Tips for Reducing Waste this Holiday Season

While the holidays are only days away, many of us are still last minute shopping, putting the finishing touches on decorations, and organizing parties and gatherings. According to the EPA, during the holiday season, from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, 25% more household waste is generated.  This amounts to nearly 1 million tons of garbage per week that ends up in landfills. Between holiday greeting cards, gift wrap and bows, to packages and containers, there are many easy ways that you can cut back on waste and green your holiday season.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)

One of the easiest ways to reduce waste is to use your own reusable shopping bags instead of paper or plastic. Many grocery stores and convenient stores sell reusable shopping bags for around $1. Buy a few and keep them in the back of your car for all of your shopping trips.

Get Creative

Wrapping gift in traditional wrapping paper can be costly and time-consuming, not to mention it ends up in a landfill almost immediately after the present is unwrapped. Why not green your gift giving this season, all while making it a little more personal and unique. Here are a few creative wrapping ideas to consider:

-          Make the gift wrap part of the gift.  Use a scarf, handkerchief, or other item to “wrap” the gift.

-          Reuse items around your house.

• Sunday comics, perfect for kids
• Old maps
• Old newspape or magazines
• Blue prints
• Music sheets
• Jars and tins
• Old fabric
• Outdated calendars

-          Reuse bows, ribbons, and gift bags that you receive.  Crinkled tissue paper makes great bows! According to Use-Less-Stuff.com, if every family reused just two feet of ribbon this holiday season, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet.

With a little thought and creativity, you can have beautifully wrapped gifts that are eco-friendly too!

One Country’s Trash is Another Country’s…Energy?

How Sweden’s Highly Successful Recycling Program Has Left the Country with a Waste Shortage

While most countries are trying to curb waste production and overflowing landfills, Sweden is looking for a way to obtain more garbage. According to Swedish Waste Management, only 4 percent of all of the country’s waste

Recycle Electronics for Cash Photo Credit kennymatic via Flickr

ends up in landfills. This is largely due to Sweden’s highly successful recycling and waste-to-energy programs. The recycling efforts are so successful, in fact, that Sweden is facing a trash shortage that could leave the country without sufficient power because a large portion of the country’s energy is generated from burning garbage, and the country simply doesn’t have enough trash to fill the waste incineration capacity.

Leading the way in waste management, Sweden converts garbage into renewable energy, providing power to 250,000 homes and 20 percent of the district heating system. In order to fulfill the country’s energy needs, Sweden is now importing 800,000 tons of garbage annually from surrounding countries. In addition to getting heat and energy out of the waste, Sweden is also receiving compensation from Norway for collecting their garbage. Sweden hopes to soon import trash from Bulgaria, Romania, and Italy, countries which lack effective recycling programs and rely heavily on landfills.

Sweden’s waste-to-energy program is an excellent example of alternatives to dumping trash in the ocean or in landfills. Waste becomes a valuable commodity capable of providing electricity to a quarter million homes. While Sweden recycles 96 percent of its waste, U.S. residents only recycle a mere 34 percent of all garbage produced. According to the EPA, the U.S. generated 250 million tons of trash in 2010 alone. While we may have a long way to go in our sustainability efforts, Sweden’s waste-to-energy program shows us that keeping waste out of landfills is possible.

Recycle Your Used Electronics for Cash

While many consumers are heading to the Apple store to purchase the newly released iPhone 5, the unfortunate truth is that the vast majority of older models end up in landfills around the country. Electronic devices are

Recycle Electronics for Cash Photo Credit kennymatic via Flickr

being updated and becoming obsolete at such a fast rate that nearly 20-to-50 million tons of electronic waste is thrown away every year, with only 10-to-18 percent of the e-waste being properly recycled. When e-waste ends up in our landfills, it not only has negative consequences on the environment but is hazardous to our health and safety, as well. Electronics are full of toxins that eventually end up in our air, soil, and water supplies causing serious health concerns.

What can you do?

Always recycle electronic devices to keep them out of landfills. Additionally, there are some programs that offer cash back for unwanted electronic devices! To make it even easier to recycle used electronics, the United States Post Office now allows customers to mail in their electronics for cash, completely free of shipping charges. USPS has partnered with MaxBack to recycle gently used cell phones, iPods, and tablets.

How does it work?

To get started, visit the Recycle through USPS website. After selecting the cell phone or electronic device that you are recycling from the MaxBack database, you will receive an instant quote. Once you accept the quoted offer, mail your item using USPS Priority Mail at no cost to you. USPS will inspect your electronics and mail you cash. (Remember, not all electronic devices will be eligible for cash.)

If the device is in good condition it will be given a second life. For items that are beyond repair, MaxBack ensures that all electronics are recycled properly according to Green Policy so no e-waste ends up in landfills.

Find out if your used electronics are eligible for cash here: https://www.usps.com/ship/recycle-through-usps.htm

 

The Green Teen Movement

Many studies show that by teaching kids about conservationism and sustainability at an early age we create much more environmentally aware and responsible adults.  When Judy Shils included her young daughter, Erin Schrode, in her environmental protection efforts as part of their daily lives living in Northern California, she proved these studies correct.  Erin grew up with positive environmental stewardship as a well-worked family value, so it is no wonder that she grew up to develop the organization called “Teens Turning Green:  A Way of Life,” a collaborative youth-led movement to change the world.

Originally called Teens for Safe Cosmetics, Erin launched the campaign in 2005 in an effort to ban toxic substances such as lead, mercury and other harmful chemicals from cosmetics.  Erin and her mom, soon to be joined by other teens from local middle and high schools, identified common cosmetics used by teens, and then went to work with scientists and chemists to develop safe, green alternatives to the toxic make-up currently on the market.  It wasn’t long before Erin and her team travelled to Sacramento to testify before the legislature and ban poisonous ingredients in cosmetics.  Their mission was successful and with a desire to widen their sphere of influence into other areas of environmentalism, sustainability, and protection of the earth and its resources, Teens Turning Green was born.

They soon moved into the educational field, launching a school awareness program called Project Green Dorm on such things as food service, janitorial supplies, landscaping and classroom products.  They held a public rally in San Francisco during prom season to highlight the ease, functionality, and availability of eco beauty, fashion, décor and transportation options, and named their efforts Project Green Prom.   They also launched Project Lunch, a movement to make quality food affordable and available to everyone.

Today, Teens Turning Green makes and distributes their own line of skin and body care products through trusted companies, and founded the first Project Green Challenge in October 2011, that challenged students and schools across the world to participate in eco-awareness and conservation efforts across the board.

Teens Turning Green started from one small spark that became a catalyst for positive change in the world, and Erin and her group promise to keep forging ahead, inspiring young people to know, care, act, dream and do.

For more information on Teens Turning Green, click here.

“Green” your home for $100 or less!

One of the most common misconceptions about green living is that it’s expensive to get started. In reality, there are many ways to green your home that are cost effective and can be done in as little as one weekend. Most importantly, these four DIY projects are easy for anyone to complete – regardless of skill-level.

1)      Replace standard lights with motion-detecting models
How many times have you walked out of a room and forgot to turn off the light? Probably more often than you think. This habit wastes energy, creates heat and increases utility bills due solely to the fact that someone forgot to flip the switch. While most homeowners will just try to kick the habit, some may turn to an increasingly affordable technology and install motion detecting sensors to household lights. Whether they’re installed indoors or out, these sensors typically cost no more than $20 and they’re as easy to install as changing a standard light switch.

2)      Replace old thermostats with programmable models
As one of the best ways to save energy and lower utility bills, programmable thermostats have internal clocks that can be set to heat or cool your home to different temperatures throughout the day—such as automatically turning off when everyone is at work or school, and turning back on shortly before you return.

3)      Find and fix leaks throughout your home
When we say leaks, most assume faucets or sinks. However, doors and windows should also be regularly checked as they can dramatically decrease the effectiveness or heating and cooling your home. By using weather stripping, caulk and tape, you can save a bundle on your utility bills.

4)      Wrap the water heater in an insulated blanket
Water heaters are necessary for keeping your home’s water ready for showers and dishwashers, but they also pose the threat of wasted energy as they are constantly heating water to a suitable temperature. While it’s important to ensure your water heater isn’t heating past 120° F, it’s also important to make sure the unit is not releasing heat and wasting energy. A thermal blanket can help keep the water’s heat from escaping through the heater’s metal or fiberglass exterior, thus using less energy on the water’s temperature.

How Green is Your City?

Popular Science published a list of America’s 50 Greenest Cities, using a scoring method that assigned numerical values to categories such as electricity, transportation, green living and recycling.  According to its calculations, Portland, Oregon is the greenest city in America, scoring big in areas of energy, transportation and green living.

Portland gets half of its generated energy by renewable resources and a quarter of the city’s workforce carpools, rides the bus or rides their bike to work.  The city also has a higher than average amount of LEED® certified buildings, meaning the U.S. Green Building Council has recognized the buildings as exceptional in terms of Energy and Environmental Design.

Other cities that made the top of the list have come up with some interesting ways to go green. The city of Boston, Massachusetts for example, has thought up a way to put all the fallen leaves that a New England fall creates to good use. The city uses the methane generated by the anaerobic bacteria feeding on the organic waste to power upwards of 1.5 megawatts’ worth of generators.  In addition to energy harvesting, the compost created by the breakdown of the leaves is used to enrich the city’s soil.

Another example is Oakland, California. Oakland has turned its transit system into a fleet powered by hydrogen-based energy – meaning zero emission buses driving down its city streets instead of the toxic, petroleum-based buses too many cities still use.

The East Bay cuts pollution with hydrogen-powered transit.

Here is a list of the top 10 cities in order of “greenness” according to the website’s scores:

1. Portland, Ore. 23.1

2. San Francisco, Calif. 23.0

3. Boston, Mass. 22.7

4. Oakland, Calif. 22.5

5. Eugene, Ore. 22.4

6. Cambridge, Mass. 22.2

7. Berkeley, Calif. 22.2

8. Seattle, Wash. 22.1

9. Chicago, Ill. 21.3

10. Austin, Tex. 21.0

It’s encouraging to see big cities take steps toward a greener, healthier world.  If more cities start getting on the “green” bandwagon, there is the very real possibility that some of the devastating effects of pollution and toxic waste might be reversed and we can begin healing our world and our environment.

Visit the Popular Science website to read the full list of the Top 50 Green Cities and see how your city ranks.

The Many Uses of an Old T-Shirt!

It’s always exciting to hear about the new ways in which different projects and organizations are working toward reducing waste and doing good for the environment.

Project Repat is on a mission to reduce the amount of clothing waste going into our landfills in a very unique way. The organization is partnering with individuals, brands and universities to “upcycle” old t-shirts into unique, fashionable and functional blankets and accessories, like this upcycled t-shirt blanket.

According to Project Repat, 5% of all material waste on earth is used textiles. They strive to keep those old t-shirts out of landfills by repurposing them into accessories that will be worn and loved.

How it works: With Project Repat, you send in your old t-shirts and 2-4 weeks later your shirts are returned to you repurposed as a one-of-a-kind great new accessory. You can have your shirts turned into a reversible bag, circle scarf, tie or blanket.

Many people have a closet or dresser drawer full of old t-shirts that they just can’t seem to part with. This is a great way to turn those t-shirts into a wearable work of art.

Project Repat blankets are made at NuPath, a non-profit organization that creates employment organizations for individuals with disabilities.

For more information on Project Repat and to learn more about how you can upcycle your old t-shirt collection visit www.projectrepat.org.

Green Apple Day of Service

September 29, 2012 is the date for the first ever Green Apple Day of Service, an event hosted and promoted by the U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools.

On that day, advocates from all over the globe will join together to show support for a healthier and more sustainable world by performing various environmental service projects.  Even though the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is based in the United States, it recognizes that environmental issues are of global concern which is why the organization has reached out to conservation and sustainable-living movements for involvement on a multi-national scale.

On mygreenapple.org, participants can search for service projects by country, city and even by the type of project they would like to be involved in. The site lists a number of different target areas relating to sustainability and environmental protection – featuring titles like “Waste Not,” “Take it Outside,” and “Educate” – making it easy for people to find service projects that best suit their interests and areas of expertise. There is even an RSVP option that allows participants to make a commitment to attend an event in advance.

One of the most exciting things about this project is the fact that it involves organizations from all over the world.  A large number of international organizations have already joined the USGBC in support of the Green Apple Day of Service and are hosting events in their own communities to help tackle important environmental issues.These are issues that affect us all and being able to join together from across the globe makes a powerful statement.

To date, the Green Apple Day of Service has already added more than 270 service projects worldwide. Join one by clicking here.

The 2012 “Green” Games

The Summer Olympics currently being held in London are touted by their host as the first green games the world has ever seen.  Olympic organizers wanted to make sustainability an important part of this year’s summer games and made it a priority to address a number of key environmental themes – such as waste, biodiversity, inclusion, healthy living and climate change – in the initial design and planning of the event.

The first step in achieving their goal was to create the Towards a one planet 2012 Sustainability Plan that focuses on tackling the environmental concerns of every aspect of the project. The plan stresses things like a “no added waste policy” regarding additional waste being sent to London landfills while the Games are in action and a minimization of gas emissions in the design and use of the game facilities.

The organizers not only want to keep the integrity of the natural habitats in the areas around the Games healthy and thriving, they would ideally like to leave things better than they were originally.

During the preparation for the Games, the host city began work on its “Brown to green” project of transforming 250 acres of contaminated industrial land into lush, green parkland. While the project was spearheaded by the 2012 London games initiative, the park will afterwards become the largest new urban park in the UK in over 100 years.

An important motivating factor for planning and design officials was the healthy impact on the citizenry of both the UK and world watchers of the Games.  Seeing people swim, bike, race and leap through the air after years of training and dedication can inspire even the most hardened couch potato to get up and get moving. The hope is that the Games’ “green” makeover will too serve as a positive model and source of inspiration.

To read more about London 2012 and Sustainability, click here. We also recommend viewing these amazing green buildings at the London Olympics.

Summertime Reading for the Family

Spring might be the time of year when nature comes alive after a long winter’s rest, but summer is the time of year when WE come alive. While you are spending your days outdoors with your kids this summer enjoying the seasonal weather, here are some great, environmentally-focused books to read together.

Childsake.com has books for every age range and reading level, with topics that include “Habitats and Ecosystems”, “Water and Its Cycle”, “The Living Earth” and “Biodiversity.” They also have books that educate about specific animals and their unique plight, such as whales and the health of the oceans they live in, and polar bears and the effect the shrinking arctic has on their population.

Within the theme of Extinction & Conservation is the book Almost Gone: the World’s Rarest Animals, written and illustrated by Caldecott winner Steve Jenkins.  This book for grades K-3 examines twenty-one endangered animals found throughout the world, and draws attention to the critically low numbers that remain.  The beautiful cut-and-torn paper collage artwork that illustrates the book does a great job of capturing the attention of young readers.

Another book, Common Ground by Molly Bang teaches grades 3 -7 about the issues of pollution and sustainability by using a colorful parable of what happens to a village when over-grazing sheep wreak havoc to the fields.  The story serves as the basis for analogies to the overuse and depletion of our planet’s natural resources – the seas, forests, water, air and fossil fuels.

No matter what your reading ritual is, take some time this summer to incorporate awareness of environmental issues into the summertime fun.  Spending so much time outdoors, playing in the sunshine and cavorting with nature makes this the perfect time to teach appreciation of our environment and how we can protect it for generations to come.