Archive for the ‘Recycling’ Category
July 1st, 2008
Build Your Ultimate Green Kitchen
Written by Joel Bittle, courtesy of GreenBuildingElements.com
A few weeks ago I offered my thoughts on green kitchens on a budget. Today, I want to focus on making your new kitchen as green as possible, without regard for cost. Remember, often the greenest options is to keep your current kitchen; many choose to repaint their cabinets with non-VOC paint or to tackle DIY cabinet projects. This article is for those building a whole new kitchen or are remodeling from the ground up. It’s up to you to determine the balance between what is the most green and what is the most practical for your project.
The three categories that determine a product’s green-ness are health, sustainability, and energy. Health takes into account the product’s offgassing of VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, especially urea-formaldehyde. In order to even consider something as green, it must contain very low to no VOCs. Sustainability looks at the life cycle of the materials used not just in the final product but in the manufacturing process as well. Products that are made from recycled materials or renewable resources fall into this category, as well as products whose manufacturing process embraces sustainability. Energy includes the water and energy usage of products such as plumbing fixtures and appliances, as well as the product’s embodied energy, which takes into account the energy used to produce and deliver the product.
Step 1: Design. If possible, design the kitchen with plenty of energy efficient windows or a skylight to maximize natural light and give you that important connection to the green outdoors (or the red bricks of the building next door.) For indoor air quality, make sure your hood vents to the outside rather than recirculating the air. Click here to find a green architect/designer near you.
Step 2: Cabinets. We are in an in-between phase right now where the major cabinet manufacturers realize they need to go formaldehyde-free but are still a few years away from mass production. Currently, formaldehyde-free cabinet choices are limited, and Neil Kelly Cabinets stands out as the leader. They offer Forest Stewardship Council certified wood cabinets with low VOCs. Midwesterners might choose to go with ultra low VOC wheatboard cabinets manufactured in Kansas by Koch Cabinets. To find other green cabinet companies, click here.
Step 3: Countertops. Silestone offers several colors with recycled content, one as high as 70%, which makes the Greenguard certified countertop one of the greenest. But IceStone recycled glass and concrete countertops, with their Cradle-to-Cradle Certification, take the crown as the greenest among an ever growing list of green countertops. Not just limited to countertops, IceStone has earned points for LEED’s “innovation in design” credit. Click here to find more eco-friendly countertop options.
Step 4: Flooring. I’m not quite sold on bamboo, yet. I do, however, like some of the cool patterns you can get with cork and linoleum. But the green flooring that impresses me the most is reclaimed wood flooring by Terramai. Offering a stunning mix of FSC certified wood from around the world, Terramai promotes conservation and sustainable building. Not limited to flooring, Terramai’s reclaimed wood creates a mosaic of wood in a cool mix of colors. Click here to find more green flooring options.
Step 5: Appliances. Because of the advances in energy efficiency in appliances, it is often better to replace your old energy wasting appliances, especially refrigerators, with new models. Visit the ENERGY STAR website for appliance lists, which show energy savings by model. For dishwashers, some of Bosch and Asko’s models are at least 140% more energy and water efficient than the federal standard. Fisher & Paykel sells dish drawers that can save water and energy if you just use one for small loads. (And yes, most energy saving dishwashers are more efficient than washing your dishes by hand.) For the cutting edge on refrigerator energy efficiency, check out Sun Frost, whose refrigerators are by a large margin the most energy efficient on the market - and they’re ready for solar, wind, or standard power inputs. Find more eco-friendly appliances here.
Step 6: Plumbing. Although the EPA’s WaterSense program doesn’t rate kitchen faucets, you can choose to install an aerator or go with a touchless faucet. While stainless steel and cast iron sinks contain recycled material, I’ve become a fan of recycled content hammered copper sinks that over time can develop a natural patina that is, you guessed it, green.
Step 7: Accessories. Recycled glass tile can make for a beautiful backsplash. Instead of a trash compactor, stick one of these home composters from Sun Frost right outside your kitchen door. Many of the products listed above can be used in creative and innovative ways. IceStone can be used as a backsplash. Terramai can be used as paneling.
Please offer your own thoughts on making your kitchen as green as possible below.
June 30th, 2008
8 Ways to Green Your Independence Day!
Written by Trey Granger, courtesy of Earth911.org
The Fourth of July: summer’s most famous holiday. Fireworks, barbecues and a day off to enjoy the sunshine. But can you make America’s birthday Earth Day as well? Here’s eight steps for an eco-friendly Fourth.
1. Celebrate Outdoors
Whether you’re traveling for the three-day weekend (the Fourth is on Friday this year) or celebrating at home with family, have an outdoor celebration to minimize energy use. Better yet, check out a large gathering nearby where your personal energy use will be negligible.
2. Drink Lots of Water . . . In Large Containers
Depending on where you live, temperatures could reach triple digits on Independence Day. It’s important to stay hydrated, but plan ahead. Buy a reusable container to fill with water for your family so you won’t be buying and disposing of individual water bottles. You can also refill these containers at drinking fountains.
3. Know Before You Go
The beach may be a popular spot for your Independence Day getaway, but make sure it’s open before you head out. Use Earth 911’s sister site Beaches911.com to monitor the beach closures in your area. This will save you gas on a potential drive down the coast just to picnic in the parking lot.
4. BBQ With Propane
Wood and charcoal may seem like more natural fuel sources, but propane burns cleaner. You’ll get less smoke and you’ll have less of a challenge keeping a fire going. Make sure that you refill or recycle your propane tank once it’s empty using Earth 911.
5. Reuse Plates and Cups
If you’re celebrating at home, just use normal tableware and napkins that can be washed. At an outside celebration, pack up your disposable cups and plates and rinse them off when you get home. You can use the same set again next year, or recycle them.
6. Eco-Friendly Fireworks
Naturally something that explodes, creates lots of light and leaves a cloud of smoke also comes with pollution. Fireworks also release heavy metals like lead into the air. Of course, a Fourth of July without fireworks seems unnatural, but if you do put on a backyard show look for fireworks rich in nitrogen. These may cost a little more, but you’ll have less smoke.
7. Be Pet Cautious
Believe it or not, dog and cat ears are not made for the loud noises of fireworks. If your pets hear these noises, they might go running off. Then you’ll be using unnecessary paper for lost flyers.
If you live near a fireworks show, make sure your pets are shielded from the sound. If you lose a pet this July 4, visit Earth 911’s sister site PETS911.com to help find it.
8. July 5 is Cleanup Day
Independence Day events will produce lots of trash, much of which could probably be recycled. Head over to a nearby area this Saturday that held a July 4th celebration and pick-up some of the inevitable litter.
This story is part of Earth 911’s “Green Eight” series, where we showcase eight ways to green your life in various areas. Click here to see Earth 911’s “Green Eight” archive.
June 25th, 2008
Home Depot Will Recycle Your Used CF Bulbs
Home Depot has just announced a couple of important green initiatives. First, they will now be accepting all compact fluorescent bulbs for recycling in their stores in the U.S. and Canada. This is be offering in over 2,100 stores, so it’s a major step in the right direction.
At each Home Depot store, customers can simply bring in any expired, unbroken CFL bulbs, and give them to the store associate behind the returns desk. The bulbs will then be managed responsibly by an environmental management company who will coordinate CFL packaging, transportation and recycling to maximize safety and ensure environmental compliance.
In addition to the CFL recycling program, The Home Depot has also launched an in-store energy conservation program to switch light fixture showrooms in U.S. stores from incandescent bulbs to CFLs by Fall 2008. This is another great sustainability measure and they believe it will also save the company $16 million annually in energy costs.
And another important public service message: please do not give up on CF bulbs because they contain mercury! Lots of people seem to have been unnecessarily scared off of these energy-saving bulbs because of mercury. They contain only trace amounts and are SAFE for use in your home! Please click here to read more on this topic. You can also learn more about it from the EPA.
Find great CF and other energy-saving lighting options here.
June 24th, 2008
How Green Are You?
Dwell.com and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) would like to know, “How Green Are You?”
The contest, which runs now through June 30th, is your chance to show how green you are, and to win some great prizes for it!
The most inspired entries will be posted on the competition pages on Dwell.com and evaluated by Dwell’s editorial staff and AIA architects. The grand prize winner receives $1000, and two runners-up will receive $500 each from the AIA to apply toward their next big Green Project!
To enter, simply pull together up to four images of your green or sustainable project, and write a simple yet specific 250-word description of the project that highlights the most important aspects of the project, including material names, vendors, etc.
Projects will be assessed on their sustainability, functionality, originality, cost effectiveness and design, and the submissions will be judged by Dwell.com editors and AIA architects.
To enter, or to find out more information, visit Dwell’s “How Green Are You?” page at http://www.dwell.com/services/contests/how_green_are_you.html
June 19th, 2008
Planning a Green Wedding or Family Reunion
It’s wedding season — and also family reunion season– so we thought we’d share some insights on how to make your Big Event a Big Green Success!
Location
To limit the carbon footprint of your event, you’ll want to have it as close to the majority of attendees as possible. It may well be very romantic to have your wedding in Southern Mexico, but just think of all of your guests flying there and the resultant carbon emissions! Keeping it close to home will really lower the footprint (and the cost!).
And have the event out-of-doors if at all possible. Fresh air and sunshine always make an event more fun. Maybe you can find a wonderful park or a community garden and contribute to the non-profit that runs it?
Green Event Planners
If the whole process seems a bit over-whelming, there are now many green event planners available to take the eco-worries off your mind. In the San Francisco Bay Area, ZahZoom Weddings & Parties will help you make your dream green event a reality. Angelique Events in Los Angeles will plan a spectacular, sustainable event for you. Lyndsey Hamilton Events plans eco-friendly weddings and events in New York and New England.
Invitations
Do you really need to use paper invitations? They are expensive for you, likely to get lost or tossed by your guests, and cause more trees to die in vain for the production of paper! A pretty email works just great, or you can use Evite and make up a snazzy invitation, and track RSVPs online. Here’s an eco-snap to that!
Food and Beverage Choices
As with location, local is best. Try to either buy local, organic foods from farmers near you, or work with a caterer who can handle this process for you. Here’s an article with wonderful green catering resources all across the United States. Or you can refer to Local Harvest’s list of organic restaurants, or our very own organic restaurant directory here at Low Impact Living. Check ‘em out!
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle the Mess
Try to eliminate disposable plates and cutlery from your plans. Either rent the real stuff (ceramics, metal) that can be washed and used again, or get recycled and/or compostable plates and dishes.
And make sure to have plenty of recycling bins for beer bottles, soda cans, etc. One bin never seems to be enough!
Rings
If it’s a wedding you’re planning, consider using a family ring, or purchasing a vintage piece. Remember in the world of green, reusing something old is always more eco-friendly than buying something new. Maybe your family has some old gold jewelry that are not being used anymore? You can have them melted down and turned into a new treasure. And the variety and quality of vintage jewelry is mind-boggling.
If new is your thing, check out the ring selection from Brilliant Earth, which makes jewelry from sustainably sourced gold and gems. There are several other eco-minded jewelers that have caught our fancy. Give them a look!
Dresses
If you need a wedding dress, may we suggest you use a pre-loved, vintage dress? It’s the most sustainable way to go and you will save a LOT of money. Learn more about sources of vintage fashion here.
But if a new dress is what you fancy, definitely go with an eco-friendly designer. We love the work of Morgan Boszilkov and the Natural Bridal Collection, which is a new line of eco-friendly designer wedding gowns. All of her designs are hand-crafted in the U.S. and 5% of profits are donated to environmental causes. Her designs are elegant, beautiful, luxurious and Green!
Gifts or Favors
We personally think favors are unnecessary and will get tossed like most paper invitations, but if you want to do favors, how about seed packets? It’s a great way to spread a love of nature. Or how about making a donation on everyone’s behalf to a wonderful environmental non-profit like The Nature Conservancy or the Natural Resources Defense Council? Now that’s a great way to spend some money and have an impact!
June 18th, 2008
Seven Ways to Save Energy by Saving Water
Written by Carol Gulyas, courtesty of CleanTechnica.com
Though many states and localities are waking up to their water shortages and taking steps to plan for “peak water”, people generally continue to waste water and to ignore the energy-water link. In 2004 the Natural Resources Defense Council did a study in conjunction with the Pacific Institute called “Energy Down the Drain” on how saving water saves energy. We need to do more to spread the word. Here are seven ways to save energy by saving water:
1. Use local water. Transporting water uses energy, so rainwater harvesting is a serious water-and-energy saver. According to the NRDC/Pacific Institute study “California’s State Water Project (SWP), which transports water from Northern California to Southern California is the state’s largest single energy user, consuming 2 to 3 percent of all electricity. It takes tremendous amounts of energy to pump the water 2,000 feet over the Tehachapi Mountains — the highest water lift of any water system in the world
2. Use less heated water in homes and businesses. Heating water uses a great deal of energy. Small things magnified a million times over — like washing clothes with cold water or taking shorter showers — saves large amounts of energy.
3. Use energy-saving appliances. Energy Star appliances will decrease water and energy use.
4. Learn from Australia. Why reinvent the wheel? Since 2006, when the BBC reported Australia’s biggest drought in 1,000 years, the situation has not improved. In an island nation, this has a tendency to focus the mind, and water-and energy-saving inventions have been pouring forth from that country, while the government introduces policies that save energy and water almost daily.
5. Rethink your bathroom. Toto, an innovative company from Japan (another island nation concerned about water use) offers an EcoPower hands-free faucet that recharges itself each time it is used.
6. Rip out that lawn and replace it with a rain garden. Watering grass, fertilizing it with petroleum-based fertilizers, and mowing it with a gas or electric mower…..need I say more? Learn how to install a rain garden here.
7. Eat more vegetables and grains; cut down on the beef. Animal farming takes more energy and water. “Beef production requires large volumes of water–as much as 100 times that required to produce equivalent amounts of protein energy from grains.” (Environmental Health Perspectives, 2002 And the cows are fed from corn that is farmed using energy-hogging fertilizers, insecticides, and fossil fuels.
If we can start thinking holistically about the systems we use in our daily lives — and get our governments to create policies that promote wise use of energy and water, we’ll be more ready for the limits to resources that are only going to increase.
