TerraCycle: A New Trend in Recycling

If you have ever seen our blog before, you have probably noticed that we place a large emphasis on recycling unwanted goods and appropriate trash. Recycling is clearly a great way to help out our environment, but it has never been seen as an interactive process. Because after all, when we 'throw away', it never goes away, it ends up in a landfill.

Enter TerraCycle, a company that focuses on re-purposing materials (some not normally known as recyclable) and turning them into usable goods. Take a look at some of their awesome products below!

The interactivity aspect of TerraCycle's vision is highlighted by the brigade programs that the recyclables are funneled into. When signing up for TerraCycle you are asked to join a brigade program, which specifies what type of materials you want to collect. There are over forty different brigades, including cigarette waste, energy bar wrapper, solo cup, diaper packaging, candy wrapper, etc. People are encouraged to join multiple brigades. 

When your waste is ready to be sent in  a shipping label can be downloaded from the TerraCycle website and directions are given for the materials to be sent to the appropriate TerraCycle facility. 

Once the products are received by TerraCycle, points are given to the sender based on the amount of products sent in. At any point the points accumulated can be redeemed for a variety of charitable gifts. Gifts include donations to various organizations and schools. Over the course of the year, individual brigades and TerraCycle as a whole hold competitions where prizes are given based on the amount of materials submitted.

Users are able to track their points, as well as the points of their respective brigades in real time on TerraCycle's website. This is a great way to make recycling fun and competitive!

Check out the website for information on Terracycle's recycled products available for purchase. As well as their groundbreaking cigarette waste program and zero-waste boxes.

Guide to Green Vehicles

The damage from cars and trucks to the environment and our health, including air pollution, oil spills and fouling water supply, damaged habitats and global climate change, is often concealed. Emissions from these vehicles can be more harmful to our health than many other toxins released from power plants, as cars and trucks are right where we live, work and play.

Before I begin discussing the basics, terminology, models and what to look for green cars, I want to first clarify that cars are not the only mode of transportation. In fact, walking and bike riding are the greenest forms of transportation. It is alarming that 40% of car rides are under 2 miles - which takes about 20 minutes to walk. Before you hop in your car to go to the store, gym, school or grocery, consider making the journey into an outdoor excursion, enjoying the scenery and walk or bike those short distances.

Now that that's covered, let's dive into the basics of energy efficient vehicles.

Hybrid
Gas-electric hybrids are the most popular form of green cars as you can charge the car as well as fill up at the pump, which extends your range of long distance travel. They are the greenest option of cars still relying on an internal combustion power. They have better fuel economy, and energy saving features such as regenerative breaking (converting the normally wasted energy of the wheels to turn the motor), electric motor assist when accelerating or climbing hills, and automatic engine start/shut off when car stops and goes.

Electric
Electric cars do not rely on internal combustion and they are the greenest option. They are plugged in over night and ready to be used each morning. Consider waking up every morning with a full tank of gas! It does take about 8 hours to fully charge an electric car, hence distance-anxiety when debating on the purchase of an electric car. Models like Model S from Tesla takes 3.5 hours to charge. Recent announcement of Tesla battery swap takes a mere 90 seconds to charge!

Electric cars are generally more expensive than their gas counterparts, but they cost less to run. However models such as the SmartForTwo Electric Drive, Chevrolet Spark EV, Nissan Leaf, and Mitsubishi i are all under $30,000.

Gas stations, oil changes, spark plus, smog checks, fuel filters, etc. are obsolete with electric cars.

Real Electric vs Compliance Cars
California has the toughest standards of emissions for car makers, and a dozen other states have adopted these standards. Late last year, California required automakers of a certain size be required a portion of their sales be from zero-emissions vehicles.

A "real" electric car is one that is sold outright to the consumer (not leased), will sell 5,000 in the US a year (or 20,000 global), and it is offered in states other than 'California emission' states now or in the next 18 months. Any car that doesn't meet those tests isn't a serious volume car and was created to meet the zero-emissions vehicle requirements.


Biofuel
Biofuel comes in several forms, diesel, ethanol and algae.

Diesel cars still run on gasoline as an internal combustion engine, but the new generation of clean diesel offers lower emissions, high efficiency and high performance. Diesel fuel is more dense than regular gasoline, packing more energy in the same amount of fuel.

Ethanol is made from corn and sugar cane. Most ethanol models use a combination of ethanol and gas. And there are debates about how green ethanol is as it takes a substantial amount of energy to produce the ethanol.

The technology to use algae derived biofuel is still being made.


Tax Incentives
There is a $7,500 tax credit provided for most electric and hybrid cars. Ford C-Max Energi and Fusion Energi, Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid, and Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid have tax incentives ranging from $2,500 to $4,000.


**Keep in mind that the emissions from a car are emitted throughout the lifespan of the car, and factors such as maintenance and driving habits also effect emissions.


I hope that helps answer some basic questions and to give you a bit of background on the types of green cars. If you are in the market for a new vehicle, I urge you to consider going green.

-the Little Critterz team



resources
gas2.org
hybridcars.com
greenercars.org
greencarreports.com
fueleconomy.gov

Green Roof: Good for the Environment, Neighborhood and Wallet

Lately, we've been seeing more and more about green roofs. No longer for hobbits, this sustainable addition to the home minimize bills while maximize the beauty of urban landscape. Green roofs, or vegetated roofs, which have a layer of living plants on top of the structure.

• Green roofs reduce storm water runoff. Grass and plants absorbs rainwater and minimize run off as well as potential flooding. 
• It also lasts longer than traditional roofing by protecting it from sun damage. Extending the life of the roof saves you money and keeping waste out of landfills from re-roofing.
• Keeps roof and house cooler by acting as an insulation. You can set the thermostat 6-8 degrees cooler than non green roof homes while also minimizing Urban Heat Island Effect, the premise that cities are warmer than the neighboring countryside. This reduces summertime cooling necessities, saving money and energy.
• Green roofs are a source of oxygen and a habitat for birds, insects, chickens, and even goats to graze on. Feel free to raise your own food and vegetation since you'll have the room!

Green roofs have so many benefits, and they're just so pretty! Take a look at a few of our favorites.

Is this something you would consider doing?

sources: http://www.greenroofs.org/ 

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/green-rooftop.htm

http://www.buildinggreenfutures.com/services/green-roof-design/

Get Clean Air With No Work

Humans (and animals) need clear air to survive. And while we work with bureaucracies to stop burning coal and polluting the air, we can do something very simple to purify the air in our homes. Are you ready for this?

Houseplants! We know trees give us breathable oxygen by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through its leaves. No need to buy expensive and energy wasting air purifying machines, when all you need is a little green and TLC (tender loving care, that is).

According to NASA, here's a list of plants that best filter the air in your home.

·       English ivy (Hedera helix)

·       Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

·       Golden pothos or Devil's ivy (Scindapsus aures or Epipremnum aureum)

·       Peace lily (Spathiphyllum 'Mauna Loa')

·       Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)

·       Bamboo palm or reed palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)

·       Snake plant or mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata'Laurentii')

·       Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron oxycardium, syn.Philodendron cordatum)

·       Selloum philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum, syn.Philodendron selloum)

·       Elephant ear philodendron (Philodendron domesticum)

·       Red-edged dracaena (Dracaena marginata)

·       Cornstalk dracaena (Dracaena fragans 'Massangeana')

·       Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig')

·       Warneck dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckii')

·       Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

·       Gerbera daisy or Barberton daisy (Gerbera jamesonii)

·       Pot mum or florist's chrysanthemum (Chrysantheium morifolium)

·       Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

How cool is this? Little Critterz know it's important to have greenery in your home because of the tranquility and peace it brings, but we also love sustainability so these plants win in our book!