America Recycles Day is this Saturday, November 15th. Big Green Head encourages folks to take this day to become aware of their waste and find alternative solutions to the landfill. Take advantage of these recycling opportunities this Saturday!
Columbus, OH (11.10.14) –RecycleForce Columbus and Volunteers of America (VOA) are teaming-up for an e-Waste collection event to celebrate America Recycles Day. The RecycleForce Columbus e-Waste truck will be at the Volunteers of America store at 3620 Indianola Avenue, Indianola Plaza on Saturday, November 15 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
“We agree with Keep America Beautiful, the national sponsors of America Recycles Day, when they say ‘there is an urgent and growing need to increase awareness and expand recycling efforts in the area of electronics.’ Even now, more than 80% of obsolete electronics are stored in homes, basements and garages. We are delighted to partner with Volunteers of America on this day. VOA has 11 retail stores located in the Columbus metro area, and this is a good way for them to offer their donors and customers a convenient way to dispose of unwanted consumer electronics in an environmentally sound and secure way,” says Sarah Edwards, President of RecycleForce Columbus. RecycleForce Columbus is an electronics recycling organization in the Columbus area that provides a pathway for formerly incarcerated men and women to successfully re-integrate into the workforce and become responsible, tax-paying, and productive community members. RecycleForce Columbus offers job placement in comprehensive, environmentally sound and secure end-of-life electronics processing. “RecycleForce Columbus helps keep electronics out of the waste stream while providing opportunities for people to get valuable on-the-job experience after returning to our community from incarceration”, said Lawrence Hendrix of VOA. “We encourage you to support this organization and help keep the environment clean by dropping off your end-of-life electronics at our Indianola Avenue location or at any Volunteers of America store in the metro area. RecycleForce Columbus will collect unwanted consumer and business electronic products and equipment, including computers, computer components, *TVs, VCRs, DVD players, telephones, cell phones, PDAs, cameras, chargers, power adapters, printers, copiers, scanners, fax machines, networking equipment (servers, routers, etc.), cable cords and connectors, digital cable boxes, MP3 players (iPODs, etc), video game systems, stereo equipment, audio-video equipment, and small appliances (*dehumidifiers, microwave, fitness equipment, vacuums, etc). Almost anything with a cord! *There is a $10 donation/disposal fee for old CRT computer monitors and TVs 27” and under, $20 for those larger than 27”, $35 for rear projection TVs, and $15 for dehumidifiers For more information, go to the RecycleForce Columbus web site at www.recycleforcecolumbus.org. # When: Sunday, November 16 2:30 – 5 pm Doors open 2:30 pm; Concert 3 – 4:30 pm Where: Northwood High Building, 2231 N. High St Columbus 43201 Community Room 100 Free Parking in "R" spaces (OSU Rardin Clinic) behind the building Admission: $5 Donation November 1, Columbus OH. Joanie Calem will sing songs from her new CD, "But First Do No Harm." Conversations with the audience during her performance offer the opportunity to delve deeper into the meaning of the songs. Joanie's music incorporates positive, caring, inclusive messages. “I feel like my music fits so well with the values of Simply Living that I wanted to do a performance to support their work in the community,” said Calem. Joanie is donating 30% of sales of her new CD at this event to Simply Living. “Parents and everyone living in community will be touched by this special concert, “ said Chuck Lynd, Interim Director of Simply Living. “We were so delighted that Joanie reached out to us that we were inspired to add a silent auction.” The auction will include donations from Simply Living members and gift certificates from local business sponsors. Attendees may browse the auction before and after the concert. A $5 donation is requested for admission. The general public is invited. Free parking is available behind the Northwood High Building. Questions may be directed to Chuck Lynd <chuck.lynd@gmail.com> or 614-354-6172. More information about Joanie Calem is available at www.joaniecalem.com. Simply Living is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)3 organization that educates the public about living locally and sustainably. Donations are tax deductible. For more information, visit www. SimplyLiving.org. ### The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO), in partnership with the City of Columbus and the Franklin County Environmental Court, will host a political sign recycling event on America Recycles Day, Saturday, November 15, 2014, from 8:00am–12:00pm. SWACO will be onsite at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex, located at 4990 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, OH, 43214, collecting political campaign signs for recycling. SWACO will accept paper and plastic (includes coroplast) signs including metal stands for recycling. Paper and metal will be taken to local recyclers, while hard to recycle plastic signage will be taken to Phoenix Recycling in an effort to divert all materials from the landfill. SWACO representatives are available to help identify ways to reduce waste and recycle more. Contact Kristi Higginbotham, SWACO Outreach and Programs Manager at (614) 801-6413 for more information. When we think of renewable energy, “environment,” “green,” and “clean” may be some of the first things that come to mind. But while renewable energy is critical to solving many environmental crises, to treat it as simply a green and energy focus is to miss a gigantic element in the renewable energy story: jobs and the economy. Renewable energy has created hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States, and millions worldwide. Because renewable energy is distributed and modular—which is to say, created from systems spread all over—it has an economic impact that’s often widespread. Many people contribute to systems and their installation, and a good portion of those people are self-employed or employed in small enterprises. Read full article here. Click to Enlarge Image Renewable Energy Produces A New Crop of Small Business Benefits Infographic by CustomMade The retirement years are a great time for seniors to develop, continue with, or expand their eco-friendly habits. Caring for our planet is not only good for the soul and the environment; it can have a positive effect on the finances too.
A few simple ways to start going green There are several simple ways that seniors can start to change their daily lifestyle habits and go green. Use compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs in light fixtures and lamps; these use 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer than standard light bulbs. Turn the lights off in rooms that are unoccupied, and switch appliances off by unplugging them instead of leaving them on standby. Turning the thermostat down a few degrees will save both energy and money, as will installing separate thermostats in rooms that are rarely used and setting them lower than the rest of the house. Keeping clean Hand soaps that contain the chemical ingredients triclosan and triclocarban have been found to keep a person no cleaner than soaps without them, so opt for cleansing products that contain more natural ingredients. PVC shower curtains also release unpleasant chemicals into the atmosphere, so swap these out for bamboo or cloth curtains if possible. Install water-saving showerheads and faucets throughout the home, and periodically check for leaks. Seniors who are avid gardeners can look in their own kitchen cabinets to find natural products that are effective weed killers; for example, mixing vinegar and dishwashing liquid yields a very effective, environmentally friendly alternative to harsh weed-killing chemicals. Speaking of dishwashing liquid, recent studies have shown that dishwashers are actually more efficient and environmentally friendly in that they use less water and soap than washing dishes by hand; just ensure the dishwasher is fully loaded each time you use it. Cooking and food When it comes to cooking, it seems that the old-fashioned ways are the best. Modern, nonstick pots and pans employ chemicals known as fluoropolymers, which are released and contaminate the air during cooking, and which have also proven to be carcinogenic. Opt for heavy cast-iron skillets instead, as they have a natural nonstick property. Freezers that are only half-full have to work harder to keep the food in them frozen, so go shopping and fill the freezer up. Stocking up on food will not only help the environment but may also help to cut down on food bills and reduce the number of trips one has to make to the supermarket. When paying a visit to the supermarket, invest in reusable bags and be sure to leave them in the trunk of the car for the next visit. Even better than driving to the big stores, embrace the local community and when possible shop for food that has been locally sourced. A local farmers’ market is always an excellent option; not only will fruits and vegetables usually be less expensive, but the produce will also be fresher and in most cases taste better. Bigger changes A bigger lifestyle change can be to ensure that the home is fully insulated. A great deal of energy and heat can be lost through gaps in doors and windows, as well as through basement and attic spaces. Ensuring adequate insulation can be a large financial outlay, however, so it may be worth moving to a place that has already been fully insulated, thereby saving money and energy consumption in the long term. Downsizing may also be a good option if the children have left and you have more house room than you need – or can keep up with on a regular basis. A small house or condo will usually be more cost effective, and far less work to maintain. Many modern senior retirement communities are embracing an environmentally friendly attitude not only with effective building insulation, but also with other green heating and cooling methods, making it easier for seniors to go green in their retirement years. Some senior living communities also utilize permeable asphalts and native grasses to create insect-friendly outside spaces that will benefit the environment. If you decide to move to such a community – or simply downsize from a larger home to a smaller one – do not throw away unwanted items that will only end up in landfill sites, but donate them to charities instead. If the items are worth money, offer them for sale on the Internet or have a garage or yard sale. You could also consider ‘freecycling’ them – offering them to people free of charge who are prepared to come and pick the items up. There are plenty of ways that seniors can help the environment, often by making only simple changes to their day-to-day lives. These changes often have an added benefit of putting money back into their pockets; so green living becomes a win-win way of life. The good news is that summer is on its way, which means more time spent outside in the garden. After a winter stuck indoors sheltering from the elements, sometimes what we find outside comes as a shock. Gardens, dormant in cold weather, suddenly spring into life without us noticing and it is often a case of playing 'catch up'.
Tool up Avoid the garden galloping away by putting in place a few carefully laid plans. First of all, take a look at the garden tools, are they ready to use, or do they require any essential maintenance? Essential power tools, such as lawnmowers, need regular servicing to keep them in tip top working condition. For a lawnmower to keep cutting grass cleanly and efficiently an annual maintenance check is strongly advised. A basic tune-up, which includes checking spark plugs, air filter and oil change will put the lawnmower in excellent shape for dealing with a season of long, lush grass. Lawnmower tune up kits are a great way for the do-it-yourselfer to tackle this essential job; they include all the stuff needed to get the mower ready for action. Take a look over at Pat's Small Engine Blog for some great solutions to this annual task. Remember, taking time to perform basic maintenance jobs like this prolongs the life of the lawnmower, makes the job of grass cutting easier and the garden will appear smarter? Dig in At the start of the growing season it's a good idea to check the state of the soil. Some gardeners like to add nutrients in the fall so there is time for them to be absorbed into the soil, while others prefer to add it closer to planting up; both methods work fine. If a vegetable garden is planned, specific types of fertilizer will be necessary depending on the crop and the existing state of the soil. Those who keep a well-managed compost heap should have plenty of well-rotted organic matter available to enrich the soil at this time of year. Give generously to the soil and it will give back in terms of a bumper harvest. Plant up Sitting out in a garden full of summer color is one of life's great pleasures, so be sure to plant up plenty of flowers. Bedding plants are a great summer staple and will give any garden an instant lift; a trip to the local garden center will provide all that's needed for an injection of color. Consider classic summer favorites such as Geraniums, Petunias, Lobelia, Cornflowers, Begonias, Salvias, and Gazanias for a vibrant summer display. Gardeners who prefer to keep labor to a minimum plant hardy perennial blooms which return each year; consider Marigolds, Gaura, Rudbeckia, Verbena, Crocosmia, Echinacea and Lavender for a cottage garden inspired summer show that lasts and lasts. There's a whole season of great gardening to get stuck into, so make sure it's a good one and be fully prepared. A well-tended garden is a joy to behold and a few hours hard work invested in the spring and early summer will pay dividends later on. As international concerns over climate change grow, the number of eco-friendly homes is increasing. Eco-friendly homes have now become more than just a trend. In the future, eco-friendly homes are likely to be essential, as more and more people strive to protect the environment. More environmentally friendly methods are being incorporated into the design of homes, with designers using sustainable materials. Many homeowners are also taking steps to transform their home into an eco-friendly environment.
Eco-friendly homes are becoming more popular, as more homeowners begin to understand the importance of them. These types of homes not only help the environment but also enable you to save money. Many homeowners are now making changes to their home, such as using low-energy light bulbs, in order to lower their bills and make their home more energy efficient. Eco-friendly homes are not only better for the environment but also provide a healthier living environment for the homeowner. The materials used to construct an eco-friendly home are recycled and are less likely to emit any harmful gases or chemicals. An eco-friendly home is also less likely to experience problems that a regular home often experiences, such as damp or mold. This is due to an eco-friendly home containing more green materials and making better use of sunlight and water. Eco-friendly homes also have better air circulation and with features such as carbon monoxide alarms being installed to warn of boiler problems, these types of homes offer a much safer living environment. An eco-friendly home enables you to cut down on spending due to it being far more energy efficient. In addition to low-energy light bulbs, other energy-saving methods are being introduced. Solar panels are becoming a popular choice for homeowners, as they enable you to lower your energy bills. An eco-friendly home will also require less money to be spent on maintaining it thanks to the durable materials used in its construction. In America, communities are working hard to create more eco-friendly homes. Many areas in America now offer new eco-friendly homes to buy. In Denver, Colorado, the former airport site of Stapleton was transformed into public parks and now includes a residential area with Energy Star certified homes, some of which have been fitted with solar panels. New homes in Grand County are also designed to help you save money on your energy bills. In Salem, Oregon, the Pringle Creek community is one of the greenest in the country, with restored historic buildings and geothermal heating in over 60 homes. The increase in popularity of eco-friendly homes highlights their importance for the future. More and more homeowners are now choosing to focus on how eco-friendly a home is rather than just its overall appearance. An eco-friendly home has much more to offer and with more people taking an interest in green living, ever increasing numbers of sustainable buildings are likely to be created in the future. We are presented with so many choices when we furnish our homes; sometimes it's hard not to be overwhelmed. Exercised by questions of color, style and whether or not it will complement the existing decor all take up time, brain space and energy. And that's before the environmental credentials of a piece of furniture have even been assessed!
Increasingly, the question of furniture’s provenance is the first one that consumers ask. As concern for the environment and an awareness of green issues grows, people want to know that the furniture they enjoy using every day doesn't have any dirty environmental secrets. Those who buy furniture that carries the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) label can feel confident that the wood used to make their purchase is responsibly sourced from sustainable origins. The FSC is an international, non-profit organization set up to ensure adherence to best environmental practices in timber sourcing, tracing its journey from the forest, through processing and manufacturing right through to the showroom. To earn FSC certification, landowners and timber producers have to satisfy rigorous conditions and prove that the forestry methods they practice do not impact negatively on the environment. FSC certification is also dependent on timber suppliers acting in socially responsible ways that address local economic accountability issues. Extensive over-logging of forests results in environmental damage as well as depriving local communities of incomes, thus forcing already struggling economies into a downward spiral of decline. Do we really want all that guilt laid on us when furniture buying? Avoid such wrestling with the conscience when on a retail trip by simply opting for FSC certified furniture. That way you can feel confident the new dining table, for example, has been created using wood from a sustainable and ethically bulletproof source that won't leave a bitter taste in your mouth every time it's used. As we become more and more concerned about global environmental health, the everyday choices we make change. These days we use environmentally friendly products each day without really thinking about it – low energy light bulbs, eco-friendly detergents and toiletries – now it's just as straightforward to find furniture that's earth-friendly. Look out for the FSC label on sofas, tables, shelving units, anything made from wood products should sport the label – and if it doesn't? Just move on. The more aware larger furniture stores have woken up to the fact that consumer decisions are based upon an evolving set of criteria that value eco-credentials highly. To this end, a stroll around large furniture showrooms reveals a huge amount of attractive, well designed furniture bearing the FSC stamp of approval – and this can only be a good thing. Furnishing a home can be expensive and there may be times when the cheaper option might be something created within a less responsible environmental and commercial structure. Before paying out for uncertified wood products, be reminded of the damage done by over-logging, unregulated use of hazardous pesticides and the exploitation of the land of indigenous peoples – is it really worth saving a few dollars for that? By opting for FSC certified furniture, we can have fun improving our domestic habitat without damaging the natural one... surely that has to be a good thing? ACTION ALERT
More Poison in the Land o' Cotton According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), about 94 percent of all cotton grown in the U.S. is genetically engineered. Not all of that cotton ends up in clothes. Cottonseed oil is used in a long list of foods, including mayonnaise, salad dressings, cereals, breads and snack foods. Cotton is already the world’s “dirtiest” crop, due to its heavy use of pesticides. Now Dow wants to make cotton even more toxic, by unleashing a new genetically engineered cotton that resists the deadly 2, 4-D herbicide. Dow’s 2,4-D is one of the two toxins used to make Agent Orange, the deadly chemical sprayed in Vietnam during the 1960s and known to be responsible for a host of severe illnesses and birth defects. If the USDA approves Dow’s new 2,4-D-resistant cotton, farmers will start spraying massive amounts of 2,4-D herbicide on a crop that already accounts for more than its fairshare of the global use of pesticides and herbicides. TAKE ACTION: Deadline: Midnight May 19: Stop Dow’s New ‘Agent Orange’ Cotton! |
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