Archive for the ‘Eco-Firendly’ Category

There are many things we can do to make Pet ownership more environmentally friendly, including Recycling Pets.

Start by Adopting your Pet from a Local Shelter:

It’s sort of like “recycling a pet” instead of buying a one from a Pet Store. The doggy in the window trick is no longer so cute, when you know where these dogs are coming from. Puppy mills are the biggest suppliers of Dogs in Pet Shops, they are a big part of the overpopulation problem in the U.S., they are notorious for maintaining these dogs in inhumane and squalid conditions. But as long as we the consumer keep purchasing these dogs from the Pet stores then the puppy mills will continue to exist.  Pets are such a source of joy and happiness for us, let’s recycle the love and help shut down the Puppy Mills and adopt a pet at the local shelter. Here are some resources that can help you find your local shelters.

• Adopt-A-Pet
• Pet Finder
• ASPCA
• Humane Society
• The Animal Rescue Site

• Spay and Neuter your Pet: Help the fight against the Overpopulation of Pets

  You may not have thought about it before but overpopulation of pets also has an impact on the environment. Overpopulation can harm the local wildlife, deposit waste and garbage into the local eco-system. Once you have adopted a pet, make sure you have them spayed or neutered. This will help keep the overpopulation of pets in check. According to the Humane Society 6-8 million pets enter the shelters every year out those half or 3-4 million get euthanized.

  • Do the Numbers:

    • Average number of litters a fertile cat can produce in one year: 3
    • Average number of kittens in a feline litter: 4-6
    • Average number of litters a fertile dog can produce in one year: 2
    • Average number of puppies in a canine litter: 6-1

  • Resources for Having Your Pet Spayed or Neutered:

    • Your Local Animal Shelter
      • Adopt-A-Pet
      • Pet Finder
    • www.spayusa.org. A national spay/neuter referral network that may be able to direct you to subsidized spay/neuter clinics in your area
    • Pets 911: Is an online database that can provide you with information on veterinarians, special clinics, and other spay/neuter resources in your area.
    • Your Veterinarian.

• Organics for your Pet:

  Since the Pet food Scare of last year many people have gone to Certified Organic Pet Food, which contains no hormones, pesticides, artificial ingredients, or antibiotics. It can run a little more expensive but, aren’t they worth it?

  • Here are some tips from the Humane Society on what to look for when choosing pet food.
  • Buy Green Savvy: Has Organic Pet Products

• A Tail of Two Poopers:

  The problem of pet waste is ignored as being a non-issue by most people. Out of 75 million dogs, about 40% of their owners don’t clean up after their pets. People don’t realize that more than just being a nuisance if you step in it, it is also an environmental hazard. Pet waste left untouched can pollute ground water, rivers and streams, and it can also spread diseases to the other species.

  • What can you do? Scoop the Poop of course.

    • If outside the home pick up your pet’s waste, preferably with a biodegradeable bag that you can flush?
    • And if it is within the confines of your yard you can start a composting bin, yep you heard right Doggy Waste Composting. Here is a guide from the Dept of Agriculture on How to Start a Doggy Waste Composting Bin.

Hope these tips help all of us all become more conscientious pet owners.

bibi

Comments (14)

If you’re thinking about ways to make your own power and getting off the grid even partially, you have several readily accessible options for which the Government is willing to give you a tax credit of 30% of your cost. Making your own Power does not mean that you have to generate “all” the power for your home, there are options for every taste and pocketbook.

1. Photovoltaic  Systems
2. Residential Small Wind Turbines
3. Solar Water Heating
4. Geo Thermal Heat Pump

SOLAR Power Systems: Going Solar used to bring to mind expensive and cumbersome equipment, that would make it feasible only for those with deep pockets and dedicated environmentalists. But as time has passed Solar Power has become more and more affordable and less and less intrusive.

• Photovoltaic Systems: solar electric or photovoltaic technology uses the sun’s energy to make electricity for the whole home and possible more that you can sell back to your Local Energy Company. In essence you become your own utility company. Solar Modules are an investment and add immediate and long-term value to your home.

• Solar Water Heating: can cut your water heating bills in half. Solar water heaters come in a variety of designs, all including a collector and storage tank, and all using the sun’s thermal energy to heat water. A recent study done on Solar Water Heating systems shows that it has a payback period of just two years.
  • Type of collectors and the circulation system.
    • Batch collectors
    • Flat-plate collectors
    • Evacuated tube collectors
    • Direct systems
    • Closed-loop, or indirect
    • Active, or forced-circulation
    • Passive systems
  • DIY Solar Projects

Residential Small Wind Turbines:

• A wind turbine system, is installed on top of a tall tower, collects kinetic energy from the wind and converts it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system. Typically it can lower your electricity bill by 50 to 90 percent.
• DIY Wind Power Projects

Geo Thermal Heat Pump:

• A Geo Thermal Heat Pump uses the earth as either a source of heat in the winter, or as a coolant in the summer. This design takes advantage of moderate temperatures in the shallow ground to boost efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Residential Renewable Energy Tax Credits

Consumers who install solar energy systems (including solar water heating and solar electric systems), small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems can receive a 30% tax credit for systems placed in service before December 31, 2016; the previous tax credit cap no longer applies. For More Info Energy Department.

If making your own Power is not an option for you right now, you can direct your energy dollars towards renewables by purchasing “green power.” This may be an option through your utility company, check out the EPA’s Green Power Locator.

bibi

Comments (6)

Green Shopping can be fun and  eBay is a great source of Eco-Friendly products. Whether you are looking for a gift for your environmentally conscious friend or just something for around the house.

By using Vintage or Used products you are giving those products a new lease on life and at the same time reducing the use of new raw materials and the energy needed to produce them.

Look for items made from recycled, organic or sustainable materials like hemp, soy or bamboo. If you are feeling adventurous look for items that artists have given a second life to, like bags made from candy wrappers or soda can pop tops.

Don’t forget to look for items that can help us reduce our use of resources like solar powered phone chargers, or hybrid energy efficient computers.

Don’t overlook refurbished electronics, if you are not a slave to the “latest” fashion in electronics, you can often find great deals in refurbished electronic and at the same time keeping those materials out of the landfill.

bibi

Comments (4)