print this pageGoing Green
Going Green generally means practicing an environmentally friendly and ecologically responsible lifestyle as well as decision making, which can help protect the environment and sustain its natural resources for current and future generations.Reasons to Go Green
- Too Much Trash - Each year Americans generate millions of tons of trash in the form of wrappings, bottles, boxes, cans, grass clippings, furniture, clothing, phone books, and much more.The typical American family throws out 550 pounds of paper, 18 pounds of steel, 90 pounds of glass, and 318 pounds of food scraps. Yard trimmings such as grass clippings and tree limbs are also a substantial part of what we throw away. In addition, many relatively small components of the national solid waste stream add up to millions of tons. For example, one percent of the nation's waste stream can amount to about two million tons of trash each year.
- The Greenhouse Effect - Our atmosphere is constantly changing. Some of our favorite activities create gases that pollute the atmosphere. As those gases build up, the atmosphere keeps in too much heat. These gases include:
- Carbon dioxide: all humans and animals produce carbon dioxide. The main source of carbon dioxide is the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, gasoline and wood.
- Nitrogen oxide: is given off by cars when driven and by coal-burning power plants as they generate electricity.
- Methane: is created by rotting plants and household garbage as they deteriorate in landfills. We have been creating these gases for a long time. But now we are producing too much of them and they are making the earth a little hotter.
- Air Pollution - There are many factors that contribute to poor air quality such as the pollution generated by power plants and cars. When the air gets too dirty it can be uncomfortable to breathe, and with every breath you may be inhaling substances which can make you sick. Air pollution can also hurt animals and plants. It can also poison trees and crops, and may even kill off entire forests.
- Damage to the Ozone Layer - Ozone is an invisible gas, a form of oxygen. A thin layer of ozone exists above the Earth and forms a protective shield. One of the biggest culprits destroying the ozone layer is a family of chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). These are used in the manufacture of hundreds of different products such as plastics and foam packing materials, and refrigerants. The effects of the CFCs cause holes in the ozone layer which in turn could cause eye and skin diseases in millions of people, farmers’ crops could become damaged and food sources for animals could be destroyed.
- Water Pollution and Excessive Water Consumption - There are many sources of water pollution. We usually think of huge pipes dumping industrial waste into rivers, but only 10 percent of water pollution comes from industrial dumping. Most people get their water from underground sources. Rainwater and melted snow running off parking lots, rooftops, streets, and farms carry with them harmful substances. During a storm, the pollutants are washed into rivers and streams.
- The average residence uses 100,000 gallons of water in one year. The less water used the better for the environment it will be. Do you know how much water is used in homes each day? Here is a guide:
- Activity Water Used
1 flush of the toilet 3.5 gallons
1 bath 70 gallons
1 ten-minute shower 20-50 gallons
1 washing machine load 41 gallons
- Save Money - Switching all the bulbs in a home from conventional incandescent to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs could save about $270 in one year. A typical home has 20 lamps or light bulbs. According to the Energy Star Program, the annual operating cost of a 15-watt compact fluorescent light bulb is $3, while that of an equivalent 60-watt incandescent bulb is $20. So with a compact fluorescent light bulb you can save $17. Other things you can do to save include:
- Turning your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer.
- Make sure your walls and ceilings are well insulated.
- Replace bathroom and kitchen sink faucets with low-flow models, and install low-flow showerheads.
Buying Green
If your plan is to become more environmentally friendly a nice way to start is by buying environmentally friendly products for use around the house. Many environmentally friendly products can be identified by the Good Housekeeping Seal of Green or Energy Star logo. Here is a list of items that an average household purchases and some helpful hints on how to purchase "green":
- Cars - Hybrids are a type of car that get great gas mileage, and produce less emissions than regular automobiles. Purchasing a hybrid can also mean a tax break - what a deal!
- Appliances - Today’s major appliances don’t hog energy the way
older models did because they must meet minimum federal energy efficiency standards.
Efficient appliances don’t just save money, they are good for the environment.
So which models use the least amount of energy? Here are some guidelines:
- Energy Star models are the most energy efficient in any product category, exceeding the energy efficiency minimums set by the federal government. Check this chart to see products qualifying for a federal tax credit with your purchase of an Energy-Star rated model appliance.
- Use the Energy Guide label to compare the typical annual energy consumption and operating cost of different models of any type of appliance you’re thinking of buying. Make sure the product you are buying suits your needs.
- Choose appliances that run on natural gas. It’s usually more efficient to burn natural gas where it's needed -- in your home -- than to burn it at a power plant, convert the heat to electricity and then send the electricity over wires to your home. Energy-efficient appliances may cost more initially but will save you money over time. In addition, the most efficient clothes washers and dishwashers save energy and use less water which can reduce your water bill.
- Organic Food - The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed national standards for the use of the word “organic.” Whether produced in the United States or imported, we can be assured that the foods are produced without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation or bioengineering. Organic farmers are required to adhere to certain soil and water conservation methods and to rules about the humane treatment of animals. Farmers who produce organic foods use renewable resources that conserve the soil and water for future generations.
- Clothes - Unlike energy efficient appliances and organic food, finding
eco-friendly clothing is a little more difficult. Here are a few fabrics
that are made with
the environment in mind:
- Organic cotton : It’s grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility and are grown without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and synthetic fertilizers.
- Bark Cloth: 100% organic, not having undergone any textile agents or other chemical treatments during manufacturing. Textures can range from fleece to leather.
- Organic wool: To be certified organic the livestock must follow federal requirements for organic livestock production. Some of the organic wool products most widely available today include: baby clothes, blankets, coats, knitting yarn, socks, sweaters, and throws.