Project: Greenify | Guide to Going Green in Your Home, Office & Life

The Andrea Air Purifier

It seems that there are certain times of the year where my allergies seem worse than others. I've also noticed that I'm not the only person in the household who is affected by allergies, so is my seven month old daughter. I've heard that one way to help with indoor allergies is to use an air purifier because it removes allergens from the air. After looking around, I found an interesting and innovative air purifier that looks different then all of the rest. 

 

It's called the Andrea Air Purifier and it absorbs toxic gases from your home or office. The difference is  that it removes toxins in the air by using live plants. This purifier is designed to work with any live household plant and can work in any room in the house (I kill plants like it's a sport so this sounds like a good solution for me and our poor plants). It works by drawing air in with a quiet fan and then moves the air through the plant's leaves and root system. Next the air is pushed through the water and soil and then finally is pushed back into the room. Not only is it ozone-free, which helps the environment, but it biochemically transforms and eliminates waste and pollution instead of only collecting it through filters like other purifiers. 

Because I haven't tried this product, I can't tell you if or how well this purifier works, but it seems like it could be a green and decorative alternative to the rest.  

For more information on this product go to www.andreaair.com.

Think Before You Recycle - Precycle!

Everyone knows about recycling, but have you heard of precycling? Precycling is the practice of reducing wastes by thinking about the products you buy and the packaging they come in. Recycling may be the first and easiest step for all green do-gooders but it still contributes to pollution. A large amount of energy is required to break down materials and make them new again. This creates toxins that are sent into the air to re-manufacture a product.

Precycling focuses more on the other "R's" of recycling: reduce and reuse. Recycling is still better than disposing items in the garbage but we can lower the amount of things we recycle by reusing, repairing, and donating what we already have. For things that are recyclables, we should consider purchasing products with minimal packaging and something we can reuse often.

Here are some tips to help you pre-cycle:

• Buy more items that can be reused or refilled such as Tupperware, cloth napkins, razors, cigarette lighters, or batteries.

• Buy plastic, aluminum, steel, glass, or cardboard that are marked with a 1 or 2 because those can be recycled more easily.

• Instead of having your paper delivered to your house, opt for a digital copy.

• Bring your own bags when shopping.

• Drink from refillable bottles or mugs. There are coffee shops that use recycled cups but it’s still better if you bring in your own to be filled.

• Donate items that aren’t being used and repair items that are broken instead of throwing them away. Don't forget to join the Freecycle Network to exchange items with people in your area.

What is Clean Energy?

While listening to President Obama's speech last week, I noticed one of the items mentioned over and over was "clean energy.” I have heard that phrase many times before, and I have a general idea of what it is. But for those who aren't exactly sure what it means, here is some information to help shed some light on the subject.

Clean energy goes by a number of terms such as renewable energy, green energy, etc. In short, it is a process to produce energy that lessens the impact to the environment.  Clean energy techniques pollute less, or not at all, and may use renewable resources. The common forms of clean energy come from water, wind, solar (from the sun) and sometimes from coal (called clean coal), which the President also mentioned last night. The reason for such a push towards clean energy is because believers hope that with its use, it may help to reduce global warming and greenhouse gas emission. This in turn would have a positive effect on the planet. This is a topic of great debate, but we won’t get into that right now.   

Although it does cost money to collect this energy, another benefit is that certain forms of clean energy are abundant and available to anyone.  Unlike oil and gas, which is owned through mineral rights, resources such as sun and wind are relatively free to the masses. Many people who support clean energy feel that dependence on oil in foreign countries creates problems diplomatically, but once again, I'll leave that for you to decide.

What to expect in the future?  According to President Obama, a comprehensive energy and climate bill will be drafted with incentives for clean energy. Sure to spark new debate, but hopefully this initiative will lead to promising new technologies in energy production.  
  

Get Ready for Spring Cleaning

Spring is right around the corner and it’s usually the time of the year when people toss out things their house has been collecting within the past year and clean their homes from top to bottom. To be honest, I haven’t given a thought about the importance of cleaning products; just as long as it cleans like how it’s supposed to, it’s good enough for me. It wasn’t until I saw a Target commercial advertising its new toxin-free cleaning supplies that I really thought about it. Products that we use to clean our homes can contain harmful chemicals that cause reactions such as headaches, nausea, allergic reactions, and some can even contain harmful carcinogens. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be 5 times more toxic than the air we breathe outside.

If you’ve ever taken the time to read the back of those cleaning bottles, you’ll find that many ingredients comprise the cleaning solution. Some of those ingredients aren’t even pronounceable or have only seen in high school chemistry text books. The bottles may also contain warnings such as “flammable” or “poisonous”. These chemicals can be released in our environment by being drained down the sink, flushed down the toilet, or thrown away in the garbage.

If you don’t want to harm yourself or your environment, here’s a list of brands that are toxin-free and non-polluting:

• Seventh Generation focuses on sustainability and the conservation of natural resources.  The company got its name from the Great Law of Iroquois where it says we should consider the impact of our decisions for the next seven generations. Seventh Generation uses recycled and post-consumer materials in its packaging and biodegradable, phosphate, and chlorine free ingredients in its products.

• Method focuses on producing non-toxic, sustainable products with a focus on minimalist packaging. The company does not test on animals and is taking steps to measure and reduce its carbon footprint.

• Begley’s Best is named after environmentalist and actor Ed Begley, Jr. It is an all-purpose cleaner that’s made from extracts of pine, de-acified citrus, maize, fermented sugar cane roots, and olive seeds. The ingredients are all natural, non-toxic, and totally biodegradable.

• If you want an all natural home solution, try vinegar and baking soda. With a little bit of elbow grease, you can make your own natural cleaning product.

Organic Basics

Organic products have been gaining steam these days. It seems as though more and more people are concerned with the source, quality and purity of foods they eat. Retailers seem to be responding accordingly with more shelf space dedicated towards these items. I have always thought that organic items were probably better for me, but unfortunately the higher prices have always deterred me. So, what does "organic" really mean and are the benefits worth the higher price tag? Here is what I found.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,

"Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation."

To assure consumers that the organic foods they purchase are produced, processed, and certified to be truly organic, the USDA established the N.O.P. (National Organic Program). This program regulates the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the NOP standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, as well.

In addition to organic food being grown without artificial additives, it is also a goal of some producers to maintain biological diversity and replenish soil fertility. So through buying organic, you’re not only protecting your own body, but the environment too.

To be fair, even though there are definite benefits to eating organic, I've found some cons as well. The first is of course the price. The price is higher because it costs more to care for organically grown products, and protect them against disease and pests without using chemicals and pesticides. It is also expensive to quickly bring organic items to market without use of preservatives. In addition to cost, organic products are not always completely free of pesticides because the foods can absorb some pesticide from the ground water.

As a consumer it is wise to way your options, while understanding the impacts of a purchase on your pocketbook, health, and the environment.  So read those product labels carefully and make the decision that matches your goals. 

Are You an Eco Idealist?

What makes an idealist ... well an idealist? If you're someone who dreams about making a difference in your community, your city, your state, regionally, across the great states or even globally, then I'd classify you as a legitimate idealist. Problem with being an idealist is that you rarely have the opportunity to connect intention with action.

Enter Idealist.org and a new world vision that could bring together millions of idealists across the globe. Working off of a theme aptly titled Imagine, Connect, Act, Idealist.org presents a unique proposal as to how we as individuals, most importantly as idealists, can actually make a difference versus talk or dream about it.

So what are some local environmental challenges you would like addressed?

• Local water quality
• Sustainable building for public facilities
• Environmental education in public schools
• Maintenance and protection of eco systems in local parks

Or perhaps think bigger and go for the jugular?

• Green initiative to recycle old library books across the country
• Sustainable farming in developing economies
• Long term solutions for illegal whaling

Obviously these are big ticket items, but the primary purpose behind the Idealist initiative is to encourage people to imagine an ongoing problem and how to possibly solve it, connect and form like-minded groups in their area, and most importantly act upon said solutions to bring about lasting change.

So you're an eco enthusiast ... but are you an eco idealist as well?

Greener Laundry Could Mean a Greener Bank Account

What about the Benjamins? It's obvious that in order to get more green, you either have to invent an entirely useful household item (enter Snuggie?), marry royalty, be a gold digger, work exceptionally hard and get a bit lucky ... OR

Start small and save a little green instead. That's right, we're not talking about getting rich here, but how to put a little back into your pocket by reducing costs.

One of the easiest household tips I know of to help reduce costs is through the laundry chute. Habits be darned, here are a few essentials for greener laundry practices:

1. Wash everything in cold. It reduces heating costs for hot water, and you can wash whites with darks as long as you've run previous cycles to ensure clothing does not bleed. I tend to stick to primarily socks, as they seem to do just fine with most color items. Any new items should be washed separately before testing this theory (though pink is in they say).
2. Shorten wash cycles from 12 minutes to 8 for heavy loads, 8 minutes to 4 for lighter loads (if you insist on smaller loads, crunched for time, etc).  I've never encountered issues with the cleaning capabilities of a 4 minute cycle.
3. Wash full loads to minimize frequency. Now it goes against the above suggestion for lighter loads, but there will be occasions where you just can't wait. In that case, shorten your duration.
4. Hang dry jeans, towels, sheets (basically anything where wrinkling isn't a big concern; reduces drying time).
5. Go for non-toxic detergent (Seventh Generation, Method, Green Works) if you're concerned about how green your detergent is, but buy in larger quantities. Prices tend to be lower over time if you buy in bulk versus smaller quantities that you'll run out of more frequently. Same would apply to regular detergent (we all know the green stuff is not cheap).

Save some Green when Buying Greens

I have always heard that organic food was great and healthier for you, but it took having a child to actually jump on the bandwagon. The only problem is the added cost. As our daughter grows, the amount of food she consumes is increasing at a rapid rate, as is our grocery bill. So I did some research and found some helpful ways to buy organic while maintaining your monthly budget.

Tip #1 - Know the Dirty Dozen vs. the Clean Fifteen. In an article by About.com, it says that the Environmental Working Group has developed the "Dirty Dozen" list of foods that are best to buy organic. These non-organic items tend to be high in pesticide residues:

    * Peaches
    * Apples
    * Bell Peppers
    * Celery
    * Nectarines
    * Strawberries
    * Cherries
    * Kale
    * Lettuces
    * Grapes
    * Carrots
    * Pears

They have also come up with the "Clean Fifteen" list of foods that tend to be very low in pesticides for those that are grown commercially. Items in particular that can be peeled before eaten tend to have fewer pesticides in their flesh. You can save money by purchasing the following as regular, non-organic produce:

    * Onions
    * Avocadoes
    * Sweet Corn
    * Pineapples
    * Mangoes
    * Asparagus
    * Sweet Peas
    * Kiwis
    * Cabbages
    * Eggplants
    * Papayas
    * Watermelons
    * Broccoli
    * Tomatoes
    * Sweet Potatoes

Tip #2 - Try shopping at your local farmer's market instead of at a supermarket. Prices tend to be lower there because you are buying straight from the farmer thus avoiding the additional costs added on by supermarkets.

Tip #3 - Purchase store brand organic products. Since there is a growing demand for organics, some chain stores have started their own private organic label, for example 365 brand by Whole Foods. Because they are able to manufacture and sell in bulk, they are able to price their items cheaper than other brand names.

Build A Solar Space Heater

Somewhere in my piles of notes, I have a plan for solar space heater.  I tore it out of a newsletter ages ago.  Well, I was researching some big passive solar projects for an outbuilding and there it was on the Build It Solar website.

Of course, it wasn't exactly the same.  There were a few minor differences (the version I have stashed away used metal cofffee cans as thermal absorbers), but it was the same concept.

The great thing about these is that they are so easy to make and they put out a lot of heat for free.  And that means Texas electricity savings.  The bigger the collector, the more heat it will put out as long as the sun shines on it. 

First of all, you need to build a box frame.  It should be long enough to reach the ground from sitting flush in the space of an open window.  For the most part, it will be at a 30 degree angle to better catch the sun's direct rays.  The box should be rigid with a plywood back and 8 inches deep.  Inside, the box's depth is divided into uppoer and lower plenums (chambers) by 1/4 inch plywood.   Dividing the upper plenum, a piece of flat-black painted sheet metal acts as the thermal absorber (it gets hot).  A sheet of acrylic covers the top to let in the sun light. For it to work efficiently, all joints must be sealed with caulk and it must be well insulated with rigid foam.

How it works:

Sun shining through the acrylic heats the black-painted sheet metal. As air is heated in the box around the sheet metal, it rises and flows out of the box through a hole on top of the box panel inside the house.  This causes a vaccuum in the box.  Cold air is pulled into the box from holes in the underside of the box panel inside the house. It passes down to the far end of the box where it emerges from under the plywood divider.  It is then heated over the sheet metal as it rises in the box and passes back into the house.

A completely passive system, a modest-sized one can be built for under a $100 with wood, foam insulation, caulk, and a clear acrylic panel from your local home center.  They cost nothing to operate, make no emissions, and can be stored away when not in use.  They also help you conserve Texas Electricity.  And because they are very simple to build, they make a great educational project teaching children the possibilities of solar heat and green energy.

What's Your Neighborhood's Walk Score?

If you want better health and to make a better impact on the environment, why not start walking to places you frequent? There are many benefits for walking. A Washington State study found that the average resident of a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood weighs seven pounds less than someone who lives in a sprawling neighborhood. When you walk, you also cut back on having to fill up your car with gas. Being able to walk more means driving less so these residents are reducing greenhouse gases being emitted through their vehicles, helping out the air.

Unfortunately, some of us don’t live in a neighborhood where the places we frequent are within walking distance. If you’re curious as to where the nation’s most walkable neighborhoods are, click your mouse over to WalkScore.com. Not only does it list the most walkable neighborhoods, but you can also enter your address to see how easily you can get around your neighborhood by foot.

To no surprise, San Francisco and New York City top the list. My sprawling, suburban neighborhood received a walk score of 22 out of 100 while Bounce Energy’s offices in Houston’s Midtown neighborhood received a score of 72 out of 100. There are already people in the office who walk to near-by coffee shops for off-site meetings. Once the weather cools, I plan on walking to a couple of lunch spots in town to walk off some of the food I ate and because my feet are the best zero-pollution transportation machines.