Carpets

It's important to pick out carpets and rugs for your home that are environmentally healthy. After all, you spend many, many hours a day breathing around the stuff, don't you?

The problem with carpets: VOCs. Green is Sexy says, "Most carpet is made from petroleum byproducts and synthetics, treated with stain repellents, backed with latex, and padded with PVC." Pretty yucky stuff to let inside your body.

Good options: Rugs made from recycled plastic, like these, are especially good for outdoor spaces. For the indoors, good options include "natural fiber carpets made from chemical-free wool, jute, sea grass, sisal, coir (coconut-husk fiber), and even corn. When the time comes to dump those, you ditch them in the compost" (Ibid). Other natural fiber choices include hemp and reed, like the Japanese Igusa mats.

Certification: Look for the Green Label Plus Certification. "Check the carpet label for a little green house, which means it’s been tested by the Carpet and Rug Institute’s (CRI) Indoor Air Quality testing program" (Ibid). This will ensure your rug is not going to make you sick.

Better options: If possible, you may want to avoid wall-to-wall carpeting all together. Low Impact Living says, "Natural, bare flooring options like reclaimed hardwood flooring or Marmoleum are really the best option from a health perspective–because they don’t trap allergens and chemicals like rugs and carpets do... Cork is a wonderful option because it is a renewable resource, dampens sounds (great for sleeping babies), and is soft on little bodies. Cork is harvested by shaving off the 'bark' of the tree– trees are not killed in the process."

More ideas and details, check out Low Impact Living's great article here.

And no matter what your flooring choices, always leave your shoes at the door to reduce the amounts of pollutants and dangerous chemicals you bring into your home.

Image from http://s7d4.scene7.com/is/image/Gaiam/18-0077?$large$

Resolutions?

Remember your green new year's resolutions? How are they going? Let me know if I can help!

If you've forgotten yours, or never got around to making one, read over this list from Ecofabulous. Of course, these lists are useful outside of just resolutions though. They help us analyze where we are in our sustainability journey and focus on how to go forward.

Eco Resolutions and Solutions

1. I will stop using plastic bottles and vow to carry my reusable bottle of choice at all times. The NRDC conducted 1,000 separate tests of over 100 bottled water brands and found that the bottled water was not cleaner, purer, or safer than tap water. There have been reports on certain companies simply bottling tap water. So kick the bad bottle habit once and for all. Sigg or Klean Kanteen are great, and lately we’re really loving Earthlust’s custom designs. As an added bonus you can wrap this resolution into the annual “I will save more” declaration and make a jar where each day you put the money you would have spent on bottled water – you’ll be surprised at how it adds up. In 2006, Americans bought 2.6 billion cases of bottled water, totaling $15 billion – a year of plastic bottle money and you may be able to treat yourself to an eco-vacation.

2. I resolve to make at least two small changes in order to use less energy. This year, while you may not be able to install solar panels on your roof, you can make small changes to your energy usage habits that will have a big impact. First, as inefficient incandescent light bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs – they last much longer (8-10 times longer) and save money by reducing energy use (typically by 65 to 80 percent). And second, get ride of that haunting phantom load – the electricity wasted when electronics are plugged in but either aren’t on, or aren’t in use (this goes for that fully charged computer or cell phone that’s left plugged in as well). The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that American households use about 43 kWh of electricity each year to power electronics and appliances that are turned off. Plug all your electronics into a power strip and turn it off when the items are not in use – if every American eliminated their phantom load, it would save about $6 billion in electricity costs.

3. Waste: The light green resolution – I will recycle. If you want to take your green routine a shade deeper, then make 2009 the year you start to compost. Really, 2009 holds no excuses for not recycling. Cities and towns are making it easier and easier since most have curbside pick-up. If you are ever in question about whether an item can be recycled, or how to recycle it, check out earth911.com. Encourage your workplace to switch to recycled paper products wherever possible. Since 4 million tons of copy paper are used in the U.S. each year, buying paper with 100 percent recycled fibers uses less energy and water in production and will significantly reduce the number of trees cut down. As for the eco-devotees that are ready for the next step, start to compost your kitchen scraps. According to the EPA, 24 percent of the waste Americans send to landfills is organic waste. We love the Can-O-Worms in-house compost bin. It’s a great way to start reducing your landfill contributions by almost a quarter!

4. If I can schedule in time for the gym and happy hour drinks with friends, I can schedule in the extra time needed to walk or bike to work. Give the road rage a rest and try committing to an alternative form of transportation once a week. Ideally, the carbon-free route is best (with a little added endorphin boost for the traditional “exercise more” resolution) but taking the bus or train will still help to minimize your carbon footprint – according to the American Public Transportation Association, using public transportation saves 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline each year.

5. I will resolve to consider where my food comes from and how it is farmed. Ideally, supporting seasonal, local agriculture from organic, sustainably managed farms is best. This doesn’t have to mean a weekly trip to the farmer’s market – you can sign up for a CSA or simply make a conscious choice at the grocery store when looking at that apple from New Zealand. As you are committing to cut back on your carbon-emitting transportation, try to cut back on your food’s footprint as well. Where it is coming from and the amount of toxic pesticides used are both contributing factors to how much waste and carbon emissions are generated – one study by the Rodale Institute found that organic farming reduces carbon dioxide by using 37 percent fewer fossil fuels than conventional farming.

Home decor sales

Style Saves the World (original article here) says,

"I've raved before about the great organic and hemp linens that Amenity offers...now you can get 30% off the entire site (including sale items!). Enter 2009 at checkout. Expires 2/1/09.

"Need other sustainably made goodies for your home? Get 25% off at Branch by entering DCBRANCH at checkout. Excludes furniture and sale items."

Amenity has beautiful linens for the home and the nursery. Branch offers a wide range of things, including biodegradable/compostable disposable plates, bowls, cups, and silverware. So, if you need sheets, linens, home decor, party supplies, etc., consider these green options.

Disposable Dinnerware

Having a huge party and can't get enough real plates, bowls, and/or platters for the crowd? Consider VerTerra's "organic and compostable dinnerware make of fallen leaves."

The website says of its dinnerware, "Each piece is made from 100% renewable and compostable plant matter and water. No chemicals, waxes or dyes, like those found in disposable paper and plastic options. No harmful toxins that can leach into your food. No worrying. It’s also the most durable and versatile single-use product available—use it to reheat n the microwave, bake in the oven, or cool in the fridge."

Furthermore, you don't have to worry about human rights violations when it come to these products. "VerTerra products are made in South Asia, where our employees receive fair wages in safe working conditions and are provided access to healthcare. Our production process is simple and transparent: after collecting fallen leaves, we apply steam, heat and pressure to transform the leaves into durable products that will naturally biodegrade in 2 months."

Easy to order online. At less than $1 per piece, you can't afford not to be green.

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.

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!

Manure

Manure, another non-chemical fertilizer, can be a great help in your yard or garden, too. If you want to use straight manure though, you must be very careful and knowledgeable about how to use it.

A few things to consider about manure:

1. Improper distribution of manure in your garden can actually harm your plants. It is a very concentrated fertilizer and can accidentally burn your plants. Compost, on the other hand, is a more diffuse way of delivering nutrients to the plants. Use straight manure with care, and do a little bit of research.

2. Actually, do a lot of research. Different animal manures have different proportions of different necessary macronutrients for your soil. Each plant has its own special needs in terms of soil fertilization also. You have to know some chemistry and a good bit about each plant you're growing to really take advantage of the power of manure and to prevent over fertilizing "light feeders." Although compost is less crop-specific in its nutrition, it is thoroughly universal.

3. Remember to be aware of the source of your manure. You want no manure from cats or dogs and no manure that may carry diseases. Also, if possible, find out what the diet of the animal donors in question is like. Many horse manures contain lots of weed seeds that happily spring to life in your garden.

From a sustainability standpoint, composting is a must. It is the most environmentally responsible way to dispose of your organic waste. Do not use manure in your garden in place of creating your own compost. Of course, (minding #3 above) consider putting manure into your compost pile/bin. Combined with your regular yard waste and kitchen scraps, manure can help build your compost into a wonderful asset for your lawn or garden.

Composting

I went to the library today to do a tiny bit of research on dishwashers, and I somehow came home with an armful of gardening books. Funny how that happens. The one I read today was on composting.

Composting is an essential part of any green lifestyle. There are types of composting to fit every living environment, whether you live in suburbia, the countryside, or even the city. Even when living under the rule of the all-powerful "homeowners association," you can and should compost!

In the suburbs, you have three really excellent choices in composting.

1. You can have a self-contained, outdoor "hot" compost bin. The closest of the suburban systems to what most people visualize when you mention "compost," these are prefabricated plastic or wooden containment systems that make storing, organizing, and creating compost easy. Don't worry, this is NOT the rural-appropriate chicken wire and mulching fork system of old (although you can still compost like that if you'd like!) With these HOA-appropriate systems, you don't have to break a sweat. Here's our composter for a visual aid.

2. You can have a small indoor compost container. The Japanese have perfected many options in this arena. Tiny enough to keep under your sink, these plastic bins require only kitchen scraps and regular additions of a prepackaged activator. Odorless and easy. Appropriate for even the smallest apartment! Click here for an example.

3. You can practice vermiculture. Homemade or store-bought containers host special composting worms that do all the work for you. All you have to add, again, are kitchen scraps. These systems can be used either outdoors or indoors and are odorless. In the deep South, however, you may be limited to using them indoors or in very shady spots outside, since the worms aren't very happy at temperatures over 77 degrees f. Here's an example.

So, put away your excuses, you CAN compost no matter where or how you live. But why should you?

Food waste thrown in the garbage ends up in landfills where, due to the anaerobic conditions, it cannot decompose correctly. Instead of joining the "circle of life," it releases harmful amounts of methane into the atmosphere, which contributes dramatically to global warming. It doesn't matter if you plan to use the compost produced or not; keeping your food scraps out of the landfill reduces your carbon footprint and is a vital step toward sustainable living that every household can and should make.

[The composting book I read today: Compost, by Clare Foster (Cassell Illustrated).]