Frequently Asked Questions

Being on a Umbra kick, I thought I'd pass these tidbits onto my own readers. This is simply a little list of everyday things you can do to reduce your footprint...

Should I use paper or plastic bags at the grocery store?

Neither one is better. Best choice: bring your own cloth bag.

Should I dry my hands with paper towels or the electric blow dryer?

Use the dryer if you can't drip dry (I like to use the bottom of my jeans. Who cares if your pant leg is a tad damp?).

Should I wash my dishes by hand or use the dishwasher?
If you and your dishwasher are efficient, avoid the sink (and use biodegradable soap!).

Is it better to leave [lights, cars, computers] on when I'm not using them, or turn them off and restart them?

Restart! Whether you're driving, defeating darkness, or doing work, it takes more energy to keep your power-suckers running than it does to turn them off and on.

My old [car, refrigerator, washing machine] isn't energy efficient. Is it worse to keep using it, or to toss it and buy a new one?

In general, it's better to upgrade (whether washing machine, fridge, dishwasher, or car) -- but make sure your old machine is reused or recycled if possible (and PLEASE don't do anything like this).

Is it better to buy organic food from far away, or non-organic food grown locally?

Ideally, buy food that is both organic and local -- but if you have to choose, local is the way to go (farmers' markets rock).

I want to follow your recommendation and buy compact fluorescent lightbulbs, but I've discovered they contain mercury. What should I do?

Buy them anyway -- the small amount of mercury (less than in a watch battery) can be handled by a hazardous-waste facility. Just be sure to dispose of the used bulbs correctly.

Which plastics are OK?
We don't like plastic, in general. But just make sure you avoid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics.

Which is better: Diesel? Biodiesel? Straight vegetable oil? Hybrid?

They're all bad. Stop driving! But while you work toward that goal, here are thoughts on some of your quandaries: diesel vs. regular gasoline; converting to biodiesel; converting to veggie oil; biodiesel vs. veggie oil; and hybrids vs. veggie oil.

What's the one thing I can do to help the environment?
There's no one answer, but try to limit your consumption and keep the big picture in mind.