<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Community Forestry Team &#187; Home Improvement</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.communityforestryteam.org/category/home-improvement/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:29:34 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1</generator>
		<item>
		<title>Solar Power Generator &#8211; An Eco-Friendly Green Generator</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2012/01/solar-power-generator-an-eco-friendly-green-generator/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2012/01/solar-power-generator-an-eco-friendly-green-generator/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:47:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar Panels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar Power Generator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washing Machines]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2012/01/solar-power-generator-an-eco-friendly-green-generator/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A solar power generator uses solar energy to convert it into electrical energy in order to run the household appliances. Nowadays, one can easily see TVs, washing machines etc being powered by a solar power generator.It is termed as &#8220;green generator&#8221; as it is a proven source of energy which adds nothing to the global [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly15.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly15.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>A solar power generator uses solar energy to convert it into electrical energy in order to run the household appliances. Nowadays, one can easily see TVs, washing machines etc being powered by a solar power generator.<br/><br/>It is termed as &#8220;green generator&#8221; as it is a proven source of energy which adds nothing to the global warming and the atmospheric pollution. Rather it helps a lot to save the natural energy sources such as petroleum which are on the way of going extinct.<br/><br/>It is emerging as one of most reliable eco-friendly power generating devices. Its total inability to produce air-polluting smoke and irritating sound as other oil run generators do makes it special.A solar power generator is one of the best answers to the shortage of electricity.<br/><br/>A well optimized solar power generator helps a lot to minimize the soaring electricity bill as it is capable of running almost all the appliances merely using the free and unbound solar energy. Moreover, this device is very user-friendly and needs least efforts while its installation. It is widely used in the countrysides and at those places where people face regular power crisis.<br/><br/>Like all other power generators, it too runs on a definite mechanism. The solar energy is concentrated on the solar panels only to produce DC ( direct current). Then this DC is converted into AC ( alternating current) using the solar inverter already present in the generator itself.<br/><br/>Apart from these two components, the third important components of a solar power generator are its rechargeable batteries. These batteries constantly keep receiving power from the inverter in order to run all the appliances.<br/><br/>The strength and efficiency of a solar power generator depends completely on how powerful its inverter is. It is the most important part of the generator as it has the capability to convert DC into AC. While buying an inverter, it is advisable to buy one which can produce a bit more energy than the actual demand of the home appliances.<br/><br/>In many homes it happens that there is hardly any appliance which is run buy AC. Thus those homes don&#8217;t need solar power generators with any inverters, apart from devices like DC input systems and DC meters.<br/></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2012/01/solar-power-generator-an-eco-friendly-green-generator/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Go Green &#8211; The Eco-Friendly Alphabet</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/09/go-green-the-eco-friendly-alphabet/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/09/go-green-the-eco-friendly-alphabet/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Sep 2011 20:21:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy Bill]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy Consumption]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Respiratory Problems]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/09/go-green-the-eco-friendly-alphabet/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the very near future, green design will be the standard by which houses are built, finished and decorated, not some tree-hugger trend. Here is your alpha to omega reference for going green.A is for Antique. Nothing says reduce, reuse, recycle like antiques.B is for Balance. Tending to the needs of the environment can sometimes [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><br/><br/><br/>In the very near future, green design will be the standard by which houses are built, finished and decorated, not some tree-hugger trend. Here is your alpha to omega reference for going green.<br/><br/>A is for Antique. Nothing says reduce, reuse, recycle like antiques.<br/><br/>B is for Balance. Tending to the needs of the environment can sometimes impact the growth of an economy. As the pendulum swings, the balance will eventually be achieved and buying products from manufacturers with an environmental conscience will be common place.<br/><br/>C is for Certified wood. Wood certified by a third-party which has been grown and harvested in an environmentally responsible manner. Certified wood is available in flooring, cabinetry and furniture products.<br/><br/>D is for Durable. By increasing the product life time we increase its usability and keep it out of the landfill. The problem most of us experience is we get tired of products long before they wear out.<br/><br/>E is for Energy consumption. Since we cannot hold fuel or electricity in our hands it is difficult to comprehend how products can save energy, until you look at your energy bill. My old washer used 60 l of water per cycle (Gasp!); my new washer uses only 19 l of water and far less detergent.<br/><br/>F is for Formaldehyde. This chemical, colourless yet pungent, is found in more products than you would think imaginable &#8211; plywood, particle board and other pressed wood products which are used to make furniture, cabinets, wall paneling, shelves and counter tops. It is also found in dyes, textiles, plastics, paper products and cosmetics. Exposure can cause respiratory problems, allergic reactions and cancer in humans.<br/><br/>G is for Generation. Waste generation and the next generation go hand in hand. The decisions we make about the former impacts the latter. We need to start making conscious choices about what we are leaving behind for others to deal with.<br/><br/>H is for Hemp. Hemp is a sustainable plant that can be transformed into house hold goods like bedding, drapes and cushions, as well as clothing, footwear, shelter, food, tree-free paper, sealants, composites, and so much more. And it is biodegradable.<br/><br/>I is for Infill. This building practice is the development of empty or underutilized lots in cities and older suburban areas instead of building on undeveloped land, like farms and woodlands. It&#8217;s another step towards containing urban sprawl.<br/><br/>J is for Jute. This highly versatile and abundantly available fibre has been woven into bags, purses, rugs, trays, and other house wares. Made from the skin of the hardy chorchorus genus plants, it can be grown year round almost anywhere.<br/><br/>K is for Kids. Because that&#8217;s who I am thinking about when I make &#8216;green&#8217; choices.<br/><br/>L is for Life-cycle. This cradle to grave concept incorporates the entire design process of a product and ensures the process from conception to production to replacement to disposal does not negatively impact the environment.<br/><br/>M is for Minimum. Minimizing your personal impact on the environment is becoming easier and easier as new green products are introduced. Just Google eco-design and you will get over 990,000 hits. Major manufactures are discovering new ways to produce better products without sacrificing price and quality yet remain mindful of the long term effects those products have on the environment.<br/><br/>N is for Natural Cork. Cork is the dead bark of the cork oak tree found in the Mediterranean. Because cork regenerates within 10 years it is considered a rapidly renewable resource. It is a wonderful choice for flooring &#8211; durable, warm under foot, and available in many patterns and colours.<br/><br/>O is for Organic Gardening. No pesticides, no herbicides. A holistic approach where mulch, manure and compost are used to develop rich soils, manage pests and support healthy plant growth.<br/><br/>P is for Post-Consumer Products. These are products that utilize discarded materials, usually gathered from municipal recycling depots, and are reprocessed into usable items.<br/><br/>Q is for Questions. When you are buying products for your home, from paper towels to furniture to flooring, ask about the environmental practices of the manufacturer. Ask how it was made, what materials were used, is it recyclable in any way, am I going to regret buying this?<br/><br/>R is for Rapidly Renewable Resources. These are products that regenerate quicker than the demand for the product, for example, cork, bamboo, straw and sorghum fall in this category. New uses for these materials are being discovered every day!<br/><br/>S is for Salvage. When taking on a renovation, salvage and re-use what you can from the project. Have a look at your local &#8220;ReStore&#8221;, a non-profit store operated by Habitat for Humanity full of salvage items like lighting, handles and knobs, new and used doors and windows, and much more. Check out architectural salvage stores, too.<br/><br/>T is for Treated. Many of the products we buy, especially those mass produced, have been treated with some chemical or other to promote colour fastness, durability, or preservation. Read labels &#8211; know what you are getting. Untreated natural fibres like cotton, linen and hemp are readily available.<br/><br/>U is for Use Canvas Shopping Bags. This new must-have fashion accessory is a real indicator that going green is chic and en vogue.<br/><br/>V is for VOC&#8217;s. Volatile organic compounds are everywhere. In carpets, furnishings, paint, solvents&#8230; Excessive exposure to VOC&#8217;s can cause short-term nausea, eye irritation and headaches. V is also for Ventilate.<br/><br/>W is for Wildlife. The list of critically endangered species is growing everyday &#8211; elephants, tigers, pandas, giant apes, marine turtles. Pretty soon, our forests could be endangered as well and I cannot imagine a world where my son won&#8217;t be able to climb a tree.<br/><br/>X is for Xenon. An inert gas used in some lamps to create a cooler colour temperature than standard incandescent bulbs. Xenon actually offers a longer life than halogen.<br/><br/>Y is for You won&#8217;t regret it. Making an environmentally conscious choice feels so good!<br/><br/>Z is for Zero Waste. Finding new uses for old items is fun, challenging and inspiring. Before you throw a piece of furniture or an accessory away, think about how it can be re-styled and re-used.<br/><a href='http://www.kayakraft.com'>rafting</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/09/go-green-the-eco-friendly-alphabet/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Permaculture For a Landscaping Make Over</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/07/permaculture-for-a-landscaping-make-over/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/07/permaculture-for-a-landscaping-make-over/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:29:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Perennial Plants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Perennial Shrubs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Plantings]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/07/permaculture-for-a-landscaping-make-over/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You have many choices when it comes to providing your property with a makeover. One set of choices relates to the beauty treatment you give to your yard. What is possible depends on many factors: your neighbourhood, your climate zone, your budget. There is also the question of your personality and your approach to such [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sustainable_living27.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sustainable_living27.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>You have many choices when it comes to providing your property with a makeover. One set of choices relates to the beauty treatment you give to your yard. What is possible depends on many factors: your neighbourhood, your climate zone, your budget. There is also the question of your personality and your approach to such a makeover &#8211; you might be an &#8216;all or nothing&#8217; type, or you might like to go at things in manageable bites, one bit at a time.<br/><br/>On this page we&#8217;ll discuss an idea that costs you nothing, provides a possible overarching frame for your design ideas, and introduces a whole catalogue of questions to start off your thinking about where you want to go. The idea, borrowed from a style of sustainable living known as &#8216;permaculture&#8217;, is zonation.<br/><br/>In brief, it advocates that you divide your property into activity areas known as &#8216;zones&#8217;. On a suburban lot you might have as many as five zones; but you can have fewer if that suits your circumstances better. Each zone harbours a main style of activity and a main kind of useful crop.<br/><br/>Zone 1 is the area you most often visit: the area near the entrances and exits you most commonly use, and any other areas, such as patios or decks, where you spend most time outdoors. These are your major relaxation and entertainment zones. Plantings in this zone will include the sorts of things you may want to snatch up at the last minute for the kitchen &#8211; herbs, salad plants, strawberries and tomatoes in season.<br/><br/>The second zone is slightly further removed from the house. It may include a grassed area for the children to play. In this area you can have perennial plants that require no more than occasional care, such as berrying canes (raspberries, currants) and perennial shrubs.<br/><br/>The third zone is, for those who like to produce food for themselves, the main production zone. Here there will be beds of brassicas (cabbage, kale, broccoli and others), potatoes and sweet potatoes, corn and other crops; and fruit trees such as apple, peach and pear. In this zone, too, there is the potential for cunningly designed pathways to suddenly reveal a &#8216;secret&#8217; pocket of special delight: a hidden water feature, a blaze of spring or summer or fall color, or a carefully crafted sculpture. For families, the third zone can provide a place for children to work off energy in games of hide and seek or by using equipment such as swings, slides or trampolines.<br/><br/>On many suburban lots a fourth zone may be possible. This will include plantings designed to attract birds to visit, or even take up residence, in your garden. Larger flowering trees such as magnolias or rhodendrons can be accommodated here. This zone can also include larger nut-bearing tress (walnuts, macadamias and the like). Keen vegetable gardeners can use screens of hedge or shrubbery to hide their composting bins. You could even, depending on local regulations, consider the merits of a small livestock unit &#8211; how does a freshly laid egg appeal?<br/><br/>The use of zones can make your available land appear bigger than it is. It helps to create flexible use of your yard and adds far greater interest than is possible in a monoculture of mown grass.<br/></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/07/permaculture-for-a-landscaping-make-over/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bedroom Furniture &#8211; Eco-Friendly Bedroom Decorating</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/04/bedroom-furniture-eco-friendly-bedroom-decorating/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/04/bedroom-furniture-eco-friendly-bedroom-decorating/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Apr 2011 01:06:08 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fire Retardants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Furniture Decorating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sound Practices]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/04/bedroom-furniture-eco-friendly-bedroom-decorating/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you want to improve your health and help the Earth, there are many ways you can infuse environmentally sound living practices into your everyday life. One way to do this is through home decorating. Given the importance of a good night&#8217;s rest, perhaps the first place to being eco-friendly decorating is your bedroom. From [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly25.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly25.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>If you want to improve your health and help the Earth, there are many ways you can infuse environmentally sound living practices into your everyday life. One way to do this is through home decorating. Given the importance of a good night&#8217;s rest, perhaps the first place to being eco-friendly decorating is your bedroom. From bedroom furniture to linens, there are very simple, easy ways to alter your bedroom that will benefit both your health and the environment.<br/><br/>To begin with, we want to ensure that the air we breathe is clean and free from toxins. While this seems rather obvious, often small steps to improving air quality in our homes are overlooked. For example, proper ventilation can make a big difference. Use of fans and windows gets air circulating and keeps air fresh. In the bedroom, you want to make sure that you wash your bed linens and curtains on a consistent basis to keep out mites and minimize dust. Similarly, just by regularly dusting your bedroom furniture will improve the air quality of your room.<br/><br/>When it comes to your bed linens, try to buy organic. Many bed linens are treated with chemicals &#8211; fire retardants, formaldehyde, and various synthetic materials treated for various reasons. Organic linens are made from non-genetically modified cotton grown without pesticides. This is becoming increasingly popular, resulting in mainstream manufacturers producing large volumes of organic bed linens. In other words, if you want organic sheets and blankets, you&#8217;ll have no trouble finding a wide variety. You should also consider natural cotton pillows and wool blankets, as down products are often chemically treated.<br/><br/>There are a number of ways to integrate environmentally sound practices when it comes to bedroom furniture. The simplest means of recycling furniture is by reusing furniture. If you have some old pieces that no longer accommodate one space, try them in another. You can also always refurbish and reupholster furniture with natural finishes and natural fabrics. If you are looking to replace bedroom furniture, there is no shortage of eco-friendly options available. A number of manufacturers offer furniture crafted of recycled materials. Others offer furniture crafted from sustainably harvested and/or untreated materials.<br/><br/>Whether you are looking to completely redo your bedroom with a new Eco-friendly platform bed, or you are simply looking for small ways to improve the quality of your room, you can make changes that will benefit your health and the environment.<br/><strong>About the Author:  <a href='http://www.imagemule.com'>wordpress themes</a></strong></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/04/bedroom-furniture-eco-friendly-bedroom-decorating/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sustainable Landscape Design</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/03/sustainable-landscape-design/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/03/sustainable-landscape-design/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Mar 2011 08:43:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Interaction With People]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural Resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sunlight]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/03/sustainable-landscape-design/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sustainable landscape design is all about the balance of both natural and mad-made elements that would allow a homeowner to feel at east, knowing that the plants would survive and can be maintained. In a way it&#8217;s like observing ants in an ant farm, but it involves a little more interaction with people who wish [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sustainable_living26.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sustainable_living26.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>Sustainable landscape design is all about the balance of both natural and mad-made elements that would allow a homeowner to feel at east, knowing that the plants would survive and can be maintained. In a way it&#8217;s like observing ants in an ant farm, but it involves a little more interaction with people who wish to keep a healthy garden or patio the way it should be. This practice is common even in real estate development, making sure the ecology of the land would not be harmed in the most damaging way possible, and it can also work with gardens as well.<br/><br/>To understand the design is to know how much plants or area for a patio is needed in order to create a well-balanced yard or house. It may be something like decorating, but there is science involved. Most gardeners would know when a number of plants in a garden would be too much that sunlight would no longer reach the ground, thus losing the much needed nutrients that can only come from the sun itself. The same thing with other smaller plants that would be covered by the taller ones.<br/><br/>Another aspect when it comes to the design is the usage as well as construction, where contractors who specialized in the field would use and identify the kinds of hazardous wastes that would upset the natural balance on most gardens. Of course it doesn&#8217;t mean the waste would be harmful to humans, but will not ruin the garden ecology in a tremendous way.<br/><br/>There are other projects that this field also produces. One such example is the usage of alternative fuels and energy such as solar panels. This may sound extreme for most people, but for conservationist as well as those who are aware of the resources that is wasted on a daily basis about the need to protect natural resources.<br/><br/>Sustainable landscape design is a science that helps protect both homeowner and the environment to be in harmony with each other, and in the recent years have been sought after by hundreds of homeowners with regards to protecting their home as well as their lawns and gardens in the future. It may be the first step, but eventually would be recognized and accepted by a majority of Americans who wished to have a more ecological-friendly home.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.momentsofelegance.com/catalog/bridesmaid-gifts-c-28.html'>bridesmaid gifts</a></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/03/sustainable-landscape-design/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Eco Friendly Cleaners &#8211; Clearing The Air</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-cleaners-clearing-the-air/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-cleaners-clearing-the-air/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:16:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chlorine Bleach]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pest Sprays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Produc]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-cleaners-clearing-the-air/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The environment needs our help and one of the easier ways we can all chip in is with the cleaners we choose for our household chores. Picking eco friendly cleaners and removing toxic ones goes a long way towards creating a more livable house with clean, fresh air.By reducing your homes toxic burden on the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly4.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly4.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>The environment needs our help and one of the easier ways we can all chip in is with the cleaners we choose for our household chores. Picking eco friendly cleaners and removing toxic ones goes a long way towards creating a more livable house with clean, fresh air.<br/><br/>By reducing your homes toxic burden on the environment you will be improving your quality of life. Cleaner air in the home helps improve sleep, concentration and even makes babies less fussy. By following these 7 simple tips you can help the earth while helping yourself and your family as well.<br/><br/>1. Remove toxic products. Pest sprays, oven cleaners and even some waxes and polishes contain the kinds of poisons that can escape from their containers and then drift throughout your home. If you&#8217;re not sure as to the products toxicity, check for the label for; poison, danger, warning, caution or the skull and cross bones symbol.<br/><br/>Collect these products and dispose of them properly. Throwing them in the trash can isn&#8217;t good enough. If you&#8217;re not sure about hazardous waste disposal in your area, contact your local recycling center for more information.<br/><br/>2. Choose eco friendly cleaners as replacements for your toxic ones. Biodegradable substitutes offer a healthy alternative which can protect you, your family and the environment. Eco friendly cleaners will be nontoxic. Their packaging will be recycled and often times will come in concentrated form, this means less packaging for shipping and less expense for you.<br/><br/>3. Check the labels. Eco friendly cleaners will come with endorsements from organizations that create and maintain standards for such products. GreenSeal and GreenGuard are two of the more reliable organizations patrolling the quality of eco friendly cleaners, if their name is on the label you can be sure of quality.<br/><br/>4. Replace your chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can create cancer causing chemicals in waste water. Although there is no exact replacement for bleach, there are eco friendly products that work.<br/><br/>5. Use non-petroleum based products. Choose eco friendly cleaners that come from renewable sources and use natural scents like lemon and orange oils. The pH balance is also important; neutral pH levels are safer for the environment. 7 is considered a neutral pH balance in eco friendly cleaners.<br/><br/>6. Choose non-aerosol packaging. Not only can aerosols produce an uncontrolled spray and the risk of explosion, but a non-aerosol will often provide you a more cost efficient eco friendly cleaner.<br/><br/>7. To help with the quality of your indoor air, don&#8217;t forget the benefits of plants. House plants not only convert carbon dioxide to oxygen but also trap and absorb many pollutants.<br/><br/>Bamboo Palm, Chinese Evergreen and English Ivy are just some of the better indoor plants for air quality.<br/><br/>And don&#8217;t forget to use your senses, the same way you can tell when food has gone bad, you can tell if toxic chemicals may be leaking from their containers. Eco friendly cleaners will create a safer home for you and a safer planet for us all.<br/><strong>About the Author:  <a href='http://www.imagemule.com'>free themes</a></strong></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-cleaners-clearing-the-air/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Eco Friendly Air Conditioning</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-air-conditioning/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-air-conditioning/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 01 Feb 2011 20:33:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[British Thermal Units]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Carbon Dioxide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environmental Protection Agency]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-air-conditioning/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you know that an air conditioning unit can omit 1.34lbs of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt hour used? By replacing older air conditioning units you could save several hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each summer season. This will not only save the environment but also save you some [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>Did you know that an air conditioning unit can omit 1.34lbs of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt hour used? By replacing older air conditioning units you could save several hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each summer season. This will not only save the environment but also save you some green as well. You can save as much as $65 using a newer air conditioning unit verses an older air conditioning unit.<br/><br/>When you are looking for a new air conditioning unit you will need to first look for the proper size unit for your living space. The amount of space an air conditioning unit cools is measured in BTU&#8217;s. BTU&#8217;s stands for British Thermal Units. When you are looking for an air conditioning unit you will first need to decide the number of BTU&#8217;s that the air conditioner will need to cool your living space. You can calculate the required BTU&#8217;s by multiplying the square footage of the space by 10. You will then need to add 4,000 to that number. By choosing the proper size air conditioner for the space it will allow you to conserve energy. If you choose an air conditioner too large for the area or too small for the area then you will be causing unneeded drain on your electricity.<br/><br/>When looking for a new air conditioner unit you will also want to shop for one with an energy star approval on it. Energy Star approval is a label given to a product by the Environmental Protection Agency. This insures that the product is 10 percent more efficient than what is required by the minimum federal standards.<br/><br/>You will also want to look for a unit that can dehumidify the air as well if you live in a humid climate. By using an air conditioner that dehumidifies the air you will be able to make the environment more comfortable by reducing the humidity. This will allow you to keep the air conditioner at a lower setting and still feel comfortable.<br/><br/>You can also be eco friendly when using your new air conditioner as well. Use your air conditioner wisely to reduce electric bills as well as reducing the CO2 emissions caused by the use of electricity. By setting your air conditioner to a lower setting making it comparable to the temperatures outdoors rather than what you want it to feel like. This will make going outdoors during the summer months more enjoyable as well. Use the fan only option on the air conditioner at night to reduce the amount of electricity you use.<br/><br/>Many air conditioners also come with a recirculation option. This allows the air that has already been cooled to be recirculated around your home. You should have your air conditioning unit properly installed and sealed around the area to ensure you do not have cool air leaking outside. Finally be sure to clean and check the filters on your air conditioning unit regularly. Many air conditioners only need to be cleaned every 3 months but depending on the area you live in you may need to clean it as often as every month. This will help keep your air conditioning running more efficiently as well as keep you and your family more healthy.<br/><br/>Keeping you home cool during the summer can be a life safer but can also be dangerous on the environment. By keeping energy cost low and using the most efficient units possible you can not only save money on energy cost but also save the environment while keeping cool. Be sure to recycle your old air conditioning units. There are even some governments that will give rebates for old air conditioning units that are turned in.This program can save you as much as $75 per unit you replace.</div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/02/eco-friendly-air-conditioning/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Seven Tips For an Eco-Friendly Bathroom</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/01/seven-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-bathroom/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/01/seven-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-bathroom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:21:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Faucets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Water Use]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/01/seven-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-bathroom/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[People use&#8211;and waste&#8211;more water in the bathroom than in any other room in the house. Add all that water use with polluting soaps and shampoos, the energy used to heat the water, and more&#8211;and your bathroom could be doing damage to the environment.But it doesn&#8217;t have to be that way. There are many things you [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><br/><br/><br/>People use&#8211;and waste&#8211;more water in the bathroom than in any other room in the house. Add all that water use with polluting soaps and shampoos, the energy used to heat the water, and more&#8211;and your bathroom could be doing damage to the environment.<br/><br/>But it doesn&#8217;t have to be that way. There are many things you can do to bring a little green into your bathroom. Here are just a few.<br/><br/>Energy-efficient light bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs are 90% more efficient than incandescents. Incandescent bulbs lose most of their energy as heat&#8211;which makes them a fire hazard as well.<br/><br/>The best lighting for a bathroom is bright enough to let you shave or apply makeup without squinting, but soft enough to look flattering while you do it. Choose bright white energy-saver bulbs, and soften the light by hanging them at eye level on either side of the mirror or putting them behind frosted glass.<br/><br/>Dual-flush toilets. Most new toilets use about seven or eight litres of water every time you flush. Older toilets use 9-12 litres. However, you don&#8217;t need this much water to flush a toilet.<br/><br/>If you want to save water, replace your toilet with a dual-flush model. Dual-flush toilets have one flush for water waste, and another for solids. Naturally, you need less water to flush water waste.<br/><br/>Faucets that conserve water. Leaky faucets waste millions of litres of water per year, and cost you money as well. To prevent leaks in your bathroom taps, replace your old fixtures with self-closing taps that shut off the water as soon as you stop pressing a button. This ensures your water isn&#8217;t left on while you brush your teeth or shave, and it keeps your faucet from leaking.<br/><br/>Think green in the shower. We waste a great deal of water in the shower&#8211;plus massive amounts of energy used to heat the water we waste. If you want to save water and save the planet at the same time, consider installing a low-flow showerhead or an air shower.<br/><br/>A typical showerhead delivers 25 litres of water per minute, while a low-flow showerhead delivers only 6 to 15. Cut your shower time in half and use a low-flow showerhead, and you&#8217;ll save a great deal of water.<br/><br/>If you really want to save water, however, consider an air shower. An air shower device can be attached to your existing showerhead. It pumps each water droplet full of air. This makes each water droplet bigger, so it feels just as wet and strong as a typical showerhead. Studies show that air showers can cut your water use by an additional 30%.<br/><br/>Recycled tiles. If you&#8217;re redesigning your bathroom from scratch, choose recycled materials such as reclaimed glass tiles. Glass is completely water-resistant, making it a great choice for bathroom walls, flooring, and countertops.<br/><br/>Choosing glass makes good ecological sense as well. Each glass bottle recycled saves enough energy to run a 100-watt bulb for about four hours. In addition, glass accounts for about 6% of all landfill waste and takes over a million years to break down.<br/><br/>Heat your water efficiently. Most people wait until their water heater breaks down to buy a new one. This puts you in the position of having to find one quickly, without the luxury of shopping around. But if you take your time in finding the right water heater, it could pay off in the long run.<br/><br/>The most common type of water heater is a storage heater: a big storage tank that&#8217;s constantly heated. Because it&#8217;s always kept warm, this type of heater loses energy even when it isn&#8217;t used. However, there are some new models that are designed to minimize standing heat loss.<br/><br/>If you want a truly efficient hot water heater, however, look for a tankless heater or a solar heater. A tankless heater passes water pipes directly through the boiler, while a solar heater uses the sun&#8217;s energy to heat water. Both of these will cost more to install, but they will cost less to run.<br/><br/>Use nontoxic shampoos and soaps. Many ordinary soaps and shampoos contain chemicals that could put your health at risk. There are many carcinogenic chemicals in deodorants, soaps, shampoos, and body sprays. Some of these persist in the environment, build up in the food chain, and return to haunt us long after they&#8217;ve gone down the drain.<br/><br/>Be skeptical of products labeled &#8220;natural;&#8221; under current marketing legislation in the U.K., only 1% of a product needs to be naturally derived in order to use the label. Look for soaps and shampoos that don&#8217;t use artificial fragrances&#8211;essential oils are fine, however. Avoid mineral oil, which is just another name for petroleum oil. In addition, choose soaps and shampoos that use minimal, biodegradable packaging.<br/><br/>Making your bathroom more eco-friendly doesn&#8217;t have to be a daunting task. Making a change in the soaps you use, limiting your time in the shower, and installing water-efficient fixtures can make a big difference. Whether you plan a few simple changes or a big overhaul, a greener bathroom is within your reach.<br/><a href='http://www.jackscouponcodes.com/store/103/Overstock-coupon-codes.html'>overstock coupon codes</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2011/01/seven-tips-for-an-eco-friendly-bathroom/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Make Sure Your Garden Beach Pebbles Come From a Sustainable Resource</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/make-sure-your-garden-beach-pebbles-come-from-a-sustainable-resource/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/make-sure-your-garden-beach-pebbles-come-from-a-sustainable-resource/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Dec 2010 01:39:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Illegal Action]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jurassic Coast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Low Maintenance Garden]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/make-sure-your-garden-beach-pebbles-come-from-a-sustainable-resource/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Beach pebbles can look great in any garden. Unlike gravel they look smoother and rounded and gentler overall. However, if you decide to place beach pebbles in your garden, make sure they are specifically for the garden and from sustainable resources, and not from a source that will gradually deplete, leaving the area poorer as [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sustainable_living28.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/sustainable_living28.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>Beach pebbles can look great in any garden. Unlike gravel they look smoother and rounded and gentler overall. However, if you decide to place beach pebbles in your garden, make sure they are specifically for the garden and from sustainable resources, and not from a source that will gradually deplete, leaving the area poorer as a result.<br/><br/>It may be tempting to simply set off with you car, a shovel and some sturdy sacks to a nearby beach or nearby river bed to dig up your own supply of pebbles. It&#8217;s also likely that you could do this easily as there probably won&#8217;t be anything there to physically stop you.<br/><br/>However, don&#8217;t! It&#8217;s very likely that the stones you find lying on a beach are protected by a local government protection order. Taking them without permission will almost certainly lead to the possibility of you being fined heavily, so it&#8217;s not worth doing.<br/><br/>Instead, find a good reputable supplier, one that uses a sustainable resources. If your chosen supplier is one that gets their pebbles wherever they can, and doesn&#8217;t care how depleted beaches get as a result, it&#8217;s time you changed supplier.<br/><br/>An interesting case in point comes from a news item highlighting the problems faced at Chesil Bank in Dorset, part of the Jurassic Coast world heritage site. Following a popular television programme about how stones from the beach could really liven up any garden, amateur gardeners started taking stones, rocks and pebbles off the beach at Chesil Bank by the truck load.<br/><br/>The 18-mile stretch of unique pebble-banked beach, which had lain intact as a naturally occurring protective habitat for thousands of creatures for over 10,000 years, suffered considerably as a result of their thoughtless stupidity. Their illegal action was simply not sustainable.<br/><br/>While these pebbles and other stones can create a wonderful low maintenance garden, and they look so good too, it has to be said that to see them placed miles from the nearest beach, is not entirely natural. But, if you feel that is the only choice you want to make, get your stock from sustainable resources.<br/><br/>Coastal erosion is an unfortunate fact of life. The sea does sometimes eat away coastal stretches, but it also creates them. All the pretty stones that can be seen lying freely on any beach were washed up there by the action of the sea, usually in stormy conditions.<br/><br/>If stones are removed in quantities that are manageable for the beach, they will, in time, be replenished by the actions of the sea. This means that to some degree beaches can be a sustainable resource. It&#8217;s a fine balance though, and removing too many, too quickly will soon create a situation whereby the beach cannot recover very easily.<br/><br/>There&#8217;s no doubt though that a garden that uses beach pebbles, perhaps of different colours and different sizes, in an original and artistic way can be the pride of any street.<br/><br/>There has always been something extremely appealing about clean shiny rocks and stones, and coupled with their low maintenance qualities, they have always been a winner with gardeners. So use them in your garden by all means, but make sure they come from sustainable resources.<br/><br/><a href='http://www.imagemule.com'>oscommerce themes</a></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/make-sure-your-garden-beach-pebbles-come-from-a-sustainable-resource/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are You Being Eco Friendly?</title>
		<link>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/are-you-being-eco-friendly/</link>
		<comments>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/are-you-being-eco-friendly/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:30:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Improvement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Obstacles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Positive Changes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waste Materials]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/are-you-being-eco-friendly/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ask yourself how eco friendly you are right now? If you don&#8217;t like the answer you get then think of some ways in which you can improve it. You want to be proud of your efforts instead of feeling like you should be doing more. Being eco friendly doesn&#8217;t mean you have to give up [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div style="float:left; padding: 12px"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly21.jpg"><img src="/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/eco-friendly21.jpg" title='' alt='' /></a></div>
<div><br/><br/>Ask yourself how eco friendly you are right now? If you don&#8217;t like the answer you get then think of some ways in which you can improve it. You want to be proud of your efforts instead of feeling like you should be doing more. Being eco friendly doesn&#8217;t mean you have to give up on your favorite conveniences either. It just means you strive to make some modifications. That way you aren&#8217;t adding more damage to what is already being done out there.<br/><br/>The amount of energy wasted each day by people adds up to more than you can imagine. The biggest concern is that the resources they are using for it aren&#8217;t able to be replenished. Once they are gone they are gone for ever and that means future generations will be without them. The answer is to turn to the various types of alternative renewable energy out there. Cutting back on the amount of waste materials you contribute is going to make a very positive impact.<br/><br/>No matter what your current habits are you can strive to be more eco friendly. This isn&#8217;t&#8217; something you have to do alone. Though everyone in your family to take part in such efforts. They younger a person is when they start doing so the more it will just be a way of life for them. Encourage community organizations including your schools to be more eco friendly as well. The more it is embraced out there the bigger difference it is going to end up making.<br/><br/>Recycling is a very effective way to be more eco friendly. You may not realize it but more than half of what the average family tosses into the trash can be used again through recycling. That can result in the average family reducing the amount of energy they consume by 5,000 hours each year. When you add up those figures it should give you a huge incentive to make some positive changes starting today.<br/><br/>If your community doesn&#8217;t have a recycle location for people to take paper, glass, and plastic then you need to bring this to their attention. One of the hardest obstacles to recycling is not having a place to put the items you collect. When the entire community makes that possible every one wins.<br/><br/>Consumers have a voice too when it comes to what they buy. You can encourage manufacturers to offer eco friendly products. Let those that you currently buy from know you will be going with someone else in the future if they don&#8217;t make that option available. Since all of us shop for our groceries and other items, why not use your own eco friendly bags to do so? This is a great way to cut down on the use of paper or plastic for such shopping expeditions.<br/></div>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.communityforestryteam.org/2010/12/are-you-being-eco-friendly/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>

