Below the Articles (13) are graphics for Go Green Articles.
Ways to be green and save green in your new home
A home is a big purchase and every new homeowner knows that every dollar counts. Here are some simple ideas that are both kind to the environment and your wallet.
1.Purchase a high-efficiency showerhead. This cuts down on both water consumption and energy costs.
2.Upgrading your appliances? Consider energy-efficient appliances with the 'Energy Star' logo. According to the Energy Star site, Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. Remember to ask about discounts, especially when purchasing several appliances at once.
3.Get with the program. Set your thermostat to accommodate the schedule of your home. Lower the heat during the day when no one is at home and at night when occupants are sleeping. Also, try to maintain a moderate temperature, instead of cranking the heat or air conditioning to drastically change the temperature.
4.Utilize fans instead of air conditioning. Consider operating fans to circulate the summer air instead of opting for the more expensive and less environmentally friendly air conditioning.
5.Insulate and seal the gaps. Hidden gaps and cracks within a home lead to an abundant loss of heat in the winter and air conditioning in the warmer months. Caulk any leaks around windows and doors, in attics and around fireplaces. Proper insulation installation or roof replacement may be necessary.
6.Replace lights with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. The cost is more upfront, but the lights use less energy and last longer.
60 percent of a home's water consumption takes place in the bathroom, according to the California Urban Water Conservation Council.
8 WAYS TO SAVE WATER WITHOUT SPENDING A DIME
1. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth.
2. Fill a milk jug with stones and place it in your toilet tank to displace water.
3. Dig up an egg timer from your kitchen and use it to cut showers down to 5 minutes.4. Turn off the water while shaving.
5. Fix toilet and faucet leaks immediately.
6. Don't use your toilet as a trash can.
7. Collect "warm-up" water to irrigate your lawn and flowerbeds.
8. Conserve energy. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimates that .47 gallons ofwater are lost for every kilowatt-hour of power generated by coal power plants.
Recycle ... it's more than paper and plastic
Not all recycling centers accept everything. To find out what yours take, caii800-CLEANUP or go to www.recyclingcenters.org.
Cell phones. The Wireless Foundation refurbishes old phones to give to domestic-violence survivors (www.calltoprotect.org); for information on other cell-phone charities, log on to www.recyclewirelessphones.com.
Computers. You can return used computers to their manufacturers for recycling (check www.mygreenelectronics.com for a list of vendors) or donate them to a charitable organization (log on to www.sharetechnology.org or www.cristina.org).
Sneakers. Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program (www.letmeplay.com/reuseashoe) accepts old sneakers (any brand) and recycles them into courts for various sports so kids around the world have a place to play.
Shopping bags (plastic). You may be able to drop them off at your local grocery store. (To find other stores, go to www.plasticbagrecycling.org.)
TVs. Best Buy will remove and recycle a set when it delivers a new one. Or bring old ones to Office Depot to be recycled. Got a SonyTV?Take it to a drop-off center listed at www.sony.com/ recycle.
Information provided by realsimp le.com
Renewable energy resources
Renewable energy resources-such as wind and solar energy-
are constantly replenished and will never run out.
Solar-Sunlight can be used directly for heating and lighting homes and other buildings, for generating electricity, and for hot water heating, solar cooling, and a variety of commercial and industrial uses.
Wind-The sun's heat also drives the winds, whose energy is captured with wind turbines.
Biomass-Along with the rain and snow, sunlight causes plants to grow. The organic matter that makes up those plants is known as biomass. Biomass can be used to produce electricity, transportation fuels, or chemicals.
Hydrogen-Hydrogen also can be found in many organic compounds, as well as water. But it doesn't occur naturally as a gas. It's always combined with other elements, such as with oxygen to make water. Once separated from another element, hydrogen can be burned as a fuel or converted into electricity.
Hydropower-Flowing water creates energy that can be captured and turned into electricity. This is called hydroelectric power or hyd ropower.
Information provided by nrel.gov
Go green in the Bedroom
CHECKLIST:
• Natural-fill, untreated mattress or pillow topper
• FSC-certified box spring frame
• Untreated, organic-cotton bedding
• Natural-material pillow and/or pillow encasement
• Ethically sourced, VOC-free furniture (second-hand furniture, antiques, formaldehyde-free pressed wood, etc.)
• FSC-certified solid or pressed woods natural-material window treatments (blinds and curtains)
• Low- or no-VOC wall paints
• Natural-material area rugs and/or carpeting (installed with VOC -free adhesives) cleaned filter, if necessary
• Electronics turned off each night before bed
• Properly cleaned humidifier, used only when absolutely necessary
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint:
A carbon footprint (noun) is a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a person, organization, or location at a given time.*
Here are some tips to reducing your own carbon footprint. There are many websites that will help calculate your footprint for you.
• Turn down your thermostat by 2 degrees in the winter, and raise it from 72 to 73 in the summer
• Run the dishwasher only when it's full and on its energy-saver mode
• Wash clothes in cold water rather than hot
• Keep your tires properly inflated
• Plug electronics into power strip and turn off when not in use
• Insulate your water heater
• Caulk and weather-strip your home
• Take the bus to work one day a week
• Clean your refrigerator coils and defrost it regularly
• Replace one 70 watt bulb with a 9watt LED.
*"carbon footprint." Webster's New MillenniumTM Dictionary of English, Preview Edition (v 0.9.7). Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. 10 Nov. 2008. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/ browse/carbon footprint>.
Global Warming
Scientists agree that we need to cut pollution 25% by 2020, and 65% by 2050, to avoid the worst effects of global warming.
What does it all mean:
• Greenhouse Gas-gasses that trap heat in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide.
• Climate Change-refers to any significant change in measures of climate lasting for an extended period.
• Carbon Footprint-the measure of a person's impact on the environment.
• Renewable Energy-energy sources that constantly replenish and will never run out.
• Fossil Fuels-nonrenewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
Here are many ways you, as an individual, can step a little lighter on the Earth. One of the simplest things you can do is to remember to "reduce, reuse and recycle."
REDUCE
Here are a few questions~ can ask yourself before you buy:
Do I, or the other person I am buying this for, really need this?
Is there another product which would do the same thing but more sustainably?
Will this last a long time?
Do I know how this 1tem was made, how it will be used and how it will be disposed of?
Where was this made and under what circumstances?
Are the materials used to make this renewable and have they been harvested in a sustainable manner?
REUSE
When we buy, we should buy items which are durable, we should maintain them, and have them repaired when necessary?
If we practice this, many things cannot only last a lifetime, but can be passed along from generation to generation?
If something is truly unusable for its original purpose, try to be creative and think of how else it might be used?
When you are done with it, think of whether someone else might be able to use it as well?
RECYCLE
Rather than throwing an item out when neither you nor anyone else can make use of it, have it recycled. And while recycling is not perfect - it requires energy and the process of changing something into something else often produces by-products 0 it is better than sending goods to the landfill or having them incinerated. Find out what types of materials can be recycled in your area.
Information provided by GREENPEACE.
A "Greener" Home Can Add Green to Your Home's Value!
Many Homebuyers are looking for and recognize the long term value of environmentally friendly homes.
Here are some easier way to add "green" value to your home.
• Buy Energy Star rated energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
• Add a recycling center to your kitchen, mudroom, or garage.
• Use "low maintenance" recycled products for your next project such as a deck.
• Consider more sustainable flooring options such as bamboo or cork.
• Improve your insulation and replace or repair older windows and doors.
• Plant more trees for cooling shade and curb appeal.
Go Green in the Workplace
Protecting the environment has to be part of your everyday life outside your home as well. Whether you work at a factory that may be blatantly polluting the environment or in an office that could cut
down its use of paper products, you should examine every element of your working life and make sure it is a safe working environment for you and the planet.
• Photocopy or print on both sides of the page and reuse paper until both sides are used up.
• Buy one copy of the newspaper and leave it in the staff room for everyone to share over lunch and breaks.
• Use paper clips, staples, string or non-toxic glue instead of adhesive tape when possible.
• If you send packages by courier. contact a bicycle courier company for local deliveries.
• Take your own ceramic or china coffee cup to work.
• Bring your lunch in a reusable container.
• Set up a recycling program.
• Walk or ride a bike to work. Use public transit or carpool - you can advertise at work or on community bulletin boards.
Check out the "Greenest" Market in Town!
Did you know there are over 4, 500 Farmer’s Markets in the USA! A weekly outing to a local farmer’s market is a fun and healthy way to support local farms, organic produce growers, and your community!
Here are some tips to get the most of your next trip:
• Bring several large re-usable totes or recycled plastic bags.
• Be prepared to walk and arrive early for the best and freshest selection.
• Don't be shy! Ask for samples, favorite recipes, and organic gardening tips.
• Try an unusual fruit, vegetable, or herb-you may find a new favorite!
• Treat yourself and your home to some beautiful, fresh flowers.
Information provided by GREENPEACE.
Ingredients for Green Cleaning
Protecting and preserving the environment starts right in your own home. Here are some items that will not
only save you money, but are also safer for you, those you care about and for the environment
PURE SOAP - Soap biodegrades safely and completely, and is non-toxic. Make sure
that you use soap without synthetic scents, colors or other additives. Even
phosphate-free biodegradable laundry detergent contributes to water pollution.
VINEGAR (FIVE PERCENT ACETIC ACID) -Vinegar is a mild disinfectant which
cuts grease, cleans glass, deodorizes and removes calcium deposits, stains and wax
build-up.
EUCALYPTUS OIL- Eucalyptus oil is a good disinfectant and deodorizer. It gets rid of
some stains, like ink and grease, kills and repels some insects and even attacks rust.
WASHING SODA (SODIUM CARBONATE) -A key ingredient for washing clothes,
washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, disinfects and softens water. Washing soda
should not be used on aluminum.
BAKING SODA (BICARBONATE OF SODA) - Baking soda works well as an
abrasive in alternative recipes. Baking soda also deodorizes, removes stains, polishes and
softens fabrics.
Painting Your Home "Green"
No matter what color you paint your next room, think about painting it "green."
Using these paints and finishes, which are water soluble as well, are an easy way to improve your indoor air quality.
• Low or Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) products are less harmful and cost-effective. They are now easy to find at most major home and paint stores.
• Natural paints are even less toxic and are made with ingredients such as minerals, clay, and bees' wax.
• Painting furniture or doing restoration? Look for natural or organic wood finishes and citrus oil based strippers.
