Make Green Come True

According to EPA data, there are harmful substances in many dish washing fluids, both for automatic dishwashers and for hand washing.  While the chemical composition and concentrations vary between those for dishwashers and those for hand washing, neither have a history of being safe. Automatic dishwasher fluids can be harmful or poisonious if swallowed, and can cause skin irritation.  Phosphates in automatic dishwasher fluids can compromise up to 1/3 of the fluid.  Once these phosphates enter our water supply, they can pose other dangers as well.  Phosphates in high concentrations can create a buildup of algae and kill fish.  While hand fluids are milder in comparison, many still contain high levels of phosphates.  Fortunately there are alternatives that are now available.  Many are available at local grocers and department stores or can be ordered in bulk online:

Automatic Dishwasher Fluids/Powders/Tablets:

Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Powder, Free & Clear, 75-Ounces Boxes, Case Pack, (Pack of

Sun & Earth Dishwasher Detergent, 20-Count Pouches (Pack of 6)

Seventh Generation Automatic Dishwasher Gel, Lemon Scent, 45-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)

Hand Dishwashing Liquids:

Seventh Generation Liquid Dish Detergent, Natural Lavender Floral & Mint, 25-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 12)

Sun & Earth Ultra Dish Liquid, 25-Ounce Bottles (Pack of 6)

The news lately has been flooded with the discovery that the new shower curtain smell associated with PVC shower curtains can harm your health.  This smell can emit VOC (volitile organic compounds) that affect ones health.  VOCs are known to cause several health issues, acutely affect some individuals, and in some cases are carcinogens.  We now know to choose some of the healthy alternatives (Croscill Fabric Shower Curtain Liner, Fabric Anti-Mildew Shower Curtain Liner)to PVC when we’re shopping for shower curtains (or keep our old shower curtains – they are much lower in VOCs than new curtains.  Are there other areas of the home that might be a concern?

The National Safety Council says yes.  Several household items may emit VOCs, leading to what has been termed “Sick Building Syndrome.”  Indoor pollutants can cause a variety fo health issues for you, your family, your friends, and your pets.  Items listed as being potential indoor pollutants by the NSC include “adhesives, upholstery, carpeting, copy machines, manufactured wood products, cleaning agents and pesticides.”   Check back soon for more information about each of these areas and how to avoid VOCs in your home.

If you were a science enthusiast as a kid and still have an avid curiosity,or if you are just looking for a way to rein in your electric bill, you will enjoy the  Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor.  The device will help you monitor power usage in your home or at work.  Plug the device into the wall and then plug in any appliance or electronic device.  It will give you information about power consumption and let you calculate the energy you use over days, months and years.  This will help you determine how much phantom power devices in your home are using. The advanced P4460 Kill A Watt EZ model will provide 8 metrics to help you determine power usage.
P3 International P4400 Kill A Watt Electricity Usage Monitor

P3 International P4460 Kill A Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor

Next time you wash clothes and towels, keep in mind these tips to be environmentally friendly and conserve water.
1.  When you wash, only run full loads.  Overall, you will save time, water, and detergent.  This applies to washing dishes too!

2.   If you are in the market for a new washer, consider one of the front-loading models.  They are energy efficient, allow you to wash larger loads, and use roughly 40% less water and roughly 60% less energy depending on the model.

3.  Avoid longer cycles like permanent press, or whites unless necessary.  These will take longer and use several extra gallons of water.

Did you know that you can save the Earth next time you go to the movies?  This weekend if you are planning to attend any event that requires tickets, check online first to see if they can be printed from home.  Many theaters, amusement parks, etc.  offer the chance to print from your home computer.   Not only will you save time standing in line, but you will also be able to help our planet.  Plain printer paper at home is easier to recycle than the glossy paper used for tickets, and it will not have special scanning/magnetic areas to have to remove when recycling.  It also is less environmentally expensive to produce home printer/copy paper than the glossier kind available at your destination.  Some websites even offer discounted tickets if you print at home.

A Sheffield Hallam University student has completed an eye-catching senior design project – a bicycle made from cardboard.  While the bike still relies on some metal parts, the frame, seat, and pedals are all made from recyclable hexacomb cardboard.  It can be produced for about $30.  The low cost of the bike makes it resistant to theft and available to the masses.  While the frame will not last forever, it is expected to survive for roughly a year, even when subjected to rainy or snowy weather.  The cardboard portions of the bike can be replaced for roughly $5-8 each year.   Have you heard about an interesting recyclable product lately?  Leave a comment on the site or email ideas[at]makegreencometrue[.]com.

While traveling this summer, there are several easy steps you can take to ensure that your are being kind to the environment in your home away from home:

1.  If you are spending more than one night in the hotel, make use of the card available that requests that sheets are not washed each night.  Most people do not wash sheets each night at home, and gallons of water and detergents are used in the process.  If a card is not available, let the service desk know that you do not need them to be cleaned daily or leave a note for housekeeping.

2.  If you do not and will not use the travel size toiletries available in the hotel, leave them for the next guest instead of letting them stack in your bathroom cabinet.   This will reduce the energy required to produce more for future guests.

3.  Seek out recycling options for complimentary newpapers and other waste generated during your stay.

4.  Just like at home, when you leave for the day make sure blinds are closed and lights and electronics are off/unplugged.

Americans tend more square footage of grass than any other plant. While we continue our love affair with a perfectly trimmed and lush green lawn, we are harming the natural beauty of our world. Mowing with a gas-powered or electric mower contributes to emissions and energy consumption. Pesticides, weed killers, and fertilizers contaminate our ground water. While there are a number of ways to make yard care green, reduce your pesticide use, and save energy, some individuals are going further. A growing trend is to turn ones front yard into a garden of edible produce or a floral work of art. Here are a few resources to get you started and make weekly mowing a distant memory:

Edible Estates: Attack on the Front Lawn

Food Not Lawns: How to Turn Your Yard into a Garden And Your Neighborhood into a Community

Landscaping with Fruits and Vegetables

The Complete Book of Edible Landscaping: Home Landscaping with Food-Bearing Plants and Resource-Saving Techniques

Your carbon footprint is a measure of how much impact you have on the environment.  Specifically, it is a measure of the increase of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide) that are released as a byproduct of one’s daily activities.  Below are four simple ways to reduce one’s carbon footprint each morning:

1.  Switch from an electric toothbrush to a manual one.

2.   If you make biscuits, rolls or toast, heat them in a toaster or toaster oven instead of taking the time and energy to heat a large oven.

3.  If you have your breakfast to go, use a thermos for the coffee or juice, and reusable containers for your food to reduce waste.

4.  Skip the morning paper – read it online.  You will reduce the amount of fuel used for delivery, the paper and ink used for printing and you’ll never have to worry about the paper being late.

As we toss an aluminum can into the recycling bin, the can begins it’s journey back to the grocery store shelf. Along the way, it helps save our natural resources and provide jobs for several employees.

First, the can will visit a recycling center where it will be bailed and shipped out. Employees and equipment there will help sort out aluminum from other recyclables.

Next, cans are transported to a melting facility where they are melted into ingots that can weigh several tons.

The ingots are then flattened into to sheets and spun into spools to be repurposed.

Finally, the aluminum sheets are turned back into cans and sent to bottling companies. At the bottling companies, they are refilled and sent back to the shelf at your local grocery store.

The entire process takes only a month.