If it's Good 4 Girls, it's Good 4 ALL OF US!

A while back, Crunchy Chicken got the awesome idea of rounding up reusable sanitary napkins to send to girls in developing nations, such as Kenya and Uganda. Well, her awesome idea has blossomed into Good 4 Girls, and is getting a LOT of attention...so much in fact that she can't keep up with the demand.

Crunchy needs help! If you think this is as great of a cause as I do, please consider making a donation. It can be monetary, or in the form of a homemade or purchased pad. There are a number of online stores from which to buy.
If you are in the Omaha area and want to join me for a pad-making party, or just go in on shipping out a package, let me know! No girl's education should suffer for lack of a rag.
I'll put my money where my mouth is - I'm donating $10 right now...
(20 seconds later)
See, that was easy and painless. The hardest part was remembering my PayPal password!

Good for Goodwill!

A while back I talked about the Staples electronics recycling program.  We have an old computer sitting in our garage, and this was one option I was considering for its disposal.  Well, the Goodwill just announced that it will start accepting computers as donations!  They will resell those units that are in decent shape (under 5 years old) and recycle the rest.  Plus it’s free for the donor (many computer recyclers charge for this service).  I guess I know where our old computer is going…

Wow, a whole year has gone by...

I’ve been following Vanessa’s, aka Green as a Thistle, blog for just under a year now.  Starting on March 1, 2007, she has spent the last year making one green change to her life every day.  Today was her final post.  I’m both happy for her for achieving her goal, and sad for me and the other readers that her green adventure is officially over.  Her blog was/is both inspiring and humorous and I will miss the daily updates greatly…  Congrats, Vanessa!

 

And the gold medal goes to...cough, cough, cough...

The Omaha World Herald ran a story today about how Olympic athletes are preparing for the Summer Olympics in Beijing, one of the most polluted cities in the world.  Randy Wilber of the U.S. Olympic Committee has designed a mask for training purposes to protect our athletes from the noxious air, and teams around the world are planning to arrive as late as possible to avoid the pollution before the competition begins.  Although Beijing officials assure the world that they are doing everything they can to clean things up before August, really – how embarrassing!  C’mon, China - no one wants to come to your dirty freakin’ city!  You’d think the shame alone would make them clean up their act; but seriously, this is something they should be doing for the health and safety of their own people, not just because they have a world audience.  Perhaps air quality should be a factor for even qualifying to host such a prestigious global event…  It’s pretty bad when athletes are asking if the best way to prepare for breathing in your atmosphere is to run behind a truck!

Staple recycling

Not as in recycling staples, but as in Staples Eco-Easy electronic recycling program.  Starre on Eco-Chick mentioned this fantastic program, which is only fantastic to me because Omaha is getting its own Staples store this year.  For $10, Staples will recycle any large piece of e-waste (computers, monitors, etc) and small items like cell phones are recycled for free!  Sorry, honey, no more throwing out your own calculators and PDAs…  Staples recycles the equipment through Amandi Inc, whose website doesn’t say much about their process, but appears to dismantle and safety recycle recovered materials within North America, instead of shipping e-waste overseas.  

 

Just lost MY business

I've mentioned before that the DH and I are giving several of our loved ones gift cards this year for Christmas. Not because we don't know them well enough to pick out a decent gift...in fact, it's because we DO know them so well that we got them highly specific gift cards. :) I ordered these gift cards online and had them mailed to me. For the vast majority, the cards came in an envelope - an entirely appropriate method of delivery. However, for one specific card, which shall remain nameless to protect it's recipient, it came not only in an envelope, but in an envelope surrounded by flyers, a catalog, BUBBLE WRAP, and a padded security envelope! O. M. G. Seriously! Bubble Wrap??? For a gift card? It wasn't even a plastic gift card - it's a piece of paper! How much packaging is really needed to protect a piece of paper? Hmmm...maybe a small, plain envelop? C'mon, people, this is the reason our landfills are so full - all of the packaging. I can only imagine how much this company uses when they ship an actual product... Absolutely disgusting. I know this particular recipient loves this particular company, but I certainly won't be buying from them again.

Going topless

The recycling bins at my gym have little signs on them proclaiming “Go Topless! (Lids are not recyclable.)”  Hmmm…I usually put my tops back on, so I guess I’ll stop doing that… 

Bag2Bag

This weekend I stopped by the local grocery store, Hyvee, and noticed that they participate in the Bag2Bag recycling program.  I jotted down the website listed on the bin for more info, http://www.hilexpoly.com.  I’m glad that HyVee goes this extra step to reclaim and recycle its plastic bags – this company seems legitimate.  I’ve heard rumors that W@lm@rt’s similar program may just be a publicity stunt – that they might actually just be trashing the bags…but I have no proof of that.  Not that it matters to me personally – the DH and I bring our own bags when shopping.  We mainly use the Acme Workhorse 1500 from Reusable Bags, but many stores now sell reusuably grocery bags, including HyVee.  Or you can pick up one of my homemade versions at the Downtown Food Mart – I sold 12 to ML’s friend Dai this weekend.

 

WTF moment

I stopped into the craft store to buy some paint for my bag project the other night.  I was digging through my purse, so I didn’t say “no bag, please” in time to stop the cashier from bagging my paint.  Since I only had the one item, I simply removed it from the bag and told the girl that I was going to skip the bag.  She proceeded to wad up the plastic bag and chuck it in the trash!  I was too shocked to say anything – why couldn’t she just use it for the person behind me in line???  Sigh…

 

I've fallen (off the wagon) and I need to get up

6 months. 6 months without buying any new clothes (other than a few misc belly dance items). But still, aside from that, nothing from the mall, nothing from the internet, no new cute clothes. Until this weekend. I went to New York City with my siblings to watch my brother run the NYC Marathon. And I shopped. Way too much. I bought a new jacket, a cute reversible hoodie, a pair of jeans, a pair of gloves and a scarf (that purchase was a necessity – it was cold!), a couple of tops…it was bad. I have learned something about myself. I have absolutely no willpower. The only way for me to avoid buying new clothes is to complete avoid the opportunity. If I’m presented a chance to buy something, I will take it. Much like my inability to just say no to chocolate, I have no control over my shopping impulse. It must be completely avoided.

All that being said, I love NYC. All the people, the public transportation – I mastered the subway and the New Jersey Transit system – the sights and sounds – that was all good. Traveling with siblings? Not so much. Suffice it to say, this was our last family vacation.

One of the highlights of the trip, aside from witnessing the marathon – that was cool! - was stumbling into this little burger joint with my brother. Appropriately named Brgr, it was seriously the best hamburger I ever had – gruyere cheese, avocado, herbed mayo, a side of sweet potato fries…and then I noticed the sign on the wall. It was grass-fed, all natural, hormone and anti-biotic-free, humanely-raised meat. All sauces were made on-site, using locally-sourced ingredients when possible. How cool is that! It was totally an accident, too. J

Another very cool aspect of the trip was meeting my mother’s friend’s future sister-in-law, Ally, who designs handbags. She has two lines – recycled-material bags (aGaiN NYC) and sustainable-material bags. Both sell for more money than I have to spend, but it was awesome to meet people who share that kind of passion about sustainable production. I am horrible jealous of her and her fiancé, though – they lived in a million $ apartment in the West Village and have artsy/creative jobs. So not fair. J

But I’m home now, and tired from all the walking that we don’t do enough of in Nebraska, tired from carrying my heavy carry-on bags everywhere because we didn’t plan that part very well, tired from arguing with my family, being generally bitchy and frustrated, and getting in rather late from the airport. I’m ready for a nap and getting back to my routine. I’m climbing back on the no-shopping bandwagon. It was a momentary slip and I’ll recover. Eventually.

spreading the word about reusable bags

Last night while the DH and I were going through the self-checkout at the grocery store, a cashier came up and started asking me about my reusable grocery bags.  At first I thought her tone was accusatory, but then I realized she was just curious – asking where I got them and how sturdy they were.  I tore off the tag from one – sewn in explicitly for the purpose of tearing it off and giving it to other interested parties.  The tag explains the concept behind using these bags and not plastic or paper.  I’m happy to brag about the bags – I love them! 

Not-so-toasty buns

Crunchy Chicken announced her latest challenge last week, the Freeze Yer Buns & Lower the Thermostat challenge.  Instead of a measly one week or one month challenge, this one goes ALL winter!  Nov 1 – Apr 1.  Eek!  That’s a long time…  I signed up, of course, pledging to stay at or below 65 degrees during the day and 58 at night.  Hmmm…maybe I should tell the DH about this…he’s probably not going to like this challenge, as it affects him as much as me.  I’m curious to see what happens to our OPPD bill.  I think we can do it – I just bought some new slippers for padding around the house in, and we have down comforters tucked away in the closet.  We’ll be fine… J  Yes, it’ll be a little chilly, but it is winter, after all – it’s supposed to be cold!  

 

Carpool, anyone?

Today I registered for an account on Metro Rideshare, a local carpooling program.  So far, there are no matches for me (I feel so rejected!), but hopefully as more people learn about the program, I’ll find some carpool buddies.  While I do worry about the loss of flexibility that comes with driving myself to work, I loath driving every day, so this would be a welcome change from my daily routine.  We shall see…

 

My husband's a hippie and doesn't know it

Well, not really.  But he did buy low-flow showerheads for our bathrooms 2 years ago without realizing it.  I noticed today as I rinsed off that our showerhead spits out only 2.5 gallons/minute.   While I realize that there are lower flow heads out there (1 gpm), 2.5 is pretty good compared to the conventional 6 gpm, right?  (Agree with me – you’ll make my day!)  2.5 gpm does meet the definition of “low-flow” so I’m happy. J

 

Now get on with your day, and stop picturing me in the shower.  Pervs!

 

Not so bright?

We have most of the rooms in our house converted to compact fluorescent bulbs. Last night the DH informed me that one of the CFLs in our bedroom was flickering and about to burn out. He was happy to tell me about it, because he thinks it's funny to watch me get all riled up about environmental "stuff".

This is my first experience with CFLs, but I’m guessing, like every product you can buy, sometimes there are duds. Especially if you’re like me and bought the cheapest CFLs you could find. So, out of the 24 or so bulbs I’ve purchased to date, one of them didn’t last 6 months. OK, fine. Let’s just write the whole concept of saving energy and saving money off as a big scam – we’ve been had! Whatever, I don’t think so. I think we got one bad bulb – nothing in life is perfect, OK? When they all crap out in under a year, I’ll consider changing my mind, but for now, I think CFLs are a pretty bright idea.

Beer goggles for the masses

Found these in a Grist email this morning: Real Beer Goggles! via Urban Spectacles .

Other cool stuff sent out by the fine folks at Grist: 

• Kansas denies a permit to build a new coal plant because of concerns over C02 emissions (via Washington Post).  Where were these guys when OPPD got theirs? :P
• Ever heard of "green un-building" (via New York Times)?  It's the deconstruction of structures in environmentally-responsible ways.  If the DH is reading this, we can benefit from this practice - lots of folks donate their deconstructed-but-still-perfectly-good materials to the Habitat for Humanity Restore (there's one in Omaha!).

Thanks, Grist-y folks - you go well with coffee.

Individual Actions - Blog Action Day post

Today is Blog Action Day, and although I hardly consider myself a “real” blogger, I thought I’d jump on the bandwagon.  I like to be trendy, you know…  The focus of this year’s BAD is The Environment.  Environmentalism is the latest “trend”, right?  Let’s take advantage of that!  Green looks good on everyone…

According to the BAD organizers, BAD is all about mass participation, but for my part I’d like to focus on individual action.  What can you do, as an individual, as one little person, to save the planet?  Lots!

Look at individuals such as Colin Beaven (aka No Impact Man) – living a year in what many people would consider poverty-stricken conditions to reduce his impact to the environment.  He is just one person.  Why does this one person’s lifestyle change make a difference, you may ask?  Not because he is necessarily reversing global warming though actions such as shunning cars and elevators or washing his clothes in the bathtub.  No, while these acts are impressive, he is doing something much more critical – he is serving as an example.

Almost every action you take can be observed by those around you, whether it is something as simple as tossing your pop can in the recycling bin instead of the garbage can (or on the ground!), or leading a protest against the use of Styrofoam in your school cafeteria (uh, yeah I did that once…), other people see you and remember what you do.  Later, when these same people have a can of soda, they will hopefully think back to your action and choose to recycle rather than dispose.

I was reminded of my early “activist” days this weekend.  My mother, who still teaches at my former elementary/high school (yes, our town was that small), told me that people are still talking about the day I led a raid on the trash cans in the lunch room to “rescue” all the Styrofoam from the garbage.  I was 11 at the time – how are people still discussing this incident?  No matter – the important thing is that I made an impression on someone!

You can too – through small everyday actions, like bringing your own reusable bag, taking advantage of the recycling programs offered at your work or school, bringing your own reusable water bottle (or just asking for tap water), buying local food, riding your bike more (and driving less), etc.  All these things are easy enough for one person to do, but highly visible and therefore influential on those around you.

So think of the example you are setting – for your friends, your significant other, your children, your coworkers, your neighbors, etc.  Seeing you take actions that are positive for our planet reminds them that they should do the same.  Everyone likes to be trendy – let’s make Green the new black…

 

Why do I STILL bother?

Awhile back I posted about why I “bother” being environmentally conscious.  It’s not because “everyone is doing it”, because it’s pretty obvious to me that everyone isn’t.  The DH and I got into yet another discussion (ie argument) this morning about why I insist that the plastic containers and tin cans going into the recycling bin need to be rinsed out first.  And since I know he might actually read this now (hi honey!), I will refer you and him back to Alina’s post on recycling and the importance of not recycling dirty materials.  She points out the contamination and smell factors as well as I ever could.

I guess what really bugs me is that I have to explain my actions.  Shouldn’t people that insist on being wasteful and don’t bother to care about the health and future of our planet be the ones that owe the explanation?  I’m not being selfish by insisting that the plastic tub the sour cream came in (that my salary helped pay for) gets rinsed out and recycled.  How is directing my actions to benefit other people and the world at large being selfish?  Insisting on taking the convenient route – the all-disposable, single-use route – that’s being self-centered if you ask me.

Look, the point of being green is not because it’s trendy, it’s not because everyone else is doing it.  We do plenty of other things that the rest of our peers are not doing – I don’t know anyone as gung-ho about retirement savings as we are, at least not in our circle of friends.  The point is that if you do want everyone else to do something, you have to do it yourself first.  You have to be the change that you want to see in the world, to quote my favorite bumper sticker.  If only one other person starts considering their choices because I keep talking about it, that’s good enough for me.  

The good news is that being green IS becoming popular.  I hope it is not a passing fad, because it is crucial for the health and well-being of all of us, that we see the error of our wasteful consumer culture and change.  

Stepping down from my sustainable soapbox, I am happy to report that the canned food outing last night was successful.  I helped my friend unload $200 of canned fruits, veggies, sauce, and pasta into the break room of our corporate building.  It’s amazing how much food that actually was, but that kind of money goes a LONG way when you hit the 4/$1 and 3/$1 sales!  I wasn’t able to shell out the same amount as my friend, but I did throw in some cans from our home pantry, as well as some boxes dried pasta, rice, and mac ‘n cheese.  All these items are going to the Bellevue Food Pantry this Friday.

 

Rubbish!

The Omaha World Herald ran an interview today with the CEO of Firstar Fiber, a local Omaha recycling company.  It’s exciting to hear about all the possibilities they see for recycling in Omaha, from the OWH itself trying to increase it’s already 65-75% recycling rate, to the cellulose insulation company in Norfolk that uses recycles newspapers in its production process.  One of the points that caught my attention was the mention of why the company was happy when the City of Omaha stopped collection of glass in its recycling program – it was a major hazard to Firstar’s employees, who were constantly exposed to shards of broken glass.  
The company still collects glass, but gets it from drop-off locations, who sort the glass before it’s delivered to Firstar, thus protecting the employees from having to physically handle it.  I’m just happy that there is somewhere that still takes glass, and I was especially thrilled to read about the increased demand for recycled plastic – plastic isn’t going away on a large scale, so best to reuse what we already have than to produce new…

 

 

Green Roofs in Omaha

There was an article in the Omaha World Herald today about the city’s first Green Roof.  It’s going to be installed at a local joint library-school building, Saddlebrook.  This project is being backed not only by advocates of the green roof movement, but also city and county officials, which is awesome because that’s the kind of support you need to really get a environmentally-friendly project like this off the ground (in more ways than one in this case!).  This green roof will serve as a learning tool to determine the feasibility of other green roofs in our climate, so this is very potentially the first of many such projects to come. 

The idea behind a green roof is that you replace traditional roofing materials with plants; in this case plants that require little to no maintenance.  The plants absorb heat, aiding temperature control and energy use reduction within the building.  They also absorb rainwater, lessening the amount of runoff that pollutes local water sources after storms.  You can visit Green Roofs for Healthy Cities for more info.  This group will be conducting a symposium in Omaha next month.

I’m really excited about this news – ML pointed out to me that that Omaha is becoming a Cool City.  Surely this will only make things better!