Coming Back in 2007

After a successful trial run in 2006, the Ontario government recently announced that among other energy conservation programs, the summer of 2007 will mark the return of the Beer Fridge Bounty Program.

This program is designed to take old, inefficient appliances [aka beer fridges] out of service. For no charge the province will pick up and dispose of your old fridge. The normal fee for this service is about $110.

During the summer of 2006, Hydro Ottawa collected 2,500 old fridges and freezers in a pilot program last summer while London Hydro picked up 10,000 old fridges, saving an estimated 13.6 million kilowatt hours.

Other programs that will have a return visit in 2007 include:

Peak Reduction Program: a voluntary program whereby participants can have a device installed that allows for system operators to turn down air conditioners, pool pumps and water heaters.

Summer Savings 10/10: an opportunity for residential and small business consumers to get a 10% rebate on their electricity bill if they are able to reduce their summer energy use by 10%

New in 2007 - Return Your Wine Bottle to the Beer Store!

In a way only the Government of Ontario could devise, starting in February 2007 people will be returning their empty wine and liquor bottles to the beer store!

As an attempt to increase the recycle rates of wine and liquor bottles, in February a 10 or 20 cent deposit on wine and liquor bottles will be added to the purchase price.

However, and really this is smart, rather then creating a separate return process for the wine and liquor bottles, they are just going to piggy back on the long successful system in place at the beer store.

The only oddity to this plan is that people will be returning the bottles to a store different from where they purchased it. On the upside for the beer store, I suspect it will increase their sales..."while we are here..."

Presently only 20% of wine and liquor bottles get recycled. In contrast, 96% of beer bottles and 90% of beer cans are recycled. It is hoped that this return program will increase the recycle rate of liquor and wine bottles to 85% by 2010.

How Clean are Your Cleaners?

A few days ago a friend commented to me about how concerned/shocked she was at the amount of chemicals and other unpronounceable things she has found in the ingredients listing of top end hand creams and facial scrubs. This is of particular concern to her due to the sensitivity of her skin.

Someone else then joined in the conversation with a similar comment about laundry detergent and household cleaners. Apparently it is quite common for people to have skin reactions when wearing clothes washed with some of the mainstream laundry detergents.

These comments dragged me out of my state of blissful ignorance down the path of trying to find 'clean cleaners'.

While the journey has just begun, I am happy to report at least some success. I stumbled upon a company called Method which offers a wide range of cleaners, hand creams, facial scrubs etc all made with natural products. As an added bonus they are also available at the local drugstore [please check their website for specific stores in your area].

Unfortunately, while their claims are all very interesting, [all natural products, no animal testing etc] I could not find a listing of the actual ingredients for the specific products. Furthermore, should one assume that just because it is 'natural' that it is more gentle on your skin?

Regardless, they might be worth checking out! If you do, please let me know how they worked.

Try not to snap on the heat with the first cold snap!

Last week the first cold days of winter descended upon my humble home. I am amazed that every year I seem to be surprised at how the cold feels. You would think by now I would be able to anticipate it!

As I suspect most people do, the first time the temperature outside dips below freezing I stretch my cold and trembling hand out from under the layer of three blankets to turn the thermostat up a few degrees. Ironically, I know that in a few months time, the temperature that now feels like bitter cold will be interpreted as an welcome breath of warm weather!

Another part of this annual ritual is reminding myself of the simple things that I can do to make the home feel warmer without necessarily increasing the thermostat.

A couple of things are always at the top of my list:

1) draft proofing. It is really amazing how much of a difference it makes when windows are properly caulked with a piece of plastic sealed around them. Doors are another source of incredible drafts, easily stopped by placing a towel or rug along the base of them.

2) programmable thermostats. If you are not home, or bundled under the bed covers, why heat the house?

3) heat the areas needed, not necessarily the whole house. If there are sections of the house that are not used very often [ie basement or spare bedrooms] close the door so that energy is not used to heat un-used spaces.

4) keep your feet warm -if your feet are cold, you are cold. A warm pair of fuzzy slippers will go a long way to making the whole house seem warm!

I doubt if any of these ideas are new or revolutionary to you, but just as I forget every year what winter feels like, so must I be reminded about the simple ways to keep warm without spending a fortune on energy costs!

You Found Me!

Welcome to the new home of CommonSenseGreen!

Sorry about the long silence, but I was having way too much 'fun' dealing with technology issues, let alone just juggling life in general.

I am excited about the new home of CommonSenseGreen as it will allow me to make this a more useful resource for all who find it. Keep an eye open for lots more information and helpful resources!

Unfortunately, during the move it appears the links were lost. I will be working on re-creating them in even better ways now that I have a larger house.

Keep checking in!

On the Move!

Sorry about the delay between posts, but I have been super busy hunting for a new and bigger home for CommonSenseGreen.

I am happy to report that a new home has been found and aquired!

As soon as I can figure out the technology, the new address for CommonSenseGreen will be:
www.commonsensegreen.com!

Once all the furniture is in place and boxes put away I will invite you all over for an open house!

In the meantime, please keep posted here for any 'stop the presses' green news!

See you all soon at the new home!