The diapers are FREE of chlorine processing; they are also FREE of fragrances, latex and petroleum-based lotions, so you get to decide what touches your baby’s sensitive skin.  Another cool thing is that the diaper’s core has been redesigned so that is more efficient at absorption and uses less processed chlorine free wood pulp = better for the environment than traditional disposable diapers.

I highly recommend these chlorine free diapers and they have been working great for the last three months!

Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

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I always found Christmas a time consuming holiday… running to the Christmas tree lot to buy a tree, having to bring the decorations inside from storage, setting the decorations out, spending a few hours arranging things just right; and that was just for the tree! I really did think that maybe I could reduce the time commitment by ordering a fake Christmas tree online and reusing it every year. Surprising, my not as eco-conscious husband pointed out that maybe, just maybe, that wasn’t the route to go. He sent me the below email for backup, in case I didn’t believe him.

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

http://jaymecarleton.com

By JOHN COLLINS RUDOLF

The New York Times

In these eco-conscious times, many people want to shrink their environmental footprint while still enjoying the trappings of the holiday season. In some cases, the earth-friendly alternative – pass the tofurky – is a pretty obvious choice. But in others, the answer is not so clear. When it comes to Christmas trees, for instance, which is better for the planet: the long-lasting artificial kind, or the freshly cut, pine-scent-and-sap variety?

As I report in Saturday’s Times, at least one major study found that the real tree was probably the better choice. But as I found during my reporting, many consumers still believe that a faux fir is less harmful to the environment than the real thing.

That’s because an artificial tree can be used again and again, unlike a real tree, which is tossed out at the end of the season. Yet as it turns out, that’s not enough to tilt the scales in the fake tree’s favor. The resources used to make artificial trees — plastic and metal — have a high extraction cost, and most trees are made in China, meaning they need to be shipped thousands of miles before they reach American shores.

Real trees are also biodegradable and can be composted or turned into mulch; fake trees are almost all fated to end up in a landfill one day.

Artificial Christmas trees continue to sell by the truckload, of course — according to industry estimates, sales in the United States may hit 13 million this year.

Most faux trees have a lifespan of about six to 10 years, surveys have found, at which point they start to look a bit ragged and consumers chuck them out. At this point, they’re off to the landfill.

What about recycling? I posed this question to Jami Warner, executive director of the American Christmas Tree Association, which represents makers of artificial trees.

“All the materials in an artificial Christmas tree are recyclable and trees are recycled now,” Ms. Warner wrote in an e-mail.

Technically, this might be true. But all the municipal recycling programs I queried said they did not recycle artificial trees — and for good reason: artificial trees are largely made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is in most cases prohibitively expensive to recycle. I mentioned this fact to Ms. Warner, who said the onus rested with the cities, not her industry.

“Ultimately trees are likely to end up in landfills until cities offer recycling programs,” Ms. Warner wrote.

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- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

Whether or not to sell your primary residence might be the most important decision you make in the next few months. If you decide to sell, don’t jeopardize the decision by making the costly mistake of over-improving your nest egg – or racing to create a new room the new owner might enjoy.

Major structural changes, especially in this economic environment, need to be intensively scrutinized. Ninety percent of all remodeling projects take more than one year of appreciation to recover the costs of the improvement.

And, some projects never even get close to becoming a financial wash. Don’t get carried away with a pet project that may draw the eye of a certain set of home buyers.

The solution? Paint, paint and simply paint some more. Paint is the least expensive and the most profitable improvement you can make. For example, be certain your entry is especially crisp and bright. Take advantage of your outside trim and highlight it with a color that truly makes your home stand out on the street.

Thinking about a color for the kids’ old bedrooms? Most prospective buyers won’t see the magic of magenta or the charisma of chartreuse. Stay boring, and attractive, with light beige and don’t wander very far from off white.

If you want to be bold, be sure you know the type of buyer who will be looking at your home before you bring out your version of “wow” yellow in the den or “cool” gray in the bedroom.

If you are a female and single – and are certain your buyer will be the same type of individual – the paint and fixtures you choose for your home can be far different than those of a family home in a huge subdivision.

The way we live and work has changed dramatically in the past decade and our expectations of our homes have changed, too. If you are getting ready to list your home for sale, don’t gamble that your taste in a new kitchen, den or master suite will match the desires of the potential home buyers that come through your door.

Don’t waste your time – or jeopardize your money – by undertaking remodeling projects in an attempt to draw potential home buyers to an open house. It takes too long and you could easily guess wrong.

Remember, most buyers want to purchase a residence in model home condition, so all they have to do is turn the key in the front door and move in. Your challenge is to bring this feeling with the least possible amount of stress, cash and time.

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- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

Researchers at Indiana University have found flame retardants in the blood of pet dogs at levels five to ten times higher than typically found in humans. Could dogs be the canary in the coal mine for how accumulating polybrominated flame retardants will affect humans?

We already know that polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBEs for short) are found everywhere — they are used in everything from computers to carpeting, and can be measured even in the dust bunnies that gather in the corners of our living spaces.What PBDEs do to us is scary enough that these persistant, bioaccumulating chemicals are being phased out*. This is where the two most interesting aspects of the Indiana University study arise.

First, the scientists found that the level of PBDEs building up in dog’s blood serum is lower than found in cats, where PBDE exposure has even been linked to cat death. This probably reflects better metabolization of PBDEs by dogs, eliminating some PBDEs from their system so that the rate of accumulation slows. Humans metabolize PBDEs more like dogs than like cats, which might make dogs useful biosentinels, or early warning indicators of effects that could impact humans.

Second, the study detected newer flame retardants, that have come on the market to replace the PBDEs, in the dogs tested. These substitutes — which include Dechlorane Plus, decabromodiphenylethane, and hexabromocyclododecane — are not regulated because they are too new to have built up a body of evidence that can be used to force regulatory agencies into action. The Safe Chemicals Act of 2011 recently introduced by Senator Lautenberg addresses the need to restrict chemical uses before large quantities of a chemical are in our environment.

The study Flame Retardants in the Serum of Pet Dogs and in their Food, published inEnvironmental Science & Technology, was authored by Marta Venier and Ronald Hites. Seventeen dogs, with mainly indoor lifestyles, were tested. Dog food was also found to contain higher levels of PBDEs than the foods humans eat, suggesting that dogs may have higher exposures than humans.

* PBDEs with fewer bromine moieties are banned in the EU (Directive 2003/11/EC) and were voluntarily phased out by industry in the USA in 2004.

More on PBDEs and Chemical Control:
Pediatricians Say U.S. Policy Fails Children on Chemical Safety
Did the State of California Kill This Woman’s Cat?
PDBEs: Where Do They Come From And What Are They Doing To Us?

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GrowBottle Hydrogarden: These repurposed wine bottles come with organic seeds, clay pebbles, and a wool wick that makes them foolproof mini-gardens perfect for your mom’s office, kitchen window, or sun room. (Branch Home, $38)

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

http://jaymecarleton.com

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

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- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature
http://jaymecarleton.com
Making Sustainability Second Nature™

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Places Asbestos May Be In The Home

Now, of course, most of us are aware of this health hazard and carefully examine our homes for traces of the material.  Those who worked in factories or in the construction or shipbuilding industries are at the greatest risk, since their exposure to asbestos was severe and prolonged, but even brief periods of exposure have been shown to cause serious health problems.  The worst of these is a cancer of the lining of the chest or abdomen called mesothelioma.  Sadly, many employers and manufacturers were aware of the dangers of asbestos long before they began protecting their workers or customers.

For most companies, the threat of a mesothelioma lawsuit is enough to prevent them from using the material any longer, but contamination is still happening.  Zonolite, a brand of vermiculite insulation, can still be found in many homes.  Vermiculite itself is not harmful, but this mineral is found in the same underground deposits as asbestos, tainting the vermiculite.  The EPA has still yet to issue a statement about the dangers of Zonolite, let alone take any action on the matter, so many people are unaware of the dangers posed by this type of insulation.  It is worth examining your home’s insulation to see if it contains either asbestos or vermiculite.  If this is the case, contact a professional abatement team to have the material removed and disposed of safely.

Article appeared in http://ecochildsplay.com

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

http://jaymecarleton.com

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I attended a lecture yesterday and was reminded that not all materials are created the same, even though they may look like it from the outside. Cabinets are an excellent example; so many different compounds and items go into a single box. How does a consumer know where to start or what to ask for? The below article helps answer some of those questions.

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

http://jaymecarleton.com

This article originally appeared in EcoHome.

A product is only as sustainable as the sum of its parts. In the case of cabinetry, there are quite a few parts–from raw materials to resins to finishes–to add up.

Here’s what to look for when selecting cabinetry for green, healthy homes.

RAW MATERIALS

• Base Components.

The base components of most wood cabinetry today are made with hardwood plywood, MDF, or particleboard. While these materials are more resource efficient than solid wood, manufacturing them historically has involved formaldehyde-laden resins.

Several major manufacturers of composite wood panels have already been working with resin manufacturers and refining their manufacturing processes to create no-added-formaldehyde (NAF) or no-added-urea-formaldehyde (NAUF) products. Columbia’s PureBond NAUF plywood, for example, utilizes a soy-based adhesive.

Helping the push are the most recent emissions requirements from the California Air Resources Board (CARB); once phase two of the rules begins in 2012, they will be the strictest regulations in the world. The laws are specific to the Golden State, but most panel manufacturers and cabinet companies are changing over stock across the country and there is speculation that similar emissions regulations may be adopted at the federal level.

• Recycled Content.

Indeed, along with formaldehyde, consider the resource origins of the wood panels for recycled content (some certified by Scientific Certification Systems) and/or for sustainable harvesting as verified by the Forest Stewardship Council or the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, among others. Certified products may carry a slight price premium.

• Wood Pieces.

Finally, you’ll also need to examine the woods that make up the veneers and solid wood trim, doors, and drawer fronts. And, be sure to inquire about the chemical content of the glues used to adhere the veneers to the cabinet box; non-solvent-based adhesives can be comparable in performance and cost.

ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS
Though traditional composite wood panels dominate, alternatives exist that offer their own environmental benefits or trade-offs.

• Solid Wood.

Solid wood, for example, eliminates formaldehyde concerns, but lacks the materials efficiency of an engineered product, is fairly rare, and is more expensive.

• Composite Panels.

Weyerhaeuser makes composite panels using Lyptus, a Brazilian-grown wood that can be harvested for lumber in 14 to 16 years. Like bamboo, another cabinetry alternative, Lyptus offers the benefits of rapid renewability but does have to be shipped a longer distance. Wheatboard, made from waste stalks, is another option gaining attention.

As with traditional composite panels, ensure alternative engineered materials you select utilize formaldehyde-free resins.

FINISHES

• Low VOC.

Though low-VOC finishes are becoming more readily available, they’re not yet widespread due to concerns that their quality and richness aren’t always equivalent and the application may be unfamiliar.

Still, the options have come a long way and you should check with your supplier about what they have available.

Managing buyer expectations is key, as popular high-sheen finishes are harder to get in a low-VOC formula, and some natural-based products may have a slightly different look.

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
With the many components that need exploring, it’s easy to get bogged down by the product selection process.

The KCMA’s Environmental Stewardship Program (ESP) aims to ease some of the burden by recognizing manufacturers that meet requirements in five key areas: air quality, product resource management (wood origins and content), process resource management (manufacturing processes), environmental stewardship (including documentation of environmental quality commitment), and community relations. Manufacturers must earn points in all five areas to qualify. The standard was recently updated to require CARB-compliant woods.

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Are there toxic ties to your shower curtain? The familiar new shower curtain smell may be toxic to your health, according to a new study by Center for Health, Environment & Justice.

New laboratory testing found PVC shower curtains can release over 100 chemicals into the air, some of which can damage the respiratory and reproductive systems, and even cause cancer.  The good news is safer PVC-free curtains are widely available.

Join us in demanding safer PVC-free products for our homes, families, and communities.

Sign the petition below, and then forward it to your friends and family.  The petition will be delivered to major retailers like Wal-Mart.

Take Action: http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/852/t/2088/petition.jsp?petition_KEY=1256

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

http://jaymecarleton.com

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Top ideas:

1. Prepare for prep. Sinks aren’t just for doing dishes anymore. As core prep areas, they are best when accessorized with trash and composting within reach, adjacent work surfaces, and motion sensor faucets for dirty hands. When it comes to functionality, large single bowls are more versatile than double wells. And if the budget allows, provide more than one sink for additional cooks.

2. Design for all. Baby boomers may not like being reminded of their age and may bristle at the term “accessible design,” but they will love you for creating a kitchen that simply feels better and works better. Consider making universal design features such as right-height appliances, ergonomic hardware, user-friendly task lighting, and reachable storage part of your standard practice. At the end of the day, universal design is simply a synonymn for good, smart design that benefits every user. And when it’s done well, it’s transparent.

3. Get some green. Even if you don’t have the budget for full-on solar or a geothermal loop system, small choices in the kitchen can make a difference–particularly when there’s a payback for the homeowner in the way of energy savings or health. Look into WaterSense plumbing fixtures, Energy Star-rated appliances, and recycled or rapidly renewable materials such as bamboo, cork, or quartz composite.

4. Enter growth mode. The local food movement is gaining traction–and there’s nothing more local than a window box herb garden or a tomato grown in a planter just outside a homeowner’s kitchen door. If you have an opportunity to provide built-in garden space, do so. It’s not expensive, and green-thumbed buyers will appreciate the gesture.

5. Try new hues. To spice things up, try a little variable color blocking in your cabinets and/or island. Mix natural woods with paints or stains in muted colors such as violet, navy, yellow, or beige. For accents, try a dash of turquoise, orange, raspberry, tomato red, or grass green.

6. Make short and long-term decisions. Being trendy is okay, but be strategic about it. Take risks with finishes and materials that can be easily and economically swapped out at a later date, such as paint colors, furniture, upholstery, or cabinet hardware. Keep the permanent stuff more neutral. A purple appliance is a 10- to 20-year investment, but a purple wall doesn’t have to be.

7. Put function first. People naturally congregate in the kitchen, and this tendency has only increased now that kitchens are intended as entertainment hubs. Be generous with clearances, allowing a minimum of 42 inches for work galleys (preferably 48 inches) and 36 inches for passage. And be sure to think about gathering space. If your house has no formal dining room, consider a built-in banquette or bar seating in the kitchen. Just avoid the “crows in a line” mistake of putting all of the seats in a row facing the same direction, Van Lerberghe advised.

8. Multitask your appliances. If space is limited, consider appliances that perform more than one function, such as the oven that is both microwave and convection, or the fridge with flexible drawers that can be separately programmed for refrigeration, freezer, or storage space, depending on user needs.

9. Look for savings. There are ways to achieve the look of high design without the high price tag. A counter-depth free-standing refrigerator, for example, will cost thousands of dollars less than a built-in fridge but offer a similar visual effect. Plastic laminates made with photos of natural stone look like granite at a fraction of the cost. Smart lighting choices can also be cost savers.

10. Embrace nature. If your kitchen and great room open onto a patio or other outdoor living space, create harmony by using some of the same materials both inside and out–such as continuous surface floor tiles, brick, or even concrete block. To create visual connections, you can also specify natural colors and materials in the kitchen that evoke the colors and textures of the landscape outside, such as natural wood and stone.

- Jayme M. Carleton, Second Nature

Making Sustainability Second Nature™

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