Sustainable Ideas

Green Homes Will Defy the Housing Slump, Says EPA

susan — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:28:28 -0500

By Susan Seliger

There is one bit of a good news in this terrifyingly tumultuous housing market. Going green can help you sell your house — at least that’s what the EPA believes. While traditional houses are spiraling downward in value across the country, according to the Environmental Protection Agency homes that incorporate environmental features – especially green plumbing fixtures – are what buyers are looking for.

EPA’s optimism about the green housing market stems from a McGraw-Hill Construction study (conducted when the housing market was very soft but not yet in its current panic) which predicted that the current market share of green housing (6-10%) would double in the next five years. The study also found that 60% of builders believed that green features in a home would help them sell houses in a down market

While Sales figures on green homes are hard to come by, a number of studies indicate that home buyers are coming to expect green fixtures and features. Makes sense — house buyers are looking for ways to save money – not just on the price of the house – but on the long-term maintenance. They want to save on energy costs. But they also seem to like water-saving fixtures. Builders are also turning to these water-saving fixtures, especially because many localities (in California and other areas where water is scarce) have made water-saving a requirement for new housing projects.

Anticipating the demand for saving water in home-building, the EPA’s WaterSense program (which certifies water-saving appliances) launched a New Housing Project in August 2008 to sign on builders who will produce at least one home that meets the EPA’S standards for a water-efficient home – ready for sale within six months of the launch.

So look for water-efficient homes to come onto the market in early 2009 from the following builders who were selected to participate in the pilot program.

Anderson Homes; Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Aspen Homes of Colorado; Windsor, Colorado
Cleantech Homes; Beverly, Massachusetts
Dorn Homes; Tubac, Arizona
Greenlife Homes; Houston, Texas
Nappier and Turner Construction Company; Hendersonville, North Carolina
Tim O’Brien Homes, Inc.; Waukesha, Wisconsin

To find water-saving fixtures that have been approved by the EPA, look for those that have the WaterSense label.

For more about water-efficiency in new homes, go to the EPA’s WaterSense web site.

Photo credit: EPA web site

The Best Christmas Gift of All: Rechargeable Batteries

jplatt — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Looking through this week's Rite Aid flyer, I was shocked to see not two, not three, but four different listings for disposable batteries -- including one "mega pack" of 16 AAs.

I know it's Christmas time, which means a lot of new toys that run on batteries, but isn't it time we made the switch to rechargeables?

Even better, how about we use this season to help everyone make the switch?

Rechargeable batteries obviously cost more than regular batteries. You need to buy a charger too, so the initial cost can be quite high (higher than a "mega pack," anyway). But the savings really add up in the long-run. Rechargeable batteries have longer life spans than disposables, so they ultimately cost less than having to buy new batteries every few weeks or months.

Disposable batteries are also a terrible pollutant when they aren't recycled properly -- and you can rest assured that most disposable batteries just end up in the trash, where they leach chemicals into the ground and water tables.

So consider this gift for yourself and your loved ones: a battery charger and a few packs of rechargeable batteries. Try to pick a charger that will handle multiple sizes of batteries, as well as the two main kinds of rechargeables, Ni-MH and Li-Ion. Give multiple types of batteries, too -- sizes and kinds, so your recipient can use them in a wide variety of devices.

If we really commit to this, we can totally phase out disposable batteries in a year or two. That's just as easy as our recent change to CFLs.

So give it a shot. Isn't it about time?

An Idea to Green Your Grave

jplatt — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

Looking for an idea that can help the people you leave behind? The Spanish town of Santa Coloma de Gramenet has turned its cemetery into something better than a memorial. By installing solar panels on top of mausoleums, they have turned the cemetery into a green-power-generating lifeline for the town.

According to an AP report, the cemetery boasts 462 solar panels, which produce enough energy to power 60 homes.

Cemeteries take up a great deal of land that could be better put to use as untouched wilderness, but it's good to see someone producing green change out of death.

Shop Sustainably This Black Friday

scleaver — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 14:27:32 -0500

Recession or not, this year’s Black Friday promises to include the usual long lines at 4:00 AM at your favorite department store, piles of coupons, and rock-bottom prices. But, whether or not you’re heading out the door early, late, or not at all, on the day after Thanksgiving, it’s official and inevitable: the holiday shopping season has begun.

If you’re interested in protesting consumerism this year, you can observe Adbusters' Buy Nothing Day instead of working off your Turkey Day feast via shopping. But, as Sarah Kuck discussed on WorldChanging.com, especially in this economy, wanting to live with less, can be a challenge. Perhaps the best thing you can do this holiday season, rather than give up shoppin entirely, is to shop local. Supporting local, independent businesses, and buying locally produced items, keeps money in your community, supports small businesses, and keeps the market going for locally products well into the new year.

As you head into the holiday shopping season, what are your local shopping tips?

Image from WorldChanging.com.

Save Money and Energy -- Unplug Your Gaming Consoles!

jplatt — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Looking for energy vampires in your home? Look no further than your gaming system. Chances are, it's sucking power from your walls at right this very moment...

It's estimated that 35-40% of U.S. homes have some type of gaming console, and according to a new report from the NRDC, those game systems consume 16 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity every year. But, says NRDC, if we take a few easy steps, "we could save approximately 11 billion kWh of electricity per year, cut our nation's electricity bill by more than $1 billion per year, and avoid emissions of more than 7 million tons of CO2 each year."

The first thing to do is look at your habits. It seems that most gamers leave their systems on when they're not in use -- and the devices usually don't have an automatic "sleep mode," so they continue to use as much energy as when you're using them to play a game. So it's important to actually turn your systems off when you're not using them.

Second, see if you can install power-saving features on your device, which will help it to power down after a certain amount of idle time. (See the link above for tips for the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3).

Finally, if you're not a gamer yet, think about what system you're going to buy. According to the NRDC, the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 each use nine times more energy than the Nintendo Wii.

Indivudually, these tips won't necessarily save you a whole pile of cash, but when you consider that there are millions of gaming consoles in the U.S. alone, they add up to a huge environmental impact. Do your part, turn your games off, and help save the environment when you're not saving the princess.

Top 10 Things to Ask When Buying 'Green' Electronics

jplatt — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Buying electronics is a chore. Picking the right device takes time, research, and money.

Unfortunately, buying green electronics can require even more time and research, and sometimes a little bit more money. But the rewards for the planet are well worth it, and you just might enjoy your gadgets a bit more knowing you made a right choice for the environment. '

With that in mind, here are 10 ideas to take into consideration when buying electronics to help you make the greenest choice.

10. Is it ENERGY STAR rated? This is one of the easiest ways to make sure your device is eco-friendly. ENERGY STAR devices use less energy than competing products, so look for the ENERGY STAR logo. If it's not there, you might want to keep looking.

9. How easily can it be recycled? The more complex the device, the harder it is to recycle. You also want to look at what chemicals and materials are used; some are more toxic than others.

8. Is it responsibly manufactured? Does the manufacturer have a good eco-record?

7. How long will it last? If your new device won't last a few years, or more, is it worth buying?

6. Are the manufacturers' green claims independently certified? There are dozens of organizations -- too many to list here -- that test and verify products, making sure they are truly green. Certified products will have an official logo on the package, so look for them and ask what they mean.

5. Is the packaging recyclable, made from recycled materials, or at the very least, kept to a minimum amount?

4. Do you need it? Can your old tech's lifespan be extended, or can it be made greener? Let's face it, you don't need every new device. Keeping an old product in use for a longer period of time is almost always the greenest option.

3. How eco-responsible is the retailer? Do they offer take-backs of old devices? Do they take efforts to green their supply chain? Do they use eco-friendly building materials? Look the company up; don't do business with companies that don't support the environment.

2. Is the green value worth the price? In other words, don't spend $1,000 extra to save $500 in energy costs over the life of the product.

1. Is it the greenest option available, or can you do even better? Okay, so there's always just a little bit more research you can do. But trust me, it will be worth it.

Save Water This Holiday

scleaver — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:12:55 -0500

This holiday, for the eco-minded Mr. Fix Its, or for yourself if you’re looking to save water and money, check out the Niagara Conservation’s Water EcoKit to reduce water consumption (recommended by ReallyNatural.com).

Inside you’ll find, an Earth Massage Showerhead that provides good force at low pressure, and saves 40% more energy and water. A kitchen swivel aerator for your kitchen sink and two bathroom aerators. A toilet tank bank and toilet water saver help reduce the amount of water you’re using, up to ½ gallon per flush, that’s up to 2,700 gallons each year.

And, to help you seal up any leaks or other drips, the kit includes a flow meter bag to help you identify where water is being wasted in your house, leak detection tablets, and tape to seal water leaks.

Buy the Niagara Conservation Water EcoKit at Amazon's Home Improvement section.

Photo from Riverina Water Council.

Do You Know How to Recycle Your Old TV?

jplatt — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0500

A whole bunch of TVs are likely to be replaced over the next few months. Not only will retailers be dropping their prices in a desperate bid to reduce their inventory, many TVs will need to be replaced before February's transition to digital television.

But if you're going to buy a new TV set, do you know how to get rid of your old one? Do you know the rules for disposing of electronics in your community, and will your local recycler take care of your old devices in a responsible manner?

A group called the Electronic TakeBack Coalition has some advice.

First off, if you're worried about your TV working after the DTV transition, you should go to www.DTV.gov to find out if you can just buy a converter box.

If you are going to chuck the old set, find out the local rules for your community, and don't leave your old set outside "hoping someone will take it." According to the ETBC, that just sets up a situation where toxic lead and other substances can leach into the ground if it rains on your old set.

Next, try to make sure your recycler will handle your old set responsibly, and not send it to a third-world recycling center with few eco-friendly regulations. (You can often drop TVs off at retailers like Staples and Best Buy, who charge a small fee.)

Finally, before you buy your new set, check out the ETBC's new TV Recycling Report Card. The organization has ranked 14 major manufacturers and 3 retailers with house brands according to their TV takeback programs. Only Sony earned a grade above a C, and then only making a B- grade because they need more national recycling sites.

For more information, visit http://www.takebackmytv.com/

Win a Free Caribbean Eco-Cruise Worth $3,000-Plus

susan — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:13:59 -0500

By Susan Seliger

This eco-friendly cruise couldn’t come at a better time. The recent cold snap along with the chilly, lonely feeling I get when I look at my retirement savings (what retirement savings?!) has put me in the mood for a trip to a sunny place. Though in this economy, I probably wouldn’t turn down a free, seven-day cruise even in the summer.

In addition to an eco-friendly cruise ship, and vegetarian feasts on board, you’ll also be treated to daily spa treatments along with yoga and meditation classes. The perfect antidote to financial angst. Dust off your mantra — I’m thinking of trading in my current one: It’s only money for an updated version: Yes, you Om.

But hurry up—not much time. The deadline is nigh. The sponsors of this cruise contest – Yoga Journal and Earth® Footwear – are giving you until 11-30-08 to try your luck. Go on — click – you don’t even have to buy a lottery ticket.

Fight Climate Change, Win $75,000

jplatt — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0500

Got an idea to fight climate change by reducing carbon emissions? The Forum for the Future wants to hear about it. They have teamed with the Financial Times for the new Climate Change Challenge competition, which seeks innovatitive, practical ideas that can be implemented quickly and create real change.

The $75,000 prize for the top idea has been sponsored by HP. The winner will be expected to use the prize money to help make their idea a reality.

What is the competition looking for? Any good idea that has already made it off the drawing board will do: "We want to find ideas that are below the radar – being developed by think-tanks, academic institutions or individual entrepreneurs – and identify those that can be taken to scale quickly and make a real difference. We will be scouring the world for the most exciting low-carbon ideas. These could be new technologies, systems or services, novel organisations or business models."

Forum for the Future will collect and review all the entries, and then pick 12 of the most promising ideas to a panel of judges, including Sir Richard Branson and other business and environmental leaders. Five of those ideas will then be published in the Financial Times this March for reader voting. The winning idea will be announced in April 2009.

Interested in entering? Don't delay. The deadline is January 30, 2009.