Neither Paper Nor Plastic - It's Reusable Bags

Which bag is more eco-friendly - Paper or Plastic? The answer is neither. Plastic bags end up mostly in landfills and a break down into toxic particles resulting in environmental degradation. Being light in weight, they fly away from the garbage dump with a sudden blow of wind and end up in drainage canals and water bodies. While the drains get choked, the sea mammals mistake plastic for food and choke themselves to death.

Paper bags, on the other hand, are not as hazardous as plastic bags but when it comes to environment conservation, paper bags are not eco friendly. If paper bags were to replace plastic bags, it would have resulted in the cutting down of lots and lots of trees. Also, the production process of these bags results in the emission of high volumes of greenhouse gases. Further, paper bags are not as durable as plastic bags. They are not able to endure wear and tear as much as plastic bags. Exposure to water makes them even weaker and they tend to tear away.

The shoppers need bags that are eco-friendly, durable and light in weight. Be it plastic or paper bags, they fall short in these respects. Hence, the use of these bags needs to be discouraged. A good way of restricting usage of plastic bags is to introduce taxation. The Irish government imposed taxation (named PlasTax) of 15 cents per plastic bag which brought down its usage by over 90%. Similar steps can heavily curb the usage of plastic bags.

A better way of doing away with paper or plastic bags is to use more and more reusable bags. These bags are made with non-woven polypropylene that is not only recyclable but also water repellent and durable. It complies with FDA regulations and does not contain toxic particles. Hence, opt for shopping bags that are reusable.

Autor: Alfred Anderson

Alfred Anderson has rich experience in the field of online brand marketing. His interests includes Internet marketing and research on emerging online business trends.

green bags.

Added: February 1, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Reusable Shopping Bags For Today's Trendy Shopper

Have you noticed the growing number of people bringing their own bags to the store with them these days? Plastic bags are out of style! Today's "hip" shoppers use reusable shopping bags.

Not concerned about being 'trendy' and 'hip'? Still using plastic?

The truth is that trendy isn't the issue. The reality is that using plastic bags creates a financial burden, damages the environment, and harms wildlife.

It is estimated that in California alone almost 600 bags are used by consumers every second, on average. And what do you think happens to them after their one use? Most of them are thrown away and the state of California's tax payers pay nearly $8.5 million every year to pay for programs that deal with plastic bag litter. Another $25 million goes towards funding landfills that the plastic bags end up in.

Marine life is also horribly impacted by plastic bag use. Hundreds of marine species are adversely affected by plastic bags who's debris makes its way into their ecosystem and is ingested. Sea turtles get the most press as they often ingest plastic bags that resemble jelly fish and die. However, sea turtles are not the only sea animal impacted negatively by plastic bags. In some parts of the ocean, particles from plastic bags outnumber plankton by a ration of 6 to 1.

What about recycling?

Recycling plastic bags is, unfortunately, not economically viable. The cost to recycle 1 ton of plastic bag is roughly $4,000. The result? A batch of recycled plastic that can be sold on the commodities market for $32. Given those numbers, it should be no surprise that less than 2% of plastic bags are recycled.

In fact, a growing number of plastic bags are being shipped to countries with less stringent environmental laws where they are incinerated. Needless to say, burning tons of plastic bags is not good for the atmosphere that is subjected to millions of harmful chemicals.

Additionally, simply producing plastic bags consumes a precious, non-renewable resource (petroleum). The world literally uses hundreds of billions of plastic bags every year, every single one of which released toxic chemicals to our environment and requires non-renewable resources to produce.

That's a lot of bags that aren't being recycled. That's a lot of bags being produced and a lot of bags that end up all over our planet.

The craziest part of this whole situation is that it's easy to fix. Simply stop using plastic bags! Reusable shopping bags are available in all kinds of sizes, colors, and designs. Many stores offer a credit for bringing your own bags and reusable bags themselves are sturdier and capable of carrying more items, meaning less hassle for you.

So, beyond all the 'hype' surrounding reusable shopping bags, remember that it's a trend that's worth following. It saves money. It's more practical. It helps preserve our planet for future generations and helps sea animals survive. Regardless of your reasons, reusable shopping bags are a great idea.

Autor: David Kraft

David Kraft is a freelance author that writes about a variety of subjects. He supports eco-friendly living and green products such as reusable shopping bags. For more information about how to live in an environmentally conscious manner, visit his reusable grocery bag site.

Added: January 31, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rebuilding Newark, NJ Through Fire and Water Restoration

Newark is the largest city in New Jersey, with over 275,000 thousand residents living in its five districts or wards. One of the oldest established towns or city in the United States, Newark is just 5 miles away from Manhattan and 2 miles from Staten Island.

Newark made its mark in history when one of the most destructive racial riots in the 60's occurred in this city. During that time, this city was considered one of the worst cities to live in and had the worst percentages of substandard housing. Housing segregation and racial discrimination pushed African Americans to one of the country's poorest ghettos. This brought racial tension to a boil which exploded after an alleged police brutality case involving a cab driver, and resulted to four days of riots and mayhem. There were over 1000 injuries and 26 deaths, with over $10 million dollars lost in properties. Hundreds of buildings and houses where burning everywhere, with even the firemen fearing for their lives. These created a severe requirement for a fire and water restoration Newark, NJ that went unresolved for years to come.

After the riots, particularly in the 70's and the 80's, the city slowly continued to deteriorate as fire and water restoration Newark, NJ services continued to remain unperformed. Semi-abandoned buildings indicate the massive exodus of locals hoping to find better living conditions elsewhere. Newark has an inherently subtropical climate with cold winters and humid summers. Its close proximity to the ocean aggravates these conditions further, making it more conducive for mold and mildew to grow and infest these buildings. These resulted to further deterioration and decay for these buildings. What is needed is an expansive program for fire and water restoration in Newark, NJ counties and wards.

The mid-90's proved to be a renaissance period for this New Jersey city as fire and water restoration Newark, NJ programs went into full gear. High-rise public housing projects that deteriorated in the 1970's from fire and water damage were rebuilt and restored, as well as the building of new urban housing communities. These buildings were slowly recovered through fire and water restoration and Newark, NJ slowly rose from the ashes and became a "livable" city once more.

By the year 2000, the impact of fire and water restoration Newark, NJ recovery programs slowly proved to be beneficial for the city as a whole as it led the whole state of New Jersey in private residential housing. An example is the 206 townhouses that were built in what was called New Community Hills and were located in a former public housing complex in the Central Ward. This increase in residential housing signifies more people are starting to settle down and stay in the city. This was confirmed by the 2000 census that indicated a low 0.6% reduction rate since the 1990's. This signaled the end of the New Jersey exodus, thanks to fire and water restoration Newark, NJ efforts.

From the ashes of the 1960's and the 1970's, Newark, NJ rose once again to be the center of transportation, manufacturing and education in New Jersey. With the efforts of its mayor, administration and people, Newark was recently awarded the Environmental Protection Administrator's Award. With the stigma of the 1967 riot receding into history, a fading memory that prompted a sad exodus of residents away from the city, Newark has gone a long way and has been designated a "most livable city" and an "all-America city."

Autor: Leo Nov

Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about Water Damage Cleanup New York and Water Damage Restoration New York, visit RestorationSOS.com.

Added: January 29, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Easy Ways to Go Green at Home

Did you know that there are many easy ways that you can go green at home? Going green or becoming environmentally aware is fast becoming not only the right choice to make for our planet, it can also be fun. And the satisfaction you get from knowing that you are reducing your carbon footprint on our earth is immense. Here are some tips on how you can become more eco-friendly at home.

Indoor plants are green

And not only in color! Many plants are very beneficial for removing indoor air pollutants that can be emitted by computers, televisions and even general furniture. They remove the toxins like formaldehyde and benzene that you would normally be breathing in. The best house indoor plants to go green at home are English ivy, Golden porthos and peace lilies (which are also very hardy).

Check your temperature

No you aren't sick, I meant the temperature of your fridge and freezer. These appliances are the worst at eating up the electricity so if you want to make them more eco-friendly then adjust their thermostats to 0 F for your freezer and 37 F for your fridge.

Go low flow

Water has now become one of our most precious resources so it makes sense to reduce our usage wherever possible. One of my favorite ways to do that is by installing a water-efficient low-flow showerhead. A regular sized family of four is able to cut their water usage by nearly 300 gallons a month without noticing a difference in pressure.

Light Savings

Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's) will help you lower your electricity bill and they don't impact the environment as much as regular bulbs so they are a great way to go green at home. All good hardware and most home stores now stock CFL's. While they'll cost you a little more upfront, because they last 10 times longer than regular bulbs you'll make more than the cost back over the long term.

These easy ideas are just some of the ways that you can go green at home, and because you'll also be saving money you'll be improving the environment and your bank balance.

Autor: Tracey A Edwards Tracey A Edwards
Level: Platinum
Tracey spends too much time on the computer....

Would you like to learn how to save around $500 per month by going green? Visit http://www.gogreenberich.com for more information.

Added: January 28, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Environmentally Friendly Septic Tank

The environment is very important for the fact that it is our home. It is also responsible for the food that we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. That is why it is very important that we take care of it to the best of our ability. One way to do that is by having an environmentally friendly septic tank.

Having an environmentally friendly septic tank keeps a lot of harmful elements from being released into the ground. This prevents groundwater from being contaminated, protects plants, and protects animals. In other words, having a sound septic tank can protect the ecosystem in your area. There is also the fact that wastewater treatment requires much less energy than the traditional method.

Pumping septic tanks

One of the most irritating aspects of having septic tanks is the need to pump it regularly. It is recommended by experts that a 1,000 gallon tank be pumped every three to five years. That may not seem like something that is too difficult to do, but it actually is. And some individuals do not even get around to pumping their septic tank. They completely forget that they are supposed to do this. This can later lead to the septic tank leaking, which can cause a wide range of environment issues, in addition to an incredible mess.

However, there is a way to stretch the time in between septic tank pumpings and that is by having an environmentally system called a FAST system. Wastewater treatment is also taken to a completely different level.

What the FAST system does is increases how much solid waste is destroyed. Bacteria are responsible for this destruction. As for what FAST stands for, it stands for Fixed Activated Sludge Treatment. What this system does is create the perfect environment in which bacteria can naturally decompose the waste in the system. As a matter of fact, it eats away at most of the waste that makes its way into the system, making wastewater treatment much easier.

How do FAST systems work?

The bacteria in a FAST system are stored in a reactor chamber that is under the ground. This reactor chamber is self-cleaning and it is aerated. That way, optimal bacteria growth is achieved. Because of this bacteria growth, anywhere between 90% and 95% of the solid waste that enters the septic system is completely destroyed and wastewater treatment is minimal.

Because more waste is destroyed, you do not have to worry about the mess of pumping your septic system often at all. This also saves you a lot of money because many individuals pay professionals to take care of the pumping of their septic tanks. This can become expensive, especially if any complications come about.

Preventing nitrogen contamination

FAST septic tanks can help avoid nitrogen contamination. This is because the byproduct that is produced by the natural processes that occur within septic tanks is nitrogen. When the nitrogen level becomes too high, it can seep into groundwater and make its way into human drinking water. The FAST system keeps this from happening. These septic tanks keep this from happening because the bacteria housed within the septic tank neutralize much of that nitrogen.

It is important that you ensure the functionality of the bacteria in FAST septic tanks, though. One way to do this is to avoid sending too many household cleaners down the drain. When you do this, you can kill the bacteria and compromise the effectiveness of the bacteria. When the bacteria's effectiveness is compromised, nitrogen levels can climb and the breakdown of solid waste may be reduced.

So if you are all about saving money and saving the environment, environmentally friendly septic tanks can make an incredible difference in your life and in the world.

Autor: Amy Nutt

Wastewater treatment company offers environmentally friendly septic tanks systems for commercial, residential or mobile use. Also provides kitchen drain grease trap interceptors providing automatic removal of 99.6% of cooking fats, oils and greases.

Added: January 27, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Hollywood Going Green With Reusable Shopping Bags

Many of today's top celebrities are hopping on the "green" bandwagon and are using accessories to show it. Several hot young celebrities have been spotted shopping with reusable shopping bags and purchasing organic goods.

It's definitely a sign of our times. For those of us lucky enough to have been around in the 60s and 70s, this should feel a bit like deja vu as, once again, caring about the environment is the fashionable thing to do.

The term "green" is what is currently being used to loosely describe all thing that have to do with environmental consciousness and sustainabilty - the things that we can do today to have a positive impact on the environment for tomorrow. Companies, buildings, even entire cities are "going green" these days, meaning they are implementing systems or technology that embrace eco-friendliness. Among the hot topics are decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, landfill overuse, natural habitat preservation, and recycling.

However, with such a big movement on a grand scale, it's often hard to see how each and every individual can fit in. One way that people are finding easy to make a difference, even Hollywood stars, is by using reusable bags.

In the 1970s, plastic bags became the way to transport purchases from stores to households, replacing the paper bag. Statistics that are completely reliable are impossible to attain, but the US EPS estimates that over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks, and wraps are used each year in the United States. Estimates in China state that the county uses around 3 billion plastic bags each day! The issue with plastic bags is that they are not environmentally friendly. They are not biodegradable, meaning they cannot be naturally broken down to an eco-friendly state. Instead, plastic bags photodegrade, meaning they are broken down by light into little toxic bits that work their way in to waterways and soil where they are ingested by animals. When you consider how many plastic bags we use, you quickly realize how much toxic material is being put in to our environment.

Using a reusable bag for your shopping is a simple alternative that will help reduce the amount of toxic waste that we generate. So the next time you're out shopping, do what the celebs are doing and bring your own bag!

Autor: David Kraft

David Kraft is a freelance author that writes about a variety of subjects. He supports eco-friendly living and green products such as reusable shopping bags. For more information about eco-friendly living, visit his reusable grocery bags site.

Added: January 26, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Benefits of Hemp - Our Planet's Most Sustainable Material

The secret is out. After years of misinformation, consumers are discovering that hemp is one our planet's most abundant and environmentally sustainable resources. Hemp products tend to be durable, well made, sustainable, and are usually produced and imported using fair trade practices. In the past year, the number of consumers seeking greener choices when purchasing has increased significantly. Products made from hemp offer an ideal alternative to fabrics produced using chemicals and methods that are harmful to the environment.

Hemp is a natural fiber and one of the safest natural resources to maintain. The long strands of bast fibers found in the stalk of the plant are ideal to use in textiles. The fibers are spun and woven into a colorless material similar to linen and can be blended with other fabrics such as cotton or silk to create a variety of textures.

The plant thrives in most regions and does not require a high level of maintenance or water to grow successfully. In addition, hemp does not deplete the natural resources in the soil. Very little goes to waste when producing hemp materials. Seeds are used to make oil and food supplements, while the stalks are used for fiber. Hemp also produces almost four times more fiber per acre than pine trees!

Other bits of information you may not know about hemp:

Hemp is the most durable of natural fibers. The fibers found in hemp materials are durable and resistant to mold and mildew, making hemp fabric ideal for outdoor use. They absorb dyes well and are less prone to fading than other commonly used materials. Their long, natural, soft fibers gives the fabric better insulation- meaning it will keep you warmer in cold weather.

Hemp paper is easier to make than paper coming from trees. Hemp paper costs less to generate and lasts much longer. If we switched to hemp paper plants, there would be a great reduction in damaging green house gases and we would preserve many of the Earth's natural resources and habitats.

Hemp paper provides the recycling capacity of up to seven rotations. Pine-pulp base papers are only good for three.

Hemp is a natural material that is usually produced without harmful chemicals or pesticides; therefore, it is ideal for people with allergies and who are sensitive to chemicals.

Autor: Nadine Rowland

Nadine Rowland is the owner of Topanien; a global gift retail store located in Portland, Oregon. Her company is a member of Amnesty International and supports organizations that follow multicultural missions similar to her own. She travels extensively meeting with artists and does much of her own importing. Topanien specializes in global gifts that are imported from countries such as India, Peru, Mexico, and South Africa using fair trade practices. To learn more about Topanien and the organizations they support, visit their Website at http://www.topanien.com.

Added: January 23, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Water Damage in Manhattan

Living on an island, you can usually expect to have some type of water damage problems. You would think that a technologically developed island like Manhattan might have some water damage prevention methods to help you avoid flooding in your home, apartment or business, and it does. The city, however, has a population of over eight million and Manhattan Island has a drainage system that doesn't always function the way that you would want it to.

For those of you who are not from Manhattan, the island is separated into about a dozen distinctly different neighborhoods that all have a history and an identity. The development of Manhattan has been a part of American history since it was first purchased from Native American Indians for a handful of shells. They didn't have to worry about water damage. The island was never really developed at that time.

During the American Revolution, Manhattan, and the entire city of New York, was considered a strategic prize by both British and Continental troops. Homes on the island at that point were fairly primitive and water damage would be prevalent after every storm. There were also a number of diseases and fatalities attributed to poor sanitary conditions. Many of these were the result of water damage and poor sewage and waste removal.

During the Civil War, Manhattan was actually bombarded by American warships during a riot that was caused by the Union draft and poor economic conditions inside the city. The shelling left many homes and buildings broken and cracked, vulnerable to water damage. Years later, during the industrial revolution, this led to the need for demolition of most of these structures and the building of new buildings.

Water damage in Manhattan continued to be a problem for the next Century. The waterfront, always a danger spot, takes on pretty significant water damage to this day. The neighborhoods closest to the river and Long Island Sound are constantly fighting a battle with poor sewage and drainage and the gradual destruction of waterfront properties and structures.

Winter in Manhattan also brings its share of water damage problems. Heavy snow and pipes bursting as a result of freezing temperatures cause basements and rooftops to leak and develop mold and mildew. The cracks that emerge in foundations as a result of expanding and contracting let in rodents and insects that seek shelter and food during the long winter season.

Proofing your home against water damage is a simple matter of contacting a water damage professional. There are many on Manhattan and more throughout the rest of the boroughs of New York. Have your home winterized to avoid problems and, with older structures, you may want to look at replacing your plumbing and adding some modern insulation. Many of the buildings in Manhattan were built over one hundred years ago and need some serious refurbishing. Have your property inspected for potential weak spots: roofs, gutters, downspouts, basements. All of these are problem areas and all of them can be repaired or refurbished to prevent water damage.

Autor: Leo Nov

Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about Water Damage Cleanup New York and Water Damage Restoration New York, visit RestorationSOS.com.

Added: January 22, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Recycling and Climate Change

Energy efficiency and renewable power sources get the lion's share of attention when people seek solutions to climate change. Everyone wants solar electricity, high tech computerized energy management systems, mini wind turbines, super insulated houses, gas-filled triple glazed smart windows, and plug-in hybrid cars. If everyone had all these things, we like to think, then maybe the climate would settle down again.

But things are never that simple. Technical fixes for massive human problems are complicated and expensive. And yet, one of the most fundamental ways we have of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is essentially at our fingertips right now through recycling -- both at work and at home.

As opposed to mining natural resources in wilderness areas, chopping the tops off of mountains, digging massive strip mines, or clear-cutting forests, recycling is a highly localized, urban, relatively low-tech way of creating raw materials for industry. According to data from the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment, for every ton of product made out of non-recycled, raw natural resources, 71 tons of waste is generated in mining, transportation, refining and manufacturing. Recycling metal, plastic, paper, and glass is effectively a process of mining urban ore. And, typically speaking, recycled material means energy savings that can be significant. See Table 1, below for a summary of energy savings through recycling (numbers based on USEPA figures):

Table 1

Material %Energy Savings

Glass 33%

Plastic 30% - 70% (depending on application)

Steel 65%

Aluminum 95%

Paper 60%

What this means is that through recycling it is possible to significantly reduce the fossil fuel inputs to our national economy. By reducing fossil fuel inputs we naturally reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The problem is that although roughly 30% of the waste generated in the United States is recycled, every year this country creates more waste than the year before. So even though we're recycling, we're still making more and more stuff out of energy inefficient raw materials.

In 1980, according to the USEPA, America generated approximately 150 million tons of waste. In 2006 that number had increased to 246 million tons. Waste generation per person went from 3.7 pounds/day to 4.5 pounds/day. In short, while we are doing much better than we were in 1980 with recycling, our capacity to create more and more waste is outstripping our efforts to recycle. In fact, the US EPA estimates that only about half of what we could easily recycle is actually getting recycled.

Recycling also creates new economic opportunities in urban environments. From material collections to processing to recycled product manufacturing, a growing recycling industry can mean mid-skill to high skill jobs in profitable businesses in every major urban center of the country. A study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shows that for every 10,000 tons of material, landfills create one job while recycling can create as many as 35 jobs to process, transport and remanufacture new products.

To conclude, then, recycling is a proven and effective way for citizens and businesses to fight global warming. Recycled products mean less energy consumption, reduced costs, and create more jobs than trashing stuff. So if you're not recycling everything you can - especially at work - roll up your sleeves and get down to basics. Your Mother will thank you, and so will your grandchildren's grandchildren.

Autor: David Biddle David Biddle
Level: Basic
David Biddle was a contributing editor with In Business magazine for over a decade. He has been a freelance writer for more than twenty years, ... ...

David Biddle is a freelance writer and an environmental consultant. He writes about a diverse set of topics including: the cultural implications of global warming; recycling and solid waste policy; and energy efficiency and renewable power sources.

Mr. Biddle has published articles and essays with The Harvard Business Review, GetUnderground, In Business Magazine, Buzzworm, BioCycle, Resource Recycling, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Read more at his blog: http://blueolives.blogspot.com

Added: January 20, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Landscaper Mulch and Playground Mulch

Rubber mulch serves the environment in two ways. First of all, the material is obtained by recycling used rubber tires. Secondly, it helps preserve soil moisture and nutrients in areas where it is used for surfacing. Colored rubber mulches are also available these days, which gives a better visual effect to the landscape.

Landscaper mulch is non-toxic and odor free, and these two qualities make it the perfect fit for gardening operations. Moreover, it is durable, cost effective, and perverts growth of insect pests and weeds. It is maintenance free and would not mold or decay too. But be careful to buy only ADA approved brands.

Placing landscaper mulch around your loved garden and farm plants saves them from the attack of slugs and jams out weeds. The water and manure you put in stay in its place, no matter how severe the wind or rains are. More and more people of United States are awakening to the positive effects of landscaper mulch and some states including New York and California are seeing fast paced growth in its use.

Playground mulch preserves all the good effects of rubber mulch. However, it has made our playgrounds safer for our children to run on. The number of severe playground related accidents and injuries occurring in our country are much more than what you imagine. But the advent of playground mulch has helped cut down fatalities by a great extent, as it acts as a cushion. It is available in many vivacious colors also. They are well suited for schools and other institutions.

Autor: Jitesh Arora Jitesh Arora
Level: Platinum
Jitesh Arora is a Medicine Doctor and a Freelance Writer. He can write on many topics but prefer Health, Fitness and Medicine topics....

If you are looking more information about landscaper Mulch then feel free to visit Playground Mulch

Added: January 19, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Go Green - Revise Your Lifestyle and Improve the Environment

Eco-friendly homes are a factor a quality environment and save owners money. By reducing energy consumption, energy bills become reduced and fewer harmful gasses are released into the earth's environment. This arrangement presents a legitimate "win-win" opportunity for property owners. The course of going "green" may involve purchasing an energy efficient house, remodeling an existing property or changing to energy star appliances. There are also less costly ways to commence. Getting started does not have to be a lengthy process or complicated. For example, there are now skilled energy experts who will examine how energy is being consumed at your home, make appropriate recommendations and seal up leaks and airflows that are consuming energy and causing unnecessary expense. These professionals charge modest fees that are quickly compensated by the result of their efforts. As always, look for individuals with proper credentials then check references to ensure a successful outcome.

Rein in Your Home's Energy Usage and Cut Bills

Obviously, it is feasible to conduct your own energy inspection. Begin by looking for leaks or drafts in basements, rafters, doors and windows. Examine baseboards and outlets. Close off drafts, cracks and spaces with appropriate solutions like caulk, spray insulation or window tape. Ask your local hardware store which products will fix your energy leaks. Contact local utilities for specifics on peak energy hours. Cut appliance consumption during those times and do not over or under load your dishwasher, washer or dryer. Oversize loads cause motors to work harder and create unneeded expense. Turn off all lights when leaving a room or your house.

Air conditioning charges can be decreased by shutting curtains and blinds during the hottest times of the day and maintaining closed windows. It is also essential to choose a temperature to set your thermostat at and to persist with it. Fluctuating temperatures use more electricity than keeping the air conditioning on the same temperature. Programmable thermostats maintain a level temperature going and saves up to 20 percent on electric bills.

Purchase an Energy Economical House that is Ready Made

If you are looking into buying a different home, choose to make it a "green" house? The current modern home builders are constructing eco-friendly properties that come with excellent insulation, energy saving blinds and windows, and appliances that are invented to conserve resources. You can obtain this type of house on the MLS or by consulting with a local realtor. Aim to find an agent that specializes in eco-friendly houses. Owning an energy efficient property is a smart choice in the present real estate market. These homes are popular and are likely to resell quickly. Buyers like living in modern homes that are invented to look after their wellbeing and let them be socially conscientious.

If now is not quite the right time to buy, think about making home improvements that will modernize your home with the latest developments in eco-friendly living. Recycled flooring, carpeting, cooling and window treatments are to be found that are energy efficient. You can even deduct certain types of pre-specified improvements on your taxes. Contact your accountant for details. Commence eco-friendly lifestyle now and make our world a better place!

Autor: Karen Bellas Karen Bellas
Level: Platinum
I've lived overseas many years in Turkey and Bulgaria. I currently work for a company that designs websites for real estate....

Take a look at DeSoto eco-friendly property in Texas. You'll find an eco-friendly community with Flagstaff condos for sale.

Added: January 18, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Recycling and Climate Change

energy efficiency and renewable energy sources will get the lion's share of attention when people seek solutions to climate change. Everyone wants solar power, high-tech computerized energy management systems, mini-wind turbines, super-insulated houses, gas-filled triple-glazed window, smart, and plug-in hybrid cars. If you look at all these things, how we think, then maybe the climate is once again established.

But things are never that simple. Technical solutions for massive human problems are complicated and expensive. And yet, one of the most important ways we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is largely due to our fingertips now through recycling - both at work and at home.

Unlike the natural resources in the mining industry wilderness areas, chopping the tops of the mountains, digging a massive strip mine or clear-cutting of forests, recycling is a very localized, urban, relatively low-tech means to import raw materials for the industry. According to the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment, for each ton of product from non-recycled, raw, natural resources, 71 tonnes of waste in the fields of mining, transportation, refining and manufacturing. Recycling of metal, plastic, paper and glass is actually a process of mining ore urban And, generally speaking, recycled material means that energy savings can be significant. See Table 1, below for a summary of the energy saving through recycling (figures are based on EPA figures):

Table 1

% material savings

glass 33%

plastic 30% - 70% (depending on the application )

steel 65%

aluminum 95%

Paper 60%

This means that through recycling, it is possible to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuel inputs for our economy. By reducing the use of fossil fuel inputs we reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The problem is that although some 30% of the waste in the United States is recycled, this country every year creates more waste than the year before. Even if we recycle, we are still the more and more things from inefficient energy commodities.

In the year 1980, according to the EPA, the Americas, the approximately 150 million tons of waste. In 2006 this number rose to 246 million tonnes. Waste generated per person fell from 3.7 pounds per day to 4.5 pounds per day. In short, we are much better than us in 1980 with recycling, our ability to create more and more waste outstripping our efforts to recycle. In fact, the EPA estimates that only about half of what we recycle is even easy to be recycled.

recycling is also creating new economic opportunities in urban areas. Collections of material for processing into recycled product manufacturing, a growing recycling industry can mean the mid-capacity, high skill jobs in profitable companies in all major cities of the country. A study by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance shows that for every 10000 tonnes of materials, create a bid landfills, while recycling may be more than 35 jobs for the processing, transport and remanufacture new products.

Finally, then, recycling is a proven and effective way for citizens and businesses in the fight against global warming. Recycled products mean less energy consumption, lower costs and create more jobs than trashing stuff. So, if you do not everything you can recycle - especially at work - roll up your sleeves and get down to basics. Your mother will thank you, and so will your grandchildren of the grandchildren.

 

David Biddle is a freelance writer and an environmental consultant. He writes about a diverse set of topics including: the cultural implications of global warming; recycling and solid waste policy; and energy efficiency and renewable power sources.

Mr. Biddle has published articles and essays with The Harvard Business Review, GetUnderground, In Business Magazine, Buzzworm, BioCycle, Resource Recycling, and The Philadelphia Inquirer. Read more at his blog: http://blueolives.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Biddle

Is Your T-Shirt Organic? And If Not, Should You Care?

Organic and natural fiber clothing is growing as quickly as organic food. Or is it just "green wash", an attempt to sell "organic" or "natural" label? Organic vegetables, organic cookies, why do you really need organic T-shirts, jeans or linens?

It is because you can spare parts of our planet pounds of chemicals, avoidance of toxins for themselves and push the karma of this unbalanced world is a duty in a better direction. A tariff is a duty.

The absence of a sustainable agriculture, environmental harm. Cotton is one of the most polluted plants on earth, perhaps because of a false perception as non-food culture, which is a significant risk to our fresh water. Picture these figures: cotton uses 24% of the global insecticide market, but at the same time, its area is only 2.4% of global land area. Well ... It is obvious that the use of pesticides for cotton road, where all the nine pesticides on cotton in the USA are from the U.S. EPA as Category I and II, the most dangerous chemicals.

doe What is right for you? If you like wearing your favorite T-shirt and jeans, how we do it, you have to live with the fact that there are a lot of chemicals, many of them are carcinogenic (cancer creation) to create. In order to "solve" the problem, a wave of genetically modified cotton has been widespread, over 43 percent of the world's cotton. Bear with us, it sounds technical, but it's worth it to make it - GM cotton is modified to tolerate applications of glyphosate (an ingredient in commercial herbicides), so that they can be released without the plant.

Glyphosate leads to a series of cell mutations, DNA damage to cells and cancer. The residues of glyphosate have been in a variety of fruits and vegetables, and since it is in the plant tissue, it can not be washed off. "Extremely persistent under typical operating conditions," the report says U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Another concern regarding the use of glyphosate on cotton is that the herbicide has been shown that of cotton fabric into and through human skin.

I think you know the answer. The solution is not a better pesticide, but cultures without poisons and chemicals. Organic production maintains and regenerates soil fertility without chemicals, toxins, pesticides, fertilizers, genetically modified seeds or sprays. That is not enough, though. Processing of fibers must be a system that breaks down the fibers without harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde and the like.

Goodbye, wrinkle free T-shirts! Hello hemp and linen, which are either very or bamboo and soy! They are sustainable, effective and resulting in fibers with great features: breathable, some, such as hemp naturally discourage bacteria (and thus body odor - hello socks and T-shirts!), Very strong. Bamboo and soy blends are incredibly soft and pleasant on the skin. The tubular structure of hemp and bamboo, they can stay warm in winter and cool in summer.

The most important thing is that they are safe for the skin, the body's largest organ. Personally, we have for the years possible causes of skin and health problems for our children and ourselves. We make no health claims, but also for our family - moved to a rural area, growing organic and organic clothing, and in any case.

 

We also love helping others to understand and access more choices as well. For more information go to http://www.NaturalClothingCompany.com

Alina Bartell

Alina and Bob Bartell are owners of Natural Clothing Company, operating out of Snohomish, Washington state. They specialize in online retail of organic and natural fiber clothing for the whole family, accessories, home items like organic cotton sheets and green business promotion products. The company has plans for local line of clothing and welcomes inquiries from local organic and other natural fibers producers within US. You can find them at http://www.NaturalClothingComany.com.

Email info@NaturalClohingCompany.com or call 877-800-8878.

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Green Washing - Suddenly Everything is "All Natural" - But Are Consumers Being Mislead?

Have you noticed that the phrases "natural Call," "contains natural ingredients, with organic ingredients" and "with botanical ingredients are again almost everywhere?

Many companies have jumped on the "Earth Friendly" band wagon and try to get from the consumer demand for safe, healthy products. This relatively new phenomenon is called "green wash". Many manufacturers of household, skin and hair care products intentionally mislead by using words and descriptions that show that a product is chemical free or "natural". This is done by a very small amount of one or more widely known or popular natural ingredients to their original formula, so that they can legally claim that the product contains natural ingredients, in addition to the new ingredient (s) rarely changes the how the product performs, but it allows the manufacturer to attention grabbing words to her label in an effort to lure you to buy it.

Do not unethical for green washing! If you try to live a healthier lifestyle and to reduce or eliminate the use of toxic chemicals, you need to do a little research. Read the labels on your skin care products and use the Internet to research any ingredients that you are not sure.

There are several websites, associations and organizations, the list of manufacturers, suppliers and retailers of truly natural, safe products. However, please note that some of these organizations are to make a profit, even if they claim to be "not for profit" or "non-profit." You may have to visit multiple sites to neutral, factual information.

By law, the label of a skin care product, each ingredient. The ingredients must be listed in descending order of weight or height: This means that the ingredient, which the majority of the product is first, followed by all others. If water, for example, in the first place, the product contains more water than anything else on the list. Unfortunately, because of "industrial secrets" laws, a manufacturer of household products are not obligated to their constituents, so you have to do a little more for the investigation of this data.

A good example of green washing is a product that claims that it "contains" natural or organic ingredients. In general, if a product has just obtained from plants, natural and /or organic ingredients, it is precisely that on the label.

It may seem overwhelming in the beginning, but with a research and reading, you can find really natural, safe, non-toxic skin and hair care products and detergents House said that the job even better than their chemical-laden counterparts.

 

If you have a passion for skin care and how naturally derived, plant based ingredients can nourish, protect and rejuvenate your body, please visit http://www.brenditasbodyworks.com/product_silksheets_collection.html.

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Harvest Green - Business Success in Harmony With Our Environment

Our ecosystem is a comprehensive organization of life, where every single aspect of the grandeur of the whole. It is an elegant system of life and a source of inspiration. As businesses and professionals, you are in the perfect position to be creative leaders and Harvest Green. You may have the same model as our ecosystem and so you can share your wealth, success and customer loyalty.

This is a perfect time to find and arrange to return with new ways to love our planet, to celebrate their beauty, variety and performance, and to reap Green. Set the first light of dawn glistening on the oceans. Imagine a comprehensive view from the heights of the mountains. Imagine the sweet fragrance of flowers and the scent of the deep woods. Our environmental lifts our hearts, while the particles of our facilities, the food on our tables, and the means to promote our life.

How do I share ideas to expand your horizons green, believe abundance ... think health ... Growth think.

Green for frequency

Green is the color of metaphysical fullness. Greening your business can win and get a greater flow of energy and prosperity. If you are in retailing, select fantastic recycled gift boxes, shopping bags, paper and biodegradable peanuts for packing. Your customers can fine paper and signature bags, knowing that you contribute to the well-being of our planet. Their shop, spa and business can be a great place to make your eco-efficiency. Make sure that the benefits of recycling in your area. Place the onions in cabinets and storage rooms with a low voltage, low energy light bulbs. With less and so much more value to create wealth.

Small, in-house events are a great opportunity to make your presence and abundance of green. Do you have a "green Give-Away." Give-Away a low voltage fluorescent light bulb every time someone buys a book on the environment or to purchase a natural product. Abundance flows in all directions, and these are all excellent incentives to a circle of wealth and support.

green for healing

Green is a healing color. Each company has the opportunity to be a source for environmentally friendly products and education. There are so many things you can do to a healing environment for your company, your employees and customers. Your Wellness and Healing Center, and promotion of organic and environmentally friendly products. A nice display with organic products and your healing will allow manufacturers and spoil your customers, while the compliments and distribution. Perform a newsletter for your employees and your customers with eco-tips, and thoughtful ways to reduce waste and increase energy efficiency. If you replace all your cleaning products with safe, organic cleaning products, use and quality of the air to replace water with filtered water, then the environmental quality of your office. Your customers and staff thank you for your attention, services and products, using more support and sales. It's all part of healing and greening process.

Green Growth

The color green means growth. You can grow your business by adding "green" products and services. You do not have to wait until Earth Day to celebrate the environment. Your dealer can with books about the environment. Do you have a rotating "green screen" shows that books, products and services, increasing the environmental consciousness of your customers and your employees. Your Wellness and Healing Center to "Green the weekend." Treat your customers with an exclusive weekend to celebrate all organic, natural and healing products and treatments. Even traditional companies Harvest Green. If you have customers in your office, then make sure you serve them coffee and organic teas. Replace the high sugar, high fat snacks in the snack machines or with organic snacks, drinks and juices.

If your clients and customers have the choice between products that are good and products that are good and environmentally friendly, they will naturally purchase environmentally friendly products. The purchase of a green product brings additional benefits. If your clients and customers know that you draw attention to their needs and pay particular attention to the health of the world, you give them another reason for the large business with you.

a little more green to help your customers, your staff can help, help the world and it helps your customers and your employees around the world. Make today the day to Harvest Green.

Copyright 2008 Lumari. All rights reserved worldwide.

 

About Lumari:
Lumari is an internationally known professional psychic consultant, life coach, author and teacher. Her profound guidance, special gifts and powerful insight will help you achieve new levels of joy, fulfillment and success to live an extraordinary, inspiration filled life. Individual and business clients worldwide benefit from her in-depth psychic readings and life coaching services. To schedule your private consultation and to learn more about her work please visit http://www.Lumari.com

Lumari's workshops provide uplifting, healing and transformational energies for profound spiritual growth. Her books, sacred geometry artwork and one-of-a-kind Divine Gemstone Jewelry are soul-inspiring treasures. To learn more about her workshops, online meditations and to view her books, art and jewelry, please visit http://www.AmethystPlanet.com

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