Green Tips

When shopping for wood products, look for a FSC, (Forest Stewardship Council) label. The Council certifies that the wood comes from sustainably managed forests.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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/

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/

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.