Light bulbs

DH and I have been buying flouresent light bulbs for a few years now. I thought they were great - only change them every few years (instead of once a year) and a much lower electric bill. I still think they are great. I just want everyone to know that when you change them, you should recycle them insetad of throwing them away.

See this article about the mercury levels.

L

check out your car

You may be doing worse than you think. The EPA has finally revamped how it estimates mileage, and lo & behold, average MPG in the US is really 22! In addition, there's this little tidbit "In fact, the Prius will appear to save more fuel, compared to the average vehicle, than it does now." :)

I know it's hard to think about buying a car as being a step towards green-ness. But maybe, with your next car purchase, you will have a better idea about what the actual MPG is (instead of some artifical number that's overinflated).

Maybe it's just me - but I think that 22 MPG stinks. Maybe it would be better if the gov't subsidized these greener, more fuel efficent cars the way that they subsidize oil, or milk, or whatever. Oh, wait -- that's what this article is about.

L

an idea for organic

I just read an article about how some businesses are claiming their products are organic when in actuallity the products aren't. Apparently they are getting away with it because the USDA, the guys responsible for enforcing organic standards, are not actually doing the enforcing. There's also the companies that just skirt by the standards or just barely meet the letter of the standards while missing the intent. What's the real issue here? Dilution of brand. Companies who put in the time, effort, and money to meet high standards are being hurt by companies who put in the bare minimum (or put in nothing at all).

So since this is really a dilution of brand issue then I suggest the organic companies change tactics: create a trademark - perhaps something like "Real Organics (tm)" and then license that brand only to companies that actually meet the high standards you are trying to set. Then any of those cheating companies who try to use the mark without permission can be sued in court for trademark infringment. Plus when the cheaters try to create their own brand - say "Really Organic (tm)" you can still sue them for dillution of brand.

Forget the government, who has proven itself inept and incapable, and take a lesson from the commercial industry. Or for that matter, the Orthodox Jewish community and their "circle U" brand.

I hope this idea gets to someone who can make it happen. I looked for a way to email Treehugger.com (a green blog site) or the Cornucopia Institute (the folks suing the USDA) but I couldn't find a way to contact either of them. Hopefully somehow this idea will make it's way through the internets into the hands of someone who can use it.

as the nice people say "TiVo This"

This Old House is having a green building season. Converting your old place into a new, greener one takes extra steps, time and money. I'm hoping they'll have some great tips!

L

valentine's day, another excuse to be eco

Here's a simple article on some ways you can be more planet-freindly this upcoming valentine's day - taking your flowers and chocolate to a new level.

grist