spokesmanhomes spokesman homes.. In print. Online. In touch. Produced by the Advertising Department of
COM
SECTION H INSIDE: RESALES – OPEN HOUSES – RENTALS AND MORE in conjunction with the Spokane Association of REALTORS®
March 25, 2012
CTW
7 days to a greener life A lot of us want to live a more eco-friendly existence, but when it comes to figuring out how to do it, we stall. You need a plan. By Lisa Iannucci CTW Features
Reuse it Go through the house and gather up all of your reusable bags that you have tucked in closets and under beds. Instead, Leah Ingram, author of “Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier for Less” (Adams Media, 2010) says to track them all down and store them in your car. “Then, the next time you go to the store, you can use a reusable bag,” she says. “Some stores will even reward you financially for saving them from using a bag.” Don’t have one? Ingram suggests investing in a CVS Green Bag Tag ($.99) and then having your tag scanned every time you shop and you’ll earn $.25 towards a reward. Every fourth trip, you’ll be eligible for a $1 coupon.
1
Compost “According to the EPA, we throw out about 160 billion pounds of food every year and it goes into a landfill,” says Jodi Helmer, author of “The Green Year” (Alpha, 2008). “The food creates methane gas, one of the major greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.” A compost pile is a pile of food, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, that breaks down into earthy material. “It has a huge impact on the environment,” says Helmer. “To
2
start, buy a compost kit at the homeimprovement store and toss your food waste in.” However, she cautions that meat, dairy and citrus cannot be added to the pile. “No meat and dairy because of the smell and likelihood of animals,” she says. “The pH of the citrus prevents the food from breaking down, but everything else can go in the pile.” If you live in an apartment, Helmer suggests creating a worm composter instead. “It’s as simple as a Rubbermaid container with holes and a bed of moist newspaper strips. Pile in live earthworms and feed them. It’s a huge impact and doesn’t take a whole lot of time.”
water?” Garner asks. “If so, then purchase a few washers – always have a spare for next time – and fix that drip.” Insulate hot water pipes Look at the possibility and cost of insulating your hot water pipes. If it’s not costprohibitive, then either insulate yourself or get a tradesperson to complete the job for you. This will reduce the amount of time spent waiting for the hot tap to run hot, save water and if you’re on a meter, will save you money.
5
Catch the rain Hang it up Become greener by Forget the dryer! taking a look at your Instead, Renee Loux, water usage, says author of East Green Lynn Garner, author Living (Rodale, of “Greatest Guide 2009) suggests to Green Living” taking time to set up (Greatest Guides, 2012). “Take a a laundry line. “In look at your gutter and see if you the backyard or the garage, it will can find a place to safely situate a save electricity and save you money rain barrel,” she says. “During dry on drying,” she says. periods, use the water collected to care for your precious garden Program it plants.” It doesn’t take long to research Stop the leaks and install a To save water programmable and save money on thermostat. “In the your water bills, go winter, it sets the around the house temperature for you to drop a few and check every tap, degrees when you’re sleeping and remembering also to then raise when you wake up,” says check garden taps and the shower Loux. “It will decrease your energy head. “Are any of them dripping bill.”
3
4
6
7