Everyday Green Home
The Everyday Green Home Podcast helps you GET the value of green: for you, your family and your community. Whether its green homes, green living or the people who make it happen, join Marla Esser Cloos to learn how green and sustainability practices and products work for you.
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Wicked Problems - Transportation and How It Affects Us with Tony Pratte
10/25/2023
Wicked Problems - Transportation and How It Affects Us with Tony Pratte
Wicked problems are significant issues with no single, straightforward answer, and they are everywhere! Transportation is a wicked problem that touches every aspect of our lives, whether we realize it or not. It affects what we have on our dinner tables, the clothes we wear, and everything we have inside our homes. It even affects where we work, how we get there, and how we spend our vacations. Yet, we tend to take it for granted. I'm Marla, the Green Home Coach, coming to you live from Shock City Studios in St. Louis, Missouri. I am delighted to have my occasional co-host, Tony Pratte, join me today to discuss the wicked problems surrounding transportation. The transportation system is undeniably complex and multifaceted. I invite you to listen in as we journey through the evolving world of our transportation system and explore the wicked problems it presents. Impact of COVID-19 The absence of commuters and students traveling to school during the pandemic highlighted a significant shift in how we perceive transportation. I found it eye-opening to see the streets resembling quiet Sunday mornings when it used to be rush hour. Electric Cars and Infrastructure A noticeable change after the pandemic has been the proliferation of electric cars, even in states like Oklahoma, traditionally associated with fossil fuels. The increasing presence of electric vehicles is encouraging. But we must recognize that the infrastructure to support them is evolving, and supply chains for materials like copper and lithium must grow exponentially to meet the 2035 EV goals. Mining Mining, especially overseas, raises concerns about environmental and ethical practices. Those considerations are essential as we make the shift to electric transportation. Transparency in the Supply Chain Many pieces get hidden from the average consumer within the supply chain for energy and transportation. With both gasoline for cars and the materials used in the batteries of electric vehicles, transparency remains a challenge. We need better labeling and reporting to know where our products come from, because that awareness allows us to make informed choices, not only for environmental reasons but also to support ethical and responsible sourcing. Public Transportation The lack of robust public transportation networks, especially in the Midwest and Southeastern United States, forces many to rely on personal vehicles. However, expanding and improving public transportation could significantly reduce congestion, pollution, and the need for massive parking lots in urban areas. Achieving a well-balanced transportation system that combines individual and public options remains a challenge yet to be overcome. Walkable Cities The issues with transportation issue also extend to city planning and the use of land. Deciding whether we want to continue sacrificing valuable space for parking lots or promote walkable cities that will reduce our reliance on cars is a balancing act, and the choices we make today will have consequences for future generations. This complexity highlights the need for thoughtful, integrated solutions, considering the environment, society, and economics. Maintaining Existing Infrastructure We often rush into building new infrastructure before adequately maintaining existing systems. We must prioritize maintenance and repair to ensure the longevity of our transportation networks and reduce costs and environmental impact in the long run. In essence, addressing the wicked problem of transportation requires a multifaceted approach, incorporating sustainability, ethical considerations, and urban planning for a better future. Maintenance in Transportation Maintenance for transportation still tends to get overlooked in the planning process, leaving far-reaching implications. It is easier to secure funds for capital budgets than to get funding for ongoing operational expenses. Capital expenditures have the allure of job creation and development, making them more appealing to budget approvers. Unfortunately, maintenance often falls by the wayside despite its critical role in preserving and extending the life of our transportation systems. Unforeseen Consequences The bias towards capital expenditure, driven by political and economic factors, is concerning. When creating impressive new structures gets prioritized, it is easy to lose sight of the need to maintain existing systems. The consequences of this negligence are evident on the roads. A simple blowout caused by the poor condition of a road can lead to severe consequences, from inconvenience to accidents and increased healthcare costs. That is a stark reminder of the vital role of maintenance in ensuring our safety and well-being. Extreme Weather and Infrastructure Challenges Many regions, like St. Louis and Oklahoma City, face extreme weather conditions that wreak havoc on their transportation infrastructure. Asphalts expand and contract under temperature extremes, creating fissures and potholes. These constant shifts necessitate research into more resilient road materials that can withstand the stresses. Shifting Transportation Modes Considering the most efficient modes for moving goods is crucial. Shifting from road transportation to rail can reduce the number of trucks on the road and the associated pollution. Trains are known for their economical and environmentally friendly tonnage transportation, as they can carry a considerable load with minimal fuel consumption. Exploring the potential for rail transportation can significantly impact the overall efficiency of our transportation systems. Collaborative Planning Transportation decisions should prioritize the greater good, not the preferences of the few. Fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including federal and local governments, businesses, and the general public, remains a challenge. Those stakeholders often vie for their share of the transportation budget, further complicating the decision-making process. Budget allocation is influenced by political interests, so the focus must shift from individual gains to what is best for the collective community. We need a comprehensive master plan that does not cater to personal preferences or political influence. The Complexity of Transportation Transportation is a wicked problem that is more intricate than housing and buildings. The many parties involved, from government agencies to private industries, and the relentless battle for funding require a multifaceted approach. Collaboration The wicked problem of transportation demands our unwavering attention and collaboration to ensure a safer, more efficient future for all. Have a great green day! Links and resources
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How to Pay for Better Homes with Kerry Langley and HomeBuck$
09/27/2023
How to Pay for Better Homes with Kerry Langley and HomeBuck$
It is hard to talk about how our homes impact our health, well-being, and climate when so many people still struggle to afford the cost of buying their own homes. Today, I bring you a solution cultivated by Kerry Langley, an industry colleague I have known for quite some time. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach, and I invite you to lean in and pay attention as you discover how his financial modeling tools and software can help you unlock the doors to a brighter financial future and lead you to the home you deserve! I am so excited to have Kerry share his insights today! They will allow you to approach your housing journey with a fresh perspective and attain outcomes you may never have thought possible. Getting to know Kerry Kerry Langley is a financial math enthusiast. With a career spanning 38 years in mortgage banking, he used to cater to millionaires with complex financial dealings. However, the 2008 recession took him from thriving to struggling and led him to re-evaluate his approach. After talking to a friend who worked at Merrill Lynch, he felt inspired to explore opportunities that could benefit a broader audience. So he transitioned to high-performance homes and green buildings, even though he had limited knowledge about green and energy-efficient concepts. Making Green Living Financially Accessible Kerry began a mission to make sustainable, green living financially accessible. He partnered with various organizations to create EarthCraft House, a certification program promoting green homes. That endeavor led to the development of his green mortgage software, Home Bucks, to help consumers identify ways to improve their homes, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce the total cost of ownership. Creating Home Bucks Even though he lacked experience in software development, Kerry still embarked on developing a software tool. The result was a groundbreaking tool called TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), which he later trademarked under the name Home Bucks. This innovative tool aims to empower consumers to live in homes that may seem out of their budget range by optimizing financial aspects. Making Green Choices affordable Through Home Bucks, Kerry demonstrated how buyers could incorporate items like solar panels into their mortgage, lower their interest rates, and ultimately reduce their total cost of ownership without straining their initial budget. His practical approach dismantled the misconception that sustainable living was financially out of reach and reinforced the idea that green choices could, in fact, be affordable. The EarthCraft House Certification Program After being approached by the Atlanta Home Builders Association and the Southface Institute, Kerry partnered with them to develop a green mortgage and got involved with the EarthCraft House certification program. Enhancing Energy Efficiency Kerry's approach to green homes includes the integration of solar panels, improvements in insulation, installation of energy-efficient appliances, and upgrades to windows. He aims to demonstrate that achieving sustainability and energy efficiency does not necessarily come with a higher price tag. Addressing Misconceptions About Green Homes One of the challenges Kerry encounters is the prevailing misconception that green homes are expensive and unattainable. Through his meticulous financial modeling and calculations, he debunks that myth. Creating Long-Term Wealth Kerry helps his clients make informed decisions about their homes, which is their most significant investment. He firmly believes that with careful consideration and a comprehensive understanding of the financial aspects, individuals can build long-term, multi-generational wealth through homeownership. His approach also involves smart financial planning. The Importance of Thoughtful Home Buying Kerry emphasizes the importance of thoughtful consideration when buying a home. He points out that people often spend significant time and effort choosing appliances or home decor, yet they fail to pay the same attention when buying a home. Indoor Air Quality Matters Indoor air quality frequently gets overlooked unless health issues arise. However, as families grow and parents become more concerned about the health of their loved ones, questions about indoor air quality, chemicals, and other factors come to the forefront. Empowering Families Young families, in particular, are challenged in the current housing market due to rising home costs. Kerry believes that by optimizing their budget and considering energy-efficient options, families can make more informed decisions and create a better living space for their loved ones. Maximizing Resources Starting a family tends to trigger a shift in priorities, so parents are more inclined to question the safety of chemicals in the home, off-gassing from cabinets, and other potential hazards. Aware of the lack of resources and guidance for addressing those concerns, Kerry understood how young families navigating the housing crisis could benefit from learning how to maximize their resources. A Wise Investment It is wise to invest in an asset that appreciates over time rather than investing in items that can depreciate. A home is generally the most substantial investment people ever make. Therefore, making thoughtful decisions that provide a comfortable living space and contribute to long-term financial stability is crucial. Exploring the Home Bucks Model The Home Bucks model takes several factors into account, including the price of a home, the commission structure, the current home performance, and potential improvements in energy efficiency and sustainability. It aims to calculate the total cost of ownership while considering all of those elements. Driving Down Interest Rates A key aspect of the Home Bucks model is its ability to lower interest rates, which significantly impacts the overall cost of homeownership. By optimizing various financial factors, Home Bucks can often reduce interest rates by one to one-and-a-half percent, resulting in substantial long-term savings for homeowners. Flexible Financing Options Home Bucks evaluates all possible financing options, not limiting itself to traditional mortgages. It considers point-of-sale financing for home improvements and various strategies. By analyzing their financial picture, Home Bucks helps its clients make the most cost-effective choices for their circumstances. Paying Off the Mortgage Faster A unique feature of the Home Bucks model is how it helps clients pay off their mortgages faster without additional payments. So, some homeowners can save money by shaving off significant years from their mortgage term. A Unique Model The Home Bucks model is unique in that it has the ability to transform people's financial outlooks while also enhancing the feasibility of green and energy-efficient homeownership. Have a great green day! Links and resources: - How to Sell the Value of Green Homes and Features (Total Cost of Ownership) Connect with Kerry and Homebuck$
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ESG - Building Real Value or Political Lightning Rod with Tony Pratte
08/23/2023
ESG - Building Real Value or Political Lightning Rod with Tony Pratte
In a world of evolving priorities and rapidly changing investment landscapes, three letters have ignited discussions that resonate far beyond the financial realm: ESG. Environmental, Social, and Governance is a trifecta of influence shaping how businesses get scrutinized, evaluated, and ultimately endorsed. ESG has grown into a juggernaut of consideration, designed ostensibly to gauge a company's commitment to the planet, its people, and its principles. However, as the spotlight has intensified, so have the debates surrounding its genuine impact. I'm Marla, the Green Home Coach, here to guide you in navigating the labyrinth of ESG with fresh insight and an open mind! I am delighted to have Tony Pratte of the Sound Room, join me to share his viewpoint as we discuss ESG and unravel its meaning. The Meaning and Impact of ESG ESG is not just a buzzword but a framework that evaluates how a company performs in areas beyond financial metrics. ESG is a lens through which companies get scrutinized for their environmental practices, social responsibility, and corporate governance. It is significant for investors seeking to align their portfolios with ethical and sustainable values. However, much complexity and subjectivity are still involved in measuring those factors accurately. Navigating the Challenges The challenges inherent in implementing ESG criteria include the potential pitfall of greenwashing, where companies manipulate or exaggerate their ESG efforts to appear more environmentally and socially conscious than they are. The lack of standardized reporting and varying interpretations of ESG metrics can make it difficult for investors to make informed decisions. Furthermore, the skepticism that ESG can evoke makes one wonder whether some corporations genuinely embrace these principles or are merely jumping on the bandwagon. Balancing Profit and Purpose Balancing profit with purpose is a central theme when addressing the tension between financial success and ESG commitments because companies can indeed be both financially successful and socially responsible, and companies with strong ESG practices often have a competitive edge, attracting consumers, investors, and even talented employees who align with their values. A Paradigm Shift in Business ESG considerations drive companies to adopt sustainable practices, create social impact, and enhance governance structures. There are many real-world examples of companies embracing ESG principles and reaping benefits like reputation, customer loyalty, and innovation. ESG has catalyzed a shift towards purpose-driven business models, redefining success beyond monetary gains. ESG on a Personal Level Individuals can contribute to the ESG movement in their personal lives with conscious consumption, ethical investment choices, and supporting companies aligned with their values. Education and awareness are essential to inform consumers because informed consumers can drive demand for responsible products and services. We need to understand that ESG is not solely a corporate endeavor. It is a collective effort that begins with small, intentional actions. A Call to Embrace the Potential of ESG The potential of ESG is crucial for positive change. Despite its complexities and controversies, ESG allows for a more sustainable and equitable future. So it is essential to engage with ESG discussions, ask critical questions, and support companies genuinely committed to making a difference. Diverse Board Composition and Qualifications When examining the composition of a company board concerning ESG, some instances prompt the consideration of whether the lack of banking expertise could impact board decisions. That raises questions about the percentage of board members with banking experience and the potential implications for decision-making. Risk Management and Consequences Tony points out a scenario where poor risk management led to the approval of loans that could not get repaid, exposing an oversight in the ESG efforts of the company. That highlights the importance of evaluating the actual practices and consequences linked to ESG strategies because potential unintended outcomes can arise, even with well-intentioned ESG initiatives. Direct and Indirect Links in ESG Impact Various indirect links and unintended consequences could emerge when exploring the nuanced connections between ESG and outcomes. Those unintended consequences can arise when companies prioritize meeting ESG criteria over qualifications or expertise. That underscores the complexity of measuring the impact of ESG and how different motivations behind ESG integration can lead to contrasting outcomes. ESG and Energy Policy Considerations ESG discussions often intersect with debates about fossil fuels and renewable energy. That is why we need comprehensive energy policies to consider environmental and economic factors. ESG and Green Building Integration Certified green buildings align with ESG goals and contribute to sustainability and societal well-being. Green buildings lower risk, offer quality assurance and positively impact energy consumption and occupant comfort. Balancing Perspectives and Encouraging Dialogue Individuals need to have a balanced perspective and open dialogues in the ESG discourse. Tony and I are willing to engage in productive conversations despite our differing viewpoints, and we encourage listeners to seek understanding, ask questions, and communicate the benefits of ESG efforts to foster positive change. Have a great green day! Links and resources: (where Tony works) with Tony Pratte with Tony Pratte with Tony Pratte
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Becoming a B Corp and OK Sustainability Summit with Traci of Plenty Mercantile
07/26/2023
Becoming a B Corp and OK Sustainability Summit with Traci of Plenty Mercantile
In a world increasingly driven by the pursuit of sustainability and community well-being, the rise of B Corps is emerging as a beacon of hope for a more conscious and responsible business approach. I was recently captivated by a charming shop called Plenty Mercantile, nestled in the heart of Automobile Alley in Oklahoma City. It is a delightful store that embodies the principles of sustainability and ethical entrepreneurship, and I was thrilled to meet Traci Walton, one of the owners! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, I invite you to join me in exploring the incredible achievements of Plenty Mercantile and learn how they charted their course toward becoming a B Corp. So, fasten your seatbelts for a heart-warming and inspiring tale of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and the pursuit of a better world! The Origin of Plenty Mercantile Plenty Mercantile came into being due to Traci and her daughter Brittany's passion for sustainability and desire to bring sustainable practices to mainstream retail. Traci was raised by her Native American grandmother, who instilled the values of respecting the environment, which further influenced their vision for the shop. The idea to create a store resembling their home and promoting sustainability took root, and they embarked on their journey of starting Plenty Mercantile in 2012. Becoming a Leader in Sustainability in Oklahoma City Plenty Mercantile has played a pioneering role in promoting sustainability in Oklahoma City. They aim to create a safe and welcoming space for customers to shop while making informed choices to support sustainable practices. Becoming a B Corp A B Corp certification is a voluntary designation for businesses and organizations committed to positively impacting people, the planet, and profitability. Traci explains that they aspired to become a B Corp from the start, aligning their business practices with sustainability on every level. However, achieving the B Corp certification was challenging. After years of following the B Corp structure and seeking improvement, they finally enlisted the help of a consultant, which proved to be a game-changer in guiding them toward their B Corp certification. The Importance of B Corp Certification The significance of a B Corp certification goes way beyond just marketing a company as sustainable. It involves a deep dive into financials, governance, impact, and various aspects of business operations, providing third-party verification of their sustainable practices. The Power of Making Sustainable Choices Sustainability does not necessarily mean higher costs. It means there are cost-effective and sustainable alternatives available in the market. Making sustainability choices sends powerful messages through purchasing power and contributes to long-term positive change. People-Centric Sustainability Sustainability is people-centric because it focuses on how sustainable choices positively impact individuals, their health, and future generations. Considering the health implications of products and practices is crucial for everyone- especially those who are cancer survivors! Building a Sustainable and Equitable Business Sustainability is integral to the business values of Plenty Mercantile, and it gets reflected in every aspect of their operations. Traci points out that sustainability extends beyond the products they carry in the store. It also encompasses how they treat their employees, community engagement, and overall business practices. Encouraging Others to Pursue Sustainability Traci aims to inspire others to pursue sustainability and B Corp certification. Sustainability is a journey that requires continuous effort and improvement, and she hopes to see more businesses in Oklahoma and beyond adopting sustainable practices and becoming B Corps because it will positively impact communities, the environment, and future generations. Celebrating Sustainable Products Traci and I love sustainable products! We also enjoy educating consumers about the benefits and values of using sustainable products and explaining why they should choose products that align with their values and contribute to a sustainable future. The Role of Plenty Mercantile in Promoting Sustainability Plenty Mercantile is a leader in promoting sustainability in the retail industry and creating a positive impact on the planet and the lives of individuals. Its commitment to sustainability has shaped its unique identity as a sustainable lifestyle store, offering products that meet the needs of consumers and align with their values. Navigating the Challenges of COVID-19 Despite the challenges of COVID-19, Plenty Mercantile managed to stay afloat. They used the opportunity to expand their online presence and went from offering 400 products on their website to an impressive 4900, making their online platform robust and thriving! The expansion allowed them to delve even deeper into understanding the ethos behind each product and the companies they work with, reigniting their passion for sustainability. Showcasing Sustainable Home Goods and Eco-Friendly Products Plenty Mercantile proudly offers an array of sustainable and eco-friendly home goods and products. From direct imports from Nepal to toys and baby products that prioritize health and sustainability, the store has been dedicated to curating products that align with its vision of responsible and ethical consumption. The Positive Impact of Making Sustainable Choices Sustainable choices need not be expensive, and consumers can positively impact the environment by choosing products that align with their values. The Sustainability Summit Sustainability efforts get amplified through collaboration and partnerships. To foster a sense of community and bring like-minded individuals and companies together, Traci and I are co-hosting the Oklahoma Sustainability Summit. The event will serve as a platform for businesses, organizations, municipalities, and individuals interested in sustainability to connect, share ideas, and collectively drive positive change. We hope the summit will inspire people to demand more sustainable choices and support local businesses prioritizing sustainability! Expanding Sustainability Efforts and Future Endeavors Plenty Mercantile continues to expand its sustainability efforts by actively seeking ways to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into its operations. They are excited about their upcoming store at the airport, where they can introduce travelers to sustainable choices and showcase local businesses that align with their values. They are also actively exploring electric vehicles and renewable energy as part of their commitment to a greener future. Creating Healthier and Happier Communities Traci and I believe that sustainable choices are not only beneficial for the environment but also contribute to healthier, happier communities. Through collaboration, education, and the Oklahoma Sustainability Summit, we hope to inspire others to make informed choices that promote positive change and create a more sustainable world for future generations! Have a great green day! Links - How to Sell the Value of Green Homes and Features
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Your Home is Watching You - Smart Homes and AI with Tony Pratte
07/05/2023
Your Home is Watching You - Smart Homes and AI with Tony Pratte
Artificial intelligence has become the buzzword of the century, permeating news headlines, chat platforms, and even our everyday browsing experiences. Its presence in our lives is undeniable, revolutionizing the world of computing and enhancing human existence in ways we could have only dreamed of! Amidst this AI revolution, another concept has been capturing our collective imagination for years- Smart Homes. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, I am excited to delve into the realm of smart and connected homes with a true expert in the field! I have Tony Pratt from the Sound Room joining me in the studio to explain how to tie smart home technology together with AI. Tony’s insights will undoubtedly leave you captivated as we embark on an enlightening journey into the world of artificial intelligence and smart homes! Artificial intelligence and connected homes There are two parts to getting to grips with artificial intelligence and connected homes. The first is getting to understand all the different smart home devices. The second is learning how to tie them all together. (Companies like the Sound Room have the experience to know which features you can use to integrate and interact with your devices.) Still a work in progress Currently, the integration of artificial intelligence into smart home devices is still a work in progress. While AI has not fully permeated the realm of smart homes yet, it is undoubtedly the direction in which the technology is heading. Soon, AI algorithms will be capable of learning your preferences, such as the desired temperature for your thermostat, by analyzing data from various sources. This includes comparing it with external factors like outdoor temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. Through this correlation of information, AI will enable smart homes to provide a more personalized and optimized living experience. Privacy and Data Collection There are concerns surrounding data collection and privacy in smart home systems. Tony explains that while some systems collect data, it is kept within the house and not accessible externally. He points out the trade-off between inexpensive devices like Google and Alexa, which mine user data to offer cheaper products, versus systems that prioritize privacy and charge higher prices. Artificial Intelligence and Home Automation AI is transforming home automation by enabling more advanced data processing and analysis. AI allows systems to understand users' habits and preferences, leading to more personalized and efficient control of devices. Tony highlights the importance of planning and having multiple trigger points in an AI-powered smart home. Challenges in Implementing Smart Home Systems There are several challenges in implementing smart home systems, particularly the shortage of computer chips and reduced quality control due to external factors like COVID-19. That has resulted in higher device failure rates, which can impact the user experience. Home Automation Start Points and Wifi Networks Tony suggests two starting points for home automation: environmental control (lights, locks, thermostats) and entertainment (audio-video systems). He explains that while entertainment systems are more appealing, environmental control is easier to implement initially. He stresses the significance of having a robust wifi network in smart homes, as that forms the backbone for connecting various devices and ensures smooth functioning, especially as AI becomes more integral to home automation. Lock and Leave By connecting additional devices to their smart home network, homeowners can ensure that all their devices interact seamlessly and respond to voice commands through platforms like Alexa or Google. That integration allows for convenient control over different aspects of the home, such as triggering routines like "good morning" or "good night," as well as indicating when the homeowner is leaving or arriving. Future Trends in Smart Home Technology Future trends in smart home technology include low-voltage backlighting, integrated LED cans, and the need for compatibility between different smart devices. The Internet of Things With the Internet of Things (IoT) and the connected city, everything relies on sensors. However, there is a significant challenge in the form of a shortage of computer chips, which are essential for these interconnected systems. The supply of computer chips has become extremely limited, and even the available ones suffer from a lack of quality control, particularly since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remote diagnostics Remote diagnostics for HVAC systems will enable technicians to diagnose and even fix issues remotely. That will reduce the need for physical visits, speed up repairs, and enhance the overall user experience. Exciting opportunities and challenges The ongoing technological advancements bring exciting opportunities while also posing challenges that must be addressed for a seamless and secure smart home experience. The Power of Monitoring Internet Performance New systems allow users to log in and monitor their internet performance. That real-time insight into a service provider or equipment issues is a game-changer for both consumers and service providers. While cable companies have offered similar monitoring capabilities for some time, recent advancements offer greater convenience and efficiency. Technology as a Solution to Labor Shortages With the labor shortages in the trade industry, there is a need for both skilled workers and advanced technology to meet the growing demands of the modern world. Tony points out that technology can be a powerful tool to augment that workforce. Remote Troubleshooting with AI and Smart Home Technology Tony had an experience where he used remote access and AI to troubleshoot a client's wifi system. He points out that technology can save us a lot of time and resources by diagnosing issues remotely and allowing technicians to be more efficient and effective. AI and Smart Home Technology Optimization Tony explains that to achieve true optimization, all devices must be interconnected and capable of learning from user habits. While that vision is still a work in progress, it promises greater automation and convenience in our daily lives. Smart Appliances Require a Robust WiFi Network A robust wifi network is crucial for the functionality of smart homes, especially as they advance to the AI level. In the future, smart homes will not only consist of individual devices like door locks, garage door openers, and light switches but will also include essential appliances like refrigerators and other power-dependent equipment. As the scope of smart home technology expands, the reliance on a strong and stable wifi network becomes even more critical to ensure seamless connectivity and communication between various smart devices and appliances. The Role of AI in Automation and Beyond The role of AI is increasing in various fields, such as writing emails and creating content. We can anticipate continued growth and the integration of AI into our daily lives. The Future of AI and Smart Home Integration When considering the future of AI and smart home integration, Tony suggests seeking advice from system integrators or automation specialists to navigate this evolving landscape. The Exciting Potential of AI and Smart Home Technology Tony and I are excited about the potential of AI and smart home technology to improve our lives. We plan to explore this topic further in upcoming episodes and encourage listeners to stay updated on the latest developments in this exciting field! Have a great green day! Links and resources: - How to Sell the Value of Green Homes and Features - where Tony works
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Home Inspection - Not Just for Real Estate Transactions with Stacey Page
05/24/2023
Home Inspection - Not Just for Real Estate Transactions with Stacey Page
Do you ever think about home inspection? Most people only ever think about home inspection when buying or selling a property. However, the truth is that you will benefit from a proper home inspection because it will allow you to live in a healthier and more comfortable home environment. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, I’m excited to introduce a remarkable Oklahoma City lady I recently had the pleasure of meeting. Stacey Page is a home inspector who brings a unique perspective to the field. She joins me on the show to discuss the importance of home inspection for our daily lives. Becoming a Home Inspector Stacey started home inspecting about two years ago, working with her husband in the company he started five years ago. She initially helped with the administrative side of the business, but her passion for homes and woodworking led her to shadow her husband and eventually become a home inspector herself. She did the necessary nine months of training, passed the state test, and has been doing inspections with her husband for two years. Women in home inspection Stacey believes that many women feel intimidated by home inspection due to the male-dominated construction industry and the perception that women have less knowledge about home maintenance and functioning. However, she emphasizes that women have the capability to learn and can bring a different insight and perspective to the job. Hazards Stacey acknowledges that home inspection can be dirty and uncomfortable, with hazards such as spiders and unpleasant environments. However, she assures that there are ways to protect oneself, such as wearing coveralls, booties, and gloves. Despite encountering some dirty and unpleasant situations, Stacey has also inspected immaculate houses. Why regular home inspections are important Regular home inspections are essential to catch issues early on before they become major problems. Inspections can reveal problems like moisture build-up between window panes, overflowing condensate lines, and active leaks. Those issues can lead to wood rot, termites, mold, and other expensive problems if not caught early enough. Even if a homeowner is already aware of an issue and has attempted to fix it, it is still necessary for inspectors to thoroughly check the area to ensure there are no remaining issues. The biggest reason for people to have a home inspection The most important reason is the health and safety of your family and having a healthy home. A home is one of the biggest investments in people's lives. Issues can arise with new builds due to contractors cutting corners. Home inspections and maintenance are essential for ensuring the home is safe and efficient. The long-term costs of maintaining a home We must consider the long-term costs of maintaining a home and not just the initial cost. Homeowners need to be educated on how to maintain their homes because small issues, like failing caulking, can lead to larger problems like flooding. The unique thing about Stacey’s company One thing that sets Stacey and her husband’s company apart from others is that after something they point out gets repaired, they go back and re-inspect the home for free to check that the job was properly done. A wellness check for your home Having your home inspected every few years is a bit like going to the doctor for a wellness check. Potential issues and safety It is essential to address potential issues in a house, such as roof problems, moisture, mold, termites, mildew, and electrical hazards, and to have safety measures such as smoke detectors in place to avoid potentially life-threatening situations. A clear understanding Stacey’s company aims to provide clients with a clear understanding of the condition of their homes without using scare tactics. They categorize issues into normal, minor, and major, so their clients can prioritize their concerns. The goal is to help clients feel safe, comfortable and informed about purchasing a home. Selecting a home inspection company Real estate agents may recommend home inspectors they are loyal to or have a habit of using, but it does not always mean they are the best. Homebuyers should do their research and ask questions before blindly trusting the recommendation. Look up the company and read reviews to ensure a quality inspection. Some inspectors have hidden fees, so be aware of what services are included and what the total price will be. It is important to educate yourself and not blindly trust or choose based on price alone. Have a great green day! Links and resources:
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Expert Insights on Eco-friendly Real Estate
04/26/2023
Expert Insights on Eco-friendly Real Estate
Real estate is a massive part of our lives! We live in homes, buy homes, sell them, fix them up, and rent them, and real estate is at the heart of all that! Much about real estate has been in the news lately, with home prices being turbulent during the pandemic and people moving to different places. The side of real estate that has recently been taking hold is one that I love working with most. It’s the side that brings better, healthier, and more sustainable homes to the forefront, and there is a whole group of people out there trained to work with it. They know how to talk to you as a buyer, seller, or renter and can help you find a home that works best for you and everyone living with you! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach. Today, I’m excited to have Kari Klaus from Realty Sage, and Ashley Rose Gonzalez from Ashley Rose Sacred Spaces, joining me on the show! About Ashley Rose Gonzalez Ashley is a NAR Green-certified realtor located in Boca Raton, Florida, and does surveys on most of South Florida. She has been a green realtor for the last two years. Her green journey began about ten years ago when she had a tumor in her stomach. Fortunately, she caught it before it became cancerous. At the time, she had been living in a toxic environment and was in a toxic relationship. So she had to learn how to take charge of her life and health, and it became her passion! Ashley’s life is now a sacred ritual for herself and the earth. She believes she is here to assist and educate her clients. Small steps Ashley believes it is her dharma to save the earth and help people live in the healthiest way possible! She started with small steps, changing the products she was using. She used to be a fashion stylist in New York, working with eco and hemp designers, and had no idea that her journey would lead her to where she is now! Customized service Ashley learns about her clients and customizes her services to suit their specific needs. About Kari Klaus Kari is the Founder of Realty Sage and its sister site, Realty Sage Pros. Realty Sage started as Beaver Green Homes, which was based on Kari's struggle to sell her property after making it as green as possible. Realty Sage is a different kind of real estate market that uses a sage score system based on features like solar systems, energy efficiency, and certifications to help market properties. It gives buyers a better understanding of a home’s features and helps sellers market more accurately. It also gives real estate agents like Ashley a platform to work from and showcase their skills. Realty Sage Pro Realty Sage Pro is a site for green real estate agents to list and market properties. It has more than 120,000 real estate agents across the country on its database. They are preparing to expand into other professionals like architects, interior designers, and landscapers. Women in green homes There is a growing group of women working and collaborating in the green home space. Taking care of ourselves Women are starting to understand that caring for the earth begins with ourselves. That means we must also take care of our physical homes because everything is connected, and they are an extension of who we are. Ashley believes it is our collective and individual duty to care for and preserve our environment. Economics of green building Building a green home today makes financial sense because doing so now is way more affordable than before. Understanding the difference It can be hard to understand the difference between different eco-friendly homes. Realty Sage allows real estate agents to help people understand the finer differences, apart from price, like quality and certifications. Feng shui principles Designing a home with feng shui principles makes it feel better! Ashley Rose is delighted to have connected with Kari and loves having a place to showcase her feng shui skills and help people find eco-friendly homes! Biophilic design A global expansion of eco-real estate and a global eco-friendly movement is happening. Kari was in Singapore several years ago and got inspired by the biophilic designs she saw there. Inflation reduction Healthier homes do NOT have to be more expensive! The Inflation Reduction Act is coming this year. It offers financial assistance to upgrade and help make low-income homes more eco-friendly. Staying true to herself Ashley was inspired to become a NAR Green designee and an eco-real estate agent because it helped her stay true to herself and keep doing what she loved when she had to pivot her business during Covid. So she started incorporating the green journey she had been on in fashion in homes. Selling homes with heart Ashley lets her heart guide her in the work she does. Kari created Realty Sage specifically for the real estate agents like Ashley, driven to go the extra mile to understand the environmental aspects of properties and the lifestyle requirements of the people they work with when selling a home. Global energy-efficiency Eco-friendly homes are being promoted all over the world! In Mexico, people are getting pushed to go solar, Singapore is doing amazing things in terms of architecture and biophilic design, and some places in Europe are even more advanced than the US in ensuring that homes getting sold are more energy-efficient. Have a great green day! Links and resources: Workshop - Sell Value of Green Homes and Features: from Ashley Rose This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. That means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe in and usually use myself.
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Empowering People to Build or Remodel Better Homes with Green Home Institute
03/22/2023
Empowering People to Build or Remodel Better Homes with Green Home Institute
There are so many green home experts out there! That makes it hard to know where to go for help and who to approach for the resources you require. People need to know where to go to get trusted information. So today, I would like to introduce the Green Home Institute because they have been extremely helpful to me! They have vast resources, products, and education that they focus on and update regularly. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, Brett Little from the Green Home Institute joins me to unpack the resources, education, and product knowledge they provide! About Brett Brett is the Education Manager at the Green Home Institute. He started as a volunteer for the organization thirteen years ago. It paid off and has been with them ever since. Now, he encourages others to go out into their communities and volunteer. Brett lives in West Michigan with his wife and two children. He is currently working on his own home to make it sustainable. He also uses his home to tell people stories about what they can do to their homes. About the Green Home Institute The mission of the Green Home Institute is to empower people to make healthier and more sustainable choices when constructing or renovating their homes. They work internationally and do specific things in some areas of the United States. They focus primarily on certification and educating people on making their new or existing homes more sustainable. They also offer continued education for people to maintain their accreditation and make real-world changes through their certification. In West Michigan, they provide grant funding to remove the cost barriers and provide education and certifications for local affordable green and sustainable housing projects. ICCF Community Homes ICCF Community Homes is a large entity that recognized the affordable housing crisis even before it hit the news in 2017. They committed to buying up properties to sell or rent to the local community at affordable rates and to Green Star certify a portion of their portfolio. Their goal is to get people into homes. HVAC A lot of education is necessary within the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-conditioning) industry. Ventilation Ventilation is essential for our homes to stay healthy. We need to have fresh air inside our tightly-built homes, and we need to exhaust the stale air containing pollutants and moisture. Webinars The Green Home Institute produces a webinar series every Wednesday. Most of the webinars get recorded and posted on their YouTube channel. The five pillars of green homes The Green Home Institute uses the five pillars of green homes to educate and advise people, simplify and expand some of their concepts, assist people in understanding the trade-offs they may need to make, make it easier to know how to build and improve homes holistically, and help people maintain their green home certifications. They are: Energy Health Water Materials Place Policy and Advocacy The Green Home Institute has been engaging politically by speaking up and focusing more on policy and advocacy. The Green Home Institute newsletter The Green Home Institute newsletter focuses mainly on educating people and the webinars they do. The Green Home Institute website The Green Home Institute website is currently being redone. They are updating it and adding many more of the professionals with whom they have been working. Green Star Program The Green Home Institute's Green Star Program is open-sourced and free to use. Have a great green day! Links: Learn from Green Home Institute's Get Involved with
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2 Reasons to Certify an Existing Home for Sale
02/22/2023
2 Reasons to Certify an Existing Home for Sale
Have you read about the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the news over the last six to eight months? The Inflation Reduction Act was passed to help combat climate change, upgrade electrification, and move people toward new technologies in their homes and businesses. It is a big piece of work that applies to almost all of us because a large part has to do with our homes. So, what can we do to improve our homes, and how can we be assisted in paying for them? I have two wonderful guests with me to walk us through their experiences and help answer those questions! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach. Today, Brett Vredevoogd from Eco Equity Real Estate and Pamela Brookstein from Elevate Energy join me on the podcast to talk about the Inflation Reduction Act and how we can use certifications and energy efficiency to improve the homes we buy and sell. Brett Vredevoogd Brett is a realtor in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He focuses on helping eco-conscious homeowners increase energy efficiency and maximize their home equity. Pamela Brookstein Pamela works for Elevate, a non-profit based in Chicago. They work nationally, designing and implementing energy efficiency programs. They focus on reaching anyone who could benefit from energy efficiency and cleaner home upgrades. Assistance for low to moderate-income housing Pamela believes that the Inflation Reduction Act will rectify many of the wrongs that have happened in the past. It will provide assistance for all homeowners to improve the experience they have in their homes and reap the benefits of energy efficiency, cleaner indoor air, and lower utility costs. The value of energy efficiency Brett works primarily with existing homes. At this point, he focuses on getting as much data as possible on the MLS about the energy-efficient aspects of homes and educating all the players in the industry about the value of energy efficiency. Understanding how people feel about energy certification Brett and Pamela work together to understand how people feel about energy certification and its effect on market value. Brett has had favorable responses from sellers and buyers after seeing what homeowners have done to make their houses healthier and more energy efficient. Pamela’s classes Pamela teaches two classes. One is on solar, and the other is on high-performing homes. An entire module focuses on setting agents and sellers up for a good appraisal. Appraisers Appraisers have started going to Pamela’s classes. They have been asking her to meet them at the houses to tell the story of what makes those houses so special. Having all that data upfront makes things much easier for them when an appraisal gets contested. A checklist Brett feels that a checklist will make it much easier to prove that a house is more energy-efficient than all the other stock in a particular neighborhood. Pearl Certification Pearl Certification has a practical and light-hearted approach to explaining things to professionals and home buyers. Brett found them about four years ago. He has been using them because they do an excellent job of providing potential buyers with a client-facing report that quickly lays down all the logistics of why a house is more efficient than most other stock in a given area. The magic of certification Home buyers appreciate the third-party certification because most people don’t fully understand the range of benefits of an energy-efficient house. So they want a third-party certification to prove that the house is truly energy-efficient. An overview of the Inflation Reduction Act 4.3 billion dollars will come in over the next ten years, by way of tax rebates and programs to improve the existing housing stock. That money will go a long way in helping to change people’s lives and their experiences in their homes. There is a strong emphasis on upgrading electrification. Money has been allocated for training energy assessors, and there is a tax incentive for having an energy assessment done. The idea is to remove all gas appliances from homes, so there will also be rebates for everything electric. Rewiring America Rewiring America has a website that lays out the available tax rebates and incentives. Reducing costs The Inflation Reduction Act will reduce or eliminate costs for low and moderate-income homeowners. The benefits of certified energy-efficient homes They are well-built They are well-maintained They are resilient They have many high-performing assets They get a good return on investment when sold Resources - How to Sell the Value of Green Homes and Features - more details on IRA 2022 Tax Rebates
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Helping You and Your Unit Breathe Better with Gay of Green Screen Air Filters
12/14/2022
Helping You and Your Unit Breathe Better with Gay of Green Screen Air Filters
Many different aspects of our homes may impact our health and well-being and the ease with which we can maintain our homes. Something I learned to take in hand during the pandemic was the filtration in my home. Filtration systems may vary, but they all serve the same purpose: To filter the air moving through the heating and cooling systems, making it cleaner and better to breathe. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, Gay Harris of Superior Air Quality and Green Screen Air Filters joins me to discuss better air quality for our homes. Taking over the Green Screen Air Filter company Gay and her husband worked in construction on and off for years until seven years ago when they took over the Green Screen Air Filter company. After that, they continued doing home and garden shows as the original owners had done. They liked the product because it creates better airflow for filtration units and saves electricity. Green Screen Air Filters The Green Screen Air Filter is a commercial-grade filter. It has been around since the 1950s, although not in the residential form. The main difference between Green Screen Air Filters and others is that all pleated filters collect dirt particles predominantly on one surface, so they quickly start restricting the airflow. Whereas the Green Screen is a one-inch fabric that layers the dirt according to the size of each particle. The Green Screen has hundreds of surfaces to collect the dirt particles, so it does not restrict the airflow. Allergies Gay and her husband suffered from severe allergies when they first heard about the Green Screen Air Filters. When they started using them in their home, they began getting better and better each year and using fewer and fewer allergy medications. They no longer need to use allergy medications, so they know it works! Cabin air filters Most cars have odors, so Superior Air Quality supplies cabin air filters cut to specific sizes for different types of vehicles. Setting up and replacing air filters Gay and her husband help their customers figure out all they need to know about setting their air filters up and how often they should get replaced. RV filters Those living in RVs want to make sure that less dust gets inside. Green Screen Air Filters keep the dust out of RVs and ensure the air conditioning units stay clean. Custom All Green Screen filters, frames, and grids are customized and cut to fit any specific size. No risk The Green Screen Air Filter technology and design ensures there is no risk of slowing air conditioning systems down or causing them to burn out. The importance of air quality Air quality is extremely important because it directly impacts our health and well-being. According to the EPA, indoor air quality could be up to seventy times worse than the outside air. That’s why good filtration is essential to ensure optimum indoor air quality. Purifiers Purifiers are an important addition to indoor air filters. Different options are available, many of which are inferior, so Gay is happy to talk to anyone looking to find out more about them. MERV rating The home building and home maintenance industries are fraught with variables. So they tend to cling to products that work. Many heating and cooling companies are unfamiliar with Green Screen Air Filters, and that’s why Gay has a MERV rating equivalency on the Green Screen Air Filters. The ASHRAE Test The MERV rating helps in general. However, it only shows the number of particles collected and says nothing about the airflow. The ASHRAE Test has taught Gay about airflow, so that's how she knows that the Green Screen Air Filters are amazing and provide way better airflow than any other filter! A tip Turn the thermostat fan from auto to on between dinner and bedtime and back to automatic again when you go to bed to filter the evening air and keep all the pollens out. Have a great green day! Links and resources: COUPON CODE GreenHomeCoach The Marla and Scott use in their home , GHC Trusted Brand Green Screen Air Filters with Gay Harris Learn more in my book, Ask your questions on the Love Your Everyday Green Home
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Green Community and Resources at Rate It Green with Allison Friedman
11/23/2022
Green Community and Resources at Rate It Green with Allison Friedman
What is the green home industry? If you’d like to learn more about it, find out how to connect with people within it, and get to know about all the new things coming out in it, you’re in the right place because you will hear all of that today! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach, and I am excited to have Allison Friedman from Rate It Green with me today to talk about all the wonderful work she is doing! I love what Allison has built by tying her product, company, and service together! Rate It Green Rate It Green is an open directory network for the green building industry or anyone interested in green building, from beginners to experts, including trade professionals, consumers, and advanced DIY-ers. They are both residential and commercial and have individual members, as well as organizational and company members. The aim is to get people together to shorten the learning curve by engaging, collaborating, sharing information online, and talking about their experiences building sustainable and healthier places to live. It’s all connected People are finally beginning to understand that health, sustainability, and living better lives are all connected. It is a learning process, and we all need to know that we are not alone and can help each other. Where it all started for Allison It all started in 2006 when Allison decided to renovate her home. It did not start out as a green project, and she made several mistakes along the way. She learned that it is hard to renovate sustainably while learning on the job- particularly back when it was hard to find any information on sustainable building practices. A learning process Renovating her home was a learning process for Allison. If she had known when she started the project what she now knows, she would not have done it. However, she hopes all she has done and is still doing make her the best steward for building green homes. The future Allison is optimistic about everyone living healthier and more sustainably in the future, but moving the needle has been more difficult than was predicted. Sharing information Allison would like to make the experience of sharing information online more human. However, she still prefers to engage with people and share information in person whenever possible. Sharing her journey Allison would like to use her resource to share her journey with others. She would like to talk more about improving indoor air quality, reducing the energy load, having clean water, and the things we are unaware of that could endanger us or cause health problems. Health and energy assessments The Inflation Reduction Act requires energy audits and assessments for some rebates. Unfortunately, there are very few companies doing those assessments. Free energy audits are available in Massachusetts. Tighter homes and indoor air quality People have been getting excited about energy efficiency over the last few decades. Many have been tightening up their homes and learning to make do using less energy. As a result, better indoor air quality management is necessary to avoid any health risks associated with air pollutants getting trapped inside tighter homes. Advancing indoor air quality systems Advancing indoor air quality systems happens on a level above the regular kind of energy audit, and Allison is working toward finding that. Initial energy assessments For an initial assessment, find someone with either a BPI or a HERS certification. Many utilities also offer some type of energy assessment, but they tend to vary from municipality to municipality or state to state. You can also go to and to learn more and find resources. Content Rate It Green has five key types of content: Discussions Groups Articles News Open Events Calendar Feedback and member content Rate It Green is a member-driven community that depends on member content and questions to thrive. So they like to know which features, information, and resources the members want. How to get started on Rate It Green To get started on Rate It Green, go to and click “Join the Community”. Have a great green day! Links: Email Allison at @rateitgreen (Twitter) Email Allison at
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Everyday Green Home Podcast - Wicked Problems - The Circularity of Plastic with Trent Esser of Printerior Designs
11/09/2022
Everyday Green Home Podcast - Wicked Problems - The Circularity of Plastic with Trent Esser of Printerior Designs
Plastic is a wicked problem! We are finding bits of it everywhere! Plastic was a great invention. It has become an integral part of our convenience lifestyle, so we can’t seem to do without it. But it is filling our landfills and oceans, and we even find it in our food and water! It was exciting when plastic soda bottles came out because they were light and did not break. Since then, however, plastic has gone in unanticipated directions. So what can we do now? I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today I am super excited to have my son, Trent, joining me on the podcast to explain how he uses recycled plastic to make filament for 3-D printing and talk about recycling different types of plastic. Circular solutions Trent is the co-founder of a St. Louis-based company called Printerior Designs. They focus on creating circular solutions for the industry by turning recycled plastics into 3-D printing filaments that can get used for creating new objects. They have developed three types of materials that have impacted the waste created in the industry, and they hope to continue reducing the enormous amount of waste the industry creates. Plastic lasts Plastic lasts for a long time. It does not deteriorate, and it does not biodegrade. We find it everywhere because it is lightweight and convenient. It does not break. It can easily be formed into any shape, and it costs much less than many other materials. Versatility Plastic is versatile and useful. So billion-dollar corporations continue researching and finding innovative ways to create new types of it. Single-use items Items like plastic grocery bags, water bottles, and straws are all wasteful because they only get used once before we throw them away. Then they last an extremely long time in a landfill! There are two main kinds of plastics: Thermoset Plastics – They never break down Thermoplastics – They break down and can be recycled Thermoset plastics The use of thermoset plastics has decreased drastically over the last twenty years or so. There is something in them that can get reused, but we still need to figure out how to do it. Recycling different types of plastic Five of the seven most commonly-used plastics are easy to recycle. However, there are many different ways that each type of plastic gets formulated for specific applications. That makes it very hard for recyclers because each formulation within the same category of plastic has to be recycled separately. Polypropylene plastics (PP Plastics) Hundreds of different types of polypropylene get manufactured because companies require different formulations to fit their specific applications. A vast array of different plastics There is a vast array of different plastics. That causes problems for companies like Printerior because their machines can recycle some formulations but not others. TerraCycle is a company that has been researching hard-to-recycle materials. It is one of the few companies in the US that tries to recycle 3-D print filament. You can pay them to send you recycling boxes for specific categories of materials, like candy wrappers or lipstick tubes. Some vendors may even sponsor recycling boxes for their products! Pay attention We need to pay attention when recycling. If we put all our plastics together in one bag before putting them in a recycling bin, those items will likely end up in a landfill since the plastic, a film rather than a solid, cannot get processed by most single stream recyclers. Making it easier for recyclers Only about 9% of all the items intended for recycling get recycled. Certain municipalities still allow items for recycling to get sorted and separated. That makes things a lot easier for recyclers and increases the amount of recycling! The future In the future, recycling may get done chemically rather than mechanically. Recycling plants Some recycling plants use high-end robotics to do their sorting. But many still use basic machines and rely on people to sort things by hand. Single-use plastic Many people prefer to buy items with less packaging because a lot of single-use plastic gets used for packaging that just goes to waste. From industrial waste to high-value products Industry produces a lot of plastic waste! At Printerior, they use clean industrial waste PLA and PETG plastics to produce their 3-D print filaments. That helps them know what they are working with, have a clean stream, and create a high-value product! Post-consumer plastic They are moving toward using post-consumer plastic and turning it into new items. They are currently doing some tests and preparing to launch their new material. Who Printerior work with Printerior works with consumer waste. They collect waste from hobbyists, school districts, universities, and maker spaces, process it, and turn it into high-quality 3-D filament. A first When their new product comes out, Printerior will be the first company in the 3-D printing world to bring filament made from recycled post-consumer plastics to market. They are also about to launch several other first-to-market post-industrial materials. PLA Most people use PLA filament for their 3-D printers. PLA is a recyclable bioplastic that is usually made from corn. Most compostable single-use utensils and food trays get made from PLA. Printerior currently uses industrial waste from the companies producing those items. They are working towards using post-consumer items as well. What you can do to help with the plastic problem Use less single-use packaging Use more reusable items Recycle what you can Buy items made from recycled materials Something to look out for Don’t fall for marketing schemes that say items are “recyclable” rather than “recycled”. Ways to recycle Go to the website of your local municipality and look up the best ways to recycle for their facilities. Many municipalities also have drop-off locations. Those locations are usually where most recycling happens. Have a great green day! Links Use code GreenHomeCoach for 10% off your first order.
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The House That She Built with Natalie Miles
10/26/2022
The House That She Built with Natalie Miles
We are facing so many challenges in the labor and workforce and the construction industry right now, and people want to know why there aren’t more women employed in construction, the home-building industry, and the skilled trades. I am a huge advocate for workforce development, women in construction, and women in the skilled trades, and I have come up with a solution! It’s a phenomenal project called The House That She Built. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! I have Natalie Miles joining me today to discuss The House That She Built project and why it is so important, and explain how you can learn more about it. Professional Women in Building Natalie is a member of Professional Women in Building (PWB) and part of the council in Utah. She jumped on board after being invited to a kick-off event and meeting all the amazing women who worked in different areas of construction. About Natalie Natalie grew up in construction. After having her kids, she started a home staging company. Her customers often asked for her advice on various aspects of their homes. That motivated her to become a new construction designer. So she sold her home staging business about ten years ago and went into designing new construction full-time. Now, she works exclusively for a builder, doing their designs and managing their projects. Last spring, she became a general contractor. Learning on-site Natalie did not learn anything about the work she does at school. She took it upon herself to learn everything while she was working on-site. The House That She Built The goal of Utah Professional Women in Building was to get more women into construction. So they decided to start a scholarship fund to encourage girls to get into construction work. As a fundraiser, they decided to have a house built entirely by girls. That was how the concept for The House That She Built was born. A non-profit Natalie went all-in, volunteered to be the materials coordinator, and managed to get almost all the materials for the project donated! They operated as a non-profit, and the money they made from The House That She Built project got used to create their scholarship fund. An incredible experience It was an incredible experience for all the Utah members of PWB to be involved in the House That She Built project and learn all the new skills that the project required! About 100 women worked on the house. They had skilled women from all over the US joining them. By the end of the project, they had all formed a lasting bond as a sisterhood! The time-frame It took about two years to coordinate the project before they started breaking ground. Then it took them less than a year to complete the construction. It was a challenging project, but they were successful! Designers Many designers were working on the house, so they divided the home into various spaces and allocated each area to a different designer. In the end, all the design aspects flowed together beautifully! Healthy practices They built the house using many practices required for healthier and better homes! Impressive women In the garage, they created a collage of all the photos of the women working on the house. That impressed the younger generation who came to see the house after the construction had been completed! A children’s book Mollie Elkman was so impressed after seeing the house that she wrote a children’s picture book called ! Girl Scouts Natalie and another designer went to a Girl Scouts troop meeting to read The House That She Built picture book, speak about construction, and help the girls build some birdhouses. Afterward, the girls posted pictures on social media, and the next day, Natalie had about 30 Girl Scout troops asking her to do the same thing! Girl Scouts can now earn a patch for The House That She Built! Changing the face of construction The Utah PWB successfully created a significant scholarship fund that will expose many women to the skilled trades. They hope to inspire other PWBs to start similar projects across the nation. In doing that, they hope to change the face of construction! Have a great green day! Links and resources:
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2 Ways of Addressing the Labor Shortage with Will Blake
10/12/2022
2 Ways of Addressing the Labor Shortage with Will Blake
Wicked problems have been a huge part of our lives! Most of us know that the housing market has been a little crazy for the past few years. Some of that has been due to wicked problems like labor shortages, supply chain issues, and even land shortages in many parts of the country. The labor shortage has been of interest to many people, me and my guest co-host for today included. So, we decided to do something about it! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today I am joined by Will Blake, of Vesta Foundation Solutions in Oklahoma City. Will and I have worked together on several projects. Today, we are talking about workforce development, particularly in the building industry and skilled trades. Plumbers Lately, it could take weeks or even months to get a plumber to come out unless it’s an emergency, and you are willing to pay double. A cascading labor shortage The labor shortage in the new build and remodeling industry is cascading! That’s because there aren’t enough people in the trades, especially the licensed trades. Licensed trades We are greying out in the licensed trades. That means that those who have been trained to become the backbone of the industry are retiring. So, why are there no people behind them as they choose to move on with their lives? A shrinking workforce Will’s construction company specializes in an unlicenced trade, and even so, they are still experiencing issues with supplies, rising costs, and a shrinking workforce. Three categories Most people we converse with fit into one of three categories: Nobody wants to work in this category. (This is the largest category.) People in this category are trying to identify generational workplace inequalities or issues with safety, diversity, and inclusion. People in this category want to know what we are going to do about the situation. (This is the smallest category. Will and I fit in here.) 2025 Almost 20% of our workforce will be aging out by 2025. Many of them will be taking all their knowledge, wisdom, hard skills, operational knowledge, and understanding of vendor relationships with them. Nearly 12% will come in to replace them, but that will be spread across all industries. Additional issues We did not get the population increase we were hoping for after Covid. Closing the borders and slowing down the movement of migrant workers into the country has also added to the problem of not being able to build enough houses. Technology Technology can provide some innovative new housing solutions, but there are still many missing pieces, and technology will not solve the hands-on labor problem. A difficult business Construction is a difficult business. 50% of businesses go out of business in the first five years. But in construction, it happens with 75% of businesses. Purpose Will’s company does foundation repair, concrete lifting, wood floor system repair, crawl spaces, and drainage. As a company, they tie its purpose back to the concept of the broken window theory, which is all about caring for infrastructure. So even if their efforts do not directly help the company, they are meant to indirectly support the industry and fix the problem with staffing, supply chain issues, etc. No one to do repairs If no people are available to do the necessary repairs to our homes and businesses, it means that either they won’t get done, or the homeowner will have to DIY them. What is the problem? The message for getting people into the construction trade has either been lost or skewed dramatically. Schoolchildren are encouraged to go to college rather than explore careers in the trades even though many people in the trades are earning a lot more than their college counterparts. Build My Future Build My Future OKC is an event put on by the Central OKlahoma Association of Home Builders and it’s Professional Women in Building Council. It is a one-day hands-on interactive construction career fair. When I moved back to Oklahoma City from St. Louis, and we got Professional Women in Building going again after being dormant, I told the other members about Build My Future and suggested we make it our signature project. They all agreed. Currently, there are between 25 and 30 Build My Futures taking place across the country to help young people learn about careers in the skilled trades and building industry. Build My Future Build My Future is an event put on by the National Association of Homebuilders. The events are one-day hands-on interactive construction career fairs. When I moved back to Oklahoma City from St. Louis, and we got Professional Women in Building going again after being dormant, I told the other members about Build My Future and suggested we make it our signature project. They all agreed. Currently, there are between 25 and 30 Build My Futures taking place across the country to help young people learn about careers in the skilled trades and building industry. Interesting career opportunities There are some exciting and fulfilling career opportunities within the skilled trades, from marketing to sales to administrative to the production side to manufacturing, that provide a great living above the national average without any student debt loans. Go younger One thing that has come up is that we need to go younger because high school students pick a track to follow in the eighth grade. A week-long camp A group of like-minded construction business owners suggested doing a week-long free camp, Construct My Future, to allow kids to learn about various things they can do in the trades. Although they had good intentions and good support initially, things only worked out when they started focusing on seventh and eighth graders rather than high school students. The seventh and eighth graders were very engaged, and their parents also got involved. Great possibilities A big part of our mission with the Build My Future and Construct My Future programs is to help more people- especially teachers and parents, understand the great possibilities in the skilled trades industry. Will’s advice The world is full of opportunities. Will suggests that young people keep an open mind to learning a specialty skill that will be useful everywhere and give a lot of value. Have a wonderful October and Careers in Construction Month! Resources Get Involved
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3 Spaces to EcoRenovate with Sheridan of Elemental Green
09/28/2022
3 Spaces to EcoRenovate with Sheridan of Elemental Green
Eco-renovate is a term a business friend coined while doing a project on a historical building in Chicago, Illinois. We all have the opportunity to up-level our home, a home we are buying, or homes we are selling. There is so much we can do to improve our health and that of the world while we make our homes a whole lot better! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! I’m thrilled to have Sheridan Foster joining me today to talk about the cool eco-renovation project she and her team did in the historic Chicago building! Starting EcoRenovate Starting EcoRenovate was a big deal for Elemental Green because it was the first renovation they ever took on from start to finish. It involved a lot of learning and many interesting insights. It allowed them to expand their focus and look beyond the materials used for the building and the furnishings they brought in. The historical Chicago building The striking historic modernist building is near the Chicago University campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood. I.M. Pei and Araldo Cossutta designed it, and it was built in 1961. It was built as apartments and is now condominiums. The building has curtain walls and big, beautiful windows with delicate arches. It has been registered on the national register of historic places. An opportunity During Covid, Sheridan saw an opportunity to renovate one of the top-floor corner units in the building. So she decided to jump in with EcoRenovate and see what she could do with the space. Staying true to the design Sheridan wanted to stay true to the original design. So she and her team decided to keep existing architectural elements and update and modernize the condominium. The kitchen They decided to start with the tiny, closed-off kitchen and tie it in with the rest of the condo. They took down part of two of the walls to connect the kitchen with the main living area. The bathroom The bathroom still had all the original quirky and charming fixtures. They had to change the wall tiles because they were plain and not very nice. But the floor tiles were lovely, so they retained them. Color Color affects our moods and energy levels, so Sheridan and her team deliberately added pops of color to the space. The view of Lake Michigan inspired them, so they brought lots of blue into the interior space. Eco-friendly building practices To ensure they were not compromising the eco-friendly building practices, they judged everything they brought in, from building materials to furnishings, against the standards of what makes a good and sustainable product. Mindful and eco-friendly building practices Refusing to compromise enabled them to identify some great companies to work with that used eco-friendly products, treated their employees fairly, and used mindful and eco-friendly building practices. Circularity They evaluated everything they did against the concept of circularity and focused on assessing the impact of all the materials used to ensure that they were making things better rather than worse for the planet. Making the connection People are starting to make the connection between their personal health and the health of the world at large. Paint Sheridan repainted everything in the condo using paint from a company called . Recolor is a woman-led company looking to solve the problem of waste paint because paint is toxic, so it cannot get thrown away in the garbage. Recolor filters and reprocesses leftover paint so that it can be reused. As a result of the reprocessing, Recolor’s paint is lower in VOCs than regular paint. It is available from Amazon or through Habitat for Humanity stores in a range of colors. Sheridan’s favorite part The part of the renovation Sheridan enjoyed most was re-doing the kitchen with hand-made and hand-painted tiles from ! They also put in bamboo plywood fronted cabinets and a large island workspace. Indoor air To improve indoor air quality, they put filters over all the vents. They also put Molekule air filters in all the rooms. (The Molekule is not just a filter. It uses electricity to destroy unwanted air particles.) Taking on a renovation Taking on a renovation may seem overwhelming, but it will feel great once you have accomplished your goal! Sheridan points out that it is vital to keep your goals for the project in mind when looking for the right products. Have a great green day! Links and resources:
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Wicked Problems: "People-ism" - It's Really All About People with Tony Pratte
09/14/2022
Wicked Problems: "People-ism" - It's Really All About People with Tony Pratte
The term wicked problems describes some of today's most challenging social issues. Wicked problems require a reframing of success because they might never be fully solved. Success with wicked problems means having an impact on or making a difference toward improved outcomes and reduced risk. Today, we dive into the wicked problem of people-ism. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! I am recording live at Shock City Studios with my co-host, Tony Pratte, today! People-ism I recently found a book on Amazon called . The notion of people-ism is central to many of the wicked problems we have been discussing on the show. Everything in nature is interconnected As I learned more about nature, I discovered that all natural systems are interconnected. If, for example, I help save polar bears, it will also help save me and others. Human welfare We all tend to be concerned about our welfare, how we will continue to thrive, and how we will survive any particular occurrence. Unfortunately, something that tends to get lost in that conversation is me caring about what is in it for you as well as for me. Surviving and thriving as a collective It can be challenging for individuals or small groups of people to survive in our modern-day world. To thrive and survive as individuals, we need everyone to survive and thrive. Our natural world affects us Our natural world affects us. Everything in nature is tied together, yet we tend not to talk much about the people aspect. It’s all about the people I realized that having a green or sustainable home that promotes better health and a better life is all about people. A home is really just a place to enhance people’s living experience. Building a house When a house gets built, it is not just about the builder and the homeowner. There are also suppliers, neighbors, people in the subdivision, and others you may not even realize are stakeholders who have to consent to the project. Studies There are studies on how people assess the companies with which they do business. A key indicator is how well the people within a company get treated. Fair wages and social justice get considered nowadays before people engage with a company. A shift The shift started with groups of people looking to companies to represent their values. As we began to experience the great resignation, companies' values became an even sharper area of focus. Why are people leaving companies? People feel comfortable now because money got pumped into the economy. People want flexibility. People prefer working from home. People who kept working during the pandemic saved money because there was nothing to spend it on. They can now afford to leave their positions. Some people feel it is just not worth working anymore. The younger generation is getting into a freelance mindset. So if something does not work out, they leave and go elsewhere. Fewer companies are offering benefits like pension schemes to anchor their people. Experience Lately, attracting employees has become more about the experience and less about money. Mental health Mental health has become part of the public conversation. People are paying more attention to their work-life balance and happiness quotient lately. Home The way people view their homes and what they require for their homes has shifted during the pandemic. Struggling to find workers Some of the places struggling to find workers include restaurants, retail, and essential services where people do not have the option to work from home. Many people in those industries jeopardize their health and safety to provide their services, so they feel it is not worth working there anymore. A new normal People must understand that the old normal does not align with the new normal. Grace and patience We need to practice patience and grace when dealing with people. Thinking about others We need to think about others. Things that we think will affect just us do not. If, for example, we buy something unhealthy for us, the chances are that it was also unhealthy for those involved in producing it. Putting people first The notion of putting people first is hard. Putting people first has become even more challenging as our society has become more divisive, but we all need to do it anyway. A bigger conversation It can be harder to listen and be part of a larger conversation than to be right or have your way. Acts of people-ism Putting your problems in front of you rather than between you and others is an act of people-ism. Another one would be to understand that there are many different points of view, and there are no absolutes. Temper tantrums Lately, having public displays of temper tantrums has become normalized in places like restaurants. That is because people are focused on themselves and do not take the time to seek to understand the bigger picture related to the situation. Those tantrums also affect those to who they are directed and those who witness them. That is how the notion of people-ism came about for me. Empathy I am grateful for the empathy I developed during the pandemic because it enabled me to come from a gentler place when dealing with others. As a result, I have become a better mentor and coach. I sincerely hope that more of us will experience that too! Change Change is afoot! Change in the workplace usually starts with the new generation entering the workforce and then filters its way into the older generations. That is a good thing because everyone needs to learn to talk about things that make them feel uncomfortable. How common purpose relates to people-ism We all have a purpose. When people who work together understand their purpose and understand how they can contribute to the overall purpose, that’s people-ism! Have a great green day! Links and resources: Wicked Problem Definition What Are We Afraid Of and What that Means for Corporate America, by Katharine Hayhoe
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An Alternative to Plastic Bottles in Your Bathroom with Lindsey of Plaine Products
08/24/2022
An Alternative to Plastic Bottles in Your Bathroom with Lindsey of Plaine Products
It can be hard to find good products that also have great packaging. Several years ago, I started using a great set of products with amazing packaging that gets specially delivered. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach, and I have Lindsey McCoy from Plaine Products joining me today! Plaine Products is a company with a unique delivery system for sustainably packaged vegan bath and body products! Plaine Products Lindsey and her sister started Plaine Products in 2017. About Lindsey Growing up, Lindsey wanted to save the planet. Back then, business was not the way to do it, so she joined the non-profit world and spent the next twenty years working at various non-profits. Environmental education Her last non-profit position was doing environmental education in the Bahamas. She was not an environmental expert at that point. She only knew what recycling was, and she had heard the term zero-waste before. Plastic Lindsey spent time with many scientists and environmental experts on the island. While showing them around, she kept on seeing plastic piling up everywhere. She did not want to add to it. So she started using reusable bags and water bottles and tried to buy less. Starting a company In May 2015, when she and her husband moved back to the US, Lindsey asked her sister to help her start a company to help people accumulate fewer plastic bottles. They launched their business in February of 2017. A subscription system Lindsey and her sister created a subscription system where they send out bottles of bath and body products with pumps. When their customers run low, they send out refill bottles. They pay for the return of the empty bottles, which they then wash and reuse. Finding the right manufacturer Lindsey’s sister is picky, so she made Lindsey go through several manufacturers before they found one they both liked. Ingredients They had to learn a lot about ingredients! They settled on using only clean vegan beauty ingredients in all their products. Before that, Lindsey had no idea how bad most of the bath and body products she used were or what was in them. Connection Many people tend to miss the connection between their health and the health of our world. Poor communities The plastic problem is worse than we realize. Most plastic gets recycled in places with poor communities. The people living there have to breathe toxic air and plastic fumes. We have a choice Many people know that plastic can be bad for their health. Yet they continue to use it because it is so convenient. Fortunately, we have a choice. Even though millions of dollars have been spent convincing us that we should value convenience above all else, we can still decide how we want to live. Reducing waste There are many solutions out there for reducing the amount of waste that gets produced. Word of mouth Hearing from someone you trust has been proven to be the best recommendation for trying new products. Hopefully, people will also learn from others how to make more mindful decisions. Why is there so much plastic? Plastic is a by-product of fossil fuels and is very cheap to produce. In the US, fossil fuels are subsidized. That makes plastic even less costly to produce. Plastic has many good qualities. It is indestructible, durable, and can get molded into any shape. Still, it does not make sense to use something that lasts for hundreds of years for five minutes and then throw it away. Cancer Plastic is one of the first things most people with cancer eliminate from their lives because there are too many health questions surrounding it that are just not worth asking. Recycling plastic Plastics can get recycled, but the process is complicated. One of the biggest problems is that most cities do not have the facilities to recycle more complex types of plastic. Metal Metals are infinitely recyclable. That means that the aluminum bottles used by Plaine Products never need to be thrown away. The Plaine Products system Plaine Products has a circular approach. They try to create as little waste as possible in every aspect. After making something, they send it out to be used. Then the packaging gets returned to be washed, refilled, and reused. Even their cardboard boxes were designed to be reused many times over. No perfect solution There is no perfect solution to the plastic problem. Lindsey gets frustrated with organizational nit-picking and finds the term zero waste a little intimidating. She prefers to simply do the best she can with whatever comes up each day. Their products Plaine Products strives to make fewer products that can do lots of different things. All their products are chemical-free, so they are safe for everyone to use, including children. The products are all aloe-based and super-thick. You only need to use very little, so they last for ages! New products At Plaine Products, they do their best to respond to whatever people ask for without creating any extra items to be thrown away. Lately, they have been embracing more hair products. Their newest products are a deep hair conditioner and a styling gel, and they will soon be adding a scented handwash. Environmentally friendly products Environmentally friendly products have come a long way! There are some excellent products available today. Remember that by supporting businesses that support your values, you are helping support our planet for the future! Have a great green day! Links and resources: Links and resources: COUPON CODE GreenHomeCoach - GHC Trusted Brand Recommended book: by M. Laura Nasi
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Wicked Problems - Consumerism and Buying with Values with Tony Pratte
08/10/2022
Wicked Problems - Consumerism and Buying with Values with Tony Pratte
The term “wicked problems” describes some of the most challenging social issues of this time. Those problems require a reassessment of success because being successful with wicked problems means making a difference toward them or influencing improved results and diminished risk, even though the problem may never be fully solved. Consumerism, or focusing on economic improvement based on things people buy, could be another wicked problem. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! My co-host Tony Pratte and I are recording live today at Shock City Studios in downtown St. Louis Missouri! Challenges Many challenges and issues are tied to the topic of consumerism. Consumerism and waste One reason consumerism is problematic is that our focus on buying things leads to large amounts of waste. Creating those products also speeds up the use of our natural resources. Retail in Oklahoma City I recently read an article about the glory of retail in Oklahoma City, a city dependent on the sales tax generated by the sale of goods. That made me wonder if the same thing happens in other places too, and whether that drives the push for people to keep on buying things. Municipalities Each municipality has its source of income that gets written into the by-laws, and the local city governments determine how those funds get used. Property tax Part of the property tax charged by municipalities goes to the fire and police districts, and some of it goes to the county for infrastructures like parks, forests, and museums. Stuff People tend to use a lot more stuff today than they did in my mother and grandmother’s time. My parents and grandparents My grandmother grew up in the depression, so she had a waste not, want not mentality. My parents grew up during World War 2 and were teenagers in the 1950s. So they went from a scarcity of materials to a booming economy in the next decade where money and products were abundantly available. The economy The economy was put back on track in the 1950s by pumping money into manufacturing goods and creating jobs for the soldiers returning from the war. Plastic We were excited when soda came out in plastic bottles because they did not break. At the time, we had no idea of the impact it would have, and how that convenience would later merge with consumerism. Two kinds of companies A marketing theory asserts that two kinds of companies exist. One notices a need and develops a product or service to solve it. The other develops a product or service and then creates a need for it. Convenience In the 1960s and 1970s, there was a growing feeling of coming of age because of all the new products and innovations that were coming out, and people thought they needed those things to have a good life. As life began to speed up in the following decades, people thought they needed more convenience items. Innovations It takes time for society to evolve. Most of the innovations between the 19th and 20th centuries showed up toward the end of the 20th century. Today, innovations are happening all the time. Overload There are so many more product choices available today than we need. I prefer smaller local grocery stores with fewer items to choose from. Costs Many unseen costs are associated with everything we buy. Circle Today, companies should use a circular rather than a linear way of thinking when looking at the things they produce. Responsibility We are slowly changing from a linear economy to a circular economy. A circular economy means you remain responsible for the products you have produced throughout the life cycle. Nature Everything in nature is used. Nothing gets wasted. We can use a similar life-cycle assessment for things we produce. Generations It’s interesting to see how differently younger generations look at things. There seems to be less emphasis on stuff with younger people. The experience There currently seems to be less emphasis on things and more on the experience. A simpler life Living a simpler life with fewer things to maintain leaves you with much more time to do the things you want. Flaws in the system The toilet paper shortage during the pandemic exposed some major flaws in our system. Psychology Consumerism was built on psychology and the understanding of human behavior. The psychology behind buying things is immense! Economic wellbeing The amount of stuff people buy is a measure of our economic wellbeing. That will need to change going forward. A solution We need a solution that does not rely on things being produced, sold, and disposed of but still encourages economic growth. Things changed In the 50s and 60s, things were produced locally and built to last. Jobs got produced around the repair and maintenance of those things. In the 70s and 80s, more imported goods became available that were cheaper, did not last as long, and could not be repaired. Even though those goods cost to buy in the short term, they ended up costing more in the long term because they had to be replaced- often several times. A shift Many wicked problems stem from short-term thinking. We need to shift from short-term thinking to long-term thinking. We also need to understand the unintended consequences and trade-offs of every decision. A new normal During the pandemic, when things were in short supply, people were happy to substitute one thing for another. Now, many people have gone back to wanting what they want again without understanding that they are not in alignment with the new normal. Be mindful I urge you to be mindful about the things you use and buy and only use what you need. Have a great green day! Links and resources:
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Trusted Partners and Brands
07/27/2022
Trusted Partners and Brands
There are so many different products to choose from for our homes, well-being, and personal care that it is often really hard to figure out which products are better for our health and wellness, are longer lasting, more durable, and do what they are meant to do. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, I’m doing a solo episode to share my thoughts on selecting the best products and materials to bring into your home. Much of the work I do involves helping people understand the specifications for products and materials, find what will work best for them, and provide them with the necessary health and wellness benefits when they do a design, remodel, or big build project. A health and wellness remodel in our kitchen My husband and I recently did a small remodel in our kitchen. We called it a health and wellness remodel because the kitchen was small, and we wanted to make it spacious enough for us to cook together. Home repairs We also had some significant cracks in our dry walls, so we called in several professionals to take a look. One of them thought there might be a crack in the concrete slab under the floor too- and he was right! So, we had that fixed and replaced floor. Materials Our designer was Christy Howell from CRH Design Build in Oklahoma City. After she set out how everything would look, we had to select the materials. Limitations We ran into some limitations with supply chain shortages and had to make some trade-offs. Going through that process helped me understand things from the client’s perspective! Green labels Green labels give an independent third-party verification for products that have been researched and tested. I advocate for using trusted green labels when selecting materials or products for your home or the homes you are building or remodeling. Goals Start your remodel by considering your goals and laying out what works. Choosing materials that worked for us For our home remodel, we wanted to use durable materials that would work well together and did not off-gas. We chose quartz countertops, and even though we had to do some trade-offs, we eventually found a flooring product we felt good about that worked for us. We also used tiles made with a lead-free glaze and zero-VOC paint for the walls and cabinets. (Unfortunately, we had to use a high-VOC primer to make the cabinets more durable.) We learned a lot from the process! The Everyday Green Home Shop The shop on Everyday Green Home is divided into many different categories. Most of us have an established relationship with Amazon, so all the products in the shop are sourced from Amazon. There is even a go-green edition of the Monopoly game available there! Affiliate programs and brands We have had direct affiliate relationships with several companies, and those affiliate programs are all still there. We are excited to have added some new affiliate partners too, and we hope to add a few more by the end of the year. We will also add the products we like to use ourselves, in our homes and daily lives, to the trusted partners and brands category. Imperfect Foods Imperfect Foods is a company that helps people avoid and fight food waste by repackaging and selling ugly produce and surplus foods at affordable prices. Most of their food is sourced sustainably. All the packaging is recyclable, and the food gets delivered right to your door. Rothy’s shoes Rothy’s shoes are made from recycled plastic bottles. They are super comfortable and have arch support! They are also washable. Oka-B Shoes Oka-B shoes are manufactured by a woman-owned company in Georgia. They are made from plant-based plastic and are recyclable. They are very comfortable with arch support. Inventive ways to use resources I love seeing the inventive ways in which people use the resources we already have in a new way! My son and his business partner have a company in St. Louis, Missouri, called Printerior Designs. They make filaments for 3-D printers from recycled plastic, and they also have a print farm that is growing steadily. I am super proud of him! Small businesses Many of us own small businesses, and we like to help one another out. I love finding products that support the cause and help other small businesses! Trusted partners and brands Partners are vital for reaching enough people, so I started building a network of businesses with which I had previously collaborated or shared content. I created a trusted partners and brands page on the Green Home Coach website so that we could all share our audiences and knowledge and make the network more official. I am very excited to finally get it off the ground and have the opportunity to share the word and pay things forward with the trusted partners and brands page! I encourage all listeners to try some of the new companies, products, and new ways of thinking! Have a great green day! Links Ask your questions on the Love Your Everyday Green Home Private
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Wicked Problems - Infrastructure - Quality vs. Quantity with Tony Pratte
07/13/2022
Wicked Problems - Infrastructure - Quality vs. Quantity with Tony Pratte
We have some tremendous wicked problems in our society right now! Wicked problems are how we describe some of today’s most challenging social issues. They call for us to reframe our notion of success because they may never get fully solved. Being successful with wicked problems means making a difference toward them, improving the outcomes, or reducing the risk. Today, we are diving into the wicked problem of infrastructure. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! My co-host, Tony Pratte, and I are recording live at Shock City Studios in St. Louis, Missouri! Infrastructure Infrastructure is critical to our growth and progress as a society and how we transport water, people, and things. Newer cities in the US tend to have fewer problems with their infrastructure than some of the older cities in the eastern part of the country. Old cities St. Louis is one of the oldest cities in the United States. In most of the world’s older cities, we find bits and pieces that show us aspects of what the infrastructure used to be like in the past. St. Louis Many things come into play in St. Louis. It was founded in 1764, so it was around even before the United States of America. It is situated where east meets west in the United States and still holds that heritage. It also has different weather and cultural patterns. The infrastructure of St. Louis Parts of the infrastructure of St. Louis date back to 1764, and we don’t even know where much of it is. Several years ago, the foundation for a new high-rise got dug in the central-west end of the city, and they had to stop when they came across a hundred-plus-year-old water shoreline that nobody knew anything about. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act The infrastructure needed to run our country and the built environment are very tightly linked. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is being looked at right now. There has been a lot of discussion about what infrastructure entails. Some interpretations are that infrastructure includes roads, buildings, the electric grid, and the services that enable people to connect and cities to work. The infrastructure for a house The infrastructure required for a house is immense! It includes sewers, storm-water systems, the electrical grid, internet, cable, gas, roads, fire hydrants, water, and more. The entire home infrastructure gets attached to a regional infrastructure provided by a company or organization, and then that gets tied into the national infrastructure. Three electric grids There are three electric grids in the United States. They are west of the Rockies, east of the Rockies, and in Texas. A lot of management goes on in the different power pools that most of us know nothing about! Energy transitions Energy transitions need to happen slowly to avoid losing any potential generation. Physical infrastructure Many discussions lately have been about how money gets allocated for building new physical infrastructure. Yet the existing infrastructure has not necessarily been well maintained. An example is the hundreds of bridges throughout the country that need repairs. Political leaders One of the reasons our infrastructure has reached a point where so much is in disrepair is that our political leaders seem to find it better to build new infrastructure instead of repairing what we already have. Revitalizing Oklahoma City Oklahoma City has a project to revitalize the city called the Maps Project. It is now in its fourth round. Budget We need the budget to maintain everything that gets built in our cities. Campaigns to raise capital funds are possible, but not for operating expenses. How we fund projects, and stock prices, are both parts of the problem. Municipal meetings One solution is to go to municipal meetings and speak out about any repairs or maintenance that needs to get done. There are also open forums where citizens can hear about the plans, how the money gets allocated, and voice their opinions. Representatives We have a strong we versus us mentality in this country, and we tend to see our government as separate from ourselves. We should realize that the people running our country are our representatives, not our leaders. Taking responsibility We need to tie our personal experience into the responsibility of asking our government representatives to be accountable for the way our infrastructure gets maintained. That means we have to be persistent when we ask them to do something and let them know that we will only vote for them if they take full responsibility for everything that has to get done. Sustainability Sustainability means that we can move into the future. Controlling the infrastructure Municipalities control much of our infrastructure daily, and organizations and companies control much of the infrastructure on a regional or national basis. Both of those matter, so they need to be addressed. They also need to connect. A master plan St. Louis municipalities need a master plan to speed up the creation of infrastructure for new developments and upgrade the existing infrastructure. Three prominent issues We have three prominent issues with our infrastructure: Fixing what we already have. New structures need to get built better. We must think ahead about the additional infrastructure that we need to grow. Maintenance Maintenance is a crucial part of keeping anything built in the best possible shape. It is the same with infrastructure. Get involved It can sometimes be hard to get involved with bigger issues. For many of us, it is easier to get involved locally, so show up at a city planning meeting. It will be worth showing up because your community and future may be affected. Have a great green day! Links:
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Designing Wellness In with Christy Howell of CRH Design Build
06/29/2022
Designing Wellness In with Christy Howell of CRH Design Build
Lately, I’ve been talking about health and wellness and how much it impacts our living environment. That means how we design, build or remodel a house or building, how we live in it, and how we interact with it. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! For the last few months, I have hosted one of my business partners on the podcast. It has been exciting to build a group of people who care about how people live in their homes! Today, I am happy to have Christy Howell of CRH Design Build back on the show! Christy has been on The Everyday Green Home podcast several times before. I have enjoyed connecting with her and watching how she has progressed with transforming her business and how she shows up in Oklahoma and Oklahoma City as she learns more! Mainstream culture I moved back to Oklahoma City six years ago after living in St. Louis, where I got deeply involved with the sustainability culture. In St. Louis, the green culture eventually became part of the mainstream culture through work with the regional Chamber of Commerce. I loved being part of that evolution! People care about their health Christy and I have discovered a fair amount of interest in the green and sustainability culture because people care about their health. That is important because people’s health and how they live their lives blend. Crafting the story Oklahoma is very conservative. That sometimes closes people off from hearing the whole story. So we have learned to craft the story in a more meaningful way. Professional Women in Building Professional Women in Building is a council of the Homebuilders Association and a national council with the National Association of Homebuilders. It is all about supporting women in the building industry, trades, and the ancillary industries around the building industry. Like-minded go-getters It was fun and inspiring bringing Professional Women in Building back to Oklahoma City because it brought together a group of like-minded go-getters who were all parts of the building industry! Some great personal and professional relationships have emerged from that group. Build My Future Professional Women in Building was the genesis of, Build My Future, a construction career day for high school students. The Construct My Future camp for middle school students also came about after that. Christy’s background Christy started her career in interior design about twenty years ago. She was working for a homebuilder when she decided to spread her wings and open a design firm. After that, she moved on to her current design form, CRH Design Build. Christy is gradually educating herself as she educates others about her type of build. A healthy home With a wellness-inspired design aspect, a home built with a solid envelope creates a healthy home. Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Insulated Concrete Forms are well-insulated life-sized Lego blocks used to create the envelope for solid, energy-efficient, health-oriented, air-tight, comfortable homes. Mechanical ventilation ICF homes are air-tight, so they require mechanical ventilation. (Affordable options are readily available.) Remodels Remodels tend to be more expensive than new construction. My home remodel We brought Christy in to do our home remodel. (Before that, she consulted with me about remodeling her parents’ home.) Being each other’s clients has been insightful for both of us! Our rebuild was green-oriented, and we also brought in some sustainability factors. Fortunately, we managed to salvage many of the old materials and donated them to be reused by those who needed them. Why did we remodel? Our main driver for remodeling our home was health and wellness because we spend a lot of time there. Another reason for our remodel was that during Covid, my husband and I started cooking together, but we soon discovered that our kitchen was too small. Challenges Some things were challenging to do. We had to work with supply chain issues, and we also had to educate our workforce about certain things and motivate them to learn some new habits. We also had to remove some click-and-lock flooring that was glued down. Using products to their fullest capabilities Christy likes to educate herself about the products she uses to ensure that the products she implements for her clients get used to their fullest capabilities. Real wood floors Real wood floors are natural and reasonably sustainable. They are also beautiful! Trade-offs There are always trade-offs because anything we touch on this planet will have an impact. So we need to accept that, be flexible, and adapt. We also need to understand how any given trade-off will impact us. Dealing with issues When an issue arises, Christy addresses it immediately. She communicates with the contractor and the client and does everything she can to rectify it. Bringing our skills together Christy and I are finding a way to bring our skills together when we work on a project. That allows us to create something better than we would have managed before. A video series Our goal is to put a video series of our entire project together, from start to finish, along with some commentary on things that others may be able to use in their home remodels. We hope to have it done by August or September. Christy and I plan to put it out on our respective channels at different times. You can learn more about it on , , and . Contractors When we push contractors into the green and sustainable world, they tend to feel overwhelmed and want to keep on doing things how they did them before. Giving them information upfront helps them feel more comfortable with making a change. Have a great green day! Links: paint used in remodel Ask your questions on the
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Wicked Problems - Changing Weather and How It's Affecting Our Lives with Tony Pratte
06/22/2022
Wicked Problems - Changing Weather and How It's Affecting Our Lives with Tony Pratte
Global challenges are abounding, and working in the world of sustainability, health, and wellness has brought many wicked problems to light. We can describe some of the most challenging social issues we face today as wicked problems. With those problems, we have to re-frame our notion of success. Although they will never get entirely solved, success with wicked problems is about impacting or improving outcomes and mitigating risks. I am Marla, the Green Home Coach! I am excited to be back in the studio today with my co-host, Tony Pratte, who is joining me to talk about the wicked problem of changing weather. Stay tuned for more! Crazy weather There has been some crazy weather in St. Louis for the last couple of months! It has been raining a lot, and the driving downpours have caused many problems for land developers. Lots of rain Over the last decade or so, we have seen an increase in rainfall in the Oklahoma area. There has been unusual rainfall between March and November- and sometimes even December! Changing weather patterns Weather patterns appear to be changing everywhere. Even though some of it could be cycles, the changing weather over the last few years has been partially due to the increasing drought in the western part of the United States. What is rain? When the moisture in the air reacts with water in the ground, it rains. Currently, the ground out west lacks water, so rain is not getting triggered in that area. The moisture that should be causing rain in the west (in California, Arizona, and Nevada) is moving eastwards. Extreme weather patterns Lately, the extreme global weather patterns have become more extreme! You cannot compare Oklahoma with St. Louis You cannot compare Oklahoma with St. Louis because St. Louis is a meteorological anomaly. Most cities have two weather patterns. They are either affected by the Arctic or the Gulf of Mexico. St. Louis gets affected by both, so it has three weather patterns. For weather forecasting, two mathematical equations get combined. In St. Louis, there is a third equation that throws everything off. A river effect St. Louis is at the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, the second-largest freshwater flow in North America. So the state is surrounded by water. That causes a river effect, much like the lake effect at the Great Lakes, which amplifies many weather patterns. That matters because it helps us gauge the changes we see in the weather patterns. Climate shift Things that do not usually occur in certain parts of the country are happening a lot more, and strong weather patterns have been reported in the news. Scientific data shows that the weather is changing, and people are starting to accept it. Water usage Many large cities are in the desert. Air conditioning makes the heat bearable, but where does the water come from? A limited amount of fresh water exists on the planet that constantly gets recycled through the water cycle. A billion people have problems accessing clean water every day. Yet we keep building big cities in areas with no water (like Las Vegas), and more and more people keep moving to those locations. Subsidized water The water pumped to the desert cities gets subsidized, so people aren't aware of the real cost. If it was not subsidized, fewer people and businesses might move to those cities. That could relieve some of the strain on the natural resources of those locations and help stabilize the weather patterns. Water rights In the west and in California Central Valley, where a lot of food is grown, water prices are soaring. As the drought in that area worsens, people are buying up water rights. That has created a challenge for small farmers who are unable to compete with the huge conglomerates that own the water rights. Is water an inalienable right? The corporations that own the big farms can use their resources, create hedging strategies, and buy options on commodities like water. So people are talking about whether water is an inalienable right, and if it should be commoditized and purchased. A perpetual cycle Changing weather affects water patterns, and water patterns affect the weather. It is a perpetual cycle, so it is hard to know where to start if we want to change things. Natural patterns The natural patterns that exist will continue. If there is mismanagement, however, things get thrown out of whack, and problems tend to get amplified. A wicked problem The water issue is a wicked problem because it requires many different solutions. If we want to continue as a society, we need to figure out how to deal with the effects of the weather changes. Change Change is here, and it is unavoidable. No matter what, we will have to adapt, mitigate, and suffer. The real cost of water Mitigating and adapting will not solve this problem. If people were charged the actual cost of water in desert cities rather than subsidizing, it could prevent some future suffering. Thinking differently We have to start thinking differently about water and the changing weather patterns. Some people recognize that, so they use water wisely and consider ways to conserve it when building. Figuring out how to obtain water Although the agricultural community has probably adapted better than most by coming up with more efficient irrigation systems and using technology tools, we still have to figure out how to capture water and recharge the aquifers. Because thousands of acres of farmland and millions of people are affected by the weather changes. Wasted water The water from the heavy rains in Oklahoma City over the past weeks has been running through the storm-water systems and into the Gulf of Mexico. That water gets wasted because it mixes with salt water. It would be a much better idea to figure out a way to keep that water fresh and re-introduce it to the water cycle. Using strategies to overcome the feast or famine effect We can all do something for ourselves to overcome the feast or famine effect resulting from changing weather patterns. Small steps add up. Gutters in Oklahoma Gutters are not automatically fitted on houses in Oklahoma City because there is usually not enough rain to make them worthwhile. With the climate becoming wetter, more people are putting gutters onto their houses and installing rain barrels and rain gardens to capture the water. No simple answers There is no simple answer to the wicked problem of obtaining enough water for everyone with changing weather patterns. We need to have open and realistic discussions about what is changing weather and the water patterns. It does not matter who caused the problem. What does matter is that we have to fix it. Some simple tips for becoming part of the solution: Use rain barrels (if they are legal in your state) Install a rain garden Buy local produce Use native plants for landscaping Stand up and speak out about the need for change Have a great green day! Links and resources: What Makes a Green Home Green Audio Program: : wicked problems definitions climate indicators on how weather affects the way we live
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Healthy Living System from Wellness Within Your Walls
06/08/2022
Healthy Living System from Wellness Within Your Walls
We’re hearing a lot about health and wellness right now! Since the start of the pandemic, conversations about how we feel, sickness, wellness, and even cancer have blown up everywhere! We are starting to realize that our health and wellness, how we feel, our mental well-being, and what is going on inside our walls have converged, and they all matter! I am Marla, the Green Home Coach. I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Jillian Prichard Cooke, the Founder of Wellness Within Your Walls. Jillian is joining me today to tell her story and talk about her journey. Stay tuned for more! About Jillian Jillian is a champion of wellness. She helps people connect wellness and health in their homes and buildings. She was recently appointed by the Global Wellness Institute as a Global Wellness Ambassador. A compelling reason Jillian had a very compelling reason for starting Wellness Within Your Walls: Sixteen years ago, she got involved with the very first Leed-certified home in the United States, in Atlanta Georgia, together with Laura and Rutherford Seydel. Laura and Rutherford approached the home from an angle of sustainability and systems. They explored greywater, water purification, solar, and smart home technology. Points system Laura and Rutherford were ahead of their time and were able to experience the Leed certification through the points system. A health challenge The Seydels and Jillian were consultants on the project, and Jillian experienced a massive physical and mental health challenge related to a cancer diagnosis. Her immediate concern was about where it came from and how it had happened. Environmental It was not genetic, so it had to be environmental, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly where it came from. The only constant in Jillian’s life had been her career in interior design, where she had been exposed to toxins regularly for forty years. The birth of Wellness Within Your Walls While she was working with Laura and Rutherford, Jillian decided to bring to their home a step beyond what their Leed program was about. That was the birth of Wellness Within Your Walls. They were asked to write a class for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and IIDA CEU Credit. That eventually turned into a certification. After that, they made a concerted effort to understand how energy efficiency relates to houses. A holistic approach Many health and wellness benefits lie between energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. Jillian and I both support a holistic approach to the design-build process. Everything is related Everything is related, so when planning for energy efficiency, it is vital to put strategies in place that align with high performance and sustainability in the home and speak directly to health. My involvement Jillian and I met at a National Association of Home Builders meeting. (I am involved with the National Association of Homebuilders and the National Green Building Standard, the green certification endorsed by the National Association of Homebuilders.) Soon after meeting Jillian, I realized the wellness aspect of Wellness Within Your Walls would complement the National Green Building Standard- or any other green certification program. Bridging Wellness Within Your Walls bridges everything that is trade-related and bestows knowledge on consumers to assist them with their decision-making processes and advocating for themselves. The Healthy Living System The Healthy Living System is a holistic approach to health and wellness in the building and design industry. It is a ten-point strategy system that adopts everything that relates to health and wellness with other systems within the home and takes it beyond the physical build-out of the home. It starts with clean air, clean water, and natural light, and it includes physical, mental, and spiritual wellness and conscious and mindful consumption on the part of the consumer. Food science Another point within the Healthy Living System is food science. Food science is about more than nutrition. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) lays out what consumers should be doing regarding food science in the laundry room and kitchen, and strategies for buying food. Behavior strategies The last and most important point of the Healthy Living System, as it relates to the consumer, is about behavior strategies and the way consumers conduct themselves inside their homes. HVAC systems Air strategies in the home are vital because they can either spread or prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses in the home. Jillian has a partnership with . They were prepared for the pandemic and shipped out personal ventilation units to purify the air in people’s homes and offices. Their 4-inch cassettes capture 99.5% of all airborne viral and bacterial particulates. 2020 2020 was disruptive, but it was also a paradigm shift- especially around health and wellness within the home. Wellness Within Your Walls Wellness Within Your Walls offers natural, sustainable, and responsible options for the things we use inside our homes. What sets them apart is they are not afraid to talk about chemicals and off-gassing strategies. They support consumers with healthy products and assist them with education and certification around their four Ps: People Places Programs Products They are always willing to take on new projects outside of the normal wheelhouse of residential design and application. They recently got involved with social equity in less-served communities. Mothers & Others for Clean Air is a non-profit group that advocates for clean air. They have put out a free Healthy Home Clean Air toolkit. The three categories of the Healthy Living System: Natural options Sustainable options Responsible options The ten Healthy Living System strategies: Clean Air Clean Water (Go to and use your zip code to look up what is in your water.) Natural Light Chemical Control Physical Wellness Mental Wellness Spiritual Wellness Conscious Consumption Food Science Behavioral Strategies Healthy Home Take Control Jillian and I invite you to listen to the podcast series we started a while back called . Have a great green day! Links and resources: Connect with Jillian: Email Jillian - Wellness With Your Walls We’re hearing a lot about health and wellness right now! Since the start of the pandemic, conversations about how we feel, sickness, wellness, and even cancer have blown up everywhere! We are starting to realize that our health and wellness, how we feel, our mental wellbeing, and what is going on inside our walls have converged, and they all matter! I am Marla, the Green Home Coach. I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Jillian Prichard Cooke, the Founder of Wellness Within Your Walls. Jillian is joining me today to tell her story and talk about her journey. Stay tuned for more! About Jillian Jillian is a champion of wellness. She helps people connect wellness and health in their homes and buildings. She was recently appointed by the Global Wellness Institute as a Global Wellness Ambassador. A compelling reason Jillian had a very compelling reason for starting Wellness Within Your Walls: Sixteen years ago, she got involved with the very first Leed-certified home in the United States, in Atlanta Georgia, together with Laura and Rutherford Seydel. Laura and Rutherford approached the home from an angle of sustainability and systems. They explored greywater, water purification, solar, and smart home technology. Points system Laura and Rutherford were ahead of their time and were able to experience the Leed certification through the points system. A health challenge The Seydels and Jillian were consultants on the project, and Jillian experienced a massive physical and mental health challenge related to a cancer diagnosis. Her immediate concern was about where it came from and how it had happened. Environmental It was not genetic, so it had to be environmental, but it was hard to pinpoint exactly where it came from. The only constant in Jillian’s life had been her career in interior design, where she had been exposed to toxins regularly for forty years. The birth of Wellness Within Your Walls While she was working with Laura and Rutherford, Jillian decided to bring to their home a step beyond what their Leed program was about. That was the birth of Wellness Within Your Walls. They were asked to write a class for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and IIDA CEU Credit. That eventually turned into a certification. After that, they made a concerted effort to understand how energy efficiency relates to houses. A holistic approach Many health and wellness benefits lie between energy efficiency and indoor environment quality. Jillian and I both support a holistic approach to the design-build process. Everything is related Everything is related, so when planning for energy efficiency, it is vital to put strategies in place that align with high performance and sustainability in the home and speak directly to health. My involvement Jillian and I met at a National Association of Home Builders meeting. (I am involved with the National Association of Homebuilders and the National Green Building Standard, the green certification endorsed by the National Association of Homebuilders.) Soon after meeting Jillian, I realized the wellness aspect of Wellness Within Your Walls would complement the National Green Building Standard- or any other green certification program. Bridging Wellness Within Your Walls bridges everything that is trade-related and bestows knowledge on consumers to assist them with their decision-making processes and advocating for themselves. The Healthy Living System The Healthy Living System is a holistic approach to health and wellness in the building and design industry. It is a ten-point strategy system that adopts everything that relates to health and wellness with other systems within the home and takes it beyond the physical build-out of the home. It starts with clean air, clean water, and natural light, and it includes physical, mental, and spiritual wellness and conscious and mindful consumption on the part of the consumer. Food science Another point within the Healthy Living System is food science. Food science is about more than nutrition. The EWG (Environmental Working Group) lays out what consumers should be doing regarding food science in the laundry room and kitchen, and strategies for buying food. Behavior strategies The last and most important point of the Healthy Living System, as it relates to the consumer, is about behavior strategies and the way consumers conduct themselves inside their homes. HVAC systems Air strategies in the home are vital because they can either spread or prevent the spread of bacteria and viruses in the home. Jillian has a partnership with . They were prepared for the pandemic and shipped out personal ventilation units to purify the air in people’s homes and offices. Their 4-inch cassettes capture 99.5% of all airborne viral and bacterial particulates. 2020 2020 was disruptive, but it was also a paradigm shift- especially around health and wellness within the home. Wellness Within Your Walls Wellness Within Your Walls offers natural, sustainable, and responsible options for the things we use inside our homes. What sets them apart is they are not afraid to talk about chemicals and off-gassing strategies. They support consumers with healthy products and assist them with education and certification around their four Ps: People Places Programs Products They are always willing to take on new projects outside of the normal wheelhouse of residential design and application. They recently got involved with social equity in less-served communities. Mothers & Others for Clean Air is a non-profit group that advocates for clean air. They have put out a free Healthy Home Clean Air toolkit. The three categories of the Healthy Living System: Natural options Sustainable options Responsible options The ten Healthy Living System strategies: Clean Air Clean Water (Go to and use your zip code to look up what is in your water.) Natural Light Chemical Control Physical Wellness Mental Wellness Spiritual Wellness Conscious Consumption Food Science Behavioral Strategies Healthy Home Take Control Jillian and I invite you to listen to the podcast series we started a while back called . Have a great green day! Links and resources: Connect with Jillian: Email Jillian - Wellness With Your Walls Healthy Living System from WWYW Healthy Home | Take Control™ Podcast Connect with Marla: for curated better and healthier products Healthy Living System from WWYW Healthy Home | Take Control™ Podcast Connect with Marla: for curated better and healthier products
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Wicked Problems: Trade-offs of Electric Vehicles with Tony Pratte
05/11/2022
Wicked Problems: Trade-offs of Electric Vehicles with Tony Pratte
Wicked Problems: Trade-offs of electric vehicles with Tony Pratte The topic of wicked problems has been inspiring some interesting conversations lately! Driving electric vehicles rather than those powered by internal combustion engines is fascinating for Tony and me! Recently, Tony sent me an article explaining that what we need right now is an honest and comprehensive evaluation of the entire life cycle of clean energy- from raw materials through disposition. Up to now, we have only heard about the benefits of clean energy, so we need to understand the real cost of clean energy, including the negatives and the environmental impact. In reality, there is a trade-off for everything we do, and if we fail to look at both sides, we have no way of knowing whether or not we are making the right decision. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! Today, my co-host, Tony the Green Guy, is joining me to talk about various aspects of electric vehicles and the vehicles we know. We will also dive into the decision-making processes and the life-cycle analysis. Energy independence During a recent special election for a new Senior Senator for Oklahoma, a previously conservative candidate sent out a flyer saying that we need to restore our energy independence. He was referring to fossil fuels because Oklahoma is an oil and gas state. But energy is not the fuel, and ironically, Oklahoma has made a big investment in alternative energy sources. Trade-offs There are certain things we need to transition away from, but they have to remain part of the process until we find an infrastructure that can handle the alternative. There are trade-offs for everything, so it is vital for us to know if the alternatives are better than what we currently have. Solar Most of us think solar is a good idea. But nobody talks about how solar affects wildlife or where the materials used to make the solar panels come from. Honest discussions We need to be willing to have honest discussions about alternative energy sources. We need to listen and be open to hearing things that might make us uncomfortable. Those conversations can be challenging, so when we have them, we need to put the problem in front of us, not between us! Electric vehicles The number of electric vehicles in Oklahoma is increasing almost daily! Electric vehicles have many advantages. There is no waiting in line for gas, and they require less maintenance. On the flip side, motor mechanics will have to find new ways to use their skills, and fuel stations will have to diversify over time. Internal combustion engines Internal combustion engines will still be around for quite some time because the infrastructure for EVs still has to be created. No one answer It might help if we have more options to ease us into things as they change. A solution might be a combination of several ideas or possibly a hybrid approach. Hybrid Hybrid vehicles could be a good option because they will allow people to drive electric in the city or for short trips and use the internal combustion engine for longer trips. BATNA (Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement) Many people use BATNA to look at everything they do because if something does not work out, it means they will already have the next best thing in mind. Budgets and affordability Budgets can influence people’s decisions when choosing a vehicle. Apart from the budget, there are also many other things that can influence their choices. Creating a grid to compare the affordability, the various options, and the trade-offs can help a lot! Sustainability The manufacture of any electric item, batteries, in particular, requires a lot of rare earth minerals. Unfortunately, rare earth minerals are not a sustainable resource because they are mined. We need to understand that our natural resources are limited, and mining has a massive impact on the environment. In some countries, mining even infringes on human rights. Life cycle analysis As consumers, we should have transparency around the origin of everything we buy. That falls into the life cycle analysis of products, which has been a big push in sustainability reporting. Electric vehicles have big batteries, so the life cycle analysis of those batteries is important to consider. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting Much of the transparency we are seeing right now in various industries is a result of ESG reporting. Asking questions It is vital that we ask questions to ensure that the products we buy align with our values. We need to know the trade-offs, where the materials used to manufacture the products come from, and whether the materials were resourced in a responsible and sustainable way. Recycling and reusing It is in our best interest to recycle and reuse electronic components because they are made of hazardous materials- often rare earth, and therefore cannot be placed in landfills. We will have to reuse those materials in the future because we are sure to run into a serious supply chain issue when no internal combustion engines and only EVs are manufactured within the next eight to thirteen years. In Oklahoma City, there is a place for recycling, reconditioning, and repurposing electric vehicle batteries. Better solutions As a society, we need to look for better solutions for everyone! To get from a fossil fuel-based society to an alternative energy-based society, we will initially have to marry the two together. The percentages will change over time as fossil fuel gets phased out and the infrastructure for alternative energy grows and improves. Mining is not sustainable We will have to recycle electronic materials in the future because mine developments and the mining of many of the necessary minerals are not sustainable. Wicked problems Wicked problems are here to stay, so having these conversations is vital! We hope you will put some of your thoughts and energy into helping to solve some of these problems! Have a great green day! Resources: What Makes a Green Home Green - Audio Program Environmental downside of EVs Pros and cons of EVs (based on driving, fuel input, maintenance, etc) EVs are not "zero emissions" Battery remanufacturing, reuse, and recycling - company here in OKC Spiers Technology and EV myths Fuels Institute weighs in on life cycle analysis A research overview of life-cycle assessments for gas-powered and electric vehicles
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Wellness Real Estate with Sheila Alston
04/27/2022
Wellness Real Estate with Sheila Alston
What is wellness real estate? We hear a lot about wellness real estate lately. Sheila Alston knew nothing about it until she started thinking of ways to bring health and home together. After doing some research, she discovered that wellness real estate had already become a 134-billion dollar industry two years earlier! The very first wellness lifestyle community was built near Atlanta, Georgia. It has been a great success, and people love living there! I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach! I am super excited to introduce you to my guest, Sheila Alston, the creator of WellnessRE Magazine! She is joining me today to talk about wellness real estate and how to make the connection between a healthy home and a healthy life. Stay tuned for more! Wellness real estate Forward-thinking developers are building wellness-based communities and creating neighborhoods that support a healthy lifestyle. Rather than just building a suburban area with a community pool, they have been thinking more about the design. Wellness neighborhoods include green features and amenities centered around a community farm or some other aspect of wellness to benefit those living there and bring them together. Growing in leaps and bounds Wellness real estate has grown in leaps and bounds over the last two years. Last November, it was said to be worth 275 billion dollars! How Sheila got into wellness real estate When her kids went off to college Sheila became a real estate agent. She also got a health coaching certification, but being a health coach did not feel like her calling. She wanted to find a way to bring health and home together, so she researched wellness real estate and found that it sparked her interest. WellnessRE Magazine When Sheila got her real estate license, she wanted to stand out from the other real estate agents and provide value. She also wanted to educate people on creating a healthier home environment. So, she started a podcast to interview experts in the field. She met wellness architects, home biologists, and other businesspeople doing amazing things in the industry. After a few months, she decided to create a digital magazine as a tool to position herself differently within real estate, forge deeper connections with people, and help people live better in their homes. Green homes versus wellness Green homes have been around for some time, but many think that they focus only on energy efficiency. (note from Marla - This is a common misconception, yet certified green homes are built or remodeled holistically with many health and wellness benefits in addition to efficiencies.) Sheila understands that wellness is more than just green. It is about people living well and thriving in their homes. Making the connection Sheila went to the Integrated Institute of Nutrition (IIN) and learned that health and wellness are more than just diet and exercise. Toxins in your home environment could be detrimental to your health and manifest as chronic pain or discomfort. Yet many people fail to make the connection between their health and their homes. Driving change People- professionals, in particular, need to understand the “why”, the value, and the benefits of people living better in their homes. Both Sheila and I want to help people with solutions and drive change. Real estate professionals are in a perfect position to be change agents because they are at the intersection between people and their homes. Helping people Many real estate agents want to help people, but they end up sharing and educating on the transaction rather than sharing information about the home environment. Or helping people love their homes and feel more comfortable in them. Surrounding themselves with green and healthy home experts, and having a toolkit of healthy resources, is a good way for agents to help people live better and more comfortably in their homes. Mindset Real estate agents need to educate people about the benefits of homes because most people don’t really care about the features of a home, but they do care about the benefits. It will help if agents adopt a mindset of guiding people rather than trying to sell to them. Healthy homes Most people want healthier homes that are easier to maintain. Since Covid, more people are starting to understand that health and homes go hand-in-hand. Home town or home base Suzanne Shelton of the Shelton Group said homes had become hometowns instead of home bases during the pandemic. A hometown is where you find schools, stores, work, and play. During the lockdowns, all of that happened within our homes. How well your home takes care of you It is vital to consider how well your home takes care of you. A Wellness Kitchen Many couples enjoy cooking together. A Wellness Kitchen is laid out and set up to have enough space for two people to cook comfortably together. Where to start with making your home healthier Sheila recommends that people start by de-cluttering their homes. Clutter is overwhelming for the brain and nervous system. When a home is clean and tidy, it is a lot less stressful when walking into it or waking up in it. Another thing would be to regularly change the air filters on the ventilation system because clean air is vital in any home. It would also be helpful to install a water filtration system, so you always have good clean water to drink. Color Color is like medicine. Many people don’t realize how important it is to surround themselves with colors they enjoy. Use calming colors in calm spaces. Ask a color specialist if you need some help. Remember to use only use low or no VOC paint. Sheila’s book Sheila recently wrote a book to inspire real estate professionals to learn about wellness real estate. Her book will also help real estate professionals talk about wellness real estate more easily, and deepen their relationships with their clients. The book is intentionally short, so it is a quick read. Upgrade You can upgrade to a wellness house by adding spa amenities like an exercise room, an infrared sauna, a pool, or sports courts. Those amenities will help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Have a great green day! Links: Join WellnessRE Sheila's The Wellness Real Estate Sheila's podcast , and I got to be on! Wellness Agents on WellnessRE Magazine on
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Wicked Problems: Connecting Personal Health with Our Larger Community
04/13/2022
Wicked Problems: Connecting Personal Health with Our Larger Community
We face so many challenges in our world today! That is why we need to connect the dots between our homes, and the health of our communities. Many of us don’t make the connection between our health, our homes, and the health of the world at large. Yet sometimes, without us even knowing it, the products in our homes make us sick. Or they impact our safety and comfort. It all starts with us. Even though it might feel overwhelming, we need to understand that each one of us holds the world in our hands, and it is OUR challenge to take care of it. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach, and my co-host and partner in podcasting, Tony Pratte, aka The Green Guy, from The Sound Room, is with me! We are kicking off a new series today called Wicked Problems! Stay tuned for more! What is a wicked problem? Wicked problems are social or cultural problems that are difficult or almost impossible to solve. They are deeply complex problems that are broad in scope and large in scale. Most people have a hard time wrapping their heads around wicked problems. The characteristics of wicked problems They are all unique They have multiple uncertain root causes There is a vast and open-ended source of possible solutions They involve numerous and varied stakeholders They can be improved but never really solved Solving wicked problems All solutions for wicked problems involve large-scale changes in behavior, structure, and technology. Those solutions will probably create new problems and have unintended consequences. The deal There are many wicked problems in our world today. We are all about creating better health for people and society. But we understand that that could bring about even more wicked problems. Super-wicked problems There is a sub-category of wicked problems called Super-Wicked Problems. They are characterized by time running out, having no decision-maker in charge, and those seeking to solve the problem also causing problems. Many of the complex problems we face today fit this description. And the tough part is that we all likely contribute to the wicked problems, and we all have the power to be part of the solution. Trade-offs There are trade-offs for everything we do in our everyday lives. Personal health Although there is a lot of emphasis on personal health right now, people don’t understand all the factors that may impact their health. There are also many different stakeholders in personal health, and they all many have competing viewpoints. Trust We are reaching a point where people are starting to tune out of all the information because they don’t know who to trust. A disconnected world I am all about the connectedness we feel inside us because even with all the technology available today, we still live in a disconnected world. A growing number of people are anesthetized today and tend to separate their feelings from whatever is happening in the world around them. Connectedness People need to understand that there is a connectedness between the various parts of where we function as humans and our health. Covid has helped with that understanding because it changed our appreciation for our personal space, relationships, and daily routines. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs Since the start of the pandemic, survival mode (in terms of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) has become more prevalent in most people’s lives, and health has come to the fore for most of us. The global economy Many of our daily habits (like drinking coffee or sending our plastic waste overseas for developing countries to deal with) involve the global economy. During Covid, many things became unobtainable. Since then, we have become more accepting of everything available to us. Thinking differently about our homes Spending all our time at home during Covid made us think about our homes differently, and we started noticing things that we were too busy to see before. Healthier habits Many of us adopted healthier habits during the lockdown period. We started walking regularly or gardening because we had the time to do so. Doing those things also helped us connect with nature. Connecting our health to the world health Knowing how to connect our health to world health could be classified as a wicked problem. A statement made by John Holdren, a Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at Harvard during the Obama administration, helps us put that into perspective. He said we have three choices: mitigation, adaptation, and suffering. We will do some of each, but the question is what the next will be. The more mitigation we do, the less adaptation will be needed and the less suffering there will be. Addressing wicked problems When addressing wicked problems, we need to define what success looks like for that problem. Usually, success becomes improved outcomes, acceptable behavior, and reduced risk. The common good There is great value in making the common good equal to our own. We need to understand that everything we buy, or use in our homes and daily lives, has an impact. Changing some of those can be a way of mitigating the health effects on ourselves, our communities, and the planet. Natural products No chemicals or synthetic fertilizers are used in the production of organic food. That benefits us, the farmers, and those manufacturing organic or more natural products. Using more natural products in our homes will have a similar benefit for us, those involved in producing the products, and the planet. Dealing with wicked problems To succeed when dealing with wicked problems, it helps to start small and get to a place where you have adapted and mitigated, and you are dealing with less suffering. Remember that small wins will breed momentum. Three ways to get started with dealing with the wicked problem of connecting our health, home, and world: Swap out two or three products you use every day for better (healthier and more natural/ethical) products. Only support companies that make products and offer services in line with your values and make concerted efforts to improve the world and people’s lives. Speak up. Have conversations with people about using healthier products, developing their values, and forming better habits. Taking action These are not always easy things to think about, but taking small steps is easy, and that is where it starts! Remember, you don’t have to solve the problem- you only need to make an impact! Earth Day Most people, women, in particular, tend to wear many different hats! Having a home that works for you rather than against you can make a critical difference in your day-to-day living. As women, we play a vital role in connecting the dots between our homes, our health, and the health of those for whom we care. As mothers, we like to stand up for our families, friends, and communities because we want our children, grandchildren, and future generations to have a good, safe, and healthy life. I’m Marla, the Green Home Coach. Join me on Earth Day for a micro workshop where you will discover the connection between your home, your health, and the health of the larger world! You will have the chance to do a Dream Your Home exercise to uncover how you want your home to feel and perform for everyone living there! We will wrap up with some simple steps to improve your well-being via the connection between your home and your health. Find us on at 11 am central time, on Friday, April 22nd, 2022. RSVP on the Green Home page to get your Dream Your Home worksheet! See you there on Earth Day! Links: Earth Day Webinar (complimentary) EGH Podcast Your Comfort, Health and Safety: Start Where You Live EGH Podcast Just for the Health of It IAQ is the next Big Deal, Shelton Group Two Things Maslow Can Teach Us About What is Happening Right Now, Shelton Group
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The 4th R - Refuse
03/23/2022
The 4th R - Refuse
You know what they say, “ Reduce, reuse and recycle.” Well, there are now four Rs. The first is REFUSE, which gives us the power to stop things from happening by simply refusing them. If we follow the 4 Rs to a T, then our world will be better for all those who come after us. Even though I’m sure you can think of plenty of examples of how society bearded itself over time with excessive production rates (I'm looking at YOU plastic bag!) and disposable containers, all hope is not lost! There is always a little room to improve our mindsets to be more cognizant of the 4 Rs, including minimizing what we purchase. Tony’s bio Tony is the Director of Builder/Contractor Relations at The Sound Room in St. Louis, Missouri, where he is responsible for building relationships between home builders and The Sound Room System designers to help create the ultimate home experience. Tony has been working in the construction industry for more than eighteen years. During that time, he has been building relationships, and he has become a valued part of the construction team, assisting his builder clients with delivering their customers’ dreams. He is currently a member of the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri, where he also served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2007 to 2011. His specialties are builder development, industry networking, and interior design. Is buying disposable worth it? In our current world, the general mindset is one of a “disposable society.” And as such, people believe everything should be replaced when it gets old or worn out - even if this means they're constantly spending money to keep up appearances or to save themselves a bit of time. Another important R The fourth R stands for Refuse. You can simply all-out refuse to buy or use things that you don't need, like straws, plastic water bottles, plastic bags; it’s an easy way of reducing your environmental footprint without compromising on convenience! For example, if you buy a new appliance, you must do something with the old one. Look for someone who is in need of it, or try selling it to help recover part of the costs of the new one. Repairability; yet another R Repairability is very important because it conserves resources, and extends the reusability of items. We don’t need to make more piles in landfills with items that could be repaired and used. Plastics The plastic problem has been around for a long time, but it’s only recently that we have started to truly comprehend just how bad of an impact it is having. We constantly hear about the harm done by single-use plastics and what needs to happen in order to resolve these problems once and for all - yet nothing seems to be taken seriously enough! Refuse! The solution may lie within us though. Can you imagine your life without coffee cups or straws? Refuse to buy things you don’t need. It seems like a small price to pay for the greater good. Links and resources: for curated better and green products
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Business as a Force for Good - B Corporations with Gail Garey
03/09/2022
Business as a Force for Good - B Corporations with Gail Garey
What if you could run your business in such a way that it was actually good for society? A Force For Good! That's what Gail Garey, founder of Impact 360 Strategies says she wants to do. Her love of the outdoors and corporate background set up this work with B Corporations- those companies who are pledging themselves as forces against social isolation through innovation or environmentalism or some other positive cause -and not just making money off people’s needs. Gail's mission is to guide and empower business professionals around the world with her expertise in environmentally friendly, socially responsible sustainable practices. She provides tips for individuals looking at greening their company while also sharing information about how we can all make an impact on this important issue ourselves! Gail’s bio Gail is the founder of Impact 360 Strategies. Her mission is to guide and empower business professionals to accelerate environmentally friendly and socially responsible sustainable business practices that improve the bottom line and create positive social change. Gail’s background Gail's background is in corporate work. She left her job a few years ago to pursue an exciting new opportunity that’s better aligned with what she loves. Natural therapy Nature has always been a source of therapy for Gail. Whether it's running outside or going hiking with her dogs, skiing cross-country in winter, and garden work during summer - the natural world provides peace that she can't find anywhere else. Interview When Gail interviewed Marla some time back for a video series that she was hosting, the idea for sending a bi-monthly email newsletter emerged. The email contains tips about what all individuals can do as part of individual efforts to empower themselves while also protecting our planet. Important work taking place There are a lot of really great things happening in environmental space these days, from fighting climate change to researching new solutions and taking actions on the corporate level, and especially at the individual level! Consulting business Gail, a seasoned management professional, and environmentalist, is excited to launch her consulting business, Impact 360. Strategies shared will provide guidance in taking environmentally-friendly practices from concept through implementation with the goal of improving bottom lines as well creating positive social change. Health We all have the opportunity to make a difference in our health and in that of the planet. By making mindful choices, we can improve what it means for us now as well as influence future generations. B corporations One of the reasons Gail loves the B Corporation movement is because it allows us, as consumers and investors, to make informed decisions about which companies we support. B corporation awareness Part of what Gail’s consulting firm focuses on is increasing the awareness of people about the B Corporation movement and working with purpose-driven companies that want to become certified as B Corporations. What is a b corporation? B Corporation is the certification of a company. B Corporations are companies that marry profits with purpose. They are committed to working for environmental and social benefits, as well as making a profit. A rigorous, independent, third-party verification process with the non-profit entity, B Lab ensures that those companies meet the highest verified standards of social and environmental performance, legal accountability, and transparency. The successful companies get a logo to inform people that they are, indeed, B Corporations. Links and resources: Gail’s y - A New Kind of Business That Balances Purpose and Profit - The Stories of People Using Business as a Force for Good
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A Better Home with Incremental Green
02/23/2022
A Better Home with Incremental Green
Today’s show topic is very exciting to me. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution for improving eco-friendly living spaces. Everything varies according to your needs, style, and budget!. Today, Tony Pratte joins us and discusses how we can “green up” our homes! He reminds us of exciting opportunities we all have to reuse or reconstruct previously discarded materials and incorporate them into useful things for our homes; while feeling good about keeping discarded items out of the landfills! Incremental green This is incremental green! As you care for, maintain and upgrade your home one step at a time - like painting or replacing do-hickeys with Volatile Organic Compound free paints & products--you’ll be providing an enhanced experience for everyone living in the house by making it healthier, safer (and more comfortable). Marla’s point-of-view There are many parts to a home, and lots of things inside every house, so breaking everything down into five different categories is a helpful way to avoid feeling overwhelmed when you’re thinking about all you need to do, to green your home. The five different categories are: The place where your home sits on the land. All the materials and the different products that are brought into the house to make it a home. Energy Water Breathing Everything that happens outside of your home fits category 1, like windows and natural light, trees for shade, rain barrels, and garden plants and flowers. Category 2 could be as simple as using reused, recycled, bio-based or wood-based materials in your home, and sourcing your materials locally. For category 3, make sure that any new appliance you buy has Energy Star, repair whatever you can, upgrade your lighting to LEDs, and buy the kind of plugs that you can turn on and off remotely. For category 4, you need to do whatever you can to conserve water. Don’t leave the water running when you’re brushing your teeth, shaving, or doing the dishes. Breathing, in category 5, is all about the indoor air quality in your home. This category is most closely tied to your health and wellness. A good place to start is with the air filters in your heating and cooling units. Marla’s top 3 green tips: Use LED lightbulbs Use only green cleaning products Use only recycled or non-tree toilet paper so that you don’t end up flushing a forest down the toilet. Links and resources: Go to the website and click on the “consult with me” link for a 20-minute consult with Marla about the product swaps you can do in your home. Go to the website and click on the “consult with me” link for a 20-minute consult with Marla about the product swaps you can do in your home. for curated better and green products (link words "Everyday Green Home Shop") Incremental Green article, Green As You Go -
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The Truth About Green Product Labels
02/09/2022
The Truth About Green Product Labels
What does it mean to buy green? There are no standard definitions for the words used to describe green products, so we sometimes tend to confuse products that sound green or claim to be green with those that truly are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Some companies intentionally use words like natural or eco-friendly as a marketing ploy to imply that their products are better for you and the environment than they may actually be. That is known as greenwashing. Unfortunately, many companies that greenwash their products spend a lot more time and money on marketing than on becoming more sustainable and ecologically friendly. I am Marla, the Green Home Coach. Today, I am pulling a podcast out of the archives in which Tony Pratte, my regular co-host, and I dive into the concept of greenwashing. In our conversation, we explain what you can do get above and beyond greenwashing, take action, and do better. We focus on green labels for the home and explain how they can work for you. Green labels for the home cover everything from energy efficiency to water efficiency to resource efficiency to toxin-free products and recycled materials. Stay tuned for more! Green Guides Greenwashing has been going on for a couple of decades now. Lately, people have been getting more concerned about it. Due to the current uncertainty surrounding the environmental and eco-friendly claims that companies have been making, the Federal Trade Commission has created green guides to help ensure that marketing claims regarding the environmental attributes of products are substantiated and truthful. Wise up to greenwashing We all need to wise up to greenwashing and realize that we vote with our dollars. Many of us base our purchasing decisions on the performance, sustainability, and culture of the companies we buy from. So we are usually willing to pay a moderate premium for products made by people and companies authentically committed to being better environmental and health stewards. Green labels A lot of research goes into figuring out if products are what they claim to be. Green labels prove that research has been done on products by a green label-certified independent third party. Green labels give us guidelines to ensure that the products we buy will protect us, our families, and our fellow human beings. If the third party did not exist, anyone would be able to do or say whatever they wanted about any product. Green labels give us the peace of mind that comes from knowing we are using something better. Greenwashing The term greenwashing got coined about ten years ago. It gets used when someone thinks or hopes, rather than knows, that a product is green. It is nothing more than marketing hype or the misdirection of consumers because, although something gets claimed to be good for the environment, in reality, that may or may not be so. The FCC and greenwashing The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) has put out rules about what you may say and claims you may make about a product. There is also a standard code of ethics for marketers, and the American Marketing Association has specific rules that forbid marketers from making any unsubstantiated claims. Using 'green' terms Many people- even those in the home-building industry, do not understand fully what green terms mean. Nor do they understand their value. And they often do not even know how to use the terms correctly. So they tend to throw them around loosely, without understanding the consequences or the ramifications that are sure to follow. For example, a home that has Energy Star-certified, energy-efficient windows cannot be described as an energy-efficient home simply because it has an energy-efficient feature in it. No real meaning Some terms have no real meaning to the FCC, like natural, which is often used to describe food and personal care products. Specific rules There are some specific rules for using the word 'organic' to describe products. The goal of green labels Green labels exist to give people something tangible, and reliable parameters around a particular characteristic. They help us to understand more about what we are buying. Having peace-of-mind around energy-efficiency Lately, many companies are doing things that are more sustainably-minded. There are multiple levels on which we can choose to engage with the companies that are doing things better. Guidelines Green labels give us all the necessary guidelines to ensure that we are doing something impactful that will protect our families, ourselves, and fellow human beings without doing all the research. Everyday Green Home Shop To help you, I have started putting a lot of products in my Everyday Green Home shop that have green labels. For the products that do not have green labels, I go through the vetting process I learned from the Green Building Standard to ensure that they meet the requirements needed for a Green Home Certification. For the personal care products in my shop, I refer to the Environmental Working Group. Taking small steps You can green your entire home, taking one small step at a time. Some steps to take in that direction are: Energy Star - It covers 1000s of quality products including complete home certification. Choose these products when you decide to upgrade or change anything electrical in your home. Water Sense - It covers, for water, much the same as Energy Star does for energy. Choose these products when it is time to upgrade or replace your washing machine, dishwasher, faucets, showerheads, or plumbing fixtures. Green Guard - This certification tells you that a product, usually for woodwork or cleaning, has fewer toxins in it, and it meets California's requirements for air quality. Start taking control of the quality of the air you let into the house. Cradle To Cradle is a new energy-saving concept for both products and processes. It is an efficient way to use resources. How green labels apply in other parts of our life and for homes The US Green Building Council has LEED (Leadership, Energy, and Environmental Design). It is available for homes. There is also the National Green Building Standard, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and local and regional green building standards, like Green Build Texas, Green Build Washington, and Earthcraft Homes in the South-East. There are also energy-efficient only certifications, like Energy Star, for homes and new homes. Home Energy Ratings Score (HERS) is a home energy ratings score index or a scale of energy efficiency which assesses the energy usage and relates it to an existing home. Sustainability is about more than just the products Sustainability is about society and living standards. It is about how people get treated and the wages they are paid. Referral links: My website 1- Everyday Green Home shop for curated better and green products (link words "Everyday Green Home Shop") 2-Green Guard products on Amazon (needs my affiliate added in) 3-Signposts for Better Product Choices with Green Labels 4-The Truth About Green Product Labels 5-EPA Buying Green for Consumers 6-A Guide to Greenwashing and How to Spot it from EcoWatch 7-FTC Green Guides 8- Energy Star 9-The Environmental Working Group - "This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. That means that if you make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products or services that I believe in and usually use myself."
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