Bag that Bag Habit December 21, 2007

For the most part, you know that plastic bags are bad for the environment, but do you know why? First off, they take 1000 years to decompose (that’s right – every single plastic bag ever manufactured still exists!) and an estimated 500 billion to 1 trillion bags are consumed worldwide each year. Not only are these bags choking the planet, but also they’re choking wildlife…literally. Turtles, birds and goats, among others, ingest the plastic, mistaking it for food.*

To decrease the amount of plastic bags blowing around Africa, various groups of women have begun collecting and using them to weave objects that they can sell. Many African nations have banned the bags, as have various other countries. Ireland imposed a “plastic tax,” charging people per bag as is done in France. The first US city to move in this direction was – you guessed it – San Francisco. (Click here to read about steps different populations are taking).

So…what can you do? Stop using plastic bags, for one thing! This is the perfect time to start–with holiday shopping in full swing! There are many great alternatives — check out some of the fun products that are available out there. It’s a minor step with a major payoff. When it comes to behavioral adjustments in the name of the environment, what more could you ask for?

* Photo courtesy of Ron Prendergast, Melbourne Zoo

Waste Not December 14, 2007

No matter how green you think you are, there’s almost certainly room for improvement. Here are some dirty little habits that you might not even realize are inflating your carbon footprint while serving no vital purpose.

WATER CONSERVATION:

• Running the faucet while brushing your teeth. Are you cleaning the sink while scrubbing your pearly whites? If not, turn it off until you need it again. Same goes for shaving, gentlemen!

• Running the shower BEFORE you’re in it. We understand that you might need to let the water get warm, but making coffee while it warms up is a bit much! And while you’re at it, think about lathering, turning off the water, then turning it back on when rinsing.

• Flushing tissue down the toilet. We know some people guilty of this (and I won’t mention any names publicly, but you know who you are!). Do you really need to blow your nose, throw the tissue in the toilet, and flush it? That’s up to 4 gallons down the drain — use the trash (and you could save some money too!)

PAPER CONSERVATION:

• Papering the seat on a public toilet (ladies!). There’s no harm in being cautious in public restrooms but next time try squatting. You’ll build thigh muscle and save paper!

• Printing unnecessarily or on one side. Yes, even if you’re printing on recycled paper. This also applies to writing on one side of the page in your notebooks or pads!

• Drinking from paper cups in the office kitchenette. Keep a reusable mug at your desk. Besides, washing it will give you an excuse to take a break from the daily grind.

ENERGY CONSERVATION:

• Leaving lights on when you’re not in the room. Don’t worry, invisible people can see in the dark.

• Buying plastic packaging. When you have a choice, buy products in glass, cardboard or metal packaging rather than non-recyclable plastic. Then be sure to recycle and you’ll save energy (see blog post entitled “Recycling Saves Energy”)!

• Staring longingly into the fridge or leaving the door open. You’re not going to slow down global warming by letting cold air out of the refrigerator; in fact, you’ll do the opposite.

There are tons of other ways that you probably waste tons of carbon. Think about your day-to-day routine and how even the tiniest change might bring about huge results. And feel free to share fun ones with us!

Tips for Buying a New Oven December 7, 2007

Time to replace your old stove? Not sure what to get? If you are in the market for a new oven, there are many options to consider. First step is to decide on the type of oven that you want. Here is some info on the different options:

• Conventional Ovens—These can be gas or electric—gas is about three times as efficient as electric. The higher temperature rises to the top which means that food on lower racks will not cook at the same rate as food on the higher racks. You do not find too many of these type ovens these days.
• Convection Ovens—These are fan forced ovens which means that heated air is circulated evenly. This allows them to be much more energy efficient than conventional ovens. They use one-third less energy than conventional ovens and cook food much more quickly.
• Combination cookers—These combine convection ovens and microwaves, allowing you to use the minimum amount of energy for what you are cooking.Fan assisted ovens—These are like conventional ovens but have a fan in the back that helps circulate the heat that is coming up from the bottom so that the temperature is more even throughout the oven. These use about 20% less energy than standard ovens.
• Microwave ovens—We know you know these well! Because these are smaller they are the best option when you are just reheating. These can save 80% than an electric oven.

While you will not find the Energy Star rating as you look for your oven as they are not available for cooking appliances, you can still look at the EnergyGuide labels to determine things such as approximate yearly cost. A good rule of thumb, however, is that smaller ovens, as well as ovens that will take less cooking time, are going to be more energy efficient. Also, self-cleaning ovens are more efficient because they are better insulated which means that they will require less energy for cooking. Gas models often have electric ignitions which are more energy efficient than ovens that require a pilot light to get it started.

Below are some recommendations of energy efficient ovens:

1. The Green Guide recommends Wolf built-in ovens. In 2000, Wolf became part of the Sub-Zero company. Sub-Zero is one of the Top 10 Green Brands according to the ImagePower Green Brands Survey and has a strong history of being green. These ovens begin at around $4000.Their website, discusses the “eco-friendly kitchen” and provides advice for remodeling kitchens in an environmentally considerate way. You may want to check that out as you begin to update your kitchen.
2. The US Appliance site lists the Viking Combi Steam Convection Oven Professional Series and the Viking Combi Steam Convection Oven Designer Series as some of the energy efficient products they offer. They both have electronic steam systems which uses water and energy efficiently. The site also recommends the Viking 30” Gas Open Burner Range Professional Series which has natural airflow baking for quicker and more even heat-up. It has convection heating with fan forced air. You can also check out many of the other Viking ovens that are recommended and find the one that will best meet your needs. The price of these ovens begins at around $2700.
3. Miele offers the Speed Oven which combines a microwave and a convection oven, allowing you to use just what you need for whatever food you are preparing. This will allow you to reduce the amount of energy needed. These begin at around $2800.You can read about Miele’s commitment to low energy consumption in their Sustainability Report.
4. The Electrolux Icon Designer Series 30” High Speed Oven also combines a microwave and convection oven to increase energy efficiency. The 30” Electric Wall Oven from the same series has what it calls the “Wave-Touch Control Panel Technology” which allows you to make sure that everything will be finished at the same time with each part of the meal cooked to exactly the right temperature for exactly the right amount of time. Also, the clear door allows you to peek in at what’s cooking without having to open the door and let out the heat. These ovens begin at about $1700. (http://www.electroluxusa.com/node13.aspx?categoryid=3114 ) Check out Electrolux’s Sustainability Report as well.
5. The Bosch ovens are known for their efficiency. The new 500 series allows for multiple rack cooking. These ovens feature the Genuine European Convection which includes a third heating element that surrounds a two-speed fan. This leads to faster cooking and less energy consumption. Also, the oven preheats in less than 6 minutes. The 500 Series ovens begin at around $1800.

That should get you started. The U.S. Department of Energy EERE (Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) site can always provide additional information before you purchase any appliances.