Spring brings spring cleaning
Spring is here and for many, so is spring cleaning. The Environmental Working Group has recently published an article on green cleaning this spring – why to clean green and how to do it. Check it out here: www.ewg.org/healthyhometips/greencleaning#whygreen.
Give and get 30% off!
Trade in your old denim and get 30% off new Gap denim purchase. The worn denim will be recycled into insulation for communities in need. Good cause and an excuse to shop!
But hurry – offer expires on 3/14! Check the link for more details: http://www.cottonfrombluetogreen.org/?EV=342010_N_GWM&DI=6535462&CD=GSC_GAC.
Time flies – second green newsletter is here!
Yes, time flies and before you know it, another quater has gone by. Our second green newsletter is out. Read it here.
Our first Green Newsletter
We now have a quarterly Green Newsletter! Check it out here and let us know what you think.
Recycle your electronics
Spring cleaning – a perfect occassion to get rid of old computers, cameras, cell phones and other electronics. Not sure when or where to recycle your electronics?
If you are in CT, visit http://www.crra.org/pages/schedule_electronics.htm for locations and times.
California residents can find recycling centers on the California Integrated Waste Management Board website, http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Collection/RecyclerSearch.aspx.
Those living in New York are allowed to dispose of their electronics in regular trash until July 2010 though the state government website does list alternative, environmentally friendly, options: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycwasteless/html/recycling/electronicsrecycling.shtml.
The National Center for Electronic Recycling, http://www.ncerwv.org/public/ContentPage.aspx?PageId=82, enables you to search for an electronics recycler in your area and also lists manufacturers’ and mailback/buyback programs.
If you would like to learn more about electronics recycling, visit Recyclingcenters.org website at http://www.recyclingcenters.org/electronics_recycling.php for a list of all states’ electronics recycling programs and policies.
Renewable Energy on Long Island and in Connecticut
HealthConnect would like to encourage employees on Long Island and in Connecticut to sign up for Wind Energy for their homes.
At a time when homegrown, pollution free energy has never been more important, LIPA and CP&L along with Community Energy are leading the way to energy independence and a healthy environment. As more customers sign up, more wind energy will be delivered to the power grid. This means cleaner air and water, greater energy independence and a more secure energy future.
The Wind Energy charge will appear on your monthly electricity bill as a separate line item. Submit the monthly charge (electronically of course) and receive 80% reimbursement for the additional Wind Energy charge.
To sign up, log onto http://www.newwindenergy.com/individuals/individuals-summary/.
For Long Island employees:
LIPA Electricity customers can support the development of clean, renewable wind energy. For a typical home that uses 600 kilowatt-hours per month, participating in LIPA’s Green Choice program with Community Energy will add $7 to $15 per month to your electric bill. There are 4 options available:
1. 60% NewWind Energy®/40% Small-hydro for all usage
(Adds 1.3 cents per kilowatt-hour on all usage)
2. 60% NewWind Energy®/40% Small-hydro for 50% of usage
(Adds 1.3 cents per kilowatt-hour on half of your usage)
3. 100% NewWind Energy® for all usage
(Adds 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour on all usage)
4. 100% NewWind Energy® for 50% of usage
(Adds 2.5 cents per kilowatt-hour on half of your usage)
LIPA will remain the electricity supplier and provide customer service and emergency responses.
For more information on purchasing Green Energy from LIPA go to <a href=”http://www.lipower.org/residential/green.html” target=”_blank”> http://www.lipower.org/residential/green.html.
For Connecticut employees:
CP&L customers can support the development of clean, renewable wind energy. For a typical home that uses 700 kWh per month, participating in CT Clean Energy with Community Energy will add $4.50 – $9 per month to your electric bill. There are 2 options available:
With a product mix: 33%NewWindEnergy / 33%National Wind / 34% New England Small Hydro
1. 33% NewWind Energy / 33% National Wind / 34% Low-Impact Hydro for 100% of your monthly usage
(Adds 1.3c/kWh on all usage)
100% Usage adds 1.3 cent/kWh to all usage ($9.00 per month for an average home)
2. 33% NewWind Energy / 33% National Wind / 34% Low-Impact Hydro for 50% of your monthly usage
(Adds 0.65c/kWh on all usage)
50% Usage adds .65 cent /kWh to all usage ($4.50 per month for an average home)
For more information on CTCleanEnergyOptions from CL&P go to
http://www.newwindenergy.com/index.php?id=56.
Where to buy ‘green’ for your home
There are a lot of websites dedicated to organic and ‘green’ products, but here are a few to get you started. More will be added as we go. Any suggestions are welcome.
Cleaning Products and Household Items:
Seventh Generation – http://www.seventhgeneration.com/products – baby, laundry, household cleaners, household paper & supplies, feminine care and dishwashing products
GreenWorks – http://www.greenworkscleaners.com/ – natural all-purpose, dishwashing, bathroom, and surface cleaners
Ecover – http://www.ecover.com/us/en/Products/ – environmentally friendly cleaning products. Click on the promotions tab to print coupons.
Mrs. Meyers – http://www.mrsmeyers.com/ – aromatherapeutic household cleaners
GlueItGreen – http://www.glueitgreen.com/products/green-glue.html – “green” glue and waterbased adhesives
Dr. Bronner’s – http://www.drbronner.com/index.html – all organic body care products
Refreshingly clean – http://www.refreshinglyfree.com – fragrance free and non-toxic products for home and body
DogToys.com – http://www.dogtoys.com/dogearthday.html – Eco-friendly items for your dog
Take your pick:
Ecomall – http://www.ecomall.com/ – lists a ton of categories (toys, health, computer, lighting, air purification, etc.) with links to different retailers with ‘green’ and natural products as well as articles, forums and other resources.
Eco-friendly products at Target – http://www.target.com/b/187-4311027-1995245?node=357202011&ref=tgt_adv_XSIA3393&AFID=yahoostr&CPNG=targeteco&LNM=environmentally_friendly_products&LID=
Eco-friendly products at Amazon – http://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Green/b?ie=UTF8&node=394379011 – select from several categories
Now do even more good…
American Forests – http://www.americanforests.org/global_releaf/ – donate so trees are planted where they are needed most.
Get money for your old electronics
Now being environmentally friendly just got a walet friendly too. Did you know that you can get money for your old electronics?
EcoNew – http://www.econewonline.com/ – lets you trade-in and recycle your old used electronics, such as PDA’s, laptops, digital cameras, game sysems, TVs and more. You will find out the trade-in value of your product as you fill out their online form. Free shipping is included.
Poll: Do you know your carbon footprint?
Take this poll to find out how you compare to others.
To calculate your carbon footprint, log onto http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx.
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