Composting at Home: A Step Towards Greener Living

If you’re ready to take a step towards greener living, composting is a great way to do so! It doesn’t take much time and you probably have everything you need to get started already.

Composting is the process of breaking down organic materials. This happens every single day in nature. If you’ve ever taken a hike through the woods, you know firsthand about the process. When the leaves fall from the trees and mix with fallen branches and other organic debris on the soil below, it turns into a rich, nutrient-filled soil. You can start composting in your own home using yard and kitchen scraps. Did you know that 26% of all the landfill waste in the US is leftover food and yard trimmings? By composting at home, you can do your part to cut back on landfill waste.

To start, you’ll need a compost bin. You can buy them at some health-food stores, or you can save some money by making one yourself. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 standard size plastic garbage bin with a lid
• A drill
• 3 bungee cords
• A garden spade

Begin by drilling 15-20 holes through the plastic bin. This will help the compost breathe. It’s important that air can move through the material as oxygen and nitrogen are needed to aid in the decomposition process. Once you’ve added the holes, you can start adding materials.

However, you can’t just go adding anything you want to the compost bin! There is a balance that needs to be maintained to keep the process breaking down smoothly.  Never ever ad any animal products (fat, meat, or dairy) to the bin. These products take too long to break down and make your bin very stinky! Ash and shredded paper should also not be added, as they contain chemicals that are harmful to the compost.

What you should add are the ingredients to make the best compost possible! They can be sorted into two categories: green and brown. Dried leaves, twigs, dead grass, and straw are all considered brown. Fresh grass clippings, weeds, and kitchen scraps are all considered green. To keep a balanced bin, always maintain a 4 to 1 ratio of brown to green. By keeping the ingredients in balance, you can prevent the mix from becoming too dry or too wet and ensure a swift decomposition rate.

Once you’ve started adding your materials to the bin, give it a turn with the garden spade each time you add something new. It’s also important to water the bin once a week, just to keep it moist. After you add your material, pop the lid on and strap it down with a bungee cord to prevent it from knocked over. This is also a good idea if you have animals in the yard who may be keen to investigate the bin. Keep the bin in a sunny area of the yard, as the warmth will help break down the materials quickly.

Soon enough you’ll find that your composting efforts have produced the most wonderful, nutrient-rich soil that you could ever ask for! At this point you can use the compost as an alternative to expensive chemical fertilizer. Chemical fertilizer not only depletes the good microbes in the soil, but it can also leak into water supplies, resulting in contaminated water. Creating your own compost is a healthy, organic way to nurture your landscape. It can also be used as potting mix. Because the compost you made is made from fruits, vegetables, and other plants, it’s nutrient-packed and can actually protect your plants from diseases. It improves the structure of the soil, making it ideal for growing.

Hopefully this article has inspired you to start composting at home. It’s an easy way to make your home a little more Earth-friendly. It can even be a great family learning activity. Get together with the kids and paint the compost bin and learn about composting, organic soil and planting together.

 A Big Thank you to Amanda for her contribution with this article.

This article was written by Erie Construction. Check out Erie Construction reviews on Guild Quality or visit the Erie Construction Twitter page for updates and more tips on home improvement.

Resources for Composting:
Let It Rot! The Gardner’s Guide to Composting

Composting for Dummies – Kindle Edition

EarthScents, Changing the Way the World Cleans, Naturally.

I am delighted to share with you today about a great new product that is natural, Eco-friendly and made here in the US.  But before I share about the product, I have to give a big Thank you to Steve Hess for allowing me to sample two of their EarthScents Natural Cleaning Products, Thank you Steve!

At My Eco Maid we are always looking for products that fit our mission of being safe for kids and pets and are made of Natural, Eco-friendly ingredients.   EarthScents natural cleaners not only are Eco-friendly but smell fantastic.

Lavender Terra Firma All Purpose Cleaner Product Review

Features:

• Simple, Clear, Fresh Lavender Aroma
• Handmade in the USA
• All Natural
• Non-Toxic
• Did we mention that it smells wonderful?  The Lavender essential oil makes cleaning refreshing
• Safe for People, Pets and our Planet

If you have been looking for a way to clean without the harsh chemicals and toxic effects of traditional cleaners, EarthScents all natural cleaners truly are a Refreshing way to clean.  Steve and his family have truly created a natural cleaning product that is not only refreshing but truly is “Changing the Way the World Cleans, Naturally!”  EarthScents can currently be found in a growing number of select stores. To find out more about EarthScents and other great cleaning products, be sure to check out their site at EarthScents.  To become a Fan of EarthScents make sure you head over to their Fan Page today.

Additional resources for All Natural Cleaning  be found  at MyEcoMaid.com natural cleaning resource section.

Your Guide to Green Materials

How much do you know about eco-friendly or organic materials? Granted, buying things made from recycled paper or plastic is a good start, but did you know there are materials out there that are even more green than that? Recycled, repurposed, and reused items are considered eco-friendly because they don’t require new resources in order to be used, or made into something else. However, there are other materials out there that are even more eco-friendly because of one thing: sustainability.

Sustainability is how people and nature can co-exist, or live together in productive harmony. It is the act of give and take that ensures continuation of life on this planet—all forms of life. Part of this process includes the length of time it takes for a resource to replenish. The less time it takes, the more sustainable the resource is.

For example: say you cut down a forest of Oak trees and a forest of Bamboo plants. It takes at least 10 years for an acorn to grow into a mature Oak tree, but it only takes 3 years for a Bamboo plant to mature. This makes the Bamboo more sustainable because it takes less time to re-grow.

Let’s take a look at some of the natural materials available on this great, green Earth and see what makes them so eco-friendly:

Bamboo

This is considered the most eco-friendly, natural material on the planet. Why? Well, Bamboo is actually a type of grass that can be harvested every 3 years and will regenerate new shoots after harvested, with little to no aid from fertilizers or pesticides. Needless to say, it is a great, renewable source. What’s more, Bamboo can be used to make everything from the clothes you wear to the floorboards you walk on. The only downside is that the majority of Bamboo products are shipped from China, so that’s something to consider when doing your green shopping.

Clay

This is one of the oldest known natural materials ever used and it may even be found in your back yard. Clay has been used to make a variety of items for thousands of years. This extremely versatile material can be used to make your dishes, decorations, and homes. It can ease an upset stomach, or be used to patch a leaky dam. Mixed with a little water, heat, and perhaps other minerals (like sand or gravel), and there’s no end to the possibilities of what clay can be used for. It even comes in a variety of colors, ranging from dull grey to a bright orange-red.

Cork

Looking for some new green products? Put a cork in it! Cork is another great, renewable source. Cork comes from the bark of the Cork Oak Tree, which provides habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, and the tree even has insecticidal properties. Best of all, the Cork Oak Tree does not have to be chopped down to harvest the cork material! Cork can be used for walls, toys, handbags, and a lot more than wine bottles. You can also waterproof cork to extend its usage life.

Corn

Yes, that yellow food on your dinner plate is also an eco-friendly material. It’s hardly a secret that the world is in need of more biodegradable material; landfills packed with Styrofoam simply don’t cut it anymore. Fortunately, corn is biodegradable and can be found in eating utensils, library cards, and let’s not forget your vehicle. Remember: ethanol gas comes from corn!

Felt

I’ll bet some of you completely forgot about felt. Well, it’s not just for craft projects for the kids anymore. This stuff can be used to make bags, coasters, and even that special tar paper for your roofs. There are numerous ways to make felt, including wool made from recycled PET bottles and the traditional way of Central Asia, which involves matting, condensing, and pressing the organic fibers together while wet.
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Hemp

Yes, Hemp comes from the same plant family as marijuana; no, it will not get you “high”. Now that we have that myth out of the way, Hemp has been in use for thousands of years. This plant can be found in skin care products, jewelry, clothing, and more. It really should be no surprise though: it produces 250% more fiber than cotton per acre and 500% more pulp fiber than from forest wood! No wonder this plant has been in use for so long.

Organic Cotton

Yes, cotton has gone organic and all cotton sold as “organic” in the US must adhere to very strict federal regulations on how the cotton is grown. For example: organic cotton is grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers, which means a lower impact on the environment. It should also be noted that worldwide organic cotton farming has increased by over 150%! Found in everything from clothes to bed linens to rugs and more, it’s no wonder this material is known as “the fabric of our lives”.

Rice Hulls

A rice hull (or husk) is the hard, protective covering of rice grains and although they may be small, do not underestimate their usability! These little wonders can be used for: building insulation, pillow stuffing, fertilizer, fuel, bags, or just your standard pot for indoor plants. It is another biodegradable material and none of it is wasted because it can be recycled back into the production process, or simply used as compost (if nothing else).

Soybean Fabric

Yet another material that comes from food, soybean fiber comes from the leftover pulp found in tofu and soy milk production. While that may seem a bit strange, it should be noted that this pulp contains 16 amino acids that offer great nutritional value for our skin. As for the fabric itself, it is very soft (comparable to silk) and can be found in clothes for babies and adults.

Teak

I am not an advocate of logging; in fact, I am thoroughly against it. However, for those of you that desire wood products, if Bamboo isn’t an option, then plantation-grown Teak is the next best choice. Plantation-grown Teak is a sustainable material because it is replanted after harvesting and extremely durable. The plantations also have to adhere to strict government policy regarding tree size, replanting, and so forth. Teak contains natural oils that make it resistant to termites, pests, and even the weather. It is great for outdoor furniture and decks (including on boats) and indoor items, like flooring and countertops. This material may have a great number of uses and convenient durability, but like Bamboo, much of it comes from Asia, so shipping is also a factor when considering how eco-friendly it is.

Now, let’s take a look at materials that come recycled or from repurposed items:

BPA-Free Plastic

BPA (Bisphenol A) is an organic compound found in a lot of plastics—and it tends to seep out of the plastic and into the food or beverage contained within. The problem is this compound is an endocrine disruptor that has been known to mimic the body’s hormones and lead to some nasty health effects (cancer, obesity, and birth defects). Infants and toddlers are at particular risk because not only are a lot of their bottles and dishware made from plastics, but they can also become exposed to BPA while in the mother’s womb.

The good news is that not all plastics contain BPA! Keep an eye out for plastics and even aluminum products that have “BPA-free” written somewhere on the label. Why aluminum? Well, many cans and bottles have plastic liners inside that contain BPA—make sure you only use containers (even Tupperware) that are BPA-free. BPA-Free plastics are generally safer options and will most likely not leach BPA.

Recycled Aluminum

Did you know that aluminum recycling was a common practice nearly 100 years ago? That’s right: since the early 1900’s, aluminum has been recycled and it doesn’t just come from your soda cans. Recycled aluminum can come from computers, house siding, cookware, bikes, boats, and even aircrafts. The best part is recycling does not damage the aluminum’s structure, so it can be recycled and reused indefinitely, as if it were brand new. Plus, recycling aluminum uses only 5% of the energy it would take to manufacture new aluminum.

Recycled Cardboard

If you’re an avid recycler, then you know that cardboard is definitely on the recycling list. There are 2 main types of cardboard: paper board (cereal boxes) and corrugated (brown packing boxes). Both types can be recycled and made into different stuff, like coasters, journals and even more recycling containers. Imagine that.

Recycled Glass

One bottle of glass is packed with a lot of energy. How much? Well, recycling that one bottle of glass can power:

• a 100 watt light bulb for an hour
• a computer for 25 minutes
• a TV for 20 minutes
• and a washing machine for 10 minutes

Glass comes with a couple different recycling options; mainly clear or colored. It also can be recycled or repurposed indefinitely and turned into jewelry, light fixtures, counter tops, and more.

Recycled Paper

The facts and statistics I found on paper consumption in the US are absolutely staggering:

• To produce the nation’s Sunday newspapers every week, half a million trees must be cut down.
• The amount of wood and paper we throw away every year is enough to heat 50 million homes for 20 years.
• Americans consume at least 85 million tons of paper every year. If all that paper was recycled, we could save at least 250 million trees per year!
• It takes 17 trees to create 1 ton of paper. If you were to save those 17 trees, they would absorb 250 lbs of CO2 from the atmosphere each year; however, if you burn that 1 ton of paper, it will add 1,500 lbs of CO2 to the atmosphere.
• Recycling half the world’s paper would free 20 million acres of forest.

The list goes on from there, but I think you get the idea. There is no need to cut down so many trees to create new paper, when we can easily reuse and recycle the paper we already have. Oh, and here’s one more interesting fact for you: more than 5,000 products can be made from recycled paper, including: egg cartons, animal bedding, planters (for seeds), hospital gowns, tissues, masking tape, coffee filters, and of course, more paper. Money can also be made from recycled paper, which is definitely something to think about the next time you go shopping.

Recycled Polyester

Technically, this should fall under plastic and I’ll tell you why. Recycled polyester comes from plastic products, not the fabric. More specifically, it comes from plastic products that have the number 1 in the center of the recycle symbol. However, these products are known as PET or PETE (Polyethylene terephthalate), which is a thermoplastic polymer resin of the polyester family.  PET products can either be recycled into more plastic products (cleaner bottles, food containers, cosmetics, etc.), or turned into something entirely new. In fact, did you know plastics with the #1 label can be turned into yarn? First, they are sterilized, dried, and crushed into tiny chips. Then, the chips are heated in a vat and forced through spinnerets. Finally, they are spun into yarn and dyed (non-toxic). This yarn has been used to make carpets, furnishings, clothes, and more!

Reclaimed Rubber

It’s no big secret that rubber is bad for the environment. Decomposing can take thousands of years and burning tires will release unwanted gases into the air. Yes, part of what makes rubber comes from trees, but that’s where the natural part ends. In fact, one tire alone contains the equivalent of 2 gallons of oil—also not good for the environment. Fortunately, rubber can be recycled and has been for some time now. Whether on your cars or on your feet, rubber can be turned into: mulch for playgrounds, sidewalks, shoes, and (of course) new tires.

Okay, now that you have a pretty good idea of some of the eco-friendly materials out there, how can you tell the difference between them and the fakes? As always, the answer is simple: check the label! Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Plastics have numbers that range from 1 to 7; the lower the number, the more eco-friendly and recyclable the plastic will be.
2. Cosmetics and cleaners will typically have a bunch of chemicals in their ingredient lists and WARNING or CAUTION labels on their containers. Avoid these and look for products with natural ingredients, no parabens, and eco-friendly labels like: USDA Organic, Fair Trade, Cruelty Free (Leaping Bunny), or Vegan.
3. Check the tags on clothing and other fabric items. You’ll find what the product is made of listed there and if it’s also Fair Trade. Remember: certain material, like organic cotton, must follow strict guidelines in order to even have the organic label on the product.
4. Electronics and appliances should have the EnergyStar and/or EPEAT logos somewhere on the product.

For a more extensive list, check out this guide from GreenYour.com.

Interested in green building materials? Check out Planet Green’s Green Material Guide.

Think you’re a green materials expert? Take their quiz to find out!

Pet Friendly App that pays “bones” for shopping for pets.

Today I would like to share with you an app that I think is a great way to not only find a great local or national dog or pet related product but also rewards you with bones (points) for shopping for our favorite pet.  the All 4 UR Pet has recently released an Apple Iphone/Ipad and Android app that allows you to search for your favorite pet friendly hotel, local pet store or online store while being rewarded to make a purchase with a bone rewards program.   So if you are looking for your favorite pet food brand and looking to have it delivered locally by  a mobile pet food delivery service and you live in Collegeville, PA you may do a search and find a company such as Pawrific Express.

To find out more about this Pet Friendly App be sure to check out All4URPET on your favorite smart phone or portable device.

Here are a few more pet related apps that you may want to check out:

LocalDoggy allows for searching locally for pet related services, stores and all things related to pets on your smart phone and is available on Iphone, Android and Blackberry.

My Dog App

The My Dog App is put out by Dog Info USA and is the app your dog wants.  Featuring your dog’s ID, medical info, insurance card and much more all at your fingertips via your Smart Phone.

To find out more about other great products and Eco-friend Pet items, be sure to check out Natural Pet Grocer featuring Free Local Home Pet Food Delivery for residents of Collegeville PA and free shipping on online orders of $25 or more*.

*terms and conditions apply.

Happy New Year and welcome to 2012.

This year there will be many exciting things taking place all over the world and there will also be some sobering things that take place to.  2012 at MyEcoMaid we will be sharing topics that you the reader have suggested we focus on along with some that we think may be of help as well.   To a greener New Year with “An Eco-Friendly Twist”.

You may have been wondering what the Top 4.5 Eco-friendly Sites for 2012 are and we hope you will come back to find out more this coming year.   We will be looking for companies that are dedicated to helping create an Eco-friendly environment and are looking for your feedback and suggestions as well.

One product we thought fits in is a piggy bank that teaches kids about saving energy called the Power Hog.  Over at Inhabitots they feature this great looking product.  To find out more, check it out at Power Hog Piggy Bank.

If you have a product or now of a service that we should feature in 2012 that is Eco-friendly or creating a great local impact, please submit it today.  We would love to feature these Eco-friendly companies and would love to hear from you.

To An Eco-Friendly New Years!
Harry @ My Eco Maid

Tips for a Green and Eco-friendly Holiday

Green Your Holiday Season

The holiday season is here and Christmas is only a few days away. Decorations are going up, snow is falling down, and stores are constantly packed as people hunt for the perfect gifts for their loved ones. On top of that you have cookies to bake, vacations to plan, and cards to send. Needless to say, this time of year can be as stressful as it is merry and through all the holiday chaos, you may lose sight of the greener things in life. Fortunately, it is quite easy to have an eco-friendly holiday season, without any more added stress. Keep reading to find out how!

Cards
There are approximately 2.6 billion Christmas cards sold in the US every year. That’s enough to fill a landfill the size of a football field and 10 stories high! Before you rush out to the nearest Hallmark store to buy cards for all your friends, family, and co-workers, here are a few things to consider:

• Send e-cards. These are sent via e-mail and waste no paper. Plus, some of them come with nice animations and sounds.
• If you have a history of sending a family Christmas photo with your cards, create an online photo album on sites like Flickr or Shutterfly instead.
• Be creative and make cards from items you already have.
• If you absolutely must buy cards, look for ones made from recycled paper or those that donate a portion of proceeds to different organizations. If you are a member of a nature organization, or donate to different charities, they may even send you some free holiday cards in the mail (as well as gift tags and even some wrapping paper!). You may also be able to find some handmade cards at a local craft show or farmer’s market.
• If you don’t intend to keep the cards that you receive, recycle them! You can also repurpose them by turning them into gift tags, decorations, or even turn old cards into new cards.

Gifts and Wrapping Paper

You may be tempted to rush out and buy the latest electronics, toys, and clothes on the market; especially if people requested them on their wish list. While it’s all well and good to buy people what they ask for, it doesn’t leave much room for surprises. Not to mention, a lot of the trendy choices out there aren’t exactly eco-friendly ones. Unfortunately, you can’t force people to go green, but you can green their gifts without them realizing it.

• When wrapping gifts, use recycled materials or newspaper; don’t buy several new rolls of wrapping paper. You can also wrap gifts with other gifts, like blankets, sheets, towels, scarves, or table cloths.
• Reuse bows and ribbons when you can and turn all that excess paper into craft projects.
• To make it really interesting, skip the wrapping and hide the gifts around your house. Having a scavenger hunt will put a fun twist into those holiday surprises.
• Whenever possible, don’t use wrapping paper at all. This particularly applies to large or odd shaped items, like bikes and large appliances.
• Instead of giving packaged gifts, donate money to charity or simply offer some of your time by taking people out to events or do other activities together, like hiking, bowling, or taking a class.

You can also offer extra help around the home to friends or family. Maybe they need some repairs done, a garage cleaned out, or a room re-painted. Use your own talents and skills to do something special for them.

When it comes to actual gift buying, some people may be more open to the idea of green gifts than others. For those people, look for items with the Fair Trade label. Also keep an eye out for items made from organic, sustainable, or recycled/recyclable materials. These include things like recycled plastics, notebooks made with recycled paper, or materials like organic cotton and bamboo. You can also adopt an animal or plant some trees in their name.

For those that haven’t embraced the green life yet:

• Look for electronics or appliances that have the Energy Star and EPEAT seals. You can also buy new or gently used items from sites like FlipSwap.com and Gazelle.com.
• Buy local, not global. Look for items available from local artists and farmers. Also be sure to check out local thrift stores and flea markets.
• Look for items that use a minimal amount of packaging, so there’s less waste and less to wrap!
• To cut back on costs, make items instead of buying them. You can also set a spending budget, or do a gift exchange so everyone gets at least one gift.
• If they need items that can be reused, buy them. For example: get rechargeable batteries and a charger, or a reusable lunch bag.

The Tree

The holiday tree is probably the biggest tradition when it comes to decorating for the holidays. Everyone wants the best tree, real or fake, and there’s so many ways to decorate them. You can use ornaments, lights, tinsel, or strings of popcorn, garland, and dried cranberries. Regardless of what you put on the tree (or under the tree), there are some things to consider about the tree itself.

Fake Trees
You may think that a fake tree is the best choice, because it can be reused again and again, for many years. Sure, this may save you costs and the lives of a lot of living trees, but aside from its reusability, the fake tree is actually the worst choice for a holiday tree.

Fake trees are primarily made of plastics and metals (including lead, which may leak from older trees). Once it’s time to dispose of the tree, it’s likely to remain in a landfill for a very long time. Fake trees cannot be replanted, recycled, or repurposed, and they do not biodegrade. In addition, many of them (nearly 85% used in the US) are made in China, which means you can expect a lot of pollution and waste to go into their production and shipping.

If you already own a fake tree, use it for as many years as you can, then start buying a real tree.

Real Trees
I am a person that feels very sad whenever I see a tree die, for any reason. You may wonder then, why would I support using real trees for the holidays? The reasons are simple. If you buy a tree from a tree farm, the people who work at that farm will plant new seeds, which means any tree that is cut down will be replaced. If you buy a tree from the garden section of a store, those are generally potted trees and can be transplanted outside once the holiday season is over.

Now, if you don’t get a potted tree, you’ll have to dispose of the tree once January hits. This is another bonus, because trees are biodegradable and there are many uses for them. You can cut off their branches and use them for crafts or trailing pine decorations. You can cut up the trunk and use it to make furniture or nifty wooden toys and decorations. And you can put the scraps through a wood chipper and use that as part of compost, mulch, or as firewood. In other words, every part of a real tree can be recycled and repurposed into something else, the only limit is your imagination. Not to mention that conifers (needle-like trees) are great at trapping carbon dioxide and will provide fresh air to your home!

The only down side is some farms use pesticides on their trees, so you need to watch out for that. And sometimes needles can be a lot of work to clean up (if your tree tends to shed a lot). Other than that, there really is no other issue with real trees. However, if you want to recycle them, do a search on Earth911.com. That site provides information on where to recycle trees, Christmas lights, wrapping paper, and more in your area. Also, please note that if you intend to recycle your tree, do not use tinsel or flock as part of the decoration because the tree will most likely not be accepted if it’s covered with that stuff.

Here are a few interesting statistics on Christmas trees:

• Tree farms plant an average of 2,000 trees per acre!
• Approximately 18 people can get their daily oxygen requirement from one acre of those trees.
• It takes 10 years for one of these trees to grow and mature enough to be cut.
• Over 130,000 fake trees were imported from China in 2006.

To find real trees in your area, check out the National Christmas Tree Association website. You should also look at the Green Promise website, which lists organic tree farms in 22 states!
Decorations and Lights

Now that I’ve talked about the Christmas tree, let’s move on to the next step: decorating! We all have them: the boxes in the attic filled with ornaments, table decorations, and tangled bundles of lights. While it may be tempting to cover every inch of your tree with ornaments and make the outside of your house look brighter than the sun, those aren’t exactly the best choices for the environment. As far as decorations go, your best option is to simplify things.

First of all, ditch those old strands of lights. Traditional lights consume a lot of energy, will cost you a pretty penny, and they don’t last very long (ever notice how one bad bulb will make the entire strand not work?). Go to Earth911.com to find out where you can recycle them in your area.

However, if you really want to go green, then buy some solar-powered LED lights. Hang these on the outside of your home and the sun will take care of the rest, which will cut down your electric bill even further.

Here’s an interesting fact for you:

The US Department of Energy estimated that if all Americans replaced their traditional Christmas lights with new LED strands, it would save over 2 billion kilowatt hours of energy for the entire month of December. That’s enough to power 200,000 US homes for a year!

Now as for decorations, natural and old-school are the way to go. Instead of hanging plastic wreaths, make your own from holly, pine branches, pine cones, or even a coat hanger and strips of fabric. Instead of putting up fake garland, string up some popcorn, cranberries or flowers. Make ornaments out of paper, fabric, recyclables, old family items, objects found in nature, or any craft items you can find. You can even make them out of sugar and gingerbread cookie cutouts!

Seeds and seasonal fruits can also make good table or shelf decorations and they can be eaten, composted, or planted afterwards. If you plan to buy ornaments, buy local. Visit farmers markets or local craft shops. Thrift stores will also have ornaments available.

Oh, and in regards to those inflatable yard decorations, like Santa or a giant snow globe with moving parts, do not use those. There is absolutely nothing eco-friendly about them.

That’s it for tips on going green for the holidays. While it may be a bit late to do most of them now, this article should help you get a jump on going green for Christmas next year. And as always, here are a few more sites worth checking out:

Earth 911: Green Your Holidays

EPA: Winter and Holiday Tips

Greenopolis: Go Green This Christmas with Recycled Decorations

Planet Green: Green Holidays

Planet Green: Further Reading on Green Holidays

The Nature Conservancy: Green Gift Monday

Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home
Green Guide Families: The Complete Reference for Eco-Friendly Parents

What Eco-friendly Topic Would You Like?

Do you have a question or topic you would like to see discussed at My Eco Maid?   Have you been wondering what it means to be Green and Eco-Friendly?

I would love to hear from you.  As the 2011 year comes to an end, we will be celebrating a new year at My Eco Maid in 2012 and we would love for you to join the discussion!

Some of the topics we are looking to explore in the upcoming year:

Eco-friendly Dog Walking – Why go green with your pets and the benefits of creating an Eco-friendly home for pets.

How to Start an Eco-friendly Business Series – Choosing the Right Eco, Green Business

5 Tips to Green Your Home in the New Year

Is Green Really Better?

… and other great topics including ones you submit to us for inclusion.  

If you know of anyone who would like to contribute to the Eco-friendly blog at My Eco Maid, please feel free to drop us a line today.  If you have an Eco-friendly question or are interested in finding out more about starting a Green Business, please drop us a line anytime. 

Everything You Need to Know about Being Green and Becoming Eco-friendly with Your Electronics

Technology is constantly changing life as we know it. Every new computer made changes our habits and the way we connect with the world around us. I remember the days of floppy disks and Oregon Trail. Wireless wasn’t available to everyone yet and MP3 players were known as “walkmans”. Now, disks have become USB devices and Oregon Trail paved the way for games like WoW.

In this day and age, keeping up with the latest technological advances has become the latest trend. Television, radio, and other methods of advertisements have pretty much embedded into our brains that we have to buy the latest iPhone, or else our world will spiral into chaos. Well, here’s an idea to shake things up a bit: instead of wasting money on products you don’t need, how about adopting some green technology habits, which will save you money and prolong the life of the electronic products you already have?

Sounds crazy, right? Ah, but it works! Going green with your electronics is one of the easiest things you can do. It’s good for your electronics, your wallet, and the planet. Keep reading to find out how.

Batteries

The battery comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. It can power anything from your wristwatch to your car. Considering how much we depend on batteries, it should be no surprise that at least 15 billion batteries are produced globally every year. Out of that 15 billion, the United States purchases nearly 3 billion. And out of that 3 billion, nearly 179,000 tons of batteries end up in landfills across the country every year.

You may think “big deal, they’re just batteries.” Well, actually, it is a big deal. The manufacturing of batteries alone consumes a lot of resources and usually also involves hazardous chemicals. Some of the elements that make up batteries today are cadmium, lead, and mercury (although mercury has been banned in most cases). Now imagine 179,000 tons of batteries slowly breaking down in a landfill. Those chemicals will leak out of the batteries and into the environment. Once in the environment, they can poison the land, the animals, and even your water supply. Enough exposure to all that toxicity may give you a whole mess of health problems, like high blood pressure, dementia, or it could simply kill you.
Eco-friendly Green Rechargeable Batteries

So, what are the green battery options? The top choice is to go rechargeable. Buy yourself a battery charger and rechargeable batteries. They can be reused again and again and again, keeping more money in your pocket and more batteries out of the landfill. Plus, 1 billion kilowatt hours of power could be saved every year (in the US), if people used energy efficient battery chargers. This would also save more than $100 million each year and prevent more than 1 million tons of greenhouse gases from being released into the atmosphere.

If you have to buy non-rechargeable batteries, go for the Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) and Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries. Li-Ion batteries are a bit more expensive, but they come with a higher energy/weight ration, higher voltage, and will hold their charge for a longer period of time when not in use.

Regardless of which type of battery you use, when it comes time to dispose of them, do not throw your batteries in the trash; recycle them! BatteryRecycling.com and Call2Recycle.org offer battery recycling programs for individuals, businesses, and corporations. Also, search Earth911.com to see where you can recycle batteries in your area.

Chargers

Many electronic products come with chargers, either for batteries or the product itself. In fact, right now, there are at least 1.5 billion chargers (or power adapters) in use in the US. Their total combined electricity makes up 11% of the national electric bill. It’s these very chargers that are highly responsible for energy wasted on phantom power (which you’ll read about after this section).

Fortunately, there are many eco-friendly options on the market today. That’s right: you don’t need to use one of those big, bulky adapter plugs anymore. You can actually charge many devices with renewable energy (solar and wind), or even manual power. The awesome thing about these new chargers is they allow you to charge items on the go. They have skins for iPhones that double as solar chargers, mini wind turbine chargers you can attach to your bike, and they’re even developing a dance charger. If you love to go clubbing at night, the dance charger will be perfect for you. The battery is charged by your dancing and then that battery can be used to power your electronic devices.

How many times have you been out somewhere, maybe a park or the beach, and your cell phone battery is dying? You aren’t going to find an electrical socket buried in the sand or attached to a tree. So, all you have to do is pull out your solar charger and let the sun take care of the rest. You could also use a manual, hand-crank charger. There are actually LED flashlights powered by hand-cranking available at K-Mart. Turning the crank for 1 minute will power the flashlight for an entire hour! And when the light goes out, you don’t have to worry about finding new batteries; all you need to do is turn the crank again and the light will turn back on. This is especially useful during blackouts and camping trips.

Phantom Power

Phantom Power (or Vampire Power) is the power your electronic devices use when they are plugged in, but not turned on. That’s right, your TV, computer, and even your cell phone charger all consume energy, even when you’re not using them. In fact, 40% of the energy used for your home electronics is when they are turned off. That’s a lot of energy and money you are wasting on devices that aren’t even in use!

The solution? Well, you could unplug every single electronic device in your home when not in use (not counting appliances, like the fridge or oven). However, that can be very tedious and difficult for some, especially if there is a large piece of furniture blocking the wall outlet. Anything that has a bulky, AC-like adapter plug is especially prone to draining energy.

Fortunately, there is a much simpler solution: power strips. Buy some power strips and plug your devices into that, instead of the wall. When you’re done using the computer, watching TV, or charging your phone, just flip the switch on the power strip. This allows you to keep things plugged in, but cuts any vampire power they’d normally consume. If you are the forgetful type, look for “smart” power strips. Even if you forget to flip the switch, they will automatically detect when plugged in items aren’t in use, and will slay (cut off) the vampire power for you.

E-Cycle

E-cycling is a fairly new term, but I’m pretty sure you can guess what it means. To “e-cycle” means to recycle your e-waste (or electronic waste). I know you may be tempted to throw that old video game system, broken computer, and printer cartridges into the garbage can. However, that would be very silly of you and I’ll tell you why.

The world generates 20 – 50 tons of e-waste every year and only 11.4% of that is recovered for recycling.

There are people and companies out there that will pay you for recycling your used electronics. Phones, computers, cameras, calculators, mp3 players, printers, video game systems, TVs, and more; you can get cash (or store credit) for it all. It should be noted that how much cash you get will depend on how new the item is and the condition it’s in. Sites worth checking out include: BuyMyTronics.com, FlipSwap.com, Gazelle.com, and NextWorth.com.

Now, although you might not get cash for that VCR from the 80s, or the computer monitor with a cracked screen, you can still recycle old and broken items. Go to Earth911.com and use their search engine to find out where you can recycle electronics near you.

Go Green - Recycle

What happens to all these e-cycled products? They get turned into new electronics! Many companies these days are using parts from recycled electronics to make new cell phones, laptops, and more. A lot of places are also offering “lightly used” electronics for sale, especially cell phones. Which brings up another point: if you want to sell or trade in your used electronics, if any are a good quality item, there is a good chance they can be repurposed and resold (at a lower cost) to someone else, before being e-cycled. You could actually be one of those customers and buy e-cycled products as well, or even trade items for free at Freecycle.org. Either way, buying or selling, you are helping by recycling, extending the use of the product, and maintaining a lower carbon footprint by not sending it to a landfill, or rushing out to buy the latest iPhone just because it’s new.

As always, here are some more scary statistics for you:

• Electronics thrown in the trash (and not e-cycled) make up 70% of all hazardous waste!
• It takes 529 pounds of fossil fuels, 49 pounds of chemicals, and 1.5 tons of water to make one new, 53-pound, desktop computer system (including monitor)! n
• Americans tossed 3 million tons of electronics into the trash, in 2006.
• E-waste (electronic waste) rises approximately 8% per year.

Products

I’ll bet you’re wondering about different kinds of products at this point and how they measure up on the green scale. To find out how green a product really is, check out the Greenpeace Guide to Greener Electronics. Their guide ranks companies on 3 important factors:

1. If the company cleans up their products by eliminating hazardous substances
2. If the company has take-back or recycle programs for their products, once they become obsolete
3. If the company makes the effort to reduce the climate impacts of their operations and products

You can also check out Greenopia’s rankings of Small Electronics and Large Electronics. Their ranking system is a bit more in-depth than Greenpeace’s, and includes scoring on: Certification, Corporate Responsibility, Eco-Packaging, Efficient Use Phase, Low-Impact Materials, Nontoxic, Production, and Renewable Power. They also rate other categories, like airlines, food, pet supplies, and beauty products.

However, for some specifics, keep on reading.

Cell Phones
There are more than 700 million cell phones used in the US today and at least 140 million of those cell phone users will ditch their current phone for a new phone every 14-18 months. I shouldn’t have to say this, but such habits are totally unnecessary and very irresponsible. You don’t need to rush out and buy the latest iPhone as soon as it comes out. If you already have a cell phone, enjoy it! Cell phones can actually have a surprisingly long life-span (if you actually take care of them). Plus, with all the features of touch-phones today, it eliminates the need for other electronics in your life. A lot of phones have alarm clocks, mp3 players, GPS systems, video and camera capabilities, calculators, calendars, notepads, and even the options to do banking and shopping. That eliminates 6 electronic gadgets, saves some paper, and saves you gas money. How awesome is that? Considering all the money you just saved using your current phone, don’t you think it would be wiser to save that money, instead of spending it on another new phone you clearly don’t need?

Here’s another tip for cell phone use. Have you ever had the misfortune of dropping your phone in water, or leaving it out in the rain? It probably won’t work (or even turn on) and you may think you need to rush out and buy a new phone. There is actually a really cool fix for this problem:

Remove the back of the phone and take out the battery. Put the phone and the battery in a sealed container of uncooked rice. Make sure there is enough rice in the container to fully cover the phone and the battery. Leave it sit overnight (or 8-12 hours). By the next day, your phone should be dry and working with no problems!

Unfortunately, there is a big downside to cell phones: the cell phone charger. When plugged in, only 5% of the power consumed by a cell phone charger is used to actually charge the phone. The other 95% of power is consumed when the charger is plugged into the wall and not charging anything (phantom power).  Always remember to unplug your cell phone charger when you’re not using it!

Despite that downside, there are a few other simple things you can do that will prolong the life of your phone and green your usage of it at the same time:

When not in use, turn off your phone. This includes when you’re at the movie theater, or in an airplane. Cell phone use is restricted in both places anyway, so why waste the power and energy?

Eco-friendly Cell Phone

Ditch the animated wallpaper/screen saver. As cool as it looks, it still uses a lot of energy and considering the phone probably spends more time in your pocket, why waste power on a screen saver you won’t even be watching most of the time?

Minimize the amount of time the phone’s backlight remains on and reduce the brightness of it, if possible.

Use one of the simple ringtones that comes with your phone. Vibrate and musical ringtones tend to use a lot more power and let’s be honest, when is the last time you heard a cell phone ring that actually sounded like a phone, instead of a Katy Perry song or movie soundtrack?

If you like to wear a headset, use a corded one instead of the wireless Bluetooth option. Corded headsets consume less energy, and you won’t look like some crazy person talking to yourself.

Keep your phone clean. Every so often, turn off your phone and wipe down the screen, keys, and remove the back and clean the inside and battery. Dust and debris can sometimes shorten battery life, so ensuring your phone is clean will help keep it in top condition.

Only charge your phone when necessary. It may be habit to plug in your phone every night before you go to bed, but that’s a very wasteful habit. A lot of phones these days can keep their battery charged for a couple days at least. As long as you don’t overuse phone features that drain battery power (like video, internet, and photos), you should only charge your phone every few days, when the battery is actually going dead.

Computers
Did you know that most of the money you spend on your computer is going right down the drain? Of all the money you spend on powering your computer, only 15% of that goes towards when the computer is being used; the other 85% is wasted when your computer is idling (turned on, but not being used). Another scary thing about computers is the manufacturing of computer parts uses more water, fossil fuels, energy, toxic chemicals, and elemental gases than any other industry. That doesn’t make them sound too eco-friendly now, does it?

Green Computing Tips

Here’s a few more statistics about computers:

• There are at least 300 million obsolete computers in the US today.
• 81% of a desktop computer’s total lifetime energy consumption goes towards just making the product.
• At least 50% of a computer can be recycled today. The rest, however, ends up in landfills.

So far, it seems like there is a lot of bad info that comes with computer use. The good news is there are things you can do to reduce your computer’s energy consumption and make it more Eco-friendly.

Turn off the screen saver. Like cell phones, screen savers can consume a lot of unnecessary energy.

If you’re not going to be using the computer for a few hours or more, shut it down. This also includes connected devices, like speakers and printers. You should also plug everything into a power strip and flip the switch to cut any phantom power that would be consumed otherwise.

If you do need to leave the computer on for a while, set it to Hibernate, Sleep, or Standby. Be sure to check out other power-saving options that might come with your computer, as they can be programmed to automatically shut down your computer or set it to hibernate after a specific length of time. These settings allow you to keep your computer on and programs open, but will consume a lot less energy while you’re away.

When you are using the computer, make the screen only as bright as you need it to be.

If you need to get a new computer, buy a laptop instead of a desktop; they consume less than 50% of the electricity that a desktop computer does. You should also look into computers made from recycled parts, or even used computers.

If you’ve had your computer for a while, you may notice that it runs slower than when you first bought it. Run the virus checker, disk cleanup, system error checking, and disk defragmenter programs to help speed things up a bit. You should also clear your browser’s history and cache, empty your recycle bin, and delete/remove any programs or files that you may not use very often. If you have a desktop computer, it is also a good idea to open it up once in a while (either via a side or back panel on the tower) and clean out the dust that’s probably accumulated in there.

That’s it for this article, but here are a few final tips and links to check out:

Energy Savings Tips

Look for Energy Star and EPEAT labels. Both indicate the product is eco-friendly; EPEAT GOLD labels are especially good.

Look for products made from as many recycled parts as possible, or buy used.

Enjoy what you have. Taking care of the electronics you already own will prolong their life, save you money, and lighten your carbon footprint.

Look for products that come in a minimal amount of packaging. The packaging should also be recyclable.

Offset your carbon footprint with renewable energy credits. Check out these sites for more info: Bullfrog Power, Native Energy, Renewable Choice, Terra Pass.

Send your electronics to Terra-Cycle. They take your used electronics and turn them into new products. You earn points/money for every item sent in, which can then be donated to the charity or school of your choice! Items accepted include: calculators, cell phones, digital cameras, GPS systems, inkjet printer cartridges, keyboards and mouse, laptop computers, and mp3 players.

Find more info on e-cycling here.

Learn about the latest green gadgets here.

Calculate how much it costs to power all your electronic devices here.

The Future of Green Energy

The Future of Green Energy Solutions

This week’s topic is a special one as we have the opportunity to feature a special guest post by Thomas Sinfield.  Thomas has a passion for alternative energy and will be sharing the many benefits of Green Energy along with sharing the difference between Green Energy vs. Traditional Energy Sources.   We are very excited about this topic on The Future of Green Energy Solutions at My Eco Maid and hope you enjoy.

The Future of Green Energy Solutions by Thomas Sinfield

Alternative energy or green energy sources have been garnering international attention recently. This results in the reevaluation of all available energy alternatives. Since oil prices continue rising up, there is a rapid growth in demand for green energy sources. Because of this, the green energy market has seen significant growth for the past couple of years.

Green Energy vs. Traditional Energy Sources

Some countries, such as the United States, use both non-renewable and renewable energy sources. Non-renewable energy sources are energy fuels that diminish and cannot be refilled, while green or renewable energy sources are energy sources that can be replenished continuously. Energy coming from the sun, water and wind, biomass and geothermal sources are examples of renewable energy.

While green energy is more expensive than conventional sources, it helps minimize pollution and preserve fossil fuels. Non-renewable energy, on the other hand, is much cheaper but generally produces toxic wastes that can be very harmful to the environment. Additionally, non-renewable sources of energy will eventually diminish, thus becoming more environmentally-damaging to collect.

Green Energy Sources

Since cleaner energy sources are gaining popularity, it is important to start discovering what each other’s features, advantages and disadvantages are. 

• Hydropower – or can be simply referred to as water power, is energy generated from the force of falling water. One of the oldest ways to extract power from nature, hydropower was used to provide energy to sawmills, watermills, dock cranes and irrigation systems.

Renewable hydropower provides energy without producing greenhouse gas and other toxic wastes. However, the dams required to generate hydropower can be very costly; and they block the rivers’ system, disturbing the inhabitants’ natural spawning and migratory patterns.

• Wind Power – is the utilization of wind turbines or wind mills to create electricity. The power generated from wind rapidly increases as the wind speeds up, therefore, locating wind turbines in windy areas is very important.

Although the power it produces is somehow intermittent, wind energy is very affordable, and renewable; and best of all, it does not release any harmful emissions.

• Solar Power – is generated by using the sun’s energy. It is a very efficient source of power and is able to supply sufficient energy to give light, heat, electricity and cooling system to homes, commercial establishments and other industries. Although the sun has a great potential for providing enough energy, it is still not commonly used. As a matter of fact, only 1% of the United States’ energy requirement is derived from the sun. 

While solar power generates no pollution, it is a very expensive form of renewable energy. Solar cells cost around $1000 and some more complex applications will require more than one cell.

• Geothermal Power – is the energy generated from natural heat sources such as underground hot water or steam. This is a cost-effective and efficient renewable power source.

While geothermal power is a cheap power source, installing it requires technical knowledge. Building it as a DIY project for homes is almost impossible. 

The Future Growth of Green Energy

Because the worldwide oil price hike seems to be an unstoppable event, use of renewable energy is predicted to increase by 30% in a span of 20 years in the US alone. And with the growing environmental concerns, utilization of these green energy sources is more likely to increase worldwide in the near future.

Mark is an Australian registered plumber who’s business,Solar Hot Water Queensland, supply and install hot water systems. He can also help you find out if you are eligible for any solar rebates from the government.

Wind Power, Revised Edition: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business

Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Construction (Builder’s Guide)

Sniff Pet Candles – Friends to the Rescue

Eco-friendly Pet Candles

Eco-friendly Pet Candle Product Review – Sniff Pet Candles “Friends to the Rescue”

First I must send a big THANK YOU to Jenn over at Sniff Pet Candles for sending us such a great sample.  From start to finish, the experience with Jenn and Sniff Pet Candles has been pawtastic!

The moment the package arrived, I could smell how wonderful this candle was going to be but I do not want to spoil it yet before going into some of the great benefits of the Sniff Pet Candles.

Highlights

• Great Packaging – normally I do not mentioned packaging in a review but this product is packaged in such a way that I had to comment.  It comes in a black gift box that features the Niff Pet Candles Label on the outside.   -That is just the box!
• Clean, Clear and Eloquent glass container that can be reused when finished
• Eco-friendly
• • 100% Green Specially formulated with Eco-friendly 100% organic natural ingredients; soy, palm,beeswax, essential oils
  • All natural 100% cotton wicks
  • Great Insect Deterrent, Naturally

One of my favorite parts to this review is being able to share about the wonderful aroma this candle has.  Even with not burning it you will be delighted with the fresh, clean and natural aroma the Friends to the Rescue has.  If I said addicting, it might sound strange but the candle is very appealing to the senses and makes for a great addition to any room.

The Sniff Pet Candles come in 5 wonderful aromas: Day In the Hamptons, Fart & Away, Field of Dreams, Splendor in the Grass, Friends to the Rescue.   To find out more about Pet Candles and how you can have a great smelling and Eco-friendly candle for you and your dog, check them out today.

To find out about these and other great Eco-friendly dog products that are sure to be a Pet’s Delight wag on over to Pawrific.com

Natural Pet Candles at Pawrific