Toilets

Although American toilets are using less water per flush now than they did in the past, there's still much room for improvement. Many of the hardcore greens are moving to the admirable "if it's yellow letter it mellow" movement. But I'm sure many of us are a little hesitant to dive right in at that depth.

If you are building a house or remodeling or just have the money to install an improved toilet, consider installing a dual flush model. Popular throughout the rest of the world, dual flush toilets give you two flush options: one for liquid waste (uses a small amount of water) and another for solid waste (uses more water). Here in America, you can try them out in Ikea restrooms. For examples, see Caromausa, Kohler, or ToTo.

There are also a few different kits you can purchase to retrofit your current toilet. Check out Aquanotion's TwoFlush kit. It's highly recommended across the green internet.

Of course, you can also do more low-tech solutions to make your toilet more water saavy. Green Is Sexy's article A New Resolution for an Old Toilet recommends, "To reduce the amount of water your toilet consumes, try filling up a half-gallon plastic bottle with stones or sand and water, seal it shut and place it in your toilet tank. This will make the toilet tank seem more full and will require less water to fill ‘er up (think of your bathtub with you in it). Keep the bottle away from the operating mechanisms and make sure your tank has enough water left to flush properly. By making this teeny change, you can save up to 60% of the water you were using before."

Drain Cleaner

We've talked before about reducing the sheer number of cleaners in your arsenal. A goal to be worked toward slowly but surely. But there's one cleaning product that is much worse than others: drain cleaners.

Green is Sexy gives us some advice in the article "Hard Boiled":

"The active ingredient in most drain-cleaners is sodium hydroxide, otherwise known as caustic soda or lye. It is a man-made chemical used for its corrosive properties, and corrosive it is! Not only is drain-cleaner deadly to ingest and irritating to your nose, throat and lungs if inhaled, it can also corrode your pipes! While non-toxic alternatives are available, try avoiding clogs in the first place. Pour a kettle full of boiling water down your shower drain once a week. The boiling water breaks down any soap or hair conditioner coating the pipes, helping everything flow a lot easier. If a clog should occur, despite your best attempts at prevention, try a non-toxic solution before turning to products made with sodium hydroxide." [emphasis added]

So, try to prevent. But if it's already too late, try making your own (from Clean & Green):

1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup white vinegar
1 gallon boiling water
1/2 a used lemon
Pour baking soda down drain/disposal, followed by vinegar. Allow the mixture to foam for several minutes before flushing the drain with boiling water.

Shoes

Planet Green had a fun article recently about sustainable footwear. A great resource to consult when looking for shoes. The brands you'll find there were chosen for falling into one or more of the following categories: sweatshop-free, sustainable leathers and/or glues, minimal waste in production, vegan and/or recycled materials, eco-friendly fabrics, sustainable packaging.

I especially liked the selections at TOMS Shoes and Terra Plana. (TOMS will be coming out with a boot soon, too!) You'll see lots of tennis shoes, too. Many of the brands listed also support important causes, like donating shoes to children in need, if social-consciousness is important to you, too.

UPDATE: The Autonomie Project also offers Converse-esque casual tennis shoes in white, blue, green, and black. Autonomie Project products are fair trade and made of sustainable, organic, and/or natural materials.

UPDATE: Payless is coming out with a new, affordable green shoe line in early 2009. Check out the Earth 911 article here.

Greening Your Pet

When we've taken pets into our homes and families, we must be conscious of their footprints, too. If you have a dog, consider using vegetarian feed. Cats are obligate carnivores, but you can at least steer clear of foods with beef in them.

Cat litter is another major source of environmental impact for our feline friends. First of all, stay away from clay based litter. Clays are not biodegradable or environmentally-friendly. There are, however, non-clay options that clump. Try Swheat Scoop. Made of (surprise, surprise!) wheat, Swheart Scoop is 100% biodegradable, flushable (for both sewer and septic systems), compostable (non-vegetable gardens only, of course), and renewable. It is free from fragrances and chemicals, and produces far less dust than your typical clay based litter. The litter feels about the same as your traditional litter, so your cat won't have a hard time transitioning at all.

There are other options, too! You can consider Feline Pine, which is chemical free and made from 100% recycled material. There's also Yesterday's News, which is fragrance free, non-toxic, more absorbent than clay, and virtually non-tracking. (I have reservations about only a "significant portion" of this litter being post-consumer material.)

Tree Hugger has a post about making your own newspaper-based litter, if you are so inclined (and have a source of used newspaper). Check it out here.

Handy Pocket Guides

With so many unsustainable features of American culture, it can be daunting to try to remember what's good and what's harmful in any given sector. Luckily, there's help. Experts can focus on one issue at a time and boil their recommendations down to handy-dandy pocket-sized guides.

From seafoods to plastics, produce to cosmetics, check out these pocket guides from Green Home.

More Diapers!

This weekend we visited our parents' homes, and my in-laws mentioned my blog. I think they've absorbed a thing or two from it, which is great. But my father-in-law actually ridiculed our view about cloth diapers, saying that he bets we will change our minds when we have our first baby. Sure, a funny joke, but a little insulting, in light of all the changes we have already made and those that we will continue to make in the seven to ten years between now and when we have children. I cannot imagine using disposable products now, let alone in a decade!

But on the way home from our trip, Ben and I discussed the diaper issue again. We said that no matter how strongly we feel on the issue, it would be irresponsible to claim that we know we'll use cloth diapers for our children. We can, however, know that we use rags instead of paper towels, cloth napkins instead of paper ones, cloth menstrual pads instead of disposable products. In other words, we have an ever-improving track record on very comparable issues.

However, as on many issues, we believe that in ten years there will be a completely different range of products and options from which to choose. Maybe we would use disposable diapers if they were biodegradable, compostable, and made from 100% post-consumer materials. [Check out Nature Babycare for a pretty good disposable option like this.] We don't know what our set of options will be then. In 2008 though, cloth is our best choice.

Enter Earth 911's article "Another Player in the Diaper Dillema." The article introduces a third option: flushable diapers. They combine a cloth outer diaper with a plastic-free, flushable insert. Pretty good option, eh? Check them out!

Modular Living

We currently live in a 1800+ square foot house. I'm not too sure why we live in such a large house, just the two of us with no plans to start a family in this town. Really, it was when we were looking at houses that our eyes and minds got greedy. "How great it would be to have a large library, a dinette, two offices," etc. We knew better than to buy more than we needed, but our conception of what we "needed" became more and more warped as we thought about getting the most square footage for our dollar.

I'm very committed to our next home being significantly smaller. And when we move, I plan to donate lots of things we don't really need to Goodwill (and encourage Ben to do the same).

Modular houses offer exciting options for new small homes. [Large homes, too, actually, but I'm looking at the small ones.] Many are built of recycled/reused/reclaimed materials and designed, engineered really, to be as space and energy efficient as possible. Check out some interesting examples:
-Dome House
-Tumbleweed Tiny House Company

...and this article talks about some of the benefits and offers more examples.

It's really very exciting to think about paring down our possessions a lot and living in a home that fits what we really need, not what our consumer-culture brainwashes us into craving.

AAA: Atrocious, Abominal, Abhorrent

Living in the suburbs, we all likely do a lot of driving. It makes sense, then, that many of us are interested in roadside assistance programs. The most well-known of these, of course, is AAA. Many of us probably know that AAA has a very powerful Congressional lobby. But we probably don't realize how evil their lobbying efforts are.

Some facts. AAA:
-Lobbied against the Clean Air Act in 1990.
-Doesn't recognize domestic partners as "family members."
-Is a member of the American Highway Users Alliance, who unsurprisingly support the destruction of virgin land and the construction of more, well, highways.
-Lobbied against California's 2006 Proposition 87, a "$4 billion program to reduce petroleum consumption by 25 percent, with research and production incentives for alternative energy, alternative energy vehicles, energy efficient technologies, and for education and training."

...and if you're a member of AAA, your membership dues are directly paying for their fight against the environment!

But, have heart, there is another option! Better World Club, the fastest growing automobile club in the nation, offers an eco-friendly roadside assistance plan. An Alternet article about Better World Club says, "Discounts are offered to hybrid vehicle owners, and carbon offsets are offered to all members. 'Our pricing is based on the cost to the environment, not the cost of service,' Rofsky is proud to say. It works out nicely that the pricing comes in at the same as, or in some cases cheaper than, AAA."

But that's not all! The article continues: "Better World Club encourages people that don't drive everywhere too, offering the nation's first and only bicycle roadside assistance plan. Members who bust a chain, pop a tire, or run into any other bicycle related mishap will be picked up and driven anywhere they want to go (home, nearest bike shop, a hotel, etc.) up to 30 miles away. Members can add the bicycle plan to their existing roadside service package, or individuals can sign up for the plan independent of the car service..."

Please give Alternet's article "Did You Know AAA Is Bad for the Environment? But You Can Get Green Roadside Assistance" a read. Then consider switching to Better World Club next time your AAA membership is up for renewal.

Junk Mail...Revenge!

An interesting article on ProQuo recently, Top 10 Creative Responses to Junk Mail.

Most of them are not too interesting, but the one about blending it up and making your own blank paper is pretty cool. I'd like to try it some time.

But the awesome one is #7: Response Package. The article reads:
"Many are inclined to view themselves as victims of junk mail, but some creative (and/or angry) types will take aggressive counter-action. These folks don't just demand their removal from direct mailing lists, but rather, they send direct mailers bricks (that right, bricks). The Office of Strategic Influence Web site explains that direct mailers pay approximately 20 cents an ounce on their pre-paid postage. An eight pound package, therefore, would end up costing them approximately $25. So if you don't mind paying a little extra for a larger envelope or shipping box, your revenge would be moderately significant."

I'd love to do this! If you're brave enough to try it, let me know!

UPDATE: Read TreeHugger's "Stop Junk Mail: 7 Ways to Reduce It and Opt Out for Good" for summaries, pros, and cons for seven unique methods of reducing your junk mail. Certainly worth the read.

Image from http://www.officeofstrategicinfluence.com/bulkmailer/packages9.jpg

More Composters

Ok, so it probably isn't very sustainable of me, but I find myself wanting something I don't technically need. But when it's a composter...

I'm lusting over Nature Mill's automatic composters.

Here's some reasons I want one:
-The price ($299-$399) is comparable to non-automated units, and the shipping is much, much cheaper than other composters (just $15).
-It can process up to 120 lbs a month, which is more waste than most of us could possibly produce.
-It's odor-free. The website says, "Continuous air flow and a powerful carbon filter remove odors. The unit is completely sealed." Filters need replacing only every five years.
-It's made of recycled plastic.
-It's energy-efficient. It uses "5 kwh / month - as much as a typical night light... Uses far less energy than hauling the same amount of waste in a diesel garbage truck."
-And it produces compost in TWO weeks! I'm so jealous...

So here's the plan: Nature Mill offers a 15% discount on each unit when three or more are purchased together. (New prices: $249-$335) The three can be different models, different colors, shipped to different places, and charged to different people. The company is just trying to get users to encourage friends and collegues to compost, too.

[Review my first post on composting to remember why it is so essential for a sustainable lifestyle.]

If you're considering getting one, post something in the comments, and we'll see if we can get three or more of us together!

Dish Washing

What is the best way to wash your dishes? Efficiently, of course!

When washing dishes by hand, try to do so as consciously as possible. Make sure you don't let the water run while you're scrubbing or between dishes. Also, remembering to soak dishes with stuck on food so save water and work while scrubbing. It is recommended to soap and scrub all your dishes at once and then rinse them all off together afterward. This uses water more efficiently than most dish washing techniques. Of course, hand washing also eliminates the need for electricity use (that not related to water heating, that is).

It might make you happy to learn though that if you use the standard settings, using a dishwashing machine can actually more water efficient than washing by hand. (By standard settings, I mean not choosing extra cycles, heated drying, etc.) Of course, you must run only full loads to maximize your efficiency. Read about the scientific back-up in this article from Tree Hugger.

Conditioner

We've talked about eco-friendly shampoo options before. Today, let's look at conditioners.

Treehugger offers five solutions for do-it-yourself conditioners. DIY health and beauty products are excellent alternatives to store-bought items because they can eliminate plastics in your daily regimen and greatly reduce packaging all together.

Treehugger's suggestions:
1. Cider vinegar
2. Tea
3. Olive oil
4. Rosemary oil
5. Henna

Read the article here for the recipes and more.

Lemons

We're all on the look-out for ways to cut chemicals out of our homes and daily lives.

One way to do that involves using more lemons in your daily life!

Reader's Digest offers us 34 (non-edible) uses for lemons. Among them:
-to help polish brass, chrome, and aluminum
-to bleach your laundry without the use of chlorine
-to lighten your hair (the old stand by!)

Check out all 34 here!

Shaving

Most of us shave our faces or bodies for one reason or another. How does one do so sustainably?

The first step you can take is to never shave in the shower. For starters, you're wasting a lot more water than you really need to shave, even if you're using a cheap disposable razor. Also, you are probably shaving while standing under wonderfully warm water . This, obviously, requires a lot of electricity input to heat the water.

If you're addicted to disposable razors, consider trying the Preserve brand. Their plastic handles are made from 100% recycled plastic. The company also provides pre-paid envelopes to return your used razors when you're done with them for the handles to be recycled again. Impressively cradle-to-cradle for a disposable product, huh? You can find Preserve products online, as well as at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and Target.

It is better, however, to try to move to electric razors. They do not require any water to shave with, which reduces their impact substantially. Furthermore, the parts of electric razors work for years without getting dull and needing replacement. Hopefully more and more of us will have access to renewable sources of electricity in the very near future, reducing their impact much more.

An ideal shaving option is, of course, the traditional straight razor. One nice razor (which, bonus point, doesn't include any plastic!) will last you a lifetime if you take care of it. Men who use these razors swear by them. [I've not been able to find any accounts of women using straight razors on their legs/underarms, but if you hear that it works, let me know! I'd be willing to give it a try.]

Crunchy Chicken recently wrote about sustainable hair removal, too. Her recommended method (for women, I guess) is homemade "sugaring," which is a lot like waxing but it doesn't use petroleum-based ingredients. If you're interested, she has a recipe and directions.

[This is me trying not to write an entire post about the gendered and oppressive nature of society-enforced body hair removal...]

UPDATE: There are now wind-up options for shavers, too! Check out "Off-Grid Grooming is a Little Easier" from Tree Hugger!

Image from http://www.recycline.com/

Simple Shoes

Simple brand shoes is a eco-conscious line of some really cute footwear. They use recycled and sustainable materials.

The largest selection of their products can be found on their website. However, Ben and I are a little hesitant about blindly ordering shoes online.

But good news! Dillard's department store recently started carrying a handful of styles in women's Simple Shoes. And the Walking Company has also just gotten in a couple of styles of both men and women's shoes.

We've gone and tried on a few pairs to get a feel for Simple's sizes. (We've found they run a little large. Be sure to try for yourself!)

Now, we're ready to go online and order a stylish pair or two each! (Excluding sale items, the prices at Dillard's/Walking Company and Simple Shoes' website are equal. So, if you like a style you see in-store, there really is no reason to NOT purchase in-store.)

So check out Simple Shoe's website, try on a couple pairs at Dillard's or the Walking Company, and then wear awesome footwear to your heart's content!

Indoor Gardening update

Indoor growing can be kind of tricky.

First, pests. We had some problems with gnats, but we solved those by getting some poison- and chemical-free sticky traps from Lowes. Mealy bugs were more of a pain in the butt. Blasted things didn't attack any of our vegetable plants, but they loved an indoor ivy plant. Showering them a couple of times with Orange Guard seemed to do the trick though. Still kinda grossed me out.

A second issue is making things grow. Luckily, the broccoli seems to be thriving just fine in our West window and especially in the South-facing ones. Lettuce didn't make it. And zucchini, while it lasted longer than the lettuce indoors, finally decided it wasn't getting enough light.

Our third major issue surrounded remembering to water. It's currently the rainy season here in Florida, so we rarely have to water our outdoor vegetables. However, that gets Ben, the family water-er, out of the habit of watering regularly.

Assuming you can remember to water your plants, how should you go about doing so?

The best way to water indoor plants is to begin by soaking the soil thoroughly. You want water to come back out of the hole in the bottom of the pot. Make sure you pour this water away instead of onto another plant, as it is laden with the excess salts your plant is trying to get rid of. Also, do not let this excess water just sit in the pot plate, as this could lead to wet roots and root rot.

Right after you soak your soil, pick up your pot and feel how heavy it is. You don't want to water again until the weight is down to about half of what it is fully saturated. This will probably be two or three days later. But check your pots daily because some indoor plants dry out quickly due to their small pots and need to be watered rather frequently. Each subsequent time you water, you want to repeat this saturation-then-wait process.

Image from http://www.orangeguard.com/webart/spraybottle.jpg