Pretty Green Living

As we are considering what changes to make during our upcoming renovation, one of the things I’ve heard from contractors and others is that we should replace our toilet – a standard white fella from the 90’s in perfectly fine shape – with a new, more efficient and presumably more low-profile version.  I’ve been wondering whether we are being better stewards of the environment by trashing our existing model for the new.   Yes – I do have aesthetic considerations as well – it would be nice to have a streamlined, new version in there – but it’s a balance, after all.

Pressure Lite® 1.0 gpf Elongated Toilet from Kohler

During my research, I came across a post by The Passive Dad who explored this in detail, comparing his existing toilet water usage to the cost and water usage of a new high efficiency toilet (HET):

“Let’s say my current toilet uses 2 gpf and we use it 20 times a day. 40 gallons with brick vs. 24 gallons with Kohler HET. My current water usage rate per gallon is .0054. The HET toilet would save me 480 gallons a month or $2.60. With the Kohler rebate, [his county provided a rebate for this HET toilet] it would take 4 years to recover the $125 cost of the new HET toilet.

The environment. Even if it doesn’t make financial sense to purchase a new HET toilet now, what about the impact on the environment? Using an additional 480 gallons a month can be considered wasteful.”

What about the option of just tuning up your existing toilet?  You know, with a brick, maybe some new internal hardware.

Upon further investigation, I realize this isn’t just a simple purchase.   For some basic toilet-shopping how-tos, visit H2ouse for a very helpful guide that covers the basics to get started.

In the meantime, I’ll be back with some more info on this tomorrow…

Tags: bathroom renovation, H2Ouse, kohler, renovations, The Passive Dad, toilet, toilet efficiency, water efficiency

Green Living Online has put together an extremely useful eco-guide to fabrics.  Eliminate confusion and navigate which fabrics to use for your next upholstery project with ease.

Tags: eco friendly fabric, green living online

We love to bring beautiful items into our homes and luckily, we are gradually learning to be more conscious of where these items come from:  was the wood for the table harvested sustainable?  could I purchase this material locally, rather than create more waste through the shipping of the item long distances?

One issue that seems like more of a distant concern rather than a current issue is the poaching of elephants for their ivory tusks.  I recently found an eye-opening article on Peachy Green, discussing the still regular occurrence of ivory trade amongst certain countries and the terrible toll it continues to have on the elephants.

The post is very informative but I was particularly moved by the description of the mental/emotional toll poaching has on the elephants:

“Sadly, elephants that survive a poaching attack are profoundly affected for the rest of their lives.  In a National Geographic article, the lingering effects on the herd are described:

“An African elephant never forgets – especially when it comes to the loss of its kin,” according to researchers at the University of Washington. Their findings, published online in the journal Molecular Ecology, reveal that the negative effects of poaching persist for decades after the killing has ended.

“Our study shows that it takes a long time – upwards of 20 years – for a family who has lost its kin to rebuild,” said lead researcher Kathleen Gobush, a research ecologist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency and a former doctoral student at the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology.”

Sigh.

Thank you to Peachy Green for bringing this to light for myself and others.  They suggest signing this petition as a first step to helping the effort to protect the elephants.

In summary, this is a sad reminder that we need to be vigilant in our purchases and activities.  Make sure you aren’t unintentionally supporting trades that take advantage of situations, people, animals or things.  No matter how pretty, there is likely an environmentally-friendly, humane option to obtain an aesthetic or look.  If not, change your look don’t compromise your values.

Tags: elephant poaching, ivory poaching

Considering building a  modern, sustainable home?  Jetson Green recently discussed Hometta, a group of designers, architects and builders who have joined together to improve the way residential housing is designed today.

Visit Hometta for access to innovative home designs.  Some of my favorites (which in addition to their sustainability, exude a sleek modern vibe):

Loop House by Hometta

48' House by Hometta

Tags: home design, hometta, jetson green, sustainable design, sustainable home

Eco Home Resource is more than just a source for “green” living tips – they have a plethora of advice for everything from feng shui for the bedroom to creating color harmony in your home.

As I plan and prepare for our home and kitchen overhaul, I am, of course, focused on making sure we make the greenest choices possible.  So I started researching “green” options for countertops and came up with a few great options that everyone is raving about.

1)  Recycled glass: Because of the broad range of colors, glass can bring beautiful color to your kitchen.  Personally, I’m not extremely fond of the brightly speckled appearance of the countertops that many vendors supply, but really liked the more subtle finish from ECO™ by Cosentino.  Eco is made of 75% recycled content composed of post-industrial or post-consumer materials and is bound by an environmentally friendly resin.

2)  PaperStone: I’d never heard of this options before – which is simply recycled paper that’s compressed into a stonelike material.  However, while it’s strong like stone, I did read some reports that its edges may cheap rather easily – something that should be investigated before you commit to it for your kitchen.  Search for local dealer at Paperstoneproducts.net.

This gorgeous eco-friendly kitchen featured on Inhabitat.com utilizes recycled paper countertops.

3)  Bamboo: I’ve always been a fan of the natural beauty of wood and love the the idea of using it in your kitchen.  However, I hesitate when I think there may even be the smallest potential for water damage.  This is only because I admit I’m not the most particular when it comes to immediately swapping up splashes and water spills.   Otherwise, this is a wonderful option.  Below is an image of the butcher block countertop from Teragren.

Bamboo Countertop from Teragren

4) Concrete: I had to add this one because I love the simple, streamlined look a concrete countertop can give.  Although not traditionally considered “green” perhaps (due to the energy and materials – outside of rocks and natural components – required to fabricate) I was excited to learn that some manufacturers have found a way to make concrete a more eco-friendly countertop alternative.

Tags: bamboo countertops, concrete countertops, eco by cosentino, eco-friendly countertops, kitchen countertops, Paperstone, recycled glass, teragren

This is the 3rd day I’ve returned with the same coffee cup to my local haunt, The Steam Cafe.   I’m feeling a little self-conscious and, of course, over explaining myself.  Driss, the owner of the shop, merely laughed with (at?) me and seemed to appreciate my desire to conserve.  I think this would be easier to do if it were more of an anonymous place but whatever.  This is letting me visit my normal spot and use a paper cup so if it ain’t broken…

The Steam Cafe from borderstan.files.wordpress.com

Whole Living has published a list of 25 eco-chic design ideas for your home.  Some are adorable and super clever.

A few of my favorites that I intend to use include:

#4 – Recycled Glass Dishes

Recycled Glass Bowls

Why?:  Nothing is prettier than the slightly imperfect formations of recycled glass.

#5 – Rustic Candles

Homemade Rustic Candles

Why?: Fun, green and resourceful.  Not to mention very pretty.

#7 – Glass Food Storage

Glass Food Containers

Why?: Avoid the leaching concerns associated with using plastic plus you definitely won’t accidentally toss these.  You may still need lightweight plastic for travel but still such a great way to cut back on plastic use.

I also like their tip to use washable and reusable microfiber towels rather than paper towels, but I keep a small bag of work rags that I accumulate from old white t-shirts, stained towels and other items that would not be usable by the Salvation Army.  An absorbent, washable and reusable way to clean.

Image of Rags from Greener Cleaner

Thanks to Whole Living for these great tips.  Check out all 25 tips on their website here.

Tags: design tips, homemade candles, microfiber, plastic recycling, recycled glass dishware, Whole Living

I brought yesterday’s paper coffee cup, sleeve and lid back for a refill today at my fave local cafe here in Dupont Circle.  Only had to endure a slight questioning look from the barista but I think he may have given me a discount:).

Tags: dupont circle, Steam Cafe

I wrote a post last week considering how to reduce our usage of to go cups in coffee shops.   While I realize that the little steps add up, I can’t help feeling a little helpless and ineffective when I think about this.  Really, just in terms of personal daily trash disposal, it is quite overwhelming when I think about the obvious such as all of the plastics my groceries and toiletries are packaged in, paper waste from the mail and newspaper (my husband refuses to give up The Washington Post in lieu of online readership) and the other waste created throughout the day by myself, dog and cat.  Yes, I reuse plastic bags and such, but I’m still creating trash that will take years if not forever to disintegrate.

Acknowledging that I’m overwhelmed in writing is making me feel slightly better… I think that if I do continue on a steady pace of recycling and renewal that I will be able to at least reduce my impact on the earth, which is slightly better than thinking that I will have no real effect.  I hope that we can come up with better ways and means to control the rate at which we are impacting the earth – I know that real people have made significant headway and impact in the way we view conservation and respectful treatment of the planet and appreciate all of this amazing information and research and can only hope that we are all a little more aware and engaged in the process of creating a healthy planet.

I would love to hear how you feel we can most effectively impact the earth in a positive way, or the way in which we can best minimize our negative impact.

Tags: conservation, recycling