Advice for workers, actors, and shoppers

In the January/February 2008 issue of Sierra, Mr. Green opines on the best way for a touring actor to leave no trace, clears up concerns about cotton, and advises on workplace recycling.

Curious, concerned, or just generally confused about environmental issues of all stripes? Send your thoughts and questions directly to Mr. Green, or weigh in in the comments section.

Comments

[Lawrence Walker]

I lead adventure bicycle tours similar to those offered by the Sierra Club. Even a one week backpacking trip or bike tour uses many hundreds of gallons of gasoline, for example, just to get participants to and from the start. I encourage carpooling to the start of the tour and offer a discount to those who take the bus or train (rare, as in almost never). AND I am now leading HALF the number of trips I did a decade ago so as to leave a smaller footprint.

How does the Sierra Club make sure it's trips are worth the expenditure of fuel and resources? Indeed, how could any of us be sure that any but the most occasional of trips is worth the consumption and pollution required?

[Lawrence Walker]

Also, it seems as if we might create escalating fees for using more than modest amounts of fuel or for flying more than, say, four times a year. This has been done in some progressive places with other utilities, and by now, Americans see gasoline use and transportation as utilities. Use more than, say, 400 gallons of gas a year, the price goes up 30%. Take more than four flights, the price goes up 30%. And those revenues go toward fixing the problems that such high levels of consumption create.

[Michael]

Imposing a 30% "fee" on "excess flying" is not a solution. Until there is a way to get to Europe by train, we've got to fly; business fares are already often double or triple what the casual tourist pays. However, once in Europe, we can - and I do - take trains for intercity travel. The US lacks viable and affordable high-speed rail service for most of the country. Driving is often not an option on long trips (such as cross country), and with the lack of a decent rail system, we are left with flying. We need to fix the real problems instead of imposing usage fees when viable transportation alternatives do not exist.

[carol]

Why is it that with a group of "green" people, the complaint and exception comments (rants) OFTEN out number the raves? Nothing is ever the only answer. It's always just one alternative of many we can choose from in order to leave a smaller carbon footprint. If even we can't see that, how do we expect the general public to take it seriously?

Perhaps our answer is to VOTE. Watch the debates so you know where the candidates stand. And get everyone else you know to do the same. It takes more than a suggestion or a complaint to make real changes in our nation. It takes good leaders.

[carol]

Why is it that with a group of "green" people, the complaint and exception comments (rants) OFTEN out number the raves? Nothing is ever the only answer. It's always just one alternative of many we can choose from in order to leave a smaller carbon footprint. If even we can't see that, how do we expect the general public to take it seriously?

Perhaps our answer is to VOTE. Watch the debates so you know where the candidates stand. And get everyone else you know to do the same. It takes more than a suggestion or a complaint to make real changes in our nation. It takes good leaders.

[Soraya]

You're right about voting, Carol. To do so on Feb. 5th, people need to have their voter registration forms postmarked by Jan 22nd, I believe.

[Green Life Host]

Absolutely, voting is important! Here are some places to find out about the presidential candidates' environmental positions:

http://www.grist.org/feature/2007/07/06/candidates/
http://www.lcv.org/voterguide/

You can also join the Sierra Club's campaign to make global warming a bigger part of the debate:

http://www.sierraclub.org/questions/facebook

[Michaela]

I live in the White Mountains of New Hampshire where it is basically impossible to get anywhere without driving. A 30% fee on using more that 400 gallons of gas would drive this student bankrupt.

[Rich]

Here's something that is so easy and makes so much sense. Everyone will pretty much need to purchase cartridges so...I came across information through a business customer and looked further into it. Here is what I found, "
Over 700 million cartridges were thrown away world-wide in 2003 - and since more and more people use inkjet cartridges this amount will continue to grow year after year.
Empty cartridges contain residual toner powder, ink, a plastic casing, aluminum and other parts. These parts are all non-biodegradable and they will take more than 1000 years to decompose in landfill sites.
The remanufacturing of cartridges as an alternative to producing new ones currently reduces world demand of oil by 300,000 barrels and saves 17,000 tons of aluminum as well as 10,000,000 tons of timber. Besides helping to reduce carbon emissions, a major cause of global warming, it conserves resources and reduces waste.
1.5 pints of crude oil are needed to produce one cartridge. In the last 6 months alone inkjet cartridge recycling has saved more than 50 million liters of oil, more than the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989."
Wow, so my whole point is this client twotonellc.com remanufacturers ink and toner cartridges and considering the above information it only makes common sense to buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges. You save money, get a higher yield (more prints) and save the environment.

[Rich]

Here's something that is so easy and makes so much sense. Everyone will pretty much need to purchase cartridges so...I came across information through a business customer and looked further into it. Here is what I found, "
Over 700 million cartridges were thrown away world-wide in 2003 - and since more and more people use inkjet cartridges this amount will continue to grow year after year.
Empty cartridges contain residual toner powder, ink, a plastic casing, aluminum and other parts. These parts are all non-biodegradable and they will take more than 1000 years to decompose in landfill sites.
The remanufacturing of cartridges as an alternative to producing new ones currently reduces world demand of oil by 300,000 barrels and saves 17,000 tons of aluminum as well as 10,000,000 tons of timber. Besides helping to reduce carbon emissions, a major cause of global warming, it conserves resources and reduces waste.
1.5 pints of crude oil are needed to produce one cartridge. In the last 6 months alone inkjet cartridge recycling has saved more than 50 million liters of oil, more than the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska's Prince William Sound in 1989."
Wow, so my whole point is this client twotonellc.com remanufacturers ink and toner cartridges and considering the above information it only makes common sense to buy remanufactured ink and toner cartridges. You save money, get a higher yield (more prints) and save the environment.