Bundle Plastic Bags for Recycling Sad truth: wadding up single-use plastic bags and throwing them into the recycling does little good for Mama Terra; they tend to get stuck in machinery, so workers pull them out. Instead, plastic bags should all be gathered together in—what else?—a plastic bag and then put in the recycling.
Eco-Friendly Dry Cleaning States are slowly passing legislation to phase out the use of perchloroethylene, or perc, a common dry-cleaning chemical that has been linked to multiple health problems. This being Santa Cruz, we’re ahead of the game, already having several local cleaners who use eco-friendly, wet cleaning alternatives.
Energy Efficient Appliances The clunker appliances from the olden days are old news. Newer, energy-efficient appliances are the way to go now. On April 22, California fires up its Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate program, a variation on the automotive Cash for Clunkers program, with $50 rebates for replacing old window air conditioning units, $100 for outdated washing machines and $200 for retro refrigerators. www.energy.ca.gov/recovery/energystar.html
Energy Efficient Window Dressing Keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter with energy-efficient shades, drapes and blinds. Available in a variety of styles, the name of the game is to keep the home a comfortable temperature in the most efficient, affordable way.
Garden Indoors Indoor gardening has gone vertical. Woolly Pockets, made from recycled plastic bottles and looking quite a bit like their namesake, provide the perfect environment for plants to thrive in, whether on a table, the floor or the walls. Available at Dig in Santa Cruz.
Giving New Life to Old Down When the comforter has lost its fluff and the pillow its lift, don’t despair; Downworks can help. The local down experts can add down to your pre-cleaned items, restoring them to their full and fluffy best.
Hang It Out To Dry Save money while stirring up memories of warm summer days at grandma’s house with a clothesline. No energy-saving dryer can compete with the sun and the breeze. Retractable clotheslines and drying racks are available at home improvement stores all around the county.
Mason Jar Mania Almost anything that needs to be stored in the fridge or on a shelf can go into a mason jar, and without releasing BPA or any other nasty chemicals into the food instead. Sturdy and washable, with easily replaceable lids, they can last for years and be dropped into the recycling afterward with a clean conscience.
Natural and Non-Toxic Rugs You don’t even want to know how many chemicals are used to treat carpets and rugs. It’s measured in pounds per square foot. But the alternatives are many and include everything from wool and hemp carpeting to woven grasses and organic cotton rugs.
Natural Bedding Looking for a better night’s sleep? Think some chemical-free, allergy-free and organic sheets, pillowcases and comforters might help? Eco Goods, Greenspace and SC41 all carry bedding to send you off to dreamland in eco-style.
Non-Toxic Paints Yes, non-toxic house paint exists. And it’s not that hard to come by, as most manufacturers now offer zero or low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paints and finishes.
Non-Toxic Pest Spray Created by Carmel Valley resident Tor McPartland, Orange Guard is a safe-as-mothers-milk way to keep ants and roaches at bay. The active ingredient works by dissolving insect exoskeletons, but it’s derived from orange peels, so accidentally spraying some on the cutting board is no big deal. Available at Orchard Supply Hardware and numerous other local stores.
Remove Yourself From Junk Mail Lists Oh, what a drag to receive full-color, glossy catalogs that go immediately to the recycling bin. Luckily, there’s help. Check out www.41pounds.com to slow the junk mail flow.
Salvage Materials Need a bathtub? How about a door? Capitola Freight & Salvage sells everything from windows and door knobs to drawer handles, doorframes and the kitchen sink. Plus a whole lot of stuff you never knew you needed, all salvaged and reusable.
Sustainably Harvested Furniture The bad news is that furniture-grade wood is often harvested from rainforests. The good news is that there are alternatives. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifies timber that has been cut in an environmentally and socially responsible manner and their seal can be found on furniture from hundreds of manufacturers.
Unplug The Gadgets It’s shocking to find out how much energy trickles out of electric sockets and into gadgets we aren’t using. An easy way to stop the trickle is to unplug chargers, gadgets and games that are not in use. If they’re plugged in, they’re trickling.
—with Traci Hukill
