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Composting For City Dwellers

Libuse Binder — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:01:17 +0000

Editor’s Note: Some content from this story appeared in an Earth911.com article on August 30, 2010. You can read it in its original version here.

The average New York City household throws out over two pounds of food waste per day, amounting to more than 3,000 tons of organic matter that must be trucked off to distant landfills.

For some city dwellers, composting is as easy as adding your food trimmings and other compostables to the yard waste bin.

The Lower East Side Ecology Center works to teach locals about the benefit of composting in New York City. Photo: Lower East Side Ecology Center

But for the millions residing in urban areas without compostable pickup, this reduction endeavor requires a bit of additional effort.

Andrew Hoyles, the compost educator at the NYC Compost Project in Manhattan works to teach people about the many urban options available.

Started in 1993 by the NYC Department of Sanitation, the NYC Compost Project offers composting outreach and education services to NYC residents in a variety of venues including community gardens, schools and businesses.

In Manhattan, the Lower East Side Ecology Center hosts the Compost Project. Hoyles offers these tips for those who may be reluctant to start the process because they are short on time or confined by square footage.

Problem: I don’t know where to start

Getting the composting project going can be a little daunting, but there are a multitude of resources. In addition to many helpful sites on the Web, municipal initiatives like the NYC Compost Project offer classes and workshops on building and maintaining composting systems.

SEE: Guide to Composting in the Summer

For those living in New York City, contact the Compost Project in your borough to find out about indoor and outdoor composting workshops. If you live outside the Big Apple, get in touch with your local municipality’s waste management department to learn more about your composting options.

If programs don’t yet exist, encourage your local city council and mayor’s office to enact waste reduction initiatives and composting programs. Also check with local community gardens to see if they will acceptable your compostables.

The Lower East Side Ecology Center has free compost collection at the Union Square Greenmarket, and they also have a drop-off at the center’s community garden.

Problem: I have no space in my home

When your apartment is a kitchen, bedroom, and living room all in one, it’s often hard to consider ceding space to anything other than a bookshelf or larger bed.

If you are among the millions feeling pressed for square footage, Hoyles recommends an indoor worm bin, which takes up very little space and is an efficient method for composting.

Don’t worry about bringing worms into your tight quarters, either; the bin filled with your kitchen scraps keeps them contained and contented.

The Compost Project sells worm bins and worms, and they also offer workshops about how to make your own bin. According to Hoyles, “A single person using a small worm bin can produce about thirty pounds of compost in four months.”

Problem: I don’t have enough time

If you decide that it makes sense to take your compostables elsewhere, you may find that differing schedules make it necessary to store your compost until you can make the drop.

“You can store your food scraps in a container and compost materials later. There are several options for compost pails, and you can store these in the freezer or fridge to keep them from starting to smell. Once they fill, take them to your compost site,” says Hoyles.

He also recommends checking with your local community garden to see exactly what it will accept and whether or not your need to be a member of the garden to donate your compost. Those living in New York City can check the NYC Wasteless website to get more information about composting drop-off locations and hours.

Problem: I don’t cook enough to compost

Another common side effect of limited space is a small kitchen and lots of meals eaten out. Even if the contents of your fridge consist of beer, three kinds of mustard, and a bevy of to-go containers, chances are that you still produce compostable waste.

The Lower East Side Ecology Center will accept the following for their community garden compost, and even the seasoned non-cook is likely to find some of these items in their trash:

Fruits and veggie peals
Non-greasy foods
Rice and other grains
Cereals
Coffee grounds
Tea bags
Egg shells (rinsed)
Nut shells
Flowers
Potting soil

Problem: Even if I composted, I have no use for the finished product

Step one: accumulate food scraps. Step two: compost. Step three: add nutrient-rich compost to the soil.

Steps one and two are easy, but for city dwellers, finding the soil might seem like the tough part. According to Hoyles, there are plenty of plants in your neighborhood that would be grateful for some compost.

SEE: Compostable Recipes For Low-Waste, Skinny-Waist Meals

“Often the trees in front of people’s apartments get mistreated with traffic and animals that use the trees as a bathroom, which leaches the nutrients from the soil. Adding your compost to a tree pit will help to support its life, or you can give your compost to a community garden or nearby park.” Hoyles also suggests adding a bit of compost to your houseplants.

Just in case you need more convincing

“The benefits of composting are numerous. Composting is the natural way that organic waste should be processed, and you will create compost for gardening, tree pits, and indoor plants,” says Hoyles. “It’s also an easy way to reduce your individual waste significantly.”

Urban composting efforts need buy-in from residents in order to flourish. Cities like San Francisco, where composting is mandatory, have been able to run successful programs thanks to the eager participation of residents.

Read more from Libuse Binder at Weekly Way and Ten Ways.

Best Ways to Find a Green Career

Libuse Binder — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 07:01:57 +0000

More and more graduates are leaving school with an interest in finding a job that focuses on the many aspects of sustainability. Job seekers will find a nonprofit and for-profit employer pool that is increasingly open to exploring sustainable approaches such as paying employees a living wage, reducing overall waste and becoming more energy efficient.

The public has been instrumental in the rise of support for green jobs. In fact, Feb. 4, 2009 marked the the first official Green Jobs Advocacy Day. Thousands of proponents from around the country gathered on Capitol Hill to lobby for good-paying, green jobs. (Stock Photo)

Colleges and universities are also responding to this shift toward environmentally and socially responsible practices, and many now offer programs geared toward sustainability.

Several schools including Stanford, Yale and the Bainbridge Graduate Institute offer Sustainable MBA’s, and the School of Sustainability at Arizona State University offers both graduate and undergraduate degrees in sustainability.

A values-based education

The ASU School of Sustainability offers a Master of Arts, Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability. The undergraduate program, which was founded in 2008, offers either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Sustainability.

These programs take an interdisciplinary and whole-systems approach to sustainability as students examine social, environmental and economic facets of sustainability.

“This is a values-based degree. The students that come here to study sustainability don’t just study it, they live it; so they look for jobs that match their values,” says Amy Lively, internship coordinator at the ASU School of Sustainability. The ASU School of Sustainability also offers a minor in sustainability, so students in other disciplines can also explore how sustainability applies to their primary area of study.

What jobs are out there?

Almost any job can have a focus on sustainability, although Lively says some of the typical jobs in the green field – especially for those with a graduate degree and experience – include energy analysts, recycling program managers, sustainability coordinators, engineers, urban planners, architects and builders.

Network, network, network

For those preparing to enter the job market, Lively advises seeking out both internship and networking opportunities. For those already in the job market, Lively recommends staying educated about the new breakthroughs in sustainability either through a graduate degree and/or through networking opportunities.

“Get involved, go to Green Drinks gatherings, go to chamber of commerce meetings and seek out like-minded people,” she says. Networking events also give job seekers an opportunity to discuss sustainable initiatives and ideas for implementation with potential employers.

The sustainability field is constantly evolving, and even those with a degree need to stay abreast of these changes. In addition to keeping up with the latest developments, networking, and interning, Lively also sees value in earning certifications in a specific field such as the LEED Credential for those pursuing a career in green architecture and building.

Any job can be a green job

Lively, who also teaches the internship class at the ASU School of Sustainability, emphasizes the importance of looking for a job that matches a candidate’s areas of interest. “We teach a sustainable approach to doing the job that you want to do. Consider the job first and the sustainability angle second. What is it you want to do, and how will you implement sustainability into that and then get the training you need?”

ASU School of Sustainability students intern in a variety of fields including government, health care, wildlife, retail, education, nonprofit and even entertainment.

Lively also encourages sustainable job seekers to look at any job as a green job. “The economy and job market are tough, but just because a job isn’t advertised as a green job, I still encourage graduates to use the sustainable approaches they learned in any job they take on.”

Embrace internships and volunteer positions

Potential employers want to see candidates with prior experience. Plus, given the broad job base for careers focused on sustainability, it is a good idea to try different types of internships in order to gain experience and hone in on a specific field of interest. Katie Peige, a 2010 graduate of the ASU School of Sustainability, credits her five internships during college with preparing her for the tough job market.

Peige worked for a variety of organizations including the Network for New Energy Choices, Greenpeace and the Maryland Department of the Environment. She just secured a paid internship with Herban Lifestyles, helping the company work towards USDA organic certification and helping to expand the company’s online platform by utilizing social media.

“When I go to green networking events, I can relate to a variety of different fields from composting to energy efficiency to transportation to architecture,” says Peige.

Create your own green career

The new “green” economy offers many opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs, too. Tom Szaky, founder of Terracycle, and Stephanie Bernstein, founder of To-Go Ware, prove it is possible to start a sustainable company and make a profit.

“Whether you are a student, graduate student or career changer, there is a lot of room for entrepreneurs,” Lively says. “This is a wonderful time to start something new if you can find a sustainable way to solve a problem or invent a product.”

The Insider Swapping Network

Libuse Binder — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 07:01:43 +0000

Swap Ideas Day is September 10, but any day of the year is a good one to swap items from around your home.

From CDs to clothing, there are websites and groups all over the country that organize swaps where you can trade in your old stuff for new-to-you merchandise.

Swapping not only saves you money, it greatly reduces the resources needed to produce, package and ship new goods. Here are some of the many everyday items that you can trade for new gear.

The Internet has also allowed for would-be clothing swappers to get more organized about advertising and attending swaps.

I have nothing to wear!

Clothing swapping is nothing new. Girlfriends have been raiding each other’s closets since before petticoats were chic. Consignment shops are a great place to make some money from your old fashion finds while updating your wardrobe at the same time.

Clothing swaps have become more organized lately as both a way to raise money for a good cause – bring $5 or $10 and a few items of clothes to swap, and have your pick of everything there – as well as an excuse to get together with fashionable friends and exchange everything from the latest fads to the timeless classics.

Use the Web to hook up with local clothing swaps. Swapstyle.com lets members swap everything from handbags to cosmetics and it can all be done virtually. Members can even create a wishlist of that perfect pair of pumps or dream purse and wait for someone to post it.

Sporty swap

Many cities and towns have annual or semi-annual ski and bike swaps. You can sell your used gear and also find deals on some gently-used equipment that otherwise might be out of your price range. Many bike and ski shops will also give you trade-in credit on used equipment, and some stores even specialize in used sporting goods.

That’s definitely a rental

Many movie and music stores will buy and sell your pre-screened entertainment. DVD and CD swapping is also becoming easier and easier thanks to sites on the Internet where you can post your titles and earn credits each time a member requests something from your collection.

Membership on sites like swapadvd.com is usually free. You pay for shipping an item from your home to someone else’s, and the sender pays postage when shipping an item to you.

Got a closet full of old video games or board games? Who says the fun has been played out? Photo: Flickr/j.c. westbrook

Played-out games

Gamers (but possibly not their significant others) rejoice! While you may tire of playing virtual golf or fighting bad guys with superhuman strength, there are thousands of games out there to choose from, and you need not buy them new.

Sites like Goozex offer a trading service for those who are ready for a new evil wizard to fight or planet to save or whatever it is you video game folks do.

Ready for a new read

As your dog-eared copies prove, some books are beloved items that will live out their days on your shelves. Others are easier to part with after a partial or full perusal.

From college textbooks to romance novels, there are several sites where you can post your gently-used books. You enter in the ISBN numbers of the books you’d like to swap, and these titles go into a massive database of books available on the site. Sites like PaperbackSwap will trade your books, and swap.com (formally swaptree) will swap books, DVDs, CDs and video games.

Can I borrow a cup of sugar?

Do you have an expensive drill lying around or a lawnmower that you only use once a month? While not technically swapping, buying items as a community can drastically reduce your costs as well as your environmental footprint.

Another option is to buy items in bulk like sugar, flour and even produce, and then share the food and the costs with a few friends. This can save you money and greatly reduce the amount of packaging needed for these types of products.

All of the above

This is by no means a comprehensive list of what you can swap, as almost anything you own is fair game. Be creative and embrace the barter system as you find ways to share what you no longer use with friends, neighbors and strangers. Each item that you swap saves money and aids in your quest to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.

Related articles
10 Great Things to Buy Used

Composting in the City

Libuse Binder — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 07:01:36 +0000

For some city dwellers, composting is as easy as adding your food trimmings and other compostables to the yard waste bin.

The Lower East Side Ecology Center works to teach locals about the benefit of composting in New York City. Photo: Lower East Side Ecology Center

But for the millions residing in urban areas without compostable pickup, this reduction endeavor requires a bit of additional effort.

Andrew Hoyles, the compost educator at the NYC Compost Project in Manhattan works to teach people about the many urban options available.

Problem: I don’t know where to start

The Lower East Side Ecology Center has free compost collection at the Union Square Greenmarket, and they also have a drop-off at the center’s community garden.

Problem: I have no space in my home

When your apartment is a kitchen, bedroom, and living room all in one, it’s often hard to consider ceding space to anything other than a bookshelf or larger bed.

If you are among the millions feeling pressed for square footage, Hoyles recommends an indoor worm bin, which takes up very little space and is an efficient method for composting.

Don’t worry about bringing worms into your tight quarters, either; the bin filled with your kitchen scraps keeps them contained and contented.

Problem: I don’t have enough time

If you decide that it makes sense to take your compostables elsewhere, you may find that differing schedules make it necessary to store your compost until you can make the drop.

Problem: I don’t cook enough to compost

The Lower East Side Ecology Center will accept the following for their community garden compost, and even the seasoned non-cook is likely to find some of these items in their trash:

Fruits and veggie peals
The average New York City household throws out over two pounds of food waste per day, amounting to more than 3,000 tons of organic matter that must be trucked off to distant landfills.
Non-greasy foods
Rice and other grains
Cereals
Coffee grounds
Tea bags
Egg shells (rinsed)
Nut shells
Flowers
Potting soil

Problem: Even if I composted, I have no use for the finished product

Step one: accumulate food scraps. Step two: compost. Step three: add nutrient-rich compost to the soil.

Just in case you need more convincing

Read more from Libuse Binder at Weekly Way and Ten Ways.

Earth911 Back to School Guide: College Edition

Libuse Binder — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 07:01:56 +0000

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2009, 9.1 percent of the population of Americans over the age of 18 are enrolled in college or graduate school. Photo: morgueFile/cohdra

It’s almost time to start heading back to school, and whether on year one of a four-year undergraduate degree or year five of the four-year plan (sorry, Mom and Dad), there are many ways to ensure that this is your greenest school year yet.

1. Pack light and share

Whether driving or flying to your dorm, apartment or frat house, you and all of your belongings leave a hefty carbon footprint.

Try to minimize what you need to bring by contacting roommates ahead of time to see what can be shared. Students often arrive on campus to find that they have duplicates of everything from dishware to televisions.

Also, think twice about buying “disposable” furniture that will be used for a year or two and then tossed. Try to find necessities at a local thrift store once you arrive. You’ll be saving the cost and fossil fuel needed for transportation, and you’ll be reusing rather than buying new.

2. Re-store

Some colleges and universities have made the reuse process even easier by running stores on campus that gather cast-offs from years past, reselling everything from perfectly functional couches to computers the following year. Check with your campus sustainability office before arriving on campus to see what you might be able to procure.

As an added bonus, the proceeds from many of these”re-stores” often go to environmental programs on campus.

3. Battle climate change with your bucks

From paper to clothing, trendy, eco-friendly options for back-to-school supplies abound. Look for clothing, sheets and towels made from organic cotton or fast-growing bamboo, paper with a high level of recycled content, printers with easy-to-recycle cartridges and even reusable to-go silverware.

4. Remember to recycle when you upgrade

If it is time for a new computer, make sure that your old one doesn’t become part of the growing stream of e-waste. The National Cristina Foundation will match your old computer with a school or organization in need of technology, and you can also check with local schools and organizations to see if your equipment could be useful to them.

Many electronic manufacturers also offer free recycling services, and some even offer trade-in programs. Dell, for example, offers free pick-up of computers and accessories, or customers can drop-off equipment at Goodwill and Staples stores nationwide. Customers who donate old Dell computers to the National Cristina Foundation will get a coupon from Dell towards new equipment.

Student meal plans of the past were filled with fast food choices. Now, many colleges have healthier, organic and even local dining options. Photo: New York University

5. Do your research

Before purchasing anything, find out which companies are making the grade on climate change. Climate Counts has launched the Back-2-Cool Campaign to inform consumers about the climate action records of companies selling popular products ranging from apparel to software.

A visit to the Climate Counts website will help you to make choices about the companies you want to support as well as offering you easy ways to take action on climate change.

6. Fighting the “freshman 15″

One of the major complaints of college students is that it is difficult to find healthy, affordable dining options on campus. Many schools are responding by trying to integrate more organic and local foods into the menus of their cafeterias and cafes.

Students can aid this process by employing the simple economic principle of supply and demand; the more students who ask for healthy and environmentally-friendly food, the more likely the school is to provide it.

Also check to see if a community garden or even a farmers market is on or near campus, as well as student groups working to bring more local fare to school. Community gardens can almost always use an extra hand as can students working to educate the school community about the benefits and pleasures of local and organic food.

7. Join the club!

Speaking of groups, almost every campus now has a club geared towards those interested in environmental initiatives, and most schools have many. Check out your options at the student activities office, and if you don’t see a club or group that fits your interests, start one!

Many green-forward universities have gardening programs for student and local participation. Residents work in the Song neighborhood community garden at EcoVillage at Ithaca. Photo: EcoVillage at Ithaca

Many major environmental groups have student chapters all over the country. Starting a chapter on your campus is as easy as contacting the national headquarters and asking for help.

The process of founding a club or chapter on campus varies from school to school, but it is usually as simple as filling out an application and explaining why there is a need for your group.

More and more colleges and universities also have offices of sustainability and coordinators. Sustainability departments often spearhead recycling and reuse initiatives as well as educational programs to help schools go green. These offices work with students, faculty, and the administration to raise the profile and efficacy of sustainability programs on campus.

If you have your own ideas about ways to improve or start environmental initiatives on campus, the sustainability office is a great place to find support, resources, suggestions, and like-minded people.

8. Make the grade green

As demand grows for more sustainability-minded grads, colleges and universities are responding by offering more programs focused on fields like environmental science, organic agriculture and forestry, sustainable architecture and engineering, as well as programs geared towards those interested in transforming major infrastructures like transportation systems and big business into more eco-friendly endeavors.

9. College is the place to get started on sustainability

Many people begin their eco-endeavors during their college years. Tom Szaky took advantage of feedback from friends and readily available materials for compost and reusable materials when he launched Terracycle while at Princeton.

Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre were clearly paying attention in a class aimed at fostering innovation. They were able to tap into the many resources at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute while starting their successful company, Ecovative Design, which produces an alternative to polystyrene foam.

No matter what you decide to pursue post-graduation, the experiences you have and the courses you take in college can go a long way towards making you more marketable once you hit the green job scene.

10. Take some tips from our interns!

Who better to deliver some college greening tips than students who are already there?

The Intern Files: How to Green Your Dorm
While you prepare for move-in day, keep in mind that being green can still apply. It’s absolutely possible to create an easy, eco-friendly living environment for everyone involved, whether you have one, two or several roommates.

The Intern Files: Eco-friendly Student Care Packages
To help you show you care in eco-friendly style, we’ve gathered some great green care-package ideas for your favorite smarty-pants.

Read more from Libuse Binder at Weekly Way and Ten Ways.

I Didn’t Know That Was Compostable!

Libuse Binder — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:01:21 +0000

Whether you are managing your own compost bin, or you live in a town or city that composts for you, composting is one of the most efficient ways to help keep millions of tons of biodegradable trash out of the landfill.

Many compostable items are probably those you are already familiar with, like veggie trimmings, coffee and tea grounds, and yard and plant clippings, but these items are just the start of what can go in your bin.

Wine itself can even help encourage the composting process. Photo: Flickr/Codefor

Bread and Crackers

There are many potential contributors to the compost in the kitchen. Stale starches such as bread, crackers, pretzels and even cooked pasta and cooked rice can all be composted. These drier items will help offset the wetter kitchen waste such as veggie trimmings.

Compostable Condiments

Herbs, spices, jams and preserves all have a limited shelf life, and once they are too old to use, they can be added to the pile as well.

Eggscetera – shells and dairy

Egg shells are compostable, although they should be rinsed or even heated for ten minutes in the oven in order to kill bacteria. Leftover dairy products like melted ice cream and moldy cheese can also be composted.

Zero-waste wine

Wine is a zero-waste drink thanks to your compost pile; put the bottle in the recycling bin and the cork in the compost, and the wine itself can even help encourage the composting process. If you make your own beer or wine, all of the waste from these processes is is a beneficial addition to the pile.

Packaging

Plastic, which is a popular packaging material, is not compostable and does not biodegrade. Thanks to continuing education about this fact and consumer demand, some cities, towns and businesses have begun to eliminate plastic packaging like polystyrene containers. These efforts have been furthered by the development and distribution of compostable to-go containers. Big box health food stores like Whole Foods, for example, now use compostable containers for everything from salad to coffee beans, and SunChips introduced a compostable bag this spring.

Paper products

Almost all forms of clean, non-treated paper can be composted as long as they are shredded or broken into smaller pieces. Paper is another material that acts as drier material to help keep the proper ratio of “green” to “brown” materials in your pile. You can compost most paper including bills (once you have paid them, of course!), junk mail, paper towels, paper napkins, paper plates, toilet paper rolls, paper cartons from eggs and berries, and even the grease-free part of your pizza boxes.

Cotton balls, cotton swabs, lint from the dryer and even old shredded cotton and wool clothing can go in your bin. Photo: Flickr/incurable_hippie

Hair it is

There are many items in the bathroom that can be rerouted to the compost pile. Hair from your hairbrush or fur from your pet are full of useful nitrogen and can be thrown in the compost pile. Nail trimmings can be composted too as long as they have not polish on them. Cotton is also fodder for the bin, so cotton balls, cotton swabs (as long as the handle is made of cardboard), lint from the dryer and even old shredded cotton and wool clothing need never see the trash pile.

Lint and other unwelcome guests

Even the waste from your cleaning adventures can go in the pile. When you are done vacuuming, empty your bag into the bin, and when you sweep out the fireplace, add the ashes as well. Trimmings from your indoor plants can go along with any used soil, and you can even compost the crumbs you sweep off the floor.

Party in the bin

One of the most difficult decisions to make during the holidays is what to do with the waste generated after a big celebration. With a bit of planning, it is easy to ensure that most of your party favors are compost bin-friendly. Both Christmas trees and jack-o-lanterns are compostable, as are wreaths made from natural materials like tree trimmings and flowers.

Making the mix

The most successful compost bins and piles are those that have the right mix of materials needed for the composting process to take place properly. Cities like Seattle and San Francisco now offer compost pick-up, so check with your municipality about availability of this service and which items are considered compostable. If you are going to compost on your own, check out this cheat sheet for composting as well as these tips to help you decide on the right composting system for you.

Read more from Libuse Binder at Weekly Way and Ten Ways.

Operation Deepwater Clean

Libuse Binder — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:01:00 +0000

In Port Fourchon, La., Melvin Silvestre, a contractor for Oilmop, helps clean the coast by sifting through sand to find oil debris. Photo: Flickr/Deepwater Horizon Response

It’s been almost three months since the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion caused the largest oil spill in United States history.

As of June 15, the government estimated that up to 60,000 barrels of oil were spilling into the Gulf of Mexico daily. The latest attempt to cap the spill seems to be holding, and as of this writing, there is no evidence of new leaks into the Gulf.

In addition to oil, other gasses such as methane, a potent global warming gas, were also released. If the cap holds, both BP’s and the public’s focus will now shift almost exclusively to cleanup and coastal protection efforts, both of which will stretch far into the foreseeable future.

Innovative reuse

One of the mitigation methods used thus far has been the immersion of absorbent booms, which are used to soak up the oil spilling into the Gulf. Matter of Trust, which finds innovative ways to reuse manmade and natural surplus has been working tirelessly in the Gulf region to construct and distribute absorbent booms.

The booms are created by stuffing donated nylons with hair clippings from everything from dog fur to human hair. According to co-founder and organization president Lisa Craig Gautier, the fur and hair is coming from locations “all over the U.S. and 30 other countries.”

Earth911 even got in on the act and donated hair collected from local salons as well as from family and friends. The booms are being used to protect estuaries and nurseries all along the Gulf.

“Volunteers are ‘booming’ like mad, and this Saturday a couple of thousand booms went to protect the dolphin and manatee estuary in Weeks Bay from oil coming into Alabama,” Gautier says.

Those wishing to donate or volunteer should visit the Matter of Trust website.

More ways to help

While many people have expressed interest in volunteering, it is important that those involved with the cleanup efforts are properly trained. BP and its contractors are now hiring much of the work force involved with the cleanup.

There are several organizations working in the Gulf that are seeking volunteers and donations, and the Deepwater Horizon official response website offers updated state-by-state opportunities. There will also be a need for volunteers for months, even years to come.

“In addition to the volunteers needed now to help with monitoring the effects of the spill, once cleanup is over, there will be a massive need for restoration, and volunteers will certainly be needed for those types of projects,” says Chasidy Fisher Hobbs, the Coastkeeper for Emerald Coastkeeper.

There are also plenty of ways to help without traveling to the Gulf. Consider donating to and joining the advocacy campaigns of organizations working to protect and restore the Gulf, such as The National Audubon Society and The Waterkeeper Alliance.

Working to protect the water and wildlife

In addition to the efforts of BP and other governmental agencies such as the Coast Guard and NOAA, many nonprofit organizations are also working to mitigate some of the many devastating effects of the spill.

Lisa Gautier and Yente Sehman from Matter of Trust climb a boom mountain at the donated warehouse at Fort Walton, Fla. Photo: Matter of Trust

Emerald Coastkeeper, which works to protect the diverse ecosystems in the northern Florida region of the Gulf of Mexico, has seen the devastation from the oil spill firsthand. According to Hobbs, there is a lot of uncertainty about the extent of the damage; this lack of clarity, combined with the fact that there is no clear end in sight are some of the most difficult aspects of the situation.

“We are used to hurricanes in the Gulf Coast, but the suspense only lasts for a few days,” Hobbs says. “Now we are all just sitting and watching the spill get bigger and bigger, and the 90 days of anxiety is weighing heavily; it’s like everybody is holding their breath.”

“Now that [the Unified Command] has dispersed the majority of the oil coming out, it is tough to say what the damage is going to be, and there is no talk about getting [the dispersed oil] out of the Gulf’s water column,” she continues. “The idea right now seems to be to disperse the oil and let it break down on its own, and we don’t know what the long-term ecological or health impacts will be.”

Initially the focus of Hobbs and all of the Waterkeepers who work with The Waterkeeper Alliance had been resource protection and preparation.

An area action plan that had been put together in the early 1990s – before her county had an environmental department – had to be updated, and the implementation of the updated plan had to be approved by Incident Command, which is a part of the Deepwater Horizon Unified Command run by BP, the Coast Guard and other governmental agencies.

The focus quickly changed, however, as news from Louisiana offered her organization a preview of what was to come.

“The deflection booms are ineffective in any sort of choppy water, and nearly 2.5 million gallons of dispersant have been used to break down the oil through both aerial and deep water injection, which drops the oil down into the water column away from the surface,” Hobbs explains.

“The idea was to break down the oil and sink it into the water column to protect the shorelines, estuaries and nurseries, but it quickly became apparent that the shorelines were being impacted anyway. Also, the dispersants increase bioaccumulation of oil anywhere from 12 to 50,000 times in the organisms that come into contact with the broken down oil particles. We have no idea how much of this is entering the food chain of the Gulf.”

While The Gulf Waterkeepers remain committed to resource protection, their focus has now shifted to documenting the shoreline, so they will have all of the necessary information about the impact of the spill when it is time for the next step – National Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA). Volunteers all along the Gulf Coast, who are working with the Gulf Waterkeepers, have adopted a section of shoreline to monitor.

The Waterkeepers are also focusing on the health and mental effects of the Gulf Disaster on the region’s residents. But Hobbs calls this is just the “tip of the iceberg as far as human health and environmental impacts.”

“In my area of Northwest Florida, tourism is the No. 1 industry. Just two weeks before the rig exploded, we were celebrating a victory of keeping oil rigs out of Florida State waters for at least another year,” Hobbs says.

“We are a tourism-based economy, and the argument was that we didn’t want to risk having the possibility of a disaster like this in a place so dependent on tourism. We’re really going to see the effects of the spill when the cleanup jobs are gone and the tourism hasn’t yet picked up again.”

Reduce your use

The disaster in the Gulf further highlights the importance of reducing our overall dependence on fossil fuels as well as the need for more stringent safety rules.

As Hobbs says, “I hope what will come out of this will be a change to many of these regulations and a greater focus on alternative sources of energy.” Campaigns like My Gulf Action run by Climate Culture encourage people to pledge to take specific actions to reduce their use of fossil fuels.

Related articles
EPA Monitoring BP’s Handling of Oily Waste, Tar Balls
Report Predicts Oil Spill Will Lead to $100 Billion Spike In Green Building
What Happens to the Oil BP Recovers?

Homepage Photo: Cleanup operations by Miller Environmental Group on the beach in Grand Isle, La. on July 2, 2010. Flickr/BP America

Hidden Water in Your Products

Libuse Binder — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:01:53 +0000

According to the EPA, agricultural irrigation accounts for more than 142 billion gallons of fresh water per day. Photo: Flickr/Julien Harneis

By now, most of us are familiar with the usual water-saving tips: don’t leave water running unnecessarily, time your showers, install low-flow shower heads and resist the urge to unnecessarily water the lawn or wash the car.

You can also reuse greywater when appropriate (water from rinsing veggies can be used to water plants, for example), landscape with indigenous plants that don’t require more water than the location can provide and run the dishwasher with a full load.

But what about all of the water “hidden” in just about every product we buy? Hidden or virtual water is a relatively new term, developed by Professor John Anthony Allen, which explores the concept of the water needed to grow/feed, manufacture, and process the products we buy, as well as water used in industry in general.

Some everyday products, such as coffee and cotton, have an especially high hidden water content. By being mindful of your virtual water use, you can greatly reduce the total amount of water you use.

Calculate your waterprint

As with your carbon footprint, the first step toward reduction is finding out how much water you are using and becoming more aware of the amount of water necessary to create the products you consume. Check out the water footprint calculator at the Water Footprint Network in order to calculate your number.

If your footprint is high, you are in line with the national trend – the United States uses almost twice as much water as the United Kingdom – but there is plenty you can easily do to develop a new approach to how you use one of our most precious commodities.

Once you know your number, it is easy to reduce your waterprint by using only what you need, reusing and buying secondhand, reducing packaging, composting and recycling and striving to buy products with the lowest waterprint.

Reuse, reduce, recycle

Everyday products like cotton and paper have a significant water footprint. It takes about 2.5 gallons of water to produce one sheet of paper and about 713 gallons for a single cotton shirt.

While the amount of water embedded in most manufactured products is more difficult to calculate because industrial processes vary widely, it is important to keep in mind that all industrial products have a water footprint.

So when shopping, try to buy products only when necessary and look for those that have gone through the least processing in order to create the finished product. For necessities like clothing, start your search at clothing swaps and secondhand stores. Not only will you save water, you will probably save a significant amount of money too!

4 items you can recycle to save water

Recycling actually saves water, because the extraction and manufacturing of virgin raw materials into single-use packaging uses quite a bit of water. Recycling reduces the need for materials from virgin sources and therefore reduces water use. Here are some examples of how much water goes into the creation of some commonly-used products.

1. Paper
1,321 gallons for 500 sheets (Bonus: 7,000 gallons of water are saved when you recycle 1 ton)

Find your local recycling
solution for paper

2. Paint
13 gallons of water for 1 gallon of paint

Find your local recycling
solution for paint

3. Cotton T-shirt
400 gallons of water to grow the cotton needed for one shirt

Find your local recycling
solution for clothing

4. Tires
More than 2,000 gallons for one tire

Find your local recycling
solution for plastic #7

Buy only what you need and compost

Besides the fact that wasting food is wasting your money, as well as the energy needed to grow, ship, package and transport the food, it is also a huge waste of water.

As an example, consider that extra cup of coffee that you throw away after brewing a bit too much. One cup of coffee has a water footprint of approximately 37 gallons, and coffee accounts for about 2 percent of the total water used in crop production.

Depending on your addiction levels, you could save more than 100 gallons of water if you brewed and consumed only the exact amount of coffee you actually drink.

When you are done with your coffee grounds, reduce your water footprint further by buying in bulk and reusing the bag you use to carry your coffee beans to and from your home. Don’t forget to use a reusable mug instead of a paper cup with its own water footprint.

If you do find that you have food waste, compost it and create nutrient-rich soil, which you can use to grow your own food that won’t need to be processed and packaged – both of which require water.

While conserving those gallons with the shorter showers should not be overlooked, the incredible amount of water embedded in every product we use should offer us all further motivation to consume only what we need, to waste as little as possible and to be mindful about the amount of water in everything we buy.

Great Books for the Summer

Libuse Binder — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 07:01:30 +0000

Summer is officially upon us, and warm weather and a little more free time are great reasons to settle in with an excellent book. Whether at the beach or on a camping trip, there are some excellent newly-released books that offer intriguing ideas for even greener living.

Here are some books covering everything from cooking tips from Alice Waters to experiments in living off the grid.

Environmental/Lifestyle

The Urban Homestead (Expanded & Revised Edition): Your Guide to Self-Sufficient Living in the Heart of the City by Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen: The newest installment of The Urban Homestead is a must read for city-dwellers and renters who think that you need a big house or lots of property to participate in the sustainability movement. Urban Homestead is full of detailed and practical strategies for applying big picture sustainability goals to the small-scale home environment.

The Story of Stuff: How Our Obsession with Stuff Is Trashing the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-and a Vision for Change by Annie Leonard: Following up on her documentary of the same name, The Story of Stuff offers a more in-depth discussion of consumer culture, its costs, and, most importantly, practical ideas for creating a more sustainable paradigm. Leonard reveals how our seemingly simple habits of consumption and disposal are part of a complex, often harmful environmental cycle. Throughout, she offers suggestions for moving forward along a different, more sustainable model.

Gardening/Cooking

In the Green Kitchen: Techniques to Learn by Heart by Alice Waters: As one of the founders of the Slow Food movement (developed to counter the fast food culture), and an award-winning chef, Waters is expert both at explaining the virtues of preparing your own meals and providing the Cooking 101 techniques to get even the greenest of chefs started in their kitchens. As well as a great how-to book for anyone interested in finally learning the basics of cooking this summer, In the Green Kitchen is also full of tasty recipes from a plethora of great chefs.

Eat Your Yard: Edible Trees, Shrubs, Vines, Herbs, and Flowers For Your Landscape by Nan K. Chase:
Gardening will seem, well, ordinary after reading of all the possibilities that Eat Your Yard provides to landowners. Chase moves beyond the basics of gardening and introduces readers to the many beautiful and tasty flora that can enhance your landscape and satisfy your palate at the same time. This book is an excellent 2-for-1 gift for anyone who enjoys landscaping and gardening, as well as cooking.

Sustainability/Low Impact Living

No Impact Man: The Adventures of a Guilty Liberal Who Attempts to Save the Planet, and the Discoveries He Makes About Himself and Our Way of Life in the Process by Colin Beavan: This book chronicles Beavan’s year-long attempt to approach a zero impact lifestyle. From the practical to the radical to the absurd, Beavan’s experiences lead him to surprising, humorous, and often profound conclusions about the environmental movement and the role that individuals can and should play in preserving the earth’s resources.

Twelve by Twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream by William Powers: Far from Colin Beavan’s experiment in low-impact living, is Powers’ account of Dr. Jackie Benton, whose cabin is the book’s namesake. Powers joins Benton, who has managed to live completely off the grid in a small cabin in the woods of North Carolina. Twelve by Twelve recounts his time spent with her and the many subtle ways that her seemingly radical lifestyle can help everyday people make important insights into the world in which we live. Although this book seems more somber than Beavan’s piece, it is also more poetic.

Volunteering/Activism

700 Places to Volunteer Before You Die: A Traveler’s Guide by Nola Lee Kelsey: On bookshelves this July is this comprehensive volume dedicated to volunteering and travel. Kelsey presents the seemingly endless possibilities for people looking to see the world and make a difference. More importantly, she also addresses the most common questions about volunteer vacations, and provides firsthand insights from both the volunteer and the organizational perspectives. After reading this book, you’ll be itching to get out there and see (and change) the world!

Soul of a Citizen: Living with Conviction in Challenging Times by Paul Rogat Loeb: While at first glance the title seems to suggest just another self-help book, Soul of a Citizen takes a fresh look at the meaning of citizenship and activism in the current context. Rather than advocating high profile, radical methods of addressing today’s social and economic problems, Loeb emphasizes the importance of personal conviction and human interaction in persuading people to embrace a cause. In a world that seems to grow more connected but less communal with each new technology, Loeb’s emphasis on human connection and redefining personal fulfillment seems particularly timely.

Read more from Libuse Binder at Weekly Way and Ten Ways.

Top Green Gizmos for Summer

Libuse Binder — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:01:39 +0000

Electricity bill are rising. Now you can cut down on costs and find out what appliances are actually worth keeping plugged in. Fight the vampire power! Photo: Kill A Watt

With summer upon us, there is no better time than now to reduce your energy use with these innovative green gadgets. Whether using innovative technology or harnessing the power of the sun, these gadgets all have the potential to reduce your footprint and save you some serious cash.

Kill A Watt

The first step in lowering your energy use is determining how much each appliance uses in the first place. Plug your appliances into the Kill A Watt, and an easy-to-read meter will tell you how much energy is being used.

You can use this information to determine if it’s time to use the appliance less or even upgrade to a more efficient model. For information about the most efficient models on the market, check out appliance ratings at Energy Star.

Almost as good as hanging it out to dry

You’ll find when you test your appliances that your dryer is one of the greediest energy consumers in the house. Your first option, especially during the summer months, is to hang your clothes out to dry on a clothes dryer. Yes, it’s decidedly low-tech, but probably one of the greenest devices you can use during the summer months.

If you don’t have the access or time to make this possible, consider purchasing Nellie’s Dryerballs, which can reduce your drying time by up to 25 percent.

Cooking with the sun

You’ll also find that your oven uses a lot of energy, and one alternative to consider especially during the summer is a Sun Oven. 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.

The power of the push

While you are outside, you may notice that your lawn needs a little trim. Rather than a gas mower, consider using an electric model or even a push mower, which is guaranteed to give you a good workout while beautifying you yard. Many options exist now for both types of mowers, so be sure to read reviews to see which type might work best for your yard.

Automatic shut off

There are now several types of “smart” power strips that can be set to shut off when your devices are in standby mode, or that can be set to power off during times of the day when your electronics or appliances are not in use. Check out the Smart Strip Power Strip or the Bye Bye Standby Energy Saving Kit.

The Solio cell phone charger has an integrated solar cell to allow for “mobile charging,” as the photovoltaic solar cell is capable of charging a lithium ion battery using just the sun’s rays. Photo: Solio.com

Powered by the sun

Solar chargers from Solio come with a variety of cables and tips to allow you to easily charge all of your devices from cell phones to cameras. The chargers collect energy from the sun, and then plug directly into all of your portable electronics.

The Solio Mono Hybrid Charger takes about 10 hours to charge directly through sunlight, with peak charging times between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The charger is compatible with many phone models, as well as digital cameras and other portable electronics.

…Or the wind

The HYmini charger works in a similar way to the solar chargers, but banks wind power instead of solar. HYmini also makes solar chargers, and you can buy a charging pack from the company that includes both wind and solar chargers.

Store, recharge and accessorize!

Of course, you need something to hold that extra cash and all of those new green gadgets. The stylish bags from Noon Solar offer this service as well as the capability to charge your electronics.

There is a solar panel on the outside of the bag that collects energy and funnels it to a battery pack in the bag. On a sunny day, the pack will fully charge in 6-8 hours, and the energy will stay stored in the pack for several days.

Remember the 4th “R” – research

Of course, no matter what gadgets or technology you decide to invest in, be sure to use your electronics for as long as possible and to recycle them when done. Many electronics are made of valuable metals and other recyclable material that can be reused to make new products. Use Earth911′s recycling locator to see what you can recycle near you, or use a service like Greendisk that makes recycling e-waste as easy as mailing in a box.

Also do your research before making new electronic purchases. Check out Greenpeace’s Guide to Greener Electronics which rates companies as “greener” based on various criteria. Look for companies that…

Clean up their products by eliminating hazardous substances.
Take back and recycle their products responsibly once they become obsolete.
Reduce the climate impacts of their operations and products.

Read more from Libuse Binder at Weekly Way and Ten Ways.