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Green Living Summer 2009
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� SUMMER 2008 • South Sound Woman • www.SouthSoundWoman.com
A Guide To Green LivingIn The South Sound
SPECIAL PUBLICATIONSUMMER 2009
Evergreen CollegeNurturing Sustainable Lifestylesin the South Sound
Eco-Friendly BuildingsFrom Start to Finish
The Use of Solar Powerin the South Sound
RecyclingA few steps toward a greener
environment
Prison GardeningReducing the cost and
environmentalimpact of prison operations
LandscapesPractical tips to green gardening
Eco-Friendly
Going Green4 LetterFromtheEditor5 GreenLivingDefinitions Definitionsoftermsusedthroughoutthisissue
Education & Community8 KidsCanMakeADifference PeakandREIOutreachUnite
9 LittleHands,BigIdeas ProjectIdeasandPuzzlesforthekids
Green Building14 WoodwardCommunity By CJ Russo Acommunitycomestogethertolivegreen
16 AlternativeEnergy By Elizabeth Diane Howtostartusingsolarenergyinyourhome
Green in Action19 Transportation Allaboardthegreenbus
23 GreenCleaningTips By Elizabeth Diane Householdproductsbecomecleaningproducts
26 WormComposting Naturalcompostingbecomestea
29 CSA’s By Grier Jewel BuyLocalProduce
Table of Contents
May 2009 l Volume 1 l Number 1
11Eco-Friendly Buildings
From Start to Finish
By Maddy Stephens
6Evergreen CollegeNurturing Sustainable Lifestyles in the South Sound
27Prison GardeningReducing the cost and environmental impact ofprison operationsBy Carrie Rethlefsen
18The Use of Solar Powerin the South Sound
21RecyclingA few steps toward a greener environmentBy Corinna Radtkeand Galen Hammel
24Eco-Friendly Landscapes
Practical tips to green gardening
By Mary Jo Buza
GREENLIvING2009lPage3
MAGAZINESTAFFPublisher/Editor
MicheleMcGehee
vPOperationsJustinWeil
SalesDirectorKennethRussell
AccountExecutivesSherryMilczewski
PatrickParishMallorySchultz
Design/LayoutKatyJacobsElliotBower
MarketingAssistantCarrieRethlefsen
CO N T R I B U T I N G W R I T E R SMaryJoBuza
ElizabethDianeGalenHammel
GrierJewelCorinnaRadtke
CarrieRethlefsenMaddyStephens
S U B S C R I P T I O N S
GreenLivingintheSouthSoundisaannualpublicationthatisfreeandavailableatlocationsthroughoutthesouthsound.Toreceiveyourcopy,visitourwebsiteat
www.sustainablesouthsound.comorcallouroffice.
W E WA N T TO H E A R F R O M YO UIfthereisastoryyouwouldlikeustoshareorknowofanorganizationorpersonthat
ismakingadifferenceinourcommunity,[email protected].
©2009byCatalystMediaGroup,Inc.
Allrightsreserved.
Allphotography,articlesandadvertising,oranypartthereofcompiledbyCatalystMediaGroup,Inc.Company,areexclusivepropertyofCatalystMediaGroup,Inc.and
protectedbycopyright.Reproductioninwholeorinpartwithoutexpresswrittenpermissionisprohibited.Opinionsexpressedinthismagazinearethoseofcontributors
anddonotnecessarilyrepresenttheviewsofCatalystMediaGroup,Inc.CatalystMediaGroup,Inc.isanenvironmentallyresponsiblecompany.
www.sustainablesouthsound.com
POBox4207•Spanaway,WA98487Phone:360.350.1237•Fax:253.292.3667
www.catalystmediagroupinc.com
WeareluckyintheSouthSound
tohaveamazingresources,especiallyforthosewhoareinterestedinlivingamoresustainablelife.WhenIstartedthisproject,Iknewtherewastheinterestandtheneedforinformation,butIhadnoideawhatwasavailable.AsIstarted
thinkingaboutstoriesandaskingforideasfromtheexperts,Iwasamazedattheresourceswehavelocally.Fromsolarenergytocomposting,businessesandpeoplearejumpingontheconceptofsustainableliving.Anditisexciting!
So what is sustainable living? It is the simple concept
of living a life that can help sustain the local community.
My goal for this publication was to help inform you, our
readers, about the possibilities without overwhelming
you. Sometimes it takes baby steps to get where we
need to be and with all the information out there, it
is hard to decipher what the right path is to better
living. It could be as simple as planting a garden or
as complicated as building a ‘green home’ with all the
bells and whistle. It doesn’t matter the magnitude of
the project or endeavor. What matters is that we as a
community start looking around to see what we can
do to help sustain our community and create a healthy
environment.
We will continue to support this publication via
our website. We would like to hear from you and all the
things that you are doing toward sustainable living. Visit
www.sustainablesouthsound.com to learn more and
share you stories.
Publisher/Editor Michele McGehee
EditorFrom the
Page4lGREENLIvING2009
BiodegradableProductsthatcandecomposeintoharmlessrawmaterialsinthenaturalenvironmentsarebiodegradable.Mostfoods,paperproductsandnaturalmaterialsarebiodegradable.
BuiltGreenTheprogramprovidesconsumerswithfoureasy-to-understandratingsystems,whichquantifyenvironmentallyfriendlybuildingpracticesforremodelingandnewhomeconstructioninWashingtonState.
CarbonFootprintEstimateshowmuchcarbondioxideapersonorhomeusesandreleasesintotheatmosphere.Youcanfigureoutyourowncarbonfootprintat:http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx
CarbonNeutralBeing“carbonneutral”meansremovingasmuchcarbondioxidefromtheatmosphereasweputin.
CompostableCompostingiswhenyoutakebiodegradablematerialsandplacethemtogethertocreateanutrient-richproduct.Manypeoplebeginhomecompostingpilesfortheirbiodegradablematerials,especiallyfoodproducts.
DaylightingWhenyoustrategicallyplacewindowsandreflectivesurfacesinplacesthatduringthedaynaturallightwillfillyourspaces.Itaimstoreduceyourenergycostswhilehelpingwithglobalwarming.
EnergyefficientproductsorfacilitiesTheyuselessenergyandareoftenratedbyenergystar.
InsulatingConcreteForms(ICFs)ICFsarerigidfoamformsthatholdconcreteinplaceandserveasthermalinsulation.Theyarelightweightandhelpahometobecomemoreenergyefficientandcreatedurableconstruction.
LEEDRatingSystemLEEDcertificationisaself-assessmentsystemthatwasdevelopedbytheUSGreenBuildingCouncil.Itprovidesastandardforenvironmentallysustainableconstruction,whichlooksattheefficiencyofthebuildingandencourageshealthyworkandlivingenvironments.LEEDcertificationisbasedona100pointscaleandratingsaregivenoutfromBasicCertificationtoPlatinumRatings.Formoreinformation,gotowww.usgbc.org/leed.
NaturalBuildingAnaturalbuilthomeusesmaterialsthatarefocusedonsustainabilitybyusingdurable,minimally-processed,recycledandrenewableresources.Theaimistoproducehealthylivingenvironments,betterairqualityandlessentheenvironmentalimpactofbuildings.
Post-consumerRecycledContentWhenaportionofaproductismadefrommaterialsthathavealreadybeenusedsuchaswaterbottles,paperandevenvacuumcleaners.
RapidlyRenewableMaterialsRapidlyrenewablematerialsandproductsaremadefromplantsthataretypicallyharvestedwithinaten-yearcycleorshorter.Typicalexamplesofrapidlyrenewablematerialincludesbamboo,wool,cottoninsulation,agrifiber,linoleum,wheatboard,strawboardandcork.
RenewableMaterialsRenewablematerialsaresubstancesderivedfromalivingtree,plant,animalorecosystemwhichhastheabilitytoregenerateitself.Arenewablematerialcanbeproducedagainandagain.Forexample,whenweuseplantationwoodtomakepaperwecanplantmoretreestoreplaceit.
SolarPvpanelsAnaffordableelectricitysourcethatcreatestheenergyfromthesun.Theyareeasilyplacedonresidentialhomesandcommericalbuildings.Oftentaxbreaksareofferedtohomesthatinstallthesesolarpanels.
StructuralInsulatedPanels(SIPs)Highperformancebuildingpanelsusedinfloors,walls,androofsforresidentialandlightcommercialbuildings.Thepanelsaremadebysandwichingacoreofrigidfoamplasticinsulationbetweentwostructuralskinsoforientedstrandboard(OSB).SIPsaremanufacturedunderfactorycontrolledconditionsandcanbecustomdesignedforeachhome.Theresultisabuildingsystemthatisextremelystrong,energyefficientandcosteffective.
SustainableIswhenanactionsatisfiesaneedwithoutcompromisingfuturegenerations.Thelessyoutakeanduse,themoresustainableyoubecome.Sustainableisthinkingaboutyouractionstoday,withthethoughtoffuturegenerationsinyourmind.
Glossary of Term
sdef•i•ni•tions
Aglossaryoftermstohelpyouunderstandthelanguageofsustainableliving.
For more information onGreen Living visit us online at,www.sustainablesouthsound.com
BeachesRainforests
Pacific NWHawaii
www.YellowBearJourneys.com
Eco Journeyssoul refreshing
Local, Quality, Farm Fresh Eggs Since 1953. Washington’s premier cage-free and organic egg producer. Available throughout the Northwest.
PO Box 598, Yelm, WA 98597 | 360.458.3333 | www.stiebrsfarms.com
Stiebrs Farms Ad_Third Page.indd 1 1/14/08 11:19:40 AM
GREENLIvING2009lPage5
Fromedibleforestgardenstoasalmon-safecertifiedorganicfarmtocampushousingoptionsinwhichstudentsconsciouslychooseadifferentwaytorelatetotheirnatural
world,Evergreenprovidesstudentswiththeopportunitytolearntoattunethemselveswithnature,embarkonnewwaysofthinkingandgainknowledgethatwillhelptheSouthSoundprogressasacenterforgreentechnology,businessandliving.ItalsoprovidesamodelforcommunitiesandcollegesfarbeyondtheSouthSound.
Withcourseworkthatintegratesconceptsofbiologyandecology,conservation,communityserviceandsustainablewaysofengaginginbusiness,politics,agriculture,art,management,history,economics,socialwork,science,teachingandmusic,Evergreenstudentsarepreparingtothriveinagreenereconomy.
WashingtonState’s2008ClimateActionandGreenJobsbillspecifiesthatthecurrentnumberofgreenjobsinthestateshouldtripleby2020.Evergreenstudentsarepracticinggreenbusinessdevelopmentnow.StudentsrecentlylaunchedtheCenterforSustainableEntrepreneurship,anefforttogainbusinessskillsandeffectivelyusetheminwaysthatarealsosociallyresponsible.
TheLivingClassroomEvergreen’sthousand-acrecampusfeaturesmilesoftrails,a
halfmileofbeachonPugetSound,wetlands,forestsandevenanorganicfarm.EightypercentofEvergreen’slandisnotbuiltup.Mostofitisusedasalivingclassroom.Beyondeventhat,thetreessoakupandstoreahugeamountofcarbon–keepingitoutofouratmosphere.
NaturalFood,ClosetoHomeEvergreen’sorganicfarmisusedtoteachabroadrangeof
coursessuchassmall-scaleorganicagriculture,ethnobotany,visualarts,beekeeping,forestecology,ecologicalagriculture,andthescienceoffoodandcooking.Organicproducegrownatthefarmisservedincampuseateries,soldthroughaCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA)programandatwice-weeklyfarmstandoncampus,anddonatedtolocalfoodbanks.
Whenyoubuyfromlocalorganicfarmers,you’renotonlyeatingfoodgrowninamorenaturalway,youarealsohelpingtoreducethepollutiongeneratedbytransportingfoodlongdistances.
TeachingSustainabilityWhileothercollegesareexperiencingareductionin
courseworkrelatedtosustainabilityandtheenvironment,Evergreenisincreasingtheintegrationofthesetopics.Itsdistinctiveinterdisciplinarycurriculumcreatesopportunitiesforintegratedlearningnotpossibleatothercolleges.
Beyondtheundergraduatecurriculum,EvergreenalsooffersarigorousMastersinEnvironmentalStudiesprogramthatintegratesthebiological,physical,andsocialscienceswithstudiesinpublicpolicy.
TheWashingtonCenterforImprovingtheQualityofUndergraduateEducationatEvergreenhaslaunchedtheCurriculumfortheBioregion,aneffortthatfocuseson
The Evergreen State College
Nurturing SustainableLifestyles in the
South Sound
Educ
atio
n &
Com
mun
ity O
utre
ach
Photos By Evergreen College
Page6lGREENLIvING2009
The Evergreen State College
How can you live more sustainably?
BEGiN AT HOMEAt Evergreen, that entails a wide range of campus initiatives.
For example: • buying only “green” electricity • building more environmentally sustainable buildings • promoting “green” business • supporting community service • encouraging environmentally friendly commuting.
Check out Evergreen’s Greener Living Guide at:www.evergreen.edu/sustainability/greenerlivingguide.html
Calculate your family’s carbon footprint and find the best ways to reduce it at:www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/ind_calculator.html or www.ecy.wa.gov/forms/carbonfootprint_pledge.html
incorporatingenvironmentalandsustainabilityissuesintogeneraleducationcollegecoursesthroughoutthePacificNorthwest.
WalkingtheTalkEvergreenisoneofonlyahandfulofcollegesinthecountry
thathasactuallyreduceditsgreenhousegasemissions.In2007,Evergreenreduceditscarbonfootprintby300metrictonsand2008willdemonstrateanevengreaterreduction.
Evergreenhaspurchasedafleetofelectriccarstoreplacemanyofitsgasolineanddieselvehicles,hasanactivecommuteoptionsprogram,andusesEnergyStarefficientappliancesthroughoutitsoperations.ThecollegealsobuiltthefirstpubliclyfundedLEEDGoldCertifiedbuildinginWashington.Itisalsoworkingtorenovateitsbuildingsforimprovedenergyefficiencyandwastereduction.
Evergreenstudentspayaself-imposedcleanenergyfeetoensurethat100percentofthecollege’selectricitycomesfromrenewablesources.
SinceSeptember2008,Evergreenhasreduceditslandfillwastebymorethan97,000poundsbyexpandingitscompostingefforts,reducingpaperuse,initiatinganelectronicwasterecyclingprogramandraisingstudent,staffandfacultyawareness.
CaringforEachOtherBythetimetheygraduate,morethan70percentofEvergreen
studentswillhavedonecommunityserviceandvolunteerworktohelpthepoor,feedthehungry,andimprovetheenvironment.Inthe2007-08academicyear,Evergreenstudentsprovidedmorethan19,000serviceandvolunteerhoursinthecommunity,supportingdozensoflocalnon-profitsandthousandsofpeopleinneed.
HundredsofEvergreenalumniworklocally,regionally,nationallyandinternationallytopromoteamoresustainableworld.
Forexample,EvergreenalumnifoundedandcontinuetoleadGRuB(GardenRaisedBounty)inOlympia.GRuBisanon-profitthatservesat-riskyouth,providesmeaningfulemploymenttolow-incomehighschoolstudents,fosterscommunitypartnerships,andinspiressustainablecommunityvaluesinitsworktogroworganicproduceandbuildraised-bedgardensforlow-incomefamiliesandseniors.
EvergreenalumnialsofoundedClimateSolutions,anOlympia-basedorganizationwithofficesinSeattle,PortlandandMissoulaand
aregionalandinternationalreputationthatisworkingtoacceleratepracticalandprofitablesolutionstoglobalwarmingbygalvanizingleadership,growinginvestmentandbridgingdivides.
AGreenerFutureFromdevelopingneweconomicmodelsforsustainableforestryand
constructiontomeasuringthecarbonfootprintsofcitiesandbusinessestoactiveinvolvementinthefairtrade,organicfarmingandecologicalagriculturemovements,Evergreenstudentsandalumniaretakingwhattheyhavelearnedandapplyingittochangetheworldforthebetter.
ThisistheessenceofGreenerLiving:engagingconsciouslytolivebetterandinabetterrelationshipwithourworld.GL
To learn more, please visit www.evergreen.edu
GREENLIvING2009lPage7
Education&CommunityOutreachEVERGREEN
Environmentaleducationforchildrenisvitalforthefutureoftheplanet.RecreationalEquipmentIncorporated(REI),basedinWashington,believesineducatingyouththroughcommunity
outreachprograms.KevinHagen,theDirectorofCorporateSocialResponsibilityexplainedthatPEAKprogramsare“aboutpreparingthenextgenerationofenvironmentalstewards:ourchildren.”Theprogrambelievesthatthenextgenerationsmusthaveanassociationandappreciationoftheenvironmenttheyliveinortherewillnotbeanyoneheretoprotecttheenvironment.“Ourresourcesdependonthosegenerations,”Kevinexplained,“Theymusthaveaconnectiontotheoutdoorsandtheplacesthatwehavecometolovelikethenationalparks,openspacesandpubliclands.”
PromotingEnvironmentalAwarenessinKids(PEAK)programisapartnershipbetweenREIandLeaveNoTrace,anonprofitorganizationthatpromoteseducationforhelpingtheearth.Theprogramensuresthatenvironmentaleducationisinelementaryschoolclassroomsandprovidestoolsthathelpchildrengetasenseoftheoutdoorsandshowhowwedependonnature.OneofthebestpartsaboutPEAKisthatitisfreeandanyonecanbecomeconnected.Lastyearaloneover187,000kidswereinvolvedwithPEAK.
TypicallyvolunteersfromREIorLeaveNoTraceBehindruntheprogram.“Employeeslovethattheyhaveanorganizedwaytogivebackandconnectwiththeirlocalcommunities.Theyallbringahugeamountofenthusiasmwiththem,”explainsKevin.Thevolunteersbringbackpackstotheclassrooms,communitygroupsorschoolsthatincludeawidevarietyofprojectsandactivitiesthatcanbepresentedinlearningmodulesbasedoninterestandage.Allofthemodulesarecreative,funandinteractiveforthechildrenandareactivity-basedaroundagameorexperience.Onegamebeginsbygivingthechildrenastringwithanidentitylikeatree,cloud,frogorland.Asthechildrenplay,thestringwindstogetherandturnsintoaweb.Theexperiencegivesthechildrenanewperceptionaroundinterconnectivityofournaturalsurroundings.
ThemainmissionofPEAKisgettingkidsoutdoors.“Tomakesurethatpeoplewillbearoundtoprotecttheoutdoors,”Kevinexplained,“weneedtohaveanemphasisongettingkidsintotheoutdoorstoexperiencewildlifeandtoenjoybeingoutside.”Childrenlearnthatifwetakecareofnature,thennaturewilltakecareof.ThePEAKprogramhasheardendlesspositivestoriesabouthowPEAKhadimpactedchildren’slives.
REIalsoinvolveschildrenandtheirfamilieseachsummerintheirfreePassporttoAdventureprogram.ThePassporttoAdventuresummerexperienceoffersfivefamily-friendlyhikesandbikeridesateachoftheREIstorelocations.Kevinsays,“ThemissionofPEAKisagreatplaceforREI.Weareallaboutfiguringouthowtomaketheco-oppartofthesolutionandgettingkidsoutdoors.Wearemorethanjustastore.Weareallexcitedabouttheopportunitiesthatweofferchildren.”
Outreach Unite&PEAK
REI
Education&CommunityOutreachPEAK&REI
For more information, visithttp://www.rei.com/aboutrei/reikids02.html.
Page8lGREENLIvING2009
Try these fun activities and make sure to check out the word search on the next page!
Smallhands,Big ideas
Takeitemsthatarenormallythrownawayandmakeanartprojectoutofthem!Youcanusepaper,eggcartons,milkcartons,popbottles,buttons,tinfoil,boxesandanythingelsethatmightgetthrownaway.Mobilesarereallyfuntomakeandyoucanuseeggcartonstomakethem.Youcandrawalloverthemandthenhangtheminyourroom!
Thinkaboutallthefoodthatyouhaveeatentoday.Doyouknowwherethatfoodcamefrom?Sometimesthefoodweeatcomesfromfarawayandsometimesyoucangetitfrompeopleinyourowncity.Thinkabouthowmuchyourfoodmaytraveltogettoyou!Itmayhavebeenbroughtoverbyboat.Trytokeepalistoffoodthatyouhaveeatenandthentalktoyourmomordadaboutwherethatfoodcamefrom.Welovetoeat,soweshouldlearnaboutwhereitcomesfrom!Planatriptoalocalfarmer’smarketorlocalfarmandseewhatyoucanbuyrightinyourownneighborhood.
Doyoulovetoplayinthedirt?Well,youcanplayinthedirtandlearnaboutwhathappenswhenyouthrowsomethingout.Itisreallyfuntodo.Youjustfindtincans,dirtandanythingthatyouwanttobury.SomeofthebestthingstoburyareStyrofoam,paper,bananapeels,orangepeels,apples,plastic,asmalltoythatyouwillnotmissoranythinginthetrash.Afteryouhaveyouritems,buryeachofthematerialsseparatelyintheirowntincan.Labeleachcansoyouknowwhatwasinitlater.Aftereachmaterialisinthetincanandcoveredwithdirt,youcanwaterthem.Then,justleavethemsitfortwoweeks.Nowitistimeforfun.Yougettodigallyourmaterialsupandlookatwhatisstillthere!Someofthestuffmayhavechangedalotandsomemaybethesame!Talkaboutitwithmomordad!Itisreallycool!
Fun from Junk! Recycle
Where Did Your Food Come From?
Compost!
For more green activities, visitwww.sustainablesouthsound.com
By Carrie Rethlefsen
GREENLIvING2009lPage9
Education&CommunityOutreachKiDS
Find the words in the grid. Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight directions.
L A N D F I L L R L S R R
E Z W B G R D T L U T K T
J N K W E M A K S D R N D
H T E U Q T X T M R N J T
G Y S R I H A T R T K S T
A E B B G I D L A Q O B E
R M A R N Y L X F P T I L
D H J A I M P A M T R C C
E V B J T D T O C G Q Y Y
N L R M V X C R K O L C C
E R E V R E S N O C L L E
M R O W H T R A E D L E R
H C I N A G R O S O L A R
www.WordSearchMaker.com
Bicycle
Compost
Conserve
Earthworm
Energy
Farms
Garden
Habitat
Hybrid
Landfill
Local
organic
Recycle
Reuse
Solar
Sustainable
Education&CommunityOutreachKiDS
Findthewordsinthegrid.Wordscangohorizontally,verticallyanddiagonallyinalleightdirections.
Word Search
Bicycle
Compost
Conserve
Earthworm
Energy
Farms
Garden
Habitat
Hybrid
Landfill
Local
Organic
Recycle
Reuse
Solar
Sustainable
Page10lGREENLIvING2009
BuildingsEcofriendly
Theconstructionfieldisbeingadjustedtofitthepressingneedsoftheearthandthepeoplewholiveonit.Asmanyindustriesandfieldsof
workarebeingre-evaluatedtominimizeecologicaldamage,theconstructionanddesignfieldsfollowsuit.BuildingandremodelinggreenisawayfortheSouthPugetSoundtogreenit’slifestyle.Readjustingourmethodsforbuildingandreconstructingtheourhomesmeansthatcreativeworkersintheindustryandwillingcustomerswillhavetoworktogethertofindsolutions.
Thesegreenbuildingpracticesareputintoplacebysystemsthatallowforalessernetenergywaste.Beforeusingtechnicalcomponentslikethosementionedabove,however,greenbuildersmustlookatthesitetoseewhatresourceswillbeavailabletothemastheywork.Next,builderandarchitectteamsmeetwiththefuturehomeownerstoassestheirneeds.Dependingonthehomeowner’sneeds,buildersandarchitectswilluseenergy-savingsystemssuchasstructurallyinsulatedpanels.
StructurallyInsulatedPanels(SIPs)areusedforfloorsandwallsofgreen-builthomes.Plasticfoaminsulationissandwichedbetweentwostrandboards,madeofrecycledwoodproductsextractedfromtheSouthPugetSoundarea.SIPsuseslocalwoodproducts,meaningthattraditionallyhazardousmaterialsusedforinsulation(fiberglassandformaldehyde),arenotused.Theabsenceofthesetoxicmaterialsultimatelybettersthehealthofhomeowners.Inadditiontobeingcomposedofrecycledmaterials,SIPsare60percentmoreairtightthantraditionalinsulationmethods.HomeownersusingSIPsspendlessonheatingandcoolingandreleasealowercountofpollutingagentstypicallyreleasedduringheatingandcoolingprocesses.AlthoughSIPSaremoreexpensivethantraditionalmethods,homeownersreapthebenefitsofcleanerairandfindthatSIPSsystemslastlongerandhaveahigherretentionofretailvalue,alustedcommoditygiventoday’srealestatemarket.
WorkinginsynthesiswiththeSIPsusedfortheconstructionofgreenhomesistheReverseCycleChiller.TheReverseCycleChillerusesahighlyefficientheatexchangertotransferenergy
toawaterline,achievingtemperaturesupto120degreesintheheatingmode,anddownto50degreesincoolingmode.Thewaterlinecanthensupplyacentralairhandler,aradiantfloorheatingsystemormultiplezonedairhandlers.Thesystemsuppliesamoreconsistent,comfortablelevelofheatingthatoperatesefficiently,evenatlowtemperatures.
SystemslikeSIPsandthereversecyclechillercouldnotbeusedaseffectivelyifitweren’tforthecollaborationofbuildersandarchitects.Byworkingtogether,thetwofirmscanmergetheirideasintoahousewhichismoreenvironmentallysound.
AppleHomesandTheArtisan’sGrouparetwocompaniesmakingwavesintheSouthPugetSoundarea.AppleHomesisabuildingcontractingcompanythatcollaborateswithTheArtisan’sGrouptofirstdesign,andthentobuildsustainablehomes.TheArtisan’sGroup,anOlympia-basedfirm,centersit’sdesignprojectsuponsustainabilityandaimsforsynthesiswithnaturalsurroundings.Theprojectsundertakenbybothfirmsarecontemporaryandantique,cuttingedgeandcomfortable,boldandinnovative.AppleHomespicksupwhereTheArtisan’sGroupleavesoff,puttingthedesignsintophysicalaction.Thecooperationbetweenthesetwocorporationsisuniqueandspecial,andtogethertheyhavemadepositivechangesinour
Word Search
from start to finishBy Maddy StephensPhotos compliment of Artisan’s Group and Apple Homes
Green Building
GREENLIvING2009lPage11
immediatecommunityasaresultoftheircollaborativefocusoncustomersatisfactionandecologicalresponsibility.
ThistandemofAppleHomesandTheArtisan’sGroupiscurrentlyworkingontwoprojects,oneofwhichinvolvestheconstructionofanewhome,theotherinvolvingtheremodelingofanexhistinghome.
TheHautalaProjectisanewhomedesignedbyTessaSmithofTheArtisan’sGroup.HautalaisagoodexampleofthegreenbuildingmovementwhichistransformingthePugetSound.HautalausesbothSIPsandtheReverseCycleChiller.AccordingtoPaulHuffofAppleHomes,greenbuilthomeslikeHautalacanstaystandingforaslongas200years,whereastheirnon-greencounterpartsaregenerallyonlypredictablyintactfortwenty.ThefuturehomeowneroftheTheHautalaProject“wantedtodownsizeandexpressedaconcernforenergyefficiency,”saidPaulofhisclient.AppleHomesandTheArtisan’sGrouprosetothecause,institutingSIPsandtheReverseCycleChiller,alongwithothergreen-buildingmechanismslikearainwaterstoragetankandaradiantfloorheatsource.
Paul’sarticulationoftheconsumer’sneedsinTheHautalaProjectillustratesthetremendousfocusplacedoncooperationbetweenclientandcompany.Theinitialstagesofanyundertakingareapre-buildingcheckuponthebuildingsite.“Spacesarecompositions,”saidTessa.“…youhavetoaskquestionslike,‘what’s
availableonsite?Whatresourcesdowehavealready?’”TheHautalaProjectisnotunlikeothergreenbuildingprojectsinthatit’ssuccessstemsfromatriangularlineofcommunicationbetweenTessa,Paul,andtheclient.ThethreemeettoassessclientneedsandanensuingdesigniscraftedaroundthemergeofclientneedsandthespecializedknowledgethatPaulandTessabringtothetable.
WhatspecifictechniquesdoestheHautalaprojectemploythatmakeitmoresustainable?Itusesresourcesthatthesitealreadyembodies,it’sdesigntakesit’srootsinclientneeds.Soundslikeagreatplacetostart,butjustwhatisitthatmakesthewheelsofthisprojectspin?
HautalaiswhatTessaandPaulcalla“darkgreenhome.”It’sdescribedbyTessaas,“notbleedingedge,butdefinitelycuttingedge.”Hautala,likeallotherprojectsundertakenbythisdynamicduois,inPaul’swords,“notaconglomerationofparts,butasystem.”Ahugepartofsustainabilityissoliddesign,whichisexactlywhatHautalaundertakeswithitssynthesisofsystems.
Whilebuildinggreenfromscratchisanenvironmentallysavvymove,remodelinganormalhometomeetgreenstandardscanalsosavethehomeownerstime,money,andcan
lessenhomeowner’simpactontheenvironment.Thisdesigner/builderteamisworkingonanother
projecttobereleasedthisJune—TheEmoryProject,aremodelprojectoccurringinOlympia.As
intheHautalaproject,thefirsttaskundertakenbythebuild-designteamwastoscopeoutthesite.The
EmoryProjectalreadyhadawell,asepticsystemandawell-equippedbuildingsite.
AsinTheHautalaProject,theEmoryshadsomespecificrequests.Theowners,“onlywantedtoadd
750squarefeet,wanteddynamiclightuse,solarhotwaterconnectorsandawaterventilation.”Hearingtheserequests,AppleHomesandTheArtisan’sGroupbegantheprocessthatwouldultimatelysaveimportantresourcesoftheSouthSoundandwouldlessenthehomeowner’sannualoutputofpollutionandenergywaste.
GreenBuildingECOFRiENDLY BUiLDiNG
Commercial & Residential
138 S. FiRSt St • Suite 1 • MonteSano, Wa 98563
360.249.0747toll FRee 877.249.0747
www.pcgnw4u.com
green building products
• Mold inspection• Mold Survey• Mold Sampling• Mold Prevention• Mold Remediation /abatement• air Quality Survey
25 YeaRWaRRantYon mold remediation
and prevention
WA Contr# PROTECG923C8
Page12lGREENLIvING2009
TheEmoryProjectmanagedtouseprinciplesandpracticessimilartothoseusedintheprocessofbuildinganewhouse.Forinstance,becauseTheEmoryProjectwasaremodel,thebuilderscouldn’tjustinstalltheSIPsystemimplementedintheHautalaProject.Instead,AppleHomescoatedthebuildingwithfoamandsprayedfoamontheinsidewallsofthehouse,effectivelycreatingaSIP-likesystemwhichwouldpreventthecoldairfromcominginside.
AppleHomesalsodismantledanexistinggarageandincorporatedleftoverwoodfromthedemolitionintheremodel.
LeftoversheathingandinsulationwasdistributedfromthesiteandpostedonCraigslist.Next,thosewithinterestedin
theextrasheathingandothermaterialscametopickthemupfromtheconstructionsite.Nothingfromthesitewas
thrownaway,everythingwasreallocatedtoadifferentuse,meaningthattheprojectputoutlesswastecollectivelythan
non-greenremodelingexpedentures.Thehomealsousessolarhotwatercollectors,radiantfloor
heatingwithgeothermalsheatglassonthesouthernexposurewhichbringsinheatfromtheoutsidetoheatthehome.There
islessmoneyspentonheatingbillsandthatthere’slessenergypollutionemittedfromTheEmoryProjectthananon-green
home.Bothprojectsarearesultofacollaborativeeffortbetween
designersandbuilders,makingthemasuccess.Adaptable,willingworkersandhomeownerswhoarereadytomaketheleaptowardsgreenlivingcanfindsolutionsinthegreenbuildinganddesignprocesses.Toooften,designisapproachedasaquickfixtoprocuringaroofabovetheheadsoffuturehomeowners.ProjectslikeHautalaandEmoryillustratetheholisticthinkingthatcaneffectivelyeliminateexcesscostsforhomeownersandlessentheburdenshoulderedbyourbeautifulecosystems.
GreenBuildingECOFRiENDLY BUiLDiNG
GL
GREENLIvING2009lPage13
Betweentwoquietdead-endstreetsborderingawoodedravinejustsixblocksfromtheWestsideOlympiaFoodCooparethreeacresofland.Stormwatertanks,sewer,
waterandpowerlineshavebeenburied.ThisisalongtimedreamcomingtrueforagroupofcommittedpeoplewhohaveputanenormousamountoftimeandenergyintothedesignandplanningofWoodardLaneCohousing.ThiswillbeOlympia’sfirstcohousingcommunitytoreachcompletion.
TheideaofcohousingbeganinDenmarkandwasbroughttotheUSintheearly1980s.Manysuchcommunitiesarepoppinguparoundthecountryaspeoplelookforwaystolivemorelightlyontheearthandincloserconnectionwithothers.Therearenowatleast18cohousingcommunitiesinthestateofWashington.
Cohousingisatypeofcollaborativehousinginwhichresidentsactivelyandconsciouslyparticipateinthedesignandoperationoftheirownneighborhoods.Thephysicaldesignencouragesbothsocialcontactandindividualspace.Privatehomescontainallthefeaturesofconventionalhomes,butresidentsalsohaveaccesstoextensivecommonfacilitiessuchasopenspace,courtyards,gardens,aplaystructureandacommonhouse.
Someofthebenefitsoflivingthiswayarethemanyopportunitiesforsocialinteractions,sharedmealsseveraltimesaweek,lotsofplaymatesforkidsandsupportforparents.Certain
is coming to Olympia
By CJ Russo
Cohousing
360-539-50574444Lacey Blvd. SE Suite GLacey, WA 98503
cabinetsbytrivonna.com
What does green mean to you?
To DeWils it means taking conscious steps to minimize our overall foot print and protect the environment – not because it’s the trendy choice, but because it is the right thing to do.
We believe in: Sustainably harvested woods, low VOC fi nishes,reduced waste, increased recycling.
To fi nd out more call
Page14lGREENLIvING2009
thingslikeashopandtools,lawnmower,andasaunacanbeshared.Someonewillwatchyourkidswhenneeded,takecareofyourpetswhenyou’reaway,andyouarelikelytoencounterasmilingfaceonadaythatyoumightreallyappreciateit.
The4-plexeswillbeclusteredaroundacentralcommonareaofgreenspace.Wewillhavealargecommonhousewithacommunitykitchenanddiningarea,aplayareaforchildren,alaundryroom,andaguestroom.Thegroundswillbetakencareofbyeveryone,andalargevegetablegardenandchickenswillbesharedprojects.
Atthispoint,thememberfamiliesofWoodardLaneCohousingholdweeklymeetingstodeveloppoliciesanddesignbuildings.Decisionsaremadeinanon-hierarchicalmanner,usuallybyconsensus.OneofourmembersisacertifiedNvCtrainer,andweareconsciousaboutusingthatmodelinourinteractions.(NvCisthemethodtaughtbyMarshallRosenburg,sometimescalledCompassionateCommunication.)
Ourhomeswillbeasgreenandaffordableaspossible,withanemphasisonprovidingoptimalnaturallightandconnectionwithnature.Wewillhavesolarpanelsforhotwater,radiantfloorheating,asmall
footprintandefficientdesigninordertominimizeenergycosts.Ourbuilder,ScottBergford,isBuiltGreen
certifiedandwillbeusingnontoxicmaterialswheneverpossible.Hejustreceivedthe
EnergyvalueHousingAwardof“BuilderoftheYear”.
Bythetimethisgoestoprintwewillhopefullyhavepouredthe
foundationsforthethreebuildingsofPhaseOne.Thesewillbethree4-plexes
whichwillhouseelevenfamilies,leavingoneunitforthetemporarycommonhouse.Whenwehaveenoughinterestedfamilies,wewillbeginPhaseTwo.Atcompletiontherewillbeatotalof19unitsplusthelargecommon
house.Althoughourcurrent9householdsspanfourgenerationsandincludetwofamilieswithsmallchildren,weareparticularlyseekingmorefamilieswithchildren.Formoreinformationortogetinvolved,pleasevisitwww.woodardlanecoho.orgorcallCJRussoat360-866-4557.
GreenBuildingWOODARD LANE
Cohousing GL
Barbara WhitlowLoan OfficerYelm Highway
Cherie CloudBr.Mgr/Loan Off.
Belfair
Tami HaleBr.Mgr/Loan Off.
Hawks Prairie
Kayce LambertLoan OfficerDowntown
Chad YerringtonLoan OfficerDowntown
Michelle LordBr.Mgr/Loan Off.
Lacey
GREENLIvING2009lPage15
Imaginewakingupeachmorningknowingthattheshoweryoutake,thelaundryyoudry,thecoffeeandtoastyoumakearealldonewithcleanpowerproducedatyourhome.Andimagine
payingmuchlesseachmonthforyourpowerbill,gettingacheckinthemailforyourinvestment,increasedequityinyourhomeandasignificantbreakfromtheIRSonyourtaxes.
Ifyouwanttostart‘greening’yourownhomeandwonderwheretoputyourenergy,lookatthesunforthegreatestimpacttomitigateglobalwarmingandsaveyoumoney.AccordingtotheEPA,buildingsintheUSaccountfor68%oftotalelectricityconsumptionand38%ofthecarbondioxideemissions.
Belowareafewideasthatcanmakeaglobalimpactandhelpyourbottomline.
SolarPvPanels
Whynotconvertanabundant,clean,inexhaustiblesourceofenergyintopower?ThePv(photovoltaic)systemturnslightintoelectricityorphotonsintovoltage.AndthereareplentyofthosephotonspassingthroughtheabundantgreycloudsofthePacificNorthwest.Additionally,whenyouinvestinsolar,youcandeduct30%ofthecostofthesolarenergysystemfromyourfederaltaxes.Andnewfor2009,thereisnolimittohowmuchyoucandeduct.Whatotherinvestmentearnsyoua30%returninitsfirstyear?
Consultationwithasolarexpertwillalsopayforitself.KirkHaffnerofSouthSoundSolarinOlympiaexplains:“Wemeasureyourbuildingsiteforsolarpotential.Weaccuratelycalculatehowwellasolarsystemwillperformatthislocation.Weinspectyourhometoensuretheroof,framing,electrical,plumbing,etc.aresatisfactory.Wereviewthehomedesignandlayouttooptimizetheroutefromthesolartothehomesystems.”Kirkadds,“Eventhoughmanyofmycustomerstalkaboutcosts,payback,cleanenergyandsustainablecommunities,theyoftenpointtotherealreasonwhytheyaremakingthedecisiontoinstallsolar−theirchildrenandgrandchildren.”Inthenearfuture,allofuscanbegeneratingenergyfromourrooftops.
Think Clean, Abundant, Life
Alternative
EnErgy
By Elizabeth Diane
GreenBuildingECOFRiENDLY BUiLDiNG
Page16lGREENLIvING2009
SolarHotWaterSystemsForalmosteveryoneintheUS,theenergytoheatwaterfor
householduseistypically20to40%ofourtotalpowerbill.Itbecomesclearwhenyouthinkaboutshowers,baths,dishwashersandlaundrycomingfromatankthatiscontinuallyfueledtokeepahottemperature.Usingtheenergyofthesun,youcangreatlyreducetheamountofelectricityornaturalgasittakestoheatupthatcoldwaterandkeepitwarmforyournextshower.Onaverage,youcanexpectsolarhotwatertoprovide60to70%ofyourannualhotwaterneeds,accordingtoKirkHaffner.Atanklesshotwaterheaterretrofittedtoreplaceorsupplementyourhotwaterheaterisanadditionalwaytoreduceenergyusage.
DaylightingDaylightingisthetermusedbyarchitectsforbringingtheright
amountofdaylightintoaninteriorspaceinordertoenhancethequalityoflightandreduceelectricity.Consultationwithadesignerorarchitectisawiseapproachtomaximizeyouroptions.AccordingtoElizabethDianeofLucid9Design,theplacementofwindowsincombinationwithappropriatelysizedoverhangs,landscapingtreesandsunshadescaneliminatetheneedforair-conditioninginthenorthwest,whileallowingnaturallighttobrightenyourrooms,witheliminatestheneedforlightingduringthedaylighthours.AsimpleretrofitforexistinghomesandroomswithoutwindowsaretubulardaylightingdevicessuchasaSolatube.Theseroof-to-ceilingtubescapturethesun’slightanddirectsitintotheroom,castingafullspectrumlighttoenhanceyourinteriorenvironment.
PassiveSolarDesign
Makingacomebackfromthe70swithamainstreamapproachishomedesignthatallowsthesuntokeepyourhousewarmerinthewinterandcoolerinthesummer.Passivesolardesignallowsthesuntoheataninteriorthermalmass,suchastileorconcrete,capturingtheheatandradiatingitintothehouseatnightastemperaturesdrop.Carefulanalysisismadetoshadethehomefromhotsummersunandallowfornaturalcooling.Thiscanloweryourannualheatingandcoolingbillby20to40%.
MoretoConsider
Othersourcesofalternativeenergyforthehomeareontheriseandbecomingmoreaffordable.Geothermalisasystemthatusestheearth’sconstantambienttemperature(orinsomepartsofthecountry,tappingintoheatreservoirsbelowground)tokeepairatacomfortableandconsistenttemperature.Andinsomeareas,windisagreatwaytoproduceextrapower.Themostefficientdevicesuseelegantly-designedtoproducepowerevenwithajustalittlewind.
Animportantaspectofanyalternativeenergysystemislookingattheefficiencyoftheentiresystem.Ifyouhavealeakyhousefrompoorordeterioratedinsulation,substantialenergysavingsaremadebyinstallinggoodinsulation.Therearelocalbusinessesthatuseinfraredphotographytodeterminewhereyourhomeislosingheat.Itmakesthemostsensetoaddressaheat-leakyhomeasafirst
steptoreducepowerconsumption.Blow-inenvironmentallyfriendlyinsulationisaninexpensivewaytofillthegaps.
Nowimaginesippingacupofteaheatedbythesunandhearingonthemorningnewsthatyouandpeoplelikeyouhavemadeadifferenceinreducingpollutantsandglobalwarming.Yourchoicesupportsmoreinnovationinrenewableenergysothatthenormisinexpensive,abundant,cleanenergyforeveryoneandmosthomesareproducingatleastasmuchormorepowerthantheyconsume,resultinginnet-zeroenergyhomes.Itwouldbeabeautifulnewday. GL
GreenBuildingECOFRiENDLY BUiLDiNG
Elizabeth DianeResidential Green Building DesignerLucid 9 Design, inc.“Design Beyond Measure”[email protected]
With contribution from Kirk Haffner, South Sound Solar, www.southsoundsolar.com, 360-951-786
Call for a free consultation
Visit us online at www.southsoundsolar.com
Save 60% or moreon your hot water bill!
(360) 951-SUN -1
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South Sound
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GREENLIvING2009lPage17
GreenBuildingSOLAR POWER
Solarpowerisprobablythecleanest,mostviableformofrenewableenergyanditcanbeusedindifferentwaystohelppoweryourhouse.Manygardensnowusesolarlightsorsolar
gardenwaterfeatures.Theavailabilityandwideuseofsolarpoweringardensshowsexactlyhowversatileitisasasourceofenergy.SohowdoessolarworkintheSouthSound?WeaskedBradonthebasicsofusingsolarenergyinourcommunity.
GL:DowegetenoughsunintheSouthSoundforsolarenergy?BB:Onaverage,theSouthSoundgets3.7sunhoursperday.Of
coursethatvariesfromseasontoseason.Forexample,inthesummertimethatnumberjumpsto4.6,butinthewinteritdropsto1.5.
GL:Whatdoesthatmeantotheaveragehomeowner?BB:Ithelpstolookatglobalsunhours.Forexample,thesunniest
placeonearthgetsapproximately8.0sunhoursaday.Denvergets5.5.Soifyoulookatouraveragenumber,wearen’tdoingtoobadly.Ofcourse,inthewintermonths,wewouldhavetorelymoreonthepowergrid.
GL:Howdoesasolarsystemworkforahomeowner?BB:InthestateofWashington,citizensarepaidtocreatesolar
energy.Itdoesn’tmatterhowmuchtheyuse.Wehaveaseparatesolarmeterthatreadstheamountofsolarenergythesystemisproducing.
GL:Howlongdoesittakeforsystemtopayforitself?BB:Onaverage,ittakes12-15yearsforahomeownertopayfora
system.Ifyouarebusiness,ittakesabout4years.Asabusiness,youcandepreciatetheequipmentandtherearetaxadvantages.Panels
comewitha25yearwarranty.Oncethesystemispaidfor,yougetfreeelectricity.ThatisassumingThatisassumingtheelectricitypricesstaythesame.Ifratesincrease,payofftimewouldbeshortened.
GL:Whattypesofpeoplearerequestingsolarsystems?BB:Therearethe50+customersthatarethesametypesofpeople
whoarebuyinghybridcards.Theyhavemoneyandareconcernedwiththeenvironment.Theyaredoingitforpersonalandpoliticalreasonsandwanttosavetheenvironment.
Thesecondgroupispeoplewhoareinterestedinbeingindependentandlivingoffthegrid.Manyliveinisolatedplacesandtheydon’thavealotofmoney.Theystartsmallandbuildtheirsystems.Theystorethepowerinbatteriesanduseitoutofthebatteriesatnight.
Businessesarealsostartingtoinstallsolarpanels.Googleisagoodexample.Theyhavesolarpanelsontheirroofandparkinglotandhavebeensuccessfulinincorporatingitintothecorporateenvironment.
GL:WhatistheaverageelectricityusageforanAmericanhousehold?
BB:Theaveragehouseholdusesbetween12,000kilowatt-hoursto20,000kilowatt-hoursperyear.Incomparison,Germanyhouseholdsuseanaverageof5,000kilowatt-hoursperyear,morethanhalftheaverageAmerican.Itwouldtakealotofpanelstogeneratethatmuchpower.Theimportantthingaboutsolaristhatyoulearntoconserveandknowthatyouareproducingaportionofyourelectricity.
GL:Whatissomeadviceyoucangiveourreaders?BB:Whenitcomestohouses,smallerissometimesbetter.The
largerthehouse,themoreenergyyouneedtosupportit.Andmostimportantly,understandyourenergyuse.Savingenergyisalotcheaperthancreatingpower.Afewsuggestions:
•Turnoffthelightsoffduringtheday. •Usesolartubesorskylightstobringinmorelightindark
areasofyourhouse. •Turnoffelectricalitemsthatyouarenotusing. •Checkyourinsulationandincreaseifnecessary. •Ifyouhaven’talready,installdoublepanewindows. •Useenergyefficientfurnacesandappliances.
Thinksmallandenergyefficiency.
The Use of
solar Powerin the South SoundAn interview with Brad Burkhartzmeyer
of Sun’s Eye Power.
For more about Sun’s Eye Power, please visit theirwebsite at www.sunseyepower.com.
4009 Nor th 19th Street • Tacoma, WA 98406253.414.4099 • www.sunseyepower.com
BRAD BURKHARTZMEYER
The Benefits of Solar Energy• Generate Your Own Power• Add Value To Your Home• Our Systems Qualify Toward Built Green Certification• Advantageous State & Federal Financial Incentives Make It Affordable For Your Lifestyle• Licensed, Experienced Installers
Bring Solar HomeA Powerful Solution For Your Future
Sun’s Eye Power:The Local Source For All Your
Solar Projects
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Page18lGREENLIvING2009
IntercityTransitbusesmaybeblueandsilver,butthey’reallgreenatheart.Ifyou’vewonderedhowyoucangetonboardwiththegreenmovement,ridingthebus(or
supportingpublictransportationinotherways)canbeabigstepintherightdirection.
IntercityTransittakestheplaceofhundredsofvehiclesthatwouldotherwisebeontheroadanygivenday,andthat’sbasedonstatisticsgatheredbeforethecrazyspikeingaspriceshappened.Ridershiphassincegoneupby74percentsince2002.Whenpeopleleavetheirpersonalvehiclesathomeandsharetheride,they’recontributingtocleanerairandwater.They’rereducingstressandsettingagreatexampleforotherstofollow.
IntercityTransitworkshardtosetanexampletoo.Theirbusesrunonultra-low-sulfurbiodiesel,reducingparticulatesby20percent,carbonmonoxideemissionsby13percent,andtotalhydrocarbonemissionsbymorethan10percent.Theyrecyclewaterusedtocleanthevehicles,andtheyselectenvironmentallyfriendlyproductswheneverthey’reavailable.IntercityTransitreusesand/orrecyclesofficematerials,aswellasmaterialsusedinmaintainingthebuses.Theyevenrecyclethevanpoolvansthemselveswhentheirservicelifecomesto
anend.Thevansaredonatedorloanedtolocalcommunityserviceorganizationstotransportvolunteersandthepeopletheyserve.
Thebiggestsecretofallaboutridingtransitisit’snotasacrifice.IntercityTransitcanhookyouupwithagreatridetoanywhereyouneedtogolocallyandasfarnorthasTacoma.Theyofferbusserviceon22fixedroutesaroundurbanThurstonCounty,withconvenientconnectionstoPierceTransit,SoundTransit,GraysHarborTransitandMasonTransit.Ifridingthebusdoesn’tworkforyou,butyoustillwanttosharetheride,IntercityTransitcanconnectyouwithotherswhowanttosharetherideeitherinavanoracar.Eitherway,you’restilldoingyourpart.Ifyouhaveadisabilitythatmakesitdifficultforyoutoparticipate,IntercityTransitoffersaqualified-riderprogramcalledDial-A-Lift,whichwillpickyouupatyourdooranddeliveryoutoyourdestination.There’sevenaprogramcalledvillagevansthathelpsmeettheneedsoflow-incomeindividualsseekingworkorenrolledinanestablishedworkertrainingprogram.
Evenifyoujustcan’tincorporatetransitintoyourlife,youcanstillsupportitinyourcommunitybyencouragingyouremployertooffertransitpassestoemployees,invitinga
Photos courtesy of Intercity Transit
Green In A
ctionAll Aboard theBig green
Bus
GREENLIvING2009lPage19
speakerfromIntercityTransittogiveatalkatyourclubororganization,andattendingthepublicmeetingsIntercityTransithoststoweighinonthepolicydecisionsnecessarytohelptransitmeetthepublic’sneeds.
Today,agrowingnumberofpeopleinThurstonCountychoosetoleavetheirvehiclesathomeandsharetheride.Someridethebus,someparticipateinvanpools,whileothersjoincarpools.Somehaveevenfiguredoutawaytoincorporateexerciseintotheircommutebyridingtheirbikespartoftherouteandtakingtransittherestoftheway.Everybusisequippedwithanonboardbikerack,makingthetripeasyandconvenient.
YoucanvisittheIntercityTransitwebsitetolearnmoreabouthowpublictransportationismakingadifferenceforourlocalenvironment.visitHYPERLINK“http://www.intercitytransit.com”www.intercitytransit.comandclickon“AboutIntercityTransit”underthe“News&Info”tab.Thereyou’llfindalinktoawealthofinformation,includingIntercityTransit’suseofalternativefuels,recycling,reducingemissionsandearth-friendlyinitiatives.Whileyou’recheckingoutthewebsite,besuretoclickonthe“TravelOptions”tabonthestartpagetolearnhoweasysharingtheridecanbe.
BiCyCLESAre a Green Mode of Transportation
Whatcontinuestobeoneofthegreenestmodesoftransportbesideswalking?Ridingabicycle.Traditionalbicyclesremainthegreenestsolutionforpersonalmobility.Bicyclesburnnofossilfuels,ifconstructedwellcanlastforyears,requirelittlemaintenance,andareeasyforanyonetooperate.
InEurope,somecitieshaveembracedbicycletransportationandencouragethepublictohoponthistwo-wheeledwayofgettingaround.Hollandhasa“pedal-and-park”bikesharingsystemforurbancommuters.Parisgovernmenthaspurchasedathousandbicyclesforfreeurbancommuting.Bikesareparkedinpopularspotscity-widesothepubliccaneasilysharethevehicles.
InourcommunitiesandtownsintheSouthSound,youcanfindclearerandsaferbicyclepaths.Particularlyinurbanareas,therearealsodesignatedracksonwhichtoparkbikeswhennotinuse.Publictransportationalsosupportsbikes.Youcansharetheride!
Bicyclescanbeaverygood,healthywayofgettingaroundbutonlyifsafetymeasuresaretaken.Cyclistswhoridesober,withtheflowoftraffic,wearinghelmetsandusinglightsatnightare99.999percentmorelikelytosurvivetheirrides,accordingtoresearchbyJohnsHopkins.
Manybicycleridersarenotentirelyfamiliarwiththelawsofbikeriding,whichcouldputthemindanger.Itpaystovisityourdepartmentofmotorvehiclesortransportationdepartmenttogetacopyofthelawsgoverningbicycles.Althoughlawsvaryfromplacetoplace,herearesomegeneralrulesthatcankeepyousafe.ßAlwaysridewearingahelmetßAheadlightisencouragedtomakeyoumorevisibleindimlightßDonot“ride”anotherpersononyourbicycleifitisasingle-riderbike.ßRideonlyinthestreet,notonthesidewalkßFollowthesamerulesoftheroadthatcarswouldobey,including
signalingandstoppingattrafficsignals
GreenInActionTRANSPORTATiON
GL
Page20lGREENLIvING2009
By Corinna Radtke and Galen Hammel
GreenInActionRECYCLiNG
RecyclingIfyoupickedupthismagazineyouprobablyexpectedtoreadaboutthe
latestandgreatestingreentechnologies,buthereisoursurpriseforyou…recycling!Itisthefoundationofallenvironmentallyconsciousbehaviorand
itsbeginningscanbefoundintheearly20thcenturyinEurope.In1921GreatBritainstartedtorecyclepaperandsoonafter,thetwoWorldWarsintensifiedeffortsacrosstheworldtorecyclematerialsthathadbecomesparse.
AfterWorldWarII,withthegrowingeconomy,bolsteredbythebirthofbabyboomers,consumerism,convenientpackagingandthemassproductionofplasticgoodsenteredourdailylives.Butwiththesecamemassiveamountsoftrash.Slowly,peoplerealizedthatyoucouldnotjust“tossandforget”.Thecapacitiesoflandfillsandwastemanagementfacilitieswereandstillarefinite.
Inthelate1960sandthroughoutthe1970s,thelongtermeffectofdwindlingnaturalresourcesandincreasingpollutionbecameacauseforconcern.Duringthattimemoreandmorelandfillswereclosed,somebecauseofstricterenvironmentalregulationsandothersbecausetheyweresimplyfull.
Asareactiontothesedevelopmentsthepublicawarenessroseandtherecyclingmovementexperiencedamajorgrowthspurt.Inthebeginning,itwasmostlyagrassroots,volunteerbasis.Communityorganizations,suchastheboyscouts,held“recyclingfundraisers”encouragingneighborhoodstodonatetheirrecyclablesandbecomemoreenvironmentallyaware.Nowadaysrecyclingoptionsareavailablethroughoutthecountryandalthoughapproximately80%ofourtrashisrecyclable,Americansonlyrecycleabout26%oftheirgarbage,butwhatdoesthatmean?
Some astonishing facts:
TheaverageAmericanuses650poundsofpapereachyear.Recyclingthese650poundsofpaperwouldsavealmost6treesperpersoneachyear,multiplyingthatby300millionAmericans,makesapproximately1.8billionpossibletreessavedayear.
Recyclingoneton(about2,000pounds)ofpapercouldsave17trees,enoughoiltoruntheaveragecarfor1,260miles(twobarrels),enoughpowerfortheaveragehomeforsixmonths(4,100kilowatts),3.2cubicyardsoflandfillspaceand60poundsofpollution.
TheGreatPacificGarbagePatch,aheapofmostlyplastictrash,weighing3.5tonsandovertwicethesizeofTexas,hasbeenamassingfor40yearsinthePacificOceanbetweenSanFranciscoandHawaii.
RecyclingonealuminumcansavesenoughenergytorunaTvforthreehours.Inspiteofthis,Americansthrowawayenoughaluminumtorebuildourentirecommercialfleetofairplaneseverythreemonths.
GREENLIvING2009lPage21
GreenInActionRECYCLiNG
Feel like recycling yet?
Mostofuscanprobablystillrememberthedebatesaboutenergyindependenceduringthepresidentialcampaign.Theabovefactsstateonethingveryclearly;therearehugeenergyreserveswithinourdailylivesintheUnitedStatesandrecyclingisanefficientwaytotapintothem.
So what can each and every one of us do?
Wecouldlearnfromourneighbors,oneofthemismyhomecountryGermany,whichranksinthetoptenofthemostenergyefficientcountriesintheworld.WhenIgotothesupermarketathomeIbringmyownbags,likeliterallyeveryotherGerman.WearesousedtotheconceptofreusingourshoppingbagsthatI’mstillsurprisedwhenafriendlycashierasksmeifIwantpaperorplastic.InGermany,youactuallygetsomeofyourmoneybackwhenyoubringemptybottlesbacktothestore,wheretheyarecollectedbyanautomatedmachineandlaterrecycledandmostGermansrecycleeverybottle.Wehaveawell-developedpublictransportationsystem,eveninruralareasinordertoreducetrafficandoilconsumption.Inmyfamily,everybodyrecycles,infactIdon’tknowanybodywhodoesn’trecycle.
WhenmyAmericanfinancewasinhighschool,hisscienceteacher
toldhimhowbadoldbatteriesarefortheenvironment.Whentheyendupinlandfillstheyspillmetals,acidsandothercompoundsthat,ifreleased,contaminatetheecosystem.Butwheneverhehadanoldbattery,hedidn’tknowwhattodowithit,sowithafeelingofguiltheslippeditintothenormaltrash.InGermany,wehavecollectionboxesforusedbatteriesinmostsupermarketssoyoucanjustdisposeofthemwhileyou’reshopping.Unfortunately,therearemanysuchthings,likeoldcomputers,carparts,videotapes,CD’s,Styrofoamandsoonthatmanypeopledonotrealizearedangeroustrash.
So what else do we need to know about recycling before we can go out and do it ourselves?
Itisimportanttounderstandhowtherecyclingprocessworks.Itbeginswiththepurchaseofrecycledorrecyclableproducts.Aftertheproductsareused,theyarecollectedforrecycling,sortedbyhandormachine,shipped,andfinallyreprocessedintonewproductsormaterials.Thenewproductsarethenavailabletobepurchasedandcancontinuethecycle.Otherstrategiestoreducetrasharetobuyinbulk,avoidoverpackagedproducts,buyconcentratedproductsandrefillablecontainers.Currently,intheUnitedStatesabout26percentofthewastegeneratedisrecycledorcomposted,8percentisburnedatincineratorsandtheremaining66percentisdisposedofinlandfills.
Sonowthatyouknowsomemoreaboutrecycling,howitisdoneandwhyitisoneofthemostimportantstrategiestoachievegreaterenergyefficiencyinourfuture,wehopethatourarticleinspiredyoutospreadthewordandmakeithappen.And don’t forget, after you read this magazine, pass it on or recycle it!
if this article interested you here you can find more information: How to deal with different hazardous waste: www.obviously.com/recycle/guides/hard General recycling information: www.earth911.com How to recycle Batteries: www.rbrc.org or call 800/822-8837 for a battery drop-off location near you Local information: www.ci.olympia.wa.us/cityutilities/garbage www.co.thurston.wa.us/wwm
GL
Built Green® is a program to encourage theconstruction of homes that:• Provide greater energy efficiency and reduce pollution• Provide healthier indoor air• Reduce water usage• Preserve natural resources• Improve durability and reduce maintenance
Built Green® is a program of Olympia Master Builders
www.builtgreenomb.org 360-754-0912 or 800-456-6473
The graph shows the number of homes certified as Built Green® since
the program’s 2005 inception.
THINK GREEN
Page22lGREENLIvING2009
Americansspendmillionsofdollarsayearonhouseholdcleaningproductsthatweassumearesafe.However,arecentstudybytheEnvironmental
ProtectionAgency(EPA)revealedthat“theairoutsidemaybesafertobreathethantheairinsidethehome.”Accordingtothestudy,peoplespendanaverageof90percentoftheirtimeinsideandindoorairqualityisanimportantconcern.
Inthepast,homeswereventilatedwithopenwindowsthathadleakyseals.Buildersnowmakehomes“tighter”andopenwindowshavebeenreplacedwithcentralairconditioning,trappingallergens,chemicalsandstagnantairinourhomes.Now,morethanever,itisimportanttoknowwhatchemicalsyouareintroducingintoyourhomeenvironment.
Almostallcommonhouseholdcleanerscontainsometoxicingredients;manycontaincarcinogensorsuspectedcarcinogens.Whileprolongedexposureandoccupationaluseincreaserisks,even“normal”householdusecancauselastinghealthproblems.
Sowhat’sthebetterdecisionwhenitcomestimetoclean?Manyagree—replacetoxicproductswithsafernontoxicalternatives.Withthewidevarietyofcleaningproductsandequipmentavailable,consumerswhowanttoprotecttheenvironmentareoftenfacedwithnumerouschoices,butwithlittleclarityonwhatthelabelsanddescriptionsmean–andoftenatarelativelyhighercost.These“greener”productscanbefoundinhealthfoodstores,somesupermarketsorthroughcatalogs.MerryMaids,theleadingproviderofhouseholdcleaningservices,suggestsmakingyourowncleanserswithcommonhouseholditems.
Oneoftheeasieststepstotakeistocleanwithoutbleachorchlorine.Householdcleanersthatcontainbleachcanbereplacedwithnontoxicalternativessuchasbakingsoda,borax,soapandevenvinegar.Anaddedbonusisthatthesenaturalproductsarecheaper,too.Also,don’tusepaperproductsthatarebleachedwhitewithchlorineasthey’vebeenshowntoincreasetheriskofcancer.Insteadchoosetissue,toiletpaperandevenofficepaperthatislabeled“processedchlorinefree”(PCF).
Green Cleaning TipsBy Elizabeth Diane
Easy recipes for safer household cleansersßForagoodallpurposecleaner,
mix1/2cupvinegarand1/4cupbakingsodainto1/2gallon(2liters)ofwater.Storeandkeep.Useforremovalofwaterdepositstainsonshowerstallpanels,bathroomchromefixtures,windows,bathroommirrors,etc.ßScourcopperandbrasswith
1/2cupvinegarmixedwithonetablespoonofsalt.ßDeodorizegarbagecansor
scrubvinylfloorswithfull-strengthpineoil.ßUsebakingsodainplaceofyour
abrasivebathandkitchencleaner.Italsoremovesstainsandodorsfromrefrigeratorsandcoffeepots.ßFreshenthecarpetwith1/2
cupcrushedlavenderflowersand1cupbakingsoda.vacuumafter
30minutes.Trythismixtureasadeodorizerfordiaperpailsandkittylitter.ßScrubyourtoiletbowlwitha
non-toxiccombinationofonecupboraxand1/2cupwhitevinegar.Youcanalsoaddonecupofwhitevinegartotherinsecompartmentofyourautomaticdishwasherforaspotlessrinse.ßRubasliceoflemonacross
achoppingblocktodisinfectthesurface.
Theseideasarenotonlygoodfortheenvironment,butalsogoodforyourpocket.Wheneveryoudecidetothrowawaythoselessenvironmentally-friendlycleansers,besuretodisposeofthecontentssafelyandreuseorrecyclecontainers.
GreenInActionGREEN CLEANiNG
Elizabeth DianeResidential Green Building DesignerLucid 9 Design, inc.“Design Beyond Measure”[email protected]
GREENLIvING2009lPage23
TiP #2 Reduce Air Pollution with a Rake? Callmeoldfashioned,butIstillusearaketoremoveleaves.Arake
issignificantlycheaperthanaleafblowerandhaszeroimpactontheenvironment.Inasinglehour,agas-poweredleafblowerwillproducethesameemissionsasacarthattravels350miles.Goodreasontostartusingarakeagain.
GreenInActionECOFRiENDLY LANDSCAPES
Landscapes
TiP #3 Conserve Water – Drip Irrigation Therearemanywaystoconservewaterinyourlandscapeand
installingadripirrigationsystemisoneofthemostimportant.Dripirrigationdeliverswaterdirectlytoyourplantswithminimalwasteandisconsideredtobe90%efficient.Withatraditionalabove-groundirrigationsystem,only50%to70%ofthewaterappliedactuallyreachestherootsoftheplants.Withthismuchwaste,weareliterallythrowingmoneyaway.Overtime,thedripirrigationsystemwillmorethanpayforitselfbyreducingyourmonthlywaterbill.
TiP #1 Small Engines – Big Problems Whilegas-poweredmowersareatime-savingdevice,there
areenergyefficientalternativesthatdonotpollute.Considerreplacingyourgas-poweredequipmentwithreliable,rechargeableelectricequipment.Electricequipmentnotonlypromotesenergyconservation,butalsopromotescleanair.Thesmallgas-poweredenginesinourmowers,leafblowersandweedwhackersareconsideredamajorsourceofairpollutionbytheEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).
Thereareotheradvantagestoelectricequipment–theyaresignificantlyquieterthantheirgas-poweredcounterparts–asmuchas50%quieter.Myelectricmowersoundsmorelikeavacuumcleanerthanalawnmower.Electricequipmentiseasytostart-nomorehuffing,puffingandcursingasyoustruggletostartyourgas-poweredequipment.Startingmyelectricmowerisalmostaseasyasflippingonalightswitch.Anelectricmoweralsoweighsmuchlessthanagas-poweredmowerandthereforemucheasiertouse.
By Mary Jo Buza
IdeasforGreenLivingbeginwithenergyconservation,butithaspotentialtogowaybeyondthat.Theideasforgreenlivingoreco-friendlylandscapesthatIexplorehereextendtoissuesof
environmentalpollutionpreventionandwaterconservation.Ifweapplygreenlivingconceptstoourlandscapes,itwillimprovesustainability.
Ecofriendly
Forexample,afewstrategicallyplantedtreescanhelptokeepabuildingcoolinthesummerandreduceenergyneededforairconditioning.Ideallya‘green’landscapeshouldhavelittleornonegativeimpactsonourenvironment.Incorporatingjustafewofeco-friendlylandscapeideaswillreducetheconsumptionofenergy,conservewater,reduceenvironmentalpollution–andsavemoney.
Page24lGREENLIvING2009
TiP #5 Use an Automatic Timer Forthoseinterestedinsmallerstepstowaterconservation,
consideraddingautomatictimers.Automatictimers,foundinmosthomeimprovementstores,controlthetimeyouwater,andthishelpsyouconserve.Theseeasy-to-installtimersareattachedbetweenyourfaucetandyourhoseandnoelectrichook-upisrequired.Haveyoueversetoutyourlawnsprinklerandbecomebusydoingotherthingsyouforgotaboutyoursprinklerandoverwatered?Ihave.Thissimplelow-costgadgetwilleliminateoverwatering.
TiP #6 Plant Trees to Conserve Energy and Reduce Air Pollution
Treesprovideimportanthabitatforbirdsandotherwildlife.Butmanypeopledonotknowtheimportantroletreeshaveinreducingairpollution.Treesactlikethelungsofourplanet;theybreatheincarbondioxideandremoveitfromtheatmosphereandreleaseoxygen.Carbondioxideisoneofthemajorpollutantsthatcontributetoglobalwarming.
Plantingdeciduoustreeswillhelpyousaveenergy,too.Tomaximizethebenefitsoftrees,planttalldeciduoustreesonthesouthandwestfacingsidesofyourhouse.
Thiswillhelpshadeyourhomeduringthehotsummermonthsandreduceairconditioningcosts.
TiP #7 Recycle Your Plastic Containers Mostnurserieswillrecycleandreuseplasticcontainersthatare
twogallonsorlarger.Beforeyoupurchaseplants,askthenurseryifyoucanreturnthepotstoberecycledorreused.LastyearIfoundoutoneofmyfavoritenurseriesrecyclesbothonegallonandfourinchcontainersaswell.IamsuregladIasked.
courtyard retreats distinctive entriespatios retaining walls water features
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GreenInActionECOFRiENDLY LANDSCAPES
Author Mary Jo Buza, is a landscape designer and has over 20 years experience designing and teaching gardening in the South Sound region. For more information on a custom landscape design or consultation, call 923-1733. Or check out her website: www.maryjobuza.com.
Landscapes
TiP #4 Reduce the Size of Your Lawn Lastyear,severalclientsrequestedalandscapedesignwith
littleornolawninthefrontyard.Theyrarelyusedthefrontyardforrecreationoranyactivity,excepttomowit.Fromadesignperspective,replacingpartofyourlawnwithtreesandshrubsisanopportunitytocreatediversityandbuildwildlifehabitat.TheaverageAmericanlawncostsabout$700tomaintaineachyear;thisincludesherbicide,fertilizer,waterandequipmentmaintenance.Replacingorreducingthesizeyourlawnwillsaveyoutimeandmoney.
We would like to hear from you. if you have an ecofriendly green landscaping tips, please let us know. We would like to share them with our readers.
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WormComposting
GreenInActionWORM COMPOSTiNG
Anicecupofgood,hotteacanrenewyourmindandbody.Centuriesagopeoplelearnedthattheflavorandbeneficialessenceofcertainplantscouldbedrawnfromtheirleaves,
barkandrootsbysteepingtheminwater,sometimesfortifyingthebrewwithabitofmilkandhoney.Weknowthatanipofsoothingmintteawillsettlethestomach,acupoffragrantchamomileteawillsoothefrayednervesandacupofvitaminrichalfalfateacanstimulateaweakappetite.Bysteepingtheseplantmaterialsinwater,weareabletoextractthenutrientsfromtheplants.
Likeherbalteasforourbodies,wormcastingsareoneofthebestandsafestcompleteorganicfertilizersforyourgarden.Wormscanalsobeamajorplayerinyouroverallcompostingplan.Youcanturnyourfoodscrapes,junkmail,personalpapersandbankstatementsintofoodforthelittlecritters.Thewormseatthepaperandfoodscrapesandturnitintodark,richandalmostodorlessmaterialfilledwithnutrientsandsoilmicroorganismcalled‘castings’.Youcanthensteepthecastingsinwatertocreatea‘tea’thatcanfeedtherootsofplants.Itcanalsobesprayeddirectlyonplantfoliage.
Soifyouarelookingforanorganicsolutiontogardenfertilizer,considerbrewingupanicecupofwormcastingteaforyourplantsandenjoyaherbalcupofteaforyourself.
For additional information, visitwww.sustainablesouthsound.com or visit ourlocal resource, Yelm Earthworm & CastingsFarm at www.yelmworms.com.
GL
Your organic gardenneeds organic soil and amendments,
earthworms, worm compost, casting teaand a little free helpful advice, too!
· Worm bins· Plant food· Veggie starts & seeds
Call 360.894.0707 for directions or visit YelmEarth.com
Page26lGREENLIvING2009
Composting
GreenInActionPRiSON GARDENS
In2003,DanPacholkebecametheSuperintendentoftheCedarCreekCorrectionsCenterinLittlerock,Washington.AsSuperintendent,Danhadavisiontoexpandtheprison,butwaterusagewastoohightoexpand.Insteadoffeelingdefeated,
Dandecidedtofindasolution.TheinfluenceofTheEvergreenStateCollegeandthesustainabilitycoursesthatweretaughtbyBobMcIntoshandNancyParkinfluencedhimtolearnmoreaboutthewaterusageatCedarCreek.
AsDanwaslearningmore,TheEvergreenStateCollegeProfessor,NaliniNadkarni,hadbeguntousetheCorrectionsCentertogrowflowers,harvestseedsandre-plantthem.Nalini’sinvolvementatCedarCreekhelpedtocreateapartnershipbetweentheDepartmentofCorrectionsandTheEvergreenStateCollege.ThispartnershiphelpedcreatetheSustainablePrisonsProject.Theirmissionisto,“reducethecostandenvironmentalimpactofprisonoperationsbytrainingprisonstaffandoffendersinscience,sustainabilityandskillsfortheemerginggreeneconomy.”
DanandNalinibegantothinkofwaysthattheycouldusewatermoreefficientlyandtheideaofanorganicfarmemerged.The3-acreorganicfarmwascreatedandthevegetablesproducedonthepropertyhelptooffsetfoodcostsandsupportsustainablelivingatthecenter.Danimplementedrainwaterreuseandcatchingsystemswithinthe
By Carrie Rethlefsen
PrisonGardening
ve
nt
S
15th- Slow Roller (Greatful Deadgrass)16th- Intrusions17th- Blackberry Bushes (Bluegrass)21st- vince Brown22nd- Southern Skies (Bluegrass)23rd- David Wayne (Folk Rock)24th- Sundowners (Country)28th- Def Lester29th- Jess & Jacob (Bluegrass)30th- tracey Hooker31st- Quatro (Jazz)
June 18th - Senior Day with entertainmentexplosion!
July 25th - animal awareness Day
oct 31st - Halloween
this is our first year for this and we will have all sorts of organizations dealing with animals here passing out information and some wonderful wild animals on the stage that have been rescued.
ente
Rta
Inm
ent
FoR
may
2009
All Bands play from 11a.m.-2p.m.
GREENLIvING2009lPage27
prisonandmadetheswitchtolowflushtoilets,reducedwaterforlaundryandstoppedwateringanyvegetationonthepropertythatcouldnotbenaturallysustainedoreaten.
TheorganicgardenprovidestherapeuticvaluetotheinmatesatCedarCreek.Gardeninghasacalmingeffectonpeople,andhasprovidedatherapeuticoutletfortheinmates.TheorganicgardenalsoopensupacuriosityandinteractionfromtheinmatesandDannoticedachangeintheconversationsthathappenwithintheprison.Byaddinghandsonprojectsfortheinmates,importantlifeskillsaredevelopedthathelpthemaftertheirrelease.Theselifeskillshelptheinmatesappreciatetheirnaturalsurroundingsandteachthemskillsthatcanbecarriedintoallaspectsoflife.Itchangeswhatishappeningintheprisonandtransformstheatmospherefromaplaceofconfinementtoanenvironmentthatsupportsrehabilitationandskillbuilding.
WhenDanrealizedthatbecomingasustainableprisonwasalsocuttingthecostofoperations,hebegantoexploreothermoneysavingsustainableprojects,suchascomposting.Soheasked,“Howcanwedosomethingwithoutbuyinganythingnew?”Inthethemeofsustainability,theydidnotspendanymoneyonthecompostingsystem.Insteadtheyusedoldecologyblocks,pickedaroofoffanoldbuildingandsetuptheircompositingsystem.ThecurrentcompostingsystematCedarCreektakesinseveralhundredpoundsofwasteeachday.
Inadditiontocomposting,herealizedthatiftheytookthecardboardthattheynormallyrecycledandinsteadmademoneyoffofit,thathewouldhaveawinningplan.Andhedidjustthat.Agarbage-sorting
centerontheprisonpropertywasborn.Danstates,“Allgarbageisnowhandsortedonavolunteerbasis.Handsortingdoestwothings:First,itmaximizeswhatyoucanrecycle,andsecond,youbecomemoreawareofwhatgoesintothedumpster.”
TheideasbegantogrowandsoonCedarCreekCorrectionalCenterbecameahavenofsustainabilityideasinaction.Theybeganwormcomposting,interiororganicgardens,beeharvestingandhoneymaking,andthroughout
theentireprocess,theycutdownonwater.“Waterusagewentdownfrom130gallonsto100gallonsperday,whichsavedover250,000gallonsofwaterduringthedrymonthsofsummer.Finally,wecouldsupportanexpansionoftheprison.Wehadbrokenafundamentalthreshold,”Danexplained.
WiththehelpoftheDepartmentofEcology,Danfoundoutthatsincetheyhadcutdowntheirwaterusagesosignificantly,thewatertheyputintothetreatmentplantalsowentdownconsiderably.Theyalsofoundthattheircompostingeffortstoimplementplatescrapingservicetocollectalloftheorganicwasteoftheplatesreducedthefoodparticlesgoingdownthedrainanddecreasedtheamountofbio-solidsgoingtothetreatmentplant.ThisdecreasemeantthatCedarCreekdidnotneedtoinvestanymoneytoincreaseitsinmatepopulation.CedarCreekCorrectionalCentersavedhundredstothousandsofdollarseachmonthbycomposting,recycling,andgrowingtheirownvegetablesandthe$1.4milliondollarwaterprojecttheyhadprojectedwentdownto$0becauseofthesustainabilityprograms.
Danbelievesthatcreatinglinksbetweentheinstitutionandcommunityisimportant.Theprisonprojectsarenotjustsomethingbehindafence;theycouldalsosharetheirsuccessstoryandhelpteachotherswhattheyhadlearned.Theystartedtoofferlectureseriessopeoplecanseewhatwashappening.Thisprovidedenvironmentaleducationtothepublic,employeesandinmates.
Fastforwardtotodayandtheprisonexpansionprojectisdone.ThelivingunitsarecompletedandareallequippedwithrainwaterflushtoiletsandurinalsandthebuildingisLEEDsilvercertified.ThePrisonSustainabilityProjectstartedwithasimpleinterestoftryingtoexpandaprisonanddeepdowninsideofthatwasenvironmentaleconomicstoreducecostsalongwithlesseningtheDepartmentofCorrectionsfootprintontheplanet.Danconcludes,“Youthinkofaprisonasbeingmorebehindthetimes,buttheworkwedolocallyiscuttingedge.” GL
GreenInActionPRiSON GARDENS
Page28lGREENLIvING2009
CsA’sBuy Local
GreenInActionCSA
By Grier Jewel
Isyourpotatopooped?Doesyourlettucelimp?Areyouronionstooweaktoweep?Ifyourveggiesarelikemuchoftoday’sproduce,theyhavegoodreasonforbeingabitrun
down.Oddsaretheyhavetraveledabout1,300milestoreachyourneighborhoodgrocerystore.Evenwiththecosmeticenhancementsofachemicalsprayandbeautywax,thereisnodenyingthefactthatyour‘cukeshaveledahardlife.
Onemightwellunderstandthesortoffatigueyourfoodsuffersaftersomanymilesandnumerousmiddlemen,nottomentiontherudesqueezeofcountlessimpolitehands.IfyourspinachspeaksSpanish,justthinkaboutwhatitmusthaveenduredtofinditswayintoyourproudpastadish.Havesomecompassion,butlookalittleclosertohomenexttime.Thereisabetterlifewaitingforyouandyourfood,anditisjustaroundthecorner.
Thankstoanopportunitytobuydirectlyfromfarmerswhoknowhowtotreatatomatoright,youcanbringhomeproducethatisfreshfromthegarden.KnownasCommunitySupportedAgriculture(CSA),ormembershipgardens,CSA’ssharethebountyoflivelyfruitsandvegetableswithoutallthedramaofalongroadtrip.
Amembershipgardenallowsnon-farmerstodigintoout-of-thisworldregionalproducewithout,well,havingtodig.Bypayinginadvanceforaseason’sshareofproduce,customersarehelpingtosustainlocalfarmers,reducegasconsumption,supportthelocaleconomyandliveinrelationshipwiththeseasons.
JimMcGinnofRisingRiverFarminRochestersaysthatCSAmembershipisarealgrounding,stablepartofourbusiness.Althoughheandhiswifehaveotheroutletsforsellingtheirproduce−suchasthefarmer’smarketandFoodCo-op−CSAgivesthemtheconfidenceofknowingtheyhaveasteadybaseofcustomers.
“Thefarmer’smarketisgreat,butthere’salwaysthatunknownfactor.It’scomfortingtoknowthatwhenyouareplanting,youhaveabaseandthatpeoplewillbebuyingfromusfor20weeks.”
McGinnpointsoutthatCSA’sallowfarmerstogrowwhattheyaregoodatgrowing.Thismeanseachfarmvariesinitsproduce.Customerswhowanttheirarugulamaynotgetitunlesstheyhaveafarmerwhogrowsitwell.Tothisend,McGinnsaysCSA’srequireacustomerwhoiswillingtoexplorenewfoods.
“CSA’sworkwellformemberswhowelcomeproducethattheywouldnotordinarilybuy,”hesays.“You’reforcedtotrynewthings.It’snotforpeoplewhoneedtoshopforspecificmeals.”
SheilaGray,directorofLewisCountyWashingtonStateUniversityExtension,agrees.“Youneedtobeadventurousinyourvegetableeating.Youmightendupwithsomethingyouhaven’ttraditionallyeatenbefore.”Graysaysthatmanyfarms
GREENLIvING2009lPage29
includenewslettersandrecipeswiththeirdeliveries.Forthoseatalossforhowtoentertaintheirpalateswitheggplant,theserecipesprovideabigboosttoone’sculinarycreativity.
AccordingtoAshaMcElfreshofWobblyCartFarmingCollectiveinRochester,“CSA’sareforpeopleinterestedinlocal,fresh,organicfoodswhowanttocookaccordingtowhat’savailable.It’sadifferentwayofthinking.”Insteadofplanningamealandthenshopping,CSAmemberspreparetheirmealsinharmonywitheachweek’sharvest.
ThisnaturalwayofeatingsuitsAnitaGoin’sfamilyperfectly.“Welovetoeatwiththeseasons.OnWednesdays,thedaywegetour‘veggiebox,’wecan’twaittoseewhat’sinside.Asafamily,wedelightinopeningittodiscoverthedeliciousandwonderfulgoodiesthatareinside.Eachweek,ourfamily’smealsareplannedaroundthecontentsofourboxwherewemakethesuperfresh,locallygrown,organicvegetablesthestarsofeachmeal.Thishasmadeforsomefun,sometimesadventurousandalwaysdeliciousdinnersforourfamily.”
TheGoinfamily’saffectionforfreshfooddoesn’tendatthetable.JoiningaCSAisverymuchinkeepingwiththeirvaluesoflivinglightlyontheearth.“WelovethatbybuyingourfoodlocallythroughourCSAmembership,weareleavingasmallercarbonfootprintthanwewouldbypurchasingfoodthat’sbeenjettedandtruckedfromhalftheplanetaway.”
AlthoughsomeCSAinvitecustomerstopickuptheirfoodatthefarm,theytypicallymakeweeklydeliveriestolocaldrop-offsites.Thecostvaries,dependingonthesizeofshare.Pricesrangefrom$200to$600foroneseason.Afewalsoofferweeklysubscriptions.
AnimportantconsiderationforanyonethinkingaboutjoiningaCSAisthenumberofsharesavailableforpurchase.AsJimMcGinnsays,“Iwanttomakesureeveryonegetsenoughtomatoes.”
AtWobblyCart,McElfreshsayspeopletendtothinkaboutjoiningwhentheweatherisgood.Eventhoughithelpsthefarmto
havemembersjoinasearlyasthepreviousfall,shesaystheywilltakemembersatanytime.
AnnvandemanofLeftFootOrganicsinOlympiastressestheimportanceofsigningupasearlyaspossible.”TheideaofaCSAistoprovidethatupfrontcashbeforethecropisharvestedandthemoneystartscomingin.”Shesaysthatalthoughtheyprefertohavecustomerspayfortheirsubscriptionsinfull,theycanalsomakearrangementstopayininstallments.
vandeman,whoemployspeoplewithdevelopmentaldisabilitiesatacompetitivewage,saysthatCSAmembershipsmakeupabout40%oftheirproduceincome.Sheencouragesanyonewhoisinterestedinsigninguptovisittheirwebsite.SincemanyCSAfarmshavetheirownonlinesites,thisisaneasywaytocomparepricesandofferingswhenlookingfortherightfit.
“Lookatournewslettersandgetagoodideaofwhat’sgoingon,”shesuggests.”Peopleaskmeallthetimewhattoexpectfromweektoweek,soItellthemtolookatpastnewslettersandthatwillgivethemagoodideaofwhatthey’llgetfromus.There’salwaysanelementofsurprise,though.Itjustdependsonnature,andnatureisfullofsurprises.”
WhatcanyouexpectfromaCSAbesidesanenzymaticexplosionoforganicgardengoodness?Dependingontheseason,andtheweather,youmightopenyourboxtofindafreshassortmentofpeas,strawberries,purplebeans,swisschard,cauliflower,leeks,carrots,corn,arugula,kale,garlic,greenonions,broccoli--thelistgoesonandvariesfromfarmtofarm.
Themostimportantingredient,however,appearstobetheexcitementofmemberswhoopentheirweeklysurprisepackageanddiginwithgusto.ForthousandsofSouthSounders,thisopportunitytoreconnectwiththeseason’slocalbountyisworthalotmorethantheypaypershare.ForfamiliesliketheGoin’s,itjustmightbeworthallthefrozenpeasinChina.
For resources and more information,visit www.sustainablesouthsound.com
GreenInActionCSA
GL
Page30lGREENLIvING2009
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