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