Archive for November, 2007
November 6th, 2007
Strawbale Construction: Green Building Naturally
Stumble it!
Our friend Andrew Morrison, of Strawbale.com,has written a piece to educate us on this great green builiding technique. Read and learn about Straw bale construction–it’s eco-smart and beautiful, too!
***********
Straw bale construction is one of the most effective and appealing green building technologies available today. The fact that straw bales are a waste product from the agricultural industry helps to push them to the top of the list for recycled or reusable material. Each year millions of tons of waste straw are burned to remove it from the fields. The smoke from these fires creates a great deal of particulate air pollution. Baling the straw and using it to build houses reduces the amount of straw that is burnt each season and ultimately improves air quality.
From the beginning of the process, straw bales are a healthy alternative to conventional building products. They do not contain any chemical binders or glues and do not off gas. Perhaps the most commonly known attribute of straw bale construction is the high efficiency of the walls once constructed. With an R-Value of upwards of R-40 (R value is the measure of energy efficiency used in the construction industry for walls, floors and ceilings) bale walls provide nearly three times the efficiency of a standard wall assembly. This means considerably lower heating and cooling bills and less fuel required to provide those amenities. This high level of efficiency reduces the owner’s carbon footprint by limiting the amount of heating and cooling necessary for the home. Imagine building with a material that lowers global warming on both ends of its life cycle.
Another large advantage of building with bales is found the moment someone walks into a bale home: the beauty of the building system. The natural curves and soft lines of the bale walls are like no other building system. That natural beauty translates into a calm energy that fills the room and the occupants with a sense of peace. Along with the natural beauty comes a natural sense of quiet. The bales provide effective soundproofing that insulates the home owner from the often loud World outside.
A somewhat surprising statistic for most people is the way bale wall assemblies handle fire. Many people assume they would be at increased risk of fire damage when in fact, a bale home has three times the fire resistance of a conventional home. The extra resistance is in the plaster skins and the density of the bales themselves. Imagine, for example, trying to burn a phone book with a match or lighter. That is not easily done because there is not enough oxygen in between the sheets of paper to sustain the flame. The same is true of bales. They are densely packed and thus cannot support flame spread. Now wrap those densely packed bales in over one inch of plaster on each side of the wall and you have a fire resistant system that out performs standard construction techniques three to one.
The wall color is in the plaster, so repainting is not an issue either. Although the walls can be painted should you decide on a new color palette for your home.
There is a lot of information out there about straw bale construction; however, much of it is outdated. The techniques used to build with bales change rapidly as new ideas and practices come to light. The most up to date information is available at www.StrawBale.com. The site offers a lot of free information which is updated two to three times a week. There are video posts, articles, audio podcasts, photo galleries, an E-Course, and more. In addition, you can find access to instructional DVDs from this site and links to resources all over the World in both straw bale construction and the broader green construction market. If you are interested in building with bales, this is the best place to learn, practice and complete your efforts.
Popularity: 2% [?]
November 5th, 2007
How To Tuesday: Make Your Own Biodiesel
Yes, you really can make biodisesel from used cooking oil in your garage for less than a buck a gallon. It takes a bit of research and determination to set up a processor, but once you’re up and running it becomes another simple task to complete as part of the weekend chores. If you’re interested in the process of making biodiesel, keep reading. Skip to the end if you just want to know about how to buy biodiesel and its environmental benefits.
A huge misconception is that biodiesel is the same as vegetable oil. Making biodiesel is really creating a chemical reaction that changes vegetable oil into biodiesel. Here are the basic steps involved:
1. Get some used vegetable oil. Anywhere that has excess oil that’s liquid at room temperature is a good place to start (although I have a preference for oil from restaurants serving Asian cuisine). There are several sources online that give tips about how to get a good source.
2. Filter out the chunks. Used cooking oil will have leftover tempura, fried chicken, and other surprises depending what was cooked in it. A window screen or paint strainer will remove all the chunks big enough to cause problems in your reaction.
3 . Heat it up. There are several types of processors available to make or buy. Although my tank is made of plastic, it’s best to heat the oil in a metal container. The reaction occurs best between 120F and 130F. If it’s colder, the reaction takes too long. If it’s hotter, you’ll boil off one of the chemicals involved in the reaction.
4. Once the oil is up to 120F, you need to add lye and methanol. Both of these chemicals are dangerous if you don’t take proper precaution, so use common sense and safety procedures. Lye is the main component of powdered drain cleaners, methanol is a poisonous alcohol…don’t let either touch your skin and don’t breathe in the dust or vapors. There’s a specific formula for how to mix the lye and methanol, check out www.biodieselcommunity.org for all the details you could ever want.
5. Drain the glycerin. Glycerin is the byproduct of the biodiesel reaction. It separates from the biodiesel and can be drained off the bottom of the barrel used for the reaction. It can be used to make soap, composted, or put into a methane digester. If you start making biodiesel, check with local regulations before you dispose of it down the drain
6. Wash it. The biodiesel is almost ready, but it has some leftover glycerin in it as well as some soaps that are formed as part of the reaction. These impurities are removed by putting a fine mist of water onto the biodiesel. The tiny water droplets fall through the biodiesel and collect up the leftover glycerin and soaps. You know you’re done when the water is clear.
7. Dry it. There is still some water suspended in the biodiesel. By “drying” the biodiesel, you allow this water to evaporate. Although there are several ways to do this, it’s easiest to just circulate the biodiesel with a pump that sprays it against the side of the tank. Air is blow into the tank with a small fan, which causes the suspended water to evaporate more quickly. After half a day, the biodiesel will no longer be cloudy.
8. Filter it and use it. After a final trip through a filter, the biodiesel is ready for use in any unmodified diesel engine.
Although making biodiesel isn’t that hard, it’s not for everybody. Some people don’t have a spot to put a processor, don’t have time to do it, or just don’t want to deal with it…but there’s still hope. Biodiesel is becoming more and more available at gas stations around the country. There are also some cooperative groups that buy biodiesel in bulk and “sell” it to members of the coop. Follow this link to Biodiesel.org to find biodieself fueling stations near you. You can also try this one from FindBiodiesel.org.
Biodiesel is inherently more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based fuels because of its CO2 cycle. It can theoretically be “carbon neutral” and not contribute addition carbon to the atmosphere. This is because the oil producing plants take carbon from the atmosphere to produce the oil that is used to make biodiesel, rather than taking petroleum that has been “locked up” underground for thousands of years. This is reduced if petroleum fuel is used to transport the biodiesel or any of the components used to make it. As with all biofuels, you should consider the source of the “feedstock” for the fuel. It goes against the environmental benefits of using biodiesel if someone cut down rain forest to plant oil producing crops to make biodiesel…it’s a fair question to ask your suppliers. Biodiesel is obviously also more sustainable because it is made from a renewable resource (plants) while petroleum is a non-renewable, finite resource. To learn more about the environmental impacts of biodiesel, please see our full article on the topic.
Although biodiesel and other biofuels are a step in the right direction, we really need to consider why we use as much fuel as we do. A combination of taking fewer trips, using public transportation, riding bikes, and walking in addition to more efficient vehicles and biofuels is going to be necessary for a long-term sustainable approach to dealing with the world’s fuel consumption issues.
Popularity: 2% [?]
November 4th, 2007
Organic Dining Across America: Chicago
The Windy City…A land famous for Frank Lloyd Wright, Wrigley Field, House music, and Al Capone. The culinary classics of this town still remain the Chicago-style hot dog (with pickle spears, tomatoes, and “sport” peppers) and, of course, Chicago Deep Dish. So where can Low Impact Living possibly begin our search for America’s greatest organic dining in a town better known for pizza pies than biodynamic brussel sprouts?
At the best pizza place in town, of course, for a big bite of…Crust. Yes, Chef Michael Altenburg has found a way to feed Chicagoans pizza that they can actually feel good about. He opened the country’s fourth-ever certified organic restaurant earlier this year to nothing but accolades. Rather than the traditional deep dish style, Altenberg prefers to serve his 95% organic ingredients on piping hot herb-encrusted flatbread. His flatbreads come with everything from the simple Shroom with goat cheese, and spinach, to the wilder Mexicali Blues, topped with wood-fired shrimp, chihuahua cheese, pico de gallo, heirloom peppers, and cilantro. Only because Crust’s ingredients are of such high quality, do I not feel a need to question in greater detail just what exactly is Chihuahua Cheese. The Sweet Basil Salad with its fresh-pulled mozzarella, tomato, red onion, and basil is just perfect if you prefer your pizza without the…you know. 2056 W. Division Street 773.235.5511
Crust isn’t Michael Altenberg’s first organic restaurant venture. He founded one of Chicago’s greatest restaurants, which is actually not quite in Chicago. Just on the outskirts of the city lies Campagnola. Translated loosely as “woman of the countryside,” Campagnola has been lauded as a restaurant that feels so welcoming that walking through the front door feels like walking into a friend’s home. And though Michael Altenberg has now moved on to flatbread heaven, Chef Vincent DiBattista is holding down the reputation of this sophisticated Italian bistro just fine. The Garlic Sausage with Fingerling Potato Salad and the Steamed Mussels in Saffron Fennel Broth make divine starters. You can follow it with a bowl of Linguine with Wood-Fired Prawns, Preserved Lemon & Radicchio or skip the pasta altogether and enjoy the sustainably-raised lamb, chicken or steak. Campagnola is the perfect place to bring vegetarians and carnivores together under one roof to enjoy the bounty of organic, seasonal delicacies the Illinois countryside has to offer. 815 Chicago Avenue 847.475.6100
William Rice of the Chicago Tribune has touted Karyn Calabrese as “the high priestess of raw food.” Priestess or no, she certainly is a pioneer in the Chicago restaurant world, bravely opening this Midwest city’s first completely raw restaurant- Karyn’s Raw Vegan Gourmet Restaurant. Here vegans and raw food junkies feast on seaweed dim-sum, almond pate, and basil “ravioli” filled with macademia whipped creme and sun-dried tomato puree. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the emerging Raw Food trend, this diet does not allow for food to be heated above 110°F and involves a lot of nut purees, thinly sliced vegetables, and dehydrated or sprouted grains.
If all this sounds a wee bit too adventurous for you, head over to Karyn’s Cooked for a big ol’ Slab of Ribs, a barbecued tofu and seitan sandwich served on a torpedo roll. If you’re in the mood for something a bit more elegant, try the grilled polenta layered with wild porcini and shitake mushrooms. And even if you don’t have an appetite, Karyn’s mini empire can help you work one up at her Inner Beauty Center, which provides yoga & pilates classes, detox courses, and bodywork.
Raw: 1901 North Halsted Street 312.255.1590
Cooked: 738 North Wells Street 312.587.1050
Eat hearty and healthy in Chicago, everyone! Next up in our series, Los Angeles, the tasty home of Low Impact Living, Inc. And to find more delicious organic restaurants around the country, please consult our organic dining listings across the US by clicking here.
Popularity: 1% [?]
November 2nd, 2007
Your Recycling Mysteries Solved!
It is amazing how confusing recycling can be. It should be easy, right? Unfortunately it is not so clear-cut. We have received many emails from well-meaning folks like you pondering the what/when/how of recycling. We are going to try to sort it all out for you here. According to the EPA today, the US recycles 25% of its trash, when it could recycle 75%! So let’s all pitch in and turn up the volume on our recycling.
The Basics: Glass, Metal, Paper and Plastics
Not all paper, plastics or metal are created equal. We will sift through the issues here. First, glass is completely recyclable and saves precious energy resources. Making products from recycled glass uses less energy than starting from scratch. Recycled glass is made into new beverage bottles, food jars, insulation and other construction materials. So put glass containers in your recycling bin—but be sure to dispose of the caps and lids separately. They are typically not recyclable.
No surprise: aluminum cans are like gold. Aluminum is the most valuable of household recyclables. Aluminum cans are recycled to produce new aluminum cans. By recycling aluminum cans, you are helping to conserve energy. Rinse the cans to prevent attracting insects and crush them if you need to save space.
Other sources of household aluminum such as clean aluminum foil, clean pie ties, aluminum siding, and the frames of alumninum lawn furniture, can also be recycled. These items, however, may not be accepted by your local program or may require special handling. Check with your local recycling program. To find your local recycling resources, we recommend you search the great national recycling database available at Earth911.org.
One important note related to both glass and metal: you do not have to clean the heck out of them before throwing them in your bin. You also don’t have to remove labels. The heat used in the recycling process deals with contaminants easily– and you get to save water!
Newspapers, office paper and junk mail are typically all recyclable. Newspapers are recycled into paperboard, new newsprint, and into insulation. Recycling newspapers saves valuable space in landfills. In general, you can include any inserts (advertisements, comics) originally delivered with the paper. Office paper can be recycled into other writing paper, tissue and towel products. Some local recycling programs are now recycling magazines, catalogs, telephone directories and unwanted “junk” mail. These materials should be handled in the same way as newsprint. But again please check your local services to see how they want paper disposal to be handled.
Sadly, plastics are not as straightforward. The plastics industry has developed a coding system to help us identify different types of plastic resins used in packaging. The codes can be found on the bottom of most plastic containers. These numbers mean very different things– so you need to know what you’re doing.
To read the full story on plastics, and to learn more about recycling the following items, please click here to read our full recycling guide.
- + Leaves, Grass and Other Yard Debris
- + More on the Specifics of Plastics
- + Batteries– Dispose of with care!
- + Cell PhonesComputers, Printers, and other Household Electronics
- + Compact Fluorescent Lights
Thank you for working to do the most you can in recycling!
Popularity: 1% [?]
November 1st, 2007
Add Green to Your Interior Design Palette
Greening your interior space can be challenging, but it can also be a creative and fun experience. There are small things that you can do to live in a more sustainable space or you can contemplate larger renovations and re-designs. Here at Low Impact Living we provide many listings of experienced green interior designers all over the country, like MCM2 Design in NJ, Adeeni Design in San Fransisco, Interior Wisdom in FL, and Path Design in Orange County. We also feature many beautiful green products and materials. We hope to be a resource for whatever you want to accomplish in your ideal and eco-friendly interior environment!
Seek Green Materials
Today, more and more manufacturers are working closely with designers to develop a wide range of options in environmentally friendly materials that are recycled, reclaimed, organic and/or renewable. For every product used in an interior environment, there is usually a greener option that can be used. In addition you should search for as many locally sourced and manufactured materials as possible. This can save a lot of embodied energy used in the manufacturing, shipping and packaging of products which can make a huge impact.
Here is a table that will help you find good sustainable alternatives to many materials used in home design:
To see examples of eco-friendly flooring, please click here. To see eco-friendly countertops, please click here.
Lighten Up Your Life
We have all heard that the first and easiest thing we can do to lower our environmental impact in our homes is to change the light bulbs to CFLs (compact florescent bulbs). In the past, the color of these bulbs was an issue, which was not typically flattering for skin tones. Fortunately, the demand for these bulbs has caused manufacturers to create bulbs that are warmer in color and look like normal bulbs. You can check out our wide selection of energy-efficient and aesthetically-pleasing bulbs and lighting options.
For those of you looking to do more than just change the light bulbs, there are other strategies that could improve light quality in an interior environment. You can use task lighting for specific areas of the room and not try to light the room with one large fixture. Whyr’hymer Furniture makes truly gorgeous and unique light fixtures. See them here and be amazed.
Another technique you can use is to paint the walls a lighter color which will lighten the room and reflect more of the natural light that comes into the space during the day. For added energy-efficiency, put motion sensors and/or dimmer switches on all light fixtures throughout the house. See our lighting controls and motion sensors.
Of course natural light is the healthiest option and doesn’t use any energy at all. If you are doing any kind of renovation, your windows should be Energy Star rated and located on the south side of the house to maximize light intake. There are also many skylight options that are inexpensive and can be placed into a roof very easily, such as these tubular skylight options. They look good and will save power and money. Overall, daylighting benefits are optimized by controlling glare, using appropriate light fixtures, maximizing solar options, and utilizing motion sensors all together as an integrated system.
Paint the Town Green
There is a world of colors waiting for you when it comes to eco-friendly paints. Many of the most popular names in the paint industry now offer more environmentally safe options. The main concern in paint is the VOC level (Volatile Organic Compounds) found in paints, coatings, and adhesives. VOCs affect the indoor air quality of an environment because they contain toxic substances that off-gas and can be hazardous to our health. To learn more about VOCs, you can read about them in our newsletter issue on Indoor Air Quality.
Although the low-VOC or no-VOC paints may be a bit more expensive, they are well worth the peace of mind. It is refreshing in more ways than one to know that the air you breathe in a newly painted room won’t make you sick. Low Impact Living offers a variety of options in low VOC and no VOC paints which include AFM SafeCoat and Bio-Shield. There are also great alternatives like Old-Fashioned Milk Paint and American Clay.
Aesthetic Re-Use
Have you ever realized that you own a lot of stuff that you don’t want to throw away but are running out of room to keep? Here are some ideas to enliven your interior space and give you the chance to re-use things that you might have lying around to add decorative flair. Haven’t you heard the phrase that one person’s trash is another person’s treasure?
- + Create a feature wall using old newspaper or magazine covers in a paper mache technique. Leftover paper is also good for wrapping paper, packing material, and book covers.
- + Create an eclectic collage on the wall using old plates and silverware.
- + Use natural stone samples (e.g., marble, slate, etc) as unique serving platters for cheese, fruit, or anything you want to keep cold. The stone gets cold in the fridge and remains chilled for a long period of time. Guaranteed to impress your guests!
- + Break apart old ceramic tiles and use pieces as mosaics for tabletops, planters, or coasters.
- + Use carpet samples for door mats, car mats, animal mats, or scratching posts.
We know we have merely scratched the surface of green interior design, but hopefully we have given you some ideas to consider. Please check back at Low Impact Living as we will be covering trends in green interior design and architecture frequently.
Popularity: 1% [?]
