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Thursday, October 15, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Environmentally friendly laundry: Washing with balls
Doing the laundry is a necessary household chore and part of life, unless of course you're going for that dirty, smelly, unkempt look. Modern laundry methods can use a lot of water, power and phosphate/bleach containing cleaning products which are not very grey water safe. So, without going back to a washboard and homemade soap how can we "green" doing the laundry?
Clearly a good starting point is an energy efficient front loading washing machine, this will act to significantly reduce both the electricity and water used to do a load of washing.
But how to clean the clothes without chemicals that we really shouldn't be putting down the drain willy-nilly?
Luckily for you, we have been experimenting. Here are our results (with thanks to Char for writing the report of our laundry results):
"For lightly soiled laundry items (clothes, sheets, towels) I wash using an Enviro Washball ($49.95, available online here). Enviro Washballs are recyclable plastic balls containing small ceramic stones (no detergents/chemicals/bleaching agents) and last for ~1000 washes).
The stones raise the pH level of the water, which softens the water and opens the weave of the fabric. Water moves through more easily and effectively, removing dirt naturally.
Washing with the Enviro Washball cleans lightly soiled items very effectively however you don’t get that ‘fresh laundry smell’ that is due to fragrances in laundry detergent, so I add a teaspoon of Bosito’s Eucalyptus Oil to the wash. (Although we haven't tested it, it is claimed eucalyptus oil can also be used for a number of other purposes including as an antiseptic, a massage oil, a stain remover and a cleaner).
For medium soiled laundry (dirty clothes, exercise clothes) I use the Enviro Washball and one tablespoon of Earth Choice Front Loader Laundry Powder (phosphorous/petrochemical/bleach free, grey water safe, from Coles).
While for heavily soiled items I first soak them with the Enviro Washball then spot treat any stains with the Enviro Stainstick ($3.95 available online here). I then wash with the Enviro Washball and 1T laundry powder."
So although we haven't been able to completely stop using detergent, we have been able to reduce it significantly using the Enviro Washball (which we supplement with small amounts of grey water safe detergent when necessary). All in all we have found it remarkably easy to make doing the laundry more environmentally friendly and would encourage everyone else to consider how they could do the same.
Clearly a good starting point is an energy efficient front loading washing machine, this will act to significantly reduce both the electricity and water used to do a load of washing.
But how to clean the clothes without chemicals that we really shouldn't be putting down the drain willy-nilly?
Luckily for you, we have been experimenting. Here are our results (with thanks to Char for writing the report of our laundry results):
"For lightly soiled laundry items (clothes, sheets, towels) I wash using an Enviro Washball ($49.95, available online here). Enviro Washballs are recyclable plastic balls containing small ceramic stones (no detergents/chemicals/bleaching agents) and last for ~1000 washes).
The stones raise the pH level of the water, which softens the water and opens the weave of the fabric. Water moves through more easily and effectively, removing dirt naturally.
Washing with the Enviro Washball cleans lightly soiled items very effectively however you don’t get that ‘fresh laundry smell’ that is due to fragrances in laundry detergent, so I add a teaspoon of Bosito’s Eucalyptus Oil to the wash. (Although we haven't tested it, it is claimed eucalyptus oil can also be used for a number of other purposes including as an antiseptic, a massage oil, a stain remover and a cleaner).
For medium soiled laundry (dirty clothes, exercise clothes) I use the Enviro Washball and one tablespoon of Earth Choice Front Loader Laundry Powder (phosphorous/petrochemical/bleach free, grey water safe, from Coles).
While for heavily soiled items I first soak them with the Enviro Washball then spot treat any stains with the Enviro Stainstick ($3.95 available online here). I then wash with the Enviro Washball and 1T laundry powder."
So although we haven't been able to completely stop using detergent, we have been able to reduce it significantly using the Enviro Washball (which we supplement with small amounts of grey water safe detergent when necessary). All in all we have found it remarkably easy to make doing the laundry more environmentally friendly and would encourage everyone else to consider how they could do the same.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
GreenStreets: How Green is your Street?
A big part of Transition Town philosophy revolves around building communities and stimulating community action to lower our carbon footprints. But aside from our monthly meetings, our blog and the various activities we carry out, how can we engage the wider community more generally?
And perhaps most importantly, how can we show the progress we, as a community, are making?
One innovative method is GreenStreets, which acts to connect together neighbours and communities to promote living greener. Greenstreets uses its website to track the progress of members while also promoting neighbourhood interactions such as Greenstreet cafés where people can get together, meet other members in their community and learn about how other people are living more sustainably.
When new members sign into the Greenstreets website they calculate their “Greenstreet score” to see how sustainably they have been living, they are then able to compare their scores to that of their local street, suburb, state and country. By implementing some of the tips the site gives they can improve their score in the future and by encouraging their neighbours and friends to join they can get their local community engaged in lowering their impact and see the progress they are making.
GreenStreets is also for
businesses, who can calculate their Green Street score and communicate with their customers what steps they are taking to green their business by using the social networking features of the website and by attending social get-togethers of site users.
Coming out of Samford village, Greenstreets is now attracting members from around the country, is free to join and also offers prizes!
To find out more or to join go to
Ps: To make signing up a little more attractive (and interesting) a packet of Timtams will be given to any household who bests my households’ GreenStreet score for September. (Nb: in the event there is more than one, it will go to the lowest scoring household). Winner to be decided at our next meeting but feel free to post your score in the comments. Good luck!
And perhaps most importantly, how can we show the progress we, as a community, are making?
One innovative method is GreenStreets, which acts to connect together neighbours and communities to promote living greener. Greenstreets uses its website to track the progress of members while also promoting neighbourhood interactions such as Greenstreet cafés where people can get together, meet other members in their community and learn about how other people are living more sustainably.
When new members sign into the Greenstreets website they calculate their “Greenstreet score” to see how sustainably they have been living, they are then able to compare their scores to that of their local street, suburb, state and country. By implementing some of the tips the site gives they can improve their score in the future and by encouraging their neighbours and friends to join they can get their local community engaged in lowering their impact and see the progress they are making.
GreenStreets is also for
businesses, who can calculate their Green Street score and communicate with their customers what steps they are taking to green their business by using the social networking features of the website and by attending social get-togethers of site users.Coming out of Samford village, Greenstreets is now attracting members from around the country, is free to join and also offers prizes!
To find out more or to join go to
Ps: To make signing up a little more attractive (and interesting) a packet of Timtams will be given to any household who bests my households’ GreenStreet score for September. (Nb: in the event there is more than one, it will go to the lowest scoring household). Winner to be decided at our next meeting but feel free to post your score in the comments. Good luck!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Take advantage of government assistance to Green your home. Part 3: The new Renewable Energy Credits (REC) scheme
Actually known as “Solar Credits” (a great piece of bureaucratic bumbling since it actually applies to many small scale renewable generation methods) this Renewable Energy Credits (REC) scheme has replaced the old $8000 rebate. So how does it work and how does it effect people who want to install renewable energy systems at their homes or businesses?
Compared to the old rebate the new system is more complicated, but as I explain below, it doesn't make much difference to buying a renewable energy generation system for your house/business. I have also taken a stab at explaining how the Solar Credits scheme fits into the larger REC situation in Australia see: RET, REC, RPP and SC, how does it all work? Otherwise go straight too “What does it mean for me?”
RET, REC, RPP and SC, how does it all work? (Click to expand)
What does it mean for me?
There are three major differences in the new scheme
1) REC multiplier instead of rebate
When a new renewable system is installed it creates Renewable Energy Credits (REC), a type of currency which can be sold/traded. The more power generated, the more REC created. This occurred under the old scheme.
Instead of a straight subsidy/rebate Solar Credits multiplies the number of REC the systems create. Since REC can be sold, multiplying the number of REC generated allows owners to get more money back afterwards, decreasing the “net” cost of the system.
Specifically the new scheme creates 5x more REC on the first 1.5kW of power the systems generate. Overall this will have an effect similar to the rebate as most people normally give the REC to the seller of the renewable system to decrease the upfront price of the system. Now instead of pocketing 1X REC and the rebate, sellers will pocket 5x REC and most customers will notice little difference in the sale process.
One difference though is that the amount of a subsidy created by the extra REC will be affected by the market price of REC. This could mean the price of a system fluctuates depending on how much money the sellers can get for the REC.
2) Eligible Systems
Solar hot water, solar PV, wind turbines and small-scale hydro are all eligible under the new scheme for the REC multiplier. This means households and businesses with a poor solar profile can install wind or hydro generation instead and receive the same benefits.
3) Who can access the REC scheme
Both individual households and businesses can access the solar credits scheme. This makes putting solar PV panels on the roof of a business just as affordable as on the roof of a home. Furthermore there is no means test for the solar credits scheme.
Overall this is a positive scheme that makes small-scale renewable systems affordable for both households and businesses, promoting renewable energy and helping individuals to lower their carbon footprint .
NbL For further info on the Solar credits see the Dept of Climate Change FAQ.
Nb: Part one and two of this series can be found here and here
Compared to the old rebate the new system is more complicated, but as I explain below, it doesn't make much difference to buying a renewable energy generation system for your house/business. I have also taken a stab at explaining how the Solar Credits scheme fits into the larger REC situation in Australia see: RET, REC, RPP and SC, how does it all work? Otherwise go straight too “What does it mean for me?”
RET, REC, RPP and SC, how does it all work? (Click to expand)
What does it mean for me?
There are three major differences in the new scheme
1) REC multiplier instead of rebate
When a new renewable system is installed it creates Renewable Energy Credits (REC), a type of currency which can be sold/traded. The more power generated, the more REC created. This occurred under the old scheme.
Instead of a straight subsidy/rebate Solar Credits multiplies the number of REC the systems create. Since REC can be sold, multiplying the number of REC generated allows owners to get more money back afterwards, decreasing the “net” cost of the system.
Specifically the new scheme creates 5x more REC on the first 1.5kW of power the systems generate. Overall this will have an effect similar to the rebate as most people normally give the REC to the seller of the renewable system to decrease the upfront price of the system. Now instead of pocketing 1X REC and the rebate, sellers will pocket 5x REC and most customers will notice little difference in the sale process.
One difference though is that the amount of a subsidy created by the extra REC will be affected by the market price of REC. This could mean the price of a system fluctuates depending on how much money the sellers can get for the REC.
2) Eligible Systems
Solar hot water, solar PV, wind turbines and small-scale hydro are all eligible under the new scheme for the REC multiplier. This means households and businesses with a poor solar profile can install wind or hydro generation instead and receive the same benefits.
3) Who can access the REC scheme
Both individual households and businesses can access the solar credits scheme. This makes putting solar PV panels on the roof of a business just as affordable as on the roof of a home. Furthermore there is no means test for the solar credits scheme.
Overall this is a positive scheme that makes small-scale renewable systems affordable for both households and businesses, promoting renewable energy and helping individuals to lower their carbon footprint .
NbL For further info on the Solar credits see the Dept of Climate Change FAQ.
Nb: Part one and two of this series can be found here and here
Monday, September 28, 2009
ETS forum
For those who are puzzling over the government's ETS plan, whether there are other alternatives and how our position will play out internationally, here's a forum at University of Queensland, 13 October 2009, with some excellent speakers who should be able to clear up some of these issues for you.
This forum covers the government’s proposed ETS scheme, alternatives and how the government’s proposal will play out internationally.
Speakers
Dr Jane O'Sullivan: The merits of a carbon tax, more specifically a consumption-based tax rather than a production-based tax. That is, the cost of embodied emissions is added to the product like the GST, not at the point of manufacture. She will address the advantages like price stability, administrative ease and the incentives for individuals to change their purchasing behaviour.
Dr Martin Weber, Lecturer in International Relations: Copenhagen and the ETS: the diplomatic ramifications of Australian policy for the Copenhagen summit, especially whether our position could help or hinder a positive outcome.
Professor John Quiggin: Will the current proposed ETS be effective? Is the current ETS compromised by the "free permits" for large polluters? Does the current proposed scheme set 2020 reduction targets which are too low to achieve our 2050 goals? Will the proposed scheme be more stable in price than the EU or North-West US scheme? Will there be sufficient reinvestment of the proceeds from permits into emissions reduction measures?
This event is the first for the new UQ Greens club, and looks pretty good. Please arrive by 6pm for a 6:15 start at building 24, room S302.
This forum covers the government’s proposed ETS scheme, alternatives and how the government’s proposal will play out internationally.
Speakers
Dr Jane O'Sullivan: The merits of a carbon tax, more specifically a consumption-based tax rather than a production-based tax. That is, the cost of embodied emissions is added to the product like the GST, not at the point of manufacture. She will address the advantages like price stability, administrative ease and the incentives for individuals to change their purchasing behaviour.
Dr Martin Weber, Lecturer in International Relations: Copenhagen and the ETS: the diplomatic ramifications of Australian policy for the Copenhagen summit, especially whether our position could help or hinder a positive outcome.
Professor John Quiggin: Will the current proposed ETS be effective? Is the current ETS compromised by the "free permits" for large polluters? Does the current proposed scheme set 2020 reduction targets which are too low to achieve our 2050 goals? Will the proposed scheme be more stable in price than the EU or North-West US scheme? Will there be sufficient reinvestment of the proceeds from permits into emissions reduction measures?
This event is the first for the new UQ Greens club, and looks pretty good. Please arrive by 6pm for a 6:15 start at building 24, room S302.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Take advantage of government assistance to Green your home. Part 2: Green Loans
In addition to the Energy Efficient Homes Package discussed in part 1, the Federal government has also introduced the Green Loans scheme.
The Green loans scheme is designed to help people pay for larger items such as solar, water saving, and energy efficient products.
From the website:
“Green Loans has two main components of support from the Australian Government:
1. a free Home Sustainability Assessment and report (valued at over $250); and
2. access to a Green Loans subsidy provided to participating financial institutions to cover up to four years interest for borrowing of up to $10,000, to implement changes recommended in the assessment report.”
There are two important points here.
Firstly in order to apply for a Green Loan you must have a home sustainability assessment, which is free. Then once you have received your assessment you can use its recommendations to apply to for loan.
The loan is not actually from the government, it is from the participating financial institution and the government subsidises the loan by paying the interest for four years. The household can choose which participating bank, credit union or building society they wish to apply for a loan with. Current participating institutions are listed here.
Another positive about this scheme is that a Green loan can be used in conjunction with other rebates. For example: to pay the remaining cost for home insulation after the $1600 subsidy is used up.
Conditions for Green loans include a means test of $250 000 household income per year. The loans are available to both owners and tenants (with permission of owner to make changes to the dwelling) and the home needs to be at least a year old. Also it is worth remembering the assessment is only valid for six months so if you get one, apply for that loan quickly because you only get one free assessment.
So where do I start?
Households can book an assessment by calling 1800 895 076 or by giving an assessor permission to book on their behalf, for more info see the website.
Update 30.10.09.
TTKD member Ian Gittus of Brisbane Energy Audits is an accredited assessor and can provide the free assessment needed to apply for a Green Loan. You can book your energy audit via their website.
The Green loans scheme is designed to help people pay for larger items such as solar, water saving, and energy efficient products.
From the website:
“Green Loans has two main components of support from the Australian Government:
1. a free Home Sustainability Assessment and report (valued at over $250); and
2. access to a Green Loans subsidy provided to participating financial institutions to cover up to four years interest for borrowing of up to $10,000, to implement changes recommended in the assessment report.”
There are two important points here.
Firstly in order to apply for a Green Loan you must have a home sustainability assessment, which is free. Then once you have received your assessment you can use its recommendations to apply to for loan.
The loan is not actually from the government, it is from the participating financial institution and the government subsidises the loan by paying the interest for four years. The household can choose which participating bank, credit union or building society they wish to apply for a loan with. Current participating institutions are listed here.
Another positive about this scheme is that a Green loan can be used in conjunction with other rebates. For example: to pay the remaining cost for home insulation after the $1600 subsidy is used up.
Conditions for Green loans include a means test of $250 000 household income per year. The loans are available to both owners and tenants (with permission of owner to make changes to the dwelling) and the home needs to be at least a year old. Also it is worth remembering the assessment is only valid for six months so if you get one, apply for that loan quickly because you only get one free assessment.
So where do I start?
Households can book an assessment by calling 1800 895 076 or by giving an assessor permission to book on their behalf, for more info see the website.
Update 30.10.09.
TTKD member Ian Gittus of Brisbane Energy Audits is an accredited assessor and can provide the free assessment needed to apply for a Green Loan. You can book your energy audit via their website.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
How should TT Kenmore be part of the 350.org Day Of Action?
Just over a month from now on Saturday October 24th is the Global Day of Action for 350.org
For those not familiar with the 350 movement, is it very simple. It is based around the number 350 ppm (parts per million), that is thought to be the upper limit of CO2 we can have in our atmosphere while still ensuring a stable and safe climate.
This upper safe limit of atmospheric CO2 was calculated by NASA scientist Dr James Hansen and colleagues and published last year in The Open Atmospheric Science Journal. You can access the paper free online here.
Currently the level of CO2 in the atmosphere is 385 ppm, so the call from 350.org is we need to act now and we need to act fast. 350 is not promoting any particular solution, they are just saying that for our own future, this is where we need to get to.
To this end 350.org is having a worldwide day of action on Sat October 24th. So far over 1500 actions on 119 countries have been registered, including several in Brisbane. The theme is, naturally, 350. Be it 350 trees planted, politicians phoned, bicycles ridden, 350 a-side soccer, whatever.
I'd like everyone to think about what we at TTKD could do and how we could make this visible to our local community? Currently there is going to be a large event in West End which I would encourage everyone to go to as well, but I'd like to hear via comments or email (through Carol) everyones suggestions about what action we could take.
To help you out 350 has some resources on the website
For those not familiar with the 350 movement, is it very simple. It is based around the number 350 ppm (parts per million), that is thought to be the upper limit of CO2 we can have in our atmosphere while still ensuring a stable and safe climate.
This upper safe limit of atmospheric CO2 was calculated by NASA scientist Dr James Hansen and colleagues and published last year in The Open Atmospheric Science Journal. You can access the paper free online here.
Currently the level of CO2 in the atmosphere is 385 ppm, so the call from 350.org is we need to act now and we need to act fast. 350 is not promoting any particular solution, they are just saying that for our own future, this is where we need to get to.
To this end 350.org is having a worldwide day of action on Sat October 24th. So far over 1500 actions on 119 countries have been registered, including several in Brisbane. The theme is, naturally, 350. Be it 350 trees planted, politicians phoned, bicycles ridden, 350 a-side soccer, whatever.
I'd like everyone to think about what we at TTKD could do and how we could make this visible to our local community? Currently there is going to be a large event in West End which I would encourage everyone to go to as well, but I'd like to hear via comments or email (through Carol) everyones suggestions about what action we could take.
To help you out 350 has some resources on the website
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Firstly a disclaimer, I give no guarantees this explanation is 100% accurate. Information was sourced from the Department of Climate Change and the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (ORER)
The federal government has legislated a Renewable Energy Target (RET), recently this was increased to mandate 20% of energy generation be from renewables by 2020. To spur this along, the government sets a Renewable Power Percentage (RPP) every year that will increase to 20% by 2020. Every year power wholesalers must prove they have bought the percentage of renewable power mandated by the RPP. Ie: by 2020 they will need to show the government that 20% of the power they sell is from renewables. So how is this done? As far as I can see this is where Renewable energy credits (REC) come in.
Renewable power generation allows the creation of REC, (which are a type of currency) that can be traded/sold, every year over the life of the power station. In order to meet the RPP, wholesalers must buy and then surrender to the government REC to the level of the RPP. Ie: If the RPP is 3.5%, wholesalers must buy and surrender REC equivalent to 3.5% of the total power they sell. In this way demand for REC is stimulated and new renewable power generation is promoted in order to meet the ever increasing RPP of the RET.
This means generators of renewable power can sell both the power and the REC.
This holds true for small-scale renewable power generation. Small systems such as solar hot water, solar PV, wind turbines and small-scale hydro also generate REC which can be sold. Usually all the REC that will be generated over the lifetime of the systems are given to the system installer to allow a more affordable upfront price (although they don’t have to be).
The Solar credits scheme decreases the price of a small-scale renewable energy by increasing the number of REC the systems generate, with more REC available to be traded the upfront price of the systems is lowered. The Solar credits scheme only applies to small scale systems though so doesn’t effect the creation of large renewable power plants.
It is also worth noting that as the number of REC allocated is determined by how much power is generated, the location of the system can be important. For example areas with more sunshine receive more REC for the same solar PV system than area with less sunshine. Happily Brisbane (with a lot of sunshine) gets the maximum number of REC per kw.