EcoVillageGreen

Organic Fruit Baskets: A Present Without Pesticides

Nicola Temple — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:01:31 +0000

Organic fruit baskets make a great gift for almost any occasion. Spending a little more to go organic means you aren’t giving unwanted pesticides along with the pears! In 2011, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published their Shopper’s Guide. The guide lists the best and the worst produce in terms of residual pesticide levels and it’s a [...]

Five Places To Find Environmental Careers…And Other Tips

Nicola Temple — Mon, 21 May 2012 14:01:17 +0000

Environmental careers have made a substantial shift in the last decade; moving from the fringe and into the mainstream. The days of stereo-typing environmentalists as dread-wearing, patchouli oil dipped tree-huggers are over. These days, your career environmentalist is just as likely to be wearing a suit in a board room. This is an important shift, [...]

A Solar Battery Charger Is A Great Option For Trickle-Charging

Nicola Temple — Fri, 18 May 2012 20:03:57 +0000

A solar battery charger is a wonderful gadget, but in my experience it has its time and place. Not surprisingly, going solar is ideal when you’re off the grid, but have you considered it for trickle-charging? We’ve covered solar chargers in a few previous articles here on EcoVillageGreen and so I wanted to take a [...]

The Five Ws Of WaterSense

Nicola Temple — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:37:23 +0000

The WaterSense label is essentially to water what the EnergyStar label is to energy; a certification that a product has met with strict standards in terms of efficiency. Some people may not be as familiar with the WaterSense as the program was only started in 2006, compared with EnergyStar, which began in 1992. So, I [...]

Unscrambling Organic Eggs: The Standards Behind The Label

Nicola Temple — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:08:22 +0000

I am a confirmed egg lover. I think I’ve mentioned in previous posts here on EVG that our family eats a mainly vegetarian diet and the only reason it’s not vegan is because I can’t give up eggs…and at our house, it’s ALWAYS organic eggs! There’s no denying, however, that my desire to have organic [...]

Ten Advantages Of Recycled Plastic Lumber

Nicola Temple — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:16:47 +0000

Recycled plastic lumber, also known as plastic wood, is something we see more and more in our outdoor environments. It’s a common construction material for outdoor furniture, playgrounds, decks, and even railway ties. However, if you’ve ever compared a traditional wood Adirondack chair with a recycled plastic version you will notice two things: the plastic [...]

Two Simple Recipes For Making Natural Handmade Soap

Nicola Temple — Wed, 09 May 2012 13:55:56 +0000

Natural handmade soap is one of those delightful things I love to pick up and smell at local markets. Some of them smell good enough to eat and, quite frankly, bare an uncanny resemblance to a slab of fudge! Soap-making is a very popular hobby these days. For starters, it’s wonderful to make your own [...]

The Lifecycle Of Renewable Energy Certificates

Nicola Temple — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:57:00 +0000

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are also known as green tags, renewable energy credits, renewable electricity certificates or tradable renewable certificates. Regardless of what they’re called, the bottom line is that they can be relatively confusing. I’ve read a great deal about RECs lately and perhaps it’s the way my brain thinks…but I find RECs to [...]

What Motivates You To Eat Organic Meat?

Nicola Temple — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:49:32 +0000

When I started to write an article about organic meat, I honestly thought it would be fairly straightforward and I would list some pros and cons and be done with it. It was not to be so. In hindsight, it’s not surprising that when I looked into the consumption of organic meat and meat in [...]

The Most Eco Friendly Cars, 2012

Nicola Temple — Wed, 02 May 2012 13:59:48 +0000

I finally got around to watching the film ‘Who Killed the Electric Car?’; mainly so I could watch the more recent ‘Revenge of the Electric Car’. It’s got me thinking about cars and as a result I’ve compiled a list of the most eco friendly cars for 2012. I have to admit that I haven’t [...]

Five Natural Ant Killer Recipes To Try During Your Next Home Invasion

Nicola Temple — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:38:34 +0000

Let me start this post by saying that I’m a huge fan of ants. We all should be; life simply wouldn’t exist as we know it without them as they play many critical ecological roles. However, there are times when these little lovelies invade our homes and become a nuisance, and then it’s time to [...]

Organic Honey: What’s Behind The Label?

Nicola Temple — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 20:16:19 +0000

Most of us who support organic farming practices are likely to reach for the certified organic honey label rather than the non-organic brand. But not so fast! There are some things you should know about US certified organic honey before you buy. Don’t worry, I’m not about to reveal some shocking conspiracy covered up by [...]

Five Pros And Four Cons Of Switching To An Electric Lawn Mower

Nicola Temple — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:17:07 +0000

When I think of air pollution, my thoughts immediately turn to vehicle exhaust and industry. However, all the small engines that we use daily, such as snow blowers and lawn mowers, make a significant contribution to air pollution. Switching to an electric lawn mower can help reduce these urban emissions. In this article, I’ll discuss [...]

Biodegradable Sunscreen Is A Must Have For Water-Lovers And Reef-Lovers Alike

Nicola Temple — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 12:42:25 +0000

Having lived for a few years in Australia, I know all too well the importance of sunscreen. Having also spent a lot of time diving on coral reefs, I also know the importance of using a biodegradable sunscreen. Millions of sunscreen-slathered divers and snorkelers jump into the ocean each year to enjoy the splendor of our reefs. However, tour [...]

The Top Five Energy Efficient Dishwasher Models For 2012

Nicola Temple — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 14:08:26 +0000

In order to round out our energy efficient appliances series for 2012, here’s a list of the most energy efficient dishwasher models currently on the market. Again, I’m turning to ENERGY STAR as products that have earned this label have to be 10% more energy efficient and 12% more water efficient than standard dishwasher models. [...]

The Most Energy Efficient Air Conditioners For 2012

Nicola Temple — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:34:23 +0000

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to look at the most energy efficient air conditioners on the market for 2012. After all, heating and cooling your home can make up about 50% of your energy bill, so investing in efficient air conditioning is economically wise as well as environmentally friendly. I’ve looked at [...]

The Top High Efficiency Washing Machine Choices For 2012

Nicola Temple — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:23:42 +0000

I was glancing back at Joe’s article on the Top Five High Efficiency Washing Machine Choices for 2010 and it really struck me how washers have improved in just two short years. The top models in 2010 had an estimated annual energy use of 107 kWh/year, whereas the 2012 top models are down to 83 [...]

The Most Energy Efficient Televisions for 2012

Nicola Temple — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:05:44 +0000

Televisions have become the centrepiece of many households; a window, if you will, to worlds we may not otherwise be able to access. Over the years our televisions have grown, as has their energy use. So, which are the most energy efficient televisions on the market for 2012? Shockingly, some of the larger, high resolution [...]

The Most Energy Efficient Refrigerators, 2012 Edition

Nicola Temple — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:34:15 +0000

I’m following in Joe’s footsteps this year and listing the most energy efficient refrigerators available in 2012. So, if you’re considering a new fridge, read on. If you’re not sure whether you need a new fridge, you might need to do some energy calculations to determine whether a new efficient fridge will save you money. [...]

Nine Tips For Caring For Your Reclaimed Hardwood Floor

Nicola Temple — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 13:45:52 +0000

If you have installed a reclaimed hardwood floor, with all its character and beauty, you’re likely going to want to know how to maintain it. Sure, it’s probably been around for a hundred years already, but that’s all the more reason not to mess it up on your watch! There are some very basic tips [...]