Archive for March, 2008
March 24th, 2008
Support Companies Working to Stop Climate Change
Stumble it!
In addition to working to conserve energy in our personal lives and supporting political candidates who are serious about the environment, we can also work to buy from companies that are working to stop climate change. These days we have so many good green choices available–and more are coming on the market every day. We urge you to put your money to work for the climate by supporting companies that are actively working to slow the march of global warming.
But how do you find these companies, you ask?
Fortunately there are some great resources you can use. One of our favorites is Climate Counts.org and their Climate Counts Company Scorecard. Climate Counts use a 0-to-100 point scale and 22 criteria to determine if companies have:
+ Measured their climate “footprint”
+ Reduced their impact on global warming
+ Supported progressive climate legislation
+ Publicly disclosed their climate actions clearly and comprehensively
Climate Counts rates the companies and then classifies them as “stuck,” “starting” or “striding.” You might be interested to know that Amazon.com gets a 0 (ouch–very stuck!), Yahoo.com gets a 36 (striding!) and Google.com gets a 17 (starting). On the household front, Proctor & Gamble gets a 53 (striding!) and Colgate-Palmolive gets a 40 (starting). Check out the site and investigate other companies you buy from! (Click here for a complete list of rated companies.)
Another good resource for us as consumers is the United States Climate Action Partnership (or USCAP). United States Climate Action Partnership is a group of businesses and leading environmental organizations that have come together to call on the federal government to enact strong national legislation to require significant reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. USCAP has issued a set of principles and recommendations to highlight the urgent need for a policy framework on climate change. The group includes such environmental luminaries as the Natural Resources Defense Council and The Nature Conservancy. It also includes major multi-national companies like BP and Johnson & Johnson. One could certainly argue that several of the members have been rather slow or even un-helpful in their climate-related activies in the past (uh-hum, GM, anyone?), but it’s good to seem them trying to get on board with positive action now.
Finally we recommend you check out Ceres.org. Ceres is a national network of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies and investors to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change. In 1989, Ceres announced the creation of the Ceres Principles, a ten-point code of corporate environmental conduct to be publicly endorsed by companies as an environmental mission statement. Over 50 companies have endorsed the Ceres Principles. Committed companies include Aveda, Seventh Generation, Bank of America and Gap Inc. To see the full list of Ceres companies, click here.
Popularity: 1% [?]
March 23rd, 2008
Beauty and the Bin
Left-over cardboard boxes work exceedingly well as receptacles for household recycling. Not only do old boxes serve a second purpose, but after many months of reuse, they too can be recycled. Plain brown cardboard boxes even have a simple un-dyed aesthetic appeal, but let’s face it – they’re not exactly the chicest household accessory. If you do not want to choose between beauty and your commitment to waste reduction, there are several more attractive storage options. Some of these bins are so handsome, they may inspire a few non-recyclers to get started.
EcoTrio’s stylish kitchen containers are made of recycled plastic and combine two compartments for trash and recyclables for easy and convenient disposal. The lid on the trash section of the receptacle, which is easily opened with an attractive foot pedal, keeps odors inside and trash out of site. They provide an attractive and environmental solution for storing trash and recyclables in the kitchen.
Heavy Metal Stacking bins (at right) available at The Container Store are constructed from epoxy-coated 
steel for years of faithful, good looking service. They’re a classic open, slant-front design and stack securely to conserve on storage space. Each has a label holder on the front for easy identification of the contents. They coordinates beautifully with any décor and come in several sizes.
These lightweight and colorful Folding Recycling Bags (below) from Gaiam are easy to carry outside or drive to your 
TailorMade Bamboo makes these beautiful bamboo and canvas bins (below) that are easily configured with metal rods to offer increased sturdiness for any storage job. These are wonderful for paper recycling.
Amazon’s Woven-Seagrass Laundry Sorter (below) may have been made with laundry in mind, but it would be a great recycling bin for paper, plastic and metal. The metal framed container has a hinged lid to hide ugly old containers and the 3 removable cotton-cloth bags are easily washed and 
reused.
Finally, if you are the crafty-type, there is nothing to stop you from embellishing that old cardboard box or fashioning your own recycling bin out of items you have on hand. Learn how to make your own Storage Basket at jcarolinecreative.com
Popularity: 1% [?]
March 21st, 2008
Is a Synthetic Lawn Right for You?
Many of you have contacted us wanting to learn more about synthetic lawn options. As you know, encouraging people to save water in their homes is a big part of our mission here at Low Impact Living. Americans use an estimated 26 billion gallons of water per day, and roughly 30% of that (8 billion gallons/day) goes to water our lawns and gardens. That means the average home uses over 35,000 gallons per year to water their lawn, and for suburban homes it’s about 10,000 gallons more than that! So the idea of a lawn that requires no water is very appealing to us.
However, we must say we are conflicted about the use of fake grass because it is made from plastics. As you know, plastic comes from petroleum, which is a non-renewable, scarce resource. So the fake grass decision comes down to sorting between the two evils– using more plastic (fake grass) vs. using more water (real grass).
We come down on the side of saving water in this case. If you live in an area where fresh water is very scarce (e.g., the Southwest, the Southeast), and you have the money to get a synthetic lawn, go for it. Saving the water is more important than saving the plastic. (And as global warming increases, the regions of the US affected by drought will only grow!) If you live in these areas and do NOT have the money for a fake lawn, we encourage you to pull up your water-guzzling grass, compost it, and plant native grasses/plants. These are gorgeous and will save a ton of water. To learn more about the benefits of native landscaping, click here.
How Do I Get a Synthetic Lawn?
The “big daddy” in the fake grass business is SYNLawn. We have touched and walked on the SYNLawn grass and we must admit it’s pretty impressive. It feels good even on bare feet. You could imagine laying on it and playing with your dog (dog not included with purchase). SYNLawn materials start at $2.50 per sq. foot, and go as high as $6.90 per sq. foot. For a fully installed lawn it’s $6 to $11 per square foot. So you’re looking at $12,000-$22,000 for a normal 2,000 square foot back yard. It’s certainly not cheap, but remember– no water bills, no mowing, no fertilizer. They say the yard will last 10-15 years.
I asked one of SYNLawn’s regional leaders, Dwayne Ruth, why they can’t make the grass out of recycled plastics. He said at this time they cannot make the grass durable, recycled and reasonably priced– but that they are always looking at new materials and processes that will allow them to up the “green quotient” of their products. They also offer a cushy under-layment called “green foam” that you can put under the grass to make it extra safe for kids who like to fall down (and what kid doesn’t?). This foam is actually made from 98% recycled material.
Another company on the market, Green Grass Forever, is doing some beautiful synthetic lawn work. They are based in Los Angeles, but can do projects anywhere in the country. They have two types of grass– one called Nico Green (darker) and Jackie Two-Tone (lighter and definitely wins the award for best name!). They will come to your home, pull out your existing lawn, level the area, put down a composite stone mixture (critical for drainage!), and lay the faux turf. Then they spike it to hold it down and lay “crumb” or infill, which is made from recycled rubber. This infill settles into the grass, helping to hold it steady, but it also makes a nice flexible bottom that is great for kids knees and doggy rumps. Green Grass Forever charges $8.50/square foot all in– including materials and installation. So for a 2,000 square foot lawn it will run you $17,000. But Joe Cortese, the CEO, says that the costs of a natural grass lawn for water, fertilizer, re-sodding, and other maintenance will cost you more over a 10 year period. I’m not sure it’s a complete wash on the money–that would depend on where you live and how much you spend now on your grass. But surely you would save quite a bit of money after you installed the synthetic turf. And you’d have the peace of mind of knowing you were saving tens of thousands of gallons of water every year!
Other synthetic lawn companies you may wish to check out:
Popularity: 2% [?]
March 19th, 2008
Eco-Smart Nursery for Baby
A new baby on the way is the perfect excuse to undertake a new green home improvement project. Babies are more susceptible than adults to toxic chemicals present in most traditional home decorating products such as carpet, upholstery fabric and paint. Fortunately, there are tons of eco and baby friendly choices, making it easier than ever to create a safe, cozy nursery for your precious new arrival.
Before you go out and buy all new nursery furniture, consider getting a few used items. Most toxic chemicals off-gas in the first few months and reuse is the best way to save energy and resources. Try Craig’s List for used cribs and changing tables in your local area, which will eliminate the need for shipping. The only caveat is that all used furniture and toys should be tested for lead safety and given a good chemical-free cleaning.
For those few new items you must purchase, there is no shortage of irresistible, green baby decor on the market. Here is a small sample of our favorite nursery room items.
This lovely Cariboo bassinet available through Scandinavian Child is made with sustainable pine wood and finished with lead-free, water-based and biodegradable stains and paints. They also offer 100% unbleached, formaldehyde-free, eco-dyed fabrics and a natural wool bassinet pad.
We decided that a vintage rocking chair is the perfect item to find on the used market place. Check out this beautiful Danish and modern rocker at Lotus Blue Design. If this chair is not in your price range, eBay has an amazing selection of rocking chairs.
The chic and modern Hiya Crib by Spot on Square available at Generation Orange features low VOC,
non toxic paint, 100% recycled or reclaimed MDF and it’s designed to to grow with your child and last well beyond infancy.
Outfit your crib with a PBDE-Free, organic cotton and wool mattress by Eco-Baby; an organic cotton mattress pad from My Organic Textiles for an extra layer of comfort; and the WHITE – mini crib sheet sets by Area Home. Top it all off with Kate Quinn’s luxury organic cotton sherpa blanket in persimmon and vanilla.
Serena & Lily offer the perfect pallet of low-VOC nursery room paint colors. Washable, organic cotton play mats from KushTush Organics can create a soft landing spot for baby. Add custom-made blinds with Live Textiles‘ beautiful organic cotton, formaldehyde-free fabric for an extra bit of polish.
Hardwood floors are the best choice for indoor air quality, because carpets often contain toxic chemicals and they trap dirt and allergens. You can find excellent wood flooring options that are environmentally sustainable, like bamboo and reclaimed wood. You can also find a great zero-VOC wood stain by Bioshield in our product directory.
Lastly, find a contractor to install energy efficient windows, choose soft dimmable compact florescent lighting and bring in a Energy-Star air purifier for a well insulated, low-energy, clean environment. You’ll have a healthy, eco-smart nursery where your bundle of joy will thrive.
Popularity: 3% [?]
March 17th, 2008
How To Tuesday: Organic Gardening 101
We are joined again by Christy Wilhelmi, the marvelous founder of Gardenerd.com. She previously wrote a post for us on the environmental and personal benefits of organic gardening. Today she helps us get ready to embark on the glorious journey of organic gardening with her 101 gardener’s guide. Thanks, Christy!
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One of the most daunting tasks in organic gardening is figuring out how to begin. It seems like there is so much to learn, so much to know before you can start gardening. The truth is that the best way to learn how to garden is… to garden. Just do it. It’s sort of like raising a child; you can read about it all you want, but you won’t really know what you’re doing until you’re in the middle of it, getting your hands dirty. It may feel tentative and awkward, but before long it’s a habit – and a good one at that.
The basic idea of gardening is this: get some soil, bury a seed, water it, give it light and wait. Organic gardening operates the same way; the difference is in the choice of products and processes you use. For those who dream of growing vegetables or flowers organically, but don’t know where to start, here are a few helpful tips to get you on your way:
Start with the Soil
The foundation of a good organic garden is literally the soil. The general idea behind this concept is that if you have healthy, nutrient-rich, living soil your plants will outgrow any pest or disease that comes its way. Good soil is comprised of ingredients like peat moss (or coir – pronounced coy-yer - a more sustainable option made from the outside fibers of a coconut shell), vermiculite or perlite, and compost. Other nutrient-building ingredients are spent coffee grounds, composted animal manures, worm castings, and wood ashes. All of these help achieve what we call “loam”, the ultimate soil texture every gardener seeks.
Compost is Your Friend
Whether you have clay or sandy soil, both types of soil can be improved by adding compost. Composting is also a great way of recycling your kitchen and yard waste into a usable resource for your garden. (Find compost bins here.) You don’t even need a bin, just a 3 x 3 foot area to pile up layers of browns (dried leaves, pine needles, straw, corn stalks, and other dried yard waste) and greens (grass clippings, kitchen scraps except for animal proteins, coffee grounds, weeds – before they bolt to seed – and other green material). Turn garbage into black gold, and close the loop on waste.
If you can’t or don’t want to compost at home, check with your local city Bureau of Sanitation to see if they offer free compost from city tree trimming projects and yard waste collection. Or, you can also buy it from your local nursery or garden center.
Use Organic Fertilizers
FYI – Miracle Gro is not organic. Synthetic fertilizers are processed using natural gas and petroleum and are therefore not sustainable. In addition to drawing upon this precious resource, they cause other problems down the line. When heavy quantities of nitrates are applied to soil, whatever isn’t absorbed by plant roots heads south to the water table. It infiltrates our waterways, causing larger than usual algae blooms, which rob the water of oxygen, therefore suffocating the aquatic life. It also contributes to acid rain.
Organic fertilizers have far less an environmental impact on the earth and yet still supply plants with the life-giving nutrients they need. To identify organic fertilizers, you should be able to pronounce the sources on the label (mostly animal by-products like bone and blood meals, kelp and fish meal, etc). It should say organic, and it’s worth investigating the company a little to make sure they are compliant with organic standards. There are plenty of trustworthy companies out there who provide organic gardeners with the supplies they need. You can find safe fertilizers here.
Grow from Good Seeds
If you really want to go full-speed organic, start with organic seeds. There are plenty of companies that offer untreated seeds and some that offer organic seeds, like Seeds of Change. Grow heirloom seeds as well to increase our planet’s bio-diversity. Hybrid seeds can offer strong varieties, but avoid them if you plan to collect seeds from your harvest, as hybrid seeds won’t produce the same results from year to year. If a seed catalog doesn’t specifically say that they don’t use genetically engineered seed, then there is a chance that they do use genetic engineering in their seed production. Use your best judgment about whether you want this in your garden or not.
Fight Pests with Nature
Organic pest control is a vast subject, but the idea is universal: Use pest controls that don’t cause more harm than good. Natural predators like lady bugs, lacewings, decollate snails and others will go after your aphids, snails and slugs. Marigolds will help keep pests away. Organic horticultural oils (like neem and canola based oils) can be sprayed to help prevent scale, white fly and some airborne fungi. The OMRI – Organic Materials Review Institute has a great site for information about organic pest control if you want to investigate further. Visit www.OMRI.org to get the low down.
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Christy Wilhelmi is owner of Gardenerd.com, the ultimate resource for garden nerds. She is a board member of Ocean View Farms Organic Community Garden in Mar Vista, California, and gardens almost exclusively with heirloom vegetables.
Popularity: 4% [?]
