Doing the laundry is simple enough, right? Sort by color, choose your water temperature, add the detergent, set the cycle -- and then off you go to brew a fresh cup of tea, for a job well done.
Except that as you sit and sip, you recall the rash on your arm a few days earlier after you wore your dark green blouse to work. Or what about the itchiness that your son started complaining about a few weeks ago after wearing his favorite t-shirt? On an impulse, you walk back down to the laundry room, reach for the laundry container, look at the ingredients -- and wonder what is actually in that product that gets your whites so dazzling, and gives everything that fresh smell.
Maybe it's time we all took a closer look at what we're adding to our laundry.
Clean Laundry Naturally
It's only natural to want our clothes to be clean. The problem is that what we use to clean them is anything but natural. When I talk with people about switching to healthier household cleaners, they're most reluctant to change their laundry detergents -- they're just too hooked on the smell to make the change. But what if they knew what was in that smell?
Recent findings in a study done by the University of Washington show that air vented from machines using the top-selling scented liquid laundry detergent and scented dryer sheets contains hazardous chemicals, including two that are classified as carcinogens. Analysis of the captured gases found more than 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including seven hazardous air pollutants. Of those, two chemicals -- acetaldehyde and benzene -- are classified by the Environmental Protection Agency as carcinogens, for which the agency has established no safe exposure level.
So make the change today. Switch to a non-toxic, biodegradable, plant based detergent. I promise you won't miss the old stuff.
Toss the Dryer Sheet
The "fresh" scent of fabric softeners usually serves as a disguise for a surprising array of toxic chemicals. In fact, recent studies reveal that among all household products, one of the most toxic is fabric softener.
Dryer sheets often contain toluene, trimethylbenzene, and styrene -- which are neurotoxins according to the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. To make matters worse, dryer sheets are exposed to heat from water, dryers or ironing, which can make them emit hazardous vapors. So you see, it's not the spin cycle that's making your head spin...
Adding a quarter cup of baking soda to the wash cycle will soften your clothes nicely, and a little white vinegar will prevent static cling. Of course if you prefer a sheet, many green alternatives exist on the market.
Green Your Washing Machine, Too
While you're greening your clean, don't forget to consider your washer. Look for a front-loading, Energy Star machine the next time you're in the market for a new one. New washers on the market today can cut your energy, water and detergent use, which saves you money in the long run.
Top-loading machines use about 40 gallons of water per load, while Energy Star washers use only about 25 gallons. Top-loading washers have to be filled to keep the clothing wet while the agitator works the water around. Front-loaders, on the other hand, work their magic on a horizontal axis that saves both water and energy.
By the way, many cities will give you a rebate when you buy one of these machines because of the water and energy savings. You might check out the Department of Energy's Make a Clean Change -- Recycle Your Old Washer program, which promotes rebates on energy-efficient models.
Follow Sloan Barnett on Twitter and on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GreenGoesWithEverything.
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To expand the effort following the pilot Florida Ranchlands Environmental Services Project (FRESP), the District issued a solicitation in January 2011 aimed at ranch owners in the Northern Everglades region. A total of 14 proposals were evaluated and ranked in response to the competitive solicitation. The eight approved projects were determined through a Governing Board-approved negotiation process.
The selected ranchers will receive financial assistance in making the best use of existing infrastructure and/or developing new, simple infrastructure that will increase water and nutrient retention capabilities. All projects will be monitored under an agreement with the World Wildlife Fund to document that the contracts, known as Payment for Environmental Services (PES), are meeting the water retention goals.
“The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida, a supporter and contributor to the Northern Everglades – Payment for Environmental Services (NE- PES) initiative from the beginning, is excited and proud to be a part of one of the nation’s largest market-based payment for environmental services programs,” said Carlos Suarez, state conservationist for the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). “We anticipate that the NE-PES program will contribute toward sustaining cattle ranching as an important industry throughout the region, maintaining important wildlife habitats, improving wetlands and keeping working lands working.”
The Dispersed Water Management Program Northern Everglades – Payment for Environmental Services is being implemented in coordination with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the NRCS, World Wildlife Fund and UF/IFAS.
The benefits of public-private partnerships for both entities, and above all else the environment, are clear. These are some summary facts for the PPP projects that the District has done. Quite impressive!
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Reduces excess water flowing into Lake Okeechobee during the wet season
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Reduces the amount of water discharged to the coastal estuaries for flood protection
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Provides valuable groundwater recharge for water supply
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Improves water quality and rehydration of drained systems
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Enhances plant and wildlife habitat
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Helps sustain the local economy
By the numbers:
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Through a combination of public and private projects, 131,500 acre-feet of water retention/storage has been made available to date
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To date, the District has collaborated with more than 100 participating landowners
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The ultimate goal for the program is to provide 450,000 acre-feet of retention/storage throughout the Northern Everglades watershed
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450,000 acre-feet of additional storage equates to approximately 1 foot of water off of Lake Okeechobee
Ernie Barnett, Senior Manager South Florida Water Management District
The projects in Okeechobee, Highlands and Polk counties, along with the amount of water able to be retained, include:
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Alderman-Deloney Ranch: 147 acre-feet
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Buck Island Ranch: 1,573 acre-feet
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Dixie Ranch: 856 acre-feet
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Dixie West: 315 acre-feet
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Lightsey Cattle Company: 887 acre-feet
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Lost Oak Ranch: 374 acre-feet
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Triple A Ranch: 397 acre-feet
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Willaway Cattle & Sod: 229 acre-feet
Dispersed Water Management Program
According to the SFWMD press release, since the start of its Dispersed Water Management Program in 2005, the District has collaborated with a coalition of agencies, environmental organizations, ranchers and researchers to enhance opportunities for storing excess surface water on private, public and tribal lands. In addition to utilizing regional public projects, the program encourages property owners to retain water on their land rather than drain it and to accept and detain regional runoff.
“Storing large volumes of water north and south of Lake Okeechobee is one of the most significant water management challenges facing South Florida,” said SFWMD Executive Director Melissa Meeker. “Assembling a collection of shallow, on-site retention projects— that work in conjunction with planned regional reservoirs — sustains local economies and helps to meet the State’s Everglades restoration goals.”
With a $7 million investment over 10 years, the eight contracts will provide 4,800 acre- feet of water retention in the Northern Everglades to assist with meeting the storage and water quality improvement goals for the watershed. Within six months, all of the projects will be fully operational and demonstrating these cost-effective water retention services.
“It is imperative that we work to get the water right in South Florida, which includes both ensuring an adequate water supply and improving water quality,” said Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “The projects approved by the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will allow the district to collaborate with property owners to retain excess water on public, private and tribal lands to ensure a more reliable water supply for Florida’s future generations.”
The pics below show just how important and effective water storage measures can be...
(Top) In early 2009, the Nine Gems property sat mostly dry. (Bottom) The District, in cooperation with Martin County, has since restored the land’s hydrology to add 2,000 acre-feet of regional water storage.
Sloan Barnett Put a Hold on Mold
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Last week, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board approved eight cost-effective projects to increase water storage on ranches north of Lake Okeechobee while improving water quality for the Everglades as well as for the lake and coastal estuaries.
This blog series will explore the history behind the program, give some more details about the individual projects and
“The future of water storage north of Lake Okeechobee relies on innovative public- private partnerships and marks a milestone in our collective efforts to preserve both the Northern Everglades and our working landscapes for future generations,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam. “This program is a progressive way of achieving our shared goals of environmental restoration and a healthy and sustainable agricultural economy.”
(Top Picture) In early 2009, the Nine Gems property sat mostly dry. (Bottom) The District, in cooperation with Martin County, has since restored the land’s hydrology to add 2,000 acre-feet of regional water storage.
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Project schedule
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Construction on the northern STA and pump station is ongoing, with completion planned for March 2012.
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The estimated investment in the initial construction is $31 million.
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Construction of the southern STA and related pump station is
contingent on additional funding, with cost estimated at $42 million.
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Lake Okeechobee water quality will be improved.
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A preserve area at the STA will protect wildlife and cultural resources.
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Another benefit is that the Lakeside Ranch STA is capable of recirculating water from Lake Okeechobee for additional phosphorus removal due to the type of lock structure shown below. Very impressive in person.
