Just say no to polystyrene

There are no words to express my extreme distaste for polystyrene, better known as styrofoam.  You are most familiar with styrofoam as food and beverage containers and packing material.  While it probably seemed like a miracle solution when it was discovered in 1839, because of its inability to biodegrade, polystyrene is a huge environmental pollutant.

Think about your experience with styrofoam for a moment.  Who hasn’t picked apart a foam cup into tiny pieces?  Or played with tiny styrofoam packing materials?  These showcase the biggest problem with styrofoam.  While it does not biodegrade, it does break down into smaller and smaller pieces.  And because the pieces are very light, they are easily blown by the wind and float on water.  Recently, I was doing a local beach clean-up and I focused on the hundreds of tiny pieces of styrofoam that I found on the beach.  Hard to see, but deadly.  Marine wildlife, including fish, birds and mammals often mistake tiny polystyrene bits as food and digest them.  Research has suggested that the chemicals in polystyrene foam can cause cancer and leach into food and drinks.

So it’s a problem, but what can we do about it?  Cities around the U.S. are banning polystyrene food containers, including my great city of San Francisco.  You can find a list of CA cities that have similar bans here.  Other regions include Portland, OR and Suffolk County in New York state.  Even better, California is now considering a statewide bill, AB 1358, which bans polystyrene food containers.

You can help by:

1. Discontinuing use of any polystyrene products in favor of more sustainable solutions
2. If you live in a city with a polystyrene ban on food containers, keep your eyes open!  If you see a restaurant in violation, report it!  You can do so in San Francisco by clicking here.
3. Support AB 1358 by writing your CA state senators and assembly members and letting them know why you too hate styrofoam.

A Day Without a Plastic Bag

December 18th is officially A Day Without a Bag, but I’d like to clarify that that means without a plastic or paper bag.  This day is really about using your resuable bags in this season of extreme shopping and extreme waste.

If you live in San Francisco, stop by Union Square Thursday, 12/18 at lunch (12-2 pm) to receive a free reusable bag from Surfrider Foundation.  This day is a great way to raise awareness about the wastefulness of shopping bags.   The average American uses 500 bags a year!   BagMonster is a great picture to this massive problem.  It is a mascot created by Chico Bags (a brand of reusable bags): a man covered with 500 plastic bags, that same number of bags the average American uses annually.

Every retail, drug, grocery, etc store uses plastic or paper bags when giving you your products.  Of course, it is a convenient way to carry home your items.  But what do you do with that bag when you are done with it?  Maybe you reuse it once or twice, but eventually it goes into the trash and ends up in your gutters and your oceans.   To completely avoid this problem, grab a reusable bag.  Most are $1 – 5.   I have one (ACME bag brand) that folds up real small and I simply stick it in my purse so that I have it whenever I need it.  My friend Mad Grad enjoys Chico bags because they have key rings on the bags – easily attachable to your keys.  Luckily, you can find a variety of reusable bags almost anywhere nowadays from grocery stores to drug stores, they are a hot seller, and need I add – a great Holiday gift!

When you do your Christmas shopping, please think twice about accepting a plastic or paper shopping bag, and turn to your reusable bag instead!

Auto Industry’s request for a Bailout is Congress’ Golden Oppurtunity

So it is hard to stay positive when every day sees more news headlines about the stocks dropping and  Congress giving away more and more money.  I’m no economist and I decided to let those (supposedly) more intelligent figure out the details.  However, when I heard that the auto industry was begging for handouts as well, I had to speak up.

Automobiles, in my mind, are the single most polluting part of American and world society.  If everyone stopped driving tomorrow, it would reduce by half the amount of carbon monoxide, by a third the amount of nitrogen oxides, and by a quarter the amount of the hydrocarbons in our atmosphere.  As a consumer-driven and convenience-driven country, we are nowhere near eliminating our addiction to cars.  However, this economic crisis for American car companies is actually a good thing in the fight for a greener country and planet.

Instead of writing a blank check to the “Big 3″: Ford, Chrysler and GM, Congress should think long and hard about how they want the transportation in this country to look like now and in the future.  Let’s think beyond fuel-effecient vehicles that still rely on gas.  Let’s implement incentives for vehicles that run on renewable sources, such as vegetable oil – which is also great because it reduces unnecessary waste.  Let’s get those car companies working on something entirely different, like mass transit vehicles that could take the place of cars.  I’m no scientist, but I have faith in those in this country who are, and I believe that they can find a solution that satisfies convenience, energy efficiency, unemployment and of course pride.

Let’s make this economic disaster into something that can transform transportation and improve our country, instead of simply propping up greedy, outdated and (obviously) failing companies.

Going green requires a little political awareness too…

I typically try to avoid political commentary from my blog, as I prefer it to be more of a how-to.  But I couldn’t resist after seeing Senator Inhofe’s (R-Oklahoma) pronouncement last Thursday about environmental organizations.  He accuses all environmental groups, including the large and respected organizations Sierra Club, Greenpeace and League of Conservation Voters of being part of a Democratic conspiracy to keep Republicans out of elected office. He argues that their endorsements and financial support of Democratic politicians and their persecution of Republican ones is proof of this accusation.

Senator Inhofe seems to forget the basic fundamentals of non-profit organizations.  They support the politicians that believe in their cause.  Just as the NRA mostly supports Republicans, the environmental groups will largely favor Democrats because these are the people who attempt to further environmental goals.  I realize in the current political landscape with more and more people  becoming concerned about climate change, many Republicans are changing their tune (but beware of greenwashing).  However, the Republicans have never been noted for their eco-friendly policies and thus there is no reason that environmental organizations should support most of them.  Environmental organizations will support those that consistently vote with the environment; for bills that improve it and against bills that contribute further to their degradation.

The other problem I have with Inhofe’s argument is the suggestion that the connections between different environmental organizations further implicates them in a Democratic conspiracy.  Why wouldn’t environmental organizations be allied and share resources?  This is a completely obvious way of running one’s organization.  Inhofe exposes these things as though this is a ludicrous way of behaving.

Inhofe focuses on a collection of groups that want to improve society and the Earth’s health just because they listed him as one of their “Dirty Dozen”.  There’s a more obvious conspiracy in politics today that doesn’t aim to improve anything for the general public, just the pocketbooks of America’s most powerful people and companies.  I’ll leave you to decide which conspiracy you want to be a part of.

Back to Basics: Recycling

I don’t know if this picture is as scary to you as it is to me.  This was taken last summer at the San Francisco transfer station.  Note: this is not the dump.  This is the transfer station meaning that this is where the trash is temporarily dumped before being transferred into even larger trucks to go to the landfill.  This picture represents just a fraction of the daily-weekly trash of one city.  That is indeed frightening.

The goal of zero-waste (which San Francisco is currently trying to reach by 2020) is intimidating.  How can I produce zero-waste when in fact I generate a lot of waste?  Each tissue, plastic bag, coffee cup, pizza box, old razor contributes to this massive surplus of trash that isn’t getting any smaller.

That is why it’s so important to use the three R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

• Reduce – Don’t use something in the first place: I try to never use paper napkins and paper towels any  more.  These are unnecessary if you just use a cloth napkin.  I keep one out, use it a few times, and then throw it in the wash pile.  Same goes for paper towels.  Instead, I keep out a couple dish towels that I use for all the same things.  If anything, cloth napkins and towels work better than their paper counterparts because they are more absorbent and durable.  And I never have to buy napkins again (note that if you do still use these, and have composting, they can go in your compost bin)!
• Reuse – Use something again: Wrapping paper is one of the most pointless and wasteful purchases.  It’s just getting ripped off anyway!  For my last birthday, my mom wrapped my presents in cool scarves.  That way, I had double the presents!  If you don’t have any spare scarves or extra fabric laying around, just use something else that you have easy access to: like yesterday’s newspapers or last month’s magazine.  Not only are you reducing the waste you create, you are reusing a product that normally goes into the trash (and then landfill!)  Note: newspapers (oddly) also make great cleaners – think mirrors and windows.
• Recycle – When something has no more use, make sure it goes in the recycling, NOT the trash: Ok, everything has it’s shelf life.  There comes a time when you’ve exhausted all the uses of a single product.  So please please make sure to recycle it.  I think we all know the things that can be recycled: paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic.  But other things such as batteries, plastic bags, and electronics can also be recycled.  For SF residents, check out where to recycle these things here.  For in or outside San Francisco, you can use the toolbar at the top of this web page.

Zero waste can be easy if you just think twice before throwing something in the trash can, what else could I use this for?  Or could this item be recycled or composted?

UPDATE: Check out the great site a friend just shared with me about how to recycle things you wouldn’t normally!

Greening your office

For those who work in an office (like myself), it feels as though that is where you spend a majority of your time. So you should make every effort to keep it as green as you would other parts of your life.

1. We have to remember that green living requires examining every part of your life/routines to see where you can make a change. Thus, greening your workspace starts with how you get to work. I’m talking about walking, biking and mass transit. I used to live outside San Francisco and would walk 15 minutes to the bus, take a 45 minute bus ride, and another 5 minute walk to work. That’s over an hour commute. But I know if I had decided to drive, it would have taken much longer when factoring in traffic and the impossibility of parking. The expense would also have been much higher. Before I was spending about $8/day on the bus ($160/month), now that I’ve moved to San Francisco I spend just $2.25/day ($45/month). Driving would include gas (very high right now as we all know), the cost of insurance, toll over the bridge, and parking daily. I don’t even want to calculate that cost. In addition to these things, walking or biking your way to work is great exercise and makes you feel much healthier. And don’t forget the joys of carpooling. In addition to saving money, the environment, and time driving (you can sleep while others drive!) – it is a great way to make friends. Whether people who work in your office or in an office nearby, you can expand your social and work network this way. If you live in the Bay Area, go to 511.org and check out their Trip Planner for finding mass transit options from home to work (or anywhere else). There are also links to Bike Maps and Carpool matching services.
2. Next is once you enter the building. If you work in an office building with multiple floors, you probably take the elevator. This saves time and energy. However, elevators are a waste of energy, especially for just one person. If you work on the second or third floor, consider taking the stairs. After a few weeks of this, you will definitely notice that it gets easier and easier. I work on the 6th floor, and I have walked up a few times, but it is quite a lot of work (though I may try from now on just to bare it, because it’s such great exercise). However, I always try to walk down whenever I leave the office. No matter what floor you are on, it is easy to take the stairs down instead of calling up that elevator.
3. The next step is literally greening your workspace, I’m talking about keeping plants on your desk. I have one potted plant (which is growing nicely) and some dried lavender. A coworker had a whole trellis hanging from her window with numerous plants. You can have as much or as little as you like, but it is a nice reminder of nature and the outside world instead of your gray cube walls. Just remember to water it (without over watering). I generally check how dry the soil is when I come in each morning and water it if it doesn’t feel moist.
4. Breaks: Stop every day for coffee before work? Or like to take that mid-morning break? Two things you can do. First, invest in a coffee maker, either for your home or office. Either way, you are saving money, and by using a mug or travel mug instead of disposable cups, you are eliminating waste. If you just can’t let go of your gourmet coffee drinks, bring your own cup! I have a travel mug that I keep at the office for whenever I have the urge to run out for coffee or tea. Just think, you are completely eliminating all those cardboard cups that would have gone straight to the trash.
5. Along the same lines is your lunch. From an economic standpoint, I try to bring my lunch 4 out of 5 days a week. But this too also helps to eliminate waste, depending on what you wrap your lunch in. In high school I used a brown paper bag every day with a plastic bag for my sandwich, a plastic bag for chips or crackers, and a disposable soda can. Now I have a reusable lunch bag, tupperware that perfectly fits the size of my average sandwich, and a steel water bottle (easily fillable with juice or soda as well). And I use tupperware for anything else I bring like crackers or fruit. There is no need to waste paper or plastic bags when you have everything you need with reusable containers.

That’s it for now, but lots more green office tips to come!

Simple Tips for Eco-living

I just moved out into my first non-college apartment, and it is a big change. But as I’m settling in, I’m discovering the smallest things you can do to stay green.

• If you live in San Francisco, the city provides free composting. Ask your landlord to request one or if you own your own place, call the City yourself and set it up so they drop off a Green Composting bin that looks just like your trash and recycling containers. You can compost fruits, vegetables, bread and even soiled paper towels and cardboard (think pizza boxes, and dirty napkins). And don’t forget any plant or yard waste. It is so easy. The hardest part is establishing a compost system in your kitchen. I would recommend a sealable container (to mask the smell) that you can take out once a week or every few days. Make sure to wash it periodically so it doesn’t build up mold. And that’s it! If you aren’t lucky enough to live in San Francisco, you can still compost. If you have a yard it is especially beneficial. Start a compost pit in your yard and soon enough you will have your own fresh soil. Read how.
• As an entry-level employee at a non-profit, I’m not making the big bucks. But I’ve found easy ways to save money and help the environment. First is by buying recycled furniture. Usually it’s not furniture that is made of recycled materials, but furniture that has been used already. Craigslist is a great resource for this. Make sure to check the “free” tab and the “garage sale” tab. That’s how we found our couch (which we love!) and checked out some great garage sales. Simply walk around your neighborhood on Saturday and Sunday mornings and I guarantee you will find at least 1 garage sale. We’ve picked up such diverse items as can openers, beer pitchers and small tables for super cheap prices. This helps the environment by not producing new goods out of raw materials, and also preventing items from going to the landfill.
• Along the same lines, the library (find your local one here) is heaven for any environmentally conscious individual. It is essentially pointless to buy books new, when there are hundreds and thousands of books just sitting in the library waiting to be read. If you don’t like the book, you won’t have it sitting around your house for ages, and if you do – you can always check it out to reread again later.
• I can not support public transportation more. I just got rid of my car, and I’m loving it. I take the bus to and from work, and live close enough to everything else to walk to the library, grocery store, shopping, post office, and even the bars. My roommate bikes 20 minutes to work, and finds the exercise great. Again, if you live in San Francisco, got to 511.org to plan a trip on public transportation anywhere in the Bay Area. It is especially a relief not to be spending money on car insurance and gas (especially now, at such high prices) and I can use that money for other things.
• And just to point out the obvious: recycle, use energy-saving light bulbs and appliances, and please turn off lights (and water) when not in use.

Chemicals on your face

I recently read the excellent book The World Without Us by Alan Weisman. It postulates what would happen to our planet and civilization if humans disappeared over night. The range this book covers is extraordinary, and I encourage everyone to read this book. It acts a little like a slap in the face.

In one chapter called “Polymers are Forever”, Weisman discusses the amount of plastic that is in our ocean, and not just plastic bottles or other large pieces. The ocean is filled with tiny pieces of plastic, called “nurdles” that result from plastic products manufacturing. These pieces are so small, they are often mistaken by fish and other sea life as food, and that is toxic and deadly for them.

The most alarming part of this is that nurdles and other teensy pieces of plastic in our oceans don’t just come from manufacturing plants, they come from our own sinks and showers in the form of exfoliants. Most mainstream exfoliants (think of all your favorite brands) use tiny pieces of plastic in place of natural ingredients for exfoliants in face and body wash, even in toothpastes! Next time you are washing your face, check out the ingredients on the bottle. Notice any polyethylene, “micro-fine polyethylene granules,” “polyethylene micro-spheres,” or “polyethylene beads”? That is plastic and that is scary.

The best way to prevent using tiny pieces of plastic on your face, and also to avoid other toxic products is to educate yourself. Check out the database at Safecosmetics.org. You can search for a product, company or simply an ingredient. You will be surprised how unsafe some of your favorite products and brands are. But you can also find safe products with natural and harmless ingredients. I would much rather be using aloe, grapeseed and oatmeal on my face than plastic and unknown toxic chemicals.

Greening your office: Paper

OK, the first step (1.) in paper conservation in your office is to buy only 100% recycled paper. I can recommend a great office supply company called Give Something Back (http://www.givesomethingback.com/). Not only do they give large portion of their profits to charitable causes, they also feature recycled and other environmentally-friendly products. If you still decide to do your ordering with a large office retailer, they also feature recycled content paper (but 100% is better than 30%)!

2. Next in this process is to use less paper! The wonders of email and electronic storage have already reduced paper usage a monumental amount. But always think twice before printing something out: do you really need this in printed form? If so, on to the next step…

3. Print double sided! You can set up your computer (and your colleagues’) to by default print double sided. Just head to your printing preferences, and there should be an option in there to do this. Most documents you really don’t need one-sided, so this is great. Once everything is printed double-sided, you won’t even have scrap paper, but if you do…

4. What to do with scrap paper (one-sided printed documents you no longer need). If you are printing double-sided, it is hard to get rid of the scrap paper. But let’s say you can never print double-sided (though I can’t imagine why). In that case, I would recommend collecting all your scrap paper (and that of your co-workers) in a box next to the printer. Set up the bypass tray of your printer – and place all that scrap paper in the bypass tray. Then, you can set it up in your printing preferences to automatically print from the bypass tray – using only scrap paper! When you have something important to print (like a letter) that has to be one-sided, simply override your default settings by hitting properties when you go to print. It might take awhile to get used to this, but you will.

5. If for whatever reason you can’t set up the bypass tray in your office, and you aren’t printing double-sided – you will have lots of scrap paper leftover. One option is to create a notepad out of it. Stack all the paper so that the blank side is on top, then simply staple together at the top. You can even cut the paper in half (hamburger style) to create a smaller notebook. Insta-recycling!

6. When your double-sided paper and scrap paper is all out of uses – please RECYCLE.

Brushing your teeth with the water running…

There’s officially a drought in California. (Read the article in Sfgate here) Here are some things I like to do to conserve water:

When I have glass of water that I don’t finish (like day-old water on the bedside table), instead of pouring it down the drain, I dump it outside (in the garden). This would work just as well pouring it into house plants. Even just dumping it in the dirt is less of a waste than pouring it down the drain. If you want to get really into it, recycle your used water from cooking (any water that you drain from boiling – like for pasta or steaming vegetables).

Don’t run the water when you are brushing your teeth! It is so unnecessary it makes me cringe when I see it. And when rinsing of your toothbrush, it is only necessary to turn the flow on low – there’s no need for it to be on full blast.

The same goes with rinsing dishes, or for washing your face, or anything else. Low water pressure is OK. And the more you think about it, the more aware you will become and the less water you will use – automatically.

Most Californians will remember this from their childhood (if they are my age), otherwise just their regular adulthood. If it’s yellow, let it mellow; if it’s brown, flush it down. I know it can seem gross, but the amount of water used to flush is so out of proportion to a little urine in the toilet (5 gallons/flush).

This is my first posting, so I may return to this topic with more tips in the future. But I think that just by doing these small things – water will be conserved!