GiveaCar ~ Guest Post

As mentioned in my previous post, here is the guest post from Daniel, of Giveacar, UK.

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Car donation: a great way to recycle your car

Recycling a car can be a difficult and daunting prospect. It’s not always easy to find someone who is willing to collect you vehicle and make sure it is thoroughly depolluted and reused. There are many people still out there who will simply harvest your cars easily resalable parts and leave the rest to rust.

If you’ve decided to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle or have resolved to give up your car entirely for a greener mode of transport, car donation is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of getting rid of your old vehicle.

There are a wide range of car donation programs out there, supporting an array of different charitable causes. It is important to find one that will either scrap your vehicle in an environmentally friendly way or put it in to an auction to find a new owner. This ensures that the oldest cars, those with worst fuel consumption, are taken off the road, and newer ones are reused, reducing demand for new car production, which has a significant negative effect on the environment.

If you are in the UK, a great donation program to check out is Giveacar. They guarantee that at least 85% of the weight of your car will be recycled and reused. In addition, they only work with scrap yardHYPERLINK "http://www.giveacar.co.uk/scrap-yards"s that are affiliated to the UK Environment Agency, meaning that your car will be fully depolluted and not just left to drip its hazardous chemicals into the earth.

As well as the environmental benefits of their car HYPERLINK "http://www.giveacar.co.uk/car-scrappage"scrappage scheme, Giveacar promise to donate at least $100 to the donors chosen charity for each car donated. They are partnered with a variety of different causes including several charities tackling the effects of climate change.

Only a year old, they have already recycled more than 3,000 cars and have raised more than $300,000 for good causes.

If you would like to learn more about recycling your car or would like to donate a car, please visit the Giveacar website – www.giveacar.co.uk.

 PS: pictures courtesy: Giveacar 

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Giveacar ~ Green Charity

Daniel from UK based company called Giveacar, a not-for-profit organisation, sent in a post to be featured on Green Crusader. 

About the company:
Giveacar is into collection and recycling of unwanted cars, with the proceeds of each vehicle going to charity.
They have imported the idea of car donation from the US to the UK, and work with over 250 charities and have raised over £200,000 in the past year through car donation. The company works with scrapyards and salvage operators to ensure cars are sold for their maximum value – thus providing the maximum donation to charity.

Daniel says "Giveacar has had a really positive response, with the service providing a serious financial boost to charities in this current climate, and Reuters have made a news video on the positive effects of social enterprises such as Giveacar. (http://www.reuters.com/news/video/story?videoId=180720019). We are an environmentally friendly operation, recommended by Keep Britain Tidy and recently covered by the Ecologist:
http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/out_and_about/687787/recycle_your_car_dont_scrap_it.html"


Watch this space for the Guest post. :-)

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Individually Packed Dry Fruit - Wasteful or otherwise?

For all those dry fruit connoisseurs who love prunes (dried plums), here is some food for thought!

nutsonline-com

Bowel movement and overall health are a great argument when it comes to buying prunes in plastic bags. 

or grabbing a bottle or two of prune juice....

 (sunsweet website)

Manufacturers are already adding to the plastic clutter and the ocean patch, and have every reason to rethink their packing methods. And as if existing problems weren't enough, a genius marketing strategy session later, Sunsweet launched its individually wrapped prunes.


 Each prune individually wrapped in plastic...:-(

And then put them in another HDPE container..

Seriously!, did we need more plastic in the world? All in the name of a little of convenience!.. It is sadly amazing to see that consumers do not assess the impact of their choices on the planet? The nutritional information provided on their website, mentions eating "about 4 prunes" to equal one serving.

My question - why not package them in packs of four then? Back to the basic question - WHY the Wrapping in the first place. One logical explanation could be (probably) - that the company has to come up with new shenanigans to appeal to consumers and appear dynamic by showing that they are constantly reinventing themselves. Agreed. As much as that intention is appreciated, individual wrapping is a serious mistake and a definite waste of resources. On a lighter note! imagine having to eat more than one and all the packaging one has to peel..lol...hmm..seems like it is the company's trick for portion control!!! :-)

Given the fact that Sunsweet controls over 2/3rd of the prunes market in the US, higher sales figures for the single-wraps means an avoidable 3 sq inches of plastic wrap in the trash can (for every piece consumed). Isn't it time we as consumers took action and made informed choices?.

Any argument for and against this idea are pleasantly welcome.

(Sunsweet is a US based food and beverage manufacturer specializing in packed dry fruit and juice). 

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Go Green with Craigslist and Freecycle

Choosing the right kind of furniture for your home is a major influence on how green you could be...It is no harm in wanting the best for yourself. However, it could be a little considerate on our part to reuse heavy and usable furniture items (among other things) and not let them become landfill before their lifespan.

Readers who are familiar with my Design blog, The Design Enthusiast, know my love for preloved furniture. I have furnished an entire single bed room apartment with finds from local sellers via craigslist. Touch wood, it has been a great experience till date. Although, I am not into upholstered furniture, it is better to avoid beds or heavy cushioned sofas unless you are very sure about the condition. Reason being, loads of bugs and dirt may find their way into your abode. And then, there are odour issues we need to deal with. I dont advocate any particular furnishing style, but defintely would like to see minimal upholstery and cushions (read foam) as possible.

There could be more such collaborating websites I am not aware of yet. Another place to look out for is Freecycle. It is a brilliant way to minimize waste and think about greening your choices without much effort.

quoting the Freecycle website-
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,864 groups with 7,603,875 members around the world. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills. Each local group is moderated by a local volunteer (them's good people). Membership is free. To sign up, find your community by entering it into the search box above or by clicking on 'Browse Groups' above the search box. Have fun!

One very interesting thing about Freeecycle is that people giveaway stuff for free...so take a look, maybe you will find something that may work for you. (I have been a grad student here in the US...so hand me downs dont bother me...however, i dont see a similar vibe among fellow country men who land here with a job and a heavy paypacket. No comments on that though!!)

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China's Prosperity- at what cost?

I see people happy when Walmart and other retailers announce SALE on their stock. These retailers conveniently dump out of season good onto customers. It is quite true that some of the products on the shelves aren't worth the entire retail price. However, does it make sense or justify a buying, just because some product is on sale?

Marketing teams do a wonderful job by making most of the consumer goods look indispensable. Over 70% of the consumer base is led by this "Buy things off season, and during a Sale " mentality.  This group of customers think only about their money saving deals for now and care less about the impact of their incessant buying habits on the supply demand economics. Given this fact, it is impossible to expect them to think in terms of the torture our planet goes through to help them meet their NEEDS.

One look at the overstocked aisles in any store reminds one of the excessive consumerism patterns, such huge conglomerates promote. When companies like WalMart, Kroger, Publix and Whole foods talk about sustainability, it sounds like a joke and a mockery of the earth friendly effort ever proposed/ put in by a human on the face of the planet.

source: americajr.com

World's major economies survives on the health of their retail sector, no denying that. But doesn't that mean that they need to work towards being the most responsible as well. Every retail giant claims to be doing their bit for the planet. REALLY? One look at  these stores' slogans show how tangential their business policies are to their Green claims.

Let us take a look at their Punch/tag lines: Walmart - Save money . Live better; Publix- Where shopping is pleasure, Target - Expect more , Pay less, etc....Retailer talks about Saving green  and never encourage customers to go green with their shopping choices.

Why would they, wouldn't that affect their bottom lines and their sales figures? Hanging a reusable bag at the billing counter isn't helping folks!!

Other than encouraging excessive consumerism, these retailer are doing nothing for the community. A classic example would be Kroger's 10 for $10 sale. Their ads make Stocking your pantry for less seem like saving millions. As part of its green efforts, Kroger conducts a design a reusable bag contest every year. But never bothers to encourage its customers to bring in their own bags.  My question - why not suggest people to get their bags rather than make it look like they want the customers to BUY a bag at the counter. This strategy makes the plastic /paper bag seem like a MONEY saving option for any average consumer.And the entire Green drama put up by the conglomerate moves backstage.

Time and again, I have been putting up with arguments from people about why they should buy a reusable bag when a plastic bag is free? Right, can't they see that they could take their own bag to the store. No one forces them to buy a reusable bag. Where do these people leave their common sense? Is it justified when educated people argue that they cant make simple choices for the better?

One need not be an economist to put one  plus one. It is known that every product sold across the Atlantic and this side of the Pacific comes from the Land of the Forbidden City. Every product ever manufactured may be contributing to this said country's apparent growth and prosperity. But all this at what cost? Is it ok to ignore impact of our mindless living? These impacts are no longer a distant occurrence. We can see the aftermath of excessive exploitation of our natural resources and can no longer ignore the way our life (read health) is being changed for the worse. What would take the majority of the population to wake up?...I am yet to figure that out.

Apart from doing their bit in destroying the planet and adding to the resource crunch. These retail giants kill local, small time grocery stores who could have been greener with their functioning. Not only do these small time stores go out of business, but these giant's monopoly impacts local economic as well. All said and done, do we really need a WALMART in India? No, definitely not!!!

How could I miss sharing this cartoon??

 source: courtneyelizabeth.com

My next article is about the KING? of the retail sector who thinks that projecting a We sell cheap imagine translates to more business and money in his pocket. To hell with the environment and the drastic impact his money making conglomerate would have on the planet!!!

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Starbucks - Left me alone....and they say - Don't Do it Alone!!

source: starbucks website

Should we trust corporates when they say - They are on with their Green efforts?...Maybe we should not. Starbucks claims that it allows customers to use their own reusable cups and even encourages green practices. Their punch line – Don’t do it alone, doesn’t seem to work in reality.

Their website carries very fancy content on Green issues.But how many really bother?

source: starbucks website

 I was taken by their reports to promote use of ceramic and re-usable mugs and tried to take my own to one of their outlets. As a rule,  if a customer walks in with a ceramic or re usable cup, starbucks employees are supposed to rinse the mug and pour coffee into it.

However, I was refused to be served in my mug- The lady at the counter said that the sanitation department wouldn’t allow use of any other container other than the one sold at Starbucks!...If this is true, how would their motto to go green ever become a reality. Another report claims that Starbucks intends to reintroduce ceramic mugs and increase use of reusable commuter mugs by 2010. I did not know that they offered a $.10 discount to customers who bring in reusable mugs. If all this was true, why would I be refused when I make a conscious effort to carry my mug for my drink?

I don't know how people could ignore this garbage pile when they buy their coffee in disposable cups...Does it never occur as to what happens to all this unnecessary garbage

source: triplepundits.com

Statistics:

Starbucks stores use billions of disposable plastic and paper cups, this means an enormous usage of natural resources and energy and then cups land in the landfills and the ocean. The Company claims that their cups contain 10 percent post consumer recycled content. And that, according to the company is estimated to save tens of thousands of trees, half a million gallons of waste water, and several million pounds of garbage. And Starbucks claims to be the pioneer in promoting recycled cups in the beverage retailing industry.

Visit this link on their website to learn more about their programs - Link  

Reality:

Did you know that FDA (Food & Drug administration, USA) does not support use of recycled material in food retailing industry? Another very important aspect in terms of recycling – Paper cups lined with wax /plastic to hold liquids cannot be recycled in most recycling plants/systems. I am really not sure if Starbucks can ever achieve its target of making all of its cups recyclable by 2012. Corporate GREEN team says that the company is requesting its customers to bring in their own reusable cups or tumblers in order to meet their recycling goal set for the year 2012. Frankly, I am yet to see one single customer buying his or her coffee in their own mug! So in which part of the world are they pushing their Green ideas then?

Whatz really happening

With over 16,000 retailing locations, it is difficult to claim consistency in their efforts. It is definitely difficult for a company with so many globally disperse franchisees to efficiently and effectively implement a recycling strategy. The least they could do is to support conscious consumers like myself.

Money matter a lot to people sitting in the Shareholder boards…blind that they are to any crisis around them, it is a disgrace that the company's shareholders voted down Starbuck’s proposal to increase recycling efforts. ( I am sure Seattle Times would be faking this news ). And why did they make this brilliant decision? Because the finance guys have to create WEALTH for their shareholders!! (really??)

Although the company seems to have started offering discounts to consumers who bring in their own cup since 1985, how come we do not see anything happening on that front? Isn’t the non green population just living to save money or just Enjoy their life?...I am sure if they were given a chance to save a few cents… at least a few of them would oblige to bring their own mugs (for the amount of coffee consumed in the world, specially in the US) It would make a significant difference in terms of number of disposable (plastic and paper) cups used. What amazes me is that the consumer who is aware that he should not buy hot drinks in a plastic cup refuses to think one step beyond and reduce use of paper cups.

Statistics…again!

Starbucks claims that in 2009, over 26 million customers brought their own tumblers for their cup of Joe…(really!!). This means a meager 1.5% shift from use of disposables and that translated to saving a whopping 1.2 million pounds of paper from being consumed. If this was true, imagine the amount which goes into the landfill due to the million of cups still being used…phew!!...Do you really think you cant make your own cup at home or at least carry your own mug to the café. The least you could do is to choose using their ceramic mugs and have your coffee in store and not bother walking around the mall with your fancy disposable cup.

Another very important aspect of this Industry has not even been discussed yet – The coffee Growing /processing industry and its impact on environment. That makes an interesting topic for a new article altogether!

Painful changes in the Indian scene...

What bothers me is India's growing and booming Cafe culture. Cafe Coffee Day, Barista etc have become a fashion statement of sorts with the Indian Population. I do not have anything any particular brand or product, what pains is the lack of common sense and basic thought towards the impact of every cultural shift

India is going through!

Think before you THINK it is HEP to go to a Cafe and order your coffee in a disposable cup. Think of going green with your choices and let the planet remain habitable!

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A school girl at the UN Environment summit - Rio

I had this video link in my bookmark archives....a very simple and straight forward speech by a school girl from Canada....echoes every environmental concern - relevant more than ever today. This undated video should, among many others, actually help us wake up...its high time...its not about money, career or expensive living. It is all about sensible minimal living which will allow existence of life on the planet.

Does it matter?
Thinking about every thing we do and not hiding behind the very oft used phrases/words - "cant help it" or "convenience" is the need of the hour. If one really wanted to make a sensible choice, they could do it. Ignorance, or lack of common sense is what makes involuntarily-earth-hating crowd, the people they are.

Being eco friendly is lot more than not using plastic bags. I am tired of being called as someone who advocates against  plastic bags.Yes, that I am, but there is more to living a green life than just that. The whole terminology kicks my soul. It is sad that we humans first take the fast lane, do some considerable damage and then trace back our steps to go back to where we were. Given this fact, all the jargonology- Green, eco-friendly all make no sense. It seems like a mockery on groups which work in favor of the planet, in favor of LIFE.

Jargons don't matter. Actions make a difference. People need to understand that the choices associated with food, clothes and shelter (our house, furniture, furnishings etc) are all what influence our earth friendly living, or the lack of it. Fancy terms like recycling, composting don't matter if you buy your grocery and supplies in a plastic bag and use it for throwing your trash. Think about the landfill you will contribute to or the nearest water source you will pollute by using and dumping the plastic bag. Chiffon, nylon, acrylic and polyester clothes you buy, will never bio-degrade. (Let us keep in mind that we have not considered the entire value chain footprint yet.) Give a thought to before you purchase - synthetic furnishings (curtains, upholstery etc), your kitchen chopping board or the throw away plastic spoons and forks, paper plates, tissue paper/towel, hawaii slippers/flip flops, beverage bottle, yogurt container buy etc... Everything we choose to use, has an impact and it does matter. 

You would keep your house clean by dumping out the trash..but all the junk never leaves the planet right...Look at a municipal worker paddle his way through a garbage dump (in a local city water source)

Image source: JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images

A scavenger in a dugout canoe paddles through a sea of garbage along a Manila waterway

All this is to make your surroundings look like this.

 Birds and marine life mistake our plastic garbage and debris for food and ingest them only to die. We are responsible for this. This is neither a regular cyclic change our earth goes through nor is it a natural occurrence. We should be ashamed to see such impact of our mindless actions. We have no right to disturb the eco-system.

source: thechicecologist.com

If you think it doesn't affect your life or health. Think again, look at this cow munching a plastic bag (in india).

source: http://wanderlustandlipstick.com

Cows are revered in my country. And this is what an average cow eats - both rural and urban cows tend to eat everything and anything they lay their eyes on. Thanks to the plastic menace, Cows dying due to ingestion of plastic bags is a common thing as of today. Let us not forget that the same cows and buffaloes are milked to provide us with our daily supply of milk /dairy products. And can we ignore the beef consuming population? So, technically, we end up eating these plastic bags ourselves (remember the "FOOD CHAIN" fundamentals)


Is it too late for a wake up call?
Just like that of other green-crusaders, my quest for minimal footprint lifestyle is a stressful journey too. What I dint know yesterday, I learn today. And what I learn and imbibe, I implement in my life right away. We need the will to open up to ideas and think beyond our comfort zone. This a never ending process and needs time and effort. It is worth the effort and is all for our own good!

I am so tired of people arguing with me or anyone else who speaks about going gentle on the planet. It is just their way to cover up their useless ego and be the escapists they are. It makes the job for a green crusader much more difficult because we not only need to clean up the mess these escapists leave behind but also take things forward with such skeptics in tow. It is tiring but we don't have time to complain, how wonderful would it be if our fellow earthlings, who refuse to do their bit, at least start thinking (for now).

Time and again, I have maintained that, we as a civilized society have gotten used to a certain lifestyle and feel that shifting from usual is difficult. Come to think of it, let us consider a simple things like grocery plastic bags. There was a generation which survived without ready to eat food packs, plastic beverage bottles, and disposable cutlery. It is therefore not unimaginable to survive with out them. Let us make an effort, start with small changes and leave this planet habitable for our children. They deserve that much and more.

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An Interesting Green Map

Click on the image for a larger view

Image Source: http://media.learningfundamentals.com.au

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Updates - Green Bag Lady Bag

 loved one thing about the green bag lady's Giveaways. She asks each one of us (who has received her bag) to send in a picture of the bag being used. And she promptly publishes the picture along with the mail we write in while sending the picture...A great way to ensure accountability and also make us (receivers) feel special, right! (really thoughtful)

My update has been published too...Ah! I am a mini celebrity now! She has published my pictures in her blog - I have been sick so had sent the picture a bit late (and that also explains why I look so drained out :)....'Here is the link to the post`

I am using my green bag lady bag (printed one in the front ) with my cotton bag from the university days and the orange bag, a gift from my brother (gifted to me about five years ago, honoring my green efforts!)...Until next time....Take care and keep the planet green!

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No Plastic? Fantastic

During a recent visit to Kroger, I found a teeny tiny sticker near the billing counter. It said "Less plastic? Fantastic!" . I decided to write about this campaign and began my research as soon as I reached home. To my surprise, I couldn't find any material about this campaign initiated by Kroger. I had to go to their website and look for campaigns and initiatives. Here is where I found an article on their mission to save a billion bags this year -  Less plastic? Fantastic!

There was not a single copy of the above mentioned sticker in print or online..Strange!! So do we assume that the corporate policy on social responsibility is nothing more than their ploy to "meet legislative requirements for corporate environmental responsibility"? Even if the program is supposed to be genuine, we don't see any retailer visibly encourage use of reusable bags- say by means of ads or any other promotional programs. Just hanging them at the billing counters doesn't help...right!.

Did you know that kroger has an entire segment of their website dedicated to GREEN LIVING. I dint until I searched through their website. I was so angry about their attitude towards green projects that I researched for them online. As mentioned these programs do not get as much publicity as their "SALES and discount coupons" (nonsense)...They need to work more on these programs rather than restricting it just to their website. The least they could do is to show people using reusable bags in their TV ads, but the ads glorify the idea of plastic bags being brought home..and the focus is on Save money live better!

I am not sure what Kroger intends to achieve with this tiny sticker or the program for that matter. When a billboard sized hoarding on these topics can't work its magic on people, what difference could an insignificant one inch square sticker make?

Retail giants don't push a green programs fearing a dent in their customer base. Retailers and corporates are here to make money and "create wealth for their stakeholders"...sounds familiar...lol..lines from our financial management books on wealth creation....(sic!). I have nothing against Kroger, its subsidiaries or any other retailer for that matter.

None of the convenience freaks (read customers) would have "seen the sticker" or would want to even acknowledge that plastic or anything with throw away culture is bad for them. Don't I see a suicidal tendency in them...hmm...seems like an interesting way to look at the whole issue.

Its not lack of information but lack of integration of know-what to know-how which glorifies throw away culture. A simple thing like going to a temple and asking for "prasadam" means using up two fold able styrofoam containers and of course one plastic/styrofoam glass for water. I have stopped buying anything from Hindu temples here in the USA or even carrying home food from restaurants.

It pains to see that not one person standing before me in a billing counter has ever said no to a plastic bag....And to top it all, they look at me like I belong to the jungle and not the civilized world...why you my ask?...because I take my own bag and specifically ask the billing clerk to pack things in my own bag...it is just a small effort and a major start to bigger things...

My eyes are sore looking for just one more environmentally responsible earthling around me (in person)!!! Will I ever be able to come across one ..I don't know...when are all these convenience freaks going to realize that they are being a pest on this planet.
 
If you are among those who can think, can feel and surely make sense out of happenings around you...How about spreading some awareness...as they say knowledge is power...and we can bring in change when we are committed to it.

Share this or similar videos with family and friends. I am sure it is more a lack of awareness than lack of common sense that people don't realize a lot of things. Here is a talk on TED by Captain Charles Moore on why we need to get more conscious...brilliant and surely is nothing short of a horror movie



Image source: Kroger green living website

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My Bag Arrived! - Gift from the Green Bag Lady

It is great to see one lady make such a huge difference around her. Yes, I am talking about the Green Bag Lady - Ms Teresa. :). The Bag she sent me has arrived...It is a beautiful cotton bag. I ll update this post with my picture of the bag....when I am out shopping for grocery this weekend.

Thank you once again Teresa...


As promised...here is the update for this post....My Green Lady Bag in use along with my other regular bags!

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Green bag lady offered me a Bag!!

Image source: green bag lady

I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my inbox today.  Green bag lady had stopped by and commented on the blog. I was so happy to see that she had asked me if I would like to receive her bag!!

This is the link to my previous posts about her: Green bag Lady

I wanted to be among those who have her bag, and then I saw her notice about not accepting any more requests. It is not like I don't use my own fabric bags already...it has been my thing to travel with a set of bags (jute and cotton)....I carry my own bags to grocery stores, to buy clothes , and for anything and everything. I have made it a habit in the last twelve years to not accept either paper or plastic carry bags from anyone.

As for her offer, I thanked her for the gestured and I hope my bag is on the way....I am glad she stopped by and offered to give her bag (Imagine when millions have had to request..I must be among the few she volunteered to send one (all by herself)...yippppeeee!

I am looking forward to receiving her bag...and will post the picture once I get it!

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Save oil - keep your cost of living low

For all those skeptics who think going green is nothing more than a buzzword and a Fad and also say that you alone cant change the world....think again....

Here is one more reason to quit relying on disposable water bottles (also to work on the addiction to plastic grocery bags)..To keep your fuel costs low! Do you think you need a reason better than that?

Image source: eesiflo.com

World economy relies on fossil fuels. Unnecessary diversion of non renewable, expensive and scare fuel to unsustainable industries (read plastic bags and bottled water industry among other list of things) doesn't make any sense. Instead of complaining about ever increasing cost of living, we could conserve and stretch our resources and keep cost of food, fuel and everything in general, low.

It is simple, our dependence on shipping and transportation is directly impacted by fuel costs and so is the entire pricing economics around the world. We can start by making minor changes, using our own cloth or jute shopping bags and avoiding use of disposable water bottles/beverage bottles for starters. Let those grey cells buzz.....I would like to quote a research I found on a website: farmfeliz.org

Food for thought....

• In California, 18 million gallons of bottled water was shipped from Fiji in 2006, producing about 2,500 tons of global warming pollution. Most bottled water comes in recyclable PET plastic bottles, but only about 13 percent of the bottles we use get recycled. (CA figures). In 2005, 2 million tons of plastic water bottles ended up in landfills instead of getting recycled. Source: National resources defense council:
   
• PET plastic bottles take up to 1,000 years to decompose and contribute to the vast vortex of plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, which is harming wildlife.It takes 3 liters of water to produce 1 liter of bottled water. Source: Sierra Club
   
• Plastic (PET) bottles generate more than 100 times more toxic emissions than an equivalent amount of glass. Source: Berkeley Ecology Center
   
• The total amount of energy embedded in the use of bottled water is the equivalent of filling a plastic bottle one quarter full of oil.Source: Pacific Institute
   
• The GGPNC sponsored “King Oak Gardens project” utilized, during its Big Sunday event, filtered water at an estimated savings of 900 bottles x .40 cents = $360. As a result of this success, according to Sherri of the Big Sunday organization, they are studying the feasibility of using filtered tap water instead of bottled water at 2010 events. Source: GGPNC green committee
   
• According to Ramona of FOLAR, it is her experience that they do not find a lot of plastic bottles during their clean up events because she believes they are collected along the river during the year for their redemption value.
   
• In 2004, nationally, 85 percent of all non-carbonated PET bottles ended up in landfills, or as litter in parks, roadways or rivers. In 2005, 28 billion per year or 66 million water bottles were purchased every day in the U.S. The market is growing. Source: Container Recycling Institute.
   
• ''….U.S. demand for bottled water requires more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel some 100,000 U.S. crs for a year,'' Source: One World.net
   
• In 2008, 200 billion gallons of tap water supplied to 4 million residents of Los Angeles met or surpassed all health-based drinking water standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the State of California’s Department of Public Health Source: LAWDP 2008 water quality report

There is lot more to do and miles to go on the green front...my request is to spare atleast a minute a day to ponder on the choices you made through the day. With a little efforts, things can improve for the better....Live well and let live!

 

Take care

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Paper products aren't great either - Reuse not recycle

If you thought you were doing the planet a huge favor by using paper products "instead of styrofoam and plastic". You are in for a rude shock. The first point being that these cups are single use and are a major strain on natural resources. Don't get fooled by these promotions by all the cafes and restaurants around the world.

Image source: citizenshift.org

They are not as green as they are made to look. Compared to washing used dishes, disposables (paper, plastic or styrofoam) are definitely major resource guzzlers. If you thought you could recycle these cups, then let me burst your bubble, the thin film of polythene used to make these paper cup hold liquids, makes it a difficult item to recycle. Few brands also sell wax coated paper cups. This however doesn't make it any different when it comes to recycling. Commercial recycling cannot remove the glue in paper cups and plastic and wax covering on these cups only aggravates the problem.

Image source: thecupstore.com

I have nothing against coffee lovers nor do I have anything against these big brands. All I am saying is, think about all the disposable cups you could be throwing after just one round of refreshement. I am not asking you to avoid drinking your daily cuppa. All it just needs is a few minutes and a small effort to go green with your routines. There have been ads about bio-degradable paper cups by a certain brand but it is surely not great when compared to our good old metal/ceramic containers.

This is how a garbage bin outside any Starbucks looks. It was shocking to see the number of cups being wasted to measure and pour portions to another (disposable) cup for the customer. Not to mention the stirrers, plastic lids and cardboard flaps (to protect you from hot liquids). It is surely painful to see dumps like these and not think about it....

imagesource: sustainabilityfrinq.wordpress

We can avoid this, it is cool to use your own coffee cup. I do (tea in my case) and get compliments for being responsible. Ceramic mugs are a great way to eliminate coffee cups (plastic or otherwise) while at work. When you are on the go, choose travel mugs (steel all over or with earth friendly silicone parts).

Imagesource:sz-wholesale.com

Don't you think it is more classy to carry your own travel mug to a cafe rather than beg them to give their stinky disposable ones? You too can save loads of paper/plastic/styrofoam cups from being manufactured, shipped, bought, stocked and then going to the landfill. Lesser garbage means lesser trips by the garbage truck and one less "garbage bag" for the dump. A little thought and a little effort go a long way. I found these cool ceramic travel mugs with silicone lids

image source: blog.jempp.com.au

 Another funky one for you to choose from

Image source: savethefrogs.com

You could buy a steel thermos flask to hold an extra cup for your partner too! 

Image source: common4.csnimages.com

Go greener, and let the planet survive a few more years. Come to think of it, we are not saving the planet, we are saving ourselves and million other earthlings in the process. I don't drink coffee, so Chai anyone :-)

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And then ...I found Craigslist!

I have loved "preloved" furniture. Fascination for the whole concept of extending life of mundane things has kept me more greener than I could be. Buying used and second hand extends life of furniture and helps keeping it alive. Coming from a culture where furniture is passed down through generations and even cars live as long as 20 years in a single home, I used to be utterly amused to find perfectly workable furniture and goods near the garbage bin (read - in the US). It was very normal to get some decent and usable stuff back home to my apartment while I was a penny-saving-struggling student. I should admit, I do like to extend life of things if they work for me. One such thing in my house is a faux plant which was to be gutted and I picked it up. It provided my drab balcony with a fresh appeal through the frozen winter and moved onto some one else's house as the kitchen garden took over my balcony :). I feel happy to have saved a small amount of plastic from becoming landfill. I am not sure how long we can hold it out, but I am sure this will help for a while at least!

Craigslist is the sole shopping center for me in the US. sounds familiar?...yes i am among those hooked cragislist shoppers. For me it is more than hunting for a bargain. I get motivated seeing the amount of sales happening on the site. It keeps me from wanting more "stuff". How?...hmm simple....I see the amount of things/stuff people want to get rid off and I assure my happiness in being a minimalist. More than anything, I like to love furniture pieces which have been cared for by another person but they don't have space for it in their lives. Provided it can fit into mine :). Th cane set in my living room, my ikea dining table , bed side tables, study table and the chair and recently, an Ikea Poang chair and footstool live with me in my apartment.


I miss not having things passed down from a grandparent, or some antique kitchen stuff my grandmother. :(.. Seems like craigslist gives me a chance to just look at things people leave for their grandchildren. Weird right! but it takes a few strands of EQ to understand my sentiment!

Hail Craigslist!

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My space in the world of Apartment Therapy- Renest!

Being featured among the Great Outdoors 2009 was a major morale boost for me.

the link : Sudha's balcony in Apartment therapy

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My two cents- for the environment

Among all the other things I try doing to do my bit to save the environment, air/sun drying my laundry is one of them. Although it seems like a small thing to do, I was overwhelmed by the amount of CO2 emitted by a standard laundry dryer. I am writing in the context of USA because I am living here as of now. I hail from India and sun dying your clothes is a normal thing there. However, lack of space (apartment dwelling), climatic conditions (most part of the country) make it impossible for people to depend on the SUN's rays to dry their clothes. People living down south could definitely give it a try. I try washing most of my clothes in a bucket, in my bathroom tub. But the process is a bit tedious and is taking it's toll on my injured shoulder. Result is the occasional guilt ridden use of the washer. I have been trying to convince myself of the water saved while running a full load to set off the CO2 emissions (by a washer).

An average American family of three uses the dryer four hours a week. Replacing use of your dryer with a clothes line will reduce your household carbon dioxide emissions by 1,247 pounds per year. (Assuming you use your dryer four hours per week. (source: sierraclub.org)

My solution was a clothes drying rack/stand from IKEA. This in fact replaced my old stand which broke a few days ago. I love crisp sun dried towels for my bath. :-)


I have re-purposed used milk cans and yogurt containers as planters. it was fun to request friends to donate their discards. It was worth the effort...

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Eco-friendly bird bath and feeder! - DIY

Each time I walked past the garden and patio section in any super store, I was drawn to the garden accessories aisle. I wanted to be completely green in my purchase but couldn't find a decent bird bath with in my budget. Then a hanging basket ( a trash area find!) inspired me to make my own bird feed and a bird bath. Inspiration credits - Srinath - my lifeline! - :)

Bought two clay saucers (varying diameters) and a pot. Glued them together, placed the piece inside the hanging basket and hung it to the balcony roof. I am elated!

I hope at least these winged cuties will keep me occupied during those lazy afternoons. I miss feeding the early morning "sadam- paruppu" to a crow. I hope I can compensate missing that with this feeder...this is a pic with my winged buddy

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How GREEN can we be?

I have been on a constant quest to find a sane answer to this question. Since high school, I have been trying to think of ways and means to reduce my carbon footprint. It took me some time to realize I could not "change the world" all by myself. I continue to keep a check on what I buy, what I do and how I could work on making my activities more greener.I have grown to be more tolerant with the non green earth inhabitants around me...however, like any true blood revolutionary, I do continue to crusade!..lol

As they say, to each his own. As of today and right now, I am still not sure as to how I could contribute to the greater good. I make sure I pick up ideas on my way from everyone around me. Ans surely feel that may be I dont have much to contribute....why else would it be that I am unable to make a significant change....Days pass by and my doubts remain....

i see around me and a few like minded crusaders keep me afloat....i was very happy to read this
WAR AGAINST plastic
but the proportions to which this has blown, current levels of awareness and efforts by a select few is not enough......

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