The problem, until now, has been that recycling CFLs was inconvenient for post people. That’s about to change, thanks to Home Depot. The New York Times reported this week that Home Depot will offer CFL recycling at all of its nearly 2000 U.S. stores. That puts 75 percent of Americans within 10 miles of a CFL recycling location.

If you’re not part of that 75 percent, you still have options. Ikea stores provide CFL recycling bins, as well. Or visit Earth 911 or Lamp Recycle to look for a recycling location near you.

Need help choosing the right CFL? Visit our online guide, “How to Pick a Better Bulb“.

But nothing puts a hurting on a budget than a new car and an eco-friendly one at that.

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we need to buy a brand new car. I’m just saying that we’re going to need to invest in something big enough to fit two car seats and a booster. Well, legally anyway, because no matter how much my daughter begs me to ride on the roof, I just don’t foresee that in her future.

And we’re trying as hard as we can not to have kiss our freedom from car payments good-bye. It certainly helps when we’re paying $4/gallon for gas.

Thanks to the folks at GM and Volvo, I’ve had the opportunity to try out a few different cars, including GM’s Acadia and Tahoe Hybrid, and Volvo’s V-70 Wagon. But even those fairly reasonably priced cars (okay, except the Hybird — WHOA!), may not be feasible. Then add in the fact that my husband and I really want something that’s eco-friendly and doesn’t have the word “VAN” in it and we’ve got ourselves quite a dilemma.

Of course, doing less driving is always a fantastic option, but considering we live in a suburb of a city where you do really have to drive to get anywhere, it’s not the greatest one, at least for a mom with three kids under four (wow, that’s still really hard for me to get my own mind around!).

So aside from continuing to research all our options, I’ve invited Jody DeVere, the Founder/CEO of Ask Patty, to join me on my parenting podcast Wednesday, July 2 from 9-9:30pm EST to discuss eco and family friendly cars. Her website offers fantastic resources specific to women and cars, and I’m sure she’ll offer a myriad of helpful suggestions.

I’d love to hear from eco-conscious families of five plus — what car are you driving and what do you think about it? Leave your answer in the comments or share them on the Motherhood Uncensored podcast from 9-9:30pm EST by calling in (646-915-8634) or chatting at Blog Talk Radio.

More Related Posts on Cars:

Pimpin’ Your Ride: The Green Way

Company Turns Familiar Gas Cars into Electric Vehicles

How Many Hours Do You Have to Work to Fill Your Gas Tank?

Which is better for you and your lawn–the traditional gas-powered lawnmower or the human-powered push reel mower?

Pros and Cons of the traditional gas-powered lawnmower
Pros:
* Consistently cuts everything growing in your lawn, be it grass, weeds, vines, etc…
* Easy to push for long periods of time (ie large lawns)
Cons:
* Air pollution. According to the EPA the average gas-powered lawn mower emits as much pollution per hour as 11 automobiles do during that same time span. Why? The lawn mower engine is a two-cycle engine which pumps out over 90 times more pollution per gallon of gas than any car or truck.
* Noise pollution.
* Recurring gas costs. In case you were unaware–we’re over $4/gallon!
* Maintenance costs.

Pros and Cons of the human-powered push reel mower
Pros:
* Only pollution during mowing is the CO2 that you exhale.
* Quiet.
* The new models have sharp blades and will outperform and outlast the reel mowers your parents pushed around as kids.
* Inexpensive.
* Better exercise considering you aren’t inhaling engine exhaust while mowing.
Cons:
* Does not cut all tall grasses and weeds. After using one for 3 years now. I’d say (as I’ve said to my neighbors) it cuts at about a 93% success rate.
* Not reasonable for large lawns.

The (Unexpected) Outcome

And the winner is…

…The electric lawn mower!!!
If we consider all the variables; pollution, cutting ability, size of lawn, level of ease to own and operate, this non-contestant has to be the winner (sorry John Henry). As much as I love my push reel mower (which is still the most environmentally friendly mower available), I understand that if I had a larger lawn it may not be the best choice–although, it would still be my choice, but I’m a fanatic. The electric lawnmower is quiet, easy to start, easy to maintain, and costs approximately $5/year for electricity. And I haven’t used one, but I’ve read that the mowing skills rival that of the gas-powered mower.

For what it’s worth, the loser is…

…the riding lawn mower.
The bigger brother of the gas-powered mower sells well in a society full of folks who drive a few blocks to and from various stores each day instead of actually walking or biking.
Pros:
It has a cup holder…

…but I’m thinking of adding one to my push reel mower anyway.

Stay tuned next week for the battle of The Washing Machine vs. a trio of human-powered rivals. You may be surprised when No Impact Man shares his thoughts on this one…

Image credits: Amazon.com

Editor’s note: Our friends at Low Impact Living point out 10 ways you can save energy this summer. This post was originally published on June 10th, 2008.

The heat of summer is coming, and that means many of us are about to crank up the AC, make an extra batch of ice, and generally burn energy like it’s our job. But we need all need to continue to try to conserve as much energy as possible to conserve resources and slow the march of global warming. And we get to save money at the same time–woo hoo to that!

Here are the ten things we can all do at home to cut our energy consumption. We start out nice and easy, then ramp up to some extra-credit methods at the end of the list for you Climate Crusaders.

1. Resist the urge to live in a refrigerator.

78 degrees is plenty cool in the house. Turn down the AC and get a programmable thermostat so you’re only cooling the house when you really need to.

2. Air dry your dishes and clothes.

The dryer and dish washer use a lot of energy– and the air does the drying job just as well. See some great clothes-drying racks here.

3. Take shorter showers and do not take baths.

Hot water heating is one of the major uses of energy in any home. Showers are the way to go– and keep ‘em short. Baths use much more water and heat than do baths (unless you’re taking 30 minute showers!).

4. Make sure you have energy-efficient lighting throughout your home.

Everyone has heard about compact fluorescent lights by now– but are you up to date on LED lights? Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have come a long way, baby, and they are often 10 times more efficient than compact fluorescents.

5. Ditch the beer fridge.

It’s amazing how many homes have two refrigerators. Please do not use more than one fridge. And if you have an old model, get a newer Energy Star model.

6. Use ceiling fans rather than AC.

They are much more energy-efficient and you can get very reasonably priced Energy Star models.

7. Get solar screens for your windows.

These screens cut 75% of the heat coming through your windows, but don’t impact your visibility. They are really great energy savers. See them here.

8. Plant trees!

Placing deciduous trees on the South side of your home is a great way to block summer heat, but keep the sun shining on your home in the winter when you need the warmth.

9. Spend one night each week in candlelight.

It’s romantic, fun and inspires new conversation. If you’ve got kids, how about turning off the TV one night and playing a board game by candlelight? Clue would be particularly spooky!

10. Use a solar oven for some cooking.

They really work! You don’t want that hot oven on in your house anyway. You can either buy a solar oven, or you can learn to make one yourself. It’s another fun summer activity to do with your kids.

** #11: For the truly hard core, here’s a great tip I learned in Africa.

If you don’t have or don’t use AC, at night you can wet a scarf or towel or sheet and lay it on your chest. The evaporative cooling effect will really do the trick for you. Sleep tight!

Photo Credit: m.gifford’s photostream via Flicker, Under Creative Commons License

I don’t have enough hands to count the number of those shower curtains I’ve used in my brief 23 years, but it’s a lot. I’m happy to say I switched to cloth a few months ago after having a conversation about the possible effects of continued exposure to these shower curtains with my friend John Laumer of treehugger.com. I’m glad to see our fears were not confounded. The smell you most often associate with the excitement of a new product is actually a sign of off-gassing, a process by which harmful toxins become airborne through evaporation. There should be no rejoicing when this smell is encountered.

Some interesting findings from the study:

Over a year ago, one of our designers in our firm brought in a Preserve toothbrush made by Recycline, along with a Stonyfield Farm yogurt cup that mentioned Recycline recycling all their plastic yogurt containers. The toothbrush was their first product—the foundation of all the Preserve products—it received placement in specialty stores, then eventually mass merchants and even a cameo role in a movie (Will Farrell brushes his teeth with it repeatedly in “Stranger than Fiction”).

We had been reviewing the products that we had made in the past and wanted to work with a company that reflected our own mission for sustainability. After all, we didn’t endure the looks from the natives when we turned a sewage treatment plant into our company headquarters for nothing (ah, but that’s another blog entry).

So, as the head of design, I did something and … I called them. I talked to someone on the other line, made a proposal to expand their product line and hung up.

Over the course of many phone calls and meetings, Recycline took us up on our offer to supply them with product design and refinement in exchange for a royalty on whatever went to market. A lot of firms our size have worked on royalties for years but this was our first try. And I’m happy to report that after less than a year, several of the products we developed with Recycline are available at Whole Foods including food storage containers, cutting boards and colanders. (For the whole story, check out Metropolis: Cooking with Leftovers)

You probably won’t believe it when I say it, but it was all pretty easy to set up and implement. Because the people at Recycline are careful and thoughtful about their approach to business in the same way they are about their approach to the environment, they didn’t “stick it to us” when the money started coming in. In fact we have strengthened the connection. For our part, we have been as passionate and unpredictable as any creative team—but we delivered on time and collaborated on building the vision together rather than imposing our will. I know I’m going to sound like a bad tv commercial testimonial, but all it took was picking up that phone.

In the end, all of us, as consumers, benefit from being able to have a choice to choose green products—from a recyclable toothbrush to an entire line of home goods—it’s all coming someday soon to a store near you.

RELATED POSTS ON GREEN PRODUCT DESIGN:

Ecopreneur vs. Entrepreneur

Life Goggles: Radius Toothbrush Eco Product Review

If you are a coupon user or thrifty shopper as I am, you’ll like a new site for eco shoppers – Ecobunga.com. Unlike my husband who will buy anything on sale, I’m picky.

I shop at the Farmer’s Market for organic produce…15 minutes before closing. I select any product I want to buy online and then Google “ x product coupon”. I check for overstocks on organic and natural products at Big Lots.

I’m the original Eco deal shopper. Maybe you are too!

Business partners, Jennifer Hastings and Karen Schiff were inspired to create Ecobunga! when they learned that the 2007 GfK Roper Green Gauge Study cited cost as the top reason shoppers were reluctant to go green.

So they thought they’d help. The result is Ecobunga.

Ecobunga! is a comprehensive directory of giveaways and deals on green products and services, including sweepstakes, contests, coupons, rebates, sales and free shipping. We link shoppers to great bargains and prizes while helping companies get the word out about their eco-friendly products and services.

I was just recently introduced to their site and I’m already busily clicking away to find the best deals on eco products I’d buy anyway.

The site is a repository for promotions, sweepstakes and contests sponsored by purveyors of natural and organic goods. Working both with consumers and with companies, this turns out to be a great central gathering place for finding out who has a promotion on what, when.

I clicked through the natural body care section and found some great deals on natural skincare as well as a link to a Whole Foods specials page. In Babies and Kids I found a few different sales on organic baby clothes.

For a work in process I was quite impressed at the offerings. As a marketer I can spot a company that has a plan in place to provide a real consumer benefit. They certainly will find me coming back.

In fact, eggs are the product with the most “eco labels” of all reviewed by Consumer Reports. How do you navigate the sea of label terms and find out what they really mean?

Consumer Reports offers an Eco-labels Center that has tools like a virtual kitchen that shows users common foods and the labels associated with them, some of which were new to me. Did you know wine can include a “salmon-safe” label, for example?

The site also offers three different ways to search for label definitions; by “label” including label term, logo, label index and label category; by product category including food, household cleaners, personal hygiene, and wood/paper; and by certifiers, the organization or program that validates the label claim.

If you’re reading this blog from a laptop as opposed to a desktop computer then you are already taking a few steps on the path of sustainability. The Liquid Crystal Display screens of laptops are known to consume about 15-45 watts when on full power while desktops can use as much as 110 watts. You probably chose that laptop because it was skinny, fashionable and portable, not because it uses nearly 86% less energy than a desktop!

Enjoy fresh summer air? By opening your windows and using ceiling fans you can save approximately 40% of air conditioning costs in the warm season. Likewise, if you use ceiling fans in the winter to help bring warm air to the lower areas of a room you can save about 10% of your heating costs.

I can rarely resist stopping at local farmer’s markets, especially on my way home from the beach! If you also often purchase produce from local farmer’s markets you are promoting the use of less fuel to transport foods from point A to point B. Along with this you are supporting your local economy by putting your income directly into your neighbor’s businesses.

The last thing that I bet you do is the donation of used clothing. Every year my family goes through our belongings that no longer fit or have fallen out of style and we take them to Goodwill. This is an excellent way to encourage re-use and help those in need of clothing but also many stores will offer you compensation or a tax refund for your generous donations.

Are you closer to sustainability than you thought? Hopefully you are! If not then keep reading Sustainablog and I will continue to offer you ideas on how to become more decrease your environmental footprint!

Image Credit: jeffk at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Now (for the sake of time), I would like to say a bit about sacred places future.

How can we ensure that our children and those beyond have places that they can hold sacred? Obviously, on a general level we have to continue (increase!) efforts to preserve species, habitats, resources, and overall biological diversity. That goes without saying. I want focus here on how we can ensure that our children will be sensitive to nature–that every future generation can be a Generation W (Wild) filled with lots and lots of little green men and women.

Even as we fall more and more under the tyranny of technology, even as we enter a “brave new world” that is more like the one Huxley envisioned than Shakespeare, there are many possible sacred places for future children. But I think some of the most will be green homes, green schools, and green screens.

Green Homes

You can make your home a green home whether or not you have a house, with an actual yard. Do anything and everything that you can to make your home place, inside and out, a sacred nature place that your children will always remember and return to.

Try to make at least one day each month an unplugged day. Kick the rugrats out of the house, lock the doors, and tell them, “Go play!”–and then go outside with them! Try to have at least one day each month when you do something together in nature. Take a picnic lunch and go to a local park. Plan, plant, and profit from a family vegetable garden in the yard. Go for a family hike or camping trip.

Even if you are urban or suburban, you can make nature part of the foundation of your family structure. Set up a potted herb garden in your windowsill and put potted plants in other places. Start bird watching with your kids–and see if you can spot more than just pigeons. Point out lone trees or flowerbeds shooting up from plains of concrete.

All of these things can help children find the sacredness of nature and the nature all around them. These things can help make children’s’ homes green homes, sacred places alive with and teaching about nature.

Green Schools

Unfortunately, a nurturing family is one of the many endangered species nowadays, and not all home places are safe places, let along green and sacred. These sad facts only make it more essential that schools become green schools.

It seems, however, that many school systems are turning to technology rather than embracing “living education”–which remains an alternative rather than a readily available option in most places.

Schools, then, must do more to incorporate education about nature that occurs in nature and somehow makes use of nature.

Hold class outside. Take a field trip. Redesign classrooms to make them more visibly sustainable and natural. All schools, and the educational system as a whole, can go green by seeking to live with nature and function like nature; school can become a place where we can tell children to go and “Let Nature be your Teacher.”1

I think that even schools can become sacred natural places for children if they become green schools,, more “natural” on all levels–from the structural to the curricular.

Green Screens

Surprised as I am to say this, I do believe that even technology and the mass media can facilitate nature experiences for our children.

In particular, nature can and should be fun in the virtual world so that children might be more inclined to find fun in the natural world, too. And perhaps it can give them some guidance on how to get that real, green fun, how to interact with and enjoy and sanctify nature as it runs according to its own lovely program.

Perhaps we could have video games dealing with environmental issues and representing the Earth in a positive, not predatory, way. For example, SimCity-type games could focus on sustainable development, handling crises, etc. The various and ubiquitous devices themselves could be more “natural” looking, too. Cell phones, iPods, laptops, and so much else could actually look “green” in various ways, from green cases/shells to images of leaves and birds and butterflies and all that other nature stuff.

And the mass media can contribute by focusing more on nature-related programming for children. Most important, nature programs and environmental issues must not be limited to PBS and a few specialty cable channels. More popular channels and shows, along with other media outlets, can bring nature and “green living” into children’s awareness in profound, yet startlingly simple, ways.

Simply put, get the green on the screen! For with green screens, children will be more sensitive to and aware of the sacred things nature, and so they will be able to go out and find sacred places in nature.

If we want to have places in the future that our children can hold sacred, and if we want our children to be able to live happy, healthy lives on this planet, then I believe we need green homes, green school, and green screens. Without these, I fear we may see the extinction of possibility for a Generation W. Without these, I fear we may lose our sacred places past, present, and future…and we may ultimately lose our children themselves.

Click here to read my first post on sacred places past.

Click here to read my second post on sacred places present.

Notes
Image credit: Florence Devouard at Wikimedia Commons.
1. Wordsworth, William. “The Tables Turned.” Selected Poems and Prefaces by William Wordsworth. Ed. Jack Stillinger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1965. 107.

Of course it is always cost effective and environmentally friendly to make cleaning products at home but if you opt to buy them instead then this article is for you! So far I have found vegetable-based laundry detergent, anti-bacterial spray, dish soap and even biodegradable cleansing wipes! Let me elaborate on the brands I have stumbled upon:

My new favorite laundry detergent is made by a company called Ecover which specializes in biodegradable, vegetable-based cleaning products for all areas of the home. Each load requires just two small lid-fuls of detergent which will last you an estimated 20 loads. My clothes come out fresh and fragrant every time.

The second bunch of green cleaning tools comes from Clorox. I have invested in their new line of Green Works products, including toilet bowl cleaner and all-purpose cleaner, which work like magic. Now we’ll just have to wait for them to phase out the traditional chemical-based cleaners!

Lastly, I must confess that I am a slave to disposable wipes. I clean often and I depend on the convenience of small sheets that are ready to be used at my disposal… literally. However, I have found Method, a brand which I discovered while wandering the aisles of Target. This brand, first mentioned on GO Media by Kelli, sells biodegradable wipes which smell lovely (mine are lavender scented) and work like a charm.

If you are not ready to embark on a full cleaning product makeover I encourage you to at least substitute one chemical-based product with a vegetable-based one and see if you don’t feel like you’re making a difference!

Here are some other brands to check out!

• Seventh Generation
• Ecos
• Shaklee

Image Credit: Fazen at Flickr under a Creative Commons license

We want to let you know about an excellent new resource available to you– GreenMadeSimple.com. This site has created a very comprehensive database of green rebates, tax incentives and free offers across the US.

Their zip-code guided search allows you to find incentives and deals related to energy-efficient appliances and lighting, solar power, hybrid and alt-fuel vehicles, and more. The database includes federal, state and local incentives. Just put in your zip code and prepare to go green and save money.

Here are some examples of the jewels you’ll find:

• The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will give you $250 (!) back on the purchase of an Energy Star clothes washer.
• The State of Illinois will give buyers of hybrid cars a $1000 rebate.
• Austin Energy in Texas will give customers up to 20% of the cost of certain improvements (insulation, weatherization, appliance swaps) up to $1575. And they offer bonus incentives up to $650 for making multiple improvements.

GreenMadeSimple.com is an excellent tool that we will be using often here at Low Impact Living!

Read more about Green Personal Finance and Money:

• Raising a Non-Material Girl (or Boy) in a Material World
• 5 Ways to Green Your Taxes
• Low-Impact Living: Five Eco-Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Rebate

Whilst I was researching on cloth diapering, I came across this Charlie’s Soap on many of the cloth diapering sites. Almost all of them recommended Charlie’s Soap (along with Bac-Out) to get the poop out but was also Hypoallergenic enough to use against baby’s tender skin.

Curious, I ordered the Charlie’s powder Soap on their online store. I have to say that this truly is a non-toxic cleaning miracle. I have used Charlie’s Soap not only to launder my newborn’s clothes, but to clean everything from spit ups on fabrics to pet messes. According to their website, you can also clean carpets with carpet cleaners or use it in your dishwasher. (I have neither so can’t lay claim to that.)

Charlies Soap works great on

• Grease
• Blood
• Mildew Stains
• Pine Sap

• Grass
• Red Clay
• Mustard
• Poop

Charlies Soap is Cruelty free, Certified non-toxic by Duke University Toxicologist, Biodegradable, and Flame Retardant. Here’s the result from Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Test on flammability of children’s polyester sleepwear

The best part is that it is uber affordable. 3lb bag of Charlie’s Soap has 80 load capacity. I also like to put some in a squirt bottle and mix it with warm water. Let it dissolve and spray out the oopsies. It has fresh natural scent that has no fragrance. This coconut-based detergents with Green River washing soda is truly an Eco-friendly gem.

You might also want to check out

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Naturally Resistant Sleepwear?

Hate Chemicals? Clean Green!

What Can You Do to Reduce Water Consumption?

Improve the water efficiency of your lawn.

For many homeowners in the southern United States, lawn irrigation is likely the largest source of residential water waste. There are many things one can do to correct this.

Adjust your irrigation controller to fit your climate conditions and landscaping. This alone can produce water savings of over 30%. Some water utilities offer water audits, so check with your local water provider to see if they offer this service. Or, find experienced landscape maintenance firms in your area.

Install rain and soil moisture sensors. Many people don’t turn off their irrigation when it rains. Also, most lawns receive far more water than they actually need when it isn’t raining. Both problems can be corrected using sensors attached to your irrigation system. See examples.

Replace existing landscaping with climate-appropriate options, keeping grass to a minimum. The biggest challenge with many yards is that they are composed of plants originally from other areas with vastly different climate conditions. The typical turf lawn can use up to 40 inches of water a year or more; many climate zones in the US have far less than that in rainfall. What most people don’t realize is that all regions of the US have native plants that are beautiful, durable, and adapted to local climate conditions. Some native grasses can provide the benefits of turf while requiring 1/3 of the water. So, if you really want to save water and also want to stand out on your block, cut down your turf use and rebuild your lawn using beautiful natives. Find landscape architects in your area who can help.

Install graywater system to reuse household waste water. Much of the water that you use inside your house can be reused outside for irrigation (excluding toilets and kitchen drains). This water is called “graywater”, as it is used but does not contain health hazards. Not only do you use less water this way, but you also save on sewer charges. This requires some fairly complex plumbing work, so it might best be left to professionals. Please contact us through this link if you would like more information about gray water systems.

Replace high-flow plumbing fixtures with efficient versions.

Today’s high efficiency plumbing fixtures (toilets, showerheads, etc) not only save water and energy, but also perform as well as their water-guzzling predecessors. You may be wasting tens of gallons a day if you live in an older house with old fixtures. Browse some of today’s attractive and water-saving options.

Replace old clothes washers and dishwashers with Energy Star versions.

The main benefit of most Energy Star appliances is that they save energy. But, most also save significant amounts of water at the same time. See energy- and water-efficient clothes washers and dishwashers.

Evaluate and fix leaks.

This might come as a surprise, but over 10% of an average household’s water use can come from leaks. These are often undetected because they are small, hidden in water fixtures, walls and basements, or happen underground. But, drop by drop every minute of the day they add up. Check your water meter to see if you have any leaks (shut off all water uses in your house for an hour, and see if your meter moves). Find plumbers in your area who can fix them.

Reduce second-order impacts.

As described above, most of us use as much water via the products and services we use as we do directly (all of the products we use require water somewhere in their production process).

Reduce electricity use. Electricity is the biggest water hog by far. In some states, you “use” far more water by using electricity than through all other water-related activities combined. Use less juice, waste less water! Get electricity-saving tips.

Know your food supply. The growth in demand for organic and other natural food products shows that people care about where their food comes from. Another dimension of this is the water that it takes to grow them – for many products, the water used in growing them in a particular region (say, rice in the desert?) may counteract the organic benefits. Here are a few quick pointers:

• Buy produce from areas and farms that practice water-efficient agriculture. Ask your grocers and farmers’ market vendors how they use water in growing their products.
• For protein, eat less beef and more pork, chicken and fish. Beef is a real water hog. Pork, chicken and fish all use substantially less water per pound of meat.

Read More about How to Save Water:

• Did You Know? Conserving Water
• Daily Tip: Water Your Lawn Smarter
• WaterSense: The New Symbol of Water Conservation

Photo Credit: pink hats, red shoes on Flickr under a Creative Commons license

Recently I had a chance to chat with Susan Doris and Robbie Mahlman, co-founders of Robbie Adrian Luxury Organic baby blankets. Their company takes 100% organic, machine-washable baby blankets to a whole new level of gorgeous style and soft texture, and Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez and Christina Aguilera are just a few of their celebrity customers. These forward-thinking entrepreneurs make sure every detail of their business is as green and sustainable as possible, and all their products completely made in the USA.

These women are also moms who are raising families and running an ethical business in a highly competitive field. They took a moment from their busy day to answer a few questions:

1. Your blankets are unique in that they combine organic, sustainable design with colorful style. Why do you think it’s taken so long for organic manufacturers to move beyond beige?

Traditionally organic products have been marketed to consumers very tuned to organic products and wanting the “natural” look and all the natural features. With more awareness about the environment recently, it has helped organic products to go more “mainstream.” Our reason for starting Robbie Adrian luxury organics is our conviction (as both moms and designers) that more traditional parents would buy organic if more color and style were added! Parents want natural products for their babies, but also want products that are cute and stylish — so Robbie Adrian blankets offer both.

2. Price is always a family concern. Besides your blankets (of course!) which items do you think parents should really invest in?

Well, our company is about providing parents choices and offering “baby steps” to being green. We encourage parents to become informed and make choices that are right for their family. Products that are closest to their baby, especially to infants, such as blankets, cribs, mattresses should perhaps get the most scrutiny, which would also include shampoos, lotions etc. It’s sometimes not possible to go natural everywhere, and that’s okay — every little step a parent makes toward healthier products for their baby and planet is a good thing!

3. Many of us are slowly incorporating eco-friendly and sustainable products and habits into our family’s lives. What are the most recent switches you’ve made in your respective households?

Susan Doris: It’s amazing the things we have learned working with organic products - it has made a big change in some of our own habits! My husband just bought a Toyota Hybrid, and because of my research about other blanket fibers, polyester and conventional cotton, we have tried not to purchase so much of those fibers for our family, as they are so hard on the environment. I also won’t let my kids heat up food in plastic baggies or bowls any more! I also learned that Teflon is a product that stays around forever, and has been recommended to the EPA to be upgraded to a “likely” human carcinogen - so as much as I hate scrubbing scrambled eggs off a non stick pan - I’m trying!!

Robbie Mahlman: My husband and I purchased terrapasses for our vehicles to offset the carbon use on both. Also we purchased cloth towels to diminish paper towel use, no longer use insecticides in our yard, and use natural methods rather than broad spectrum spraying. We purchased a front loader washer and dryer, we try to purchase organic produce and milk whenever possible, we use canvas bags when we go to store, or we “just say no” to bags whenever possible, and carry in what we can. We no longer purchase water in individual water bottles, and we also walk to school! We figure every little bit helps!

For a detailed GreenOptions review of Robbie Adrian Luxury Organic blankets, check out Jennifer Lance’s great post here. For more Robbie Adrian blanket styles, colors, and details, visit robbieadrian.com.

Key Causes of Excessive Water Use

There are many sources of water waste across all sectors of the economy. But, as homeowners and consumers, which ones do we have the most control over? Low Impact Living suggests you consider the following ideas when thinking about lowering your water use.

Direct Household Water Use

The typical household with three members uses over 300 gallons of water per day, both inside and outside. If you live in a warm climate where lawn irrigation is needed, then typically this is your single biggest source of waste – most lawns are over-watered, irrigated with inefficient equipment, and planted with plants not suitable to the local climate.

Inside, toilets, clothes washers and showers are the largest water users, representing 19, 15 and 12 gallons per person per day respectively (see chart to the right). There are huge inefficiencies here as well, especially in older homes. New appliances and plumbing fixtures can often shave 50% off of your water use.

All told, an average water-conserving home could cut the 300 gallon average above to less than 150 gallons with no sacrifice in comfort or performance. Specific things you can do to achieve these savings are listed below.

Indirect Water Use

In addition to the water that you use directly, you also consume water via the products and services that you buy.

The largest single source of indirect water use is through the generation of electric power. Electric power plants employ water to generate steam and for cooling. Per capita water use due to power generation is a whopping 480 gallons per day in the US. This varies greatly by locality. In states using hydroelectric power plants or seawater-cooled plants, fresh water use can be less than one gallon of water per kilowatt-hour of power generated (Idaho, Oregon and California are among these). In other states with no hydro resources and only fresh water available, the use can be very high – Tennessee, Nebraska and Wisconsin power plants use on average over 30 gallons of water per kilowatt-hour of power generated.

Another indirect water use is the food and beverages that we consume. When you consider the entire lifecycle of a food product, from farm to dinner table, many foods require huge amounts of water to produce. Most meats (beef being worst), heavily processed foods, and some vegetables that grow in wet conditions use tremendous amounts of water. Some examples are provided below (representing global averages).

Read More about Water Use and Consumption:

• Touchless Faucets for the Home
• It’s Time to Rethink Tub Sizes
• Could Wind Help Save Water?