WBL Going Green Tips

Dry Cleaning

August 22, 2010-Don't take the planet to the cleaners! Did you know dry cleaning is a hazardous process that uses toxic chemicals and poisons the environment, our clothing, and us? Eighty percent of the dry cleaners in the U.S. use a solvent called perchloroethylene, or perc. Perc and other solvents are placed in a rotating cleaning drum along with clothing. The drum spins out the majority of the solvent, and hot air evaporates the remaining fluid before the garment is pressed and bagged. These solvents excel at removing soils and stains without damaging fabrics. Unfortunately, they also excel at making us sick. Perc has been linked to cancer, liver and nervous system damage, infertility, and hormonal disruption. Some 57 million pounds of perc are used each year by the country's 34,000 dry cleaners, and around 12 million pounds are released into the air.

Clothing washed in perc or other solvents often comes home from the cleaners a little less than clean. Residues of these toxins can remain in the fibers of dry cleaned garments, especially when clothes are placed in a plastic bag soon after processing is completed. For this reason, it's recommended that you remove the plastic bag and air your garment out for several days in a safe, isolated, and well ventilated location to let these residues evaporate.

Of course, it's better and safer not to dry clean at all. In fact, many "dry clean only" garments can be hand-washed and air dried or machine-washed using the gentle cycle and a mild detergent.

There are also new and non-toxic professional dry cleaning alternatives emerging. These technologies have found a way to clean delicates safely without solvents like perc.

Higher Learning, Greener Living

August 15, 2010-Going to college can be a great opportunity for independence—all your own stuff, all your own responsibilities. If you're headed to college (or shopping for someone who is), try to get furnishings and whatever else you need secondhand. When shopping for anything that uses electricity—if you've determined that the common area doesn't have what you need—choose Energy Star rated products. To clean clothes, buy vegetablebased laundry detergent. Try to find solar-powered chargers for your phone and digital devices.

Good school habits aren't limited to studying. Make sure you turn off the lights when you leave the room (and if you can, change the bulbs to compact fluorescents or LEDs). Plug electronics into a power strip and turn off the strip when you don't need power. Do only full loads of laundry. Shorten your showers, and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or washing your face. Eat more vegetarian meals. Take reusable bags with you to the bookstore. Recycle everything you can—once you've used it thoroughly. Any time you share your mailing address—when you subscribe to a magazine, open a bank account, get a credit card—make sure you say that you do not want your address added to any mailing lists. Finally, see if there's a green group you can join. If not, start one!

Start the School Year on a Green Step

August 8, 2010-Whether you or your children are heading back to school, there are many simple things you can do to have a greener year.

Back-to-School Shopping

After you've made your list and before you buy anything, decide what you really need—did you use up last year's supplies? Did you outgrow those clothes? Then figure out what you can get secondhand (think about what comes between "reduce" and "recycle"). Then see what you can get from recycled and sustainably made materials: notebooks, binders, backpack, planner, organic cotton clothes. But remember, the greenest thing you can buy is what you already own.

Plan a Waste-free Meal

Reuse containers and reduce waste. Did you know that one kid's average school lunch generates 67 pounds of waste over a year? There are lots of ways you can cut back on lunch waste (and save money). When you go to the grocery store: buy chips, cookies, crackers, applesauce, carrots, yogurt, cheese, soup, and other food in bulk, not single-serving packages; buy juice in large bottles, not small boxes or pouches; and don't buy plastic sandwich bags, plastic water bottles, disposable utensils, paper napkins, or paper lunch bags. (And don't forget to bring your own reusable grocery bags to the store.) When you pack your lunch: put sandwiches, small fruit, snacks, and other food in reusable containers, preferably glass; put juice or water in a reusable bottle; and put metal utensils, a cloth napkin, and your food and drink in a long-lasting reusable lunch bag or box. If you buy lunch, reduce waste by bringing a reusable water bottle and a set of utensils with you. Don't get more food than you can eat or more napkins than needed.

Paper Towels

August 1, 2010-Did you know if every household in the U.S. replaced just one roll of 180-sheet virginfiber paper towels with 100-percent recycled paper towels, we could save: 1.4 million trees, 3.7 million cubic feet of landfill space, and 526 million gallons of water, and prevent 89,400 pounds of pollution? Several companies make paper towels from 100-percent recycled paper, with a minimum of 90-percent post-consumer materials. You can find these products at many grocery stores, particularly those that specialize in natural foods. Better yet, make do without paper towels. Use dish towels instead.

Water Saving Tips In The Garden

JULY 25, 2010-Gardening can be a fulfilling activity to help you relax outdoors. But, if you aren't careful, an environmentally-friendly activity can quickly turn into a sink for precious natural water resources. Millions of gallons of water are used in gardens and lawns each year—many of them wastefully. Here are some ways to cut back on the amount of water you use in the garden:

»Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass retains water better.

»Water in the early morning, when temperatures are cooler, to minimize evaporation.

»Check your sprinkler system regularly and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

»Collect and use rainwater for watering your garden.

»Direct downspouts or gutters toward shrubs or trees.

»Install a drip irrigation system around your trees and shrubs to water more efficiently.

Recycle Your Old Cell Phone and Save a Gorilla

JULY 18, 2010-Zoo Atlanta and The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International are working together with Eco-Cell (www.eco-cell.org) to recycle cell phones, help the environment, and raise money for gorilla conservation.

Many of us have one or more old cell phones stuck in drawers or closets just waiting for a place to go. You don’t want to throw them in the trash because you’ve heard its bad for the environment. Well, here is a solution for you!

Take your old cell phones to the special phone recycling containers in the Willie B. Conservation Center or in the Zoo administration building.

Or mail them to: Cell Phone Recycling Program Zoo Atlanta 800 Cherokee Avenue Atlanta, GA 30315

Top Green Gizmos for Summer-Part 5

JULY 11, 2010-You’ll find that your oven uses a lot of energy and creates heat in the home you are trying to cool. One alternative to consider during the summer is a Sun Oven. It reaches temperatures from 360° to 400°F or steams any kind of food with the power of the sun. The Sun Oven weighs 21 pounds, opens and folds up in seconds and comes with a carrying handle.

With a bit of research on the Internet, you can also find detailed instructions on how to make your own DIY sun oven from materials like cardboard, all for less than $40.