Smart Saving Starts At Home

What one thing should I recycle?

by Jennifer Horton

If you're one of the several million people living in cities like Seattle or San Diego where recycling is mandatory, then you're no stranger to the sticky tubs of peanut butter that need rinsing before they go in the bin. Even if your town doesn't mandate recycling but you live in one of the 9,000 areas with a curbside pickup program, you've probably stomped your fair share of aluminum cans.

Whether you are a Captain Planet protégé or a casual wannabe who just recycles when it's convenient, odds are you have wondered if recycling is all it's cracked up to be. Sure, it's good to cut down on the use of natural resources and use less energy, but doesn't the recycling process require energy, too? Doesn't it produce its own share of waste?

The answer is yes. And yes. But not all recycling is created equal. Some materials are more "worth it" than others. Although organizations like the National Recycling Coalition, Keep America Beautiful and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency promote recycling and its benefits vigorously, many people still debate the wisdom behind it.

Some people claim that curbside pickup puts more gas-guzzling trucks on the streets, thus contributing to air pollution. Others cite the billions of tons of printer cartridges sent off for recycling that find their way into rivers or incinerators in China. Some of the arguments are valid. There is a gray area concerning the pluses and minuses of recycling for the simple reason that it is difficult to follow a product through its life cycle, from the factory to you to the recycling center.

But while it can be difficult to measure the real energy inputs and outputs of recycling versus the alternative of creating the same object out of new material, one familiar recyclable good emerges a clear winner. Even recycling skeptics can't argue the benefits of recycling this common household item.

So what is it?

The odds are good you've already gone through several of these today. You're probably finishing off another one right now. Drawing a blank? I'm talking about the ubiquitous aluminum can. Sometimes touted as a recycling success story, aluminum cans are not only the most frequently recycled product, but also the most profitable and the most energy-efficient.

The recycling of aluminum, which is made from bauxite ore, is a closed-loop process, meaning that no new materials are introduced along the way. Aluminum is infinitely recyclable: Cans can be recycled over and over again without degrading. Because of this efficiency, more than two-thirds of all the aluminum ever produced is still in use today. So the next time you're feeling lazy and the recycling bin seems so much farther away than the garbage can, you might want to think about the following:

• Recycling aluminum prevents the need to mine for ore to create new aluminum. It requires 4 tons of ore to create 1 ton of aluminum.
• Recycling aluminum cans takes 95 percent less energy than creating new ones.
• The energy it takes to produce one can could produce 20 recycled cans.
• The energy saved from recycling one aluminum can could power a 100-watt light bulb for four hours or a television for three hours.

(Source: http://science.howstuffworks.com/recycle-one-thing.htm)

Are Energy Vampires in Your Home?

When you walk through your home at night with the lights off, chances are your path will still be lit by the eerie glow of "standby" lights and digital displays on various appliances and electronic devices. Because these devices are ready to operate or receive signals at all times, they act like vampires silently sucking away energy even when they are turned "off."

This wasted energy, known as standby or phantom energy loss, represents a relatively small but growing percentage of an individual home’s electricity use (about five percent), but taken across all U.S. households, adds up to an estimated 65 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. This extra electricity costs consumers more than $5.8 billion annually and sends more than 87 billion pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year.

Some of the biggest energy wasters in most homes are the adapters that come with rechargeable battery-powered cordless phones, cell phones, digital cameras and music players, power tools, and other electronic devices. Most draw power whenever they're plugged into an outlet, regardless of whether the device battery is fully charged—or even connected. Other culprits include appliances or electronic equipment with standby capability (such as televisions and computer monitors), a remote control, and/or a digital clock display (such as microwaves, DVD players, and stereo systems).

Here are a few easy ways to help you enjoy your electronics without wasting energy:

Unplug it – Unplugging devices when they are not being used eliminates any potential energy loss. To save the time and hassle of unplugging all the components of a computer or home entertainment system, you could plug them into a power strip or surge suppressor that can be turned off with a single switch (surge suppressors still protect against power spikes when plugged in, even if switched off). Unfortunately, some devices such as battery backup systems and computer network servers must be left on at all times to ensure proper functioning.

Check the label – When buying an appliance or electronic device, choose the model that uses the least standby power. Energy Star-labeled models are a good choice because they use less energy for both regular and standby operation. If standby power is not included on a given product label, check the U.S. Department of Energy's online database of manufacturer-supplied information.

Keep it simple – Avoid buying products that include "bells and whistles" you don’t need. Some of these extra features might waste energy.

(Source: http://www.ucsusa.org/publications/greentips/energy-vampires.html)

It's Clean-Up Time!

White distilled vinegar is a popular household cleanser, effective for killing most mold, bacteria, and germs, due to its level of acidity. Cleaning with white distilled vinegar is a smart way to avoid using harsh chemicals. You'll also be glad to know that it is environmentally friendly and very economical.

Try these cleaning tips and share them with your friends!

To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.

Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so then run hot water down the drain.

Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal.

Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

Clean the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with a half-and-half solution of water and white distilled vinegar.

Heating and Cooling Efficiently

6 Ways to Improve the Efficiency of Your Cooling System

While the simplest way to reduce your cooling carbon footprint is to do without, sometimes that is much easier said than done. In some areas of the country, that might even spell a death sentence for both your indoor plants and wooden furniture. Cooling your indoor environment is far from being considered completely environmentally-friendly, but by using these six tips, you will be able to reduce your energy usage considerably, which will help curb some of those guilty feelings for wanting to stay cool this summer.

Humidity vs. Cooling
High relative humidity can wreck havoc on your central air system by forcing the condenser to work harder to removing the humidity. Humidity after all can make a room that is 72 degrees Fahrenheit, feel like 77 degrees. Central air conditioning works by removing moisture inside the home which would otherwise slow the cooling process of sweat evaporating from the skin. If your home is well sealed and insulated, once your central air pulls most of the moisture out, it should be able to maintain the dry air fairly efficiently, but there are a few things you can do to improve upon this. First, use a bathroom exhaust fan when taking a shower, second, cover your dirt crawl space with a plastic moisture barrier (and tape the seems), third, cover your pots when cooking with water, and fourth, make sure that your clothes dryer is properly ventilated to the outside.

Evaporative Cooling vs. Central Air
After just talking about how high humidly can make a room feel warmer, I am now going to tell you that by adding moisture to a room that is dry, will make it feel cooler. If you live in a dry climate, evaporative coolers (swamp coolers) can keep your home every bit as cool as a central air unit at a quarter of the cost and energy. Evaporative coolers work by simply blowing cool, moist air into the home, which by the simple process of evaporation, allows the air in the room to eventually cool. Technology has also brought us similar systems called indirect and two-stage evaporative coolers, which uses the same principle, yet does it in a way that minimizes the amount of humidity introduced into the home substantially. Keep in mind however, that in most dry climates a little moisture can be quite a relief to both the skin and your wood furniture.

Thermal Curtains and Shades
We use thermal curtains in the winter to hold the warm heat in and they can be used in the summer to hold the heat out. While it may be tempting to allow all the glorious sunshine in the room during those summer months, it is actually impeding the function of your cooling system by introducing quite a bit of unwelcome heat into your indoor environment. To minimize this, keep the suns rays out with thermal window treatments where the sunlight tends to be the most concentrated during the hottest part of the day. You can leave the drapes open in the shady areas of your home for natural light. Then in the evening (where appropriate) it is a good idea to go ahead and open all the curtains back up to allow for any of the built up heat from the day to escape.

Be Thermostat Smart
While many people think that by taking an active role in their thermostat settings they can improve its efficiency, they can actually end up doing more harm than good. A good setting to leave your thermostat at all the time is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This is typically comfortable for most people and also fairly simple for a well insulated home to maintain with a minimum of electricity. Some people prefer to set it much higher during the day while away, and then drop it down to 72 degrees once they get home thinking it will help bring the temperature down quicker. The fact of the matter is, dropping the temperature below 78 will not cool the room any quicker and it also forces your central air unit to work overtime. In many cases, dropping the thermostat to 72 to overcompensate for a sweltering home is more wasteful than if the thermostat had been left at a reasonable 78 for the entire day.

Vacation Settings
Another time when home owners are often puzzled as to how to use their air-conditioning properly is when they are away on vacation. This becomes of particular concern when they have pets and plants that will be left behind. The typical advice, is that most newer, well-insulated homes will not reach too much above the mid-eighties in the summer if the drapes are closed, so turning off the central air completely might be a possibility. An older home may not have the same insulating properties can see temperatures sore into the 90's, which is why these homes should definitely have some sort of cooling unit left on, but set to an appropriately higher temperature. You might also want to shut down all heat producing appliances in your home, such as the water heater and entertainment system. If you can empty out your refrigerator and unplug it (leave the door open), you can save quite a substantial amount of electricity here too.

Placement of Central Air Unit
If you are planning to install an air-conditioning unit yourself, there is one very important component that you will need to take careful consideration of... placement. An air conditioner sitting out in the sun during the hottest part of the day is going to have to work much harder than if sitting in the shade. If your current set-up has your unit located in an unfavorable location or your options are very limited, you can always plant trees or shrubs around or provide some type of awning cover. The only time you'd want your air conditioning unit to actually be out in an area that gets plenty of sun, is if you happen to have one of the new solar powered units that have recently began to surface.

(Source: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/cooling-system-efficiency.html)

Time to replace your air conditioner?

An extended period of hot, humid days can put a strain on your air conditioning unit. Even with regular maintenance, older units can cost a lot more in repairs and electric bills. But how do you decide if you’re better off struggling through one more summer or making the investment in a more energy-efficient model?

When is it time to replace your air conditioner?
Certain telltale signs indicate it's time to consider replacing heating and cooling equipment, or improving the performance of your overall system. It may be time to call a professional contractor to help you make a change if:

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old.
Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.
Consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.
Your cooling or heating equipment may have become less efficient.

Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.
Improper equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause.

No one is home for long periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat.
Install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat or have a good contractor install one and instruct you on its use — to start saving energy and money while they're away or sleeping.

Your home has humidity problems.
Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.

Your home has excessive dust.
Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts may be a solution.

Your heating or cooling system is noisy.
You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

(Source: Department of Energy, http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_checklist_consumers)

10 Tips for Hiring a Heating and Cooling Contractor

1. Study up — Find out about license and insurance requirements for contractors in your state. And before you call a contractor, know the model of your current system and its maintenance history. Also make note of any uncomfortable rooms. This will help potential contractors better understand your heating needs.

2. Ask for referrals — Ask friends, neighbors, and co-workers for contractor referrals. You can also contact local trade organizations for names of members in your area.

3. Call references — Ask contractors for customer references and call them. Ask about the contractor's installation or service performance, and if the job was completed on time and within budget.

4. Find special offers — A heating and cooling system is one of the largest purchases you'll make as a homeowner. Keep your costs down by checking around for available rebates on energy-efficient ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment. Begin your search at energystar.gov. 

5. Look for ENERGY STAR — ENERGY STAR qualified products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and offer significant long-term energy savings. Contractors should be able to show you calculations of savings for ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment.

6. Expect a home evaluation — The contractor should spend significant time inspecting your current system and home to assess your needs. A bigger system isn't always better; a contractor should size the heating and cooling system based on the size of your house, level of insulation, and windows. A good contractor will inspect your duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and insulation and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturers specifications.

7. Get written, itemized estimates — When comparing contractors' proposals (bids), be sure to compare cost, energy efficiency and warranties. A lowest price may not be the best deal if it's not the most efficient because your energy costs will be higher.

8. Get it in ink — Sign a written proposal with a contractor before work gets started. It'll protect you by specifying project costs, model numbers, job schedule and warranty information.

9. Pass it on — Tell friends and family about ENERGY STAR. Almost one-quarter of households knowingly purchased at least one qualified product last year, and 71% of those consumers say they would recommend ENERGY STAR to a friend. Spread the word, and we can all make a big difference.

10. Get the ENERGY STAR Guide — For complete information on keeping your home comfortable year-round, get the ENERGY STAR Guide to Energy Efficient Cooling and Heating at http://www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat_cool/GUIDE_2COLOR.pdf.

(Source: Department of Energy, http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_contractors_10tips)

Heating and Cooling Efficiently

Did you know that as much as half the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling? That’s why making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big impact on your utility bills – and your comfort level.

“R” your heating bills too high?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy used in a typical U.S. home. One way you can lower your heating costs this winter is to make sure you have adequate insulation.
 
Insulation is rated with an “R” value, which is the insulating material’s “Resistance” to the conduction of heat. The higher the R-value, the more your home will retain heat, which will in turn lower the cost of keeping your home warm. Attics, crawlspaces, as well as the space between inner and outer walls are the primary areas where insulating can save you the most money.

But how much insulation do you need? Several factors determine the answer, including where you live, the size of your home, whether it’s a new or old home, how much insulation you already have, and the materials used to construct your home. In short, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

The Department of Energy’s web site provides a wealth of information that can help you determine your insulation needs for a warm ¬-- and affordable -- winter.

(Source: U.S. Dept. of Energy,  http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11350)

Tips to increase efficiency and decrease costs:

• Change your air filter regularly. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year.
• Seal your heating and cooling ducts. This will improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20% – sometimes more.
• Consider installing ENERGY STAR heating and cooling equipment. You could cut your annual energy bill by nearly $200.

Top 5 Eco-Friendly Flooring Options

Eco-friendly flooring options abound in the marketplace. There's something available for every taste and every budget. Here are five great choices:

1. Reclaimed wood flooring.
There's a little bit of everything available here, from antique heart pine to reclaimed Australian chestnut. This is the most eco-friendly option out there as long as chemical strippers and sealants aren't used in the process.

2. Bamboo.
Bamboo is technically a woody grass, and grows very quickly (it's renewable about every five years). Available in natural or caramelized colors (yes, they actually heat up the bamboo so that the natural sugars in it caramelize.)

3. Linoleum.
While linoleum is often confused with vinyl flooring, it's actually a very eco-friendly option made from flax seed oil. It was originally developed for use as flooring on battleships, but didn't get very far in that field due to it's high flammability (not exactly something you want on any kind of ship, let alone a battleship!). But, it comes in a lot of gorgeous colors, and is great for kitchens and bathrooms.

4. Recycled Glass Tile.
Glass is already a pretty eco-friendly material when compared to a lot of other materials. But when it's recycled, it's especially green.

5. Stone Tile.
This one is a bit up in the air, since quarrying stone can be very un-environmentally friendly. But, if taken from a well-managed quarry can be an environmentally sound option. If you're unsure, look for reclaimed stone; recycling and reusing are always eco-friendly!

(Source: http://www.greenstylemag.com/blog/?p=761)

Water Usage

Americans use large quantities of water inside and outside of their homes. In fact, a family of four uses 400 gallons of water every day.

Water conservation tips:

• Fix leaky toilets. Toilets are the single largest water user in a home. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water per day, and it is estimated that nearly 20% of all toilets leak. Check for toilet leaks by adding food coloring to the tank. If the toilet is leaking, color will appear in the bowl within 15 minutes.
• Use WaterSense labeled products. It could save 20% of the water that average products would use.
• Take short showers instead of baths. A full bathtub can require up to 70 gallons of water, while a 5-minute shower uses only 10 to 25 gallons.
• Repair dripping faucets and showerheads. A drip rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year.

Cold Water Laundry, Give It a Try!

by Patricia Mayville-Cox

One of the most common tips to "green your laundry" is to use cold water in the washer, as ninety percent of the energy used for washing clothes is used for heating the water. However, let's be honest, sometimes a cold water wash and rinse is just not going to cut it.

Instead of trying to wash everything in cold water and becoming frustrated, shoot for a goal that is reasonable for you. Aim for making 80% of the loads you wash cold wash/cold rinse cycles. Just taking this simple step could cut 72 pounds of carbon emissions in one month alone.

Even if 80% is too high, try aiming for half! It doesn't have to be all-or-nothing.

(Source: http://www.greendaily.com/2009/02/27/tip-of-the-day-cold-water-laundry-give-it-a-try/)

Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's an Easy Call

As cell phones, computers, and Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) become more prominent in our everyday lives, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is taking steps to encourage consumers to recycle these products instead of adding them to our nation's landfills. As part of this initiative, EPA's Plug-In To eCycling program has teamed up with leading cell phone makers, service providers, and retailers to launch a national campaign encouraging Americans to recycle or donate their unwanted cell phones. The "Recycle Your Cell Phone. It's An Easy Call" campaign aims to increase the public's awareness of cell phone recycling and donation opportunities, with the ultimate goal of increasing the nation's cell phone recycling rate. Plug-In To eCycling partners supporting this campaign are: AT&T, Best Buy, LG Electronics, Motorola, Nokia, Office Depot, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.

To kick off the initiative, the Campaign has released a series of print public service announcements that highlight the convenience and environmental and social benefits of recycling a cell phone. EPA has also released a series of downloadable podcasts featuring experts in the electronics recycling field discussing the many ways that consumers can reuse and recycle their electronics and addressing many common questions and concerns. During 2008, look for the Campaign to host special cell phone collection events and increase publicity for our partners' recycling programs.

EPA has targeted cell phone recycling because, despite the large number of programs, most consumers still do not know where or how they can recycle their cell phones. Consequently, only 10 percent of unwanted cell phones are recycled each year. Recycling cell phones leads to significant environmental savings and can benefit communities.

Recycling: an Easy Call - Every day there are thousands of opportunities to recycle cell phones and accessories. Many cell phone retailers, manufacturers, and service providers have ongoing collection programs where phones can be dropped off or mailed in-regardless of the age or brand. Some charitable organizations and state or municipal solid waste programs also offer cell phone recycling. In most cases, cell phone recycling is free.

Recycling: a Green Call - Recycling cell phones helps the environment by saving energy and keeping useable and valuable materials out of landfills and incinerators. Cell phones are made from precious metals, copper, and plastics-all of which require energy to mine and manufacture. Recycling these materials not only conserves resources, but prevents air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, if all of the 100 million cell phones ready for end of life management in the U.S. are recycled, we could save enough energy to power more than 18,500 U.S. households with electricity for one year.

Recycling: a Social Call - Donating your cell phone also benefits your community. When cell phones and accessories are in good working condition, some programs donate them to a number of worthy charities or provide them for discounted sale to those who need them. In addition, many recycling programs use the proceeds to raise funds for charitable organizations, schools, churches and other social causes. In some cases, programs buy the phone back from the consumer.

(Source: http://www.epa.gov/osw/partnerships/plugin/cellphone/cell-fs.htm)

Household Hazardous Waste

Leftover household products that contain corrosive, toxic, ignitable, or reactive ingredients are considered to be "household hazardous waste" or "HHW." Products, such as paints, cleaners, oils, batteries, and pesticides, that contain potentially hazardous ingredients require special care when you dispose of them.

Improper disposal of household hazardous wastes can include pouring them down the drain, on the ground, into storm sewers, or in some cases putting them out with the trash. The dangers of such disposal methods might not be immediately obvious, but improper disposal of these wastes can pollute the environment and pose a threat to human health. Many communities in the United States offer a variety of options for conveniently and safely managing HHW.

HHW Reduction, Reuse, Recycling, and Disposal Options

The options of reduction, reuse, recycling, and disposal-listed in order of EPA's preferred waste management hierarchy-are all important tools to safely manage HHW. The following information can help you determine the best ways to reduce, reuse, or dispose of common household products that may contain hazardous ingredients. Each community is different, so check with your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for more information on HHW management options in your area.

Benefits of Proper HHW Management

Reduction and recycling of HHW conserves resources and energy that would be expended in the production of more products.

Reuse of hazardous household products can save money and reduce the need for generating hazardous substances.

Proper disposal prevents pollution that could endanger human health and the environment.

Reduction at Home

Consider reducing your purchase of products that contain hazardous ingredients. Learn about the use of alternative methods or products–without hazardous ingredients–for some common household needs.

To avoid the potential risks associated with household hazardous wastes, it is important that people always monitor the use, storage, and disposal of products with potentially hazardous substances in their homes. Below are some tips for individuals to follow in their own homes:

• Use and store products containing hazardous substances carefully to prevent any accidents at home. Never store hazardous products in food containers; keep them in their original containers and never remove labels. Corroding containers, however, require special handling. Call your local hazardous materials official or fire department for instructions.
• When leftovers remain, never mix HHW with other products. Incompatible products might react, ignite, or explode, and contaminated HHW might become unrecyclable.
• Remember to follow any instructions for use and disposal provided on product labels.
• Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for instructions on proper use and disposal and to learn about local HHW drop off programs and upcoming collection days.

Collection Options – Municipalities and Local Governments Facilitating Reuse, Recycling, and Proper Disposal

Permanent collection or exchange. See if your community has a facility that collects HHW year-round. Some of these facilities have exchange areas for unused or leftover paints, solvents, pesticides, cleaning and automotive products, and other materials. By taking advantage of these facilities, materials can be used by someone else, rather than being thrown away.

Special collection days. If your community doesn't have a year-round collection system for HHW, see if there are any designated days in your area for collecting solid waste at a central location to ensure safe management and disposal.

Local business collection sites. If your community has neither a permanent collection site nor a special collection day, you might be able to drop off certain products at local businesses for recycling or proper disposal. Some local garages, for example, may accept used motor oil for recycling.

Disposal Options

Certain types of HHW have the potential to cause physical injury to sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets, and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Federal law allows disposal of HHW in the trash. However, many communities have collection programs for HHW to reduce the potential harm posed by these chemicals. EPA encourages participation in these HHW collection programs rather than discarding the HHW in the trash. Call your local environmental, health, or solid waste agency for the time and location of your HHW collection program. Also, read product labels for disposal directions to reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, mixing with other chemicals, or posing other hazards on the way to a disposal facility. Even empty containers of HHW can pose hazards because of the residual chemicals that might remain.

HHW Facts and Figures

• Americans generate 1.6 million tons of HHW per year.
• The average home can accumulate as much as 100 pounds of HHW in the basement and garage and in storage closets.
• During the 1980s, many communities started special collection days or permanent collection sites for handling HHW. In 1997, there were more than 3,000 HHW permanent programs and collection events throughout the United States.

(Source: http://epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/materials/hhw.htm)

Lawn and Garden

Conserve water in your landscape

The average single-family suburban home uses at least 30 percent of its water for outdoor irrigation and as much as 70 percent in dry climates. Some experts estimate that more than 50 percent of landscape water is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or overwatering.

Here’s some simple things you can do:

• Water your lawn or garden during the cool morning hours to reduce evaporation.
• Look for sprinklers that produce droplets—not mist—or use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation for trees and shrubs.
• Set sprinklers to water lawns and gardens only—check that you're not watering the street or sidewalk.
• Try not to overwater your landscaping—learn plants' water needs and water different types appropriately.
• Raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches. Taller grass promotes deeper roots, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture better than a closely cropped lawn.
• Use mulch around trees and plants to help reduce evaporation and control water-stealing weeds.

(Source: http://www.epa.gov/WaterSense/sim/simple_steps.htm)

Gardening Guide: Keeping your garden healthy

Preparing the garden soil before you begin planting is just the beginning of a healthy garden. With a little planning and prevention, there are steps you can take to prevent garden maladies and stressed out plants throughout the growing season.

Variety. Just as a diversified portfolio will protect your financial future much better than investing in one area, a garden with many different plants is a hardier garden less prone to pests and disease.

Compost, compost and then compost again. Continue to work compost into flower beds and garden soil. Keeping the soil healthy is the foundation of a healthy garden. If short on compost, even egg shells and coffee grounds will help.

Fertilize. To grow organic vegetables, chemical pesticides and treatments need to be avoided. Fish emulsion, bat guano, kelp meal, and worm castings are some of the more commonly known and popular organic fertilizers. Compost and organic fertilizers will provide your plants with all the nutrients they need and reduce plant stress that leads to disease.

Bugs. There are many bugs that benefit the garden. Get to know which bugs to welcome, and which ones to kick out of the garden. Good bugs will save you time in the garden task of policing the garden for bad bugs by eating the bad bugs before you find them.

Water. Know your plants. Read about plants before you plant the seeds. All plants need adequate water, but some need more water than others. Like compost and fertilizers, under-watered and over-watered plants can suffer stress that makes them susceptible to disease and pest infestation.

Birds, bees and butterflies. Plant flowers that attract birds, butterflies and bees. All three will work to keep the garden free of pests. With birds, remember to protect your vegetables with netting to keep them from lunching on your delicious, juicy, freshly-grown but not yet fully-matured garden vegetables before you can get them to the dinner table.

(Source: http://www.greendaily.com/2008/03/11/gardening-guide-keeping-your-garden-healthy/)

Spring To-Do List: 4 Lawn Mower Maintenance Tips
Simple Maintenance Can Cut Pollution in Half

Saving gas isn't just for the car. As spring nears, it's a good time to remember that simple lawnmower maintenance can save gas, and cut pollution by as much as 50%. That's a significant cut, considering a push mower can produce as much pollution per hour as 11 cars.

Here are the four steps you can take, short of replacing your old gas mower with an electric or self-propelled model, to help improve fuel efficiency and cut down on one of the largest sources of residential pollution.

Change the oil: Just as in a car, dirty oil cuts down on engine performance.

Check the air filter: Consult your owner’s manual for specifics, but regularly clean your air filter, and consider replacing it at least every two years.

Swap the spark plugs: Old spark plugs should be replaced.

Sharpen your blade: A sharp blade not only cuts on the first pass, but will leave grass in a healthier state for regrowth.

Rake in the savings with these conservation tips.
In the average single-family suburban home, 30% of water consumed in households is used for outdoor irrigation. That number could be as high as 70% in dry climates. Experts estimate that 50% of landscape water is wasted due to evaporation, wind, or overwatering.

Lawn and garden water conservation tips:

• Water your lawn or garden during the cool morning hours to reduce evaporation.
• Look for sprinklers that produce droplets – not mist – or use soaker hoses or trickle irrigation for trees and shrubs.
• Set sprinklers to water lawns and gardens only – check that you're not watering the street or sidewalk.
• Don’t overwater your landscaping – learn the watering needs of plants and water different types appropriately.
• Raise your lawn mower blade to at least 3 inches. Taller grass promotes deeper roots, shades the root system, and holds soil moisture better than a closely cropped lawn.
• Mulch around trees and plants to help reduce evaporation and control water-stealing weeds.

Don't bag it, mulch it: eco-friendly alternatives to raking and bagging leaves this fall*

About 18% of the total waste added to American landfills each year comes from our yards. Plus, an enormous amount of labor, money and pollution goes into removing plastic bags filled with leaves from our curbsides, streets and alleys each fall. And all in the quest for a beautiful green lawn. We can still maintain the picture-perfect lawns we love and keep those leaves from the landfills.

• Mow and mulch. If leaves are sufficiently shredded they can decompose right into your lawn where they'll add valuable nutrients to your soil. So just mow right over your fallen leaves.
• Start a compost pile. Adding leaves and other yard waste to discarded vegetable scraps will make a rich gardening resource for next spring's plantings.
• Rethink your yard. Consider creating a “natural” garden area where you can let the leaves stay on the ground. After all, this is what Mother Nature intended!

* Source material for articles in this newsletter:

http://hflp.sdstate.edu/recycle.htm
http://www.southorange.org/Environment/LeafSolutionsFrameSet.html
http://www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/Alter1227.asp

Wrap your gifts green this year

Consumers who want to help the environment can do so most effectively by reducing consumption. Wrapping paper alternatives not only reduce the need for various resources to be consumed, but also offer a creative and unique presentation for gifts. No matter what the gift is, there is a wrapping paper alternative to make the gift-giving experience even more special.

One extremely low-cost wrapping paper alternative is to use the Sunday comics. These are bright, colorful, and fun, and will probably be passed around and read as the recipient opens the gift. Children and adults alike will appreciate this attractive wrapping paper alternative. To spruce it up a bit more, clear cellophane can be used over the comics newspaper, creating a smooth, more polished look.

Similarly, old calendars can be used as a wrapping paper alternative. The pictures from these calendars, or from high-quality magazines with thick pages, can be cut out and used to wrap smaller gifts. The pictures are usually brilliantly colored and the paper is thick and glossy, creating a beautiful presentation. An old road map, topographical map, or marine chart also creates an intriguing wrapping paper alternative, especially if it has relevance to the gift recipient's life, interests, or the gift itself.

Re-used gift wrap, if not damaged, is another free wrapping paper alternative. Torn or ragged edges can be cut off and high-quality ribbon will last through many uses. Newsprint roll-ends are often given away by newspaper offices and can be decorated with markers, paints, rubber stamps, or stickers. Children often like to see their artwork displayed and, with their permission, their artwork can be used as a wrapping paper alternative.

For those who enjoy sewing, fabric gift bags can be created and used as a unique wrapping paper alternative. These gift bags can be sewn out of old sheets, pillowcases, fabric remnants, or just about any other fabric that might be lying around. When time and effort is put into creating a beautiful and reusable wrapping paper alternative, the bag will likely be reused by the recipient or passed on to wrap a gift for someone else!

(Source: wisegeek.com)

Organic Cotton: For Clothing, Baby, Bedding and More

What is organic cotton?
Organic cotton is the version of its conventional counterpart grown without pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, chemical fertilizers or any other chemicals, and that makes it hugely different, especially considering that cotton (organic or otherwise) provides about half of all the world's fiber needs. Conventional cotton is one of the most chemically-dependent crops, sucking up 10 percent of all agricultural chemicals and 25 percent of insecticides on 3 percent of our arable land; that's more than any other crop per unit. That adds up to 1/3 of a pound of chemicals to produce enough cotton for a t-shirt, and 3/4 of a pound for a pair of jeans. And that's just not bad for the planet; 20,000 deaths occur each year from pesticide poisoning in developing countries, many of these from cotton farming, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Organic cotton on the other hand, uses agricultural methods designed to help sustain the land it grows on, the people who grow and harvest it, and the planet in general. Organic farming really starts with the soil. Compost, frequent crop rotations and cover crop strategies replace synthetic fertilizers to keep the soil healthy and productive. Weeds are controlled by innovative farm machinery, hand labor or flame devices rather than herbicide applications. Rather than attempting to eradicate all insects with chemicals, organic farmers cultivate a diversity of natural enemies which prey on insect pests, and lure pests away from cotton by planting trap crops. Insect pests can be effectively kept in balance with well-timed introduction of beneficial insects to fields. In warmer growing regions, where the cotton plants must be killed or defoliated to pick a quality crop before the onset of winter rains, organic growers shut off water early, and apply certified materials to promote cotton boll opening and leaf dropping, readying the fibers for harvest. In the US, both conventional and organic cotton are mostly machine-picked; in some developing countries, cotton is still harvested by hand.

When it comes time to harvest by hand, it follows then that organic cotton is also much safer for those who pick it. Workers aren't exposed to breathing or otherwise ingesting toxic chemicals while active in the field, and don't have to worry about the same nasty chemicals getting into their water supply if they live nearby. They can raise healthier children and livestock, and everyone is happier (okay, we made that last part up, but it seems to fit, right?).

Organic cotton certification
Like other organic products (food is the most prominent example), organic cotton must be certified as such by a third party, based upon pre-determined rules and regulations for what is and isn't allowed in the cultivation process. Here in the United States, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the organic certification process, based on the standards set in the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA); because organic cotton is grown around the world, and the US supply is not large enough to keep up with demand, other certification groups are often cited for products we see and use. The Dutch organization SKAL (one we've seen around a lot), for example, works in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia to certify different agricultural products as organic. Among the rules for certification, in addition to the ongoing ban of pesticides and other chemicals, is that the soil cannot have been sprayed with any of the banned substances for three years, so proper organic certification takes significant time, effort and bureaucratic rule-following (some might call it hoop-jumping or cutting red tape, but we won't) but the results are something to be proud of: a truly sustainable product.

But what about the actual clothes? Keep reading for some great examples of our favorite organic cotton clothing, including where you can find it.

Organic cotton clothing
When it comes time to put it on, many believe that organic cotton is softer and easier on your skin (though we don't have any scientific data, this TreeHugger is happy to corroborate this), and, of course, there aren't any latent pesticides or other chemicals that might disagree with your skin. This extra comfort is an added bonus when considering all of the benefits for the planet and its people, and the result is that organic cotton has been growing at an incredible rate.

Finding organic cotton clothing
Market retail leaders like Patagonia and Nike, who both blend and use organic cotton exclusively in their outdoor apparel, are being joined by high-end designers like Loomstate and Katherine Hamnett (whose work is directly above). This has been modulated by more mainstream designers like H&M, The Gap, Levi's and L.L. Bean, meaning that it's easier (and cheaper!) to get than ever before. Doesn't that make you feel all warm & fuzzy inside?

Learn more about organic cotton
More information can be found via the USDA, the Sustainable Cotton Project, the Organic Trade Association and PAN Germany's Directory for Organic Cotton.

(Source: http://treehugger.com/files/2007/08/green-basics-organic-cotton.php)