Earth Share of Washington

16 Ways to Green Your Home

16 tips and trick for greening your home and transportation from the Earth Share’s newest organization: Cascadia Region Green Building Council – http://www.cascadiagbc.org/

1. Switch to Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs - Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can be a huge energy saver. Replace some (or all) of your incandescent bulbs with fluorescents and enjoy reductions in heat production, energy use, and electric bills!
   Savings: Changing five of the most frequently used light bulbs in your home can save you $100 per year on electric bills!
2. Program Your Thermostat - When you are at home, keep the thermostat at 78 ̊F or higher in the summer and 62 ̊F or lower in the winter. Programmable thermostats allow you to program the systems to reduce output when they are not needed (e.g., when no one is home during the day, or in the evening when everyone is sleeping).
   Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or more!
3. Plug Air Leaks - This simple step can go a long way toward keeping your home at the temperature you desire, saving money on heating and air conditioning bills and more. Common leaks occur around windows, doors, and other wall penetrations. Plugging those leaks with weather stripping and caulk can be a simple task for anyone.
   Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or more!
4. Tune Up Your Heating and Cooling (HVAC) System - Have a checkup for your HVAC system every 2 years to make sure it is running efficiently. Be sure to clean the filter monthly during times of peak usage; a dirty filter can significantly reduce the efficiency of your HVAC.
   Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $100 per year or more!
5. Choose ENERGY STAR Appliances - ENERGY STAR qualified products meet a high level of energy efficiency, which can translate into savings on electric bills. When considering the price of a new appliance, take into account not only the purchase price, but also the long-term savings associated with an energy-efficient appliance.
   Savings: Reduce your energy bill by $50 per appliance per year or more!
6. Reduce Water Use
   • Indoor: Use less water by adding aerators (available for a few dollars at your local home supply store) to your sink faucets and changing to low-flow showerheads.
   • Outdoor: Incorporate native plants in your landscape plan and minimize high maintenance landscaping such as turf grass to conserve water, while still maintaining a beautiful lawn.
     Savings: Reduce your water bill by as much as $100 per year!
7. Switch to Green Power - Green Power is an optional utility service for customers who want to help expand the production and distribution of renewable energy technologies. With green power, you do not have to change your electricity provider. Instead, customers choose to pay a premium on their electricity bill to cover the extra cost of purchasing clean, sustainable energy. More info on green power can be found at: http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/index.shtml
8. Buy Local - Buying local produce reduces the amount of fossil fuels required for the transportation of products from other parts of the country or the world. It also reduces the amount of plastic and paper products consumed in the packaging of such far-traveling products. Buying local reduces consumption of valuable natural resources.
9. Use Low-VOC Products - Improve your indoor air quality by switching to products that don’t give off “volatile organic compounds” (VOCs). Some common low-VOC or no-VOC products include:
   • Paint: A low-VOC paint is available from most major paint brands
   • Cleaning products: Low-VOC cleaning alternatives are available for sale, or you can make your own VOC-free cleaning products using simple household materials like baking soda, vinegar and borax.
10. Use Wood Alternatives or FSC-certified Wood Products - The type of flooring and cabinetry materials you use can have a positive effect on your health and pocketbook while reducing your environmental impacts.
    • Consider using environmentally preferable and rapidly renewable products such as linoleum, bamboo, recycled-content tile or non-VOC carpet.
    • Choose wood products from sustainably managed forests, such as those certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
    • Use locally sourced products when possible to reduce carbon emissions associated with the transportation of those products.
11. Use Rapidly Renewable Flooring Materials - Now there are affordable, durable, and rich-looking flooring options made from grasses and trees that mature in roughly half of the time (or less!) than it takes hardwoods to reach market size. Bamboo, cork, and eucalyptus flooring products are a sustainable alternative to traditional hardwoods.
12. Plant Trees to Provide Shade and Wind Protection for Your House - This simple step can help you save money on heating and air conditioning bills while providing beautiful views around your home.
13. Use Native Plantings - Native plants have been growing and evolving in your area for thousands of years and, as a result, have adapted to the local soils and climate. As a result they are more likely to thrive with minimal care, unlike exotic plants. That can mean less need for water, fertilizer and pesticides. Additional info on green landscaping techniques can be found at: http://www.epa.gov/greenacres/
14. Use Nontoxic Gardening Techniques - Many gardeners over-apply or improperly apply pesticides, putting themselves, their families, and pets at increased health risk. Nearly half of all households have pesticides stored within reach of children. About 230,000 people each year are treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries relating to various lawn and garden tools. Our clean air and drinking water are affected by pesticides and garden equipment emissions.
15. Carpool, Use Public Transportation, Walk or Bike When Possible - Environmental responsibility does not begin and end at your doorstep; green transportation means can greatly reduce your energy expenditures and carbon emissions from your daily routine.
16. Buy a High-efficiency Car - See the U.S. Department of Energy’s list of most fuel-efficient cars at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bestworst.shtml

Posted in the September 2007 Earth Page

Alternative Holiday Gifts from Washington Native Plant Society

The Washington Native Plant Society now offers three beautiful ways we each may contribute to the conservation and protection our native flora and habitats.

• A 2007 calendar of stunning photos of Washington's remarkable native plants.
• A limited edition botanical print of the state threatened yellow lady's slipper orchid, Cypripedium parviflorum.
• A photo contest where winning pictures will help create expanded awareness of our state's special flora in the media, a Native Plant Appreciation Week poster, and the next WNPS calendar (deadline 1/16/07).

For details and ordering, please visit www.wnps.org under "What's New".

Posted in the December 2006 Earth Page

Need Help with Your Commute - Find A Bike Buddy

- By Kent Peterson, Commuting Programs Director of The Bicycle Alliance of Washington

A couple of weeks ago I met Koya Tsukiji, an intern working at the Port of Seattle. The Port was having a transit fair for their employees and I was there to answer questions and provide information about bicycle commuting. Koya asked me about commuting from Bellevue to the Seattle waterfront. Koya is new to the area so we didn't have much to work with but I assured him he could do this. "You should have a buddy show you the way. My pal Andy showed me the route when I first started riding from the Eastside to downtown." I then told Koya about the Bike Alliance Bike Buddy program, where we pair up new commuters with experienced riders.

Over the next few days Koya and I worked out the details. It turned out that my daily commute passes fairly close to Koya's home and much of our routes would overlap. We figured out our schedules and set up a meeting place. I would be Koya's Bike Buddy.

We'd planned on meeting up on Wednesday for Koya's first commute but Wednesday was a wet morning and rather than subject him to a soaking on his first commute, we rescheduled for Friday morning.

I left my house at 6:15 AM so I'd be sure to be at our meeting spot by 7:00, as always budgeting my flat tire buffer into the time calculation. As usual, I didn't flat and Koya was a little more than punctual as well. I'd quizzed Koya about lights and knew that he didn't have any, so I'd brought along some of my spare lights for him to borrow.

The route is hard to explain and much easier to show. I punctuated my various hand signals with comments as we went through intersections, cautioning Koya about the hazards of turning cars and a section of the Bellevue trail that tends to be icy even if the air temperatures are a few degrees above freezing.

We followed the trail across Mercer Island and I showed him the handy water fountain. Koya had a bottle rack on his bike but no bottle. I told him that the first time I did my commute I wound up stopping a lot to eat and drink. "The first time is the toughest," I assured him as he gulped water from the fountain.

We rode through the bike tunnel and I guided Koya through the tricky forks in the trail and the bits of urban navigation along Hiawatha, Dearborn and the International District. I showed him where the sensors were in the road and how to trigger the light with the pedestrian toggle if needed.

Koya was leaving work early, so I wouldn't be riding with him on his return trip, but I sent him links to the Gmaps Pedometer layout of my commute, which would give him the info he'd need for his return trip.

Some jobs are just jobs and all you get is a paycheck. Some jobs are a lot more than that. I'm lucky enough to have one of those great jobs.

If you're interested in bicycle commuting and you live in Washington State, drop me a note at bikebuddy@bicyclealliance.org.

Posted in the June 2006 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for the Holidays

Don't Be in the Dark This Winter
As the days get darker, we turn the lights on earlier and leave them on more each day. Lighting accounts for about a quarter of all electricity consumed in the U.S. Here are some ways to lighten the energy load while keeping your home bright:

• Replace light bulbs. Regular incandescent light bulbs are inefficient, with 90% of their energy going to generate heat not light. Replace standard lamps with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs -- they cost more per bulb but are far more efficient and last up to ten times longer. Over the life of one CFL, you can avoid replacing up to 13 incandescent bulbs and use 75% less energy! Visit www.energystar.gov for more information.
• Use lighting controls. Photocells turn lights on and off in response to natural light levels - for example, on at dusk and off at dawn. Crank timers, which are spring-driven and similar to old oven timers, limit lights to short durations where the need for light is brief. Occupancy sensors activate lights when you enter a room and turn them off after you leave. They are good for areas of infrequent use, such as storerooms.*Dimmers* reduce the wattage and output of light bulbs. They also significantly increase the life of incandescent bulbs.
• Don't overuse kitchen and bathroom ventilation fans. Left on for too long, these fans can pull out much of your heated air.

Other lighting tips

• Clean fixtures and lamps annually by wiping off the dust (make sure the bulb is cool first).
• Clean or repaint walls. Dirt on surfaces reduces the amount of light they reflect and make the room feel darker.
• Turn off incandescent lights when you’re not using them, even if you’re just leaving the room for a few minutes.

ALTERNATIVE GIFT-GIVING GUIDE
It's that joyous season of gift-giving -- why not consider alternatives to typical store-bought gifts? Doing so will help reduce landfill waste as well as other forms of pollution. Here’s our holiday list of ideas for less-wasteful, more creative giving!

• Make dinner for someone or cook other homemade food and deliver it.
• Make a video of family members, friends, and loved ones.
• Offer your talents, such as photography, financial planning, or hairstyling.
• Make a book of family recipes.
• Plant a tree in someone's name.
• Baby-sit or pet-sit.
• Give tickets to an art exhibit or museum.
• Give a gift certificate to a used book or music store.
• Give a sports- or health-club membership.
• Give frequent flyer miles.
• Give an adventure or experience (a day of hiking or canoeing, for example).
• Give tickets to concerts, sporting events, shows, whale-watching trips, etc.
• Give an Earth Share CharityGift tm that helps protect the environment. (visit http://www.earthshare.org/CharityGift.html).
• Give a plant sprouted from one in your own garden.
• Provide a gift certificate for a lesson (tennis, swimming, drumming, etc.).
• Create a photo album or have an old photo restored, enlarged and framed.
• Weed, water, or help establish a friend's garden.

Best wishes for a happy, healthy holiday season from all of us at Earth Share of Washington!

Posted in the December 2005 Earth Page

Bird-friendly Bird Feeding

- submitted by Kevin Mack from ESW organization PAWS Wildlife Rehabilitation Center

During the fall and winter months, PAWS Wildlife Center frequently receives phone calls from homeowners who have spotted what appear to be sick songbirds hanging out around their feeders. They describe the bird as looking "puffed up", and generally the animals have been sitting in one place for a long period of time. Often, the callers have seen multiple birds behaving in this way over a period of days or weeks, and they may have even found a number of dead birds in their yard. Although the callers are aware that some disease process is at work in the birds that they are seeing, they are usually unaware of the role their bird feeders may be playing in facilitating the spread of disease.

Bird feeders tend to concentrate many individual birds, and many different species in a small area. Actually, this is part of the appeal of bird feeders -- the ability to see many different species from your living room window. And it's not entirely unnatural that birds should gather in large numbers since most of the birds that visit feeders in large groups are flock feeders to begin with. But there is one crucial difference between a flock of birds foraging together naturally, and a flock that is frequenting a feeder. With natural foraging, feeding in a particular area will diminish as the available food resources are depleted. This means that an area with abundant food may see a high concentration of birds, but only for a limited period of time. Eventually, the food is gone and the birds move elsewhere. With an artificial food source such as a feeder, the food supply is constantly being replenished, so a high concentration of birds is present for an extended period of time. If there are one or two sick birds among the flocks that visit a feeder, they can contaminate the feeder and expose dozens of subsequent visitors to their illness. Illnesses that are commonly associated with poorly maintained bird feeders include Salmonellosis, Trichomoniasis, Aspergillosis, Avian Pox, and others.

Although bird feeders can present health risks to birds, there are several steps you can take to help minimize the possibility that your feeders will become a vector for disease. First and foremost, you need to keep your feeders clean. Feeders should be disinfected at least once or twice a month, but weekly is even better. Discard all uneaten food, scrub the feeder thoroughly, and then disinfect it with a 10% bleach solution. Rinse the feeder and allow it to dry completely before using it again. Plastic and metal feeders are preferable as they can be more thoroughly cleaned than wooden feeders. Also, be sure to wear gloves whenever you are handling your feeders to decrease your own risk of exposure to potential disease.

In addition to cleaning your feeders, be sure to clean up all spilled seed and feces around your feeders. Ground feeding birds and rodents may become infected by contaminated seed on the ground. Your pets may also come into contact with contaminated feed or feces if the area under a feeder is not kept clean. It is also a good idea to move a feeder to a new location every time you clean it to lessen the chance that contamination will build up on the ground below it.

Since the food itself can be a vector for disease, be sure that you are only offering fresh, high quality food. Large capacity feeders may be convenient in that you have to refill them less often, but they increase the chances that the food will become damp and/or contaminated. Discard any food that becomes damp and/or moldy, and disinfect the feeder or container that held it.

If you do spot birds on your property that appear ill, contact PAWS Wildlife at 425-787-2500 ext. 854 for instruction.

Posted in the January 2005 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for the Holiday Season

20 Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Ideas

It's holiday time - a joyous season of gift-giving. This year, consider alternatives to merchandise (and all the wrapping that goes with it). Doing so will reduce landfill waste as well as other forms of pollution. Here are some ideas for less-wasteful giving:

1. Make a book of family recipes by inserting recipe sheets into clear plastic holders (to keep them clean when cooking) and assembling them in a binder.
2. Donate in the name of a friend or relative in a subject area of interest to them (such as a gift to Earth Share of Washington!)
3. Get tickets to an exhibit or membership to a museum.
4. Give a gift certificate to a used book or music store.
5. Offer your talents, such as photography, financial planning, or hairstyling.
6. Give a sports- or health-club membership.
7. Give an adventure or experience (a day of hiking or canoeing, for example).
8. Give frequent flyer miles.
9. Plant a tree in someone's name.
10. Give tickets to concerts, sporting events, shows, whale-watching trips, etc.
11. Make a personal voucher or certificate entitling the bearer something good (use your imagination!).
12. Make a video of family members, friends, and loved ones.
13. Make dinner for someone or cook other homemade food and deliver it.
14. Baby-sit or pet-sit.
15. Make a calendar for the coming year using personal or family photographs.
16. Give a plant sprouted from one in your own garden.
17. Provide a gift certificate for a lesson (tennis, swimming, drumming, etc.).
18. Collect photos and put together a photo album.
19. Weed, water, or help establish a friend's garden.
20. Give a smile and comfort to someone who is alone.

Posted in the December 2003 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for Fall (Part 2 of 2)

HEAT YOUR HOME WITH GREEN ENERGY

As the autumn leaves make way for winter's chilly winds, the warm summer sun will soon seem a distant memory. But even if it's cold outside, sun and wind can play a role in keeping you warm - by harnessing renewable energy to heat your home.

"Green" energy comes from sunlight, the power of wind and water, and the earth's internal heat. Buying green energy provides a wealth of benefits: environmental (using fewer fossil fuels that contribute to global warming), economic (sending fewer dollars overseas to import oil), and social (renewable energy creates jobs). It also provides energy security by reducing our dependence on foreign oil supplies.

How do you buy green energy? Some things to know:

• In Washington, you can support green power through Green Power Programs offered by your local power company. These voluntary monthly payments go towards the development of green power in Washington.
• Don't worry: electricity will still be reliable when the sun isn't shining or the wind blowing. The green energy you buy doesn't go directly to your home - it's mixed with other energy in the local electric grid.
• Buy Green Tags to supplement your power bill. Green Tags are created when wind power or other renewable energy is substituted for traditional power. The result is a shift away from our dependence on burning fossil fuel to produce electricity. Using clean renewable energy is friendly to the environment and reduces emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Green Tags represent the real savings in carbon dioxide and other pollutants that occur when green power replaces burning fossil fuel. Dozens of green power producers offer these nominal supplements to your power bill to offset your CO2 usage.
• As with any other consumer product, you want to be sure the power you're getting is as good as advertised. The Green-e certification program (www.green-e.org) was created by a coalition of environmental groups to establish environmental standards for renewable electricity products. Make sure to check with Green-e before purchasing any renewable energy to make sure that products is certified.

Posted in the November 2003 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for Fall 2003 - Part 1 (Part 2 in the November Earth Page)

BACK TO SCHOOL . . . WITH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR
School days are back. Many parents are breathing a sigh of relief . . . and many of their kids are breathing dirty air. Most people know that outdoor air pollution can damage their health, but many do not know that indoor pollution can also have harmful effects. Government studies indicate that pollution indoors may be 2 to 5 times, and sometimes more than 100 times, worse than outdoor pollution. Children are especially susceptible because they breathe more air relative to their body weight.

What causes air problems inside schools? You'd be surprised at the variety of sources: outdoor air pollutants, such as pollen, dust, industrial emissions, and vehicle exhaust, faulty or inefficient ventilation and air conditioning equipment, emissions from office equipment, shops, and labs, cleaning processes and supplies, emissions from carpet and furnishings, pesticides and other landscape chemicals, and more.

Untreated, indoor air problems can have serious consequences at school, such as:

• increasing health problems for students and staff,
• negatively affecting student learning, comfort, and attendance,
• reducing staff performance due to discomfort, sickness, or absenteeism,
• accelerating deterioration of school buildings and equipment,
• straining relationships between school administrators and parents and staff,
• damaging a school's public image, and
• creating potential liability problems.

What can you do to reduce the risks of indoor air problems at school? Here are some actions to take:

Identify the symptoms of indoor air problems. They can include: irritations of eyes, nose, and throat; dry mucous membranes and skin; mental fatigue, headache, and sleepiness; airway infections, cough, hoarseness, and wheezing; nausea; dizziness; redness, flushing of the face or skin rashes.

Consider the health links. Does your child regularly go to school healthy and return home sick or deeply fatigued? Does he/she have more frequent or more severe asthma attacks on school days? Are any of your child's classmates coming home with similar health complaints? Is the school being renovated? Do the air intakes draw in vehicle exhaust or emissions from adjacent industrial facilities?

Ask teachers and staff. Encourage them to describe observations they have about the building environment; sometimes the problem is not an indoor air quality issue at all. Keep a log of all conversations.

Conduct a school audit. Gather a committee of parents, teachers, and staff to inspect the school and grounds for possible problems. An excellent inspection checklist, and many other self-help tools and resources, can be found at www.epa.gov/iaq/schools.

Posted in the October 2003 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for Summer - Water Conservation

Water Conservation in and around your home helps to keep more water in our rivers and streams, ensuring the health of our fish and wildlife. Although resevoir levels in Western Washington are relatively high, this year's snowpack is all but gone, nearly a month ahead of a normal year. Snowfall this past winter was well below average, heightening the risk of a late summer drought. The possibility of a late season drought might have some people worried, but poses a far greater risk to migrating salmon, as witnessed by the massive salmon die-off on the Klamath River in Oregon last year. The good news is that there are many steps that you can take to conserve water, and most of them are really easy!

Inside Your House:
Did you know that bathroom facilities claim nearly 75% of the water used inside your home?

• Verify that your home is leak free. Many homes have hidden water leaks. Read your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter does not read exactly the same, there is a leak.
• Repair dripping faucets by replacing washers. If your faucet is dripping at a rate of one drop per second, you can expect to waste 2,700 gallons per year. This adds to the cost of water and sewer utilities and adds to your water bill.
• Retrofit all household faucets by installing aerators with flow restrictors to slow the flow of water.
• Install a toilet dam or displacement device such as a bag or bottle to cut down on the amount of water needed for each flush. Be sure installation does not interfere with the operating parts. When purchasing new or replacement toilets, consider low-volume units which use less than half the water of older models. In many areas, low-volume units are required by local building codes.
• Take shorter showers. Replace your showerhead with an ultra-low-flow version. Some units are available that allow you to cut off the flow without adjusting the water temperature knobs.
• Operate automatic dishwashers and clothes washers only when they are fully loaded. Set the water level for the size of load you are using.

In The Yard:

• Instead of cleaning off driveways and patios with the hose, use a broom instead.
• If you have a lawn and sprinkler system, adjust sprinklers so only the lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street. Do not water on windy days. Check and maintain your sprinkler system regularly. A heavy rain means you don't have to water at all. Teach the family how to turn off an automatic sprinkler system in case a storm comes up during the sprinkling cycle.
• Water your lawn every third day (or go for "the golden look" and never water). Always water during the cool time of the day to minimize evaporation. Early morning is best, and the peak water consumption hours (4 p.m. - 9 p.m.) should be avoided.
• Minimize grass areas in your yard because less grass means less water demand. Replace with low-water use landscaping.
• Buy a rain gauge to determine how much rain or irrigation your yard has received.
• When mowing, raise the blade on your lawn mower to at least three inches high, or to its highest level. Closely-cut grass makes the roots work harder, requiring more water. Also, use a mulching mower to leave grass clippings on the lawn.
• Using a layer of mulch around plants reduces evaporation and promotes plant growth. Water-retaining basins also allow water to be concentrated around the plants.

By implementing just a few of the water saving tips, you can make a huge difference in your water consumption, and save a few salmon in the process. Imagine the impact of water conservation if everyone participated!

Posted in the July 2003 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips - Spring 2003

How to Treat Household Stains Without Soiling the Earth

Got a nasty cleaning problem this spring? Spots on carpets, couches, or clothing can require heavy-duty cleaners to remove. Some of these cleaners contain ingredients that can pollute the air and water - and endanger your and your family's health. Many stains can be easily and safely removed from clothing and household furnishings, increasing their quality and prolonging their useful life. Often the only ingredients you need to remove stains are common household materials. Below are a few examples of common stains and the ingredients to remove them. When treating any stain, try testing a small portion of the stain first to be sure it works.

• Adhesive tape: Freeze with ice; scrape off.
• Candle Wax or Crayons: Cover with brown paper bag and iron at low heat.
• Chewing Gum: Freeze with ice; scrape off.
• Chocolate Stains: Club soda.
• Coffee Stains: Moist salt.
• Coffee Pot Stains: Mix ice and salt.
• Cola Stains: White vinegar.
• Grease: Borax on a damp cloth.
• Ink Spots: Cold water, one tablespoon Cream of Tartar, one tablespoon lemon juice.
• Mildew: Equal parts salt and white vinegar.
• Oil: White chalk rubbed into stain before washing.
• Perspiration: White vinegar or lemon juice.
• Pet Stains: Warm water with a drop of liquid dishwashing detergent.
• Porcelain Stains: Baking soda.
• Rug Stains: Club soda. (Treat immediately!)
• Rust Spots (on clothing): Lemon juice, salt, sunlight.
• Rusty Bolts: Carbonated beverage.
• Scorch: Grated onion.
• Upholstery Spots: Club soda. (Treat immediately!)
• Water Marks: Toothpaste. Also try: rubbing toothpowder on wood; or spraying with a water mist, then putting a paper bag or towel over it and ironing at a low heat.
• Wine Stains: Salt.

When All Else Fails�
Given that the "greenest" thing to do is to get the longest life out of everything we buy, tossing things out is far from ideal. So, if these alternative methods don't work, it may be necessary to use some kind of commercial stain remover. There are many brands of "nontoxic" cleaners and stain removers on the market. Whatever you use, keep things simple: Use the least amount of the least-potent product you can find, and follow directions carefully. That will help keep your health, and the health of the earth, unblemished.

Posted in the March 2003 Earth Page

An Ecological Way to Do Your Spring Cleaning

An Ecological Way to Do Your Spring Cleaning

Those Madonna CDs gathering dust in your closet could be transformed into greenbacks for green groups thanks to a new non-profit called Eco Encore. The Seattle-based organization collects donations of used books, CDs and videos, leverages their value by selling them online, and directs proceeds from the sales to environmental organizations in the Puget Sound region, including 7 Earth Share of Washington members. Aaron Keating from Earth Share of Washington member Center for Environmental Law & Policy (CELP) says "Thanks to Eco Encore, CELP is turning unwanted goods into financial contributions that protect and restore Washington's rivers, streams, and aquifers."

"People think the boxes of old books and CDs in their basements are worthless, but those items can easily be converted into donations that are worth a great deal to environmental organizations that really need support right now," says Jesse Putnam, Eco Encore's founder and director. Many donors to Eco Encore see the value to the environment and the convenience of this service - unwanted clutter is hauled away from their houses instead of ending up in landfills. The donations generated by Eco Encore - the small ones as well as the large - help sustain a range of non-profits that are hard at work protecting water, wilderness and wildlife in the Pacific Northwest.

According to Elizabeth Lunney, Executive Director of Earth Share of Washington member Washington Trails Association, "Eco Encore is a great project that we fully support. Not only are they raising money for the environment in an eco-friendly way, but the project raises awareness about everyday opportunities to reuse and recycle."

Want to introduce your old books, CDs and videos into this virtuous cycle and earmark the proceeds an environmental nonprofit? Email Eco Encore (donations@ecoencore.org) or check out their website (http://www.ecoencore.org) for information on making a donation.

Posted in the February 2003 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for Winter (part 2 of 2)

COLD FACTS ABOUT FIREPLACES

When you light a blazing fire on a cold winter day it looks and feels wonderful, but it can be an expensive endeavor. A fireplace is one of the least efficient heat sources because it sends most of the heat in your house straight up the chimney. A fireplace can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside, which must be replaced by cold air coming into the house from the outside, which then must be reheated. There are ways you can limit the loss of heat when enjoying a quiet evening by the fire.

• Reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly - only about an inch - and close doors leading into the room.
• Lower the thermostat to between 50 and 55 Fahrenheit.
• Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
• Check the seal on the flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
• Add caulking around the fireplace hearth.
• Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.
• When you aren't using your fireplace, keep its damper closed. Forgetting to do so is like keeping a huge, 48-inch window wide open!

FACT: Fireplace smoke can contain hundreds of chemicals, many of which can cause health problems for children, pregnant women, and the elderly.

LET THERE BE LIGHT - AND ENERGY SAVINGS, TOO
Household lighting is a great way to brighten up the dark winter days. But lighting accounts for 20% to 25% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. In a typical home, half or more of lighting energy is wasted by obsolete equipment, inadequate maintenance, or inefficient use. Here are some ways to lighten the energy load, while keeping your home bright:

Lighting controls turn lights on and off or dim them. There are several kinds:

• Photocells turn lights on and off in response to natural light levels - for example, outdoor lights on at dusk and off at dawn. Advanced designs gradually raise and lower light levels with changing daylight levels.
• Mechanical or electronic time clocks automatically turn on and off indoor or outdoor lights for security, safety, such as front porch lights.
• Crank timers, which are spring-driven and similar to old oven timers, limit lights to short durations where the need for light is brief.
• Occupancy sensors activate lights when you enter a room then turn off them off after you leave. They are popular for areas used infrequently, such as storerooms.
• Dimmers reduce the wattage and output of light bulbs. They also significantly increase the life of incandescent bulbs.

Replacing conventional bulbs with energy-saving types can cut costs without reducing lighting:

• Replace standard lamps with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs in spaces where lights are needed for long periods of time. A standard 18-watt CFL can replace a 75-watt bulb without losing light. CFLs use 75% less energy than a standard bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Over the life of one CFL, you can avoid replacing up to 13 incandescent bulbs! It also means you can save at least $25 in energy costs over the life of each CFL that replaces an incandescent bulb.
• Consider three-way lamps; they make it easier to keep lighting levels low when brighter light isn't necessary.

Maintenance is vital to efficient lighting. Light levels decrease over time because of aging lamps and dirt on fixtures, lamps, and room surfaces. Together, these can reduce total illumination by 50% or more, while lights continue drawing full power. Here are things you can do:

• Clean fixtures and lamps annually by wiping off the dust. However, never clean an incandescent bulb while it is turned on. The cooling effect might shatter a hot bulb.
• Clean or repaint small rooms every year and larger rooms every 2 to 3 years. Dirt on surfaces reduces the amount of light they reflect.

And, of course, turn off lights when you leave a room, even if only for a few minutes.

FACTOID: A typical family spends about $90 a year, or 10% of its electricity bill, on lighting.

Posted in the January 2003 Earth Page

Earth Saving Tips for Winter (part 1 of 2)

As you move inside this winter, don't let your energy dollars leak outside. By keeping your home insulated and well sealed, and by using energy wisely, you spend a warm, cozy - and affordable - winter at home. And by saving energy, you'll help reduce gases that contribute to global climate change and other environmental problems.
Here are some things you can do:

• Have your heating system inspected. Have a professional inspect and clean your furnace and ducts. If you have a forced-air furnace, check your filters and replace them as needed. Generally, they should be changed every month or two, especially during periods of high usage.
• Purchase a programmable thermostat. You can save as much as 10% a year on your heating bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10% to 15% for 8 hours. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat.
• Check your insulation. This is one of the fastest and most cost-efficient ways to reduce energy waste and costs. You can increase the comfort of your home while reducing your heating and cooling needs by up to 30% simply by investing just a few hundred dollars in insulation and winterization products.
• Inspect your windows. There are a number of simple steps you can take to reduce the amount of heat lost through your windows. Be sure to close your curtains and shades at night; open them during the day so that you can benefit from the free solar heat. Keep windows on the south side of your house clean to maximize the amount of sunlight coming through them.

Check out next month's Earth Page for part two of our Earth Saving Tips for the Winter!

Posted in the December 2002 Earth Page

Let It Rot: Composting That Anyone Can Do!

As you rake the leaves this fall, consider this: leaves, grass clippings, and other yard waste are the second-largest source of household waste (after paper). There's a better solution, one that's good for your garden and the planet: composting.

Composting is nature's way of recycling wastes. In a compost pile, organic matter such as food and yard wastes are biologically turned into humus, a soil-like material that can be used in gardens. Composting helps the Earth in two ways: It keeps wastes out of landfills, and it replenishes the soil. Humus from composting helps retain water and improves the nutritional quality of soil. It makes plants grow better and more easily resist pests. How do you compost? It's simple:

• Choose a bin: For a small yard, use a large plastic or wood container. If you have a larger yard, you can simply create a pile. You can buy a commercial composting bin, but these aren't necessary.
• Rather than have one big bin, consider using several smaller ones. Plastic Rubbermaid-type containers come in many sizes and are easily transported.
• Put mixed yard trimmings into the bin or pile. Mix in food scraps, additional yard trimmings, and other organic materials whenever you have them. When you add new material, make a hole in the center of the pile, then add the new stuff. This helps keep air flowing into the pile, which is a key ingredient for success. Take this time to fluff up the pile with a digging fork or shovel. Mix it around a little.
• After a few months, most of the material at the bottom of the pile or bin will be dark, rich, sweet-smelling soil. The rich soil is ready to be used in your yard and garden.
• Fruit and vegetable wastes are particularly appealing to pests, such as flies, rats and raccoons. To avoid pests, bury these wastes within the pile. If you bury the vegetable wastes in the pile, and pests are still a problem, you may need to place a screen around the pile or keep vegetable wastes out.
• You don't even need a yard to compost. If you live in an apartment, place wastes in a covered container, opening it whenever you add food scraps, paper, or other materials. You can create high-quality potting soil.
• If you're adventurous, try "vermicomposting", composting with worms, which eat the waste, converting it into rich humus. You can buy the worms through garden centers or catalogs. Vermicomposting can be done indoors or out. It also saves your back, because you don't have to turn over the compost to keep it aerated - the worms do all the work!

FACTOID: The birth of modern agriculture started in a compost pile. In the days of hunters and gatherers, there was typically a trash pile near settlements. Since all wastes were organic, this trash pile could really be considered ancient compost pile. Over time, discarded seeds and berries sprouted out of this rich soil and human beings eventually discovered the secrets of agriculture and the wonders of compost!

Posted in the October 2002 Earth Page