Interesting Environment Facts

Here are a few facts that we at Down To Earth Organics having been digging up for the last few months that may give some the motivation to make their lives just that little bit greener:

• One polystyrene cup contains as many as 1 billion molecules of CFC's.
• Every minute we are pumping 16000kgs of sewage into our oceans, worldwide.
• Every year roughly 100,000, marine mammals, 1,000,000 birds and 50,000 seals are killed by floating plastic.
• Amazingly, 25 billion polystyrene cups and 2.5 million plastic bottles are thrown away every hour.
• 85% of household rubbish can be recycled.
• If one famous London paper used recycled paper on one printing run , on any day, it would save 70,000 trees.
• It takes 100 years for a plastic bag to decompose.
• 40,000,000 acres of lush tropical rain forest are being destroyed through logging every year.

 ....

Bottled Water The Great Farce

Bottle water is one of the most profitable business ideas ever thought up by man and woman. Tap water is essentially free, so why do we spend so much money chasing bottled water?

If you didn't know the health standards used in the production of food do not apply to the bottling of water, compared to that of the tap water we drink everyday. Often bottled water labels will claim miracle cures to this and that, but there is still no real evidence to back these claims. In fact, despite the claims of the manufacturer's it's possible that the bottles water came from a very ordinary source and possibly contaminated also.

Not only are you wasting you hard earned cash buying a potentially dodgy coming from a tap, but you are buying something that has spent a lot of time being transported using a lot of energy. The easiest and greenest way to avoid buying bottles water is simply to take your own - using a water container that will not break down too.

Water Facts

• 2.5 million tonnes of plastic is used each year - worldwide
• Prices ranging from $0.48 - $4.40 per litre, bottles water can be more expensive that petrol
• In 2004 its estimated that the world drank 154 billion litres of bottles water
• One of Australia's most trusted brands of water uses 1.3L of water to make 1L of bottles water
• 1L of Fiji Water sold in Australia emits 431g of CO2 to reach our shores
  

Andrew

Petrol Saving Tips

Petrol Saving Tips - saving for wallet and environment

I have been meaning to write a blog on this for quite some time. Since my first thoughts on this issue, however, the price of oil and then petrol has come down considerably, mainly due to softening demand as a consequence of the global economic crisis (or the GFC as I am now starting to hear) - or so I understand. I actually filled my car last night, that being a Sunday and know to be one of the more expensive days, and it totaled more than $20 less that just a few weeks ago - incredible saving. Who says the GFC is all that bad.

With the Christmas holidays drawing nearer, thankfully, I have devised a useful list of 8 petrol saving tips to capitalise on that petrol saving even further.

1. Cruise control - a constant speed over a long trip will save you heaps at the bowser, let alone saving you heaps on speeding fines
2. Air-conditioning - if you are cruising around town at less than 50 km/h don't use it - this will save 10% on your fuel bill or $6 on a 55L tank. At speeds greater than this the opposite will occur due to aerodynamics and drag
3. Get a check-up - servicing & tyre pressures are essential to efficient driving
4. Choose your fuel wisely - do the maths and use premium with a 98 octane. Not only will your car run better, it is a better quality fuel and will look after your engine and you will get 40 km extra out of the average tank of fuel (based on 50L tank)
5. What gear are you in? - the lower the revs the less you will use. Heavy accelerating could use 30% more fuel. Use higher gears as often as you can, remembering though that if your car is labouring in a high gear that it actually may be using more fuel
6. Is the pram in the boot? - get it out and anything else that may be weighing you down. Think about this - if you have 50kg's of weight in the car that does not need to be there and you car weighs 1500kg's, that represents 30% of the body weight of the car
7. Check you speed - driving at 90 km/h instead of 110 km/h can save you 25% on your fuel costs
8. Switching off and warming up - if you are sitting idle for more than 20 seconds turn your car off and if you car is fuel injected you don't need to warm it up
   

Hope that helps.

Andrew

Are Plastic Bags Really A Menace?

So much hype surrounds the little plastic bag. In fact, I heard through my reputable industry sources that a major supermarket chain in Australia just bought 1 billion green reusable bags. Now, lets have a think about this...let's say they bought the bags for between 5-10 cents each, that would be a significant outlay would it not. However, selling then for between $1 and $1.50, that billion dollars is looking more like a profit of more than 12 million, once all the bags have been sold - nice money if you can get it huh. If you would like more information of reusable bags or to see our products click here.

So I now go back to the title of this blog - Are Plastic Bags Really A Menace? I guess it really depends who you talk to about it. The major supermarket chain who spent the billion dollars on reusable green bags sure thinks plastic bags are bad. Not only will they make and estimated 12 million dollars profit on green reusable bags but we will be all using way less plastic bags which then adds a huge amount of money to their bottom line too.

I really had not given much thought to it until recently reading that plastic bags only represent two percent of total waste - YES 2%!

I smell a very intelligent marketing campaign.

Andrew

PS - I do not in any way condone the use of plastic bags.

Babycare and Carbon Footprint

It can be a very touchy subject, but having babies has a huge impact on our environment, especially in Western cultures, where our carbon footprints are already massive. When you have a baby make sure you bring them up with a "tread lightly" philosophy.

• Breast is the BEST - if possible breastfeed, not only is it extremely good for your baby but it's extremely good for the environment. In particular, you will save tonnes of CO2 going into the environment as you will not need packaged products like baby bottles, formula & other baby food items
  * If you would like to read more about breastfeeding vs bottle feeding click here
  
• Organic baby food - if you have a backyard, or even a windowsill you can grow your own organic fruit and vegetables. It's easy, cheap & will save you driving to get your own and will cut your food miles significantly
• Borrow, swap and lend philosophy - borrow clothes, send them to your friends when you are done. Buy 2nd hand clothes

Andrew

Cooking Techniques

General cooking makes up around 6% of the total energy used in an average home, you can reduce this significantly with just a few cooking tips!

• Always use the smallest pot/pan possible, as this uses less energy to heat
• Always use a lid, and the one that fits best too
• Cook in batches - if you are cooking a meal from the beginning ensure you cook enough for several meals, freezing the balance will use much less power than cooking a new meal
• Use flat bottomed pans, they are most efficient
• Use a toaster as they use 3 x less energy than a regular oven grill

It's easy being green.

Andrew

Sude Bags

Sude Bags are a funky alternative to the dreary green shopping bag that we have all come to love. Sude Bags have come up with some creative and gorgeous designs that will inspire your desire to shop, with a conscience.

Sude Bags are made offshore but they are a local company based in Pottsville, NSW.

Competing bags to Sude can go for as much as $12.00, but Sude has been able to keep the price to a RRP of $5.00.

Do your bit to rid the world of plastic and keep our environment clean.

See all Sude Bags styles.

Andrew

Reduce Carbon Footprint By Growing Your Own

In addition to buying local, eating seasonal organic produce, you can also try growing your own produce to reduce your carbon imprint.

If you decide to grow your own, try avoiding petrochemicals based fertilisers, herbicides and fungicides as the production of these nasty chemicals takes a hefty toll on the environment on many levels.

If you have enough room plant some fruit trees. Not only will you have, after some time, a huge amount of fresh organic fruit, but you will be taking CO2 out of the air as it;s absorbed by the trees.

Some other tips to lower your carbon imprint include:

• Mow your lawns with a manual mower
• Do not use plant boxes or pots
• Use local flowers or seeds

Its easy being green.

Andrew

Eco-Jargon | Freegan

Freegan. It's fast becoming a popular word due to the impact on the environment the production of consumer goods has.

The word freegan defines someone who dedicates their life to sifting through rubbish tips, kerbside clean up days, and skip bins to find unwanted goods.

As I understand it 'freegans' are a fast growing subculture who have chosen to reduce their carbon imprint, and spending, by living of the waste of others.

Peace out.

Andrew

Eat Organic To Lower Your Carbon Footprint

Organic farming is experiencing a massive surge in popularity, see this blog article, as all of us recognise the benefits of food produced without use of energy sucking things like fertilisers and pesticides.

To lower your carbon footprint using organic food products:

• Drink Organic Milk - If cannot afford to go fully organic with food, organic milk is a fantastic compromise. Organic milk is only a little more expensive, but only uses 1/3 of the energy to be produced compared with regular milk. Furthermore, organic milk contains much higher levels of omega 3 essential fatty acids (60%-70%)
• Balance Is Important - While making a choice to go organic is sound for the body it may not always be sound for the environment in terms of "food miles" as many organic products may have travelled 1000's of miles to get to your table. Sometimes, from an environmental point of view, it may be better to choose locally made products

Did you know - One average sized organic farm can absorb 120 cars' worth of CO2 in 1 year.

Andrew

Carbon Footprint|Reduce Lighting

A large proportion of electricity we use in the home is for lighting. Take advantage of natural sunlight and new technologies for brighter ways of lighting your home.

Maximise Your Use Of Natural Light

• Paint walls inside and out light colours
• Keep curtains and blinds open during the day
• Keep your windows clean

Light and Switches

• Avoid incandescent bulbs
• Use low-energy fluorescent bulbs
• Use a dimmer if using halogens bulbs is light is needed

Did You Know?

• Australia will ban the use of incandescent bulbs in 2010, and the UK 2011
  
• If every household in the world switched to energy efficient globes the effect would be so dramatic that, it's estimated, that 250 coal fired plants would need to close
• The average energy efficient globe will pay for itself within a year

Its easy being green.

Andrew

7 Ways You And The Earth Can Stay In Shape

1. "Hand me downs": make the most of old sporting clothes, when you finish playing a sport be sure to give your kit or anything else to team members
2. If you are heading to the game, or the oval, get a lift with a team mate
3. Walk, ride or get public transport to the game
4. Reduce your waste by taking your own water bottles to games and events
5. Involve yourself in nature-based activities like bush walking
6. If you are a member of a club see if you can introduce a member to become an environment officer, visit Sports For The Environment for help on this issue
7. Research what your favourite sporting team is doing to lower their carbon footprint

It's easy being green.

Andrew

Carbon Footprint - Dogs vs Cats

Did you know that a dog produces 1.75 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year, while a cat only produces 850kg's. However, cats are much more likely to kill native animals, whereas dogs do not. Dogs produce more waste than cats, but cats need kitty litter even though it can be made from recycled material.

Vote the CAT for the best carbon paw print.

Andrew

Footnote: Statistics gathered from Easy Being Green

Recycling

• Recycling 1 tonne of paper can save 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4,100 kWh of electricity, 4 cubic metres of landfill and 31,780L of water
• Making 1 can from recycled material (aluminium) uses 95% less energy than making it from raw materials
• Plastic takes 500 years to decompose
• Australians put 35 printer cartridges into landfill every minute
• 9 out of 10 pieces of paper from the average Australian office block go to landfill instead of being recycled
• It takes 125 recycled 2L milk bottles to produce a 140L wheelie bin
• In Australia, 67% of aluminium cans are recycled
• We recycle 35% of all aerosol cans, even though they are 100% recyclable

It's easy being green.

Andrew

Water Saving Tip - Water Wizz Toilet Saver

Water Wizz Toilet Saver

Try buying a installing a Water Wizz Toilet Saver. This super cheap water gadget will drop your toilet flush from 12L to 4L, depending on how long you hold the flush down. This groovy, easy to install device, simply fits into single-flush toilets in less than a few minutes.

This is a brilliant & practical water saving device that that could save you up to 20,000L per year - surely it's worth the effort. Furthermore, a duel flush system will set you back a minimum of $200.

RRP - $10.95

It's easy being green.

Andrew

Water Wastage

I was reading today that Mount Franklin uses 1.5L of water to produce 1L of bottles water and that it takes 1,000,000 barrels of oil per year to produce Australia's thirst for bottled water.

If the Murray River is almost dry how can this be right?

Andrew

Reducing Food Miles and Carbon Footprint

Food miles relates to the distance your food has travelled to get to your plate and importantly how it has travelled to get there too - be it plane, train boat or truck.

Once upon a time eating used to be easy. Now, however, eating has become moral, ethical & even political.

It's August and if you do not eat organic food you can walk into any supermarket and buy a bunch of asparagus. In Australia asparagus is a summer plant, so it's likely to come from some South American country like Peru. That is 14000km in travel just so we can have the luxury of eating now what we would normally eat in summer.

A recent study compiled by the The Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies discovered that the average NSW shopping trolley containing 29 food goods from any supermarket had travelled an amazing 71,000km. The total value of food exports in 2007 was $7.2 billion up from $5 billion in 2002.

A couple of years ago 2 Canadian guys decided they would only eat food that came from within 100 miles of their home. They did it for a year and it was so successful they started a movement called the 'locavores' who only eat local produce - cool huh. Considering that the average meal in North America has travelled more than 2500 miles, I really like the concept. Check out their 100 mile diet.

Reducing Food Miles

• Eat seasonal fruit and vegetables
• Buy at local farmers markets - see list of farmers markets
  
• Grow your own
• Ride your bike to pick up your food
• Walk to get your food from local shops
• Don't buy bottled water

Think globally and act locally.

Andrew
Down To Earth Organics