PaperlessKitchen Blog

DMCA FROM A GREEN PERSPECTIVE

Recently, the White House spoke out against changes to the 1998 Digital Millenium Copyright Act that took effect in January and made it illegal to unlock your cell phone. While many people who oppose the changes are focused on personal freedom and convenience, there is also a green issue at stake that should be mentioned.

The manufacturing of cell phones uses up vital minerals, which are in relatively short supply. The mining activities used to gather these minerals have had a detrimental effect on the planet and on the miners themselves, as many are forced into labor and work for little to no pay in impoverished locations throughout Africa. Every day, 426,000 cell phones are taken out of service in the United States, and since only 18 percent of used electronics are ever recycled, the majority of the minerals and other materials used to manufacture phones end up in landfills. 

So why are so many phones discarded? Part of the problem is the ever-evolving technology behind our mobile devices that makes the hottest new cell phone outdated in a few years, but another part of the problem is changing carriers. The average person will find a new cell phone carrier at least once every four years, and without the ability to unlock their phones, these people are forced to purchase new ones, even if they are content with what they have. 

The inability to unlock cell phones also makes it difficult to sell a used phone when you're finished with it or to give it to someone else to use. By removing the restrictions of the DMCA and promoting the idea of reusing electronics instead of throwing them away, we can greatly cut down on our consumption of minerals and decrease landfill waste.

If you're concerned about the negative environmental impact of the DMCA changes, we urge you to contact your U.S. representative and Senators and make your opinions known.

PAPERLESS TICKETING BETTER FOR THE PLANET, EVEN IF YOU PRINT!

In recent years, paperless ticketing for events and concerts has become increasingly popular, but many venues and ticket outlets have protested the shift toward electronic ticketing. One of the primary arguments against paper ticketing is that in many cases, event-goers end up printing their paper tickets anyway, resulting in an equal or greater amount of paper consumption than traditional ticketing.

Recently, the paperless ticketing service WeGotTickets released the findings of a research study that suggests the opposite is actually true. The study looked at the differences between traditional ticketing, completely paperless ticketing and tickets being purchased digitally and then printed by the buyer.

The study found that energy consumption for traditional ticketing was 100 times greater than it was for completely paperless ticketing; however, when a customer printed her own tickets, the energy consumption was only 40 times greater. The differences come not only from the differences in the papers used, but also in the handling and shipping of the tickets.

The findings of this study show that even if you prefer having the convenience of a paper ticket in your hand when you head to a show, you are still doing the planet a favor by purchasing your tickets online and opting for digital delivery.

What are your thoughts on digital ticketing? Tell us in the "Comments" section. 

TAKE THE PLEDGE TO REDUCE PLASTIC WASTE

When we think about taking steps to reduce waste in our paperless kitchens and beyond, finding ways to avoid using paper towels, plastic bottles and Styrofoam cups all readily come to mind. But how often do we think about the drinking straws that we sip from when we get cold drinks to go? 

The 1:1 Movement is trying to change the way we think about using drinking straws in an effort to reduce plastic waste. Currently, about 60 million drinking straws end up in garbage cans across the United States each day. That represents a huge amount of plastic waste and a drain on our precious oil supplies, as most straws are made from petrochemicals.

To help spread awareness and urge businesses and individuals to make changes, The 1:1 Movement is currently sponsoring a Straw Pledge. Businesses who make the pledge vow to only offer plastic drinking straws to those who request them. Individuals are encouraged to say, "Hold the straw" when they order cold beverages.

Paperless Kitchen Tested: Toockies Dish Cloths Review

Now that I've made the leap completely and removed the paper towel holder from the wall in my kitchen, I'm starting to experiment more with reusable alternatives to paper towels. In past blog posts, I've discussed disposable towels and reusable scrubbers, but have yet to test any fabric cloths. To change that and familiarize myself with another green paper towel replacement, I picked up a pack of Toockies Handmade Dish Cloths and decided to put them through a kitchen road test.

The Basics

Toockies dish cloths are made from 100 percent certified organic cotton and are sold in packs of three. We've discussed this eco-friendly brand in a previous blog post, explaining how all Toockies products are produced by hand by women in India who are able to better provide for their families with the wages they are paid for putting their knitting skills to good use.

The Inspection

As a special touch, the packaging of the Toockies cloths gave the name of the woman who made mine. It was a powerful reminder of the good that Toockies does for impoverished families every day. 

Once I removed the cloths from the packaging and started handling, them I was immediately struck by their thickness. The cotton is so thick, and the knit is so flawless and tight that I could easily use my cloths as pot holders or trivets. The size of the cloth is perfect for the size of my hand and comparable to other dish cloths that I've used in the past, but my Kitchen Assistant felt that the cloth was a little small for his much bigger hands.

The Full Sink

Since dish cloths are primarily used for dishwashing, my kitchen assistant and I decided to fill up my sink and clean up the dishes from the lunch we ate before our road test began. Lunch was pasta, and our dishes were covered with sticky sauce and melty cheese. The grain of the weave on the Toockies cloth was easily able to lift away the grime, and it took very little scrubbing to get the dishes clean.

What impressed me even more was that when we rinsed the cloth, it looked as good as new. This surprised me because I was sure that the sauce would leave stains on the fabric. 

The Microwave 

Now that we had seen how well the Toockies dish cloth worked for tackling the dishes, we turned to the microwave, which I hadn't given a thorough cleaning in quite some time. My kitchen assistant and I took turns scrubbing and were impressed by how easily it was to clean all of the surfaces of the microwave. It was so easy to get the turntable clean that we didn't even have to take it out and soak it in the sink. We were also able to use just a tiny amount of dish soap to do all of the cleaning, thanks to the weave of the cloth.

The Washing Machine

When we finished with our test, I decided to toss the cloth in the washing machine. It softened up a little during the wash, but it held up very well without any visible signs of wear and tear. 

The Takeaway

I really love the Toockies dish cloths. They're well made and very easy to use, and if my initial wash was any indication, they'll stand up well to repeated use. I did this road test four days ago and have used my cloths several times to clean counter tops, wash dishes and wipe my hands.

My kitchen assistant was also impressed with the cloths, so impressed that when I offered to give him one of the three clothes from my pack he said, "No, I want to buy a pack so I can have more than one."

The Diaper Cream Dilemma

I know that many of our blog readers are green parents and that cloth diapering is an important part of eco-conscious infant care for many parents. This weekend, I was talking with a green mama who brought to light an issue involving cloth diapering that I wanted to share.

This particular friend has a 4-month-old baby. While pregnant, she was adamant that she would be using cloth instead of disposables, and at her baby shower she received gift after gift of cloth diapering essentials. Still despite all this, when I was visiting her home, I saw her little one lounging under the play gym wearing a disposable diaper.

When she noticed that I noticed, she frowned and explained to me that she ran into a snag with cloth diapering. Her baby's sensitive skin had developed a severe case of diaper rash, and she couldn't use diaper cream with cloth diapers.

Surprised by this, I asked why, and she went onto explain the problem. Most diaper creams work by creating a barrier over the skin to prevent moisture from the diaper from irritating the tissue. When the cream rubs off on a cloth diaper, it makes the fabric less absorbent, leading to leaks. This doesn't happen with disposable diapers because the synthetic fibers are more absorbent than natural cloth.

My friend explained that she planned to stick to the disposables until the rash cleared up and then return to cloth. 

When I got home, I started doing some research about this problem and found that there are other solutions besides breaking one's commitment to cloth diapering. I wanted to share them with the Paperless Kitchen blog readers who may also be dealing with similar problems.

- Although the "big name" diaper creams are not cloth diaper friendly, there are several brands that are. Not surprisingly, these creams are also more natural than their counterparts. One brand that is recommended again and again is Angel Baby Bottom Balm from Earth Mama, which was made specifically for use with cloth diapers.

- Many companies now offer biodegradable, flushable liners for cloth diapers that keep diaper cream on the skin instead of on the diaper itself. If you opt for one of these liners, you can typically use any type of diaper cream that you wish.

- Irritation on a baby's bottom is not always caused by diapers. The rash could also be an allergic reaction to fabric or detergent, or it could be caused by yeast. If your baby has developed what seems to be diaper rash for the first time, consult your pediatrician to rule out other possibilities before you begin slathering on the diaper cream.

Are you a green parent who uses cloth diapers? How do you deal with the diaper cream dilemma? Share your tips in the “Comments” section.

Register for Our Forever Paperless Giveaway and Never Buy Paper Towels Again

In past blog posts, we've provided a review of the revolutionary SKOY cloth and introduced you to our money-saving SKOY multi-packs. Now, we've decided to help one person discover the benefits of these green cleaning cloths in a big way with the Forever Paperless Giveaway.

From today through April 7, 2013, you can register to win a lifetime supply of SKOY cloths. The lucky winner of our giveaway will receive 500 SKOY cloths, a supply valued at around $1,500 that should last the average family of four roughly 100 years. Each SKOY cloth is durable and absorbent enough to substitute for up to 15 rolls of paper towels, so the winner of the giveaway will receive the equivalent of 7,500 rolls.

Replacing paper towels with cellulose-based SKOY cloths is an easy way to establish and maintain your paperless kitchen, and we're excited to give one person the chance to go paperless in the kitchen for the rest of their lives. To register for our giveaway, simply follow this link and make sure you read the terms and conditions to qualify! There are points assigned to each mode of entry - 2 points for "Liking" our Facebook page, 2 points for Tweeting about the giveaway, and 4 points for signing up with your email address for our newsletter. 

PAPERMAKING BRINGS PROSPERITY TO IMPOVERISHED EGYPTIANS

After first being created in what is now China during the 2nd century BCE, the first paper products slowly made their way to the Middle East. The Ancient Egyptians quickly took to the art of papermaking, beginning the tradition of hand-making paper.

Although modern-day Egyptians are now accustomed to buying mass-produced paper in stores, some skilled artisans carry on the traditions of ancient papermaking, and one such artist is using papermaking to improve the lives of other Egyptians and protect the environment.

Mohamed Abou El Naga founded El Nafeza for Contemporary Art and Development in the city of Cairo in 2006. Even though it is a popular destination for tourists, Cairo has long suffered from pollution and is known for poor air quality caused by the burning of rice straw and Nile water lilies.

Abou El Naga decided to take this agricultural waste and put it to use in papermaking in order to reduce pollution and protect forests. He established a studio where workers transform the waste into all types of paper goods, including stationery and notebooks.

After seeing how employment with his foundation helped his workers provide for their families, Abou El Naga decided to start an outreach program. Throughout the week, he holds workshops that teach papermaking to impoverished men and women in the hopes that they can translate their newfound skills into a sustainable form of income. In addition, Abou El Naga uses his foundation to find papermaking employment for the disabled.

Although the civil unrest in Egypt has made it difficult for El Nafeza for Contemporary Art and Development to operate at times, Abou El Naga and others at the foundation are determined to keep it afloat and are working on plans to open workshops in other parts of Egypt.

If you'd like to learn more about this unique green initiative, check out their website. 

How to Drain Bacon Without Paper Towels

Recently, we asked some customers what's stopping them from going paperless in the kitchen, and one thing we heard many times was, “Cooking bacon.” For many of us, paper towels are the things that we reach for before we take bacon out of the pan. Paper towels may seem to be the perfect thing to absorb all of that grease, but there are some alternatives.

Here are a few ways to soak up bacon grease without paper towels.

1. Substitute cut up paper bags from the grocery store. If you're bringing home groceries in paper bags, cut them into squares to place over your plate.

2. Use Bambooee bamboo paper towels. In our Bambooee kitchen road test, we saw how absorbent these towels really are, and they make a great substitute for paper towels when you're draining bacon.

3. Keep a stack of rags on hand. When you end up with a cotton shirt that is too stained or ripped to be donated, cut it into rags. You can soak them in water and detergent after use and then let them air dry to reuse again.

4. Buy a bacon-only dish towel. Purchase a cotton dish towel that you use exclusively for bacon draining. Just make sure to wash it by hand, as you don't want to put oil-soaked fabrics in the washing machine.

5. Oven-cook your bacon. You can make your bacon healthier and less greasy by baking it in the oven. Place the bacon on a broiler pan. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees and then turn and bake the other side to your desired done-ness. The grease will run off while it bakes, so there's no need to soak any up.

Do you have your own solution for draining bacon without the use of paper towels? Share it in the comment section!

SolarChecker Review

Switching to solar power to run your appliances and lighting is one way to green your kitchen, but if you live in an area where the gray days often outnumber the sunny ones, you may wonder whether or not a solar system is a practical solution for your home. You could call a contractor that specializes in the sale of solar panels, but there's always a chance that the person may try to push you toward a system, even if it may not be effective.

SMA, a manufacturer of inverters for solar systems, has created an app intended to help people decide whether or not it's wise to go solar. As I've been considering a solar system for years, I decided to download the app and give it a test-drive.

The Basics

- Available for any iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with iOS 4.3 or later, not available for Android phones

- Free purchase here

- Languages include English, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish

The Features

- Uses GPS to measure your compass location and estimate the pitch of your roof 

- Takes the measurements and uses weather history for your location to calculate an estimated solar energy yield

- Provides detailed information about the annual yield and the yield over 20 years

- Rate of Return calculator allows you to plug in the price of a solar system to determine what your annual savings would be, if any 

- Built-in installer database allows you to find contractors near your home

The Takeaway

I'm not sure if the problem with this app was it or me, but I found it challenging to use. The app opens right to the measurement page, and there were no real instructions on that page about what I needed to do to get my measurement. I found an info page in the app, but I didn't see instructions there either. In the end, I wasn't sure if my measurement was accurate or not.

I did find the Yield and Return pages to be very easy to use and informative, but since I wasn't sure if my data was correct, I couldn't trust the numbers I saw. While the Contact page was a good idea, the contractors that came up from my area were rather far from my home. A Google search showed there were several closer to me. I suspect this list only provides contractors who work with SMA.

Since this app is free, you have nothing to lose by downloading it and giving it a try, but I would recommend conducting some additional research, particularly when it comes to selecting a contractor.

GreenSpot Review

Even though I've had both my iPhone and my iPad for a while, I'm not a fast iTypist. If I'm at a cafe waiting to meet a friend or looking for something to read while I'm at the airport, I usually spend more time trying to search for articles that I'm interested in reading on Google than I do actually reading. When I heard about GreenSpot, an app devoted to green news, I was excited to give it a try, hoping that it would connect me with stories that matter to me much more quickly.

 The Basics

- Available for any iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad with iOS 2.0 or later, not available for Android phones

- Available in two versions: a free version with advertisements posted at the bottom and an ad-free version that is currently $1.99 on the App store 

- Only supports English language

The Features

- Repository of recent news articles broken into categories

- Contains information about green architecture, design and new science and technology 

- Sections devoted to business and investing, health and home and food and agriculture

- Issue-specific sections with news related to climate change, energy and transportation

- Links to green podcasts

The Takeaway 

I spent about an hour browsing through the articles on GreenSpot. The app directs you to reputable news outlets, blogs and organizations, so the content is of good quality. The layout is very user-friendly and easy to use as well, but there is a major problem with the app--the news items were very outdated and old. 

Some of the articles were interesting despite their age, but the app definitely didn’t deliver the latest and greatest of what's out there in sustainable news. I did a quick search for the developer Martian Technology, LLC, and wasn't able to find a website for them. My suspicion is that this app is no longer being updated or supported, so it's more like you're reading about recent history.