Composting, the next recycling?

We’ve come a long way since we first started thinking about the impact our daily lives have on our planet, but environmentalists say Americans are still the most wasteful people in the world.  Watch Jinah Kim reports on NBC:

Video:  Composting, the next recycling? | NBC | Los Angeles

NatureMill Indoor Composter Review by Tiny Choices

Back in 2008, Jenn Sturiale over at Tiny Choices wrote a blog post discussing four different ways to compost indoors, and mentioned the NatureMill indoor automatic compost bin as her favorite method of composting.   She then wrote another post wondering if the NatureMill was really all that, because she had read conflicting reports about the machines and was wondering if it was worth the investment.  She was then got a hold of the NatureMill automatic compost bin to test out.  After using the compost bin for several months, Jenn has recently published her review of the NatureMill Pro XE.  Tor read the full review on Tiny Choices, visit NatureMill Indoor Composter Review.

Last Chance to Win the NatureMill Automatic Compost Bin for the Earth Day Giveaway – Earth911.com

You can enter to win this  prize with just a tweet!  For more info, visit

via Last Chance to Win Prizes for the Earth Day Giveaway – Earth911.com.

Did you know that animal agriculture accounts for 18 percent of annual worldwide greenhouse gas emissions?

According to the 2006 report Livestock’s Long Shadow, compiled by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Committee, animal agriculture accounts for 18 percent of annual worldwide greenhouse gas emissions. After reading the report, I felt guilty about eating meats but I don’t think I can become vegetarian or vegan either. I love meat so I’m going to eat less of it instead. I’ll buy organic meats and grass-fed beef that are raised without antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, growth implants, animal by-products, or steroids. It’s better for my health and the environment!

The question is where can I buy grass-fed beef locally? The first place that come to my mind is Whole Foods and the second place is Lasater Greenlands Beef. Their beef is not only organic but it tastes better than any beef that I had ever eaten before. BTW, Lasater ship their beef nationwide so if you want to try it and you couldn’t find it in Whole Foods or you local food markets, buy it online at http://www.lgbeef.com.

Reduce Your Pesticide Exposure

A great article on Planet Green about reducing pesticide exposure. The latest edition of the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides has been released by the Environmental Working Group. The guide contains an updated list of pesticide-free fruits and vegetables, and it can help consumers reduce their pesticide exposure by 80%.

Do You Think Your Carbon Footprint Is Smaller Than Your Parents’ or Grandparents’?

Each week the bloogers at Greenversations ask a question related to the environment, and the question of this week is “Do you think your carbon footprint is smaller than your parents’ or grandparents’? 

Things are much more energy efficient than they used to be, from our vehicles to our light bulbs, and most of us practice the three R’s of Reducing, Recycling and Reusing.  But now we have so much more…more vehicles, more technology, more everything…   At first thought this may seem like a pretty easy question, but think about it for a minute, and then share your thoughts.

About Greenversations:
The Greenversations blog is written by EPA employees (and occasional guests) about the things they bring to their jobs every day. The opinions and comments expressed in Greenversations are those of the authors alone and do not reflect an Agency policy, endorsement, or action, and EPA does not verify the accuracy of the contents of the blog.  

via Greenversations Question of the Week: Do You Think Your Carbon Footprint Is Smaller Than Your Parents’ or Grandparents’?.

Household Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator | U.S. EPA

EPA has developed an online emissions calculator to help individuals (and households) reduce their own contributions to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Use this online calculator to obtain an estimate of your personal greenhouse gas emissions or your family’s greenhouse gas emissions. After assessing your emissions, you may then move on to the next section of the calculator to explore actions you and/or your family can take to lower your emissions while reducing your energy and waste disposal costs.

via Individual Emissions – Household Emissions Calculator | Climate Change – Greenhouse Gas Emissions | U.S. EPA.

Natural insect repellents instead of DEET

Traditionally, Americans have embraced DEET as the bug repellent of the century. But the EPA considers DEET a toxic substance and advise not be used on irritated skin.  The Pesticide Information Project of Cooperative Extension Offices of Cornell University states that “Everglades National Park employees having extensive DEET exposure were more likely to have insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function than were lesser exposed co-workers”.

The Natural insect repellents instead of DEET article list a few Natural insect repellents that you can use instead of DEET.

Here are some more natural, non-toxic ways to control household insect pests – Natural Insect Pest Control

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Starbucks Takes Recycling to a Whole New Local Level – Earth911.com

The company wants to ensure that customers have access to recycling opportunities, such as in Seattle where the cups can be recycled in curbside programs. By working with U.S. mayors, Starbucks is hoping to reach its goal of recycling availability in 100 percent of its stores by 2015.

Starbucks Takes Recycling to a Whole New Local Level – Earth911.com.

Have you ever wonder how calcium in eggsshells make it into your garden vegetables?

After digging and moving her compost heaps, Katrien at http://blog.bolandbol.com find eggshells and bones, all over a year old and barely decomposed.   It make her wonder how that calcium will ever make it into her  garden vegetables.    In what shape or form can the calcium in the eggshell, and the calcium originating from the bedrock, be taken up by plants?  Katrien set out to conduct a research and published her finding on http://blog.bolandbol.com.   To view her posting, visit the links below.

Of Eggshells and Calcium in Soil, Compost – Part 1

Of Calcium in the Soil – Part 2

Of Calcium in the Soil – Part 3