Going Green Ideas - Reduce Usage of Petroleum Products

The rising price of oil and gas is, in part, the fault of us all. Let's look around our homes and be aware of the products that contain petroleum distillates and other hydrocarbons and then find alternatives.

For example, cleaning sponges used in the kitchen are made from oil-based chemicals. Why not use washable cloths?

Baby oil. Replace the popular brands with all-natural products. Healthier too!

Do you use plastic drinking cups at home or on a picnic? There is an incredible substitute - corn. And, because they are biodegradable these cups are compostable. Of course, there are issues with using corn. However, considering there are probably millions of these cups thrown away every day the benefits of reducing oil consumption while reducing landfill waste are tremendous.

Petroleum distillates are a group of hydrocarbon-based chemicals that are refined from crude oil. Petroleum distillates include gasoline, naphtha, mineral spirits, kerosene, paraffin, paint solvents, adhesives, and automotive chemicals.

Look at your furniture polish, degreasers, lighter fluids, Vasoline, and treated bar-b-que coals. Can they be replaced with a non-petroleum product?

Other common, oil-based, household products that many of us use every day, and for which there may be natural alternatives, include:

• hair spray
• hair gel
• bottles for cosmetics and toiletries
• sandals/flip flops
• ballpoint pens
• plastic clothes hangers
• polyester clothing
• children's balls and other toys
• trash bags
• freezer bags
• shopping bags
• storage containers
• band-aids
• egg cartons
• disposable plates
• marking pens
• office equipment
• faux fur
• pantyhose
• candles
• garden hose
• balloons
• Teflon products
• kitchen utensils
• spray paint
• pet toys
• vertical blinds
• picture frames
• photo albums
• document binders
• extra phones
and many more products!

There are approximately 300 million Americans who can collectively make a big difference. Let's use these products wisely and make our contribution to the reduction of demand for oil products while living a healthier life!

Founder’s Message

Around the world people have been "going green" for many years and enjoying it. There is a sense of pride when we incorporate some basic steps into our everyday life, at home, at school and at our place of business. The cumulative effect of our actions can have a dramatic effect on our environment.

At GoingGreenResources.com we realize that people are often prevented from doing more as they don't have a central resource of ideas and products. We aim to change that!

Ten years ago some ideas seemed crazy that we now take for granted. Now within ten years it is entirely possible we may not have gas stations as auto manufacturers are finally creating some really incredible "green" cars. Many people we know now drive hybrids and are not only thrilled with the reduced cost of gas but they also feel good about fighting global warming in their own small way.

In March of 2008 we visited a "sustainable farm" in Costa Rica. Using intriguing methods this farm is growing beautiful organic vegetables, tasty free-range eggs, unique plants with health benefits and so much more. There is reason to believe that many of these farming ideas can be used around the world. More on this wonderful experience can be found in our travel section.

Last November, we traveled to Barbados in the Caribbean. Beaches were lined with recycling bins. There a small number of visitors were fortunate enough to help the locals return some newborn turtles into the waves so they could begin their journey. The excitement everyone felt as they helped Mother Nature along was beyond words. Our travel section has some great photos.

Back at home we take the steps that we can. Our recycling container is full each week, while the trashcan is nearly empty. It's a good feeling knowing that there is a lot less waste being sent to landfills. Where possible at home, CFL's are used for lighting; water waste is minimized; biodegradable detergents are used and all personal grooming products are organic and fragrance free. The benefits are many of minimizing the chemicals that come in touch with the skin, the body's largest organ.

Please bookmark our site and tell your friends. New content will be added frequently and we will be offering commentaries from our fellow green citizens and well-respected individuals in the environmental field.

- John Livingstone, GoingGreenResources.com

We invite you to comment on this article below.

Innovation for businesses and governments going green is becoming more intense daily. The opportunity to sell to and meet the needs of these businesses is ever increasing.
• Iowa Stored Energy Park is a group of utilities in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas that plans to store wind energy. The energy will be shipped via power grid to a site near Des Moines. Motor driven machines will use the electricity to compress air into acquifers 3000 feet below the ground. As needed, the air pressure will be released, enhancing the efficiency of gas-powered turbines. The stored energy could produce enough electricity for 75,000 homes.

• Plastic grocery bags are being banned in so many places from San Francisco in California to St. Barth in the Caribbean. Supermarkets are finding replacements, including bags made of cornstarch, which are biodegradable in as little as three months. The liquor stores in British Columbia, Canada offer reusable bags that have dividers inside to separate up to six bottles of your favorite beverage.

• Hotels are meeting the demands of their guests. In a 2005 survey Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants determined that 16% of guests selected their properties because of the companies environmental policies. This percentage has soared in recent years. Hotels are using eco-friendly designers, furnishings, CFL bulbs, bamboo floorings, low VOC paint and of course restaurants are using organic ingredients in their meals.

• Restaurants, like the famous Araxis Restaurant in the Whistler ski resort, are adopting principles of "The 100 Mile Diet" book and finding that patrons love the idea. Organic growers can take advantage of these principles to increase sales. Visit www.100milediet.org to learn more.

• Furniture stores are discovering the soaring sales of eco-friendly furnishings.

Roof of new Vancouver Convention Center Expansion

• Construction of homes, commercial and industrial projects are rapidly adopting techniques and ideas that some might have considered crazy only a few years ago. The new convention center expansion in Vancouver, Canada is currently installing a six-acre "living roof." The energy-savings are projected to be considerable. How many buildings in North America might be interested in this technology?

• Taxi companies everywhere are adopting small car, energy-efficient technologies. Many fleets are now 100% Prius. Messengers and service companies are putting the new "Smart car" to use at a rapid rate.

• Biodynamic farming is becoming widespread. What is biodynamic wine? What are the opportunities?

    Roof of new Vancouver Convention Center Expansion

Visit this space often to learn what's happening with the above and many more "green" techniques, products and ideas.

We invite you to comment on this article below.

No matter where you live, we all look forward to enjoying life in our gardens and outdoor living areas. Living green is about sustainability and protecting our environment and it is so beneficial to each of us. Living your life as a "green family" has so many facets. When you are outdoors look around and ask yourself:

• Are we using harmful chemicals in the soil that feed our edible plants and flowers? There are many organic fertilizers available.

• Are harmful sprays being used to control insects? Check out natural alternatives that are even more effective than chemical based pesticides.

• Have we used an excessive amount of concrete? When it rains, chemicals leach from concrete into our soil. Can pea-gravel, pavers, stone slabs or reclaimed wood be used instead?

• Are we still using chlorine in our pool? Chlorine byproducts found in swimming pools, according to credible research conducted in the U.S., Canada, Norway and Australia show a link to higher incidences of asthma, lung damage, stillbirths, miscarriages and bladder cancer? According to About.com, "recently a chemical-free public swimming pool was installed in Fairhope, Alabama. It uses Ozone technology and avoids the use of chlorine altogether. This is a first for public pools in North America." This technology is also available for homes.

• Are we planning a new deck? Make sure to use green building materials. Refinishing an existing deck? Check out environmentally friendly stains.

• Are we landscaping wisely? Are shade trees being planted in a manner to keep the house cool? Are we setting aside an area to plant organic food for our family? Is xeriscape planting appropriate in our climate?

• Are we trying to avoid using gas or electricity powered blowers, trimmers and mowers? The alternatives offer exercise and saved money.

• Are we watering on a timer? Avoid watering mid-day. Are we harvesting natural rain water?

• Are we fighting pests like whiteflies and aphids naturally? Plants such as sweet alyssum, feverfew and coreopis attract beneficial insects which in turn feed on the pests.

These are just a few of the resources available for going green. Look to the index on the left of this page for more ideas to consider.

We invite your comments below.

Start with a survey of your home. Our site offers many resources for going green. There are some easy and affordable steps to take and others are more expensive and difficult. If you are a new "green citizen" start with the easy ideas. Greening your home can seem overwhelming, so start with small steps. A few simple ideas are offered below.

More detailed information, on key areas, for advanced readers, can be found at the tabs to the left. As you start your "going green survey" think about three areas:

Energy Conservation:

Look for some simple ways to cut back on electricity use.

· Replace a few incandescent lightbulbs with new CFL bulbs. Many people don't like them at first so put them in closets, bedroom lamps, can lights in hallways, the basement and garage. You will soon find that you want to replace every bulb.

· Cut back on heat and don't turn the air conditioning on too soon. Use fresh air for ventilation by opening windows on the shady side of the house in summer.

· Replace out of date appliances with Energy Star certified appliances.

Water Conservation:

· Start simple. Don't run the dishwasher unless full. Or, pile washed dishes and then rinse all at once.

· Take shorter showers.

· Fill the sink with hot water when shaving and then shut it off.

Protect Your Family's Health

· Replace your existing cleaning supplies with non-toxic products. Avoid parabens, fragrances and aerosol products.

· If you are planning to repaint, look for non- or low-VOC paints.

· If it's time for new bedding, choose products that are from organic materials.

There are many more advanced resources for going green in this site. Please comment below on other topics you would like to see.