Our Environment

A new report released by the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ), warns that PVC shower curtains could be releasing hazardous chemicals that contaminate the air and endanger public health. PVC or polyvinyl chloride is the material of choice for many of the shower curtains on the market today.

A PVC shower curtain can be recognized by the strong chemical odor or "new shower curtain smell" that it gives off. Personally I have always liked that smell, but apparently that is the smell of 108 volatile organic compounds (VOC's) being released into the air. The CHEJ is pushing for an out right ban of these type of curtains and our providing individual retailers and distributors with copies of their report in the hope that they may decide to voluntarily pull the products from shelves.

In addition to shower curtains other household products made with PVC include table cloths, back packs, and plastic covers. Most products are not adequately labeled so it is up to the consumer to be aware of the dangers of possible exposure to PVC.

The CHEJ report titled: "Volatile Vinyl: The New Shower Curtain's Chemical Smell" can be read in its entirety at the CHEJ website.

New homebuyers that are looking for a way to increase their buying power and offset energy costs are turning to energy efficient mortgages. These “green” mortgages translate the money saved on energy costs into income, which allows the homebuyer to qualify for a more expensive home or to borrow additional funds for home improvements. Most major underwriters in the US offer green mortgages. Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and HUD all underwrite loans with green elements so options for the new homebuyer are not as limited as they were a decade ago.

To qualify for an energy efficient mortgage, you must obtain a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) report on the home that you wish to buy. This may cost several hundred dollars on an older home but many new homes are rated after construction.

Although green mortgages have been around for over 20 years, they are just now seeing an increase in popularity and are starting to hold their own when compared to traditional mortgages. Choosing a green mortgage does not mean that you must settle for an unfavorable interest rate. When shopping around for your next mortgage, use a mortgage calculator to help you determine which mortgage will be better for you in the long run.

You may not have heard of hypermilers but as gas prices continue to soar, you may find that you have become one. Hypermilers is the name adopted by a group of hyper-conscious drivers who represent the "quest for ultimate efficiency in hybrid, alternative and future transportation fuel technologies". Through the use of hybrid cars and conservative driving techniques, hypermilers are reporting mileages of 75 miles per gallon or more.

Most hypermilers prefer hybrid vehicles, but you can become a hypermiler in your traditional vehicle by consistently practicing the following gas saving techniques.

By following these tips, you can become a hypermiler and save money at the pump this summer.

Virtually all laptops use rechargeable batteries in addition to the laptop ac adapters. These batteries consist of either Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) or Lithium-Ion (Li-ion). Although neither type is considered and environmental hazard (Nickel is considered only semi-toxic), it is still important to dispose of them in a proper fashion. The Nickel in Nickel Metal Hydride batteries can be extracted and recycled for reuse. Lithium-Ion based batteries are not reused, but should always be returned to a reclamation center for proper disposal since the electrolyte inside can become flammable if exposed to moisture.

Many municipalities have reclamation centers that will accept most household items including laptop batteries. You can check with your local city sanitation department or call 1-800-8-BATTERY for a reclamation center near you. You can also check with the manufacturer of your computer for recycling options. Most computer and technology companies have instituted recycling programs for their products.

Dell Lithium-Ion batteries can be recycled free of charge. Just provide your shipping information at http://support.dell.com/ and dell well send a pre-paid shipping container for any dell product.

Even with all of the options available for the recycling of laptop batteries, currently only 1 in 6 are returned in the US. Compared to automobile batteries which have a 98% reclamation rate, there is still ample room for improvement.

Getting the word out about your non-profit organization can be a challenging task. Most charitable organizations often have limited resources of both cash and man power. These days, “word of mouth” advertising has been replaced by social networking and blogging.

Here are a few tips to expand the reach of your non-profit organization:

Functional and Up-to-date Web Site – If your organizations web site was designed by your 15 year old cousin in 1998, then you probably need to trash it. There is no shortage of talented young web designers who will design a modern and appealing site for little or nothing. Often, a start-up design company may do your site pro-bono just to have a referral and a link back to their own site.

Print Publications – Many publishers offer generous ad opportunities for non-profits. Temecula & Murrieta's Entertainment Magazine donates a free page of ad space every month and, in return, they simply ask for a link back to their site. You can find out more by visiting Temecula & Murrieta Local Charities.

Google Grants Program – Google offers free advertising for qualifying non-profits. With this program you have an opportunity to expand your reach across the largest advertising market in existence. Google does not approve every one, but they have given away tens of millions of dollars in ad space since the program began.

Start a Blog – A blog is a great way to let the world know what is going on with your organization. Best of all, they are free and the search engines love a blog that is updated regularly. There are dozens of free blog services such as Blogger and Wordpress.

Social Networking – Facebook, Myspace, and others are all great channels to spread the word about your non-profit. Because younger people who are active in the community spend a great deal of time on these sites, social networking has become a great way to recruit volunteers.

Hopefully, these tips will help you grow your non-profit and make the most out limited resources. No doubt there are plenty of people out there that want to support your charity but they have to know about it first.