While you should limit your plastic use, it is impractical to eliminate all plastics from your life. When given a choice at the grocery store - opt for items sold in glass containers versus plastic as glass can be recycled over and over. When you must choose plastic check the underside of the container for the number that tells what type of plastic is in that product.
Safe to use and recycle:
#1 - PET or PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) thin clear plastic use for bottled water, cooking oil, etc. Safe for one use, but don't refill or heat.
#2 - HDPE (high density polyethylene) thicker opaque plastic used for milk jugs, juice bottles, and detergents. Safe to refill and reuse.
#4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene) found in soft plastics such as grocery bags and plastic wraps
#5 PP (polypropylene) hard but flexible plastic used in ice cream, yogurt, and take out containers
Use with caution:
#7 Other - this code is a mix of plastics - only use containers labeled as bio-based (corn, potato, or sugar cane)
Avoid:
#3 PVC (polyvinyl chloride) - many contain phthalates, which are suspected endocrine-disrupting chemicals often used to wrap meats and cheeses
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Plastic - not fantastic
Most kitchens are full of plastic products - plastic baggies, plastic wrap, reusable containers, and plastic shopping bags. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics hurt the environment during their manufacturing, they can leach dangerous chemicals into food as the plastic degrades through heating or over time,and end up filling the landfills for years to come.
Making safer choices:
1. When microwaving foods, choose glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic.
2. Replace plastic wrap with wax paper for covering foods while microwaving.
3. Pack lunches using reusable sandwich wraps like Wrap-N-Mats or using the Laptop Lunch system.
4. Pack snacks in unbleached wax paper bags or reusable fabric bags.
Making safer choices:
1. When microwaving foods, choose glass or ceramic containers instead of plastic.
2. Replace plastic wrap with wax paper for covering foods while microwaving.
3. Pack lunches using reusable sandwich wraps like Wrap-N-Mats or using the Laptop Lunch system.
4. Pack snacks in unbleached wax paper bags or reusable fabric bags.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
5 Minute Earth-Friendly Changes
There is so much info out there about going green, at times it can be a little overwhelming. Start small with some simple changes that will make a difference for the environment and your bank account.
1. Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer.
2.Turn off lights when you leave the room.
3.Unplug appliances, cell phone chargers, DVD players and other "phantom loads" when you are not using them. Phantom loads are items that use energy while in the instant-on mode - if it has a clock or a glowing light it is using energy. It is estimated that, 75% of the electricity used to run home electronics is consumed while the products are off.
4. Switch your old incandescent bulbs to compact flourescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs last 10 times longer, use a quarter less energy, and give off 90% less heat.
5. Improve your indoor air quality - the EPA states that indoor air quality can be more polluted than outdoor air. Furniture, flooring, paints, and adhesives offgas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Look for low or no VOC choices which are now widely available.
6. Weatherproof your home - attach rubber sweeps to the bottom of doors, apply low-VOC caulk to cracks in window and doorframes, insulate outlets and light switches with inexpensive foam gaskets.
7. Conserve water. Install a low-flow showerhead and shorten your shower time. Check toilets for leaks, only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full, install aerators on your faucets.
8. Replace your air conditioner or furnace filter monthly. Also look for reusable filters that can be cleaned which reduces waste.
9. Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees and insulate your hot-water storage tank.
10. Switch from using hot water in your washing machine to cold water and use half the energy.
1. Lower your thermostat in the winter and raise it in the summer.
2.Turn off lights when you leave the room.
3.Unplug appliances, cell phone chargers, DVD players and other "phantom loads" when you are not using them. Phantom loads are items that use energy while in the instant-on mode - if it has a clock or a glowing light it is using energy. It is estimated that, 75% of the electricity used to run home electronics is consumed while the products are off.
4. Switch your old incandescent bulbs to compact flourescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs last 10 times longer, use a quarter less energy, and give off 90% less heat.
5. Improve your indoor air quality - the EPA states that indoor air quality can be more polluted than outdoor air. Furniture, flooring, paints, and adhesives offgas VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Look for low or no VOC choices which are now widely available.
6. Weatherproof your home - attach rubber sweeps to the bottom of doors, apply low-VOC caulk to cracks in window and doorframes, insulate outlets and light switches with inexpensive foam gaskets.
7. Conserve water. Install a low-flow showerhead and shorten your shower time. Check toilets for leaks, only run the dishwasher and washing machine when they are full, install aerators on your faucets.
8. Replace your air conditioner or furnace filter monthly. Also look for reusable filters that can be cleaned which reduces waste.
9. Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees and insulate your hot-water storage tank.
10. Switch from using hot water in your washing machine to cold water and use half the energy.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Water Saving Tips
Looking for some ways to reduce your family's water usage? Here are some easy ways to save on your water bill and to reduce your family's environmental impact.
1. Reduce your current shower time by one minute. The average shower head has a flow rate of 5 to 8 gallons per minute. Time your shower for a few days, then subtract a minute to come up with your goal time. If you shower every day, you’ll easily save a thousand gallons a year by cutting the time you run the water by just 60 seconds.
2. Locate and repair silent toilet leaks. Worn hardware can easily leak several gallons per day. Put some dark food coloring in your tank, if you notice color in the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak.
3. Water lawns on demand, not on schedule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 30 percent of all household water consumption is used outdoors. Of this, up to 50 percent is simply wasted due to wind, evaporation, broken irrigation systems — and overwatering. Check your lawn instead of automatically watering it. Here’s a quick test: step on a patch of grass. If it springs back, it doesn’t need watering. Planting with native grasses and plants will reduce your need to water.
4. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Running water while you brush, sends 5 to 8 gallons of fresh water straight down the drain.
5. When washing dishes use an Energy star rated machine and make sure you only run it when it is full. If you wash dishes by hand don't let the water run while rinsing.
Want more great water saving tips? Check out - www.WaterUseItWisely.com
1. Reduce your current shower time by one minute. The average shower head has a flow rate of 5 to 8 gallons per minute. Time your shower for a few days, then subtract a minute to come up with your goal time. If you shower every day, you’ll easily save a thousand gallons a year by cutting the time you run the water by just 60 seconds.
2. Locate and repair silent toilet leaks. Worn hardware can easily leak several gallons per day. Put some dark food coloring in your tank, if you notice color in the bowl within 15 minutes, you have a leak.
3. Water lawns on demand, not on schedule. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 30 percent of all household water consumption is used outdoors. Of this, up to 50 percent is simply wasted due to wind, evaporation, broken irrigation systems — and overwatering. Check your lawn instead of automatically watering it. Here’s a quick test: step on a patch of grass. If it springs back, it doesn’t need watering. Planting with native grasses and plants will reduce your need to water.
4. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth. Running water while you brush, sends 5 to 8 gallons of fresh water straight down the drain.
5. When washing dishes use an Energy star rated machine and make sure you only run it when it is full. If you wash dishes by hand don't let the water run while rinsing.
Want more great water saving tips? Check out - www.WaterUseItWisely.com
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