How to clean your house the eco-friendly way: Vinegar
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What’s the eco-friendliest shower curtain?
What’s the eco-friendliest shower curtain? Andrea of Ottawa I’ll tell you what’s not: PVC or plastic number 3. If you have a shower curtain made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), you should recycle it. Polyvinyl chloride is known to give off … Continue Reading
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How to keep those wasps away
I have a problem with wasps in my yard. What can I do? Nick of Regina As we head into fall, insect populations in general will start to decline. And wasps will begin to bother bumblebees and honeybees — especially … Continue Reading
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An investment that’s right as rain
Rain barrels can be purchased from your local hardware or garden store. In fact, the Capital Regional District’s website has a complete list of rain barrel retailers in the Victoria, B.C., area under the Water Services section. You can also … Continue Reading
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Use peat-free products for your yard
Is peat moss an eco-friendly option for my yard and garden? -Lesley of Edmonton Not really. In nature, peat accumulates at a rate of half to one millimetre per year! And harvesting peat moss is like mining — a top … Continue Reading
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Happy chickens, happy planet
You’ll want to choose eggs from happy chickens! Eating a planet-friendly diet includes consuming less meat, eggs and dairy products. But if you buy eggs, consume those that are humanely raised. These days, egg cartons make claims like “cage-free,” “free-run” … Continue Reading
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Circling the drain issues with cleaners
How can I unclog a drain without using toxic chemicals? Christine of London, Ont. Chemical drain cleaners are some of the most toxic household cleaning supplies lurking under your kitchen sink. It’s best to avoid them. Many drain openers contain … Continue Reading
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After the BBQ is done
What can I do with old BBQ propane tanks? – Luke of Toronto We’re well into barbecue season, something you’ll know if you’ve made the annual mistake of running out of propane. Propane tanks are refillable but sometimes you might … Continue Reading
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Raising the roof
What are some green roofing options? Shannon of Calgary First, dispose of the old roofing materials. I’m guessing you have asphalt shingles. In Canada, about 1.25 million tonnes of asphalt-based roofing materials are discarded each year. But asphalt shingles are … Continue Reading
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Greening can be easy as kids’ play
Question: I have a broken stroller with no wheels and a cracked frame. Can I recycle it? And what about recycling toys? Kimberly, Vancouver The only company that I can find to recycle items like old strollers (and expired children’s … Continue Reading
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Queen of Green
Scrubbing away toxins
My kid likes to drink the bathwater. I’m concerned about the cleaning products I use to clean the tub. What’s the safest option? Laura — Victoria It’s time to end toxic relationships with your cleaners and I can help. Join … Continue Reading
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Car-sharing? It just makes sense
At what point should I consider car-sharing? - Stephanie of Vancouver Car-sharing is a suitable transportation option to complement eco-friendlier alternatives like walking, busing and biking. It’s not just a viable choice when assessing your need for a second family … Continue Reading
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A more natural playtime
What’s a natural playground? And who builds them? -Jodi of Toronto Natural playgrounds bring children back to nature! Imagine a schoolyard, daycare or public park with fallen logs, tree stumps to sit on, vertical log forts and a slide built … Continue Reading
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Dusting can tackle harmful household releases
How can I avoid toxic flame retardants in my home? – Karen of Ottawa If you don’t plan to get rid of your TV and furniture, the simple answer is to dust. Studies have shown that consumer products, not industrial … Continue Reading
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Getting rid of pests the green way
What’s the eco-friendliest way to get rid of ants in my house? -Kent of Montreal As a temporary fix, try diatomaceous earth. Say that three times fast! It said to be safer than using borax (sodium borate), especially if you … Continue Reading
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Urban sprawl and animal encounters: What not to do
Don’t do what I’ve done and try to get closer for a better look or a picture! (Because it was nonchalant and unafraid, a few times I thought a coyote was a dog off-leash.) Typically not a threat to humans, … Continue Reading
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Don’t sleep on these tips
Old mattresses have been dumped in city landfills for years. Yet all of the materials in them are recyclable. Today, few cities offer recycling options but it’s still worth searching for a municipal program, a private recycler, or asking retailers. … Continue Reading
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Book an eco-friendly hotel stay
Is there such thing as green hotels? And if so, how can I find one? Dan, Toronto Indeed, there are green hotels! Many work to conserve resources like energy and water — by installing everything from energy-efficient lighting to low-flow … Continue Reading
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Buying into local farmers’ produce
Hello, I’ve been to many farmers markets but what are community-supported agriculture farms? Jennifer of Edmonton Community-supported agriculture farms, or CSAs, are similar to your local farmers’ market in that they get you one step closer to the farmer who … Continue Reading
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Toxic home cleaners
What’s the difference between sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)? Jolene — Winnipeg SLS and SLES play similar roles in home cleaners and cosmetics. You can often find both of these surfactants or foaming agents in dish … Continue Reading
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Filtering out the problems
What’s the best water filtration system? - Daria of London, Ont. It really depends on what you’re trying to filter out — the chlorine taste or contaminants like lead and pesticides. Generally speaking, water filters can improve the overall taste, … Continue Reading
