Green Building

I found this video on YouTube about a local builder embracing the concept of "green" building.

The Dump

Trash. Everyone has some. Everyone has to get rid of it. I've recently decided to dump my private trash collection service and take my trash to the local transfer station, better know in my town as The Dump. I did this for several reasons:

1. The fees charged by the company doing the curbside trash collection on my street were astronomical.
2. I had heard from friends of mine that the company had been caught throwing the recycling into the trash portion of the trucks.
3. Given my strong recycling habits and all my composting, I had very little trash to put out for collection.

I live in Sudbury, Massachusetts. My town does not have curbside trash collection. Period. End of discussion. Residents are responsible for taking care of their own trash disposal, recycling, leaf and brush removal, etc. One option available to residents is a "Pay-As-You-Throw" system. Residents purchase a sticker for "The Dump", at which you may throw out special, prepurchased bags full of trash. I have recently started using this system. It takes a bit of work, but it's worth the money saved.

In my mind the best thing about "The Dump" is the plethora of recycling and reusing bins/huts. The recycling takes a little bit more work -- separating plastic by number, separating newspaper from other paper, etc., but I KNOW that the recycling is actually recycled. Additionally, there is a special place for flourescant bulbs, a book exchange hut and the much loved, "Put and Take". The "Put and Take" is a great place to bring items for which you no longer have a purpose and to take things left behind by others!

What does your town have to offer in terms of trash disposal, recycling and reuse? Do you trust your curbside trash collection service to actually recycle everything you put out for this purpose? If you have a Pay-As-You-Go system, does this encourage recycling in your household?

Responsible Partying

And I don't mean responsible in the "don't drink and drive" sense. That goes without saying. I mean in the green sense. I attended a great event today and, like most events, parties, etc., there was no recycling.

The use of paper plates and plastic cups is, understandably, a necessity for a huge event. I've done my fair share of entertaining. It's nearly impossible to keep up with dishes for a small event, let alone a large scale event, without the benefit of paid staff. Recycling, on the other hand, requires nothing more than a couple extra trash cans and the desire to make the event a little greener.

So next time you host something, be kind and provide your guests with a recycling option. It's a way to party more responsibly.

Home Green Home: Affordable Green Living - NYTimes

Video about Wisdom Way Solar Village in Greenfield, MA. A great combination of sustainable and affordable.

Thrift Shop Find!

I just bought this Kate Spade handbag at a thrift shop for $6.99!!! I went in looking for something else, never expecting to find a treasure, and I found this out in the open without any takers. In the process I did my part in recycling. The store even had a Prada handbag locked up under the counter for $39.99, but that was above my cheapskate price range.

In my much poorer past I used to haunt yard sales, consignment stores and thrift shops. Most of my purchases have not been treasures, but once in awhile I've struck gold. Years ago I bought the cocktail ring pictured below at a yard sale for 25 cents! While it is just costume jewelry and the setting is cheap, these types of rhinestones are no longer made. I get compliments whenever I wear the ring.

Given the state of the economy and the truth in the saying that "what's old is new again", in the future I think I will make more of an effort to visit my local thrift shops before I make my way to the regular retail stores.

Swap It!

Do you have a closet full of belts and scarves that you haven't worn in years? Do you hold on to things just because they're in good condition? Why not host an accessory swap? The ultimate in recycling, this is a great way to gather with friends and possibly save a scarf from ending up in a landfill.

I'm thinking this would be a great way to freshen up the home, too! Maybe swap out that piece of art that was never really your style for a much needed lamp? Nate Berkus, Oprah's favorite home designer, has even challenged America to swap home accessories with their neighbors as a way of spicing up their homes and saving money in the process. The more adventurous might even want to organize a larger scale event such as the one hosted by Sit+Sip in Seattle this Spring.

I am certainly going to host a swap sometime in the near future. Any excuse to gather with friends and sip some wine! Walking away with some "new" accessories in the process is just an added bonus.

Waste Not, Want Not

Every wonder if you're reading the expiration dates correctly on food? I've often wondered if food is good beyond the date and feel guilty if I throw food away. My daughter, the queen of finding YouTube videos, shared this with me. Some guidance for the next refrigerator cleanout.

Iowa -- The Progressive State?

I am not a native Massasoit. I was born abroad, but raised in the Midwest, Iowa to be specific. This usually throws people for a loop. The typical image of an Iowan is one of a farm hick (BTW, it's corn, not potatoes). I will admit, in my youth small town life frustrated me as did my Iowa roots. As I hit adolescence my #1 goal was to leave my home state and explore the larger, more progressive world beyond the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers.

But I recently returned to Iowa for a visit and left feeling that perhaps I sold my home state short. The state is currently a leader in renewable energy, especially wind power, second only to Texas in production. As a self proclaimed "greenie" this makes me proud, if only by some small connection. President Obama noted this accomplishment by speaking in Newton, Iowa at a wind turbine plant on Earth Day.

The development of wind power has succeeded in Iowa for several reasons.

1. Iowa was the first state to develop portfolio standards for renewable energy. This required the state's investor-owned utilities to purchase electricity from renewable energy projects. Initially utility companies fought these requirements, but since have voluntarily gone above and beyond.
2. Wind farms work in conjunction with existing farms and make economic sense. A single wind turbine can bring in an additional $2000 -$5000 per year in income. Best of all, farmers can continue to farm around the turbines.
3. The production of wind turbines creates jobs within in the state. It's a win-win situation. The state gets clean renewable energy AND a job producing industry.
4. Iowans are, in a nutshell, pragmatic. They do what makes sense and they don't overthink the details. For some this might be viewed as a fault, but in this particular case, the results speak for themselves.

Visiting my childhood state was a bit humbling. We liberal, "progressive" New Englanders could learn a few things from these Midwestern "hicks".

Link to this video for more information on wind power in Iowa.

Lazy Composting

Last Fall my father built a large (perhaps too large) composting system in my backyard. It is composed of two 4x4x3 foot cubes made of chicken wire and left over 1x2s. I have a large yard and imagined that I could easily fill it with yard waste. What I didn't take into consideration was the difficulty my short 5'2'' body would have leaning over the bins to turn my compost pile. Nevertheless, I now have a system ready to make huge quantities of "black gold" (the gardening variety, not the Jed Clampett variety).

I have to admit up front that I am a lazy composter. I don't chop up the old, rotten vegetables I find in the recesses of my refrigerator, I don't spend a lot of time turning my compost piles and I don't sweat the ratio of carbon to nitrogen. My philosophy is let it rot and at some point I'll get some wonderful rich compost to add to my garden beds. Over the years I have raked leaves into piles at the edge of my property and without any additional effort, have found rich black soil at the bottom of the heap! Of course this was after two or three years of the leaves rotting, but the treat was still much appreciated.

This is not my first foray into the world of composting, so I have a few suggestions to offer my fellow composters:

1. Have a system. I have a three step system: 1) a small pot by the sink for vegetable trimmings, coffee grounds and stale bread; 2) once the kitchen pot is full I dump the contents in a small covered bucket on my back porch (with about 10 holes drilled into it); and 3) when that bucket is full I transport the contents to my mammoth sized compost bins in the back yard. This systems allows me to accumulate compostable materials for awhile and thus not use the excuse that the bins are too far away as a reason to throw things in the trash.


2. If you are concerned about appearances or don't want to make your own system, buy a compost bin and collector for your kitchen. You can purchase these items online (check out Clean Air Gardening and Planet Natural), from your town (if you're lucky), or your local garden center.


3. If want to be a bit more scientific or less lazy about composting, check out some websites on the issue. The Garden of Oz has a great article on composting. For the perfect compost recipe you want to work toward an ideal carbon to nitrogen ratio.


4. Don't compost meat or dairy. The last thing you want in your black gold is a hungry rodent or two.

With a little planning you'll be well on your way to making nutrient rich material for your garden and cutting down on your trash. Happy composting!

Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle

I have to admit -- I save stuff. I always have. Rarely do I throw out a gift bag, piece of ribbon, bubble wrap, or piece of furniture. I even save rubber bands and twist ties! For awhile I tried to break myself of this habit. I thought perhaps I was a hoarder -- and on several occasions have forced myself to throw things out.

We're in a different environment now. The troubled economy has us all thinking twice about what we purchase and, at the same time, what we throw away. Perhaps we will re-upholster the sofa rather than get a new one. Or maybe exhaust the local thrift shops and second-hand stores for clothes before buying new.

Reusing and repurposing items is eco-friendly. The Internet makes this easier than ever to do! We're no longer limited to yard sales, thrift stores and vintage clothing shops. We now have Craigslist, Ebay and FreeCycle. Some communities even have a "put and take" section at the dump. I know many treasures have been found at the transfer station in my town!

In housing we can take this even further. When taking on a renovation project think hard about what can be reused, recycled, repurposed and, finally, thrown out. In New England we have a perfect example of repurposing in the form of the beautiful stone walls that line the countryside. Anyone who has ever gardened in Massachusetts knows the raw material for these walls comes directly from the act of digging in the soil! If you're remodeling a kitchen why not post your old appliances and cabinets on Craigslist or Freecycle? You may not like your old white appliances, but for someone without a working stove, color is not as important. Finally, many of the materials removed in demolition, such as carpet and drywall, can be recycled.

So the next time you go to throw something out, think about it's potential for reuse. One man's trash is definitely another man's treasure!

Let the Sunshine In!

Last night I took a course on Solar Heating taught by my friend Amy Beaudet at the Alternative Energy Store in Hudson. The class was an introductory course on the basics of solar air and water heating. When thinking about solar energy, most of us think of photovoltaic modules -- the blue or black solar panels that store and convert sunlight into electricity. Solar heating, on the other hand, uses sunlight to heat water or air without a conversion to electricity. This technology is not as well known, but is more efficient, less expensive and the payback to the consumer is much faster.

The course was very enlightening and I took several things away from the three hour class.

• Solar heating is not an all or nothing solution. It is a way of offsetting existing systems for heating air and water. They don't completely replace the furnace or water heater in one's home. In fact, a back-up is generally required to keep the water and air warm in regions with colder climates.
  
• Systems can be added a little at a time. A great start: A Solar Air Heater can be installed to heat a small space for relatively little money. Amy is herself adding adding solar elements to her home one at a time. She began with a solar air heater in her kitchen, is in the process of adding solar water heating for hot water and radiant floor heating and will then move on to photovoltaic panels for electricity.
  
• Some systems are completely or partially Do It Yourself (DIY) projects. For example: Solar Pool Heaters are a very easy DIY projects. Solar Air Heaters, are more complicated, but still doable. Installing a Solar Water Heating for water and/or radiant house heat is much more complicated, but could be installed, in part, by the experienced contractor or DIYer.
• Alternative energy is "in" and NOW is the time to take advantage of state and federal tax incentives. Who knows how long these incentives will last?
  
• Solar technology is evolving. No one product works in every situation and there are limitations, but as the technology improves, new products will most likely come on the market to meet the needs of consumers.
  

If you've toyed around with the idea of installing solar technology or just want to learn more, why not take a class? Alt E University in Hudson offers several courses on a variety of topics for varying levels of interest. Topics include: solar electric, renewable energy basics, wind power system, and solar water heating.

Let's Talk Toilets

Toilets use a lot of water. Without conservation measures, a toilet can use up to 27.7% of a household's indoor water usage! More, on average, than clothes washing or showering*. I was shocked by this statistic.

Now understandably eliminating toilet usage, or even reducing usage, is not an option for most families, but there are steps you can take to cut down on the amount of water that goes down the toilet in your house.

1. When the time come to replace your toilet, buy a high efficiency toilet (HET). These go beyond federal standards required for new toilets (1.6 gallons or less per flush). You can even buy dual flush toilets with different flushing options for solids and liquids. Even if you can't afford an HET, switching from an old toilet, that can use as much as 7 gallons per flush, to a new standard toilet will go a long way in conserving water.
   
2. If you have an old toilet and are not in a position to get a new one, install a toilet tank bank OR put an inch or two of sand or pebbles inside two plastic bottles. Fill the bottles with water, screw on the lids and put them in your toilet tank (away from any operating mechanisms). The bottles will displace water used in the the tank with each flush.
   
3. Does your toilet run and run? Do you have to jiggle the handle to get it to stop? Fix it. It might be easier than you think. Check out WikiHow for a step-by-step guide.
4. Don't use your toilet for trash. Throw your tissues and other debris in a wastebasket, not in the toilet.
5. This tip is admittedly not for the weak -- Don't flush every time you use the toilet. The saying goes; "If it's yellow, let it mellow, if it's brown, flush it down".
   

*Source: American Water Works Association Research Foundation 1999

What is that Smell?

Did you know that the air inside the average US home is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside regardless of whether it's located in a rural or highly industrialized area? The culprits are Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs and are found in everything from common household cleaners and paint to furniture and building materials --anything containing organic chemicals. And all of these products can release organic compounds through off-gassing while you are using them, for some time after and even while they are stored.

So what can you do to improve the air you breath in your home?

1. Start with your cleaning products. Next time you run out of a cleaning product, reach for an eco-friendly substitute. Or, better yet, make your own! Our grandparents and great- grandparents managed to clean houses for generations with just a few simple ingredients lying around the house.
2. Thinking about painting a room in your house? Why not try a low- or no- VOC paint? Today there are many varieties on the market and some will not break the bank.
3. Switch to an eco-friendly dry cleaner. Perchloroethylene, the chemical most often used in dry cleaning, has been shown to cause cancer in animals and people breath low levels of this chemical in homes where dry cleaned goods are stored and as the clothes are worn.
   
4. Clean out your garage and remove the hazards sitting around your home. Make sure all items are disposed of properly and as per local ordinances. In the future buy limited quantities of paint, strippers, gasoline, etc.

Making some or all of these changes may help you and your loved ones breath a little easier.

Sources: EPA.gov

Go NStar Green

NStar Electric customers now have a "greener" option for their electricity supply source. By enrolling in NStar Green, customers elect to have 50% or 100% of their electricity use support wind power! The cost is slightly higher per kWh, but the reduction to your carbon footprint is significant. More importantly, this is a change you can make right NOW. (For a better understanding of NStar Green, how it works and why you should switch, please link to Blue Mass Group).

Looking for a way to offset the cost of switching to NStar Green? As your light bulbs burn out replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact florescent light (CFL) bulbs. Energy Star approved CFL bulbs use about 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. If you replace enough light bulbs you might offset some, if not all, the costs of switching to NStar Green.

Green is THE Thing

It seems everyone is talking about going green.

Click Here to link to a Radio Boston (WBUR) discussion on Green Housing in the area.

FYI: To learn more about micro combined heat and power systems for homes, check out Freewatt.

Green Tip

Looking for a simple way to start making your home more energy efficient? Install a programmable thermostat. You could save as much as 1% per year on your heating bill for each degree set back for 8 hours a day (source: Department of Energy).

As an added bonus, NSTAR offers rebates on Energy Star programmable thermostats for gas and electric customers.

Complete the Cycle

We've all seen the recycling symbol, but as so many of us take the time to recycle our plastic, glass, paper, etc., how many of us complete the "cycle" and buy products made of recycled materials? Next time you need to buy paper towels or toilet paper why not purchase a brand made from recycled paper? You may think you won't like it, but it's worth a try. Over time you might find a brand you can live with and make a permanent change.

Take it one step further, next time you're in the market for new carpet, investigate the possibility of carpet made from 100% recycled post consumer food and drink containers. These products certainly complete the cycle and offer many benefits from lower VOC (volatile organic compounds) off gassing and brighter color selection. To get started look visit your local carpet stores and ask about the products or visit GreenFloors or Ecohaus for some information on cost and benefits.

The desire by consumers to "complete the cycle" is creating a whole new world of new products out there, so next time you're out shopping, think about the meaning of the recycling symbol and what you can do to come full circle.

Obama's Remarks on Energy

In case you missed it. To view portions of President Obama's speech before Congress last night on YouTube click here .

Remarks on investment in renewable energy begin at about 5:55.

Green Tip

Going green doesn't have to be a chore. Changes can be made one step at a time and as opportunities present themselves. Start with something relatively painless. For example, buy one or two reusable grocery bags. You may not remember to bring them with you the first few times you go shopping, but over time using them will become more of a habit. Gradually add new bags and before you know it you'll need neither plastic nor paper!

Beware the “Green” Label

It seems that the entire country is trying to be more eco-conscious and join the green revolution. Builders, much like other businesses, have jumped on this bandwagon and are now building "green" houses. However, what exactly does the term "green" mean and how does a potential buyer go about determining the extent to which a property is eco-friendly and energy efficient?

The term "green", unlike the term "organic", does not have any government definition or oversight. In reality, someone can refer to anything as "green". In real estate, the term "green" can refer to a property with photovoltaic solar panels and a geothermal heat pump, but it can also refer to a property with above average insulation and thermal windows. On the other hand, the terms Energy Star or LEED refer to properties that meet the guidelines of the US Department of Energy or the US Green Building Council.

Newly built Energy Star certified homes must meet EPA guidelines and be 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC). Energy Star homes are verified through a third party Home Energy Rater and are typically 20 – 30% more energy efficient than standard homes. Energy Star certified homes are available in Massachusetts and more builders are signing on to build properties that meet the Energy Star requirements. Currently 184 Massachusetts on-site builders are Energy Star New Homes Partners. Some of the builders are new partners with homes in planning stage, while others have built over 100 Energy Star certified homes since joining.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) supports building projects that incorporate sustainability in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selection and indoor environmental quality. LEED properties, like Energy Star certified homes, are also verified through a third party and are rated certified, silver, gold, or platinum. For those looking for a "green" property, LEED certified homes are the "gold standard" and are a bit more difficult to come by. Currently there are 64 LEED for Homes certified residential projects in Massachusetts.

So what can you do find a home that meets your definition of "green"? You and your real estate agent need to ask questions. Is the home Energy Star certified? Is the property a LEED certified home? If so, what type of rating? What specific features make the property "green"? Each consumer has a different list of desirable "green" property features. The trick is to ask the right questions and work with a like-minded agent willing to go out and find you the right "green" home.