Tag: eco friendly

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Most people are aware that “greening” and trying to reduce our impact on the environment has many benefits, but there are still some misconceptions about what exactly environmentally friendly gardening means. Does it require more work and cost than regular gardening? Will you have to ditch your favorite flowers or watch helplessly as snails and aphids invade your vegetable patch? The answer to all these questions is: No!

An ecological garden is simply one where the gardener works with nature rather than constantly struggling with it. Creating and maintaining an eco-friendly garden is simple if you take a look at how your gardening activities affect both your little piece of the planet and the wider environment, and you always choose the least harmful option.

Make it a chemical-free zone

Chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides contain chemicals that can damage plants, wildlife, and people, especially if used in the wrong place or at the wrong time, or they can accumulate in the soil. Manufacturing and transporting these products also consumes valuable energy and natural resources and causes pollution.

Follow nature’s example and move on to creating your own free organic compost by recycling plant waste in a compost bin or in a worm. Fight pests by encouraging their natural predators to enter your garden. Remember that weeds are just wild plants that grow where you don’t want them. Crowd them by covering the bare soil with the plants you want and make weeding easier by removing them before they are sown and spread. Find out which weeds are edible – as long as they haven’t been sprayed with poison – and enjoy them in your salad!

Use your water wisely

All plants need water, and although chlorinated tap water is acceptable, rainwater is usually preferred. It is also the cheapest option if your water supply is per meter. Install water barrels to collect and store free water provided by nature. You can also save time and water by only watering the plants that really need it and using homemade mulch to prevent the soil from drying out too quickly.

Adding a pond to your garden will attract a fascinating variety of wildlife including birds, hedgehogs, frogs, and toads that will do well to keep snails, snails and insect pests in check. It doesn’t have to be very large, but make sure it is easily accessible to visitors with gentle slopes leading to shallow water.

Choose an eco-friendly design

Whether you are creating a new garden or want to maintain your existing garden in a more environmentally friendly way, you should start by looking at the overall plan of your garden. Think about how you want to use your garden and how different areas can work together. Wherever possible, use local recycled materials for tough landscaping features such as paths and raised beds. Make sure that the new wood brought to fences, patios and garden seats comes from sustainable forests.

Check the soil type and notice which parts of the garden are the wettest or driest, which side gets the most sun, or if one corner is constantly shaded. You can save yourself labor and get better results by adjusting the plants you want to grow to your preferred conditions. Add nectar-rich flowers that attract beneficial insects, and trees, shrubs, or vines that produce winter berries and shelter birds.

If you are new to ecological gardening, ask a professional landscaping gardener for advice and a free consultation. He or she will also be able to help you with any work, such as creating a wild pond, that may be difficult to do on your own.

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Source by David G Smith

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Human effort is the only cited cause of many of the environmental problems faced by humanity today. . Sad but true, although man was to rule over all creation and serve as ambassadors, the human race instead created havoc. But the saddest thing is that people also reap the consequences of their actions – after all, according to Newton, every action involves an equal and opposite response.

To alleviate many environmental problems, everyone should get involved and contribute to helping the Earth by engaging in environmentally friendly activities. Building environmentally friendly houses can be of great help in mitigating the negative effects of human activity.

The use of environmentally friendly materials in house construction is a viable alternative to those that produce environmentally harmful substances such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or vinyl used in pipes, and when burning, they produce dioxins – toxic pollutants. Today, many sustainable earth-friendly materials are available. Adobe-style homes that use sun-dried mud and sand bricks are very popular in the Southwest of the United States. Also more and more popular are buildings made of bales, in which piles of straw in bales are used for additional wall insulation.

Using earth-friendly materials in your home is also another way to build eco-friendly homes. Composting toilets work in the same way as regular toilets, but their ultimate purpose is to compost human waste. Solar lamps absorb the sun’s energy most of the day and turn it into light energy at night.

To complement the above-mentioned strategies, people should also use earth-friendly ways in their daily lives. The three Rs of recycling, reducing and reusing can significantly reduce the pollution, global warming and acid rain problems caused by the use of plastic. Helping you save domestic resources like using rain-collecting barrels is another way to help the planet.

Building environmentally friendly homes inside and out can be a small step for humanity, but it can be of great help to our sick planet.

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Source by Adam C Sorenson

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Customer Loyalty: –

Nowadays, buyers become very environmentally aware and choose the products to buy very carefully. They consider many different things before making a purchasing decision to their advantage. One of the most important things in these considerations is whether the item’s packaging is organic or not. Today, most buyers prefer to buy these items that are packaged in environmentally friendly and recyclable boxes. They are well aware that the products of different brands nowadays are of the same quality, so there is no need to worry about their quality standards. What they think makes them better and better is their styles and packaging. If a brand uses boxes made of cardboard or plastic that are environmentally friendly and easily recyclable, most buyers prefer to buy this product over those who use metal or glass boxes for packaging. Customers are the greatest capital and strength of any company, and their satisfaction has always been a priority for them. Therefore, modern manufacturers must use recyclable and biodegradable materials in the production of packaging for their goods. This keeps their buyers satisfied and happy in all respects, and hence, they maintain their loyalty to their favorite brands as they feel that they care about their feelings and thoughts.

Highly competitive market: –

In today’s modernized world, the level of competition in the marketplace is increasing significantly. Different companies and brands market products of the same type and quality, making it very difficult for smaller firms to compete in the market and maintain their market share. This has forced them to cut costs across departments, and the packaging department is at the top of most companies’ list. They are looking for cost effective and economical packaging solutions

for your goods that help save finances, invest them in other departments of the company to increase sales and profit margin. . To this end, modern building materials such as cardboard and plastic provide them with the best solution to their problem. These materials are readily available in the market at very low prices, and the resources needed to form them into effective and efficient packaging boxes also cost very little. Even companies with small budgets can afford these boxes very easily and can compete with their rivals on an equal footing. This will help them maintain their market share and steady market growth.

Government Policy: –

In some parts of the world, governments have implemented policies that oblige companies to only use environmentally friendly and recyclable packaging for certain specific items due to certain health and environmental concerns. In such a scenario, companies are forced to look for eco-friendly packaging solutions for their products if they want to maintain their operations in these parts of the world. . Polyethylene bags are banned in several countries because they are not very safe and hygienic, especially if someone uses them to pack food. Their alternatives can be found in the form of recyclable plastic boxes or Kraft paper bags. Companies adapt these new solutions very quickly, because they are not only environmentally friendly, but also very economical. Governments also promote these things and support these companies in creating their companies that are positively in line with their environmental policies. Therefore, nowadays many manufacturers are becoming an indispensable need to use ecological and recyclable packaging for their valuable goods.

Customer Emotional Attachments: –

It has been observed that some customers are emotionally attached to the attributes and characteristics of their favorite brand’s packaging. They watch their actions very closely, and if they discover that they are engaged in some unhealthy activities, it damages their feelings and they stop buying their products. For example, if they discover that they are using packaging that is unhealthy and harmful to the environment, it has a negative effect on their minds and may switch to other brands that sell the same type of goods in healthy and recyclable packaging. In today’s world, it is very important for brands and top companies to care for the emotions and feelings of their customers. Satisfied customers mean more business and higher margins. They must adopt such methods of packaging so that their buyers are happy and satisfied, so that they can buy their products with confidence and certainty that they are not buying anything bad or harmful. That’s why most manufacturers have now switched to new building materials such as cardboard and plastic to create boxes for packing goods and retain old materials such as glass and metal. These new solutions are not only environmentally friendly, but also very pocket-friendly for manufacturers who make them the first choice.

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Source by Max Leed

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Green houses are homes that are kinder to the planet. They use less energy, produce less waste, and are a healthier environment for the people inside. Green houses grow out of the philosophy of being more environmentally friendly. They save electricity, find ways to reduce their carbon footprint and overall energy consumption. Green houses can put money in your pocket and give you the peace of mind that you are doing to help keep our planet alive.

Energy

Most of us would like to make the world greener by reducing our home energy consumption. Building techniques and materials have improved over the past few decades, meaning homes are becoming more and more energy efficient. Do you dream of a carbon-free and net-zero energy home? This can be achieved through a strategy that includes alternative energy sources and conscientious manufacturing methods and standards. We can channel green energy into our homes without breaking the bank. There are DIY home programs that cost thousands of dollars, but there are DIY Solar and wind turbine programs that only cost a few hundred dollars and that can be implemented without great technical skills. You can achieve your goal of a House of Zero Energy, or maybe it is just a few steps …

Project: Living Green Designer Homes

When we think of green homes or sustainable homes, we probably have a picture of a strange looking place? Too many panels and windmills, maybe half buried on the hill, or too technologically advanced for our budget? Maybe it used to be that way, but now you can design a beautiful home that will give you a degree of independence from both current and future water and energy cost increases and scarcities. There is evidence of increasing environmental concern and design problems. There is information from the government to learn about designing green buildings to save energy. Good modern design standards easily integrate sustainable functions such as rainwater harvesting, alternative power sources, gray water recycling, solar warm water and efficient water management.

Sustainable development

In December 2006, the Sustainable Houses Code was introduced as a voluntary code in the United Kingdom and by May 2008 it became a national standard. Assesses key design and construction elements that contribute to sustainability and performance. Architects, builders and consumers alike use it to help them plan and design new homes. The Code assigns new homes a score of 1 to 6 based on their performance against 9 sustainability criteria that evaluate the overall environmental impact. These are the exemplary guidelines for building a green home!

Building regulations require at least one star. The six stars represent an example of sustainability. The sustainability criteria by which new homes are measured are:

Energy and CO2 emissions

H20 water and surface water runoff

Materials

Waste

Pollution

Health and well-being

Managing the impact of construction and operation on the environment environmental

Ecology

The key to success is achieving sustainable development without compromising on design and quality. The Code introduces minimum standards for energy and environmental factors influencing the sustainability of the home, and the assessment takes into account various elements of sustainability. These include energy, transport, pollution, materials, land use and ecology, and health and well-being. The UK government has set the industry a goal of delivering zero carbon homes by 2016.

The goal of sustainable homes is to deliver real improvements in key areas such as carbon emissions and water consumption.

Carbon

Reducing carbon emissions is high on the political agenda of all nations, but governments are clearly struggling to come to terms with the measures that must be taken to achieve the reduction targets that, according to our best science, are needed. Much can be achieved through action at the household level that can drastically reduce the enormity of the tasks facing macro-minded governments. Motivation to make the necessary changes is crucial, as in everything we strive for, both great and difficult. One “carrot” in household budgets is the direct benefit of reduced energy bills from efforts to reduce own carbon pollution. In the UK, London Green Homes uniquely offers free telephone advice, a website and a paid green service to provide a free, personalized package of carbon-saving lifestyle improvements. The service is flexible in offering advice to Londoners on a wide range of activities to reduce carbon emissions as a result of lifestyle changes; and explains how to best save on your energy bills. It is the UK’s first one-stop shop for information on how to make homes more carbon efficient.

Environmental

A US study found that 87% of home buyers want to know how they rate their homes for environmental performance in order to make an informed decision when moving. Moreover, 84% would pay an average of 2% more for an eco-friendly home. Environmentally friendly homes are no longer a luxury reserved only for the richest Americans. Concern for the environment, dependence on foreign oil, water shortages, and endangered species are factors that raise awareness of the call for better land and resource management.

In this environmentally conscious world, we hear more and more about green houses, eco-friendly living and sustainable homes. Green houses designed to be energy-efficient, using environmentally friendly and healthy materials and saving water, are becoming the standard. In addition to the new building standards, there are simple, eco-friendly DIY projects that can help reduce energy costs and improve the value of your home.

Space is still the most important issue for home buyers, but environmental considerations and the use of environmentally friendly materials are very high on the priority list. Today’s architectural firms are often involved in developing creative yet environmentally sustainable elements of space to improve lifestyle and family in a way that supports responsible management of the environment and natural resources. Green living and buildings, with an emphasis on health, energy efficiency and environmental protection, have never been more relevant than they are today. As time goes on, more and more attention will be paid to promoting socially equitable and environmentally friendly reconstruction solutions. Building a house carries very high environmental and social costs at all levels. The effects of building a new home include:

mining to supply basic building materials such as aggregates,

water consumption and the widespread use of toxic substances

chemicals in building materials.

Proposal

Green houses can put money in your pocket, they don’t have to be seen as an expensive way to do what is required of us to protect the environment. Sustainable homes give you peace of mind knowing you are doing everything you can to help keep the planet alive. Sustainable homes no longer have to be unattractive and unsuitable for residential architecture. Green houses are better for the environment because they use less energy, use less water and have a lower impact on the environment

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Source by Richard Lodge

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High-quality polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fencing is an attractive option for both homeowners and businesses for a number of reasons:

Strength – PVC is five times stronger and four times more flexible than wood, so it won’t bend or crack easily. This means that it is easier to deal with impacts from falling or flying debris caused by, for example, inclement weather or an unruly mower.

Durability – because it won’t absorb moisture, scratch, stain, warp, rot, chip, rust, corrode or blister. UV protection makes it fade resistant. Life expectancy ranges from 25 to 50 years – up to seven times longer than that of a wooden fence.

Safety – PVC does not split, does not conduct electricity, has no nails or sharp edges, making it a great choice for children and pets.

Flame Retardant – PVC does not burn easily, making it ideal for climates and locations prone to drought. Once ignited, the by-products of combustion are considered to be no more toxic than other natural materials.

Customizable – There is a wide variety of styles, colors and heights to choose from.

But PVC is not “natural” like wood, so it can’t be environmentally friendly, right? Not necessarily! Determining environmental friendliness is not an exact science – there’s more to consider than the material itself. Consider other health and environmental impacts such as: Where was the raw material collected? How far was it transported and at what cost? How is it processed or chemically treated for the market? What Happens After Installation?

The birth of the ecological fence

PVC is a “thermoplastic polymer”, the third most produced plastic. While it sounds counterintuitive to refer to plastic as “green”, PVC is becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to wood.

Although PVC is classified as a plastic, unlike other plastics, it is not made of 100% fossil fuels and the manufacturing process is different. The PVC process efficiently uses water and energy, and only uses half of the fossil fuels. This makes it more climate-friendly, reducing its impact on global warming. Once produced, PVC is light and easy to transport to the market.

In contrast, wood begins to deteriorate once the tree is felled, and there are concerns about the preservation of older forests. The wood is heavy, and toxic chemicals and pre-treatment are used during production to slow the fencing down.

Ecological care and feeding

PVC fencing is easy to clean and maintain, usually requiring only soap and water. It sticks to the elements better and does not require sanding, painting, staining or waterproofing. This saves resources and protects the air and soil from vapors and chemicals.

PVC fencing can be more expensive upfront but requires less maintenance saving you time, materials and energy. They can withstand other materials as well, making them more affordable over time.

Other fences require regular maintenance that requires stains, paints, or other treatments that can penetrate the ground.

Eco-after death

PVC is referred to as “recyclable” but more often it is “down-processed” – used for a variety of purposes where scraps are remixed and reused as opposed to re-fabrication as a new version of the original. PVC is reused for things like hoses, packaging, floor tiles, and signposts on billboards.

Virgin PVC is stronger than recycled (which can introduce contamination), so some producers may pay consumers to recycle through buy-back programs. However, due to their durability, PVC fencing is not often recycled… it doesn’t have to!

The bottom line

Consumer compromises depend on the type and quality of materials used for each fence option. But PVC fencing is an excellent alternative that creates a strong, environmentally friendly contender.

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Source by Adam Maxum

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We all know that babies are tough on their toys, are thrown, chewed and regularly trampled. Finding toys durable enough to withstand childhood is a difficult prospect, but today we have the option of toys that are not only durable but also environmentally friendly.

Why is it worth choosing ecological toys? Well, who wants their baby to chew on potentially toxic plastics? Children will chew, drool and manipulate their toys, so knowing that no PVC or BPA is added to plastic means your child is not at risk of being poisoned by their toys. These things are regularly found in regular plastic and vinyl toys.

Another great thing about eco toys is that you don’t have to sacrifice “cool” toys or cool colors. Today, Green Toys has a great line of cars, trucks, fire trucks and even recycling trucks that are made of 100% recycled milk jugs. They also have dinnerware and cooking kits that your aspiring chef will prepare the same way… safely. All of their products are produced in bright, vibrant colors and are strong enough to withstand childhood, yet contain no toxic chemicals or external coatings that could lead to a variety of health problems in the future.

We all want our children to become responsible, environmentally friendly adults one day, so another benefit of giving them eco-friendly toys now is that you are planting seeds and teaching your child the importance of using sustainable products and products that don’t go any further they destroy the earth when they are older. Children are like sponges, and simple ideas can be taught even to the youngest. They will see that their toys are fun to play when you tell them how they are responsible for themselves and the environment.

Most eco toys also have limited packaging and / or use recycled packaging without plastic ties to save even more on garbage production. It also helps your child learn about recycling and waste reduction, which are wonderful lessons to be inoculated when they are young that will last a lifetime.

Eco-friendly toys have many advantages over regular plastic toys and are great for kids of all ages, are immune to anything they can survive to survive them, and are toxin-free which makes parents feel good about giving them my children.

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Source by Steven Khan

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RECHARGE or RENEWABLE POWER is the slogan in the automotive industry today, especially car manufacturing companies are looking to develop electric cars and benefit from government subsidies. For example, Mahindra has e2oPlus and eVerito, while Tata Motors plans to introduce an electric version of the Nano, in addition to working extensively with the state-owned Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (ESSL) over Electric Vehicles (EV). Not only with Dad, any player in the automotive sector is ready to change the game with “ELECTRICITY”. While many electric cars drive on foreign roads, Indian roads are not moving yet. For now, let’s see which of the best electric cars are already driving elsewhere.

Chevy Bolt EV:

It’s disgusting to see the American Chevrolet slowly making its way out of the Indian market, but people wish it would bounce back on its Chevy Bolt EV. This sleek car powered by 266 pounds of torque is reportedly expected to last nearly 238 miles (around 380 km). Priced at around $ 36,000, this classic Bolt is a prime example of how decent stuff comes in small but powerful packages. It is a 5-seater, sturdy hatchback equipped with a 10.2-inch multimedia system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Hyundai Ioniq Electric:

It has an extremely tall appearance and is a perfect example of top-notch features. It has, among other things, a leather steering wheel, comfortable front seats, automatic air conditioning, a 7-inch touchscreen. It runs almost 124 miles on a single charge. Priced under $ 30,000, the Ioniq is available in 3 variants – plug-in hybrid, electric car and traditional hybrid as usual.

BMW i3:

Combine the specs of a luxury car with an eccentric design for the new BMW i3. Its 170 horsepower gives it solidity and a range of 114 miles. The BMW i3, with its justifiably distinctive style, costs about $ 42,000. It is expensive, but it is desirable for the very fact that it is stylish.

Tesla Model S:

If you really like having an electric car then go for it, it is a beautiful, stylish and totally real thing vehicle. Tesla is proud to say that this is the car that has the maximum range compared to any of its current competitors. It covers 335 miles all the way on a single charge. You know what? It also grabs 60mph from 0 in 2.5 seconds. It costs around $ 70,000 and is rightly the best electric car.

Kia Soul EV:

This is another breathtaking boxy design car – it perfectly displays distinction and style. It has a range of 93 miles and is completely spacious and comfortable. Thanks to the power of 109 KM, it can easily accommodate 5 people, ensuring full comfort. Its price is around $ 34,000.

Nissan Leaf:

From now on, the Nissan Leaf can be called the most famous among electric vehicles, because it has its own important and solid reasons for this. The battery with a capacity of 40 kWh included in it allows trouble-free travel of 400 km on one full charge. It takes approximately 8 to sixteen hours to charge the battery (based on power input). For around $ 30,000, this Japanese car is also elegant in appearance.

Tesla Roadster:

It is powerful, extremely stunning in appearance, rich in features and classy design. We don’t say what Tesla says, and if you don’t believe it, you can check it out for yourself. At its highest speed (250mph) it reaches 60mph from 0 in less than 2 seconds. Priced at $ 200,000, it even has a removable glass roof.

So we’re finishing our list and if you have any other good EVs please let us know. To learn more about electric cars from Mahindra, go to AutomotiveMahindra

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Source by Sudheendra Reddy

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Wondering what eco architects do? They design environmentally friendly houses. These houses are not only environmentally friendly and energy-saving, but also look nice.

How to design an eco-friendly house

You should design your home to be in a location where it can make the most of the light. You should put the house in a place that is protected from elements that could damage the house. As an architect, you need to consider the direction and slope of the roof that the solar panels will accommodate.

To provide shade from the intense summer sun, a house should be designed with wide eaves to overhang the walls. To protect your home from storms and cold, make sure the walls are thick and have fewer windows.

When planning a home, make sure you evaluate typical drainage, soil type, and type. The roof should be used to collect rainwater. When it comes to landscaping, a draft-resistant material should be used. This is to save water that would be used for irrigation.

To ensure plenty of light in the home, interior spaces should be designed around adjacent terraces or a sheltered courtyard. Daylighting should also be taken into account in the arrangement of interior walls and windows.

To save on air conditioning, it is worth using the air flow in the home. If possible, design your home so as not to use air conditioning.

You should use local materials to avoid energy costs in transportation. You should strive to source your supplies from sustainable sources, such as timber that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

If you must use a different material, make sure it is not made of toxic products. When it comes to insulation, you should insulate your home with modern products like recycled blue jeans rolls.

Doors and windows should be energy efficient. Kitchen appliances, water heaters and bathroom fixtures should also be energy efficient. If your client is planning to have a swimming pool, you should consider a natural outdoor pool.

Proposal

This is how an environmentally friendly house should be designed. Although it is recommended to use environmentally friendly products such as recycled products, you should not use low-quality materials. This is to ensure that the house will serve you for a long time. The use of high-quality materials also ensures an elegant appearance of the house.

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Source by Harish Manne Rao

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People use – and waste – more water in the bathroom than in any other room in the house. Add to that all your water consumption from polluting soaps and shampoos, the energy you use to heat the water, and more – and your bathroom can be harmful to the environment.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are many things you can do to bring some greenery to your bathroom. Here are just a few.

Energy saving light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. Light bulbs lose most of their energy as heat, making them a fire hazard as well.

The best lighting in the bathroom is bright enough for you to shave or apply makeup without squinting, but at the same time soft enough to look flattering when you do. Choose bright white energy-saving bulbs and soften the light by hanging it at eye level on either side of the mirror or by placing it behind frosted glass.

Double-flush toilets. Most new toilets use around seven or eight liters of water with each flush. Older toilets use 9-12 liters. However, you don’t need that much water to flush a toilet.

If you want to save water, replace your toilet with a dual flush model. Dual flush toilets have one flush for waste water and the other flush for solids. Of course, less water is needed to flush the waste water.

Water-saving faucets. Leaky taps waste millions of liters of water each year and are costly too. To prevent leaks in your bathroom faucets, replace your old faucets with self-closing ones that shut off the water as soon as you stop pressing the button. This ensures that the water doesn’t stay on while you brush your teeth or shave, and the faucet doesn’t leak.

Think green in the shower. We waste a lot of water in the shower – plus a huge amount of energy used to heat up the wasted water. If you want to save water and the planet at the same time, consider installing a low-flow shower or an air shower. .

A typical shower head delivers 25 liters of water per minute, while a low flow shower head only 6 to 15. Cut your bath time in half and use a low flow head and you will save a lot of water.

However, if you really want to save water, consider an air shower. The air shower can be attached to the existing shower head. Pumps every drop of water full of air. This makes each drop of water larger, making it as wet and strong as a typical shower head. Research shows that air showers can reduce water consumption by an additional 30%.

Recycled tiles. If you are designing your bathroom from scratch, choose recycled materials such as recycled glass tiles. Glass is completely waterproof, making it great for walls, floors and vanity tops.

Choosing glass also makes ecological sense. Each recycled glass bottle saves enough energy to run a 100 watt light bulb for approximately four hours. In addition, glass accounts for around 6% of all waste in landfills, and takes over a million years to decompose.

Heat water efficiently. Most people wait for their water heater to break down to buy a new one. This puts you in a position where you need to find it quickly, without the luxury of shopping. But if you take the time to find a suitable water heater, it can pay off in the long run.

The most common type of water heater is the storage heater: a large storage tank that is constantly heated. Since it is always warm, this type of heater loses energy even when it is not in use. However, there are some new models designed to minimize standing heat loss.

However, if you want a really efficient hot water heater, look for a tankless or solar heater. The tankless heater passes the water pipes directly through the boiler, and the solar heater uses solar energy to heat the water. Both of these options will cost more to install, but will cost less to run.

Use non-toxic shampoos and soaps. Many regular soaps and shampoos contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Many carcinogenic chemicals are found in deodorants, soaps, shampoos and body sprays. Some of them persist in the environment, accumulate in the food chain, and come back to haunt us long after they’re gone.

Be skeptical about products labeled “natural”; Under current UK marketing laws, only 1% of the product needs to be of natural origin to be able to use the label. Look for soaps and shampoos that contain no artificial fragrances – essential oils, however, are fine. Avoid mineral oil, which is just another name for petroleum oil. In addition, choose soaps and shampoos that have minimal, biodegradable packaging.

Making your bathroom more environmentally friendly doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Changing the soap you use, reducing your shower time, and installing water-saving appliances can make all the difference. Whether you’re planning a few simple changes or a major renovation, a greener bathroom is within your reach.

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Source by Ray Dobson

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For several decades, we, as homeowners, contractors, architects, designers and real estate agents in San Francisco, have been told that bamboo is a wonderful material to remodel because it is very cheap (compared to hardwood) and eco-friendly.

How many of us attended the San Francisco Bay Area fair where bamboo stole the show? This fair boasts the wonders of using bamboo for everything from floors to ceilings, trash cans to furniture for coffee tables, and even drinking cups for more. The cost of many projects could be cut by a third or even half as bamboo is much less expensive (or at least that’s what we were told) than comparable hardwood that was not as versatile or environmentally friendly. Before 2000, many of these facts were true, and no one had reason to doubt it after decades of using bamboo for massive industrial applications in buildings.

But around 2000, many growers in Asia began harvesting bamboo stalks under the minimum age of five years. These younger stalks don’t have enough strength and durability yet, and are best suited for craft projects such as weaving baskets or clothing. Lots of homeowners. Contractors and designers continued recommending and using bamboo in the early 2000s, completely unaware of the results that would follow.

Today, in 2010, large amounts of bamboo are imported into the United States each year. How many of us can find that bamboo (or bamboo materials) is more than five years old? How many of us can say that bamboo is less than five years old? I don’t think anyone can. This is where the problem we all grapple with when choosing bamboo for our next ‘eco-friendly’ project! Nobody can tell. Well, we can actually tell it after a few years of use – but who would want to waste thousands of dollars (or risk thousands of dollars waiting) if bamboo starts decomposing a few years after assembly?

Perhaps in a few years there will be a bamboo rating system to those of us who choose to use bamboo for its potential strength and beauty, not to mention its functionality. Can I suggest that the evaluation system be simple and only include three categories: “Collected at least 5 years old from a verifiable / documented source”; B “harvested in less than 5 years and therefore not sustainable for most projects”; and C “source or age of the harvest unknown”. In this way, the buyer can be sure at the beginning of the project that he is really using an environmentally friendly material or not.

Until then, I will continue to admire bamboo, but I will not encourage my own clients to use it in projects that expect a long life, or as a substitute for parquet. Maybe it’s best to only use it as an attractive living landscaping plant until further notice!

If you want more information on bamboo and how to get started with a simple, classifiable system that can be easily accepted internationally, please email me. My contact details are below. The first step is to start the documentation process with a large bamboo plantation in China. Documented bamboo, bringing much higher revenues (as if it were an “ecological product”) will be an impulse for change. Even if the changes are slow, many homeowners, builders and designers will happily lead the way for truly certified building material. Bamboo deserves a place in every home. But first, let’s find out at least the age of the material at harvest.

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Source by John D. Kaufman