You may have noticed a trend in the gift card industry…the use of PLA plastic. Yippee! Oh sure, it better to find another way to give a gift that uses fewer resources like an online gift certificate. However, this is certainly a turn in the right direction when considering how popular the whole gift card giving can be.

PLA stands for Polylactic Acid manufacturers derive PLA from renewable sources containing sugar (and sometimes starch) rather than oil like other common plastics. Corn and sugar cane are the primary sources. That’s why you usually see the biodegradable claim on packages made with PLA.

If you are like me, you may have placed PLA into your recycle bin. Good job! Simply placing it in the ground will not cause the PLA to degrade. The average homegrown compost heaps doesn’t have the right conditions for proper composting of PLA. Ideally, it is best to compost it at a facility that monitors the ideal process (including moisture level and high heat levels) needed to break PLA down. During the process, it degrades to carbon dioxide (partially from the microorganisms assisting with the process) and water.  It also seems that many manufactures of PLA are constantly improving their processes and to keep the process as “green” as possible.

Many communities are still working out cost-effective solutions for separating PLA plastic from the traditional PET plastic. When separated in large quantities PLA can also be converted back to its magical ingredient — lactic acid. Neat.

Bookmark It

My excitement for upgrading my old phone to a shiny new iPhone 3G reminds me of the opportunity for cell phone recycling and donation. There are a number of ways cell phone users can accommodate reduce, reuse, and recycle practices.

A few years ago, I was at a friend’s party. I asked for some gum. They opened the drawer in their kitchen and pulled out a pack for me. I wasn’t amazed at the gum’s minty freshness, but rather the small evolutionary depiction of various cell phone models that lay in his drawer. I went home and realized that I also had a few cell phones collecting dust (even a bag phone — I know, I know). I made the decision to hold off on upgrading for a few years. My old phone served its purpose well. I have replaced the glass on the front, patiently watched technology transform from new to old, and dealt with scratches, scuffs, and dwindling battery stamina. Nevertheless, it’s still worthy of recycling.

Each month, Americans throw away millions of “old” cell phones and batteries that find their way to the landfill.  That is bad news when you think of the cumulative effect of toxins that leech into the environment from cell phones and their batteries alone. Only a small percentage is recycled.

Did you know? Some groups provide analog NSI (non-service initialized) cell phones to those in need. These can make outbound 911 calls even though they aren’t tied to a service, provider, or number. It’s an FCC requirement.

The great news: there are a number of ways to recycle your old cell phone. Some companies even give you money when doing so. The amount you receive depends on the company, the type of phone, and its age. Other resources for recycling include cell phone manufactures, your local recycling center, and even local churches and schools have collections every now and then. You can find your nearest drop off location by checking out the call2recycle program.

Just be sure to remove any personal information (i.e., phone numbers, addresses, text history, etc.) before recycling or donating the phone.

Bookmark It

1. Replace traditional plastic silverware and paper plates with a stainless steel set of utensils and ceramic plates. If you must use plastic, utilize a product made from 100% recycled material. Preserve tableware (made by Recycline, Inc.) is made with #5 plastic (polypropylene) that can be recycled and reused. Better yet, it is also reusable and safe for the dishwasher (manual and automatic). It comes in nifty colors too! A fun fact: it’s made of the same stuff used to make some video/DVD cases, backing on rugs/carpets, and even plastic lumber.

2. Use a gas or electric grill instead of charcoal. I know there are some that have vowed never to BBQ or grill with gas. The good news is there are many “green” alternatives to traditional charcoal briquettes that may contain harmful chemicals and even coal dust. Mmm yummy. Look for charcoal made from a number of alternatives like coconut shells, wood mill scraps, sustainably harvested wood, etc. Doing so will help minimize the release of carbon and soot and lower the impact on our forests. Whole Foods sells a few eco-friendly options in the realm of charcoal. You can also find a many brands on the web.

3. Use cloth napkins/towels rather than paper napkins. If you can’t, it is easy to find an alternative made from 100% recycled paper. It does the job just as well (my opinion). A fun fact: if 10% of the households in the U.S. replaced one package of virgin fiber napkins (250 count) with 100% recycled ones, we could save 100,000 trees. That’s a happy 4th of July in my book.

This post refers to several recyclable worthy items. When in doubt, check to see if your local municipality collects #5 plastic with their recycling program. To find resources for recycling in your area you can check out Earth911.org. They make it very easy to find the right spot to fit the need. For example, just type polypropylene and your zip code in their applicable boxes at the top to start your search and the site will provide you with a list of centers that accept the material.

Bookmark It

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