Post-Holiday Clean Up

After the holidays, it's inevitable -

- overflowing trash bins.  According to the EPA, American households produce a staggering one million tons of trash during the holidays alone!

Wrapping paper, cardboard packaging, broken lights, dying trees... they all get piled at the curb, waiting to go to the landfill.  Some cities might mulch your tree, but in many cases it too just gets thrown away.  And we all know that there is no such thing as "away."

I think it's pretty obvious what you can do to decrease your holiday waste footprint - recycle.  The wrapping paper, cards, envelope, and cardboard boxes are easiest - they can go in with your regular paper recycling.  You can even save yourself some money next year by re-using the paper or making small gift boxes out of the holiday cards.

But what about those dead, broken strings of twinkle lights?  There are even ways to recycle those!  Here in Michigan, a company called Holiday LEDs will recycle your lights for you.  All you have to do is mail them in - and if you team up with friends, family, or neighbors, you can share that cost.  Better yet, Holiday LEDs will send you a 20%-off coupon for new, energy efficient LED light strings.  Other companies are available across the country - visit Earth911.com to find resources in your area.

As for your tree, if you have some property the best thing to do is put the tree out to naturally decompose.  Next year, spend a little extra for a live tree - one with an intact root ball - and plant it in your yard.  Dead or alive, your tree will also create habitat for songbirds, chipmunks and rabbits.

If self-mulching or natural decomposition isn't an option for you, check with your city waste department to find out what they will do with your tree.  In Toledo, if you are on the new automated pick-up system, you will have to call the city to have your tree picked up.  Also, Toledo's Department of Solid Waste sends all trees to the landfill - and while they will eventually decompose there, it's a much slower process than it is in nature, and just adds to the volume of trash.  However there are several places in Toledo that will take Christmas trees and treat it as compostable yard waste - check this list for details.

And in Monroe County, Michigan, you can drop your tree off at any of these locations, free of charge.

Don't let the holidays be any different from other times of the year - do your best to reduce your waste, and recycle what you can!

Happy Holidays!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday.  I will post again after the New Year.

Fixing Your Coffee

Consider the humble cup of coffee - a morning staple for many, a quick pick-me-up, a symbol of a civilized and hard-working society, a bookstore must.  It's also the world's second most valuable legal commodity after oil, with environmental and social impacts to match.

Did you know coffee trees grow naturally in the shade?  Yet in 1970's the industrialization of coffee farming moved many operations into the sun - requiring that fields in South America be clear-cut to accommodate the larger farms.  While this new way of farming allowed for greater yields, it has since severely damaged the already fragile eco-system of the rain forests.  Not only deforestation, but pesticide pollution, habitat destruction, and soil and water degradation plague the areas where coffee farming has been moved from the natural shade of the forest to the man-made open fields.

In addition, the large sun-grown operations are edging out the smaller family farms that maintain their centuries-old traditions in the shade.  The rustic farms are run out of business by the large operations that charge a fraction of what the coffee is worth - driving down the price on the market until the small farms can't afford to operate.  The "sweatshops in the fields" take over with only profits in mind - the welfare of their own workers is not even important.

There are two ways that you can contribute to not only a better coffee industry, but even get a better cup of coffee.  Certified Organic brands are shade-grown, not sun-grown, and won't contain pesticide or herbicide residues.  But also looking for the Fair Trade label ensures that the coffee was purchased at a fair price from small family farms that take care of their employees.  Most of the time you will find these labels together.

And don't forget to use your own mug instead of paper or styrofoam!

Sources:  Wikipedia, Global Exchange,  Organic Trade Association

Eco-Heroes: Adolph Murie

Adolph Murie – 1899-1974

Throughout his life, Murie had a passion for wildlife.  He earned his doctoral degree in biology, and became an important voice in preserving wild nature in the National Parks.  He conducted a number of studies, including an influential report on the wolves in Alaska’s Denali National Park (then called Mt. McKinley National Park).     Murie’s observations of the wolves in their natural habitat led to a ban on wolf hunting in Denali, and also contributed to future wolf reintroduction efforts in Yellowstone National Park.

Murie lived in Alaska for much of his life, and his love of the wilderness pushed him to oppose the development of the park.  In the 1960’s his voice was heard, and a proposed 90-mile paved road was stopped after 13 miles.

The Murie Center in Grand Teton National Park continues the conservation work started by Murie and his brother, Olaus, and The Murie Science and Learning Center in Denali was opened in 2004.

Green Briefs: Natural Air Cleaners

Some plants are particularly effective at absorbing the chemicals and pollutants found inside our homes and offices.  Clean up your indoor air and brighten your work and living spaces by surrounding yourself with plants such as spider plants, ferns, rubber plants, ivy, or palms.

Carbon, Climate Change, what??

Some of you may have seen the news stories regarding the Climategate scandal - for those who haven't, here is a link to a good, unbiased article covering the basics:

Climate sceptics claim leaked emails are evidence of collusion among scientists

In reality, it doesn't matter whether you believe in climate change or not - if it is caused by humans or just a natural cycle of the planet, if it will end in catastrophe or if it will have no serious effects, if it was a government conspiracy or if the media blew it out of proportion.  In the end, every 'solution' to climate change, whether it be wind power, hybrid vehicles, bio-fuels, reducing the use of plastics, energy-efficient buildings... these are all good things, good practices, and good solutions for other problems besides climate change.  Reducing our impact on the planet is important, no matter what catchphrase you give it or what reason you assign.

At my company, our purchase of carbon offsets is focused on the investment in and support of renewable energy projects in the United States.  The company we purchase through, NativeEnergy, builds wind farms and bio-gas energy plants in the U.S. - one of their current projects is the wind farm in the town of Greensburg, Kansas, featured on Discovery Channel's Planet Green.  Their metrics for determining the amount we contribute to them is based on carbon (metric tons of CO2 produced via car and air travel), but in the end we are simply proud to support their efforts in renewable energy.

Sustainable Guide for the Holidays

Need gift ideas for the treehuggers on your list?  Want to pass on the spirit of sustainability?  Click on these links for green, fair trade, and charitable gift ideas!

• About.Com


• Treehugger


• The Daily Green


• Environmental Defense Fund


• Green America


• Gaiam


• Yahoo


• Global Exchange


• The Rainforest Alliance


• Etsy


• Whole Foods Market


• Planet Green


• The Body Shop


• Aveda


• Mother Earth News


• Charity Navigator


• The Ultimate Green Store


• Patagonia


• Care2


• The Rainforest Site


• The Animal Rescue Site


• Gifts With Humanity


• Ebay’s World of Good


• Ten Thousand Villages


• To Write Love On Her Arms


• American Cancer Society


• Changing the Present


• Product(RED)

What's all the fuss about...? Hybrid Vehicles

One of the questions I get asked a lot is, “So do you drive a Prius?”  My answer is no – but not because I don’t think hybrid cars are worthwhile.  There are a lot of pros and cons to hybrid vehicles, and it’s important to understand when and why hybrid technology is a good choice, and when and why it might not be.

How it works

A basic hybrid has two engines – a highly fuel efficient gas engine, and a large electric motor.  The gas engine is used to start the vehicle and operate it at highway speeds.  It also works to re-charge the battery of the electric motor, and takes over if the battery loses charge.  The electric motor operates the vehicle during typical city use – stop-and-go driving – and the braking system continuously recharges the battery.  Contrary to popular belief, hybrids do not need to be plugged in!

The Good

The most obvious benefit to the hybrid system is fuel efficiency.  Hybrid gas engines range between 40 and 60 mpg when in use on the highway (for car models; SUVs will be lower), and the normally less-efficient city driving is managed by the electric motor.  When idling the motor simply shuts off, saving power.

When compared to a fully electric vehicle, hybrids also have an advantage in the fact that the driver will never be stranded without power.  When the battery runs low, the gas engine kicks in and begins recharging the electric motor.

Monetarily, the federal government offers a tax break to hybrid drivers, and the amount of money spent annually on fuel can usually be cut in half.  Many insurance companies also offer discounts to hybrid drivers.

The Bad

The key to deciding whether a hybrid is the right vehicle is your driving pattern.  If the majority of your road-time is on the highway, you’re not going to benefit as much from the hybrid technology as a city driver.  The biggest benefit of a hybrid is the electric motor, which you’ll recall is only used in stop-and-go driving.  You’ll still get great gas mileage on the highway, but it’s kind of missing the point of a hybrid vehicle.  Highway drivers would better benefit from a fuel-efficient gas vehicle.

The other catch is the price.  Hybrid cars often cost significantly more than gas vehicles, and even though advances in technology and high demand have brought the prices down, they can still cost up to $10,000 more than an inexpensive four-cylinder car.

The Myths

While the technology within a hybrid system is complex, the maintenance is no more difficult than that of a regular vehicle.  Many critics lament over the disposal of the battery, but proper care of the vehicle ensures that it won’t need replacing.  And some systems, such as the regenerative brakes, last longer than in regular vehicles.

Hybrid cars also have a bad rap for being “funny looking.”  This may just be a matter of taste, but many car manufacturers are hearing the buzz and converting their standard models into hybrids.  The Honda Civic, the Chevy Malibu, even the Lexus RX crossover now come with a hybrid system, yet they look exactly like their gas-powered counterparts.

These are just a few things to consider if you’re thinking about making the switch to hybrid.  For more information, check out www.hybridcars.com

 

Eco-Heroes: John Muir

John Muir (1838-1914): Born in Scotland but raised in the U.S., Muir was a naturalist and founder of the Sierra Club.  He petitioned Congress to enact the National Parks Bill to establish Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks in California, which led to our current national parks system.  Filmmaker Ken Burns documented Muir’s story in his PBS special, “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea.”

Green Briefs

Dry cleaners use large amounts of chemical solvents such as tetrachloroethylene, a de-greasing agent that’s a suspected carcinogen, can aggravate respiratory problems, and is harmful to the environment when disposed.  Try hand washing or spot-cleaning your “Dry-Clean Only” clothing, or look for a ‘green’ service.

Homemade Pumpkin Puree for Pies & Soups

Lots of fall recipes call for pumpkin puree, and while canned pumpkin is convenient, why not try making your own from scratch this year?

Begin with cutting a clean pumpkin in half and removing the seeds and pulp.

Baked: Brush the ‘meat’ surfaces with oil, then place facedown in a baking dish filled with 1-2 inches of water.  Bake at 350 for about 90 minutes.

Boiled:  Cut the pumpkin meat into cubes and boil in lighted salted water for about 25 minutes.

Steamed:  Cut the pumpkin meat into cubes and cook in a steamer or a colander placed over a pot of boiling water for about 50 minutes.

After cooking, let the pumpkin cool until it can be handled, and puree it in a food processor or mill.  Pumpkin meat contains a lot of water, so strain the puree before use or storage.   Line a sieve or mesh strainer with coffee filters or paper towels and place over a bowl.  Fill the sieve with pumpkin and let it drain for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Pumpkin puree can be frozen in freezer-safe containers or ice-cube trays.

What's all the fuss about...? Tankless Water Heaters

There has been a lot of talk in the media about a huge variety of new, “green” technology – from “smart” electrical grids to solar panels, fuel made from algae to hydrogen-powered vehicles.  The ideas for creating a more sustainable infrastructure are countless, but do they really work?  Over the next few months, From the Green Seat will introduce you to some of these technologies, talk about the pros and cons, and try to help you unravel the mysteries around “green” technology.

This month, tankless water heaters will be our subject.  “Tankless?  How the heck do you get hot water without a tank?”  Through a computer chip, that’s how!  Tankless, or on-demand, water heaters work through a series of sensors and a small computer that sends a signal to the heat source (gas or electric) when the tap is turned on.  Water flowing through the heating element heats up within a few seconds, sending hot water quickly to the tap.

The biggest benefit of a tankless heater is energy savings.  With a regular hot water tank, energy is expended constantly to maintain the temperature of the water stored in the tank.  And a lot of that energy is lost through “standby loss” – heat that escapes through the walls of the tank as water sits unused.  The U.S. Department of Energy estimates savings of up to 30% on the cost of heating water for a small household using a tankless system – savings may be less for larger families.

Another way to use a tankless heater is at point-of-use.  In larger houses, you may be able to save even more by installing a tankless system on each floor, or in heavy-use rooms like the kitchen or master bath, to reduce the amount of water left in the pipes between the heater and the taps.

Additional savings can be found in the long life of tankless systems.  Regular heaters may last up to 10 years; tankless heaters can last at least 20.  They are easier to repair than regular hot water tanks as well.

One downside to a tankless system is demand.  If you have a large family or house, one system may not provide enough hot water for multiple use points – someone taking a shower might get a cold surprise if the kitchen sink is turned on!  Hoewever this is also sometimes an issue with regular water tanks as well, and can be mitigated by using more than one heater.

Another con is installation.  Replacing your tank system with a tankless heater is, unfortunately, not a do-it-yourself project.  It requires extensive knowledge in plumbing and electrical work, and is best handled by a professional.  They also can be expensive – prices range from $600-$1500 depending on output rates and size.

Consumer Reports has an evaluation tool available on their website to help you determine if a tankless system is advantageous, or if you would be better served by a high-efficiency tank.  Click here.

Nature's Bucket List, Part 2

• Rocky Mountain National Park – Topping out at over 12,000 feet, Colorado’s mountains will take your breath away.  With 416 square miles to explore, you’ll find alpine meadows, show-stopping peaks, and crystal-clear rivers and lakes.


• Zion National Park – The red cliffs of Utah are home to a variety of wildlife, including 271 different species of birds.  The park is a sanctuary for adventurers too, with hiking trails, mountain biking, and equestrian trails throughout.


• Grand Teton National Park – This 484-square mile swath of Wyoming’s Rocky Mountains includes nine peaks over 12,000 feet, glacial lakes, and sweeping grasslands.


• Cuyahoga Valley National Park – The Erie Canal and 60-foot-tall Brandywine Falls provide the backdrop for one of the youngest national parks (founded in 2000).  An unlikely sight is an old junkyard, which has been turned into a refuge for beavers.


• Acadia National Park – The first area of protected land that would become a national park, Maine’s vast forests, rocky Atlantic shoreline, and old carriage roads provide a beautiful backdrop for the state’s famous fall foliage.

Source: The Daily Green

Tailgating Made Green

At the next home game, try these ideas for a greener tailgate party:

1. Localize the Food. Rather than serving the typical foods (frozen burgers, bags of chips, etc.) look for local options. Search your local farmers markets and grocery stores for foods like organic or locally grown beef, chicken or pork for the grill, potatoes and eggs for homemade potato salad, or veggies for burger toppings.

2. Pick Better Disposables. Forget about the standard plastic cups and paper plates. There are so many better options out there today like compostable paper goods and bio-based cutlery.  Check out the “Bare” line of picnic goods from Solo, sold at Target.

3. Make Trash Talk Easy. Instead of making it easy for everyone to toss all of their paper plates, bottles and such in the trash, make it easy for them to compost, recycle, and then, as a last resort, trash.  Set up bins, buckets, or bags and clearly label them.  And be sure to drop it off at the recycling center on your way home.

Source: Treehugger

Nature's Bucket List, Part 1

Did you know that over 5% of the land in the United States is preserved and protected from development?  Don’t be the last to see these top ten most visited parks – they’re on this list for good reason!

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park – In the heart of Appalachia on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, the park boasts 800 miles of hiking trails, countless waterfalls, and a wide variety of recreation opportunities.


• The Grand Canyon – You can see a million photos, but the Arizona canyon will still make your jaw drop when you see it in person.  The Colorado River not only created this natural wonder, it also guarantees an exciting experience with whitewater rafting and hiking opportunities.


• Yosemite National Park – Located in central California, the granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, and breathtaking scenery make this park a must for adventurous climbers and sightseeing families alike.


• Yellowstone National Park – Home to the geyser called Old Faithful, free-roaming bison, elk, and bears, and a spectacular western landscape, Yellowstone is one of the best-known parks in the country.


• Olympic National Park – Nature abounds on the Washington peninsula; rocky beaches, rainforest valleys, glacier-capped mountains, all within one park.

Source: The Daily Green

Harvest Time!

Fall is finally here, and it’s time to start bringing in the spoils from your vegetable gardens.  But even if you don’t have your own garden, you can celebrate this fall at any one of these local events!

• Pack the Parks – Swan Creek and Wildwood Metroparks, September 19 – www.metroparkstoledo.com


• Woodland Indian Celebration – Buttonwood Park, Perrysburg, September 26-27 – www.woodcountyparksdistrict.org


• Roche de Boeuf Festival – Waterville, September 26 – www.watervillechamber.com


• Fall on the Farm – Bittersweet Farms, Whitehouse, October 10 – www.bittersweetfarms.org


• Fall Family Festival – Toledo Botanical Garden, October 11 – www.toledogarden.org


• Apple Butter Festival – Grand Rapids, October 11 – www.applebutterfest.org

Green Briefs: Backyard Campfires

Avoid burning trash in your backyard fire pit.  Printed paper, cardboard and plastics release clouds of harmful chemicals when burned, turning your cheerful campfire into a toxic incinerator.  Limit your burn pile to leaves, dry weeds, sticks, and other organic material that might not break down in your compost bin.

What Can I Do With...

If you (or your wife) have a thing for candles, more than likely you have thrown out a few stubs or jars half full of leftover wax.  Next time, save the wax (and the jar) to make your own citronella candles to ward off bugs on your patio!

• Pick up some plain citronella oil - or use the leftovers from your tiki torches – and some new lead-free candlewicks.


• Melt down the old wax (unscented works best) in a double boiler, or a tin can set inside a pot of boiling water.


• Carefully add the citronella to the wax and stir.


• Clean the old candle jars, or re-use jelly jars or coffee tins.


• Measure the wick to be as long as the jar is tall, plus a few inches.


• Tie one end of the wick to the middle of a pencil or stick, and the other end to a washer, bolt, or just tie a large knot.


• Lower the weighted end of the wick into the empty jar, and balance the pencil across the opening so the wick is centered.  If you’re using a large jar, you might want to use more than one wick.


• Slowly pour the hot wax into the jar, being careful not to dislodge your wick.


• Set aside for a day to harden, then trim the wick to ¼”.  Enjoy!

Turn Your Free Time from Boring to Meaningful

If you find yourself wondering what to do on the weekends, or if your kids are bugging you for something new to do, why not donate your time?  Volunteering with a local non-profit, church, hospital or facility can be a rewarding way to spend an hour, a day, or even a vacation.

• The United Way of Monroe County and Toledo are always looking for help with a wide range of programs.  Spend an afternoon reading to kids, or commit to a few days of delivering meals to the elderly.  Visit their websites for more information.
• Animal shelters and rescue groups are also desperate for help.  The number of adoptable animals has skyrocketed during these difficult financial times, and shelters are overwhelmed.  You can volunteer to work at the shelters by walking dogs, cleaning, or helping at events. You can even foster-care for pets until they can find permanent homes.  Read about how you can help at the Humane Society of Monroe County or Humane Society of Toledo.  To find a list of rescues nearby, visit Petfinder.com.
• The Nature Conservancy has on-going studies and restorations across the country.  From removing invasive plants to counting butterflies, the opportunities abound.  Click on “Where We Work” to find out more.
• Consider a Volunteer Vacation for your next trip.  Organizations like EarthWatch, GoPhilanthropic, and EcoVolunteer all offer a variety of opportunities to make your vacation a little more than just a trip to the beach.

Source: The Daily Green

Green Briefs: Keeping Cool

Minimize your dependence on energy-hogging air conditioners by tackling heat the natural way first.  Shade sunny windows with heat-blocking drapes or blinds inside, or a trellis and climbing plant on the outside.  Open windows at night and install a fan in the attic to pull cool air into the house and push hot air out through the roof.  And when you do use your A/C, make sure all your ducts are sealed well and only the vents you need are open!

Green Cleaning for a Healthier Home

Chemical cleaning products are not only harmful to the environment – during their manufacture as well as their disposal down our drains and in our trash – but they can also be harmful to humans.  Reduce your family’s exposure to chemical cleaners (and save money!) by trying these simple recipes for cleaning products using household ingredients:

• Abrasive scrub:  Baking soda, kosher salt, and a bit of water make a good scrubbing solution for hard surface like tubs, sinks, and counters.


• All-purpose cleaner: For stains, mildew, or grease, douse the area with lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a bristle brush.


• Disinfectant:  Mix 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons liquid dish soap, and around 20 drops of tea tree oil.  Works great in the kitchen.


• Glass Cleaner:  Mix 2 tablespoons white vinegar with a gallon of water and pour into a clean spray bottle.  Use old newspapers instead of paper towels to clean your windows and avoid streaking.


• Carpet Spot Cleaner: Mix ¼ cup liquid soap with 1/3 cup water in a spray bottle, and shake until foamy.  Spray on affected area, and then rinse with vinegar.  Be sure to test vinegar on an inconspicuous area first if you have darker carpet.


• Hardwood Floor Cleaner:  Pour a simple solution of ¼ cup white vinegar and 30 ounces warm water in your mop bucket.


• Drain Cleaner: Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup vinegar, then cover the drain.  Once the fizzing dies down, flush with boiling water.


• Silver Polish:  Line your sink or a basin with aluminum foil, and drop in your tarnished silver.  Add boiling water, a cup of baking soda, and a dash of salt.  The tarnish will transfer onto the foil.  To polish by hand, make a paste of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water, and rub onto the silver with a soft cloth.


• Copper Polish: Rub ketchup into the copper with a soft cloth.


• Odor Elimination:  Baking soda isn’t just for the refrigerator!  Sprinkle it into your carpets before vacuuming, and tuck an open box into the bathroom or the pantry. For smelly garbage disposals, drop a small slice of lemon in and run the motor.  Lemon will kill the bacteria growing inside and make it smell fresh.


• Air Freshener:  Open the windows and let the house air out.  Simple as that!  If you want to fill your house with a nice scent, try flowers, a candle, or and oil diffuser instead of harsh chemical sprays.

Have a mess that just can’t be cut by these cleaning recipes?  Be sure to shop for health- and eco-friendly cleaners.  Look for phosphorus- and bleach-free detergents, cleaners based on natural ingredients that are VOC-free.  Clorox’s Green Works line of cleaners are easy to find, and not over-priced; Method brand, Mrs. Myers, and Seventh Generation are also great products.

What Can I Do With...? Bread Tabs

The lowly plastic bread tab. They pile up on your counter, in your junk drawer, or if you have a cat, under your furniture. Why do we keep them? What use is there for this little piece of un-recyclable plastic?

• Got your guitar out for a night around the campfire, but can’t find your pick? Grab a couple of bread tabs as a temporary substitute.

• Ew, what is that blob stuck on the counter? Use a bread tab to scrape the gunk off of dishes, counters, appliances and tables.

• Avoid the frustration of finding the end on a roll of clear tape by marking it with a tab.

• Instead of sticky labels, mark your yard sale items with bread tabs.

• Cover a tab with pretty fabric, paper, or a silk flower to make an easy wine glass charm.

• Sort out that mess of wires behind your entertainment system and mark them with bread tabs.

Citizen Science - Volunteer to Learn

Trying to think of ways to keep your kids busy this summer?  Look beyond summer camp – how many woven bracelets or birdhouses do you need anyway? – and check out some great interactive citizen science programs.  Citizen science is a network of volunteers recruited to observe and collect data to help the scientific community learn more about environmental and ecological subjects.  Many citizen science programs are geared towards children and are easy to participate in.  Here are a few worth checking out:

• FrogWatch USA


• Project BudBurst


• Firefly Watch


• Monarch Larvae Monitoring Project


• Celebrate Urban Birds


• The Great Sunflower Project


• Spider WebWatch


• NestWatch


• Cooperative Weather Observer Program


• MonarchWatch


• Journey North


• Project Roadkill

Other citizen science projects can also be found at Citizen Science Projects.

Source: The Daily Green

Repel Bugs the Natural Way

Summer means sunshine, which also means we all want to be outside.  Unfortunately, that’s exactly what mosquitoes and other biting insects are hoping for.  Most commercial bug repellents contain DEET, a chemical that can cause skin irritation and, in extreme cases, seizures and neurological problems.  While the EPA reports that correct usage of DEET-based repellents rarely cause these kinds of problems, the environmental community has encouraged the use of natural oils as a chemical-free alternative.

There are several oils that act as natural bug repellents.  Citronella, lemon eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, peppermint, and clove, in oil form, are all considered to have repellent qualities to biting insects.  The oils can be mixed with water to create a spray, or added to an oil diffuser for area coverage.  Citronella and rosemary can also be used as a repellent on your pets.  The only downside to these natural alternatives is their staying power – if you’re working up a sweat or playing in the water, you’ll need to re-apply the repellent often.  But when the alternative is a chemical concoction that might be harmful to your health, it might be worth the effort.

Gardening with Native Plants

The U.S. EPA states that using native plants in your garden significantly reduces the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water, and lawn maintenance.  Native plants have evolved to survive in the specific conditions of a geographic area, and essentially are able to take care of themselves.

Here are some noteworthy plants and flowers native to our area:

Switch Grass

Indian Grass

Coreopsis

Aster

Coneflower

Goldenrod

Western Sunflower

Butterfly Weed

Foxglove

Black-Eyed Susan

Virginia Wild Rye Grass

Wild Columbine

Trillium

Wild Geranium

Little Bluestem Grass

Big Bluestem Grass



For more landscaping tips, including a complete list of native plants and grasses, visit

www.epa.gov/greenacres.

Who Says A Gutter Can't Be Beautiful?

Rain gardens are an easy, natural answer to the question of stormwater management.  Mimicking natural systems, rain gardens are designed to collect the rainwater that runs off buildings, parking areas, and lawns, filter that water, and control its flow into the surrounding waterways.  They reduce the risk of flash floods, stabilize the volume and temperature of the water flow, and neutralize many of the pollutants that may have washed off the surrounding flat areas.

Rain gardens are easy to create too.  First, they need to be created in a depression to force rainwater to flow into the garden.  Plants such as rushes, ferns, and wildflowers can be planted in the depression, or a natural wetland habitat with tall grasses and cattails can be created if the water flow is heavy.  Ideally, the garden should be filled native plants, and can be located near your gutter drain or alongside your driveway or patio.

For tips on creating your own rain garden, go to www.native-raingarden.com. or click here.  cwc_raingardenbrochure

April Showers Bring... Pollution

A common source of pollution is stormwater runoff.   When the spring rains come pouring down, impervious surfaces such as parking lots, streets, and driveways prevent the water from soaking directly into the ground, and storm drains re-direct the water into not only sewer systems, but also lakes, streams, and underground aquifers instead of into the soil, which absorbs and filters the water before it leaches into the natural water systems.  And it’s not just rainwater being sent to our local watershed.   Pollutants including pesticides, oil, fertilizers, and other chemicals, not to mention trash and debris, get washed into the environment as well.

But what does this mean, and why should we care?

• Chemical fertilizers can increase the growth of algae in rivers, streams, and wetlands, which sucks the oxygen right out of the water.  Fish and other plants can’t survive in these situations.
• Excess soil and sediments cloud the water, preventing the growth of aquatic plants and destroying habitat.
• Trash of all kinds can choke, injure, and poison wildlife such as ducks, fish, beaver and turtles.
• Hazardous waste such as pesticides, solvents, soaps, automotive fluids, and other chemicals poison all manner of aquatic life.

It’s not just wildlife that’s affected either.  All of these pollutants can also affect residential water supplies, both municipal and private wells.  Fish that have been contaminated with pathogens, heavy metals, or chemicals can transfer those same pollutants to the people who eat them.  Our own pets can be affected in the same ways as the wildlife as well.

So what can we do to prevent runoff pollution?  The U.S. EPA recommends the following actions:

• Recycle or properly dispose of household products that contain chemicals, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint, solvents, and used motor oil and other auto fluids. Don't pour them onto the ground or into storm drains.
• Use pesticides and fertilizers sparingly. When use is necessary, use these chemicals in the recommended amounts. Use organic mulch or safer pest control methods whenever possible.
• If you have a septic system, inspect your system every 3 years and pump your tank as necessary to prevent biological pathogen pollution.  Also, don't dispose of household hazardous waste in sinks or toilets.
• Use a commercial car wash that treats or recycles its wastewater, or wash your car on your yard so the water infiltrates into the ground.  Repair leaks and dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations.
• When walking your pet, remember to pick up the waste and dispose of it properly. Leaving pet waste on the ground increases public health risks by allowing harmful bacteria and nutrients to wash into the storm drain and eventually into local water bodies.
• Sweep up litter and debris from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots, especially around storm drains.

You can also design your landscaping to assist with stormwater management:

• Permeable pavement systems, or even just gravel driveways, allow rain and snowmelt to soak through, decreasing stormwater runoff.
• You can collect rainwater from rooftops in mosquito-proof rain barrels. The water can be used later on lawn or garden areas.
• Specially designed areas planted with native plants, called rain gardens, can provide natural places for rainwater to collect and soak into the ground. Rain from rooftop areas or paved areas can be diverted into these areas rather than into storm drains.

For more information, visit EPA or Great Lakes.org

Natural Remedies

Next time you have an ache or pain, forget about a costly trip to the drugstore and try some of your grandmother’s home remedies instead. It’ll save money and be gentler on your body and the environment.

• Indigestion and Heartburn - The belching, bloat and heartburn caused by indigestion come about because you don’t have enough stomach acid to do the job right. A spoonful or two of apple cider vinegar will help break down the excess food that is causing you trouble and bring your stomach back to balance.

• Sore Throat - You can relieve the pain by gargling with warm salt water a few times a day and then drinking a soothing honey-lemon tea.

• Sore Muscles & Bruises - The humble arnica flower makes an incredible cream that no medicine cabinet should be without. Use it immediately to speed up the healing of bruises, sprains, sore muscles and other general aches.

• Minor Bleeding - You’d think it would burn, but a sprinkle of cayenne pepper on a cut will quickly stop the bleeding and actually relieve the pain.

• Earache - if you feel like your infection is mild and at the beginning stages, put a few drops of garlic oil or white vinegar into your ear canal and lay down on the opposite side to let those drops do their work.

• Burns - Rinse first with cold water, but then immediately apply aloe vera gel to the burn. For those of us who don’t have aloe in the house, slice a potato and rub its cool, soothing juices all over the burn. And honey, with its antibacterial properties, is also good topical ointment.

• Allergies - Before you head for the strong stuff, try green tea, which contains compounds with antihistamine properties. You’ll need to drink 2-3 cups a day to get the full effect.

• Headache - Try rubbing peppermint or lavender oil on your temples and the base of your neck; sniffing these oils may also help. Rub a fresh cut lemon or lime on your forehead, and feverfew is also a good herbal remedy for headaches.

• Dandruff - Many people swear by rubbing aloe vera gel onto the scalp (leave it on for 20 minutes than rinse it out). This will certainly help with dry, itchy scalp. Another remedy is a rinse with apple cider vinegar. Try these remedies a few times before deciding if they work for you.

• Nausea - The classic cure for nausea or carsickness is ginger tea or candied ginger. You can chew on the stuff raw, if you like, but it’s so spicy and strong it might just make you feel worse. Sniffing real peppermint or lavender oil can also help.

• Toothache - In order to reduce swelling and pain while you wait for your dentist appointment, try putting a few drops of clove oil on your tooth and gums, and bite down on a smashed piece of garlic (which has excellent antibacterial properties).

For more home remedies, check out www.home-remedies-for-you.com or www.grannymed.com.

How Green is Your Kitchen?

Both the planet and your health can benefit from having an eco-friendly kitchen area.  Experts from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the EPA, and others offer these simple ways to green up:

1. Set your dishwasher to air dry. Better yet, install a dish-drawer, which is more efficient for smaller loads.

2. Save your leftovers. This not only keeps you from wasting food, but also saves the energy it would take to prepare a new meal.



3. Reduce your trash. When you’re truly finished with a meal, compost the scraps.  Visit howtocompost.org for tips.  Composting not only keeps waste out of landfills, but can also lessen the amount of pollutants created there.

4. Retire your oven. Instead use smaller, more energy efficient appliances whenever possible.

5. Work in the sun. Daylight is the best light, and it’s also free. Do your prep work by a window if you can.

6. Get a good fit. Heat is wasted when you cook on a burner that’s larger than your pan.

7. Cook on ‘off.’  You can turn off the oven or stovetop up to five minutes before the timer dings.  There will be plenty of heat built up to complete the job.

Don't Blow Your Nose with Old Growth Forests!

Manufacturers of household tissue products have been blasted in the news recently.  Turns out that the soft tissues and strong napkins that so many people prefer are made with virgin paper pulp, often from old-growth forests.  In response, Greenpeace has published a paper buying guide to help consumers find recycled paper products, and also avoid potentially hazardous bleaching processes.  Among the top recommended brands are Green Forest and Seventh Generation, both of which can be found at many local grocery chains.  Also listed are the Trader Joe’s, Natural Value, and 365 brands.  Switching to a recycled or unbleached tissue doesn’t always mean sacrificing comfort either, with textures similar to regular brands.  According to Greenpeace, Americans could save more than 400,000 trees if each family bought recycled toilet paper, just once.  Isn’t it worth it to try a new product?

Find the paper guide at www.greenpeace.org.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles...

Excerpt from Living Green: A Practical Guide to Simple Sustainability by Greg Horn.

I invite you to join the millions who are part of the sustainability revolution and take that first, simple step…

Eating organic: For each 1 percent increase in organic food consumption in the US alone, pesticide and herbicide use is reduced by over 10 million pounds per year.  Organic food also tastes better and is far healthier than conventional food.  And it is probably available at the same store you are shopping in today.

Going carbon zero: For about $99 per year through nonprofit carbon offset companies, you can offset your entire carbon footprint with that organization’s contributions to renewable power, energy efficiency, and reforestation projects.

Recycling: The average person in the US produces 1,609 pounds of waste each year.  Recycling can cut that waste stream by up to 75%.  If each of us recycled just paper, glass, and metal, we would save 162 million tons of material from entering American landfills each year.  And recycling the enormous amounts of plastics we use each day can save even more.

Denying disposables: “Disposable” is literally a dirty word.  If we all just used a glass instead of a water bottle and a coffee mug instead of a Styrofoam cup, we would save 244 billion bottles and cups made from petrochemical-based plastics from entering the US waste stream each year, and save money at the same time.

Switching to natural personal care: Using natural personal care has a double benefit – keeping toxic chemicals off your body and then keeping them out of the environment after they wash off.  Remember, if you wouldn’t eat it, you should put it on your body.



Using natural lawn care: The average suburban lawn uses six times the hazardous chemicals per acre than conventional farming.  And you kids and pets play on that lawn.  If just 10 percent of us switched to natural lawn care, over half a billion pounds of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides would be prevented from entering the environment… and our kids’ bodies.

Cleaning green: Those household chemicals that you have to lock up from children are obviously hazardous to your health.  Collectively, we dump 32 million pounds of toxic chemistry down our drains each day, just from household cleaning chemicals.  That doesn’t count what goes into our indoor air.  Switching to green alternatives keeps these chemicals out of our bodies and out of our water supply.

Filtering your tap water: Filtering your tap water to remove chlorine and fluoride provides pure, clean, great-tasting water at a fraction of the cost or environmental impact of expensive and wasteful bottled water that costs more per gallon than gasoline.  The payback on a $60 water filter takes only a few weeks for most households.  As an added benefit, there is no plastic bottle to leach harmful phthalates (an endocrine disruptor that acts like estrogen in the body) into your water.

Increasing energy efficiency: Energy and fuel efficiency can dramatically reduce use of fossil fuels.  Insulate your home, turn off your lights, and consider fuel efficiency next time you buy a car.  There are many easy ways to manage your energy use, and the investment in efficiency pays off rapidly in lower fuel and energy costs.

Staying informed: Knowledge empowers informed action.  Subscribe to one of the many green magazines or visit any of the variety of environmental websites to stay informed on sustainability developments, resources, tips and tools.

The Dirty Dozen: 12 Food You Should Buy Organic

Not all of us can afford to go 100% organic. The solution? Focus on just those foods that come with the heaviest burden of pesticides, chemicals, additives and hormones. Whenever possible, deploy your organic spending power to buy organic versions of the following foods (in no particular order).

Meat

Milk/Dairy

Coffee

Peaches

Apples

Bell Peppers

Celery

Berries

Leafy greens

Grapes

Potatoes

Tomatoes

....And ten you don't need to:

Asparagus

Avocado

Bananas

Broccoli

Kiwi

Mangoes

Onions

Papaya

Pineapple

Source: The Daily Green

Green on the Sidewalk

Just because our corner of the world is still white doesn’t mean we can’t think ‘green’!  Did you know that sidewalk salt does more than melt the ice?  It also kills grass and plants, damages our cars and concrete, pollutes our water supply, and can make our pets sick!  If you are simply looking for traction, there are other natural options such as wood ash, sawdust, and sand.  These are effective traction materials that either biodegrade or have minimal effect on nature.  Avoid the popular kitty litter; the clay can clog sewer systems, damage plants, and was probably strip-mined.  For melting, skip the salts or fertilizers and look for a magnesium-chloride based product.  Studies have shown it is not only less damaging to the environment, but also has superior melting power.  Many hardware and garden stores sell this in liquid or ‘salt’ form; just be sure to check the label.