This blog post was originally published on Keen For Green in February 2011, but after the Northeast was slammed with "Nemo" last week, we wanted to share this valuable information!... read more
Plastic bags still seem to be one of the hardest materials to recycle. Although they are made of very easily recyclable materials they can many times be a contaminant in regular recycling. Problems with trying to properly recycle plastic bags is nothing new. Plastic bags have always been one of those commodities that have posed a challenge to collect and recycle. It’s no wonder why so many people would like to see them banned from being used.
Plastic bags are typically made from one of three basic types: high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). The thicker glossier shopping bags from the mall or retail stores are LLDPE, while grocery bags are usually HDPE.
Today most recycling haulers are seeing plastic bags mixed in with recycling. This is occurring in both single stream and multi stream recycling programs. Plastic bags are being found mixed in both municipal and commercial recycling.... read more
Heads are always likely to turn when a luxury market automobile sporting tinted windows glides silently down the high road. Yet, many of the owners of these vehicles have turned to window tinting not just as a vanity project but for very real and practical reasons – to protect themselves from the damaging effects of the sun’s UV light.
Climate change has become a key issue around the world. The extremes of weather at different times of the year have also begun to exert an influence upon how we now think about protecting our own homes.
Properties with a southern exposure can be particularly intolerable during the summer months and yet can also be far too cold in the winter, especially at night. It is often mistakenly assumed that window tinting decreases available light levels but the reality is that window tinting is designed to reduce glare and there are endless different darkness levels that can be customised to personal preference. ... read more
Even before the semester officially begins one of the first things students must plan is moving into the dorms.
Decisions need to be made on what to bring and strong hands found to haul possessions from place to place.
At the same time thoughts should be given towards making it a greener move so the effects on the environment of thousands of students journeying back to school at once is lessened.
Some considerations include the following:
Bring less stuff: Not only will lightening the load make life easier when moving in (and vacating) but fewer possessions means the vehicle transporting them will use less fuel. Also, since dorms are only temporary settings it’s a good challenge to try and be a creative remodeler who only needs a few items to generate that cozy comfortable feel. ... read more
If you haven’t already heard, energy prices are set to soar this winter and carry on rising in 2013. Due to this, everyone is being advised to shop around, pick your supplier carefully and if not suffer the price increase on your January electricity bill.
Considering it is December and the coldest time of the year, it is inevitable that you want to turn up your heating in a bid to stay warm this winter. However, have you actually thought how much this is going to cost you? You can switch your energy supplier to make it as cheap as possible, but the moral of the story is that your heating bills are going to increase whether you like it or not.
In light of this, I wanted to write this post to give advice and support to all of those out there struggling with money worries this Christmas season; after all, energy bill hikes affect all of us!... read more
The holidays are over, the days are cold and short, your old drafty house isn’t keeping you warm anymore, and your heating/electric bills are up. So, what are your choices? Replacing windows is costly. Or maybe you rent and you can’t make any big changes.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to help keep your home warmer during the winter months without price-prohibitive renovations. I had the opportunity to speak with Brian Besold, co-founder of San Francisco Bay Area home performance firm Kevel, who offered several helpful tips.
A common recommendation is using 3M plastic on your windows. It does make a difference but only for a few months because the adhesive wears off after a while. Plus, it looks terrible and makes window inoperable so you can’t open it. If there's an unseasonably warm day and you want to let in some fresh air, you simply can't if you have the plastic on your windows.
Instead, Besold recommends Indow Windows. (pictured left) Indow Windows produces a plexiglass panel that can be tailored to fit your window. All you have to do is pop it into your current window frame and viola! It serves the same purpose as a double pane window, but at a fraction of the cost. ... read more
So Christmas day rolled around at last and you were so excited to finally unwrap those shiny parcels twinkling wickedly at you from underneath the Christmas tree. But what if what you unwrapped was not everything your heart desired? What if – and don’t be shy here – you simply hated it? Now that it’s safely post-Christmas, we bring you our top tips on the best ways to recycle those lovingly gifted but simply off-the-mark presents.
Regift it
This one can be tricky! Don’t fall into the obvious trap of accidentally giving your unwanted present back to the very person who bought it for you. Combat this by jotting down who got you what and hopefully you’ll never make the ultimate gift faux pas. The golden rule with regifting is to make sure you give your unwanted present to someone who would actually like it - no palming it off at the first opportunity!... read more
The year end is a good opportunity to think about new ways to go green. Whether you've been a greenie for a long time, a green newbie, or if you're somewhere in between, it's the perfect time to make some green resolutions for 2013.
Here are some ideas for green resolutions. I see them as small, attainable goals that can help the environment if everyone does their part. Here's to a Keener and Greener 2013!
1. Remember to bring my reusable shopping bags everywhere. I now remember to bring them to the grocery store almost each time, but frequently I forget when clothes shopping, going to the pharmacy, etc.
2. Bringing a reusable coffee cup is a great resolution but I challenge you take it a step further and bring your own reusable food containers to restaurants in case you need a doggie bag.
3. If you work outside of the home, pick one day a week to walk, bike, take public transit, or carpool.... read more
With the New Year upon us, now is a great time to start reevaluating our energy consumption and the way our lifestyles impact the environment. One great step toward that goal is making the transition from traditional light bulbs to LED (light-emitting diode) varieties. Today, LED lights can be found in virtually any store where traditional bulbs are sold, and making that switch is easier than ever. With Christmas lights deeply discounted immediately after the holidays, it's also a smart time to invest in greening next year's decorations.
While some might hesitate to make the switch because of the higher cost of LED, for many, the following benefits more than justify the higher price tag.... read more
With some discipline and an $85 investment in energy-saving products, you can slash up to $500 off bills in the New Year. Even better, those savings will continue year after year, even if you don’t investment another dime. Projected savings are based upon the average home’s energy bill of $2200. If you live in a bigger than average house, your costs – and savings – will be greater.
Begin where you spend the most
Heating and cooling costs account for between 45 and 50 percent of your home’s energy use, so it’s a good place to begin saving money. Adding insulation to attic floors and exterior walls, of course, can dramatically reduce energy use. Before making that investment, however, look for places where insulation was forgotten altogether. Common locations include over garages with living space above, inside cantilevered floors, and in cavities around windows. Consult with a company that performs home energy audits to help you decide where you need insulation the most and the best kind to use. It will have instruments and equipment that can literally let you see and feel exactly where you’re losing energy. ... read more
Even before the semester officially begins one of the first things students must plan is moving into the dorms.
If you haven’t already heard, energy prices are set to soar this winter and carry on rising in 2013. Due to this, everyone is being advised to shop around, pick your supplier carefully and if not suffer the price increase on your January electricity bill. 
The holidays are over, the days are cold and short, your old drafty house isn’t keeping you warm anymore, and your heating/electric bills are up. So, what are your choices? Replacing windows is costly. Or maybe you rent and you can’t make any big changes. 
The year end is a good opportunity to think about new ways to go green. Whether you've been a greenie for a long time, a green newbie, or if you're somewhere in between, it's the perfect time to make some green resolutions for 2013. 
