Go Green tips for February 22nd

Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!

Here Sarah's tips for Monday, February 22nd:

• I’ve eliminated a load to pile in the drier by hanging all my jeans up to dry. Not only does this save energy, it also keeps them from fading as fast and I can hold off shrinkage, as well. I mean, their gettimg too small for me has to be the drier’s fault, right?

• Worried about microwaving in plastic, well, it’s probably best to error on the side of caution and just avoid it. It’s just as easy to use microwave safe glass or ceramics and cover with an undyed papertowel. If you do use plastic wrap to cover it for microwave cleanliness, make sure it doesn’t touch your meal and you vent it for steam.

• If you can do it, buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging. Can’t afford a Costco membership? Do what I do, go with a friend who can!

In terms of laundry soap, what’s better for the environment: Liquid or powder? With the residue sometimes left behind on clean clothes, I know powder is usually MY second choice but knowledge is power and here’s what I just found out. Liquids come with some environmental trade offs. Regular detergents are formulated with 80 percent water, so you’re basically paying for what you already have. Yes, concentrates are available, but many still use just as much as they did before because those large, easy pour lids aren’t marked clearly how much to use. Liquids also have a much higher percentage of surfactants, or sudsing agents, than powders do. When surfactants find their way from washing machines to our oceans, they interfere with aquatic ecosystems. Particularly, they prevent fish gills from functioning properly and gathering enough oxygen, leading to population die-offs. Then, there’s the packaging: powders typically are packaged in recyclable or even recycled cardboard boxes, unlike liquid detergents, which come in petroleum-based plastic. As for that caking up issue that accompanies the powder detergents, many companies employ modern production techniques that have just about fixed that problem. Especially in the more energy efficient cold water cycles. Yup, powder’s better! You hear that Mom? You won, I’m switching back! It pays to be green on 92.1 WVTK.