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As stated in previous blogs, many people are making a big push to live green. Adopted lifestyle changes associated with living green are commonly known: 1. Recycling 2. Energy Conservation 3. Purchasing Biodegradable Products 4. Reducing Carbon Footprint Buying local is yet another way that people have committed to. Purchasing items from local farms or farmer’s markets keep the local economy booming and as we have previously discussed, reduces the need to transport items from different places. This cuts down on emissions put into the environment. Further, buying locally provides local access to organic foods. The demand for organic foods has led to over 5 million acres of certified organic land and an increased number of jobs created. The high demand has also led to other growing trends including the following. Organic Seed Use It would be difficult to make a claim to organic foods without the use of organic seeds. There are now electronic means of being able t

Biodegradable products such as food waste, fabric, wood, and paper are items that can be consumed or decomposed by microorganisms or other natural biological processes. Compostable wastes  This is different from compostable, which calls for items to be broken down under composting conditions. The breakdown of biodegradable items is enhanced by exposure to elements such as moisture and air. Without exposure to such elements, the breakdown slows and methane gas is released. There are many benefits to using biodegradable products. Here are a few: Reduced Pollution Biodegradable products can be broken down into nontoxic components that do not cause unhealthy chemicals to be released into water or gasses that pollute the air. Plastic that is biodegradable produces 68% less greenhouse gasses than other plastic products. Less Energy Usage The natural breakdown of biodegradable products into the earth reduces the amount of energy needed to recycle them. The result is faster and m

When most people think about the useful products produced by chickens, feathers do not typically come to mind. In fact, in most cases, feathers are considered the most wasted by-product of chickens. However, there are many uses for chicken feathers that include several costume items: Feather boas Earrings Masks Floral arrangements Chicken Feathers It is estimated that 2-3 billion feathers from chickens are produced each year. Each feather contains keratin, which is also found in hair, wool, horns, and hoofs. This opens up a number of other possibilities that chicken feathers could be used for such as: Diapers Pillows and Upholstery Stuffing Insulation Paper and Plastics The structure of chicken feathers allows it to absorb a large amount of moisture and makes it naturally stable and durable. There are many ideas in the works for the uses of chicken feathers. They can be heated and mixed in with other materials to make plastic and some companies have experimented

We are currently full swing into the winter months. Along with the chilly temperatures, there are many areas experiencing snow and temps below zero that make it difficult to stay warm. It may be tempting to crank up the thermostat but it is important to remember that doing so increases energy consumption. Alternatively, there are other things you can do to say warm and cozy all while maintaining a low carbon footprint. Grow Indoor Plants Grow indoor plants and place in as many rooms as possible. The moisture produced by the plants traps heat in the area in addition to reducing the amount of dry air in the home. Liven up the atmosphere in your kitchen, bedroom, and living room all reaping the benefits of warmer air circulating. Indoor Plants Use the Ceiling Fan Rotate your ceiling fan to turn clockwise at a low speed in the winter. This allows the fan to pull cool air up. Warm air, which typically rises up towards the ceiling is pushed down along the walls and towa

Almost all media outlets have spread the message of the importance of purchasing organic items. This goes beyond food to clothing, bags, and dozens of other items. Though most people have learned that they should buy organic, many are not exactly aware of what qualifies an item to be labeled as organic. To be considered organic, an item must be grown or made without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation. Animals that produce organic food are not given antibiotics or growth hormones.  There are three different categories that are used to label organic items:  Organic Vegetables 100% organic items are made with 100% organic ingredients. Organic items have at least 95% organic ingredients Made with organic ingredients means the item is made with a minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no GMOs Any item with less than 70% organic ingredients cannot ma

Previous blogs have discussed the importance of everyone doing their part to increase efforts to living as green as possible. No initiative is too small or insignificant. This includes initiatives in the home to conserve energy. Renewable energy is energy created from sources that are naturally replenished. Use of such resources has become a growing trend. A few examples are listed below: Solar Energy Most home improvement stores offer solar panel kits that allow you to create free, clean, and renewable energy from the sun. An added benefit is that solar panels can be used on boats, RVs, campers, and cabins. Solar Energy in Home   Hydro Power Those who have a water source on their property can benefit immensely from hydropower. Diverting water to flow through a turbine provides stable and substantial amounts of power for the home. It is not only stable but continuous as well. The piece of mind and long-run savings are worth the effort. Wind Turbines Dependent on the wi

The next time you plan on going out shopping locally, consider ordering what you need online. Aside from the convenience of not having to leave the house, there are eco-friendly benefits to shopping online as well. People who live in rural areas have to travel a considerable distance to retailers. They are the ones benefit greatly from online shopping and e-commerce delivery. The environment benefits as well since in contrast to traveling to traditional retail stores, ordering online decreases energy use and carbon emissions by at least 30%. Online purchases cut out the need to transport items to the retailer, which in turn eliminates the 65% emissions that come from transporting items to retailers. Retail Shopping Brick and mortar locations create a larger carbon footprint on the environment that is attributed to the required energy and upkeep these physical locations require. This is in addition to carbon emissions and waste that come along with operating. Online stores

Most people were fortunate to have an extended time off of work during the holiday season. Others may have spent an extended amount of time cooking or attending family obligations. Both situations make it difficult to get back into the swing of things when it comes to going back to work. While it should have been a time to refresh, after all the gifts are opened and the New Year’s celebrations are over, there are many who are left feeling blah. However, there are several things that you can do to help you get back into the swing of things. Here are a few examples: Ease your way back into the work week. With New Year’s during the week, it makes it easy to ease back into the work week. A shortened week is the perfect way to pace yourself and avoid becoming overwhelmed with catching up with work. It is also important not to over-commit yourself. Be honest with others about how much you have on your plate and space commitments out. Work calendar Get some fresh air. Trying to