That was the first time I ever heard anyone passionately speak on the environment.

As a teenager growing up in the seventies, I lost count of the number of times I heard my parents say “ Go back into your room and turn out the lights.” Or “set the thermostat back to 68 degrees and put on a sweater if you’re cold.” When I would ask why, I’d get that age-old parental answer, “Because I said so.” I always thought they were just trying to cut cost but as I look back I realize it wasn’t about cost it was about waste. They were essentially living sustainable lives incorporating green, eco-friendly habits before we knew what it was.

I grew up in the city and everything we could ever want was just minutes away. Yet, we still had a small vegetable garden in our backyard. When my parents did purchase fresh produce we rarely had any waste. They always seemed to buy only what would be eaten prior to spoiling. Most stores accepted soda bottles used for recycling and paid the deposit when returned. I collected the bottles and recycled them for a little spending cash. We reused or repurposed things as often as we could and anytime something broke we repaired it.

My grandparents, who lived in the Midwest, were the same. They had gardens and their friends and relatives had gardens. They would exchange fresh produce amongst each other. My grandmother, despite being a full-time professional, often canned fruits and vegetables, made her own dresses and prepared meals for the sick and needy.

Amazingly, at that time many of the people I knew had similar experiences. Our parents and grandparents’ lifestyles were environmentally friendly. But we heard little about the benefits to the environment. What we heard during that time was that excess is better. Products began to be produced at a cheaper cost so it became easy to throw things away and get new ones. He who dies with the most toys wins became the mantra. As a young hip teenager I too began to buy into that frame of mind. I could have fallen real deep into that lifestyle. I’m not saying that I didn’t, but it could have been much worse had it not been for a radio interview I heard all those years ago.

Although much time has passed I’ll never forget that interview. It was sometime in the early eighties and I was driving and listening to a popular radio station in southern California. They were going interview an actor in studio. I had seen several things this actor had been in and wanted to hear this interview. The actor was running late and I assumed that the usual busy afternoon LA traffic was the problem. Nope, it had taken longer for him to ride his bike to the studio than he had anticipated. When he arrived he talked about why he rides a bike and doing so is better for the environment than driving a car.

That actor was Ed Begley Jr. and that interview was the first time I ever heard anyone passionately speak on the environment. Oh yes, I had heard people speak on the environment before. But they were the crazy burnouts living somewhere near campus but always hanging around our dorm. You know the type ten years older than everyone else in the dorm, a little crazy, and always pontificating on and on about nonsense. This was the first, shall I say, normal person I ever heard speaking of the environment with a passion, and presenting his case in such a way that made me feel anyone can make a difference.

No, I didn’t run out and buy a new bike and start biking to work nor did I change much about my life at that point. But he stayed in the back of my mind and occasionally something would remind me of that interview. I admired him because he was not just talking the talk but walking the walk.

Many years later I was assured that what I had sensed about him was true. While working at a fancy function on the biggest night in Hollywood, I saw limo after limo, SUV after SUV arrive at the function. Then I saw this dirty little beat up electric car arrive and out came Ed Begley Jr. the man was truly walking the walk.

We never know what, if any, impact our words will have. But sometimes the things we say or do reinforce what someone has known all along. That’s what happened with me. My parents laid a foundation not necessarily for the same reasons but for the right reasons. Ed Begley Jr’s. interview ultimately raised my consciousness and his presentation enlightened me. Over the years through exposure to information, conversations with friends, reflecting on my youth and Ed Begley Jr. in my head, I returned to what I knew was right. Unfortunately sometimes transitions take a long time because often we need to know why something is right before we move forward. Because just being right to a teenager and young adult could just be codeword for old fashioned.

Today I find myself often sounding like my parents telling my children “go back and turn off the lights” or “no need to throw it away I think we can fix that”. Of course I’ve added “That doesn’t go in the trash it goes in the recycle” They are much more aware of environmental issues than I was so they don’t ask why but if they ever do I won’t say because I said so, I’ll say WWEBD or What would Ed Begley Do?

A construction worker installs recycled rubber sheeting for a new roof. Photo from Santheo.

Recycled rubber is an eco-friendly, durable option for all kinds of applications around the home. Here are some uses for recycled rubber around your home or business.

Recycled Rubber Flooring Tiles

These colorful tiles have so many potential uses. They come in a variety of colors and even patterns, and you can lay them down in whatever design or pattern you like. They are easy to clean – they can even be taken outside and hosed off. These tiles are ideal for:

• People with allergies or chemical sensitivities to carpet adhesives
• Children’s playrooms or bedrooms
• Classrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Sunrooms
• Laundry rooms
• Screened-in porches
• Decks (especially rooftop decks and gardens)
• Outdoor play areas, especially around a child’s pool or sandbox
• Workout rooms or gyms
• Anywhere you will be standing often – the rubber relieves the stress that long-term standing puts on your joints. If you are an employer, think about rubber flooring for your store or business if your employees stand up a lot.

Recycled Rubber in Other Types of Flooring

Recycled rubber flooring is not confined to tiles. It can be purchased in sheets of various colors and textures. Most of the above uses could be accomplished with sheet-style recycled rubber as well.

A Playground Built on Recycled Tires

Made from chopped, shredded tires, one kind of rubber mulch is used as a springy, durable surface for playgrounds. It is placed several inches deep around and under slides, swings, climbing bars, and so forth. It does not produce mud, and water can percolate through it and soak into the ground below. Rubber mulch also is a lot easier on children’s knees, elbows, and other parts that often make contact with the ground during play!

Redo Your Garden With Recycled Rubber

Another kind of rubber mulch, also made from chopped, shredded tires, provides excellent weed control and moisture retention for your garden. Weeds can not sprout through the opaque darkness this mulch produces. Rain water can penetrate the mulch, watering your garden, but it is slow to evaporate back up through it. This makes it ideal for retaining water during hot, dry summers.

Rubber garden mulch can also be used from recycled rubber mats. You cut the mats to the size and shape you need, then lay them in your garden. They can even be used to make a garden path.

Used rubber tires make interesting planters, too. You can stack them vertically to make tall planters (some people swear by this method for growing potatoes), or just use one at a time. You can paint them, too. Lay them on their sides and fill them with dirt, or insert a regular pot into the hole to stabilize it.

Take the effort to reduce your carbon footprint and the government may even reward you with rebates for using energy-efficient appliances.

Maybe you have been contemplating some changes around the house but you haven’t found the time, or you don’t know exactly what to do. Would you find the time to go green if the government offered to pay you?

Before you tackle your next home improvement project, consider improvements that will make your home more energy efficient and get you the green stamp-of-approval from the government.

Why do we want the government to approve our green home improvements? Because the government is offering incentives, rebates and tax breaks for those who decide to turn their home into an energy efficient habitat.

So, without further ado, here are some improvements that will make your home green and may also earn rebates from the government. Green home, green wallet. It’s a win-win!

Install solar panels

Put all of that sweltering heat up on the roof to good use. Panels can be installed on a south facing roof or on the south side of your home. Those with a truly creative side can construct their own for about $200 and a lot of elbow grease. Others come in kits and set up a little easier. Depending on the price of your panel installation, you can begin to see savings in a few months and recoup the money you paid in a few years. Be sure to check with your city and state government as many municipalities offer rebates to help cover the cost of installing solar panels. You may also be able to sell extra electricity back to your local utility, so check with them too.

Install ceiling fans

Ceiling fans not only change the ambiance in a room, but they do some serious work as well. They circulate air within the room, which not only feels good but helps to lower the temperature in the summer. Instead of turning up the air conditioner when it’s hot outside, simply turn on the fan and feel the cool air. In the winter, a slowly moving ceiling fan can move warm air around the home to prevent cold corners and floors, reducing the urge to crank up the heat. Ceiling fans probably won’t be earning you a rebate any time soon, but you will save money on your utility bill versus running an air conditioner.

Buy energy-efficient appliances

Energy-efficient appliances are those with the Energy Star label. The label tells you how much you can save on a yearly basis by using that product. A washing machine or dishwasher with the Energy Star saves you twice because they not only use less energy, they use less water. Consider making the investment in new appliances especially if your current appliances are 15 years old or older. The return on investment will surprise you. Visit the website of your local utility company or state government and you can often find rebates for homeowners that switch out old energy-guzzlers for new efficient appliances. Sometimes, they will even haul your old appliance away!

What can you do around your home to increase energy efficiency and, hopefully, earn a rebate for being green? Do an energy audit and see where the gaps are. Use the ideas above to begin making changes for the better so you can earn your green living award!

Loose seals around the sides of doors or windows are one of the most common areas where heat escapes. Fortunately, it is also one of the easiest areas of your home to winterize.

Weatherstripping is available at many home improvement stores, and is made in a variety of sizes and colors to match nearly any door or window. Weatherstrips are easy to install and usually inexpensive to purchase.

Even if you’ve done weatherstripping in your home, you may have small cracks left over. For these, consider the use of caulk. Hold a stick of incense near doors and windows to determine if you have any air leaks.

Weatherstripping is one of the simplest ways to go green in the winter because proper insulation will not just lower your heating bills, it means less fossil fuels being used.

Check out these tips from the DIY Network to install your own weatherstripping to stop drafts and seal air leaks in your home.

Here are some of the pros and cons of mountain biking, and some of the suggested rules that mountain bikers can follow to minimize their impact.

Environmental Pros of Mountain Biking

Allowing mountain biking in national parks increases visitation to the park. That’s good for the local economy and for the environment—after all, if a national park gets a lot of visitors, it will help the park financially. A financially strong national park can do more to preserve wilderness areas.

Mountain biking promotes bonding with nature. If more people can build an appreciation for nature, that ultimately is good for the environment.

Mountain biking provides healthy exercise. In a day when childhood obesity is a problem, getting the family out onto the trail can be an important means of increasing health and fitness.

The whole family can participate in mountain biking to some degree. That promotes family bonding as well.

Environmental Cons of Mountain Biking

The speed with which mountain bikers sometimes travel can frighten and disturb, injure, or even kill wildlife. Animals such as snakes, lizards, or frogs may not be able to get out of the way before a speeding mountain bike runs over them. Mountain bikers often crash or fall as well, making for greater disturbance.

Treaded tires, especially when speeding around curves, can cause erosion of the soil and disturb habitats.

The tearing and trampling of vegetation is a concern with mountain biking. Some plants are more vulnerable than others to this type of damage, but it’s certainly possible to destroy a plant before it can bloom or otherwise reproduce.

Mountain bike tires can create deep ruts in the trail. These ruts collect rainwater, and as the water runs through these narrow channels, it takes soil with it. When the water dries, the ruts leave hard ridges that are hazardous to other bikers and problematic for hikers.

Rules for Mountain Bikers to Minimize their Environmental Impact

1. Stay on the trail. Riding a mountain bike in undeveloped areas is not only dangerous for the biker, it can also tear up vegetation and disturb wildlife habitat. Bikers who stay on the trail do the least damage.
2. When making a turn, slow down and take the corner without skidding and kicking up soil.
3. Don’t ride when it’s wet. Trails are much more vulnerable to erosion and widening when they are soggy and wet.
4. When riding downhill, don’t “ride the brakes.” That digs the tires in and causes more soil to be kicked up.
5. Be considerate when sharing trails with hikers. Slow down when you see hikers ahead, and call out to let them know you are riding through.

Do you love the smell of markers in the morning? Not anymore. There’s a reusable marker on the market that’s removing the toxic smell of traditional whiteboard markers and doing a whole lot more for the environment, too.

Auspen reusable whiteboard markers are non-toxic, recyclable and — if you use whiteboard markers regularly — cheaper over the long haul.

While offices and schools will be attracted to the money savings of reusable whiteboard markers, here at GreenWorld365 we appreciate the eco-friendly aspect of the Auspen kit. Here are the top reasons that switching to Auspens is the greener choice for your whiteboard:

Non-toxic ink has an ultra low odor to reduce indoor toxins

Refillable inks means that Auspens can be used over and over again. In fact, according to the company, the Auspen Starter Kit with 6 pens is equal to approximately 246 disposable markers.

It’s a double-whammy of recycling. The pen barrels are made from recycled aluminum and they can be recycled again at the end of their usefulness.

The folks over at EcoSmart World were kind enough to send GreenWorld365 a set of Auspen Eco-Friendly Whiteboard Markers so that we could test them for ourselves.

I put these reusable markers through a typical work-week and have been truly pleased with the results. The ink is vibrant and exudes smoothly from the tips. The pen nibs have a finer point than many disposable whiteboard markers. If you find the nib breaking down after use, it can even be flipped over for longer wear.

I found it a pleasure to write with these pens, they flowed so nicely over the board that my normal chicken scrawl became slightly more legible. Of course, it might also be that fewer fumes left me free to concentrate on proper handwriting techniques.

All jokes aside, disposable whiteboard markers are a sort of “silent killer” when it comes to waste in offices and schools. They’re an often overlooked detail, but these small details contribute to the larger problem of toxic waste in landfills. Switching to a reusable whiteboard pen is an eco-friendly option for any organization that is trying to reduce their footprint.

At about $49.95 for the starter kit, Auspens will cost a bit more upfront. But, for those that share the larger vision of lowering indoor pollutants and keeping unnecessary items out of landfills, then the unexpected reward is money saved on office supplies.

Bring back the shine and repair damaged hair.

Is your hair showing signs of damage? Split ends, flat or thinning, breaking, frizziness? These symptoms are a warning that it’s time you need to repair your damaged hair.

But, sometimes, it’s not so easy to repair the damage and return your lovely locks to their naturally healthy state. Over time, your hair may stop responding to commercial products, no matter what you do. Chemical-based shampoos, conditioners, and styling product can wear out your hair. So can sun, wind, and air pollution. Thankfully, you can repair damaged hair using natural treatments.

A bit of natural love may be just what you need to repair the damage and bring the shine back to your hair. Use these tips to repair damaged hair naturally.

Stop the Damage! Don’t Use a Hair Dryer.

This is an important first step in bringing back life to your hair. Let your hair dry naturally instead.

Repair Your Hair with a New “Shampoo”

The harsh cleansers in commercial shampoos are really hard on hair. So, our advice is: Stop! Just, stop using shampoo. Give your hair and break and wash with some of the alternatives listed below.

Conditioning Treatments to Repair the Damage

Look for conditioners that do not contain any ” ‘cones,” such as dimethicone, and that have as few ingredients as possible. Then use the conditioner to wash your hair instead of shampoo. Use a dime- or nickel-size portion and work it well into your hair and scalp, rinsing as usual. This is really helpful for people with curly hair.

Clean Your Hair with a Baking Soda Treatment

It’s true – baking soda really can be used to clean just about anything, including hair! Use a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water, pour it over your hair, massage it in as you would shampoo, and rinse.

Rinse (with Apple Cider Vinegar) and Repeat

Follow your baking soda wash with a vinegar rinse. Use apple cider vinegar for best results. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to every cup of rinse water. Pour this over your head (close your eyes an tilt your head back!), work it in, then rinse with clear water.

Repair Your Scalp with a Rosemary Rinse

Rosemary is good for the scalp. Make a tea by steeping 1 tablespoon of rosemary’s needle-like leaves per pint of boiling water. Cool this to lukewarm and use it as a rinse.

Make it Better With Mayonnaise

Using a comb, work a tablespoon or two of mayonnaise into your hair. Put a plastic shower cap over your hair, then wrap it in a towel. Leave for as long as you like – the longer the better. Then wash out the mayo with a natural shampoo or one of the alternatives discussed above.

Excellent Hair Repair With Egg

In a bowl, beat an egg. Add half a cup of plain yogurt or milk and work it into your hair. Like the mayonnaise, leave it on as long as possible for deep conditioning.

The problem with traditional dry cleaning is the chemicals. Luckily, there are three dry-cleaning alternatives that are more earth-friendly.

Dry-clean-only clothes are often a necessity for those who work in professional environments. Unfortunately, dry cleaning clothes has all sorts of nasty side effects. The whole system uses toxic chemicals that can wreak havoc on the environment and aren’t too healthy for you either.

So, what’s the alternative cleaning method? Perhaps, you’ve noticed signs for green dry cleaners popping up around your town. What is green dry cleaning? And, how do you know if the process is really environmentally friendly? 

Let’s start with a quick primer about why dry cleaning green is so important. The problem with traditional dry cleaning is the chemicals. Perchloroethylene (perc), the main chemical, has been classified as a possible carcinogen by the Association on Research for Cancer. Short-term effects on people have included damage to the nervous system and long-term health effects on the liver and kidneys. Perc can spread through many parts of the environment: absorbed into plants through the ground, harm marine life through local runoff, and seep into the local water supply.

Luckily, there are three green dry cleaning alternatives.

Many small mom and pop cleaners who are trying to get away from using perc are changing over to DF-2000. Although DF-2000 is less toxic than perc, it is still a petroleum-based solvent and has its own set of problems. Most environmentalists would not call it a true green alternative. Ask your local green dry cleaner what they’re using and try to find an organic dry cleaner if possible. However, if your choice of green dry cleaners is limited, then DF-2000 is better than nothing.

What makes a dry cleaner organic? Organic dry cleaners use liquid CO2 and organic detergents that do not harm the environment. Carbon dioxide is a naturally occuring substance and does not have any known carcinogenic effects. The liquid CO2 dry cleaning process has near-zero impact. The CO2 removes stains and then evaporates harmlessly back into the air.

The best alternative if you want a green dry cleaning process is to do your own steam cleaning at home. Steam vapor can kill germs and disinfect without using any chemicals. There are many inexpensive steam cleaners on the market. For those who must dry clean often, going green with steam cleaning can also turn out to be a money-saving change.

Whether your choose to do it yourself or go to the green dry cleaners, now is the time to make a switch from the same-old process. Don’t put your health or community in danger any longer. Now that you know the best dry cleaning alternatives, there is no reason not to start green dry cleaning.

Composting is one of those simple solutions that just about every homeowner in America can implement. Take those kitchen scraps and yard trimmings and turn them into a useful soil additive.

Yard trimmings and food residuals together constitute 24 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.

If for no other reason, the landfill space saved would make composting worthwhile. But add to this fact that composted material closes the loop on the food production cycle and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. On top of all that, composted material used in gardens or on farms improves soil structure and helps restore or replace worn out or contaminated soils.

Composting is also a great way to teach children about growing cycles and get them to learn about stewardship and recycling on the most basic level.

Composting Basics:

• First you need a bin. These can be simple structures you build, or high-tech, single purpose containers.
• Place kitchen or yard waste in the bin. For faster composting, shred or chop material.
• Spread soil over pile. This layer contains the microorganisms that get the compost going.
• Add water. The pile should always be moist, but not soggy. If it is too moist, add dry material such as straw or dried leaves and grass.
• Allow the pile to bake or heat up for about a week.
• If you want to speed process up, stir it. If this is too much trouble, then just leave it alone and the process will continue at a slower pace.
• In four to five weeks, if you haven’t added more material, compost is done. It should be dark and crumbly and a bit damp. It will not smell bad.
• Use the compost in flower beds, potted plants or even your grass.

Special Composting Tip: If you ever find you pile stinking it’s usually because it’s too wet, not aerated (stirred) or too much green material (i.e., big layers of green grass). This can almost be solved by mixing pile and adding dry material or soil.

The Cornell University has an excellent composting web site that has all the information you could ever want, from commercial enterprises to indoor bin composting.

If you’re ready to take the next step in composting be sure to read our follow-up post Composting Dos and Dont’s.

There are all natural herbicides available, but you can save money by trying this weed-killing solution first. Use heat to destroy weeds.

Yep. Heat kills weeds. Just pour boiling water directly on the weeds. (This technique works best in small spaces as a topical spot treatment.) You’ll notice that the weeds will begin to turn brown within a few hours.

Although this is a low-cost, low-impact method to kill weeds in your garden, it does have a few caveats.

The hot water is indiscriminate. In addition to killing weeds, it will also kill the good microorganisms in the soil. This is why you need to be careful how you apply the water. First to protect yourself and second to protect your flowers or veggies — especially any plants with a shallow root system. Try using a non-meltable watering can to apply apply the boiling water only where you need it.

Although this method may not control all your garden invaders, as an organic method to kill weeds it’s very effective. The boiling water strips  away the weed’s protective coating causing extensive damage to its cellular structure. Just know that it may require more than one treatment.

Of course, the safest and least destructive way to kill weeds is still to get down and just plain pull ‘em out.