THINK DIFFERENT!!!

WHAT YOU CAN DO DIFFERENT

WITH EVERYDAY ITEMSTRY TO THINK OF WHAT YOU CAN USE RATHER THEN THROW AWAY FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE - A SECOND LIFE

Contradiction in Terms Dept: Sustainable Parking Structure

Only in California could one find such a deliciously silly story. Santa Monica has just opened "the nation’s first sustainable solar-powered parking structure. The six-story, 882-space structure at the Civic Center features photovoltaic roof panels, a storm drain water treatment system, recycled construction materials and energy efficient mechanical systems."

Evidently the cars are well treated: “From the Santa Monica Mountains to Catalina Island, these parking spaces have the best view in town.” And they are going for LEED certification, which should be a challenge for an above grade parking garage, even if it was made from site-grown bamboo and ventilated by flapping butterfly wings.

After all, the City is spending $180 million plan to add 1,712 parking spaces over the next ten years- just what every city needs right now when we are trying to discourage cars, not give them ocean views. ::Lookout News.

Source: Treehugger.com

Ontario goes Greener

Bag It Back

Did you know that 80 million containers will be collected each year under the bottle return system; all of which will be cleaned and colour separated. The Ontario Deposit Return Program will ensure that more glass will be recycled into high value products (bottles or fibreglass) rather than used as road aggregate or landfilled due to contamination.

The new program's deposit incentive will also enhance the Blue Box by increasing the number of containers that are recycled, including about 25,000 to 30,000 additional tonnes of glass from landfill annually.

Ontario's Blue Box system will benefit by:

• Freeing up space in the Blue Box giving municipalities room to expand their recycling programs

• Making for fewer and lighter walks to the curb

The program takes effect February 5th 2007!

Eligible containers (glass bottles, plastic bottles (PET), Tetra Pak containers, bag-in-box, aluminum and steel containers)	Deposit/Refund Amount
Containers less than or equal to 630mL Aluminum and steel containers less than or equal to 1L	10¢
Containers over 630mL Aluminum and steel containers over 1L	20¢
Exempt containers
Containers with a volume of 100mL or less (e.g., 50mL minis) Containers purchased at duty-free stores, U-Vint and U-Brew

Follow the link to find out the closest return location for you. Most beer stores are accepting returns, but check first. http://www.bagitback.ca/bib-webapp/storesearch.do

Incandescent Vs. Compact Flouescent

Comparison of Electricity Cost Electricity Cost (for 800–900 lumens at a rate of $0.10/kWh)

The average lifetime of incandescent light bulbs is about 750–1000 hours. It would take at least 6-11 incandescent bulbs to last as long as one compact fluorescent, which have an average lifetime between 11,250 and 15,000 hours. This causes an additional total cost of using incandescent bulbs. Another additional (potential) cost may be incurred if the bulbs are not in a readily accessible location and special equipment (e.g., cherry picker) and/or personnel are needed to replace it.

Source: Wikipedia 2007, Incandescent Light Bulb

What do you do Green to make a difference?

Hello Environmentally Aware Individuals!

I am attempting to build a list of ideas and solutions to help make the world a better place. I want to find out what you do to make a difference in our world, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant I want to know and so does everyone else (its for the list).

Add a post and I encourage you to put down your ideas or comments, I will compile them into a more comprehensive list with categories once I get a bunch.

My Greener Ideas are:

1. I peel the labels off my recyclables can and bottles (recycle them too)
2. Wash all recyclables before putting in the recycle bin
3. I try to buy local produce or Canadian Grown
4. I only buy music online (not a CD, all that plastic)
5. I walk when ever I can + not use my car
   

Looking forward to your input. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or want to help grow this idea.