Archive for January, 2008
January 23rd, 2008
The Story of Stuff
Have you seen the short animated video called The Story of Stuff? It is very interesting and worth a few minutes of your time.
The writer and lead actor in the video, Annie Leonard, is an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, with more than 20 years of experience investigating factories and dumps around the world. In the Story of Stuff Annie surveys the “materials economy” and its impact on our environment and health. She looks at the extraction of natural resources, the production and distribution of finished goods, the consumption of the products and finally their disposal.
The video will educate you, make you laugh, and possibly get you a little choked up. Please watch it and share your reactions. Then forward it on to your friends to see what they have to say. Click here to watch the video.
January 21st, 2008
How To Tuesday: Save Money Going Green
Given the fact that the “R word” is being used more frequently now about the American economy, we figured it was timely to provide a list of ways in which going green can save you cold hard cash. We hope we can avoid a recession, but if we can’t, we might as well save the planet while we scrimp, right?
There are many, many ways in which embracing a low-impact life can keep the dimes in your piggy bank — so this is by no means an exhaustive list. But it’s a good start. Many of these are free, and the ones that aren’t cost less than $100 and pay for themselves very quickly. Do you have other ideas? We welcome your suggestions– please share them in the comments section!
1. Save power by making sure you use energy-efficient lighting throughout your home. Lighting is one of the largest uses of power in your home. Use natural lighting where you can, or replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lighting. Fluorescent lights use 1/3 the electricity of normal bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. LED lights are even more efficient than fluorescent lights. And they’re not bright and ugly anymore! Buy some of these lights and they will pay for themselves in energy savings in a year. See a wide selection of compact fluorescent and LED lights here.
2. Get low-flow shower and sink attachments to save water. These devices are cheap and can save you thousands of gallons of water each year. For example a low-flow shower head can save you up to 3,000 gallons of water per person per year. Sink attachments cost $2.50 and shower heads start at $30. Find water-saving fixtures here.
3. Cancel your newspaper subscription and read your news online. It’s the modern way to go, it saves hundreds of trees each year and there’s $100 clams back in your pocket! Then do the same with your magazines.
4. Consider getting rid of your car–or use it less. Get a bike, use public transportation and save thousands of dollars! Read this great feature we did recently on embracing a car-less life. If you get rid of your car you can save thousands of dollars each year on gas, insurance, maintenance, etc. And you will majorly reduce your contribution to global warming.
5. Buy less stuff! And if you do buy something, consider getting it used. Need some furniture? See our recent feature on vintage & used furniture. Need a TV or a computer? Look on Craigslist. Need some clothes? Look on eBay or go to vintage shops & flea markets. Go to garage sales. And try swapping stuff with your friends!
6. Get a programmable thermostat. Many homes waste a great deal of energy and money by heating and cooling when people are not at home. With a programmable thermostat you can set your cooling and heating by day and time to maximize efficiency and money savings. These devices cost $50 and take 15 minutes to install. Find programmable thermostats here.
7. Increase the efficiency of your water heater. First, turn the temperature down to at least 120 degrees. Most people run their water heater too hot. Then get an insulation sweater to put around your water heater– it will reduce the amount of energy the heater needs to keep the water hot. (And it costs only $30) You should also insulate the pipes coming out of your water heater. These are only $5!
8. Eat less meat, eat more vegetables. Most people know meat is more expensive than veggies, but they may not realize that raising cattle and other meat-producing herds is extremely costly from an environmental perspective. To learn more, read this fascinating report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the environmental destruction causes by raising livestock.
9. Eat out less– cook at home. Head to your local farmer’s market, get some delicious organic treats, and cook ‘em up. You can probably even afford a bottle of wine with the money you’ll save. Check out wonderful organic recipes here.
10. Take local vacations. Or take a train instead of a plane. Flying is one of the most carbon-emissions-intensive activities any of us can undertake. Whenever possible, take a train or drive. Live in LA and you’ve never taken the train up the coast to San Francisco?? Do it– it’s gorgeous, relatively inexpensive, and eco-friendly. Learn more about eco-friendly travel options here.
Have other ideas?? Please share them in the comments section.
January 20th, 2008
Alternative Eco-Friendly Wall Finishes
Interior walls become so one dimensional when if you think that eco-friendly paint is the only finish option for green homes. Let’s look beyond the flat or glossy and explore some alternatives to paint that will create texture and depth on any vertical surface.
It is not only the ingredients of any wall finish that determines its green value, but also the environmental and health impacts associated. Standard paints and finishes contain a variety of dangerous chemicals, including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC), that effect indoor and outdoor air quality and potentially cause human health issues.
In response to these concerns, we are now seeing many alternative wall finishes that use natural materials like milk, limestone, quartz, soy, and clay as their foundation. Many of these green wall finishes earn environmental credit for being water-based, using organic or mineral pigments for color, and/or being bio-degradable. (And some of these options have been around for centuries!)
For example, milk paint is a very old style of paint and it derives its stability from milk protein. It is a fast-drying, water-soluble medium. The colors are also warm and wonderful. Check out the beautiful offering from Old-Fashioned Milk Paint. (Shown above.)
Another great option is earth plasters, like those made from limestone and clay. These come in an inert powder that mixes with water and adheres to virtually any wall surface. The manufacturing of lime plaster uses less energy than standard plasters (often made of Portland cement) and does not release CO2 into the atmosphere. Clay plasters also fill a room with negative ions, which are proven to produce positive biochemical reactions in humans. Negative ions have also been proven to increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our feelings of well being. Take a look at the clay-based finishes from American Clay.
Venetian plaster is one technique that uses a pre-colored natural substrate to create an old-world antique look. Talk about historic preservation — layering natural materials onto a wall surface not only creates a three-dimensional effect with proven longevity, it also repairs uneven surfaces. The thickness of the plaster also gives it added insulating properties. These plasters are also non-dusting, mold and fade resistant, repairable and control moisture. So layer it up and watch your walls become a work of function and art. Be sure to review the venetian plaster offering from Renaissance Wall Finishes. (Shown at left.)
Similar to paint, these natural finishes are ideal for do-it-yourselfers, but please consider these additional factors before starting any project. You may need special application tools in addition to paint brushes. Material costs are about 10 - 20% more expensive than paint at around $70 per gallon equivalent. Maintaining alternative finishes can be a little easier than paint since layering hides more imperfections. Some finishes may require special attention, be sure to consult the manufacturer for any additional restrictions or recommendations.
You can find a variety of alternative natural wall finishes here at Low Impact Living including BioShield, Old Fashioned Milk Paints, and Natural Venetian Plaster which uses real Mother of Pearl for added luminescence. Other options include Keim Mineral Systems which is a durable quartz finish.
You can also visit green material outlets in your city and see samples of these products. Green showrooms like Architectural Coatings + Design Centerin Los Angeles, Green Fusion Design Center in the Bay Area, and Green Depot in NY provide a one stop shop for these finishes and might even hold application seminars.
I hope we have helped you to see your walls in a whole new green dimension. Please let us know if you have any special techniques that you have seen or done that will help others make their walls green and gorgeous!
January 18th, 2008
Take the “Think Green Live Green” Challenge
Our friends over at JuntoVenture.org are sponsoring a new green contest we think you’ll enjoy. It’s called the “Think Green Live Green” challenge, and it’ an interactive competition that aims to build a community of dialogue about eco-friendly living. They ask all of us to create our own video answering one or all of these questions:
+ What are the biggest challenges you face in becoming more eco-friendly?
+ What questions do you have about eco-friendly living?
+ Are you taking any specific actions right now to be more eco-friendly, and if so, do you have a way to do it easily and conveniently?
+ What changes would you like to see happen from companies and the marketplace?
You can use a simple web-camera, camera phone, camcorder, or any other video recording device to make your response. Get creative! Then you just upload your video to You Tube. Hey, you could become eco-famous!
The prizes are pretty great– from Sierra Designs, Burt’s Bees, Timberland and more. Check out the goods here!
January 16th, 2008
Heavens to Etsy: Green Craft Central
Tired of finding the same old things at chain stores? Well, we have found the answer. Etsy.com is a three-year-old online marketplace for handmade goods. Over 100,000 artists and craft makers around the world have set-up Etsy shops to pedal their unique handmade goods online. You will not find anything on Etsy that is mass produced or made in a sweat shop. Money spent on Etsy goes straight into the hands that made the item you purchased. To top that off, Etsy is an excellent resource for recycled, up-cycled and sustainable items. If you are looking for that special sustainable something, Etsy is the place to go.
We put together a list of some of our favorite Etsy shops:
Bottled Up Designs makes beautiful jewelry from reclaimed glass and bottles found in rural Pennsylvania. These pretty pieces should get much more use than the bottles from which they originated. The artist who makes the jewelry says, “Out of concern for the environment and the wildlife, I have been reclaiming the antique glass and bottles from the natural wooded habitat and the rural farmland in the Pennsylvania Amish Country where I live.”
Rikrak makes beautiful blank gift cards and envelopes crafted from repurposed vintage fabrics. (Shown at left.) They are a great way to jazz up gift certificates, event tickets or love letters.
Right Brain Thinker makes 100% recycled scrubbing clothes from old t-shirts. (Shown at right.) These easy to wash, multi-tasking scrubbies are great for daily cleaning, chrome fixtures and washing vegetables.
Arm Candy sells handbags made from used clothing, leather cast-offs and samples. (Shown at left.) Their designs are clever and their commitment to re-use is strong. The vegan-friendly bags are perfect for a fun evening on the town.
The bamboo Luna Bikini by Eco Chic will be perfect for your next eco-adventure. (Shown at right.) The naturally anti-bacterial qualities of bamboo make it the perfect swimsuit material. Eco Chic makes other eco fashions with soy, bamboo, hemp, organic cotton, and tencel.
The reusable lavender dryer bags from Pink Dixie are greener than disposable sacks and keep your laundry smelling just as fresh. (Shown at left.) Each bag comes with two packets of lavender good for 5 dryer cycles each. The bags may also be used as sachets to tuck into dresser drawers and are easily personalized with your favorite fragrant combination.
January 15th, 2008
Yes, There Are Dimmable Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
Here are Low Impact Living we talk to a lot of people in the process of greening their homes…and an evil rumor seems to have caught hold of the nation. It seems many people believe that compact fluorescent lights do not come in dimmable versions. We do not know how this nasty rumor got started, but we are here to debunk it. Yes, yes, there are dimmable compact fluorescent lights! We swear– we use them! Please check them out here. We have personally tested the dimmable Micro-Brite light shown at left and it works like a champ. We have several other sizes and option so be sure to browse.
(Just a quick refresher on why compact fluorescent bulbs are better than standard incandescent bulbs: CF bulbs use about ¼ the energy of normal incandescent light bulbs and CF bulbs can last up to 10 times as long as standard bulbs. CF bulbs also produce much less heat. They are a great eco-friendly choice.)
Further debunking: We have also learned that many people believe you cannot find compact fluorescent torpedo or candelabra bulbs (like the kind used in chandeliers and some wall sconces). Again, yes, yes you can! There are many kinds of torpedo bulbs– and they even come in dimmable varieties. To see standard torpedo versions, please click here. To see dimmable versions, please click here.
And finally, if you are not already aware of LED lighting, you should be. LED (or light-emitting diode) lighting is even more energy efficient than compact fluorescent lighting. LED lights will last 3-5 times as long as CF lights! There is not yet the huge range of bulb options available in the CF realm, but LED technology is progressing rapidly. You can see several LED lighting options here.
Investigate eco-friendly lighting–don’t be left in the dark!
