Do It Together: 10 Tips for Going Green with Kids

Want to go green with your kids but don’t know how? Keep in mind that small changes make all the difference. Your family can adopt green habits easily by making them fun and routine. Consider placing friendly reminders around the house to help enforce the environmentally friendly changes or singing a “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” song when kids are helping out. Use these tips as a guide to teach your kids about being environmentally conscious – it’s better for the planet if they learn young! Ready to make some green changes? Do it together!

Turn Off the Water
Help your kids get into the habit of turning off the water while they brush their teeth. After wetting their toothbrush, tell them to play their favorite song while the water is off (which should be around two to three minutes, the perfect time to brush their teeth).

Photo Credit: jupiter images

Switch Off Lights and Appliances
Kids can help out by turning off lights and appliances when not in use. Put them on “light duty” and have them go around the house shutting off lights that are not needed and turning off unused appliances. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Make Your Home Green

Your children can go with you to a local nursery and pick out their favorite plants to have in the house. This equals more oxygen for your home! Take this opportunity to teach your children about plant care as well and have them help you water and care for the plants.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

E-Waste

No more disposing of e-waste in the trash! Teach kids that batteries from everyday objects like video game controllers or Wii remotes should be recycled, as well as any electronic equipment. Place an e-waste bin in your home and label the container with a bright color so kids won’t forget!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Sorting Fun

Make sorting recyclables a fun activity for kids. With color-coded bins, kids can sort paper, glass, plastic, etc. while singing a recycling song!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Learn Green

When kids need new school supplies, take them on a hunt for eco-friendly school supplies. Have them search for supplies that say “recycled” or “eco” or “green” on the packaging and celebrate their finds!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Plant a Small Garden

Whether it’s a flower garden or vegetable garden, kids can learn about green living by helping plant a garden. From seed to bloom, kids can see how rewarding it is to have a garden of their own!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Buy Reusable Water Bottles

Have your kids choose a favorite reusable water bottle and pack it in their lunch box instead of a juice box. This way, you reduce waste while they enjoy drinking out of their cool water bottle!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Donate Old Clothing

Have kids go through their closets and make a “donate” and “keep” pile. Teach them that donating their clothes helps reduce waste in the environment while helping those in need.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Meatless Monday
Have kids vote for their favorite vegetarian recipe for Meatless Monday. Cutting down on meat consumption can help cut greenhouse emissions.

Photo Credit: jupiter images

Double Take

For homework, help kids get in the habit of printing on both sides of paper.  Place a sign above your printer for a friendly reminder or have kids ask their teachers if they can email assignments – that way, no paper is used!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Go Organic

Take your kids with you to the grocery store and have them help you search for products that are labled organic, like milk, fruits, and veggies. They’ll be excited to help out the family when they make their finds!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Resource:  Homesessive

Easy Home Maintenance Tips for the New Year

OUTDOOR HOME IMPROVEMENT TIPS

Do you still have summer patio furniture on the patio, collecting snow? Did you ditch your home fix-it list as soon as the holiday season kicked in? Now that the busiest time of last year is over, start the new year by taking care of those home maintenance projects that shouldn't wait until the summer.

Store summer furnishings and outdoor equipment

Lisa Singer, product manager at Elmer's Products, based in Columbus, Ohio, says the opposite of spring-cleaning is "fall fix-it." However, if you missed the fall window to put away your summer furnishings and outdoor equipment, do it now. Consumers should "scour summer toys, furniture and outdoor equipment for wear and tear before packing them away for the winter," Singer suggests. "This will help avoid additional damage that can happen in storage and save you time and hassle come spring."

>>5 Steps to winterize your home

Check home and outdoor items for damage

As you pack away summer toys and outdoor furniture, here are a few things to look for. "Conduct a quick inspection to make sure all sections are intact, screws and nuts are still tight and there are minimal signs of wear," says Singer. "Look for cracks, tears or scrapes that can become worse during storage or create sharp edges."

>>How to organize your garage

Keep outdoor items organized

Isn't it the pits when spring arrives and you pull out your patio furniture, only to find that the hardware needed to put your furniture together is MIA? Singer recommends you not only check to see if you have all the pieces, you also organize them. "For toys with small parts or furniture that gets taken apart for storage, consider using plastic bags, bins, old glass or plastic food containers so these pieces don't get lost or separated during the winter," she adds.

>>Home organization tips for the new year

Empower yourself by making small repairs

Now that you've inspected and put aside broken outdoor items, the next step is to assess the scope of the repair. Common repairs include squeaky or loose joints, cracks or missing pieces. Sure, you can throw away broken items, but according to Singer, for small to medium repairs, the solution can be as easy as tightening screws or using a bottle of multi-purpose glue.

"The Internet can be a great source for tips and advice because you can look up how-to instructions or find electronic user manuals," explains Singer. "Elmer's [of Elmer's Glue fame] has posted a variety of how-to videos at www.elmers.com/about/video-library." And before tackling any repair project, be sure to read the instructions and wear the appropriate safety equipment.

>>How to repair 10 common household hassles

Safety tip: Discard outdoor items broken beyond repair

If you find outdoor furnishings, equipment and toys that are broken and can't be repaired, discard them to keep you and your family safe from injury. Before putting them in the trash can, check to see if the materials can be recycled, suggests Singer — most types of glass, aluminum and plastic can be recycled. "However, it is always a good practice to check with your local recycling provider or check the bottom for the recycling emblem."

To find your nearest recycling center, visitwww.1800recycling.com.

>>Recycling chart

Donate or sell unwanted outdoor goods

If the item is new or gently used and you've decided you no longer want or need it, look for ways to donate it before simply adding it to the trash pile. "Garage sales, sharing websites like Craigslist or auction sites like eBay are great for selling unwanted items," Singer says, "or consider donating the items to non-profit organizations like Goodwill or The Salvation Army."

>>How to get new life out of old linens

Resource:  Sheknows.com, Michele Borboa, MS 

10 easy, New Year's resolutions for the eco-slacker

These resolutions will help you save money, cut your carbon footprint and decrease your home's waste.

Going to farmers markets and becoming a weekend vegetarian are two easy green lifestyle changes you can make in the new year. (Photo: JohnnyRokkit/Flickr)

It's easy to think about all the big changes you're going to make in the New Year as the old year comes to an end — but by the second week of January, most of us are already finding reasons to skip the gym or break the spending freeze. That's why we've come up with ten green New Year's resolutions so easy you'll have no excuse not to keep them — and as they help you save money, cut your carbon footprint, decrease your home's waste stream, and improve the quality of the Earth, you'll be glad you did.

1. Never buy bottled water again

Trade your bottled water habit for an at-home filtering pitcher and you can help make a dent in the 1.5 million barrels of oil used to make plastic water bottles each year; pair it with a reusable bottle (like one made of glass, aluminum, or recycled plastic), and you'll always be prepared to tackle your thirst. Bonus: With bottled water no longer on your shopping list, you could save as much as $1,400 this year.

2. Brew your own Fair Trade coffee

Carrying your own coffee in an insulated travel mug helps you reduce waste from cardboard cups and carrying sleeves — which are thrown away at a staggering rate of 58 billion each year. For greener at-home brewing, choose a Fair Trade blend that supports farmers; add organic milk instead of artificial creamers; and try a French press (instead of a traditional brewer) to save electricity.

3. Remember your reusable bags

With more than 1 million plastic bags ending up in the trash every minute, taking reusable bags to the store is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint — but the hardest part about using them is simply remembering to take them with you. A set like this one from Blue Avocado is almost impossible to forget: It comes with six different bags, sized for everything from frozen goods to fresh fruit, and the entire collection folds down into a slim packet for easy transport.

4. Cut back on paper towels

If you're grabbing a paper towel for everything from wiping up spills and cleaning your counter to scrubbing the bathroom and keeping your hands clean at dinner, it's time to make a change. Instead, invest in a few cotton cloths and some fabric napkins; then drop them in the wash when you run a load of laundry. Using the cloth alternatives is just as easy as using the paper versions, and you only need to buy them once — plus you can help eliminate the 3,000 tons of paper towels that end up landfills every day.

5. Use a bike for short trips

It takes a certain amount of dedication to permanently give up a car in favor of a bike, but even an eco-slacker can make it work for short trips that don't require hauling a lot of stuff: picking up milk at the local grocery store, after-dinner ice cream at your favorite dessert spot, your morning yoga class, brunch with friends at the coffee shop. Ride your bike for trips shorter than 2 miles and you could cut your carbon footprint significantly, save money on gasoline and car maintenance, and increase your fitness level — all at the same time.

6. Order from your local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

Going to the farmer's market always sounds like such a great idea — until Saturday morning rolls around and you realize you have to get up early, have enough cash, and fight other customers for the best strawberries. Instead, have your local CSA program do the hard part for you by putting together a box of their best produce each week — and, if you're really feeling lazy, have it delivered right to your door so you get fresh, local fruits and vegetables without giving up your lazy coffee-and-crossword mornings.

7. Become a weekend vegetarian

Cutting meat out of your diet just two days a week can decrease your carbon footprint by about 1/3 of a ton — and coming up with meat-free meals for Saturday and Sunday isn't as hard as it sounds. Try pancakes and fruit for breakfast; fresh salads or roasted vegetable sandwiches for lunch; and veggie pizza, bean soups, and creamy risottos for dinner. And since doubling a recipe rarely adds any time to your prep work, you can make extras to eat throughout the week (and trim your carbon footprint even more).

8. Eliminate phantom power

It takes approximately one second to unplug the charger for your cell phone, mp3 player, e-reader, or iPad — but if you really can't be bothered, then let nifty, energy-efficient gadgets do the work for you. Use power strips to turn off all your appliances at once; put your television, DVD player, game system, and stereo on a timer so they automatically shut off overnight; and invest in chargers that stop drawing current when the device's battery is full. You could cut your energy bill by as much as 10 percent annually — without lifting a finger.

9. Switch to green power

Switching your home to run on green power sounds like a big job — installing solar panels, geothermal energy, or a tankless hot water heater is not a job for the construction-impaired. But you can also make this happen without getting out of your chair: Call your local energy company and see if they offer renewable options (most do). You might see a small jump in your bill, but it's an easy way to make a big change.

10. Replace your lightbulbs

Replacing your lightbulbs with compact fluorescent lights may be the ultimate change for the eco-slacker. Despite all the jokes, it takes only one person to change a lightbulb — and since CFLs last longer than traditional bulbs, you'll be saving time for years down the road while cutting your energy use by as much as 80 percent. Can't even face the hardware store? Order your bulbs online and have them come straight to your door.

Resource:  Mother Nature Network

10 Easy Green Household Habits from Top Eco-friendly Bloggers

Environmentally friendly habits don't have to be expensive. In many cases, protecting your bank balance and protecting the planet go hand in hand! Here we've rounded up ten easy habits that save can save families money and help the environment at the same time, all suggested by Circle of Moms' Eco-friendly Mom Bloggers.


1. Buy Secondhand

"One second-hand big ticket purchase alone can save your household thousands of dollars and reduce environmental impact." Gretchen Covine, EdenFeed

2. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

"An easy, eco-friendly and FUN habit that helps save money is to make your own household cleaning products. With pantry items like baking soda and white vinegar, Castile soap, and essential oils you can make inexpensive cleaners that are safe for you, your family, and the planet." –Mindy McLaren, Sweet & Woodsy Blog

3. Reduce Food Waste

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that about 30 cents of every dollar we spend on food we end up throwing away because what we've bought spoils, or expires, or because we've just bought too much. The solution? Put leftovers in the front of the fridge, not the back where you might forget about them. Try to plan menus in advance, then grocery shop with an ingredients list so you buy what you really will use. Go to the grocery store just once a week - after 'leftovers' night, if possible, and when the fridge is almost empty." Diane MacEachern, Big Green Purse

4. Save Water and Energy on Laundry

“Avoid using the permanent press cycle, which uses an added 20 liters (5 gallons) for the extra rinse. New Energy Star-rated washers use 35-50% less water and 50% less energy per load. Wash your laundry in cold water — 80-90 percent of the washing machine's energy is used to heat the water. Your clothes will be just as clean — honest!" -Lori Popkewitz Alper, Groovy Green Livin'

5. Drive Less

"Drive less and walk/ride/roll more…Adopting a more active-lifestyle approach to transportation saves money on gas and car repairs, provides an "excuse" for families to exercise together, and reduces natural resource depletion." -Kimberly Danek Pinkson, ecomom blog

6. Reuse Containers

"One of the best ways to save money AND be eco-friendly is to reuse/recycle what you already have! Save tons of money on storage containers by reusing glass and plastic food containers when they are empty." Jennifer Nitzky, Sprout's Green Family

7. Start a Garden

"The taste of homegrown produce is AMAZING, and it's a great family project. When local produce is in season, you can also preserve the bounty for pennies on the dollar compared to store products. We can, dry, freeze, lacto-ferment, root cellar, and use cold frames and a greenhouse for season extension. The kids are so proud of themselves when they share ‘their’ fruits and vegetables with family and friends.” -Laurie Neverman, Common Sense Homesteading

8. DIY Gift Wrap

“Wrapping paper, tissue and gift bags are insanely expensive for something that ends up in the trash before the party is even over. Instead, use what you have to wrap gifts — a basket or a beach bucket can be two gifts in one. Or use your child's artwork to make an extra special presentation. -Amity Hook-Sopko, Green Gifts Guide

9. Cloth Diapers

"You can significantly reduce the cost of diapering by using cloth. After the initial start up cost to purchase the materials you need (in our case, it was around $150), you can save several hundred dollars each year by committing to cloth. If you plan to have more children and reuse your cloth diapers, you will have saved a serious amount of money!" -Charise Rohm Nulsen, I Thought I Knew Mama

10. Turn Off Lights & Unplug Electronics

"I know this sounds incredibly easy and almost silly, but turning off the lights when you are not using them, as well as putting your computers, TV's, etc. on a power strip and turning them off nightly [saves money]. ... Computers, TV's, DVD players, and other electronics that are plugged in 24/7 are considered 'energy vampires.' They use energy even when we are not using them." Amy Todisco, Green Living Now


Resource: The Circle of Moms Editors

Tips for a Waste-Less School Year

Here are some great tips that you can incorporate as the kids head back to school this year.

Choose and use a wide assortment of products made from recycled products, such as pencils made from old blue jeans; binders made from old shipping boxes; and many types of recycled paper products. You can also reuse items like refillable pens, rechargeable batteries, and scrap paper for notes. Using recycled-content and reusing supplies prevents waste and saves you money.

Before starting a new school year, sort through your materials. Many supplies can be reused or recycled. Notebooks, folders, and binders can be reused. Recycle unwanted papers and reuse your old folders and binders. Share your used books with friends, relatives, or younger schoolchildren.

Waste from packaging accounts for more than 30 percent of all the waste generated each year. Use school supplies wrapped with minimal packaging; use compact or concentrated products; or buy products that come in bulk sizes. Save packaging, colored paper, egg cartons and other items for arts and crafts projects. Look for other ways you can reduce the amount of packaging you throw away!

Many schools reuse text books to save money and reduce waste. Covering your textbooks with cut-up grocery or shopping bags helps reduce waste and keeps your books in good condition. Be creative—use markers or colored pencils to give your covers unique and fun designs. Paper grocery bags are also great for wrapping packages.

Use nontoxic products, inks and art supplies, such as batteries with less mercury, vegetable-based inks, and water-based paints.

Use and maintain durable products. Sturdy backpacks and notebooks can be reused for many years, which helps reduce the amount of broken items tossed away each year. Put long-lasting, high-quality tires on your car and bicycle. Be sure to keep your tires properly inflated.

If you bring your lunch to school, package it in reusable containers instead of disposable ones, and carry them in a reusable plastic or cloth bag, or lunch box. Bring drinks in a thermos instead of disposable bottles or cartons.

If you buy lunch, take and use only what you need: One napkin, one ketchup packet, one salt packet, one pepper packet, one set of flatware. And, remember to recycle your cans and bottles. 

If you drive to school, try carpooling or take public transportation. Get your parents' permission to try walking, biking, or skating. You can prevent wasted fuel, reduce air pollution, and decrease traffic in your community.

Borrow or rent your decorations and supplies for parties, dances, and proms. If you buy these supplies, try adopting a theme that can be used from year-to-year, so that you can reuse your decorations and supplies.

Pass it on. Share the message with your friends and schoolmates. Waste less by reducing, reusing, and recycling. Volunteer for, or start , an environmental club or recycling project in your school.

Work with your teachers and friends to find ways to encourage everyone in your community to make waste reduction a part of their everyday lives. You can also look for unique ways to make your school more waste-free, such as starting a school composting project.

Resource:  EPA.gov

Easy, Cheap and Green Cleaning Tips for Floors

Thanks to HGTV.com, you can make your floors look like new again with these simple techniques for cleaning tile, hardwood and vinyl.  Happy cleaning!

How to Clean Tile, Wood and Vinyl Floors
 

Ceramic-tile floors can be cleaned easily with nothing but warm water, but be sure to sweep or vacuum first to remove any loose soil or grit. Never use a sponge mop to clean ceramic-tile floors. It will pull the dirt right into the grout tracks. This makes the floor more difficult to clean. A micro-fiber mop picks up all the dirt that a sponge mop leaves behind. Pour the ingredients into a bucket and use a rag or micro-fiber mop to clean. If you do use a rag and the on-your-hands-and-knees method, be sure to wipe in a circular motion across the floor. Don't forget the cabinets and baseboards. If you have really dirty grout, use a brush.

Use boiling water and two teabags to clean hardwood floors. The tannic acid in tea creates a beautiful shine for hardwood floors. Let two teabags steep in the boiling water for a few minutes. Pour the tea into a bucket. Take a soft cloth and wring it out in the tea. The cloth merely needs to be damp, not soaked. This will enable the floor to dry quickly. Wash the floor and be ready to be amazed by the sheen.

If there are scratches that stand out after cleaning the hardwood floor, simply take a crayon the color of the floor and rub it on the scratch to fill the gap. Turn a blow dryer on high, heat the area where the crayon was applied and buff it with a soft cloth.

Clean the vinyl floors. Mix Borax in a bucket of warm water and wash the floor.

Remove hairspray residue from hard surfaces with a solution of one part fabric softener and two parts water.

For stains on concrete floors, try laundry detergent, pre-treat stain solutions or dishwasher detergent. Let the solution soak for about 30 minutes then scrub.

How to Clean Floor Grout

Many stains are on the surface of the grout and can be removed with sandpaper. Just fold the sandpaper into a crease, and work it back and forth along the grout line. If sandpaper doesn't work, you may have better results by applying a pencil eraser.

If sandpaper or an eraser fails to remove the stains and dirt, try an over-the-counter grout cleaner -- or create a similar solution from household bleach and water. Squirt or pour the solution onto the grout, and scrub with a toothbrush. Make sure the area is well ventilated, and wear rubber or latex gloves when working with bleach.

If bleach doesn't do the job, you may need to remove and replace the grout. Use a grout-removal tool or a rotary tool with a carbide tip. After you install new grout, seal it with a grout sealer to reduce the likelihood of future stains setting in. Reapply sealer once every two years.

Resource:  HGTV.com

10 Tips for Living Green

Small changes made by individuals can add up to big changes for the environment. Everyone can do it. We can choose to lessen our environmental impact with these easy suggestions. 

Here are 10 to get you started:

1. Get a High-Efficiency Showerhead
A high-efficiency showerhead saves up to 3,000 gallons of water per person per year. You'll also save $50 in energy costs and 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per person per year. The showerheads are specially designed to conserve resources while still providing like a luxurious-feeling shower. Sink-aerator attachments also save major amounts of water and are very inexpensive.




2. Recycle Water in Your Bathroom
Use devices that allow you to reuse sink water for flushing your toilet. Or keep a bucket by the shower or the tub and fill it with the cold water that comes out before the hot water kicks in. Then take the bucket outside and use it to water your plants.

3. Compost
Use a compost bin to turn your food and lawn wastes into rich mulch. It's a great way to reduce your trash production, and next year you'll have rich compost ready to go for spring planting.

4. Buy Green Power From Your Utility
Most utilities charge less than $5 per month extra. Not only will your power come from a renewable source, but you'll use the power of your spending to show utility executives and government officials that we need more investment in renewable-energy projects.

5. Improve the Efficiency of Your Existing Water Heater
Tankless and solar water heaters are great, but simple changes to your existing setup can cut your energy bills and carbon emissions by 25 percent or more. Reduce the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees, wrap it in a water-heater insulating blanket and insulate the first 3 to 6 feet of hot and cold water pipes. These inexpensive changes should take you less than an hour to complete.

6. Use High-Efficiency Outdoor Lighting
A typical 100-watt floodlight, if used for six hours a day, can consume up to $40 of electricity over the course of a year and produce upwards of 400 pounds of carbon dioxide, depending on where you live. For starters, replace those floodlights with compact-fluorescent versions-they're just as bright and use a quarter of the energy. Next, replace low-wattage halogen landscape bulbs with LED versions. They cut energy use by over 80 percent and can last for 10 years or more. Finally, install motion sensors on any nonessential lights. New versions just screw right into your existing light socket.

7. Replace High-Use Indoor Lights with Compact Fluorescents or LEDs
With high-quality light, sizes for almost any fixture and even versions that are dimmable,  compact fluorescents have it all. They're more expensive than normal light bulbs, but between the energy savings and their much longer life spans, they pay for themselves in less than two years. And consider LED bulbs for non-dimmable circuits (especially for holiday lighting). They're true energy misers and will last for as long as you live in your house.

8. Load Up the Washing Machines
Make sure you run the dishwasher and the clothes washers only when they're full. Clothes washers are huge energy and water users, so make sure you're doing full loads (or adjusting the water setting) whenever possible. And most of us use far more water (and soap) than we need to when hand-washing dishes, especially when compared with high-efficiency Energy Star dishwashers. So save your time, water and power by putting those dishes directly in the dishwasher after a meal.

9. Drive Smarter
Simple changes in our existing driving habits can improve fuel efficiency by up to 25 percent. Drive at or near the speed limit, keep your tires inflated, make sure oil and air filters are clean, and step on the gas and the brakes carefully. Driving like a drag racer may be fun, but it has a substantial environmental cost.

10. Avoid the Daily Waste of Fast Food and Shopping
Next week, keep track of how much trash you generate by eating out and making trips to the store, I guarantee you'll be amazed. All those bags, cups and containers really add up and are stuffing our landfills to capacity. Bring your own plastic or metal boxes to your favorite take-out joint. You'll save resources and save them money. Use reusable shopping bags whenever you go to the store. Say "no thanks" when the pharmacist or the fast-food clerk tries to put your one or two items in a bag. Use reusable cups for coffee, soda and other beverages. And reuse some of the extras at home -- keep extra napkins and reuse plastic cups and cutlery.

Resource:  HGTV.com.  Jason Pelletier is a certified auditor with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.

Getting Involved - Conservation Tips Around the Home

You know the global benefits of conserving energy and water — including saving on your own costs. But maybe you're not sure where to start. Here are a few ways to embrace earth-friendly practices in your own home and routine. Remember, even the smallest steps help make a difference.

1. Update to green:  With new government standards and technology, modern faucets are more efficient than ever. Saving up to 32% on your water usage, WaterSense certified faucets make going green practically effortless.
2. Look, no hands:  Homeowners waste gallons of water everyday by leaving their sink faucets running, but with hands-free electronic faucets you will ensure water is used only when needed.
3. On-demand hot water: Tank-less water heaters offer a great way to cut home energy costs without impacting performance. By flash heating water and eliminating tank-water heaters' long cycles you can cut your energy use by 20%.
4. Optimal clean:  Flow optimized showerheads can help further reduce water usage in the bathroom. With a 1.75 gpm, versus the industry standard of 2.5, cutting water consumption and energy costs by up to 30%. 
5. Cost effective green:  A quick, first step toward going green, flow optimized aerators can add highly effective performance to older faucets with out much cost to you.
6. Ditch the bottle:  Avoid the need of plastic bottles with water filtering faucets. You will save both your wallet from the cost of purchasing bottled water and help unclog waste disposal sites of these increasingly hazardous items.
7. Keep water in check:  It's important to check all water-using products regularly, with the bathroom accounting for roughly 60% of a home's water usage a leaky toilet or faucet can waste thousands of gallons a year without you knowing it.

Resource: http://www.moen.com/eco-performance/getting-involved

Tips for February Fun without Waste

Living "Green" with Tomboy Tools:  There are many ways all of us can contribute to a "greener" planet if we do our part.  Here are some tips this month that you can incorporate into your green footprint:

To Help You Get Started:

• Reduce Your Packaging: Buy bulk or concentrated products when you can.
• Reduce Toxicity or Learn How: Recycle your batteries and use batteries with reduced mercury.
• Select Reusable Products: Sturdy, washable utensils, tableware, cloth napkins, and dishcloths can be used many times.
• Use Durable Products: Choose furniture, sports equipment, toys, and tools that will stand the test of time.
• Reuse Products: Reuse newspaper, boxes, shipping "peanuts," and "bubble wrap" to ship packages.
• Recycle Automotive Products: Take car batteries, antifreeze, and motor oil to participating recycling centers.
• Buy Products Made From Recycled Material: Many bottles, cans, cereal boxes, containers, and cartons are made from recycled material.
• Compost or Learn How: Food scraps and yard waste can become natural soil conditioners.

1. Think "green" while shopping the President's Day sales. Bring your own reusable cloth bag for carrying your purchases, and try to buy items with minimal packaging and/or made with recycled content. For example, buy fleece jackets made from recycled soda bottles, sneakers made with recycled rubber soles, or clothes made from recycled cotton scraps.
2. Don't become dehydrated playing winter sports. Prevent waste by using a reusable sports bottle instead of disposable plastic bottles. If you are providing drinks for your team, supply them in reusable containers such as thermoses or hard plastic cups.
3. Before storing your used sports equipment for the winter, consider donating or selling any equipment you no longer want to a charity or used sporting goods store. Also consider donating old soccer balls, footballs, or tennis balls to your local animal shelter to use as chew toys.
4. If you are participating in a winter sport, purchase used sports equipment whenever possible, and look for sporting goods that are made from recycled material. Examples include hiking shoes with recycled rubber soles, basketballs made with recycled rubber, and ski jackets and sleeping bags made from recycled soda bottles.
5. For sports you don't regularly participate in, try renting or borrowing equipment rather than buying it. This will save you money and prevent waste!
6. For cold weather sporting events, wear multiple layers of clothing or thermal underwear instead of relying on battery-operated or kerosene heaters.
7. When possible, use skis, snow shoes, or sleds to go through snow instead of gas-powered snowmobiles.
8. If you are hosting a basketball party, buy drinks and snacks in bulk to prevent packaging waste, and encourage guests to recycle their empty aluminum cans and glass or plastic bottles. Also reuse decorations, or rent some from a party store.

Resource:  EPA.org

Save Money with These Energy Efficiency Tips

 (ARA) - Saving money is on everyone's mind this winter season. Between the holiday expenses, colder temperatures and tight budgets, finding ways to reduce costs can be a bit of a challenge.

If you're looking for ways to save, look at your home, and see if you can improve on your energy efficiency - thereby keeping a few extra dollars in your pocket.



* Program the temperature. You already know that the lower you set the thermometer in winter, the less your furnace will work. Having the temperature set in the low 60s when out and about makes perfect sense. But when you are home, setting the temps a bit higher will help keep you comfortable. Instead of continuously running back and forth to the thermostat to constantly keep readjusting the temperature, install a programmable thermostat and preset the times you want the temps lower or higher.

* Clean your heating and cooling system. To help your furnace operate better, hire a qualified company to clean the ducts, blower, cooling coils and heat exchanger. To find someone certified contact NADCA - the HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association. NADCA recommends homeowners clean their heating and cooling systems annually, because dust and pollen build up on your ducts, and then recirculate through your home. This buildup of dirt prevents your furnace from efficiently running, making it work harder and run longer to maintain the temperature you set.

"A clean heating and cooling system helps to increase the airflow through your furnace, which in turn helps to make your home more comfortable," says Matt Mongiello, president of NADCA. "And when you combine a clean system with controlled temperatures, you'll notice the savings on your utility bills."

* Wash clothes in cold water. Every household processes about 400 loads of laundry per year, according to the California Energy Commission , making your washer one of the biggest water consuming products in your house. To help save on energy, wash your clothes only in cold water so you don't have to spend money using the water heater. And make sure you only process full loads to help conserve the number of loads you run and water you use.



Additional energy savings can be found by line drying your clothes, or running them through the dryer for half the time, and then air drying them the rest of the time.

Across most of the country, humidity levels tend to be lower during the winter months, which helps to speed up the clothes drying process.

* Unplug appliances. The amount of electricity consumed in your home often can easily be reduced by just unplugging and turning off items. According to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, 5 percent of residential energy use in the U.S. is used when appliances are in the off position. Consider unplugging smaller appliances such as your microwave, cellphone charger, coffee maker and desktop computer which can continue to consume energy, even when you're not using them. If the appliance has a clock, or electrical display of some sort, electricity is needed to keep those items illuminated. If it's a hassle to unplug these items after each and every use, consider putting them on a power strip, so you can quickly and easily flip the switch on and off when you need to use the appliances.

Tightening down on your energy usage can help you save a couple of dollars here and there, and also keep you more comfortable in your home. So sit back and relax in your home and enjoy the winter season.

2012 Interior Paint Color Trends

New Year, New Hues

One thing is for certain, the economy is going “green” and this is no different in the trends for 2012 interior paint colors. Consumers want colors and products that are healthy for the environment. Society is definitely becoming more earth friendly and there is no exception when it comes to paint. The color may be green as well. But what people want to save is their green, that is, the dollars they want to keep in their pocket. We all want a nice looking home but budgets are constrained.

Therefore, consumers are looking for the best deals when it comes to the paint. They want it to work the best and cost the least. Paint companies are meeting the challenge of these needs and stepping up to the plate. Often you will hear the buzz words in their advertising.



How to Pick your Interior Paint & Colors? Here are some tips & ideas. It is quite easy and coming from experience of talking folks. Paint that is environmentally friendly and that can make the consumer feel relaxed and soothed as well as all of those who visit their home, are definitely “in” in 2012.

What type of effects that the paint has on the environment, is on the back of the consumer’s mind as they make their purchases. Knowing how to pick interior paint colors that are environmentally friendly can be as easy as just asking the sales associate.

Trendy interior paint colors are leaning towards the more relaxing and soothing shades. We are seeing paint colors from light, pale pink to yellow on one hand and then on the other, we are seeing more earth tones that help to reflect the “green” side that people are feeling.

Bringing the outdoors in with browns, tans, greens and so on is very popular in 2012 interior paint colors.

Other shades that are reflecting the souls of the consumers are black, white, and even grays. White adopts that clean and fresh feeling that everyone loves and if accented correctly, can make the room feel alive with color. Black and gray is reflecting other natural elements, as in stone and minerals. Again, the “green” feeling is shown here.

These colors may sound drab and dull but with the correct elements and within the right amounts, your home will seem like a masterpiece to all who visit. Remember, you do not have to paint an entire room with the same color. Interior painting trends are showing that by providing an accent wall with the dramatic hue and accenting the room with various elements can pull everything together and create an environment that anyone would be proud of. Black is a perfect example of a color that could be placed on an accent wall. Or how about various painting techniques that could “spice” things up, like faux techniques?

2012 is the year to definitely try something new as in terms of non-traditional shades. Picking Interior paint & color is about the right fit at the right time. It is also the year to become environmentally conscience and to learn about how paint affects the environment. You want to feel good about your home and relaxed while you are there and what better way to do it than going “green”?


Source:  KitchenKool.com