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Week of January 31, 2010
Think FIRST R – REDUCE – your use of paper towels! You can buy micro cloths that are washable, buy paper towels from recycled materials, or just use a plain old hand towel for drying your hands.
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How many TONS do US households produce in paper towel waste EACH day?
Answer: With over 90% of US households taking advantage of the convenience of paper towels we produce
over 3,000 tons of waste each day. Is this problem insurmountable? No - if each home simply replaced
one roll of their traditional paper towels with paper towels made from recycled paper, we could avoid
wasting 3.4 million cubic feet of landfill space and prevent 864,000 trees from being cut down.
The Benefits of Recycled Paper Towels
By using recycled paper towels we are doing much more than just reducing landfill waste. According to Ideal Bite, "For every ton of 100% recycled paper that is bought, about 4000kWh of energy and 7,000 gallons of water are saved. It also avoids releasing 60 lbs of pollutants into the air." |
Week of January 24, 2010
Take the time to check out all of the great incentives, rebates, discounts being offered by programs/companies in your area related to saving water, electricity and MONEY!
Mrs. Green’s comment: TEP and the City of Tucson are two great examples. You can save on CFLS, greatly reduce the cost of solar installation, get rebates on low flush toilets. The time is now! If you don’t know where or how – ask Mrs. Green!!! |
Buildings are responsible for approximately how much of ALL U.S. energy consumption?
ANSWER: Buildings are responsible for approximately half of all U.S. energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions annually. |
Week of January 17, 2010
Use a bowl of water to clean fruits and vegetables rather than running water over them. You can reuse the water for your house plants. Baby steps, big difference! |
What are the largest INDOOR uses of water domestically?
ANSWER: Showering and bathing
Mrs. Green’s comment: Showering and bathing are the largest indoor uses (27%) of water domestically. Just changing out your shower heads will make a huge difference in your bill and your water consumption. Check out The Arizona Green Plumbers for a free water audit! Check out Sunnyslope County Water District for incredible information about water conservation and surprising information in general. We CAN make a difference.
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Week of January 10, 2010
Use low or NO VOC paints whenever you paint anything!
Mrs. Green’s comment: Because of companies like PPG, you can now find a broad range of paints like this without sacrificing quality or performance. (That was always Mr. Green’s reason for NOT using them but that’s all over now….) |
What is a VOC?
Answer: VOC stands for volatile organic compounds, and they are found in most household paints. They are a cause of low-level atmospheric pollution and have been proven to be the cause of common health problems such as asthma and allergies. |
Week of January 3, 2010
Figure out a way to recycle your old clothing, your old textiles (towels, blankets) and don’t throw them away!
Mrs. Green’s comment: there are so many choices available now. Watch for major department stores that will give you money for your old jeans, or receive a tax deduction tax advantage by taking your things to Goodwill. Consider re-selling your items at the many resale shops available almost everywhere on the planet. Buffalo Exchange is an excellent choice in Tucson.
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The average American throws out how many pounds of clothes and textiles EACH year?
ANSWER: 68 lbs. |
Week of December 20, 2009
Consider selling/trading your old gold this holiday season
Mrs. Green’s comment: Make sure you go to a reputable dealer (like Abbott Taylor Jewelers) and do your homework before you go anywhere. With gold prices sky high and the mining of gold one of the dirtiest and socially horrific practices on the planet, RECYLE!! You can have that piece of sentimental jewelry re-made into something you will wear and treasure. |
Approximately how much water PER day is wasted by a leaky faucet?
ANSWER: It can be as much as FIFTY (50) gallons!
Mrs. Green’s comment: Whether it’s 50 or 10 – it’s wasting our most precious resource – water! Take the time to check your faucets, pipes, showers and toilets. Save water, save money. (Reduce!) |
Week of December 6, 2009
Give an EXPERIENCE this Holiday! It’s the best holiday present one can give or receive – time with family and friends!
Mrs. Green’s comment: A dinner, a lunch, a Gingerbread Making Party, an ornament party, a cookie exchange. Make memories – NOT WASTE!!! (Thanks Martha O for the inspiration!) |
How much energy can you save by using LED lights for your Christmas tree this year?
Answer: Energy Saving LED Christmas and Holiday Lights, Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are the most energy efficient and long lasting light strings available today. Cool to the touch, they use 75-95% less energy than traditional Christmas lights. |
Week of November 22, 2009
Think GREEN for holiday giving! There are so many great, meaningful ideas out there.
Mrs. Green’s comment: More to come. Beware of giving gift cards that charge a fee! That’s greed – not green! |
How much ADDITIONAL household waste is generated during the holiday season?
Answer: According to the EPA, Americans generate an additional ONE MILLION TONS of household waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. That is a 25% spike in waste – from 4 million to 5 million tons (in approx. 6 weeks.)
Mrs. Green’s comment: People – this is sooooo easy to change. Don’t just make the change yourself, get family members, friends, co-workers, strangers on the street involved and commit to making a difference THIS holiday season. |
Week of November 15, 2009
Donate, donate, donate ALL electronic devices, printer cartridges, cell phones and cell phone chargers. Please NEVER drop any of them in the trash.
Mrs. Green’s comment: There are so many collection agencies and drop off points in almost every city and town in America. People are realizing there is no “away” because there are so many people on the planet and so much “stuff” to throw away. Take the extra step of researching where you can take your electronic devices and make it happen.
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How Many Millions of Cell Phones are dropped into landfills every two years?
ANSWER: About 100 million cell phones reach landfills if they are not recycled or reused
Mrs. Green’s comment: and I quote: "With the absence of a proper recycle and reuse program, about 8,000 tons of toxic cell phone components are estimated to be dumped in landfills by 2012. The resulting contamination will have far reaching consequences for the environment and all living beings," Deloitte Consulting India Regional Managing Director Parag Saigaonkar said. |
Week of November 8, 2009
Feed the Birds!
Mrs. Green’s comment: You might be happily surprised what research indicates about the importance of making your yard a natural habitat. Apart from being a really enjoyable addition to your own surroundings, a birdhouse made from reclaimed wood or any other creative recycled material, will attract birds for you to watch and will create a natural habitat for our furry friends. |
WHAT IS 1267?
ANSWER: The number of plastic bags consumed by every American each year.
Mrs. Green’s comment: Reusable bags – please! We can lick this one, we can lead the movement, we can do our part with this simple, easy habit. Save the Albatross Chicks! |
Week of November 1, 2009
For this holiday season, figure out ways to MINIMIZE the waste every step of the way – including taking your reusable shopping bags EVERY single time you go to ANY store.
Mrs. Green’s comment: Think of the impact we could make if everyone reading this tip consciously changed habits: no plastic bags, no paper plates or napkins for entertaining, gifts of time and baked goods and dinners. More meaning, less waste, more good memories and sense of belonging.
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How many disposable razors end up in landfills per year?
Answer: Almost TWO BILLION disposable razors end up in landfills per year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Check out Mrs. Green’s blog for more info on what you can to do reduce that number AND save water. We would LOVE to hear your comments, feedback & suggestions. |
Week of October 25, 2009
Visit ChrisJordan.com and check out his newest series: Midway
Mrs. Green’s comment: You will never feel the same about throwing away your plastic “anything” ever again. Trust me. Bottle caps may have become public enemy number one for Mrs. Green
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How many millions of barrels of oil are produced DAILY around the world?
Answer: 85 million
Mrs. Green’s comments: Of the 85 million barrels produced, 21 million of that is used in the United States. That’s 25% of the world’s oil demand and guess what? We are just 4% of the population!!! Brings new meaning to the expression: they have us over a barrel.
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Week of October 18, 2009
Think Green this Halloween.
Mrs. Green’s comment: You can give out pencils made from recycled paper, erasers, nickels, dimes or organic chocolate. Or even think about having a party. Make popcorn, serve apple cider, and fun cookies and cupcakes decorated for Halloween. No need for individuals throw away Halloween Treat bags. Start planning now.
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How much money will Americans spend on Halloween purchases this year?
Answer: The National Retail Federation projects that this year the total spending on the holiday is expected to reach $4.75 billion. Yes I said BILLION
Mrs. Green’s comments: Come on folks. Get creative with this year’s costumes, candy, decorations and cards. If you do a search for “green Hallloween ideas” you will find TONS! And maybe with some of the money you save and the waste you don’t put in the landfills, you can donate something to one of your favorite charities. They need you – trust me
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Week of October 11, 2009
How many uses are there for your pumpkins this Halloween season?
Answer: MANY
Mrs. Green’s comment: Okay, maybe I AM skating on this one but it’s the truth. Roast the seeds – they are full of zinc, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper and protein. They're also great in salads, muffins, bread, and in other recipes as a nut substitute. -- Read more |
Be careful about the kinds of house plants you buy!
Mrs. Green’s comment: My continuing education as Mrs. Green provides on-going surprise. In today’s issue of the Daily Green, a new research study has revealed that some house plants actually pollute the air. Why? Because of the pesticides they are treated with. Why didn’t I just think of that? Why don’t we all? In Tucson, great reason to visit Sea of Green on 4th Avenue but no matter where you live, think and buy and shop organic whenever possible! |
Week of October 4, 2009
Buy clothes made from pesticide free cotton!
From theEcostileto website: According to the EPA, five of the top nine pesticides used in conventional cotton production in the United States (including cyanide, propargite and trifluralin) are known cancer-causing chemicals. It takes one-third of a pound of pesticide to make one conventional t-shirt, and two-thirds to make a pair of jeans. For more, check out http://www.sustainablecotton.org.
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Cotton eats up what percentage of the WORLD’S insecticides? You are NOT going to like the answer!
Answer: Cotton eats up 25% of the world’s insecticides and 10% of its pesticides, and organic cotton that’s grown, processed and produced without pesticides and other toxins is just as soft, wearable and durable as its chemical-laden cousin.
Mrs. Green’s comment: It honestly makes me sick just thinking about it – the impact on the people who apply the chemicals, the impact on Mother Earth and the potential harm it can cause all of us. Green food for serious thought. |
Week of September 27, 2009
Check out Nature’s Source Cleaning and Laundry Products by SC Johnson.
Mrs. Green’s comment: The Daily Green reported that Good Housekeeping now has a GREEN Seal of Approval. Five of the first seven ever awarded Green Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval went to Nature’s Source. (Reported in The Daily Green on September 25th, 2009)
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How many new species of wildlife were discovered in 2008 in the Greater Mekong Area of Southeast Asia?
Answer: 162
Read more
Mrs. Green's Comment: WOW! It’s hard to believe NEW species of wildlife are still being discovered. Makes me wonder what’s still out there! |
Week of September 20, 2009
Another “foodie” tip! Beware of waxed fruits! That shiny apple has a wax coating that locks in pesticides and makes them very difficult to wash off. (source: Living Green by Greg Horn)
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What does Veganic growing mean?
Answer: Vegan-Organic – meaning certified organic growing that is free from the use of animal products (manures, blood, bone or fish meals, etc) and using strictly plant-based materials. (source: sunizonafamilyfarms.com) |
Week of September 13, 2009
Top Ten Organic Foods to opt for (in order): peaches, apples, sweet bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, imported grapes
Mrs. Green’s comment: The number one reason to choose organic is to avoid pesticides. The foods listed above were identified by the Environmental Working Group as the top ten most contaminated fruits and veggies. Peaches are, by far, the worst. |
GMOs (genetically modified organisms) have been in the food supply in America since what year?
Answer: GMOs have been in the food supply since 1996. Most Americans say they would not eat GMOs if labeled, but the U.S. does not require labeling. |
Week of September 6, 2009
Ladies – check your lipsticks for lead! Men – advise the women in your life to check for lead in their lipsticks.
Mrs. Green’s comment: New Food and Drug Administration study has identified lead in all 20 red lipsticks it tested (from 10 different brands), and at concentrations up to four-times higher than those found in independent testing. While the FDA has not regulated lead in lipstick, the levels detected were up to 10-times higher than the safe limit set for lead in candy. Safe ones? Read more |
How many pounds of minerals, metals and fuels do Americans need in their lifetime?
Answer: According to the Mineral Information Institute, every American needs 3.7 millions pounds in their lifetime! (So do you think we are living a sustainable life?) |
Week of August 30, 2009
Beat The Heat! Instead of standing over a hot stove, take advantage of all the summer produce that’s still in season all over the country and make salads for the family dinner. Buy organic whenever possible.
Mrs. Green’s comment: If I were back in Jersey, I would be having corn on the cob every night for dinner! And I would have Jersey tomatoes for my appetizer! Remember you can still get lots of really good, tasty veggies at the local Farmers Markets.
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What percentage of water bottles are recycled in the United States?
Answer: More than 2.3 billion pounds of plastic bottles were recycled in 2007. Although the amount of plastic bottles recycled in the U.S. has grown every year since 1990, the actual recycling rate remains steady at around 24 percent. (source: www.earth911.com) |
Week of August 23, 2009
Potatoes: Halved potatoes can remove rust from baking pans or tinware - follow with a salt scrub or dip the potato in salt before scrubbing. (thank you Dr. Andrew Weil!)
Mrs. Green’s comment: DIDN’T KNOW THIS ONE BUT WILL TRY IT IF I EVER BAKE AGAIN!
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Name two of the top five most fuel efficient cars carried by The Chapman Automotive Group.
Answer:
Honda Civic Hybrid 40/45 (second place overall!)
Volkswagon Jetta (manual, diesel)
Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagon (manual, diesel)
30/41 – newcomer to the top 10 list
Volkswagon Jetta (automatic, diesel)
Volkswagon Jetta Sportwagon (automatic, diesel) 29/40 |
Week of August 16, 2009 ------------------
Be careful about ALL of your cosmetics. What goes on your skin, goes through your skin!! But please steer clear of cosmetics containing shark-based squalene (look at your moisturizer and sunscreen in particular).
Mrs. Green’s comment: there is virtually no disagreement globally about the vulnerable positions our oceans are in – from plastic pollution to chemical pollution to overexploitation from fishermen. Global fisheries are on the verge of collapse. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, 80 percent of the world’s fisheries are now overexploited, fully exploited, depleted or recovering from overexploitation by fishermen. Live and shop consciously. We don’t need shark-based oil in our cosmetics! (read more about this in The Daily Green’s August 15th edition on line.
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How many near-shore water dead zones have been documented around the world?
Answer: More than 400! Erosion, along with fertilizer and pesticide runoff from both farms and residential neighborhoods, contributes to pollution of near-shore waters, where more than 400 dead zones have been documented worldwide. (read more in the 8/15 edition of The Daily Green)
Mrs. Green’s comment (because she ALWAYS has something to say!): So many, many things we don’t dispose of properly end up in our oceans. Every little thing you do to recycle, to use chemical free cosmetics, to take reusable bags to the grocery store EVERY time you shop, helps make our world a cleaner, safer place. |
Week of August 9, 2009 -------------------
Either cut back on the water you use to cook pasta or pour ALL the water you use to cook pasta on your plants or garden! (Thanks to my buddy Holly for the second part of that tip!)
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If all Americans use less water (1.5 quarts vs. 4-6 quarts) AND put the pasta in the pot from the beginning, how many barrels of oil could we save per year?
Answer: We could save 500,000 barrels of oil per year (energy used to boil the billion pounds of pasta we make each year). |
Week of August 2, 2009 -------------------
Keep Baking Soda right near your sinks!
Mrs. Green’s comment: Straight from The Daily Green as I could not say it better myself:
Unfortunately, over past decades the ever-expanding arsenal of home cleaning products has included a number of dangerous weapons, loaded with strong, artificial colors and fragrances and harsh cleansing agents like bleach, ammonia, alcohol and more. These chemicals are a major threat to indoor air quality, off-gassing toxic fumes that can irritate eyes and respiratory systems. Children and pets are most at risk, being smaller and closer to the floor. Many cleaners also contain unnecessary antibacterial compounds, which may lead to antibiotic resistance. Read more |
When you shop at a locally owned business, how many cents of every dollar stays in Arizona?
Answer: When you shop at a locally owned business, 45 cents of every dollar stays in Arizona - versus only 13 cents of every dollar spent at a national chain!
Mrs. Green’s comment: I know I kind of harp on this one just a tad but it’s really a big one and requires changing some habits and maybe even being inconvenienced a little bit. Worth it!!! |
Week of July 26, 2009 ---------------------
Take one small, green step every day this week and write it down!
Mrs. Green’s comment: Take your reusable bag to the grocery store, take a 5 minute shower, unplug your cell phone charger, recycle your plastic soda bottles, go to Bright Solutions at the TEP website for energy saving ideas, take a book or CD or DVD to Bookmans, test drive a Honda Fit or Insight. Start a brigade with Terracyle! And I would so love to hear from you about other things we can all do to make a little difference! |
How many billon pounds of plastic bottles were recycled in 2007?
Answer: More than 2.3 billion pounds of plastic bottles were recycled in 2007. Although the amount of plastic bottles recycled in the U.S. has grown every year since 1990, the actual recycling rate remains steady at around 24 percent.
Mrs. Green’s comment: RECYCLE every single thing you can. It’s sooooooooooooo easy – JUST DO IT!!!! |
Week of July 19, 2009 ---------------------
Recycle your books! (and CDs and DVDs and Books on Tape) NEVER throw any of them in a landfill!
Mrs. Green’s comment: There are used bookstores (like Bookman’s here in Tucson) all over the country. There are so many places you can donate to! Schools, libraries, senior homes. You can personally share among your friends, your book clubs – so many of them. You will save money, you can even make money, and you will definitely save things from going to into our landfills. |
How many tons of phone books end up in the landfill each year?
Answer: 660,000!
Mrs. Green’s comment: Many people are unaware that phone books are recyclable. Not ONE single phone book ever needs to go into the landfill. So please recycle!
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Week of July 5, 2009 ---------------------
Take your own cup with you when you travel by air! Or better yet, your stainless steel water bottle – it’s safer. Be sure to empty it before check-in.
Mrs. Green’s comment: Airlines consume 1 million disposable cups every six hours. Can you imagine if we all started doing this? I am so going to make the effort. |
How many trees does Frito Lay save every year by reusing their shipping cartons?
Answer: 5 million trees.
Mrs. Green’s comments: Frito Lay reuses each shipping carton an average of 5 times before recycling it. They have achieved a 96.8% shipping carton reuse rate. |
Week of June 28, 2009 -------------------
Make a commitment to yourself to start learning about products that are safe for your skin, safe for your hair and safe for the environment. Read labels, vote with your money!
Mrs. Green’s comment: By educating ourselves just a little bit, we can all start making wiser choices – for ourselves, our families and our precious Mother Earth. (There’s only ONE of her!) |
What does Aveda mean?
Answer: Sanskrit for Knowledge of the Whole! |
Week of June 21, 2009 -------------------
Get out of your grocery shopping routine. Go to your local Farmers Markets!
Mrs. Green’s comment: there is just no downside – healthy, fun, supports local businesses and admission is free! |
The average head of lettuce is sprayed an average of how many times with different pesticides, fungicides and herbicides
Answer: That average lettuce was sprayed an average of 12 times with up to FIFTY (50) different pesticides, fungicides and herbicides before it reaches your grocery aisle. So – buy organic! |
Week of June 14, 2009 -------------------
Get you and your loved ones outside to enjoy nature.
Mrs. Green’s comment: there’s such beauty to be enjoyed in the outdoors. Spending time outside will remind us of the precious gift called Mother Nature. |
Kids on average spend how many hours per day with electronic media?
Answer: Six
Mrs. Green’s comment: A recent Kaiser Family Foundation study found that kids spend, on average, more than six hours per day with electronic media. The solution is to get your kids or your grandkids outside so they can reacquaint themselves with the sights, sounds and smells of nature! |
Week of June 7, 2009 -------------------
WEAR NATURAL SUNSCREENS!
Mrs. Green’s comment: Will you do it if I beg? Straight from The Daily Green’s website: “According to the Environmental Working Group's most recent study of the safety and effectiveness of nearly 1,000 sunscreens, the bitter reality is that four out of five sunscreens actually provide inadequate protection from the sun.
Even more frightening is that many of these sunscreens contain potentially toxic ingredients which are absorbed into your skin and bloodstream, potentially releasing skin-damaging free radicals, disrupting your hormone system, causing allergic reactions or building up in your body and contributing to various health issues.”
What they recommend: Soleo Organics, Solar RX, California Baby (not for just babies), Badger, Purple Prairie Sunstick to name a few.
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What is the major structural building component of the Earthships?
Answer: The major structural building component of the Earthship is recycled automobile tires filled with compacted earth to form a rammed earth brick encased in steel belted rubber. This brick and the resulting bearing walls it forms is virtually indestructible.
Mrs. Green’s comment: Mike Reynolds and his worldwide team are changing the world one used tire at a time! |
Week of May 31, 2009 -------------------
Check your leaky faucets, leaky pipes, leaky toilets! It’s really important.
Mrs. Green’s comment: a single slow leaky faucet dripping 30 drops per minute wastes 3 gallons per day, or the equivalent of 27 baths per year. Drip calculator
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How many TONS of billboard vinyl has the company, Vy & Elle, recycled since they started their company in 2002?
Answer: More than 100 tons of billboard vinyl
Mrs. Green’s comment: Think of what a difference just one small company has made – a difference that benefits all of us. |
Week of May 24, 2009 -------------------
Buy and Sell Used Whenever Possible!
Mrs. Green’s comment: With college dorms being emptied out and college students coming back home for the summer, there’s lots of “stuff” being moved around. Please don’t throw anything away in the landfills! They are full. Use craigslist, use freecycle, ebay, take things to Goodwill. These are all great places to buy things you need as well – just take the extra step! |
What does SEED stand for in the University of Arizona’s SEED [pod] Decathlon Team’s entry in the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2009 Solar Decathlon?
Answer: Solar Energy Efficient Dwelling
Mrs. Green’s comment: I am proud to be a University of Arizona graduate. They are doing amazing things for the planet! |
Week of May 17, 2009 -------------------
Turn off the water while brushing your teeth!
Mrs. Green’s comment: We waste 2 gallons of water every minute if we leave the water on while brushing. Do the math: 2 people brushing their teeth 2 times per day for 2 minutes each time could save 2920 gallons of water per year. And if you are a family of four, that’s 11,680!! |
How many gallons of water does a high efficiency toilet use per flush?
Answer: 1.3 GALLONS OR LESS
Mrs. Green’s comment: Toilets manufactured prior to 1991 typically use 3.5 gallons per flush or more. Should you decide to replace your old toilet, many water companies throughout the country are offering rebates that will cover up to 50% of the purchase price for approved high efficiency toilets. |
Week of May 10, 2009 -------------------
Think Green This Mother’s Day and for every gift giving occasion!
Mrs. Green’s Comments: a relaxing massage is very green! No gift wrap, nothing in the landfill. Or a beautiful plant that will last. And if you want to splurge, jewelry is ALWAYS a winner – at least for this Mom - as long as it’s not DIRTY GOLD or BLOOD Diamonds. Abbott Taylor Jewelers in Tucson is one of those places! |
The EPA estimates that nearly how many gallons of gasoline are spilled every season while filling lawn and garden tools?
Answer: 17 million! |
Week of May 3, 2009 -------------------
VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY! Instead of buying mountains of books, CDs, DVDs and magazines that you barely use, check materials out of your neighborhood library, or relax inside the quiet halls and browse on site. Over time, you can save a nice pile of cash.
THE DAILY GREEN says Paper is one of the biggest materials by volume in landfills, and its environmental footprint is enormous, from cutting down trees to heavy use of water, toxic chemicals and energy during processing. Paper fibers can only be recycled a few times before they break down, and the process requires energy. CDs and other media are made of nonrenewable petroleum products and are very difficult to recycle.
Think of the hundreds of times a day we touch paper!
The average American consumes more than 700 pounds of paper a year --the world's highest per capita figure. |
What percentage of the WORLD’S forests have already been cleared or burned?
Answer: Half the world's forests have already been cleared or burned, and 80% of what's left has been seriously degraded |
Week of April 26, 2009 -------------------
For cleaning purposes, add Tea tree oil to vinegar/water solutions as an antibacterial agent
Mrs. Green’s Comment: Tea tree oil can be added to vinegar/water solutions to kill mold and mildew, and on kitchen and bathroom surfaces instead of chemical products. Add 50 drops to a bucket of water to clean countertops and tile floors. |
What is the number one reason why people are making greener choices?
Answer: Their health!
Mrs. Green’s comment: I did not know that but it makes everything fall into place. Almost everything I talk about on the show impacts our health – the air we breathe, the food we eat, the things we use to clean our homes with, the milk we drink, the cars we drive, you name it – and the green beat goes on! |
Week of April 19, 2009 -------------------
If you are thinking about replacing your car anytime in the near future, invest in a hybrid!
Mrs. Green’s Comment: Hybrids use less fuel and rely on a non-polluting fuel cell to provide some of the power electrically. And the new Honda Insight is affordable! |
The new VW TDI Hybrid Concept Car gets how many MPG?
Answer: 69 MPG!
Mrs. Green’s added info: The car features regenerative braking and electric-only operation from a stop until a high enough speed is reached that it requires a switch-over to the diesel engine. From the switch-over the car is powered primarily by the diesel engine unless extra power is required. This combination is what allows the car to achieve its stellar mileage (69 US MPG) in the body of your standard VW Golf. |
Week of April 12, 2009 -------------------
Shop for clothing, toys, and books at thrift stores, consignment shops and on craigslist.org. At the same time, you can bring your things to these establishments to recycle as well!
Mrs. Green’s Comment: You will find really neat stuff, supporting non-profits in some cases, and you will be saving things from going into the landfills. Reduce, reuse, recycle - THE GREEN TRIFECTA! |
How many cell phones in the US are sitting on shelves or in our landfills? And/or how many million more will be added this year?
Answer: There are more than 500 million used cell phones in the US sitting on shelves or in our landfills, and another 130 million will be added this year alone. The problem is growing at a rate of more than 2 million phones per week. Please visit recyclemycellphone.org to find out what you can do with your cell phone!
Mrs. Green’s comment: recyclemycellphone.org even provides a postage paid mailing label! |
Week of April 5, 2009 -------------------
Plant a Tree! Tis the Season!
Mrs. Green’s Comment: Strategically planting trees and shrubs to shade your home can lower surrounding air temperatures during hot summer months by up to 9 degrees and can reduce your wall and roof temperature by 20 to 40 degrees. In the winter, trees function as wind breaks and can help you save on your heating bill. And if you are a desert dweller, be sure to plant the right kinds of trees so you are not using too much water! |
What national foundation will send you TEN free trees just for paying $15 to become a member?
Answer: The Arbor Day Foundation |
Week of March 29, 2009 -------------------
You can save about $1400 annually by not using bottled water! And if you use tap water (and I prefer filtered, I admit it) you will spend 49 cents.
Mrs. Green’s Comment: Go to calculator at newdream.org to calculate your savings based on actual consumption, whether it's just for a week or a month or better yet, for the whole year. |
How many barrels of oil are used every year to manufacture disposable plastic water bottles for the U.S. market?
Answer: 1.5 million barrels
Mrs. Green’s comment: That's enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year |
Week of March 22, 2009 -------------------
Stop or phase out using Teflon Coat Pans!
Mrs. Green’s Comment: From The Daily Green to Dr. Mercola to the EPA, the dangers of cooking with Teflon coated pans abound. You can visit any of these websites and read all about it.
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In America, how many aluminum cans are recycled every SECOND?
Answer: 1500!!! (that’s 90,000 per hour and 2,160,000 PER DAY!!) |
Week of March 15, 2009 -------------------
RECYCLE your electronic equipment!
Mrs. Green’s comments: If you want to recycle anything – you have two great local resources and in one case – a global resource. Go to freecycle.org and you can list whatever you want to get rid of. (There are over 6.4 million subscribers worldwide) People will come pick it up! Or visit World Care in Tucson. They recycle everything they possibly can for actual use around the world and then actually recycle what they can’t put to good use.
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World Care annually recycles approximately how many pounds of unwanted but usable material?
Answer: 2,000,000!!!
Mrs. Green’s comment: World Care is WORLD CLASS! By channeling the waste back into global humanitarian relief efforts and diverting these valuable resources from area landfills, their impact is monumental. EACH WEEK the Tools for Earth program alone recycles and reuses approx. 4.3 tons of material-over 443,000 pounds per year! If the product does not meet a need in humanitarian aid, it is broken down and recycled to make new products. |
Week of March 8, 2009 --------------------
Recycle your toilet paper rolls! I recycle everything I can think of and I never thought of this!!! If you keep a plunger in the BR, stack them up until they reach the top of the handle then recycle them. Now how easy is that?
Useful tip: Store unused extension cords or keep extra long appliance cords shortened to a manageable length.
IMPACT? If 10,000 people recycled all their toilet paper tubes, we would avert the weight of 678 TOILETS from ending up in the landfill.
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Who built the first electric car and when?
Prof Sibrandus Stratingh designed a small scale electric car in Holland in 1835. |
Week of March 1, 2009 -------------------
Eat Organic!
Mrs. Green’s comment: according to Greg Horn’s book, Living Green, for each 1 percent increase in organic food consumption in the U.S. alone, pesticide and herbicide use is reduced by over TEN MILLON POUNDS per year. |
An investment of under $100 for a programmable thermostat can save what percent or more on energy consumption for both heating and cooling?
Answer: 20 percent.
Mrs. Green’s comment: Programmable thermostats bearing the EnergyStar label are the way to go. These thermostats are mercury-free and available at most home improvement stores. And if you can, BUY FROM A LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS!!!
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Week of February 22, 2009 ---------------
Recycle your computers and other electronics!
Mrs. Green’s note: 20 to 50 tons of electronic waste is discarded globally every year and that number is increasing! The Consumer Electronics Association has set up a handy website to make recycling your e-waste simple. Go to mygreenelectronics.org where you can search for local recycling drop-off points by zip code and product category. I did it and was pleasantly surprised to find EIGHT drop off locations near me.
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If every U.S. Computer and Monitor were turned off every night, the nation could SHUT DOWN how many large power stations and/or how much Co2 would we avoid emitting?
Answer: The nation could shut down EIGHT (8) large power stations and avoid emitting 7 million tons of CO2 every year. It’s that easy. Please be one of those who does shut down your computer every night. |
Week of February 15, 2009 ---------------
Don’t Floor it! Your car functions most efficiently and is guzzling less gas when you go gently on the accelerator pedal. Pull away slowly for best fuel results. And it makes more sense for the environment as well!
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Week of February 8, 2009 ----------------
Stop using dryer sheets and fabric softener! Buy dryer balls at someplace like Target or online for around $20. They last forever.
Mrs. Green’s Comment: According to Sixwise.com, some of the most harmful ingredients in dryer sheets & liquid fabric softener include benzyl acetate (linked to pancreatic cancer), benzyl alcohol (upper respiratory tract irritant), ethanol (linked to central nervous system disorders), limonene (a known carcinogen) and chloroform (a neurotoxin and carcinogen). Baking soda and vinegar in the washing machine will produce the same results. Google for quantities!
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What produces the most waste on a cruise ship? And about how much?
Answer: "1 million gallons of graywater (water from sinks, showers, galleys, laundry and cleaning activities).
Mrs.
Green’s comment: So the bottom line? Cruisers can have the biggest impact on the ship by practicing good, green, conservation habits! Shower less, reuse your towels, don’t change the sheets every night. Simple steps… |
Week of February 1, 2009 ----------------
Use vinegar for almost anything you have to clean – it works on ovens, in microwaves, for mildew and grout, glass, shower doors.
Mrs. Green’s comments: Toxic cleaning materials go into our lungs – plain and simple. If you just google “cleaning with vinegar” you will be happily surprised with all of the websites that give you great recipes for whatever your cleaning challenges may be! |
What is the name of the toxic pesticide that is often sold as an antibacterial agent? (hint: it’s in many cleaning products including anti-bacterial soap!
Answer: Triclosan
Mrs. Green’s comment: Don’t use it, don’t have it in your house, get rid of it if you have cleaning agents that contain it! It’s awful!!! |
Week of January 25, 2009 ----------------
Eat in a local restaurant! And walk to it if you can.
Mrs. Green’s comments: It’s all part of creating sustainable communities and keeping our money here. We have the collective ability to keep restaurants in our community open by simply picking them when we want to eat out and by spreading the word to our friends and family to do the same. |
How many tons of waste is created during the construction of a typical home?
Answer: It is estimated that 2.5 to 4 tons — about 3 to 5 pounds per square foot — of waste is created during the construction of a typical home.
Mrs. Green’s comments: If you are remodeling or building a new home, INSIST that your builder take their construction waste to The Fairfax Companies! They recycle every ounce of material possible.
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Week of January 18, 2009 ----------------
Read ingredients in cleaners for your home!
Mrs. Green’s comments: You don’t have to know all the chemical names. Look for things like: non-toxic, no fumes, hypo-allergenic, no phosphates and no perfumes and dyes. Ex: Seventh Generation – front and center on their packaging: You have the right to know! And you do indeed! |
The United States consumes more than what percentage of pesticides used in the ENTIRE world?
Answer: One third.
Suburban gardens and lawns receive heavier pesticide applications than most any other land area in the United States INCLUDING agricultural land. (source: Natural Academy of Science) |
Week of January 11, 2009 ----------------Use freecycle.org to recycle anything and everything you want to get rid of! OR to get “stuff” too.
The Freecycle Network™ is made up of 4,663 groups with 6,316,000 members across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (& getting) stuff for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills Membership is free. To sign up, visit www.freecycle.org to find your community.
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In the United States, how many garbage trucks are filled EVERY DAY?
Answer: 63,000.
Mrs. Green’s comment: That’s a lot of “stuff.” Reduce, reuse, recycle! Every single one of us could adopt one new habit and change the planet. Take one single step – please.
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| Week of January 4, 2009 -----------------Check for leaks in your toilets! If you place a few drops of food coloring in your tank, if the color seeps through into your bowl, you know your toilet is leaking! An estimated 20% of all toilets leak and you could be using up to ONE HUNDRED gallons per day just with one leak and not even know it! |
What item in your household uses the most water?
Answer: The toilet! A regular flush toilet uses as much as SEVEN gallons per flush.
Mrs. Green’s comment: Toilets account for 14% of your overall water usage. If you're not ready to purchase a low water use toilet, place bricks in your tank to cut down water usage with every flush! |
Week of December 28, 2008 -------------
Resolve to never drink coffee out of a paper or plastic cup again! Have a reusable mug? Buy two more. That way you always have one on hand. Save money, save the environment!
Thanks to Susan S. for this great tip.
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Today, the U.S. recycles what percentage of its waste?
Answer: 33% - a rate that has almost doubled during the past 15 years.
Mrs. Green’s comment: With all of your help, both through recycling more AND spreading the word to others, we can make that 50% sooner than later. |
Week of December 21, 2008 -------------
Clean your furniture with OLIVE OIL and Lemon Juice! You can use 1 cup olive oil and ½ cup lemon juice, put in a non-PBA plastic spray bottle, point and shoot! Furniture polish you can eat!
Thanks to our very own Bag Lady, Lisa Hawkins, for this tip! |
How many pounds of pesticides were sprayed on the 12.6 million acres of cotton grown in the United States last year?
Answer: Fifty-five million pounds!!!!
Mrs. Green’s note: those pesticides end up on our skin, in our homes, in the earth, in our water supply and are carried everywhere by birds and bugs! THINK AND BUY ORGANIC!!!! |
Week of December 14, 2008 -------------
Christmas Tree Tip - Two! Make sure to make a fresh cut on the bottom of your tree when you purchase it and get it in water as soon as possible. AND use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights to reduce drying of the tree. |
1. How much of a Christmas tree’s weight is water?
2.
How many Christmas tree recycling programs are there in the US?
Answer: 1. Over 50%
2. Over 4000 so PLEASE recycle! |
Week of December 7, 2008 -------------
Laundry Tip – to remove ballpoint pen marks, dab rubbing alcohol on the stained area. Place a clean cloth under the spot if possible. Gently rub, repeat if necessary and then wash as usual. |
What year was Habitat Tucson founded?
Answer: Habitat Tucson was founded in 1980 by George Tolman, Jerry McFarland, and Mary Kelley and was the first affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International west of the Mississippi |
| Week of November 30, 2008 -------------GREEN your holidays! Use gift wrap made out of recycled paper or better yet – use materials around your home to dress up your packages! Stop buying nonrecyclable wrapping paper printed with petroleum-based inks and dyes. |
How much do Americans spend on gift wrap every year?
Answer: $2.7 billion. That’s more than the entire gross domestic product of many countries in Africa and Asia. |
Week of November 23, 2008 -------------
Keep Thanksgiving simple! Don’t overdo the cooking unless you are going to eat all the leftovers! Play games, watch football or a favorite movie, take a walk. Also, PLEASE remember to bring your reusable bags to the grocery store and to store your leftovers in SAFE containers – not baggies. Most importantly, don’t forget to give thanks!
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The emissions from duraflame biowax firelogs are carbon neutral and produce what percentage LESS greenhouse gas emissions than gas fireplaces?
Answer: 70% |
Week of November 16, 2008 -------------
Buy & Use safe reusable plastic or stainless steel water bottles, preferably stainless steel. |
Kids lunches create how many billion pounds of waste per year?
Answer: 3.5 billion |
Week of November 9, 2008 --------------
Lower your thermostat! You don’t have to freeze to be green and it will save you money. Adjusting your thermostat down by just three degrees (that’s one sweater’s worth) you can save about $114 on a 1500 square foot house AND will keep two and a half TONS of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere. The biggest savings are during the winter months. For EVERY degree you turn the heat down, you will bring your energy bill down by as much at 5%.; |
The vast majority of processed foods contain derivatives from what four major GM crops?
Answer: soy, corn, cottonseed and canola. (Ingredients found in almost ALL fast foods) |
Week of November 2, 2008 --------------
“Starch” Your Carpets – cornstarch that is! It is possible to fully clean and deodorize carpets without resorting to chemical-laden carpet cleaners or shampoo. Simply vacuum, liberally sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda, leave one hour, then vacuum again. To remove tough stains, try cold club soda or repeatedly blot with vinegar and soapy water instead of automatically reaching for a stain remover! |
The average adult inhales how many tablespoons of household dust daily?
Answer: 2 tablespoons!
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Week of October 26, 2008 ---------------
Read the labels on your cleaning products! Don’t use anything with triclosan in it! Triclosan is a toxic pesticide that is often sold as an anti-bacterial agent! Stick to the tried and true: vinegar, baking soda, bon ami and of course any biodegradable green products out there. These are inexpensive and safe. |
Question: If every household in the U.S. used vegetable based dishwashing liquid instead of petroleum-based, how many barrels of oil would it save in ONE year?
Answer: 80,000 |
Week of October 19, 2008 ---------------
RECYCLE your plastic bottles. In the US we use TWO MILLION plastic beverage bottles EVERY 5 MINUTES!!! If you use them, recycle them. (The lids are NOT recyclable but Aveda will accept them.) There are countless new products being made from recycled plastic every day and more are on their way. The best thing for your health, your wallet and the planet is to cut down on your use of plastic bottles. |
Question: The average person generates pounds of waste per day? Answer: 4.5
Question: Organic waste in landfills becomes what kind of clean, renewable source of energy? Answer: methane gas |
Week of October 12, 2008 ---------------
TUNE YOUR CAR UP – it will run more efficiently and your gas consumption will drop! A few ways to boost gas mileage – check your tires weekly (can save 2% on gas consumption); tune-up can boost your mileage anywhere between 4 and 40%!!; take rack off your car if you have one – stop gas-guzzling wind drag. |
Biodiesel can be manufactured from what three substances? I will give it to you if you can name two!!! Answer: Biodiesel can be manufactured from vegetable oil, animal fats and recycled restaurant greases. |
Week of October 5, 2008 ----------------
If you have a car charger for your cell phone, charge it while you are driving! You won’t have to use electricity to charge it when you are home! |
How many gallons of water does it take to make 500 phone books? As of 2007, more than half of American households had broadband internet access. And yet, 615 million phone books were distributed in the U.S. last year — nearly two for every man, woman and child. Answer: 7,000
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Week of September 28, 2008 -----------
Grab that tote, use that bag
1) Leave bags by the front door or in the trunk of your car and dangle a reminder from your key chain or the rearview mirror to grab them.
2) Put a reminder on your grocery list and reward the kids when they help you remember.
3) When stuck in the checkout line without your reusable bag, choose paper or plastic based on the one you think you’ll reuse the most!
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Which alternative fuel vehicle does the Environmental Protection Agency rank the cleanest internal combustion engine on the PLANET? Answer: The dedicated natural gas Honda Civic!
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Week of September 21, 2008 ------------
Bring your own containers for your doggie bag when you eat out. Put them in your car right after you read this. If you forget, ask the manager when they are going to get biodegradable take home containers – imagine if we ALL did that just for the next week. |
What is the worst material for a “doggie bag” container AND what is the best, earth friendly solution? Answer: Styrofoam, which becomes a permanent part of our environment, is the worst. The best? Bring your own container!!! |
Week of September 14, 2008 ------------
Recycle your inkjet and laser cartridges! Each year over ONE BILLION cartridges reach landfills world wide with 80% of those thrown out after only ONE use!
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How many gallons of oil does it take to make ONE laser cartridge? Answer: One |
Week of September 7, 2008 -------------
Tip 1: Take the caps off of all bottles you recycle. They are made from a more toxic plastic.
Tip 2: Looking for GREEN promotional items? Garment Graphics has a free book with a sampling of GREEN, Eco-friendly promotional items. To get your copy email Scott at scott@garmentgraphics.net.
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On average an American meal consists of food with ingredients from how many countries? Answer: FIVE!! |
Week of August 31, 2008 ----------------
Plant trees! Over the course of a year, the average home could save between $150 and $250 on energy costs simply with smart landscaping. |
One tree can filter up to how many pounds of pollutants from the air EACH year? Answer: 60 |
Week of August 24, 2008 ---------------
PULL THE PLUG! Even while not in use household appliances and electronics (microwaves, computers, DVD players & TVs) use power when plugged in, increasing your electric bill and overall energy consumption. Unplugging is a simple step to a healthier planet! |
How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?
Answer: Based on the typical burrow a woodchuck digs, a scientist at Cornell University estimated the answer would be close to 700 pounds. |
Week of August 17, 2008 ----------------
Instead of buying someone a birthday gift, take them out to breakfast, lunch or dinner. It doesn’t have to be a 5-Star Restaurant. You are giving the gift of your time, celebrating them and not creating one ounce of trash! |
How much trash does the average American throw away each DAY?
Answer: 4.5 pounds! |
Week of August 10, 2008 ----------------
Get rid of antibacterial soap in your house!!! The AMA & Environmental Groups are all on board with this. The culprit is a toxic pesticide called triclosan that is powerful enough to threaten children's health, pollute breast milk & compromise immune systems. |
Tucson has been dedicated as a Solar American City. How many Solar America Cities are there in the United States?
Answer: 25 |
Week of August 3, 2008 -----------------
To remove tea stains from cups/mugs: Rinse inside of cup and scrub with clean, moistened dishcloth dipped in baking soda. Wash thoroughly. NO CHEMICALS and INEXPENSIVE!! |
Which one of these teas does NOT come from the same plant? Black tea, green tea, red tea, white tea?
Answer: Red tea |
