Earth911 (earth911.com) has an excellent article on substitutions for commonly used, disposable and single-use office supplies.
Reusable Replacements for the Office
Some of the suggestions:
1) Refillable dry erase markers
- each refill container replaces more than 20 disposable markers & they are 100% recyclable at the end of their life
2) Staple-free staplers in place of staples & paper clips
- These cut a small strip of paper and use it to "stitch" documents together.
- We have experimented with these in the office (I have one on my desk) and they are not good for documents that will be frequently handled as they are not as sturdy as normal staples nor are they good for documents with more than about 5 pages. Feel free to give my "stapler" a try!
3) Use digital "sticky notes" and notepads to replace traditional sticky notes
- Check out Noryne's computer to see what these can look like!
- Post-It also has a digital version for $9.99
- One thing I do is take paper that is used on 1 side and cut it down into 8.5x5.5 note pads held together with a binder clip. While this doesn't eliminate waste, it does reduce it! I also use the back sides of Page-A-Day type calendars for notes
4) Use refillable pens & pencils
- When the ink or lead runs out, simply refill them!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Water usage in the yard
The following tips on how to conserve water in your yard come from Whole Living magazine.
Adjust your Lawn Mower: A taller lawn will shade plant roots and, as a result, hold soil moisture better than grass that's been closely clipped. Keep your blades at least three inches tall in the growing season, and cut them shorter in the fall to promote fresh growth.
Choose Native Plants: Water used on lawns and gardens accounts for up to 40 percent of total household use. Select species that are native to your area, and they'll have a much better chance of thriving with what Mother Nature provides.
Start Scheduling Your Sprinkler: You should never water midday; you'll lose too much to evaporation. In general, water in the evenings, unless it has been damp - then do it in the morning to avoid mildew problems. Consider using a soaker hose
Use Organic Fertilizer: Natural options (compost, bonemeal, peat) add nutrients without exposing your plants to the toxic chemicals found in conventional fertilizers, which can seep into the ground and contaminate water supplies.
Don't Go Nuts with the Flowers: Annuals, such as petunias and impatiens, typically require more water than most perennials
Rethink Your Lawn: In Oregon in the summer, you'll need a lot of sprinkler activity to maintain a huge grassy lawn. Consider tearing it out and using Xeriscaping methods to create a low-water usage landscape.
Mulch: Keep a two-inch layer over your flower bed to help your soil retain moisture
Monitor the Weather: Keep track of how much water your plants are getting with a rain gauge so that you don't do double duty with the house.
Monitor the Soil: Insert a trowel into your lawn or garden. If there's moisture two inches below the surface, it doesn't need water.
Sweep Up: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your porch, driveway, or sidewalk. As most water in Sandy ends up in the storm system, which ultimately ends up in No-Name Creek or Tickle Creek, this is also a great way to prevent chemicals, dirt, and pollutants from ending up in our streams.
Additional Resources:
- Water-Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley
- Portland Plant List - September 2011
- Native Plant List
- Water Efficient Landscaping
- Water Wise Landscape Design
- Natural Landscaping and Native Plants
- Xeriscaping
Adjust your Lawn Mower: A taller lawn will shade plant roots and, as a result, hold soil moisture better than grass that's been closely clipped. Keep your blades at least three inches tall in the growing season, and cut them shorter in the fall to promote fresh growth.
Choose Native Plants: Water used on lawns and gardens accounts for up to 40 percent of total household use. Select species that are native to your area, and they'll have a much better chance of thriving with what Mother Nature provides.
Start Scheduling Your Sprinkler: You should never water midday; you'll lose too much to evaporation. In general, water in the evenings, unless it has been damp - then do it in the morning to avoid mildew problems. Consider using a soaker hose
Use Organic Fertilizer: Natural options (compost, bonemeal, peat) add nutrients without exposing your plants to the toxic chemicals found in conventional fertilizers, which can seep into the ground and contaminate water supplies.
Don't Go Nuts with the Flowers: Annuals, such as petunias and impatiens, typically require more water than most perennials
Rethink Your Lawn: In Oregon in the summer, you'll need a lot of sprinkler activity to maintain a huge grassy lawn. Consider tearing it out and using Xeriscaping methods to create a low-water usage landscape.
Mulch: Keep a two-inch layer over your flower bed to help your soil retain moisture
Monitor the Weather: Keep track of how much water your plants are getting with a rain gauge so that you don't do double duty with the house.
Monitor the Soil: Insert a trowel into your lawn or garden. If there's moisture two inches below the surface, it doesn't need water.
Sweep Up: Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your porch, driveway, or sidewalk. As most water in Sandy ends up in the storm system, which ultimately ends up in No-Name Creek or Tickle Creek, this is also a great way to prevent chemicals, dirt, and pollutants from ending up in our streams.
Additional Resources:
- Water-Efficient Plants for the Willamette Valley
- Portland Plant List - September 2011
- Native Plant List
- Water Efficient Landscaping
- Water Wise Landscape Design
- Natural Landscaping and Native Plants
- Xeriscaping
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Smart Irrigation Month - part 2
As I found out yesterday, July is Smart Irrigation Month (at least according to the EPA WaterSense program). Yesterday's tips were about smart watering. Today here are some specific tips for irrigation and sprinkler systems.
Check for WaterSense!
Use smart technology.
Tips for Irrigation Systems
Look for the Label
If you have a standard clock timer controller, consider replacing it with a WaterSense labeled weather-based irrigation controller (WBIC). WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers can help landscapes save water by scheduling irrigation events only when plants really need it.
Adjust your irrigation system with the seasons.
Familiarize yourself with the settings on your irrigation controller and adjust the watering schedule regularly to conform to seasonal weather conditions. A good rule of thumb – when you adjust your thermostat due to seasonal temperature changes, adjust your irrigation controller watering schedule as well.
Set sprinklers to water the lawn or garden only—not the street or sidewalk, because they don't grow!
Play "zone" defense.
Schedule each individual zone in your irrigation system to account for the type of sprinkler, sun or shade exposure, and the soil type for the specific area. The same watering schedule rarely applies to all zones in the system.
Check for WaterSense!
A certified irrigation professional can design, install, maintain, or audit your system to ensure optimal efficiency using the proper amount of water to maintain a healthy landscape. Ask if your irrigation contractor is a WaterSense partner, which means he or she has been certified through a program that focuses on water efficiency.
Inspect your irrigation system monthly.
Check for leaks, broken or clogged heads, and other problems, or engage an irrigation professional to regularly check your system. Clean micro-irrigation filters as needed.
Get your head adjusted.
Correct obstructions in sprinkler heads that prevent sprinklers from distributing water evenly. Keep water off pavement and structures.
Flip to a rain shutoff switch.
Rain shutoff switches, required by law in many states, turn off your system in rainy weather and help compensate for natural rainfall. This inexpensive device can be retrofitted to almost any system.
Use smart technology.
Consider installing water-saving technologies such as WaterSense labeled irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, efficient sprinkler heads, and micro or drip irrigation.
Install low-volume micro-irrigation for gardens, trees, and shrubs.
Micro-irrigation includes drip (also known as trickle), micro-spray jets, micro-sprinklers, or bubbler irrigation. Micro-irrigation devices irrigate slowly and minimize evaporation, runoff, and overspray. For more information on drip or micro irrigation, see this video
on drip irrigation installation from our partners at Cascade Water Alliance.
on drip irrigation installation from our partners at Cascade Water Alliance.Monday, July 2, 2012
Smart Irrigation Month
Did you know that July is Smart Irrigation Month? Neither did I until it popped up on my Twitter feed this morning.
The EPA's WaterSense program offers these tips for smart watering:
Save it from a rainy day.
The EPA's WaterSense program offers these tips for smart watering:
Don't overwater. Learn plants' water needs and water appropriately.
If you step on your lawn and the grass springs back, it does not need to be watered. Watering plants too much and too frequently results in shallow roots, weed growth, disease, fungus, and stormwater runoff. Water your trees and shrubs, which have deep root systems, longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants. Check with your Cooperative Extension Serviceor water utility for advice on watering needs in your area.
or water utility for advice on watering needs in your area.
Water when the time is right.
The best time to water is in the early morning (4 to 7am)—to reduce evaporation—when the sun is low or down, winds are calm, and temperatures are cool. You can lose as much as 30 percent of water to evaporation by watering midday.
Save it from a rainy day.
Saving water from storms is a great way to supplement efficiency measures. Rain barrels or cisterns can be used to harvest rain water for irrigation and other outdoor water uses.
Be creative with alternative water sources.
Use water from the air conditioning condenser, dehumidifier, bath, or sink on plants or in the garden. When using household wastewater, be careful not to use water that contains bleach, automatic-dishwashing detergent or fabric softener. Use properly treated wastewater for irrigation where available.
Sweep driveways, sidewalks and steps rather than hosing them off.
Check your garden hose for leaks at its connection to the spigot. If it leaks while you run your hose, replace the nylon or rubber hose washer and ensure a tight connection to the spigot using pipe tape and a wrench.
The City of Sandy offers rain barrels that are reclaimed from the barrels used to hold the chemicals that are added to our drinking water to residents of the City. The barrels are triple-washed, and come with the connectors necessary for hose adaptors and to collect the water from your downspout. These are offered annually at the SOLVE-IT in Sandy event in April, but put your name on the list now by e-mailing Utilities
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Spring Cleaning - Green Cleaners (1 of ??)
So, back to writing after another hiatus, and I'd like to continue with what I was last writing about - Spring Cleaning. There are a ton of products on the market - all of which are targeted towards different rooms, surfaces, dirt, etc. BUT, an easy way to save money & avoid some of the fumes and toxic chemicals is to make some of them yourself. After all, what did our ancestors do before we had all of these chemicals?
Earth911.org is a great website with information on a wide variety of green subjects. The main use is to determine where to recycle items. Type in your location & what you want to recycle, and they'll tell you where you can take it! But they also have articles and e-mails with green tips, tricks, and savings.
Here's their article on 5 cleaners that you can make yourself (link at the end of the article). I'll follow up next week with information about Green commercial cleaners.
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http://earth911.com/news/2011/11/11/save-cash-go-diy/
Earth911.org is a great website with information on a wide variety of green subjects. The main use is to determine where to recycle items. Type in your location & what you want to recycle, and they'll tell you where you can take it! But they also have articles and e-mails with green tips, tricks, and savings.
Here's their article on 5 cleaners that you can make yourself (link at the end of the article). I'll follow up next week with information about Green commercial cleaners.
-------------
The main ingredients
Most homemade household products contain the same ingredients. The first – and probably most obvious – is soap, which you can purchase in bars, liquids or flakes for less than $3. Soap itself is completely biodegradable and nontoxic. But when choosing your soap, opt for brands without synthetic scents, colors or other additives for the most eco-friendly results.
Once soap is dissolved in water, adding common kitchen ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and salt is usually enough to get things clean. But for added power, some recipes use powdered wash soda (also known as sodium carbonate) and borax (also known as sodium tetraborate). Both ingredients are mineral-based and available in the laundry section of most grocery stores for about $4.
1. Laundry detergent
Store-bought detergents can cost up to $10 for 32 loads, which can really add up over time. But it’s easy to get the same fresh-smelling clothes the all-natural way for less than half the price.
Adding soap flakes to the warm water at the start of your wash cycle is a quick and easy substitute for detergent. If you’re washing in cold water, simply dissolve your soap in a small pot of water on the stove and pour about a cup in with each load. And skip the fabric softener. Adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle will soften clothes just as well.
You may run into problems with basic detergent recipes if you have “hard water” – meaning your water supply is very rich in minerals. When added to hard water, soap flakes can stick to your clothes and leave them a little less than clean. For hard water areas, add 1/3 cup of wash soda to water before adding clothes, and use dissolved soap in place of detergent (the wash soda softens water and helps clothes come out clean). Add 1/2 cup of borax for added cleaning power.
2. Glass cleaner
Pricey bottles touting a streak-free shine for all your glass surfaces can sell for as much as $5. But did you know a homemade alternative costs less than 20 cents?
Just mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar with 8 cups of warm water to give your windows, mirrors and glass countertops a shiny finish. You can apply your mixture with a towel. But if you prefer the spray-on method, pick up a reusable spray bottle from a local discount store, or reuse the bottle from a purchased glass cleaner.
3. Toilet cleaner
Cleaning the toilet is probably the ickiest (and most necessary) job in the house. And while many of us spend a bundle on “extra-strength” cleaners in an effort to stave off bacteria, all-natural methods can be tough on germs too – and cost way less. So, ditch those brand-name cleaners, and sub in a DIY alternative for less than a dollar.
To get the bowl clean, simply sprinkle in about 1/4 cup of baking soda and drizzle with vinegar. Let the mixture sit and fizzle away for about 1/2 hour, and scrub clean with a toilet brush. Your porcelain throne will be just as clean without the harsh chemical smells.
4. Tile and grout cleaner
It’s tough to clean tile and grout without being left with a sore elbow. And you may think that expensive cleaners make things easier, but a $10 price tag and a fancy label isn’t the only way to get the job done. About 50 cents worth of baking soda or vinegar is enough to leave your tiles clean and your elbow rested.
Usually, mixing 1/4 cup of vinegar with about 15 cups of water will be enough to clean your tile. But if you’ve got some tough spots, you may need something a little stronger. Make a paste using 1/4 cup of baking soda and a tablespoon of liquid soap and scrub it onto tough areas with a scouring pad.
5. Wood polish
You want to keep your wood furniture looking nice, but is $5 for a little can of polish really worth it? To get all your wood finishes looking shiny and spotless, skip the pricey polishes and do it yourself on the cheap.
For ugly rings on your wood tables, just make a paste using equal parts baking soda and toothpaste. Yes, we said toothpaste. Use a plain, non-gel toothpaste and apply your mixture over the ring with a cloth. Wipe off the film with a wet cloth, buff with a dry one and your table will be good as new.
To give surfaces a glossy sheen, mix about 1/2 cup of vinegar and a tablespoon of olive oil and apply like your usual polish. Vinegar will pull dirt out of your wood surfaces, while oil leaves them shiny and moisturized
http://earth911.com/news/2011/11/11/save-cash-go-diy/
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Spring Cleaning - Organizing
Day 2 of the Spring Cleaning topic, Organizing.
This will be a short & simple post, since it is a short and simple topic.
So, how does organizing fit in with sustainability? Its easy- if you know where things are and what you have, you won't spend time searching for it or have to go out and buy a new item. How annoying is it to search and search for the tape, finally get a new roll, and THEN find the roll that you were originally looking for? Or to find out that your produce has gone bad in the back of the refrigerator because you forgot that it was there?
So, I don't have any real tips on organizing, other than to say a) pare down what you own (see yesterday's post), and b) then arrange it in a way that makes sense & works for you! For example, I have my books at home grouped by subject - it would be too exhausting to try and file them alphabetically by author, but at least if I'm looking for a book about rock climbing, I have a good idea where I would find it. I also like making use of existing objects around my house to organize things with - such as tomato sauce jars for screws and nails, spice jars for Q-tips (I have some cool little spice jars that work perfectly), etc. The more that you can re-use, the better.
And just think how happy you'll be when you don't have to waste time searching for something that you *think* should be *here*.
Tomorrow - the "big" topic regarding Spring Cleaning - better (for you & the environment) cleaning supplies!
This will be a short & simple post, since it is a short and simple topic.
So, how does organizing fit in with sustainability? Its easy- if you know where things are and what you have, you won't spend time searching for it or have to go out and buy a new item. How annoying is it to search and search for the tape, finally get a new roll, and THEN find the roll that you were originally looking for? Or to find out that your produce has gone bad in the back of the refrigerator because you forgot that it was there?
So, I don't have any real tips on organizing, other than to say a) pare down what you own (see yesterday's post), and b) then arrange it in a way that makes sense & works for you! For example, I have my books at home grouped by subject - it would be too exhausting to try and file them alphabetically by author, but at least if I'm looking for a book about rock climbing, I have a good idea where I would find it. I also like making use of existing objects around my house to organize things with - such as tomato sauce jars for screws and nails, spice jars for Q-tips (I have some cool little spice jars that work perfectly), etc. The more that you can re-use, the better.
And just think how happy you'll be when you don't have to waste time searching for something that you *think* should be *here*.
Tomorrow - the "big" topic regarding Spring Cleaning - better (for you & the environment) cleaning supplies!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Spring Cleaning
After a week of writer's block, I'm back!
Its a bit early, but with the few days of warm weather we've been having here (mixed with days of snow - truly March), I'm thinking about spring cleaning - get rid of the clutter, simplify, get things clean and shiny for the spring and summer.
So, the different aspects of spring cleaning:
- Getting rid of things
- Organizing
- Cleaning
I'll cover one of these topics each day, and there'll be a quiz on Friday with answers on Monday.
So, for today - let's get rid of things & simplify!!
First of all, why? We're in a society where more is often equated with better. However, several studies and a book (The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz) determined that too many choices make us unhappier - "Is there a better choice that we could have/use?", "I bet that there's something better on TV" - instead of just enjoying what we do have.
In addition, in The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, she finds that for many people, outer order contributes to inner calm. Many of us are trying to be calmer, more rational and relaxed human beings, and being confronted by clutter upsets these senses.
Sometimes we buy things to satisfy a "fantasy" about ourselves - for example, tablecloths ("I'd love to use a tablecloth, if I get one, it will make me use it"). And then, it sits in the linen closet, reminding us that we not organized enough to use it and making us feel guilty. These items that don't make you happy should GO.
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
-- William Morris
Ok, so we know WHY to simplify, but now HOW & what to do with the things we want to get rid of.
If you have things that no longer make you happy, but still have useful life left in them, see about donating them! Many charitable organizations will take gently used items. In the Sandy area, the Sandy Community Action Center accepts clothing (clean & in good condition), baby items, canned or dried food, and small household items. Goodwill also accepts items in good conditions, including computer parts which they refurbish, reuse, or recycle responsibly. Computer parts can also be taken to FreeGeek, where they will be refurbished, reused, or recycled. Refurbished computers are then "earned" by volunteers, donated to non-profits, or sold in the thrift store. The Sandy Lions Club accepts eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling. I'll add other links and information as I find them.
Another resource is the local Freecycle network, where items can be offered for free. There are the following networks in our areas: Mt Hood, Gresham, Clackamas. You'd be amazed at what people will take - even if its not working. Then again, you'll be amazed at what people won't taken - even if it does work!
So, if the items that you no longer want to keep are broken, dirty, or no longer in good condition - the best option is to see if they can be recycled. At Earth911.com you can type in what you're trying to get rid of, and the website will let you know where you can take it. Many more things are recyclable than what goes in the curbside pickup.
Once you've exhausted all of those options, then its time to consider throwing the item in the trash. Sometimes this is the only way, but make sure that you've taken anything hazardous (i.e. batteries) out before you put it in the trash.
Its a bit early, but with the few days of warm weather we've been having here (mixed with days of snow - truly March), I'm thinking about spring cleaning - get rid of the clutter, simplify, get things clean and shiny for the spring and summer.
So, the different aspects of spring cleaning:
- Getting rid of things
- Organizing
- Cleaning
I'll cover one of these topics each day, and there'll be a quiz on Friday with answers on Monday.
So, for today - let's get rid of things & simplify!!
First of all, why? We're in a society where more is often equated with better. However, several studies and a book (The Paradox of Choice: Why More is Less by Barry Schwartz) determined that too many choices make us unhappier - "Is there a better choice that we could have/use?", "I bet that there's something better on TV" - instead of just enjoying what we do have.
In addition, in The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, she finds that for many people, outer order contributes to inner calm. Many of us are trying to be calmer, more rational and relaxed human beings, and being confronted by clutter upsets these senses.
Sometimes we buy things to satisfy a "fantasy" about ourselves - for example, tablecloths ("I'd love to use a tablecloth, if I get one, it will make me use it"). And then, it sits in the linen closet, reminding us that we not organized enough to use it and making us feel guilty. These items that don't make you happy should GO.
“If you want a golden rule that will fit everybody, this is it: Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
-- William Morris
Ok, so we know WHY to simplify, but now HOW & what to do with the things we want to get rid of.
If you have things that no longer make you happy, but still have useful life left in them, see about donating them! Many charitable organizations will take gently used items. In the Sandy area, the Sandy Community Action Center accepts clothing (clean & in good condition), baby items, canned or dried food, and small household items. Goodwill also accepts items in good conditions, including computer parts which they refurbish, reuse, or recycle responsibly. Computer parts can also be taken to FreeGeek, where they will be refurbished, reused, or recycled. Refurbished computers are then "earned" by volunteers, donated to non-profits, or sold in the thrift store. The Sandy Lions Club accepts eyeglasses and hearing aids for recycling. I'll add other links and information as I find them.
Another resource is the local Freecycle network, where items can be offered for free. There are the following networks in our areas: Mt Hood, Gresham, Clackamas. You'd be amazed at what people will take - even if its not working. Then again, you'll be amazed at what people won't taken - even if it does work!
So, if the items that you no longer want to keep are broken, dirty, or no longer in good condition - the best option is to see if they can be recycled. At Earth911.com you can type in what you're trying to get rid of, and the website will let you know where you can take it. Many more things are recyclable than what goes in the curbside pickup.
Once you've exhausted all of those options, then its time to consider throwing the item in the trash. Sometimes this is the only way, but make sure that you've taken anything hazardous (i.e. batteries) out before you put it in the trash.
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