Be GREENER, and use whole trees

According to the Forest Products Laboraty, whole unmilled trees can support upto 50% more weight than the largest piece of lumber milled from the same tree. These trees are often considered scrap by lumber companies, as they come from thinning the forest, so that the other trees can get bigger, as well as trees that are blown down by wind, or a storm, and even some diseased trees can be used. By using these scrap trees, that are usually grown locally, you are using a sustainable resource and promoting a healthy forest, and local green jobs for your community.

Don't confuse these homes with a log house, as they are completely different. The "Whole Tree" building, uses trees that are locally grown, small in diameter (10 inches or less) and larger tree trees that are downed by wind and disease, and usually from the clients own land. There is no milling, transportation or bulk curling, which helps save the environment. Obviously, this would not work for a city, but if you live in a small community or own land with your own forest, then this could be a good alternative for you.

It is WASTE REDUCTION WEEK

Welcome to Waste Reduction Week. What are you doing to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle? Let me know in the comments section of this article.

Did you know that approximately 20% of the food we buy, ends up in the garbage?

By starting a backyard composter, and feeding it your table scraps and food waste, you can reduce your garbage by 33%. The compost is great for your soil, and it might encourage you to start a garden and to grow your own food.

Invest in a rain barrel, and use it for your garden and outdoor needs. This really cuts down on your water bill too.

Other things you can do to reduce waste, is buy a stainless steel water bottle, instead of buying plastic bottles of water. Invest in a good water filtration system, and use it by keeping a jug of water in the fridge, instead of running the water tap until it is cold.

Buy your food in bulk, instead of small quantities, as this cuts down on packaging.

Reuse, your glass jars to save left over food for another meal.

Mend and fix any clothing, books, toys and furniture, as it is always better to reuse then to replace, and it is a lot less expensive too.

Donate all your magazines & books to nursing homes, hospitals, and even doctor's offices.

Donate your old clothing scraps, yarn, buttons, wall paper ends, paper towel & toile paper rolls, egg cartons, apple baskets, and yogurt containers to daycare centers or kinder garten classes, so they can use them for crafts.

Donate old clothing to the Salvation Army, Goodwill, the Mustard Seed or the women's shelter. Many families can really use this type of help, as it can make the difference in keeping their children warm and able to attend school.

Donate your old eye glasses to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, or even Operation Eyesight. They are refurbished and then distributed to the needy.

Donate your computer and some other electronic equipment to schools, churches, and the Mustard Seed. It is all refurbished and used to train people in need.

Visit http://www.freecycle.org/ and see what you can give away or find for nothing.

To learn more about Waste Reduction Week, go to http://www.wrwcanada.com/

How to Go Green

It seems that Going Green is what is on more and more peoples minds now a days. It is pretty easy to understand, with the ever increasing cost of heating homes, or air conditioning homes, depending where you live. As well as electricity to run all those appliances, and then there is the cost to running a vehicle. How does a family survive in this economic climate, and still put food on the table?

Start by doing all the simple things:

1. Unplug any appliance that is not in use, and does not need to keep time. Then purchase SMART power bars, that let you plug in alarm clocks and DVD players - that way when you turn off the power, the essentials (alarm clock) are still plugged in.

2. Cut back on water consumption by installing low flow toilets and faucets. Only turn the water tap on to the size of a pencil stream, when washing your hands. Use a glass of water for brushing your teeth. Limit the amount of time you spend in the shower to less than 5 mins - aim for 3 mins.

3. Only purchase Energy efficient appliances. Check with Energy Star to find out how your appliances rate.

4. Install weather stripping on your doors and caulk the windows.

5. Keep blinds closed during the day on hot, sunny days in the summer to keep it cool. In the winter, open the blinds to help warm the house.

6. Recycle everything that you possible can. Reuse or find new uses for anything that can be reused. Donate clothing, magazines, books etc to charities.

7. Change the furnace filter, and get ready for winter.

8. Grow your own vegetables and fruit, in your back yard. If you live in an appartment, then do container gardening. Many vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, even carrots can be grown in containers.

9. Compost your vegetable peelings and use it in your garden.

10. Get a rain barrel and use it.

11. Get your vehicle tuned up and have all the fluids either changed or topped up. Only drive your vehicle when you have saved up your errands and can get them all done at once.

12. Use public transportation, bike or car pool to get to work.

13. Shop for clothing at second hand stores or thrift stores. Infact, you can find many other things there, so take a look around.

14. Install a programable thermostat, and use it. Put a sweater on when your cool.

15. Line dry your clothing, if your community allows it. Only wash a load of clothes when it is full. Consider getting a front loading washer, as it uses less water, and electricity.

16. Opt out of junk mail getting delivered.

17. Install LED lights.

18. Turn off the TV and get outside for a walk.

This is just a simple list of how to get started, when you go green. Consider purchasing this book http://www.simplygoinggreen.ca/. It is full of great resources, links and information to making your going green journey easy.