, a person drinking only bottled water will spend about $1,400 a year compared to the 49 cents it costs for a year's supply of tap water.
There's also the cost to the environment. One and a half million barrels of oil are used every year to manufacture disposable plastic water bottles for the U.S. That's enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year. About 80% of those bottles will end up as litter or in landfills where they’ll take at least 450 years to break down. Plus, the process of bottling water actually wastes two gallons of water for every gallon of water packaged.
So, want to drink cleaner, cheaper, greener? Just turn on the tap!
Going Vegetarian Once a Week for Your Health and The Environment
The simple act of giving up meat once a week can make a significant difference in your health and your carbon footprint. Going vegetarian just one day a week can cut someone's saturated fat consumption by 15%, thus reducing the risk of heart disease. In the United States, over a third of all fossil fuel and raw material consumption is used to raise livestock. It is estimated that if every American lowered meat consumption by 20%, it would lower greenhouse gas emissions by as much as it would if everyone in the country switched to driving a hybrid.
Need more convincing? Here are additional details on how going meatless can benefit your health and the environment.
Whether you go full out vegetarian or simply join the Meatless Monday campaign you can make significant impact – on your health and the environment's.
Need more convincing? Here are additional details on how going meatless can benefit your health and the environment.
- Multiple studies demonstrate that a low fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables lowers cancer risk, while the consumption of red meat and processed meat has been associated with increased cancer risk. High consumption of red meat is also associated with heart disease and diabetes.
- Reduced meat consumption can help prevent long-term weight gain.
- Some studies even suggest that low red and processed meat consumption can increase longevity.
- Animal agriculture produces more than 100 million tons of global-warming methane annually.
- Livestock requires significantly more water (up to 15 times more) than produce or grains. It takes 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water to produce a single pound of beef. A pound of soy tofu, on the other hand, requires just 220 gallons of water.
- It takes up to 10 pounds of grain to produce just one pound of meat. Over 70% of the grains grown in the U.S. is used to feed livestock. The amount of food eaten by the world's cattle could feed 8.7 billion people.
- Going meatless benefits not only your health and the environment, but your wallet as well. Foods like vegetables (fresh or frozen), whole grains, beans and legumes cost much less than meat. Plus, they are more nutritious and have greater disease-fighting properties. Talk about more bang for your buck.
Whether you go full out vegetarian or simply join the Meatless Monday campaign you can make significant impact – on your health and the environment's.
Organic vs. Natural
Food labels can be perplexing enough. With the growing number of companies looking to jump on the “all natural” bandwagon, they're becoming more confusing than ever.
When grocery shopping, most people just want to eat the best quality, healthiest options that fit into their budget. Unfortunately, some companies are preying on that desire by increasing prices on products that have undergone no other changes than a spruced up label with the word “natural” on them. That is why it is important for consumers to know the real difference between natural and organic.
For a product to be certified organic, farmers and manufacturers must meet specific guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA-certified organic meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones and fed a diet free of animal by-products, fertilizers, pesticides and genetically engineered food. USDA-certified organic produce must be grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds for at least three years. Processed foods must contain 95% certified organic ingredients for a manufacturer to be able use the USDA organic label. All certifications are verified by an independent agency.
Although the natural or all natural label is used often on a variety of different foods, it is essential a meaningless term. The USDA allows meat and chicken to be labeled as natural as long as nothing, such as flavoring or coloring, has been added after slaughter, but even this meek standard is not third-party verified. The USDA and the FDA do not regulate the term natural for any other food or personal care products. Therefore, anyone can use the natural label without having to meet any type of verifiable standard.
A recent survey by the Shelton Group, an advertising agency, found that the majority of consumers believe the term natural to be federally regulated. In fact, respondents had more trust in the natural label, than the term organic, which they believed to be “a fancy way of saying expensive.” Many companies today are taking advantage of this misconception by using the term natural as a marketing ploy. These companies are not just duping customers, but they are undermining the organic industry. Foods labeled natural tend to cost less than organic food. Consumers, thinking they are getting better food for their money, opt for the natural label thus directing money toward crafty packaging rather than actual greener, healthier foods.
The only way to stop this “greenwashing” is to become better informed consumers. Read labels carefully and know which are truly greener options.
When grocery shopping, most people just want to eat the best quality, healthiest options that fit into their budget. Unfortunately, some companies are preying on that desire by increasing prices on products that have undergone no other changes than a spruced up label with the word “natural” on them. That is why it is important for consumers to know the real difference between natural and organic.
For a product to be certified organic, farmers and manufacturers must meet specific guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA-certified organic meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals raised without antibiotics or growth hormones and fed a diet free of animal by-products, fertilizers, pesticides and genetically engineered food. USDA-certified organic produce must be grown without the use of herbicides, pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified seeds for at least three years. Processed foods must contain 95% certified organic ingredients for a manufacturer to be able use the USDA organic label. All certifications are verified by an independent agency.
Although the natural or all natural label is used often on a variety of different foods, it is essential a meaningless term. The USDA allows meat and chicken to be labeled as natural as long as nothing, such as flavoring or coloring, has been added after slaughter, but even this meek standard is not third-party verified. The USDA and the FDA do not regulate the term natural for any other food or personal care products. Therefore, anyone can use the natural label without having to meet any type of verifiable standard.
A recent survey by the Shelton Group, an advertising agency, found that the majority of consumers believe the term natural to be federally regulated. In fact, respondents had more trust in the natural label, than the term organic, which they believed to be “a fancy way of saying expensive.” Many companies today are taking advantage of this misconception by using the term natural as a marketing ploy. These companies are not just duping customers, but they are undermining the organic industry. Foods labeled natural tend to cost less than organic food. Consumers, thinking they are getting better food for their money, opt for the natural label thus directing money toward crafty packaging rather than actual greener, healthier foods.
The only way to stop this “greenwashing” is to become better informed consumers. Read labels carefully and know which are truly greener options.
Eating Green
What does it mean to “eat green”? Eating green means eating whole, nutritious, minimally-processed foods that are healthy for you and the environment. Two important considerations for eating green are how the food is grown and where it comes from. Does that mean that everything you eat must come from a local, organic farm? Obviously not, but eating green is actually quite simple. Here’s what you should take into consideration.
Is it organic? The arguments for eating organic are plentiful: Organic foods are free of not only pesticides, but hydrogenated fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, and preservatives as well. Organic foods are not genetically modified, when the long term health effects of GM foods are still unknown. They taste better and studies show they are more nutritious and richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic food. And when it comes to the environment, organic farmers avoid the pesticides and herbicides that contaminate groundwater, erode soil, and damage local ecosystems. Now on the flip side: Who can afford to only buy organic food and are all conventional foods really so bad? Knowing which organic food is worth the extra cost can be confusing. Fortunately the Environmental Working Group offers a great resource with its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides, along with a list of the 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables. According to the EWG, you can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce. You can print out a wallet-size list or download the iPhone app at ewg.org/foodnews.
Is it local? Purchasing from local farmers is a great way to get fresh, healthy food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Find farms and farmer's markets in your area at localharvest.org. What if the farm you like isn’t certified organic? Earning organic certification is a lengthy and costly process that not all farmers can afford. Instead you can ask your local farmer if they use organic practices or, if they’re not organic, if they use non-synthetic pesticides and/or practice minimal spraying. If they answer yes to any of these questions, then you're likely buying from a conscientious farmer who’s producing good quality, minimally-processed food.
Is it in season? Even if you don’t get to the farmers’ market, you can still make an effort to purchase local produce at the grocery store. To buy local means to buy in season. Yes you can buy pretty much any type of fruit or vegetable any time of year, but what sacrifices in quality and impact to the environment do you have to make? By purchasing local foods when they are in season, you avoid the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles and you’ll get fresher tasting fruits and vegetables. You can better plan your meals around what’s in season with the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
How else can you green up your diet? You can cut down on your waistline and your food budget, while doing the environment a good turn, by swapping one or two meat-based meals a week with a vegetarian or seafood dish. One of your best options for fish is Wild Alaskan Salmon. Because it is wild-caught, it's purer in flavor than farm-raised salmon (which is fed pigment and antibiotics) and higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Another great option is canned sardines. Unlike tuna, sardines aren't in danger of being over-fished and are low in mercury.
Finally, one cost-efficient way to eat green is to simply cook at home and pack a lunch (in reusable containers) as often as you can. By preparing your own food you'll be better able to avoid preservatives, cut down on packaging (think of all those ketchup packets and napkins in take-out bags), and save money. Now that is eating green.
Is it organic? The arguments for eating organic are plentiful: Organic foods are free of not only pesticides, but hydrogenated fats, artificial colors and sweeteners, and preservatives as well. Organic foods are not genetically modified, when the long term health effects of GM foods are still unknown. They taste better and studies show they are more nutritious and richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic food. And when it comes to the environment, organic farmers avoid the pesticides and herbicides that contaminate groundwater, erode soil, and damage local ecosystems. Now on the flip side: Who can afford to only buy organic food and are all conventional foods really so bad? Knowing which organic food is worth the extra cost can be confusing. Fortunately the Environmental Working Group offers a great resource with its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of the 12 conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables with the most pesticides, along with a list of the 15 cleanest fruits and vegetables. According to the EWG, you can lower your pesticide consumption by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce. You can print out a wallet-size list or download the iPhone app at ewg.org/foodnews.
Is it local? Purchasing from local farmers is a great way to get fresh, healthy food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Find farms and farmer's markets in your area at localharvest.org. What if the farm you like isn’t certified organic? Earning organic certification is a lengthy and costly process that not all farmers can afford. Instead you can ask your local farmer if they use organic practices or, if they’re not organic, if they use non-synthetic pesticides and/or practice minimal spraying. If they answer yes to any of these questions, then you're likely buying from a conscientious farmer who’s producing good quality, minimally-processed food.
Is it in season? Even if you don’t get to the farmers’ market, you can still make an effort to purchase local produce at the grocery store. To buy local means to buy in season. Yes you can buy pretty much any type of fruit or vegetable any time of year, but what sacrifices in quality and impact to the environment do you have to make? By purchasing local foods when they are in season, you avoid the environmental damage caused by shipping foods thousands of miles and you’ll get fresher tasting fruits and vegetables. You can better plan your meals around what’s in season with the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
How else can you green up your diet? You can cut down on your waistline and your food budget, while doing the environment a good turn, by swapping one or two meat-based meals a week with a vegetarian or seafood dish. One of your best options for fish is Wild Alaskan Salmon. Because it is wild-caught, it's purer in flavor than farm-raised salmon (which is fed pigment and antibiotics) and higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Another great option is canned sardines. Unlike tuna, sardines aren't in danger of being over-fished and are low in mercury.
Finally, one cost-efficient way to eat green is to simply cook at home and pack a lunch (in reusable containers) as often as you can. By preparing your own food you'll be better able to avoid preservatives, cut down on packaging (think of all those ketchup packets and napkins in take-out bags), and save money. Now that is eating green.
Tips for an Eco-Friendly Holiday Season
Greening up your holidays allows you to revel in holiday spirit without all the over-consumption and wastefulness (from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day household waste increases by over 25%!). It really is simple to have a fun, budget-friendly, healthy and eco-friendly holiday season. Just follow these tips, sit back, and enjoy the season with family and friends (isn't that what it's really about anyway?).
You don't have to spend a lot to give meaningful gifts your family and friends will enjoy and appreciate. Click here for Everyday Green's list of green gift ideas. Once you've selected your green gifts, opt for wrapping paper made from recycled paper. Even better, wrap gifts in materials you already have on hand like fabric, the comics, or grocery bag paper you've decorated yourself.
Travel is a major part of the holidays for many people. Remember, buses and trains have less of an impact on your wallet and the environment than air travel. And if you're going to be away, remember to turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights to save energy while you’re gone.
With the holiday company coming you'll want to get your home looking its best. If you haven't done so already, swap those expensive, chemical-laden cleaning products for inexpensive, non-toxic solutions you can make right at home. With a few simple products, like vinegar, baking soda and peroxide, you can get your house just as clean as with traditional cleaning products. Click here for details.
When decorating utilize materials you already have on hand or purchase items you can use again. Bringing the outside in (think pine cones, plant or flower clippings, and living plants) is a great way to decorate for little or no money. Plus, holiday craft making is a wonderful activity the whole family can enjoy together.
If you must decorate with lights, switch to energy-efficient LED lights. They are brighter and use 90% less energy than conventional holiday lights, saving you up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season.
If you're decorating with candles, avoid traditional paraffin candles. Despite how nice they may look or smell, these candles and the smoke and soot they produce contain harmful toxins. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles decreases indoor air quality. The fumes released by paraffin candles are comparable to those produced by burning diesel. For a healthier, greener alternative look for candles made from soy or beeswax with non-lead wicks that are scented with essential oil.
The debate over real versus artificial Christmas trees replays every year. Real Christmas trees can be costly, are typically treated with pesticides, and add to an already large amount of post-holiday trash. Artificial trees are non-biodegradable and contain lead and other additives linked to liver, kidney, neurological and reproductive system damage in lab animals. And according to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition', artificial trees “may shed lead-laced dust, which may cover branches or shower gifts and the floor below the tree”, posing a health risk to children.
You don't have to spend a lot to give meaningful gifts your family and friends will enjoy and appreciate. Click here for Everyday Green's list of green gift ideas. Once you've selected your green gifts, opt for wrapping paper made from recycled paper. Even better, wrap gifts in materials you already have on hand like fabric, the comics, or grocery bag paper you've decorated yourself.
Travel is a major part of the holidays for many people. Remember, buses and trains have less of an impact on your wallet and the environment than air travel. And if you're going to be away, remember to turn down the thermostat and turn off the lights to save energy while you’re gone.
With the holiday company coming you'll want to get your home looking its best. If you haven't done so already, swap those expensive, chemical-laden cleaning products for inexpensive, non-toxic solutions you can make right at home. With a few simple products, like vinegar, baking soda and peroxide, you can get your house just as clean as with traditional cleaning products. Click here for details.
When decorating utilize materials you already have on hand or purchase items you can use again. Bringing the outside in (think pine cones, plant or flower clippings, and living plants) is a great way to decorate for little or no money. Plus, holiday craft making is a wonderful activity the whole family can enjoy together.
If you must decorate with lights, switch to energy-efficient LED lights. They are brighter and use 90% less energy than conventional holiday lights, saving you up to $50 on your energy bills during the holiday season.
If you're decorating with candles, avoid traditional paraffin candles. Despite how nice they may look or smell, these candles and the smoke and soot they produce contain harmful toxins. The American Lung Association and the EPA have warned consumers that using paraffin candles decreases indoor air quality. The fumes released by paraffin candles are comparable to those produced by burning diesel. For a healthier, greener alternative look for candles made from soy or beeswax with non-lead wicks that are scented with essential oil.
The debate over real versus artificial Christmas trees replays every year. Real Christmas trees can be costly, are typically treated with pesticides, and add to an already large amount of post-holiday trash. Artificial trees are non-biodegradable and contain lead and other additives linked to liver, kidney, neurological and reproductive system damage in lab animals. And according to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition', artificial trees “may shed lead-laced dust, which may cover branches or shower gifts and the floor below the tree”, posing a health risk to children.
Environmentally and health-wise, real trees hold the advantage over artificial. Look for a locally grown, organic tree. Even better, pick up a potted tree this Christmas. A small (no bigger than 4 feet) tree in a planter that is kept in a cool indoor space can survive indoors until the ground thaws in the spring and it can be planted. Larger potted trees and those that come with a root ball last no more than a few days before they must be planted outdoors. If you don’t have the land for replanting, you can always donate the tree to the local parks department or to someone who does have the space.
Thanks to the 4,000-plus recycling programs available in the U.S., over 90% of all Christmas trees get recycled. Do the green thing and visit earth911.org to find the tree-recycling program near you.
When preparing your holiday meals opt for organic and local. Doing so helps ensure that you're getting the freshest, most nutritious food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Plus, you'll be supporting your local economy. You can find farmers’ markets, farms, and community-supported agriculture programs in your area at localharvest.org. For help planning your meal around what’s in season check out the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
Buying food in bulk will reduce packaging waste and save you money, but you don't want to overbuy and waste food. You can cut down on waste by planning ahead and calculating how much food you will actually need. This list of approximate food and drink portions should help:
Turkey - 1 pound per person
Stuffing - ¼ pound per person
Casserole side dish - ¼ pound per person
Vegetable side dish - ¼ pound per person
Sauce or Chutney - 3 tablespoons per person
Pie (9-inch) - 1/8 slice per person
Keeping track of how much was consumed can help you better plan for future holiday meals.
For drinks, consider serving biodynamic wine. There is a growing number of sustainable wines available and many are quite reasonably priced. Click here to learn more.
Finally, remember to take time to enjoy. Forget all the “stuff” and celebrate all have to be grateful for.
Have a happy, healthy, and green holiday season!
Thanks to the 4,000-plus recycling programs available in the U.S., over 90% of all Christmas trees get recycled. Do the green thing and visit earth911.org to find the tree-recycling program near you.
When preparing your holiday meals opt for organic and local. Doing so helps ensure that you're getting the freshest, most nutritious food that hasn’t been chemically modified to keep its appearance after traveling half way around the world. Plus, you'll be supporting your local economy. You can find farmers’ markets, farms, and community-supported agriculture programs in your area at localharvest.org. For help planning your meal around what’s in season check out the seasonal produce guide available at sustainabletable.org.
Buying food in bulk will reduce packaging waste and save you money, but you don't want to overbuy and waste food. You can cut down on waste by planning ahead and calculating how much food you will actually need. This list of approximate food and drink portions should help:
Turkey - 1 pound per person
Stuffing - ¼ pound per person
Casserole side dish - ¼ pound per person
Vegetable side dish - ¼ pound per person
Sauce or Chutney - 3 tablespoons per person
Pie (9-inch) - 1/8 slice per person
Keeping track of how much was consumed can help you better plan for future holiday meals.
For drinks, consider serving biodynamic wine. There is a growing number of sustainable wines available and many are quite reasonably priced. Click here to learn more.
Finally, remember to take time to enjoy. Forget all the “stuff” and celebrate all have to be grateful for.
Have a happy, healthy, and green holiday season!
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