Green Tip #14

Thursday, May 8

Household Appliance Money- and Energy-Saving Tips

While cooking, remember that size matters—a microwave can reduce the energy you use cooking by about two-thirds, while a toaster oven can cut energy consumption in half. Choose a pan that matches the size of the burner and put a lid on it to decrease time on the burner. Even when not in use, some appliances may still be consuming “phantom” or standby energy, so unplug them whenever possible.

When you’re doing the laundry, try to use the lowest temperature settings in the washer and dryer. Also, fill them up (but not too full), as both appliances run most efficiently with full loads. Finally, clotheslines make ecological sense and limit wrinkles, so take advantage of nice weather and hang your laundry outside.

Source: www.TheGreenGuide.com

Green Tip #13

Monday, May 5

Choosing Healthy Beef

Shoppers committed to buying healthier and more humanely raised beef face a number of confusing label claims, such as “free range” or “natural,” neither of which are independently verified, while cloned meat won’t be labeled at all.  Among the most meaningful certifications is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s “certified organic” label, which prohibits the use of antibiotics and growth hormones on animals and synthetic fertilizers and pesticides on feed.You’ll also find “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” beef, backed by Humane Farm Animal Care and “Animal Welfare Approved” beef certified by the Animal Welfare Institute, both of which ensure that cattle are raised and processed humanely.

Source: www.TheGreenGuide.com

Green Tip # 12

May 1, 2008 

How to Reduce Kitchen Paper Waste

Try to follow the 80/20 rule and choose reusable cloths at least 80 percent of the time.  Handi Wipes reusable polyester wiping cloths work just like paper towels on messy or sticky spills, or try organic cotton kitchen towels and colorful hemp napkins for everyday use.  For the other 20 percent of the time, look for processed-chlorine free (PCF) recycled paper goods with the highest post-consumer-waste (PCW) content possible.  Finally, cut down on packaging waste by eating fewer processed foods and packing lunches in reusable containers.

Source: www.TheGreenGuide.com

Green Tip #11

April 28, 2008

Control-Alt-Recycle: Tips on Greener Computing

Avoid buying new computer equipment unnecessarily; whenever possible, upgrade your current machine. If you do need to purchase a computer, consider buying used: RefurbDepot.com sells refurbished computers and other electronics for somewhat less than the cost of new systems. Also, look for Energy Star-certified machines; they consume 70 percent less electricity than computers that lack power-management systems. Finally, ask about consumer take-back programs like the Electronics Recycling Shared Responsibility Program, which includes Panasonic, Sharp and Sony.

Source: Grist Magazine

Green Tip #10

April 22, 2008

How to Green Your Everyday Life

Author: Crissy Trask

On Earth Day, we would like to remind you that small changes can make a big difference. Switching from paper or plastic to reusable cloth grocery bags can offset significant environmental harm and eliminate a portion of our waste stream. Paying attention to your water usage can save natural resources and money. Installing a low-flow showerhead can save a family of four 20,000 gallons of water a year and costs just $5! Finally, watch your spending. Our consumer-driven culture takes a huge toll on the environment by increasing industrial waste and urban sprawl. Exercise environmentally-friendly behaviors, such as recycling and cutting back on excessive consumption, whenever possible. >Most importantly, don’t forget that every little bit helps!

Source: It’s Easy Being Green: A Handbook for Earth-Friendly Living

Green Tip #9

April 15, 2008

Greening Your Office

Initially, abide by the first word of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” mantra.Encourage employees to print less and you’re saving paper, energy, ink, toner and time.  Where you can’t use less, use smarter—recycled paper, refillable pens, pencils and ink cartridges, CFL bulbs, rechargeable batteries, solar-powered calculators.  Reduce paper waste by making email communication standard and by getting off unwanted mailing lists.  The USPS has a variety of C2C Certified priority and express mail packages and envelopes, and shipping companies.  FedEx and UPS have recycled-content packaging for those times when mailing is necessary.

Source: www.GreenBiz.com

Green Tip #8

April 10, 2008

 In honor of Earth Day on April 22nd , we wanted to give you the Top 10 Reasons why trees are so important and the ecosystemic services they provide.

1. Trees Produce Oxygen
Let's face it, we could not exist as we do if there were no trees. A mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen in a season as 10 people inhale in a year. What many people don't realize is the forest also acts as a giant filter that cleans the air we breathe.

2. Trees Clean the Soil
The term phytoremediation is a fancy word for the absorption of dangerous chemicals and other pollutants that have entered the soil. Trees can either store harmful pollutants or actually change the pollutant into less harmful forms. Trees filter sewage and farm chemicals, reduce the effects of animal wastes, clean roadside spills and clean water runoff into streams.

3. Trees Control Noise Pollution
Trees muffle urban noise almost as effectively as stone walls. Trees, planted at strategic points in a neighborhood or around your house, can abate major noises from freeways and airports.

4. Trees Slow Storm Water Runoff
Flash flooding can be dramatically reduced by a forest or by planting trees. One Colorado blue spruce, either planted or growing wild, can intercept more than 1000 gallons of water annually when fully grown. Underground water-holding aquifers are recharged with this slowing down of water runoff.

5. Trees Are Carbon Sinks
To produce its food, a tree absorbs and locks away carbon dioxide in the wood, roots and leaves. Carbon dioxide is a global warming suspect. A forest is a carbon storage area or a "sink" that can lock up as much carbon as it produces. This locking-up process "stores" carbon as wood and not as an available "greenhouse" gas.

6. Trees Clean the Air
Trees help cleanse the air by intercepting airborne particles, reducing heat, and absorbing such pollutants as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Trees remove this air pollution by lowering air temperature, through respiration, and by retaining particulates.

7. Trees Shade and Cool
Shade resulting in cooling is what a tree is best known for. Shade from trees reduces the need for air conditioning in summer. In winter, trees break the force of winter winds, lowering heating costs. Studies have shown that parts of cities without cooling shade from trees can literally be "heat islands" with temperatures as much as 12 degrees Fahrenheit higher than surrounding areas.

8. Trees Act as Windbreaks
During windy and cold seasons, trees located on the windward side act as windbreaks. A windbreak can lower home heating bills up to 30% and have a significant effect on reducing snow drifts. A reduction in wind can also reduce the drying effect on soil and vegetation behind the windbreak and help keep precious topsoil in place.

9. Trees Fight Soil Erosion
Erosion control has always started with tree and grass planting projects. Tree roots bind the soil and their leaves break the force of wind and rain on soil. Trees fight soil erosion, conserve rainwater and reduce water runoff and sediment deposit after storms.

10. Trees Increase Property Values
Real estate values increase when trees beautify a property or neighborhood. Trees can increase the property value of your home by 15% or more.

Source:  http://forestry.about.com/od/treephysiology/tp/tree_value.htm

Green Tip #7

April 4, 2008

Walk to Work for Exercise and the Environment
Since 2004, the U.S. has celebrated National Walk to Work Day on the first Friday of April.  Friday, April 4^th, 2008 marks National Walk to Work Day this year and is endorsed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the American Podiatric Medical Association.  The act of walking to work is a step in the right direction away from dependency on foreign oil and also reduces emissions that would be produced by transit via buses, cars or trains.

DNCC Fun Fact:  67 % of DNCC staff walk to work or take public transportation (64% of total staff are walkers)! 

Source: http://walking.about.com/od/pedestrians/p/walktoworkday.htm

Green Tip #6 

April 2, 2008 

If 10,000 DemConvention.com visitors eat 1 lb. of locally produced food per week, we’ll save 2,500 lbs. of CO2 emissions from polluting our air.  Eating locally not only supports local growers, but reduces the amount of goods shipped from overseas via planes and cargo ships (two major sources of air pollution).

Source: www.idealbite.com

Green Tip #5

March 27, 2008 

Choose your seafood wisely! 

Next time you find yourself at a sushi bar or market, consult this seafood chart to make educated choices for the planet and your health. At present rates of destruction by over-fishing, the world's stocks of seafood will have collapsed by the year 2048, says a four-year study of 7,800 marine species around the world's marine ecosystems. Over-fishing also sabotages the stability of marine environments, greatly reducing the ocean's ability to produce seafood, resist diseases, filter pollutants and rebound from stresses such as climate change.  Dr. Boris Worm, of Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, the lead author of the study, said: "This is what is projected, not predicted, to happen. I am confident we will not go there because we will do something about it. But if this trend continues in this predictable fashion, as it has for the last 50 years, the world's currently fished sea foods will have reached what we define as collapse by 2048.”

Click here to download the seafood chart 

(Source: Charles Clover, Telegraph.co.uk)

Green Tip #4

March 25, 2008 

Question: Paper or Plastic?

Answer: Neither! Purchase your own reusable bag and bring it with you.

Did you know these facts about disposable bags?
• 14 plastic bags contain enough petroleum to drive a car a mile.
• 380 billion plastic bags or wraps are thrown away in America each year.
• Making a paper bag emits 70% more global warming gases than making a plastic bag.
• Paper bags do not biodegrade in landfills due to lack of oxygen.
• Cities spend up to 17 cents per bag in disposal costs, wasting millions of tax dollars.

(Source: 1 Bag at a Time)

Green Tip #3 

March 20, 2008 

In honor of the United Nations’ World Water Day taking place on March 22nd, we would like to share the Nature Conservancy’s “Top 10 Ways to Reduce Water Use and Save Money.”

Top 10 List

1. Consider cutting a little water usage from your morning routine.  Keeping a timer in your bathroom will remind you to wrap up and get out.   And please turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth and while applying soap to your dirty dishes.
2. If a home renovation is in the cards, splurge on low-flow and water-efficient appliances − they’ll save you money in the long-run.  A front-loading washing machine, for example, uses 40-60% less water than top-loading machines -- and 30-50% less energy.
3. Even a new toilet can save you water!  New technology can help you limit the gallons used each time you flush.   And there are more old-fashioned ways to save water, too:  if you can’t install a low-flow toilet, reduce the amount of water used by placing a jar or other closed container full of water into your toilet tank. 
4. Install low-flow shower heads and sink spigots, which can both be purchased at your local hardware store, or contact your water utility company to find out if they distribute them for free.  Low-flow shower heads reduce water by an average of five gallons per minute.  In a year, a low-flow shower head can save over 5,400 gallons of water.
5. When running the dishwasher, make sure it’s full to get the maximum use per drop.  There’s no need to pre-rinse, since most of today’s models can handle any kind of grime.  An added environmental bonus: save energy by turning off the auto-dry setting and letting your dishes dry naturally.
6. Check for—and hastily repair— leaky pipes and faucets. In fact, many cities lose 40 to 60 percent (or more!) of their water supply due to leaky pipes.
7. Don’t use your sinks and drains as trash cans, and dispose of oil and other toxic materials properly.  Just one gallon of oil reaching the sewer can contaminate one million gallons of fresh water.  Don’t flush pills down the toilet, either.  These chemicals and hormones can end up in our drinking water supply, and it’s difficult to filter them all out.  A better solution than flushing:  return excess medication to your pharmacy.
8. Reduce water use in your own yard:
   
   a. Try collecting rainwater by placing containers at the end of each gutter.  It’s perfect for watering your garden.
   
   b. Water your lawn or garden in the morning or the evening and adjust sprinklers to avoid the pointless watering of sidewalks or paved areas.
   
   c. Sweep patios and sidewalks rather than hosing them, which wastes water and carries contaminants into freshwater systems.
   
   d.Limit pesticide use.  Pesticides are the only substances we intentionally introduce into our environment to kill living things, and besides being potentially dangerous to people, pets and wildlife, they’ll eventually be carried into our freshwater supply by runoff.
9. Take the easy way out and hit the car wash.  A car wash typically uses about 32 gallons of water per vehicle, but the EPA estimates that washing it yourself can use up to 500 gallons of water…not to mention loads of your time and energy.
10. Take advantage of recreation opportunities on local lakes and rivers, and learn about the wildlife they support.  It will help you understand what we could lose if we don't manage our water wisely.

Source: The Nature Conservancy

To learn more about how The Nature Conservancy is working to restore and protect freshwater systems around the globe, visit: www.nature.org/freshwaters.

Green Tip #2

March 17, 2008 

Sign up for paperless statements & billing on all of your utilities and cell phone bills. Many companies even provide incentives or cash rebates for doing so. This will reduce your paper consumption, save time paying your bills and save you money on stamps.

Source: DNCC Green Team 

Green Tip #1

March 10, 2008 

Did you know nearly 40 percent of our individual carbon emissions come from our buildings?  What can you do?

Step one: conserve, turn off, unplug, reduce.
Step two: sign up for renewable energy from your energy utility.

You can usually subscribe right on your bill or online. To find Green Power in your state, click here.  The planet will thank you, and so will your lungs.

Source: U.S. Green Building Council