Blog Archives

Green at work - Part 1

7/23/2018

Not everyone has the ability to control their work surroundings, but many of us can change a few things to be more sustainable. I’ll break the list of ideas into two posts so it doesn’t get so long. Some of these seem pretty obvious, but I only see a few people doing them.

Turn off the lights in areas that are not occupied. This includes conference rooms, offices, and common areas at the end of the day. If you are in charge of the office, consider adding motion sensors to the light switches.
Set electronic items such as copiers, printers, computers to hibernate after short periods of inactivity. Some can be put on timers or power strips to save even the small amount of power used during hibernation. Most large electronic items have energy saver settings.
One of the people in my office collects the coffee grounds and filters for use in his home garden. Used coffee grounds are excellent fertilizer.
Start or participate in an office recycling program. Learn what things can be recycled in your area and how they need to be collected and managed.
Bring your own plates, silverware, and cups instead of using disposables. Keep a dishtowel at your desk to dry your dishes instead of using the paper towels at the common kitchen area sinks.

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Food wrap alternatives

7/15/2018

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I found an interesting article from Earth911 on alternatives to the thin plastic wrap that comes in rolls and is used to cover dishes or bowls in the refrigerator. The plastic wrap is not reusable, is not recyclable, and will last up to 1000 years before it degrades. It also contains toxic chemicals that can leach into food. The article in the link below provides a little more detail on both the problems with the plastic wrap and some good alternatives. Ideas for alternatives include:

Reusable containers (glass is best ) are always a good option. I just found an interesting article that says If you look at the bottom of your plastic food storage containers and they have a #2, #4 or #5, those are generally recognized as safe for food and drink. If any of your containers have a #3, #6 or #7, those should be disposed of because they are considered high-risk plastics from a human health perspective.
Beeswax wrap (which I heard about for the first time in this article) is made of organic cotton infused with naturally malleable beeswax. The article says this wrap is reusable. I will be looking for some to try.
Cloth can be used to wrap many things. You can use flat cloth or sew it into shaped items such as an elastic-edged bowl cover. Cloth wrapping can be washed and reused many times.
Soy wax paper or parchment paper are compostable, non-toxic, and often made with sustainable materials.

https://earth911.com/home-garden/4-food-wrap-alternatives

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Moving to a new residence

7/8/2018

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Moving to a new residence is hard work. The process can also use a lot of resources (boxes, packing paper, tape) to pack items so they don’t break. There are some things you can do to reduce the environmental impact:

Pack items carefully so you don’t have to throw away a lot of broken or damaged things.
Look for used boxes. Many businesses that rent moving trailers or trucks have used moving boxes available. You can also sometimes get used boxes from grocery or liquor stores. If you can’t get used boxes, buy boxes made from recycled materials.
Sheets, blankets, towels, and similar items make great padding to protect appliances and other possessions.
If you didn’t have time to eat all the food in your fridge or freezer, see if you can give it to someone instead of throwing it away.
Try to donate or give a way the possessions you aren’t taking with you. The right person will be delighted to get that plant, exercise machine, or set of curtains that you can’t take along.
When you unpack at your new home, donate or sell your boxes and packing paper. Or recycle them if no one will take them for re-use.

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Integrated pest management

7/1/2018

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A few weeks ago I posted about disposing of pesticides and containers that you no longer need. While I was researching that, I found a webpage on integrated pest management, which describes methods to control pests (insects and rodents) in ways that reduce the use of toxic chemicals. The website encourages learning about your pest (and has information to help you identify the pest) before reaching for the toxic chemicals, because you may be able to control it without chemicals. It also has information on selecting pesticides that specifically target your pest so you don’t need to use the most toxic, broad-spectrum pesticides. And remember, many insects feed beneficial birds and other creatures, so if you eliminate the insect, you may eliminate the other creatures as well. You shouldn’t let pests overrun your home or create unhealthy conditions, but perhaps you can find a less impactful way to keep them outside where they belong. A few ideas and the link to the website:

Stuff small holes leading into the house with steel wool. Mice can’t chew through it. And remember that mice can squeeze through what seem like impossibly small spaces so think like a mouse when you’re filling holes.
Encourage insect-eating birds and bats by helping make appropriate habitat near your house. Birds and bats can eat hundreds of mosquitos every day. Barn swallows (we have a nest with 5 babies over our front door) can eat up to 850 mosquitos a day per bird. Yes, the nest is messy, but the birds are adorable and fun to watch and we can sit outside in the evening without mosquito repellent.

http://npic.orst.edu/pest/ipm.html

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