There are so many ways that we can choose to stay environmentally contientious when we travel that there really is no excuse for not doing it.
Here are a few ideas for families that are traveling and still want to stay in their recycle-conscious state of mind.
Before you even leave your home there are ways that you can help save energy and waste. Turn your thermostadts down on your home and your hot water heater. Some heaters have a "Vacation" setting right on them that can be used to set the temperature when no one will be around to need the heat. Just keep in mind the plants that are left behind and as long as they will not be killed off due to the temperature change, you're set. Be sure to turn off your outside water source, in the event that there is a pipe break while you're away, this will minimize the damage. When you return home, turn the water back on slowly, where you will be able to be aware of any issues or leaks that may have occurred.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Keeping The Environment Safe From Harmful Chemicals
Think about recycling and maybe the first thing to pop into your head isn't damage that's done to the earth when we use products with harmful chemicals, but that's part of the cycle, too. As well as reducing waste, recycling products and reusing what can be reused, protecting the earth from harm is all a part of the same cause.
It's not something we set out to do, at the beginning of the day; the thought isn't, "Hmmm, how can I hurt the Earth today?" It probably sounds something much more like, "Gee, I need to clean today, let me reach under the cubboard and see what I have," not realizing that whatever is done with the products I use to clean, once I've cleaned, can be harmful to not only the earth itself, but any living things that may come in contact with the wash off. We live in a sterilized world, where the idea of a clean home, clean work place and clean where ever we take our children is the first order of business. But we need to stop and think about what harm we may be doing in our quest for the cleanest living area.
It's not something we set out to do, at the beginning of the day; the thought isn't, "Hmmm, how can I hurt the Earth today?" It probably sounds something much more like, "Gee, I need to clean today, let me reach under the cubboard and see what I have," not realizing that whatever is done with the products I use to clean, once I've cleaned, can be harmful to not only the earth itself, but any living things that may come in contact with the wash off. We live in a sterilized world, where the idea of a clean home, clean work place and clean where ever we take our children is the first order of business. But we need to stop and think about what harm we may be doing in our quest for the cleanest living area.
Monday, August 23, 2010
How Recycling Bags Helps The Environment
You may not be aware, but in the United States, we are using bags all of the time! There are the bags we get at the grocery store, the ones we pack lunches in, the ones other retail items come in and everything that is packaged by the manufacturer. Inevitibly we could all end up, literally, buried under the pile of bags that we collect in a life time. And what a waste that would be! The good news is that most of those bags come from recycled products and with any luck, in the recycle process, will return to the start and be recycled into bags that we will use again and again.
But what should the average American consumer do when those bags start to pile up? It doesn't take long for the pile to start to form, maybe two or three big trips to the grocery store, and you could end up with 15 or more bags per visit. What are some of the ways we can keep the build up of plastic bags to a minimum?
But what should the average American consumer do when those bags start to pile up? It doesn't take long for the pile to start to form, maybe two or three big trips to the grocery store, and you could end up with 15 or more bags per visit. What are some of the ways we can keep the build up of plastic bags to a minimum?
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Eco-Friendly Decorating - Eco-Friendly Materials
Eco-friendly decorating is easier and cheaper to pull off than you might think. You just need to know what eco-friendly materials to look for. It's the little things you do that can make a big difference in your home and the environment in the long run.
If you have health concerns, allergies, or you are worried about airborne toxins in your home, there are a few easy eco-friendly decorating ideas you can try.
Eco-Friendly Interior Paint
First, choose paint without VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can emit toxic gases. Most paint stores have low or no VOC options. The other great thing about paint is that it can make the most dramatic impact in your home for the least amount of money.
Eco-Friendly Candles
Second, if you love the atmosphere that candles create, choose natural soy candles instead. Traditional candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin, which emits a variety of toxins. Soy candles do not. The Fragrance Collection by Glade has affordable soy candles that you can find in almost any store. They are a great eco friendly decorating option.
If you have health concerns, allergies, or you are worried about airborne toxins in your home, there are a few easy eco-friendly decorating ideas you can try.
Eco-Friendly Interior Paint
First, choose paint without VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can emit toxic gases. Most paint stores have low or no VOC options. The other great thing about paint is that it can make the most dramatic impact in your home for the least amount of money.
Eco-Friendly Candles
Second, if you love the atmosphere that candles create, choose natural soy candles instead. Traditional candles are made from petroleum-based paraffin, which emits a variety of toxins. Soy candles do not. The Fragrance Collection by Glade has affordable soy candles that you can find in almost any store. They are a great eco friendly decorating option.
Arts and Crafts And Recycling
There are so many ways to integrate recycling with arts and crafts and still have hours of entertainment and maybe make a few holiday gifts.
One of my favorite crafts is to decopauge. The materials needed to do this are simply old magazines, a pair of scissors, some white glue and something to decorate. I've seen people use this art medium on every kind of article from wooden boxes up to queen bed head boards.
Once you have the item (or items) you want to decorate you can put them aside and start flipping through the magazines for pictures and words that jump up at you or help convey something you want to say. The great thing about this craft is that there is no "wrong" way to do it. Some people will use an entire advertisement including the background in the ad and others may cut out the person or object from the background. The idea is to have a piece of a page to be layered upon the object to be decorated.
One of my favorite crafts is to decopauge. The materials needed to do this are simply old magazines, a pair of scissors, some white glue and something to decorate. I've seen people use this art medium on every kind of article from wooden boxes up to queen bed head boards.
Once you have the item (or items) you want to decorate you can put them aside and start flipping through the magazines for pictures and words that jump up at you or help convey something you want to say. The great thing about this craft is that there is no "wrong" way to do it. Some people will use an entire advertisement including the background in the ad and others may cut out the person or object from the background. The idea is to have a piece of a page to be layered upon the object to be decorated.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Green Living Lawn Care Tips
Did you know that lawn care is the favorite gardening activity in the US? We love our lawns, but it comes with a very BIG price. Lawn care costs billions of dollars each year, and that's not counting the cost on our environment's future. Do you put pesticides on your lawn? If you do, you could very well be adding up to 10 pounds of bug killer yearly. American lawns and gardens get the heaviest doses of pesticides.
How about using organic bug killers for your lawn? Here are some ideas for keeping the bugs at bay in your yard: 1. Big blue eyed bugs: eat chinch bugs and other bugs. 2. Green lacewing larvae: keep the aphids at bay. 3. Milky spore disease: controls the Japanese beetle spores.
TIP: Check your lawn regularly to see if there are any unwanted bugs or pests...stop them before they get out of control. Also, maintain your yard so pests don't have a chance to grow.
BRIGHT IDEA: Leave your grass alone and it will make its own organic matter. Leaving the grass clippings alone will provide a good, free fertilizer.
How about using organic bug killers for your lawn? Here are some ideas for keeping the bugs at bay in your yard: 1. Big blue eyed bugs: eat chinch bugs and other bugs. 2. Green lacewing larvae: keep the aphids at bay. 3. Milky spore disease: controls the Japanese beetle spores.
TIP: Check your lawn regularly to see if there are any unwanted bugs or pests...stop them before they get out of control. Also, maintain your yard so pests don't have a chance to grow.
BRIGHT IDEA: Leave your grass alone and it will make its own organic matter. Leaving the grass clippings alone will provide a good, free fertilizer.
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