Recycle Your Cork and more @ Whole Foods Market Union Square

Green Holiday Gift Guide

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A natural and economic solution for safer roads

(ARA) - Life doesn't stop when dangerous winter road conditions arise. Emergency vehicles respond to citizen needs, and school buses must take children to school. So when wintery weather causes traffic problems, drivers are left to rely on local road professionals to use the best technologies available to keep them safe.

More and more North American counties and municipalities are using treated salt, a high performance de-icer available from major salt manufacturing companies like North American Salt Company (NASC).

Snow and ice removal crews find that treated salt is an economical de-icing solution that increases road safety during severe winter weather and is effective even in extreme temperatures. For example, NASC's Thawrox clears ice in temperatures as low as 0 degrees Fahrenheit, extending the window for safe road management.
Drivers also may appreciate seeing clearer roads while sharing the road with fewer snow-removal vehicles. "For road crews, a product like Thawrox that works well at extreme temperatures means fewer trips out to cover the roads - saving the municipality and its residents money," says Gary VanRoboys, president of Preferred Transport, a carrier of bulk commodities in Ontario, Canada, who provided treated salt to municipal transportation departments last winter.

Green Overdrive Video: Mercedes F-Cell Fuel Cell Car

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An easy way to save 15 percent on utility bills

(ARA) - Saving money around the house continues to be a major pursuit for homeowners nationwide. And with a focus on going green, savvy homeowners are looking for ways to cut energy use to reduce utility bills and their home's carbon footprint.

There are dozens of ways to curb energy use around the home. Sealing drafts by applying caulk and weather-stripping around windows and doors, and applying foam sealer around drafty outlets and piping leading outside can save up to 5 percent on heating costs alone. Most important, installing the proper amount of attic insulation with the proper airflow is generally the best way to save on home energy use.
If you are among the millions of Americans who enjoy do-it-yourself home improvement projects, installing a radiant barrier in the attic space above your home is one of the most effective energy-saving projects to consider.

Going Green with your Car

Simple tips to keep your vehicle running its best

(ARA) - All motorists want their vehicle to last on the road and perform at its best. As the summer finally begins to wind down, it's important to make sure your car is properly prepared for cooler weather and weekend road trips. Since a car is typically the second largest investment Americans make, and families are now keeping their vehicles longer than ever, protecting and maintaining this investment is key to keeping cars running smoothly and efficiently.

Sometimes vehicle maintenance can be one of the more daunting aspects of automobile ownership. For many drivers, spending a few hours under the hood or taking their car into the dealer can be like having a tooth pulled - necessary, but painful.
Lifelong automotive enthusiast Bob Long, Gumout spokesperson and host of the nationally syndicated "AutoWorld Radio," the "Motor Trend Radio" program and "The Long Drive" feature, has helped educate drivers about their vehicles for more than two decades. He has a few simple tips for maintaining your vehicle's longevity and helping to avoid preventable repair costs down the road.
"As a passionate car enthusiast, I constantly stress that there's no substitute for preventative maintenance. A little TLC can go a long way when it comes to taking care of your vehicle and avoiding repairs," says Long, an automotive expert with 25 years in the industry.
With a little planning and some willpower, there are a few smart and easy ways to get your vehicle ready for the road. The key is to plan ahead and know the basics. Below are a few essential maintenance tips from Long that can pay off in the long run.
* Change your oil regularly

A regular oil change is the service most likely to help prolong the life of your vehicle, and it's especially important to keep in mind before you head out on any long road trips. Changing the oil, not just topping it off, with a high-quality motor oil that meets the specifications recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer can help your engine get the lubricant protection it needs.

* Protect critical engine parts

Just because you can't see a problem, doesn't mean it's not there. Before taking a long trip or if you drive a lot, visit a trusted professional and make sure your car is properly tuned. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, regular vehicle maintenance can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent.
If your car is experiencing poor fuel economy, decreased horsepower, hesitation and/or rough idling, consider using a fuel additive to help your vehicle's critical engine parts work more efficiently. With a comprehensive range of product formulations for just about every type of car, truck, diesel or flex-fuel vehicle, all Gumout Fuel System Cleaners are a one-stop vehicle maintenance supplier. All Gumout Fuel System Cleaners help reduce carbon buildup deposits and emissions. By removing deposits in the fuel system, the combustion efficiency is improved, which in turn improves miles per gallon (MPG) and performance.

* Keep your tires properly inflated

Make sure your tires are at the correct pressure and not over- or under-inflated. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, keeping tires at the correct pressure can improve your gasoline mileage by about 3.3 percent. Proper air pressure is also essential for automotive safety and optimum driving performance.
* Use quality gasoline and don't run on empty

A number of consumers have switched to low-quality gasoline due to the struggling economy. That's understandable, but what most people don't know is that lower-quality gasoline can leave behind carbon deposits that can rob the vehicle of performance which may reduce gas mileage. Gumout Performance Chemicals are designed to clean and protect critical parts in your car.
Running your vehicle on empty is also not a part of good car care, because sediment from gasoline settles at the bottom of the gas tank and when the gas level in your car runs low, your car uses the dirtiest gasoline in its tank. Driving on a near-empty tank puts your car at risk to get this dirt into the fuel line and possibly the engine.
"Maintenance 'musts' include regularly checking your vehicle's oil, fluids and filters," says Long. "These basics are a critical part of any maintenance regime and relatively inexpensive. By keeping these simple car care tips in mind, you can help keep your car running at its best for years to come."


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Recycling Roundup @ Sun Life Stadium

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Selling your home in 2011? Tips to add value during winter months

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Major home renovations can be overwhelming, but there are a few fundamental repairs that can update your home's appearance and increase its value. If you're planning to sell your home in 2011, take advantage of the colder winter months to prepare your home for a spring sale by focusing on a few key projects:

Make a first impression.

The entryway is the first up-close encounter a potential homebuyer will have with your home. Manicure your front yard and update or even replace your front door to complement your home's exterior. Select a rich, dark stained wood or bold white door to draw attention to the main entry and add personality to your home. If your door is already in great shape, consider a simple replacement of weak or older-looking hardware that will impress buyers at first sight.

Get cookin' in the kitchen.

Experts agree that a kitchen can significantly impact a home's perceived value. An outdated kitchen can be a deal breaker for many homebuyers. Naturally, then, it's the place you might spend the most amount of time updating. To increase the appeal of your kitchen, consider investing in updated, matching appliances that match the style of your kitchen. Some manufacturers even offer replacement panels to update the exteriors of older appliances.

Next, if you can't afford to add new cabinetry, change out the hardware so the knobs, drawer pulls and handles match your decor and add a modern flair. Adding technology-driven fixtures, including built-in water filtration systems, garbage disposals and high-tech faucets is another great way to increase the room's appeal. Delta Faucet's Touch2O Technology will impress homebuyers and add a sense of luxury to the room. The technology enables users to turn the faucet on and off with just a touch anywhere on the spout or handle, and is available on a variety of models.

Update and upgrade light fixtures.

Lighting is key. It can drastically change the look and feel of a room, and lighting fixtures are affordable and relatively simple to install on your own. Shop discount stores and home improvement depots to find a statement piece to add spice to your living room. A beautiful ceiling fan with lighting can serve double-duty to update your family room. Remember, well-lit and bright rooms appear larger and more open.
Step on it.

Flooring is one of the first things that potential homebuyers notice. Make sure you dust, vacuum and clean so that you show off the flooring to its best advantage. If you have carpet, consider replacing it with wood floors or wood alternatives. If you already have hardwood floors, polish and protect your flooring so that it gleams when potential buyers step into the home.
Whether you're trying to sell your home this winter or simply want to update its look, you don't have to wait until the spring thaws. When the cold weather drives you inside, take advantage of the time to make attractive upgrades that can increase the appeal and value to your home.

Go Green When You Move - Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle

After living in Tucson, Arizona for the last seven years I just moved back this week to New York.  When moving don't just put all of your stuff in a trash bag and throw it away in the dumpster.  Be smart and go green.  Make sure you use the three R's: Reuse, Reduce, and Recycle.

I accumalated a lot of stuff over the last seven years like some couches from Erin L., a blender from Allen M., a car from Jake C., etc. To go green during this move I donated clothes that didn't fit me to goodwill, gave back old hangers to the local cleaners, recylced old college papers, recycled Jack's labtop, recycled my old printer, and donated some old telephones to goodwill.  I also brought back some cfl's that didn't work anymore to Home Depot.  The average American would not do what I did when moving.  There stuff would of ended up in a landfill and they would of wasted stuff that could of been donated, resused, or recylced.  When moving think about other people and the environment.  Don't you think it makes sense to donate old clothes and shoes to goodwill instead of throwing them in the garbage? Don't you think it makes sense to recycle your old printer to Office Max to get a $50 coupon towards a new printer?

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How to cut more than $1,500 from your utility bill

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(ARA) - In today's challenging economy, homeowners are looking for a few extra bucks to help pay their monthly utility bills and other household expenses, but there's no need to resort to searching for spare change in the sofa cushions. You can find plenty of extra cash throughout the house by making some simple and smart energy-efficient home improvements.

"The average household spends approximately $2,200 every year on energy bills, but there are definite ways to save," says Bill Cunningham, an energy efficiency expert with home heating and cooling equipment manufacturer Lennox Industries. "In fact, homeowners who take the proper steps may be able to cut their annual energy bills by as much as half."
Cunningham points to the following areas of the home, and estimates just how much each of these 10 simple steps can add to your bottom line:

Climate control:
* Get with the program. Install an ENERGY STAR-qualified programmable thermostat, and take the time to program it (the majority of consumers don't).  When used properly, these thermostats can cut energy costs.  Average savings:  $180 per year.

* Retire the failing furnace. Replace your furnace if it's more than 15 years old. Today's state-of-the-art furnaces, like the new Lennox SLP98V gas furnace introduced this year, can save hundreds of dollars each year in heating costs compared with older furnaces that are only 65 percent efficient.  Average savings:  $800 per year.

* Insulate the attic. Since only 20 percent of homes built before 1980 are well insulated, it's a good idea to add extra insulation to prevent the home's heating and cooling system from having to work harder. The amount you may need to add will vary with climate, but you can save up to 10 percent on your energy bill by air sealing the home and adding insulation with a higher R-value, which refers to the insulation's resistance to heat flow.  Average savings:  $220 per year.

Water heating:

* Dial it back. Lower the temperature on your hot water heater from 145 degrees to 120 degrees - the only place you'll notice the difference is on your utility bill. Average savings:  $36 to $61 per year.


* Go with the (low) flow. Replace your existing shower head with a new 2.5-gallon-per-minute (low-flow) version. The new water-efficient shower head, coupled with a shower of 10 minutes or less, will save 5 gallons of water over a typical bath as well as the electricity that's used to heat the water. Average savings: Up to $145 per year.

* Let the laundry chill. To save hot water and the fuel that it takes to heat that water each year, wash your clothes in cold water. Be sure to choose a laundry detergent that is formulated for use in cold temperatures. Average savings:  Between $24 and $40 per year.
* Discontinue the drips. To keep your hard-earned money from literally going down the drain, be sure to repair kitchen and bathroom faucet leaks. Hot water leaking at a rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water annually, as well as the electricity or natural gas that heats the water. Average savings: $35 per year.

Lighting:

* Make a light switch. Replace your five most frequently used incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use less energy and can last up to 10 times longer. Also consider motion sensors for outdoor lighting and occupancy sensors indoors to automatically shut off lights when no one is in the room. Average savings: $65 per year.

Appliances:

* Make a dent in the lint. Clean the lint trap in your clothes dryer before every load of laundry, which will help increase the drying efficiency of the machine. Average savings: $34 per year.


* Stop the standby energy use. Unplug TVs and other digital devices when not in use, as "standby" energy consumption (particularly with plasma TVs) can add up and drive your energy bill higher. Average savings: $165 per year.
Whether you choose to tackle all these energy-efficient home improvements or just a few, Cunningham says there are real benefits to be had.  "Not only can you save more than $1,500 a year with these improvements, you also will be helping protect the environment with each step because you'll be reducing your household energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions."

For more information about how to cut energy bills, visit http://www.lennox.com/ or www.itpaystolivesmart.com.

Scientists vs. Congress ....... Who is going to win the debate on climate change?

Warm your home for the holidays with energy-efficient products

(ARA) - Fall colors, cooler weather and crackling fires mean the holidays are right around the corner. As consumers prepare themselves and their homes for colder temperatures, many will seek out energy-efficient products. By making smart decisions, you can be sensible, yet stylish, when the cold weather, family and friends arrive for the holidays.

The first place to start: your windows and doors. Replacing old, drafty windows and doors with fashionable, more energy-efficient ones can help you save energy and lower your utility bills year-round. If you're an American homeowner, it could even help you save at tax time if you purchase and install before Dec. 31.

Dreaming of a 'green' holiday

(ARA) - It might feel like the holiday season is still eons away, but think again. Do you have your decorating, entertaining and gifting plans in place? If you're looking for ideas and inspiration, why not think green this year?


This isn't just about holiday garlands, trees and wreaths. This is the eco-friendly and sustainable kind of green. And keep in mind that going green for the holidays doesn't mean being boring - you can incorporate all the glitz and glam of the season and still help the environment.

Three big questions you should be asking about what 'green' means

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(ARA) - As consumers and marketers have jumped onto the trend, it's no longer difficult to outfit your home with products that are classified as "green." You now have multiple choices among products that claim to be the most environmentally friendly, which can cause some confusion about which ones are the best.

"Many products are labeled green, but it's important to know what green really means. When selecting green building materials, consider their overall impact on the environment," says Mike McDonald, national green homebuilder. "Select products that are natural and renewable."