Green Friendly?
THE ENVIRONMENTAL CAN OPENER
The manufacturing of an environmental can opener requires very little in the way of raw materials.
The environmental can opener is very small and light weight. It takes less big, smoky trucks to transport it from the factory.
The environmental can opener almost never breaks or wears out, so the big, smoky trucks can leave the factory less often.
The environmental can opener does not plug into the wall, it runs on people power, so it saves energy.
The environmental can opener does not come in a box, or have an owner’s manual, so it saves trees.
Since the late 1970’s, when I received one of these can openers from my Marine recruiter, I have owned no other can opener.
Port Hadlock Transit Center
Burning Driftwood Saves Trees-
It is not legal to collect and burn driftwood in our state parks. If it was, trees and other natural resources could be saved while reducing pollution at the same time.
Probably the most popular version of firewood for camping comes in the plastic shrink-wrapped bundles. What is their story?
A big smokey truck drives into the hills to cut trees, at day’s end the truck returns to the firewood bundle processing facility where the wood is cut, split and wrapped in plastic by employees who each drove their own vehicle to the factory to start their shift. The next day a big truck takes the wood bundles to the big grocery store warehouse facility where the bundles are offloaded by forklift. The forklift is powered by highly toxic rechargeable lead/acid batteries. The next day a big truck comes to take the wood bundles to a local grocery store. The bundles are offloaded by forklift. The next day we are on our way to go camping and stop to buy fire wood. We load up the wood in our own vehicle, gas up, and head to the park.
The restriction on burning driftwood may have to do with preserving the natural beauty of the beach. It would be helpful to have some written explanation of this policy posted on the State Park’s website and in the parks. Rules are easier to understand and follow when they include an educational component- not this time- this is a “Because we said so” rule.
Driftwood is a renewable resource.
Green Marketing-
Be a Good Consumer- replace whatever you have with new stuff.
Our rescued/adopted cats have been spayed or neutered.
Change the oil in the car every 3000 miles?
What does the owner’s manual say?
I have never owned a cell phone.
In Washington State we must physically remove and replace our license plates (not just tabs) every 7 years. One size fits all, no questions asked- keep those plate machines humming, keep the discard piles growing.
We must visit two separate offices to get our driver’s license and our vehicle plates. A third stop is required if you are coming in from out of state and your VIN must be verified.
I have lived in at least one other state where each of these tasks was performed at one location- one stop shopping would be more green friendly.
49 other states have figured out how to deal with the same situation. Why not pick one of the most efficient methods and go with that?
Cutting out a portion of tailpipe emissions and reducing demand on vital energy reserves was enough for me to commit to ending my commute to work.
Home is walking distance from bars, restaurants, the public library, liquor store, post office, thrift store, veterinarian, barber shop, gas station, coffee shop, auto repair, dentist, eye doctor, print/copy shop, banks, medical clinic, grocery store, video store, public transit, hardware store and public waterfront.
The gas station squeegee- used on windows, headlights and taillights- reduces the need for a complete car wash.
Tire Pressure-
Proper tire pressure is a factor in getting good gas mileage. I use a quality pressure gauge to read my tire pressure while the tires are cold.
If the pressure is low, I do not drive to the mini-mart for air because I would not have cold tires upon arrival.
I use a bicycle tire pump to add air to my cold tires. By using the bicycle pump, I have saved myself an unnecessary trip to a crowded mini-mart, I have saved gas, and I have used people power to get the job done. The bicycle pump is with me on any cross country or vacation trips.
In the kitchen-
We like cast iron. It works well, is easy to maintain- cleans up without soap- never wears out, and never has to be thrown away or replaced.
For similar reasons we like old fashioned knives that can be sharpened by hand.
I made the commitment to buy beer in 12 packs to prevent these from washing up on the beach.
(this item collected for proper disposal)
Making time each week to support community recycling efforts.
“Ask about a Fall Tune-Up, Time to Winterize, Get your car Ready for Spring, Be Ready for Summer Vacation Driving”, etc.
There is almost no such thing as seasonal car maintenance. For most Americans, living in most parts of the country, the set up for your car in Winter is the same as for Summer.
Maintenance is almost always specified by mileage- not a change of season.
Don’t believe it? Check the owner’s manual.
Broke down- July ’09- and washed it all the way down to the paint. It had moss on it- and not just a green film.
Trivia-
I was born in 1960.
I have never owned a vehicle with more than 4 cylinders. The truck I drive today replaced the car I had in high school.
Sometimes we shop at the secondhand store. Recently we saw an old flashlight that was in good condition. It was made in the USA.
Not delivering a Chevy
