By Debra Frick

Well, it’s that time again when we are all sitting cozy and warm, dreaming of the day when we can turn over the soil for the first time and get our vegetable gardens going. The catalogs are a steady stream in the mail and we can hardly wait to plant that new award winning tomato. But what if you don’t have a garden?, With all the emphasis on getting more vegetables in our diets, maybe you are thinking that this just might be the year that you decide to put in your first garden. I gotta tell you, there is something great about getting in the soil and planting seeds and watching over your garden until you see the fruits of your labors. Nothing in this world tastes better than a tomato that you grew yourself. Or maybe you’re wanting to teach your children about the miracles that occur when seeds are planted and the life cycle of plants.
Whatever your reason, I am going to tell you some of the basics you will need to know to have a successful garden and, believe me, it is not as hard as you might think. With a little planning and some thought, you will have produce that you can eat all summer long. You can also investigate organic gardening on the internet and your local library. Most of the tips I will give you are going to be organic or “green”. I don’t like to use chemicals in my garden even for the bugs. I feel like it defeats the whole purpose of having a garden.

Making Your Garden Bed
Ok, let’s get started! First you need to decide where you are going to put your garden. It needs to have lots of sun and a southern exposure is best. Is the area that you want to plant in covered with lawn? Well, we will deal with that in a minute. First, measure your space and then get some graph paper and plot it out. Make sure you take into account where existing plants are already and where the fences are on your property. Fences can be a help or a hindrance, a help in that you can let some of your vine plants grow up the fence and a hindrance if they shade part of your garden but you can always plant cool loving plants there in the shade, like spinach and lettuce. Now stake out your area. To get rid of the grass, all you need to do is lay down a thick layer of newspaper and weight it down with rocks. Water this every day and, in a couple of weeks, the newspaper will have smothered your grass and you will be ready to turn everything, newspaper included, over into your soil. You are going to need to dig down about 8-10 inches unless you want to grow potatoes, then you will need to go down at least a foot because potatoes grow underneath the plant. Ok, now you have your dirt exposed and you will need to figure out what kind it is. What I mean is you could have sand or clay and, if you are really lucky, you will just have plain old dirt. Most garden centers or your county extension office will test your soil for you and tell you what amendments you will need. By amendments, I mean compost or manure or peat moss or maybe even sand.
What To Plant
Now comes the fun part, picking out what you would like to grow. Since this is your first garden, I would pick 4-5 different easy to grow things. Some suggestions would be lettuce, spinach, carrots, onions, and tomatoes. Now everyone grows squash in their gardens and they are very easy to grow but unless you love zucchini or have family and friends that will take your overflow, I would stick to one or two plants of these. Herbs are also very easy to grow and they also make pretty landscaping for your yard, if that is what you would like to grow. Herbs don’t even require you to have a real garden, they can be planted in your flower beds along with your annuals. I love going to my garden center to pick out my plants but plants can be started indoors with seeds if that is something you are willing to do. I prefer to go to the gardening center so I can buy varieties that are know to grow here in Colorado. But I love my seed catalogs also and the ones I get are free. Here are a few web sites where you can request catalogs. These are the ones I prefer but there are lots and lots of catalogs out there that you can request, some even carry heirloom seeds that your grandmother and grandfather used to plant in their gardens.
Burgess Seed and Plant Company and Farmer’s Seed and Nursery both have websites where you can order a catalog or order direct from them. http://www.DirectGardening.com and my other choice is Gurney’s seed and Nursery Co. http://www.Gurneys.com. I found them fair and reliable and they all have a one year guarantee on all plants that you buy from them. Try and pick varieties that you have seen growing at your local garden center if possible but there are many varieties that will grow in your area that you can only get from the seed companies. I still laugh when I remember when I called my local extension office and asked if we could grow Pecan trees here. He said sure they would grow here but I would not get any nuts. I asked why and was told that it did not get cold enough here. He told me I could try though, that some parts of our county did get cold enough and other parts did not. My point here is that your county extension office can be your best friend and most even have master gardener programs, if you would love to do that. Also, whether you are ordering from a catalog or buying from your garden center, check growing times. This is important, you would hate to have your first pumpkins to only get so big before the first frost kills them off.

Planting Time
Ok now you have your plants and seeds and you are ready to plant. Read the backs of your seed packages very carefully because these will explain how to plant and how far apart to plant your seeds. Also seed packets always have handy tips to go along with the planting instructions. If you are planning on growing carrots or other tiny seeds, use a old salt shaker. Put the seeds in the shaker and just shake your way down your rows. Follow the directions on the plant stakes that come with your seedlings. They also will tell you how far apart to grow your vegetables. Once your seeds are planted, lightly water your whole garden. The best time for planting seeds is in the morning and it is best to plant seedlings in the cool of the evening. Now give the whole garden a light watering. Plants need a lot of water for the first couple of weeks. Once you see that your plants are growing big and strong, you will want to mulch your garden. This helps to keep down weeds. Now here in Colorado where we grow cattle, getting some old hay or straw to mulch with is not a big deal. In other areas of the country, you might want to use wood chips or sawdust. Again check with your county extension office or your garden center on what would be best for your area. We have also used old newspapers for mulch. Now is the time to drag out that old hose that was leaking to make a drip irrigation system. This is really easy. With a large nail or awl, make holes at intervals in your hose on one side. Then lay the hose between your rows. Cover with mulch and attach the hose to your spigot and turn the water on to very low dribble. Now your plants are being watered continueously and you don’t have to worry about watering.
Garden Pests
Now there will come a time in your growing season that the bugs are going to make their appearance. They will love your vegetables as much as you will but here are some easy things that you can do that will kill those pesky creatures and keep your plants safe from nasty chemicals. Tomato bugs and worms can be killed by handpicking them off and dropping them into an old coffee can filled with water or beer. Soapy water sprayed on plants will kill aphids and other little plant sucking bugs. Try to stay away from chemicals if you can, they poison our earth and our soil. You can keep ants out of your garden by surrounding the perimeter with cayenne pepper.
Harvest Time
Now it is time to harvest, I hope you enjoy your vegetables as much as I enjoyed writing this very basic guide for you. Remember to keep it “green” and have fun! You may find that this art of gardening becomes your passion.

About The Author: Debra Frick is a mother of 5 and a grandmother to 8 grandsons and one granddaughter. She is a published author and poetress. Recycling and saving money are her passions. She also loves crocheting and cooking. She is also a pet rescue volunteer and has many pets of her own.

By Michelle Mukatis Culitvate Health

I‘ll bet most of you haven’t eaten many turnips in your lives. They grow bitter as they mature and are not widely cultivated, so not highly available. Try a baby turnip, coming into season in early June, and you’ll be hooked. Sweet, juicy and crunchy, you don’t need to cook them to enjoy their flavor. The edible greens are a great substitute for spinach. Color ranges from white to purple-tinged.

Turnips are high in vitamins A, C, E and K as well as folate, iron, manganese and calcium. An interesting note: lower amounts of calcium are found in vegetable sources, however what is there is more absorbable than that in protein and dairy sources, a good thing for vegetarians! Turnips are also a good source of other trace vitamins and minerals and provide excellent dietary fiber and protein.

Turnips grow in rich well-drained soil. They do well in the same bed with onions and peas. Plant seeds as soon as the soil can be worked. Turnips can handle light freezes. Because they are a brassica, rotate related crops so that they are not grown in the same location more than once every three years. The seed packet gives the best planting advice.

Harvest when the roots are 3” or less in diameter. Turnips less than an inch in diameter, can be eaten without peeling. Peel the more mature ones. Then roast, steam lightly, add to pot pies and stews or cook and mash them with potatoes.

If you grow for greens, harvest them while the roots are less than an inch in diameter or greens can be bitter. Steam or sauté the greens, just as you would spinach.

Turnip Parsnip Gratin
Cooking Light, November 2009
8 servings (serving size: 1 gratin)
A mandoline will slice the veggies into uniform thickness and make quick work of it. Use a flavorful aged Gruyère cheese.

3 ¾ c. (1/8-inch-thick) slices peeled turnip
3 ¾ c. (1/8-inch-thick) slices peeled parsnip
6 c. water
Cooking spray
1 c. whole milk
1/3 c. fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
2 T. all-purpose flour
1 t. kosher salt
½ t. freshly ground black pepper
1 c. (4 oz.) shredded Gruyère cheese
2 T. butter
¼ c. panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

1. Preheat oven to 400°. Meanwhile, combine first 3 ingredients in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 7 minutes or until almost tender. Drain; let stand 5 minutes. Arrange about½ c. vegetable mixture into each of 8 (5 ½”) round gratin dishes coated with cooking spray.

2. Combine milk, broth, flour, salt, and pepper in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a simmer. Cook 4 minutes, stirring constantly with a whisk until thick. Remove from heat; add cheese, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Spoon about 3 tablespoons sauce over each serving.
3. Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add panko; toast 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over cheese mixture. Place dishes on a baking sheet. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information: Calories: 196, Fat: 8.8g (sat 5.1g,mono 2.5g,poly 0.5g), Protein: 7.6g, Carbohydrate: 22.8g, Fiber: 5.3g, Cholesterol: 26mg, Iron: 0.9mg, Sodium: 424mg, Calcium: 236mg
Through Cultivate Health, Michele Mukatis works with individuals who want to improve their health and the health of the planet through gardening, both for landscape beauty and edibles.  She can be reached at www.CultivateHealthColorado.com

By Michele Mukatis, Cultivate Health

There are studies proving that organic produce is more nutritious than conventional. Conversely, there are studies that prove the opposite. In light of that, here are other compelling reasons why you might want to switch to purchasing organic produce.

#1 Organic produce does not use chemical pesticides. Truly, pesticides are meant to kill. There is every possibility that ingesting foods laden with pesticides will compromise your body and could even kill the “friendly” bacteria in your gut that helps you digest food.

Additionally, many pesticides used on crops are dangerous to human health. Many farm laborers on conventional farms must wear protective clothing or they become sick.

#2 Chemical fertilizers are not allowed on organic fields. Chemical fertilizers deplete the topsoil because they give nothing back to the soil and do not promote soil health. The run-off from chemical fertilizers has created a huge dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, which, in turn, compromises the fish we eat. In order to have healthy soil, we need to add back what we take away, which is where compost stars. Additionally, farms
 grazing livestock that use their lands for crop production are healthier than those growing a monocrop with no natural inputs to give back to the soil. Healthy soil means healthy plants that can take better care of themselves when an infestation occurs. 
#3 Organic produce is not genetically modified. We do not know if GMOs are safe for consumption. The crops with the highest GMO use are soy, corn, wheat, rice and cotton, some of which are in most processed products. Because of the health problems our population is facing, it’s a good idea to avoid GMOs until we truly know they are safe.

#4 Organic Foods are actually less expensive. When you consider damage to human health and the environment, we pay somewhere along the line. Most conventional foods are artificially inexpensive because they are subsidized by the government, so you’re still paying for them, just not in the checkout line.
Get to know a local farmer and consider helping on the farm. It’s healthy for your body to be outside and do physical labor and it creates a connection to where your food comes from, the best reason for going organic! 
© May 2010, Cultivate Health LLC, All Rights Reserved Through Cultivate Health Michelle works with people  who want to improve their health an call to schedule a free Health History consultation or to talk about gardening, both for landscape beauty and edibles. www.CultivateHealthColorado.com

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark begins December 7 through the 18th.  In anticipation of the conference, developing countries are making their stances on their percentage decrease and the 2020 deadline.  Upset that the industrial countries are not commitmenting equally.

What will happen during this Conference, is anyone’s quess. Since this Conference is happening days before Christmas, maybe just maybe we can believe in miracles.

Below please find a press release from the artist, Jens Galschiot.  We got to know him during the 2008 Olympics in Peking, posting his “Orange” articles in support of the Chinese dissadents.

This article is about his visual artwork, the red alarm.  Thousands of red LED lamps will  be place along the 7-meter stretch, designed to warn viewers of what will happen when the water will rise.

Red Alarm in Copenhagen

Thousands of red LED lamps will mark a 7-meters water rising during the COP15 climate summit. The art happening Sevenmeters.net is a visualisation by Jens Galschiot, about how Copenhagen will look like, when all the ice of Greenland has melted away.

Galschiot and his volunteers, armed with long ladders, will this Saturday and Sunday hang up the LED lamps. They will start by the three big ‘refugees’ on Vejlands Allé / Ørestads Boulevard by the Bella Center. The 2,000 LED lamps are specially made in the artist’s workshop of bicycle lamps, which are soldered and glued together with extra batteries, so the will be able to blink constantly during the meeting.

The artist, who is well-known for his poignant – yet audience-friendly, art manifestations, got the permission to put up all of the blinking lights in a 7 meter line above daily water, around the lakes and in the whole channel area in the center of Copenhagen, and along the roads to the Bella Center.  Galschiot hopes that the red blinking LED-lights will be some sort of an international grassroots’ symbol of the climate catastrophe.

With the happening Galschiot will visualize that when the water rises and drought expands, there will be many places where people no longer will be able to stay. For example the isle of Amager, where the Climate Summit is held, will be 5 meters under water, if Greenland’s ice melts. If the ice of Antarctica also melts, the water will rise another 75 meters, so the peaks of the mountains will be in great demand, and there are not plenty of them in Denmark.

”With this manifestation I will highlight the climate crisis, and the fact, that it is not only a problem for the polar bears and the nature. The global warming may be a catastrophe for humanity. UN says that over 200 million refugees will be a reality in the next 40 years.

The refugees will trigger a giant demographic crisis, with risks of closing the national borders and beginning an ‘all against all fight, to protect our territory against the refugees, which our own CO2 leak has created. A frightening scenario that will put our humanistic and democratic civilisation under intense pressure, so that war and rise of totalitarian systems might be the consequence. This is the legacy that we will leave to our children!” Galschiot says.

At the venue of the climate summit there will also be red blinking LED lamps. Small badges will be given to the delegates, so they can use them as a silent indicator about how seriously they take the climate crisis.

About the artist

The SevenMeters art events can be seen November 13 – December 19.  www.SevenMeters.net will have up-to-date pictures of the event.  The site was started by Jens Galschiot. His art installations highlight the climate issue from different angles, in cooperation with different players, such as www.peoplesclimateaction.dk  and www.Illumenarts.dk.  The focus is put on the consequences for the people on earth and the impact of the demographic changes for our society. 

The Sculptures

• The pulse of the earth (by Bella Centre metro station, the entrance to COP15). The 4½ high sculpture ’The Messenger’ counts the new climate refugees on a display, while the water graves under the metro are filled with human sized ‘Hunger Boys’. The entire installation and the actual metro are covered in red, pulsating LED-light, which follows the geological ‘pulse’ of the earth and is more than 300 metres long.

• ’Freedom to Pollute’ (The big hill at Amager Fælled). A 6 metres high copy of the Statue of Liberty which sends out smoke from the torch.

• Wandering Refugees (by Bella centre) are three 10 metres high sculptures with copper faces, which represent African women with long dresses in screaming colours. They are standing on a savannah-like area reminding us of the female refugees in Sudan. 

• Survival of the Fattest’ (in the water next to The little Mermaid). The sculpture confronts ‘The little Mermaid and the Danish self-perception with the goddess of justice of the real world.

• Balancing Act’ (at the Christiansborg palace square and other places) is 10 statues, each balancing on 7-15 metres high piles. They have been made in connection to the UN’s Decade of Education for sustainable Development (2005-2014) in cooperation with Eco-net.dk. 

• 7 meters line in Copenhagen (only 6-18 December) is a visualization of the 7 metres rising in the sea level if all the ice on Greenland melts. On a 24 kilometers long distance in Copenhagen thousands of blinking red lights mark the potential new water level in the height of 7 meters

Jens Galschiot can be reached through his website, www.aidoh.dk, or emailed at aidoh@aidoh.dk

By Robert J. Posch
We are quickly approaching the much dreaded “Flu” season once again.  Normally, the “flu” targets citizens over 65. However, the new H1N1 virus, or Swine Flu primarily spreads among the high risk population indiscriminately targeting any age group.  This makes any building vulnerable to the Swine Flu, especially facilities with multi-tenant offices and public restrooms. 

Your first line of defense to defeating the spread of Swine Flu, and other disease, is effective on-site sanitation.  You want your restrooms, phones, door handles and all skin contact areas to be disinfected by trained people.  The President et al cleaner for washing but if the faucets are merely “cleaned” rather than hand disinfected you are only spreading germs (does your school disinfect?).  Then you must insure that your cleaning personnel are completely trained and are utilizing a hospital grade disinfectant (with proper kill claim for H1N1 influenza).

If you are directly involved in the oversight and compliance of your buildings green cleaning program, you should consider making sure your there is a committed true green agenda, which is maximizing the health of each green community – in this case, tenants, visitors and staff.

What You Don’t Want:

 Business as usual approach with no focus on new threats
 No serious effort made to disinfect high areas of bacteria concentration passed from each building occupants (as well as others, if open to the public)
 Over the counter cleaners with little to no disinfecting power in high touch areas such as bathrooms, cafeterias, etc.
 Old fashioned bleaches, etc. that are highly toxic and don’t have the Influenza A and/or Avian Flu claims.
 The old dirty bucket of mop water

Since cleaning is not a core competency but an allocation of resources, has your facility managers done what efficient businesses do – outsource this critical cleaning function to a reputable cleaning company? Reputable is the operative word; Companies who have heavily invested in upfront training for improving health and indoor air quality for every building occupant, their customers and visitors.

Issues important when considering the overall health of your building:

 Training Costs – Does your current cleaning program have a formal training and disinfection protocol for all personnel including OSHA compliance and Blood borne pathogen training?
 Are your cleaning personnel using hospital grade disinfectants designed to kill a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses?
 Is there a process in place at your building occupants to address safety issues regarding the cleaning agents being used?  For example, are all of the cleaning products in the school properly labeled? Are there Material Data Safety sheets (MSDS) for every cleaning product in case of eye/skin contact, ingestion or other accident? How about an OSHA-approved plan for blood borne pathogen exposure?
 Are your cleaners using the most advanced technology? Back Pack vacuums for example which filter to .3 Microns providing cleaner, fresher air; or micro-fiber technology which literally eliminates cross contamination of harmful bacteria and viruses in your facility.

With professional cleaning, you’ll save money and improve the health of all building occupants.

What A Concerned Parent or Other Building Occupant would like to see

Green is defined by Presidential Executive Order 13101 as a “product that reduces the impact on health and the environment compared to similar products.”  We can take the analogy as to the processes used (trained versus “are they trained?”) in the proper mixture, utilization, etc. of these chemicals.

I would like to review with you the following touch points to reduce your exposure to Avian or Swine Flu, as well as have an integrated plan for you to consider.

RESTROOMS: These are high-contact areas and bacteria/virus havens, which are often improperly cleaned/disinfect.  A hospital grade disinfectant effective against antibiotic resistant bacteria and rated as a Staphylocidal-Pseudomonidal- Salmonellacidal-Virucidal is recommended.

                        To find out which products have been tested and approved for killing viruses, including the H1N1 “swine flu” model, check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s page on registered antimicrobial products.
 

OFFICES: A green cleaning program which minimizes harmful chemical usage by interchanging micro fiber cloths for complete dust removal while cleaning drier and greener.

 Try to have accessible – hand sanitizer stations beyond the bathroom as hand washing is an important defense against cold/flu.

 A vacuuming program that filters out 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses; and leaves fresh healthy air quality, reducing the risk of respiratory illness.

 Encourage anyone who may have cold or flu symptoms to work from home.

How A Good Commercial Cleaning Company Will Help Provide a Green, Healthy Environment

    A reputable commercial cleaning company with a commitment to promoting a healthy school environment.

1.      Knows Restrooms. They understand that a clean classroom begins with a clean restroom, so we clean and disinfect all counters, stall walls, fixtures, fittings, light switches or push plates, and floors with hospital-grade disinfectant. 

2. Knows Carpets. Carpets act like filter inside a building, trapping dirt and other contaminants that would otherwise be airborne – similar to the air filter in your car. You want multiple cleaning processes to keep carpets fresh and clean. This is an important factor in helping to prevent respiratory diseases (especially for little children who are a lot closer to the carpet!).  Regular thorough vacuuming of this nature has been shown to be even more essential than carpet cleaning when it comes to reducing the amount of pollutants in the area (and extending the life of the carpet as well). You should have carpet cleaning experts trained in the most effective methods of extracting the remaining dirt and contaminants from your carpets and area rugs.

3. Knows Green Cleaning. Your children are in an enclosed classroom/school much of the day.  Indoor air quality is essential. In addition to the benefit obtained by using the proper vacuuming you want to improve indoor air quality by avoiding toxic chemicals, and by using the greenest and most effective chemicals. (If the products aren’t effective, then ‘green’ is only a feel-good term.) The chemicals you want are approved by the EPA and the proper use of the chemicals is a must in a good training program for the professionals cleaning and sanitizing your school. Proper products and proper result in the use of less product and achieve better results. Fewer chemicals also mean a healthier environment for staff and children. 

4. Cleans Smarter. In the case of Jan-Pro franchise owners and their employees are trained in the use of color-coded micro fiber cloths to prevent cross contamination (you won’t see a pink microfiber cloth used to disinfect a toilet being used to clean a telephone receiver!). We clean, disinfect and sanitize all drinking fountains, dispensers, showers, etc. Out MSD sheets are available for review for each chemical used – and our professional staff can explain their use. 

5. Trains Better. The people acting as an essential firewall in school health should receive intensive training over five weeks, including training in OSHA Exposure Control Plan & Compliance, Blood Borne Pathogen Standard, Label and MSDS Compliance and Chemical Handling. The training Program should teach specific steps to disinfect surfaces outlined by the Center of Disease Control (CDC).  There is specific DWELL TIME for disinfectants. Even if you are using proper disinfectants you are negating their effective value to your students if you’re in -house people aren’t allowing the disinfectant to dwell for the proper amount of time.
Are We Doing Our Best to Protect Our Students, Teachers and Staff in a Cost-Effective Way?

As a parent ask yourself the last time your child’s school audited:
 Procedures for integrated sanitation to protect your child;
 Training of staff entrusted with sanitizing your child’s school;
 Full costing of your tax dollars to make sure funding a non-core competency makes financial, environmental and health/safety sense in the 21st Century.

The threat of a serious outbreak of swine flu and other health – related issues is a good time to get involved and see if your school has maximized its ability to protect your child at school in the most effective manner. Please give me a call if you’d like to discuss any of these issues further.

Robert J. Posch
Chief Operating Officer
Jan-Pro of Southern Colorado
(719) 264-1117
bob.posch@jan-pro.com

By Concerned Scientists with comments by Debra Frick

The holidays are some the hardest times for being green. Who doesnt want to decorate thier house with a million lights or travel to see family? Here is some great tips for travel from the Union of Concerned Scientists but while your at it why not try and make your holidays more green my using enviromental safe gift wrapping and putting your holiday lights on a timer.

Holidays mean family and fun, but they also mean more travel in planes, trains, and automobiles, which contribute to global warming by emitting carbon dioxide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), Americans take 54 percent more long-distance trips (50 miles or longer) during the Thanksgiving holiday than the rest of the year, and 23 percent more between Christmas and New Year’s.

Unless you can walk or bike, you can’t travel carbon-free. But you can minimize your emissions with these simple strategies:

Pad your schedule. If possible, start your trip a day earlier and/or return a day later. You’ll not only avoid the stress associated with peak travel times, but reduce emissions as well. For example, when a car is stuck in traffic its fuel consumption rate can be double the rate at steady cruising speeds. If you must travel on peak days (most weekends), schedule your trip for non-peak hours and, if driving, use a GPS system with real-time traffic monitoring to avoid congested roads.
Traveling with family? Make it a road trip. The BTS reports that 91 percent of long-distance holiday travelers go by car. On a 500-mile trip, a family of four traveling in a typical SUV actually produces less carbon per person than flying or taking the train. If you can, though, leave the SUV at home and drive a hybrid or fuel-efficient conventional car instead—in addition to consuming more gas, SUVs emit up to four times more carbon than the most efficient hybrid. If you don’t own a hybrid, consider renting one.
Fly the eco-friendly skies. First-class seating requires twice the space of coach and therefore produces twice the amount of carbon emissions per passenger, so always choose coach. Next, minimize the length of your trip by flying the most direct route, and minimize carbon-heavy takeoffs, landings, and ground operations by flying nonstop. If you’re traveling solo, flying nonstop coach is actually better than driving any car—regardless of the distance traveled.
Get on the bus. No matter how many people are traveling with you, a bus pays the biggest environmental dividends. A couple traveling by bus, for instance, generates between 50 and 75 percent less carbon than flying or driving (especially on trips under 500 miles). Bus fares are often cheaper than airline tickets, and many now have similar amenities.

August 2009
Before you take your batteries to be recycled, ask the recycler where the “end use” location is.  Many places still send the batteries to China.
In Colorado Springs, both El Paso County Waste and Batteries Plus recycle batteries.  If you want to recycle batteries, El Paso County requires tape on both the top and bottom of each battery.
Americans buy about three billion household batteries (about 10 per person) annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency—and nearly all of them end up in landfills. The next time you need to power up your gadgets, choose rechargeable batteries instead. Unlike disposable alkaline batteries, rechargeable batteries can be reused hundreds of times, which not only saves money and resources, but also reduces global warming pollution associated with battery manufacturing and transport. An independent study conducted for battery manufacturer UNIROSS estimates that using a disposable battery to create 1 kilowatt-hour of electricity has a global warming impact equivalent to driving a car 283 miles; using a rechargeable battery is equivalent to driving 10 miles.
Rechargeable battery technology continues to evolve, but there are only a few types widely available today:
• Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) is the most common rechargeable battery type. Like their nickel-cadmium predecessors (see below), NiMH batteries come in standard sizes (AAA, A, C, D, and 9V) but are considered less toxic and offer superior performance. New “low-self-drain” (or “hybrid”) NiMH batteries come fully charged, like alkaline batteries, and stay charged longer, making them good for slow-drain gadgets like remote controls.
• Nickel-cadmium (NiCad or NiCd) batteries have fallen from favor in recent years because they contain cadmium, a carcinogen. However, older handheld tools may still run on NiCads, and they are still sold in stores.
• Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are mostly used in high-end electronics like laptops and cell phones, as the battery’s light weight and high storage capacity help improve gadgets’ portability. They are more expensive than other rechargeable batteries, however, due to their advanced circuitry, and are currently unavailable in standard sizes.
No matter which type of rechargeable batteries you use, you can make them even greener using these strategies:
• Choose an energy-efficient charger. Energy Star-rated models use 35 percent less energy than standard chargers, while solar-powered battery chargers use no electricity at all. For further energy savings, look for a “smart” charger that shuts off when the batteries are fully charged (overcharging shortens battery life). Regardless of charger type, unplug it when it is not being used as it will continue to draw electricity even when not charging.
• Care for idle batteries. Do not leave batteries uncharged or unused for long periods, which can shorten their life. Remove batteries from infrequently used devices and store away from heat and moisture.
• Dispose of batteries properly. Rechargeable batteries contain toxic materials and should not be thrown out with regular trash. When purchasing batteries, ask the retailer whether it takes them back for recycling; if it does not, you may be able to bring them to your municipal hazardous waste facility or a local recycling center (see the Related Resources).
Related Resources
Bio Intelligence Service—Ditch the Disposable Lifestyle (pdf)
California Integrated Waste Management Board—Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers

Energy Star—Battery charging systems
Earth 911—Battery Recycling Locations

By Amy Cook-Porter

Until recently there have been the 3 Rs – Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.  After last fall’s economic collapse, most of us learned how to reduce – we bought less; we reused instead of throwing away; and, we recycled – whether we gave it to someone or some store or we “end used it” (took it to a recycling place). 

Now they (I always wonder who they are) ask us to take it to the next level:  The 6 Step Program.

• Refuse
• Reduce
• Reuse
• Recycle
• Restore (Refurbish)
• Resist

Refusing is more than “Just Say No!”  It’s demonstrating that “No means No!” 

• That means telling people like Qwest, “Please don’t print a phone book for me.  I get my information online.”
• That means telling the clothing stores, “Please use metal hangers.  Those plastic ones that you throw away are filling up the landfill.”
• And, telling the big bookstores to quit shredding their dated materials (calendars and day planners).  Give them to a nonprofit.”

Reducing is using less.
• Take shorter showers.  Feel the need to be immersed in water, take a long bath.  It uses less water and heat.
• Reduce the amount of grass in a yard.  There are so many choices – xeriscape, plant a garden, put in a labyrinth.
• Buy food, dirt and anything else possible in bulk.  Bulk food uses less cardboard; dirt and landscaping materials can be bought in yardage and tonnage.
• Drive fewer miles.  Parking the car one day a week can open up can open up so many choices – walking, biking, mass transit.

Reuse is easy.  It translates into thinking long term usage when shopping. 
• Use glass containers instead of plastic.  Glass lasts longer.
• Choose clothes and shoes that will be worn longer than one season.
• Use wash rags, dish towels and other cloth goods in place of sponges, paper towels and Kleenex.  Throw them in the wash and they are as good as new.
Recycle now has 2 destination points. 
The first is for those items that still have a life.  Those can be sold, given to thrift stores, or placed on ebay and/or Craig’s list. 
The second is for those that are at the end of their use-cycle.  I’ve discovered a local electronic recycling group that breaks down most electronics from phones to refrigerators and toasters to computer parts.  They salvage the metals; the glass, toxins and plastics are sent out of state to be processed. 
Ask where the recycling is going.  Is it going to be handled in country or in China or India?

Restoring used to be called refurbishing. 
• Refurbishing is taking items that look tired and giving them a face-lift.  This could be tired furniture, kitchen cabinets or a car.
•Repairing is the opposite of replacing.  It may take time and money to restore something.  That’s called commitment.

Resist means putting an ethical component into what we do and what we buy.  How is this resisting? The word Resist comes from its usage in the 1960s – Resist the Establishment.  The sad part is that in the past 40 years we have become the Establish; so the change we seek is from what we have created – the pollution, the climate changes, fast, inefficient cars.  We must become the change we seek in others.  We must resist the allure big business has created.  We must reassess is “New always better.”  In our personal resistance comes the strength to change our buying and living habits.  And from the strength comes clarity of what we want.  Once we are sure, we can talk with others about the change that is coming.

So it is okay to have 6 Rs, in our change process.  Before long we will be adding Re-Assessing  and a few more. For some reason, we seem to like 12 steps in our staircase.  If you have more Rs to add, let us know.

By Amy Cook- Porter

On Saturday morning much like the post office, neither wind nor rain nor sleet could stop our intrepid recycling team from collecting monitors, CPUs, printers, cell phones and other electronics that people wanted to keep out of the landfill.  The team consisted of Bill Morris, Guaranteed Recycling Xperts/Metech (GRX), their strategic non-profit partner, Community Intersections led by Andy O’Riley and the Ink/Toner cartridge collector (with printers come cartridges) Cartridge World – Briargate, led by Ted Robertson, Robertson along with members of the Earth Day Board, Jane Ard-Smith, Davis Smith, Judy Schulman, Steve Saint and Linda Kogan from UCCS.    Together they put together this wonderful program which became known as Bill and Ted’s Excellent Recycling Adventure, although it easily could have been called their Arctic Adventure as the temperatures hovered in the low 30s.

How much was collected?  We collected just over 2,000 lbs of e-waste and about 25 lbs. of empty ink and toner cartridges.  When you consider that an ink cartridge weighs about an ounce, that’s quite a few.  

What was the goal?  “Our goal isn’t for just one event.  We have electronics recycling events scheduled throughout the year.”  Bill Morris of GRX/Metech explained, “This is only one of thirty recycling collection events scheduled in Southern Colorado for 2009.  Our next events are scheduled at Woodland Park High School on April 25th; Pikes Peak Community College Campuses between April 28th – May 2nd, Cartridge World – Briargate on May 2nd, and the Pueblo County Health Department event on May 9th.  We’ve already collected over 33,000 lbs of e-waste and raised almost $2,000 in funds for our non-profit partners in the first quarter of 2009.  Our goal is to collect over 100,000 pounds at these events this year, and divert this material from Southern Colorado landfills before the year is out.

Why 100,000 pounds?  “Why not?” asked Bill.  “That number equates to approximately 2,000 monitors or CPUs.  It could be the discarded tvs or a microwave or old stereo parts – anything electronic that doesn’t work. We are the last stop for these items.  They are broken down for parts instead of going into the landfill.”

And the cost – it isn’t a donation?  “If $10 for a monitor seems high, think about this.  By the time one of the employees at Community Intersection strips the monitor down to parts, and we transport or dispose of the parts, there isn’t much left of the $10.“

“We’ve been talking about what we could do with some of the computer parts.  The reaction to some of the jewelry that was made for the fashion show on the 25th has been favorable.  Community Intersections is looking at making jewelry out of the wire and other parts. “

What is Cartridge World’s role in this?  For our part, Cartridge World Briargate and our staff are enthusiastic supporters of the work GRX does.  The philanthropic piece makes this even more meaningful.  As our relationship with GRX grows, we open up new channels of opportunity – our assistance with collections events being one of them.  These events are lots of fun and a really good way to connect members of the community with charitable organizations and do their part to recycle responsibly at the same time.  It’s a win-win for the triple bottom line: people, planet and profits.  We’re bringing people together to protect the planet and turning the profits from these events over to deserving organizations like Community Intersections.  It is truly an excellent adventure.

What’s next?  Join us at our next event and tell your friends.  We’re still a long ways away from our goal of 100,000 pounds this year.  If we get 100,000 we’ll be able to hire another person for Community Intersection; and keep this toxic stuff out of the landfill.  It’s a win-win for everybody.

By the Union of Concerned Scientists
April 2009
When rain falls faster than the ground can absorb it, it runs off into storm drains along with any contaminants in its path, such as oil and grease, de-icing salts, heavy metals, pesticides, and bacteria from trash and animal waste. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that urban runoff—in which 77 of 127 key pollutants have been detected—is one of the largest sources of water contamination nationwide.

 
We can all help minimize the problem of storm water runoff by planting rain gardens—6- to 12-inch-deep depressions filled with native plants. Rain gardens can capture hundreds of gallons of rainwater, filtering out up to 90 percent of pollutants while allowing the water to drain deep enough into the soil to help recharge groundwater supplies.

 
Whether you undertake this project on your own or with a landscaper, here are some factors to consider when planning a rain garden:
Location. Site your rain garden where rain and snowmelt collect or run off—near downspouts or gutters, below a slope, or along sidewalks and driveways. However, avoid planting a rain garden within 10 feet of your home’s foundation, within a septic system’s drainage field, or above buried utility lines.
Size. The square footage of your rain garden should generally be about 20 percent that of the area draining into it. For example, if your roof covers 800 square feet, a rain garden designed to collect all of the roof’s runoff should cover 160 square feet. To capture runoff most efficiently, a rain garden should be longer than it is wide, and aligned perpendicular to the slope.

Materials. Rain gardens use layers of different materials to help maximize drainage. The bottom layer typically features an “underdrain” (e.g., a piece of perforated PVC pipe) pointed toward an existing storm drain and covered with gravel. The next layer is the planting medium, which should be a mix of about 20 percent compost, 50 percent sand, and 30 percent topsoil. A final layer of mulch helps prevent weeds and removes metals from runoff.
Plant choice. Native plants are best because they establish deeper roots (which help the soil hold water), can withstand the local climate, need minimal care, and attract local butterfly and bird populations. See the Related Resources for a list of plants native to your region. And, if your rain garden is near a street treated with salt in the winter, ask your local nursery for salt-tolerant plants.

 
Related Resources:
Environmental Protection Agency—Rain Garden Fact Sheet
Environmental Protection Agency—Managing Stormwater Runoff (pdf) 
Rain Gardens of West Michigan—Create a Rain Garden
PlantNative