Archive for February, 2008
February 13th, 2008
Local, Fresh Foods: CSAs
Buying shares in a local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm is an ideal way to obtain local, organic produce. CSA initiatives give consumers the opportunity to buy advance shares in neighboring farm harvests, which help secure the availability of local food by giving money directly to, often struggling, family farmers. Community Supported Agriculture builds environmentally sustainable communities by decreasing our dependence on foreign foods that require an excess of fuel and energy to reach out tables.
CSA share-holders enjoy the convenience of having fresh, seasonal and local food delivered to their doorsteps or boxed and ready at nearby pick-up locations. Memberships allow busy environmentalist to make shorter and less frequent trips to the market, while putting buyers in touch with their regions seasonal bounty and connect with the natural environment through food. The CSA season typically runs from late spring through early fall. The number of CSAs in the United States was estimated at 50 in 1990, and has since grown to over 1000. To find a CSA near you, visit the wonderful site LocalHarvest.org.
There is another wonderful resource we want to make sure you know about to maximize your enjoyment of fresh, local foods. The Natural Resource Defense Council’s produces an excellent guide called What’s Fresh Near You. You simply put in your state and season, and they give you a whole list of what foods are in season in your area. Then you can plan your recipes to include local, fresh foods. And now you foodies can plan meals with local foods well in advance. Bon appetite!
February 11th, 2008
How To Tuesday: Green Your Bathroom
We all use a significant amount of water and power in our bathrooms– so there are plenty of ways to save resources by greening your bathroom. You can also improve your health by using non-toxic cleaners and personal products. Here is a list of ten ways you can embrace a green bathroom.
1. Save water and power in the shower. After toilets and clothes washing machines, showers are next up as residential water hogs. Today’s low-flow showerheads are comfortable and have great water pressure. Don’t think you have to give up a great shower to save water and power! You can save 3,000 gallons of water per person per year with these heads. They also reduce your power use by cutting your demand for hot water. Check out efficient shower heads here.
2. While you’re at it, why not take a shorter shower? You can easily get clean in under five minutes. And if you want to relax in hot water, take a bath. It uses less water than taking a long shower.
3. Use skylights or compact fluorescent lighting. A skylight saves you power for as long as you own your home. Or if you prefer electric light, make sure to use compact fluorescent or LED bulbs. Find energy-efficient lighting options here.
4. Turn off the sink while you’re brushing your teeth.
5. Consider a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater gives you a triple-whammy – you save energy (no water losing heat in the tank), water (shorter wait for the water to heat up on those cold mornings), and reduce carbon dioxide emissions (courtesy of less energy use). Not only will you save every time you use hot water in your house, but you’ll have all that extra space to put those mops and brooms where the water heater used to be! Find tankless water heaters here.
6. Get a low-flush toilet. On average, toilets are the single largest use of water inside of a house, and older models can use up to 5x as much water as state-of-the-art versions. Cut back by installing an ultra-low-flush toilet.
7. Get greener cleaners. Today’s non-toxic cleaners work great, smell good and don’t harm the environment. And you won’t be breathing in chemical fumes while you clean the tub. Find green cleaners here.
8. Use non-toxic soaps, shampoos and other personal care products. Remember that your skin is your body’s biggest organ, and it soaks up whatever chemicals we put on it. See healthy personal care product here.
9. Use eco-friendly towels and textiles. Organic cotton, hemp and now even bamboo-based textiles are better for the earth and healthier for you. See towels here.
10. If you are building the new bathroom of your dreams, help the planet at the same time! Consider cabinets, flooring, tiles and countertops made of recycled and renewable resources. See counters here, flooring here, and find cabinets here.
February 11th, 2008
Eco-Smart Product Stewardship
One topic we’re thinking a lot about these days at Low Impact Living is the topic of product stewardship. One part of being smart environmentally-conscious consumers is to think about how goods are made, where they come from, how they get to us, and how we consume and dispose of those products. Digging into the is often not easy and takes some research and extra awareness.
Our friends at Earth911.org have done an excellent feature on the topic of Product Stewardship.We invite you to review it. They discuss the issues of product lifecycle, supply chains, and the roles governments, retailers and consumers play in the product stewardship cycle. We all need to think more about how we can support products that are locally manufactured, made of recycled, sustainable and non-toxic materials, and finally close the loop by disposing of/recycling products appropriately at the end of their useful life. Product stewardship covers all of these steps of the consumption chain.
Another excellent resources on this topic is the Product Stewardship Institute. The PSI works with state and local government agencies to partner with manufacturers, retailers, environmental groups, federal agencies, and other key stakeholders to reduce the health and environmental impacts of consumer products. They are currently working in such diverse product categories as carpeting, fluorescent lighting, medical waste, paint, phone books, and tires.
To give you an example of how important these issues are, the PSI estimates that approximately 2.7 million tons of carpet and rugs are disposed of annually, representing about 1.2 percent of the municipal solid waste stream in the US. There are also over 300 million scrap tires generated every year! The PSI works with industry and government to help create new uses for these waste streams…and/or to re-engineer products at the front end of the supply chain to reduce wasted later on.
Tune back into the Low Down later this week when we will cover product stewardship as it relates to clothing production.
February 8th, 2008
LEED for Homes Unveiled
You may have heard of LEED for Homes and thought “what exactly does it mean?” We’re here to lift the veil. The LEED for Homes program, newly released by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is a rating system that promotes environmentally responsible design and the construction of high performance green homes. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, and the LEED methodology first became popular in the commercial building sector. The USGBC has recently come out with the LEED for Homes program and it is causing quite a stir in the green building and sustainable living communities.
The program is comprised of a point system adding up to a final score for a home. Builders and designers (and homeowners) can earn points by employing green strategies and technologies throughout the construction process. Certifying a home comes at a cost (see below), but will depend on the size and level of certification. You can go for Certified (45 – 59 points), Silver (60 – 74 points), Gold (75 – 89 points), or Platinum (90 – 136 points). Although there is no way we can summarize 136 points in this blog entry, hopefully we will help you make an informed decision by providing some key strategies and information about resources available to you.
Ratings Categories
LEED for Homes measures your home through 8 categories of performance. You can earn points in any and all of these categories. Location and Linkage (LL) compares your home in relation to the larger community. Sustainable Sites (SS) looks at the property and impact of your home on the site. Water Efficiency (WE) identifies indoor and outdoor water saving practices. Energy and Atmosphere (EA) analyzes energy consumption and efficiency. Materials and Resources (MR) encourages the use of environmentally preferable materials and ways to minimize construction waste. Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) measures the improvement of indoor air quality and exposure to pollutants. Innovation & Design Process (ID) identifies exemplary performance above and beyond the rating system requirements. Finally, Awareness & Education (AE) provides education to the homeowner, tenant, and/or building manager about the operations and maintenance of the green features.
If you are interested in going for a LEED rating, the first thing we have to caution you about is the size of your home. Bigger is not better in the LEED for Homes rating system, which penalizes people for building a larger home. The rating system states that “A 100% increase in home size yields an increase in annual energy usage of 15% to 50%, depending on the design, location, and occupants of the home”. Not only does the energy consumption increase with a bigger home, but consequently the materials and resources used increase as well. Minimizing the environmental impact of your home will gain you more points, so think small and Low Impact!
The biggest impact our homes have on the environment is in energy usage. Thus, the category that gains you the most points in the LEED for Homes rating system is Energy and Atmosphere. However, cutting your energy use must go deeper than just using compact fluorescent light bulbs. It has to be a lifestyle change by analyzing every mechanical system, every appliance, and every household habit that consumes energy in your home. The LEED rating system emphasizes insulating your home properly, having energy efficient windows and doors, using Energy Star appliances and lighting, and offsetting consumption with renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. Extra points can be gained for home orientation and passive solar design.
Specifying green materials and considering environmental attributes will impact performance, maintenance and value. The use of high performance materials will save money on the maintenance and operating costs of a home. The LEED rating system encourages the use of durable green materials that are manufactured locally, have recycled content and are recyclable. Reclaimed lumber, for example, is more durable since it is from old growth trees, is structurally more exact in sizing, and is clear of any toxins like formaldehyde. Using materials that are sourced, manufactured, and delivered within a 500 mile radius of the building site will support local companies and cut down on packaging and shipping. Often we do not think about where the products come from, how they are made, or even the culture of the manufacturer. Selecting materials for your home using the LEED guidelines helps to recognize that there is more to materials than aesthetics.
Good air quality in a home is not only good for your health and happiness, but is also good for the environment. The LEED rating system encourages the introduction of natural air and light into our homes. The air that we breathe is often linked to many allergies and illnesses, and temperature control is crucial to occupant comfort. Chemical sensitivities are a major issue for many individuals and have been a driving force for sustainable design. According to the EPA, indoor air can have up to ten times more concentration of toxins than outdoor air no matter where you live. The most common examples that we associate with bad air are paints, cleaning supplies, and pesticides. But did you know that many building materials like wood, furnishings and textiles, office equipment and even craft supplies give off gaseous fumes? The LEED rating system calls for operable windows, thermal controls should be manually controlled and programmable, and all household cleaners, paints, pesticides, and any other volatile liquids should be stored in ventilated areas or areas that are separate from living space.
Costs of the Program
The base cost is $1,750.00 for members of the USGBC and $2,250.00 for non-members for projects under 50,000 sf. We should hope that there would not be any homes built over 50,000 sf, but if there are, than it is an additional $.04 - $.05 per square foot on top of the fixed cost. There are also added expenses based on the level of certification attained; the USGBC estimates there will be a 5% cost increase in overall design, construction and building costs for the basic certification, and as much as 10% for Platinum certified. For any of you going through the process now, we’d love to hear your thoughts on these cost estimates in the comments section of this blog.
Resources
The LEED for Homes rating system itself may seem overwhelming, but there are many resources to help you through the process. The USGBC provides applicants with official Green Raters to assist with the process who perform inspections and help individuals with their sustainability goals on a local level. There are also 70 additional programs throughout the country with state specific green rating systems. To find the green rating system in your area, click here. Or if you have additional questions you can send an email to us here at Low Impact Living, where we have two LEED Accredited Professionals who will be happy to answer your questions. Just email info@lowimpactliving.com.
February 7th, 2008
Grocery Bags, Grocery Gripes
I’m sure you’ve heard the news that plastic grocery bags are getting banned all over the place. San Francisco has passed a law banning plastic sacks at groceries and pharmacies. Whole Foods announced they are getting rid of plastic bags by Earth Day this year–and they are even giving out free reusable bags to their customers now. Heck, even China is banning plastic bags! (Yes, that is a not a joke– they are banning bags in order to clean up their act before the 2008 Olympics roll into town. And more power them.)
It seems like people all over are finally getting the idea that consuming billions of plastic bags each year is a baaaaad environmental idea, and they are actually doing something about it. This is great news– hurray!
And now I will share some grocery gripes. Please forgive me for getting a bit heated here– I know I am normally quite restrained in this blog. But these have been brewing in my mind for a while. I’m airing them in the hopes that perhaps others of you share my pain and will support me with your comments and suggestions.
Gripe #1: So why do so many of my fellow shoppers at Trader Joe’s and Von’s and Whole Food’s STILL not bring their own bags to the store? It amazes me. I mean, it is just not that hard to do. Throw ‘em in your car, take ‘em on the bus, and you’re set. I was at Trader Joe’s the other day and a woman saw me with my set of bags and she held up her fistful of canvas bags and shouted over to me, “Hey, I’ve got my bags too!! Been doing it for years!” We shared a heart-warming moment of green solidarity, yes. But I really wish that it would be a totally unremarkable act to show up with your own set of sacks. Can I get an amen?
Gripe #2: When I do bring my own bags, don’t try to sneak plastic bags into them! So often I have to ask a checker or a bagger to not first wrap something in a plastic bag and then put that plastic bag in my canvas bag. And when I do ask them to not do this, I am often given a look that implies I am wearing a large lizard on my head or have grape jelly all over my face. No plastic bags and no snotty looks– thanks so much.
Gripe #3: Trader Joe’s packaging. I LOVE Trader Joe’s. I mean I am crazy about so much that is Trader Joe’s– the variety, the organics, the helpful crew members in their festive shirts. But what drives me nuts is the plastic packaging. Why oh why can I not buy a couple of cucumbers that aren’t sitting on a plastic tray and then wrapped in plastic? Why do I have to buy tomatoes in a plastic box? Can’t they just have loose fruits and vegetables? Maybe they have a good reason that I don’t know about. But could they please share their rationale and then work to change their plastic practices? Thank you Trader Joe’s.
What are your grocery gripes?
Related posts:
What is Sustainable Cuisine?
How To Choose Sustainable Coffee
Nine Money-Saving Tips for Eating Greener
Find organic restaurants near you
February 5th, 2008
Green Hearts for Valentine’s Day
February 14th has been the day to express romantic love in western culture dating back to early Roman times. However, commercially made greeting cards, mass-produced chocolates, sweat-shop lingerie, blood diamonds and imported flowers did not join the tradition until the 20th century.
There are so many more personal, eco-friendly ways to express love for your Valentine that we decided to skip the light green recommendations like recycled cards, fair-trade chocolates, and organic flowers. Why spend money and the planet’s resources on impersonal Valentines that pale in comparison to simple gifts of time and creativity?
Here are a few ideas for high passion, low environmental impact Valentine gifts:
Written Word
There are a number of ways to express your love in writing. Poetry was surely invented for this purpose. If you are not a poet, but have a way with research, a transcribed classic will work like magic – I use this one quite a bit myself. For those still uncertain of mutual affection, a humorous haiku might be appropriate for the object of your affection. A simple love letter is another obvious choice or writing down the story of how you met your Valentine for future generations to enjoy. When carefully crafted, words can be a life-long keepsake. I have a love letter from a high school sweet heart that I’m taking to the grave. Lastly, several short messages tucked into pockets, handbags and wallets can have a very romantic collective effect.
Photographs
When you have a good long history with your valentine a sentimental image can carry so much romantic meaning. A single photo can be blown-up, framed, re-created in another media, made into an e-card or an Andy Warhol-like poster. A handmade collage is another way to make pictures into a unique and special gift. Lately, I have fallen in love with online scrapbooks and slide-shows set to music by Smilebox. These personalized creations are great gifts, because they can be shared with office mates or posted on social network profiles for a more public display of affection.
Reused Paper
I remember making Valentines in grade school with glue, construction paper and heart shaped doilies. My office has a recycle bin that is full of opportunities for creative reuse. I really like the idea of cutting out dozens of hearts and sticking them all over some surprise location for your loved one to stumble upon. Old newspaper can be used to make long stings of connected hearts to display a romantic message. Your imagination and a little left-over paper can make a valentine more dear than anything you could purchase in a store. If you have children, we especially encourage this practice.
Music
If you really want to wear your heart on your sleeve, there is nothing like a good old fashioned serenade. It’s hard not to appreciate even the worst solo concert played in the name of love. You could write a special song for your loved one or learn a classic to play for your sweetheart on Valentine’s Day. A Say Anything, boom box version can be just as charming, if you are totally tone deaf. Technology has created new ways to dedicate a song to your loved one, complete with a mySpace video. I’ve actually seen this done on Facebook, but a simple email with a hyperlink would suffice.
Food
The best way to a man or woman’s heart is through the stomach. A homemade candle light dinner will make anyone feel like a king or queen, especially if you take your sweethearts food preferences into consideration. Combined with an evening walk, a little wine, music and dancing in the kitchen, dinner at home can be truly stellar Valentine’s date. A bunch of citrus fruit or small batch of homemade treats are also great gifts for Valentine’s Day.
If you have an original and low impact Valentine’s Day idea, please share them with us. Only G-rated comments please.
And if you are looking for more traditional green gifts, our friends at Ecofabulous and The Emerald City have put together very dandy Valentine’s gift lists. Enjoy!
