landscaping

GreenTech 101: WaterSense Helps You Save Water

jplatt — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 09:00:00 -0500

Every product that claims to be green seems to come with a half-dozen logos on the package to back up their eco-claims. But what do they all mean? Well don't worry, we're going to tell you.

Today we're focusing on the WaterSense logo. The WaterSense program is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and identifies quality, water-efficient products for home and business use. Products that earn the WaterSense logo use less water, and help to protect the environment.

Only products that have been independtly tested by a third party to show that they meet the EPA's specifications can carry the WaterSense label. Qualifying products include bathroom sinks, toilets and urinals, irrigation systems, showerheads and a whole lot more.

How you can benefit from WaterSense:

1. Use the WaterSense website to find water-efficient products.

2. Read tips for saving water (along with plenty of reasons why you should conserve water).

3. Find WaterSense resources in your part of the country.

4. Find local rebates offered for purchasing WaterSense products.

There's a ton of great information scattered around the WaterSense site, so give it a read, and then, the next time you're buying a product that uses water, look for the logo to make sure you're doing your part to help the environment.

Honoring Earth Day This Month – With Green Building & Home Ideas

jchait — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:51:49 -0400

Sorry to be MIA readers, I caught my son's bad cold and felt icky for days. I'm feeling a bit perkier now and just in time too because April is a busy month.

As many of you likely know, April is Earth Day month. Technically Earth Day falls on the 22nd, but I tend to look at it as an all month event at my blogs - then I can offer up ideas about how you can celebrate.

I should also let you know that I'm a little ambivalent about Earth Day. On one hand, sure I think it's cool to honor the earth one day a year. On the other hand I think it's lame to honor the earth ONLY one day a year. I wrote a rant about this at Tree Hugging Family - so I won't rehash it here.

I will say that in my opinion, the real way to celebrate Earth Day is to be green all year long. Going green, or planting a tree on a single day can only get us so far. Installing n excellent water heater, using reclaimed wood, recycling our building waste, and using other green building and home techniques are green gifts that give back to the planet not only on Earth Day, but for many years to come.

That said, throughout the month I'll be offering you some ideas about how you can honor the planet all year round (and on Earth Day). We're lucky in one respect because when it comes to green building, there are plenty of great ways to make the entire process greener.

This month, at this blog, look for ways to celebrate Earth Day that relate to your home. We'll look at ideas that work for new homes and existing homes. Ideas related to:

Water use.
Energy applications and use.
Insulation.
Reclaimed materials.
Landscaping.
And more.

Also be sure to check the video section of this site. I've added some videos and hope to add a large amount of new ones this month. I'm picky, so they'll be good videos.

What do you think about Earth Day? Are you celebrating? I hope you're celebrating all year long.

Botanical Jewels

CanadaCactus — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:30:03 -0500

Plants For Life

This well-illustrated fifty page publication is written by Belinda Hawkins and published in January 2008 by Botanic Gardens Conservation International with ISBN 1-905164-21-1. The booklet makes the point that over 70,000 plant species are thought to be medicinal and that, through habitat destruction and over-harvesting, many are threatened.