Here straight from a Mrs. Green’s flyer is a simple definition of REUSE and practical yet oh so effective examples of steps to take.  If we all did just one more of these things than we might have done otherwise, think about the collective impact.  I think I am going to take my returnable bottles back to the store.

Before you recycle or dispose of anything, consider whether it has life left in it.  A jam jar can store leftovers. Food scraps can become compost.  An old shirt can become a pajama top.  An opened envelope can become a shopping list.  A magazine can be shared.  DVDs can be traded.  A dishwasher can be repaired.  A computer can be upgraded.  A car can be resold.  A cell phone can be donated.  Returnable bottles can be well….returned.  Reusing keeps new resources from being used for a while longer, and old resources from entering the waste stream.  It’s as important as it is unglamorous. Think about how you can do it more.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com William Raveis Real Estate

This Super Bowl the NFL is using “green power” and planting trees. As an organization they are recycling waste, food, decorative materials, supplies, cell phones & sports equipment.  Show your support not only for your team but for the NFL by implementing some of these practical eco friendly ideas this Super Bowl Sunday.  

If there is enough people, consider getting a keg so you don’t have to recycle all those beer bottles & cans. While recycling is great, it still takes energy so precycling when possible is optimal. If you chose plastic cups, look for ones that can be recycled. These clear #2 cups can be purchased at BJs.   Have some sharpies on hand (perhaps in team colors) so guests can mark their cups and use the same one the whole night.

An even greener option is to purchase inexpensive glasses that you can reuse again.  These are a great beer glass and cost about $1 each. I got mine at Home Goods but you can probably find them at a store like Target.  I use them every day for ice tea, smoothies & filtered water and keep the extra on hand for future parties.  If you do use bottles or cans make sure that people know where your recycle bin is.  I know in my own home people tend to throw garbage in the recycle bin and vice versa. And of course, if you want you can opt for organic beer.

Moving onto food, if you order pizza most boxes are made of corrugated cardboard and that makes them recyclable.  To ensure that they are taken by your roadside collector, break them up into smaller pieces and put them in a paper bag from the supermarket.  If you are so inclined you can put a healthier twist on typical Super Bowl fare by opting for organic instead of conventional wings, sauce, hot dogs, rolls, condiments & snacks.  These choices are typically more expensive but better for your health and in my opinion tastier too. Trader Joes offers a comprehensive selection and you can find a lot if not all of these items in mainstream supermarkets. And don’t forget to add a vegetable platter to your munchy food.  You can chop up your own and make that organic too or purchase a pre-made platter from the store.  

Whenever it makes sense encourage car pooling. Lastly, when the party’s over consider composting or donating left over food.  I hope you find these tips helpful and remember even doing only one of these things helps.  

Below is an excerpt from the NFL site on their environmental efforts:

SUPER BOWL XLV ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM

The NFL Environmental Program has developed a series of initiatives to minimize the impact of Super Bowl activities on the local and global environment. Environmental projects are developed in partnership with the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee and local, state and national organizations. These initiatives include:

Solid Waste Management/Recycling – Comprehensive solid waste management at major NFL event facilities. This project diverts waste from local landfills through recycling and reusing potential waste materials. Sites include Cowboys Stadium, the Dallas Convention Center (site of the NFL Experience), and the hotels serving as team headquarters, NFL headquarters and the Super Bowl XLV Media Center.

Prepared Food Recovery – Extra prepared food from Super Bowl XLV events will be collected for donation in partnership with the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank. Food recovered through this effort will go to soup kitchens, shelters and other local organizations that provide meals to those in need.

Materials Donation – Decorative materials, building materials, office supplies and other reusable items will be recovered and donated to local nonprofit organizations. Some materials are appropriate for reuse while others will be used as fund raising auction items or remanufactured into new products. The Salvation Army is a key partner in this recovery and donation effort and is providing collection containers and temporary storage for donated materials following Super Bowl events.

Sports Equipment and Book Donation Project – The Super Kids-Super Sharing Sports Equipment and Book Donation project was developed in partnership with the Dallas Cowboys, North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee, Salvation Army and North Texas public and private schools. Local students are bringing gently used or new books, sports equipment, school supplies and board games to their schools this month. These items will be collected then donated to preselected local schools and organizations serving children in need. On Thursday, Jan. 20, media is invited to the Salvation Army Community Center (712 West Abram, Arlington) where hundreds of students and coordinators will bring donated items between 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. A Dallas Cowboys player will be joined by the team’s cheerleaders and mascot at the event. (Best photo opportunities will be from 9:45-11:00 a.m.).

Climate Change Initiative – Several steps are being taken to reduce the overall greenhouse gas impact of Super Bowl activities and events including:

» Use of renewable energy credits to provide “green” power for all major Super Bowl XLV event venues including Cowboys Stadium, the Super Bowl Media Center, NFL Super Bowl headquarters, the NFL Experience and the AFC and NFC team hotels.

» Several thousand trees are being planted at sites that include all 12 North Texas Super Bowl host communities as part of the overall “greening” of Super Bowl XLV. Partners include the Texas Forest Service, the Texas Trees Foundation and the US Forest Service. On Monday, Jan. 24, a luncheon event called “Touchdown for Trees” will honor the mayors and the students in each of the twelve communities for their participation in this regional project. Former Dallas Cowboy and Pro Bowl player DREW PEARSON will host this event. Accredited media are welcome to attend.

» In partnership with the US Forest Service, the environmental benefits of all trees planted the past seven years in connection with Super Bowl will be monitored and the quantitative results certified by researchers at the US Forest Service.

» Extensive use of biodiesel powered buses as part of the Super Bowl XLV transportation fleet. One third of all buses in use on game day will be using biodiesel fuel.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com   William Raveis Real Estate

Aside from being downright cool, insulation made from recycled blue jeans is a holistic & eco friendly choice.  Fiberglass insulation is very common and cost effective, but the downside is that it can contain toxins such as formaldehyde which can become airborne when bits of the insulation break off.  When ingested, these toxins can aggravate asthma and allergies and can be carcinogenic.  Blue jean insulation is made primarily of cotton but a good question to ask is what percent?  The key is to make sure that the product does not have any warning labels indicating that it could contain harmful substances. A safe choice would be a LEED certified product since you know it meets the high standards of the USGBC (US Green Building Council).  

At the end of the day the purpose of insulation is to maintain a temperate indoor climate and minimize energy costs.  Blue jean insulation is sold in batts (rolls) contrary to spray foam insulation which expands to fill cracks and uneven spaces that otherwise might not be filled by batt insulation. Blue jean insulation does cost more so your return on investment will be longer than that of traditional insulation.  It’s advantageous for do-it-yourself projects because it doesn’t itch when touched.  It’s a helpful option for our earth because it is a recycled material thereby reducing landfill waste. Overall, blue jean insulation is a great choice for your health. 

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com   William Raveis Real Estate

Between four and five billion pounds of carpet are replaced every year in the United States alone, but less than 1% of this is recycled.  In other words, 99% of old carpet is sent to landfills instead of being recycled and made into new carpet. About 60% of carpet manufactured in the U.S. is made of nylon which can easily be recycled back into carpet or into raw materials for car parts, etc.  Plastic bottles and textiles can also be reduced to their basic material level and used to weave new carpets.  Despite the variety of materials, recycled carpet is very similar in look and feel to standard carpet.

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com    William Raveis Real Estate

Did you ever think about how long it will take for your garbage to disintegrate after you throw it away?  Here are some examples.

• Paper: 2-4 Weeks
• Banana Peel: 3-5 Weeks
• Wool Cap: 1 Year
• Cigarette Butt: 2-5 Years
• Disposable Diaper: 10-20 Years
• Hard Plastic Container: 20-30 Years
• Rubber Boot Sole: 50-80 Years
• Tin Can: 80-100 Years
• Aluminum Can: 200-400 Years
• Plastic 6-pack Holder: 450 Years
• Glass Bottles: Lots and Lots of Years

Source: Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov/education/lnt/background/packing.htm

wendy@ctgreenrealestate.com