A Green Vacation

Posted on May 9, 2012 by alatheia

Reducing, reusing, and recycling can be a part of an everyday lifestyle because there are numerous things that can be done to make a home eco-friendly. With summer fast approaching, it’s just as easy to go green during family vacations and holiday travel and here are a couple of ways to do it…

Going Green before the Trip
•Turn the water heater to the lowest setting.
•Turn off the air conditioner/heat or adjust the thermostat for plants.
•Unplug appliances like the TV, toaster, microwave and DVD player.  They can leak as much as 40 watts/hour even when they are off.
•Stop any newspaper service.
•Avoid buying travel size products and instead purchase reusable plastic containers to fill with products from home.

Making the Trip Eco-Friendly
•Take the train or the bus on short distances instead of flying. Airplanes use a great deal of fuel taking off and landing.

Go Green at the Hotel
•Stay at eco-friendly hotels. When considering a hotel, inquire as to what they are doing to help the environment. Many hotels have a linen program and use flow restricting shower heads, but this shouldn’t be the only way they are reaching out. Try to stay at hotels that are going above and beyond the minimum to run a “greener” establishment.
•When using the linen program during a hotel stay, it can be difficult to keep track of who used what towel.
•Be sure to turn off the air/heat and lights and close the curtains when no one is going to be in the hotel room.

Be a Green Tourist
•Walk, take public transportation, or share a taxi instead of renting a car.
•Eat cuisine local to the region. For example eat seafood on the coasts, steak in the Midwest, etc.

An Environmentally Friendly Travel Experience
Living a greener lifestyle includes eco-friendly travel. With “going green” turning into the new black more and more companies are thinking about how their actions affect the environment. Traveling consumers need to heavily patronize those businesses that are actively becoming more eco-friendly as well as request greener practices from businesses that are not.

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An Eco-Friendly Summer

Posted on May 9, 2012 by alatheia

summer heat

As summer approaches, it becomes far too easy to rely on air conditioners to keep you cool from the warmest days or in some areas the overbearing heat. While air conditioners may be convenient, energy costs are on the rise again and using one endlessly this summer will quickly increase your utility bill.

Pull Down the Shade to Block Solar Heat

Conserving energy in the high heat of summer will not only help you to save money on your utility bill but it will also reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some simple things you can do to use less energy during the summer months:

  • Use fans to circulate cooled air and open your windows for cross ventilation. Fans use less energy than air conditioners and unlike the latter, they also circulate air rather than keeping it trapped in a single room.
  • Run washing machines, dryers and dishwashers early in the morning rather than later in the evening during peak energy usage hours.
  • Take advantage of the sunshine and use a clothesline to dry your clothes.
  • Close shades and blinds to minimize solar heat gain.
  • If the nights are cool, open the windows for the night and close them early in the morning, trapping the cool night air in the house.
  • Turn off the lights when you leave the room. Not only will this save energy but it also helps keep the room cooler.
  • Replace your incandescent bulbs with CFLS instead. These use much less energy and generate far less heat than the former. One of the simplest ways to reduce the heat in your home.
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Bye Bye Bottle: Traveling Tips

Posted on May 9, 2012 by alatheia

Plastic water bottle waste is a growing problem around the world and tourism is largely to blame. While traveling abroad, individuals tend to leave their reusable bottle at home and use as many five to six plastic water bottles a day.

Plastic bottles, made of petroleum-based plastic (a non-biodegradable material), are accumulating everywhere- our streets, parks, beaches, rivers, and oceans. This contributes to the existing problem of floating plastic debris in the pacific ocean known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

In effort to combat the plastic waste dilemma, some tourism destinations have “banned the bottle”. In 2010, Italy’s Cinque Terre national park, located along the beautiful Mediterranean coast, banned plastic water bottles. Early this year, the US National Park Service banned the sale of plastic water bottles at Grand Canyon National Park where bottles accounted for 20% of the park’s waste.

Franco Bonanini, president of Italy’s Cinque Terre national park, told London’s Telegraph newspaper 3 million annual tourists are responsible for the park’s waste. “With so many visitors, the footpaths and villages of the Cinque Terre are at risk of being transformed into a great big open-air dustbin,” he said.

What you can do

Here are 4 easy steps to reduce your plastic footprint while abroad:

1. Carry your own reusable bottle. Fill it up with fresh water whenever you can.

2. Some eco-friendly hotels offer water-filling stations. If not, some hotels may be willing to boil water for you on request. Check to see what your hotel has to offer.

3. Buy big water containers to keep in your hotel room and refill your bottles. That way you’ll only use one water bottle rather than 5 to 6 a day.

4. You can even treat tap water with your own purification device. Lightweight devices, such as ultraviolet light purifiers, don’t leave an aftertaste.

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Save the Coral & Go Natural

Posted on May 9, 2012 by alatheia

Pinned Image

Shouldn’t every day be Earth Day? While we would love for that to be the case, unfortunately daily activities can have a cumulative negative impact on Mother Nature. Even the simple act of applying a personal care product has the propensity to cause great ecological harm. Protect your skin against skin cancer, but at the same time, protect your overall health and respect the earth in the process.

Sunscreen and the Environment

Marine biology studies reveal that synthetics like chemical sunscreens are accountable for the dying-off of our oceans’ coral reefs.  Some 6,000 tons of sunscreen wash off tourists, surfers, divers and other swimmers every year. Then when coral bleaching occurs coral reefs not only lose their beauty but also their life.

Coral reefs provide home and food to many species of marine life in the earth’s oceans. Corals have the ability to protect our coastlines and keep carbon dioxide within the ocean in proper balance.  Without coral the risk of disproportionate CO2 promises a very inhospitable acidic environment further impacting a vast number of marine species not to mention the entire seafood industry.

Coral is a living organism that survives on algae. However, studies show that synthetic sunscreen ingredients infect algae with viruses and as the virus grows, algae dies. Without it, so too does the coral die.

Environmentally Dangerous Chemical Sunscreen Actives

Also dangerous to a human’s well-being, some chemical sunscreens actives harmful to the environment are:

  • Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3)
  • Octinoxate (Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate)
  • 4Methyl-benzyliden camphor (4MBC)
  • Butylparaben

A truly healthy, environmentally pleasing product is one that is safe for you and the planet. Besides, who really wants to trash nature or their health during their daily beauty routine? Sustainably focused, broad spectrum mineral actives are simply gentler on both the skin and the environment.

Environmentally Friendly Naturally Based Protection

Next time you’re looking to purchase a bottle of natural sunscreen, look for these actives and ingredients:

  • mineral sunscreen actives Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide vs. chemical UV absorbers
  • contains organic ingredients
  • no petrochemicals, phthalates or synthetic preservatives
  • packaged with BPA-free, recyclable materials
  • coral reef safe and biodegradable
  • water resistant
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Make Your Commute Green!

Posted on April 9, 2012 by alatheia

Scenic drive

Did you know the average U.S. employee spends an average of 47 hours driving through rush hour traffic each year? All that time on the road means we waste 23 billion gallons of gas in commuter traffic a year. Learn how you can reduce your carbon commuter footprint with these simple tips.

Take public transportation.
In 2005, public transportation (like buses and metro) saved the U.S. 6.9 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Next week, leave the car in the garage and give public transport a whirl—it can save you time, money and 20 pounds of CO2 emissions per day. Haven’t used public transportation before? Start out slow; take it once or twice a week and before you know it, you’ll be confident enough to take it every day.

Carpool with Coworkers.
Save a few pounds of CO2 by sharing a ride with your neighbors or coworkers. If your office doesn’t already have a carpooling plan, take it upon yourself to see who’s interested. Wrap up your next staff meeting by seeing if anyone wants to share a ride, or send out a short memo to solicit feedback. You’ll position yourself as an agent of change, saving you and your colleagues time, money and vehicle wear and tear…all while helping the environment.

Consider Going Carless.
It may seem drastic, but owning a car can be more hindrance than help—especially for city dwellers. And consider this: the estimated yearly cost of driving a single-occupant car ranges from $4,826 to $9,685—while the average yearly cost of taking public transportation falls between $200 and $2,000. And giving up your car doesn’t mean you can’t drive when you need to. Car sharing services like Zipcar are popping up all over the U.S.

Of course, if you live a smaller or more rural environment, car-free tips may not be practical. Fortunately, there are still ways you can reduce your carbon footprint as you travel to and from work.

Make the Hybrid Trade.
Hybrids are now available in just about any make and model, have better gas mileage and run cleaner than their non-hybrid counterparts. If you can’t make the hybrid switch, try to look for a car that has the highest miles per gallon (MPG). You’ll burn less gasoline and stretch your dollar.

Keep Your Car in Shape.
Strange but true: keeping your tires properly inflated can save an estimated 2 billion gallons of gas each year. In tandem with keeping tires trim, make sure to get regular tune-ups and filter changes—proactive maintenance will help you burn less gas while saving you from car trouble.

Drive Responsibly.
Adhering to the speed limit and avoiding sudden starts and stops will help you burn less gas and bump up your MPG. Discovery’s Planet Green recommends keeping your engine speeds between 1,200 and 3,000 RPMs, and up-shift between 2,000 and 2,500 RMPs. Of course, planning efficient trips for errands and other trips will also keep you from racking up unnecessary miles.

Small individual changes can make a big impact. Try integrating these tips into your daily commute and make a difference in safeguarding our earth.

 

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Green Thumb? Save Water in Your Garden

Posted on April 9, 2012 by alatheia

Gardening can be a fulfilling activity to help you relax outdoors. But, if you aren’t careful, an environmentally-friendly activity can quickly turn into a sink for precious natural water resources.

Millions of gallons of water are used in gardens and lawns each year —many of them wastefully. Here are some ways to cut back on the amount of water you use in the garden:

     

  • Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass retains water better.
  • Water in the early morning, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation.
  • Check your sprinkler system regularly and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.
  • Collect and use rainwater for watering your garden.
  • Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees.
  • Install a drip irrigation system around your trees and shrubs to water more efficiently.

 


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Earth Day Starts at Home

Posted on April 9, 2012 by alatheia

There are plenty of ways you can make every day Earth Day. Improve your own small part of the planet by considering these suggestions for spring-cleaning, garden preparation, and home improvements.

  • Purchase non-toxic cleaning products. Use natural fiber sponges and cleaning agents that are biodegradable, phosphate-free, chlorine-free, and unscented.
  • Reduce paper use. Use rags instead of paper towels; cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Buy post-consumer recycled paper and recycle it when you’ve used it.
  • Refurbish responsibly. Use water-based or vegetable-based paints, stains, and varnishes. Don’t wash paint thinners, household cleaners, oil, or pesticides down the drain or pour them on the ground; use them up, give leftovers to friends or a charity, or dispose at your local toxic waste disposal center.
  • Repair instead of replace. Reupholster furniture. Resole your shoes.
  • Replace disposable goods with renewable ones. Buy rechargeable batteries. Use dishes instead of paper plates.
  • Plant for the planet. Strengthen your garden’s resistance to pests by planting resilient plants, by rotating the fruits and vegetables you plant, and by attracting friendly bugs to prey on the pesky ones.
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Make Spring Cleaning Earth-Friendly

Posted on April 9, 2012 by alatheia

Spring cleaning in 8 hours

Thinking about spring cleaning? Don’t forget the environment. The irony is that in making your home brighter and fresher, you may inadvertently soil the air and water. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Nothing is completely safe. Almost anything we dump down our drains, even if derived from plants and other “natural” substances, can cause problems. Even with the increasing number of greener products on the market, none is perfectly safe for the earth.

Don’t accept vague claims. Words like “biodegradable” or “nontoxic” have no legal definitions. Ask companies to substantiate their environmental claims in plain English.

Avoid cleaners containing phosphates. They biodegrade totally and quickly. But when they get into rivers and lakes, they cause algae blooms, robbing the water of oxygen, blocking sunlight, and ultimately killing marine life.

Minimize use of bleaches. The most common bleach is chlorine, which in wastewater can create toxic compounds. Non-chlorine bleaches are gentler to clothes and the environment, though they are less effective in colder-water temperatures, requiring more energy-intensive hot water.

Buy concentrates whenever possible. Ask manufacturers to produce refillable versions that allow you to refill a spray bottle by adding water to a packaged concentrate.

Check with local authorities. Contact a Poison Control Center (usually listed in the front of the phone book) if you are unsure about a product. Most centers have data about chemicals’ health hazards.

 

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Green Tips for Snow & Ice Removal

Posted on February 29, 2012 by alatheia

Some of us are still waiting for winter to arrive, and others have already been hit. Below are some tips on how to remove that snow and ice in a green way:

1 Get out there and shovel, or pay a neighborhood kid to do it! It’s the greenest and most effective way to remove snow. Using an ergonomic shovel, shovel early and often before it builds up and ices over.
2 Sand does not melt snow, but it is a natural way to provide traction. Use sparingly to avoid clogging sewers.
3 Use an ice breaker or hoe to break up ice. If you must use ice melt, avoid sodium chloride (rock salt). Sodium chloride is the most common ingredient and the most harmful: it kills plants, pollutes our drinking water, and it can corrode vehicles and bridges. Read labels and look for earth friendly versions that use magnesium chloride instead of sodium chloride; it’s a safer, less corrosive alternative to sodium chloride.

 

*via Apartment Therapy

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Wash Away Your Energy Bill

Posted on February 29, 2012 by alatheia

Washing and drying clothes uses a lot of energy and water in a typical house. Here are 4 ways you can reduce your consumption of water and energy while doing laundry.

  1. Move the dryer closer to an outside wall. The farther exhaust air has to travel from your dryer to get outside, the more energy your dryer will use on every cycle. If you can, move the dryer as close to its exhaust port as possible. Can you reduce the number of elbow bends in the exhaust pipe? If you can remove one, that will make the dryer much more efficient.
  2. Use an electricity free technique. Wonderwash Portable Washing Machine & Mini Spin Dryer, “is small enough for countertop use, is easy and safe to use, and will cut down on water and electricity usage as well as save money (as much as $150-250 per year because it uses 90% less water and detergent).” Would you be willing to spend more time doing laundry in very small loads in order to save this much energy and water?
  3. Hot, warm or cold cycles? Not all laundry needs to be washed in hot, or even warm water. Separate loads and be selective about which fabrics get to be washed in heated water. Washing in cold will reduce energy needed to heat the water. I only wash whites in hot water periodically to keep them looking white. Everything else is washed in warm or cold water.
  4. Heat and moisture energy exchange. Exhausting air out of your clothes dryer requires that fresh air come into your home. An air to air heat and moisture exchange system could allow you to save energy on heating or cooling your home by recycling the energy you used to heat or cool it in the first place.
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