CFL mercury-recycling

Today I saw an article in the Rocky Mountain News about CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lighting). I want to share with you the importance about the energy efficiency and recycling of these bulbs. I'm sure most of you by now have heard about the CFL, it's an energy efficient bulb replacing the normal incandescent bulb. They last much longer and they cut your electric use. Make sure when you buy the bulbs it has the energy star label on the packet, if not, you might end up buying one of those fake, "green washing bulbs", which there are tons of out in the market.

Now, the bad part with the CFL is that they contain mercury; a neurotoxin, thought to have the biggest impact on the developing brains of fetuses, infants and young children through sustained exposure. "CFL each contain roughly 5 mg of mercury, which is tiny in relation to the amount in a glass thermometer. Although, by comparison, about 50 tons of mercury are spewed into the air each year by the nations coal fired power plants" (RMN).

CFL are totally harmless if used properly and recycled. Mercury has been around for ages and it's not a new source. I have mercury in my teeth. Years ago, in Sweden and in the US, they used amalgam fillings containing mercury. Once I moved here to the US I wanted to replace them with porcelain, the dentist recommended me keeping them due to being exposed with these fillings all my life, and it could cause side effects like headaches, and other issues if I removed them. Now I don't dare remove them, and I'm, so far, still healthy. Check those website published by the government and American Dental Association:
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/amalgams.html
http://www.ada.org/public/media/releases/0207_release01.asp
http://www.health.gov/environment/amalgam1/policies.htm


Now to the recycling of the bulbs. As for now there is no main recycling network in the nation, although there are more and more companies offering recycling programs. Swedish IKEA collects the bulbs in all their stores, and Osram Sylvania offers a mail-in program (I guess you need to pack them thoroughly so they don't break in the mail). Some communities are offering drop-off events, but its scarce.

EPA and state government have written guidelines for how to clean up the mercury from a broken bulb.
"In general, the area should be vented by opening windows to reduce concentrations of mercury in the air. The mercury should be scooped up carefully, using cardboard or paper, or picked up using tape or a sticky material. The glass and mercury powder should be sealed in a glass jar or plastic bags. For the EPA's full guideline go to: epa/gov/mercury/spills/index.htm. Some states have made it illegal to throw CFLs in the garbage. Other states advice sealing a burned-out or broken CFL in two plastic bags if you are going to dispose it in the regular trash " (RMN).

Today's tip: Still purchase the CFL, but try to find out where you can recycle them when burnt out. For example, your district recycling company. also check out "Earth911.org"

KBIS-Kitchen and Bath convention

I recently came back from Chicago after spending a long and eventful weekend at KBIS-Kitchen and Bath convention. It's the worlds largest convention of suppliers of new and trendy things.

It was a lot of fun and also a lot of walking. My mission was to find as many green/sustainable/recycled products I could. And boy did I. Matter of fact the whole convention was geared towards Green design. I found products made of bamboo, mesquite, linoleum, recycled glass tiles, etc. With all the choices of energy efficient appliances and plumbing there are today in the market, manufactures are showing they are doing something about our environment.

I found ranges, fans,hoods, ones that looked like cool colorful buttons on the wall. Toilets with dual flush, two buttons; one for liquid and one for "waste" :) will improve water efficiency by nearly 50%. According to manufacturers, approximately 40% of household water is used for the toilet. I saw sinks,faucets, energy efficient water tanks and much more. "Setting The Tone" was the motto for the convention, and it did.

Todays tip: Next time you need a new appliance or a new toilet. Check out the new energy efficient ones.

Paint

Have you ever thought of when you're painting, why you always need to open the windows to be able to breathe?
If not, you'll get a headache or feel nauseating. Well, its because of the VOC-Volatile Organic Compounds. These compounds are linked to headaches and nervous-system damage and offgas even after paint dries; harsh ingredients in regular paints (such as benzene and formaldehyde) can trigger asthma and allergies.

One gallon of conventional paint that's not properly disposed of can seep into the earth and pollute 250,000 gal of drinking water.

But now there are alternatives, Eco Friendly Paints. Contains no VOC, or very low VOC, and you can get all kinds of paint swatches to fit your personal taste. You can even bring your favorite standard paint swatch and most hardware stores will create a color mix based on the swatch number.

• AFM Safecoat - www.afmsafecoat.com, offers one of the widest-ranging lines of eco-paints, stains, and sealers ($36/gal).
  
• American Pride Paint - www.americanpridepaint.com, indoor and outdoor paints and primers developed for use by the Department of Defense ($22/gal).
• YOLO Colorhouse - yolocolorhouse.com, simple, nature-influenced palette with shades that work together well (simplifying the color-selection process); new exterior line too ($40-$42/gal).
• Benjamin Moore- www.BenjaminMoore.com, Eco Spec,paint ($35-$40/gal), and AURA ($40-$43/gal Low VOC
  

• Earth911 - find out where to recycle paint.
  
• 
  
• Todays Tip: Look for the Green Seal, which means the paint's certified ECO. Bad = EPA, OSHA, or DOT seals, which mean the paint contains hazardous chemicals that the government has to monitor.

Source: Ideal bite.com

Happy April Fools Day!

I just got back from a vacation in Mexico. Boy, is that country behind in the knowledge of Green Design. Don't take me wrong, I love the country and people, but for what I saw the environment there needs help. Then on the other hand, we just need to look in our own back yard. :)

Speaking of Green Design, in London according to an article I found, the terms often associated with earth-friendly products "going green" have been labeled passé in favor of a new saying..."buying blue."

A trend report out of London which had Ann Mack, director of trend-spotting at JWT, suggesting that "Some eco-fatigue has recently set in." It's true that the earth has been a huge topic of late--mostly because of of the formidable facts that suggest it's fragility--but also because saving it is beginning to generate serious selling value. And with all things profitable comes a burgeoning market and so on and so on.

It makes sense that the consumer is weary of the term "green." The idea, says Mack, is that the word has been so overused and misused that it has ceased to mean anything. That's partially the reason why in 2008 consumers will be seeing environmental messages arrive via the color blue.

So what does blue have to do environmentalism? A whole lot actually. Take climate change clean water for one. Blue stands for clean air and water--two fundamental aspects of a healthy earth. A healthy earth, as so noted by many of today's home decor leaders like Method and Bambu, is trendy and important. Which is why marketers hope that consumers relate to the color blue as standing for something pure, fresh and sustainable. Something worthy of buying in response to the movement.

So keep your eyes and ears open for the new saying "Buying Blue"

greenwashing

Ever heard of "Greenwashing"? Well, it's when a company tries to make it seem like it's greener than it actually is. A label saying "green" is not enough information to be an actual green product. By taking a little time to check ingredients lists and by picking the products you buy carefully, you'll get more for your money than just marketing claims.

When you skip the greenwashed products for the really green stuff, you stimulate demand for truly eco goods.

Check these websites out:

• Co-op America Responsible Shopper - lets you know where major companies stand on the social responsibility and environmental fronts.
• EnviroMedia Greenwashing Index - rate real ads by whether you think they're greenwashing or not.
• CorpWatch Greenwashing Awards - nominate companies that greenwash for this less-than-desirable bimonthly award.

Today's tip:

• Keep reading the tips to find out about companies that pass Ideal Bite sustainability criteria (no greenwashing allowed).

Source: Ideal Bite

PC poison

Did you know what's actually in computers that's so environmentally toxic?
The more than 315 million computers that became obsolete by 2004 contained:

1.2 billion pounds of lead
2 million pounds of cadmium
400 000 pounds of mercury
In addition, 112 million pounds of valuable materials, including steel, glass, plastic and precious metals, were recovered for reuse.

source: Dalbey Education Institute

The Dalbey Education Institute and Executive Recycling had a recycling event in Westminister a couple of weekends ago. I'm sure they will have more coming up.

Today's tip: Next time you need to get rid of an old PC check them out. This is your chance to do something good for the Earth at the same time.

10 cents plastic bags charge

The other day I read in the Rocky Mountain news about a proposal from BetterbagsColorado to charge grocery store shoppers 10 cents for every plastic or paper bag they use to carry home their groceries. I think it's a good idea, in Sweden and in other European countries they charge for the bags. We really should be reusing our old bags and bring fabric bags instead. But, I can also understand the opponent saying more people will buy sandwish bags and trash cans bags, because they usually reuse the plasticbags for this purpose. But this is only speculations. By raising 10 cents per bag, it will make people aware of the environment and it will be an ouch in the wallet, but next time you will make sure you bring your own bags. I'm considering purchase one of those bags on wheels, well yes it seems old fashioned, but in Europe they have manufactured awesome cool ones, they look real hip. I'm sure I can find them here too. I will start looking.

Today's tip: look into your closet and see what you can find to carry home your groceries.