(ARA) – In the early days of the “green” movement, some practical-minded Americans may have considered an eco-friendly lifestyle a costly luxury they couldn’t afford. Now, however, people are increasingly viewing green habits as cost-cutting measures they can’t afford to pass over. 

Small, simple steps can green your lifestyle and save you some money at the same time. Shopping, for example, is one area where you can apply the principals of recycling in a way that benefits the environment and your wallet. Here are a few tips for greening your buying routine: 

* When you buy something online, save and reuse (or recycle) the packaging materials the item is delivered in. 

* Buy products made from recycled, organic or sustainable materials like bamboo, hemp or soy. WorldofGood.com by eBay is a new marketplace that relies on independent organizations like Green America and Rainforest Action Network to verify that products are environmentally friendly — not to mention affordably priced. 

* Shopping online and combining shopping trips can also help reduce your carbon footprint. 

Buying vintage, pre-owned and refurbished items instead of new ones is another way to protect the environment and your cash flow — and possibly make a style statement at the same time. The greenest products are generally the ones that already exist, because no new raw materials are consumed to make them or deliver them to you. 

If you’re ready to shop pre-owned and vintage, keep in mind a few tips for getting the best deal. 

“Giving a used product new life reduces waste, the demand for raw materials to make new products, and the energy needed for new manufacturing,” says Constance White, style director for eBay. “Purchasing pre-owned, vintage and refurbished items online can have a very positive impact on the environment.” Some eye-opening eBay statistics support this theory: 

* In 2007, the sale of used laptops saved the production of 69,000 tons of carbon dioxide – the equivalent effect as saving 437 acres of forest. 

* The sale of used handbags over the past three years cut greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to planting 2.4 million trees. 

* Purchases of used golf clubs in the past three years had the same impact on greenhouse gases as would removing 22,000 cars off the road for a year. 

“Repurposed items that are ‘new to you’ can offer great savings and unique style,” White says. To get the most of your online search, use search terms like “pre-owned,” “one-of-a-kind,” “gently used,” “rare” or “vintage.” You can find deals on pre-owned items from jewelry to children’s clothing, even shoes. “Many kids now keep their pricey sneakers in pristine condition,” White notes. 

For more ideas on how small changes can add up to a big, positive impact on the environment, visit eBay.com/greenteam. 

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: carbon footprint, eBay, eco-friendly shopping, Green America, green shopping, Rainforest Action Network, repurposed items, used, WorldofGood.com

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

(ARA) – Laundry can take its toll — on your wallet and on the environment. In fact, the average American family does almost seven loads of laundry per week! All that water, detergent, and electricity or gas adds up to a lot of excess, but adding a few simple steps to your laundry routine can significantly reduce your environmental impact and save you money.

“There is so much room in our homes to reduce waste and lessen the demand on our natural resources,” says David Bach, the eight-time national bestselling financial author and green lifestyle expert who wrote “Go Green, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth (and Get Rich Trying).” “Being green doesn’t require excessive effort or spending — you can really reduce energy consumption and waste by making modest adjustments to your daily household routines.”

The following eco-friendly tips can help you reduce your waste and increase your savings while doing laundry:

* Pre-treat Stains.
How often have you pulled a pair of pants out of the washer, only to see that the mark did not come out, forcing you to throw them back in for a second load? Instead of wasting water and energy, tackle marks and stains before you wash and pre-soak your garments to allow more time for your detergent to work.

* Reduce Loads.
Don’t run a load of laundry unless it’s full. Fewer loads mean less water and electricity consumed. An ENERGY STAR-rated machine also helps you to reduce water usage and save on energy costs.

* Conserve on Packaging.
Keep an eye on how large the packaging is for your laundry products. Use concentrated detergents like Arm & Hammer Essentials Liquid Laundry Detergent, which is twice as concentrated, so less waste is going into landfills. It will also save you up to 50 percent more per load versus the leading brand and every purchase of an Arm & Hammer Essentials laundry or cleaning product helps to fund a $400,000 donation to the Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup.

* Laundry Detergents
Use only detergents that contain biodegradable plant-based soaps. Also be sure to choose a detergent that does not contain dyes, phosphates, or bleaches.

* Keep Your Laundry In-house.
Taking your laundry to the dry cleaner costs money and can harm the environment. Many dry cleaners use industrial chemicals like tetrachloroethylene, which scientists have associated with liver or kidney damage. If you have clothing that must be dry-cleaned, look for a company that uses environmentally-sensible chemicals.

* Smart Drying.
To help your dryer do its job and get your clothes dry as quickly as possible, make sure you clean the lint filter after each use. Also, sort your clothing into loads that take the same amount of time to dry. For example, towels take longer than synthetic materials. And of course, on those nice days, hang your clothes outside as often as possible.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Arm & Hammer Essentials Liquid Laundry Detergent, David Bach, eco-friendly laundry, environmentally friendly cleaning, Go Green, green laundry, Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup, laundry, Live Rich: 50 Simple Ways to Save the Earth (and Get Rich Trying)

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

(ARA) – With tightened budgets, you may be surprised to learn that going green at home is not only good for the planet but also good for your pocket book.

“People are re-evaluating everything they do, from driving cars to how they eat,” says Lisa Tiedt, MSN.com green expert. “With a few simple home improvements, it’s easy to do a favor for Mother Earth, your wallet and your family – celebrate Earth Day (April 22).”

Tiedt offers five home improvements ideas that pay for themselves quickly and save you money in the long-run:

An Easy Audit

A home energy assessment is perhaps one of the easiest ways to determine if your home is earth-friendly or leaking money from its seams. Most local utility companies offer energy inventories for free. And for $250 to $300, many companies will put together a detailed assessment using thermal imaging. This gives you a punch list of easy places to improve sealing and maintain appliances. By making these improvements you will see huge energy savings in the long-run.

Grow Something Green

It sounds so simple, but planting a tree can help reduce energy costs up to 40 percent in warm climates, according to MSN.com. Your new-found foliage will block sunlight and reduce the need for air conditioning. In North America, the east and west sides of homes are exposed to the greatest amount of heat in summer months. In some hotter areas like Sacramento, Calif., the local government gives out free trees to reduce the strain on the grid during sizzling summer months.

“Planting a tree is a staple activity every Earth Day, but you don’t have to wait until April 22 to add something to your landscape,” says Tiedt. “If you have younger kids, getting down and dirty and planting a tree together is the perfect weekend activity.”

H20 Heaters

You guessed it — your home’s largest energy-guzzler is your water heater. Some experts suggest wrapping the heater in fireproof insulation, which can be found at any home improvement store for less than $30, to save tremendous amounts of energy. To save big, install a tankless water heater. This heater is a system of coils and the unit heats water on demand. These types of heaters are not only more efficient, but they take up considerably less space.

Crack Down on Tracks

Ten tubes of caulk will do more to reduce a home’s energy waste than replacing every window. Apply paintable silicone caulk around windows and doors. To check for other energy leaks, look where any pipe, vent or electrical cable comes through the siding — dryer vent outlets and hose bibs frequently present trouble spots.

Keep A/C Filters and Coils Clean

A dirty air filter reduces airflow, and a dirty condenser coil retains heat and is less efficient. The two can increase the system’s power consumption by 10 percent or more. Clean the condenser coil every two years and change filters monthly during peak cooling and heating seasons.

For more tips on how to have a greener home visit MSN.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent:

Tags: Earth Day, H20 Heaters, home energy, planting a tree

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

(ARA) – A clean home is a healthy home, right? Not necessarily. As you gear up for spring cleaning season, pause to consider the impact chemical-based cleaners and other products can have on your health, your family’s health and your environment.

A host of health problems, from skin rashes to asthma, have been linked to some chemicals found in common household cleaners and personal care items. In fact, 37 percent of Americans suffer from skin sensitivities, rashes and allergies, many of which can be triggered by chemicals. Chemical cleaners can contribute to indoor air pollution, which can irritate asthma and allergies in adults and children.

If you are among the millions of Americans who want to “go natural” to improve your health and preserve the environment, here are a few things to consider this spring cleaning season:

Natural for Better Health

Indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoor air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, which cites indoor air pollution as a top environmental concern facing Americans today. Our homes are increasingly air tight for energy efficiency, meaning chemical pollutants from cleaning products and personal care products are more easily trapped inside. With most Americans spending the majority of their time indoors, poor air quality can have a significant impact on our health.

While chemical cleaners can contribute to poor indoor air quality, they also can have a direct impact on our health. Many products are made from strong chemicals that health experts believe may be even more harmful to our health than the dirt and germs we are trying to eliminate.

Additionally, chemicals in personal care products such as petroleum-based ingredients, parabens and triethanolimine.

By contrast, products that rely on natural ingredients to clean and promote personal care release no harmful fumes into the indoor environment, are not known to cause skin reactions or long-term health risks, and can be every bit as effective as chemical-based products.

More companies are responding to increased demand for natural products. Cleaning products and personal care items from companies like Watkins, Inc., a company with a 140-year track record of providing consumers with safe, effective products, are an all-natural, cost-effective way to improve the health of your home, your family and the environment. The Natural Products Association recently awarded its certification seal to J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary product line.

Natural for the Environment

In addition to the impact chemical cleaners can have on your personal health, they also can contribute to global warming. Making household cleaners from petroleum products requires far more energy than making plant-based cleaners. Reducing energy use will help reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses.

In fact, if every household in the United States replaced just one bottle of 24-ounce petroleum-based dishwashing liquid with a plant-based alternative, such as one from J.R. Watkins’ Natural Home Care line, Americans could conserve 85,886 barrels of oil in a year. That’s enough oil to heat and cool nearly 5,000 homes for a year.

Safe and Effective

It’s a common misconception that only harsh chemicals can produce cleanliness. Research shows that continued use of strong disinfectants can actually promote the growth of hard-to-kill “super bugs.” While chemical cleaners may remove dirt, over time germs will grow more resistant to them.

Modern natural cleansers blend time-proven plant-based cleaning agents with modern technology that maximizes the products’ cleaning power. J.R. Watkins cleansers are free of chemicals, including the top 10 chemical cleaners that the EPA recommends you avoid.

Apothecary products also rely on time-proven natural ingredients like glycerin (for moisturizing), natural oils and waxes (to soften and condition skin) and zinc oxide (which acts as a natural sunblock).

To learn more about natural personal and home care products, visit www.jrwatkins.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: J.R. Watkins Natural Apothecary, natural cleaning, Natural for the Environment, Natural Products Association, Watkins

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Courtesy of the International Game Fish Association.

Campaign Urges Restaurants to Take Marlin Off the Menu

(ARA) – The next time you’re in a restaurant and see marlin on the menu, “just say no.” That’s the message of a new, nationwide campaign called “Take Marlin Off the Menu,” which is urging consumers to stop eating marlin, and restaurants to take marlin and other billfish such as sailfish and spearfish off their menus.

Three major marine conservation groups, the International Game Fish Association, the National Coalition for Marine Conservation and the Billfish Foundation have teamed up to draw awareness to the plight of marlin, which are being decimated by commercial overfishing worldwide due in part to continued consumer demand for marlin in U.S. restaurants and at seafood retailers.

Marlin are distinguished by a long bill, an extension of the upper jaw and nasal bone; brilliant colors when “lit up;” and sleek body shapes that allow them to swim at extraordinary speeds. They are highly migratory in nature and can travel great distances, such as crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Like lions, polar bears and eagles, marlin and other billfish are an important, top-of-the-food-chain predator species that help to keep marine ecosystems in balance.

In addition to being endangered, the three marine conservation groups also want to alert consumers and restaurant chefs about the potential health risks of eating marlin meat, which contain higher than normal levels of mercury.

“We want to take a bite out of the commercial fishing of marlin and other billfish by persuading consumers and restaurant chefs that it’s simply uncool to eat marlin,” says Jason Schratwieser, director of conservation for the IGFA, an international recreational fishing organization founded in 1939 that is best known for maintaining freshwater and saltwater sport-fishing records worldwide.

Billfish populations have plunged over the past several decades as a direct result of commercial tuna and swordfish fleets that catch marlin by accident, according to Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation, a Ft. Lauderdale-based non-profit exclusively dedicated to protecting billfish. Commercial fishing accounts for more than 90 percent of annual marlin mortality. Many recreational fishermen now practice catch and release of marlin and other billfish, a conservation effort spreading throughout North America.

The “Take the Marlin Off The Menu” campaign is taking aim at U.S. restaurants and grocery stores primarily because the U.S. is the world’s largest importer of billfish. That’s despite laws that currently make it illegal to commercially harvest marlin, sailfish and spearfish from the Atlantic Ocean.

To add some more bite to the campaign, the “Take Marlin Off the Menu” campaign will promote restaurants and seafood retailers that go “marlin free” by listing those businesses on the campaign’s Web site, www.takemarlinoffthemenu.org. The campaign invites restaurants and seafood retailers to take a “marlin free” pledge in exchange for having the campaign promote those businesses to hundreds of thousands of concerned consumers and recreational anglers throughout the U.S.

The campaign also urges restaurants and seafood retailers to consider carrying more sustainable species such as mahi mahi, halibut, wild (not farmed) salmon, trout, some types of tuna (albacore and skipjack), and some types of snapper (gray, lane, yellowtail).

“There has never been more urgency than now,” says Ken Hinman, president of the National Coalition for Marine Conservation, a Leesburg, Va.-based group comprised of conservation-minded fishermen. “If we don’t stop the widespread consumption of billfish, these magnificent ocean predators will disappear from our seas. It’s simply that critical.”

To learn more about the Take Marlin Off the Menu campaign, visit www.takemarlinoffthemenu.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags: Billfish Foundation, International Game Fish Association, marine conservation, marlin, mercury, National Coalition for Marine Conservation, Take Marlin Off the Menu

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

By Pegah Aarabi

(NC)—The holiday party season doesn’t have to be strenuous for you or the environment. Add a “green” theme to your party to liven things up and do your part. Here are six ways to turn your next holiday event into a “greeny” good time.

1. Serve organic drinks and foods. Offer organic fruits, vegetables, organic wines and mains (store-bought organic BBQ chicken is a quick and easy option). For dessert, organic chocolate is always a hit. Keep an eye on shopping websites like The Scarlett Lounge at RedFlagDeals.com (scarlett.redflagdeals.com) for green and organic deals, too.

2. Make your bathroom/kitchen organic-ready. Put out organic soaps and hand lotion; replace old towels with organic cotton towels, and buy biodegradable bathroom tissue and paper towels.

3. Play green-inspired holiday games. Have a “re-gifting” Secret Santa for a hilarious time.

4. Get everyone to wear green. It’s the holidays after all.  And while it won’t do anything for the environment, it will get everyone into the theme. Bonus points if it’s organic fabric.

5. Make sure your holiday decorations are environmentally friendly – LED lights, a Christmas tree you can replant after the holidays, organic centrepieces, and more will make a lasting impression on guests but not on the environment.

6. Offer your guests eco-friendly favours. Everyone can use an extra energy-efficient light-bulb or perhaps for a more personal touch, soy candles – perfect for the holidays. – News Canada

Tags: green entertaining, green holiday party, organic

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

If you have dreamed of being completely self sufficient, than incorporating solar electric power into your home is probably something you have considered.   My advice is that if you are truly looking into using solar electric power, then you probably are going to want to build a new home.

Why Build A New Home To Use Solar Electric Power?

There are several reasons that you are going to want to do it this way.  But first, I would not suggest and going out and buying a home solely for the purpose of using solar electric power.  While home solar energy is very eco friendly, it as eco unfriendly as constructing and entire new home can be.  If you are however looking to move, than this is a perfect time to use solar electric power in your new home.

Adding solar electric power to an old home can be done, but there are several reasons why it is not as good an idea.  The first is that in a new home you will have all new appliances and windows.  These can be the biggest things to suck energy out of a system in older homes.  Before adding solar electric power to an old home you will have to go and update all of those systems.

Next is the insulation factor.  Insulation of today is much more efficient and can be easily put into a new home.  Adding and updating this in an old home is very costly and may ultimately not even be effective.  Many older homes are not designed to be heated efficiently and as such you will have a difficult time trying to make them energy friendly.

On top of that, an older home may not be situated on a good lot to add solar panels.  There is not anything you can do if your yard sits in the shade all day that is going to make adding solar electric power a good idea.  In addition if you purchase a new home perhaps you can get one near running water and add in hydro power as well.  Hydro does a great job of supplementing solar electric power because on rainy days the hydro power will generate more energy, while on sunny days the solar power will.

As you can see there are many reasons to look at putting solar electric power in a new home as opposed to your current one.  Hopefully this has helped you make a decision as to what you want to do.

Tags: Solar Electric Power

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

Solar wind energy systems are used for residential, farm, commercial as well as industrial applications.  There are many suppliers and manufacturers of wind turbines, which are accessible through E-mail links and company listings are available on various websites.

Solar energy costs are low, but the installation of the solar energy equipment is quite high.  But the solar wind energy systems which are commercially proven US equipment are strong and basically designed for harsh climates.  Most of them are built simply and ruggedly, so that they last long. Some of these machines have a large swept area and can capture more wind and produce more energy, especially if the speed of the wind is low.

Constant Energy

These solar wind energy systems produce energy all the time, and generate power whenever you need it, not only during storms.  The bigger solar wind energy systems are used for on-grid and off-grid applications to be distributed in homes and farms.  They can be used for higher energy like telecommunications, village electrification and even wind-electric water pumping.

For Commercial Use

The power independence that is provided by such solar wind energy systems is capable of providing power to commercial, industrial and government customers.   Some of the systems blend appropriate energy sources like wind, sunlight, hydrogen, biogas, natural gas and oil with the controls and power electronics in the systems which are tailored to
the needs of each customer.

Wind Turbines

Wind turbines, which are solar wind energy systems, are especially suited to wind-hybrid applications in which the power which is generated is used directly by the end-user customer.  This system is used often by farms, schools, industrial businesses and municipal waste water treatment facilities in grid tied applications.  It is interesting to note that for remote communities it can be incorporated into a utility system and can provide power to small villages and towns.

For private homes small and efficient wind turbines can be the solar wind energy systems.  They can also be used for farms, rural areas and light commercial and industrial facilities.  These smaller wind turbines have features which are typically found only in utility scale equipment like direct grid connection, triple safety system, constant rotor speed, gearbox and tip brakes amongst others.

Tax Benefits

There are many tax benefits if you install solar wind energy systems, because the law wants to encourage the installation of solar, wind and farm-waste energy equipment systems. It also ensures property owners that their property taxes will not increase if these solar wind energy systems are installed.  The amount of exemption is equal to the increase in assessed value attributable to the solar energy system.

Tags: Solar Wind Energy Systems

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

The advantage to opting for a solar energy system to power your home lays in the fact that it’s a natural source which depends only on the fact that the sun needs to be shining. After that anyone can take advantage of solar energy as it hits the surface of the earth and lights up as well as warms our planet. Capturing rays of the sun will allow you to heat up a fixed area. It pays to learn about different solar energy systems and how much the cost of installing solar energy systems would work out to.

Solar Energy Is Free

To be clear, there is no cost involved in obtaining solar energy other than the cost of installing solar energy systems, which will be the only expense you will have to bear. What’s more, solar energy is different from gas and oil heaters for which you have to pay on a monthly basis because in the case of solar energy, once you have taken care of the cost of installing solar energy, there is no further expense involved.

Included in the cost of installing solar energy in your home is the solar collector that is something that will attract heat that emanates from the sun and collect it in concentrated form onto glass or even clear plastic. Next, you need to determine whether to use a passive or active homes and the cost of installing solar energy for either type too will vary and in the case of passive homes, there is no equipment required to heat up the home and thus cost of installing solar energy for such systems is lower.

On the other hand, active homes require special equipment with which to circulate heat within the home and thus cost of installing solar energy in such homes will be higher because you require purchasing pumps and blowers as well as an alternative source for heating in case you can’t get enough heat out of the sunlight that is captured during daytime.

Solar wind energy can also be used together and it would only require purchasing hybrid solar wind turbine generators that are reliable as well as effective alternative sources of energy, and in fact, such systems will prove to be independent units that are able to provide dependable as well as consistent energy.

Whatever the cost of installing solar energy one thing that you can be sure of is that it works out to be very cheap in the long run and it also affords you a chance to get off the grid and best of all solar energy is found everywhere and thus there is no problem on this account either.

Tags: Cost Of Installing Solar Energy

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...

In this day and age of skyrocketing energy costs, global warming, and threatening power supply, you can help all three of these problems at once by making your home eco friendly. There are a number of upgrades you can make to your home, and while some are cheap and easy to make, others are difficult and expensive. However, the latter are decidedly more effective at making your home energy independent, and you’ll save big bucks down the road. By installing solar energy for residential homes, you can help to protect the environment while also ensuring that you’ll pay nothing for power in the years to come.

Cheaper Each Year

Like all technology, solar energy for residential homes is getting cheaper with each passing year. It’s significantly lower than what it was just a few years ago, but it will still cost what you’d pay for a few years of power off the grid. If you pay around $250 a month for electricity, then a solar energy system for your home would take about five or so years to pay itself off. However, by paying $15,000 for solar energy for residential homes, you would save $250 a month, meaning that you would start effectively saving $250 a month (probably more, depending on how much energy costs rise between now and then). Don’t think of this form of energy as a purchase but as an investment. In fact, if you generate excess electricity, you can sell it to the local power company for a profit!

However, deciding on the size of the system for your own home largely depends on a number of factors. First, how much electricity do you plan on spending for air conditioning during the summer? This is perhaps the biggest user of electricity out of any one thing, but it will probably only be used for four or so months out of the year. However, each window air conditioner can draw a peak of 1200 watts, which is basically about 50 fluorescent light bulbs being run simultaneously. To get the most out of your solar energy for residential homes system, you may want to check out purchasing a larger system, capable of generating more electricity, or complementing your system by drawing power off of the grid only when necessary and selling it back when you have more than you need.

Solar energy for residential homes is the cleanest and most secure form of energy available for homes today. It’s actually cheaper when you consider that you’ll be saving big bucks down the road, and you’ll be doing a big part to help the environment. Other eco friendly fuel sources such as hydrogen fuel cells will further help to supply steady, clean energy to meet all of your needs, but these technologies are still a few years off. For today, solar energy for residential homes will help to keep you energy independent.

Tags: Solar Energy for Residential Homes

(No Ratings Yet)

 Loading ...