Green Drinks

Here's an interesting and fun way to share your passion for - or curiosity - about the environment and find out what people in your part of the world are doing about it. Green Drinks International started in London in 1989 and now has 350 chapters around the world - including several in West Michigan. The Grand Rapids group meets from 5:00 to 7:00 in a different location on the third Thursday of every month.

This month, the group met at the Tavern on the Square at 100 Ionia Avenue, SW. It's always a lively crowd and this month was no exception. There was a variety of attendees representing different professions, industries, and organizations. We had the opportunity to talk to a representative of the Sierra Club and discuss alternative energy sources and to see a demonstration of a solar-powered lantern that is assembled here in Grand Rapids.

If you're interested in joining the group, it's very simple. If you're in Grand Rapids, go to www.greeendrinksgr.org and sign up for the e-mail list. You'll be notified of the location of the next get-together. If you're in another city, state, or county; go to www.greendrinks.org and search for a chapter in your area.

The Little Green Book of the Home

Last week I found a great little book. It's "The Little Green Book of the Home: 250 tips for an Eco Lifestyle" and it's just what the title says: 250 tips with no preaching or propaganda about the environment or global warming. Well, okay, there is a one-paragraph information introduction.

The first 10 tips concern saving energy through the thoughtful use of lighting - including natural light. The obvious tips include turning off lights that are not in use, switching to compact fluorescent bulbs, and using natural light throughout the day. The less obvious and harder to implement tips include recycling your used light bulbs.

Fluorescent bulbs, including compact fluorescent bulbs, contain a small amount of mercury to increase the efficiency of the bulb. In Kent County Michigan there a several recycling centers that accept hazardous household waste. Click on "Kent County Michigan" above and you will be directed to the county site that describes the options for recycling fluorescent bulbs.

If you're not in West Michigan, go to your local government's website or check with your local Home Depot stores to see if they participate in their company's recycling program. I've also included a link to the Kent County website in the left-hand margin of this blog.

For more information on "The Little Green Book of the Home," click on the image of the cover and you will be directed to the publisher's website.