Healthy Living


Dec 24 - Californians Cash in on Recycling

As initially reported by CAW earlier this month, today's (December 24, 2007) Los Angeles Times features a story on how more Californians are recycling, boosting recovery rates for beverage containers to record levels in 2007.

The story, by Times Staff Writer Tami Abdollah, includes quotes from CAW Executive Director Mark Murray, California Department of Conservation Director Bridgett Luther, and a growing cadre of California consumers redeeming their beverage containers for cash.

In January, the state increased the California Refund Value to a nickel for small beverage containers and a dime for large ones. The respective one- and two-cent hikes, they believe, may have changed a lot of perceptions.

"If you see four pennies on the ground and you're walking on the street, are you going to bother to pick them up?" asked Mark Murray, executive director for Californians Against Waste, a statewide environmental organization that focuses on recycling. "Whereas you see a nickel or dime on the ground, you're likely to pick that up. The same thing goes to just seeing that value in a can and thinking, 'I'm tossing a nickel in the trash.' "

For the complete story click here.

 

 


Jul 20 - Bay Area Waste and Recycling Efforts Profiled

The San Francisco Chronicle published a Green Section today on information about how to curtail your waste and what people and organizations are doing already. Everything from how to start a "worm" bin in your home, where to recycle hard and even what to do with today's newspaper when you are done with it besides just tossing it in the recycling bin are in this section.

Currently, the state of California diverts 54% of trash from landfills, a number that has steadily increased since the passage of AB 939 in 1989 that required the state to reach a 50% goal in 2000. This goal however wasn't met until 2005. Increase in the state's population has been one cause of the problem, as well an more and more commercial waste being thrown into landfills. Commercial trash can account for as much as 60& of the waste sent to landfills. CAW Executive Director Mark Murray says in the San Francisco Chronicle,

"We need to update the law to recognize that the waste stream and the waste generating system has changed since 1989. We need to reduce the amount of packaging we're producing."

Read the complete article

Check out information about the zero waste policies at the Anheuser-Busch brewery in Fairfield, how to start a worm bin, learn more about how SF's waste goes to Jepsen Praire, and some tips on how to make your home more recycling friendly.

 


Green Beans

Having avoided them at the dinner table as kids, many of us never imagined our daily lives would be fueled by none other than beans. Now, the coffee bean offers a kick-start to the dreariest of days. However, the beans we choose to consume have a huge impact on the climates and communities they grow in. Here are some helpful links for the most conscious of bean consumers:

Transfair USA - Everything you wanted to know about Fair Trade

Available for purchase online:

Beantrees Fine Organic Coffees - Organic supplier on the road and online

The Organic Coffee Co. - Organic and Fair Trade Certified

Caffe Ibis - Triple certified beans

Coffee Fool - A coffee vendor that knows its product with organic options

Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf - Not a major organic retailer, but corporate-owned shops are now green certified. Press Release>>

Portland Roasting

Neighborhood Joe:

Los Angeles

Village Joe - Organic goods and hookah

Sacramento

Temple Coffee and Tea - A staff favorite conveniently located downtown

More to come!

 

When in doubt, look for the labels:

 


Green Lifestyle

Today, the modern world faces one of its greatest challenges yet: move forward without destroying all in its path. Thankfully, people are aware more than ever of the effects they have on the planet, and are seeking change in order to preserve this world for posterity.

In response to this awareness, more environmentally friendly options are available in nearly aspect of life. Here is just a sample of the options to consider:

 

CA Green Lodging

Green Vacation (U.S.)

Low impact travelling.

 

 

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