Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Going Green


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Suite101.com Green Home







The kitchen is one of the home's most frequently used rooms - it's where we cook, eat, and gather with friends, family, and visitors. A green kitchen is stocked full of sustainable, non-toxic items that make it healthier and more sanitary for everyone.Green Home recommends replacing items made from virgin plastic and wood with those made from bamboo, recycled glass, and recycled paper. Exchanging your current refrigerator for the Sun Frost energy efficient model will greatly reduce your energy bill. These are just a couple ways to go green! For more ideas, just browse the products on this page to transform your kitchen one step at a time. Department Areas: -->
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Coffee AccessoriesWhy make garbage when you just want to make a cup ... (more)
CompostablewareThere's a place for disposable plates, cups, and utensils ... the compost pile! Compostableware feeds you and then it feeds your garden! (more)
Food ServiceAt Green Home, we understand that we need to compete with mainstream institutional food service products and distribution... (more)
Food StorageDid you know America could feed the rest of the world ... (more)
GlassesThese exquisite recycled glass glasses and recycled glass goblets are made ... (more)
Kitchen DrawerFrom cutting boards to bottle openers, lots of handy kitchen do-dads ... (more)
Ovens and RangesThe oven is one of the home's most important and costly ... (more)
Paper GoodsTrees, the source of most paper products, are a renewable resource ... (more)
Refrigerators and FreezersIn an energy efficient home refrigeration is typically the largest consumer ... (more)
Shopping BagsPaper or plastic? Neither. Next time, bring cloth or string ... (more)
TablewareNext to the clothes we wear, the items we keep on ... (more)
Water FiltersFederal law requires that all municipalities add chlorine to their water ... (more)

Your Kitchen ChecklistRoom-by-room, we would like you to walk through your home, and give it an environmental upgrade. It's not hard to make the yard a healthy place to be in. Just print out this checklist, and wander over to the yard and fill it out. Then come back to Green Home to find information or products that help address your situation. If we don't have what you're looking for, don't panic. We're here to help. If you have any questions, just email us at questions@greenhome.com and we'll respond within 24 hours.


PRINT YOUR KITCHEN CHECKLIST


__COOKWARE
Cookware is glass, stainless steel or ceramic.You do not use aluminum pots and pans or nonstick cookware.You do not use imported pottery with lead-based paint.You do not use plastic or Styrofoam drinking glasses.You use a steamer to cook vegetables.Food is not stored in plastic containers.
__COUNTERTOPS
There are heat-resistant surfaces-ceramic tile or stainless steel-next to the oven/range.All surfaces are hard and smooth with well sealed joints so moisture and food wastes do not get trapped in the seams.The total length of the counter is no more than 12 to 15 feet, with no one section less than 4 feet long.Electrical circuits providing power to the countertops are equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters.
__CUPBOARDS
Construction is of solid wood, metal, or exterior-grade plywood.Any pressed wood is properly sealed at the top and bottom.There is a locked cupboard for cleaning products.There is toe space under all cabinets.
__FLOORING
The floor surface is not too hard-no ceramic tile, brick, or slate.Any pressed-wood subfloor has been sealed to prevent formaldehyde outgassing.There is no vinyl flooring.
__LIGHTING
There is a ceiling light.Work counters are lit directly from above, preferably with light from under a cabinet, cupboard, or shelf.
__MAJOR APPLIANCES
Your refrigerator is an energy efficient model.You do not have a continuos-cleaning oven; if you have a self-cleaning oven, you do not use its cleaning cycle.If you have a gas range, it has spark ignition, not a pilot light.The flame of your gas range is blue tipped, not yellow.The door of any microwave oven closes tightly.If the microwave is a countertop model, there are at least 24 inches of adjacent countertop.
__SAFETY
Your kitchen has a nonionizing smoke detector and a fire extinguisher.Appliances are unplugged when not in use.There are no commercial cleaners stored under the sink or in any cabinets or drawers within reach of youngsters or pets.Pot handles are always turned toward the back of the stove and kept out of the reach of youngsters.Knives and all potentially dangerous utensils and appliances are kept well out of the reach of youngsters.
__VENTILATION
There are at least two operable windows, placed on two sides of the room.If you have a gas range, you have an exhaust fan vented to the outside.
__WORK CENTERS
You have a preparation and cleanup area centered on the sink.You have a cooking and serving area centered on the range/oven.You have a mixing and storing area located close to the refrigerator.


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Bathrooms
Your Bathroom Checklist Room-by-room, we would like you to walk through your home, and give it an environmental upgrade. It's not hard to make the bathroom a healthy place to be in. Just print out this checklist, and wander over to the bathroom and fill it out. Then come back to Green Home to find information or products that help address your situation. If we don't have what you're looking for, don't panic. We're here to help. If you have any questions, just email us at questions@greenhome.com and we'll respond within 24 hours.
PRINT YOUR BATHROOM CHECKLIST
__ELECTRICITY
The bathroom circuit is equipped with a GFCI. There are enough outlets to accommodate your family's use.
__FLOORING
It is nonslip and easy to clean There is no wall-to-wall carpeting.
__SAFETY
There is a nonionizing smoke detector and a fire extinguisher located here.The tub or shower floor has rubber, nonskid mats.There are rails installed at the tub and toilet if elderly people live in the home.The medicine cabinet is out of reach of youngsters or kept locked.There are no commercial cleaners under the sink.If there are small children in the house, razors, soaps, talc, etc. are kept off the tub sides and out of reach.Electric razors, blow-dryers, and curling irons are unplugged and put away after use.There are towels not more than a foot away from the tub, and there is a minimum of 2 feet of towel rack per person.
__TOILET
You have a water saving toilet.
__TUB/SHOWER
If there is chloroform in your water, you have installed a filter on the shower head.You keep mold and mildew in check.You have installed a water-saving shower head.The bathing area is lit with watertight downlights.There are no electrical outlets nearby.
__VENTILATION
There is an exhaust fan vented directly outside using the shortest route possible.There is an operable window.
__WATER
If contaminants are present in you water, you have installed a treatment system.

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