Blog Archives

Climate friendly protein

3/28/2024

This article from the Guardian is a good summary of the reasons to cut back your consumption of animal protein and increase your plant-based protein. There are many reasons why you may not want or be able to adopt a completely vegan diet, and that’s okay. Just replacing a few meat-based meals each week with plant-based foods will make a difference. Or, as the article suggests, use half meat and half plant-based protein in a favorite meat-based recipe. It might be helpful to think of meat as a condiment in a plant-based recipe. Explore the wide variety of international recipes using beans and other legumes, nuts, and high-protein whole grains.

https://www.theguardian.com/wellness/2024/mar/14/how-to-eat-enough-protein

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Sustainable laundry

3/22/2024

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If you think about it, doing laundry is more resource-intensive than it first appears. Doing laundry uses energy to get the water to your home, energy to run the washer and dryer, and energy and resources to produce all the laundry products. Whether you have home laundry appliances or use a laundromat, you can employ techniques to reduce your environmental impact. And if you’re buying a washer or dryer, do some research so you can buy energy and water efficient models with only the features you need.

Use cold water. Modern detergents are designed to work well with cold water and cold water is better for removing most stains.
Choose a washing cycle that is appropriate for the clothing you are washing. Long vigorous washing cycles will wear out clothing faster, although the longer cycles may be necessary for clothes that are very dirty. Wash similar items together so you can pick appropriate cycles.
Don’t overload the washer. Clothing and detergent can’t circulate enough in an overstuffed washer so your clothes may not get as clean.
Measure detergent and other cleaning products so you don’t use more than you need. Using too much detergent can leave a residue on clothes and even allow dirt to settle back on clothing.
Liquid fabric softeners and dryer sheets may do more harm than good. The softeners can leave residue on the clothing and the inside of the dryer. The fabric softeners and dryer sheets also contribute chemicals to the air and water in the environment. Consider using reusable dryer balls (typically made of wool but also available in rubber or plastic) to help reduce drying time and keep clothing from clumping together in the dryer.
Clothes dryers use a lot of energy, but there are ways to reduce the energy use. Choosing a lower temperature can slow the drying process a little, but it cuts energy use significantly and is better for your clothes. Using a clothes dryer wears your clothing out faster – as proven by the lint in the lint trap. Clean the lint trap after every use to keep the dryer running efficiently. Dry similar items together so everything in the load is dry at the same time. And my favorite recommendation – air dry clothing whenever possible. When I can’t hang clothing outside to dry, I put it in the dryer for a few minutes to knock out the wrinkles and start the drying process. Then I hang the clothes in the house to finish air-drying. You can buy small portable drying racks or use hangers on a shower curtain rod.

“Baby steps toward sustainability”

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Reducing household energy costs

3/14/2024

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I found a good article that discusses several ways to save energy (and money) in your home. Many of these ideas apply to renters as well as to homeowners.

https://www.nrdc.org/stories/how-save-your-energy-bills

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Money-saving sustainability tips

3/5/2024

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Implementing small sustainability lifestyle changes can save you money while the changes also help the planet, making them a double win. Here are a few ideas to get you started. If you look at your daily activities, I’m sure you will find a lot more.

Shop the “last chance” section in the grocery store. These are reduced-price items that are nearing their use-by date but are still good. Buying them saves you money and keeps the wasted food out of the landfill. Don’t buy more than you can eat and have a plan for using leftovers.
In summer, set the thermostat one or two (or more) degrees higher. In winter, set the thermostat one or two (or more) degrees lower. These changes save energy, which always saves money.
Use it up, wear it out, or repurpose it.
On hot summer days, keep the window shades or curtains closed on the sunny side of the house to help keep the heat out. In winter, close window shades at night and on the shady side of the house to help keep heat inside. Keeping the window shades open on the sunny side of the house in winter lets the solar energy help warm the house.
Unplug electronics and chargers when not in use. Even while turned off, many electronic items draw small amounts of power.
Electric clothes dryers use an average of 6 percent of a household’s energy. Air dry clothing or hang it outside to dry when possible. I frequently dry clothing on low heat for just a few minutes to remove the wrinkles and start the drying process before I air dry the clothes. When you do use the clothes dryer, it takes less energy to dry a load for a longer time at a low temperature than it does to dry a load at a high temperature for a shorter period of time.

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