When was the last time you went through your cosmetics drawer or bag?  Has it been six months, a year, maybe longer?  Cosmetics can be defined as powder, lotion, lipstick, rouge or any other preparation for beautifying the face, skin, hair, nails, etc.

Let’s take a look at when is a good time to chuck the old stuff, what is in your make-up and, ultimately, how to dispose of it.

Cosmetics 101

One thing to keep in mind: Cosmetics have a shelf life.  This shelf life is dependent upon the type of product and from what it is made.  The more organic the product, the shorter the shelf life.  Sometimes it is obvious when an item is no longer usable, but sometimes it could be a bit tricky. Here are some quick tips to help you know when it’s time to throw it out, from Suite101:

Currently, the cosmetics industry is not included in the Toxic Substances Control Act, which gives the EPA the authority to regulate chemicals. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com

• Oil-Free Foundation: 1 year
• Cream or Compact Foundation: 18 months
• Concealer: 12-18 months
• Powder: 2 years
• Blush and Bronzer: 2 years
• Cream Blush: 12 to 18 months
• Powder Eye shadow: 2 years
• Cream Eye shadow: 12 to 18 months
• Eyeliner: 2 years
• Liquid eyeliner: 3 to 6 months
• Mascara: 3 months
• Lipstick: 2 years
• Lip liner: 2 years
• Lip gloss: 18 to 24 months
• Nail Color: 1 year

Another big hint?  If it smells bad, throw it out!

Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Have you ever thought, What is in this tube of mascara?  The truth is that you may not want to know (e.g. see “placenta” below).  The FDA mandates that all information stated on the label must be accurate, but it does not have the resources or authority under the law for pre-market approval of cosmetic product labeling. It is the manufacturer’s and/or distributor’s responsibility to ensure that products are labeled properly.

Here are some ingredients that could be in your cosmetics:

• Fragrances – While this seems harmless, consider that most popular fragrances are often comprised of chemicals.  Try going  fragrance-free if you are not using anything that is potentially harmful.
• Placenta – This ingredient is said to help reduce signs of aging. However, some reports note concerns about the safety of the hormones involved when placentas are used in cosmetics.
• Kaolin clay – This is a naturally occurring clay that results from the breakdown of aluminous minerals.  The EPA rates it as either a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1 to 4 (1 being most toxic), depending on the study. While the ingredient has been used as an additive to pesticides, the toxic risk to humans is considered negligible, according to the EPA.
• Lead – The FDA does not set limits on contaminants such as lead.  However, they do set specifications against the use of color additives in cosmetics.  Lead falls under this stipulation.

Stay Informed

In order to be certain that the product you are using doesn’t contain a toxic chemical, read up on the ingredients or try the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Household Products Database, where you can search for your product under the Personal Care section.

If you do not have time to do thorough research online, Makeup-Product.com has some quick tips:

• If the color name on the ingredients label contains an F, D or C, then these color batches were approved by the FDA prior to use.
• Ingredients are listed in order of concentration (highest to lowest).  This is important if you have allergies,  as a higher dosage could elicit a reaction, whereas a lower dosage may not, depending upon your sensitivity to the ingredient.
• Just because the FDA approves an ingredient, doesn’t make it 100 percent safe.  If you are allergic or if it is derived from coal-tar, you may experience irritation.

In 2004, the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics estimated that women and girls use an average of 12 personal care products a day. Photo: Amanda Wills, Earth911.com

Purging the Old

According to Origins, it has been estimated that approximately 33 percent of all household waste per day is from consumer packaging. The best thing to do with your old cosmetics and their containers is to recycle.

Cosmetics containers are commonly in the form of glass or plastic #5. Since some curbside programs do not accept #5 plastic, several companies offer a solution.

Here are some companies that will allow you to bring your empty cosmetic packaging (e.g. tubes, bottles, jars, etc.) to their store to drop-off.  Sometimes, you may even receive a free gift.

Origins – Bring your product into the store, and you could be treated with a free sample of your choice!
M.A.C. – If you return six of their containers, you will receive free lipstick.
Aveda – The company offers a cap recycling program.  This isn’t just for cosmetics, but also for other household products with #5 plastic lids.

Don’t forget to check with your favorite makeup retailer to see if it has drop-off recycling as well.

Making-over Cosmetics

According to FashionIndustryToday.com, it is anticipated that over the next few years, the market for eco-friendly products will grow to roughly $8 billion in U.S. sales alone.  So, what can consumers expect in these types of products?  Essentially, it’s all about using less chemicals and more minerals.

However, this can be both good and bad.  One of the minerals used in “organic” cosmetics is bismuth oxycholoride, which is a non-toxic by-product of lead.  While it is great for reflecting light and thus hiding wrinkles, it can possibly be a cause for skin irritation or breakouts.  It is important to remember that just because it’s a mineral, doesn’t mean it’s healthy.  There are many unsafe naturally occurring metals and minerals, so be aware of what ingredients may entail.

Also, be aware of false advertising.  Simply because it says it is organic or a mineral-based make-up doesn’t mean it is.  Make sure you take the time to read the ingredients label to be sure that misleading claims aren’t trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

It is anticipated that the current market will only become stronger and the “weaker” false advertising companies will lose their ground.  With large retailers such as Walmart and Walgreens jumping on the eco-friendly cosmetic bandwagon, access to affordable and safe products may be just down the street.

Home is where it’s at

When the summer temperatures start rising, many of us take retreat into our air-conditioned homes. But have you ever wondered if you were being as energy efficient as possible? One of the ways many consumers miss out is by not properly maintaining their air conditioning units or switching out their old energy hogs for something more eco-friendly. In terms of maintenance, it’s important to:

Consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home without greatly increasing your power use. Photo: Associatedcontent.com

• Replace the air filter – The standard recommendation is once a month, but if you have pets or live in a dusty area, it’s better to do it more frequently. The clogged filter will cause poor air circulation, thus making your unit work harder.
• Clean the coils – Over time, the coils collect dust, thus reducing the airflow and insulating the coils, which reduces their ability to absorb heat.
• Hire a professional – Before you turn on your air conditioning, consider hiring a professional to come out and do a thorough inspection. Ensure that they check the refrigerant to ensure it is not leaking and that it is filled to manufacturer specifications.

Another thing to consider about your home air conditioning is efficiency. During the winter, many experts drive the point home that you need to have a house that is properly insulated, but there are other things to consider:

• Pull the shades – Closing your blinds on your house can make a world of difference during the day. Furthermore, having insulted windows and blinds helps keep the cold air out in the winter, but it also helps keep out the heat in the summer.
• Abandon the kitchen – The bottom line is, your oven and stove generate a lot of heat. That heat causes your AC to turn on more frequently. Consider cooking outside on the grill to help keep the heat where it belongs, outside. If you must cook indoors, either choose to cook in a microwave which produces less heat or turn on the over-the-range hood to vent the heat.
• Air it out – Open those windows at night when it cools down outside. It will help vent the air that has been in the house all day. A cool evening breeze will help you cool things down without the AC. However, if it is too humid out, it is recommended that you use the AC. Too much humidity can cause mold to grow inside your house.
• Seal it up – So much air is lost through energy zappers such as open or leaky windows and doors and poor insulation. It’s ideal to have your windows and doors properly sealed to cut down on air leakage. It’s also a good idea to insulate the duct work in your home. If it’s in the attic, heavily insulate it. If possible, run duct work through cooler parts of the house, such as the basement. Also, have a professional check for leaks in the system and seal them.
• Fan it out – Turn on the ceiling fans or a free-standing fan. Fans are great for moving the air and can generally make a house feel cooler by producing a breeze.
• Lighten it up – Switch out those standard incandescent bulbs for compact florescent bulbs (CFL). Not only will this save you energy, but CFL’s burn cooler, helping you keep the temperature in the house down. Another great way to reduce heat in the house is to turn off your computers. You might even want to consider opting for hang drying your clothes outside instead of using the dryer.
• Add some shade – Another great way to cut down on the heat is to add some shade. Plant some trees on the side of your house that receives the most sun. It may take some time, but when these trees grow up, they will provide shade for your house during the summertime, which will cut down on energy costs. Be mindful of how close you plant your trees to your house because roots can cause problems with your foundation.
• Go digital – If you can, put in a digital thermostat. It’s a better way to manage your household temperature. You can set the house for a higher temperature when you are not home and a lower temperature when you arrive home from work.
  

  Don’t set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.Photo: Typepad.com

Cruising around town

So, you are sitting in traffic, and it’s hot and humid. You turn on your AC and wait impatiently as nothing happens. Then you remember that you promised yourself at the end of last summer that you would get your car’s AC unit charged.

Keep in mind that the average consumer cannot charge their own AC unit in their car. It’s important to take it to a qualified mechanic who can charge it for you. Many of today’s cars have complex systems in which dumping more Freon (not commonly used anymore in vehicles due to it’s negative environmental impact) is not an option.

Aside from charging your AC, does using your AC consume more gas? Should you have the windows down? Many people have tested the windows down versus AC on theory. The general finding for modern vehicles is that window down is more efficient for city (low speed) driving, and the AC is more efficient for highway (high speed) driving.

The theory is that having your windows down at high speeds creates drag. Modern cars are designed with aerodynamics in mind, and when you drop the window, you disrupt the flow of air around the car, thus causing drag and burning more fuel. However, when you are driving at lower speeds, it does not create as much drag and is thought to be a better option to keep the windows down.

Also, when you are just hopping in a hot car after leaving work, put the windows down for a few minutes to help the heat escape, enabling the AC to cool the car down faster. Also, use the recirculation feature (often called max AC) to recirculate the air.

Beat the heat

So what happens when you have a busted AC system, cannot afford AC or are just out and about? Well, there is more than one way to beat the heat.

• Stay hydrated – Drink plenty of water and reduce consumption of alcoholic beverages and caffeine, which dehydrate you. It’s also a good idea to avoid drinks high in sugar content, such as fruit punch.
• Eat healthy – One of the best ways to help keep hydrated is to eat lots of fruits and vegetables. They are high in water, taste great and are good for you!
• Have a treat – Sometimes the best way to beat the heat is to enjoy a nice ice cream cone or sorbet. If you want to eat healthy, go for sugar-free organic options (to avoid artificial sweeteners).
• Take a swim – Go take a swim in your local pool to help cool down. Another idea if you don’t want to hit the pool is to take a cold shower.
• Hit the mall – If anything else, go somewhere air conditioned. Visit the mall, a restaurant, coffee shop or anywhere else that is cool.

There are plenty of ways to not only cut costs this summer, but also to just cool down in general. Maybe it means opting to open your windows at night, planting a few trees,or drinking lots of water. Regardless there are numerous ways to cool down. So don’t think about this summer as another season of high electric bills, think of this summer as another opportunity to go green!

“I am honored by the confidence and faith President Obama and the Senate have reposed in me to lead the EPA in confronting the environmental challenges currently before us,” Jackson said in response to being chosen. “As Administrator, I will ensure EPA’s efforts to address the environmental crises of today are rooted in three fundamental values: science-based policies and programs, adherence to the rule of law and overwhelming transparency.”

"By keeping faith with these values and unleashing innovative, forward-thinking approaches – we can further protect neighborhoods and communities throughout the country." -Lisa Jackson. Photo: Nola.com

According to Obama, Jackson “helped make her state a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions” and shared his goals for the nation.

Before the EPA

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in New Orleans, Jackson graduated from Tulane University’s School of Chemical Engineering in 1983. She then went on to Princeton University where she obtained a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering.

Jackson’s employment history includes working with the EPA for 16 years before joining the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in New Jersey. While at the DEP, she served in many positions, her last role being commissioner.

In November 2008, she stepped down from her role as commissioner to become Gov. Jon Corzine’s chief of staff.

Vision

Known for her tenacity at protecting the environment, Jackson’s main goals for the EPA include:

• Reducing green house gas emissions
• Improving air quality
• Managing chemical risks
• Cleaning up hazardous waste sites
• Protecting America’s water

Jackson’s vision is clear, but there are some obvious lines of division in the scientific community regarding her position on global warming. Thus far, she has expressed that carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions should be encompassed in the Clean Air Act that was instituted in 1970 (recently amended in 1990). Her goal at this time it to have scientific proof that CO2 emissions are a danger to human health and welfare in hopes of a carbon restrained future.

“If EPA is going to talk and speak in this game, the first thing it should speak about is whether carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger human health and welfare,” said Jackson. She has received opposition on the other side of the spectrum that strongly disagrees that global warming exists.

More recently, the EPA has awarded $800,000 in grants (40 grants of $20,000) to community-based organizations to help address environmental and public issues on a community level.

Jackson also supports the cap-and-trade policy against emissions. The policy states that if a company goes over its allotted emission credits, they are forced to either buy credits from another company that has not used all of theirs, or pay a penalty.

In March, the EPA announced that a $2.25 million program would launch that would start testing roughly 50 to 100 schools around near large industrial companies with high concentrations of pollution for air quality.

“Questions have been raised about air quality around some U.S. schools, and those questions merit investigation,” said Jackson.

What is to come?

Jackson makes it very clear that she is not afraid to say how she feels. She receives both support and opposition in regards to her position on several topics. However, it is very clear that she has a strong passion for the environment.

Jackson states that her vision is to protect the environment and help clean up the damage that has already been done. Many are watching and waiting as Jackson settles into her term and begins take the reigns of the EPA.

We are often so comfortable in our own surroundings, that sometimes we don’t have the opportunity to see how other countries approach the same daily concerns.  Here is a glance at some different parts of the world and how seriously they take recycling.

The village of Dharavi in the heart of Mumbai is also a recycling emporium. The majority of the one million plus inhabitants gathering waste from all over the city, transforming old, used and unwanted trash into new products. Photo: Daylife.com

India

• In Dharavi, India, many people make a living by creating their own recycling factories. It is estimated that the self-made recycling industry employs roughly 200,000 people. It’s not merely taking care of waste, but a way of life and a source of income.
• India recycles roughly 40 percent of their e-waste a year. This includes such items as broken or unwanted electrical appliances.

Europe

• Austria takes the cake by recycling roughly 60 percent of its waste.
• The United Kingdom recycles roughly 17.7 percent of its waste. Ireland, Italy, and Portugal are around the same percentage.
• The majority of recycling in the United Kingdom is handled by authorities. They institute incentives in order to encourage recycling. For example, a landfill tax is charged on top of normal landfill fees to encourage business and local authorities to recycle, reduce, and reuse.
• Many of the products the United Kingdom recycles include, but are not limited to, paper (including cards), glass, clothes, shoes and aluminum cans.

Japan and China

• In China, recycling isn’t just a citizen responsibility; it’s now considered second nature. Citizens and government alike in China are taking steps to encourage recycling. This has also become a profit machine. The citizens who diligently collect recyclables off the street are numbered around 2.5 million people. These scrap collectors earn the equivalent of $150 a month which is roughly half of what a cab driver earns in that country in the same time frame.
• It is estimated that 20 percent of the countries waste is disposed of improperly in China. This includes such items as building materials.
• Despite this, Beijing has built the world’s largest recycling facility and continues to install recycling bins. The city of Beijing hopes to increase their recycling rate from 10 percent to 80 percent by 2010.
• In Japan, recycling is a $360 billion dollar industry.
• In 1995, Japan established the Containers and Packaging Recycling Act to “meet the increasing need to reduce the volume of solid waste and make full use of recyclable resources by means of sorted collection and to recycle waste containers and wrapping.” The Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association helps to take on this responsibility by investing and managing recycling fees.


With the world's largest recycling facility in Beijing, recycling is "second nature" in China. Photo: Samrecovery.com

South America

• In Brazil, nearly 500 cooperatives employ approximately 500,000 recycling collectors. This is a $3 billion industry.
• Fifty percent of the 140,000 tons of trash generated daily in Brazil is recycled.
• Chile opened its first electronic scrap recycling facility in 2005.
• Peru opened its first recycling plant in 2007, which processes plastic packaging.

Africa

• The Glass Recycling Company has partnered with the government and glass manufacturers in South Africa in an attempt to increase the current glass recycling rate. This partnership increased recycling rates from 148,000 tons to 183,000 tons of glass recycling in roughly a year and a half.
• In Egypt, refuse collectors actually buy the right to collect trash since it is seen as such a profitable business. The collectors gather and recycle anything they can turn for a profit.

A Different Angle

The world’s recycling perspective ranges anywhere from profitable to vital in preserving the environment and controlling waste. While some countries offer elaborate setups for recycling and their citizens take the extra step to sort their waste, other countries have to choose alternative methods.

In places like Africa, India and South America, the common trend is that the recycling industry is a means to provide income for many residents. While in the U.S., companies and governments take the lead in recycling, other countries do not have the structure to setup such an arrangement.

Despite this, the waste situation is real and turning the situation into profit has both helped many countries by controlling their waste and providing income for struggling families. However, there are very real health issues brought to light. While collecting the waste, people can easily contract diseases due to the methods of collection.

The summer vacation has started for students. So, instead of parking it in front of the television, get hands on with some eco-crafting. Not only can you teach your kids the importance of reuse and recycle, but you can also shed that unwanted waste. Here are eight great ways to reuse or donate some of the most common school waste items.

1. Recycle it yourself

So you’ve heard a thousand times that you can put leftover paper into the recycling bin, but did you know that you can recycle paper yourself? It can be newspaper, left over bits of construction paper, notebook paper or printer paper. Regardless, you can turn this paper into something new. Ecokids tells you how to make your own recycled paper.

Don't trash your leftover paper! Recycle it yourself at home. Photo: Directnews.co.uk

What You’ll Need

• Paper
• Blender or wire whisk
• Water
• Bucket
• Square pan (at least 8 cm deep)
• A piece of window screen that fits inside the pan
• Iron or rolling pin
• Measuring cup
• Towels
• Color dye

What You’ll Do

1. Tear the scrap paper into tiny pieces and soak them in a bucket of hot water for about 30 minutes. Put a handful of the soaked paper into the blender and mix until mush. Or if using a whisk, beat the mixture until it is a creamy pulp. Add a small amount of vegetable scraps or dye for color (or even leaves for added texture).

2. Pour the blended pulp into a measuring cup. Pour roughly 3 cm of water into the pan. Put the screen into the pan and pour one cup of the paper pulp onto the screen.

3. Spread the pulp evenly in the water with your fingers. It should feel kind of mushy. Lift the screen and let the water drain.

4. Lay the pulp-covered screen face down on a cloth (tea towel) or in between some newspaper. Lift the screen away, leaving the paper pulp on the cloth. Cover with another cloth and iron with a hot iron, or use a rolling pin to flatten and press out excess moisture. Let the pulp dry for at least 24 hours.

5. Once it’s dry, use the newly made paper to create greeting cards for your friends and family, or use it to write a letter to your member of parliament encouraging more recycling in your community.

2. Turn crayons into decorations

Have you ever opened up the crayon box and found a slew of worn out or broken crayons? What if you could put those crayons to good use instead of throwing them into the trash can? Consider making them into candles.

What You’ll Need

• Crayons
• Wax carton
• Paraffin wax
• Two full ice cube trays
• Double boiler, old coffee can or saucepan
• White packing string

What You’ll Do

1. Trim the top off of the wax carton so that what is left behind measures six inches.

2. Cut the string approximately eight inches long.

3. To make sure that the wick burns easier, bread three pieces and braid them together. To tie the ends together, use small pieces of string. Your candle holder may be of any design just as long as it is not flammable.

4. Melt three pounds of paraffin wax in the double boiler. You may want to cut it into small chunks for it to melt faster. Wait for about fifteen to twenty minutes until all the wax melts.

5. Peel the papers off the old crayons while waiting for the wax to melt to help save time. You can tell your child to choose the colors that he or she would like the candle to have. Try mixing different colors.

Colorful crayons now can equal colorful candles! Photo: Tiof.wordpress.com

6. Add the crayons to the wax only after it has completely melted to achieve the best results.

7. Once the crayons and wax have melted together, remove the mixture immediately from the stove. Pour them into the candles carefully and add your choice of scent.

3. Get to the point

You are rooting around in your kid’s backpack, and you find some pencils that look like they’ve seen better days. Think creative. While the erasers are worn, and the pencil itself was sharpened down to almost nothing, they can still be used for crafts. One idea from Highlights is to turn them into a wind chime.

What You’ll Need

• One long pencil
• Nine short pencils
• Sandpaper
• Thread
• Scissors
• Glue

What You’ll Do

1. Flatten the points of all the pencils by rubbing them on sandpaper.

2. Tie the ends of a length of heavy-duty thread to the ends of the long pencil to form a hanger.

3. Tie a length of thread to the eraser end of each short pencil. Tie the other end of each thread to the long pencil. Space them evenly.

4. Cut off the extra thread ends. Cover each knot with glue. Let them dry.

5. Hang your chimes where they can catch a breeze

4. Piece it back together

Many teachers have the daunting task of picking up the broken pieces of chalk and tossing them into the wastebasket. But what if you could take that chalk and make new chalk? The good news is that you can.

What You’ll Do

• Take the left over pieces of chalk and use scissors, a file or a knife to cut it into tiny pieces.
• Crush the pieces as small as you can with our finders into a small bowl.
• Moisten the chalk with water and roll into the desired shape.
• Let it dry.
• It’s ready to use!

5. Get creative

Maybe your kids have found that an empty pen makes an excellent spitball launcher, but we’ve got a few other ideas. Ones that are a lot less, well, gross. It’s amazing how many uses you can get out of old pens.

What You Can Do

• Bead holder
• Sewing caddy
• Garden labels

Have an old backpack? Donate it to a local charity. Photo: Ctstateu.edu

6. Lend a helping hand

Every year students go out and buy new books bags, but what happens to the old ones? Most of those bags land in the wastebasket where they will be sent to a landfill. But what if there was another option? One that would allow you to give back to the community? Well, there is.

One big solution for the surplus of used book bags is to donate. Contact your local community organizations to see what families may be in need of a book bag. If someone is not able to use it, you can always recycle them. Contact your local recycling center to see if they accept used book bags.

7. From your tray to the garden

So maybe food was not the first thing that came to mind when you thought of school waste. But many schools across the country toss out perfectly good food, which simply winds up in landfills. However, some schools are trying to make amends by having their students sort their trash.

The bins that students use to sort not only include recyclables, but also compost waste such as left over french fries, pizza or any other uneaten food. It’s estimated that about 80 percent of a school’s waste comes from the cafeteria! So by sorting out the recyclables from other waste, schools are able to cut garbage costs. Talk about a win-win situation.

8. Think green by minimizing waste

This is where the rubber meets the road. The bottom line is less is more. The less waste a school can produce, the better off they’ll be. If your a teacher, you can apply these techniques right in your classroom. If your student, share these tips with your school and see if they will get on board.

What To Do

• Minimize handouts
• Spell check and proof read documents on the computer screen (cuts down on the amount of printer paper used)
• Start a “supply” swap – what’s old to you is new to someone else
• Reuse binders and folders

Those are just some options to get you started, but there are plenty of ideas. From simply recycling leftover paper to donating or reusing supplies, the possibilities are endless. It’s taking the time to look for opportunities where they did not appear before that makes a world of difference.

Then

Many people remember hearing about DDT. This pesticide single-handedly brought the bald eagle population, among many other species, to its knees and almost to extinction. Though DDT was banned in 1972 due to its harmful nature, it was a widely used synthetic pesticide none-the-less. Though it was a very effective pesticide, it became clear that the environment and human welfare was in danger from its widespread use.

DDT sprayed on Long Island beaches in 1945. Photo: Advisory Committee on Pesticides, www1.umn.edu

The removal of DDT didn’t lead to the end of pesticide use. In fact, the U.S. EPA reported that in 1998 alone, the U.S. used 724 million pounds of pesticide (this encompasses herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and nematicides) for agricultural use. This equated to about $11 billion in sales in the U.S. of pesticides during 1999.

In terms of recycling, the implications of disposing of pesticides by pouring the residue on the ground, into bodies of water or sewers were often not taken into consideration. Thankfully, we’ve seen a switch over the past years that has begun to change the way agriculture takes care of business.

Now

If we get back to the grocery store scenario, you’ll notice that there is an organic option for just about anything. Variety doesn’t stop there. Many in the agriculture industry are exploring pest control options that exclude chemical assistance altogether. For example, farmers are learning to use a method called IPM (Integrated Pest Management).

About IPM

IPM considers the natural life cycles of pests and crops and figures out the best way to grow crops with the least amount of damage done to humans or the environment. By putting the patterns in sync, IPM aims to reduce the amount of pesticides that need to be applied to crops for a successful harvest.

Research

If we look at the basic structures of pesticides, we can also see a wave of change in that arena. The federal government successfully phased out several toxic pesticides, and continues to do so today. By doing this, they require chemical companies to develop new and innovative ideas for fighting pests.

For example, now that lindane, an insecticide used to control the balsam wooly adelgid that feeds off of Fraser fir’s, has been phased out, scientists have developed a pyrethroid compound called bifenthrin that is shown to be 10 times less toxic for rats. It also requires less application to be effective. By forcing the hand of science to come up with more environmentally safe pesticides, the hope is that less damage will be done to wildlife and humans.

Bio-pesticides

Another wave of the future which is extremely promising is the use of bio-pesticides. This employs the use of naturally occurring repellent, such as pheromones, that can disrupt insects’ reproductive cycles. By creating products that are naturally occurring, the negative environmental impact is decreased.

Recycling and Disposal

When we look back at the recycling aspect of pesticides, you will also notice a significant change. While pesticides themselves are not recyclable, there are huge steps farmers and homeowners are taking in order to ensure proper disposal of pesticide containers and excess waste.

One thing to consider is the use of reusable containers. Since simply rinsing the container and pouring the residue on the ground is dangerous, people are turning more and more to reusable containers, especially farmers, who are learning that the best way to go is to utilize these containers. In addition to this, many pesticide manufacturers are taking strides to encourage consumers to return containers to specific locations for proper disposal. To find a proper location in your area, check out Earth911’s recycling search.

Application

In addition to what we have seen so far, there is also change occurring with application processes. The jist is: Less is more when it comes to protecting the environment. By farmers using less, they are able to cut costs and reduce the amount of excess pesticide that could make its way into the water supply.

While science is still working to make safer chemicals to treat our crops, they are making leaps from where things were just 30 years ago.

You are walking through your company’s cafeteria and buy a bottle of soda. After you finish your drink, you go to throw the bottle in the recycling bin and realize that there isn’t one. The same thing happens to you a few hours later when you accidentally print two sets of the same report. Do you just throw all this recyclable waste away? What can you do?

Pat Cosby, engineering aide for the Columbus Water Works in Columbus, Ga., felt the same way. One day as he was walking through the drafting room at his work, he went to throw something away and discovered all 10 trashcans available to him were full. It was a shock that all of this paper was simply being thrown away.

He started a personal mission to collect all of the copy paper and blueprints thrown into the trash every day for a month. At the end of each workday, he pulled all of the paper out of the trashcans, folded it and placed it in stacks around his work area. By the end of the month, he had such a large pile that his desk was barely visible.

He decided that all of this waste was simply too much to put back in the trash cans, and instead loaded it in his truck and took it to a local paper recycler. Then, Pat obtained some large recycling bins and directed his fellow co-workers to dispose of the paper in these bins in lieu of the trash cans.

Gaining Momentum

A few months later, they cleaned out their archive room and managed to recycle 400 pounds of paper. That was just the start. As Pat’s enthusiasm grew, so did the company’s passion for recycling. Suddenly they were recycling everything: aluminum cans, plastic bottles, cardboard, floppy disks and CDs.

He even made it a point to ask the maintenance crew to take old, burnt out fluorescent bulbs, place them back into their boxes and drop them off at Home Depot. This way, they could ensure that the items were disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. “Since 2001, we have kept over 147,000 pounds of paper and cardboard out of the landfill,” Pat noted.

After Pat conquered recycling at his work place, he began to see more potential in the community. For several years, Pat would drive through town after Christmas and see several trash bags and cardboard boxes out by the curb, filled with wrapping paper and packaging material (i.e. cardboard) left over from the holidays. This bothered Pat considerably, and he decided to take action.

Be a community superhero and start your own program. - RecyclingSuperGuide.com

Get it Started

Last year, Pat launched a community-wide Christmas wrapping paper recycling program. And here’s how he did it:

1. He contacted the director of the city’s curbside recycling program and pitched his idea.
2. He contacted Caraustar Industries, which is one of the city’s local paper and cardboard recyclers. They were all too happy to assist Pat, and the city of Columbus lent four trucks to assist with collecting the wrapping paper and cardboard. These were to be set up at the community’s four Christmas tree recycling drop off sites, which were located in parks around the town. Caraustar would then pick up the trucks when it was time.
3. The next part was toughest for Pat. He had to get the word out, and there was absolutely no budget to do so. So, he went to work contacting the local television stations and the newspaper. The television stations gave him airtime that enabled him to market this new program. In addition to this, the newspaper wrote an article about it. Pat also spread the word through church leaders, in hopes that they would put this information into the hands of their congregations.

When all was said and done, Pat collected 500 pounds of wrapper paper. For the Christmas 2008 season, Pat ran the project again and collected 720 pounds. When asked about Christmas 2009, Pat said, “My goal this time around is 1,000 pounds.”

Looking Forward

Pat has additional hopes for starting another program in the near future for recycling clothes. His hope is to find a company that will accept used clothes that are not in good enough shape to donate, so they aren’t simply thrown away.

What You Can Do

If starting a recycling program in your community is right up your alley, Pat has plenty of advice. For a start, get in touch with your local paper recycling company if one exists. Usually, they are more than happy to help. They may assist in lending bins that you can set up at drop-off sites for members of the community to utilize. When these bins are full, you can usually contact them and they will pick them up and switch them out with empty bins.

Knowing the lingo helps as well. When you call up your local paper recycler, they will generally refer to this type of paper (wrapping paper) as “rag” paper, because the fiber content is small, which is why you cannot usually recycle this type of waste in your general recycling bins.

The next step is to get the word out. Contact your local news stations, radio stations, newspapers, schools, and churches. And most importantly, be motivated, diligent and optimistic!

Many people are unaware that phone books are recyclable, and every year 660,000 tons end up in landfills across the country.

To learn more about these prevalent directories and how consumers and the industry are mitigating their environmental impact, Earth911 talked with Yellowbook to get the inside track.

Starting on the Right Foot

The first “phone book” appeared in 1878, shortly following Alexander Graham Bell’s first telephonic transmission in 1876. Originally only one sheet of paper, today’s phone books are some of the largest printed.

Phone books are typically delivered twice each year to millions of American households and businesses. In fact, 540 million telephone directories are distributed each year. This amounts to over 106,000 miles of phone books, enough to wrap the planet 4.28 times. Translation: that’s a lot of paper, ink, transportation and other resources.

Starting at the source is an easy way to reduce the environmental footprint of these large directories. At Yellowbook, the company holds their “paper and printing suppliers to high standards of environmental accountability, to ensure we publish 100 percent recyclable print directories and reduce our carbon footprint. Specifically at Yellowbook, we work only with paper suppliers that have achieved sustainable forestry and ISO certifications. Our paper suppliers maximize the use of forestry waste and recycled products, using paper comprised of discarded wood chips, pulp and recycled fiber.”

Many companies also employ the use of non- or lower-toxin inks. Yellowbook, for example, uses non-toxic biodegradable soy inks to print their directories.

Sizing Down

Some phone books are also making earth-friendly changes such as reducing their size or using online versions, decreasing the amount of paper needed to deliver the same information to customers.

Phone books also minimize their eco-footprint by reducing the amount of virgin materials they consume. At Yellowbook, the paper used to produce the directories “includes recycled fiber, which is in part made up of recycled phone directories. Approximately 40 percent of the fiber used to produce our directories is recycled fiber, with the balance made up from forestry waste, such as wood chips and pulp.”

Reduce, Reuse…

With the various adjustments the phone book industry is making to be more eco-conscious, it’s still up to consumers to recycle the end product. By recycling only 500 phone books, consumers can save:

• Between 17 and 31 trees
• 7,000 gallons of water
• 463 gallons of oil
• 587 pounds of carbon emissions
• 3.06 cubic yards of landfill space
• 4,077 kWh of energy

Not only can old phone books be recycled into new phone books, but they can also be transformed into seemingly unrelated products. They can also become:

• Cellulose insulation
• Organic lawn care products
• Roofing surfaces
• Packing material to replace foam peanuts
• Other paper products, like grocery bags and paper towels

The main consideration you must make when recycling your phone book pertains to the extras often included in them, like magnets and plastics. Some of these are not recyclable and can contaminate the recycling process if not removed.

Cooking Safely

• Do use organic and locally grown foods. They may cost a little more, but organic foods are environmentally friendly and healthier for your family. None of your guests will know the difference between your free range, hormone-free turkey from a traditional bird. Also, when food is locally grown, it reduces the miles traveled to reach your dining room table.
• Don’t use food that is heavily processed. It’s often full of synthetic chemicals that aren’t good for your body. Why not make food from scratch versus serving something that is pre-made? While it may take more time, you will be certain of what your family and friends are actually eating.

Serving the Meal

• Do cook your food in your usual baking/cooking dishes and serve your meal on your nicer china. This way, you can simply wash the dishes after everyone has eaten. Your food will also look beautiful on your nice dishes, instead of flimsy and wasteful paper versions. Also, recycle any containers that you open while making your food (i.e. aluminum cans, plastic bottles, steel cans).
• Don’t use paper, Styrofoam or plastic plates. Also, avoid plastic utensils or aluminum foil serving pans, unless you want to wash and reuse them. Most recycling facilities won’t accept any of these items, and they will all wind up in a landfill.

Heating the House

• Do use your wood-burning fireplace (eco-friendly fire logs are also a great option). True, not everyone has one, but it’s a great way to cut back on using fossil fuels to heat your house. It’ll also add a cozy element to the atmosphere in your home and make it feel a little more like the holidays.
• Don’t crank up the heater if you can avoid it.  Think green and set your thermostat at a reasonable temperature. Plus, with your oven going and extra bodies in your home, letting your house be a bit more chilly will help keep the temperature mild when your party is in full-swing.

The Extra Mile

• Do use cloth hand towels and napkins. They are reusable after a simple wash and add an element of elegance and extravagance to your table.
• Don’t use paper towels and napkins. They create unnecessary waste and will end up straight in a landfill.

Leftovers

• Do dispose of the table scraps in a compost pile. If you don’t have one, ask your friends and family if they or a neighbor has one, or see if any community collections are happening in your area.
• Don’t throw your table scraps away. Contradictory to what many people may think, in a landfill, food does not break down as you would presume, because there is not enough oxygen present for it to decompose naturally.  It’s better to toss your scraps out back and let Mother Nature work her magic.