 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra AND green living AND recycling AND toxics
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Author |
Published |
Section |
Nasty Namaste
On toxic yoga mats |
Umbra Fisk |
24 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I own a yoga studio and our mats are wearing out and in need of replacement. What's the best alternative for buying new mats? And if I do get new mats, what's the best option for disposing of the old ones: donate to one of the many organizations that provide yoga for people that can't afford the usual yoga studio rates? Or spare them the toxins and send the mats to the landfill, or my gosh are they possibly recyclable? Help! ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, green products, recycling, sports, toxics (all these topics) |
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Ash Ask
On burning paper |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Mar 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We heat our house primarily by wood, in an efficient, EPA-rated woodstove. My question is this: We recycle all of our paper, paperboard, cardboard, etc., but would it be better to burn it? As it is, we drive it to the recycle center, they ship it off somewhere, it is then processed, then shipped back out as a product. If we burn it, we get some heat, and ashes to spread on our garden. Which is better for paper -- recycling or burning ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, health, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Brush With Destiny
On paint disposal |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Dec 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, A friend of mine is a painter. He is concerned about the environment and has been trying to find out how to dispose of his paint buckets, extra paint, and other supplies in a way that is eco-friendly, but he's come up with nothing. We live in Chicago, and you would think that a huge city like this would have places to dispose of these kinds of things ... any advice? Erin Chicago, Ill. Dearest Erin, Uh, this question is r ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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MP3's Company
On CDs and MP3s |
Umbra Fisk |
19 Jul 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, As I was carrying a stack of CDs from the car into my home, my sister laughed and showed me the size of her MP3 player, which contains well over 100 times the music at a fraction of the size. Environmentally, which causes less of an impact? I hear that all these (non-recyclable) portable devices are terrible for the environment, and I've had some of my CDs going on (gasp!) 15 years. Downloading seems like it produces less waste, ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, e-waste, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Laptop Dance
On choosing a laptop |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Jan 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am buying a new laptop, and I was wondering if all computers are the same energy-wise, or if some brands are better for the environment? Aviva Horrow Philadelphia, Pa. Dearest Aviva, You're already off to a good start, as laptops consume far less energy than desktop machines -- we're talking over 50 percent less. Thin is in. Photo: iStockPhoto. Computer manufacturers have three opportunities to earn their environmental s ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, e-waste, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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IBM Me Up, Scotty
On computer recycling |
Umbra Fisk |
08 Aug 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, e-waste, green living, North Carolina, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Bottle Racket
On plastic water bottles |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Aug 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, recycling, toxics (all these topics) |
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Battery FAQ
On recycling batteries |
Umbra Fisk |
28 Oct 2003 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have to humbly admit that for years I've known that one can recycle batteries, but unfortunately, I've never known where or how to do this. I've been living in Seattle and northern Italy for the last year, and I have a pile of old batteries in each place. If you have any insight into how I might go about recycling them in both the U.S. and Europe, I'd so appreciate it! With gratitude, Meg Seattle, Wash., and Ivrea, It ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, green living, Italy, recycling, solid waste treatment and disposal, toxics, waste (all these topics) |
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