Goal For The Green

Yes, there are safe and sensible ways to keep your food fresh, while minimizing your exposure to the potentially harmful chemicals found in plastic.

Here are some tips and pointers to help you make the safest choices for your food storage. You may already have some safer options such as corning ware, pyrex, and stainless steel canisters tucked away in your cupboards. Start searching , go to yard sales, and get on with making those changes.

Plastic contains chemical additives known to leach out when exposed to heat. Leaching may increase the risk of birth defects, developmental delays, certain hormonal disfunctions, and even breast and prostate cancers. Several university studies have indicated that leaching occurs when ANY type of plastic containers are used to heat food in the microwave. Another place leaching happens is in the dishwasher.

Rule of thumb is NEVER use ANY plastic, plastic wrap, tupperware, or styrofoam in the microwave. It is also best to wash plastic containers by hand in warm soapy water. This reduces the possibility of chemical leaching. Don’t ever use harsh cleansers or abrasive sponges on plastic. It can cause scratches in the plastic, which then causes chemical migration (leaching) from the plastic. If you have scratches or gouges in your plastic containers – ditch them IMMEDIATELY!

So, in your microwave only use microwave safe glass or ceramic cookware. Don’t use any plastic or plastic wrap. Cover food with paper or paper towel when microwaving.  Don’t use recycled paper towels because they could contain metallic flecks from ground up staples and ink that can be combustable.

In your fridge, use glass, ceramic, stainless steel, or PVC-free plastic wrap. Don’t use any type of plastic container that can leave a residue.  Scouring destroys the integrity of plastic.  Don’t ever store or cover hot food with or in any type of plastic. Always let it cool for at least twenty minutes before storing in your fridge.

For packing lunches choose foil, waxed, or butcher paper for wrapping sandwiches. If you like to use bags, use the ones made from number 4 plastic. For water, glass or stainless steel is best, or pitchers made from number 2 or 5 plastic.  Don’t use pitchers from number 7 (polycarbonate) plastic. For freezing, use foil, freezer paper, or number 4 plastic freezer bags.  Don’t use any glass or plastic containers that are not labeled Freezer Safe. The extreme cold can cause them to crack.  As mentioned before, allow food to cool before storing in the fridge or freezer.  For your pantry storage, glass, stainless steel and aluminum canisters are best or number 5 plastic.  Don’t store food in any plastic containers marked with 3(polyvinyl chloride) 6 PS (polystyrene) or 7 PC (polycarbonate).

Most plastics currently on the market are made from crude oil. There are also biodegradable, recyclable and compostable plastics made from starches such as rice, soy, and corn. These bio-based plastics comprise only 3% of the $280 billion plastic market. Concern has been expressed about the use of fertilizers and pesticides used in the growth of these grains, and then turning them into plastics.  Any bio-based products are better for your health, and are more of an earth and eco-friendly option, than any petroleum based products or counterparts.

Most of us are doing our Spring cleaning from our house to our garage. Before you make a trip to the dump, check  your discard pile to see if there is anything you can give new life.  You just may save yourself some gas money and a trip to the dump.

If you have a tall wastebasket, use it to corral wrapping paper or crafting supplies.  You can even use hair scrunchies or elastic pony tail holders to keep the paper rolls in control.

Old furniture can often be put to use in a different room. An example, is a small nightstand or end table.  Either can be used in a bathroom to free up counter space and give extra storage for lotions and toiletries. Just paint it to your liking and you have a whole new look.  Coffee cups are useful to hold anything from make-up to pens and pencils.  Those hanging baskets that were meant for fruits and vegetables work great in little kids rooms for storing those small stuffed animals.  It looks adorable.  Give one to a teenager and they will find some cool use for it, just to have things close by the bed if nothing else.

Those old sheets and table clothes can be stitched up and used for storing, comforters, pillows, and blankets free from dust.  Sheets can also be made into easy tab-top curtains,or throw pillows.  All that is needed is a little time, ribbon and embellishments of your choice and you’ve put something old to new use, and saved money too.

Backless bar stools and laundry baskets work well to store anything from toys,camping gear, sporting  goods, or garden tools. Just turn the bar stools upside down and they do a great job of holding these bulky items.

Don’t toss those three-ring binders.  They are great for organizing recipes, (get page protectors), vet records, CDs (get the vinyl inserts) and anything of importance that you want to keep handy.  If they have writing on them, or they don’t match your decor, consider covering them with contact paper.

These are just a few ideas to help you wittle down your trash pile.  If you have books you want to get rid of, consider donating them to homeless or women’s shelters, nursing homes or hospitals.  Contact local thrift shops in your area for drop-off sites or possible pick-up of your unwanted items. Online sites to consider are charitynavigator.org and earth911.org for information on where to recycle specific items such as electronics.

Written in association with  waste management experts

For several years the EPA ( Environmental Protection Agency), most large businesses, and power companies have been feverishly promoting the sales and usage of compact  fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). They are a great way to save money and energy, while fighting global warming.

The drawback is, these bulbs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing.  The small amount being about 5 milligrams ( equal to the tip of a ball point pin). Mercury is the essential component that allows CFLs to be an efficient light source.  It should be noted that it would take 100 CFLs to equal the mercury found in an old fashioned thermometer.  The bulbs themselves pose few risks, unless of course, they break.  Normally,there is very little risk of airborne mercury exposure.  It is when we find mercury deposits in lakes and oceans, that then find their way to the fish we eat, that the problem arises.  The most common pathway for human exposure to mercury is from eating fish.

Companies and the federal government have not yet come up with easy or effective ways for Americans to recycle these bulbs.  While most people want to recycle, if it is not easy or convenient, it doesn’t happen at all.  Currently, even though CFL bulbs contain mercury, using them emits less mercury into the environment than its predecessor the incandescent bulbs.  They use 70% less heat, which makes them safer to use, and they save you $30 or more in energy costs per bulbs lifetime.

The EPA is working hard to find a solution that works for the retailers and the consumer to recycle the product.  IKEA is the only retailer accepting the bulbs for recycle at this time.  Others such as Wal-Mart and General Electric are considering what they can do to help.

Here are a few tips on how to dispose of a broken bulb.  Vent the room for at least 15 minutes. If you have an HVAC system, turn it off.  On hards surfaces, scoop up glass fragments and powder and place in a glass jar with a metal lid, or a sealed plastic bag.  Use duct tape to pick up any remaining fragments and powder.  Wipe the area with damp paper towels and place them in the jar or plastic bag.  Do not use a broom or vacuum on hard surfaces.  Follow the same steps on carpet.  Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and clean the canister).  Place the debris in a sealed plastic bag.  Check with local or state governments about disposal requirements in your area.  Laws may vary in different states.  Consumers can contact their local or municipal solid waste agency directly for proper disposal options.  Or go to www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling or www.earth911.org for your local recycling options.