Green Tips of the Week

Only run full loads of dishes and clothes

6/2/2023

When using a machine to wash dishes or laundry, wash full loads for maximum energy and water efficiency

Washing machines use a certain amount of energy to run each load. For example, running two loads half full uses more energy than one full load (1). Therefore, running a full load is a more efficient use of the energy needed just for operating the machine (2). According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “a single large load saves you about 25% to 50% of the energy of two small loads.”(1)

To further increase the efficiency of your dish washer, pack the dishes strategically without overfilling (3) to maximize the use of space while ensuring that the water spray reaches each dish (4).

See other energy saving hints for dish and clothes washers:

(1) Trent Hamm, January 25, 2012. “Only run full loads of dishes and clothes,” The Christian Science Monitor (csmonitor.com/Business)

(2) Scott Minos, Feb. 14, 2018, “16 Ways to Save Money in the Laundry Room,” Energy.gov.

(3) Sarah Aguirre, February 8, 2021, “10 Dishwasher mistakes and how to avoid them,” The Spruce (thespruce.com)

(4) Ada Tseng, May 20, 2022, “To pre-reinse or not to pre-rinse? How to use your dishwasher during the drought,” Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

Carry home delicate produce in containers

5/26/2023

Bring hard sided containers, such as a dairy tub, to the Farmers Market to carry home strawberries and other loose, delicate produce without using a plastic bag.

Re-use take-out containers, dairy tubs, mason jars, or other hard sided containers to contain loose, delicate produce, such as strawberries, cherry tomatoes, plums and apricots. These containers will protect the produce from spilling or being bruised during the ride home. The Swarthmore Farmers Market no longer offers plastic bags at check-out. Bringing your own containers reduces the number of single-use bags used to contain loose produce. You can also bring your saved produce bags from the grocery store to hold larger items such as apples, cucumbers, and potatoes.

Unsubscribing from online newletters reduces your carbon footprint

5/19/2023

Even though it’s one of the cleaner marketing channels, email has a carbon footprint, so start unsubscribing from unwanted listservs and unread newsletters.

It is easier to hit delete than it is to unsubscribe from an unwanted listserv or newsletter, but if you can get into the habit of unsubscribing as you go, not only will your inbox be leaner, but so will your carbon footprint. Every newsletter generates around 10 grams of CO2, and only around 10% of newsletters are ever opened.

Read more here:

https://www.mailjet.com/blog/email-best-practices/email-carbon-footprint/

Drive at 55 MPH for better fuel effieciency

5/12/2023

Staying at 55 miles per hour or under on the highway vastly improves your fuel efficiency.

If you drive a car on the highway, know that for every 5 miles per hour above 55 that you go, you reduce your fuel efficiency by 10 percent. This has to do with wind resistance.

Read more here:

https://narpro.com/blog/why-do-we-drive-55mph/#

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Reduce chemical exposure from skin and hair products

5/5/2023

Reduce the products you put directly on your skin and hair that stay for long periods of time since many contain harmful and unregulated chemicals.

In recent years, an increasing number of reports have raised concerns about many of the products we use on our hair and skin, which are notoriously under regulated. These include skin lighteners, anti-aging creams, hair dyes, straighteners, soaps and shampoos.

Read more here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/15/well/live/personal-care-products-chemicals.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20230302&instance_id=86624&nl=from-the-times&regi_id=37066032&segment_id=126680&te=1&user_id=e5da2361139c7166bd33e528440ac3a6

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Don't despair: setbacks can happen when gardening

4/30/2023

When things have not gone according to plan in your garden, remember you are not alone; no one stops learning in a garden.

Even the most experienced gardener will have failures and feel despairing at times. This is unavoidable in the plant world. Look for the learning opportunity in it or simply move on. There is no rush to get everything right.

Read more here:

--https://www.treehugger.com/tips-for-demoralized-gardeners-7483046?hid=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e&did=8939077-20230424&utm_source=treehugger&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=treehugger-daily_newsletter&utm_content=042423&lctg=5cca5cc09cf857f7c3ce2406e7447b3b9236437e

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Use washcloths instead of disposable wet wipes

4/21/2023

Billions of disposable wet wipes are being added to the waste stream each year, clogging sewage systems and washing up on beaches, choking wildlife that attempt to consume them. Antibacterial chemicals in wipes in particular can be harmful to human health directly and by promoting the growth of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Reduce your own expenditures by using washcloths instead. See our green tip for Swedish dishcloths for a durable reusable alternative.

For more information on wet wipes, see this article in The Guardian.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Microwave is more efficient than a gas stovetop for reheating small amounts of food

4/14/2023

Stovetop burners waste a fair amount of energy. Although microwave ovens use a large burst of energy, they are more efficient for heating small amounts of food. An article from Sierraclub.org cites an EPA estimate that “the microwave uses 80 percent less energy when heating up relatively small amounts.”

Other suggestions for energy efficient cooking from the Department of Energy include matching pot size with burner size and using a lid on pots, when recipes allow, to retain more heat. Using an electric kettle is also a more efficient way to boil water.
See also this article in Scientific American.

Make a difference by becoming a Reducetarian: Eat less meat, poultry, seafood, eggs and dairy

4/7/2023

Reducetarianism, as defined by the Reducetarian Foundation website, “is the practice of eating less meat - red meat, poultry, and seafood - as well as less dairy and fewer eggs, regardless of the degree or motivation. This concept is appealing because not everyone is willing to follow an "all-or-nothing" diet. However, reducetarianism is still inclusive of vegans, vegetarians, and anyone else who reduces the amount of animal products in their diet” Livestock contribute to greenhouse gases directly by emitting methane as a product of their digestion as well as indirectly due to land use practices for raising livestock. Just by cutting back on the amount of meat that you normally eat reduces your carbon footprint. The Reducetarian Foundation suggests several strategies for gradually reducing your meat consumption:

Weekday vegetarian (just eat meat on the weekends)
Vegetarian Before Six (strict vegetarian before 6PM)
Meatless Monday (or day of your choosing)
Veganuary (vegan for January )

Waxed cotton food wraps are a reusable alternative to plastic cling film wrap

3/31/2023

Waxed cotton food wraps are made from fabric that is infused with a mixture of beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil. Using the warmth of your hand, it can be molded around food or a container, and its tackiness creates a seal comparable to plastic cling wrap. It can be used to cover containers or to wrap foods such as sandwiches or breads directly. Unlike cling wrap, waxed wraps are reusable: just rinse in cold water with a mild soap and air dry. They are commercially available at stores such as Trader Joe’s, HOM in Swarthmore, and the Swarthmore Farmers market, and they come in a variety of sizes. You can also make them yourself at home.

Read more about them at naturallivingideas.com:
https://www.naturallivingideas.com/plastic-wrap-alternatives/

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

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