So much going on!

I haven't blogged here in some time. Lots going on. For one thing, I am setting up to become a CD and DVD recycling drop off location. Please check back here for more info soon! Or at www.FundamentalGREEN.com

Thinking outside the (blue) box

Some items you may not have known you can recycle:
(for a growing list see www.RochesterRecycling.blogspot.com)
crocs!
http://www.solesunited.com/index.html

wine corks!
http://www.yemmhart.com/news+/winecorkrecycling.htm

glue bottles!
http://www.elmersgluecrew.com/how.asp

beer bottle caps!!! http://www.free-news-release.com/New-Beer-Cap-Recycling-Program-Detail_613.html

plastic bottle caps can be recycled!
Aveda will accept most caps at store locations

Styrofoam packing materials!
http://www.epspackaging.org/info.html

sneakers!
Drop off barrels just inside the front door of …
Waste Management, East Henrietta Rd, Rochester
Balance Acupuncture, Commercial St, East Rochester

check back, I'm determined to find more!

Please, not the beer!

Or…another reason I’m against ethanol as an alternative fuel.

Apparently the beer brewing industry is facing rising costs from increased prices of fuel, aluminum, glass, and not at all least...hops, barley and other grains. The cost of hops and other grains have jumped as farmers are dropping those crops to plant corn to meet the increasing demand for ethanol.

As a result of the increased cost of hops and barley and the cost and availability of corn, some brewers are using corn instead. This is a real health bummer because conventionally grown corn is treated with copious amounts of pesticide and beer bottlers aren’t required to print an ingredient list on their bottles, so we may not know which are which.

As far as growing corn for ethanol production, not only are farms across America foregoing other crops to plant moneymaking crops like corn, but I suspected the inevitability of a bunch of poor starving rainforest farmers cutting down trees to plant money making corn crops. Alas, it’s already happening! See http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0516-ethanol_amazon.html

Corn is not only genetically modified and highly sprayed, it has other drawbacks. Corn is also a huge consumer of nitrogen, leaving the soil depleted of this important nutrient. Corn is an open-pollinating crop; wind and insects can carry the pollen up to several miles. This means that conventional corn can and does infiltrate organic corn crops.

Uggh.

Plastic Recycling Misconceptions

I came across these today, points that are so valid. So I wanted to post it .

Misconception #1: Any plastic container you put in your blue bin will be recycled. This is ABSOLUTELY not the case in Monroe County. For example, the only #1 and #2 plastics recycled are those that have a long neck, bottles that is. Any other shaped #1 or #2 and all #3, #4, #5, #6,and #7 plastics will be separated at the recycling center and diverted to the landfill

Misconception # 2: Plastics that go into a curbside bin get recycled. Not necessarily. Collecting plastic containers at curbside fosters the belief that, like aluminum and glass, the recovered material is converted into new containers. Many are made into new secondary products such as textiles, parking lot bumpers, or plastic lumber – all unrecyclable products.

Misconception # 3: Curbside collection will reduce the amount of plastic landfilled. Not necessarily. If collection makes plastic seem more environmentally friendly, people may feel comfortable buying more.

Misconception # 4: A chasing arrows symbol means a plastic container is recyclable. The arrows are meaningless. Every plastic container is marked with the chasing arrows symbol.

Misconception # 5: Our choice is limited to recycling or wasting. Reducing our purchases of plastic is preferable and isn’t difficult. Opportunities include using refillable containers, buying in bulk, buying things that don’t need much packaging, and buying things in recyclable and recycled packages.

This is excerpted from http://www.ecologycenter.org/ptf/misconceptions.html

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb (CFL) Safety!

One of the simplest ways to make your home more green and energy efficient is to replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They can last 10 times longer and use 70% less energy.

It is important, however, to be aware that these bulbs contain mercury vapor. While no mercury is released when they are in use, it is vital to know how to dispose of them properly and the steps to take if one breaks.


What to do with your burned-out CFLs

Since CFLs do contain mercury, it is important that you do not throw them in your garbage can! Place it in a sealed plastic bag and then…
If you live near an IKEA store, bring it there
Check earth911.org for local disposal options
Place the sealed plastic bag in the trash


How to respond when there is a broken CFL

EPA recommends the following clean-up and disposal guidelines (http://www.epa.gov/mercury/spills/index.htm#flourescent):

In brief, open a window and leave the area for 15 minutes. Them carefully pack themup in a jar. Dispose of the jar with a metal lid, put this in a plastic bag and dispose outside. Wash your hands.

Before Clean-up: Ventilate the Room
1. Have people and pets leave the room, and don't let anyone walk through the breakage area on their way out.
2. Open a window and leave the room for 15 minutes or more. 3. Shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system, if you have one.

Clean-Up Steps for Hard Surfaces
4. Carefully scoop up glass fragments and powder using stiff paper or cardboard and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
5. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
6. Wipe the area clean with damp paper towels or disposable wet wipes and place them in the glass jar or plastic bag.
7. Do not use a vacuum or broom to clean up the broken bulb on hard surfaces.

Clean-up Steps for Carpeting or Rug
4. Carefully pick up glass fragments and place them in a glass jar with metal lid (such as a canning jar) or in a sealed plastic bag.
5. Use sticky tape, such as duct tape, to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder.
6. If vacuuming is needed after all visible materials are removed, vacuum the area where the bulb was broken.
7. Remove the vacuum bag (or empty and wipe the canister), and put the bag or vacuum debris in a sealed plastic bag.

Disposal of Clean-up Materials
8. Immediately place all cleanup materials outside the building in a trash container or outdoor protected area for the next normal trash.
9. Wash your hands after disposing of the jars or plastic bags containing clean-up materials.
10. Check with your local or state government about disposal requirements in your specific area. Some states prohibit such trash disposal and require that broken and unbroken mercury-containing bulbs be taken to a local recycling center.

Future Cleaning of Carpeting or Rug: Ventilate the Room During and After Vacuuming
11. The next several times you vacuum, shut off the central forced-air heating/air conditioning system and open a window prior to vacuuming.
12. Keep the central heating/air conditioning system shut off and the window open for at least 15 minutes after vacuuming is completed.

A printable postable guide to green

A Greener Home in Simple Steps

www.FundamentalGREEN.com

Reduce electricity use
·Use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). They can last 10 times longer and use 75% less energy.
·Unplug appliances. TVs, computers, appliances use 75% of their electricity while turned off.
·Purchase major appliances with an Energy Star rating.
·Wash clothes in cold water. 90% of energy to wash is used to heat the water.
·Skip the dryer and hang dry clothes.

Green your cleaning
·Chlorine bleach production releases dioxins, known carcinogens and hormone disruptors. Diluted white vinegar can be used for all general cleaning (vinegar has an 80 to 99 percent kill rate for viruses and bacteria).
·Laundry and dishwashing detergents are a major source of water pollution and contain chemicals that can cause health problems. Dryer sheets can contain several ingredients which appear on the environmental protection agency’s (EPA’s) hazardous waste list. Use natural soaps and detergents. They can be more expensive, but watch for sales and stock up. You can also make your own from a few simple ingredients. Many spray stain removers have harmful chemicals and should be replaced with more natural products.

Minimize water usage
·Showerhead - Replacing a 4.5 GPM showerhead with a 2.5 GPM head may save a 2 person home 10,000 gal/yr.
·Shorten your shower time – each minute amounts to 170 lbs of CO2.
·Toilet – New toilets are 1.6 gallons per flush. A brick or weighted bottle in the tank will limit the flush of a larger toilet.
·Faucets- Turn water off while shaving & tooth brushing. Install aerators on faucets to reduce water flow.
·Run dishwasher full and refrain from prewashing dishes.

Limit your plastics
·Choose plastics labeled #1, #2, #4, and #5 and avoid those labeled #3, #6, and #7 which have been shown to leach harmful chemicals into food and beverages.
·Carry a refillable bottle or mug for beverages on the go, and bring reusable cloth bags to stores.
·Avoid vinyl shower curtains which release chemicals. Natural fiber curtains can be washed and reused for years.

Reduce paper use
·Stop junk mail - Each year, 100 million trees are cut down and turned into junk mail, with Americans receiving 400 million tons of it per year. Cutting out junk mail is one of the most effective things people can do to reduce pollution.
·Replace paper napkins and paper towels with cloth napkins for the table and dishtowels or rags for cleanups.
·Limit printing from your computer, print on both sides of the page, reuse paper for hand-written notes before recycling.

Use rechargeable batteries
·Batteries contain mercury and that can leach into the soil in a landfill. Even if your local waste management company doesn’t recycle batteries (disposable or rechargeable), look for places that do. Some Lowes, Home Depot, and Best Buy stores have receptacles for old batteries.

Eliminate antibacterial products
·According to a 2000 World Health Organization report, antibacterial soaps are helping to promote growth of resistant bacteria. They encourage the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Triclosan, a commonly used antibacterial, also carries concerns of contamination from chloroform and dioxin.

Compost
·Composting is one of the simplest and most effective recycling methods. Both your garden cuttings and your green kitchen waste can go into an outdoor or indoor compost bin. If you don't have a garden yourself, find neighbors or a community garden that can make use of your soil. Composting food scraps will mean your regular kitchen wastebasket fills up more slowly and also won’t smell.

Recycle useable items
·Don’t put usable clothes and household items curbside. Get your unwanted items into the hands of people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org. Goodwill and Salvation Army are also good options.

"Dirty dozen fruits and veggies" (for my sister)

'Dirty Dozen', highest in pesticides, buy organic:
Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Grapes (Imported)
Pears
Spinach
Potatoes

'Clean Dozen', lowest in pesticides:
Onions
Avocados
Sweet Corn (frozen)
Pinapple
Mango
Sweet Peas (frozen)
Asparagus
Kiwi
Bananas
Cabbage
Broccoli
Eggplant

Link to full list: http://www.foodnews.org/

Link to printable guide: http://www.foodnews.org/pdf/EWG_pesticide.pdf

Natural Yard Care

Today is the first day of spring. Despite that it’s snowing outside at the moment, it’s time to start thinking about gardening and lawn care. To that end, I’ve compiled a short list of natural lawn care ideas.

Mowing

Mowing stimulates fast re-growth that requires watering much more frequency than a normal plants need. So set your mower to cut at 3 inches. A higher setting reduces moisture loss and encourages deep root growth.

Keep mower blades sharpand clean, and mow when the grass is dry.

In the market for a new mower? Consider electric or hand pushed model. Reel lawn mowers have come a long way and many are quite easy to use.

Grasscycling

Mulch the clippings right onto the lawn “grasscycling” helps develop soil nutrients by keeping nitrogen in place, increases moisture retention and soil fertility. Grasscycling provides about 2 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn per year. In some cases, grasscycling can completely eliminate the need for synthetic lawn fertilizers. (clover is a sign of low nitrogen)

Natural Fertilizing

To thicken a lawn, overseed at the beginning of autumn, with enough time for watering and growth before the leaves fall.

Fertilize with an organic fertilizer in the fall and spring. Your soil has a balance of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. Different products can treat particular needs. For example, Bloodmeal is a high nitrogen fertilizer, organic composted manure offers many nutrients, calcium carbonate neutralizes acid soil.

Have the pH of your soil professionally tested (see CCE information below). Add lime if it is below 6.0 and gardener's sulfur if it is above 7.0. (Dandelions love a pH above 7 and are a sign that your soil is too alkaline)

A thick layer of topsoil is best.

Not using fertilizer also reduces a plant’s water needs and the chance of pest infestation (pests love to feed on fast fertilizer-induced growth).

Watering your lawn

As the soil dries out, grass will start to curl and then turn brown. Water when it starts to curl. Water in the evenings and water deeply. Consider doing the watering in two sessions. If you use a sprinkler, you can measure your sprinkler application, place an empty 6-ounce tuna can on your lawn. You've watered 1 inch when it is full.

Xenoscaping

Native plants are the best choice for trouble-free gardening. They need less water and fertilizer, and have fewer pest problems than plants imported from other areas.

Weeds

If you don’t like to weed, use newspaper to keeps weeds at bay for the seasn. After that the paper and its covering will decompose to become topsoil.

Blanket the soil with newspaper or cardboard, overlapping the pieces like roofing shingles. Water the paper so the pieces stick together. Cover the paper with 2-4 inches of compost or mulch.

Water only as needed and at night .

A great local resource!

For about $10 per sample, Cornell cooperative extension (CCE) of Monroe County offers soil testing and pest/weed diagnostics. For information, see their webpage: http://counties.cce.cornell.edu/monroe/horticulture/consumer.html.

Check your medicine cabinet

Ingredients commonly found in toothpastes, shampoos, soaps, shaving creams, lotions or other personal hygiene items. These are ingredients that have had some question raised as to their safety. (My research was current in Sept 2007)

Aluminum - has been found to not only cause skin irritation, but the inflammation caused may spread beyond the areas where the antiperspirant is being applied. Antiperspirants also block pores, preventing the body from eliminating toxins through perspiration, which reduces the body’s ability to regulate its temperature. Instead of using antiperspirant, try using natural deodorant brands that don’t contain aluminum, or try the crystal stick which uses natural mineral salts.

Antibacterials - According to a 2000 World Health Organization report, antibacterial soaps are helping to promote growth of resistant bacteria. Studies in the April 1999 Journal of Biological Chemistry and the July 13 2000 Nature reported that antibacterial agents such as Triclosan encourage the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Triclosan also carries concerns of contamination from chloroform and dioxin.

Cocamide MEA – A wetting agent. May contain DEA.

Diethanolamine (DEA) –A wetting agent. A suspect carcinogen when contaminated with nitrosamines - compounds shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals (The National Toxicology Program, 1998). Contamination is more likely if the product also contains Bronopol.

Disodium EDTA –used to enhance penetration, has been suggested to cause systemic, reproductive, neurological, endocrine, and mutagenic effects in mice and rats.

Distearyldimonium Chloride – A detergent. I read that it is not good for critters and the environment, but couldn’t find the source or any other comments about it.

DMDM hydantoin – A microbicide. Can break down to ingredients that trigger skin sensitivities. May contain formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a preservative which has been classified as a human carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and a probable human carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

FD&C Blue 1 – An artificial coal tar color. It is generally believed to be carcinogenic.

Flavor – doesn’t specify natural or artificial sources

Fragrances - can contain phthalates –Phthalates are used as plasticizers. Some phthalates are reproductive and developmental toxicants in animals and suspected endocrine disruptors in humans. Int J Hyg Environ Health. Sept 2007. The FDA (cfsan.fda.gov).determined that there is insufficient evidence to date to take regulatory action to remove phthalates from personal care products. Some fragrances contain or release formaldehyde.

Methylparaben, Propylparaben – Preservatives. Used in underarm deodorants, parabens have recently been found in tissue samples from human breast tumors according to a study published in the Journal of Applied Toxicology (2004). The estrogenic activity of parabens may be linked to the development of breast cancer. The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) reviews the research literature and suggests that larger studies are needed. The FDA cites research that showed that given the levels in personal care products, it is implausible that they could lead to cancer.

Methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone – Preservatives. The CIR ruled them safe for use with concentration limits. May contain formaldehyde. Have a known potential for causing allergic reactions or irritations.

Nitrosamines - Chemical compounds formed by the reaction of amines and amino acids with nitrite. Found to be carcinogenic in lab animals.

Petrolatum (aka petroleum jelly, vaseline) – An ointment. Can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Because it is a petroleum product, its use depletes a non-renewable resource.

Polyethylene – An emulsifier. The CIR ruled it safe for cosmetic use. There is limited evidence of carcinogenicity.

Propylene glycol – A moisturizer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined propylene glycol to be "generally recognized as safe" for use in food, cosmetics, and medicines. Can cause burning in sensitive individuals. Not allowed for use in cat food.

Quaternium-15 – A preservative. May contain or release formaldehyde. Can be absorbed through the skin and nails. Quaternium-15 causes more dermatitis complaints than any other preservative, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Silica – Some silica, especially amorphous hydrated silica may be contaminated with small amounts of crystalline quartz/silica, a suspect carcinogen. The hazard may be limited to inhalation. Tom’s of Maine requires their supplier to use a test method called X-ray diffraction to conclusively prove that the hydrated silica they purchase is not contaminated by crystalline silica. Other manufacturers may do the same.

Sodium saccharin – An artificial sweetener. A putative, but disputed cause of cancer in laboratory rats.

Sodium laurel sulfate (SLS) – The Cosmetics Ingredient Review (CIR), a panel of cosmetics-industry experts established to safety-test ingredients (cir-safety.org), reported that SLS causes "severe epidermal changes" to mouse skin, a finding that "indicates a need for tumor-enhancing activity assays." This year, after review of over 250 existing SLS studies, however, the CIR concluded that SLS is not cancer-causing. Many environmental groups still advocate avoiding it. It also seems to be an ingredient that is safest when not used with nitrosamines.

TEA (triethanolamine) - see DEA

A few ways to green your driving

**Keep your car tuned up.
www.KBB.com recommends:
Reduce your air conditioning use,
Change your air filter at scheduled intervals
Check your tire pressure regularly
Keep fuel injectors clean


**Don’t warm up your car in winter (from www.about.com). Your car is perfectly capable of driving off without warming up (unless perhaps it’s an older model or has been out in sub-zero temps overnight). Use your eco-friendly scraper and some good old-fashioned elbow grease to clear the frost off your windows rather than the defrost button.

**Slow down. You’ll get better gas mileage. Because wind resistance builds up so much with higher speeds, every mile per hour you drive over 55 decreases your fuel economy by 2% (from www.about.com).Combine errands into one trip.

**Remember the old yellow pages ad, “let your fingers do the walking”? Get on the horn and make sure a store has your item before making the drive.

**Don’t leave your car idling. Use less fuel and help clean the air. According to the Hinkle Foundation (thehcf.org) each day Americans waste almost 4 million gallons of gasoline by voluntarily idling their cars.

**Map your route so you minimize left turns. This can reduce the amount of time idling while waiting for oncoming traffic. I heard UPS is doing this. Clever.

**Buy a carbon offset. There are several services to help you calculate your car's emissions and offset them. www.NativeEnergy.com, www.carbonfund.org, www.terrapass.com are a few.

**Carpool if you can. Ask a coworker, a neighbor, your sister, your cousin...

**Whenever possible walk, take the bus, ride your bike, scooter, rollerblades, etc.

Green Alternatives for Insulation and Sealants

Insulation

100% recycled paper thermal insulation. Warmcel High Performance Insulation from Excel building solutions – in the UK http://www.excelfibre.com/

UltraTouch Natural Fiber Insulation from Bonded Logic is made from 85% post-industrial cotton fiber http://www.bondedlogic.com/ultratouch.htm. Fire retardant, Made from recycled denim,

Water-blown policynene. “Icynene” Website for local installer: http://www.advancedthermaltech.com/

Formaldehyde free insulation from John’s Manville http://www.jm.com/insulation/building_insulation/4465.htm

Low- formaldehyde Faced and Unface Pink Fiberlglass Insulation Thermal Batts from Owens Corning. Greenguard certified. Made from R-11 to R-38 in the USA (may only be available in Canada). Pink Fiberglass Roll Insulation in various R-values and thickness, faced and unfaced.

Fiberglass Batts. Certainteed has several fiberglass batts that are greenguard certified. http://www.certainteed.com/. Most seem to be sized for commercial construction, but they may have residential products.

Green Fiber Cocoon Insulation. http://cocooninsulation.com/products/greenfiber_cocoon_insulation/ 85% post-industrial cotton fiber. Fire-retardant

Low-density, open-cell polyurethane spray foam insulation. BioBase 501 From BioBase. Derived in part from soybean oil (40%), performs like, but costs significantly less than petroleum-based open-cell polyurethane foam. R value of 3.7/in (R-13 at 3.5”). Costs significantly less than conventional. www.biobased.net.

Soybean-based polyurethane foam from Healthyseal. http://www.healthyseal.com/ (website under construction)

Blown-in cellulose Insulation from Redi-therm Insulation (810)972-6551. Note: US GreenFiber has acquired Redi-Therm Insulation, a cellulose insulation company in Salt Lake City, and the third company purchased by US GreenFiber in the last eight months. The company now has 14 manufacturing facilities and provides environmentally sound insulation using a minimum of 80 percent recycled paper products.

Safety Statement Regarding Cellulose Insulation

(from http://www.thegreenguide.com/)

When it comes to health concerns, blown-in cellulose has raised some debate about its safety for installers. Due to the high flammability of newspaper, cellulose insulation is treated with a fire retardant, either ammonium sulfate or a boron compound such as borax. According to an article in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine installers can inhale lethal toxic levels of boric acid. The article was quickly challenged by Energy Design Update for being written under the recommendation and funding of fiberglass manufactures, leading the author to recant, admitting that there was no definite evidence that harmful amounts of boric acid could be inhaled from exposure to cellulose. In any case, as with all insulation, cellulose should be installed with an airtight vapor barrier between itself and the living space. While fire-retardant levels in cellulose insulation could be toxic if ingested, as long as it isn't eaten it poses little threat to the homeowner or installers wearing proper respiratory protection.

Sealants

Consider the volatile organic compound (VOC) content. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids. VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects.(From http://epa.gov/iaq/voc.html)

Use bulk tanks and reusable guns whenever possible.

Products:

Pro Foam II Minimally Expanding Sealant is a low VOC, polyurethane foam sealant designed for filling gaps around windows, doors, utility and HVAC penetrations. It insulates with a value of R5 per inch of cured foam, helping to protect your structure from heat and energy loss. Pro Foam II will adhere to all surfaces, with exceptions to PTFE, silicone, and polyethylene. Its high insulating quality helps reduces sound transmission, and is also moisture resistant. http://www.greenmakersupply.com/ 773-384-7500

OSI Green Series Products - professional grade, environmentally-friendly caulks, sealants and adhesives. - www.greenseries.com/product for additional product information. Developed and marketed by OSI Sealants, Inc., now part of Henkel Corporation 32150 Just Imagine Drive, Avon, OH 44011, 800-321-1733, www.henkelna.com.
OSI Green Series PF-33 Quick Set Pro-Foam II (TM) acrylic urethane sealant (VOC level 0%) is a one component, minimal expanding urethane foam sealant used to insulate, seal, and fill around heating and air conditioning units, plumbing, electrical, refrigeration, windows and foundation to eliminate drafts and stop expensive energy loss. The foam adheres to all surfaces except Teflon, silicone and polyethylene and provides an R-Value of five per inch of foam, while also doubling as a sound barrier. It is available in 24- and 33-ounce cans.

OSI Green Series FlameSeal® Fire, Smoke & Draft Stop Sealant (VOC level <55 href="http://www.greenguard.org/">www.greenguard.org

OSI Green Series SC-175 (TM) Draft & Acoustical Sound sealant (VOC level 25 g/L [1%]) is a non-flammable, water-based sealant designed to reduce sound transmissions in walls and partition systems. The sealant is used for exposed and unexposed applications at perimeter joints, floor and ceiling runners (either wood or metal), cut-outs in gypsum board, veneer plaster systems and other areas where a sound rated assembly is required; paintable, remains permanently flexible even through freeze-thaw cycles, and cleans up easily with soap and water. It is available in 28-ounce cartridges.

Geocel Quick shield VOC-free, chemically reactive sealant bonds to wood, aluminum, brick, concrete and vinyl without a primer. Resistant to water and rain within 5 minutes. Mold and mildew-resistant formula is excellent for perimeter sealing around doors, siding, countertops, tubs and sinks. The minimum recommended joint size is 1/4 x 1/4" and the maximum joint size is 3/4" wide by 3/4" deep. Cleans up with water. 50 year durability. 10.5 fl. oz. cartridge. Geocel Corporation P.O. Box 398, Elkhart, IN 46515 USA (800) 348-7615, http://www.geosealusa.com/.

Phenoseal –at Home Depot that “meets VOC regulated limits” http://www.phenoseal.com/ 800-343-4963

Polyseamseal 100% silicone sealant. For indoor and outdoor use. Ideal for HVAC applications, sealing around windows, doors, skylights, gutters. Withstands temps from -65 to 450 F. Adheres to glass, porcelain, clean metal, ceramic tile, and some plastics. http://www.polyseamseal.com/

Green Building Supply http://www.greenbuildingsupply.com/utility/showProduct/?objectID=3135 offers several types of 0 VOC sealants

Safecoat Caulking Compound - A general caulking compound. From American Formulating & Manufacturing (AFM) San Diego, CA 619-239-0321 http://www.afmsafecoat.com/ Non-toxic, water-based, elastic emulsion type caulking compound designed to replace oil caulk and putty for windows, cracks and general maintenance work. It will not dry out or crack and does not release any solvents or obnoxious odors. For use on windows, sealing cracks, filling holes, door perimeters, walls and woodwork, air duct openings, venting and plumbing areas, siding openings and masonry cracks.

ChemLink sealants http://www.chemlink.com/ and adhesives are engineered with Polyether technology combining the chemistry of urethanes and silicones but with none of the side effects. Unlike urethanes, polyether-based sealants resist the damaging effects of sun, rain and temperature extremes. Unlike silicones, polyether sealants are paintable! Unlike urethanes or silicones, polyether sealants do not smell and can be used in confined spaces. Non toxic, solvent free, superior adhesion, high flexibility, superfast set, non-shrinking, VOC-free.

Duralink contains no solvents or V.O.C.’s. designed to adheare and seal most construction substrates including KYNAR coated metal! 10.1 oz.cartridges

Meangreen - “exceeds all current VOC regulations”. “The Universal Construction Adhesive is the only construction adhesive you'll ever need for use with almost any construction substrate” is a high performance, moisture curing, elastomeric, construction adhesive - sealant formulated with polyether technology. MEAN GREEN has excellent adhesion to: concrete block, brick, stone, masonry, wood, metal, aluminum, galvanized metal, PVC, SBS mod bit, foam and vinyl.

GREENGUARD CERTIFICATION: Product certification program for low emitting interior building materials, furnishings, and finish systems. All GREENGUARD Certified Products have been tested for their chemical emissions performance and can be found in the GREENGUARD Online Product Guide.

Joint sealants blown without HCFCs or CFCs:

Convenience Products (800) 325.6180 http://www.convenienceproducts.com/

Touch’n Seal line –for contractors; formaldehyde free

Touch’n Foam line – for consumers; formaldehyde and solvent free

Hilti, Inc. (800) 879.8000 http://www.us.hilti.com/CF-128 (single component polyurethane)

Illbruck Sealant Systems, Inc. (800) 438.0684 http://www.illbruck.com/1. 1- Component Foam (single component polyurethane)

Instafoam, Flexible Products Co. (800) 800.3626

http://greatstuff.dow.com/index.htm Great Stuff- for consumers; low expanding

InstaSeal EcoBlend- for contractors; low and full expanding

Foam Plus- for consumers; full expanding

Todol Products (508) 651.3818 http://www.todol.com/

Pur Fill IG

Pur Fill IG600 (smaller size)

Green Babies (for Megan)

(Disclaimer: Just my opinion based on my limited personal experience)

Diapers

Chinese cotton prefolds. You can get organic, bleached, unbleached… (must wash about 7+ times before use).
There are hemp prefolds available. Hemp is more absorbent than cotton and growing of hemp is gentler on the environment than cotton. Hemp diapers are more expensive than cotton. Check the fine print, hemp fabric is typically a hemp/cotton blend so you want to make sure you are getting the hemp you are paying for.

Covers

Most moisture retaining, least leaking covers – Proraps (but they are polypropylene)
Imse Vimse Bumpy covers are very nice and more natural, but they do get damp so you need to own more and to change baby more often.

The place to buy diapers and diapering supplies is ebay. Not only will you find cheaper new and gently used brand-name items, but there are also tons of work-at-home-moms selling homemade products there. There are also some diaper swap websites that will offer deals and save some items from the landfill.

Storage and Cleaning

There are dry and wet diaper techniques for storing dirty diapers for wash. We did wet.
Either way you want diaper sacks
For wet -buy a regular kitchen garbage can with swinging lid, this keeps smell at bay just fine. Line it with one of the sacks. Toss the diapers, sack and all into the washing machine
For dry- simply hang a diaper sack on a doorknob and put damp diapers, covers, and wipes in.
Great personal innovation – salad tongs! Store by the potty for rinsing solids out of diapers. Keeps hands clean and dry (but then you are not wringing the water out the diapers, which is why we weren’t able to have a dry diaper bag system)

Washing

Wash in cold water, followed by a 2nd wash or rinse in hot. Always air-dry covers.
Use Biokleen or other natural detergent for diapers (and all your baby clothes). It’s no more expensive than Dreft and has alot fewer chemicals for baby and earth. These natural detergents also rinse clean without a residue, which is important for diaper absorbancy and gentleness on skin.
My favorite “ natural” disposable – 7th generation, best price – Amazon.com

Wipes

We use flannel wipes. We kept them in a wipes warmer, soaked in a home-made solution (recipe below). If you purchase a store brand, Huggies Natural has fewer yucky chemicals than some of the others. Better even is tushies and I think 7th generation makes one too. It is also easy to make your own with paper towels, there are lots directions for this online.

Personal Care Products

We’ve used California baby for 3 ½ years, but have stopped as it does have parabens. I’m going to switch my kids over to an adult natural shampoo next. Right now I’m using Jason’s for Kids shampoo and use naturally made soaps, such as oatmeal soap, for bodies.
Diaper crèmes – Burts bees or Weleda

Cups and Bottles

Bottles – Glass is probably the best bet. The Greenguide lists Rubbermaid chuggables, Rubbermaid Sippin sport bottles, Evenflo, Evenflo colored, Gerber, and Medela all as being made from #5 plastic (currently believed to be the safest plastic) and Lamby and Evenflo make glass bottles. Do not use Avent as I did. They are made of #7 plastic (category 7 is a catchall for plastics that don’t fit into one of the other categories, but #7s are often polycarbonates and leach bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor).
Breast Pump – I had an Avent hand held pump and liked it, but it’s probably made of #7 too.
Sippy cups:
Born Free –BPA-free plastic (suspiciously, they don’t specify what #. I may call them and ask). They also make plastic or glass bottles.
Kleen Kanteen -stainless steel. They come with sippy cup top and a water bottle top.
Of the more common brands Gerber has some that are all #5 plastic and silicone, like their hour glass shaped ones. However, don’t get Gerber’s 2 handled cups with clear plastic bodies. The clear plastic is #7. Several of the other major brands have at least one of their bottles that is made of the safer plastic categories, #1,#2, or #5. With any of these cups, it is ideal to hand wash and not put in the dishwasher. Heat and detergent can make the plastic breakdown faster.

Foods

Baby foods – First of all, you can breastfeed exclusively till 12 months. Typically, enlightened folks start babies on solids somewhere between 6 -12 months when baby can sit up, has teeth, shows interest in your table eating.

Don’t buy the organic in plastic tubs. They are packaged when the food is hot, which increases leaching of the plastic into the food. The tubs are soft, the softer a plastic is the more plasticizers it potentially contains.
Earth’s Best and the more mainstream brand packed in jars is better.

Better yet, buy organic veggies and make your own! Put it in baby food jars and freeze. Don’t freeze it in plastic ice cube trays (again, the hot food can cause leaching of chemicals from the plastic).

Toothpastes – Weleda, Earths Best/Jason Naturals

Toys

Whenever possible choose wooden toys. Avoid soft plastic, particularly for babies putting objects in their mouths.

Other Suggestions

Absolutely must get Dr. Sears’ The baby book. It shaped our parenting in ways I am incredibly grateful for.
Take fish oil supplements. Getting the omega 3s through your breastmilk helps baby’s brain development
Get a sling!! Wear your baby. Sleep with your baby (safely)
If you are getting a crib consider an organic mattress.
Best books I’ve read on parenting (not babies) so far –
Raising our children, raising ourselves. Naomi Aldort
How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk

10 Steps toward a Greener Home

1. Reduce electricity use.
Change over to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs). CFLs can last 10 times longer and use 75% less energy. Many local and online stores carry these. Be sure to invest in good ones for longevity. Consumer Reports gives GE and Feit bulbs high ratings. (These bulbs contain mercury and, while currently many waste companies do not recycle them, they should be bagged for disposal to minimize leaching mercury.)

Turn off appliances when not in use. Many appliances use electricity even when off. A Tv running 4 hours a day can use more electricity in the 20 hours that it’s turned off than during the 4 that it’s on!

2. Green your Cleaning - Vinegar and warm water can be used for all your cleaning (vinegar has an 80 to 99 percent kill rate for viruses and bacteria). For a lovelier smell, add a few drops of an essential oil, such as lavender, or tea tree. Use only cellulose sponges or cloth rags. Baking soda and lemon juice also go a long way as natural cleaners. Don’t use chlorine bleach, its production releases dioxins- extremely toxic chemicals, known carcinogens and hormone distruptors.

3. Laundry detergents are a major source of water pollution and contain chemicals that can cause health problems. Dryer sheets can contain several ingredients which appear on the EPA’s hazardous waste list. Regular detergents also do not rinse clean which leads to buildup. Similar issues regard dishwashing detergents. Consider washing in alternative detergents that get them clean without chemical residues. They are more expensive, but you can watch for sales and stock up. You can also make your own from a few simple ingredients.

4. Minimize water usage, particularly in the bathroom which accounts for about 70% of a home’s total.

Showerhead - All recently made showerheads are 2.5 gallon per minute (GPM). 1.5 GPM are also available at home depot. Replacing a standard 4.5 GPM showerhead with a 2.5-GPM head, may save a 2 person household 10,000 gal/yr. Minimize shower times – each minute amounts to 170 lbs of CO2. Also available are shut off valves that insert easily into the existing plumbing. Water can be turned off during lathering or shaving. $5.00 at Home Depot.

Toilet – New toilets are 1.6 gallons per flush. If you have a larger tank, you can put a brick, a plastic jug filled with pebbles and water, or a “toilet tank bank” bag ($2 online) in the tank to reduce water usage. Consider upgrading to a newer more efficient models. There are some fancy ones that even have different flush capacities for #1 and #2!

Faucets. Turn water off during shaving and tooth brushing. The EPA estimates that a person can save more than 500 gallons of water per month by closing the tap while brushing teeth or shaving. Faucet aerators offer a real range in water flow reduction. Home Depot has 0.7 to 2.0 GPM aerators for $3 - $4.50. The lowest I’ve seen is 0.5 GPM (for $1.50 online) which is adequate for washing hands and faces, and brushing teeth and can save almost 2 gallons of water during each 2 minute brush!

5. Know your plastics. When you do use plastic, it’s best to choose those labeled #1, #2, #4, and #5 and avoid those labeled #3, #6, and #7. #1 and #2 are also typically the easiest to recycle. Note that bottles from #1 or #2 plastics are recommended for single use only.

Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC (#3) PVC poses health and environmental from production through use to disposal. Vinyl chloride, the chemical used to make PVC, is a known human carcinogen. Also, additives, such as lead and cadmium, are sometimes added to PVC to keep it from breaking down. Some varieties can release lead and hormone-disrupting phthalates - a plasticizer linked to cancer in lab animals, also a suspected hormone disruptor. PVC is also the least recycled plastic.

Polystyrene (#6) It’s a concern because the chemical styrene can leach from it into food and beverages. According to the EPA, short-term styrene exposure at levels above the Maximum Contaminant Level (used to set drinking-water standards) can cause nervous-system effects such as loss of concentration, weakness, and nausea. Long-term exposure can cause liver and nerve damage and cancer.

Polycarbonates and Others (#7) The #7 designation is a catchall for plastics that don’t fit into one of the other categories, but #7s are often polycarbonates and leach bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor. The effects of low-dose BPA exposure on laboratory animals include alterations to brain chemistry and structure, behavior, the immune system, and male and female reproductive systems Environmental Health Perspectives, August 2005.

Avoid single-use items. Carry a refillable bottle or mug for beverages on the go, and bring reusable cloth bags to stores. If you regularly buy products that are only available in plastic packaging, buy the largest container available, rather than the multiple smaller ones, to cut down on the total amount of plastic used.

Avoid vinyl shower curtains. Natural fiber curtains can be washed and reused for years. The best choice is unbleached and organic. Another option is pack cloth $50.00 – I just learned about this, not sure what it is but it seems like a good green option from what I read. Note: (Rather than tossing PVC items in the trash, try to reuse it. Possible uses include as a drop cloth, trunk liner, warm plants in winter, tarp.)

Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave. You don't want hot, fatty food touching plastic in the microwave. Most of the chemicals that leach from plastic are lipophilic and temperature speeds up the leaching process into the fat.

6 Use recycled products and recycle them again!.
Toothbrushes, razors are a good example. Preserve makes toothbrushes and razors from recycled Stonyfield yogurt containers. Preserve razors run about $4.00, set of extra blades are 4-5$. When you are finished mail them to preserve and they will recycle them into plastic lumber. Dry your razors after use to help them last longer. There are other recycled toothbrushes, Eco Dent is one.

7 Eliminate antibacterial products. According to a 2000 World Health Organization report, antibacterial soaps are helping to promote growth of resistant bacteria. Studies in the April 1999 Journal of Biological Chemistry and the July 13 2000 Nature reported that antibacterial agents encourage the rise of drug-resistant bacteria. Triclosan, a commonly used antibacterial, also carries concerns of contamination from chloroform and dioxin.

8 Compost. Composting is one of the simplest and most effective recycling methods. Both your garden cuttings and your green kitchen waste can go into an outdoor or indoor. If you don't have a garden yourself, find neighbors or a community garden that can make use of your soil. Composting food scraps will mean your regular kitchen wastebasket fills up more slowly and also won’t smell.

9 Switch to rechargeable batteries and recycle these when no longer in use. Batteries contain mercury and that can leach into the soil in a landfill. Even if your local waste management company doesn’t recycle batteries (disposable or rechargeable) look for places that do. Some Lowes, Home Depot, and Best Buy stores have recepticles for old batteries.

10 Give away your unwanted items to people who can use them. Offer them up on your local Freecycle.org or Craigslist.org listserv, or try giving them away at Throwplace.com or giving or selling them at iReuse.com. Goodwill and Salvation Army are also good options. Find your own items 2nd hand as well!