RSWR Eco-tip: Rep
RSWR Eco-tip: Replace paper napkins with cloth napkins.
Its easy to have a debate in your head about disposable versus the energy and resources it takes to produce and launder cloth napkins. But it turns out the good far outweighs the bad.
Bringing or providing cloth napkins is something simple you can do to save the earth’s resources and save money over time. Soft, thick and available in beautiful colors and textures, cloth napkins also look cool and feel luxurious.
WHY TAKE ON THIS GOAL?
- Paper products use up entire forests – in total, 75% of the plantations established for paper and wood products in the last 20 years have been established at the expense of natural forests.
- Paper products create pollution; in fact, the paper industry is the 4th largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the United States.
- Paper products use excessive water and energy to manufacture.
- Typical paper towels are manufactured using chlorine, a known toxin which releases carcinogenic dioxins into the environment.
- Paper products account for 25% of landfill waste. In turn, landfills account for one third of human-related methane emissions.
- The majority of all commercial inks used in paper products are made with petroleum, a non-renewable resource.
The major reason you should give up paper towels and paper napkins is because on top of creating some serious negative environmental impacts, they’re unnecessary. This isn’t about something vital like food, shelter or clothing; it’s about a totally expendable item.
Paper napkin image via rubiyat.
Right Sharing of World Resources: www.rswr.org
Warming up where you live? The
Warming up where you live? The first day of spring came over the weekend, and already windows are open and people share sidewalk lunches at area cafes. Planning a picnic or gathering with friends and family? Stock up at garage sales and thrift stores on mismatched plates and flatwares to have on hand and share at these events. Eliminate the need for plastics and non-recyclables, show up in style, and savor the land for future outdoor activities.
image via http://pinterest.com/pin/8354245/
It is one of those
It is one of those odd winter days where it suddenly warms enough to open the windows. Robins with chests as orange as bricks peck in the withered brown leaves outside, dipping their necks into a bowl of water puddled beneath our rain barrel. Spring is not hard to imagine at this point, though we hope the tree buds don’t become overzealous, because we know winter will fight back before long. Most of are aware that indoor air pollution can be up to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution. Opening the windows, first chance you get (and often) can clear out some of the VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) produced from heating, the off-gassing of paints, mattresses, flooring and tracked-in pesticides.
(Photo via Natural Home Magazine)
Then, when you are ready to set in with some spring cleaning, here are some easy recipes to remove grime while neutralizing the air in which you breathe. It’s a slight time investment to make your own household cleaners, but as you will see, it is easy, healthier, and saves money over the long haul.
These recipes are via Natural Home Magazine.
All-purpose cleaner and disinfectant
Just as effective as popular antibacterial cleansers, this formula is perfect for kitchen and bathroom surfaces.
2 cups hot water
¼ cup white vinegar
½ teaspoon washing soda (similar to, but more caustic than, baking soda)
15 drops tea tree essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a reusable spray bottle and shake well. To use, spray on surfaces, especially cutting boards, countertops and toilets. Wipe with a dry cloth.
Creamy nonabrasive cleaner
Perfect for acrylic and fiberglass surfaces, this smooth cleanser won’t scratch tubs, stovetops or laminate countertops.
¼ cup borax
Vegetable oil-based liquid soap (also known as castile soap)
½ teaspoon lemon essential oil
In a small bowl, combine borax with just enough liquid soap to create a thick paste. Add essential oil and blend well. To use, scoop a small amount of cleaner onto a damp sponge. Scrub surface and rinse well.
Let us know how it goes! E-mail us at media@rswr.org if you have recipes, or other eco-tips to share.
~Betsy B.
