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"
Monday, May 26, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
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.
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.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
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.
Source: Ideal bite.com
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
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
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 ofLondon
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
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"Monday, March 3, 2008
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:
Today's tip:
Source: Ideal Bite
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
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
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.
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.
Today's tip: look into your closet and see what you can find to carry home your groceries.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Recycling CFL (compact flourescent light bulbs)
Did you know the CFL contain mercury? Well, it does and I found out very recently about it. I guess I should have read the labels on the package. But the CFL is far more beneficial than the normal light bulb and it is worth buying them. Although, it's when they run out after about 3-5 years of usage. What do we do with it? As we all know mercury is a toxic and by being thrown in the landfill is not a option. But there is a solution and we must act towards it. I found out the following info searching the web:
"While retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot have exhibited environmental leadership by bringing CFLs to market, they've been far less forthcoming in taking them back. CFLs can last three to five years under normal use, which means the vast majority of bulbs ever sold are still in service. By 2010, however, The U.S. could be looking at 80 to 100 million improperly disposed CFLs annually if people don't know any better and convenient recycling isn't available. That would represent an intolerable toxic burden to our current methods of waste disposal.
CFL Recycling Options
A issue of this size won't be solved by individual action alone. But if each of us take the initiative to identify our local CFL recycling options now, we can start the process of educating friends and family before their efficient new CFLs are ready for disposal. Want to give it a try? Here are a few places to check:
Your Local Garbage Service
Probably the best place to start is with whoever currently picks up your household trash or recyclables. If you pay for this service, you'll almost certainly find a customer service number on your bill. Give them a call and ask if they offer CFL or mercury recycling. If not, politely suggest they do so. Here's an opportunity to write a letter, attend a meeting, or take some other activist role in highlighting the importance of proper CFL disposal. The appropriate follow-up will depend on whether your trash service is privately or publicly held.
Municipal Government
Whether or not local trash service is provided by a private contractor, your local municipality (city, county, or parish) is ultimately responsible for waste disposal. Most phone directories have a "blue pages" directory of local government agencies. Try the listing for sanitation services. While curbside recycling is by no means universal, your area may have designated drop-off locations or periodic CFL collections. Should your local agency not have any CFL-specific provisions, ask about safe disposal of mercury or fluorescent tubes.
Retailers
Unless you bought CFLs from IKEA, one of the first major vendors to offer a free take-back program, you're probably going to get some blank stares when you ask the manager of your local store about CFL recycling. It's worth the effort, though: retailers need to know their customers want safe disposal of the goods they purchase. If you bought your CFLs from Wal-Mart, consider contacting their corporate headquarters and asking that they establish a company wide CFL return program.
Earth 911
Earth 911 is probably the United States and Canada's largest online clearinghouse of recycling information. Visit their site and enter "CFL" and your Zip code in the "Find a Recycling Center" field at the top of each page. Alternately, try "mercury" and "fluorescent bulbs." If there's something in your region, it will almost certainly be listed. Earth 911 is currently attempting to expand its coverage to Europe, the first step toward an international registry of recycling options.
Commercial Services
There are a variety of for-profit companies which provide CFL and fluorescent bulb disposal by mail. Failing a local option, these firms represent a responsible and environmentally friendly channel for CFL recycling. Lightbulbrecycling.com, for instance, will send you a handy, postage-paid plastic pail which will accommodate about 30 CFLs -- more than most homes will use in many years. Just drop your spent CFLs in their well-engineered pail, and call FedEx for pick-up. The downside is that the service is quite expensive: about $120 per shipment. At today's prices, this almost triples the unit price of your CFL. On the other hand, with the energy you'll save with each bulb, you're still ahead of the game. You'll also know for sure that your CFLs are being recycled in a safe fashion.
What If All Else Fails?
If none of these options are available to you, there's a backup plan: storage.
As their name suggests, Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs don't take up much room. Unless they're broken or otherwise damaged, CFLs will hold their mercury more-or-less indefinitely. Rather than disposing of them with household trash, simply store expended CFLs until recycling is available in your area. A 5-gallon PVC bucket with sealable top can be scrounged from most construction sites or purchased new for less than ten dollars. It should safely contain a couple dozen bulbs. A sturdy cardboard box lined with a heavy plastic garbage bag should also do the trick. Just place your CFL storage container out of harm's way so it won't be dropped, crushed, or otherwise disturbed.
Spread the Word
Once you've located CFL recycling near to home, let people know. Offer to take other people's worn-out CFLs when you recycle your own; organize drop-off programs with churches, clubs, and civic groups; and get the word out about the necessity of safe CFL recycling.
Using less than 30 percent of the power required for a conventional bulb, CFLs represent a tremendous opportunity for energy savings. But they also require special handling if we'd like to keep them from becoming an environmental problem of their own. Feel free to reprint this article in any way. Email it to friends. Be part of the solution".
Source: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com
Today's tip: find out where your local sources are for recycling.
"While retailers such as Wal-Mart and Home Depot have exhibited environmental leadership by bringing CFLs to market, they've been far less forthcoming in taking them back. CFLs can last three to five years under normal use, which means the vast majority of bulbs ever sold are still in service. By 2010, however, The U.S. could be looking at 80 to 100 million improperly disposed CFLs annually if people don't know any better and convenient recycling isn't available. That would represent an intolerable toxic burden to our current methods of waste disposal.
CFL Recycling Options
A issue of this size won't be solved by individual action alone. But if each of us take the initiative to identify our local CFL recycling options now, we can start the process of educating friends and family before their efficient new CFLs are ready for disposal. Want to give it a try? Here are a few places to check:
Your Local Garbage Service
Probably the best place to start is with whoever currently picks up your household trash or recyclables. If you pay for this service, you'll almost certainly find a customer service number on your bill. Give them a call and ask if they offer CFL or mercury recycling. If not, politely suggest they do so. Here's an opportunity to write a letter, attend a meeting, or take some other activist role in highlighting the importance of proper CFL disposal. The appropriate follow-up will depend on whether your trash service is privately or publicly held.
Municipal Government
Whether or not local trash service is provided by a private contractor, your local municipality (city, county, or parish) is ultimately responsible for waste disposal. Most phone directories have a "blue pages" directory of local government agencies. Try the listing for sanitation services. While curbside recycling is by no means universal, your area may have designated drop-off locations or periodic CFL collections. Should your local agency not have any CFL-specific provisions, ask about safe disposal of mercury or fluorescent tubes.
Retailers
Unless you bought CFLs from IKEA, one of the first major vendors to offer a free take-back program, you're probably going to get some blank stares when you ask the manager of your local store about CFL recycling. It's worth the effort, though: retailers need to know their customers want safe disposal of the goods they purchase. If you bought your CFLs from Wal-Mart, consider contacting their corporate headquarters and asking that they establish a company wide CFL return program.
Earth 911
Earth 911 is probably the United States and Canada's largest online clearinghouse of recycling information. Visit their site and enter "CFL" and your Zip code in the "Find a Recycling Center" field at the top of each page. Alternately, try "mercury" and "fluorescent bulbs." If there's something in your region, it will almost certainly be listed. Earth 911 is currently attempting to expand its coverage to Europe, the first step toward an international registry of recycling options.
Commercial Services
There are a variety of for-profit companies which provide CFL and fluorescent bulb disposal by mail. Failing a local option, these firms represent a responsible and environmentally friendly channel for CFL recycling. Lightbulbrecycling.com, for instance, will send you a handy, postage-paid plastic pail which will accommodate about 30 CFLs -- more than most homes will use in many years. Just drop your spent CFLs in their well-engineered pail, and call FedEx for pick-up. The downside is that the service is quite expensive: about $120 per shipment. At today's prices, this almost triples the unit price of your CFL. On the other hand, with the energy you'll save with each bulb, you're still ahead of the game. You'll also know for sure that your CFLs are being recycled in a safe fashion.
What If All Else Fails?
If none of these options are available to you, there's a backup plan: storage.
As their name suggests, Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs don't take up much room. Unless they're broken or otherwise damaged, CFLs will hold their mercury more-or-less indefinitely. Rather than disposing of them with household trash, simply store expended CFLs until recycling is available in your area. A 5-gallon PVC bucket with sealable top can be scrounged from most construction sites or purchased new for less than ten dollars. It should safely contain a couple dozen bulbs. A sturdy cardboard box lined with a heavy plastic garbage bag should also do the trick. Just place your CFL storage container out of harm's way so it won't be dropped, crushed, or otherwise disturbed.
Spread the Word
Once you've located CFL recycling near to home, let people know. Offer to take other people's worn-out CFLs when you recycle your own; organize drop-off programs with churches, clubs, and civic groups; and get the word out about the necessity of safe CFL recycling.
Using less than 30 percent of the power required for a conventional bulb, CFLs represent a tremendous opportunity for energy savings. But they also require special handling if we'd like to keep them from becoming an environmental problem of their own. Feel free to reprint this article in any way. Email it to friends. Be part of the solution".
Source: http://sustainablog.blogspot.com
Today's tip: find out where your local sources are for recycling.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Battteri recycling
When I first moved to Colorado from Sweden, I was amazed there was no battery recycling. In Sweden there is a red box placed all over for you to throw the batteries in for recycling. It was such an obvious thing. For years I would throw it in the trash like most Americans do. Every time I had a knot in my stomach feeling bad for what I was doing. I found hope thou, because there are stores who offers recycling (don't ask me what they do with it after you drop it off) in your neighborhood.
Just go to the website: http://earth911.org. This website is amazing it's worth checking it out. Just plug in your zip code to find the nearest store for you. You can even find out where you can drop off your Christmas tree for recycling. Although, we always keep our Christmas tree until the next year and burn it in our fire place (On blue days). It calls recycling!
Today's tip: Store all your old batteries in a place and decide maybe once a month to go to your nearby store and recycle.
Just go to the website: http://earth911.org. This website is amazing it's worth checking it out. Just plug in your zip code to find the nearest store for you. You can even find out where you can drop off your Christmas tree for recycling. Although, we always keep our Christmas tree until the next year and burn it in our fire place (On blue days). It calls recycling!
Today's tip: Store all your old batteries in a place and decide maybe once a month to go to your nearby store and recycle.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Reused trash
I've met this artist and we found some common interest. One of them is the interest in sustainable design. We decided to collaborate our talents and came up with a beautiful piece for a client of mine. The artist uses recyclable steel to work with. The client loved it and want more pieces. What a great feeling it was to first find an artist that uses recyclable material for artwork, and then be able to sell it and tell the client about it. We have since come up with ideas we want to design and resell.
Today's tip: When you clean your garage or house, think twice before you throw it out, maybe an artist can reuse it.
Today's tip: When you clean your garage or house, think twice before you throw it out, maybe an artist can reuse it.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Welcome 2008
Happy New Year! I had a wonderful break this Holiday. We went skiing to several different ski resorts, the snow and the weather has been great. We're so blessed to live in such a beautiful state like Colorado.
But, I could not resist looking over the spectacular view of the mountains, and thinking that we are destroying our own Planet by polluting it, and when my grand kids grow up they might not be able to enjoy it like I do.
I read that due to climate change, North American ski resorts may have to increase artificial snow making
by up to 187% by 2070. The lift tickets will increase to an average of $85.00/day.
The resorts have finally started to think of the environment. Some resorts are taking Eco to the next altitude, providing alternative fuel shuttles, introducing recycling programs, and educating resort-goers about climate change. They're doing a great effort. We can also help by go for products with a positive impact: recycled, reusable, and sustainable.
Many ski resorts offer you to add $2 to your lift ticket to help minimize your impact on the slopes.
Todays tip: If you're like me, who loves the winter outdoors: check out www.skigreen.org.
But, I could not resist looking over the spectacular view of the mountains, and thinking that we are destroying our own Planet by polluting it, and when my grand kids grow up they might not be able to enjoy it like I do.
I read that due to climate change, North American ski resorts may have to increase artificial snow making
by up to 187% by 2070. The lift tickets will increase to an average of $85.00/day.
The resorts have finally started to think of the environment. Some resorts are taking Eco to the next altitude, providing alternative fuel shuttles, introducing recycling programs, and educating resort-goers about climate change. They're doing a great effort. We can also help by go for products with a positive impact: recycled, reusable, and sustainable.
Many ski resorts offer you to add $2 to your lift ticket to help minimize your impact on the slopes.
Todays tip: If you're like me, who loves the winter outdoors: check out www.skigreen.org.
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