The 90-Day Plan: DAY 47

DAY 47

CLEAR THE AIR


Although it may not seem like it, air inside your home is usually dirtier than air outside.

CLEAR THE AIR with a plant or two for your home, office, and/or classroom. Caring for a plant inside can teach you the basics before planting outside. Use this link for a few ideas: http://www.organicbouquet.com/

Studies show that indoor plants remove toxins, promote a healthy mind, and are aesthetically pleasing.


Challenge: Next time you buy flowers for someone, give them something that isn't dead--in other words, a gift that lasts. Get a live Christmas tree and plant it in the spring too!


For More Information:

http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/Plants/clean.htm

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 46

DAY 46

BUY LESS, SAVE MORE

It seems as if a lot of products these days just don't last. Why is that? My dad has a camping backpack & sleeping bag he still uses from the 70's--I'm lucky to find one that lasts a season or two.

Choosing products that promote QUALITY OVER QUANTITY is a core approach to conservation. The idea is to buy and use something that lasts because it ultimately saves money and precious resources.


Challenge: Send us a review of products that show obvious signs of Planned obsolescence and/or Designed obsolescence



For More Information:

www.patagonia.com

www.betruetoblue.com

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 45

DAY 45

GO PAPERLESS

Americans tend use 1-3 pounds of paper everyday. GO PAPERLESS to save trees and ease clutter--trees minimize erosion, clean the air, and promote biodiversity.

The paper production process smells really bad and releases some pretty nasty pollutants, including sulphur dioxide--the leading cause of acid rain.

Most banks and other companies allow for secure, convenient account access and provide paperless statements, make the switch today.

Another way to save paper is to widen document margins and print double-sided.

How many phonebooks are hiding in your home? How often do you really use them--call the phone company and ask them to stop delivering phonebooks--it's faster to go online anyway!


Challenge: Cut junk mail today—call 1-888-5 OPT OUT.

For More Information:

http://www.wikihow.com/Go-Paperless


http://www.obviously.com/junkmail/

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 44

DAY 44

CHANGE THE BULBS

On average, a highly-used conventional incandescent bulb will cost you $7/yr--changing to a COMPACT FLORESCENT LIGHT bulb (CFLs) will cost about $1.50/yr!

Please BEGIN USING CFLs in place of conventional ones. By making the switch to CFL’s you are installing a bulb that will last ten-times longer and use 75% less energy than conventional bulbs.

Although CFL’s are a great way to save energy, make sure that you dispose of them as you would other HHW.


Challenge: CHANGE 5 bulbs in your home--most power companies will actually trade old bulbs for CFL's (for free)--call today!


For More Information:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 43

DAY 43

KEEP A LID ON IT!

Remember, saving energy saves water AND MONEY$$$

To maximize heat when cooking food on the stove, KEEP a LID on IT! By covering dishes on the stove as you prepare food, cooking time will be reduced and you can reduce energy by 2/3.

Also, please do not pour grease down the drain--it can clog your pipes and gum-up equipment at water treatment plants.


Challenge: It may not sound like much fun, but you can save energy by cleaning the burners on your stovetop too.


For More Information:

http://www.lowcarboneconomy.com/community_content/_tips_did_you_know/677

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 42

DAY 42

RE-THINK the REFRIDGE

Nothing has changed the way we eat more than the refrigerator. RE-THINKING the way we use the REFRIGE can cut energy costs on one of the kitchen’s most costly appliances.

Here are a few things you can do to make your fridge more efficient: let hot dishes cool before putting them away, know what you need before you open the door, and keep it full.

Challenge: If your refrigerator was purchased before 2001, technology and efficiency has greatly improved--consider buying energy star and use this link to calculate how much your old fridge is costing you: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=refrig.pr_refrigerators


For More Information:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/refrigerators.htm

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 41

DAY 41

CUT THE BULL

While we are still in the kitchen, PLAN a NO-BULL MEAL. An appetizing figure suggests that Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations, CAFOs, located in the US produce three times the amount of sewage as American citizens. It is estimated that 60-pounds of animal waste are generated for every one pound of beef produced--most of this ends up as runoff in our waterways because it is seldom treated or processed.


Challenge: It is largely known that the best way to reduce your impact on the environment is to reduce your consumption of meat.

Without sacrificing too much you can support companies like these who are taking measures to reduce 'emissions' from their livestock:

http://stonyfield.com/

http://www.cowpots.com/


For More Information:

http://www.pewtrusts.org/our_work_report_detail.aspx?id=30009

READ-America’s Environmental Report Card: Are We Making the Grade. By: Harvey Blatt