Submitted By Northern Nevada Poultry Fanciers Association |

There’s nothing better than cracking an egg into a hot skillet with the knowledge that, “Yes, this is a healthy egg.” Why? Because you know its source…your own backyard!

Many people are concerned about the source of their food; and rightly so, with the current scare of salmonella enteritidis and its resulting large scale recall of shell eggs.

From the family next door to Hollywood celebrities, the “backyard chicken fancier” is on the rise. This is exciting news in this modern pre-packaged culture, where most people haven’t even laid eyes on a living chicken.

The chicken: a funny cackling flouncy bird that is so important to humans, they actually outnumber us on earth. Not that they themselves had anything to say or do about it; but rather by man’s doing, and his never ending appetite for them.

Since the mid 1800’s, the industry and development of mass producing chickens for our consumption grew to incorporate science and technology. It’s the “science” part, with its hormones and antibiotics, not to mention the inhumane stress on the creatures, that concerns today’s health conscious consumer.

Here in Northern Nevada, a serious group of Chicken advocates or “Chicken lovers,” is dedicated to educating and supporting those who want to raise their own little flock. They are the Northern Nevada Poultry Fanciers Association (NNPFA), founded in the spring of 2004 by Cliff and Kathy Lewis of Silver Springs.

At that time, the country, or at least most of the southwestern United States, was trying to recover from the Exotic Newcastle disease, which caused entire poultry flocks to be destroyed; buildings burned to eradicate the highly contagious epidemic. It became very important to learn and share accurate information on how to raise healthy poultry, and how to implement safeguards to keep them healthy.

The NNPFA, considered as Nevada’s chicken authorities, host Nevada’s largest Poultry show each fall and give poultry clinics throughout the region. Accredited by the American Poultry Association (APA) and the American Bantam Association (ABA), members of the club are great sources from which to purchase purebred chicks, show quality chicks, meat and eggs birds, fresh eggs and to get information and support.

Raising your own chickens takes preplanning and work, but the benefits are worth it. Your efforts will reward you with wholesome and nutritious eggs and meat.

Another benefit: poultry manure. It is the richest animal manure in N-P-K (N-Nitrogen, P-Phosphorous Acid, K-Potash). Chicken manure is considered “hot” and must be composted before adding it to the garden or it will burn your young plants.

Looking for more benefits? Chickens will eat all the bugs in the yard, plus their cackling in alarm makes them great as watch dogs! Despite popular opinion, they’re pretty smart, with personalities to boot. In a happy safe environment, the chicken is a priceless and entertaining commodity.

So, you want to start a flock…how and where do you start? Is that little yellow fluff ball you brought home for Easter just going to magically grow up and start pushing out eggs next week? Well, almost, but not without your dedication and commitment.

First, you need to check with your City’s zoning ordinances.

In Reno, call 775-321-8309 and

in Sparks call 775- 353-4067.

Next, determine the space you can provide for their coop, the run and the free-range area for them to be able to root and scratch naturally.

A general rule of thumb for having adequate space for standard breeds is 4 sq ft of indoor coop floor area per chicken, and 10 sq ft of yard space per chicken. Some people provide much less space per chicken and they do survive it, but it’s not the best living conditions for them. People who allow chickens to roam/free range a larger yard or pasture or property on a regular basis can certainly get away with less enclosed yard space. Overcrowding chickens can raise their stress level, which can lead to health problems down the line. The best thing you can do for your chickens is to give them as much area as you can and ignore the minimums.

The security factor is extremely important, with fencing needed 5 to 6 feet tall to keep out crafty predators. Looking after your poultry’s welfare from chick, to pullet to laying hen also includes attention to their feed, of which there are organic varieties available. They’ll gobble up all sorts of table scraps from spaghetti to fish, bread, fruit and popcorn. Access to clean water, keeping them disease free and safe from harmful plants and pesticides, are also very important aspects of their care. Sunlight plays a huge part in egg production, shade for comfort, dirt for bathing and a cozy coop with clean nesting boxes finishes up with the basics.

Once this becomes routine, you’ll be able to kick back and reap the harvest year after year. Nothing’s more relaxing than to sit and watch your flock in the yard with their gentle bustling about, beautiful colored feathers, and to hear their crazy cooing and cackling. It seems like Heaven on earth. Kids love chickens and your neighbors will too, unless you have an obnoxious rooster. Of course the best part is to know that you are feeding your family the highest quality eggs on the block.

Raising your own chickens is definitely a fun-feathered adventure, with a healthy ending.

For more info, contact the Northern Nevada Poultry Fanciers Association online at www.wix.com/poultryfancier/nnpfa.com

Every time you provide your name and address when buying a product you’re signing up to receive direct mail pieces. This occurs when you buy a car or a house, use a shopping card, sign up for a credit card, subscribe to a magazine, buy something from a catalog, give money to a charity, or fill out a product registration form. Once signed up, your name is put into a database for that company. Often companies will rent out their database lists to other businesses for direct marketing.

There is a way to cut back the amount of direct mail you receive. By contacting the Direct Marketing Association you can register to have your name removed via the Mail Preference Service. This will take your name off most major catalog list rentals. You can register online or by mail. The Direct Marketing Association also allows you to pick and choose what direct mail pieces you receive. Sometimes it’s nice to not have to go the store to see what is on sale.

This year, go green by eliminating excess waste. You can end the annoyance of mail pieces that go straight from your mailbox to your trash.

To register by mail:
Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association Inc.
Box 9008 Box 282
Carmel, NY 10512

To register online: www.dmachoice.org

Ditch products that say “Poison,” “Warning,” or “Danger.” Cleaners like these should not be in your home. Make sure to read the label. Anything that has ingredients containing the phrase “chlor,” “glycol,” “phenol,” or ends with “-ene” is doing more harm to your body than adding shine to that floor. Even scarier are the products that don’t even list their ingredients. Consider making your own cleaning products or scoop up some eco-friendly cleaners. Here are some easy cleaning products you can make yourself, made with “green” ingredients:

1. Multi-purpose cleaner: Mix a few drops of natural soap, 2 cups water, and 15 drops each of tea tree and lavender essential oil. You can spray this on all surfaces, like cutting boards, counters, toilets and walls.
2. Remove indoor air pollutants: Houseplants such as chrysanthemums, English ivy, spider plants, and Boston ferns naturally freshen the air.
3. Prevent mold and mildew from becoming a growing problem in the bathroom by keeping a spray bottle filled with 1 cup water and 1 drop tea tree oil handy, for zapping stains.
4. Disinfect and deodorize the toilet bowl in a flash. Sprinkle the sides with baking soda, let sit for a few minutes, then drizzle with vinegar. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
5. Take out tough stains from whites by dabbing spots with a mixture of one part borax and six parts water.  Avoid using harsh chemicals by cleaning more often. A major reason people turn to harsh cleaners is because they are not keeping up on their cleaning; when they finally get around to it, gunk is super stuck on everything.

For more info, contact Laura Mederos at WOW Cleaning Services at (775) 322-4787 or visit online at www.wowcleaningreno.com.

The term “Green” has been thrown around a lot in the recent years. And, we the consumers are becoming desensitized and indifferent to products claiming to be “green.” We hear “green” and our eyes glaze over. What does “green” mean? We know that it has something to do with being natural and it is good for us or the environment. But, as we examine many products or services that use “green, eco-safe, eco-preferred or natural,” it is increasingly clear that it is merely a finely crafted marketing campaign. This process is “greenwashing”.

Of course there are products and services that are “greener” or even truly “green.” Let’s take dry cleaning  as an example. Everyone knows that the dry cleaning industry uses a toxic solvent called Perchloroethylene (perc) as the industry standard for cleaning clothes. It is classified as a probable carcinogen by the EPA and its use is being phased out in California by 2023. Some drycleaners then switched to petroleum or hydrocarbon (DF-2000 or Ecosolv) because it is less toxic than perc. It is less aggressive than perc, but it is flammable and the drycleaners can use the term “green” in their marketing. But, is it really green? Is cleaning your clothes in what is essentially kerosene a natural and toxic free method? Does washing in either perc or petroleum produce a cleaner garment? The answer is no. Both solvents are very good degreasing agents and are decent at removing some dirt with proper detergents, but stains such as food, drinks, sweat, urine and many other naturally occurring stains will not budge in perc or petroleum.

So what is a truly “green” drycleaner? The EPA has classified two liquids as completely toxic free: liquid CO2 and water. There are few cleaners who use CO2 because of the cost, and its cleaning is not as effective as some of the other solvents. On the other hand, water is the true natural, eco-safe, eco-preferred cleaning medium. Drycleaners who use this process are called “Wetcleaners.”  Wet cleaning uses water to clean all “dry clean only” labeled garments with no shrinkage, such as wool suits, silks, cashmeres and rayon in special washers and humidity controlled dryers with EPA approved detergents and conditioners. Water naturally takes out all the stains that perc and petroleum cannot. A fresher, cleaner garment is produced.

Ask your drycleaner what makes them “green”? Find out what solvent they use. Do they recycle hangers? Maybe they use biodegradable garment covers or recycled poly? Or, are they taking steps to save energy? Of course, you can determine what “green” means to you. For many, a little perc or petroleum in their clothing, comforters and other household items is but a mere nuisance. For others, not allowing those chemicals into the home is the practice in which they want to live; they should choose the wet cleaning process.

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetrachloroethylene
2. http://www.epa.gov/chemfact/f_perchl.txt
3. http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr012607b.htm

For more info, contact Spot Cleaners at (775) 851-7768.

According to a Good Housekeeping Institute study, as reported on 48 hours (on CBS) in 2000, “A straight 5% solution of vinegar kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold and 80 percent of viruses.”

Eliminate Unpleasant Odors:

1. To stop unpleasant cooking odors from permeating throughout the entire house, boil a cup or two of vinegar in a pot in the stove. The vinegar will absorb the odors.
2. When cooking cabbage, add a few drops of vinegar to prevent the unpleasant odors in the first place.

Clean, Sparkly Bathrooms:

1. Clean sink and tub with full-strength vinegar. Simply apply with a sponge, wipe clean to a sparkly shine.
2. Clean your ceramic tiles with a solution of ¼ cup vinegar to one-gallon warm water. If the grout between your tiles is looking dirty, dip a toothbrush in full strength vinegar and gently scrub.
3. Get rid of that nasty, grimy dirt that builds up around the faucets by soaking paper towels in full strength vinegar and wrapping them around the fixtures. Let sit for one hour, and then clean as usual.
4. Soap scum & hard water spots on the tub and shower stall? Soak a sponge in full strength vinegar, wipe, let stand for five minutes then rinse with clean water. Water spots on sliding shower doors disappear after cleaning with half water and half vinegar solution.

For more info, contact Laura Mederos at WOW Cleaning Services at (775) 322-4787 or visit online at www.wowcleaningreno.com.

Galena Fest, Inc. was organized to restore, establish, expand and enhance outdoor recreational resources in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The group raises awareness about and funds to support: parks; including hiking, biking and riding trails; creeks, lakes and waterways; and other under-supported outdoor recreational resources.  Galena Fest, Inc. accomplishes this through community engagement, volunteerism and fund-raising.

In 2010, Galena Fest, Inc. will focus on:

• Expansion and addition of outdoor educational programs for children and adults at Galena Creek Regional Park
• Construction and reclamation of single track hiking and mountain biking trails between the Park and Mt. Rose Summit & corridor
• Promotion of programs and outdoor recreational resources at the Park and within adjacent/contiguous properties
• Support for viable use of Incline Lake and its surrounding open space
• Support for Great Basin Institute and Sky Tavern Ski Resort

Their signature event, Galena Fest, will take place Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26, 2010, at Galena Creek Regional Park, 18250 Mt. Rose Hwy, in Reno, NV.  The family-friendly event will open with a free concert in the Park and fishing lessons on Saturday. On Sunday, the festival offers competitive mountain bike races, a 10k running race, fishing contest for kids, free activities, live music, food and beer/beverage vendors.

Volunteers are critical to the success of Galena Fest, Inc. and the event.

“Our Board of Directors, our advisors and event coordinators, and our entire event staff are made up of community volunteers. These are folks who really believe in the legacy of viable outdoor recreational resources for our community. Without them, we’d be no where,” says Holman. “What we offer our volunteers, in return for their time and talents, is the legacy of sustainable resources which will continue to rank Reno as a key destination for recreation.”

For more info on volunteering and to find out more about Galena Fest, Inc., visit www.RenoGalenaFest.com or email RenoGalenaFest@gmail.com. Diseases, http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation/ 2007.

The world around you is “going green,” but what about the world inside you, how green (or how clean) is it? Wheatgrass is one of nature’s finest healers. It has a broad effectiveness, and its three most therapeutic roles are blood purification, liver detoxificaton and colon cleansing.

Wheatgrass is a balanced source of nutrients, especially high in calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus and potassium; as well as zinc and selenium. Grass is a source for all B vitamins. Fresh wheatgrass is two percent protein that is in the form of poly-peptides, which enables efficient assimilation into blood and tissues. It includes 20 amino acids and its spectrum of vitamins is so broad that in 1939 it was accepted as a natural vitamin food by the American Medical Association. Grasses are also the richest sources of chlorophyll on the planet. Green plant cells are the only cells capable of absorbing energy directly from the sun. Research scientist E. Bircher stated that cholorophyll is “concentrated sun power.” It increases heart, lung, intestinal and vascular function. Back in 1911, studies showed that hemin (the part of human blood that carries oxygen) and chlorophyll were surprisingly alike, with the main difference being that the hemin atom is bound by iron and the cholorphyll atom is bound by magnesium. Research proved that wheatgrass works well for people with anemia.

Fresh wheatgrass juice, taken immediately after squeezing, is preferred as the enzymes are alive and active. It is a high frequency enzyme elixir that contains more ‘chi’ than superfoods, like blue-green algae. When a person begins to drink wheatgrass juice, they should begin at one ounce and gradually increase the amount as they become accustomed to it. Wheatgrass should be consumed on an empty stomach and it is preferable to wait at least 45 minutes before eating anything else. It is recommended that a person consume two ounces of fresh squeezed wheatgrass juice daily, for normal health maintenance. Therapeutic dosages are from four to ten ounces, and in severe cases up to 20 ounces daily. Nausea and diarrhea are commonly associated with over-drinking wheatgrass, therefore it is recommended that any amount over four ounces be administered rectally.

Colonic wheatgrass implants are generally tolerated very well. Some people report feeling cleansed and energized following a colon hydrotherapy session with a wheatgrass implant. Wheatgrass implants assist in the reduction of accumulated toxins in the colon and aid in restoring normal colon function. Therapeutic wheatgrass implants can heal ulcers, soothe tissue, combat bad bacteria, purge the liver and purify the bloodstream.

Research from the Hippocrates Institute shows that with a live food diet, and the use of wheatgrass juice, the blood is detoxified and the immune system is strengthened. The study also indicated that patients gained improved energy and the ability to combat and reverse illness.

Wheatgrass can be used for cuts, rashes and sunburns by making a bandage from gauze dipped in fresh juice and rehydrating the bandage hourly for best results. The American Journal of Surgery reported that chlorophyll increased the rate of healing by 25 percent over the non-control group. People also use grass juices as an appetite suppressant, by consuming the juice before a meal. People with asthma use the juice in a compress of wet pulp on the back and chest, and also by consuming it orally as an expectorant.

With so many benefits, it seems that wheatgrass is truly a way to cleanse, detoxify, heal and energize the body from the inside out. So, now that you’re doing all that you can to keep the planet green, maybe its time to look internally at what you can do to get your body to “go green.”

References:

1. Jensen DC, PhD, Nutritionist, Bernard. Tissue Cleansing Through Bowel Management.
2. Meyerowitz, Steve. Wheatgrass – Nature’s Finest Medincine.
3. Fitzgerald, Dr. Patricia. The Detox Solution.

For more info, contact the Island Rainbow Wellness Center at (775) 762-2463 or visit online at www.IslandRainbowWellness.com.

Health conscious people are aware of the human connection to the plants living upon this earth, and how vital plants are to our very existence. We know that the environmental health of where we grow our food has a direct impact on the quality of the food we eat and therefore a direct impact upon our health. We are also quite aware that the future of our planet is dependent upon the health of the planet’s forests. Besides the great forests and food producing farm lands, there is another area where plants grow that directly impacts our health: the plants growing around our homes.

The role that our landscape plants play in our lives is often overlooked. The trees, shrubs, grasses and flowers that grow right outside our doors have far more value in our lives than most people give them credit for. It seems that most people appreciate the beauty of a nicely planted and maintained yard, but the benefits go far beyond the aesthetic value of a nice landscape.

The first and most obvious is the benefit of shade trees. A well placed shade tree reduces energy consumption by reducing the need for air conditioning in our homes. Trees also reduce the amount of reflective heat from solar rays bouncing off city “hardscapes” such as roadways, buildings and walkways, thus mitigating the heat island effect found in cities. Trees and shrubs can also provide windbreaks and play a significant role in filtering chemical and particulate pollution from our air. They also provide privacy screens and buffer our homes from the noise and light pollution of nearby traffic and commerce.

Landscape plants provide enormous benefits to our emotional wellbeing. Studies show that views of outdoor plants cause prison inmates to feel calm and relaxed and can also reduce stress and anxiety in employees who work indoors. Research found that convalescing patients recover faster, with reduced need for pain medications, when exposed to a view of a lovely landscape.

Our landscapes offer us numerous health benefits. Therefore, it is vital that we return the favor by ensuring that our landscapes are kept in optimal health. People have a lot invested both financially and emotionally in their landscapes. Most people do not plant a “temporary tree,” with hopes it will only survive a few years and then die. When we plant a tree, we envision a time in the future when it provides cooling shade where we can relax below its lovely broad branches and dense foliage. Yet many frustrated home owners have discovered that having a healthy landscape requires more than plunking a couple of plants in the ground and adding water.

Trees and shrubs, like people, can suffer stress and stress can cause plants to succumb unnecessarily to disease and insect infestation which can weaken or kill the plants we love. Much of the environmental stress that plants suffer is unavoidable: late frosts and exceptionally hot summers, for example. Unfortunately, the majority of plant distress comes from the care they receive, or lack thereof. It is the caretaker’s responsibility to provide proper irrigation and practice general maintenance on a routine basis. Home irrigation systems that seem “worry free” to homeowners are often not appropriately designed or scheduled to provide landscape plants, especially trees, with adequate water; water is the single most important resource for plants in our dry climate. Improper pruning practices also have devastating effects on trees and shrubs and can render them weakened and vulnerable to disease and insects. Sadly, many “professional” landscape management companies have little if any knowledge of how to correctly prune plants for optimal health.

Most landscape plants in our area are not native and are therefore growing in an “unnatural” environment. Consequently, they are absolutely dependent upon us and the resources we provide in order to survive and thrive. If you have questions regarding how best to care for your landscape, calling the local University Cooperative Extension office is a terrific place to start. They have a wealth of information available. If you have specific concerns about plants in your own yard, such as a sick tree or a tree that doesn’t seem to grow properly, you can also seek the advice of a Horticultural Consultant or Certified Arborist who specializes in consulting and disease diagnosis. A trained professional can advise you on how to properly care for your landscape plants so that they can provide you with years of healthy enjoyment.

References:

1. Harris, R.W. Arboriculture: Care of Trees, Shrubs, and Vines in the Landscape. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey, 1983.
2. Kahn et al. Journal of Agriculture and Social Sciences 1: 69-70, 2005.
3. Ulrich, R.S. The Role of Trees in Well Being and Health. Proc. 4th Urban Forestry Conf., pp 15-9 St. Louis, Missouri, 1985.

Most people are unaware that the use of electricity is a huge contributor toward air pollution. It seems so clean. We plug a cord into the wall and there are no fumes, no gas or smoke. We do not see the pollutants; however, the production of electricity is typically achieved through burning coal or fossil fuels.

In fact, electricity generated by fossil fuels for a single home puts more carbon dioxide into the air than two average cars. In addition, as resources for producing energy become less abundant along with the associated costs to bring it to your home, the cost to supply electricity to homes and businesses continues to rise.

Your home uses energy all day long, every day. It not only uses energy to keep you warm or cool, it also provides hot water and light. The electronics that control our appliances, like clocks, computers, entertainment center, etc. are consuming energy 24 hours a day. The good news is that there are ways that we can save energy and money at home and place of business.

Ideas for saving energy
Traditional incandescent light bulbs are actually small heaters that produce a little light. These types of bulbs waste a lot of energy and generate a lot of heat for the amount of light that they produce. The use of energy saving light bulbs like LED or compact fluorescent lamps offer many advantages, such as lasting ten times longer as well as saving a considerable amount of energy and money.

Although the initial cost of the light bulb is a little higher, the savings far outweigh that cost. Consider an 8 watt LED light bulb that has an equivalent light output to a 60 watt incandescent bulb and lasts a projected 20,000 to 40,000 hours. Think of the money saved in purchasing light bulbs that last a fraction of that time, let alone trips to the store and all the hassles that go along with that, not to mention the energy savings.

Many businesses still use older style T-12 fluorescent lights and/or high intensity lighting in their warehouse or parking lots. These are areas of tremendous energy usage to a business.

If we look at a standard parking lot light, it is typically a 400 watt Metal Halide light bulb with a ballast kit to ignite and keep the lamp lit. The total wattage would be 456 watts. By disconnecting the ballast and replacing the lamp with a 90 watt LED bulb, the energy saving alone pays for the installation cost in less than a year. Other benefits include an extended life. The LED lamp is more environmentally friendly and doesn’t contain toxic material and the bulbs come on instantly as opposed to taking up to 10 minutes to cycle on.

In many cases, lights are left on in businesses or at home when no one is using the area. A motion sensor or occupancy sensor will reduce unnecessary
waste by shutting lights off in localized areas that are not in use.

More Ideas

• A good quality plug strip to turn off phantom power while not being used, i.e. DVD players, TVs, kitchen appliances, computer, etc. will save you money.
• Use timers for electric water heaters or install an on-demand water heater.
• Fill the washer, dryer or dish washer with full loads, rather than doing multiple small loads.
• Do not over dry your clothes.
• Ceiling fans move trapped air, therefore you can use them instead of your air conditioner, or to help your heating/air conditioner be more efficient.

It has become increasingly difficult to shelter your family from unwanted contaminants entering your home. We should all take precautions to ensure the safety and well being of friends and family members. What many people don’t know is that they are bringing toxic chemicals into the home and then exposing their loved ones to them.
It is spring and many of us are performing a nice spring cleaning of our household items. That means getting our comforters, blankets, rugs, drapes, cushion covers, and duvets drycleaned. Is it a good idea to get all these items cleaned by using a traditional drycleaner?

Traditional drycleaning solvents are highly toxic and can have many negative effects on the human body. This is especially true when drycleaning comforters and blankets. When comforters are drycleaned, they absorb a large quantity of the solvent and it is difficult to extract all the solvent out during the drying process. More solvent is lost through cleaning comforters and blankets than through cleaning regular clothing because the comforters absorb so much solvent and require an extended drying period. Even after a long drying period, the comforters must be laid out to “air-out” to reduce the chemical smell.

This does not extract all the solvent out of the comforter. It is then bagged in a plastic bag, which ensures the rest of the chemicals remain in the comforter until the customer brings it home to cover their bed.
One can be sure that many customers have inhaled a strong dose of the solvent when opening the bag. It is especially adverse to one’s health by then sleeping underneath it and thereby inhaling the fumes for weeks or months.

The chemical called Perchloroethylene, commonly referred to as “perc”, is used by 85% of all drycleaners in the United States. It is highly toxic and the EPA classifies perc as a carcinogen. Just some of the adverse health effects are “neurological, liver, and kidney effects following acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure.” There are so many negative health effects of perc that it is difficult to list them all. All the information is listed on the EPA’s website.

So what is the alternative to using traditional drycleaners using “Perc” as their main cleaning agent? One could look for a drycleaner who professes to be “Green”, but what does that mean? Ask your drycleaner what solvents they use to clean your garments and household items. If they are using anything other than water or CO2 (listed by the EPA as the only 2 environmentally friendly cleaning mediums), then it is not “Green” and could adversely affect your health.

Wetcleaning is the alternative to the traditional solvent of the drycleaning industry. Wetcleaning is a process that uses only water to clean anything that says “Dryclean only”. All soaps, conditioners, and spotting agents are approved by the EPA. There is now a safe method of cleaning all garments including household items such as comforters, blankets, drapes and rugs. And what is more natural and effective than cleaning with water? Water naturally cleans 99% of all stains that garments incur. Perc, Hydrocarbon, and other solvents cannot naturally remove sweat, foods, and drinks in their cleaning process.

Wetcleaning is the natural and safe method of “drycleaning” and is the method of the future.

References:

1. www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/tet-ethy.html

For more info, contact Spot Cleaners at (775) 851-7768.

E-waste is creating serious environmental and health hazards. How many electronic products did you and your family use today? Too many to count? You’re not alone. In fact, technology has been incorporated in our lives so seamlessly that some people – especially kids – don’t remember life without the convenience of computers, cell phones, and DVD’s.

Sure, life seems easier now, but beneath the glitzy benefits of technology looms a dark secret. As technology gets updated faster and faster, a crushing mountain of electronic waste, or “e-waste”, is generated. So what’s the problem with e-waste and where does it all go?
E-waste contains over a thousand chemicals, many of which are toxic and can create environmental and health hazards. Just how hazardous e-waste is depends on the amount of toxic substances present in it. Among all e-waste, computer waste is the most toxic – plastics, lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury top this list.

Furthermore, electronics consist of valuable resources, such as precious metals, copper, and engineered plastics, all of which require considerable energy to process and manufacture. Here’s an example of the power of recycling: By recycling 100 million phones, approximately 7,500 pounds of gold could be recovered – allowing that amount of gold to go into new products! Recovering the gold from cell phones, rather than mining it from the earth, would prevent 12,000,000,000 pounds of loose soil, sand, and rock from having to be moved, mined, and processed.

Prevention is the key, and fortunately, many of these electronic products or their parts can be reused and help prevent the scary sci-fi future of a toxic planet. Donating used, but still working, computers, printers, speakers, cell phones and related equipment for reuse extends the lives of valuable products and keeps them out of the waste stream for a longer period of time. While those electronics may not meet your needs any longer they may be exactly what another person needs to write their life story, learn a new skill that earns them a promotion at work, or just watch a good movie with their family.

Electronic waste or e-waste is the popular and kind of sassy name for electronics that are not going to be reused because they don’t work, are no longer safe, or are obsolete. According to the EPA, in 2007, approximately 414,000 tons of e-waste was collected in the US for recycling.

With e-cycling, there is good news and bad news. The good news: all types of electronics can be recycled. Your LCD monitor, cell phone, iPod, laptop, television, fax machine, microwave and refrigerator. They are mainly made up of plastics, metals, and glass. All those commodities can be recycled, and go back to new products, and be reused. Reuse is the essence of great recycling practices.

The bad news, in Nevada there are only a few collection sites and even fewer recycling centers. To further complicate things, neither the collection sites nor the recycling centers are set up to accept all electronic waste. Unfortunately, that means many of these items end up in land fills and on our beautiful desert through illegal dumping.
A common misperception is that someone is prospering from your donated or disposed of electronics. While it may be true that someone is benefiting from your unwanted electronics, that’s very different from prospering. In some states, like our neighbor California, recycling e-waste is mandatory. In Nevada, home of the rugged individualists, there is no such requirement and as such there is no state or federal funding to support this effort.

There is gold (and copper, silver, aluminum, and stainless steel) in many electronics but demanufacturing any equipment to get to its commodities is a pain staking and expensive process. The value in the metals does not match the expense in safely and correctly breaking them down. Electronic waste collection sites must handle large amounts of items, storage, and shipping. In Nevada, programs like these are self-funded. Your hard-earned tax dollars are not paying for this service. Increasingly, environmentally responsible e-waste collection sites charge a small disposal fee to help cover these expenses. If it seems like e-waste recycling is someone’s get rich quick scheme, rest assured disposal fees are very reasonable. Properly disposing and recycling e-waste is an uphill task because of the hazards involved. Ask yourself, can we afford to continue to further liquidate the environment by inappropriately disposing electronic waste?

The mantra of “reduce, reuse, recycle” applies to electronics more than ever. Here’s how you can help save the planet in four easy steps:

1. Take Action. Decide what you’re going to do with your electronics when you are no longer using them. Give them to a friend or relative, bring them to a local collection facility or donate them to a charity.
2. Discover a responsible e-waste collector or recycling facility in your area. Ask them where their e-waste comes from; what their recycling methodologies are or where their commodities go “downstream”; and lastly how much do they truly reuse, either in refurbished products or in new products.
3. Make arrangements to deliver your e-waste to its new home. If you are recycling it, some collection facilities may even pick it up from you for an additional fee.
4. Buy green. When purchasing new electronic equipment, ask your retailer about “environmentally preferable electronics.”

References:

1. US Geological Survey “Recycled Cell Phones – A Treasure Trove of Valuable Metals” (PDF) (July 2006)
2. www.epa.gov/osw/partnerships/plugin/reuse.htm

For more info, contact Dana MacDonald, New2 U Computers, (775) 329-1126 or dmacdonald@disabilityresourcesnv.org

We have officially transitioned into a new season and as Spring moves into full gear it is time to think about that sometimes dreaded Spring-cleaning. The space you live in is a reflection of you, and deeper cleaning is important in ensuring a healthy, uncluttered and comfortable living space.

Many people today are tired and overwhelmed with work, family and the daily to dos. We live in a fast paced world and keeping up with the daily household chores allows for more free time on your days off.

There is even a growing popularity with reality shows about cleaning your home. Some television shows such as “Clean House,” are examples of the many Americans who are neglecting their homes of their sanitary cleaning needs.
Hiring a cleaning service can be a great option. Although many think it is expensive, in actuality it is very affordable because it is a good use of your financial resources. Now your schedule opens up to include fun activities instead of having to dedicate your spare time to the never-ending household chores that can only get done on the weekends.

Having a weekly, bi-monthly or monthly cleaning service assists in keeping the house in order. Regular cleaning consists of scrubbing and polishing bathrooms and kitchens, dusting furniture, vacuuming and mopping floors. You no longer need to put off doing deeper cleaning projects, as most services will do extra’s such as: base boards, doors, cabinets, light and fan fixtures, edging, vents, cob webs, windows and any other extras you need to have cleaned.

Using a cleaning service that specializes in earth friendly, nontoxic products, to replace the chemicals of bleach and ammonia (which are harmful to stone, marble, granite, and our lungs) is another important choice. Formulated all-purpose cleaners using a mix of vinegar, water, lemon juice, and baking soda is one of the natural green cleaning solutions used in cleaning a client’s home or office. For wood furniture mineral oil and lemon juice gives a refreshing scent. Adding orange and lemon essential oils to the natural concoction or sprinkling dried lavender and baking soda on carpets and furniture will eliminate odors (including strong orders from pets).

Give yourself a break by hiring a professional educated cleaning service that cleans with environmentally conscious products. The by-product is you will have an environmentally clean home or office and have free time to enjoy yourself, family and friends.

References:

1. Non toxic cleaning products; Tree Hugging Family
2. NON-TOXIC Cleaning and Household Products:www.avianweb.com/nontoxic cleaning products.htm

For more info, contact Jennifer Thomas at 775-843-3977.

Incline Village
Incline Transfer Station
775-831-2971

Reno/Sparks
Recycle America
1100 E. Commercial Row

Carson City
Carson City Landfill
775-882-3380

Fernley
Fernley Transfer Station

Recycling Used Motor Oil and Filters

Most local auto repair and service centers will accept used oil and used oil filter for recylcing.

For informtion in other Nevada Communities call the State of Nevada Recycling Hotline at 1-800-597-5865.

Ewaste
Where to recycle old electronics:

Lockwood Landfil, Reno
775-342-0401
*will take Sony electronics for free. All other electronics taken for a fee

CleanHarbors Environmental, Reno
775-331-9400
*accepts televisions for free

Global Investment Recovery
775-786-8555
*accepts televisions for free

All other landfills and transfer stations charge a fee for ewaste

Household Hazardous Waste
For recycling household hazardouse waste, contact these community resources:

Washoe County Health District 775-328-2434

Carson City Environmental Health Department 775-887-2190

Nevada Small Business Development Center
800-882-3233 or
www.envnv.org

CleanHarbors Environmental 775-331-9400 or
www.cleanharbors.com

Battery Recycling
Area Radio Shack, Batteries Plus, Home Depot, Lowe’s Stores and Whole Foods take a variety of batteries.

Improperly disposed batteries may cause pollution problems and bio hazards:
• When burned, batteries release vaporized metals to the air that settle on lakes and streams.
• In landfills, heavy metals leech from decomposing batteries into ground water below.
• Lead and corrosive acids pose human and animal hazards, as contact produces burning to skin, eyes, etc.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulb Recycling
Waste Management of Nevada
Recycle America
Reno Transfer Station
Stead Transfer Station
Commercial Row Transfer Station
Capital Sanitation
Dayton Transfer Station
Incline Village Transfer Station
CleanHarbors Environment
Fernley Transfer Station
IVGID Waste
Virginia City Transfer Station

by Dr. Bruce Eichelberger, OMD |

Dangerous Chemicals in Common Household Products

Many commonly used household products contain hazardous chemicals. And many of these chemicals are there only to mask the noxious smell of other toxic ingredients.

This information emerged from a University of Washington study analyzing a variety of popular laundry products and air fresheners. The conclusion? These products released dozens of toxic chemicals into the air we breathe.

In fact, every product they initially tested (six in all) emitted at least one toxic or hazardous chemical according to federal guidelines even though none of these toxins were included in the ingredient list.

The Nose Knows
If you’ve ever been overwhelmed by the air freshener smell in a public restroom or the odor coming out of your neighbors dryer vent, you’re not alone. Many people report feeling nauseous or having a strong aversion to these odors.

Professor Anne Steinemann of the University of Washington heard so many of this type of complaint that she decided to find out what was behind them. She wanted to know what these products contained that made some people feel ill.

The study analyzed various products looking for what hidden ingredients they might contain. She was surprised at what she found. The toxic and hazardous chemicals in these commonly used products included:

• Acetone, the active ingredient in paint thinner and nail-polish remover
• Limonene, a molecule with a citrus scent, which in addition to use as a scent in cosmetics and cleaning products is also used as a paint stripper.
• Acetaldehyde, a fruity-smelling substance that is also the cause of hangovers. It is a probable carcinogen.
• Chloromethane, another scented additive can, when inhaled lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion and difficulty breathing. At higher concentrations, paralysis, seizures, and coma can occur. Chronic exposure can lead to birth defects.
• 1, 4-dioxane is toxic to the nervous system, kidneys and liver and is suspected of being carcinogenic.
• These were only a few of the almost 100 volatile organic compounds the study discovered. None of them were included on product ingredient lists. In addition, of the six products they tested, five of them gave off one or more hazardous air pollutants considered to cause cancer by the EPA and which are listed as having no safe level of exposure.

Naming No Names
Unfortunately the study didn’t identify specific products by name. Later they did a larger study that included 25 cleaners, air fresheners, personal care and laundry products. Many of these had the same chemicals in them.

Companies manufacturing such products are not required to list all of the ingredients they contain. This is particularly troubling since many people assume these products are safe to use in their homes around pets and children.

As an example, the analysis showed that one particular plug-in air freshener had more than 20 different volatile organic compounds in it. Seven of those show up on the toxic or hazardous list under federal laws. The label showed nothing and the required safety sheet for industrial use listed them as a “mixture of perfume oils.”

The Bottom Line
You might summarize these findings by saying, “If it smells too good to be true, it probably is.” Until manufacturers are required to accurately list ALL ingredients on the label, any product you buy that has a strong scent should be suspect.

If you suspect exposure to toxic chemicals, there are natural ways to clear them from the body. The best approach is to work with a health care provider familiar with this problem. Otherwise you run the risk of overloading your system when detoxifying.

In the meanwhile, by using 100-percent natural products for cleaning, personal care, laundry and air fresheners you’ll go a long way toward avoiding potential problems. And if you’re sensitive to smells, regardless of whether they’re natural or not, consider using fragrance-free versions of products.

References:

1. Fragranced consumer products and undisclosed ingredients, Environmental Impact Assessment Review, Volume 29, Issue 1, January 2009, Pages 32-38.

For more info, contact Dr. Bruce Eichelberger, OMD of Reno, Alternative Medicine at (775) 827-6901, specializing in Oriental Medicine.

Wetcleaning has been in practice for about 15 years. It was introduced as an alternative to perc which is the solvent most used by drycleaners across America. Perc is toxic and is strictly regulated on a county, state and federal level. It has tainted ground water and is currently being phased out in California. It is also the subject of much discussion in Washoe county due to questionable levels detected in the water table; therefore, drycleaners using perc are closely monitored downstream in the sewer system.

When cleaning with perc, hazardous waste is produced and must be disposed of properly. Enviromental agencies closely monitor disposal procedures by all drycleaners using perc. Many cleaners have converted to a solvent called hydrocarbon which is petroleum. When cleaning with hydrocarbon, hazardous waste is also produced and must be disposed of in the same manner as a perc drycleaner.

During it’s inception, wetcleaning has experienced an evolution and has made great strides in technology, cleaning process, soaps and conditioners. Wetcleaning is a process that was considered a passing fad, but has become a viable and superior method of cleaning and an alternative to perc. It is inherently a process that is more suited to cleaning than perc or hydrocarbon. Wetcleaning cleans any dryclean garment in water and does it better because most stains people put on their clothes are food, drinks and/or dirt. These are stains that are most effectively removed by water. Perc and hydrocarbon cannot remove these stains in the cleaning cycle or with many other so called alternative solvents.

It is typical that most clothing people bring to the drycleaner are needing cleaning due to normal wear. That includes general dirt, sweat and body odor. Perc and hydrocarbonwill not remove any of those stains without excessive prespotting. Many times garments cleaned in perc or hydrocarbon will leave those invisible stains and will not be cleaned. Wetcleaning will easily remove all those stains and the clothes will not return with any chemical odors.

Water is the most renewable resource this planet has. And what is more natural than to clean your clothes in water? Wetcleaning is the best method to “Dry cleaning” any garment.

For more information contact Chang Suh of Spot Cleaners at (775) 851-7768