Rain Barrels come in a number of sizes but the 50 to 80-gallon sizes are popular. It is also common for folks to install more than one. Barrels are important vessels that help minimize our dependency on municipal water, reduce the impact on storm drains, and help save you money in the process.

In most cases, an individual’s home obtains water from the same source. Humans constantly flush drinkable water down the toilet (in addition to using it for other things, both inside and outside). That is a big deal when you realize that only 1% of the water on the planet is drinkable.

Your water and your money can evaporate quickly when you water your lawn or garden. As much as 20% of water is lost through evaporation when doing these activities. So, why not let Mother Nature do the watering for you. I am talking about soft water that plants just love to drink up. Yum.

How much rain can you capture? Lots.
1/4 inch of rain on 1,000 square feet of usable roof = around 150 gallons.

You don’t need to spend a ton of money to capture rain. In most cases, you don’t need a permit either. A decent Rain Barrel can cost you anywhere from $80-125. You also may want to prepare yourself for some minor installation and the cost of additional materials that can run you $5-$20 each depending on your needs (i.e., additional gutters, rain diverter, overflow kit, etc). Some folks see their return-on-investment in only a few months.

Still not ready to pour out the cash for this do-it-yourself project? I have had small success arranging a few 5-gallon buckets near my downspouts and collected enough water to give my plantings a decent drink a few days later. Tip: if you do this, be sure to use the water within a few days to prevent a mosquito hatch.

Bookmark It

Is your semiconductor producing narrow-spectrum light?

I beg your pardon!

No, Seriously. This is not a euphemism. I am talking about LEDs (light emitting diodes). You probably have a bunch of these beauties in your home already and may not have even pondered about them…until now.

People put them in everything from remote controls and smart phones to night vision goggles and even traffic lights. Folks are introducing new uses for LEDs all the time.

So what’s the big deal? They use very little energy and can outlast a compact fluorescent bulb tenfold and can match the brightness of a traditional bulb. They also come in colors other than red (originally, they all were red).

Chances are good that you’ll find an LED alternative for lighting at many major home stores, etc. Why just recently I was online shopping for floodlights and “bam”; there were several LED versions available.

Bookmark It

Agencies like SWALCO (Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, IL) provide residents alternatives, education, and resources for disposing of solid wastes that don’t belong in the water supply or landfills. They embed the reduce/reuse/recycle philosophy in their operations.

I did some Spring-cleaning…o.k. I procrastinated a bit and it was more like Summer-cleaning. I sorted out materials that could be recycled through the normal weekly collections, created a donate pile, made a pile of stuff that could be placed in the trash, and set aside a box of household chemicals, etc. that could be disposed of via SWALCO. I was amazed at how small the trash pile was when I compared it to the others.

It is important to mention that SWALCO even accepted some old prescriptions I had laying around when I threw my back out sneezing (long story). It is better for the environment and public safety to turn over medications (prescription or otherwise) to SWALCO (or other local agencies specializing in similar collections) versus flushing them down the toilet or placing them in the trash.

69 million: Number of gallons of latex paint sent to U.S. landfills each year.

I also had some latex paint collecting dust under my shelf. If SWALCO does not take an item, chances are that they provide a link to one that does. Agencies like SWALCO operate in every state. A quick internet search for “household hazardous waste recycling” or “solid waste agency” followed by your state/county should provide a list of resources. I also made sure I visited their web site to check operating hours and materials accepted by SWALCO before I made the trip.

Bookmark It

Did you know that as many as half of the amphibians on the planet are threatened with extinction because of pollutants, climate changes, and even a fungus. Amphibians on all continents are at risk. The Chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) causes the appropriately named disease, chytridiomycosisis.

The disease first penetrates the permeable skin of the amphibian and begins attacking the Keratin layer (a protective layer that prevents unwanted substances from getting into the body). Wild and captive amphibians are both susceptible to the Chytrid fungus. Experts have identified at least two primary ways the related disease spreads (i.e., contact with other “carrier” amphibians and contaminated sources near or in water).

Amphibians are a key indicator species and play a role in balancing the food web from forest ecosystems to marshes. Aside from being a food source for those further up the food chain, they play a large role by consuming insects and other invertebrates that would otherwise harm sustainable croplands. Amphibians also help control pests that carry disease and can even help curb the spread of certain invasive species.

Why you will make a difference: While there is no known remedy to cure the disease, one can prevent other amphibians from getting the disease by not capturing and relocating amphibians, or capturing and placing wild amphibians in the same place that one have other amphibian pets. It is best to enjoy them where they reside rather than the thought of capture. Besides, one could injure them during capture, or worse. Experts recommend that all people treat all waste materials from captive amphibians as clinical waste. Yes, it’s that serious. In addition, disinfect the used water with 1:9 bleach/water solution and let it stand for 24 hours in a safe place before disposing of appropriately. Contact your local municipality to determine the appropriate way of disposing of these liquids.

Bookmark It

I have to admit, I had a bit of myopia when my friend Greg introduced me to Fair Trade coffee a while back. Where it came from was the furthest from my mind while I was sipping and feeling the delightful caffeinated bite that refreshed my taste buds. It’s not just coffee.

Now, when I visit a store, I pause to look for Fair Trade labeling. Fair Trade is a multi-billion dollar industry that has producers providing a range of Fair Trade crafts, chocolate, vanilla, fruit, clothes, toys, and even gym supplies — to name a few.

It’s worth mentioning that most of the competitively priced products produced through Fair Trade practices don’t have a negative impact on American jobs. Fair Trade promotes the use of ethical collaborations in global trading to assist underprivileged locations.

Seven traits of Fair Trade:

• Consumer education
• Non-hostile, healthy workplaces where workers’ wages are fair, regardless of gender and age
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and respect
• Focus on environmental sustainability and protection
• Nurtures and empowers independence through long-term relationships
• Continuous quality improvement

Why you will make a difference: Purchasing an item, or two, or more produced with Fair Trade practices will help support others in need and you’ll help spread demand for products produced in a more favorable manner. Look for the internationally recognized Fair Trade label when choosing applicable products.

Bookmark It