C.A.R. Green Tip
The H2O Conserve Water Footprint Calculator is an interactive tool designed to help you quantify how much water you use, find out how you use it and what you can do to conserve.
The Calculator estimates the total amount of water you use, or your water footprint, using information you provide about your water use and habits. The Calculator takes into account not only the water used in your home, but also the water used to produce the food you eat, the products you buy, the energy you consume, and even the water saved when you recycle. You may not drink, feel, or see this virtual water, but it makes up the majority of your water footprint.
Based on your water use information, the Water Footprint Calculator:
● Provides a general assessment of your direct water and virtual water use, as well as a comparison to the national average of the combined direct and virtual water use of U.S. residents as developed by H2O Conserve.
● Shows your total household water use, as well as the average use per person in your household.
NOTE: The Calculator uses data from the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and several other sources to calculate an individual’s water footprints. Results are based on national averages and approximations, and your results should be considered an estimate.
Green Tip
Here is a Green Tip to get you ready for GreenFEST 2010, this Saturday, August 14, from 10am to 4pm.
Go to any home improvement store, and you’ll find aisles reserved for green building materials. Some of these green building supplies are legitimate and others could be considered questionable, depending on which environmentalist you ask. If you are like most Americans, concerned about global warming and protecting the environment, do your homework and investigate the origin, harvesting methods, and production of green materials before purchasing.
Green Flooring Materials
Green floors are typically made from renewable or recycled products. These non-toxic flooring materials are said to be safe for the environment and for people, and can be installed in an eco-friendly manner without harmful gas emissions.
Cork Floors
Cork is made from stripped tree bark, leaving the trees intact. It is warm and inviting, but cork can yellow in sunlight, scratches easily and cannot come into contact with water.
Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is a grass, not a wood. It renews itself every 3 to 5 years. Inexpensive bamboo is generally younger and not very durable, so ask for premium bamboo, made from adhesives that do not contain formaldehyde. Bamboo can be nailed, glued, stapled or floated, and comes in horizontal or vertical patterns. Do not install in areas that get wet.
Recycled Carpeting
Most green carpeting is made from recycled plastic food and beverage containers. Their vibrant color options tend to last longer than nylon carpets. This shock-free static product does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOC), which are part of the typical “new carpet smell” but can irritate the lungs, and recycled carpets are stain resistant.
Linoleum Flooring
Linoleum is a manufactured product made from natural raw materials such as linseed oil, a binding agent obtained from pine trees (without harming the trees), renewable wood products, ground limestone and jute, which is a plant fiber. Linoleum floors are stain resistant, do not absorb water and are biodegradable at the end of its useful life, generally around 40 years.
Eco-Friendly Wood Flooring
Certain types of exotic hardwoods such as Brazilian Cherry or White Tigerwood are grown in South America. These are harvested from well-managed forests with renewable resources. Brazilian Cherry is engineered wood made from 3-ply construction using formaldehyde-free adhesives. It is generally more expensive but resilient and harder than oak.
Share a Box
C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Share a box
If you are preparing to move, you need boxes. If you recently moved, then you need someone to haul those pesky boxes. Shareabox.com does both, connecting people and boxes. Share a Box was created by two green-minded REALTORS® who believe every box is begging to be used again, again, and again. Visit http://www.shareabox.com/ for more details.
GreenFEST 2010
Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® and Sustainable Contra Costa invite you to GreenFEST 2010!
Saturday, August 14th
1870 Olympic Blvd.
Walnut Creek
CCAR and Sustainable Contra Costa have partnered on this annual event that brings together GREEN businesses offering resources and tools for “going green.” The free and fun event will feature food, music, and educational demos on recycling and composting, water conservation tips, as well as money-saving products for utilizing a healthier, green lifestyle. GreenFEST will accept food bank donations, provide cell phone recycling, e-waste recycling, paper shredding, TRADE a bag (receive a recycle bag for a plastic bag) and Green Travel tips. In addition there will be TEST rides on electric scooters, alternative fuel vehicles, demos, a kids’ zone, and GIVEAWAYS from the many sponsors like Renassaince Club Sport, Green Essence Cleaning Company, Whole Foods, and scrumptious food from Nature’s Bounty Café.
For the RAFFLE, the Walnut Creek Green Business, Green Wheelin’ Scooters, will provide a TEST ride on bikes and scooters like the RAFFLE PRIZE Sorrento electric transportation Scooter, and IZIP Electric Urban Cruiser Enlightened bike, each valued at $1899. Tickets are available for $10 each, three for $25, or 7 for $50.
Proceeds from GreenFEST 2010 will go to the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® non-profit “Helping Hands Foundation” which funds educational scholarships and philanthropic endeavors that give back to the communities in which CCAR serves as well as benefitting Sustainable Contra Costa. For sponsorship opportunities and posters to display at your location, go to www.GreenFESTContraCosta.com.
We’ll see you at GreenFEST on August 14th!
Contact Terrylynn Fisher for more information at, info@GreenFESTContraCosta.com or 925.876.0966.
GreenFEST 2010
Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® and Sustainable Contra Costa invite you to GreenFEST 2010!
Saturday, August 14th
1870 Olympic Blvd.
Walnut Creek
CCAR and Sustainable Contra Costa have partnered on this annual event that brings together GREEN businesses offering resources and tools for “going green.” The free and fun event will feature food, music, and educational demos on recycling and composting, water conservation tips, as well as money-saving products for utilizing a healthier, green lifestyle. GreenFEST will accept food bank donations, provide cell phone recycling, e-waste recycling, paper shredding, TRADE a bag (receive a recycle bag for a plastic bag) and Green Travel tips. In addition there will be TEST rides on electric scooters, alternative fuel vehicles, demos, a kids’ zone, and GIVEAWAYS from the many sponsors like Renassaince Club Sport, Green Essence Cleaning Company, Whole Foods, and scrumptious food from Nature’s Bounty Café.
For the RAFFLE, the Walnut Creek Green Business, Green Wheelin’ Scooters, will provide a TEST ride on bikes and scooters like the RAFFLE PRIZE Sorrento electric transportation Scooter, and IZIP Electric Urban Cruiser Enlightened bike, each valued at $1899. Tickets are available for $10 each, three for $25, or 7 for $50.
Proceeds from GreenFEST 2010 will go to the Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® non-profit “Helping Hands Foundation” which funds educational scholarships and philanthropic endeavors that give back to the communities in which CCAR serves as well as benefitting Sustainable Contra Costa. For sponsorship opportunities and posters to display at your location, go to www.GreenFESTContraCosta.com.
We’ll see you at GreenFEST on August 14th!
Contact Terrylynn Fisher for more information at, info@GreenFESTContraCosta.com or 925.876.0966.
Green in the Kitchen
Between the refrigerator, oven, microwave, and lights, kitchens can consume a lot of energy, but here are some ways to reduce your kitchen’s energy usage and save some money:
“Right size” your appliances: The larger your appliances, the more energy they consume. And, large appliances take up more space, meaning you’ll need to heat and cool additional square footage to accommodate them. Finding the “right size” appliance to fit your needs—instead of just buying the largest one available—can help you to save energy.
Replace old refrigerators: If your refrigerator is more than 10 years old, it might be time to consider replacing it. Old refrigerators can account for up to 15 percent of a home’s energy consumption. Newer refrigerators, especially ENERGY STAR models, consume significantly less energy than older models, sometimes as little as one-quarter of the energy. Try not to be tempted to keep the old refrigerator running in the garage, running two refrigerators will just increase your energy costs! Many local utility companies offer rebates to pick up your old refrigerator if it’s still operational.
Use your dishwasher: Although dishwashers are energy intensive, they also use less water than hand-washing, so as long as you use your dishwasher wisely, running the dishwasher can be a good thing. Dishwashers today are built to handle food remnants, so resist the urge to pre-rinse before putting your dishes in the dishwasher, basically you are just doing double-duty (and increasing your water bill). Also, always make sure you run a full load. Dishwashers always use the same amount of water, so the more dishes you can fit in a load, the more energy efficient it will be. As with a refrigerator, if your dishwasher is old, consider replacing it. Replacing a pre-1994 dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR model can save $30 a year on utility costs.
Cook smart: Making small changes to the way you cook can definitely increase your energy efficiency. For example:
● Put a lid on pots and pans: it will decrease time on the burner.
● Unplug appliances: Even when not in use, some appliances may still be consuming standby energy.
● Size matters: If you are making a meal, think about using a toaster oven or the microwave, both consume significantly less energy than a regular oven.
GreenFEST Wine & Cheese Mixer
The Contra Costa Association of REALTORS® Make it Green Task Force and Sustainable Contra Costa invites you to:
The 2010 GreenFEST Wine & Cheese Mixer.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Complimentary Wine and Appetizers
Come to ask questions, signup, view booth areas, mingle with other greenminded businesses, and share your green knowledge.
Kindly RSVP to Terrylynn Fisher at 925 876 0966.
CCAR Board Walk 5k was a Huge Success – See Proof!
The annual Board Walk 5k was a huge success. CCAR raised $2,000, which will benefit the Moses Guillory Scholarship Fund.
E-recycling earns gift cards
C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: E-recycling earns retailers’ gift cards
RadioShack’s online electronics trade-in program allows customers to exchange used, portable electronics for a RadioShack gift card. Accepted items include GPS devices, MP3 players, notebooks, and game consoles. Click here to learn the trade-in value and download the prepaid shipping labels. Gift cards arrive within 10 to 14 days.
C.A.R. Green Tip
C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Love that linoleum
If it’s time to change the break room floor, opt for linoleum instead of vinyl. Linoleum is made from all-natural resources, while vinyl is made from petroleum.
For more C.A.R. green tips, click here.
Clean Energy Funding
About AB811: Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Funding
PACE funding allows homeowners to get low-interest loans for clean energy projects on their homes (including, but not limited to, solar installation). Rather than pay up front costs, the payments are amortized over twenty years and paid for through your property tax. The lien is attached to the property, not the homeowner, so if it’s sold, the new owner takes over.
Phase 2 of the California First program is open to counties from April to July, 2010. Residents can only get this funding once their county is participating in the program. The more cities that support this, the more likely it is to happen. Below are steps for residents to take to encourage their city to encourage our county to participate:
HOW DO I GET STARTED?
Step 1: Write a letter: mail/e-mail it to your elected officials, copy (cc) the City Manager.
- For a complete list of emails: www.ccmayors.com/Roster100105.pdf
- See sample letter and attach a sample resolution
Step 2: Attend your next town council meeting & speak under “public comment” period.
- Every City Council meeting has a public comment period at the start of the meeting.
- Use the sample talking points below (usually 3 minutes maximum)
- Leave copies of your letter and the sample resolution from Step 1
- Ask to be notified when this topic will be on the City Council agenda
Step 3: Follow up with letters or phone calls until it is placed on the City Council’s agenda
- Cities need to sign up by July. Encourage your city to hear this issue by early May.
Step 4: Attend the meeting once the topic is placed on the agenda .
Sample letter, resolution, city council meeting schedules and more information are available at www.sustainablecoco.ning.com and www.cccclimateleaders.org
Step 1: SAMPLE LETTER: REQUESTING THE ISSUE OF CALIFORNIA FIRST BE PLACED ON AGENDA: for a complete list of emails, go to www.ccmayors.com/Roster100105.pdf
Apri l # , 2010
Honorable Mayor____________ and Council Members.
I have been a resident of ________________for ## years. I am very interested in the California First Program that allows homeowners to get low-interest loans for clean energy projects on their homes (including, but not limited to, solar installation – see www.renewfund.com/pace/pace-overview). Rather than pay up front costs, my payments are amortized over twenty years and paid with my property tax. The lien is attached to the property, not the homeowner, so if it’s sold, the new owner takes over. I am eager to have access to this great program to upgrade my home!
It is my understanding that our city has not yet signed up for this program. I further understand that residents can only get this funding once their county is participating in the program. Please place this topic on your next Council’s agenda.
I urge the City of ____________ to pass a resolution to join CaliforniaFirst, and make this program available to residents like myself. I also urge you to pass a resolution urging the county to apply. I have attached samples of these two resolutions for your consideration.
Please place this item on the next City Council’s agenda, and please let me know so that I may attend and participate in this important discussion.
Sincerely,
Name (also include your Address, Phone and E-mail)
Step 2: TALKING POINTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD: Request California First be placed on the agenda as soon as possible; 14 California counties are participating in Phase 1 and the opportunity for Contra Costa to apply to participate in Phase 2 is only from April to July. Express your interest and the interest of friends in the program, stress that it is important to the city’s sustainable future. The PACE funding will allow homeowners like you to get low-interest loans for clean energy home improvement projects and make payments in conjunction with their property tax; individual residents and cities cannot participate until the county applies. Encourage your city officials to pass two resolutions…one for the city and one to encourage the county.
Step 3: FOLLOW-UP UNTIL THIS ITEM IS PLACED ON THE AGENDA: Same talking points as above. When this item is placed on the agenda, please let us know at info@ccclimateleaders.org.
Step 4: TALKING POINTS FOR MEETINGS WITH THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA: Encourage friends and neighbors to attend the meeting and show their support for this important opportunity for Contra Costa residents. This powerful program will greatly benefit our communities by helping us to embrace clean energy technologies and creating local jobs.
Sample resolutions and more information are available at www.cccclimateleaders.org
C.A.R. Tip
C.A.R. Green Tip of the Week: Post Office recycles electronics
Next time you’re in the post office, ask the postal clerk for an envelope to recycle your cell phones, PDAs, MP3 players, ink jet cartridges, digital cameras, and small electronics. The post office provides this free service, and all you have to do is peel the label of this 6-inch by 5.5-inch envelope and drop in your mail box.
Earth Day
Mother Earth may refer to Mother Nature, a common metaphorical expression for the Earth and its biosphere as the giver and sustainer of life.
Earth Day is a day designed to inspire awareness and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, held on April 22. It was founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as an environmental teach-in in 1970 and is celebrated in many countries every year. The first Earth Day was in 1970.
Earth Day is April 22, 2010. It seems a good time to talk about things that are not only good for us, but are also fun, earth friendly and that save us time and money. Since 1970 the movement has gone from just a “day” to everyday opportunities.
For Earth Day activities for kids, click here. Or click here to review year ‘round fun and green activities.
SATURDAY, APRIL 17 EARTH STROLL 2010
Crissy Field, 603 Mason Street, San Francisco. Crissy Field Center is all about introducing kids to the wonder of the outdoors, and their Earth Day Stroll continues the exploration while commemorating something larger—a healthy planet and people. This free event will lead guests through the new Crissy Field Center in the Presidio, where they will play animal dress up, take yoga classes, play edible geology games, and learn what “ethnobotany” means. Admission is free, with extra activities available for $5.
ENHANCE LIME RIDGE OPEN SPACE
On April 17 spend part of Earth Day working to enhance the Lime Ridge Open Space by helping to build a trail from Bayberry Pond to the Savannah Trail. Corporate sponsors including Sports Basement, Peet’s Coffee, Sweet Affair Bakery and Rocco’s Ristorante, will supply goods and feed volunteers. Show up at 8am at the Bayberry Drive trailhead entrance: bring water and wear long pants, boots, a hat, sunscreen, and gloves. Preregistration is required. Email simmons@walnut-creek.org.
CELEBRATE EARTH DAY IN WALNUT CREEK
At 9am on April 17 with a bird walk out of Borges Ranch in Shell Ridge. Families are invited to bring their own picnic lunch to the Hanna Grove picnic area at Shell Ridge at noon for a community picnic.
CHILDREN’S EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES
Activities for children, grades second through sixth grade, will be available at Howe Homestead on Walnut Boulevard from 3 to 5pm. Preregistration is required: email dollard@walnut-creek.org. The day will conclude at 7pm with a campfire and storytelling at the Sugarloaf Open Space. For more information on Earth Day activities, e-mail dollard@walnut-creek.org.
There is another trend happening that is becoming a staple of our week – the Walnut Creek Farmer’s Market. My husband and granddaughter have tasty snacks and food cooked to order right there. Where it used to be an occasional activity, many families are making the trip to the Farmer’s Market a family outing and part of their grocery budget.
Eating locally, sustainably, and organically is now available in almost every city. Contra Costa Certified Farmer’s Markets are listed online at www.pcfma.com which includes the following…
Walnut Creek – Sundays, 8am to 1 pm, May-Nov; 9am to 1pm, Dec-Apr
Lafayette – Lafayette Plaza Park Mt. Diablo Blvd., Thursdays, 4:30 to 8pm, May-Sept
Orinda – Orinda Way near Orinda Village, Saturdays, 9am to 1pm, May-Nov
Martinez – Downtown Main Street Plaza, Sundays, 10am to 2pm, May-Oct
Concord – Todos Santos Plaza, Willow Pass and Grant St., Tuesdays, 10am to 2pm, year round; Thursdays, 4pm to 8pm, May-Oct
Diablo Valley WC – Shadelands, Mitchell and North Wiget, Saturdays, 9am to 1pm
Moraga – Moraga Rd. and Moraga Way, Sundays, 9am to 1pm
Pittsburg – Railroad between 5th and 6th St., 9am to 1pm, May-Oct
Pleasant Hill – Crescent in front of Century Theatre, 8am to 2pm, May-Nov
Junk Mail Facts
FACTS ON JUNK MAIL!
• The average person gets 1.5 personal letters each week and 10.8 pieces of junk mail.
• Each person will receive almost 560 pieces of junk mail this year.
• That’s 4.5 million tons of junk mail produced each year!
• 44% of all junk mail is thrown in the trash, unopened and unread.
• Approximately 40% of the solid mass that makes up our landfills is paper and paperboard waste.
• By 2010, it is predicted to make up about 48%.
• 100 million trees are ground up each year to produce junk mail.
• Lists of names and addresses used in bulk mailings are in mass data-collection networks, compiled from phone books, warranty cards, and charity donations (to name a few).
• Your name is typically worth 3 to 20 cents each time it is sold.
To reduce junk mail, cut waste, and save trees, follow the 5 easy steps below.
1. Companies offering pre-approved credit cards and insurance offers use lists from the major credit bureaus. Fortunately, to have your name removed from mailing lists used for unsolicited credit card and insurance offers call 888 567 8688. Or do it online here.
2. The Direct Marketing Association represents many mail order sales companies, and estimates that listing your name with their mail preference service will stop 75% of all national mailings coming to your home. Send a postcard with your name, address and signature to: Mail Preference Service, Direct Marketing Association, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512 or download the online form here.
3. Companies that do not participate in the D.M.A. program must be contacted directly. In addition, if you only want some of your junk mail stopped, contacting individual companies is the way to go. You can write to firms that send you unsolicited material and tell them firmly to stop. Be sure to use the enclosed Business Reply envelopes when replying through the mail, and address them to Customer Service. You can also call the firms’ toll free numbers and ask to speak with customer service.
4. Buyers beware…you are covered under a manufacturer’s warranty whether a card is returned or not. These cards are primarily used to gather names for mailing lists. Write National Demographics & Lifestyles (a firm that collects this information) to have your name removed: NDL List Order Services, 1621 18th Street, Suite 300, Denver, CO 80202
5. To remove your name from major nationwide sweepstakes mailers, contact:
• Publishers Clearinghouse, 101 Channel Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 Phone: 800 645 9242
• Readers Digest, Readers Digest Road, Pleasantville, NY 10570 Phone: 800 234 9000
• American Family Publishers, PO Box 62000, Tampa, FL 33662 Phone: 800 237 2400
For more information, check out these web sites:
• National Waste Prevention Coalition – www.metrokc.gov/nwpc
• Consumer Research Institute – www.stopjunk.com
• Ecofuture – www.ecofuture.org/jnkmail.html
As you begin to take action to reduce your own personal junk mail, remember to be both persistent and patient. You should notice a decrease in the amount of junk mail you receive within a month, but the removal of your name from these extensive lists takes awhile. In the meantime:
• REUSE junk mail for scrap paper.
• RECYCLE junk mail at your local recycling center!
• CREATE! Make recycled paper at home by cutting junk mail into small shreds, soaking in warm water (one hour, stirring occasionally), and spreading out on a flat, fine-holed, wire-mesh screen. Add flowers, grass, and leaves for fun, color, and texture.
Source www.NativeForest.org
Toilet Paper Fuss
What’s all the fuss about toilet paper?
- by Terrylynn Fisher
Did you know that Americans could save more than 400,000 trees if every family bought a roll of recycled toilet paper just once?
“So,” you ask, “What’s all the fuss about toilet paper?” A recent article from the Washington Post says that toilet paper is a menace, an example of America’s excess. I don’t know about you but most people are not yet ready to give it up. What can we do? There is new data that gives us cost-saving, wise options:
The November 09 issue of Real Simple features information on the cost of toilet paper. Remember the surveys asking consumers about going green and using sustainable products show that people are willing to go green and make better choices, but that saving money is a huge motivator toward that effort.
A brief cost comparison of an Ultra Plush Toilet paper is that per 100 sheets it costs .48 cents. The double ply plush is .90 cents per 100 sheets. An alternate brand of Ultra soft is .63 cents per 100 sheets. But Seventh Generation 100% recycled is .28 cents per 100 sheets. Only 5% of families actually buy the recycled product. What does all this mean?
Plush U.S. toilet paper is usually made by chopping down and grinding up trees that were sometimes decades or even a century old. It’s slow going getting Americans and Europeans to make the switch to recycled goods. The largest tissue maker has signed a truce and promises to do better. But the larger battle goes on – the ultimate test is whether Americans and Europeans will go green when nobody is watching.
Consumers want softer paper, environmentalists say “it’s only toilet paper.” Market Research, Inc.states that the three-ply toilet paper sold 24 million packages in the past year, bringing in more than $144 million in revenues. Earlier this year, Consumer Reports did studies that tested toilet paper brands ultra plys and the recycled and the recycled were noted to be “not unpleasant.” But the three plys win out getting the highest rating.
Try to use recycled paper when you have the opportunity. See if it’s palatable, and perhaps we’ll realistically end up with the 40 or 50% recycled that will be the answer. For environmentalists that may not be enough, but as far as small steps to move the consumer in the right direction, it just might be an answer.
Click for information and a link to a downloadable guide to purchasing recycled toilet paper and tissue.
Click for the guide which is printable to distribute to clients, friends and family.
Click for special pricing on recycled toilet papers.
