ecobites.com

Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

Share a green thing to do, this week?

Lighting accounts for about a quarter of all electricity consumed in the U.S. That’s a lot of energy. Let’s reduce that by turning off the lights, and teaching children, when you leave a room, even if it is just for a short period of time. It’s the Green thing to do!

If you are diligent about protecting the environment, you should be using recycled office paper products. It is also important to make sure they are truly “recycled”. Most recycled paper products contain very little post-consumer waste (PCW) paper, and are actually composed of wood chips and mill scraps. Only recycled paper made with PCW aide in fighting deforestation and reducing landfill waste.

When you recycle, never assume that the recycled office paper that you are using is going to be re-used or re-sold as eco friendly paper. The painful fact is that, 60% of paper in US is still not recycled. It is better to simply use recycled office paper to begin with and save some trees in the process.

The Environmental Protection Agency requires a minimum of 30% PCW to constitute recycled paper. Some local office supply and national chain stores may represent a miniscule line of recycled paper products, but the vast majority of their business is selling chlorine-bleached, virgin-fiber paper. Purchasing environmental products from them only succeeds in sending a mixed message to the paper industry.

On the other hand, companies that sell green products exclusively are more proactive in seeking out new green products with higher post-consumer contents. The continued growth of green companies will more quickly force the paper industry towards higher levels of sustainability.

The easiest way to go green when shopping is to read the labels and see whats inside the products as well and the types of packaging and manufacturer of the product. Knowing these things will help you make an informed decision about who your giving your money to and for what substances and packaging the product is in. These facts can help you understand what processes are required to produce the goods your buying and to whom your money is going to which gives a idea of which people are green contributers and which companies are not by knowing your product manufacturers. The ingredients will help understand the processes envolved with producing your product to help realize if they are more or less green in the production of their products your considering purchasing. These tips can help you make well informed decisions about who and where to spend your money in a green direction and don't forget your cloth shopping bags.

Speaking of consuming electricity, forget the airconditioners and if in need of air, open your window. Air conditioners are the worst of the lot for cool air (use a ceiling fan if you need to).

Airconditioners are also very unhealthy.

Is there are a particular day that we have to post here?

Start Composting
Just a few of the items you can compost: bread, cereals, and pastas, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, fruits and veggies, grass clippings, and most teabags.
The Complete Compost Gardening Guide: Banner batches, grow heaps, comforter compost, and other amazing techniques for saving time and money, and producing ... most flavorful, nutritous vegetables ever. (Paperback) by Barbara Pleasant (Author), Deborah Martin (Author)

I would have to say - that any day of the week is a god day to share a green thing to do!

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