Xeriscaping, from the Greek prefix “xeric,” meaning “dry,” is a popular style of landscaping, particularly in areas with arid or semi-arid climates such as California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas. Xeriscaping (“zeer-i-scaping”) reduces th
Read more…It's like being pelted with popcorn—the choices and decisions keep coming at us. But some popcorn is more significant than others. The house we are remodeling in Orinda had cement tile shingles, and though the shingles held a lifetime guarantee, we c
Read more…Real grass was introduced to North America by the early settlers in order to feed grazing livestock. Later, green lawns came to represent the American dream of living in an orderly, desirable neighborhood with a manicured lawn. We’ve come to learn th
Repair and reuse are key concepts at the heart of sustainability. Pushed towards consumerism, Americans have gotten into the habit of buying new things instead of fixing broken ones. This practice is not only wasteful and expensive, it is not sustain
Read more…Here is a juicy secret: The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) will give you money for taking out your grass lawns. It sounds too good to be true, but it's true. You can create a beautiful water-sip
We’ve all seen those cool looking silicone cupcake pans, ice cube trays, whisks, basters, spatulas, and other kitchenware that come in a variety of alluring colors and soft, malleable shapes. There are even silicone baggies that replace disposable pl
Read more…At our Walk 'n Lunch event in Lafayette we "decorated" the walking trail with signs pointing out many interesting sustainability facts you may (or may not!) know.
What???
o 40% of bottled water is really tap water
Pass on single use plastic
o The
Remodeling our “Forever Home” is testing our patience! There are so many little details to study and decisions to make. For example, we decided to make our bathroom wheelchair accessible. After coming up with the design for the perfectly sized vanit
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If you're looking for the Spring Cleaning article mentioned in the April 2024 newsletter, click here!
How about a little pesticide with your breakfast? If you regularly eat Cheerios or Quaker Oats products, there are some things you should know, esp
Read more…Our house in Orinda has been “up in the air” since November. It’s jacked up because the foundation had partially collapsed. It didn’t happen all at once. The house was built in the early 1950s, and we think the foundation was exposed to water that un
What is Prop 65? In the state of California, Prop 65 warning labels on products inform consumers that it is known to cause cancer or reproductive harm in humans or laboratory animals. Products include apparel, textiles, jewelry, accessories, home pro
Concrete is everywhere. It is popular for buildings and infrastructure because of its compressive strength. Add rebar, and you add tensile strength—resulting in a material that can carry weight without cracking and resist bending or being pulled apar
Read more…Climate change can feel overwhelming and you may be thinking about what else you can do. One simple action to take this year is to increase your physical activity. Let’s face it, life’s better when you’re healthy and it’s the same with our environmen
If you’re thinking about New Year’s resolutions for 2024, here are five suggestions that will conserve natural resources, save energy, and help you start out the new year on a positive note while helping the planet!
1) Reduce Landfill Waste There are
Read more…Photo by Sweta Meininger on Unsplash
In our quest for a magical holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in a frenzy of shopping, wrapping, and generally doing too much. Instead of being a warm and wonderful experience, holidays can become overw
Read more…Dr. Geoffrey Hinton helped Google develop it’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. He quit Google when he began to worry about the unintended consequences of using the technology. “I’m afraid of self-censoring,” he told Jeff Bennett and the PB
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
The holidays are here, and that means kids are home from school, guests are coming for a visit, and you need some ideas for outdoor fun during this festive season. Whether you want to get some exercise, breathe some
Read more…We’ve posted many articles on how to make Christmas greener, and these discussions invariably address the dilemma of choosing an artificial tree vs. a real tree. Whether you are religious, spiritual, or secular, the Christmas tree is a popular symbol
Black Friday - the day after Thanksgiving - has traditionally been all about shopping. However, people and companies are increasingly questioning the effects of the one-day buying frenzy on businesses and the planet.
Over the last few years, the mov
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