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Earthwatch: Going Green
Interested in going green? This group provides a forum for discussion on how to reduce, reuse, recycle and, above all, conserve. Come share your tips and ideas!
Recent Messages
What do I do with my trash?
I use cloth bags for all my shopping. For the cat litter and the dog poop I use bread bags, spegetti bags, cereal bags, etc. But you know for the life of me I can not figure out what to do with my trash. I still have to buy plastic trash bags does anyone have any suggestions? I would like to stop buying plastic bags altogether.
Green Collar Economy
You know white-collar jobs refer to office and professional workers, and blue-collar jobs refer to auto workers, steelworkers and countless other skilled hourly employees who wear special work clothes. So, what the heck is green-collar job?
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Food Miles
A "food mile" is the distance food travels from the farm to the store where you buy it, and these miles are costly to the environment. They are, in fact, among the fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Long-haul trucking requires enormous amounts of fossil fuel, the combustion of which releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere. Keeping food cold and unbruised requires even more fuel in the form of refrigeration and packaging. And let's not forget the impact of long-distance flyers such as apples from New Zealand and Chilean grapes. Distances have been increasing in recent decades, as foods increasingly are imported.
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10 Easy Tips for Going Green in the Kitchen
by Brian Clark Howard
Greens tend to spend a lot of time talking and thinking about food. True, many of us really like to eat, enjoy the art, science and ritual of preparing a great meal, and savor the chance to slow down and enjoy something delicious with friends and family.
The fact is, though, that our food choices have an enormous impact on the environment, from food miles to high meat consumption to pesticides, fertilizers and energy use. You probably have heard that organics and eating local can make a big difference, but it may seem overwhelming.
Now, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recommends the following 10 easy ways to start decreasing your dietary footprint:
See Reply
Greens tend to spend a lot of time talking and thinking about food. True, many of us really like to eat, enjoy the art, science and ritual of preparing a great meal, and savor the chance to slow down and enjoy something delicious with friends and family.
The fact is, though, that our food choices have an enormous impact on the environment, from food miles to high meat consumption to pesticides, fertilizers and energy use. You probably have heard that organics and eating local can make a big difference, but it may seem overwhelming.
Now, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recommends the following 10 easy ways to start decreasing your dietary footprint:
See Reply
Buy Food from Bulk Bins
At health food stores like Wild Oats/Whole Foods, community co-ops and even many supermarkets, you can often get foods from bulk bins, whether that's candy, bagels, rice or honey. Choosing this option will save packaging waste, and you can get exactly how much you want.
Packaging materials make up more than 30 percent of all consumer waste, according to the EPA. So making a dent in all those boxes, cans and piles of plastic wrap will have a real impact. Ideally, bring your own reusable containers to the store and fill up with what you'll need. You can even bring a measuring cup so you don't have to eyeball it.
For the best in fresh, healthy eating, ask the bulk bin manager how often the stock is replenished. When you get home, store your dry goods in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Packaging materials make up more than 30 percent of all consumer waste, according to the EPA. So making a dent in all those boxes, cans and piles of plastic wrap will have a real impact. Ideally, bring your own reusable containers to the store and fill up with what you'll need. You can even bring a measuring cup so you don't have to eyeball it.
For the best in fresh, healthy eating, ask the bulk bin manager how often the stock is replenished. When you get home, store your dry goods in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Free, clean water!
If you are looking for free clean water to water your plants, I take the tub from my dehumidifiers in the basement, pour it into my watering can and use it to irrigate the tomatoes and the flowers. It is free, clean as the air, as that is where it comes from, and I just never could stand pouring it down the drain as waste. I wouldn't recommend drinking it, but the plants don't seem to mind.
Hose atached to the washing machine
Smurph (or anyone else):
What kind of hose would I get to attach to my washer & run the water out to my yard? I've been wanting to do this, but am a woman alone and don't know how to begin. Or will the guys at Lowe's fix me up with what I need?
Do I get a hose the same size & type as already on the washer and some kind of connector to match the two up? What's it called? Wouldn't it be better to attach a stiffer hose rather than another soft rubber one so it doesn't collapse and cause a backup? Also isn't there some type of gel to use at that joint to prevent leaks?
I want to do the same with my ac drainoff.
Ann
What kind of hose would I get to attach to my washer & run the water out to my yard? I've been wanting to do this, but am a woman alone and don't know how to begin. Or will the guys at Lowe's fix me up with what I need?
Do I get a hose the same size & type as already on the washer and some kind of connector to match the two up? What's it called? Wouldn't it be better to attach a stiffer hose rather than another soft rubber one so it doesn't collapse and cause a backup? Also isn't there some type of gel to use at that joint to prevent leaks?
I want to do the same with my ac drainoff.
Ann
Farm tour
A cluster of Earthwatch staff and getting geared up to visit Siena Farms down the street and get dirty! Siena Farm provides 'box shares' of veggies to about 30 Earthwatch staff, family and friends throughout the summer and now we'll have an opportunity to experience how our yummy veggies are grown.
Have other EONS folks joined CSA/Farm share programs?
Tina
Have other EONS folks joined CSA/Farm share programs?
Tina
Cloth bag problems!!!
Is it me or is everyone having trouble with their cloth bags? Everywhere I go someone complains about the bags. They’re not clean (I wash them after each use), it takes to long to bag them (not true), one bag boy told the cashier I only used 3 bags she gave you 5, she should give you back a dime. The cashier said we’re supposed to give the customer a nickel for every bag even if we don’t use them. I bring out the bags and someone says it’s going to take so long let’s get in another line. Why not use plastic they’re free. I use to answer them now I ignore them. But I’m beginning to think with I all the hassle I get, maybe it would be easier for me to switch back to plastic. I think I’m fairly strong but it is beginning to effect me to the point I don’t want to go shopping anymore. . What do you think? Are you having the same problems? Complain, complain, complain and more complaining. It sounds great on paper but when you’re out there you come across ridiculous people with petty problems fighting you.
Going Green in the Classroom
Here are some easy tips for teachers looking to green their classrooms.
1. Take a field trip to a local farm: this can help students learn about where our food comes from and get excited about eating local food. To find farms near you visit Local Harvest at www.localharvest.org or locate a community garden at this link: www.communitygarden.org.
2. Teach students how to print double-sided: also encourage students to write on both sides of notebook paper and use both sides for homework assignments.
3. Have a recycling competition: see which classroom can recycle the most, including plastics, metals, glass and paper. Weigh the recycling at the end of the week.
4. Organize a classroom, or a multi-classroom, carpooling program: this not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, it will also make life easier on busy parents.
5. Post documents like syllabi online: posting information online, rather than handing out paper copies, not only saves paper and energy, it also allows students to access the information long after they have lost the paper copy. A class website can also have interactive study guides and discussion boards. Check to make sure all students have internet access.
-Rose
1. Take a field trip to a local farm: this can help students learn about where our food comes from and get excited about eating local food. To find farms near you visit Local Harvest at www.localharvest.org or locate a community garden at this link: www.communitygarden.org.
2. Teach students how to print double-sided: also encourage students to write on both sides of notebook paper and use both sides for homework assignments.
3. Have a recycling competition: see which classroom can recycle the most, including plastics, metals, glass and paper. Weigh the recycling at the end of the week.
4. Organize a classroom, or a multi-classroom, carpooling program: this not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions, it will also make life easier on busy parents.
5. Post documents like syllabi online: posting information online, rather than handing out paper copies, not only saves paper and energy, it also allows students to access the information long after they have lost the paper copy. A class website can also have interactive study guides and discussion boards. Check to make sure all students have internet access.
-Rose
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