For some, figuring out where you can start composting can be a bit of a challenge. After all, there are a few things you should keep in mind, like how far the compost heap should be from your home, how to keep it hidden away from nosy neighbors and prying eyes, and how to keep rodents and wildlife from digging around in the compost. And while there are a couple options like keeping your compost under wraps in a compost tumbler or bin, there are consumers out there who look for other aesthetically attractive options. One such option is a bench that doubles as a composting bin.

Dual functional furniture is always a plus, and owning a bench that offers a composting bin option is a terrific way to hide your compost in plain sight. You may want to consider this alternative versus a normal compost bin or compost tumbler if you feel that composting out in the open may ruin or distract from your natural landscape. With a composting bench, you can fearlessly hide your compost out in the middle of your garden without it taking away from the landscape.

Some companies offer dual functional composting benches, but it you’re the do it yourself type, you can make a building project out of it. Just be sure to keep about 20 inches of height from the seat to the ground for a good sized composting bin. Another good design feature to keep in mind is to add hinges to the seat so that you can lift it up whenever you need to add water or turn the pile. It’s also important to keep in mind that your compost needs ventilation in order for it to decompose properly, so make sure that there’s plenty of slits all around the bottom bin. Be sure however, to make them small enough so that small animals can’t get in. And don’t worry about any smells coming out from beneath the bench; as long as you’re following the proper carbon to nitrogen ration (green parts to brown parts), and you’re regularly turning and adding water to your compost, it should smell earthy, not icky.

Composting is a fun process for everyone, and keeping it underneath an attractive bench is perfect for even the most discerning gardener. Literally, you can sit back and relax and let the compost do its thing!

by Duong Vicki
About the Author: For a wide selection in compost bins and rain barrels be sure to stop by Composters.com.

Buy the Book: Composting, A Step by Step Guide

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Under the said campaign, Google.org earmarked $1 million for grants to institutions which are undertaking developmental experiments on the practical use of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Aside from that, the institution also announced that they are planning to provide $10 million to fund the actual development, adoption and commercialization of plug-in hybrid vehicles as well as electric cars. According to the institution, they are willing to fund any development of vehicle-to-grid technologies.

The Brookings Institution received a $200,000 grant from Google.org which will be spent in its hosting of a conference next year. The said conference which will be held on the spring is aimed to promote the use of plug-in hybrid technology.

CalCars also received a $200,000 grant from Google.org to support its effort in educating the public on the advantages of using plug-in hybrids. The Electrical Power Research Institute also received a $200,000 grant which will be used in the development of plug-in technologies.

Google.org also awarded a $100,000 grant to Plug-in America which will be used to support the group’s public awareness in the use of plug-in hybrids. The Rocky Mountain Institute also received a grant worth $200,000. The said grant will be used by the RMI in the development of a practical plug-in hybrid vehicle which hopefully will be adopted by car manufacturers.

Dr. Larry Brilliant, the Executive Director of Google.org, has this to say at the launching of the initiative: “Clean energy technology can dramatically shift how we make and use energy for our cars and homes by charging cars through an electric grid powered by solar or other renewable energy sources, and selling power back to the electric grid when it’s needed most. This approach can quadruple the fuel efficiency of cars on the road today and improve grid stability.”

Plug-in hybrid cars are more environment-friendly than hybrid cars since its battery pack can be recharged via a common household outlet. For hybrid vehicles, the only way that the battery pack can be charged is by the use of the alternator or when the brakes are activated.

Aside from providing grants which will promote the development of environment-friendly vehicles, Google has also taken a step to make their company headquarters more environment-friendly. The company announced that they are now using solar electricity on their Mountain View, California headquarters. Google’s solar panel installation can produce as much as 1.6 megawatts - this is estimated to be the equivalent of the power needs of 1,000 average California households.

According to the company, their solar panel installation is the largest of its kind in any corporate campus in the United States.

“Google is committed to using its resources to help solve the global climate challenge,” says Dr. Brilliant. “Google.org is a hybrid philanthropy, bringing together the active engagement of the broader Google corporation, as well as investments in for-profits, traditional grants, policy work, and public information. RechargeIT brings together all of these elements to help accelerate progress on plug-ins,” he concluded.

by Anthony Fontanelle
About the Author: Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop

Buy the book: The Electric Car
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If you’re remodeling your home, or building your dream home from scratch (lucky you!), installing a brand new floor might be on your list. There are many flooring materials to choose from, each with different pros, cons, and looks. If you are trying to live green (make environmentally friendly remodeling choices), you may want to consider an eco-friendly flooring material. There are quite a few options out there, so let’s take a look:

Cork Flooring
You’re probably familiar with the cork you find stopping up wine bottles, of course, but you may never have walked on a cork floor. It’s the same material, just formed into tiles or planks and stuck down on the sub-floor. Since it is lightweight, installation is fairly painless.

Cork is considered eco-friendly because it’s harvested from sustainable resources. It comes from the bark of the cork oak tree (which can be collected without harming the tree itself).

Cork’s unique look makes it a fun floor choice, but there are practical reasons for choosing it as well. It acts as an insulator, absorbing sound and softening impacts (for instance, if you lay cork in the kitchen, a dropped dish probably won’t break). It’s also an easier material to stand on for long periods than floors made from ceramic tiles, stone, etc.

Reclaimed Hardwood Floors
If you love the look of hardwoods (who doesn’t?) but can’t reconcile yourself to having trees cut down just so you can get a new living room floor, there may still be a way for you to get the floor of your dreams. Think reclaimed wood.

Reclaimed hardwood floors are made with timbers recycled from old structures, such as dilapidated barns, schoolhouses, libraries, etc. There are a number of companies who buy the wood that would otherwise end up in a junkyard and refinish it to create planks suitable for residential floors. So basically you can a new hardwood floor without any new trees being cut down.

If you’re wondering if these reused boards are structurally sound, they are. In fact, many people tout them as superior to the planks made from today’s trees. The wood used in these older buildings came from old-growth forests, from older first generation trees; on the other hand, today’s hardwood floors are made from wood harvested from tree farms, where the trees never truly reach maturity before being cut down.

Have a floor made from reclaimed wood and you’ll be getting quality, character, and history in one swoop.

Bamboo Flooring
Bamboo is another flooring material that is catching on in popularity. It is considered eco-friendly because bamboo is a fast-growing grass, rather than a tree, and farms can grow a shoot to maturity in just a few years.

Though bamboo is somewhat similar to hardwood floors, it has a distinct look, and some people prefer that uniqueness to hardwoods. It is a sturdy, durable material and will last just as long as wood. Though there aren’t as many varieties as there are species of wood, different finishes can create different looks for you to choose from.

The three flooring materials we have discussed–bamboo, hardwoods, and cork–are all considered eco-friendly. As an added bonus, they are all relatively easy to maintain. No vacuum cleaner required here! They are also good choices for allergy sufferers. With bamboo, hardwoods, and cork, there is no place for pet dander, pollens, mold, mildew, dust, etc. to hide. Compare this to the nooks and crannies you get with carpets, and you’ll see why more and more people are choosing these other materials.

by Ivan Cuxeva Jr
About the Author: TC Thorn writes on many home improvement topics, such as wood flooring, bamboo floor cleaning, and kitchen floor ideas.

Buy The New Flooring Idea Book
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Red worms or red wiggler worms, which are different from earthworms, are the best worms to use for your composting process. You want to stay away from using earthworms because they weren’t made to be composting worms; red worms will take your food scraps, eat and digest them, making worm castings full of nutrients for your soil. Earthworms on the other hand, are burrowing worms; they’ll aerate the soil and take everything on the surface down with it. Therefore, they’ll be absolutely useless for what you want to do, which is compost!

In order to have a successful vermicomposting experience, always remember to feed your worms! Worms need food too, and they love food scraps, another reason why vermicomposting is so easy. Readily available, food scraps like wilted vegetables, fruit rinds, bread and coffee grounds are great sources of food for your worms. Just be sure to never, ever add scraps like meats, fats, oils, or dairy products because the worms will not be able to eat and digest these items properly. Another reason you do not want to put animal products in your compost is because they smell bad and attract rodents and other animals to your compost bin or heap.

Be sure to bury your food scraps in the dirt about a few inches deep underneath the dirt. This will keep the annoying fruit flies away, not to mention leaving some wiggle room for your little worms. It’s always a good idea to bury your food scraps in different areas of your worm bin so that the worms don’t get too used to convening in the same spot and so that all areas of the bin receives its fair share amount of worm castings.

After a few months you’ll notice that in place of the dirt bedding you laid out for the worms earlier, you have what we composters like to call black gold, rich fine worm castings that are ready to go into your garden. After that you’re ready to start over! A fun process that students, young children and adults will surely enjoy, vermicomposting is a terrific and acceptable way to get down and dirty with worms!

Author: Duong Vicki
About the author: For a wide selection in chipper shredders and lawn sweepers, be sure to stop by Composters.com

Buy the Book: Worms Eat My Garbage
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It is no wonder when you consider that most homes contain toxin soaked carpeting, formaldehyde soaked particleboard, toxic household cleaning supplies, PVC, offgassing, dry cleaning, plastics and much more. If it was manufactured in a lab, odds are it is not good for you or your family. The short and long term dangers are compounded if you have children or pets.

The good news is that it is not terribly difficult or expensive to start greening your home. Gaiam has a nice article called 5 Easy and Cheap Ways to Green Your Home and the list includes:

1. Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in lead, pesticides and other contaminants. The good news is, your home will stay much cleaner too.

2. Get rid of vinyl (PVC) which is commonly found in shower curtains, kids toys and backpacks. Look for the #3 or letters PVC. Why get rid of it?

“PVC frequently contains notorious phthalates to make it soft. According to the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition, these phthalates are known to cause liver and kidney damage, endocrine disruption, reproductive system damage and, possibly, cancer, and they can easily leach out of PVC. And finally, harder PVC often contains lead and cadmium, two heavy metals that have also been linked to a host of health issues, including cancers.” Gaiam.com

3. Switch to green cleaners because traditional household cleaners turn your indoor air and surfaces into toxic hazards. There are many green cleaners on the market today and they are a step in the right direction but making your own cleaners with vinegar, baking soda and salt is the most healthy, inexpensive, non-toxic and earth friendly way to clean your home.

4. Use indoor plants. They look great, are positive feng shui and yes they absorb toxins from the air. The best plants for toxic absorption are ficus, spider plants and English ivy.

5. Open your windows even if it is for a few minutes a day and yes, even in the winter. Even adding a little fresh air to the mix will help dilute the toxins in your household air.

Curtains, couches, and carpets - could these possibly be common sources of air pollution? While many would quickly answer no, these porous household furnishings can and do contribute largely to air pollution that, according to the American Lung Association, eighty-seven percent of Americans fail to consider: the pollution of indoor air.

In fact, practically all surfaces found inside a building take in common, everyday chemicals, such as cleaning supplies and pesticides, and continue to release these harmful fumes back into the air long after their initial absorption. Consequently, unless action is taken to rid the air of these persistent pollutants, many buildings stay continuously contaminated.

Pollution of air does have a serious and direct effect on human health. For example, asthma, allergies, and cancers can often be linked to air pollution. And while many think of outdoor air as the primary culprit, the Environmental Protection Agency states that the air inside is actually two to ten times more polluted than that outdoors.

This dangerous indoor air pollution comes from many sources, including perfumes, fireplaces, pesticides, candles, smoking, cleaning supplies, dust, construction materials, mold, and people. Chemicals such as pesticides, for instance, which are created to kill insects and other pests, are made up of both active chemicals and inert solvents that are extremely toxic, and as mentioned above, are often re-released into the air for prolonged periods of time.

Therefore, because many of the sources of indoor pollution cannot be eliminated, the air itself must be disinfected. To do this, the United States Centers of Disease Control recommends using a UV air purifier that employs a HEPA filter along with ultraviolet light. In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that a UV clarifier which generates negative ions is highly effective in ridding the air of bacteria and dust.

Many UV air purifiers on the market incorporate all of these methods. Together, they are able to remove and/or kill virtually all particulates and micro-organisms found in the air. This is extremely important; while the hairs in our noses filter larger particles, smaller particulates pass through to our lungs, resulting in serious health risks.

A HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter will trap 99.97% of these dangerous particulates a minute as small as three-tenths of a micron (which is 1/25,400 of an inch). Being trapped by the UV clarifier, they cannot again enter the air. Depending on the amount of pollution in the air, A HEPA filter often lasts several years, making the ultraviolet air purification system extremely cost-effective.

Some of the particulates passing through a UV air purifier are micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold. As these microbes pass by the ultraviolet germicidal light, their DNA is mutated, making it impossible for them to reproduce and grow. The HEPA filter works with the ultraviolet light as it captures hazardous microbes, allowing the ultraviolet light of the UV clarifier ample time to destroy all micro-organisms and render emitted air harmless.

Finally, negative ions work to attract positively-charged fine particles, including dust and mold spores. As negative ions attach to the positive particulates, they form clumps, become heavy, and fall to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or dusted. As these positively-charged fine particles are pulled from the air, a host of dead skin, dust mites, and bacteria, which would be inhaled, are removed, leaving the air safe to breathe.

In addition to a HEPA filter, ultraviolet light, and negative ion generation, it is important that an ultraviolet air purification system employ a fan. Just as placing the fan of an HVAC system in the constant-on position will help the system’s filter trap contaminants as air moves through, an ultraviolet air purification system must produce a constant flow in order to keep air moving through the UV clarifier so hazardous particulates can be trapped and killed.

Indoor air quality, according to the EPA, ranks number one as the United States’ environmental health problem. Therefore, every piece of technology that can be utilized by a UV air purifier should be incorporated as each plays an important role in the effectiveness of an ultraviolet air purification system. The HEPA filter, ultraviolet germicidal light, negative ions, and fan work together to rid indoor air of pollutants that will persist unless action is taken against this dangerous pollution.

About the Author:

Clean Air with Ultraviolet offers low-maintenance, energy efficient products that will minimize indoor air pollution. For more information on indoor air purifiers or the benefits of air purification, please visit Clean Air with Ultraviolet.

Buy the Honeywell HHT-145 HepaClean UV Antibacterial HEPA tower 3-in-1 Air Purifier
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We tend to think of cotton as pure and natural and images of pretty fluffy white seed heads come to mind. It is the most celebrated and popular fabric the world over and due to its enormous commercial value to so many countries is a significant part of foreign exchange earnings.

However there is another side to the coin which consumers may not be so familiar with. Cotton uses more pesticides per plant than almost any other crop in the world. Growing and harvesting 1lb of cotton fiber (which is enough to make the average tee shirt) exacts a deadly cost to the earth’s air, soil, water and ultimately animals, all of which has an dramatic impact on global health. Furthermore policies and routines employed within the industry ranging from crop subsidies from the wealthy nations to sweatshops which cause misery and poverty.

Organic cotton growing aims to work with nature and uses biologically based and not chemically based growing systems to raise crops. Farmers focus on managing rather than eradicating pests and weeds and help maintain an ecological balance. They have options to control weeds which include hoes, crop rotation, intercropping, mulches etc.

Beneficial ants are encouraged which feed on the cotton bollworm by planting sunflowers for example. Because the pesticides used in conventional cotton growing not only kill cotton pests but also eliminate helpful insects the balance of nature is overturned and there is an increased need for toxic chemicals. This has become known as the “pesticide treadmill”.

In California five of the top nine pesticides are carcinogenic (dicofol, naled, cyanazine, propargite and trifluralin).

The World Health Organization estimates that at least three million people are poisoned by pesticides every year and 20-40,000 more are killed.

Apart from problems associated with growing conventional cotton and processes involved in creating the fabric the dyes are further concerns. Toxins in the dyes affect skin and other organs. People with skin conditions such as eczema may be even more affected by chemicals and dyes. It has been suggested that babies have an increased likelihood of being affected because their skin is thinner and their bodies are still growing.

Basically the choice of whether or not to buy organic cotton is a personal one but I believe that there is a strong case to do so.

by Linda Sones
About the Author: Owner of an online shop selling organic cotton baby clothes and baby toiletries + handmade soap

Buy Organic Cotton, From Field to Final Product

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If you are like many people you live life to the fullest and take each day as a new day. You take care of yourself and your children as best as you can.

What if I told you that your home may be filled with toxins that are harmful to you and your children? Many people have no clue about the dangers that are present in their homes and the effects of chemicals and toxins.

Americans suffer from more degenerate disease then ever before. There is a definite link between the “Epidemic of Degenerative Disease” and the increase in the development of synthetic ingredients used in personal care products and home care products.

Many people do not consider their home to be a toxic waste dump and the facts may surprise them. The average home today contains 62 toxic chemicals. That is more than a chemistry lab! More than 72,000 synthetic chemicals have been produced since World War II, and those are the same chemicals that have been found in many homes across the nation!

Here are some facts about products that are found in many homes.

• Bleach has been linked to reproductive problems in men and learning and behavioral problems in children.
• Everyday household cleaners are the number one cause of poisoning children.
• Behavioral problems have been linked to exposure to toxic chemicals and molds.
• Carpet cleaner solution is extremely toxic to children. The fumes given off by carpet cleaners can cause cancer and liver damage.
• Laundry detergents, household cleaners and pesticides have been linked to breast cancer.
• Glass cleaners often may contain ammonia. Fumes from ammonia can irritate skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
• Toilet Bowl Cleaners are one of the most dangerous cleaning products. Can contain chlorine and hydrochloric acid. Harmful to health simply by breathing during use.
• Formaldehyde, phenol, benzene and toluene are found in common household cleaners, cosmetics, beverages, fabrics and cigarette smoke. These chemicals are cancer causing and toxic to the immune system.
• An EPA study stated that the toxic chemicals in household cleaners are 3 times more likely to cause cancer than outdoor air.

These are proven facts and back-up the real dangers in many products in our homes. If you use store bought window cleaner, disinfectants, carpet cleaners, make-up , degreasers or stain removers, you should be aware that all have been found to contain very dangerous chemicals and toxins. These toxins have been linked to cancer, immune system disorders, liver damage, and many other very common health issues many American’s face today.

So, what can people do to protect themselves and their families? Remove all toxic products from their homes! By removing those products and utilizing natural or organic made products, you will increase your chances of a healthy life and improve your health greatly!

About the Author:

Safe Wellness Products combines the best of science & nature come together to create healthy lives and toxin free homes! If you are concerned about you or your families health and wellness, we can help you create a more earth friendly home and eliminate toxins from your home! Visit http://www.safewellnessproducts.

Buy: The Healthy Home, An Attic to Basement Guide to Non-Toxic Living
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The short list that you can use to green your pumpkin:
1.Purchase an organic pumpkin to take strain off the environment
2.Purchase a smaller baking pumpkin and do something edible with the insides and carve the outside
3.Eat the seeds
4.Donate your used jack-o-lantern to a zoo. Call ahead to make sure your local zoo wants them.
5.Compost the pumpkin. Find a municipal compost pile if you don’t have your own.

Great list! Read the full list including recipes and links at Gaiam-life.com

While you are at it, check out more green Halloween tips from Grist.
Image Source: http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/5-Easy-Ways-to-Green-Your-JackOLantern.html?p=1

Green building practices reduce negative impacts on human health and the environment through better design, construction, operation and removal of materials. Ultimately, green building increases the efficiency in which materials are harvested and used.

When it comes to picking a floor for your home take advantage of the availability of recycled wood to replace any old flooring you may be tearing up. Try to utilize as much of the existing home as possible. You may not want to do away with old wood especially if you can reuse it in another location. After all it still has all the character and history in its features.

The green movement is prevalent as documented by many environmental initiatives being launched across the U.S. Here are two such examples: Last summer the City of Denver launched a five-year plan to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly practices that is already showing positive results and, in the private industry arena, Toyota Motors Corporation is going green with its design of hybrid vehicles, efforts to reduce green house gases, and its firm commitment to environmentally responsible construction projects.

According to the Metropolitan Builders Association, approximately 64 percent of home builders will be either heavily or moderately involved with green building projects. That follows a 20 percent increase in such builders over the past year. Such growth is moving green home building into the mainstream and brings home builders and homeowners to the brink of a new, environmentally and resource-conscious era.

But in the hazy world of figuring out what is truly a “Green” product, how does one know what to look for? Much like the USDA organic seal, products that carry the FSC logo have passed a rigorous monitoring process. The FSC label signals to consumers that the product was made from wood that has been procured, manufactured, and distributed in accordance with the FSC’s internationally accepted standards. Many architects and builders are using FSC-certified wood in their projects as a means of demonstrating their own commitment to the environment.

The process of recycling antique wood starts with the close relationships floor manufacturers have fostered with their suppliers to identify structures slated for destruction. Once the old timber structures are inspected and chosen as being suitable, the barn is carefully dismantled, transported to a lumber mill, and expertly cut into planks by professional sawyers.

The wood is then sent to facilities to be kiln-dried, sized, and carefully graded. Finally milling artists hand-select the wide planks to exact specifications in preparation for installation. This green process creates a look and feel that harkens back to the earliest pilgrim homes.

Article courtesy of www.RenovationFinder.com. Find a specialist in you area for installation of your floors at www.RenovationFinder.com

About the author:
RenovationFinder.com is a comprehensive online renovation directory that lists thousands of home renovation professionals from all over North America. RenovationFinder.com provides a comprehensive, user friendly resource that unites homeowners and contractors for all their home renovation needs!

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