Every Drop Counts! The Importance of Conserving Water

Many people are unaware of the amount of water they waste on a daily basis. But the truth is, water is a critical resource in everybodies lives, and unfortunately, we simply cannot afford to waste perfectly good water.

Nearly six billion people live on earth. Freshwater, however, only makes up about three percent of earth’s total water. This shows the importance of conserving water whenever possible.

Water conservation is environmentally responsible.  Efficient water use can reduce the amount of energy needed to treat wastewater. Using less water puts a reduced strain on sewage treatment facilities, and also uses less energy for water heating.

Water conservation refers to reducing the usage of water and improving water management practices by the recycling of certain water waste. It is the most eco friendly and cost effective way to reduce the demand for water.

WAYS TO CONSERVE:

1. Replace shower heads, toilets and sinks with more efficient, low-flow water models. Using a water efficient shower head can save up to 750 gallons a month.
2. Always wash only full loads of laundry and dishes. Whenever possible, choose the short cycle at low water levels.
3. Do not let the water run when brushing your teeth or washing dishes by hand.
4. Shorten your showers by about a minute or so, and you can save up to 150 gallons per month.
5. Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for cold drinks instead of using the tap. This way excess drops are not wasted down the drain each time you pour a glass of water.
6. Ditch bottled water, and drink the tap water. Most tap water is no different than bottled water, and this reduces the waste that the would end up in a landfill from the plastic.
7. Water your lawn and garden in the evening when temperatures are cooler to minimize evaporation.
8. Repair leaks! According to the Department of Health and Human Services, a leaky faucet that drips at one drop per second wastes up to seven gallons of water per day.
9. Make use of leftover water. Keep a pitcher of water near your sink or shower and use the unused water from showering or drinking to water house plants.
10. Harvest rainwater to use to for a variety of reasons. Place barrels outside to catch the excess rainwater, and use that water to water the lawn or garden.

By managing the amount of water you consume, you are being an environmentally responsible citizen of the world.

Reduce-Reuse-Upcycle: Creating useful products from…waste.

Growing up, my teachers constantly drilled the three R’s into my head. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. All my classrooms had separate “blue” bins to recycle paper, and there were designated areas in the cafeterias for students to place their Styrofoam trays.

But to be honest, at that point in my life I did not really understand the benefits and impact of recycling. It was just one of those things to do so my nagging second grade teacher wouldn’t give me a hard time and delay my recess time out on the playground.

My motives for recycling now, however, hold higher value than wanting to be the first person on the tire swing. I have grown (and matured!) to understand the tangible benefits of recycling my waste. Recycling my bottles, cans, and newspapers is a way for me to show my appreciate for the environment.

Recently, I learned of a similar way to dispose of my waste through upcycling.

The word upcycling was first used in the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart. They explained that the purpose of upcycling is to prevent wasting useful material by making use of existing material.

Although recycling and upcycling involve similar processes and attempt to save energy and resources by preventing useful waste from ending up in a landfill. Upcycling does not break down the material completely to create a new use. It creates products from the material as is. This is more energy efficient and reduces energy uses in the manufacturing of raw materials.

Creating new products from waste is not only a great way save the environment, but also to have some fun! You can turn bicycle chains into picture frames, create candle holders from tin cans, and make jewelry beads from plastic bottles.

Artists all over the world are embracing the eco-benefits of upcycling. They are creating all forms of art from waste materials that some may consider trash.

There are many creative ideas to reuse waste, and there are many companies out there, such as Terracycle, that have successfully embraced the concept of turning a piece garbage into a useful product.

It just goes to show that with a little bit of time, creativity, and garbage you can create something amazing!

Environmentally Conscious Cuisine: Sustainable Solutions To Enjoy Food

I live for food! Nothing makes me more satisfied than a good hearty meal. Well…I guess that’s not 100 percent true. Nothing make me more satisfied than a good hearty environmentally friendly meal!

Being conscious about the food we put in our bodies not only has important health benefits, but also societal and ecological benefits. Buying local food is a perfect solution for respecting the environment while supporting the community.

BENEFITS OF BUYING LOCAL

First and foremost, it’s great for the environment. It reduces gas consumption and emissions used to travel to a big store miles away. More people are tempted to walk or ride their bikes to buy their groceries since they are usually only traveling short distances.

Buying locally also puts money back into the local economy, which is extremely important especially in these difficult financial times. It supports local farmers and stimulates their businesses, which in turn increases revenue and creates more jobs in the community.

Lastly, buying locally promotes a sense of community by connecting individuals and bringing together friends and neighbors. It also establishes a sense of character and prosperity in a community members feel good knowing where they are getting their food from.

WHERE TO BUY LOCAL?

Buying local is not as difficult as it may seem. In fact, most groceries stores usually dedicate shelves and/or aisles to local products. You can also find local foods at specialty grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. My favorite places to buy local, however are farmers markets.

Farmers markets are public markets at which farmers and other local vendors sell various products directly to their consumers, while circumvents the middle man. These products can include all types of meat, fruit, and vegetables.

PHOENIX PUBLIC MARKET

Luckily for me, the downtown ASU campus (my college) is located across the street from the Phoenix Public Market. It’s located on the NE Corner of Central Ave. and Pierce Street in downtown Phoenix.

This market is open year round, rain or shine! every Tuesday- Thursday from 11 am- 8pm, Saturdays from 8 am-8 pm, and the first Friday of every month 11 am-11pm. If you’re in the Phoenix area definitely check it out!

LOCAL MARKETS

Find a local market near you!

Eco-Fashion

Living in the heart of the 5th biggest city in the United States, it’s only natural that trends and fashion are seen on every street corner. Although the city streets of Downtown Phoenix may not be as congested as the Big Apple, this area has undergone massive urbanization over the past few years. This revitalization has made Phoenix a thriving city with a tightly know modern and historical culture.

With the beautiful mountains and landscapes only an arms length within arms length of this prospering city, its important for all  citizens to appreciate the beauty of the natural environment around them.

What’s a better way to show your gratitude to mother nature then thru fashion?

As with all cities, fashion is a great indicator of its culture. It is a way for citizens to express themselves. By wearing environmentally friendly clothes people can show they care about the earth.

The ‘Green Movement’ has not only spread throughout the country, but also throughout the world. Whether the skeptics want to admit it or not, there are many ways we all can reduce our carbon footprint.  Individuals, businesses, cities, and even countries can all take steps forward becoming “friendlier” towards the environment. Eco-fashion is one way people can do their part.

Eco-fashion, also know as sustainable fashion, is a growing trend in the fashion industry where designers and consumers consider the environmental and social impact when designing or buying clothes. Designers use eco-conscious methods when producing products.

In Phoenix, there are many shops that sell environmentally friendly fashion.  Ducksback and Kaboodle are just a couple places people can shop for eco-friendly clothes.

As this city continues to grow, what better way for fashionistas to grow with it! Environmentally friendly fashion will allow fashionistas to not only be fashion-forward but environmentally conscious as well. Or should I say… “Eco” Fashion forward.