Footprint Eco Magazine Aug / Sept 08

Your Local Guide to Green Living in the Triangle and the Triad

August / September 2008 Issue 1.3

The Naked Lunchbox Keeping Chickens Green Cleaning at Home Wet Cleaning Beats Dry

Always FREE Always GREEN

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7/10/08

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Dear Reader This month I really took some of the topics in this issue to heart as we put it together.

After Tom Grizzle agreed to write for us about keeping chickens, I thought “what a great idea” and decided to get some for myself. It then seemed natural to use the making of a chicken coop as our GIY segment. Little did I know how much sweat would go into that project. Next year I must remember how hot it can get in July and choose an indoor project.

I’ve now had my chicks for a few days and they’re over 2 weeks old now. Each time I look at them they seem to be bigger. While I’m feeding them a commercially bought feed, I’ll soon be adding more kitchen scraps to their diet. So, between the chickens and the worms we’ve really cut back on our trash. The real bonus comes in a few months when they start laying eggs and paying us back. We tend to go through a dozen in 6 days or less. At $4 per dozen that’s about $250 per year we’ll save. I expect they will pay me back for the coop and the feed pretty quickly.

Also Jennifer Newall’s piece on waste-free lunches inspired us to get a Laptop lunch system for our child, who immediately bonded with it and can’t wait to use it. Funny how quickly kids become consumers in spite of our best intentions. At least in this case it’s a positive story since the waste reduction and better food options are great benefits.

Frank Hyman’s piece on reducing one’s lawn hit a chord too. I’ve wanted to pare down my grass area for a long time. I console myself that I’m using an electric mower, so at least my emissions are comparatively minimal. Now reducing our lawn has taken on new importance in our overall priorities. I expect to grow a lot more vegetables and flowers next season.

I’ll grant I’m not rushing out to buy a flex fuel vehicle so I can drive on E85. Though there is at least one station offering E85 (Cruizers on Hwy 55 and Sedwick Rd.) in the local area.

I’ve got my sights set on either a natural gas or an electric vehicle one day.

As ever, we hunger for your comments about the magazine and how we’re doing. So go on and send in your suggestions, your observations and your ideas – even complaint mail is welcome! Email me anytime at editor@footprintecomagazine.com.

Yours truly, Paulo Nery Editor

publisher shawn covely shawn@footprintecomagazine.com editor paulo nery editor@footprintecomagazine.com advertising director wendy covely advertising@footprintecomagazine.com creative director timothy smith copy editor karen wolstenholme designers mike rosado contributing writers kim grant, tom grizzle, frank hyman, jennifer riordan newall, michal osterweil, christie perkinson, jason prater, terri schlichenmeyer, harriet whitehead, karen wolstenholme cover photo diane lewis www.DianeLewisPhotography.com advertising To advertise in this magazine, please call 919-995-8633 or email advertising@footprintecomagazine.com footprint eco magazine, l.l.c 13200 strickland road suite 114-255 raleigh, nc 27613 919-995-8633 (main) 888-565-6147 (fax) www.footprintecomagazine.com info@footprintecomagazine.com distribution distributech printed locally by triangle web printing locations Pick up the magazine at these fine establishments: whole foods, earth fare, harris teeter, lowes foods and various other locations in the Triangle and the Triad.

Footprint Eco Magazine is printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks so it’s fully compostable. But read it and share your copy widely first!

Published 6 times a year by Footprint Eco Magazine, L.L.C. Circulation 20,000.

Distribution of this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of information, products, or services. Footprint Eco Magazine reserves the right to reject any advertisement or listing that is not in keeping with the publications’s standards. © 2008 by Footprint Eco Magazine. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Re-read, Re-use, Recycle

August / September '08

contents

07

Features

13 How Much Lawn

Does One Household Need?

06 The Naked

Lunchbox

Cutting waste from school lunch

07 TS Designs

Not just a t-shirt, it’s a lifestyle

08 Keeping Chickens

It just makes sense

16 Greenhouse Gasses

And Diet

Red meat and Dairy the most GHG intensive

Departments & Columns 05 Green Portfolio

Clean returns

09 Green Cleaning

Make your own green cleaning products

11 Green It Yourself

Paulo builds a two-door coop

15 Green Tech

Products that make green living easier

17 Is Your Dry Clean

ing Wet Enough?

The case for wet cleaning versus dry

18 Driving On Corn 19 Plastic Fantastic

What do those little symbols mean?

20 Tour d’Coop 21 More Uses For

08

16

24 Urban Farm Tour 24 Breast Feeding Is Best

25 Is It Worth It To

Offset?

The truth about carbon offset programs

26 Autumn’s Bounty

Organic Apples!

27 Green Weddings

In Every Issue

23 Calendar Of Events 28 Business Listings

Vinegar

21 Recycle That 21 University Green Grades

22 Gorgeously Green

Book review

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

On the Cover Lucia Celeste is wearing the Tie Dress by Speesees.

It is made from fair trade organic cotton using low impact dyes and pvcfree plastisols. Courtesy of Twig, Chapel Hill. twigliving.com

04

Green Portfolio Investing in Green can bring returns Written by Paulo Nery FSLR FWLT TTEK FTEK COMV TRN WGOV

First Solar Foster Wheeler Tetra Tech Fuel Tech Inc Comverge Inc Trinity Industries Woodward Governor

Thin Film Photovoltaics Clean Coal Industrial Water Industrial + Wind Energy Boiler optimization & pollution reduction Clean Electricity & Grid management Wind Turbine towers Engine efficiency and wind

The green portfolio is down a bit from the end of May. At the last issue we were up over 13%, now we’re up just under 6%, but in the same time the S&P 500 has gone from up 1.78% to down almost 8%. So, green business has held up much better in the declining market.

My sample basket has companies with significant business in greening the world. These touch on obvious areas like solar and wind energy, but also on the more obscure green issues such as engine efficiency, better management of the electricity grid and reducing pollution by optimizing boilers.

April 22 Close 298.03 68.48 21.28 24.65 13.01 27.59 33.98

July 31 Close 285.03 56.77 28.73 18.53 10.90 37.64 45.00

% - 4.36% -17.10% 35.01% -24.83% -16.22% 36.43% 32.43%

Total

5.908%

S&P 500

-7.899%

around 20 to a peak just over 80 at the start of this year. But with a forward price to earnings (P/E) ratio of 13 and forecast growth at over 20% this stock represents excellent value. More so, because it has excellent visibility of its future revenues since orders are placed well in advance. And because so much of its business is overseas in growth markets like Latin America and Asia.

In the next issue, I’ll highlight Tetra Tech’s water and wind energy businesses. F

The stocks are being benchmarked from April 22nd, Earth Day, and tracked against the S&P 500 index. I’m figuring the average gain by assuming a purchase of $1000 worth of each stock on April 22nd, but allowing for fractional share purchases, and calculating the value of those shares on the close of May 30th.

Foster Wheeler (FWLT) is a global engineering and construction contractor and power equipment supplier. The two divisions operate as separate units. It’s the power equipment group that is most interesting to us because they offer environmentally friendly energy solutions. These can include new state-of-the-art power plants or bringing existing facilities up to date on environmental standards. Their solutions make power plants more efficient, cleaner and can convert waste streams to energy.

By installing their atmospheric gasifier to an existing power plant they can cut down the use of fossil fuels considerably. It allows for fuels such as biomass, industrial and municipal waste, plastics, waste paper and construction wood waste to be added to the fuel mix.

These fuels are converted into hot, low-calorific-value gas that can be fed into a pulverized coal boiler as a secondary fuel. This makes for a low-cost, low-emission, efficiency improvement to the existing system. This reduces overall emissions of SOx, NOx, particulates, CO2, dioxins, metals and chlorine.

Foster Wheeler as a stock, has not fared well lately. In part, that’s because it had a phenomenal run over the past two years from

05

In full disclosure, I currently own shares of Foster Wheeler and Fuel Tech.

The above article in no way constitutes a recommendation to buy or invest in these or any other stocks. You should always seek professional financial advice when planning your investments or trading in the stock markets.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

The Naked Lunchbox Cutting waste from kids’ school lunches Written by Jennifer Riordan Newall Soon it will be back to school for the kids. Which of course, means new school clothes, supplies, backpacks, and even lunch boxes.

I have three children and packing that midday meal each morning is something I’ll admit to not enjoying much. While the school lunches offered in my district are as nutritionally sound as they can be, I prefer my children to have a homemade lunch whenever possible.

So I pack, wrap and hermetically seal my children’s food as if they were going to the moon instead of down the road to our local elementary school. What can really go wrong on a bus ride that’s less than 2 miles? I keep on packin’ anyway. I put a sandwich in some aluminum foil or waxed paper; I add some carrot sticks in a small plastic baggie; a few cookies in another baggie and I add a juice box. All of this times 3, every day of the week, for a whole school year. When I’ve gone to meet the kids for lunch I’m completely awed by the amount of trash generated in just one lunch period. Empty milk cartons, disposable plates, sporks, aluminum foil and all of those baggies! There has to be a better way.

Then I came across a flier from a company called Obentec that made “waste-free” lunch boxes. I thought to myself, “Is this a gimmick to get my kids to eat everything on their plates?” No, this was even better. Obentec makes colorful rectangular boxes with different sized containers inside, eliminating the need for packaging, wrapping and sealing each food item. Absolutely no waste at all!

On Obentec’s website I found a link to wastefreelunches.org. Here I was disturbed to discover how much garbage we are actually generating every time we send a child to school with disposable wrapping: 67 pounds of waste per school year for a typical elementary school child. For an average sized elementary school, that works out to 18,760 pounds of lunch waste a year. The site also includes a cost comparison between disposable and wastefree lunches: A disposable lunch costs $4.02 per day as opposed to about $2.65 for a waste-free lunch. That is a savings of about $246.60 per child per year. Hey, I’ll take that!

While Obentec’s Laptop Lunch System is not cheap, I considered what I was getting. A reusable plastic “bento” style box with four individual containers, one with a cover for yogurt or spillable items, a small container for dressing or dip, a fork and a spoon (no sporks here!) and one 13 oz bottle for a drink. This all comes in an insulated carry-case with strap, pocket for a icepack and name tag.

Obentec also gives you a great recipe and lunch idea book. The whole thing runs about $35.00. I spend close to that in a month for one child’s school bought lunch so I knew that the initial investment for all three kids would certainly pay off in no time.

If you are anything like me, you are probably asking, “Plastic? I am not sure about that.” Well, I was concerned about that as well. The FAQ’s section of the Laptop Lunches site assures customers that the plastic used in these lunch kits are made from polypropylene

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

and polyethylene, which are approved by the FDA for food use.

Additionally, Obentec says that it does not use any plasticizers, binding agents, suspected carcinogens or endocrine disrupters in their plastics (no phthalates or bisphenol-A) and the carry case is lead free.

For those of us who want to avoid using plastic, Obentec does offer stainless steel lunch jars and drink bottles. In addition, there is an adorable all-in-one stainless steel lunch “box” made by ToGo Ware that comes with bamboo utensils. It’s modeled after the Indian Tiffin box and features two separate stacked food containers and a plate. Add a Sigg or KleanKanteen water bottle and a cloth napkin and you are all set! You can find ToGo Ware’s lunch kit at reusablebags.com.

When I brought home the Laptop Lunch system for my children they were so excited that they couldn’t wait to use them. They loved having a place for all their different food items and loved all the attention their new lunch boxes received from their friends and teachers even more.

Now packing the lunches is fun for me. I like to pack turkey and cheese wraps cut into four so they can fit into one of the larger containers. I add carrots in another container, some granola or almonds in another and fruit in the last. I fill up the bottle with water, milk or some juice, add a cloth napkin and an ice pack and I’m done. I also find it’s easier to use up my leftovers with this system.

My son loves leftover meatloaf sandwiches and cold broccoli with a little ranch dressing as a dip.

I know my kids are eating better than before which is reason enough to do this. And, they tend to finish their lunch since I can pack more of a variety of foods. As for clean-up, I just rinse out the containers with some hot soapy water and leave them to dry on the rack. Since there are several components to each box that could get lost, I recommend writing your child’s name on each little container. I’ve had them for a year now and have not lost one!

It often just takes one person with some passion to take the initiative and make the first move with changes like this. After seeing other laptop lunch sets sprout at my kids’ school I plan to be that person this year. How about you? F References: • wastefreelunches.org (general info on waste-free lunches) • laptoplunches.com (bento-style lunch boxes) • reusablebags.com (stainless steel lunch kits) • www.epa.gov/epaoswer/education/lunch.htm (educational resources)

06

Not Just a T-Shirt It’s a lifestyle

to exports once the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into place. But, thanks to a good friend, Sam Moore from Burlington Chemical Company, they were introduced to the ideas of sustainability and triple-bottom-line, or three P’s.

Seeking to be more sustainable led them to invent their patented Rehance® process which results in a brighter, longer lasting print and a far lower impact because they’re not using plastisol like other t-shirt printers. White areas, for instance, are not applied with ink or dye like other companies do. Rather, it is the absence of dye that creates a bright white that doesn’t wear off or fade. They print the designs first then dye the shirts so that the dye is repelled from the print areas. This way the print is in the fabric, rather than on the fabric. And of course, the whole process is water based with no heavy metals, formaldehyde or other toxins.

But, as I said, the tour of the facilities had little to do with that. To start with, Tom told us about how they capture the condensation from both the air conditioning and the ice machine and use that water to flush toilets. We then saw their compost piles outside and how they are using colorful bits of fabric waste as garden mulch. Each of the employees is now given a raised square bed to plant and tend.

This is a program they call “square foot gardening.” Watering is only by hand to encourage a mindfulness of the resource and avoid waste.

One of the more surprising features was a giant compost pile, inside of which was buried a water barrel. We pulled out the thermometer, which read 160 Degrees F. They are also experimenting with a greenhouse made as a lean-to on the south side of the building, where they can start plants growing. To moderate the temperature within, there are ventilation flaps that open at a preset temperature and air is pumped in from a smaller compost pile to warm it if needed.

Here in North Carolina we are fortunate to have many sustainable enterprises that see beyond simply profit, to an optimistic future that includes people and the planet – the three P’s of sustainable business.

One of the brightest stars in the area must be TS Designs, a manufacturer of screen printed t-shirts.

Along with several attendees of a Sustainable NC function that was hosted at TS Designs’ offices near Burlington, I enjoyed a tour of their facilities that was both inspiring and educational.

Tom Sineath, the CEO, who guided 25 of us around the grounds kept reminding people, “we are a t-shirt company,” because very little of what he showed us had anything to do with making, dyeing or printing shirts.

What was patently obvious to all was the unbridled passion that Tom and Eric Henry, TS Designs’ President, both share for their company and their intense desire for it to provide something far deeper than just a return on investment. They’re out to demonstrate that love of business and caring for the wider environment are mutually compatible. And, that by applying some mindful and caring practices which engage the entire staff – like their “square foot gardens” – they can have a positive impact on their community that pays off big. Their mission is really to show that sustainability is the right business model for the present and future.

TS Designs wasn’t always a “sustainable” business. They built a successful business over 30 years ago but then lost 90% of their customers

07

Right next to a patch of square foot gardens is a small recent structure made of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) blocks, which are extremely energy efficient and easy for self-builders to work with.

This houses a new biodiesel pump station that members of Piedmont Biofuels, which includes many staff, can take advantage of to fuel up.

They also have a processing facility where the team turns waste fats from nearby restaurants into 100-300 gallons of automotive biodiesel each week.

Near the front of the building, they have installed a 3-kilowatt solar array that tracks the sun for that little extra bit of efficiency. And they recently put up a 1-kilowatt wind turbine too. When the sun is not shining, the wind is usually blowing, so it offers a nice balance.

Clearly, they have not done all of these projects to increase their financial returns. It is obvious from the look on Tom’s face throughout the tour that he gets a real buzz from all of the sustainability initiatives. Then as I met several of the employees at the plant afterwards, it was plain that they love working at TS Designs. If nothing else, these efforts have created a sense of community within the company that nurtures them and cultivates a spirit unlike any business I have ever seen.

TS Designs with all of these amazing projects have cut their carbon footprint right down and they are aiming at being completely carbon neutral in the near future. But, even deeper things are going on here.

They have created an oasis to inspire businesses and individuals everywhere. We are very lucky to have them here in the Piedmont. F TSDesigns is located in Burlington. For more information, visit their site at www.tsdesigns.com.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Keeping Chickens Makes Sense Written by Tom Grizzle It is a fact that planet earth is getting warmer. While an international scientific consensus has been reached that global climate change is real, the precise cause(s) remain to be conclusively resolved. To date, scientists can claim a greater than 90% chance that warmer temperatures are the direct result of human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels. Given a greater than 90% chance of winning in Las Vegas, we would all quit our jobs! It’s as good as settled science…human activities got us into this mess, and so many human activities will need to change!

Knowing this, one is naturally left wondering what one can do to change our lives so we emit less carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases (methane, etc.). Much carbon is emitted in the production and transportation of foods from distant locations.

There is a movement underway to eat more locally in order to create a more healthy local economy, and to reduce demand for Chilean grapes, New Zealand apples, and even domestic produce grown on the opposite side of the continent. A new term has cropped up, “locovore,” which refers to a person who eats only local foods. While this may be challenging to take on fully, as in, all foods one eats must come from within a 100 mile radius, we can all begin moving in that general direction.

The possibility of keeping chickens in order to eat more locally is one strategy that can be easily adopted. Fresh eggs, disposal of table and food preparation scraps, reduced landfill waste, droppings to compost into fertilizer, and good pets…these are but some of the benefits derived from befriending chickens (Gallus gallus).

Backyard chickens have been with humans for millennia, and there are even ancient Egyptian tombs with pictures of eggs. They have always made sense as an on-site food source and as an incomeproducer for farms, but now many small town and even city dwelling residents are keeping chickens for a variety of uses, as well as for the sheer pleasure of getting to know their birds. Another aspect to keeping chickens is keeping meat-type birds, which is beyond the scope of this article. However, it seems intuitive that most old laying hens are probably eaten by their owners, those that don’t make it into the pet cemetery.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Most homes consume eggs because it is one of the more versatile and affordable foods available. Eggs from backyard chickens will spoil your taste buds! Store-bought eggs soon become a last resort, or for use as a baking ingredient so one can save the backyard chicken eggs for eating native. The shells are thicker, the yolks are bright orange and tastier, and the whites stand at attention when put into a pan, instead of running all over.

Eggs vary in size according to the age of the laying hen. At about 5 months of age, hens start laying eggs, and they can lay up to 300 eggs in a year, depending upon the breed.

Older hens typically lay larger eggs than younger hens, and after a few years egg production tapers off to zero. There is no need to have a rooster because hens lay eggs with or without a rooster, and roosters are banned in many townships due to the nuisance of early morning crowing. While most of the eggs we eat are unfertilized, there is essentially no difference in eating a fertilized egg if it was kept refrigerated.

In North America there have been no cases of avian influenza (bird flu) among the human population of so many hundreds of millions. That aside, there are numerous other diseases and parasites that can decimate your flock, some of which can be transmitted to humans, not unlike keeping dogs or cats.

It’s a good habit to wash hands before and after gathering eggs or handling your chickens.

A discussion of chickens would not be complete without mention of chicken poop. An average sized hen can produce about a cubic foot of manure every 6 months. Chicken manure is among the richest of the commonly available animal manures. Uncomposted chicken manure is too strong to use as plant fertilizer because it could harm roots and possibly kill the plant, but once composted, it is black gold! Chicken manure provides not only high amounts of nitrogen, but also phosphorus and potassium (the three N-P-K numbers shown on fertilizer bags).

Keeping a backyard flock therefore integrates well with vegetable gardening, and all but eliminates the need to buy fertilizers. The latter are made by using hydrocarbons, and emit huge amounts of carbon dioxide and methane, potent greenhouse gases.

Al Gore was not overstating the issue when he said (to paraphrase) that global climate change constitutes the greatest challenge ever to face humankind. The time for change is upon us. It is time to go beyond even ‘thinking outside the box.’ We need to recycle that box and create whole new ways of living. Keeping your own chickens, an ancient practice that makes sense on so many fronts, is but one way to begin our societal transition to whatever lies ahead. F

08

Green Cleaning at Home Written by Karen Wolstenholme Since the fifties, household cleaning products have increasingly been expected to possess super powers. Gone is the notion that a cleaning job might need a bit of elbow grease; these cleaners need to perform with a mere wipe, squirt or dab. Chemicals have blazed a trail, and consumers have been seduced by the hype.

But this has been at quite a cost, and I don’t just mean financial.

Our health suffers when we use these products and so does our planet. According to the EPA, people can experience “eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; loss of coordination; nausea; and damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous systems” from indoor exposure to these chemicals. We are profoundly affected by the quality of the air that we breathe, the purity of the water we drink and bathe in, as well as the cleaners and creams our skin absorbs. It’s not just food that can poison us.

In my own health practice, I have seen the effects of chemicals, pesticides and heavy metals on my patients’ health. Chemicals were the cause of inflammation, asthma, hormonal and skin problems. Working to get these patients better encouraged a period of intense research and re-evaluation of the choices that I and my patients were making with foods, water filters, air filtration, cleaning products, bug sprays – the list seemed endless.

Cleaning products, I realized early on, were particularly tricky because they don’t need to list their ingredients by law like foods do. So I’ve tried to use safer alternatives wherever possible.

Then I started making my own cleaners with soap, water, borax, baking soda, white vinegar, and essential oils. I can almost hear you all groaning, “who has got the time?” but I promise, if you can bake muffins, you can make your own cleaning products.

The humidity here is a particular challenge since it encourages mold growth. Prevention is important, so try to get rid of moisture in the house as quickly as possible. Then before I reach for bleach I try several alternatives: •

Full strength vinegar followed with a spray of hydrogen peroxide. Test this first because it could bleach some paints.

•

Make a spray from two teaspoons of Tea Tree essential oil with two cups of water.

•

For stubborn mildew try putting an inch of copper wire in a bottle of vinegar for a couple of days. Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle and clean the mildew. The copper will help prevent the mildew returning.

•

09

Well established mildew can be scrubbed off grout with an old toothbrush and a paste of borax and water. Borax is toxic so be careful and wear gloves.

Of course, it is important to weigh the health consequences of untreated mold against the occasional use bleach. The persistent mold on the inner seal of my front-loading washing machine was I admit one such occasion.

The solution for me today as a busy mom is to rely heavily on my DIY cleaners because they work, they’re easy to make and they save money. As a back up I’ll keep some nontoxic, biodegradable cleaners that are free of synthetic fragrances such as Seventh Generation, Ecover and Charlie’s Soap on hand. Whether you chose to make your own cleaners or buy safe ones off the shelf you’ll be looking after your family’s health by eliminating VOCs and toxins from your cleaning routine. F References: • coopamerica.org/pubs/realmoney/articles/greencleaners.cfm • afterthegreenguide.com • Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck • Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Cleaning Recipes

Most jobs can easily be managed with just these few basics.

Bea’s Grandma’s Dishwasher Powder

Ingredients: • 1 cup borax • 1 cup baking soda • Quarter cup of salt • Quarter cup of citric acid (available from Whole Foods Market in Herbs and Health section) • 30 drops of essential oil such as lemon, grapefruit, tangerine

I would also recommend buying some of these items to properly contain and label your cleaners: • • • •

16 oz recycled spray bottles (Sprayco are great) labels 16 oz squirt bottles 16 oz shaker containers with flip top lids (Rubbermaid Servin’ saver is good)

Directions: Add the ingredients to a sealable shaker and mix it up. Use 1 tbsp in each cup of your dishwasher. This works out at 8 cents a load compared to name brands at 22 cents!

All-Purpose Cleaner

Use this for hard surfaces like countertops and kitchen floors, windows and mirrors.

Ingredients: • 2 cups white distilled vinegar • 2 cups water • 20-30 or more drops of essential oil (optional; lemon cuts grease, tea tree cuts mold and lavender simply smells great)

Creamy Soft Scrub

Great for kitchen counters, stoves, bathroom sinks, etc.

Ingredients: • 2 cups baking soda • ½ cup liquid castile soap • 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative) • 5 drops lavender, tea tree or rosemary antibacterial essential oil Directions: Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar for a shelf life of 2 years.

Tip: For exceptionally tough jobs spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted—let sit and follow with scrub.

Furniture Polish

Ingredients: • 1/4 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar • 20-30 drops lemon essential oil (or 2 tsp lemon juice but then it must be refrigerated) Directions: Shake well before using Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into corners or tight places.

Tip: To remove water spots rub well with toothpaste. To remove scratches use 1 part lemon juice and 1 part oil, rub with soft cloth.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

10

Green It Yourself — The Two-Door Coop Paulo sets out to make a chicken tractor Written by Paulo Nery I’ve acquired four baby chicks which will in a few months be providing my family with plenty of fresh eggs. Chickens need a place to call home. This can either be a full blown hen house or what’s called a tractor. The tractor is a movable enclosure that means you can shift it around the garden spreading the chicken manure around enriching the soil.

After studying the alternatives, I decided on an A-frame style tractor because it seems to use the materials more efficiently and ought to be lighter which will make it easier to move about the yard.

After looking at several photos online I designed this by borrowing liberally and accommodating some materials I had on hand, like the planks from an old fence I pulled down recently.

The basic form is a 4 foot wide and 8 foot long rectangular base and a A-frame structure like a pup tent. At one end, I enclosed a little chicken house 2-feet deep and with a floor raised about 10 inches off the ground.

Along one side, I have a door that hinges upward allowing me a big opening to put in food and water.

The Frame First, I made rectangular base from two 8-foot lengths of 2x2 and two 4-foot lengths and screwed them into blocks at the corners for stability. I used mainly 2” and 1½” galvanized decking screws throughout.

chicken coop right? I also left out three horizontal planks at the back to make a hatch for taking out eggs, and I cut a door on the inner face for the chicks to get in. I used 2x2 to hold together the rear hatch door and extra bits of 1x2 to reinforce the inner doorway.

I then ran a 1x2 piece horizontally across just above the 1x2 lengthwise strips. That will be a perch for the chickens as they get older. Then I made a door on the side out of 1x2s. This spanned from one of the inner sides to the other and from the top ridge to the 1x2 strip. I used small angle brackets to hold it together and placed an extra 1x2 across the middle vertically to reinforce it.

Finishing off All that’s left is the chicken wire stapled around the whole structure, putting hinges on the door and the hatch and making a ramp from the ground to the door of the hen house.

I went through two boxes of 10 mm staples putting

Then I cut four pairs of supports from 2x2s that would rise vertically to a central ridge beam which is a 1x4. These diagonal sides of the “A” are 4 feet long so I could use one 8 foot length to make both sides. I cut an acute 30 degree angle at the top of each piece where it would meet the ridge and lie flat. Then a 60 degree angle at the bottom where it sits on the base. I screwed the two end supports to one side of the 1x4 ridge piece then drove screws upward from the underside of the base to fix the bottoms. I needed a helping hand to hold it while I attached the end pieces on the opposite side in the same way. From there on I could do everything alone. The other two diagonal supports were placed 2 feet in from each end leaving a 4 foot section in the middle where my door would go.

Next, I used two 1x2 strips lengthwise just over a foot off the ground and screwed that into the 2x2 sides. Here’s one place I used the 1½ inch screws so they wouldn’t pop out the other side. This piece added stability and gave me a place to support the floor at one end as well as forming the base of where the main opening would be.

The House I began cutting my planks to length and screwing them horizontally across the two 2x2 supports on one end to form the hen house, placing them tightly together from the top down to the 1x2 strip below. I used the same planks to close in the back and front but had to mark each diagonal cut because somehow the frame wasn’t perfectly symmetrical. It’s just a

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www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

the wire on. Partly because I used an extra layer of hardware cloth along the bottom half. I did that to strengthen it and make it harder for cats or racoons to sneak paws through and hurt the chicks.

I figure it was two days work, though I stretched it out over a week and a half in bursts of 1 or 2 hours at a time in the mornings before it got too hot. My material costs were just under $100, though I used free recycled wood planks and benefited from my neighbor’s spare poultry wire so it might have cost up to $150. On balance, it’s a great project that’s big enough to be interesting and small enough to stay relaxed about. F Materials: • 8 2x2s pressure treated • 6 1x2s pressure treated • 1 1x4 pressure treated • 2” and 1½” decking screws • 10 mm staples • 4 small hinges + 2 bolts • roll of poultry wire • planking or ply to enclose hen house

Can you keep chickens?

Within city or town limits there are often restrictions on what animals you may keep. Here in the Triangle, Durham stands out as not permitting chickens. However, there is a movement afoot to change that, and a petition is going around. If you live in Raleigh, there are no restrictions on keeping chickens. And in Chapel Hill there is a limit of 20 chickens that you can keep within the city limits. Anyone living in the county is not restricted from keeping chickens unless by your homeowners’ association, if you have one.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

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How much lawn does one household need?

Written by Frank Hyman A couple of years ago I prepared to do without a lawn entirely. As I transformed our weedy patch of a front yard into a Whitman’s Sampler of gardens, my wife asked: “Can we keep some grass?” I replied with a frown. “Just a little? A lawnlet?”, she asked. At this, I brightened and said, “Well, when you put it that way…”

Now, in between the raised beds of vegetables, the carnivorous plant garden and a bed of meadow perennials you’ll find a cozy, wedge-shaped “bed” of fescue grass — our lawnlet. It’s just big enough for a couple of adults and a black lab named Molly to loll around on. We use this bed for star-gazing at night and flowergazing during the day.

I can mow this bed in 7 minutes (I counted ‘em) with a sling blade in one hand and a mug of beer in the other, while chatting with neighbors as they walk their dog or push a stroller. Talk about multi-tasking. I’d like to see other lawn-proud gardeners try that.

It may not be to your taste, but don’t sneer at our micro-patch of grass. If you’ve ever envied those fields of fescue on some corporate campus or even some neighbor’s plush front lawn, keep in mind that sustaining a non-native plant like fescue in the southeast is almost as challenging as keeping something as artificial as an aquarium looking good. It takes lots of monitoring and lots of expensive products applied at just the right time and in the right amounts. Much of the problem with fish kills in our rivers and the decline of shellfish on our coasts stem from the fossil fuel-based nitrogen, phosphorus and herbicides running off of many square miles of lawn. It’s not a stretch to say that less lawn could mean more seafood.

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Maintenance on a large lawn doesn’t just kill seafood, it’s also murder on your free time. While I lounge around on our lawnlet, I might spend about five minutes every month or two hand pulling the few weeds. A couple of fistfuls of organic lawn fertilizer—18-8-6 from Plant Tone—spread on Valentine’s Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving supplement the nutrients from the lawn clippings that I leave in place to decompose. That and a couple of fistfuls of lime every other year to keep the pH up around 6,5 takes about 5 minutes tops. An occasional watering from a 1950’s era sprinkler during the summer and raking the autumn leaves for the compost pile keeps the lawnlet green and lush year-round and no threat to sea life or my relaxation schedule. The best time to start or reseed a fescue lawnlet in our area is September. The roots will have all fall winter and spring to establish themselves before summer.

The time we used to spend mowing and tending the front yard when it was all lawn, we now spend cutting flowers, harvesting vegetables and herbs, mulching beds with shredded leaves in winter and laying around on our grass bed watching the clouds, flowers and birds.

So how much lawn does one household need? Some might be happy with no more than a lawnlet. We are. F

Frank Hyman is a garden designer in Durham. The Mediterranean garden he created at Mad Hatter restaurant recently received an Appearance Award from Keep Durham Beautiful.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Green Tech

Products that make green living easier Oliso Frisper

For airtight food storage the Oliso Frisper is a snap. One click is all it takes. Fill a bag with ingredients, produce, leftovers, or anything you want to keep fresh. Place the bag under Frisper’s lid, close it and let go; Frisper will do the rest. Vac-Snap bags open without scissors or knife, so you can take what you need and reseal the rest in seconds.

Available from Twig in Chapel Hill, www.twigliving.com

Vortex Hand-Crank Blender

The Vortex Blender is human-powered! Take it out on picnics or camping for those times you just have to have a smoothie. Or use it at home to save electricity or teach kids about the value of electricity. It has a c-clamp to keep it stable, an ergonomic handle and two-speeds of operation. Made by GSI Outdoors, available from www.gsioutdoors.com and other retailers for $79.95

Firewinder

This nifty helical wing captures wind energy and turns it into a light show. With no batteries or wiring its spinning action driven by wind lights up 14 LED lights that get brighter as the wind speed picks up. In strong winds its spiraling light effects can be seen from over 250 yards away. Available soon from www.firewinder.com for about $200 plus shipping.

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www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Does Your Diet Give You Greenhouse Gas?

Eating red meat produces high levels of greenhouse gasses Many of us have been thinking more about eating locally sourced foods recently. The rapid rise in gasoline prices has served to sharpen our awareness of how much energy goes into transporting our food around the country. But a recent study released in Environmental Science & Technology has found that transport contributes just 11 percent of all food-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study is very thorough in accounting for all of the GHGs like nitrous oxide and methane, not just carbon dioxide (CO2) like some studies. 11 percent is less than I would have guessed, but here’s the big number, a monstrous 83 percent of GHGs is a result of the production process itself. That comes mostly from fertilizer and animal digestion and is very much higher for red meats than chicken, fish or vegetables.

To put food consumption into perspective, the author of the study, Christopher Weber of Carnegie Mellon University, and colleague Scott Matthews conducted a life-cycle assessment of greenhouse gases. This encompassed all stages of growing and transporting food consumed in the U.S. They calculated that the average U.S. household generates 8.1 metric tons of greenhouse gases (in CO2 equivalents) annually, as a result of food consumption. That’s almost twice the output of a typical car – typical being 25 MPG, 12,000 miles per year generating 4.4 metric tons of CO2.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 0815

Weber says that simply eating less red meat is a more effective way of reducing our food-related GHG footprint than buying all local food. In fact, if U.S. consumers simply eat at least one-seventh of their weekly calories from chicken, fish or vegetables rather than red meat or dairy, they can do more to reduce GHGs than if they bought all local foods. F 6% - Oils / Sweets 6% - Beverages 30% - Red Meat

9% - Other

10% - Chicken/Fish

11% - Fruit / Veggies

18% - Dairy Products

11% - Cereals / Carbs Via Science News: http://pubs.acs.org/subscribe/journals/esthag-w/2008/apr/ science/ee_foodmiles.html

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Is Your Dry Cleaning Wet Enough?

Do you know that scent on the clothes that you bring back from a dry cleaner? That’s the delightful aroma of perchloroethylene or “perc”, as it’s known.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), even brief exposure to perc “can adversely affect the human nervous system.” It can produce effects ranging from dizziness, fatigue, headache, sweating to loss of coordination. Longer exposures can cause liver or kidney damage in humans.

Still want to wear dry cleaned garments? Since Footprint Eco Magazine is all about the positive, the good news is that there are alternatives.

Some cleaners offer what they call organic cleaning. My dad is a chemist, so I learned long ago that the term “organic” refers to any compound that contains a carbon atom. That includes all of the petroleum derivatives, even perc. So, while some “organic” dry cleaners may be well intentioned, you need to ask what they use to clean the clothes and if they use perc in the shop at all.

An even better alternative we’ve found is wet cleaning. More and more dry cleaners are offering this now too. But be careful to inquire about how they do wet cleaning. One wet cleaning method involves specialized machines that are manufactured by Miele to effectively clean almost any garment. Thus far, the only cleaners to offer this in the Triangle are H2Only Cleaners.

through the inside to relax the fabric. This uses much less energy than traditional steam pressing and puts less heat into the store.

The cleaning takes place in one of two machines they have. These sophisticated computer controlled machines can be very precisely programmed for different fabrics. Wools and silks are not actually submerged in water but are gently moistened to remove soils from the fibers. Other items, like dress shirts may require a higher water level. The soaps they use are biodegradable, and the conditioners are formulated from natural sources like soy and citrus. And, for certain stubborn stains they use banana oil as a de-greaser.

Apart from being a greener cleaner operation, the method is better for your clothes. Cleaning with water doesn’t strip the lanolin from your wool garments, so they stay supple longer and feel better. Apparently, the secret lies in their ability to prevent the individual fibers from actually absorbing water but still allowing the soils to be lifted away.

The process overall, uses far less energy and no PERC. So, it’s a no-brainer for dry cleaners to make a wholesale shift in this direction soon. For the time being we have H2Only offering this service through its four stores in in Morrisville, Chapel Hill and Brier Creek. F

I visited H2Only’s laundering facilities in Morrisville and was seriously impressed. For one, they’re happy to tour anyone around their operation. How many dry cleaners will give you a tour?

H2Only have a range of sophisticated pressing machines totally unlike anything I imagined. For instance, the shirt press is shaped like a torso with padded bands to tighten and tension the shirt onto it. Then a burst of steam puffs

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www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Driving on Corn Just over two years ago, GM began its green campaign promising new levels of fuel efficiency through a variety of new technologies. This transition would start with “flex-fuel” vehicles (FFVs) designed to run on E-85, a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. E85, as the first wide-scale renewable bio-fuel, offered the promise of immediate reductions in petroleum consumption and emissions.

Written by Jason Prater

If E85 had better distribution, consumers could be paying about 17.6% less per gallon at the pump vs regular gasoline. That’s right; the national price of E85 at the time of this writing is $3.29 per gallon versus $3.99 for regular gasoline.

Optimism radiated from the highest levels at GM reflected in comments from Robert Lutz, General Motors vice chairman and “Design Czar”:

One issue hampering availability is that E85 is more corrosive than gasoline for both vehicle fuel systems as well as underground storage tanks. Given that underground storage tanks are both expensive (over $100,000) and carry red tape (environmental impact, permits etc.) you can see why E85 has gained only limited popularity.

“There’s no reason the automotive industry can’t go to 100 percent E85 vehicles, and the world we love doesn’t have to change.

It requires the least change in consumer behavior.”

Some argue that corn-based ethanol is economically unviable, trading 30% of our food for 3% of our fuel. However, the rapid rise in demand for corn and its increasing price have more to do with the global agricultural markets spurred by NAFTA trade with Latin America plus the explosive growth in demand from China and India.

Automotive News, January 21, 2008

With more than 6 million Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) vehicles on U.S. roads today, one would think E85 was off to a great start. But how many people do you know who use E85? Toyota’s Prius, with only 604,693 vehicles on U.S. roads – a mere 10% of FFVs – seems to be far ahead in the publicity rankings. So why is E85 still on the slow-track? And are there other bio-fuels alternatives that could rise to prominence in the next few years?

Perfect Storm In 2007, California, New York and Illinois accounted for more than 30% of all car sales based on RL POLK registration data. Success within these three markets for E85 would clearly make this alternative bio-fuel America’s first serious step towards energy independence and greenhouse gas reduction.

Yet, a survey of filling stations on E85fuel.com revealed the current counts for E85 fueling stations in these key automotive markets as: California (9 stations), New York (22 stations), and Illinois (173 stations).

For the entire country E85fuel.com shows only 1,651 stations. And if you look at the retailers, you’ll notice that the leading major gas retailers are absent.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

The Future of E85 Despite these market challenges, E85 is a smart start for the U.S. as we work towards cleaner energy and fossil-fuel independence.

While the bulk of today’s U.S. ethanol production comes from corn, there’s an untapped source that can be easily exploited agricultural residue. Agricultural residue is normally plowed under after a crop harvest, yet could yield 14.5 billion gallons of ethanol - four times current output - with no additional crop demands.

Cellulosic ethanol produced from sugar cane or residual wood products offers the possibilities of higher-ethanol yields as well as eliminating organic waste. In fact, cellulose-based ethanol is more energy-efficient to produce, produces fewer greenhouse gases and has more plentiful feedstocks than starch-based ethanol.

With all this potential and a consumer preference shift towards hybrids or diesel vehicles, E85’s long-term future will be determined over the next 24 months.

A Case For E85 Despite the debate over economic viability, E85 has promise in a transition role to wean us off fossil fuels and cut greenhouse gas emissions quickly. (continued on next page)

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Brazil blazed a path towards fossil-fuel independence with sugarcane ethanol. Over 5 million (or 10%) of its vehicles are new generation FFVs now. This has reduced Brazil’s oil imports by US$50 billion (1975–2002) and it shows that bio-fuels can work with the right policies in place.

The daily U.S demand for gasoline is over 250 million gallons per day. So it’s a big habit to break. E85 offers a transition path that can apply to many of our existing vehicles and leverage our existing distribution network. E85 and its cousin, bio-diesel, both move us one step closer to a cleaner driving future. F

Plastic Fantastic Are you still confused about those symbols on the bottom of plastic containers? That’s perfectly understandable. They are there to tell us what type of plastic the item is made from. But, I doubt they were meant to be understood by the public at large.

It can be useful to know what type of plastic you’re looking at, particularly if you want to avoid certain types or want to recycle them. So here’s a short run down on the seven codes you’ll see.

No.1 is polyethylene terephthalate or PET, sometimes written PETE. It is mostly seen in drink bottles, food jars, vegetable oil and dressing bottles. It can be recycled and is usually accepted at curbside pickups.

No.6 Polystyrene which can be a foam or rigid product. It is widely considered to be one of the plastics to avoid because it may leach toxins into foods. It is also difficult to recycle. Polystyrene is used to make disposable plates and cups, egg cartons, take-out containers and compact disc cases. Few recycling programs will yet accept polystyrene.

No.7 is the catchall miscellaneous of plastic resins that don’t fit the other categories. Things like the large 5-gallon jugs, sunglasses, computer cases and many other items fall into this category which is not typically recycled. Beware that Polycarbonate bottles fall into this category too. That’s the one that many people are now concerned about for the potential to leach hormone disruptors. F

Which ones to avoid No.3 – may release phthalates into food and drink. The risk increases when containers are put through the dishwasher and as they age.

No.6 – may release styrene and other toxic products as it breaks down. The risk is greatest when it is heated. So why are coffee cups made of this?

No.7 – may release bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor, from polycarbonate containers. Be particularly careful with baby bottles that could be made of polycarbonate.

No.2 is high density polyethylene or HDPE, a very versatile plastic. It is found in milk jugs, trash bags, yogurt tubs, household cleaner bottles and the liners of cereal boxes. It can be recycled and is usually accepted at curbside pickups. In my area they only accept bottles, not tubs.

No.3 is Vinyl or Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). This is a tough plastic that is often used in piping, siding and other outdoor applications where weathering is an issue. It is also found in a variety of bottles such as cleaners and detergents as well as the jacketing around electrical wires. It is not typically recycled though it can be recycled into decking, siding, gutters, mats and many other things. Be careful never to burn PVC because it will release dangerous toxins such as chlorine.

No.4 is Low Density Polyethylene or LDPE. This is a tough flexible plastic found in squeezable bottles, shopping bags, bread bags, dry cleaning bags, carpet and furniture. It is not typically recycled though more communities are starting to accept it at curbside pick ups. Many stores now accept plastic shopping bags for recycling which can convert them into paneling, lumber, landscaping ties, trash liners, compost bins, shipping envelopes and even floor tiles.

No.5 is Polypropylene, which because of its high melting point is often used in containers that are exposed to heat. Its uses include syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, medicine bottles, yogurt containers, bottle caps and drinking straws. A few curbside programs are starting to accept polypropylene. When it is recycled it can become brooms, brushes, auto battery cases, ice scrapers, landscape borders, bins, pallets and many other things.

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www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Hen-side the Beltline Tour d’Coop Around 20 Raleigh chicken owners invite the public to visit their coops each year. This year’s Tour d’Coop was the third year for the event that took place in mid-May. So watch out for next year’s event by checking their website or the Footprint Eco Magazine calendar.

Why do I keep chickens? Coop owners who were asked that question gave answers like, “I wanted to teach my children where food comes from”, “I wanted to live a more sustainable life”, “I grew up on a farm and wanted to continue some of those traditions”, “chickens make me laugh!”, “chicken manure makes great compost.” Gardeners, parents, farmers’ children, environmentalists and people with a sense of humor all enjoy keeping chickens in an urban environment. F www.kalmialandscapedesign.com/tourdcoop.htm

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

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The Many Uses For Vinegar Relief from insect bites a collection of useful and decorative items including scarves, pillows, throws & other cute stuff.

handcrafted from recycled sweaters. find details of our upcoming shows at

www.wornhome.com

Eighty-four percent of a typical household’s waste — including food scraps, yard waste, paper, cardboard, cans, and bottles — can be recycled.

Recycle that?

We’ve got an old computer sitting around and I wondered how best to recycle it. Looking into the question I found that the EPA estimates that 75% of computers sit in storage for several years before finally being discarded. Well, it looks like I’ve unwittingly proven at least the first part of that. If it had any real value we might be able to sell it. But, I doubt it would fetch $10, since we bought it in Europe from a manufacturer you don’t see in the US. I don’t want to throw it away because the electronics contain lead and other metals and chemicals that should not be put into a landfill. One option is to drop it off at Office Depot (See www. officedepot.com/recycle). They apparently will accept most officetype electronics, small TV’s etc. IBM will also recycle your computer but will charge $30 including shipping for the privilege. Or, if you go to www.sharetechnology.org you can find a list of local places that might accept a computer.

Another option is to head to Durham Whole Foods Market on the 1st Saturday of each month where they accept all sorts of materials for recycling including: paints, plastics, vinyl siding, pvc pipe, computers, computer components, cell phones, electronics, many metals and much more. F

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This summer seems to have more mosquitoes than last year. I am not usually much affected, partly because they head for my wife first. But I’ve been spending several cool mornings outside alone lately finishing off the chicken coop and they just love nipping at my ankles. I read that Vinegar can be used to dampen the sting of insect bites. A few years ago I was snorkeling in the tropics and swam through a swarm of tiny jelly fish. When I climbed onto the boat stinging all over someone handed me a bottle of vinegar and told me to splash myself with it. It worked wonderfully. So I was prepared to believe that it would work on mosquito bites too.

At first I put some drops on a cotton ball and applied it to my ankles where the worst bites were. Not much of a result there, so I poured more like a tablespoon onto a paper towel and rubbed it on. Better, but still not as good as I’d like. So next, I poured more like a quarter-cup onto a wash cloth and repeatedly rubbed in into my ankles. After several minutes of wiping the cloth over my ankles repeatedly I started to feel much better. It didn’t last much more than a half hour though.

If you’re prepared to sit with a wash cloth soaked in vinegar to swab the bites repeatedly, then this could be a great alternative to cortisone based anti-itch medications. I’d rather not use those products myself, so I would do this again, though I’ll skip straight to the generous splash on a wash-cloth stage. F

Local Universities Rank Well In ‘Green’ Grades The latest annual survey of colleges by The Princeton Review has introduced a new green rating which it is producing with help from ecoAmerica, a non-profit environmental marketing agency.

The new rating is tallied for 534 colleges and is available on their online profiles as well as the 2009 print directory, “Best 368 Colleges” just published.

Schools are being measured on their institutional commitment to the environment, their work on preparing students for the environmental challenges of the workplace, and students’ ability to live sustainable lives. The rating scores colleges from 60 to 99.

By that measure, our local schools did pretty well. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill earned 96. Duke University 93, and North Carolina State University 90. Only 11 schools earned the highest mark of 99. F

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Gorgeously Green Author: Sophie Uliano Every time you turn around, someone mentions “going green”. All that talk is making you positively blue.

You already recycle. You buy organic, you re-use grocery bags, and saving gas is a no-brainer. But as much as you want to be environmentally-conscious, there are some things a woman is simply not prepared to do without.

Manicures and pedicures, for instance, are sacred things.

You won’t give up chocolate, and you absolutely need body lotion or you’ll feel like the Sahara Desert in high heels.

Relax - preferably in a tub filled with Earth-friendly body salts - and read “Gorgeously Green” by Sophie Uliano.

You can be in the pink of health, keep your finances in the red, and still be “green”.

Okay, so you’re convinced. Ready to start? First, Uliano says, become aware and remember that you can’t go green overnight. Vow to do one positive thing each day and pat yourself on the back if you do two or more. For a lot of people, a green lifestyle starts with baby steps, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

Next, take a look at the products your family uses.

Gather the jars and bottles together and take a stab at reading the ingredients. Would you believe that many of ©2008, HarperCollins • $16.95 • 309 pages those chemicals are carcinogenic? Uliano recommends that you immediately throw out anything that contains ingredients listed in her “Red Zone”, and she offers safe websites where you can find replacements for your makeup, body lotions, cleaning supplies, and baby products.

Choose your clothing wisely, Uliano says. Cloth made from plant products is much healthier to wear and better for the environment to buy. Shop wisely and when you do, bunch several trips into one to save gas. Better yet, bike or walk to errands. Buy organic or make your own compost and plant a vegetable garden. Teach your children ecological mindfulness, and don’t be afraid to be a pest when you notice a corporation that’s being wasteful.

Think it’s hard to become earth-friendly? “Gorgeously Green” is loaded with thousands of ideas, some of which are easy and some of which will take a lot of arguing with your family to enforce.

Author Sophie Uliano offers tips, hints, websites, checklists, and ideas for feeling better about your carbon footprint, and although there are some conflicting recommendations (Microwave or not? Take a day to drive all over town in search for recycled Christmas cards?), readers will surely find something do-able now and plenty of good goals for later.

One caveat: while “Gorgeously Green” is extremely useful, I fear that some readers might get a little overwhelmed by the multitude of suggestions. Uliano stresses that you can incorporate ideas as they fit in your life and that you can’t leap in with both feet today, but in her zeal to pack in tips, she didn’t say that enough.

Still, if you’re paralyzed by indecision, this book will give you plenty of jumping-off points, so pick up a copy.

For you, “Gorgeously Green” is just peachy. F

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 11,000 books.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

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Calendar of Events August 6

Water Conservation

GreenPros Green Building Workshops Presented by Mike Ruck of Rainwater Solutions 9a - 1p at Southern Energy Management GreenProsTraining.com

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Jack Johnson Concert

Walnut Creek Ampitheatre Doors open at 5p, show starts at 7p Supporting acts: Rogue Wave and Neil Halstead AllAtOnce.org

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Urban Green Dialog

Jim Dees, Environmental Sustainability Coordinator for Guilford College, will host a talk entitled “How To Institutionalize Sustainability”. 2pm at Elsewhere Collective.

606 South Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27402 549-5555

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GreenPros Workshop

Good Work Gathering

Theme: Stewardship & Sustainability in the 21st Century.

Pre-registration required.

6:30 - 8:30p The Scrap Exchange, 548 Foster St. (919) 796-2730 www.goodwork.org

22 - 24

Southern Energy and Environment Expo

The Southern Energy & Environment Expo, at the Western N.C. Agricultural Center in Fletcher, NC, is an annual event showcasing renewable energy technologies and sustainable economics in a context of responsible environmental stewardship. By working together in a cooperative spirit, we ARE making a difference for the future of our children and our planet.

Admission is only $10 a Day and includes all regular educational presentations!

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Music on the Mountain

Music festival creating awareness about renewable energy 5p in Boone, NC musiconthemountain.net

Workshops on Climate and Faith

Responding to Climate Change: Faith, Science and Action.

Led by Clean Energy Durham and North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light. Speakers include William Chameides, dean of the Nicholas School for the Environment at Duke University 9:30a - 3:30p St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1737 Hillandale Rd., Durham, NC.

September 3 ENERGY-10™

A Powerful Energy Simulation Tool for Buildings and Homes 9a - 4:30p GreenProsTraining.com

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5-6

Raleigh Wide Open

3rd annual Raleigh Wide Open. Street Festival celebrating downtown Raleigh. 919-745-9147

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Healthy Child Healthy World Seminar Holly Springs Cultural Arts Center sponsored by GreenPea Nursery. http://www.greenpeanursery.com

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LCI Recycles Electronic Recycling Drive See website for accepted items. FREE. 10a - 2p L C Industries, 4500 Emperor Blvd. Durham (919) 596-8277 | www.lcirecycles.com

Farmers’ Markets Cary Downtown Farmers’ Market

4th Annual Green NC Tradeshow NC State University 12p - 1p

Solar Electricity 8:30a – 12:30p presented by Ed Witkin, Carrboro Solar Works and Bob Kingery, SEM Solar Hot Water 1p – 5p presented by Bob Kingery, SEM and Fred Stewart, Solar Consultants GreenProsTraining.com

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Be sure to check out updated events online: www.footprintecomagazine.com

Tuesdays 3p - 6p & Saturdays 8a - 12:30p caryfarmersmarket.com

Moore Square Farmers’ Market

Wednesdays 10:30a - 2p http://www.godowntownraleigh.com/farmersmarket/index. htm

Durham Farmers’ Market

Wednesdays 3:30p - 6:30p & Saturdays 8a - 12p http://www.durhamfarmersmarket.com

Southern Village Farmers’ Market

Thursdays 4p - 7p http://southernvillage.com/

Organicfest

Downtown Asheville, NC 10a - 6p The Organicfest 2008 is a FUNtastic celebration of everything organic and green. Join us for a festive day of live music, organic food and samplings, Organicfest Organic Market, Organicfest Green Street, Organicfest Basket Drawings, organic chef demos, speakers, fun activities for kids and the Organicfest Good Bug Parade at 1pm. Presented by Imagine Center, an all-volunteer non-profit working to grow organics in our community and beyond. Co-sponsored by Organic Shopper Magazine and Asheville Parks and Recreation.

More info online: http://www.organicfest.org

13 Fair

Carrboro Saturday Market Saturdays 7a - 12p http://www.carrborofarmersmarket.com/

South Estes Farmers’ Market Saturdays 8a - 12p University Mall, 201 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill www.southestesfarmersmarket.com

Hillsborough Saturday Market Saturdays 8a - 12p http://hillsboroughfarmersmarket.org

3rd Annual Arts and Crafts

Durham, North Carolina. There will be over 60 local artists and crafters

Raleigh Farmers’ Market Monday thru Saturday 5:00a - 6:00p Sundays 8:00a - 6:00p

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Breast Feeding is Best

Urban Farm Tour Written by Michal Osterweil

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and La Leche League International (LLLI), celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from August 1–7, 2008. This is the 17th Annual event, celebrated by more than 120 countries worldwide.

Breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the world. But, many mothers require extra support and can benefit from the resource of La Leche League or from a lactation consultant.

While many are aware that breastfeeding is good for mothers and for babies, there’s a great case to be made that it is also good for the environment.

Carrboro and Chapel Hill’s first ever Urban Farm Tour is a one-day event on September 13th, as well as an ongoing mapping project to highlight small farming efforts within the limits of the two towns.

Breast milk is eco-friendly because: • Breast milk is produced and delivered without any pollution, packaging or waste, while formula involves enormous production, shipping and waste through its lifecycle • Consider the tin needed for the hundreds of millions of cans each year • Then factor in the energy to sterilize bottles • The bottles and nipples require plastic, silicone and glass • And, consider that breast fed babies absorb their food better so excrete less thus use fewer diapers • Because breastfeeding mothers go longer without menstruating there is less sanitary protection going into landfill • Also there are numerous health related arguments in favor of breast feeding such as passing anti-bodies from mother to child, and toxins like BPA in some baby bottles

When you think agriculture, food, sustenance, do you think of huge stretches of rural farm-land? There are literally dozens of great places practicing sustainable farming and agriculture within town limits.

People are keeping bees, raising chickens, and tending gardens that produce delicious healthy food sustainably.

So, when you see a mother breastfeeding her baby remember we should be celebrating breastfeeding week every day. Not only is she giving her child the best start in life but she’s doing a lot to protect our environment. F

Urban farming can be a key to healthier local food, and to greatly reduce carbon emissions and petroleum use. Consider our country’s largest crop – lawn grass. It covers 28 million acres, and it requires 800 million gallons of gas to mow. Turning over only a third of that acreage to food crops would be an area equal in size to the land used to grow corn. That shows the awesome potential of urban farming that the tour seeks to convey.

For more info or to get involved see www.carrborogreenspace.org, or email us at carrborogreenways@riseup.net.

The Carrboro Greenspace is a non-profit organization that serves as a hub to cultivate “do-it-ourselves,” community-driven, sustainability practices through collaborative projects, creative education, and social events. F

Tread Lightly at Home… with eco-friendly flooring, cabinets, countertops, paint, and more.

Visit our Durham showroom at 326 West Geer Street For more information call 919-688-1500 or go to our web site at cgcgreen.com Showroom days and hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or by appointment www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

24

Is It Worth It To Offset?

Written by Harriet Whitehead A while ago, the idea arose that you could compensate the planet for that part of your carbon footprint you were unable (or unwilling) to reduce by directing money to environmental causes. Websites have sprung up that offer you “carbon calculators” so that you can determine how big your carbon footprint is. They then offer you either a list of clickable “causes” to send money to, proportionate to your emissions, or they offer to make the choice for you if you direct your money to them. Some promise to apportion your donation to a basket of causes. Terrapass is one well-known site of this nature.

If this idea makes you a bit uneasy, you’re right to be suspicious. The whole issue is far more tangled than it appears. In addition to the many sincere carbon offset retailers out there, there are some true scamsters in the mix who will be delighted to capitalize on your green guilt without doing a thing for the planet.

Before going any further with your offset dreams, consider the following points: 1.

Not every green cause reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Educating the public about environmental issues, fighting for endangered species, cleaning up toxic spills or polluted streams, saving water – these are all worthwhile planet-friendly causes, but none of them reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

2.

A true “carbon offset” project is either (a) reducing greenhouse gas emissions somewhere on the globe, it doesn’t matter where (all emissions are global, so all reductions are global) or (b) it is working to overcome obstacles standing in the way of an immediate reduction (e.g. helping poor livestock farmers acquire the equipment for methane abatement.)

3.

A true “carbon offset” is, moreover, reducing emissions that would not otherwise be reduced were it not for funds coming from the carbon offset market. Companies trying to green up their image may be reducing emissions, companies and other entities that are complying with new environmental laws may be reducing emissions, but this is now part of their “business as usual.” Money going to them does not produce any additional greenhouse gas reduction.

4.

Should the project or entity pass the test of additionality there still must be some way to quantify how much emission would be occurring without the project and how much reduction, year by year, the project is actually achieving. I could go on but there is little point because…

5.

To find quality offsets, you will either have to do a lot of research on your own, or wait until widely accepted standards have emerged and a certification process is in effect that puts the stamp of approval on carbon reducing projects. At this point, standards have begun to emerge and there are reports here and there that name some very credible projects. The links in this article will get you started if that’s the way you want to go.

But bear in mind: The most readily available way, now and forever, to relieve the planet of your emissions is to reduce them yourself. If all you really feel the need for is to salve your conscience a bit, any well-understood established green cause will benefit from your donation whether or not it is in proportion to your footprint. F

Links

The Consumer Guide to Carbon Offsets, the source of most of my points, recommends 8 valid offsetting projects. Things will have evolved since this was published in 2006. http://www.cleanair-coolplanet.org/ConsumersGuidetoCarbonOffsets.pdf BusinessWeek article exposing Terrapass. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_13/b4027057.htm Christian Science Monitor: good clear explanation of the issues. http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0110/p13s02-sten.html

25

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Autumn’s Bounty Organic apples are a musthave on your Fall grocery list

Tips for enjoying your apples: •

Wash and store your apples in the coldest part of the refrigerator for a shelf life of about two weeks. Before consuming, wash apples, then remove the stem, seeds and inner core with an apple corer or knife. Alternately, just enjoy eating around the core!

•

Slice peeled, cored green apples, then toss into a heated pan with a small amount of heart-healthy walnut or olive oil. Sauté the apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, and small slivers of butter until soft. Granny Smith and Golden Delicious varieties add a tart flavor to this dish, which can be served over pancakes, as a crepe filling, or as a complement to savory entrees such as pork chops. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, try Rome apples (well-known for baking) using the same method.

•

For a fun snack, core and slice an apple sideways into rings.

Spread your favorite nut butter or soft cheese (such as Brie) between each slice, then reconnect the slices to create a stack. Sprinkle with raisins.

•

Try a neat twist on soft tacos: finely chop an apple and cook with ground beef until the meat is brown. Mix in gorgonzola cheese, salt and pepper, then serve soft flour tortillas.

Written by Christie Perkinson Apples are synonymous with the transition from summer to Fall: school resumes, football season is in full swing and leaves are changing color. However, while the season is changing, apples remain one of the more reliable fruits on the market: they’re portable, easy to consume, have a long shelf life, and are widely available.

What:

Apples are the fruit of the deciduous apple tree, which originated in Central Asia. Of the over 7500 cultivars of apples known, four make up the bulk of apple production in North Carolina: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome, and Stayman. Other varieties include the better-known Granny Smith, Gala, Fuji and Pink Lady, as well as the less recognized Jonagold, Gingergold, Crispin/ Mutsu, Goldrush, Honeycrisp and Empire.

Reduce your footprint further: bring a reusable bag when purchasing your apples and recycle the container afterward. F

When:

The peak season for N.C. apples is mid-August through October.

Where:

Apples are most widely grown in western North Carolina, but are grown throughout the state. To find local apple producers, visit http://www.ncfarmfresh.com, your neighborhood grocer and nearby farmers’ markets (don’t forget to ask if the products are grown using organic methods). Buying locally allows you to reduce your footprint by reducing transportation costs.

Why:

One medium apple with its skin provides over 3 grams of fiber for about 70 calories.

An apple’s soluble fiber, also know as pectin, has been found to lower bad cholesterol (LDL).

Why ORGANIC:

Apple trees are highly susceptible to damage by pests and disease. So, conventional growing methods involve spraying the trees with toxic pesticides. Removing an apple’s skin helps lessen the percentage of toxins consumed, but it also removes important antioxidants and fiber found only in the skin.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

26

Green Weddings in the Triangle

and seasonal items,” says Tara Cuff, catering director and co-owner of Green Planet Catering, Raleigh. Jessica Ramsberger, who is having an April 2009 reception at a museum in Raleigh, is using Green Planet Catering for her event and requested local beer and wine.

Newman requested Alivia’s, a bistro in Durham, use as much local produce as possible with minimal meat since she is a vegetarian.

Flowers

Support local flower farms and florists by using flowers that are in season. Avoid pesticides and having flowers shipped. “My philosophy is flowers are pretty,” says Newman. She noted that North Carolina has beautiful wildflowers, and she wants out-of-town guests to see what our state has to offer. She plans to get fresh picked flowers the morning of her wedding at the farmers market.

Powell and Ramsberger both opted for local, organic flowers.

Invitations

Consider electronic invitations or 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper. Powell mailed invitations but asked people to RSVP on her Web site. Newman bought 100 percent recycled cardstock and made her own. Ramsberger is also looking at making her own formal invitations and has sent out her “save the date” announcements by email.

Waste Reduction

Written by Kim Grant

Minimize the amount of trash. Rent linens and compost everything, which is what Ramsberger is doing, or use biodegradable plates, which Powell did. Both Newman and Powell ignored traditional wedding invitation etiquette by eliminating wasteful things such as double envelopes and tissue paper.

Budget

Then there is the budget. Eco-savvy brides want to help the planet while keeping to a budget. Most people think that having a green wedding is expensive but it doesn’t have to be.

Socially responsible brides are taking into consideration the impact their wedding day will have on the environment. The Triangle is no exception. “It’s a special event for us, and I want it to be a responsible event,” says Michelle Newman, whose wedding is this August in Durham.

There are lots of elements to consider when planning a socially responsible wedding ranging from accessories to wedding favors.

Keep in mind that not every aspect of your wedding has to be green in order for you to have a green wedding. You decide what’s most important for you on your big day.

For local brides, the five most popular elements of an eco-friendly wedding include location, food, flowers, invitations and waste reduction.

Location

Try to keep the ceremony and reception at the same location or nearby so guests can walk or carpool. Newman’s ceremony and reception sites are less than one mile from each other. She also made sure that all hotels for out-of-town guests were within a mile of the wedding location. Laurel Powell, who was married in April 2008 in Cary, held both her ceremony and reception at a country club. This avoided driving from one event to the other and guests enjoyed one continuous event.

Food

Ask your caterer or reception site to purchase as much local and organic food as possible. “A lot of people are looking for local, fresh

27

The basic concept of going green is to keep it simple so less is best, which may save you money. The green brides I talked with had budgets ranging from $5,000 to $10,000. Compare that to the U.S. average of about $28,000 per wedding according to TheKnot.com.

You can plan your dream wedding, be socially responsible and stay within budget.

Additional Challenges

Planning a wedding is stressful and planning an eco-friendly wedding can add additional challenges. Triangle brides have encountered challenges such as trying to find local vendors that provide services and items suitable for a green wedding as well as vendors that share the same values. “It was hard work but worth it,” says Powell. “I had the wedding of my dreams.”

Give yourself plenty of time to do research or contact a wedding consultant that specializes in green weddings to help you. Remember to keep it simple and be creative (have some fun). F

Kim Grant is an Eco-Wedding Consultant and founder of Affordable Green Weddings. She helps brides-to-be plan socially responsible weddings. You can learn more by visiting www.AffordableGreenWeddings.com.

Want to learn more? Join Kim Grant, Eco-Wedding Consultant, on Wednesday, September 17, at 7 PM at Whole Foods in Raleigh, as she discusses how to plan a green wedding. This free event is open to brides-to-be. For more information and to register, visit www.AffordableGreenWeddings.com.

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

Business Listings Brian Decker

Eco-Anthracite

NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit

ReSourcing Natural Solutions

Green Sky Sustainable Design

The North Carolina Conservation Network is a statewide network of over 120

You care about your environment — Shouldn’t your real estate agent? Brian Decker, Designated EcoBroker™ — Degree in Environmental Science – REALTOR®. Helping people like you make informed decisions about their housing choices. To see Every Home for Sale in the Triangle visit: BrianDeckerProperties.com Fonville Morisey Realty 1520 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Looking for those ready to actively engage in creating sustainable businesses, schools, non-profits, governments, lives and communities. ReSourcing™ is a design and strategic planning process that uses nature’s operating principles to help individuals, organizations and communities thrive by being socially responsible, ecologically conscious, and financially prosperous. Offering seminars, coaching, and consulting to get you in action based on solid principles and best practices.

Jane Norton, 919-321-1711 jane@resourcingnaturalsolutions.com www.resourcingnaturalsolutions.com

WellthyLifeStyle.com

WellthyLifeStyle.com helps you live a healthy, wealthy, balanced life in the Triangle! Our directory includes over 50 categories from organic living to healthcare to financial fitness to eldercare to recreation await with in-depth provider profiles, video, photos, and more. This ain’t no phone book--read expert articles, print coupons, find events, post a classified, rate/ review practitioners, and much more! Find quality providers you never knew existed while shopping locally. Free.

Pleasant Green Grass

Pleasant Green Grass provides a safe and effective alternative to chemical based lawn care. We create beautiful healthy lawns that are safe for everyone, by using all natural products. Our focus is soil ecology and curing the causes of unhealthy turf with a program customized to your own lawn, not just treating symptoms. Services include fertilization, soil analysis, compost tea applications, weed control and more.

Scott Walker 919-357-8245 www.pleasantgreengrass.com

Healthy Home Insulation

We install spray foam insulation to provide homeowners with lower energy expenses and a healthy, comfortable home. Using Icynene® foam insulation is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency. As a complete insulation and air barrier, Icynene minimizes air leakage, which allows for smaller HVAC equipment. It saves dramatically on initial equipment costs and ongoing utility costs. www.healthyhomeinsulation.com

Our in-depth energy audits identify your home’s largest areas for improvement. We look at your entire home from crawlspace to attic. We run diagnostics & evaluate the HVAC and duct system, ID Indoor Air Quality issues, and investigate any comfort issues you may be having. Our report is easy to understand with a recommended Priority List of recommendations to give you the “best bang for your buck.” www.eco-anthracite.com

Green sky Sustainable Design is locally-owned and operated in Carrboro, North Carolina with 15 years experience in observing, conceptualizing, collaborating upon, and installing sustainable designs. We offer landscape and roofscape consultation, design, installation and maintenance. Our designs are specific to individual client needs with a focus on supporting ecologically sound environments. 919-943-7503, www.greenskyinc.com rgoolsby@greenskyinc.com

Energy Wise Solutions

Energy Wise Solutions serves the Carolinas, offering energy audits of existing structures, energy-efficiency upgrade solutions, pre-build consultation/training in green building design, Energy Star for Home certification, NC HealthyBuilt Home, Earthcraft House, and LEED inspections, Solar Thermal, Solar Pool, Solar Electric, and Rainwater harvest installations. For renewable energy “do-it-yourselfers”, and more information, visit our online store at www.energywisesolutions.net, call (704) 678-4122 customersupport@energywisesolutions.net

My Home Building Help!

If you are considering building your own sustainable, high quality, environmentally friendly home that revolves around your needs and quality of life, contact My Home Building Help! Every home that My Home Building Help builds or consults on includes a minimum level of environmentally friendly materials and methods that help reduce the home’s environmental impact for years to come. Visit us at www.MyHomeBuildingHelp.com.

NC Waste Awareness and Reduction Network (NCWARN) is a grassroots non-

profit using science and activism to tackle climate change and reduce hazards to public health and the environment from nuclear power and other polluting electricity production, and working for a transition to safe, economical energy in North Carolina. www. ncwarn.org

North Carolina Climate Action Network (NCCAN) is an intergenerational coalition of grassroots activists from a variety of environmental and social justice groups in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Our coalition was formed after members participated in the “Step It Up” Global Warming rally in April 2007. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NC_CAN/ North Carolina Climate Action Network http://www.nc-can.net

www.FootprintEcoMagazine.com • August / September 08

organization established to improve North Carolina’s environment through voluntary contributions toward renewable energy. A landmark initiative approved by the N.C. Utilities Commission, NC GreenPower is the first statewide green energy program in the nation supported by all the state’s utilities and administered by Advanced Energy, an independent nonprofit corporation located in Raleigh. www.ncgreenpower.org

environmental, community and environmental justice organizations focused on protecting North Carolina’s environment and public health. The NC Conservation Network supports, trains and coordinates diverse groups and directly advocates equitable and sustainable solutions for our environment. www.ncconservationnetwork.org

Raleigh Environmental Action Circle for Humanity (REACH) Meet others with

environmental concerns, become involved with issues that impact nature and humankind, exercise personal accountability, shift habits of daily living and thinking in feasible steps. REACH is committed to an anti-Apartheid environmental movement, a movement that includes everyone, in which environment and humanity are inseparable. http://environment.meetup.com/243/

WakeUp Wake County is a group of citizens

concerned about the future of Wake County. We are voters, business people, educators, homemakers, grandparents, volunteers, and more who want to ensure that Wake County is healthy and competitive in the long run. We love living in our area for its quality of life, and we want to ensure a bright future for ourselves and those who come after us. www.wakeupwakecounty.com

The Community Green Guide Participate

in creating the Triangle as a thriving sustainable community and economy. The CGG is an online social networking site and directory of everything green and sustainable locally. Learn about and connect with businesses, non-profits, governmental agencies, educational opportunities, projects and people. Access an events calendar, a blog, searchable database, interviews with local green experts, and contribute your ideas and expertise!

Jane Norton, 919-321-1711, jane@eartheal.org, www.communitygreenguide.org

Carolina Recycling Association repre-

sents more than 450 members (individuals, small businesses, multinational corporations, state government agencies and local governments) who are committed to reducing waste, promoting recycling and buying recycled. www.cra-recycle.org

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If you’ve seen your heating and cooling bills go up, there are ways to cut them dramatically without sacrificing comfort. The best and most practical thing any homeowner can do to cut their bills and reduce green house gas emissions is to insulate.

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