Simple, everyday conservation acts to help save the environment

(ARA) - The "going green" trend is going strong as more Americans discover that doing their part for the environment is now simpler than ever. Many small, everyday acts can help the environment - things as simple as using a water purifier instead of buying bottled water or switching to concentrated laundry detergents.  

Procter & Gamble's environmental education program, Future Friendly, offers these helpful hints for changes that can benefit the environment and, in many cases, your pocketbook.  

Cleaning up your act

Doing a load of laundry seems like an innocent enough chore, right? Actually, our laundry habits can consume a lot of resources, from using more detergent than necessary to using energy to heat the wash water. Fortunately, greening your practices in the laundry room can be simple.

* Follow on-package dosing instructions - A third of Americans simply guess how much detergent to add to their laundry, with many just filling the cap or scoop to the brim, according to a recent Ipsos survey. In fact, 59 percent of those polled said they learned to do laundry from their mother, and 43 percent have never changed their laundry habits because they've never seen a reason to. It's important to follow the recommended dosing instructions which are generally marked on the cap or scoop.

* Use concentrated detergent - Concentrated powder versions of Tide and Gain are now available, enabling you to use less detergent per load with the same great results. This concentrated formula means the detergents' packaging has been reduced, creating less waste to toss in the trash or recycling bin.

* Wash in cold water - Most of the energy consumed in a typical load of laundry is used to heat the water, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Switching to cold water for every load can yield significant energy savings and, when using specially formulated products, you won't have to trade-off product performance to realize the environmental benefits.

Water, water everywhere

Water is a precious commodity that needs to be protected to ensure the health of the planet and our communities. Consider these water conservation tips as you go about your daily activities:

* Use a water purifier - While bottled water is a convenient aspect of modern life, the downside is the disposal of all those empty plastic bottles. When you compare the annual capacity and average price of a faucet-mount water filter to the price of water bottles that would hold the same amount of water, switching your household to a water purifier such as those available from Pur could keep more than 1,000 bottles out of the landfill and save around $600 a year.

* Skip pre-washing your dishes - Pre-washing dishes before placing them in the dishwasher can consume up to 20 gallons of water, according to EnergyStar.gov. If you use a good quality "complete" dishwasher detergent such as Cascade Complete, all you need to do is scrape off large food particles then place the dirty dishes in the washer - and you'll save around 2,600 gallons of water a year (based on 12.5 gallons of water used to pretreat, at four loads per week). EnergyStar also recommends running the dishwasher only when it's full and skipping the heat drying cycle.

Home 'eco'-nomics

Home 'eco'-nomics
(ARA) - Of the 13 recessions since the Great Depression, none has presented a combination of length, breadth and depth more significant than that of the current economic downturn. However, there is a bit of a bright spot among all of the doom and gloom. But perhaps it should be called a "green" spot.


While many expected American consumers to lose interest in the green movement, what has surfaced is a new pragmatism about the environment that embraces restraint, simplicity and cost-savings. As a result, consumers are re-evaluating what green really means.


"Today's green consumers are really savvy. They're now smarter about what they buy and they're looking for a direct return on investment through energy and utility savings," says Jack Suvak, senior director of research and insights at Moen.


Home is where it all begins
From organic produce to low-phosphate detergents, home is the heart of all things green. Whatever touches the kitchen and bath has become the first place for consumer evaluation and potential adoption.

Upgrade Your Bathroom to Save Water, Money and Go Green

Bathroom upgrades that will freshen the room - and save you money

(ARA) - When you sit back to relax in the tub, or take time to preen in front of the bathroom vanity, do you often feel that the setting just isn't giving you the comforting and spa-like experience you wish you could feel at home?

Sure, you take good care of your bathroom - you've scrubbed the faucets to make them as shiny as you can and everything works the way it has for many years. But maybe it's time you gave your bathroom a refreshing change - one that not only gives you the luxurious feeling of comfort and elegance, but also that benefits your wallet and the environment.

You may be surprised to learn that bathroom showers, toilets and sinks account for about 75 percent of the water used in each American home. If you haven't replaced any of your faucets or toilets for many years, you may be not only struggling with keeping these older fixtures looking clean and fresh, you may also be paying a lot of extra money to keep them running.

Consider your toilet. Older toilets can use as much as 5 gallons of water per flush, while stylish modern toilets are designed to cut that amount by more than a third. And some models, like the new high-efficiency Aquia Wall-Hung Dual Flush HET, which uses TOTO's Dual-Max flushing system, can use as little as 0.9 gallons per flush. These qualities earn this toilet the EPA WaterSense label for being water efficient. And being wall hung makes sense aesthetically - by hiding the tank in the wall and lifting the toilet from the floor (making cleaning a breeze), you can save a total of 9 inches of precious room space.

New Year's resolution: Save water without sacrificing your shower

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(ARA) - Thinking about making a New Year's resolution to continue to live a greener lifestyle? In addition to using energy-efficient appliances, carrying reusable shopping totes or recycling, consider reducing your dependency on one of the most precious resources - water.

Try adopting new bathroom habits and updating your fixtures with products that will help you conserve water without sacrificing your experience. Saving water may turn out to be easier than it sounds, especially with a few simple tips.

A recent eNation survey showed 83.7 percent of people take showers for the primary purpose of relaxing and meditating. Thirty-four percent of the survey respondents said the "shower is my time for just focusing on me." It represents a way to not only get clean, but to also escape from the stress of the day.

Simple Tips to Save Water and Money !

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• Install a low-flow shower head
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth
• Turn off the water while shaving
• Fix leaky faucets
• Wash only full loads of laundry and dishes, and scrape dishes instead of rinsing when loading the dishwasher
• Plant native plants in your garden
• Water your yard in the Morning
• Install a Graywater irrigation system

Outdoor Water Conservation Tips

Even though we use water every day, it’s easy to take it for granted. Just imagine how you would function without clean water. It’s everyone’s responsibility to conserve and protect water resources. The decisions and actions you make today truly affect our water resources for the future. The following suggestions will help you get in the habit of saving water in the great outdoors:

• Get a rain gauge to measure rainfall. One inch of rain per week is generally sufficient for lawns and gardens. Supplement only when rainfall is inadequate.
• Use mulch around landscape plantings. Mulch will help eliminate weeds and hold moisture in the soil.
• Select hardy plants that don’t need much water. Native plants that are well adapted to your climate and soils will survive well without supplemental watering.
• Water during the cool part of the day to avoid rapid evaporation.
• Raise the mowing heights on your lawn mower. This promotes healthier grass that can better survive dry periods.
•  When watering is necessary, water slowly and thoroughly. If you notice puddles or runoff, turn water off and wait for water to soak in. Also be sure your sprinkler puts water where you need it—not on driveways or sidewalks.
• Wash cars efficiently. First give the car a quick rinse, and then turn the water off. Wash one section of the car at a time and rinse that section quickly. Turn the water off each time.

Indoor Water Conservation Tips

You can reduce your water consumption by 20-40 percent without purchasing expensive equipment. Reducing water use can mean substantial savings on water, sewage and energy bills. The following suggestions will help you get in the habit of saving water:

Kitchen

• Avoid the garbage disposal. It uses a lot of unnecessary water and can lead to problems with septic systems. Start a compost pile instead!
• Run automatic dishwashers only with a full load.
•  When washing dishes in the sink, use one side of the sink or a large bowl for rinsing, rather than running water.
• Keep a container of water in the refrigerator for cold drinks. If you have to run your tap while waiting for cold water, collect running water in pitcher for later use.

Bathroom

• Conventional toilets use about five to seven gallons of water per flush. Water used for each flush can be reduced by placing two half-gallon plastic bottles filled with water in the tank.
• Install a low-flow aerator on your showerhead and sink. These devises can be purchased at a hardware store and are easy to install. They reduce flow to approximately three gallons per minute instead of the usual five to 10 in a shower.
• Turn off tap water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Take shorter showers. During droughts, turn off water while soaping up.

Tips for Saving Water

Water conservation is an important issue for the association—and not just because we want to be environmentally responsible. An equally important reason is that we want to keep assessments as low as possible. Here’s how you can help:

Kitchen Aid

Large appliances—washing machines and dishwashers—consume the most water, so they are important places to start any water-conservation efforts.

- Set the water level on your washing machine to match the size of your load. Try to avoid doing frequent small loads; whenever possible, run the machine only when you have a full load.

- You don’t need to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher! No, really. Hand rinsing dishes under the faucet uses 15-18 gallons of water per load. If your dishwasher has a pre-rinse cycle, try using it instead of hand rinsing. If a dish or two isn’t completely clean after the dishwasher cycle, finish the job by hand.

- Like the washing machine, only run the dishwasher when it’s full. If you have only a few dishes, wash them by hand in a sink or basin—not under a running faucet. Use a second basin or dishpan for rinsing, or spray rinse all the soapy dishes at once.

Splish-Splash—Conserving in the Bath

After these major appliances, the bathroom offers the next biggest opportunity to save water.

- Make sure your toilets are all working efficiently. According to the American Water Works Association, the average American home loses 14 percent of all water used to leaks. (And, remember, the toilet is not a waste basket.)

- Keep your showers as brief as possible or turn the water off while shaving or scrubbing in the stall. Consider installing water-saver showerheads and faucets.

- When taking a bath, close the drain while the water warms up then adjust the temperature. Monitor the tub as it fills, and turn the water off at the half-way mark.

Running Hot and Cold

-  There’s nothing as refreshing as a cold drink of water, but don’t let the faucet run to get it. Chill a container of water in the refrigerator instead.

- Avoid running hot tap water over frozen food to defrost it; put it in the refrigerator the night before.

- Rethink any tasks you usually perform under running water—like washing vegetables or brushing your teeth. (A gallon of water a minute flows through a tap that’s only half open.). Use a dishpan or bowl of water instead of letting the tap run. Then pour the water from the bowl on your house plants.

“Used” Water

Before pouring that half-filled glass of water down the sink, ask yourself where it could be put to good use? How about pouring it in the dog’s bowl?  And the condensate from the dehumidifier is suitable for watering plants. Other sources of “used” water are suitable for reuse—it just takes a little imagination and a change in routine.

Water conservation begins with each of us. If each resident makes a few simple adjustments in household routine, the association can conserve thousands of gallons of water and save thousands of dollars each year

Car Wash Goes Green

Water Use and Green Building

Among green building professionals, the relative importance of water conservation has increased as a topic of concern during the past two years. As energy-efficiency measures have become more widely adopted in new construction, the green building industry has shifted more of its focus to water conservation. In the LEED 2009 rating system, for example, certification requires that buildings reduce water use by at least 20 percent from a baseline or “code” building. A 2008 survey found that 85 percent of real estate professionals believed that water efficiency would be a very important aspect of green building in 2013, compared to 69 percent who said that it was in 2008.

The same survey found that early adopters of new water-conservation technologies are building owners/occupiers, with 42 percent of owners reporting in the same survey that more than three-quarters of their projects have water-efficient practices incorporated in the design. This compares with only 28 percent of architecture and design firms and 20 percent of contractors who reported that they used water-efficient technologies in their projects. One possible explanation is that owner/occupiers have likely inflated their own adoption figures owing to the utility cost saving they have already decided to pursue.

How can renters go green? Simple steps save big bucks

Renting may limit how you go green -- rain barrels, solar panels and wind turbines are obviously out. The good news: you can still do a lot to reduce your carbon footprint, and you'll save money doing it.

'There's a myth that there isn't a lot that renters can do,' said Paula Cino, director of energy and environmental policy with the National Multi Housing Council, tells The Washington Post. 'Our individual behavior has a huge impact on sustainability.'"

Midtown home to get energy acclaim

The first house in Southern Arizona likely to receive the highest rating, LEED certified platinum, for energy efficiency.

A north-side home, built by a father-and-son team, is slated to be the first in Southern Arizona to receive the highest rating for energy efficiency given by the U.S. Green Building Council.

The house at 1240 E. Blacklidge harvests rain water, uses runoff from showers, laundry and dishes to irrigate desert landscaping, and has a 3.2-kilowatt-hour solar panel system.

Of course, the first thing a meticulous, eco-friendly homebuyer may notice when walking up to the house is the fountain bubbling in the front yard. Fountains use power and lose water through evaporation.

But Drew Lutz, who built the house with his father, David, said the two balanced the energy cost of each component with the comfort it may provide. Someone, after all, is going to live there. The fountain adds aesthetic appeal and drowns out the street noise from nearby Mountain Avenue, he said.

Humane Society facility embraces solar, green technologies

MILPITAS, CALIF. — The Humane Society Silicon Valley (HSSV) animal community center is now home to the largest solar installation here, which was completed this July, and a variety of other energy and water conserving technologies and products. Once the building receives LEED Gold certification, it will be one of the first animal community center in the U.S. to obtain this status.

Owned and operated by Tioga Energy, San Mateo, Calif., a provider of renewable energy services to commercial, government and non-profit institutions, the 274 kW solar parking shade structure and rooftop systems are composed of 1,335 photovoltaic modules that will provide an estimated 33% of all energy used at the 48,000-sq.ft. animal community center. The photovoltaic system is expected to save up to $50,000 in energy costs in 2011."

Highest 'platinum' rank awarded to eco-friendly UA rec addition

The new UA Recreation Center annex incorporates a host of sustainable and environmentally conscious features, including rainwater harvesting, use of natural light and linkage to a power grid that partially uses solar energy.

The University of Arizona shot for silver but was awarded platinum - the highest rating - for the "green" design and construction of its Student Recreation Center addition on East Sixth Street

University planners were assigned last year by UA President Robert Shelton to attain LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for all campus projects. The Rec Center, the first campus building finished since that mandate, earned platinum certification, the highest category of LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Lennar thinks PowerSmart when building homes

Leading homebuilder Lennar has launched a new line of energy-efficient PowerSmart homes in New Jersey, as part of its national 'Green' homes initiative.

The new environmentally friendly homes combine the latest in green building techniques and construction, which can save owners up to 67 percent on their heating and cooling energy use (compared to 2001 IECC Code).

Lennar states that its PowerSmart homes will be held to the highest of standards, as all plans will be reviewed and rated by an independent third party through the Environments for Living program to evaluate energy efficiency.

Certified Lennar PowerSmart homes will feature rain-gauge irrigation, fresh air ventilation systems, high-efficiency SEER HVAC system with programmable thermostats, special framing techniques and other environmentally friendly features."

SAP Americas Headquarters Achieves Certification as Pennsylvania's Largest 'LEED Platinum' Building

SAP Newtown Square Building Receives High Points for Energy Efficiency, Water Management and Innovative Design

NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Executing on its commitment to sustainability, SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) today announced that the expansion of its North American headquarters on the Newtown Square campus in Pennsylvania has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, the highest rating given by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Designed by FXFOWLE Architects and opened in May 2009, the 200,000-square-foot building is currently the largest LEED Platinum-certified facility in the State of Pennsylvania."

A renter's guide to eco-friendly living - You don't have to own your home to help protect the environment

Leslie Gant, 27, has furnished her rented Westwood condo with salvaged furniture, finds her wardrobe at thrift shops and clothing swaps, flushes her toilet sparingly and cleans with old rags.(Allen J. Schaben, Los Angeles Times / August 15, 2010)

So you're a renter and you want to green your space, but your landlord won't splurge on solar panels.

Don't fret. There are plenty of low-cost ways for apartment dwellers to be eco-friendly.

You can be a green tenant by unplugging appliances or using chemical-free products. It's as easy as fixing leaky faucets or installing window treatments to conserve heat in the winter and to keep your place cool in summer without cranking up the air conditioning.

Local Grocery Store Going Green By Reducing Water Consumption

Amplify’d from supermarketnews.com

Fresh & Easy; Easy Aims to Cut Water Use by 30% EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market here plans to reduce water consumption in its stores by 30% through the use of water conditioning technology from EnviroTower, Toronto. The system has already been installed in 37 Fresh & Easy; Easy locations and will be incorporated into all new stores, including the nine Fresh & Easy stores opening in California next month. Read more at supermarketnews.com

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