What are you doing to go "Green"?

[erinlovesmarc]

I’ve always been environmentally conscious but lately DH and I have been trying to do more…I’m wondering what others are doing and/or planning to do to give us more ideas on how we can make our lives more “Green”…Here’s what we have done and what we’re planning to do when we restart our renovations in April…obviously realistically we wouldn’t have made these changes had we not been planning to do renovations but since we are we are, we're going to try as much as possible (and budget permitting) to choose materials that are better for the environment…

Doing

Recycle, recycle, recycle
Wash our clothes in cold water only and wait for big loads before doing laundry
Using all-natural cleaning products
Use vinegar instead of fabric softener and to replace some cleaning products such as Windex and Hertel, etc.
Use washable cloths for dusting and cleaning (you’d be surprised how many paper towels we use!)
Bought Energy Star appliances
Replace all the lights in our house with energy efficient ones
Use reusable fabric bags for groceries
Turn down the heat when we aren’t home
Use public transportation to get to work


Planning

Change our windows
Replace our thermostats for programmable electronic ones
Change our heaters for convection ones
Looking into a Hybrid car

[SDMomChef]

Wow! I never thought of some of the things that you are doing!

Doing:

Recycle - cans, glass, newspapers, plastic
Washing in cold water
Use newspapers for cleaning windows (it really does work!)
Ride my bike to work during the spring/summer/fall
Always use the ethanol based gasoline

Planning:

We are going to replace both of our cars in the next two to three years with hybrid vehicles.

[SheRa]

we're pretty into not wasting electricity, gas, etc. and do recycle, but our most recent "investment" was buying reusable grocery bags. they're GREAT! the store we frequent the most had them, and they have huge handles so you can put them up over your shoulders and get everything in the house in one trip. i think it saves a LOT of waste!

i wash almost everything in cold water, and only once per week, and technically our heat is saving energy because it doesn't work right and half the time it's freezing when it's all the way up! haha!

we also want to get a hybrid after our current car goes caput (which i'm hoping isn't before our wedding, but small things keep going wrong...).

ETA: i also FINALLY got the newspaper to stop coming to my house because it wasted SO much paper. we only wanted the weekend edition but they'd send free "bonus" issues that never got read. i had to get a little nasty on the phone to get them to quit.

[erinlovesmarc]

[QUOTE=SheRa;1169225]

we also want to get a hybrid after our current car goes caput (which i'm hoping isn't before our wedding, but small things keep going wrong...).
[QUOTE]

I know it's hard but you have to try not to think about all the things that could/will go wrong...I had so many issues with this, being a perfectionist myself! It was only on the day of the wedding that I forced myself to just let go...I probably would have had a better time if I hadn't let my in-laws and own family get to me with their meddling...it took about a month to destress and I still have some resentment issues...one little piece of advice for the Big Day that was given to us and I totally appreciated - every 30 minutes or hour take a step back from whatever you are doing and absorb what's going on around you...alot of people who got married before us don't remember half their wedding and wished that they would have done just that...we're so glad we did it since, except for those moments, I barely remember anything! :eek:

[SheRa]

[QUOTE]

I know it's hard but you have to try not to think about all the things that could/will go wrong...I had so many issues with this, being a perfectionist myself! It was only on the day of the wedding that I forced myself to just let go...I probably would have had a better time if I hadn't let my in-laws and own family get to me with their meddling...it took about a month to destress and I still have some resentment issues...one little piece of advice for the Big Day that was given to us and I totally appreciated - every 30 minutes or hour take a step back from whatever you are doing and absorb what's going on around you...alot of people who got married before us don't remember half their wedding and wished that they would have done just that...we're so glad we did it since, except for those moments, I barely remember anything! :eek:

i just meant that we don't have the money to get a new car before the wedding because we're paying for the whole thing. but thanks for the tips - we're pretty laid back and i think we'll enjoy it even if things do go wrong :)

[tamawrite]

I wouldn't consider myself an environmentalist by any stretch, but I do try to balance "green" living with economical practicality. A few things that come to mind:

Carpool with DH most days, which is fairly significant because we have a 35 mile commute.

Reuse plastic grocery bags, usually for carrying lunches to work.

Use only natural fertilizers on our property. (This is easy, since we have eight horses! :D )

Use washable cloths (from the dollar store) for housekeeping tasks, and keep chemicals to a minimum where practical.

Grow/raise as much of our own food as possible. This one is actually in the planning stages right now -- we'll be getting a herd of sheep in a couple weeks, and putting in a huge garden and fruit trees, berry vines, etc.

Also, our house is very energy efficient, as it is a geodesic dome with a Water Furnace for heating and cooling.

[AndreaU]

Everything Erin is doing AND planning to do except public transportation as it's not an option for us. (Plus, we only work 10 miles from work)

We are also pursuing switching to green energy. Need to do some more research and find out what it entails.

[erinlovesmarc]

Everything Erin is doing AND planning to do except public transportation as it's not an option for us. (Plus, we only work 10 miles from work)

We are also pursuing switching to green energy. Need to do some more research and find out what it entails.

We did some research on this too...we were looking at Geothermal but it's too $$$ for us right now...maybe our next house!

[jmarie]

I keep my school bus at home, rather than drive it back to the compound only to drive it back to my neighborhood the next day.

I purchased a weed burner torch kit for my friend who owns a small farm and doesn't prescribe to using pesticides.
http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/173845_lg.gif

Use a lot of vinegar and water in household chores rather than buying commercial chemicals.

I ask for paper instead of plastic.

Hopefully, all of this equals the Suburban I hope to purchase next year.

[bugzey]

Own a hybrid car (but use public transportation)
Own a relatively small house to minimize impact
Use compact fluorescent bulbs
Purchase carbon offsets

Also obvious things like recycling, reducing consumption and using Earth-friendly products for cleaning and gardening

[hlao23]

We're pretty much where you are Erin but I'd add that we compost and have a worm bin. Love the worm bin...so much faster than regular composting plus we keep it inside in the winter so we don't have to trek to the composter when it's totally aweful outside. :)

[kima]

I ask for paper instead of plastic.

Hopefully, all of this equals the Suburban I hope to purchase next year.

Ummm.....No.

[Canice]

Nothing innovative here:

Recycle everything possible
Use cloth/reusable grocery bags
Replaced all the windows
Replaced refrigerator w/energy star
Use natural laundry soap and personal care products
Eat mostly "natural" foods and support local farmers/restaurateurs
Getting estimates on having solar panels installed

Oh, and as stated on another thread, hope to return to composting now that our garbage collectors have provided in-kitchen bins.

[alicerh]

My suburb has started doing something I am really proud of. We can now recycle all magazines, junk mail and other paper in the newspaper recycle bin. I can't believe how much less my garbage can has now that all paper has been removed. They also hired a company to weekly pick up all yard waste including cut down trees ( they come around with a huge claw to pick stuff up) It is all chipped, composted and then given back to residents.

[rosen]

give us more ideas on how we can make our lives more “Green”



You are on the right track w/ what you are doing & planning on doing. Here are a few additional things to ponder:

Limit gagets that use batteries
Limit products that use ubber packaging
Limit buying clothing & household things that must be drycleaned
Use 1 bag for all purchases when you visit multiple stores (think Mall)
Limit trips & errands
Use the library instead of buying new books & magazines
Compost, compost, compost
Use shredded leaves as mulch instead of buying bags of it
Give up having a "perfect" lawn & go for more natural areas
Learn how to conserve water for lawns & plantings
Educate youself on how to control pests & diseases w/out chemicals
Use a rain barrel

Think about all the things you have plugged in all the time that drain energy constantly: IPods, recharging phones, computers, digital everythings, etc.... There have been studies done that prove that all these "things" use more energy than people are aware of. An energy efficient house isn't one if the lights are all on in empty rooms & gagets are always recharging or on.

Does your area have an enviormental agency? They are a good resource for further ideas.

[hlao23]

I forgot about the rain barrel thing...I so want one!

[stacy7272]

Use vinegar instead of fabric softener and to replace some cleaning products such as Windex and Hertel, etc.

I want to start using vinegar for cleaning too. I bought a big jug of vinegar and as I use up my current cleaning products I'm going to replace them with a vinegar solution.

My question is what is the formula for specific cleaning products? The one I'm going to need very soon is the stuff I spray onto the shower when I'm done to delay mildew growth (like Clean Shower). My friend said she uses vinegar for this and I was wondering what the ratio of vinegar is to water.

Also, what is the ratio for mirror/window cleaning?

[hlao23]

This website has some info http://www.guvswd.org/recipes

[erinlovesmarc]

I want to start using vinegar for cleaning too. I bought a big jug of vinegar and as I use up my current cleaning products I'm going to replace them with a vinegar solution.

My question is what is the formula for specific cleaning products? The one I'm going to need very soon is the stuff I spray onto the shower when I'm done to delay mildew growth (like Clean Shower). My friend said she uses vinegar for this and I was wondering what the ratio of vinegar is to water.

Also, what is the ratio for mirror/window cleaning?

What I usually do is fill up an empty Windex bottle with 1/5 vinegar and the rest water for window/mirrors...

What I do in the bathroom is use undiluted vinegar and then rinse with water....same for the kitchen counters/sink etc...

[beacooker]

Something I haven't seen mentioned yet:

Don't drink bottled water

[erinlovesmarc]

I want to start using vinegar for cleaning too. I bought a big jug of vinegar and as I use up my current cleaning products I'm going to replace them with a vinegar solution.

My question is what is the formula for specific cleaning products? The one I'm going to need very soon is the stuff I spray onto the shower when I'm done to delay mildew growth (like Clean Shower). My friend said she uses vinegar for this and I was wondering what the ratio of vinegar is to water.

Also, what is the ratio for mirror/window cleaning?

More uses for Vinegar...

http://frugalliving.about.com/cs/tips/a/vinegar.htm

What amazed me the most is how it works for laundry...after a tip I read somewhere, I started add vinegar directly in the wash when washing new dark jeans (and all the time now)...I've had the same pair for 6 months now and no fading yet...of course, I also turn them inside out, use dark soap, use the hand wash function, and air dry...It also works as a fabric softener in the wash...in the dryer I soak face clothes in vinegar and throw in (I also have one of those reusable anti-static cloths that I throw in too)...I was very skeptical at first but Vinegar rocks!

[wallingjan1]

We do lots of the things mentioned, but one I haven't seen mentioned is our clothes dryer. We've started hanging clothes on a rack inside (instant humidifier). I would love tips on how to reduce the little things that drain energy (phone, computer, etc.) Our electricity bill is ridiculous.

Pam

[donleyk]

I'm not having good results with the vinegar for cleaning the mirrors so I'm going back to windex.

Other than that I do a lot of what everyone else has mentioned. We installed a programable thermostat, we recycle, compost. I haven't yet forked over the $99 for a rain barrel but will. I do try to use cloth bags for grocery but if we do use plastic then we reuse and recycle.

I do drink bottled water. We have a 5 gallon dispenser and they reuse them so I'm okay with this. We also get the 20 oz bottles. We can not drink our water even after it's filtered. Nasty well water.

I try to drive as slow as I can on the freeway without getting mowed down. :D Driving 55 is better than 65-70. Sometimes it's not really an option. I won't risk getting killed for it but if traffic is light I try to go 55.

[muriel3002]

Doing:


Recycling
Changing over to Seventh Generation products (non-petroleum based)
Don't have a hybrid, but bought a "regular" Civic (I could not justify the price for the hybrid to my DH, although I really really wanted a Prius!)
Requesting paper instead of plastic as I figure paper is recyclable and I haven't found a place that takes plastic bags to recycle in Michigan (Zehrs used to in Ontario)
Only get the Sunday paper, and recycle that
Have been requesting newsletters that publish in cyberspace not to send me hardcopies any more.
Have gone paperless on many bills, and pay via automatic deductions.


Planning:


Composting more in the summer (DH kept filling up the composter with cr@p, and the bin is too far from the hose, so the whole thing has got to be emptied and re-started)
Look into worm composting - who knows
Change over to environmentally friendly kitty litter


Unfortunately public transit is out of the question as I live in the Motor City where the car is glorified, and the transit system is the worst.

[colleency]

I was thinking about having one green "resolution" a month, but I haven't started it yet.

Doing:
Always use canvas bags
Use cloths rather than paper towels
trying to recycle
don't take newspapers
Use "green" cleaners
wash in cold
drive high mpg cars (not hybrids)

thinking about:
getting silverware for my lunchbox to stop using plastic at work
using eco-friendly feminine hygiene monthly product
going back to cloth napkins
beating DH with a stick for leaving lights on (but then, I appear to be turning into my father:rolleyes: )
composting-it's hard *said in a whiny voice*
replacing more of our light bulbs (cf seem to take so long to come on-grr)
looking into that vinegar as a cleaner link
be better at recycling
accepting a friends offer of a solar panel to generate power for the pump in my pond (only if I can relocate pond)

[Miss_Liss]

We do a lot of the things mentioned too but a big thing for me is disposing of plastics very carefully, in order to save animals from potential harm. We live in a very urban area now so there is less risk of wildlife getting into the trash, but it all eventually ends up somewhere.

I rinse all containers very carefully before putting in the trash and cut all plastic rings from plastic milk/juice bottles and six-pack packaging. I'm also extra careful disposing of plastic wrappers and containers, especially when outdoors.

When I was young, I would lecture my dad about disposing of fishing lines etc too. He was a big animal lover so was always careful but I'd seen documentaries on the harm it could do (and was a bossy-boots too) :D

[erinlovesmarc]

I was thinking about having one green "resolution" a month, but I haven't started it yet.

Doing:
Always use canvas bags
Use cloths rather than paper towels
trying to recycle
don't take newspapers
Use "green" cleaners
wash in cold
drive high mpg cars (not hybrids)

thinking about:
getting silverware for my lunchbox to stop using plastic at work
using eco-friendly feminine hygiene monthly product
going back to cloth napkins
beating DH with a stick for leaving lights on (but then, I appear to be turning into my father:rolleyes: )
composting-it's hard *said in a whiny voice*
replacing more of our light bulbs (cf seem to take so long to come on-grr)
looking into that vinegar as a cleaner link
be better at recycling
accepting a friends offer of a solar panel to generate power for the pump in my pond (only if I can relocate pond)

Here's another link...

http://www.angelfire.com/cantina/homemaking/vinegar.html

[erinlovesmarc]

Another one...

http://www.vinegartips.com/

[stacy7272]

Thanks hlao23 and Erin for the tips/links! Those are very helpful.

I love the idea about the vinegar soaked wash cloth in the dryer. I use community washers/dryers in my condo complex so I don't use liquid fabric softner (treking out to the laundry 3 times per load is enough) but this gives me a way to not use the dryer sheets! I'll have to look into the reuseable static sheets because the static would be out of control otherwise.

[erinlovesmarc]

Thanks hlao23 and Erin for the tips/links! Those are very helpful.

I love the idea about the vinegar soaked wash cloth in the dryer. I use community washers/dryers in my condo complex so I don't use liquid fabric softner (treking out to the laundry 3 times per load is enough) but this gives me a way to not use the dryer sheets! I'll have to look into the reuseable static sheets because the static would be out of control otherwise.

These are the static sheets I bought...I bought at an organic grocery store but I saw them recently at a local hardware store too...

https://shop.sixwise.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=142

[erinlovesmarc]

I didn't really think they did much fabric softening so that's why I starting throwing in the extra face cloths soaked in vinegar but for the Static they work great!

[kwabeke]

Thanks for all of the great ideas! I'm trying to adopt more "green" habits as well, but old habits die hard.
I recently purchased Heavy Duty Resuable Grocery Bags by ACME from reusablebags.com. They are wonderful - hold a LOT of groceries, with wonderful handles, etc! I love not having the clutter of plastic bags around too.
I've also been enjoying watching Living with Ed on HGTV. It is about Ed Begley Jr. and his very green lifestyle. He has so many great ideas, some very large scale, but also some smaller everday ideas.

[hlao23]

thinking about:
getting silverware for my lunchbox to stop using plastic at work
using eco-friendly feminine hygiene monthly product


I go back and forth on the silverwear thing too...beat myself up about it frequently :rolleyes: :)

Feminine hygiene - just wondering if you're talking about the re-usable one (is it called "the keeper" or something like that). I've always been curious but not curious enough to try...I've heard very mixed reviews.

[muriel3002]

I go back and forth on the silverwear thing too...beat myself up about it frequently :rolleyes: :)



I take home the plastic forks/knives/spoons and wash them in the dishwasher. I then bring them back to work and keep at stash at my desk for when I forget to bring silverware.

[slknight]

Feminine hygiene - just wondering if you're talking about the re-usable one (is it called "the keeper" or something like that). I've always been curious but not curious enough to try...I've heard very mixed reviews.

I use the Diva Cup with cloth pads as backup. I love it! If anyone has any questions, let me know (now that I've officially outed myself as a crunchy weirdo on this subject.:p ),

[rosen]

when we restart our renovations in April…

What are you going to do w/ the old materials when you start doing your renovations? Are there companies in your area that can re-use or re-purpose any of the stuff you are going to tear out? Any Habitat re-sale stores or vintage junk yards? It's worth checking into if you do. You would be surprised what some of these places will take. Some will come & pick up & some you have to take to them. Some will even pay you! But even if not--it's nice to not have your waste just going to the landfill.

Example: Our very first simple renovation was to replace all the original 1960 hollow core slab doors w/ wood. We were able to donate 16 doors to a local high school art department. The kids used some of the doors to paint murals on that are now hanging in the cafe. The rest were hinged to be used as large display screens for hanging artwork at shows. The art teacher (a friend of mine) was thrilled to get them.

[erinlovesmarc]

What are you going to do w/ the old materials when you start doing your renovations? Are there companies in your area that can re-use or re-purpose any of the stuff you are going to tear out? Any Habitat re-sale stores or vintage junk yards? It's worth checking into if you do. You would be surprised what some of these places will take. Some will come & pick up & some you have to take to them. Some will even pay you! But even if not--it's nice to not have your waste just going to the landfill.

Example: Our very first simple renovation was to replace all the original 1960 hollow core slab doors w/ wood. We were able to donate 16 doors to a local high school art department. The kids used some of the doors to paint murals on that are now hanging in the cafe. The rest were hinged to be used as large display screens for hanging artwork at shows. The art teacher (a friend of mine) was thrilled to get them.

Oh we're definitely calling Habitat for Humanity to pick up anything they want...most of the stuff we're replacing is old but still working so it would turn my stomach to see it end up in the trash!!!! :eek:

[colleency]

Feminine hygiene - just wondering if you're talking about the re-usable one (is it called "the keeper" or something like that). I've always been curious but not curious enough to try...I've heard very mixed reviews.

Yes. I keep meaning to give it a try, and I never remember to look when I'm at the drugstore.

[greatcook]

Think about all the things you have plugged in all the time that drain energy constantly: IPods, recharging phones, computers, digital everythings, etc.... There have been studies done that prove that all these "things" use more energy than people are aware of. An energy efficient house isn't one if the lights are all on in empty rooms & gagets are always recharging or on.

I read a great tip on this somewhere, which I now use. Get a powerstrip- use it for all your charging needs, cell phones, blackberrys, camera, laptop- keep the power strip switch off, except when you recharge your items once a week. It's still convenient, because you don't have to unplug a bunch of cords each time. Apparently this saves a lot of energy....

[luv2cook]

they've done studies on the hybrids; and from an economical side, they're not a good deal, unfortunately. Now, gas mileage, yes. But what it costs you to have this car -- not to mention the cost of the battery -- is not good.

Now, if someone has new information, I'm all ears. But to me, the car makers price the hybrids higher...My car I bought gets 24/32. Now obviously that's not 50 miles to the gallon...if you're strictly in it for gas milegage, by all means...

[TKay]

I could get one of those static sheets and just hang it around my neck. Ack! I hate static. I shock my hand on my car door all the time. The air gets so dry.
Anyway, you guys are doing so much--I'm impressed. I feel like a slacker. I'm doing the basic stuff like recycling, keeping the lights off, turning down the heat, etc. But I could do so much more.
I'm grateful for all the tips on vinegar. I'm going to check that out. I'm also talking to dh about going for a hybrid next car. I just about have him convinced. He's concerned about the cost of repairs. Anyone have info on this?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to check into composting also. That one hadn't even crossed my mind.
Here's to a greener world.

[TKay]

I use the Diva Cup with cloth pads as backup. I love it! If anyone has any questions, let me know (now that I've officially outed myself as a crunchy weirdo on this subject.:p ),

I'll take you up on this, miss crunch. What is that? I've never even heard of it.

[rosen]

Re: using real silverware for brown bagged lunches.........

DH takes leftovers for lunch every day. I usually package up the leftovers from the night before into those single serving corning ware containers (freezer/fridge/oven/mw). In the morning he grabs one of those out of the fridge along w/ & a spoon or fork from the drawer. He loves heating up his lunch & sitting there w/ a "real" dish & "real" silverware. All the women in the lunchroom envy his homecooked meal & "china & silverware" as they sit there w/ their lean whatever frozen dinners in plastic. He likes that he creates no trash. It's so easy & cheap & everyone thinks it's so over the top!

[SheRa]

Re: using real silverware for brown bagged lunches.........

DH takes leftovers for lunch every day. I usually package up the leftovers from the night before into those single serving corning ware containers (freezer/fridge/oven/mw). In the morning he grabs one of those out of the fridge along w/ & a spoon or fork from the drawer. He loves heating up his lunch & sitting there w/ a "real" dish & "real" silverware. All the women in the lunchroom envy his homecooked meal & "china & silverware" as they sit there w/ their lean whatever frozen dinners in plastic. He likes that he creates no trash. It's so easy & cheap & everyone thinks it's so over the top!

that's great! the best i could do was to get DF to bring in tupperware. but i prep it the same way you do, because i have zero free time in the morning, and i'm a night owl:). his coworkers (and mine too, actually) always oogle our lunches because they're "real". we're just trying to save money!

[rosen]

that's great! the best i could do was to get DF to bring in tupperware.


Ha! All it took was for him to melt a couple of rubbermaid containers in the mw (& then not have anything for lunch) to nix those! He now only uses plastic for items that stay cold or room temp!

[badunnin]

Muriel - the only reason I go to Walmart anymore is to drop off my plastic bags. They have a bin to recycle.


Use canvas bags or my backpack when shopping, except when I need bags to clean out kitty litter!
Tote all my kids plastic bottles home to put in my recycling bin We don't recycle plastic at the school, so I figure I can at least be respsonsible for the plastic in my classroom.
Next car will be a hybrid, darn the cost. Ford Escape is what I'm looking at, as I have a kayak that I need to transport.
Combining trips when I'm out and about.
Walking to the grocery store when I just need a few items, and walking to the sushi place, bank, brewery, and anyplace else that is close enough.
Using vinegar for many household cleaning projects.
Combining laundry as much as I can. Living by myself, I only have so many clothes, and if it's not quite a full load, well, then....
Bought Energy Star appliances for my new kitchen
Installed a programmable thermostat, and set it for 59 during the day and overnight, and 62 in the morning and evenings
Put plastic on my windows (can't afford to replace them yet!)
Change my furnace filter regularly to make it run more efficient
All my light bulbs that can be energy efficient ones are.


One thing I can't give up yet - my baths. Just can't do it.

[muriel3002]

Muriel - the only reason I go to Walmart anymore is to drop off my plastic bags. They have a bin to recycle.


Use canvas bags or my backpack when shopping, except when I need bags to clean out kitty litter!
Tote all my kids plastic bottles home to put in my recycling bin We don't recycle plastic at the school, so I figure I can at least be respsonsible for the plastic in my classroom.
Next car will be a hybrid, darn the cost. Ford Escape is what I'm looking at, as I have a kayak that I need to transport.
Combining trips when I'm out and about.
Walking to the grocery store when I just need a few items, and walking to the sushi place, bank, brewery, and anyplace else that is close enough.
Using vinegar for many household cleaning projects.
Combining laundry as much as I can. Living by myself, I only have so many clothes, and if it's not quite a full load, well, then....
Bought Energy Star appliances for my new kitchen
Installed a programmable thermostat, and set it for 59 during the day and overnight, and 62 in the morning and evenings
Put plastic on my windows (can't afford to replace them yet!)
Change my furnace filter regularly to make it run more efficient
All my light bulbs that can be energy efficient ones are.


One thing I can't give up yet - my baths. Just can't do it.

Walmart! Good to know. I absolutely hate the one in Livonia. Who shops, looks at clothes and drops them on the ground? The whole place is a mess and dirty.

We also have (here's my bad secret) a 98 Dodge Dakota. We hardly ever drive it now except when DH goes to Home Depot or Lowe's (he's finishing the basement), and for transporting our kayaks, and people who ask to help move something. DH drives a company car - a gas guzzler, but he's got little choice about the type of vehicle he drives.

I think I've eaten in your neighborhood ;) . . . brewery at one corner, sushi place up the strip a bit. . .

My nearest grocery store is Farmer Jack's and I don't like to shop there. I usually stop at Westborn on my way home (not the one on Woodward, but in the western 'burbs).

[badunnin]

I think I've eaten in your neighborhood ;) . . . brewery at one corner, sushi place up the strip a bit. . .


That be my neighbourhood all right! :D

[beacooker]

I'll take you up on this, miss crunch. What is that? I've never even heard of it.

www.divacup.com (http://www.divacup.com) I love mine, and don't need to use anything as a backup.

[mbrogier]

We couldn't afford a hybrid, but our accord regularly averages 30mpg on dh's commute even with a lot of city driving. No direct train route or he'd take it.

*We recycle everything we can
*Cold water wash only
*Reusable dryer packs made of lavender (buy at Trader Joes)
*Compost bin
*I'm an artist that tries to recycle old clothing into new items (still working on different methods--great on wool sweaters)
*A lot of our furniture is old items I've redone or we bought 2nd hand
*Getting a hysterectomy, so no waste of paper products there :p (gotta see the good, right?)

We're trying to eat more vegetarian and more locally. I'm doing more research on this subject. We are very techy, but we do use what we can to lower the electrical demand. We love power strips and energy efficient light bulbs. We've saved a lot of money, too.

As for the heat, I don't do well when I'm cold--so I do turn up the heat when I need it (it affects my hands) We have radiant heat which is pretty efficient. We don't own this house, so we can't do much to make it more energy efficient. If I owned this house, I'd replace the water tank with the tankless water heater.

[slknight]

www.divacup.com (http://www.divacup.com) I love mine, and don't need to use anything as a backup.

Yep. That's the one. I generally don't need backup either, but I'm paranoid. :rolleyes: And I like cloth.:o

I will say that most people say there's a learning curve with the Diva Cup. I hated it the first month or two but have been using it for about two years now and I love it.

[TKay]

www.divacup.com (http://www.divacup.com) I love mine, and don't need to use anything as a backup.

Interesting. I've never even heard of these before. Can you get them at any regular store? Don't answer that. I can probably find that out on the web site. I just skimmed it, but I'll go back and read further. :D
Thanks for the link.

[mbrogier]

Interesting. I've never even heard of these before. Can you get them at any regular store? Don't answer that. I can probably find that out on the web site. I just skimmed it, but I'll go back and read further. :D
Thanks for the link.

Target carries an item similar to the Diva called Instead. I've never tried them.

[beacooker]

From what I've read on the bb, I think the Instead cup is disposable though, while the Diva cup lasts for years. TKay, I ordered mine from the website I posted.

[erinlovesmarc]

I could get one of those static sheets and just hang it around my neck. Ack! I hate static. I shock my hand on my car door all the time. The air gets so dry.
Anyway, you guys are doing so much--I'm impressed. I feel like a slacker. I'm doing the basic stuff like recycling, keeping the lights off, turning down the heat, etc. But I could do so much more.
I'm grateful for all the tips on vinegar. I'm going to check that out. I'm also talking to dh about going for a hybrid next car. I just about have him convinced. He's concerned about the cost of repairs. Anyone have info on this?
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm going to check into composting also. That one hadn't even crossed my mind.
Here's to a greener world.

Don't beat yourself up!!! DH and I didn't decide to change everything all at once...take small steps...start with one thing and then build on it...:)

[erinlovesmarc]

www.divacup.com (http://www.divacup.com) I love mine, and don't need to use anything as a backup.

I just looked into this...I think I'm going to order one...thanks for the info :)

[pointerhaven]

Recycle glass plastic and allumiunm...I have to drive to the recyle center, so I usually have my SUV full when I go.
I plan out all my errands, so that I use time and driving/gasoline conservatively.
Wash our clothes in cold water only and wait for big loads before doing laundry
Using all-natural cleaning products MElaluca Company products that are environmentally safe.
Use washable cloths for dusting and cleaning
replace all the lights in our house with energy efficient ones, where possible.
Use reusable paper bags for groceries, when torn, they go in the compost
Turn down the heat when we aren’t home
Have replaced our thermostats for programmable electronic ones
We heat with Propane, it's cleaner and save electricity
Looking into a Hybrid car when I do change, but that will be a while. I drive a big SUV at present, because of the dogs. However, I do drive my small car during the spring fall and summer, driving the SUV only when I'm hauling dogs or other large capacity driving, such as an Rescue Transport moving many dogs.
Compost grass cutting and green scraps, and reuse compost in the garden.
Water garden, when necessary with drip or specific spray irrigation in am and never during heat of the day.
Recycle clothing and household goods with Goodwill or Habitat for Humanities.
Use shredded paper from office donated to Animal Shelter for Cat litter.
Use packing pods for space savers in flower pots.
__________________

[alicerh]

We don't own this house, so we can't do much to make it more energy efficient. If I owned this house, I'd replace the water tank with the tankless water heater.

I bought a tankless 2 years ago and love it. I have heard you can put a programable thermostat on water heaters so you don't heat water during the hours you won't be using water ( night and during day if no one is at home)

[jem927]

I have heard you can put a programable thermostat on water heaters so you don't heat water during the hours you won't be using water ( night and during day if no one is at home)

In my last townhouse, I installed a timer on my hot water heater so that it only came on for about an hour in the morning (for showers) and then a few hours in the late afternoon/early evening for washing dishes, etc. It also had a switch for turning it on and off if I needed to. It worked quite well, but I left it behind when I moved to my new home - gas hot water - so no chance of a timer there.

Everyone has alot of great ideas - I'm definitely looking for new ideas on the "green" issue.

Thanks!

Jamie

[LonghornGal]

My brother recently installed a grey water bucket on the outlet of his washing machine. He has a 55 gallon plastic drum that he can hook a hose up to and uses it to water plants in the yard.
It was easy - route drain hose to barrel.

He says 2 loads has it overflowing. I am getting him to do mine as well. You can still use any biodegradable soaps just not fabric softener.

[hlao23]

My brother recently installed a grey water bucket on the outlet of his washing machine. He has a 55 gallon plastic drum that he can hook a hose up to and uses it to water plants in the yard.
It was easy - route drain hose to barrel.

He says 2 loads has it overflowing. I am getting him to do mine as well. You can still use any biodegradable soaps just not fabric softener.

That's pretty cool! Never heard of it. I'm guessing using vinegar as fabric softer/static control is out of the question with this too? It would still hurt the plants, I think.

[LonghornGal]

You can't use regular fabric softener or detergents with softeners. They still use dryer sheets. Also they have a diverter valve to the regular drain line for those times where they want to use softeners or wash something greasy.

It was really easy to do, he looked it up online.

[Paula H]

In addition to recycling, composting, cutting out excessive electricity consumption, etc etc etc, we also...
- Garden organically - I guess we're about 90-95% organic at this point. Our garden is all edibles.
- Dry everything either outside or on the washing lines we've put up in the garage. No clothesdryer here!
- Aim to make our "large" purchases (e.g. furniture) as good a quality as we can afford and we avoid trendy and "fashionable" styles, so that our purchase will last a lonnnnnng time, thereby reducing waste.
- Avoid buying gadgets that become quickly outdated and that have high energy requirements to produce (no ipods, cellphones, etc)

When we renovate our house in 10 to 15 years time, we're installing as many energy efficient appliances as we can - fridge, freezer, oven, rangehood, showerhead (well, that's water efficient, not energy efficient!). We're also going to replace our hot water cylinder with solar hot water - either when we renovate or when our current (30 year old) cylinder goes kaput, whichever comes first.

We're also wanting to include grey water systems when we do the renovation - we saw a fantastic system at a home show a couple of years ago that allows you to divert your grey water to the garden at the flick of a switch. Dr Love would also like to look at installing a raintank to collect water from our garage that can be used for the garden.

And if money was not an issue - our entire roof (house and garage) would be covered in solar panels!

[honeygirl1971]

We do most of the stuff mentioned here, except composting and growing our own food since we live in a condo in a city, and we haven't replaced any of our appliances yet but we do use the energy saver cycles, cold water wash, etc. Our thermostat and water heater are programmable and we save a lot of energy that way. We recycle, use reusable grocery bags, compact fluorescent light bulbs, paperless bills, power strips turned OFF when not in use for computer, tv, etc. I use environmentally friendly cleaning products, but have not tried cleaning with vinegar yet. I don't like fabric softener (b/c I don't like all the perfumes) and don't use it, but I'm interested to see what effect vinegar has in the wash--we have very hard water and I'd like to try it.

I think the BEST thing we do is we almost NEVER drive. We take public transpo, bike, or walk EVERYWHERE--for grocery shopping, for errands, for well-baby appointments, deliveries for the bakery, just about everything. On a RARE occasion we will borrow the ILs car if we need to go somewhere and get something large (like a bookcase), but that is an extremely rare occurrence.

We also pay careful attention to the fish we buy! We don't buy or eat fish that is overfished or raised in ways that are damaging to the environment. And in addition to recycling, we have really reduced our consumption in general.

[helene]

Good thread.

I do like a lot of you:

Recycle & compost
Wash our clothes in cold water
Hang our clothes to dry even in the winter months (in the basement)
Use vinegar
Also use Avon bubble bath to clean windows and bath
Dust with washable cloths
We have Energy Star appliances
I bought lot's of reusable fabric bags and use them for anything like grocery, library
I don't subscribe to the newspaper
We keep the heat low even in the winter
We always use real cutlery for lunches, camping etc.
We send our old furniture to people in need
Also the clothes are sent to the Salvation Army
I buy almost all our clothes, purses, books at a second hand store
We always turn off the lights, TV, radios when we are not using them


I'm sure I am missing some.

[Curiosity Hears]

What we are doing:

buy organic produce, milk & meat & poultry -- locally produced where I can
use canvas bags when shopping
try not to buy things with excessive packaging
don't buy bottled water instead we have a good reverse osmosis unit
compost
have all energy efficient appliances including air conditioner (big savings in so. cal)
replaced windows with high end double pained, tinted windows (it is amazing the difference in insulation these make)
share the fruit from our orange tree (it survived the big chill this winter!)
buy detergents with no or very little phosphorus
replaced all toilettes with Kohler's 1.6 gallon per flush
scrap all food off plates, pots, pans, storage containers into trash (sometimes to the dogs ;) )almost never use garbage disposal

Plan on doing:

as we landscape we are doing so with plants for southwest climate
will be planting first vegetable/herb garden this spring
go more organic with cleaning supplies (How does murphy oil soap rank? love this product)

Someday would like to do:

next car will be either a hybrid or alternative fuel automobile
get house solar powered

[Curiosity Hears]

Can't believe I forgot to include the most obvious thing that we do to help do our part is recycle everything that can be recycled.
Also, we keep all our used batteries (which aren't many) and when they have a drive at the city to collect them we bring them to the proper site.

[sneezles]

I'm not having good results with the vinegar for cleaning the mirrors so I'm going back to windex.



I use microfiber cloths with no cleaning solution on mirrors and windows. They're sold as e-cloths or magic cloths. Get it wet wring it dry and clean mirrors and windows. Dry, they're the best dust cloths and I have mop heads as well so I don't use chemicals for dusting or cleaning floors either.

The latest issue of Home & Garden is about going green and there is an article about non-toxic, non-chemical paints that sounds great. It's based in LA and the prices are not bad. I'll be looking into that when it comes time to paint.

I've been using canvas grocery/shopping bags for over 15 years. It's fun to go into one retailer with another's bag and get comments (not usually very nice ones) and my reply was that if they sold the bags I'd probably buy them. Can't believe every retailer hasn't seen the value of this marketing tool!:rolleyes:

We recycle and compost and do a lot of the things listed here but it just never seems like enough! We only make weekly trips for errands because of the distances we have to drive. Will have to re-read this thread more closely to find other ways.

[RobinC]

I'm a big supporter of renewable energy - especially wind energy. Who here has signed up with their power company to support renewable/wind energy?

[granolagirl]

Great thread! :) We do a lot of the same things as everyone else:

Recycle
Wash our clothes in cold water
Turned down the water heater
Dust with washable cloths
New windows, HVAC system (furnace, AC, etc.)
Use CFL bulbs
Reusable bags
Buy local
Refuse bags at the store when they are not needed
Turn the heat down when not home, at night
Turn things off when not in use
Have a front loading/high efficient washer (our water bill is SO small!)
Buy as much as we can from the farmers market (all grown/produced locally)
Support local organic farmers
Buy local, organic milk in glass bottles (they are returnable)
Use Shaklee Basic H, which is organic, for cleaning
Paperless bills

We moved recently, so we haven't had a chance to do the following yet:

Install a clothesline
We'll use "green" paint when we paint
When we remodel, we'll get energy star appliances and use as many green materials as possible. We'll also donate old materials to Habitat ReStore.
Plant an organic garden
Landscape
Need to buy more indoor plants

I'm a big supporter of renewable energy - especially wind energy. Who here has signed up with their power company to support renewable/wind energy?
We did have wind power, but then we moved and they don't offer it where we now live. :( We loved having it though!

[cherylopal]

lots of good ideas that i can add to my list.

i was worried about the battery with the hybrid but bought myself a smaller car that gets decent gas mileage but drives nice

i would add my diet- whole foods, plant based- and i buy locally whenever i can (amish market and farmers markets) which is a bit of a challenge this time of year.

i have two lunch boxes that are reusable and bought bamboo utensils- washable and sustainable.

i was thinking of trying these dryer balls- has anyone used them?
http://www.nellieslaundry.com/

[erinlovesmarc]

lots of goos ideas that i can add to my list.

i was worried about the battery with the hybrid but bought myself a smaller car that gets decent gas mileage but drives nice

i would add my diet- whole foods, plant based- and i buy locally whenever i can (amish market and farmers markets) which is a bit of a challenge this time of year.

i have two lunch boxes that are reusable and bought bamboo utensils- washable and sustainable.

i was thinking of trying these dryer balls- has anyone used them?
http://www.nellieslaundry.com/

Those dryer balls look cool...never used them myself...I use a reuseable cloth type...maybe I'll try these when my clothes are on the fritz...

[cherylopal]

Those dryer balls look cool...never used them myself...I use a reuseable cloth type...maybe I'll try these when my clothes are on the fritz...


what kind of cloths? are you happy with them?

[erinlovesmarc]

what kind of cloths? are you happy with them?

This is what I use http://www.staticeliminator.ca/page/page/363949.htm ...I love them...you really have to use both at the same time though...frugal me, the first box I bought I figured I would try to use one at a time - didn't work - then I read the box and you really have to use both at the same time...I would say that I replace them every 6 months...they do soften but I like my towels etc extra fluffy so I soak some rags in vinegar and add them in too...works like a charm!

[cherylopal]

thanks erin! i may try both and see which is better.

[erinlovesmarc]

I just read this on a David Suzuki Newsletter...I'm using a natural dish soap for the environment but I didn't realize they were bad for our health too! Scary...! :eek:

Let's dish on dish soap

Did you know that conventional dishwashing liquid and detergent is full of nasty chemicals with weird names such as:

Acetone
Benzaldehyde
Benzyl Acetate
Benzyl Alcohol
Camphor
Ethyl Acetate
Limonene
Linalool
a-Pinene

Potential risks from exposure to this stuff includes central nervous system disorders, damage to the immune system, respiratory disturbances, and headaches. Luckily, there are safer alternatives. Many grocery stores now sell organic products and eco-friendly alternatives. Brand names include: Seventh Generation, Ecover and BioVert. Check your local shelves, you may find other eco-friendly alternatives, too.

Tip: Your best bet is to spend a little more on a safe product. You and your family will be better off in the long run.

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/WOL/Challenge/Newsletter/march2006_toxic/page3.asp

[erinlovesmarc]

http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/household/carcinogens_home.htm

If you click on the link in the 3rd paragraph it gives a list of chemicals that are harmful! Good to know!

[tea4one]

This is what I use http://www.staticeliminator.ca/page/page/363949.htm ...I love them...you really have to use both at the same time though...frugal me, the first box I bought I figured I would try to use one at a time - didn't work - then I read the box and you really have to use both at the same time...I would say that I replace them every 6 months...they do soften but I like my towels etc extra fluffy so I soak some rags in vinegar and add them in too...works like a charm!

Wow, Thanks Erin. I never thought of adding a cloth soaked in vinegar and use it just like you would a softener sheet. What kind of cloth do you use? I have some diaper cloth material so I think I will try that, it should be lint-free. I don't want to use a terry cloth material as it will cause lint and get on the other clothes.

[tea4one]

http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/household/carcinogens_home.htm

If you click on the link in the 3rd paragraph it gives a list of chemicals that are harmful! Good to know!

Thank you. I will print this out and put it on the refrigerator.

[erinlovesmarc]

This is a good site too...you can look up any product and see what ingredients are in it!

http://hpd.nlm.nih.gov/index.htm

[erinlovesmarc]

Wow, Thanks Erin. I never thought of adding a cloth soaked in vinegar and use it just like you would a softener sheet. What kind of cloth do you use? I have some diaper cloth material so I think I will try that, it should be lint-free. I don't want to use a terry cloth material as it will cause lint and get on the other clothes.

For my towel/bed sheet loads I just use a face cloth or a rag soaked in vinegar...

For everything else I use my reuseable dusting cloths soaked in vinegar...they serve 2 purposes, they soften and then when they are dry they attract the lint so it saves me time with my dark loads...don't have to get out the lint brush...

[cherylopal]

I thought of one more thing that I do that might be green- an idea from flylady.

I have a stack of washrags and cheap shampoo that I use 3-4 times a week to clean out my shower just before I get out. I soap up a washrag and quickly wipe and rinse. It keeps the shower so much cleaner even the black crap that loves my caulk and this seems much less harsh than other cleaners. When I do my weekly shower cleaning, the shower is not as dirty so I use less cleaner then and the baking soda/vinegar is enough to clean the bottom.

[Laurielee]

I look at every container before it goes in the trash, I cant believe the things we can now recycle like prescription bottles, a lot of lids, etc. I re-use my ziplocks until they fall apart. I recycle my grocery bags, so does anyone know are plastic or paper better. I am trying to use more cloths than paper-towls. I stay away from throw away cleaning clothes like swiffer things and handi wipes. After reading this thread I just bought my first 7th generaton product, their lavander dish soap and love it. I only run the dishwasher when its full, same for laundry.

Laurie

[newsomz]

I use the Diva Cup with cloth pads as backup. I love it!

Me too. I don't even need the cloth pads as a backup. The Diva Cup is wonderful! I'd highly recommend giving it a try.

Doing:
Recycle everything possible
Take lunch in reusable containers
Use mostly natural laundry/cleaning products
Eat local or organic
Try to remember my cloth grocery bags!
Ride my bike to work everyday (I don't have a parking pass so driving isn't an option)
Check out books from the library
Only buy what's necessary
Have a front loading/high efficient washer
Paperless bills

Thinking about:
Composting
Getting a rain barrel
Making a large set of cloth napkins
Getting rags to use instead of paper towels
Replacing windows
Solar water heater
Growing some of our own food

-carrie

[slknight]

For my towel/bed sheet loads I just use a face cloth or a rag soaked in vinegar...

For everything else I use my reuseable dusting cloths soaked in vinegar...they serve 2 purposes, they soften and then when they are dry they attract the lint so it saves me time with my dark loads...don't have to get out the lint brush...

I tried this the other day. It seems to have cut down on static, but some of my clothes really smell like vinegar now. :confused: Do you have this problem?

[erinlovesmarc]

I tried this the other day. It seems to have cut down on static, but some of my clothes really smell like vinegar now. :confused: Do you have this problem?

NO, never! My clothes always come out of the dryer smelling like well...nothing...just clean! Not sure why yours still smell like vinegar, they shouldn't...:confused:

[granolagirl]

Ace Hardware has microfiber cleaning clothes on sale for $1. I bought a few.

[Robyn1007]

Bumping this back up as I took a big step in going green today. I am now going to be taking the bus/light rail to work 4-5 times a week which saves about 80 miles a day. The only time I will drive it to work is when I need to do some errands either at lunch or on the way home. It means getting up earlier and a slightly longer commute time-wise but I figure at least I can read or knit while I ride and it will cost me less as well, especially now that gas is over $3.00 per gallon here. I also need to go order some of those bags posted on the other thread....

[erinlovesmarc]

Bumping this back up as I took a big step in going green today. I am now going to be taking the bus/light rail to work 4-5 times a week which saves about 80 miles a day. The only time I will drive it to work is when I need to do some errands either at lunch or on the way home. It means getting up earlier and a slightly longer commute time-wise but I figure at least I can read or knit while I ride and it will cost me less as well, especially now that gas is over $3.00 per gallon here. I also need to go order some of those bags posted on the other thread....

That's great Robyn :D ...I take the subway into work everyday (about 40 minutes both ways) and I find that I'm alot less stressed out when I get to work since I'm never stuck in traffic...I read books also to pass the time and I'm alot happier! Plus it's great that I'm doing something to contribute to saving the environment! :)

[MISSINDI]

What is a rain barrel?

Oprah did an episode recently, and although I try and do what I can, I have definitely become a little more conscious of other things since her episode.

I ordered the canvas bags from eco-bags to use for when getting produce at the store, instead of those plastic bags.

I bought a set of recycle containers from www.dwr.com.

All lightbulbs are now those energy saver ones.

[Grace]

Perhaps a little sensationally written, but still important information to consider regarding the CFL lightbulbs (which I have in my home - almost very single bulb is one of these bulbs. I have to be VERY careful with them and figure out where to dispose of them!).

By Joseph Farah
© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

WASHINGTON - Brandy Bridges heard the claims of government officials, environmentalists and retailers like Wal-Mart all pushing the idea of replacing incandescent light bulbs with energy-saving and money-saving compact fluorescent lamps.

So, last month, the Prospect, Maine, resident went out and bought two dozen CFLs and began installing them in her home. One broke. A month later, her daughter's bedroom remains sealed off with plastic like the site of a hazardous materials accident, while Bridges works on a way to pay off a $2,000 estimate by a company specializing in environmentally sound cleanups of the mercury inside the bulb.

With everyone from Al Gore to Wal-Mart to the Environmental Protection Agency promoting CFLs as the greatest thing since, well, the light bulb, consumers have been left in the dark about a problem they will all face eventually - how to get rid of the darn things when they burn out or, worse yet, break.


CFLs are all the rage. They are the spirally shaped, long-lasting bulbs everyone is being urged, cajoled and guilt-tripped into purchasing to replace Thomas Edison's incandescents, which are being compared to sports utility vehicles for their impracticality and energy inefficiency. However, there is no problem disposing of incandescents when their life is over. You can throw them in the trash can and they won't hurt the garbage collector. They won't leech deadly compounds into the air or water. They won't kill people working in the landfills.


The same cannot be said about the mercury-containing CFLs. They bear disposal warnings on the packaging. But with limited recycling prospects and the problems experienced by Brandy Bridges sure to be repeated millions of times, some think government, the green community and industry are putting the cart before the horse marketing the new technology so ferociously.

Consider her plight.

When the bulb she was installing in a ceiling fixture of her 7-year-old daughter's bedroom crashed to the floor and broke into the shag carpet, she wasn't sure what to do. Knowing about the danger of mercury, she called Home Depot, the retail outlet that sold her the bulbs.

According to the <http://www.wnd.com/redir/r.asp?http://ellsworthmaine.com> Ellison American, the store warned her not to vacuum the carpet and directed her to call the poison control hotline in Prospect, Maine. Poison control staffers suggested she call the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The latter sent over a specialist to test the air in her house for mercury levels. While the rest of the house was clear, the area of the accident was contaminated above the level considered safe. The specialist warned Bridges not to clean up the bulb and mercury powder by herself - recommending a local environmental cleanup firm.

That company estimated the cleanup cost, conservatively, at $2,000. And, no, her homeowners insurance won't cover the damage.

Since she could not afford the cleanup, Bridges has been forced to seal off her daughter's bedroom with plastic to avoid any dust blowing around. Not even the family pets are permitted in to the bedroom. Her daughter is forced to sleep downstairs in an overcrowded household.


She has continued to call public officials for help - her two U.S. senators included. So far, no one is beating down Bridges' door to help - not even Al Gore, whose Academy Award-winning movie, "An Inconvenient Truth," urges everyone to change to CFLs to save the planet from global warming.

Bridges is not alone.

Elizabeth Doermann of Vanderbilt, Tenn., had a similar experience. After her CFL bulb broke - because the cat knocked over a lamp - she didn't call Home Depot. Instead, she did what she had always done when old-fashioned incandescent bulbs had broken. She vacuumed up the mess.

Only then did she learn about the mercury hazard.

"If I had known it had mercury in it, I would have been a lot more careful," she told the Tennessean. "I wouldn't have vacuumed it up. That blew the mercury probably all through the house."

The warnings on the packages of some of the new bulbs are in fine print - hard to read. They are also voluntary, with many bulbs being sold and distributed with no disposal warnings at all.

Charmain Miles of Toronto, Canada, had another frightening experience with a CFL bulb.

Last month she smelled smoke on the second floor of her home, only to discover it was emanating from a new energy-efficient bulb.

"I was horrified," she told a local TV station. "I went through every place
upstairs and took out every bulb."

The bulb had been placed in a track-lighting fixture. Though the bulb contained no warning about such fixtures, it turns out CFLs are not for use in track, recessed or dimmer fixtures.


And while the Consumers Council of Canada advises not to purchase any package of CFL bulbs that contains no instructions, <http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54822> the entire country is on a timetable to eliminate entirely the only alternative - the incandescent bulb.


In fact, practically the whole world - fearing global warming - is getting ready to ban the incandescent light bulb. It started in Cuba, moved to Venezuela, then Australia, Canada and the European Union. Now individual states in the U.S., including California, Connecticut, North Carolina and Rhode Island, are all in the process of legislating an end to Edison's greatest invention. Even local towns and cities are getting into the act.

The rap against the incandescent is that it uses more energy to produce light. Advocates of CFLs say they save money and energy by producing more light over more time for less money and less energy. They prefer to minimize concerns about cleanup and disposal, usually saying more needs to be done in the area of recycling.

But recycling experts say the solutions are at least five years away. Meanwhile, millions of consumers and green activists are being persuaded to make the switch.

"EPA currently doesn't provide a unified message to the public on what to do with fluorescent lamps once they are no longer used," admits a draft announcing plans for a pilot project by the agency.

Yet, the EPA's Energy Star program is one of the major forces behind the push for CFLs.

"Currently the need to recycle mercury in fluorescent lamps isn't mentioned on the Energy Star web page although they are working with the Office of Solid Waste to address this," the memo continues. "This may create confusion to the public about doing the right thing."

In fact, even the memo doesn't advise what the public should do.

No question about it, though. You as a consumer will be required to find certified waste recycling centers to turn in your dead and broken bulbs.

The American Lighting Association has some ideas. It has created a list of five considerations that should be weighed by all legislative bodies considering bans on incandescent bulbs.

The association of American manufacturers and retail outlets suggests any such legislation include the following provisions:


1. a lumen per watt energy efficiency standard should be established rather than a ban on a specific type of product. It should include a 10-year goal

2. halogen bulbs should be exempted

3. incandescent bulbs 40 watts or less should be exempt

4. collection and disposal plans for mercury-based CFLs should be made prior to any ban;

5. persuade consumers through education rather than coerce them through limiting choices

Governments may indeed be promoting a kind of lighting that is itself nearly obsolete. Fluorescent lights are nothing new. They've been around for a long time. And while they may save money, some say the public hasn't chosen them for good reasons - including, but not limited to, the mercury issue.

Some experts predict the next generation of lighting, though, is LED lights. They are made from semiconductor materials that emit light when an electrical current flows through them. When this form of light takes over, all bulbs will be obsolete. Your wall tiles can light up. Curtains and drapes can light up. Even your dining room table could be made to light up - at exactly the level you want.

That's what is ahead in the next decade, according to some in the industry.

Nobody promoted CFLs as aggressively as IKEA. Not only does the retailer sell them, it also provides one of the very few recycling centers for the burned out bulbs. But even with a plethora of recycling centers, how will the public view the prospect of saving up dead bulbs and transporting them to recycling centers? And how about the danger of breakage in that process?

"The industry is currently aiming at totally mercury-free CFL lighting, but this is still five to 10 years away," admits IKEA.

Those who really care about this problem right now are those involved in the waste industry.

"Most agree more energy-efficient light bulbs can significantly curb air pollution, but fewer people are talking about how to deal with them at the end of their lives," explained a page 1 story in the April 2 issue of Waste News. It goes on to explain "there is no plan to address air and water pollution concerns that could develop if consumers improperly dispose of the mercury-containing devices."

[Lucinda]

Bumping this back up as I took a big step in going green today. I am now going to be taking the bus/light rail to work 4-5 times a week which saves about 80 miles a day. The only time I will drive it to work is when I need to do some errands either at lunch or on the way home. It means getting up earlier and a slightly longer commute time-wise but I figure at least I can read or knit while I ride and it will cost me less as well, especially now that gas is over $3.00 per gallon here. I also need to go order some of those bags posted on the other thread....


Welcome to the club, Robyn!! I've been commuting 4-5 times a week for the past six years and I now dread the idea of ever having to drive to work every day. Saving the wear and tear on your car, let alone your nerves, will convert you!

[Robyn1007]

Welcome to the club, Robyn!! I've been commuting 4-5 times a week for the past six years and I now dread the idea of ever having to drive to work every day. Saving the wear and tear on your car, let alone your nerves, will convert you!

Ha! Yeah, since my car turned 1 month old last Friday and already has over 3000 miles on it I had to do something. :eek: :mad: So far so good, I'll leave here in about 40 minutes to try to catch the 10 minute earlier bus which will ultimately get me home after all of my transfers about 35 minutes earlier.

[Peweh]

I'm going "Greener"... I bought a compost bin today! I'm excited, the former owners of our house (OK it only took me 3 years to get to it...) had an area where they pitched everything and I'm finally digging out. I think their intentions were compost but they also chucked every plant pot, plastic bag, fake flowers, styrofoam peanuts... all this gross stuff so I'm sifting through it and starting my bin with their compost minus the junk and having fun learning about all the waste I can put in it. According to the manual between regular recycling & composting we can reduce our throwaway trash by 80%!!

[granolagirl]

Grace, you can recycle your CFL bulbs at IKEA and you are supposed to be able to recycle them at any store that sells them (although, I'm not sure that they are all accepting them). Here is another story (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7431198) from NPR.

We are making more progress! We have our organic garden planted, we've ditched all harsh cleaners, we are getting our compost bin this weekend and we are on a waiting list for a rain barrel. :) I'm very excited.

MISSINDI, a few links about rain barrels:

Rain Barrels (http://rainbarrelguide.com/)
ReUse center (http://www.thereusecenter.com/rainbarrels.html)

[Chefzhat]

When the bulb she was installing in a ceiling fixture of her 7-year-old daughter's bedroom crashed to the floor and broke into the shag carpet, she wasn't sure what to do. Knowing about the danger of mercury, she called Home Depot, the retail outlet that sold her the bulbs.

According to the <http://www.wnd.com/redir/r.asp?http://ellsworthmaine.com> Ellison American, the store warned her not to vacuum the carpet and directed her to call the poison control hotline in Prospect, Maine. Poison control staffers suggested she call the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

The latter sent over a specialist to test the air in her house for mercury levels. While the rest of the house was clear, the area of the accident was contaminated above the level considered safe. The specialist warned Bridges not to clean up the bulb and mercury powder by herself - recommending a local environmental cleanup firm.

That company estimated the cleanup cost, conservatively, at $2,000. And, no, her homeowners insurance won't cover the damage.

Marvelous. :mad: :mad: :mad: One bulb broke in my house last week (silly rough-housing boys) and I vacuumed up the mess. I didn't know there was mercury in them.

I won't be buying any more of these.

Debie

[granolagirl]

bumping this up