I love challenges! Living Green is a day to day challenge - One that I am very excited about!
My husband and I try to live green and make green changes to set an example to our boys and also hope to rub off on our friends. The more we learn about living green, the more we understand ... this makes me think of that incredible National Geographic Add of "Live Curious" - definitely an award winning add!
Here is a bit about Umf Box living Green...
What is Organic
Why recycle
Plastics & Your Food
Why use Biodegradable
Eco Cooking
What Is Organics All About?
It's about producing goods that work in harmony with, and not against, nature. The aim is to eradicate the use of harmful chemicals by making effective use of nature's natural resources. All organic products are also free of genetically modified organisms (organisms that have had their basic gene structure modified by the addition of external organism genes).
Organic Farming
It is the process of adopting environmentally friendly farming practices that protect soil health, the environment and ultimately your own health. Converting to Organic Farming is very challenging and requires patient and committed farmers. Organic farming is subject to the unpredictability of mother nature - making it vulnerable to weather and pest infestations which have no "quick fix" solutions. Farmers utilise a blend of old and new technologies and scientific research to balance the earth's natural ecosystems.
Examples of organic farming methods include:
1) Rotating crops between fields. This helps keep pests from building up and improves soil fertility.
2) Planting selected bushes and flowers to attract beneficial insects which ward off unwanted pests.
3) Using biological insecticides which make use of pests' natural predators to control pest populations.
Organic farming produces nutrient rich, fertile soil which nourishes the plants. Keeping chemicals off the land protects water quality and wild life. It's also about practicing good animal welfare where everything from breeding, rearing and
handling, to feeding of animals is strictly regulated and a free range lifestyle is implemented.
Health Benefits of Organic Products
Over and above the environmental benefits, the health benefits are notable! The hazards for human health of consuming products contaminated by harmful pesticides include increased risks of cancer, reproductive problems and neurological
damage. Organically grown produce on the other hand is free of chemical residues, has a higher vitamin content and usually has more flavour.
How Can I Be Sure It's Organic
There are two levels of organic classification:
1) Organic Certification
2) Organic in Conversion
A Certified organic product means that the produce and the farming process has been inspected over a period of time by an independent specialist certification agency, to verify organic authenticity to the consumer. This process normally takes
place over a time frame of about 3 years. During the process, producers may communicate on products that they are "organic in conversion". These certification organisations provide assurance to the consumer that the products that claim to be organic, really do meet organic standards. There are several certification agencies that exist across the country. These include Eco Cert, SGS, Afrisco and The Soil Association.
Look for the certification seal or name of the certification agency label. When you see this claim, it means:
1) No harmful chemicals have been applied for at least 3 years.
2) The farmer and processor have annual certification inspections.
3) They have kept detailed records of their practices.
4) They use ecologically-friendly methods and substances to improve the soil and control pests.
Picture source: www.urbansprout.co.za
Why Recycle?
Recycling is one of the best ways for you to have a positive impact on the world in which we live. Recycling is important to both the natural environment and us. We must act fast as the amount of waste we create is increasing all the time.
The amount of rubbish we create is constantly increasing because:
1) Increasing wealth means that people are buying more products and ultimately creating more waste.
2) Increasing population means that there are more people on the planet to create waste.
3) New packaging and technological products are being developed, much of these products contain materials that are not biodegradable.
4) New lifestyle changes, such as eating fast food, means that we create additional waste that isn’t biodegradable.
Environmental Importance
Recycling is very important as waste has a huge negative impact on the natural environment.
1) Harmful chemicals and greenhouse gasses are released from rubbish in landfill sites. Recycling helps to reduce the pollution caused by waste.
2) Habitat destruction and global warming are some the affects caused by deforestation. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials so that the rainforests can be preserved.
3) Huge amounts of energy are used when making products from raw materials. Recycling requires much less energy and therefore helps to preserve natural resources.
Importance To People
Recycling is essential to cities around the world and to the people living in them.
1) No space for waste. Our landfill sites are filling up fast, by 2010, almost all landfills in the UK will be full.
2) Reduce financial expenditure in the economy. Making products from raw materials costs much more than if they were made from recycled products.
3) Preserve natural resources for future generations. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials; it also uses less energy, therefore preserving natural resources for the future.
What You Need to Know About Plastics and Your Food
There's no denying that plastic containers and water bottles make life easier. However have you ever considered if it is dangerous to combine these plastics with your food? Both the FDA and Health Canada warns that using plastic containers and wrap for anything than their original purpose can cause health problems. In most cases this means not reusing plastic containers or water bottles. The main concern is with food becoming contaminated due to leakage of the chemicals used to manufacture plastic, especially when the plastic is heated or damaged.
Depending on the type, plastics can contain bisphenol A (BPA), di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), di-2-ethylhexyladipate (DEHA) or polyvinyl chloride/PVC. While none of these chemicals are healthy for us, BPA is proving to be highly toxic, linked to different cancers along with endocrine and hormone disruption.
H20 and Plastic
Most plastic water bottles are intended for one time use only and will not hold up to everyday wear or being washed in hot water. The most popular brands use #1 polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET). PET is often touted as the guiltfree
plastic because it's recyclable. But according to the Container Recycling Institute, 86 percent of plastic water bottles used in the United States alone ends up in a landfill or becomes litter.
Water bottles made from #3 polyvinyl chloride/PVC are even worse. This plastic easily leaks BPA, DEHP and DEHA chemicals when heated, washed or exposed to acidic foods. Hard plastic bottles, such as the coloured Nalgene Lexan sports bottles, made from #7 plastic (polycarbonate), can also leak BPA, especially if scratched or put through the dishwasher. Aluminum bottles are considered safer alternatives.
Re-usable Plastic Containers
Disposable plastic utensils (forks, spoons, knives), cups and containers (cottage cheese, sour cream, chip dip, margarine, milk) should never be used again since they will start to break down almost immediately. Avoid any containers made with #6 polystyrene since it leaks styrene, which attacks the central nervous system and can cause headaches, fatigue, dizziness, confusion and drowsiness.
The safest containers are made from #2 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), #4 low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or #5 polypropylene (PP). Always let food cool before storing it into plastic containers and throw out any visibly damaged, stained or unpleasant smelling containers. If you have concerns store your food in glass or ceramic containers.
Plastics and the Microwave
Never use plastic bowls or wrap in the microwave unless labeled as microwave safe. This label means the plastic can withstand high temperatures without melting, warping or leaking chemicals. If neither the item nor the package is marked,
it's best to use a different container. If you are at all concerned then use wax paper to cover the food or use microwave safe ceramics or glass.
The Harvard Medical School makes the following recommendations for using plastic in the microwave to heat food:
1)Most takeout containers, water bottles, and plastic tubs or jars made to hold margarine, yogurt, whipped topping, and foods such as cream cheese, mayonnaise, and mustard are not microwave-safe.
2) Microwavable takeout dinner trays are formulated for one-time use only and will say so on the package.
3) Before microwaving food, be sure to vent the container: Leave the lid ajar, or lift the edge of the cover.
4) Don't allow plastic wrap to touch food during microwaving because it may melt. Wax paper, kitchen parchment paper, or white paper towels are alternatives.
Why use biodegradable?
Conventional plastic is made from a mixture of oil and toxic chemicals. It can take up to 500 years to "degrade" and releasing poisonous toxins into the ground, polluting rivers, harming wildlife and scaring our beautiful landscape.
Biodegradable packaging is sustainable, contains no harmful chemicals and can compost in just 12 weeks given optimum composting conditions.
By switching your packaging to biodegradable, your business can substantially reduce its environmental impact. As a direct result of your action, tonnes of toxic oil-based plastic packaging currently produced as a result of your business activity, would be saved from landfill sites across the Northern Ireland countryside.
What does "biodegradable" mean?
The term "Biodegradable" refers to a material that breaks down naturally into organic components as a result of exposure to moisture, heat and naturally occurring micro-organisms. The time it takes a material to degrade depends on it's size, genetic make-up and the level of exposure it has to these three factors.
What does "compostable" mean?
The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) defines materials as "compostable" if they can degrade in a compost site. They must break down into carbon dioxide, water and organic matter at a similar rate to other naturally occurring materials (e.g. cellulose in plants). Disintegration is important - the resulting particles must be very small. They must also leave no toxic residue. The compost must not contain heavy metals or other toxins, and be useful as organic fertilizer.
Eco Cooking
'Green' your cooking.
From your choice of food ingredients to your cooking methods and utensils take an eco-stand in the Kitchen for lower energy consumption, a healthier family and a happier planet.
THE FOOD
1) Buy food that is in season, local, and organic when possible. Check out your local Farmer's Market.
2) Don't forget to bring your own bags when grocery shopping!
COOKING
1) When it comes to energy consumption, a gas stove requires less energy for stove top cooking. Gas stoves with an electric ignition (piezo) will use 40% less gas than one with a continuous pilot light.
2) However, when compared to baking or oven use, an electric stove proves the better option. Convection stoves may be the best choice of all, as they can cook in half the time and with much lower temperatures. Less energy is used BUT
these stoves are quite expensive and you may need to replace your cookware (copper, aluminium and glass can't be used).
4) Your most environmentally friendly cooking option- the microwave. Microwaves use between one-fifth and one-half as much energy as conventional stoves.
This table from the Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings compares the cost of cooking a casserole in several ways.
Appliance
Temperature
Time
Energy
Electric Oven
350
1 hour
2.0 kWh
Electric Convection Oven
325
45 minutes
1.39 kWh
Gas Oven
350
1 hour
112 therm
Electric Frying Pan
420
1 hour
9 kWh
Toaster Oven
425
50 minutes
95 kWh
Electric Crockpot
200
7 hours
7 kWh
Microwave Oven
"High"
15 minutes
36 kWh
KITCHEN TOOLS
1) Do not buy new non-stick cookware, and consider replacing old non-stick cookware. Many of the chemicals used in non-stick cookware don't break down in the environment. They persist for long periods of time, and are absorbed by seals and other wildlife, with unknown consequences. Within five minutes on a conventional stovetop, non-stick cookware can be heated to the point that the coating starts to break apart and emit toxic particles and gases (Environmental Working Group).
2) Buy stainless steel or cast iron cookware.
3) Buy bamboo utensils instead of plastic utensils.
THE ACTUAL COOKING
1) If you are cooking something like pasta and vegetables, consider steaming the vegetables over the pot of water you are boiling to cook the noodles.
2) Use the appropriate burner size for the pot or pan you are using. Don't put a small pot on the large burner.
3) When boiling potatoes (or something similar)- cut them into smaller pieces, which helps them to cook faster and reduces cooking time.
THE CLEAN UP
1) Consider composting your food scraps.
2) Dishwashers use less water than washing dishes by hand, but you should only run them when they are full. And skip the pre-rinse!
3) Use phosphate free dish soap.
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