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Green Living Tips Newsletter
Issue 40 - January 9  2010




Greetings all!
  
Welcome to GLT's first newsletter of 2010. I hope you all managed to have some sort of break over the holiday season and that it was enjoyable.
  
I only realized this morning it had been over a month since the last newsletter!
  
Because it can be a while between newsletters, I offer some other ways of staying up to date with new articles and news items being added on the site.
  
There's the GLT Twitter profile which has been running for a while - and as of a couple of hours ago the new Green Living Tips Facebook page!
 
I look forward to welcoming GLT readers to both :).


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New and updated articles
    

PVC and the environment
Polyvinyl Chloride, more commonly known as vinyl, is very versatile and used in all sorts of products; from food packaging to toys to building materials. PVC is one of the most lucrative products of the chemical industry. It's everywhere - and comes with a substantial environmental legacy.

Reusable water bottle choices
Disposable water bottles are out, reusable water bottles are in. It's great news for the environment; but what sort of refillable water bottle should you choose and why?

Electric ATV
The All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) isn't just for recreation - it's a valuable tool for farmers. Gas powered ATV's can be rather noisy and tend to be heavy on emissions. More environmentally friendly electric ATV's are becoming quite common - and the prices have dropped greatly recently.

Mattress recycling
Most of us have a mattress and we'll likely have quite a few throughout our lifetimes. This means a lot of mattress related waste and associated environmental impact. Learn more about mattress choice, care, disposal and recycling.

Green business marketing 1
Do you manufacture environmentally friendly products or have some sort of green-oriented business? Have a limited budget for promotion? Pick up some tips for getting your name out on environmentally themed sites.

Online shopping and the environment
In this age of soaring gas prices and the looming threat of climate change; by doing more of your shopping online you can save on fuel, emissions and probably score a bargain on the way.

GMO vs selective breeding
The PR machines of biotech companies would like us to think that GMO's (Genetically Modified Organisms) are very similar to plants and animals produced through selective breeding - the misinformation is even getting into the classroom. Learn more about the differences and the possible implications for our food security and the wider environment.

What is precycling?
We're all familiar with the concept of recycling in order to help lighten our environmental footprint, but what is precycling all about? Learn more about what it is to precycle in this article.

Water vending machines
Bottled water has a huge plastic waste and transport footprint. Tap water in some areas may be contaminated with man-made chemicals. Learn more about a new BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) water vending machine and a special exclusive discount offer for Green Living Tips readers.

Uses for methylated spirits
Denatured alcohol, also commonly known as methylated spirits, can be a more earth friendly alternative to other cleaning products. Pick up some tips.

Gas saving tips
Going on a road trip soon? Pick up some gas saving tips that will not only save you money, but help lessen your impact on the environment. 
    
Article archives
 
Why buy a book? Save paper, transport, emissions and money! There's now over 340 free articles containing tips to help you live a more eco-friendly life on Green Living Tips! - you can browse by category, use the advanced search or click here for a full listing.
 
Recent blog posts
  
GM crop related genocide?
I remember hearing whispers a while back about a massive increase in the suicide rate among farmers in India - thanks in part to the irresponsible promotion of GM (genetically modified) crops; particularly cotton. An article on CNN today left me speechless - we're not talking just a few hundred or even a few thousand desperate farmers ending their lives; but 200,000 since 1997; one every 30 minutes...
 
Not soy good
Usually if you mention soy beans to people, hippies and vegetarians tend to spring to mind. It turns out that only around 10% is consumed directly as foods such as tofu and mock meat. Roughly 70 percent of the soybean harvest ends up as soybean meal to be consumed by livestock and poultry.
 
UK Government pushing GM crops
According to an upcoming UK Government food strategy document covering the next 20 years, the acceptance of GM crops is needed in order to create a "sustainable and secure food system for 2030". It's a frightening development, especially given this is the International Year of Biodiversity.

International Year Of Biodiversity
The United Nations has declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Around 1.75 million species of plants and creatures have been identified on our planet, but it's believed there are actually about 13 million species, though estimates range from three...

EPA adds to environmental toxin hit list
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a series of actions on four common chemicals raising serious potential health or environmental concerns, including phthalates.

Toothbrush from hell?
GLT reader Melinda W. wrote to me this morning about a product from Colgate - the Wisp - a single use, disposable toothbrush. While I acknowledge there may be a place for these sorts of products in (real) emergency situations, the Colgate Wisp web site appears...

Kangaroos and carbon
Wherever people settle, decimation of local plants and animals often follows; but from time to time some native species thrive thanks to human activity - and it's not always a good thing. A great example of this is several species of Australia's kangaroos. Kangaroos number somewhere around the 25 million mark according to the Kangaroo Industry Association.

Carpet made from corn
While the focus of Copenhagen conference was on climate change; there was something else of interest afoot; well, underfoot. The carpet at the Bella Center where most of the major events took place was made using Ingeo, which is a form of bioplastic.

We have woken giants
"We have woken giants" says Dorthe Dahl-Jensen of the Centre for Ice and Climate at the University of Copenhagen. Out of all the things I have read coming out from the climate conference in Copenhagen, it's this simple statement that probably best summarizes where our planet is at.

Pork free bacon bits
I've been cutting back further on pork lately, not only because of the environmental impact and other issues connected to factory farm meat, but after coming face to face with a pig recently and discovering just how aware these creatures seem to be and just prior to that, the "screaming of the pigs" incident; I've had an attack of conscience.
    
view these blog posts and more

 
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That's it for this issue!
   
(psst.. forward this newsletter onto family, friends and colleagues whom you think might like the info. We sponsor a tree for each new subscriber! Thanks!)

Don't foret
  
Here's to a greener, kinder world!
  


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Other recent articles you may have missed
 
Perceived obsolescence
Perceived obsolescence can be summarized in a single word - fashion. Whether it's clothes, electronics or any other product, resist the tricks that trigger hyper consumption and put so much strain on our wallets and the environment.
 
Concentrated products
Bigger is better. It's a concept that many of us are brought up with; if not by our parents, the influences of the media often lead us to feel that way. It doesn't mean it's true, particularly when it comes to the environment.
 
What is fair trade?
If you haven't finished your holiday shopping yet, consider purchasing fair trade certified items - you'll be buying a more environmentally friendly product and one that hasn't been created through sweatshop labour.
 
Greener than thou
Ever feel that the steps you take in greening your life are so underwhelming when compared to others' environmental endeavors that it's hardly worth it? Bear in mind that lime is the first step on the road to green!
 
Burgers and the environment
Next time you're queuing up for a burger, have a think about its environmental and animal welfare impact. While you may not be ready to switch to veganism, if you can resist those oh-so-tasty extra layers of meat and cheese becoming popular these days, you'll be doing the planet that sustains us a favor.
 
Uses for vodka
Got a bottle of vodka lying around you don't want? Don't throw it out! Vodka has many other uses besides drinking it.
 
Geothermal heat pumps
Many people are familiar with solar power and wind energy as green ways to generate electricity for their homes, but what about geothermal heat pumps - also known as ground source heat pumps? Learn a little more about how the technology works.
 
Community food gardens
An extension of the Victory Garden concept that developed during World War II, a community food garden (sometimes referred to as a food bank) is another way of producing more natural foods in an environmentally friendly way and increasing a community's food security.
 
Vanilla extract uses
Vanilla can be handy around the home as a green alternative to other products, but did you know that not all vanilla is created equal? Learn more about vanilla, pick up some tips for using vanilla extract when it's past its best before date - and how to make your own!
 
Green air fresheners
I admit it, I was an air freshener abuser. My cleaning cupboard had more air freshener varieties than you could poke a stick at. But in fooling my nose, I was also poisoning my immediate and wider environment. There are certainly greener ways to keep nasty smells at bay.
 
Recycling used engine oil
Millions of gallons of used engine oil are dumped annually instead of recycled. Aside from the direct environmental issues, it also means millions more of gallons of crude oil needs be extracted. Learn more about the importance of recycling used engine oil and where you can find collection points.
 
Greener charcoal
With many people using charcoal for barbecues, I decided to take a look at what's in bbq charcoal and briquettes and the associated environmental issues.
 
Toilet chemicals and the environment
Our toilets and sewerage treatment systems deal with more than our own waste. In our efforts to create a hygienic domestic environment, we're often killing more than just the bacterial nasties. Here's some tips for a greener loo.
  






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