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Pondering the Potential of Pellet Stoves

2009-10-22T23:01:00.001-07:00

It is cold outside today. The drop in degrees has made me think about energy consumption around my home and what further steps I can take to make this place more energy efficient and save money. I thought of the growing reputation among greenies for the pellet stove.

Even if you aren’t quite ready to take the plunge and go completely “off the grid” a pellet stove is a great source of heat at a reasonable price and reduce the size of a home’s carbon footprint.

Pellet stoves run at a minimal cost (after the initial investment of the stove itself) and make a heck of a lot less mess than traditional stoves and wood burners. Many feel the classic log burning stove can actually pollute the interior air of a home making them a potentially dangerous heating choice. Pellets are virtually smoke free and offer the chance for burning a green fuel.

The actual pellets are made from a number of materials including sawdust and waste left over from other wood related and agricultural processes. Some pellets are uber sustainable being made from corn kernels or soy beans. Seems to me, it would be better to breath in soy beans than new tree wood.

Some greenies consider the pellet stove a carbon neutral product and liken it to buying carbon credits. Whatever you call it, the pellet stove is a money saving, smoke eliminating, carbon and toxic reducing home heating machine.

But of course, nothing in this growing green world of ours is ever perfect.

Besides the initial expense, wood pellet stoves are complex machines which usually require the assistance of a professional installer. Maintenance can cost you some cash too, especially if you aren’t willing to work on upkeep and read the owner’s manual a few times until you “get it.”

As I open another alarming electric bill for my own --- low electric use, always switching off lights and unplugging cords--- home, I think a pellet stove is the way forward. It’s another old school idea that was pushed aside by modern pollution-laden industry.

But pellet stove, you rise again. This time you’ll probably be staying for a while.

Burn eco baby burn.

Freegans: Insane or Smart? (or a little bit of both?)

2009-10-20T07:05:00.000-07:00

As I search online for the latest green budget information and details on how to lower your carbon footprint, I keep coming across information, and often jokes, about “freegans.” So I decided to write a blog on these folks finally. I am neither advocating nor condoning their lifestyle but I must admit, I am a tad envious of their low to no personal carbon impact.

So what is a freegan? According to the freegan.info website, a freegan is (and I quote):

“Freegans are people who employ alternative strategies for living based on limited participation in the conventional economy and minimal consumption of resources. Freegans embrace community, generosity, social concern, freedom, cooperation, and sharing in opposition to a society based on materialism, moral apathy, competition, conformity, and greed.”

These “alternative strategies” are vast and varied but do include the infamous dumpster diving. It’s not just food they look for but furniture, clothes, books, tools, and any other item that can be recovered rather than purchased. Now, I should clarify, not all freegans jump into dumpsters when no one is looking, many smart people ask for free stuff inside the stores before they get dumped in the trash cans.

Freegans are not fans of the “system” but they do seem to be benefiting from it. The items that gather save precious planetary resources, help useful and toxic items avoid the immortal grave of the landfill and role model a minimal waste lifestyle but they do not, in my humble opinion, live out of the system.

They are just clever about the way they utilize it.

It’s not just dumpsters, its swapping items, avoiding petrochemical use and actively attempting to help the planet rather than hinder it. All good things in my book. They may get a tad passionate at times but rather passion than apathy right?

Freegans try to live up to a high moral standard and may perhaps look down on the rest of us consumers. Personally, I’m a middle way kind of gal. If I can get it for free, second hand or use local sustainable products, I will.

But go dumpster diving in little ol’ Wyoming? Probably not going to happen.

Although I’m not completely averse to a quick trip to the city dump to see what’s there. I’ve heard there is a lot of furniture. And I could go late in the day when no one else is there. Just to peruse, to see just what harm people are causing to the planet with their uninformed dumping.

And maybe pick up a chair or two.

But not a sandwich. No, I draw the line there.

Coffee and the State of the Planet

2009-10-19T14:25:00.000-07:00

Who doesn’t love a hot rich cup of Joe? Well, nearly most of us do but the impact our brown bean obsession has on the planet is pretty bad. No, it’s absolutely terrible. Every morning, millions and millions of people line up at coffee bars, shops, convenience stores, gas stations and hot drink dispensers to fill up on the nation’s most popular hot beverage.

The disposable Styrofoam coffee cup is a detriment to the planet and increases the size of any carbon footprint. Oh but what about the paper ones you say? Turns out most paper coffee cups are made from bleached virgin tree, meaning very difficult to recycle and not exactly sustainable. Bad bad coffee cups.

But when these unrecyclable coffee cups end up in landfills, things go from bad to worse. The plastic coating on the inside of the cups that prevents the liquid from leaking out? Well when the paper corrodes, the chemicals in the plastic coating off gas releasing methane into the atmosphere. Methane is an uber greenhouse gas that is directly related to the heating of the planet and climate change. Bad bad methane.

So what to do? How can we enjoy our favorite wake up liquid without harming the planet? It’s really quite easy: make your coffee at home. These days, you can find everything for a coffee shop style Joe in the supermarket. Get a coffee maker, a grinder if you must, a few flavored syrups and voila! Home made coffee.

Home made coffee has a much lower impact on the planet (remember to unplug when you are done), saves a lot of money and taste just as good as the planet killing stuff. But there are still areas where things can go wrong.

For instance, making your coffee at home is great until you buy beans from Arabia and carry the coffee around in an off gassing plastic container. We make coffee in the states. If you have to go further a field choose Mexico or Canada over exotic locales. This reduces the transportation footprint and reduces the chance of purchasing unfairly traded beans.

So choose a steel thermos or travel mug for your locally produced made at home coffee. This will lower your costs and your planetary impact. It may also help reduce the amount of trees destroyed each year for cups and force coffee shop owners to make wiser choices in their beverage containers. Remember consumer consume and smart consumers consume at home to instigate change.

Be a carbon reducing coffee warrior and do your part.

Anyone else thirsty?

Making Green Children

2009-10-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

Kids, I assure you, are expensive. Every time you turn around they need something else. There are a number of ways to offset your carbon footprint while keep your child as carbon neutral as possible.

Buy children’s clothes at the thrift store. If you start this when they are really young they will never think it odd to receive clothes without tags. In many cases, the clothes at thrift store are from this year’s fashions, have been worn once or twice and sometimes not at all. If you have a child that just must wear designer labels to fit in, then take a longer time at the second hand store. You will be able to find every name brand at super low prices if you take the time to look.

If you must buy new, make sure to get multiple uses out of things. Pass stuff down to younger siblings (yes we all hated it but did it do us any harm?) or give to family and friends with children of the same age. At the very least, put clothes out for freecycling to take worn out clothes down to the fabric recycling bins.

Feed your child locally grown organic produce whenever possible. Getting children used to a diet heavy on the grains and beans earlier will not only improve their overall health, it will save you a lot of money. Remember prepackaged over processed food increase greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere and costs a lot of money.

Pack your child’s lunches for school. This is a big money saver. The school lunch system can be very pricey, depending on your district, and it is always cheaper to pack your own. Just make sure to role model and pack your work lunch as well. Be sure to use reusable containers or reuse plastic containers from around the home.

Teach your child to think green. Place an emphasis on home education and teach your child how to plant seeds, tend to compost heaps and make their own food from scratch. All these green skills we are learning as adults must be passed down to our kids in order for the changes to continue.

Most of all, make your child into an advocate for green living. Don’t brainwash them of course but help them see the logic of protecting their planet. Let them watch the news and visit forests, learn about the ozone layer and carbon footprints. Children are the future and green children will make sure that there is one.

The Ice Caps Are Melting Faster Than Expected

2009-10-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

We know the ice caps are melting as the world gets warmer because of the amount of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Now a new report out of Cambridge University explains that the ice caps are melting a lot faster than earlier than predicted. If you weren’t doing it before, it really is time to reduce and offset your carbon footprint.

The team from Cambridge has spent several months measuring the thickness and spread of the Arctic ice region and state that much of the ice will completely disappear in the summer months. Within 30 years, the region could be little more than open sea.

Without the Arctic, the whole world will change.

The temperature will continue to rise, changing weather patterns, affecting animal and insect ecosystems, changing crop growing patterns and availability of food sources. Flooding will become a major constant for a number of countries, costing lives, homes, and millions in damage. The amount of carbon in the atmosphere will increase rather than decrease.

A melting icecap situation will change everything.

And all the little things we do, like offsetting our carbon footprints, reduce our waste, recycling materials and trying to leave a better lifestyle is great. It will make a difference. But without the assistance of federal and international laws that force countries to act like smart green citizens, it may not be enough.

Legislation on climate change has to go beyond admitting it exists and something should be done about it to actually doing something about it. Good intentions will not save the planet. Living green on a budget is a fantastic concept: we just need the nations of the world to join in.

Its time to offset your carbon footprint and buy some carbon credits. Tell a friend to try it too. Maybe this whole climate change fixing, ice cap melting reversal thing is a matter of role modeling.

We can only hope.

Choosing Green: The Water Bottle Debate

2009-10-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

We all know that the traditional convenience store plastic disposable water bottle is a big no no and does nothing to improve the size of your carbon footprint. But what is the best way to deal with that pesky hydration issues? Everywhere I look I’m being told that every “green” choice isn’t as green as I thought and plastic bottles cause cancer and offsetting and toxins and this and that and ….what to do?

I know the convenience store PET plastic bottle made from fossil fuel by products that off gas carcinogenic chemicals and spends centuries in a landfill are not for me. These disposable single use containers are so bad for the planet and our precious natural resources. No matter what the global corporate big wigs say, oil is finite and therefore running out and who wants to make the problem worse because they were too lazy to remember to bring a refillable bottle?

But which refillable bottle? There are a number of plastic reusable bottles on the market but how do they really help? Sure they reduce the amount of plastic but not the use of plastic. Not really a long term solution.

So the choices are metal or glass. Glass works great for the home but not really convenient or safe for travel. It certainly wouldn’t work in a gym bag or for little kids. Glasses and tap water stay at home.

With metal there are two basic choices: aluminum and steel. Aluminum is one of the most recycled metals on the planet, just look at the success of the can recycling program. But aluminum water bottles are kind of expensive and have suffered some bad pres. Namely, that the liners inside the aluminum outer cases can leach and off gas seeping chemicals into the water.

The smart green planet saving choice is the stainless steel reusable water bottle. Cheap and widely available at home stores and camping stores, the stainless steel container lasts. Its durable, contains no liner and doesn’t need any liner.

What about corn plastic I hear you say? Corn plastic is great but maybe not the best choice for a durable long lasting water bottle, at least not yet. Corn plastic usually cannot stand temps above 110 degrees. So you leave it in a hot car on a sunny day and well….

So a steel bottle will reduce carbon emissions, saves money and keep you hydrated. End of confusion and worry. It’s kinda funny though. Stainless steel canteens are nothing new. Neither are aluminum bottles. Sometimes we forget that green isn’t new, its always been the practical choice.

Green: An Old Fashioned View of Living?

2009-10-12T21:25:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I made about 30 jars of apple jelly. I used glass jars I had collected from past purchases and about 250 fresh apples I got through the freecycle network. People think I’m dated because I like canning. It made me think about some of the old fashioned ways of living that work well with a green lifestyle.

Taking fresh locally grown organic produced and pickling it, making jelly or preserving it for future use is a great way to save money and lower your carbon footprint. Canning reduces the amount of prepackaged foods that you consume, reduces waste and provides a healthier non toxic diet.

Mending clothes seems like a phrase out of the dark ages but it’s a great way to reduce consumer spending and in turn your effect on the planet’s oxygen supply. The less new clothes that are produced the lower the carbon emission from factories. Sewing a tear, hemming pants and patching up jeans are great ways to save cash. Wear your clothes with a sense of green honor and keep the needle and thread handy.

Fixing things is another simple way to save money and reduce your footprint. When the bed rail breaks, don’t throw out the bed, repair the rail. Maintain your home with regular maintenance and clean appliances thoroughly to extend their life. Repair and reuse has always been the name of the game for the thrifty and the green.

Barter with friends and family rather than throwing things away or paying for things up front. Swap skills with neighbors and trade a mowed lawn for a new deck chair or a serviced boiler for a few jars of canned vegetables. This helps lower the community carbon footprint, extend the sense of societal unity in your home town and saves money for everyone.

Think before you buy or use something. Our grandparents generation lived through worst economic times than we are facing now and learned quickly what was necessary and what was frivolous. Before buying or doing anything, consider the real cost both in carbon and cash. Living frugally in a poor economy helps everyone.

It may be a little old fashioned, but it turns out, so is being green.

The Green Pumpkin

2009-10-12T10:57:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I look, pumpkins are already for sale. This staple of Halloween can be an opportunity for waste or an opportunity for saving money. The green pumpkin is a great lesson for little ones.

Think about how many pumpkins, which are a sustainable product, Americans buy every year. Millions of pounds of pumpkin are thrown into the garbage annually. Rather than just carving the pumpkin and sticking a candle in the center, there are a number of ways to green up pumpkin use this year and offset your carbon footprint.

Firstly, purchase only locally grown organic pumpkins. They may not be the largest ones available but they will be natural, sustainable and safe to eat. Buying pumpkins that are flown or driven into your area is bad for the carbon footprint and increases the amount of greenhouse gases in the air.

Hollow out your pumpkin in a responsible manner. You can use all of the pumpkin so there is no reason for any of it to end up in the garbage. Any pieces you do want to throw away should land on the compost heap.

Toast and salt seeds, use innards for pumpkin pie and pumpkin soup and place remaining pulp in freezer to be pureed at a later date for Halloween style beverages. And for those who want a zero waste lifestyle? Search online for a pumpkin rind pickling recipe. Yes, they do exist.

If you hate the taste of pumpkin, then don’t purchase one. Buying things for one night just to throw away is a very irresponsible way to live and it is a complete waste of money. If you can’t live without a craved pumpkin this season, give the remains to a family member or neighbor to cook with. And if that doesn’t work for you, consider a carbon credit for each pumpkin you purchase.

If we begin to approach holidays and get togethers as opportunities to help the planet and use our creativity rather than what they are now carbon footprint enhancers, we can make permanent lifestyle changes. Natural decorations, organic cotton costumes and of course, pumpkin rind snacks, is one way to help the planet this coming holiday.

Greening up the Office

2009-10-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

When it’s just a small office, ceramic plates, cups, cloth napkins and packed lunches are the best way to reduce the office carbon footprint and keep costs low. But in the high end corporate office, it can be difficult to convince the higher ups of such down to earth solutions to un-green offices. After a little research, I have compiled a top seven (to be different) list of ways to offset the office carbon footprint.

1. Unplug when you can or invest in power strips. We all know that electrical outlets are energy vampires. Spending a little of the office supply budget on power strips will help in the long run. As will unplugging things that are not in use.

2. Encourage co workers to drops extra copies, printing mistakes and unwanted paperwork into a recycling box. Use the back side of this paper or, if dealing with confidentiality, shred the paper and use for packing filler. Recycled paper is of course, the best option.

3. Pull up the blinds on office windows and opt for natural light whenever possible. The amount of artificial lights in offices is not only bad for your health and vitamin D intake but it wastes energy. Choose sunshine and LED lights to save energy and increase health.

4. Make the disposable break room a zero waste environment. When disposable is the only way, choose recycled paper cups, corn plastic containers and bamboo sugar stirrers. Compostable biodegradable, landfill break down plant based plastics are comparable in price to traditional and deletes waste.

5. Be your co-workers friend and car pool. If you live close enough get a walking or cycling buddy to make the green office commute a bit more enjoyable. Remember transportation is one of the main contributors to greenhouse gases, and you go to the office nearly every day so it adds up quickly.

6. Choose Energy Star copiers, water coolers, refrigerators and ovens for the office and break room. This is a simple way to reduce energy and save money. It probably works out as a tax deduction for the boss as well.

7. Consider an office garden or compost heap. This can be a team project and people can take turns feeding the leftovers fro lunch to the worms. Office gardens are fun for both workers and clients and offer a green space to relax.

I’ll probably say it a thousand times but its important to consider every environment you spend a lot of time in when reducing your carbon footprint. The workplace is one area when teamwork can really make a difference to the planet. And while I’m thinking about it, what about handing out carbon credits for the holidays? Talk about spreading the eco wealth.

A little More About the Freecycle Thing

2009-10-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Freecycle is a growing trend in both urban and rural communities. This great new bargain basement craze is one heck of a way to offset and reduce your carbon footprint. Today a friend of mine sent me invites to join two local freecycle networks and I was stunned at how fast the offers started rolling in.

As explained on their website, the freecycle folks are all about waste reduction and reusing items that have both value and worth. The rules are simple: no fee, no politics, no meanness just online postings of free useable stuff in your local area. The group is a non profit network operating nationwide with thousands of locally moderated branches for your convenience.

It’s all about lowering your personal carbon footprint. The more items that we keep out of landfills, the better off the planet. And throwing away stuff someone else may want and can use? That’s just stupid. And if like me you live in a town where the local thrift store doesn’t take furniture (they have no space) giving it away to strangers is much better than taking it to the local dump.

Freecycle seems like an honest bunch of folks, despite my husband’s reservations regarding the whole scheme. I mean really, in this day and age, people giving stuff away for free? Craziness! But the grassroots efforts across the globe to try harder to instill community, share with friends and neighbors and promote responsible discarding of unwanted items are all results of the growing green movement.

So here’s what you do. Write a small description of the item you want to give away on the forum post page. Include your street address and the location of the goods. I’ve learned that just for safety’s sake, most people leave stuff on their porch or sidewalk near their home rather than invite people inside. Better safe than sorry. Once the item has been picked up, you post to the forum again, letting everyone else know not to bother coming out.

A surprisingly simple and effective system. But here comes the uber green part. You can also ask for specific items that you need, cannot afford or don’t want to pay for. The one I came across today was a couple looking for lidded glass jars to make jelly with. They didn’t want fancy jelly jars just glass jars they could reuse. They soon posted a thank you after receiving more jars than they could ever use. And just think, rather than ending up in the trash, the jars were repurposed. How cool is that?

This footprint lowering, waster reducing, recycling phenomenon is bound to have its critics. Green socialism perhaps? The slippery slope to organic communism? Whatever, call it what you will. Personally, it seems to be a great way to reduce waste, help people out and reduce costs during these difficult economic times.

I can’t wait to see if I can go and freecycle the apples off a neighbors tree. Free apple pie is the best kind of apple pie. Talk about shopping locally.

The Library Lowers Your Carbon Footprint

2009-10-05T22:14:00.001-07:00

Saving money and the planet at the same time means keeping your carbon footprint low and your savings account high. By utilizing your local library a lot more than you do now, you can do both.

In this age of the personal phone, the personal computer and the personal space, we forget that community centers are sustainable aspects of our lives. By better utilizing public space, we cut down on our personal resources, which in turn mean lower carbon emissions. And despite our cyber obsession, the great depository of books still holds much sway.

To begin with, at the library you can read a book. Books are made from a sustainable material: paper. And by reading the library books rather than buying the same book new, you not only cut down on the number of trees that die to make the books, you save money. Libraries are free.

Libraries also offer internet and computer access for little or no cost. The only restriction is usually time, but who needs to be spend the day online? If you just occasionally check email and read a few green focused blogs (ahem), you only need about half an hour a day. Save yourself some money and sign up for 30 minutes of time at the library.

Besides books and blog reading, the library offers community discussion groups, movie rentals and film nights, craft and story time for your kids and a place to do research, hang out and meet people. All for free and all without increasing your carbon footprint.

Transportation to the library is often your only opportunity to add to the greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Carpool with friends, take public transportation (there is usually a shuttle stop at the library in most cities), ride your bike or, here’s a thought, walk. Most people live pretty close to a library; it’s set up that way. A daily walk to the library gets your exercise in, saves on the use of fossil fuels and offsets your carbon footprint.

It’s a win win really. So think about being green this week by renewing your library card. You may be surprised at just how much there is to do at the local book depository.

Mother Earth to Earth Ship: Sustainable Living Concepts

2009-10-05T14:35:00.000-07:00

Everywhere I look someone is doing something creative and inventive to conserve energy, help the planet and offset their carbon footprint. I watched a great documentary on earth ships the other day and decided to do a little research. These green homes not only save energy and work with the natural environment, they save money too.

As explained by earthship.net, you can use the term “earth ship” to describe your green home if it adheres to a set of six basic principles. These are: utilizing solar and wind energy alone to heat and cool the building, creating a contained sewage system, harvesting rain water consistently, building the frame and walls out of recycled and sustainable materials and having designated areas for self production of food.

The ships are built low or into the ground, offering subterranean living. They have solar panels on the roof and walls, have an assortment of rain barrels around the perimeter to catch run off room the roof and often have full fledged gardens growing on the inside of the structure. I’ve seen some with walls made from glass bottles and others made from reclaim rocks. They are experiments in green design which offer both a place to life as well as a sustainable lifestyle.

Earth ships are beginning to pop up across the States and Europe with some people building a single structure on private land and others creating earth ship communities. The carbon footprint of such communities and the amount of emissions their lifestyles incur compared to classic living quarters is minimal. Creating your own heat and food also cuts down on living expenses.

In practical terms, earth ships take a lot of time and care to manage so it’s not a feasible thing to do if you live alone and commute several hours to the office everyday; unless of course you hire a little green help. All told an earth ship, including labor and materials, costs about $200 per square foot to build. The labor is same as traditional construction, the difference in cost is earth ships have top construct their own utility supplies where in traditional homes to rent these from utility companies. Its one of those, cost effective over time things.

I love the idea of underground heating, growing my own food and having no utility bills. But in practical terms, it’s a lot of work. Good thing is for the lazy greenies like myself, there are rental properties available. Some earth ships act as educational centers so you can see the potential we have to make real change, reduce greenhouse gases and lower our carbon footprints.

Earth ships may be the home of the future but until then, a few carbon credits to offset my unsustainable lifestyle methinks.

Greening the Holidays: Considering a Reduce Carbon Footprint Halloween

2009-10-02T11:38:00.000-07:00

It may seem a little early to start talking Halloween but for many of us, this coming weekend is when we start getting serious about making plans and buying costumes. And if you are trying to have a green Halloween on a budget, preparation is a must.

A quick scan through the cyber world shows a number of new options for those considering Halloween as another opportunity to reduce and offset their carbon footprint. And some aspects of this sugar fueled spooky holiday have always been green, so why change what works?

Trick or treating is a walking tradition; the door to door ritual is integral to the holiday. Choose local areas for candy canvassing and leave the car at home. Close parental supervision is enough to keep your kid safe and driving the car every block to park it at the end of the street is not just lazy, is a greenhouse gas nightmare. Keep fuel emissions low this year and wear good walking shoes and a warm coat.

Create your own Halloween costume out of used materials.A second hand white sheet is a majorly low impact approach. Browse local thrift stores and dress up boxes for the basics for a home made costume. In these harsh economic times, the budget approach is considered smart so don’t worry. You could even consider a “green” green costume and dress up like a recycling bin or LED light bulb, whatever tickles your fancy. Just avoid buying as little over processed packaged products as possible.

Speaking of which, how about natural decorations this year? The stores abound with an assortment of soy candles both scented and decorative and a bale of straw is a lot cheaper than the plastic emission emitting decorations from the made anywhere but here store. A number of online retailers are offering corn based treat bags or you could buy a canvas bag and use it for many years to come.

If you are giving out the treats this year use it as an opportunity to make a statement. Offer soy treats made from organic low footprint ingredients, collect candy wrappers for future craft projects and hand out candy in recycled packaging when you can find it.

Every holiday or occasion offers the chance to think outside the box. Halloween especially is a good opportunity to teach kids about being resourceful, making do and having lots of low impact fun.

Don’t Bag it Just Carry it

2009-10-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I was at the health food store the other week (where I had previously been chastised for not bringing my own bag) and got stuck behind a young woman who was purchasing a few sugar sticks for her tea. The shop assistant looked at her and asked: “Would you like a bag?” Of course I, and I am sure the line behind me filled with individuals clutching their own canvas bags, presumed the woman would say no.

Never assume anything. And the fact that someone would get a plastic bag for such a small amount of product when she had a purse over her shoulder much larger than the carrier bag made me think: are we just brainwashed into making stupid planet destroying choices?

As explained by reuseablebags.com, the real cost of the plastic bags handed out without a thought at stores across the land is enormous. They are made using petroleum based products that are drilled from the earth, destroy natural habitats and using up non renewable fuel resources. The manufacture of plastic bags releases carbon emissions and toxic chemicals into our atmosphere. The transport of plastic bags to those thousands of stores produces a huge carbon footprint.

Plastic bags are not good. Some would argue they are a small drop in the ocean of landfill waste but to me its one thing we can change.

A plastic bag takes almost 1000 years to disintegrate back into the earth. A canvas or cotton bag can be reused again and again making it a much more sustainable product. We can regrow cotton but we can’t regrow coal and oil. You can pick up a reusable canvas bag for a buck anywhere across the country.

You save money because the cost of producing plastic bags that are handed out for “free” is of course added to your shopping bill. Plastic bags only remain in favor because we the consumers act as though we need them. So the only way to get rid of them is to refuse to use them.

It’s simple. Consumer demand drives this country. If we demand sustainable goods we get sustainable goods. If we demand carbon footprint creating toxic fume emitting greenhouse gas accumulating goods? Well, we’ll get those too.

If nothing else makes you carry a canvas bag or I dunno, carry your purchase in your hands, think about the creatures. Annually, thousands of marine mammals die from ingesting or suffocating on plastic bags. Herd animals on land die from strangulation and suffocation as they investigate the bags that float onto farm lands.

We’re killing our fellow creatures, our planet and our brain cells. So just make this small adjustment and help the planet. If you can’t well then, what about a carbon credit for every plastic bag you use?

Remember, you are the change you want to see in the world.

When You Must Use Plastic and Paper

2009-09-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

No matter how hard we try to utilize reusable materials, sometimes the occasion calls for disposable goods. When it comes to hosting a large event, community fundraiser or any larger get together we need to start thinking about how best to offset the carbon footprint of the event by being green consumers.

The world of plastics has changed in response to consumer demand for recyclable and compostable products. Plastics that are made from vegetables such as corn and paper products free of bleach and made from post consumer waste are the choice when there is no choice. Although many of us are ready to change on the domestic level the professional transitional will take longer.

So how much do we have to pay for green plastics to cater our professional event?

I love to save money and be green at the same time which can sometimes be a challenge. And it turns out, there are only a few companies stateside really making the move towards only selling green disposables. And a little research shows comparable prices.

Take for instance the classic paper plate. A green version made from sugarcane rather than trees and completely biodegradable without releasing any harmful chemical into the air runs around $50 for 500 . A traditional paper plate full of bleach and tree parts with a cute little pattern runs about $140 for 500. hmmm…green always costs more?

Disposable coffee cups. An 8 ounce green cup is about $75 for 1000. Traditional coffee cups? Well you can get a 1000 Styrofoam cups for around $30. It seems some green products are cheaper and some more costly than traditional products. But anyone that would purchase Styrofoam for a corporate event in today’s climate…well.

I guess this entry is aimed at those of us who are struggling with leaving our green homes each day and entering our extremely ungreen corporate lives. Even if you aren’t the person in charge of organizing meetings and get togethers, it doesn’t mean you can’t make suggestions to those in charge of budgets and events to go green.

And in those cases where the green goods may cost a little extra? Well big business can certainly afford and the cost of promoting themselves as a green company (or at least heading in that direction) can’t possible have a price tag.

Persuading corporations and small businesses to invest in carbon credits to offset office waste and emissions doesn’t hurt either. You could even calculate the office carbon and present the info to your boss.

Hey, share the knowledge. Isn’t that what the green evolution is all about?

Don't Tease The Planet

2009-09-29T19:46:00.000-07:00

So there’s a bit of a buzz about the web regarding this “No Impact Week.” I feel irresponsible not mentioning it but rather than advertising it, I’d like to discuss how one can actually survive a no impact week. I mean talk about trying to reduce and offset your carbon footprint. A week without a carbon footprint seems nearly impossible but is it?

And if it is possible, is it sustainable?

Well, a little background. The concept of “No Impact Week” is based on the year Colin Beavan and his family went “off the grid” and lived without creating little to no impact on the planet. The week is a personal experiment is trying to live a better life, make permanent behavioral changes and engage (if you haven’t already) the whole idea of reducing your carbon impact.

So what do you do? Well, you register, get the how to be greener manual and try and make it a whole seven days without cracking under the pressure of being a better planetary steward. Its sad that we need to have such a week. And I know a week of less impact will help the planet, but how do you stop everyone from over compensating the week after?

Seems to me that a sustainable sustainability project to reduce your carbon footprint should be about making small changes as often as possible and slowly building up to a permanent lifestyle change. One week of “trying” to save the planet is like one week of trying to go on a diet: you lose a little weight but the donuts you eat the week after will quickly put that water weight right back on.

The idea behind the week is great: getting people involved in the lower carbon lifestyle. Keeping them in it will be the problem. It doesn’t seem long enough for people to really understand the positive benefits of reducing their carbon footprint. Personally, it would be better to buy a week’s worth of carbon credits and make one permanent change. Not for a day or a week so you can write a blog about it but a permanent change that will help you your planet and your pocket book.

If you reduce your car use, walk when possible, recycle or buy sustainable products, reduce your waste, reuse everything in your home and cut down on wasted energy use, you can really have an impact on the planet. But please, don’t just do it for a week.

Reminds me of that commercial about seasonal pets. I guess it would be: a planet’s for life not just for a week in October.

Offset Your Carbon by Winterizing Your Home

2009-09-28T19:10:00.000-07:00

Summer has left us and winter is just around the corner. One of the simplest ways to save money and reduce your carbon footprint is by preparing your home for the coming cold weather.

Its one of those things many of us do anyway but will really reduce your energy use and thus your impact on carbon emissions. Remember the less we use traditionally produced electricity the better off the planet.

Sealing doors and windows eliminates drafts which in turn lowers the amount of heat used to keep a room warm. Less heat, less money, lower carbon footprint. Use draft excluder made from used clothes filled with fabric scraps and reuse plastic bags and sheeting by making it into window covering.

Turn down the heat on your hot water tank. 120 degrees is more than adequate. Most tanks are set at 140 or higher which is both dangerous and unnecessary. Lowering the temperature on the heater will make your house safer for small children and make a large dent in your electric bill.

Wear a sweater rather than turning up the thermostat. It can get really cold in winter but make sure not to overcompensate. A well sealed room with adequate insulation is just fine with a thermostat set at 68 degrees. Not only does this save money but it offsets carbon emissions and stuffy rooms. Its winter, you should be wearing layers anyway.

Improve your insulation by adding a layer in the attic. Traditional insulation has quite the carbon footprint. These days there are several green alternatives including fillers made from newspapers and old clothes. Get the best that you can afford as the savings in energy loss and use are well worth it.

Consider alternative fuel sources. A wood burning stove is better than a coal burning electricity plant. You can plant new trees but not new fossil fuels. It’s also a good way to reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill.

Taking a few minutes to look around your home and think of ways to reduce heat loss and energy use is smart, practical and green. The planet will thank you for it even if the electric company won’t.

Over Processed Vanity: Makeup's Impact on the Planet

2009-09-25T14:38:00.000-07:00

In my humble opinion, makeup is one of the manufactured items that we can certainly live without. It’s not sustainable, contains numerous unnatural components and in some terrible cases, is tested on the furry folk we are trying to save by reducing and offsetting out carbon footprints. When you take a minute to delve into the ingredients in cosmetics, it doesn’t take long before you realize the true cost of vanity.

Lipsticks, tubes of mascaras, nail polish, foundation creams, eye shadows and all their accompanying holders, containers, applicators and sponges are a big waste of money and a resource drain on the planet. Not to mention the fact that some brands may actually cause you physical harm.

To begin with, the manufacture of cosmetics uses massive amounts of water, electricity and industrial waste create a huge carbon footprint. Some companies such as L’Oreal who own over 40 factories worldwide, have promised to work on their emissions but the only sure way to decrease that footprint is consumer choice.

Then there’s the whole cancer causing chemicals that are created to enhance color and preserve components of makeup. Recent studies found that some red lipsticks actually contain trace amounts of led. Not good for the skin or the fish who deal with the manufacturing waste water. Other chemicals in cosmetics include Propylene / Butylene Glycol (PG), mineral oil, coal tar and Phthalates all thought to cause serious health issues.

Few if any cosmetics come in recycled packaging and to be honest I have never come across anyone who has tried to put their empty plastic compact in the recycling bin. The whole cosmetic industry is pretty much self regulated meaning they can cut as many corners as they want and don’t have to worry about their effect on the planet.

Don’t get me wrong some companies are looking for sustainable alternatives, clean energy resources and making a sincere effort to find sources of post consumer packaging materials. The best we as consumers can do is purchase only organically based products in recycled or sustainable packaging. When the demand for footprint dense products is reduced, manufacturers won’t produce them.

And think of all the money you’ll save. Oh and if you just can’t give up that shiny red lip liner? Buy some carbon credits to make up for it.

It’s Not Cheap, It’s Planet Savvy

2009-09-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

My husband would be the first to tell you I am cheap. I love a bargain, love thrift stores and love to save money. But with the green evolution upon us and the desperate need to reduce and offset our carbon footprints, I’m not cheap anymore, I’m planet savvy.

I’ve said before about shopping at thrift stores and buying Energy Star appliances. But we can reduce our carbon impact even more by putting the two together. Buying second hand appliances is no longer taboo, its smart. It saves money and reduces the needs for additional manufacturing and so slows the rate of carbon emissions from the manufacturing process.

Plus it saves money. Money that can be used to buy carbon credits, solar panels, rain barrels and clothes lines; whatever tickles your green fancy.

Another idea that still shocks many in our consumer culture: keep it till you break it. Before the economy went to pot, we all just bought bought bought not if we needed something but mostly if we wanted something. It didn’t matter if the television set was perfectly adequate, it didn’t hang on the wall. So we were out with the old and in with the new increasing household waste, clogging landfills and aiding in the creation of greenhouse gases.

And some people still live this way. You can’t save them all as they say. But you can certainly save your money and your planet by making smart green decisions.

My microwave lasted for 13 years. My coffee pot was with me for 12 years. My first toaster was inherited (I know crazy right?) and lasted for a total of 25 years. Yes my friends used to laugh at the age of my appliances and joked I should just get new. But why? These ones work just fine. They may not have been the latest model in the most fashionable colors but they did the job they were intended to do.

And now when I walk into a home and see a pristine kitchen full of the latest shiny objects from the appliances catalogs and websites, I frown at the homeowner and wonder at their choices. Because finally, used appliances, stretching every dollar and reducing carbon impact is more important that buying what the television tell you to buy.

A round of applause for the second hand buyer, the bargain seeker, the dollar stretcher the “it still works what’s the problem?” individual out there. These are green choices and a chance to lead by example. So when the coffee pot brews its last or the toaster just won’t toast, consider replacing it with a second hand (or previously loved) appliances and do yourself and the planet a favor.

Ride Share for Planet Care

2009-09-23T20:47:00.000-07:00

We all know that transportation is one of the major contributors to carbon emissions and global warming. Thing is, this country is kinda big and public transportation still isn’t ubiquitous. Sometimes it’s too far too walk or cycle and there is no other option but the car. Ride sharing or car pooling remains the best way to get on with your life while reducing your carbon footprint.

Car pooling usually takes places between co workers who take turns driving to work or paying for gas. A car pool is two or more people choosing to travel in one car instead of traveling separately using double or triple the amount of gas and emitting double or triple the amount of emissions. Car pooling has been around for a while and in major cities, car poolers have their own special driving lane on the highway to reward them for this fuel conserving behavior.

All hail the car poolers.

Ride sharing is a more recent concept in the world of eco travel. Ride sharers do not necessarily work together or even known each other and may only ride together one time. Large urban areas offer ride sharing services which mainly consists of websites where you can post a destination request and see if anyone is heading your way. The cost of the journey is usually split between the travelers. This too reduces fuel and may prevent those who travel long distances infrequently from purchasing a car in the first place.

Let’s stand up for the ride share.

Things is, ride sharing makes me nervous. And that may be an uncool anti green thing to say but I’m trying to be honest here. Just because someone cares about the planet and is heading in your direction is that enough to trusts them? Have we gotten o a point where the label eco-warrior is enough to ensure safety and security no matter what the situation?

Hmmm….

I’m all for saving money and saving the planet but I think sensible shouldn’t be thrown out of the window in the process. The state of Michigan offers some great advice on ride sharing on their website. Take the time to follow up on contact information and given phone numbers to make sure they are real. Swap emergency contact info and make a copy of the driver’s license before departure. And always, always follow your instincts: if a situation doesn’t feel safe it probably isn’t.

A full tank of gas can release up to 350 pounds of carbon into the atmosphere. Carbon emissions contribute to the rate of global warming. So every time a tank of gas can be saved, the better for the planet as well as the wallet. It pays to be careful though and sensible greenies are healthy greenies.

Greening Up Those Final Wishes: Eco Burials

2009-09-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

None of us want to think about it but death is a constant companion to us all. One minute everything is fine and the next…well the next moment never comes. But all is not lost. In fact our final preparations are also a final opportunity to reduce and offset our carbon footprints.

And the green funeral concept is gaining wider acceptance.

So what is a green funeral? The environmentally aware funeral focuses on a natural display that utilizes sustainable materials and eliminates carbon producing choices.

To begin with, embalming is out. As we have already learned we are half embalmed by the time we die anyway from the amount of formaldehyde in many everyday beauty and cleaning products. It’s a choice to reserve a body chemically. Some places may insist that a law exists about such matters but it’s more a funeral home policy than an actual federal regulation. Check with a funeral home in advance to ensure embalming is not an issue.

Grave markers are greened by using only natural sustainable materials. A rock or tree make a perfect replacement for bronze plaques and hard to replace marble. The less processing and manufacturing the lower the footprint. Planting a tree instead of killing one is much better for the planet.

In the green burial, you can even forego the coffin if you want to. Concrete tombs and steel coffins are a no no. A funeral shroud or biodegradable coffin is the preferred choices costing less money and reducing the amount of precious materials that get buried in the ground.

Traditional cemeteries aren’t recommended for the green burial. The preservation of the natural landscape is preferred with private forests and meadows a better option that cemeteries carved out of hillsides and filled with turf grass and concrete.

For those who want to avoid the burial thing altogether and really reduce their carbon impact, cremation is the way to go. Cremations have increased in popularity over the last few years. Not just because of the whole green evolution thing but because they are drastically cheaper than traditional burials. Cremations save space, save trees and fertilize the earth. It’s a win win really.

So when thinking of additional ways to save money and help the planet, think about a green burial. But please plan ahead and always check your insurance covers your wishes.

That way you can definitely rest in peace.

Food Footprints

2009-09-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

You learn something everyday so the saying goes. And in my journey to discover the many ways to reduce and offset my carbon footprint while not spending very much money has led to a new insight. That is, the carbon footprint of foods. Turns out, eating a hamburger a couple of times a week is reason enough to buy carbon credits. Whether locally made or not, food manufacturing has a major impact on the planet.

According to treehugger.com, food is the cause of almost one third of the greenhouse gases we have all grown so concerned about. As the atmosphere heats up, the planet undergoes detrimental change. We must stop or reverse this process to avoid the onset of catastrophic environmental change. Yes, hamburgers can kill polar bears.

See? You learn something new everyday.

It seems cheap fatty heart attack inducing yummy foods have high carbon footprints. If you think about it, fast food is definitely a planet killer. From the excess methane gas released into the atmosphere from the millions of cows needed to produce the burgers to the forests of trees destroyed to make the millions of wrappers and the gallons upon gallons of petrochemicals utilized to drive to the drive thru…well, talk about increasing your carbon footprint on a budget.

It seems the thing to do is buy locally, buy seasonally and avoid red meat as often as possible. Whether we like to admit it or not, we are not naturally meat eaters and a vegetarian diet is better for the planet, our carbon footprint and believe it or not, our physical health.

Treehugger.com suggests eating seasonal fruits, dry beans and potatoes rather than fast food lowers both your food bill and your cholesterol. Baking your own bread, making your own healthy cookies and choosing soy and tofu over cow and pig is an economical step in the right direction.

I can vouch for the yumminess and low emission factor of lentil cookies. And don’t get me started on the obvious delights of bread fresh from the oven. Being green isn’t always the sacrifice some would make it out to be.

Once you realize that everything has a carbon footprint, smarter choices start happening naturally. And food really is an easy one. Stick to natural local foods and avoid over packaged items from far away. Buy in bulk to save on gas and get creative with the contents of the pantry.

Reducing your carbon footprint is a learning process. Take small steps in the right direction and veer past the drive thru and into your own garage. Home made has always been better. Now its environmentally and economically smart.

The Whole Bamboo Thing

2009-09-18T21:34:00.000-07:00

My friend is getting married in the spring and since the engagement all we have done is discuss the minute details of the wedding ceremony and reception. And of course, I had to ask how my friend planned on reducing the carbon footprint of the joyous occasion. Her reply? “Bamboo, of course.”

Of course. All we hear lately is bamboo flooring is the best way to finish a green home, bamboo is a sustainable green product, bamboo can reduce your carbon impact and bamboo is prefect for the plates and cups at an outdoor spring wedding. So here’s the skinny on the whole bamboo thing.

According to bamboo advocates, planting and utilizing bamboo is the best and easiest way to help our planet recover. Bamboo grows really, really fast with new shoots every year and takes in a lot of carbon dioxide. In just two months, bamboo shoots can reach over 100 feet in height making them a great replacement for the trees in traditional western forests that take decades, even centuries to grow.

Just growing in a bamboo grove, this versatile tree is a natural sound barrier and can assist in soil erosion caused by wind or the death of other organic matter. Using bamboo for an assortment of practical uses is only new in the west. In Asia, bamboo has been a staple crop for centuries.

You can eat bamboo, make clothes out of it, use it to build the walls of your house, line your floors with it, feed it to your animals, make bags, boxes, paper, plates and cups out of its fibers. Bamboo is the new soy: a versatile natural product that helps the planet heal itself.

There are over 1,400 different species of bamboo in the world meaning that sustainable products can be grown to suit. And every site I look on, I find even more uses for this panda bear supplement. Fishing rods, bird cages, book cases, lampshades, tables, fuel, toothpicks, chopsticks, window shades, boats, fences and my current favorite: bamboo wedding invitations. It seems if you can make, eat it or wear it, it can contain bamboo.

This planet needs a little help to breathe and if buying bamboo at a reasonable price will do it, well, pass the shoot fiber plate please.

Carbon Footprints in the Air

2009-09-17T20:04:00.000-07:00

One of the major contributors to the planet’s carbon footprint is pollution caused by transportation. Airplanes due to their size, distance traveled and fuel expenditures are some of the worst offenders. But sometimes, despite the threat of global warming, we have to get on a plane.

You can’t really have a cheap flight in my experience unless of course you consider the equivalent of a month’s rent cheap, but you can reduce the environmental cost of your trip. In this case, it’s about saving the airlines money but at the same time lowering your carbon impact on the flight.

The first thing I found out is that you should avoid flushing the toilet while in the air. It takes a liter or just over a third of a gallon of fuel to flush the toilet. Think about how many people are on a plane. And what about those international flights? Go if you have to go of course, but if you can go before getting on board or wait until you get off the plane, you’ll be helping the planet.

Another thing is book a day flight whenever you can. It’s better for the planet because the impact of the condensation trails the plane produces (a major player in the greenhouse gas team) are vastly reduced during the warmer air of the day.

Avoid choosing plastic containers in flight and pre flight whenever possible. Airport regulations make this difficult but if there is a glass bottle option, take it. And when you are in the airport terminal after your flight has been delayed for third time that day, don’t make stupid carbon filled purchases (Styrofoam containers, plastic bottles, plastic carrier bags etc.) just because you are bored and trying to kill time. Sit down and read a book.

According to Planet Green, a single plane flight saves the equivalent amount of carbon of choosing not to eat meat for an entire year (the whole cow methane gas thing).So miss a flight and save a year’s worth of carbon dioxide.

And if you do skip the flight and decide to drive instead, consider mass transportation first (train or coach) and if you have to go by car? What about making that switch to bio fuel?

But you know, for every flight you do take, you really should offset your carbon footprint with some carbon credit.

The Rain in Spain Falls Mainly…into Barrels?

2009-09-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

As I start thinking of ways to offset my carbon footprint, I have to keep in mind that economics always comes into it. Bamboo flooring and solar panels are great but we’re not all in a place to make such changes. Small changes go a long way to lowering emissions, decreases the effects of global warming and helping the planet heal itself.

So that’s why I want to talk about rain barrels.

I’m not trying to advocate people drinking rain water to save money. Because we all know that in this day and age rainwater may not be the best way to quench your thirst. Who knows what it could contain. But it does seem a terrible waste not to use free resources to complete lots of household tasks.

The fancy name is “rainwater recovery” which basically means catching the drops as they fall. All you need is a sizeable container to catch the rain. There are commercial and pricey rain barrels out there but if you can find a 55 gallon drum made from plastic or metal you can save a lot of money. Old wooden wine casks are another idea for a rain barrel.

After making sure the barrel is clean, you might want to think about adding a spigot and a mesh screen. The spigot is for all those who would rather turn on the tap than dip a cup into the cold barrel water. The mesh screen helps keep out large debris, bugs and leaves out of the water. The finer the mesh, the better the chance that mosquitoes won’t be tempted.

Then it just a matter of placing the barrel in the best position outside to catch the drops. This is usually beneath the down spout. Rain barrels are not a great idea for arid hot climates. Because the small amount of water you may catch will quickly evaporate in the heat.

Once the rainwater has been collected, there are a range of uses for the water. Watering the garden and the lawn is the obvious use. Washing the car, small garden irrigation system, rinsing off shoes before going in the house, laundry and flushing the toilet are just a few of the uses for rain water.

One article I read stated that using rainwater for a few household tasks such as toilet flushing and laundry can decrease reliance on the municipal water system by 70 percent. That’s a lot. That’s a big thumbs up for the planet.

So go salvage a rain barrel and give it a try. What a great green way to save cash.