How can my home appliences run more efficiently and save me money?
Although cooling systems make up the bulk of the average power bill, the combined effect of the energy use by household appliances comes in pretty close. Making sure that your appliances are running as efficiently as possible can put a dent in your monthly and annual energy costs. Some applianc ...
- What is pre-consumer material?
Pre-consumer materials are supplies or by-products created in the manufacture of an item before it reaches the consumer. Examples of pre-consumer material include print overruns, over issue publications, and obsolete inventories Additional Resource: http://www.caslab.com/Pre-Consumer_Materials_M ...
- Paper or plastic? Which is better?
Much debate has happened over this question and the answer depends on what group you are talking to. For the wildlife people it is paper. There have been no documented cases of wildlife being killed by paper bags. For economists and climatologists it’s plastic. Plastic bags need less ener ...
- Where can I find green products?
Green Purchasing, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, and Sustainable Purchasing are all words that describe buying products or services that have a reduced negative impact on human health and the environment as compared to other products and services designed for the same use. There are num ...
- I want to add fresh local produce to my diet. Where can I find it?
Patronizing local markets is great for the local economy, ensures freshness, and is often more affordable than big supermarket chains. We are lucky in Pinellas County to have a Farmer’s market open every day of the week. Saturdays from November to April you can visit Heritage Village for ...
- I am replacing the floors in my home. What is my greenest choice?
Replacing or updating your floors is a big investment. There are many functional and attractive flooring materials available. Before you purchase, consider selecting a material that is environmentally friendly. Some options that are available include cork, bamboo, tile, concrete, linoleum, bric ...
- What is green washing?
TerraChoice , a science-based environmental marketing organization, defines greenwashing as the ‘act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service.’ If you are just discovering the social, economic, a ...
- I just learned $11 of what I spent on my last shopping trip went to packaging. What can I change to lower or eliminate this cost?
Packaging protects products from contamination, damage during shipping and provides detailed product information. Some products need packaging that is tamper-evident and child-resistant. But is all packaging necessary? Manufacturers are responding to pressures to reduce packaging or make a prod ...
- What are green cleaning products?
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency Americans spend an average of 90 percent of our lives indoors. Many common household cleaners contain substances that can lead to a potentially harmful indoor environment. Simple product swaps from the laundry room to the toilet bowl will put ...
- Is there a tool to help me make better buying decisions?
Before you head out to the stores, ask yourself these questions before you decide to buy: Is my current one sufficient? Can I reuse or refurbish what I have to meet my needs? Can I borrow it from a family member, friend, or neighbor? Can I rent or lease the item if it is used infrequently? Ca ...
- How can I make my daily cup of coffee greener?
One way to make your daily Cup of Joe greener is to buy Fair Trade coffee. “Fair trade” means that producers are paid a fair wage for their product, work in decent conditions and follow sustainable farming methods. Coffee was the first commodity in the United States for which there ...
- What is green purchasing?
Green Purchasing or Environmentally Preferable Purchasing ﴾EPP﴿ is the buying of goods and services that have a reduced negative impact on human health and the environment as compared to other goods and services serving the same purpose. Additional Resource http://pinellas.ifas.u ...
- What is Fair Trade?
Fair Trade is a certification scheme wherein farmers in developing countries are promised a fair-market price for their products. “Fair Trade certification is a market-based model of international trade that benefits over one million farmers and farm workers in 58 developing countries acr ...
- What is environmentally preferable purchasing?
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing ﴾EPP﴿ or Green Purchasing is the buying of goods and services that have a reduced negative impact on human health and the environment as compared to other goods and services serving the same purpose. Additional Resources http://pinellas.ifas. ...
- Do green products cost more?
Not necessarily. In addition to the upfront, short term cost, consider the long term costs of repair, maintenance, and replacement costs. To adequately assess the true cost of a green product, a life cycle cost analysis should be conducted. Life cycle costs examination evaluates each cost associ ...
- What is sustainable purchasing?
Sustainable purchasing is examining the economic, social, and environmental impact of a product and/or service. Additional Resources http://pinellas.ifas.ufl.edu/sustainability/green_purchasing.shtml http://www.sustainable.ufl.edu/whatis.html
- How do I know it’s really green?
The simplest and easiest way to identify a green product is to look for third party certified Florida approved Green Labels. Green products are products that are made from nontoxic materials, made from recycled materials or can be recycled, energy and water efficient and from plant based ra ...
- What is a third party certifier?
A third-party certifier is an independent organization that conducts rigorous research, testing, evaluation and verification on a company’s products and services compliance with nationally or internationally legal standards and requirements
- What does indoor air quality have to do with green purchasing?
One of the primary sources of indoor air pollution is the release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the atmosphere. Among several acute and chronic health issues, elevated levels of VOC’s contribute to eye and respiratory irritations. VOCs are emitted into the air from solid and liq ...
- Who verifies that a product is environmentally friendly?
Many independent, non-profit third party organizations have taken on the responsibility of conducting comprehensive and rigorous research, evaluations and verifications to ensure that a company, product or service is in compliance with federal and industry certifications, standards and accred ...
