Life The Green Way

11th Annual City of Birmingham Recycles Day

2011-10-25T14:39:00.002-05:00

The City of Birmingham Recycles Day Committee and partners will host an event to allow
citizens to recycle their Electronic Waste and Yellow Pages. One of two e-waste recycling days, the highlight is the opportunity to recycle TV's for FREE! TV's and computer monitors are often difficult to find recycling outlets for. This is also a mid-point for the AT&T Real Yellow Page recycling competition hosted by Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission. Last year, nearly 30,000 yellow pages were diverted from local landfills through a similar effort.

Partners include the Keep Birmingham Beautiful Commission, AT&T Real Yellow Pages, Alabama Environmental Council, Birmingham Recycling & Recovery, ACIPCO, UPS, Alabama Power Company, and others.

What: E-cycles and Yellow Page Recycling Day

When: Wednesday, October 26, 2011, 6AM - 2PM

Where: Linn Park, Short 20th Street

FREE TV RECYCLING!!

Accepted Items for Recycles Day:

Yellow Pages, Personal Computers, Televisions, Monitors, LCD TVs, Flat Screen Monitors, VCRs, Radios, Stereos, DVD players, Microwaves, Power Supplies, Rechargeable Batteries, Vacuums, Banking Equipment, Telephones, Pagers, Networking Equipment, Laptops, Keyboards, Mice, Power Cables, Non-Hazardous Medical Equipment, Printers, Copy Machines, Servers, Hubs, Ink Cartridges, Toner Cartridges, Remotes, Modems, Projectors, Cameras

Unaccepted Items for Recycles Day:

Refrigerators, Washers, Clothes Dryers, Dish Washers, Mercury Containing Devices (Thermometers, Fire Alarms), Hazardous Chemicals/Materials, Light Bulbs, Florescent Bulbs, Bio Waste

A drive-thru for recycling e-waste, Yellow Pages telephone books, and cellular telephones will be available.

Local Sponsors

Elena White is the founder and editor of Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother. Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

Simple Ways to Green Your Halloween

2011-10-19T11:36:00.000-05:00

Greening your Halloween is easy- just apply the three ‘R’s: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle!

1. Costumes

Create costumes from recycled or reused items and clothing. If you don’t have anything in your closet or attic, you can always visit your local consignment or thrift store. This saves money and can be lots of fun!
Have a costume swap with your friends and/or co-workers.

2. Decorations

Use recyclable or reusable items like newspaper, leaves, branches, twigs, cardboard boxes, etc. for decorations.
Also, use fluorescent light bulbs and/or LED lights.

3. Food

Consider swapping some of the traditional sugary sweets for organic candies.
Making simple changes, like swapping milk chocolate candies for dark chocolate candies, allow you to have healthier treats without compromising taste.

4. Organized activities

Instead of hosting an elaborate party, find fun ways to celebrate without spending a lot of money or using a lot of resources, e.g., going to free carnivals or walking around your neighborhood with your family and/or friends to check out Halloween decorations.

5. Party Supplies

If you decide to have a party, consider using reusable utensils, plates, napkins and tablecloths instead of disposable ones.
Reuse your Halloween decorations the same way that Christmas ornaments and decorations are reused from year after year.

6. Transportation

Where possible, ride a bike or use public transportation to get to Halloween parties or Trick-or-Treating.
If you have to drive, consider carpooling to reduce traffic, air pollution and gasoline consumption.

7. Trick-or-Treating

Again, walking is a great way to sneak in some exercise, not to mention it saves gas ($$)
Don’t forget your reusable shopping bag to collect your goodies!

Savvy Rest's Organic Contour Pillow: Allergy Sufferers Pay Attention!

2011-09-29T11:49:00.000-05:00

Do you suffer from seasonal allergies, also known as "hay fever"? I, along with my entire family, suffer from "seasonal" allergies. I say, "seasonal," because it seems like we have allergy symptoms nearly year-round these days, what with increasing ozone alerts and air pollution. Needless to say, I was very excited when asked to test a Savvy Rest organic pillow.

Now, normally, I am a stomach-sleeper (yes, I know it's supposedly causes wrinkles, but I don't care. I'm most comfortable this way). Alas, when you're pregnant, especially after the first trimester, you have to become a side-sleeper (preferably the left side), which lead me to choose the pillow best suited for side-sleepers, a contour pillow (pictured above). I dreamily envisioned sleeping on a hypo-allergenic cloud, which would allow me to get more and better quality pillow time (pun intended). My expectation were just a tad bit unrealistic (hormonally induced, I believe), because the pillow that I tested was just that- a pillow. It was not the panacea to all of the sleep issues that I've experienced lately due to pregnancy.

Here's a summary of what I think of the contour pillow that I tested: it could stand to be a tad bit fluffier (maybe I should try sleeping on two of them). However, on a positive note, I have experienced noticeably less sneezing, coughing and stuffiness, since using this organic pillow. I attribute my diminished allergy symptoms to the organic pillow (since it's the only thing I've changed).

So, if you suffer from allergies (runny nose, congestion, sneezing, watery eyes, etc.), I would recommend giving this pillow a try!

About Savvy Rest:

Savvy Rest is the nation's leading organic mattresses and bedding brand, made in Virginia and sold in a growing network of eco-themed stores across the country. Savvy Rest's product line was developed in response to consumers' increasing concerns about indoor air quality and the toxic chemicals used in most conventional mattresses. Savvy Rest Organic Mattresses are made of all-natural latex rubber, certified organic wool and certified organic cotton. The Savvy Rest bedding line includes organic mattress toppers, sheets, mattress pads, and pillows.

A Glimmer Of Hope: New Development In The Issue of Shepherd Bend Mine

2011-09-27T12:14:00.001-05:00

As you may, or may not know, several environmental groups and Alabama citizens have been fighting to keep the Black Warrior River, a major drinking water source for many cities, e.g., Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Cullman, Oneonta and Jasper, clean for some time now. In February, I introduced you to the Shepherd Bend Mine debacle, the latest impending threat to Alabamians' drinking water, in my post, Alabama's Drinking Water Is In Danger. In May 2011, Alabama garnered national attention when the Black Warrior River was listed at number 8 on the American Rivers "America's Most Endangered Rivers ™: 2011 Rivers" list.

Birmingham Water Works Board's Mulberry Fork Water Intake across the river from the proposed mine site. Photo © Nelson Brooke

The Black Warrior Riverkeeper, an organization dedicated to the conservation and restoration of the Black Warrior River System, is at the forefront of the efforts to keep the Shepherd Bend Mine from becoming a reality. Charlie Scribner, Executive Director of the Black Warrior Riverkeeper gives his thoughts on the latest communications between the NAACP and the UA System:

This week, Rev. Anthony Johnson of the Metro-Birmingham NAACP received a letter from Dr. Witt, President of University of Alabama responding to Rev. Johnson’s NAACP letter opposing the Shepherd Bend Mine. Rev. Johnson and I subsequently went on CBS and ABC to relay the fact that we are appreciative and somewhat encouraged by a small but significant breakthrough in UA's otherwise boilerplate statements. Dr. Witt’s latest letter offers that UA would invite NAACP and other concerned parties to a meeting before making any final decision about Shepherd Bend, should such a decision be looming.

While some may advise that we should not blindly trust UA in such statements, the fact remains that Dr. Witt has now put that statement in writing, and we are publicizing it. Thus, in the worst-case scenario that UA does make a sudden decision to sell or lease Shepherd Bend property for mining, they would have lied in writing to the NAACP while overlooking 200,000 Birmingham Water Works customers and a unanimous Birmingham City Council resolution. Needless to say, that would not be a good PR move for UA, or a responsible decision.

In the meantime, the outreach efforts of our large, diverse, and dedicated statewide coalition will persist and expand until we get clear assurance that UA would never lease or sell their land and minerals at Shepherd Bend for coal mining right across the river from a major Birmingham Water Works intake facility. Black Warrior Riverkeeper and the Southern Environmental Law Center also confidently continue our litigation against the wastewater discharge permit that the Alabama Department of Environmental Management rubber-stamped for Shepherd Bend LLC, the Drummond-owned company seeking to mine coal at this uniquely inappropriate location.

I am cautiously optimistic that Dr. Witt, who I sincerely respect as an effective, intelligent, community service-minded leader, will ultimately decide to protect the river, Birmingham’s drinking water, and UA’s reputation by rejecting any mine proposal at Shepherd Bend. He has proven his considerable fundraising abilities through UA’s impressive expansion and improvements in recent years, and does not need to resort to this highly-problematic funding option. However, I share Rev. Johnson's frustration that Dr. Witt apparently feels that making a decision, or even just hosting a meeting with concerned parties, is “not needed at this time.”

Black Warrior Riverkeeper, for one, could devote a lot more time to further enhancing its positive collaborations with UA – such as our already mutually-beneficial partnerships with the UA Community Service Center, UA Museums, UA Environmental Council, UA Panhellenic Association, and many excellent UA professors – if we did not have to spend years lobbying UA to stop a mine proposal that the Birmingham Water Works Board long ago announced was “unprecedented” and “incompatible” with its Mulberry Fork water intake.

If there is a silver lining to the Shepherd Bend Mine controversy, it has increasingly spread awareness about the Black Warrior River watershed’s relevance to water consumers in Birmingham and parts of 17 Alabama counties. I hope Dr. Witt similarly appreciates that connection, and continues to feel pressure from a growing number of engaged citizens.

-Charles Scribner, Executive Director: Black Warrior Riverkeeper. 9/23/11

Green Goes Simple: Eco-eating: Homemade Granola

2011-06-13T22:41:00.001-05:00

Image by little blue hen via Flickr

Eco-eating: Homemade Granola

By Sara Kramer for Green Goes Simple

What could be greener than granola? Whip up your own batch: It’s planet-friendlier than the store-bought stuff -- and just as tasty! Fortunately, making homemade granola couldn’t be easier. Scrap the packaging, save some dollars and go green-ola with our recipe.

Maple-pecan and coconut-cashew are classic combinations, but don’t hesitate to get fancy with sesame seeds or a pinch of cayenne. This is your homemade granola -- customize as you see fit!

Homemade Granola

Preheat oven to 275 F.

In a bowl, combine rolled oats (barley and quinoa flakes are a nice variety) with nuts and seeds of your choosing.

In another bowl, combine oil or butter with a sweetener. (Think brown sugar, honey or maple syrup.)

Warm the bowl to melt butter and dissolve sugar. (Note: An oil-and-maple syrup combination won’t require heat.)

Pour the sweetener over oats and mix well, adding salt and/or spices to taste. Pour enough so your granola is saturated, with no pool of liquid at the bottom of the bowl.

Spread the mixture out onto parchment-lined pans in even, thin layers. Toast slowly at 275 F until dry.
Once cool, break the bunches apart and add dried
fruits. Pack away into airtight containers and enjoy for weeks!

Sara Kramer is a chef and butcher in Brooklyn, N.Y., who attended NYU and the Natural Gourmet Institute. She believes we should all think more about where our food comes from.

Green Goes Simple: The Green Scoop

2011-06-13T22:01:00.002-05:00

Green Lessons From Kids

By Andrea Kasprzak for Green Goes Simple

Planet-friendly parenting has never been easier: You can shop for sustainable baby clothes online, scour blogs for healthy recipes and chat with other green-minded moms on discussion boards. But don’t forget about the tiny resource residing right under your roof!

As conservation becomes a regular part of the school day, kids are taking the knowledge home with them and becoming eco-advocates and educators in the household. Just in time for Mother’s Day, three moms share their favorite nuggets of eco-wisdom from the youngest members of their families.

As the CEO of a site that sells organic green cosmetics and body care products, Tara Verkuil epitomizes the eco-chic lifestyle. Still, she finds herself amazed at the wealth of knowledge she gains from her daughter, Lucy. “Lucy came home and informed me that, although she should eat all of her dinner, it didn’t matter because it all turned to dirt anyway. It took me a few moments to realize that she was referring to composting, which she is now really into. I have no doubt soon we will be doing it here. She reminds me that only things that come from the earth should go in there!”

Tracey Post, mother of three, says she’s completely changed the way she shops for groceries because of her oldest daughter’s interest in local, organic fare. “Per my daughter’s suggestion and research, we now receive a monthly shipment of fresh, local produce. As a family, we try to incorporate the veggies into new recipes together.”

Randee Kildow has learned from her daughter to rely more heavily on consignment boutiques and second-hand shopping. “They are really a great way to recycle clothes that weren’t worn very much. I’ve also discovered they can be a great option if you are looking for a special-occasion dress that probably won’t be worn more than once.”

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/morganl

Andrea Kasprzak is a full-time freelance writer. Her work has appeared in Allure, Men's Journal, Teen Vogue, SELF and Pregnancy, among other publications.

Clean Drinking Water in Alabama: An Endangered Commodity

2011-05-19T23:58:00.002-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

You may have noticed that some of my recent posts have been about water- its protection and conservation. You may be wondering- why all the talk about water? It's no secret that water is necessary to life. Hold on, let me clarify that: clean water is absolutely necessary to life. Unfortunately, it seems that our drinking water, especially here in Alabama, is threatened on a consistent basis.

This month, American Rivers, the number-one organization focused on river conservation, published its "America's Most Endangered Rivers ™: 2011 Rivers" list. Unfortunately, the Black Warrior River, a major source of Alabama's drinking water, specifically for the cities of Birmingham, Jasper, Cullman and Tuscaloosa, is listed as #8 on the endangered list due to the threat from coal mining with the risks being our clean drinking water and public health.

As I discussed in my previous post, Alabama's Drinking Water Is In Danger, one of the imminent threats is the Shepherd Bend Mine, which would directly and negatively impact our drinking water due to its close proximity (800 feet!) to a Birmingham Water Works intake facility. However, the American Rivers report calls our attention to another larger issue: Warrior Coal Field. You see, Warrior Coal Field is home to an estimated 95 active coal mines- which accounts for the majority of coal mines in Alabama. The United States Army Corps of Engineers issues permits annually for polluters under one of two processes: (1) an individual, site-specific permitting process, which allows the Corps to consider public input and local conditions or (2) a general permit, also known as Nationwide Permit (NWP) 21, which does not allow either one of these considerations. For obvious reasons, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suspended the use of NWP 21 across most of the Appalachian Mining Region- except in Alabama. "NWP 21 is currently used as a rubber stamp for nearly all coal mines in Alabama (American Rivers Fact Sheet 2011)." Why is this so? Alabama is clearly a part of the Appalachian Mining Region (see bottom right illustration), so that can't be the reason.

To make matters worse, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the Alabama Surface Mining Commission both have a legal obligation to protect Alabama's waters from the toxic impacts of coal mining and yet they allow rampant pollution by consistently issuing permits with extremely weak standards. The Black Warrior River is deserving of protection, not only as a large drinking water source, but also because of its recreational usage and rich biodiversity with endangered species, such as the Watercress Darter, a fish only found in Alabama.

What You Can Do

All is not lost! Organizations like the Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Alabama Rivers Alliance and Southern Environmental Law Center are dedicated to holding these agencies accountable for enforcing protective legislation, namely the Clean Water Act of 1972. However, you can do your part, too!

Here are several ways to get involved:

Sign the petition: Protect The Black Warrior River From Toxic Strip Mining Waste.

Support the Black Warrior Riverkeeper by taking advantage of one of their many volunteer opportunities.

Help spread the word.

For a complete listing of the endangered rivers for 2011, visit: America's Most Endangered Rivers ™: 2011 Rivers.

Elena White is the founder and editor of Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother. Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home

2011-05-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

Water Wisdom: How to Conserve Water Every Day

By Cynthia Ramnarace for Green Goes Simple

If there is a sound that immediately drives me insane, it’s that of a running tap. And because you have to tell kids the same thing 5,000 times before they get it -- “You don’t need the water on when you brush your teeth!” -- I hear a lot of water waste as I go through my day.

It drives me nuts not only because it’s money down the drain, but also because water is such a precious resource. I was fortunate enough to see this firsthand during a trip to Kenya several years ago. When you’re living in a drought-prone region and the only water you have comes from collected rain water, conservation is how you survive.

I returned from Africa a water-use zealot, but that was a long time ago. My commitment to the cause has waned over the years. I realized telling my kids not to waste water wasn’t enough: I had to lead by example. So I did some research and came up with some easy water-saving solutions that any parent can easily use in their own homes.

In the Kitchen

· When you wash dishes by hand, collect the dirty water in a plastic container. Then use it to water your houseplants. “Food products in the water enrich the soil and nourish plants,” says landscape architect Shelley Sparks. “They have never looked better.”

· Switch to a self-foaming dish soap, which will allow you to wash more dishes with less water.

· Use water left in drinking glasses to give your houseplants a drink. Either pour them directly from the cup into the plant, or put watering cans in convenient places so you can fill them with each unfinished cup. “Throwing away water that remains in a drinking glass is really a waste, especially when it can be used to water houseplants or plants in the garden,” says Kimberly Button, a green-living consultant.

In the Bathroom

· Check your toilet for leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the tank. If after 15 minutes your toilet bowl water takes on a new hue, you can be pretty sure you have a leak, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Most water loss can be easily stopped by replacing a worn-out toilet flapper (the rubber valve that flops up and down each time you flush).

· Filling the bathtub uses about 70 gallons of water! Encourage everyone in your family, kids included, to take showers. You’ll save 45 to 60 gallons per wash -- not to mention serious money.

· When it’s time to get a new toilet, upgrade to a dual-flush version, which lets you choose a light flush or a heavier flush. The light-usage option uses less than a gallon of water with each use. For times when the toilet needs to work a bit harder, the heavier 1.6-gallon flush will do the trick.

· Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, which add air to the stream, automatically using less water without sacrificing a bit of performance. A family of four that makes these changes will save about 4,500 gallons of water per year, according to the EPA.

In the Garden

· “Install a rain barrel on your downspout to collect water,” suggests Christian Rogers, a landscape architect with Blackmon Rogers Architects. You can easily use the rainwater, instead of your garden hose, to water your plants.

· Kids love to water plants! But remind them that their green buddies need just a sip, not a deluge.
· If you’re thinking of adding new plants to your landscape,
consider ones that don’t need much water to thrive. Sparks recommends planting
ivy geraniums, bottle brush, lavender, yarrow and wild lilac.

Cynthia Ramnarace is a freelance writer in Queens, N.Y. She is a regular contributor to iVillage.com and AARP Bulletin. Her work also appears frequently in American Baby and Kiwi magazines.

Today Is My SITS Day! Woo Hoo!!!

2011-04-18T23:20:00.000-05:00

When I saw the email from Kat, I couldn't believe my luck. Was it truly my turn? After months of waiting (somewhat impatiently) for my day in the sun? The answer was, "YES!" Today is my SITS day! For those of you who're wondering, "What the heck is a 'SITS Day'?" I'll tell you: SITS stands for "The Secret To Success Is Support." It is a wonderful group of over 8,000 female bloggers who support one another and today I'm the featured blogger (YAY!). You may find my feature here.

A HUGE "thanks" to everyone for stopping by! I really hope that you find at least one thing that you can implement in your life to make it greener.

I also really appreciate all of the wonderfully encouraging comments. I will reply to each and every one of you on the SITS page and will try to here, as well. It may take me awhile, but I will!

It's been a great day :)

Elena White is the founder and editor of Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother. Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

Do You Know When To Buy Organic?

2011-04-16T13:24:00.001-05:00

Most of us cannot afford to buy 100% organic when we grocery shop- I know I can't. Here's some information to help you decide what foods are better, i.e. healthier, when organically grown: the Environmental Working Group (EWG) advises that consumers can reduce their pesticide exposure by 80% by avoiding the most contaminated fruits and vegetables and only eating the cleanest ones. If consumers get their USDA-recommended 5 daily servings of fruits and veggies from the 15 most contaminated, they could consume an average of 10 pesticides a day. Consumers who eat the 15 least contaminated conventionally grown produce ingest less than 2 pesticides daily. The "dirty dozen" are the foods with the highest concentrations of pesticides and chemicals — even after washing and peeling, so buy organic whenever possible.

12 Most Contaminated:
(Buy organic when possible)

peaches
apples
sweet bell peppers
celery
nectarines
strawberries
cherries
pears
imported grapes
spinach
lettuce
potatoes

15 Least Contaminated

(Okay to buy non-organic)

Pineapple
Honeydew Melon
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Kiwi
Mangoes
Sweet Potato
Onions
Eggplant
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Cabbage
Avocado
Sweet Corn

To download a free copy of the Environmental Working Group's Shopping Guide To Pesticides™, click here.

My City Rocks, Part 2: Birmingham's Railroad Park is the Best Park in the Nation!

2011-04-04T22:17:00.000-05:00

Image by Terry McCombs via Flickr

It's official! Railroad Park is the People's Choice 2011 Best New Park Winner! A big "THANK YOU" to all who voted. My awesome, loyal readers already know how much I love this park, so if you're new to my blog, first a big "Welcome!" to you and secondly, you must click here to read my manifesto about Railroad Park. You'll also see some pictures of the lovely park that I took on a family outing there). Enjoy!

Elena White is the founder and editor of Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother. Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

April is Earth Month: 4 Fun Earth Day Facts

2011-04-03T23:16:00.002-05:00

As the vernal equinox has just passed, the weather is improving and tidings of an impending summer are in the air. In less than a month, environmentally-conscious citizens and nature lovers everywhere will be given a day to celebrate that which guarantees our very survival- our wonderful planet. As you prepare for Earth Day celebrations, here are a few fun facts about the day and its origins that may surprise you.

1. The idea for Earth Day was first started by a Wisconsin senator.

In 1972, Wisconsin United States Senator Gaylord Nelson first conceived of the idea of having a nationwide day that took a hard look at environmental degradation. By galvanizing mostly college and high school students and teachers throughout the nation, Nelson envisioned a day-long teach-in, modeled after the Vietnam War teach-ins, in which lecturers, students, and community members would gather to discuss environmental activism.

2. The first Earth Day was coincidentally held on a Lenin's 100th birthday, leading many to believe in a communist conspiracy.

Ah, the Cold War days. Although Nelson had planned for Earth Day to be held in late April, when exams and vacations wouldn't interfere with observing the day on college campuses, his plan somewhat backfired when the first Earth Day happened to fall on the centennial of Lenin's birthday. A Time magazine article reported that there were allegations of a communist plot. A delegate from the conservative group, the Daughters of the Revolution was quoted as saying, "Subversive elements plan to make American children live in an environment that is good for them."

3. The first Earth Day drew together 20 million participants on a grassroots level.

More interesting than the plans that were made to make the first Earth Day a success, was the enormous turnout that the day garnered. An estimated twenty million people from thousands of universities and high schools across the country participated, gathering to discuss and protest issues like oil spills, pesticides, the pollution from factories and power plants, the destruction of wilderness, and more.

4. The international UN-organized Earth Day traditionally takes place on the vernal equinox.

While the April 22 celebration has also become an international event, a separate holiday was first introduced during the UNESCO Conference for the Environment in 1969 and came to fruition in the spring of 1972 when the UN Secretary General Kurt Waldheim observed the holiday. The event is often planned in conjunction with the April Earth Day, and traditionally the Japanese Peace Bell is wrung to commemorate the beginning of spring and promote respect for the planet earth.

These are just a few interesting facts about Earth Day. For more information on the day's full history, check out the Wikipedia entry as well as this History Channel webpage.

By-line:

Mariana Ashley is a freelance writer who particularly enjoys writing about accredited online colleges. She loves receiving reader feedback, which can be directed to mariana.ashley031@gmail.com.

My City Rocks: Birmingham's Railroad Park Nominated for "Best New Park!"

2011-03-24T23:46:00.001-05:00

©Lifethegreenway

Let me start by saying that I love my city- it may not be perfect, but it's mine! So you can imagine how my heart swelled with pride to see that our very own, Railroad Park- a lovely greenspace in the heart of downtown Birmingham- was nominated by The Daily Green in the "Best New Parks" category in it's "2011 Heart of Green Awards."

My family and I first visited Railroad Park in October of last year. We were excited, amazed and so proud that we had such a wonderful greenspace in our city! One of the first things that I noticed, of course, were the repurposed materials that had been used in creating playground equipment, benches and more.

The most beautiful thing about the park was the wonderful diversity of people that were enjoying the park and each other. It was a glorious sight to see- truly "Birmingham's Living Room."

I'm encouraging my fellow Birminghamians to join me in showing our love for the progress our city's making in the sustainability arena by voting like crazy until Sunday, when online voting is over.

To vote, click here!

It will only take a second. Pretty please :)

Here are some pics from our lovely Railroad Park that I took on our October family outing. Enjoy!

©Lifethegreenway

Local Clean Water Groups Ban Together to Defend State Effort to Reduce Polluted Runoff

2011-03-24T22:39:00.000-05:00

For Immediate Release

March 24, 2010

Clean Water Groups Defend State Effort to Reduce Polluted Runoff

Contact:

Gil Rogers, Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

grogers@selcga.org (404) 521-9900

Beth Stewart, Executive Director, Cahaba River Society

BethS@cahabariversociety.org (205) 322-5326 x411

Montgomery—The Alabama Rivers Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper and the Cahaba River Society have filed a motion to intervene in a permit appeal by a business organization filed against the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to help defend the agency’s stormwater program for small cities.

Represented by the Southern Environmental Law Center, the groups say the lawsuit by the Business Alliance for Responsible Development (BARD) is a delaying tactic aimed at keeping local and state stormwater controls weak and ineffective. Without adequate programs to control polluted runoff from development and urban uses, downstream communities and businesses will continue to shoulder the high costs to clean drinking water and repair flood damages.

“Rivers, streams, coastal waters and lakes are critical to Alabamians for drinking water, recreation, wildlife and the economy. Polluted runoff is harming those uses. Every delay in halting polluted runoff means more degradation of our water and higher long-term clean-up costs for the public,” said Gil Rogers, head of the Clean Water Program for the Southern Environmental Law Center, which filed the motion earlier this week in with the Alabama Environmental Management Commission. Click herefor a link to the motion.

Under the federal Clean Water Act, ADEM is required to set up a permitting program for small cities to control their polluted stormwater runoff. In August 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency rejected ADEM’s first version because it did not meet basic requirements of the law. It was the first time the EPA had ever taken such a step with any state. ADEM subsequently made some modest improvements and issued a final permit on February 1. Stormwater runoff is widely acknowledged as one of the most serious causes of water pollution in Alabama.

“Many responsible developers in Alabama are already achieving the standards called for in ADEM’s permit. Better stormwater practices that safeguard drinking water and help prevent flooding are proven to save money and make money for developers and communities,” said Beth Stewart, Executive Director of the Cahaba River Society. “In these tough economic times, green projects with lower stormwater costs give developers and communities a competitive advantage, but lax stormwater controls undercut innovative developers and transfer costs to local governments and downstream neighbors.”

BARD’s challenge of ADEM’s stormwater permit represents one more salvo in its continued resistance to improving development practices that protect water quality. For years, BARD has incited local governments to fight against standards that better manage development. BARD's misguided advice that local governments are doing too much to stop stormwater pollution has already made some cities and counties vulnerable to EPA audits and enforcement oversight. In 2009 and 2010 the EPA found that the stormwater programs of cities and counties in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area were not meeting basic requirements of the Clean Water Act.

“Traditionally, our organization has been on the opposite side of ADEM, as we consistently challenge them to do a better job of protecting Alabama’s waters,” said Eva Dillard, Staff Attorney for Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “We’re taking ADEM’s side in this appeal because we don’t want to see the permit weakened even further, which is BARD’s main objective.”

“Enforceable permits are absolutely essential to stopping the devastating impacts of uncontrolled stormwater across Alabama,” said Mitch Reid, Program Director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance. “Protecting our rivers is a shared responsibility of government at every level and this permit provides a level playing field so that no community is disadvantaged for doing the right thing for our environment.”

The proposed permit will govern the local stormwater programs of about 60 smaller cities and counties for the next five to seven years. Just as important, ADEM has indicated that this permit will be the basis for other stormwater permits that will be written for larger cities and counties, as well as for the Alabama Department of Transportation.

###

The Alabama Rivers Alliance is devoted to healthy rivers, healthy people, and a healthy system of government for the state of Alabama. Black Warrior Riverkeeper protects and restores the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The Cahaba River Society’s mission is to restore and protect the Cahaba River watershed and its rich diversity of life. The Southern Environmental Law Center uses the power of the law to protect the environment of the Southeast.

Pillow Talk: 7 Ways To Reuse Your Old Pillows

2011-03-06T01:11:00.000-06:00

Now that you have some ideas on how often you should replace your pillows, you may be wondering what you should do with your old pillows. With millions, if not billions, of old pillows in landfills right now, taking up lots of space, with years to go before they are completely broken down or degraded, you won't want to throw them away.

There are several ways that you can recycle or repurpose your old pillows by making them into other useful items.

First things first:

Always wash and dry your old pillows before recycling or repurposing them.* I recommend washing them in warm or hot water, add 1/2 cup of white vinegar instead of chlorine bleach for whiteness, and wash and rinse on a normal cycle. You can then dry them using low to medium heat.
Discard discolored, stained or torn pillow casings. Um, no explanation needed here.
Use a dust mask when handling pillow stuffing just in case you're sensitive or allergic to the fine particles of any of the materials.
Collect all of the pillow stuffing and put it in a large box or other container so that you can see how much raw and recyclable materials you have.

7 Ways to Repurpose Your Pillows:

Give them to your pet. Save your money! Instead of buying an expensive pet bed, let your pet cuddle or take a nap on the pillow. It will have your familiar scent on it which will be especially comforting to it. If you're feeling really industrious, you can use the pillows to sew a pet bed. Note: Some pets aren't healthy enough, like those with arthritis, to sleep on any old bed. If you're unsure, please check with your vet.
Re-stuff old worn stuffed animals. Does your child (or pet) have a favorite stuffed toy that's been loved to pieces? You can use the stuffing from your old pillows as new filling to repair these toys. Just open the toy along the seam, add in the stuffing and stitch it back up. You can then wash the toy either by hand or machine, then it'll be as good as new!
Throw them in the car. Put some old, but clean pillowcases on the pillows and keep them in your car. They can useful for many occasions. Passengers can rest their heads on them on long road trips. If you go on picnics, you can sit on the pillows instead of the hard ground.
Take them trick-or-treating. Most of you have probably heard of using pillowcases to hold the candy from trick-or-treating. Why not use an unstained pillow covering instead? That way when it gets all sticky and yucky from the candy you won't feel bad about it.
Use them as packing material. You can use old pillows and pillow stuffing in moving or shipping boxes to keep your fragile items safe. You can also use the stuffing to pack away your Christmas decorations that are breakable.
Make new pillows. Need new throw pillows? You can always upcycle the material into new pillows. Find some inexpensive fabric with a pretty pattern and use the stuffing from the old pillows in the new ones.
Give them away. Join your local Freecycle group and offer the old pillows. You never know, someone may need them for their own repurposing project.

Do you have any other ideas for reusing old pillows? I'd love to hear them-feel free to leave a comment.

*Please note: Polyester, latex and down pillows can be laundered in the washer and dryer. Pillows that are filled with cotton, wool or kapok will not keep their shape when laundered, so these should be aired and sunned.

Pillow Talk: How Often Should You Replace Your Pillows?

2011-03-04T11:07:00.013-06:00

Replacing Your Pillows

Our pillows help us get a good sleep. They provide a soft cushion for our neck and head and can directly affect our spine. Because most pillows can get lumpy and misshapen (or fall apart) when washed in the washing machine, the question arises regarding how long we should keep our pillows before replacing them with new ones. I've done some research on this issue and decided to share my findings with you. You may be surprised at the results.

Allergens & Other Gross Things

If you're an allergy sufferer, like me, you want to do everything you possibly can to lessen your symptoms. I previously mentioned helpful hints, such as, washing your bedding frequently in hot water to reduce allergens in my article, 10 Tips For Dealing With Spring Allergies. But is washing your pillowcases enough? You may ask, "Should I wash my pillows, too?" or wonder if you should be replacing them altogether.

Pillows collect body oils and skin flakes over time, even when covered by a pillowcase. These accumulations can attract dust mites, a common allergen. Dust mites, along with bacteria, mold and mildew, and human factors such as perspiration and drool, can make pillows become unhealthy. Experts recommend that allergy sufferers replace their pillows every 1 to 3 years, however, using a pillow cover in addition to the pillowcase can double that amount of time.

A pillow cover, sometimes referred to as a pillow encasing, looks like a basic white pillowcase with a zipper. Though it may look like a normal pillowcase, it is specifically designed to block out dust mites and other allergens. The major differences between a pillowcase and pillow cover are that pillow covers zip up tight to completely encase your pillow and are made of a fabric that prevents allergens from passing through it. Pillow covers act as a physical barrier between the inside of your pillow and allergens.

Pillow Talk: The Series

2011-03-04T10:14:00.000-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Pillows are a source of comfort when they're clean and supportive. Since I love pillows (I sleep surrounded by at least 4-5 of them) I've decided to do a "mini-series" of articles on them. Since most people sleep on at least one pillow, some, if not all of the information in these articles should be helpful to you. I will tell you the importance of replacing pillows and how often you should do so and why. I will also cover how to choose pillows, including information on the various types, e.g. organic vs. hypo-allergenic, etc. Also, I've had requests from some of you to provide suggestions on recycling or repurposing pillows.

Please feel free to comment with any suggestions on any pillow-related topic you're interested in knowing more about.

Merida Sustainable Area Rug Giveaway

2011-03-03T22:18:00.000-06:00

Image by sreenisreedharan via Flickr

Merida, home to both Merida Home and Merida Meridian, has been designing and manufacturing natural fiber rugs, eco-friendly rugs and even designer rugs using sustainable fibers for over 30 years. Their commitment to sustainability, from their products to their practices, has always been at the core of their business.

Merida, in looking for other ways to engage with their community and promote discussion on green products and sustainability practices, has decided to offer a rug giveaway contest for the valued members of the green community, i.e., YOU and me.

Merida will be giving away two 4x6 Elements Driftwood sisal area rugs. One drawing will be to select a blog reader from one of the blogs, like mine, that agreed to participate. The second drawing is for bloggers who have participated in the contest. So not only am I helping one of my readers win, they, in turn, can help me win!

TO ENTER, click here. Please don't forget to include my URL so that they'll know that I sent ya: www.lifethegreenway.org.

The drawing will be held on March 14, 2011.

Good luck!

Elena White is the founder and editor of Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother. Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

Alabama's Drinking Water Is In Danger

2011-02-27T16:58:00.004-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

What comes to mind when you see the word "water"? Do you picture clear, shimmering streams? Or do you visualize the beautiful, turquoise waters of the ocean? No matter what images or feelings you have about water, there's no doubt about it- we all need clean water to live. If you live in Alabama, it is possible that your drinking water could become polluted...very soon.

The Black Warrior River System, the largest watershed within the state of Alabama, is unique because it doesn't flow from just one source, but three primary forks which come together to create a mighty river: the Sipsey (western) Fork, Mulberry (center) Fork, and Locust (eastern) Fork. The Mulberry Fork is a current area of concern for pollution.

The Black Warrior Riverkeeper, one of the key organizations dedicated to keeping your drinking water clean, opposes the Shepherd Bend Mine, which would discharge wastewater from coal mining into Mulberry Fork only 800 feet (not miles) from a major Birmingham Water Works Board intake facility that supplies water daily to 200,000 customers in the Birmingham-Metro area.

On February 16, 2010, the Black Warrior Riverkeeper sent an open letter to the University of Alabama System asking that they not lease land or mineral rights to Shepherd Bend, LLC for a surface mine:

Read more »

Versatile Vinegar: 12 Tips For Doing Laundry A Greener, Cheaper Way!

2011-02-22T12:36:00.002-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

You want fresher and cleaner laundry without spending a ton of money, right? How about fresher, cleaner laundry done a greener and cheaper way? As you may know from my previous posts, white distilled vinegar is very versatile and can be used in pretty much every area of your home: kitchen, bathroom, carpets, and other flooring.

Here are 12 ways that white vinegar can be used to boost your laundry:

Get Your Laundry Cleaner!
Keep colors from running by soaking in vinegar before washing. No husband wants his white t-shirts to turn pink, right?
Make dingy white socks and dishcloths white again by adding 1 cup of vinegar to a large pot of water. Bring to a rolling boil, then drop in the items. Let them soak overnight.
Got fuzzy sweaters? Decrease that pesky lint by adding 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
Remove tough stains* like: barbecue or spaghetti sauce, coffee, ketchup, chocolate, jam, coke, wine and more! Gently rub the stain with vinegar then wash.

Toxins Aren't Sexy: Know What's In Your Fragrance!

2011-02-22T11:09:00.003-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Do you know what's in your perfume? Most of us who are trying to live a greener, healthier life don't consider our fragrances to be a problem. Personally, I admit that I don't like to think about it, being a self-proclaimed "fragrance junkie." When asked to do a product review for Agape & Zoe Naturals, I read founder Patricia Malemes story on how she was inspired to create all-natural fragrances, which prompted me to take another look.

Did you know that since fragrance is considered a "trade secret", companies don't have to tell us what's in it? This is scary, especially since there are often hundreds of synthetic chemical compounds found in fragrances.
Even so-called "unscented" products may contain chemicals that are used to cover up the odor of other chemicals. These are called "masking" fragrances.

The folks at The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics have provided a list of some of the hidden toxins that may be present in products containing synthetic fragrances. They include:

Allergens and sensitizers: 1 in 50 people may become sensitized and suffer damage to their immune system due to exposure to synthetic fragrance, according to the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and Non-food Products. Once a person becomes sensitized to an ingredient, they can remain that way for their lifetime, which means they will have to endure allergic reactions every time they are exposed to it. Fragrances are among the top five known allergens and have been known to trigger asthma attacks.

Agape & Zoe Naturals: A Breath of Fresh Air

2011-02-21T13:30:00.002-06:00

I am a self-professed "fragrance junkie" -perfumes, essential oils, scented candles- I love them all! So you can imagine my excitement when Patricia of Agape & Zoe Naturals asked if I'd be interested in doing a product review. Of course, my answer was "YES!"

Patricia Ann Malemes, Founder of Agape and Zoe Naturals

Founder, the lovely Patricia Anne Malemes started Agape & Zoe Naturals (agape means "love" and zoe "life" in Greek) in 2009 after researching and finding out about the numerous harmful ingredients that are in most mainstream health and beauty products today, such as, phthalates, parabens, propylene glycol, and others. After her epiphany, Patricia collected all of the offending products and got rid of them- even her expensive designer perfumes, which were also laden with toxic chemicals (these she sold on eBay). From that point on, Patricia was determined to wear natural perfumes that were phthalate-free. Not really happy with the natural perfumes that were currently out there, she created her own line of fragrances that contain only two ingredients: organic grain alcohol and 100% pure essential oils. The result is natural simplicity! I was fortunate to receive samples of 8 fragrances, including one male fragrance.

Aftos 1 oz. cologne
agapeandzoe.com

Aftos, which means "him" in Greek, is a unique spicy scent of vetiver and bergamot, with a slight hint of vanilla and magnolia. My husband flipped when I had him test this scent, exclaiming "I love this scent. What is it?" and taking off with the bottle (I haven't seen it since, lol). It smells really great on him, too, but the best part is- it's chemical-free! You see, Hubby has allergies and many fragrances do not agree with him, making him sneeze and cough all day. He has not experienced any issues while wearing Aftos (yay!).

Beauty, one of my favorites scents out of the bunch, is a rich fragrance with vanilla, sandalwood and a hint of lemon. It's no wonder I liked this fragrance so much, it combines my three favorite scents!
Read more »

Green Goes Simple: Conservation at Home

2011-02-14T13:46:00.002-06:00

How Healthy Is Your Bedroom?

By Marisa Belger for Green Goes Simple

The kitchen may be the most popular room in the house, but the bedroom is where you clock the most time. Human beings dedicate one third of their lives to sleeping. With good reason: Sleeping refreshes the body and mind, recharging you for the next day. And while you can’t control many of the factors that interfere with slumber -- noisy neighbors, early-bird toddlers, antsy dogs -- a few simple changes can transform your ordinary bedroom into a snoozing sanctuary.

Emily Anderson, eco-style expert and author of Eco-Chic Home, has developed a 10-step plan to improve your bedroom health.

1. Leave your shoes at the door.
Going shoeless does more than keep your house clean. “The rubber on the soles of your shoes picks up chemicals and toxins from the pavement,” says Anderson. “You don’t want to bring those things into your bedroom.”

2. Manage your mattress.
Rotate your mattress every six months. “Rotating gets rid of dust mites and toxins and will prolong the life of the mattress,” says Anderson. Flip the mattress both horizontally and vertically. Forget what side you’re on? Anderson recommends pinning a note to the foot of the bed.

3. Chill out.
“Sleeping in a cooler temperature is not just the green thing to do -- you actually sleep better when the thermostat is down,” says Anderson. Aim for 68 degrees in the winter. Toes still cold? Toss on an extra blanket.

4. Cover with curtains.
Window coverings are key. “You lose a tremendous amount of warm and cool air through windows,” notes Anderson. But it’s not the cracks that are the culprit. “Most windowpanes are not engineered to be energy-saving,” says Anderson. He recommends choosing curtains over blinds because they can be easily removed and washed. “And they actually cover more of the window.”

5. Don’t ignore the closet.
When was the last time you took inventory of your wardrobe? Exactly. Anderson suggests digging into your closet and pulling out what you no longer need. “Getting rid of excess is one of the best ways to save money,” she says. “You become more conscious of the things you own.”
Read more »

Make New Connections With Blog Hop Friday!

2011-02-04T16:04:00.000-06:00

Happy Friday, everybody! The Think Green Hop Along, hosted by Tips 4 Green, is on hiatus this week, but I've found a new Hop that I thought I'd share with you- "Hop Along Friday!"

Hop Along Friday is hosted by My New Life As Mom, Chubby Cheeks Thinks, This Adventure Our Life, Belly Charms and Living On Love & Cents!

It would be really great to follow and also link up to Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Blog Hops are all about making friends and having fun so come join us!

The hosts will also reward you for participating! Each week they will use random.org to pick a
"featured blog" of the week from the previous weeks link ups!

So, if you want your blog featured, link up!

Here's how you can join in on the fun;

Link up to your blog using the inlinkz link list (see below for link).
Follow the host/hostesses located in the first 5 slots.
Follow any other blogs that you feel appropriate! :)
If you get a new follower, please feel free to reciprocate the love!

There is a new list every Friday, so please remember to come back and link up!

From the hosts: "We understand that not everyone has time to follow and comment on every Hop Along Friday Participant, just do what you can and are willing to do. We will do the same! Take your time and go at your own pace."

To get started, click here!

Guest Post: Protect Your Stuff and Your Conscience: Packing Valuables With Eco-Friendly Materials

2011-01-28T15:31:00.002-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Getting your possessions from point A to point B can be stressful, and worrying about your valuables getting there safely can magnify that stress exponentially. Factor in the decision to try to move in an environmentally conscious way and it sounds like a whole lot of pressure. Relax, it doesn't have to be that bad; there are a number of professional moving companies that can help you move your goods, safely and thoughtfully.

Some of your valuables may need a little more padding than your socks, shirts and towels can provide. Grandma’s china, your wedding crystal, and that piece of art that cost you about two months salary, to name a few. It is understandable that you want to make sure that these valuables are as safeguarded as possible during their journey. Sometimes you have to use a protective wrapping, and the good news is that there are companies that make it out of recycled material. This green cushioning material works like bubble wrap, but it is plastic free and is recyclable with mixed papers. This eco-friendly material uses a honeycomb texture to provide cushioning, and can be wrapped tightly to conform to angles and protect the fine details of your valuables.

If you are still not convinced that your treasures are safe enough even in protective wrapping, consider recyclable packing peanuts for your more precious items. Traditional packing peanuts are made of Styrofoam, which makes up 30 percent of material in landfills, leaches toxic chemicals into the earth, and also contributes to offgassing. This can’t be the lasting impact you want your valuables to have on this earth! Especially when there are biodegradable, eco-friendly options. Not only are many recycled packing peanuts made without petrochemicals, they are also compost-able and dissolve into proteins that are easily absorbed by soil when combined with water. Please note: some of these “recycled” packing peanuts are simply left over or re-used Styrofoam packaging. Make sure you are buying biodegradable packing peanuts for your small move.

Finally, if you just can’t find quality boxes at your local liquor or grocery store, your friends don’t have enough plastic containers for you to borrow, and none of the shipping companies that rent sturdy plastic boxes are located in your area, you may need to buy some cardboard boxes to move your valuables. The good news is...