This page offers you monthly tips on how to change your lifestyle to one that protects our planet through Green Living and introduces you to companies who cater to Green Living.

(MS) — With the return of warmer weather, homeowners often plan home improvement projects and many look for ways to do them with minimal impact on the environment.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heating and cooling account for 44 percent of the average home’s total energy use. Replacing old and leaky windows with energy efficient models can bring a significant return on investment when you consider today’s high energy prices. Plus, saving energy is good for your wallet and the environment.

Craig Evanich, president of Renewal by Andersen, suggests homeowners look for the ENERGY STAR label to ensure that a window is energy efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing inefficient single pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows could save up to 15 percent on your energy bills.

Evanich adds that Renewal by Andersen windows come standard with High-Performance Low-E4 glass which is designed to perform at even higher standards and is over 14 percent more energy efficient than stringent ENERGY STAR requirements.
Homeowners are increasingly seeking products that not only help reduce their energy consumption, but do so in an environmentally responsible manner. This means taking into consideration the full product life-cycle, from materials to manufacturing and use, to recycling and disposal. Here are some points to consider:

• Choose windows that are made from recycled or renewable materials. For example, Renewal by Andersen windows, America’s only Green Seal certified replacement window, are made from a highly sustainable composite material that blends the best attributes of thermoplastics and wood fibers — much of it reclaimed directly from the company’s manufacturing plant operations.

• High-quality windows made from sustainable materials are built to provide long-term performance and minimize the long-term impact to the environment. Evanich says windows made from composite materials can be a good option for homeowners who like the look and strength of wood windows but want the low-maintenance features of vinyl. Because of the unique blend of materials, composite windows do not need ongoing staining or painting to maintain their natural beauty, saving homeowners time and money.

• Shop by performance not price. Shop around for quality windows that enhance the beauty of your home based on long-term value, not price. Saving a few dollars now could mean another replacement project just a few years down the road.
For more information on choosing energy efficient windows, visit renewalbyandersen.com or call 800-630-5838. TF087091

(PRNewswire/MS) — The global climate crisis has caused people to re-evaluate how their everyday activities affect the environment. Whether it’s individuals or multinational corporations doing right by the environment, the same green concepts are consistent throughout: reduce, reuse and recycle, and choose environmentally friendly products in the process. That is also the goal of The Cleaning Authority, Inc., a leading housecleaning service with independently owned and operated franchised locations throughout the U.S.

“The Cleaning Authority provides top quality cleaning and has made the commitment to become a more environmentally responsible housecleaning company. It’s the right thing to do and we want to make a difference by doing our part to protect the world we live in,” said Steve Robinson, CEO of The Cleaning Authority.

Cleaning your home can put yourself, your children, your pets, and the environment at risk. That’s because many cleaning products are full of chemicals harmful to the environment. Also, many individuals fail to dispose of leftover chemical products correctly. That means chemicals make their way into the water systems and soil of many areas.

The company cleans approximately 2 million homes annually, which equals approximately 16 million drains and/or toilets that are receiving the housecleaning chemicals. The Cleaning Authority’s participating franchised locations are committed to using Green Seal-certified (www.greenseal.org) housecleaning chemicals, HEPA vacuums, and microfibers.

If you are thinking about using a cleaning service for your home, here are some factors to consider:

-- Ask if they are planning to use environmentally friendly chemicals to ensure water supplies are not tainted by harsh toxins.

-- Ensure they use re-usable cleaning cloths that can be tossed in a washing machine rather than using roll after roll of paper towels while cleaning.

-- Think about hiring a professional cleaning service that respects the environment. It will free up your time to spend with the family and allow you to feel good about their service.

-- Ensure that the professional housecleaners are trained, bonded and insured.
For more information on The Cleaning Authority, or to schedule an in-home estimate, visit green.thecleaningauthority.com. Not all of The Cleaning Authority locations will use Green Seal certified products for housecleaning services. Contact your local franchised location to determine what types of housecleaning products and services are offered in your area. TF087054

(MS) — The campaign for “going green” has grown considerably over the last 12 months. As fuel prices, utility bills, and even the cost of food have risen dramatically over that span, more and more people have begun to seek ways to reduce those costs and to do so in an environmentally friendly way.

Ways to individually help the environment are numerous, as many people have begun driving less, turning lights off when a room isn’t in use, and even wasting less when it comes to food. But going green can also be done on a much grander scale, as offices across the country are beginning to embrace a more environmentally conscious way of conducting business. Offices looking to go green will find that the following tips not only help the environment, but often the bottom line as well.

• Replace desktop computers with laptops: Desktop computers are not very efficient, using far more energy than laptops. A laptop computer helps the environment in two noticeable ways. First and foremost, laptops use less energy than dekstops. Secondly, laptops can be used both in the office and at home, allowing workers to telecommute more effectively, which will lessen reliance on oil and help reduce air pollution as less people will be driving to work each day.

• Reduce paper usage: Perhaps nothing is more wasteful in most offices than paper usage. Unnecessary use of paper adds hundreds of pounds of waste each year. In lieu of printing documents, embrace e-mail as a more environmentally (not to mention faster) way of sharing documents. In addition, if sending invoices to clients, e-mail them as a means of saving paper as well as saving on costs associated with postage.
• Provide coffee mugs to employees: Disposable paper cups and plates are another major source of office waste. In lieu of paper cups, provide employees with resusable coffee mugs or suggest they bring in their own.

• Recycle appliances: Many appliances can be recycled or donated to charity even if they’re no longer useful to a business. Old cell phones, for example, can be refurbished and given to low-income families. The same can be said for older computers. Rather than discarding such items, recycle them and help the environment while helping the less fortunate as well.

• Use water filters on kitchen taps: Companies that provide bottled water to their employees are thoughtful in doing so, but there’s a more environmentally friendly way to provide employees with clean drinking water. Put a water filter on taps rather than offering bottled water, which produces large numbers of wasteful containers.

• Turn the lights off at the end of the day: While most offices turn lights off at the end of the day, dimmer lights typically stay on, which is often an unnecessary step to take. If dimmers must be left on, set them on a timer so even they are turned off later at night when the last employee has typically gone home for the day. TF087038

(MS) — The United States National Park Service was established in 1916 by then-President Woodrow Wilson. Though the Park Service was established, the first National Park actually preceded the Park Service by almost 50 years, as President Ulysses S. Grant named Yellowstone Park the first national park in 1872. Since then, the park system has come a long way, as today it comprises 391 areas covering more than 84 million acres. That includes parks in the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The largest park in the system is Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve, which includes nine of the 16 highest peaks in the United States. While Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preseve spans 13.2 million acres, Pennsylvania’s Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial spans less than half a million acres, making it the smallest national park in the country. Regardless of their individual sizes, the country’s national parks continue to be tourist attractions, as recreation visitors to the nation’s national parks for a typical year number more than 270 million. TF087040

(MS) — The cars we drive and the homes we inhabit are two of the biggest contributors to our “carbon footprint,” or the a measure of the amount of carbon dioxide or CO2 emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels as part of everyday life.

Car exhaust puts a bevy of chemicals into the air, which can have dangerous health effects when they are inhaled. The fine particulates in exhaust also make their way into clouds and eventually return to the earth in the form of acid rain. This rain can pollute water supplies and harm wildlife.

One of the ways to reduce pollution and negative effects on the environment due to automobiles is to cut down on the time spent behind the wheel. Experts estimate that just by driving 30 percent less, big changes can occur.

During the week, commuters comprise a large number of vehicles on the road. So it stands to reason that by making changes to commuting habits there can be an environmental benefit. Even small changes add up when done on a large scale.

• Company-provided incentives: Many companies are rewarding employees who skip the car and choose alternate means of transportation. Some businesses foot the commuting bills for participating employees. Others offer gift cards or other prizes for being green commuters.

• Mass transit: Using mass transportation remains one of the responsible ways of commuting to work. Many buses now feature clean-air technology, reducing the amount of pollution they expel. Some trains have also undergone renovations to make them more efficient and environmentally friendly, burning less fuel. Regardless of green modifications, the sheer number of people trains and buses carry make them an environmentally responsible way of getting to and from work. Plus, they save you on fuel and wear-and-tear on your car.

• Walking and biking: Environmentally and physically friendly, biking and walking are commuting methods that offer the best return with the least impact. Many employees say that they would like to bike to work, but need a place to shower and get changed. Some companies are responding by setting aside locker and shower space for just that. Other businesses looking to make employees’ commutes greener are offering bicycles to those who have been with the company a year or more. Some companies hire employees based on skill and proximity to the office, preferring those who are in walking distance.

• Vanpooling: Carpooling is an alternative method of commuting, but it doesn’t draw the same level of enthusiasm as other alternative methods. But “vanpooling” is growing in popularity. Vanpooling involves company-sponsored vans that pick up employees who want to sit back and relax on the way to work.
Reducing vehicle emissions by leaving the car at home and using an alternative method of commuting to work can go a long way toward helping the environment. TF087036

(MS) — According to the American Lung Association (ALA), particle pollution is the most dangerous and deadly of widespread outdoor air pollutants. Formerly known as soot, particle pollution itself is not visible, though the haze it creates when the sunlight hits it is visible. Some of the main sources of particle pollution are ash, diesel exhaust (commonly from buses, trucks and heavy equipment), chemicals, metals, and aerosols. The ALA reports the city most polluted by short-term particle pollution in the United Sates is Los Angeles, including the surrounding areas of Long Beach and Riverside. The greater Los Angeles area is followed by Pittsburgh-New Castle and Fresno, and Bakersfield, California, as the cities most polluted by short-term particle pollution. While larger particles can be coughed or sneezed out thanks to the body’s natural defense system, smaller particles can be very dangerous. That’s because they can get lodged deep in the lungs, remaining there and resulting in sickness or disease. The cleanest area for short-term particle pollution in the U.S. is Baldwin County, Alabama, which is situated in southern Alabama along the Gulf Coast and includes 431 square miles of water. Of the remaining counties in the top 10 cleanest areas to live, four are in Arizona, including Cochise and Pima Counties, the latter of which includes the city of Tucson. TF086940

(MS) — Builders are conditioned in the 21st century to be far more receptive to the request by property owners to use sustainable materials. From homes to hospitals to public buildings, the results yield higher quality, the building has more value, and the cost to the environment is substantially reduced.

“Don’t hesitate as a homeowner to ask for building methods and materials that cause minimal impact and provide the highest energy efficiency,” says Todd Blyth at Nudura Corporation, a leading name in building system technology. “It will be your contribution to the planet for as long as you live there — and builders today expect to hear responsible requests. In fact, to meet, and even surpass those expectations, more and more builders are discarding the wasteful wood-framing method in favour of concrete.”

Take a look at the answers to the most frequently asked questions on this subject, courtesy of Nudura:

Q: Why concrete?
A: The latest advancement for walls is Canadian technology and it consists of stay-in-place concrete forms, which are vastly superior to construction with wood. For example, the Lego-like, pre-assembled units allow for more freedom in design. Also, the system cuts construction time in half and it produces far less waste than the traditional wood-framing method. Builders are now opting for these interlocking units (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) to construct better homes, schools, hospitals, condominiums, hotels, offices and other public buildings.

Q: What are the benefits?
A: Your energy bills will be reduced up to 70 percent — and with this concrete system, you’ll also get a home that stands to be: 1. Twice as energy efficient (no air spaces or studs) and the technology evens out the effect of external temperature swings. 2. Up to three times more sound resistant due to the double-foam, insulated concrete core. 3. Up to four times more fire resistant, since the walls are built with steel reinforced concrete. 4. Up to nine times stronger, a superior feature in high-wind, tornado, or hurricane areas. 5. Far more resistance to thermal bridging, where outside cold travels easily through walls to create uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness.

More information on this building method is available online at nudura.com. EL086977

By J. C. Carroll

(MS) — Concrete is king today in the more eco-conscious construction world. For example, an all-Canadian building system is now delivering double the insulation by constructing walls, ceilings and floors with pre-assembled, interlocking concrete forms.

This award-winning system by Nudura Corporation creates an entire, energy-efficient building envelope. It is reported to make the job much faster with less construction waste—and unlike wood structures, the concrete forms do not propagate mould growth.

In addition to energy savings of up to 70 percent, take a look at these other benefits reported by Nudura. With this concrete system, you’ll get a home that is:

• Up to 2x more energy efficient – with technology that evens out the effect of external temperature swings.

• Up to 3x more sound resistant. Its double-side EPS panels and insulated concrete core acts as an effective sound barrier.

• Up to 4x more fire resistant since the walls are built with steel reinforced concrete and foam that is manufactured with a non-toxic fire retardant.

• Up to 9x stronger because they allow nine times more axial load resistance, a superior feature in high-wind, tornado, or hurricane areas.

• Resistant to thermal bridging, where outside cold travels
easily through walls to create uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness inside the home. EL086976

(MS) — If you are eager to build a home with respect for the environment, ask for a structure made of concrete. As compared to wood, concrete is now the preferred building material all across North America for many reasons, not the least of which is energy efficiency. The latest building advancement by Nudura Corporation for example (nudura.com) is reported to provide double the insulation by constructing walls with pre-assembled concrete forms. This innovation (consisting of Lego-like blocks of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of polystyrene) cuts down construction time significantly and is recognized for flexibility in design, for less waste materials, and it virtually eliminates the toxic emissions produced by buildings structured with wood. Hailed as an award-winning Canadian contribution to ‘green’ construction technology, the Nudura building system is now used for the construction of better homes, schools, hospitals, condominiums, hotels, and offices throughout the country and in the United States. Homeowners save money due to durability and energy efficiency – and the resulting structure is reported to be up to nine times stronger, with far more fire protection, far more sound insulation, and with a potential to reduce energy costs of up to 70 percent. EL086975

By J.C. Carroll

(MS) — Going “green” is not just a contribution to the rosy future of our planet. By leading an overall responsible lifestyle you stand to reap health benefits too – especially if it starts in the home.

If your house, for example, is built with the traditional and wasteful wood-framing method, mould growth is a risk due to the accumulation of natural moisture.

The alternative is concrete for walls, ceilings and floors. In fact, one of the more eco-conscious Canadian companies, Nudura Corporation, has developed an advanced system of interlocking concrete units to deliver countless economical and environmental benefits. The Lego-like concrete forms create an easy-to-assemble, energy efficient envelope providing double the insulation, as well as significant benefits to the occupants’ health.

Todd Blyth, a Nudura spokesperson says, “Research has shown that our concrete building system does not propagate mould growth even under laboratory conditions that are designed to generate the most problematic conditions. Unlike stick built homes, our building method of stay in place forms filled with concrete, creates a reinforced monolithic concrete wall that does not use wood studding and virtually eliminates any gaps where mould could potentially develop.”

Less Impact, More Value

During construction, the main objective is to build a home that is safe, attractive and comfortable. This priority list usually includes energy efficiency and on the increase now is environmental responsibility.

“Green choices are also top-of-mind for homeowners as they start to build,” Blyth explained. “People are asking about the use of sustainable materials and are very interested in building methods that deliver energy efficiency without impacting the environment. Concrete is the answer every time.”

And, pre-assembled units make houses easier and quicker to construct, says Blyth. Future maintenance costs will be lower due to the resulting durability and energy efficiency – and current research data shows that buildings with this concrete innovation are up to nine times stronger, provide far more fire protection, far more sound insulation and can produce energy savings of up to 70 percent. More information is available online at Nudura.com. EL086974

(MS) — Do you notice cold spots from time to time throughout your house? All too easily, an uncomfortable chill is produced when the air outside travels through a typical, wood-framed wall. It’s called ‘thermal bridging’.

To address this problem — and achieve energy efficiency at the same time — ask your builder about the latest technology in ‘green’ building methods and materials. Canadian technology continues to deliver environmentally friendly advancements and that includes the elimination of drafts, cold spots and dampness throughout your home.

“The answer is the use of concrete, not wood, for walls” says Todd Blyth at Nudura Corporation, a leading name in building systems. “Our system, for example, consists of Lego-like, stay-in-place concrete forms and among other benefits, it reduces the temperature variables that cause thermal bridging.

“In addition, builders prefer the Nudura pre-assembled units because they cut construction time in half. The system also produces far less waste than the traditional wood-framing method — and already, this Canadian innovation (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) is the choice building method for the construction of more efficient homes, schools, hospitals, condominiums, hotels, offices and other public buildings.”

Better still, says Blyth, research shows that if the building envelope
of your house is constructed with these interlocking concrete forms, you can save up to 70% in energy consumption in a home that is up to nine times stronger than those built with traditional stick building methods.”

Here are a few more Nudura (nudura.com) tips on building for energy efficiency:

• Sizing: Build with a proper sized heating and cooling system. If you get that right, the money you could save with operation and energy efficiency will pay for a long list of upgrades.

• Temperature Exchange: Concrete walls transfer heat at a much slower rate allowing your home to use less energy when heating and cooling. Combining integrated floor and ceiling technology with an air filtration system is also a big advantage.

• Moisture Reduction: The moisture produced by a traditional wood-frame home can be harmful to your health if it leads to mould growth. Building a concrete home eliminates moisture being trapped in the walls during the construction phase. Ensure that your structure provides for efficient air filtration without air leakage. EL086973

(MS) — Energy costs are rising and homeowners across the country are feeling the crunch. Record-high gasoline prices and skyrocketing LP gas and oil prices are taking a toll on household budgets. While some people are forced to cut back on necessities or basics, others are frustrated by the need to trim fun or recreational activities. By using renewable energy to reign in energy costs, however, homeowners can continue to afford fun in the sun activities, travel, or something as simple as heating the family pool.

Pools and spas heated with fossil fuels are certain to run up high energy bills this season. Rather than forgoing time spent poolside, simply switching over to alternative fuels, such as corn, wood pellets and other small grains is a cost-effective option. Renewable alternative fuels are a smart choice not only for your wallet, but also for the environment. Because they are renewable, these energy sources can be continually regenerated, keeping costs down and limiting the negative impact on the earth.

The key to using these fuels is having a furnace that is equipped to handle alternative energy sources. Northwest Manufacturing offers a line of popular WoodMaster PLUS natural energy furnaces that can reduce heating costs from 50 to 75 percent. The units can efficiently burn corn, wood and paper pellets, barley, beat pulp, sunflowers, dried cherry pits, soy beans, and a variety of other renewable fuels. This reduces energy bills and a reliance on other less environmentally friendly energy sources. The furnaces produce virtually no smoke — an advantage when you live in close proximity to others.

The versatile design of the furnaces make them appropriate for a number of home uses. They can be used during the summer to keep backyard spas and pools at comfortable temperatures, or to heat a poolside cabana and outdoor shower. When the summer season comes to a close, the WoodmasterPLUS easily transitions for your fall and winter needs. The furnaces are compatible with most heating systems, including hot water, hydronic heat, forced air, radiant baseboard and others. They can be used as a home’s primary heating source or in conjunction with an existing home’s system. In addition to home heating, hook up the units to heat other spaces, such as garages, apartments, workshops, and more.

No matter where you live you’ll find these furnaces to be a benefit to your lifestyle. Farmers can use them to burn fully mature corn, wood pellets, or frost damaged small grains. If you live in suburban towns or even big cities, the WoodMaster furnaces are equally compatible with your lifestyle.

There’s no time like today to begin stretching your home budget. Save hundreds of dollars on energy costs, starting now. For more information, visit www.woodmasterplus.com, or call 1-800-932-3629. EL086987

(MS) — A greater number of people are adapting a “green” lifestyle to the way they eat, choosing foods that are better for the environment, like organic food. Not only do proponents of organic food say it tastes better and is more nutritionally sound, they say it is grown without chemical pesticides or other additives, making it a better choice for the environment.

That’s fine for the food cultivated in and on the soil. But what about the food people enjoy from the sea? Are there ways to pick and choose among seafood, selecting species that are less likely to have high pollutant levels and positive ecological sustainability? Yes.

Environmental Defense, a Washington, D.C.-based organization, rated fish you’d commonly find at your local seafood store or supermarket fish counter. Here’s a selection of what to choose and what to avoid.

Good Choices
These fish are healthy and eco-smart options.
• Dungeness crab: When harvested, only the large adult males are caught. This leaves plenty of crabs behind to propagate the species.
• Mahi-mahi: Mahi-mahi populations are considered very resilient because they grow and reproduce very quickly. There is also very low mercury contamination risk.
• Black cod: These Alaskan fish are usually caught with bottom long lines that don’t harm other species or the ocean floor.

Maybe Reconsider
These fish are not as sound as the “good choices,” so think again before buying.
• Orange roughy: A slow-growing and maturing fish. Schools can’t recover quickly enough if they are overfished, which they usually are.
• Bluefin tuna: This slow-growing fish is a favorite for sushi. But watch out because it usually contains mercury.
• Monkfish: Populations of monkfish are dwindling. Also, dredging fishing methods are terrible for the ocean environment.

Seafood to Avoid
These fish are typically dangerous to eat because of contamination.
• Bluefish: This species typically contains mercury, PCBs and pesticides.
• Swordfish: Another fish high in mercury.
• Atlantic salmon: These fish are often raised in fish farms that pollute nearby waterways. They can also contain PCBs, pesticides and dioxin, which is a super-toxic chemical. TF086938

(MS) — Kermit the Frog said, “it’s not easy being green.” For homes, being “green” is getting easier every day.

But what is a green home? It’s one that uses less energy, water and natural resources; creates less waste; and is healthier and more comfortable to live in. Specifically, these homes have lower energy and water bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and less susceptibility to mold, mildew and other indoor toxins. This is accomplished in part by taking advantage of natural sunlight, rainwater run off, treed lots and using products with recycled content and products that cut energy consumption.

The popularity of building green is helping reduce the costs of products associated with more environmentally conscious homes. Some sources indicate a more energy-efficient home may cost only 3 to 5 percent more to build than a traditional home. This small premium is recuperated in energy-cost savings within the first several years, delivering a return on the initial investment and the satisfaction of knowing you’re preserving the environment.

For existing homes, Low Impact Living (www.lowimpactliving.com) has an Environmental Impact Calculator that considers a home’s overall environmental impact and suggests updates for minimizing it. At www.zoeshield.com, a calculator located on the “save money” page will figure your savings from replacing older windows with ones incorporating the technology found in advanced glazing systems such as Zo-e-shield.

“Windows are a practical home improvement that can reduce a home’s environmental burden by improving energy efficiency,” said Jeff Williams, of Weather Shield Windows & Doors, a leading manufacturer. “They also help improve livability by drawing in natural daylight and improving air quality.”

Windows’ composition and placement in a home also can affect energy usage. In warmer climates, locating windows away from the most direct sunlight will help keep a home cooler. In cooler climates, windows on the sunny side of a home will help reduce heating loads. If your home is designed for passive heating/cooling, you’ll want windows that allow maximum sunlight into a home — windows without low-emissivity coatings (Low E) that reflect sunlight. You’ll also want to consider wall, roof and flooring materials that absorb the sun’s heat during the day and release it gradually as temperatures cool.

Passive heating/cooling is not feasible for many new or existing homes. For these green homes, today’s most advanced windows incorporate features to minimize energy consumption. Warm-edge spacer systems that affix the two panes of insulated glass together help reduce the heat gained or lost through the window while minimizing glass condensation. Low E coatings on windows’ glass dramatically reduce solar heat gain and filter harmful UV rays. Inert gas-filled airspaces further insulate against heat/energy transference. By adding a third pane of glass, energy efficiency multiplies further. The combination of these components, as found on Zo-e-shield, can cut energy costs by as much as 30 percent compared to standard dual-insulated glass.

Green homes also incorporate products made in environmentally conscious ways. Wood windows, for example, can be made of wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified forests. Vinyl windows may include recycled manufacturing waste. Green products also use low-emitting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may carry third-party certifications verifying environmentally responsible production. Many manufacturers post their environmental positions or products’ environmental attributes on their Web sites to help homeowners identify which businesses have an eye on environmental preservation.

As the green building and remodeling trend continues, more homebuyers may wonder how to determine a prospective home’s greenness. Green-built homes are not the same as the 70s “earth homes” built into hillsides. Today’s green homes are in mainstream developments and typically blend with the traditionally built house next door. National certification programs, such as LEED for Homes and the National Association of Homebuilders’ National Green Building Program, will also help identify truly green homes. Certified projects receive points for the way they’re constructed. For example, homes can earn points for proper placement of windows for allowing daylight in, providing views through the perimeter of the building, and ventilating the structure, as well as using windows with low-emitting paints and coatings.

Choosing to build a green home or remodel in an environmentally friendly way truly is becoming easier. Perhaps one day even Kermit will say, “It’s easy being green.”
For more information on green building, visit: zoeshield.com/weathershield, weathershield.com, Green Building Council www.greenhomeguide.org/, and the National Association of Home Builders www.nahbgreen.org. EL086942

(MS) — Are you making purchases with the environment in mind? When choosing between two similar products, 83 percent of consumers are extremely or very likely to choose the environmentally friendly option, according to a survey from DoubleClick Performance Metrics.

To help consumers make educated purchase decisions, manufacturers are providing more information about their sustainability practices and their products on their Web sites and in other communications. One example is Krylon, maker of spray paint for home décor and home improvement uses. Always an innovator, Krylon now uses sustainable raw materials such as soy in many of its spray paints. The company has made it a priority to reduce the amount of solvent used in its paint formulations.

Krylon is doing other things too, to help produce less waste and streamline distribution to conserve fuel, energy and other natural resources. Here are some things users of spray paint might want to know:

CFCs and Ozone: Spray paints today contain no chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) propellants and have not for more than 30 years. In 1978, CFC use in aerosol propellants was banned in the U.S. for most products. Only a few product categories, such as asthma inhalers, are still permitted to use CFC propellants.

VOCs and Smog: According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the major manmade sources of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are associated with smog production, are vehicle emissions, combustion and industrial emissions. Consumer products are estimated to account for only 5 percent of VOCs from manmade sources, with aerosols making an extremely small contribution.

Spray Paint Advances: Krylon’s H20 Latex™, the first 100 percent acrylic latex spray paint, contributes 55 percent less to smog pollution than most solvent-based spray paints. It can be safely sprayed indoors with ventilation.

Krylon’s new EZ Touch 360°™ Dial Spray Tip, on cans of Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint and Krylon Brushed Metallic finishes, features the industry’s first adjustable-direction fan-spray tip. When properly used, the tip provides greater coverage per pass and reduced overspray compared to traditional spray paint tips.

Contributing to the reuse of plastics, Krylon’s Fusion for Plastic® spray paint allows consumers to refresh old, worn plastic items with a new finish. By extending the useful life of plastics, the amount of plastic waste flowing into landfills can be reduced.

Reusing and Recycling Materials: Cans of Krylon spray paint are made from more than 25 percent recycled steel. Each pound of recycled steel used saves 5,450 BTUs of energy in subsequent steel production, according to The Steel Recycling Institute. Consumers can contribute to recycling efforts by depositing empty cans at one of the more than 5,300 approved recycling locations nationwide.

The plastic caps on cans of Krylon spray paint also are completely recyclable, plus the caps for some products have been redesigned to use less plastic. These new caps carry a plastic resin identification code for easier recycling and can be packed in greater numbers per box, reducing fuel-related transportation costs. EL086001

(MS) — The desire to protect the environment has penetrated just about every industry. It makes sense that eventually “going green” would find its way into the fashion and clothing industry. While materials like bamboo and hemp definitely make up a large part of the market, organic cotton is actually the premier choice when it comes to fostering green ideals.

Statistics indicate that the use of organic cotton has grown exponentially. Sales of products containing the material have doubled during the period of 2001 to 2005.

What’s So Great About Organic Cotton?

Cotton — the regular kind — is one of the most widely used fabrics around the world. The trouble with traditional production methods is that they are far from environmentally friendly. Cotton producers frequently rely on synthetic fertilizers, chemical pesticides, and insecticides to ensure the health of the cotton crop. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, seven of the top 15 pesticides used on U.S. cotton crops are potential or known human carcinogens.

Organic cotton is much different. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Organic production systems replenish and maintain soil fertility, reduce the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, and build biologically diverse agriculture. Third-party certification organizations verify that organic producers use only methods and materials allowed in organic production.

Turkey and the United States are the leading producers of organic cotton, followed by India, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal, Israel, Greece, Benin and Brazil. In the U.S., Texas produces the most organic cotton.

Green Design Overhaul

As the appeal of organic cotton continues to grow, clothing designers have realized the benefit of including the fabric in their designs. Organic cotton has helped to create an offshoot of the fashion industry called “Eco-Fashion.” In fact, in March of this year, members of the eco-fashion community gathered during Portland Fashion Week to discuss environmentally responsible design and manufacturing processes.

Many designers incorporate organic cotton as part of their product line, while others design entirely around organic cotton. Some designers include Stewart+Brown, Armour Sans, Gypsy Rose, and Maggie’s Organic. The singer Bono and his wife Ali Hewson have collaborated on designs using organic cotton and helped start Edun, a socially conscious brand with designer Rogan Gregory.

Aristocrat Denim is a new denim line that uses 100% green cotton denim. The fabrication, dye and dye processes are all carried out via eco-friendly methods, producing completely chemical-free denim that’s as good for the environment as it looks on you. The green wash treatment involves the use of purified water and dry procceses that ensure that all Aristocrat denim is free of harmful ingredients and provides the denim with an unrivaled, cashmere-soft feel. On the heels of a very successful 2007, Owner/Designer Bob Bak has expanded the line to include dresses, shirts and shorts for Spring/Summer 2008. The buzz is building fast — celebrities like Scarlett Johanssen and Kate Hudson are already fans.

While Aristocrat offers an unparalleled variety of options for style and cut, a clean, classic look is constant across the line. Bak’s industry experience has made him particularly sensitive to the complexities of fit—he employs a number of subtle slimming techniques to lengthen and slim the leg while creating clean lines. He also pays extra attention to the front, creating a flat panel and avoiding the bulges most jeans exhibit. Learn more at www.aristocratdenim.com. TF085794

(MS) — Biological control, or the use of beneficial bugs to eat other bugs that typically damage crops is an area of study that continues to grow. The science is not new. Ancient Chinese records describe the construction of bamboo runways to help predatory ants move through citrus groves. Today there are hundreds of mail-order companies that sell predator or parasitic beneficial insects. And researchers all across the country are investigating how some rarely studied predator bugs react with common pests and the eggs they lay.

For example, the Uinversity of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences experiments with tiger beetles showed that the beetle was a voracious eater when it came to devouring worms and grubs that feed on Georgia turfgrass and ornamental plants.

In Southern Texas, farmers are finding out that the cockroach, often considered the bane of society, feasts on insects harmful to crops. The Asian cockroach, a flying variety, which looks almost identical to it’s German cockroach cousin (the cockroach most commonly found scavenging in homes) feeds on bollworm eggs that threaten cotton, soybean, corn, and tomato crops. These Asian cockroaches also dine on other insects that damage crops.

Using natural insect predadors to reduce the numbers of pests that destroy crops can be very beneficial in terms of reducing dependancy on chemical pesticides. More research needs to be conducted into the cost-effectiveness of benefical bugs to the agriculture industry. TF085759

(MS) — When it comes to the environment, it’s easy and understandable to get a feeling of helplessness. Issues such as global warming seem so overwhelming it’s hard to imagine an individual having an impact that can lessen the blow of pollution and other damage and directly benefit the environment.

As daunting as some of these issues can seem, there are things individuals can do on a daily basis that, if practiced on a broad scale, can prove very beneficial to the environment and paint a very different picture of the world we’ll leave for our children and our children’s children.

• Recycle. While it seems hard to believe some communities still don’t have a system of recycling in place, it’s true. Paper, plastics, glass, and other waste can be recycled even in communities where no system is in place. If you must, recycle such items on your own and make a monthly trip to a nearby recycling center to drop them off. In the case of some items, such as glass bottles, you might even be financially rewarded for your good deeds. If your community does have a recycling system, make sure you and all members of your household follow its guidelines.

• Unplug appliances. An average household boasts 25 consumer electronics products. That’s a lot of energy being used on a daily basis. What’s more, many of those products are even using energy when they’re supposedly “off.” That’s because the average consumer electronics product has a standby mode, in which the products aren’t in use but also aren’t turned off.

The United States Department of Energy says standby products typically add $28 to the average annual household power bill. While that’s hardly cause for alarm to most families, when considering the millions of households across the country, these numbers add up significantly, with the environment paying the steepest price of all. To combat standby products wasting so much energy, unplug these products when they’re not in use.

• Get creative. When it comes to helping to the environment, there really is no limit to the ways in which an individual can contribute. Nearly everything we do impacts the environment, be it positively or negatively. Something as simple as mailing a greeting card, for example, can negatively impact the environment. While it seems a simple, friendly gesture, a greeting card is made out of paper, as is the envelope used to mail it. There’s no guarantee such items will be recycled, and even if they are, there are other options for those who don’t want to mail a paper card and envelope. Web sites offering free e-greetings exist. If you do choose paper cards, look for ones with recycled paper content. This will help save the environment by using less paper.

Other creative ways to positively impact the environment include collecting rain water to water flowers; using bird feeders to attract birds that will feed on insects and pests, hence lessening the need for pesticides; and using a walter filter on tap water instead of buying bottled water in plastic bottles.

• Bring your own bags to the grocery store. Paper and plastic bags at the grocery store are very wasteful. Many grocery chains now sell reusable cloth bags to carry groceries. Such bags are inexpensive, and simply require you take them along each time you go to the grocery store.

• Don’t use throw-away items. Paper plates, napkins, plastic utensils, and plastic cups might be convenient, but that doesn’t make them beneficial to the environment. Rather than using paper towels in the kitchen, purchase an extra cloth hand towel or two that can be washed and used time and again instead of discarded after one use like a paper towel. In addition, purchase an inexpensive set of reusable utensils for parties or barbecues rather than using plastic knives, forks and spoons that are good for just one use.

• Turn the faucet off. Gallons upon gallons of water are wasted by the average person on any given day. Toilets are used as garbage cans to flush tissues and towels, wasting an average of 6 gallons of water per flush. In addition, most people leave the faucet running while brushing their teeth or shaving. Keep faucets off while brushing your teeth, and when shaving, heat up water and place the hot water in a bowl to use as you shave instead of keeping the faucet running and wasting more water. TF085789

(PR Newswire/MS) — Green has become glamorous. From high fashion, to luxury travel, eco-friendly has become an entire lifestyle, especially among those with the cash to spend.

A recent study by Synovate, a marketing research company, found 73 percent of those surveyed with an income over $75,000 said they care about purchasing environmentally friendly products. Of those, 92.5 percent said they would be more likely to purchase a luxury wine if it used sustainable techniques in growing the grapes and crafting the wine.

One company taking note of that sentiment is Terlato Wine Group, owner of wineries in Napa, Sonoma and Santa Barbara, Calif., including such labels as Chimney Rock, Rutherford Hill and Sanford. From growing the grapes, to crafting the wine, to creating a healthy environment for their workers, to using recycled shipping materials, Terlato believes small steps can add up to make a genuine difference.

In fact, Doug Fletcher, Terlato’s head winemaker, is interested in looking at the whole. “To me, sustainability means we should look at all the things that we do and how those things affect the eco-system.”

Fletcher warns against assuming organic or biodynamic mean more eco-friendly. He says many vineyards spray grapes with sulfur to protect against mildew because sulfur is naturally occurring and thus adheres to organic guidelines.

However, Fletcher says that when sprayed, sulfur can kill all kinds of beneficial insects. Terlato does not spray with sulfur, but instead uses a targeted compound that works on mildew alone and doesn’t harm insects. It’s man-made, and two times more expensive than sulfur, but in the end, Fletcher believes it’s better for the environment.

Gourmet food is also going green -- the right way. If we consider the environment when buying organic veggies and antibiotic-free chicken, it only makes sense to consider the environment when purchasing luxury items, like caviar. The Little Pearl, a Massachusetts-based caviar purveyor, developed a technology to farm fish on land in greenhouses.

By doing so, it alleviates the pressure on wild fisheries, reduces the amount of feed necessary to farm caviar, and helps protect endangered sturgeon in other parts of the world. When asked if sustainability means sacrificing quality, The Little Pearl’s founder and CEO, Richard Brauman, says quite the contrary.

“To me, fresh and sustainable caviar is more luxurious than traditional caviar because when a customer indulges in the exquisite experience of eating it on blini with creme fraiche and champagne, they no longer have to worry about health or the environment.”
Like Brauman, Joe Whinney, the CEO/founder of an organic and fair trade-certified gourmet chocolate company called Theo Chocolate, believes social responsibility only enhances his product.

“There’s no luxury in products that harm many and harm the environment in order to satisfy an elite few,” he says. “Some cocoa farmers earn less than a dollar a day. How can you enjoy a three or four dollar bonbon knowing others are being harmed?”

All marketing terminology and scientific jargon aside, going green is really very simple. It’s about the environment. “Sustainable, organic or biodynamic, we all want to head to the same spot,” Fletcher says. “The objective is to leave the environment in which we find ourselves in better condition than we found it.” TF085825

(MS) — Artificial lawns are commonplace on sports fields, golf courses, and in some drought-afflicted areas of the country. But could you get used to seeing them popping up on neighborhood landscapes in your area? This may be the case as artificial lawns continue to grow in popularity.

Today’s time-crunched families are continually finding ways to improve time management and work efficiency, and to make things generally easier so they can spend more quality moments together. Just think of how much time the average person would save if watering, weeding, mowing, edging, and reseeding a lawn were out of the picture? Companies such as AstroLawn® promote that low maintenance fake grass as a way for residents to take back their weekends.

Apart from the maintenance-free aspect (most fake lawns remain in top form for 10 or more years and require little upkeep), there are other advantages to going faux over fresh. There’s no worry about dirt or grass stains when kids play outdoors. Dogs and cats won’t be as likely to dig trenches through your lawn, and insects that typically call grass home will be enticed to move to another yard. Most artificial lawn products are soft and feel just as good on bare feet as real grass.

Artificial lawns also have environmental and financial impacts as well. Fake grass does not need to be watered, which means homeowners can save thousands of gallons of water that would normally be put toward lawn watering. And when a drought hits, they won’t have to worry that the time and money they put into the lawn will be wasted. A fake lawn remains green even during drought season.

Other environmental benefits are that artificial lawns do not have to be fertilized or pesticide treated, reducing the amount of chemical runoff in neighborhood water supplies. Plus, with no mowing, carbon dioxide emissions from lawn mowers and other power equipment is greatly reduced.

FieldTurf by M7 says artificial lawn products are ideal for all your landscaping needs, offering an unmatched combination of beauty, durability, and economy. They’re also suitable for many different soil conditions and provide year-round use. GT084694

(MS) — They say that everything is bigger in Texas. It seems that contributing to climate change is one of those big things, too. According to recent findings published by the Associated Press and Time magazine, Texas is the biggest carbon polluter in the United States. The most recent figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration say that if Texas were its own country it would rank seventh in the world among the biggest polluters. A large part of carbon pollution comes from Texas being the oil-producing hub of America. Texas also has 19 coal-burning power plants, little to no public transportation availability, and Texans often drive gas-guzzling vehicles. One in four registered vehicles is a pick-up truck. Additionally, Texas GOP leaders have not made the reduction of carbon emissions a priory in the state. TF084639

(MS) — Concrete has become the preferred building material in North America, especially for Canadian homeowners who insist on energy efficiency and limiting the use of natural resources. The latest technology developed by Nudura, for example, is said to provide double the insulation by constructing walls, ceilings and floors with pre-assembled, concrete forms. This innovation (consisting of Lego-like blocks of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of polystyrene) is said to make the building project design-friendly, much faster, with less construction waste, and with none of the toxic emissions associated with new buildings. This building system (nudura.com) is now the base for constructing better homes, schools, hospitals, condominiums, hotels, and offices. Money is saved due to durability and energy efficiency — and the resulting structure is reported to be up to nine times stronger, with far more fire protection, far more sound insulation, and with a potential to reduce energy costs of up to 70 percent. TF084708

(MS) — When compared to water pollution, air pollution tends to take a backseat. While each issue is equally important, it’s easy to forget the prevalence of air pollution. After all, unless you live in a city, the air above your head probably looks as healthy as ever. And one doesn’t go jumping into dirty air the same way you might in a dirty ocean or lake, so the issue of air pollution might not resonate as much.

Unfortunately, air pollution is still a prevalent issue, whether you live in a city with millions of other people or reside on a countryside farm where the nearest neighbor is a mile away. Regardless of where you live, what you do can greatly impact the quality of the air you breathe. Here are a few simple steps that will ensure you’re making a positive impact on the air up there.

• Turn the lights off: Believe it or not, most people leave extra lights on throughout their home. This is both bad for the environment and bad for the utility bill. Turn the lights off in rooms you’re not using, and put a dim light bulb in any exterior lights you keep on overnight.

• Properly dispose of household items: Solvents, pesticides and household paints can damage the air thanks to their chemical composition. Whenever disposing of such products, due so in accordance to all local laws. In addition, when storing these products, make sure they’re properly sealed in airtight containers.

• Call the repair man: Leaky air conditioners and refrigeration systems can send harmful gases into the sky. Have all such appliances examined for leaks once a year, and don’t procrastinate in cases where a call to the repair center is necessary.
You can also learn to do your own “repairs” that will help the environment as well. For example, check filters on all air conditioners around the house. A dirty filter will require the air conditioner to work harder to cool a room, causing you to turn the A/C up and, in so doing, increasing your energy bill. By checking and cleaning the filter, you’ll reduce the emissions your A/C is sending out into the air while also reducing your bill.

• Show some tolerance when it’s hot or cold: Turning on the air conditioner or heater doesn’t improve air quality. Unless the temperature absolutely calls for it, avoid turning on the A/C by opening some windows and keep the heater at a lower temperature while throwing on a sweater.

• Recycle: While it’s hard to believe in the 21st century, many households still don’t recycle. During the production of items such as plastics, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans, harmful emissions are produced and sent into the air. By recycling, fewer of these items need to be produced, and that will lessen the damage done to the air.

• Carpool to work: With the ever-increasing prices of fuel, carpooling to work has never seemed such an attractive option. Not only will you help the pocketbook by sharing the weekly gas tab with at least one other person, but you’ll substantially decrease the amount of harmful emissions vehicles send into the air each day. If you carpool with three other people who are all used to driving to work in their own cars, you’ve cut the amount of emissions the four of you would normally produce by 75 percent.

• Take care of your car: Several things impact how efficiently a vehicle will burn fuel. Tires that aren’t properly inflated, a dirty air filter and even your own driving habits can have a negative impact on the efficiency of a vehicle. Rapidly accelerating burns more fuel, as does a lot of stop- and-go driving. A dirty air filter makes the car work harder and reduces fuel efficiency, as do poorly inflated tires. Keep up with all manufacturer guidelines.

To learn more about reducing air pollution, visit the Environmental Protection Agency Web site at www.epa.gov. TF084640

(MS) — The use of sustainable materials is now one of the Top 5 priorities voiced by Canadians when building their homes. Safety, beauty, energy efficiency and comfort are also included on that list — and these priorities require sound decisions every step of the way.

“Canadians readily ask about building methods that deliver energy efficiency without impacting the environment,” says Todd Blyth at Nudura Corporation, a leading name in concrete home technology. “To meet, and surpass these expectations, builders are discarding the traditional wood-framing method in favour of concrete.” Here, courtesy of Nudura, are the answers to the most frequently asked questions on this subject:

Q: Why do builders prefer concrete?
A: The newest technology for walls, ceilings and floors consists of stay-in-place concrete forms, which are considered vastly superior to construction with wood. These Lego-like blocks allow more freedom in design. The pre-assembled units cut construction time in half, and they produce far less waste than the traditional wood-framing method. Builders are now opting for these Nudura interlocking units (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) to construct better homes, schools, hospitals, condominiums, hotels, offices, and other public buildings
.
Q: What do I get?
A: Your energy bills could be reduced up to 70 percent. With this type of concrete structure, you’ll also get a home that stands to be: 1. Twice as energy efficient, since there are no air spaces or studs — and the technology evens out the effect of external temperature swings. 2. Up to three times more sound resistant due to the double-foam, insulated concrete core. 3. Up to four times more fire resistant, since the walls are built with steel reinforced concrete and foam treated with a non-toxic fire retardant. 4. Up to nine times stronger, a superior feature in high-wind, tornado, or hurricane areas. 5. Far more resistance to thermal bridging, where outside cold travels easily through walls to create uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness.
More information on this building method is available online at nudura.com. TF084709

(MS) — Eye-popping beauty for your home does not have to be sacrificed in honor of the environment.

Take a look at the award winning residence, Eagle Rising, a project on 20 wilderness acres near Fort Collins, Colorado. Project managers report that the key challenges on those windy, mountainous foothills were to limit the use of resources while achieving design grandeur, energy efficiency, sound resistance, and comfort.

“The application of concrete, not wood, is the answer to each one of those structural requests,” says Todd Blyth of Nudura Corporation, “Home builders and commercial builders are on the leading edge of this technology.”

The Nudura form system consists of stay-in-place concrete units, which deliver superior insulation, Blyth explained. “The system is vastly superior to the traditional stick framing method. The interlocking units (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) produce a home that is environmentally-friendly, but also with a foundation that is up to nine times stronger, with far more fire protection, far more sound insulation, and with the potential to reduce energy costs up to 70 percent.”

Take a look at Eagle Rising as an illustration:

Eagle Rising Residence

Winner: Best Custom Home and Best Overall Project in 2006, awarded by ICF Builder Magazine.

Project Description: To build a 4,400 square-foot home with a combination stone stucco finish. The owner wanted an energy efficient house, with high ceilings and curving walls. Sound resistance was also top priority in this very windy location.

Energy Efficiency: Superior insulation and sustainable materials were first priority. Concrete, which fills the core of the interlocking units, is ideal on the exposed site where winds can exceed 161 km/hr (100 mi/hr). The Nudura system provides the ideal combination of R-value, mass, and zero air infiltration to maximize the energy efficiency.

Sound Control: Structurally, the house is far more stable than traditional wood framing methods and the concrete foundation provides an excellent thermal sound barrier.
Beauty: The Eagle Rising architect was able to incorporate a house with high ceilings and many curving walls. Unlike conventional building methods of the past, the Nudura forms offer versatility — and therefore walls and ceilings can be made to curve.

Comfort: The interlocking forms are also resistant to thermal bridging, where outside cold travels easily through walls to create uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness. The form system is also resistant to mold.

A full feature story about Eagle Rising, published in Eco-Structure Magazine, is available online at nudura.com. TF084710

(MS) — There is no better opportunity for a long-term contribution to conservation than building your home with “green” choices. By opting for sustainable materials, you and your family will be helping to protect the environment every day, for years and years to come.

Homeowners report that if Canadians do take the time and initiative to be selective about choices in the building materials, fixtures, and decor, we will live with the knowledge that we did the responsible thing, right from the beginning. As a home building guideline, take a look at these ideas:

The walls: Ask for concrete, not wood. Builders are highly supportive of using the Nudura building system, consisting of stay-in-place, interlocking concrete units. With this Lego-like method (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) the total building envelope stands to be up to nine times stronger, far more fire resistant, and far more sound insulated. Better still, it’s a building method that will deliver energy savings of up to 70 percent. This Nudura innovation (nudura.com) is design-friendly for architects, much faster for builders, creates less construction waste, and provides defence against toxicity and mould that is so often a associated with traditional wood framed walls.

Indoor Water Conservation: Ask about grey water irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
Energy Efficiency: In addition to the concrete walls, some of the more popular choices for conservation include: an ‘earth sheltered’ architectural design; installing efficient ducts, lighting and fans; planning for gas or solar hot water, heating and cooling systems.

Materials: Structural choices range from fume-free paints, finishes and adhesives, to sustainable floor coverings, sidings and trim.

Solid Waste Disposal: Plan ahead and design your home for permanent composting, recycling, and waste control. TF084711

(MS) — Building a dream home produces an endless list of priorities. Features that accentuate beauty, comfort, and practicality are of utmost importance to Canadians—and now, so is conservation, and the use of sustainable materials.

“Energy efficiency with windows, doors, and insulation, is high on the priority list,” says Todd Blyth at Nudura Corporation, a leading name in building systems. “But unlike a decade ago, people are also asking for their custom projects to be achieved with far less impact on the environment. With this demand on the rise, building technology has made rapid advances – and the most important one is the use of concrete, not wood.”

For walls, ceilings, and floors, for example, the Nudura system consists of stay-in-place concrete units, which deliver far superior benefits than traditional foundations with wood. These interlocking blocks of varying sizes, allow more freedom in beauty and design — and it’s a method that cuts construction time in half, while producing far less waste. Builders are now opting for the pre-assembled units (of reinforced concrete sandwiched between two layers of expanded polystyrene foam insulation) to construct better homes, schools, hospitals, condominiums, hotels, offices and other public buildings.

“For people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it’s good to know that the walls of your home are not going to make it worse,” Blyth continued. “Imagine finding out that your breathing problems stem from the wood in your walls.”

According to Blyth, the Lego-like units make building less labour intensive.
“Construction teams far prefer the method, and the benefits are even more significant for the homeowner. Nudura units can be ordered in a variety of sizes and shapes so that your walls and ceilings can be built to any design.”

As importantly, concrete walls provide an excellent sound barrier and are resistant to thermal bridging, where outside cold travels easily through walls to create uncomfortable cold spots, drafts, and mustiness. It is also reported that concrete walls like these are up to nine times stronger, far more fire resistant, sound resistant, and will reduce energy costs up to 70 percent. More information is available online at nudura.com. TF084712

(MS) — Organic gardeners know they get a lot more benefits from their style of gardening than safe, pesticide-free flowers and produce. Organic gardeners also enjoy more green by spending less green out of their pockets.

The secret is in the soil. Organic gardening got its name from the magical benefits that happen when organic matter is added to any soil. Examples of organic matter are compost, Canadian sphagnum peat moss and shredded leaves. Whether your soil is hard-pan clay or quick-draining sand, organic matter is the great equalizer, loosening clay soil and acting like a sponge to hold moisture in sandy soils. Organic matter also encourages the billions of tiny soil critters that break down nutrients for plant life and keep soil well aerated to get busy.

Canadian sphagnum peat moss is a sustainable, ready-to-use form of organic matter that is offered in compressed bales that make it easy to use. Compost is a good organic source but few gardeners ever have enough. Savvy organic gardeners know that mixing Canadian sphagnum peat moss half and half with their compost is one way to multiply their supply of valuable organic matter. And the peat reduces compaction of the soil that is often associated with using compost by itself. For the best results, dig a 2- to 3-inch layer of your organic matter into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.

The water-holding capacity of Canadian sphagnum peat moss and compost is another reason for gardeners to go organic. Water is a valuable resource now protected and restricted in all parts of the country, not just the dry south. The higher a soil’s organic matter the lower the water bills.

Organic gardening applies to shrubs, flowers and lawns not just fruits and vegetables. Improve the soil around all your plants by adding organic matter and they’ll not only need less fertilizer but with less water stress, plants will be better able to resist insects and disease. Organic gardeners accept some insect damage as a trade off for a pesticide-free garden. Eliminating pesticides from your garden is easy when healthy soil supports healthy plants.

So think the Big O when you garden and go Organic. You won’t have to over-water, over-feed, or over-spend on an outstanding landscape and overly abundant garden.

To order free brochures on “How to … with peat moss” and other gardening tips, send a self-addressed, unstamped, business-sized envelope to: Peat Moss, Box 385102, Minneapolis, MN, 55438; e-mail cspma@peatmoss.com; or visit www.peatmoss.com.
The Canadian peat industry is committed to making peat moss a sustainable resource. Only one acre in every 6,000 is harvested and when harvesting stops, the bogs are restored to functioning peatlands. For more information on peat and the environment, visit the Canadian Sphagnum Peat Moss Association’s Web site at www.peatmoss.com. GT084613

(MS) — Going green has never really been an issue for most gardeners. The love of the environment is one of the things that draws them to gardening. But even the most avid gardener can go a little greener by using materials made from recycled products.

Today’s lawn and garden market is filled with many recycled items to help you create a gorgeous, inviting and eco-friendly lawn.

Did you know that Americans discard almost 300 million tires annually? One Texas company, Easy Gardener Products Inc., has come up with a way to put some of those old tires to use in the yard. They have a new line of products all made from 100 percent recycled rubber. You can find these products at your favorite local lawn and garden center or chain retailer or by calling 1-800-327-9462.

Mulch Mat tree ring forms a weed barrier around trees and helps hold in moisture. The pre-cut mats look just like a circle of hardwood mulch, but last much longer. You can create a weed-free zone around the base of trees, mailboxes and yard posts while at the same time eliminating the need for edging, weeding, raking, and re-mulching. They come in a variety of sizes and colors.

Easy Gardener’s Edge Border can help give your garden a clean, mulched-looked edging. The new product creates a 41⁄2-inch weed barrier around landscape beds and gardens. You can lay the border flat or even use it to create curves. Run your mower tires along the top of the Edge Border and eliminate the need for edging!

The Stepping Stones and Pavers look like concrete, stone and brick but their rubber composition makes them 80 percent lighter and nearly unbreakable. They look great and provide a cushioned step along your garden path.

Gardeners can take the recycled theme all the way by using Easy Gardener’s Rubber Mulch. Say goodbye to weeds and hello to handsome landscaping. The mulch is specifically tailored for landscape and playgrounds and it comes in a variety of colors and sizes. Best of all, tests revealed that rubber mulch provides greater soil and water retention than traditional wood mulches.

These items are all attractive, easy-to-use products that will make you think having “old tires” in your yard isn’t such a bad idea after all. GT084670

(MS) — There are millions of acres of manicured lawns in this country. From golf clubs to parks to homeowners' own front yards. Many people believe a perfect, manicured lawn positively reflects back on the person who toiled for it, and evokes a feeling of importance and pride. However, the steps most people take to achieve that pristine, green lawn are often anything but green in the environmental sense.

Chemical Overload

Millions of pounds of chemical fertilizers and pesticides are applied to lawns, trees and shrubs to keep them looking their best. But those "warning" flags the landscaper erects after the lawn has been doused in a chemical bath should seem insidious to everyone around. That's because the chemicals used are harmful to the environment and the people/animals that come in contact with those chemicals.

Studies of professional lawn care workers have shown they face of increased risk of non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL), currently the sixth most common malignant cancer in the U.S., say reports by The Green Guide. Chemical runoff from pesticides and fertilizers can seep into water supplies and other bodies of water in communities.
Phosphates and nitrates found in chemical products help to rob ponds and lakes of oxygen, essentially suffocating the plant and animal life residing there.

Air Pollution

The gasoline-powered equipment used to cut lawns, edge properties and trim shrubbery contributes to air pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 5 percent of air pollution comes from mowers, trimmers, blowers and chainsaws.

Drain on Water

Keeping lawns looking healthy requires thorough watering. But experts estimate that a good deal of fresh water is squandered away keeping lawns and landscapes up to par.

Putting the "Green" Back into the Landscape

By being environmentally conscious and exploring natural alternatives to lawn care, homeowners can have their cake and eat it, too. Essentially they can have a thriving landscape without the environmental side effects of chemical products and other pollutants. Here are a few ideas:

1. Position large collection basins outdoors under the downspouts on your home. These basins can collect rainwater that can be used to water garden plants during dry spells, alleviating the drain on fresh water supplies.

2. Choose plants, trees and grasses that are indigenous to the area in which you live. Essentially this is working with the environment, instead of trying to maintain a landscape of intolerant species. Plants accustomed to the climate and natural predators may require less water and fewer pesticides.

3. Look for organic fertilizers that will be a benefit for the environment rather than destroy it. A great organic fertilizer that is very inexpensive is compost. Create a compost heap in the yard or in a container to which you add grass clippings, vegetable peels, egg shells, and other organic matter. Use the compost to feed the landscape.

4. Look to alternative pest management instead of pesticides. Let "good" bugs stay in place that will eat or destroy the ones that target the landscape. Invite birds that feed on insects to the yard by creating a welcome atmosphere for them.

5. Create a peaceful (and exhaust-free) mowing experience by using a manual mower instead of a gas-powered one. GT084635

(MS) — Recycling is certainly about those blue and green bins parked at your curb. But it is also about how you can put items you would normally toss in the trash or recycling bin to other uses.

Anyone who has shopped at retail giant Target recently may have noticed that their shopping bags list ways to reuse the bag after it’s served its purpose of toting home your low-priced goods. This may have gotten you thinking about other things that can be reincarnated for multiple purposes.

Every time you use an item for an idea beyond its original manufactured intent, you have increased the validity of that product and, in turn, keep people employed. You also discover ways to reduce waste, and that’s a good thing.

Here are just a few items, with five ways to use them in new ways.

Aluminum Foil

It’s more than just for warming food. Rinse them off and use foil scraps for these reasons.

1. Layer about seven pieces of foil and cut through them with scissors that are dull. The foil will sharpen the scissors again.

2. Use a ball of spare foil to clean baked-on pots and pans. It works just as well as steel wool.

3. Foil makes great gift wrapping in a pinch.

4. Think about how many children’s dress-up costumes can be created with foil. From robots to martians to angels.

5. Use a double-thickness of foil as a piping bag when doing cake decorating.

Paper Bags

Sure, it may seem that paper bags have faced extinction, but as more people realize the benefits of going green, paper bags are making a comeback. They can do a heck of a lot more than just carry groceries.

1. Do we even need to mention that paper bags are the primary material of choice for covering textbooks?

2. Kids can cut bags into placemats to bring along to restaurants or other people’s homes. Just pack along crayons and they can color while waiting for food.

3. Durable paper bags can be used as recycling collectors and easily sort recyclable items.

4. From masks to aprons, paper bag costumes are limited only by the imagination.

5. Crumple bags to form a way to add textured paint applications to walls and furniture.

Baby Food Jars

Moms and dads out there know that a hungry baby goes through dozens of jars of baby food a month. That’s a lot of recycling! There are ways to reuse baby food jars, though.

1. Many baby food jars are just the right size for holding a votive candle.

2. Use these cute jars for storing buttons or other small notions that inevitably get misplaced.

3. Use the jars to hold homemade spice blends. You can also transfer store-bought spices to the baby food jars so all spices are in uniformly sized containers for a more organized pantry.

4. Personalize your paint palette by using jars to mix paints. They can also hold paint for young artists.

5. Hardware storage is easy when you keep small nails, screws, bolts, or whatever in sealed jars.

Socks

If the washer and dryer mysteriously consume a sock and you’re left with a spare, or if your socks are past their prime, you can use them for other things.

1. When dusting or cleaning, simply slip the sock over your hand and use it to wipe down anything in the home.

2. Fill a sock with rice or wheat, heat in the microwave for a few seconds, and use it as a heating pad.

3. You can certainly make a sock puppet, or two, or three …

4. Put a ball inside and tie off the end to make a tug toy for a dog. Or fill with catnip for a kitty.

5. Fill with leftover soap pieces and use in the washing machine for washing delicates. TF083428

(MS) — Nutritionists have long touted the health benefits of green tea. It's power-packed with antioxidants, making it a disease fighter and generally healthy brew to enjoy.

But the benefits of green tea do not need to end at tea time. Green tea leaves can be recycled for many other purposes around the home and garden. The "green" in green tea can take on a new connotation when this environmentally friendly product is used in new ways.

The same antioxidant ingredients in green tea are also known for their odor-absorbing abilities. Tea is loaded with catechins — the antioxidant substances. The catechins have antibacterial properties that make tea leaves great for fighting odor. Usually the tea leaves need to be dried before use as a deodorizer. To do so, simply put the wet tea leaves into a strainer and spread out. Press the leaves to remove as much moisture as possible. Then allow to air dry, turning the leaves over several times in the process.

Pet Beds/Litter Boxes: Sprinkle dried tea leaves onto a pet bed, blanket or pillow. The leaves will help dissipate any foul pet odors. The same technique can be applied with litter boxes. The tea leaves help remove odor and can repel fleas from dogs and cats.
Carpeting: Skip the chemical carpet deodorizer and use dried tea leaves instead. Sprinkle over the carpet, let sit 10 to 15 minutes and then vacuum.

Refrigerator/Kitchen: Put used wet tea leaves or bags in a bowl in the refrigerator to help absorb odors from strong-smelling foods. Wet tea leaves can also be used to rid hands of the smell of garlic or onions after preparation.
Garden: Sprinkle the tea leaves into the garden as a form of mulch and nutrition to plants.

Cleaning: In some Eastern cultures, a solution of tea is used to disinfect and cleanse things like yoga and sleeping mats. Use tea for deodorizing and cleaning where applicable. Just note that wet tea leaves can stain, so test in an inconspicuous area before using on a large area. TF083574

(MS) — Did you know the U.S. Congress passed an energy bill in 2007 banning the incandescent light bulb by the year 2014? That's because the incandescent bulb, the one Thomas Edison helped perfect in the 1800s, has been superceded by the compact fluorescent light (CFL) and LEDs because of their benefits to the environment.

But could the CFL really be too good to be true? Less than a month after the U.S. energy bill was passed, research in Britain has led to the UK Environment Agency issuing guidelines about CFLs. They're calling for evacuation of any room where an energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb is broken, due to the release of toxic mercury.

According to environmental impact studies, CFLs stand to save at least five million tons of carbon dioxide emissions every year. They also are more cost-effective in the long run: CFLs are more expensive than incandescent bulbs up front, but through longer burn times and less energy usage, they save home and business owners money. But each CFL contains 6 to 8 milligrams of toxic mercury. Broken bulbs, where mercury could be released into a home, and even improper disposal of the bulbs present separate environmental problems.

If a CFL bulb is broken, these suggestions are offered:

• Vacate the room for at least 15 minutes.

• The debris should be removed with rubber gloves. Do not use a vacuum, which could push toxic dust into the air.

• Put all broken glass and debris into a sealed bag and bring to a recycling center for proper disposal.

Other Impacts of CFL's
In a side note, mercury poisoning is not the only health implication from CFLs. Early studies indicate that people suffering from certain skin ailments, such as eczema and psoriasis, could experience flare ups. There has been a link to CFLs and migraine headaches. If you suspect your bulbs are causing health problems, see your doctor. TF083575

(MS) — When the topic of conversation inevitably turns toward the state of the environment, the term “carbon footprint” is frequently uttered. While many people nod their heads in comprehension, many do not have a clue what “carbon footprint” actually means.

When the words “carbon footprint” are used, they indicate a measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide or CO2 emitted through the combustion of fossil fuels. The carbon footprint applies in the case of an organization, business or enterprise — as part of their everyday operations or, in the case of an individual or household, as part of their daily lives. Basically it is the impact people have on the environment based on the levels of greenhouse gases produced, measured in units of carbon dioxide.
According to CarbonFootprint.com, a carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the direct/primary footprint and the indirect/secondary footprint.

1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emission of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels, including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. cars and planes).

2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole life cycle of products we use — those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown.

A typical person’s carbon footprint features a similar breakdown. Home heating and cooling needs, electricity usage and travel needs make up the largest shares of the carbon footprint pie. Recreation and leisure, as well as use of public services make up other high areas of impact.

Reduction of the Footprint

The goal of being informed about a carbon footprint is to reduce it. Reducing a primary footprint involves finding more environmentally friendly methods of running the household, including energy-efficient heating/cooling systems, conserving electricity and water usage, etc. Reducing a secondary footprint requires a little more thought, especially when it applies to consumer purchases. Think about how items are manufactured and from where they are imported. Avoid goods shipped from far distances or those packaged in a lot of excess wrapping. These things contribute more to a carbon footprint. In the majority of areas in the United States, Canada and Europe the water is safe to drink. So simply eliminating bottled water from your lifestyle can help reduce a carbon footprint as well.

Carbon Offsetting

In addition to reducing your carbon footprint, there are ways to offset the levels of CO2 in the environment. One of the easiest things for a typical family to do so is surround themselves with more “green,” and not the kind stored in a wallet. Trees, shrubs and other plants absorb CO2 for life and expel oxygen. The more trees and plants planted, the better the environment will be. It is estimated that one broad leaf tree will absorb approximately 730kg (1650 pounds) of carbon dioxide during the course of its life (approximately 100 years).

Not only does planting greenery improve the air and environment, it also provides wildlife habitats and makes for a better quality of living. TF083580

(MS) — The efficiency of the home we live in is at the core of environmental responsibility.
When building, or renovating, for example, the right questions and decisions will put you in complete control of the construction materials – and anyone prone to allergies, will have even more incentive to do so.

Paying attention to your home’s structural elements – and eliminating wood – will go a long way to control illness-causing mould for example. Instead, consider the benefits of concrete. Take a look at the innovative, pre-assembled concrete forms supplied by Nudura, for example.