Did You Know: Dishwasher Energy Usage?
November 17, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Facts
- A half filled dishwasher uses the same amount of energy as a full load.
Did You Know: Recylcling Facts
November 17, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Facts
- Sydneysiders have reduced their water use by more than 13% since 2003.
- By recycling our daily read, NSW saves 3,079,000 gigajoules of energy a year. That’s enough to power 142,510 households.
Clear the Air eMagazine Nov 14, 2009
November 14, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Features, Go Green
Check out the latest eMagazine from Clear the Air, featuring news on green articles from around the world.
As well as viewing it page by page, you can also:
Download it as a PDF
Download it for your Amazon Kindle/Sony ebook
Simon TurnerFollow us…
Join our Fan Page 
The Dirty Lowdown on Disposable Nappies
November 13, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Facts
Consider these facts when buying disposable nappies:
- Nappies are the third most common item, by volume and weight, in American, UK, European, Japanese and Australian landfills.
- According to Choice consumer magazine, 95% of Australian babies wore disposable nappies in 2007. In China, only 6% do, in India 2%.
- It takes over 10 full sized trees to produce the number of nappies your baby will use in its first couple of years.
- Production of a single disposable nappy requires 2/3 of a cup of petroleum. This adds up to over 3 billion gallons (1134 billion litres of oil) per year dedicated to disposable nappy production.
- According to 2003 figures from the Women’s Environment Network, it takes on average 22,250 MJ of energy, 75,000 ha of land for raw materials and 70 cubic metres of waste water is needed to manufacture enough disposable nappies for just one infant over the course of 2½ years.
- The estimated cost of disposable nappies per child is $3,500.
What to Do With Old Computers and Electrical Appliances?
November 12, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge, Eco Tips, Go Green
What do you do with appliances such as fridges, microwave ovens, televisionsd, phones and computers that are well past their use by date and no longer work? For most of us, we wait until our local councils hold a household rubbish collection (different from our weekly rubbish collection). Most councils hold these at least once a year and many people “hang out” for these and walk the streets looking to make someone’s trash, their treasure!
Waiting for the council collection usually means those old items are cluttering up our garages or backyards waiting for that annual date and hopefully we don’t forget to place them on our footpaths the night before collection.
These old appliances have typically been buried as landfill, leaving toxins that leach into the ground and our waterways.
Each year 1.5 million televisions are disposed of and this is increasing rapidly because by the end of 2013 the government is switching off the analogue signal all over Australia. Most of us are upgrading our analogue televisions to digital.
If 75% of those 1.5 million televisions that are discarded annually were recycled, it would amount to a national saving of approximately 23,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents, 520 mega litres of water, 400,000 gigajoules of energy and 160,000 cubic metres of landfill space.
Finally we have a service available to us to correctly dispose of our old electrical equipment and help us achieve a sustainable future. As a general rule of thumb, they believe that anything that “plugs in” can be recycled and state that between 95%-98% (by weight) will be fully recycled.
1800Ewaste comes to you, takes away your old appliances and delivers it to the appropriate recycling facility.
http://www.ewaste.com.au/
Eco Friendly Christmas Cards
November 12, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Go Green
Christmas is fast approaching and for those of us who are yet to purchase our Christmas Cards, why not look at cards that are kind to our earth. Here are some sites that allow you top be creative and be environmentally friendly.
Greenerprinter uses high quality soy and vegetable based inks and is 100% wind powered. You can use their templates to design your own cards.
Recycling Your Old Jeans
November 12, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Go Green
You don’t have to be a seamstress – if you have basic sewing skills you can turn your old jeans into something fabulous. Here are a few suggestions:
Pillows: Cut the legs into a tube, stuff with cotton and sew the ends shut. Make a smaller version for a travel pillow, or a larger version to decorate a living room or bedroom. Add decorative touches like buttons or use the back pocket of the jeans for an interesting effect.
Handbag: Cut the legs below the crotch, sew each leg shut and thread a rope or ribbon through the belt loops for a handle. This can be used as a hip and unusual handbag, or as a shopping bag for the environmentalist. Various size jeans will create different sized bags. Pick a plain cotton rope as a handle for the eco friendly person, or use a decorative, glittery rope for the fashionista.
Potholders: Line denim squares with fleece, quilt batting or more layers of denim to create a thick potholder. Quilt together. Hem the edges, or seam with tape or ribbon. You can add rick-rack and other decorative designs too. The perfect gift for the chef in your family!
Coin Purse: The back pocket of jeans makes the perfect coin purse. Just cut closely around the pocket for an instant pouch. Add a zipper or button closure if desired. You can decorate with buttons, ribbons, fabric print or beads.
How to Make Your Small Business Green
November 12, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Global, Go Green
“How to Improve Your Bottom Line, Grow Your Brand, Satisfy Your Customers and Save the Planet” by Jennifer Kaplan (Prentice Hall Press; November 3, 2009; $19.95), is an excellent book for any small business owner or employee who is concerned about their company’s impact on the planet and would like to take actions to improve it.
“Going green” is a way for each of us to make a positive impact on our world, (woot!) and it doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, as Jennifer explains, making your small biz more eco-friendly can save money and boost profits. (woot woot!) GREENING YOUR SMALL BUSINESS tells readers what they need to know to make their business more competitive by making it more eco-conscious. She covers everything from the basics such as recycling, reducing waste, energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint, to more in-depth concerns such as green marketing, communications, biz travel, and green employee benefits.
Get it on Amazon at 32% off: http://bit.l y/3SXH2a
Save Lindbergh Bay Success in the Caribbean Island of St Thomas
November 5, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Projects
Our favourite Caribbean detective, Jim Walberg, reports on the recent success of the “Save Lindbergh Campaign”.
Many of you remember my article several months ago about the Save Lindbergh Bay initiative. This is a grass roots organization of people committed to keeping this beautiful Caribbean bay on St. Thomas from being the dumping site of the dredging material from Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The U.S. Virgin Islands signed a contract with the largest cruise ship in the world, Oasis of the Sea, to call on the port of Charlotte Amalie. The cruise ship holds over 5,000 people that will greatly add to the tourist revenue of St. Thomas. However, the agreement required Charlotte Amalie Harbor to create the ability for the Oasis of the Sea to dock which would require dredging the path of the ship into the harbor an additional 35 feet to the existing sea floor. The project was to take the 150,000 cubic yards of dredging material and deposit it into Lindbergh Bay. The GREAT NEWS is that Lindbergh Bay has been saved by Gov. deJongh, Jr. signing a degree to halt the dredging until a more suitable site can be found for the material.
The dredging has been opposed by not only the residents of the Virgin Islands, but by people concerned about environment issues around the world. Gov. deJongh said at a Government House press conference, “As this process proceeded, and mindful of the community’s concerns on the placement of the dredged spoils, yet the desire to ensure that Royal Caribbean maintains St. Thomas as a port of call for Oasis, I instructed my team to develop options in the event that a change of course was required.” So, after lengthy negotiations with government officials and the cruise lines, an agreement with Royal Caribbean has been reached. The contracts with the Port Authority needed to be honored, so some of the cruise ships that normally berth at Crown Bay will be shifted to Havensight on the days when Oasis of the Sea calls on Charlotte Amalie Harbor.
Now that Crown Bay will be the temporary docking site for Oasis by the Sea, Gov. deJongh, Jr. acknowledged, “Crown Bay is an interim solution. Quite frankly, it is not the ideal with respect to passenger experience — there will be issues of security screening, transportation, economic impact on passenger spending. However, it ensures that Charlotte Amalie Harbor is able to keep the ship as a port of call.” A BIG challenge with Crown Bay as the docking location for Oasis is how to move the passengers to the center of town where they all love to shop. How about creating a fleet of independent water taxis to finally serve the entire Charlotte Amalie Harbor?
Other comments about removing Lindbergh Bay from the dredge dumping came from:
- Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty is committed to increasing passenger presence in areas such as Market Square and Emancipation Garden, where staging points will be set up; “We’re working on the logistics now and definitely want to encourage shopping there, so that someone can go and get a question answered or just have a cultural experience.”
- Virgin Islands Conservation Society president, Jason Budsan; “I congratulate everyone who helped make this happen. Public pressure counts. The decision is significant because the Virgin Islands is looking at ways to solve problems, balancing the environment and the economy.”
- Senator Wayne James; “It’s a great triumph on our part. I was looking at the bay a couple days ago, and I wondered how anybody could compromise the beauty of this beach.”
- Environmentalist Helen Gjessing; “I’m really pleased that the Port Authority saw the writing on the wall, that this was really not a viable project. There’s no way it could restore the eco-system of Lindbergh Bay. A lot of credit goes to the many people who kept plugging away. I really appreciate that.”
Please log in with your comments about how a few committed citizens CAN make a difference in changing the direction of being kind to our Planet.
Clear the Air eMagazine November 3, 2009
November 3, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Features, Global, Go Green
Check out the latest eMagazine from Clear the Air, featuring news on green articles from around the world.
As well as viewing it page by page, you can also:
Download it as a PDF
Download it for your Amazon Kindle/Sony ebook
Simon TurnerFollow us…
Join our Fan Page
350 Parts – International Day of Climate Action
November 3, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Projects, Global
A few weekends ago saw over 1,000 people gather on the forecourt of Sydney’s Opera House to form the number 350 – a global message board to send a climate change message to world leaders. 179 counties are taking part in 4,500 events worldwide as part of the International Day of Climate Action. Australia was the first of the countries to take part in the international event.
The environmental movement 350.org, is named because there are 350 parts per million – the limit on the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which many believe is needed to avoid climate havoc.
Blair Palese, CEO of 350.org Australia said “most people feel pretty disenfranchised about things like the United Nations Copenhagen meetings and there is no way for people to take leadership for that.”
Multiple cities throughout the world were also part of the 350 effort.
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5 Green Wedding Engagement Tips
November 3, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Go Green
Top Green Wedding Engagement tips
Get A Green Engagement Ring
Whether you decide to go diamond, platinum, gold, wood, antique – or with something completely custom and original – the most important factor to keep in mind when choosing the ring is the person you’re buying it for. Don’t let the salesperson talk you into the diamond if she’d rather have an amethyst; don’t buy a new ring that looks vintage when there are estate sales and antique stores that sell the real deal (without consuming the energy used to process something brand new). Have a family gem? Get it reset in a band made from recycled metals for a piece that fits the bill as something old and something new.
Pop The Question
You want it to be romantic. You want it to be memorable. You want it to be perfect. But does that mean it has to be environmentally un-friendly? Obviously hiring that plane to write “Will you marry me?” in the sky is a no-go – as is your weekend trip to Paris to propose under the Eiffel Tower (unless you live in France of course) – but you can still make your proposal green; try making an organic, home cooked meal with plenty of candlelight; putting together a scrapbook of photos and mementos from your relationship; or going down on one knee in the spot where you met. It doesn’t have to be elaborate to garner a “yes” from your sweetheart; it just has to be heartfelt.
Spread The Word
Congratulations! Now that you’re engaged – it’s time to share your happy news with eco-friendly engagement announcements. An electronic announcement is the greenest option, but if your families are too traditional to get the word out view email, look for announcements made from recycled paper, printed with non-toxic inks and made with low-impact processes.
Throw A Party
Ready to celebrate? The parties that go along with weddings-from engagement soires to bridal showers to rehearsal dinners – have a carbon footprint all their own; keep yours under control with an eco friendly engagement get together. Control the guest list, choose a restaurant that gets its ingredients from local farms (or cook at home); put together centrepieces that take advantage of the season with sticks, flowers and other natural elements. Light the room with soy candles, lay out cloth napkins and toast with organic cocktails.
Shop Smart
When it comes to picking out the china, appliances and sheets that will mark the start of your new life together, get off to a green start with your registry. Register at a smaller boutique store that carries pieces by local artisans for one-of-a-kind place settings that you won’t see on your cousin’s table at Thanksgiving, and look for sustainable fibres (like organic cotton) woven into sheets, towels, tablecloths and napkins. Scale back on kitchen gadgets – do you really need that Panini maker, or will a grill pan work? How often would you make ice cream from scratch? And choose items that will do double duty to save space and minimise clutter. If you’re combining two households and already have all your housewares, register for tools, camping equipment or donations to your favourite charity instead.
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Six Tips Toward An Eco Affordable Wardrobe
November 3, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Go Green
Here’s some tips to help you achieve a more eco (and affordable) wardrobe.
Take Stock And Weed Out. Are you even sure what you have in your closet anymore, and whether it all fits? This is the first step to building your green wardrobe. You need to get in your closet and give to your favourite charity anything too tight or loose, too stained, or too much of a fashion flop to be saved. Take notes! When you go through this process you’ll see what things you really may need to buy (ie no more black pants, yes to a versatile travel skirt, etc). One way to get over packrat mentality is divide stuff into “keep”, “undecided/swap” and “throw” piles. Keep the undecided/swaps through another few seasons – if you never thought about them it means you are ready to throw, though there’s always a possibility you look on some of these potential discards with new love when you open the bag months from now.
2. Find and Cultivate That Rarest of Creatures, A Seamstress/Tailor. When you’ve de-cluttered the wardrobe chances are you’ll find a couple of good quality items that just need a decent repair. This goes for quality shoes too. Unless you are very handy, its best not to fool yourself that you will ever do these repairs yourself. Instead, you need to find someone who will make these alterations now and in the future, so you can buy quality items at higher prices and repair them when they need it rather than chucking.
3. Shun Fashion Magazines, Except At The Dentist’s Office. I admit to obsessive fascination with celebrities’ fashion faux pas. It’s better to stay far, far away from the regular fashion mags, because they give us unrealistic expectations and make us unhappy with what we have. Being stylish and looking good is so much different from following fashion, and to be stylish you’ve got to develop your own individual aesthetic and then be able to adapt new trends to suit your own needs. So save yourself some money and clutter, and nix those glossies in the bud.
4. Get a Few Good Books instead to help you start to think about your own true and relatively timeless style. And take a hard look at the types of clothes you wear again and again, not just because they are comfortable and fit right, but also because they express something of your personality. It’s said women wear only 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time. When you see what you always wear and what looks good on you that’s getting close to your personal style, which will change and evolve but is probably not going to make huge shifts.
5. Find Quality New Based Clothing Sites and Peruse Regularly With list in hand, you are ready for the brave new world of quality eco-shopping. If you can swing it, a clothing budget will help you stay on track month-to-month so you know when it’s appropriate to splurge on a organic wool sweater or vegan boots. Most of the time, this doesn’t mean walking through the large department stores or window shopping the chain stores – in fact, steer clear of impulse purchases for the most part. Instead, seek out the eco boutiques in your town armed with your perennial list of real needs and wants. Going to eco boutiques, even if you can’t afford them now, it’s good for trying on things you might eventually find on the web for cheaper. And bookmark your list of quality, eco-conscious sites to check back often for specials on your list.
6. Use Swapping And Vintage Stores To Keep Novelty In Your Wardrobe. Once you have your basic wardrobe of high-quality (hopefully eco) basics, you can add quirky style bits by having clothes swapping parties and going to vintage stores. And last but not least, don’t feel guilty for the occasional cheap-clothing buy. You’ll find that once you’ve adapted your wardrobe with well made pieces in good, organic fabrics, the cheap stuff will start to look, well, cheap. An impulse purchase or the lure of the sale sign will happen less and less and you’ll save your $$ for stuff you love and stuff that will last.
Written by April Streeter
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Save Water: Turn off the Pool Pump
November 3, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Eco Tips, Go Green
Our local paper now publishes a regular environmental initiative. This week we learned that by cutting our pool pump running time by one hour a day, we will save almost half a tonne of CO2 in a year and save money by cutting our electricity bill.
A pool filter pump running for eight hours a day at peak rates can cost $650 a year on the electricity bill and will cause 4.5 tonnes of CO2 pollution (about the same as a car in a year).
image (c) Reuters
Check that a timer is installed and working on your pool pump and ensure it is programmed to run no more than four to five hours a day. By only running them for the minimum time required to keep the pool clean, and in non-peak times, you will save money, take demand pressure off the electricity system, and help the plant.
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Save Water: Shame on Sydney Water
November 3, 2009 by simonturner
Filed under Australia's Challenge, Features
When driving through Kensington yesterday, I was appalled at the lack of respect Sydney Water have for our (and their) most precious commodity – water.
I don’t doubt for a moment that there was a reasonable explanation for what I saw, however, the wastage was disgraceful. Water was being pumped out of two locations, (within 50 metres of each), and allowed to run into the storm water drains.
Yesterday’s temparature in Sydney was in the mid 20’s and most people who live in that particular street have gardens and lawns in their front yard. I am certain they would have probably watered them that afternoon, if they had not done so that morning.
Wouldn’t it have made a lot of sense to route the water onto residents front gardens, or have it pumped into containers on trucks to be utilised in local areas that are really suffering from water shortages, rather than let it wastefully run down the drains?
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