October 10th, 2007

Get Cozy: Guide to Eco-Smart Fireplace Fires

by Jessica Jensen

It’s getting to be the time of year when it’s nice and chilly in the evening, and we start to say, “Hey, let’s make a fire in the fireplace!”  Well that sounds cozy and lovely, but here at Low Impact Living we naturally have to question the environmental impact of that crackling fire. 

We hate to tell you that burning wood is not very eco-friendly.  Burning wood not only uses wood that had to be cut down (sometimes unsustainably), but the burning process releases many nasty items. According to the EPA, wood smoke contains hundreds of chemical compounds including nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and some carcinogenic chemicals, and also dangerous particulate matter. These all go right into the outdoor air where they contribute to pollution, but they also go into our lungs as we breathe the air coming out of the fireplace. This smoke can be be harmful to our health, and particularly to children and folks with asthma and other heart & lung conditions. So, sadly, burning wood is not good for our air quality– both indoor and outside. (And please check with your local air quality board as many cities and states have implemented strict regulations on home fires in order to curb pollution.)

Don’t despair!!

First, burning a natural gas fire is much better than a wood fire. It is very clean and produces few toxic byproducts during combustion. Although it is nonrenewable, for now you are nearly guaranteed that your natural gas originates in North America. 

You can also get an EPA certified wood or pellet stove. Pellet stoves burn dried wood and sawdust and burn cleaner than cord wood fireplaces. All of these are much safer for your lungs and greatly reduce your pollution contribution. To find certified stoves, visit the EPA’s site here.

If you are going to burn a wood fire, there are several steps you can take to limit the negative impacts. First, get your chimney cleaned annually.  Second, only burn the right materials. Use wood that has been dried for at least six months, choose hardwoods over softwoods (the resins in softwood can increase smoke and pollution), and cut wood into smaller pieces. Never burn trash or plastics– the latter are particularly toxic. Never burn plywood or pressure-treated woods which likely contain hazardous chemicals. Third, the way your burn wood will greatly affect efficiency and also the amount of pollution you emit. Start fires with clean newspaper and dry kindling. Reload your wood stove by adding at least three pieces of wood each time (avoiding single logs), on and behind the mound of hot coals, and make sure your flue is adjusted so that the fire burns brightly. For more info on how to burn wood safely and efficiently, the EPA also has great resources you can visit through this link.

Throw on a Java Log 

This is a product we’ve recently found and we think it’s a great innovation– the Java Log. These are made from, you guessed, compressed coffee grounds. We can tell you from personal experience that they make a nice crackle and burn great! There is even a faint pleasant coffee smell.  Apparently coffee is more efficient than wood: coffee has 25% more energy than wood and 3x the flame per unit of energy. And these little java logs are much better for the environment than standard wood logs: they produce 8 times less creosote and 5 times less particulate matter.  They also come in recycled packaging, which is a nice bonus. To find stores that sell Java Logs, click here.

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October 9th, 2007

How To Tuesday: Eco-friendly Home Pest Control

by Carey Okrand

There really are safe ways to rid your house of common pests like roaches, ants, fleas, even termites, without the use of pesticides that can be harmful to your health and to the environment. Here are some natural, non-toxic ways to control these unwanted guests when they wear out their welcome!

Roaches Away!

Roaches are just the worst. How many of us have nearly had a heart attack coming across a 7-foot-long roach in the kitchen some night? ACK. Roaches need food and hiding spaces to thrive– and that’s where we can start to be rid of them. And there are some good non-toxic repellents you can use as well.

• – Keep your food well sealed, keep your garbage pail or bag impenetrable, and keep your countertops clean. You should also store your sugar, flour, cereal, and pasta in tightly covered containers.

– As for hiding places, make sure you do minor home repairs like filling in cracks with caulk, sealing openings around pipes, and fixing leaks. Also keep your drains clean.

– Vacuum your home well and often. Sponge mopping floors also helps keep roaches away.

– Roaches can also be killed using boric acid. Boric acid is a natural product, but it is toxic by mouth to children and pets, so you need to put it in out-of-the-way places like the tops of your kitchen cabinets and underneath the sink in the cabinet.  The roaches will carry the acid to their nests and it will kill the lot of them.

– Did you know that roaches hate catnip? Catnip is not toxic to humans, but if you leave it in the area where cockroaches show up in your house, they will run away. (Of course your cats may come it nuzzle it, but that’s not the issue.)

– Spraying roaches with soapy water will kill them, so try keeping a spray bottle around for sneak attacks.

– Non-toxic roach traps are also commercially available.

Ants in Your Pants?

It’s no secret that ants are attracted to crumbs and debris on countertops, so keeping your counters clean is your first way to keep ants at bay. Wipe up sticky spots and cover any bottles or dishes that have food debris on them. Then follow these steps to further deter the creepy little critters.

• – Like roaches, ants don’t like soapy water. Keep a small spray bottle handy and spray the ants when you find them.

• – Boric acid is also good for getting rid of ants. One blogger recommends this mixture to rid your house of ants: 1 cup of warm water with 1/2 cup of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of boric acid. Then you soak the boric acid up with cotton balls and place those cotton balls near any trails the ants have estabilished in your home.
• – Ants also apparently do not like cucumber. Place cucumber slices or peel in the kitchen or at the ants’ point of entry. 
• – Ants are also deterred by mint and cloves. You can leave a few tea bags of mint tea near areas where the ants are most active.
• – Block the invasion at the source. Trace the ant line back to where they come into your home, and set any of the following items there, which ants will not cross: baby powder, cayenne pepper, citrus oil, lemon juice, cinnamon or coffee grounds. Heck, mix them all together and you’ve got a powerful anti-ant cocktail!

No More Fleas Please

Fleas can be the scourge of both human and animal alike. Some natural options do work, but they require a bit more work and maintenance than slapping some Frontline or Advantage on the pooch or kitty (but they’ll certainly thank you for the effort!). Here are several tips that can be used to kill the fleas outright - some of them are similar to tips we’ve already mentioned above.

• – Boric acid-based products. This substance works by sticking to the fleas and then killing them when they clean themselves. These products are generally sprinkled on flooring or furniture and then vacuumed. The particles are so fine that much of it stays adhered to the carpeting or upholstry fibers after vacuuming - safe for pets but bad news for fleas! Wear a mask, though - those small particles can be a problem if you breathe in too many during application.
• – Diatomaceous earth. Dirt in my house you say? No … diatomaceous earth is actually the fossilized remains of diatoms, the microscopic hard-shelled algae that fill our oceans and lakes. It is generally found as a sedimentary rock that is ground up into a fine powder. Why is it bad for fleas? Well, those old diatoms had very sharp little shells - so sharp that, when ingested, they puncture the innards of our flea tormentors. Or, the DE particles stick to flea outer shells and puncture them instead, resulting in termination by dehydration. Not pleasant to think about, but much better than the agony of our furry friends! Application is very similar to that of boric acid above.
• – Nontoxic flea traps are available commercially.
• – Flea control nematodes can be used in outdoor areas.

These approaches will reduce the flea populations, but you’ll still have to practice good household and animal hygiene. Make sure to vacuum and wash all bedding and linens - that will get rid of the eggs and larvae. Also, give your pet a 5-10 minute bath. Even relatively mild soaps will get rid of most fleas, but don’t do this too often as your pet will begin to scratch from dryness, not fleas! In a bit of time, natural products + good hygiene will rid your house of these alwful critters.

We hope this list will get you started on the road to a healthy, pest-free home! (We will cover termites in a separate post.) If you have any tips that have worked for you, please add them to the comments section.

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October 7th, 2007

Eco-friendly Car Rentals, Limos & Taxi Services

by Jessica Jensen

Are you planning a trip and you don’t want to rent another gas-guzzling Chevy Malibu? Or perhaps you are looking for an eco-smart way to get to the airport?  You have more great green options than you may know!

Green Rental Cars

We love EV Rental Cars, which will get you a hybrid or electric car in many Western US airports and locations (LAX, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Phoenix and more).  Check them out.  You can also get hybrids through Fox Rental Cars. Even the big national chain Enterprise Rental A Car is trying to spread the good green vibrations and rents many hybrids.

If you’re going to be in Los Angeles or Maui check out Bio-Beetle– they rent bio-diesel VW bugs. (That’s their cute green bug pictured above!) If you’re going to London, say cheerio to Green Tomato Cars. They provide Prius and plug-in hybrid rentals.

Limousine Services

Eco-limo drives you in style in hybrid and biodiesel vehicles. They currently service Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington DC but I’m told Las Vegas is next. Also if you’re in Los Angeles and you want to be eco-fabulous, then there’s Evo Limo.  According to Evo Limo, they “took a bold step and converted full size SUVs - Chevy Suburbans - to run on clean fuel (CNG), resulting in ultra low emissions. Then we custom designed an interior with plenty of room to spread out in comfort: limo-style seating for four to six, tinted windows, luxurious cabin with a smooth quiet ride to work or entertain in style.” While we would normally not advocate for SUVs, in this case Evo Limo is offering eco-smart SUV options so we’re all for it.

If you’re in New York, you can use Ozo Car, which is a hybrid private car service. In Colorado you have Green Limousine waiting to help you– it’s a biodiesel limo service. And in San Francisco and Boston you can use PlanetTran, the hybrid airport transport service. If you’re in London, check out Ecoigo, which offers taxis and private car hires in the UK.

Green Taxis

There are green taxi services cropping up all over the place– hurray! In San Francisco, you can hail a natural gas vehicle from Yellow Taxi. Or you can give a holler to a hybrid from SF Green Cab.  In Los Angeles, call Taxi! Taxi! for their hybrid cabs. In Texas you have the aptly-named Hybrid Taxi Service serving Anglina County, or the hybrid fleet at Yellow Cab Houston. In Charlotesville Virginia you can use Go Green Taxi. In London there’s Radio Taxis, which are run on biodiesel.

Did we miss any? Is there a green taxi service in your city? Please let us know by commenting on this article. And have a safe ride.

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October 5th, 2007

Eco-who? Eco-Me. These Green Home Cleaning Kits Are Swell!

by Monica Schenk

Move over Method - we love Eco-Me home kits for so many reasons. These do-it-yourself home cleaning kits empower consumers to make their own chemical-free cleaning products using ingredients found right in your kitchen. They provide reusable containers, scrub brushes, cleaning cloths, essential oil and easy how-to instructions for making your own cleaning products at home.  What makes them so great?  We’ll tell you.

• – We love the creativity and flexibility.
• – If you don’t like vinegar, just use lemon juice (and so on).
• – We love reusing containers. Reusing is 99% more effective than recycling at reducing waste, energy and greenhouse gas emissions.
• – We love the familiarity of the ingredients.  Since 1950, 70,000 new chemical compounds have been invented and dispersed into our environments and only a fraction have been tested for human toxicity, says the Eco-Me news page.
• – We love the essential oil. The combination of tea tree, lavender, lemongrass and rosemary smells like a clean spa oasis.

You can find Eco-Me home kits and other Eco-Me products in our product directory or go to their website at  www.eco-me.com/.

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October 3rd, 2007

Eco-Travel Part 3: EcoTourism

by Cassie Walker

As more people become aware of the trouble that our environment is in, many of us want to venture out to see the natural world in person – perhaps before it’s too late. Thanks to advances in travel and the ability to learn about previously unknown places on the Web, these remote areas are becoming much more accessible. In fact, tourism is now the world’s largest industry, employing 200 million people and generating $3.6 trillion in economic activity (yes, that’s trillion, with a t!). Nature tourism represents the industry’s fastest growing segment, and this trend is expected to continue over the next two decades. 

But exploring these wild, remote places can actually degrade an area’s natural state. So what is the intrepid explorer to do? The answer comes in the form of ecotourism.

The term ecotourism has become increasingly popular in both conservation and travel circles. Though some definitions vary, The Nature Conservancy has joined the World Conservation Union in adopting the following definition of ecotourism: “Environmentally responsible travel to natural areas, in order to enjoy and appreciate nature (and accompanying cultural features, both past and present) that promote conservation, have a low visitor impact and provide for beneficially active socio-economic involvement of local peoples.”

Notably, the definition includes a necessary respect for culture and the indigenous population, as well as an emphasis on conservation. In practice, ecotourism has many benefits, including providing revenue for the protection of natural sites. Ecotourism also educates travelers, leading to more enthusiastic activists and agents for conservation.

Some places have long held a few of the tenets of ecotourism, like the Grand Canyon: Grand Canyon National Parks “Pack it in, pack it out!” motto, requiring visitors leave nothing behind, (other than their footprints.) But most tourism in natural areas is not sustainable – as more people visit ecologically sensitive areas, the more damage can be done. This damage can extend to an area’s local culture, as communities struggle to adjust to an influx of wealth and foreign visitors. In addition, traditional mass tourism isn’t always a stable source of revenue, as it is subject to changes in weather, exchange rates, and even political conditions.

But ecotourism strives to overcome some of those obstacles. According to the Nature Conservancy, it can be distinguished from other types of nature tourism by its emphasis on conservation, education, traveler responsibility and active community participation. Specifically, ecotourism possesses the following characteristics:

• – Conscientious, low-impact visitor behavior
• – Sensitivity towards, and appreciation of, local cultures and biodiversity
• – Support for local conservation efforts
• – Sustainable benefits to local communities
• – Educational components for both the traveler and local communities

Fortunately, with the rise in eco-consciousness, opportunities abound to see the natural world without harming it.

Leaders in Ecotourism

Countries in South and Central America, many of which are experiencing a boom in travelers and have much to protect, are certainly embracing ecotourism. For developing countries, the move toward ecotourism signals a move toward sustainable development – a must for protecting their economies and natural resources for generations to come. Costa Rica, for example, has adopted ecotourism practices and has even developed a Certificate for Tourism Sustainability, which certifies each company and provides a sense of security for those concerned about greenwashing. This focus on ecotourism allows Costa Rica to enjoy the financial benefits of increased tourism, while protecting its environment and the inhabitants of the country. Ecolodges, like the Lapa Rios on the Osa Peninsula, offer relaxation and beautiful views while remaining committed to environmentally sound practices. While enjoying paradise, travelers also get to learn about conservation, biodiversity, and the area’s culture. Plus, since ecolodges use local resources, an estimated 95% of their revenues go back into the local economy.

If you’re looking for a trustworthy resource for a packaged, eco-friendly tour, look no further than your old friends, organizations like The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, and The National Audubon Society. First up, The Nature Conservancy, which offers tours to exotic locations such as Peru, including visits to the Amazon and Machu Picchu. Closer to home, domestic trips might take you on a walking tour of the Redwood Coast in California, or the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Kansas. Regardless of your destination, by traveling with experienced and knowledgeable Nature Conservancy guides, the trips are more than your typical group tours. You’ll learn about the entire ecosystem of each area, including human history and ongoing conservation efforts. Some trips focus on photography, or include workshops on subjects like grizzly bears.

Another organization, the World Wildlife Fund, offers trips to support their goal of conserving 19 of the world’s most important natural places. From the Galapagos, to the Coral Triangle, to the rivers and steams of the southeastern US, these places are key to the survival of natural diversity. The National Audubon Society, with their focus on birds and other wildlife, has gone so far as to create a “Travel Ethic” for environmentally responsible travel. The Ethic includes rules barring tourists from disturbing wildlife and habitat, governing waste disposal, and emphasizing respect for other cultures. Audubon offers trips in North America, like a Canadian trip to see polar bears, as well as further afield. Who wouldn’t want to go on a month-long trip that goes from the Straits of Gibraltar, along to North Africa, finally ending in Argentina’s Patagonia region?

World Heritage Sites

If a month-long trip just isn’t in the cards (perhaps you haven’t won the lottery…at least, not yet) you can still enjoy an eco-friendly trip. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage sites might be a good place to start. Located in 141 countries around the world, these sites encompass both cultural and natural treasures, protecting them for future generations. Due to the diversity of the sites, there is certain to be one that would make for an unforgettable trip. There are 20 sites in the US alone, including Independence Hall, Great Smokey Mountains National Park, and even the Statue of Liberty. Through a partnership with Expedia, the nonprofit Friends of World Heritage Fund will receive profits from certain trips booked through Expedia, funneling the profits back in to the protection of these sites. A win-win!

The International Ecotourism Society

What? You need even more choices for destinations? OK then, to satisfy all of your ecotourism needs, check out this one-stop shop: The International Ecotourism Society (TIES). This nonprofit organization works to achieve its vision of becoming “the global source of knowledge and advocacy uniting communities, conservation, and sustainable travel.” In addition to resources and education, TIES’ site also includes a search engine allowing you to find travel agents, hotels, or other services that have signed TIES’ code of conduct.

Don’t Forget to Consider the Carbon Emissions from Your Travels

Of course, to get to one of these amazing places, you will still have to travel by car, train, bus or plane. And, even if you use the less-harmful modes of transportation (like trains and busses) you will still be responsible for…you guessed it…your dreaded carbon emissions. So though you might be embarking on an ecotourism adventure, make sure to work to reduce, and then offset, your carbon emissions – check out our August newsletter for details on why and how to do this. Or if you want to cut to the chase, you can just get offsets through our favored offset provider, Native Energy.

So go ahead and see the world – just make sure to do your homework to ensure that your nature travel follows the guidelines for ecotourism!

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