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

ethics just as important as the earth

A new survey by The Body Shop indicates that in spite of the economic climate, ethics are as important as price with today's consumers. I'd have to disagree, given the cars I see streaming out of Walmart every weekend, but I digress...

In Canada the findings revealed that 77% of consumers are making more purchasing choices based on the corporate behaviour and ethics of a company than they were five years ago, and 40% of those polled say that they make those decisions on a weekly basis.

However, 35% said price and value is their criteria for purchase -- aha, the Walmart shoppers!

Shelley Simmons, Director of Brand & Values Initiatives for The Body Shop: "A growing number of people are demanding more from the businesses that produce and sell the goods they buy. Not only do they feel they have the right to a high quality product, they want to know that the company they buy from is transparent and honest about how those goods reach the shelves."

"They want the story behind the product that assures them that the company has treated its suppliers fairly and that it has done its best to take into account its impact on the environment; and that perhaps someone has actually benefited from the manufacture of that product."

"The retail world is going to have to take notice of this powerful group of consumers. If they respond to the expectations of the eco-shopper everyone will benefit: Customers, suppliers, the planet and the businesses themselves. It is a win-win for everyone."

We can only hope the yellow roll-back guy doesn't get to them first.

B is for biking to school

Great article from Vivian Song of Sun Media on the ABCs of going back to school in a green way.

A new school year means a fresh new start that can include greening your kids' daily curriculum. Here are the ABCs for parents, students and teachers on how to become eco-friendly.

A is for apple.

Canada exports approximately 50,000 tonnes of fresh apples annually, mostly to the U.S. About 62 per cent of Canadian exports are from BC, while 26 per cent originate from Ontario. Meanwhile, Canada imports apples year-round from the U.S. Chile, South Africa, New Zealand and Argentina.

Folly? Yes. So send a message to apple farmers, and shine a locally-grown apple for your favourite teacher.

V is for Vintage and Q is for questioning claims that could be greenwashing - we love it. Full article here

food for thought

The recent outbreak of listeria in processed foods has many thinking plenty about just where our food comes from.

I read an interesting editorial today about this very thing:

Michael Den Tandt wrote "Increasingly, Canadians are hyperaware of what they eat. This is partly a result of higher food prices. It's partly due to the childhood obesity epidemic. And it's partly due to greater concern about health, driven by baby boomers who are trying to extend their active life spans.

Mainly though, the trend is driven by the Green movement. Concern about food quality and safety is a sibling of the fight against climate change."

I don't think I'm alone in thinking that it's unbelievable that Maple Leaf Foods has over 2oo products on recall. I mean...200? It just boggles the mind that there were that many in the first place.

Full story here

100 Mile Diet