Author: Ginny Green

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Home Decor

Eco-Friendly Furniture Buying Guide

A great way to help save the environment is to buy eco-friendly furniture. If you are not crazy about purchasing recycled, refurbished or reused furniture, try and reuse the already existing accent tables, lamps or rugs you might have. You can give your existing lamps a new life by switching out the lamp shade and giving them a new paint job. Here is some information on eco-friendly furniture.

Recycled.  When we mention recycled furniture we don’t just mean your neighbors old couch (although that’s great as well!) We’re talking about a piece of furniture that has been re-built from other pieces of sturdy furniture. For instance a wood frame from a couch made from wood parts of other couches and door frames, etc. Since most of the wood is recycled from other pieces of furniture it often has an antiquated look to it, a perfect fit for some homes and decors.

Refurbished. Instead of going out and buying brand new furniture, a good idea is to have your old furniture refurbished. Refurbishing helps save you time and money as well as having a new eco-friendly piece of furniture.

Reused. Reused furniture is furniture that has at least one previous owner. By having previously used furniture it helps reduce your cost and cuts down the demand for new furniture. You can find some really good deals on reused furniture. Check out your local thrift stores, antique shops, check craigslist or Freecycle.com before heading to the store to buy a new couch.

If you are in the market for brand new furniture try to look for some of these features and attributes:

Materials. Look for furniture that has been built out of bamboo, hemp and even wood. The wood we’re talking about is correctly harvested wood. Bamboo is one of the best options because it grows back very quickly and is a very strong material and will last for years to come.

Quality. When looking for eco-friendly furniture be sure to look for quality as well as the important attributes such as, budget friendly and fashionable. You might find that perfect bamboo framed couch, but the quality of workmanship is terrible. If you purchase a well-made couch chances are you won’t have to purchase a new one a couple years down the road because of wear and tear (if you get tired of the couch refurbish it!)

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Recycling

4 Recycling Tips the Entire Family Can Use

It has become more and more challenging for families to recycle these days, especially when society has a great need for plastics, metals and paper. We forget to think about how our actions with such goods affect the earth. According to the Associa Green Foundation, Americans throw away enough paper and plastic products to circle the equator 300 times every year. The good news is that families can help protect our environment by reusing basic household items.

Coffee Grounds. After having your morning coffee, use the grounds for the compost pile. Along with the decomposing leaves and food particles, the acidity from the coffee grounds will give the compost mixture a more nutrient rich combination that the soil will benefit from. If you don’t have a compost pile, simply sprinkle the grounds around plants preyed on by slugs and bugs. The coffee grounds will keep them away.

Recycled Yarn. For all those knitting and crochet lovers, there are companies who make and sell recycled yarn. For example, Nepalese recycled silk sari yarn is created using scraps from the production saris. This yarn is hand spun in Nepal and helps financially support the women who spin this unique and colorful yarn. You can find this yarn online at Himalayayarn.com and Recycledsilk.com. Do you have an old sweater you never wear? You can make your own skein of recycled yarn by simply, and gently, unraveling that old sweater to save for another project.

Reduce Trash. There are many ways you can reduce the amount of trash you and your family create. Use stainless steel water bottles instead of store-bought plastic ones. This is also a great money saver so that you won’t have to go to the store every two weeks replenishing your water bottle supply. Another way of reducing trash is to use plastic lunch boxes rather than paper bags for kids’ lunches.

Paper Towel Tubes. Think of clever ways to reuse your paper towel tubes. Instead of throwing away plastic grocery bags, stuff them in a paper towel tube to reuse later. You can also give the tubes to kids to use for craft projects. Kids can color the paper tubes; make them into telescopes, magic wands or trumpets for playtime. Paper towel tubes can also be used as kitchen knife sheaths when you’re on the way to a picnic or potluck dinner. Just flatten the tube and place some duct tape over one of the ends.

Sources:  Associagreen.com

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Articles By Topic Eco Tips Featured

Best of the Best: Green Laundry Detergent

With so many “green” laundry detergents out on the market, how do you know which is the best for the environment and which is the one that is the best for your family? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created a system that allows consumers to find out which laundry detergents live up to their claims. The EPA asks the manufacturers to submit a list of all the active ingredients and if they are using the safest chemicals they will earn the seal of approval (the Design for the Environment Seal to be more specific.)

Even when you know which chemicals are harmful, the manufacturers don’t have to list them. That’s where the Design for the Environment logo becomes extremely helpful. You know that you’re buying the best eco-friendly product. However when you are picking out laundry detergent and the product does not have the seal, be sure to check the label for some of these worrisome ingredients/chemicals:

  • Phosphates– especially nonylphenol ethoxylates
  • Chlorine
  • Petroleum

According to consumersearch.com these are 3 of the best laundry detergents you can buy to help keep your family and yourself safe and help the environment out as well!

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  • Seventh Generation Natural Powdered Detergent (*Est. 36 cents per load). Currently Seventh Generation is waiting for the Design for Environment Seal; however the consumer reviews are very positive.  You can order online at their website here.
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day (*Est. 24 cents per load).  Mrs. Meyer’s Clean day has attained the Design for the Environment Seal and also has a strong fan base.  Consumers that have reviewed the product have mentioned that the variety of scents is not too overpowering and the detergent does what it claims. Go here for more information or to purchase the detergent.
  • Arm & Hammer Essentials Liquid Laundry Detergent (*Est. 37 cents per load). Good housekeeping has ranked this #1 among 9 detergents tested for effectiveness.  Currently this product is only sold as a liquid and does not have the Design for the Environment seal. Click here to read reviews and purchase this product.

Not ready to make the switch just yet? For consumers unwilling to make the switch to green laundry detergent just yet, try purchasing eco-friendly laundry products and avoid buying fragranced products. That may help eliminate some of the worst chemicals in your laundry detergent (from a health perspective).

Sources: consumersearch.com

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Articles Recycling

Recycle Those Batteries

We use batteries to power any number of household items: remote controls, cameras, flashlights and portable power tools, among others. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, each year Americans buy almost 3 billion dry-cell batteries to power these common household items. The average American discards eight batteries each year. Single-use batteries contain materials that are both recyclable and considered hazardous.

If batteries are not recycled, these metals can pollute the environment. Depending on how batteries are discarded, the metals can be released into the air or remain behind in the ash created by incineration. Batteries that are disposed of in landfills can leach into the soil, contaminating water supplies. This is especially true of automotive batteries, which contain lead and acid. Instead you are encouraged to separate batteries from the regular household trash and find a proper place to dispose of the batteries. Rechargeable batteries have reduced the amount of batteries that need to be recycled. However the majority of batteries are still single-use.

Here are some places where you can recycle your old batteries:

Consumer retail stores– A lot of retail stores have begun to recycle batteries. Stores like Best Buy, Office Depot, and Radio Shack (just to name a few), typically have recycling kiosks inside their stores. These kiosks make it easy and quick to recycle your batteries, just drop them off and be on your merry way!

Call your local waste management facility — A lot of cities and towns have implemented a battery recycling program. Be sure to call your local waste management facility to see what options are available to you in your area.

Check online – Check online at websites like http://www.call2recycle.org/ and http://earth911.com/recycling/single-use-batteries/ to find battery recycling drop off locations nearest you!

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Eco Tips Featured Home Design Uncategorized

4 Quick Eco-Friendly Interior Fixes and Facelifts

Vintage Charm. Switch old pressed fiberwood cabinet or closet doors with antique swirled or crackled glass. The textured or crackled glass will still keep your kitchen looking open and airy while hiding the interior cabinet contents on occasions when things aren’t completely orderly.

Easy Update. Give your cabinets and kitchen drawers an updated look with a fresh coat of no or low VOC paint and new drawer pulls. Use one style on drawers and a contrasting style on doors.

Hide Floor Flaws. No need to entirely refinish a scratched, scuffed wooden floor. You can creatively cover scratches and scuffs with a coat of ECOS VOC-free Floor Paint. Find a variety of colors and finishes at Ecospaints.net.

Beadboard Display. Camouflage that unattractive stove hood by covering it with repurposed beadboard and adding some molding or finials to display china or heirloom kitchen collectibles.

Categories
Green Building Home Design

5 Benefits of Remodeling with Bamboo

There certainly is a lot of buzz about bamboo these days. Bamboo flooring is not only beautiful and stylish, but it has been proven to outperform traditional hardwood flooring in many ways.

Renewable resource. Bamboo is actually a fast-growing grass, which makes it a renewable resource. The roots of the plant continue to produce new shoots even after the mature plants have been harvested.

Finish options. You’ll find a variety of bamboo finishes on the market these days. There are floor panels available with grains running either vertically or horizontally, and those that come in either a dark or light finish.

Durability. Bamboo floors are generally more durable than wood. Just be sure to do some initial research on the bamboo materials that will be used by your contractor. Mature bamboo plants are strong, but overall durability depends on several factors. Ask questions about the age of the plants when harvested (young bamboo is softer and more susceptible to damage), ask if there are any materials or adhesives added, and ask about the source of the plant.

Cost. Bamboo floors are cheaper than most other flooring options the plants can grow almost anywhere and grow quickly. Bamboo floors are also easy to install, which helps further minimize the expense.

Easy maintenance. A simple dust mop is the most effective cleaning method for bamboo floors. Dry mop at least twice a week to remove dirt or grime, and then follow with a lightly dampened mop using warm water and a small amount of vinegar.

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Eco Tips Featured

4 Things to Help Keep Your Kitchen Eco-Organized

Space is a valued commodity in most kitchens, so we came up with a few new uses for old items that most of us already have stashed away or collecting dust in a closet.

Vintage ceramic crocks. Keep an eye out for ceramic crocks at a second hand store or antique shop. Use them in the kitchen to hold utensils or dried herbs.

Wicker baskets. Wicker baskets are easy to find at most resale shops or just stashed around the house. Use larger baskets for organizing or storing placemats, plates or silverware.

Glass jars. Old glass jars can be labeled and reused as small canisters to hold healthy snacks like almonds, granola or dried fruits.

Loaf pans. Retired loaf pans are ideal to use for neatly classifying and storing kitchen spices or seasonings in cabinets. Label each pan based on general use:  baking spices, poultry seasonings or meat seasonings.

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Eco Eats Gadgets & Gear

5 Reasons to Invest in Eco-Friendly Cookware

As with any other product that is marketed as being green, you need to take the time to do your research before buying. Cooking with an eco-friendly set of pots and pans should not only cut your kitchen energy use, but also ensure harmful chemicals are not ingested by you or your family. We checked into de Buyer’s line of Mineral B Elements Cookware and found that the old adage rings true: you get what you pay for. We’ve listed a few of the reasons why these pans are a good choice when it comes to eco-friendly cookware.

Constructed of natural iron. Iron is recyclable, better for the environment and better for our bodies. Studies show that cooking with iron cookware can also increase the iron content in our foods.

No harmful coatings or finishes. The beeswax-based finish protects the pans against oxidation, helps in the seasoning process and improves nonstick quality (PFOA and PTFE free guaranteed).

No chemicals added. The cookware is made using an environmentally safe production process and made entirely of metal. These pans are all-natural (no chemical coatings).

Allows cooking on high heat. High heat keeps more vitamins and nutrients in the food while enabling you to cook on a lower heat setting and use less energy.

Natural non-stick properties. The more the pans are used and seasoned, the more the natural nonstick properties are brought out. The pans “age” gracefully and should be thought of as a long-term investment.

Resources:  Kitchen-Universe.com

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Eco Tips Featured

4 Ways to Recharge After the Holidays

Even though the holiday season means spending treasured time with friends and family, it can also be pretty hectic due to all the shopping, cooking and cleaning. Consider a few of these post-holiday tips for staying energized and centered all year long.

Use energizing essential oils. Try adding an essential oil to a diffuser and place the diffuser in the bathroom as you get ready in the mornings. Essential oils like Grapefruit and Ylang Ylang have uplifting and motivating properties.

See the light. Research has shown that even just 20 to 30 minutes of sunlight each day can improve your mood. Get outdoors (just remember your sunscreen) or sit and read a book in a sunny, window filled room. Natural sunlight encourages the body to produce vitamin D and protects us from seasonal mood changes.

Plan a sabbatical. A sabbatical is defined as, “A break or change from a normal routine (as of employment).” There is a reason people take sabbaticals and are given vacation time. Don’t use yours getting things done around the house or, worse yet, skip it altogether. Planning a time for some future R&R is important and gives you something to look forward to after the holidays.

Get moving on the weekends. Create a weekend routine that will get you up and out of bed. Leave a set of gym clothes next to the bed before you go to sleep so it’s easier to hit that early AM yoga class. Or, make a brunch date with that bubbly friend you’ve been anxious to catch up with. Her mood will be contagious. It’s a downer to feel like you’ve spent your Saturday or Sunday moping around all day, so find a reason to get up and get moving!

Source:  Definition of sabbatical, Merriam-Webster (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sabbatical)

 

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Eco Tips Featured

6 Eco-Friendly Resolutions To Put Into Practice

As the current year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to assess how we have been running our lives and homes. Most of us can easily take a step back, learn to plan better, and put a few smart practices into place.

Reuse and recycle by donating your stuff. The New Year provides a good opportunity to clean out, simplify and start fresh. Have household items you no longer use? Give them away on Freecycle.org. Have clothes or shoes you don’t wear anymore? Donate the items to a local shelter, drop off at Goodwill or host a clothing swap.

Go dairy free and meat free once a week. Join “Meat Free Mondays” and make a green, animal-friendly, earth-friendly resolution for the coming year. By going meat free, you reduce your carbon footprint, limit cancer risk, reduce the risk of diabetes, help curb obesity and lessen the chances of heart disease.

Grow something. Start small with a pot of basil or thyme on your patio or kitchen windowsill. Plants give off additional oxygen, help clean the air, and bring living energy to a room. Having your own pesticide-free organic herbs to use when cooking isn’t a bad thing either.

Install and use smart power strips. Get in the habit of using smart power strips to turn off TV’s, computers, kitchen appliances, and other electronics completely. You just might notice your electric bill go down.

Replace the standard light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent ones. Energy-smart bulbs use 70-75% less energy than incandescent bulbs and last up to ten times longer.

Replace your air conditioner filter every 30 to 60 days. A dirty filter will block the airflow and cost you more to run since the unit has to work twice as hard. Have extra filters on hand at all times.