Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 31st:
• Did you know that even your computer can be energy star rated? If you’re in the market, do the research first and then buy green!
• Shower power! A full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water, but taking a five-minute shower saves water by using 10 to 25 gallons. Have trouble cutting that shower short? Set a timer and stick to it!
• Make it a full load! The average washing machine uses 40.9 gallons of water per load. By the way, there are more efficient models, if you’re in the market, a high-efficiency washer needs less than 28 gallons of water per load.
Here’ s some local green news: U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders today announced energy efficiency and conservation grants totaling $5.8 million for 147 schools, towns, and cities across Vermont. The Vermont Department of Public Service and the state Clean Energy Development Fund reviewed applications and recommended the recipients. In Addison County, the grant winners were Bingham Memorial School, Bridport Central School, Bristol Elem School, Leicester Central School, Lincoln Elementary School, Middlebury Union Middle School, Monkton Elementary School, Mt Abraham Union High School, New Haven (Beeman) Elementary School, Shoreham Elementary School, Starksboro (Robinson) Elementary School, Whiting Village School, Town of Granville, Town of Lincoln, Town of Middlebury, Town of Shoreham and Town of Starksboro. Congratulations and a big green slap on the back! I told you, going green pays! The Go Green Ride at Five on 921wvtk.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Go Green tips for March 30th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 30th:
• How much room does a reusable shopping bag take up? Why not just keep one or two in your car to use for those quick shopping errands on the way home from work?
• Do you know what you can and can’t recycle? Go to addisoncountyrecycles.org. You’ll find all the information you need to better guide you through the whole process!
• Recycling a ton of 'waste' has twice the economic impact of burying it in the ground.
Let’s look at recycling by the numbers:
9 cubic yards: Amount of landfill space saved by recycling one ton of cardboard.
98 percent: Percentage of glass bottles in Denmark that are refillable. 98 percent of those are returned by consumers for reuse. Now, that’s an awesome example to follow!
20 million: Tons of electronic waste thrown away each year. One ton of scrap from discarded computers contains more gold than can be produced from 17 tons of gold ore.
544,000: Trees saved if every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100 percent recycled ones.
I could go on like this forever, but I think you know where I’m going with it. Reduce, reuse, recycle…reclaim. That’s the way to go green and we’ll help! 92.1 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 30th:
• How much room does a reusable shopping bag take up? Why not just keep one or two in your car to use for those quick shopping errands on the way home from work?
• Do you know what you can and can’t recycle? Go to addisoncountyrecycles.org. You’ll find all the information you need to better guide you through the whole process!
• Recycling a ton of 'waste' has twice the economic impact of burying it in the ground.
Let’s look at recycling by the numbers:
9 cubic yards: Amount of landfill space saved by recycling one ton of cardboard.
98 percent: Percentage of glass bottles in Denmark that are refillable. 98 percent of those are returned by consumers for reuse. Now, that’s an awesome example to follow!
20 million: Tons of electronic waste thrown away each year. One ton of scrap from discarded computers contains more gold than can be produced from 17 tons of gold ore.
544,000: Trees saved if every household in the United States replaced just one roll of virgin fiber paper towels (70 sheets) with 100 percent recycled ones.
I could go on like this forever, but I think you know where I’m going with it. Reduce, reuse, recycle…reclaim. That’s the way to go green and we’ll help! 92.1 WVTK!
Go Green tips for March 29th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 29th:
• How well sealed is your home? Why continue to lose that warm or cool air you’ve paid for? Caulking and weatherstrip- ping doors, windows and any cracks or openings in walls is a great way to avoid watching your hard earned dollars fly through the cracks!
• Planning a spring break vacation? Try booking a hotel close to area attractions to make access easier. You might be able to avoid the rental car, in that case by simply walking to the hot spots. The money and energy saved makes good sense! And I spell that c-e-n-t-s!!!
Less than one percent of Earth's water is available to feed, bathe, hydrate, and sustain nearly 7 billion people and millions of other species. Now if ever was a reason to conserve water, THAT would be it! What easy changes can you make to help save this valuable resource and set the best green example for your kids?
• They’re not expensive, check ‘em out at Martin’s! Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Because you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill.
• Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up—sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day.
• Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons of water to produce.
• Know the source of your drinking water—the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home. Once you know it, share it with you kids. It’ll help drive home the idea of water preservation.
If each of us learned how to conserve just a little more water, it could add up to big savings. My dad always told me that if I watch my pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves, I’d like to think it works the same way with other valuable things, as well.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 29th:
• How well sealed is your home? Why continue to lose that warm or cool air you’ve paid for? Caulking and weatherstrip- ping doors, windows and any cracks or openings in walls is a great way to avoid watching your hard earned dollars fly through the cracks!
• Planning a spring break vacation? Try booking a hotel close to area attractions to make access easier. You might be able to avoid the rental car, in that case by simply walking to the hot spots. The money and energy saved makes good sense! And I spell that c-e-n-t-s!!!
Less than one percent of Earth's water is available to feed, bathe, hydrate, and sustain nearly 7 billion people and millions of other species. Now if ever was a reason to conserve water, THAT would be it! What easy changes can you make to help save this valuable resource and set the best green example for your kids?
• They’re not expensive, check ‘em out at Martin’s! Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Because you’re saving hot water, you’ll also reduce your energy bill.
• Fix leaky faucets. All those wasted drops add up—sometimes to 10-25 gallons a day.
• Eat a bit less meat, especially beef. A typical hamburger can take 630 gallons of water to produce.
• Know the source of your drinking water—the river, lake, or aquifer that supplies your home. Once you know it, share it with you kids. It’ll help drive home the idea of water preservation.
If each of us learned how to conserve just a little more water, it could add up to big savings. My dad always told me that if I watch my pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves, I’d like to think it works the same way with other valuable things, as well.
Go Green tips for March 26th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 26th:
• Challenge your kids to make art from the recycling! It’s a fun project and a great way to encourage them to make new of old!
• Do you make the habit of buying those small garbage bags for your bathroom can? Instead, save the money and go without. Just dump the small can into your larger one when it’s full. A little less plastic and a few more coins in the purse.
• Make use of your ceiling fan if you have it! Running it clockwise at a slow speed re-circulates warmer air that accumulates at the ceiling, reducing energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
I wish I had a dime, no make that a dollar, aim high, I always say, for everytime I’ve wondered or been asked if something can be recycled. Be it milk cartons, yogurt containers, aerosol cans, ammunition. Bubble wrap, bricks, phone books, Styrofoam—the list is never ending and the answers aren’t always simple. There are somethings that have to be disposed of carefully. Like fluorescent bulbs, for example. They contain mercury and need to kept out of the trash. Whatever it is you need to dispose of, check with the Addison County Solid Waste Management District’s website. Go addisoncountyrecycles.org to find out what to do with what. I was very surprised to find out many things we’d been putting in our recycle bin that didn’t belong there! Greener today than I was yesterday on 921 WVTK.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 26th:
• Challenge your kids to make art from the recycling! It’s a fun project and a great way to encourage them to make new of old!
• Do you make the habit of buying those small garbage bags for your bathroom can? Instead, save the money and go without. Just dump the small can into your larger one when it’s full. A little less plastic and a few more coins in the purse.
• Make use of your ceiling fan if you have it! Running it clockwise at a slow speed re-circulates warmer air that accumulates at the ceiling, reducing energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
I wish I had a dime, no make that a dollar, aim high, I always say, for everytime I’ve wondered or been asked if something can be recycled. Be it milk cartons, yogurt containers, aerosol cans, ammunition. Bubble wrap, bricks, phone books, Styrofoam—the list is never ending and the answers aren’t always simple. There are somethings that have to be disposed of carefully. Like fluorescent bulbs, for example. They contain mercury and need to kept out of the trash. Whatever it is you need to dispose of, check with the Addison County Solid Waste Management District’s website. Go addisoncountyrecycles.org to find out what to do with what. I was very surprised to find out many things we’d been putting in our recycle bin that didn’t belong there! Greener today than I was yesterday on 921 WVTK.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Go Green tips for March 25th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 25th:
• Eating meatless once a week is a great way to save money and introduce new veggies to your family. Lack options? Hold a veggie potluck with some friends, you’ll be surprised at what arrives and maybe even who!
• It’s about to take a temperature dip, don’t give in and turn that heat back up too much. Keeping your thermostat down just five degrees more can cut energy bills (and pollution) 10 percent, so keep it at 68 degrees and less than that –60 or lower at night.
• Make use of your ceiling fan if you have it! Running it clockwise at a slow speed re-circulates warmer air that accumulates at the ceiling, reducing energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
March is women’s history month. In 2004, Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which inspired Kenyans to plant more than 45 million trees. By the way, while I’m on the subject of trees, as you plan your spring gardening, keep in mind a shade tree might be a great way to go. Shade trees help reduce energy costs at home. When planning your landscaping, opt for native species, which will be adapted to your climate. A young sapling is not that expensive and talk about curb appeal! We’re trying to grow weeping willows out in front of my house right now. My husband planted them last fall. Mud season and the new puppy might be doing them in, though. Well, we’re resilient, even they aren’t! Give green a chance with 921wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 25th:
• Eating meatless once a week is a great way to save money and introduce new veggies to your family. Lack options? Hold a veggie potluck with some friends, you’ll be surprised at what arrives and maybe even who!
• It’s about to take a temperature dip, don’t give in and turn that heat back up too much. Keeping your thermostat down just five degrees more can cut energy bills (and pollution) 10 percent, so keep it at 68 degrees and less than that –60 or lower at night.
• Make use of your ceiling fan if you have it! Running it clockwise at a slow speed re-circulates warmer air that accumulates at the ceiling, reducing energy consumption by up to 10 percent.
March is women’s history month. In 2004, Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She is the founder of the Green Belt Movement, which inspired Kenyans to plant more than 45 million trees. By the way, while I’m on the subject of trees, as you plan your spring gardening, keep in mind a shade tree might be a great way to go. Shade trees help reduce energy costs at home. When planning your landscaping, opt for native species, which will be adapted to your climate. A young sapling is not that expensive and talk about curb appeal! We’re trying to grow weeping willows out in front of my house right now. My husband planted them last fall. Mud season and the new puppy might be doing them in, though. Well, we’re resilient, even they aren’t! Give green a chance with 921wvtk!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Go Green tips for March 24th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 24nd:
• They are more expensive, but didja know It takes 1,000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery.
• Got an old cell phone, why not donate it? There’s an charitable organization that takes old cell phones: Womansafe in Middlebury, the number: 388-9180.
• Cleaning out your closet? Plastic hangers are not recyclable, why not donate them to a local shelter or offer them to a friend? Someone can always use hangers, especially if they have a teenager with growing closet.
Don’t throw it out! Recycle your empty ink and toner cartridges. Almost eight cartridges are thrown out in the United States every second of every day. That's almost 700,000 cartridges per day. What do you do with them, you ask. Well, many office supply stores offer recycling incentives, check out some websites: Staples, Office Maxx, Office Depot all recycle cartridges and even outdated office technology. Take a look. By the way, want to know what’s recyclable? Go to the Addison County Solid Waste Management’s new web address: addisoncountyrecycles.org for practical information to help you properly recycle and dispose of household and business waste. Be a lean, mean, recycling machine with 921 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 24nd:
• They are more expensive, but didja know It takes 1,000 regular batteries to equal the lifespan of one rechargeable battery.
• Got an old cell phone, why not donate it? There’s an charitable organization that takes old cell phones: Womansafe in Middlebury, the number: 388-9180.
• Cleaning out your closet? Plastic hangers are not recyclable, why not donate them to a local shelter or offer them to a friend? Someone can always use hangers, especially if they have a teenager with growing closet.
Don’t throw it out! Recycle your empty ink and toner cartridges. Almost eight cartridges are thrown out in the United States every second of every day. That's almost 700,000 cartridges per day. What do you do with them, you ask. Well, many office supply stores offer recycling incentives, check out some websites: Staples, Office Maxx, Office Depot all recycle cartridges and even outdated office technology. Take a look. By the way, want to know what’s recyclable? Go to the Addison County Solid Waste Management’s new web address: addisoncountyrecycles.org for practical information to help you properly recycle and dispose of household and business waste. Be a lean, mean, recycling machine with 921 WVTK!
Go Green tips for March 23rd
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 23nd:
• Didja know some grocery stores offer a credit of a few cents if you bring your own bag, so that reuseable shopping bag will pay for itself over time.
• I swear my mother is still reusing foil from the time of Christ for wrapping and rewrapping leftovers in the fridge. Just wash it in soap and water, flatten it out with a rolling pin on the kitchen counter, and it's good as new, unless, of course, it previously held raw meat. Then all bets are off!
• Are you stuck in a hot water rut like my mother, sorry mom, I’m callin’ you out!. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water. Break the habit and wash your clothes in cold water, they’ll be just as clean.
Oh, drier sheets, the bane of my existence! However, they are (especially in winter) a must have! So, I did some research and found some great ways to reuse them:
Use can use them more than once. I've found that the same softener sheet can be used a couple times in the dryer and still get the job done.
Anti-static dust wipes: The anti-cling chemicals in dryer sheets make them perfect for dusting television and computer screens and other electronic dust-magnets.
Lint brush in a pinch: Used fabric softener sheets can be used to remove pet hair and lint from clothing and upholstery.
One more: Put them in your dresser drawers to keep clothing fresh and smelling nice right out of the drawer, no matter how long it’s been stored there!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 23nd:
• Didja know some grocery stores offer a credit of a few cents if you bring your own bag, so that reuseable shopping bag will pay for itself over time.
• I swear my mother is still reusing foil from the time of Christ for wrapping and rewrapping leftovers in the fridge. Just wash it in soap and water, flatten it out with a rolling pin on the kitchen counter, and it's good as new, unless, of course, it previously held raw meat. Then all bets are off!
• Are you stuck in a hot water rut like my mother, sorry mom, I’m callin’ you out!. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water. Break the habit and wash your clothes in cold water, they’ll be just as clean.
Oh, drier sheets, the bane of my existence! However, they are (especially in winter) a must have! So, I did some research and found some great ways to reuse them:
Use can use them more than once. I've found that the same softener sheet can be used a couple times in the dryer and still get the job done.
Anti-static dust wipes: The anti-cling chemicals in dryer sheets make them perfect for dusting television and computer screens and other electronic dust-magnets.
Lint brush in a pinch: Used fabric softener sheets can be used to remove pet hair and lint from clothing and upholstery.
One more: Put them in your dresser drawers to keep clothing fresh and smelling nice right out of the drawer, no matter how long it’s been stored there!
Go Green tips for March 22nd
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 22nd:
• Just ran into the store for a couple of things? Do you really need a bag? At Hannaford, if my purchase isn’t excessive, they usually ask me first if I want one. My answer? Heck no! That’s what my large mommy purse is all about!
• It takes 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees, to make all the paper and plastic bags Americans go through each year. I have a dream and it is green!
• Here’s a thought, re-use your plastic bags. Sturdy plastic bags or double-bagged paper ones hold up for months, and they're free. For extra brownie points: Reuse plastic produce bags, or pick up a few cloth ones (you'll find them at Reusablebags.com).
To microwave or not to microwave, that is the question! There have been recent studies that link certain chemicals in plastics to birth defects and other health problems, but it’s still unclear how much of a hazard common plastics pose for young children. The exposure happens when plastic is heated. If you can, play it safe and avoid putting plastics in the microwave at all, you can use glass or ceramic containers (without any metallic paint). But if that’s not a possibility, perhaps you could choose your food containers more carefully, the plastics of greatest concern are marked with a number 3, 6 or 7 on the bottom. Like bringing food to work, but don’t have ceramic travel containers? Store a bowl and plate in your desk that you can transfer your lunch to for the microwave. A small inconvenience, but your health is worth that, isn’t it?
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 22nd:
• Just ran into the store for a couple of things? Do you really need a bag? At Hannaford, if my purchase isn’t excessive, they usually ask me first if I want one. My answer? Heck no! That’s what my large mommy purse is all about!
• It takes 12 million barrels of oil and 14 million trees, to make all the paper and plastic bags Americans go through each year. I have a dream and it is green!
• Here’s a thought, re-use your plastic bags. Sturdy plastic bags or double-bagged paper ones hold up for months, and they're free. For extra brownie points: Reuse plastic produce bags, or pick up a few cloth ones (you'll find them at Reusablebags.com).
To microwave or not to microwave, that is the question! There have been recent studies that link certain chemicals in plastics to birth defects and other health problems, but it’s still unclear how much of a hazard common plastics pose for young children. The exposure happens when plastic is heated. If you can, play it safe and avoid putting plastics in the microwave at all, you can use glass or ceramic containers (without any metallic paint). But if that’s not a possibility, perhaps you could choose your food containers more carefully, the plastics of greatest concern are marked with a number 3, 6 or 7 on the bottom. Like bringing food to work, but don’t have ceramic travel containers? Store a bowl and plate in your desk that you can transfer your lunch to for the microwave. A small inconvenience, but your health is worth that, isn’t it?
Go Green tips for March 19th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 19th:
• Trying to avoid pesticides in your produce, here’s list of veggies that avoid excess pesticide residue: Although we might find them tasty, pests aren’t so crazy about onions, asparagus, sweet potatoes and broccoli, so less spraying is needed. And anything thick skinned like avacodos, eggplant, pineapple, mango and watermelon are a safe bet, as well!
• Do you hate packing peanuts as much as I do? Here’s reuse idea, use them instead of gravel in the base of your potted plant. The biodegradable type, of course! Your plant will be lighter and easier to move!
• You want fries with that? Didja know people who pay for fast food using a credit or even debit card spend approximately 50% more than those who buy their burgers with cash.
Organic is quite the “in” term these days, but do we really know what it means? To use the term “organic” on a food package, farmers and manufacturers must verify through an independent auditing agency that production processes have met all the organic guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA-certified meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals that were given access to exercise, sunlight and, in the case of beef, pasture to graze in (though this access can be minimal). The animals cannot be treated with antibiotics or given hormones to supplement growth, and their feed must be certified organic and free from animal by-products and genetic modifications. USDA-certified organic produce comes from farms that have refrained from using synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified seeds for at least three years. For processed foods to be certified organic and bear the USDA emblem, they must contain at least 95 percent certified organic ingredients. Is organic a good thing? Yes. But most of the time, it’s pricier and not everything is better just because it’s organic. Do the research and save where you can! You can live green and still save green with 921WVTK.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 19th:
• Trying to avoid pesticides in your produce, here’s list of veggies that avoid excess pesticide residue: Although we might find them tasty, pests aren’t so crazy about onions, asparagus, sweet potatoes and broccoli, so less spraying is needed. And anything thick skinned like avacodos, eggplant, pineapple, mango and watermelon are a safe bet, as well!
• Do you hate packing peanuts as much as I do? Here’s reuse idea, use them instead of gravel in the base of your potted plant. The biodegradable type, of course! Your plant will be lighter and easier to move!
• You want fries with that? Didja know people who pay for fast food using a credit or even debit card spend approximately 50% more than those who buy their burgers with cash.
Organic is quite the “in” term these days, but do we really know what it means? To use the term “organic” on a food package, farmers and manufacturers must verify through an independent auditing agency that production processes have met all the organic guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. USDA-certified meat, dairy and egg products must come from animals that were given access to exercise, sunlight and, in the case of beef, pasture to graze in (though this access can be minimal). The animals cannot be treated with antibiotics or given hormones to supplement growth, and their feed must be certified organic and free from animal by-products and genetic modifications. USDA-certified organic produce comes from farms that have refrained from using synthetic herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers and genetically modified seeds for at least three years. For processed foods to be certified organic and bear the USDA emblem, they must contain at least 95 percent certified organic ingredients. Is organic a good thing? Yes. But most of the time, it’s pricier and not everything is better just because it’s organic. Do the research and save where you can! You can live green and still save green with 921WVTK.
Go Green tips for March 18th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 18th:
• An incredible 69 percent of Americans still don’t recycle. Every once in a while, perhaps do an inventory check of your garbage can to make sure your entire family is on board the recycle ride!
• Air quality inside our homes is often much worse than the air outside. Ways we can improve it, non-toxic cleaners for a start and fill the house with plants, they absorb air pollutants and improve your ambiance!
• Check the weather forecast, first , and don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money - can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers and lakes; and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds.
Making and even recycling plastic water bottles uses energy and releases pollution, and every year, millions of them wind up in landfill. It's not worth the waste, it’s not worth the money spent. Hello…tap water is free! And bottled water is often just tap water with a fancy label and a high price, and it's not any better for you. In fact, Consumer Reports found that about a quarter of bottled water actually comes from the tap.
Buy yourself one solid, attractive, reusable aluminum or stainless steel bottle and fill it with tap. If you're concerned about water quality or don't like the taste, then try a filter, research them online, they’re inexpensive and you come out way ahead in the trade off. Tap water, a better green choice…maybe I should re-phrase that? 92.1 WVTK
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 18th:
• An incredible 69 percent of Americans still don’t recycle. Every once in a while, perhaps do an inventory check of your garbage can to make sure your entire family is on board the recycle ride!
• Air quality inside our homes is often much worse than the air outside. Ways we can improve it, non-toxic cleaners for a start and fill the house with plants, they absorb air pollutants and improve your ambiance!
• Check the weather forecast, first , and don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money - can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers and lakes; and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds.
Making and even recycling plastic water bottles uses energy and releases pollution, and every year, millions of them wind up in landfill. It's not worth the waste, it’s not worth the money spent. Hello…tap water is free! And bottled water is often just tap water with a fancy label and a high price, and it's not any better for you. In fact, Consumer Reports found that about a quarter of bottled water actually comes from the tap.
Buy yourself one solid, attractive, reusable aluminum or stainless steel bottle and fill it with tap. If you're concerned about water quality or don't like the taste, then try a filter, research them online, they’re inexpensive and you come out way ahead in the trade off. Tap water, a better green choice…maybe I should re-phrase that? 92.1 WVTK
Go Green tips for March 17th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 17th:
• As spring is just around the corner we can start talking gardening! Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Compost it!
• Proper maintenance reduces waste! Keep your appliances in good working order and follow the manufacturer's suggestions for operation and maintenance.
• Check the weather forecast, first and don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money - can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers and lakes; and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds.
Planning ahead for spring break travels? Here’s a few ways you can prep your house for your absence and reduce your footprint:
• Pull the plug on any unnecessary appliances - such TVs, VCRs, stereos, toasters, and microwaves. These items can still use energy in their off mode.
• Set your thermostat and water heater at low settings so that energy isn't wasted while you are gone.
• Stop your newspaper or donate the paper to a school while you are gone.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 17th:
• As spring is just around the corner we can start talking gardening! Compost helps improve soil so it holds more water and plants grow better. Compost it!
• Proper maintenance reduces waste! Keep your appliances in good working order and follow the manufacturer's suggestions for operation and maintenance.
• Check the weather forecast, first and don't fertilize before a rain storm. Your fertilizer - along with your money - can just wash off your lawn and down the storm drain. Fertilizer runoff can pollute rivers and lakes; and cause problems in recreational areas or fishing grounds.
Planning ahead for spring break travels? Here’s a few ways you can prep your house for your absence and reduce your footprint:
• Pull the plug on any unnecessary appliances - such TVs, VCRs, stereos, toasters, and microwaves. These items can still use energy in their off mode.
• Set your thermostat and water heater at low settings so that energy isn't wasted while you are gone.
• Stop your newspaper or donate the paper to a school while you are gone.
Go Green tips for March 16th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 16th:
• Another phone book re-use tip: make a secret storage box for valuables out of a larger phone book. Carve out a hole in the center, and thieves will never be the wiser.
• Recycling a ton of 'waste' has twice the economic impact of burying it in the ground. The earth, love it or leave it!
• When it comes to buying new stuff, follow the wait a day plan. If it’s not an immediate need, put it back and wait a day. The next day, if you still think you need it, buy it then. Most likely, after a day of thought, what looked indispensable one day will seem an unnecessary luxury the next.
“Green purchasing” means buying smart. Shop with the environment in mind—that is, buy products that help conserve natural resources, save energy, and prevent waste. Green purchasing can also mean not buying things you don’t need. By educating yourself about the products you buy, you can make a difference in protecting the environment. Green purchasing involves learning about all the ways that a product can affect the environment during the course of its “life cycle”—from the materials used to manufacture it, to how you use it, to what you do with it when you’re finished with it—so that you can make smart choices you can live with. Green is a choice we can all make with 921wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 16th:
• Another phone book re-use tip: make a secret storage box for valuables out of a larger phone book. Carve out a hole in the center, and thieves will never be the wiser.
• Recycling a ton of 'waste' has twice the economic impact of burying it in the ground. The earth, love it or leave it!
• When it comes to buying new stuff, follow the wait a day plan. If it’s not an immediate need, put it back and wait a day. The next day, if you still think you need it, buy it then. Most likely, after a day of thought, what looked indispensable one day will seem an unnecessary luxury the next.
“Green purchasing” means buying smart. Shop with the environment in mind—that is, buy products that help conserve natural resources, save energy, and prevent waste. Green purchasing can also mean not buying things you don’t need. By educating yourself about the products you buy, you can make a difference in protecting the environment. Green purchasing involves learning about all the ways that a product can affect the environment during the course of its “life cycle”—from the materials used to manufacture it, to how you use it, to what you do with it when you’re finished with it—so that you can make smart choices you can live with. Green is a choice we can all make with 921wvtk!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Go Green tips for March 15th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 15th:
• Spare the air and don't let your car idle. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends turning off your engine if you're going to be in one place for more than 30 seconds.
• Also, be a steady driver. By avoiding sudden braking and acceleration, you'll increase fuel efficiency by as much as 40 percent. And if you set your highway cruising speed to 55 to 60 miles per hour, you'll save even more gas.
• Didja know most baby wipes take several hundred years to break down. Considering the number of wipes used in the United States (about 5,000 per baby), that's a lot of landfill.
Let’s step into the kitchen, shall we? And then, let’s go to my favorite appliance, the fridge! Did you know you can help your refrigerator be more efficient? Besides the occasional reminders to children standing at an open door, you can also reduce energy strain from the power hungry ice box with a couple of quick tricks. Cleaning the coils every six months will help you use less energy and save money. Just flip up or remove the kick plate or toe grill, and clean with a vacuum attachment or bottle brush. Oh, make sure to unplug the fridge or turn off its circuit breaker first, though, for a less shocking experience! Then keep the fridge set between 38 and 40 degrees and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees — these are the settings where it runs most efficiently. It pays to be green! 921wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 15th:
• Spare the air and don't let your car idle. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends turning off your engine if you're going to be in one place for more than 30 seconds.
• Also, be a steady driver. By avoiding sudden braking and acceleration, you'll increase fuel efficiency by as much as 40 percent. And if you set your highway cruising speed to 55 to 60 miles per hour, you'll save even more gas.
• Didja know most baby wipes take several hundred years to break down. Considering the number of wipes used in the United States (about 5,000 per baby), that's a lot of landfill.
Let’s step into the kitchen, shall we? And then, let’s go to my favorite appliance, the fridge! Did you know you can help your refrigerator be more efficient? Besides the occasional reminders to children standing at an open door, you can also reduce energy strain from the power hungry ice box with a couple of quick tricks. Cleaning the coils every six months will help you use less energy and save money. Just flip up or remove the kick plate or toe grill, and clean with a vacuum attachment or bottle brush. Oh, make sure to unplug the fridge or turn off its circuit breaker first, though, for a less shocking experience! Then keep the fridge set between 38 and 40 degrees and the freezer between 0 and 5 degrees — these are the settings where it runs most efficiently. It pays to be green! 921wvtk!
Go Green tips for March 12th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 12th:
• More uses for your outdated phone book: shred pages and use as pet bedding, save it to crumple up as padding for packing fragile objects or use it as kindling in your fire place, or charcoal grill—uh-huh! Year round usage.
• Keep forgetting your shopping bags? Why not just leave them in your car, or at least a few of them, anyway? You’ll never have an excuse not to use them! By the way, if you forget them in your car, a clerk will watch your basket while you run back out to get them.
• Planning a party? If you’re going to supply beer, buy a keg! It has a 68 percent lighter carbon footprint than the bottled stuff! And after I checked with the guys in the office, they say it’s a cheaper way to go!
How energy efficient is your office? Be bright about light: Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.
• Turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
• It’s so easy to leave a room and if it’s not your office, it’s so easy to ignore that overhead light. Think of it this way, the money saved could end up in your paycheck!
• Buy Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least 2/3 less energy than regular lighting, or perhaps suggest the boss install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 12th:
• More uses for your outdated phone book: shred pages and use as pet bedding, save it to crumple up as padding for packing fragile objects or use it as kindling in your fire place, or charcoal grill—uh-huh! Year round usage.
• Keep forgetting your shopping bags? Why not just leave them in your car, or at least a few of them, anyway? You’ll never have an excuse not to use them! By the way, if you forget them in your car, a clerk will watch your basket while you run back out to get them.
• Planning a party? If you’re going to supply beer, buy a keg! It has a 68 percent lighter carbon footprint than the bottled stuff! And after I checked with the guys in the office, they say it’s a cheaper way to go!
How energy efficient is your office? Be bright about light: Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.
• Turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
• It’s so easy to leave a room and if it’s not your office, it’s so easy to ignore that overhead light. Think of it this way, the money saved could end up in your paycheck!
• Buy Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least 2/3 less energy than regular lighting, or perhaps suggest the boss install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.
Go Green tips for March 11th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 11th:
• More uses for your outdated phone book: shred pages and use as pet bedding, save it to crumple up as padding for packing fragile objects or use it as kindling in your fire place, or charcoal grill—uh-huh! Year round usage.
• Keep forgetting your shopping bags? Why not just leave them in your car, or at lease a few of them, anyway? You’ll never have an excuse not to use them! By the way, if you forget them in your car, a clerk will watch your basket while you run back out to get them.
How energy efficient is your office? Be bright about light: Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.
• Turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
• Buy Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least 2/3 less energy than regular lighting, and install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 11th:
• More uses for your outdated phone book: shred pages and use as pet bedding, save it to crumple up as padding for packing fragile objects or use it as kindling in your fire place, or charcoal grill—uh-huh! Year round usage.
• Keep forgetting your shopping bags? Why not just leave them in your car, or at lease a few of them, anyway? You’ll never have an excuse not to use them! By the way, if you forget them in your car, a clerk will watch your basket while you run back out to get them.
How energy efficient is your office? Be bright about light: Artificial lighting accounts for 44 percent of the electricity use in office buildings.
• Turn off the lights when you're leaving any room for 15 minutes or more and utilize natural light when you can.
• Buy Energy Star-rated light bulbs and fixtures, which use at least 2/3 less energy than regular lighting, and install timers or motion sensors that automatically shut off lights when they're not needed.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Go Green Tips for March 10th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 10th:
• Making sure you recycle is just one step of the process. Also trying to buy recycled products. I call it feeding the loop! We can now find high recycled content in everything from printer paper to office chairs. Even toilet paper!
• What to do with the outdated phone book? How about using it, sheet by sheet, as an alternative to paper towels. Clean windows and mirrors. In my house, right now, it’s all about the puppy messes, we’re up to the letter R.
• Kid’s growing too fast and you don’t want to donate the stained or ripped jeans (I have issues with that, too!)? Make cool pillows out of them for a tween or teen’s room! That way, they never have to part with their favorite pair of jeans! Green! 921wvtk!
Glass jars are easily recycled, but they're also easy to reuse: just clean them, peel or scrape off the labels (or don't, if you like that look), and give them new jobs as storage for leftovers, candle holders, desk organizers, vases, coin banks, or, well, pretty much anything else. A friend of mine saves all of her left over jars and covers them in sweater material. She’ll save old sweaters, cuts off the arms and takes that material to cover the jar! It’s very cool and incredibly decorative! She’ll then fill them with candy, beads, whatever and gifts them to teachers, friends, in-laws…you name it. Creatively green—I think I want that on a t-shirt! The Go-Green Ride at Five 921WVTK
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 10th:
• Making sure you recycle is just one step of the process. Also trying to buy recycled products. I call it feeding the loop! We can now find high recycled content in everything from printer paper to office chairs. Even toilet paper!
• What to do with the outdated phone book? How about using it, sheet by sheet, as an alternative to paper towels. Clean windows and mirrors. In my house, right now, it’s all about the puppy messes, we’re up to the letter R.
• Kid’s growing too fast and you don’t want to donate the stained or ripped jeans (I have issues with that, too!)? Make cool pillows out of them for a tween or teen’s room! That way, they never have to part with their favorite pair of jeans! Green! 921wvtk!
Glass jars are easily recycled, but they're also easy to reuse: just clean them, peel or scrape off the labels (or don't, if you like that look), and give them new jobs as storage for leftovers, candle holders, desk organizers, vases, coin banks, or, well, pretty much anything else. A friend of mine saves all of her left over jars and covers them in sweater material. She’ll save old sweaters, cuts off the arms and takes that material to cover the jar! It’s very cool and incredibly decorative! She’ll then fill them with candy, beads, whatever and gifts them to teachers, friends, in-laws…you name it. Creatively green—I think I want that on a t-shirt! The Go-Green Ride at Five 921WVTK
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Go Green tips for March 9th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 8th:
• Be green from the ground up! Test your home for radon. Radon is a naturally occuring, odorless gas that can seep out of the ground into your home. But as the second leading cause of lung cancer, radon is responsible for over 20,000 deaths a year. Get a radon test! Green healthy, 921wvtk!
• Make it a full load when you run that dishwasher and avoid the rinse cycle! Tests show pre-rinsing doesn't improve dishwasher cleaning, and you'll save as much as 20 gallons of water per load. Unless you rinse them before you put them in and then, well, the whole thing’s shot to heck!
• The Go-Green Ride at Five! If you can, leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year! To carpool, or not to carpool, that is the question!
Don't trash it - reuse it! Be creative as you look for new ways to reduce the amount or kinds of household waste. Give cardboard tubes to pet hamsters, gerbils or at my house, Diamond, the rat, yes, my daughter has a pet rat—they’re very tame—the rat, not my daughter. Anyway, moving on, you can plant seeds in an egg carton. Make a flower pot out of a plastic ice cream tub, you know, the big store brand ones. And those big cardboard bins that oatmeal come in. Send your empty ones in to your child’s art teacher. They love having that stuff on hand! By thinking creatively, you will often find new uses for common items and new ways to recycle and reduce waste. That's using your green noggin! The Go Green Ride at Five at 921wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 8th:
• Be green from the ground up! Test your home for radon. Radon is a naturally occuring, odorless gas that can seep out of the ground into your home. But as the second leading cause of lung cancer, radon is responsible for over 20,000 deaths a year. Get a radon test! Green healthy, 921wvtk!
• Make it a full load when you run that dishwasher and avoid the rinse cycle! Tests show pre-rinsing doesn't improve dishwasher cleaning, and you'll save as much as 20 gallons of water per load. Unless you rinse them before you put them in and then, well, the whole thing’s shot to heck!
• The Go-Green Ride at Five! If you can, leaving your car at home just two days a week will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 pounds per year! To carpool, or not to carpool, that is the question!
Don't trash it - reuse it! Be creative as you look for new ways to reduce the amount or kinds of household waste. Give cardboard tubes to pet hamsters, gerbils or at my house, Diamond, the rat, yes, my daughter has a pet rat—they’re very tame—the rat, not my daughter. Anyway, moving on, you can plant seeds in an egg carton. Make a flower pot out of a plastic ice cream tub, you know, the big store brand ones. And those big cardboard bins that oatmeal come in. Send your empty ones in to your child’s art teacher. They love having that stuff on hand! By thinking creatively, you will often find new uses for common items and new ways to recycle and reduce waste. That's using your green noggin! The Go Green Ride at Five at 921wvtk!
Go Green tips for March 8th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 8th:
• Worried that natural cleaning isn’t as effective as mainstream cleaning when it comes to food-borne illnesses like E. coli?Natural cleaners can be highly effective in the kitchen, even when it comes to nasty food-borne illnesses like E. coli.
• Spring is around the corner! Why not use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. Mud season rules, apply, though, use strong clothes pins and keep the dog clear!
• Did you know that the number of cars on the planet is increasing three times faster than the population growth. No contraceptive for that, I guess!
Did you know that aside from being incredible annoying, a small drip from a faucet can waste up to 50 gallons of water a week? That’s enough water to run a dishwasher twice on a full cycle! So fix those leaks! Here’s another water saving tip for those who don’t have a dishwasher: Instead letting the faucet run to rinse dishes as you wash them. Wash a small amount of dishes and place them in the second sink or wash basin. Then take a break from washing to rinse those pieces before you move on to more. I have to give credit where it’s due, my husband, after patiently watching me wash dishes the other way for about two years, yes, the honeymood period, finally couldn’t stand it anymore and showed me the more efficient method. This was also about the same time he finally told me he couldn’t stand how loudly I ate popcorn. I bought him ear plugs. Don’t go mean, go green with 921 wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 8th:
• Worried that natural cleaning isn’t as effective as mainstream cleaning when it comes to food-borne illnesses like E. coli?Natural cleaners can be highly effective in the kitchen, even when it comes to nasty food-borne illnesses like E. coli.
• Spring is around the corner! Why not use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. Mud season rules, apply, though, use strong clothes pins and keep the dog clear!
• Did you know that the number of cars on the planet is increasing three times faster than the population growth. No contraceptive for that, I guess!
Did you know that aside from being incredible annoying, a small drip from a faucet can waste up to 50 gallons of water a week? That’s enough water to run a dishwasher twice on a full cycle! So fix those leaks! Here’s another water saving tip for those who don’t have a dishwasher: Instead letting the faucet run to rinse dishes as you wash them. Wash a small amount of dishes and place them in the second sink or wash basin. Then take a break from washing to rinse those pieces before you move on to more. I have to give credit where it’s due, my husband, after patiently watching me wash dishes the other way for about two years, yes, the honeymood period, finally couldn’t stand it anymore and showed me the more efficient method. This was also about the same time he finally told me he couldn’t stand how loudly I ate popcorn. I bought him ear plugs. Don’t go mean, go green with 921 wvtk!
Go Green tips for March 5th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 5th:
• Headed into town for shopping or errands? Share the ride with a friend. If I’m headed to Cosco or Walmart, I call my friends, first to see if they’d like a girls’ day out! Going broke is always more fun with your friends!
• Clear the clutter! Every 100 pounds you carry inside your car lowers its fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. So if you don't need it, don't have it in your trunk.
• Oil-change shops try to convince us to change our oil every 3,000 miles, but newer cars really don’t need it that often. Most manufacturers say you can go 7,000 miles without a problem. Change less often and it really can save your engine and the planet - not to mention your wallet.
Eating locally grown food is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and support your local economy. And chances are, your local farm doesn't use pounds of pesticides or antibiotics. Here’s the gratuitous plug: in case you thought during these cold winter months that a farmers market is wishful thinking, think again. Middlebury does a Winter market the second and fourth Saturdays during the winter season in which you’ll find local produce, breads, meats, cheeses, even crafts. It all takes place in the Marbleworks at American Flatbread between 9 and 1. See? You can have your green, and eat it too! Green up with us at 921 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, March 5th:
• Headed into town for shopping or errands? Share the ride with a friend. If I’m headed to Cosco or Walmart, I call my friends, first to see if they’d like a girls’ day out! Going broke is always more fun with your friends!
• Clear the clutter! Every 100 pounds you carry inside your car lowers its fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. So if you don't need it, don't have it in your trunk.
• Oil-change shops try to convince us to change our oil every 3,000 miles, but newer cars really don’t need it that often. Most manufacturers say you can go 7,000 miles without a problem. Change less often and it really can save your engine and the planet - not to mention your wallet.
Eating locally grown food is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and support your local economy. And chances are, your local farm doesn't use pounds of pesticides or antibiotics. Here’s the gratuitous plug: in case you thought during these cold winter months that a farmers market is wishful thinking, think again. Middlebury does a Winter market the second and fourth Saturdays during the winter season in which you’ll find local produce, breads, meats, cheeses, even crafts. It all takes place in the Marbleworks at American Flatbread between 9 and 1. See? You can have your green, and eat it too! Green up with us at 921 WVTK!
Go Green tips for March 4th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 4th:
• A great way to help green up your workplace is to have your own dishes on site to use instead of disposable coffee cups, etc. Maybe your boss will give you some petty cash to go hit the local thrift store or Good Will for some dishware that everyone can take advantage of! Down with Chinet!
• Gotta window in your workplace or home office? Why not utilize natural light to work by if you can, afterall, the days are starting to get longer again. For heaven’s sake, you live in Vermont, the green mountain state…open the curtains and take a look outside!
• Finding yourself awash in clothes your kids have outgrown or toys they’ve tired of? Host a swap party. Don't buy more clothes or toys. Instead, host a party at which to swap toys and clothes with other parents. It’s a great excuse to break out the chips and salsa!
Mornings in my house are chaos to say the least. Trying to get kids dressed and fed (thank goodness I have at least one now that can do it for herself), backpacks and lunch bags packed…and then, remembering to dress and feed myself…hurry, hurry, flurry, flurry…Now, I have to admit, there are times, the convenience of single packaging wins out over budgetary constraints. Especially those little single pack apple sauces-love those. Well, here’s my wake-up call: All those juice boxes and snack packs pile up. Making lunches for school every day creates about 67 pounds of garbage per child - or more than 18,000 pounds per school - each year. That’s sobering. I know I spend more on the individually packaged lunch snacks-- up 50% more at times. And perhaps it wouldn’t be such a sacrifice to take time the night before and fill those re-usable containers, I mean, that’s what I bought them for! A little more work, yes, but worth it. Buying in bulk and prepackaging makes a lot of sense, financially and environmentally. Green…just do it…with 921 WVTK!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Thursday, March 4th:
• A great way to help green up your workplace is to have your own dishes on site to use instead of disposable coffee cups, etc. Maybe your boss will give you some petty cash to go hit the local thrift store or Good Will for some dishware that everyone can take advantage of! Down with Chinet!
• Gotta window in your workplace or home office? Why not utilize natural light to work by if you can, afterall, the days are starting to get longer again. For heaven’s sake, you live in Vermont, the green mountain state…open the curtains and take a look outside!
• Finding yourself awash in clothes your kids have outgrown or toys they’ve tired of? Host a swap party. Don't buy more clothes or toys. Instead, host a party at which to swap toys and clothes with other parents. It’s a great excuse to break out the chips and salsa!
Mornings in my house are chaos to say the least. Trying to get kids dressed and fed (thank goodness I have at least one now that can do it for herself), backpacks and lunch bags packed…and then, remembering to dress and feed myself…hurry, hurry, flurry, flurry…Now, I have to admit, there are times, the convenience of single packaging wins out over budgetary constraints. Especially those little single pack apple sauces-love those. Well, here’s my wake-up call: All those juice boxes and snack packs pile up. Making lunches for school every day creates about 67 pounds of garbage per child - or more than 18,000 pounds per school - each year. That’s sobering. I know I spend more on the individually packaged lunch snacks-- up 50% more at times. And perhaps it wouldn’t be such a sacrifice to take time the night before and fill those re-usable containers, I mean, that’s what I bought them for! A little more work, yes, but worth it. Buying in bulk and prepackaging makes a lot of sense, financially and environmentally. Green…just do it…with 921 WVTK!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Go Green tips for March 3rd
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 3rd:
• Are you like me and forget to empty your drier lint in a timely fashion? Did you know that cleaning the lint filter can slash it’s energy usage by as much as 30%? I’m gonna make myself a note, I promise!
• Planning a wedding? Instead of buying flowers for both the wedding and the reception, why not move flowers from one place to another? No, it’s not tacky, it’s preserving the environment and if you’re so worried about being tacky, cancel the garter throwing.
• Want to cut down on the printer ink you use? Download the new Ecofont – a new typeface that incorporates tiny, inkless circles that minimize ink usage by up to 20 percent. Best of all: it’s free.
I’m getting out my soapbox for a moment and talking about something I saw on TV the other day that just…burned my britches. It was on the show “Moving Up”, TLC home improvement reality show. Several times, now, I’ve watched them demo the interior of these homes with very little regard of the reusable materials they’re wasting. Sledge hammering kitchen cabinets, working toilets and bathroom sinks, throwing out wood flooring simply because it’s the wrong color. Why not re-purpose some of these materials, those kitchen cabinets, can they be used in the garage or perhaps donated to Habitat for Humanity. They don’t care how dated they look or if the sink is pink. For that matter, if any of the above is in good shape, it could be listed on Craig’s List or in the local classifieds and could even help fund your next big vacation. It could pay to go green!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Wednesday, March 3rd:
• Are you like me and forget to empty your drier lint in a timely fashion? Did you know that cleaning the lint filter can slash it’s energy usage by as much as 30%? I’m gonna make myself a note, I promise!
• Planning a wedding? Instead of buying flowers for both the wedding and the reception, why not move flowers from one place to another? No, it’s not tacky, it’s preserving the environment and if you’re so worried about being tacky, cancel the garter throwing.
• Want to cut down on the printer ink you use? Download the new Ecofont – a new typeface that incorporates tiny, inkless circles that minimize ink usage by up to 20 percent. Best of all: it’s free.
I’m getting out my soapbox for a moment and talking about something I saw on TV the other day that just…burned my britches. It was on the show “Moving Up”, TLC home improvement reality show. Several times, now, I’ve watched them demo the interior of these homes with very little regard of the reusable materials they’re wasting. Sledge hammering kitchen cabinets, working toilets and bathroom sinks, throwing out wood flooring simply because it’s the wrong color. Why not re-purpose some of these materials, those kitchen cabinets, can they be used in the garage or perhaps donated to Habitat for Humanity. They don’t care how dated they look or if the sink is pink. For that matter, if any of the above is in good shape, it could be listed on Craig’s List or in the local classifieds and could even help fund your next big vacation. It could pay to go green!
Go Green Tips for March 2nd
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 2nd:
• Planning a spring vacation? How about an eco-vacation/ Save the money and go for an experience like Habitat for Humanity, i-to-i or the United Way. Instead of reaching into your pockets, reach out to help!
• Spring break can also be about showing your kids how to contribute. Save those vacation dollars and stay local, find trail-restoration projects to get them involved in or call your local United Way for volunteer opportunities. They'll learn from you and the example you set.
Headed on the road for a spring break vacation? I know we often like to take to the road that week with kids. Here's a few good choices to be made when you travel:
Road-tripping? Consider leaving your clunker at home and renting a hybrid; you'll save on gas and prevent wear and tear on your car. Once you're at your destination, using a bicycle or public transportation for sight-seeing will reduce your footprint, give you the local experience and burn off a few of those vacation libations.
If you're flying, look for a nonstop flight if it's available, it saves time and burns less fuel!
Here’s a common green myth: Recycling wastes more energy than it saves. Here’s the truth of the matter: Typically, this myth comes at you in the form of “Sending out trucks all over town to pick up bottles and cans takes more energy than you'll save by recycling.” It sounds compelling, but it's wrong. For example, recycling aluminum cans cuts energy use and greenhouse gases by 95 percent compared with the energy needed to make virgin aluminum. In general, the energy used to manufacture new products from raw materials is at least ten times more than the energy consumed by curbside collection, recycling and transportation of recycled goods to retailers. Reuse, renew, recycle… reclaim. It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 921 wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Tuesday, March 2nd:
• Planning a spring vacation? How about an eco-vacation/ Save the money and go for an experience like Habitat for Humanity, i-to-i or the United Way. Instead of reaching into your pockets, reach out to help!
• Spring break can also be about showing your kids how to contribute. Save those vacation dollars and stay local, find trail-restoration projects to get them involved in or call your local United Way for volunteer opportunities. They'll learn from you and the example you set.
Headed on the road for a spring break vacation? I know we often like to take to the road that week with kids. Here's a few good choices to be made when you travel:
Road-tripping? Consider leaving your clunker at home and renting a hybrid; you'll save on gas and prevent wear and tear on your car. Once you're at your destination, using a bicycle or public transportation for sight-seeing will reduce your footprint, give you the local experience and burn off a few of those vacation libations.
If you're flying, look for a nonstop flight if it's available, it saves time and burns less fuel!
Here’s a common green myth: Recycling wastes more energy than it saves. Here’s the truth of the matter: Typically, this myth comes at you in the form of “Sending out trucks all over town to pick up bottles and cans takes more energy than you'll save by recycling.” It sounds compelling, but it's wrong. For example, recycling aluminum cans cuts energy use and greenhouse gases by 95 percent compared with the energy needed to make virgin aluminum. In general, the energy used to manufacture new products from raw materials is at least ten times more than the energy consumed by curbside collection, recycling and transportation of recycled goods to retailers. Reuse, renew, recycle… reclaim. It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 921 wvtk!
Go Green Tips for March 1st
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 1st:
• Have you heard of "smart" power strips? They sense when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use. Call your local hardware store and ask about them!
• Don’t fall into the latest gadget trap. Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible. Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
Here’s a common green myth: Recycling wastes more energy than it saves. Here’s the truth of the matter: Typically, this myth comes at you in the form of “Sending out trucks all over town to pick up bottles and cans takes more energy than you'll save by recycling.” It sounds compelling, but it's wrong. For example, recycling aluminum cans cuts energy use and greenhouse gases by 95 percent compared with the energy needed to make virgin aluminum. In general, the energy used to manufacture new products from raw materials is at least ten times more than the energy consumed by curbside collection, recycling and transportation of recycled goods to retailers. Reuse, renew, recycle… reclaim. It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 921 wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Monday, March 1st:
• Have you heard of "smart" power strips? They sense when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use. Call your local hardware store and ask about them!
• Don’t fall into the latest gadget trap. Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible. Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
Here’s a common green myth: Recycling wastes more energy than it saves. Here’s the truth of the matter: Typically, this myth comes at you in the form of “Sending out trucks all over town to pick up bottles and cans takes more energy than you'll save by recycling.” It sounds compelling, but it's wrong. For example, recycling aluminum cans cuts energy use and greenhouse gases by 95 percent compared with the energy needed to make virgin aluminum. In general, the energy used to manufacture new products from raw materials is at least ten times more than the energy consumed by curbside collection, recycling and transportation of recycled goods to retailers. Reuse, renew, recycle… reclaim. It’s the Go Green Ride at Five on 921 wvtk!
Go Green Tips for February 26th
Gotta tip you want to share with Sarah and the Go Green Ride at Five? Email her: sarah@921wvtk.com!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, February 26th:
• Environmentally friendly moisturizers are great, but expensive. Did you know that by simply takig a warm shower instead of a hot one can minimize your need for moisturizer in the first place? You’ll use less and make the investment of your green beauty product last even longer!
• Petroleum based lip products have gotten a bad rap. They’re not toxic , however, they do cause allergic reactions to those with sensitive skin, I know I’m allergic! And they can upset your stomach if you consume too much. Lick your lips a lot? Then, go petroleum free!
• Did you know that you can recycle old eyeglasses? Donating your old glasses to an organization that redistributes them to individuals who can’t afford a new pair! You’ll improve someone’s quality of life and extend the life of those old frames you were going to throw out.
If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets. Want to switch to fluorescents, but don’t like the look of them? Go take another look! They’ve evolved and now have new designs that really look like the conventional bulb and some, even better! Whether you’re looking for colored bulbs or dimmable, maybe candelabra or a buglites, some can flicker! They’re no longer expensive and the tradeoff for the environment is well worth it! Vote earth and go green with 921 wvtk!
Here Sarah's groovy green tips for Friday, February 26th:
• Environmentally friendly moisturizers are great, but expensive. Did you know that by simply takig a warm shower instead of a hot one can minimize your need for moisturizer in the first place? You’ll use less and make the investment of your green beauty product last even longer!
• Petroleum based lip products have gotten a bad rap. They’re not toxic , however, they do cause allergic reactions to those with sensitive skin, I know I’m allergic! And they can upset your stomach if you consume too much. Lick your lips a lot? Then, go petroleum free!
• Did you know that you can recycle old eyeglasses? Donating your old glasses to an organization that redistributes them to individuals who can’t afford a new pair! You’ll improve someone’s quality of life and extend the life of those old frames you were going to throw out.
If every house in the United States changed all of the light bulbs in their house, that would be equivalent to taking one million cars off the streets. Want to switch to fluorescents, but don’t like the look of them? Go take another look! They’ve evolved and now have new designs that really look like the conventional bulb and some, even better! Whether you’re looking for colored bulbs or dimmable, maybe candelabra or a buglites, some can flicker! They’re no longer expensive and the tradeoff for the environment is well worth it! Vote earth and go green with 921 wvtk!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)