TIP for Thursday November 27th, 2008

A greener workplace can mean a lighter ecological footprint, and a healthier and more productive place to work. How do you start? An easy way is to digitize. The greenest paper is no paper at all, so keep things digital and dematerialized whenever possible. The more you do online, the less you need paper. Keep files on computers instead of in file cabinets (this also makes it easier to make offsite backup copies or take them with you when you move to a new office). Review documents onscreen rather than printing them out. Send emails instead of paper letters. New software like Greenprint http://www.printgreener.com/index.html helps eliminate blank pages from documents before printing and can also convert to PDF for paperless document sharing. For more info log onto http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/11/greenprint_1.php



Congratulations to Garrick Fung winner of the Black & Decker "Go Green and Save" prize a B&D Power Monitor. It can save you as much as 20% on your monthly energy bills as it tracks you energy usage and tells you what your energy consumption means in dollars.

Listen up tomorrow at 2pm for the Green Tip and your chance to win!

TIP for Wednesday November 26th, 2008

The end of the month is just days away, and so is that old tradition of putting up the Xmas tree! You may be surprised to find out which is greener. An artificial Christmas tree might seem like the greener option, since no real tree is being destroyed and it can be reused year after year. But they’re usually made of PVC, and the recycling center can’t recycle old PVC trees. Not to mention the fire hazards that are associated with fake trees. Christmas tree farms, on the other hand, have sustainability built into the business. When you cut your tree down and take it home to trim, they’ll plant another one to sell a few years down the line. In the meantime it’ll be turning carbon dioxide into oxygen and providing habitats for animals. Plus the benefit of a real tree is the fabulous pine smell of the outdoors in your home through out the holidays.

Congratulations to Matthew Fenty winner of the Black & Decker "Go Green and Save" prize a B&D Power Monitor. It can save you as much as 20% on your monthly energy bills as it tracks you energy usage and tells you what your energy consumption means in dollars.

Listen up tomorrow at 2pm for the Green Tip and your chance to win!

TIP for Tuesday November 25th, 2008

We’ve moved into a digital world that makes CD’s seem like they are prehistoric. Once you’ve transferred them to you PC or iPod what do you do with them? Well you could be creative and use them as Christmas tree ornaments, make some gifts…like coasters, wind chimes you could even make a very funky room separator! But if you’re like me and you just can't depart with your favourite CD even though it’s scratched, try this little trick… polish! The theory behind fixing a scratched CD, is similar to fixing scratched paint on your car. The key is to polish out the deep scratches by using a substance that will create very fine scratches, and essentially polish the CD. Try using Brasso or Greener methods like toothpaste! Look for an all natural toothpaste then finish it off with all natural 100% carnauba car wax.

To find out to use this method log onto http://planetgreen.discovery.com/work-connect/repair-scratched-cd.html

Congratulations to Rhonda Haynes winner of the Black & Decker Go Green and Save prize…a B&D Power Monitor. It can save you as much as 20% on your monthly energy bills as it tracks you energy usage and tells you what your energy consumption means in dollars.

Listen up tomorrow at 2pm for the Green Tip and your chance to win!

TIP for Monday November 24th, 2008

When it comes to your favourite bottle of wine, which is GREENER, cork or screw cap? You’d be surprised. Cork forests are endangered, however, Cork is made from stripping bark off cork oak trees without damaging the trees. Cork trees can live for well over 100 years and keep regrowing their bark. Plus rare wildlife, such as the Iberian lynx, depend on cork oak forests for their survival. New metal and plastic have to be mined and manufactured for those screw caps or plastic corks. And corks are compostable. Put used corks on top of the soil in your houseplant pots - work great as mulch.

Fore more on this tip and more green tips go to www.idealbite.com

Congrats to Paola Medina winner of the BLACK & DECKER “Go Green and Save” Prize a B&D Power Monitor! Listen up tomorrow at 2pm for the GREEN TIP and your chance to win!

TIP for Friday November 21st, 2008

If you want to be eco-conscience this winter and save money there are a few more things you can do besides turning your thermostat down that will also keep you cozy.

*Plug drafts with caulking and weather stripping.

*Use left over bubble wrap by placing it inside windows to act as an insulator.

*Put clear plastic dome covers over basement window wells to keep cold air out and allow solar heat in.

*Hang some blankets or quilts inside window frames with adjustable shower rods to insulate and stop drafts. Roll small ones up to use as draft stoppers for doors and window sills. Add a blanket or two to the top of your mattress just underneath the fitted sheet and you have a homemade pillow top bed.

TIP for Thursday November 20th, 2008

First snowfall means…treacherous ICE!! Time to pull out the rock salt!! Sodium chloride is a very effective de-icing agent, it’s very easy to obtain and is inexpensive. The problem is that up to 90% of the salt enters the soil near the road as runoff and may even wind up in waterways. The widespread use of salt has created a number of environmental problems, including damage to roadside and garden vegetation, contamination of well water and corrosion of vehicles and infrastructure. You can use green solutions around your home and help the environment. Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) and Potassium acetate (KA) are both biodegradable materials that have less of an environmental impact than rock salt however they can be expensive. Try some cheaper green methods like, Fireplace ash, sand, birdseed, bio-degradable kitty litter or try sprinkling some baking soda over your steps.

TIP for Tuesday November 18th, 2008

Getting ready to travel soon? Be GREEN and skip the unnecessary luxuries. In a study three quarters of travelers still felt it was necessary to have fresh sheets and towels every night of their stay at the same hotel, something few people practice at home! If you're staying more than one night, let the housekeeping know that you don't require fresh bed linens and towels each day. Sleeping on the same sheets for a few nights will save both energy and water. Use safety pins to mark which towel belongs to which person and hang them up to dry after use. And yes, it's okay to take the soap and shampoo when you leave. Used bars of soap and open bottles end up in the hotel dumpster. Instead, you can use them up at home or take them along on your next trip. During your stay, finish the bottle of shampoo and bar of soap before opening another one. Voila you have become a GREEN traveler!

TIP for Monday November 17th, 2008

Green labels! When shopping check the garment label and try to avoid ones that say DRY CLEAN ONLY. The common dry cleaning chemical, perchloroethylene http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/perc.html, is a probable carcinogen and has been classified as a groundwater contaminant by the EPA. Plus 70% of perc used in dry cleaning ends up in nature. Another green reason is avoiding the wire hangers…where do they all go after you get your dry cleaning home? If you have to dry clean look for greener cleaners like ones that use eco friendly methods.

TIP for Friday November 14th, 2008

The spirit of the holiday season is upon us. The Santa Clause parade is this weekend and snow is in the forecast…Time to send some holiday cheer with Green Christmas cards! This year send your holiday cheer on recycled cards, e-cards or something fun and send an important message. Thinks of all the trees you'll be saving! 2.65 billion cards bought in North America each year are not made from recycled paper and are most likely NOT recycled. Why not give a plantable card that will grow when you throw it in the backyard! Check these out - Greene Street Cards www.greenestgreetings.com - eco-friendly and proceeds go to a green cause!

TIP for Thursday November 13th, 2008

You’re trying to be green by reusing your plastic water bottle to tote H2O around in…but it turns out those reusable hard-plastic bottles can possibly leach toxins. Polycarbonate plastic used in bottles can leach bisphenol-A, which has been linked to birth defects, miscarriage, and prostate cancer. Also plastic water bottles require 1.5 million barrels of oil each year to make. Even if the bottles are recycled, plastic doesn't recycle 100% like glass or metal does so it just makes sense to eliminate as much plastic consumption as possible. Choose stainless steel or glass bottles instead for a reusable container so you can stay hydrated and green. Some companies have started to bottle water in glass bottles. To see a list of eco conscience bottled water companies check out Raynwater at www.raynwater.com. They supply a water available in a glass bottle called 10,000 BC. Canadian water, from a real live glacier, completely isolated and unreachable by humans or animals!

TIP for Tuesday November 11th, 2008

Is the changing weather wreaking havoc on your complexion? Feel like your back in high school? Why not try products made with body- and eco-friendlier ingredients and avoid the harsh chemicals. Ingredients from blemish busters will ultimately end up in nature, so the fewer synthetics we use, the better. The cosmetics industry has only screened about 11% of the 10,500 ingredients in personal care products for safety, so opt for less questionable ingredients. You can use tea tree and willow bark to spot-treat breakouts, and look for products that contain fruit hydroxyl. You’ll have fabulous skin and a GREEN conscience!

TIP for Monday November 10th, 2008

It’s that time of year to start decorating for the holidays! Make it GREEN by leaving those PVC holiday yard decorations at the store (put the plastic Santa down and step back from the Snowman). PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is the most dangerous plastic around due to the cancer-causing chemicals it releases during and after production. PVC used for outdoor decorations degrades after long sun exposure and seeps into groundwater. By using natural pieces you’ll save yourself more cash for gifts! Those plastic Santa scenes can cost upwards of $150 and natural decorations can go right back to where they came from…nature

TIP for Friday November 7th, 2008

Have a GREEN sleep with eco friendly pillows. Sleep on pillows made from non petrol, humane materials such as natural rubber latex and save a bird! Farmers grow alternative materials like kapok, rubber trees, and buckwheat without pesticides and that helps to keep soil free from chemicals. The polyester in conventional pillows is a byproduct of oil plus, it's not biodegradable - unlike eco-options. If you do make the switch remember to recycle your old pillows. You can often donate them to animal shelters, or use the stuffing instead of packing peanuts when you're shipping stuff.

TIP for Thursday November 6th, 2008

When was the last time you went to the LIBRARY? You know that big brick building with all those books? A trip to the library will make you smarter and GREENER. More than 1.6 billion books are purchased in North America each year. That’s a lot of trees! Plus the majority of inks used by printing houses are petroleum-based. Borrowing books will not only save resources but money because it’s FREE! New books start at about $25…are you calculating? Libraries also constantly update and add new titles all the time. So go get carded today! ;)

TIP for Wednesday November 5th, 2008

You haven’t needed to pull out the good ole electric blanket this week but next week we are back to cooler temperatures so why not get green and warm with an organic or recycled blanket. Organic and recycled fabrics are easier on the earth than conventional ones, since they forgo pesticides and the production of new materials. Electric blankets produce electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) that are potential health hazards. The jury's still out, but EMFs, like the ones produced by cell phones, may be connected to diseases like cancer. PLUS Electric blankets are responsible for thousands of fires each year. Last you’ll save on your electricity bills because you won’t have to plug your blanket in!

TIP for Tuesday November 4th 2008

Fashion Takes Action Presents Canada’s Greenest Fashion Events: The Sustainable Style Show & Green Gala Saturday November 8th at the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery District. Proceeds from both events will benefit Environmental Defence http://www.environmentaldefence.ca and the launch of Fashion Takes Action http://www.fashiontakesaction.com . Both events will feature many sponsors and suppliers that strive to provide eco-friendly options. The Sustainable Style Show will feature hand-selected, eco-friendly fashion and beauty vendors, selling their products to the eco savvy consumer. The second annual Green Gala will once again feature ten of Canada’s top fashion designers, each creating three couture or evening wear garments made from eco-friendly fabrics. The goal is to raise awareness around the potential that these fabrics have to make higher end clothing. For a list of participating designers and celebrity models visit www.fashiontakesaction.com.

The following examples further emphasize the event’s light carbon footprint:
· The events will be powered by Bullfrog Power http://www.bullfrogpower.com, which uses clean, emissions-free power sources like Eco-LogoTM Certified wind and low-impact water power instead of carbon-intensive sources like coal and oil;
· Green Beauty http://www.greenbeauty.ca , an eco-conscious styling agency, will be using eco-friendly products on the models, and will also follow a zero electricity policy when doing their hair;
· The runway will once again be LED lit, and all ambient lighting will be a combination of LED’s and energy efficient halides provided by Eurolite http://www.eurolite.com
· Organic, local and fair trade floral arrangements will be provided by Eco Flora; http://www.ecoflora.ca
· The bar will be organic and eco-friendly featuring Canadian Brewery of the Year Mill Street Brewery http://www.millstreetbrewery.com, carbon-positive wine Plantatree http://www.plantatreewine.com/flash.html and eco-friendly 360 Eco Luxury Vodka http://www.vodka360.com/ageverify.php?accesscheck=index.php
· The food served will be vegetarian and either local or organic
· All plates, napkins, cups etc will be biodegradable courtesy of Green Shift http://www.greenshift.ca
· No bottled water will be served at either event. Toronto tap water http://www.toronto.ca/water is the greenest choice
· All printed materials are on FSC certified, high post consumer recycled paper, with eco-friendly inks via CJ Graphics http://www.cjgraphics.com
· Gift bags are made from tree free paper using Mitz Terraskin’s http://www.mitzart.com/default4.asp stone paper which will also be used to make three garments in the runway show;
· Volunteer t-shirts are made from 100% recycled materials from Eco Gear http://www.eco-gear.ca

For more information on these events please visit www.fashiontakesaction.com.
To speak directly with Kelly Drennan please call 416-778-5934 or email kelly@fashiontakesaction.com

TIP for Friday October 31st, 2008

WHEN it comes to buying a new Halloween costume, the cost alone could give you a fright. Plus the mountain of packaging is destined to clog up our landfill - even the manufacturing of outfits causes pollution. Go for a homemade costume, it’s cheaper and more eco-friendly. Look around the house for any old material or unused buttons or clothes, anything that could be used to make that one of kind creative costume! Or check out a swap shop. If all that sounds like too much creativity for you and few extra dollars renting a costume is your next green alternative! Make it a GREEN Halloween!

TIP for Thursday October 30th, 2008

Got some parties planned for the weekend? If you have to use disposable plates and utensils, opt for biodegradable options made from corn or sugarcane, and then compost them. Your best bet is to go with reusable kitchenware, but if that’s not an option look for bio-plastics. They are usually marked as biodegradable or compostable, and with a number seven. Plastics that say "biodegradable" may contain toxins, so you have to send it to a special composting facility. A "compostable" label means it's nontoxic and breaks down as fast as paper in your home compost pile. Don't toss either kind into the recycle bin, since they won't mix correctly with other plastics. Before you buy, make sure you have a place to compost; otherwise, you will be throwing them in the garbage.

TIP for Wednesday October 29th, 2008

Budgets are tight these days, so if you've only got a little extra to spend on organics, put it toward the produce items that tend to have less pesticide residue. Pesticides aren't just toxic to the intended pests - they can also harm other animals and even you. More than 80% of the most common pesticides are potentially carcinogenic…cancer causing. So if you’re going to go organic here your top ten pick:

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Bell Peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Lettuce
9. Grapes (imported)
10. Pears

Check out http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php for a guide to the worst and best produce, in terms of pesticide levels.

TIP for Monday October 27th, 2008

The days are getting shorter and darker and that means higher electricity bills! Artificial lighting ads up to almost 15% of your homes electricity use. So....make the most of the natural sunlight. Open your curtains and shades during the day, then close them at night for better heat insulation. If you’re planning on doing some upgrades to your home, North and South facing windows are best because they let in the most even natural daylight. East and West facing windows let in more morning and evening light however they produce glare that doesn't help with temperature regulation. More sunlight in your life during the winter months also means better biorhythms and less depression!

TIP for Friday October 24th, 2008

All week I’ve been telling how you can be green and save green. Why not take it an extra step and put that all that money you’ve saved into an eco-friendly wallet? Look for ones made from reclaimed leather or recycled materials. Think about it…ones made from recycled plastic and rice bags will save garbage from going to the landfill.

This weekend you can prevent our landfills from getting bigger by taking part in Canadian Tire’s “Rewards for Recycling” program. Saturday and Sunday take in your old A/C’s dehumidifiers, and halogen floor lamps to any one of their stores, and in return get $25 and $10 gift certificates.

TIP for Thursday October 23rd, 2008

Keep your plumbing and the Earth cleaner by pitching stuff you might think is flushable into the garbage can instead. Flushing garbage just adds another layer to the disposal process since someone will eventually have to fish it out. Yes the wastewater treatment people have to sift out your gross bandages and condoms, but some trash can slip by and end up back in nature like in the lake. Throwing it in the trash ensures that it WILL get to the landfill. Plus flushing that tampon applicator, even the cardboard ones, down the toilet could cost you if it ends up clogging your pipes.

TIP for Wednesday October 22nd, 2008

Halloween is a few days away and here’s how you can make your Jack-O-Lantern GREEN. Use eco-friendly candles to light it. Look for candles made from non-petroleum-based wax, such as beeswax or soybean oil. Try and use as much of the pumpkin as you can. Bake the seeds, put the "guts" in a pie and then compost the rest. You’ll create less landfill! Plus Pumpkin seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids that aid with brain functioning; and the flesh is a good source of fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C, and potassium. You and the Earth will be healthier!



Here’s a great recipe for tasty pumpkin seeds and homemade pumpkin pie

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/TOASTED-SALTED-PUMPKIN-SEEDS-102960

http://www.pumpkinpatchesandmore.org/pumpkinpie.php

TIP for Tuesday October 21st, 2008

Dry off in eco-friendly towels, made from bamboo and organic cotton, and your GREEN on!!! Conventional cotton accounts for more than 10% of the world's pesticide use and almost 25% of its insecticides; choosing organic can help lower those numbers. Another BONUS is Organic towels are soooo soft, especially the bamboo blends, and very absorbent. What do you do with your old towels? Cut them into smaller pieces for dishcloths, dusters, potholders, or rags; or put them to use for your pet, as wet-feet dryers, blankets, or sew them together to make beach towels. Be creative!

Make sure you take your old A/C’s and dehumidifiers to any Canadian Tire store this Saturday and Sunday, and in return you’ll get a $25 CT gift certificate. Take in your old halogen floor lamps and get a $10 gift certificate. Get involved in Canadian Tire’s REWARDS FOR RECYCLING program and BE GREEN! ;)

TIP for Tuesday October 21st, 2008

Dry off in eco-friendly towels, made from bamboo and organic cotton, and your GREEN on!!! Conventional cotton accounts for more than 10% of the world's pesticide use and almost 25% of its insecticides; choosing organic can help lower those numbers. Another BONUS is Organic towels are soooo soft, especially the bamboo blends, and very absorbent. What do you do with your old towels? Cut them into smaller pieces for dishcloths, dusters, potholders, or rags; or put them to use for your pet, as wet-feet dryers, blankets, or sew them together to make beach towels. Be creative!

Make sure you take your old A/C’s and dehumidifiers to any Canadian Tire store this Saturday and Sunday, and in return you’ll get a $25 CT gift certificate. Take in your old halogen floor lamps and get a $10 gift certificate. Get involved in Canadian Tire’s REWARDS FOR RECYCLING program and BE GREEN! ;)

TIP for Monday October 20th, 2008

Is your germ phobia keeping you from taking PUBLIC transit? You can be GREEN with out catching green. Yes buses, trains, streetcars, and subways harbor plenty of bacteria, but simple things like keeping hand sanitizer on hand help will fend off bacteria worries. If one person in a household takes public transit instead of driving daily, it'll decrease the household's carbon output by 10%. If 10,000 people switch to public transportation for their daily commute, it will have the same CO2-reducing impact of planting 24,000 trees. Plus think of all the extra cash you’ll have. On average, families who use public transportation save $6,200 a year. That’s a lot of soap and hand sanitizer!

TIP for Friday October 17th, 2008

Time to replace your outdated, energy-sucking appliances with new ones! If just 1 in 10 homes used Energy Star-qualified appliances, it'd be equivalent to planting 1.7 mil acres of trees, thanks to less pollution. Because of the new energy standards, new appliances will also save you money on your electricity bills. A new A/C uses at least 10% less energy than conventional models. So what do you do with the old one? Keep them out of the landfills! "Rewards for Recycling" This weekend Canadian Tire stores with support from the Ontario Power Authority (OPA), is rewarding Ontarians for recycling their used air conditioners, dehumidifiers and halogen lamps. Drop of your old ones October 18th & 19th and 25th & 26th, at any Canadian Tire store for safe recycling and in return get hooked up with a $10 or $25 Canadian Tire gift card.

TIP for Thursday October 16th, 2008

Want a reason to get out of hand washing the dishes from dinner? Well the dishwashers on the market these days use less water, energy and soap than the old fashion method. But if you really want savings…flip the switch! Turn off your dishwasher's drying cycle, you'll reduce the energy your dishwasher uses by 15%-50%. You’ll save $25-50 per year on your electricity bill and help the environment! If 10,000 people turned off the dry cycle on the dishwasher, in a year it'll have the same CO2-reducing effect as planting 3,343 trees. If there's no off switch for your dishwasher's drying cycle, just open the door when the cycle starts.

TIP for Wednesday October 15th, 2008

FORGET THE BROWN BAG…put your lunch in a reusable container, BE GREEN and save money! Bringing your lunch to work a few times a week will not only lessen the landfill load, but also put extra money in your pocket!! Think about how much money you spend on lunch per week. You could save close to $3000 a year. A recent study found that about 1/4 of all litter comes from takeout packaging, second only to cigarette butts. In North America, takeout bags and containers create 1.8 million tons of garbage each year.

Check out this link to find out how many calories are in common lunch items http://www.lhj.com/lhj/category.jhtml?categoryid=/templatedata/lhj/category/data/InteractiveLunchbox_App.xml

TIP for Tuesday October 14th, 2008

Why BULK is Better! Pay for the product instead of glitzy packaging. A bulk pound of organic oatmeal can cost less than a buck, while a packaged version retails for $9. Product packaging makes up half of all our municipal solid waste by volume. Believe it or not, more of your grocery money goes toward packaging than to the farmers who produce the food. Buying in bulk reduces the number of trips you need to make to the store so you lessen your CO2 emissions.

York is U is hosting Green Week which is an event that aims to promote environmental awareness. York is U and York Federation of Students are very excited to announce that DAVID SUZUKI will be a keynote speaker during this event. It kicks off today thru Thursday with lots of fun green activities and entertainment including plant your very own tree at York’s
annual Arbour Day at Stong Pond for more infor log onto www.yorkisu.ca

TIP for Friday October 10th, 2008

Good news ladies! You can be green without turning your lips green! Have beautiful luscious lips without the chemicals! Researchers have linked standard lipstick ingredients like parabens, petrolatum and lead, to diseases such as breast cancer. Good news is that there are so many eco-friendly options made with natural minerals and oils that will still give you that sexy pout. Look for natural ingredients like shea butter and vitamin E, beeswax and veggie oils.

To find out which lipstick brands have the least amount of lead http://www.safecosmetics.org/your_health/poisonkiss.cfm

TIP for Thursday October 9th, 2008

Go green with Under-floor heating http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Underfloor_heating and cut your energy bills. After the initial investment, Under-floor heating slashes your heating costs from 25%-50%. It’s more energy efficient because warm air rises and you get even heat distribution throughout the room, therefore you feel warm all the time. You don’t have to set the temperature as high as you would a standard radiator. It’s healthier too! Because there are no vents, forced air, and ducts, under-floor heating can reduce dust mites by 80%. To find out more and to see pricing check out;

http://www.warmlyyours.com/

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1548320,00.html

TIP for Wednesday October 8th, 2008

Organic oils offer more benefits than soft skin and shinny hair! They are better for the environment! Organic coconut, flaxseed, and hemp crops grow extremely well without the use of herbicides, insecticides, and pesticides. You can also use flaxseed and hemp oils in coatings, lubricants, and paints - and opting for natural alternatives gives manufacturers more reason to produce them. Plus they are great for your health! Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which the body can use to kill certain viruses such as the flu. Flaxseed and hemp have mega omega-3 power, which helps lower cholesterol. And of course all three oils are terrific at fighting off dry skin and hair (especially this time of year!). Try cooking with hemp or coconut oil and add a little flaxseed oil to your favourite salad dressing.

TIP for Tuesday October 7th, 2008

Recently I decided to go back to the old school method of using a bar of soap to bathe with. Most body washes contain a lot of ingredients that I can’t pronounce and I found an olive oil soap (that is so fabulous for your skin, especially in winter) that is only available in a bar. But there is a GREEN reason to use the bar. Soap bars are eco-friendlier and cheaper than liquid soaps. In terms of weight, liquid body soap packaging accounts for 31% of the waste we send to landfills. Bar soaps have less packaging and cost less than liquid body wash. And studies have found that bar soap keeps you just as clean as liquid soap. Look for bars of soap made with all natural ingredients that will get you clean, exfoliated and moisturized. Ingredients like glycerin for deep cleaning, black pepper for exfoliating, and coconut, palm, and olive oil for moisturizing

TIP for Monday October 6th, 2008

Need a better nights sleep? If it’s time for a new mattress make sure you donate or recycle the old one. We throw away about 20 million mattresses each year in North America, so donating or recycling means much smaller landfills. If 10,000 people recycled a full-size bed instead of throwing it away, we would prevent enough waste to cover an NFL field with 8 feet of garbage…THINK ABOUT IT. Recyclers can separate the fiber, foam, steel, and wood for remanufacturing into…a new mattress! Check with the store where you're buying your new mattress to see if it offers donation or recycling services for your old one.

For a list of non-profit agencies that accept furniture donations go to www.toronto.ca

If you choose to donate it check out the link below on how to properly clean it first. http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-clean-a-mattress_1/

TIP for Friday October 3rd, 2008

The leaves are falling which means time to pull out the rake. Just make sure you bag your leaves properly or turn them into your own garden mulch. Putting them in plastic garbage bags will only preserve them for years in the landfill! Between 20%-50% of the waste we send to landfills is biodegradable and compostable.

Aside from your lawn, mulching your garden will reduce your water usage by about 25%. Mulching also adds nutrients to the soil, controls weeds by blocking sunlight, and provides erosion control. Try shredding your leaves with a lawnmower to mulch them or get a leave shredder. Add grass clippings to make the leaves biodegrade quicker. Be sure to spread the mulch 4-6 inches around trees, and 2-3 inches around flowers and shrubs.

TIP for Thursday October 2nd, 2008

Have you made the switch yet? I’m talking about ONLINE banking. Besides being able to get rid of that eyesore of a filing cabinet in the corner of the den or clearing out your junk drawer, online banking prevents identity theft! A recent study found that people who bank online reduce their chances of identity theft by up to 10% since there's no paper trail. Just think of all the trees you’ll save. If all North Americans viewed and paid bills online, we could keep 18.5 million trees growing each year. Last banking online saves time. No more standing in lines at the bank because you can do all your banking from the comfort of your home (even in your underwear if you want!).

TIP for Wednesday October 1st, 2008

Why more is sometimes better…for the environment. Next time you go grocery shopping, fill up your cart. Overall you’ll make fewer trips to the store, save cash, energy, and hours in the process. Half the pollution it takes to transport your food comes from your drive to and from the store. The other half comes from the farm to the distribution center to the store. Both your fridge and freezer are more efficient when you pack them full (but not so full that cold air can't circulate). When they are full in a power outage, they'll even hold the temp for twice as long as half-full ones. Even the time you spend parking can make you think twice about going to the store for just a couple items. In the long run you’ll save cash on electricity bills and gasoline. If you’re fridge is half full try packing it with water-filled containers like pitchers or water bottles. A fridge full of cool items retains the cold temperature better and keeps efficiency high.

TIP for Tuesday September 30th, 2008

Can’t afford a hybrid or new electric car but you want to be GREEN without having to give up your four wheels? Solution…THE BLADE RUNNER. No not Harrison Ford!! It’s device from the Sabertec Company that clips onto your tailpipe. According to their website http://bladeyourride.com it serves as a filter, decreasing emissions of CO2 and toxic particulate materials. Also, it helps the catalytic converter and your engine's volumetric efficiency run more smoothly, which in layman's terms means a more fuel efficient ride that is as good for your wallet as the environment.

TIP for Monday September 29th, 2008

Do you feel like a star because you sign your name so many times on a daily basis? Try an electronic signature service, so you won't have to print, fax, and overnight every contract that comes across your desk, just to sign it. It's great for the environment. Paper production costs us trees, oil, and water, and express mailings create a big carbon footprint. Plus nearly 400 million ink and 100 million toner cartridges end up in dumps each year. You can subscribe to some services for as little as $20 a month or check out this link for a free service that will even track and file your documents.
http://www.echosign.com/es

TIP FOR Friday September 27th, 2008

Got Mold? Did you know that there are over 80 strains of mold that have been associated with respiratory tract disorders? Get rid of the green with the GREEN weapon! Undiluted white vinegar, it kills 82 percent of mold strains, enough for most problems. Fill a spray bottle, saturate the area, and let it sit. The smell will be a bit harsh, but it typically clears out in a few hours, taking the unsightly respiratory tract-threatening green/brown patch with it.

For more resilient mold colonies, try a mixture of two teaspoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water. The smell can be overwhelming, and will linger for a few days, but tea tree oil works when nothing else will. Nearly as effective as tea tree oil, grapefruit seed extract (20 drops mixed with two cups of water) will do the trick without the smell.

TIP for Thursday September 25th, 2008

Going green doesn't have to mean losing green. There are so many ways to be eco-friendly without spending money, being complicated or inconvenient. Composting, making your own bio-fuel, buying only organic-- all are great for the environment, but unrealistic for the average person. Follow these steps to make your life greener, with less money spent.

Dry Clothes the Natural Way
Return to the virtuous days of old, when laundry was hung outside to dry. Let your clothes air-dry instead of wasting massive amounts of energy in the dryer. Not only will your wallet thank you, but your clothes will benefit from the open-air freshness.

Use Body Heat This Winter
Find someone to cuddle with by Winter. This is free and fun, and it actually works. Your body is a toasty 98.6 degrees, so hugging someone else is the best form of insulation. It's cheaper than raising the thermostat, and it doesn't put a strain on the earth.

Say No to Vampire Power
Appliances like printers, blenders, and blow-dryers that remain plugged in while not in use drain your energy slowly. It's a process called vampire power. You may think that because these items are not in use, you're not using electricity, but the truth is that these appliances are always in stand-by mode, and require small amounts of electricity constantly. The more appliances you have plugged in, the more energy you consume. And it can really add up. A simple remedy is to go around the house and unplug unnecessary things, like that old VCR that you never use, or the TV in the guest room. At night, when you shut off your computer, switch off the power strip as well. Unplug fully charged cell phones from the adapter, and unplug the adapter from the wall, too!

Digitize Your Reading
Don't allow more trees to die! Take your reading into the 21st century by reading online or using a Kindle. Of course you can still check out books from the library (or read them an hour at a time at your local bookstore), but both of those option require you to leave home and burn up some more fossil fuel! And remember that websites like Barnes & Noble allow you to buy used books directly from their site. It's cheaper than buying new, and you can feel better about your impact on the environment.

BYOB: Bring Your Own Bags
Leaving the grocery store with a heap of plastic bags is so not cool anymore that many cities are banning them. Although paper is a smidgen better, using cloth bags is that much closer to perfection. Bags are not really necessary at all if you compartmentalize your trunk with a recyclable box and put your food directly from your cart into your box. When the cashier asks, "paper or plastic," you can say "neither!" and feel good about reducing the amount of plastic in landfills. It may feel weirdly pedestrian initially, but the awkwardness will wear off!

Bye Bye Bottled Water
Recent studies have shown that filtered tap water is just as healthy as expensive bottled water. It's time to say goodbye to bottled water that pollutes the earth with long-lasting plastics. Invest in a metal bottle and a simple tap water filter. It'll definitely be cheaper than constantly buying bottled water, and it's healthier for the earth.

Work From Home
Everyone knows that gas prices are going up, but so are all energy prices. Carpooling is so yesterday. If you can convince your boss to let you telecommute a few days a week, you'll be saving both you and your company money. With freely available remote access technology at your fingertips, you can easily work from home without skipping a beat.

These are just some of the many low-to-no-cost things you can do to make a positive impact in the environment, have a lighter carbon footprint, and make the world a little greener. Don't just sit there: be the change you wish to see in the world.

TIP for Wednesday September 24th, 2008

The question of the day for all new parents…Would you wear chemically treated paper underwear? OK when it’s put that way it really make you think. Disposable diapers are made of heavily treated pulp paper, polyethylene, glues, dyes, synthetic perfumes, and sodium polyacrylate, a substance that gives them that "dry feeling". Disposable diapers also use 3x more energy, 10-20x more raw materials, and 2x as much water than reusable cloth diapers, even when you factor in washing them. Going au-naturel also prevents those cute little tushes from becoming red and irritated. When disposable diapers first hit the market, from 1955 to 1991, disposable diaper usage increased from 0% to 90%, and the occurrence of diaper rash increased from 7% to 78%. The solution? Rent cloth diapers from a diaper service. They pick up used diapers, leaving a fresh supply once a week at your doorstep.

To find out everything you wanted to know about cloth diapers check out http://www.diapernet.org/whycloth.htm

TIP for Tuesday September 23rd, 2008

Going to some home renovations this fall and get rid of that old carpet? Once you rip it up what do you do with it? The amount of carpet sent to landfills each year could cover an area bigger than the GTA. Most carpet's made from petroleum, which is a nonrenewable resource. So…some things you can do is reuse the carpet at home for floor mats, runners or even cat scratching posts, or donate it. Some nonprofits organizations accept relatively clean carpet for reuse.
Check out the link below for some carpet recyclers in Ontario
http://www.frasers.com/public/basicListingDetails.jsf;jsessionid=9D3C60C44CF1488A3F7874A999361AA4?cmoid=501751&listingId=27566
What do you replace it with? An eco option! Carpet made from recycled plastic!
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/HomeGarden/pop-bottle-carpets-gorgeous-and-guilt-free/

TIP for Monday September 22nd, 2008

International Car Free Day is an annual event celebrated by 100 million people on every continent and supported by the European Union, the United Nations, the Government of Canada and the leaders of 1500 cities around the world. Car Free Day street events and forums highlight the many problems caused by our dependence on the private automobile, including air pollution, global warming, stress, and safety issues. The Problem of Car Dependence a) Air Pollution: 1,700 premature deaths and 6,000 hospital admissions in Toronto b) Car Accidents: 77 deaths and 24,000 injuries per year (one every 22 minutes) in Toronto c) Economic Cost of Gridlock: $2-Billion per Year in Toronto Plus: Global climate change, obesity, stress, community safety, noise, social isolation, etc.

International Car Free Day also emphasizes the rights of pedestrians and cyclists, the need for more and better public transit, and helps people rediscover their local community, outside the confines of their vehicle.

If you go car free what other mobility choices do you have? Walking, cycling, carpooling and car sharing, public transit and working from home. For more on these alternatives check out http://www.carfreeday.ca/alternatives.php

TIP for Friday September 19th, 2008

Now that the cooler weather is here we’re pulling out our darker colored clothes and sweaters, and bringing our pets to work!! If you’re like me you have to back out the door in the morning so your dogs can’t rub up against your clothes! I know you have special relationship with your lint brush. But is it GREEN? Lint roller with replacement tape only costs a few dollars but it’s not recyclable. It’s ends up in landfills taking up space. Look for a lint brush that lasts forever, like ones with rubber bristles and even better one that’s made from recycled plastic. If you have sweater pilling problems (the little balls that form under the arms) get a sweater comb.

TIP for Thursday September 18th, 2008

Coffee is my drug of choice and I always make sure that I drink fair trade. BUT that’s not all…when buying coffee look on the label for the trinity of perfection…fair-trade, organic and shade grown. Fair-trade means fair wages for workers and guarantees that foreign producers get a decent price for their beans. Organic coffee means you’ll avoid the risk of consuming pesticides. Shade-grown means that farmers let trees grow on their land, giving migrating birds a place to nest. This trinity means that your cup of coffee is not only delicious, but also GREEN!

Is anyone thirsty?

TIP for Wednesday September 17th, 2008

With the price of gas public transportation seems like a better choice. Driving produces about three times more pollution than taking public transportation, and it also wastes money. Tips that will save you some money and help keep our air cleaner are simple things like keeping your engine properly tuned (that can save up to 750 litres of gas or more than $600 per year), making sure your tires are correctly inflated and aligned (that will increase your gas mileage by about 3.3%), and drive slower and less aggressively. Aggressive drivers use an extra 570 litres of gas and spend about $500 more than the average driver each year. Plus public transportation is less stressful than having to deal with a daily commute and traffic!

TIP for Tuesday September 16th, 2008

When you reach for your razor think about this…2 billion disposable razors end up in landfills every year and contribute an annual estimated 2 million lbs of plastic waste. Look for razors with recyclable parts, such as plastic handles or razor cartridge sharpeners that will extend the life of your blade, and reduce the number of disposable razors you use by up to 75% per year. If you want a real eco friendly shave, kick it old-school with a straight razor and hard soap. The blades are permanent, offer the closest shave, and a good vegetable-based soap is better for the environment. Last use an electric razor, they can last for years, many have rechargeable batteries, and they provide a good shave without the packaging and chemicals in creams or gels.

TIP for Monday September 15th, 2008

Do you like to take hour showers? I know cleanliness is next to godliness, but by shortening your shower by 30 seconds you could save 4 gallons of water and be earthly!! If you want to see how much water you use to shower just put the stopper in the tub and see how much water collects. You’ll be very surprised. Another water saving trick is to turn the water of while you soap up or lather your shampoo.

TIP for Friday September 12th, 2008

Got any travel plans for the weekend? If you suffer from motion sickness leave the synthetic antihistamines at home and travel with natural motion sickness cures. You’ll help prevent unwanted drugs from entering our water systems. During government tests, researchers routinely find antihistamines in our water sources. Try the following tricks;

*Avoid loading up on a heavy meal before you set out on your trip.

*Pick the seat least affected by motion: up front in a car, over a wing on a plane, or midship on a boat.

*Avoid nausea triggers such as alcohol, cigarette smoke, and intense odors, as well as watching movies or reading while on the move.

*Get some air: crack a window, turn on a vent, or get out onto the boat's deck.
*Sniff some peppermint or suck on a mint

*Pop a couple organic ginger capsules to settle your belly

TIP for Thursday September 11th, 2008

All natural laundry stain removers are not only GREEN but they are safer. Cleaning products such as traditional stain removers are responsible for nearly 10% of all calls to poison control. If you use a natural stain remover to treat stains when they happen, then let them sit until you've got a full load of laundry, you also will save water (the average washer uses 40 gallons per load). Look for Eco stain removers or try these all natural home remedies;

* Beer (and any kind of liquor): For washable fabrics, presoak in cold H2O, then wash in soapy H2O.
* Blood: For a little spot, you can actually spot treat with your own spit (sounds gross, but hey, it's your blood). For bigger stains, rinse with cold water, then soak in a solution of 3 Tb of ammonia to 1 gal of cool water for an hour. Then wash as normal.
* Candle wax: Let the wax cool and remove with a dull knife. Place a paper towel on either side of the stain and press with a warm iron. Wash away any color stains with soap and baking soda in hot water.
* Chewing gum: Apply ice until the gum hardens and then scrape the gum off with a knife. Next, soak the stain in a mixture of water and liquid detergent.
* Chocolate: Soak the stain in a mixture of 4 Tb of borax and 2 1/2 cups of warm water.
* Coffee or tea: Stretch the fabric over a bowl. Pour boiling water (use your coffee maker or hot pot) through the stain from a height of about 3 ft. If the coffee had milk in it, spray with a stain remover first.
* Grass: Rub the stain with detergent. You can also try a mixture of 1 part alcohol to 2 parts water and let it sit for 15 min.
* Lipstick: Rub with white vinegar and rinse.
* Sweat: Soak the stain in salt water for an hour. Next, rub a half and half solution of white vinegar and water on the stain. Rinse well and wash.
* Tomato sauce: Soak in cool water for about half an hour. Apply a stain remover and rinse, then apply clear vinegar and rinse.
* Wine: For white and red wines, soak the area with sparkling water as soon as you can. Pour salt over the stain and then stretch it over a bowl. From a height of about a foot, pour boiling water through the stain.

TIP for Wednesday September 10th, 2008

The green and cheap way to stay hydrated…use a home water filter and make your own purified bottled water. On average, tap water costs 1.5 cents per gallon. A 16-oz bottle of store bought water can cost you anywhere from $1.50 to $3. Another bonus is that you’ll create less plastic waste. We consume more than 2.5 million bottles of water every hour, and only around 10% are recycled. Last, by using a home filter you are preventing chemicals like chlorine, giardia, lead, and pesticide that can get into unfiltered tap water, from contaminating your H2O. And up to 40% of bottled water actually comes from regular old city water systems. Know your bottled water source!

TIP for Tuesday September 9th, 2008

While recycling paper products is great, reusing is even better and requires less energy and resources. Whether you're moving house or shipping items consider using used cardboard boxes. They’re cheaper because most of the time they are free! Cardboard boxes are everywhere and more than 90% of all products in North America are shipped in corrugated cardboard and make up nearly 14 percent of the nation's municipal solid waste. It's a huge industry, with around 10,000 paper and paperboard mills in operation globally. It's really important that we recycle paper products, including cardboard boxes. Here's some interesting statistics:

Each ton of paper produced consumes

• 17 trees
• 79 gallons of oil
• 7000 gallons of water
• 42,000 kilowatts of energy
• 60 gallons of air pollution
• 3 cubic yards of landfill space

TIP for Monday September 8th, 2008

Walking short distances instead of taking the car means big savings on gas, less air pollution, and its better for your figure! Even at a slow pace, you'll burn around 100 calories per mile, and consistent exercise from walking reduces the risk of diabetes and heart disease. But lets talk about how it will benefit the environment! Walking instead of driving 10 1-mile trips each week averts 500 pounds of CO2 emissions per year. Plus walking 1 mile each day instead of driving will save you about 15 cents on gas. It adds up!

TIP for Thursday September 4th, 2008

Need some more light in your home? Install a sun tunnel, a variation on the skylight that's cheaper and easier to put in. Sun tunnels are flexible, so you can install them around rafters. A big bonus is that they barely disturb and won’t destroy your roofing unlike skylights, which can require major modifications. They will give your home more natural FREE sunlight. Great news because about 11% of the energy we use at home goes to lighting.

TIP for Wednesday September 3rd, 2008

The largest number of occurrences of poisoning is due to cleaning products like drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, bleach, soaps and detergents. Go green with your cleaning and get that fresh scent with out the danger! Eucalyptus oil can be used around your home to replace many environmentally harsh synthetic chemicals. Use it as a cleaner and a general disinfectant for toilets etc. Use it to remove sticker/decal residue from glass. Add it to your load of washing for a fresh scent along with the antimicrobial benefits plus it a great stain remover. Use the oil directly on paint, grease and ink stains and throw them in the wash! If you have a hanging car air freshener that's almost dead, reinvigorate it by adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil. Half a teaspoon mixed with half a liter of water makes for a good bug repellent for plants and last bring your stainless steel counter tops to a brilliant shine with Eucalyptus oil.

TIP for Tuesday September 2nd, 2008

Fall fashion is here even thought the summer weather is still lingering. Turn you fall wardrobe GREEN by looking for natural fabrics and organic cotton and wool. Besides being warm and beautiful, organic wool has so many benefits, like no chemicals! Conventional wool is first dipped in pesticides then in a chemical bath that strips away the natural lanolin and this in turn can cause allergic reactions. Plus organic sheep farmers must maintain pastures without chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, and sheep feed must be certified organic, without antibiotics or hormones. Last sheep re-grow wool very fast, some breeds producing as much as 40 pounds per year. Look GREEN and sharp in your organic wool jacket this fall!

TIP for Friday August 28th, 2008

Go Green for Back to School. Teach your kids to love our Earth. The younger they learn the importance of making environmentally responsible buying choices, the easier it will be for them to fully integrate the green movement into their daily lives. The amount of trash generated each day in schools across our country is staggering, and a big part of it comes from our kids' packed lunches. Instead of using convenience food, pre-packed in plastic or cardboard choose reusable containers and bottles for drinking or a recycled lunchbox. Stay away from individually packaged pre-made or processed food, especially with the recent listeria scare. This will not only decrease the amount of materials going to landfills but also make your child a lot healthier. Cook a big lasagna or chicken at the beginning of the week and save you time when it comes to preparing the lunches in the morning.

Tip for Wednesday August 27th, 2008

Send the kids back to school with their favourite, PB&J, just make sure it’s organic. Organic versions avoid groundwater-contaminating pesticides such as methyl bromide, which depletes the ozone layer.

They also don’t contain the artery-clogging trans fats and hydrogenated oils found in most butters. Plus organic peanut butter from a jar (that you always remember to put in the fridge) is less likely to contain the mold aflatoxin).

TIP for Tuesday August 26th, 2008

Have you got a little artist on your hands? Make sure they make their next masterpiece is green! Up to 36 billion pounds of toxic acrylic polymer solvents, found in many traditional art supplies, are produced each year. Plus, many standard art supplies emit asthma-inducing chemicals. Look for ones that don't contain ammonia, formaldehyde, or turpentine, especially since supplies can sometimes end up in kids' mouths.

TIP for Monday August 25th, 2008

Foil, plastic or wax? How do you wrap it up? If you want to be green foil is your best choice. Unlike waxed paper and plastic wrap, aluminum foil is available in 100% recycled form and is recyclable when it's clean. Foil withstands heat and cold and works better than plastic and waxed paper at keeping moisture in. PLUS foil's not made from petroleum, the way that wax and plastic are. One thing to remember is that aluminum reacts with anything salty or acidic and could end up in those kinds of food.

TIP for Friday August 22nd, 2008

I know you drive by it almost everyday but do you know anything about it? I’m talking about the wind turbine on the Lakeshore, the modern day wind mill. I was constructed in December 2002, and stands 30 stories tall and is the first URBAN-sited turbine to be constructed in North America. The ExPlace wind turbine generates an average of 1,000 megawatt hours of power per year, equivalent to the electricity needs of over 200 homes. It helps to displace up to 380 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, which is the equivalent of taking 1,300 cars off the road or planting 30,000 trees each year.

TIP for Thursday August 21st, 2008

Cup or cone? Enjoy a sweet treat without the guilt because you’re creating less waste. Here’s the scoop: one less paper cup or plastic spoon isn’t going to save the world, but it’s one of those little things that add up. Ice cream sales in North America average $12 billion a year. That’s a lot of single cup and spoon use! In one year we throw away as much as 25 billion polystyrene cups, that’s Styrofoam, and 500 years from now it will still be in our landfills! So tell the ice cream man cone and be green!

TIP for Wednesday August 20th, 2008

Green baby food! Prepare your own baby food at home and be healthier and save cash. Per ounce, pre-made baby food can cost five times more than homemade. The money you save you can use to splurge on organic produce. Plus commercially processed baby foods sometimes contain added fat, fillers, salt, and sugar that your baby really doesn't need. Last think of all the baby jars you’ll prevent from ending up in landfills. In just their first year, babies eat about 600 jars of food, and we recycle 15% of our baby food jars.

Just bake or steam fruits and veggies like; apples, bananas, plums, carrots, peas, squash, or sweet potatoes, and puree them in a blender or food processor and serve (just make sure they're cool). You can even freeze the puree in an ice cube tray and cover with foil to use later. Thaw and use the frozen cubes within a month of freezing them

TIP for Tuesday August 19th, 2008

Gorgeous weather ahead all week….tons of sunshine that’s great for hanging your clothes on the line. Be green, save money, energy and get that fresh spring breeze scent without paying for it! Line drying is free and you could save up to $100 in energy costs. Plus your clothes will last longer and you won’t have to worry about static cling. In the winter months, drying your clothes indoors can give you an extra benefit, acting as a humidifier!

TIP for Monday August 18th, 2008

Have you made the switch? Replaced those old bulbs with LED’s? Even though LED’s are a bit more expensive, replacing an incandescent bulb with one LED can save you more than $700 over its lifetime. LEDs use less energy, about 1/10th, than standard bulbs and generate half the heat. LED’s last about 60,000 hours compared to 1,500 for regular bulbs which is why they are great for bulbs in hard to reach places, because you almost never have to change them. So what are you waiting for? Make the switch.

TIP for Friday August 15th, 2008

Ants bugging you? Try effective but less toxic than conventional options and be green! Researchers have linked the ingredients in the conventional pesticides to cancer and other diseases, plus ant-killers can cause nervous-system issues and other problems in dogs, birds and fish. Options made from naturally occurring minerals, such as borax/boric acid, work great without the health concerns. Try to keep your place spic-and-span and the ants will have fewer reasons to invade. Look for organic sprays made with neem, clove, sesame and thyme oils. Or try my mother's homemade pest killer; fill a spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar,1 part dish detergent and 5 parts water, and fire at will. Or, bay leaves, cayenne pepper, chalk, cinnamon, and/or mint placed at the ants' entry point will turn 'em right back around.

TIP for Thursday August 14th, 2008

Turn off the faucet while you're brushing your teeth. You’ll save bucketfuls of water and money. Turning off your faucet while you brush your teeth, saves about 90 glasses of water each time you brush. Don’t take our water sources for granted. Our neighbours below, the U.S., is currently experiencing its biggest drought in 500 years. For more info on green dentistry check out http://www.ecodentistry.org

TIP for Monday August 18th, 2008

Have you made the switch? Replaced those old bulbs with LED’s? Even though LED’s are a bit more expensive, replacing an incandescent bulb with one LED can save you more than $700 over its lifetime. LEDs use less energy, about 1/10th, than standard bulbs and generate half the heat. LED’s last about 60,000 hours compared to 1,500 for regular bulbs which is why they are great for bulbs in hard to reach places, because you almost never have to change them. So what are you waiting for? Make the switch.

TIP for Monday August 4th, 2008

Gorgeous holiday Monday and if you’re cruising around the GTA and you can handle it roll the windows down. BUT if you’re clocking more than 70kmph turn on the A/C. Now we all know that air conditioners drag down our vehicle’s fuel efficiency, but once your car is moving at over 70kmph, your car windows, when down, provide wind resistance and actually decrease your engine’s efficiencies at higher speeds. By being smart about your cooling system you can save 10-20% on fuel consumption and reduce harmful emissions that effect our air quality.

TIP for Friday August 1st, 2008

Update your kitchen by using energy-efficient appliances, and save time, money and energy, and get rid of that old, noisy fridge or dishwasher. Here’s what you can save; by replacing a 10-year-old dishwasher you could save up to $44 a year; replacing your old oven with a new microwave you will use 14% less energy; switching your regular light bulbs to compact fluorescent light bulbs will save you up to 50 percent on lighting in your electricity bill. Plus save water with newer energy-efficient dishwashers. On average, they use six fewer gallons of water per load than washing by hand.

TIP for Thursday July 31st, 2008

Yesterday walking up my driveway my mother suggested I poured some boiling water on some weeds coming up through the cracks. This weed killing method intrigued me so I did some research and I found that it really works! Go green to keep your lawn green. Most lawn herbicides contain carcinogens and have been linked to birth defects, plus as many as 70 million birds die in North America from chemicals used in lawn care. Pesticides also run off into our groundwater and kill fish and other aquatic life. Natural options really work and don’t kill off earthworms that help keep the soil healthy. Look for products that contain corn gluten and corn syrup byproducts. Try the boiling water trick and another old school method, lay down old pieces of fabric and place mulch on top. Here’s to a weed free GREEN lawn!

TIP for Tuesday July 29th, 2008

Thinking about going to the park for a picnic? Just make sure more than the grass is green! Use reusable utensils and cut trash while saving cash! If 10,000 people used reusable utensils, in one year almost 1.5 million disposable knives, forks, spoons and plates would be kept out of landfills! You’ll have more trees to sit under as well. If each household in North America replaced one 40 count package of paper plates with reusable ones, we would save 487,000 trees!
Look for 100% recycled and dishwasher-safe plastic plates, tumblers, and utensils.

TIP for Monday July 28th, 2008

Here’s a water-saving trick…collect water in a bucket while you wait for your shower to warm up. The average person spends about $45 per year on bath and shower water. So the less water you waste the more money you’ll save. Use the water you collect to water your houseplants, wash the floors, wash your car or put it in your pet’s water bowl. Try doing the same with leftover water from glasses or your kettle. Another way is to use Mother Nature and put a bucket outside in the rain to catch water that you can use later to water your plants and garden.

TIP for Friday July 25th, 2008

Going to do some gardening this weekend? Go Organic with new organic fertilizers and potting soils that are better for the earth as well as your plants. Organic fertilizers and soils get your plants growing without synthetic chemicals, that can run off into our waterways contaminating them and becoming harmful to animals and fish. Want a free fertilizer? Try composting your own fertilizer. The average household produces about 200 lbs of kitchen waste per year, so using it you will create less waste for landfills

TIP for Thursday July 24th, 2008

I told you about Ludacris and Tommy Lee’s new show Battleground Earth. Well Green powered concerts starting popping up a few years ago. Organizers have come up with ways to reduce the environmental damage caused by their events. They use recycled-paper products, banish throwaway plates and utensils, use eco-friendly irrigation systems, and biodiesel to fuel the tour buses and to power the generators. By using 25,000 gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel for all the non-music stage generators and running one stage entirely on solar power they reduce their environmental impact by close to 30%. For more info on biodiesel fuels check out http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/biodiesel_alternative.html

To see what concert was green powered go to http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1533297/20060531/id_0.jhtml

TIP for Wednesday July 23rd, 2008

Unless you sweat a lot of get really dirty everyday, try washing your clothes less often. Of course we don’t mean your underwear. Tossing your clothes in the machine every time you change just beats them and the environment up. Washing and drying less often keeps your clothes looking newer, longer. It’s better for the environment because petrochemicals in conventional laundry detergents can harm fish and human health after they go down the drain. You’ll save money too! A load of laundry costs about $1.50 to do, even at home, and all those loads can add up.

TIP for Tuesday July 22nd, 2008

Do you consider the environment before you print those emails? Have you seen that quote at the bottom of bills, customer or client emails? Well COPY and PASTE. Think of all the trees you’ll help save. If all North Americans viewed and paid bills online, we could keep 18.5 million trees growing each year. Online banking saves banks money too…up to $148 per year on stamps, and it’s easy to access past bills and statements. Another great reason is safety because there is no paper trail. A recent study found that people who bank online reduce their chances of identity theft by up to 10%.

Thank you to Patricia Teibo who sent me this tip and encourages her email recipients to “consider the environment”!

TIP for Monday July 21st, 2008

Besides getting sexy legs and buns of steel, I’ve got a green reason to take the stairs instead of the elevator. Depending on type, capacity and usage, an elevator's yearly energy use can equal that of seven homes. Of course sometimes it’s not practical to take the stairs, especially if you have to go to 58th floor BUT good news is that many new buildings are becoming GREEN. Nowadays companies are manufacturing energy efficient elevators that use almost half the energy than the older models. Here’s an interesting fact…the average person spends 62 minutes a day waiting for elevators, in traffic and lines.

TIP for Friday July 18th, 2008

Every weekend partiers hit the clubs and get down. Here’s a way that clubs can use the energy of the patrons and turn it into REAL POWER! Believe it or not, in the UK they have power-generating dance floors. The dance floor makes use of a piezoelectric system that produces electricity as the dancers jump up and down. The electricity charges some batteries that are then used to power parts of the club. Considering all the energy that is typically consumed by a club in one night to operate the sound system, the strobe lights etc., this is a GREEN solution. The system is called Dance Floor Power and is only a matter of time before it hits the North American market!



For more info check out http://www.engadget.com/tag/piezoelectric

TIP for Thursday July 17th, 2008

Ok, so you’re getting into the routine of composting! Good for you! But even biodegradable items like food can hang around in garbage dumps for years. Trash is packed so tightly that it doesn't always get the necessary light, oxygen, and microorganisms it needs to decompose. Researchers have found perfectly compostable 25-year-old corncobs and grapes, and easily recyclable 50-year-old newspapers that are still readable in landfills. After you do all that sorting and tossing…you might be surprised what actually get recycled and composted by the city! The solution is simple…the less you toss the less there is to hang around in landfills. Reduce reuse and recycle when you can!

TIP for Wednesday July 16th, 2008

Got Teflon? The EPA's Science Advisory Board considers PFOA (aka Teflon) a likely carcinogen, and it can come off on your food at high temps and with the use of sharp cooking utensils. Some more research is needed to prove that it can affect our lungs, but toxins that enter the air from hot nonstick Teflon pans can kill pet birds. This is because they have very sensitive respiratory systems. Look for the new lines of non-stick pans that are Teflon free like Thermolon or go get grandma’s old cast iron pan!


To find out more about carcinogens http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinogenic

For more on thermolon check out http://www.thermolon.com/announcements.htm

TIP for Tuesday July 15th, 2008

Ladies this tips for you. To prevent those raccoon eyes use a chemical free makeup remover and be GREEN. Some cosmetics removers contain ingredients such as triethanolamine also know as TEA, a softener linked to cancer. (To see the report go to http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/?objectid=070B6081-91FD-C657-D4DB0A226B92C06B ) Remember that any chemical in products that we use on our bodies, will eventually end up in our waterways. Also make sure you use a makeup remover from brands that don't test on animals. Check this out if you want all natural make up remover that works really well and you can find right in your kitchen, nature’s best…olive oil! Just wipe it off with a damp cloth and a bonus is that it moisturizes as well!

TIP for Monday July 14th, 2008

Summertime means more 6paks of your favourite refreshment and more chances of taking out wildlife! The six pack ring killer…those plastic rings, that when not disposed of properly, can kill animals and aquatic life when they get wrapped around their limbs and fins. You can help by cutting the 6-pack rings and disposing of them properly. Also look for products with minimal or less wasteful packaging, like soda that doesn’t have the rings at all. In some regions, plastic materials constitute as much as 90-95% of the total amount of marine debris. If we all did our part in keeping plastic out of the sea, we could save many of the 1 million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish killed by plastic waste annually. For more ocean friendly tips and how to reduce litter go to http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ta_choices

TIP for Friday July 11th, 2008

Summer time means vacations which means the stress of traveling! Pack light and lessen the weight of your mood and the impact on the environment! Traveling light creates long-term benefits for the planet; Less stuff to manufacture, less use of vehicles and other machinery to move things and less fuel needed for the vehicles that transport you. That means less greenhouse gas production and less damage to our planet. Traveling light has other benefits as well. You have more time and you waste less energy hauling stuff around . You know what you have, and where everything is, and you eliminate extra baggage charges (especially now that most airlines charge for all checked baggage). And last, you are more able to walk or take public transportation, rather than taxis and limos, because you have one small bag! For tips on how to pack light go to http://www.onebag.com/

TIP for Thursday July 10th, 2008

Ontario’s Ministry of Environment is encouraging people to Grasscycle. What’s that? It’s an excuse to leave the grass clippings on the lawn!! And they did a study on it…and found that the average homeowner saved 35 minutes cutting the grass when they left the grass clippings on the lawn. I know a study can you believe it? BUT more importantly, when the clippings decompose they release nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and other essential plant nutrients back into the lawn. There’s no polluting run-off, no use of non-renewable resources and chemicals, and no damage to soil. Grasscycling also means there’s no need to spend tax dollars on trucking grass clippings to landfill sites. For more info on Grasscycling check out

www.ene.gov.on.ca/cons/3684e.pdf

TIP for Wednesday July 9th, 2008

If you’re throwing a party in the backyard this weekend, make it a GREEN party by passing on the cases of beer and wine and opting for kegs and magnums. You’ll be saving resources because kegs are reusable and magnums mean less glass bottles. Aluminum and glass production require mining resources from the earth. Producing 1 ton of aluminum creates 20-30 tons of mine waste. Another option is to go old school and take a stroll down the wine box isle! Good news there are more varieties available in boxes nowadays that aren’t that bad. New boxed-wine technology keeps the wine good for a month after you take your first sip. Plus it’s harder to break and is lighter than glass, so it takes much less energy and packaging to ship.
Also you can support local breweries and wineries that support green initiatives.

TIP for Tuesday July 8th, 2008

Had a little too much fun in the sun? Did you miss the health tip on sunscreen? Well I’ve got a solution for you that’s soothing and GREEN! Use an all natural sunburn recovery potion that won’t harm the environment. Stay away from synthetic chemicals like preservatives and parabens. They are toxic when they enter our water ways and they have been linked to cancer. Look for products made from natural substances like vitamins A and E, coconut oil, lime tree extract they all help soothe the sting and promote healthy skin. They best sunburn cure is aloe vera gel. You can purchase it prepackaged or get your self a plant and slice the leave side ways and just rub it on your skin ahhh relief!!

TIP for Monday July 7th, 2008

Smog is made up of a mixture of pollutants in the atmosphere. Air pollution affects our environment and our health. Toronto Public Health estimates that 1,700 Toronto residents die prematurely each year due to air pollution (ground-level ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and sulphates). Another 6,000 Toronto residents are admitted to hospitals due to air pollution. Those are some scary numbers. How do we reduce smog? It’s simple reduce your energy consumption. Every time we drive our vehicles and use energy in our homes, we are burning fossil fuels like gas, oil and coal, and sending pollution and greenhouse gases into the air. Simple things like taking public trans instead of driving and turning you’re A/C down by 2 degrees and not idling your car… will all lessen the smog effect. Check out The City of Toronto’s 20/20 planner. It’s an energy reducing guide that offers you easy-to-use checklists outlining a range of home energy and transportation actions you can take to reduce air pollution. http://www.toronto.ca/health/airquality/2020/index.htm

TIP for Friday July 4th, 2008

Going shopping this weekend? If you’re going charge it make it a GREEN charge. Sing up for a credit card that supports a green cause like the environment and animal protection. You can shop and make contributions to the charity of your choice effortlessly. In most cases, there’s no additional cost for participating. Enjoy your everyday purchases even more knowing that helping the needy and our planet. Some credit cards make donations to The Canadian Wildlife fund, Ducks Unlimited, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society and the Human Society every time you make a charge. For more info on these cards check out



http://www.mbna.ca/special_cardList.html

TIP for Thursday July 3rd, 2008

Summer time parties, we go to them and we host them. This year if you don’t have a computer or you’re a little sentimental, you can write your invitations or thank you notes on cool looking recycled cards. Here’s a scary fact…nearly half the forests harvested in North America fall for the sake of paper. Do you want another one? More than 90% of the paper we use comes from virgin tree fiber. Save our trees and choose only recycled or tree-free options like hemp. An acre of hemp can produce as much paper as 4 acres of trees. Plus recycled paper is available everywhere and is very affordable. If you want to be really unique and cool, look for specialty papers made from lokta tree bark or banana leaves, they are beautiful.

To find out the environmental impacts of different papers, check out the paper calculator http://www.edf.org/papercalculator/index.cfm

TIP for Wednesday July 2nd, 2008

I just walked past the boss’s office and his lights were off!!!! Do you think my green tips are starting to rub off?? Yes! Pass them on! Let’s be green together at home and at work. Encourage your co-workers to turn off their office lights when they are going out for lunch or stepping out of the office for more than 15min! Put up signs around the office to remind them. Lighting accounts for nearly 50% of the electric bill in most offices. Ask your boss to change the lighting from incandescent the new compact fluorescent lights, which provide the same light but use only a fraction of the energy. And GOOD NEWS…they have come down in price with a large variety available. Another way to save energy is to install light timers or motion sensors that turn off the lights when no one is in the room. Think of all the money the office will save on lighting bills. Can someone say “More money for holiday staff parties”?

TIP for Monday June 30th, 2008

File documents digitally, rather than printing them out. Creating portable document files (PDFs) of online bills, contracts, and receipts on your PC and keeping them in folders on your hard (or external) drive keeps things simpler, saves space, paper and printer ink. Paper makes up more than 40% of our garbage and searching your hard drive takes way less time than digging through file cabinets. Mac Users - select Print for your document, then click the PDF button or select it from the pull-down menu. Save the new document inside a folder. PC Users - if you don't have one installed, download a PDF maker such as Adobe or the free CutePDF Writer. Make sure you back up your files with an external hard drive. You can also search your whole hard drive using the power of Google for free. To download for free go to http://desktop.google.com
For more tips on how to keep your files organized check out http://www.microsoft.com/canada/home/helparticles/2.8.27_filingfrenzyorganizeyourdocumentsonyourcomputer.aspx
To download CutePDF Writer for free http://www.cutepdf.com

TIP for Friday June 27th, 2008

Heading to the cottage this weekend? Be extra-prepared with a GREEN traveler's emergency first aid kit that'll keep the planet's health in check. 4 billion bandages are made each year that are NOT made from recycled plastic. Opt for recycled PVC bandages that create less waste and the adhesive used in them is totally animal-free. When it comes to ointments, salves and applicators, organic is better for your body. Tea tree oil, oregano oil, witch hazel and rose water are all very effective all natural astringents and antiseptics. Another old-fashioned wound treatment method is to use tree resins instead of a bandaid. It seals off the wound from infection, water proofs it, and if you can add herbal astringents to stop bleeding help close up and heal the wound.
For more on where to get items to put together your GREEN first aid kit check out http://www.herbalremedies.com
www.herbdoc.com
www.abaconeem.com

TIP for Thursday June 26th, 2008

Next time you have a dinner party dress up your salads, plates and cocktails with organic edible flowers. They are rich with pollen and nectar, packed full of wholesome vitamins and minerals, and they are chemical and pesticide free. Edible flowers must be free of any chemical residue, while imported cut flowers contain residues from pesticides ruled unacceptable for food production in North America. Another bonus is that you’ll be helping our organic farmers diversify. Give Violets, Nasturtiums, Pansies, Lavender buds and Sweat Peas a try.
Check out this link to find seeds to plant edible flowers http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/browse_category.asp?category_id=94&UID=
To see a chart on edible flower varieties, with information on what flowers to avoid go to http://homecooking.about.com/library/weekly/blflowers.htm

TIP for Wednesday June 25th, 2008

Consider more environmentally safe options that clear drains without hurting your pocket, pipes or environment. Commercial drain cleaners can include corrosive materials such as sulfuric acid and lye. Those toxins contribute to 20 pounds of hazardous waste that the average household generates each year, which eventually ends up in the water table. Commercial drainers are brutal on your pipes. Try the green method. Just pour into your drain:
· 1 c baking soda, followed by
· 3 c boiling water; followed a minute or two later by
· 1 c vinegar
Just like those volcanoes in Science class! Clogs be gone!!!

TIP for Tuesday June 24th, 2008

Go Green with the world’s most perfect plant -- BAMBOO. Buy everything from plates and bowls to hardwood flooring and furniture made from bamboo, and feel good about supporting a plant that supports your health and the environment. Bamboo is known to release 35% more oxygen into the air than trees. Bamboo is a rapid growing grass and not wood, it can be harvested every 3-5 years, unlike 15-25 years for most tree wood. It can grow as fast as 12” a day, which makes it an excellent choice in replanting deforested areas. Products made from bamboo are incredibly durable, so you get great, long-lasting value with every purchase. For more info on bamboo products check out http://bambuhome.com http://www.bamboohardwoods.com

TIP for June 23rd, 2008

Rain or shine, tapping into the sun to serve your energy needs is an easy way to cut your energy costs as well as pollution. One hour's worth of the sunlight that hits the earth provides more energy than we use in a whole year. With the right system, you might never pay another electricity bill. The price of solar is dropping. Plus, if you've practiced energy conservation or purchased energy efficient windows and insulation for your house, you can transform this into an (energy tax credit) on your tax refund. Solar-electric systems increase a home's value by $20K for every $1K reduction in yearly energy bills. And just in case you're lacking a rooftop to call your own, solar panels aren't the only way you can take advantage of the brightest energy source around. There are hundreds of watch styles with solar batteries that charge using indoor or outdoor light

* Go to to learn how much cash solar can save you.

TIP for Friday June 20th, 2008

Summer is officially here time to crank up those A/C’s! Air conditioners are largely responsible for the increased demand for electricity in the summer time. Summer peaks in energy consumption mean increased emissions from power facilities, including natural gas and coal-burning plants. These increased emissions contribute to higher smog levels. Room air conditioners, particularly older models contribute to smog and climate change and the average RAC used in homes today generates 1.3 tonnes of carbon dioxide yearly. Older window air conditioners use 30 to 70 percent more energy than newer efficient ENERGY STAR labelled models. Help the planet and keep some extra money in your pocket by looking ENERGY STAR qualified products. They require less energy for the same cooling output and therefore generate less greenhouse gases and smog-related emissions on a per unit basis. This summer you can be green and be cool!

TIP for Thursday June 19th, 2008

Pain relief with out the pills! If you don't like to pop pills for every pain and bellyache...good news you can try a holistic approach and be green at the same time! Fewer synthetic pills means less chance of toxic chemicals ending up in out water supply. Studies have shown that most cities’ water supplies contain trace amount of pharmaceuticals. Alternative medicine practitioners have used these remedies for centuries and natural options such as primrose oil are less likely to cause side effects than your average dose of prescription painkillers. Try; exercise - it improves blood and oxygen circulation, including through the pelvis, and releases feel-good endorphins. Get a Massage - massage therapists can target your abdomen to ease the tension. Avoid Caffeine - it constricts blood vessels and increases tension. Eat Less Dairy and Meat - antibiotics we add to certain foods may make cramps worse. Spice with Cayenne - cayenne pepper also improves blood circulation.

TIP for Wednesday June 18th, 2008

Green party on the patio!! Deck out your yard with solar gadgets that light up your outdoor life, not your electric bill.Solar lights mean no unsightly dangerous cords running around the outside of your house and self-contained solar lighting systems are safe and easy to install. With just a few hours of sunlight each day, your porch will be ready to shine. Another bonus is a number of solar-powered devices provide a chemical-free alternative to pest control and will keeps those mosquitos away! Last, the selection and variety of outdoor solar lighting is so vast that there is something for everyone’s taste!

TIP for Tuesday June17th, 2008

If Organic good enough for you, it’s good enough for your pets! Get the rid of the stink and the fleas with effective all natural shampoos for Rover and Fluffy that won’t harm the environment or your pets. Many conventional pet cleaning products use pyrethroids, which are known brain toxins, and most commercial cleansers contain more than 50% ethyl alcohol, which dries out your pets skin. Look for natural oils such as chamomile and goldenseal to clean their ears and shampoos with lavender to get them smelling clean and fresh. Look for non toxic minerals to keep fleas at bay and herbal breath drops with fennel, parsley, and peppermint to ease the stank!!

TIP for Monday June 16th, 2008

Kudos to the co-coordinators of the 8th annual MMVA’s putting the green into the green rooms in every imaginable way again this year! The MMVA’s aimed to be a waste free event once again this year, making sure that there would be no plastic to worry about. They ensured that every single plate, knife, fork, spoon and glass were biodegradable or compostable and trained the cleaning and wait staff how to properly recycle everything. They hired a bio-pick-up service that picked up all the garbage and make sure that it was composted immediately after the show. They also made sure there were no plastic bottles to worry about, by ordering 5,760 water bottles made out of corn. More than 60 million water bottles are thrown away in North America every day, each taking up to 1,000 years to decompose. These water bottles made from corn decompose in 80 days. Check them out for yourself! http://www.biotaspringwater.com They are very cool!!!!

TIP for June 12th, 2008

Concentrate and be green…concentrated formulas of laundry detergent, window cleaner, juice, not only save you cash, but also mean less packaging and energy use.
If the entire "consumer liquids" market changed from unconcentrated to double-concentrated formulas, annually it'd keep 141.1 million pounds of plastic out of production. Plus, smaller bottles means easier storage. Since bigger bottles and more liquid take more energy to transport, if we changed over to double-concentrate we'd save 19 million gallons of diesel fuel per year. Look for 2x concentrated or higher on the label of the products you buy, and then make sure you follow the directions on the back, sometimes you have to dilute them with water.

Here’s the FLOW GREEN TIP for Wednesday June 11th, 2008

When you're on the road, fast-food restaurants aren't usually the greenest or healthiest option - but no matter where you stop, you can make your meal a little bit better for you and the planet. Take just what you need. How many of the 11 billion ketchup packets sold annually are collecting dust in your glove box? Pass on the cardboard cup holders and use the ones built in to your car. Take only as many napkins as you need to avoid throwing away unused ones. Turn off your engine while waiting in the drive thru. North American drivers use more than 2 billion gallons of fuel each year while idling in drive-thrus, and idling creates twice the emissions of a car in motion.

TIP for Tuesday June 10th, 2008

Tomorrow and Thursday are going to be great days to hand the laundry on the line!! Be green and get that Fresh air scent for less and cause less damage to your favourite shirt! Repeated drying at high-temps can reduce fabric strength by 25% or more, and the tumbling action of the dryer (not the heat, believe it or not) causes shrinkage. Plus you can save up to $135 per year on electricity bills by hanging your clothes out to dry. The biggest benefit is that it's softer on the earth. Dryers along with fridges and washing machines, use more energy annually than other major household appliances. Last but not least, line-drying your clothes means less static cling.

TIP for Monday June 9th, 2008

The summer is here and so are the bugs!! Fight off the bugs with all natural repellents that don't have the pesticide DEET in them. Even though DEET is the most commonly used ingredient in insect repellants there have been several studies that link long term use of DEET to damage of brain cells. Using natural repellants will prevent you from smelling like you just doused yourself bug spray. Try using oil of lemon, eucalyptus, catnip, and neem tree oil. They all work against ticks and flies as well as mosquitoes. Plant lavender, basil and other herbs in your garden to keep bugs away by encouraging other insects to set up home and keep the PESTS away.


To see new repellants that work better than DEET check out http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/health/research/27glob.html?bl&ex=1212033600&en=2a513ecfac5b8c73&ei=5087%0A

TIP for Friday June 6th, 2008

The heat is on crank up those A/C’s this weekend! Make sure you change your A/C's filter to increase its efficiency and to get optimal chill performance. Plus a clean filter will save you 1%-2% each month on your energy bills. Another benefit to a clean filter is less indoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution levels can be 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels and changing your filter helps keep the air cleaner.

To change the filter:

1. Find the filter compartment - usually covered by a metal strip that slides in and outta place, or located behind the front grille.

2. If it's reusable, clean it with a brush or hose. If it's disposable, check the size of the filter (usually noted on the side of the filter compartment), and get a replacement from the site below or at your local hardware store.

3. Take out the old filter, and vacuum up any dust in the filter compartment.

4. Slide in the new filter, making sure it's facing the right direction (usually indicated on the filter).

For filters that fit just about any A/C, and are made from recycled materials (prices vary depending on size) check out http://store.rememberthefilter.com/servlet/StoreFront

TIP for Thursday June 5th, 2008

It’s Canadian Environment Week and the theme is Taking Action for our Environment. Today is World Environment Day, and it was designated by the United Nations in 1972 to stimulate political action on the environment and empower people from every corner of the globe to become active in protecting our environment. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness and promote action. You can find easy ways to green your lifestyle or appreciate the beauty of nature by making simple changes around your home. When buying wooden fencing and garden furniture, consider whether the wood is from a well-managed forest. Deforestation is a serious problem in some areas of the world leading to loss of topsoil, flooding, and other problems. Buy a push lawn mower. It's good exercise and reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Go for a walk in the park, hike on a nature trail and enjoy the beauty and serenity of our incredible planet that you’re helping to preserve for future generations.
For mote info on World Environment Day go to http://www.unep.org/wed/2008/english

TIP for Wednesday June 4th, 2008

Today is CLEAN AIR DAY and the government has established a clean air plan that will cut industrial pollution by up to 50% by 2015. What can you do to make a difference in the quality of the air that we breathe and the health of our environment? Use public transit whenever possible. Leaving your car at home will have an immediate and direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions. Each year, if we take just 40 vehicles off the road, we will save 10,646 litres of fuel, and reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 25 tonnes. If you have to drive car pool and make sure you don’t IDLE! Idling wastes fuel and it's hard on your vehicle because excessive idling can contaminate engine oil and damage engine components. PLUS it's damaging to our environment. If you are going to be stopped for longer than 10 seconds, except in traffic, turn off the engine. More than 10 seconds of idling can use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it again.

For more information and ideas, including a five-step action plan to reduce your personal idling, visit http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/idling/idling.cfm

For more CLEAN AIR tips go to http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/personal/driving/autosmart-maintenance.cfm?attr=8

To see the CLEAN AIR DAY message check out http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&xml=D2B1C904-ED0A-4D02-A416-AAAB5DD4FB16

TIP for Tuesday June 3rd, 2008

It’s Canadian Environment Week! Taking Action for our Environment! By making smart consumer choices and using energy wisely, you can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that contribute to climate change. This week our government is urging Canadians to reflect on the many ways we can take action to protect and preserve our natural surroundings. Help protect our water sources by making simple changes that will also save you money.

Use a broom rather than a water hose to clean walkways, driveways and sidewalks.

Collect and use your rainwater for your lawn and plants. It's free and better for your plants.

Don't run the water when you brush teeth, shave, wash dishes, or clean vegetables.

Fix that leaking hose and dripping nozzle.

Install water saving showerheads.

Keep the septic system working smoothly! Pour 250 mL baking soda down any toilet or drain once a week. Baking soda creates a favourable pH environment for optimal bacterial action.

Avoid cleaners containing phosphates. When they get into rivers and lakes they cause algae blooms, robbing the water of oxygen and ultimately killing aquatic life.

For more tips go to http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=C64CCBE8-1

TIP for Monday June 2nd, 2008

This week is Environment Week and it’s a time to celebrate the achievements and hard work of all Canadians who are taking action to improve the environment at home, at work, in their communities and throughout the world. This week our government is urging Canadians to reflect on the many ways we can take action to protect and preserve our natural surroundings. It is important to recognize that every effort counts in reducing air and water pollution. Did you know that a single lawn sprinkler spraying 19 litres per minute uses 50 per cent more water in just one hour than a combination of ten toilet flushes, two five minute showers, two dishwasher loads and a full load of clothes. Together we can make our environment cleaner, greener and healthier for generations to come. Environment Canada hosts a number of events across Canada each year to increase knowledge and understanding of environmental subjects and encourage positive action on the environment. To find out more about events in your community log on to http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?Lang=En&n=D58BD83C-1

TIP for Friday May 30th, 2008

If the rain holds up it could be a great weekend to build a green deck. Sustainable decking, with eco-wood, staining, and sealants, are now available at prices that won’t dent your pocket! Choose wood that isn't harvested and look for the FSC Canada seal. Plus use low VOC emitting finishes and sealants, that will still offer durability and aesthetic appeal without leaving you polluting the air. If you’re just refinishing an old deck, use an electric sander instead of paint remover as a greener option. For more info on FSC seals go to www.fsccanada.org and to learn more about VOC’s in paints and sealers, and the effects on the environment check out http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html

TIP for Tuesday May 27th, 2008

It's Energy Conservation Week and you can do you part in helping to reach the province's energy conservation goals by making small changes in your home.

*Replace your standard light bulbs with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They use up to 75 % less electricity and last up to 10 times longer.

*Whenever you leave a room, get into the habit of turning off the lights.

*Install motion sensors and programmable timers on interior and exterior lights. They are ideal for rooms where you may forget to turn off the lights.

*Maximize the amount of natural daylight.

*Shade your south and west facing windows with awnings, solar screens, reflective window film or leaf bearing trees.

For more tips on how you reduce your energy consumption go to http://www.energyconservationweek.ca/action/index.aspx

TIP for Wednesday May 28th, 2008

It's Energy Conservation week and I’ve given you ways to reduce your energy consumption at home…so today let talk about simple changes you can make at your work place.

*Talk to your company about raising the office temperature by two degrees. Most people won't notice the temperature change, but you'll significantly reduce your companys energy consumption.

*Put someone in charge of ensuring that all equipment, like monitors, printers, speakers etc., are shut off at the end the day.

*Use a power bar with an integrated timer to shut off all your devices at the end of the day, or unplug your electronics when you're away from them for an extended period of time. This will lessen the PHANTOM LOAD, electricity that is consumed even when they turned off, such as a TVs, phone chargers, DVDs, VCRs, even coffeemakers with clocks and timers.

*Turn off ALL the lights, your computers and any other office equipment, including office kitchen appliances, when you're not using them, especially overnight, weekends and holidays. This practice costs nothing and can deliver significant energy and money savings.

For more tips and info on Energy Conservation week check out www.energyconservationweek.ca