Around the Internet: Green Topics

How do we reduce our energy consumption? How do we redue our waste output? How do we keep ourselves happy while keeping our environment happy? Is there a happy compromise?



MORE GREEN

Tax Credits and Incentives on Green Upgrades - Various tidbits of information on rebates, tax credits, exemptions, and discounts on:

• buying higher efficiency or more green appliances and building products
  
• choosing a more energy-efficient or disaster-resistant home
  
• making your existing home more energy efficient.

Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiencies - "DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency." If you've been thinking about getting a tankless water heater or solar panels, find out which incentives you qualify for.

Green Quiz - Find out if you're daily life is sustainable. If not, find out what you can do to change little things that make a big difference.

LESS WASTE

Plastic Bags from Baby Toolkit - I've said it before, so I won't bore you with my feelings on plastic bags (and here). I'll point you to hers :-)

Baby Donations - If you have baby stuff and toys that you no longer need, don't throw it all away. Give it to a friend or neighbor. Within certain guidelines, you might also be able to give it away to a non-profit. There are organizations that will accept such donations for needy families. After much research, I recently found Baby 2 Baby in Los Angeles; I feel much better about donating baby stuff here because I know it will go to a family who will truly benefit from something we no longer need. You might also consider a domestic violence shelter, homeless shelter, or other such places in your area where baby items are in short supply.

What Kids Truly Need from No Limits Ladies - Such great insight. Don't buy your kid another toy until you think about why you're doing it. That is, talk, listen and communicate with your child. It might be that s/he really wants more of you, not more of Mattel. For that matter, evaluate all of your relationships and ask yourself if you're buying unnecessary stuff resulting in wasted resources (e.g., water, oil, transportation) because you need to, or because you don't know how else to cope. Save a dollar & a tree; get a hug & a smile.

Garbage Toting - Marketplace's Tess Vigeland decided to carry around her trash around with her for 2 weeks. She figured she didn't throw away much, so how bad could it be? 10 days in, the smell had her waving her white flag. However, she learned a lot, as did her readers. One of her best questions:

"When it comes to recycling, there should be national standards for what's available to citizens. It's mind-boggling that I can recycle something in Southern California that someone up north can't... and vice versa.

I know these things are decided by local governments and sanitation districts. And recycling is expensive. But there's got to be a solution to what really is an issue of inequality. People who don't have access to good (easy!) recycling programs are stuck sending everything to landfills."