Green FAQs - the best post all year!!!

This is a GREAT POST on Grist. Check it out - I bet you'll learn at least one thing.


Just the FAQs
Answers to readers' most frequently asked questions about green dilemmas
By Umbra Fisk
26 Oct 2005

Should I use paper or plastic bags at the grocery store?
Neither one is better. Best choice: bring your own cloth bag.

Should I dry my hands with paper towels or the electric blow dryer?
Use the dryer if you can't drip dry.

Should I wash my dishes by hand or use the dishwasher?
If you and your dishwasher are efficient, by all means bypass the sink.

Is it better to leave [lights, cars, computers] on when I'm not using them, or turn them off and restart them?
Restart! Whether you're driving, defeating darkness, or doing work, it takes more energy to keep your power-suckers running than it does to turn them off and on.

My old [car, refrigerator, washing machine] isn't energy efficient. Is it worse to keep using it, or to toss it and buy a new one?
In general, it's better to upgrade (whether washing machine, fridge, dishwasher, or car) -- but make sure your old machine is reused or recycled if possible.

Should I use cotton or disposable diapers?
I know you worry, parents, but honestly, it's a wash. Here's an idea: go diaperless!

Is it better to buy organic food from far away, or non-organic food grown locally?
Ideally, buy food that is both organic and local -- but if you have to choose, local is the way to go.

I want to follow your recommendation and buy compact fluorescent lightbulbs, but I've discovered they contain mercury. What should I do?
Buy them anyway -- the small amount of mercury (less than in a watch battery) can be handled by a hazardous-waste facility.

Which plastics are OK?
We don't like plastic, in general. But just make sure you avoid #3.

Which is better: Diesel? Biodiesel? Straight vegetable oil? Hybrid?
They're all bad. Stop driving!

But while you work toward that goal, here are thoughts on some of your quandaries: diesel vs. regular gasoline; converting to biodiesel; converting to veggie oil; biodiesel vs. veggie oil; and hybrids vs. veggie oil.

Can I put my [milk carton, stapled paper, nose wipe tissues, number 17 bottle] in the recycling?
I don't know. The only people who know are those running your recycling program -- usually your municipality. Those same people should be able to answer questions about why certain objects are accepted and others are not.

What's the one thing I can do to help the environment?
Watch out, helping the environment becomes addictive. There's no one answer, but try to limit your consumption and keep the big picture in mind.

Five Recycling Mysteries Solved!

Five Recycling Mysteries Solved!
By Lori Bongiorno



Wondering what to do with your stash of old batteries or the cans of unneeded paint taking up space in your garage? You know you shouldn't throw them out, but it really is time to get rid of them.

Resist the temptation to toss them in the trash anyway. The reason: They (and everything on the list below) contain toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of properly.

Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly. But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items. Here's how:

* Batteries. Recycling rechargeable batteries is fairly easy. Home Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other retailers take them back free of charge. There are fewer options for single-use batteries, but look for bins at your local Whole Foods Market, Ikea, or library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household hazardous waste drop-off site. Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options? Search here for answers.

* CFLs. These energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of. Just drop old bulbs off at any Home Depot or Ikea for free recycling. Or ask about CFL recycling at your local Ace Hardware or home improvement store. You can search for other nearby solutions.

* Electronics. Every retailer that takes back rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless providers. For computers, cameras, televisions, and others it's worthwhile do a little homework because some stores charge fees depending on item and brand. Check out Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot to see what's the best fit. Some places, like Radio Shack, have trade-in programs where you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.

* Motor Oil. In case you need some motivation, consider this factoid from Earth911: Every gallon of used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water. Bring it to Wal-Mart, Autozone, Jiffy Lube, or search online for more convenient choices.

* Paint. It's among the harder items in this group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable. If the paint is still in good shape, consider donating it. As of now, there aren't any retailers that accept used paint so you'll need to make a special trip. Search Earth911 for a comprehensive list of options.


Environmental journalist Lori Bongiorno shares green-living tips and product reviews with Yahoo! Green's users. Send Lori a question or suggestion for potential use in a future column. Her book, Green Greener Greenest: A Practical Guide to Making Eco-smart Choices a Part of Your Life is available on Yahoo! Shopping and Amazon.com.

An Oldie but a Goodie

If you've never seen this, I can't recommend it enough. It's 20 minutes, but divided into seven short chapters so you can do a little bit at a time. Try this: make next week your "Story of Stuff" week. You won't regret it.

www.storyofstuff.com

Um . . . are you gonna throw that away?

;Try this:
Just for a day, start turning things upside-down. Check out the numbers on the bottoms of recyclable things. You've seen them - they run 1-7 and indicate the type of material an item is made of, which also determines its level of recyclability.

I've been having fun educating myself on these categories (it takes a certain kind of mind, I know...) and in case you're curious, thought I'd put together a little primer. Enjoy!


You're good to go! These items are recyclable in most areas.
(But first...do you need it?)

1 (PETE: polyethylene terephthalate)
found in clear plastic bottles and jars

2 (HDPE: high-density polyethlylene)
found in non-clear plastic milk jugs, detergent/bleach bottles, shampoo bottles, some plastic bags

6 (PS: polystyrene)
found in white foam bakery shells and meat trays, packing peanuts, styrofoam insulation, disposable coffee cups and lids, disposable cutlery


Well . . . where do you live? These are only recyclable in areas that have recycling facilities big enough to manage them.
(Psst...check out your town's website to see what it can and can't recycle. And/or...can you find a more sustainable alternative?)

3 (PVC: polyvinyl chloride)
found in cooking oil bottles, shrink wrap

4 (LDPE: low-density polyethylene)
found in plastic grocery bags, Ziploc bags, dry cleaning bags, produce bags, trash bags liners, disposable Tupperware

5 (PP: polypropylene)
found in yogurt containers, plastic bottle caps, drinking straws, syrup bottles, diapers


You're pretty much out of luck.
(Pssst...can you skip this purchase?)

7 (Other) a combination of plastics; generally considered non-recyclable




(Data extrapolated from: University of Mississippi Polymer Education Center, 1998.)


And don't forget:
REDUCE your need for stuff first. Buy less. Want less. Bring less into your home, put less out on the curb. Find other ways to scratch the itch.
REUSE everything, even if it means spending more to get a better item the first time around, then fixing it instead of replacing it.
RECYCLING should be a last resort, and unless you plan on keeping something pretty much indefinitely, strive to get out of the habit of making, buying, or tossing anything that's not recyclable.