How 4 minutes of your time can keep our lakes and rivers cleaner.
Summer is lawn-mowing season and well-maintained suburban lawn is great. Manicured lawns however are not necessarily environmentally friendly. Fertilizers and pesticides can get into our water systems, grass clippings that are bagged often end up in landfills, irrigation systems use up a lot of water, however those are issues for another day.
Every week I mow the lawn, I am ashamed to admit that I hope for a little wind so the clippings will blow away and I wouldn’t have to clean up the curb gutters. I know – that is a very non-environmentalist thing to do and I have to tell you that I do get Green Gutter Guilt every time I leave grass clippings on my driveway and curb gutters.
According to PlantTalk Colorado, “…grass clippings and leaves that fall on hard surfaces release their phosphorous into water sources. Research studies indicate that 80 percent of the phosphorous from urban settings comes from lawn clippings and leaves that end up in street gutters. While a few grass clippings mowed into the street look rather innocent, collectively they have a major impact on our water quality. Using a mulching lawn mower to keep lawn clippings on your lawn is especially useful.”
Is the time I save by not sweeping the gutters worth the guilt? I decided to time how long it takes me to put the clippings back on my lawn, using my new cordless electric leaf blower (a broom would work too). I have a big yard, on a corner lot, and a wide driveway, so there is quite a bit of area to clean up.
From start to finish, it took about 4 minutes. Yup – 4 minutes once a week, and I can help reduce phosphorous in our water sources. Wind or no wind, I’m going to commit to this final step when I mow. If every homeowner does that, we can make a significant impact on our environment.
Next time you mow, take 4 minutes to put the grass clippings back on your lawn, and help keep our lakes and rivers clean.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Packing Up Your Plants
What to do with those Styrofoam® packing peanuts and take-out containers.
Part of my focus as an Ordinary Environmentalist is to look at how I can reuse materials instead of adding to a landfill. Sometimes I can’t think of a use right away, but I’ll keep things around for a while, hoping I’ll come up with an idea on how to reuse the item.
This explains why I had a bag full of packing peanuts and a dozen or so to-go ‘claim shell’ Styrofoam containers cleaned and stacked in a closet. You know the kind I’m talking about – the white containers you get at a restaurant when you take home your too-yummy-to-throw-out-until-they-are-moldy, leftovers.
The best thing to do is try not to have take-out containers in the first place. Three ways to do this:
1. Avoid take-out (I like to cook so this one is pretty easy for me).
2. Think about how much you order in a restaurant. Consider splitting a plate with your dining companion if portions are too big to eat at one sitting.
3. If you are an ‘extraordinary environmentalist’ bring your own to-go container. I have to admit I’m not there yet on this one, but logically it makes a lot of sense.
Even using these tips, most of us will still end up with some Styrofoam containers in our house. Next best thing is to reuse them. Since I like to cook, I use these containers to pack up leftovers to-go’s for my dining guests. I also bring them to family get-togethers where everyone can use them to take leftovers home (we always bring too much food). I reuse the packing peanuts to... well, to pack things!
I still end up with extra Styrofoam materials - what else can I do? I just tried a new way to reuse Styrofoam materials. I put them into the bottom of my big flowerpots. When full of dirt, these pots can be heavy! Your flowers don’t need all of that dirt. If you fill the lower half of the pot with lightweight Styrofoam (from to-go containers, packing materials, coffee cups, etc.), you have a much lighter pot to move around.
I tried it and it works!
So pack up those plant pots with extra Styrofoam peanuts and containers!
For more information on how to recycle to-go containers, visit Earth911.com.
Part of my focus as an Ordinary Environmentalist is to look at how I can reuse materials instead of adding to a landfill. Sometimes I can’t think of a use right away, but I’ll keep things around for a while, hoping I’ll come up with an idea on how to reuse the item.
This explains why I had a bag full of packing peanuts and a dozen or so to-go ‘claim shell’ Styrofoam containers cleaned and stacked in a closet. You know the kind I’m talking about – the white containers you get at a restaurant when you take home your too-yummy-to-throw-out-until-they-are-moldy, leftovers.
The best thing to do is try not to have take-out containers in the first place. Three ways to do this:
1. Avoid take-out (I like to cook so this one is pretty easy for me).
2. Think about how much you order in a restaurant. Consider splitting a plate with your dining companion if portions are too big to eat at one sitting.
3. If you are an ‘extraordinary environmentalist’ bring your own to-go container. I have to admit I’m not there yet on this one, but logically it makes a lot of sense.
Even using these tips, most of us will still end up with some Styrofoam containers in our house. Next best thing is to reuse them. Since I like to cook, I use these containers to pack up leftovers to-go’s for my dining guests. I also bring them to family get-togethers where everyone can use them to take leftovers home (we always bring too much food). I reuse the packing peanuts to... well, to pack things!
I still end up with extra Styrofoam materials - what else can I do? I just tried a new way to reuse Styrofoam materials. I put them into the bottom of my big flowerpots. When full of dirt, these pots can be heavy! Your flowers don’t need all of that dirt. If you fill the lower half of the pot with lightweight Styrofoam (from to-go containers, packing materials, coffee cups, etc.), you have a much lighter pot to move around.
I tried it and it works!
So pack up those plant pots with extra Styrofoam peanuts and containers!
For more information on how to recycle to-go containers, visit Earth911.com.
Monday, June 14, 2010
The Ordinary Environmentalist: Big Events = Big Garbage Bags
How to Balance Convenience with Conservation
Yesterday I volunteered at a wonderful event that had around 100 attendees. We served beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres using, you guessed it, plastic plates, and cups. I wasn’t in charge of bringing any of the serving items and didn’t think very much about it…until we were cleaning up.
After I saw three huge black garbage bags full of waste, I started to think about what we could have done to be a bit more environmentally friendly, without adding more work for the volunteers, or making things inconvenient for the attendees.
Here are a few things I came up with that I think balance convenience with conservation when you are planning your informal parties, reunions and other events this summer:
Before the Event
• Try to purchase paper and plates made from recycled products.
• Look for plastic products that can be recycled, e.g. serving containers. For example, I can put clear plastic #1 cups in my recycling bin.
• Find a couple of boxes or bins to use for recycling and make up signs clearly showing what to toss into that particular container.
• Assign a designated person who is willing to take the recycled products home to put in their recycle bin, if there isn’t an onsite recycling option.
During the Event
• Place the well-marked recycle box or bin near the garbage can.
• In the ‘kitchen’ area have paper recycle box or grocery bag clearly marked for cracker boxes, etc.
After the Event
• Have a bored kid or spouse make sure only recyclable materials are in the containers and have them bag ‘em up.
• Give the recycled materials to the designated person for home recycling, or if available, put in the on-site recycling bins.
• Put away the chairs, divvy up the leftover food and head on home!
Given some guidance, most people at in-formal events are more than happy to recycle, as long as you make it easy for them.
Paper and plastic items have their place, and with a little planning, any Ordinary Environmentalist can balance convenience with conservation and save a couple of garbage bags from going into the landfill.
Facebook Page
Yesterday I volunteered at a wonderful event that had around 100 attendees. We served beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres using, you guessed it, plastic plates, and cups. I wasn’t in charge of bringing any of the serving items and didn’t think very much about it…until we were cleaning up.
After I saw three huge black garbage bags full of waste, I started to think about what we could have done to be a bit more environmentally friendly, without adding more work for the volunteers, or making things inconvenient for the attendees.
Here are a few things I came up with that I think balance convenience with conservation when you are planning your informal parties, reunions and other events this summer:
Before the Event
• Try to purchase paper and plates made from recycled products.
• Look for plastic products that can be recycled, e.g. serving containers. For example, I can put clear plastic #1 cups in my recycling bin.
• Find a couple of boxes or bins to use for recycling and make up signs clearly showing what to toss into that particular container.
• Assign a designated person who is willing to take the recycled products home to put in their recycle bin, if there isn’t an onsite recycling option.
During the Event
• Place the well-marked recycle box or bin near the garbage can.
• In the ‘kitchen’ area have paper recycle box or grocery bag clearly marked for cracker boxes, etc.
After the Event
• Have a bored kid or spouse make sure only recyclable materials are in the containers and have them bag ‘em up.
• Give the recycled materials to the designated person for home recycling, or if available, put in the on-site recycling bins.
• Put away the chairs, divvy up the leftover food and head on home!
Given some guidance, most people at in-formal events are more than happy to recycle, as long as you make it easy for them.
Paper and plastic items have their place, and with a little planning, any Ordinary Environmentalist can balance convenience with conservation and save a couple of garbage bags from going into the landfill.
Facebook Page
Big Events = Big Garbage Bags
How to Balance Convenience with Conservation
Yesterday I volunteered at a wonderful event that had around 100 attendees. We served beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres using, you guessed it, plastic plates, and cups. I wasn’t in charge of bringing any of the serving items and didn’t think very much about it…until we were cleaning up.
After I saw three huge black garbage bags full of waste, I started to think about what we could have done to be a bit more environmentally friendly, without adding more work for the volunteers, or making things inconvenient for the attendees.
Here are a few things I came up with that I think balance convenience with conservation when you are planning your informal parties, reunions and other events this summer:
Before the Event
• Try to purchase paper and plates made from recycled products.
• Look for plastic products that can be recycled, e.g. serving containers. For example, I can put clear plastic #1 cups in my recycling bin.
• Find a couple of boxes or bins to use for recycling and make up signs clearly showing what to toss into that particular container.
• Assign a designated person who is willing to take the recycled products home to put in their recycle bin, if there isn’t an onsite recycling option.
During the Event
• Place the well-marked recycle box or bin near the garbage can.
• In the ‘kitchen’ area have paper recycle box or grocery bag clearly marked for cracker boxes, etc.
After the Event
• Have a bored kid or spouse make sure only recyclable materials are in the containers and have them bag ‘em up.
• Give the recycled materials to the designated person for home recycling, or if available, put in the on-site recycling bins.
• Put away the chairs, divvy up the leftover food and head on home!
Given some guidance, most people at in-formal events are more than happy to recycle, as long as you make it easy for them.
Paper and plastic items have their place, and with a little planning, any Ordinary Environmentalist can balance convenience with conservation and save a couple of garbage bags from going into the landfill.
Yesterday I volunteered at a wonderful event that had around 100 attendees. We served beverages and heavy hors d'oeuvres using, you guessed it, plastic plates, and cups. I wasn’t in charge of bringing any of the serving items and didn’t think very much about it…until we were cleaning up.
After I saw three huge black garbage bags full of waste, I started to think about what we could have done to be a bit more environmentally friendly, without adding more work for the volunteers, or making things inconvenient for the attendees.
Here are a few things I came up with that I think balance convenience with conservation when you are planning your informal parties, reunions and other events this summer:
Before the Event
• Try to purchase paper and plates made from recycled products.
• Look for plastic products that can be recycled, e.g. serving containers. For example, I can put clear plastic #1 cups in my recycling bin.
• Find a couple of boxes or bins to use for recycling and make up signs clearly showing what to toss into that particular container.
• Assign a designated person who is willing to take the recycled products home to put in their recycle bin, if there isn’t an onsite recycling option.
During the Event
• Place the well-marked recycle box or bin near the garbage can.
• In the ‘kitchen’ area have paper recycle box or grocery bag clearly marked for cracker boxes, etc.
After the Event
• Have a bored kid or spouse make sure only recyclable materials are in the containers and have them bag ‘em up.
• Give the recycled materials to the designated person for home recycling, or if available, put in the on-site recycling bins.
• Put away the chairs, divvy up the leftover food and head on home!
Given some guidance, most people at in-formal events are more than happy to recycle, as long as you make it easy for them.
Paper and plastic items have their place, and with a little planning, any Ordinary Environmentalist can balance convenience with conservation and save a couple of garbage bags from going into the landfill.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Liquid Dish Soap has Oil in it Too??!!
I just had learned something new, as I was getting ready to wash my dishes.
A lot of liquid dish soap contains petroleum. Yuck. Is it in everything!!??
According to Seventh Generation, if every U.S. household replaced ONE bottle of 48 oz. petroleum-based dish liquid with a 48% plant-derived product, we could save 248,000 barrels of oil a year. That is enough to heat and cool 14,300 U.S. homes for a year.
Now think if we all did this all the time, for every cleaning product in our house…
Switching to a plant-based liquid dish soap is easy to do. They are reasonably priced, and easy to find at places like Target.
There are additional benefits to using plant-based cleaning products; for example, the bottle of Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid I have under my sink:
1. Is fragrance and dye free which reduces toxins in your house - see toxic chemicals blog
2. Uses at least 25% post-consumer recycled plastic – see recycled plastics blog
3. Reduces our dependency on oil – – see reducing oil blog
With enough simple changes like this, we can make a difference in the amount of oil we use in our daily lives. Replacing your current petroleum based dish-liquid with a plant-based product is simple and a great thing all of us Ordinary Environmentalist can do!
A lot of liquid dish soap contains petroleum. Yuck. Is it in everything!!??
According to Seventh Generation, if every U.S. household replaced ONE bottle of 48 oz. petroleum-based dish liquid with a 48% plant-derived product, we could save 248,000 barrels of oil a year. That is enough to heat and cool 14,300 U.S. homes for a year.
Now think if we all did this all the time, for every cleaning product in our house…
Switching to a plant-based liquid dish soap is easy to do. They are reasonably priced, and easy to find at places like Target.
There are additional benefits to using plant-based cleaning products; for example, the bottle of Seventh Generation Natural Dish Liquid I have under my sink:
1. Is fragrance and dye free which reduces toxins in your house - see toxic chemicals blog
2. Uses at least 25% post-consumer recycled plastic – see recycled plastics blog
3. Reduces our dependency on oil – – see reducing oil blog
With enough simple changes like this, we can make a difference in the amount of oil we use in our daily lives. Replacing your current petroleum based dish-liquid with a plant-based product is simple and a great thing all of us Ordinary Environmentalist can do!
Thursday, June 3, 2010
A New Reason to Dust! Or…5 ways to avoid 5 toxic chemicals.
There are bad chemicals out there and we bring them into our houses every day. We don’t really know how bad some of these common chemicals are, however studies have shown five chemicals used in our houses, may cause serious health issues; think things like cancers, reduced male sexual function, endocrine system problems and hyperactivity in kids.
Yikes! We can’t get rid of all of it, however, here are five things an ordinary environmentalist can do to reduce exposure to five toxic chemicals. This information is based on a May 31 2010 CNN.com article by David S. Martin, Senior Medical Producer.*
#1 Use stainless steel and glass storage containers.
Bispenol,A (BPA) is a type of plastic called Polycarbonate. Avoid it by using stainless steel or glass containers for your leftovers (Pyrex is coming out with some nice glass ones). If you use plastic, avoid plastics with #7 when possible, and as a good practice, do not microwave, or put hot liquids in any plastic containers.
#2 Avoid personal care products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient.
Phthalates are chemicals that can be absorbed through your skin. When you use personal care products, processed foods and time-released drugs, you are risking exposure to these chemicals. There are no requirements to show Phthalates on personal care ingredient lists, instead it will often be hidden as the word “Fragrance” on an ingredient list. Look for products that specifically list their ingredients and avoid the “Fragrance” ingredient. What’s scary is that I have 10 personal care products in my shower right now, and only ONE doesn’t have “fragrance” on the list. I need to change some shopping habits.
#3 Use Cast Iron Or Stainless Steel Cookware
PFOA -- Perfluorooctanoic acid (also called C8) is used to make Teflon and thousands of other nonstick and stain- and water-repellent clothing and furniture. It’s pretty much a guarantee you have PFOA in your blood right now. Use stainless steel or cast iron cookware to help reduce exposure to PFOA. If you are like me and have an expensive nonstick cookware set you don’t want to throw out, make sure not to overheat your pan, which causes toxic gases to release.
#4 Open Your Windows
Formaldehyde is found in pressed wood products such as particleboard, plywood, paneling, and fiberboard, and in glues, adhesives, and durable press fabrics like drapes. “Off-gassing” of these products is toxic to us. Aside from tearing down your house and living in a cave, the best thing you can do to reduce exposure is to increase ventilation in your house to help dissipate the gasses, and to lower humidity, and keep your house cool to reduce off-gassing.
#5 Dust
Polybrominated diethyl ethers (PBDE) are found in televisions, computers and wire insulation, and furniture foam. Over time, these products shed PBDEs, which accumulate in dust. That's right, household dust. No more excuses – time to get out that dust rag!
This list of five ways to reduce toxic chemicals in your life is easy to implement, and if it helps lower your risk of health problems, it is worth the extra trouble – and a cleaner house.
*Article posted on May 31 2010. on CNN.com, written by David S. Martin, Senior Medical Producer for CNN: Article Link
Yikes! We can’t get rid of all of it, however, here are five things an ordinary environmentalist can do to reduce exposure to five toxic chemicals. This information is based on a May 31 2010 CNN.com article by David S. Martin, Senior Medical Producer.*
#1 Use stainless steel and glass storage containers.
Bispenol,A (BPA) is a type of plastic called Polycarbonate. Avoid it by using stainless steel or glass containers for your leftovers (Pyrex is coming out with some nice glass ones). If you use plastic, avoid plastics with #7 when possible, and as a good practice, do not microwave, or put hot liquids in any plastic containers.
#2 Avoid personal care products that list “fragrance” as an ingredient.
Phthalates are chemicals that can be absorbed through your skin. When you use personal care products, processed foods and time-released drugs, you are risking exposure to these chemicals. There are no requirements to show Phthalates on personal care ingredient lists, instead it will often be hidden as the word “Fragrance” on an ingredient list. Look for products that specifically list their ingredients and avoid the “Fragrance” ingredient. What’s scary is that I have 10 personal care products in my shower right now, and only ONE doesn’t have “fragrance” on the list. I need to change some shopping habits.
#3 Use Cast Iron Or Stainless Steel Cookware
PFOA -- Perfluorooctanoic acid (also called C8) is used to make Teflon and thousands of other nonstick and stain- and water-repellent clothing and furniture. It’s pretty much a guarantee you have PFOA in your blood right now. Use stainless steel or cast iron cookware to help reduce exposure to PFOA. If you are like me and have an expensive nonstick cookware set you don’t want to throw out, make sure not to overheat your pan, which causes toxic gases to release.
#4 Open Your Windows
Formaldehyde is found in pressed wood products such as particleboard, plywood, paneling, and fiberboard, and in glues, adhesives, and durable press fabrics like drapes. “Off-gassing” of these products is toxic to us. Aside from tearing down your house and living in a cave, the best thing you can do to reduce exposure is to increase ventilation in your house to help dissipate the gasses, and to lower humidity, and keep your house cool to reduce off-gassing.
#5 Dust
Polybrominated diethyl ethers (PBDE) are found in televisions, computers and wire insulation, and furniture foam. Over time, these products shed PBDEs, which accumulate in dust. That's right, household dust. No more excuses – time to get out that dust rag!
This list of five ways to reduce toxic chemicals in your life is easy to implement, and if it helps lower your risk of health problems, it is worth the extra trouble – and a cleaner house.
*Article posted on May 31 2010. on CNN.com, written by David S. Martin, Senior Medical Producer for CNN: Article Link
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