TIP for Friday February 29th, 2008

Today green tip is simple…practice avoidance! I’m talking about printed receipts from the ATM, gas pump and checkout stand that confirm that your bank account is almost empty! Yes those ones…they’re stuffed in your wallet, your purse, all over the floor of your car and jammed in the glove box! Receipts from the 8 billion ATM transactions each year in North America create tons of waste! So be green and go paperless (or receipt-less). You can view all your transactions on your bank's website, and some stores, such as Apple, will send an e-receipt to your email. Plus you’ll have a better peace of mind. Misplaced receipts can help identity thieves steal your info.

TIP for Thursday February 28th, 2008

“Going green” has become mainstream for businesses large and small — and that’s a good thing. What’s not so great is when businesses make environmental marketing claims that can be misleading. Greenwashing is when a company tries to make it seem like it's greener than it actually is. Knowing what to look for helps avoid buying into their GREEN claims. By taking a little time to check ingredients lists and by picking the products you buy carefully, you'll get more for your money than just marketing claims. When you skip the greenwashed products for the really green stuff, you stimulate demand for truly eco goods.

TIP for Wednesday February 27th, 2008

Organic is better. Why? Here’s another example, we all know olive oil has "good" fats and that makes it ideal for cooking and dressings. Olive oil's Omega-3 and Omega-9 fatty acids are known for their skin-beautifying benefits - and 2 tbsp of olive oil each day may reduce the risk of heart disease. But go with Organic Olive Oil and get more out of it! A Greek study found that organic olive groves cause fewer CO2 emissions than conventional ones and that both methods can be economically viable for farmers. Organic Olive oils also don’t contain pesticides. Pesticides are fat-soluble and they concentrate in the oil portion of plants and olives. So choose organic to decrease your risk of exposure.

TIP for Tuesday February 26th, 2008

Got a nagging cough that just won't go away? Suppress your symptoms with organic cough drops. Why is organic better? Organic drops won't put you to sleep. Cough suppressant medicines can knock you out or use caffeine to keep you up and jittery. Some cough drops contain potentially toxic preservatives called parabens. Parabens are synthetic preservatives found in shampoos, make-up foundations, shaving gels and even food that have a chemical structure similar to estrogen and can interfere with production of the body’s natural hormones. So go organic. Look for organic throat drops with Echinacea, menthol, eucalyptus, hyssop, or my favorite...the original Swiss cough remedy. it's eco-certified by Switzerland's Bio Suisse group and is the most "natural"-tasting of the options...Ricola

TIP for Monday February 25th, 2008

All green is not created equal. Ditch the inefficient washer and dryers, refrigerators, and dishwashers for better appliances and you’ll save water, energy and best of all - some cold, hard cash. Most full-sized Energy efficient qualified washers use 18-25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine, using close to half of the energy. Newer dishwashers use up to 25% less energy. To get the most out of the appliance, only run it when full. Refrigerators are typically the most energy consuming kitchen appliance. Replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new Energy efficient qualified model would save enough energy to light the average household for more than four and a half months. Cut back on your energy costs even more with a top-freezer refrigerator model. Side by side refrigerator-freezer models use 7-13% more energy, and if they use automatic ice-makers, they use 14-20% more energy. And last newer appliances produce less pollution. If every 1 in 10 households used Energy efficient qualified appliances, it'd be equivalent to planting 1.7 mil acres of trees, because there would be less pollution.

What you should replace:

* A/Cs - Energy efficeint room A/Cs use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.
* Clothes Washers - if replacing, consider an Energy efficeint top-loader or front-loader model to cut energy and water use by over 40%.
* Dishwashers - Energy efficient dishwashers use a lot less H2O and at least 41% less energy than the federal minimum standard.
* Refrigerators - Energy efficient qualified fridges use at least 15% less energy than the current federal standard. And refrigerators with top-mounted freezers use about 20% less energy than side-by-side models.
* Water Heaters - Energy efficient models are yet to be certified, but new gas (not electric) water heaters save major energy; just set your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees F or lower. Or go tankless to save 45%-60% on water heating energy.

TIP for Friday February 22nd, 2008

Old batteries can pile up quickly. You can help lessen the landfill load by keeping a cup or box for used batteries and then drop it off once or twice a year for recycling. Landfills in North America see approximately the same weight in old used batteries each year as about 6,000,000 desktop computers. Switch to rechargeable batteries and solar powered gadgets to power up and save money! Solar chargers that tap the power of the sun, make sense for your wallet. After the initial investment you don't have to spend any more money. Also new rechargeable batteries can be charged up to 1000 times, and they come in EVERY shape and size from AA to D and beyond. You'll save hundreds of dollars!

TIP for Thursday February 21st, 2008

Do you let the water run while you are washing dishes? Turning off the tap could save hundreds of gallons of water a month. Many faucets use as much as 3-5 gallons per minute. The average person in North America uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water a day while two-thirds of the people in the world use less than 13 gal/day. Plus conserving water helps prevent municipal sewer systems from overflowing and pouring untreated sewage into lakes and rivers. And last but not least, think of all the money you'll save. Try filling the sink with soapy water instead of washing dishes with the water running, and use smaller amounts of detergent so less water is needed for rinsing.

TIP for Wednesday February 20th, 2008

One wipe cleanup. Super convenient or wasteful? Save cash and lower your eco-impact by ditching the one wipe habit. Clean up with reusable cloths and natural cleaners. Microfiber dusting cloths and mops naturally attract dust and dirt and can be washed and reused, instead of thrown in landfills. Look for natural cleaners, they are safer and use fewer non renewable resources. Common dusting sprays are flammable, contain petroleum products and if rinsed down the drain can get into the waterways. Re-use old clothes like T-shirts and socks and try moistening them lightly in a olive oil and vinegar solution to dust around the house. It works great on wood!

TIP for Tuesday February 19th, 2008

Here's a way you can be green and stylish! If you want wood furniture that's a little more unique, look for artful pieces that are made from reclaimed or recycled wood. 50% of the world's forests are gone. Reclaimed wood furniture avoids using virgin wood from threatened tree species such as mahogany. You'll save energy as well because a lot of wood is shipped from thousands of miles away and most eco-furniture designers source their wood locally. Also reclaimed wood pieces are one-of-a-kind, so you're not gonna see them in anyone else's house but your own! Check ou this link to find a designer near you www.furniturelink.ca

TIP for Monday February 18th, 2008

As energy and oil prices soar here’s some easy ways to lower your next heating bill. Next time you finish baking, turn off the oven, open the door, and let the warm air help heat your home. If you’re just baking a small meal, consider a toaster oven or frying pan, which use half as much energy as a conventional oven. Close doors and heating vents in rooms rarely used. Lower the thermostat and use a space heater when you are in only one part of your home. For every one degree lowered, you’ll save up to 5% on your heating bill. Go digital. Replacing a mechanical thermostat with a digital model allows you to save energy by programming your heat to turn on and off at preset times.

TIP for Friday February 15th, 2008

OK Ladies....so you didn't get that sparkler for Valentine's Day yesterday. But the old pieces can still look like new even if they are tarnished. You can clean your jewelry and still be green.

If you want your jewelry to really shine it needs a good polish from time to time and you can bring back the twinkle with nontoxic eco-methods. Some conventional jewelry cleaners contain ammonia, which is a lung irritant and can be toxic to aquatic life if it gets in our waterways. So look for cleaners that contain natural ingredients like lemon oil and minerals that help scrub away tarnish on almost any metal. Use a soft toothbrush and non ammonia window cleaner to polish gems, or a soft toothbrush and nonabrasive toothpaste for metal. One really effective way to remove tarnish from your sterling silver jewelry is to lay down a piece of alumnimum foil in a bowl or container, put the silver jewelry on top, cover with a little baking soda, and pour boiling water on top. Let it sit for a few minutes, and somehow the tarnish adheres itself to the alumnium foil, leaving your silver sparkling!

TIP for Thursday February 14th, 2008

Here's an example of the old school out doing the new school...non electric devices instead of unnecessary gadgets. You'll save energy and money. If everyone in the North America used electric can openers instead of the old fashion manual ones, it would cost a collective $36 million per month. Old school gadgets last longer and therefor take up less landfill. New gadgets have half the life of the old fashion ones because they are powered by motors, electricity or batteries. The bonus of the old school is that you can still open cans in a blackout!

TIP for Wednesday February 13th, 2008

Thinking about cooking up something in the kitchen for your Valentine? I mean food....how about a delicious pasta dish? Just make sure you go with organic whole wheat pasta and an organic sauce. Organic veggies have more nutrients. A study found that antioxidant levels were 20%-40% higher in organic than non-organic tomatoes and wheat. According to the Pesticide Action Network, as many as 10 lb of pesticides are sprayed on wheat fields, per acre. And of course organic tomatoes taste better! Look for organic whole wheat pasta for extra nutrition. Here's a Valentines Spaghetti Puttanesca recipe from the ideal biters;

3 tablespoons organic, extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon anchovy paste

1 can organic diced tomatoes

1 tablespoon tomato purée

2 handfuls black olives, finely chopped

2 tablespoons capers

1/2 teaspoon of crushed red pepper

2 cloves garlic

Salt and black pepper to taste

Heat oil in saucepan over medium heat, add garlic and sauté. Add tomatoes, tomato puree, olives, capers, anchovy paste, and red pepper. Bring sauce to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 10 min. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Enjoy...Happy Cooking!

TIP for Tuesday February 12th, 2008

This Valentines give the gift of a beautiful bouquet of fair trade or organic flowers. They have a stronger scent without the smell of chemicals from pesticides. In California (because you know that those roses didn't grow in the snow bank) nearly 800,000 lb of pesticides are used on conventional flower farms each year. Fair trade flowers mean that workers are not exposed to pesticides, in countries where it is less controlled like Central and South America than North America. Or if you really want to be sure pick up potted flowers for your sweetheart and watch them grow...like your love! ;)

TIP for Monday February 11th, 2008

What metal items can you toss in the Blue bin? There may be a lot of things that you didn't know could be recycled. According to the EPA, 75% of trash can be recycled, but only 25% actually is, and metal recycling results in 74% less energy use. Metal recycling creates 97% less mine waste than producing virgin metal. So before you toss check this list to find out what is recyclable www.toronto.ca/garbage/single/calendars/pdf/info
Many household items like aerosol cans, curtain rods, lawn chairs and tools can all be recycled. Some items can be put in the blue bin and some can be picked up on the curb but you have to check with the city of Toronto. Collection of “white goods” like refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, dishwashers, etc. must be scheduled by calling Customer Service at 416-338-2010.

TIP for Friday February 8th, 2008

If you've got kids you're going to appreciate this one! Instead of having to take a out a second mortgage to gear them up for hockey, football, baseball or any other sport that needs equipment, check out stores that sell used gear! At a used gear shop, you can expect to pay 50% less than what you'd spend on new equipment. Bonus, some places you can trade stuff that the kids' have outgrown instead of having to buy new equipment each time they sprout up a few inches! Also used equipment means fewer resources needed for the creation, transport, and marketing of new equipment. Be green and keep the green in you pocket!

TIP for Thursday February 7th, 2008

Take 2 in 1 shampoo and conditioners to the next level! Have you ever thought of looking for versatile body care products that do double duty as shampoo, soap, and even laundry detergent? Think of all the packaging you’ll be saving not to mention the cash! Multipurpose soaps usually require less packaging and energy for production, transport, and marketing. There are products on the market that are organic and all-in-one, that clean your body and hair, do the laundry, and even wash kitchen countertops and the car! Check out these products;

www.everymanjack.com/detail.php?id=2

www.drbronner.com

www.awildsoapbar.com

TIP for Wednesday February 6th, 2008

Take a deep breath naturally...Use a natural air freshener and avoid fogging up the air with synthetic chemicals. Conventional plug-in or aerosol air fresheners use chemicals that not only harm the environment, but might also mix with atmospheric ozone to increase your risk of asthma and other diseases. Natural air-fresheners use essential oils rather than synthetic perfumes, formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOC) used by conventional sprays. Exposure to VOC’s can irritate nose and throat, and has even been linked to cancer. The bonus is that most natural air-fresheners come in recyclable packaging with non-aerosol pumps, reducing fluorocarbons that destroy the ozone layer. So look for natural products that contain citrus oils or lavender and reduce the indoor air-pollution levels in your home. The EPA found indoor air to be 2-5 times more polluted than the air outside, so every little bit helps.

Here's to easier breathing ;)

TIP for Tuesday February 5th, 2008

Do you toss out unused medication into the garbage or even flush it down the drain? Where do you think it goes from there? Well it makes it's way into our waterways, rivers and even drinking water. Proper disposal is very important. More than 80% of rivers recently sampled tested positive for meds like antibiotics, birth control hormones, and antidepressants. Trace amounts of pharmaceuticals end up in our water because most treatment plants aren't designed to filter them out. So what do you do with your unused meds? Contact your local pharmacy, many pharmacies have safe drug disposal programs. Also gather medications in their original containers and drop them off at a City Household Waste Depot, click on this link for a depot location near you www.toronto.ca/garbage/depots.htm

You can call the HHW Hotline for more information at 416-392-4330

TIP for Monday February 4th, 2008

This one is for the guys...for that baby smooth irresistible and kissable face try reusable razors and shaving cream made with recycled and natural ingredients. Yes you can be green and still have skin that every woman would love to touch. Two billion disposable razors end up in landfills each year. Look for reusable razors or refillable ones made with recycled products like for example yogurt cups. Avoid shaving creams that have ingredients like parabens. They are synthetic preservatives that have a chemical structure similar to estrogen that interferes with production of the body’s natural hormones. They can also be dangerous when they get washed down into our watersystems. Look for shaving creams made with natural products like soy, coconut, macadamia, aloe, coco butter, sunflower oils and peppermint oils. These products are self preserving and can last up to 18 months.