a greener autumn

If you live in Ontario, you likely woke up to a gray sky, rain and fog. Fall has arrived!

On a cheerier note, the season brings us many opportunies to help mother nature along. Our top ten tips for a green and cozy fall:

-clear the clutter inside (donate clothes and books, freecycle the rest)
-enjoy local fall produce (think yellow and orange!)
-add some warm, organic cotton towels to the bathroom
-get your heating system checked
-clean the chimneys and fireplace
-recycle all your old newspapers and magazines
-clean out and check your car, including tire pressure for fuel efficiency
-replace bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs
-for leaves, swap plastic bags for biodegradable ones
-or, opt for no bag at all, and start a compost to create a healthy mulch for Spring

an injection of green

On display at the recent IIDEX/NeoCon Canada expo and conference in Toronto was a 37-square-metre patient room - built using eco-friendly materials.

Brainchild of U.S. architectural firm Anshen and Allen, the goal for the 'Green Patient Room' was to create a space that would have a minimum of impact on the natural environment, whilst fulfilling a patient's need for a safe and comfortable environment.

Though I suspect generating less waste is the last thing one is thinking about while lying in a hospital bed, it surprised me that no one has gone here before - it's genius.

So what's green about this room?

-products comprised of recycled materials, including the porcelain flooring in the bathroom, the polyester chair and ottoman, and paper items

-energy-efficient LED lighting and faucets geared toward promoting water conservation

-modular cabinets, composed of standard units that are easily put together and rearranged, allowing for cleaner installation and less scrap

The space even incorporates a zone for families, designed to encourage frequent and longer visits, including a sofa bed made of lumber from responsibly managed forests and without chlorofluorocarbons.

While the room at the expo wasn't designed as a prototype, the architects wanted the space to be one individuals could use to visualize greening their own health-care facilities...a positive step toward healing patients AND the environment.

Source: Globe and Mail>>

farmer's market fresh

Buying local in Ontario just got easier.

The Friends of the Greenbelt Foundation unveiled a new website yesterday aimed at providing some direction for those looking to buy local in Ontario.

Greenbeltfresh.ca will help Ontarians find local farmer's markets by simply entering a postal code. The site has a wealth of information including seasonal foods, recipes and a listing of local food restaurants.

This is such great news!

Greenbelt