RNLgreen

“A Mixed Use Transit Oriented Future”

February 19, 2010 – RNL Green Blog Posting

 “A Mixed Use Transit Oriented Future”

By Merlin Maley, AIA, LEED AP

Transit:             the act or fact of passing across or through; passage from one place to another

Orientation:        an introduction, as to guide one in adjusting to new surroundings, employment, activity, or the like.

Design - Sustainable – Mixed Use – Transit.  These four terms encompass a global 21^st century development model.  The concepts are not new, but instead contain historical reference to a method of town planning and development that existed for centuries before the automobile and oil overran American 20^th century planning philosophies. 

America

can no longer afford to build and develop disjointed and disconnected communities that rely heavily on federal road and highway subsidies for existence.  Under past leadership, the Federal Transit Administration’s allotment of annual funds followed an approximate 80/20 split model (80% of funding to roads/bridges and 20% to mass transit related projects), but in 1998 the Clinton-Gore livability initiative, “Building Livable Communities for the 21^st Century” was formed.  

          “In the 21^st century, increasingly, a livable community will be an economically powerful one.”

– Former Vice President Al Gore 

A primary purpose of this initiative was to encourage cooperation and communication within federal offices.  In 2009, President O’Bama launched the Federal Sustainable Communities Partnership.  The partnership is a joint organization combining leaders from the Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to “provide citizens with access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs, while protecting the environment in communities nationwide.” – FTA.GOV.  The Livability Initiative will encourage Federal policy to better integrate transportation and land use planning, foster multi-modal development and connection systems, provide transit solutions for better access to jobs, housing, and healthy communities, reduce local, regional, and national carbon emissions, and enable future unique needs.  Healthy transit systems in the 21^st century will rely on state of the art maintenance facilities and also mixed-use, medium to high density communities to encourage ridership which will promote commercial business and civic opportunities.

RNL has been practicing sustainable design and preaching “green” before it became mainstream.  Transit facilities across the

Rocky Mountain region have benefited from our firm commitment to reduce long term energy costs and provide workers a safe and enjoyable workplace.  Over the last 5 years, the talented employees of RNL have created a new transit/public works portfolio to lead this market into the next decade.  The sustainable transit market consists of both maintenance and passenger design, and fully enables RNL’s core (architecture, UDLA, and Interiors) to integrate its expertise in vast varieties of project types nationally and internationally.  Recently completed or under construction project examples include the El Monte Transfer Facility, TRANSPO Admin/Ops/Maintenance, LA Metro’s Division 13, RTC Sunset Admin/Ops/Maintenance, and Denver Central Platte just to name a few.  These projects show a history of bus and public works experience, but our expertise continues to grow as we take on more rail related projects.  Rail projects encourage TOD development that includes mixed-use building typology.  The web of 21^st Century Integrated Sustainable Communities will enable RNL to meets its goal of being a global sustainability design leader.  The size and scope of these projects should foster financial performance and growth for the firm while allowing new leaders to emerge locally, regionally, nationally, and globally as RNL looks to its 100 year old birthday party.

 

Living Walls

I know what you're thinking, an interior designer writing about living walls doesn't make much sense, but I am doing so not because I'm claiming to be an expert, but simply because it fascinates me. I came across this post in my daily blog research through www.notcot.org (check it out if you're not familiar, it organizes thousands of different blogs into one convenient package) http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/11/23/living-green-wall-buffers-filters-construction-zones/ and although it is conceptual, I think it addresses a significant design opportunity that no one ever takes, and also provides a living breathing environment for pedestrians near construction zones.

 

Most people reading this are probably only familiar with living walls in exterior settings, but there are several examples of successful interior living walls (the Sydney International Airport is shown below). I myself have tried convincing clients of the benefits of creating interior living walls instead of using the typical disposable plant service or the dreaded fake fig trees most commercial clients pay for, but the issue always comes down to lack of light, expensive watering systems, and simple lack of knowledge and experience in the Denver area to deal with keeping these things alive.

 
There are also so many of us out there with a 'black' thumb who couldn't keep a cactus alive (like me), that convincing clients to take a leap to something this exotic is a scary prospect even for a designer or architect. I have come across companies like this http://www.eltlivingwalls.com/ that provide pre-grown modular systems specifically designed for each unique ecosystem, or self-watering systems such as these http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/21/greenworks-felted-living-wall-system/ that make the issue of maintenance almost non-existent.

One of the most unique and simple systems for creating your own living wall almost anywhere is the Wooly Pocket system http://www.woollypocket.com/. The product is made of recycled soda bottles and you just hang them, insert your choice of plant, and water as needed.

 
And finally, yes there are high profile installations that have failed, but intelligent designers everywhere are finding ways around common issues that plague the living wall. Check out this site for stories of lessons learned regarding the living wall. http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/08/rip-londons-first-living-wall.php

David Key - Jan '09

Innovative Packaging

These days designers of all sorts are trying to be more eco-friendly in their respective fields.  The construction industry is LEED crazy, and the automotive industry is cranking out new hybrid models to their lines each year.  Even vendors for carpet, tile, wall covering, etc. have a “green story” that they always make sure to tell you when they are toting their goods from office to office.  While these are things that I think most people can agree are steps in a positive direction, it is easy to overlook small items that everyone who is a consumer, contribute to a larger problem: wasteful packaging.

 

Packaging is something that surrounds us everywhere without many people really thinking about it.  When you buy lunch, you get you food wrapped in some sort of paper, sometimes combined with foil or plastic, and usually in a bag.  Your kids might receive gifts in the next few weeks that have a large amount of plastic and glossy printed cardboard to really set off that new doll or action figure.  All of this is simply discarded with other waste and not given much thought of the embodied energy in it or what will become of it when its purpose has been served.  Sure, a lot of these things can be recycled.  You can simply say, “No bag please, I have my eco-friendly, reusable, canvas grocery sacks with me.”, but I think it is time for the product design industry to get on board and join the green revolution by simplifying their packaging or eliminating it altogether if possible.

 

Another solution may be innovations in packaging that make it something that you want to hold onto and use again and again.  A recent example that I came across while reading my daily design news came from Dezeen.com.  It is called the Dreamball, by Seoul based Unplug Design.  The Dreamball is a cylindrical package intended for use by aid programs, such as the Red Cross, to send food, clothing, and other goods to developing countries.  The cylinder is designed with perforations and instructions printed on it so that it can be formed into a ball for the local children to play with when the goods contained within are removed or used up.  Not only does this help to eliminate waste, but the Dreamball helps to create a sense of community for the people receiving the aid by helping to develop friendships through sport.  You can find a link to the story here: http://www.dezeen.com/2009/12/01/dreamball-by-unplug-design/

 

 

So, I am challenging you to say no to paper and plastic and to say yes to innovations in the products you choose.  Happy hunting, or in this case shopping.

Green Reading

There've been some requests for the list of books that have been read in the Green Book Club/Green Buzz.  Here they are (the last year and a half's worth anyway), in the order that they were read by RNL Denver, with some editorializing:

Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature by Janine Benyus
This was a great read, although it got a bit technical in the last couple chapters.  It gives great inspiration for how we can approach design problems.

Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things by William McDonough and Michael Braungart
More great ideas for the design process.  McDonough has famously challenged manufacturers to be more responsible and give designers products that won't just end up in a landfill.

The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature by David Suzuki and Amanda McConnell
I didn't read this one.

Blessed Unrest: How the Largest Movement in the World Came into Being and Why No One Saw It Coming by Paul Hawken

This one was disappointing.  It started with a nice overview of environmentalism in America, but then it sort of ran out of steam halfway through.

Silent Spring by Rachel Carson
The original 20th century call to arms for the environmental movement.  It's amazing to see how far we've come in some areas and how little progress has been made in others.

Mid-Course Correction: Toward a Sustainable Enterprise: The Interface Model by Ray Anderson
An encouraging story about how American industry can and will change their ecological impact and still make a profit.  This book answers the call sent out by Cradle to Cradle. 

Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution and How It Can Renew America by Thomas L. Friedman
This book was on everyone's reading list last summer.  Friedman even made an appearance on The Daily Show!  Possibly the zenith of Green's hipness.

The Green Collar Economy: How One Solution Can Fix Out Two Biggest Problems by Van Jones
A timely book with a great idea.  Jones is looking to the Green Movement to make a better America.

Power of the People: America's New Electricity Choices by Carol Sue Tombari
A really great read by an NREL employee, Power of the People lays out our current fossil fuel energy sources, the natural resource options that are being developed as replacements and how we get from one to the other.  This is our current book selection and Carol will be attending the next Green Buzz gathering on June 3rd to answer any of your questions!

Most or all of these books are available for borrowing from the Green Library. 
It's great to learn, 'cause knowledge is power!

Green Tip: 5 Recycling Mysteries Solved.

Wondering what to do with your stash of old batteries or the cans of unneeded paint taking up space in your garage? You know you shouldn't throw them out, but it really is time to get rid of them.

Resist the temptation to toss them in the trash anyway. The reason: They (and everything on the list below) contain toxic chemicals capable of contaminating the environment if not disposed of properly.

Unlike items that are picked up at the curb, you'll have to make a special effort to unload these ones responsibly. But, with a little advance planning and some good info, you'll see that it's really quite simple to dispose of these seemingly mysterious items. Here's how:

 

BATTERIES.  Recycling rechargeable batteries is fairly easy. Home Depot, Staples, Radio Shack, Best Buy, and other retailers take them back free of charge. There are fewer options for single-use batteries, but look for bins at your local Whole Foods Market or library. Otherwise, your best bet is the local household hazardous waste drop-off site. Where is it and what are your closest drop-off options? Search here for answers.

 

CFLs.  These energy-efficient bulbs are becoming easier to get rid of. Just drop old bulbs off at any Home Depot or Ikea for free recycling. Or ask about CFL recycling at your local Ace Hardware or home improvement store. You can search for other nearby solutions.

 

ELECTRONICS.  Every retailer that takes back rechargeable batteries also accepts mobile phones, as do most wireless providers. For computers, cameras, televisions, and others it's worthwhile do a little homework because some stores charge fees depending on item and brand. Check out Best Buy, Staples, and Office Depot to see what's the best fit. Some places, like Radio Shack, have trade-in programs where you can receive store credit for your old gadgets.

 

MOTOR OIL.  In case you need some motivation, consider this factoid from Earth911: Every gallon of used motor oil that's improperly disposed of can contaminate one million gallons of drinking water. Bring it to Wal-Mart, Autozone, Jiffy Lube, or search online for more convenient choices.

 

PAINT.  It's among the harder items in this group to dispose of, but it's worth it and totally doable. If the paint is still in good shape, consider donating it. As of now, there aren't any retailers that accept used paint so you'll need to make a special trip. Search Earth911 for a comprehensive list of options.

 

Source: http://green.yahoo.com/blog/the_conscious_consumer/46/five-recycling-mysteries-solved.html

Green Tip: Smart Printing = Green Thinking

Did you know that the average office worker uses 1.5 pounds of paper per day?  That’s 375 pounds per year.  In an office our size, approximately 150 employees (firm-wide), that’s 56,250 pounds of paper per year!  So, what can we do to save paper and a little green at the same time?  Here are a few ideas (for work or at home):

• Dedicate a copier or printer tray for draft documents. Then fill the tray with paper already printed on one side.
• Switch to duplex printing and copying. If possible, set printers and copiers so they default to double-sided printing.  David Korell and Daniel Bloor have kindly set this up for us in the Denver office, and I believe the Phoenix and LA offices are following suit.
• Use multi-up printing when possible. Some printers have drivers that can print multiple pages on a sheet.
• Consider using a different font for documents when possible.  For instance, by using the Arial Narrow font office paper can be reduced by approximately 15%.
• Consider adjusting page margins when possible.  MicrosoftWord default margins are generally set at 1.25” on each side.  Consider making an easy change, and setting your margins to .75” or less on each side.
• Only print the selections you need. If you need to print only a paragraph or two of a document, highlight it and use the Print Selection function.
• Use Print Preview and Shrink to Fit Functions. Use the Print Preview feature to ensure that what you are about to print is only what you need and intend to print.  Use the Shrink to Fit function to proportionally decrease the font size of text in the document to condense the text sufficiently to eliminate unnecessary text.
• Install software that eliminates unnecessary printout pages. Software, like Greenprint, FinePrint and HP Smart Web Printing can be used to eliminate wasted pages.
• Make use of PDF formatting and scanners to digitize hard copy data for storage.  Printing directly to PDF eliminates the need to print at all!

Still not convinced to change your paper-ways?...Please check out the facts below, and perhaps you will reconsider.

Paper Facts

• 1 ton of paper = 400 reams = 200,000 sheets.
• 1 tree makes 16.67 reams of copy paper or 8,333 sheets.
• 1 ream (500 sheets) uses 6% of a tree (and those add up quickly).

Printing Facts

• Average cost of a wasted page $0.06.
• Average employee prints 6 wasted pages per day, that's 1,410 wasted pages per year!
• The average U.S. office worker prints 10,000 pages per year.
• While 3 out of 4 office workers print from the Internet, 90% of people with a printer at home print Internet content.
• 56% of people ages 45-54 print pages from the Internet for their archives, and only 33% of people ages 18-34 do the same.

Consumption

• In 2004 the United States used 8 million tons of office paper (3.2 billion reams).  That's the equivalent of 178 million trees!
• The U.S. is by far the world's largest producer and consumer of paper.  Per capita U.S. paper consumption is over six times greater than the world average.
• In the United States, we use enough office paper each year to build a 10-foot-high wall that's 6,815 miles long.  That's more than the distance from New York to Tokyo!

Growth

• Global paper products consumption has tripled over the past three decades and is expected to grow by half again before 2010.

Energy

• The U.S. pulp and paper industry is the second largest consumer of energy and uses more water to produce a ton of product than any other industry.
• Production of 1 ton of copy paper uses 11,134 kWh (same amount of energy used by an avg household in 10 months).

Water

• Making one single sheet of copy paper can use over 13oz. of water– more than a typical soda can.
• Production of 1 ton of copy paper produces 19,075 gallons of waste water.

Waste

• One ton of paper requires the use of 98 tons of various resources.
• In 2003, paper and paperboard accounted for 35 percent of the total materials discarded in the United States.
• Production of 1 ton of copy paper produces 2,278 lb of solid waste.

CO2

• CO2 prevented if all Fortune 500 companies use GP= 6,311,610 tons
• One hot-air balloon of 10m diameter contains about a ton of hot air - imagine seeing 6,311,610 hot-air balloons floating over the US - that's a lot of balloons!
• Production of 1 ton of copy paper produces 5,690 lb. of greenhouse gases (the equivalent of 6 months of car exhaust).
• Dumping paper in landfill adds methane to the atmosphere as it decomposes, with 20 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.

Forests

• In the U.S. we have lost 95 percent of our old growth forests.
• Old growth forests make up 16% of the virgin tree fiber used each year to make paper products.
• 4281 acres of rainforest are lost every hour worldwide.
• It takes 3 tons of wood to produce 1 ton of copy paper.

Ink

• If you were to fill up the tank of your car with Hewlett-Packard or Lexmark ink, it would cost $100,000.
• If you filled an Olympic-size swimming pool with ink it would cost $5.9 billion.

Tree Facts

• A single mature tree can release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support 2 human beings.
• Each person in the U.S. generates approximately 2.3 tons of CO2 each year.
• If every American family planted just one tree, the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would be reduced by one billion lbs annually. This is almost 5% of the amount that human activity pumps into the atmosphere each year.
• According to the USDA Forest Service, a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water, and controls $31,250 worth of soil erosion, over a 50-year life span.

Green Tip: Like organic and locally grown food?...Name your price!

I apologize ahead of time, as this Green tip is focused more on Denver.  However, I hope those of you in LA and Phoenix still find it note worthy!  Also, this isn't so much a green tip as it is an interesting and thoughtful idea.  And with the holiday season it's always nice to know the acts of kindness that are occurring around us.

If you find yourself, as I do, eating at the same lunch spots all the time.  Don’t let another day go by…try the organic eats at SAME (So All May Eat) Café.  The menu changes daily based on what’s available from local producers (like Granada Farms & Fairmont Gardens).  And the interesting thing about SAME Café is that the customer pays what they feel their meal is worth!

The intent of the SAME Café is to build a healthy community by providing a basic need of food in a respectful and dignified manner to anyone who walks through the door.  Daily selections are made using fresh, organic ingredients, and funded by the donations of patrons. Instead of a cash register, a donation box is available for one to pay what they felt their meal was worth, or to leave a little more and help out someone less fortunate. If a diner does not have sufficient money to leave, they are encouraged to exchange an hour of service. Their philosophy is that everyone, regardless of economic status, deserves the chance to eat healthy food while being treated with dignity…in other words no one should go hungry.

For those who want to further the “pay it forward” philosophy you can volunteer time, materials and money to SAME Café.  Surprisingly, the Café is able to support itself primarily on donations and volunteer work.  In fact, 95% of the café’s costs (including rent & utilities, food, maintenance, etc.) are covered strictly through individuals’ donations and volunteer work. The other 5% comes from grants, and the support of surrounding businesses.

I hope that reminded everyone of what a great community we live in!

If you want to check out the SAME Café it’s located at:

2023 E. Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80206

Sources: http://www.idealbite.com/denver/archives/same-as-it-ever-was

              http://www.soallmayeat.org/index.html

13 Ways to Have a Green Thanksgiving & Holiday Season

Thanksgiving is just around the corner for some of us.  If you celebrate it and are looking for ways to GREEN it up this year, here are some quick green tips to make your Thanksgiving & approaching holidays as eco-friendly as possible.

1. Turkey Compromise.

The most obvious eco-solution is to not buy a turkey and just have a complete vegan meal. But, if you’re like me and can’t do without turkey on Thanksgiving consider compromising, here are a couple ideas:

A)      Buy an organic Free-Range Turkey.  Check http://www.localharvest.org/organic-turkey.jsp to find an organic turkey near you.

B)      Buy Locally - If you don’t happen to know a farmer, pull open your local yellow pages and look for a butcher. Most butchers will have access to turkeys raised less than 100 miles from where you live.

2. Organic. Buy everything you can buy organic, milk, meat, veggies, fruits, etc. This includes any boxed or canned items you may purchase. Remember to go online and search for Organic coupons.  Check http://www.organicvalley.coop/coupons. This will help cut down the cost of your Thanksgiving feast.

3. Packaging. When you go to the store buy things that have the least amount of packaging and try to buy packaging that is environmentally friendly.  And don’t forget to bring your reusable bags with you to the store!

4. Don’t cook so much. Yes, “it is better to have more than not enough” but is it really necessary to count 3 servings per person? Isn’t that a bit much? Think about all the left-overs you had last year and then cut down on that amount of servings if you are going to have the same amount of people over this year.  Between the turkey, the many side dishes and the desserts there is plenty of food to stuff everyone and more. If you accidentally do make too much food or someone cancels, give the leftovers away to family and friends, Don’t let them mold up in the fridge.

5. Recycle.  I know it goes without saying, but sometimes when family and friends are over recycling takes an extra effort. Make sure your recycling bins are clearly labeled. This is often a great time to share with less-informed family members why you choose to recycle and how they can easily help you to do so.

6. Dinnerware and silverware.  It’s okay to use your good dishes or even your regular dishes for Thanksgiving. It is a celebration after all, but if the thought of washing so many dishes is terrifying look into biodegradable or bamboo disposable dishes.   Check out http://www.greenyour.com/lifestyle/leisure-recreation/barbecue/tips/use-biodegradable-dishes-and-flatware for ideas.

7. Beautiful weather outside.  A lot of bodies in one house can make the place warm so if it’s cool outside open up some windows to help the place cool down, instead of turning on the AC.

8. Decorations. Reuse your old decorations from last year in a new way or make some new ones using items from your back yard (leaves, branches, etc.).  As always the Internet is a great resource for creative ideas.

9. Plant a tree. The Fall and Winter seasons are a great time to plant trees and shrubs so take this time to plant a tree and keep the green growing.  In one year, the average tree absorbs roughly 26 pounds of carbon dioxide and returns enough oxygen to supply a family of four.

10. Compost. Fall is a great time to start if you don’t already, and composting will cut down on your waste by drastic amounts. Between composting and recycling it IS possible to make only 5 lbs of trash PER YEAR. Even if you’re not there yet, consider composting the leftovers from your dinner.

11. Travel Smart. If you must fly or drive to visit family this Thanksgiving consider purchasing carbon credits to make up for it.  Or if you’re driving, use less fuel emissions by making sure your car is in good working order and your tires are properly inflated.  If possible, carpool to reduce the number of cars on the road and lower the greenhouse gas emissions.

12. Donate your turkey fat.  No, not the fat you put on from eating the turkey (though, wouldn’t that be great?), but the actual fat from the cooked turkey. Can you believe a Tucson-based company recycles Turkey fat into Biofuel? Check to see if a company in your community does too.

13. Say Thanks.

Clothes Dryer Efficiency

Figures from the US Department of Energy show that around 90% of American homes have a clothes dryer, with the average family using it an incredible 400 times a year!  As you know, using electricity to create heat is always an energy intensive exercise; so clothes dryers do tend to be electricity hogs…but, there are some ways to reduce environmental impact of clothes dryer use – and the impact on your wallet:

Lint is evil

Do not forget to clean out the lint filter after each use.  A clogged up lint filter can extend the drying time (and therefore boost energy use) by a massive 30 percent! 

Additionally, a build up of lint is a safety issue. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 15,000 fires occur in clothes dryers each year and lint is believed to be one of the major causes.

Proper loading

Ensure your dryer isn't overloaded. Air needs to circulate easily between the clothes in order for drying to be most effective.

Venting

Open a window when using the dryer. A closed up laundry gets very humid and that humid air just gets sucked into the dryerr; decreasing its effectiveness. If your dryer has an exhaust leading to the outside; ensure that it's cleaned regularly.

Separate loads

Separate.  Heavier items should be dried separately to light weight clothes.

Cool it

Many modern clothes dryers have a cool-down cycle which allows the clothes to complete drying with the remaining heat in the dryer. If you live in a dry climate, a cool cycle can be extended.

Spin it

A load of clothes contains around half a gallon of water - that's a lot of moisture to remove. Over and above that, the clothes dryer is just working too hard, so ensure you use the fastest spin cycle possible in your washing machine.

Timing

If your dryer is used a great deal, try and co-ordinate the timing so that loads quickly follow each other - this is a bit like warm starting a car and takes advantage of left over heat in the dryer.

Towel Dry

Rumor has it, if you put a dry towel in your dryer with a wet load, it will cut the drying time in half!

Energy star ratings

In the USA, clothes dryers are not energy star rated due to all models use similar amounts of energy. However, the U.S Department of Energy recommends that if you are looking to purchase a new dryer, buy one with a moisture sensor. It will automatically stop when your clothes are dry. This saves energy and also helps save your clothes as it prevents over-drying.

All of the above tips help save time and energy in drying clothes; they'll also help with extending the life of your dryer - that's not only better for the environment, but will save you money too!

Green Gadgets

Like your gadgets?  Love being on the cutting edge of Technology…but, want to save energy at the same time?  Here are some gadgets that combine recycled and sustainable materials with useful technology creating the newest wave of gadgetry!

 

·                     HYmini - a portable charger for your cell or mp3 player that powers up using solar and/or wind energy ($60).

·                     Trevor Baylis Eco Media Player - video and MP3 player, radio, flashlight, and cell-phone charger all in one wind-up gadget (£130/$259).

·                     Vers iPod Dock - 15-watt speaker with remote that amplifies music from your iPod or iPhone; made using sustainable wood and packaged in recycled materials ($180).

·                     USBCell AA Batteries - batteries you can recharge hundreds of times using your computer's USB ports ($18/2).

·                     Dynamo Illuminator Flashlight - get a forearm workout and a lotta light with this wind-up flashlight ($10).

·                     Make - DIY instructions for making everything from furniture to an LED bike helmet.

Be Green and Save Green!

You've all heard about brown-bagging it…now how about Green-bagging it?

***Consider your everyday "litter factor" and choose a reusable lunch bag.

Every weekday nearly 44 million American workers purchase or eat lunch out. Every year 1.8 million tons of takeout containers and utensils end up in landfills!

In fact, the average American office worker goes through around 500 disposable cups over the course of 12 months. Americans even toss out enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times!

If you were to bring your lunch every day for a week (assuming you spend about $9/day = $45/week = $2,250/year), then collectively our planet could be saved from the millions of trashed containers and your wallet could be saved some GREEN.

Check out these eco-friendly options for toting your lunch:

***Built NY Lunch Totes:
A lightweight, flexible, insulated lunch and tote bag series. As practical for an outdoor adventure as it is for commuting to the office. Click here to visit www.BuiltNY.com.

***To-Go Ware Lunch Kit (for those of us who can never find a clean utensil when we need it!)
The To-Go Ware stainless steel carrier with bamboo utensil set includes all you need for a meal on the go. Also includes a handy removable plate that functions as a lid for the bottom container, so it's great for both hot and cold food, and for keeping them separate. Click here to visit www.to-goware.com.

*** Tiffin Lunch Box Set:
These Indian-inspired tiered food carriers are also made from stainless steel. They are 100 percent recyclable, super easy to clean, virtually unbreakable, and make a great alternative to disposable plastic or paper containers. Click here to find out more on www.DWR.com.

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/GlobalWarming/story?id=2953958