Have a (fresh water) fish? Next time you are refreshing its water, consider pouring the old stuff over some of your plants. It's full of nitrogen and other nutrients your plants thrive on, which makes it a great fertilizer without the extra chemicals or environmental impact.
To learn more, see Aquarium Water as Houseplant Fertilizer or other similar online articles.
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label water. Show all posts
17 March 2010
15 December 2009
Watering Plants in Absentia
Have some plants in your home? Wonderful! But what to do when you go out of town for a bit around the holidays?
First of all, most plants are happiest getting periodic infusions of lots of water, rather than daily spritzings. So, for most plants, if you're only going to be gone a week or less, watering them right before you leave should be all they need! (Of course, Google your own plants to find out about their specific needs.)
To set up a slow release watering method, consider leaving some ice cubes around in the dirt (but not touching the plant itself). As the ice melts, it will slowly water your plant. This is especially useful in the winter when the ice will melt less quickly.
What about plants that do, in fact, need more water? Green is Sexy recommends this time-tested trick: "To keep plants moist without drowning them, fill your tub, sink or large pot with 2 inches of water and add a towel. Place your well-watered plant in the tub/sink/pot and trust that it will suck up the moisture it needs while you’re away."
First of all, most plants are happiest getting periodic infusions of lots of water, rather than daily spritzings. So, for most plants, if you're only going to be gone a week or less, watering them right before you leave should be all they need! (Of course, Google your own plants to find out about their specific needs.)
To set up a slow release watering method, consider leaving some ice cubes around in the dirt (but not touching the plant itself). As the ice melts, it will slowly water your plant. This is especially useful in the winter when the ice will melt less quickly.
What about plants that do, in fact, need more water? Green is Sexy recommends this time-tested trick: "To keep plants moist without drowning them, fill your tub, sink or large pot with 2 inches of water and add a towel. Place your well-watered plant in the tub/sink/pot and trust that it will suck up the moisture it needs while you’re away."
07 October 2009
Person-Powered Yard Work
It's funny how so many of us are constantly trying to lose weight/get healthier, yet we use electric, gas, or water-powered tools as often as possible. Sometimes it's necessary, of course. Just try to put a screw through a concrete wall without a power drill. Other times, however, it's just a waste.
Yard work, in particular, often falls into this category. People pull out their gas-powered lawnmowers (don't even get me started on the tractor ones in suburbia!), their weed wackers, etc. and blow through their yard work. Then the next morning, they go to the gym.
Environmentally, the much kinder method, of course, is to put some people-power into your yard work. We've written before about how much we love our push reel lawn mower. We have a harder time avoiding the weed wacker, though I prefer to use clippers any day.
Green is sexy highlights another egregious waste of resources in the article "say it, don't spray it." Using a hose instead of a broom to sweep away grass clippings or leaves is not cool. For that matter, neither is using a leaf-blower when a rake will do.
Yes, I know it is hard work. And in the southern sun, it's preferable to spend as little time working out in the yard as possible. But do as much yard work as you can using your own calories, and your heart, arteries, muscles, and waistline -- and Earth -- will thank you.
Yard work, in particular, often falls into this category. People pull out their gas-powered lawnmowers (don't even get me started on the tractor ones in suburbia!), their weed wackers, etc. and blow through their yard work. Then the next morning, they go to the gym.
Environmentally, the much kinder method, of course, is to put some people-power into your yard work. We've written before about how much we love our push reel lawn mower. We have a harder time avoiding the weed wacker, though I prefer to use clippers any day.
Green is sexy highlights another egregious waste of resources in the article "say it, don't spray it." Using a hose instead of a broom to sweep away grass clippings or leaves is not cool. For that matter, neither is using a leaf-blower when a rake will do.
Yes, I know it is hard work. And in the southern sun, it's preferable to spend as little time working out in the yard as possible. But do as much yard work as you can using your own calories, and your heart, arteries, muscles, and waistline -- and Earth -- will thank you.
28 September 2009
Bidet vs. Toilet Paper
What's the most environmentally friendly way to clean up after using the toilet? The answer may surprise you.
According to Liz Langley's Alternet article "The Green, Clean Art of Keeping Our 'Rear Ends" Hygenic: What are We Afraid Of?" the most environmentally friendly method is the use of a bidet instead of toilet paper.
Doesn't that use a lot more water than toilet paper? Actually, no. As the article says, "Yes...a bidet uses treated water, an increasingly precious commodity. But it uses less than that utilized in the production of even recycled toilet paper -- and a fraction of the amount consumed by virgin pulp." Wow. Who would have known?
Some bidet units can be as cheap as $100, easy to find at your local hardware store, and simple to attach. On top of being better for the environment, bidets are also more hygienic and effective than using toilet paper.
Check out the Alternet article for more information.
According to Liz Langley's Alternet article "The Green, Clean Art of Keeping Our 'Rear Ends" Hygenic: What are We Afraid Of?" the most environmentally friendly method is the use of a bidet instead of toilet paper.
Doesn't that use a lot more water than toilet paper? Actually, no. As the article says, "Yes...a bidet uses treated water, an increasingly precious commodity. But it uses less than that utilized in the production of even recycled toilet paper -- and a fraction of the amount consumed by virgin pulp." Wow. Who would have known?
Some bidet units can be as cheap as $100, easy to find at your local hardware store, and simple to attach. On top of being better for the environment, bidets are also more hygienic and effective than using toilet paper.
Check out the Alternet article for more information.
13 July 2009
Waterless Shower
[I apologize for not updating very frequently lately. I've been taking a very challenging course on the "Foundations of American Constitutionalism." That has taken all my brain and time. :) Weekly postings will resume in August.]
There are many reasons people do not bike/run/walk to work. One of the most frequently cited reasons is the lack of showers at the workplace.
10nine8 has devised a solution for just such a situation. "Rocket Shower" lets you clean up in a bathroom stall (or anywhere else with privacy) without needing any additional supplies/water. Their products come in 2, 4, and 8.5 ounce bottles, easy to carry with you or leave at the office.
What's in it and how does it work? Here's some information from the "Rocket Shower" website:
1. Witch hazel...used as an astringent and skin cleaner...It's a strong and effective body cleaner...
2. SD Alcohol 40. Helps evaporate the sweat quickly, kills bacteria that can lead to body odor, and has a slight cooling effect.
3. Water
4. Grapefruit peel oil. Citrus helps clean the skin, and contributes a clean scent...Rocket Shower's scent completely evaporates soon after application.
5. Peppermint oil...helps cool you while you clean up.
6. Vitamin E...to ensure the alcohol and witch hazel don't dry out the skin.
Click here to read more about Rocket Shower's ingredients and how it works.
TreeHugger has an article about this product as well. Check out the article to read about one person's first experience with the "Rocket Shower." And tell me if you try it!
There are many reasons people do not bike/run/walk to work. One of the most frequently cited reasons is the lack of showers at the workplace.
10nine8 has devised a solution for just such a situation. "Rocket Shower" lets you clean up in a bathroom stall (or anywhere else with privacy) without needing any additional supplies/water. Their products come in 2, 4, and 8.5 ounce bottles, easy to carry with you or leave at the office.
What's in it and how does it work? Here's some information from the "Rocket Shower" website:
1. Witch hazel...used as an astringent and skin cleaner...It's a strong and effective body cleaner...
2. SD Alcohol 40. Helps evaporate the sweat quickly, kills bacteria that can lead to body odor, and has a slight cooling effect.
3. Water
4. Grapefruit peel oil. Citrus helps clean the skin, and contributes a clean scent...Rocket Shower's scent completely evaporates soon after application.
5. Peppermint oil...helps cool you while you clean up.
6. Vitamin E...to ensure the alcohol and witch hazel don't dry out the skin.
Click here to read more about Rocket Shower's ingredients and how it works.
TreeHugger has an article about this product as well. Check out the article to read about one person's first experience with the "Rocket Shower." And tell me if you try it!
17 June 2009
Leaky Toilets
One of the easiest and cheapest ways to live more sustainably is to make sure the things you own are working as efficiently as they can. While this most often involves energy efficiency, it is also important to consider water efficiency.
It's easy to test your toilet for a leaky valve. Just put a couple drops of food coloring in the tank, wait about 15 minutes, and see if any coloring has leaked into the toilet bowl. If so, you probably just need to replace the flapper -- easy as pie!
Why is this important? Because, as the Daily Green reports, "one in every five toilets leak, and since the leaks are usually silent, you probably have no idea if your toilet is leaking." Even worse, "A leaking toilet can waste anywhere between 30 and 500 gallons of water every day"! So much water!
Well, what are you waiting for? Go give it a try!
It's easy to test your toilet for a leaky valve. Just put a couple drops of food coloring in the tank, wait about 15 minutes, and see if any coloring has leaked into the toilet bowl. If so, you probably just need to replace the flapper -- easy as pie!
Why is this important? Because, as the Daily Green reports, "one in every five toilets leak, and since the leaks are usually silent, you probably have no idea if your toilet is leaking." Even worse, "A leaking toilet can waste anywhere between 30 and 500 gallons of water every day"! So much water!
Well, what are you waiting for? Go give it a try!
06 March 2009
Pasta
Sometimes, little changes made time and time again over many years can make a big difference in the long run. One example of this might be the way you make pasta. Saving a few pints of water here and there can add up over time.
For example, consider how you make pasta. The package says to boil four or six pints of water before adding the pasta...and you dutifully do. Then you pour it down the sink. What's the point? Is it necessary?
A New York Times article "Do you need all that water to boil pasta?" tackles just these questions. The author experiments using less and less water, down to 1.5 quarts, and found that it worked just fine. You had to stir it more often to keep it from sticking to the sides of the pot, but otherwise you were set.
But water isn't the only resource these changes save. Electricity/energy is also a big concern. It takes a lot of energy to get four quarts of water up to a boil. By using less water, you are also using less energy to cook the same delicious meal.
Check out the article for all the details. And think about other ways that you can, little by little, reduce your impact in the kitchen.
For example, consider how you make pasta. The package says to boil four or six pints of water before adding the pasta...and you dutifully do. Then you pour it down the sink. What's the point? Is it necessary?
A New York Times article "Do you need all that water to boil pasta?" tackles just these questions. The author experiments using less and less water, down to 1.5 quarts, and found that it worked just fine. You had to stir it more often to keep it from sticking to the sides of the pot, but otherwise you were set.
But water isn't the only resource these changes save. Electricity/energy is also a big concern. It takes a lot of energy to get four quarts of water up to a boil. By using less water, you are also using less energy to cook the same delicious meal.
Check out the article for all the details. And think about other ways that you can, little by little, reduce your impact in the kitchen.
13 February 2009
Rechargeable Batteries
Rechargeable batteries are certainly the way to go. Although they are more of an initial investment, rechargeable batteries have much longer lifespans than the old kind. This means less energy that goes into the production and shipment of new batteries; it also means fewer batteries in landfills.
Which rechargeable batteries are the best? An article on TreeHugger says, "Duracell batteries lasted far longer - ranging from about 5 to 6.5 hours in life compared to the 3.5 hours of Energizer. Additionally Duracell one-ups Energizer in that its batteries come pre-charged and hold a charge for a year, compared to Energizer's 6 months."
Remember that rechargeable batteries come in almost any size you need. AA and AAA batteries can be found easily at any grocery store, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. But you can also easily order C, D, and 9V batteries on the Internet, as well as other sizes.
Which rechargeable batteries are the best? An article on TreeHugger says, "Duracell batteries lasted far longer - ranging from about 5 to 6.5 hours in life compared to the 3.5 hours of Energizer. Additionally Duracell one-ups Energizer in that its batteries come pre-charged and hold a charge for a year, compared to Energizer's 6 months."
Remember that rechargeable batteries come in almost any size you need. AA and AAA batteries can be found easily at any grocery store, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. But you can also easily order C, D, and 9V batteries on the Internet, as well as other sizes.
18 January 2009
The Protein Myth
Moving toward vegetarianism is an excellent way to live more sustainably. Meat is an extremely inefficient use of grains, vegetation, and water. A diet including meat contributes much more to global warming through its carbon footprint than a vegetarian diet does.
If you're considering moving toward vegetarianism, you probably have some questions and concerns. How, for example, do you eat a well-balanced diet rich in all the different types of nutrients you need to be healthy? The article Getting Past the 'Protein Myth' That Keeps People from Quitting Meat and Dairy examines one common concern about vegetarianism: how vegetarians get their protein.
If you're considering moving toward vegetarianism, you probably have some questions and concerns. How, for example, do you eat a well-balanced diet rich in all the different types of nutrients you need to be healthy? The article Getting Past the 'Protein Myth' That Keeps People from Quitting Meat and Dairy examines one common concern about vegetarianism: how vegetarians get their protein.
15 January 2009
Water filters
I recently wrote about the dangers of bottled water in which I implored readers to try to switch to drinking all tap water. Someone brought up a question I did not address in my posting: what about water filters?
For people who don't like the taste of the tap water in their municipality, water filters are an excellent option! MUCH better than bottled water!
But choose carefully. Some companies will take back their filters and recycle them, while others will not. A major environmental campaign called "Take Back the Filter" recently won a hard-fought victory. In the past, Brita took back and recycled their filters in other countries where Brita is sold (like European countries, etc.) but NOT in America. Now you can turn them in at Whole Foods or mail them in. A major victory that definitely changes the way the environmental community looks at water filters.
Also, you don't have to worry about BPA in Brita's pitchers or in Pur's. Make sure you check out the plastics used in other brands' pitchers when making a decision. Of course, you can avoid the plastics of the pitcher if you choose to use a filter attached to your sink faucet (here's a random example) or in your refrigerator.
For people who don't like the taste of the tap water in their municipality, water filters are an excellent option! MUCH better than bottled water!
But choose carefully. Some companies will take back their filters and recycle them, while others will not. A major environmental campaign called "Take Back the Filter" recently won a hard-fought victory. In the past, Brita took back and recycled their filters in other countries where Brita is sold (like European countries, etc.) but NOT in America. Now you can turn them in at Whole Foods or mail them in. A major victory that definitely changes the way the environmental community looks at water filters.
Also, you don't have to worry about BPA in Brita's pitchers or in Pur's. Make sure you check out the plastics used in other brands' pitchers when making a decision. Of course, you can avoid the plastics of the pitcher if you choose to use a filter attached to your sink faucet (here's a random example) or in your refrigerator.
08 January 2009
Choosing a dishwasher
A recent article from Green Is Sexy outlined a few things sustainability-minded buyers should look for when buying a dishwasher. I've added some links to make these tips more useful. Pay special attention to the last one! Here's why the article has to say:
1) Seek out the star. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that helps consumers identify the most energy-efficient products.
2) Compare wash cycle times - the shorter the better.
3) Try to avoid heated dry - air drying is just as good, greener and costs less. Some machines have the option of turning it off which is good but others leave it off the panel completely which is even better.
If you’re not a first time buyer make sure your old machine gets another life. Most dishwashers are made of recycled steel already so add yours to the heap. Check with the installers of the new one to see if they will recycle the old - they usually do.
------
Consumer Reports hosts a "Greener Choices" website now. If you normally consult buyer's guides like Consumer Reports before major purchases, consider GreenerChoices.org. In this case, here is their Green Buying Guide for Dishwashers (published 9/08).
1) Seek out the star. ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program that helps consumers identify the most energy-efficient products.
2) Compare wash cycle times - the shorter the better.
3) Try to avoid heated dry - air drying is just as good, greener and costs less. Some machines have the option of turning it off which is good but others leave it off the panel completely which is even better.
If you’re not a first time buyer make sure your old machine gets another life. Most dishwashers are made of recycled steel already so add yours to the heap. Check with the installers of the new one to see if they will recycle the old - they usually do.
------
Consumer Reports hosts a "Greener Choices" website now. If you normally consult buyer's guides like Consumer Reports before major purchases, consider GreenerChoices.org. In this case, here is their Green Buying Guide for Dishwashers (published 9/08).
03 January 2009
Bottled Water
It's time for us to have "the talk." The talk about water and its commodification. Selling water is the nadir of modern consumerism. Water should be a right, not a privilege denied to even a single human being.
Yet human rights concerns are not the only reason to avoid bottled water. For starters, there's often no difference between bottled and tap water. Some water bottling companies, like Pepsi's Aquafina and Coke's Dasani, literally take water directly out of the tap. Think Outside the Bottle says, "Up to 40% of bottled water comes from the same source as tap water, but is sold back to consumers at hundreds of times the cost."
And companies who do not get their water from public tap water are even scarier. The Think Outside The Bottle Campaign website says,
"Bottled water corporations spend tens of millions of dollars each year to convince us their products are safer and more pure than tap water. But studies have shown bottled water is on average no safer than tap water and can sometimes be less safe. Both tap water and bottled water are evaluated using similar standards, but tap water is tested far more frequently and has more independent oversight by state and federal environmental authorities (EPA and DEP). Lacking adequate capacity to regulate bottled water, the government relies on bottled water corporations to police themselves, which in some cases has resulted in bottled water contaminations that have lasted for weeks before the public was warned."
So forget it if you think there are taste or health issues at stake.
How does this fit into a blog on sustainablitliy? Well, the carbon footprint of bottled water is enormous. From Think Outside the Bottle:
"Producing bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water required more than 17 million barrels of oil last year – enough fuel for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year - and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide."
Even people who are aware of the hypocrisy, environmental devastation, and general unsafety of bottled water may still be making mistakes that are harming themselves and their families. If you find that you've ended up with a bottle of water, don't re-use it! PET plastics are thought to be leaching dangerous BPA chemicals into your drinking water. BPA has been proven to be an endocrine disrupter, which means it screws up your body's hormones. DANGEROUS.
Instead, look for a water bottle that is meant to be reused:
SIGG is an excellent option. These are stainless steel bottles, so they keep water cold for a long time. They may be slightly heavier than plastic options, but I carry mine in my purse and/or backpack every day. Ben and I each have one (thanks to my little sister's generosity!) and each use them every. single. day. EarthLust is a comparable brand of stainless steel bottles with lots of really chic design choices.
Platypus makes insanely lightweight, BPA-free, fully-collapsible "bladder"-type bottles that are tough enough to be frozen or boiled. Especially perfect for situations where you can't bring drinks with you (airport, amusement parks, etc.) but don't want to be stuck buying water bottles inside. Easy to stick in your pocket and fill up at a sink/water fountain. I have one of these, too, and like it a lot.
Nalgene bottles are now, due to great public pressure, BPA-free. If you have an old one, however, it has BPA in it, and you should consider retiring it in favor of a healthier alternative.
Love Bottle brand water bottles. They are reusable glass bottles that couldn't be cuter. The fact that they are glass means they are probably not the best choice for really young children. But for the rest of us, they make really good water bottles. They even offer little bottle carriers with straps to make it easy as pie to bring your water bottle everywhere. If fashion is important to you, check these out.
For other options, this is a pretty good review of some of your eco-friendly and HEALTHY choices out there. Just be careful that you get a bottle that is BPA-free!
Please check out the Think Outside the Bottle campaign to challenge corporate control of water. Take the pledge, and fight back against the commodification of a basic human right.
Yet human rights concerns are not the only reason to avoid bottled water. For starters, there's often no difference between bottled and tap water. Some water bottling companies, like Pepsi's Aquafina and Coke's Dasani, literally take water directly out of the tap. Think Outside the Bottle says, "Up to 40% of bottled water comes from the same source as tap water, but is sold back to consumers at hundreds of times the cost."
And companies who do not get their water from public tap water are even scarier. The Think Outside The Bottle Campaign website says,
"Bottled water corporations spend tens of millions of dollars each year to convince us their products are safer and more pure than tap water. But studies have shown bottled water is on average no safer than tap water and can sometimes be less safe. Both tap water and bottled water are evaluated using similar standards, but tap water is tested far more frequently and has more independent oversight by state and federal environmental authorities (EPA and DEP). Lacking adequate capacity to regulate bottled water, the government relies on bottled water corporations to police themselves, which in some cases has resulted in bottled water contaminations that have lasted for weeks before the public was warned."
So forget it if you think there are taste or health issues at stake.
How does this fit into a blog on sustainablitliy? Well, the carbon footprint of bottled water is enormous. From Think Outside the Bottle:
"Producing bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water required more than 17 million barrels of oil last year – enough fuel for more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year - and generated more than 2.5 million tons of carbon dioxide."
Even people who are aware of the hypocrisy, environmental devastation, and general unsafety of bottled water may still be making mistakes that are harming themselves and their families. If you find that you've ended up with a bottle of water, don't re-use it! PET plastics are thought to be leaching dangerous BPA chemicals into your drinking water. BPA has been proven to be an endocrine disrupter, which means it screws up your body's hormones. DANGEROUS.
Instead, look for a water bottle that is meant to be reused:
SIGG is an excellent option. These are stainless steel bottles, so they keep water cold for a long time. They may be slightly heavier than plastic options, but I carry mine in my purse and/or backpack every day. Ben and I each have one (thanks to my little sister's generosity!) and each use them every. single. day. EarthLust is a comparable brand of stainless steel bottles with lots of really chic design choices.
Platypus makes insanely lightweight, BPA-free, fully-collapsible "bladder"-type bottles that are tough enough to be frozen or boiled. Especially perfect for situations where you can't bring drinks with you (airport, amusement parks, etc.) but don't want to be stuck buying water bottles inside. Easy to stick in your pocket and fill up at a sink/water fountain. I have one of these, too, and like it a lot.
Nalgene bottles are now, due to great public pressure, BPA-free. If you have an old one, however, it has BPA in it, and you should consider retiring it in favor of a healthier alternative.
Love Bottle brand water bottles. They are reusable glass bottles that couldn't be cuter. The fact that they are glass means they are probably not the best choice for really young children. But for the rest of us, they make really good water bottles. They even offer little bottle carriers with straps to make it easy as pie to bring your water bottle everywhere. If fashion is important to you, check these out.
For other options, this is a pretty good review of some of your eco-friendly and HEALTHY choices out there. Just be careful that you get a bottle that is BPA-free!
Please check out the Think Outside the Bottle campaign to challenge corporate control of water. Take the pledge, and fight back against the commodification of a basic human right.
28 August 2008
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."
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."
10 August 2008
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.
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.
06 August 2008
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/
19 July 2008
Meat and the Placebo Effect
Eating meal is a terribly inefficient way to get your calories and nutrients.
Raising animals for food requires very large amounts of water and vegetation input. Over half the grain produced in the US is used to feed livestock, and thousands of gallons of water goes into each ounce of beef. Then, of course, consider all the extra fossil fuels burned and energy expended transporting the feed to the animals and in the actual slaughtering. For more detailed information, check out the pages here or here.
Really, it is hard to justify all the waste inherent in the system, especially in a world of rising food prices, increasingly privatized water, and peak oil.
And, as it turns out, you may not even be able to justify your meat-eating guilty habits by your "taste" for meat. Check out this article from Live Science about a new study, reproduced below:
Meat Eaters Live a Lie
While a big, juicy steak may indeed be culinary nirvana for many, your taste for beef could be based in part on expectation rather than reality.
Raising animals for food requires very large amounts of water and vegetation input. Over half the grain produced in the US is used to feed livestock, and thousands of gallons of water goes into each ounce of beef. Then, of course, consider all the extra fossil fuels burned and energy expended transporting the feed to the animals and in the actual slaughtering. For more detailed information, check out the pages here or here.
Really, it is hard to justify all the waste inherent in the system, especially in a world of rising food prices, increasingly privatized water, and peak oil.
And, as it turns out, you may not even be able to justify your meat-eating guilty habits by your "taste" for meat. Check out this article from Live Science about a new study, reproduced below:
Meat Eaters Live a Lie
While a big, juicy steak may indeed be culinary nirvana for many, your taste for beef could be based in part on expectation rather than reality.
On the assumption that meat is associated with social power in some peoples' minds, researchers rated study participants on what they call a Social Power Value Endorsement measure, to determine their preferences for meat and their cultural perceptions of it. Participants were then told they would taste either a beef sausage roll or a vegetarian roll. You can guess where this is headed.
Of course the researchers used one of the oldest tricks in the social scientist's toolbox: They lied.
Some participants got what they were told was coming, and others unknowingly ate the other type of roll. Then they all filled out questionnaires about how they like the food.
"Participants who ate the vegetarian alternative did not rate the taste and aroma less favorably than those who ate the beef product," the researchers report in August issue of the Journal of Consumer Research. "Instead, what influenced taste evaluation was what they thought they had eaten and whether that food symbolized values that they personally supported."
The study was done by Michael W. Allen at the University of Sydney, Richa Gupta from the University of Nashville, and Arnaud Monnier of the National Engineer School for Food Industries and Management, France. A second test done with a popular, status-heavy soft drink and a dime-store brand yielded similar results.
03 July 2008
Dishes
Remember to take care of the water when you're doing housework, too!
We use "Seventh Generation" liquid dish soap for when we wash dishes by hand. It comes in a fragrance-free version or a handful of soft, natural scents. We're currently using the "Lavender Floral and Mint" scented soap. I love the light, fresh scent of the mint in it.
For the dishwasher (which can be just as water-efficient or even more so than washing by hand if you run only full loads and use basic settings), we also currently use Seventh Generation, namely the "Lemon" scented automatic dishwasher gel.
It's important that you choose your next cleaners and soaps to be completely biodegradable. Many cleaning products on the market contain phosphates, which get into surface water and causes imbalances in aquatic plant life-cycles. For a fairly thorough scientific article about phosphates, read this.
We like Seventh Generation brand because it is affordable and really easy to find. Here in Melbourne, FL, you can find Seventh Generation brand soaps and cleaners at any Publix grocery store, as well as Paradise Health and Nutrition (at the intersection of Minton and Palm Bay Road).
The story behind the name of the Seventh Generation brand is really sweet, too. The name comes from the Great Law of the Iroquois Confederacy, part of which states, "In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations." Most of us can think only as far as grandkids (and that may well be stretching it!), so thinking about the impact of our actions and choices on the next seven generations is a real challenge. However, it is a challenge we should all take upon ourselves on a daily basis.
To learn more about Seventh Generation and score some coupons, check out their website.
We have recently picked up some other phosphate-free cleaners and soaps lately and will let you know how those compare to Seventh Generation.
Image from www.seventhgeneration.com
02 July 2008
More on Water
My mom had another couple suggestions about how to use shower water to reduce your water needs:
- You could also use the water to wash your car! For starters, using a bucket full of water and a sponge is a much more water-efficient way to wash vehicles than using a hose. So why not use water you already have sitting around...in a bucket no less!
- You can keep your bucket in the shower to collect extra water as you shower, too. If you plan to use your water on plants (indoors or out), make sure you are using 100% biodegradable soap and shampoo to keep your plants safe and healthy.
- You could also use the water to wash your car! For starters, using a bucket full of water and a sponge is a much more water-efficient way to wash vehicles than using a hose. So why not use water you already have sitting around...in a bucket no less!
- You can keep your bucket in the shower to collect extra water as you shower, too. If you plan to use your water on plants (indoors or out), make sure you are using 100% biodegradable soap and shampoo to keep your plants safe and healthy.
30 June 2008
Low-Flow Showerheads
Getting a low-flow showerhead is one of the easiest things you can do to reduce your daily water consumption. Give it two showers and you won't even notice the difference!
We chose to buy the ETL Oxygenics showerhead because it was super affordable and one of the most water-efficient we could find.
To search for a low-flow showerhead of your very own, read some reviews here:
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/category/showerheads
To see the showerhead we bought and read Ben's review of it, check this out:
http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/etl-630-xlf-showerhead/reviews/175
Image from huddler.com
Water recycling
This blog, of course, is not only about gardening. That just happens to be my current pet project. This blog is about striving to live sustainably all-around in the environmentally-unsupportive environment of suburbia. In that spirit, the next few posts will be about things we have already implemented to make our household a little more "green."The first is water recycling on a very small, low-tech scale. We felt guilty about having to let our shower run while the water warms up, even with our low flow shower head. So we had a small brainstorm and decided to tote a 5-gallon bucket into the shower with us. We direct the showerhead to fill the bucket while the water is still running cold. By the time the bucket is 3/4 full, the water is warm enough for a comfy shower.
Of course, I can't quite ignore gardening entirely in this post though. We choose to use our collected shower water in our garden to help allay the unforgiving heat and sun of the Florida summer (or any season here, really). Ben waters in the mornings, when less evaporation occurs than during the day. [Mornings are better than evenings for watering vegetable plants because the sun dries any water that ended up on the plants' leaves. Leaves left wet are extremely vulnerable to plant diseases, especially in humid climates.]
But you don't have to have a proper garden to use this method of water recycling. We also use the water on our indoor houseplants. You could also use it on your suffering lawn during the summers. Because the water is fresh and clean, you could also use it to soak dishes or wash clothes by hand. Or pour it into your pets' bowls! The possibilities for an extra five or ten gallons of clean water around your house are quite numerous, even if you have no plants at all.
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