susan's blog

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

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.

Host a Winter Party — Save Heat and Save Money!

susan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 11:41:02 -0500

There’s nothing that warms the cockles of my heart more (and if you can locate those, I hope you’ll keep the info to yourself) than combining the two things I love best — hanging out with friends and saving money. So here’s a tip for you to go green and save some, too: Invite friends over and turn down your thermostat.

Just let everybody’s body heat ramp up the room temperature. According to one estimate I read, in an enclosed room (not Gauguin’s porch above), each human being’s sweet 98.6 degree F. body generates heat equivalent to a 175-watt heater. SO imagine what 10 friends can do! Things could get downright steamy.

OK– but what about the money side of entertaining? Friends don’t let friends starve, right. So it can cost more than you’ve saved in heat to wine and dine your buddies. Problem solved. Declare the party an eco-friendly pot luck. Ask each guest to bring one dish of food, so you ALL can save.

And instead of lots of wine and beer and an open bar, make one huge batch of punch — going easy on the alcohol, not because you’re chintzy — OK, maybe a little — but really because you care about your friends’ health. It’s lots cheaper and oh so fun. For the non-alcoholic fare, forget bottled water and soft drinks — way too pricey. Whip up a batch of lemonade. If you need the exercise, start squeezing lemons. But if you want to save even more money and time, just spring for a big can of powdered lemonade (you’d be surprised at how authentic it tastes. Slice up a real lemon and add it to the pitcher for a little tang and a natural touch.

Cheers! Here’s to good friends, good fun and green savings.

And send me your favorite tips for saving money and going green.

– For some more short tips on going green and saving money, check out this post from The Frugalist

Green Freebie: Pick the Marathon Winners and Get a Toyota Prius – You Don’t Even Have to Jog

susan — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:36:45 -0400

Can’t get much greener than running – though driving a hybrid to your destination is a close second (or third or fourth) – but definitely faster. Now you don’t even have to run to win – just pick the top three pros you think will win the NYC Marathon this Sunday – November 2, 2008 – and you can drive one of the greenest cars on the road. But hurry – you have to make your picks by Nov. 1, 2008. Run to the computer and get those fingers moving — that’s a first step. Hey, we all have to start somewhere.

Free Green Stuff: Win a 2009 Fuel-Efficient Hybrid Car

susan — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:33:05 -0400

By Susan Seliger

Lower your carbon footprint in style. Bikes are nice – and green machines are keen. But hey – a free car – who can quibble with that? Especially if it’s a spiffy, fuel-efficient 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid worth over $24,000. That’s what Charter Cable TV is offering – no purchase necessary. You have until the end of October to see if you’re the lucky one. So forget the stock market and start clicking.

Go Green-Save Green: Turn Your Computer Off and Save $75

susan — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:00:18 -0400

By Susan Seliger

OK, turning your computer on may take a minute longer than just tapping the mouse each time you sit down at your desk. (And the cat may have to find another warm place to loll about. ) But ask yourself this: if somebody offered you $75 just to add two mouse clicks to your daily routine (click Start; click Turn Off Computer, done) wouldn’t you take it?

Throw in the fact that you’ll also be reducing carbon emissions and letting your computer catch up on its beauty sleep, and it becomes a no-brainer green move. Save even more if you turn the entire power strip off that feeds the printer, your phone and ipod charger, desk lamp all the other appliances that suck energy just be being plugged in.

Need more incentive? Use that minute of warm-up time to stand up at your desk, and do a few body stretches (reach your hands up to the ceiling) and neck turns (shake your head gently Yes and then No) to keep from getting so stiff once you do sit down. That’ll save you another $75-$125 in chiropractic fees.

And that’s just for one household with one computer — imagine if you’re a small business with 100 computers — that’s $7,500 in savings. I bet you can think of a few things you’d like to do with that chunk of change.

Photo credit: www.lacyloos.com/about/cats.php

How to Green Your Jeans: 5 Tips To Cut Your Carbon Footprint and Save Money

susan — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:08:51 -0400

By Susan Seliger

There is probably no single piece of clothing that has ever been as popular –around the world — as blue jeans. What’s not to love – you can dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down. And best of all, they solve that most annoying of all first-thing-in-the-morning questions: “What’s clean enough to wear?”

In the U.S. we more than 500 million pairs of jeans– that means annual sales figures are over $13 billion ($13.4 billion in 2001, the last concrete figures I could find reported).

So just imagine how much we could reduce our collective carbon footprint if each of us handled our favorite fanny-covering in a greener fashion. It’s easy – try these tips:

1. Buy organic jeans from the start.

Ordinary cotton uses a lot of water and chemicals in the treatment process. Check out Levi’s eco-friendly line.

2. Look for hemp jeans:

This versatile plant – and don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about – is ideal for jeans. Fewer pesticides, fewer chemicals, all good.

Check out these sources for hemp jeans: Hempest and Rawganique.

3. Repair your old jeans:

You know those rips look cool anyway. And for those in the wrong places, take out a needle and start stitching. Add your own design while you’re at it.

4. Wash sparingly.

Ok, if the jeans can stand up by themselves, it’s time to scrub. But really, until then, save some water.

5. Recycle the old when you buy the new:

Gained weight? Lost weight? Whatever – there is someone out there who will want the old ones. If they’re in good shape, try a vintage clothing shop. Otherwise, find a Salvation Army near you, or a Goodwill — they’re always ready to do their part in keeping us a little greener.

Photo credit: total health break throughs:

Green Freebie: Save Money & Gas — Win a Stylish Beach Cruiser Bike

susan — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:10:27 -0400

By Susan Seliger

Cut back on the high cost of gas – and cut your carbon footprint – win a bike and ride free. The company Sixthreezero has come up with a Scholar beach cruiser bike made especially for women. It has all the classic features the guys’ version has – oversized leather saddle, leather grips and more. The contest, sponsored by Sheknows.com, is open to U.S. residents 18 and over only – and you can enter every hour from now until October 10. So get busy. Start cruising in style – and saving $$$ — which is always in style.

Photo credit: www.Beachbikes.net

New Dangers Found in BPA Plastics: Add Death from Heart Disease to the List that Already Included Diabetes, Obesity, Breast and

susan — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:18:31 -0400

By Susan Seliger

Here’s a BPA update. Just when you though it was safe to drink bottled juice and water and eat canned foods and go to the dentist, a new study from the Sept. 17, 2008 JAMA (the Journal of the American Medical Association) finds that death from heart disease may be another risk to add to the list. That risk list (from BPA found in hard plastic bottles and the lining of most food and beverage cans) already included diabetes, obesity, and hormonal changes that can produce breast and prostate cancer and neurobehavioral changes in infants exposed in the womb.

I know you’re worried about your money and might be thinking that buying organic and focusing on eating local, natural foods is a needless splurge in tough times. But this new study is a serious reminder that going green, especially when it comes to the the foods you eat, is not an indulgence. It will keep you healthy — and alive a little longer.

Here are some answers to your basic BPA questions. See for yourself if the fuss is justified. ANd there’s a useful list of other BPA articles at the end.

WHERE IS BPA FOUND?

BPA (bisphenol-A, an endocrine-disrupting chemical) is used in polycarbonate plastic (such as hard, colored water bottles and 5-gallon bottles used in water coolers) and the lining of most food and beverage cans. BPA can leach from the plastic into foods and liquids – and even more leaches when the container is heated or used and re-used.

BUT DOES IT REALLY GET INTO OUR BODIES?

Short answer: Yes. Nearly everybody in the U.S. seems to have BPA show up in their urine – which means it was in the body. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control found BPA in the bodies of 93 percent of the people they tested.

From the JAMA study:

“Widespread and continuous exposure to BPA, primarily through food but also through drinking water, dental sealants, dermal exposure, and inhalation of household dusts, is evident from the presence of detectable levels of BPA in more than 90% of the US population.”

BUT IS THIS LOW-LEVEL EXPOSURE REALLY DANGEROUS?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer from the JAMA study:

“Evidence of effects in animals has generated concern over low-level chronic exposures in humans…..“Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the world’s highest production–volume chemicals, with more than 2 million metric tons produced worldwide in 2003 and annual increase in demand of 6% to 10% annually.1 Bisphenol A is used extensively in epoxy resins lining food and beverage containers and as a monomer in polycarbonate plastics in many consumer products. Widespread and continuous exposure to BPA, primarily through food but also through drinking water, dental sealants, dermal exposure, and inhalation of household dusts, is evident from the presence of detectable levels of BPA in more than 90% of the US population.”

“The potential for low-dose effects has added to the controversy about possible hazards and whether currently recommended exposure thresholds require revision.”

CONCLUSION:IS BPA REALLY A HEALTH RISK?

Short answer: Yes — exposure to BPA may lead to death from a variety of diseases – that could have been prevented by reducing exposure.

Long answer from JAMA:

““We found that higher BPA concentrations were associated with diagnoses of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”

“Higher BPA exposure, reflected in higher urinary concentrations of BPA, may be associated with avoidable morbidity in the community-dwelling adult population.”

“Using data representative of the adult US population, we found that higher urinary concentrations of BPA were associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and liver-enzyme abnormalities. These findings add to the evidence suggesting adverse effects of low-dose BPA in animals.”

FOR MORE information on BPA, check out these stories:

JAMA STUDY: Association of Urinary Bisphenol A Concentration With Medical Disorders and Laboratory Abnormalities in Adults

BPA in Dental Plastic: Are the Fillings in your Teeth Dangerous?

BPA: The Dangers of Canned Food May Be Greater Than Plastics

BPA: 5 Tips to Avoid the Dangers in Plastics

Where to Find Baby Bottles Without BPA — and Formula and Pacifiers, Too

Where to Find BPA-Free Baby Bottles and Sippy Cups

BPA: Plastic Products That Are BPA-Free

Where to Find Safe Plastics without BPA Chemicals

Your BPA Questions Answered

Photo credit: Susan Seliger

Send This to Your Favorite Small Business Owner: Top 10 Tips to Green Your Small Business

susan — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:30:23 -0400

By Susan Seliger

I met an inspiring small business owner recently – the founder and CEO of Pangea Organics – a skincare company – who is the perfect reminder of the “power of one.”

Joshua Onysko launched Pangea with a simple business plan, as he put it: “Make soap, sell soap.” But along the way he realized that every step in the process counted – and had to be environmentally and ethically sound.

It wasn’t enough to make eco-friendly products – he said he had to be equally friendly to his staff – paying a living wage, including health and dental insurance for all. And why stop at natural soap and lotions when you can also make the packaging entirely out of recycled newsprint?

And why stop with simple recycling – when you can tell the consumer who just bought that Facial Scrub that they can stick that empty package in a flowerpot and step back! Before they can say “I live in an apartment and don’t have a compost pile,” they will be sprouting herbal plants whose seeds were embedded in the box. Nice touch, Joshua.

Small businesses are what make America great. And their influence – if they choose to go green – can be as big as the mighty corporations getting all the attention for joining the eco-friendly fray these days.

“Independent firms with less than 500 employees employ half of the private sector workforce and use half of the electricity and natural gas consumed by the commercial and industrial sectors, In 2006, small businesses accounted for 99.9 percent of the 26.8 million businesses in the country,” according to Jonathon Bardelline, in The Big Impact from Greening Small Businesses at GreenBiz.com.

So here are 10 simple Go-Green Steps for entrepreneurs everywhere — no matter what your core business may be.

1. Ask your employees for green ideas first.

You don’t need to hire a Director of Sustainability. Ask the people who always have the best ideas – your team. After all, if they have to implement these plans, it’s smart to get their buy-in from the start. Offering bonuses for eco-ideas that save the company money wouldn’t hurt.

2. Buy everybody a mug.

Warning to CEOs: Do not put your mug on their mug, as one CEO we know thought of doing. It’s funny for the first 2 seconds –and then it’s just creepy (and a little Orwellian). Your logo is OK. Giving each employee the gift of a ceramic, reusable mug engenders good will – and it will save you a fortune on those nasty Styrofoam cups. The average office worker uses up to 500 disposable coffee cups per year – and Styrofoam takes about one million years to fully decompose. Give the extra mugs to clients and visitors to use and then take home. Not a bad way to reinforce your identity as a company that cares.

3. Buy green coffee – and green cleaning products — while you’re at it.

Coffee with the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal of approval has been produced by companies committed to sustainable practices and treating their workers decently. Stock the kitchen and bathrooms with natural, organic hand soap, detergents and dish soaps that are kind to employees’ busy hands — and the environment.

4. Replace the office refrigerator, microwave – and all your equipment – with energy-efficient models.

Newer Energy Star-Rated appliances use up to 40% less energy than older versions. Look for star ratings on fax machines, copiers, printers and everything you use.

5. Recycle Paper – this is a big one – and easy, too.

Do we really have to remind you about this one? About 40% of the garbage in our landfills is paper that could have been recycled. * Buy recycled paper – along with biodegradable paper plates and napkins. * Encourage copying on both sides. * Have bins for recycling paper in convenient locations – like next to the coffee machine – to give added incentive to toss paper in the right spot.

6. Apply the 3 R’s to electronics and office equipment, too

The eco-mantra, reduce, reuse, recycle, doesn’t stop at paper. You can refill ink cartridges. Recycle electronics safely – Staples and Office Depot are getting into the recycling act. When in doubt, go to Earth911 to see where to recycle – or donate – in your area. You may even qualify for a tax credit for donations to local schools or non-profits. Other recycling resources: Top 10 Recycling Resources ; Electronics Recycling; Who Makes The Greenest Electronics?.

7. Replace bottled water with a water filter

Bottled water costs too-to-three times as much as gasoline. Americans spend more than $8 billion a year on bottled water – and generate over 1.5 million tons of plastic that will not break down in landfills for tens of thousands of years. A water filter costs pennies per gallon. You do the math.

8. Save on travel costs – telecommuting, teleconferencing, hybrid vehicles

Consider allowing some employees to telecommute from home one or two days a month and teleconference their meetings – the energy savings, time savings and good will can be immense. If you need a new company car, consider a hybrid — you may even qualify for a tax credit up to $3,400. (Check The IRS Rulings on Hybrids .)

9. Consider laptops – instead of desktops – for staff.

A laptop’s LCD screen uses 1/3 the energy of a typical Cathode Ray Tube. And employees can take laptops with them – at night or when they travel — to get more done. Win-win.

10. Change your lights to CFLs — Are you seeing the light?

If every American installed 5 CFL bulbs, we’d save close to $8 billion each year in energy costs — and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 10 million cars, according to the EPA’s Energy Star site.

What are you waiting for? There’s gold in going green.

Photo Credit: A site to go to for more tips on green business ideas: Hub Pages