Organic products have so many advantages over non-organically produced fare. Organic foods are safer for the planet and healthier for you, and organic clothing and products feel better. Also, the effect on the environment is astounding. Organically produced foods use fifty percent less fertilizer and ninety-seven percent fewer pesticides than non-organic products, which is hugely beneficial to the environment.
However, there are some disadvantages of organic production which, in the name of fairness, should also be stated. First, there is the yield. While much less energy is used and waste produced, organic crops produce twenty percent less yield than other crops. Due to this and other concerns, organic products cost, on the whole, ten to forty percent more than their non-organic counterparts. Economic considerations come and go, but it’s hard to remember a time where the price of a product did not affect its usefulness. Nobody wants to spend more for the same thing they can get cheaper, even if it does mean better health and a happier future for us all.
However, as organic items become more common, prices will likely come down. But until that time comes, here are some tips to stay green and keep it in your budget.
How to save money on an organic lifestyle
Finding bargains on organic items starts with where you do your shopping. If you are buying your organic produce at the local chain grocery store with a tiny organic section, you are paying the cost of keeping that tiny section going. However, if you go to store that specializes in organic food and products, you are going to tend to pay less for individual items because that store is buying larger quantities of these items, and it is cheaper for them to buy in bulk. A basic rule of economy is that the more of a product that is purchased, the cheaper the price per unit. So if you go where there are a lot of organic foods, they’re going to be cheaper.
Another idea is to find a local farmers’ market and purchase items there. These farmers are cutting out the cost of a middle man, so they are often able to pass those savings on to you. Now, not every vendor at a farmers’ market may be producing their crops using organic methods, and others may be producing foods organically without going to the trouble of having their produce certified. Be sure to talk to the sellers at these farmers’ markets and find out what their growing methods are. By having conversations with your local produce growers, you will be cultivating a relationship with the people producing your food and in turn you may find you are able to buy healthier nutritious foods at a good price.
Another consideration is to buy in season and buy in bulk. Produce sold while it is in season is going to be cheaper and better than out of season items. Out of season, opt to buy frozen organic foods. Buying in bulk whenever possible also ensures a lower per unit cost of a product. Buy it and store it, or go in with a friend and share it.
The next step to save money and stay organic is to produce your own food. Start a garden on your property and grow your own. You’ll be amazed how much food you can produce from an investment of nearly nothing.
How to save money on your energy bills
Saving on energy costs usually takes a higher upfront investment to save lots of money over time. One of the first things you can do to lower your power and water bills is to replace your current appliances with Energy Star rated items. These items reduce the amount of energy used to wash your clothing, cook or refrigerate your food, or do any number of jobs around your house. Energy Star compliant products reduce the amount of energy used to do common household tasks, thereby decreasing your money utility bills.
You can also reduce your heating bills by installing solar panels in your home. By setting up your house to collect the heat from the sun and convert it into efficient heat for your house, you can easily reduce the amount of natural gas or electricity you use and lower those bills substantially.
Rethink your purchasing habits
The simplest thing is always the hardest to do. If you increase your spending on green items like organically produced food, you can reduce your spending or harmful food, like junk food and fast food items. This may easier said than done for most people, but if you start eating healthier and wean yourself away from the costly unhealthy products you are used to buying, you will find yourself feeling much better and spending far less money in no time at all.
Buy those organic potatoes and skip going to that drive through burger joint. Don’t go out to a restaurant, but spend that time prepping the healthy foods and cooking and eating them. You will find savings not only of day to day purchases, but also on spending on doctors and medicines you need to make you feel better after putting all that harmful food inside yourself.
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If you’re an environmentally-minded individual, you’ve no doubt been paying quite a lot of attention to the fuel-efficiency of the cars available for purchase. While traditional cars are becoming more fuel efficient, there are now more options for alternative-fuel vehicles such as electric and hybrid cars.
But which is the best option of the two choices? As with any decision, it comes down to your needs and budget. No matter which option you go with, since you are purchasing an alternative-fuel vehicle, you’ll most likely qualify for tax incentives to offset the initially higher purchase price. Since alternate-fueled vehicles are still new on the market, your choices are limited in terms of what types of cars are currently available.
An electric car, by definition, is one that requires to be plugged in, and runs purely on electricity. Electric cars are the most environmental option, creating no emissions, no need for gas, and are extremely silent vehicles, which cuts down on noise pollution as well. However, because of the way electric cars operate, they also don’t have the same power and acceleration as a traditional vehicle.
Since it needs to be plugged in, you not only have to live in a housing option that lets you easily charge it at night, but you also have to live in a city that has easy access to charging stations. That means you have limited range before charging (typically around 100 miles), and it typically takes six to eight hours to fully charge an electric car battery. So, if your situation is that you’re driving many miles on a regular basis, an electric car may not be the best choice for your situation.
Electric cars are still relatively new in terms of being released, and the typical bells and whistles you’re used to in a traditional car may not be readily available. Not only that, it will be more difficult to find an electric car to buy, and it’s likely to be more expensive to purchase compared to a hybrid, as well as more expensive to maintain if it does break down.
However, electric vehicles tend to be extremely efficient and save you money in terms of energy expended, making up for the initial purchase price. Because there are fewer parts in an electric motor, it is easier to maintain – once you find someone who knows how to do the maintenance.
If you want to use your vehicle for a regular, short commute and live in a community that has readily accessible charging stations, an electric car will be the best choice in terms of not only environmental impact, but also in saving you money as well. The fact that you live in a community that has put in the infrastructure needed for charging stations will mean you’re more likely to find a mechanic that knows how to work on electric cars.
A hybrid car is defined as a vehicle that uses more than one fuel source, typically electric/gas combinations. While there are some plug-in hybrids available, which brings up the issues stated above, most hybrids run on gas and use the electricity to do many of the tasks that power the motor. This can be in one of two ways – a series motor, where the gas engine turns a generator that charges the battery which drives the transmission; and a parallel motor, where the gas and electric motor are both used to drive the transmission.
Since a hybrid car does depend on gas, it’s not as efficient as an all-electric car, although it definitely is better in terms of emissions and gas mileage compared to a traditional vehicle. Hybrids have longer range than electric cars, though, and – outside of the electric battery – are very much like traditional cars when it comes to finding replacement parts.
While hybrids are still more expensive than traditional vehicles, they tend to be cheaper than electric cars in purchase price. Maintenance, however, is more along the lines of a regular vehicle plus the electrical side, and so could feasibly be more expensive to maintain.
If you are in a community that isn’t set up to easily handle charging a car on a regular basis, or if you drive long distances on a regular basis, your best bet if you want to use an alternative-fueled vehicle is to go with one of the many hybrid options that are available.
As demand for fuel-efficient vehicles increases, the options available for hybrid and electric cars will only become better. With rising gas prices and the need to become less dependent on foreign oil, manufacturers are taking note and releasing more of each type. But for now, unless you have a short commute with a charging station readily available, your best bet in the alternative-fuel car wars is to look at your options for a hybrid.
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One of the ways the world can help turn the tides of global warming and make a positive impact on the environment is to harness the power of natural gas. Natural gas is a natural resource that is readily available, and it is also the cleanest fossil fuel. It’s a valuable source of energy, which can help reduce pollution and solve energy problems if used correctly.
First and foremost, natural gas is an abundant natural resource in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency has studied the use of natural gas and its effects on the environment, and has found that there are numerous benefits to using natural gas. It is made up of mostly methane gas and emits carbon dioxide and water vapor into the air after combustion occurs. These are the same components that humans emit every time we take a breath. Natural gas is considered a “clean” fossil fuel because it can be used as a source of energy, yet it doesn’t produce the same harmful emissions as coal or oil. Coal and oil are made up of numerous components and emit high levels of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen into the air when used. Natural gas only releases very small amounts of nitrogen and sulfur when used, and practically no amounts of dangerous ash or carbon monoxide.
Natural gas has a lot to offer, which is why many governments around the world are suggesting using it as a source of energy instead of oil and coal. By burning natural gas instead of oil and coal, as well as other fossil fuels, we can lower the amount of harmful pollutants released into the air and help combat a host of current environmental issues. Some of these environmental issues include acid rain, smog, greenhouse gases, and a variety of pollutants from the transportation industry. Global warming is probably the most serious environmental issue facing the world today. It is the result of harmful greenhouse gases that have been released into the air for over a century. In the past, as the world’s population continued to grow and the use of oil and coal became a regular occurrence to provide energy for cars, houses, corporations and more, we have seen a rise in greenhouse gasses. As a result, the world has experienced dangerous climate changes that could drastically change our way of life as we know it. Swapping natural gas for oil and coal is just one of the many ways we can prevent disaster.
The transportation industry is a major player in the pollution game. Automobiles and airplanes that run on gasoline are the biggest contributors to greenhouse gasses. Industries all over the world rely on coal and oil to run their businesses. Natural gas could be substituted as a source of energy instead, and the positive impact would be tremendous. If every industry in the world switched over to natural gas, there would be fewer harmful emissions released into the air. Using natural gas as a form of electricity could also change the transportation industry for the better. Most of the pollution we see in the world is caused by the everyday use of cars, trucks, and other vehicles. That is why air pollution is heavily concentrated in the industrial areas of the world, especially large cities. Operating vehicles with natural gas would severely reduce the amount of pollution and harmful gasses emitted into the air. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the use of natural gas in vehicles will reduce the amount of carbon monoxide emissions into the air by a whopping 90 percent. And because natural gas is a natural substance, there aren’t as many toxic and man-produced components to it like there are when coal and oil is produced into fuel.
If the transportation sector were to switch over to natural gas completely, the results would be astounding. That is why the United States government is so insistent that car manufacturers start creating environmentally friendly vehicles that can run on electricity and natural gas instead of gasoline, which is a byproduct of oil. Switching over to cars that run on electricity and natural gas is just the beginning. Hopefully, the transportation industry will evolve so that everything runs on natural gas in the near future. Natural gas is a wonderful natural resource, and it has the potential to provide an abundance of energy for a variety of industries all over the world. As we move forward in the fight against global warming, we will see the transition to natural gas over other fossil fuels begin to take place. It’s a vital step that will ensure the stability and future of our world for upcoming generations, so that pollution will eventually become a thing of the past. Protecting the environment and the preservation of the earth has never been more important than it is now.
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It was the early 1990s, you were at the top of your game and it looked like the rest of the decade was going to sit in your lap and give you a kiss. You decided to celebrate by buying that SUV you always wanted. Everyone else was doing it; it was an accepted form of being ostentatious so you went down to the dealership and rolled back in a luxurious behemoth. You were happy with your purchase. You had spent time at the dealership and talked with the sales person for a least an hour to get all of the information possible on the vehicle itself and how it compared to other vehicles in its class. You felt safe behind the wheel as it was a big sturdy vehicle that would, for all intents and purposes, be an extremely safe vehicle. The mileage was a little costly, but you were heavily invested in technology and you could afford the trip to the gas station. But now nearly twenty years later, the economy has taken a turn that no one expected and issues related to the health of the planet have caused us to reexamine our priorities and the size of our vehicles.
You know this and want to leave a world behind that your children will be able to enjoy; you want to sit down and make a good decision. But what information do you need to make the right decision? First, look at fuel mileage. The bigger the vehicle, the more fuel it will need to propel itself. One statistic that may get your attention is that 95% of the energy created by the ignition of fuel in your engine is used to propel the vehicle. This means that the fuel mileage is even worse for the larger vehicles. If you look at this as a conservation issue, the SUV uses more fuel than a car. The pollution generated by both types of vehicles is also disparate in quantity. Considering that you are burning more fuel in an SUV, you are also producing more exhaust. Therefore, you are damaging the atmosphere more than you would if you were driving a car. For instance, according to recent studies there is a wild difference in the amount of airborne pollution put into the atmosphere by cars and SUVs. SUV’s are reputed to emit over forty percent more airborne pollutants that collect in our atmosphere. To be more specific, the SUV puts out over twenty pounds of carbon dioxide per gallon of burned fuel. That may seem insignificant, but consider that in North America alone, there are almost four hundred million metric tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere by cars and trucks each year. If you take a look at the large number of SUVs within that contingent, the elimination of unnecessary SUV usage would result in the reduction of millions of tons of released CO2.
You may think that a larger and heavier vehicle is safer than a smaller car. There is only one advantage that comes to mind, if you are involved in an accident with a smaller vehicle. The sheer size differences will leave you unscathed in a majority of mild to medium MVAs. However, the SUV has a danger all of its own. The SUV has a high center of gravity and considering how heavy it can be, it may be extremely dangerous to operate when fully loaded. There were studies done on SUVs from most of the major North American auto manufacturers and it was discovered that if the vehicle carried only the listed maximum number of passengers plus four pieces of luggage, the vehicle was dangerously overweight. Since a car is lighter, it is inherently easier to handle and with its lower center of gravity, it doesn’t flip as easily.
You now need to consider something else that isn’t discussed much in the media, especially the marketing sectors that are either in complete denial or desperate to keep the truth from us. What truth is this? The cost of some vehicles (whether you are talking personal monetary costs or environmental costs) does not begin with the purchase. The cost begins long before that. There is energy applied when the engineers begin to design the vehicle; there is energy applied in the production and manufacture of the parts that make up the vehicle; there are costs associated with the assembly of the vehicle; and there are costs in the distribution of the finished automobiles. It would be interesting to see if someone could put together these numbers, as most of the statistics are readily available, and come up with the real cost of an SUV. Add that cost to the ten thousand dollars a year you will spend on driving and maintaining it and you will be amazed how much less a car will cost you and the environment. Ditch the SUV already.
If you are an environmentally friendly person, you may hesitate at the store when asked if you prefer paper or plastic. After all, they both are accepted as recycling material and they both can be reused as well. So, what are some of the best ideas for reusing this bane of your shopping existence?
For plastic bags, the primary way to reuse them is as trash bags for smaller trash cans. While some grocery plastic bags aren’t water-tight, making them not good options for especially messy trash, with double-bagging they can be used in almost any situation – from cleaning up after your dog to keeping one in your car for the various trash you accumulate while driving.
Another option for reusing plastic bags is for using them in packing when you’re going on a trip. When traveling, these plastic bags are especially good for keeping wet items, such as a swimsuit or your toiletries, separated from items in your luggage you want to keep dry. Keeping a few handy to put your dirty laundry in while traveling is also a good idea.
If you mail packages, finding something to use to keep the item safe in its box is sometimes difficult. Using packaging materials isn’t the most environmentally-friendly option, and many people have started using the plastic grocery bags as an option. Just ball up three or four together, knot them or tape them, and you have instant packing material.
There are also several things you can do with plastic grocery bags if you are a person who likes crafts. There are many people who have turned plastic bags into yarn, and then used that yarn for crocheting everything from a water bottle holder to a scarf. Before starting this project, you will want to make sure the bags are clean and free of odors. To turn the bags into yarn, you will want to lay the bag out flat, fold in half twice lengthwise, cut off the top handles, and then cut the bag into strips about one inch wide. Then, you will want to tie the strips together. Take two strips and loop them together. Make sure it’s tight. Continue connecting other loops on until your yarn is as long as you need. Then, use the yarn like you would normally, and you can knit yourself almost anything.
If you’re a gardener, plastic bags will come in handy in many ways, from lining flower beds when planting to using them to bring in your produce. They’re also good for putting down on the ground to keep your clothes cleaner while you’re weeding or planting in your garden.
When it comes to paper bags, if they are sturdy enough you should be able to reuse them the next time you go shopping. In fact, there are some stores that will give you a small credit if you bring in your own bags. Another way you can reuse paper bags is for your other recycled materials. These bags are good for putting paper in for recycling in bundles, and make it easy to carry – especially if you have the paper bags that have handles on it.
Shredding your paper bags will give you plenty of options for reuse, from using it in crafts as paper mache to using the shredding as packaging material or lining animal cages. You don’t need an actual shredder if you are willing to spend the time cutting the bag into strips. Paper bags can also be used to wrap packages for mailing, as the blank inner side is perfect for the postal service regulations.
Paper bags can be reused for craft purposes as well. You can use the bags to make masks, as paper to draw on, and even toward homemade cards to send to family and friends. How about using the bags as book covers or for cutting patterns out of? Are you a photographer or an artist? If so, consider using paper bags as matting for the frame. You can also use the paper from paper bags as lining for shelves or to cover your windows if you need complete dark as well.
These are just a few ideas as to how to reuse plastic and paper bags. Use your creativity and think up even more ideas, and talk with environmentally-friendly organizations to see if they have any suggestions as well. And while you’re talking to them, see about other household items you use that may have other uses – from plastic bottles to CD cases you no longer use.
Of course, the best way to handle the ‘paper or plastic’ debate at the grocery store is to say ‘neither’ and bring in your own canvas bags. Many stores offer these for sale – and there are also organizations that have these as part of their marketing materials and are willing to give them out.
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