The “Use It Once and Throw It Away” Mentality

Many a fortune has been made in this country on this “Use It Once and Throw It Away” way of thinking. Also many a landfill has been filled to overflowing with the same way of thinking. Because of this mentality, it’s my opinion that, We Americans have become some of the most wasteful people on the face of the Earth. If it’s not the right color, “Throw it Away”, if it’s last year’s model or style, “Throw it Away”, I just want a new one “Throw the Old One Away”.

To make a difference we need to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle AND RETHINK” If we want to have part in saving our environment we need to do a hard “Rethink” of the way we do things. When shopping; do we purchase products intended to be reused, or to be discarded after one or two uses? Just one example of this in our “High Speed” hectic lifestyle is plastic “Silverware” or Styrofoam Plates and food containers. There’s an endless list of other examples and if we considered just a fraction of these we’d be here all week.

Another area we can consider is shopping. Do we use paper or plastic? There is a third and better choice; we should be using washable reusable cloth or recyclable vinyl bags. The devastating results caused by the use and improper disposal of the popular “T-Shirt” bag (the light plastic bag with “handles” most retailers use to put purchases in) are well documented. One site that really got my attention was "Bags on the Run" on their “Environment” page.

When shopping; do we give consideration to the amount of packaging a product has? Products that have more packaging than necessary waste resources in the manufacturing process and have more to discard after the purchase. Another thing to look at is the type of packaging, is it made of renewable recyclable materials or non-renewable non-recyclable materials. The first thing that comes to mind here for me is; are the packaging materials and/or product itself made from petroleum products? Is there a non-petroleum or natural alternative? Keeping in mind that less dependence on oil is a good thing. Think about purchasing economy size refills and refilling the dispensing containers. This will reduce the demand for plastic containers and the refills are usually a better bargain for your money, so in the process saving you $Green$.

Also when shopping do we make a lot of little trips to the store or do we make a list and make one well planned trip? The fuel savings alone could be 50% or more. Carpooling is another excellent way to make a difference. Do you know of elderly or infirm persons who would like a ride to the store? This would be helping them out and saving fuel at the same time.

Please give these thoughts some consideration. If you’re looking for “Non-Toxic, Environmentally Friendly, Truly Green Products” visit our website Going Green 2Day.

My Wife says I’m a “Packrat”

I hate to throw something away if it could possibly be used somewhere at a later date. One example of this is my hobby of refurbishing and repurposing older computers. My wife has at times compared our home to a computer graveyard, since there are computer parts in practically every room of our house. As technology advances the older parts get harder to acquire hence my tendency to hang on to parts.

I know many good reusable parts as well as complete computers are getting thrown away and are finding their way into landfills when they could easily be repurposed or recycled. This is hazardous to our environment because of the chemicals and heavy metals in the electronic parts, circuit boards and picture tubes.

A good example of this is computer monitors, the older picture tube type or CRT types have large amounts of lead in them. I personally know people who have bought a new computer and have put the old one in the garbage. Most of the time, when purchasing a new computer, you can reuse the monitor, keyboard and mouse you already have. This can help you save money when buying the new computer because you don’t have to purchase the monitor and other hardware, just the tower. In this case making the effort to “Go Green” can save you $Green$.

Viruses are another reason people buy a new computer. I’ve had computers given to me because they’ve gotten a virus in them and people figure they are no longer any good. Viruses damage the information you have on the computer they do not damage the hardware i.e. the tower or more specifically the hard drive. Worst case scenario you’ll lose your information and personal data. I realize and understand that this in itself can be disastrous, but the physical hard drive can be erased, reformatted and then reused. There’s no need to throw them away.

In our area there are “Thrift” or “Second Hand” stores that benefit the handicapped. If you’ve decided to upgrade your computer consider donating your old one. This keeps it out of landfills and benefits less fortunate persons in your area. Be sure to completely erase or “Secure Erase” your information before you donate it.

I don’t think there are many municipalities that do not have some sort of recycling program in place. Do a little research and make the effort to recycle, not only your computer parts, but all of your old electronics. This, along with recycling the standard things like, paper, glass, aluminum etc., can have a positive impact on our environment.

This is just one more way we can “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” and all it takes is a little bit of “Rethinking”. What we use directly correlates with what we discard. We want to encourage everyone to keep this in mind when making choices about the products you use on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. Choose “Environmentally Friendly”, “Non-Toxic”, “Truly Green” products whenever possible.

Another way our family is making an effort to make a “Green Difference” is by the use of non-toxic, eco-friendly “Green Products” from BioGreen Systems Inc. Our choice of products, the products we use on a regular basis for cleaning, laundry and personal care, are products that are truly “Green”. This is one more way we all can have a share in protecting our environment. To learn more about this line of high quality “Green Products” visit us at Going Green 2Day.

Make “Going Green” a Goal That You Will Achieve

It seems that every time January rolls around we tend to reflect on the past year, what we did and what we didn’t do. We think of our accomplishments and often times we dwell on the things we didn’t achieve. It’s quite common, when we realize that the goals we had made for ourselves did not materialize as we had planned, we may feel that we’ve somehow failed.

Really what each of us needs to do, individually, is to learn to move towards our goals one step at a time. Don’t make promises to ourselves or others that we do not have the willingness or the ambition to reach. Achieving our goals, in every aspect of our life, takes a daily effort…focus on where you want to go and work towards that goal.

Many people will make their “New Year’s Resolution’s” but by the end of January they have forgotten about them or have let others convince them that they will not succeed. With the increased focus, during the past year, on “Going Green” many have conscientiously tried to set goals in their lives to be more “Green”. How have you done? Do you believe that the goals you have made in your everyday life, in regards to making “green choices”, will actually make a difference? What you believe and what you do determines what you get. Your actions are consistent with your beliefs, so if you truly believe in the importance of “Going Green” and that you can make a difference, what you do will show this.

As you, personally, set goals for what you want to achieve during this year, whether it be in your personal or professional life, I would like to encourage you to incorporate the many aspects of “Going Green” into your everyday life. There are many simple changes that we can each set as goals that will help us achieve the goal of “Going Green”. A goal, no matter how small or how large, of “Going Green” will not only benefit the environment, but will have a lasting effect on your health and the health of your family.

Check out our website GoingGreen2day.com to learn more about one area in your life, that you can make simple changes in, that will help you take one step toward the goal of “Going Green”.

Education, an On-Going Process

What do you think of when you hear the word “Education”? Most people think of Grammar School, Junior High, High School, Technical School and/or Collage or even higher education. I feel that every person should make an effort to learn something new each and every day. If we learn something new each day the day was a success.

One thing that can help everyone in this ongoing learning process, regardless of age, is providing a safe toxin free environment in which to learn. It’s been shown that a good breakfast aids in the concentration and comprehension of students. With this in mind it makes sense that not just the foods we consume but all of the things we are exposed to on a daily basis will also have an effect on our ability to learn and retain the things we learn.

It’s also been shown that exposure to the harmful chemicals in the household products that most Americans use on a daily basis contributes to health problems, both physical and mental.

Consider these sobering facts:

Ø More than 7 million accidental poisonings occur each year, with more than 75% involving children under age 6!
—The Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons

Ø According to the U.S. Poison Control Centers, "A child is accidentally poisoned every 30 seconds at home..."

Ø The Average American Uses about 25 Gallons of toxic, hazardous chemical products per year in their home...A major portion of these can be found in household cleaning products.
—"Prosperity Without Pollution,"by Joel S. Hirschorn and Kirsten V. Oldenburg, 1991

Ø Women who work at home have a 54% higher death rate from cancer than those who work away from home. The 15-year study concluded it was as a direct result of the much higher exposure rate to toxic chemicals in common household products!
—Toronto Indoor Air Conference 1990

Ø The toxic chemicals in household cleaners are three times more likely to cause cancer than air pollution.
---Environmental Protection Agency report in 1985

Ø Cancer rates have increased since 1901 from only 1 in 8,000 Americans, to 1 in 3 today! By the year 2010, this disease will afflict 1 of every 2 individuals!
—American Cancer Society

Ø Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities.
—Consumer Product Safety Commission

What can we do to increase our odds in this toxic world? We don’t have full control over every aspect of our lives. For example we cannot control the types of products used in public facilities, rest rooms, waiting rooms, offices etc. One thing we all have control over is the types of products we expose ourselves to in our own homes. What about the toxins we have already accumulated in our bodies?

The first thing to do is rid our homes and personal work spaces or study spaces of the dangerous products we’ve been accustomed to purchasing. The next step is to use an effective cleansing system or detoxification system; this will help to purge the harmful toxins from our bodies. One excellent “Cleanse” or “Detoxification System” is the BioCleanse System from BioGreen Systems Inc., but this will be a waste of time if we do not change the way we view the products we’ve been using. We need to detoxify and follow up with a change in habits, our buying habits.

This is where the learning something new each and every day comes into play. We need to learn to buy safer non-toxic products instead of just following the same old routine or what has become a habit. The human body and mind are amazing things and the ability to learn is limited only by our desire to learn. Use the opportunity and make the change in buying habits for yourself and your loved ones. Each and every one of us have the power and the ability to accomplish anything we set our mind too. Let’s educate ourselves in a “Greener Way of Life”. “You are the only person on earth who can use your ability.” Zig Ziglar

“Green Parenting”: Learning to make the “Green Choice”

As parents, we know how important it is to provide our children with the very best education possible and instill in them our family priorities and values. Providing a safe home environment for our children, so they have the opportunity to learn and reach their full potential, is also very important.

It’s necessary not only to provide our children with a safe learning environment in our homes, but also a safe living environment. Interesting thought, isn’t it? With the world’s focus on protecting the environment and “Going Green”, it’s only logical that we start in our own homes. By “Going Green” in our homes we not only make our homes safer for our families, we also have an impact in preserving the environment that surrounds us. One way we can do this is by carefully choosing the products we use on a daily basis and simply switch to using safe, non-toxic, “Green Products”. Recently, I became acquainted with a very informative website that I would like to bring to everyone’s attention, http://www.parentawarenesscenter.com/. This website is dedicated to providing parents with information on how they can help keep their children safe by “Going Green”.

Here’s an excerpt from Parent Awareness Center:

How to Go Green

Good parenting begins with educating yourself so that you can make the best decisions in raising and caring for your family. Parent Awareness Center is dedicated to providing free comprehensive information on "How and Why to Go Green", eco friendly choices, health, possible health hazardous that could effect the well being of your children, parenting articles, good parenting tips, and help for the working parent. As caring parents, we do everything possible to protect our families. We always buckle them securely into car seats, make sure they eat right, schedule regular visits to the pediatrician, and insist they wear helmets and protective gear at play. What most of us don't realize is that one of the biggest threats to our children is the arsenal of toxic chemicals that we have in our homes. Going Green just makes sense!

Here are some startling statistics:

• EPA surveys find that indoor air is 3-5 times more chemically polluted than outdoor air.
• After analyzing 2,983 chemicals used in personal care products, 884 were found to be toxic. (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health)
• According to the National Safety Council, more children under the age of four die of accidental poisonings at home than are accidentally killed with guns at home.
• Asthma is the number one cause of absentees in the schools today.(Asthma Awareness Online)
• Of chemicals commonly found in homes, 150 have been linked to allergies, birth defects, cancer, and psychological abnormalities. (Consumer Product Safety Commission)

At Parent Awareness Center you will find a wealth of information about how you can “Go Green” in your home and in the process make your home safer for your family. The information they provide shows how important it is to be aware of the potential harm the products we now may be using can have on our family’s health and the environment. Parent Awareness has the same purpose and goals as our Going Green 2Day Blog and our Going Green 2Day Website have, which is, to help everyone we can to make the “Green Choice” to use “Green Products” in their homes. By doing this we can help educate ourselves, our children, our friends and others about the importance of “Going Green” and impress upon them how easy it is to do so.

Choose to Make a “Green” Choice!--Choose "Green Minded" Businesses

I have a few friends that I would call mentors, two of whom are Mr. Leroy Cox, CEO and Advisor of BioGreen Systems Inc., along with Mr. Ron Torel, recently appointed, President of BioGreen Systems Inc. Many times I’ve heard them say, (I’m paraphrasing here); “Set your goals and then surround yourself with those who are positive, supportive and have the same interests and goals as you have”. Teamwork is essential to achieving goals of any kind.

The choice whether or not to “Go Green” in our lives is a decision each one of us has personal control over. One area we may not have considered involves the companies that we do business with or purchase products from. Of course we cannot control others, but we can choose who to do or not do business with. We can help to make a difference far beyond our own personal corner of the world by choosing to do business with companies and corporations that are truly making an effort to make a “Green Difference”. In other words, create a group or “Team” of “Green Minded” businesses to work with. The way we, as consumers, spend our money sends a powerful message to Corporate America. With the economy in the situation it’s now in, that message can be louder and stronger than ever!

I was recently introduced to a printing company that is making a “Green Difference”. Bacchus Press is a Certified Green Printer in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a member of “Bay Area Green Business Program” and is also FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certified. If your company or project requires printing I encourage you to take a look at their website.

As we state on our website “2Day is the First Day of a Greener Future”. Each and every day we can learn more about “Going Green”, more ways to “Go Green” and more ways to implement our knowledge or put into practice what we have learned. In what we do, what we purchase and from whom we purchase it, makes a statement and an impact. Choose to make a “Green Choice”.

Is It a Case of “Greenwashing”?

With the focus of the media along with the general public on the “Green Movement” everyone is trying to get their “Piece of the Pie”. This “Green Movement” has not gone unnoticed by big business. It’s commendable to try and do our part, be it one person or a large corporation. There are companies that have been “Green” from their inception and there are also companies that are moving in that direction.
Unfortunately, we as consumers must be on the watch for “Greenwashing” by some businesses. Of course not all companies are guilty of this, but it makes a person wonder when you go into a store and see the flood of new “Green” products and right next to them is the entire line of dangerous toxic products, offered by the same companies. Are these companies genuinely trying to move toward being “Green” or are they just trying to capitalize on a situation with only monetary goals in mind, i.e. “Hey, we can make a bundle of money here if we claim to be Green”.
We as a family choose to use products from BioGreen Systems, a company that’s been “Green” from its very beginning. Whether a person decides to use BioGreen products or products from any number of other truly “Green” companies it’s important to make the move and by doing so sending a message to the companies that are guilty of “Greenwashing”.

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Choose to Make a “Green” Choice!

As we all make steps towards becoming more “green”, in whatever way we choose, it’s important to keep in mind an important thought. “In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.” Theodore Roosevelt.

Think about that as you make your decisions on how you want to “go green.” Everyone will choose their own way that they want to help in preserving the environment, and no one way is the right way or wrong way, but just a different way. The most important thing we must remember is that the worst thing we can do is nothing. Since there are so many easy ways for any of us to “go green” there is no reason to not make an effort to do so.

Probably one of the simplest ways to “go green”, is to just switch your buying habits on the things that you are now already purchasing on a regular basis, at your local stores. Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, washes their clothes, cleans their homes, takes a shower, washes their hair, and the list goes on. By starting here, in our homes, we not only help make them safer, we also have a positive impact on the environment.

No need to be concerned that “green products” are going to cost more than the products you’re now using. “Green products” are generally highly concentrated and many are mixed with water before using. (Example: BioGreen’s EcoPure, mixed 20 to 1 with water, costs just 50 cents per quart!) Since “green products” are so concentrated, they require less packaging and less fuel to ship, and as a result have less of an impact on the environment.

“Green Products” also have multiple uses, so they can tackle more cleaning tasks than traditional, non-green cleaners. So, the more jobs a cleaner can do, the fewer products you need to buy, again another way to save you money and cut waste. Check out the multiple uses for BioGreen's products at our website: Going Green 2Day.

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