Nourishing the Planet
Danielle Nierenberg, a Senior Researcher at the Worldwide Institute contacted me to share the all of the sustainable agricultural efforts that her organization is working on. She has been traveling through sub-Saharan Africa to do important research on environmentally sustainable agriculture innovations in the region. She has and will been sharing all of her experiences and research on the blog Nourishing the Planet over the next two years.
After reading all of the experiences from her and her colleagues on the blog, I can say that it is a great pleasure to share this wonderful blog with all of you. There are so many articles about various sustainable and practical innovations, interviews with non-profit and farmers groups and advisers on the Nourishing the Planet board as well as so much more.
One article I found particularly interesting was interview with Danielle about her experiences on the trip so far.
The trip is surprising in a lot of different ways. While we’ve seen extreme poverty and environmental degradation during our trip, we’ve also been impressed by the level of knowledge about things like hunger, climate change, HIV/AIDS and other issues from the farmers we meet. The people in many of these countries know better than anyone how to solve the problems their facing, they just need attention–and support–from the international community. In Africa, maybe more than anywhere else we’ve traveled, a little funding can go a long way (if used the right way).
This is really a promising quote to hear especially since so many people worldwide, especially us in America, think that not much is going well in Africa. You can read the full interview on Nourishing the Planet by Stephanie Rodgers from Eco-Chick.
I wish all success to the project and Danielle on her great journey through southern and western Africa. I look forward to the release of the State of the World 2011 that will be the result of this project. If you want to show your support, be sure to check out Nourishing the Planet to read about all the great research they are doing as well as following them on Facebook or Twitter.
EconoGreen Oxo-Degradable Plastic Bags
Jig-A-Loo recently announced their new line of oxo-degradable plastic bags in coordination with Home Depot called EconoGreen. After being contacted by a representative from EconoGreen, I was really interested to find out more about their products.
This new line of offers a great combination for environmentally friendly and budget conscious consumers. These bags are high quality, tough bags that are able to degrade when exposed to oxygen. On top of that, their bags are made from 100% recyclable plastic. Here is a great introduction to this new line of products:
What is Oxo-Degradable?
I kept hearing oxo-degradable, but wanted to do a little more research on what it was and whether it is really as environmentally as they say. In order to make a plastic oxo-degradable, a small amount of a metal salts are added. By adding this catalyst, the plastic is then able to degrade when introduced to normal environmental conditions. So this means that this type of plastic will only degrade in if exposed to oxygen. If the conditions are right, this plastic can break down into carbon dioxide and biomass within two years. EnviroGreen provides a great video on this exact process.
There is a small debate with this new type of plastic. Though it is biodegradable and even recyclable, it is not considered compostable. This is due to the fact that it can not break down fast enough to be useful in industrial compost facilities. That means that if a oxodegradable bag were to be sent to a compost facility, it would remain in it’s original form and make a less desirable product. It seems that as long as consumers are aware of this fact, it shouldn’t be much of a problem.
Some are also concern that these bags may not break down as fast as advertised if not exposed to the proper conditions. Even if the bags take slightly longer than advertised, it should still break down much faster than any traditional bag does.
My Review
The folks at EconoGreen were nice enough to send me a sample of their bags. I am not able to attest to their ability to break down within two years within a short time, I was able to test their quality.
I received a set of their bags including their large trash bag and a larger bag which I think is the contractor bag. The trash bag stood up really well, especially for something that is made from recyclable plastics and eventually degrades. There were no tears and absolutely no leakage. I have no usage for the larger bag yet, but I can imagine it being great for those extra leafs that I cannot fit in my compost bin and are taken by the county. For a bag that only costs the same as bags made from non-recycled plastics and do no degrade, this bags seems to fit the bill.
As I have said in the past, these types of bags serve their purpose, but should not be used more just because they are more environmentally friendly. If you are regularly composting, your trash should reduce therefore you should need far less garbage bags.
Where to Buy?
As I mentioned in the beginning of the article, these bags are carried in Home Depot stores throughout America. If you cannot find them locally, they are available online at their own EconoGreen website. They are priced reasonably at around $5 for most of their regular bags. Besides just the bags I mentioned, EconoGreen carries a full line of bags for almost any purpose for your home or garden:
- Large Trash Bags
- Tall Kitchen Bags
- Lawn and Leaf
- Contractor Bags
- Garage and Automotive
- Wet/Dry Vac Liner Bags
- Drop Cloths
EconoGreen oxo-degradable bags are an affordable environmentally friendly option to traditional plastic bags. For being a bag that degrades with an reasonable time, these bags are really tough. Give them a try and you won’t be disappointed.
Household Bleach: Friend or Foe?
Many people depend on products containing bleach for a variety of household tasks, such as cleaning and disinfecting the house as well doing laundry. Before the words “being green” became a catch phrase, television commercials and doctors’ offices alike sent the public the same message, “using bleach is good for your health.” This is due to the fact that bleach is an extremely effective cleaner and disinfectant, killing germs and mold, as well as removing stains. Unfortunately, not only is bleach extremely effective, it is also extremely toxic, both to ourselves and some say, to the environment.
Pure chlorine bleach is toxic to breathe and touch, and can be fatal if ingested. It can be especially dangerous to children and pets and even to adults if they mistakenly mix products containing bleach with other common household cleaners. Recent studies have shown that chlorine bleach, which can also be listed on ingredient labels as “sodium hypochlorite” or “hypochlorite,” and bleach products, can be damaging to the lungs, liver and immune system, to name a few.
The impact of bleach on the environment, however, is not as clear. While chlorine is used to make other toxic compounds, using bleach around the house is considered by some sources to be a safe practice. This is because some say that bleach products will break down harmlessly once washed down the drain. Other sources, however, have expressed concern that chlorine bleach, even when used around the house, will release dioxins into the air, a known carcinogen and environmental foe.
Bleach Alternatives
Luckily, if you are uncomfortable with the possible health and ecological risks associated with using bleach in your home, there are some great alternatives.
- Green Cleaning Products
Many mainstream brands are now offering more natural and green cleaning solutions for kitchens, bathrooms and windows. Look for products stating that they contain plant-based or non-toxic ingredients. Beware of labels that claim to be 99% natural or that they are “greener than other major leading brands” as the 1% may still contain harsh chemicals.
- Laundry Products
It is not necessary to buy laundry detergents containing bleach to clean or to disinfect your laundry. Again, there are many brands that offer plant-based cleaning agents and use natural ingredients, such as baking soda, to fight stains. Buygreen.com carries a line of laundry detergents, softeners and dryer sheets, made by Mountain Green, that are all-natural, free of dyes and irritants and are biodegradable. I have recently tried Mountain Green’s Laundry Detergent for Baby, and have found that it gets our family’s laundry clean and doesn’t irritate our kids’ sensitive skin.
- Do-it-Yourself Cleaners and Laundry Boosters
As I often write, when you make products at home, you have complete control over the ingredients you use. Cleaning products are no exception. According to the article, Why You Should Stop Using Bleach, (www.infobarrel.com/Why_You_Should_Stop_Using_Bleach), there are some common, non-toxic household items that can be used instead of bleach. Here is a partial list:
- Hydrogen peroxide: kills germs, disinfects and is non-toxic.
- Listerine (believe it or not!): kills mold and mildew, is non-toxic.
- Vinegar: can be used to clean and brighten laundry, is all-natural, non-toxic.
- Baking Soda: removes stains (use ½ cup as a laundry booster or mix with water to make a cleaning solution), is non-toxic.
- Lemon Juice: removes stains, and is a natural disinfectant, is all-natural, non-toxic.
For more information about Mountain Green Laundry Detergent and other all-natural cleaning products, visit www.buygreen.com.
Download a Tune, Make a Donation
Do you have a tween or teen at home who likes the Disney Channel’s unique brand of bubble gum pop (or maybe you do, too?). Don’t worry, no judgment here. Because when you buy and download the track, Make A Wave, on itunes, you are not only getting rights to the song, you are also donating $1.29 to Disney’s environmental charity, the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund. Make a Wave, sung by Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato, was released in February, as part of the Disney Channel’s Friends For Change: Project Green (www.tv.disney.go.com/disneychannel/friendsforchange/), a media campaign meant to inspire young people to live greener lives. Make A Wave will also be included on the soundtrack of Disney’s upcoming nature movie, Oceans, to be released in late April, which will highlight the need for ocean and wildlife conservation.
Earth Hour 2010
Earth Hour 2010 is coming this weekend, on March 27th, 2010 at 8:30 pm your local time. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is asking everyone throughout the world to make a statement and turn off their non-essential electrical items for 1 hour. Whether it be you as an individual, businesses or the government, we all need to take action to show that we want to make a difference and reduce our energy use.
Take a look at last year’s successful Earth Hour and this video of this year’s upcoming event.
Join In
Check out WWF’s Earth Hour 2010 website to see how you can join in to help get the word out about this years event. You can also do your part by getting the word out. Send messages to everybody you know to let them know about this years event or get involved in your own community.
Regardless of whether you spread the word, do your part and join in by turning off all your electronic devices throughout your home.
Share
Please share whether you will be participating and what you will be doing this Earth Hour to make a difference.
‘Made in USA’ and Green Linked?
This is an interesting discussion that you should consider when making any purchase. Does a product that is ‘Made in America’ or in fact, whichever country you are from, directly correlate with being green?
GreenBiz.com takes a look at this very issue in terms of marketing. In a recent study done by the Shelton Group called Eco Pulse, 2o% of people felt that ‘Made in the US’ does in fact factor into the decision on whether a product is green or not. A similar percentage of people felt that local produce was important to them.
The results of this study are interesting and it’s an important topic to discuss. I do in fact think there is a connection. When a product is made close to home, the product requires less travel time and therefore less environmental impact. That connection ends though when a company in our own borders pollutes and causes environmental damage to the local region. This is what makes it so important to ensure that we do research before buying from companies regardless of where there products are made.
A while back, I talked about the Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle and this very issue arose with many of the commentors. Because their bottles are made in China, many feel that they were not as “green” as many would have liked. There are people in search to find a stainless steel bottle that are made in our own country, but with no avail. I would have loved to buy a bottle within our own borders, but at the same time I do feel that this bottle made my life much healthier and a little more green…A tough issue with a product where it’s impossible to find a manufacturer in our own country that makes them.
How do you feel about this issue? Is ‘Made in America’ a criteria for a product being green?
Grocery Store Experiences
I just recently into a grocery store (we’ll leave the name unmentioned) after not visiting one for many months. The only reason I went was to pick up something that I needed at the last minute and it was the only store open at the hour. The point of mentioning this story is the fact of how much nicer natural food stores are.
Over the past few years, I have almost exclusively been buying my food and cleaning supplies from both an Organic store in my region called MOMs and Trader Joe’s (Aside from buying local produce). It was not until I went back to an ordinary grocery store that I realize just how much better natural food stores are in comparison.
Environment
The organic market MOMs that I normally shop at not only uses 100% wind energy, but they also buy locally whenever possible, conserve energy, compost, use minimal packing and buying in bulk. Trader Joe’s doesn’t do quite as many things, but they do encourage using reusable bags and support organic products. I do wish trader joe’s would support more sustainable fish, but anything they have is far better than most grocery stores.
All the things I mentioned are not done at many grocery stores across our country. The store I went to did not even allow shoppers to bring in reusable bags, which is pretty disappointing. On top of that, the clerk I had put the item I was buying in a plastic bag before I could even tell her not to. I did not take the bag, but I would imagine that many grocery stores conduct similar practices. On top of that, most of the top brands carried in grocery stores use excessive packaging that is just so unnecessary.
Natural Foods
Other factors are nice about natural food stores, but the biggest draw is the food. The stores I attend almost exclusively sell organic or all natural foods. Many grocery stores are attempting to get into the organic market. The only problem is that many of the products they sell are not as ‘organic’ as advertised. Be sure to always read labels and don’t spend more just because the label says organic.
Prices
There is always the misconception that natural food stores are expensive, much more so than regular grocery store. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
I used to clip coupons to try and get the cheapest price. From my personal experience, clipping coupons and following the sales are grocery stores are not always the cheapest way to go. The typical price on items at both stores I go to are usually comparable, if not cheaper than the sale prices in more stores. The reason is that prices are marked up so much that sale prices make their prices seem cheaper than they actually are.
Some claim coupons can save more. I would have to disagree completely. Cutting coupons can be very time consuming and is it really worth the time to save 50¢ not to mention all the paper it takes to print the coupons on.
Atmosphere
This is something that may not environmental factors, but the atmosphere of any natural goods store I have been in is so inviting. The workers have always been friendly and seem happy to be working there. The stores themselves are always seem more organized and just seem much cleaner. Maybe it’s because of the happier workers or because of better management. Whatever the reason, I have enjoyed my experience shopping for food ever since I switched.
Give natural food stores a chance and you will be surprised that you may spend similar prices to get healthier and more foods.
What are your experiences with both types of grocery stores?
