Wissahickon Growing Greener

Let's Promote and Educate RESIDENTS about a Sustainable Future for OUR Area

These are tips we have posted in the past:

Tip: Top Ten Tips for Renters from Energy Star

I know a lot of people rent and so they feel like they can't make energy-saving changes to thier spaces. Energy Star would say otherwise.

Check out http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home_tips_renters10

"Even if you rent an apartment, townhouse, or a home, you can make a big difference, too! These tips will show you how to be more energy efficient and save energy, money, and reduce the risks of global warming. If there are things you can't change on your own, share these tips and encourage your landlord to help you make a change for the better."
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Tip: Recycling carpet

I was reading Philly GRID http://issuu.com/redflagmedia/docs/grid_2010.02 and learned about carpet recycling. This is info from page 9, the Recycling Challenge.

Between 2 and 2.5 million TONS of carpet are discarded each year in the U.S. ... Since carpet is a HUGE petroleum and energy-intensive process, it is estimated recycling carpets can save more than 700,000 barrels of oil and 4.4 TRILLION BTUs of energy each year. Old carpet can be made into composite lumber, roofing shingles, and automotive parts.

The FOAM CENTER in Bristol, PA takes carpet from homeowners for FREE. The don't take polyester carpet, though. Call: 610-247-0596. Open Monday-Friday, 7am-4pm.

2014 Ford Rd
Bristol, PA 19007

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Tip: Sustainable Seafood cards and local CSS

I was at the Pennypack Sustainability Movie Series last night- the first film was called "End of the Line" and was all about the sustainability of our oceans. I picked up a few wallet-sized cards that give you guidance as to which fish is more sustainable. If you'd like a copy, let me know. The chart can also be found here: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx

Along with this, I learned about Otolith Sustainable Seafood store. They have a CSS- Community Sponsored Seafood, similar in model to CSAs. The benefits, according to their website:
> Get the best quality seafood of the season for less than retail prices!
> Participate in an initiative that buys directly from responsible harvesters and contributes to environmentally sound fishery management!
> Support the new green economy by encouraging environmentally friendly jobs!
More info: http://www.otolithonline.com/css.html

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Tip: Save hot water use, save money

Did you know? Water-saving showerheads and faucet aerators can cut hot water use in half. By installing new showerheads, a family of 4 can save 14,000 gallons of water a year and the energy required to heat it.
Not sure how much your shower uses?
Find a bucket that holds a gallon of water and get a stop watch (or watch with a second hand). Turn on the shower with your usual pressure, hold the bucket under it, and time how long it takes to fill one gallon. If it takes less than 20 seconds, your flow rate is over 3gpm, and you might want to find a water-saving showerhead.
-From Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings, 9th Edition: Save Money, Save the Earth. Amman.

If you order a new one, PECO might have a rebate for you. http://www.energyfederation.org/peco/default.php

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Tip: Resource for shopping locally

I have a new New Years Resolution!
I LOVE the concept of shopping locally. Love it. It keeps our local economy going, gets us into the community and away from our computers, we can touch products before we buy them, etc. It's pretty easy to shop locally for food, but I'm not the best at it for consumer goods. So, someone put me in touch with the Greater Philadelphia Sustainable Business Network and let me know about an online resource they have of local businesses: http://www.sbnphiladelphia.org/marketplace/searchResultsPage
You can search by product, business or zipcode. These are businesses that are Independent and Locally-Owned, so you're more likely to find someone who wants to help you instead of "nope, I don't know when we'll get that in stock."

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Tip: Recycling Electronics is simple

I was looking for a place to take all the power cords we have around here. They seem to be multiplying in a drawer, but I think we only open it to shove them in, never to USE them. So, I did a search on earth911.com.

I learned this...
Staples takes rechargeable batteries, ink cartridges, computer monitors, desktops, laptops, printers, faxes, and all-in-ones are accepted for recycling. Dell branded items can be recycled for free, while all other brands of equipment can be recycled for a fee of $10. Keyboards, mice, modems, and speakers can be recycled for free with a larger item. Cell phones, PDAs and chargers can all be recycled for free. Bring all items to the customer service desk.

Best Buy takes Two items per household per day; CDs, Gift Cards; Nearly everything electronic, including TVs, computers (remove hard drive), DVD players, monitors, cell phones, game consoles. They charge $10 for TVs under 32", CRTs, monitors and laptops (remove hard drive). But you receive a $10 Best Buy gift card.

Office Depot takes cell phones, ink cartridges, rechargeable batteries. Other items use Tech Box Recycling service and costs $5, $10, or $15 per box. Items are TVs, Fax Machines, Desktop PCs, Laptop PCs, Printers and "All In Ones", Scanners, Peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and drives, Digital Cameras, Video Cameras, and Cord and Cables, CRT and LCD monitors

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Tip: Insulate Hot Water Pipes for Energy (and $$) Savings

Posted: http://www.energysavers.gov/your_home/water_heating/index.cfm/mytopic=13060

Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter than uninsulated pipes can deliver, allowing for a lower water temperature setting. You also won't have to wait as long for hot water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which helps conserve water.

Insulate all accessible hot water pipes, especially within 3 feet of the water heater. It's also a good idea to insulate the cold water inlet pipes for the first 3 feet.

Use quality pipe insulation wrap, or neatly tape strips of fiberglass insulation around the pipes. Pipe sleeves made with polyethylene or neoprene foam are the most commonly used insulation. Match the pipe sleeve's inside diameter to the pipe's outside diameter for a snug fit. Place the pipe sleeve so the seam will be face down on the pipe. Tape, wire, or clamp (with a cable tie ) it every foot or two to secure it to the pipe. If you use tape, some recommend using acrylic tape instead of duct tape.

On gas water heaters, keep insulation at least 6 inches from the flue. If pipes are within 8 inches of the flue, your safest choice is to use fiberglass pipe-wrap (at least 1-inch thick) without a facing. You can use either wire or aluminum foil tape to secure it to the pipe.

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Tip: Preventing Stormwater Runoff

With all this rain and snow, I have seen many areas flooded recently. It reminds me that there are things we could be doing at our own homes to reduce stormwater runoff. Stormwater can pick up debris, chemicals (oil from our cars), dirt, and other pollutants and flow into a storm sewer or directly to a river. This makes it tough for aquatic life to survive and can make us sick! The basic concept is to think of your roof/home/yard as a watershed and then adapt your watershed to absorb and slowly filter and cleanse as much stormwater as possible.

We can all help improve stream and groundwater quality, encourage wildlife habitat, and improve air quality, no matter where we live. You can:
-install a rain barrel (capture stormwater runoff and have an irrigation source)
-plant more trees and shrubs (spring is coming!)
-create a rain garden (capture and infiltrate stormwater into the ground to recharge groundwater)
-compost (great natural lawn fertilizer!)
-reduce fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides in our lawn care (use that compost you just made!)
-install porous driveways and patios (allows stormwater to soak into ground)
-create a no-mow zone with native plants (slows water, reduces time spent mowing, creates habitat)

See http://www.iconservepa.org/ for some more info.

Check out the Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center: http://www.fairmountwaterworks.org/ for a local field trip and to learn more about the Delaware River Basin's Watershed.

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Tip: Christmas Trees AFTER the holiday

Did you know? An artificial Christmas tree may have to be used 10 or more years to leave an environmental footprint as small as a natural Christmas tree. Balled or potted trees can be planted after the holidays, mulched for compost, or converted into a brush pile that creates habitat for wildlife.

If can't leave your tree in the woods for a bird habitat or in the mulch pit, you can take it to be mulched.
Whitpain Township does not mulch them, but did say Soil Rich in Norristown will take them.
501 North Trooper Road
Norristown, PA 19403
(610) 539-8988

Also, last year we dropped our tree off at the Penllyn baseball field. There's a pile out there, and Ambler will mulch them.

I did a search on earth911.com and came up with these places for Christmas Tree recycling:
Warminster Twnsp:
(215) 443-5428
401 Gibson Avenue
Warminster, PA 18974

Radnor Twsp:
(610) 688-5600
130 Radnor Chester Road
St. Davids, PA 19087

Tredyffrin Township Compost Site
(610) 644-1400
Cassatt Road
Berwyn, PA 19312

Doylestown
(215) 348-9915
425 Wells Rd
Doylestown, PA 18901

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Tip: Trails Map For you bikers out there

Google Maps has a Philadelphia Regional Trails Map. It's clickable, and includes the suburbs, too. It has lists of new trails for you to ride. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?q=Philadelphia+PA&f=s&ie=UTF8&hl=en&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=115386550723866182235.000453f77aa299f7a7c22&sll=39.952335,-75.163789&sspn=0.273985,0.512238&z=9

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Tip: Know what's in your can?

Avoid food containers that leach packaging chemicals into food, especially canned foods (the can linings contain bisphenol-A) and greasy fast-food wrappers. Instead, head for fresh food or prepared foods in glass containers. Pick recipes that call for fresh, not canned, foods.

For more healthy home tips, see: http://www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/greenholiday#cooksafer

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Tip: Lay off the salt

More than just a factor in hypertension, excess salt (sodium chloride) and other deicing chemicals can harm stream life, impact drinking water supplies, and damage vegetation. Tune up your winter physique by shoveling snow before it turns to ice. If driveways and walkways glaze over despite your best intentions, try sand or sawdust as environmentally-friendly deicing alternatives. Other options include calcium chloride and calcium magnesium acetate. Ask for these products at a hardware store near you.

posted: Seeds mailing list, iConservePA Newsletter

"Animals become victims of salt poisoning or toxicosis when toxic levels of sodium and chloride accumulate in the blood after they ingest large amounts of salt or, in some species, are deprived of water. For birds, salt sources may include saline water and road salt. Normally the salt glands of birds excrete sodium and chloride to maintain the proper physiologic chemical balance. However, when there has been insufficient time for acclimation of the salt gland to the saline environment, or when salt gland function is compromised by exposure to certain pesticides or oil, the electrolyte balance of the blood may be upset by the excess sodium and chloride, resulting in toxicosis. "

~~ Field manual of Wildlife Diseases, USGS 1988

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Tip: Cutting back on meat can cut back on carbon emmissions

Livestock accounts for 18% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions and 8% of water use - and a meatless diet is 50% more effective at cutting CO2 than switching from a standard car to a hybrid.

See if you can give up meat one or two times a week. Try making a veggie pizza or eggplant Parmesan for dinner. It's a great use for the eggplant you might have blanched and frozen from the end of summer. You could also have a good-old pb&j sandwich to remind you of your school-lunch days!

Comment from reader: I suggest instead cutting out all meat raised in confinement lots. The conditions are horrid, and these animals do contribute to the CO2 in a huge way. If your meat is fed a diet of native grasses and allowed to roam on a local farm, that does the environment a great bit of good in building our much depleted top soil, without which there can be no life. I suggest reading Lierre Keith's excellent book, The Vegetarian Myth: Food, Justice and Sustainability, published in 2009. She was a vegan for 20 years and lost her health doing so, as have many others I have met or read this year. I know this view is unpopular with the vegans and vegetarians, and we all need more vegetables, but there are other ways to save the environment. Lierre recommends not having children nor a car and eating locally. Try growing your own food at home.

Tip: Uncut pumpkins are still usable!

If you didn't get a chance to cook up those pumpkins before they froze outside, there's still a use for them! Elmwood Park Zoo (or maybe a zoo close to YOU) will take them. Other things Elmwood takes can be found here: http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/support/waystogive/wishlist.html

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Tip: Use Houseplants to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

A nice reason to give a plant this holiday season!

By Greg Seaman Posted May 13, 2009

Common indoor plants may provide a valuable weapon in the fight against rising levels of indoor air pollution. NASA scientists are finding them to be surprisingly useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside homes, indoor public spaces and office buildings.

The indoor pollutants that affect health are formaldehyde, Volatile Organic Compounds (benzene and trichloroethylene or TCE), airborne biological pollutants, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, pesticides and disinfectants (phenols), and radon. These pollutants contribute to ’sick building syndrome’, which causes symptoms ranging from allergies, headaches and fatigue through to nervous-system disorders, cancer and death.

See here for the list: http://www.eartheasy.com/blog/2009/05/the-top-10-plants-for-removing-indoor-toxins/

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Tip: Christmas cards!

I received my very first Christmas card today (thank you, Julie!). I DO love to get them, but at the same time, I know how wasteful the cards can be. So, I wanted to write a few tips that make me less bah-humbug about sending out cards!

-you can purchase 100% recycled card paper and make your own cards.
-you can save the cards you receive this year and make them into cards/tags next year (just tear off the page that's signed and save the picture. Write on the back and send it out next year in a recycled envelope!
-you can keep the photo cards and make collages out of them to decorate the kids' room.
-you can send e-cards to the people you know will appreciate them.
-you can call those business people who mail you cards (I get one from Car Sense and the Realtor) and ask to be removed from their card mailing list (thanks, Rose, for suggesting that one).
-lots of schools/churches take the pictures from the front of the cards and use them for craft projects.
- you can make your own lacing cards: punch holes around images of snowmen and use a shoelace from old shoes (not your husband's work shoes) to weave into and out of the holes. I think I'll try this one now...

See here for a list of Christmas craft projects that include cards and other household items: http://www.world.org/reuse/christma.html

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Tip: Giving an experience

If you're trying to find a great gift for someone that they will remember, maybe try an experience gift. Grandmom might just like taking the kids to the mini golf course instead of buying them one more stuffed animal finger puppet!

Originally posted: http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/xperience-men

    * National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass - yearly pass that gets one carful of friends into any national park or forest; check for your nearest park here ($80).
    * SpaFinder - everyone loves a massage or a mani-pedi; get a gift certificate that's accepted at hundreds of eco-spas around the globe ($50 and up).
    * MailStopper - reduce your friend's junk mail so that instead of sorting and shredding, they can do something fun ($36).
    * Earth Cinema Circle - gift a membership to this eco-documentary DVD club, which ships four movies per month in biodegradable packaging - and the giftee gets to keep the DVDs ($18).
    * Fandango Bucks - movie-ticket gift certificates for theaters nationwide ($10 and up).
    * Whole Foods Culinary Centers - 30 WF stores across the country play host to courses on topics like organic cooking and gluten-free baking (free-$30).
    * More ideas: a class on wine, cooking, yoga, or dancing; a gift certificate to a restaurant or coffeehouse; bowling; paint your own pottery; a round of play at a golf course or miniature golf course; game tix; or a membership to Netflix, a theater or arts organization (ballet, symphony, etc.), a museum, or a park/conservation organization; a brewery tour; a CSA membership or organic milk delivery.
    * DIY Bite: Create a homemade gift certificate to help giftees with chores like waterproofing the porch or washing the windows.

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Tip: Yes, you can make your own hair spray

Major loopholes in U.S. federal law allow the $50 billion cosmetics industry to put unlimited amounts of chemicals into personal care products with no required testing, no monitoring of health effects and inadequate labeling requirements. In fact, cosmetics are among the least-regulated products on the market.

For a list of DIY cosmetics, check out http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=233. Among others, you will find recipes for Chocolate Facial Mask, Baking Soda Mask to Fight Acne, Orange Ginger Warming Foot Scrub, and Hair Spray (see below if you don't believe me)

Ingredients:
1 or 2 citrus fruits (lemon or orange)
2 cups water

Instructions:
Chop 1 lemon (or orange for dry hair). Place in a pot and cover with 2 cups of hot water. Boil until only half remains. Cool and strain. Add more water if needed. Refrigerate in a spray bottle. Source: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/haircare

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Tip: Extreme paper conservation

posted: http://www.idealbite.com/guides/gifts/gift-wrap

Here're a few tips for unwrapping gifts that'll help conserve paper - even a few for peeps who rip open gifts, chimplike.

* To save the most paper: Unwrap gifts starting with the tape - peel off from the edge so you save the bulk of the paper part.
* Ripped paper: Cut paper from large-ish presents down to size for wrapping smaller gifts.
* Wrinkled paper: Iron it on low heat to get the creased stuff back to its original look.
* Used boxes: Store 'em for reuse or if you don't have room, put them on Craigslist.
* For paper you can't use: Have three bags or boxes handy during the unwrap fest to collect stuff - one for recycling, one for ribbon and decorations you can reuse, and one for trash. Most bags, boxes, and gift wrap are recyclable (just check with your curbside provider if you're not sure) unless they're laminated, metallic, or have a bunch of tape stuck to them.

Stat: If every American reused just 2 feet of ribbon, we'd save enough to tie a bow around the Earth four and a half times.

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Tip: EASY ways to reduce carbon footprint this holiday season

With the holidays approaching, it's a great time to be reminded that "every action counts!" Throughout this season, we'll all have lots of opportunities to make choices to save energy, reduce waste, and make a smaller carbon footprint.

Here are a few suggestions taken from our "Green Your Holiday" Action of the Month:

*Use LED holiday lights instead of your old incandescent lights to help lower global warming emissions.
*Use recycled or repurposed paper for wrapping gifts, or use a reusable bag. Get creative: wrap gifts in comics, posters, old maps, etc. Save those bows and un-torn paper.
*Consider presents with less or no packaging like music or sports lessons, museum or gym memberships, and gift certificates.
*Combine errands and save gas. Do your gift and grocery shopping in one outing.
*Consider sending an e-holiday card. Saves the environment and money!

Posted http://www.cooltheearth.org/

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Tip: Use a local buying club to buy locally all winter

THE 2009-2010 SEASON OF THE WINTER HARVEST BUYING CLUB HAS BEGUN

WHAT IS WINTER HARVEST? Winter Harvest is a buying club from which you can order locally produced food during the winter and spring months, when CSAs and most farmers' markets are not operating. Members submit their orders through this website, to be delivered weekly to sites in Philadelphia and towns west, east and north of Philadelphia.

By ordering from Winter Harvest, you will be using your purchasing power to support local farmers and to become part of a growing movement that promotes farmer welfare, environmental stewardship, good health and fresh, delicious food.

Winter Harvest offers high quality, sustainably produced foods, many of which are otherwise not available to urban households.
Through Winter Harvest You Can:

* Order on-line from a list of over 500 food items and other products grown or produced in the Philadelphia region: root crops, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, yogurt, cheese, herbs, preserves, baked goods, honey, baby food and more.
* Feel secure about your selections: most vegetables are from certified organic farms. Many meat, poultry, and dairy products are from organically raised, grass-fed animals.
* From November to April, order from our list every two weeks for deliveries on each Thursday for the following two weeks.
* Order what you want, when you want it. No minimum order.
* Open your account with a minimum deposit of $50. You can pay by PayPal and your deposit is applied as payment to your order. (If you already a member, you do not need to reapply. Just check your account balance to make sure it is sufficient to cover your order.)
* Choose your delivery location from the list of communities in the Philadelphia area.
* Support family owned farms and other small businesses in the region

http://www.farmtocity.org/Home.asp?mname=Philadelphia+Winter+Harvest

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Tip: Check out which fish are sustainable

The rate at which some fish are being overfished is ALARMING. You'd think that if fish were being overfished, someone would stop fishing or get us to stop eating them, but that's not always the case.

Check out Seafood Watch: http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/cr_seafoodwatch/sfw_recommendations.aspx They recommend which seafood to buy or avoid, helping consumers and businesses become advocates for ocean-friendly seafood. You can get their recommendations online, in our printed pocket guides, or on your mobile devices.
There's a Limit to the Fish in the Sea
Ocean fish are wildlife—the last such creatures that we hunt on a large scale. And while the sheer size of the oceans is awesome, there are many signs that we have found their limits. Despite our best efforts, the global catch of wild fish leveled off over 20 years ago and 70 percent of the world's fisheries are being harvested at capacity or are in decline.

Yet there are fisheries being run in a sustainable way. We now need to improve the practices of the remaining fisheries and solve the most pressing issues, including overfishing, illegal and unregulated fishing, habitat damage, by catch (accidentally catching unwanted species) and poor management.

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Tip: Make Cloth Bags Out of Old Pillowcases

If any of you are crafty and looking for something home made this season, try this:

What do you do with pillow cases that are no longer needed for a bed? Turn them into cloth bags! First turn the bag inside out, fold down the sides of the opening, run a cord or other material cut to the length of the handle you want, hand stitch. Turn the pillow case right side out and there you have it, a bag! The best thing about this one, no cutting! From Thrifyfun.com

I have seen that you can also do this with tank tops you no longer wear.

Might make for a cool option for "wrapping" gifts!

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Tip: Unplug that cell phone charger to save energy

OK, OK. I had to break down and get a new phone. I charged it today, and when I unplugged the phone from the charger, there was a nice message "to save energy, unplug the charger from the wall when not in use." I can set the phone to remind me that each time. I did contact Verizon to see just how much phantom energy was used when I left the charger plugged in without the phone needing to be charged, and this is the answer I received:

"Erin, the wall chargers do use energy just as all other items that are left plugged into an outlet when not in use. Unfortunately, we do not know the exact wattage that will be used when leaving a charger plugged in all day while not in use. I apologize for any inconvenience this may present.
If you would like detailed information in regards to the approximate watts of use, you may wish to contact a gas and electric provider, i.e. BG&E or Constellation Energy, etc. "

Not the most specific answer! However, it's nice that my little phone can remind me to unplug the charger from the wall.

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TIP: Replace some bulbs before others

TIP: To save the most energy and money, replace your highest use bulbs and fixtures with ENERGY STAR lighting. Focus on the kitchen ceiling lights, the living or family room table and floor lamps, and outdoor porch or post lamp. If you are using CFL bulbs, make sure to recycle/dispose of them properly when they burn out since they do contain mercury. Many manufacturers will take them back in original packaging. Or, you can take them to Home Depot or IKEA to be recycled properly. There are LED lights on the market now that save even more energy and do not contain mercury, but they are still expensive.

http://www.energystar.gov/

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Tip 6: Skip the non-stick

Non-stick cookware has been popular because, well, it's non-stick -- very convenient to use and clean. But it also emits toxic fumes when overheated. Environmental Working Group recommends that you choose safer cookware to reduce the risk of inhaling toxic particles when you let that non-stick pan get a little too hot. And who doesn't do that occasionally? See : http://www.ewg.org/healthy-home-tips-06 to find out:

    * Why you should skip the non-stick
    * What safer cookware to choose
    * How to cook with non-stick if you're 'stuck' with it
    * Other ways people are exposed to PFCs, and how to avoid them

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Tip: Easy way to compost leaves

Found on Organic Gardening's website.
1. Watch your neighbors bagging their fall leaves. (Be a good neighbor: avoid looking too relaxed while they work.)
2. Offer to take the bags of leaves from your hard-working neighbors before they drag the bags to the curb. (If you can, get a few bags of grass clippings to mix with the leaves or, better yet, grab mixed bags from neighbors who cut the grass and shred leaves with their lawn mowers.) If you're too shy or proud to ask for bags of leaves and grass, snitch them after dark. No one will report you if you get caught.
3. Bring the bags home, poke some holes in the sides (near the top and bottom) to let oxygen and some water in and carbon dioxide and excess water out. Moisten the leaves thoroughly.
4. Scoop up a shovelful or two of garden soil and pour the soil into the bags.
5. Mix by shaking or rolling the bag. Mix again occasionally every few weeks and moisten the leaves when they dry out.
6. In 2 to 3 months, pour out the dark, crumbly stuff inside. Technically speaking, this is "leaf mold." But for simplicity's sake, call it "compost" and use it as a mulch, soil amendment and fertilizer in your garden. About a half-inch to an inch layer on top of the soil will feed your plants, prevent plant diseases, suppress weeds, and conserve water.

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Tip: Consolidate oven usage to save some cash this winter.

Whenever possible try to bake multiple things at the same time, or one after the other all on the same day. That way you only have to warm up the oven once, and you benefit from the residual heat left over from the previous recipe. So, roast your veggies on Sunday and not only will your dinners be faster to get together on a World Series night, but you'll be saving time/energy/money when you do it.
Source: 11 Common Sense Low Energy Cooking Tips: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/food-health/common-energy-cooking-tips.html?smid=FBPLG-FBS-ART

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Tip: What do Juice Pouches, Candy Bar Wrappers and Scotch Tape have in common?

They can be collected, boxed up, shipped to Terracyle POSTAGE PAID, and you get money for a charity or school! Plus, these items are kept out of the landfill and "upcycled" into backpacks, flower pots, kits, and holiday bows.

Other collected items include: wine corks, yogurt containers, Aveeno tubes, huggies packaging, scott packaging, kashi packaging...

Check it out! http://www.terracycle.net/

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Tip: Check the number on your produce

If you are interested in knowing if your produce has been genetically modified or if it's organic but you can't find anyone to ask, check the PLU codes on the label.

--A four-digit number means it's conventionally grown.
--A five-digit number beginning with 9 means it's organic.
--A five-digit number beginning with 8 means it's genetically modified.

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Tip: Cover your hot water heater to save money and energy!

Spend $25 now and SAVE $30 each year.. ROI = 120%
Put your hand on the outside of the heater. If it feels warm, then you can save money by wrapping it.

Did you know?
Water heating can account for roughly 19 percent of a home energy bill. The majority of U.S. houses have gas water heaters, but almost 40 percent use doubly expensive electric systems. Make your water heating 'system' more efficient by not only wrapping the tank with an insulating jacket, but also insulating hot water pipes, and consider installing timer controls that switch off the heater when you’re at work or sleeping. Turn the heater off when you’re on vacation. You can also add anti-convection valves and loops, and turn the temperature down from 140 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or less (for each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.)

The ROI Calculation is based on the 'Blanket' with other measures adding to the savings. The blankets typically range from $25 up to $80, and the more expensive ones typically have higher insulation values for even more savings.

For more ways to save, see GreenandSave.com

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Tip: Turn off the car engine to help air quality and save money

When you arrive early for student pick up (or are watching the airplanes at Wings field), don't idle your car engine.
You'll save on fuel, especially in school pick-up lines. Idling your vehicle for 10 minutes uses as much fuel as it takes to travel 5 miles and wastes more than 27 gallons a year. A bonus? The student's air quality will be better too!
Source: http://www.cooltheearth.org/

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Tip: Sun and Earth allows you to refill bottles

Sun and Earth, a LOCAL store in King of Prussia, makes and sells eco-friendly laundry detergent, all-purpose cleaners, dish soap, etc. You probably alreay knew that, but did you know that you can refill conatiners you already have with their products? What a great concept- instead of recycling the plastic containers, why not just refill them and save the energy/resources???

The following stores refill or exchange bottles:

Big Green Earth Store
Greenable
Earth Mart
Great Earth Vitamins
Kimberton Whole Foods
Martindales
...and the plant in King of Prussia.

At the Sun and Earth plant, you can exchange any bottle and get a REFILLed bottle. At the other retail stores, you can REFILL our laundry detergent. At Big Green Earth Store, you can REFILL all of our products.

Store address:
    Sun & Earth, Inc.
    221 King Manor Drive
    King of Prussia, PA 19406

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Tip: Green your search engine

How about an eco-conscious search engine? Some help you search for green and sustainable websites, like Green Maven. Some search engines help with to reforestation projects Ecocho and Friends Green) Others, like Blackle use a darker background and save energy since monitors require more power to display a white (or light) screen than a black (or dark) screen. Interesting idea, but not sure if it's really true!

There are some things you can do now to reduce the energy used by your computer, such as:

-turn on the power management features. Virtually all computers today have the ability to switch into low-power modes automatically when they're idle; very few computers have this capability enabled! Here's how to do it on computers running Windows XP.
-turn off your monitor and computer when you're not using them
-turn down the brightness on your monitor
-make sure your next computer meets the efficiency standards of Climate Savers Computing (an efficient computer uses up to 50% less energy than a conventional one)
-to find the most efficient PCs available today, look for the words "EnergyStar compliant."

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Tip: Gimme 5 (Plastics, that is) and Brita filters

For those of you who can't recycle your #5 plastics with your current waste-hauler (think yogurt cups, hummus tubs and other food containers) you now have an option. Drop CLEAN containers off in the Gimme5 Bin at the North Wales Whole Foods store.

They also accept Brita filters. Remember to:

   1. Dry the filter by shaking off excess water and setting it in a dry place for at least three days.
   2. Wrap the filter in a plastic grocery bag, which will be recycled at the Preserve Gimme 5 destination.
   3. Drop the wrapped filter in the Preserve Gimme 5 bin.

Choosing Preserve Plastic (in the form of a toothbrush or razor, for example) means a sizeable reduction in greenhouse gases emitted, and significantly less water, energy, oil, natural gas, and coal used in making plastic.

How much of a difference? Preserve plastic requires:
Water-At least 54% less water than virgin polypropylene
Greenhouse Gases-At least 64% less greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) than virgin polypropylene
Oil-At least 75% less oil than virgin polypropylene
Coal-At least 48% less coal than virgin polypropylene
Natural gas-At least 77% less natural gas than virgin polypropylene
Electricity-At least 46% less electricity than virgin polypropylene

Close the loop: BUY products made of recycled material! See preserve products here: http://www.preserveproducts.com/products.html

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Tip: An audit to look forward to

An audit to look forward to

Want to improve your home’s performance when it comes to energy efficiency? Schedule a diagnostic energy audit this fall or winter. Audits help determine where energy is leaking, how well heating and cooling systems are working, and where problems need to be fixed. Audits come in different varieties of sophistication and cost, but the expense can lead to tremendous savings. Go http://www.pahomeenergy.com/resources.html for a list of home energy service providers in Pennsylvania.

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Tip: Switch Outdoor lights to more energy efficient ones

The cheapest, cleanest kilowatt hour of electricity is the one that is never produced in the first place.
As the shorter days of fall approach and your energy demands grow, now may be the time to make a switch to more efficient, energy-saving light bulbs to reduce energy consumption.

    * first, replace the fixtures that are lit most frequently and for the longest periods.
    * you could save $15/year per socket.
    * Your energy efficiency investment will be paid back in less than one year.
    * and you'd have about 75% reduction in CO2 emissions

info adapted from this article: Light Up the Outdoors with Energy-Saving Light Bulbs by Peter Ellinwood: http://www.naturallifestyle.net/articles/Light-Up-the-Outdoors-with-Energy-Saving-Light-Bulbs-198.html

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Tip: Mulch your leaves instead of trashing them

Putting your leaves into plastic bags can preserve leaves in landfills forever. Instead, turn leaves into mulch for your garden! Originally posted here.
The Benefits:

* Wasting nothing. Between 20%-50% of the waste we send to landfills is biodegradable and compostable.
* Paying nothing. As long as you've got a contraption to shred the leaves (see below), DIY mulch is free.
* Nullifying your water use. Aside from lawns, mulching will reduce garden water usage by about 25%.
* There's almost nothing better for your plants. Mulching adds nutrients to the soil, controls weeds by blocking sunlight, and provides erosion control.

Wanna Try:
1. Shred leaves with a lawnmower or leaf shredder.
2. Add grass clippings if you've got 'em to make the leaves biodegrade quicker.
3. Spread the mulch 4-6 inches around trees, and 2-3 inches around flowers and shrubs.

* Earth 911 - enter compost and your zip to see if your waste management facility offers curbside compost pickup. For 19422: Moyer Packing Company in Soudeton, TwoParticulr Acres in Royersford, PA, Pisarek Farms in Doylestown, and Seven Stars Farm in Phoenixville, PA show drop-off locations.

Check here for a neighborhood compost map: http://www.phillycompost.com/Map.html
Whitpain Township offers an annual leaf collection program to Township residents.
In Lower Gywnedd, Waste Management will pick up your leaves for you.
Plymouth Township has a leaf pickup machine.
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Tip: Is your toilet running (no, not another knock knock joke...)

A quick check for a leaky toilet can save you unnecessarily high water and sewer bills. A leaky toilet, which is often the most common source of water leakage in your home, can result in the loss of hundreds of gallons of water per day.

Ask yourself the following to determine if your toilet is leaking:
1. Do you find yourself jiggling the handle to stop noise?
2. Do you hear any strange, intermittent noises from the toilet?

If you answered yes to either of these questions, your toilet is probably leaking. Toilets generally leak in two places. First, if the float assembly is not shutting off the water, it allows the water to escape into the overflow pipe. This problem can often be remedied by adjusting the float ball. Second, if the flush ball is worn or not sitting properly, water will leak into the toilet bowl. You can check for possible flush ball leakage by using food coloring, or by using the attached dye tablets.

· Drop food color (or dye tablets) into the toilet tank. DO NOT FLUSH.
· Wait 15 to 20 minutes.
· If color appears in the toilet bowl, the toilet is leaking and necessary repairs should be made.

Leaks don’t disappear. In fact, they either become worse quickly, or occur intermittently, such as only when a toilet is flushed. Most leaks run 24 hours a day. That’s approximately 736 hours a month, 2,208 hours in a billing period and more than 8,800 hours per year.

Source: Aqua America: https://www.aquaamerica.com/pages/efficientwateruse.aspx
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Tip: Compost in someone else's yard

OK, so I know some of you might want to compost, but can't due to space, community rules, or maybe you just don't feel like creating some really great soil. And, I know, this next statement sounds a bit harsh:
In a nutshell, throwing food and yard waste into a landfill directly contributes to global warming.

So, if you'd like to compost but need somewhere else to do it, check here: PhillyCompost.com. They have a google map showing shared community compost places as well as a list of people that want to FIND a shared place! For a list of what can be composted, or other ways to start, see here: http://www.phillycompost.com/DIY.html
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Tip: Trade in electronics for cash at COSTCO

Trade-in your electronics and receive Costco Cash Cards!

Costco’s Trade-In & Recycle Program now puts more money in your wallet. Responsibly trade-in electronic gadgets (such as laptops, cell phones, LCD monitors, digital cameras, MP3 players, gaming systems & more) for Costco Cash good for anything in Costco warehouses or at Costco.com.

1. Click http://costco.gazelle.com/ to visit the trade-in website.
2. Find the value of the items you would like to trade-in.
3. Ship the items to Gazelle for free.
4. Once your items are evaluated, receive a Costco Cash Card within 10 days.
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Tip: My Foot size matters how? Explaining the Carbon Footprint...

We hear talk all the time about "reducing our carbon footprint" but what does that mean??? Your carbon footprint is "A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted through fossil fuel combustion. A carbon footprint is often expressed as tons of carbon emitted on an annual basis." I found the definition on nada.org, the site also has lots of other "Green" definitions.

OK, so still, what does that mean? When you do ANYTHING that uses fossil fuel, you are emitting carbon into the air.

And, why does this matter? CO2 is a greenhouse gas- a contributor to climate change. And, while we all joke that we like it hot, we are not really serious that changing our growing seasons, getting used to more hurricanes and wet weather, and seeing strange diseases much more often sound like a fun time.

OK, so what can I do? You can walk/bike more, leave your car home one day a week, carpool, let the kids take the school bus, eat locally to reduce the amount of fuel used to transport your food, eat less meat, use CFL bulbs, have your trash picked up once a week, not twice...

See also:

    * Top Carbon Offset Tips - learn more about CO2 offsets, after you've done the best you can to reduce that footprint: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/carbon-offset/top-carbon-offset-tips.html
    * If you do drive and need (can afford) a new car, think about a hybrid or biodiesel: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/green-cars/green-cars-definitions.html
    * Improve your MPG - simple changes to the way you drive can make a big difference: http://www.mpgplus.com/
    * Meat-Out Mondays - going veggie once a week is a great way to reduce your "food carbon footprint." : http://www.meatoutmondays.org/index.php
    * Try Solar - take advantage of some tax incentives: http://www.depweb.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/energy_independence/10473
    * Change the bulbs - switch your bulbs to energy-saving compact fluorescents: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home_tips#s5
    * Eat in Season - for shorter food routes and excellent taste!: http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home

If you'd like, check Personal Emissions Calculator - this EPA calculator helps you figure out where you should consider making changes: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html
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Tip: Get worms to do the dirty work

Worms??? Yup. For people who want to compost but don't have the space, or those of you who like a good science experiment, vermicomposting might be for you! Give worms your food scraps, newspaper, cereal and coffee grounds and they'll turn them into worm castings and compost tea!

An earthworm can consume about 1/2 of its weight each day. If your food waste averages 1/2 lb. per day, you will need 1 lb. of worms. There are roughly 500 worms in one pound. If you start out with less than one pound, don't worry they multiply very quickly. Just adjust the amount that you feed them for your worm population.

To make your own, check http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/wm/recycle/Worm/worm1.htm or watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjjuYNilM60&feature=related

A great book on how to compost with worms is Worms Eat My Garbage by Mary Appelhof. We have one of these in the library system.

I found this video that shows you a bin in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96QC7U4Us80
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Tip: Buying a reusable water bottle reduces waste, saves energy and saves you money

What are some of the problems associated with buying water in plastic bottles?

Americans will buy an estimated 25 billion single-serving, plastic water bottles this year. Eight out of 10 (22 billion) will end up in a landfill. -- Container Recycling Institute
1.5 million barrels of oil is used annually to produce plastic water bottles for America alone - enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. cars for a year-- Earth Policy Institute
Imagine a water bottle filled a quarter of the way up with oil. That's about how much oil was needed to produce the bottle. -- National Geographic
The bottled water you purchase is often in #1 PET or PETE bottles (polyethylene terephthalate), which may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, if used more than once.-- Mothering.com

Find more facts: http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=18

Want to buy a reusable bottle? Look at this http://www.reusablebags.com/store/water-bottles-stainless-steel-c-19_25.html site for several options, or pick one up at a camping store or Whole Foods.

Here's a list of Water Filter Comparisons: http://www.waterfiltercomparisons.com/water_filter_comparison.php

Tip: Comparing recycling options for Whitpain Township Residential service

Not all recycling options are equal for residential customers in Whitpain Township! You may be able to select service to increase the plastic recycling options in your area. You'll need to call most places for a rate quote. Don't forget, negotiating a better deal is easy, especially when you get everyone on your street to use the same service. Limit your pick up to once a week and save money, save road wear and tear, reduce air pollution, and cut back on fossil fuel usage!

Chesmont Disposal: 610-584-5450; recycle #1-7 plastics

G and C Waste: 610-313-9710; fee is $25.00 a month; recycle #1 and 2 plastics.
- provide once a week pick up ONLY
- do offer $22.00 a month for every other week pick up

Allied Waste (disposable.com); 610-265-6337; recycle #1-7 plastics

Waste Management; 215-257-1142; recycles #1 and 2 plastics.

J. P. Mascaro & Sons; 800-432-1616; recycle #1-6 plastics.
$120.75/quarter once a week pick up
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Tip: Household Products Database available online

For U.S. Health and Human Service's safety info on chemical landscape and yard products, check: http://householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/household/prodtree?prodcat=Landscape/Yard&purpose=Lawn+Care&type=weed+control

You can find out health effects, disposal info, and ingredients for lots of things you use everyday, like air fresheners, arts and crafts, flea control and swimming pool products!
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Tip: Check out a Kill-A-Watt meter from the library for FREE!

Now you can cut your energy costs and find out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. Simply connect these appliances to the Kill A WattEZ?, and it will assess how efficient they really are. Large LCD display will count consumption by the Killowatt-hour, same as your local utility.

I could find these in the library system. Each can be checked out for 3 weeks!
Upper Dublin Public Library has 5
Glenside Free Library has 3
William Jeanes Memorial has 1
Cheltenham Free Library has 2
La Mott Free Library has 2
Elkins Park Free Library has 3
Springfield has 1 Upper Moreland has 1
Jenkintown Library has 1
Narberth Community Library has 2
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Healthy Home Tips from the Environmental Working Group

Did you know that With no required safety testing, cosmetics companies can use almost any chemical
they want in your personal care products, regardless of risks. This is scary, but there are ways to look for better personal care products.

The Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) is a great resource for checking safety in some of your products. They offer suggestions of products that are safer options, and have lots of handy "pocket guides" that you can download and keep in your wallet when you shop. Easy suggestions to remember might be:

-buy fragrance-free products (laundry detergent, soap, sun block)
-use fewer products
-avoid play makeup for children
-less may be better: sometimes a product with fewer ingredients is better for you.

Check out: http: //www.ewg.org/kid-tips01?utm_source=tips&utm_medium=email&utm_content=second-link&utm_campaign=kid-health
From there, you can download a pocket guide for cosmetics, see EWG's cosmetic database, and find a one-page parents guide for Children's personal care products.
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Tip: Free Garden Q&A service

The Pennsylvania Horticulture Society has a Free Garden Q&A service. If you need to know what's harming your acuba or eating your tomatoes, you can call 215-988-8777 and leave a message for a volunteer to call you back, or use http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org/garden/ask_gardener.html

To think about swapping plants and seeds, you can join:
PhillySeedandPlantExchange@yahoogroups.com and uppergwyneddplantswap@yahoogroups.com

An interesting and safe way to kill your weeds may be to simply use vinegar on them. Don't spray the vinegar on your plants, though- it might kill them. I use this idea for killing the weeds in my walk where no plants grow, but I don't spray it in my flower beds. http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2002/020515.htm

Two other web resources:
Organic Gardening magazine: http://www.organicgardening.com
Kids & Gardening: http://www.kidsgardening.com
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Tip: Recycling Batteries and CFL bulbs

Did you know you can take batteries to Whole Foods and IKEA to recycle them? You can also check http://earth911.org/ to find other places. According to an earth911 search for the 19422 zip code, places like Radio Shack and Staples will recycle your rechargeable and NiCad batteries (like the ones found in cordless phones).

IKEA and Home Depot will also recycle CFL bulbs for you.

From Waste Management the site: http://www.environmentalistseveryday.org/solid-waste-management/green-waste-industry-professionals/recycling-cfls.php
"Recycling is the best and most environmentally responsible method of disposal for fluorescent bulbs. With an estimated 4 billion household sockets in the United States being filled with these energy efficient lighting options, we all need to recycle our bulbs to keep more than 17 tons of mercury out of the environment. By recycling CFLs, batteries, and electronics, we reclaim the glass, metals, and plastics used to produce them."
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Tip: Recycling Clothes

ONE-MINUTE VERSION: Thanks to fast fashion, the average American now discards 68 pounds of clothing a year, wasting energy, water and landfill space. Find out the best ways to dispose of your old clothes without resorting to the trash. Ways to resell, swap, donate, hand down, freecycle, and recycle!

posted http://www.nrdc.org/thisgreenlife/

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Tip: Paper Back Swap- only pay for the shipping

More than 3.1 billion new books are purchased in the United States each year, and most are made using nonrecycled paper and petroleum-based inks (http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/getting-carded-waste-not-week). If you like to have books of your own or just can't find what you want at the local library, PaperBackSwap might be good for you.

"We help members Swap, Trade & Exchange Books with each other for Free. Mail a book. Get a book. Any book you request is yours to keep, share or trade. No late fees. No processing charges. No hidden charges. Every time you mail a book to another member, you can request one for yourself."
http://www.paperbackswap.com

Other places to try to buy/sell books and cds (including TEXT BOOKS):
www.swapacd.com
www.half.com
powellsbooks.com
abebooks.com

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Tip: Furoshiki is an eco-friendly wrapping cloth. Save the paper!

Originating from Japanese culture where it promotes caring for the environment and reducing waste; Furoshiki is the eco-friendly wrapping cloth. Using techniques similar to origami, it can be used for gift wrapping, grocery shopping or simply as decor. It is reusable and multipurpose. Each year billions of plastic bags end up as litter; reusable bags, such as furoshiki can help reduce the impact to our environment. Its versatility allows you to wrap almost anything regardless of its shape or size. From http://furoshiki.com/

Check:
http://www.ungab.com/category/type/tutorials/furoshiki to see how to make a cool purse (or a 2-bottle BYO carrier) from a scarf!

http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html to see MANY ways to wrap items.

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Tip: Recycle sheets, empty beer kegs, pillows and mops by giving to the zoo

Elmwood Park Zoo has a wish list! See: http://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/support/waystogive/wishlist.html for a complete list. They will take many items.

Chains, Comforters, Fleece Blankets, Handbags, T-Shirts, towels, sheets, pillowcases, Large boxes from TV’s, refrigerators, etc. (without staples), Tubes from empty paper towels & toilet paper rolls, Beer Kegs,
Jumbo plastic run-around balls (ferret/rat sized), Animal carriers, mop heads, empty film canisters, markers...

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Tip: Freecycle.org - just like the name implies- it's FREE!

Freecycle: General goal of Freecycle is to keep things out of the landfill. Post something you are looking for (new crockpot) OR post something you want to get rid of (that HEAVY sofa bed). Check www.freecycle.org for your local sites, or here are a few in my area:

* Abington: AbingtonAreaFreeCycle@yahoogroups.com
* Ambler: amblerfreecycle@yahoogroups.com
* King of Prussia: KingOfPrussiaFreecycle@yahoogroups.com
* Norristown: NorristownPAFreecycle@yahoogroups.com
* Collegeville: CollegevilleFreecycle@yahoogroups.com
* For plants and seeds: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PhillySeedandPlantExchange/
* Plant and seed exchange: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/uppergwyneddplantswap/
* Organic Gardening Network: LowerMontcoOrganicGardeners@yahoogroups.com

Not Freecycle per say, but a place to exchange free cardboard boxes: http://www.freecardboardboxes.com/
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Native Plant garden templates from iConservePA

Need some guidance on planning that garden? Check out new native garden templates designed by Landscape Architect Debbie Kirkpatrick. Go to http://www.iconservepa.org/plantnatives.html to see colorful, easy-to-use plan and elevation views for sunny-dry and shady-moist gardens. Be on the lookout for additional templates — coming soon to the iConservePA web site.
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Tip: Line Drying your clothes saves $$ AND energy!

-In 2007, clothes dryers in U.S. homes emitted 54.72 million metric tons of greenhouse gas-producing CO2. Translation: the equivalent to driving a car from LA to NYC 141 times. Line drying output: 0.

-Running a load of clothes in a natural gas-powered dryer costs about $0.17 per load and electric dryers, about $0.35 per load. Air drying can save you around $94 per year or more.

Try putting your clothes in the dryer for a quick 10-minute fluff when they are just damp. Admittedly, my towels aren't as soft and fluffy as others... Moderate this entry

Tip: Waste-free lunches save money AND resources!

Did you know:
* Close to 2.7 billion juice boxes end up in landfills every year. (Container Recycling Institute)
* Each child who brings a brown-bag lunch to school every day will generate 67 pounds of waste by the end of the school year - that's 18,760 pounds of lunch waste for an average-sized school! (EPA)
* A disposable lunch costs $4.02 per day, versus $2.65 for a waste-free lunch. That translates to a savings of about $246.60 per child per year. wastefreelunches.org

While single-serving options are great for boosting food companies' profits, many are just a plain waste of your money. Think bulk, not single-serving. You'll save money by buying in bulk, natural resources by opting out of wasteful and excessive packaging, and divert trash from our landfills:

* Instead of buying individually-wrapped granola bars, chips, cookies or cheeses, buy in bulk and pack in reusable bags and containers.
* Do the same for yogurt, pudding and applesauce - pack in reusable jars or bottles, rather than buying single-serve portions.
* Cut sandwiches into quarters to fit inside of any container.

See http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=22&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=WasteFreeLunchPromo
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Tip: If you can't find local organic but you can find local...

When you can’t buy organic, buy less-contaminated conventional produce. Every year EWG (Environmental Working Group, http://www.ewg.org) ranks popular fruits and vegetables based on the amount of pesticide residues found on them. For example, apples and peaches top their “Dirty Dozen” list, so buy those organic, but sweet corn, peas and watermelon are all in the “Clean 15,” so you can feel better about buying those raised conventionally.

To download the list, see http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php
Posted: http://www.ewg.org/Healthy-Home-Tips-02#avoidpesticides
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Tip: Saving money and ENERGY in your home office

Enable power management features on your home computer and monitor. And look for the ENERGY STAR when purchasing products for your home office. They use less energy.

Most home office equipment is left on 24 hours a day. Remember: Office equipment that is set automatically to switch to sleep mode not only uses less energy, it runs cooler and helps the equipment last longer, allowing for savings on air conditioning, as well. In addition to power management, you can save more energy with your office equipment by doing the following:

* Avoid using a screensaver when your computer monitor is not active (let it switch to sleep mode or turn the monitor off instead).
* Turn off machines when not in use (fax machines, printers, scanners, copiers).

For more info: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.es_at_home_tips#s5
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Tip: Backyard buffers - do one thing at a time

I went to this fabulous talk the other night about Backyard Buffers. http://www.phillywatersheds.org/ The speaker emphasized the importance of all of us treating our own roofs as a watershed! We can all help improve stream and groundwater quality, encourage wildlife habitat, and improve air quality, no matter where we live. You can:
-install a rain barrel (capture stormwater runoff and have an irrigation source)
-create a rain garden (capture and infiltrate stormwater into the ground to recharge groundwater)
-compost (great natural lawn fertilizer!)
-reduce fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides in our lawn care
-install porous driveways and patios (allows stormwater to soak into ground)
-plant evergreens on the north side of you home (wind breaks)
-create a no-mow zone with native plants (slows water, reduces time spent mowing, creates habitat)
-plant south-side deciduous trees (allows winter sun but blocks summer sun to reduce energy costs)
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Tip: Ways to stop receiving junk mail

If you're talking about the weekly circulars from WalGreens, Genuardis, Home Depot, etc., I was able to unsubscribe by CALLING the company on the "have you seen me?" paper found on the outside of the fliers. Mine was Valassis- number is 1-800-437-0479 x3. Open 8:30-5:00 and it takes about 5 weeks to be removed.

Junk mail is more than simply annoying ? it also uses valuable natural resources like trees, water, and energy. Give your postman a lighter load to carry this year and eliminate your catalog clutter.
The Benefits:

* Shop online and save resources! U.S. catalog companies sent out 17 billion catalogs last year - 59 for every man, woman and child in the nation.
* Discourage non-recycled paper by halting catalog sends. Many of the biggest company mailers and mags use no recycled content.
* Cut paper use. Magazine production in the U.S. uses more than 2.2 million tons of paper per year and the number is increasing annually.

* DirectMail.com, https://www.directmail.com/directory/mail_preference/ - a quick, free way to reduce junk mail.
* OptOut, https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t - never receive a pesky pre-approved credit card offer again. Do it online or call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.
* Ecological Mail Coalition, http://www.ecologicalmail.org/ - businesses: stop unwanted mail through this free service.
* Native Forest Network's Guide, http://www.nativeforest.org/stop_junk_mail/nfn_junk_mail_guide.htm - five easy steps to stop junk mail.

You can also try: http://www.catalogchoice.org/ - this company will contact your catalog senders for you.
Stop receiving phone books: http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/
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Tip: Use Cloth Rags Instead of Paper Towels

Use rags (old t-shirts, socks, cloth diapers) rather than paper products. If you use paper towels to dry your hands, let them dry and use them to dry your hands again. They can also be composted! Minimize use of paper towels, paper plates, plastic utensils and napkins. Invest in cloth napkins for everyday use and choose reusable cloths, towels, utensils and plates (check the thrift store or yard sales for these) rather than paper or plastic "throwaways." Worn out cloths can be turned into rags for kitchen and bathroom cleaning, or dusting! Wash and reuse! Challenge yourself to pack a waste-free picnic or office lunch!
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Tip: Turning lights on and off

Leaving an incandescent light on uses more energy than turning it on and off as needed. If you're using a compact fluorescent light, it should be left on if it will be needed again within 15 minutes. Switching CFLs on and off frequently shortens their lives.
http://www.gelighting.com/na/home_lighting/ask_us/faq_compact.htm
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EPA Offers Tips to Save Energy and Fight Climate Change this Summer

EPA Offers Tips to Save Energy and Fight Climate Change this Summer

With summer and the high costs of cooling right around the corner, EPA is offering advice to help Americans reduce both energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions by one-third through Energy Star. The energy used in an average home costs more than $2,200 a year and contributes more greenhouse gas emissions than a typical car.

More tips on to how to save energy at home: http://www.energystar.gov

More tips on how to save energy at work: http://www.energystar.gov/bizcooling

More hot tips for a cool summer: http://www.epa.gov/epahome/hi-summer.htm

Contact: Bonnie Smith, 215-814-5543, smith.bonnie@epa.gov
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Tip: 11 Unusual Things You Can Compost

Posted by Janet Harriett on Jan.12, 2009
http://www.greendivamom.com/2009/01/12/1-unusual-things-you-can-compost/

Grass clippings, leaves, coffee grounds and kitchen scraps are the old standbys of the compost bin, but they are only the tip of the pile. Almost any organic (as in carbon-based, not necessarily Certified Organic) material that is not contaminated with hazardous chemicals, fats, bacteria, pathogens or proteins that would attract wildlife can be added to the compost bin. Here are 11 things you might not have thought to compost.

1. Hair. Whether from trimming your bangs or cleaning out your hair brush, human hair is fine for the compost bin, and may temporarily deter critters from the bin while it breaks down. Some gardeners even seek out hair clippings from barbers and stylists to augment their compost piles. Avoid composting dyed hair that may introduce toxic chemicals into your compost.
2. Cotton swabs. Q-Tips made of 100% cotton with a paper or cardboard stick will compost just fine, as will cotton balls made from real cotton. Avoid composting cotton swabs or balls that were used with nail polish remover or other potentially hazardous substances.
3. Vacuum Cleaner Leavings. When you vacuum, what you pull up is mostly dust, bits of soil, crumbs, hair and bits of pet fur, all of which are compostable. Try emptying the canister of your bagless vacuum cleaner into the compost bin rather than the trash. Vacuum bags themselves may not compost readily, and do not compost your vacuumings if you have used sprinkle-on carpet freshener (try plain baking soda, instead!).
4. Used Paper towels. As long as the paper towels were not used on greasy, oily or potentially bacteria-laden messes, they are fine for the compost heap.
5. TP and Paper towel rolls. Once you get to the end of the roll, you can compost the cardboard tube to the paper towel or toilet paper roll, too.
6. Paper egg cartons. There are hundreds of green reuses for egg cartons, but if you don’t have an alternate use, toss them in the compost pile as a brown. Of course, don't forget the rinsed-out eggshells.
7. Fireplace ashes. In small quantities, wood fire ashes reduce the acidity in the compost pile and provide a touch of potassium, the K in NPK fertilizers. Too much will make the compost too alkaline to break down, though.
8. Nail clippings. Like hair, nail clippings without polish are made of keratin and will break down in the compost pile. With all the potential compost materials in the bathroom, consider keeping a smaller receptacle for bathroom compost like hair, cotton swabs, nail clippings and paper products that have not been exposed to chemicals or body fluids.
9. Corks. After you pop the wine bottle open, toss the cork in with the composting. Cork is made of tree bark and will decompose as any other brown material. Avoid composting cork board or cork tiles that may still have glue residue on them.
10. Dryer lint. Dryer lint consists of tiny fibers from the clothes, and the natural fibers will compost as brown materials in the heap. Unless your entire wardrobe is polyester, the amount of synthetic fiber that gets into dryer lint is unlikely to harm the compost pile.
11. Clean rags. Once a natural-fiber rag gets worn out, even for a rag, give it a last wash

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Tip: Safe walking or running routes in Whitpain

If you are looking for a safe route to run or walk in your neighborhood, go to:
www.runwalkwhitpain.com
This site features multiple routes in 12 Whitpain neighborhoods.

If you use other routes, you can use this site to figure out just how far you've gone! http://www.mapmyrun.com/
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Tip: 4 Easy Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

From the Healthy Child Healthy World website http://healthychild.org/main/

Did you know that people in America spend 90 percent of their time indoors? It might seem safer and cleaner, but indoor air pollution is linked to a host of health effects. Common indoor air pollutants -- which are exacerbated by smoke, mildew, and gas -- include formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, secondhand smoke, asbestos, lead, and volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds. On a typical cleaning day in a typical home, levels of chemicals in the indoor air can be hundreds, even thousands of times higher than the outdoor air in the most polluted of cities. Household cleaning products, personal care products, pesticides, craft products and solvents may all contribute to indoor air pollution.

Not to worry, it’s easy to reduce the risk. Start by replacing products that contribute to the problem, then try some other simple steps.

1. The best thing you can do is open a window for at least a brief amount of time each day (if you live near traffic or pollution, open the window in the early morning when the air is cleaner before traffic starts). If you have an air conditioner, it will act as a filter, taking large particles out of the air before it comes into the home. (Be sure to change or clean the filter regularly or it won't work as well.)
2. You can also buy house plants that actually detoxify the air.
3. Regular vacuuming and damp-dusting will help reduce smaller particles and actually Improve Your Indoor Air.
4. Avoid pollutants such as common household cleaners, scented candles, mold, and fumes from carpets, furniture, and paint.

Remember this mantra from the Healthy Child website: No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.
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TIP: computer and rechargable battery recycling information

Hi- At Earth Fest (held at Temple Ambler Campus) yesterday, I picked up some information on Computer and Rechargeable Battery Recycling. Here it is:

http://earth911.com/ (More than just computers- almost anything can be searched for here!)
Guide to local resources including recycling centers, how to recycle, pollution prevention and how to help protect the environment. Check out this site if you have something you need to recycle but don't know where to take it. You put in your zip code and then can pick a product to recycle. I have seen some of their links out of date, but when I mentioned it to them via email, they responded and fixed the links.

Dell Inc: Dell will recycle your unwanted Dell-branded Product for free. Plus, if you buy a new Dell desktop or notebook and select the free recycling option at the time of purchase, they will recycle your old PC and monitor at no cost to you (even if it isn't a Dell-branded Product.) Dell provides free recycling for printers, ink and toner with the purchase of each item. They accept printers, ink and toner from any manufacturer. http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/recycling/en/product_recycle

HP: The HP Consumer Buyback and Planet Partners Recycling Program accepts products of any brand manufacturer in the following product categories:

* Desktop PCs
* Workstations
* Notebook PCs
* Tablet PCs
* Monitors, both CRT and LCD
* Printers, both ink and laser
* Scanners
* Digital cameras
* PDAs
* Smartphones

http://www.hp.com/united-states/hho/buyback-recycle/index.html?jumpid=ex_R602_go/ConsumerBuyback

HP offers free recycling for consumers who ship them their old equipment. http://www.hp.com/recycle

Apple: Through the Apple Recycling Program, you can purchase any qualifying Apple computer or monitor and receive free recycling of your old computer and monitor ? regardless of manufacturer. http://www.apple.com/environment/recycling/program/

Rechargeable battery recycling -- FREE: You probably use more rechargeable batteries than you think.
These batteries keep your wireless products and cordless tools going for thousands of charges, but when they eventually die, it’s your responsibility to recycle them.
http://www.rbrc.org/consumer/
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Tip: Creating a waste-free lunch

Briar Bush Nature Center has a great display on how much garbage a kid's lunch can generate. A disposable lunch, with items like single-serve yogurt, Ziploc bags, and juice boxes, creates 4-8 oz of garbage each day. In one year, this could generate up to 67 lbs of waste — the weight of your large dog! They also show alternatives on how to have a waste-free lunch. Use a reusable drink bottle (I've see people use a Klean Kanteen), a sandwich wrap (maybe a wrap-n-mat?), a cotton sack for pretzels, and a reusable napkin (or wash cloth). Contain them all in a reusable bag and you have created your own waste-free lunch! You'll save money in the long run and you'll save some garbage from the landfill.
Some places to look for these products:
http://www.reusablebags.com/
http://wrapnmat.com/
Laptop Lunch System, http://www.laptoplunches.com— an all-in-one reusable lunch pack including a water bottle and utensils
Wastefreelunches.org; want to help a whole school become waste-free? This site offers great tips and advice to get your community started.
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Tip: Switch your neighborhood trash pick up to once a week and save $, pollution, and road wear and tear

See if you can get your street to switch your neighborhood trash pick up to once a week. You may be able to negotiate a lower rate for everyone. You'll also reduce your neighborhood air pollution, cut down on wear and tear of your roads, and not have to worry so much about the kids! Down-side: your toddler might miss seeing the big green machine!

Consider this:
-Montgomery County received an F grade on the 2007 American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report for Ozone (smog) Pollution and a C grade for Particle Pollution (soot).
-Montgomery County ranked in the 90-99th percentile worst county in the U.S. for air releases of established carcinogens and other suspected toxicants affecting cardiovascular, kidney, endocrine, and brain health.
-Montgomery County ranked in the 90-99th percentile of the dirtiest counties in the U.S. for emissions of Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Particle Matter, and Volatile Organic Compounds.
-Montgomery County's population has large percentages of high-risk groups including: 23.4% children, 14.8% senior citizens, and 26% cardiovascular disease patients.
-Vehicle emissions, especially those from diesel-powered trucks and buses are a major source of the County's air pollution. They irritate lungs, trigger asthma attacks and raise cancer risks.

Check out this link to a power point presentation done by some local Bryn Mawr college students: www.brynmawr.edu/es/opportunities/GreeningGarbageTrucks.pps

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Tip: Improving Indoor Air Quality

General strategies to reduce toxin levels in the home: http://eartheasy.com/live_reducing_indoor_toxins.html

While it is difficult to identify a specific toxin in the home and take appropriate measures to contain exposure to it, here are some general strategies to reduce the overall level of toxins in the home:

-Only use natural cleaning products in your home. Most health food stores will have these available or you can make your own cleaning products using safe ingredients: http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm

-Establish a 'no shoe' policy in your home. To drastically reduce the amount of pesticides and other chemicals that you may pick up outside, have visitors and family members leave shoes at the door. Residuals of toxic chemicals may last for years in carpets.

-Avoid using chemical pest control products. There are safe, non-toxic alternatives for controlling insect pests in the home, including many new non-toxic pest control products for the homeowner. http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm

-Use toxin-reducing houseplants. Researchers from NASA have identified certain houseplants which are useful in absorbing potentially harmful gases and cleaning the air inside homes.

-Change or clean your furnace or A/C filters, at least once every 1-3 months depending on use.

-Switch over to natural brands of toiletries, including shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics.

-Avoid using artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances as they can pollute the air you are breathing.

-Avoid using lawn care chemicals. Residue is easily tracked indoors where chemicals can persist in carpeting and furnishings. Use natural lawn care methods which eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and herbicides. http://eartheasy.com/grow_lawn_care.htm

-Have your tap water tested and, if contaminants are found, install an appropriate water filter on all your faucets (even those in your shower or bath). http://www.eartheasy.com/shop/water_save.htm

-Use low-VOC paints, caulks, sealants, finishes and carpeting. Look for low-VOC labelling on sealing and finishing products. Most major paint brands now carry 'low' and 'zero' VOC lines for interior painting. For a list of non-toxic paint suppliers: http://eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

-Ventilate. Modern homes and business are created to be leak proof; meaning, toxins are sealed in and fresh air is sealed out! To ventilate indoor air in winter, open doors and windows on opposing sides of the room to facilitate air flow, and close them in 5 - 10 minutes. The furnishings, drywall and any stonework will retain residual heat and restore room temperatures quickly.
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Tip: Get paid for saving energy! Who knew?

Check out Earth Aid http://www.earthaid.net/

This company is modeled after RecycleBank, and is a program where if you save energy or water compared to what you used LAST year, you'll earn reward points. Those points add up to dollars off at local merchants (think spa, bakery and cheese). You DO need to sign up and register your electric/gas/water accounts. You will be able to compare your energy use with others in your community, state and country.

earthaid.net also offers you lots of suggestions for how to save energy and water in your home.

You can also learn more in the Inquirer's article: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/business/homepage/20100117_Save_Energy__Reap_Rewards.html
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Tip from EWG on Drinking Clean Water

Did you know? Tests EWG compiled from water utilities nationwide show more than 300 pollutants in the nation's tap water, more than half of which are unregulated -- meaning they aren't subject to any health or safety regulations and can legally be present in any amount. Bottled water may be just tap water in a plastic bottle, often minus the contaminant testing reports provided by your water utility.

The good news is you can easily drink safer water by filtering your tap water and skipping the bottled water. EWG researchers identified the four steps you can take to ensure the safest water for your family.

Visit http://www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/filtertapwater (then share it with a friend). You'll learn:

This tip is part of the EWG Healthy Home Tips Series. Sign up to get them in your inbox:

Tip: What's in your water?

EWG suggests: To get started: 1) identify any contaminants in your water, 2) find a filter that removes those contaminants and works for your budget and home, 3) get a reusable water bottle, and 4) drink!

EWG's filter guide: http://bit.ly/getafilter.

This CDC page on well water testing has some useful info on testing well water: http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/testing.html.

Tip: Making plant starter pots from newspaper

Here's a link to a video posted on Organic Gardening's website. It shows you how to recycle newspaper into little potters. You can stop buying ones at the store, reuse your newspaper, and my guess is put the entire thing right in the ground!
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid17181482001?bclid=17356079001&bctid=3913327001
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Tip: Ideas to Bring Green to your school (or business)

How to Bring Green into Your School: complete article posted
http://www.greenandsave.com/green_news/green-expert-tips-opinions/how-bring-green-your-school-5813

* When it comes time to renovate see if you can add solar, install faucet aerator, insulation, on-demand hot water heaters
energy star appliances and other eco-friendly measures in your changes. Use eco-friendly non-VOC paint.

* Use non-toxic cleaning products to increase air quality in the school. Do not use toxic chemicals for pest control and lawn maintenance.

* Give your cafeteria a green re-haul. Are you still using Styrofoam and non-recycled products? If the answer is yes consider the eco-friendly cafeteria products from World Centric and FoodBizsupply.com (products are GMO free and can be composted).

* Have a basket for paper that has been used on one side; reuse the other side before recycling it.

* Can the school newsletter be emailed or posted on a web site for most people rather than printed?

* Does your school have a complete recycling program? If not start one. Be sure to include the cafeteria, ink cartridges, and electronics. Earth911.org is a good place for eco-friendly resources. Terracycle also offers recycling programs to earn money for your school. Whole Foods through their gimme5 program offers recycling of plastic #5 containers (yogurt cups, food tubs, Brita(R) filters etc.). Use rechargeablebatteries instead of disposable batteries.

* Turn off the lights if it is a sunny day. Install motion sensor lights in not frequently used portions of the school.

* Start a garden and make compost from the cafeteria leftovers. Worm composts can be fun for the Kindergarten project. This is a great learning experience for the children that can be worked into the curriculum.
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Tip: Reduce Residues: Buy Local or Organic

Buying from local farmers' markets gets you the freshest produce possible. It also makes your food "greener" by reducing the wasted fuel, pollution, and greenhouse gases created by long-haul shipping.
...
"Organic" is a term that's regulated by the USDA. Organic produce can't be treated with conventional pesticides, and must be grown in nearly pesticide-free soil. For these reasons, organic fruits and vegetables have much lower pesticide residues.

To be sold as organic, livestock must meet several criteria:

* They are fed only organic, vegetarian feed. They may not be fed meat from other slaughtered animals (a common component of conventional livestock feed).
* They are not treated with any antibiotics or hormones.
* The meat is not treated with radiation.

The main drawback to organic food is expense. As you've noticed in the checkout lane, organic food nearly always costs more than conventionally produced food.

Is buying organic money well spent? Limited research suggests that some organic foods have more nutrients than conventional food. And then there's the issue of the environment. Gillman cautions that "organic practices aren't always 100% sustainable and green either," but they are usually "greener" than modern industrial farming.
Complete article: http://www.webmd.com/health-ehome-9/pesticides-hormones-in-food?page=3
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Tip: Calculators to determine money spent/saved on energy

There are some interesting tools on PECOs website that allow you to see how much money you could save by programming a thermostat- you put in the kind of home you have, sq footage, and type of energy you use, and the calculator tells you how much money you could save annually by lowering just a degree in heat.
Explore the site and you'll find all kinds of calculators - for lights, even one for your entire home. This one lets you go room by room, down to the clock radio and sump pump to calculate your total energy use. http://www.peco.com/pecores/save_energy_money/Energy+Estimator+Tools.htm
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Tip: Home Energy Improvements Galore

Home energy improvements galore.: http://www.motherearthnews.com/Renewable-Energy/Save-Energy-and-Money-Now.aspx
These simple home energy improvements will reduce your energy bills by up to 50 percent! Posted in Mother Earth News.

Tip: Montgomery County (PA) recycles website is online

I happened to find this today: Montgomery County Recycles!
"Welcome to the Montgomery County Recycling home on the internet! This website will contain information for residents, businesses, and municipalities on how, what and where to reuse and recycle. This is also your home for the Montgomery County Household Hazardous Waste Program. Please take a look around and feel free to contact us with any questions!"
http://www2.montcopa.org/montco/cwp/view,a,3,q,74257.asp

Tip: 7 ways you can reduce delivery of junk mail and save time in your day

1. THE DIRECT MARKETING ASSOCIATION (DMA)

You can customize your mailing preferences through the DMA by heading: https://www.dmachoice.org/.

If you've lost a family member and want to get their name off mailing list, you can sign up for Deceased-Do Not Contact through the DMA: http://www.ims-dm.com/cgi/ddnc.php

2. VAL-PAK

You can get off the Val-Pak mailing list: http://www.coxtarget.com/mailsuppression/s/DisplayMailSuppressionForm

3. OPT-OUT PRE-SCREEN

Opt-Out Pre-Screen stops you from getting pre-screened or
pre-approved credit card offers. To sign up:
https://www.optoutprescreen.com/?rf=t. You can also call 888-567-8688
from your home telephone to opt out.

4. CATALOGS

If you want to stop the flood of catalogs, send them an email: optout@abacus-us.com

Or write to:Abacus, Inc.P.O. Box 1478 Broomfield, Colorado 80038

5. STORE FLYERS

These are the flyers that are addressed to Resident. And they usually come from Red Plum marketing. To get off the Red Plum mailing list: http://www.valassis.com/1024/Contact/contact_home.aspx. You can also call: 888-241-6760.

6. PUBLISHERS CLEARINGHOUSE

you can get off their list by sending an email: privacychoices@pchmail.com.

7. OTHER JUNK

So, what about those AOL cds and Happy Birthday cards from our dentist that we don't want or need?

We just have to tell them we don't want it. If, after signing up with all the resources listed above, you're still getting some junk, then call the company directly. Ask them to take you off their mailing list.

And your dentist? Ask the receptionist to take you off the mailing list except for cleaning reminders. Better yet, ask if they'll email you.

Originally posted:
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/excess-junk-from-outside-sources-junk-mail.html?&page=2
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Tip: Spring IS coming, think about safe lawn care

According to the Dirt Doctor (http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/faq/) and You Bet Your Garden with Mike McGrath (http://www.whyy.org/91FM/ybyg/lawncare.html):

Corn gluten meal is a natural weed and feed fertilizer. It should be broadcast to prevent grassburs, crabgrass, and other annual weeds that germinate from seed. The key is to broadcast the material before the the weed seed germinate. The perennial weeds will keep coming back, though!

Broadcast in early Spring at 15 - 20 pounds per 1,000 square feet for new dandelion and other weeds. (The ideal time would be when you see the first yellow flowers appear on forsythia.)

It also serves as a powerful organic fertilizer having about 9-10 percent nitrogen, so it replaces the need for other fertilization for that period.
Warning: Do not allow a bag of corn gluten meal to get wet. The resultant odor can be overwhelming.

Local garden centers should carry it. Primex lists it on their webpage: http://www.primexgardencenter.com/.

PS: It prevents ALL seeds from germinating; so don't use it on freshly sown grass seed.
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Tip: Spend ten dollars a week for your local economy!

We were at the movie FRESH the other night, when some of the panelists were advocating supporting local economy. They didn't suggest buying EVERYTHING local, but said that if we would spend $10.00/week on local foods or local goods, than that would mean a HUGE shift toward supporting our local economy. A few months ago, this was posted on http://sensiblygreenhomes.com/ and I thought it was worth sharing some of this here. Also, remember you can check this website: http://www.sbnphiladelphia.org/marketplace for finding local merchants.

Have you heard of The 3/50 Project? Founded by Cinda Baxter in the spring of 2009, The 3/50 Project began as a blog article response to the bleak economic news being hurled at all of us by the media. The challenge Cinda proposes is that we consumers shop at three local businesses and spend $50 per month at these establishments. The challenge is not suggesting that we add an additional $50 of spending to our monthly budget but rather that we tweak our current spending habits by buying local.

Why should we do this? By supporting local businesses we grow and strengthen our local economy. These local shops pay property tax, provide jobs, and pay sales tax. Sure big chain stores and franchises pay taxes and may hire local folks but the bulk of the money you spend in that store leaves your town and ends up far away. According to The 3/50 Project site, "For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home."

Buy Local

We are all busy and shopping online can seem like a convenience but there are tradeoffs to every shortcut. The obvious tradeoff is that you can't see or touch the product you are buying and you must wait for it to arrive. If the product arrives damaged, it is extra time and a maybe a trip to the post office to wait even longer for your gift to arrive again.

Our budgets may be a bit tighter this year and online shopping it not always the best bargain when you factor in the shipping costs. And then there is some potential risk with scams and credit card theft, but let's not even go there.

Think sustainable shopping this season. Sustain your local, independent business owners with the holiday gift of shopping in their stores. If you combine local shopping with the following ideas you will have "greened" up your holiday shopping.

* Save fuel by grabbing your friends, neighbors or family and piling into 1 car and heading to a town center where there are plenty of shops to choose.
* Bring your own bags?this should be rote by now.
* Avoid items that are disposable and have excessive packaging.
* Try giving an experience like museum, or special events tickets.
* Look at Freecycle for great kids gifts. www.freecycle.org

Happy holiday preparation! Remember, if you're stressed, you have missed the point. Enjoy yourself. Enjoy each other. Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Be grateful.

For more information on The 3/50 Project go to http://www.the350project.net
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Tip: Turn off and unplug

At the end of the day, shut down your computer, turn off your monitor, and unplug everything you can. According to TreeHugger.com, phantom energy use accounts for about 5 percent of a home's overall electricity use (cha-ching! More savings for your household!). Make it even easier to shut down by plugging several devices into a surge protector so you can switch them all off at once.

Source: http://www.seventhgeneration.com
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News: Google Maps Added A Bike There Feature!

posted: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/google-maps-bike-feature.html

City cyclists rejoice! After several years of prodding by bicycle and alternative transportation enthusiasts, Google has launched a new feature in their map directions - a bike there feature.

Now you can get directions for biking to a location, but not just any old directions pointing you down the same roads the mapping program would point a car. Nope, Google has gone the extra mile to provide directions that lead you down streets with the best bike lanes, avoid the busiest traffic lights, and pedal along the flattest routes.

All you need to do is hit the drop down box for selecting your transportation method and select "bike there." The directions generated will direct you along the flattest route, will help you avoid the busiest intersections, and will show you when there are bike-only trails or when there are bike lanes available on the roads.

Watch here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN5_NBSu7Lw
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Tip: Coffee grounds for compost from coffee shops

If you like to add coffee grounds to your compost mix, you can get them by the bag-full from your local coffee shops. Just call ahead.
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Tip: Keep animals out of your compost bin

posted: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/daily_green_news/314/how-to-keep-animals-out-of-your-compost.html

Tips from the article include:
-keep meat, bones, fish, fat and dairy out of the compost.
-mix kitchen garbage with soil or wood ashes before burying it in the hot center of your compost pile
-use a compost tumbler
-use a worm bin
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Tip: Website called AltUse

http://www.altuse.com/
The ultimate destination for everything Alternative Use!
Save money and heal the earth by extending the life of everything you already own.
Whether it's using hairspray to remove ink stains, vodka to clean your eyeglasses, or coffee grounds to fertilize your garden, AltUse taps into the planet's collective wisdom so you can keep more in your wallet and send less to landfill!
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Tip: Ways to Conserve Water

posted: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/freshwater/top-ten?source=email_gg

Less than one percent of all water on Earth is available for nearly 7 billion people and a myriad of freshwater aquatic ecosystems. It's that tiny share of freshwater that we have to use to meet all of our needs?irrigation, industry, drinking water, and sanitation?and the needs of thousands, if not millions, of other species that we share the planet with.

The average American lifestyle demands 1,800 gallons a day to support, with 70 percent of that going to support our diets. If each of us learned how to conserve just a little more water, it could add up to big savings. National Geographic's Freshwater Fellow, Sandra Postel, thinks you should start with these simple changes:

1. Choose outdoor landscaping appropriate for your climate. Native plants and grasses that thrive on natural rainfall only are best.
2. Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Because you're saving hot water, you'll also reduce your energy bill.
3. If you're in the market for a toilet, buy a low-volume, ultra low-volume, or dual-flush model.
4. Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up?sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day.
5. Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full. When it's time to replace them, buy a water- and energy-efficient model. Remember, saving water saves energy, and saving energy saves water.
6. Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons to produce.
7. Buy less stuff. Everything takes water to make. So if we buy less, we shrink our water footprint.
8. Recycle plastics, glass, metals, and paper. Buy re-usable products rather than throw-aways, as it takes water to make most everything.
9. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and washing the dishes. Shave a minute or two off your shower time. Millions of people doing even the little things makes a difference.
10. Know the source of your drinking water?the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home. Once you know it, you'll care about it. You just won't want to waste water. (Find out more about your water sources with the EPA's "Surf Your Watershed" interactive: http://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm
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Top 10 Things YOU can do

Recently there was a presentation made by Master Gardener Karrie Hontz, entitled: Top 10 Things YOU can do...
Her list is below, and she graciously let me share the presentation with you! The presentation can be downloaded from the Garden Section http://wissahickongrowinggreener.org/links.html#mozTocId573724

1.Compost, compost, compost
2.Practice IPM --Integrated Pest Mgmt
3.Nurture Pollinators, Beneficial insects
4.Keep Rainwater on your property
5.Create Wildlife habitat
6.Use Native Plants
7.Conserve water
8.Plant a tree
9.Grow something to eat
10.Maintain healthy soil
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Tip: Build a rain garden and reduce stormwater runoff (plus, they look pretty)

A rain garden is a garden which takes advantage of rainfall and stormwater runoff in its design and plant selection. Usually, it is a small garden which is designed to withstand the extremes of moisture and concentrations of nutrients, particularly Nitrogen and Phosphorus, that are found in stormwater runoff. rain gardens are sited ideally close to the source of the runoff and serve to slow the stormwater as it travels downhill, giving the stormwater more time to infiltrate and less opportunity to gain momentum and erosive power.

On the surface, a rain garden looks like an attractive garden. It may support habitat for birds and butterflies, it may be a formal landscape amenity or it may be incorporated into a larger garden as a border or as an entry feature. What makes it a rain garden is in how it gets its water and what happens to that water once it arrives in the garden.

read more: http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/raingarden_design/whatisaraingarden.htm
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Tip: Get Pesky Mosquitoes to Buzz Off

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Ordinarily, mosquitoes are little more than a mild irritant, but because they can transmit diseases such as West Nile encephalitis to humans and pets, people should take steps to avoid being bitten and eliminate mosquito-breeding areas.

During warm weather, mosquitoes can breed in any still water that stands for more than four days. The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to eliminate standing water. Homeowners should use IPM, or integrated pest management, tactics to protect themselves and their families. IPM aims to manage pests -- such as insects, diseases, weeds and animals -- by combining physical, biological and chemical tactics that are safe and environmentally compatible.

Homeowners should follow these IPM tips for mosquito prevention:?

• Eliminate standing water by removing old tires, buckets, toys, and other unnecessary objects that catch water

• Drain excess water from flowerpots

• Empty accumulated water from trashcan lids, recycling bins, toys, plants and other water-catching objects

• Keep rain gutters and drains clean and free of obstructions

• Turn over wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use

• Tightly cover rain barrels to prevent egg-laying

• Change water in birdbaths by flushing with a hose at least once a week

• Fill tree holes with sand or cement or drill holes to allow drainage

• Keep swimming pools covered when not in use

• Empty accumulated water from boats and cargo trailers

• Clear aquatic vegetation from around the edges of ponds to allow fish to feed on mosquito larvae and pupae

• Organize your community to clean up mosquito breeding areas. Neighborhood clean up days can be organized through civic or youth organizations. Homeowners can be encouraged to clean up their yards, and water-collecting containers can be picked up from vacant lots.

Bti, a naturally occurring bacteria, can be used to kill mosquito larvae in areas known to have standing water. Bti can be purchased in small, donut-shaped form, often called "mosquito dunks", which are useful in small areas of standing water, such as a birdbath or small puddle of water. Granular Bti is also available, and effective for larger areas, such as backyard ponds.

Mosquitoes should be excluded from buildings by keeping windows, doors and porches tightly screened. For mosquitoes inside the house, use a fly swatter. When outside, wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers. Avoid peak mosquito feeding times, usually dusk to dawn.

When going outdoors for an extended period of time, insect repellents can provide protection from mosquito bites. Repellents can protect for up to five hours, but because people vary in their attractiveness to mosquitoes, the effectiveness of the repellent may depend on the individual. Repellents often contain pesticides and are poisonous. Before using a repellent or insecticide, be sure you thoroughly read and understand all directions and cautions on the product label, especially if you will be applying the product on a child, pregnant woman or the elderly.

For more information on using insect repellants, see Penn State's College of Agriculture's fact sheet http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/freepubs/pdfs/uo211.pdf .

For more information on mosquitoes, see Penn State’s Department of Entomology’s fact sheet on mosquitoes at http://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/mosquitoes .

The Pennsylvania IPM program is a collaboration between the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture aimed at promoting integrated pest management in both agricultural and nonagricultural situations. For more information, contact the program at (814) 865-2839, or visit Web site http://www.paipm.org.

Steven from Audubon Pennsylvania also suggests checking out http://www.dirtdoctor.com/organic/garden/view_question/id/155/ : you can use Garlic to chase away Mosquitoes

For site use: Spray garlic tea over the entire problem area and for even more control broadcast dry minced garlic at 2 - 5 lbs per 1000 sq ft.

Tip: LED rebates

OK, so by now I bet you've heard that LED light bulbs can save you 70% of the energy you use in lighting. That's a big deal if you have a lot of lights, and with the PECO rate cap coming off, that could mean a big deal to your pocketbook! BUT, LED light bulbs are expensive. There are a few places that provide automatic discounts via PECO ($15.00/bulb), and they are currently at COSTCO, Home Depot and Sams Club.
Check http://www.pecosmartideas.com/programsandrebates/residential/homerebates.html and click "Find Retailers" for a list in your area.
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News: Narberth Greens Develops Turnkey Energy Challenge: Is your community ready to turn the key?

PhillyEcoCity recently spoke with Temple environmental studies major Avi Loren Fox, who is amassing quite a resume as an environmental change agent in Narberth and beyond. Avi founded Narberth Greens (NG) which recently won the nonprofit award from the Lower Merion Environmental Advisory Council for its efforts in encouraging sustainable practices, including recycling, town cleanups, and home-grown vegetable trading.

NG recently threw down the gauntlet to every citizen and family of Narberth to participate in a Community Energy Challenge: Pledge to take 10 actions to reduce carbon emissions. According to the Narberth Greens' Climate Action Team estimating carbon emissions for a community is a squishy process, but drawing on estimates made by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the total CO2 emissions of the average Narberth household is approx. 21,000 lbs. By participating in these actions for 12 months, the average Narberth family can reduce that number by about 44% or 9,140lbs!

NG recruited a group of 20 captains who tried the challenge in their homes and who are supposed to recruit others. According to Avi, about half did get other people to go out and do it. "One family were super on top of it and had 25 people over. I am very proud of this community. When I stand up and say I want to do something, people volunteer to help out."

Open Source Challenge: Avi sees the efforts of the Energy Challenge transcending Narberth, and invites other communities to download and adapt the open source Community Energy Challenge program, and email her with any questions relating to its implementation at narberthgreens@gmail.com. Is your community ready to turn the key?

In the article are 10 challenges. Are you ready???

1. Replace 5 incandescent bulbs with CFLs: save 500 lbs of CO2 annually
2. Unplug appliances: save 600 lbs of CO2 annually
3. Add one (more) vegetarian meal per week: save 1000 lbs of CO2 annually
4. Reduce waste; compost: save 500 lbs of CO2 annually
5. Turn thermostat down 2 degrees: save 1400 lbs of CO2 annually
6. Cut shower to 5 minutes: save 1200 lbs of CO2 annually
7. Check tire pressure, get car checked up: save 1500 lbs of CO2 annually
8. Make sure water heater is effcient, set to 120 degrees: Save 1000 lbs of CO2 annually
9. Use reusable shopping bags only: Save 1440 lbs of CO2 annually
10. Give your car a rest: walk or bike your community !

posted: http://phillyecocity.wordpress.com/2009/08/03/narberth-greens-develops-turnkey-energy-challenge-is-your-community-ready-to-turn-the-key/

Tips: 66 Things You Can Can Grow At Home: In Containers, Without a Garden

posted: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/sixtysixthings-growhome-containers-withoutgarden.html

List includes fruits, citrus, herbs, hops, quinoa, and others.
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Tip: Ditch your screen saver to save some cash

Screen savers are a BIG waste of energy. Switch off your monitor for a 30% energy savings.
For more tips, check http://www.temple.edu/sustainability
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Tip: Looking for a way to save our forests? Buy Different Paper Products

Forests are being destroyed to make toilet paper, facial tissues, paper towels and other disposable paper products. You can help stop this destruction by pressing manufacturers to use recycled content and clean manufacturing processes, and by making smart shopping decisions. This website gives you a list of lots of products and which ones use the most recycled content.
http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp
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Tip: Find local fruit trees to pick fruit from, or list yours

http://neighborhood fruit.com/ home

Neighborhood Fruit is here to help you find and share fruit locally: both backyard bounty and abundance on public lands. Currently, there are over 10,000 registered trees nationwide and more get added everyday!

Cities resplendent with edibles are better places to live, and sharing with neighbors is a great way to get there. Join us in creating a future where the food we eat is truly fresh, seasonal and local!
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Tip: Summer is on the way- keep your energy costs down

For households, follow these top recommendations from the Consumer Guide for Home Energy Savings (http://aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm) with an eye toward reducing summer cooling costs:

1. Insulate your attic. Insulation isn't just for cold weather. With the hot sun beating down on your roof, a lot of heat can be absorbed into and get trapped in your attic. This hot air will leak into the rest of your house if your attic isn't properly insulated.
2. Turn off or replace inefficient appliances and light bulbs. Inefficient appliances, incandescent light bulbs, and electronics not only use a lot of energy, but also give off excess heat. Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs throughout your house can shave $100 off an average home's annual electricity bill.
3. Keep the heat out. Use window shades to manage heat gain during the day and airflow at night, and consider more reflective, light-colored roofing and siding products. These measures can reduce your peak cooling demand by 10-15%.
4. Increase your comfort range with fans. With fans that create breezes, you will probably be comfortable with the thermostat set at about 78°F (unless humidity is high). For each degree you are able to raise the thermostat, you will save 3-5% on air conditioning costs. Just remember that fans cool people, not rooms, so turn them off when you leave. Whole-house fans that bring in cool night-time air can "pre-cool" the house and reduce energy use during the daytime, if the daytime heat is kept out by closing the windows and shades.

More tips for what you can do today, tomorrow, and throughout the year in your household can be found at http://www.aceee.org/consumerguide/index.htm
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Tip: Join a CSA

If you are looking for fresh, local food and want to support your local farmer, perhaps a CSA is for you. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture- you help pay up-front costs for the famers, and then they deliver produce/fruit/cheese to you for a certain period of time. If you're not ready to commit, find a friend and split a share.

Some local CSAs to the Wissahickon Area:
* Henry Got Crops (http://weaversway.coop/index.php?page=saul-csa) is run by Weavers Way staff and students and teachers from Saul High School of Agriculture. The CSA runs for 26 weeks from mid May to mid November.
* Living Hope Farm (http://www.livinghopefarm.org/) is a non-profit, community-oriented agricultural farm. Starting in 2010 Living Hope will be transformed from a historic farmstead into a vibrant Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farm. They are located in Harleysville, PA.
* Blooming Glen Farm (http://www.bloomingglenfarm.com/), founded in January 2006, is entering its fifth season of production. It is situated in scenic Upper Bucks County, Pennsylvania on 70 acres of preserved farm land in Hilltown Township.
* Lancaster Farm Fresh (http://www.lancasterfarmfresh.com/csa.asp): Delivery of CSA shares to area locations.
* Pennypack Farm (http://www.pennypackfarm.org/): In Horsham, but are sold out for share this year. You can still shop at their local foods market.
* Red Earth Farm: (http://redearthfarm.org/), near Hawk Mountain, offers pick ups at closer locations, like Erdenheim.

To find other CSAs and local farms, check: http://www.localharvest.org/

And, while not a CSA, one of my favorite places is Willow Creek Orchards (http://www.willowcreekorchards.com/). They have started raising chicken, lamb and beef, and can be purchased in bulk.
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What is BPA and Why Should You Care? from http://www.blogher.com/bpa-exposure-much-higher-previously-thought-and-proposed-bpa-ban

Bisphenol-A is "a synthetic estrogen used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin." It is found in many plastic containers as well as in the lining of canned goods. According to the Environmental Working Group:

Over 200 studies have linked BPA to health effects such as reproductive disorders, prostate and breast cancer, birth defects, low sperm count, early puberty and effects on brain development and behavior. BPA leaches from containers like sippy cups, baby bottles, baby food and infant formula canisters into the food and drink inside where it is then ingested by babies and children. The CDC found BPA in 93 percent of all Americans. Just last year EWG research revealed BPA in umbilical cord blood of newborns, which demonstrates that babies are exposed to this toxic chemical before they are born.

The Environmental Working Group has some tips to avoid exposure to BPA. Raise Healthy Eaters also has a post about How to Become a BPA-Free Family. Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, a registered dietician, recommends things such as:

Switching from plastic food storage containers to glass
Reducing your canned goods use
Using stainless steel water bottles and more.

Tip: Cleaning your drain without chemicals

When you notice the bathroom sink doesn't drain as quickly as you want it to, try this quick method of clearing the drain:
Put a tablespoon of baking soda into the kitchen drain, then slowly pour in 1/4 cup of boiling vinegar or lemon juice and let it stand for 30 minutes. Next run run hot water through the drain to eliminate minor buildups and odors. Repeat if necessary.
You could do this weekly or even monthly for maintenance, or do what we do, and just wait until it gets really bad! But, you don't need to reach for the draino!

Comprehensive Guide to Local Foods

Transition Cheltenham has a pretty comprehensive list of Local Food resources on their website. Check it out: http://www.directquest.com/TransitionTowns/Resources/LocalFoodGuide.htm
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15 Ways to Practice Water Conservation at Home Simple changes can save water and money.

Water is a precious commodity, and Americans and Canadians use more water per capita than people in any other part of the world. A lot of the water we use is wasted, but you can save a lot of water between simple adjustments and water-saving fixtures and appliances.

Here are just some of the ways you can save water at home:
Kitchen
* Don't rinse dishes before loading them in the dishwasher--just scrape them and let your dishwasher do the work it was designed to do.
* Place a jug of water in the refrigerator for cold drinking water rather than letting the water run until it's cold.
* When washing dishes by hand, fill the basin rather than leaving the tap on and washing dishes under a steady flow of water.

Bathroom
* Install dual-flush toilets or the newer 1-gallon models. You'll recoup your costs in water savings more quickly than you think.
* Replace your old shower head with a low-flow fixture.
* Limit showers to 10 minutes.
* Test your toilets to find out if they're leaking, and if they are, make any necessary repairs. A leaky toilet can waste 200 gallons of water daily.
* Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and shaving, and you'll save more than 200 gallons of water each month.
* Likewise, if possible, turn the tap off while lathering when you're washing your hands, and you'll save nearly a gallon of water with each hand-washing.

Laundry Room
* Invest in a high-efficiency washing machine. They use less than half the water of many traditional models.
* Presoak heavily soiled clothing in a basin rather than using the heavy-duty cycle.
* Wash only full loads of laundry; the same amount of water is used whether the load is full or half full.

posted: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/15-ways-to-practice-water-conservation-at-home.html#mkcpgn=fbpg2

Download Pocket Guides

Check out this link for Pocket Guides to lots of things: http://healthychild.org/live-healthy/pocket_guides/
You'll find info on Healthy School Lunches, Personal Care Products, Baby Products, Cleaning Products and more.
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What's a Phantom Load

Surprise -- your TV uses electricity even when turned off. Same goes for your stereo, coffee maker, garage-door opener, microwave oven, clock radio and other electronics. Yes, even chargers for cell phones and MP3 players siphon energy when plugged in - even if they're not charging a thing!

A "phantom load" is any appliance or electronic gizmo that uses energy even when turned off. Some people call them "vampire appliances" or "energy vampires."

If your home is typical, you live with 20 vampires. They add about $200 to your annual energy bill, according to Cornell University. That's because the "off" button doesn't really mean "off" these days; instead, it means "standby." In fact, your TV with remote control likely uses more energy during the 20 hours a day that it's turned off and in a "standby power" state than it does during the hours you watch the tube.

The upshot, according to Cornell, is we're using the equivalent of seven electrical generating plants just to supply vampires that are turned "off."

Here are some clues to identify your energy suckers: They're appliances with remote controls, such as TVs, VCRs and audio equipment. They feature a continuous digital display -- like those glowing clocks on stoves. They feature rechargeable batteries, such as cordless phones (which use energy even after the battery is charged). And they're appliances with external power supplies, such as inkjet printers and iPod chargers.

How can you combat vampires?

*Kill vampires by using a power strip sold at hardware stores, home-supply superstores, discount stores and the like. Step 1: Plug all components of a computer or home entertainment system into a power strip. Step 2: Turn off the power strip with a single switch. Anything plugged into the strip now is truly turned off.

*Unplug "vampires." Unplug rarely used appliances. Ditto for chargers that aren't in use. Unplug the TV, toaster oven and other well-used appliances before you leave on vacation (or more frequently). If it's not plugged in, it can't suck energy.

*Buy energy-efficient appliances bearing the Energy Star label. That way, at least your vampires will suck away less energy. Find a list of products at EnergyStar.gov.

Read more: http://www.thedailygreen.com/living-green/definitions/Phantom-Load
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Looking for natural insect control?

This eartheasy post gives some ideas: http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm

A few things I read were:
*ants: Set out cucumber peels or slices in the kitchen or at the ants' point of entry. Many ants have a natural aversion to cucumber. Bitter cucumbers work best.
*mosquitoes: If you're using the barbeque, throw a bit of sage or rosemary on the coals to repel mosquitoes.
*Flies: Use mint as a fly repellent. Small sachets of crushed mint can be placed around the home to discourage flies.
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Tip: Skip the non-stick to avoid the dangers of Teflon

Non-stick cookware has been popular because, well, it's non-stick -- very convenient to use and clean. But it also emits toxic fumes when overheated. Environmental Working Group recommends that you choose safer cookware to reduce the risk of inhaling toxic particles when you let that non-stick pan get a little too hot. And who doesn't do that occasionally?
http://www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/dangersofteflon

For more info on cookware choices: http://eartheasy.com/blog/2009/01/healthy-cookware/
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DIY home and skin care products

This is a list of YouTube videos that shows you how to make your own home and skin care products with inexpensive ingredients so that you can avoid chemicals (did you watch the story of cosmetics yet?) AND save money. http://www.youtube.com/show/gorgeouslygreen?s=1
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Donate (and shop for) Building Materials at the ReStore

I just learned last night that we have a ReStore here in Montgomery County, PA that benefits Habitat for Humanity. You can donate items that could be used to build a home, such as working appliances, plumbing, doors, windows, ceramic tiles and new insulation. Items MUST be in good condition. See here for more info: http://www.habitatmontco.org/ReStore/we_accept.html
You can currently shop there from 9-2 on Fridays and Saturdays for the same items. 533 Foundry Road
West Norriton, PA 19403
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Tip: Wash in Cold Water to Save Money

When it comes to saving energy, cold is gaining rock star status. Cold water laundry, that is. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes in a conventional top-load washer goes to heat the water. Getting out of hot water can save you money -- as much as $70 a year on your energy bill. In addition to saving money, you'll also help lower carbon emissions!

Most experts -- including many Seventh Generation Nation members who do their families' laundry -- report that cold water is great for regular loads, with hot or warm water wash reserved for oily or other stubborn stains. "I use cold water because it saves energy, but I also think it is easier on our clothes and linens," says Nation member momgoesgreen. "I've noticed that my kids' jeans and t-shirts hold their color better and last longer."

Many laundry detergent makers, including Seventh Generation, offer products that work in both cold and warm/hot water. Here are some other energy-saving laundry tips:

* Wash full loads. If you are washing a small load, use the appropriate water-level setting.
* When buying a washing machine, look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels. ENERGY STAR clothes washers clean clothes using 50% less energy than standard washers. Most full-sized ENERGY STAR washers use 15 gallons of water per load, compared to the 32.5 gallons used by a new standard machine. ENERGY STAR models also spin the clothes better, resulting in less drying time.
* Use shorter cycle settings when possible.
posted: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/learn/blog/cold-water-wash-hot

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Let's keep clothing out of our landfills

The entire article is posted: http://www.eartheasy.com/blog/2010/05/lets-keep-clothing-out-of-our-landfills/ but the gist is:

12 million tons of textile waste is generated each year in North America amounting to approximately 68 lbs of waste per household per year! An astounding 5% of all landfill production is textile waste.

There is massive demand for used clothing, reprocessed fibers and cloth wipes. The recycling industry cannot get its hands on enough material to keep up with this demand. However, the recycling industry reclaims only 15% of the total textile waste that is produced.

So, what can we do? Well, if you have old but wearable clothing that you want to get rid of, have a yard sale or hand them down to friends or family. Or, you could donate the items to a charitable organization.

In the US there are a variety of options such as:

* The Charity Guide offers a lot of options for recycling of women's clothing across the country: http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fifteen/used-clothing.htm
* The Vietnam Veterans Association also accepts clothing and other household donations. The organization has donation facilities in 30 states which are listed its site and you can even schedule a pick-up online! http://www.clothingdonations.org/service.htm
* The Salvation Army (http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf) and Goodwill (http://www.goodwill.org/) are two venerable organizations that are nationally located and accept used clothing.

find localized charities with the Charity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.org/). By using the Advanced Search feature, you can search for charities by focus (environmental, social, animal health, international, etc) and by state. This site also provides a great overview of each charity (over 5,300 charities in their database). Not all of the charities on this list will accept used clothing so you would have to browse around a bit to find a suitable charity that is represented in your state. Alternatively, just type the word "clothing" in the keyword field for a sure fire way to find charities that do accept clothing donations.

See tips on donating used clothing and household items: http://www.bbb.org/us/donating-used-clothes-and-household-items/

If the clothing is not wearable, convert it into wipes that can be used around the house to clean up spills, wash your car, etc. If you are handy with a sewing machine, the clothing materials could be re-purposed into items such as cloth bags, hats, mitts, quilts, etc. Let your creativity run wild!

Even if the clothing is un-wearable and you don't have the time to do anything with it, ask the Charity if they will still accept the item(s). In most cases the charities have agreements with recyclers to accept any clothing items that are un-wearable.

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Tip: 25 ways to clean with vinegar

1. Deodorize the sink: Pour 1 cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup hot vinegar, down the drain. Let sit for at least 5 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
2. Deodorize the garbage disposal: Make ice cubes out of vinegar. Run the disposal with a few vinegar ice cubes and cold water.
3. Clean counter tops: Wipe down surfaces with a rag dipped in vinegar.
4. Clean the fridge: Use a mixture of half water, half vinegar to wipe down the interior shelves and walls.
5. Remove soap build-up and odors from the dishwasher: Once a month, pour 1 cup of vinegar into an empty dishwasher and run the machine through its entire cycle.

for the rest: http://shine.yahoo.com/event/haven/25-ways-to-clean-with-vinegar-1371277/
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5 Ingredients for Less-Toxic Cleaning

With five ingredients — baking soda, washing soda, liquid soap or detergent, distilled vinegar and an antiseptic essential oil — you can clean everything in your house.

Baking Soda and Washing Soda. The magic of these minerals is that they neutralize many stains and odors. They are alkaline, cut grease and can even dissolve wax. Baking soda also serves as a mild abrasive. Washing soda is the best heavy-duty scourer, but it is slightly caustic, so you need to wear gloves when using it.

Liquid Soap or Detergent. Soap is better for your health and the environment than detergents, but because water reacts with minerals in soap, washing clothes with it can leave an insoluble film and turn clothes grayish. If you wash your clothes with detergent, select the most biodegradable brand.

Vinegar and Essential Oils. Vinegar neutralizes many stains and odors, dissolves scale and pulls dirt out of wood. Use only white distilled vinegar for cleaning; apple cider vinegar could stain some materials, such as upholstery. Antiseptic essential oils — such as tea tree, sweet orange, lemon-grass, rose, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, birch or lavender — kill bacteria and mold.

Be a cleaning machine...

Soap for Sparkling Dishes

This cleaner works well except in hard water, where it can cause soap scum.

1 ounce liquid castile soap
2 cups water
1 teaspoon vegetable glycerin
5 to 10 drops lavender essential oil (optional, but lavender is antibacterial)

Combine the soap and water in a jar. Add the glycerin and lavender (if using). Stir to blend. Pour some on a sponge, or add a few teaspoons to a sink full of warm water.

Soap Scum-fighting Spray

1 teaspoon borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
2 cups hot water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, and shake to blend. Spray. Follow with a sponge. Rinse. Makes 2 1/4 cups.

Gentle-but-effective Scrub I use this effective formula on Formica countertops, sinks, the bathtub and the shower stall.

1/2 cup baking soda
Enough liquid soap or detergent to make a frostinglike consistency
5 to 10 drops essential oils, such as rose or lavender (optional)

Place the baking soda in a bowl; slowly pour in the liquid soap, stirring all the while, until the cleaner has a frostinglike consistency. If you're using any essential oils, be sure to add them last. Scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface well and rinse. Makes 1/2 cup.

Floor Shine You can use this preparation on all floors except when directed by the manufacturer to avoid even mild detergents.

1/4 cup liquid soap or detergent
Up to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
2 gallons warm water

Combine the ingredients in a large plastic bucket. Use with a mop or sponge. Makes about 2 gallons.

Club Soda Linoleum Spray The alkaline minerals in club soda work wonders against dirt.

2 cups club soda

Pour the club soda into a spray bottle, spray onto linoleum and mop dry. Makes 2 cups.

Magic Window Wash

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups water
A few drops of essential oils, for scent (optional)

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to blend. Spray on surface, then remove with a squeegee, paper towel or newspaper. Makes 2 1/4 cups.

Toilet Bowl Tidy-up

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
2 cups water

Vinegar is an, underused but effective disinfectant. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake and spray along the inside rim of the toilet. Leave on for 15 minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush. Makes 2 1/4 cups.

Baking Soda Oven Cleaner Baking soda has never failed me for oven cleaning. Even heavy grime lifts off with this formula.

Small- to medium-sized box of baking soda
Water

Sprinkle the bottom of the oven with baking soda to cover. Spray with water until very damp, and keep moist by spraying every few hours.

Let set overnight. In the morning, simply scoop out the baking soda — all the grime will be loosened — and rinse the oven well. Baking soda needs a lot of rinsing, but it is well worth the effort because it produces no toxic fumes. For really tough jobs, substitute washing soda for half the baking soda.

Balk at Using Standard Bleach The active ingredient in most household bleach is sodium hypochlorite, a moderately toxic chlorine salt. In the wastewater stream, household bleach also can bond with other chemicals to form cancer-causing organochlorines.

Seventh Generation's brand offers an effective alternative; you can find their non-chlorine bleach in health food stores and some supermarkets.

Drain Cleaner Blues

Many commercial drain cleaners are very caustic. Some are nothing more than straight lye, a dangerous material you don't want in your home, especially if you have easily damaged PVC pipes.

Other drain cleaners are acids. All seem to be bad news for the wastewater stream. The efficacy of drain cleaners is in doubt, too, according to Consumer Reports. So, instead of resorting to chemicals, grab a plunger or a plumber's snake, and unclog your drains by hand. And to keep drains clean, pour 1 cup washing soda down them every week or so.

Paste for Your Pearlies

4 ounces calcium carbonate (chalk)
2 ounces baking soda
Enough glycerin to make a paste
1/8 teaspoon refined (white) stevia or 1 teaspoon honey
10 drops essential oils, such as oil of wintergreen or peppermint

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, stirring vigorously until well blended. Scoop the paste onto a toothbrush with a knife or spoon. Makes 3/4 cup.

Among commercial products, Tom's of Maine has one of the best natural formulations, with a synthetic detergent, sodium lauryl sulfate, derived from coconut, not petroleum. The Natural Dentist and Weleda brand toothpastes are made with herbs and no sodium lauryl sulfate.

Cool Cleaner for Your Curls

10 ounces water
1 to 2 ounces liquid castile soap (the less the better)
1 teaspoon glycerin or 1/4 teaspoon mild oil, such as olive or almond oil
20 to 35 drops essential oils (optional)

Make the herbal water infusion by putting a handful of herbs in a pint mason jar and immersing them in boiling water. Cover tightly, let set overnight; strain. Add the soap, glycerin and essential oil (if using); cover and shake to blend. Shampoo as usual. Makes 1 1/2 cups. Caution: Essential oils can harm the eyes, so be sure not to get shampoos, rinses or conditioners in your eyes, and add no more than 3 drops of essential oil per ounce of base. Among commercial shampoos, Aubrey Organics, Logona and Real Purity are good brands.

Astringent Water Fit for a Queen

Gypsies first formulated this wonderful astringent, called "Queen of Hungary Water," for use primarily as a medicinal remedy; the recipe appears in many old herbals, using a variety of herbs. I have often made a version, originated by noted herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, for Christmas gifts, bottling it in beautifully shaped blue glass. Here is my favorite adaptation of the recipe; it omits chamomile (because so many people are allergic to ragweed, to which chamomile is related) and increases the amount of calendula. Feel free to adapt the recipe to suit your own skin type and preferences.

6 small handfuls fresh lemon balm leaves
5 small handfuls calendula flowers
4 small handfuls rose petals
3 small handfuls fresh comfrey leaves
1 small handful each rosemary, lemon peel and sage
Organic apple cider, as needed
Rose water or witch hazel, as needed

Place the herbs in a 1-gallon glass jar. Cover the herbs with organic apple cider vinegar, leaving about 2 inches to spare in the jar. Screw the lid on tightly. Let it set for four to six weeks. Strain. Divide the mixture into smaller jars, and dilute to half its strength with rose water or witch hazel extract.

Sesame-spiked Sunblock

Sesame oil is a natural sunscreen, and zinc oxide protects against UVA and UVB radiation. Apply this block every hour or so when you're out-of-doors, and reapply after swimming.

2 1/2 ounces sesame oil
1 1/2 ounces coconut oil or cocoa butter
4 ounces water or strong green tea made with distilled water
1/2 ounce beeswax
2 tablespoons zinc oxide
Natural preservative (see "Dreamy, Creamy Lotion" formula)
10 to 20 drops antiseptic essential oils (optional)

Melt the oils and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. Remove from heat, add water and mix with an electric handheld mixer until thick and creamy. Add the zinc oxide and preservatives, followed by the essential oil (if using). Blend well. Makes 1 cup. (Reserve the double boiler and the handheld mixer especially for making these preparations.)

Dreamy, Creamy Lotion

Many commercial lotions have high amounts of alcohol, which can dry your skin and make the use of heavy creams necessary. Homemade lotions without alcohol eliminate that problem and offer a pleasant change.

2 1/2 ounces almond, olive or peanut oil (or a combination)
1 1/2 ounces coconut oil ounce beeswax
2 ounces aloe vera gel
2 ounces water or rose water
1 tablespoon glycerin
Natural preservative (1 teaspoon vitamin C powder, 1/4 teaspoon vitamin A powder and 1 tablespoon wheat germ oil or 1/3 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract)
10 to 25 drops fragrant essential oils, if desired
1 teaspoon borax (optional)

Melt the oils and beeswax over medium heat in a double boiler. Remove from the heat, pour in the aloe vera gel, water, glycerin, preservative and fragrance (if using), and stir with a mixer until thick and creamy. For a thinner lotion, slightly decrease the beeswax. (You can add 1 teaspoon borax, too.) Makes 1 cup. Whiskers-be-gone Shaving Cream

Whiskers-be-gone Shaving Cream

2 ounces almond oil
1/2 ounce beeswax
4 ounces water
2 ounces liquid Castile soap
1 ounce glycerin
1 teaspoon borax
1/3 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract
20 drops essential oils

Combine the oil and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat. When the beeswax is melted, remove from the heat and stir in water, soap, glycerin and borax. Blend with an electric handheld beater until creamy. Add the grapefruit seed extract and essential oils, and stir to blend. Makes 1 cup.

Safe care for your car...

Car Battery Cleaner

Baking soda
Water

Sprinkle baking soda on battery terminals to neutralize the battery acid. Spritz with water to dampen. Let set for an hour or so, then sponge off the baking soda with water. Air-dry.

The `Good' Antifreeze

A less-toxic antifreeze than the commonly used ethylene glycol is available and sold by automotive supply stores. The "good" kind is made of propylene glycol, which is safe enough to be used as a food additive; ethylene glycol is so toxic it's a household hazardous waste.

Here's an additional caution regarding ethylene glycol: If you have a septic system, do not pour ethylene glycol down the drain. If you are on municipal water, dilute this antifreeze before pouring it down the drain or, better yet, save it for your community's household hazardous waste pickup day. Some service stations recycle this antifreeze, too.

Bring home the best brands...

At times, all of us need to buys readymade household cleaning product; following are a few recommendations for commercial products that work effectively and are considered environmentally safe. This listing is based on my 20 years of learning to live without toxins by reading labels and studying reports from reputable organizations. A primary resource is Green Seal [(202) 872-6400; www.greenseal.org ], a nonprofit organization that gives a "seal of approval" to products that meet its high standards. Carefully choosing the safest commercially available cleaning products to supplement homemade cleaners considerably reduces the use of toxic cleaners in our homes. You can find these products in health food stores, some supermarkets and online.

—Annie Berthold-Bond

All-purpose Cleaners Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Pure Castile Soap Seventh Generation
Carpet Cleaners Granny's Old Fashioned Products and Infinity Heavenly Horsetail liquid detergents
Floor Cleaners Infinity Heavenly Horsetail Life Tree Home Soap Murphy Oil Soap Sodasan All-purpose Cleaner
Disinfectants Power Herbal Disinfectant and Deodorizer
Automatic Dish Detergents Life Tree Seventh Generation
Bleach Seventh Generation
Hand Dish-washing Soap Ecover
Laundry Products Earth Friendly Products Ecover Life Tree Seventh Generation

Hair for Oil Spills Program

One more thing that you can reuse instead of trash- CUT hair! Did you know that hair can be used to clean up oil spills. If you think you know a salon or groomer who would collect hair instead of trash it, pass this on. http://www.matteroftrust.org/programs/hairmatsinfo.html

watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQOD_Ir2vQ

"You shampoo your hair because it gets greasy. Hair is very efficient at collecting oil out of the air, off surfaces like your skin and out of the water, even petroleum oil. Hair is adsorbant (as in "clings to" unlike absorbant which is to "soak up.") There are over 300,000 hair salons in the US and each collects about 1 pound of hair a day. Right now, most of that goes into the waste stream, but it should all be made into hairmats." Phil McCrory of Smartgrow.net, hairmat inventor and hair stylist.
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Tip: How do I find rebates for making energy efficient upgrades?

Looking for rebates available for making energy efficient upgrades? Check here: DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. http://www.dsireusa.org/

Tip: Install a programmable thermostat to save MONEY this winter.

Saving money on your energy bill doesn’t mean you have to freeze during the winter or be too hot during the summer – just replace your analog thermostat with an easy-to-use, easy-to-install programmable thermostat to adjust temperatures based on your daily routines. This simple switch could lower your energy bill by up... to 33%! There's a 10% rebate available for this in PA. Check: http://www.keystonehelp.com/info/eligible.php

Tip: Save money and energy by insulating hot water tanks.

Heating water accounts for up to 15% of home energy use. Insulating your hot water tank and pipes, and lowering the hot water temperature to 120 degrees is a great way to inexpensively cut this figure by 20% or more. For tax credit info, check: http://www.earthaid.net/change_tactics/64

Tip: Insulate your home

Poorly sealed windows and doors can drastically decrease your home's energy efficiency. Conditioning the air indoors only to have it escape is not going to help the bottom line on your utility bills, but making a small investment in caulk or weather stripping to fill in even the slightest gaps can make a huge difference. For tax credit info, check: http://www.earthaid.net/change_tactics/32

Three simple tips from the Environmental Working Group for your holiday cooking:

Choose food low in added chemicals and pollutants

Buy organic when you can.
It's OK to choose non-organic from our "Clean 15"
Cook with fresh foods, not packaged and canned, whenever you can.

Use non-toxic cookware

For safer cooking, they suggest cast iron, stainless steel and oven-safe glass.

Store and reheat leftovers safely

Skip the plastic food storage containers if you can.
Don't microwave food or drinks in plastic containers
If you do use a plastic container you already own, handle it carefully.

Tip: Competitive Electric Rates for PA

With PECO rate caps expiring on January 1, 2011, the cost of purchasing energy from renewable sources in comparison to the PECO default rate will become more competitive for residential customers. Consumers who want to reduce their carbon footprint can look to the Energy Cooperative, a local nonprofit electricity supplier and NGC partner that has announced that it will provide an electricity supply that is both cheaper and greener than PECO’s default option. Through the Energy Cooperative, residents can purchase 100 percent renewable fixed-rate electricity for 2011 for 9.78 cents/kWh or can choose 20 percent renewable EcoChoice20 for 9.28 cents/kWh, as compared with PECO’s regular residential rate of 9.92 cents/kWh.

For more information, please visit www.TheEnergy.Coop. This tip is from The Next Great City Newsletter.

Here's a blog about electric company options in Pennsylvania.

Tip: Looking for DIY garden plans?

Try these for raised beds

These for compost bins

Native plant garden plans from iConservePA

Preplanned vegetable gardens from Gardeners Supply Company

Tip: Fact Sheet for Federal Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives 2010-2011

Click here for a tax incentives fact sheet with detailed information about each of the incentives for 2010 and 2011.

EnergyWorks funding available

In November, the EnergyWorks loan program began offering low-interest loans to help residential, commercial, and industrial building owners in the greater Philadelphia region install energy-efficient upgrades at their properties. The program offers low-interest loans for as low as 0.99 percent for homeowners and 3.5 percent for commercial and industrial property owners.

In addition to providing loans, the program offers professional energy analysis, energy-efficiency recommendations, and design services to help building owners understand what improvements make the most sense for their property.

EnergyWorks will also help stimulate the economy by creating demand for building auditors and inspectors and increase opportunities for local contractors with expertise in green building and energy efficient installations.

For more information, visit www.energyworksnow.com. This information was found in a PennFuture email. To get your own, check www.pennfuture.org.

Tip: Winter Sowing Vegetables

I couldn't resist getting out on Sunday and winter sowing some vegetable seeds a bit. I just put some seeds in the garden, covered with 2-liter plastic soda bottles and watered. It will create a mini greenhouse and the seeds will sprout when they are ready. For more info on the process and obtaining free seeds: http://www.wintersown.org/wseo1/Seed_Lists.html

Why can't you recycle pizza boxes that "are just a little dirty?"

Grease from pizza boxes causes oil to form at the top of the slurry, and paper fibers cannot separate from oils during the pulping process. Essentially, this contaminant causes the entire batch to be ruined. This is the reason that other food related items are non-recyclable (used paper plates, used napkins, used paper towels, etc). See http://www.recyclebank.com/live-green/

Read PLU numbers to avoid genetically modified foods:

If the five digit PLU number starts with "8," the food is either genetically modified or genetically engineered. If the five digit PLU number starts with "9," it's organic. Also, by watching for the absence of either the 8 or 9, which means the produce is neither organically grown or genetically modified, you can recognize traditionally grown produce. Ensure your produce is not genetically modified by reading the number on the sticker, and by buying 100% certified organic. 100% certified organic is by law never genetically modified!

A 4-digit number indicates the food was conventionally grown and may or may not be genetically modified.
A 5-digit number beginning with an 8 is a genetically modified food. However, not all GM foods can be identified because PLU labeling is optional.
A 5-digit number beginning with a 9 indicates it is organic, and thus a non-GM food.

for more ideas: http://greenlivingqa.com/content/how-avoid-gmo-food

After seeing A Chemical Reaction at the Ambler Theatre (part of Pennypack Farm's Sustainability Series), I came home with a few things:

-see http://safelawns.org/ for more information on natural lawn care and grounds maintenance.

-to get your name on the Pesticide Hypersensitivity Registry, download the form Pennsylvania Pesticide Hypersensitivity Registry Fact Sheet and Application and have your doctor sign it. You may request to have listings of your home, place of employment, school (if a student), and vacation home placed in the Registry. The Registry is distributed to all commercial and public pesticide businesses 4 times per year. The pesticide application businesses are required to notify any person in the most recent registry if they will be making an application to an attached structure or an outdoor above ground pesticide application within 500 feet of any listed location.

-Natural Lawn of America is a company that will do organic lawn care for you if you ask them.

-The EPA Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisioning is a FREE document you can get that includes toxicology, signs and symptoms of poisoning, and treatment on major types of pesticides.

-The Collaborative on Health and the Environment has a searchable database that summarizes links between chemical contaminants and approximately 180 human diseases or conditions.

Things to use twice before tossing.
Check here for a fun list. An example: Clean Cereal Liner Bags and use for stacking meat patties before freezing

Garden as if your life depended on it, because it does
5 good reasons why we should take up a spade, rake and hoe, make compost and good garden soil, and garden with a vengeance.

http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/garden-as-if-your-life-depended-on-it-because-it-does/

5 Easy to Grow Mosquito-Repelling Plants

Try planting citronella, horsemint, marigolds, ageratum, and catnip to keep mosquitoes away. Read more: http://eartheasy.com/blog/2011/04/5-easy-to-grow-mosquito-repelling-plants/

Check out the West Philly Tool library

The Tool Library currently has over 2000 tools. Looking for a particular tool? Search for it. For a printable page of their tools, please click this link. If you’re interested in a tool that’s not listed, please contact us. And remember: they always accept tool donations. Along with tools and books, the Library also offers classes to those interested in broadening their DIY knowledge. In March they sponsored a free six-class basic home repair course with the Walnut Hill Community Association. Lessons included an introduction to using power tools, painting tips and tricks, and drywall installation and repair.

Up to 30% of an average household’s waste can be turned into compost. Learn more fun facts like this in the Why Compost? section of RecycleNow.

Check Google Maps for the 2011 Regional Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Program listing

More HELP available for energy efficiency upgrades

Looking to make your home more energy efficient? Pennsylvanians can now couple Keystone HELP energy efficiency loans with utility rebate programs for HVAC, whole house improvements and other qualifying energy efficiency products. This tip was in a PennFuture email.

Tip: Tune into Mike McGrath's You Bet Your Garden

Looking for organic/natural ways to work in your lawn or garden? Check out http://www.whyy.org/91FM/ybyg/ for a WHYY weekly radio show and also a link to archived tips. I learned that I can bend a fence outward at a 90 degree angle to keep groundhogs from getting over my garden fence. Another tip I found: Use beneficial nematodes prey on grubs in my lawn. I should look for nematodes with a scientific name that starts with an ‘H’, and not an ‘S’. (Gardens Alive “grub away” nematodes are the right species, and they offer two kinds—one for Southern lawns, and a ‘Northern’ variety that is active in cooler soils.)

What's Forest Gardening?

The concept that it is easier to maintain mulched beds of trees, shrubs, and perennials than it is to plant and maintain annual vegetables year after year.

1. The first layer is the canopy of large trees that provide nuts, leaves for mulch, and wood for fuel and building materials.

2. The next layer is the understory where smaller trees produce fruits. Apples, pears, plums, and cherries are part of this layer.

3. Below the understory live the woody shrubs, such as blueberries, blackberries, boysenberries, and others.

4. Next are the herbaceous perennials that grow from the ground, flower, produce seeds, and die back to the ground each year. In this group are many of our herbs and medicinal plants. Rosemary, bee balm, lavender, yarrow, and echinacea are a few examples.

5. Groundcovers make up the next layer in the food forest. Wild strawberries, thyme, and perennial clovers are useful groundcovers.

6. The rhizosphere, or root zone, is where some plants produce their parts. Sunchokes, various alliums like garlic and leeks, ginseng, yellowroot, and others provide us with food and medicines.

7. Hart’s final layer is the vertical layer, the vines that climb up into the trees. Grapes and kiwis give us fruit. Honeysuckle and even kudzu provide craft materials.

Read this article to learn more

Farmers Market Season has begun!

If you are looking for a local market, check this Buy Fresh Buy Local site: http://www.buylocalpa.org - from there, you can select a region in PA and get a google map of farmers markets, farms, restaurants, wineries, etc.

Or, check here for a local listing of markets: http://www.playgroundbuzz.com/OutdoorActivities/Farms/FarmersMarketProduceStands.aspx

EWG Action Fund's Healthy Home Checklist

This

Healthy Home Checklist is for you to use as you walk through your home -- and open your bathroom cabinet, look under your sink, and check those laundry supplies. It's an easy, hands-on way to create a less toxic environment for your family. When you're done, you'll breathe easier (literally!) knowing that you've tackled the toxics that matter most in your home.

This American Life: NPR Show with Focus on Marcellus Shale and PA to Air starting Friday July 8th.

The episode, entitled “Game Changer,” will focus not only on the impact the natural gas boom is having throughout the region – both economically and physically – but will also explore the dueling opinions in the “drill or not to drill” debate.

The program’s synopsis reads as follows:

A professor in Pennsylvania makes a calculation, and the result blows his mind. The numbers say that his state is sitting atop a massive reserve of natural gas—enough to lead a revolution in how America gets its energy. But another professor in Pennsylvania does a different calculation and reaches a troubling conclusion: that getting natural gas out of the ground poses a riskn to public health. The story of two men, two calculations, and two very different consequences.

Listen to the program when it airs on a public radio station near you through July 11th; or download the podcast from their site once it becomes available Sunday, July 11th at 7pm.

This American Life has an audience of about 1.7 million listeners nationwide.

Atop TV sets, a power drain that runs nonstop

This note is from eartheasy.com: The boxes that usher cable signals and digital recording capacity into televisions have become the single-largest electricity drain in many American homes. One high-definition DVR and one high-definition cable box use an average of 446 kilowatt hours a year, about 10 percent more than a 21-cubic-foot energy-efficient refrigerator. 66 percent of that power is wasted when no one is watching and shows are not being recorded.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/us/26cable.html

Local Skillshare Database

Check out Transition Ambler/Upper Dublin's Skillsharer Directory! There are people from the community interested in sharing yogurt making, sewing, videography, medicinal herbs, and more. If you want to learn any of these skills, get in touch with them. If you have skills to share, add your information to the directory.

http://www.transitionaud.org/?page_id=31

If you are a meat eater, you might be interested in this from EWG:

EWG has examined the impact of Americans' eating habits on health and the environment.

Not all meat is created equal. Check out our Meat Eater's Guide to Climate Change + Health to see for yourself.

Meat in moderation can be a good source of complete protein as well as iron, but that's not the whole story. Check out the guide to see how different food choices affect the environment.
Some meats increase your exposure to toxic chemicals and are linked to health problems. Learn what to look for and what to avoid when choosing meat for your family.
Waste less meat. Buy right-sized portions and eat what you buy. On average, uneaten meat accounts for more than 20 percent of meat's greenhouse gas emissions. See other great tips for healthier, greener eating.
Learn More about the Nutrition Coalition
The Community Nutrition Coalition is a network of food pantries working together to provide food and nutrition education to those in need in the Greater North Penn/Indian Valley area. They have lots of loacl drop off sites for your extra veggies. http://www.nutritioncoalition.org/

Don't have garden space, but want to garden? Or, have space, and don't use it?
Learn about sharing backyards. Check out http://www.sharingbackyards.com/browse/philadelphia You Can connect with someone to help you garden and share the veggies (and the watering!) You can post your own listing or look for others already offering yard space or gardening skills. Your address and email will remain hidden, and messages come directly through our site to you.
Thank you, GRID magazine, for the tip.

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