The Green Clean Schools Acts requires and encourages the use of environmentally safe cleaning products.  More and more states are requiring the use of green products in schools and government of buildings.

By the end of 2009, 10 schools had already enforced the act.  Each states guidelines are different, but most states require that the green cleaning products used must be one of the leading eco-labels.  Labels such as Green Seal, Design for the Environment, and EcoLogo .

This act that requires schools to use green products will lower child’s carbon footprint and improve indoor air quality.  This reducing the number of kids and teachers getting sick.

References

1. Parent Dish.com

2. Eco Child’s Play.com

Long Beach residents are being urged to participate in this years “Green Holiday” by doing their part to reduce annual waste accumulated over the holiday months. Some of the tasks they are encouraged to take on include…

- Supporting local businesses (shop locally and utilize farmers markets)— by doing this, you are reducing transport related pollution.

- Recycle your Christmas tree! Long Beach residents are given a few sites to drop off their trees from December 26- January 9.

-Carpool! Not only does this “green method” save money and energy resources— it’s also a good way to spend time with friends and family.

- Make your own wrapping paper by using newspaper, recycled paper, etc.

- Visit Southern California Edison for money saving programs on energy bills. 

References

1. Everything Long Beach

2. Long Beach Real Estate Home

In a new board game titled, “Bioviva”, one travels the world throughout the game, learning the history of the Earth. Bioviva is a strategy game and the questions regard nature and environment. If you consider yourself an environmental buff—then this just might be the game for you! 

References

1. Barnes and Noble

Greywater is water that is being reused. There are many expensive systems out there which allow you to reuse water, but here is a free way to save some water.

Showering uses tons and tons of water, so first off if you want to help conserve water shower with a purpose. I know its nice to just sit under a hot shower for a couple minutes, but it wastes so much. Anyways one of the best and easiest ways to collect grey water is simply to plug up your bathtub while you take a shower. This water can be stored in a large bucket by your toilet and used in place of flushing. There are two ways of doing this, the first is to open up your tank and pour it in. This is however not suggested because the soaps and whatnot can cause damage(though I am not sure how) instead you can simply pour straight into your toilet. Believe it or not folks this works. It takes more water than it would if you flushed the toilet, but seeing as how this water is all recycled it is all possitive.

I have a friend who has his sink drain into a 5 gallon bucket instead of sending it to the sewers. He is very particular about what is used to wash up with in the sink; he only uses a garden safe handsoap to wash up with. Daily he takes his bucket and he waters his garden with it. At first I thought it was a terrible idea, but then I started looking at the soap and it at least claims that you can pour it straight on plants with no negative effects. His plants seem to be thriving so I have to believe it. You can still use this type of greywater without using natural(bizarre smeling) soap and watering your plants with it. You can instead use this for flushing your toilet to.

Those two tips will actually save a lot more water than you would think. Please leave links to other places with tips about water conservation =)

With everyone trying to shrink their carbon foot print these days, people have sometimes overlooked one on the most important think of all, the car. Now the most important thing o do for your car is to first of all, make sure your tires are inflated properly as low PSI tires reduce fuel efficiency. Also Make sure your oil and fluids are changed regularly.
Another thing to try is to not use the top rack for bins and other things. This is due to the fact that they create drag on the car, this inturn makes the car use more gas and reduce efficiency.
The last thing you can do is to change your air filter. You see, the air filter of a car is like the lungs of a person. The work great when in great condition, but are bad in they’re torn up. Follow these steps to help the environment and reduce your carbon footprint.

References

1. swiowanews.com

2. picture

With so many of us spending a huge chunk of our time at the office, it makes us wonder how can we help the environment at the workplace. Well fear not, for there are many ways you can ‘Go Green’ at work.
The first thing you can do is to make sure to turn out the lights when everyone leaves a room or when you lock up for the night. You see, 44 percent of wasted electricity comes from people not turning off lights. The same thing go’s for computers, make sure people turn them off when they are finished with them. Another think you can do is replace things like paper clips and paper it’s self with recycled versions. This way, you know that your helping the environment and saving money because its cheaper.
The last thing you can do is to carpool to work. This can be huge for your workplaces carbon-footprint. Also remember, the little things always count.

References

1. sierriaclub.com

2. Picture

Hey, have you ever had to do a bunch of dishes but ran out of soap?? Well did you know that you can create your own dish soap from materials you can find from around your house? Well, if you want to partake in the homemade soap you’ll need these ingredients.

• 2 cups of castile soap
• A few drops of essential oil
• 1/2 cup of water

To make the soap, follow these instructions.

1. Combine two cups of liquid castile soap with 1/2 cup of warm water.
2. Add a few drops of essential oils for a pleasant scent.
3. Shake or mix well and place in a squeeze bottle.
4. Shake the soap well before using.

This particular recipe is easy to follow and is very eco-friendly. Also you won’t have to run down to the store to buy those tiny little bottles of soap which have the potential to harm the environment. This way, you’ll have more cash in your pocket, and fell better that you are helping the environment.

References

1. How to do things.com

2. Picture

In my house we try to be as energy efficient as possible and we try to reuse anything as much as we can before it goes to the trash pile. The only thing we don’t do, …yet, is recycle. We find it such a huge hassle because we are constantly throwing things out and we even have 7 trash bins, 4 of which usually go out on trash day. I think recycling would be a great addition to our house, so I researched it. While researching recycling I found a website called Earth 911.

Earth 911 is basically a Free 411 for recycling centers. You can find recycling centers and anything related to recycling in your area on their site. You can find places to recycle your christmas tree, your old leftover paint thinner and even your normal organic trash for composting. It’s a really great website if your looking into getting into recycling or even for recyclers who wants to know about other materials that can be recycled. There are also tutorials and articles explaining how to get started, which materials go where and what you should do with them.

All you avid recyclers and newcomers should check it out, even if you have been there before, they recently changed the site around. Here’s the link, have fun!

www.Earth911.com

The Suprises a Lemon Can Bring
The citrus of a lemon is an excellent insect repellent.  Place lemon rinds on a cookie sheet and pop them in the oven at 150 degrees for three hours.  Scoop a cupful of dried rinds, wrap them in a large piece of cheesecloth, tie it closed with a string, and hang them up in closets, storage spaces, etc. to keep the moths away.

Kicking Your Shoes to the Curb

Keeping your shoes outside is a very varied opinion amongst families and individuals.  Aside of your personal beliefs or feelings, I just wanted to share with you some facts and findings, and some general things to think about before letting those down to earth foot covers enter you home again.

The first proof of pesticides being tracked into people’s homes by shoes was made in an EPA study, reported in Environmental Science & Technology. Another study showed that 98 percent of lead dust found in homes is tracked in from outside as well.

Besides the studies, just thinking about what has been on the pavement, who knows.  Dog poop, People’s spit, urine, all kinds of trash and bodily fluid that your shoe comes face to face with every day, then introduces it very formally to your household floors.  Why all of the extra cleaning, or just plain living in the extra mess when you can stop a good amount of it at the door?  If you do not feel comfortable with leaving them outside, have a shoerack right inside the door, or in a close closet.

When Coffee is done Waking you up, Don’t Throw Away the Grounds!!

• Coffee grounds are a great natural exfoliator–make a body scrub with coffee grounds, coconut oil, and a little brown sugar.
• Use coffee grounds as mulch for acid-loving plants, such as rosebushes, azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, and camellias–they’ll appreciate your used coffee grounds for their natural acidity and the nutrients they’ll add to the soil.
• Sprinkle used grounds around places where you don’t want ants, or on the ant piles themselves. Used grounds are also said to repel snails and slugs.
• Before cleaning the fireplace, sprinkle with still-damp used coffee grounds–this weighs down the ash dust and makes cleaning much easier.
• Soak used grounds in hot water and use as a dye bath for Easter eggs, cloth, and paper.

Tips that will help you rid Many Odors

fume – Soak or spray with white distilled vinegar (in both instances let set for a few hours before rinsing, or for spraying just let the smell dissipate)

Chemical Smell in Fabric -Soak overnight in 1 cup of baking soda before washing as usual.

Soot —Washing soda (wash area with 1 gallon to water to ¼ cup washing soda; let set for an hour or so before rinsing).

PVC/Plastic – Set plastic shower curtains, etc., in the sun, or wash with soap flakes and water once a week (about ¼ cup to 1 gallon warm water). Alternatively, set the plastic item in the sun as often as possible.

Biological Odors
Many biological odors contain both alkaline and acidic components, hence the alternating of baking soda and vinegar. When in doubt for any biological odor, follow directions for “Pet Pee,” below.

Pet Pee – Vinegar and Baking soda, alternating. (Place white distilled vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it straight onto the pee assuming the area can handle moisture; let kit set for an hour or so before rinsing. Follow by sprinkling the area with baking soda. Mist the baking soda with water. Let it set for a few hours before vacuuming. Keep alternating until the odor is gone.)

Perspiration — Baking soda. (Scrub a thick baking soda paste into the perspiration on the fabric; let set for an hour before laundering as usual. For personal hygiene, powder baking soda under your arms, making it slightly moist beforehand to help is stick if needed.)

Vomit – Vinegar and baking soda, alternating (follow directions for “Pet Pee”).

References

1. Green Living

Making Your Own Laundry Eco Friendly is Easy!

Now you have 2 choices, either liquid or powder detergent.  Powder is simpler, but Liquid gives you the versatility to add different oils for a nice scent.

Things You will need either way:

• Your favorite Bar Soap, but not too scented.
• Borax
• Washing Soda(Related to Baking soda, and can be found in most laundry detergent sections of the grocery store.  Washing Soda does not give off harmful fumes, but you must wear gloves while handling it.)

Liquid Detergent

1 quart water (boiling)
2 cups bar soap (grated)
2 cups borax
2 cups washing soda

1. Add finely grated bar soap to the boiling water and stir until soap is melted. You can keep on low heat until soap is melted.

2. Pour the soap water into a large, clean pail and add the borax and washing soda. Stir well until all is dissolved.

3. Add 2 gallons of water, stir until well mixed.

4. Cover pail and use 1/4 cup for each load of laundry. Once it’s cool, add 5 – 7 drops of your favorite essential oil per gallon. Stir the soap each time you use it (it will gel).

Powdered Detergent

2 cups finely grated soap
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax

1. Mix well and store in an airtight plastic container.

2. Use 2 tablespoons per full load.

References

1. HomeMadeLaundry Detergent