Green Challenge #3: Say, why don't you do something useful with all this heat?

So, let's totally beat the dead horse and talk about how hot it is.

Holy cow, it's hot! And it appears as though it might be this hot for, oh, the rest of the summer. Mmm hmm. So, Greenologists. What're you gonna do with this heat? How will you harness all this free energy that's hanging around, making things generally gross and sweaty? Want a suggestion? Of course you do. That's why you're reading this. Here's one: Why don't you wash all those sweaty clothes, and then dry 'em. For free. No, we're not talking about jerry-rigging the dryers at the laundromat. Remember line drying? It's back, and it isn't better than ever, but it's still pretty good.

Why should you want to spend the extra effort line drying your shiz (other than the fact that it saves energy/fuel and is gentler on your clothes)? We crunched some numbers in order to increase the allure of hanging your unmentionables in the warm breeze. Here we go:

So. According to, like, every energy use source out there (we'll throw you this one in the interest of journalistic integrity, mostly because this guy's hair is awesome), clothes dryers account for around 12% of the average American family's household energy use. The average American family does approximately 400 loads of laundry per year at $0.15 per kWh, which averages out to around $156 in household energy costs per year, once you factor in the difference between gas and electric power/average drying times/yada yada. If your average American family is relegated to paying the ol' landlord/laundromat for your clean threads (like us), that expenditure rockets up to around $900 per year, at around $2.25 per load. NINE HUNDRED DOLLARS. That's three tickets to Guatemala, folks. Or a crazy-awesome new bike. Or a really nice charitable donation to a non-profit in need. It's a lot of money, OK? A lot of money, of which you could be saving 100% by simply stringing up your goods.

Don't have the time, you say? Let us point out that research (i.e.: our laundry day) shows it takes an average of four minutes to hang a load. It also only takes an extra forty-five minutes for our stuff to dry on the line versus in the dryer. Don't have the space, you say? Let us also point out that we live in an approximately 450 sq. ft. apartment, and we manage just fine. But, we know it's not easy to make the adjustment. That's why we're going to point you to TipThePlanet, and their sort of insanely comprehensive review of every imaginable drying rack -- indoor and outdoor -- in existence, so you can MacGyver your way into energy savings. We're also going to point out that you can buy whatever you may require to transition into clothesline country at these independently-owned businesses:

Back Bay Hardware
233 Newbury St., Boston
(617) 536-0193

Charles Street Supply
54-56 Charles St., Boston
(617) 367-9046

TAGS Hardware
Porter Shopping Exchange, Somerville
(617) 868-7711

Pills Hardware
743 Massachusetts Ave, Central Square, Cambridge
(617) 876-8310

As per usual, we are offering a reward for participating in this little challenge. Send us photos of your clothes on the line, post a comment here telling us how you line dry, tweet us about it at @gogreenologist, or post about it on our Facebook page, and you'll be entered to win some incredible-smelling, all-natural, totally biodegradable, super-concentrated Zum Clean lavender laundry soap. Huzzah! 


So harness that heat, Greenologists! And remember: Clothespins are not for clipping to your roommate/partner while they're sleeping. Seriously.

first round of deliveries/awesome shout out from a fun and fearless lady

We are SO SORRY that we haven't posted lately. So. Sorry. It's been a wild and crazy few months getting ready for the market season, and  -- we're not ashamed to say it -- we've experienced pretty much every bizarre and unexpected obstacle a wee little business like ours could possibly experience thus far. Phew. But it's OK! Because the markets are open, the local love is flowing, and we finished our first round of deliveries on Friday! We collected orders for garlic scapes from Siena Farms, marinated goat cheese from Crystal Brook Farm, baguettes from Iggy's, scones and cookies from the Danish Pastry House, and enough pints of strawberries to fill a 2001 Toyota RAV4 (almost). And it was awesome! The feedback has been amazing, and we're psyched that so many folks are excited about supporting local agriculture.

Speaking of lovely folks who have taken the pledge for local food, we are so grateful to Michelle-Kim Lee, of the super sassy food-centric blog Fun And Fearless In Beantown, for her post featuring Greenologist and why we do what we do (and why you should try it, too). We're happy to be bringing her fresh, local goodness this month and so excited about the response we've already gotten from her readers. Thanks, Michelle!

Have we made your mouth water? Bet we did! Do you want all this local goodness delivered to your door, too? Of course you do! Sign-up for June is sadly over (sorry!), but there will be even MORE delicious goodies available in July, so bounce on over to our website and sign up! 

we love these crafty bitches.

Check out the latest awesome produced by our fave Northern ladies over at Yankee Crafty Bitch! These gals take DIY to a new level, and we love them for it. We yet again enlisted them in helping with our Spring Cleaning, Zero Waste-athon, and they yet again came through with a bitchin' way to reuse our seemingly unusable stuff. Last time, they delivered a sweet organizer made of old paperboard jewelry boxes. This time? Our old, scratched CD's have been transformed into...

A home disco ball! Oh, man. 

It's kind of mod, it's kind of McQueen-meets-Martha, and we're kind of obsessed.

Want to make your own? Natch. Get all the info, photos, directions and encouragement you need on their blog. While you're there, you might want to check out all the other cool stuff they're up to (wood-fired Rice Crispies treats, anyone?) and shake some of that city livin'. Almost as good for the soul as dancing under the light of your very own disco ball.

you have no excuse not to do this.

Here we are, just about a month away from the first farmer's markets of the year. We're super antsy, crazy busy and -- we're not too proud to admit -- just a wee bit nervous. In order to give ourselves a break from the jitters-inducing act of produce data entry (don't try to tell us it's the caffeine), we're revisiting our favorite little project: Spring Cleaning, Zero Waste! Huzzah!

So far, we've tackled the wire hangers and the jewelry boxes (thanks to our bitchin' friends at Yankee Crafty Bitch for that one). Two of the most annoying, abundant clutter-culprits: conquered. What are we left with now?

Clothing. EVERYWHERE.

We would be lying if we said we weren't currently writing this blog sandwiched between two bags of laundry begging to be washed. We would also be lying if we said there wasn't another basket waiting patiently in the closet. We like fashion, OK? It's totally a problem, and we're totally working on it (kind of). In the meantime, however, what to do with the outmoded/ill-fitting (clean) stuff? You know, the sweater that's been hanging out, unworn, in the bottom drawer of our dresser for the past four years? The little black dress that was SO CUTE in the store but somehow morphed into a too-big-on-top-too-short-too-itchy-when-did-I-become-so-short-waisted tragic disaster when we got it home? Folks, it's time to take back our closets and rid ourselves of bizarre outerwear from the late 90's (see photo)!

As you may already know, there are several avenues through which you can unload whatever lurks in the nether regions of your closet. Here they are, laid out for you, with directions, explanations, pros and cons, and a slew of additional information you probably don't need.

Ready? Go:

Consignment:


Second Time Around
Locations EVERYWHERE -- just check the website

Poor Little Rich Girl*
121 Hampshire St.
Inman Square, Cambridge

and

166 Newbury St.
Boston, MA

*Poor Little Rich Girl consignors get 20% off inventory when they shop the store. Hooray! The Davis Square location has closed, however. Boo.

PROS: Probably the most obvious choice for vintage shiz, high-end shiz, etc. They're all over the place, they cater to different aesthetics, and they're run by folks who know fashion in, out, upside down and backwards, so you can pretty much rest assured knowing that you're getting the right price for your grandmother's Bakelite accessories/obscure Comme des Garçons jacket/premium denim. Additionally, some stores offer discounts to sellers, so if you buy used anyway (which you SHOULD, because it's GREENER -- it takes 700 gallons of water to grow the cotton to produce just one t-shirt and cotton is one of the most water- and pesticide-dependent crops), you can save some dough in exchange for supplying them with new stuff to sell.

CONS: Consignment means you don't get paid unless it sells, and it can be tough getting an appointment to have your stuff assessed. Most stores have pretty strict policies about what they'll take (designer only, current season only, etc.), how much they'll take, when they'll take it, how they'll take it, etc., and violating any of these rules can land you back home, bags full, wallet empty. Also, all consignment stores take a chunk of the sale; sellers generally yield only around 40%, so you're paying for the convenience of not having to figure out a fair price, photograph it, post it on eBay and ship it yourself (shipping is wasteful anyway). Finally, most stores send checks every few months, so you don't see any money for the goods for a while, even if it sells right away.

Resellers:


Buffalo Exchange*
238 Elm St.
Davis Square, Somerville

*Buffalo Exchange sellers get 50% store credit or %30 in cash for their stuff.

PROS: You bring them your shiz, they take what they want and give you a wad of cash/store credit in exchange. No worrying about whether it'll sell, no waiting months for a check, no appointment necessary.

CONS: These places usually sell at a lower rate than consignment stores, meaning you're likely to get less for your threads, so it's not the ideal spot to bring your fancy whatnot. (In the interest of journalistic research, we just let go of a $225 dress with the tags STILL ON for $27.50. Vomit.) But, if you're looking to unload your everyday H&M/Gap/Urban Outfitters garb, it's pretty much ideal.

The S.W.A.P. Team Presents: Take Off Your Clothes SoWa Clothing Swap:


When: Saturday June 5: 5pm-10pm
            Sunday June 6: 11am-4pm

Where: 500 Harrison Ave, South End Boston

PROS: Trade what you don't want for something you actually need (or just want). It's free ($8 donation suggested at the door), it'll be really fun, and whatever doesn't get taken gets donated to AIDS Action, so you're doing some good for the world while you shed your ill-fitting stuff. Also, they'll come pick your stuff up for you (email them at clothingpickups-BOS@theswapteam.org to schedule a time) so you don't have to haul it to SoWa, which means you can ride your BIKE to get there, which is EVEN GREENER.

CONS: If you're a weird size (like me) you're likely going to have limited swap options. But, there should be plenty of accessories and whatnot to choose from, so depending on what you're looking for, it could still be a great success.

Donations:

Boomerangs*
716 Centre St.
Jamaica Plain

and

1870 Centre St.
West Roxbury

*Proceeds from Boomerangs go to benefit AIDS Action. Check the website for drop-off hours.

Salvation Army
328 Mass Ave.
Central Square, Cambridge

and

483 Broadway
Somerville

Goodwill
520 Mass Ave
Central Square, Cambridge

and

965 Commonwealth Ave.
BU, Brighton

and

230 Elm St.
Davis Square, Somerville


PROS: Get rid of stuff consignment boutiques and resellers are unlikely to take, and contribute to the community while you do it.

CONS: ...? None. Unload a bunch of shiz no one else wants and help those in need.

And what about the stuff that's totally beyond saving? The stuff your kid colored on, your dog chewed in half, your lover ripped in a fit of passion (way to go, Casablanca...). Two suggestions:

1. Cut them up and turn them into cleaning rags. Dust, wipe, scrub, etc. Wash. Repeat. Greener than paper towels, cheaper than paper towels, sturdier than paper towels.

2. Drop them off at one of Planet Aid's big yellow boxes around Cambridge (the most convenient one is at 500 Memorial Drive, near MIT). They'll either ship the clothes to developing regions that need them or recycle the textiles into new ones. Either way, your stuff is staying out of landfills, and that's what this is all about.

Whew. OK, folks. We have given you an absurd number of options for ridding yourself of your rags, zero waste. You have NO EXCUSE now. None. We expect neat, organized closets by the end of the month. Send us photos! We'll post them here.

Then will you please help us do all this laundry?

Green Challenge #2: Water, Water Everywhere...

First of all, let’s just talk about what an awesome time we had at the D2E green living festival this weekend. Oh, wow. It was awesome. We met so many green business owners, so many folks trying to live a little more sustainably, so many adorable, cloth diaper-wearing babies.  We also met a bunch of you, dear readers! And we want to thank you for your words of encouragement, your high-fives, and your interest in what we’re trying to do to help this little city live a little greener! You are the earthworms in our compost, the breezes on our wind farm, the responsible politician voting in favor of our green legislation (basically, you’re helping us make it happen). We love you. A lot.

And on that note, we bring you: Green Challenge #2! Hooray!

Let's review what these Green Challenges are all about. Once a month, we’ll present you with a small, simple change you can make in your life to help you decrease your impact on the world around you. We’ll provide you with the tools and information you need to make the change easy, and we’ll even give you a little extra incentive in the form of a prize to recognize your efforts. The more people we get to participate, the more these small changes will add up to make a big difference. Why wouldn’t you want to join us?

This month, we’re focusing on something super basic: water. We all need it, we all love it, we all want to keep it clean for future generations. Funnily enough, one of the primary ways in which us city dwellers access water is helping to pollute the very thing we love so much. That’s right, folks. We’re talking about bottled water. We know a lot of you are already aware of the ickiness associated with purchasing bottled water, but there are still those of us who find our typically obsessively responsible selves out every so often, parched and desperate, caving to the quenching power of Poland Springs or Evian or Pellegrino or whoever. It happens, and that’s OK! But it’d be better if it didn’t happen at all, right? Enter the Green Challenge du jour (ou mois).

This April, as we move into summer and the season of thirst, we challenge you to rid your life of bottled water. Completely. Forever. Why? Here are some freaky facts from our friends (ah, alliteration) over at TreeHugger.com:

        Around 1.5 million barrels (barrels, folks) of oil are used in the production of disposable plastic water bottles every

        year. That’s enough to run 100,000 cars for a whole year. Not to mention all the oil used up in shipping these suckers 

        all over the country.

        An increase in water extraction near bottling facilities has lead to shortages for nearby residents and farmers.

        For every gallon of water bottled, two more are wasted in the purification process.

        90% of plastic bottles used for bottled water ends up in landfills, where it takes thousands of years to decompose.

        Bottled water can cost 10,000 more per gallon than the free-flowing tap kind.

Here’s the worst part about all of this: Even though bottled water companies go to absurd lengths to convince us their water is cleaner than the stuff we get in our own houses (for free), municipal water is actually held to higher standards than the bottled stuff. So basically, when we purchase bottled water, we’re paying to pollute our community and put questionable junk in our bodies. Gross.

But wait, there’s a solution! And it’s super simple. You’ve already got the stuff readily available in your house. Just… drink that. Nervous about what’s in it? There are a few things you can do: First, check out the water quality in your area at the EPA’s website, here. Got clean municipal water but old, questionably safe pipes? Get yourself a home filtration system (help finding the best one for you here). Need to take your water with you? Get yourself some reusable, BPA-free water bottles. (BPA is an organic compound found in plastics that’s been linked to some pretty unfortunate side effects.) Put them everywhere; keep one at work, one in your car (or messenger bag), one at your partner’s house, a small one in your purse (ladies/metrosexual dudes). This all seems pretty obvious, huh? It is. But we know that even the most ecologically diligent of you has found yourself at 7-11, thirsty and hanging your head in shame, at one point or another. Don’t let it happen again!

Need to hook yourself up with a filtration system? How about a slew of BPA-free bottles to stash around your life? Get them at these independently owned businesses, and support your local economy while you save the planet:

Boston:

Water bottles:

Bob’s Wilderness House

1048 Commonwealth Ave, Boston

(617) 277-5858

Hilton’s Tent City

272 Friend St., Boston

(617) 227-9242

Water purifiers:

Charles Street Supply Company

54 Charles St., Suite A, Boston

(617) 367-9046

Cambridge:

Water bottles:

Greenward Shop

1764 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge

(617) 395-1338

Water purifiers:

Inman Square Hardware

1337 Cambridge St., Cambridge

(617)  491-3405

TAGS Hardware

Porter Square Shopping Center

29 White St., Cambridge

(617) 868-7711

Bam! Easy peasy. Now for the incentive: Enter the Green Challenge by either tweeting about it (@gogreenologist), emailing us about it, commenting here, or otherwise letting us know you're on board. We'll randomly select a winner at the end of the month, and that person will receive either free ad space on our site for their local business (or the local business of their choice) for one month, OR a guest-blogging gig RIGHT HERE! Woo hoo!

Ready to go? Questions? Comments? Concerns? Get in touch!

P.S. Did we miss any independently owned shops where you can buy the aforementioned items? Let us know!

            

WEBSITE! MEMBERSHIPS! HOORAY!!

Our website is up! Our website is up! You can sign up for delivery of farmer's market produce! You can get recipes and discounts from local businesses! You can join and support a community of forward-thinking folks who want to eat well, support their local economy and have fun while doing it! You can help a new business get off the ground! www.gogreenologist.com! Hooray!

we're in paris. don't hate.

So here we are, on what is likely to be our very last vacation ever, what with this new business we've started and all. We've managed to eat our weight in unpasteurized cheeses and offal of every variety, and we have no shame. No shame! We'll be back on Monday to continue with Spring Cleaning, Zero Waste, put the finishing touches on our website so you all can sign up for home delivery of local produce, and gear up for d:2:e Boston (April 9-11!), but here's what we've been up to in the meantime:

Pain aux raisins at every appropriate/totally inappropriate meal.

Shopping for dinosaur plates. Naturally.

Crazy awesome lunch at la Bigarrade. We kind of snuck in here by accident and we're fully enjoying our new identities as Michelin Rebels -->

Daytrip to Strasbourg for choucroute and kitsch at Chez Yvonne and a biodynamic Alsatian wine tasting at Terres a Vin. Thanks, Clement, for getting us drunk and convincing us to spend WAY too much on bottle of Ostertag. Let no one doubt your sales skills, sir. Touche.

There also may or may not be some photos of this Greenologist with a statue of Gutenberg after several glasses of Pinot Blanc. We will neither confirm nor deny these allegations.


Anyway, we only have 3 days left. Any culinary delights you think we might be missing out on? Cash is tight (we blame Clement), but we're open to any and all suggestions. Let us know!