Owner of Jewish Environmental Initiative, a committee of the JCRC of Saint Louis – Page 4

Eco-Friendly Personal Care

January 10, 2012 No Comments

Judaism teaches us to be sensitive as to how we treat the Earth and all of Earth’s creatures. When choosing personal care items, keeping this principle in mind can truly make a difference. It also can benefit your health to use natural rather than chemical ingredients whose long-term effects may not be known . Below are some tips for eco-friendly ideas for the purchase and use of personal care items. Many thanks to Jewish Environmental Initiative (JEI) Teen Group member Dena Selig for her contributions to this blog. 1. Make your own beauty treatments. This saves money and uses natural ingredients. You'll know exactly what you are using and won't have to worry about ingredients that may be harmful to your skin or your health. For example, simple and healthy facials can be made out of a mixture of ½ cup oatmeal, 2 tablespoons of honey and ¼ cup buttermilk. Recipes such as these can be found online and in health and beauty magazines. 2. Look at the label. Research what ingredients to look out for, and if you see any on a beauty product label, don't buy it. You can find out more about potentially harmful chemicals in your personal care products by going to the Environmental Working Group’s cosmetics database at http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/. 3. Look for Certified Organic Products. Make sure products have certified organic labels such as Eco-Cert and USDA Organic. 4. Choose petroleum-free products. Try to avoid using products that contain fossil fuels. Excessive use of fossil fuels is harmful to the planet and increases global warming. 5. Avoid products tested on animals. Avoid products that were tested on animals by looking for the Humane Cosmetic Standard (HCS) on the label. 6. Other tips related to your personal care: • If you use a hair dryer or flat iron, try using it for a shorter amount of time to conserve electricity. Always remember to turn it off and unplug it when finished. • Consider purchasing a rechargeable razor rather than a disposable one. Two billion disposable razors end up in U.S. landfills each year. By being pro-active in the use of personal care items, you can keep yourself looking good while also helping Planet Earth. Originally posted on www.jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog_post.aspx?id=4852 Comments

Greening Hanukkah

December 12, 2011 No Comments

Hanukkah is a time where we celebrate the renewal of the eternal flame and rededication of the Temple. It is a great time to rededicate ourselves to the goal of preserving God’s creation, conserving energy and helping the environment. Here are a few things you can do leading up to, and during, the holiday to rededicate yourself to making the world more eco-friendly. Leading up to the holiday: · Buy gifts with a low carbon footprint—local stores that sell vintage, locally made or locally grown products are a great place to find these. · Consider offering the gift of time or one that fosters creativity—take your kids to the park for the afternoon or give them an hour’s worth of pottery making time at a arts and crafts store. · Create homemade gift wrap from recycled materials rather than purchasing gift wrap that will be used once and thrown away. For example, gift wrap can be created from used newspapers and magazines. As much as half of the 85 million tons of paper products Americans consume every year goes toward packaging, wrapping and decorating goods. Wrapping paper and shopping bags alone account for about 4 million tons of trash annually in the U.S. Over the eight days and nights of Hanukkah: · Use Hanukkah candles made of beeswax or soy rather than paraffin candles made from petroleum. Beeswax or soy candles are made from natural ingredients and also produce less soot and smoke than paraffin candles. · Make a healthier batch of latkes by using local, organic potatoes and onions and cage-free, organic eggs. Look for a winter’s farmers market to buy your potatoes, onions and eggs. In St. Louis, the University City Market in the Loop, the St. Louis Community Farmers’ Market and the Maplewood Farmers Market all have winter hours. Go to http://agebb.missouri.edu/fmktdir/view.asp?region=5 for more information. · Resolve as a household to conserve energy, identifying specific actions you can take over the next year. This could include replacing conventional light bulbs with CFLs, starting a backyard vegetable garden in the spring or doing more walking and less driving as a family. Chag Sameach! Resources: www.begreenminded.com http://earth911.com This post originally appeared in Planet Jewish at www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

2011 Project Noah Tree Planting

November 22, 2011 No Comments

On October 16, JEI and St. Louis Chapter Hadassah hosted the annual Project Noah Tree Planting. Thirty-three people of all ages attended and 21 trees were planted on the grounds of the Staenberg Jewish Community Center. For some of those who attended this was their first experience planting a tree-a simple act that helps the environment in many ways. JEI has been planting trees throughout the St. Louis region since 1998. We look forward to visiting the trees we planted and watching them grow and thrive.

Energy Unplugged

November 8, 2011 No Comments

The Jewish Environmental Initiative held a workshop on “How To Make Your Home More Energy Efficient” on October 23rd. The speakers were Gary Steps, Founder and Chief Visionary at Butterfly Energy Works, and Kathleen Engel, a Certified Green Professional through the National Association of Home Builders who works for HomeNav and Home Green Home, two Green Home-related organizations. Here are some tips from the workshop. Following as many of these steps as you can will help reduce your energy bills, will help the environment, and will help reduce waste, furthering the Jewish principle of bal tashchit. • One of the simplest ways you can save energy is by lowering your thermostat in the winter and raising it in the summer. Even one degree will make a difference. Also, programmable thermostats allow you to adjust for different temperatures when you are asleep or away. Adjust your thermostat to a slightly lower setting in the winter when you are at home and to an even lower setting when you are out and you will save, on average, up to $170 each winter. • Surprisingly, your appliances use a large amount of energy when they are plugged in, even if they are turned off. A large screen TV uses almost as much energy turned off and plugged in as it does turned on. Plug your appliances into a power strip (or even better, a smart strip). Turn the power strip off when the appliances are not in use. You will see a marked reduction in your electric bills. • Decrease the energy waste in your home by caulking and sealing gaps as well as focusing on your home’s insulation to reduce the leakage of hot or cold air out of your house. Weatherstrip your doors, including the basement door. • CFL bulbs are much more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs. Begin by replacing the bulbs that are used the most. • Consider upgrading your heating and cooling systems to make them more energy efficient, especially if your current systems are old. Energy efficient systems reduce your energy costs significantly. A geothermal heat pump can eliminate 80% of your heating costs in the winter, and 50% of your cooling costs in the summer. • There are significant tax credits that give you cash back just for putting certain green systems in your home. Ask your accountant and/or the company that puts in your new system for information about the rebate and tax credit programs available. There also may be ways to get very low interest loans for some of these improvements. If you live in St. Louis County, go to www.stlouiscountysaves.com for information on programs to help finance energy saving projects. Originally posted on jewishinstlouis.org Planet Jewish blog at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

Hazon CSA potluck a success!

October 28, 2011 No Comments

A great time was had by all at our third annual Hazon CSA Shared Shabbat dinner on October 25. Those attending feasted on dishes including spinach lasagna, Indian squash soup, roasted tatsoi, roasted vegetables and smashed potatoes. All dishes were prepared with organic produce grown by our local farmer. What a treat to celebrate the fall with food that is good for the land, good for the environment and good for your health! This year’s CSA is over, but we look forward to another great year in 2012.

Eco-Friendly Travels

October 11, 2011 No Comments

Heading out of town for a fall foliage trip, a college homecoming event or to visit family members? While traveling does increase your carbon footprint, there are ways to minimize that impact by choosing wisely in terms of how you travel and where you stay. Keeping these tips in mind, it is possible to be environmentally-conscious as you plan your trip and thus to fulfill the Jewish principle of bal tashchit (reducing waste). Getting There Think about using rail service or express bus to get to your destination. Using public transit is better for the environment than using individual cars, and this is also a great way to relax and see the sights as you travel. If there is no way to get to your destination via public transit, consider using a smaller, more energy-efficient car for your trip. Save energy and save money by getting more miles to the gallon as you head to your destination. And, if you must fly, consider buying carbon offsets. The website www.climatepath.org has a simple calculator to help you estimate the monetary carbon “cost” of your air travel and allows you to offset that cost by donating to projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions (such as reforestation and alternative energy programs). Questions to Ask in Choosing a Hotel Before making your reservation, ask the following questions when you contact the hotel, motel or bed and breakfast: •Does the hotel provide recycling bins in individual rooms and/or in common areas, or must all used items be thrown out in one bin to be sent to the landfill? •Are compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) used to minimize energy use? •Can check-in, check-out and other services be managed electronically to reduce paper use? •Where continental or free breakfasts are provided, does the establishment make use of plates, cups, etc. that are reusable, biodegradable or compostable–or are all utensils and serving items thrown away after single use? Where possible, choose the hotel that has the most eco-friendly practices so that your trip involves less water, paper and overall energy waste. While at the Hotel Wherever you decide to stay, there are things you can do while visiting to be more sensitive toward the environment. Some simple things you can do include: •Let the hotel know your sheets and towels don’t need to be washed every day; in most cases for stays less than a week, you can use the same towels, sheets and pillowcases just as you do at home •Every time you leave your room, turn off the heat or air conditioning, all lights, the TV and radio and also close the drapes •If your hotel is in an urban area, walk to destinations during the day rather than driving everywhere By combining as many of these practices as you can, you can rest easy and enjoy your trip knowing that you are doing your best not to expend more of the Earth’s resources than you need to. Happy travels! originally posted on jewishinstlouis at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

Hazon Shared Shabbat Dinner

September 16, 2011 No Comments

St. Louis JEI and our local Jewish Community Center sponsor a wonderful community supported agriculture (CSA) program through Hazon. Each week from May through October, those who have signed up receive a share of produce from a local, organic family farm. In addition to helping the environment by buying local and organic, being a member of the Hazon CSA introduces you to new foods you never knew you liked. This past August, members of the Hazon CSA had a shared Shabbat Dinner. Along with stimulating dinner conversation, we shared dishes made with fresh CSA ingredients such as gazpacho with fam fresh tomatoes and cucumbers and a southwest casserole with fresh farm corn. It was a special evening in which we shared the joys of Shabbat with the joys of healthy, eco-friendly eating.

Easy Ways to Use Less Paper

September 12, 2011 No Comments

One of Judaism’s important teachings is bal tash’chi, which means “you shall not waste.” In Deuteronomy 20:19, Jews are advised not to cut down or destroy trees, even in a time of war. Using less paper is one way you can do your part to save trees. You can also reduce the use of water and the environmental effect of chemicals that are used to manufacture the paper. It is very easy to use less paper and make a difference to the environment: Don’t discard paper that has only been printed on one side. “GOOS” paper is still Good On One Side. Flip it over and use it to print internal documents. You can also use one-sided flyers received from others for this purpose. Consider keeping documents in pdf format on your computer. If you must print, print two pages per sheet and make the margins smaller to reduce the number of pages. These steps will help you reduce toner costs, too. Receive bank and brokerage statements online. Only print those that you need for documentation. Many brokerages provide a year-end summary that includes all of the important information for the whole year, which means that you don’t always need to print all of the monthly statements. Remove yourself from mailing lists from catalog companies. Go to the website http://www.catalogchoice.org/ and follow a few simple prompts to remove yourself from mailing lists for catalogs, coupons, phone books, fliers, newsletters, circulars and other unsolicited mail that you receive. This is a free service that is easy to use. Use cloth napkins. Use dish towels or rags instead of paper towels whenever possible. Keep cloth shopping bags handy for your trips to the store to reduce the need for paper (or plastic) shopping bags. When you’re ready to discard, remember to recycle your paper. Also, buy paper from recycled sources. These easy steps can make a large difference in the amount of paper that you use. Originally posted as part of the Planet Jewish blog on jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

The Power of Electronic Recycling

August 8, 2011 No Comments

“Look at My works. See how beautiful they are, how excellent. See to it that you do not spoil or destroy My world. For if you do, there will be no one to repair it after you.” (Midrash Ecclesiates Rabbah 1 on 7:13 c. 9thcentury) In today’s ever more technological world, the number of electronic items the average person uses and wears out continues to grow. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Americans now own approximately 24 electronic products per household. As Jews we should be mindful not to immediately throw out that an old laptop, cell phone or iPod. Rather, look to e-recycling as the best alternative so that we are doing our part not to “spoil or destroy our world.” Why Recycle A recent study by the EPA shows that electronics already makes up 1% of the known municipal solid waste stream. Electronic waste is growing at a higher rate than other municipal waste. Recycling the raw materials contained in electronic items that are at the end of their useful life is the responsible way to address the problem of e-waste. Most electronic devices contain many materials such as metals that can be recovered for future uses. By dismantling and providing re-use opportunities, intact natural resources are conserved and air and water pollution caused by hazardous disposal is avoided. Recycling also reduces the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that are caused when new electronic products are manufactured. Tips for Effective Recycling of Your Electronics First Consider Re-Use of Your Electronics: Before heading to an electronics recycling center, consider whether your electronics item is in good enough shape to donate rather than recycle. Preventing waste in the first place is better than any waste recycling option. For larger items, such as kitchen appliances, consider contacting your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. In most cases, the items you donate can be picked up from your home and are then sold at the ReStore shop, with all proceeds going to help the local Habitat affiliate fund construction of Habitat homes. For computers and cell phones, consider donating them to schools and local charities. For more information, go to http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/donate.htm If Recycling is the Best Option: If donation for re-use or repair is not an option, consider bringing your electronics to an electronics recycling drive run by a local municipality or non-profit. In the St. Louis area, two annual opportunities to recycle electronics take place in the Spring as part of the St. Louis Earth Day Festival (typically held the fourth Sunday in April) and in the Fall as part of the Electronics Recycling Event sponsored by Congregation Bnai Amoona, the City of Creve Coeur and MERS/Goodwill Industries (typically held the first Sunday and Monday in November). Contact St. Louis Earth Day about the Spring event at 314-282-7533. Contact Congregation B’nai Amoona about the Fall event at 314-576-9990 Resources: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/ecycling/ This blog originally appeared in jewishinstlouis.org at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

The Mitzvah of Planting Trees

July 27, 2011 No Comments

“Let no one ever cease from planting. Fields filled with trees greeted us at birth, and we should add to their number even in old age.” Midrash: Genesis 2:8 “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” Anonymous One of the best things individuals can do to help the environment is to plant a tree. Trees alter the environment in which people live by moderating climate, improving air quality, conserving water and harboring wildlife. Planting trees is also a Jewish imperative. It is one way that we as Jews can help repair and restore the Earth, tilling it and tending it as commanded in the Torah. While tree planting can be an individual act, the Jewish Environmental Initiative also offers opportunities for our community to join together to celebrate the joy of planting and beautifying a neighborhood. The next St. Louis Jewish Community Tree Planting will be on Sunday October 17. We look forward to this opportunity toward helping restore the environment for generations to come.

Planet Jewish: “Greening” your Shabbat

July 7, 2011 No Comments

Shabbat is a day of rest and spiritual enrichment for the Jewish people. It is a wonderful time to reflect on the Jewish principle of ‘bal tashchit’ which forbids wastefulness. Here are a few ways to enrich Shabbat by being more mindful of our connection to the land and of the importance preserving and restoring the Earth rather than wasting resources. Make the Shabbat Table More Sustainable. For Shabbat candles, consider using natural candles such as those made of beeswax. Beeswax candles are clean-burning, non-allergenic and are a renewable resource. If you like to have a centerpiece at your Shabbat table, consider using potted plants, herbs or locally grown fruit arrangements rather than flowers, which only last a few days and often are grown with pesticides. Also consider using a cloth tablecloth and cloth napkins both to make your celebration more special and to reduce the use of disposable items that clog landfills. Eat More Sustainably During Shabbat. Make a conscious effort to eat organic and (where possible) locally grown foods for Shabbat, rather than foods shipped from far away and that leave a higher carbon footprint. Even if you don’t eat entirely “local,” consider including some easily found local foods, such as eggs, baked goods and produce, in your Shabbat meals. Study Sustainability. If it is your custom to discuss Torah or other Jewish texts at the Shabbat table, ask your guests to bring quotes, Jewish text or songs on an environmental theme to share during your meal. Explore Nature on Shabbat. Weather permitting, try to spend some time outdoors and in nature on Shabbat. Use this day to celebrate the wonders of creation. This is another way to make the day restorative, restful and reflective. Do More to Reduce Your Own Carbon Footprint Based on Your Level of Observance. For more observant Jews who are Shomer Shabbas, unplug any appliances that will not be in use during the entire length of Shabbat. Use automatic timers for lights you are going to use over Shabbat so that they go on only after it turns dark rather than keeping lights on for the entire length of Shabbat. For those not Shomer Shabbas, walk, ride a bike, carpool or use public transportation to Shabbat services. For more ideas on greening your Shabbat, contact JEI at 314-442-3894 or . Resources: Jew & the Carrot, www.jcarrot.org This article originally appeared on jewishinstlouis at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345

What we learn from our teens

June 28, 2011 No Comments

JEI has a teen environmental group that has been making waves (figuratively). Although only in existence for two years, this group of young people has educated others in the Jewish community on important issues such as how to green your synagogue, the dangers of polystyrene and the benefits of using rain barrels and native plants. When the next generation speaks passionately about these issues, people listen and learn. Many thanks, JEI teens!

Planet Jewish

June 7, 2011 No Comments

According to Jewish teachings, human beings were placed upon the Earth with the responsibility “to till it and to tend it” (Genesis 2:15). One way way “to till and tend the Earth” is by composting. Composting, the practice of mixing decaying organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, to create a nutrient rich fertilizer, has many benefits. Who wouldn’t want to save the planet one piece of trash at a time while producing a plant food that would make master gardeners proud. Read more at http://www.jewishinstlouis.org/blog.aspx?id=345.

Home of the Jewish-Environmental Movement

Author: Owner of Jewish Environmental Initiative, a committee of the JCRC of Saint Louis

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