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Green Tips: Celebrate National Bike to Work Day

What better way to celebrate warmer weather than to go for a bike ride? There are so many reasons to hop on a bike and cruise around. Bike riding is good for your health and the environment. It can also help you save money by spending less on transit.

This month is National Bike Month, initially established in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists and meant to celebrate the many benefits of bike riding. Friday, May 17th is National Bike to Work Day – dubbed the national day of “commuting without polluting!” Bike to Work Day is an opportunity to see the benefits of bike riding for yourself, try something new and get some more exercise. Before hitting the open road, check out some of our tips.

Do it with others. Enlist your partner, co-worker, roommate, friend, or family member to ride with you. Encouraging others to participate will not only give you company, but it will also benefit their health and the environment too!

Bike Share. Not ready to buy a bike? No problem. Join a bike share program. New York City has the Citi Bike program, Albany has CDPHP Cycle, and Buffalo has Reddy Bikeshare. There are others. Do a quick search to see if your town has a program. You can also borrow a bike from a friend or family member.

Join or plan a Bike Month event. The League of American Bicyclists has a great guide for Bike Month events here. Living in NYC? NYLCVEF’s partner organization, Transportation Alternatives, is coordinating events all over the city. Check them out here.

Plan ahead. Do your research ahead of time to plan the best route. Scout out where there are bike lanes or where you can ride safely. If possible, avoid construction areas where there may be uneven pavement or loose stones. NYC residents can use this map of bike lanes and paths to plan their journey.

Stay hydrated. You may be thirstier than usual during your workday. Make sure to give your reusable water bottle an extra fill on Bike to Work Day.

Safety is key. Wear a helmet. Check your bike over, including tire pressure, before getting on the road. Obey traffic laws and learn bike hand signals!

Most of all, have fun!

Green Tips: Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day, we celebrate and honor mothers everywhere. When getting a gift for mom this year, why not consider honoring Mother Earth too? 

Check out our Mother’s Day Green Gift Tips:  

Flowers:

Flowers are popular for Mother’s Day, but most are grown using an energy-sucking production process that depends on refrigerants and long-distance transporting, both of which contribute to increased carbon emissions. Instead, make sure the bouquets you buy have been certified as USDA organic, or by purchasing them from growers with Veraflora certification, which ensures providers meet sustainability standards and ethical work practices.

This list recommends some sustainable florists. You can also try online sustainable florists.

Chocolate:

Chocolates are another time-honored Mother’s Day gift, but how can you tell if those delectable morsels are organic? Cocoa farmers still use high levels of pesticides. Look for chocolate that meets USDA organic standards, which prohibits the use of harmful chemicals. To make sure you’re buying sustainable and ethically produced chocolate, check the label to see if it’s certified by third parties like the Rainforest Alliance, or UTZ.

Restaurants:

Taking mom out for dinner? Try a close-to-the source sustainable restaurant. Eating locally grown food helps eliminate transportation emissions and it supports your local farmers.

New York’s agricultural industry has a long history, especially in the Hudson Valley region. The Hudson Valley is home to organic farms and restaurants that offer farm-to-table food. You can find lists of places to visit at Travel Hudson Valley or Local Harvest.

To find such a restaurant in other regions, visit the Sustainable Restaurant Association or this listing from New York Upstate.

Plant a Tree in Her Honor

You can plant a tree in the backyard after doing research about what breeds are good for your particular climate. Or, you can plant it elsewhere through organizations such as the National Forest Foundation and American Forests. Trees benefit soil health and mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere and reducing runoff by catching rainwater. They also provide habitats for critters, like birds, rodents, and insects.

Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the day with your family!

Green Tips: Eating Locally

Local farms grow fresh and highly nutritious foods compared to foods found in the supermarket. Crops are harvested at their peak of flavor and ripeness and since less time elapses from harvesting to eating, they retain more nutrition. Also, buying locally supports smaller farmers in your region, helping to develop strong local economies. Many local farms use more sustainable practices, like avoiding genetically modifications or harmful pesticides. Meat and dairy also tend to be free-range or free of antibiotics and added hormones.

We know choosing food can be overwhelming, so we’ve put together tips for how you can start eating locally:

 

1) Shop at local farmers markets:

 

Visit your local farmers market to support your local economy and stock your home with fresh produce. By shopping local, you can reduce your carbon footprint because food is not shipped from distant regions. Shopping locally doesn’t mean breaking the bank. Farmers markets generally have competitive prices since they sell directly to consumers, cutting out the “middleman.” Find your local farmers markets on the Farmers Market section of LocalHarvest.org. You can also find registered farmers markets in your area on the USDA Local Food Directories.

2) Join a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program:

CSAs create investment in farms near you. They provide farmers with upfront funding, allowing them to spend more time in the field, rather than trying to make enough sales at farmers’ markets. You can join your local CSA by purchasing a “share” and each week you will receive or pick up a box of seasonal and locally grown produce. Many farmers also provide CSA members with a list of expected produce and recipes on how to cook or prepare meals. Joining a CSA is good for the environment because local family farms are more likely to adopt sustainable agriculture practices, compared to industrial agriculture that typically focus more on quantity than quality. Find a CSA near you on the CSA section of LocalHarvest.org.

3) Visit a local farm or U-pick:

Many farms that participate in farmers markets also have options for you to pick your own produce on-site. These farms are sometimes referred to as U-pick farms. Since farmers do not have to travel to markets to sell you their products, you may find that picking your own food at a local farm comes with reduced prices. Picking your own food is a great learning opportunity for kids about where food comes from and the importance of how it is grown. Find your local U-pick farm here or visit the Farms section of LocalHarvest.org.

4) Shop seasonally and read labels:

Another simple way to eat locally is to learn what foods are in season at your supermarket. This can help you decide what foods to avoid at your grocery store that have been shipped from other regions or countries. Start reading labels on your food to learn where it is being sourced. Ensuring seasonal and local products reduces harmful carbon emissions from food miles, or the distance food travels from where it is grown to where it is purchased.

Use these guides to learn what foods are in season in your area.

The freezer is your friend! If you’re missing your favorite summer fruits in winter, learn how to freeze fruits and vegetables.

5) Find restaurants that source food locally:

Farm to table restaurants, or restaurants that source food from local farmers, are a great way to eat out while making conscious decisions about the environment. Farm to table restaurants usually change their menus based on what foods are in season and fresh. If a restaurant does not advertise a locally grown mission or provide information on their menu, ask your server for more information. Supporting farm to table restaurants assures that your food is local and is not creating an unnecessary carbon footprint. Whether at home or traveling, find restaurants that source food locally with this site that searches for sustainable food based on your zip code. You can also use the Local Eats app and check farm-to-table as a requirement.

6) Grow your own food in a garden:

If you want to eat as locally as possible, consider growing your own food! While starting your own fruit or vegetable garden may seem daunting, it is actually fairly easy to start a small garden that can generate a significant amount of food. Starting your own garden allows you to control pesticide use, customize fertilizer and soil, and eliminate packaging and carbon emissions typically linked with buying produce.

A good way to get started is to visit your local garden center to talk with an expert about your space and goals. For apartment dwellers lacking space, try vertical gardening and choose products that can grow in pots. Even herbs can easily survive on a window sill. Check out this list of the ten best garden crops for beginners.

Green Tips Earth Day Edition: Protecting Biodiversity

The first Earth Day celebration happened on April 22, 1970 when around 20 million people across the US engaged in massive protests against environmental degradation. Since then, April 22nd has become known as a day when people from all over the world unite to tackle the most pressing environmental challenges.

The theme of this year’s Earth Day is Protect our Species. Our world is currently in the midst of the largest species extinction in the last 60 million years, which is 1,000 to 10,000 times more than the normal rate. These widespread reductions in plant and wildlife populations are a direct consequence of human activities that have significantly altered natural habitats. Estimates suggest that humans have impacted 83% of Earth’s land surface.

New York State is home to approximately 150 fish and wildlife species considered to be endangered (learn more about them here). To do your part to protect these species and their habitats, check out our special Earth Day edition of Green Tips: Protecting Biodiversity.

First, what is biodiversity? According to National Geographic, “biodiversity refers to all the different kinds of living organisms within a given area. Biodiversity includes plants, animals, fungi, and other living things.” So, the more species that go extinct, the less biodiversity we have. And, as scientists, researchers, and advocates across the globe agree, biodiversity is important, for our health and the health of the planet. Here’s a short list of what you can do today to protect biodiversity.

  1. Support the fight against climate change:
  1. Beat pollution:
  •         Leave no trace – When you’re enjoying the outdoors this spring and summer, make sure to take all of your trash with you. Avoid going off-trail and making contact with the wildlife. Look but don’t touch!
  •         Get informed about your products – Toxic chemicals from our cleaning products and different industrial processes contaminate our soils and waterways. Properly dispose of all chemical products such as medicines, paints, solvents etc. Also avoid using sunscreen lotions that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals believed to cause harm to marine life and coral reefs. Learn more about smart products using the Environmental Working Group’s guides.
  1. Start at home:
  •         Avoid fertilizer and pesticides – Fertilizer provides nutrients to plants, which helps them grow and thrive. However, over-fertilizing can kill plants and can find its way into streams and lakes, which feed algae and can lead to toxic algal blooms, which kill fish and other wildlife. Look for phosphorus-free fertilizer. Pesticides may seem like a quick and easy option to get rid of garden pests, but they can cause serious harm to our families’ health and get into our waterways. Avoid infestations from the outset and don’t use items that contain synthetic pesticides. Check out this guide for more info.
  •         Plant a pollinator-friendly garden – Create a habitat right in your yard by planting native trees, flowers, and shrubs. You’ll be rewarded all summer long with beautiful colors and butterfly and bird-watching opportunities.
  1. Get involved:
  •         Volunteer in protecting the wildlife – Get out for a river or park clean-up this summer. Not only will you be spending time outside, you’ll be making a difference and restoring crucial habitats for plants and animals to thrive. Participate in I Love My Park Day on May 4th.

Green Tips: Best Day in the Park

Earth Day is April 22nd but we’re celebrating all month! Help us honor the natural environment by spending time visiting your local park or playground.

Parks and green spaces are one of our most valuable environmental resources. They help mitigate climate change, provide clean air, create habitats for wildlife, and serve as a great space to enjoy nature with friends and family!

Find which of New York’s 88 state parks are near you or what city parks are located in your borough. Here are some green tips on having the best day in the park.

Be Active

  • Get some exercise. According to a 2018 report by the Center for Disease Control, only about 23% of Americans get the recommended amount of exercise per week. Exercising outdoors is good for the environment because it avoids work-out machines that use energy. In addition to decreasing carbon emissions, exercising outdoors can provide a better appreciation for nature, which can positively impact how you treat the environment. Go for a run, a bike ride, or a hike. You can also play some classic park games such as kickball, basketball, or soccer. Check out these kid-friendly games you can try with the whole family.
  • Bring your dog. Visiting pet-friendly parks with furry companions is another great way to stay active. Your dog’s playful running, digging, and burying can benefit soil. Digging up the soil exposes it to air, which helps renew and enrich the environment. Make sure to be aware of leash regulations. While there are no statewide leash regulations for dogs, check your local town’s regulations. In NYC, dogs must be on a leash from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, so be sure to plan your trips accordingly.
  • Enjoy the fresh air. Trees in parks improve air quality by storing carbon and removing pollutants from the atmosphere. Simply taking a walk in a park can help you breathe clean, fresh air that can boost your immune system, reduce stress, and energize your body.

Learn About Nature

  • Bring nature books. Parks hold an abundance of information about nature and can serve as an outdoor classroom for your nature education. Find books that interest you at your local library and use them to explore bird watching, identify plants, or monitor insect activity on your next nature walk. Check out this guide for animal tracking, or these recommendations for birdwatching books and mobile apps to get you started.
  • Go on a scavenger hunt. This family-friendly activity is a great way to enhance your education of nature and motivate children. Create a list of items that you may come across in a park such as different types of leaves, trees, rocks, and pinecones. Make a nature journal and log your findings! Learning about the environment not only teaches us how to care for the earth and our community, but also raises awareness of behaviors that may harm the environment. Check out the NYS Department of Conservation’s Watchable Wildlife guide if you’re wondering where to go or what you can see. Environmental education promotes engagement and can foster critical thinking about environmental solutions.
  • Become a Citizen Scientist. Citizen Scientist programs can help you learn about the environment while completing important scientific research. People of all skill levels can become citizen scientists to collect data and contribute to important environmental work.

Other Fun Park Activities

  • Have a picnic with local foods. Eating sustainably and locally supports New York’s agriculture and reduces emissions. Eating locally reduces food miles, or the distance it takes to transport food to your community. Fewer food miles means less polluting emissions. Be sure to avoid plastic waste by packing your lunch in reusable containers and using reusable water bottles. Don’t forget to clean up all your trash, as the park provides important habitats for New York’s wildlife!
  • Pay it forward. Dedicate some time to give back to the parks by volunteering through your local, state, or national parks! Cleaning up trails, organizing events, and caring for local ponds are important ways to help. You can also bring a trash bag and gloves on your own park trips to clean up any trash you see.

Green Tips: Taking Advantage of the Longer Daylight Hours This Spring

Spring has arrived, and with it, more hours of sunlight. Soon we will see warmer temperatures, grass becoming greener, and birds migrating north. As the season changes, we may begin to think about spending more time outdoors. A University of Michigan study found that spending 30 minutes or more outside in spring weather was linked to better mood and memory.

We hope you will take advantage of the changing season while remaining mindful about our environment. Here are some tips to make your spring activities even greener:

Keep the light off. With more sunlight, you can use indoor lighting less, which has an impact on energy use. A recent study by the Department of Energy found that there was a decrease in 1.3 billion kilowatt hours in spring, or enough to run a dishwasher in every house in the US for over a week. Learn more here about how the direction of your windows can impact your lighting without overheating your home.

Read a book outside: Reading by natural light is a nice change from reading under that indoor lamp. You’ll also be cutting back on your electricity usage.

Walk, run or hike after work: With more light into the evening hours, you can spend time outside after work. Go for a walk or jog in your favorite park, take a bike ride, or head to your local playground. Being active and enjoying nature is good for your physical health too.

Take dinner outside: Have a picnic in the park or cook on the grill outside with friends or family. Remember to avoid disposable cookware whenever possible, and always take your trash with you.

Hang-dry your laundry. Let the sun work its magic, and revert to your dryer only on rainy days. Air-drying clothes, bedding, and towels can reduce the average household’s carbon footprint by 2,400 pounds a year and saves money on your utility bill. Read more about greening your laundry routine here.

Open the windows: Ventilating interior rooms with fresh air can remove indoor pollutants, like fumes from cleaning products and gas stoves, building materials, and tobacco smoke.

Start your own garden: Spring is the perfect time to plan your vegetable or herb garden. Growing your own vegetables promotes a healthy and sustainable lifestyle and avoids unwanted chemicals that can be used to grow vegetables typically sold in grocery stores. Plant seasonal vegetables such as lettuce, peas, and broccoli. Growing your own food also means less trips to the grocery store, good for the planet and your wallet.

Green Tips: Spring Cleaning

Spring is here and that means it’s time for spring cleaning! Motivated by warmer weather and sunshine, many people take time in spring to do a thorough cleaning of their homes, removing any lingering buildup or dirt from the winter months.

It’s not just a time for washing and scrubbing, but people also clean their home by clearing out any unused items and reducing clutter. Make sure you’re practicing a green spring cleaning routine this year by following our tips:

Cleaning Products

Cleaning products can be harmful to the environment, as many of them contain harsh chemicals. After using these products at home, the chemicals are rinsed down the drain, which leads to a wastewater treatment plant. The plant removes the majority of contaminants before releasing the water back into rivers and lakes. Unfortunately, not all contaminants from these cleaning products are removed, which can negatively impact marine life, not to mention the health of you and your family.

  • When preparing for spring cleaning, purchase non-toxic or biodegradable cleaning products that use natural ingredients. Check out this list of eco-friendly cleaning products. Check how your existing products rate by using the Environmental Working Group’s guide to products.
  • You can also make your own cleaning supplies from natural ingredients at home. White vinegar can be used to remove tough mold or mildew buildup in the bathroom, get rid of smudges on glass or porcelain, dissolve rust, or deter insects. Baking soda can scrub out baked-on residue from pots and pans and can be made into a paste with a little bit of water to get rid of mold. Add lemon juice to baking soda and use it to polish metal, chrome, or stainless steel in your kitchen. Read more ways to use baking soda around the house here. Add some essential oils for fresh and natural fragrances.
  • Ditch synthetic air fresheners and make homemade potpourri. You can customize your potpourri with this easy recipe, creating a cozy and nontoxic atmosphere in your home.

Decluttering

The average New Yorker produces 25 pounds of trash per week. This spring, avoid sending things to the landfill!

  • Avoid paper towels as much as possible. Instead, use sponges or convert old t-shirts and towels into washcloths. Reuse old toothbrushes to clean smaller nooks and corners. You can even turn an old towel into a reusable cover for a Swiffer.
  • When organizing your closet, basement, attic, or any messy place in your home, figure out what things you actually need and what things you no longer use. Before throwing anything away, see if you can reuse it or up-cycle the old item into something with a new purpose. Read our up-cycling tips here.
  • Can’t reuse it? Recycle, give it away to a friend, or donate items to your local thrift shop, charity or nonprofit. You can find places to bring your old stuff in New York City here.

Green Tips: Celebrate World Water Day by Conserving Water at Home

In last week’s Green Tips, we suggested ways to celebrate and protect water in honor of World Water Day on March 22, 2019. We can also celebrate this day by conserving water at home. In the U.S., the average household uses 400 gallons of water a day! Cut back by trying some of our tips below:

In the kitchen:

  • Consider upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-rated dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand. These can save over 20 gallons of water. Also, run the dishwasher only when it’s full.
  • Wash your vegetables in a bowl instead of under running water in the sink. Doing this eliminates excess water from being wasted while running.
  • Eat more veggies in general. Producing meat, poultry, and dairy products involve the use of water-intensive feed, such as corn and soybeans. Conserve the need for this type of feed by cutting back on meat in your diet. Read our guide to Meatless Mondays for more information.

In the bathroom:

  • Did you know that the bathroom wastes more water than any other room in your house?
  • Take shorter showers. Install a low flow showerhead to save water. Pro-tip: take a bucket in with you to capture runoff water for your plants.
  • Toilets use the most water in the house: 5 to 7 gallons per flush. Consider a low-flow toilet, since they use as little as 1.6  gallons per flush. Alternately, just flush less! You can also place a plastic bottle full of water in the toilet tank to reduce the gallons of water used in flushing. But, don’t use a brick since it will release sediment!
  • Toilet leaks can waste up to 100 gallons of water a day. Check for leaks annually by dropping a dye tablet or food coloring in the tank. If the color of the water in the bowl changes, you need to repair the toilet mechanism.
  • Brush your teeth and shave without leaving the water running in the sink. An average of 2.5 gallons of water per minute runs from most bathroom faucets. Simply save it by turning off your faucet until you need it.

Around the house:

  • Go through your home to look for dripping faucets, hoses, and sprinklers. Fix faucet drips by replacing washers and put aerators on the faucets.
  • You may be able to get a home water audit from your local government. New York City offers a do-it-yourself water audit. Take a look at Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties for more home audit suggestions.

In the Yard:

  • A large portion of the 30-60% of our drinking water that is used for gardening is wasted by overwatering lawns or misdirecting sprinklers. Make sure your sprinkler is set to deliver only the amount of water that is necessary for your lawn.
  • In summer, don’t water lawns during drought alerts. You can also replace the lawn with plants that use less water, such as succulents, and plants that thrive in hot, dry weather.

Visit your local car wash instead of washing your car with a hose. This not only benefits your small business community, but it could also save between 50 to 100 gallons of water.

Green Tips: Celebrating Water on World Water Day (and Beyond)

March 22, 2019 marks the 25th annual World Water Day. This United Nations observance day celebrates the importance of freshwater worldwide and raises awareness of the global water crisis. The theme of 2019’s World Water Day is “Leaving No One Behind,” highlighting the fact that over two billion people worldwide, particularly marginalized groups, do not have access to safe, clean, sustainably managed water in their homes, schools, and workplaces.

World Water Day 2019 reminds us that globally, clean drinking water is scarce and precious, and should be protected and celebrated. Global water cycles are increasingly disrupted by climate change, groundwater depletion, and increases in population and demand for freshwater. The decisions we make about how we use and conserve our water resources can impact our communities, cities, and beyond. Check out our tips for how you can celebrate and protect the water that we all rely on:

  • Use water wisely. The average water footprint of a person in the U.S., including the water that goes into the food we consume, is 2,220 gallons per day. Calculate your water footprint here, and challenge yourself to reduce it. Turning off the tap when it’s not in use, taking shorter showers, and checking your pipes for leaks go a long way towards lowering your water consumption. However, you may be surprised to learn that your diet accounts for around two-thirds of your daily water intake.
  • Celebrate your water source. Find out where your freshwater comes from – and celebrate it! One way to show your water source a little love this World Water Day is to organize or participate in a local clean-up. Contaminants including microplastics can make their way into our drinking water and so it is important to reduce plastic use, dispose of plastics properly, and help remove plastics from streams and reservoirs. You can also learn more about your water source by participating in water quality monitoring efforts and by supporting green infrastructure projects in your community.
  • Support clean water innovators and initiatives. Consider donating to one of the many organizations working with global communities to meet drinking water needs. Alternatively, or in addition, lend your support to innovators who are developing creative ways to deliver safe, clean water to communities worldwide.
  • Attend – or create – a World Water Day event near you. You can find a list of World Water Day events here. You can also add your own event, such as a documentary screening or a clean-up event, to this list. These events provide an opportunity to learn more about global water challenges and our role in ensuring a safe, sustainable future for freshwater worldwide.

By Talia Sechley

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