Don't Toss Those Citrus Peels!

I am always looking for ways to get more mileage out of the things I buy.  I really don’t like to waste anything or buy too much stuff.  

A while ago I investigated ways to use citrus peels – beyond composting them.    In doing so I came across infused vinegar.  I was intrigued.   I have since made infused vinegar several times with oranges, lemons and grapefruit.  I am addicted!   

Why would I want infused vinegar?  Do I cook with it?  Maybe you could, but I use mine for my homemade cleaners.  The vinegar extracts the essential oils from the citrus peels,  mellowing the smell of the vinegar and  adding a boost of cleaning power to the vinegar.

I love that I can get extra use out of something before it gets composted.  If you are just getting started making your own cleaners, this is a great, cheap way to start without investing in essential oils.

I substitute one of these infused vinegars for the vinegar in any of the homemade cleaner recipes, then skip the essential oils. 

What You Need

Citrus peels – orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, or a combination

Glass jar with lid – reuse an old spaghetti sauce jar

White distilled vinegar

The Method

Save your citrus peels – I save mine in the freezer until I have enough to fill the glass jar.

Fill the jar with your peels, really stuff them in there, the more the better. (Can you tell my orange peels are frozen?)

  Fill the jar with distilled vinegar.  Make sure all the peels are covered by the vinegar, otherwise mold could start growing.  Get the kids to help!

 Let the jar sit for 1 – 2 weeks, gently shaking every once in a while.  Give it a wiff every once in a while. When you can smell more fruit than vinegar, it's done.

 Strain the vinegar and keep in another jar to use.

Have you ever infused vinegar?

This post is part of Vintage Mauve, Frugally Sustainable and Seasonal Celebration Sunday.

Plastic Bags on the Decline at Market Basket

A Greene Westford column re-posted.

Plastic Bags end up everywhere

Market Basket joined 11 other supermarket chains in a voluntary disposable bag reduction effort with MassDEP

How many plastic grocery bags do you have in your house right now?  Every time you buy anything, a plastic bag is most likely used.  There are lots of problems with plastic bags. They litter our streets, waste natural resources, and can expose us to toxins.

In 2007, the Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) and Massachusetts Food Association (MFA) recognized this problem.  Together they set a goal of a one-third reduction in the number of paper and plastic bags used by 2013.  Over 500 grocery stores are members of the MFA, including Market Basket.  This effort was voluntary in nature.  The idea was to encourage people to bring reusable bags.

From a flyer created by the two groups, the MFA members committed to:

• Promoting the use of reusable bags 
• Providing in store plastic bag recycling bins for customers 
• Offering reusable shopping bags for sale made with recycled content
• Using disposable bags with more recycled content

According to Keith Peters, a manager at Market Basket in Westford, they have seen a 40-50% increase in the number of shoppers bringing reusable bags.  Plastic and paper bag use has decreased approximately 20%.  Peters stated that signs were used to encourage shoppers to bring reusable bags.   “Choose to Reuse” was the slogan, although the signs are not being used now.

Some stores, such as Stop and Shop and Hannaford, gave a 5 cent discount for each reusable bag.  Stop and Shop and Whole Foods still give 5 cents.

In November 2011, the MFA and MassDEP announced that the goal of a 33 % reduction in the use of disposable bags was reached 2 years ahead of schedule.  The groups will continue to work together to encourage this trend. 

Many cities around the country have implemented bag bans or charge for plastic or paper bags.  Washington D.C. instituted a 5 cent tax on plastic and paper bags in January 2010.  In one year, $2 million was collected to clean up the Anacostia River.  A study in 2008 found that plastic bags made up 21% of the trash in the river and 40% in its tributaries.  The law was estimated to generate closer to $4 million in the first year.  Obviously, people are not using disposable bags.  The ban is estimated to have created a 50% decrease and it is viewed as one of the most successful programs in the country.

For the bags that you still accumulate, stores have plastic bag recycling stations.  Every grocery store in and near Westford has one.  At Market Basket, look for a white barrel container near the far exit.  They accept more than just plastic store bags.  The list includes:

• Grocery bags
• Newspaper bags
• Dry cleaning bags
• Retail shopping bags (with strings and rigid plastic handles removed)
• Bread, cereal and produce bags
• Plastic wrap from paper products and bulk items (think wrapping around toilet paper and paper towels)
• All clean, clear bags labeled with a #2 or #4 recycling symbol

All plastic must be CLEAN AND DRY!

These bags should not be put in your curbside container.  They get caught in the sorting mechanisms at the recycling facility.

It takes a while to adopt new habits.  It took me almost a year to consistently remember my reusable bags.   I used quite a few helpful hints to do it.  Just keep at it.

Do you Use Reusable Bags? 
[Photo Credit Lauren/Flickr]

Habitat for Humanity Builds One of the Most Energy Efficient Homes in Westford

A Greene Westford column reposted.

Habitat For Humanity built one of the most energy efficient houses in Westford saving over 40% on energy bills

Wouldn’t you love to cut your energy bills by 40%?  Think of the savings over the years!  Think you need solar panels, geothermal, or a wind turbine to get there?  Think again.

Did you know that in 2008, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell in conjunction withBuilding Science Corporation, built a super-efficient home in Westford?  The estimated savings were roughly 40% over a similar more traditional home.  These savings equate to $1295 per year.  OK, but how much would this cost up front?  The additional initial investment for this 1400 sq foot home was $10,000.

Want to know how they did it?

In the words of Joseph Lstiburek, principal at Building Science Corporation,

 "The Westford House is not weird looking. It is super insulated. It is ultra-tight. It has controlled ventilation with heat recovery. It does not have lots of glass. It has real good glass. It has real good appliances. It has real good lighting. And it has real good equipment—that is small. Everything is off-the-shelf and can be built by anyone.”

• Insulation: The foundation is insulated at a rating of R-26, walls at R-44 and the roof is R-66.   This is 50% more insulation than is required by current building codes. 
• Ductwork was placed inside conditioned (heated/cooled) space saving more energy. 
• Advanced framing techniques: 2x6 construction was used with studs placed 24 inches on center instead of the typical 16 inches.  This reduced the lumber needed by 40%.  In comparison, the lumber needed for this 2x6 construction was approximately 5% less than if traditional 2x4 framing had been used.
• Windows were limited to reduce heat loss.  Where there are windows, glass with good insulation properties was used.
• The appliances used were in the top 10% of energy star ratings.  The gas furnace operates at 95% efficiency and an instant gas water heater is used.
• Compact florescent lighting was used throughout to reduce energy use as well. 

This house is so efficient that it achieved internationally recognized green building certification at the highest level. 

The U.S. Green Building council developed a green building certification system in March 2000 called  Leadership on Energy and Environmental Design or LEED. 

There are 4 levels within LEED certification – Certified, Silver, Gold, and, the highest, Platinum.  The Westford House achieved platinum certification.

The house achieved this certification without the use of renewable energy features such as solar panels or wind turbines.  Because of the work done here by the designers, Building Science Corporation, the Westford House serves as a prototype for high performance, highly insulated homes in cold climates.

Habitat For Humanity built several more houses in Bedford which met LEED Gold certification.  This project included 7 new homes and a renovated farm house that is 150 years old.  Habitat now builds houses to LEED standards which greatly reduces the operating costs for the new owners.

If you would like to learn more about increasing the insulation in your home, start with the Mass Save program.  If you are planning a large remodel, check into the National Grid Deep Energy Retrofit Program.

[Photo Credit Habitat For Humanity]