Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Label
When shopping for wood products, look for a FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label. The Council certifies that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
Save Energy While Cooking
Your oven or pot retain heat well so consider turning off the stove or oven several minutes before timer rings. Your food will continue cooking.
Keep Sewer Systems Healthy
Avoid putting tissue paper and facial paper and wipes into toilet. These products do not easily dissolve in water. Sewer systems are designed for only human waste and toilet tissue.
Bee Vigiliant
Do not use products containing neonicotinaids (neonics). Some chemicals associated with the neonics’ family are Acetamiprid, Cothianidin and Imidacloprid and are known to be harmful to bees. Read labels on products in your home and local garden center. Avoid using neonics.
Exhaust Fans
Switch on bathroom exhaust fans when using hair spray or nail polish. These products release VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
Banks and Climate Change
Who’s funding the fossil fuel industry? Check out “Banking on Climate Change—Fossil Fuel Finance Report 2020” from Rain Forest Action Network ( ran.org )
Hold Your Horsepower
Hold your horsepower and cutback on your carbon footprint. When starting-up in your car from a stop, accelerate slowly. Quick starts burn-up gas.
Sustainable Grilling Tip
If using charcoal for grilling, use an electric starter instead of lighter fluid. Lighter fluid contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to ground level ozone.
Skip the Slip
The environmental hazards of paper receipts are well-known. Over 90% of the receipts are coated with chemicals like Bisphenol S (BPS) that have been linked to endocrine-disrupting health problems. These receipts pose risks to workers and customers. Ask for a digital receipt or just skip the slip.
LEGO Replay
If you are clearing out LEGO or DUPLO blocks, consider donating them to kids in need using the free LEGO Replay program. Get the details on how to donate by checking out the program on-line.
Look for FSC Label
When shopping for wood products, look for a FSC, (Forest Stewardship Council) label. The Council certifies that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.
Avoid PFAS
Nonstick, grease resistant paper-based food ware such as pizza boxes & pastry bags, microwave popcorn bags can contain the toxic chemical PFAS (polyfluoralkyl) found in Teflon products. Keep this info in mind when getting food to go or delivered.
Alternative to Peat Moss
Harvesting of peat moss destroys bog ecosystems. Substitute these materials: compost, leaf mold, sawdust, shredded bark or wood chips. Another option is coir dust or cocopeat from coconut husks.
Good On You is Good For You
Interested in organic, eco-friendly and fair trade clothing? Check out the website Good On You for guides and tips on sustainable shoe products as well as clothing.
Why Power Strips
If left plugged in computers, stereos, TVs will still draw power even when turned off. To reduce your energy consumption, plug electronics into a power strip and when not in use, flip off the switch.
Fabric Softeners
Conventional Fabric softeners even when “fragrance-free” contain a host of chemicals. To avoid toxins, make your own: pour half a cup of white vinegar into the fabric softener dispenser in your washing machine or put the vinegar during the rinse cycle
Safe Cookware
Avoid nonstick cookware coated with Teflon made with the chemicals PFOA and PFC. In 2013, PFOA was found to be dangerous and replaced with PFCs which have not proven to be any safer. Better options are cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel and ceramic coated cookware
Interested in Composting!
Check out Green America’s article “Pick a Composter, Any Composter” on its website that provides details on some of the most popular options. Green Tip brought to you by Earth Community Circle action group. Click here for more ideas/
Laundry Efficiency
What’s more Efficient, a Front-Loading Washer or a Top-Loading? A top-loading washer can consume almost 50 percent more energy and twice as much water as a front-loading washer of the same capacity.Consumer Reports has found that the most efficient washers need less than 10 gallons a load. (Mr. Green, Sierra Club) Green Tip brought to you by Earth Community Circle action group. For more ideas: http://uuasheville.org/social-justice/green-sanctuary/
Fuel Economy
Check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s official source for fuel economy information site: www.fueleconomy.gov. On this site you can find information on such things as how to calculate your fuel costs, tips on driving more efficiently and side by side comparisons of a variety of car models.
LED Bulbs
LED bulbs are now the way to go for energy-efficient lighting. If you have any incandescent bulbs, go ahead and replace them now. If you have compact fluorescent bulbs, wait till they burn out to replace them. LED bulbs are super cheap (less than a dollar) at Habitat ReStore and close to that at certain other stores, including Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Walmart, Lowes and Goodwill.