Posts Tagged ‘eco-friendly’
In response to my post regarding the banning of lightbulbs in the state of California I recieved some information from a reader that I would like to share with everyone that details the other side of the arguement. I am always excited to hear from subscribers and value any comments and information you would like to add to the site. The following information is from a site called CEOLAS.NET:
A ban on light bulbs, as with other electrical products in current use, is strange in consumer law:
They are bans on safe products, we are not talking about banning lead paint or fireworks here.
In fact, light bulbs have been safely used for over 100 years without significant problems, unlike other lights.
The irony is that a normal ban would rather be on the main suggested replacement, compact fluorescent “energy saving” lights (CFLs), with several health and environmental concerns.
Cars give out emissions. Electrical products do not.
Banning a type of car stops emissions. Banning a type of light does not.
Cars are taxed on related carbon efficiency.
Lights -and electrical products- can be taxed on related carbon efficiency (although still wrong in principle, since energy and emission problems can and should be dealt with directly).
Old Technology – New Technology
There’s a lot of talk about old and new technology with lighting.
“Hey isn’t it great to get rid of old technology” we are told.
“Light bulbs are over 100 years old, time to get rid of them.”
The obvious counter is “if it ain’t broke – don’t fix it”.
First of all old technology means known technology means proven, reliable and, as just said, safe technology, for a product we spend half our lives using, sometimes within a few feet.
Secondly, it’s one thing to have a product fade a way from lack of consumer demand in face of a significant improvement as viewed by the people, as opposed to a ban put in place by politicians because of an improvement as they see it.
Let’s compare the light bulb with its cousin – the radio valve (tube).
Now, radio valve use faded away because everyone could see the advantages of transistors.
Did that mean banning radio valves?
No Sir, they are still around, a limited demand for a limited use, but nonetheless available for those who want them.
Yet, since they use much more energy than transistors, they could conceivably have been banned to save energy too.
Does this ring a bell?
Now, everyone is talking about how great LED lights will be. And why not – perhaps people will actually want to buy them!
You don’t have to be Einstein – or Edison – to know what that could mean. If people mostly buy LED lights, and fewer ordinary light bulbs, then energy use (supposedly) drops dramatically, and no ban is needed.
A natural market process, which nevertheless allows those who like light bulbs to continue to use them.
Notice how the opposite is of course true too:
If ordinary light bulbs remain more popular than LED or any other lighting – why ban what people obviously want to use?
Let’s expand on that….
A safe product that is not popular does not need to be banned, because so few are using it anyway.
This gives us the beautiful (and typical) logic, that the more popular a product is, the more energy use it will cause, and the more politicians can wave their arms in their air and say how great they are for (supposedly) letting people save so much money, by banning a product that people obviously want to buy and use!
Unsurprisingly, the EU is at the forefront of this logic.
The word from EU officials is
“The campaigns have failed, Europeans still choose to buy these lights, legislation is the next logical step”
Instead of saying
“The campaigns have failed, Europeans still choose to buy these lights, how can we respect this strong will of the people?
Is it really necessary to ban these bulbs?”
Light bulbs are overwhelmingly popular in the EU, as elsewhere.
They are the lights that people want to buy (9 times out of 10 in the EU, according to the European Commission’s own research 2007-8, 19 out of 20 in the USA from lighting industry data in the same period).
Speaking of the USA:
Just 18% of adults think it’s the government’s job to tell Americans what kind of light bulb they use, according to a July 2009 Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. 72% say it’s none of the government’s business, and 10% are not sure.
Now, the European Commission has also relied on data from an organization called VITO.
The music was then rather different.
As the Cambridge Network science organization point out:
A study by VITO consultants showed the following breakdown of lamp use in European homes in 2007:
• 54% incandescent (down from 85% in 1995 and still decreasing)
• 18% low-voltage halogen (and increasing)
• 5% mains-voltage halogen (and growing)
• 8% linear fluorescent
• 15% CFL
What spiel did the Brusselcrats then think up?
Of course the story was then “how Europeans are taking to these lamps”, and that the “reports that they don’t like them” are “unfounded”!
The problem is, that this kind of data of course means that the supposed great savings aren’t there, and, as outlined in Old Technology – New Technology above, that a ban is again unwarranted, this time because a conversion is taking place anyway.
As the good Cambridge scientists put it:
“If we assume that all remaining filament bulbs are replaced by CFL at some point in the future (unlikely, as use of halogen bulbs is likely to increase), that these bulbs are used to the same extent as those they replace and that the energy reduction per bulb is 80%, the total reduction in EU energy use would be 0.54 x 0.8 x 0.76% = 0.33%. This figure is almost certainly an overestimate, particularly as the inefficiency of conventional bulbs generates heat which supplements other forms of heating in winter. Which begs the question: is it really worth it?”
No, scientists, it isn’t – whether the bulbs are popular or not – but try explaining that to anyone who commutes to Brussels.
Besides, if people like halogens, then that door must – and will – be shut too, as laid out in the December 2008 EU banning documentation linked above. Remember: Soviet Union, not European Union.
The assumption is that people only buy light bulbs because they are cheap.
Certainly they are cheap -no crime- but you don’t keep buying something only because it is cheap, and attractive features of light bulbs will soon be given.
Nor do you avoid buying a CFL or anything else just because it is expensive:
Otherwise no expensive alternative products anywhere would ever be bought.
In normal advertising manufacturers themselves highlight advantageous features of their products.
Think of long-lasting batteries and Energizer bunnies, think of washing up liquids that wash piles of dishes.
“Expensive to buy but last long”:
CFL/LED manufacturers wrongly rely on public campaigns and bans to make sales.
So, when politicians say “a ban is the only way” for the public to buy an expensive product that “people will find very attractive when they do buy it”, advertising by manufacturers could highlight that, and people would buy one and then buy more if they are so good, as with the other products.
That said, many households already have at least 1 CFL (the UK is typical, 1/2 of households there and in most countries have at least 1 CFL and the average UK and European household has around 2 CFLs and 20 light bulbs, Commission research).
So maybe they feel that is enough:
There is no reason just to use CFLs -or light bulbs- in a house, all lights have their own advantages and different uses (see below).
Of course, the other explanation is that maybe people simply don’t like CFLs, having tried them…
Certainly CFLs can improve, but it hardly justifies banning bulbs now, and hardly justifies it later either:
if people actually like improved CFLs or LEDs and buy them in greater numbers, there is again no need to ban ordinary light bulbs, as explained above.
Light bulbs have many attractive features, apart from being cheap.
A warm bright light quality:
This is the biggest loss, in banning “incandescent” lights (=ordinary light bulbs and halogens).
For displays and in some home decorating schemes, designers use the sparkle effect that one can get with the point source incandescent lighting.
Also the beam can be focused, by lamp shades in reading lamps for example.
Small bright incandescent lights are particularly useful, since small CFL or LED lamps technically can’t be made as bright, and the bright types that can be made are particularly expensive.
New York, NY – The growing community of Battery Park City now has its own library. On March 18, The New York Public Library will open its Battery Park City branch, an environmentally friendly library which provides a wide range of services for the community. The public is invited to celebrate the branch’s opening with a morning ceremony, an architectural tour of the library, and a day of free events for the entire family. The 10,000 square-foot, two-story branch is located at 175 North End Avenue.
“The striking new environmentally friendly library in Battery Park City is sure to quickly become a beacon for the community,” said Paul LeClerc, President of the New York Public Library. “At a time when people are depending on libraries more then ever for free resources and job assistance the library is a crucial resource for the neighborhood. We are deeply grateful to our elected officials, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and City Council Member Margaret Chin for their support of the branch’s construction. We also greatly appreciate the generous private funding provided by Goldman Sachs & Co.
Photo: Tim Furzer
With light streaming through broad windows and glimpses of the Hudson River the $6.7 million Battery Park City Library provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere for the public. The 88th branch of the New York Public Library will anchor the bottom two floors of the city’s greenest residential high-rise to date. Designed by the architecture firm 1100 Architects, the branch includes 24,000 items, 36 public access computers, and separate reading areas for children, young adults, and adults. A multipurpose programming room on the second floor is also featured, as well as two self-checkout machines for public use. The Library was constructed with a focus on environmental sustainability and will be the first GREEN Library in Manhattan. The branch is expected to receive LEED Gold certification from the U. S. Green Building Council. Some of the features contributing to the branch’s environmental efficiency include:
- an efficient technologically advanced low-energy heating/cooling system
- low-flow sanitary fixtures which reduce water consumption
- low-energy lighting system
- use of recycled and renewable building materials including a wood floor constructed with off-cuts from window frame manufacture, carpets constructed from old truck tires, millwork made from recycled cardboard composite, and terrazzo with recycled glass and mirror aggregate
- the inclusion of a dedicated area for the collection and storage of all recyclable materials accumulated during the day to day operations of the branch
- use of a large number of the products that are low emitting in order to help the overall indoor air quality.
“Libraries play an important role in communities throughout the city, serving as a place for people to gather, attend readings, access the internet and more,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg. “The new environmentally-sustainable Battery Park City branch will be a model for future branch designs and an asset for the local community for decades to come.”
“Expanding literacy, arts and education to any neighborhood in New York City is an issue we at the City Council feel is one of the most vital for New Yorkers,” said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Having access to these materials is essential to the growth of our neighborhoods. Battery Park for so long did not know what it was to have these resources available to them down the street from their homes. Now, residents downtown and throughout the City will be able to enjoy this new branch and the new resources it brings to this beautiful area of our City.”
“The opening of the Battery Park City library is another big step in the continuing progress of the community as one of the great neighborhoods in our city,” said New York State Senator Daniel Squadron. “Public libraries are more important than ever in the 21st century, in which broad, democratic access to information–whether printed or digital–is more important than ever.”
“I am delighted to join Battery Park City residents in welcoming the newest branch of the New York Public Library to the neighborhood,” said United States Congressman Jerrold L. Nadler. “I am proud of this terrific New York institution and believe that it profoundly enriches the lives of those who use it. As a lifelong enthusiastic reader and library patron, I hope that residents will enjoy this library as much as I have always enjoyed my local libraries and read to their hearts’ content.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the New York Public Library and the residents of Battery Park City in opening this beautiful new library,” said Councilmember Margaret Chin. “To have a public facility like this, in a community like Battery Park City, is really wonderful, especially with the construction’s focus on environmental sustainability and what we hope will be a LEED Gold certification. It’s important that we teach our children about the environment as we instill in them a love of reading and learning, while providing a great place for our seniors and others in the community to read and gather. I also want to specifically recognize my predecessor, Councilmember Alan Gerson, without whose work this library simply would not exist, and also the work of Community Board 1 Battery Park City chair Linda Belfer, a tireless champion of all things Battery Park City.”
“As Chair of Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations, I am ecstatic that this library has been finished,” said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer. “Any day that a library opens is a very good day for the community it serves. This library will enhance the educational and cultural life of the neighborhood.”
“The new Battery Park City library and the expansion of New York Public Library services means the promotion of literacy, education and technology for local residents,” said New York City Council Member Vincent Gentile. “Public libraries, particularly ones developed in an environmentally friendly way like this one, enrich the neighborhoods in which they’re placed; it’s a joy to see all the benefits that come along with a new public library being introduced to a neighborhood that didn’t have those resources at their fingertips before.”
Library Hours
The Battery Park City Library will be open: Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Grand Opening Celebration
Thursday, March 18, 2010
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Free and open to the public
175 North End Avenue
10 a.m.,
Opening ceremony and ribbon cutting, with elected officials and special guests.
11 a.m.,
Architect’s tour and overview of environmental features
11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.,
Crafts with Linda DeCresenzo, program for children of all ages.
2:30 p.m.
Poetry Reading
3:30 p.m.
“Birds of Prey”, a program for the whole family that examines such birds of prey as hawks, owls, falcons or other species! Patrons will get to touch raptor artifacts and a lucky volunteer may get to help with some of the demonstrations. Presented by the New Canaan Nature Center.
Source: New York Public Library
You don’t need to be an environmental expert to understand that it’s easier on the planet to wear clothes you already own than it is to buy new ones. Yet, all the newest eco-fashions, from organic cotton jeans to bamboo dresses to hemp sneakers, scream “Buy me!”
There’s no doubt about it: Green is the new black. But the influx of earth-friendly options is no excuse to overhaul your entire wardrobe or your budget.
“Disposing of items before the end of their useful life in order to replace them with organic products is not going to save the world,” says Lynda Grose of the Sustainable Cotton Project, an organization working to pioneer markets for certified organically grown and biologically based cotton.
The most eco-friendly (and economical) approach is to phase in high-quality, long-lasting organic and recycled pieces as your old clothes wear out. Here, a guide to some of our favorites, with choices to fit every budget. You’ll also find three ways to green your wardrobe without going shopping at all.
Eco-Fashion Must-Haves
100 Percent Organic Cotton T-Shirts Did you know that it takes about a third of a pound of pesticides and fertilizers to produce enough conventionally farmed cotton for a single T-shirt? To guarantee yours are as soft on the planet as they are on your skin, buy 100 percent organic cotton.
For logo—and sweatshop—free organic cotton T-shirts in several colors, check out American Apparel ($17 to $18; americanapparel.net). If you’re in the mood for fun, eco-inspired patterns such as zebras, flamingos, and wind turbines, choose Fuze ($60 to $64; thegreenloop.com). Or spread environmental awareness by sporting Green Label Organic T-shirts that boast bold eco-slogans paired with eye-catching graphics, such as bummer next to an image of a Hummer ($29; greenlabel.com).
“Green” Jeans While many natural choices are expensive, not all the jeans in Levi’s Eco line take a lot of the green from your pocket. Made from 100 percent organic cotton, the jeans feature recycled buttons, rivets, and zippers, and some styles are dyed with natural indigo ($48 to $195; levi.com).
Other eco-fabulous options include Loomstate ($155 to $200; loomstate.org) certified-organic jeans, and Del Forte Denim ($130 to $200; thegreenloop.com), which recently launched Project Rejeaneration, a program that recycles customers’ old Del Forte denim into second-generation garments.
Recycled Active Wear It only makes sense to respect Mother Nature when you purchase the gear you need to enjoy the great outdoors. Leave it to Patagonia, an eco-fashion pioneer, to introduce fleece made from postconsumer recycled soda bottles and, through its Common Threads program, garments made from recycled polyester. Type “recycled” into the search field at patagonia.com to find pieces made from recycled fibers ($20 to $399). Drop your old Patagonia or other Polartec fleeces at any Patagonia store or mail them to the company (address available at patagonia.com) for recycling.
Eco-Sneakers Lighten your environmental footprint without sacrificing comfort or style in a pair of Simple ecoSNEAKS, which are green from heel to toe. Features of the line include hemp uppers, soles made from recycled car and bike tires, foot forms that use postconsumer paper pulp, organic cotton linings, and laces made from recycled plastic bottles ($50 to $80; simpleshoes.com).
A Little “Green” Dress According to Summer Bowen, founder of online boutique Be The Change (BTC) Elements, no Earth-minded fashionista’s wardrobe is complete without a little “green” dress. A BTC best seller is the Girls Night Out Dress, a simple, flattering black tube dress made from a blend of bamboo, organic cotton, and spandex, by Convoy’s Sustainable Collective ($112; btcelements.com).
Earth-Friendly Accessories An easy way to green any outfit is to accessorize with vintage or eco-chic scarves and jewelry. Stephanie Huffaker’s upcycled Plastic Bag Bangles add a splash of color while giving plastic bags a second life ($44; btcelements.com).
No Shopping Required
If you need a little more green in your bank account before you can afford to upgrade your wardrobe, don’t worry. By making the most of what you already own, you can still make a big impact.
Host a Clothing Swap What better excuse to get together with friends and family than to host a clothing swap and potluck party? Evite everyone you know to clean out their closets and bring a dish to share. When guests arrive, give them a “ticket” for each item they bring. Then enjoy an afternoon of chowing down and playing dress up. During dessert, guests can use their tickets to bid on clothing items, which are raffled off. Donate any clothing left over at the end of the swap; everyone wins!
Turn Old Clothes into New Favorites Refashioning the clothes you already own is fun and easy: Crop pants with soiled cuffs into pedal pushers, snip sleeves off old T-shirts to make muscle T’s, transform a crew-neck shirt into a boat neck to show off some shoulder, and turn ties and scarves into belts. “Make friends with your local tailor and cobbler, and use their services to give old clothing new life,” adds Bowen.
Wash in Cold Water “At least 65 percent of the energy used for a cotton garment is in the washing and drying phase,” says Grose. To lighten the load your laundry puts on the planet, “Simply switch your washing machine to cold for most of your loads, and line-dry clothing when possible,” Bowen suggests.
Know the Lingo
100% ORGANIC COTTON To be considered 100% organic, cotton must be “certified by a third party (such as the USDA), following strict guidelines for growing the fiber, using no disallowed synthetic chemicals,” says Lynda Grose of the Sustainable Cotton Project.
BAMBOO A textile made from the pulp of the fast-growing bamboo plant that’s soft, highly water-absorbent, and antibacterial.
FAIR TRADE “Fair-trade companies look at more than just the bottom line,” Summer Bowen, founder of BTC Elements explains. “They look at development as a whole and create more of a partnership with suppliers, which makes for a fairer exchange system where workers get paid fair wages and work under good conditions.”
GREEN Grose warns that the word “green” is vague and overused for marketing purposes: “It has no definite meaning in relation to the ecological impacts of a particular product.”
HEMP A strong fabric sewn from the fibers of the fast-growing cannabis plant (a variety that contains virtually no THC, the active ingredient in marijuana).
RECYCLED/UPCYCLED Material that’s been reprocessed at the end of its life into something new and useful, explains Bowen.
SUSTAINABLE Describes a product created by a process that can continue indefinitely without causing environmental destruction or usurping finite resources.
Fun Fact
Blue jean insulation a new building material made of industrial scraps from denim production is gaining popularity. It’s more environmentally friendly than traditional fiberglass insulation, which contains formaldehyde, a chemical believed to cause asthma and allergies.
Where to Donate Used Clothing
All gently worn clothing: goodwill.org; salvationarmyusa.org
Men’s and women’s professional clothing: wardrobe.org; thewomensalliance.org
Prom and formal dresses: glassslipperproject.org
Bridal gowns: bridesagainstbreastcancer.org
Source: Vegetarian Times by Jolia Sidona Allen
* Sharpen scissors and garden shears: Fold used foil so that it’s six to eight layers thick, then cut thru it a few times with dull scissors to instantly sharpen them.
* Paint and plaster texture: Use crumpled up foil to add interesting texture to painting and plastering projects. Also when you’re painting, old foil is handy for masking doorknobs and other fixtures you don’t want painted, and wrapping your paintbrushes and rollers in during a lunch break.
* Deter pets and other animals: For no apparent reason, our cat started using our fireplace instead of her liter box. We put a couple of sheets of used aluminum foil on the floor of the fireplace — which cats, dogs, and other animals can’t stand — to break her of that bad habit. Hang strips of used foil on strings around the garden to deter birds, deer and other unwanted pests, too.
* Protect young plants: Make a collar out of used foil to fit loosely around the stems of young tomato plants and other plant starts in order to keep cutworms and other insects at bay.
* Make metals shine: Scrub rust off of steel and chrome with a wad of aluminum foil instead of using steel wool — it works even better. You can also use aluminum foil and simple household products like baking soda and salt to clean silver and gold, with the proper know-how.
* Repair stripped threads: People often say that I have a screw loose. When I do have a nut, bolt or screw with stripped threads, I wrap a little aluminum foil around the bolt or screw and try gently tightening it again. A quick temporary fix.
Source: Huffington Post
1. Trim consumption of animal fats
When you’re pregnant, it’s more important than ever to choose lean cuts of meat, trim away fat and opt for fat-free dairy products. Here’s why: Some toxins linked to prenatal nervous system and hormonal damage are stored in fatty tissue. These include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which pose risks of reduced intelligence to the developing fetus; brominated fire retardants; dioxins and other pollutants that persist in our air and water.
2. Put a stop to insecticides in your home and office
Organophosphates are a family of insecticides that attack the nervous system. In two New York City studies conducted last year, babies of women who had been most exposed to two organophosphates, chlorpyrifos (Dursban and Lorsban) and diazinon (Spectracide), had significantly lower birth weights. Fortunately, these insecticides were phased out of residential and school use by the EPA in 2001-03. However, other organophosphates are still in circulation, as are similar compounds called pyrethroids. Pesticides also release inhalable volatile organic compounds (see below).
What to do instead? Researchers at the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health (CCCEH) recommend that pregnant women switch to sticky traps and other bait stations, “which are safer, last longer and are more effective,” while keeping surfaces clean of food residue, removing trash and treating cracks with boric acid, classified by the EPA as of low toxicity, then sealing with caulk. (Keep boric acid and baits out of the reach of children and pets.)
3. Select foods to minimize pesticide residues
Chlorpyrifos and diazinon (see above), along with many related toxic pesticides, are still used widely on food crops. Prioritize your grocery list to allow for the purchase of the following organic fruits and vegetables that, when conventionally grown, tend to harbor the most pesticide residue: apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, peaches, pears, potatoes, spinach, strawberries and peppers.
4. Pass on high-mercury fish
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that can harm a developing fetus. Say “no” to high-mercury fish such as fresh tuna, canned albacore, wild bass, swordfish and tilefish. (One meal of moderate-mercury fish, such as canned light tuna, can be eaten once a month.) Eat up: low-mercury “yes” fish such as sardines, wild salmon and farmed striped bass.
5. Let Old Paint Lie
Since lead has been banned from gasoline (in 1996) and paint (in 1978), most exposures now come from old lead-based paint. This heavy metal, which can also contaminate water and soil, can interfere with nearly every aspect of fetal development, causing brain and kidney damage, according to the CCHE. If your old house has lead paint in good condition, cover it with fresh paint rather than removing it, which releases lead dust into the air. To test paint for lead, see www.epa.gov/lead or call the EPA’s lead hot line at 800-426-4791.
6. Make sure your water is safe to drink
Your local utility must by law provide you with an annual “Right to Know” report listing the EPA-recognized pollutants that exist in your water at potentially unsafe levels. Trihalomethanes, for instance, can increase the risk of miscarriage. See Green Guide #101 for contaminants to avoid and best filters. If you suspect there’s lead in your pipes, allow the tap to run for 30 seconds to clear them before using water. Find lead-testing services at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/labs/index.html.
7. Avoid the VOCs that offgas from paints, glues, air fresheners
Toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can evaporate from many conventional building, decorating and other household products, including air freshener sprays. Exposure to air fresheners during pregnancy and within the first six months of life was associated with diarrhea and earache in infants and headaches and depression in mothers, according to a study published in the October 2003 Archives of Environmental Health.
If exposed to fumes at work, speak up: Thirty-two children exposed in utero to organic solvents had lower scores on language and other developmental tests, according to a study published in the October 2004 Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. In the workplace, their mothers had come into contact with such solvents as toluene, xylene, mineral spirits, isopropyl alcohol and trichloroethylene.
8. Steer clear of vehicular and smokestack emissions
Research conducted by Columbia University links “combustion-related” chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with shorter gestation periods for pregnant women, resulting in smaller babies. PAHs are in car or bus exhaust and emissions from residential heating and power generation. Before exercising outdoors, check the EPA’s Air Quality Index at epa.gov/airnow. Keep windows closed during peak traffic hours.
9. Stay away from phthalates in vinyl, personal-care and cleaning products
Chemicals called phthalates, known hormone-system disruptors that have caused birth defects in lab animals, are widely used as plasticizers in nail polishes and vinyl and as solvents in synthetic fragrances. Avoid soft vinyl products and cosmetics containing “Fragrance.”
10. Get rid of those crumbling foam cushions, already!
The latest chemicals found to be approaching possibly unsafe levels in American women’s breast milk, as well as umbilical-cord blood, are fire retardants known as polybrominated diphenyl ethers, or PBDEs. Furniture foam tends to release PBDEs into house dust when it breaks down.
LOS ANGELES — A California lawmaker wants to make his state the first to ban incandescent lightbulbs as part of California’s groundbreaking initiatives to reduce energy use and greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.
The “How Many Legislators Does it Take to Change a Lightbulb Act” would ban incandescent lightbulbs by 2012 in favor of energy-saving compact fluorescent lightbulbs.
“Incandescent lightbulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications,” California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine said Tuesday.
“Meanwhile, they remain incredibly inefficient, converting only about 5 percent of the energy they receive into light.”
Levine is expected to introduce the legislation this week, his office said.
If passed, it would be another pioneering environmental effort in California, the most populous U.S. state. It became the first state to mandate cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, targeting a 25 percent reduction in emissions by 2020.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) use about 25 percent of the energy of conventional lightbulbs.
Many CFLs have a spiral shape, which was introduced in 1980. By 2005, about 100 million CFLs were sold in the United States, or about 5 percent of the 2-billion-lightbulb market, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
That number could more than double this year. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. alone wants to sell 100 million CFLs at its stores by the end of 2007, the world’s biggest retailer said in November.
While it will not give opinion on the possible California law, the EPA recommends CFLs.
“They save money and energy,” EPA spokeswoman Enesta Jones said. “They are more convenient than other alternatives and come in different sizes and shapes to fit almost any fixture.”
Also, CFLs generate 70 percent less heat than incandescent lights, Jones said.
About a fifth of the average U.S. home’s electricity costs pays for lighting, which means even if CFLs initially cost more than conventional lightbulbs, consumers will save, Jones said.
A 20-watt CFL gives as much light as a 75-watt conventional bulb, and lasts 13 times longer, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit group studying energy issues.
Southern California Edison, an Edison International subsidiary and one of the state’s biggest utilities, runs a program that cuts the cost of a CFL by $1 to $2.50. In the past year, SCE has helped consumers buy 6 million CFLs, it said.
California Energy Commission member Arthur Rosenfeld said an average home in California will save $40 to $50 per year if CFLs replace all incandescent bulbs.
While not commenting specifically on Levine’s likely legislation, Rosenfeld, winner of the Enrico Fermi Presidential Award in 2006, said the switch from incandescent bulbs became feasible about five years ago when CFL performance improved.
“This is clearly an idea whose time has come,” he said.
Levine, a Democrat from Van Nuys in Los Angeles, last year introduced a bill that will become law in July that requires most grocery stores to have plastic bag recycling.
Source: Reuters By Bernie Woodall
American Canyon
Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa
http://gaianapavalleyhotel.com
LEED certified, Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa bills itself as Napa Valley’s “first fully environmentally-sustainable hotel .” Named “Mother Earth” in Greek, the hotel provides waterless urinals, low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads. The emphasis on nature can also be found on their grounds, which consist of native and climate-adaptive plants, as well as a swan and Koi pond that uses only recycled water.
San Francisco
The Orchard Garden Hotel
http://theorchardgardenhotel.com
Located just three blocks from San Francisco‘s Union Square and all the major department stores, this LEED certified boutique hotel is the sister property of the Orchard Hotel and stands green and proud. Inviting earth-toned rooms (all of which are deluxe) come with all-natural fabrics, ergonomically correct mattresses, feather pillows and 100 percent combed cotton bedding. Rooms have been constructed with low emission paint and carpet, and the hotel utilizes chemical-free cleaning solutions and organic bath products.
Chicago
Hotel Allegro
http://allegrochicago.com
The Allegro is part of Kimpton’s EarthCare program, promoting a sustainable planet. This downtown Chicago hotel features towel re-use, water recycling and non-toxic cleaning agents. All materials are printed with soy-based ink on recycled paper, and energy-efficient light bulbs are used. Indulge in a complimentary cup of organic, fair trade coffee in the lobby before heading out to the Chicago theatre scene or the shopping Mecca on Magnificent Mile.
Nantucket
Hotel Green
http://vanessanoelhotelgreen.com
Celebrated shoe designer and hotelier Vanessa Noel’s Hotel Green is Nantucket Island’s first environmentally conscious organic luxury hotel. It boasts nine individually decorated rooms and one two-bedroom suite incorporating high-end environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Frank-Gehry-designed recycled cardboard chairs and coffee tables sit on Gaiam hemp area rugs, which are complemented by natural bamboo window shades. You’ll also find hemp bathrobes and towels in your room as well as a selection of organic beverages and snacks.
Manhattan
70 Park Avenue Hotel
www.70parkave.com
Another Kimpton property committed to sustainable practices, this boutique hotel even provides in-room spa services and has a yoga TV channel and complimentary yoga accessories. The hotel uses non-intrusive, high quality, eco-friendly products and services, including in-room recycling bins and non-toxic cleaners. This is a hotel for discerning guests who seek a haven of quiet with the ambience of their very own Park Avenue pied-à-terre.
Washington D.C.
The Fairmont Washington, D.C.
www.fairmont.com/washington
Did you know that if you park your hybrid car at this hotel in Washington’s fashionable West End, you’ll receive a free dessert? In addition to sweets, this hotel has a green procurement program, including the reduction of pre-packaging, ensuring that supplies, equipment, fixtures and furniture are environmentally sensitive. The hotel also donates soaps, amenities and food from buffet lines to shelters and soup kitchens. Being green never felt so good!
Enno de Kroon, a Dutch artist, used egg cartons as his canvas, and created something between two and three dimensional paintings in a style that has been refered to as “Egg cubism.”
Korean artist Yong Ho Ji hand carved recycled rubber tires to create his animalistic sculptures.
Gift wrapping has always been one of those things that I have thought to be a waste of the materials used in order to attain a short term goal. The present is wrapped for whoever’s birthday, anniversary, wedding or any number of special occasions for the brief 15 seconds before the decorating papers and ribbons surrounding the actual gift are ripped to shreds. Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to present your gift in an attractive manor, after all you have gone to all the trouble of picking out and purchasing a present, but there must be a greener way.
The effect that all of the pleasantries of gift giving has on the environment is more frightening than you would think. Never mind the damage that we do year round with all of the birthdays and other gift giving holidays, but think about the Christmas Season. In the U.S., an additional 5 million tons of waste is generated during the holidays. Four million tons of this is wrapping paper and shopping bags. Among friends, family, even though it is nice to have gifts wrapped, think about not wrapping some of your gifts and remembering what positive effect this will have on the environment. So here are some suggestions from Planet Green Discovery on how to still have a great holiday season without hurting the environment.
- Reused Gift Bags
Most of us have a stash of gift bags saved from presents we’ve received. Put them to good use and commit to using only gift bags instead of wrapping. Also, if you feel a gift bag isn’t finished without a filler like tissue paper, use a greener option—the shreds from your paper shredder! - Paper Grocery Bags
You can create beautiful gift bags from materials found around the house. Decorate paper grocery bags with markers and crayons, or decoupage them with magazine cut-outs. Use it as wrapping paper or a gift sack. Put on the finishing touch with scrap ribbon from previous projects. - Reusable Cloth Bags
Do you have scrap fabric lying around? Or maybe some old shirts you never wear but that have lovely patterns. Try your hand at some easy-sew cloth bags. Since you’re making them by hand, you can sew them to suit your needs. You can also design them to be practical for the recipient as a shopping bag. Your imagination is the limit. - Clay Pots
Clay pots can make a present look extra interesting, and are a reusable item for the recipientM. Place your gift in the pot, and use the drainage dish as the lid to hide the present from view. Tie it together with a reused ribbon, or strips of scrap fabric. You can also decorate the pot to personalize it using ceramic markers available at craft stores. - A Gift in a Gift
One great way to make a gift extra special is to wrap it in another gift. A hand-knit scarf, a beautiful table cloth or runner, and hand-made purse or similar items are all great things to use for wrapping a gift within a gift. - Furoshiki
This idea might be well combined with the “gift in a gift” suggestion. Furoshiki is a method of folding cloth into beautiful packages. Using a piece of beautifully printed cloth and a few knots in interesting places will create an eye-catching package. - A Bucket for Hobbyists
Does the recipient have a hobby? Use a bucket-like item related to what they love. For the chef, a cooking pot. A watering can for the gardener. A hat box for the fashionista. Showing them you know them inside and out will make the wrapping even better than the gift inside. - Paper Waste
Raiding the paper recycling bin is a great way to get materials for gift wrap. Magazine pages, notes from a class, the crossword puzzle from yesterday’s paper all could become ideal wrapping material for a package with personality. - Maps
Maps, especially road maps, can become obsolete. However, they never loose their visual intrigue. Put them to good use as wrapping for a package that the recipient will turn over and over…and over and over…before opening. - Junk Mail
What to do with junk mail that just keeps landing in your mailbox despite the fact that you signed up for the “do not mail” list? It’s frustrating to see the waste—however, all those offers to win big, or those colorful coupons become humorous wrapping material. - Cereal Boxes
For clothing, accessories, and gifts on the thinner side, a cereal box is a great option for a unique container. Make it funny by adding a gift topper. For instance, if you’re using Cinnamon Toast Crunch, wrap it up with a recycled ribbon and stick a cinnamon stick in the knot of the bow. Or string some dried sliced fruit or berries through the ribbon. - Glass Jars
After using up all the mayo for your world famous potato salad, use the jar as a gift container. Glass jars are versatile. Soak the label and remove it. Then get creative. Use recycled paper to line the interior as reversed wrapping to hide the gift, or leave it transparent for a “so close yet so far” effect. Use found objects to decorate it as a snowman or other winter icon. The options for how to use cloth, ribbon, and lid decorations are endless.
1) Chargers and Electronics
Unplug chargers for cell phones, computers, and mp3 players when they are not being used. When left plugged in, they leak energy. Another solution is to use a power strip; turn it off if you are not using the items plugged into it. Setting your laptop into sleep mode reduces energy use up to 80%, even better: turn it off completely if it will not be in use for an hour or longer.
2) Lighting
Replace regular light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They produce the same light level as regular bulbs, but use about a quarter of the energy and can last up to ten times longer.
Unlike ordinary light bulbs, CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury in the glass tubing, so special clean-up and disposal methods are needed. In case of breakage, have people and pets leave the room. Open the window and shut off the central air heating/conditioning system, allowing the room to air out for 15 minutes. Pick up the pieces of broken glass and put them in a jar with a metal lid or a plastic bag. Use sticky tape to pick up any remaining glass shards or powder, and then wipe the area with a wet paper towel. If a spill comes in contact with any absorbent surfaces, the items become contaminated and must be disposed of accordingly. For further information: http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm
You can also replace ordinary switches with dimmers or motion sensors. Whenever a dimmer is not turned all the way up, you are saving energy. Motion sensors will turn on a light and keep it on only if someone is in the room. Utilize natural light as much as possible; try reading a book or doing your work during the day.
3) Clothes
Instead of throwing away old clothes, recycle them! By donating textiles, you can help reduce the number of unwanted textiles that end up in landfills and incinerators. In New York City alone, over 193,000 tons of recoverable and recyclable textiles are disposed of every year. GrowNYC’s Office of Recycling Outreach and Education (OROE) provides drop off locations at NYC Greenmarkets. Click here for locations.
4) Fans
We all know that turning on a fan during the summer will cool down a room. But turning one on in the winter can help improve heating efficiency. As your radiator heats the room, the warmer air rises to the ceiling. By turning on your ceiling fan to the lowest setting, the warm air is circulated around the room. A fan uses much less electricity than a heating system, reducing energy use.
5) Cleaning
Whether they are empty or full, washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers use about the same amount of energy. It is more efficient – and helps you save on your electric bill – to wait until these appliances are full before use.
When buying a washing machine, look for front-loaders. These models use up to 25% less energy and water than a standard washer. You can save an additional 10 cents a load by washing with cold water whenever possible. Almost 90% of energy consumed by washing machines is used to heat the water. Keep the lint filter in the dryer clean, since a clogged filter can increase energy use up to 30%. During the spring and summer, another eco-friendly alternative is hanging your clothes up to dry!
6) Colors
If you are painting a room, consider using a lighter color. Dark colors absorb more light, requiring you to use more energy from light bulbs to achieve the same effect as a room with lighter walls.
7) Insulate
Whether during the summer or the winter, insulating your home is an effective way to save energy. An insulated home does not gain or lose heat as quickly as a non-insulated one, so it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature indoors. Close your windows and seal drafts around the window and doorframes to keep the hot or cold air out. In the winter, you can also use clear plastic barrier film to cover window frames; the film traps cold air that might come into your house even if the windows are closed. Up to 16% of your heat can be lost through unprotected windows. Insulating lowers the demand on your air conditioner and heating system, reducing your electric bill and extending the life of the system.
Faucets
One way to conserve water is to seal leaks in plumbing fixtures. Repairing the plumbing with replacement washers can easily stop leaks. This is something that you can do on your own, though novices might ask a handy friend or a plumber. Fixing a leak from a hot-water faucet is doubly beneficial; the leak makes the water heater work harder and wastes energy. Another thing you could pick up at a hardware store is a faucet aerator. These aerators add air to the water coming out of the sink, reducing the amount of water used but maintaining water pressure.
9) Plastic
Try to cut down on how much trash you generate in a normal day. Instead of using disposable cups and utensils at delis and coffee shops, bring your own. Instead of grabbing plastic cutlery along with your lunch, eat with metal ones from home. Carry a reusable plastic or stainless steel mug with you for hot or cold drinks. At the end of the day, bring your cups and cutlery home to wash them and be ready for tomorrow. Bring cloth bags to the supermarket to carry groceries home in, and bring your own reusable plastic containers when you go to buy take-out. Reusable containers and utensils help keep plastic and Styrofoam out of the landfills.
10) Driving
You don’t have to buy a new hybrid or electric car to be environment-friendly when you drive. Follow the speed limit, regularly clean your air and oil filters, keep your tires inflated, and carefully step on the gas and brakes. While pushing the pedal to the metal is fun, maintaining a cruising speed (e.g. 55 mph) uses less gas. These simple tips can improve your fuel efficiency up to 25% on highways.
11) Plant a Tree
The MillionTreesNYC program, one of the 127 initiatives of PlaNYC, intends to plant one million trees across the city’s five boroughs within the next ten years. Not only do the trees beautify our urban landscape, they enrich our environment and the quality of city life. Trees capture atmospheric carbon dioxide in their tissue, alleviating the greenhouse effect. Trees also help filter out air and water pollution, and capture and retain stormwater. To make New York City a greener place, you can volunteer for MillionTreesNYC (http://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/involved/get_involved.shtml) or plant a tree in your own back yard.
Programs:
ConEdison
• The Power of Green – A list of 100 facts about conserving energy.
o Visit http://www.coned.com/thepowerofgreen/100tips.asp for more information.
• PowerMove – Use PowerYourWay to shop for electricity and natural gas from a variety of suppliers and qualify for a 7% discount off the ConEd price of energy supply for two months.
o Green Power – Purchase green power through ConEd. The service will cost a little extra, but you will help make New York a cleaner, greener city.
o PowerMove – Use PowerYourWay to shop for electricity and natural gas from a variety of suppliers and qualify for a 7% discount off the ConEd price of energy supply for two months.
o Visit http://www.poweryourway.com/powermove_residential.asp for more information.
• Green Power – Purchase green power through ConEd. The service will cost a little extra, but you will help make New York a cleaner, greener city.
o Visit http://www.poweryourway.com/greenpower.asp for more information.
NYSERDA
• BeCool – Replace your old air conditioner with an ENEGY STAR qualified model to be to save money and conserve energy.
o Turn in your old, functional through-the-wall air conditioner to be eligible for a $100 BeCool incentive.
o Turn in your old, functional window air conditioner to be eligible for a $35 BeCool incentive.
o Contact GetEnergySmart.org or 1-877-NY-SMART for more information, and a list of locations to turn in old units and participating retailers.
