Eco Advocate

Crazy E-Waste Statistics Explored in Infographic

2011-05-27T15:43:00.002-06:00

Amazing Footage of Uncontacted Amazon Tribe May Save Them from Loggers (Video)

2011-02-12T06:56:00.003-06:00

Recycle Plastic back into Oil

2010-08-30T11:01:00.001-06:00

Imagine if this takes off, we can recycle a lot of plastic waste back into usable oil.

a Japanese company called Blest, has invented a way to recycle plastic. The company has created a small, safe and easy to use machine that can convert several types of plastic back into oil...

The company uses a temperature controlling electric heater rather than flame to burn the plastic, therefore, the conversion technology is very safe. The result is a crude gas that can fuel things like generators or stoves and, when refined, can even be pumped into a car, a boat or motorbike...

One kilogram of plastic produces almost one liter of oil. To convert that amount takes about 1 kilowatt of electricity, which costs approximately 20 cents.

Now, oil from plastic to fuel your cars

Indian man's invention helps cut down pollution from diesel generators

2010-08-27T15:16:00.001-06:00

This is a good example of why necessity is the mother of invention.

Virendra's workshop, which started in 1981 by manufacturing iron gates and grills, situated just opposite a school. Since they face frequent power cuts, Virendra had to install a generator that resulted in noise and air pollution, which affected school children and neighbors. "It was difficult to move to a new location for me so I started thinking about ways to control this pollution," says Virendra.

This was when he thought about something that could control the pollution and finally he come up with a device that can be attached to a generator or other diesel engines to minimize the noise and smoke, reports Manu A B from Rediff Business. It took him six years of experiments to build the first device. Initially, what started as a mission to carry out his work smoothly, turned into a successful innovation with universal appeal and value.

A patented device, it allows carbon deposits to get collected periodically. This can be reused as raw material for shoe polish and local small-scale industry units. Virendra Kumar is now fine-tuning the device to further reduce noise emanating from engines. His next project is a pollution control device for four-wheelers.

Carbon menace? Indian man's device to help the world go green

Lunartic » Cool Hubless Rear Wheel Bike

2010-08-09T10:00:00.002-06:00

New concept bike, has a neat design. Wonder how stable it will be in real world usage.

Via Treehugger

Opt out of the Yellow Pages

2010-08-05T09:38:00.000-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Save some trees by opting out of receiving the Yellow Pages.

You can begin the process here » http://www.yellowpagesoptout.com/

The Story of Cosmetics

2010-07-24T10:10:00.000-06:00

Watch "The Story of Cosmetics" your health may depend it.

http://storyofstuff.org/cosmetics/

Increasing e-waste presents a huge challenge in India

2010-07-07T13:03:00.003-06:00

I recently returned from a trip to India, and from my own observation, I can say that Indian consumers are becoming more and more like their western counterparts in using disposable goods. Cell phones, computers and other electronics are being consumed at a very fast pace, with many folks changing gadgets with changing fashion--not because the gadget went bad, but just to keep-up with their peers.

This accelerated consumerism is leading to an increasing amount of e-waste and I did not come across any programs by the civic authorities to alleviate this problem. Waste management has always been a challenge in the major metros of India, adding to that, the proper disposal of e-waste is going to present an even bigger problem in the coming years.

India would be confronted with the threat of accumulation of e-waste in the coming years if necessary policy and regulations are not put in place to check its growth now, says a paper presented at the recently held 'Kerala Environment Congress-2010.'

E-waste volume to increase in coming years

Bio Stove that generates electricity

2010-04-19T09:16:00.001-06:00

Here's a neat product that can be used to cook in the outdoors using available fuel (twigs, dry leaves etc.) which also generates enough electricity to charge/power mobile devices.

The Story of Cap & Trade

2010-03-19T09:45:00.000-06:00

The Story of Stuff

2010-03-18T14:26:00.003-06:00

Everyone should watch this documentary.

Scrap the Phonebook

2010-03-03T11:33:00.004-06:00

You can sign a petition and opt-out to remove your home or office from receiving the telephone directories from the following sites:

http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/stop-yellow-pages/

http://www.paperlesspetition.org/

The Bloom Box: a power plant for the home

2010-02-24T19:16:00.002-06:00

This should give the BIG ENERGY execs some pause.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

New Solar Shingle Hits the Market

2009-12-24T20:22:00.003-06:00

A company out of Grass Valley, California – Sun Energy Engineering Co. – has developed a low-profile solar shingle, or Sun Energy Shingle, to be used instead of roofing shingles or over existing shingles. It’s available in custom colors, too, depending on what kind of look you’re trying to get on the rooftop.

New Solar Shingle Hits the Market!

Indian engineer builds glaciers to stop warming

2009-10-31T09:39:00.002-06:00

His glaciers have been able to each store up to one million cubic feet of ice, which in turn can irrigate 200 hectares of farm land. This can make the difference between crop failure and a bumper crop of more than 1,000 tons of wheat for the farmers.

Indian engineer builds glaciers to stop warming - SiliconIndia

Solar and Agriculture: Double Cropping Energy and Food

2009-10-26T11:47:00.002-06:00

What sets this project apart is that it aims to not just co-exist with productive farm land, but actually enhance the agricultural process.

Solar and Agriculture: Double Cropping Energy and Food : TreeHugger

Green Building Materials Guide on Green Planet

2009-10-26T11:34:00.003-06:00

When it comes to building or renovating a home, there are few simple choices. From styles and colors to location and design, there's an awful lot to consider, but, thankfully, you don't have to settle for materials whose production or use has a big-time negative impact on the planet. Here to help is our Green Materials Guide, which will help guide you through the process of finding green materials for every green project in your home.

Green Materials Guide : Planet Green

The Air Car

2009-05-12T09:28:00.000-06:00

Michelle Kaufmann's Smart Home

2008-10-09T15:29:00.001-06:00

Pretty cool to see it go up like this.

National Grid Wants Your Roof!

2008-10-06T11:23:00.003-06:00

This looks very promising. It would be wonderful if utility providers all over would consider offering such incentives to businesses and individual home-owners. Think about all the roofs and roof-tops that are currently sitting vacant, absorbing the sun's energy but giving nothing in return.

With solar panels on those roofs they would actually be generating energy and income for their owners. Sweet!

National Grid Wants Your Roof! Utility Looking to Install Solar Panels on Customer’s Homes & Businesses

National Grid Wants Your Roof! Utility Looking to Install Solar Panels on Customer’s Homes & Businesses : TreeHugger

Mag-Wind Vertical Axis Turbine for your Home

2008-10-03T12:55:00.005-06:00

This looks like a good option for urban areas.

It's a "Magnetically-Levitated Axial Flux Alternator with Programmable Variable Coil Resistance, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine' , and it has just come on the market. Designed by Thomas Priest-Brown and Jim Rowan in Canada and manufactured in Texas, it"solves 11 different problems that previously limited the development of vertical-axis wind turbines for generation of electricity ."

The center hub floats on a magnet, and the coils that generate the power are at the outer ring, with magnets at the tips of the blades flying over them at high speed. It is designed for home installation in urban settings; It is only 4 feet high, so neighbours are unlikely to complain about its appearance. We asked about issues with ice and snow, and were assured that there was no problem. We also asked about noise (often a complaint) and was told that it was inaudible.

Unlike normal turbines, it doesn't mind a little turbulence, works well in developed areas, and gets an extra kick from something called "the roof effect" -evidently "A roof with a 10-foot vertical rise and a 30% angle will provide nearly a 200% increase in the amount of wind energy that is available to be turned into electricity. Compared to the same turbine just sitting on a pole, the roof effect increases the power yielded by operation of the wind turbine dramatically."

Mag-Wind Vertical Axis Turbine for your Home : TreeHugger

Going Solar: Lessons from Experience

2008-10-03T12:47:00.003-06:00

Thinking of going solar for your water heating? Here's an article from one family who did so and wrote about their experience.

(One) TreeHugger Goes Solar

We’re not quite at the stage where every roof boasts a solar water heater, as Lloyd has advocated, but there is no doubt that as energy prices rise, solar water heating becomes increasingly attractive. And I’m proud to say that today my wife and I took our first solar showers – yes, we’ve finally taken the plunge and gone solar. Because we weren’t confident enough in our DIY skills, we avoided making our own solar hot water heater, and instead used a recent inheritance (thanks Naini!) to invest in this most practical, and relatively affordable, of micro-generation technologies. Given that there are plenty of readers likely to be interested in renewables for their own homes, I thought it might be helpful to go through our experience. So here’s what we’ve learned…

Firstly, we can say that the installation process was pretty painless. The installers were here for three days, four if you include the fact that work was rained off one day. Besides a little noise coming from the roof and the crawl space, the only intrusion into our lives was a 3 hour period when the water was turned off, and workers occasionally needing access to our attic space for the plumbing.

Secondly, it looks like it should be a good investment. Between federal and state tax credits, it looks like we will end up laying out somewhere in the region of $3,500 for the system – and while we don’t have figures for our typical water heating costs, the installers reckoned it should pay for itself in 8-9 years. With a 25 – 30 year lifespan we are confident that the system will more than pay for itself in the long run (and we’re much happier putting our money in solar than we are in stocks and bonds right now!). Of course, being solar enthusiasts and environmentalists, we’re not necessarily focused on the payback period – as blogger and Transition Town founder Rob Hopkins once commented, payback periods for solar are not necessarily the whole story...

Going Solar: Lessons from Experience : TreeHugger

Sanyo's New Washer Uses 96% Less Water

2008-09-09T12:45:00.002-06:00

The drum-style machines converts air to ozone to eliminate bacteria and odor, a process previously used only in commercial washing machines like those in hospitals with ozone-generating machines. But Sanyo is now packaging the technology for household use. Water is purified using a recycling process. The ozone washes away bacteria, which can lead to smells, and dirt.

“By making a washing machine that can reuse bathwater and recycle it in Japan, customers not only save on their water bills, but they save water than needs to be used for drinking,” says Sanyo spokesman Aaron Fowles in an article published in Digital World Tokyo last month. “[T]hat type of water makes up less than one per cent of the Earth’s water supply.”

The machine is only available now in Japan and Taiwan, but the company hopes to eventually enter the U.S. and European market.

Sanyo's New Washer Uses 96% Less Water | Via: EcoGeek

STAR Community Index : A Framework for Green Communities

2008-09-01T09:07:00.003-06:00

The STAR Community Index is a new tool designed to help local governments plan, track and measure their sustainability programs. Inspired by the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED ® Green Building Rating System ™.

STAR Community Index - ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA

You'll become a fan of whole-house fans

2008-08-30T16:02:00.001-06:00

This is really cool. Fan's can definitely save more energy than an air conditioner and are also more environmentally friendly.

...a whole-house fan uses only 10% to 20% as much electricity as a central air conditioner. Also, it uses significantly less electricity than a window air conditioner, yet it keeps the entire house more comfortable, not just one room. Installing one generally provides a good payback on the investment.

You'll become a fan of whole-house fans | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Backyard wind turbine generates generate 25-30% of your home’s power

2008-08-20T16:25:00.000-06:00

Windspire a 1 kW vertical wind turbine designed to be placed in your backyard which its manufacturer, Mariah Power claims will generate 25-30% of your home’s power.

Xeriscape, the Art of Water Conserving Landscaping

2008-08-15T14:29:00.000-06:00

As climate patterns shift, xeriscaping is catching on in other areas and has been very popular here in Spain for the last few years. The term itself derives from the Greek word ‘xeros’, meaning dry, and the word ‘landscape’.

The idea behind Xeriscapes is to create gardens with a rational water use, to avoid any waste of water, especially in Mediterranean and warm temperate climates. Saving water however is not the only objective of Xeriscaping. It also intends to eliminate the amount of chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well as petrol-driven machinery to keep the garden in shape. Plus is saves you money and maintenance.

How does it work? When designing the landscape, plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate should be chosen. They don’t necessary have to be all local plants, but they should originate from the same climate. Furthermore, water loss through evaporation and run-off should be avoided.

Examples for common plants used in Western xeriscaping are agave, cactus, lavender, juniper, sedum and thyme, according to Wikipedia.

Xeriscape, the Art of Water Conserving Landscaping

Lumeta Makes Peel-and-Stick Solar Panel

2008-08-15T14:28:00.001-06:00

Solar rooftop installations just got a lot easier: Lumeta, a subsidiary of construction heavyweight DRI, has developed a solar panel sticker -- the Power-Ply 380. The company says its convenient peel-and-stick solar technology allows it to be installed almost twice as fast as regular rack-mounted panels -- a claim put to the test in the above video.

The panels are half as heavy as concrete roofing tiles and can be tailored to fit on most tile designs -- concrete, clay, profile and flat (added bonus: they come in a variety of colors). As Wired Science's Alexis Madrigal notes, the Power-Ply's main downside is that it loses the sun's optimal angle, thus making the peel-and-stick panels less efficient than some of its alternatives.

That energy loss amounts to around 5% of the panels' power production. According to its promotional datasheet, its panels can each produce 380 Wp of power under peak performance conditions. Lumeta is hoping to ride on a wave of growing consumer interest in solar panels -- particularly new homeowners looking to invest in energy-efficient technologies for the long run.

Lumeta Makes Peel-and-Stick Solar Panel Installations a Breeze : TreeHugger

Electric bikes selling briskly as gas prices climb

2008-08-15T12:43:00.001-06:00

The surging cost of gasoline and a desire for a greener commute are turning more people to electric bikes as an unconventional form of transportation. They function like a typical two-wheeler but with a battery-powered assist, and bike dealers, riders and experts say they are flying off the racks.

Official sales figures are hard to pin down, but the Gluskin-Townley Group, which does market research for the National Bicycle Dealers Association, estimates 10,000 electric bikes were sold in the U.S. in 2007, up from 6,000 in 2006.

Bert Cebular, who owns the electric bike and scooter dealership NYCeWheels in New York, said his sales are up about 50 percent so far this year over last. Amazon.com Inc. says sales of electric bikes surged more than 6,000 percent in July from a year earlier, in part because of its expanded offerings.

"The electric bikes are the next big thing," said Frank Jamerson, a former General Motors Corp. executive turned electric vehicle guru.

They're even more popular in Europe, where Sophie Nenner, who opened a Paris bike store in 2005, says motorists boxed in by traffic jams are looking for an alternative for short journeys that doesn't involve navigating overcrowded transport systems.

Industry associations estimate 89,000 electric bikes were sold in the Netherlands last year, while 60,000 power-assisted bikes were sold in Germany.

The principle behind electric bikes is akin to that behind hybrid cars: Combine the conventional technology — in this case, old-fashioned pedaling — with a battery-powered motor.

The net result is a vehicle that rides a bit like a scooter, with some legwork required. Most models have a motorcycle-like throttle that gives a boost while going up hills or accelerating from a stop. On some models, the motor kicks in automatically and adjusts its torque based on how hard the rider pedals.

Although regulations vary by state, federal law classifies electric bikes as bicycles, and no license or registration is required as long as they don't go faster than 20 mph and their power doesn't exceed 750 watts.

Electric bikes selling briskly as gas prices climb - Yahoo! News

DIY Kawasaki Electric Motorcycle

2008-07-18T14:19:00.001-06:00

This is too cool!

Green Home Renovation

2008-07-14T14:44:00.002-06:00

More "greening" videos here.

10 Ways to Green your Fridge

2008-06-02T10:17:00.002-06:00

Some good tips from Vegetarian Times

Remember as a child when your father yelled, “Close the door!” as you stood in front of the fridge, pondering what to eat? Well, he was right: The refrigerator consumes more energy than any other household appliance. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the average American fridge uses around 1,383 kilowatt hours a year, which is 14 percent of your household’s electrical needs and about $90 a year. But there are simple steps you can take to lighten your refrigerator’s impact on your wallet—and the environment. More importantly, many of these changes—some large and some small—can cut down on the chemicals and bacteria lingering in your fridge, which is healthier for everyone in the house.

1. DITCH THE PLASTIC
Plastic containers may be a kitchen staple, but there are some great reasons to switch to glass storage for your leftovers. Glass keeps food and beverages colder, which means less work for the fridge. Glass is an all-natural, recyclable material, while many plastics are not. And with the potential health hazards associated with leaching plastic, glass containers are a smart alternative because they can go from fridge to microwave to table without having to transfer and generate additional dirty dishes. Finally, when it comes to avoiding spoilage—which is both a waste and a health issue— glass is the clear winner. “Using transparent containers instead of opaque ones is more likely to get leftovers noticed and eaten in a timely manner,” says Kirsten Ritchie, director of sustainable design at Gensler Corporation in San Francisco.

2. UPGRADE (AND DOWNSIZE)
By replacing a fridge bought in 1990 with an Energy Star–qualifi ed model, you could save enough energy to light a household for nearly four months, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). To fi nd a list of Energy Star–approved models, log on to energystar.gov. When you’re out shopping, look for the yellow U.S. Energy Guide sticker, which rates models for effi ciency. Keep in mind that units with the freezer on top perform 10 percent to 25 percent more effi ciently than side-by-side models. Also, consider buying a smaller model that consumes less energy and discourages waste, says Alicia Silva, an interior designer at Synergy Design Studio, a Seattle-based company specializing in green building. “With a smaller fridge, you realize you can only save what you are going to eat,” she adds. When you’re ready to switch out your old fridge, call your local recycling center to ask about proper disposal.

3. FORGET ICE AND WATER DISPENSERS
Automatic ice makers and through-the-door ice and water dispensers increase your unit’s energy use by 14 percent to 20 percent and raise the price of a new refrigerator by $75 to $250, according to the DOE. Skip these features and keep fully stocked ice trays, and use a pitcher-style fi lter to keep drinking water clean and chilled. If you just can’t live without an automatic ice maker, make it the internal variety, advises Ritchie.

4. FILL ’ER UP
A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one: The more space to cool, the harder the fridge has to work. However, Ritchie warns, “You don’t want it too full because you still need room for the chilled air to circulate and cool down new items.” If you live alone and often have bare shelves, the California Energy Commission recommends fi lling the extra space with water-fi lled containers (plus you’ll have water on hand in case of an emergency).

5. MIND THE (EXPIRATION) DATE
Tara Gidus, MS, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, warns that most people keep foods much longer than they should. “Check labels for dates and throw out anything that is past expiration,” says Gidus. Better yet, get expiration-date savvy, and use up your groceries before they have a chance to expire. A “sell-by” date tells grocers when to pull a product off store shelves; as a consumer, you have a few days past this date to use a product. A “use-by” date means exactly that: Use by that date, or toss the food. (For more guidance on the shelf life of common perishables, see “Is It Safe to Eat?,” right.) In general, leftovers should not be kept longer than three or four days.
6. KEEP IT CLEAN … NATURALLY
Even the tiniest spills can lead to bacterial growth, which speeds up food spoilage—and waste. Yet conventional cleaning products introduce toxic chemicals into your food zone. Instead, Gidus suggests these simple, homemade formulas for effective natural cleaning: For a quick wipe down of shelves, use mild liquid soap or a one-toone solution of white vinegar and water; for sticky spills that require gentle scouring, use baking soda and a damp sponge.

7. VACUUM THE COILS
The refrigerator coils, located both behind and underneath the fridge, are at the heart of the unit’s refrigerant system. They are also natural dust magnets: A cooling agent passes through the coils, and a fan blows across them, stirring up and attracting dust. The more dust, the less effi cient the fan is at removing heat. Twice a year, use a vacuum cleaner with a long brush attachment to clean thoroughly around the coils.

8. CHECK THE SEALS
While you’re examining the exterior of the fridge, make sure the seals on the doors are tight. Place a dollar bill in the refrigerator door and close it. If you can easily pull out the dollar bill, the door needs to be adjusted or you may need to replace the rubber seal. Also, be sure to wipe down the seals regularly to prevent dust and grime buildup, which can interfere with the seals and, over time, lead to brittleness.

9. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
If your refrigerator is sitting next to the stove or a sunny window, consider moving the fridge to a different spot. For each degree above 70°F surrounding the fridge, the unit uses 2.5 percent more power to keep its contents cool. Moving a fridge out of a potentially 90°F spot could save you up to $70 a year. The best location is against a north or east wall, says Ritchie.

10. TAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE
The optimal temperature range in the refrigerator is 36°–38°F (in the freezer, it should be 0°F). But, for every degree below 38°F, the unit consumes 5 percent more energy. Because a built-in thermometer might not tell you the whole story, purchase a refrigerator thermometer, leave it in an easy-to-see spot, and check it periodically. Move the thermometer around in the refrigerator to determine which spots are coldest, and use this information to help guide storage decisions. For instance, spoilage-sensitive eggs generally should not be stored in the door, which tends to be a few degrees warmer than interior shelves.

Students in Punjab, India, build a 250 km per litre 'wonder car'

2008-05-22T09:48:00.002-06:00

Imagine doing a 250-km journey... in just one-litre of petrol (just over $1)!

That's exactly what students of a technical institute in Punjab - the Rayat Institute of Engineering and Information Technology near Ropar, 50 km from here - claim to have developed.

"It is a rare solo car which can generate a mileage of up to 250 km per litre. Our team of students have not only achieved this feat, but are going to showcase it at a world super-mileage competition in the United States next month," Gurvinder Singh Bahra, vice chairman of the Rayat and Bahra group of institutes, told media persons here as he unveiled the 'wonder car' with the team.

Though the students' team claims that the car will cost Rs.500,000, its research and development cost over Rs.2.13 million to the institute.

The car, having a 92cc engine, has been developed by a seven-member team of students from the sixth semester of the institute's mechanical engineering course. The team is led by Gaurav Aggarwal as captain and other members are Mayank Tyagi, Bhavuk Makkar, Arun Salaria, Rahul Kumar, Ramandeep Singh and Navneet Kumar. The team had Jujhar Singh and Rajesh Chaudhary as faculty advisors.

It took them one year to develop the car, said Bahra.

18 Ways to Keep It Clean, Naturally

2008-04-22T16:19:00.000-06:00

Check this article for Natural Solutions for your cleaning needs and avoid using harsh chemicals that can harm your health.

18 Ways to Keep It Clean, Naturally

10 Ways to Save the World and Your Health

2008-04-22T16:17:00.000-06:00

"Learn how to identify the toxic culprits in your home and make your living environment healthier for you and the rest of the world just in time for Earth Day."

10 Ways to Save the World and Your Health:

Sustainability Means We're All Responsible

2008-04-22T16:10:00.005-06:00

Here's a wonderful article written by my friend Annemarie Marek to celebrate Earth Day and remind us all to be active participants in this important endeavor.

The bottom-line is that we must all pitch in by resolving to collaborate on ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Sustainability is a moral and economic imperative, and it is incumbent on all of us to participate.

Sustainability Means We're All Responsible

Get paid to recycle your old gadgets

2008-04-22T16:06:00.002-06:00

Check out the following links and get paid to recycle your old electronics and gadgets (keep them out of the landfill).

Recycle Bank rewards You for recycling

Gadget Recycling Programs: Turn Your e-waste to $$$

Young farmers: An emerging social movement

2008-03-24T10:19:00.002-06:00

A new farming movement is afoot.

Steeped in years of talk around college campuses and in stylish urban enclaves about the evils of factory farms (see the E. coli spinach outbreaks), the perils of relying on petroleum to deliver food over long distances (see global warming) and the beauty of greenmarkets (see the four-times-weekly locavore cornucopia in Union Square), some young urbanites are starting to put their muscles where their pro-environment, antiglobalization mouths are. They are creating small-scale farms near urban areas hungry for quality produce and willing to pay a premium.

Leaving Behind the Trucker Hat

Worlds smallest car

2008-03-24T09:07:00.002-06:00

This is cute and funny :)

For more fun, watch this.

Jeremy Clarkson Test-Drives World's Smallest Car (via Treehugger)

Subaru Tests R1e Electric Car in New York City, Previews G4e

2008-03-24T08:58:00.001-06:00

Subaru will test its R1e electric vehicle in New York City this summer. It will provide two R1e electric cars to the New York Power Authority (NYPA)...

The R1e is a small two-seater city car (50 miles range, 65 mph top speed). We're guessing Subaru's using it mostly as a learning platform; its first mainstream electric car will probably be based on the G4e concept, a hatchback very similar to Nissan's Versa that will have a longer range (124 miles/200 km) and carry 5 passengers.

Subaru Tests R1e Electric Car in New York City, Previews G4e (via Treehugger)

REGREEN: Remodeling Guidelines to Re-Green Your Interior Design

2008-03-24T08:51:00.004-06:00

Interesting new initiative to set guidelines for remodeling, similar to LEED certification for new building construction. A set of guidelines are available as a PDF download from the REGREEN website.

Last week, at its annual conference in New Orleans, the American Society of Interior Designers released REGREEN, its set of guidelines for home remodeling with a shade of green.

In contrast with LEED, which scores and certifies green buildings, REGREEN is a set of guidelines, designed to give homeowners and interior design and buildings professionals the background and resources to evaluate green products and energy systems in the systems-based context of how an entire home operates.

REGREEN: Remodeling Guidelines to Re-Green Your Interior Design (via Treehugger)

Volkswagen Turbo Diesel-Electric Hybrid Golf

2008-03-05T15:06:00.001-06:00

I wonder if we'll see this car in the US.

"Fuel economy is still rated at 3.4 L/100km, or 69 miles per US gallon, or 83 miles per imperial gallons. CO2 emissions are pretty low at 89 g/km. In comparison, the Toyota Prius hybrid emits 104 g/km of CO2, though emissions of NOx and particulate matter are lower than the Tier 2 Bin 5 Golf diesel-electric hybrid."

More Details: Volkswagen Turbo Diesel-Electric Hybrid Golf : TreeHugger

Pushing Paper Out the Door

2008-02-15T14:16:00.001-06:00

"Some people are happy to throw away their past. Not me,” says Brad Templeton, who has founded an Internet newspaper and a software company and is the chairman of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. “I’m a digital pack rat. I have phone bills from 1983 and taxes from the 1990s. But I have everything scanned, so it takes up no physical space. For me, scanners provide the magic of still having all my documents without the clutter."

Pushing Paper Out the Door - New York Times

The "Work From Home" Generation

2008-01-25T15:33:00.000-06:00

The Good and the Bad of working from home, besides the obvious benefit of saving on fuel and energy cost associated with commuting back and forth to work.

"With the invention of modern laptops, ubiqity of broadband Internet access, and advances in communication software, there is no longer a need to be in the office. At least not everyday. Thousands of companies are rolling out work from home policies and hundreds of thousands of people are starting to take advantage of them. What are the pros and cons of working from home?"

The "Work From Home" Generation - ReadWriteWeb

Hyundai i30: 2007 Green Car (and Car) of the Year

2008-01-23T19:47:00.000-06:00

"If you can’t wait for the commercial arrival of Trev, the renewal energy vehicle, then roadsters in places like the UK and Australia may wish to consider the Hyundai i30, which picked up both the 2007 Car of the Year and 2007 Green Car of the Year in Australia.

Although claimed to have a fuel consumption of 4.7 litres per 100km, the i30 1.6-litre turbo-diesel managed to complete the 2007 World Solar Challenge conventional vehicle class (PDF) on a smell-of-an-oily-rag 3.2litres/100km (73.5 mpg!), while producing 97g/km of emissions. For comparision a Prius petrol hybrid averaged 5.6litres/100km with emissions of 146g/km.

So for Australians this means travelling from Melbourne to Brisbane on less than a tank of petrol, (Britons could do London-Paris return!) and with the cost of fuel on the rise this fuel economy should appeal to many.

The Hyundai i30 won the 2007 Green Car of the Year not only because of its spectacular fuel efficiency but because it matched this with pretty efficient pricing too. In Australia the i30 CRDi costs $21,490, while the Prius goes for about $37,400. (In the UK it looks like £12,995 on-road for the Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi Manual.)"

Hyundai i30: 2007 Green Car (and Car) of the Year : TreeHugger

Trev, the Two-seater, Renewable Energy Vehicle

2008-01-23T19:43:00.000-06:00

"Staff and students at the University of South Australia have designed and built a prototype of what they reckon might be the future commuter car for Australian cities. Trev sounds rather impressive. [It] goes from 0 to 100kph in 10 secs, has a top speed of 120 km/h, with a travel range of 150+km between charges of his 7kWh 44kg lithium ion polymer battery.

When charged from mains power [it] costs you $1 AUD per 100km to run, using what is said to be 1/5th of the energy of conventional car."

Meet Trev, the Two-seater, Renewable Energy Vehicle : TreeHugger

Save on Home Heating This Winter

2008-01-21T18:52:00.000-06:00

Good tips from Real Simple to save on heating bills and help the environment, by saving energy, at the same time.

Save on Home Heating This Winter | Life Soul : RealSimple.com

50 Ways to Leave Your Cell Phone

2008-01-18T16:45:00.000-06:00

Good list of options to recycle that old cell phone to prevent it from ending up in the landfill.

"Got a new VoIP-ready mobile phone? Tossing your old phone supports civil war in Africa, endangers gorillas and generates huge amounts of e-trash. Do one of these things instead"

50 Ways to Leave Your Cell Phone - VoIP News

Motionbulb: The Motion-Sensing Light Bulb

2008-01-14T20:36:00.000-06:00

Interesting concept, but LEDs would be much better.

"You always hear about how you should change to compact fluorescent lightbulbs and turn out the lights when you leave the room; with something like Motionbulb you can have both at the same time. A slick motion sensor is embedded in the bulb's housing, turning itself on when it senses motion within 25 feet, and switching off when you leave the room."

Motionbulb: The Motion-Sensing Light Bulb : TreeHugger

Eco-friendlier Leather From India

2008-01-14T20:23:00.000-06:00

If this technique is widely put to use, it will go a long way in cleaning up the Ganges and improving the environment in many parts of India.

"... scientists based near Chennai, India have now developed a more environmentally-friendly and cost-efficient method for tanning leather.

Raghava Rao and a group of researchers at the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Adyar have found a simple way to reduce the amount of chemical pollutants involved in tanning by merely reversing the order of tanning and post-tanning steps. By doing so, they were able to cut the amount of chemicals released by 82% and increased energy efficiency by 40%, without observable reduction in quality."

Eco-friendlier Leather From India : TreeHugger

Electric car? You already have one

2007-12-07T15:23:00.000-06:00

Listen to this news report on Public Radio's Marketplace on how you can convert your existing vehicle into an electric vehicle using a kit from Electro Automotive.

"Instead of waiting until you buy a hybrid to reduce your eco-footprint, why not make your vehicle electric now? James Nestor has more on a company that has been converting gas cars to electric for decades."

Marketplace: Electric car? You already have one

Green Home Guide

2007-11-30T13:33:00.000-06:00

Green Home Guide: Here's a website that has reviews and advice on Green products and services, from professionals and homeowners.

12 Ways to be an Environmentally Friendly Photographer

2007-10-18T08:20:00.000-06:00

Here are 12 ways that you can personally save the environment and ensure that future generations will have the same photographic opportunities that we have.

Tread Lightly
Be gentle on your surroundings with as little impact as possible. The environment will help reclaim itself, but not if you keep beating it down.
No Trailblazing
If you’re outdoors where trails are available, don’t make your own. If everybody with a camera left the trail, the impact would be massive.
Don’t Alter the Scene
Staging a shot by moving or removing parts of the environment is a big no-no. Either make the shot work, or find a different scene.
No Souvenirs
If everybody took something back with them every time they went out to photograph, there’d be nothing left to photograph. Get your souvenirs in your camera.
Keep Your Distance
When it comes to wildlife, stay far enough away to keep your presence unknown. Disturbing animals can have severe effects on the local ecosystem.
Pack It In — Pack It Out
It’s fine to bring waste-producing items with you on a photo outing, but don’t leave it out there. If you had the room to bring it, you have the room to take it away.
Clean Up After Others
Packing out our own trash is good, but packing out the trash others left behind is great! Make the next photographer’s experience a better one.
Carry a 1-Gallon Bag
Not only can this handy item protect your camera in wet weather, but it’s also a great trash receptacle.
Document the Beautiful
Capture things that amaze us. Let everybody know just how beautiful that place can be.
Document the Ugly
Capture things that disappoint us. Let everybody know that the environment needs our help.
Use Rechargeable Batteries
If you have a compact camera or a flash unit that uses AA batteries, use rechargeables — they can last for years and help reduce unnecessary waste.
Be a Leader
If you see somebody doing things that will harm our environment, stand up to them and make them aware of the impact they’ll have.

12 Ways to be an Environmentally Friendly Photographer

50 Quick, Painless Ways You Can Help the Environment Today

2007-10-11T13:31:00.000-06:00

[Playing] your part to help the environment doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or sweeping. You can help out in little ways, making gradual changes, baby steps.

Starting today.

Pick one, and start today.

Take a shorter shower.
Use a rag or hand towel instead of napkins or paper towels.
Don’t print at least once today.
Carpool once this week.
Turn off the TV for an hour.
Turn off the lights.
Use a coffee mug instead of disposable.
Use CFC light bulbs.
Skip the foil and plastic wrap.
Inflate your tires.
Clean up.
Talk to your kids about the environment.
Reuse printed paper.
Turn down your water heater.
Plant a tree.
Hang out your clothes.
Buy a manual reel mower or electric mower.
Get a low-flow shower head.
Lower your thermostats.
Participate or organize a clean-up.
Avoid fast food.
Use acryllic paint.
Coat your roof.
Clean your filters.
Telecommute.
Wash clothes in cold water.
Fill your toilet tank.
Buy recycled products.
Recycle.
Buy a smaller car.
Buy a smaller home.
Look for energy efficiency.
Water grass early in the morning.
Plant shade trees near your house.
Use rechargeable batteries.
Buy used.
Walk instead of drive.
Unplug appliances.
Unload your car.
Try cycling.
Install a water filter.
Use cloth shopping bags.
Mend your stuff.
Compost.
Try mass transit.
Buy in bulk.
Buy durable.
Use your oven less.
Join a local organization.
Join Blog Action Day.

Read the entire article with more detail here.

A company I’d like to buy from

2007-10-09T10:05:00.000-06:00

This is what will drive more people to recycle and reduce toxic waste from ending up in garbage bins. From batteries to bulbs and electronics to computers, all of our modern conveniences come with a price; they all have toxic materials. If the companies who sell these goods make it easy for the consumers to send the item back to them for proper disposal--at a reasonable price, I think more people would do it.

"What about this, though? What if GE or Sylvania or the other companies sold their CFL bulbs in little, post-office-approved, mailing tubes (made from a strong, recycled cardboard, say)? What if they included in the tube, along with the bulb, an adhesive prepaid mailing label? What if that prepaid mailing label stuck on the tube, with the burned-out CFL bulb safely placed inside, directed the bulb to a central CFL bulb disposal center? That would turn every mailbox in the country into a good, safe place to dispose of our CFLs."

No Impact Man: A company I’d like to buy from

Riding the Green Wave

2007-10-02T08:15:00.001-06:00

A "green wave" is sweeping Canadian residential development. Here are some of the highlights...

Top five trends:

• More "free" power through the increased use of geothermal, solar and wind energy in new home construction

• Widespread use of paints, carpets and other building materials that are free of volatile organic compounds, commonly referred to as VOCs

• The use of more recycled or salvaged building materials such as glass, steel, aluminum, plastic and drywall

• More building products from rapidly renewable natural sources such as bamboo, jute, cork and sisal

• Products made or harvested using processes that use little energy or water, are free of pesticides ,and don't produce any emissions or other pollutants

Riding the Green Wave (TreeHugger)

Finding a Green Contractor

2007-09-20T08:36:00.000-06:00

Considering an eco-friendly home renovation, new kitchen or roof but don’t know where to look for contractors or architects? Shop around at the sites below and remember to always ask for several references.

Your first (and maybe only) stop is the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) website. It lists building professionals accredited by the USGBC for having “demonstrated a thorough understanding of green building practices and principles and familiarity with LEED requirements, resources and processes.” To find LEED accredited professionals in your city and state, see www.usgbc.org.

Non-profit Co-op America’s Green pages also lists architects and designers that have been screened for a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. See www.coopamerica.org.

Also, many green businesses are members of local chapters of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), a network established to ensure “that economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and natural life.” To find local members, see www.livingeconomies.org.

Finding a Green Contractor

Google To Invest $10 Million In Green Startups

2007-09-12T15:31:00.000-06:00

"Google will be investing up to $10 million in “green” startups, the company said today. Specifically, they are looking to invest $500k - $2 million in multiple for-profit startups that are focusing on electric/hybrid transportation. Details are here.

But startups don’t have much time to fine tune their pitches - proposals requesting funding must be submitted to Google by October 22 2007."

Google To Invest $10 Million In Green Startups

7 BIG ways to reduce your carbon footprint

2007-09-11T12:24:00.000-06:00

"[We’re] going to be taking a look at the big things that you can do. The things that may take a bit more effort, that may even take a complete shift in lifestyle. But things that will make the biggest impact in reducing your impact. Do you want to have a tiny little carbon footprint and live as if we only have one planet between all 6,602,224,175 of us? You do? Read on."

7 BIG ways to reduce your carbon footprint at EcoStreet - Raising Green Consciousness since 2002

Windspire : Wind power in your backyard

2007-09-10T14:05:00.000-06:00

Don't know how economical it is in the long run--they claim it pays for itself in about 20 years--or what percentage of your daily energy needs this can replace. In any case, it's a good feeling when you can switch to a renewable energy source in your own backyard.

"Windspire is a low-cost, easy-to-install wind power appliance that provides a safe and attractive method for harnessing power from the wind. At only 30 feet tall and 2 feet wide, Windspire is safe for birds and people, and is distinguished by its sleek propeller-free design, silent operation, rugged construction, simple installation and affordable pricing. Designed for operation where we live and work, it sells for $3,995.00 and comes complete with the inverter, poles, and an installation kit."

Mariah Power - Windspire Overview

Big Steps in Building

2007-09-05T08:47:00.000-06:00

Do we need these monstrous mega-mac-mansions, filled with stuff that we hardly use? Wouldn't it be better to live small with just the things we need and use? My vote is for the latter.

"The average post-war 1950’s house was 983 square feet; by 1970 it was 1500 SF; last year it was 2350. Encouraging smaller homes, like smaller cars, would save a lot of energy, but codes applies the same standard across the board. Just as conservation is a resource, everything we use in housing has embodied energy, a carbon footprint and an operating cost; we have to treat them all as resources where we can mine savings of energy and greenhouse gases."

Big Steps in Building: Change our Building Codes from Relative to Absolute (TreeHugger)

Shipping-Container Homes from Lot-ek

2007-09-04T13:33:00.000-06:00

Love this idea of reusing shipping containers to build pre-fab homes.

Visit these links for more info:
LOT-EK Container Home Kit (CHK) and LOT-EK

Texas startup says it has batteries beat

2007-09-04T09:34:00.000-06:00

This seems too good to be true, but I'm hoping it is true.

"An Austin-based startup called EEStor promised 'technologies for replacement of electrochemical batteries,' meaning a motorist could plug in a car for five minutes and drive 500 miles roundtrip between Dallas and Houston without gasoline."

Texas startup says it has batteries beat - Yahoo! News

Slow Home: An alternative to suburban sprawl

2007-08-29T11:00:00.000-06:00

An excellent 10 step guide to sustainable living.

1. GO INDEPENDENT
Avoid homes by big developers and large production builders. They are designed for profit not people. Work with independent designers and building contractors instead.

2. GO LOCAL
Avoid home finishing products from big box retailers. The standardized solutions they provide cannot fit the unique conditions of your home. Use local retailers, craftspeople, and manufacturers to get a locally appropriate response and support your community.

3. GO GREEN
Stop the conversion of nature into sprawl. Don’t buy in a new suburb. The environmental cost can no longer be justified. Re-invest in existing communities and use sustainable materials and technologies to reduce your environmental footprint.

4. GO NEAR
Reduce your commute. Driving is a waste of time and the new roads and services required to support low density development is a big contributor to climate change. Live close to where you work and play.

5. GO SMALL
Avoid the real estate game of bigger is always better. A properly designed smaller home can feel larger AND work better than a poorly designed big one. Spend your money on quality instead of quantity.

6. GO OPEN
Stop living in houses filled with little rooms. They are dark, inefficient, and don’t fit the complexity of our daily lives. Live in a flexible and adaptive open plan living space with great light and a connection to outdoors.

7. GO SIMPLE
Don’t buy a home that has space you won’t use and things you don’t need. Good design can reduce the clutter and confusion in your life. Create a home that fits the way you really want to live.

8. GO MODERN
Avoid fake materials and the re-creation of false historical styles. They are like advertising images and have little real depth. Create a home in which character comes from the quality of space, natural light and the careful use of good, sustainable materials.

9. GO HEALTHY
Avoid living in a public health concern. Houses built with cheap materials off gas noxious chemicals. Suburbs promote obesity because driving is the only option. Use natural, healthy home materials and building techniques. Live where you can walk to shop, school and work.

10. GO FOR IT
Stop procrastinating. The most important, and difficult, step in the slow home process is the first one that you take. Get informed and then get involved with your home. Every change, no matter how small, is important.

Slow Home Principles [via TreeHugger]

Xerox Creates Cheap, Eco-Friendly Printer Paper

2007-08-22T09:05:00.000-06:00

"Xerox, one of the world's largest purveyors of copy machines and printing supplies, has made a new environmentally friendly copy paper. Xerox says the paper requires half as many trees to make and less than other green papers before it. But it's not clear whether consumers will go for it."

NPR : Xerox Creates Cheap, Eco-Friendly Printer Paper

Spain Powers Homes with First Solar-Thermal Plant

2007-08-22T09:03:00.000-06:00

Why can't they do this in the United States?

"A company in Spain has started producing household electricity from a solar power plant near Seville. The technology is called concentrated solar thermal energy, which means it uses heat from the sun to run steam turbine generators. And running it doesn't generate any greenhouse gases."

NPR : Spain Powers Homes with First Solar-Thermal Plant

How to Run a Green Office

2007-08-21T09:22:00.000-06:00

"'Greening' your computing equipment, though, is a low-risk way for your business to not only help the environment but also reduce costs. It's also one of the hottest trends in business today."

PC World - How to Run a Green Office

GoodCleanTech - The Independent Guide to Ecotechnology

2007-08-18T19:47:00.000-06:00

Good site for info on the latest in Eco technology.

GoodCleanTech aims to provide you with news, tips, advice, and ideas about how to do more with less. With the help of the editors and analysts at PC Magazine, we'll praise those companies that have committed to better ecotechnologies and hold to the fire the polluters and resource hogs. And we'll keep you informed about the latest environmentally friendly developments in the worlds of computers, automobiles, fuel, power, and more.

GoodCleanTech - The Independent Guide to Ecotechnology

Green & Gorgeous Video Podcasts

2007-08-16T15:09:00.000-06:00

TreeHugger has teamed up House & Garden magazine and Teragren (maker of sustainable bamboo flooring) to produce a series of video podcasts, all about the fabulous world of green. Check it out.

Wozniak's New Goal is Efficient Housing

2007-08-15T09:38:00.000-06:00

Interesting interview with Apple co-founder and legendary hacker Steve Wozniak where he talks about building an energy efficient home using Southern Yellow Pine which has a natural property of heating and cooling homes, eliminating the need for A/C and heating. He also takes about a company called Enertia that has kit houses made of Southern Yellow Pine, ready to assemble without using any nails. This is a really intriguing idea!

You build a home out of a type of wood that keeps the temperature constant without air conditioning or heaters. The miracle wood in this category is Southern Yellow Pine. As for renewable resources, more Southern Yellow Pine trees are planted each year than are used. I'm told this is the only tree with this benefit. The Southern Yellow Pine has a resin inside that melts and freezes at 71 degrees F., a very comfortable temperature for humans. The chemical actions of melting and freezing work to balance the temperature. If it's a hot day, some small amount of the resin melts (it takes a huge amount of energy to melt a tiny amount) and the melting process pulls heat from the surroundings, from the home. When it gets colder at night, the resin-wood emits heat as it freezes.

In high school chemistry we had the latent heat of fusion concept. You let ice settle in water. You can measure the temperatures. The ice and water are both 32 degrees F. It seems like the tiniest amount of energy would cause the ice to melt. After all, you only have to change it maybe a hundredth or less of a degree. But it takes a huge amount of energy to accomplish melting. This represents the difference in energy between the solid and liquid states. In this way, large amounts of energy can be stored. In the case of Southern Yellow Pine, energy from the summer can even be stored in the wood until a later season in some cases.

This company Enertia prepares blocks of this Southern Yellow Pine with grooves and sells the pieces as kit homes that you build yourself. The only tool you need is a power drill. No nails are used in the construction. I suspect that's because the metal of nails helps outside temperature conduct to the inside. The homes are also designed in an envelope fashion with 2 layers of wood and a space between them for natural air circulation around the home. The Southern side is all glass to collect sunlight. The homes are designed for more sunlight getting in during the Winter, when the sun is lower in the sky, than during summer, when the sun is higher in the sky.

All of these simple principles wind up with a very attractive house that is as normal and livable as any other, but without insulation or air conditioning or heating. The typical energy bill might be as low as $30 a month, depending on where you live. The outside temperature can be 50 degrees hotter or colder than the inside temperature of 71 degrees.

Recently I bumped into the builder of my first home. We reminisced and I told him of my plans to build one of these Enertia homes. He had built many homes with the efficient ram-dirt process and for one of them he used the resin-wood (presumably Southern Yellow Pine) for the roof. With only the roof being of this resin-wood the temperature inside never varied more than 5 degrees he told me. So the combination of approaches is one thing I'm considering too.

Wozniak's New Goal is Efficient Housing

Leonardo DiCaprio's "The 11th Hour"

2007-08-15T08:01:00.000-06:00

Rebuilding Greensburg as "green'' town

2007-08-15T07:53:00.000-06:00

The tornado flattened town of Greensburg, Kansas, is thinking Green as it rebuilds itself. The news was featured on Good Morning America, reported by Bob Woodruff. Greensburg plans to be the first green town, in the United States, built from ground up. The biggest challenge seems to be the other kind of "green - money." So they are looking to funding from being part of "Eco-Town," a 13-part reality series on cable television being considered by Discovery Communications. Leonardo DiCaprio is executive producer of the series.

"The task of rebuilding Greensburg is presenting the supporters of so-called 'green' design with an opportunity to display the environmental-friendly philosophy on a community-wide scale.

But determining what a green Greensburg will look like will require careful maneuvering around issues of politics, financing and even reality television in the town devastated by a May 4 tornado .

For starters, there isn't another 'green town' in the United States on which to base Greensburg's redevelopment, said Stephen Hardy, a city planner with a Kansas City, Mo., architecture firm brought in by the state to do consulting work. That gives planned 'an endless list of opportunities,' Hardy said."

Rebuilding Greensburg as "green'' town will be a challenge - AOL News

How To Heal A Sick Office

2007-08-14T07:27:00.000-06:00

Read this BusinessWeek article for ideas on how the moral and health of an office and its employees can be improved by changing the environment within it's walls.

"Ever since cubicles sprouted up in office buildings 40 years ago, inhabitants have been under assault. Chemicals in carpet glue, cleaning supplies, and printer cartridges can cause headaches, dizziness, lethargy, rashes, nausea, and respiratory irritation. This could be solved by pumping in lots of fresh air, but the windows in most modern office buildings are sealed shut. Then there's the space allocation: A typical office worker gets about 40 sq. ft.—less than a third as much as in the 1970s. Dozens of studies have documented the toll all this takes on body and mind. How are we ever going to blossom into globally networked, branded superstars while trapped in shrinking cubicle farms bathed in foul fumes?"

How To Heal A Sick Office

Why is New Housing so Big and Lousy?

2007-08-13T09:06:00.000-06:00

TreeHugger has a different take on the recent housing crash, it's worth a read.

I am amazed at the amount of space, resources and energy wasted in building and maintaining large mega-mansions. How much space and "stuff" do we need in order to live comfortably? Not very much. Hopefully the housing crash will make us all think harder about what our real needs are, how we are negatively impacting the environment, and lead to more sustainable, smaller, energy efficient, and affordable homes being built.

"Developers don't borrow money to build, they build to borrow money. All a house is to them is a way to use leverage to turn a cornfield into a more valuable crop, turning dirt into gold. It takes a huge amount of cash and without lenders it doesn't happen. Now the mortgage lenders are going broke, the hedge funds are shaking, and the quants, the rocket scientists, are proving to be like every other genius who makes money in a rising market but folds in the turn. As families see their houses sink in value and their subdivisions unfinished they will toss their keys to the lender and walk away; this is 1992 all over again, a speculative bubble has just burst and a lot of people who got caught in it are going to get hurt."

Dumb Question Dept : "Why is New Housing so Big and Lousy?" (TreeHugger)

Yahoo! Green Icon Contest

2007-08-09T16:00:00.000-06:00

Yahoo! has a contest to design a Green icon for use on all their green relates sites. Designers, here's your chance to make your mark.

"At Yahoo!, we're flagging simple, eco-friendly things you can do on our network, and letting YOU design the icon. The Bix community will vote and and choose..."

Yahoo! Green Icon Contest

Eco-friendly Countertops

2007-08-07T14:17:00.000-06:00

"The EnviroSLAB from EnviroGLAS is made from 100% recycled glass, and this glass comprises 75% of the total countertop. An ‘agricultural-based epoxy resin binder’ bonds the materials together and makes up the remaining ingredients. The countertop requires no sealing. When no sealing is required then there is less effort at installation, and less maintenance over the life of the product. EnviroGLAS in manufactured in Texas, and recycled materials the U.S. The EnviroGLAS team has done an independent assessment of their products, and you can the read the LEED report here. EnviroGLAS’s EnviroSLAB retails for $50 per square ft. for the materials, and installation varies depending on your local contractor rates."

green remodeling-green products-build green-eco-friendly

147 Tiny Tips to Live Healthier, Happier, Greener and Better

2007-08-06T12:47:00.000-06:00

"The following 147 tips, broken down into ways you can improve your life through your job, around the house, in financial matters, in your goals and beliefs, in romance, in your social life, and through your health and diet, will lead you to a healthier, happier, greener, and better lifestyle."

Frugalist » The Frugality Cheat Sheet: 147 Tiny Tips to Live Healthier, Happier, Greener and Better

How to Trash an Old Computer

2007-08-05T09:28:00.000-06:00

Here's some good advice on disposing of old computer equipment peoperly.

"Disposing of a PC takes some legwork. Ensuring your hard drive is void of company info before it leaves your hands, though, is a snap..."

How to Trash an Old Computer

Low Emission, High-Performance 3-wheeler

2007-08-02T08:10:00.000-06:00

"The three-wheel 'alé' can go from 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds and literally runs on vapors..." Read this BusinessWeek article for more information.

Low Emission, High-Performance 3-wheeler

No Impact Man

2007-07-31T12:21:00.000-06:00

Another interesting experiment by Colin Beavan aka No Impact Man to live a zero eco-impact life for a year with his wife, daughter and dog.

"No Impact Man is my experiment with researching, developing and adopting a way of life for me and my little family—one wife, one toddler, one dog—to live in the heart of New York City while causing no net environmental impact. To do this, we will decrease the things we do that hurt the earth—make trash, cause carbon dioxide emissions, for example—and increase the things we do that help the earth—clean up the banks of the Hudson River, give money to charity, rescue sea birds, say."

No Impact Man: What you need to know

Green as a Thistle

2007-07-31T12:06:00.000-06:00

Here's an interesting account of one womans (Vanessa) ongoing experiment to live green for an entire year with minimal impact on the environment.

"Spend each day, for an entire calendar year, doing one thing that betters the environment. The idea is that everything I do, I keep doing (so if I switch brands, it's a permanent switch; if I turn down my thermostat, I keep it down), so that by day 365, I'll be living as green a lifestyle as it gets. I hope, in the end, this proves that being an environmentalist doesn't necessarily have to require massive change, compromise or Greenpeace levels of dedication — it can be simple, and inspiring."

Green as a Thistle

Living green, by design - Los Angeles Times

2007-07-31T11:53:00.000-06:00

"One home is efficient and thrifty. The other is stylish and opulent. They both help the planet.

DONNA SIDER painstakingly renovated her 1,000-square-foot Pasadena home to be more energy-efficient as a way to save money and help the environment at the same time.

Jeffrey Eyster built an eco-friendly, 2,200-square-foot dream house in the hills above Laurel Canyon, in tune with his appreciation of fine architecture, superior materials and healthful living.

Eyster's home demonstrates that luxury and cutting-edge design can be integral to environmental construction.

Sider's is proof that going green doesn't require a lot of gold. Their efforts can serve as examples to homeowners who want to fight global warming or trim their household expenses, or both. And the payoffs in both areas are substantial, environmental leaders say."

Living green, by design - Los Angeles Times

Bye, Bye Greenfly?

2007-07-31T11:47:00.000-06:00

Eco friendly solution to getting rid of insects (and other pests) from damaging your plants.

"A weak soap solution is ideal for dispatching little buggies like the ones which are eating your plant.

Make sure to use real soap and not detergent (most commercial dish soaps are actually detergents). For example, Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap is real soap and is certified organic... perhaps you already have some around the house.

Mix a tablespoon or two in a quart of water and give the plant a good spray. The soap will dehydrate (and therefore kill) the bugs and, in small quantities, will not harm the plant -- or render your peppers poisonous.

Other natural pest repellents include onions, horseradish, cayenne, and garlic, which is particularly good for repelling deer"

Good Question: Bye, Bye Greenfly? [via Apartment Therapy]

Can Think's electric car revolutionize the auto industry?

2007-07-31T10:11:00.000-06:00

The "Think Car "looks very promising. A fun, small electric car from Norway looks like just the ticket for everyday commuting.

"Have you driven a Fjord lately?

Think's zippy little Web-enabled, carbon-free electric driving machine could help reverse 100 years of automotive history...

Taking a cue from Dell , the company will sell cars online, built to order. It will forgo showrooms and seed the market through car-sharing services like Zipcar. Every car will be Internet-and Wi-Fi-enabled, becoming, according to Willums, a rolling computer that can communicate wirelessly with its driver, other Think owners, and the power grid.

In other words, it's Web 2.0 on wheels. 'We want to sell mobility,' Willums says. 'We don't want to sell a thing called the Think.'"

Can Think's electric car revolutionize the auto industry? [via Slashdot]

Make your own BioDiesel

2007-07-30T12:43:00.000-06:00

"Etruk offers a home biodiesel processing plant so you can make your own cheap, cleaner burning (60% less CO2) renewable fuel for your vehicles. The company also offers training to make sure you get it right. For those what don’t know, biodiesel is biodegradable and can be made from waste vegetable oil (from restaurant chip fryers for example) or animal fats etc."

Make your own BioDiesel - cheap legal engine power on tap - The Red Ferret Journal

Is it possible to recycle old CD's or DVD's?

2007-07-25T14:36:00.000-06:00

EcoGeek has some good suggestions on where and how to dispose old CDs and DVDs. Additional tips on Apartment Therapy's Green blog.

EcoGeek | Recycling CDs

Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Ants

2007-07-25T14:28:00.000-06:00

Got ants? Here are some Green solutions to get rid of them.

"Since we can't find the nest to pour boiling water on it, we're more drawn to the tips that involve sprinkling products on the ant trails. Some of these are: aspartame, black pepper, borax, catnip, cayenne pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, crushed mint, cucumber, a mixture of baking soda and powdered sugar, or citrus peel and water, or white vinegar and water. If the ants return, we think the idea that we'll try is to spray peppermint or spearmint essential oil on the trail."

Eco-Friendly Ways to Get Rid of Ants

Green : Carpet Deodorizer

2007-07-25T14:18:00.000-06:00

[Make] your own carpet powder using this formula:
1/2 cup of borax
1/2 cup of baking soda
1 teaspoon of cloves and/or cinnamon (cloves help keep closets moth-free)

Apartment Therapy - Green

Black is the new Green

2007-07-25T13:40:00.000-06:00

"With energy consumption and the environment becoming central concerns, Google has stepped into the frame to create a search engine front window that's a little bit greener - because it goes back to black.

Why black?

Well, when your screen is white - whether it's depicting an empty word processor page, or the Google search webpage, your computer consumes approximately 74 watts of power...

...but when screens are black the computer consumes just 59 watts of power."

Black is the new Green - Macworld UK

Five Plants That Repel Mosquitoes

2007-07-23T13:24:00.000-06:00

Instead of harsh chemicals, use plants such as, Citronella Grass, Catnip, Rosemary, Marigolds and Mosquito Plants to repel mosquitoes (read on).

"The most common way of repelling or getting rid of mosquitoes involves spraying a large quantity of poisonous chemicals in your yard and on yourself. If you are interested in a more natural approach, consider these plants that repel mosquitoes."

Five Plants That Repel Mosquitoes [via Unclutterer]

Card-to-cradle

2007-07-23T10:51:00.000-06:00

A really novel and wonderful way to recycle cards.

"These Bloom and Grow cards from UncommonGoods are designed with this short lifetime in mind, and in true cradle-to-cradle spirit, feed the earth once they're discarded. Seeds are embedded in each card, and with a little patience and water, will bloom into healthy flowers after the card is buried."

Card-to-cradle (via TreeHugger)

Environmentally friendly hard drive hops onto the scene

2007-07-19T14:41:00.000-06:00

This is great news for all us techies, since we have an ever expanding need to store and backup digital information. I hope more manufacturers will offer environmentally friendly computer accessories and peripherals so we can all reduce energy consumption and hazardous materials in our environment.

"Kanguru Solutions has released the Kanguru Eco Drive, an 'environmentally friendly and energy efficient' external hard drive. With its three built in Power Saving modes, the Kanguru Eco Drive automatically gauges hard drive usage to reduce power consumption by up to 75 percent and extends the life of the hard drive itself...

The Kanguru Eco Drive is also RoHS compliant. RoHS, or the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, is an international directive to restrict the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of certain types of electrical equipment..."

Macsimum News - Environmentally friendly hard drive hops onto the scene

62 Little Known Uses Of Vinegar

2007-07-18T10:12:00.000-06:00

Here are some really good uses for Vinegar; and they are eco friendly.

"Vinegar is a liquid produced from the fermentation of ethanol in a process that yields its key ingredient, acetic acid. Ninety percent of American Households buy vinegar. The 4 major uses are for salads, as cooking ingredients, pickling and home canning. Anyways, I just thought that everyone should know about the usefulness of vinegar other than for the 4 things mentioned above. I've put together 61 other things with pictures about everything else that you can do with vinegar."

62 Little Known Uses Of Vinegar | because you value your body

The True Cost of Bottled Water

2007-07-18T08:46:00.000-06:00

From childhood, we're told to drink at least eight glasses of water each day. Unfortunately more and more Americans drink those eight glasses out of eight different plastic bottles—a convenience that stuffs landfills, clogs waterways and guzzles valuable fossil fuels...

Paying thousands of times more for bottled water, and damaging the environment while you're at it, simply makes no sense. Head out with your own reusable bottle.

Tapped Out: The True Cost of Bottled Water:

Green Vacations for the Summer

2007-07-18T08:16:00.000-06:00

Considering a Green vacation for your family? This article highlights some good options available at the National Parks in the US.

Despite a pristine image, our national parks aren't exactly unspoiled. Once, it was common to dump trash wherever handy, waste the natural supply of water, even feed bears for entertainment. And the park lodges – no matter how magnificent the structures – were often the worst offenders.

Greenlight | The Greenest Summer Vacations

Time to consider going Solar?

2007-07-18T08:08:00.000-06:00

Greenlight magazine thinks it's time to re-consider using Solar energy, since costs are on the decline and more options available for consumers from the likes of Home Depot and Target. Check out the article.

The days of cumbersome above-roof mounts and minimum investments of $30,000 are gone. Solar technology is evolving quickly, and it may be time for you to give it a fresh look.

Greenlight | Simple Solar?

Saving Green While Going Green

2007-07-17T13:34:00.000-06:00

Some good tips here; including investing in Green businesses, reducing waste, and opting out of unnecessary paperwork.

Our personal finance contributor offers tips for people who are interested in protecting the environment, but also protecting their cash flow. (Listen to this story...)

NPR : Saving Green While Going Green

Top 10 Computing Energy Savers

2007-07-13T14:02:00.000-06:00

A very timely list of energy saving tips from Lifehacker.

Reducing the amount of energy your hungry computers eat up every day won't only save you money on electricity bills, it will reduce your carbon footprint. If you haven't thought about how much electricity your gadgets use up every day, now's the time. Turns out just a few changes in habits and system settings can save you money AND the environment. After the jump, have 10 ways to reduce your energy consumption and compute greener.

10. Upgrade your gear
9. Dim your screen
8. Consolidate and virtualize computers
7. Turn off peripherals
6. Kill unnecessary processes
5. Get a smart power switch
4. Enable energy saver settings
3. Unplug energy vampires
2. Spin down your hard drive
1. Shut down

Lifehacker Top 10: Top 10 Computing Energy Savers - Lifehacker

Make an Eco commercial for Al Gore

2007-07-13T08:31:00.000-06:00

Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection is conducting a contest for the best "Eco" commercial; the winner will receive a Hybrid Toyota Highlander. Check the Current TV website for details.

Not recycling? Now’s the time to start

2007-07-12T10:32:00.000-06:00

Just do it. You'll feel better.

Unlike paper and plastic, electronics aren’t so easy to dispose of. They often contain toxic substances and can be large and heavy...

[...] Thankfully, some manufacturers and retailers such as Sears, Lowe’s, Target and Circuit City have begun their own recycling initiatives or worked through Call2Recycle, a national collection and recycling program run by the nonprofit Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corp. (RBRC).

The RBRC can help you recycle your used portable rechargeable batteries and old cell phones. Rechargeable batteries are commonly found in cordless power tools, cellular and cordless phones, laptop computers, camcorders, digital cameras, and remote control toys. RBRC recycles the following battery chemistries: Nickel Cadmium (Ni-Cd), Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH), Lithium Ion (Li-ion) and Small Sealed Lead (Pb). RBRC is dedicated to keeping rechargeable batteries and cell phones out of our nation’s solid waste stream and preserving natural resources. Check out the RBRC web site to see what you can do.

Meanwhile, some of us in the U.S. need to get on the ball. While three-quarters (77 percent) of American adults recycle something in their own home, one-quarter (23 percent) still recycle nothing at all, according to a new Harris Interactive study. One may think that the younger generation is the one most likely to recycle, but this isn’t the case. Three in ten (30 percent) Echo Boomers (those aged 18 to 30) recycle nothing, compared to 19 percent of Matures (those aged 62 and older), the report adds.

There is also a regional difference in who recycles and who does not. Those in the East and West are more likely to recycle (88 percent and 86 percent respectively). One-third (32 percent) of those in the South as well as three in ten (30 percent) of those in the Midwest, however, say they recycle nothing.

Not recycling? Now’s the time to start

Eco Advocate

Crazy E-Waste Statistics Explored in Infographic

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