Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:29:56 -0600WeeblyThu, 04 Jun 2026 15:31:37 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/xeriscape-vs-zeroscapeI really like this article on xeriscape.  As the article states, many people think of xeriscape as a barren field of rocks; however, the barren field of rocks is actually zeroscape.  I have never liked the idea of zeroscape for all the reasons stated in the article (bad for the environment, creates heat islands, and is generally ugly) but am very much in favor of xeriscape.  Xeriscape uses native plants and careful watering strategies to create areas that support the environment, use much less water, and generally are much prettier.  I am currently planning a project to turn another area of lawn into a xeriscape area.  So, if you are considering xeriscape to reduce outdoor water use, think about the difference between xeriscape and zeroscape.  Xeriscape takes more planning and care, but is worth it. 
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https://landscapeunite.com/zeroscape-vs-xeriscape/
]]>Mon, 18 May 2026 21:42:46 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/household-paper-productsAccording to the attached article, Americans use about 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year.  Add in the use of toilet tissue, facial tissue, and paper napkins, and you’re looking at a huge volume of single-use paper products in landfills and sewage treatment plants.  In addition to the impacts of paper disposal in landfills (including producing methane as the paper decomposes), large areas of virgin forest in Canada are harvested each year to produce these throw-away items.  The article has a link to information on which products are most sustainable (based on use of water for processing, chemicals, and effect on forests).  The best thing is to reduce your use of these items.  When you do use them, look for brands made with recycled paper and use the smallest amount needed for that job.  It may take some experimenting to find the brands that work for you. 
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https://earth911.com/home-garden/paper-towels-tissues-and-napkins-americas-13-billion-pound-waste-habit/
]]>Tue, 05 May 2026 17:19:01 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/keeping-groceries-freshOne good way to reduce food waste is to learn proper storage methods for each item to preserve the quality and flavor as long as possible.  This article provides a lot of information on produce items that should not be stored together, as some types may have a negative effect on the quality of the others.  Those who are cooking aficionados may disagree with the statement that most fruits and vegetables should be stored in the refrigerator, and you are welcome to disregard those instructions.  As an example, tomatoes retain better flavor if never refrigerated; however, if you are more concerned with how long they keep, you may choose to store them in the refrigerator anyway. 
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https://cookthismuch.com/blog/dont-store-these-foods-together-a-complete-guide-to-keeping-your-groceries-fresh
]]>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 14:38:07 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/managing-waste-in-your-homeAlmost everyone can find ways to reduce the waste they generate at home and combine that with finding better ways to manage the waste they do generate.  Proper waste disposal protects the planet in many ways, reducing pollution and allowing reuse of the raw materials.  The article discusses several aspects of managing waste in the home, including reducing the generation of waste, reusing items, recycling, and disposing of hazardous waste. 
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https://www.wikihow.com/Manage-Your-Home-Waste
]]>Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:02:52 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/conserving-water8241625Many areas are experiencing serious drought conditions that are likely to get worse before they get better.  Water restrictions are becoming increasingly common.  And conserving water is a good idea even if you live in a wet climate.  Municipal water systems require a lot of energy.  This is a good article on how to save water at home, although not all of the ideas will work for everyone.  A few extra thoughts:

• Check local regulations before installing rainwater catch systems.  They are not legal in some locations and others have restrictions on how much you are allowed to capture. 
• The suggestion to reduce the volume of water in your toilet tank is a good one, but if you already have a low-water toilet, further reduction of the water tank volume may interfere with the toilet’s effectiveness.  You’ll have to experiment.
• The article only lightly touches on one huge use of water in single-family homes, which is lawn and garden watering.  I will write another post that expands on that topic.  In the meantime, look at your yard to see where you could use native plants that require less water, and use trickle irrigation when possible.  Don’t water during the heat of the day and adjust your sprinklers so that you are not watering the sidewalk and street.  Experiment to see how much water your lawn really needs so you are not overwatering. 

https://www.wikihow.com/Save-Water
​]]>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:40:29 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/how-to-maximize-automobile-fuel-efficiencyWith fuel prices rising quickly, it’s a good time to review ways to maximize fuel economy when you drive.  Saving fuel will help both the planet and your wallet. 

• Consolidate trips and plan your route to minimize the number of miles you drive.
• If you are not sure if the store will have the item you want, call ahead to check.
• Proper maintenance of your car will help it operate efficiently.  Keep tires inflated to the proper pressure, change your air filters, and get your car serviced according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. 
• Learn driving techniques that are eco-friendly.  Don’t accelerate and decelerate rapidly.   
• Don’t speed.  Fuel efficiency goes down when car speeds go up.  HOWEVER, DO NOT drive significantly below the speed limit or the general speed of the traffic around you.  It is dangerous for you and the other drivers on the road.  A slow vehicle on the highway can cause jams that are miles long and cause accidents. 
• Every time you put on the brakes, it takes energy to return to your previous speed.  In heavy traffic, try to adjust your following distance and techniques to reduce the amount of braking needed to stay in the flow of traffic.
• Unless it is extremely cold or your car is an older model, you don’t need to warm up your vehicle’s engine before you drive.  Scrape frost off car windows instead of waiting while your car heats up enough to defrost the windows. 
• Parking in the shade when it’s hot outside reduces fuel evaporation.
• When it’s time to buy a new vehicle, consider carefully your specific driving needs in addition to fuel economy to choose the best vehicle. 

 
https://www.ucs.org/resources/how-maximize-your-vehicles-fuel-economy
 
]]>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 21:06:31 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/sustainability-impacts-of-accidentsNo one likes accidents.  They are a hassle, usually cost money you weren’t planning to spend, and may cause pain or permanent injury.  However, there is also a sustainability aspect to preventing accidents.  A lot of resources can be expended in responding to an accident.  So, sustainability is another reason to try to prevent accidents.  While you can’t see an accident coming (that’s why it’s called an accident), there are things you can do to reduce the likelihood of an accident or mitigate the severity of the consequences.  Here are some thoughts to get you started. 

• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is intended to shield you from harm of various kinds.  PPE might include safety glasses, appropriate gloves, respiratory protection, sturdy boots, or a bicycle helmet.  All of these things can prevent or reduce the severity of injury, so if PPE is called for, please use it.  Even if specific PPE is not recommended, think through the activity and use common sense in choosing clothing and shoes.  Hospitals use large quantities of resources to safely care for patients. 
• If you live in a single-family dwelling or a multi-family unit with individual utilities, know where your water and electricity shutoffs are.  Flooding from a broken pipe can ruin a lot inside a house (take my word for it and don’t try it yourself) but the sooner you can shut the water off, the less damage there will be.  There may be times when turning off the electricity will end a bad situation. 
• Learn how to prevent fires, both indoors and outside.  Don’t park a vehicle in tall grass.  Don’t throw cigarette butts out the window.  Don’t use fireworks (and don’t use illegal fireworks) in an area with combustibles.  Buy space heaters with safety features and place them away from flammables such as curtains or furniture.  Learn how to quickly put out a fire in a pan on the stove.  Keep appropriate (make sure it works on more than one type of fire) fire extinguishers handy and charged; inspect them periodically and make sure they still work.  There are hundreds of fire prevention tips on the Internet.
• Pay attention to your surroundings and what you are doing.  Inattention can lead to an accident.
• Use an appropriate tool for the job and do not disable safety features.  Use a stepstool or ladder instead of standing on a chair or box.  Make sure the ladder is supported adequately.  Choose an appropriate size and type of saw or hammer for the task.
• Keep vehicles, tools, and other items properly maintained and in good condition.   

]]>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:44:30 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/ifixitcomRepairing items instead of throwing them away and buying new is a great way to increase your sustainability.  Some things are not made to be fixed (boo, hiss) but many can be fixed with the right instructions and tools.  Sometimes you can take it to a repair shop.  You can do a web search for the owner’s manual for an item or use a reputable reference or website to find repair instructions, such as ifixit.com.  Beware of “hacks” presented by someone whose credentials you don’t know – sometimes they know what they’re talking about and sometimes they are suggesting something dangerous.  Think through the instructions you find – do the instructions suggest something that doesn’t seem like a good idea?  Think about safety aspects.  Also, in some locations, certain types of repairs or renovations (such as on buildings, natural gas appliances, plumbing, and electrical equipment) may require permits and inspections from local governments so check that out before proceeding.  And check more than one source to see if the instructions and safety precautions agree.  Then enjoy fixing your stuff. 
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https://www.ifixit.com/
]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:47:23 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/outdoor-gear-repairBefore I read this article, I was unaware how many companies that make outdoor hiking and camping gear offer repair or recycling programs for their products.  Some of the companies listed have international repair locations and others likely sell internationally.  Repair is a key sustainability tenet.  If you repair it and continue to use it, the resources required to produce it get more use before end of life.  One consideration when you buy these items is whether the company has a repair or recycle program.  If an item does need repair, check with the manufacturer for repair options before you decide to replace it (this is a good idea for many types of items in addition to outdoor gear).  According to the attached article, “If you use a product for just three more months, you can reduce its carbon, water, and waste impacts by 10%.” 
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https://earth911.com/how-and-buy/extend-the-life-of-your-outdoor-gear-with-these-repair-programs/
]]>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 20:24:33 GMThttp://www.3percentsustainability.com/three-percent-sustainability-challenge/buy-it-for-life​The concept of “buy it for life” is becoming more popular and is an important sustainability tactic.  Basically, it means buying items that are designed, manufactured, and intended to last a long time before needing replacement.  All the resources needed to replace a less durable item are saved, because no replacement is needed.  When you’re on a tight budget, it’s hard to find the money to buy a better-quality item, but over the long haul, it will save you money.  However, “buy it for life” does not necessarily mean buying a more expensive item, because more costly does not always equal better quality.  You’ll have to do some research to find out which items are repairable, which have good ratings for durability, and which have just the features you want and not a lot of extra features you’ll never use.  Sometimes the sustainability feature is not obvious, such as cellphones whose manufacturers no longer do security updates for a phone after a few years, meaning you either have to buy a new phone or live with security vulnerabilities.  Try to buy items that can be repaired or upgraded.  Make sure you do the maintenance and care needed to keep the item in good operating condition, because even the best item does not hold up to neglect and misuse.  It takes more time and personal energy to “buy it for life” but it helps the earth and also supports companies that make more durable and repairable products.  
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