It’s extremely tough to compare green products, especially with so many green marketing claims being made that are hard to verify.  Eco-rate is a service that allows you to examine products based on their comprehensive eco-rating.   The feature that really caught my eye about this site is that  it allows you to compare the cost of a product to it’s environmentally friendliness.

Eco-Ratings

So exactly what is their eco-rating and how can it be used to help you buy products?  When you put in a search or browse for products on their site, each contains 5 separate factors into determining the eco-rating.  Let’s take a look at each:

• Environmental Impact: The overall environmental rating the product has based on factors of how the product was produced, where it was created and how green is the manufacturer.
• Consumption: The total energy consumption of the product.
• Toxicity: If the product contains toxic materials and how dangerous they are on the environment.
• LifeCycle Cost: The total cost of ownership including energy cost.
• Price Rating: How the price of this product compares to others in its category.

As you can see, the rating takes into account both environment and cost factors.  It’s pretty obvious to see why I would like this tool.  What’s also neat about this site is that it allows users to input their zip code to get information about local and national rebates for the product.  You can also see local recycling facilities where you can recycle the product or the one you are replacing at the end of it’s life.

Products

Eco-rate has a range of products from lighting to electronics.  On their main page, they have a cool tool where you can explore a simulated home to help you find products that you may need around the home.  They also provide a searching capability to make it easy to find just about any green product you are looking for.   If you are confused about any of the terminology their site uses for products, they have a dictionary of green terms.

Eco-rate is definitely worth checking out, especially when trying to determine which products have the best combination of price and eco-friendliness.  I also recommend a visual green search engine I talked about sometime ago called JumpGuage as well as various other great Green Search Engines.

Nominations are being accepted until November 16th, 2009 for Green Web Awards which is run by Nigel’s Eco Store.  If you enjoy reading my blog, I would appreciate nominations for these awards. Thank you for reading and hopefully Pays to Live Green will receive a Green Web Award this year

The J. Walter Thompson (JWT) advertising agency recently ddid a study in which it found that many of the “green” terms used  in marketing can often confuse consumers.  Some of the major offenders include environment, going green and sustainability.

From the findings of this study, JWT urges marketers to “Drop the buzzwords” to vanques consumer confusion.  It seems that the biggest problem with that more clarification is needed when using many of these terms for their products.

I recently wrote about how their are too many green labels on the market, well “green” terminology is the same way.  They are too many buzzwords thrown out there that are used solely to sell more products.  Consumers are often left in the dark as to why the particular product may be “green”.

It’s so tempting to buy a product when flashy green words are displayed.  I’ve gotten caught in the trap as well.  One of the keys to ensuring that we as consumers are not deceived is to make sure we take it upon ourselves to properly research the product before we buy.  Marketers also need to do their share by properly defining all the terms they are using and not abuse their use.  All green buzzwords are not bad, as long as they factual.

Many carpet cleaners available on the market today contain some dangerous chemicals that we shouldn’t be exposing to our families.  There’s no reason you have to continue using these harmful products when so many natural cleaners and commercial green carpet cleaning companies are available at our disposal.

Why make the switch?

Carpet cleaning products may not seem dangerous to use, but many available on the market today are not safe for our kids to be exposed to.  Our kids spend so much time on the floor playing with their toys, why risk allowing them to be exposed to so many chemicals?  On top of that, any waste product from cleaning with petroleum based products can be disposed of improperly and cause pollution.  After searching the net about this topic, I even found an article about how the Travolta’s believe their son got Kawasaki Disease from the frequent carpet cleanings they use to get.

Natural Spot Cleaners

One of the best way to stop stains from building up on your carpet is to spot clean them immediately.    I emphasize immediately since it makes it so much easier to get rid of a stain when it’s cleaned as soon as possible.  Combine that with using an all natural cleaner and you will have no problem keeping your carpets clean for years to come.

Homemade Cleaners

There is no reason to go out and buy expensive spot cleaners when you can make your own at a fraction of the cost.  Two of the best spot cleaners I found are vinegar mixture and baking soda paste, which I previously wrote about as great all purpose homemade cleaners.  The first vinegar/water cleaners is extremely effective on stains especially if used when the spill is fresh.  You will see the stain disappear almost immediately.  The baking soda paste is great for when the stain is more set in.  Just scrub the paste into the stain and let it sit for a few minutes.  It can then be vacuumed or wiped up after sitting for a few minutes.

Green Cleaners

There are also many great green spot cleaners available on the market that use all natural ingredients to effectively remove stains from carpets.  One of the best cleaners I have yet to use is EcoMist carpet cleaner.  Not only is it extremely safe, but it works so well on removing any stain I have had in my home.  There are other brands available at your local natural goods store or online that work great on removing stains from carpets without the harsh chemicals most contain.

Commercial Cleaning

Getting a professional cleaning company or using commercial cleaning equipment does not mean chemicals have to be used in order to get your carpets cleaned.  There are so many cleaning companies in most areas that use natural ingredients and/or steam to effectively clean those carpets.  Don’t be fooled by companies that claim that only the harsh chemicals will work effectively.  Just be sure to do research before choosing a company.

If you instead decide to rent equipment, just be sure to properly clean the chamber of the device so that no chemicals are still left.  This will ensure that any natural cleaner use use will not contaminate your carpets unknowingly.

Good luck with any of these methods and please share any methods you have found to ensure your carpet cleaning is both safe and effective.

For those of us who live an organic lifestyle (or try really hard to), it’s knowing where our food comes from that matters to us most.  What confirmed my conversion was learning my son’s developmental delays were due to a dysfunctional digestive system and vitamin deficiency.  Since his system can’t efficiently remove toxins, I have to minimize his exposure.  My sister’s organic choices are based on healthy eating and being environmentally conscious.  Both of us have chicken coops in the backyard because homegrown organic eggs are an important way we can contribute to our family’s health and be environmentally “green”.

Many supermarkets today do a terrific job carrying organic products, but that still requires us to trust a label.  The term “certified organic” can be really confusing because of differing state regulations and industries.  Raising your own backyard hens in a chicken-tractor has some distinct advantages over the carton of organic eggs purchased in a store.  It can be achieved in even very small backyards.  Here are some of the advantages:

1)     No egg is more rewarding than eating the one you just collected that morning from your own chickens.

2)     You know exactly what you are eating because you feed the chickens – grass, scraps, organic feed, soy-free feed, etc…   Grass-fed or pastured chickens have the highest levels of Omega 3, beta carotene, and vitamin E in their eggs compared to store bought.

3)     Unless you buy local organic eggs, there is the carbon footprint from shipping and transportation (may even be out-of-state).

4)     If you have children, chickens are perfect way to communicate the values of responsibility and informed food choices.  Kids these days are disconnected to the origins of food.  Many have never seen a live farm animal, much less tended one.

5)     Proper use of a chicken-tractor fertilizes the yard with no use of chemicals.  It’s green living.

6)     Chickens are fun and beautiful animals.  They can provide hours of entertainment (running, pecking, exploring) and many become beloved household pets.

7)     Home raised chickens are happy chickens.  They don’t live in tiny cages or have their beaks cut off.  They aren’t stuffed with medication or forced to molt. They can live a carefree lifestyle envious of anyone.

8)     Chicken owners are like a special community.  You’ll connect with people who have a fascinating view on life, just like you.

Even with these terrific reasons for raising backyard chickens, many still hesitate.  There are the questions of time, money, convenience, city regulations, and all that chicken poop.  For you doubters, here are some answers:

1)     Tending chickens, like any other pet, does take time.  Some make it an extensive hobby but it doesn’t have to be.  A lot of it depends on how the tending is arranged.  Getting the right coop makes a huge difference.  Make sure the family is on board in their participation, and get connected with other chicken owners.  There is a vast online community happy to help.  Owning chickens 20 years ago and owning them now are worlds apart (kind of like raising kids).

2)     Chickens are a long-term investment and require upfront capital to get started, but keep in mind the returns are more than saving a few bucks at the grocery store (reference the list above).  A hen can lay eggs for many years.  A good coop can also last many years.  In any case, certified organic eggs are the most expensive eggs to purchase so breaking even in the long run is not impossible.

3)     Modern society is all about convenience. We want it all with little effort on our part. Well chicken coop manufacturers have caught on and the options appear endless (like that helps).  I recommend a chicken-tractor for backyard poultry owners because of its size and benefits.  These can be tricky to build so getting a reliable, prefab one will save a lot of heartache.  Believe me, there is a whole science to building a quality coop.  Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand.  You get what you pay for. Here are some quick shopping tips for making a selection:

• Make sure the coop is durable against weather and predators.  In suburban areas dogs are the biggest problem.  Many coops come with a sunroom or run which are good for chickens but can be an area of weakness for predators if not built well.
• Use accessories like nipple waterers and feeders with a storage bin.  This keeps you from having to feed the chickens twice a day (unless you want to).
• The coop should have nests and a way to collect the eggs externally.  You don’t want to climb into a coop and search for eggs.  The coop also needs a roost to so the hens can sleep comfortably.
• A chicken-tractor coop helps keep chicken poop under control. Regular coops require the poop to be removed (that’s a thankless job).  A mobile coop moved every day or so spreads the manure as fertilizer.  The coop should still be periodically cleaned (sprayed down) a couple times a year.  Access doors make this easier.  Read here for a comparison between a traditional coop and a mobile coop.
• If looks are important, there are many cute coops on the market.  Just don’t fall victim to only aesthetic charm.  Function will matter more to you than form in terms of convenience.

4)     Most cities have a regulation regarding poultry or livestock in your backyard.  Many cities allow for chickens in small numbers and without roosters.  If you aren’t sure and don’t want to risk a fine, check it out in advance.  If they aren’t legal you can bet there are citizens already petitioning for a change.  Help them out. Chickens are becoming very urban.

Besides eating healthy, backyard chickens are a great family project or personal hobby.  If you have computer savvy kids, get them to research chicken breeds, coops, and social networks for support.  Set aside a family day to build or assemble the coop.  Pick chicken names.  Argue over who gets to collect the fresh eggs. Wow friends and extended family with a tasty, fortifying quiche (spinach from the garden, right?).

Written by:

Marguerite Inscoe
Homemaker, part-time employee of Egganic  Industries and my dad, the inventor of the Henspa and many other backyard chicken coops.

Organic living is not just about consumption choices, it’s about quality of life.  With homegrown organic eggs there is never a dull moment.  You can learn more about chicken coops and care at www.tufclimatecoop.com.  Also find your closest source of organic chicken feed at www.organicfeeds.biz.

Natura World is offering my readers the opportunity to win one of their Ultimate latex pillows valued at over $100!  Check out my recent post that goes into detail about Natura and a review of the Ultimate Pillow.

Natura is a growing natural sleep product manufacturer that makes pillows, mattresses, toppers and more.  All of their products are made with the environment in mind.  They use natural ingredients like latex, organic cottons and wool.  They also follow green business practices to lower their environmental impact and make their products healthy for consumers.

How to Win

There are many opportunities to win this contest. You must leave a separate comment for each entry. Here’s all the ways to increase your chances to win:

• Comment ( 1 entry ): Visit NaturaWorld.com and tell us which of their products you like the most (even if it isn’t the ultimate pillow).
• Subscribe to my email subscription ( up to 2 entries ): Follow my daily articles by simply subscribing to to my email subscription service and/or RSS feed. This will give you a great chance to win and give you all the latest updates to my blog. A win-win situation. You get 1 entry for each subscription.
• Spread the Word ( 2 entries ): You can get a better advantage by publicizing this giveaway on your blog. All you have to do is give a brief description of this contest and a link to it. Be sure to include a link to the post in a comment.
• Twitter ( 1 entry ): Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this contest including a brief description of this contest and a link to it. Include a link to your Twitter account in the comment.
• StumbleUpon ( 1 entry ): Stumble this contest or one of my popular tools and leave a review.

When is it over?

This giveaway will end November 11th, 2009 at 11:59pm. I will randomly select an winner from the list of all entries and announce the winner the following day. This contest is only to U.S. residents 18 years or older.

Good luck to everybody!

Photo by d_true.

A originally reported by the New York Times, an internal audit conducted by the Department of Energy has determined that is is not properly tracking all appliances possessing the Energy Star label.  This means that all of those Energy Star appliances so many have bought on the premise that they are energy efficient, may be using more energy and costing you more than you expected.

Just as recent as last month, the Department of Energy and the EPA implemented a memorandum that would allow them to jointly set the standards for the Energy Star program.  The only problem with this is that Congress passed legislation earlier this summer that delegated the task specifically to the DOE.  The major problem with this issue stated by Senator Bingaman:

There are questions about stakeholder involvement in this process and effects on DOE and EPA staffing and budget.

I have heard complaints about the program in the past, but I never realized how bad.  This problem may seem insignificant, but it truly needs to be fixed if consumers are able to trust the energy star label. The government is allowing manufacturers to knowingly lie about their products and use the government’s name in the process.

Hopefully this problem can be fixed before more and more people get burned by this deceiving label.