Patty McMillen's Blog

Toxic Plastic 3-Turn Over the Bottle and Look….Most people have heard of Toxic plastic 3 it is considered by many experts as to be one of the most dangerous, carcinogenic plastic ever created by man.  It can not be RECYCLED, it will sit in our landfills forever emitting carcinogenic chemicals into the air, water and soil.  This plastic has been approved by the FDA but we still use it in packaged foods, health care products etc.  Turn over any plastic container you have and see if it has a 3 or V stamped into the plastic.  The carcinogens leach into the products they contain, resulting in your eating PVC, or lathering it into your hair, brushing your teeth and much more.  When buying your plastic items be sure to check that they don’t have a 3 or V.

Going green can be expensive, here are a few things you can do to start heading towards green living..

1.  In a new kitchen, go light on the countertops, there will be an immediate payback.  Light colored countertops do a lot to save the environment, they reflect light upwards, thus reducing lighting cost for a room.

2.  Zone your heating and cooling systems..green means don’t use power, use power efficiently.  In most two-story homes, people spend their days downstairs, their nights upstairs:  It’s wasteful to heat and cool the whole house to the same levels simultaneously.

3.  Deep roof overhangs..roof overhangs extending a couple of feet beyond the exterior walls will shade the windows, plus they will help extend the lifespan of the average paint job by protecting it from the elements.

4.  Breath better..don’t build your garage attached to your house, you are just inviting automotive exhaust indoors..a lot of people forget about this, think respiratory.

Tips for reducing impact on the environment and keep your car running it’s best, you will conserve gas, save money, and reduce harmful emissions.
Stay Tuned: foloow the maintenance schedule and save l0 to 20% on fuel. That’s 30 cents to more than 60 cents per gallon.
Firm up soft tires: If you inflate your tires properly, they could get about 3% more miles per gallon-and be safer.
Unload: Taking out l00 pounds can improve your mileage by 2%, remove your roof rack when not using it. Your trunk is not a storage unit.
Drive efficiently: aggressive driving, quick starts, stomping the brakes, speeding can cut gas mileage by as much as 5% around town and 33% on highway…most of all it pumps up a car’s carbon emissions.

Sensible living is at the top of peoples minds these days..the idea of living well generally meant living large, or as large as you could afford.  Priorities for many home owners has changed, people are now focused on living comfortably and perhaps more prudently and efficiently than before.  Sustainable living more than ever!  People are wanting more eco-friendly materials, appliances and outdoor living, and more than ever wanting to stay within a budget.  We haven’t seen a lot of green building but it’s coming.  A new home in Ukiah is under construction now, all green & leed certified!

Mendocino County has released many notices asking its residents to help save water. If you would like to do your part but don’t quite know how, I have provided 15 of the easiest tips to help you become a pro!  Share these tips with your family and friends as they are very easy and just take minor adjustments to your lifestyle. Using these EASY tips could potentially save you thousands of gallons of water a year!

1. For cold drinks keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap. This way, every drop goes down you and not the drain.

2. Water your lawn and garden in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.

3. When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

4. Use a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway and sidewalk and save water every time.

5. Shorten your shower by a minute or two and you’ll save up to 150 gallons per month.

6. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. A taller lawn shades roots and holds soil moisture better than if it is closely clipped.

7. Use a water-efficient showerhead. They’re inexpensive, easy to install, and can save you up to 750 gallons a month.

8. Use a commercial car wash that recycles water.

9. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.

10. Turn off the water while you wash your hair to save up to 150 gallons a month.

11. Turn off the water while you shave and save up to 300 gallons a month.

12. When you give your pet fresh water, don’t throw the old water down the drain. Use it to water your trees or shrubs.

13. While staying in a hotel or even at home, consider reusing your towels.

14. When you are washing your hands, don’t let the water run while you lather.

15. Aerate your lawn at least once a year so water can reach the roots rather than run off the surface.

Should you have any suggestions of your own I would love to hear them! Please comment on my post so that I may share your tips with other!

Regards, Patty