Gas-Saving Lawnmowers

Courtesy of NBC Today Show:

Fact: A gas mower spews 87 lbs. of the greenhouse gas CO2, and 54 lbs. of other pollutants into your air every year.

Fact: Over 17 million gallons of gas are spilled each year refueling lawn and garden equipment – more petroleum than was spilled by the Exxon Valdez.

Fact: Gas-powered mowers send over 1,800 times the hydrocarbons into the atmosphere when compared to the environmentally-sound choice of battery-powered mowers.

According to the EPA, gas mowers are reponsible for nearly 5% of our nation’s total air pollution. Over 800 million gallons of gasoline are used mowing our nation’s lawns every year. And if you operate one for more than 15 minutes, experts advise you to wear hearing protection.

Remington Cordless Power Mower

The Remington Cordless Electric Power Lawn Mower eliminates all the hassles of a gas mower. It is the first and ONLY mower with a 60 Volt Battery that provides 60 minutes of pure clean cordless runtime. With Remington’s patented PowerSelect Technology it's also the first and ONLY cordless mower with a corded option.

http://www.remingtonpowertools.com/

Battery-Powered Neuton Lawnmower

The Neuton Mower has 4 advantages. First of all, the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. Second, the operator doesn't have to wear hearing protection. Third, you don't have gasoline in your trunk and don't have to store it in your garage. And fourth, you don't have to walk in the exhaust stream of an internal combustion engine as you mow your lawn. You're pushing a clean, quiet lawn mower.

Reel Lawn Mowers

They're light. They're maneuverable. They're better for the lawn. They're economical. They're environmentally responsible. They're quiet. They're practically maintenance-free. They've always been in style.

https://www.reelin.com

Make a Pledge to Erase Your Carbon Footprint (with Lightbulbs)

Courtesy of MyCarbonPledge:

"Our goal is to change one million incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in the state of Indiana in 2008. You may think, "How much difference is that really going to make?" But with the average daily light bulb use of three hours, this one simple step can reduce Indiana's CO2 emissions by 150 million pounds per year or the equivalent of taking over 13,000 cars off the road. Please help ensure that polar bears have a future and take the pledge today!"

"Taking the pledge is easy! (Click here) Just enter your name, address, number of bulbs pledged, and let us know if you’re affiliated with any participating organization or business. The more bulbs you pledge to change, the greener your house becomes."

Save Water; Save Your Lawn

Courtesy of Green Piece Indy:

Xeriscaping™, the practice of landscaping to conserve water, isn't all cacti and rocks. Dr. Mary Welch-Keesey, a Purdue University Consumer Horticulture Specialist at White River Gardens, prepared a downloadable handout titled "Xeriscaping™ in Indiana." Dr. Welch-Keesey recommends:

• Choosing drought-tolerant plants, especially natives, and planting them near each other based on their water requirements
• Reducing overall lawn size with more flower beds, or not irrigating as much of your lawn
• Using soaker hoses to water your lawn and flower beds, which you should do early in the morning about once a week, to build roots and reduce evaporation waste

Big box stores rarely stock a wide selection of native plants, so we recommend referencing the Indiana Native Plant and Wildflower Society's excellent resource page of nurseries in Indiana and the Midwest that carry native flowers, grasses, shrubs and trees.

More Ways to Work Environmentally

Courtesy of Hank FM

Did you know...
-->For every ton of paper that is recycled, the following is saved: 7,000 gallons of water; 380 gallons of oil; and enough electricity to power an average house for six months.

-->You can run a TV for six hours on the amount of electricity that is saved by recycling one aluminum can

-->By recycling just one glass bottle, you save enough electricity to power a 100-watt bulb for four hour

1. Re-route your commute.
• Walk or bike to work and save money on gas and parking.
• Investigate the option of telecommuting. Or move closer—even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
• If your streets are not conducive to biking or walking, lobby your municipal government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes.

2. Buy used.
• Consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items, rather than buying them new. Check out garage sales and thrift stores for clothing and other everyday items.
• Make homemade gifts, donate to a good cause, or even regift. (And gift green, in general.)
When making new purchases, make sure you know what’s “Good Stuff” and what isn’t.

3. Buy local.
• Shop at your local farmers’ market. Buying any goods produced locally saves energy by reducing the fossil fuels needed to transport food and other items across the country and around the globe.
• Start a local currency program in your town. This can ensure that money stays in your local economy, valuing local services and supporting local merchants.

4. Compost your food scraps.
• Composting helps reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill, which can save you money if you live in a municipality with a “pay as you throw” system. In the process, you create free, healthy fertilizer for your garden (or your neighbor’s—or lobby for a community garden!)
• If you don’t have a yard or space for a compost pile, try indoor ‘vermiculture,’ or worm composting.

5. Change the thermostat setting and install energy saving devices.
• Setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer can translate to substantial savings on your utility bills.
• Install low-flow showerheads and take shorter showers to save water and the energy used to heat it. Or, consider eventually installing a solar hot water heater on your property.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible and use a drying rack or clothesline.
• When incandescent bulbs burn out, replace them with longer-lasting, low-energy compact fluorescent bulbs.
• Consider buying wind energy from your local utility or purchasing renewable energy offsets. Renewables offer our best hope for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a host of other pollutants. In some cases, “green energy” options can be cheaper than electricity from conventional sources!

6. Skip the bottled water at the grocery or convenience store.
• Filter your tap water for drinking rather than using bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it produces large amounts of container waste.
• Check out this recent update and life cycle analysis for the latest on bottled water trends.

7. Make your own cleaning supplies.
• Using simple ingredients such as baking soda, soap, and vinegar, you can make cheap, easy, and non-toxic cleaning products that really work! Save money, time, and your indoor air quality.

8. Think twice about new electronics.
• E-waste from discarded cell phones and computers is a growing environmental problem. Mounds of electronic refuse are being shipped abroad illegally for ‘disassembly’ by workers with little protection against the mercury and other toxic substances they contain.
• Keep your electronics as long as possible and dispose of them responsibly when the time comes.
• Buy higher-quality items and don’t give in to ‘psychological obsolescence’ marketing campaigns.
• Recycle your cell phone and support good causes at the same time!
• Ask your local government to set up a responsible recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

9. Add one meatless meal per week.
• While strict vegetarianism isn’t for everyone, even the most devout carnivores can cut back on meat consumption without cramping their style—and save money in the process. Industrial meat production requires huge energy inputs and creates noxious waste problems. The proliferation of factory farms is damaging the environment, and the global nature of the industry creates conditions that promote the spread of diseases such as avian flu, potentially costing society billions.

10. Use your local library and other public amenities.
• Borrowing from libraries, instead of buying personal books and movies, saves money and printing resources. Consider donating the money saved to your local library.
• Be an active civic participant and ensure that the public spaces and facilities in your town are well maintained. This will promote a healthy, sustainable community.

i.e., Phone Book on Your Phone?

Courtesy of Green Piece Indy:

"What if you want to look something up and you're not near your computer? Meghan uses Google SMS. Simply send a text message to Google (that's 466453 in text lingo) and enter a query (ex. Whole Foods Market Indianapolis) as your text message. In seconds, Google texts you back with the phone number and address. "

Duraflame has an Eco-Friendly Firelog!

Courtesy of Duraflame.com:

Duraflame firelogs are the cleanest burning logs for a residental fireplace.

Click here to see all the information on Duraflame's New Eco-Friendly Firelog!

Plastics to Avoid Drinking From

Courtesy of TheDailyGreen.com:

Number 3 Plastics
V (Vinyl) or PVC
Found in: Cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging. Harvard-educated Dr. Leo Trasande of the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine advises consumers to avoid number 3 plastics for food and drinks. (If you're unsure, look for the little symbol that should be printed on the container. Some brands have left the symbols off, which is a major problem.)

Why? Number 3 plastics may release toxic breakdown products (including pthalates) into food and drinks.

The risk is highest when containers start wearing out, are put through the dishwasher or when they are heated (including microwaved). PVC manufacturing can release highly toxic dioxins into the environment, and the materials can off-gas toxic plasticizers into your home.

Number 6 Plastics
PS (polystyrene)
Found in: Disposable plates and cups, meat trays, egg cartons, carry-out containers

Number 6 plastics (polystyrene) are made into soft Styrofoam-style cups as well as rigid foams and hard plastic products, so remember to look for those little numbers in the arrows (don't feel bad if you need a magnifying glass). Avoid using them as much as possible.

Why? Number 6 plastics can release potentially toxic breakdown products (including styrene). Get this: particularly when heated! That insulated coffee cup -- the one that 'knows' when to keep your drink warm -- doesn't seem so smart anymore does it?

Number 7 Plastics
Miscellaneous
Found in: Baby bottles, three- and five-gallon water bottles, certain food containers

A wide range of plastic resins that don't fit into the other six categories are lumped into number 7. Some are quite safe, but the ones to worry about are the hard polycarbonate varieties, as found in various drinking containers (like Nalgene bottles) and rigid plastic baby bottles.

Why? Studies have shown polycarbonate can leach bisphenol A, a potential hormone disruptor, into liquids. According to Trasande, no level of bisphenol A exposure is known to be truly safe, and in August a government panel expressed 'some concern' that the ingredient causes neural and behavioral problems in children.

Why not play it safe and swap out those hard plastic baby and water bottles for Number 1, 5 or corn-based plastics, or even shatter-resistant glass?

Like Vodka? Here's how to use it for other purposes.

Courtesy of TheDailyGreen.com

Defeat Poison Ivy

For many, one of the hazards of enjoying the great outdoors is an encounter with poison ivy, oak or sumac. It can lead to a nasty, long-lasting rash. Unfortunately, the plants are spreading thanks to global warming. Many people have reported that if they immediately pour vodka over an area that has contacted poison ivy, the alcohol will wash away the culprit, urushiol oil, and they won't experience an uncomfortable reaction. Some have said that the vodka needs to be at least 100 proof to work. Others have argued that straight rubbing alcohol works better, but we're guessing you may not have that as handy if you are on your average picnic.

Freshen Laundry

The only people I know who like doing laundry have OCD. If you find the task calming, that's great. But the rest of us would prefer to wear clothes as much as possible without having to count quarters or lug baskets up and down stairs. Keep your clothes smelling fresher with vodka! Simply spritz your duds with the stuff, then hang to dry in a well-ventilated area. (Do a spot-test first to be safe.) Vodka kills odor-causing bacteria, but doesn't leave a scent when dry.

Get Your Shine On

It's easy to get your chrome, glass and porcelain fixtures shining like the top of the Chrysler Building. Guess what does the trick? Moisten a soft, clean cloth with vodka, then apply a little elbow grease.

Preserve Flowers

If vodka can help you find love, then it can also help you preserve it -- or at least the symbols of it. Add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in your flower vase. It should help keep your flowers fresh longer. Change out the mixture with fresh ingredients daily.

Do Battle with Insects

Unless you are intent on proving how hard-core you are, or have a bizarre fetish, you probably don't enjoy getting feasted on by insects. But you've read media reports questioning the safety of DEET-based repellents, and you are pretty sure you don't want to take the risk of spraying yourself in the face with poisonous bug killers. Who knew that vodka can kill pesky insects, as well as nagging doubts at the bar? Pour a little of the saucy spirit in a spray bottle and squirt on the little buggers, or yourself as a repellent. But please don't take aim at any beneficial bees!

Soothe Jellyfish Stings

Jellyfish are fascinating, beautiful sea creatures. But their stingers can pack a powerful, painful punch. For vegetarians and others who don't travel with meat tenderizer (or who don't feel comfortable asking friends to, um, relieve the pain), take heart. Vodka can also disinfect and alleviate some of the bite of a jellyfish sting.

Get Great, Shiny Hair

Vodka doesn't just make you think people look prettier. It actually can make people prettier. How? Try this remedy for healthier, lush hair: Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. Tell Billy Madison that vodka is better than both shampoo and conditioner.

Clean Away Mold

Got mold? The stuff spreads easily and can severely diminish indoor air quality. Unless you are shacking up with the Crypt Keeper, who wants to look at those grimy dark stains that build up on caulking (sometimes even on mold-resistant varieties)? But instead of harsh chemical sprays, try filling a recycled spray bottle with some bottom-shelf vodka. Spritz on, then let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub away with an old toothbrush (please don't use your sister's).

Make a Soothing Tincture

Do you find the scent of lavender soothing? Did you know that herbalists have used it for generations to ease aches and pains? Here's a fun DIY tip: Fill a clean glass jar with fresh lavender flowers, then top off with vodka. Seal the lid tightly and place in the sun for three days (same idea as making sun tea!). Strain the resulting liquid through a coffee filter, and poof! You have a homemade tincture to rub into aches and pains. You can pour into smaller bottles, decorate them, and give them as unique gifts.

Ease a Toothache

Got a toothache? Your first priority should be to see a dentist. But sometimes you can't get an appointment right away, or the professionals tell you it will just have to heal on its own.

In that case, try swishing a shot of vodka over the affected area. It can help disinfect, and should numb some of the pain in your gums. Just beware that your honey may accuse you of smelling like a saloon.

Five Ways to Save $$ At the Tank

Courtesy of The Daily Green.com:

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
By one estimate, the public transportation system in the United States saves 3.4 billion gallons of oil a year (and cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 26 million tons). Get your fair share of the savings by looking up the local bus route or climbing on the subway (After all, as a taxpayer, you're already invested). Sure, it costs money to take the bus or subway. But consider this: The average U.S. commute is 16 miles, and at these prices the average U.S. passenger car will go just 11 miles on $2, a typical public transit fare (If you drive a truck or SUV, the equation works out in your favor with an even shorter commute). Plus, you'll also save your car the wear and tear of driving, which ultimately saves you money on maintenance (a quart of motor oil costs more than it did a year ago, too.)

CARPOOL
You can cut your gas bills in half, right now. Share your trip to work with one other person and split the bill. That's like paying $2 for gas, instead of $4. Put a third person in the car, and the price per gallon drops to $1.33. With a full car of four people, the cost is just $1 a gallon. Now that sounds like real savings. If you're looking for help getting started, consult with Divide the Ride, eRideShare, RideCheck, Carpool World or other Web-based tools designed to help like-minded people find each other.

WALK/BIKE
Keep your wallet fat and the pocket that holds it loose. Whenever possible, walk or bike to work or school, or to meet up with friends. Every mile you pedal or stride saves you gas, saves you money and puts you in better shape. If you trade in a trip in the average car, you'd save about $1 for every 5 miles you walk or pedal (Use they money to buy a new umbrella for rainy days, or put it into a savings for a rainy day shopping spree). During the hot summer months, though, be sure to check the air quality forecast in your area. Particulates, ozone and other components of smog can make it unhealthy to exercise outdoors on some hot, sunny days, particularly during the evening commute. Those with asthma or other lung or heart ailments are most at risk from breathing polluted air.

FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS
The most fuel-efficient 2008 model on the lot, the hybrid Toyota Prius, gets 48 mpg in the city and 45 on the highway. The least fuel-efficient 2008 SUV, the Mercedes-Benz G 55 AMG, gets just 11 and 13, respectively. In other words, you'll go almost four-times as far on a tank of gas in the Prius, so the $4 you pay to fill your SUV is like paying $1 in the Prius. Put another way, for one dollar, you'll go 12 miles in the Prius, but less than three in the SUV. If you're buying a new car, consult The Daily Green's list of the 10 most fuel-efficient 2008 models. If you're in the market for a used car, consult the federal government's Fueleconomy.gov site, which provides fuel-economy information about most cars, trucks and SUVs on the road.

DRIVE SMARTER
If all else fails, you can at least drive the car you own to greater fuel-efficiency. By one estimate, you can improve fuel economy 20% by reversing bad habits. That's like spending $3.20 per gallon instead of $4. The gravy: Changing bad driving habits, and scheduling regular vehicle maintenance lessens the pollution you cause by burning fossil fuel. That means less smog, less asthma, less acid rain and less of a contribution to global warming. All in all, not a bad outcome from saving a few dimes. Start by checking your tire pressure and inflating your tires to the appropriate level. Visit your mechanic for a tune-up if you're due. Be sure to have your tires aligned, your air filter checked and your oil changed if needed. When making trips, combine errands so that the trip home from work also includes the trip to the grocery store (and thereby cuts your gas bill in half). When you're on the road, drive smoothly, accelerate slowly and don't speed. The biggest savings are in your right foot.

SUPPORT SMART-GROWTH PLANNING
Bonus Tip (no extra charge) This tip won't save you a dime today. But it's well worth it for what it will save your children and grandchildren. Gas prices are the most painful for folks in the suburbs, where there's often no viable option but to drive from home to school, to work, to the grocery store, etc. Sprawling development gives each family God's green acre, but it makes them pay in oil. It doesn't have to be this way. Legions of planners, advocates and a young generation of home buyers are re-investing in city and village living. New development can be clustered around existing public transportation infrastructure, integrated with employment, schools and shopping, and connected by sidewalk. Another advantage: This pattern preserves outlying farms which can supply local food, and nearby forests where urbanites can take a hike. Tax money can be used to invest in new public transportation routes. Local laws can be written to counteract sprawl. If you want to see the next generation have an easier time dealing with high oil prices (and there's little reason to expect the price of oil will drop significantly) than start thinking about the bigger picture. Tell your representatives in Congress, the state house, at the county commission and town council that it's time to build smart.

Save Trees! Sign Electronically!

Courtesy of DocuSign via the Indiana Government Website:

"You’re “signing green” when you sign documents online with DocuSign instead of printing, faxing, mailing, and using courier services. It’s a small thing, but it’s as good for the environment as turning off a light or using your own coffee mug. And it adds up."

"Every paperless e-signature has an environmental ripple effect. First there are the trees that won’t get cut down and can keep producing oxygen and absorbing CO2 greenhouse gas. Then there’s the prevention of pollution from paper manufacturing and the avoidance of resource use to transport trees and paper by truck or plane. And finally, secure online e-signing eliminates the need for additional planetary impact to print and overnight mail important documents."

Visit DocuSign to learn how you and your company can save trees and go green!

Green Your Kitchen!

Courtesy of Green Piece Indy (in a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution):

1. Ditch the Bottles

Bottled water is pricey and uses a lot of fuel to transport, as well as to make and store all those bottles. Use what comes out of your tap instead. Get a good filter to boost its purity.

2. Buy Local

According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, most produce in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold. Reduce all that shipping by rediscovering the fresh bounty of your surrounding area. Find farmers' markets, co-ops and CSAs (community-supported agriculture projects).

3. Dispose of Disposables

Instead of relying on single-use containers, get real dishes, and wash them! The resources saved will really add up.

4. Banish Excess Packaging

Buy things in larger sizes if you know you'll use them. Try to select items that have less plastic and extra filler stuffed with them.

5. Bring Your Own Bags

It's so simple, and plastic and paper bags both take resources to produce and distribute, and end up as litter.

6. Get a Green Thumb

Growing plants not only helps soak up excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it can help clean toxins from the air and provide habitat (and food, though you may not want to hear that) for wildlife. And it reconnects you with nature!

7. Eat Less Meat

Modern meat is energy- and resource-intensive, and factory farms are huge polluters. Eating lower on the food chain reduces those problems.

8. Use Your Appliances Wisely

Get an energy audit (doing one yourself is easy), unplug unused devices and pick Energy Star when it's time to replace.

9. Cook!

Plan meals ahead of time so you aren't scrambling to pick up something convenient, which is likely to be less healthy and wrapped in more packaging. Check out TDG's great coverage of delightful and easy green cuisine every day.

10. Become Educated

Learn to save money and time by reducing waste and unneeded consumption, whether that's water, energy, paper, food, travel and more. Read TDG to keep up on the latest news and trends!

Summer Energy Tips

Courtesy of Vectren.com:

• Upgrade to a high-efficiency natural gas water heater. Water heating can account for up to 25% of your home’s energy consumption. Vectren offers $100 to $150 rebates on energy efficient natural gas models!
• Wash your clothes in cold water, which reduces your washer's energy use up to 90% by eliminating water heating costs.
• Use less hot waterby taking shorter showers, running your dishwasher only when it’s full, or fixing leaky faucets.
• Use low-flow showerheads. For an investment of $5 to $10, you can save $50 to $75 per year on water bills and $20 to $50 or more per year on energy bills by reducing hot water usage.
• Caulk and weatherstrip around your windows and doors to save you up to 10% on heating and cooling costs.
• Conduct an online energy audit, which will help pinpoint opportunities for year-round energy savings based on the size and age of your home and appliances.
• Add insulation to your attic and walls to save up to 30% on heating and cooling costs.
• Enroll in Budget Bill through your gas company. Under this free billing plan, your estimated costs for a year of utility service are spread out in equal monthly bill amounts for the year to help budget accordingly.

Did you know that as a rule of thumb, you can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon of gas?