Archive for September, 2009

Bamboo Clothing Beats Silk

When you think of bamboo, you think of fast-growing trees that seem as if they can grow as high as the sky.  And you think of baskets weaved from bamboo, or hanging chairs. But fabric can be made from bamboo as well, and you’ll find that such fabric is as soft as silk.  No one will be able to tell that your clothing, towels and sheets are made from bamboo.  From a health standpoint, the fabric is antibacterial, naturally, and if produced organically is allergen free and has very little in the way of chemicals. Not only does bamboo fabric look just like any other fabric, it also wicks away moisture from your skin, making it very comfortable to wear on those hot summer days.  It’s better than cotton in other ways, as well.  A bamboo forest yields 50 times as much fiber per acre as cotton. And bamboo is a sustainable resource.  The wood itself grows extremely rapidly – indeed people claim that you can actually see it grow.  There’s also no need for pesticides and herbicides. To make the fiber itself, the wood (or more appropriately, grass!) is pulped until it separates into thin component threads of fiber, which are then spun ...

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What is Eating your Electricity?

Did you know that a vampire dwells in your beloved home?  We are talking about the electricity waste that makes your bills higher and higher.  The so-called phantom load is the reason why your bills are a nightmare.  Almost 75% of the electricity you pay for is used when your home electronics are turned off.  The solution?  Unplug all of your small appliances when you are not using them.  Do you leave your toaster oven plugged into the wall?  The toaster oven is still pulling power from the wall regardless of whether it’s in use or not. Try equipping your commonly used outlets with power strips.  Plug your appliances into the power strip and when they are not in use, turn off the power strip in one simple turn of the switch.  A power strip costs on average $20.  A small investment at the start, this energy friendly tool will save you money in the long run.  Plug your computer and accessories, i.e. printers, monitors, speakers and hard drives into a power strip.  Turn the power strip off when your computer is not in use to save on your electricity bill.  A computer is one of the top energy users among ...

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Support Green Businesses

If you’re concerned about the state of the environmental health of this country – and since you’re reading this, chances are that you are! – It behooves you to support your local non-profit organizations that are working to turn your community green. How can you do this? Volunteer your time. Most organizations need volunteers, to perform a variety of tasks.  It may be in the form of providing free secretarial service, book-keeping, or just acting as a chauffeur – depending on how big the organization is.  Well-established organizations may just need neighborhood canvassers; ready, willing and able to visit people and inform them about environmental issues. It’s also possible to volunteer your time to an organization even if it isn’t local.  Many organizations need tele-volunteers to do a variety of tasks. Make a donation.  If you don’t have the time or inclination to become a volunteer, the next best thing is to make a donation to the cause.  Most non-profit organizations will accept a donation of any size, and be able to put it to good use. You can find environmental organizations in your area in a variety of ways.  Your local library will doubtless have ...

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