Have you heard? In the future you may be able to launder with a virtually waterless washing machine. For quite some time we’ve been buying Energy Star Appliances for laundering. We’ve also been reducing the temperatures we use and tailoring our water usage to the number of articles washed. These things help, but imagine being able to dramatically reduce energy and water usage.

This can happen with the new virtually waterless washing machine invented by the University of Leeds. Their new method promises to drastically reduce the amount of water and energy for laundering to less than 2% of the current usage. In fact, this washing machine uses only one cup of water for a full wash. The load is left almost dry, which in turn saves on the energy used to finish drying that load. If commercialized, researchers say this invention could save millions if not billions of gallons of water each year. That doesn’t even cover the electricity savings.

I’ll bet your wondering how this works. The new washing process uses about 44 lbs of plastic chips around a half-centimeter in size to absorb and remove dirt. These chips are mixed with a cup of water and a pinch of detergent in the washer. During the washing cycle, the water is heated to help dissolve the dirt. The plastic chips absorb the dirt and your laundry comes out fresh and clean. The plastic chips can be reused up to 100 times, which the inventors estimate will wash around 6 months of laundry. They claim this process can effectively remove all sorts of everyday stains including coffee and lipstick. A great graphic of the process along with more details can be found on dailymail.co.uk.

My main concern is how the plastic chips are dealt with when they wear out. I hope there will be an environmentally friendly way to handle them. As they refine this invention and figure out how to commercialize it, I’m sure these details will be revealed.

The new washing machine may reach a commercial market as soon as 2009. It is unclear which market they will target first. It will be interesting to keep an eye on this. It sounds like it could revolutionize the industry. When you think about it, it is amazing how little many appliances have changed over time. Maybe the washing machine will soon have its day.

What was the defining moment for you when you decided to become more conservation-minded? Maybe you were raised that way. Maybe it was gradual and just happened over time. Perhaps you moved to a state where green was “in”, or you had children and worried about the impact products had on them. For me, it was my pets and a move to Oregon. When I first moved to Oregon, I remember overhearing a conversation on garbage. Two people were competing with each other over how often they needed to put their trash out for pick up. The record between the two of them was once a month. I first thought this was just a wacky topic for conversation. Interestingly enough, it stayed with me and got me to think more about how much trash I generate. The other turning point revolved around spraying the garden with insecticide. I was all dressed up in this crazy, full-body, heat-generating garb sweating my brains out to try to limit my contact with the stuff. I thought, OK, this is way too much clothing and gear, and I still think some of it is getting through. Do I really want my animals marching around here even after it has dried? It just seemed wrong. There had to be a better way.

There is a lot more press now about the environment and global warming, so awareness is heightened in general which is good. However, it is still interesting to study what focuses people on being green. Why is that? For me, it is because if we know what motivates people to be green, it will help us motivate others to move that direction. Even if you just do some of the little things, it really adds up over the millions of people in the US and all over the world.

I would love to hear your stories on turning green. Was there a turning point for you? What was it? Have you been able to persuade others to do more? How? No matter what you are doing, small or large, it is just great that you are doing something.

On a recent car commute, I heard a radio discussion on the topic of “light” pollution. At first I thought they were talking about people who monitored their pollution, but of course they meant the illumination type of light. It turns out there are many people concerned with how city lighting and personal lighting affect the environment. The most obvious of those people are astronomers since it is more difficult to see stars and planets in a more lighted nighttime environment. Of course, there are others too, and the effects are more wide reaching than I thought. But we need those lights for safety, right? Maybe. Wikipedia states, “it is generally agreed that many people require light to feel safe at night, but campaigners for the reduction of light pollution often claim that badly or inappropriately installed lighting can lead to a reduction in safety if measured objectively, and that at the very least, it is wrong to assume that simply increasing light at night will lead to improved safety.” The safety issue aside, it is good to consider the impacts and how to effectively use light. Not only are there impacts on energy efficiency, but there are also environmental and human health impacts.

Some of the things we can do to control light pollution in the energy efficiency areas include:

• Directing the lighting only where it is needed to optimize the amount used

• Installing dimmable lights to use only the necessary amount of illumination

• Using energy efficient bulbs, including LED and fluorescent types

• Implementing solar lighting where possible

• Using sensors that turn lights on only when they are needed. Motion and darkness detectors widely available.

One city, Oakland, CA, has installed LED streetlights and saved money while greatly reducing light pollution. Plus LED’s have the ability to be easily dimmed and respond to motion detection. What a great thing to do on a citywide basis!

The environmental impacts include the ability to see the night sky, but also there are examples where light pollution affects the direct mortality in species of birds, turtles and insects. Light pollution also interferes with the reproduction in corals and fireflies and with predation in a variety of species. It doesn’t stop there either; there are more.

So if light pollution affects animals, it probably affects humans too. In fact, there are some studies that show that artificial light exposure at night can be linked to an increased cancer risk. Apparently light suppresses melatonin and melatonin suppresses cancer growth. A reduction in melatonin then leads to an increased cancer risk. Other health impacts include loss in visual acuity, hypertension, increased anxiety, and headaches. Of course when there is unwanted light or “light trespassing”, it can cause disruption in sleep, and a reduction in sleep has many health impacts.

This just scratches the surface of the light pollution issue. Wikipedia is one place where you can learn more. It is an interesting topic, and I know I am going to put more thought into it. What are your thoughts and suggestions on this topic?

Ok, this is not an attractive topic but it is definitely an interesting one! I’ve been on the hunt for a “green” deodorant that truly keeps the beautiful scent of sweat at bay. I’ve tried all of the brands that Trader Joe’s offers like the Tom’s of Maine Stick but by the middle of the day I can tell or shall I say smell that I’ve exerted a little perspiration. I don’t search for the scent but because I have a super sniffer it would be hard to ignore anything that doesn’t smell too nice. So, I’ve resulted to falling back on my old, reliable, blue bottle of Secret - that’s until I can find a “green” product that works.

Like I said this is not the coolest of eco-friendly topics but for those of you taking baby steps in choosing healthier deodorant options with no toxic ingredients such as aluminum or fragrance this entry will interest you. You may be asking why we should avoid these chemicals so here’s what I found out in simple terms. The jury is still out but research on what your personal care products are made of and how toxic they are can be seen on the Environmental Working Group’s site Skin Deep which provides reviews on a ton of brand name products like Johnson and Johnson’s.

For example some deodorant brands contain the following toxic chemicals:

Aluminium Chlorohydrate - an active ingredient in many deodorants has been linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity

Fragrance - linked to a class of health problems that can range from subtle developmental delays and chronic nerve degeneration disease

I was happy to see that one of my favorite eco-friendly sites which I learned about from a friend called “The Ideal Bite” did a recent product review on some of the best “green” deodorants out there. They came up with the following:

• Weleda Wild Rose Spray - a couple spritzes of this flowery concoction will keep most Biters fresh throughout the day ($15).
• Miessence Tahitian Breeze Roll-on - our fave roll-on has a summery scent; reapply every few hours ($10).
• Crystal Body Deodorant Stick - it didn’t work for a couple of us, but some swear by its unscented mineral salts; the stick lasts a year or more and works on feet as well ($7).
• Alba Clear Enzyme Stick - light lavender smell with soothing aloe vera, and baking soda to sop up sweat ($6).

And for more product reviews from actual users of various deodorant brands check out The Green Guide.

I haven’t tried any of the above mentioned products yet but I’m planning on it. Hopefully, I’ll find a product that really works this time! If you’ve gone on the hunt for a great green deodorant and found something that works please share your fabulous find with me here.

Last week I was having dinner with some friends when the conversation turned “green”. One of my friends mentioned that Disney uses potato cutlery. That struck me as very odd and stayed with me. I decided to look into it because during the barbequing blog, I remember thinking of the difficulties with home barbeques around saving and washing the eating utensils. For bigger barbeques, that’s a lot of washing. Also, some guests accidentally discard the cutlery. So, when I heard about potato cutlery, my interest was piqued. Could this work?

The answer to that question is…….yes! This cutlery seems ready for prime time. You don’t have to feel guilty about discarding it, and it can be washed and reused too! Because these utensils are made to withstand high heat so as not to melt in your hot beverages, they take a long time to break down in your average garden composter. However, they will break down in a landfill in about 6 months, or they can also be professionally composted. That’s good, right? They are lightweight, and reports say that they are at least as durable as plastic. One article seemed to give the utensils some really crazy stress testing, and they held up well.

I’ve heard of a couple drawbacks. The knives don’t cut quite as well as conventional cutlery, and with overnight water exposure, the utensils can get a little tacky. For now, potato cutlery is also a little more spendy than traditional, low-cost plastic utensils. However, I searched the net and found that potato cutlery is more available than I thought. I even found it offered at reduced prices on some websites. One place to buy it in bulk is at treecycle.com.

So is this cutlery really made from potatoes? Yes, it is! SpudWare cutlery is made from 80% potato starch and 20% soybean oil. I love the name too – SpudWare – very cute. Now, if they could only make strong, edible cutlery out of chocolate, I would be sure to never pick up another plastic eating utensil.

Have you heard of any unique “green” products made out of recycled or natural materials? Share it with us here.

Recently I volunteered at the national showplace from Cooking Light called the Fit House. This house celebrates sustainable and healthful living. What a great concept! Every year Cooking Light Magazine picks a different location across the US to showcase a house of this type, and this year the Portland area was chosen. Maybe your area will be next. If so, it is worth a look. For now, let me share some of the clever concepts for you to ponder next time you remodel or purchase a house.

The Fit House utilizes a universal design to age along with its owners, which makes it a more functional, comfortable home for your family throughout the many stages of life. What does this mean exactly? Well, features like lower countertops, sinks, stovetops and light switches help children as well as older adults in wheelchairs access them more easily. However, I wondered if the lower stovetop creates a hazard with children accessing hot burners. While possible, this clever stovetop’s burners only heat when they are in contact with metal. Pretty cool (so to speak)! Also with a lower counter and island height, the higher counter stools can be replaced with easier-to-use, regular-height table chairs. Wider doorways allow wheelchairs and strollers to be easily accommodated. Things like a wheelchair accessible shower, hardwood floors for easier rolling and walking, and levered faucets and windows that are easier to operate as you age, round out the universal design feature set.

I think the universal design aspect itself makes the Fit House “green” because it is useful for a much longer time, creating less waste from remodeling. However, here are some other features that qualify more directly:

• A mantel over the fireplace created from a single reclaimed, fir beam showcases reuse of a natural element.
• Lots of natural light limits the amount of energy needed.
• Convenient, built-in recycling bins encourage recycling.
• Dishwasher drawers make it easier to wash a half load at a time to conserve energy.
• Less landscaped area limits maintenance and care as you age, but also saves water. Additionally a built-in vegetable and herb garden makes it easier to supply some of your own food locally.
• Radiant floor heating provides greater comfort at a lower thermostat setting to save even more energy.
• Where desired, lower-VOC, environmentally friendly carpeting creates a cozy area.

Next time you are planning a remodel or house hunting, think about all the ways your house can last longer and provide a healthy, green environment.

Backyard BBQs bring up happy, summery childhood memories for me. When my little toddler thinks back to her childhood, I am hoping she remembers “greener” or at least “light green” BBQs. If we’re doing our share, being “green” should come more naturally to her. Just think of the impact if everyone adds a little green to their grilling and then passes it on.

And speaking of impacts, I found it surprising that barbequing uses a lot of energy, especially when everyone barbeques at the same time. In fact, one article stated that about 60 billion barbeques happen on the Fourth of July, and they use enough energy to power 20,000 households. I don’t know if that’s accurate, but even if it is close, it’s worth looking at how to green up your BBQ. It turns out there are many ways to be green at the grill.

• The most obvious target is the grill itself. Try a cleaner-burning propane or electric grill for lower emissions. Better yet, if you have the time, you could try a solar cooker or sun oven. Natural gas is still better than charcoal grilling, and there are even ways to optimize with a charcoal grill.
• For those of you that already own a charcoal grill and aren’t ready to invest, look for lump brand charcoal made from invasive tree species or harvested from sustainably managed forests. Some people even use tree debris from their own backyard. Another bonus of this approach is avoiding exposure to the additives like coal dust that accompany regular briquettes. Cowboy charcoal is a great briquette alternative.
• Lighter fluid releases smog-forming Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs, so a better option for lighting briquettes is a chimney starter or an electric starter.
• But barbequing green starts before we even hit the grill. Send out electronic invites with RSVP requests, using something like Evite . Pay attention to the number of people who are attending to plan for the right amount of food.
• Buy local produce to save on your gas/emissions in getting the food and also the gas/emissions for transporting the food to that location. You can find a local farmers market or coop using www.localharvest.com . Choose organic, hormone-free, lean meat, but also look at providing vegetables and vege burgers which use a lot less energy to make and cook. You can even throw in a little fish and fruit.
• Reduce packaging waste by avoiding single servings and buying in bulk. Where packaging is necessary, look for recyclable and biodegradable packaging.
• Provide your guests with reusable dishware, silverware and cloth napkins. Also use cloth table covers. If that doesn’t work, buy biodegradable or recycled-paper dinnerware like Chinet Casuals.
• Choose locations that are located near public transportation and encourage people to ride it. Arrange for carpooling when that is not possible.
• Avoid electric lighting or tiki lamp emissions and set the mood with solar lighting or by using lower-impact stearin candles and/or bug-deterring soy candles.
• When cleaning up, send the leftovers home with people or donate them to a food bank if there are large quantities. Compost and recycle waste where possible.

So, I was reading our local paper, The Oregonian and took great interest in an article titled “Biodegradable Hype is Misleading Rubbish” written by reporter Shelby Wood . Ok, so the title was in itself provocative enough to catch my eye as my family and I strive to become just a little bit greener everyday.

Doesn’t “biodegradable” denote something good and green? Well, after reading this article it does mean this but if not taken to the next level it means nothing and as Shelby states we’re still on the hook to make this happen. The ironic thing is that the biodegradable stuff that we end up throwing in the trash just sits in our landfill making a big heaping pile of junk. It doesn’t just magically biodegrade on its own!

What surprised me was that Portland which I believe is one of the greenest states in the country doesn’t even have a composting facility. When something is biodegradable it means it will biodegrade only if you are able to either compost it yourself or take it to a large composting facility who will do it for you. This was an ah-ha moment for me! On the positive end I found out Seattle is starting to take compostable food scraps curbside so maybe Portland will jump on that bandwagon soon.

For grins, I looked up the Wikepedia definition of biodegradable which states: Biodegradable waste is a type of waste, typically originating from plant or animal sources, which may be broken down by other living organisms. So, based on this definition if we as “living organisms” on this planet take a little time just to figure out how we can actually take the next steps to help make sure biodegradable items actually biodegrade I think we can make a big difference. Easier said than done, right? Have you embraced the challenge of composting anything in your backyard yet? Would love to hear your stories!

If you are like me when the high temperatures hit, yard watering tends to run up your water bill. Here are some tips for cutting down on water usage (and $$) in that area. You can get a little carried away with it or keep it simple. See if one of these tips will help you.

• Water right before sunrise if possible to minimize evaporation and to give plant leaves a chance to dry quickly and thoroughly to avoid fungal disease. If this isn’t possible, watering in the evening is the next best option. Ensure soil isn’t too compacted to allow the moisture to seep in.
• Capture rainwater with a rain barrel and/or a gutter/barrel collection system. Not only will this save you money, but this water may also be better for your garden since it doesn’t contain the pH altering chemicals used for making drinking water safe. A fine mesh screen over the top of the barrel will keep mosquitoes from laying eggs in your garden’s new water supply. Rain barrels are available for purchase or you can make your own.
• Water the necessary amount. Over watering can cause a multitude of issues, including fungal disease. Look for signs that plants need water before watering. Slightly wilted leaves are a good indicator. Remember that the plant leaves themselves only need occasional watering to remove dust and sweep away insects. Lawns should receive about _” to 1” of water per week as a general guideline. This can be measured using a raingauge or estimated by putting a few small containers around the lawn to see how much water they collect. During the hottest periods, you can allow the lawns to slow down. If you want to cut lawn watering all together, you may allow your lawn to go dormant for the hot weather. For more extensive information on lawn maintenance visit american-lawns.com.
• Water plants closer to their roots. Use soak hoses and drip methods to help deliver the water where it is needed without wasting water. Delivering water slightly below the soil line helps make sure the water doesn’t evaporate and places it closer to the roots where it is needed. There are some great methods for watering potted plants too. One involves a water container or bucket with a hose-like attachment which links to a disperser in the pot to deliver water to the plant as it is needed. Another holds water in a container or bulb with a skinny opening at the bottom that is placed deep into the pot to deliver water by gravity when needed. Places like Gardeners Supply Company have these vacation watering systems available for purchase.
• Group plants according to water need to optimize the amount of water used in an area, especially when using automatic watering systems. Try to locate the plants with high watering needs close to the house so they are easier to reach with a hose.
• Plant more shrubs, more perennials, and fewer annuals. Generally, the larger the root system, the better the plant is able to obtain it’s own water. Annuals require the most maintenance.

The warmer weather has everyone enjoying the outdoors. Like it or not, the warmer weather also brings some amount of yard work. Regardless of whether you have a green thumb, there are things that you can do to help save the planet while saving money in the garden.

• Eliminate insect pests the natural way – no pesticides! Birds, Butterflies, Ladybugs and Praying Mantids are natural predators of most plant pests. Ladybugs and Praying Mantids are often for sale at garden stores, especially in the spring. To keep your purchase in the area, be sure to make your yard suitable for nesting. You can attract butterflies and other insect predators with specific plants like the Butterfly Bush or Buddleia. While birds are also attracted to Buddleia, they will be more likely to stay in your area longer if you provide water, food, and shelter. If you still need or desire a spray-on topical treatment to control your pests, look for the least toxic version, like one made with pyrethrum, which is derived from the Chrysanthemum flower.
• Plant drought tolerant, native plants. These plants will need less water and care, as they are suited to surviving in your area. They will also attract more beneficial insects and be better suited to fend off detrimental insects. A great site for determining the best plants for your area is enature. Local nurseries can also help point you in the right direction and may even offer seminars. Personally, one of my favorite drought tolerant plants is the Sedum.
• Control weeds without pesticides. Great natural weed killers include lemon juice, vinegar, and boiling water. Of course you need to research each ingredient to understand the impact on your soil and surrounding plants. For instance, a solution of salt, vinegar and dish soap can also be used. However, salt will change soil composition and may render your soil useless for some time. Consult treehugger and wikipedia to get some quick information on pesticide-free weed control.
• Mulch to conserve water and help control weeds. All landscaping should have 1 to 3 inches mulch to keep the soil cooler and preserve moisture to the plant. Consider using wood chips, pine needles, or grass clippings as mulch. Lawns can be mulched and fed by leaving the clippings after mowing.
• Use a manual mower. It will use less fuel while giving you a great workout. Hate mowing? Minimize the amount of grass you have using paving and drought-tolerant ground covers.
• Compost to use your organic discards effectively and build healthy soil. Rake a thin layer (1/4 inch) of compost into your lawn after aerating. Also mix compost into garden beds and around plants. Coffee grounds are great for both composting and fertilization. They are a slow release nitrogen fertilizer that works well with most plants and can be applied with little extra effort.
• Grow your own food. Avoid transportation costs and fuel usage by growing locally in your own garden. If you can’t grow your own food, shop at near-by farmers markets where the food is fresher and hasn’t traveled as far. It will likely be tastier too!
• Grow large trees by your house to help keep the house cool naturally.

Look for tips on effective watering in my next article.

What are your “green” gardening tips? Share them with us here!