So what's the advantage environmentally speaking?
As paper towel is popular in the kitchen for mopping up spills, the idea is a microfibre cloth can be used as a replacement. A well cared for microfiber cloth should last for years, which could be equivalent to hundreds of rolls of paper towels. The superior cleaning action of a microfiber cloth can also translate to less in the way of cleaning fluids needing to be used.
Microfiber cloth care
Microfiber cloths used specifically for dry applications such as dusting should be shaken out after use. When used primarily for wet applications, they can be rinsed in warm water with a little laundry detergent. If thrown in with general washing, it's important not to use a fabric conditioner in the load as it will coat the fibers and make them less effective. You probably shouldn't risk chucking an older microfiber cloth in with your general wash in case it chooses that moment to start falling apart and you wind up with fibers all over your clothes. Whatever the scenario, the cloths should be kept dry when not in use.
The verdict
I think one of the biggest disappointments people experience with microfiber cloths lies in how they are marketed. Some companies make rather over the top claims about their effectiveness using rather dodgy demonstrations. When the microfiber cloth doesn't perform exactly as advertised, it's thrown into the dark recesses of a cleaning cupboard to (very) slowly molder away. Don't let the refund guarantee fool you - companies offer this knowing that only a small percentage of disillusioned customers will bother asking for their money back.
Microfiber cloths may not be as great as some would make them out to be, but the tradeoff between their origins and what they can offset in terms of paper towel and cleaning fluid consumption makes them a useful part of your green cleaning kit.
Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
Green Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact.
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By Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
The recycling movement has gathered plenty of steam in recent years which is wonderful as there is far less waste hitting our landfills and far more resources being reclaimed. However, there is concern building that the recycling wave is allowing us to still be rampant consumers, a throwaway society; and recycling some justification for maintaining this mindset.
Take for example those very handy cans of gourmet tuna. These are great to pack in a lunch box but I can empty the contents with a single mouthful! I can alleviate my guilt somewhat by recycling the can, but in order to get that mouthful of tuna, an awful lot of resources have gone into the packaging - and that's not to mention the added costs in purchasing products using "convenience packaging".
What's more economical and energy efficient is buying a larger can of tuna and spooning out the equivalent amount into a reusable container. The only problem there is if the contents of the larger can aren't eaten - and food waste is another massive environmental problem.
It's the same sort of situation with a plethora of other products - cans vs. large bottles of drink, traveller packs of anything - all these handy sizes which cost us more can be recycled; but we forget the amount of energy it takes to do so.
While the energy required to recycle the aluminum in a drink can is one twentieth of that to produce the can from raw materials; when you start thinking in terms of billions of cans; it's still a lot of energy consumed. You can buy the equivalent of 5 cans in a plastic PET recyclable bottle and I suspect (I'm not sure on this) that the recycling process would require less energy (although PET bottles are actually downcycled).
The downcycling aspect is another trap many of us fall into - downcycling is different to recycling in that the packaging being processed is made into something of less value. True recycling is where more of the same product is made; but the term has been extended to cover a variety of different actions.
The case for reuse
In terms of larger items, let's say an old busted washing machine - we can send it to scrap merchants who may strip it of useful components for recycling which is great; but Fred from down the road is handy with washing machines and he may find that it just needs a fuse or some cheap component. Fred may be able to make use of it or resell the item. Reuse extends the life of a product before it has to hit the recycling stage. You may have saved Fred (or someone else) some cash in having to buy a new washer, so there's also a definite feel good aspect to re-use aside from the consumption issue.
According to a (rather old) article on the US EPA's Institute for Local Self-Reliance site, "New recycling-based manufacturers create 25 times the number of jobs as landfilling. Some reuse operations employ 200 jobs for every one job at a disposal facility."
With the growing number of people understanding that reuse is the first option before recycle, all sorts of groups have started up where you can offer your items for free to others who can make use of them. One such service is The Freecycle Network™ which currently has nearly 7.6 million members globally.
Another interesting service is ecofreek; which searches over 45+ sources for free and swappable items being given away by people who no longer need them
I've read some amazing stories of people who believed *no-one* could make use of their junk, only to find it snapped up when posted to these sorts of sites.
There are also an increasing number of trash removal services that will sort through your waste for you, diverting whatever possible for composting, recycling and reuse. These services cost a little more, but in my opinion are well worth the money.
So, recycling (in all its forms) is bad then?
While some will understandably frown upon the heavy emphasis of recycling for the reasons above; I still think that recycling is an incredibly important thing to encourage. Aside from the reclamation of resources, recycling is a "gateway" green action.
So many people start their green journey by recycling. It's these easy actions than can encourage bigger changes down the track. For those of us down the green road a little however, the reuse vs. recycle issues are something we should bear in mind.
Even more importantly, we need to reduce the amount we consume - that's why the 3R's of green living are in the order they are - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
Green Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact .
Green Living Tips.com
Green Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact .
Are microfiber cloths green?
Guest Article
by Michael Bloch Green Living Tips.com
Microfiber cloths and the environment
It's hard to escape the buzz surrounding microfiber cloths over the last couple of years. A particular brand has been made quite famous thanks to its somewhat, shall we say, unique, spreaker.
What is a microfiber cloth?
As the name suggests, microfiber cloths are made from incredibly small and lightweight fibers; with a single filament 9,000 meters weighing a gram or 0.035 ounces per 5.6 miles.
The very tiny spaces between the filaments are part of what gives them their cleaning power. Whereas a normal rag tends to push materials along, causing smearing, microfiber cloths pick small particles up and draw liquids away from a surface through a wicking action. Their tendency to become electrostatically charged also helps with attracting dust.
A microfiber cloth can hold up to seven times its weight in liquid, however some brands claim their cloths hold up to twenty times.
What are microfiber cloths made from?
Most microfiber cloths are made of polyester, polyamide or other polymers such as nylon. These compounds are derived mainly from crude oil or coal. Aside from the environmental issues associated with creating these plastics, burning of materials such as nylon can produce toxic smoke.
Additionally, these materials aren't readily degradable and will be with us for some time to come.
While polyester and nylon can be "recycled", or more accurately, downcycled, a mix of different fibers in a microfiber cloth would see it being unsuitable for recycling. I'd hazard a guess that if you put one of these cloths in with your recycling, it would be thrown out at the point of sorting and head to landfill.
Lessen Your Environmental Footprint by Freecycling
by Caroline Smith
Getslipcovers.com
No one person can be a superhero and an individual’s effort cannot singlehandedly save the Earth but, collectively, small actions do have a great impact on the environment and can lessen our environmental footprint. Young or old, every person can play a part in prolonging the life of this home planet and ensuring that it is capable of sustaining the generations of the future. One of the best ways to conserve natural resources is through reusing and recycling existing items. The Freecycle movement makes it easier for those with a green conscience to do this.
Freecycle groups maintain moderated websites which allow members to list objects that they no longer need but which might be valuable to someone else. The items listed range from electronics, furniture, appliances, and clothing to firewood, paint, plants, and exercise equipment. The vision of Freecycle is to keep usable castoffs out of the already overflowing landfills by donating them to someone else for free. The byproducts of this effort include conservation of natural resources and saving money, as all items listed on Freecycle are given away for free.
Many people wonder how they can best make use of the items offered by Freecycle members. Some, of course, may be used just as they are, but others require a little loving attention. The following ideas can be used to turn another’s trash into a special treasure:
• Give any acquired objects a good washing.
• Paint or stain items that are scratched or outdated.
• Replace hardware on drawers or doors.
• Buy inexpensive stretch slipcovers to change the fabric on couches, ottomans, or chairs.
• Use stylish table runners on end tables, coffee tables or entertainment centers.
Freecycle is also wonderful around the holidays and can be a frugal way to decorate during these special times. Watch the Freecycle listings for some of the following:
• Throw pillows for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Fourth of July, or other special events and holidays.
• Old love seats that can be covered with holiday slipcover to provide an accent piece.
• Candles that can be grouped with other holiday decorations to create a special center piece.
• Old lamps which only need the shade replaced to be seasonal.
Providing a seasonal feel in the home does not have to mean spending big bucks on items that will spend most of the year in the closet or attic. Freecycling can help those with a desire to be less wasteful to decorate for the holidays without guilt.
By joining together, people can act in a way that makes a difference, one small deed at a time. Spreading the word about Freecycle and using it as often as possible when cleaning out the collected debris around the house can help the environment and will also help the community at large.
Caroline Smith
Getslipcovers.com
Caroline Smith lives in the U.K. and operates Getslipcovers.com
Guest Article
by Caroline Smith
Getslipcovers.com
No one person can be a superhero and an individual’s effort cannot singlehandedly save the Earth but, collectively, small actions do have a great impact on the environment and can lessen our environmental footprint. Young or old, every person can play a part in prolonging the life of this home planet and ensuring that it is capable of sustaining the generations of the future. One of the best ways to conserve natural resources is through reusing and recycling existing items. The Freecycle movement makes it easier for those with a green conscience to do this.
Freecycle groups maintain moderated websites which allow members to list objects that they no longer need but which might be valuable to someone else. The items listed range from electronics, furniture, appliances, and clothing to firewood, paint, plants, and exercise equipment. The vision of Freecycle is to keep usable castoffs out of the already overflowing landfills by donating them to someone else for free. The byproducts of this effort include conservation of natural resources and saving money, as all items listed on Freecycle are given away for free.
Many people wonder how they can best make use of the items offered by Freecycle members. Some, of course, may be used just as they are, but others require a little loving attention. The following ideas can be used to turn another’s trash into a special treasure:
• Give any acquired objects a good washing.
• Paint or stain items that are scratched or outdated.
• Replace hardware on drawers or doors.
• Buy inexpensive stretch slipcovers to change the fabric on couches, ottomans, or chairs.
• Use stylish table runners on end tables, coffee tables or entertainment centers.
Freecycle is also wonderful around the holidays and can be a frugal way to decorate during these special times. Watch the Freecycle listings for some of the following:
• Throw pillows for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Fourth of July, or other special events and holidays.
• Old love seats that can be covered with holiday slipcover to provide an accent piece.
• Candles that can be grouped with other holiday decorations to create a special center piece.
• Old lamps which only need the shade replaced to be seasonal.
Providing a seasonal feel in the home does not have to mean spending big bucks on items that will spend most of the year in the closet or attic. Freecycling can help those with a desire to be less wasteful to decorate for the holidays without guilt.
By joining together, people can act in a way that makes a difference, one small deed at a time. Spreading the word about Freecycle and using it as often as possible when cleaning out the collected debris around the house can help the environment and will also help the community at large.
Caroline Smith
Getslipcovers.com
Caroline Smith lives in the U.K. and operates Getslipcovers.com
Reuse vs Recycle:
Think Reuse Before Recycle
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Buying Organic
: How Do You Know If You’re Getting Your Money’s Worth?
by Kylie Lawrence
The shift towards organic eating has gained popularity in recent years. By all accounts, this is good news. Americans have begun to realize the effect that food has, not only on their bodies, but on the Earth, as well. Chemical fertilizers and pesticides not only seep into the soil and the water table, spreading their harmful pollutants to innumerable ecosystems, they also worm their way into our bodies in trace amounts, despite careful washing of produce, to hide away in our fat cells, causing damage unbeknownst to their host. Then there are the
growth hormones and antibiotics that are pumped into meats and transferred to our bodies upon ingestion. When you start to take a close look at the practices of our food industry, it can be a pretty frightening unveiling. This is why many people have started the switch to organics. However, food consumption in our country is a consumer industry, driven by supply and demand, which means it is a business. Whenever you’re dealing with business or a nationwide scale, there are bound to be unscrupulous characters willing to promise you one thing but sell you another.
The worst offenders are “natural” foods. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has strict guidelines for certified organic foods. In order to bear the USDA certified organic label, food products must meet a number of standards. First, they must list a minimum of 70% organic material in their products (although in order to sport the USDA organic seal, they must have 95-100% organics material – those with less simply say “Made with Organic Ingredients”). For those that grow crops, this means at least three years of untreated soil as well as the submission of a comprehensive plan (organic system plan, or OSP) that lays out the practices and substances used in food production as well as the system in place to monitor ongoing compliance to regulations (especially in the area of comingling organic and non-organic foodstuffs).
Further, manufacturers under the umbrella of the USDA organic program must undergo annual inspections. What that means for consumers is a regulated industry that promises foods that bear the USDA organic label will meet their rigorous standards. And while there are some exemptions from this system (for example, operations that produce less than $5,000 per year in product), they are still required to adhere to standards set forth by the USDA if they plan to label their wares as organic. Foods that claim to be “all natural”, on the other hand, actually have no standards.
The term, in itself, is fairly vague and has no legal definition when it comes to food. It is therefore open to interpretation by both manufacturers and consumers. To one company, it could mean foodstuffs that exclude hormones and antibiotics, while others may determine it to mean that no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners were added. In short, there are absolutely no standards where this label is concerned. When you buy organic, on the other hand, you are paying for a promise. You’re buying into a regulated and standardized industry that ensures the foods you purchase deliver exactly what they promote. Even though they may cost a little more, keep in mind that more people buying equals higher production and lower prices. So skip the natural foodstuffs and go for certified organic to ensure that you’re getting what you pay for and to help drive down prices.
Kylie Lawrence is an educated consumer and an advocate for organic farming practices and enforceable regulations to maintain the quality and integrity of organic foods. She earns her living blogging and copywriting for Spirit Pins, a company that specializes in custom lapel pins and sports team trading pins.
Further, manufacturers under the umbrella of the USDA organic program must undergo annual inspections. What that means for consumers is a regulated industry that promises foods that bear the USDA organic label will meet their rigorous standards. And while there are some exemptions from this system (for example, operations that produce less than $5,000 per year in product), they are still required to adhere to standards set forth by the USDA if they plan to label their wares as organic. Foods that claim to be “all natural”, on the other hand, actually have no standards.
The term, in itself, is fairly vague and has no legal definition when it comes to food. It is therefore open to interpretation by both manufacturers and consumers. To one company, it could mean foodstuffs that exclude hormones and antibiotics, while others may determine it to mean that no artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners were added. In short, there are absolutely no standards where this label is concerned. When you buy organic, on the other hand, you are paying for a promise. You’re buying into a regulated and standardized industry that ensures the foods you purchase deliver exactly what they promote. Even though they may cost a little more, keep in mind that more people buying equals higher production and lower prices. So skip the natural foodstuffs and go for certified organic to ensure that you’re getting what you pay for and to help drive down prices.
Kylie Lawrence is an educated consumer and an advocate for organic farming practices and enforceable regulations to maintain the quality and integrity of organic foods. She earns her living blogging and copywriting for Spirit Pins, a company that specializes in custom lapel pins and sports team trading pins.
For some, exercise can be a great way to relief stress and get into shape. For others, exercise must be avoided at all costs. Whichever way you look at it, fitness is an essential part of our lives and ultimately affects not only us, but our environment, too. Throughout the world, there is a growing movement of runners who utilize exercise as not only a means of getting to a destination, but also as an advocate for change. Many individuals believe that the environment around us is the contributing factor to why people enjoy outdoor activities. It is important to realize that in order to enjoy the beauty nature has to offer; we must respect it and treat it as our own so others can enjoy its beauty, too.
A great way to incorporate eco friendly fitness into your life is through eco-running. This can include picking up trash while you are on a run, or bringing your own reusable water bottle along with you. You may also want to consider bringing a biodegradable bag while running outside, so when you see garbage lying on the ground, you can easily pick it up and dispose of it later. Eco-running is only one aspect of living a green lifestyle. It not only contributes to decreasing car emissions, but also acts as another mode of transportation. Running can be done just for yourself, while eco-running helps the entire community. This gives you an opportunity to give back to the planet, and helps set a good example to others.
To become better at eco-exercising, sometimes all you need is the motivation. Try encouraging friends and family to engage in an eco-friendly activity. Sometimes attaching the word “eco” to any activity can be a great way of staying conscientious about your environment. Implement this tool into your daily life to set an example to those around you. Just remember to do what you can so that you don’t get burnt out on being earth-friendly. You do not have to dedicate every activity to picking up trash. Just set aside one activity per week that will be devoted to an eco-friendly task.
Maybe on your next eco-activity, try wearing green gear. Although planet-friendly activities do no require any special equipment, it would be in the planets best interest to try wearing sustainable fabrics, like hemp. Remember to recycle any old clothing, or shoes to further along your eco-friendly fitness. The most eco-friendly choice you can make is to continue to wear the clothing you have instead of buying new clothes.
When planning to exercise, try considering your transportation. Are you driving your gas-guzzling SUV to the gym, or park? Is the bike trail close enough to just simply ride your bike? Maybe consider carpooling with a friend for your weekly gym workout. This will help save money on gas and would be better for the environment. Also, try looking up the routes for your public busses. You may find there is one close to where you want to go. Anything to decrease your carbon footprint will help you stay eco-friendly and fit.
Sometimes staying eco-fit is just about making wise decisions. In today’s world, many companies offer great alternative products that will help you make eco-friendly decisions. Do a little research to help you find out which recreational equipment is helping the environment. Making small steps towards helping your environment is well worth it, while you get in shape at the same time.
Sarah Danielson, writes for HomeExerciseSystem.com, a fitness website that features the Total Gym workout machine.
A great way to incorporate eco friendly fitness into your life is through eco-running. This can include picking up trash while you are on a run, or bringing your own reusable water bottle along with you. You may also want to consider bringing a biodegradable bag while running outside, so when you see garbage lying on the ground, you can easily pick it up and dispose of it later. Eco-running is only one aspect of living a green lifestyle. It not only contributes to decreasing car emissions, but also acts as another mode of transportation. Running can be done just for yourself, while eco-running helps the entire community. This gives you an opportunity to give back to the planet, and helps set a good example to others.
To become better at eco-exercising, sometimes all you need is the motivation. Try encouraging friends and family to engage in an eco-friendly activity. Sometimes attaching the word “eco” to any activity can be a great way of staying conscientious about your environment. Implement this tool into your daily life to set an example to those around you. Just remember to do what you can so that you don’t get burnt out on being earth-friendly. You do not have to dedicate every activity to picking up trash. Just set aside one activity per week that will be devoted to an eco-friendly task.
Maybe on your next eco-activity, try wearing green gear. Although planet-friendly activities do no require any special equipment, it would be in the planets best interest to try wearing sustainable fabrics, like hemp. Remember to recycle any old clothing, or shoes to further along your eco-friendly fitness. The most eco-friendly choice you can make is to continue to wear the clothing you have instead of buying new clothes.
When planning to exercise, try considering your transportation. Are you driving your gas-guzzling SUV to the gym, or park? Is the bike trail close enough to just simply ride your bike? Maybe consider carpooling with a friend for your weekly gym workout. This will help save money on gas and would be better for the environment. Also, try looking up the routes for your public busses. You may find there is one close to where you want to go. Anything to decrease your carbon footprint will help you stay eco-friendly and fit.
Sometimes staying eco-fit is just about making wise decisions. In today’s world, many companies offer great alternative products that will help you make eco-friendly decisions. Do a little research to help you find out which recreational equipment is helping the environment. Making small steps towards helping your environment is well worth it, while you get in shape at the same time.
Sarah Danielson, writes for HomeExerciseSystem.com, a fitness website that features the Total Gym workout machine.
Eco Friendly Fitness: How to Get Fit the Green Way
by Sarah Danielson, HomeExerciseSystem.com
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Seventh Generation kitchen trash bags are made of 100% recycled plastic combined with 70% post-consumer materials. If every household in the U.S. replaced just one package of 15 count large trash bags made from new plastic with 100% recycled bags, the savings would be: 93,000 barrels of oil, 1.7 million cubic feet of landfill space (equal to 2,500 full garbage trucks), and avoid 34,600 tons of pollution!
Carbon filter prevent odors!
Composting begins in the kitchen by collecting all your organic waste and later adding it to your outdoor composting system. Typically, about 30% of household waste can be composted and should not end up in landfills. This kitchen waste collector is made from high density polyethylene and includes a carbon filter that significantly reduces any organic smells. Order replacement carbon filters here. Capacity is 2.4 gallons, measures 8.5" x 9" x 11".
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The Hunter Fan 23855 is an original classic ceiling fan in the black motor finish. Indestructible cast iron construction and UL Indoor rated.
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