There’s a fun new way to stay motivated about recycling, and spotlight your business’s recycling practices. Recycle at Work is a great site sponsored by Portland’s Bureau of Planning and Sustainability. The City of Portland’s goal is to progress toward a 75% recycling goal, and businesses are being asked to complete a Progress Report to let the city know about recycling practices at work. The Recycle at Work program offers some great advice on how to reach your company’s recycling goals, with everything from how to cut back on waste to green catering. More...

When shopping for a laundry detergent, my primary concern is to choose a brand without a long list of chemicals or petroleum-based products. Despite my best intentions, my research occasionally leaves out additives or terms I'll come across that I’m not sure about, such as “optical brightener” or “surfactants.” Although these terms may sound "sciency", I have a feeling they're not the best for my skin or our water supply. Rather than expound on the various vagaries detergents list as containing (or claim they are free of) OR digress about how scary it is that companies are not required to disclose their chemical ingredients, I’ve decided to spotlight the little-known soapnut, also known as the soap pod.

You can order organic soapnuts online, as they are not common yet in the United States. Soapnuts have no chemical additives and make your clothes smell nice and clean! Although there are some good eco detergents out there, soapnuts are reusable for several washes, and are also much less expensive. They're also great if you have sensitive skin or allergies to other soaps- read on… More...

Buy organic
Conventionally grown cotton is responsible for as much as 10% of pesticide use in the world and up to 25% of insecticide use annually, according to Grist. The chemicals can impact workers and leach into the groundwater. Because the United States produces more cotton than all countries except China, much of this is on our soil.

Next, ask about the processing method for cotton, wool, and other fabrics. Look for those that use natural dyes and avoid chlorine bleaching. Organic Consumers estimates that 1/3lb of chemicals are used in the production of a cotton T-shirt, so buying secondhand comes second to buying a product that avoids the conventional cycle.
 
Image: CreativeCommons/Cosmic Kitty More...

It’s the little things in life…that add up. When ordering food to go, how many times were you given a pile of extra plasticware and napkins? This is not to mention those pesky clamshell food containers themselves. In the ongoing shift away from petroleum-based plastic products, you may have noticed some plastic items now have “Compostable” printed on them. Learn about how to differentiate between biodegradable and compostable, and consider choosing bioplastics and other earth-friendly tableware and food packaging.  More...

Portland Center Stage is gearing up for the production of Grey Gardens May 26th-June 21st. This is one that we're really looking forward to! You can help build the set by dropping off clean, empty cat food cans at Gerding Theater by May 13th. Bring in 2 dozen or more and you'll get a free ticket to the show!

No cats? Use a Chinook Book coupon for 2 for 1 tickets.

PCS: Your Cat Food Cans Can Be Stars

Image: Flickr/CreativeCommons More...

Did you know that some plants grow better when they grow next to other plants? The opposite is also true, where some plants just don’t get along. It is a little known secret in organic gardening and all has to do with one plant repelling pests that would attack the other plant, or attracting beneficial insects, providing nutrients, or in some cases simply offering shade and support. Celebrate this marvelous concept in biodiversity when planning your spring garden. More...

Many houses have heaters, fireplaces, woodstoves or a combination of all three, yet are still uncomfortably cold inside. Aren’t we smart enough to keep ourselves warm? Even beavers build their dens to stay incredibly toasty and dry, so what’s going on with us? You may have taken one look at your heating bill over the last few months and wondered the same thing.

Spring is finally here and we can use this time to prepare and remodel for next winter. Here are some ways to manage staying warm, saving money and being green (besides wearing that green thrift store sweater you bought for St. Patrick's Day). More...

Your number one green building resource is the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, which is hosting an Ecoroof Vendor Fair free to the public on April 25th. But we know that these times call for cash, so we've gathered your top money back options to aid your green remodel.

4 Areas to Check
Have you used our Personal Energy Analyzer yet? If you don't own a Chinook Book, you can download it right here. Reducing your water heater temperature, lowering your thermostat (or raising it this summer), and eliminating phantom power suckers can save you money with zero cost up front.

Cash and Tax Incentives
Review the list of cash incentives from Energy Trust for home weatherization, heating and cooling, water heating, and renewable energy.

• Clothes washer: $75-$100 back
• Refrigerator: $50 and $30 to recycle your old model
• Solar water heating: Up to $1,500
• Duct sealing: Up to $400 (Use Energy Star's DIY guide to insulation and sealing)

Energy Trust can help you navigate the Oregon Residential Energy Tax Credit, where you can save up to $1000 on appliances and heating improvements. Finally, be sure to check the Energy Trust allies page for incentives on installation of windows, heaters, and more.

Using water also uses the electricity needed to pump it to you and through your home. Apply for a $100 WaterSense toilet rebate if you purchase a certified toilet and install free faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and toilet displacement bags from the Portland Water Bureau.

Get a Professional Audit
Get a free 1 hour home energy review, conducted by a professional, through Energy Trust. More...

We called the Metro Recycling Hotline and found out the Tetra Pak, or aseptic packages, were a controversial item in the past, but are now recyclable curbside in your blue bin. The containers should not be flattened, though, because sorters remove them from the conveyor belt and ship them to another recycling center that is hot enough. There were some surprises, too. Butter boxes and frozen food boxes cannot be recycled, because of a plastic lining. These go in the trash.

Examples of aseptic containers that are OK curbside:

• Orange juice containers
• Soy and rice milk boxes and containers
• Milk containers
• Juice containers
• Soup and stock boxes such as Imagine brand

Containers that are not accepted curbside:

• Frozen food boxes
• Cubed butter boxes

Call Metro Recycling Hotline: 503-234-3000 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. More...