Simple Steps to a Greener Everyday Life

Simple Steps to a Greener Everyday Life

Becoming apart of the Food, Energy, Water Nexus has meant making adaptations to my daily life. Some examples are some simple purchases that with a low price tag can lead to a great environmental impact:

1. Aluminum water bottle and plastic tote 
Reducing my single use plastic use is a top priority for me. Although I've been using reusable water bottles and canvas bags for years, I couldn't help but purchase these at the Florida Aquarium.  I've previously been using a glass bottle, but it broke, so I thought I'd give this aluminum one a try. What I really like about it, is how long the water stays cool, or rather not hot, unlike my glass bottle. I was worried there would be a metallic taste to the water, but that's not been the case. 

The bottom of the bag reads:

Why choose this reusable tote?

1. Annually an estimated 4 billion plastic bags become litter worldwide.

2. A mere 1% of plastic bags are recycled in the United States.

3. 14 plastic bags contain enough petroleum to drive a car one mile.

4. 12 million barrels of oil are needed to produce the amount of plastic bags the United States use annually.

Thanks for doing your part to protect our environment.

2. Stainless steel straws
I recently made a video about the detriment straws have on our environment. I generally don't use straws as I only really drink plain water and wine.  But from time to time I like to enjoy a Vodka Soda or a Gin and Tonic. I decided to buy this variety pack of stainless steel straws. It comes with 4 straight, 4 bent, as well as 2 brushes and a carrying bag. There's enough for my mom to take one to work, put one in my purse and car, and have a few around the house. What I like about them, is you can use less ice in your drink, as they cool the liquid - an energy saving bonus!

https://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Tumblers-SENHAI-Drinking-Cleaning/dp/B06XFSG3H8/ref=sr_1_4_s_it?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1524524417&sr=1-4&keywords=set+of+8+stainless+steel+straws

$8.99

My mom tested it out at my restaurant

3. Wool Dryer Balls

According to the Amazon listing these balls are:

• ALL NATURAL AND ORGANIC: Chemical free alternative to using dryer sheets and one-time use products.
• ECO-FRIENDLY: ZG-Home's Wool Dryer balls are an eco-friendly alternative to plastic dryer balls that are most frequently seen on television!
• REDUCES WRINKLES AND LINT: The wool balls' natural anti-static quality will help reduce your need to iron your clothes.
• REUSABLE UP TO ONE YEAR: Our dryer balls will last over a thousand loads, allowing you to save money on dryer sheets and fabric softeners.
• SAVE ELECTRICITY: Your appliance usage will shrink as you see your clothes dry up to 25% faster.Re-usable- Lasts over 1,000 loads

 https://www.amazon.com/SnugPad-ZG-Home-Premium-Reusable-Softener/dp/B074PFTJTZ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1524524564&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=snugpad+wool+balls&psc=1

$13.95

4. Compost System

As mentioned in my previous blog, I upped my composting game. I bought this compost pail to keep my kitchen scraps in in between adding them to my compost bin. Every 2-3 days I empty it into my new Tumbler Composter. I been able to reduce my organic waste to nearly nothing. With less organic waste going into the trash, means less energy wasted transporting it to a landfill. Any meat/bones I have leftover, I bring in to Dr. Culhane to turn into biofuel!

 https://www.amazon.com/Epica-Stainless-Compost-Gallon-Charcoal/dp/B00AMNCYNQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1524524856&sr=1-1&keywords=Top+Rated+Epica+Stainless+Steel+Compost+Bin+1.3+Gallon-Includes+Charcoal+Filter

$22.95

https://www.amazon.com/Yimby-Tumbler-Composter-Color-Black/dp/B009378AG2/ref=sr_1_1?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1524524929&sr=8-1&keywords=Yimby+Tumbler+Composter%2C+Color+Black

$89.00

Through these simple purchases I hope to reduce my carbon footprint. Next up: I'm looking to replace all of my toiletries with Eco-friendly alternatives. 

Upping my Compost Game

Upping My Compost Game!

For anyone who was in last semester's Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation class, knows I started a very simple and inexpensive Compost pile. You can watch the video on YouTube:

Lemieux: the helper

https://youtu.be/T-LBev63zPg

I really enjoyed my compost bin, and was able to reduce our garbage by at least 50% (we recycle all paper, plastic, glass an aluminum). I've been keeping a bowl full of scraps in the fridge and adding them to my compost every few days. The worms have been doing a great job and I have beautiful compost. 

However, our household was producing just too much organic waste for my compost to keep up with. I was still bringing about half our waste to TH Culhane to use in his biodigesters. Although that is a noble cause, I've been having to go from work to school, so storing a pile of waste in my car all day in the Florida sun is not practical. Also, we are planning on clearing our entire front yard of random plants and creating a native sustainable garden, so the more compost production, the better. 

I went to the trusty Amazon, and found: 

Yimby Tumbler Composter, Color Black $89.00

4.1 out of 5 stars    1,825 customer reviews

#1 Best Sellerin Outdoor Composting Bins

Amazon Prime 2 Day Shipping

The assembly:

Pretty straightforward, no tools required

Lemieux really likes to help

60+ screws later, Viola!
 
 Next Step was to get my compost started. I had saved some scraps for a few days:

Eggshells, banana, onions, avocado shell, laundry lint and a spaghetti squash rind (All Paleo of course!)

 

The bin has a "+" side that you open to add your compost

 

Adding the "greens"

 

For "browns" I scooped up some dry leaves from the yard. I added 2 bowls full to obtain the 1:2 ratio of greens to browns.

 

Finally I added some "dirt," aka Florida sand, to get the local microbes involved

 

After everything was in I closed the door and churned away!

 

 Notice the solar powered lights!

Now we wait . . .

After a few months of composting, I've run into an "issue." I've been simply throwing my scraps into a bowl (see white bowl above), and keeping them on the counter or the fridge. Although it works for me, my mom would prefer something a little tidier. Someone happened to post about this compost bin in one our groups so I went ahead and bought it.

Top Rated Epica Stainless Steel Compost Bin 1.3 Gallon-Includes Charcoal Filter

4.8 out of 5 stars 6,210 customer reviews

| 133 answered questions

Amazon's Choice Why we love this product

---

List Price:	$44.95
Price:	$22.95 Free Shipping for Prime Members

It came in the mail, and out with the old white bowl and in with the new bin!

A check on my 2 compost piles 

4/23/2018

My original worm compost bin. As you can see after 5 months, what was started as a bucket of Florida sand has turned into a dark, rich, black soil. My worms are still pretty happy in here. 

My new compost, just one month in, is already doing well. Once this side is full, I will slide the door out, flip it over, and the "+" will be on the empty side, making it easy to remember which side to add to. After a few weeks of letting the original side compost, it will be time to empty it and start over, alternating between the 2 sides. This dual chamber process allows you to always have one side to add to and one side working into compost for your garden. 

List Price:

$44.95

Price:

$22.95 Free Shipping for Prime Members

How to Become a Certified Florida Clean Marina

How to Become a Certified Florida Clean Marina 

IDS6237.001S18 

Ecotourism Sustainable Tourism Management

Florida has 1,350 mi (2,170 km) of coastline, ranking it #2 in the United States, only behind Alaska. With year round pleasant temperatures, warm waters, sunshine and beautiful beaches spotted throughout the coastline, it's no surprise locals and tourists alike flock to the waterways to enjoy recreational boating. 

However with boats come marinas, which can become cesspools of waste, ranging from boater oil to plastic trash. In order to keep our marinas clean and healthy the Florida Department of Environmental protection has developed the Clean Marina program.  "The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s lead agency for environmental management and stewardship, protecting our air, water and land."

In order to become a certified Florida Clean Marina, several steps must be taken:
 

1. Learn More About the Florida Clean Marina Program:  Interested marinas can obtain a Clean Marina Program Guidebook which "contains information about the Clean Marina Program, the Clean Marina Action Plan (CMAP), Best Management Practices and many other helpful resources." Or they can attend an introductory workshop offered at various locations and times throughout the state. 2. Take the Florida Clean Marina Pledge & Submit an Application: The Florida Clean Marina prides itself by being voluntary based. By "signing the pledge, you make a commitment to actively pursue practices that protect Florida’s waters from harmful chemicals, excess nutrients and marine debris." 3. Conduct a Self-assessment of Your Facility: The Florida Clean Marina Action Plan (CMAP) allows marinas to administer self-assessments. "Designation as a Florida Clean Marina will be awarded to those facilities that meet 100 percent in the regulatory and legal requirements (indicated in bold print), and at least 80 percent in the program required areas." 4. Contact the Florida Clean Marina Program to Schedule an Environmental Review: Prospective facilities must contact a district coordinator to have a site visit to complete the certification process.  5. Enjoy Your Rewards: "As a designated Florida Clean Marina facility, each location receives a high-quality, domestically manufactured program flag to display. Designation certificates are provided for presentation, and award ceremonies are available on request. Certified operators are also granted access to electronic materials including the Clean Marina logo, advertisement templates and more." 6. Maintain Florida Clean Marina Program Status: "The annual renewal process includes completing the Renewal Form, and serves as an excellent opportunity to update program coordinators on any new Best Management Practices that have been adopted by your facility. Upon the fifth year of renewal, facilities will obtain their Clean Marina re-certification through submitting a renewal form, an updated Florida Clean Marina Action Plan and completing an environmental review with a Clean Marina Program Coordinator on location."

Through this program Florida now enjoys dozens of clean marinas throughout the state. This leads to not only environmental benefits, but also economic benefits with increased tourism. Hopefully in the future all marinas will be clean!

Citations:
https://floridadep.gov/about-dep
https://floridadep.gov/osi/clean-marina/content/simple-steps-designation