The Green Room

My son put my car out of its misery years ago and we decided not to replace it. We walk, cycle and bus as much as we can. Instead of spending the money we would have poured into that car on fuel, repairs and insurance, we have been investing the calculated equivalent each month. Boy, has it grown!

Tell us how your green actions are saving you money, improving your health (eg less car rides = more physical activity) and generally making your life better. We might use your story in the next issue of David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge newsletter.

/Gail

Diana Cassa from Beeton, ON writes:

I’m trying to find information on reusing plastics numbered 2, 4 and 5 and hope you can help direct me. I freeze foods in them like homemade spaghetti sauce in yogurt containers.

Is it OK to freeze these plastics or should this be avoided? Is it OK to place them in the dishwasher? I’ve seen reports that say you should not freeze water bottles, although there are just as many that say this isn’t true. I don’t freeze water bottles — in fact, I don’t buy them at all — but I am wondering if the plastics I do freeze pose problems.

Lindsay writes:

You are not the first to ask about which plastics to use, reuse and recycle. We have tackled such an issue in our summer "Finding Solutions " edition of David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge newsletter . The nuts and bolts of it can be described as "2, 4, 5 keep yourself alive"! Those numbers are the safest to reuse, so check your containers.

From what I’ve researched, freezing is generally okay (I’d still stick with 2, 4, and 5 plastic types) but do not microwave plastics and do not put them in the dishwasher. For some plastic types, like #1, more chemicals are released when they are washed and reused. The good thing is that #1 is highly recyclable.

H.C. from South Surrey/White Rock writes:

I want a couch that is made with wool/latex stuffing and environmentally-friendly fabric but can’t seem to find anyone other than Upholstery Arts in Vancouver that makes anything like that. Can you direct me to any other furniture makers, particularly in the lower mainland? I’m not interested in IKEA sofas. What questions should I be asking furniture stores to ensure I am getting a more environmentally-friendly product?

Lindsay responds:

So you’re looking for furniture without VOC’s (volatile organic compounds), sustainably harvested wood, flame retardants and toxic resins? I too have been in local furniture stores asking this very question, and this indeed is a challenge no matter where you live in Canada.

You are correct about Upholstery Arts. They have sustainable products with organic cotton fabric and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) wood. I’m not familiar with other companies and here at the Foundation we can’t recommend brand or companies, so we haven’t done the research to make a list.

I think you’ll have to do some "Google" searching and see what you can find. I know from my own research that IKEA banned flame retardants in their products back in 2002, plus they tend to use lumber from tree farms and not ancient, old growth forests. BC Wood Products is another source of cool designs on Granville Island.

If you head into any bookstore, you’ll find a large selection of "green" books. The problem is trying to find one with Canadian-based information and resources. Adria Vasil, author of Ecoholic (an excellent resource for just this type of information) suggests that there are many on-line sources, although they will cost you. I highly recommend her book (see page 165)!

Basic tips include:

- avoid polyurethane foam fill, especially if it’s treated with flame retardants (PBDE’s)

- solid wood is best, avoid particle board and the like because of the resins, glues, waxes and paints

- when buying wood, look for the FSC symbol (Forest Stewardship Council)

Best of luck with your search! If we all keep demanding better products, the stores should figure it out sooner than later!

Apologies for the error in our Queen of Green recipes for Sun Quencher. It should read:

Beat egg and add sugar. Mix until sugar dissolves. Add plain yogurt and aloe juice or gel. To get the right consistency add a thickener like cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Make into skin paste and treat burned areas. Let sit 10-15 minutes and wipe off with warm cloth.

Marnie & Darren share thoughts on green living:

We both worked at Royal Roads University in Victoria, which is very green and my husband and I are trying to do our part.

We clean mainly with microfiber – which I’ve been using for 8 years. We have our own business called Enviro Gem. We are consultants and distributors of natural and organic cleaners. We recycle and only garden with nature. I have a bird feeder and love what sounds like a million birds in the trees in our backyard (my favorite is the Steller Jay).

What I also want to say is, instead of the government banning wood stoves when so many people need them to keep their families warm in the wintertime, why not fine the vehicles that spew out black toxic smoke? They are out driving around all year long. I walk a lot and the smell of the exhaust is really bad. It’s almost worst for your health to go for a walk!

Jeannine from Winnipeg, MB writes:

The gnome Suzuki has inspired us to keep our yard as green as possible. However, we have a problem that everyone tells us can only be resolved with Roundup (a chemical weed killer), which is an option we’d rather not consider.

Off the back lane to our property is an area that must have been used at one time as a parking spot, but it hasn’t been put to use since we bought the property. It is covered in crushed limestone and overgrown with weeds: dandelions, quack-grass, common burdock, plantain, and many others we can’t identify.

We’ve tried handpulling, but there are just too many, and because of the limestone, it’s impossible to dig out the dandelion and common burdock roots. Is it crazy to consider getting a machine in to remove the limestone and the roots? Or are there better options for us?

David Suzuki’s Nature Challenge asked Lisa Atkins, President of SOUL (The Society for Organic Urban Land care) to answer this one:

Horticultural vinegar works just as well as Roundup and isn’t toxic to anything but plants. Vinegar is systemic just like Roundup (apply to the leaves, and the plant intakes the liquid into its system), so it needs to be applied to exposed leaves. Also like Roundup, vinegar works best on annual weeds and needs repeated applications for perennial weeds.

Horticultural vinegar is now available to the public. Ironically, until recently, one had to have a license to apply hort vinegar, whereas any homeowner could purchase much more lethal pesticides at the local garden store.

Right now, one of the most important things all Canadians can do for the sake of the planet is participate in the upcoming Federal Election.

“If we fail to put the focus on the environment, the message to the next government - regardless of which party prevails - will be a mandate for more inaction.

We cannot let that happen. We do not have the time or the luxury.” David Suzuki, September 2008

Election Day will be here before you know it.

• Arm yourself with information.

• Ask candidates the hard questions.

• Vote.

We’ll help. Join the conversation at www.voteenvironment2008.ca .

Got extra food you can’t use? There are lots of agencies across Canada who will give it to people who can, including Toronto’s Second Harvest , The Vancouver Fruit Tree Project , North Vancouver’s Edible Garden Project and the Lower Mainland’s Quest Food Exchange . Readers - who in your neck-of-the woods provides this service? Let’s all do what we an to share the bounty and avoid food and water waste.

Denham Dingle of Lindsay, Ontario asks:

Define "pesticide" please! Is it a substance to kill animal pests only or does it extend to plants - i.e. so-called "weeds"?

Good question! The definition of ‘pesticides’ includes insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, algaecides, and slimicides. Be aware that "Weed and Feed" products include chemical pesticides.

So yes, the definition of pesticide extends to plants - so-called ‘weeds’.

Naomi sent in this question:

Our compost had rats so we had to get rid of it - how do I avoid this if we want to try composting again?

Here’s Lindsay’s response:

Rats you say? I’m assuming then that you’re in a city setting. Most municipalities have issued compost bins to avoid smart critters like crows, rats, raccoons and skunks from getting in. Check your municipal waste website and see how you can get one. They’re often about the size of a large garbage can, with small air holes, a locking lid and holes to peg it down.

Trouble shooting for rats would also mean that you want to make sure no cooked or meaty foods get into the compost. These are quite fragrant and tempting for critters like rats.

Also, you can add pet hair right to the compost. It’s supposed to give your bin that “predator” smell and keep the vermin away. I add my cat and dog hair from their brushes as well as dryer lint (it’s mostly pet hair) and haven’t had a problem with rats for three years here in Vancouver. And I do know they’re around. I’ve seen them with my own eyes scrambling my fence and trees!