Consider taking the time to change all of your account and rewards card statements to the paperless option. It will take some patience, and make sure that you keep your passwords to all the various websites in a secure location (like a password protected file on your smart-phone or computer). Also, I recommend creating a folder in your web browser favorites named finances or the like. Then bookmark all the sites where you receive statements.

Of course it is not advisable to make a sheet of paper that says passwords and leave it on your home office wall, though I have literally seen this in the past.

Advantages:

Throw out fewer envelopes / trash each week

Some institutions even reward you for going paperless

Emails will never get lost or stolen in the mail like envelopes

Reduce your financial institutions burden, thus helping you in the long run with reduced fees.

Eliminate the need to buy another ugly filing cabinet

Finally, save time, let’s do the math –

Estimate 2 minutes per envelope of opening, examining, trashing and filing

12 statements/yr x 10 different accounts x 2 min/statement = 240 min/ yr

Take back those 4 hours and do something more fun than sorting mail for the rest of 2010 and beyond

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Even though it’s bitter cold right now in the Lehigh Valley, I urge you to take global warming seriously. Greenhouse gases are being emitted by humans at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, it is nearly certain that many animals like polar bears and other sea ice dependent creatures are doomed for extinction within our lifetime. They are barely surviving the lengthening summer thaws.

It is not just the animals….warming affects you directly too - floods, storms, fires, and other “natural disaster” related catastrophes are on the rise due in part to human related activity. Currently, mankind is emitting a staggering 82 million tons of CO2 every day – this is changing our atmosphere for the worse.

What can I do that will make a difference?

Many are not in the position to implement solar/wind/bio power generation at their home, apartment, or business – But want to do their part to be more environmentally sensitive. By becoming carbon neutral with respect to your actual electricity consumption - you will indeed alter the course of history.

Now is a great time to select your electricity provider for next year. Since regardless of what you do, electricity rates are increasing due to PPL rate cap expirations - why not consider switching to a greener alternative. Direct Energy is offering a renewable energy credit plan. As a part of your rate they will, for each calendar year, purchase renewable energy credits ("RECs") on your behalf representing your monthly consumption. The added cost each month is minor, but the long term effects will be major.

P.S. It is likely that other electricity suppliers will offer similar programs in the future. When they become available I will add them to this post for reference.

 

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Packaging materials of consumer items – When you shop for anything these days, we ask you to keep the sustainability of the packaging in the forefront (or at least the back) of your mind. Is the item packaged in a glass, a numbered plastic container or bottle, a cardboard box – preferably a thin one, a steel or aluminum can – all of these items can be recycled curbside.  Conversely, does it come plastic wrapped, blister-packed, surrounded in Styrofoam, packaged in a metallic shiny coated cardboard – all of these items end up in the landfill for future generations to enjoy.

If you are a restaurateur and want to be environmentally responsible about your take out containers - try Enviroware products from dispoz-o. They are durable and 100% biodegradable. They have plates, bowls, hinged containers, and utensils. They cost a little more than styrofoam but won't be on the planet for 1 million years at earth's expense.

Do you pay attention to the source of your food? Most food items list their country of origin and often the state if they are from the United States. If you live in the Northeast, think about the environmental impact of eating a Pineapple.  Although they are tasty – that fruit was harvested from a tree in Costa Rica (that was likely planted in a field which natural tropical forest was destroyed), trucked from the field to the port, shipped from the port to Florida, trucked or sent via train to a local distribution center, then re-trucked to your store…How about choosing some blueberries or many varieties of apples which are grown relatively locally. Farmers markets are often chock full of locally grown produce. Check the label on your orange juice too – are they using Florida oranges or are they from another country.

Thinking more about the choices we make in the store can add up to a big change. You’re essentially sending a message to the stores and manufacturers that you want to buy items that are packaged in a more responsible way and originate from a more local source.

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Shut off your engine. Idling for even 10 seconds uses as much gasoline as stopping and restarting. That may not sound like a lot, but that’s gas money being spent just to pollute the atmosphere. Wouldn’t you rather use it to buy something for you or your family? More info here
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Geothermal heating uses renewable energy to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels while reducing home heating bill by 50 – 70%. Geothermal systems (a.k.a. ground source heat pumps, water source heat pumps, geo-exchange) uses the earth’s relatively stable temperature as a heat source for heating, and a heat sink for cooling. This allows geo heating and air conditioning systems to reach incredible efficiency ratings over conventional means.

The arguments for using a geothermal heating system have never been stronger. It is more important than ever that we all spend our money wisely. So the benefit of saving 50-70% on our heating bills is easy to see, as are the benefits of reducing our carbon footprints, and keeping our energy dollars in the U.S. economy.

80% of homes in the Northeast heat by burning #2 heating oil. This accounts for 80% of #2 oil usage in the United States! In 2008, nearly $1.6 billion was spent on home heating oil. Unfortunately 75% of that money ($1.2 billion) left the U.S. economy to foreign countries. By using geothermal heat pumps & equipment manufactured in the U.S, installed by U.S. companies, and operated on U.S. generated electricity, we can solve our energy needs, maximize our economy, and improve our national security.

A 30% federal tax credit is now available to homeowners who install a geothermal system and a 10% tax credit is available to businesses. This makes now the perfect time to invest in your future by installing a heating system that will save you money for decades to come while increasing the resale value of your home.

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So your thinking about moving - Please consider a “used” home rather than new construction. Although many homes are built these days with greener methods than years past, there is still a huge amount of energy expended to erect a new home. Think about the material transport costs, tree removal, erosion issues, service vehicle carbon emissions, urban sprawl, wildlife displacement, and other issues that a new construction home presents. There are plenty of “previously occupied” homes that are likely suitable for your living needs/wants. Please think twice before committing to the purchase of a new home rather than an existing one that not quite perfect. Often times, spending a little to spruce up an older home is way less expensive and more satisfying than going new.

Older neighbor hoods have more established residents, trees, and are usually closer to town. Which saves on time/gas for your commute to work(unless you work virtually).

I have stayed many times overnight in Philly/NYC and almost always get awakened by the shrill sound of sirens/horns – never a happy cardinal or song bird. The Lehigh Valley is filled with wonderful used homes that are ready for you to enjoy. Many are in the heart of the various towns and cities. In most places, you can leave your bedroom window cracked and wake up to the relaxing sound of chirping birds – not noise pollution.

See you around town!

 

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Lets examine the common C-fold paper towel in a little more detail. In order for it to be produced, trees must be cut. They have to be shipped to your business. They have to be purchased in large quantities and stored somewhere in your business. An employee has to un-box and load them into a dispenser. The trash must be emptied everyday, sometimes more in addition to the purchase of plastic trash bags. Unless your dispenser is filled properly every time, the towels may fall on the floor and look unsightly. Many users take way too many to dry their hands. Certain individuals will always inevitably clog up your toilets with the towels on occasion. Now you have to deal with plumbers and other maintenance challenges. 

Installing a modern high powered hand dryer (not the wimpy ones of yesteryear) eliminates lots of overhead. (Saving around $959/yr for a family owned restaurant) After you try one of these for yourself, you may want to even install one in your home! We source these dryers wholesale, if you would like a quote for your business, please contact us.

One other item to note, is to try to make sure your restroom doors open outward if possible. This enables people to avoid touching the door/handles with their hands on the way out.

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Sometimes, making the decision to turn your small business into a greener running machine can be difficult to implement. Getting caught up in the day to day activities coupled with countless obligations leaves little time to spare.

I encourage you to capitalize your time by taking advantage of the dip in consumer traffic at your business. Dedicate an hour or more to review each aspect of your business where you spend money. Ask yourself, why am I doing this? Is there a better way to achieve this task or function? Does this spending activity benefit the employee or the customer? How can I reduce my spending so I can pass the savings on to the customer?

The following are a few ideas that will help to jog your mind, but each business has its’ own challenges and opportunities.

-Can I replace any lighting in the store with compact fluorescents bulbs (CFL’s) or even more efficient LED lighting?
-Do I leave the lights on in the restroom at my business? Perhaps I should install a motion sensor switch in the restroom?
-Do I have paper towels in my bathroom? Maybe I should swap them out for a next generation high powered hand dryer…
-I wonder if installed an instant hot water heater under the sink if it would save money?
-Am I using a flat screen LCD instead of an older CRT monitor at the register?
-Am I handing out plastic bags at my store? Maybe I can pass out inexpensive reusable cloth bags that have my logo/name on the side, so that I get free advertising and reduce throwaway waste…
-What is the thermostat set in my business, could I tweak it a degree or two without causing discomfort to clients/customers?
-Do I have a programmable thermostat that changes the temperature automatically when no one is in the building?
-Should I install a humidifier to make it feel warmer in the winter?
-Do I have a high efficiency HVAC system?
-Do I have a recycling bin in the store, or does everything go in the trash?
-Is the packaging of anything that leaves the store in an environmentally sensitive container. (E.g. take out containers for food are available in enviroware materials that biodegrade quickly unlike foam or plastic)
-What do I do with my cardboard?
-Do I need something for my business? Maybe I can get it locally and less expensive on craigslist.
-Do I utilize the farmers markets in the area to get locally grown produce and goods? They are often less expensive than big box stores and it takes less fossil fuel to get it to your business…
-Do I have window tint on my sunny spots to decrease heat transfer in the summer?
-Can I telecommute on certain days (or ever day) and get the same work done without driving all the way to the office?
-Do I live close to my office?
-What if I could eliminate a car in my household by biking to work? -How much would I save in fuel, maintenance, insurance, taxes, and fees?
-Perhaps I should consider meeting with my client over a WebEx instead of driving in traffic?
-Is snail mail really required for that business function? Perhaps I could email it instead saving paper, stamp, ink, fuel?
-Maybe I should follow the undeniable trend and begin to transfer my paper advertising budget to digital media?

These are just a few ideas, if you have any more feel free to add them to the list.  Enjoy the Super bowl tonight and more importantly, advertising genius at it’s finest!

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Plastic bags are a major component in destroying our environment

This slide show from the Pocono Record demonstrates some of the atrocities that are created by plastic bags.

Although I have seen re-usable shopping bags available at many locations in PA, their implementation into society is far from par – more like double bogey. Other countries and many green cities on the West Coast are setting the example by banning the plastic bag altogether.

One challenge about the re-usable bag is the difficulty in remembering to bring them into the store. At times I find that I have left my cloth bags in the car or scooter after I start shopping. To prevent this from happening again I have started leaving the bags in a more conspicuous place to ease my forgetfulness. (Front seat, door pocket, or I suppose a purse for you ladies.)

Think about the American consumer’s typical shopping week: groceries, home store, department store, mall, take out, doggie bags, the list goes on and on. Keeping a few re-usable bags in your car/purse/scooter/bike bag etc. would eliminate a large quantity of your plastic bag consumption.

Rock-a-bye-Baby Kids in the Lehigh Valley has instituted a green initiative and offers a credit if you bring your own bag. I think this is a great idea and would love to see other local stores do the same.

Many times I will go into a store and the clerk is trained to give you a plastic bag almost no-matter what you have bought. Recently I was not paying attention and a single pack of gum was put in a bag - I had to fight back my “What are you on Mars?” look and tell them that they could save the bag for another.

A lot of times I see people walking with a bag they obtained from a fancy store and realize that they are proud to flaunt that they just charged way too much to their credit card. I just wish that they could have brought their own bag to save a tree or a gallon of oil and delayed the “look at me” joy till they wear the item in public.

I welcome the day when plastic bags are banned in the U.S.A. However, if you still must use them, make sure you recycle them into the containers that are at most large grocery stores.

So the next time your ready to leave your home, make sure you have a few re-usable bags on hand. The environment will thank you, not to mention decrease our dependency on foreign oil.  

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