Zero Waste Home

Have you heard about  Zero Waste Home?  Some might find their lifestyle too extreme, but I can't stop thinking about how liberating it would be to own so little.  I've been trying to convince my husband that if we owned less clothing there would be less laundry kicking around the house (or, let's be real here, piling up on the couch for weeks at a time).  I've been slowly de-cluttering, but one of these days, I just might clear the house out.

Watch this video and tell me you're not inspired.  Of course, the gorgeous house helps, but the lack of clutter is just dreamy.

What do you think?  Could you live with such a small amount of stuff?

Organic Eating in New York

If you live in New York State and want to learn more about the organic farms in your area, check out the NOFA-NY website.  It's full of information about both certified and non-certified organic farms in your area in addition to all kinds of great links and resources.

Keeping our Planet and our Souls Intact

Sentiment without action is the ruin of the soul

-Edward Abbey*

via Environment Canada 

Lately I've been seeing a lot of products claiming to be biodegradable and compostable.  I am thrilled that so many industries are feeling pressured to offer more earth friendly products, but I can't ignore the false understanding that these products can bring to consumers.  Biodegradable and compostable products only break down appropriately under the right conditions.  They usually need exposure to oxygen and microbes, two important elements that are lacking in today's landfills.  Buying certified biodegradable or compostable plates, diapers, plastic cups or sneakers only helps if you can send them off to a large scale composting facility. Sending them off to the same old landfills isn't completing the cycle and doesn't yield the intended outcomes.  You can learn more about this issue as it pertains to plastics here.

 So what can a regular person do to contribute to the solution rather than the problem?  Here are some tips and ideas that we try to keep in mind.  I'd love to hear your comments, ideas and suggestions too.

- Forget about disposable convenience products and re-discover the not-so-inconvenient originals

- Donate or sell stuff that you no longer want through freecycle, ebay or your local domestic violence shelter

- Remember that even old stained and ripped fabric is accepted at your local SPCA where they turn it into bedding for homeless pets

- Support your local thrift shops and find unique treasures that someone else was kind enough to donate

- Before making any new purchases, ask yourself, "How long with this last, and what will become of it when it's finished?".  If the answers disturb you, consider finding an alternative.

- Challenge your family to reduce the amount of trash you produce through re-use, composting and recycling (remember that if you don't buy that packaging, you won't have to dispose of it later)
- Reduce first, reuse next and then recycle

I've found that striving for a sustainable life means living a less expensive and more fulfilling one. We can't do everything all at once, but we can all make informed decisions and take deliberate steps in the right direction. 

*I lifted this great quote from a Vermont based business that is committed to educating the public about the principles of cradle to cradle purchasing and appropriate "disposal" (with this model nothing is actually wasted).  Check them out here.  Read more about the cradle to cradle principles straight from their source here. 

It's Earth Day - What Are You Going to Do About It?

Still needing some inspiration?

 Watch Earth Days online at PBS.org and learn about the history of the modern environmental movement in America.  Unlike some documentaries that work mainly to expose problems, in Earth Days the focus is on the progress that's been made and the people who have shaped our environmental policies and consciousness.

Negligence is described as doing the same thing over and over even though you know it is dangerous, stupid, or wrong. Now that we know, it's time for a change. Negligence starts tomorrow.

-William McDonough and Michael Braungart

Cradle to Cradle

An Earth Day Give Away

Thursday is Earth Day.  Now, around here we try our best to make environmentally conscious decisions every day, but there is something to be said for observing our yearly reminder to step it up a notch.  This week I'll be sharing tips, crafts and ideas inspired by my own thoughts about what it means to live green.  I'm also excited to use this opportunity to host an amazing give away sponsored by the very local, Aurora Shoe Company.

Aurora Shoes are an excellent model for environmentally responsible consumerism.  Aurora Shoes are made with pride in Upstate New York using only American sourced materials.  This means a lot in an age where most products are assembled under sub-standard or unregulated working conditions using materials that are often produced in even less desirable conditions.  All of these materials and products travel great distances to finally make it onto the shelves of American shops where the shipping, import taxes and marketing costs result in products whose pricing does not reflect their quality.

At Aurora Shoe you pay for what you get:  high quality materials, superior craftsmanship, serious comfort and a solid guarantee.  You can see the Aurora Shoe production process for yourself by watching this video, filmed by a local newspaper about a year ago.

Not only are Aurora Shoes an ethical purchase, they're also a renewable one.  Many of us walk in a way that causes the soles of our shoes to wear unevenly.  Aurora Shoe is one of the only companies I know that encourages customers to not buy new, but to re-sole instead.  This simple act gives new life to each well loved pair and saves materials, energy and a trip to the landfill.

In honor of Earth Day, the Aurora Shoe Company has generously donated one pair of shoes (any color, any style) for the very first Keep it Real give away.  To enter, leave a comment on this blog between now and 6pm on Thursday, April 22nd.  Comments should answer the following question:

What is one long-term change you can make today to contribute to a healthier planet? 

The emphasis is on making a change today that you'll carry into the future. I'll give you one entry per commitment to change and certainly encourage you to come up with several.  Bonus points and one additional entry per person if you share a website, blog or article that offers eco-friendly  inspiration.  On Thursday I'll collect all comments and will randomly select one winner to post on Friday. 

If you read this blog or know me personally, then you already know that I  have a family connection with the Aurora Shoe Company and that I write for their company blog.  This does nothing to change the fact that I  have owned and loved these great shoes for more than a decade before my family had anything to do with them!  

This give away is now closed, but we welcome you to keep up with the Aurora Shoe Company by visiting their website and blog.

No Fracking Way

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Image via shaleshock.org

Have you heard about they controversy surrounding horizontal hydrofracking? I am no expert on the topic, and only heard the term for the first time this fall. If you are from New York and care about the safety of your drinking water, your milk and your wild fish and game (that one's for you, Lauren) then I suggest you check out some of the links I've compiled.

As you'll see, New York and neighboring states sit atop a huge rock formation called Marcellus Shale. This formation is one that has been targeted by drilling companies as it is believed to contain a huge amount of untapped natural gas. The gas companies and Governor Patterson would love to collect the gas and the profits that come with it, but many experts and local citizens are understandably concerned about the implications.

Photo via nywellwatch.org

Image via Citizens Campaign for the Environment

As a resident of this area, I have a very strong reaction to the information I've found. Living in a rural and agricultural community, clean water is essential to the health and economy of our area. Those of us who live off of the municipal water system have enough to worry about with water pollution from run-off pesticides and natural fertilizers (read: cow manure) infiltrating our wells. Clean water is something we should all have a right to. Horizontal Hydrofracking is not safe enough.

Stop the fracking, New York and protect your citizens!

Like I said, I'm still learning about fracking. So many people have so much more to say about it. Please consider checking out the following links to learn more about this important issue.

Newsweek article dated August 20, 2008

New York Times editorial dated October 16, 2009

Planet Green article dated October 17, 2009

Shaleshock Action Alliance website

NY Well Watch website
Hydrofracking Fact Sheet via Citizens Campaign for the Environment