For whatever way you plan to spend your tax return, you should find a helpful article in our Green Checklist.

Like millions of other Americans, you may planning on spending your tax return instead of paying down debt or saving it (or some combination of all three). If so, remember there’s more than one “eco” conscious consideration. In addition to being eco-nomical, your spending decisions can and should eco-friendly too (i.e., green).

For whatever way you plan to spend your tax return, you should find a helpful article in our Green Checklist, particularly for:

1) Home Improvements. Major upgrades to your house will do little to increase its resale value in today’s housing market. However, there are a number of ways to make small home improvements here and there that will prove immediately invaluable investments for your family and the environment:

• Eco-Friendly Appliances
• Eco-Friendly Bed and Bath
• Eco-Friendly Kitchen
• Formaldehyde-Free Cabinets
• Recycled Kitchen Countertops
• Energy Efficient Lighting Solutions
• Organic, Natural and Dye-Free Fabrics
• Sustainable and Recycled Flooring Products
• Eco-Friendly Paint
• Environmentally Friendly Wallpaper
• Reclaimed Wood Furniture

2) Everyday Items. Whether you buy ready-made products or the materials to do-it-yourself, explore all the ways you can green your everyday shopping habits:

• Organic Food
• Green Beauty Products
• Eco-Friendly Clothing
• Green Baby
• Green Pets
• Eco-Friendly Landscaping
• Non-Toxic Cleaning Products
• Green Office and School Supplies

3) Vacation. How you travel, what you bring, and what you do when you get there are all worthy of your eco-conscious consideration:

• Green Travel, From Airlines to Cruise Ships
• Green Camping

For regularly updated tips and news on eco-friendly living, subscribe to our blog.

Meredith Simonds Green Economy, Green Living

Four new wind turbines will now produce 2 1/2 times as much energy as the original 10 at the UK's first commercial wind farm.

After 20 years of service, the first wind turbines installed in the UK’s first commercial wind farm are being replaced with newer, more efficient models. In fact, the newer versions are so efficient they only need half the number of turbines to produce two-and-half times as much energy!

Ten turbines have been in operation at the Delabole Windfarm in Cornwall since its operations began in 1991.

According to Delabole’s website:

The 10 turbines have an annual output of about 12 million Kw hours, which equals 1 years consumption by 2700 average homes (a small town).

To produce the same amount of electricity by convential means, about 2000 tonnes of oil or 5000 tonnes of coal would have to be burnt each year, producing 12000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 120 tonnes of sulpher and nitrous oxides.

Now just four wind turbines will produce two-and-half times as much energy as the original 10 – enough to power 7,000 homes. How is this possible? They’re twice as tall, standing at 325 feet.

I recently wrote an article for AltFuels Now about wind turbine blade recycling, so I’m pleased to hear that the windfarm’s original 10 turbines won’t be going to waste. According to the latest report on Delabole’s website, half of the old wind turbines have come down and are waiting for transport to “their new home.”

The average lifespan of wind turbines is 20 to 25 years, so Delabole’s retirement of its original 10 turbines is right on the mark – the beginning of what will ultimately become a mass turnover of aging wind turbines all around the world.

For turbines that cannot be reused elsewhere, recycling the parts is essential. However, existing recycling processes are complex and expensive. And though improving the recycling methods of existing wind turbine blades is important, what will prove more beneficial in the long run is shifting the focus to the exploration of new materials for wind turbines that have yet to be built (i.e., materials that are more easily recyclable). Read more about wind turbine recycling.

Meredith Simonds Wind Power Cornwall, Delabole Windfarm, first commercial wind farm, Recycling, UK, wind energy, wind turbine blade recycling, wind turbines

America's Great Outdoors will set aside $900 million for conservation projects on public lands.

Though our Green Checklist touches on the importance of making eco-friendly choices in the great outdoors – from gardening, to camping, to traveling – President Obama’s new “America’s Great Outdoors” program is a fine reminder that we need to up the ante.

America’s Great Outdoors will set aside $900 million for conservation projects on public lands. Beyond the obvious environmental goals, the President says the program will focus on the health benefits of spending time outdoors, and the creation of jobs related to tourism and recreation.

As stated in the official Presidential Memorandum on America’s Great Outdoors, the goals of the program are as follows:

1) Reconnect Americans, especially children, to America’s rivers and waterways, landscapes of national significance, ranches, farms and forests, great parks, and coasts and beaches by exploring a variety of efforts, including:

• Promoting community-based recreation and conservation, including local parks, greenways, beaches, and waterways;

• Advancing job and volunteer opportunities related to conservation and outdoor recreation; and

• Supporting existing programs and projects that educate and engage Americans in our history, culture, and natural bounty.

2) Build upon State, local, private, and tribal priorities for the conservation of land, water, wildlife, historic, and cultural resources, creating corridors and connectivity across these outdoor spaces, and for enhancing neighborhood parks; and determine how the Federal Government can best advance those priorities through public private partnerships and locally supported conservation strategies.

3) Use science-based management practices to restore and protect our lands and waters for future generations.

In anticipation of anyone who objects to this sort of investment during a time of national economic hardship, President Obama notes this. During the Civil War, Lincoln set aside land for Yosemite National Park, and during the Great Depression, Roosevelt invested in restoration of Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty.

That said, something does strike me as rather curious about this program. Much of the money will be used to buy private land for public use. I’m all for more open spaces, but do we really want the federal government owning more and private citizens owning less?

Meredith Simonds Conservation America's Great Outdoors, camping, Conservation, Eco-Friendly, federal funding, gardening, green checklist, Obama, President Obama, traveling

CleanMetrics' new food carbon calculator is not without its shortcomings, but it's a big step in the right direction toward calculating your food carbon footprint.

If you’ve ever used online carbon calculators, you know they’re not exact. There are simply too many variables in all our lives to account for everything that’s contributing to our carbon footprint.

Chief among the weaknesses in carbon calculations is food, but CleanMetrics’ new carbon calculator for food emissions is looking to make a difference. And to a certain extent, it does.

As reported by Treehugger, CleanMetrics’ Food Carbon Emissions Calculator comes through where other carbon calculators fall short.

First of all, it breaks food down by category, specifically beans, dairy, fish, shellfish, fruits, grains, meat, poultry, nuts, oils, fats and vegetables.

Once you’ve entered the category of food, and selected the specific food itself, the calculator asks for transport distance, how much you purchased and how much waste it creates. (The production region is defaulted to North America).

This information generates three separate carbon scores:

1. Food production footprint
2. Food transport footprint
3. Food waste footprint

But the CleanMetrics calculator fails to live up to Treehugger’s headline. It does not, in fact, calculate “your diet’s true footprint.” At least not if you eat ANY organic food.

As stated on its website, the CleanMetrics food emissions calculator only assesses the carbon footprint of conventionally-grown food. That seems a glaring error as those most interested in calculating our footprint in the first place are probably those for whom eating organic is a priority.

Also, 95 percent of the agricultural food included in the calculator is limited to North American sources only. Granted, we should all be buying as close to home as possible, but most of us buy at least some food shipped in from overseas.

Bottom line – CleanMetrics is on the right track. Expand the calculator to include organic food and food shipped in from overseas, and it’s darn-near perfect.

Give the CleanMetrics calculator a try and let us know what you think. As you’ll see, it’s refreshingly specific about calculating your carbon emissions for specific items, but if you’re looking for a total of food emissions, you’ll have to add that up yourself. And remember, if you’re eating organic, your scores are lower than those reported, though it’s not clear by how much.

You may also want to try some other carbon calculators. If you have a favorite not on our list, please let us know.

Meredith Simonds Carbon Footprint carbon calculator, carbon calculators, carbon emissions, carbon footprint, CleanMetrics, food carbon emissions, food carbon emissions calculator, organic food, transportation, waste, weight

A Canadian recycling company has created a revolutionary new e-waste recycling process that should serve as a model for the e-waste rich U.S.

As Canada clamps down on e-waste recycling requirements, one Canadian recycling company is determined to make all the extra business turn a decent profit. Thus, Sims Recycling Solutions’ introduction of revolutionary new e-waste recycling technology that should serve as an eco-friendly model for the e-waste-rich U.S.

Borrowing from technology used in regular recycling processes (like optical scanners and metal separating machines), as well as its own unique system, the Sims Recycling process looks something like this:

1. Remove toxic materials from e-waste collections (i.e., fluorescent light bulbs and batteries)

2. From a single stream of electronics – from TVs, to computers, to cell phones – shred the e-waste material

3. Separate the material using optical scanners, x-rays, magnets and eddy currents

• Magnets select and separate metals
• Optical scanners identify translucent materials for the separation of glass
• X-rays allow for the separation of glass with lead from regular glass

4. Quality assurance workers oversee the process, catching any problems along the way

As reported by Treehugger’s Jaymi Heimbuch, this system will enable Sims Recycling to process and resell 75,000 metric tons of e-waste every year. Yet as impressive and necessary as this may be, Heimbuch reminds us that the ideal we should be striving for starts long before an electronics product arrives at a recycling center.

“Smart tech for recycling plants is a must-have for a future filled with obsolete gadgets,” writes Heimbuch, “but even more exciting than automated recycling with cool optical sensors sorting conveyor belts filled with shredded electronics, is the process of designing that obsolescence right out of the device in the first place.”

Of course, as a consumer you have plenty of power to do your part too. Instead of trading in that barely used cell phone, laptop or TV for the hottest new model, try keeping your electronics a little longer. And if you simply cannot resist the temptation to buy into the latest greatest gadget, give or sell your old model to a friend or via an online store, like Amazon or eBay.

In other words, only when electronics run their natural course (i.e., don’t work anymore) should they be discarded. In that case, find an e-waste recycling center near you.

Meredith Simonds Recycling Canada, e-waste, e-waste recycling, Eco-Friendly, eddy currents, electronics, magnets, optical scanners, Recycling, recycling process, Sims Recycling Solutions, x-rays

If you are looking to green every aspect of your life, that means considering more eco-friendly flower choices.

From Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, to birthdays and anniversaries, fresh cut flowers are at the top of most everyone’s gift list, especially of the rose variety. But if you are looking to green every aspect of your life, that means considering more eco-friendly flower choices.

As reported by Scientific American, the demand for 100 million roses in the U.S. for Valentine’s Day alone amounts to 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

Why is the carbon footprint for roses so high?

Because 80 percent of roses in the U.S. market are grown in South America and transported in via gas-guzzling means - not only thanks to the length of the journey, but also the conditions under which the roses must be kept. They’re kept in cold boxes, as they start to wilt above 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

Add on the environmental impact of pesticides used to care for most conventionally-grown flowers and a dozen red roses doesn’t sound so romantic or thoughtful after all. 

Fortunately, you have plenty of green giving alternatives.

As much as one-third of fresh cut flowers are grown in the U.S. so check with your local florist for what’s in season. And be sure to consider potted plants that last many times longer (if not indefinitely), which is always the goal when it comes to making environmentally-friendly choices as a consumer.

Whatever route you go with flowers and plants for special occassions, buy local when you can and look for labels like “sustainable,” “fairtrade” and “organic.”

Of course, there’s nothing greener than giving flowers and plants grown in your very own backyard. Click here for tips on green gardening at home.

Meredith Simonds Green Living anniversaries, birthdays, carbon footprint, Eco-Friendly, fairtrade, fresh cut flowers, green, green gardening, Mother's Day, organic, pesticides, roses, South America, sustainable, Valentine's Day

Take the time to find green alternatives for all your V-Day faves - from candy and flowers, to jewelry and candles - for every Valentine on your list.

Giving should come from the heart, especially on Valentine’s Day, so don’t neglect your eco-conscious core. Take the time to find green alternatives for all your V-Day faves – from candy and flowers, to jewelry and candles.

1. Organic, fairtrade chocolates. These days, you should have no trouble finding organic, fairtrade chocolates in local stores. Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods are sure bets, but you may even have some luck in your corner grocery store.

2. Potted plants from your local nursery. Everyone loves getting fresh flowers, but hates watching them die. Organic potted flowers and plants from your local nursery are the ideal alternative. They live many times longer (if not indefinitely) and aren’t trucked via gas-guzzling transportation from hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of miles away.

3. Cards made from recycled paper and non-toxic inks. As with eco-friendly chocolate, you should have little trouble finding recycled, non-toxic greeting cards in your Trader Joe’s or other local market.

4. Romantic, homecooked dinner made from local organic produce. The day of the big night, hit your local farmer’s market for healthy dishes your honey will love.

5. Homemade sweets for your sweetie. Cookies, cakes and candies made with your own two hands will hit the heart of any Valentine on your list. Just be sure to use organic unbleached flour, raw unprocessed sugar (or sugar alternative like honey or agave nectar), organic free-range eggs (or vegan egg replacer), and other organic ingredients as needed.

6. Organic fairtrade wine. As with chocolates and cards, organic fairtrade wine should be easy to find in your Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods Market, or even at the local grocery store.

7. Organic perfume/cologne. The last thing you want to do on Valentine’s Day is saturate your sweetie in toxic chemicals. Look for a natural, organic brand of perfume or cologne, or make your own out of carrier and essential oils.

8. Sustainable, fairtrade jewelry. Unless you live in a major metropolitan area, finding sustainable fairtrade jewelry in a local store could prove tough, so an online search is probably your best bet. That said, check out your local antique stores and go vintage for your Valentine.

9. Undergarments made from natural organic fabrics. As with jewelry, finding eco-friendly lingerie, boxers and briefs could prove tough in your local stores but a Google search should turn up plenty of online results.

10. Organic bath and body products. Just about every store these days has a natural beauty section, from soaps and powders, to lotions and gels. Or you can always make your own bath and body products from common, easy-to-find ingredients.

11. Natural vegetable wax candles made with organic essential oils. Traditional candles are made from paraffin, a derivative of petroleum. Soy wax is a particularly popular alternative available in most stores today, though try to find those scented with natural essential oils.

For him, for her … for Mom, for Dad … for brothers, sisters and best friends, you’re sure to find the perfect good green gifts for all your Valentines.

Meredith Simonds Green Economy, Green Living

In recent weeks, thieves have stolen at least $40 million worth of European Union carbon credit certificates.

As with anything labeled “eco-friendly,” we encourage the informed, thoughtful purchase of carbon credits. In fact, we’ve devoted a number of articles to the subject, including carbon credit criticisms, to which another should be added to the list – susceptibility to black market forces.

As reported by Treehugger, in recent weeks thieves have infiltrated a number of carbon registries in the European Union, stealing at least $40 million worth of carbon credit certificates. If unrecovered and sold through the black market, thousands of people may be duped into buying these illegally-obtained certificates.

In response, the European Union shut down the market, but yesterday asked the registries to reopen – no big surprise as the EU carbon market is a lucrative one and, in fact, the largest carbon market in the world.

To protect yourself against carbon credit fraud in all its forms, purchase your certificates as follows….

When buying carbon offsets, choose companies that adhere to the strictest standards, including third-party 1) certification, 2) verification and 3) auditing of projects that are:

• Real – offsets that have already occurred.
• Additional – offsets that would not have occurred without the offset project.
• Permanent – lasting or guaranteed to be replaced should losses occur.
• Verifiable – offsets that can be quantified, monitored and verified.

Avoid any company that judges its offsets on the “performance standard”. Instead of limiting projects to those that would not be possible without the carbon market, the performance standard counts as offsets any reduction of energy that is below a certain benchmark. Yes, the project may be one that is environmentally-friendly, but it is one that would have happened anyway, regardless of carbon market support.

For more info, see our comprehensive collection of carbon credit articles.

Meredith Simonds Carbon Credits carbon credits