Change #1: Food
First, my eating habits.
What I do right:
· I buy locally grown and organic food from farmer’s markets as often as possible.
· In my backyard there is an organic garden with peas, potatoes, herbs, ten types of salad greens, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, carrots, parsnips, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, edible flowers, sunflowers (sunflower seeds), squash, zucchini, pumpkins and more.
· We don’t use any pesticides and we compost as much food waste as possible, using the rich soil to help our garden grow.
But there is one very easy step I can take to decrease my carbon emissions even more.
Go vegetarian for at least one meal a day. As a former vegan I know it can be difficult for people to give up their meat. You enjoy it, heck, I enjoyed it. But by eating a vegetarian meal once a day, whether that means cereal for breakfast instead of bacon and eggs, or peanut-butter and jelly instead of turkey, it’s not too difficult.
Raising animals, including their feed, their shelter, transporting them to slaughter, packaging the meat and finally cooking it at home takes far more energy than it takes to grow crops. Fewer animals raised for meat means less grain for the cows and more grain for us, meaning more people will have something to eat.
What are some of my favorite vegetarian dishes?
Chili – take out the ground beef or turkey and you still have the flavor but it’s better for the environment.
Risotto – though it takes a couple times to get used to the non-stop stirring, it is well worth the 20 minutes. Risotto is thick and creamy but still has a nice texture from the rice. Just buy Arborro rice from the grocery store, a container of vegetable stock or no-chicken chicken broth (trust me it tastes almost the same), and whatever ingredients you like. I usually get an assortment of Greek olives (salty and delicious), some feta cheese and broccoli. An easy to make, one-pot meal that is super filling and tastes just as good reheated for lunch the next day.
Smoothies – ice, fresh or frozen organic fruits (I like strawberries and blackberries), a little juice, a blender and presto! You can also add yogurt, any type of milk (cow, soy, rice), protein powder, even peanut butter for different consistencies and taste preferences.
My goal: get back into my vegetarian and hopefully vegan lifestyle by the end of the summer.
But don’t worry, that’s not for everyone. Start small. One green meal a day will go a long way to lowering that carbon footprint.
Food Continued…
So we covered the type of food you’re going to try to eat, but how else can our eating habits changed to help save the world? Let’s get back our 3 R’s; reduce, reuse, recycle.
Reduce: You’re eating less meat and animal products. You’re purchasing from farmer’s markets, aren’t those strawberries incredible? You’re even trying to eat organic whenever possible. What else can you do?
· Be aware of packaging. Instead of buying those shrink-wrapped bell peppers, buy loose peppers. You can go even further and reuse your produce bags multiple times. Eliminating excess plastic and Styrofoam trays.
· Bring your reusable bags! Many grocery stores now offer discounts to customers who bring their own bags. Whether it’s a ratty old canvas bag like my father’s or a cute b.happybag from one of our stores, it will be perfect for your market adventures.
*If you do forget your bag, get paper bags whenever possible. You can immediately put them in the recycling bin. While the plastic bags can be collected and recycled, they can also fly around in the wind, get caught in trees, and even contribute to potholes.
Another green idea? Bring a waste-free lunch to work or school every day.
· Use a canvas bag, an insulated lunch sack, or a classic Beatles lunchbox.
· Get a reusable drink bottle, stainless steel is my favorite, but I even have a student who uses an empty glass jar with a screw top. Talk about reusing!
· Instead of using plastic baggies, cling wrap, and aluminum foil use stainless steel, BPA-free plastic, glass, or cloth containers.
Come into The Did You Know Store and check out our entire area of lunch essentials and water bottles.
Reuse: Like my student with the glass drink bottle, try to reuse things whenever possible.
· Use glass cooking trays instead of disposable.
· Use yogurt cups that can’t be recycled for children’s art projects (paint water and sculptures), or for starting seeds inside. Put a couple holes in the bottom of the cup for drainage, fill with organic or composted soil, add some seeds, water and sunlight and you’ve got seedlings! The start of your very own organic garden.
Recycle: Of course recycle as much packaging as possible. But there is another way to reuse/recycle. COMPOST!!!! Composting is easy. Any food scraps except for fats and meats can be added to your compost bucket or pile, so it’s less waste, and it makes nutrient-rich soil for your growing yard and garden.
Stay tuned for more information about composting. Or come by one of our stores in East Greenwich and Wakefield and check out our compost buckets, bags and books.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Summer, the perfect time for change
Summer, the perfect time for change.
I have a confession to make. I work at a green store, I recycle, I compost, I shop at farmer’s markets and eat organic food as often as possible, but… my carbon footprint is nowhere near as low as it should be. After using an online calculator I found out that I emit about 21 tons of greenhouse gases ever year. The average American household of 4 emits about 27 tons, so while I am under the average I am not very proud of my accomplishments. You know what the world average is? 5.5 tons! Yes, I emit 14.5 more tons of greenhouse gases a year than the average world citizen, which is almost triple. So, what is a carbon footprint you ask? And how can someone who is already taking the right steps increase her earth-friendly ways without sacrificing some of life’s luxuries? I’ll tell you.
A carbon footprint essentially measures the impact our actions have on the environment. It takes into account what we consume as individuals including how we travel, where we travel to, what we eat, what we buy, where we buy it and what we throw away. The footprint measures our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as other greenhouse gases we produce just by living our lives the way we do. We create greenhouse gases from the production of an item, such as a car, from its lifespan, driving a car, until its destruction, once we let the car sit rusting away in an empty lot.
Greenhouse gases are the environment’s kryptonite. Some of these toxins include; carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, etc. I don’t know about you, but I have trouble pronouncing many of those and just like the doctor tells you not to eat anything you can’t pronounce, the earth doesn’t want to eat anything it can’t pronounce.
Now, what can I do to lower my carbon footprint? I need to make the same simple choices that you can make every day. I will tell you how to easily change six areas of your life, keeping in mind the most basic principles of going green: reduce, reuse, recycle.
It is June 1, 2009, my goal is to get my footprint down to 17.5 by September 1, 2009. Three months. Let’s go.
To calculate your carbon footprint visit The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the Carbon Footprint Calculator. It asks you simple questions and calculates your results, also providing you with tips on how to decrease your carbon emissions.
Find your footprint, set a goal, and let’s have a greener summer.
-Emma
*Thanks to www.treehugger.com for providing more information about carbon footprints.
I have a confession to make. I work at a green store, I recycle, I compost, I shop at farmer’s markets and eat organic food as often as possible, but… my carbon footprint is nowhere near as low as it should be. After using an online calculator I found out that I emit about 21 tons of greenhouse gases ever year. The average American household of 4 emits about 27 tons, so while I am under the average I am not very proud of my accomplishments. You know what the world average is? 5.5 tons! Yes, I emit 14.5 more tons of greenhouse gases a year than the average world citizen, which is almost triple. So, what is a carbon footprint you ask? And how can someone who is already taking the right steps increase her earth-friendly ways without sacrificing some of life’s luxuries? I’ll tell you.
A carbon footprint essentially measures the impact our actions have on the environment. It takes into account what we consume as individuals including how we travel, where we travel to, what we eat, what we buy, where we buy it and what we throw away. The footprint measures our carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions as well as other greenhouse gases we produce just by living our lives the way we do. We create greenhouse gases from the production of an item, such as a car, from its lifespan, driving a car, until its destruction, once we let the car sit rusting away in an empty lot.
Greenhouse gases are the environment’s kryptonite. Some of these toxins include; carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, nitrous oxide, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, etc. I don’t know about you, but I have trouble pronouncing many of those and just like the doctor tells you not to eat anything you can’t pronounce, the earth doesn’t want to eat anything it can’t pronounce.
Now, what can I do to lower my carbon footprint? I need to make the same simple choices that you can make every day. I will tell you how to easily change six areas of your life, keeping in mind the most basic principles of going green: reduce, reuse, recycle.
It is June 1, 2009, my goal is to get my footprint down to 17.5 by September 1, 2009. Three months. Let’s go.
To calculate your carbon footprint visit The Nature Conservancy at www.nature.org. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the Carbon Footprint Calculator. It asks you simple questions and calculates your results, also providing you with tips on how to decrease your carbon emissions.
Find your footprint, set a goal, and let’s have a greener summer.
-Emma
*Thanks to www.treehugger.com for providing more information about carbon footprints.
Farmer's Market
As I look outside our shop doors and see the brightly shining sun and feel the warm breeze reminding me of the summer heat to come, I can’t help but imagine myself at the beach, or park, or even in my own backyard enjoying everything summer has to offer. In a few short weeks the children of Rhode Island will be out of school, parents will be shuttling to camps, play dates at the beach, and evening games at McCoy Stadium. But every once in a while, every family will need a nice night at home, to relax and share a meal together. Why not make this family time even better by making it greener?
It doesn’t take much. You know that corn you’re about to put on the grill? Or the sausage and peppers your mouth is watering for? Or even the yummy bread you plan on serving with a delicious salad? Well you can get all of that from local farms and artisan bakeries here in the Ocean State. Honestly. And chances are you will like the taste of local produce even more than that of the West Coast or South America.
Just check out your local farmer’s market. It’s simple. You get to browse outside in the sunshine, looking at the most beautiful greens, the reddest, sweetest strawberries you’ve ever had, and freshest baked goods you could ask for.
Never been to the farmer’s market before? Don’t even know where to start? That’s ok. Just log onto www.farmfreshri.org and there will be a list of every farmer’s market and CSA in Rhode Island. There are at least five farmer’s markets every day, many open until 6pm for those Rhode Islanders who have to work. The markets are listed by day and include the address, hours of operation and vendors that are present.
Imagine having fresh produce on your table every single day. It’s just as easy as going to the supermarket, but you’ll be supporting local farms, cutting down on emissions, since food does not have to be shipped across the country, and enjoying food that you can feel good about.
Trust me. Once you go local, you’re going to love it.
It doesn’t take much. You know that corn you’re about to put on the grill? Or the sausage and peppers your mouth is watering for? Or even the yummy bread you plan on serving with a delicious salad? Well you can get all of that from local farms and artisan bakeries here in the Ocean State. Honestly. And chances are you will like the taste of local produce even more than that of the West Coast or South America.
Just check out your local farmer’s market. It’s simple. You get to browse outside in the sunshine, looking at the most beautiful greens, the reddest, sweetest strawberries you’ve ever had, and freshest baked goods you could ask for.
Never been to the farmer’s market before? Don’t even know where to start? That’s ok. Just log onto www.farmfreshri.org and there will be a list of every farmer’s market and CSA in Rhode Island. There are at least five farmer’s markets every day, many open until 6pm for those Rhode Islanders who have to work. The markets are listed by day and include the address, hours of operation and vendors that are present.
Imagine having fresh produce on your table every single day. It’s just as easy as going to the supermarket, but you’ll be supporting local farms, cutting down on emissions, since food does not have to be shipped across the country, and enjoying food that you can feel good about.
Trust me. Once you go local, you’re going to love it.
Friday, February 20, 2009
TGIF! Think Green, It’s Friday!
Hooooooray! It’s Friday! It’s time to let loose! In a green state of mind? We hope so. Here are a few tips to making your weekend best friends with the environment.
Last week, we tackled the idea of green cocktails. This week, with the help of planet green.com, we’re going to tackle a similar subject. Green beer!
“Beer isn't just the poster beverage for college parties, your after-work wind down, or lazy Sunday afternoons—no, beer is also a key player in a multi-billion dollar industry that reaches into the far corners of the world. Everyone loves beer—even environmentalists—and that might be why there's been a recent boom in green, organic spirits, sustainable and renewable energy powered breweries, and environmentally conscious, discerning drinkers. That's why it's as pertinent time as ever to think about what we all can do to green our beer drinking—and there's more to do than you might think. From supporting sustainable, even solar powered breweries, to drinking organic, pesticide-free beers, to steering clear of excessive packaging in cans and bottles”, there is much you can do to make your next drink one for the environment.
Here are a few steps you can take towards a greener beer. And don’t worry, they’re on the house.
*Drink organic brews
“Organic beer is a growing force in the industry, with dozens of brands and even more brews to choose from. If a beer carries an organic label, that means it's been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as adhering to strict, legally binding farming regulations. It means you can expect the barley and hops to be organically grown: no toxic pesticides, no artificial fertilizers, no chemical preservatives; just fresh, non-toxic ingredients. Drinking organic (and buying organic) is also a good way to support more sustainable agriculture, and even to combat global warming.”
*Support green beer companies
“Keep an eye out for beer companies that are going the extra mile to achieve environmental responsibility—some companies are truly making a noble effort towards sustainability.”
*Drink beer from draught instead of from bottles
“The keg-inclined out there among us have reason to celebrate, greenly-drinking the draught is greener than downing the bottles. It only takes some simple visualization to understand why this is so: the kegs you'd buy for your college parties, and those that sit 'neath the counter at your favorite bar—how many beers does each hold? Depending on the size, it could be hundreds. That's hundreds of saved cans or bottles, provided you're reusing your cup.”
*Recycle your bottles, cans, and other packaging
“If you've just finished off a 12 pack of Silver Bullets, make sure to get those cans into the recycling bin—an aluminum can will likely be recycled and back on the shelves within 60 days . Aluminum is a sustainable metal and can be recycled ad infinitum (well, almost). If it's bottles you've got, make sure those get recycled too—most curbside programs will take both. And don't forget that cardboard box casing—unless it's drenched in beer and ruined, that's some perfectly good fodder for the paper section of your recycling bin.”
Here’s to your green weekend!
Last week, we tackled the idea of green cocktails. This week, with the help of planet green.com, we’re going to tackle a similar subject. Green beer!
“Beer isn't just the poster beverage for college parties, your after-work wind down, or lazy Sunday afternoons—no, beer is also a key player in a multi-billion dollar industry that reaches into the far corners of the world. Everyone loves beer—even environmentalists—and that might be why there's been a recent boom in green, organic spirits, sustainable and renewable energy powered breweries, and environmentally conscious, discerning drinkers. That's why it's as pertinent time as ever to think about what we all can do to green our beer drinking—and there's more to do than you might think. From supporting sustainable, even solar powered breweries, to drinking organic, pesticide-free beers, to steering clear of excessive packaging in cans and bottles”, there is much you can do to make your next drink one for the environment.
Here are a few steps you can take towards a greener beer. And don’t worry, they’re on the house.
*Drink organic brews
“Organic beer is a growing force in the industry, with dozens of brands and even more brews to choose from. If a beer carries an organic label, that means it's been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as adhering to strict, legally binding farming regulations. It means you can expect the barley and hops to be organically grown: no toxic pesticides, no artificial fertilizers, no chemical preservatives; just fresh, non-toxic ingredients. Drinking organic (and buying organic) is also a good way to support more sustainable agriculture, and even to combat global warming.”
*Support green beer companies
“Keep an eye out for beer companies that are going the extra mile to achieve environmental responsibility—some companies are truly making a noble effort towards sustainability.”
*Drink beer from draught instead of from bottles
“The keg-inclined out there among us have reason to celebrate, greenly-drinking the draught is greener than downing the bottles. It only takes some simple visualization to understand why this is so: the kegs you'd buy for your college parties, and those that sit 'neath the counter at your favorite bar—how many beers does each hold? Depending on the size, it could be hundreds. That's hundreds of saved cans or bottles, provided you're reusing your cup.”
*Recycle your bottles, cans, and other packaging
“If you've just finished off a 12 pack of Silver Bullets, make sure to get those cans into the recycling bin—an aluminum can will likely be recycled and back on the shelves within 60 days . Aluminum is a sustainable metal and can be recycled ad infinitum (well, almost). If it's bottles you've got, make sure those get recycled too—most curbside programs will take both. And don't forget that cardboard box casing—unless it's drenched in beer and ruined, that's some perfectly good fodder for the paper section of your recycling bin.”
Here’s to your green weekend!
Friday, February 6, 2009
TGIF! Think Green, It’s Friday!
Ok, so here we are again. It’s Friday! It’s the end of the week and it’s party time. Hopefully, after last week’s blog, thinking green won’t take a back seat to all the fun things that go on this weekend. Here at The Did You Know? Store, we’re hoping that thinking green on Friday (and on every day) is going to stick.
To keep going with our new TGIF tradition, we’re going to tackle the another fun weekend activity. Cocktail Party anyone?
Thanks to PlanetGreen.com, we have a few tips to share with you on how to make your next Cocktail Party the greenest party in town.
“There is something about sipping on a cocktail surrounded by friends that makes a party feel special. It doesn't matter what the time of year, whether you are getting into the holiday spirit, or sitting on a dock by a lake. Serving a cocktail takes some thought and imagination. Choosing the perfect cocktail to serve is a great way to set the mood of the party. It also takes a bit of ingenuity and legwork to make those cocktails green. There are a growing number of distilleries making organic spirits around the world, but crafting organic vodka, gin, whiskey and such is still the exception, and not the norm. They are often made in small batches and many are imported, both of which can make for an elevated price that not everyone can afford. Still, if you can find organic alcohol in your local liquor store, that's great, and you’re well on your way to a greener cocktail. But the alcohol base isn't the only thing about cocktails that can be green. There are many ways to green your drinks, from booze to shaker and everything in between.”
Top Green Cocktails Tips:
*Use organic liquors when you can
“More and more organic spirits are coming on the market, but actually finding them in your local store is not always easy. Vodka seems to be the most commonly available of spirits, which is great for you because so many terrific cocktails have a vodka base. Producers of organic spirits often make smaller batches and some retailers are reluctant to carry a product that they cannot guarantee will always be in stock. Ask your local purveyor or spirits about stocking organic products. They won't know you want it if you don't tell them.”
*Think Local
“If you are lucky enough to have distillers in your state or even region, it may make more sense to buy their products. Some producers may not be "organic," per se, but some distillers are making ecologically sound efforts in their business practices. Even if your local distiller doesn't actively engage in green practices, having it shipped across a state or two sure beats the entire country and whole globe, for that matter.”
*Think Seasonal
“Try to choose cocktails to fit in with your locale, and local, seasonal offerings. Take advantage of local fresh fruit juices and herbs in your summer drinks. Rather than make a traditional Screwdriver with orange juice, try a recipe that highlights a fruit that grows in your area such as grape or raspberry. In the winter time use fresh cranberries or mull some apple cider. If you are making a coffee-based drink, use organic dairy products and Fair Trade, organic coffee for those warming treats.”
*Make Your Own Cocktail Mixes
“If you see a margarita mix in your grocery store, resist. Making your own cocktails from scratch ensures that you know that the freshest, healthiest ingredients have gone into them, without preservatives or chemicals. Using fresh juice leaves you with pulp and skin to compost. Using mixes leaves you with unnecessary packaging to dispose of. Not only that, if you are using organic alcohol, you have a premium product”, and who doesn’t like sipping on those?
Now go have a green party!
To keep going with our new TGIF tradition, we’re going to tackle the another fun weekend activity. Cocktail Party anyone?
Thanks to PlanetGreen.com, we have a few tips to share with you on how to make your next Cocktail Party the greenest party in town.
“There is something about sipping on a cocktail surrounded by friends that makes a party feel special. It doesn't matter what the time of year, whether you are getting into the holiday spirit, or sitting on a dock by a lake. Serving a cocktail takes some thought and imagination. Choosing the perfect cocktail to serve is a great way to set the mood of the party. It also takes a bit of ingenuity and legwork to make those cocktails green. There are a growing number of distilleries making organic spirits around the world, but crafting organic vodka, gin, whiskey and such is still the exception, and not the norm. They are often made in small batches and many are imported, both of which can make for an elevated price that not everyone can afford. Still, if you can find organic alcohol in your local liquor store, that's great, and you’re well on your way to a greener cocktail. But the alcohol base isn't the only thing about cocktails that can be green. There are many ways to green your drinks, from booze to shaker and everything in between.”
Top Green Cocktails Tips:
*Use organic liquors when you can
“More and more organic spirits are coming on the market, but actually finding them in your local store is not always easy. Vodka seems to be the most commonly available of spirits, which is great for you because so many terrific cocktails have a vodka base. Producers of organic spirits often make smaller batches and some retailers are reluctant to carry a product that they cannot guarantee will always be in stock. Ask your local purveyor or spirits about stocking organic products. They won't know you want it if you don't tell them.”
*Think Local
“If you are lucky enough to have distillers in your state or even region, it may make more sense to buy their products. Some producers may not be "organic," per se, but some distillers are making ecologically sound efforts in their business practices. Even if your local distiller doesn't actively engage in green practices, having it shipped across a state or two sure beats the entire country and whole globe, for that matter.”
*Think Seasonal
“Try to choose cocktails to fit in with your locale, and local, seasonal offerings. Take advantage of local fresh fruit juices and herbs in your summer drinks. Rather than make a traditional Screwdriver with orange juice, try a recipe that highlights a fruit that grows in your area such as grape or raspberry. In the winter time use fresh cranberries or mull some apple cider. If you are making a coffee-based drink, use organic dairy products and Fair Trade, organic coffee for those warming treats.”
*Make Your Own Cocktail Mixes
“If you see a margarita mix in your grocery store, resist. Making your own cocktails from scratch ensures that you know that the freshest, healthiest ingredients have gone into them, without preservatives or chemicals. Using fresh juice leaves you with pulp and skin to compost. Using mixes leaves you with unnecessary packaging to dispose of. Not only that, if you are using organic alcohol, you have a premium product”, and who doesn’t like sipping on those?
Now go have a green party!
Friday, January 30, 2009
TGIF! Think Green, It’s Friday!
Ok, so here we are. It’s Friday. Universally recognized as the end of the week and universally recognized as the start of party time, Friday is a day where thinking green might take a back seat to all the other fun things that go on during the weekend. Here at The Did You Know? Store, we want to embrace the fun of Fridays while being green at the same time. In fact, we want our being green to stay at the same fast pace as all the other weekend stuff, so we’re starting a new wave of weekend thought. We’re starting TGIF, Think Green It’s Friday!
To start off our TGIF tradition, we’re going to tackle the most basic off all weekend activities. It’s time to talk green dinner parties! A dinner party is a weekend event we all know and love and, as PlanetGreen.com points out, is one that can create a pretty serious amount of waste. “From leftovers, to paper waste and even energy waste, not all dinner parties are created environmentally equal. In planning your next party, why not make it green? From small dinner parties with a few friends to gatherings packed with family, eco-conscious dinner parties can be fun and easy to organize.”
Here are some tips from PlanetGreen.com that should get your next dinner party on the green track.
“By changing just a few common dinner party moves, you can seriously reduce your dinner party's carbon footprint. Be sure to indicate clearly how to get to the dinner party via public transportation. Is there a bus nearby? A light rail? If you don't live near extensive transportation, why not encourage guests to carpool to reduce their footprints.”
Also, “Instead of buying one time use decorations think about going green. Party store decorations are often paper and plastic and usually only last the night of your party. Look outside in your yard for nature inspired decorations. Why not gather branches, flowers foliage and rocks? You can also head on over to your farmer's market for local flowers. Filling vases with hints of the season like pinecones, lemons or leaves is a great way to add a bit of green to the dinner table. Petroleum free soy candles can help you create a mellow mood.”
“If the farmers' market season is still on when your party shopping happens, this is the ideal spot to buy local food. Local produce is not only good for your health, it’s good for the Earth too. The shorter distance food travels to get your plate, the less carbon gets in to the air. To find out what's in season for your party you can check out a seasonal produce calendar. This will help you plan a green menu that celebrates the seasons. When you head out shopping, don't forget your reusable bags!”
“If you can, avoid the usual paper cups, plates, napkins and plastic utensils. If you are stuck on these for your party, look for unbleached or biodegradable products. If you can forgo these you will save a nice pile of trash from making its way into the landfill. Instead, use dishwasher safe china and glasses you already have around the house. If they don't all match, add more green candles and native plants to match the eclectic sets.”
“Set up bins at your party that clearly mark where guests can recycle, compost and send trash to the landfill. Composting your scraps is great for your garden and easy to do. Next, be sure your dishes are finding their way into an efficient dishwasher; we have a great guide on how to green yours. The basics? Skip the pre-rinse, fill it on up, and lower the heat. If you don't have a dishwasher, be sure to do some eco-friendly hand washing. When it comes to scrubbing your countertops post-party, opt to do it with green cleaning products. They're good for the Earth and your health, too.”
So there you are. Now go have a green party!
To start off our TGIF tradition, we’re going to tackle the most basic off all weekend activities. It’s time to talk green dinner parties! A dinner party is a weekend event we all know and love and, as PlanetGreen.com points out, is one that can create a pretty serious amount of waste. “From leftovers, to paper waste and even energy waste, not all dinner parties are created environmentally equal. In planning your next party, why not make it green? From small dinner parties with a few friends to gatherings packed with family, eco-conscious dinner parties can be fun and easy to organize.”
Here are some tips from PlanetGreen.com that should get your next dinner party on the green track.
“By changing just a few common dinner party moves, you can seriously reduce your dinner party's carbon footprint. Be sure to indicate clearly how to get to the dinner party via public transportation. Is there a bus nearby? A light rail? If you don't live near extensive transportation, why not encourage guests to carpool to reduce their footprints.”
Also, “Instead of buying one time use decorations think about going green. Party store decorations are often paper and plastic and usually only last the night of your party. Look outside in your yard for nature inspired decorations. Why not gather branches, flowers foliage and rocks? You can also head on over to your farmer's market for local flowers. Filling vases with hints of the season like pinecones, lemons or leaves is a great way to add a bit of green to the dinner table. Petroleum free soy candles can help you create a mellow mood.”
“If the farmers' market season is still on when your party shopping happens, this is the ideal spot to buy local food. Local produce is not only good for your health, it’s good for the Earth too. The shorter distance food travels to get your plate, the less carbon gets in to the air. To find out what's in season for your party you can check out a seasonal produce calendar. This will help you plan a green menu that celebrates the seasons. When you head out shopping, don't forget your reusable bags!”
“If you can, avoid the usual paper cups, plates, napkins and plastic utensils. If you are stuck on these for your party, look for unbleached or biodegradable products. If you can forgo these you will save a nice pile of trash from making its way into the landfill. Instead, use dishwasher safe china and glasses you already have around the house. If they don't all match, add more green candles and native plants to match the eclectic sets.”
“Set up bins at your party that clearly mark where guests can recycle, compost and send trash to the landfill. Composting your scraps is great for your garden and easy to do. Next, be sure your dishes are finding their way into an efficient dishwasher; we have a great guide on how to green yours. The basics? Skip the pre-rinse, fill it on up, and lower the heat. If you don't have a dishwasher, be sure to do some eco-friendly hand washing. When it comes to scrubbing your countertops post-party, opt to do it with green cleaning products. They're good for the Earth and your health, too.”
So there you are. Now go have a green party!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Machine Wash vs. Hand Wash
My name is Daniel. I manage the East Greenwich branch of The Did You Know? Store. I have a story I'd like to tell, a blog I'd like to post...
So I had a few friends over my apartment the other night. I was showing them around, giving them the grand tour, the whole deal. When I took them into the kitchen, one of them commented on how nice it must be to have all the modern amenities that my kitchen had. They were especially impressed that I had a brand new dishwasher. When I told them that I had never so much as opened the thing, they were confused. Why would someone who has a perfectly good, perfectly new dishwasher never use it? The truth is, I never really thought about it. I grew up in a house that didn't have a dishwasher so I was not used to using one. I had always taken the old fashion approach. I had always washed my dishes by hand. I also just assumed that washing by hand was more environmentally friendly. Then my friend shook my world.
"You know that dishwashers are better for the environment" he said.
"No I didn't" I replied.
When they left, I did some research. Here's what I found.
I was happy to find an entire article on this very subject on treehugger.com. What I discovered surprised me a little. It might surprise you too. According to research, dish washing machines are usually the more efficient of the two approaches in washing those dirty dishes. Overall, they use less energy and less water than hand washing. There is a catch though, so don't worry if you live in a house without a dishwasher like i did. "If you can keep the water use low, equal to an efficient machine, you'll require less energy, but doing an entire load of dishes in 4 gallons of water (the amount of water an efficient machine uses) is roughly equivalent to doing them all in the same amount of water you use in 96 seconds of showering."
Basically, the numbers indicate that it's possible to be as efficient when hand washing, but it's pretty tough. An approach that would guarantee less water usage, as opposed to running the water on half blast, is to fill a basin of water and use it to wash the dishes. It is easy to lose track of the gallons of water flowing down the drain when you leave the faucet on and filling something with water and turning the faucet off is a good way to prevent that from happening.
So what is the verdict? Who is the winner?
Well, that's up to you.
So I had a few friends over my apartment the other night. I was showing them around, giving them the grand tour, the whole deal. When I took them into the kitchen, one of them commented on how nice it must be to have all the modern amenities that my kitchen had. They were especially impressed that I had a brand new dishwasher. When I told them that I had never so much as opened the thing, they were confused. Why would someone who has a perfectly good, perfectly new dishwasher never use it? The truth is, I never really thought about it. I grew up in a house that didn't have a dishwasher so I was not used to using one. I had always taken the old fashion approach. I had always washed my dishes by hand. I also just assumed that washing by hand was more environmentally friendly. Then my friend shook my world.
"You know that dishwashers are better for the environment" he said.
"No I didn't" I replied.
When they left, I did some research. Here's what I found.
I was happy to find an entire article on this very subject on treehugger.com. What I discovered surprised me a little. It might surprise you too. According to research, dish washing machines are usually the more efficient of the two approaches in washing those dirty dishes. Overall, they use less energy and less water than hand washing. There is a catch though, so don't worry if you live in a house without a dishwasher like i did. "If you can keep the water use low, equal to an efficient machine, you'll require less energy, but doing an entire load of dishes in 4 gallons of water (the amount of water an efficient machine uses) is roughly equivalent to doing them all in the same amount of water you use in 96 seconds of showering."
Basically, the numbers indicate that it's possible to be as efficient when hand washing, but it's pretty tough. An approach that would guarantee less water usage, as opposed to running the water on half blast, is to fill a basin of water and use it to wash the dishes. It is easy to lose track of the gallons of water flowing down the drain when you leave the faucet on and filling something with water and turning the faucet off is a good way to prevent that from happening.
So what is the verdict? Who is the winner?
Well, that's up to you.
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