12 Green Days of Christmas

12 Tips to Have a Green Christmas

On the twelfth day of Christmas: Get that closet ready! Almost 100,000 tons of old clothes will be thrown away this Christmas, so if you know your getting a new wardrobe, be sure to get your closet ready by donating your old clothes to a local charity.

On the eleventh day of Christmas: Avoid buying gifts that require batteries! New gifts at Christmas often mean that households go through a lot of batteries. But remember, batteries contain toxic chemicals, are not biodegradable and are difficult to recycle. As an alternative, One Stop Green recommends using rechargeable batteries or better yet, try buying new USB rechargeable batteries! By opening the batteries cap and plugging it into a USB connector, you can recharge them pretty much anywhere and save them from otherwise being disposed!

On the tenth day of Christmas: Buy in bulk! Instead of purchasing cans of soda and individual small bags of chips, go ahead and stock up on bulk goods you know you’ll end up using to reduce packaging waste and save on trips to the grocery store.

On the ninth day of Christmas: Getting a new cell phone or electronic product for Christmas? Be sure to dispose of that old phone or electronic through an e-recycling program. Each year, approximately 130 million cell phones are thrown out that weigh over 65,000 tons. Recycle your old phone or electronic responsibly to prevent hazardous elements like mercury, cadmium and lead from leaking into our landfills.

On the eight day of Christmas: Buy a Real Christmas Tree and be sure to Recycle! Ninety-eight percent of Christmas trees were grown on farms, not in forests, so it's not as if you're cutting down an ancient tree. Each year, 10 million Christmas trees end up in the landfills and while your tree won't fit in the recycling bin, you can recycle it through various other methods, one of which is through programs offered by the city to turn your tree into mulch.

On the seventh day of Christmas: Add Organic and Local Foods to Your Holiday Feast! Support local farms that grow sustainable meat and produce. Not only does it taste better, but its more humane towards animals and you'll be doing your part for the planet too. Speaking of buying local foods...

On the sixth day of Christmas: Buy Local Gifts - The impact of transportation contributes significantly to greenhouse emissions and global warming so this Christmas, buy locally made and manufactured gifts from places such as fairs and artisan shops that reduce the added costs of transportation.

On the fifth day of Christmas: Christmas is expensive and that means lots of bills! This Christmas, be sure to sign up for paper free billing and pay all your bills online. Not only will this help you cut down on the amount of junk mail you receive but you'll save some trees as well!

On the fourth day of Christmas: Not all gifts have to be store-bought. Give more while spending less by making personal and unique gifts from scratch. Need some ideas? Check out how to make your own Green Terrarium! fwd4.me/0he8

On the third day of Christmas: Use LED Christmas lights to decorate your home! Save money, use less energy, and invest in long term LED energy saving Christmas lights that will give you all the festive cheer without the holiday electricity bill.

On the second day of Christmas: Re-use gift bags! Save your gift bag or wrapping paper and re-use them for other gifts to use less paper. Try also using the comic section of your daily newspaper to wrap gifts – it’s free, saves money, and helps the environment!

And on the first day of Christmas: Buy Green! This Christmas, consider giving the gift of green and give recycled and up-cycled gifts and ornaments! For more eco-friendly gift ideas and tips, visit OneStopGreen.com – your destination for green living! 

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner.

Visit our website at www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

The debate over the incandescent light bulb…

Blog week of July 10th

Opponents claim that current light bulb laws are anything but bright...

In 2007, Congress passed an energy act that requires light bulb manufacturers to upgrade the efficiencies of their products.  This act is part of an extensive federal movement to encourage Americans to use resources – in particular energy, more wisely.  While most agree that the intent behind the initiative is good, some lawmakers believe that the method behind the 2007 legislation wrongfully prevents consumers from buying traditional, cheap incandescent bulbs.

The Republican coalition is led by Texas representative Joe Barton, who argues that personal liberties are at stake as a result of the law and that the federal government must be mindful of the ideological implications of its actions with respect to the Constitution.  The so-called Barton bill is currently circulating in the House and its proponents point out that alternatives, such as CFL and LED light bulbs, cost much more than traditional incandescent bulbs and that some even pose health risks with their mercury content.

Democrats assert that consumers will save money, despite the extra cost of fluorescent and LED bulbs, because the efficiency of these bulbs will be accounted for in immediate savings on energy bills, not to mention the overall longevity of the lighting source compared to tradition incandescent bulbs.  Additionally, opponents of the Barton bill contend that the small concentration of mercury in compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and advances in technology, make any perceived health threat negligible.  The Obama administration officially opposes the bill because it would repeal measures that encourage technological innovation, increase employment, and reduced emissions.

If the 2007 act remains intact, 100-watt light bulbs will no longer be available for purchase from most vendors after January 1st, 2012.  75 watt, 60 watt and 40 watt bulbs will follow suit within the next three years following the January 1st threshold. For comparison sake – that 60-watt incandescent bulb (the most popular kind) can be replaced by a 13-watt compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), or a 4-watt LED light bulb. In addition to the impressive wattage savings of 47 and 56 watts respectively, most CFL light bulbs have a 10,000-hour lifetime, compared to just the 1,000-hour lifetime of an incandescent bulb. Furthermore, LED light bulbs have an amazing 50,000-hour lifetime, meaning it will last up to 50 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulb! While the up-front costs are obviously more than the incandescent bulb, the long-term investment is certainly well worth it by both the amount of energy the bulb consumes as well as its relatively long life span. With technology and demand increasing daily, the type of CFL and LED bulbs being produced are becoming more diverse, offering more choices for consumers at even lower prices. With the government as a driver, the prices for these advanced lighting technologies will soon reach market parity in that it will cost the same as traditionally inefficient incandescent bulbs. Sounds like a bright idea to me!

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs.  Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green.  We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner.

Visit our website at www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP 

one stop green House Representatives incandescent bulbs energy act Joe Barton bill efficient LED health risks mercury fluorescent Obama administration innovation employment emissions 2007 100 watts January 1st

Cooking Green! And We Don't Mean Green Meat

Blog Week of July 3^rd

Remember that old adage, ‘if you can’t take the heat, get out the kitchen?’ Now it’s, ‘if you can’t take the heat, just get an induction burner!’

We all remember that old saying, “If you can’t take the heat, then get out of the kitchen?” Although often applied to real life situations, there is certainly a literal sense to the meaning. With summer in full bloom, the sun is shinin’ bright and that means it time to get together for family gatherings – most likely in the form of outdoor BBQ’s. But it’s hotter than ever outside making it both difficult and inconvenient and all the massive heat that comes from both gas and electric stoves makes this experience that much more dreadful. 

If you are like me, you have probably wondered if there were easier ways to enjoy cooking without all of the extra heat! Cooking without the extra heat is something that is unknown to the average American but now there is a way. 

General Electronics stated in a press release, “Although popular in European and Asian households and among professional chefs worldwide, induction cooking is still largely a mystery for many North American consumers.” With induction cooking, a current is produced when a steel or iron bottom pan is placed on the cook top, which has an electromagnetic element under its smooth surface. The current passes through the cook top and heats the pan and cooks the food inside. Nearly all the energy is transferred directly to the magnetic cookware and the food, making induction cooking quick and efficient. Because there is no residual heat from burners, cooking adjustments are nearly instantaneous and precise.” 

Essentially, all the heat is transferred to the actual pan and not the cooking surface. This provides a safer alternative as well as because no heat is transferred to a nonferrous object such as plastic, paper, cloth, or even a hand that touches the cooking area! This in turn creates a cooler and safer cooking environment that is also easy to clean.

The advent of new technologies is now allowing us a greener and cleaner way to do everyday things like cooking. So get ready for July 4^th, put on your new summer outfit, and take the fun outdoors!

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner.

Visit our website at www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

Keywords: induction cooking, green cooking, green cookware, cooking easy, no heat, innovative cooking, eco-friendly cooking, july 4^th cooking, cooking with less heat

The Two Flush System – A Secret in Water Conservation

Week of June 26^th

The Two Flush System – What is it and how does it work?

My first encounter with a two flush system was on my first visit to Israel in 2007.  Quite honestly, I had no idea why the toilet had 2 buttons, or 2 levers, depending on the setup.  It took some experimentation to figure out the difference, but basically different amounts of water were released depending on which was pressed.

Less water is needed to flush urination because the liquid mixes and flows with the flushed water.  So the smaller button or lever is pressed and the toilet does the rest using a reduced water flow.  For bigger loads, the big button or lever is used so the extra water keeps your bowl looking nice.

Two flush systems are rarely seen in the United States, or at least in Texas.  However, historically water has not been as hard to come by in the United States, as it is in Israel, where a large portion of the country is desert.  Israel’s commitment to water conservation is quite strong with much of the water going toward irrigation and turning parts of the Negev Desert into an agricultural region.  For Israel, conservation is especially important in their dry season, roughly through the summer and autumn months.

While big “Green” news items usually relate to finding renewable energy, saving water is just as important.  Water on the Earth is a set resource and only about 2% is fresh water in lakes, rivers, ice, and the atmosphere.  Overuse and pollution makes even less of what little water is available fit for consumption.

Currently in the United States, a large portion of the states bordering Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico are experiencing drought conditions.  In Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, all divisions are experiencing drought, and all but one in New Mexico is experiencing a drought.  In San Antonio, where I am from, Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect based on the level of water in the Edwards Aquifer at one particular well.  In the drier summer months, this has become a surprisingly regular occurrence as the rain the rest of the year is not enough to slake the city’s thirst during the summer.  During these restrictions, the city sets regulations as to when water can be used for what; this includes restricting days and times lawns can be watered and whether car washing is legal.

Two Flush System retrofits are available for just about any toilet.  The retrofits are a simple and inexpensive way to reduce how much water you can use per flush.  Most are simple enough to install as a do-it-yourself project in an hour or less.  They fit nearly all standard household toilets and even accommodate the low-flow 1.6 gallon toilets that are all but standard in new construction.  Retrofit kits can get pricey, but there are inexpensive options under $100.

While water conservation is relatively untouched by the media and politicians, it is an important part of Going Green and using resources wisely.  Two Flush Systems have been proven in other places and could be an integral part of cutting down water use domestically.

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner. 

Visit our website at www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

The End of Incandescents - How to Keep the Lights On

Blog Week of June 5th

The end of the Incandescent bulb is just the Beginning of the Future…

The end of the incandescent bulb as we know it is near thanks to a law signed by former President George W. Bush in 2007.  While not banning the bulbs outright, the law requires incandescent bulbs to be 25% more efficient and dictates a phase-out of inefficient bulbs beginning in January 2012.

The 100-watt incandescent bulbs will be some of the first to go and as rolling deadlines between 2012 and 2014 come and go, more of their incandescent brethren will join them.  While the law doesn’t require the use of compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, it will however slowly phase it out, giving compact fluorescents (CFL’s) and Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s) a leg-up in the marketplace.

Now, to clarify, this new law by no means outlaws incandescent bulbs outright.  It does however, mandate more efficient incandescent bulbs, which essentially means a phase-out of current models.  In fact, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association, a trade group representing light bulb manufacturers, has cited a new 72-watt replacement for traditional 100-watt bulbs.

Unfortunately, this has not curbed hoarding of current bulbs.  In a New York Times article, anyone from home decorators to restaurateurs to everyday citizens said they would buy their favorite bulbs in bulk from wherever they could be found.  At the lighting industry trade show, Lightfair, Philips unveiled a $40-50 LED bulb with a 25,000 hour lifespan and conservative personalities like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh jumped on the fact that our government was banning current incandescent bulbs for $50 replacements (The Associated Press reported a $50 price tag and Fox News picked up their story spinning it as “As Government Bans Regular Light Bulbs, LED Replacements Will Cost $50 Each”).

On the upside for LED lighting, the future is only getting brighter.  While CFLs are considered the main alternative to incandescent lighting, they do have some negatives.  The biggest issue is that CFL bulbs contain mercury, making cleaning up a broken one a potentially dangerous proposition.  Some CFL’s also require a “warm up” period like the large halogen lights at your favorite sports stadium.  CFL’s are also more expensive than incandescent bulbs, however the energy savings make up for that after about 6 months.  And while CFLs last longer than incandescent bulbs, sometimes they don’t live up to their advertised expectations – so be sure to buy from a manufacturer who offers a limited warranty.

So why LED lighting?  The biggest plus is that their color better emulates incandescent bulbs and they outlast even CFL bulbs (by nearly ten times).  The technology behind LED lighting is the same semiconductors that are used in cell phones and computers, so as they improve, so does LED lighting.  LED’s are also gaining the backing of name-brand manufacturers, like Philips and Sylvania, and retailers like Home Depot and Lowe’s are now making them available in their stores.

For now, the advantages of LED lighting don’t counter the up front cost, so CFL bulbs are the better recommendation.  However, as technology improves and costs fall, LED lights are soon to become what the CFL became to the incandescent bulb – a game changer. In another decade or even less, CFLs could be phased out due to mercury issues leaving LED lights as our primary option.

If you are looking to go green and get rid of your incandescent lighting, One Stop Green carries both CFL and LED lighting options for nearly any application.  One Stop Green recently partnered with Earthmate Lighting to carry some of the smallest and greenest (down to the packaging) CFLs on the market.  One Stop Green’s LED lighting is made for residential and commercial applications as well and while more expensive that CFLs, LED lighting is even more energy efficient and emulates the incandescent lighting many people miss.

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner. 

Visit our website at www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

Creating the Ultimate Outdoor Living Space for the Summer!

Blog Week of June 12

The sun is shining and flowers are in full bloom - which means summer is a comin’! So who wants to stay indoors on a day like this?

Outdoor living areas are all the rage this summer and you are slowly running out of time to create your perfect space. Creating the ideal outdoor living space can be both an exciting and stressful project as there are a number of choices to choose from. Whether it’s an elegantly styled terrace with lounge chairs for watching the sunset or a modern outdoor kitchen complete with a counter top grill, this is one trend you’ll be happy to take part in!

Your process should begin by establishing a budget for your project. By setting aside a budget, you will be able to eliminate your range of choices to more realistic alternatives. Decide which features are most important to you and invest your funds there.

The next step is to make a plan! In order to effectively use your resources, you’ll need to come up with a plan before you break ground or even begin purchasing materials. Having a sound strategy before you begin the project ensures that you simply don’t run out of funds or determination halfway through the job. This plan should include the vision of your basic lay out as well as identifying what resources you already have to work with for your outdoor space.

The third and final step is to make it Green! Not only ‘Green’ an in eco-friendly but ‘green’ as in plant life and atmosphere. Make your outdoor space look like an indoor space to make it perfect for entertaining, but keep it green to emphasize nature. This means you need to take into consideration your lawn, plant life, and garden to add that perfect outdoor feel. Use natural lighting techniques such as candles or torches – or better yet, implement energy efficient LED lights to keep the party going all night long! Finally, put on those finishing touches by using recycled materials made from stone or wood to add to the décor!

So get ready, put on your new summer outfit, and take the fun outdoors!

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner. 

Visit our website at www.onestopgreen.com or download our mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP