Archive for the ‘Lindsay’ Category
Monday, July 6th, 2009
Karen Pugh writes:
I whipped up a batch of your home-made liquid laundry soap awhile ago, and it doesn’t work very well!! It didn’t gel, it doesn’t suds up very much, and my husband isn’t very impressed with his un-white whites! Have you had any of these problems?
Queen of Green, Lindsay Coulter, responds:
The foundation recipe is:
- 50% soap (called soap flakes, soap granules or you can grate bar soap)
Boil a pot of water on the stove and add soap flakes (1 cup). Boil them until they’re diluted. Add this soap mixture to about a 7 L pail with ½ cup washing soda and ½ cup Borax. Add 20 drops of an essential oil. The mixture will partially gelatinize once cooled. This makes a huge batch so you may want to cut the whole thing in half.
Purpose of ingredients:
- Borax- kills germs and whitens
- Washing Soda- cuts grease and softens water
- Soap Flakes (granules or bar soap)- forces out dirt
Common problems:
- Adding soap dry to pail of water (you need to dilute it in the boiling water first).
- Not boiling it enough. You don’t want to see any granules.
- Your water hardness may have something to do with it. If you have hard water add more washing soda.
Whites not white enough?
- Make sure you wash like colors together.
- I add ½ cup of baking soda to my white loads and wash in warm
- Buy oxygen bleach or eco-bleach (which is really hydrogen peroxide)
As for suds, you won’t see much because this mixture is devoid of chemicals. Conventional stuff has chemicals that make the suds so you and I think it’s getting clean. Kind of like sodium lauryl sulfate in your shampoo and toothpaste. The new laundry soaps for HE machines have less suds actually because it’s not necessary.
Hope that helps!
Tags: bleach, borax, chemicals, HE machines, laundry, Lindsay, Queen of Green, soap, washing soda
Posted in Consumer Issues, Green cleaning, Lindsay | 6 Comments »
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
Tangled on how to tie the knot and mind the planet? Traditions and expectations for the perfect wedding day can push consumerism over the top. But with some creative alternatives they don’t have to outshine a low carbon wedding.
From the dress and tux to rings and the gift registry, green weddings is a big topic in the latest David Suzuki Nature Challenge newsletter . Innovators like Vancouver-based photographer Brendon Purdy leaves no trace (except for the couple’s memorable pics) when he photographs weddings. Packing his gear onto his bicycle, Purdy’s travels to photograph the special event are completely carbon neutral.
Are loved ones doing the traveling instead to join the celebration? Queen of Green Lindsay Coulter offers up smart and sustainable low-emission wedding ideas in a recent article . Get inspired, get active and share your green wedding tips!
Tags: carbon neutral, green house gas emissions, green wedding, low carbon emission
Posted in Consumer Issues, David Suzuki's Nature Challenge, Green Living, Lindsay, climate change, energy, garbage, off the grid, transportation, vacation/holiday | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Diana from Vancouver, BC writes:
Our household regularly recycles clothing through the bins and pickup services widely available around Vancouver. However, over the years I have accumulated quite a backlog of non-reusable cloth: ragged tea towels, worn-thin and torn sheets, stretched-out and stained t-shirts, old underwear, etc.
I can find articles online that discuss the usefulness of these things; that they can be recycled into new cloth or carpet underlay and other things. But I can’t find anybody who can tell me where to take them for this purpose. Do you know?
Lindsay writes:
A backlog of cloth, and rags you say? Well, let’s see… my wardrobe goes through a certain chain of events from brand new to dog-walking attire to pajamas, and then off to Goodwill or Salvation Army in most cases. I don’t have one answer for you where cloth is concerned but let me see if I can get you started on your homework:
1. Contact the Recycling Council of BC . Not sure if they handle cloth, etc. but they may know who does. They have a phone-in hotline or you can email them.
2. If the items are still wearable consider donating them to a local Men’s or Women’s shelter. Wish Drop-In Center Society is limited to women items only. Their most urgent request is for toiletries - if you have some used and unused items (things like lotions, make up toothpaste, soaps etc.) that you would like to get rid of, don’t throw them out - they would use them gladly. They will also take new or used lingerie (underwear, bras).
3. Paper was once made from cloth, before it was made from pulp (trees). Perhaps find out, via Google searching, if anyone in Vancouver does paper making? Or try it yourself. We showed folks how to make paper from their scrap paper at home, but you can likely find a recipe or YouTube video of how to do it from cloth.
4. Next would be to think about who could use spare clothes in your area. Maybe you could wash, bundle and bag them and call up your local automotive shop? Or the car wash near by or the local community hall, etc. Just think who might go through a lot of them and see if they can be useful to someone else. I’m also thinking of artists or studios who make big messes, maybe call the Emily Carr Institute on Granville Island?
Tags: cloth and rags, men's shelter, paper making, recyling clothing, reuse, women's shelter
Posted in Consumer Issues, Green Living, Lindsay, garbage, recycling, sustainability | 5 Comments »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Bev from Brampton, ON writes:
I have often wondered when I’m shopping what containers are the best choice for me to make for recyclables: plastic, glass, or aluminum?
Lindsay replies:
Things to consider about packaging of your consumer goods:
1. Avoid excess packaging whenever possible or buy the equivalent product or brand that uses minimal packaging.
2. Check in with your local recycling depot to see what they accept. Although many items are recyclable, your municipal facility may not accept them, hence they end up in the landfill.
3. Plastic: aim for those numbered #2, 4, 5 because you can reuse these safely. Generally they are the safest forms of plastic. Again, check with your local depot to see if they recycle #1, 3, 6 and 7, as it will vary.
4. Glass: I like it because I can reuse it. It’s accepted at most recycling depots.
5. Aluminium: it’s usually recyclable in your blue box and can be broken down and used again and again.
6. Buy bulk to reduce packaging all together and reuse the plastic bags you buy your goods in. For example, I keep the twist tie and bag together, tucked beside my flour jar. When I need to refill, I grab the bag and head to the store. You don’t even need to search for a pen or that secret code because you’ve already labeled it!
Tags: aluminum, blue box, buy bulk, consumer issues, glass, packaging, plastic, recyclables, recycle, reduce, reuse
Posted in Consumer Issues, Food, Green Living, Human Health, Lindsay, Newsletter response, climate change, garbage, gardening, recycling | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Mary Cassells writes:
What really bugs me is all the plastic. Not just credit cards and ID cards, but plastic bags. Often, the sales clerk will not let me leave the store with my purchase without the purchase being in a plastic bag. This is especially the case in big department stores like Sears and the Bay. They assume I am about to shoplift. Perhaps a compromise would be paper bags. I don’t know. I just seem to accumulate the plastic bags.
Lindsay, Queen of Green, replies:
Well depending on where you live, cloth bags do seem to becoming the norm. Some municipalities have even banned plastic bags all together! You’d like the movie Addicted to Plastic.
I have had the argument with such sales clerks as well. One time after I ended my battle with the cashier, I took the plastic bag, only to walk over to customer service counter and hand it back, explaining why I didn’t need or want it. That was about five years ago now!
Next time, tell them you’re saving them money. I mean most stores give you a credit for NOT taking a bag or they’ll charge you for it. Also ask for them to use their store tape. They often have this handy for large items that can’t fit in a bag anyway. I know the last time I was at The Bay, I used my own bag, no problem.
Just keep at it. If we all refuse the bags and lobby our towns and cities to ban them, the merchants will figure it out!
Tags: cloth bags, consumer issues, plastic bags
Posted in Consumer Issues, Green Living, Lindsay, garbage, recycling | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009
Lorne Schieve from Vancouver, BC writes:
Recently, residents in my townhouse complex were instructed to refrain from putting kitchen scraps into their composting units. This is over the fear of some kind of rat infestation stemming from some occasional rat sightings.
As a result of this, we have been told to only include yard trimmings in our composting units. This is contrary to the spirit of the reduce-reuse-recycle concept and it sends out the wrong message.
I am in need of some literature to take back and share with fellow residents to inform them of the correct methods of composting, its benefits, etc. and to encourage them to get started.
If you have any reference material or study results that may assist my "Pro-composting" argument I would sincerely appreciate it.
Lindsay responds:
For starters, this Nature Challenge article can help. It leads with 7 top reasons why everyone needs to compost, including a do’s and don’ts list .
When only one individual composts they can reduce their garbage output to the landfill by 40%, and lets face it, Metro Vancouver is running out of landfill space. Not to mention the tenants who are gardeners stand to benefit from the compost results of "black gold," which would be huge in terms of cutting down your strata fees to buy dirt and fertilizer for your yards. It would be silly not to compost when you can save money on those other inputs by making your very own.
The issue here is composting properly to avoid vermin. The city-issued bins are great. They’re rat and raccoon proof if set-up properly. You should check their website , ask them for some brochures about composting or print them off and then maybe hold a "how-to" session for residents. It’s very easy.
You could also address some of the preventative measures: not putting cooked or greasy foods in there, or adding cat or dog hair (or dryer lint with pet hair) which is said to deter vermin like raccoons and rats. Best of luck and thanks for taking this on!
Tags: composting, gardening, landfill, Lindsay, Nature Challenge, raccoons, rats, Vancouver, vermin
Posted in Consumer Issues, Food, Green Living, Lindsay, garbage, gardening | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009
You can do a lot to make sure the air you’re breathing where you live is cleaner and safer for you and the planet. Check out this article in Consumer Reports (scroll down for an easy-to-follow tip chart).
There’s a link there to some homemade cleaners, or you can try Lindsay’s greener cleaner recipes .
Got any other ideas? We love to hear ‘em!
Tags: air, cleaners, consumer reports, Green cleaning, indoor air quality
Posted in Consumer Issues, David Suzuki's Nature Challenge, Green cleaning, Human Health, Lindsay | No Comments »
Monday, April 6th, 2009
Laura Coxford from the Yukon writes:
Can you put the lint from your dryer in the compost?
Also, I work with a lady who sells Norwex products, so I had a “Norwex party” at my house and purchased a lot of products. Norwex cloths are microfiber that can get your house sparkling with only using water. It’s really amazing – I haven’t used Windex or any other cleaning agent since I purchased my cloths. I wash my windows with a cloth and water now and I’ve never had such sparkling windows. I just have to spread the word about these products because if every household used them, can you imagine how fantastic that would be for the environment?
Lindsay responds:
We did a great newsletter issue on green gardening last year that discussed composting.
In all the documents I’ve seen, lint is a winner. You may have to test it in your compost bin because everyone’s individual conditions are different. I compost mine because most of my lint is cat or dog hair. I’ve read that this keeps rats and other vermin away, the smell of a predator that is! You’re lint is also fine if your towels, clothes, etc. are from natural fibers. Things like cotton, bamboo, etc. will biodegrade.
As for microfiber cloths, they are made of petroluem-based products but they are reusable and only need water instead of toxic chemicals, which seems to outweigh what they’re made of. At least that’s what I’ve read in other green resource-type books.
I’ve received one as a gift and have used it a bit here and there. I personally love the 100% club soda and newspaper or rag option for windows, just because I can reuse what I already own. You are right though. It’s a huge impact if we could get people off of the toxic store bought options and using paper towel!
Tags: composting, lint
Posted in Consumer Issues, Green Living, Lindsay, garbage, gardening | No Comments »
Monday, April 6th, 2009
Venus writes:
I would like to say thank you very much to Mr. David Suzuki. Two years ago I saw his article in the Vancouver Sun about cleaning with non-chemical products. I used to have severe sinusitis, but when I started using baking soda and vinegar to clean with, my sinusitis problem improved tremendously! And since then I’ve been telling all my friends and co-workers how to clean their place naturally. It’s been two years that I haven’t bought chemical products to clean our place!
Lindsay, Queen of Green, responds:
Thank you for sharing and letting us know about your success! Many people don’t realize how compromised their health and indoor air quality is when they use conventional cleaners day after day. Last year we developed more information about Green Home Cleaning .
Tags: baking soda, chemical cleaners, David Suzuki, Lindsay, natural cleaners, Nature Challenge newsletter, sinusitis, vinegar
Posted in Consumer Issues, David Suzuki, Green Living, Green cleaning, Human Health, Lindsay | No Comments »
Wednesday, March 25th, 2009
A. G. Duncan McIntosh writes:
When the real noise about global warming began a number of years ago, I made a prediction to my significant other that has become true in almost every particular. I possess no special prophetic powers, in fact, no paranormal abilities of any description. I do possess a keen observer’s eye, and am trained in critical thinking and in the avoidance of bias having been educated in the sciences.
What I did do was avoid the tendency to trendiness. Sadly, I find that this has put me on the outside looking in, particularly where the term "green" is concerned. In fact, I refuse to use the term at all, just as I avoided using other trendy buzzwords of the past, such as scenario and paradigm. This is because of the tendency of many of my fellow human beings to be more concerned with making sure all of the current buzzwords are present in a sentence, whether or not that sentence has any meaning. Such buzzwords are, in my experience, merely a method of sounding erudite without actually doing the occasionally onerous task of learning about the subject in question.
My prediction was: The way things are being handled, the term "green" will become as meaningless as "lite" or "low-fat" for similar reasons. They are marketing tools only, and carry no real legal meaning. My question to you: Is there a legal definition of the term "green," one that government and corporate bodies cannot side step? I have not been able to find one.
Lindsay responds:
As far as I know a legal term for "green" does not exist. In one of many eco-friendly resource books they state that, "green can mean a dozen different things to a dozen different people. For some people it means environmentally friendly."
The Green Consumer defines a "green" product as one that:
- Is not dangerous to animal (humans too) health
- Doesn’t damage the environment during manufacturing, use or disposal
- Doesn’t involve the unnecessary cruelty to animals, and so on
I understand your frustration with green washing. It’s out there and all that we hope is that people do in fact become critical thinkers. It’s up to us to ask the hard questions, read labels, and be curious.
Tags: animal and human health, eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, global warming, green labels, Lindsay, trends
Posted in Consumer Issues, Green Living, Lindsay, climate change | No Comments »
