Sustainability Summit

Creative Ways To Teach Your Children To Recycle

admin — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Everyone knows that recycling is important, but sometimes children are not so enthusiastic about doing it. Fortunately, there are quite a few creative ways to get a child to recycle. One of those ways is to give them an incentive to do it. Children are much more likely to do something if they know they will be getting an award for it. Making statements such as, “If you put items in the recycling can, I will give you five dollars” may do the trick. Another way to get a child to recycle is help him or her understand the importance of recycling. Children are naturally curious and always want to know why something needs to be done, so explaining to them the importance of recycling will also make them more likely to do it.

Parents, teachers and caregivers also need to make sure that children have easy access to recycling bins. Placing the bins in places where a child can easily get to them will help him or her remember to recycle. Additionally, it is very important to make sure that each bin is labeled. When a child has an incentive, understand the importance of recycling and has easy access to bins, it will be easier for him or her to recycle.

Easy Ways To Conserve Energy At Home Or Work

admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 00:00:00 +0000

There are many ways that people can conserve energy in their homes or places of work.
During the winter, people are concerned about keeping their homes warm and saving as much as possible on what it cost. In the summer, people worry about ways to keep their homes cool when the temperature starts to get hot.
One of the main concerns for the environment is the amount of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere.
Some of the ways to eliminate some CO2 is by some things that can reduce the amount of CO2 emitted from home appliances.
A few ways to save on energy with appliances is to set the refrigerator as close to 37 degrees as it can be set and the freezer as close to 3 degrees as it can be set.
Instead of using hot water to do laundry use warm or cold and by doing this approximately 500 pounds of CO2 will not be emitted into the atmosphere if an electric water heater is used and approximately 150 pounds of CO2 if a gas heater is used to do two loads of laundry each week for one year.
If a water heater is wrapped with an insulation blanket, it can eliminate as much as 1100 pounds of CO2 for an electric water heater and 220 pounds for a gas heater.

Ten Ways To Make Your Home More Eco-Friendly

admin — Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 +0000

1. Consider constructing drop ceilings in rooms around the house. As heated air rises and disperses, as much as 50 to 60 is entirely wasted.

2. Examine your double-sealed windows on a regular basis; it is likely they need attention right now.

3. Limit the number of times you and your family open the refrigerator and freezer doors. Know what you want before you open the door; get it, and close the door immediately. It sounds childish but it can save you hundreds of dollars in electrical usage over time.

4. Learn to break the habit of using ceiling lights during the day; there is normally more than enough window light.

5. Watch one television at a time as a family group instead of using multiple units around the house.

6. Hire a professional to clean your fireplace and chimney. The buildup of soot and creosote can force smoke back into the house instead of out.

7. Large numbers of households keep their windows closed all year long; learn to enjoy the fresh air instead of artificially treated air.

8. Moldy carpets are highly toxic and create severe allergic reactions and lung disorders. Remove those carpets now.

9. Eliminate or reduce household electric bills by installing solar roof panels.

10. Heat your swimming pool entirely or partially with solar heating technology

Green Calendar Highlights

www.sustainabilitysummit2009.com — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 00:00:00 +0000

2011 is sure to be another memorable year for the environmentally conscious community. From households to business leaders, the next 12 months are crucial in terms of sustaining our planet, particularly pressing for those who subscribe to 2012 apocalypse theories. Here’s a look at some upcoming events you might be interested in:What: MiaGreen Expo and ConferenceWhen: March 3-4Where: Miami Beach Convention Center; Miami, FloridaMiaGreen comes from humble roots, originated as part of an educational and collaborational effort to promote green strategies, primarily in the southeastern United States. Today, MiaGreen has expanded its breadth of impact into the Caribbean and Latin America, establishing itself firmly as an international event to secure the eco-prosperity of not just America but the Americas. With participating businesses from at-home and abroad, not to mention substantial educational partnerships, MiaGreen offers fun, sun, culture and a commitment to a greener planet.What: Live Green ExpoWhen: April 16Where: Plano Centre; Plano, Texas (suburban Dallas)Reaching out to everyday residential communities and homeowners, Live Green Expo seeks to strike a chord in improving the energy use of homes in the United States. From green building and remodeling to waste reduction, transportation and lifestyle choices, Live Green Expo takes a panoramic look at how our dwelling habits affect the world around us and how to curb or reinforce these tendencies in order to preserve the world around us.What: Living Future ConferenceWhen: April 27-29Where: Sheraton Vancouer Wall Centre Hotel; Vancouver, British ColumbiaWith a focus on practical applications and tactics to reduce the stress we place on Mother Nature, Living Future spans the economic and social spectrum, delivering a message of taking pride in your surroundings, locally, regionally and globally. Introducing new technologies and lines of thinking, the conference leaves participants with tangible take home initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint, from big business executives to run-of-the mill individuals looking to make a difference.

Green is this Year’s Most Fashionable Color

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:26:52 +0000

Everyone’s heard about how you can save energy and electricity at your house or when you’re driving. We all know it’s important to buy organic food and support renewable resources wherever possible. But, who knew there’s even an eco-friendly route to take when you’re shopping for clothes.So just how exactly can the things you wear be environmentally friendly? One of the main factors is the fabrics used to make your clothes. The type of fabric and the production practices incorporated into the process are what determine an “eco-friendly” fabric. Fabrics made from crops that have not been exposed to harmful pesticides are considered to be more sustainable because the environment is not harmed by these chemicals during the growth of the crop. Another factor that contributes to the eco-friendly label is land management. A fabric that is biodegradable and doesn’t cause harm to plants or animals either in production or disposal can be considered green. A few popular eco-friendly fabrics include bamboo fiber, organic cotton and hemp, however growth of this crop is prohibited in many countries.Even though the thought of organic clothes conjures up the image of flower petals and grunge attire, you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice high fashion to be green. Designer jean brand, 7 for All ManKind, has a line of organic clothing made from various different fabrics. Element EcoWear is a unique clothing company that has a full range of apparel all made from eco-friendly materials. They offer everything from athletic wear to women’s dresses to shirts and polos. John Patric Organic is another company dedicated to creating sustainable clothing on a high fashion level. This line of clothing has been featured in Vogue, Lucky, and O Magazine for the incredible style of their eco-friendly products.

Practicing Sustainability in Your Work Place

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:21:21 +0000

There are always ways to increase efficiency in your everyday life. Most people only consider themselves responsible for their at home, personal activities, but since most of us spend the majority of our days at the office, we should focus on going green at work too. Even if you’re not the CEO of a company with the resources or authority to make major changes, you can politely suggest ways to make your workplace more sustainable. You’ll find that many of these changes can actually save money as well, which might earn you a pat on the back from the boss.

Reduce Paper Waste: Email and digital files have helped to significantly reduce the amount of paper used by companies, but there is still more that can be done. Switching to direct deposit payment for employees can produce huge savings by eliminating paper checks. You can also set the printers and copiers to print on both sides. In the event someone needs a one-sided document, this setting can easily be switched.
Implement a Recycling Program: If the office where you work doesn’t already have a recycling program, this is a great thing to suggest. Chances are there are plenty of other employees who would like to see such a program enacted. This is as simple as purchasing a few bins for break rooms and kitchens and arranging an emptying schedule.
Eliminate Styrofoam: Most companies have coffee and tea makers in their break rooms, and usually supply Styrofoam cups for employees to use. In addition to the fact that disposable cups are wasteful, Styrofoam has negative effects on the environment. Consider investing in company coffee mugs and supplying one or two to each employee for personal use. This will reduce or eliminate your need for disposables and could save company costs in the long run without the need for mass purchase of disposable products.

Recycling: Not Just for Bottles and Cans

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:20:23 +0000

We’ve all become very familiar with the idea of recycling paper, glass and aluminum products and expect to see those blue or green bins for our recyclable trash around the office or at school. What we often fail to do is open our eyes to the many other products that can and should be recycled for reuse. It’s easy to neglect your responsibility to practice sustainable product usage habits by falling into the mindset of “my contribution is so insignificant, why waste my time.” Unfortunately, because most of us think this way, we have a real problem. Next time you’re throwing something away, consider the ways it could be recycled.The improper disposal of electronic products is causing serious environmental and health hazards in many underdeveloped countries where this trash is sent. Next time you are ready to get rid of an old computer, TV, or batteries, look online for ways to more effectively dispose of your unwanted items. Green Electronics and Earth 911 help you locate potential buyers of old electronics as well as recycling centers in your area, so these items don’t end up in a landfill seeping cadmium into the soil.Another easily-donated item is your old tires. When recycled, tires can be used to make fuel, ground up to make asphalt, or reused in production of a range of other rubber products. Many tire companies will accept old tires for recycling so call around and find out where you can drop of your old wheels.Chances are, last time you bought a new cell phone, you came home and put the old one a drawer and haven’t touched it since. Eventually it will end up in the trash and make its way to a landfill where it can emit hazardous chemicals into the soil. There are a number of other, more eco-conscious, ways to dispose of your old phone. You could try selling it on eBay or donate it to one of the many charities that accept old phones for people in need. Organizations such as Cell Phones for Soldiers and 911 Cell Phone Bank help put old phones in the hands of people who need, but otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford, a mobile phone. The websites of these organizations can be used to find drop-off locations in your area.

Why Buy Local?

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:16:08 +0000

Lately all the rage has been organic food and supporting local farming. Special labels and farmers markets boast local products and healthier food. But some may be wondering, what is the advantage to all of this? As it turns out, this type of food buying can actually bring about significant positive effects on the environment. When you purchase food locally there are several factors that you eliminate from the process. Food that is grown or produced within your own town does not require the extensive travel of that of goods from far away. Therefore, there is a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption, which helps save this nonrenewable resource and reduces pollutants produced by the burning of fuel. Buying local also reduces fossil fuel consumption by reducing the need for industrialized food processing. Not only is processed and packaged food less healthy, sometimes containing harmful chemicals, it is also a huge consumer of natural resources. Another advantage of buying local is the contributions it makes to the economy of your town, city or state. There are also advantages to the local environment because private farmers typically practice better conservation and land preservation methods.In addition to seeking out locally grown food products, buying organic meat and produce is another environmentally and health conscious decision. Locally grown products do not necessarily mean they were grown free from the use of pesticides or other synthetic materials; this is denoted by an organic label. In the United States, the National Organic Program is a federally run program that establishes national standards for what constitutes an organic product. The regulations for organic goods don’t just include production, but also processing, delivery, and sale. A USDA organic seal is used to label products that are made with at least 95 organic ingredients. When you purchase and consume organic products, not only are you supporting production of a product that does not subject the environment to harmful chemicals and materials, you are also preventing yourself from personal exposure to these toxins.

Easy Ways to Save Energy at Home

admin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 14:13:29 +0000

During an economic recession most other priorities lose the spotlight to saving money. Even the government’s focus shifts from combating global warming to bailing out various industries and providing jobs for the unemployed. While this is all understandable, as it turns out, most energy saving practices actually save money as well. Both of these issues can be tackled simultaneously. Here are a few tips to help you be green and thrifty this year in your own home.

Seal Cracks and Openings: One of the biggest wastes of energy, which also drives up costs, is wasted heating and air conditioning. The tiny openings at the bottom of your doors or cracks in insulation and piping, allow heat and air to leak out. There’s no point in cooling your backyard or heating your unused attic. Purchase weather stripping at your local Home Depot and seal off all the doors in your house. For cracks in pipes and insulation, you can purchase spray foams or tape to seal off any openings.
Install Fluorescent Lights: It may not be practical to go immediately replace all your light bulbs today, but as each one burns out and needs replacing, buy fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. According to Energy Star, each fluorescent bulb saves 30 over its lifetime by using 75 less energy and therefore lasting 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Change Your Shower Head: Unless you’re one of those people who like to be blasted against the wall with the water pressure of a fire hose, you could probably manage with a little less water. Purchase and install a new lower-flow showerhead from Lowes, which will save water and therefore lower your monthly water bill.
Use Curtains Wisely: Home dcor can be a valuable asset in reducing energy waste. During the summer close blinds and curtains during the day to reduce the heat brought in by the sun, which lowers the strain placed on an air conditioner. In the winter, do just the opposite. Opening curtains and blinds will take advantage of the sun’s warmth and reduce heating costs.
Wash in Cold Water: Most modern clothing fabrics and detergents can be effectively washed using only cold water. The majority of energy used by a laundry machine goes to heating the water for a warm or hot cycle. Unless a care label specifically calls for it, stick with cold wash cycles.