Green Tips of the Week

Pressing flowers and plants can be a lovely family tradition that keeps us looking closely at nature. Choose from four easy methods

3/17/2023

Pressing flowers and plants dates back to ancient times as a form of collecting and preserving species. In the 16th century, Japanese artists began incorporating them into artwork. It can be a lovely tradition to do with children, one that keeps them looking closely at nature. Choose from four easy techniques: using a book, a wooden press, ironing, or microwaving.

Read more here:

--https://www.firstdayofhome.com/how-to-press-flowers/

--https://www.wrhs.org/blog/pressed-flowers-history-and-tutorial/

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Though none are yet completely sustainable, look for pens made from biodegradable materials.

3/10/2023

Like a straw or plastic bag, the ordinary pen is an environmental challenge waiting to be solved. Though none are yet completely sustainable, look for pens made from biodegradable materials.
Plastic bags and straws are increasingly being banned but rarely do we think about the impact of the ink pen. The ones that don’t make it to the landfill become part of the microplastics problem. The good news is that companies are beginning to change.

Read more here:

--https://www.treehugger.com/best-eco-friendly-pens-5201425?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=868696-20221107&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_content=110722&cid=868696&mid=101354222170

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Creative mending will keep favorite jeans going indefinitely and even enhance them

3/2/2023

Denim is like wine and cheese; it gets better with age. By repairing your loved jeans—either professionally or by yourself, you can extend the time you enjoy them, save money, lower your environmental footprint, and kick their style up a notch.

Read more here:

--https://denimhunters.com/how-to-repair-jeans/

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Buying spices, grains, pasta, and other foods in bulk reduces food waste, reduces plastic bag use, and saves money

2/24/2023

Buy just the quantities you want and reuse the bags to save money and reduce waste when buying dry goods and spices in bulk.

You may already be reducing your use of single use plastic bags by bringing your reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. You can further reduce the amount of plastic packaging that you purchase by buying from the bulk aisle. Bring your own bags and bottles to stock up on spices, pasta, dried beans, nuts, granola, oatmeal, rice, and other grains. Reuse the bags each time you make a bulk purchase or invest in cloth or mesh bags for this purpose. Another advantage of buying in bulk is that you can buy just the quantity that you need, so it allows you to reduce food waste. Spices in particular are less expensive bought in bulk, particularly because you can just get the quantity that you need. They may also be fresher, as they can sit in the bottles for a long time before being sold. A number of stores in our area offer a selection of bulk foods including the Swarthmore Food Co-op, Martindale’s in Springfield, and the Giant Food on Sproul Rd. in Springfield. Eliminate the packaging for spices at the Swarthmore Food Co-op by bringing your own bottle or container and ask the cashier to get a tare weight.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Finish cooking with the heat off to save energy

2/17/2023

You can reduce your energy use when cooking foods in boiling water. The residual heat will finish cooking your food without additional input of energy. Take advantage of this by turning off the burner or oven several minutes before the end of the cooking time and let it sit with lid on or in the closed oven to finish. This technique works for foods such as pasta, grains, steamed vegetables, and baked casseroles. See this article for more ideas on how to take advantage of residual heat while cooking.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Don’t top off your car’s gas tank. It can damage your car and the environment.

2/10/2023

That little bit of extra gasoline that you try to squeeze into your tank when you top it off is more likely escaping into the environment or causing damage to your car rather than giving you that extra bit of fuel. According to the EPA, when you top off the tank, “gasoline is probably being sucked back into the gas station’s vapor recovery system or evaporating into the air, causing air pollution.”* Although you may intend to further fill the tank, “if you continue clicking on the nozzle, that extra gasoline will either be sucked into the vapor recovery tube or overflow.”*

Topping off can also cause harm to the charcoal canister of the onboard refueling vapor recovery (ORVR) system in your car. Consumer Reports points out that “adding more fuel after the gas pump clicks off can damage the charcoal canister by saturating it with fuel and cause the check engine light to illuminate. If the ORVR is damaged, it won’t adequately capture those harmful vapors.”**

*EPA, June 26, 2004, “Don’t Top off Your Gas Tank -- Save Money at the Gas Pump and Help Protect the Environment”,
https://www.epa.gov/archive/epapages/newsroom_archive/newsreleases/714cf2672631269e852570d60070fe91.htmlwww.epa.gov
**Devin Pratt, November 13, 2021, “Should You Top Off Your Car’s Gas Tank?,” Consumer Reports.org https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/should-you-top-off-your-cars-gas-tank-a1176503026/

Photo by Mike Mozart, Flickr Commons

Draft snakes are a cheap and easy way to reduce drafts from windows and doors and save on your heating bill

2/2/2023

Drafts that enter your house through gaps under doors and windows result in higher energy bills. According to the EPA, “Air leakage accounts for 25 percent to 40 percent of the energy used for heating and cooling and also reduces the effectiveness of other energy-efficiency measures such as increased insulation and high-performance windows.” A quick and easy way to cut down on drafts is to install draft snakes (also called draft dodgers or draft stoppers). There are a variety of types and styles; familyhandyman.com lists a range to choose from. You can also make them yourself out of old clothes, socks, towels, or colorful fabrics and fill them with readily available materials such as rice, dried beans, sand, or wool.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Give your Valentine a succulent plant rather than cut flowers

1/27/2023

Consider a gift of succulents for Valentine’s Day—they are lower in cost than cut flowers, available in gift boxes, and may be planted in soil up to two weeks after purchase. If shipped, they don’t require refrigeration.

An eye-popping succulent arrangement makes a beautiful gift for Valentine’s Day or other special occasion. Succulents are a popular indoor trend offering endless variations for relatively modest costs and can be purchased at local nurseries or online. They can provide temporary beauty or be planted for long life.

Read more here:

--https://www.treehugger.com/unique-green-alternatives-cut-flowers-4857107?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=884127-20221214&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_content=121422&cid=884127&mid=104390502275&lctg=120446448

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Rain boots made with natural rather than synthetic rubber are more resistant to cracking, plastic-free, and recyclable

1/20/2023

A good pair of rain boots is essential for any closet. Many are made from synthetic rubber, which more easily cracks than natural rubber, which comes from trees.

Read more here:

--https://www.treehugger.com/best-eco-friendly-rain-boots-5180293?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=865080-20221101&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_content=110122&cid=865080&mid=100885240924

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Walking is climate action

1/13/2023

Increasing the number of local trips we take on foot can greatly contribute to better air quality, less noise pollution, and other long-term benefits for our communities.

Read more here:

--https://www.best.bc.ca/storiesandnews/the-environmental-benefits-of-walking-3-reasons-to-walk-more

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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