Her Guide to Green » recycle

Save the Rain

dfritz — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:30:22 +0000

By Dena Fritz

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.
- Benjamin Franklin

Saving rainwater to hydrate your plants is a great idea. Rain chains are becoming increasingly popular and they are functional and pretty to look at. Easily installed, a rain chain can help you do your part in conserving water and helping our environment.

Available in copper, brass, aluminum and iron, the rain chain is not a new idea. The Japanese have been using this system for hundreds of years. Place a ceramic pot or a rain barrel below the chain to collect the rainwater. There are several different styles to choose from, cups, links, nature themes and other fancy designs. They are very affordable, usually $15 – $25 per linear foot. Landscape watering accounts for a 40-50% rise in household water use during summer months, the savings you experience from reusing rainwater can be quite significant.

Dining Green

dfritz — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:58:38 +0000

To belong to the Green Restaurant Association, there are certain standards that you have to uphold. There are three rating levels, two star, three stars and four stars. Green Restaurants are located all over the country and you can probably find several in your own state or metro area. The rating that a GRA certified restaurant receives is based on a pointing system, more points, the better rating. Certifying restaurants for the past two decades, the GRA takes its job seriously. The following criteria creates the basis for GRA’s ratings:

The GRA also rates on new builds and renovation projects and events with required minimum points to earn a certificate. The GRA website gives you several ways that you, as a consumer, can green your dining experience. You can also sign up for their newsletter to get updated information on all Green Restaurant Association news.

Green Glossary of Terms

dfritz — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:30:25 +0000

This glossary is by no means comprehensive. It is meant to help guide you in your quest of a better understanding. It is made up of simple terms with simple definitions that you may have seen or heard and just didn’t know the meaning.

Biodiesel – fuel for diesel engines made of renewable organic raw materials as opposed to fossil hydrocarbons

Biodynamic – of or relating to a system of farming that uses only organic materials for fertilizing and soil conditioning.

Biomass – 1. the amount of living matter (as in a unit area or volume of habitat)

Biosequestration – is the capture and storage of the atmospheric greenhouse gas carbon dioxide by biological processes

Carbon footprint – A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide produced by a person, organization or state in a given time

Clean Energy – natural energetic processes that can be harnessed with little pollution

Compost – The decayed remains of organic matter that has rotted into a natural fertilizer

Conservation – the preservation and careful management of the environment and of natural resources

Ecocide – the destruction of large areas of the natural environment especially as a result of deliberate human action

Eco-friendly – marked by or showing concern for the environment

Emissions – Something that is emitted, especially the exhaust from a car

Endangered – in danger, at risk, said of something where there is a strong possibility something bad will happen to it (for example, a species in danger of going extinct)

Ethanol – ethyl alcohol: the intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean-burning additive to gasoline\

Global warming – The theory that the world’s average temperature is increasing due to the burning of fossil fuels and other forms of energy resulting in higher atmospheric concentrations of gases such as carbon dioxide.

Green – 1. relating to or being an environmentalist political movement 2. concerned with or supporting environmentalism 3. tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting)

Green house gases – Gases that prevent heat from escaping from the atmosphere. This makes the earth warmer.

Greenhouse effect – Heating of the atmosphere that results from the absorption of solar radiation by certain gases.

Greenhouse effect – The greenhouse effect is caused by an atmosphere containing gases that absorb and emit infrared radiation. Greenhouse gases trap heat within the surface-troposphere system, causing heating at the surface of the planet or moon.

Hemp – is the name of the soft, durable fiber that is cultivated from plants of the Cannabis genus, cultivated for industrial and commercial (non-drug) use.

Hybrid car – An automobile powered by both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor

Hydropower – power that is derived from the force or energy of moving water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes

Industrial Waste – type of waste produced by industrial activity, such as that of factories, mills and mines. It has existed since the outset of the industrial revolution.

LEED Certified – The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for the environmentally sustainable design, construction and operation of buildings and neighborhoods

Low impact – A sustainable landscaping approach that can be used to replicate or restore natural watershed functions and/or address targeted watershed goals and objectives.

Natural – existing in nature, not caused by people, existing in nature and not produced or caused by people

Organic – 1. using only few artificial chemicals. used for describing methods of farming and food production that use only a small number of artificial chemicals 2. relating to living things. Biology connected with, produced by, or obtained from living things 3. having parts that fit together well. Consisting of different parts that all fit together well 4. happening or developing naturally and continuously. Happening or developing in a natural and continuous process

Ozone – oxygen existing high in Earth’s atmosphere.

Petrochemical – any compound obtained from petroleum or natural gas

Recycle – to reuse or make (a substance) available for reuse for biological activities through natural processes of biochemical degradation or modification

Sustainable – 1. capable of being sustained 2. (of economic development, energy sources, etc) capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources 3. (of economic growth) non-inflationary

Toxic waste - Toxic waste is waste material that can cause death or injury to living creatures. It can be spread quite easily and can contaminate lakes and rivers. The term is often used interchangeably with “hazardous waste”, or discarded material that can pose a long-term risk to health or environment.

Tree hugger – An environmentalist; someone who shows excessive concern for the environment

VOC – (Volatile Organic Compounds) are chemicals which emit vapors while evaporating. The VOCs in paint come from the substances added to the paint to encourage proper drying. A high VOC paint will give off a strong odor when wet and a lesser odor while it dries.

Buy in Bulk, Don’t Waste Packaging.

dfritz — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:24:18 +0000

By Dena Fritz

Buy your products in bulk and you can help save our earth! The landfills are being loaded up with consumer packaging and we can do something to put a stop to it. Wasteful packaging, for products like toilet paper, paper towels, napkins… buy a product in bulk and it is wrapped one time compared to buying it every week and in the end, you have thrown away several wrappers. You may even pay higher prices by buying food and produce in fancy excessive packaging. They look nice but when unwrapped, the quality is not better, just prettier. Buy your meat in larger quantities and break up, place in reusable containers to freeze. That means less Styrofoam, which NEVER breaks down in a landfill.

The same goes with many products that are boxed needlessly. Deodorant now comes without fancy boxes, who needs them? They go in the trash and kill trees anyway. Look at these things when shopping and try to buy things that go package free. Many manufacturers are looking at ways to display their products without all the needless dump fillers. You can do your part by shopping smart and avoiding all the over-done packaging that are most times just marketing ploys.

Recycle Your Dresses For A Great Cause At Lilly Pulitzer

ealexandrakos — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:41:45 +0000

Lilly Pulitzer brightens up even the most cloudy of days, but even they are out doing themselves. In support of The Princess Project they are holding America Recycles Week. From November 8-15th, you bring your gently worn dresses to the nearest participating store, and they will be donated to deserving young women who will in turn get to make memories of their own.

In the spirit of being green, this is such a great opportunity to give back…I mean really, how many prom dresses, bridesmaid dresses, or cocktail numbers do you have sitting in the back of your closet waiting for a chance to shine? We know that all of you have at least one to give back! In addition to the heart-warming feeling that you will get from giving back to a young girl who will do your beautiful dress justice, you will get a $10 credit toward an Originals purchase.

If you don’t have a Lilly Pulitzer near you, feel free to send them to the following address:

The Princess Project

800 Third Avenue

King Of Prussia, PA 19406

For all of the amazing memories you have shared in those dresses, give them to the next generation of green girls by donating now!

Learn more at Lilly Pulitzer.