Green Calgary

Why Small and Local are Beautiful

Q:

Dear Ashley,

I’m Christmas shopping with a mission this year. My mission is simple: to support as many small, local and Canadian businesses as possible in an effort to keep the money in the local economy. I feel good about this, though I sometimes wonder if the money actually stays locally and what it means for the community. I’ve also noticed a growing number of Canadian retailers pushing the “buy local” slogan, all the while selling products made overseas in places like China, Pakistan, and Egypt. Is it really worth supporting them if they, themselves, are not supporting other local companies?

Thank you,

Fiona

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Why Working Less is Better for the Planet

Hi Ashley!

I’ve considered many of the benefits of working less – more time for friends and family, more time to pursue hobbies, less stress, etc. – but I’m curious what the environmental benefits might be. Any thoughts?

Thank you,

Janet

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Rabbit Ears, Converter Boxes, & Energy Efficient Televisions

I’m probably in the minority here but I’m one of those people that still use “rabbit-ears” to watch TV. Since I have an older TV the switch from analog to digital programming later this summer will affect me. I appreciate having a few channels to catch the nightly news, so I’m wondering if it makes more sense to purchase a converter box that allows me to keep my old TV or should I replace it altogether with a new and possibly more energy efficient one?

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Choosing Healthy Cookware

Hello Ashley,

Now that I’m done university I’m looking to upgrade my flaking Teflon-coated pots and pans with something that isn’t going to kill me. There appears to be a growing number of non-stick cookware choices but are any of them actually safe? What would you recommend?

Thank you,

Paige

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No Scents Makes Good Sense (encore)

Ashley,

My workplace recently adopted a fragrance-free policy and while I don’t disagree with it, I’m wondering what it is exactly that causes some people to react to fragrances. I’d like to know your thoughts.

Blessings,
Eleanor

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Choosing Truly Green Cleaners

I have decided to make the shift to healthier cleaners but I am perplexed by all the different products which claim to be green. Do you have any tips for selecting the best of the natural cleaning products?

Thanks,

Shelley

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Going Green and the Return on Investment

Dear Mr. Lubyk,

What is the return on investment (R.O.I.) for the various water and energy saving upgrades? I ask because I have a limited budget and I want to know how to best prioritize the changes I want to make. Should I replace toilets or should I upgrade my windows? Should I replace my 15 year old fridge or the 20 year old dishwasher? A few examples of how to best prioritize these investments would be extremely helpful.

Thanks,

Phil

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The Problem with Palm Oil

Dear Ashley,

Over the years I’ve noticed an interesting trend: most products now contain palm oil. Everything from candy to crackers to soap has the stuff in it. I’ve even noticed palm oil in my “eco” laundry soap. With so much palm oil in everyday products, I have to wonder where it all comes from? Is this really a sustainable source of vegetable oil?

Thanks,

Ronnie

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Hand Sanitizers and Antibacterials – Who Needs Them?

Dear Ashley,

With the apparent “swine flu pandemic” upon us, a person cannot walk into any public space, drug store or shopping centre without being greeted by a bottle of hand sanitizer. On top of this we it seems like there are countless products on the market, which claim to kill 99.9% of germs; others labeled antibacterial; and still others that are impregnated with antimicrobial products, such as cutting boards and facial tissues. Are any of these products necessary to protect the health of my family and if so, which products are actually effective in preventing the spread of disease and illness?

Thanks,

Katie

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Into the Flames

Dearest Ashley,

Are mattresses in Canada doused in flame retardants, as they are in the United States? What exactly is the best mattress available?

Curiously,
Lindsay

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