After trying to find the brands that they listed, I discovered the easier thing to do would be to look at the brands that we use, and then next time we go to the store, check out which ones have the recyled symbol on them. I also discovered that even though the package says the product is recycled, it could actually only be the inside toilet roll that is recycled, not the toilet paper. Here are some tips from Greenpeace.
Here are a few more ways you can
help protect ancient forests every day:
• Rethink your use of disposable paper products like facial tissue,
paper towels and napkins. Consider using cloth napkins to wipe
your hands and cloth towels to wipe up spills. Think about
purchasing and using a washable handkerchief to blow your nose
instead of facial tissue.
• Buy Recycled. When you buy paper products such as toilet paper
and office paper make sure they have a high level of post-consumer
recycled content – 100% recycled is best.
• Look for the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)
logo on wood and paper products. If you cannot
find FSC-certified products, then ask your
retailer to stock them. FSC is the only guarantee
of sustainably managed forests.
I will definitely check the content of my disposable paper products next time I go to the store. How about you?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
For some reason, I was unable to publish a post on my blog earlier in the week. I just kept getting error messages, but it's working today, hooray!
This week I discovered a "green" web site that lists paper products that are "green products" and those that are not. Please go to http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp#towels. This site lists the brands of toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, etc. that we use and if they are made from recycled products and if they are recyclable, and thus "green products". It is very interesting and I plan to find out where I can buy some of these green products because the products that I use are "to be avoided". I'll let you know what I find out. Good luck in your continued efforts to make our world a greener place!
This week I discovered a "green" web site that lists paper products that are "green products" and those that are not. Please go to http://www.nrdc.org/land/forests/gtissue.asp#towels. This site lists the brands of toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, etc. that we use and if they are made from recycled products and if they are recyclable, and thus "green products". It is very interesting and I plan to find out where I can buy some of these green products because the products that I use are "to be avoided". I'll let you know what I find out. Good luck in your continued efforts to make our world a greener place!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Household Hazardous Waste
Hey friends, I found another cool site to look at, and am attaching a document that explains what household hazardous waste is and offers safe handling tips. This comes from the site: www.hazardouswaste.utah.gov. What things are you willing to change or do differently to reduce the threat that hazardous waste presents?
Household Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Promoting a Healthy Environment
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Many hazardous products and chemicals such as cleaners, oils and pesticides are used in the home
every day. When discarded, these products are called household hazardous waste. To be
considered hazardous they must be ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or otherwise listed as
hazardous by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Products used and disposed of by a
typical residence may contain more than 100 hazardous substances including:
Batteries
Cleaners
Cosmetics
Fluorescent light bulbs
Glues
Heating oil
Insecticides and pesticides
Ink
Medicines
Motor oil and automotive supplies
Paints, thinners, stains and varnishes
Polishes
Swimming pool chemicals
Smoke detectors
Thermometers
Household Hazardous Waste is a Serious Threat
The average American household generates 20 pounds of household hazardous wastes yearly,
according to EPA estimates.
Since chemicals found in household hazardous wastes can contaminate soil and groundwater,
generate hazardous emissions at landfills and disrupt water treatment plants, it is important to
dispose properly dispose of them. Many solid waste treatment facilities are required to screen for household hazardous wastes to avoid operating under restrictive hazardous waste laws. Many communities also are required to establish household hazardous waste collection programs to qualify for storm water permits.
Safe Handling Tips
The best way to handle hazardous household materials completely using the product before
disposing of containers. The next best alternative is returning unused portions on your
community’s household hazardous waste cleanup day. Keep products in original packages with all
labels intact. If the container leaks, put it in a thick plastic bag. Pack the products in a plasticlined
cardboard box to prevent leaks and breakage.
Household hazardous waste cleanup days are for household wastes only. No industrial or
commercial wastes and no containers larger than five gallons are accepted. Explosives,
radioactive material and medical wastes are unacceptable.
Household hazardous wastes can be dangerous to people and pets who come in contact with them.
They also can pollute water supplies, damage sewage treatment systems and cause other
environmental damage. Use the products as directed.
DO NOT:
Flush down the toilet
Pour down the sink
Pour down storm drains
Pour on the ground
Contact your local health department or the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste to determine
whether your community has a household hazardous waste collection program.
Identify Household Hazardous Waste
Reduce the amount of potentially hazardous products in your home and eliminate what you throw away by following these easy steps:
1. Before you buy:
Read labels and be aware of what they mean
Look for these words on labels. They tell you what products may need special handling or disposal:
Caution
Combustible
Corrosive
Danger
Explosive
Flammable
Poison
Toxic
Volatile
Warning
Select product best suited for the job
Buy only what you need
2. After you buy:
Read label precautions and follow directions for safe use
Recycle or dispose of empty containers properly
Share what you can’t use with friends or neighbors
Store properly
Use recommended amounts. More is not necessarily better
Use the child-resistant closures and keep them on tightly
For More Information, Contact:
Division of Solid & Hazardous Waste - (801) 538-6170
Environmental Hotline - 1 (800) 458-0145
Pollution Prevention Coordinator - (801) 536-4477
Household Hazardous Waste Fact Sheet
Utah Department of Environmental Quality
Promoting a Healthy Environment
What is Household Hazardous Waste?
Many hazardous products and chemicals such as cleaners, oils and pesticides are used in the home
every day. When discarded, these products are called household hazardous waste. To be
considered hazardous they must be ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic or otherwise listed as
hazardous by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Products used and disposed of by a
typical residence may contain more than 100 hazardous substances including:
Batteries
Cleaners
Cosmetics
Fluorescent light bulbs
Glues
Heating oil
Insecticides and pesticides
Ink
Medicines
Motor oil and automotive supplies
Paints, thinners, stains and varnishes
Polishes
Swimming pool chemicals
Smoke detectors
Thermometers
Household Hazardous Waste is a Serious Threat
The average American household generates 20 pounds of household hazardous wastes yearly,
according to EPA estimates.
Since chemicals found in household hazardous wastes can contaminate soil and groundwater,
generate hazardous emissions at landfills and disrupt water treatment plants, it is important to
dispose properly dispose of them. Many solid waste treatment facilities are required to screen for household hazardous wastes to avoid operating under restrictive hazardous waste laws. Many communities also are required to establish household hazardous waste collection programs to qualify for storm water permits.
Safe Handling Tips
The best way to handle hazardous household materials completely using the product before
disposing of containers. The next best alternative is returning unused portions on your
community’s household hazardous waste cleanup day. Keep products in original packages with all
labels intact. If the container leaks, put it in a thick plastic bag. Pack the products in a plasticlined
cardboard box to prevent leaks and breakage.
Household hazardous waste cleanup days are for household wastes only. No industrial or
commercial wastes and no containers larger than five gallons are accepted. Explosives,
radioactive material and medical wastes are unacceptable.
Household hazardous wastes can be dangerous to people and pets who come in contact with them.
They also can pollute water supplies, damage sewage treatment systems and cause other
environmental damage. Use the products as directed.
DO NOT:
Flush down the toilet
Pour down the sink
Pour down storm drains
Pour on the ground
Contact your local health department or the Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste to determine
whether your community has a household hazardous waste collection program.
Identify Household Hazardous Waste
Reduce the amount of potentially hazardous products in your home and eliminate what you throw away by following these easy steps:
1. Before you buy:
Read labels and be aware of what they mean
Look for these words on labels. They tell you what products may need special handling or disposal:
Caution
Combustible
Corrosive
Danger
Explosive
Flammable
Poison
Toxic
Volatile
Warning
Select product best suited for the job
Buy only what you need
2. After you buy:
Read label precautions and follow directions for safe use
Recycle or dispose of empty containers properly
Share what you can’t use with friends or neighbors
Store properly
Use recommended amounts. More is not necessarily better
Use the child-resistant closures and keep them on tightly
For More Information, Contact:
Division of Solid & Hazardous Waste - (801) 538-6170
Environmental Hotline - 1 (800) 458-0145
Pollution Prevention Coordinator - (801) 536-4477
Monday, February 9, 2009
Utah Recycles site
Hey friends, there is a great web site I discovered that you need to check out. It is at www.utahrecycles.org. Here are some of the WOWs I discovered that you can recycle: cereal boxes, paperback books, small appliances, computers, electronic items, packaging peanuts, sinks, wood, TVs, denim. I also found out that the closest place to take most of these recyclables is 2 blocks from my house! Okay, I am on board with making some more changes!
There are SO many great tips on how everyone can make a difference in reducing, reusing and recycling.
Please look at the site and commit to two things you will commit to doing differently in your home, at work or anywhere you go!
There are SO many great tips on how everyone can make a difference in reducing, reusing and recycling.
Please look at the site and commit to two things you will commit to doing differently in your home, at work or anywhere you go!
Monday, February 2, 2009
My Ecological Footprint
Hey, I just went to this really cool website where you can take a quiz and find out how big your ecological footprint is on our earth. I am very sad to report that it if everyone on the planet lived my lifestyle, we would need 5.83 earths.
The site also outlines some ways in which you personally can reduce your footprint. Please go to the website and/or look at other information online and list two things on this blog you commit to doing differently in the next two months to help preserve the space we have left on Earth and to reduce your footprint.
I commit to change the following starting this week and continuing through the next two months (which at that point should be habits, and I will then choose two more):
1 - Unplug electronics when not in use.
2 - Avoid allowing car to idle and turning off the engine (unless I am in traffice). The site recommends not going through any drive-throughs, but parking the car and walking inside. I commit to this.
Please visit www.myfootprint.org, take the quiz, and let me know what you commit to!!!
The site also outlines some ways in which you personally can reduce your footprint. Please go to the website and/or look at other information online and list two things on this blog you commit to doing differently in the next two months to help preserve the space we have left on Earth and to reduce your footprint.
I commit to change the following starting this week and continuing through the next two months (which at that point should be habits, and I will then choose two more):
1 - Unplug electronics when not in use.
2 - Avoid allowing car to idle and turning off the engine (unless I am in traffice). The site recommends not going through any drive-throughs, but parking the car and walking inside. I commit to this.
Please visit www.myfootprint.org, take the quiz, and let me know what you commit to!!!
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