Urban Ecoist

With the holiday weekend coming up, I know that a lot of people will be planning cookouts and lots of outdoor activities. As with most summers, one of the largest irritants (other than the blazing Texas heat) is the incessant drone of mosquitoes in your ears and flies swarming your hamburger.

My family always kept a bug zapper outside when I was a kid. I always thought that it was so cool to hear that ‘zzt’ as the pesky critters got fried to oblivion. As it turns out, bug zappers really aren’t that efficient at killing mosquitoes and may cause more harm than good, especially if used where people are eating or drinking. As found by Kansas State researchers, as the bugs are zapped they shower the surrounding areas with microorganisms (including viruses) that can land on food and in drinks.

Additionally, some research has shown that bug zappers actually kill more beneficial insects than actual pests. In fact, researchers have estimated that only 0.22% of bugs zapped are pests, while 13% are insect predators and parasites.

Kansas State
University of Florida
Mosquito News

mosquitoes, bug zapper, hoildays, bbq, hamburgers, insects, bugs

Stem the tide of polluted runoff threatening our waterways by setting up a simple “rain garden”.

green tip tuesday

I got an email, as I’m sure many of you did from Co-op America just recently. Obviously soliciting me for my hard earned money… but that’s not really the point. The email stated:

Ford and GM don’t want you to know that ethanol-fueled cars are less fuel efficient and, using current technologies, can produce more global warming gases than gasoline-fueled cars.

Instead of improving fuel efficiency and increasing production of hybrid and plug-in vehicles, Ford and GM are paying big bucks to convince Americans that corn ethanol is the only viable fuel alternative for our future.

There were no sources quoted in the email, and I didn’t find any on the site. But in my searching I did find these articles that I thought you might find interesting.
Chevron CEO: Corn is not the answer
A Sweeter Way to Go Green

And a bit of humor…Final proof that ethanol is NOT the answer to our energy needs

corn, sugar, ethanol, gasoline, co-op america

I was in REI yesterday looking for a small compass for my significant other. Being in a new state, surrounded by trees, and not being able to see the horizon, he is really struggling to get his bearings. Here in Texas, I’ve never struggled to know which direction was North. And honestly, it’s a very rare occasion when I have gotten lost. But I imagine being in NC, it might be a little different.

Either way, REI has introduced a new label to their lines that will indicate which items are eco-friendly. Basically what this will mean is that the item is made with recycled, renewable and/or organic fibers. By mid-September, it is reported that they will have more than 40 items with the new labeling.

“While we previously offered REI brand clothing that contained environmentally sensitive fibers, we are moving from a grassroots approach to a formalized commitment to environmental performance in our products,” said Lee Fromson, vice president of REI Gear & Apparel. “Many of our customers recognize that their purchase decisions have a direct impact on the natural world, and we are committed to offering alternatives that are more environmentally friendly.”

REI, eco-friendly, icon, label, tag

Found this video this morning and thought it was really pretty inventive. That lead to this Instructible on how to do it. I know that toilets have this sort of function in Japan. I know a lot of Americans would be grossed out about using water destined for the toilet… but it *is* just regular water. Additionally, of the idea of germs bothers you, perhaps you should keep a cleaner toilet. =P

toilet, water, sink, instructibles, DIY

Whether you are flying to London or driving to your Grandma’s house in the next city, packing light will cut down on fuel use, as well as wear and tear on luggage and other items.

green tip tuesday

I was looking around the internet, searching for ways to organize my life (and make it stay that way) and found this list of 9 secrets. Most of them are common sense, but I’m thinking I need to really read them… you know really read… And see if they don’t make life better. They are also available at INeedMoreTime.com.

Note: I am not suggesting that you purchase anything from the site. Some information is available for free.

9 Secrets of Successful Organizers
by Barbara Myers

You can reduce your stress and enjoy more time for yourself and your family. Discover these seven secrets of getting and staying organized.

1. Keep like items together. Keep cutting boards, knives, peelers and vegetable brushes together near the sink. Place all manicure/pedicure supplies in a basket.

2. Store things where you use them. Keep extra sheets in bedrooms, videos near the TV and cleaning supplies on every floor.

3. Make frequently used items easily accessible and rarely-used items less accessible. If you use your blender daily, keep it on the counter. If you use it once a month, put it in the back of a low cabinet.

4. If you don’t use it get rid of it. Unless it’s a beautiful decorative item or a cherished memento, why are you keeping it? Pass it on.

5. Establish a place for everything. Designate a “home” for every item in your home. Make them so specific you can find things in the dark.

6. Always put it back where it belongs after you use it. Teach household members to do the same.

7. Use lists. Make lists of things to do and buy. Keep an on-going grocery list. Post a current leftovers list on the fridge door. Use a meals list.

8. Make it easy. Use hooks instead of hangers for kids’ coats. Take the lids off hampers. Preprint a grocery list so household members can simply circle needed items.

9. Develop systems and routines. Find the most efficient way to do laundry and stick with it. Use a meal planner consistently. You’ll save time by not having to think about the details.

organization, lists, i need more time, organize

You never realize how much stuff you own until you are forced to go through it all in an attempt to slim down your belongings so that you are not unfortunately buried under a mound fallen stuff. And I guess what’s bugging me at the moment isn’t the ladder I bought, or the lawn mower, or anything of that nature. It’s that (so far) I’ve found 6 pairs of nail clippers and something like 10 pairs of scissors. Who needs that many scissors? I remember when I was young my mother had this pair of stainless steel scissors that she would take to the scissor man when they became dull. He would sharpen them and bring them back. Now, our lives and our homes are littered with these ‘disposable’ items, that in some cases, never get disposed of. They hang around with marginal usefulness, being joined by brethren of the same ilk when we are so unlucky as to be without and in need of one just like it. The whole thing makes me tired.

Anyone have any ideas on how to keep from ending up with 47 pairs of nail clippers? Or 4 hair brushes? 15 pillows?

recycling, trash, cleaning up, cleaning out, disposable

Completely and totally appalled.

I’ve been trying to get on my recumbent bike and workout every day. I’ve been going strong for 15 days now, and haven’t skipped a day. Today however, the batteries that power the bike’s display and control the magnets that create the tension finally gave out and I was forced to go to Walgreen’s to purchase batteries. That’s all I went in for and that’s all I took to the counter. The man at the register rang up my item and made a move to put the batteries in a bag. I very quickly told him, “I don’t need a bag.” He placed the item in the plastic bag anyway and handed it to me. When I frowned at him, he promptly said, “We’re giving them away free. Please take one.” I know I grimaced. I know I did. I left.

Pimp.

Walgreens, plastic, bags, BYOB,   ban the bag

When it comes time to pick up after your pup, choose a biodegradable bag instead of regular plastic. Otherwise, you are wrapping one of nature’s quickest degrading substances in something that takes decades to break down.

green tip tuesday

Saw this over at Treehugger and couldn’t help but repost it.

A lion that was raised by humans, but was released into the wilds of Africa, reunites with his former handlers a year later.::LiveLeak.com

[Via ::Reddit]

family, reunion, video, lion

There is only 1 day left to Participate!, TreeHugger and Current TV’s contest to get you - and your best eco-idea - to Burning Man. As a part of this year’s theme, “The Green Man”, Burning Man is looking for the best open-source ideas to help green the way we live, eat, drive, build, etc. So, what’s your best open-source idea? Send it to: contest [at] treehugger [dot] com by 11:59pm EST tomorrow, August 11th, and you could win 2 tickets to Burning Man, the Burning Book, and a chance to be featured on Current TV’s “TV Free Burning Man” coverage of the event. But, we do need to see what you are working on, so be sure to send us a 3D (preferable) or 2D image with your idea. Now, go Participate!

source: TreeHugger

burning man

Most people don’t know this yet, but I am moving. Moving to North Carolina in the next couple of months. In trying to pack up everything I own and get my household slim and trim (I’ll be moving back into an apartment) I’ve been throwing out bags and bags off clothes. Let me rephrase… I’m been donating all of those clothes to Goodwill. Mostly jeans, and polo shirts. But the whole process made me wonder… is there a way that I can use some of that old clothing?

I found this article over at Green Options. It’s definitely worth the read.

recycle, denim, goodwill, green options, recycling, upcycling

Here are a couple of resources I wished I had known about a couple weeks ago when I was planning my first ‘check it all out’ trip to North Carolina.

Green Hotels Association
Sustainable Travel International
The International Ecotourism Society
Ceres - Green Hotel Initiative
National Geographic - Green Guide
Environmentally Friendly Hotels
Green Globe 21’s listings of eco-friendly accommodations, transportation, activities and attractions.

green travel, green resources, airfare, hotels

According to the Annenberg Foundation’s Garbage exhibit, the average American generates 4.6 pounds of trash per day - that’s 1460 pounds per year! Less than 25% of that waste is recycled, with the rest going to landfills (which are becoming harder and harder to create) or to incinerators. Decreasing the amount of garbage you put into the waste stream is an easy way to lighten your footprint.

green tip tuesday