Why Ocean Trash is Everyone’s Problem

 by Leah Blunt & Jennifer Berry 01/30/12

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

The Isles of Shoals (above) are common patrolling grounds for the plastic hunters of the Rozalia Project. Photo: Flickr/PHOTOPHANATIC1

Off the eastern coast of the U.S., out from the border between New Hampshire and Maine, the Isles of Shoals rest peacefully in the early morning. Underwater, whales feed, schools of fish flutter by, and yellow, remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) clasp old cans, discarded lobster traps and other debris on the ocean floor.

On the American Promise floating overhead, the ship’s crew, who sport accolades including Ivy League degrees, U.S. Coastguard Captain certifications, and a U.S. Sailing Team coach, operate the ROVs using sophisticated imaging systems that allow them to target and remove trash in a non-invasive way. The team from the Rozalia Project has a goal: to remove every, single bit of waste from the ocean that they can through direct action, and to show people what it looks like to see the impact of ocean litter through awareness education.

“We’re connecting people to their underwater world, not the underwater world, not the nameless, faceless ocean they think of,” says Rachael Miller, founder of the Rozalia Project. “Right under anybody’s feet, in any water body, there’s something cool – and probably right next to it, there’s something not cool, like a beer can or a chip bag or somebody’s shoe.”

Named after her great-grandmother, Rozalia Belsky, the Rozalia Project aims to protect the seas that brought Miller’s family to a better life in America almost 90 years ago.

Taking Individual Responsibility

Miller travels around the country with her ROVs, showing everyone from children to yacht club members what their local body of water really looks like, hoping that the reality of the images they see will change behaviors that are trashing the world’s seas, rivers, harbors and lakes.

“I think sometimes the unexpectedness of seeing a cool underwater habitat interrupted by [trash], that is very alarming. We were at one yacht club and showing people the images from the ROV, and someone said ‘Let’s go over to Bob’s boat and see what it looks like.’ His boat was surrounded by forks, plates cups, cans – basically, Bob was busted. I’m willing to bet he hasn’t added anything to the pile since our visit.”

But since there are 13,000 pieces of litter per square kilometer in the world’s oceans, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Miller and her team can’t do it alone.

This ROV is one of the tools the Rozalia Project utilizes to pinpoint and remove debris from the sea. Photo: Courtesy of The Rozalia Project

This is why plastics industry leaders from across the world met in Dubai late last year to create a global action plan for solutions on marine litter. The meeting was an extension of the “Declaration for Solutions on Marine Litter” pledge, released in March 2011 and signed by 54 plastic organizations in 33 countries.

The issue is receiving worldwide, global attention, and not just from countries whose borders touch the sea.

Land-based litter is usually the result of improperly discarded trash by beachgoers or from areas where trash gets washed into sewers or storm drains and finds its way to major waterways. Common types of marine debris include plastic bags, bottles and cans, cigarette filters, bottle caps and lids. For this reason, recycling-on-the-go can be a major player in helping curb this harmful litter.

“In California, [the American Chemistry Council] has placed nearly 700 bins at 19 coastal locations in the San Diego, Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Monterey and Santa Cruz areas,” said Allyson Wilson, public relations manager for the ACC. “These bins divert 45 tons of plastics and over 105 tons of other recyclables from the waste stream annually and help to make sure these valuable resources end up with recyclers instead of in waterways or landfills.” The ACC also donates to research and cleanup programs like the Rozalia Project to support a wider effort.

“Litter and marine debris is a global problem, and it cannot be solved by any one country, organization, region or entity,” said Wilson. “The more stakeholders we have at the table working on solutions, the more successful we’ll be.”

What Can We Really Do?

Miller agrees. When Earth911 asked about what can truly be done, because the problem seems so overwhelming, she illustrated the power of the collective effort with a story from the Olympic Games in Beijing, where her husband was a coach for a U.S. women’s sailing team.

“A few weeks before the Olympics were about to start, this humongous mat of seaweed algae came in, and it covered the sailing areas. Not only could you not drive a motorboat through it, but the sailboats were completely disabled. At first nothing happened, everybody panicked, and then the Associated Press got their hands on the story, and the Chinese government got many thousands of fishing boats and thousands of Chinese citizens with pitchforks, and they removed it all.“

According to BBC News, “it took more than 10,000 people to clean up, removing over one million tonnes of algae from the beach and coast.”

“But the amazing thing is, they got rid of it,” Miler said. “And with a whole lot of people and a whole lot of determination, this [the problem of trash in our seas] can be fixed.”

So where can you start making a difference?

Trash like this from Bearskin Beach in Rockport, Mass., is commonly collected in both beach and ocean cleanups. Photo: Courtesy of The Rozalia Project

Act Like a Local

Even if you’re vacationing at the beach, treat the surrounding area as if it was your home. Pick up litter, and try to use reusable items instead of single-use or disposable items that might be left behind.

Always dispose of any trash properly, even if you’re in the street away from the beach. Often, misplaced trash runs into the ocean through storm drains or the wind carries it to the water.

Boat Responsibly

If you own a boat, one of the biggest things you can do is properly dispose of all your trash. Not only is it illegal to put plastic material in U.S. waters or anywhere in the ocean, but it’s also unhealthy for the waterways you use.

You can also support environmentally friendly marinas and report any illegal dumping to the U.S. Coast Guard. NOAA suggests using Channel 16 on your VHF marine radio or calling (800) 424-8802 to locate the Sector Office near you.

Give Your Time

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2008 over 183,000 people across the U.S. participated in beach cleanups, removing almost 4 million pounds of debris from more than 9,000 miles of coasts, shorelines and underwater sites. Start with one of these organizations:

• NOAA Marine Debris Program – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration http://www.noaa.gov/, a bureaus of the US Department of Commerce, has instituted a Marine Debris Program that supports national and global efforts to research, prevent and reduce the impacts of marine debris through various projects and partnerships of its own.
• International Coastal Cleanup – Each year, the Ocean Conservancy sponsors the International Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers from around the globe and 55 U.S. states and territories participate, clearing tons of trash from coastlines, rivers and lakes.
• Keep America Beautiful, Inc. – KAB works with businesses, schools, neighborhood groups and local governments to improve our land, waters and built environment, providing programs that help communities reduce, reuse and recycle.
• Marine Debris Solutions – America’s plastics makers are committed to working on the problem of ocean litter. They support efforts to reduce waste, increase recycling and litter prevention programs, and foster regional and global partnerships. This site is dedicated to providing the latest and most substantive information available on the causes and sources of marine debris, and most importantly, to showing what the industry is doing to help find solutions.
• Sea Education Association – Sea Education Association is an internationally recognized leader in undergraduate ocean education. For 40 years and more than one million nautical miles, they have educated students about the world’s oceans through their fully accredited study abroad program, SEA Semester. SEA is based on Cape Cod in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts
• GESAMP – As an effort to support marine debris research and prevention, organizations are partnered with the Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP). GESAMP is an advisory committee to the United Nations focused on evaluating the sources, fate and effects of micro-plastics in the global marine environment.
• Operation Clean Sweep – Operation Clean Sweep is an industry created initiative to ensure that resin pellets are properly contained and prevented from entering various waterways. The plastic pellets the program is focused on are the raw materials used to create other plastic products. They are a common debris item and hazardous to marine animals who eat them, but can’t digest them. Because the resin pellets are a pre-consumer good, it is up to the plastics industry to ensure that they are being properly contained and disposed of. OCS has a goal of zero pellet loss and provides education and materials to companies to help make that goal a reality.

Just as the founders of the Rozalia Project have a personal connection to the well-being of the seas, so does every other person on the planet, even if you’ve never visited. The world’s oceans feed millions of people, help regulate the weather, and provide beautiful reminders of the importance of protecting natural resources.

Miller writes it best: “For me, protecting and cleaning the ocean is an ode to my past and hope for the future – to protect all of the creatures the ocean keeps and nourishes from the smallest bit of plankton up to the whales and us people and to keep the pathway to a better life, whether people are going east, west, north or south, clean and clear.”

Editor’s Note: Earth911 partners with many industries, manufacturers and organizations to support its Recycling Directory, the largest in the nation, which is provided to consumers at no cost. The ACC is one of these partners.

How to Save Energy in the Laundry Room

 

 by Alexis Petru 01/27/12

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Hand washing and line drying may be the most eco- and budget-friendly options for doing laundry, but our busy schedules and local weather often don’t allow us to take up these greener housekeeping practices. Earth911 has rounded up nine ways to reduce your energy use and lower your utility bills, while still taking advantage of the conveniences of the modern laundry room.

1. Wash with cooler water

About 90 percent of the energy consumed by your washing machine is used just to heat the water, according to the Alliance to Save Energy. Switch to cold water for many of your loads, especially those with dark or bright colors and delicates like silk or wool. Cold-water washing won’t just save you money: It will also keep colors bright, reduce wrinkling and won’t set stains.

Using cold water to wash your clothes for one year can save enough energy to run an average home for up to two weeks, the Alliance says.

If you find that your regular detergent isn’t cleaning effectively enough with your cold-water loads, look for cold-water detergents that are specifically made to get clothes clean in cooler temperatures.

Can’t make the change to cold water for all your loads? Even switching from hot water to warm can cut a load’s energy use in half, according to the Department of Energy (DOE).

READ: 8 Quick Ways to Save $290 This Month

2. Run full loads

Your washer and dryer use the same amount of mechanical energy, regardless of how full they are, so the best way to save energy is to run full loads of laundry.

If you need to run a smaller load in the washing machine, be sure to use the appropriate water-level setting.

3. Set your machine for energy savings

Take advantage of your washer and dryer’s energy-saving settings – like the washing machine’s “high spin” option, which cuts down on drying time. Avoid running the sanitary cycle, which hogs energy by heating the water to excessively high temperatures. Also, be sure not to wash items for longer than you need to; many loads only need 10 minutes of washing to be cleaned effectively.

When you’re drying clothes, select the low temperature setting for delicates and medium heat for most clothes. Use your machine’s moisture sensor, if it has one, to prevent over-drying your clothes, which shrinks clothes, causes static electricity and generally wears clothes out.

4. Turn down the water heater

The default temperature setting for your water heater is usually 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which actually provides water that is too hot for most residential needs. Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and you’ll be saving energy even when you wash clothes in hot or warm water.

You can save between 3-5 percent in energy costs for each 10 degree reduction in water temperature, the DOE says.

But before you turn down your water heater, be sure to check your dishwasher’s instruction manual to make sure it will operate effectively with water cooler than 140 degrees. While most dishwashers can clean dishes in 120-degree water, some older dishwashers may not function properly with water at temperatures lower than 130 degrees.

The DOE says that reducing your water’s temperature also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes, helping your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.

READ: Home Weatherizing Tips for Renters and Owners

5. Dry similar fabrics together

Dry towels and heavier cottons in a separate load from lighter-weight, faster-drying clothes. Do back-to-back loads to take advantage of residual heat, starting with a load of fast-drying fabrics.

6. Clean the lint filter

After each load, clean the lint screen in your dryer to improve air circulation, reduce drying time and prevent fires. The DOE recommends periodically using the long nozzle tip of your vacuum cleaner to remove the lint that builds up below the dryer’s lint screen slot.

Also, inspect your dryer vent from time to time to ensure it is not blocked; this precautionary measure will also save energy and prevent fires.

7. Throw in the towel

Toss a clean, dry towel or tennis ball into the dryer to get clothes to dry quicker, the Alliance suggests. The towel absorbs moisture, while the tennis ball helps circulate air between clothes.

READ: 7 Surprising Ways to Save Energy

8. Hang out to dry

Even if your busy schedule or local weather doesn’t allow you to line dry your clothes, purchase an indoor drying rack for delicate fabrics and silks. You can also use the drying rack for “almost-dry” clothes, rather than running the dryer for additional time.

Some fabrics like wool need to be laid flat to dry, and you can buy special drying racks for these items like this stackable sweater dryer or pop-open dryer from The Container Store.

9. Shop for efficiency

If it’s time to replace your old washing machine, look for washers with the EPA Energy Star label. Energy Star washing machines use 37 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than their conventional counterparts – which can save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the machine.

While Energy Star does not certify clothes dryers because most of them use similar amounts of energy, the DOE advises buying a dryer with a moisture sensor that automatically shuts off the machine when your clothes are dry.

And, of course, don’t forget to recycle your old washers and dryers. Most major appliance retailers will haul away the old machines for recycling when they deliver the new ones. If not, search Earth911’s recycling directory for an appliance recycler near you.

READ: Green Buyer’s Guide to Washers and Dryers

Conserve Energy in the Kitchen

by Marisa McNatt 09/29/11

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Ever wondered if washing dishes by hand saves water and energy over using the dishwasher? Or, should you replace the fridge from 1989, even though it’s still running? We’ve got the inside information on keeping it efficient in the kitchen.

A more efficient refrigerator

Photo: Flickr/edcrowle

The fridge is the single biggest energy-consuming appliance in most households, according to the EPA. And the older it is, the higher its energy load.

On average, refrigerators bought before 1993 use twice the energy of Energy Star-qualified models and cost over $65 more to operate per year. Refrigerators bought before 1980 cost $200 more per year on average. Get an idea of how much it costs to operate your current fridge model. Use the Energy Star Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator and compare the operating cost of your current model compared to an Energy Star qualified model.

If it’s time to replace your fridge, make sure your old refrigerator gets recycled. There are more than 120 pounds of recyclable steel in the average refrigerator aged ten years or older. Recycling 120 pounds of steel saves an equivalent of almost 290 kilowatt-hours.

Quick tips for the fridge:

• Check the internal temperature of the refrigerator and freezer. The internal temperature of the fridge should be set between 36 and 42 degrees Fahrenheit and the freezer should be set at 3 degrees Fahrenheit. A small thermometer can be used to make sure the fridge and freezer aren’t colder than necessary.
• Seal dishes stored in the fridge tightly. Moisture released from foods can make the refrigerator work harder to keep cool.
• Going away for four weeks or longer? It’s generally recommended to unplug your fridge. However, Energy Star recommends contacting the manufacturer of your refrigerator model for detailed advice.

Try conservation cooking

Stock Photo

What are the most energy efficient ovens and stove ranges? Ovens and stove ranges used in the home are not included in the Energy Star labeling program. However, homeowner cans find oven and stove ranges that are more efficient than others.

When buying a new oven and stove range “look beyond the initial price tag,” suggests the California Energy Commission. You could have your oven for another 20 years, so the operating cost should also be considered.

Quick tips for ovens:

• Install your oven away from the refrigerator. Or, the oven’s heat will make the refrigerator work harder.  If the refrigerator and oven have to be installed next to each other, place a sheet of insulation foam between them.
• Consider a convection oven. On average, convection ovens use about one-third the energy of an electric oven. They distribute heat more evenly than ordinary ovens, so cooking time and cooking temperature can be reduced.
• Keep the oven door closed. The temperature in the oven can actually drop by 25 degrees each time you open the oven door. Trust your recipes, or make sure the oven light is working.
• Preheat the oven only when necessary. Only on steps three of the recipe, and the oven’s already preheated?  Your recipes may tell you to preheat the oven first thing, but don’t preheat the oven until you have to. Also, unless you’re baking breads, or pastries, you may not even have to preheat the oven.
• If you have a self-cleaning oven, take advantage of the remaining heat and clean the oven right after you use it. Check the seal on your oven door. Cracks and tears can allow heat to escape.

Quick tips for stove ranges:

• Go with gas cooking instead of electric. A gas stovetop with an electronic ignition costs half as much to operate as an electric stovetop, according to the California Energy Commission.
• Choose a pot the same diameter as the burner. If you choose the right size pot, you can save up to $36 annually using an electric range stove and $18 annually for a gas range stove. If you have a gas range, make sure to keep the burners clean. A blue flame means your gas range is working correctly. A yellow flame, however, may mean that the stove needs to be serviced to run more efficiently.
• Reduce the amount of heat your need. Use a pot that is the right size for the amount of food you’re cooking, replace warped pots and pans that no longer distribute heat evenly and efficiently and put lids on pots.

Best dishwashing techniques

By saving water, you’re also saving energy. It takes energy to pump, treat, heat and clean the water after it’s used in you city’s wastewater treatment facility, according to the California Energy Commission.

Wonder if you should replace your dishwasher? A dishwasher built before 1994 wastes more than 10 gallons of water per cycle and costs an extra $40 per year, according to Energy Star. And, an Energy Star qualified model will save about 1,300 gallons of water over its lifetime.

Quick tips for the dishwasher:

• Run the dishwasher at night. This is when the utility rates are low, says Adam Gottlieb, manager for the California Energy Commission.
• Unclog the sprayer arms. To ensure your dishwasher if working efficiently, clear the sprayer arms of debris such as food particles and mineral deposits. To loosen obstructions, remove the sprayer arms and soak them in warm vinegar for a few hours, suggests Horizon Services Inc., a home services company in the Delaware Valley.
• Air dry the dishes. Turn off the heated drying setting and crack open the dishwasher to save energy.
• Run hot water in the sink and avoid the delay cycle. About 80 percent of the total energy used by dishwashers goes toward heating water, according to Horizons Services Inc. Run the water in the kitchen sink, so the dishwashing cycle starts off with hot water.

Quick tips for hand-washing dishes:

• If you have an older faucet, consider replacing the aerator – the screw-on tip of the faucet. New aerators are inexpensive and will make your faucet run more efficiently.
• If it takes awhile for the kitchen-sink water to heat up, put the running water to use. Fill up water bottles, the watering-flowering can or the tea kettle as the water is running.
• Use refillable and concentrated dishwashing soaps. Concentrates use less packaging, less water and less energy to transport.

Adjust your kitchen lighting

Photo: Flickr/ineffable_pulchritude

Kitchen lights are some of the most used lights in a home, according to Energy Star. You can dial it down a notch, and you may not even notice the reduced lighting.

Quick lighting tips:

• Replace standard light bulbs with CFLs. You can save up to $40 in electricity costs annually and use up to 75 percent less energy if you replace incandescent bulbs with Energy Star-qualified light bulbs.
• Install light fixtures that are Energy Star-qualified. Light fixtures that are Energy Star qualified use 75 percent less energy, generate 70 percent less heat and last up to ten times longer than standard lighting.
• Turn down the lights when you’re finished cooking. No need to keep on the four kitchen light fixtures with six light bulbs each when you’re finished cooking. Create a nice ambiance and use lamps and candles instead during meals.

Recycling Facts & Statistics Infographic

from www.buildingsguide.com

Recycling is processing used materials into new products to prevent waste of potentially useful materials, reduce the consumption of fresh raw materials, reduce energy usage, reduce air and water pollution. The infographic below shows some fun recycling facts about aluminum, paper, plastic, and glass along with the environmental impact by US state.

How to Ecoize Your Exercise Routine

by Alexis Petru 01/17/12

from www.earth911.com

[My thoughts and suggestions will be in brackets and in bold.]<!– –>

Tip #1: Rather than hopping in your car and heading to the local gym, take a jog, walk or bike ride in the great outdoors right outside your home. Photo: Flickr/Matt McGee

Were you one of the countless Americans who made the New Year’s resolution to exercise more in 2012? Before you hop in your car to drive to the gym or invest in an expensive, energy-sucking home exercise machine, check out these six ways to lower the environmental footprint of your new workout routine.

1. Ditch the car

Rather than spew carbon emissions on your way to the gym, step out of your car and green your exercise regimen by taking advantage of the great outdoors. [Another couple options: bike or rollerblade to your gym. Thus saving you from having to do cardio at the gym. If you wear earbuds or headphones while riding or skating, for your safety, please keep the volume low enough so that you can hear cars or emergency vehicles.]

Jog on hiking trails near your house, bike through your neighborhood or take a walk outside your office on your lunch break.

It’s even better if you can complete your daily to-do’s while increasing your heart rate: walking to the corner store to pick up some groceries or biking to work.

Too cold to venture outside this time of year (or too hot in the summer)? Sign up for online yoga classes through YogaToday or YogaGlo, and pursue your practice in the comfort of your own home. Or borrow yoga, Pilates and other exercise DVDs from the local library – a very inexpensive way to start your home workout routine.

READ: 10 Ways to Enjoy the Outdoors

2. Upgrade to a reusable bottle

It’s important to stay hydrated while working out, and if you haven’t made the switch to a reusable water bottle, it’s time to add that to your list of New Year’s resolutions.

Bottled water creates 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Of course, you can easily recycle plastic water bottles through most local recycling programs, but as you know, it’s always environmentally preferable to reduce waste before recycling it.

While you’ll always want to keep bottled water around in your home’s emergency kit or when traveling in a place with a questionable water supply, replace your daily bottled water habit with a reusable water bottle filled up with tap water – which the NRDC has found is as safe and clean as bottled water.

When shopping for your reusable water bottle, look for plastic bottles labeled as BPA-free, aluminum bottles with BPA-free lining and stainless steel bottles, which often contain a high amount of recycled content material. [When choosing stainless steel bottles, please choose food grade stainless steel. The water will taste better and your body will thank you later.]

READ: Quick Guide to Metal Water Bottles

3. Get green gear

You don’t have to spend a small fortune on exercise equipment to start your new workout regimen.

Simply use items you already have lying around the house to build your own home gym: Use canned foods as weights, several towels instead of a mat, two chairs for triceps exercises and a small stool to use as a step. [You can also include gallon size bottles (they weigh 8 pounds when full) or the large ocean spray cranberry bottles.]

If you find you need to buy a few new items, look for products made from eco-friendly materials. Yogis and Pilates enthusiasts should consider JadeYoga’s natural rubber and recycled rubber yoga mats and Gaiam’s cork yoga blocks and organic cotton yoga straps.

If you’re in the market for an exercise ball, hand weights or resistance bands, check out Natural Fitness’ wide array of equipment, many of which are made from recycled materials and natural rubber.

Looking to add larger exercise equipment to your home gym? Clip a bicycle trainer onto your regular bike, and you have a stationary bike that doesn’t require electricity and didn’t break the bank. You can also consider purchasing a self-powered, non-motorized treadmill – a cheaper, less bulky option than conventional treadmills that doesn’t suck power from the grid.

Tip #6: If you join a gym, consider encouraging the health club to adopt greener practices like setting up a recycling program or installing low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators in the restrooms. Photo: Flickr/hotelcasavelas2

4. Dress up to work out

Who needs to spend $100 on brand-new Lululemon yoga pants?

The most eco- and budget-friendly clothing for your exercise routine is actually items already in your closet. Those T-shirts and sweatshirts you’ve collected from work events and conventions make perfect workout clothes, whether you’re headed to the gym or outside for a hike.

You can also browse your local thrift stores for new-to-you fitness gear at discount prices. Or check out Patgonia’s storefront on eBay, where you can buy and sell the company’s outdoor apparel secondhand.

When shopping for new workout clothes, look for pieces made from sustainable materials like Atayne’s line of athletic apparel made from recycled plastic bottles, textiles and shoes or Gaiam’s fitness wear made of natural materials including bamboo-based rayon, organic cotton and cotton-soybean blends. [Consider hemp and/or bamboo clothing for workouts. They wick moisture away from the body and are naturally anti-microbial.]

READ: Patagonia Says ‘Don’t Buy This Jacket’

5. Go for a run, pick up trash

Whether you just took up running or you’re a seasoned marathon runner, try this new eco-friendly trend that’s taking the sprinting world by storm: trash running.

How does trash running work? It’s simple: A group of trash runners set off on their course, trash bags in hand, and make quick stops to pick up litter while enjoying their jog. Check out Atayne’s trash runners’ webpage to find a trash runner group near you, or start your own local group.

SEE: PHOTOS: 1 Beach, Litter from 42 Countries

6. Green your gym

While your greenest workout option may be avoiding your car and getting outside, a gym membership isn’t entirely eco-unfriendly: It’s always more sustainable to share gym equipment with others than buy your own gear for your home.

Whatever drives you to join a local health club – whether it’s your area’s weather or your personal fitness goals – consider encouraging your gym to adopt a few greener practices. For examples, the gym can set up a recycling program, replace broken machines with energy-efficient ones, put in low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators in the restrooms and install a water foundation so members can refill their water bottles.

READ: Gym Uses Indoor Cycling Classes to Generate Power

Increased Recycling Could Create 1.5M Jobs

by Alexis Petru 11/15/11

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

A new report finds that 1.5 million news job would be created if the U.S. achieved a 75 percent national recycling rate. Photo: Alexis Petru, Earth911

Just in time for America Recycles Day, a new report finds that a national recycling rate of 75 percent would create 1.5 million jobs and reduce carbon emissions by 276 million metric tons by 2030.

The report, “More Jobs, Less Pollution,” was prepared by the Tellus Institute for a variety of environmental and labor groups including the BlueGreen Alliance, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Natural Resources Defense Council, Recycling Works!, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives and Teamsters.

While the majority of America’s municipal solid waste can be readily recycled, reused or composted, only 33 percent is currently being diverted from disposal; the rest ends up in the landfill, according to the report.

If the U.S. could intensify its waste-diversion efforts and hit a 75 percent recycling rate, the recycling and waste industry would boast over 2.3 million jobs by 2030 – 1.5 million more jobs in this sector than in 2008, the report determined.

Where would these new jobs come from? Recycling, composting and other waste-reduction activities would account for 98 percent of these jobs, while disposal would comprise 2 percent, the report.

READ: A Day in the Life of a Recycling Driver

The report found that processing recyclables, which is quite labor-intensive, generates more jobs than waste collection and disposal, which relies on equipment that can handle large amounts of material with few employees. While recyclable processing can produce two jobs per 1,000 tons of waste, waste disposal yields 0.1 jobs per 1,000 tons.

According to the report, nearly half of the new jobs created would be in manufacturing – making new products out of recycled materials – which would provide a boost to that sector.

But if the U.S. continues on its current path – generating more waste and only modestly increasing the current recycling and composting rates – only 368,000 new jobs will be created by 2030, the report concluded.

Another key finding of “More Jobs, Less Pollution” was the amount of carbon emissions that would be reduced from increasing waste-diversion activities. If the U.S. reached a 75 percent recycling rate, the country’s carbon emissions would drop by the equivalent of 72 coal-fired power plants or taking 50 million cars off the road.

READ: California Adopts 75 Percent Recycling Goal

How to Find Your Dream Green Job

by Alexis Petru 12/05/11

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Are you looking to get in on the growing green economy? Earth911 rounded up the top green job search tips from Leonard Adler, founder and CEO of the Green Jobs Network, during his workshop at last month’s Green Festival in San Francisco.

Stock Photo

1.  Start with the job boards

Job boards are the easy pickings, Adler says, but they’re still the best place to start.

Look for job boards that focus on environmental or social responsibility such as EcoEmploy and Adler’s own GreenJobSearch.org. Idealist and Opportunity Knocks, which both list nonprofit jobs, are other good sites to browse, as is Green Job Spider, a specialized search engine still in its beta stages that Adler’s company recently acquired.

Do you have a technical skill, or are you interested in a particular sector like wind energy? Then search for industry-specific job boards like WindJobs.org or the American Wind Energy Association’s Careers in Wind job board.

Many general eco-minded websites also maintain job boards where employers can post green jobs, Adler says, such as Treehugger or UC Davis’ John Muir Institute of the Environment.

Adler keeps up a list of these green jobs boards on his blog, Green Collar Blog.

You can also join email lists that distribute job postings in the sustainability field including EnviJobs, Green Job List and Young Nonprofit Professionals Network.

While the number of websites dedicated to environmental careers is on the rise, Adler advises that job hunters don’t overlook conventional job websites for eco-minded positions: CareerOneStop, CareerBuilder, Craigslist, Indeed and Monster.

2.  Don’t wait for employers to come to you

Companies looking for fresh talent may not always publicize their job openings on traditional job boards – often because they don’t have a dedicated human resources department or they don’t want to sift through hundreds of resumes, Adler says.

That’s why Adler recommends you search directly for the employers and then see if they’re hiring; this will give you access to what he calls “the hidden green job market.”

SEE: INFOGRAPHIC: Where to Get a Green Job

Make a list of green businesses you’d potentially want to work for – your “lead list,” to borrow sales terminology. Then check the websites of the companies on your list to see if they have open positions they haven’t been advertising elsewhere.

Where will you find potential employers? Study the membership lists of relevant industry associations; you’ll find local solar companies when you peruse the list of the American Solar Energy Society’s members, for example.

Check out industry publications and websites like Solar Today which might not only list jobs, but will also contain news stories that hint at future employment opportunities: companies receiving grants or opening a new plant.

If you’re interested in working for the government, Adler says it’s best to check the agency’s website directly, as many government agencies don’t have the staff or budget to recruit externally.

Also, browse Green America’s national Green Pages for listings of eco-minded companies, or look for local directories of green businesses.

Finally, even if you can’t make it to industry conferences in person, you can review the lists of exhibitors and presenters online to contribute to your lead list.

3.  Network

“Build your network, and you build your luck in finding a green job,” Adler says.

The more people who know you’re searching for a specific type of position, the more likely you’ll find out about job opportunities you might have otherwise missed.

To start growing your network of sustainability professionals, Adler recommends both offline and online networking.

Check out a local mixer for individuals working in the environmental field, like Green Drinks or EcoTuesday – two events that are held in multiple cities across the U.S. If there is no such networking event in your city, think about starting your own.

Attending conferences and trade shows is another way to meet folks in the green sector. Adler uses the Green Festival as an example: If you had applied to a job at Clif Bar and then planned on attending the Green Festival, a quick glance at the exhibitor list would reveal that Clif Bar is one of the event’s major sponsors.

“Make sure to visit their booth and network – don’t just stop by for the free samples,” Adler jokes. “It’s always better to make personal contact than to just send in your résumé alone.”

Online networking through LinkedIn can also help you connect with potential employers.

“Use LinkedIn to uncover the real person behind the jobs and find connections,” Adler says. “Can you get an introduction [through a mutual friend]? Did you go to the same school?”

You can also join affinity groups on LinkedIn to network with individuals who have the same interests or went to the same school. Because posting jobs to LinkedIn groups is free for employers and targets a select group of individuals, you’ll often find exclusive job listings when you become a member of a LinkedIn group.

4.  Seek out recruiters

Calls from recruiters can be a nuisance when you’re happy with your current job.  But if you’re searching for your dream green job, consider enlisting the help of the growing number of recruiters that focus on sustainability careers, like Commongood Careers or Redfish Technology.

Adler calls recruiting firms “the gatekeepers of jobs” and recommends you browse the job postings on their websites. Adler maintains a list of green recruiting firms on his Green Collar blog.

5.  Follow the money, follow the startups

Where will future jobs in the green economy be? Adler gives two tips for identifying job opportunities that may become available in the future.

First, find out where money – both private and public – is currently being invested. Companies that are receiving investments from venture capital firms, private equity firms, corporations or the government may eventually be expanding and hiring. Check out websites like The Cleantech Group, Earth2Tech, GreenBeat, Greentech Media and Green VC to monitor private and public funding in the green sector.

READ: Energy Efficiency Financing Could Create New Jobs

In addition to “following the money,” Adler suggests tracking startups as the other way to find future job openings.

“Startups may not be hiring at the beginning, but keep an eye on them – they may be hiring down the road,” Adler says.

To learn about new business ventures, Alder recommends researching entrants into green business plan competitions – including the Clean Tech Open and Global Social Venture Competition – as well as green and social entrepreneurship awards and fellowships – such as Echoing Green and the Skoll Award for Social Entreprenuership.

READ: Increased Recycling Could Create 1.5M Jobs

6.  Pursue your passion

How can you make yourself stand out in this competitive job market?

“When you pursue your passion, it shows,” Adler says.

In fact, he attributes following his own passion for sustainability as the catalyst for his career change. Three years ago, he was working at FindLaw; now he runs a green jobs board, coordinates a green jobs fair and manages the largest green jobs group on LinkedIn.

10 Reuse Ideas for CDs and DVDs

by Mary Mazzoni 01/12/12

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Making the switch to digital copy for your entertainment needs can leave you with piles of old CDs, DVDs and cases that you just aren’t sure what to do with. From elegant wall art to fashion-forward jewelry, here are 10 eclectic and eco-friendly uses for all your old CDs and DVDs.

Craft #1: Cut your old CDs and DVDs into pieces and use them to glitz up anything – from picture frames to flower pots to this funky mosaic mirror. Photo: Ada B./Cut Out and Keep

1. Mosaic mirror

Your old CDs and DVDs can be cut up and used to add some sparkle to almost anything. After you’ve cut your discs into small pieces, use them to create a mosaic pattern on drab-looking picture frames, flower pots or mirrors.

Not sure how to get started? Check out this handy mosaic mirror tutorial from Cut Out and Keep contributor Days. The crafty blogger simply cut her discs into square-shaped pieces and attached them in a solid pattern to turn a discount-store mirror into a fun and functional decor piece. To tone down the glitz a bit, try a partial mosaic like this one from Cut Out and Keep contributor Ada B.

2. Jazzed-up jewelry

Craving a bit of bling but don’t have the cash for diamonds? Ditch the faux gems, and create flashy and fab jewelry from your old CDs and DVDs instead. Making jewelry from trash may sound like a challenge, but it’s way easier than you’d think. This simple tutorial from Sew and So blogger and Crafting a Greener World contributor Becky Haas will have you looking like a million bucks in no time.

3. DVD case purse

If you’re looking for a conversation-starting clutch for your next night on the town, skip the thrift store dollar bin-diving and make your own from an old DVD case. Craftzine contributor Samantha Baldwin used the case from one of her favorite movies to create a book clutch inspired by the bag Natalie Portman rocked at the premier of Black Swan.

While Portman’s clutch retailed for more than $1,200, yours will be virtually free! All you’ll need is an old DVD case, a round mirror, some fabric and Baldwin’s tutorial to look like a star this Friday night.

4. Funky homemade disco ball

No, we’re not bringing disco back. But if your children or teens are looking for some fun decor to spice up their rooms, this mini disco ball made from old CDs is just what the doctor ordered. Submitted by Kellie from Fayetteville, Ark. to MakingFriends.com, this fun craft is easy to make and great for all ages.

Kellie used a store-bought foam ball as a base for her glitzy accessory. But we suggest using an old tennis ball, baseball or other sports ball instead to cut back on material use.

5. Jewel case wall art

Whether you’ve ditched CDs altogether or simply packed them into storage books, the leftover jewel cases can be a disposal nightmare. Most recycling centers don’t accept these cases for recycling, meaning they often end up in the trash (or piled on top of your entertainment center).

Combat the clutter by using some of your old jewel cases to create surprisingly-chic wall art for your kitchen. Featured in Country Living magazine, this basic tutorial from Amit Gupta and Kelly Jensen – authors of Photojojo!: Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas – will help you convert about 20 jewel cases into a mosaic-like mural that’s sure to turn heads.

Craft #7: Treat your favorite angler to this clever fly box made from an old DVD case. Photo: Renee/Rustic Crafts

6. Hanging photo frame

It’s a Priceless Life blogger Shantel Price wanted to make a cute photo gift for her newly-born granddaughter, Ava, but didn’t have any frames that struck her fancy. Her solution? Create an adorable hanging picture frame using an old CD.

Price adorned her disc with pastel-colored buttons, sparkly charms and scrapbooking paper from her “craft stash” and placed a photo of little Ava in the middle. This craft makes a great decoration for nurseries, but don’t be afraid to stretch those creative legs a bit. Make frames for the kids’ sports photos to spice up the game room, or use a photo of you and your partner for a Valentine’s Day gift your sweetie will love.

7. DVD case fly box

If you or someone you know loves to fish, why not surprise him or her with a brand new fly box made from an old DVD case? Rustic Crafts blogger Renee was stuck for a reuse idea for her old DVD cases until she spotted some flies her husband had placed in her craft room. Then, the lightbulb came on.

As outlined in her basic tutorial, Renee used some old pieces of foam and a slab of birch from her backyard to create a handy fly box that’s any sports-lover’s dream.

8. Company-worthy candle holder

Are those old brass candle holders a bit too stuffy for your next dinner party? Try creating fun and youthful alternatives from old CDs and DVDs like Craftbits contributor Jenny Coleman. Coleman simply melted her discs in the oven to create sassy and sparkly candle holders worthy of a fancy home decor mag. Check out her tutorial to see how she did it.

9. CD clock

Making clocks from old CDs has become so popular, retailers even sell kits to help you do this craft at home. If you’re feeling extra-ambitious, try this kit-free clock idea from Mixed Media Artist blogger Cyndi Lavin – complete with a pendulum and painted face.

Unless you’re a seasoned clockmaker, you’ll need to pick up a set of pre-made clockworks with a swinging pendulum to get you started. Then simply paint your disc using Lavin’s tutorial, insert the clockworks and you’ll be left with a stunning timepiece for your bedroom or family room.

10. Recycled desk caddy

If you’re always on the hunt for a pen, highlighter or piece of tape in the office, try creating a convenient desk caddy from your old CD cases. A pen-holder made from jewel cases may not sound like the most exciting craft. But with Craft Chi blogger Amy’s creative image transfer idea, your boring office essential will get a much-needed personal touch.

Just place a piece of packing tape over a toner-copy image, put it in water and transfer onto your desk caddy so your loved ones can be with you all day. The image transfer can get a little tricky, but Amy’s tutorial will help you get it right.

How to Calculate the Impact of Your Recycling

by Alexis Petru 12/02/11

from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Americans recycled 65 million tons of material last year, according to the EPA. Photo: Alexis Petru, Earth911

Americans recycled nearly 65 million tons of waste in 2010, according to a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency, but how much did all that waste diversion benefit the planet?

Using the EcoRewards Recycling Environmental Impact Calculator, Earth911 determined that this enormous amount of material recycled reduced greenhouse gases by the equivalent of permanently removing 9.7 million cars from the road. Our national recycling efforts also saved enough energy to power 3.6 million 10-household blocks for one year and enough water to supply 18.7 million people with water for a year.

Anyone can use the calculator that AbitibiBowater, paper product manufacturer and recycler, offers on its EcoRewards website. Simply enter the amount of tons your household, city or school has recycled over a certain period of time. The tool will then give you an estimate of how many carbon emissions you’ve cut and how much landfill space, energy and water you’ve saved through your recycling efforts – with comparisons to concrete examples like vehicles taken off the road or number of Olympic-sized swimming pools filled.

You can keep the calculator’s default values for the composition of your recyclables: the amount of paper and cardboard, glass, plastic, steel and aluminum, by percentage, that make up your recycling. Or if you know the actual breakdown of your recycling stream – because you dug through your home’s or office’s trash for a waste audit or your state maintains regional data – you can plug those numbers into the calculator.

READ: True Life Trash Audit

The EcoRewards website also features other tools, including an Office Recycling Calculator, where you can enter the number of workers or building square footage to estimate how many recyclables the business will generate monthly. Hotel proprietors can use the Hotel Recycling Calculator to find out their recycling potential by inputting the number of guest rooms, average occupancy rate and number of newspapers delivered to guest rooms.

READ: How to Start an Office Recycling Program

5 Winter Woes Cured, Naturally

by Mary Mazzoni 12/02/11
from www.earth911.com <!– –>

Frizzy hair, dry skin and chapped lips are just a few of the joys of winter. But why spend big bucks on chemical-laden beauty fixes when you can whip up your own using all-natural ingredients? Check out these five beauty cures that you can make yourself, and show Old Man Winter who’s boss.

1. The Problem: Dry, Itchy Skin

Stock Photo

Indoor heat and chilly outdoor temperatures can leave your skin rough, dry and itchy. Most of us reach for that bottle of lotion to cure this common winter woe. But the ingredients list on most brand-name lotions usually reads like a science experiment. Go back to basics with an all-natural fix that will quench your skin without chemical additives.

DIY Fix: Soothing Beeswax Body Lotion

What you’ll need: Avocado oil, grape seed oil or jojoba oil, beeswax pellets, water, aloe vera gel and the essential oil of your choice.

How to make it:

1. Start by melting three tablespoons of cosmetic-grade beeswax pellets – which you can find for less than $5 at a local health food store. For best results, put your pellets into a glass bowl, and place the bowl over a pot of boiling water until pellets are melted.

2. Gradually stir in 1 cup of the oil of your choice. Jojoba oil works great for sensitive skin or skin that is prone to breakouts, while avocado and grape seed oil soothe extra-dry skin. All can be found at your local health food store on the cheap.

3. Remove the mixture from heat, and stir in 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel. If you have an aloe plant at home, just squeeze some gel out of an aloe leaf, or purchase pure aloe vera gel from your local natural foods store.

4. Use a hand blender or whisk to whip your lotion. Slowly add five tablespoons of water and continue to whip. The mixture should begin to thicken and resemble store-bought lotion. Add a few drops of essential oil , and mix some more.

5. Allow your lotion to set for at least 20 minutes before using, and store in a glass mason jar for up to two weeks.

2. The Problem: Chapped Lips

Photo: Flickr/Chloe Ray

Cool temperatures and heavy winds leave you with rough, chapped lips that can be annoying and sometimes even painful. Many store-bought lip balms contain harsh ingredients like alcohol. So, it may feel like they’re soothing your pucker, but they can actually dry out your lips even more – meaning you have to constantly reapply to get the relief you need. A gentler treatment will give you a sooth that lasts.

DIY Fix: Vanilla Honey Lip Balm

What you’ll need: Beeswax pellets, olive oil, honey and vanilla essential oil

How to make it:

1. Melt two tablespoons of beeswax pellets in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.

2. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon honey and a few drops of vanilla essential oil – which will add a little sweetness to your balm and act as a natural preservative. Don’t worry if the balm is a little thin. It will thicken as it cools.

3. Pour your balm into an old lip balm tube while it is still runny. If you don’t have an old tube handy, use a small button jar or old breath mint tin, and apply the balm with your fingers.

3. The Problem: Dull Complexion

Stock Photo

That summer tan is fading fast, and dryness can leave your skin looking even more dull and drab. Skip those icky bronzers and self-tanners (they tend to stain your clothes, anyway), and opt for kitchen ingredients like fruit to give your skin a natural glow.

DIY Fix: Strawberry Banana Face and Body Scrub

What you’ll need: Strawberries, bananas and brown sugar

How to make it:

1. Start by mashing about four cups of bananas and strawberries in a glass bowl (take the tops off the strawberries first!). Both fruits have soothing properties and will protect your skin against future damage.

2. Stir in two tablespoons of brown sugar. Fine-grained sugar works best for this, as the teeny granules will gently exfoliate without being harsh or abrasive.

3. Apply the scrub to your skin in gentle, circular motions, and rinse with warm water. The brown sugar will buff off dry, dead skin cells, while fruit oils give your bod a radiant glow. For best results, use your scrub in the shower and follow up with a homemade lotion. Store any extra in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to one week.

4. The Problem: Frizzy Hair

Stock Photo

The chilly winter months can leave your hair frizzy, dry and prone to breakage. Sure, you could pile on the hairsprays and pricey conditioning masks. But why spend a fortune when you can tame your tresses using things you already have? A quick trip to the pantry is all you’ll need for this treatment.

DIY Fix: Olive oil hair treatment

What you’ll need: Olive oil, a shower cap and lots of towels

How to make it:

1. Pour about a cup of olive oil into a heat-resistant bowl (you may need a little more or less, depending on the length and thickness of your hair). You can save the extra virgin oil for cooking. A light olive oil works just as well for this.

2. Heat the oil in the microwave until it is warm but not hot enough to burn you.

3. Soak all of your hair in the warm oil, and cover with a shower cap. Wrap your head in a towel to keep the warmth in and allow the oil to infuse into your hair.

4. Leave the oil on for at least 30 minutes. You may need to change towels a few times.

5. Rinse your head with warm water, and shampoo at least twice, rinsing with cool water. Condition as usual. Use this treatment once a week to start, and see if it makes a difference in your hair. You may increase the treatments to a few times per week if desired.

5. The Problem: Cracked, Dry Hands

Photo: Mr. T in DC Photo: Flickr

With cold and flu season in full swing, many of us are washing our hands more than ever – meaning those hands can get even more dried out than the rest of your bod. If you’re suffering from painful chapping and cracking on your hands, ditch the store-bought creams, and whip up an all-natural cure to get the relief you crave.

DIY Fix: Almond and Cocoa Butter Hand Cream

What you’ll need: Beeswax pellets, cocoa butter, coconut oil, almond oil, water

How to make it:

1. Melt six tablespoons of beeswax pellets in a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water.

2. Remove from heat and add three tablespoons of pure cocoa butter, which you can usually find at a beauty supply store. No luck? Your local health food store will definitely have some in stock.

3. Stir in six tablespoons of coconut oil and six tablespoons of almond oil. You can find both at a local health or natural foods store for less than $5.

4. Add about a tablespoon of water, and stir until smooth.

5. Pour the mixture into a glass mason jar while it is still hot, as it will firm up as it cools. Let sit for at least 30 minutes before using, and store in a mason jar for up to two weeks.