Green Products

New Eco Friendly Site

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:15:00 +0000

Check out our new Eco Friendly site.

Can You Guess How Many Eco-Friendly and Go Green Products Are Frauds?

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Fri, 16 May 2008 01:00:00 +0000

By Shelby Wallace

So how many Eco-friendly, all natural or go green claims from manufacturers out there are frauds? Fifteen percent, forty percent or sixty percent? Terra Choice Environmental Marketing reviewed over 1,000 products last year and found that 99% of their Eco-friendly, go green claims were not valid.

Isn't that fraud? Well the problem could be that there is not enough oversight or regulation to ensure that they are living up to their claims. All but one of them committed what is called the "six sins of greenwashing".

A very insightful article was recently published in Fast Company Magazine by David Roberts in which he exposes the reason behind companies "green washing" their products.

When we read a label to find out if it is environmentally friendly, non animal tested, natural or free of chemicals, it's easy to see a nice little Eco-friendly icon or the recycled logo and assume that because that exists, they must be telling the truth or they wouldn't be allowed to print it. The truth is, the regulations are few and far between so it's easy to get away with stating one thing while omitting the deeper darker greenwashing sins.

A good example would be to use the recycled icon on a product and then having employees travel around to market it in automobiles that get 15-20 mpg. So in realty, the product is not so eco-friendly at all. Believe it or not, it's happening every day. Until the public demands more honesty in marketing eco-friendly go green products, not much is likely to change.

One thing to consider is that our government does not make it profitable for companies to truly go green or become Eco-friendly. The costs involved with companies going green, keep many of them from being able to change the way they produce and market their goods and services.

Governmental incentives for becoming a true Eco-friendly company are not on the top of most politicians lists. It is therefore up to each of us as conservators of the one and only earth we have, to get behind our planet. We must send a loud unanimous voice to our political leaders telling them that unless they make wise tuff decisions that are positive in protecting earth and it's inhabitants, they won't stay in office.

So the next time you buy a product and make a conscious decision to select the Eco-friendly green one, take a little time and explore what's behind that pretty little Eco-friendly or recycled icon. What you find may change the way you shop.

Visit The Ugly Virgin web site to learn more about how each of us can do more in order to save our planet.

Shelby Wallace is the Author of this article & is currently the webmaster at http://theuglyvirgin.com

The Ugly Virgin promotes true Eco-friendly, Go green products and services.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelby_Wallace

Green Products Earn A Gold Star

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Wed, 07 May 2008 04:05:00 +0000

By Courtney Patterson

Green building requires a multi-faceted approach. If builders focus primarily on installing green products, including finishes, appliances, and building components, they may miss the point. While green products are important to constructing a green home, they shouldn't be the only consideration. The benefits of green building - energy efficiency, water efficiency, durability, healthy indoor air -are achieved through effective design, construction, and installation, in addition to materials.

In keeping with the many facets of green building, several attributes can be ascribed to green products. In general, green products have less impact on the environment and on the health of people exposed to them. More specifically, they may derive from recycled or salvaged materials, renewable resources, or responsibly managed forests. They may be manufactured through processes that produce less pollution. Once installed, they may reduce water and energy usage and emit fewer VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which can affect occupant health.

One question on the minds of some builders is whether environmental and health attributes come at the expense of performance. Can low-flow showerheads provide as strong a spray as conventional showerheads? Can no VOC paint resist wear and tear? Improved technologies have enabled manufacturers to produce green products that not only meet performance expectations, but exceed them. The list of products below have been recognized in the building industry for performance attributes and for contributing to improved energy efficiency, water efficiency, durability, and indoor air quality.

Hallowell International Acadia Combined Heating and Cooling System

Hallowell International's Acadia heating and cooling system won ASHRAE's Innovation Award for Heating. The Acadia is a "boosted" air-source heat pump that extracts heat from outdoor air and distributes it through ductwork, much like conventional heat pumps. What sets the Acadia apart is its wide operating range of 0°F to 62°F. The Acadia's coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) is 2.0 to 4.1. While heat pumps have traditionally offered an energy-efficient alternative to standard HVAC systems, they've fared poorly in cold climates, where supplemental heating (usually electric resistance heat) must be used as back-up when temperatures drop below the balance point temperature. Not only does the Acadia operate in lower outside air temperatures, it defrosts 82% less than a typical heat pump, which saves additional energy.

Arch Wood Protection, Inc. FrameGuard Wood

FrameGuard mold-resistant indoor wood won the NAHB Green Building Award for Green Product Marketing of the Year. It was the only green product honored at the 2007 NAHB Green Building Conference. Arch Wood Protection, Inc. developed the safe coating with three fungicides and a borate compound?the same fungicides used in some cereals, coffee, and lotions, and the same borates used in some hand soaps and cosmetics. The FrameGuard coating is applied to interior wood, including trusses, OSB, and plywood to inhibit termites, mold growth, and fungal decay. It's been certified as a "low-emitting product" by GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). Besides having lower emissions, FrameGuard wood is durable and grown on responsibly managed timberlands, all qualities that make it a green product.

PPG Pure Performance Paint

Interior paint has traditionally been notorious for affecting indoor air quality. Some paints contain heavy metals, formaldehyde, and ethylene glycol, which are added as pigments, drying agents, or fungicides. Paints also contain solvents, which allow paint to evaporate to a solid film after it's applied to a surface. The solvents often contain VOCs, which can pose health risks to painters and homeowners who breathe the fumes.

Several manufacturers now offer low or no VOC paint. One of these manufacturers, Pittsburgh Paints, offers Pure Performance interior paint, the first paint to receive the Green Seal Class A rating for no VOC paints. The resins in Pure Performance are formulated to be compatible with no VOC coalescent agents, whereas many other latex paint resins are combined with coalescent agents that are considered to be VOCs. Pure Performance paint is therefore low odor. It also contains a mold and mildew resistant additive for durability.

American Standard FloWise Toilet

American Standard's FloWise toilet was among the first to receive the EPA's WaterSense™ label for water efficiency. This high efficiency toilet (HET) uses 1.28 gallons per flush, or 20% less than conventional toilets, which are required by law not to exceed 1.6 gallons per flush. The FloWise toilet uses a forceful flush instead of a high volume of water to clean the bowl. Their funnel-shaped piston-action Accelerator™ Flush Valve forces water into the bowl in less than a second.

BuildIQ distributes best practice information to the homebuilding industry through online information, tools, and training. On its Jobsite website, builders can read about green building, greener construction practices, and other ways to increase the energy efficiency of homes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Courtney_Patterson

Can You Guess How Many Eco-Friendly and Go Green Products Are Frauds?

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:17:00 +0000

By Shelby Wallace

So how many Eco-friendly, all natural or go green claims from manufacturers out there are frauds? Fifteen percent, forty percent or sixty percent? Terra Choice Environmental Marketing reviewed over 1,000 products last year and found that 99% of their Eco-friendly, go green claims were not valid.

Isn't that fraud? Well the problem could be that there is not enough oversight or regulation to ensure that they are living up to their claims. All but one of them committed what is called the "six sins of greenwashing".

A very insightful article was recently published in Fast Company Magazine by David Roberts in which he exposes the reason behind companies "green washing" their products.

When we read a label to find out if it is environmentally friendly, non animal tested, natural or free of chemicals, it's easy to see a nice little Eco-friendly icon or the recycled logo and assume that because that exists, they must be telling the truth or they wouldn't be allowed to print it. The truth is, the regulations are few and far between so it's easy to get away with stating one thing while omitting the deeper darker greenwashing sins.

A good example would be to use the recycled icon on a product and then having employees travel around to market it in automobiles that get 15-20 mpg. So in realty, the product is not so eco-friendly at all. Believe it or not, it's happening every day. Until the public demands more honesty in marketing eco-friendly go green products, not much is likely to change.

One thing to consider is that our government does not make it profitable for companies to truly go green or become Eco-friendly. The costs involved with companies going green, keep many of them from being able to change the way they produce and market their goods and services.
Governmental incentives for becoming a true Eco-friendly company are not on the top of most politicians lists. It is therefore up to each of us as conservators of the one and only earth we have, to get behind our planet. We must send a loud unanimous voice to our political leaders telling them that unless they make wise tuff decisions that are positive in protecting earth and it's inhabitants, they won't stay in office.

So the next time you buy a product and make a conscious decision to select the Eco-friendly green one, take a little time and explore what's behind that pretty little Eco-friendly or recycled icon. What you find may change the way you shop.

Visit The Ugly Virgin web site to learn more about how each of us can do more in order to save our planet.

Shelby Wallace is the Author of this article & is currently the webmaster at http://theuglyvirgin.com

The Ugly Virgin promotes true Eco-friendly, Go green products and services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelby_Wallace

Green Energy Revolution - Energy Saving Devices

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 02:17:00 +0000

By Carol Oon

World today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy.

Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc. Various products that are now placed in the shelves of the store and that help in energy revolution and conservation are:

• Integrated Intelligent Home System:

This provides you with home security, control, automation and communication related features. One can control and monitor their home and office security along with controlling the home appliances and lighting from any telephone, keypad, handheld remote control system, computer or the internet. The products have outstanding remote communication features which can allow you to communicate with visitors when they are still at office doors, you can send them your messages and can also hear their messages. In case there is alarm notification, you can listen to different sounds and the activity present in the surroundings.

• Light and Air -conditioner Energy Saver:

These devices are normally very easy to install and help to save energy directly. They can adjust the temperature by automatically realizing the self-motion adjustment. They do not connect to any circuitry in the AC. They have stable capacities and do not get affected by fluctuations in external temperature. Trouble from these energy saver devices do not harm or affect the functioning of your equipment in any way. The devices are shock proof and help you reduce your power requirement by minimum 20%.

• Green Energy Products

Today, you would find an array of Green products in the market. Green products and appliances include energy saving appliances and devices for your office and home, windows/doors utilizing solar energy and household products built out of eco-friendly materials. Fluorescent light bulbs are another light saving devices utilizing minimum amount of electricity per watt. All these energy saver products positively influence the environment and reduce the energy and electricity costs. They also reduce the emission of pollutants in the long-term.

Other products like energy saving remote control made out of plastic are also available for saving energy in your day to day use.

Benefits of using Energy saving & Intelligent Products:

• Uses 75% to 80% less electricity.• Cost less and work too well• Reduce dependence on coal and petroleum• Help to address concerns of global warming• Reduce the gasoline and electricity bills• Reduce the green house gas emission levels

Overall, reduced energy usage means that the need to go for building new transmission lines, infrastructure and other related devices can be delayed and prolonged. Hence, one can defer the environmental concerns and issues, if not have complete removal. All the energy saving programs and devices will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by coal utilizing power plants. Emissions up to an average of around 2.1 billion pounds per year can be saved for around 20 years

So, when we are aware of these things, why not head on the way to conserving energy!

Carol Oon writes articles on ai home automation. Other information written by Carol Oon related to ai automation control, ai integrated intelligent control and ai intelligent control can be found on the web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Oon

Trends in Green Building and Sustainable Construction

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:04:00 +0000

By Matthew Hancock

"Green Building" is a broad term used to describe the design and construction of sustainable and environmentally conscious buildings.

The driving force behind this is to lower our negative impact on the environment and, at the same time, make the buildings we live and work in safer and healthier for us.

According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) statistics, buildings are responsible for all of the following:

39% of US carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

70% of US electricity consumption

15 trillion gallons of water consumption

Even though there is still some controversy over the effect of greenhouse gases on the environment, the last two statistics are very important for those of us living in urban areas experiencing continuous growth, especially the American Southwest. With our population expansion, aging water and electrical infrastructure, and shrinking landfills, designing and constructing green and sustainable buildings makes practical sense from a utilitarian perspective.

In fact, USGBC data shows that green buildings use 36% less energy, require fewer raw materials, and divert less waste to our landfills. Furthermore, the "increased" cost of green building is only one or two percent more expensive than a conventional building. This minute difference exemplifies the tangible and long-term benefits of sustainable design, primarily due to the fact that green buildings conserve water and electricity. Thus, while they are more expensive to build, green structures will save money by conserving more energy over time.

Another push towards the green build movement is by local governments. More and more municipalities are adopting the USGBC LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines for new and renovated buildings. In 2006, at the USGBC Greenbuild expo, the Mayor of Denver challenged other major cities to see who can have the most LEED® certified green buildings. They are accomplishing this by offering tax breaks to private corporations and mandating sustainable construction for city-financed projects.

This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of sustainable projects built by LEED® Certified general contractors. However, this growth has not come without challenges. Currently, the following issues are restricting the number of green projects being built:

Increased demand for green products has lead to long lead times

New and unspecified materials are labeled "green" products which are not necessarily certified
Building officials are struggling with a steep learning curve on how to evaluate these new products and sustainable building techniques

Despite these difficulties, the USGBC, sustainability advocates, and green building construction management firms are meeting to overcome these challenges.

The LEED® process is constantly under review and continues to adopt the latest codes and products. This includes Standard 189, a new minimum standard for green building. The USGBC is currently developing LEED® 3.0 and working with national code writers to include new products and techniques.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has even rolled out a new initiative called "Sustainability 2030," which at its roots, is looking to design all buildings by the year 2030 as carbon neutral. The USGBC has even initiated the Green Advantage Builders Certification for contractors to certify their knowledge in green building techniques.

So what does green building mean at the end of the day? It's simple yet profound: Do the right thing for you, the environment, and the next generation. While most companies are concerned with their bottom line, they ought to embrace the idea that energy and water conservation, green building, and the use of "green materials" in construction stands to increase their savings over time while positioning them as a leader in environmental stewardship.

According to the USGBC, we spend 90% of our time indoors. Due to this fact, scientists have identified an increase in allergies, asthma, absenteeism from school, and even work. There have been numerous studies done on post occupancy productivity levels, which have increased within "green" built facilities. Not only does green adaptation result in less sick days taken, but also shows an increase in productivity, job satisfaction, and in the case of schools, better grades.
So, as we positively affect the environment around us with sustainable green construction, we eventually create better health for ourselves.

Interested in learning more about the green building trend? A good place to start is the USGBC website or the Adolfson & Peterson library of resources on green construction management.
Matthew Hancock is a LEED® accredited professional, a Green Advantage Certified Builder and a member of the Dallas chapter of the USGBC. He is a project manager for the Dallas office of Adolfson and Peterson Construction and a proponent of the sustainable and green building movements.

Adolfson & Peterson Construction is a 61-year-old company with offices in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Denver, Colorado; Phoenix, Arizona; and Dallas, Texas. A&P provides construction management, design/build, general contracting, LEED® construction capability, Green Advantage® certified personnel, facilities maintenance, and building information modeling for public and private clients.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Hancock

Green Cleaning to Reduce Indoor Air Pollutants

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:01:00 +0000

By Hilary Basile

Indoor Air Pollutants

According to the U.S. EPA, the level of pollutants in indoor air can range from two to over 100 times higher than outdoors. Indoor pollution is due, in large part, to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that evaporate from home decorating and cleaning products.

Walk around your home and try to identify possible indoor pollutants. From synthetic room fresheners to fragrant cleaning products, the majority of us use these products in abundance. Although convenient to use, non-green-products make indoor air unhealthy, cause respiratory reactions, skin and eye irritations, and are harmful to the environment.

According to a New Scientist study, in homes where aerosol sprays and air fresheners were used frequently, mothers experienced 25 percent more headaches and were almost 20 percent more likely to suffer from depression. In the same homes, infants under six months of age had 30 percent more ear infections and a 20 percent higher incidence of diarrhea. The first step in cleaning should be to open a window to let the pollutants out!

What is Green Cleaning?

Green cleaning involves using products that won't endanger you, your children, or the environment. It means selecting alternative products, using the new products properly, and taking other steps to reduce risks while maintaining a level of cleanliness and disinfection.
In choosing alternatives, be aware that seeing "natural" on labels doesn't mean "nontoxic."

There are no government standards for claims such as "nontoxic," "eco-safe" and "environmentally-friendly." According to the Consumer Union's Eco-labels web site, these terms are meaningless.

Following are green cleaning items:

Baking soda

White vinegar

Murphy's liquid soap

Scouring pad

Cotton washcloth or sponge

Cotton rag with minimal lint

16 ounce spray bottle

Try green cleaning practices to reduce health, safety and environmental risks.

Hilary Basile is a writer for MyGuidesUSA.com. At http://www.myguidesusa.com/, you will find valuable tips and resources for handling life's major events. Whether you're planning a wedding, buying your first home, anxiously awaiting the birth of a child, contending with a divorce, searching for a new job, or planning for your retirement, you'll find answers to your questions at MyGuidesUSA.com.

Find home improvement tips and resources at http://homeimprovement.myguidesusa.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hilary_Basile

Keeping Your Floors Looking Great With Green Cleaning Products

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 01:43:00 +0000

By Steve Hanson

Floors, especially hard surface floors, cover a large percentage of a building and are areas that your cleaning workers will spend a lot of time maintaining. Take a look at the list of ingredients of many of the common floor care products that your cleaning company uses. You will no doubt see some of the following ingredients: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), EGME (ethyelene glycol methyl ether), EGEE (ethylene glycol ethyl ether) and 2-butoxy ethanol. All of these common ingredients have harmful health and environmental effects. Switching to greener floor care products can reduce the hazards posed by traditional chemicals, and lead to cost savings.

The traditional floor care products have done the job for industry for decades, but these products are also some of the most powerful chemicals used by your cleaning employees. Many traditional floor care finishes contain heavy metals, such as zinc. Zinc helps the finish adhere to the floor, thus making the finish longer lasting. However, zinc is a neurotoxin (a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue) and toxic to aquatic life.

Today there are new choices and several high quality green cleaning finishes and strippers that perform just as well as traditional floor care products. These green products are safer for your employees and are better for the environment. How do you know if the product is truly "green" and not just being marketed as a safer alternative? Look for floor care products that are certified by Green Seal. Green Seal is an independent, third-party organization that only certifies products that meet specific environmental and performance criteria.

Cleaning companies can also select more environmentally preferred products by:

1. Selecting products that do not contain heavy metals and known carcinogens

2. Checking the VOC concentration and only buying products where the concentration is under 7 percent (when the product is diluted for use)

3. Buying products that are in recyclable and/or refillable containers

4. Using more durable products so you can apply floor finishes and strippers less often.

5. Buying from manufacturers and/or distributors who provide good training on the use of the product

Proper employee training is essential to a "green" floor care program. Overall proper floor maintenance will lengthen the life of the floor finish. Make sure that employees use proper techniques in damp mopping and vacuuming floors and floor mats. Daily cleaning will help to maintain floors and decrease the number of floor care products needed to maintain the floor.
It is a common error to use more "green" products than are needed to clean, strip and refinish floors, especially when making the initial transition over to green floor care program. Train your cleaning employees on the proper use and dilution of all green cleaning chemicals used. It is important to use only as much chemical as necessary to produce a clean, shiny looking floor. Using too much chemical is not only wasteful, but can be harmful to the floor's finish.

Another important factor in a green floor care program is the proper use of entrance mats. It is estimated by the ISSA that it costs $600 (mostly in labor costs) to find and remove one pound of soil after it has entered a building. Stopping soil by using mats concentrates soil in a local area making it easier and less expensive to remove. Stopping soil from reaching floors also reduces the need for extensive chemical cleaning, stripping and refinishing.

Encourage building owners to use high quality mats made of a material that will trap and hold soil, water and other contaminants. Mats with a bi-level construction provide an upper level for walking and a lower level that traps soil and water. Mats should be slip resistant so they do not move around on the floor. As with the other parts of a green cleaning program, you need to train your employees on the proper way to clean mats. The trapped soil should be cleaned from the mat and not spread on to the surrounding floor area.

There is no time like the present to switch to a green floor care program. Properly selecting chemicals and taking time to train employees will help to assure the transition to a green cleaning program will be successful. Your buildings will still have a high standard of cleaning and your employees, the building's occupants and the environment will be healthier.

Copyright (c) 2007 The Janitorial Store

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community that offers weekly tips, articles, downloads, discussion forums, and more for anyone who would like to learn how to start a cleaning business. Visit The Janitorial Store's blog and get inspired by reading cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Hanson

How Harmful Are Household Cleaners?

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:43:00 +0000

By Mike Merisko

With the use of household cleaning products in homes, schools, and office buildings around the world, these cleaning products are finally being exposed for their risks to our health. Many people are still purchasing these products which are expensive and pose huge health risks to their families. Household cleaning products are an area where we can exercise some choice over the degree of toxicity we expose ourselves and our families.

Many of the disinfectant ingredients found in most household cleaning products are highly toxic. Some chemicals contained in cleaning products are found in those used in industrial settings, with some actually classified as hazardous waste. These household cleaners may be responsible for poisoning our children and polluting our air. With more than 32 million pounds of toxic household cleaning products that are poured down the drain each day, damage to our precious ground water systems are put in danger. This threatens the health of our future generations.

There are many chemicals found in ordinary cleaning products that are harmful to your health and which may also cause cancer.

There are many chemicals in household cleaners that are toxic. Chemicals in cleaning products are among the most toxic compounds found in the home. Some of the chemicals found in these cleaners include, phosphates, sodium hydroxide, sodium hypochlorite (bleach), phosphoric acid, toluene, tetrachloroethylene, and xylene. Our homes have been made into small chemical factories by the use of detergents, degreasers, stain removers and glass cleaners. Everyday house cleaners may be responsible for allergies, asthma, headaches, chest pains, dizziness, eye and skin irritations, birth defects, fatigue, depression and cancer. Some of these chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and can be extremely caustic and harmful if ingested.

There are many all natural, non-toxic, non-polluting household cleaning product alternatives now available. These cleaning products are non-toxic and earth friendly. Green cleaning products are non-toxic and provide for a safer home environment, a healthy family, an eco-safe and cleaner planet. Green cleaners can cost more than conventional household cleaners, but they are often more concentrated, giving you more cleaner for your money.

Public demand for green products and recognition of the hazards of many chemical ingredients in cleaners are leading more companies to manufacture less toxic cleaning products. To live green and healthy, switching to non-toxic cleaners and planet friendly products is a quick and easy way to start. With these products available to us there is no need to expose ourselves, our children and our planet to harmful cleaning chemicals. Green products keep the poisons of conventional household cleaners out of your home and your families lives.

About the Author: Mike Merisko has a health and nutrition website at http://www.healthfreeway.com and shares a website with his wife Linda at http://www.shaklee.net/healthbuilders

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Merisko

What Makes A Home "Green"

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:26:00 +0000

By Greg Sullivan

Green is the new black, so to speak. Everybody is talking about going green and even building green. So what does it really mean to build green?

Defining green has been a challenge, even for those who are as green as you can get. To sum up green, the question would be - what type of environmental impact does the materials you are using have?

Assessing impact can mean on the front end or the back end. For example, in some instances, the product you use in building your home might not be green to build, but the results of that product can be beneficial. A good example would be if a window is installed in a way that maximizes the collection of low winter sunlight and blocks the summer sun, this saves energy and is green.

Because defining green is difficult, standards are starting to be organized and listed in the GreenSpec directory. This directory bases decisions about products on categories such as energy-consuming appliances and VOC-emitting paints, specific thresholds can be established relatively easily. But for many criteria, the lines are much fuzzier and judgment calls are required.

It is important also to note that multiple criteria often apply-in other words, a product may be considered green for more than one reason. Take recycled plastic lumber, for example: it's made from recycled waste, it's highly durable, and it can obviate the need for pesticide treatments. Straw particleboard products are made from agricultural waste materials, and they are free from formaldehyde off-gassing. A product with multiple benefits could qualify for GreenSpec on the basis of its overall environmental performance, even if it doesn't meet a threshold in any one category alone. Conversely, a product with one or more green attributes might not qualify if it also carries significant environmental burdens. For example, wood treated with toxic preservatives has advantages in terms of durability, but it would not be listed in GreenSpec due the health and environmental hazards it represents.

The primary intent with any green building products directory is to simplify the product selection process.

Another way to build green is to conform to what is called LEED Standards. LEED or 'The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design' is a Green Building Rating System™ that encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.

There are many resources available for consumers so that they can adapt their building materials and design to LEED standards. Building this way is probably the simplest way to go and there are many resources available to assist you.

So should you build green because it is popular? Not necessarily. You should build green because it is what will ultimately provide a 'green' future and not a black one.

Greg Sullivan is the President of www.electronicappraiser.com, a leading provider of home appraisals offering a nationwide personalized instant home appraisal service. For more information, please visit http://www.electronicappraiser.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Sullivan

Natural Green Cleaning - 3 Key Reasons Why You Should Be Green Cleaning Your Home

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:59:00 +0000

By Laura Halik

How healthy is your home? With busy work schedules, taking care of families, and trying to keep up with households each week, the truth is most people are just trying to keep up with their lives and really don't have the time to think about this question much less research it. But the health of your home is so critically important and so is what products you are using to clean them.

That's why I've summarized a quick list of the 3 key reasons why you should be green cleaning your home for yourself, your family and the environment:

1. Safer & healthier:Do you know what's in the household cleaning products you are using? The fact is, most household cleaning products on market shelves today contain many harmful and hazardous toxins and chemicals. These hazardous toxic substances can enter the body through ingestion, inhalation or absorption through the skin which can affect the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver and the brain and have the potential to cause many serious health problems. Green cleaning products on the other hand are non-toxic and much safer to use because they are made from natural, wholesome, eco-friendly ingredients. And when it comes to cleaning and disinfecting your home, they work just as effectively if not better than their chemical counterparts.

2. Better for the environment:Most retail brand household cleaning products are made from harmful chemicals and these substances later become pollutants for our air and our landfills. Green cleaning products on the other hand are made from natural ingredients which are non-toxic as well as biodegradable and thus have a reduced impact on our environment. In addition, commercially produced green cleaning products are frequently made from recycled packaging and materials. However, if you prefer to make your own green cleaning products, you can lessen the impact on the environment even more by purchasing and reusing the same plastic sprayer & container bottle as an eco-friendly green cleaning tool for your home.

3. Save you money:It should come as no surprise to you that the average costs for keeping up a family and a household are continuing to rise. However, you don't have to jeopardize the health of your families or your homes by using expensive, toxic chemical cleaning products. Natural green cleaning products are not only safer to use, they also save you money because they generally come in a concentrated form which costs you less ounce per ounce and lasts considerably longer. Or you can save even more money by making your own natural green cleaning products with simple and inexpensive ingredients you might already have in your house now such as vinegar, baking soda, lemons or lemon juice, and olive oil. For a little more cost you can also add 100% natural essential oils to your home made recipes such as tea tree oil, lavender or lemon oil which not only provide a fresh aroma and scent, but also have natural antiseptic, antifungal and disinfectant properties contained within them.

Free, quick and easy to use professional makeup application tips for covering and concealing acne, rosacea, tattoos or scars with natural concealing makeup.

Download the free Natural Concealing Makeup, 5 Step System Guide now at http://www.naturalconcealingmakeup.com/index.htm

Free, quick & easy tips, tools, news and information about how you can live a more Natural, Healthy, Spiritual, Green Life.

Subscribe now for the free weekly ezine, "Natural Life & Spirit" at http://www.globalpartnersinternational.net

Written by Laura K. Halik, expert author and internet marketer specializing in natural products and solutions for a healthier, green life and environment.

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Go Green With Your Credit Card

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:27:00 +0000

By James Quinton

Barclaycard are the latest company to offer a ‘green’ product to its growing ethically concerned customers who want to lower their carbon footprints. They have announced that their new eco-friendly credit card will be called ‘Breathe’. To ensure its green credentials the card is made from PETG which is the greener alternative to plastic. There will also be no paper statements, they will offer recycling for expired cards and all advertising for the ‘Breathe’ card will be done online.

The card offers customers discounts and low rate borrowing when green products are bought. In addition to this Barclaycard will give 50% of after tax profits (estimated at 1 million in its first year) from the card to environmental projects that are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions.

Barclaycard have also recently, along with eight other market leaders – B&Q, British Gas, Marks & Spencer, Sky, Tesco, Royal & Sun Alliance and O2, launched a government backed campaign titled ‘We’re in this together’ which aims to help every UK household cut their carbon emissions by one tonne over the next three years.

Barclaycard isn’t the only lender to be catering to the growing demand for ethical borrowing. Virgin have also launched a green credit card and claim that they have ‘beaten’ Barclaycard in the green stakes because their card is ‘bio-degradable’ and they also promise not to just pay lip-service to the environment but offer on-going dedication to environmental issues. The Co-operative Bank is generally regarded as being the most ethical with all their financial services offering environmental incentives.

The growing popularity of green financial products is encouraging more people to consider an ethical approach to their finances. Not only are they looking at their own environmental positions but they are also showing concern at what their banks and financial companies are doing for the environment.

HBOS, the Abbey and the Yorkshire Building Society have both announced plans to introduce green financial products and you should expect many more credit card lenders following suit.
James Quinton is a writer based in the UK. He has had articles published worldwide. Compare card rates online.

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Green Technology and Trends In Home Construction

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:32:00 +0000

By Lydia Quinn

With the popularity of "green" products on the rise and the trend not looking to slow down anytime soon, construction products and building techniques that are friendly to the environment are seeing a rapid rise in sales. Let's look at some of the green trends in construction:

From The Ground Up

Green practices can be incorporated from the very beginning of the building process. From the concrete. masonry, beams, doors, windows, mechanical and electrical systems, moisture and heat protection, finishes, appliances, pretty much for any aspect of building, there are green options and choices that can be made.

Flooring

There are many green types of flooring now available. Wood flooring made from wood that has been taken from old or disused buildings has gained more popularity, since this is a smart way to recycle. For new flooring products, green builders can now choose from green choices like cork, rubber and bamboo. New linoleum products are also now available that can be recycled and are less toxic than their predecessors.

Carpet

Carpets are now available that are recyclable, use little or no toxic materials in manufacturing and are also lower in cost. Carpet tiles are a very green choice and are extremely easy to install and replace.

Goals Of Green Building

The main goal of green building is not just to be more friendly to the environment, but also be a healthier place to live for the home's occupants. In every aspect of a green home, non toxic or less toxic materials are employed. Green homes will also blend in better with their surroundings and use much less energy and water.

Advantages

There are many advantages to building and living in a green home. While there may be a bit more upfront cost, over the life of the home, the savings on energy costs alone would more than make up for any upfront costs. More cost savings will arise from energy efficiency, water efficiency, landscaping efficiency and materials efficiency. Also, for very sensitive homeowners, a green home will have used much less toxic or chemical based materials, making a green home much safer and healthier for the owner.

Green Remodeling Trends

Not only is green home construction a hot area, green remodeling has also come to the forefront. Existing homeowners can now incorporate green building practices and materials when they are remodeling their homes. For example, in a typical kitchen remodel, the appliances are all replaced. In the case of a green home remodel, the appliances would all be replaced with energy star efficient appliances. Thus saving energy and money at the same time. In the case of a bathroom remodel, simply replacing a toilet with a newer model toilet will save several gallons of water for each flush, which adds up to a significant water savings over time.

Whether you choose to use green practices to build or remodel for cost savings or environmental reasons, it's certain that green building is a trend that will only continue to grow.

Lydia Quinn writes for Brandon's Safety Lights, a leading provider of barricade lights and construction safety lights. Visit us at: http://www.brandonsafetylights.com/

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Green Home Remodeling

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:19:00 +0000

By Emerson Lockwood

Americans are now spending up to 160 billion each year on remodeling their homes and businesses. A fraction of this money has been focused on what is known as "green construction".

Green construction or remodeling is using energy saving, recycled products, and is experiencing nothing less than a renaissance or rebirth. You can help restore a significant portion of the world's ecosystems by using "green construction". Such a practice can also help create a healthier indoor environment for your family.

Green remodeling is simple, but many homeowners interested in green building and remodeling have no idea what it involves and are therefore confused and intimidated. They think it consists not only of excessive expenses, but difficulty in getting the appropriate green products. Some also have misconceptions about the aesthetics of a green house. Some concern themselves about the misconception that they will appear to be living like hippies of the 1970's. But it is merely a process through which you can redefine the way you live, a clean slate on which you can express your visions, dreams, and principles. The process offers a vehicle through which you can manifest and integrate your core values into your sacred space.

The hardest part for a homeowner is deciding just how "green" they want their rooms or homes to be. When it comes to green remodeling, you don't have to do everything green, but anything you do will help. Are you updating an antiquated home? Have you outlived the functionality of your current design? Are you adding more space because of a change in lifestyle? Are you simply tired of your interiors and want something new?

The most important thing to remember is to pick and choose among the many options; design features and green building products that will best serve your interests. If you are purchasing new materials you can choose organic, low-impact, and healthy products such as bamboo flooring, natural fiber carpeting, natural plasters, low VOC paints and stains, as well as non-synthetic, natural furnishings and accessories, such as bedding, linens, and cleaning products.

You can use products made with high levels of salvaged (natural stone, lumber), recycled (fly ash in concrete), or agricultural byproducts (wheatboard and linoleum) content. These types of products reduce resource demand and help keep waste out of landfills. Choose products that are durable and low-maintenance; these are desirable because they need to be refinished and replaced less often, they save you money and save energy.

Try to use products that are locally or regionally produced. Local products support the local economy and may have lower levels of embodied energy, meaning that they require less energy and fewer resources during the production process (including the acquisition of primary material, manufacturing and handling), and especially in transportation.

There is no such thing as a right or wrong set of products. Building green is a thinking process, not a contest to see how many green things you as a homeowner can incorporate into your home. Do what you can within your budget and motivation.

As for the cost of taking on green remodeling, some green building elements may cost more, but many eventually will cost less. You will benefit from their use in energy saving costs for a long time to come, therefore making them a savings to you over the years to come. When it is part of the initial process of setting goals for the project, it becomes matter-of-fact. Many have found that the real cost is in the learning curve, not in the actual implementation of the building process.

The outward and even interior appearances of most green buildings don't look any different than other conventional buildings. The majority of green element differences can be seen only as improved energy efficiency and air quality, which are all built within the structure of the home.

Most recycled products look the same as their conventional counterparts. Most materials have a high recycled content and are non-toxic. Some examples include: recycled red oak and bamboo floors (both consist of water base finish), recycled tile floors, recycled exterior doors, and natural plaster with integrated color. Paint manufacturers are now offering paints low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at typically less than .00 per gallon. For kitchens, you can also find Silestone countertops (which has a high recycled content and is anti-microbial), and you can even find formaldehyde-free cabinets.

Recycling as much material as possible from an existing house demolition and incorporating it into your remodeling project will also save you money. Green products are now becoming increasingly affordable as major manufacturers compete and develop new lines to meet the green-building demand.

You can help restore a significant portion of the world's ecosystems by using "green construction". Just think about changing the world - one room at a time.

About The Author:Emerson Lockwood write on topics related to remodeling, Home Improvement and Home Financing. You can see more of his home remodeling articles at the Super Home Ideas website: http://www.SuperHomeIdeas.com

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Green Energy Revolution - Energy Saving Devices

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 17:27:00 +0000

By Carol Oon

World today is experiencing energy revolution. Environmental issues are catching up and with the increased emphasis placed on preserving the environment we all need to play our roles in saving energy. By saving energy, we can definitely take a positive step in fighting the climate change and in preserving non-renewable sources of energy. Let us look at some devices and measures that can help us conserve energy and replace non renewable sources with renewable sources of energy.

Many companies are now providing customer-focused energy equipments like Energy savers, Utility Instruments, Level Controllers, Control Panels and Process Control Equipments etc.

Various products that are now placed in the shelves of the store and that help in energy revolution and conservation are:

• Integrated Intelligent Home System:

This provides you with home security, control, automation and communication related features. One can control and monitor their home and office security along with controlling the home appliances and lighting from any telephone, keypad, handheld remote control system, computer or the internet. The products have outstanding remote communication features which can allow you to communicate with visitors when they are still at office doors, you can send them your messages and can also hear their messages. In case there is alarm notification, you can listen to different sounds and the activity present in the surroundings.

• Light and Air -conditioner Energy Saver:

These devices are normally very easy to install and help to save energy directly. They can adjust the temperature by automatically realizing the self-motion adjustment. They do not connect to any circuitry in the AC. They have stable capacities and do not get affected by fluctuations in external temperature. Trouble from these energy saver devices do not harm or affect the functioning of your equipment in any way. The devices are shock proof and help you reduce your power requirement by minimum 20%.

• Green Energy Products

Today, you would find an array of Green products in the market. Green products and appliances include energy saving appliances and devices for your office and home, windows/doors utilizing solar energy and household products built out of eco-friendly materials. Fluorescent light bulbs are another light saving devices utilizing minimum amount of electricity per watt. All these energy saver products positively influence the environment and reduce the energy and electricity costs. They also reduce the emission of pollutants in the long-term.
Other products like energy saving remote control made out of plastic are also available for saving energy in your day to day use.

Benefits of using Energy saving & Intelligent Products:

• Uses 75% to 80% less electricity.
• Cost less and work too well
• Reduce dependence on coal and petroleum
• Help to address concerns of global warming•
Reduce the gasoline and electricity bills
• Reduce the green house gas emission levels

Overall, reduced energy usage means that the need to go for building new transmission lines, infrastructure and other related devices can be delayed and prolonged. Hence, one can defer the environmental concerns and issues, if not have complete removal. All the energy saving programs and devices will reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions made by coal utilizing power plants. Emissions up to an average of around 2.1 billion pounds per year can be saved for around 20 years.

So, when we are aware of these things, why not head on the way to conserving energy!

Carol Oon writes articles on ai home automation. Other information written by Carol Oon related to ai automation control, ai integrated intelligent control and ai intelligent control can be found on the web.

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10 Tips for Choosing Green Cleaning Chemicals

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:48:00 +0000

By Steve Hanson

Many cleaning companies are making the switch to green cleaning chemicals. But with so many products on the market these days, how do you know which ones are truly "green"? Here are some recommendations on what to look for when choosing green cleaners:

1. Is the product certified by Green Seal®? Green Seal® is highly regarded in the industry and provides science-based environmental certification standards for green cleaning products.

2. Is the product non-toxic? Look for products that are non-toxic to humans and aquatic life.

3. Is the product biodegradable? Biodegradable means that it can be broken down by microbial action. The longer it takes to break down, the more harmful it is to the environment. Check the label to see if it says it's biodegradable.

4. Is the product concentrated or ready-to-use? Ready-to-use cleaners are composed of 90% water, which means extra energy and packaging went into making this product. And extra packaging means extra solid waste ending up in our landfills. Concentrated product however, uses very little water and less packaging, which is much more environmentally friendly. It also cuts down on weight, which means less cost associated with the fuel needed to transport product to its final destination.

5. Does the product work in cold water? Using cold water saves energy, whereas the need for using hot water with the chemical uses more energy.

6. Does the product contain chlorine bleach? The wastewater after using a product containing chlorine bleach can react with other chemicals, which can be toxic.

7. Is the product derived from petroleum? Petroleum-based solvents are made from non-renewable resources, they are flammable, and can be toxic when inhaled. It's better to use solvents derived from pine oil or citrus because they're considered renewable resources.

8. Is the product an aerosol? Aerosol bottles can be dangerous if punctured, as they may produce an uncontrolled spray, which can put you at risk of exposure.

9. Is the product neutral in pH? Neutral pH products are safer for the environment and end user. Acidic or alkaline products can burn if accidentally spilled on your skin. A pH of 7.0 is considered neutral.

10. Is the packaging made from recycled products? Many containers and cardboard boxes are made from "postconsumer" materials.

Once you've decided to make the switch to green cleaning products, use this list as your guide for making the right choices.

Copyright (c) 2007 The Janitorial Store

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), an online community that offers weekly tips, articles, downloads, discussion forums, and more for anyone who would like to learn how to start a cleaning business. Visit The Janitorial Store's blog and get inspired by reading cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies.

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Eco Design And Interior Design - Looking At The Bigger Picture

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 17:45:00 +0000

By Nicola Elizabeth Jones

Does 'going green' in the world of eco design mean that you have to go all or nothing?

The answer is no, simply do as much as you can with the facilities that you have. The highest level of eco design to achieve would be to build your own green home that is carbon neutral through design, build and occupancy. This is not for everyone, so instead you could adapt your home and lifestyle to suit a more eco-friendly outlook. Anything that reduces the negative effect on our natural environment, promotes sustainability and maximises human health & wellbeing is a step in the right direction.

Eco design - it would be great if all you had to do was choose one green product over a non green product. That would be simple and easy! As an eco interior designer, I am forever researching and exploring alternative methods, materials, finishes and products. There are a variety of factors to consider when making interior design choices. What is important is that the best possible design solution is found which has your lifestyle and environmental preferences at heart.

* Materials & Products
Salvaging, recycling and renovating materials and products are the best solutions for your interiors. It is better to limit the amount of embodied energy, waste and commercialism. Materials should be non toxic so that human health is not affected.

* Energy Efficiency
Did you know that your home has more of a negative effect on the natural environment by the energy consumed over the whole lifecycle - than for any other part of the build process? The use of natural light for resource reduction, renewable resources such as solar power, energy efficient appliances and a well insulated home benefit both your outgoing expenses and the natural environment.

* Lifespan
Interior structures, materials and products should designed with their lifespan as the priority so that you are able to renovate, refurnish, maintain, repair and make the most out of the them. This encourages a sustainable lifestyle and turns away from all things disposable, low quality and with a short lifespan.

* Flexibility
Interior structures, materials and products should be designed so that they are flexible to change when their demand ceases or alters in the future. Change could be renovation, recycling, re-manufacture, restoration or repair.

* Water
Efficient plumbing methods and sanitary ware which save water consumption help reduce the negative effect on the natural environment.

* Location / Manufacturer / Transportation
Where do these materials and products come from? Local sourcing, production and delivery of interior products and materials help reduce eco footprints dramatically over products and materials that come from overseas. When evaluating a green product from overseas, it may be 100% eco-friendly however transportation will increase the eco footprint. It may be the case that a local green product which is 85% eco-friendly is bought instead to reduce the environmental damage caused by transportation.

Benefits
In architecture, typically the short term costs of building eco homes are more expensive, with the use of more and higher quality materials that have a longer lifespan - whereas the costs in the long term are minimal (think of the cost reductions with energy efficiency systems, thicker insulation and the use of natural resources like solar power).

For interior design, again the products may be more expensive than their counterparts, but they may be made with higher quality materials that have a longer lifespan and are more hardwearing. Most eco products are manufactured to last, rather than built cheaply for quick disposal. So the cost savings of eco interior designs are made over a longer period of time.

This is not to say that eco products will always out perform conventional products in cost savings, lifespan or durability. Overall the ethos of green products is to promote a sustainable lifestyle by making things last and making the most out of everything. With an all round consideration for the natural environment, human health & wellbeing and the reducing the impact of our current activities on future generations - eco design looks at the bigger picture.

Nicola Elizabeth Jones is the owner of http://www.holistic-interior-designs.com and Earth Balance Interiors. Her core passion is working as an eco interior designer and consultant, based in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a wealth of interior design experience ranging from commercial to residential interior design projects in the UK. She also holds a number of years teaching experience working both in the classroom and distance learning environment with interior design students globally. She is a member of O2 Ireland who are the voluntary group of sustainable designers, linking up with the international group O2. She is also a member of Cultivate the sustainable community organization for Ireland.

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Home Furnishings Can Be Green Too

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 16:39:00 +0000

By Richard Soto

Furnishing your home with environmentally friendly products doesn't have to be costly or time consuming. As demand grows for these furnishings more companies are producing them, and some are switching their inventories over completely. The result is more selection for buyers, and cheaper costs. For home owners who've been waiting to green up their interior decor, it's never been more affordable to start. And for those who've never considered the idea before, it may be surprisingly enjoyable.

One of the reasons green home furnishings are more accessible now is that they come in a wider variety of materials. Plastic and paper products that were once discarded or recycled for industrial purposes can now be used to make things like tables and chairs, thanks to advances in recycling. Furniture designers are also re-using materials more creatively, enabling them to bypass the sometimes energy and labor intensive recycling process.

Interior lamps are a good place to start when discussing the re-use movement. Some of the best green lamp designs re-use products without altering them at all, infusing living rooms with a distinct post-modern feel. One innovative company carries a range of products built from discarded computer circuit boards, including night lights, lamps, and candle holders. Tastefully designed, these furnishings make great conversation pieces, and light up the room in attractive criss-cross wire patterns. Another attractive lamp designed from re-used products is the Tupperware light, which usually just consists of a light bulb inside a piece of vintage Tupperware, and a stand. These lights work well for decorators putting together a retro theme, and can be easily cleaned and maintained. A third choice in enviro-friendly re-use designs might include a lamp built with used wooden chopsticks. There are a wide variety of these products, with chopsticks are produced and discarded en-masse every day, and many companies and consumers waiting to use them again.

One of the most popular materials used in recycled home furnishings is cardboard. Lightweight, widely accessible, and easy to shape, cardboard is commonly used in everything from tables to kitchen drawers. A wide variety of cardboard chairs in attractive designs are also available. Many cardboard furnishing manufacturers also use water-based adhesives and finishes, to prevent environmental harm if their products are recycled again.

Governments and Non-Governmental Organizations are now providing funding and extensive research to foster growth in the green products industry. With that kind of support, it's clearly an industry that's here to stay.

Visit the VIP Realty website for more information on property marketing in the Irving real estate area. There you'll find buyer and seller service details, information on local communities, and details on Irving Texas Condos, and other home styles.

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The Definition of Green

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:08:00 +0000

by Michael Richmond

I had occasion today to encounter a question that was very simple yet profound. It was "What is the standard for Green?" The EPA has recorded the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, but these are not universal. If you ask a person interested in the biosphere type of Green, the phrase "Sustainable" is the major issue, questioning whether will an item's use will be depleted or can it be sustained naturally. Sustainability is a big issue in a world of consumerism, but does not encompass the definition of Green for other areas of Green concern.

Those interested in the oceans are concerned about "Marine Life" and how man has impacted the animal life in the oceans. It looks at the discharges poured into rivers, lakes, and the oceans asking if we are harming the animals that feed us. If mercury goes into the water, will it return to us in the tuna we eat at lunch? So, the pollution of the water is a part of the Green definition.

"Green House Gases" seem to preoccupy those concerned about the atmosphere. In an industrial world, the manufacture of the things we wish to market creates a lot of waste that we need to dump somewhere. The EPA has long fought the dumping of chemicals from manufacturing plants and the amount of pollutant coming out of the smoke stacks of our factories.

Those concerned with the preservation of nature argue that the Green movement stems from the preservation of the tree, forest, plains, and natural habitat from the forces of developers. From the energy side of Green, we are concerned about the "depletion" of our resources. So, you can quickly see that "Going Green" is not the same for any strategic side of the Green Movement.

The Green Clean Institute is focused on the Green Office, Green Buildings, and Green Maintenance of the workplace. This is something that needs definition, so here is how we DEFINE GREEN. Green Maintenance is concerned for two aspects of our biosphere (in this case, buildings). One aspect of the Green evolution is what is the definition of Green for the janitorial and building maintenance world.

Green as we define it is:

The Immediate Impact of our products and practices, and

The Residual Impact of our products and Practices.

If we are causing harm at either of these two levels, whatever we are doing is not a Green practice. It is the broader concept of Green Practices that define those who work on and in our homes, school, offices, and public buildings that define our contribution or damage to the environment. People are impacted by the workers who are involved in the building, cleaning, and maintaining of our buildings. This has little to do with the outside world except that there are other issues out there as well. Inside a building are distinct issues of a smaller biosphere that can quickly turn into a sick building or create Building Related Illness (BRI). The spread of disease is a community issue that requires knowledgeable people to break the cycle of contagion. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) cannot be neglected because the floors are dull and require very caustic chemicals to strip and finish the floors. Every piece of furniture added, every chemical used, and every sick person adds to the well-being of the others in the recirculated air of that biosphere.

The Green Practices Initiative is a new effort to retrain our industry with the new wave of innovations that are hopefully going to provide us a better world, a better workplace, and a better cleaning program. Our business is not an environmental program in the tradition sense. While we all want to be a part of the solution rather than a part of the problem, I know that we have a sphere of influence that is peculiar to our industry. It is here that we can make a difference as well as a business income. This is a new website that will be looking for Green Editors to contribute to a Wikipedia type project in the Green Practices Initiative. While in construction right now, those who would like to write articles for Green Practices should inquire at the website.

Green Clean News is a parallel effort as the project is about a wider area of Green News including Green Homes, Green Office, Green Buildings, Green Products, and Green Innovations. Green Editors will be chosen to contribute news articles in there selected area of Green news. Educating people on the importance of a Green workforce is difficult, but it starts with informing people and getting those to set the agenda, issue the contracts, and act as decision-makers to require more than Green products. They must require Green Clean Certified workers (Green Janitors) including a Green Practices Clause in all contracts and bid submissions.

Michael Richmond is the director of the Green Clean Institute, contributor to the Green Clean Compliant blog, and chief adviser for the Green Practices Initiative.

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New Year's Eco-Friendly Resolutions - Getting Started Greening Your Home In 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Malinut) — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:26:00 +0000

By Laura Halik

Have you been thinking about going green but didn't exactly know where to start? Well, the new year is here and it's the perfect time to start taking steps to reducing your home's carbon footprint. Here are 7 eco-friendly resolutions to get you started greening your home in 2008.

1: Start a recycle system:

Start your home's own recycling system by setting up a few extra waste baskets, and storage containers with trash bags. A quick list of a few items you can start recycling are plastic containers, steel/tin/aluminum containers, milk cartons, cardboard boxes/containers, paper, and batteries. Check with your local community to see if they have a recycling program and if regular scheduled pick up is available in your neighborhood.

2: Change old light bulbs:

Change out old bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They may cost a little bit more up front but not only will they last up to 10X longer, they will save a lot of energy because they use up to 75% less energy than the regular bulbs . They are well worth the little bit of extra investment as they will pay for themselves in energy savings in the long run.

3: Unplug major appliances:

In the average home, approximately 75% of electricity used to power appliances and electronics is consumed in "phantom loads", or while the product is turned off. To prevent this type of energy loss in your home, unplug all TV's, home entertainment systems, chargers, and kitchen appliances while you are not using them.

4: Reduce thermostat:

Heating and cooling consumes THE most energy and money than any other system in your home. Start by reducing your thermostat by one or two degrees. A programmable thermostat can keep your temperature fixed and timed throughout the day and night so you won't be tempted to turn it back up again. Also, change filters regularly. Even these small changes can have real noticeable savings in your home's energy use and cost

5: Fix all water leaks:

One of the most common causes of excess water waste is due to leaks. Do an inspection of your home inside as well as outside and check for any leaky faucets or hose spickets. Fix right away. A leaky faucet dripping one droplet per second can waste up to 9,000 liters or 75 barrels of water in a year.

6. Use cold water laundry:

You can save up to 80-90% on energy use just by washing with cold water instead of hot. The truth is your clothes can come out just as clean by using a cold water wash as a hot water wash and you won't be paying for all that hot heated water either.

7. Buy organic, natural, green products:

Get rid of all chemical or chemical based cleaners and household products that you have around the house which can be very toxic to you, your family and your pets. Instead, buy organic, natural, green products which are non-toxic and safer to use but also, more eco-friendly because they are bio-degradable as well.

For more natural, green, healthy living tips, tools, news and information, subscribe to our free weekly ezine, Natural Life & Spirit at http://www.globalpartnersinternational.net
Or visit our blog at http://www.naturallifeandspirit.com

From Laura K. Halik, author and internet marketer specializing in natural products and solutions for a healthier, green life and environment.

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