The focus of my blog is how the individual’s efforts can effect a situation dramatically. Much of what I focus has to do with simple solutions. However, I wanted to take a second to recognize the entertainment industry for its steps for creating a more environmentally aware culture. Award shows are gearing up to make 2009 the most ecofriendly year imaginable. Celebrities promoting the ability to reduce their carbon footprint at highly profiled events are guaranteed to target the correct audience; the teen generation.

In August, the Teen Choice Awards, sported a green carpet made out of synthetic grass, which musicians, such as Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears walked. This support was just enough to promote the go-green theme to a young audience.
The 2009 Tony Awards aimed their go-green message towards a different demographic. Throughout the event, related theatre telecasts were broadcasted, to motivate theater communities to adopt environmental friendly practices in their production.

At the 2009 Emmy Awards, producer’s announced their “Green with Emmy,” campaign. Their production consisted of lighting that reduced energy, tickets printer on tree-free paper, and catering with recipes made with local produce.
The Grammys also made their first step to changing the environment. Winners and nominees were given gift-bags made with eco-friendly material and program books made from recycled paper.

It’s important for highly anticipated and televised award shows to promote their audience to become more environmentally aware. Music and entertainment are the best way to reach many different demographics to reduce their carbon footprint. Congrats and thank you to the forces behind these insightful programs and efforts!

(Image source: bryan-brown.com)

Thousands of important items are trashed instead of recycled each day—mostly because people don’t know their options. According to the Toxic Substances Control Program in California, “Americans throw away about 35 billion aluminum cans every year.” RAYS, also known as Recycle and You Save, states, “A recycled six-pack of aluminum cans could save enough energy to drive a car five miles.”

Glass also can be recycled, despite minimum advertising, “Most bottles and jars contain at least 25 percent recycled glass. Glass never wears out and it can be recycled forever” (The Recycler’s Handbook). Steel is another item that’s hardly mentioned when discussing recycling. “Americans use 100 million steel cans a day. We throw away enough steel every year to build all the new cars made in America” (50 Simple Things Kids Can Do to Recycle). So what other type of items can be recycled besides paper, water bottles, cans, and plastic? Here is a list of nine creative items to recycle:

• Wrapping paper – Use as a packing tool, as animal bedding for small pets, scrapbooking material, or spitballs.

• Eyeglasses – Maybe that Lasik has worked and you no longer need those glasses. Why not give them to organizations that help the needy. Contact (800)-CLEANUP to find a list of drop-off stations.

• Old Jeans – Have some free time on your hands and a creative itch? Use your old fabrics to make quilts, pocket books and backpacks, dress up scarecrow, book covers, and whatever else you can think of.

• Bottle caps – How often have you recycled a plastic bottle but tossed the lid? Aveda has a program called Recycle Caps with Aveda, which encourages schools to get their students involved in the program. It’s a great educational tool.

• Carpet – Sure, there may be pet stains and all kinds of odors, but your old carpet is someone else’s steal! Take old carpet to a local charity or used building materials recycling center. It could as floor mats in the car or laundry room.

• Aerosol cans – take the cap off and make sure the can is empty, then place them on the curbside alone with the other recycling items.
• Computers – Every two to four years Americans upgrade to a faster, better computer. The leftovers can be cleaned up, erasing the hard drive, and donated to local organization and charities.

• Cellphones – This month it’s the iPhone. Next it’s the Storm. We go through phone so quickly, because just like computers, we want the most up-to-date software. If you’ve got phones making paperweights, try donating them to organizations that recycle them. Or, if it’s in usable condition, try reselling it online.

• VHS – Have you even heard of this? Guaranteed there is someone out there who has a VHS machine collecting dust. Free up the clutter and place them in the mail to Alternative Community Training, a nonprofit company that provides jobs to people with disabilities.

(Image Source: inhabitat.com)

Ah, tomorrow is September 1 and while the kids will be gearing up for school, the adults will be bracing themselves for the ever-increasing costs of running a home during the cooler months. With rising unemployment and decreasing job opportunities, everyone will be looking, even more than before, to save month without layering themselves in 12 sweaters. While some of you may like this over-zealous, cash-saving approach, there are other ways of saving money without turning yourselves into a waddling pumpkin.

Try these 5 no-brainer tips this autumn to not only save energy, but save money!

1. Use Energy Star-approved energy-saving light bulbs: According to It’s All Green (www.itsallgreen.wordpress.com), if every home in the US replaced just ONE incandescent bulb with a low-E compact fluorescent bulb our nation could cut the emissions of greenhouse gases to the equivalent of 800,000 cars. Not to mention that the bulbs last more than 9x longer than the standard bulb!
2. Use your ceiling fan to circulate to push down the rising heat and circulating it around you by putting it on the lowest setting instead of turning up the thermostat!
3. Put heavy door jams in front of all the exits, where door seals may not be in the best condition. This will prevent hot air leaving through the imperfections of construction.
4. Close blinds and curtains at night. If possible, hang heavier material during the cooler months.
5. Check the seams of the window to ensure no air is escaping. A simple caulking job will fix this!

Home offices are one of the major culprits of wasting energy. Even when we aren’t using them, computers and printers suck up energy and money! Follow these tips and techniques to slash your spending!

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Washing your clothes doesn’t have to be an expensive and wasteful process. Ease up on your energy bills with these simple tips:

1. Wash your clothes in cold water.

2. Fill the machines to full capacity.

3. Put a towel in the dryer. This will help soak up the moisture and cut down on drying time.

4. Keep the filters clean at all time (this will also help prevent fires).

5. Set your water thermostat temperature at 120°F.

6. Dry clothes only halfway and then hang them on a drying rack for the remainder of the time.

7. Hang clothes worn only once in the fresh air (unless of course they are pretty rank!). This will eliminate the need to waste water and energy, yet freshen up your wardrobe easily and cheaply.

(Picture source from LGE.com)

Originally, when my friends told me I should think about making my house green, I ended up standing in Home Depot in the paint aisle trying to figure out which was better–evergreen or sea green. Turns out, they were talking about using energy-efficient appliances and materials. Who knew? And, according to the video below, by spending money on eco-friendly items, you can actually save more in the long run!

The great things about kids are their curiosity and their uncanny ability to pick up on every little thing. Yet, as we age, we are less likely to break our habits. This only emphasizes the importance of teaching children ways to reduce waste and think globally.

1. Teach them to turn the water off when they brush their teeth and take baths. The best way for youngins to learn this is by you setting the example.
2. Make turning off the lights a game. Every time they do this, they get a nickel or dime (depending on the age of the child). Show them how much they’ve saved at the end of a month!
3. Set up a compost pile in the back yard and give each child a specific task for which they are in charge.
4. Grow a garden. This is a great way for kids to take a personal interest in how things grow and value the process.
5. Decorate canvas shopping bags and take them every time you go to the store, grocery or any other. Kids will love toting their personalized carrying cases, and they’ll learn a valuable lesson about saving plastic and paper bags!

(Photo borrowed from Abceeds.com)

Could paying attention to your water heater make a difference in your energy bills?? Find out below!

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