green action guide - stanford universitykcarmel/cc_behavchange_course/... · 2006-10-18 ·...

G R E E N A C T I O N G U I D Esteps to sustainable livingsan francisco bay area edition

The Green Team Project, a project of the Tides Center

©- The Tides Center/The Green Team Project

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in anyform or any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of thepublisher. Printed in the United States of America.

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. 3Welcome.Do you ever wonder if you really need all the stuff you consume? Are you concerned about the possible health effects of pesticides and household cleaners? Do you wish you could do somethingabout the Bay Area’s environment? Or are you just curious about the green in “green” advertising?

You may already do a lot for the environment. This book will show you how to live a more sustainablelifestyle, whether you are:

> just learning environmentally-friendly habits

> a long-time recycler or biker

> on a limited budget

> in transition, just moving to your community

As neighbors and co-workers, many of us don’t know each other. Who lives next door? Who works on the nextfloor? Being on a Green Team brings us together to strengthen our sense of community.

Rosa Maria and Glen, two San Francisco teammembers, said: “Yeah, it was great. We decidedwe had so much in common we got married.We were cutting everything...so we made onehousehold!”

Team member Richard Goetz said being on ateam was “very enlightening because it was fun,you learn and you meet good people. I think it’sjust wonderful and everybody should do it.”

OUR MISSIONFounded in 1996, the Green Team Project is a grass-roots environmental non-profit project of the Tides Centerthat focuses on environmental education and community outreach. Its mission is to educate and support individuals and households in taking action to live more earth-friendly lifestyles. We work with individuals,companies, schools, non-profit organizations, faith communities and government agencies to conserve natural resources and support environmentally sustainable activities and products. It is our strong belief thatboth individuals and businesses can maintain a high standard of living and profitability while conductingthemselves and their businesses in an environmentally responsible manner. The program induces positivechange and supports behavior and attitude change in a fun, supportive, and non-judgmental manner. Overall,it encourages environmental stewardship through individual responsibility, teamwork, and community action.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECTBased on results of previous teams, you will be able to: > Save between $ and $;> Cut your junk mail by up to %;> Reduce your garbage by %;> Reduce your energy bill by %;> Cut your water use by %; and> Reduce your auto fuel use and eliminate

one ton of air pollution per year.

THE WORKBOOKThis book offers information and actions for living anenvironmentally friendly lifestyle in the Bay Area. It leadsyou and your team members through six topic areas: solidwaste, chemicals, energy, transportation, water and com-munity. With the help of this book and a trained coach,you’ll work together to learn new environmentally sus-tainable practices.

HOW TEAMS WORKWith the help of your coach, every team member leads a meeting. At each meeting you’ll choose the Green Stepsyou want to take in that topic. Between meetings, you’ll implement the Green Steps and then report your dis-coveries and results at the next meeting. The last meeting will be a celebration of your accomplishments and anintroduction to the program for friends, neighbors and co-workers.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKSHow do I use this book? Every chapter is divided into Green Steps labeled numerically.What is a Green Step? A Green Step is a set of related actions.How do I complete a Green Step? The actions of a Green Step are labeled alphabetically: [a.], [b.], [c.]. Unless oth-erwise noted, it takes one action to complete a Green Step.How do I finish a chapter? Complete the initial and follow-up audits and two or more Green Steps.Where do I record my progress? A Green Step Log is found at the back of each chapter. You’ll use these to keeptrack of what you intend to do, and what you complete. At the final meeting you’ll turn in a Summary ReportForm that records your accomplishments and savings. The data supplied on the Summary Report Form is enteredinto a sophisticated database that calculates all your resource and monetary savings as well as pounds of carbondioxide prevented from being released into the atmosphere. At the graduation celebration you will receive yourindividual results as well as the aggregate results of the team.Do I have to do all the Green Steps? We know there’s a lot of information in the book! Don’t worry if you can’tdo it all now. This may be the beginning of a long-term process, and every action you complete is important.You’ll also get credit for what you’ve done before you joined the program.What do I do next? Before your first meeting read Chapter : Waste. Perform the beginning waste audit and seewhat other actions appeal to you.

WHY THE TEAM?Teams offer the support and encourage-ment to try new things and to learn newhabits. Research shows that it’s harder tomake lasting changes without support.

Leilani Alo, who was on a Green Team inSan Francisco, says: “I liked the sense oftogetherness, support and 'do it as ateam' feeling, which is necessary to sus-tain lifestyle changes.”

RESOURCE BINDERIn addition to this workbook, you will receive a Resource Binder containing information specific to your commu-nity which will assist you in taking the Green Steps in each chapter.

Chapter 1 Waste Pages 6-21

Chapter 2 Chemicals 22-35

Chapter 3 Energy 36-47

Chapter 4 Transport 48-61

Chapter 5 Water 62-71

Chapter 6 Community 72-76

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. 5GETTING LOCATEDCONTENTS

BAY AREA COUNTIES

Do you know whatsustainability isand how it relatesto your life?

Sustainability hasbeen defined asdevelopment thatmeets the needs ofthe present withoutcompromising theability of futuregenerations to meettheir own needs(United Nations).

NEW FEATURE!A website now links you to many of the World Wide Web resources mentioned in this book. It’s foundat http://www.Acterra.org/greenteams/

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Facts:

> Humans are using up the earth’s natural resources faster than they can be replaced.

> The United Nations projects there will be billion people or more alive in , an increase of % or . billion from today’s population of . billion. Currently, approximately million new people are added to the world’s population each year.

> Species are going extinct at a rate never before recorded.

> Americans are only % of the world’s population but consume one-third of its natural resources.

> According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. residents, businesses and institutions produced more than 230 million tons of garbage in 1999.

> California passed a law in requiring counties to cut their solid waste by %. By the year , California achieved a statewide diversion rate of 42%. Let’s keep up the great work!

WasteGoals:

Cut your personal waste by % and shift to earth-friendly goods.

Reduce your Green Team’s garbage by %.

Help your city and county cut their solid waste by % by the end of this year.

Processes:

In this chapter you will:> learn about your garbage,> safely dispose of it,> prevent further waste,> consume differently,> share your knowledge with others, and > report your progress.

(Sources: United Nations Environment Programme, Population Reference Bureau,U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and California Integrated WasteManagement Board)

> This SOLID WASTE chapter includes getting to know your garbage, recycling, reducing your

junk mail, composting, shopping for low impact and more.

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eco facts . trash audit

1 . By the day’s end, 1,700 people will be

added to California’s population. The state grows

by more than 600,000 people each year and is projected

to increase by 16% to nearly 40

million by 2010.

(Governor’s Office, State of California)

2. One half of a typical dumpster

is recyclable.

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Trash Audit .

How much garbage do you generate? What’s itmade of? You’ll answer these questions in the trashaudit.

[a.]

1. Collect all the trash your household generatesfor one week. Include garbage from the kitchen,bathroom and garage.

2. If you recycle, also collect all the paper, glass,metal or plastic you recycle over one week. If youcompost, do the same.

3. At the end of the week, weigh your trash andrecyclables. (You want separate figures). Stand ona bathroom scale with your bags and then sub-tract your body weight.

4. Write these numbers below.

5. Now the fun part! Take some rubber gloves ora stick and poke around your bags to estimate

what your trash is made of. Is it mostly foodscraps? Junk mail? Packaging? Diapers? Clothing?The nature of your garbage gives you informationon how to reduce it. Record your impressionsabout your garbage in the box below. Estimate thepercentages of each type of item you see. This exer-cise is simply to give you an idea of what itemsmake up the majority of your trash. Estimates donot need to be precise.

> If you don’t own a scale, borrow one from aneighbor, friend or Green Team member, or talkto your coach. And just do what’s natural in atypical week. You’ll have lots of time to improve!

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Pounds in one week

Garbage

Recyclables

Junk Mail

Compost

IIMMPPRREESSSSIIOONNSS OOFF GGAARRBBAAGGEE CCOONNTTEENNTT

Content Item Your Estimate (%)

Packaging

Food scraps

Bathroom stuff

Junk mail/Paper

Diapers

Clothing

Other/Miscellaneous

Recycle !

If you don’t recycle, make this your nd Green Step.Soon it’ll feel like second-nature. If you do recycle,take this chance to expand your habits and recycleless common items.

[a.] Recycle at curbside. Here’s how:1. Look in your Info Binder for your county’sRecycling Guide. If you don’t find it, call yourcounty’s hotline below and ask for a free guide torecycling. These are great publications with tons ofinfo. (Or should we say...ounces of info!)

2. To order your recycling bins and start up ser-vice, call your city’s curbside “hauler.” Their num-ber is found in your Info Binder. Apartmentdwellers should read “Tips” on the next page.

3. Review exactly which items your curbsidehauler accepts. Call them directly if you are con-fused.

> Anyone in the Bay Area can recycle these atcurbside: aluminum cans, tin/steel cans, glass bot-tles and jars, and newspapers.

Most haulers will also take: #1 PET and #2 HDPEnarrow-neck plastic bottles, washed pie plates andtin foil, flattened cardboard, cereal boxes and otherdry food boxes, phone books, paper bags and paperpackaging, junk mail, computer and office paper,other mixed paper, magazines and catalogs.

> Unfortunately most haulers do not take wide-mouth plastic containers like yogurt or margarinetubs, microwave plates and cake trays. In mostcities, they are not recycled at the present time.Think twice before buying them!

> Curbside never takes plastic containers formotor oil, antifreeze and pesticides. If they’reempty, dry them out and then (unfortunately)throw them away. If they still contain liquids, holdonto them until the next chapter!

> Your hauler may take: drink boxes, milk cartons,and even motor oil. Call them to find out.

4. Set up your system according to the sortingguidelines. Use bins, boxes or bags. Show yourhousehold members where things go. Tie paperwith a string or place in a grocery bag. Put yourrecyclables out by AM on your pickup day.

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> San Francisco (415) 554-6193 / 4333

> Alameda (877) STOPWASTE

> Contra Costa (925) 335-1225 / (800) 750-4096

> Marin (415) 499-6647

> San Mateo (888) 442-2666

> Santa Clara (408) 924-5453

> Sonoma (707) 527-3375

> Napa (707) 257-9292

> Solano (707) 421-6765

Statewide:> California Integrated Waste Management

Board (916) 341-6000 or www.ciwmb.ca.gov> CA Department of Conservation,

(916) 322-1080 or www.consrv.ca.gov/dor/ > Californians Against Waste (916) 443-5422

or www.cawrecycles.orgNational:> Earth’s 911 - (800)CLEANUP,

www.earth911.org or www.1800cleanup.org> Grassroots Recycling Network (706) 613-7121

or www.grrn.org

RECYCLING HOTLINES BY COUNTY

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OTHER RECYCLING RESOURCES

eco fact

3. Every ton of paper (2000 pounds)

that is recycled saves

approximately 17 trees from being cut

down to make virgin paper.


[b.] Recycle your motor oil and filters. Call theWaste/Oil Recycling Hotline at () - fordrop-off locations near you. Some cities, likeOakland, accept used motor oil at curbside, socheck your Recycling Guide. (There’s a $,

fine for dumping oil and toxic waste on theground or down the storm drain or sewer!)

[c.] Grasscycle. After mowing your lawn, leavethe grass clippings in place instead of sendingthem to the landfill. You’ll have a healthier lawn,lower garbage costs, and give the earth a break.

> Grass clippings make up a significant portion ofthe household waste! And grass clippings thatremain on the lawn return valuable nutrientsback to the soil. If you want to get fancy, invest inan electric mulching mower that cuts clippingsinto fine particles that disappear into your lawn.

[d.] Start to recycle some less-common items.Laser printer cartridges, styrofoam peanuts, plas-tic bags, old computer parts and batteries can allbe recycled! Store these items and then take themto a drop-off center, supermarket or participatingbusiness. Look in your Recycling Guide for drop-off centers and stores that will take these materials.

> “Mail Boxes, Etc.” and other shipping stores willaccept packing peanuts.

> To recycle computers, see “g” in Green Step .

[e.] Take your recyclables to a drop-off center.If you can’t get curbside pickup or want to recycleadditional items, go to a drop-off or buy-backcenter. For a center near you, consult your

Recycling Guide or call your county hotline. Youcan also contact the state’s Department ofConservation at () orwww.consrv.ca.gov/dor/index.htm for a list ofrecycling centers that honor the CaliforniaRefund Value (CRV). Consumers pay CRV whenthey purchase beverages from a retailerand are reimbursed when they redeem the con-tainer at a recycling center.

> To redeem aluminum and redemption plas-tics and bottles in reverse vending machines, callthe state’s Redemption Center Hotline at ()-.

> See Green step to learn how to buy more-products made from recycled materials. That'sthe “cycle” in recycling!

:

> If you don’t have a bin and you live in a SanFrancisco house or apartment with five units orless, call - (-) for a free blue bin.If you live in an apartment with six units or more,you should find two recycling containers: one forpaper (gray) and one for containers (blue). Ifthere are no recycling bins in your building, askyour manager to call - and set up service.

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eco facts . recycle

4. The approximate time it takes our litter to decompose in a landfill:

> Cotton rags: 1 - 5 months > Paper: 2 - 5 months > Orange peels: 6 months

> Wool socks: 1 - 5 years > Plastic bags: 10 - 20 years > Disposable diapers: 20 years

> Nylon fabric: 30 - 40 years > Aluminum cans: 80 - 100 years

> Glass bottles: 1 million years > Plastic bottles: Forever

Note: Often times things don’t biodegrade at all because of lack of exposure to oxygen. See Rubbish!The Archaeology of Garbage by William Rathje. (Other Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

Recycle !E

Home Compost .

Composting is the breakdown of organic materials tohumus by microorganisms and other tiny creatures.Humus is a rich soil booster that plants love. Take recy-cling a step further! By composting, you’ll transform yourfood and yard waste into humus and reduce your land-fill contribution.

To complete this Green Step, read the notes and choosebetween regular and worm composting.

You can use:> a self-contained compost bin or box if you have a

deck or landing;> a free-standing pile if you have a yard;> a worm box if you live in an apartment with

limited space;> a pick-up service if you cannot compost. (See your

Info Binder).

[a.]

Compost is made from “browns” and “greens.” Brownsare dry things like leaves, wood chips, branches, andstraw—rich in carbon. Greens are moist things likefood scraps, grass and garden waste—rich in nitrogen.

1. Choose between a bin, box or pile. To buy a bin ormake your own, see Compost Bins—Sources & Designsin your Info Binder. Call your county “Rotline” belowfor information on their discount bin sales. To see avariety of composters, visit the Compost EducationCenter on th Ave. at Lawton in San Francisco, or callyour Rotline to find a demonstration garden near you.

2. Collect as many browns and greens as you can. Ifyou’re low on browns, call a woodshop, landscaper, treeservice or local park for sawdust or chips. Or you canbuy a bale of straw. Be careful to avoid any chemicallytreated wood.

3. Put equal parts browns and greens in a heap or bin.If you’re adding food, cover scraps with inches ofother stuff. Never add meats, grease, dairy products,bones or manure from meat-eaters. Always cover food.

4. Soak with water so the pile is like a wrung-outsponge. Cover pile with tarp or lid.

5. Maintain your pile: Keep it moist—not soggy wet.Turn your pile anywhere from once a week to once amonth; air speeds things up. And keep adding materi-als—it’s that simple!

Your pile should be done in – months. For quickercomposting, chop things into pieces or add layers ofbrowns and greens. Compost is done when it’s darkbrown and crumbly.

For more help, see the “Trouble Shooting” page in yourInfo Binder.

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1> San Francisco (415) 285-7585

Yahoo Herb’an Ecology (415) 282-WORM

> Alameda (510) 444-SOIL

> Contra Costa (800) 750-4096

> West CC (510) 215-3125

> Central CC (510) 906-1806

> Marin (415) 499-6647

> San Mateo (415) 599-1498

> Santa Clara (408) 299-4147

> Sonoma (707) 527-2621

> Napa (707) 257-9520

> Solano: Benicia (707) 746-4275

Dixon (916) 678-7030

Fairfield & Suisun City (707) 428-7489

Vacaville (707) 449-5167

Vallejo (707) 645-8258

Solano Workshops: Loma Vista Farm:

(707) 556-8765

> Statewide: CA Integrated Waste Management

Board (916) 341-6000 or

www.ciwmb.ca.gov/organics/HomeComp

COMPOSTING ROTLINES BY COUNTY

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eco fact

5. In 1999, the U.S. generated approx-

mately 4.6 pounds of municipal solid

waste per person per day, up from 2.7

pounds per person per day in 1960.


[b.]

If you live in an apartment and have mainly foodscraps, this is a great system. It’s small—you can set itup in the garage, on a porch or landing outside, orunder your kitchen sink. It doesn’t smell or wiggle, andyou’ll get great plant food.

1. Choose a bin. You can make or buy one from wood,plastic or metal—see Compost Bins, Sources & Designsin your Info Binder. Your bin should be -” deep,have a tight-fitting lid, and holes of ⁄” or smaller onthe sides to drain and breathe. The rule of thumb forbin size is two square feet of surface area per person.

2. Place your bin where it won’t freeze or heat above

degrees.

3. Make a worm bed. Tear black and white newspapersinto one-inch strips, fluff them up and add water untildamp but not sopping wet. Fill your bin ⁄ full withthis moist bedding.

4. Sprinkle bedding with a few handfuls of soil. Theworms need the grit to help digestion.

5. Add redworms (not nightcrawlers). Start with onehalf to one pound of worms, or two nice big handfuls.Check the list of worm suppliers below.

6. Feed the worms. Start them off with about cups( lbs.) of fruit and vegetable scraps. Bury the foodunder several inches of bedding and cover. Leave your

worms alone for a couple weeks while they get used totheir new home.

7. Maintain your bin: Feed your worms every week.Redworms will consume one-half their body weight infood per day. If you start with ⁄ pound worms, add upto . pounds food per week. To avoid flies, limit acidicfoods and always bury food under bedding. Checkyour Info Binder for good worm menus.

Always keep worms covered under - inches of bed-ding. Add fresh bedding as needed, and fluff it occa-sionally. Keep bedding damp...like a wrung-outsponge. Worms must have moist skin to breathe!

8. Harvest the compost at least once a year, or as earlyas months. Reach in and scoop out the browncrumbly compost, worms and all. Or move everythingin your bin to one side, add fresh bedding and a hand-ful of soil to the empty corner and bury food there fora month. Harvest your compost from the old spot afterworms have left.

Sprinkle your worm compost at the base of indoor andoutdoor plants, or make a potting soil out of one partworm compost and four parts soil.

For more help, see the Trouble Shooting page in yourInfo Binder.

Worm composting steps courtesy of San Francisco League of UrbanGardeners (SLUG) and the former organization, Global Action andInformation Network (GAIN).

COMPOSTING INFORMATION

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eco fact

6. Food scraps (7.4% or 13.2 million

tons) and yard trimmings (17.6% or

31.6 million tons), both of which can

be composted, account for approximately

25% of America’s waste.


> CA Integrated Waste Management Board (916) 341-6000 or www.ciwmb.ca.gov/organics/HomeComp/

> The Digital Composter (619) 286-5807 or

www.digitalseed.com/composter/index.html

> Composters.com, a subsidiary of The Green Culture

(800) 233-8438 or www.composters.com

> The Compost Resource Page (good source for

composting info) -- www.oldgrowth.org/compost/

> RotWeb! (has basic composting links)

www.a-horizon.com/compost/compost_menu.html

> Backyard Magic: The Composting Handbook (online)

www.gnb.ca/elg-egl/0372/0003/0001-e.html

> Composters.com (Laguna, CA)

(800) 233-8438 or www.composters.com

> Happy D Ranch (Visalia, CA)

(888) 989-1558 or www.happydranch.com

> WormWoman.com (Kalamazoo, MI)

(616) 327-0108 or www.wormwoman.com

> Wormman’s Worm Farm (Monroe Twp, NJ)

(732) 656-0369 or

www.wormman.com/redworms.htm

> Kazarie Worm Farm (Trenton, FL)

(352) 463-7823 or www.kazarie.com

> National List of Worm Growers (by state)

www.envirocare.net/worm.htm

WORM COMPOSTING SUPPLIERS

Shrink Your Junk Mail .

Complete this Green Step by doing at least three of theseactions.

[a.] To start, write to: Mail Preference Service, c/oDirect Marketing Association, P.O. Box ,Farmingdale, NY -. Ask them to place you ona “suppress” file. Include a list of your name and addressin all the ways they appear on your junk mail. You’ll stayin the suppress file for years, but you’ll need to get offthe lists you’re already on.

[b.] Contact specific organizations or businesses.

> When you get a catalog, call the customer servicedepartment and ask to be taken off the mailing list.

> If the company’s phone number is not available, writeto them (with their postage-paid envelopes if possible!)Use this wording: “Please delete from mailing list. Donot sell, rent, trade or give away this address.”

[c.] Write or call these mailing list brokers and ask tobe taken off all their mailing and fax lists. These compa-nies specialize in collecting and selling lists.

Credit Reporting Industry, tel: () -

Experian Corporation Donnelley MarketingConsumer Services Database Operations West Bond S. Bell StreetLincoln, NE Ames, Iowa 50010() -

[d.] Contact these credit bureaus and ask to beremoved from their direct mail fifile. Credit bureauscan sell names and addresses to banks and creditcard companies.

TRW- Equifax OptionsTarget Marketing Services P.O. Box

Consumer Opt Out Atlanta, GA -

TRW Parkway () -

Allen, TX

() -

[e.] Call or write and ask to be removed from listscreated from warranty cards. They are used to sendyou advertising. (You’re usually covered by the man-ufacturer’s warranty anyway).

National Demographics and LifestylesCustomer Service Department Street, #

Denver, CO

[f.] Prevent the hassle in the first place. Each timeyou order something or sign up for a newsletter,remember to make a specific request of the organiza-tion not to sell your name. This makes it illegal.

[g.] Recycle the junk mail you do receive.

[h.] Send it back! Write “Return to Sender” nearyour name and address and state you want to bedeleted from their mailing list.

[i.] For personal service, contact Stop Junk MailNow, which pre-prints all the cards you need to sendeverywhere with pre-paid postage for a one time fee:() - or www.stopjunkmailnow.com

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eco facts . shrink your junk mail

7. Californians create nearly 14 million tons

of post consumer paper each year.

(CA Integrated Waste Management Board)

8 . Annual junk mail statistics: > 68 billionpieces of junk mail are delivered to American

mailboxes; > 100 million trees are cut down to produce mail (that ismore than one tree per household); > 38.5 billion gallons of water is

used for the paper processing of junk mail; > close to 50% of all junk

mail is thrown away unopened; > the amount of junk mail received byAmericans in one day can produce enough energy to heat 250,000 homes.

(Sources: Worldwatch Institute and Good Advice Press)

Repair and Reuse .

Every new product has a hidden environmentalcost. When you buy used, you give the earth a breakbecause no raw materials were extracted and nopollution was created in manufacture and trans-port. What a deal!

[a.] Fix something you were going to throwaway. Repair anything—from a toaster to a shoeto an earring!

[b.] Instead of buying new tools or equipment,borrow it! Talk to neighbors, friends and family,or set up a team “loan library.” Here’s how: makea list of tools, appliances and other loan-ableitems teammates have to offer. Post your “loan list”in a visible place or where you store your equipment.You might be surprised to see what’s available to you.

Anything from weed-eaters to scuba gear mayappear! Some towns have a tool lending library likethe Berkeley Public Library, () -.

[c.] Go to a reuse yard for materials. If you planto build, create, refurbish or repair, shop at a sal-vage or reuse yard. The Bay Area has several tochoose from including Urban Ore (Berkeley) andBuilding Resources (San Francisco). See your InfoBinder for addresses. Nonprofits and businessescan use the materials exchanges in Green Step .

[d.] The next time you go clothes shopping, buyused! You’ll have fun, save money, and oftenyour sales will benefit a nonprofit group. For a

complete listing of secondhand information on theWeb, see http://www.secondhand.com.

[e.] If you’re a teacher, buy used and reusablematerials for student art and science projects.Some services are , East Bay Depot forCreative Reuse, , From Crayons toComputers, and the Dumpster Project. Locationsare listed in your Info Binder.

[f.] If you plan to build, choose materials andproducts that are salvaged, recycled, non-toxicor sustainable. Interior Concerns EnvironmentalResources, ()- orwww.greendesign.net/bcnews/aboutbc.htm,publishes a directory of Bay Area businesses andconsultants in environmental design, andArchitects/Designers/Planners for SocialResponsibility, () - or www.adpsr-nor-cal.org, sells a resource guide listing sustainablematerials.

[g.] Make an “eco-kit” for your car. This couldconsist of tupperware containers, utensils, chop-sticks, cloth napkins, a coffee mug and a refillablewater container. It’s much easier to be green whenyou have what you need on hand.

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eco info . repair and reuse

In 1989, Denise D’Anne, working as a clerical

supervisor for the City of San Francisco’s Department of Human Services,

launched a conservation committee. It resulted in demonstrating

to management that pro-environmental practices lead to efficiency and financial savings.

Through her expansive Resource Conservation Program,

Denise and her crew now save the City every month an average of $3,000 in

garbage disposal costs and another $3,000 in the recovery

and reuse of office materials. -story courtesy of Janie Riley

Denise and her crew

Green YourCelebrations.

Reduce waste at your next party and still have fun—it’s possible! Take one or more of these actions tocomplete this Green Step.

[a.] Give home-made gifts. This year give pre-sents like food and plants wrapped in fabric,certificates of your time and talents, non-toxiccleaning supplies or presents from green giftstores (listed in your Info Binder).

[b.] Use wrapping paper that is recyclable. Buypaper with no foil or wax lining, or save moneyand wrap with comics, magazines and used bows.

[c.] Buy a live, potted tree if you celebrateChristmas. Many local nurseries carry a variety oflive trees. The Living Tree Company at () - offers free delivery and pick up of pottedtrees at about the same cost as a cut tree.

[d.] Provide containers so guests can recycletheir cans, bottles, boxes and gift paper.

[e.] Reuse your holiday cards as gift tags or givethem away. Get a list of organizations that reuseholiday cards by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to All Year Christmas Cheer, Pfeiffer St., San Francisco CA .

[f.] Use regular plates, silverware and cloth nap-kins for your parties. It’s nice to use the real thing.Borrow them from friends, neighbors or team-mates. If you have to buy paper, buy plates with-out a wax coating so they can be composted.

[g.] If you buy a cut tree, recycle it! Trees will bepicked up in San Francisco on the first pickupafter Jan. . For other counties, call your RecyclingHotline.

On the World Wide Web, find tips on low-wastegifts in Waste Prevention World. Access it at:

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eco facts . green your celebrations

9 . Amber, which is fossilized tree resin

(conifer pine) -- a natural hydrocarbon that comes

in many colors, including yellow, reddish,

whitish, black, and blue -- was an ancient jewel.

(Webster’s dictionary)

10 . Most Europeans produce less than half the waste of an

average American. (Worldwatch Institute)

11 . Recycling half the world’s paper would free 20 million

acres of forest land. (EarthWorks Group)

Bring Your OwnBag .

You can start shopping “green” before you buy athing! Take two actions to complete this GreenStep.

[a.] Use a cotton or string bag, or a backpack tosolve the “Paper or plastic?” dilemma. Cloth bagspay for themselves, since you usually get a dis-count at the grocery store when you bring yourown. You can buy cloth bags in natural food stores,some grocery stores, and mail order companies.

[b.] Bring a mug with you to work or a coffee-house to avoid buying Styrofoam cups.

[c.] Wash and reuse plastic containers to carrytake-out meals and leftovers from restaurants.

[d.] Re-use your paper sacks and plastic bags forproduce. Find a regular place to stack them inyour car, hallway or near your bicycle—whereveryou’ll remember them.

[e.] When your bags are worn out, recycle them.Curbside recycling takes paper, and most largestores will take back # (sacks) and # (produce bags).

Focus onPackaging .

Remember the Trash Audit? Did you see any pack-aging in your garbage? Now you can work on it.You’ll help the earth and save money. Make at leasttwo of these changes.

[a.] Do you use disposable diapers, razors, etc?Consider other options, such as a diaper service ora reusable razor. [b.] Use cloth napkins ratherthan paper; rags and dish towels instead of papertowels; hankies rather than tissues. Eliminate the“disposable” concept from your life! [c.] Lots ofpackaging in your trash? Buy in bulk; shop whereyou can re-fill your own containers with oil,peanut butter, honey, soap, shampoo, etc. Make itfun—see how long you can use the same con-tainer for dish detergent. [d.] Use tampons with-out applicators. Or try washable and reusablecotton pads, which can be found in many healthfood stores. [e.] Choose products packaged inrecyclable materials like glass, cardboard, andaluminum rather than plastic. (Note: a “recy-clable” plastic container in an area with no facilityto recycle it is not really recyclable). [f.] Why notgo all the way and make your home a “Trash FreeZone”? It’s possible!

Tips courtesy of the former organization, GlobalAction and Information Network (GAIN).

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eco facts . focus on packaging

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Glass75%

Paper50%

Aluminum40%

Plastic30%

12 . Since 1940, Americans have

used up as many non-renewable

mineral resources as all

previous generations put together.

Here are the percentages of U.S.

resources used just for packaging:


Shop for LowImpact .

To complete this Green Step, read what consumer advocate and non-toxic expert Debra Dadd-Redalia has tosay about shopping. Then take these ideas with you wherever you shop. This will go a long way to reduce wastefrom the start!

[a.]

CHOOSING PRODUCTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Here is a list of questions I go through when I am making product choices at the marketplace.While a scientific product analysis is much more complex than this, at this time, this list of ques-tions is one we can use while shopping to help us make a choice about a product based on theinformation immediately available on the label.

. Do I really need the product? I always ask myself this first, because every product I don’t buysaves resources and eliminates waste. When I took a look at what I was buying, I found that I wasbuying a lot of things I really didn’t need, even though they were “green.”

. Is the product safe to use? Because I value my health and am very aware of the dangers oftoxics in products, once I decide I am interested in a product, this is my first question. If theanswer is no, it goes back on the shelf. Because there are so many nontoxic alternatives available,this is one area in which I personally will not make a compromise, unless there is absolutely noother choice.

. Is the product practical, durable, well made, of good quality, with a timeless design? I could buy cheap things at discount stores, but I’ve found that taking the time and care to choosewell-made goods more than pays for itself in durability.

. Is the product made from renewable or recycled materials taken in a sustainable way? In looking at the life cycle of the product itself, I first ask myself if the raw materials are renew-able (plant, animal, earth) or non-renewable (metals and petrochemicals). If the product is madefrom paper, glass, metal or rubber, I look for recycled content. Then I also particularly look forlabels that indicate whether the materials used are organically grown, sustainably harvested, orfor other explanations that describe sustainability.

. Is there any information about the manufacturing practices that tells of environmentalimprovements? This is the area where there is the greatest environmental impact and we asconsumers have the least information.

. How will I dispose of the product, and what environmental impact will that have? I lookfor products that are biodegradable, and if I can’t put it in my compost pile or let it safely rundown the drain, I want it to be recyclable in the area where I live.

. What kind of package does the product have? I prefer products that can be purchased inbulk or that have no packaging and can be slipped into the fold-up cotton bag I carry in mypurse. I try to avoid plastic packaging.


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CHOOSING PRODUCTS FOR SUSTAINABILITY continued

. How far has the product been shipped to reach the retail outlet? Given the choice between two prod-ucts with equal environmental merit, I’ll choose the locally made one to cut down on resource use and pol-lution from transportation, and to support my local economy.

. Is the product a good value for the money? While I believe that the protection of the environment isworth any price, there are some products that are a waste of money, or don’t warrant the added cost.

. Is there some environmental, health, personal, or economic benefit that outweighs the product’senvironmental cost? Economical reality may be that you cannot afford to spend eighty dollars a gallon onthe most natural wall paint, or even a little extra for organically grown food.

From Sustaining the Earth: Choosing Consumer Products That are Safe for You, Your Family, and the Earth by Debra Dadd-

Redalia, 1994. Adapted and reprinted with permission from the author. This is a green consumer guide that gives valuable insight on

sustainability and environmental claims. To order, try www.amazon.com.

Buy Recycled &Tree-Free .

Take a second to look at this paper. Did we fool you? Notrees were cut to make these pages. The page youare reading is made from kenaf, a fibrous plant related tookra that grows ten times as fast as trees. Take this GreenStep to buy recycled and tree-free. You’ll “close the loop”and create the demand for earth-friendly paper.

[a.] Replace a regular order with a product made from% post-consumer recycled content. Now you canfind a wide range of office products made from recycledpaper, plastic and metals. Good sources are Green EarthOffice Supply, () - or www.greenearthofficesup-ply.com or The Real Earth, () - orwww.treeco.com.

> Buy paper with the highest percentage of post-con-sumer waste. Post-consumer waste is from products thatwere used and recycled by the consumer in order to bemade into new products, helping to close the loop.Good sources are New Leaf Paper, (888) 989-5323 orwww.newleafpaper.com and Treecycle (406) 586-5287 orwww.treecycle.com

[b.] Buy a paper product made from “tree-free” mater-ial such as kenaf, hemp, oat, wheat or rice straw.

> You can buy kenaf paper from the following :- Dancing Tree Paper in Berkeley () - carries photo copy and laser-compatible paper from kenaf andmany other fibers, as well as specialty papers, in orders of $ or more

- Vision Paper () - or www.visionpaper.com- Real Earth () - or www.treeco.com- Continuum by Crane Paper Company, (800) 268-2281

or www.crane.com/specialty_papers- Green Earth Office Supply, (800) 327-8449 or

www.greenearthofficesupply.com- Dolphin Blue, (800) 932-7715 or www.dolphinblue.com

[c.] Educate someone else about these symbols:

> means Made from Recycled Material.

> means Recyclable. Like Reusable, it’s often an empty claim.

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Shop for Low Impact . E

eco facts . buy recycled & tree-free

13 . North America’s old-growth forests have

been 97% logged.

14 . A seal of approval from Scientific

Certification Systems (www.scs1.com) or

Green Seal (www.greenseal.org), two

independent certifiers, help you know the

claims of a product are true.

(Sources: U.S. EPA, SCS and Green Seal)

Take Recyclingto Work .

We consume a lot of stuff at work and throw muchof it away. To complete this Green Step, take oneaction in each category of reduce, reuse and recycle.

[a.] Use both sides of the paper all the time—inthe laser printer, fax machine and copier. Makescratch pads out of paper that can’t be reused. Cutthem into quarter sheets and staple into a pad.

[b.] Instead of sending a fax or letter, send anelectronic message. E-mail arrives in a flash anddoesn’t waste new resources. If this isn’t possible,here’s another idea: when sending memo, circu-late only one copy. Create a place to be checkedoff and initialed by each person to ensure thememo makes it to all the right people.

[c.] Think about switching to all white paperinstead of mixed color paper. It requires lessbleach to re-process; your hauler will pay youmore.

[d.] Choose reusable supplies: ceramic mugs,refillable pens and toner cartridges, refillable bot-tles, reuse labels. Think of others?

[e.] Choose light or reusable packaging. If yourbusiness makes or ships products, review what’snecessary. Do you need packaging? If so, make itminimal or request less from suppliers. Designpackages that are made from recycled materials,and that can be reused or recycled by yourcustomers.

[f.] If you’re planning an event, be creative. InSan Francisco, Haight Ashbury NeighborhoodCouncil () and others provide special eventservices to help you plan and carry out a low-waste event. Call () -.

[g.] To complete this action, use one of thematerials exchanges below. These free serviceshelp your workplace give or receive used equip-ment, furniture and goods. You’ll save money ormake others happy! For computers, see nextpage.

CALMAX (California Materials Exchange) () - or www.ciwmb.ca.gov/calMAX/

is a free service that helps businesses findmarkets for materials they would otherwise dis-card. Other businesses, schools and non-profitsuse to search for available and wantedmaterials. Access the Calmax Classifieds on-line,or call to receive a catalog or place a listing.

Computer Recycling CenterThree locations to take used computers:San Francisco () -; Santa Clara ()-; Santa Rosa () - or online atwww.crc.org

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eco facts . take recycling to work

15 . 40% of our garbage is paper and 25-30% is food or yard waste.

16 . Americans generate up to 70% of their waste at work.

17 . On average, one office worker can recycle enough paper every year to

save at least one tree.

(Sources: U.S. EPA and CA Department of Conservation)

Bay Area Computer Recycling & Reuse Directory bySilicon Valley Environmental Partnership(www.svep.org/)

A multi-county guide listing businesses and nonprofitsthat accept these items for recycling or reuse. Free toGreen Team members. Some communities, such as SanFrancisco, have local directories as well.

Berkeley Information Network (BIN)() -

Modem: () -

Internet: Telnet to library.ci.berkeley.ca.usLogin library

A free information service including Berkeley business-es and organizations that accept donated items.Accessible via a telnet connection, available at theBerkeley Public Library.

Computers & Electronics> PEP National Directory of Computer Recycling

Programs www.microweb.com/pepsite/Recycle/California.html

> CA Integrated Waste Management Board’s Reuse and Recycling Optionsww.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/ReuseRecycle/#CIWMB

> ElectronicsRecycling.netwww.electronicsrecycling.net, search for “computers”

[h.] Don't just recycle those 9x12 envelopes, reusethem! By covering your name and the old returnaddress with blank labels, most envelopes can bereused a number of times. To go all the way, create yourown label with your company's name or logo and a briefstatement like “Save Trees, Reuse Envelopes.” You’ll beencouraging others!

11

[i.] Set up a recycling program at work if you don’thave one. Find a willing recycling coordinator likeyourself to take these steps.

1. Consult with your city. They may provide a list ofcommercial haulers, phone consultation and on-siteassessment for workplace recycling. In San Francisco,call () -; Berkeley: () 644-;Oakland: () -. For other cities, call yourcounty’s hotline and tell them you want to find citybusiness assistance.

2. Contract directly with a commercial hauler. Somequestions: How much will they charge? What do theytake? (white, computer, mixed, flattened cardboard).Is there a minimum amount? How should materialsbe separated? How much will they pay? Will they signa contract? How often are pick-ups? An average officegenerates . pounds of paper per week per employee.If you don’t have enough for a regular pick-up, teamwith a business near you.

3. Set it up:> Provide a desktop container to each employee. If

you work in San Francisco, they’re free.Call -.

> Put a central bin near employee desks. Label it sotrash and shredded paper don’t end up inside.

> When bins are full, empty them into central storage/pick-up area.

> Hold a meeting to demonstrate the system.> Report its success!

4. Recycle more kinds of things. Check yourRecycling Guide and Info Binder for places thataccept used pallets, packing foam, toner cartridges,plastics, construction debris, and food. To recycle

green step

NOTake Recycling to Work .E

eco fact

18 . More than 650,000 tons of materials

have been diverted from landfills and

over 5.5 million dollars have been

saved through the California Materials

Exchange (CalMAX) since 1992.

(Source: CalMAX)

GREEN STEP LOG: WASTEALREADY

DOING WILLGREEN STEP/ACTIONS BEFORE GTP COMPLETE COMPLETED!

1. Trash Audit (1) a a a

2. Recycle! (1)

a Recycle at curbside a a a

b Motor oil and filters b b b

c Grasscycle c c c

d Less-common items d d d

e Go to Drop-Off Center e e e

3. Home Compost (1)

a Regular compost a a a

b Worm compost b b b

4. Shrink Your Junk Mail (3)

a Write Mail Preference a a a

b Contact businesses b b b

c List brokers c c c

d Credit bureaus d d d

e Warranty cards e e e

f Make a request f f f

g Recycle your mail g g g

h Send it back h h h

i Stop Junk Mail kit i i i

5. Repair and Reuse (1)

a Fix something a a a

b Borrow something b b b

c Go to a reuse yard c c c

d Used clothing d d d

e Reusable supplies e e e

f Build with salvaged f f f

g Make an eco-kit g g g

6. Green Your Celebrations (1)

a Homemade gifts a a a

b Recycled wrapping b b b

c Live tree c c c

d Help guests recycle d d d

e Reuse greeting cards e e e

f Use regular tableware f f f

g Recycle your tree g g g

WASTE REPORT1. Turn to your Summary Report Form in the back of this workbook andrecord the results of your Trash Audit (Green Step 1) in pounds and answer afew additional questions.

2. Count up the number of actions you completed. Write the totals below:Did Before GTP Completed Plan to do by end of program

Actions:

ALREADYDOING WILL

GREEN STEP/ACTIONS BEFORE GTP COMPLETE COMPLETED!

7. Bring Your Own Bag (2)

a Cloth/string bag a a a

b Bring a mug b b b

c Take-out containers c c c

d Reuse bags d d d

e Recycle your bags e e e

8. Focus on Packaging (2)

a Limit disposables a a a

b Cloth not paper b b b

c Buy in bulk c c c

d Avoid applicators d d d

e No plastic packaging e e e

f Trash Free Zone f f f

9. Shop for Low Impact (1)

a Read and use this a a a

10. Buy Recycled & Tree-free (1)

a Recycled supplies a a a

b Buy “tree-free” paper b b b

c Educate someone c c c

11. Take Recycling to Work (3)

a Use both sides a a a

b Electronic mail b b b

c Unbleached paper c c c

d Reusable supplies d d d

e Limit packaging e e e

f Low-waste event f f f

g Reuse envelopes g g g

h Materials exchange h h h

i Set up a program i i i

LOOK AT WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED!

Listed in parenthesis after each Green Step is the number of actions required to complete it.

WA S T E . 21

Chemicals

Facts:

> Pollution of land and water is a growing problem worldwide.

> Estimated indirect costs of pesticide use in the United States are very high including $250 million for pesticide poisonings and related illnesses, $525 million for damage to agricultural systems, $1.3 billion for testing drinking water for contamination, $15 million for destruction of fish and wildlife, and $15 million for livestock poisoning and contamination of meat and milk.

> Cornell University estimates that if all chemical pesticide use was stopped overnight, crop losses due to pests would only increase by 9% -- the nation would not starve.

> Resistance to pesticides has increased dramatically in the last 60 years. 600 species of plant and animal pests arenow known to be resistant compared to only 7 species of insects in the 1940s.

> Many chemicals are toxic, meaning they are harmful to people, plants and animals and do not break down naturally.Americans consume more products with toxic chemicals than ever before.

> In the Bay Area, individuals contribute more pollution to the Bay than industry through garden chemicals, automo-biles and storm drain pollution as most storm drains and street gutters flow directly into the Bay or ocean.

> Bay Area residents are improving their habits. Let’s keep it up to reduce health risks and make the Bay safe again for fish and people!

(Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cornell University, and the

City of San Francisco)123456

Goals:

Cut your use of household chemicals and toxic products by % and your related water pollution.

Reduce your Green Team’s toxic use and pollution by %.

Help your city lead the way to prevent water and landfill pollution.

Process

In this chapter you will:> learn about toxic products,> deal with hazardous waste,> prevent further pollution,> consume differently,> share your knowledge with others, and> report your progress.

> This CHEMICALS chapter includes getting to know your household chemicals, disposing of hazardous waste,

cleaning safely, eating organic and more.

CHEM

ICAL

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3

Chemical Audit .

How many chemicals do you use? Where are they found? You’ll answer these questions in the chemical audit.

[a.] Check around your house in the areas listed across the top of the chart on these two pages.Circle the products you find and write in any others. Make a note of the number of ounces of each container next to the circled item.

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KIND OF PRODUCT LOCATION

House/ Car/ Bathroom/ Kitchen Plants/Yard/Hobby Garage Laundry Pet

All-purpose Cleaner All-purpose cleaner All-purpose cleaner All-purpose cleaner

Antifreeze Antifreeze

Chlorine (Bleach) Bleach Bleach Bleach & other Pool and spa

Chlorine-based chemicals

cleaners

Car Batteries Car or motorcycle

batteries

Strong Cleaners Brick or cement Windshield- Window cleaners Ammonia

cleaner wiper fluid Ammonia-based Oven cleaners

cleaners

Other disinfectants

Drain Openers Drain openers Drain openers

Household Batteries Alkaline, Ni-Cad,

Button cells

Pesticides Mothballs Rat/mouse Lice powder Ant & roach killer, Flea spray

poison Other pesticides & powder

Flea collar

Rat poison

Weed killer

Root killer

Snail bait

Detergents Car Wash Laundry detergents Dish detergents

Shampoo

Oil and Fuels Linseed oil Auto fluids Mineral oil Oil spray

Motor oil Gasoline

Gasoline Propane

Camping fuel

Paints Latex paint Touch-up paint

Oil-based paint

Shellac

Polyurethane

Wood stainers

eco fact

19 . The average American uses approximately 40,000 pounds of minerals each

year in such products as toothpaste, concrete,

cleansers, and tires.

(CA Department of Conservation)

eco info . chemical audit

The signal words CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER are found on product labels and are designed

to alert consumers to the degree of hazard posed by product ingredients.

Avoid any product labeled Danger; choose Caution whenever possible.

Hazardous means something has one or more of these qualities:

CORROSIVE: Dissolves metal or skin.

REACTIVE: If mixed, produces new chemicals that may be more dangerous.

TOXIC: Can cause health problems including disease, death or cancer.

FLAMMABLE: Catches fire easily.

IRRITANT: May cause itchy eyes or skin rashes.

KIND OF PRODUCT LOCATION

House/ Car/ Bathroom/ Kitchen Plants/Yard/Hobby Garage Laundry Pet

Paint Thinner Paint thinner Rubbing alcohol Liquid floor wax Lighter fluid

& Solvents Acetone Fingernail polish Naphtha

Turpentine Polish remover

Varnish Perfume

Spot remover

De-natured alcohol

Paint remover

Stains

Wood preservative

Polishes & Waxes Furniture polish Car wax Silver polish

Floor polish Brass polish

Copper polish

Spray cans Spray paint Spray lubricant Spray air freshener Spray oven cleaner Spray insecticide

(aerosols) Spray wax Hairspray

Deodorant

Others: Glue/Adhesives Hair coloring

Caulk/Putty Hydrogen peroxide

Fluorescent Broken mercury

& halogen bulbs thermometers

Body filler

Fiberglass resin

CHEM

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Dispose ofHazardous Waste .

When you’re done with the turpentine, pet shampooor spot remover, don’t toss or pour it. You’ll createpollution—and risk a fine. You’ve created house-hold hazardous waste (HHW). So what do you dowhen you want to get rid of the stuff? This GreenStep will show you how.

[a.]

1. Make a plan to dispose of your household haz-ardous waste. To start, refer back to the ChemicalAudit (Green Step ), and remove it from yourbook. Now that you know what kind of hazardousproducts you have, read the DISPOSAL METH-ODS below. Look at your Toxic Audit and place anA, B, C or D next to each product you circled toshow how you’ll dispose of it.

:

A) Use it all up. If it’s an empty dry container oran empty aerosol can, recycle the container orthrow it away if it isn’t recylcable in your area.

B)Give away extras. You may not want to use them,but someone else can—a friend, neighbor, highschool theater, charity, greenhouse or garden center.

C) Recycle. Used materials like car batteries,motor oil and latex paint can be recycled orreused. Check the Info Binder for the drop-off sitenearest you or call () -. For more onrecycling automotive products, go to Green Step .

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D) Dispose at your county’s household haz-ardous waste facility or collection event.

2. Now take one or more of these actions:

> If you plan to give away or recycle your extras,take minutes to make the needed calls.

> If you plan to drop off other items at a collec-tion site, read “Before Visiting a Collection Site”on the next page. Then call your county programto learn of their services and get a schedule anddirections. A more complete description of coun-ty programs is found in your Info Binder.

3. At your next meeting, make a date with otherGreenTeam members to gather your used prod-ucts and take them to a facility or event by the endof the program. It’ll be easier and more fun to doit together.

4. Go to the site. If this isn’t possible, make a dateto take this action at a later time. You can includeneighbors, team members and friends. Afteryou’ve made the visit, give yourself a pat on theback!

> San Francisco (415) 554-4333

> Alameda (510) 670-6460

> Contra Costa (East, West & San Ramon)

(800) 750-4096 (Central) (800) 646-1431

> Marin (415) 499-7868

> San Mateo (650) 363-4718

Commercial: (650) 363-4305

> Santa Clara (408) 299-7300

> Sonoma (770077)) 552277--33337755

Commercial: (800) 207-8222

> Napa ((880000)) 998844--99666611 Commercial: (800) 207-8222

> Solano ((770077)) 442211--66776655 or call your city’s public

works department.

HAZARDOUS WASTE HOTLINES BY COUNTY

eco fact . car care

20 . More than 25 million motor vehicles

are registered in California and each

vehicle has a lead-acid battery. The

average battery contains 7.5 pounds of

lead and 1.5 gallons of sulfuric acid,

substances that present a threat to

human health and the environment.

(CA Integrated Waste Management Board)


[b.] Reuse other people’s disposed items. Thecounty HHW facility sorts out many safe, reusableitems such as paints, cleaners, garden products andautomotive products. These reusable items are freeto the public. Ask to browse through the give-awaycabinet when you drop off your HHW, or callahead for an appointment (see numbers at left).

:

Check your Info Binder to see if your county has apermanent facility or collection days. • If anappointment is needed, call first to register, get aschedule and directions. • No fees are charged, butcollection sites are open to county residents only.Bring ID like a driver’s license or utility bill. • Mostfacilities are for household, not business, waste. •Make sure containers are sealed and labeled. • Bylaw you can only transport gallons or poundsin your car or truck at one time.

Car Care .

Welcome to the underground world of stormdrains—where pesticides from your lawnand rinsewater from your driveway flow directly tothe Bay. Particles from exhaust, engine leaks andworn parts all leave residue on roads. This mater-ial is washed off streets when it rains, flowing intostorm drains that bypass most water treatmentplants. Take these actions to prevent pollution.

[a.] When you’re working, use a plastic tarpand drip pan when your car is leaking. For spills,use cat litter to absorb the material, then sweep itup, bag it, and put it in the trash.

[b.] To clean and degrease your engine, avoidproducts with trichloroethane or trichloroethyl-ene, naphtha or nonylphenol ethoxylate. Theyare all toxic. Instead, try a biodegradable alterna-tive like limonene, a citrus-based solvent.

[c.] Recycle used oil, filters, antifreeze and carbatteries. Call the Waste /Oil Recycling hotline at() - for the nearest place to drop offthese items. A great service, in English andSpanish! The hotline will direct you to a drop-offcenter or auto shop where the products will becleaned for reuse.

[d.]. Get your worn tires retreaded or contactSanitary Fill Company at () -,www.sunsetscavenger.com/sanitaryfill.htm, or501 Tunnel Ave near 3 Com Park to dispose ofold tires.

[e.] Ask your supplier for no-copper or low-copper break pads. Copper shavings wear offdisk break pads, dissolve in rain, and flowthrough storm drains into the bay. For moreinformation, see Fix It! and Keeping it all in tunein your Info Binder.

Sources: San Francisco Water Pollution Prevention Program,(415) 695-7375 and Alameda Countywide Clean WaterProgram, (510) 670-5543.

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CHEM

ICAL

S. 2

7eco facts

21 . Every year, Americans generate 1.6

million tons of household hazardous

waste. This is in addition to the 230

million tons of municipal solid waste

produced annually.


22 . Every year, Bay Area residents

pour the equivalent of one-half an

Exxon Valdez oil spill worth of

motor oil down storm drains or onto

the ground.

(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 9)

Clean Green .

Cleaning products can be hazardous to your healthand the environment. Just because it’s in the super-market doesn’t mean it’s safe for you or your family.Alternatives to household cleaning chemicals arecheap and simple. Take the first action and use atleast two Alternatives to complete this Green Step.

[a.] Read product labels for signal words. Avoidall products labeled “Danger.” Look for non-toxicand biodegradable on the label. See the list ofstores that carry less hazardous products in yourResource Binder.

> Consider the full cost of a product. The pricewe pay usually does not match its total cost, whichincludes costs to personal health and the environ-ment from the manufacture, use and disposal of ahazardous product. These costs are ultimatelypaid by you, the taxpayer.

> Ask local retailers to help you choose less-toxicproducts. If they’re not stocked, tell your retailerit’s important to you. Demand drives supply.

[b.] Put together a . Find thefollowing in the supermarket or health food store:

Baking soda SaltWhite distilled vinegarLemon juiceLiquid soap (not detergent)Non-chlorinated scouring powder

[c.] Use two or more of the following Alternativesto complete this action. If you don’t want to mixyour own recipes, see your Resource Binder forthe list of stores where you can buy less-toxicproducts.

1. Air Freshener (toxic) Many aerosol “air fresh-eners” work by emitting particles to maskunpleasant odors.: Open a window, buy fresh flowers,or use a jar of spices. Deodorize refrigerators withan open box of baking soda. You can also try zeo-lite, a mineral powder sold in health food stores.

2. Ammonia (corrosive, toxic, dangerous ifmixed with bleach or vinegar) : For surface cleaner, mix tsp.liquid soap into quart warm or hot water. Adda squeeze of lemon or a dash of vinegar to cutgrease. Use with caution, as this is an eye irritant.

3. Chlorine-based Scouring Powder (toxic): Use a non-chlorine scouring pow-der such as Bon Ami, or sprinkle baking soda andscrub with a wet sponge. If it leaves residue, rinsewith cold water and vinegar. You can also rub thearea with / lemon dipped in borax, then rinseand dry. For dishwashing detergents, use a brandwith “No chlorine.”

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baking soda and white vinegar

are great less-toxic

cleanser alternatives

eco fact

23 . The average American uses around 40

pounds of unsafe household cleaners each

year and studies have shown that the

greatest number of poisonings come from

cleaning substances - 64% of the victims

are under the age of six.

(Clean Water Fund and Clean & Green: The complete guide to nontoxic and environmentally safe housekeeping by Annie Berthold-Bond)

8. Oven Cleaner (corrosive): Make a thick paste out of bakingsoda and water. Scrub with a nylon scrubbing pad.If the oven is greasy, add a little liquid soap. Forspots, use fine steel wool.

9. Paint and Stains/Finishes/Strippers (flam-mable, poisonous): Use water-based products. Latexand acrylic paints clean up with water instead ofpaint thinner. If needed, try Citristrip varnishremover.

10. Silver Polish (poisonous) : Drop items into water with salt orbaking soda and a small piece of tin foil. Leave fora few minutes, then rinse. Or use toothpaste.

11. Spray cans-aerosols (flammable): Use pump sprays instead ofaerosols when available. Even when you think youhave an empty aerosol can, there is always somepropellant left, which gets released into the atmos-phere when recycled. In order to properly recycleempty cans, a lot of money has to be paid toremove the propellant. But you can recycle pumpaction sprays, when empty, just like any plasticcontainer!

12. Toilet Bowl Cleaner (corrosive) : To clean, scrub with baking sodaand/or liquid soap, or non-chlorine scouringpowder. For stains, use / cup borax and let sit for min. Scrub well and flush.

For more recipes and where to buy products, seeClean It! and the Resource List in your InfoBinder.

Sources: The Nontoxic Home & Office by Debra Lynn Dadd(Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc, 1992) and Contra Costa County 1995Recycling Guide.

4. Disinfectant (toxic) : Sterilize things by placing them inboiling water. To reduce germs on large surfaces,use / cup borax in one gallon hot water. But useonly in limited situations, as borax can be toxic.

5. Drain Opener (corrosive and toxic) : Use a plunger or snake to opendrains. To prevent clogs, add cup baking sodaand follow with ounces white vinegar. Let sit minutes and follow with boiling water. To preventclogs: use a sink basket to catch food wastes; flushthe drain regularly with boiling water; or use anenzyme-based drain cleaner.

6. Furniture Polish (flammable, poisonous): Mix tsp. lemon juice with cupsmineral oil. Apply with a soft cloth.

7. Laundry Detergents (toxic) : Use a brand with “no phosphates”or use powdered soap flakes, made from naturalminerals and fats instead of crude oil. Or you canuse laundry disks instead of detergent and savemoney while helping the environment. Laundrydisks clean your clothes by ionization, “softening”the water so it can penetrate fabric better. Thedisks are long-lasting and available from RealGoods;check your Info Binder for other sources.

For the long term, try buying clothes that can bewashed at home with cold water and non-phosphate cleaners instead of dry-cleaning.

eco facts . clean green

24. Detergents cause more poisonings than

any other household product and contain petrochemicals and phosphates that can

pollute waterways and harm fish.

25 . Consumer products can have impacts that are not advertised. In the short

term, they can be irritants. In the long term, they can cause birth defects.

26. Liquid, vegetable-based soap is a safer substitute for detergent

and all-purpose cleaner.

27 . U.S. industries create one ton of hazardous waste per U.S.

citizen annually. ( U.S. EPA)

CHEM

ICAL

S. 2

9

Safe Pest Control .

How about cleaning up our toxic habits at home? It’sbetter for our health and the Bay Delta if we replace thechemicals we use for bug control. This Green Step givesyou safe options for house, pets and garden. Use at leasttwo Alternatives.

[a.] Prevention inside: Don’t feed the pests. Bugsare in search of food, water and shelter, just like us!Crumbs, dirty dishes, garbage, even dripping water,give them food.

[b.] Ants: For indoor ants, caulk entry points. Orpour a line of chili powder or paprika at entry points.Then wipe up dead ants with soap and water todestroy the ant scent. Caution: chili powder is an eyeirritant. You can also apply boric acid dust in cracksand insect walkways. Boric acid is less hazardousthan insecticide, but can be toxic. Keep out of reach ofchildren and store properly.

[c.] Roaches: Caulk or fill cracks to block entry andhiding spots. Apply boric acid dust to cracks andother entry points. (Be sure to store this safely andout of reach of kids). Put bay leaves on pantry shelves.

[d.] Rats or Mice: Instead of poison, use mechanicaltraps, cover drains with screens, or seal entry waysaround pipes with a metal ring.

[e.] Moths: Instead of mothballs, use cedar chips orlavender flowers.

[f.] Fleas: Check with your vet for new pet medicinesthat prevent fleas. You can use a non-toxic or herbalpet collar. Or put brewer’s yeast in your pet’s diet (

milligrams per lbs. body weight).

[g.] House Plant Insecticide: Wash leaves with mildsoapy water and rinse with water. Or use a commer-cial insecticidal soap. See Bugged? and Grow It! inyour Info Binder.

[g.] Healthy Soil and Plant Choice: Add compost tocreate a soil that has enough organic matter and theright amount of nutrients to grow plants strongenough to fend off insects. Do a little research on theright kind of plants, herbs, vegetables and flowers foryour area. You can get help from one of the Resourceson the next page or see Grow It! in your Info Binder.

5green step

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eco facts . safe pest control

28 . 24 billion pounds of toxins that are

developmentally and neurologically

damaging to children are released into

the environment every year --

more than one in every 200 children

are affected.

The actual impact of toxic chemicals

on child development and learning is

believed to be much greater.

29 . 15 times more pesticides are used in

cities than in rural areas in the U.S.

30 . Most chemicals listed by the

government have not been studied for

human toxic effects.

(National Academy of Sciences, National Environmental

Trust, Physicians for Social Responsibility, U.S. EPA, and the

Learning Disabilities Association of America)

If you use a pesticide, use it properly. Never apply anypesticide or fertilizer before an expected rain. All this willwash off into the Bay...and you’ll be wasting money aswell.

[i.] Prevention outside: Create healthy soil and makegood plant choices to reduce the need for herbicides,pesticides and insecticides. Plant a variety of species,choosing pest-resistant species and plants that attractbeneficial insects and birds. Do a little research on thebest kinds of plants for your area. See the Resourceson the next page.


> Try to reduce pest populations below a reasonablelimit. If you try to kill them all, you may also kill the preda-tor bugs that help keep them under control.

> Build good soil and give plants the necessary sun,water, and nutrients. Add compost for a soil withenough organic matter and the right amount of nutri-ents to grow strong plants. Refer to Grow it! in yourResource Binder. To learn how to compost, see chapter .

Less-Toxic and Organic Pest Controls: Read the fol-lowing basics of organic gardening, and refer to theResources listed below for more information. You canalso refer to Bugged? and Grow It! in your Info Binder.By using a mix of less-toxic methods, you’ll get a long-range replacement to commercial pesticides.

. Physical controls like pruning and hand picking,barriers and traps.

. Biological controls including beneficial creaturesthat feed on problem pests (lacewings, ground beetles,hover flies, spiders & others); plants that attract benefi-cials; and bacterial insecticides like B.t. (Bacillusthuringiensis).

. Chemical controls like these least-toxic products:dehydrating dusts (i.e. silica gel), insecticidal soaps,horticultural oils, pyrethrin-based insecticidesand Insect Growth Regulators.

CHEM

ICAL

S. 3

1

eco facts

31 . 14 million Americans routinely drink water contaminated with carcinogenic

herbicides.

32 . 90% of the municipal water treatment facilities lack the

equipment to remove these chemicals from the drinking water.

33 . Modern pesticides have typical half-lives in soil (equal to

the time for half the product to break down) ranging from

days to weeks and, for a few, up to a year or more.

(Environmental Working Group and Physicians for Social Responsibility)

PEST CONTROL & ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES> Bio-Integral Resource Center, (510) 524-2567 or

www.birc.org

> San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG),

(415) 285-7584 or www.slug-sf.org. Learn to com

post and grow native drought-resistant plants at

the Garden for the Environment at 7th Ave. and

Lawton, SF.

> East Bay Urban Gardeners (EBUG), (510)834-5342

> Berkeley Ecology Center, (510) 548-2220 or

www.ecologycenter.org

> California Native Plant Society, (415) 731-3028 or

www.cnps.org

> Green City Project, (415) 285-6556 or

www.sustainable-city.org/orgs/gcp.htm can refer you to a nearby gardening group

> Your county’s Cooperative Extension Office

> Common Sense Pest Control (1991, Taunton Press)

Garden or yard chemicals should not go into gutters,indoor drains or the garbage. Take Green Step to dis-pose of your leftover pesticides and fertilizers. Formore, see your Info Binder for the brochures WaterPollution Begins in Your Home or Estuarywise.

[j.] Aphids: Try wiping or pruning, or apply a strongwater-wash several days apart. Avoid fertilizers high innitrogen. Biological controls— the use of natural ene-mies—may be your best bet. These include lady bugs,lacewings, spiders and syrphid fly larvae. Attract andkeep them around by planting a wide variety of floweringplants. You can also order “beneficial insects” from com-mercial insectaries, and even some local nurseries.

[k.] Slug and snail control: Try copper barriers andcommercially available green-colored traps rather thanchemical baits. If you decide to use poison, use a baitstation rather than spreading products on the ground.

[l.] Powdery mildew: Plant disease-resistant varietiesof plants, try water-washing, and apply least-toxicproducts (labeled Caution). These include sulfur-based fungicides, which come in liquid or dust form.Don’t apply at temperatures above F.

Reminder: Don’t put leftover garden or yard chemicalsinto gutters or storm drains, indoor drains or thegarbage. Take Green Step instead.

[c.] Eat less meat and more vegetables; it’s better foryou and the environment. If you aren’t a vegetarian,take this action by replacing several meat meals withvegetarian meals over the next two weeks. You couldhost a meatless dinner party or potluck. You can enjoygood food and trade recipes.

> See the information from EarthSave in your InfoBinder on how to stay healthy on a plant-based diet.

[d.] Try buying other organic food like milk, grains,coffee and beans. If you buy meat, look for free rangechicken and hormone-free beef.

[e.] If you can’t buy organic yet, wash your producewith liquid detergent and rinse. This may remove upto % of pesticides. (Unfortunately liquid soap isn’tstrong enough!)

[f.] Volunteer at a local organic farm. Check yourInfo Binder for Urban Gardening and Greening. Callahead; most farms welcome visitors.

eco facts

34 . “...reducing meat production by 10% in the

U.S. would free enough grain to feed 60

million people.”

(Jean Mayer, Nutritionist, Harvard University)

35 . “One pound of wheat can be grown with 60 pounds of water, whereas

one pound of meat requires 2500-6000 pounds if produced in a factory

farm.” (Paul and Anne Ehrlich, Stanford University)

Eat Organic .

Eating is our most direct link to the environment.A large number of regional farmers supply the BayArea with fresh produce grown by organic methodswhich are certified by CCOF and other regionalstandards. This means that no chemical fertilizers,pesticides or herbicides were used on the soil or pro-duce. By supporting these farmers with your dollar,you help yourself and the earth. Take at least oneaction.

[a.] For the next month, buy organic produce.You may pay a little more, but you can applymoney saved from other Green Steps or moneysaved in future health care. You’ll find organicproduce at farmer’s markets, natural food storesand some supermarkets. Check your Info Binderfor the lists Where To Buy Organic Food and BayArea Farmers Markets.

[b.] Make a permanent switch to organic pro-duce. If it looks funny at first, remember that nopesticides were used to make it perfect.

> A great way to get organic produce is to join aCommunity Supported Agriculture (CSA) pro-ject. CSA farms offer an alternative to commer-cial agriculture by growing a wide variety of sea-sonal crops. As a CSA member, you pay a fee atthe beginning of the season (usually May), andreceive a mixed box of fresh produce every weekthrough November. Check your Info Binder forA Selection of CSA Programs that have drop-offpoints in the Bay Area; some will deliver to yourhome or workplace.

6green step

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eco facts . buy less-toxic

36 . Close to 1,000 new synthetic chemicals are created each year.

37 . In the U.S. it takes about 1/3 pound of chem-

cals to grow enough cotton for one t-shirt.

(U.S. EPA)

CHEM

ICAL

S. 3

3

Body Talk .

Most cosmetics, lotions, perfumes, colognes and hairproducts contain petrochemical compounds madefrom non-renewable crude oil. Go natural—youcan pamper your body and help the earth!

[a.] Check the labels on your hair and bodyproducts. Do they contain natural ingredients?

[b.] Stop buying one product you normallypurchase such as hairspray or perfume. Do youmiss it? Can you simplify your body care prod-ucts? How many products are you using and whatare they for?

[c.] Try a brand of cosmetics made from natur-al ingredients like Nature’s Colors or Kiss MyFace, or a perfume line like Alexandra Avery.

[d.] Make your own fragrance from essentialoils, which are made from plants that haven’t beensprayed with pesticides. Buy essential oils at a nat-ural food store. Then add a few drops of oil to oneounce vegetable oil or vodka.

[e.] Buy a natural health care product as a gift.Check the Resource List for green gift stores andmail-order companies.

7green step

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Buy Less-toxic .

When you decide to buy something new, here area few ways to cast your vote for “less-toxic” goods.

[a.] Buy less plastic.

[b.] Think about disposal before you buy. Howwill you get rid of it? If it can’t be recycled ortaken to a hazardous waste site, look for anotherproduct.

[c.] Buy clothes made of natural fibers that arenaturally dyed, if possible.

[d.] Buy unbleached or “chlorine-free” paper.This means the mill has not bleached the paperwith chlorine, a process that puts dangerouschemicals called dioxins into our waterways.

[e.] Buy hemp or organic cotton, which usesno pesticides. See the Resource List in your InfoBinder for mail-order companies.

[f.] Buy rechargeable batteries and a charger.Check garage sales! But remember, you mustrecycle all batteries, including rechargeable “ni-cads” (nickel-cadmium), nickel metal hydrides(Ni-MH), lithium ion (Li-ion), and small sealedlead (Pb). These batteries are commonly foundin cordless power tools, cellular and cordlessphones, laptop computers, camcorders, digitalcameras, and remote control toys.

Contact the Rechargeable Battery RecyclingCorporation (RBRC), a non-profit public serviceorganization at () - or www.rbrc.orgfor your nearest battery recycling center.

8green step

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Check Your Work-place for Toxics .

Could your workplace stand a toxic tune-up? Are youbeing exposed to hazardous materials at work? In yourworkplace you will find many of the same opportunitiesto introduce less hazardous practices as in your home.Find out more by taking this Green Step.

:

[a.] Get a hazardous materials evaluation. If yourbusiness makes or uses hazardous waste, your city mayprovide a free industry-specific assessment. Call yourcounty’s Hazardous Waste commercial line, listed inGreen Step .

> Where toxics are concerned, you can take advantageof many of the same opportunities as at home. Thesame fundamentals apply: reduce, recycle or safely dis-pose. The activity areas at work include food prepara-tion, cleaning, recycling, plant care...can you think ofother areas where you could make an impact

Use these guidelines to make a difference at work::

[b.] Order non-toxic office supplies. Try Green EarthOffice Supply, () - or www.greenearthof-ficesupply.com or Real Earth Environmental Companyat () - or www.treeco.com

:

[c.] Recycle as many materials as possible. Call yourcity or county Recycling Hotline and ask for businessassistance. Ask for a free guide on where to recycle haz-ardous materials with local businesses and reusegroups.

> Check your Info Binder for where to take comput-ers, electronics and business equipment, peanuts andpolystyrene packing forms, fluorescent bulbs andtubes, air conditioning coolant.

:

[d.] For waste that can’t be recycled, dispose ofhazardous materials safely. Call the commercial line ofyour county Hazardous Waste Program for waste thatcan’t be recycled.

[e.] Do you know what hazards exist at work? Haveyou received the proper training and is it up-to-date?Here are the steps you should take:

1. Identify the hazards in your workplace.2. Take the required trainings, or update your old

training if needed.3. Wear personal protective equipment.4. Make sure an emergency plan exists. Ask your

supervisor if there are plans and procedures in place, including phone numbers and who to contact in case of an emergency. It is important toview these in advance because it is often the mental preparation that counts the most.

5. If you have the opportunity or authority to look atoperational changes, see the next action.

[f.] Operational-specific concerns: There is a differ-ence between generating waste and making front-enddecisions to stop or reduce the creation of hazardouswastes in the first place. There are increasing opportu-nities for businesses to make safer decisions and mini-mize the use of hazardous materials. Changing the waypeople do business can result in a safer environmentand save the business a lot of money.

> Commercial and industrial generation of hazardouswaste is a highly regulated activity that can incur sig-nificant costs. It should be thoroughly understood in allits aspects. If you have regulatory questions about haz-ardous materials or waste, contact your City’sIndustrial Waste Section. Some cities offer free assis-tance with pollution prevention strategies,

> For industry-specific opportunities to reduce thegeneration of hazardous waste, you can also contactindustry trade associations or various environmental

9green step

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eco fact. check your workplace for toxics

38 . Many kinds of plywood and particle board

emit formaldehyde, known to cause cancer.

Other items that can emit formaldehyde

are cars, carpeting, adhesives and plastics.

(U.S. EPA)

ALREADYDOING WILL


6. Eat Organic (1)

a For one month a a a

b Permanent switch b b b

c Eat less meat c c c

d Other organic foods d d d

e Wash your produce e e e

f Volunteer at a farm f f f

7. Body Talk (2)

a Check labels a a a

b Eliminate one product b b b

c Try natural cosmetics c c c

d Make a fragrance d d d

e Give a gift e e e

8. Buy Less-toxic (2)

a Buy less plastic a a a

b Think about disposal b b b

c Choose natural fibers c c c

d Unbleached paper d d d

e Hemp & organic cotton e e e

f Rechargeable batteries f f f

9. Check Your Workplace for Toxics (2)

a Get an assessment a a a

b Buy non-toxic supplies b b b

c Recycle c c c

d Dispose safely d d d

e Safety training and plan e e e

f Industry consulting f f f

GREEN STEP LOG: CHEMICALS

ALREADYDOING WILL


1. Chemical Audit (1) a a a

2. Dispose of Hazardous Waste (1)

a Plan and drop it off a a a

b Reuse products b b b

3. Car Care (2)

a Safe cleanup a a a

b Less-toxic cleaners b b b

c Recycle auto fluids c c c

d Wash safely d d d

e Other actions e e e

4. Clean Green (1)

a Avoid Danger label a a a

b Safe cleaning kit b b b

c Use Alternatives c c c

5. Safe Pest Control (2)

a Prevention inside a a a

b Ants b b b

c Roaches c c c

d Rats or Mice d d d

e Moths e e e

f Fleas f f f

g Houseplant bugs g g g

h Soil and plant choice h h h

i Prevention outside i i i

j Aphids j j j

k Slugs and snails k k k

l Powdery mildew l l l

LOOK WHAT I’VE ACCOMPLISHED!

CHEMICALS REPORT1. Turn to your Summary Report Form in the back of this workbook andrecord the results of your Chemical Audit (Green Step 1) and answer a fewadditional questions.


Actions:


C H E M I CA LS . 3 5

123456

Facts:

> Most of the world’s energy is being produced from non-renewable resources such as fossil fuel and coal that also causea lot of pollution and environmental damage.

> Each year a typical U.S. family spends close to $1,300 on their home utility bills.

> Homes use one-fifth of the energy consumed in the U.S. Based on national averages, the energy use in a typical houseis broken down into four main categories: 9% refrigerator, 14% water heating, 33% lighting, cooking, and other appliances, and 44% heating and cooling.

> Some utilities offer their consumers a choice between or mixture of green energy (energy made from renewable sourcessuch as wind, solar, geothermal or biomass) and non-renewable resource energy.

> California’s energy sources: Petroleum (2000) Electricity (1999) Natural Gas (1999)In-State 49.5% In-State 82% In-State 16%Alaska 24.8% Imports 18%* Canada 28%Foreign 25.7% Rockies 10%

Southwest 46%

> Since , Californians have cut their per capita energy consumption by %! Let’s keep it up so we can meet the needs of the population without new power plants or further dependence on foreign oil.

(Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, Rocky Mountain Institute, California

Energy Commission, and American Council for an Energy-Efficient

Economy)

EnergyGoals:

Cut your home energy use and related pollutants by %.

Reduce your Green Team’s energy use and related pollutants by %.

Help create the demand for alternative energy resources in California.

Processes:

In this chapter you will:> audit your energy use,> prevent wasted energy,> consume differently,> share your knowledge with others, and > report your progress.

> This ENERGY chapter includes getting to know your energy use, tuning up your fridge, switching to

efficient lights, insulating and weatherstripping and more.

ENER

GY.3

7

Energy Audit .How much gas and electricity do you use? Where is itbeing wasted? You’ll find out in the energy audit.

[a.]

1. Look at a few of your energy bills over the last year.Call your gas and/or electric company to obtain pastbills over the phone or online. Use a summer monthand a winter month to find your average electricity andnatural gas use. Write them here.

Monthly average:Electricity: ____ dollars and ____ kilowatthours

Monthly average:Natural Gas: ____ dollars and ____ therms

2. Walk around your house or apartment. Ask your-self: is it particularly cold in any room in the winter?Where is it hot in the summer or early fall?

3. Answer the following. If you live in an apartment,you may need to get information from your landlord orproperty manager.

Hot WaterHow old is your water heater? _____ yearsWhat condition is your water heater in?

What heats your hot water?

Does your hot water heater have an insulating blanket?

Are your hot water pipes insulated?At what temperature is your water heater set? ____ ˚ F What temperature do you use to wash your clothes?

To rinse?

Heating / Air ConditioningIf you have a central forced-air furnace, does it burn

How often do you clean and/or change your filters?

At what temperature do you set your thermostat (heat) during the day? _____ ˚ F At night? ______ ˚ F

Do you have a programmable setback thermostat?

If you have air conditioning, what temperature do you set it at during the day? ____ Night? ____

Do you have space heaters?If so, how often do you use them? ________

1green step

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RefrigeratorHow old is your fridge?

How long has it been since you cleaned your refrigerator’s condensor coils? _________

Do you have more than one refrigerator?

Doors, Windows & InsulationHow many windows do you have? ____How many doors to the outside do you have? _____Are there obvious air leaks under doors, around

windows, in floor and wall cracks where you are losing air? List them here:

How many inches of insulation are in the attic?____In the walls? _____ In the floors? _____

If you have heating ducts, are they sealed with foil tape?

LightingHow many light bulbs do you have in your house?____ How many light bulbs do you use for more than two

hours per day? _____How many of these bulbs are fluorescent? _____How often do you turn off lights, TV, appliances, etc.

when you leave the room? (circle one)

eco fact

39 . One kilowatt hour (kwh) is the amount of

energy of ten 100-watt light bulbs burning

together for one hour.

40 . A therm is the amount of gas that

would fill a 10’ x 10’ x 10’ room.

(Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network)

Good Fair Poor

Gas Electricity Oil Solar Other

yes no

yes no

Hot Warm Cold

Hot Warm Cold

yes no

Gas Oil Other

Often Infrequently Rarely

yes no

After 1993 Between 1993 - 1978 Before 1978

yes no

yes no

Always Sometimes Rarely

ENER

GY. 3

9

eco fact

41 . Global energy consumption is expected to increase

by as much as 50 percent by 2010, at the

current rates of population growth and

development.

(U.S. Department of Energy)

[c.] Wrap your hot water pipes with insulation.Cover at least the first feet from the heater with insu-lation, make sure to cover corners, and then securewith acrylic tape. (Keep foam insulation inches fromthe flue of a gas heater).

[d.] Set the thermostat at the “vacation” or lowest set-ting if you’ll be gone for a few days. When you’re gonefor several weeks, turn it off—but make sure you knowhow to re-light the pilot!

[e.] If you own a pool, jacuzzi or hot tub, turn downthe thermostat to save energy and install an insulatingcover.

[f.] Another option is a solar water heater. For moreinformation, see Green Step .

Turn Down & Wrapthe Water Heater .

Heating water is the biggest use of energy at home aftercentral heating and cooling. Why not make your supplyefficient? Take at least two of these actions.

[a.] Set your water heater thermostat at 0 degreesor midway between “medium” and “low.” Each

degrees reduction will save - percent on water heat-ing. (If you use an older dishwasher without a heat-boosting coil, you’ll need to keep it at degrees or“medium” to sterilize your dishes).

[b.] Install an insulating blanket on your waterheater. It will cut - percent off your bill. You canbuy a blanket at the hardware store for $-$. If yourent, ask your landlord to buy it for you—otherwise,take it with you when you leave. While you’re at it,strap your water heater to the wall with metal strapsfor earthquake safety.

2green step

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> PG&E (800) 743-5000 or www.pge.com

Smarter Energy Line (800) 933-9555

Residential Rebate Programs

www.pge.com/003_save_energy/003a_res/index.shtml

> California Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs

(415) 703-1170 or www.cpuc.ca.gov

> Center for Energy Efficiency & Renewable Technologies

(CERT) (916) 442-7785 or www.cleanpower.org

> American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

(ACEEE) (202) 429-8873 or www.aceee.org

> Center for Resource Solutions (415) 561-2100 or

www.resource-solutions.org

> Rocky Mountain Institute (970) 927-3851 or

www.rmi.org

> Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Network (EREN)

(800) 363-3732 or www.eren.doe.gov

> Real Goods (800) 762-7325 or www.realgoods.com

> Home Power Magazine (800) 707-6585 or

www.homepower.com

> Home Energy Magazine (510) 524-5405 or

www.homeenergy.org

ENERGY RESOURCES

Tune Up Your Fridge.

Refrigerators are the biggest users of energy besidesheating systems and water heaters in your home. Takethis Green Step to keep your fridge efficient. Completeat least the first three actions now.

[a.] Set your refrigerator’s temperature to between and degrees and your freezer between and .Use a thermometer if you can.

[b.] Cover liquids and wrap foods. Uncovered foodsrelease moisture and make the compressor workharder.

[c.] Move your fridge away from the wall and cleanits condenser coils with a vacuum. (They’re at theback or underneath). Clean them once a year to keepthe heat exchanger working well. Also, make sure thefridge has room to breathe, with the back at least

inches from a wall.

[d.] Test to see if you’re losing cold air. Close thedoor on a dollar bill. If it slides out easily, you need toreplace the door gasket or adjust the seal.

[e.] Defrost your fridge and freezer before icebuildup gets to ⁄ to ⁄ inch thick.

[f.] If there’s an old refrigerator in your garage cooling a few sodas—unplug it! It’s wasting energy.(But first take the door off so it’s not a danger to kids). Orcall PG&E at () -; they may give you a cashrebate to pick up and dispose of it.

4green step

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eco fact . tune up your fridge

42 . Refrigerators

use 7% of the

nation’s

total electricity.

(Rocky Mountain

Institute)

Choose Your EnergyProvider .

One of the most important choices you can make is tochoose “green” power. Take this opportunity to do someresearch and choose. Consider paying a little more to votefor cleaner, less polluting power. As more people choosegreener electric power, more companies will invest inrenewable energy sources.

[a.]

1. Do some research. “Green” energy is electricitysupplied from renewable power sources—the sun,water, wind, biomass and geothermal.

> You can’t be sure that you buy only clean powerbecause the clean power you choose goes into the“grid” and mixes with all the other power; what youget is part of that mix. But a company that sells youclean power is required to invest your money in theenergy sources you’ve chosen.

> For a current update on deregulation, contact theCalifornia Public Utilities Commission at () -

or http://www.cpuc.ca/gov.

> Find out if your city or community is going to sub-scribe as a unit. If so, you may be able to buy electric-ity as an “aggregated” group. This is like a club or co-op of gas or electric customers whose members com-bine their individual purchasing power to get lowerprices.

2. Choose a clean energy company. Here are thecompanies we currently know about:

- Green Mountain Energy Resources () - or www.greenmountain.com

- Keystone Energy Services, Inc.(888) 655-KESE or www.kese.com

For more info, try:- Center for Energy Efficiency & Renewable

Technologies, () - orwww.cleanpower.org

- Center for Resource Solutions (CRS),() - or www.resource-solutions.org

3. Sign up. Just have your current electricity bill in-hand. Although you will have a new energy provider,you will continue to receive your energy through your“old” energy company’s distribution system .If youdon’t choose, your level of pollution remains the same.

3green step

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Switch to CompactFluorescents .

Lights use about percent of your home’s electricity.From the planet’s point-of-view it’s worth the effortto conserve. Compact fluorescents (CFLs) last

times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs,and use one-fifth the energy. Make the switch andstart saving! If you rent, take the bulbs with youwhen you move.

[a.] Replace one light with a fluorescent bulb.Read the notes below to find out how to pick thebest replacement bulb and where to buy it.

[b.] Keep switching to fluorescent bulbs untilyou’ve changed all your major lights.

Where to install: The best targets are -

watt light bulbs used several hours a day.Examples: kitchens, living rooms, reading chairs,front and back doors.

Savings: Although CFLs cost $-$ each, theywill make this up in energy savings if they’re insockets used a lot.

What to buy: Fluorescents have a bulb and ballast.You can buy these parts together (integrated) orseparate (modular). The main kinds:• U-shaped tubes: for table and desk lamps.

Twin, triple or quad tubes come in varioussizes and can be screwed into sockets.

(Photo below).

• Circline: for floor and ceiling lamps.• Linear fluorescents: good for kitchens, bath

rooms and garages where you need to light a large area. Look for the new “T” model.

• Capsules: where you have a bare bulb.• Globes: for hanging fixtures. Try the -watt.• Full-color spectrum fluorescents are now available.

There are different shapes and sizes according to your needs.

Some compact fluorescents do work with dim-mer switches, so ask for these or use lower-wattincandescent bulbs. Also, some fluorescents don’twork well outside at low temperatures, so checkthe label.

Where to buy: Most hardware stores and somenatural food stores like Wild Oats carry CFLs.

Disposal: Fluorescent lights contain very smallamounts of mercury vapor. This causes no threatwhile inside the bulb, but it does create householdhazardous waste (HHW) when they’re used up. Ifyou break a fluorescent, leave the room for a fewminutes to give the vapor time to evaporate. Thenclean up the debris with a wet rag.

What about halogen bulbs? Halogens last -

times longer than standard incandescents, andless than fluorescents. Look at stores for A-linehalogens to replace standard incandescents ratherthan popular tungsten halogen fixtures that oftenrequire high-watt bulbs.

Sources: Home Energy magazine and Homemade Money byRichard Heede and the Rocky Mountain Institute (Brick HousePublishing Company, 1995). This is a great book for more homeenergy improvements. Order it at (970) 927-3851 or www.rmi.org.

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Photo courtesy of Real Goods Trading Corp., Ukiah,CA () -.

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eco facts

43 . Only 10% of the energy used by standard

incandescent bulbs contributes to light; the

other 90% is wasted as heat.

44 . Over the life of one CFL, you can

avoid replacing up to 13 incandescent

bulbs!

45 . Each CFL that replaces an

incandescent will save you

approximately $25.00 in energy

costs over its lifespan.


Do Low-EnergyLaundry .

Take these actions to save while you wash, rinseand dry.

[a.] Wash only full loads.

[b.] Use cold water to wash and rinse. It cleansand rinses as well as hot or warm for most loadswithout using extra energy to heat the water.

[c.] Use a clothesline. Even when it’s not sunny,you can hang clothes on a drying rack.

[d.] If you use a clothes dryer, empty the lintfilter first. Do loads one after the other while themachine is still hot.

[e.] Buy a gas dryer. They are more efficient andcost less to operate than electric models.

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Save on Lights,Cold and Heat .

Some energy-saving measures are easy, no-costhabits. Take the first three actions or more to com-plete this Green Step.

[a.] Turn off your lights, lamps, stereo, TV andother appliances when you’re not using them.

[b.] Set your thermostat at 68 degrees whenyou’re home, and degrees at night. Set the airconditioner at degrees or higher.

[c.] Clean or replace the filters in your heatingfurnace and air conditioner. Filters should bechanged monthly; buy them at a hardware store.

[d.] Install a programmable setback thermostatto reduce temperatures when you’re away or atnight. Setback thermostats will save up to % onyour energy bill, and are available for $-$ athardware stores. Specify whether you have electricbaseboard heat, or a furnace, boiler, or heat pump.See Iris Communications’s website,www.oikos.com for a list of manufacturers (clickproducts, then do a search).

[e.] The most important way to reduce yourcooling bill is to use natural passive cooling. Youcan plant shade trees, and install awnings andblinds. Trees should be planted on the south andwest sides of your house.

[f.] For heating, look into ways to harness thesun’s energy! Check your binder for info on pho-tovoltaics, solar thermal panels, and passive solargain.

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eco facts . save on lights, cold & heat

46 . Air conditioning on average accounts for 22 percent of

the electricity bill of households that use it.

47 . For every kilowatthour of electricity you save, you cut

two-thirds of a pound of climate-altering CO2 and

for every therm of gas, twelve pounds of CO2.

(U.S. Energy Information Agency and Rocky Mountain Institute)

Caulk andWeatherstrip .

An average home loses % of its heat throughcracks, holes and air leaks. You can save big onenergy by weatherizing. Take this Green Step tomake your apartment or house cozy and energy-tight! You may save some money if you buy yoursupplies with your Green Team.

[a.]

1. Look back to your Energy Audit to see whereyou found holes and leaks. For a closer look, youcan pass a piece of smoking incense in front ofareas where you think leaks occur. If the smokedances, you have a leak.

2. Decide if you want to caulk or weatherstrip,or both. Read below for help.

3. Go to a hardware store and buy your sup-plies.

4. Go for it! You can work with household orGreen Team members to organize a “WeatherizingWork Day.”

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eco info . financial help with energy savings

PG&E offers free weatherization, insulation and other cost-saving improvements

to many Bay Area residents with limited income. To receive this help, you must qualify for

the CARE rate (see below) and put your name on a waiting list. Call PG&E at (800)

933-9555, give your name and account number and ask to be put on the list. For info in the

East Bay, call the Berkeley Energy Office at (510) 644-8545 and ask about

the Energy Partners Program.

The CARE program provides up to a 15 percent discount on gas and electric bills to lower-

income residents and nonprofits that offer housing and social services. To apply, call (800) 743-5000

(English), (800) 660-6789 (Spanish), (800) 893-9555 (Cantonese) or (800) 298-8438 (Vietnamese).

Caulking is used to fill holes between two station-ary surfaces. It’s cheap, easy and works well. Itcomes in solid, putty and semi-liquid, and acrylic(low-cost), silicone (high-cost) and other types.

Apply it around windows and doors, in cracksand holes in walls, around baseboards and heatingvents, where walls and floor come together...and anywhere air leaks out.

Check the type of surface: is it wood, aluminum,brick? Ask at the store for help picking the bestkind. Use a caulking gun to apply around windowjoints. For best results, caulk on a dry day.

Weatherstripping is a narrow piece of metal,vinyl, rubber, felt or foam that seals the areabetween a stationary and moving surface.

Windows and doors should be weatherstripped.To see how much you’ll need, measure aroundthem and add percent. Look at the size of thegap to decide what kind to buy. For the bottom ofdoors, a sweep or extra-strong stripping should beused. When in place, it should be slightly bentwhen the door or window is shut.

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Buy EfficientAppliances .

It costs more money to run an appliance over itslifespan than to buy it. Why not take the time toconsider the earth and your energy bill? To completethis Green Step, take the first two actions.

[a.] Learn how to use the EnergyGuide label.EnergyGuide labels are required by law on allmajor appliances. If you’ve never seen one, go toan appliance store and check it out.

They show you the cost of running the appliancefor a year, or a “standardized energy efficiencyratio” comparing it to other models.

[b.] Learn how to figure out the operating costsof your appliance.

1. First find out the kilowatt-hours (kWh) theappliance uses. Multiply the wattage shown onthe appliance by the number of hours, or fractionof hours, you use the appliance. Then divide thatnumber by . (This does not work for refrig-erators). For a list of wattage usage for commonhousehold items, visit www.justsaveit.org/didy-ouknow/applianceuse.htm

2. Now multiply the kWh used by your applianceby the cost of electricity. (Look on your bill forSCE’s current residential rate for electricity or usethe national average of $0.07per kWh). This willgive you the operating cost.

[c.] Use these suggestions when buying:> Ask yourself how many appliances you reallyneed. Buy one high-quality general applianceinstead of several specialized machines. Can youdo the job better with a manual version? Theyoften last longer, need no costly service and saveenergy.

9green step

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> Most gas appliances cost percent less tooperate than electric models.

Refrigerator/freezer: New models typically cost$ a year to run compared to $ for olderrefrigerators. Look for new “super efficient”refrigerators that have non-ozone depletingmaterials and use % less energy than mostmodels. Refrigerators with freezers on top aremore efficient than freezers on the side or bottom.

Washing Machine: Look for the new front-loading washers that cut energy, water and deter-gent costs by as much as % compared to con-ventional top-loading machines.

Heating and Cooling Equipment: Don’t buy asystem larger than you need. Choose a gas fur-nace that has an annual fuel utilization efficiency(AFUE) rating of over percent. Look for an airconditioner that has a seasonal energy efficiencyratio (SEER) above .. Try ceiling fans instead.They can replace the need for cooling, don’t con-sume much energy, are attractive, and serve afunction year-round!

For information on solar water heaters, see GreenStep .

Solar Oven and Hot Plate: Cook with heat fromthe sun! You can easily build a simple solar ovenor hot plate for $ in a weekend and then cookyour meals with free, clean heat. Read the bookCooking with the Sun, available from ChelseaGreen Publishing Company, (800) 639-1383.

Sources: Home Energy magazine, Solar Living Sourcebookby Real Goods, Sustaining the Earth by Debra Dadd-Redalia,Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

eco fact

48 . New energy-efficient refriger-

ators, dishwashers and clothes-

washers use about 30 percent less

energy than ones made 10 years ago.

(Rocky Mountain Institute)

eco fact

49 . Between $58-$200 and 736-962 pounds of

carbon dioxide emissions could be saved by

installing insulation in a

in one place it is needed

in a home.

(Rocky Mountain Institute)

Build Green .

If you’re constructing or remodeling, think efficientor renewable! Take these actions to design an energy-saving building.

[a.] Apply the Green Steps of this chapter to yourbuilding or remodeling project: energy-efficientheating and cooling systems, high-efficiency light-ing and appliances, high-performance or double-paned windows, and insulation. The cost of thesemeasures is recovered by an energy savings of %over older buildings, according to the AmericanCouncil for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

> Double-paned or low-emissivity (low-e) windows reflect radiant heat back into the room.

> “Super-efficient” houses are insulated with high“R-values,” which measure resistance to heatflow: R- walls, R- ceilings, R- founda-tions and R- windows. For information, contact the Energy Efficiency and RenewableEnergy Clearinghouse at () - or www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo.

[b.] Think about using renewable energy sources.Passive solar heating is capturing the sun’s energythrough windows and walls. Retrofits to yourbuilding can include solar glazing and simpleinsulation techniques like sun shades, draperiesand awnings. Active solar heating is using solarenergy to create electricity in the form of thermalpanels or photovoltaic (PV) cells. You can get pub-lished materials or talk to experts about renewableenergy by calling the Energy Efficiency andRenewable Energy Clearinghouse at () -

or www.eren.doe.gov/consumerinfo.

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Photos of solarthermal panelsand wind genera-tor courtesy of RealGoods TradingCorp., Ukiah, CA.

> A solar water heater can reduce your energybills by % over a payback period of only -

years. Installation costs are about $,. Somemanufacturers are: Alternate Energy

Technologies, LLC () - or www.aet-solar.com, Solar Roofs (916) 481-7200 orwww.solarroofs.com, and Solar Energy Network,www.solarenergy.com.

> You can save money in the long run byinstalling photovoltaic panels on your roof or re-roofing with “solar shingles.” With photovoltaics,you can use a battery for storing or connect to“the grid” and sell power back to the utility.

> Ventilation and cooling are big energy costs. Ifyou’re building, look into design considerationsthat will limit exposure in the summers. Andinstead of air conditioning, install ceiling fans.

[c.] Do some research. You can visit the RealGoods Solar Living Center in Hopland, CA,which generates its electricity through PV cellsand wind power. For more information on thesetechnologies, contact the Real Goods Company,() -, or Home Power Magazine, ()- or www.homepower.com. There are alsomany books on green building design availableincluding the Alternative Energy Sourcebook, TheEfficient House Sourcebook (Rocky MountainInstitute), and others. Check your bookstore.

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> Replace spotlights with reflectorized compactfluorescent or halogen bulbs, which cut energyuse -%.

> Install new electronic ballasts on your fluores-cents. They use less electricity and don’t hum orflicker.

> Switch from mercury vapor lamps to high-pressure sodium or metal halide. These require-% less wattage.

[f.] Maintain your heating and cooling systems.Heating at work is a major expense, and one thatcan be cut in half with preventive maintenance.

[g.] Reduce solar heat gain. About 20 percent ofcommercial cooling in California is due to solargains, and most of this heat can be eliminatedwith shading. Make use of an exterior shadingsystem like trees, awnings, overhangs or screens.Also, technologies like glass coatings and interiorwindow coverings reduce glare and heat. Formore information, call PG&E at () -.

Visit PG&E’s Energy Center for a look at solarcontrol glazing, shading systems, high efficientlighting and more. It’s free and open Monday-Friday (8-5) at Howard St., between th and5th Streets, in San Francisco, () - orwww.pge.com/pce.

Source: Simple Things Your Business Can Do to Save theEarth by The EarthWorks Group (EarthWorks Press, Inc., ).

eco facts . save energy at work

Save Energyat Work .

Work is a great place to use energy more wisely. Fromsmall steps to system upgrades, there’s so much to do!Complete this Green Step by taking at least twoactions.

[a.] Turn it off when not in use. Shut off comput-ers, monitors, printers and copiers if they won’t beused for minutes or more. Then spread theword to your co-workers! If you work at home,put a note on your desk to remind you to “poweroff.”

[b.] Make sure your computer’s “sleep” mode ison. Some screen-savers disable the sleep mode, somake sure yours works.

[c.] Turn off lights during breaks and lunch. Alsoturn off lights and heating/cooling thermostats atnight and on weekends. For more on this, seeGreen Step 6.

[d.] Purchase energy-saving devices and equip-ment. For example, install a time switch on print-ers and copiers so they’ll be off after work. Buyonly “Energy Star” computers which is the nation-al standard for efficient computers. A resource forother ideas is Electricity-Saving Office Equipmentby Rocky Mountain Institute, SnowmassCreek Rd., Snowmass, CO () -

or www.rmi.org. Ask for the summary for $.

[e.] Switch to efficient lights. Lighting accountsfor - percent of the energy used in commercialspaces. New lights can pay for themselves, andmany qualify for PG&E rebates. Take these steps:

> Check with a lighting consultant or contractorto see how many of your lights can be switched tofluorescents.

> Install occupancy sensors in rooms with lessuse.

> If you use linear fluorescents, switch to T-

lamps and electronic ballasts, which have bettercolor and use % less energy.

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50 . American businesses lose up to $4 billion

worth of electricity every year due to

inefficient use of office machines.

51 . Lighting accounts for 25-50 percent

of the energy used in commercial

spaces.

(Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Network)

GREEN STEP LOG: ENERGY

ALREADYDOING WILL


1. Energy Audit (1) a a a

2. Turn Down & Wrap the Water Heater (2)

a Turn to low a a a

b Insulating blanket b b b

c Wrap pipes c c c

d “Vacation” setting d d d

e Pool and hot tub e e e

3. Choose Your Energy Provider (1)

a Research a a a

b Choose a company b b b

c Sign up c c c

4. Tune Up Your Fridge (3)

a Set temperature a a a

b Cover foods b b b

c Dust the coils c c c

d Test for air loss d d d

e Defrost e e e

f Unplug old fridge f f f

5. Switch to Compact Fluorescents (1)

a Replace one bulb a a a

b Do the others b b b

6. Do Low-Energy Laundry (2)

a Wash full loads a a a

b Use cold water b b b

c Use a clothesline c c c

d Empty filter d d d

e Buy gas dryer e e e

ALREADYDOING WILL


7. Save on Lights, Cold and Heat (3)

a Turn off after use a a a

b 68 and 55F b b b

c Clean/replace filters c c c

d Setback thermostat d d d

e Passive cooling e e e

f Look into solar f f f

8. Caulk and Weatherstrip (1)

a Caulk/weatherstrip a a a

9. Buy Efficient Appliances (2)

a Learn EnergyGuide a a a

b Figure operating costs b b b

c Buy efficient appliances c c c

10. Build Green (1)

a Apply tips in building a a a

b Use renewable power b b b

c Do research c c c

11. Save Energy at Work (2)

a Shut it off a a a

b Sleep mode b b b

c Energy-saving devices c c c

d Turn off lights d d d

e Efficient lighting e e e

f Maintain heat system f f f

g Reduce solar gain g g g


ENERGY REPORT1. Turn to your Summary Report Form in the back of this workbook andrecord the results of your Energy Audit (Green Step 1) and answer a few addi-tional questions.


Actions:


E N E R G Y . 4 7

Transport

Facts:

> Extraction of fossil fuel results in destruction of ecosystems and native cultures.

> The burning of fossil fuel gives off carbon dioxide (CO), carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxidesand ozone, all causes of global warming and air pollution.

> Americans use percent of the world’s fossil fuel. Automobiles consume close to two-thirds of this amount.

> The percentage of annual income the average automobile owner spends on his or her car is 13%.

> The average passenger car in America is driven approximately 12,500 miles a year and gets 21.5 miles to the gallon.

> Per mile the average American passenger car emits 2.8 grams of hydrocarbons, 20.9 grams of carbon monoxide, 1.39 grams of oxides of nitrogen, .916 pounds of carbon dioxide, and consumes 0.0465 gallons of fuel

> One-half of the energy consumed in California is used for transportation.

> In the Bay Area, cars--not industry--are the leading source of air pollution. Vehicles produce over 70% of the carbon monoxide and about 50% of the pollutants that cause ozone.

> Over the last 25 years air quality has improved in the Bay Area, but fails to meet health standards 20 to 30 days each year. Let’s find alternatives to reduce pollution and fossil fuel extraction.

(Sources: U.S. EPA, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy

Network, U.S. Department of Transportation, and California

Energy Commission)123456

Goals:

Cut your auto fuel use by %,starting with % and working up.

Reduce your Green Team’s fuel use and related air pollution by %.

Help the Bay Area improve its air quality.

Process

In this chapter you will:> learn about fuel use and

alternative means of transport,> prevent further pollution,> consume differently,> share your knowledge with others, and> report your progress.

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> This TRANSPORT chapter includes keeping track of your fuel use, taking transit, walking or riding, reducing

cold starts, buying alternative fuel and more.

eco fact

52 . Californian’s use about 80 million gallons of oil every day -

enough to fill 40,000 standard-size swimming pools.

(California’s Department of Conservation)

Fuel Audit .How many miles do you travel in a week? How much pollutiondo you create? You’ll find out in the fuel audit. If you don’t usea car, you can skip to section .

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3. Figure out how much carbon dioxide (CO2) you generate per year. Burning one gallon of gas emitsapproximately . pounds of CO. (Source: U.S. EPA)

total car miles per week ÷ miles per gallon of your vehicle = gallons of gas used per week.gallons of gas used per week x weeks = gallons of gas used per year.gallons of gas used per year x . pounds of CO= pounds of CO generated per year.

Form of transport Distance Trips per week Total miles

Work

Shopping/Errands

Kid Activities

Exercise

Recreation

Vacation (miles/year, divided by 52)

Of this amount, total car miles per week: _________

Multiply by 52 for total car miles per year: _________

[a.]

1. Answer the following questions:Do you own a car?

If yes, how many cars are in your household? _____

About how many miles do you drive per year? _____

Answer the following for your most frequently-used car:What kind of fuel/energy does your car use?

gasoline diesel electric hybrid solar CNG methanol other How many miles per gallon does your car get (average between city and freeway)? _____ What is the fuel tank capacity (in gallons) of your car? _____ (can often find this in the manual)

How often do you have your car tuned? ______ times per yearWhat is the condition of your engine?

Do you have gasoline-powered lawn equipment? If yes, how many hours do you use it per month? _____ hours per month

Do you have a motor boat?

If yes, how many hours do you use it per month? _____ hours per month

2. Maintain a transportation log for a week of all your trips. Put a notebook in your car to track your miles.

yes no

yes no

yes no

Good Fair Poor

Share a Ride .

Does your car really save you time? Or does itincrease your stress, keep you isolated, costmoney and pollute the planet? Why not makethe revolutionary move to leave your car at home?By ridesharing, you could save up to $, a year.Take this Green Step to put a plan into action.

[a.] Pick at least one area in your life where youcould share a ride: work, school, kids or recre-ation. Read the tips below, then set up yourrideshare. Your teammates are a good place to start!

Many people think ridesharing won’t workbecause they have an irregular schedule, need todrop off kids, or will lose time. Ridesharing helpscut pollution every time, so it’s worth doing evenif your schedule permits it only once a week.Before you turn the page, consider how much timeand money you lose by driving solo. What if youhad that time to decompress, work out or meetfriends? Use one of the services below to find peo-ple with similar needs.

> Contact RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, theregion’s non-profit ridesharing agency. They’llgive you free help and match you with potentialcarpool or vanpool partners. Call them at ()-POOL or see their brochure Which Way toWork Works for You? in your Info Binder. You canvisit their website at http://www.rides.org

2. Get employer support. Does your companysponsor a vanpool or shuttle? Is your employeraware of the Commuter Check program? (SeeGreen Step ). Talk to your boss or humanresources department. Statistics show that the costof operating a van is less than the employee timelost to congestion. If you commute more than

miles one way, try a vanpool. You may be eligiblefor a yearly state tax credit of up to $ on top ofother savings.

> RIDES works with Bay Area employers todevelop transportation programs suited to theneeds of the company. Call RIDES to see how theycan help you start a program at work.

> On weekday mornings, East Bay residents canget into a casual carpool by stopping at various

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East Bay bus stops and BART stations, wherewestbound commuters wait to be picked up.Whether this is safe is up to you, but riders saythey enjoy using the carpool lanes and paying notolls. Riders are dropped off near Howard andFremont Streets in San Francisco.

> To rideshare in Solano County, contact SolanoCommuter Information at () -KMUTE.

Biking or walking may be the better option, butif you live some distance from school considercarpooling with fellow students. You’ll save ongas and parking and gain a few minutes for last-minute reading!

Can you save time and money by setting up a car-pool for child care, school or after-school activi-ties? Talk with other parents or check with yourschool for the names of families who live in yourarea. You could also encourage your child’sschool to set up a carpool system to make it easi-er for all parents to participate.

Take a free group-sponsored hike. You’ll meetat a central location and then carpool your wayto scenic beauty. Contact Greenbelt Alliance ()- or www.greenbelt.org, your local SierraClub chapter, or see the Green City Calendar inyour Info Binder for a list of daily outings.

When you go out with friends, leave your cars athome and take a taxi. By taking one you and yourfriends can designate the cab driver to stay soberand everyone can party.

Limousine rentals are also a smart ridesharingalternative, transporting up to - people at anhourly rate is often cheaper than the cost of park-ing - cars!

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eco fact . share a ride

53 . During peak morning commute,

over 7,000 carpools, vanpools and

buses carry about 30,000 people

across the Bay Bridge into San

Francisco, saving riders an average

of 16 minutes on their commute.

(RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, Inc.)

Take Transit .

Bus, train, or ferry...make friends, meet clients, do home-work, see the city...Why not? Whether you’re a commuter,student or weekend jogger–take transit! By driving your carone less day a week, you’ll keep about 1,400 pounds of car-bon dioxide out of the air each year.

[a.] Take public transit to work at least one day aweek. Some tips:

> Call TravInfo at - (no area code) orwww.travinfo.org. An automated phone line providesroute, schedule and fare information and also providesinformation on transit for cyclists and passengers withphysical disabilities.

> Contact RIDES for Bay Area Commuters, a non-profit organization that offers free commute andridesharing assistance. See their brochure Which Wayto Work Works for You? in your Info Binder or contactthem at () - or www.rides.org.

> East Bay residents can contact Berkeley TRiP at () -POOL, http://public-safety.berkeley.edu//trip or visit their commute store at Center Street(near Berkeley BART Station). TRiP sells passes for allBay Area public transportation providers and will helpyou plan the best connection between transit systems.

3green step

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> There are lots of great Bay Area transportationresources. Check out the Internet addresses and otherresources below.

> Ask co-workers about the nearest transit lines.

> Ask your boss to give Commuter Checks. They arevouchers employers give their staff to take public tran-sit or vanpools to work. You can get $ worth of com-muter checks monthly, tax-free. Vouchers are also tax-deductible to the employer. Call RIDES and ask for theCommuter Check specialist.

[b.] Take transit to shop.

> Make a point of doing errands in one general area.You’ll avoid the hassles of visiting several locations andhelp reduce air pollution at the same time. For mapsand schedules, contact TravInfo at - orwww.travinfo.org. Bring your backpack, cloth bags orwheeled shopping cart.

> Many Bay Area produce markets are served by BART, including Downtown Oakland and Jack London Square (both th St. Station); Berkeley(Berkeley Station); Hayward (Hayward Station); andSan Francisco farmer’s markets at the Ferry Building(Embarcadero Station) and Civic Center (Civic CenterStation).

eco fact: mass transit

54 . In California, roughly 75 percent of

automobile use is for non-commute trips.

(CA Department of Finance)

> Bay Area Transit Info www.transitinfo.org> TravInfo 817-1717, press 1, no area code

needed or www.travinfo.org> SamTrans and CalTrain (800) 660-4287

or www.caltrain.com> BART (415) 989-BART or www.bart.gov> MUNI (415) 673-MUNI or www.sfmuni.com> AC Transit 817-1717 ext. 1111 or

www.actransit.org> Golden Gate Transit (415) 923-2000 (SF),

(415) 455-2000 (Marin), (707)541-2000(Sonoma) or www.goldengatetransit.org

> Berkeley TRiP (510) 643-POOL or http://public-safety.berkeley.edu/trip

> RIDES for Bay Area Commuters (800)755-POOL or www.rides.org

> Bay Area Transportation Source http://www.metrodynamics.com/bats/

> Bay Area Air Quality Management Districthttp://www.sparetheair.org/

> California Transit www.catransit.com

See your Info Binder for numbers of all theregion’s bus, train and ferry systems.

PUBLIC TRANSIT RESOURCES

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[c.] Use transit to get to recreation or a regularactivity.

> Avoid stress and get there with a clear mind.Take the time to figure out any transfers andfamiliarize yourself with the schedule beforehand,and soon you’ll be a pro!

> For recreation, use transit with friends to get toa show, sports game or museum. The Palace ofLegion of Honor museum gives you off a

admission if you show a Fast Pass!

[d.] Take transit to the outdoors.

> Visit a regional park or public shoreline bypublic transit. You can go further car-free becauseyou won’t have to return to the starting trailhead.Check out a map of park trails accessible by tran-sit on the Internet:http://www.transitinfo.org/outdoors

> See Fun Goes Farther on BART in your InfoBinder. Go see one of our national parks–you canget to Angel Island by ferry and The Presidio bybus.

[e.] Plan a no-car vacation.

> Airplanes use even more fuel than cars. Try thetrain and see the country! Buy a guidebook to car-free travel in the state and the northwest.Available for $. (includes shipping) fromCalifornia Transit Publications, P.O. Box ,Whittier, CA or www.catransit.com.

> If you have to fly, call SFO Rides at () -

to find out how to get to the airport withouta car.

[f.] Take a friend on transit.

> If you already use public transit regularly, giveyourself a hand. Now try to convert a friend toyour “low-impact” habit. Tell them it’s the bestway to improve air quality and stop global warming.

[g.] Ask your representatives and planningagencies to fund more public transportation ifyou are not being served.

> To find out about groups in your area organiz-ing for more sustainable forms of transportation,contact the International Center for TechnologyAssessment regarding the Campaign on AutoPollution, () - or www.icta.org/cam-paigns/cap.

> Write a letter to commissioners of theMetropolitan Transportation Commission(MTC) and let them know your concerns:

Eighth St., Oakland, CA , Tel: 510-464-7700, Fax: 510-464-7848, or www.mtc.ca.gov.

> Join Urban Ecology, () - orwww.urbanecology.org, a nonprofit group inOakland working for public transit and environ-mentally sound urban planning.

eco info: mass transit

There are many reasons to take

public transportation. Here are

just a few of the most important:

- reduces energy consumption - creates jobs- improves air quality - saves money

- stimulates economic development - eases traffic congestion - fosters more livable communities - boosts real estate values - ensures safety - gets people to work- enhances mobility during

emergencies

(American Public Transportation Association)

Walk or Bike .

Most car trips in the nation are less than miles!So why not use your legs instead? You’ll get yourdaily exercise and smell the flowers, too.

[a.] Walk or bike to work at least once a week.Try to increase to - times per week.

> For maps, safety information and to talk toexperienced walkers and cyclists, contact RIDESat () - or www.rides.org and ask fortheir Bicycle Resource Guide and a matchlist ofpossible bike buddies.

> You can also call Berkeley TRiP at () -POOL, or contact one of the bicycling groups list-ed on the next page. TravInfo, -, givesinformation about bikes on transit, bike storageand bridge access.

[b.] Ride your bike to transit instead of driving.

Since turning the ignition key produces most ofyour car’s pollution, once the engine is warmedup and you’re at the BART station, the damagehas been done.

4green step

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[c.] Get a bicycle if you don’t have one.

> A used, refurbished bike costs $ or less. Callyour local bicycling organization (listed nextpage) and ask for shops or people who sell bikes.

[d.] Join a bicycling group. You can meet funpeople, get valuable information, and work toimprove streets for Bay Area cyclists.

> Call one of the groups listed on the next page.Or find a complete listing of bike groups, racing,social clubs and advocacy at Cyber Cycler,www.cyclery.org.

[e.] Walk the next time you have to do anerrand.

If you think you don’t have the time, ask yourselfhow long it would take to find parking. Does a-minute walk really take longer?

[f.] Walk for exercise. Just get outside and feel thepleasure of lively legs and lungs!

eco facts:

55 . Raising the fuel economy standards for cars

and light trucks to 40 mpg by 2012 (technology

we already have) would save 1.9 million

barrels of oil per day -- four times the

expected peak out put from the Artic

Refuge and more oil than we imported

from Saudi Arabia last year.

(Natural Resources Defense Council)

56 . “Every SECOND in America, cars

collectively burn 3,000 gallons of

gasoline and release 60,000 pounds of

carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.”

(Use Less Stuff: Environmental Solutions for Who We

Really Are by Robert Lilienfeld and William Rathje

57 . 20,319,276,869 gallons of fuel was used by

the major, national, and regional airline

carriers in the year 2000 at an estimated fuel

cost of $16,385,169,282.

(Bureau of Transportation Statistics, U.S. DOT)

eco facts . walk or bike

58 . Bicyclists save about 50,000 barrels of oil a day, according to

Transportation Alternatives of New York City.

59 . The American Lung Association has shown that high

levels of air pollution can cause or aggravate

illnesses such as acute respiratory

infection, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma and

lung cancer.

60 . AAA estimates the average cost

of operating a 1998 model car is $6,908 based

on 15,000 miles per year.

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[j.] Support local stores you can visit by bike or foot.

> A study showed that urban planners think ⁄ mileis the maximum distance Americans will walk to getsomewhere. Is that true? Would you be willing to walkor bike further?

[k.] Think about scrapping your car altogether, espe-cially if you live in a compact urban area.

> People without cars can rent or borrow one whennecessary, take taxis, use transit, share rides, walk orcycle. They avoid all ownership and operating costs,parking and tolls. They rarely hit traffic, and oftentravel more safely. All this while keeping tons of pollu-tants out of the atmosphere every year!

[l.] Arrange for your business to use Pedaler’sExpress, a human-powered delivery service withoutpollution. For information, contact (510) 843-PEDXor www.pedalexpress.com.

> Regional Bicycle Advisory

Committee (REBAC)

(510) 452-1221

> East Bay Bicycle Coalition

(510) 530-3444

> Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition

(510) 704-5599

> San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

(415) 431-2453

> Different Spokes

(415) 282-1647

> Almaden Cycling/Touring Club

(408) 268-2509

> Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

(415) 965-8456

> Trips for Kids (North Bay)

(415) 381-2941

> Women’s Mountain Bike and

Tea Society

(415) 459-0980

BAY AREA BICYCL ING GROUPS & RESOURCES

[g.] Take part in Critical Mass.

> Once a month, loads of happy cyclists take to thestreets to promote pedal power. In San Francisco, theymeet at Justin Herman Plaza at pm on the last Fridayof each month. In Berkeley, cyclists meet at : pm atthe Berkeley BART station on the second Friday ofeach month.

[h.] Take part in Bike to Work Day the third week inMay. For information, call your bicycling groupor see the RIDES website at www.rides.org

[i.] Be a considerate driver. Foster a neighborhoodwhere people on bikes and sidewalks don’t have to livein fear of drivers.

> San Francisco Bicycle Coalition

(415) 431-2453 or www.sfbike.org

> Marin County Bicycle Coalition

(415) 456-3469 or www.marinbike.com

> East Bay Bicycle Coalition

(510) 530-3444 or www.ebbc.org

> Bicycle Friendly Berkeley Coalition

(510) 549-RIDE or www.bfbc.org

> Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition

www.bikesonoma.org

> Peninsula Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition

(650) 579-4728 or www.penbiped.org

> Almaden Cycling/Touring Club www.actc.org

> Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition

(415) 965-8456 or www.svbcbikes.org

> Bike the Bridge! Coalition

(510) 273-9288 or http://guest.xinet.com/bike

> Women’s Mountain Bike and Tea Society

(415) 459-0980 or www.wombats.org

> Different Spokes (415) 721-4546 or www.dssf.org

> Trips for Kids

(415) 381-2941 or www.webcom.com/tfk

> Cyber Cycler www.cycling.org

> California Bicycle Coalition

(916) 446-7558 or www.calbike.org

Trip-Link .

Did you know that you produce most of your car’sair pollution from starting the engine, especially onshort trips? A cold engine and catalytic converteremit five times more pollution than a warm car.Take this Green Step to limit cold starts.

[a.]

You’ll avoid cold starts by combining severalerrands into one longer trip so your engine willstay warm. Use these tips:

1. Keep a running list of the errands you need to do.

2. Put together items located near each other.

3. Plan ahead to give yourself enough time.

4. Think before you take off: Do I really need tomake this trip? Can I combine it with another triplater?

5green step

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Drive Smart .

Driving a car is probably your single biggest impacton the environment. Take three of the actionsbelow–all will save on fuel and pollution.

[a.] Unload any extra weight in your car. Checkunder seats and in the trunk for lost items.[b.] Maintain proper tire pressure. Under-infla-tion makes tires work harder. [c.] Is your car duefor a tune-up? If so, make a date with a mechan-ic. Check the engine, emission-control equipmentand air conditioner. [d.] Warm up your car onlyas long as needed. [e.] Start and accelerate slow-ly. [f.] Drive steadily, keeping a constant speed.[g.] Stay within the speed limit. Driving at

mph uses percent less fuel than driving at

mph. [h.] Instead of idling, turn off your car’signition when not moving in traffic. [i.] Buy reg-ular unleaded gasoline instead of mid-grade orpremium. [j.] Don’t “top off” the tank. Fumeswill escape, react with pollutants, and createsmog. [k.] Use flex time to commute during off-peak hours. Avoid traffic jams. You can check traf-fic before you leave at:http://web2.kpix.com/traffic/ALL.html

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eco facts . trip-link

61 . A cold start causes 35% of the car's total

emissions. If Bay Area residents reduced their cold

starts by 25 percent, we could

cut 97 tons of pollutants

from the air each day.

62 . Californians lose 200,000

hours a day to traffic congestion.

(U.S. Department of Transportation and

California Department of Finance)

eco fact . buy local

63 . Forty percent of the energy used by the transportation

sector is consumed indirectly — not to transport goods, but to

produce fuel itself, to maintain vehicles, and to build and repair roads.

(Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network)

Buy Local .

The average food item is shipped , miles to your table.Costs to the environment and consumers to transport goodsare “indirect” costs, but they count. Take this simple butmighty Green Step.

[a.] Buy food that is grown in your city, county or region.Aim for all your food to be produced within a -mileradius. It’s a goal you can achieve living in the Bay Area.

> You can start by shopping at a nearby farmer’s market.See the list in your Resource Binder.

[b.] Favor products made from local materials. To do this,you’ll need to find out where the materials and ingredientscame from.

> Usually materials are not local unless the label saysso. Try to support local producers—sometimes their mate-rials are advertised at co-ops or with a “farm seal” on aproduct. And if you’re choosing between brands, pick theone that was made closest to you.

[c.] The next time you buy an appliance or piece ofequipment, choose one you can repair yourself or get fixedin your neighborhood.

[d.] Pick clothes and other products that were made inthe U.S. They take less energy to transport than importedgoods.

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Buy AlternativePower .

You mean cars weren't born to burn gas? Welcome to theworld of "alternative fuel vehicles" (AFVs). Electric, nat-ural gas, methanol, ethanol or propane are all cleaner-burning fuels than our current choice. Take this GreenStep to explore the options.

[a.] Do some research about gasoline alternatives.Start by reading the notes below. Think about test dri-ving one of the alternatives.

[b.] Pick 32 mpg with an LEV rating or better.If you must buy a gasoline engine, aim for a fuel-effi-cient, low emissions car. Pick a car that gets miles pergallon or better and has a rating of a low-emission vehi-cle or better. This move will cut your carbon dioxideemissions by , pounds each year. For a completelist of efficient vehicles on the market, order ACEEE’sGreen Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars andTrucks at ()- or www.greenercars.org. For afree consumer guide see the Fuel Economy Guide from the U.S. Department of Energy at www.fueleconomy.gov or order one by calling ()423-1363.

> Note about diesel: Diesel on the whole is more fuelefficient than gasoline but it tends to emit more nitrogen oxide pollutions. Automakers are work-ing on cleaning up the diesel vehicle.

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ELECTRIC

If you ride BART, you’ve already tested an electricvehicle (EV), which uses an electric motor instead ofan engine, and batteries instead of a fuel tank andgasoline. Battery packs take about six hours torecharge from a regular wall socket.

An EV does in fact create pollution—at the power plant where the electricity is produced. Even so, EVsuse one-half the fossil fuel resources per mile as aninternal combustion engine. Even high rates for elec-tricity will produce a “fuel” bill that is - percentless than gasoline and percent cleaner.

> General Motors, Honda and Ford are now leasingEVs. Call Honda at () -, or Ford at () - or www.thinkmobility.com. The carsare two-seaters with a - mile range, and use recy-clable lead-acid batteries. New nickel metal hydridebatteries will increase range to miles.

> To convert your gas car to electric, start by ordering afree brochure or the book Convert It! from Real GoodsCompany, () - or www.realgoods.com

> For electric bikes contact EVGlobal at () -

or www.evglobal.com, ZAP! at () - orwww.zapworld.com, or the Ford Motor Company at(800) 252-4221 or www.thinkmobility.com.

> The National Alternative Fuels Data Center, ()- provides information on alternative fuels,conversion, current legislation and incentive pro-grams. Call them or access their website athttp://www.afdc.doe.gov

Buy Alternative Power

HYBRID

Hybrid cars are vehicles where an electric motor iscombined with an internal combustion engine. Theresult is a type of car that has super-ultra-low-emis-sions and high fuel efficiency (average is between 48-56 mpg in current models) -- not to mention it is amuch quieter car!

What is really cool is that there is no need to “plug”this car into an outlet because it recovers and capturesenergy from the regenerative braking system whichconverts wheel rotation into electricity. In otherwords, every time the brakes are used the energy fromthe friction is captured and stored in the batteryinstead of just lost. This feature offers a 19% increasein fuel efficiency in stop-and-go city driving.

Another great feature is that the engine stops or “idlesoff” when the car is idling, coasting, or needs mini-mum power. This translates into 13% fuel savings inthe city.

In 2001, two models of this advanced technology wereoffered on the market: the Honda Insight (two-seatercoupe) and the Toyota Prius (four-door familysedan). Other models are expected as well, includingthe Honda Civic Hybrid (compact sedan) in late2002, Ford Escape HEV (compact SUV) and DodgeDurango HEV (midsize SUV) in 2003, and DodgeContractor Special (fullsize pickup), GM “Epsilon”SUV (midsize SUV), and GM Silverado/Sierra (full-size pickup) in 2004. Test drive one today.

8green step

NO EPhoto courtesy of Real Goods Trading Corp.,

Ukiah, CA () -.

eco info . buy alternative fuel

The car in this photo was made by Real Goods Company and is a replica of the

1955 Porsche Spyder fitted with a 120-volt electric drive.

It can go from zero to 60 in less than 30 seconds, and has

a non-board charger to allow for overnight recharging.

It’s one of more than 400,000 alternative fuel vehicles

on the road in the U.S. as of January, 1997.

eco info - how driving pollutes

The burning of fossil fuels creates:

1. carbon dioxide (CO2), the main “greenhouse gas” that traps sunlight and causes global warming. Cars produce one-third

of the carbon dioxide in the nation.

2. carbon monoxide, an invisible poisonous gas that has serious health effects and contributes to global warming.

3. hydrocarbons come from combustion of gas and evaporation of petroleum fuels. Motor vehicles create

nearly one-half of urban hydrocarbon emissions.

4. nitrogen oxides come from burning fossil fuel in vehicles, power plants, furnaces and turbines and

contribute to the formation of acid rain.

5. ozone, a colorless gas that forms when other pollutants react with the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Essential in the upper atmosphere, ozone is smog in the lower atmosphere.

6. particulates (PM10), fine particles that can be breathed deeply into the lungs. Particulate

pollution is caused by auto emissions, smoke and dust. PM10 can cause premature death.

7. MTBE, a fuel additive which reduces air pollution, has been found to cause

groundwater pollution. (U.S. EPA)

Biodiesel is made from a wide range of plant and veg-etable oils (including recycled restaurant greases) and isdomestically produced, renewable, and biodegradable. Itis processed to run diesel engines, sometimes in combi-nation with diesel fuel. Contact the National BiodieselBoard at (573)635-3893 or www.nbb.org.

Propane or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) is readilyavailable to the general public and produces fewer vehi-cle emissions than reformulated gasoline. Propane is aby-product of natural gas processing and crude oil refining.

P-Series Fuel is made mostly from renewable resources(natural gas liquids, ethanol, and a biomass-derived co-solvent) and provides significant emissions benefits overreformulated gasoline. Pure Energy Corporation(www.pure-energy.com/products/pseries.html) is thesole licensee to commercialize P-Series fuel. The fuel canbe mixed with gasoline in any proportion and used inflexible fuel vehicles, which are vehicles that can auto-matically detect the type of fuel put into the tank.

Solar & Hydrogen Fuel CellsSolar and hydrogen fuel cell cars are just around the cor-ner! You can contact the Stanford Solar Car Project at() - or www.stanford.edu/group/solarcar/ orthe California Fuel Cell Partnership at www.fuelcellpart-nership.org

Contact the National Alternative Fuels Data Center at ()

- or www.afdc.doe.gov for more information about

alternative fuels. For alternative fuel vehicle refueling sites check-

out www.cleancarmaps.com.

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> Five Bay Area chapters of the Electric AutomobileAssociation hold regular demonstrations.

- San Jose chapter () - between - pm or www.geocities.com/sjeaa

- North Bay chapter (415) 927-1046 or www.geocities.com/nbeaa

- San Francisco chapter (650) 952-3277 or www.geocities.com/sfpeaa

- Silicon Valley chapter (650) 494-6922 orwww.eaasv.org

- East Bay chapter www.geocities.com/ebeaa You can also visit the National Electric AutomobileAssociation website at http://www.eaaev.org/

ALTERNATIVE FUELS

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) burns cleaner thangasoline and costs about half as much. In the Bay Area,there are currently over CNG fueling sites.

Methanol, also known as wood alcohol, is producedmostly by a process using natural gas as a feedstock. Itcan also be produced from coal and biomass. Methanolis often used in flexible fuel vehicles which accept ablend of fuels such as M85 (85% methanol and 15%gasoline). It is currently being studied as a fuel of choicefor providing the hydrogen necessary to power fuel cellvehicles. Studies have shown that methanol and CNGvehicles had fewer unscheduled repairs than gas cars.

Ethanol is an alcohol-based alternative fuel produced byfermenting and distilling starch crops that have beenconverted into simple sugars. Feedstocks for this fuelinclude corn, barley and wheat. Ethanol can also be produced from "cellulosic biomass” such as trees andgrasses and is called bioethanol. Ethanol is most commonly used to increase octane and improve theemissions quality of gasoline.

Spare the Air .

Imagine making a difference in the Bay Area’s airquality. You can! Take at least the first two actions toreduce pollution.

[a.] Read the notes below to learn about theSpare the Air program.

On particularly smoggy days in the Bay Area, airquality violates health standards set by the stateand federal governments. On days when the BayArea Air Quality Management District predicts airquality will be poor, it calls on Bay Area individu-als to “Spare the Air.”

> To find out if it’s a Spare the Air day, listen toyour local radio or TV weather report. You canalso call: () HELP AIR for a daily smog fore-cast or check the Air District website athttp://www.sparetheair.org/

On a Spare the Air day:[b.] Take public transit, rideshare, bicycle orwalk to work. By this time you’re an expert, right?

[c.] Don’t use gas-powered lawn and gardenequipment. One two-stroke lawnmower emits asmuch smog-forming pollution every hour as a cardriven miles.

[d.] Leave your motor boat at the dock. An out-board motor for one hour equals car miles.

9green step

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[e.] Avoid polluting products like hair spray, airfreshener, windshield wiper fluid, perfumes andinsecticides. These contain high amounts ofhydrocarbons, which help make smog. Use theAlternatives found in Chapter .

[f.] Telecommute. Work at home and cut thecommute altogether.

> To explore telecommuting, order a fact sheetfrom RIDES at () - or see OnlineTelecommuting Resources, a complete guide totelecommuting based on studies by Smart Valley,Inc. Access it at http://www.svi.org/projects/tcommute/webguide/

[g.] Get your workplace signed for the Spare theAir program. Employers should call () -

to register or for more information.

> Get your employer to register and your work-place will be notified by fax or e-mail of a Sparethe Air day. Employers are asked to notify staff viasigns, e-mail or voice mail. The next day, partici-pating staff make an effort to rideshare, take tran-sit, bicycle, walk or telecommute.

> The program also operates during the winter,when driving and wood-burning contribute tohigh levels of particulate air pollution. On highpollution days, the Air District will notify yourworkplace by to encourage staff to limit dri-ving and wood burning that night.

For more information on the wintertime air pol-lution problem, call the Air District at ()HELP AIR and ask for the WoodburningHandbook.

eco facts . spare the air

64 . The American Lung Association has shown that

high levels of air pollution can

cause or aggravate illnesses such as acute

respiratory infection, bronchitis, emphysema,

asthma and lung cancer.

65 . In 2001, the Bay Area exceeded the national standard for ground-

level ozone (smog) 7 times and the state standard 15 times.

(Bay Area Air Quality Management District)

ALREADYDOING WILL


7. Buy Local (2)

a Locally grown food a a a

b Favor local materials b b b

c Buy repairable c c c

d Made in the USA d d d

8. Buy Alternative Fuel (1)

a Do some research a a a

b Pick 32 mpg + b b b

9. Spare the Air (2)

a Read the notes a a a

b Take public transit b b b

c Avoid gas-powered c c c

d Leave boat at dock d d d

e No polluting products e e e

f Telecommute f f f

f Get work signed up g g g

TRANSPORT REPORT1. Turn to your Summary Report Form in the back of this workbook andrecord the results of your Transport Audit (Green Step 1) and answer a fewadditional questions.


Actions:

GREEN STEP LOG: TRANSPORTALREADYDOING WILL


1. Fuel Audit (1) a a a

2. Share a Ride (1)

a Set up a rideshare a a a

3. Take Transit (2)

a Take it to work a a a

b Take it to shop b b b

c Take it to recreate c c c

d Take it to the outdoors d d d

e No-car vacation e e e

f Take a friend f f f

g Lobby for transit g g g

4. Walk or Bike (3)

a One day a week a a a

b Ride to transit b b b

c Get a bicycle c c c

d Join a bike group d d d

e Walk instead e e e

f Walk for exercise f f f

g Do Critical Mass g g g

h Bike to Work Day h h h

i Drive with care i i i

j Shop by bike or foot j j j

k Scrap your car k k k

5. Trip-Link (1)

a Trip Link a a a

6. Drive Smart (3)

a Unload weight a a a

b Correct tire pressure b b b

c Get a tune up c c c

d Limit warmup d d d

e Accelerate slowly e e e

f Drive steadily f f f

g Keep speed limit g g g

h Turn off when idle h h h

i Use regular unleaded i i i

j Don’t top off j j j

k Avoid traffic jams k k k



T R A N S P O RT. 61

Water

Facts:

> Less than percent of the earth’s water supply is fresh water.

> Each year, global water use rises by to percent.

> The water resources in the United States are large and diverse:- 33,000 trillion gallons of groundwater - 66,645 miles of ocean shoreline- 90,465 square miles of estuaries - 41 million acres of lakes, ponds, and reservoirs- 5,521 miles of Great Lakes shoreline - 3.6 million miles of river and streams- 274 million acres of wetlands

> In a normal year in California, we pump more than one million acre-feet of water from the ground that is not replaced.

> Most drinking water in the Bay Area is transported from the Sierra Nevada mountains. San Francisco and Mid Peninsula residents get 85% of their drinking water from the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. The water travels from the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir through 180 miles of tunnels, pipes and aqueducts to the city’s system of reser-voirs, pumps and tanks...and finally to your faucet. East Bay residents get most of their drinking water from the Mokelumne River near Yosemite. Water travels nearly 100 miles, or up to 40 hours, to one of six East Bay treatment plants. Marin residents get their drinking water from the Russian River and local watersheds including the Mt.Tamalpais drainage.

> Using less water helps reduce pollution to the Bay, and provides more water for fish and wildlife.

> Bay Area residents cut their water use by up to % during the drought of -. Let’s keep it up to protect wildlife,save energy and reduce the need for more dams and reservoirs.

(Sources: U.S. EPA, American Water Works Association, CA’s

Department of Finance, and City of San Francisco)

123456

Goals:

Cut your personal water use by %.

Reduce your Green Team’s water use by %.

Conserve water now to help reduce pollution to the Bay and ensure enough water for the future.

Processes:

In this chapter you will:> learn about your water use

and water leaks,> prevent wasted water,> consume differently,> share your knowledge with others, and > report your progress.

WATE

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> This WATER chapter includes getting to know your water use, replacing water-wasting plumbing fixtures,

checking your water habits, gardening with native plants and more.

Water Audit .How much water do you use? Where is it beingwasted? You’ll find out in the water audit.

Look for leaks. Check under sinks and around tubs,showers and toilets. Look for drips, drops or stains.Write down what you find below. Keeping track alsolets you know if it is a recurring problem.

To check your toilet, add a dye tablet from a hard-ware store or a few drops of food coloring to thetank on top. Don’t flush. Come back in 30 minutes.If you see dye in the bowl, you have a leak. If youfind leaks in anything other than an ultra low-flushtoilet, don’t fix it, replace it with a new ultra low-flush toilet. Otherwise, call your building manager orplumber.

OUTSIDE:Note your outdoor water use, including yard or terracepots. Answering the following questions:

How many hours a week do you water your outdoor plants? _____ hours

Check every outdoor faucet for leaks. How many did you find? ____

Do you have a drip irrigation system installed?

Do you have an irrigation controller or a moisture sensor installed?

Have you timed your irrigation cycles to see if they are properly regulated?

Do you have a pool, hot tub or sauna? If yes, what is its temperature? ____ ˚ FVolume? ____Does it have a cover?

[a.]

1. To audit your household water use, count orestimate the number of times you do the activitieslisted in the chart on the next page. Time yourselfat each of these activities. Then calculate the totalgallons used per day, and per week. You may wantto complete parts - first to find out whether youhave low-flow fixtures installed.

2. Look at your water bills over the past year.

Compare the figures from your audit to the ones on your bill. How close are they? Answer the following according to what is on your water bills:

What is the average monthly gallon usage?______What is the average monthly cost? ____________How many gallons of water on average do you con-

sume a month? __________[hundred cubic feet (HCF or CCF) = 748 gallons]

What is the cost/rate per HCF or CCF? _________ (if this cost is not delineated on your bill call your water company to obtain a break down)

3. Take a tour of your house. Start with the insideand then investigate outdoors.

INSIDE:How many faucets do you have? ____

Showers? ______Bathtubs? _____Toilets? _______

How many low-flow mechanisms do you already have on your faucets? _____ (2.5 gpm)Showers? _____ (2.5 gpm)Toilets? ______ (1.6 gallons per flush)(gpm = gallons per minute)

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eco fact . water audit

66 . A steady drip can waste 20

gallons of water per day,

and a toilet leak up to 200.

(U.S. EPA)

yes no

yes no

yes no N/A

yes no

yes no

> Marin Municipal Water District (415)945-1455 orwww.marinwater.org

> North Marin Water District (800)464-6693 orwww.nmwd.com

> San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (415)554-3155 or www.sfwater.org

> City of Palo Alto Utilities Dept. (650)329-2161 orwww.cpau.com

> Alameda County Water District (510)659-1970 or www.acwd.org

> Contra Costa Water District (925)688-8000 orwww.ccwater.com

> East Bay Municipal Utility District (510)287-1380 orwww.ebmud.com

> Santa Clara Valley Water District (408)265-2600 or www.heynoah.com

> Napa Dept of Public Works (707)257-9508 or www.cityofnapa.org

> CA Urban Water Conservation Council (916)552-5885 or www.suwcc.org

> Waterkeepers Northern California(415)561-2299 or www.sfbaykeeper.org

> Bay Institute of San Francisco (415)506-0150 or www.bay.org

> Save the Bay (510)452-9261 or www.savesfbay.org> Bay Area Council

(415)981-6600 or www.bayareacouncil.org> Groundwater Foundation

(800)858-4844 or www.groundwater.org> Rocky Mountain Institute

(970) 927-3851 or www.rmi.org> American Water Works Association

(202)628-8303 or www.awwa.org> EPA: Surf Your Watershed www.epa.gov/surf> Water Quality Information Center

www.nal.usda.gov/wqic

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5WATER UT IL IT IES & CONSERVATION RESOURCES

WATER AUDIT TABLEAction / Water Use National Average Your Average

flow gals uses min

rate per per per total

(gpm) use day use (gallons) uses per day minutes per use total gallons

Kitchen faucet . . .

Getting a drink . - .

Cooking -

Hand washing dishes -

Bathroom faucet . . .

Washing hands or face . - *Shaving . - .*Brushing your teeth . - .*

Showerhead . . . .

Taking a shower (8.2 min)

Bathtub faucet . . .

Running until hot (1 min) . .*Taking a bath .1

Other water appliances:Flushing the toilet . - .

Washing machine .*

Automatic dishwasher - .

Garden hose rate: - .*

Watering the lawn -

Washing the car -

TOTAL DAILY WATER USE IN GALLONS: 98.8

TOTAL MONTHLY WATER USE (DAILY X 30 DAYS): 2,964

* approximate gallons per use based on the best information available(Sources: American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) and their 1999 “Residential End Uses

of Water” study of 1000 homes, Rocky Mountain Institute, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)

eco fact - outdoor water use

67 . Homes with swimming pools are estimated to use more than twice as

much water outdoors than homes without pools. (AWWARF)

Report the Water Audit results on the

Summary Report Form at the back of the book.

eco info - what is your watershed?

A watershed is a drainage basin. There are several smaller

watersheds within a large watershed in the Bay Area. This

large watershed includes most of northern California and the

western slope of the Sierra, almost 40 percent of the state of

California. It includes the Sacramento-San Joaguin Delta and

the San Francisco Bay.

Water tends to find the least resistant path downhill.

Therefore some of the water (and fertilizer, pesticides, and/or

herbicides) applied to a lawn eventually finds its way into a

local stream, then a river or tributary, and then the Bay or the

ocean. Learn more about your specific watershed by surfing

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Watershed data-

base at www.epa.gov/surf.

[b.] Install faucet aerators with restrictors. These littlegadgets cost $. They screw onto the faucet and add airto the water stream. First check to see if your faucets arethreaded on the inside or outside, and then ask for helpat the hardware store. Ask if the aerator includes a waterrestrictor, which limits flow to . gallons per minute. Ifnot, you’ll need to buy a restrictor for cents.

[c.] Install an aerator with a shut-off valve on yourkitchen sink. It keeps water hot in the tap and lets youturn off the faucet. You can buy one for about $ fromhardware stores.

[d.] Install a shut-off nozzle on outdoor hoses.

[e.] If you’re remodeling or selling your home, you arerequired by law to install ultra low-flush toilets and low-flow showerheads. Contact your water utility for moreinformation.

Fix Your Faucetsand Shower Heads .

If you haven’t done this, make it your 3rd Green Step.These items are cheap or free and easy to install, andwork wonders. You’ll cut your bathroom water use by

percent! Take at least the first two actions.

[a.] Install a low-flow shower head(s). They use .

gallons of water per minute, instead of gallons ormore.

> Many cities like San Francisco require low-flowshower heads and faucet aerators (both at . gallonsper minute) since the recent drought. Check to see ifyour landlord made these improvements and filed theconservation affidavit. If not, ask for the cost of theseitems to be deducted from your rent. If this doesn’twork, remember that you pay for water used in yourmonthly rent. Saving water may help prevent renthikes.

> If you’re an East Bay resident, you can pick up freelow-flow shower heads and faucet aerators from EastBay Municipal Water District (EBMUD). Bring yourmost recent EBMUD bill to their office at th St.in downtown Oakland.

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eco facts . check your water habits

68 . The average American home uses 300 gallons of water a day.

Here’s a breakdown:

> Toilet: 28% > Leaks: 5% > Washing machine: 22%

> Shower: 21% > Faucet: 12% > Bathtub: 9% > Dishwasher: 3%

Check Your Water Habits .

Check out these water-saving habits. Like recycling, soonthey’ll become second-nature. Choose three and put themto use. If you think of others, add them to the list!

[a.] Don’t let the water run while washing dishes.Turn off the faucet between dishes—or use washbasins. [b.] Use sink stoppers when you’re cleaningvegetables. [c.] Use the short or energy cycle on yourdishwasher and washing machine and use them onlyfor full loads. [d.] Wash your clothes only when they’redirty and not more often. [e.] Take shorter showers—start with the goal of shortening them by percent. [f.]Reduce the number of times you flush the toilet, anddon’t use it as a waste basket. [g.] Use a broom, not ahose, for outside cleaning. [h.] Cover pools and hottubs to reduce evaporation. [i.] Make use of the waterthat goes down the drain while you wait for it to gethot. You can cut out the tops of one-gallon milk jugsand gather “heat-up” water for cooking or plants. [j.]

Don’t let rainwater slip away; collect it for your plantsor garden during winter storms. [k.] Read WaterEfficiency For Your Home from Rocky MountainInstitute, () - or www.rmi.org.

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Retrofit theToilet .

Toilets use the most water of anything at home. A sim-ple, cheap device you can install in a few minutes willcut your toilet water use by one-half. Take at least thefirst action to make your toilet more efficient.

[a.] Install a tank displacement device on your toi-let(s). Visit your hardware store and buy a toilet dam,bag or bottle for $. Or make your own displacementdevice: use two one-quart plastic bottles. Fill themwith a few inches of sand or gravel, and then withwater. Seal and place in the tank one inch frommoving parts. Don’t use a brick; it can clog plumbing.

> East Bay residents can pick up free toilet bags at theEBMUD office, th St. in downtown Oakland,() -.

[b.] If you found a leaky toilet, get it fixed! Call yourbuilding management or plumber, or try repairing ityourself. For information on how to repair theseleaks, call your water district, listed below.

[c.] Thinking about a new or replacement toilet?Give your water district a call! They may offer a cashrebate if you buy “ultra low-flow,” which use . gal-lons per flush. Both tenants and owners qualify, andyou may need to apply for the rebate before you buy.

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> San Francisco (415) 554-4255 or www.sfwater.org

> East Bay (510) 287-0590 or www.ebmud.com

> Marin (415) 945-1455 or www.marinwater.org/waterconservation.html

> Alameda (800) 292-7687 or www.acwd.org/waterconserv-home.html

> Contra Costa (925) 688-8000 or www. ccwater.com

> Santa Clara (408) 265-2607 ext. 2554 or www.scvwd.dst.ca.us/wtrcnserv/

> City of Palo Alto Utilities Department (650)329-2161 or www.cpau.com

> Napa Department of Public Works (707)257-9508 or www.cityofnapa.org/water/water.htm

> Livermore-Amador Valley (Pleasanton) (925) 484-2600 or www.zone7water.com/temp-rebate.html

> Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA) (510) 357-6231

REBATE PROGRAMS

Practice GoodHousekeeping .

Storm drains are the greatest source of pollution tothe beaches and near-shore waters of the Bay.Unlike sewage and industrial discharges, this runoffcannot be adequately treated before it reaches theBay and our beaches. Practice these good house-keeping measures to reduce urban runoff.

[a.] Do not hose down your sidewalk, driveway,or patio—use a broom instead. This will preventstorm drain pollution.

[b.] Wash your car on the lawn, if you have one,instead of the driveway. Use a bucket or a hosewith a shut-off nozzle and preferably biodegrad-able soap. And when you’re done, put your washwater down a sink, toilet or cleanout. Nothingbut clear water should go down the storm drain.

[c.] Do not water your lawn so that runoff flowsinto the street, alleys or gutters. And if you usepesticides or fertilizers, use small amounts and becareful not to do so before it rains!

[d.] Report any clogged catch basins, stormdrains, illegal disposal of hazardous waste, over-watering, hosing down, and other wasteful usesto your water district or utility. These actions arein violation of City ordinances and damage theBay.

Properly dispose of your household hazardouswaste, as you did in Chapter . Don’t pour any-thing toxic down the drain or sewer.

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Reuse !

Remember the six-year drought? Did you keepa bucket in your shower? If you still do, congrats!If not, think about ways you can make use of water before it goes to waste. Take one action to completethis Green Step.

[a.] Take a 5-gallon bucket into the shower withyou. Use it for plants and lawn watering, cleaningor toilet flushing.

[b.] Save and make use of the water that goesdown the drain while you wait for it to get hot.You can cut out the tops of plastic one-gallonmilk jugs and gather “heat-up” water for cookingor plants. Or save the water you use to steam veg-etables and feed it to your plants. They’ll love theextra nutrients!

[c.] Don’t let rainwater slip away; collect it foryour plants or garden during winter storms.Funnel rain from your rooftop gutter into a largegarbage can and save it for a dry spell.

[d.] Think about getting a gray water recyclingsystem. Gray water is the non-toilet, chemical-free wastewater from your home. Use gray waterto wash your car, bike, tools and garbage contain-ers; water your house plants, lawn orgarden....and more. See the fact sheet in your InfoBinder.

[e.] If water quality is a concern, buy a chlorinefilter that attaches to your shower, faucet or watersource. For a lead test, send a self-addressed enve-lope to Lead and Copper Study Program, SFWD,PO Box , Millbrae CA . The test costs$ and you must be a San Francisco WaterDistrict customer.

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eco facts . reuse!

69 . Average number of gallons of water used

by residents each day:

106: San Francisco Bay Area

137: North Coast

216: San Joaquin River

119: Southern California

137: California on average

(CA Department of Finance)

Buy Water-EfficientGoods .

Most of the water you use is not what goes down the drain,it’s the water used to make the things you consume and runyour appliances. Agriculture uses % of the fresh water inCalifornia and the world. Take this Green Step to chooseless water-intensive foods and products.

[a.] Learn about foods that require lots of water, andconsume less of them. Buying foods in season from localfarms is a good way to start. In general, fresh vegetables,bread and rice take much less water to produce thandairy, meats and nuts. Take this action by researchingabout the amount of water needed to produce the vari-ous foods you eat.

[b.] Eat less beef, or none at all. Beef is one of the mostwater-intensive foods around. It takes 1,232 gallons toproduce one 8-ounce serving of steak!

[c.] If you purchase new appliances, consider a front-loading washing machine, which uses one-third lesswater (and energy) than the standard top-loadingmodel.

[d.] Favor those products made with “reclaimed” orrecycled wastewater used in their manufacturingprocess.

[e.] Can you think of other water-efficient goods?

Garden Wisely

Twenty minutes of outdoor watering can use up to

gallons of water. Why not plant what’s native and well-suited to your region? Many native plants take much lesswater, fertilizer and time to maintain. Take at least oneaction to complete this Green Step.

[a.] California has more kinds of native plants thanany place of its size in the world! Learn more.

> Join your local chapter of the California NativePlant Society. Check out the main websitewww.cnps.org for a chapter near you or call (916)447-2677. Most chapters have a newsletter listingupcoming plant sales, restoration projects, field trips ,plant science and conservation news.

> Read the book Water-Conserving Plants andLandscapes for the Bay Area. Available from the EastBay Municipal Utility District, () -. Or youcan order a set of free brochures on water-efficientlandscapng from San Francisco Water Department,() -.

> Contact the gardening organizations listed inGreen Step of Chapter .

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eco fact

70 . The following are the number of gallons

of water in California needed to produce

an edible pound of:

tomatoes 23 apples 49 milk 130

grapes 70 carrots 33 pork 1630

potatoes 24 oranges 65 eggs 544

chicken 815 wheat 25 lettuce 23

(EarthSave and Diet for A New America, by John Robbins)

eco facts . garden wisely

71 . Did you know eight out of ten plant

problems are caused directly or

indirectly by too much water?

(How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants that

Purify Your Home or Office by Dr. B.C.

Wolverton)

[b.] Learn to garden with native, drought-tolerantplants.

Native succulents, sedges, grasses and flowers usuallyrequire less fertilizer and pest control than non-nativespecies. They also need one-half the water.Landscaping with these species is known as “xeriscap-ing” (“xeros” means “dry” in Greek).

> For more information, visit the Garden for theEnvironment (at th Ave. and Lawton in SanFrancisco) or see Water-Wise Lawns & LawnAlternatives in your Info Binder.

[c.] Join an effort in your community to plant treesor grow gardens. There are many wonderful groups inthe Bay Area that hold work parties and regular gar-dening. You can contact one of the following groupsor look at Urban Gardening and Greening in yourInfo Binder for a complete list.

> Friends of the Urban Forest, () - orwww.fuf.net. Can help you organize tree-planting inyour neighborhood.

> San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG),() - or www.slug-sf.org offers classes, anUrban Youth Farm, a gardening educator trainingprogram and most of all...community gardens!

> East Bay Urban Gardeners (EBUG), () -.Check for a community garden near you.

9green step

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[d.] When you’re watering, use these practices toconserve:

• Water before am or after pm. If you water during warmer parts of the day, % can be lost to evaporation.

• Make sure your hose has a shut-off nozzle.• Water slowly and deeply, and don’t over-water.• Water only your plants, not the sidewalk.• Install a drip irrigation system for your yard and

potted plants.• Put a -inch layer of mulch around trees and

plants. Organic mulch such as wood chips willimprove the soil and slow water evaporation.

• Plant shrubs or trees instead of lawns and cool-season grasses, which use more water.

[e.] If you have an automatic irrigation system,review its schedule for efficiency. Read the manual forsuggested irrigation schedules suitable for our climateor contact your water district for recommendations.

[f.] If you have landscaping at your office, check tosee if it’s water-efficient. If you have automatic sprin-klers, how often and at what time of the day are theyused? Are they stopped after heavy rain? Are theychanged seasonally? If not, talk to the person incharge of landscaping.

Photo courtesy Friends of the Urban Forest,() -

GREEN STEP LOG: WATER

ALREADYDOING WILL


1. Water Audit (1) a a a

2. Fix your Faucets & Shower Head

a Install low-flow a a a

b Install faucet aerators b b b

c Use shut-off valve c c c

d Valve on hoses d d d

e Remodel with low-flow e e e

3. Retrofit the Toilet

a Displacement device a a a

b Fix leaky toilets b b b

c Get toilet rebate c c c

4. Check Your Water Habits (3)

a Turn it off a a a

b Use sink stoppers b b b

c Use short cycles c c c

d Don’t overwash d d d

e Take shorter showers e e e

f Reduce flushes f f f

g Use a broom g g g

h Cover pools & hot tubs h h h

i Use “heat-up” water i i i

j Collect rain water j j j

k Read more k k k

5. Practice Good Housekeeping (2)

a Don’t hose down a a a

b Car wash with care b b b

c Stop lawn runoff c c c

d Report water pollution d d d

ALREADYDOING WILL


6. Reuse!

a Collect shower water a a a

b Save warmup water b b b

c Gray water system c c c

d Chlorine filter d d d

e Wastewater audit e e e

Buy Water-Efficient Goods (1)

a Buy lower-water foods a a a

b Eat less beef b b b

c Front-loading machine c c c

d Reclaimed water d d d

e Think of others e e e

7. Garden Wisely (1)

a Learn about natives a a a

b Garden with natives b b b

c Join community work c c c

d Water plants wisely d d d

e Set irrigation system e e e

f Check work landscape f f f


WATER REPORT1. Turn to your Summary Report Form in the back of this workbook andrecord the results of your Water Audit (Green Step 1) and answer a fewadditional questions.


Actions:


WAT E R . 71

Community

123456

Goals:

Complete your personal action inventory.

Form one or more new Green Teams.

Help your city and region learn to practice sustainable lifestyles.

Processes:

In this chapter you will:> report your progress,> share your knowledge, and> impact your community.

Facts:

> Community and economic development are important areas of sustainability, involving issues such as employment; affordable housing; open space and recreational facilities; economic equity and social justice;services for the poor, disabled, elderly and children; and local artistic and cultural life.

> Sustainable programs recognize that the quality of life for all residents, the quality of the environment and the economic viability of the community are interderpendent.

> You can assist the community in making these goals a reality.

> This COMMUNITY chapter includes recording your progress, evaluating the program and

forming a new Green Team.

COMM

UNIT

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3

Let Us KnowWhat You Think .

[a.] Fill out an Evaluation Form so we can keepimproving the program! It will be provided by yourcoach.

RecordYour Progress .

It’s nice to know exactly how your changes are making adifference. By reporting your progress, we can provideyou with statistics showing the savings you’ve made inresources and money...both as an individual and a team.

[a.] To complete this stage of the process:

1. Take a look at your Green Step Logs. Circle anyactions you took but forgot to record.

2. Complete your Summary Report Form so we cancalculate your resource and monetary savings. If youhave time now, take a few minutes to complete it. Youwill need to perform a follow-up audit in solid wasteand water before the Community meeting. If youhaven’t finished these audits, please complete and sendto your coach within a week.

[b.] Decide with your team members if you want tohold a follow-up meeting in three months. Let yourcoach know if you're interested and schedule themeeting now.

> Some teams like to meet after they’ve had time toput all their actions into practice. They get together tochat, share and exchange information. They also can

Form aGreen Team .

You’ve done a lot! Do you want to pass on the messageto help others learn green habits, have fun and savemoney? Take this Green Step to create a new team.

[a.] Start now:

1. Decide with your teammates on a date when you canall come together to celebrate and share the programwith others. Choose a date at least two weeks from now,a location and time, and divide the responsiblities forrefreshments.

2. Think of at least four people you know who wouldbe interested in joining a team. Write their names in thelist on the next page.

3. Call them over the next few days to talk about theprogram and invite them to your celebration andinformation meeting. Your coach can provide flyers tosend or put under doors.

4. Three days before the meeting, make reminder callsto everyone you invited. Your coach will confirm themeeting with your team leader or host and help ironout any details.

5. Attend the meeting and have fun! Your coach orteam leader can lead the presentation, and give teammembers the chance to speak.

> Do you want to form a neighborhood team? Or startthe program at work? Do you have friends who mightbe interested in joining a team “at large”? Are thereothers at your church, synagogue, support or socialgroups who would like to participate?

> The best way to get someone to join a team isthrough a personal invitation. Until you share yourexperience, most people won’t take the time to attend anew event. Answer questions they may have and tellthem one goal of the program is to continue the impactby starting a new team.

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Impact YourCommunity .

Take one of these actions to extend your work intothe community. The world needs you! Just pick yourfavorite actions below and go for it.

> Write your legislators about a current issue ofyour choice. To make it easy, see your Info Binderfor a sample letter and list of representatives (City,state and national). Make a point of writing oneletter per month. It does make a difference. Forlocal letters, make sure you let them know it’s fromthe Green Team.

You can access current federal environmental leg-islation online at www.nrdc.org/legislation/leg-watch.asp or local .

> Volunteer in a local community or environ-mental group. They can always use your help. Alist is found in your Resource Binder.

> Make a donation to the environmental organi-zation of your choice. See your binder for a list.

> Plan a joint project with your Green Teammembers--like caulking and weatherstripping,tree planting, or dropping off hazardous waste.

> Educate yourself about one of the CommunityEnvironmental and Economic Development goalsof your city.

> Contact several of your local grocers and shopowners. Tell them about the kinds of productsyou’d like to buy in their stores. Try to be specific.

Many “green” brand names are listed in the booksSustaining the Earth and Nontoxic, Natural &Earthwise by Debra Lynn Dadd (Tarcher, -

-), and The Green Consumer (Penguin).

> Call a Senior Center to see if members wouldlike to form a Green Team. Or help bring environ-mental opportunities to older people who may beisolated at home.

> Talk to the principal at your local school aboutwhat you’ve been doing with your Green Teamand ask what the school provides on ecology andearth studies. Offer to serve as a resource. Maybeyou can help students plant flowers or compost,or volunteer to help kids at a church or daycare.

> Work with your apartment manager to take onsome of the building improvements in the work-book, or work with other apartment residents toform a new Green Team.

> The Bay Area’s rich cultural heritage and itscoastal ecology is something to celebrate. Takepart in the many local events such as at thePresidio that celebrate art and the environment.

COMM

UNIT

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5

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NOTES: COMMUNITY

NOTES:

Recycle. Drive less. Walk more. Waste less. Save water. Plant trees. Make every day an earth day.Rhoda Goldman, Co-Founder, Goldman Environmental Prize

If everybody did a little, then nobody would have to do a lot.

GREEN STEP LOG: COMMUNITY

GREEN STEP ACTION(S) SELECTED ACTION(S) COMPLETED

1. Record Your Achievements a b a b

2. Let Us Know What You Think a a

3. Form a Green Team a a

4. Impact Your Community List below. List below.

NOTES:

People to call Date called Response Reminder call

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

Meeting date: Time:

Location:

COMM

UNIT

Y . 7

7

Please fill out this form as you go through each chapter or at the end of the “water” meeting. Make sure to answer asmany questions as you can. To complete this form, you will need to perform a follow-up audit in solid waste and waterbefore the Community meeting. Please do not forget to bring this completed form to your Community meeting. Ourdatabase will calculate your resource and monetary savings based on the information supplied on this form. These indi-vidual and team results help the Green Team Project (GTP) to secure grant money and promote its program elsewhere butmore importantly, they demonstrate how much of a difference you as an individual and as a part of a team made in help-ing the environment.

Name _______________________________________ Team Name ______________________________

Date of first meeting ___________________________ Date of last meeting ________________________

How many people are in your household? ___________

WASTE

Please write the results of your Solid Waste Audits below and answer some follow-up questions to the Waste Chapter.

The solid waste that you collected in your audit was generated by how many people? __________

For this section, record the pounds of each type of solid waste generated in a week. Perform the same steps for the“Follow-up” Trash Audit as you did for the “Beginning” Audit once you have completed your conservation actions.Review the instructions in Green Step 1 in the Waste Chapter if you need help. If you absolutely cannot complete eitheraudit, make an educated guess based on a couple of days of trash and record your results below.

Pounds in one week Beginning Audit Follow-up Audit

Garbage

Recyclables

Junk Mail (optional)

Compost (optional)

Did you start composting during the program?

If yes or already composting, is it an indoor or outdoor program?

Is it a worm composting or regular composting system?

Did you start a home recycling system for the first time during the program?

If you recycled some uncommon items, what were they? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Look at the Green Step Log and write the total number of actions (a, b, c, etc.) you completed below.

Already doing before GTP _____ Completed during GTP _____ Plan to do in next months _____

CHEMICALS

Please write the results from your Chemical Audit and the results you achieved from your actions below.

How many chemical products did you find in your house during the audit? _____ Count the circles and write-ins. Ifyou had two containers of the same product count them as two separate items)

How many people do these products serve? _____ (e.g., number of people in your household)

SUMMARY REPORT FORM

yes no

yes no

already doing before GTP

already doing before GTP

78

CHEMICALS Continued

Please continue to write the results you achieved from your actions in the workbook below.

How many chemical products did you replace or eliminate altogether during the program? ____ If noted, what was the total number of ounces of all of these items? _______ ouncesOf the products you replaced or eliminated, estimate how often you bought each product in the last year (e.g., bought bleach once a month = 12 products a year). Then add all the estimates together to obtain the total products replaced/eliminated per year. _______

If you replaced/eliminated some products, what kind and how many were they?

Pesticides/Herbicides ____ Laundry Detergents ____ Cleaning Products ____General Household ____ Auto Products ____ Personal Care Products ____

Of those products you replaced, what did you replace them with? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Did you visit the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility?If yes, was this the first time?

Did you start or increase your consumption of organic food during the program?

If yes or you were already consuming organics before GTP, please estimate what percentage of the total foodyou buy is currently organic? _____%



ENERGY

Please record the results from your before and after Energy Audits below.

How many people does the energy supplied to your home serve? ________

Write your electricity and natural gas averages in the chart below:

Electricity Averages Dollars kWh Natural Gas Average Dollars Therms

Before GTP (averaged bill) Before GTP (averaged bill)

After GTP After GTP

What was the source of your energy before and after the program? Please write percentages if you knowthem (i.e., % standard system power and % renewables), in the chart below. If you are unsure, checkyour bill or contact your provider.

% Beginning Audit % Follow-up Audit

% system power (standard non-renewable sources)

% renewables (green energy sources)

yes no

SUMMARY REPORT FORM Continued Name:

79

yes no

yes no already doing before GTP

already visited before GTP

ENERGY Continued

Follow-Up Audit QuestionsThe following questions are about actions you took during the GTP program:

Hot WaterDid you install an insulating blanket?Did you wrap your pipes with insulation?Did you switch to using cold water when washing and rinsing? Did you turn your water heater down?

If so, by how many degrees? _________ ˚ FWhat was the setting before? ______˚ F Now? _____˚ F

Heating / Air ConditioningDid you begin to clean and replace filters more frequently?Did you adjust your thermostat and air conditioning according to guidelines?Did you install a setback thermostat?Did you plant a tree or two for natural passive cooling?

RefrigeratorDid you change your temperature setting on your fridge?

If yes, what was the setting before? ____ after? ___Did you replace your fridge with a more efficient model?

If yes, what is the energy consumption of the new model (check door)? ______ kWh per yearDid you unplug an extra refrigerator?

Doors, Windows & InsulationDid you fix all the leaks you listed?Did you install insulation in at least one place it was needed?

LightingHow many incandescent light bulbs did you replace with compact fluorescent bulbs? ______

GeneralDid you switch to a greener electricity provider?

If so, which provider? ____________________________Did you replace any other appliances other than the fridge with more energy-efficient models?

If so, which appliance(s)? _________________________

Look at the Green Step Log and write the total number of actions (a, b, c, etc.) you completed below:


yes no

yes no

yes no

yes no

yes no

yes no

yes noyes no

yes noyes no

yes no

yes no

yes no

yes no

yes no

80


TRANSPORTATION

Please answer the following questions:Do you own a car?

If yes, how many cars are in your household? _____

For your most frequently-used car:What kind of fuel/energy does your car use?

gasoline diesel electric hybrid solar CNG methanol other

How often do you have your car tuned? ______ times per yearWhat condition is your engine in?

Do you have gasoline-powered lawn equipment? If yes, how many hours do you use it per month? _____ hours per month

Do you have a motor boat? If yes, how many hours do you use it per month? _____ hours per month

Please record the results from your week long Transportation Audit below.

Most Frequently Used Car Car InformationTotal weekly car miles

Total annual car miles (Weekly miles X 52)

Fuel tank capacity in gallons (can often find in manual)

Miles per gallon (mpg)

Gallons of fuel used per week (Weekly miles / mpg)

Gallons of fuel used per year (Gallons per week X 52)

Pounds of CO2 generated per year (Gallons per year X 19.56)

Follow-up Audit Questions (to be answered after completing the actions in the Transportation chapter)

Please estimate how many car miles you now save per week by using the following chart below.

Action Miles Per Week Other Information

Ride-sharing # of people in (average) carpool: _____

Public transportation Cost in dollars of public transit per week: $_____

Walk or bike

Other ( telecommute, etc.)

How much are you now saving weekly by driving less (parking, bridge tolls, etc)? $_________

Did you buy a new car to replace the one you use most?

If yes, what type of vehicle is it? gasoline diesel electric hybrid solar CNG methanol other

How many MPG does your new car get? _________

Did you switch to using a manual lawn mower?


Already doing before GTP _______ Completed during GTP _______ Plan to do in next months _______

yes no

yes no

yes no

yes no


yes no

Good Fair Poor

81

TOUR OF THE HOUSE INFORMATION

Beginning Audit Questions:

Number of faucets in your house _______ showers _______ bathtubs _______ toilets _______Number of low-flow mechanisms already on or in your faucets before the program ____ showers ____ toilets ____ (1.6 gal)

What method do you use most often to wash your dishes? dishwasher by hand

Outdoor Water UseHow many hours a week do you water your outdoor plants? _____Do you have a drip system installed? Do you have a moisture sensor installed? Have you timed your irrigation cycles to see if they are properly regulated? Do you have a pool, hot tub or sauna?

If yes, what is its annual average temperature? _____ F Volume? _____Have you noticed water loss or plumbing leaks?

Follow-up Audit Questions:

How many of the following did you install during the program:faucet aerators/restrictors _____ low-flow showerheads _____ low-flow toilets _____

How many leaks did you fix during the program _____


Already doing before GTP_________ Completed during GTP _________ Plan to do in next months ________

WATER

For this section, record the number of gallons used in a day as well as your estimated monthly water use (daily use multipliedby 30 days). Perform the same steps for the “Follow-up” Water Audit as you did for the “Beginning” Audit once you have completed your chosen conservation actions. Review the instructions in Green Step 1 in the Water Chapter if you need help.If you absolutely can not complete the follow-up audit, make an educated guess based on your new conservation habits andthe national averages given in Green Step 1. Record your results below.

WATER AUDIT INFORMATION

Beginning Audit Follow-up AuditTotal daily water use? _______ gallons Total daily water use? _______ gallonsTotal monthly water use? _______ gallons Total monthly water use? _______ gallons

BILL INFORMATION

Beginning Audit (AVERAGED BILL) Follow-up Audit (MOST RECENT BILL)Average number of gallons used a month: _______ Number of gallons used last month: _______Average monthly bill: $______ Current water bill: $______Number of HCF’s* consumed per month _______ Number of HCF’s* consumed per month _______Cost/rate per HCF? _______ Cost/rate per HCF? _______Number of people included on bill: _______ Number of people included on bill : _______* HCF = hundred cubic feet or 748 gallons

yes noyes no

yes no not applicable

yes no

yes no

82


COMMUNITY

Do you plan to organize a Green Team?

If yes, where? (workplace, neighborhood, youth group, place of worship)

Please list what action(s) or commitment(s) you recently performed to impact your community? (i.e., wrote your legislator)

Do you have an interest in volunteering for the Green Team Project? If so, in what area(s)?

Coaching Office work Research for Resource Binder

Fairs and events Media/PR Recruitment Other

Did the Green Team experience interest you in a new community issue or activity?

If yes, what?

What topic areas interested you the most?

Waste Chemicals Energy

Transport Water Community

Please write any other comments below. (Did you make other savings you want to report, any unusual or joint projects, oractions that you particularly enjoyed?)

Thank you so much for taking the time to fill this form out.Now we can calculate your results!

Please note: Any answer left blank on this form will either be denoted as zero or not applicable

yes no

yes no


83

What did you like best about being on a team?

What did you like best about the Green Action Guide?

Did you get the help you wanted from your coach? If not, what else would have been helpful?

What did you like least about the program?

What did you like least about the Green Action Guide?

What changes or additions would you make to the program or the book?

Did you have any other resources or information that we should know about? Please use the backside if needed.

Your name

Your team

Date of last meeting

Please give this form to your coach or send it to us at:The GreenTeam ProjectP.O. Box 330786Atlantic Beach, FL 32233-0786phone: (⁾ - ⁄ fax: --

Thanks!

Let Us KnowWhat You Think .

[a.] Please take a few minutes to answer thesequestions. Your thoughts are important to us.They’ll help us to continue to improve the program.

2green step

NO

Copyright 1996-2003 The Tides Center / Green Team Project

C R E D I T S

Re s e a r c h a n d Wr i t i n g : Sarah HallP r o g r a m D eve l o p m e n t : Ann BorenD e s i g n a n d I l l u s t r a t i o n : Ted Bluey and Chris RooneyPhotography : Sarah F. Henderson Cover Photograph and additional shots: Terry LorantRe s e a r c h A s s i s t a n c e : Phillip Kearse and David CoaleC o n t r i b u t i n g E d i t o r : Christi GrahamE d i t i n g : Mary Ann AronsonP r i n t i n g : A. Maciel Printing

C o n t e n t R e v i e w :Solid Waste- Robert Haley, City and County of San Francisco Solid Waste Management Program; ToddSutton, Alameda County Waste Management AuthorityChemicals- Debra Dadd-Redalia; Maria Baird, City and County of San Francisco Hazardous WasteManagement ProgramEnergy- Cal Broomhead, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; Barbara George, Women’s EnergyMatters; Sue Fisher, Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyTransportation- Rochelle Wheeler, City of Berkeley; Maria Thayer, RIDES for Bay Area Commuters; JaneMcCrea, Bay Area Air Quality Management District; Malka Kopell, Community FocusWater- Jason Morrison, Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment and Security; Kim Knox,San Francisco Water DepartmentProcess review- Marian Rose and Alex Lau, Seal Rock Consulting Group

T H E G R E E N T E A M P R O J E C T

P ro j e c t D i r e c t o r : Sarah BorenN o n p r o f i t S p o n s o r a n d Pa r e n t O r g a n i z a t i o n : The Tides Center

T H A N K S !

The Green Action Guide was made possible through the generous support of Pacific Gas and ElectricCompany with grants from the Richard & Rhoda Goldman Fund and The ERM Group Foundation.Tree-free kenaf paper was provided by Dancing Tree Recycled Paper and Printing of Berkeley.Additional program funders are The Fred Gellert Foundation, The San Francisco Foundation and TheMerck Family Fund, with in-kind support provided by Bank of America.

Ac k n o w l e d g e m e n t s :We would like to acknowledge the contribution of David Gershon, President of Global Action Plan(GAP) and his staff for their training and support on the team model used in this project. We also wishto acknowledge the pioneering work of Beryl Magilavy and Barbara Bernadini of Sustainable City. Ourthanks to all EcoTeam and GreenTeam members and volunteers for their time and important feedback.Thanks also to the many other Bay Area environmental professionals who contributed.

N o t e :Any factual errors remain the responsibility of The Green Team Project, and not that of our reviewers or consultants. This document

does not necessarily represent the views of our funders, consultants or associates. We make no warranty and assume no legal liabili-

ty for the information in this document. Products and businesses mentioned are suggestions based on the experience of our partic-

ipants and available literature. Inclusion in this book does not imply an endorsement or guarantee of results. We welcome sugges-

tions for future editions! Contact us at P.O. Box 330786, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233-0786, Tel: () -, Fax: (904)242-2759 or

via Email: [email protected]

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