Goal For The Green

Living with the earth in mind doesn’t have to take a lot of money, years or even effort. In order to live a greener lifestyle in just two weeks, try these inexpensive earth-saving tips:

Reusable Shopping Bags

Paper or plastic? Choose neither — when running errands or grocery shopping, pack your own reusable bags. A cotton-mesh tote — which cost about $5-$20 — reduces waste, carries more and can be used over and over.

A Litter-less Lunch

Even if, it’s just once a week, pack your lunch (and not in a brown bag). Use reusable containers and plan on washing plastic utensils or packing your own silverware.

Eco-friendly Cleaning Products

A gallon of off-brand distilled white vinegar costs about $2-$5 and when diluted with water can cut through grease and clean messes just like other household cleaners. It’s non-toxic, anti-bacterial and effective at cleaning your house without chemicals.

No More Paper Towels

Stop buying paper towels and instead use washable rags to clean up messes around the house. Cut old T-shirts or buy a package of 10 heavy-duty wash cloths at the dollar store.

Switch to CFLs

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, fluorescent light bulbs use less energy, reduce light bulb changes and lower greenhouse emissions. In turn, this saves money and of course the environment.

Rethink the Thermostat

Instead of turning down the air conditioner to mediate the temperature in your home. Focus on variables in the room, such as air ventilation and natural lighting. Use roller shades that are energy efficient and made out of eco-friendly materials to block harsh rays that could be making you and the room feel hotter.

Use a Mug

Drink your coffee out of a mug instead of a paper cup. Try a reusable water bottle instead of buying and tossing plastic bottles.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Always wash clothes in cold water. According to EnergyStar.gov, 90 percent of the energy used to operate a washing machine goes to heating the water.

Recycle Electronics

Learn what can be recycled and stop tossing items that could be reused. For example, Best Buy recycles computers, print cartridges, radios, washing machines and other electronics and appliances. Some stores will even pick up items, so you don’t have to drop them off.

Buy Bulk

Stop buying individually packaged items at the grocery store and instead buy in bulk to save production and packaging waste.

Shorter Showers

Take a waterproof timer with you in the shower so you aren’t zoning out and taking too long. Invest in a low-flow shower head to save 2,900 gallons of water a year, according to the EPA.gov.

Line Dry When Possible

Rather than throwing your laundry in the dryer, hang them on the line to dry. If you don’t have a backyard, open your shower curtain and use hangers.

Lighten the Load

Remove unnecessary heavy items from your trunk to save gas. According to FuelEconomy.gov, an extra 100 pounds in your vehicle could be reducing your MPG by two percent.

Kill Energy Vampires

Use power strips to turn off unused appliances and stop wasting standby power easily. According to EnergyStar.gov, the average U.S. household spends $100 a year to power devices while they are turned off.

Borrow Instead of Buy

Instead of buying a New York Bestseller or the latest comedy on DVD, borrow it from the local library. After reading or watching your favorite books and videos, donate them to the library or a nearby shelter, thrift shop or school.

In the Valcucine Milan Brera space, during the Milan Design Week – April 9-13, 2013, 10:00Am-10:00PM, it will be possible to enjoy a direct experience of the elements that have always strongly distinguished Valcucine’s DNA: the handicraft expertise of the workmanship, the information that accompanies the company’s transparency, the research and analysis into materials and superior quality that make Valcucine special and unique.

In a previous post of mine, A 100% Recyclable Kitchen  you will notice the rigorous, minimalist, ergonomic design of the Invitrum kitchens. The attention to eco-sustainability lives in perfect harmony with natural materials and with precious handicraft workmanship, as you will notice in the video below.

No other company in the world can boast units as special as those produced by Valcucine. Technology and craftsmanship coupled together with the special attention to details are some of  the secrets that make Valcucine’s products fully resistant and reliable as years go by, guaranteeing their long life and use.

Wall units and those with coplanar, sliding doors are inspired by and designed following the concept of lightness. They offer a revolutionary interpretation of kitchen ergonomics and the Invitrum base units are the first 100% recyclable base units in glass and aluminum. The Living Valcucine base units make it possible to harmonize the design of the living room area with that of the kitchen. With the option to use the copious cupboard unit that has coplanar sliding doors, it is now possible to customize your kitchen and make it totally unique by means of an artistic and handicraft decor.

While the clean and ergonomic design may not suit everyone’s taste, one thing is certain, it is beautiful, and it is green.  You now have the option to purchase, assemble, disassemble and reuse your 100% recyclable kitchen. It is a wise investment to be able to take your kitchen with you when or if you move, making it money well spent and greenbacks in your wallet.

From de-cluttering and organizing to deep-cleaning your home, Spring Cleaning is a rite of passage for home owners. Spring comes and goes, and our homes look and smell cleaner than they have all year long.

To make way for Spring and Summer festivities, a good thorough cleaning is in order. There are easy ways to stay green while getting clean.      

De-Clutter is a Must

While de-cluttering your home, don’t throw everything out. There are many individuals who need clothing, furniture and canned foods. While going through your home, keep donation locations and local charities in mind. Sort everything of importance and utilize a “three-box” rule: keep, toss/donate, store. For everything you want to keep, find a new home for (but be careful not to make a “new” clutter hotspot). Donation items can be taken to a local charity as soon as possible. Some Salvation Army locations will pickup the items for you, as long as you schedule a pickup. For all those items you wish to keep and have no room for (or are too sentimental to donate and toss), find a local storage facility center. Companies like Unclebobs.com have over 400 storage facility centers across the U.S.

Sometimes Store Bought Isn’t Always Better

The Queen of Clean, Linda Cobb, has been informing thousands of people everywhere through TV sets, magazines and books how simple and easy cleaning can be without spending thousands on store and name-brand products. In her book, “A Queen For All Seasons,” she outlines the importance of simple household products when it comes to cleaning.

Baking soda is a wonderful deodorizer and mild abrasive. This is great to use in the refrigerator for smells and spills. White vinegar is an all-purpose cleaner. It’s great for whitening clothes, cleaning stains, and getting rid of soap scum and mildew. Club soda works on all sorts of spills while lemon juice is a natural bleach.

Air Freshener

Store-bought air fresheners smell wonderful but they may contain toxic chemicals including formaldehyde and benzene, according to National Geographic’s Green Living. Instead of spending money and putting dangerous chemicals in the air, make your own with easy-to-find and eco-friendly ingredients. Simply combine a few drops of vanilla, almond, lavender or other extract with a cup of water in a spray bottle and spritz away.

Be Conscious of What You Toss

I never knew why, but when I was a young girl my father always told me to never throw batteries away in the trash — and I never did. Still don’t to this day. The only difference is now I understand why I shouldn’t toss them in the trash. They contain metals such as alkaline, zinc, nickel and cadmium. Batteries aren’t the only things that cause harm if disposed of incorrectly.

• Electronics: Old TVs, DVD players, laptops and printers should never be tossed in the dumpster. Instead, take them to an e-waste center.
• CFL light bulbs: They’re great for the environment — sort of. They contain trace amounts of mercury. The mercury can leak if not properly disposed. Take them to your local Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) center, where they can be disposed of properly.
• Smoke detectors: According to The National Association of State Fire Marshals, smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. BrightNest.com states that ionization smoke detectors should be mailed back to the manufacturer due to the small amount of radiation they emit. For Photoelectric smoke detectors, any electronics recycling facility will take them.
• Paint: Oil-based paints contain a number of chemicals and should never be thrown in the trash. Take them to a local charity or your local HHW facility.