Aug 2, 2022 | Green Tips, Scoop
Hello, one and all! My name is Kate Jerome and, along with Venny Zachritz, I am taking an active role in managing the landscape of the UUA campus. I’m so excited to share with everyone our plans to turn our already beautiful landscape into a sustainably managed one.
We will be making a few changes, adding plants, and generally making the landscape into an educational resource for the congregation and the surrounding community. This landscape will become one in which there is even more beauty, that sustains pollinators and wildlife, and needs less and less input to keep it beautiful.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing with you the basic principles of this type of landscape management as well as keeping you abreast of the changes and additions we and our wonderful landscape group will be making.
If you are interested in talking with me further or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me (
katejerome2020@gmail.com). Or even better, come volunteer with our landscape group on the first and third Saturdays of the month, 9-11 am.
Jun 24, 2021 | Green Tips
Microwave containers are NOT recyclable in Asheville. The material, #5 polypropylene, requires high heat for reprocessing.
Jun 17, 2021 | Green Tips
Read labels of products you use in your landscape. Avoid products containing neonics. These are chemicals that are lethal to bees. FMI: BeeAction.org.
Jun 10, 2021 | Green Tips
Replace turf grass with native species of grass. Native lawns use fewer resources and improve the habitat for wildlife. Check with local garden centers and native nurseries for information on native grass species.
Jun 3, 2021 | Green Tips
Watch an instructional and entertaining video from Asheville Greenworks.
May 27, 2021 | Green Tips
Reel mowers leave a sharp snip off the grass blades while the engine-powered mowers tear tops off the blades and weaken the grass over time.
May 20, 2021 | Green Tips
Pet waste (cat & dog) is bacteria -laden. Scoop it up to keep it out of the storm drains.
May 13, 2021 | Green Tips
Avoid using “drive-thrus.” Help keep those unhealthy emissions created by car idling out of the atmosphere.
May 6, 2021 | Green Tips
Get a good grip on the gas cap. After fueling your car, tighten the gas cap well to prevent evaporation of gas. If the cap is not on tightly, you could lose as much as 30 gallons/year!
Apr 29, 2021 | Green Tips
As you mow, leave your grass clippings on the grass. The clippings which are 80% water and contain nitrogen help to water and fertilize your lawn.
Apr 22, 2021 | Green Tips
Check out recycling FAQs at ashevillegreenworks.org
Apr 15, 2021 | Green Tips
Use a microwave to cook meals whenever possible. It uses about 1/2 energy of a conventional oven.
Apr 8, 2021 | Green Tips
The dust could be reducing the light output by 50%.
Apr 1, 2021 | Green Tips
Turn off your car if you are stopping for more than 30 seconds.
Mar 25, 2021 | Green Tips
List activities that your family enjoys that don’t need electricity. Choose a few for your Sabbath Day.
Mar 18, 2021 | Green Tips
A way to make them more efficient: use longer drying times on the heat lowest setting, use the maximum spin cycle on the washer or consider air-drying your clothes.
Mar 11, 2021 | Green Tips
Check the thermostat in your refrigerator to ensure your food doesn’t spoil. The ideal temperature is at or slightly below 40 degrees. A good place for foods that won’t easily spoil is in the door. It’s the warmest section.
Mar 4, 2021 | Green Tips
To find energy-efficient products that are certified by EPA’s Energy Star program go to www.energystar.gov. The site is a good resource for efficient products, information on rebates, and tips on other ways to save energy.
Feb 25, 2021 | Green Tips
Keep in mind when you’re reading the list of ingredients in personal care products that fragrance is the main ingredient associated with allergic reactions. Best to choose non-synthetic fragrances from plant essential oils.
Feb 18, 2021 | Green Tips
The Leaping Bunny logo on labels means the product is certified as being free of animal testing.
Feb 11, 2021 | Green Tips
Set your water heater between “low” & “medium” (110-120 F); each 10-degree reduction saves 35% on water heating bills.
Feb 4, 2021 | Green Tips
Check out ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project) to find local food at the farmer’s markets in our area.
Jan 28, 2021 | Green Tips
Make a switch to safer, greener laundry detergent. Check out Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
Jan 21, 2021 | Green Tips
Kitchen sponges are moist and full of food particles—everything bacteria need to thrive. To keep your sponge “healthy,” microwave the damp sponge on high for one minute
Jan 14, 2021 | Green Tips
Save energy by keeping in your body heat. Long-sleeved sweaters can add between 2-4 degrees in added heat.
Jan 7, 2021 | Green Tips
Before purchasing a product, consider how you will dispose it.
Dec 24, 2020 | Green Tips
Do pick-up after your pets—cats as well as dogs. Fecal matter gets washed into the storm drains and is a source of pollution.
Dec 17, 2020 | Green Tips
Packaging accounts for 40% of an average beer’s emissions when you factor in transportation. Good reason to buy local beer in cans. Applies to wine purchases as well.
Dec 10, 2020 | Green Tips
Clothing made with polyester, nylon and acrylic are sources of plastic pollution when laundered. If synthetic clothes are washed in cold water, the release of the micro-plastics in the material is reduced. Another option: micro-plastic filters on washers.
Dec 3, 2020 | Green Tips
Check out Quiet Communities Inc., a non-profit “dedicated to helping communities reduce health and environmental harm from noise and pollution.
