Being that the DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose is a Certified-Green Hotel, we love sharing tip and tricks of how to live a more sustaible . Enjoy!

Reduce, Precycle, Refuse, Reuse, Compost and Recycle

By Valerie Jenner, Zero Waste Advocate

As consumers we all have extraordinary opportunities to make a change for the better through our purchasing power. Every purchase we make counts as a vote in support of the manufacturers, marketing and policy setters established practices and future actions of each product we purchase. Let your wallet do the talking.  This is incredible nonviolent power speaks loudly to companies that will adjust their business practices to gain an edge over their competition and increase their market share. If the ultimate goal is to be greener than we are and to lighten our carbon footprints we need to start looking at the objects in our hands, our cupboards and consider their true impact and cost on our planet.

Reduce:  Slow down your purchasing and consumption overall.  Start asking yourself, do I really need it? Will I be happier having it? Why am I buying or using this? How many hours do I need to work to pay for this? This is an easy first step to start being an ecologically conscious consumer.

Precycle:  Before you use, consider the packaging, life-cycle, and end of life use before purchasing. Is it a cradle-to-cradle (resourse to resource) item or a cradle-to-grave (resource to landfill)? Is this product local, if not, can I get it or something similar locally?

Refuse:  Refuse any and all items and their packaging that will end up in the landfill after a single use, or without the ability to be composted, upcycled, reused or recycled or in any form toxic in their production or use or disposal. Fair-trade, farming practices and sweatshop free are also important considerations. Ask yourself, Will I cause harm by purchasing this?

Reuse:  Reuse any and all items you bring into your day. If you can’t reuse it, there are many people that will find value in your discarded items. Consider Craigs List, EBay, student newsletters, free cycle, barter, donate to local charities or groups locally, leave for “Free” out on your roadside but bring in if not removed.

Compost:  All compostable goods, food, newspapers, dryer lint, hair, ash, floor sweepings… among a few items, deposited in outdoor composting bins, or red wiggler worm bins (vermiculture), and compact electric apartment composters are a few of the simple easy ways to compost at home. Use this compost by pitting it on your houseplants, in your garden or rake into your lawn.

Recycle:  When all other options are exhausted with a responsible recycler who is not shipping your trash overseas, find out where it is going and for what. Upcycling is the repurposing of materials and using them as is but changing it into something different. For example: Boat canvas sails are resewn into bike carrier and computer bags instead of being sent to the landfill.

All households can immediately reduce their trash percentages by 75-80% if they started to look at what they are throwing it out and asking if there is a better way.  Practice makes perfect and a little goes a long way so start today.

Being that DoubleTree by Hilton San Jose is a Certified-Green Hotel, we love to share tips of how to live a sustainable life! Here are 10 tips to leading a more sustainable life. Enjoy!

Easy Sustainable Tips

by Wonder Moms

1. The Daily Commute Alternative – Reduce the use of your car– take public transit, walk, bike or carpool. For the young ones, start a “walking school bus” with other kids in your area for getting to and from school.

2. Friendly Fridge – Make your fridge more efficient by filling empty space with reusable water bottles. You can even use personalized water bottles to make it more fun for the kids to help you fill them at the end of each day and stock the fridge.

3. Local, Local, Local – Support your local farmers’ market or plant your own garden. There are some easy vegetables that those with ‘brown’ thumbs can even make come to life. And kids LOVE gardening and eating the fruits (or vegetables) of their labour.

4. Kinder Paper Products – Use paper and tissue products that are 100% recycled. Save the rolls for afterwards for a family art project. Roles make fabulous shakers and musical instruments or even turn them into little creatures like caterpillars.
http://www.krugerproducts.ca/english/envirocare.html

5. Cleaning Alternatives – Choose natural, non-toxic cleaning products like vinegar, baking soda and water. Use baking soda to clean the kids’ toys. For little ones, you’ll feel comfortable knowing there is nothing toxic on their hands when their fingers go right back in their mouths after they help clean the toys.

6. Veggie Day – Cut back on the meat in your diet by eating vegetarian a day or two each week. Meatless Mondays is a great way to start the week and to help you menu plan there are great resources online that show you how to make menu boards and reuse recipes.

7. Shorter Showers – Reduce your shower time to five minutes and set a timer to make sure you do it. Use a single tub of bathwater for the young kiddies. It uses less water and is way more fun for the kids. Make sure to take pics!

8. Home Projects – Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows. Make it a family project!

9. Light-up – Replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.

10. The Power Bar Surge – Use a power bar to completely shut off home electronic equipment. There are some funkier and trendier designs now available; let the kids choose which one they want for their rooms.