Knowing What’s In Your Cleaning Product Can Help You Protect Your Green Lifestyle

If you’re using cleaning products but you don’t know what’s in them, you could be doing damage to the environment without realizing it. That’s unfortunate, and if you’re trying to live a greener lifestyle like a lot of people these days, you’re probably trying to use products that are better for you and better for the planet. Keep that in mind when you’re shopping for cleaning products, because a lot of them contain very harsh chemicals that end up in landfills and in the groundwater supply. They also contain chemicals that are unhealthy for people. Those chemicals are generally found in very small amounts – less than one percent of the cleaning product – but that doesn’t mean they’re good for you, or even completely safe.

People who have children or pets often try harder to avoid using chemicals and are moving more toward a greener lifestyle. You can do that, as well. Reading the labels on cleaning products helps, but that’s not the only thing that you need to do. If a chemical is less than one percent of the cleaner, it might not even be listed. That doesn’t mean it’s not in there. You can make a lot of cleaners at home, too, and they won’t have those dangerous chemicals in them. That’s something to consider if you want a greener lifestyle and a healthier environment for your family and pets. 

Recycling Your Energy Efficient Bulbs

It’s great that you bought energy efficient bulbs, but what do you do with them when they finally give out? Sure, they last longer than the older light bulbs, but they won’t live forever. When your energy efficient bulbs wear out, you probably don’t want to just throw them away. That defeats some of the purpose of green living and of getting light bulbs that are more efficient in the first place. Unfortunately, most cities don’t have collection points for energy efficient bulbs like compact fluorescents (CFLs). Without a safe place to recycle them, consumers are forced to just throw them away, which many of them don’t want to do.

If you don’t want to throw your energy efficient bulbs away, start asking your local government or the organization that handles recycling in your city to offer a place to recycle them. If enough people start asking, something will get done. If you just continue to throw them, away, however, the necessary changes to protect the planet might not get made. Knowing that, you can’t be expected to save the planet all by yourself. Get your friends and family members involved, along with your neighbors and your community. There should be a place in your town to recycle energy efficient bulbs, and with your help there can be. Even though it may take a while, it’s well worth the effort.

Dimmable CFLs

PureSpectrum, Inc has developed dimmable compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), dimmable electronic ballasts, and dimmable fixtures.  This is exciting for architects and companies concerned with energy efficiency that are also concerned with meeting their specific lighting needs.  In recent years, CFLs have made a lot of progress by offering better quality of light and this new innovation is sure to continue the popularity of CFL lighting.

By showcasing their new products at the World Energy Engineering Conference in Washington D.C. this November, PureSpectrum is hoping to reach a large audience of eco-minded companies that also need dimmable lighting.  By allowing this option, the company hopes that CFL bulbs will be considered over incandescent bulbs in almost every situation, and that companies hesitant to make the switch finally will.

For people concerned with energy use and their carbon footprint, switching to CFL bulbs at home and work makes good environmental sense, but not everyone has been able to overlook the limitations of this technology and refused to give up some of the perks that only regular incandescent bulbs have been able to offer.  Now, however, there are fewer limitations.  CFL bulbs already offer a wide variety of light color, better mimicking the warmth of natural sunlight, and with this latest addition of dimmable bulbs and ballasts, there is almost nothing that will cause people to choose incandescent bulbs over CFLs.

Are LEDs The Latest Energy Efficient Lighting Option?

Compact fluorescent bulbs are not the only option when looking for energy-efficient lighting.  LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are long lasting, energy-efficient options as well.  LEDs are semiconductors that glow when an electric current runs through them.  They have been used in cars and electronic devices for years, so the technology is not new.

LEDs are safe and last longer than both incandescent bulbs and CFLs.  One LED can last 50,000 hours and save $50-$90 over the life of the bulb compared to incandescent bulbs.  LEDs have no fragile parts, resist breaking, and can be used in cold weather.  They are compact and low profile, and are good at directing light where it is needed.  LEDs do not require warming and therefore illuminate immediately when switched on.  There are no infrared or ultraviolet radiation emissions and no toxic chemicals.

Makers of LED lights have been working hard to reduce the cost of making the bulbs, and it is believed that in a few years the cost will be similar to CFL bulbs.  LED lights have already become very popular for outdoor lighting, as they can be used in cold weather and don’t break.  The average carbon footprint of a building using LED lights can be reduced by 68% by changing out incandescent bulbs for LEDs.  For those who are eco-conscious it is well worth the slightly higher purchase price.