Bring your own reusable water bottle. Free filtrated/purified water for all compliments of Naturelle Water Filtration and Purification.


Bring your used clothing and shoes so that Planet Aid may reuse/recycle with proceeds used to support education, community development and HIV/AIDS programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America.


Bring your used/empty ink and toner/laser cartridges to the Cartridge World Booth and Receive a Cartridge World Cartridge Cash Coupon as a thank you.


Hybrid van shuttles running between Garden State Exhibit Center and New Brunswick train station Saturday and Sunday 10 am- 5 pm.



PSEG GreenFest, the Garden State’s premier event for green initiatives again features state and national leaders in environmental endeavors who will share ideas about how residents and businesses can take steps to reduce New Jersey’s carbon footprint. The event boasts some 100 green exhibits, interactive workshops, and programs for both adults and children.

Earth Day / Plant a Tree or Shrub on Earth Day April 22, 2009

Plant a Tree or Shrub on Earth Day
Plant a tree, save the planet. That idea is bringing together the communities throughout the world that are planting trees to raise environmental awareness on Earth Day. You can do your part by planting a tree or shrub in your yard or your community.
Stop by your local True Value hardware store for the products and advice you need to get planting. Then follow the steps below to do something for the environment.

Step 1. Get a TreeFirst and foremost, you'll need a tree. Check your local nursery for the kind of tree you want to plant. Nurseries grow shrubs and trees then dig them up with a ball of root-filled soil intact. They usually wrap a layer of burlap snuggly around the root ball to keep it safe and ready for the ride home with you. Remember to select a young tree that can survive the seasons in your region. If you need help, the nursery can tell you which trees will thrive in your geography and climate.
Step 2. Dig a HoleNow it's time to grab a shovel. But before you start digging, make sure you are planting in an area that has the necessary amount of sunlight that the shrub or tree needs to grow. Dig a hole that is several inches wider than the root ball, but make sure the hole is slightly less deep than the root ball is high. Remember to give the tree plenty of room, both in the hole and in relation to other trees or structures in your yard. Helpful Tip:
You can save yourself considerable cleanup time by piling the dug out soil onto a plastic sheet. This also prevents the piled dirt from damaging the grass around the hole.

Step 3. Put it in PositionStep in the bottom of the hole to firm the soil so the plant won't sink. Once you've slightly packed the soil, place the root ball into the hole. Lay a stick across the top of the root ball to make sure it's at or a little higher than ground level. Use a utility knife to cut or untie any twine that wraps around the trunk. Fold the burlap down around the sides of the root ball, but don't try to pull the burlap out altogether—this can damage the root ball. Instead, let the tree's roots grow through the burlap bag and the bag will eventually decompose.
Put top soil around the sides of the root ball and pat it down firmly. At ground level, form a mound of soil at the bottom of the tree or shrub that will allow water to pool like a basin. This will help keep the roots well watered until the tree is established. Add two to three inches of mulch to combat weeds.Helpful Tip:
It's a good idea to mix some peat moss and a small amount of plant food into the soil you replace around your new tree.
Step 4. Wrap the TrunkCover the lower part of the tree's trunk with a tree wrap to protect it. Start the wrap just above the roots slightly below soil level. Continue wrapping to just below the lowest limb. Hold the wrap in position with cords.
Step 5. Just Add WaterBe sure you water the root ball as you water the area around the tree. You'll need to do this until new roots grow out of the ball and into the soil. Regularly check the moisture in the tree's area for the first month or two after planting. Provide at least one inch of water per week during the growing season.
Now, watch it grow! You've chosen the best way to celebrate the environment by giving back to Mother Earth.

How to Futureproof your House.

Benefits of Green Homes
They are:
More affordable month after month
They are healthier for your family
They are more comfortable
The materials are more durable
They require less maintenance
They have higher resale value (if you ever want to sell it!)
They provide peace of mind
And, by the way, they are much kinder on the environment

What does that mean?
Energy prices are unpredictable today and will become even more so in the future. Climate change is upon us, whether it warms our local weather or cools it off, weird weather is everywhere on the planet. Climate change really means that local weather will be more severe, and unpredictable events like floods and droughts will last longer and be more intense, hurricanes will become more frequent and generally the weatherman will have a harder time telling us what is to come.
Futureproofing is just another name for good green building. It is particularly important if you plan to stay in your house for many years to come. Our contemporary homes were designed with the assumption that energy would stay cheap. We know now that that assumption is costing a lot of money every month.
Every home is different but what we know is that very few homes in the US are sufficiently insulated or draft proofed. That means there is tremendous opportunity for virtually every home in America to reduce their utility bills.The myth is that it is too expensive to retrofit your home, so why bother? The truth is that there are many things that can be done over a weekend for less than $1,000 dollars.
Let’s start at the beginning.
1) The typical home in this country loses 25% of it heat (or cooling) from what’s called infiltration. We experience infiltration as drafts. Every penetration through the skin of the house or the envelope allows outside air into the house. This includes doors, windows, hose bibs, the electrical service entrance (where the circuit breaker lives) and any other hole in the envelope that allows air to be exchanged. So here is the checklist of where to start:• Weatherstrip all operable windows and doors• Caulk around hose bibs and at the electrical service entrance• Look carefully for any other penetrations and seal them• Look at where the siding meets the foundation. Expandable foam is great for large holes or gaps• Investigate from the outside in and the inside out
You will be surprised at how many holes you find!
Attic Insulation
2) Go up into the attic. It may be the first time you’ve been there. Wear a dust mask and old clothes because it will be dusty and dirty. Be careful to only step on the wood ceiling joists and not on drywall underneath and fall through. Bring a bright flashlight because you might not be able to get very far if there are trusses or other obstructions. Bring a straight ruler or a tape measure. Measure the depth of your insulation. If it is less that a foot deep you are ready for more. If you have loose insulation, look to see if it is evenly spread out over the ceiling. If not, you can use a leaf rake to even it out. Attic insulation is one of the easiest things to do to save a lot of energy.
Windows
3) Take a close look at your windows. Are they single glazed? Are they wood, metal or vinyl? Do you have storm windows? Do you use them? No matter what type of window you have you lose up to 10 times more heat through them than through your walls. If you have single glazed windows your home is a good candidate for replacement windows. Any other type of window is a candidate for storm windows. This puts another layer of dead air space between you and the outside. Dead air space is what makes any insulation work.
Storm windows are less expensive that window replacements. If you are on a tight budget look for indoor plastic storms. These come in rolls from the hardware store and are literally like shrink wrap. To install them, put double sided tape around the edges of the window, cut the plastic to fit, stick it to the tape, and blow hot air on the plastic (with a hairdryer) until it shrinks to fit. Simple. This layer can be pulled off in the spring when you want to open the window.
Water Heater
4) Go on a basement adventure with your kids. Look at your water heater. How old is it? Can’t remember? Buy a water heater jacket from your local hardware store. It is a fiberglass and vinyl jacket that wraps around the tank just like putting on a jacket on a cold day. It helps keep the water in the tank warm and saves energy.
Carefully touch the pipes coming out the top of the water heater. One will be hot the other cold. Get some pipe insulation and wrap the hot water pipe as far as you can, anywhere it is exposed. It also helps to wrap the cold water pipe the first 6 feet from the water heater. This keeps water from circulating through the house when you don’t want it to.
Air Ducts
5) If you have forced air heating, look at the ducts in the basement. They are typically sheet metal (depending on the age of the house). They can be square or round. When the furnace is on, run your hand along the ducts, especially where they are joined together or change direction. You will probably feel hot air leaking. That means it is not getting to where you want it to go. Buy a can of non-toxic, water-based mastic and with a small brush coat the places where you find leaks. This works much better than duct tape. It is preferable to coat every joint in the ductwork where ever you can reach from the basement.
Lighting
6) Walk around the house and count all the lamps and recessed light fixtures in the house. Think about the fact that if you replaced one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb it will save the equivalent amount of energy as driving your car from coast to coast. Hmmmm. How many bulbs did you count? Go buy a few packages of compact fluorescent bulbs and replace them. It might take some time to get used to the change in light quality but you will accommodate to it. If you don’t like it after a while, go to a lighting store and buy compact fluorescent bulbs that have a warmer light, more like the incandescent color.
In less than a weekend you’ve just saved 20-25% on your utility bill and made your house more comfortable at the same time.

10 Ways that Going Green Can Help You Through the Recession

By Josh PetersonLos Angeles, CA, USA Wed Mar 11 13:30:00 EDT 2009

David De Lossy/Getty
READ MORE ABOUT:Get Recession-Ready Green On A Budget Less Is More Penny Pinching
Our economy is in a tight spot. The unemployment numbers are growing. Businesses are dissolving like wet paper dolls. The Dow Jones looks like an amusement park ride. These are uncertain times. Our country has ridden out worse, and I'm hopeful about the future. But until that hopeful future, we are going to have to grin and bear it.
A lot of people complain that going green is for the wealthy. That's because the most obvious green upgrades, solar panels, hybrids, wind generators and the like, are very expensive. No one really notices when you sew up a sweater or lower your thermostat. Going green is actually quite thrifty and those who aren‘t making a ton of dough are the ones who will benefit most.
Make RepairsWhy throw away something that costs $50 dollars when you can repair it for $15? Fix-it shops which have long been on the brink of extinction are seeing a resurgence. Repairing your gear is a lot greener than replacing it, because it uses fewer resources. You'll also save a bundle of money, especially if you take the time to repair things yourself.
Energy-EfficiencyYou don't have to buy solar panels to reduce your electric bills. Doing small things, like using CFL light bulbs, putting padded drapes, insulated blinds, plastic, or bubble wrap over the windows, turning off lights, putting appliances on power-saver mode, sewing draft snakesM and a host of other cheap solutions will save you a few hundred dollars a year.
Water ConservationThe water that flows to you home comes at a price. Reducing the amount of water you use, will reduce the amount of money you spend.
Gas MileageSimple things like keeping your tires inflated, taking heavy objects out of the car and not letting your car idle are all eco-friendly ways to reduce emissions. They will also save you money.
Renting/Borrowing/Buying UsedDo you really need a brand-new copy of 50 First Dates? I mean, how many times do you need to watch it to make it worth $24.99? A movie ticket doesn't even cost that much? You can watch movies online through NetFlix or you can find them used for a fraction of the price. You can also just borrow a copy from a friend and spend no money.
Make Your OwnWhy buy it when you can make your own? You can make your own shampoo, your own chair or just about anything if you put your mind to it.
ReuseWhy throw it in the trash bin if you can put it to practical use? You can reuse almost anything from old mittens to fingernail clippings.
Home-Cooked MealsYou can make a meal from scratch rather than buying a prepackaged one. Most meals are cheap if you make them out of their base materials, and you will be able to make more for less. It's also healthier than buying a lot of that processed junk.
Drink Tap WaterA filter on your tap is a relatively cheap investment. It reduces waste significantly. And if you're drinking five or so bottles of water a day, it will yield significant savings. You can also just drink straight from the tap with no filter, and you'll probably be fine. I mean, if there is a health problem with your water, your water provider is legally obligated to inform you.
Alternative TravelTraveling by plane is expensive, it's also not that great for the environment. Not vacationing, vacationing locally or taking the Greyhound and in some cases the train are all less expensive and eco-friendly ways to travel.
You don't have to buy anything to go green. You just have to put in a little effort.
More on Getting Recession Ready:Essential Money Skills for a bad economyHelp Out Those Who Have Fallen Victim to the RecessionGreen Ways to Use Your Home & Property to Avoid Foreclosure6 Eco-Friendly Ways to Make Extra Money During the RecessionKelly Rossiter's Top 10 Economical Dinner Recipes of 2008

How to Check for A Water Leak You can save water and money by checking for leaks.

Just Right Inc wrote2 seconds ago
By Josh PetersonLos Angeles, CA, USA Sat Mar 14 11:59:00 EDT 2009 READ MORE ABOUT:Green Home Water Water Conservation13.7% of potable drinking water is lost through leaky pipes. And 13.7% of your water bill can be wasted through leaks. You conserve water and save money by checking your home for leaks. Here is how you do it.1. Locate your water meter box.2. Turn off all water in your house.3. When you look at the meter, it shouldn't be moving. If it is moving, you have a fast leak. If it is not moving, wait ten minutes. If it has moved in ten minutes, you have a slow leak.4. If you have a leak, turn off the water to your house.5. After you've turned the water off to your house, check the meter. If your meter is still moving, there is a leak in the service line. Call the water company.6. If your service line is OK, check your home's irrigation system. Are there broken sprinkler heads or emitters? Is it unusually damp anywhere around your foundation? Check the space under your house.7. It is important to catch leaks that are inside your home. They can do severe damage to your home's structure. Leaks are most often caused by a faulty toilet flapper. They are cheap and easy to repair. Leaky compression faucets are also a problem. Other culprits may include swimming pools, fountains, washing machines, hot water heaters, ice makers and showers. Check them all for leaks.8. If you have access to your pipes, it is possible to turn the water off to different rooms. If are having trouble detecting your leak, this method may help you narrow it down before calling in professional help.More on Water Conservation:Set Your Green Home Priorities for Water ConservationPee OutsideCheap and Easy Toilet Hacks That Will Save WaterHow to Install a Low Flow Shower Head7 Ways to Reduce Your Shampoo Use

Carbon "Footprint", What is it?

What Is A Carbon Footprint?
Carbon Footprint
What Is It?
Climate Change
Calculators
CO2 Reduction
Carbon Offsetting
Business Services
Shop
About Us
My Account
A carbon footprint is a measure of the impact our activities have on the environment, and in particular climate change. It relates to the amount of greenhouse gases produced in our day-to-day lives through burning fossil fuels for electricity, heating and transportation etc. The carbon footprint is a measurement of all greenhouse gases we individually produce and has units of tonnes (or kg) of carbon dioxide equivalent.

The pie chart above shows the main elements whichmake up the total of an typical person's carbon footprint in the developed world.

A carbon footprint is made up of the sum of two parts, the primary footprint (shown by the green slices of the pie chart) and the secondary footprint (shown as the yellow slices).

1. The primary footprint is a measure of our direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels including domestic energy consumption and transportation (e.g. car and plane). We have direct control of these.

2. The secondary footprint is a measure of the indirect CO2 emissions from the whole lifecycle of products we use - those associated with their manufacture and eventual breakdown. To put it very simply – the more we buy the more emissions will be caused on our behalf.

To calculate your carbon footprint - click here

For tips to reduce your footprint - click here