Making Your Food Purchase a Little Greener: October 12, 2009

I think that it can be agreed upon that food is a pretty big part of our lives. Because food plays such a large role in our existence, it’s not hard to imagine that the production and transport of our food is a big contributor to our overall carbon footprint. Being a conscious shopper and consumer of food is a great way to lessen your impact on the globe. Here are a few things to consider the next time you are in the grocery store:

1. Transportation - Transporting the food that we eat is one of the biggest contributors to the foods carbon cost. When thinking about the carbon cost of a food, it is important to take into account not only the distance that a food has traveled, but also how that food traveled. That is to say, it most likely takes far less fuel to ship French wine by sea to the east coast of the US than it does to ship the same amount of wine from California by land.

2. What goes into the food – Both ingredients and energy input are important to consider in this category. A product that uses many different ingredients will most likely be far more costly than a food that uses fewer ingredients. This is because in addition to the fuel it takes to gather and transport all of the ingredients to a central production site, it takes even more energy to put the ingredients together into the final product. It is also important to consider the environmental cost of the food. For example, beef is a more costly source of protein than beans for several reasons. First of all, the beef accrues the carbon cost of the feed that it eats, while the beans get their energy from the best know renewable energy source, the sun. Secondly, beef has the negative environmental impact of its methane production, while beans have the positive impact of photosynthesis. Third, the production of beef has many more steps and by-products than does the production of beans. Finally, the run-off from feedlots is far more harmful than any by-product of bean growth.

3. Size of operation – Generally speaking, food that is produced by smaller operations will have a smaller carbon cost than food that is produced in larger businesses. We will use the example of vegetable growth to illustrate this point. Larger operations will most likely use more large machinery in the growing and harvest process than will smaller operations and this means that larger operations will use more fuel. Larger operations are also more likely to use larger and more general applications of things like fertilizer and insecticides than will smaller operations. It is also important to think about the size of the provider. Large grocery store chains usually send all of their products to a central distribution site where it is stored and then redistributed to regional branches. Smaller groceries most likely do not have redistribution centers and this cuts out a leg of transportation, which ultimately saves fuel. In addition to added fuel costs, keeping produce cool and fresh while in storage uses energy and chemicals.

While it is true that no one factor is a good benchmark for judging a food’s greenness, using what information you know about a product, you can make informed choices that will help to decrease your carbon footprint. Generally speaking, food that travels a shorter distance, uses fewer total ingredients in its production, and is produced and/or provided by a small organization will be a good choice.

Greening Your Commute – Take Advantage of Bike-Sharing Programs August 27, 2009

This month, Washington D.C. will celebrate the first birthday of its pilot bike-sharing program, SmartBike D.C., which has not only been welcomed by the public, but has greatly succeeded. Within the first ten months of their introduction, the fleet of 120 bicycles had made more than 11,000 trips throughout the District. In reaction to the ready acceptance of the program, city officials have decided to increase the fleet by 400-percent, with rental locations spread throughout the city. Of the 40 new terminals currently being planned, 28 have gotten final approval to build, and should be operational by Fall 2009, expanding service into the District’s outer-reaches.

Many of these new terminals will be located near pre-existing transportation hubs, giving customers a varied array of transit options including busses, trains, and the metro. Given these improvements, the program is expected to gain even more momentum, gradually replacing cars and taxis on the Capitol’s streets with SmartBike’s signature red and white bikes.

Similar to other bike-share programs throughout Europe and Asia, SmartBike requires that users subscribe to the service, a cost of forty dollars per year, giving them unlimited use of the bikes. After signing-up, a customer is issued a SmartBike card that can be swiped at any terminal, allowing them to take or return a bike to any of the secured bike racks.

A list of the District’s bike laws, and maps of bike routes can be found here, and SmartBike D.C.’s homepage can be found here. Lastly, the nation-wide cycling promotion group, Critical Mass, has a rapidly-growing branch in the District. They coordinate regular rides throughout the city, and their webpage can be found here.

It Makes Sense to Build Green – Part 6 of 6 (IEQ) February 12, 2009

Building a low impact building means good indoor air quality (IAQ), both for the health of the buildings occupants and for the sustainability of the building. This credit requires minimum indoor environmental quality (IEQ) performance to enhance the air quality of the building. It starts early in the construction phase when the buildings toxins are flushed out and strict monitoring of pollutants and contamination are controlled by air quality testing. In addition to a reduction in air quality contaminants, which can also be attributed to low-emitting materials, the building must also provide adequate capacity for ventilation.

Two prerequisites are required to meet the indoor environmental quality credits. First, the buildings indoor air quality must comply with the code requirements LEED uses. The building is also required to establish an environmental tobacco smoke plan (i.e. no smoking inside the building and only within a certain distance outside of the building). After these requirements are met, this category offers 15 possible points in 8 credits. The construction and pre-occupancy steps must include steps to minimize indoor air pollution in order to to meet the level required once the building is completed. Proper installation and monitoring of the building’s ventilation systems will help meet this requirement. Selecting low-emitting materials, such as adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, carpet, and composite wood and agrifiber products, will reduce air contaminates. Reducing the number of chemicals that ever enter the building will also help you achieve points and more importantly, create a healthier building. Comfortable thermal systems with individual controllability will cut costs and improve worker performance. Using daylight and views along with controllable lighting systems will have the same effect.

Indoor environmental quality is a crucial measure to the sustainability of your building and its occupants, and it works collectively with the other LEED credit categories to construct a low impact, eco-friendly, sustainable building. By following the LEED credits, you can work toward certifying your building and establishing an environmentally friendly building that improves your workers’ health and performance, cuts your cost, reduces environmental impacts from building, and improves the economic sustainability of your building.

As you know if you have read through these posts, there are many steps that can be taken to obtain certification and these will differ based on the building, resources used, and a host of other factors. The system also allows for innovative measures, should you meet the intent of one of the points but are not doing it exactly as specified in the guide. A LEED accredited professional can work with you and the USGBC to determine if the point will apply, not to mention that you get one point just for having a LEED AP on your team!

These posts are meant to be a brief introduction, since we have LEED APs for projects and we often get some of these questions. The US Green Building Council site provides additional information, as well as checklists for each of the different guides.

Creative and sustainable biking February 26, 2008

I have been an avid bike rider for years now, and I have used my bike to commute to work for the last several years. Last week I got several flat tires and realized that it was time for me to invest in some new tires that would be flat resistant. In trying to determine my options for what product to buy as well as what to do with my old tires, I couldn’t help thinking that this shouldn’t be any different than any other purchase I make or how I dispose of typical items.

Biking is considered a sustainable transportation option, but I wanted to know if there was a way to make the bicycle industry more sustainable as well. Typically bike frames and major components are made of metal and rubber, both of which aren’t sustainable materials because they incorporate non renewable natural resources and are very energy intensive to mold into bicycle parts.

I was pleased to find that there are other people out there that are thinking of this same issue, and one company that is leading the way is Calfee Design out of Europe. They produce bike frames out of bamboo, that’s right bamboo! They are each hand crafted and offer hemp joints as an alternative to the traditional carbon fiber. The first bamboo bikes were built in the 1890’s but the technology has advanced so much that the newer bamboo bikes have even won awards for best road bike and are used by some professional triathletes. Calfee Design has teamed up with Columbia University to create the Bamboo Bike Project which aims to create sustainable transportation for people in Africa. Carry Freedom is another company that is using bamboo for bicycle products, and has a website that shows you how to build your own bamboo bicycle trailer.

As for maintenance of bicycles, most greases, lubricants, and cleaners that are used are not very environmentally friendly. If we can come up with eco-friendly cleaners for our house, why not for our bikes? Well sure enough, there are several companies that offer alternative greases, lubricants, and cleaners that are derived from natural materials. Two such companies are Soy Clean, which offers a soy-based multipurpose lubricant, and Pedros, which offers a biodegradeable degreaser made form citrus extracts.

As anybody who frequently rides a bike knows, you tend to pile up a large quantity of bike parts and accessories that are no longer usable. So what should we do with all of our old bike tubes, tires, helmets, non compatible parts, old models, etc? Although it is still difficult to find a place to recycle many of these bike parts, the options continue to grow every day. Some of the unique and creative uses that people are finding for old bike parts now include:

- using bike tubes to make bags, belts, and wallets.

- using gears to make wall clocks, and tea light holders

- using chains to make bottle openers and picture frames (Resource Revival)

- using wheels, frames, and seats to make furniture (Frida Ottemo Kallstrom, Andrew Gregg, Bike Furniture Design) as well as pot racks

The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has good information and resources if you are wondering what your options are for recycling your old bicycle helmets. Repurposing items we buy is a great way to be more sustainable, so why not find some Maybe other uses for our bicycles than just for transportation purposes. Well, someone has even come up with a bicycle powered washing machine. Now that’s what I would call getting the most out of your bicycle.

Of course there are also many programs in the country for recycling bicycles that either take unwanted bikes and give them to others who want bicycles, or disassemble the bikes and reuse the parts to create new bikes. When purchasing a bicycle, consider buying a used bike instead of a new one. I myself bought a used bike and was able to get a cheaper price, a good quality bike, and a good feeling about keeping an older bike out of the landfill.

Happy biking!

Is your city a “cool city”? Make it one in 2008! January 2, 2008

A little over two years ago, The Sierra Club launched the Cool Cities Campaign. The goal was to encourage mayors and other local leaders to take the initiative to implement measures that would reduce global warming pollution. For instance, some cities are committing to converting a percentage of their energy to renewable energy and other cities are switching to LED traffic lights and crosswalk signals. Seattle’s Mayor Greg Nickels, was instrumental in launching the U.S Mayors Climate Protection Agreement which pledged to reduce carbon dioxide pollution to 7% below the 1990 level by 2012. The Cool Cities Campaign is reaching out to other mayors who may not have signed on yet and also is encouraging individuals to initiate local energy solutions and to get their mayors involved.

Check to see if your community is already a Cool City here. If it is, you can find out what they have done so far. For instance, my county in New York has just achieved the 3^rd milestone of having the Mayor sign the U.S. Mayor’s Agreement. The next milestone will be to implement the proposed goals.

The Sierra Club Cool Cities website provides a wealth of information about how to get involved, the progress of other cities and any other information you may possibly need. Also take a look at the Sierra Club’s Cool Cities Campaign Activist Toolkit. It provides a checklist of the steps needed to organize a Cool Cities in your community. Each step is then described in detail and it even includes sample media materials and sample letters that can be sent to your mayor.

Make your city a “cool” one in 2008!

The wonders of vinegar July 25, 2007

By now, most of us know that conventional household cleaners contain toxins that we don’t want to be inhaling, and that they contribute to air pollution in our home. So, there are alternatives out here, such as those found at Whole Foods and other health food stores, including Mrs. Meyers, Ecover and BioKleen. But what if you don’t have access to those products or can’t afford them? The good news is that there are some key ingredients that you already use that can be used for cleaning. These include baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar.

Today’s focus is on vinegar, because it is VERY versatile around the house. It cuts grease, eliminates odors, removes stains and is a water softener. Here are some ideas and recipes for you — and again, if you think it takes effort and talent to do these, think again! I am not a homemaker (nor do I proclaim to be a cook), but I can put these together in a relatively short period of time. Try them out and let us know what you think — oh, and use white vinegar!

All-Purpose Cleaner (a few ideas for you)

1. Mix vinegar and salt together for a surface cleaner.
2. Mix the following ingredients in spray bottle or bucket: 3 tbsp. vinegar, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil based liquid soap, 2 cups hot water.
3. Mix ¼ cup baking soda, ½ cup borax, ½ cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water.
4. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar & 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2gallon water

Glass Cleaner

1. Use undiluted vinegar in a spray bottle
2. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
3. Mix a 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 quart warm water and apply with a sponge or pour into spray bottle and spray on. Wipe dry with crumpled newspaper, buff to a shine.

Toilet Cleaner (we all loooove to clean the toilet!)

1. Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl, then squirt with vinegar and scour with a toilet brush.

Drain declogger (forget Drano! plus it’s so much fun to watch this bubble up!)

1. Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain/disposal, followed by 1 cup white vinegar. Cover drain and allow the mixture to foam for 15+ minutes (I wait about half an hour or more) before flushing the drain with a gallon of boiling water. Note: Do NOT use this recipe if you’ve just used a commerical drain opener that may still be in the drain.

Tub & Tile Cleaner (again, not one of my favorite activities, but at least now it’s not toxic)

1. Use 1/4 cup (or more) vinegar to 1 gallon water to clean the tub.
2. Remove film buildup on bathtubs by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. Then, use baking soda as a scouring powder — rub with a damp sponge and rinse thoroughly.

Rust Stain and Hard Water Deposit Remover

1. Apply full-strength vinegar or lemon juice and let stand until spot disappears, rinse.

Mildew Remover

1. Dissolve half-cup vinegar with half-cup borax in warm water.

Remove Lime and Mineral Deposits:

1. Soak paper towels in vinegar and apply to the lime deposits. Leave them on for about an hour then wipe away.

Air freshener/Deodorizer

1. Place vinegar in a cup or bowl to rid room of odors.
2. To decrease cooking odors, simmer 1 tbsp. vinegar in 1 cup water on the stove while cooking.
3. Get the smell of onions or fish off utensils and cutting boards by wiping them with vinegar and washing them in soapy water.

Dishwasher Rinse:

1. To remove spots, add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse compartment of your automatic dishwasher.
2. To get glasses even cleaner, soak them occasionally in a solution of vinegar and water

Furniture Cleaner and Polish

1. Mix 3 cups olive oil and 1 cup vinegar together until well blended. Use a clean, soft cloth to apply to the furniture.

Wood polish

1. Mix 1/8 cup linseed oil, 1/8 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup lemon juice and rub into wood with a soft cloth.

Floor cleaner

1. For greasy, no-wax floors, mix 1 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup washing soda, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap and 2 gallons hot water and get to mopping!

Chrome and Stainless Steel Cleaner (for your valuables)

1. Dip soft cloth in undiluted white vinegar. Wipe surface.

Brass Cleaner

1. Mix equal parts salt and flour with a little vinegar, then rub.

Laundry Detergent

1. Add 1/3 cup washing soda (sodium carbonate) to water as machine is filling, then add clothes and 1 ½ cups of soap. If the water is hard, add ¼ cup vinegar during the first rinse.

Fabric Softener

1. Add 1 cup vinegar or ¼ cup baking soda during final rinse.

Carpet Cleaner

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray it on the stain and let it sit, then clean it with a brush or sponge and warm soapy water.
   
2. For something heavier, mix 1/4 cup each of vinegar, borax and salt and rub paste into carpet. Leave it for a few hours then vacuum.

Now who’s going to tell me vinegar is not a wonder cleaner?! And if you’re wondering, yes, I will do a blog on baking soda and another on lemons (and maybe even borax) in the near future– stay tuned!

Parkinsons and pesticides April 25, 2007

A recent study shows conclusive evidence that certain pesticides are related to Parkinson’s. Pesticides can be found in conventionally grown produce and are often times over-applied or improperly applied in the garden, or used indoors without ventilation.

The lesson: eat organic produce and don’t use pesticides in or outside your home. If you can’t buy all organic product, here is a list of the top twelve products with the most pesticides. Also, Beyond Pesticides offers some natural alternatives to regular pesticides, as do other organizations. Parkinson’s is not the only disease that pesticides have been linked to, so don’t wait to get rid of them!

Allergies on the rise: how to combat respiratory allergies in your home February 4, 2007

When people think of respiratory allergies, they often think of mild hayfever; slight stuffiness of the nose, maybe watery eyes, but nothing particularly serious. The reality, for many people, is far different; they can suffer from much more severe attacks, caused by a myriad of often unknown factors. In fact, respiratory allergies are one of the highest causes of morbidity in the US.

Respiratory allergies, and specifically hay fever, are the 5^th leading chronic disease in American adults. This results in approximately 4 million missed work days each year, which translates as more than $700 million in lost productivity. In children, respiratory allergies make up more than 50% of all allergic cases. Moreover, there are direct costs associated with allergies; medications alone cost almost $6 billion, and doctor/hospital visits add another $1 billion (Source: “Chronic Conditions: A Challenge for the 21^st Centrury,” National Academy on an Aging Society, 2000). Other sources, such as one study by the National Institute for Allergies and Infectious Diseases, put the total cost of allergies at $18 billion, with approximately half for respiratory cases. These figures show clearly that allergies are not a trifling matter; furthermore, and worryingly, in the United States and many other parts of the world, they are on the increase across all age groups and ethnic groups, but in particular in less economically stable communities, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

As mentioned briefly above, there are a large number of potential triggers for respiratory allergies. The most common include dust mite residues, pet dander, dust, pollen, mold and spores, all of which can be found in the home, at surprisingly high levels. Moreover, other household items can create fumes or situations which aggravate existing symptoms; these include cleaning products containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and malfunctioning extractor fan systems in the kitchen, which fail to reduce smoke levels effectively.

With all these potential hazards around, how can your allergic reaction to your own home be minimised? The few simple steps outlined below tackle several of the major factors implicated in respiratory allergy suffering in the home.

1) Prevent mold from growing in your home by keeping humidity down. It should ideally be at no more than 60% (and no less than 30%, as dry air can also aggravate respiratory conditions). Leaks and condensation are signs that mold might start growing; shore up leaks immediately and look for the sources of drips and condensation. Shower curtains are a favourite spot for mold growth, due to the damp, warm conditions in many bathrooms; an efficient extractor fan and/or dehumidifier can keep humidity down, and changing your plastic shower curtain for a more mold-resistant material may also prevent mold growth.

2) Approximately 10-20% of Americans will develop sensitivity to dust mites in their lifetime. Because dust mites tend to thrive in warm bedclothes and linens, we often come into close contact with them, which explains the high frequency of symptoms deriving from their presence. However, there are numerous control mechanisms and measures that are easy and relatively cheap to implement in the home. For example, bedding made of certain materials, such as latex or wool, is more resistant to mite infestation than cotton. Similarly, mite-shielding bed covers are readily available on the internet or in department stores. Finally, simply washing bedding in very hot water, and airing it in direct sunlight, can often be enough to control the presence of dust mites, and thus reduce allergic reactions.

3) Keep your house as free from toxic, volatile chemicals are possible. These fumes are often highly hazardous and are irritants that can exacerbate symptoms and lead to serious respiratory conditions. Always work with chemicals such as paint strippers and bleaches in well-ventilated areas, and avoid exposure as much as possible, or replace with non-toxic alternatives. Washing detergents, drain cleaners and air fresheners which all may contain VOCs can be replaced by natural products, such as borax and vinegar for drains and bathrooms and essential oils or incense to mask bad smells.

For more info, check out the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Going green, literally, to combat indoor air pollution! January 13, 2007

Going green, literally, to combat indoor air pollution!

This entry was posted on January 13, 2007 and is filed under Green Home,Air Quality.

I was amazed to discover the wealth of information on the effects of houseplants on indoor living. Apart from the proven psychological benefits of having green plants and colorful flowers around us, especially while we work, the benefits of having extra oxygen is hard to deny. But even more than this, some species of plant have been shown to be adept at filtering our air as efficiently as any commericial air filter system!

The number of gases that have been tested with various houseplants is large and varied, but nevertheless includes some top criminals in the indoor pollution case, such as benzene and formaldehyde. It turns out that although toxic to us, species of plant such as the peace lily, bamboo palm, English ivy, Boston fern and even various orchids can efficiently remove these potentially carcinogenic chemicals from the air, thus reducing our levels of air pollution within the home. These species have the added advantage of being natural shade-tolerant and easily procured at garden centres and nurseries around the country.

Or, instead of buying, why not try taking a cutting from a friend or neighbour and potting it yourself? With gentle watering, a decent sized pot (over 6 inches in diameter is recommended) and moderate levels of indirect sunlight, the value of a collection of houseplants can be more than decorative; it can be an integral tool in battling indoor air pollution. For a more complete list of plants to choose from, click here.

Ventilate, ventilate, ventilate! January 2, 2007

You may have heard it before, but it is worth repeating, especially if you’re not doing it! One of the easiest ways to reduce pollution in indoor spaces is to ventilate. Yes, open those windows, even if it’s chilly outside! It’s a great and easy way of bringing in fresh air. Even though we all hear about the high levels of outdoor air pollution, the air outside is three to five times cleaner than the air you’re breathing right now (assuming you’re sitting somewhere indoors).

Use exhaust fans in places such as kitchens and bathrooms where the air may not circulate as much even with an open window. If the space is hermetically sealed, like many office spaces, be sure that there is a mechanical ventilation system in place with a high exchange rate (i.e. high percentage of the air is from the outdoors). For more information, check out the Home Ventilation Institute’s site.

Another option to consider if additional ventilation is not possible is installing an air filter. There are many out there, so you will need to do your homework. However, I’ve found many HEPA(high efficiency particulate air) filters to be effective. These are said to remove at least 99.97% of allergens and contaminants like dust, pollen, mold, bacteria and airborne particles larger or equal to 0.3 microns. These filters can be costly and energy-intensive, therefore they may not be for everyone. Be weary, too, of filters that produce ozone; these are bad for the lungs as well as for the environment — look for filters that has minimal to no ozone emission. Review sites such as Consumer Search to determine which filter is right for you.