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 Environmentally
conscious hosts
can now relax! We've consulted with some hosting experts on how you can
turn
your next dinner party green. Many of our tips will add refinement to
your
dinner party, while keeping it sustainable for the planet. Invite
your guests to the wave of the future and you may convert some of them
to a more sustainable lifestyle!
Cloth material: Use cloth
tablecloths, napkins, and dishtowels. This elevates the elegance of the evening
and saves a few trees in the process. Go one step further by purchasing these
items in organic materials.
Dishware: Even for casual
barbecues, you should opt for non-disposable (and preferably non-plastic)
silverware, glasses, plates and bowls. If this is not feasible, find
compostable/biodegradable products. If you are stuck with the non-biodegradable
variety, be sure everyone recycles.
Ingredients: You go through a lot
to prepare the appetizers and meals. Why not boost the flavor by buying local? The reduction in carbon
emissions and the lack of pesticides on your
guests' plates are carefully disguised in the unbeatable extra taste that comes with local food.
Dishes: Use concentrated dish
solution and energy-star rated appliances, or wash the dishes by hand using
water conserved while waiting for your pre-party shower to heat up, or captured
in your rain barrel. If you don't have this, then be mindful of the wasted
running water.
Laundry: When washing dishtowels, hand towels, napkins, and tablecloths, use concentrated laundry
soap with an eco-friendly stain remover -- like borax or vinegar. You might also want
to run the washing machine on the cold water cycle. This will reduce the amount
of energy needed to heat water.
With these simple tips, now you can be the Hostess with the mostess, and throw a spectacular dinner party, ala green!
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 Despite a lack of magazine
subscriptions, you may find yourself with a variety of magazines and catalogues
collecting dust in the back closet. They've been read once or twice, and now you
hesitate to discard them, knowing the environmental impact of such an act. If this sounds
like you, here are a few alternatives:
Craft: For you or your kids, magazines offer a
variety of crafty opportunities - and are a great way to make a statement about
the types of advertising we are constantly subjected to. You can make a
collage, greeting cards, mailing envelopes, wrapping paper, Paper Mache, or
laminate images as doll-toys.
Send it to the Shredder: Shredded
paper makes good tissue paper for gift bags, Easter grass, confetti, or liner
for animal cages. Shredded magazines should not be used for garden beds, as the
chemicals contained in the inks may be harmful to the soil and plants.
Share: Swap magazines with a friend
or donate them to your local school, daycare, doctor's office, museum, library,
or women's shelter. Many of these
periodicals can be reused for art projects, for discussion, or for casual
reading.
Recycle: If none of these options work for you: recycle,
recycle, recycle. Contact your local recycling center (or check out Earth 911) to find out where you can
recycle magazines, if you do not have home pickup.
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 When you think of a powerful
cleaner and disinfectant, you may think of dangerous, toxic chemical products.
You probably wouldn't consider a product that you can cook with! Despite what
bleach fanatics may try to convince you of, bleach has its match in vinegar.
Vinegar is a naturally occurring form
of acetic acid, which is a mild antibacterial agent. Aside from its
antibacterial properties, vinegar has some hearty cleaning ability! Mixed with
other agents, it boosts the antibacterial and oil-removal, leaving surfaces
sparkling-clean.
The
uses of vinegar are nearly endless. In addition to cleaning, it is an excellent
item for cooking and for home science experiments (remember the
vinegar-and-baking soda volcanoes from grade school?). Its also great for your health, as it boosts
digestion and
Vinegar is a staple of any
homemade cleaning supply. Here are 5 great things you should know about vinegar:
- A few cups of vinegar and some
baking soda can relieve the nastiest of bathtub clogs- and the fizz entertains the
kids
- Powerful disinfectant! On its own
or coupled with Hydrogen Peroxide, vinegar gets rid of nasty microbes
- Glass, chrome & fixtures --
Remove tough water spots and revive the shine in your fixtures with a few drops
of vinegar
- Bar none, vinegar & water
solutions make the best glass cleaners - free of streaks, and much more
affordable
- Deodorizes -- nasty garbage
disposals, dirty trashcans, and odiferous bathrooms beware! Vinegar with a few drops of essential
oil will neutralize the nasty odors and leave the deliciously clean scent of
your choice.
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In This Issue:
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Updates from My Office
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Your Name
800-123-4567
my website
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Quick Tips
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Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned.
Donate old cell-phones to women's shelters, or to another worthy cause.
E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing
environmental
problem. Visit www.wirelessrecycling.com or www.recellular.com to get started.
Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products.
Borrow
instead of buying: garden items, power-tools, clothing, shoes, books,
movies - the list of borrowable items is nearly endless!
Skip Bottled water - opt for a home-filtration system and an
reusable, non-plastic bottle for water on-the-go.
Buy local, humanely-raised, organic meat, eggs, and dairy
whenever you can.
Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These
inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure
high.
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