Have a Holly, Jolly, Sustainable Christmas

 

This holiday season, your tree doesn’t have to be the only thing that’s green! This Christmas, try to reduce your environmental footprint by shopping, giving and decorating more sustainably.

According to Greenmuze.com, Canadians spend an estimated $30 billion at Christmas, with each person spending an average of $800 on gifts. Christmas is considered to be the most greenhouse gas intensive holiday in North America. This is due to the higher than average amount of trips to shopping centers, large quantities of gifts being purchased that were made in different countries and had to be shipped, and the vast amounts of packaging produced for these gifts. Also, sending Christmas cards, buying Christmas trees and purchasing and making speciality foods requires large amounts of resources and generates many greenhouse gas emissions.

Then there is the issue of wrapping paper. The majority of wrapping paper is not recyclable, due to the dyes, coatings, and adornments and sparkles that often cover the sheets. Although gift bags and tissue paper are not an entirely sustainable option, using them instead of paper is a better choice because they can be reused much easier. If you feel like taking it a step further, you can even purchase 100% recycled content and recyclable wrapping paper, bows and ribbons, but usually at a significantly higher price. If you are interested in viewing some of these recycled content/recyclable options, visit www.earthproducts.com. It is important to try to cut back on the amount of wrapping paper you use because the paper trade is considered to be a non-sustainable industry (no surprise there). However, something that might surprise you is that currently, less than 20% of the world’s remaining forests are believed to be intact. Urbanization, population growth and an increase in affluence have all put strains on the amount of land available around the world and have caused rapid deforestation. It is a shame to continue this trend of deforestation simply because people don’t want to reuse a gift bag.

If you want to commit to having a more sustainable Christmas, using some of the following tips might just help you add a little more green to your festivities this year!

1)    Send E-cards. In Canada alone, Canada Post reported that it will “take more than 575 daily flights to deliver all the 787.3 million cards, letters and parcels that enter the Canada Post system during the holiday season.” This amount of air travel produces astounding amounts of unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. For example, according to sciencefocus.com, a Boeing 747 aircraft releases over 33 tonnes of CO₂ during a 530km flight. To put this into terms that might mean a little more to you, that same amount of emissions would be produced if 336 cars drove that same distance! If we all cut back on the number of cards we send via mail, not only would we be reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but we would also be helping to reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down to produce these cards. As an added bonus, many e-cards are free to send!

2)    Use reusable shopping bags. Carrying a few cloth shopping bags around the mall with you does not take that much effort. Besides, many stores have begun charging 5 cents per plastic bag. That is an unnecessary expense – plain and simple!

3)    Give presents that are not objects. Some great ideas for gifts that don’t involve packaging, wrapping, or travel to get it to a store include: a dinner, a movie night out, tickets to a show, or even a spa gift card (I certainly wouldn’t mind one of those!).

4)    Don’t go overboard with food! People tend to pig-out during the holidays, eating more food than they usually would, and even throwing a lot of left-overs away. Figure out how many guests you have coming over and plan accordingly. You can always keep some easy-to-prepare foods at the ready in case you run out. Adjust your grocery shopping the weeks following a holiday to consider that you likely have lots of left-overs at home. Seeing food thrown away has always been something that has bothered me, considering that so many in the world go without enough food every day. Check your expiry dates once in a while and plan to eat the foods that are going to expire soon. You will end up saving yourself some money by doing this too!

5)    Research the stores your shop at. There are many companies out there who have less-than-ethical practices. By purchasing gifts from these stores, you are indirectly promoting these unethical practices. If you want to create a positive influence with the gifts you purchase, try buying from stores that donate a portion of their profits. A great example of this is Tom’s Shoes. With every pair of shoes that are purchased from Tom’s, another pair will be given to a child in need!

6)    Buy a live tree! Living Christmas trees come potted or in a burlap sack and can be planted after the holiday. This way, your tree won’t end up in the landfill, and according to “Tree Folks,” a single mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of CO₂ per year and releases enough oxygen to support 2 human beings!

Embrace the spirit of giving this Christmas and give back to the environment!

For more information on how to have a sustainable Christmas, visit: http://www.greenmuze.com/green-your/christmas/346-christmas-the-eighth-deadly-sin-.html

 

Electricity Consumption at Western

Posted: September 8, 2014

Here at Western, electricity consumption is the largest contributor to our utility bill. In 2013, electricity cost us over $16 million, which made up approximately 73% of our $23 million bill! All of this consumption also hinders Western on its path of sustainability. Western strives to embed sustainability into every facet of daily life for its staff, students and faculty and has committed to reducing its impact on the environment. On the operations end, we are doing our best to reduce this consumption with several initiatives. These include:

1)     Replacing fluorescent T12 lamps with more energy efficient T8 lamps. These bulbs use 30% less energy. Reducing energy consumption reduces the amount of pollution from the burning of fossil fuels, and therefore can help reduce the effects of climate change. It is important to mitigate climate change because it can lead to storms, food shortages, flooding, etc., all of which can harm people and wildlife.

2)     Installing lighting control systems. These systems use motion sensors to detect when a room is occupied, and automatically switch the lights off when a room has been empty for a certain period of time.

3)     Building upgrades. All new building constructions and renovations on campus are being designed to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver standards whenever possible. LEED is an initiative which gives credits for certain environmental characteristics of a building. Many of these characteristics help to reduce a building’s energy consumption. Some qualities of a LEED certified building may include better insulation to reduce the amount of necessary heating and cooling, designing buildings to allow for more natural light to reduce the number of lights that need to be turned on, and even installing renewable energy systems on or around the building. For example, the Claudette Mackay-Lassonde Pavilion on campus has two solar panels and a wind turbine on its roof.

The initiatives taken by Western’s staff to reduce the university’s electrical demand are wonderful, but it will take more than just Western’s staff to significantly reduce our consumption on campus! There are many things that everyone can do to help reduce the University’s electrical load. By utilizing the following tips, you will help make campus a greener, more sustainable place to work, study and live.

1)     Be sure to switch off the lights in rooms if you are the last one to leave. This can reduce electricity consumption by up to 15%!

2)     If you have control over the temperature of a thermostat, first make sure you have adjusted what you are wearing to deal with the temperature. If you still find that you are too hot or cold after doing this, adjust the thermostat up or down by one degree at a time.

3)     Don’t pump the heat or air conditioning while windows are open. Many people do this, claiming they “enjoy the fresh air.” However, every building must legally circulate fresh air coming from outdoors into buildings. So you are always getting some fresh air even when inside!

4)     Set your computer or laptop screen’s electricity usage to “power saver” or “energy saver” by clicking on the battery or power outlet icon. This allows the screen to “go to sleep” more often when you are inactive, and saves electricity. Please note that setting your computer to activate a screen saver after a period of inactivity does not usually help save energy. In fact, elaborate screen savers can consume more energy than if your computer were to simply remain in its active state.

Everyone can do their part to help Western reduce its environmental footprint! Be mindful of the energy you use and help your campus community achieve its sustainability goals. These tips are wonderful to adopt at home too, so that you can achieve a sustainable lifestyle no matter where you are!

Green Lawn Care

Posted: July 30, 2014

Golf courses are exempt from the cosmetic pesticide ban in Ontario, meaning they are allowed to spray strong pesticides that Western, and homeowners, are not. In extreme cases, golf courses have dyed ponds blue to mask algal blooms, and spray painted grass to make it look green. These chemicals compromise the integrity of the grass, and are toxic to living organisms.

Luckily, you can help your lawn look green while still being green. Environmentally preferred methods of caring for your lawn are less hassle, and create a healthier lawn. Follow the tips below to find out how to create a disease resistant, non-toxic turf:

1)     Mow it high and let it lie  

Set the cutting height on your lawn mower to 2.5 inches or higher. Longer grass prevents weeds and insects from invading. It also promotes root growth, which helps to lock in moisture. Once you have cut the grass, save yourself the hassle of raking, and leave it on the ground. The dead layer of grass provides nutrients and acts like a fertilizer. It also stores extra moisture during times of drought. 

2)     Water deeply  

If the rain doesn’t suffice and you need to water your lawn, it is better to soak your lawn once every one or two weeks rather than watering it every day. This will promote longer roots, making your lawn more tolerant to drought. 

3)     Water in the morning  

Water your lawn before 9 a.m. Since it is cooler in the morning, you will minimize evaporation and get the most out of your water. Watering at night is not recommended; it fosters the growth of fungus and disease because the lawn stays wet for too long. 

4)     Prevent pests  

Mowing high and leaving grass clippings behind will help to reduce invasion by pests. You can also remove the roots of weeds to prevent re-growth, and avoid adding other substances to the soil as these may carry foreign organisms. 

5)     Plant something different

Reduce the area of grass on your lawn by planting native wildflowers, or creating an herb or vegetable garden. These plants will look great, and benefit the eco-system! Alternatively, you can add clover to your grass seed. This will make your lawn healthier by increasing beneficial nitrogen-fixing bacteria. 

6)     Seed

Seeding will fill in spaces that could be taken over by weeds. It is best to loosen the soil first, spread compost material or peat moss over the area, and then use a hardy species of grass to fill in the patches.  

Hopefully, these eco-friendly tips will help you and your lawn to be a little greener this summer!

Community Gardening

Posted: July 3, 2014

Over the last forty years, 21 community gardens have been planted in the City of London. Community gardening has many wonderful benefits, including exercise and access to fresh and nutritious food. The gardens also provide opportunities for building relationships while creating beautiful spaces for picnics and activities amongst neighborhoods.

Once you’ve decided that you want to be a part of a community garden, you can visit the London Community Resource Centre to locate a garden near you. From the LCRC you can rent a plot for a small fee and even keep the plot for years to come!

Here are a few tips to help get you started:

• Make sure your plot is close to home so you can maintain your garden regularly!
• Research other community gardens and make sure you have commitment from at least 5 community members to assure upkeep and maintenance of the garden.
• Make sure you have the proper equipment:  wheelbarrow, shovels, spades, forks, garden hose, gardening gloves, etc.
• Involve gardeners in communal tasks such as building a shed, planting flowers, and cleaning common areas.
• Stay organized by designating a garden facilitator, or one or two committees to help the garden run smoothly.
• Set up regular meetings where you can discuss mutual concerns as a group and make sure new gardeners are informed on garden use, participation at events, disposal of garbage, cleaning, etc.
• Post signs and put up fencing as precautionary measures against vandalism or theft.
• Start small, and share gardening experience with others.
• Enjoy the fruits of your labour!

Happy Gardening!

The World’s 10 Most Eco-Friendly Cities

Posted: June 4, 2014

Are you ready for a break from the every-day grind of your job? Of school? Why not start looking for a destination for your next vacation? This year, make a sustainable decision even when vacationing and help the local economy in one of the world’s top 10 most environmentally-friendly cities!

According to Ahsan Mukhtar, a writer on listphobia.com, these are the 10 Most Eco Friendly Cities in the world:

1)      Reykjavik, Iceland uses hydrogen buses for transportation, and its heat and electricity are generated 100% from renewable geothermal and hydropower sources! The city plans to become fossil-fuel-free by 2050.

2)      Portland, Oregon has a comprehensive plan to reduce CO₂ emissions, and has been pushing for green building designs. The city also does its best to reduce the number of cars on the road by using a large system of light rail, buses and bike lanes.

3)      Malmö, Sweden is Sweden’s third-largest city and is known for its extensive parks and green space.

4)      Curitiba, Brazil has one of the world’s best bus systems, helping to reduce traffic on the roads. In its municipal parks, sheep are used to substitute for lawn mowers (now that would be an interesting sight to see)!

5)      Vancouver, Canada draws approximately 90% of its power from renewable resources and is a leader in hydroelectric power. The city is striving to use more wind, solar, wave and tidal energy as well.

6)      Copenhagen, Denmark has a large offshore wind farm off its coastline. It is also known for its vast numbers of bike riders and new metro system which made public transit more efficient.

7)      London, England plans to cut its CO₂ emissions by 60 percent by 2030 and offers incentives (much like Ontario does!) to residents who improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

8)      San Francisco, California has over 17% of its space devoted to parks and green space and is a leader in green building design.

9)      Sydney, Australia is currently aiming to become carbon neutral and has an innovative food-waste disposal program.  

10)  Barcelona, Spain has been recognized for its pedestrian-friendliness, parking strategies and the generation of solar energy.

When looking at the comments on this blog by Mukhtar, there were a few skeptics out there questioning whether or not these cities truly are the 10 most eco-friendly cities in the world. So, I suggest doing some research yourself! See what people are saying about sustainable development and tourism, and decide for yourself which city really is “the greenest!”

It’s gardening time! Get your hands dirty and beautify the outside of your home!

Posted: April 22, 2014

During my summers working at a garden center, I picked up a lot of interesting and useful facts about flowers that the common gardener doesn’t know. For example, did you know that you can use this year’s Geraniums (one of the most commonly purchased annuals) for next year as well? Before winter frosts hit, dig up your Geraniums and gently remove the soil from the roots (you won’t get it all, but at least get rid of the larger chunks). Hang the plant upside down in either a cool basement or garage, and once a month, soak the roots in water for an hour. In the spring you can replant the dormant Geranium in the ground and watch it come back to life over the next couple of weeks!

Another interesting fact about Geraniums, Roses, Petunias and some other flowers (in fact, it is a good rule of thumb for when you’re not sure), is to make sure to avoid watering the petals. Have you ever noticed that after a heavy rain your Geranium’s and Petunia’s petals are brown and rotten? This is because the petals do not like to come into direct contact with water. When you are watering your garden, aim for the soil around the base of the flowers to keep the blooms looking bright and beautiful for longer.

Below is a list of some other quick tips and things to be aware of to get the most out of your garden this summer:

1)      Be sure to ask the sales representative whether or not the variety of the plant you have selected prefers sun or shade. For example, a common misconception is that Sunshine Impatiens like the sun. Makes sense right? Wrong! Sunshine Impatiens are so named because unlike regular Impatiens, which do not like any sun at all, Sunshine Impatiens can take a few hours of early morning or evening sun. There are also several varieties of Begonias which differ in their sunlight preferences. There is no shame in asking!

2)      Don’t over water! Over the years I have been asked countless times if it is ok to drench a plant one day, and then leave it for the following days to dry out again in order to cut back on the work load. If you can help it, do not do this. If you get into the habit of doing this, it is very likely that your plant will survive, but its leaves may begin to turn yellow because it is experiencing periods of having too much water. Don`t confuse this yellowing with browning, which many plants do when they are drying out.

3)      Different plants like different amounts of water. In general, the taller a plant is the more water it will need. However, there are certain plants, like waxy-leaved Begonias, Non-Stop Begonias, Portulaca, and certain kinds of Coleus that like to be dry most of the time.

4)      Plan where you would like to plant your flowers before you purchase them. If you know you want to plant your flowers on the southern side of your house, go with flowers that love the sun and heat all day long. However, if you’ve got a spot over on the shaded northern side of your house that you want to add a little colour to, be sure to go with shade-tolerant plants such as Impatiens, Double Impatiens (which look like roses!), or Non-Stop Begonias.

5)      Be sure to research perennials before purchasing them. These tend to be more expensive because they come back for several years. However, certain perennials will only come back a few times and others may only come back every other year. Many of them have a shorter blooming season than annuals, so make sure you don’t plant a bunch of perennials that are going to just look like lumps of green for the majority of the summer! Buy perennials with alternating blooming seasons so that you get some colour from them all year round.

6)      Finally, when cashing out, ask the sales associate to show you how to clean your plant. Most plants have their own unique way of being dead-headed or cleaned, and some even have closed blooms that look very similar to old, dead blooms, so be sure you know what to remove from your plant and what to keep on.

Taking the time to do a little bit of research before heading to the garden center and while you’re there can make a huge difference in the appearance of your garden. It can also save you money! There are many people out there who became known as “regulars” during my years at the garden center because they simply could not figure out how to maintain their garden and came back so often to start over again. It is my hope that by using these simple tips I have given, each of you will only have to purchase your flowers once at the beginning of the summer, and you will all see much healthier flowers in your garden!

For more information on how to over-winter your geraniums, go to: http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/flower/how-to-save-geraniums-over-the-winter.htm.

Bottled Water vs. Tap Water

Posted: March 20, 2014

In celebration of World Water Day (March 22), let’s dive into the Bottled Water vs. Tap Water Debate

Since the early nineties, Canadian consumption of bottled water has increased with over 1.5 billion litres of water produced annually. There are many reasons why one might choose bottled water over tap water, including the sheer convenience of being able to purchase a bottle of water through easily accessible vending machines, grocers, or cafeterias. Many also perceive bottled water as being a safer, healthier option over tap water. However, despite the convenience and safety debate on bottled water, one thing is clear: it is definitely not doing any favours for our planet.

Single use water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a plastic that is derived from petroleum. The manufacturing process of these bottles requires a number of chemical compounds that are toxic for both humans and the environment, as there has been documented air emissions of toxins such as acetaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane which are considered group 2 human carcinogens. More energy is then required for treating the water that is being bottled as well as to fill, label and seal the bottles. Once the water has been bottled, it then needs to be transported from the plant to the market. Energy use and costs for transporting bottled water can be significant, especially when bottled water is being imported from exotic locations like Fiji (Fiji Water), France (Evian), or even New Zealand (Eternal). Bottled water is generally shipped from the source by container ships to Canadian ports and then dispersed throughout the country by rail. Some bottling industries operate in Canada, such as Nestle, where the product is usually transported by diesel truck. To put things into perspective, one study shows that the greenhouse gases generated by PET water bottles sold in British Columbia (manufacturing, filling, and transporting to market) are equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions generated from heating a typical Canadian home for the next 2,177 years.

After the bottle has reached the market, it is then purchased by consumers at prices up to 10,000 times the price of tap water. Canadians on average drink over 2 billion litres of bottled water annually. So what happens to all of those bottles? Although there are recycling programs that accept the PET bottles (plastic grade #1), unfortunately many still end up in the landfill where they will take hundreds of years to decompose. According to Stewardship Ontario, 44% of our plastic water bottles end up in the landfill every year, where all of the harmful chemicals that went into manufacturing the bottle will have an opportunity to leach into our environment.

So stop wasting your money on energy guzzling, toxin laden plastic water bottles and start drinking tap water! In Canada, tap water follows stringent regulations set out by the Federal Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and is monitored closely by municipalities and provinces. Tap water in Toronto is checked for bacteria ever 4-6 hours! Together, we can reduce the number of bottles that end up in our landfills every year by investing in a reusable water bottle and filling up with tap water.

Reuse - The Second R

If you read our last blog post – “The First ‘R’- A Lesson in Waste management”, you know that reducing the amount of waste we create is the first (and most crucial) step in targeting waste management. Now we will take a look at the second ‘R’ in the hierarchy, Reuse. Before we dispose of items we no longer need, it is important to first consider whether or not they can be reused. In some cases, items can no longer fulfill their original purpose, but with a little creativity, we can find new and unconventional ways to reuse old materials. This is often referred to as repurposing or upcycling old items.

Repurposing or upcycling your old materials is easier than ever now that you can search the web for millions of great ideas. Simply using terms like, ‘repurpose’, ‘reuse’, or ‘DIY’ (Do It Yourself) can provide you with hundreds of ideas on how to make you fall in love with your old stuff again. Here are some ideas on how to reuse common household items.

Use old pop bottles as small garden planters by cutting off the tops. Fill with soil and plant your seeds!

Paint old glass bottles or jars and use as decorative vases around the house.

Use old ice cube trays to store tiny items like buttons or jewellery.

Use bread tags to label wires behind desks or TV units.

Repurpose old dressers into media units, hutches, or shelving units.

If you cannot find a new use for your old belongings, be sure to donate them before throwing them out. Check to see if local thrift shops or charity organizations will take your belongings. And last but not least, if you must throw something away, check to see if there is a recycling program that will accept it first.

The First ‘R’- A Lesson in Waste Management

Posted: January 13, 2014

When it comes to waste, we call on three little words: reduce, reuse, recycle. What people often don’t realize is that this waste management scheme is actually a prioritization of how we should be addressing our waste. First and foremost, we need to reduce the amount of waste we produce, then look for ways to reuse products, and as a last resort recycle when the item is no longer of value. Simply put, recycling is not the end all, be all solution to our ever growing landfills. The good news is that there are plenty of ways that you can reduce waste by just being aware of the long-term impacts of your choices and making a few small changes to your lifestyle.

Choose goods with less packaging. Generally when we buy something, we tend to only look at its quality or price and little attention is paid to the packaging. Try and look for products with less packaging or packaging that is made from recycled materials and is fully recyclable. If your favourite brands tend to use a lot of packaging, call or email the company and express your concerns! Buying in bulk can also be a good way to reduce the amount of product packaging.

Use reusable bags and totes for groceries. This tip has gained a lot of popularity over the years now that many grocers and even some retailers charge for plastic bags. Invest in some sturdy totes or cloth bags to avoid relying on plastic bags. If you are forgetful, try stowing a few bags in your trunk so you always have some on hand and are prepared for those unexpected shopping trips.

Carry a thermos and reusable water bottle. Investing in a thermos and reusable water bottle can do a world of good for the environment and your pocket. At Western, you can save 10 cents when you bring your reusable mug for hot drinks and there are over a 100 water bottle filling stations across campus, saving you from purchasing disposable bottles of water.

Paperless billing. In this day and age, it is quite common for us to manage bills and banking online, so do we really need to get a paper bill sent to us every month that heads straight to the paper shredder? Contact your service providers and banks and request to receive electronic notifications for bill payments rather than paper billing.

These are a few great tips to start reducing the amount of waste you produce. Most importantly, become more aware of the purchases you make and what the impacts will be once you no longer need that product or item. Do you really need it in the first place? Where will it end up once you are finished with it? Asking yourself these questions can lead to more conscious and eco friendly choices!

How to be Warmer, Richer and Greener this Winter

Posted: November 26, 2013

Does the money in your bank account tend to shrink during the winter months? Holiday shopping and spending can be hard enough on our wallets, but why does Mother Nature have to make things so difficult too? Canadian winters bring an average temperature of -7 °C in Ontario, making the costly heating of our homes a necessary expense.

According to Gil Strachan from Electrospec Home Inspection Services, the average Canadian household generates an annual heating bill anywhere from $1000 to $5000 depending on the fuel source and location. This winter, I want to help all of you shrink these numbers and lessen your environmental footprint at the same time!

By adopting these energy-saving heating tips, you’ll put a little less strain on the environment this winter while putting a lot less strain on your wallet!

1) Keep window curtains open during the day to allow solar heat into your home. Close the curtains at night to trap some heat in. The thicker the curtains, the better!
2) Place temporary caulking along the inside of your windows to keep heat in and drafts out. You can peel this off in the Spring. Or, purchase plastic window covers at your local hardware store. Twenty-five percent of heat loss is through windows.
3) Turn your thermostat down! Bill Prindle, the deputy director for the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has said, “The rule of thumb is that you can save about 3% on your heating bill for every degree that you set back your thermostat.” Let’s do a little math here. This means that if, on average, you spend $2000 each winter on heating your home, and turned your thermostat down just 2 degrees, you would save $120 each year! This money could be used to help out with my next tip…
4) Purchase a programmable thermostat. If you already have one, program it! It is likely that you are unnecessarily heating your home while you are away. No one wants to return home to an ice-box, so set the heat to begin returning to your desired temperature about a half hour before you expect to be home. You won’t even notice a difference by the time you get there (except on your utility bill of course)!
5) Have your furnace/boiler and ducts checked and cleaned regularly. If you have a leaky duct, this can cause distribution losses of up to 30%.
6) Dress accordingly! There is no need to crank the heat to keep warm while wearing your t-shirt and shorts! It’s harmful to the environment and costs you unnecessary money.

These easy to follow tips can save you hundreds of dollars each year, and of course, reduce your negative impact on the environment. By making small changes in your lifestyle, over the years you will greatly reduce your environmental footprint and find yourself with a much larger budget for your holiday spending!