I Like This Idea Butt...

Just when you think you've seen it all something new comes along that baffles the mind. I admit that I think this is a great idea but that like most great ideas, it might take some time to gain traction.

Back in the day, Mom worked for a Fortune 100 company. I even got to visit her there one time because she was working on an overnight project, Dad was out of town and there was no one to take care of me. I loved hanging out with Mom and all her co-workers but I remember that there was a lot of paper everywhere. All kinds of paper because despite what Mom had heard for years, the world was still many moons away from becoming a paperless society.

Mom's company recycled most of their used paper the traditional way - having Waste Management haul it away - but I often wondered if there was a better solution. I think I found a good solution the other day when I came across the White Goat. This machine turns trash into something you (not me) can't live without.

It may seem strange to some to turn used office paper into toilet paper but who do you think Waste Management sells their paper to? They sell it to companies who use it to make, among other things, toilet paper. Lots of companies make toilet paper out of recycled content so why not skip the middle man and make it yourself? The Nakabayashi company of Japan hopes many big companies will decide to skip the middle man and start making toilet paper in house.

The White Goat is simple to use. Just insert 40 sheets of paper, wait 1/2 hour and a roll of toilet paper pops out. How cool is that? The machine shredds the paper, mixes it with water, thins it out, and then drys it. It costs about 10 cents to make each roll which is a lot less than the average roll which cost about 60 cents. But of course the price of the machine is its downside. At $100,000 a company would have to about 200,000 rolls before the machine would pay for itself. Ouch! And if you ran the machine 24/7 it would take 11 years to make all those rolls.

My concern with this machine is the energy it must use. I couldn't find any energy usage numbers but a machine this size is bound to use the same amount of energy as a refrigerator. Compared to other energy hogs in a office enivronment this machine may use less and produce more.

We could debate the pros and cons of this machine until dinnertime but I think the White Goat is a step in the right direction. I'm not sure how many companies are going to buy it but Nakabayashi claims each machine will save 60 cedar trees a year. Saving trees is definitely important and hopefully the amount of CO2 released into the environment by this machine would be offset because a company using it would no longer (in theory) have to purchase toilet paper. Making your own means not being part of the supply chain that includes resource removal, manufacturing, and distribution of a product. So not only would you be cutting out the middle man but all the men.

Even though I have no use for toilet paper I like the White Goat. Mom likes it too because she thinks it would be cool to wipe her butt with one of her old performance appraisals.

BPA Ordinance - For Babies Only

An ordinance went into effect on January 31 in Chicago restricting businesses from selling "any container designed to be filled with food or liquid to be used by a child under the age 3 that contains BPA." Mom is excited that local government is starting to take action against BPA and realizes that as with all things, baby steps must be taken.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical that is used primarily in the production of plastics. It's all around us and we don't even realize it. But what exactly is BPA and why is it everywhere?

BPA, like so many chemicals is nothing more than carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Mom is always telling me how most of the world is made from these three elements and how it's just the structure or how they are put together that makes chemicals different. Of course none of this makes sense to me but maybe it will to you.

BPA is used to make polycarbonate plastic resins, epoxy resins, and other products. Polycarbonate plastic is a light plastic but also a tough plastic that has a high heat resistance and is cheap to produce. Because of these qualities, BPA can be used in a variety of products. Just look around you and you will see that you are most likely surrounded by BPA. Mom's laptop is practically make from plastic as are the remote controls sitting at my feet. Speaking of feet, there's a lot of plastic in shoes and even clothes, not to mention the hangers those clothes are hung on. And what about the tv we are watching? It's got plastic on and in it. The kitchen is filled with kitchen and there's a lot of plastic in the car. It would be virtually impossible to go through an entire hour without using plastic.

There was a lot of press last year about BPA in plastic water bottles. This prompted many people to switch to stainless steel containers like Klean Kanteen. For those who preferred plastic over stainless steel, BPA-free water bottles flooded the market. Mom prefers stainless steel bottles and is still a little mad over the Sigg fiasco that occurred last year. Reusable bottles are always better than disposable, so just choose your bottle wisely.

So we know that BPA is everywhere but is it bad for us? Mom calls this the 10 million dollar question. I'm not sure what that means but I do know that everyone has an opinion on the subject. Whom to trust? The government? The experts? Good question.

BPA is a hormone disruptor and most authorities agree that it could potentially cause harm to humans. Hmmm. What about pugs? I guess the jury is still out on that. BPA mimics estrogens in the body and binds to the same receptors as natural female hormones. Huh? Did I lose you? I lost myself! The bottom line is that hormones regulate the body and disrupting them is nothing short of bad news. Even though BPA has been around and used for over 40 years, it recently started getting lots of press because more and more things are made from plastic. More plastic means your exposure to BPA increases.

The FDA stands firm in its stance that BPA is safe in containers that hold food, but Mom is not convinced of this at all. You should never heat anything in plastic because BPA leaches from the plastic containers that hold food and liquids. I'm primarily talking about microwaving food items in plastic containers. BPA leaching occurs when plastic is exposed to heat and we all know how hot items that are microwaved get even after only a few seconds. You should also never pour hot liquids into plastic because the same thing happens. This is a basic chemical reaction that happens as the heat breaks down the plastic, releasing the chemicals into the foods and liquids. When you eat foods or drink liquids that have been heated in plastic containers you ingest BPA. Yuk!

But even if you never heat anything in plastic, you may be exposed to BPA via canned goods. You read that right - canned goods. Have you ever looked inside a can of green beans after pouring the green beans out? The can is lined. Lined with plastic. Plastic containing BPA. But why is there plastic inside cans? It's all about shelf life here folks. Adding plastic to cans extends the shelf life of canned goods in addition to locking out external contaminants. So lock in internal contaminants and lock out external contaminants? Right! There are a few companies that do not line their cans with plastic containing BPA, one of which is Eden Foods. More companies are looking into moving away from BPA so keep your eyes open for them.

Back to the ordinance. Bottles, cups, or sippy cups are the items listed in the Chicago ordinance. In order to sell these plastic items, shop owners must adhere labels to them stating they are BPA free. Business that violate the ordinance face fines of up to $500. Who is going to police this? The BPA police? Mom's hoping citizens will make themselves aware of the ordinance and report businesses that do not adhere to it.

Mom feels like the ordinance is a good start but that all containers that hold food or liquids shouldn't contain BPA. Children are definitely exposed to BPA at high levels and since they do not a voice in the products they use, the ordinance is a great way to limit their exposure. Mom's hoping that the city council will work on an ordinance to restrict businesses from selling all food or liquid containers that contain BPA. None of us should put our health at risk because of something that can and should be avoided. Educate yourself about BPA and make decisions based on the information you find. You have a say in what goes in to and on your body. Please choose wisely.

I Have The Sweetest Friends!

I received this pawsome award from Stella, Gunther & Betty, my cool blogging pals that live in Morro Bay, California. These guys live in such a beautiful place and they get to hang outside every day. I'm so jealous! They also crack me up with their antics. There's never a dull moment at their house!

With every award there are rules and this award is no different. The rules are:

1. Copy the image.
2. List 10 things that make you happy and try to do one of them today.
3. Tag 10 bloggers who brighten your day.

10 Things That Make Stubby Happy

1. Eating - especially Popeyes!

2. Sleeping

3. Blogging

4. Car rides (except to the vet and dog wash)

5. Snuggling with Mom

6. Working with Dad in his office

7. Hanging out in my backyard

8. Playing with my friends

9. Making new friends

10. Short walks

I'm hoping to do all these things today!

I'm passing this award to 10 blogs, instead of 10 bloggers. Some blogs have multiple bloggers and I didn't want to leave anyone out. I love all you guys and you all make me smile. I get so much enjoyment from reading your blogs every day that I often sing to the computer. I'm so lucky to have such sweet friends!

Pearl - http://www.littlemisspearl.blogspot.com/

Puglet - http://www.dailypuglet.blogspot.com/

dw - http://www.writingchances.blogspot.com/

Emmitt - http://www.pugnotes.blogspot.com/

Penny - http://www.beefypug.blogspot.com/

Gen & The Foo - http://www.utterlychaotic.blogspot.com/

Tweedles - http://www.tweedles-georgie.blogspot.com/

Pugsley & Lola - http://www.pugsleywolfe.blogspot.com/

Bandit, Paisley, & Smokey - http://www.pugmoon.blogspot.com/

Riley & Star - http://www.rileystar-mymaltesekids.blogspot.com/

This Phoenix Will Fly Again

A twin-engine plane crash occurred in the western suburbs of Chicago this past Saturday night. Unfortunately, both occupants of the plane perished in the crash. The plane had just taken off from a nearby airport when it went down, scattering debris that hit a home. No one was at the home when the crash happened so no one was injured. The only known injuries from the crash were sustained by a red tail hawk who has since been named Phoenix.

It is thought that Phoenix was roosting in a tree that became engulfed in flames at the time of the crash. Police noticed her as they were investigating the crash. Animal control was called and when they arrived they found Phoenix standing on one leg on a snow bank. She was immediately taken to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center where rehab specialist Dawn Keller couldn't positively identify Phoenix due to the severity of her burns.


This is all that's left of Phoenix's tail feathers. The accident left her with only her downy under feathers and the shafts of her tail feathers.

Dawn and her staff spent Saturday night and Sunday morning trying to stabilize Phoenix who sustained severe burns to her feet and face, especially around her eyes.

Phoenix's eyelids were badly burned but luckily her eyes were spared. Hawks have inner and outer eyelids that protect their eyes from damage in the wild. These eyelids probably saved her eyes and her life. Constant care is given to Phoenix's eyes as she is nursed back to health.

Phoenix's feet were so badly burned that they are wrapped up so they don't get infected. The bandages are changed every hour and also provide a bit of relief to Phoenix as she heals.

Phoenix truly looks like a fighter and a survivor to me. The people at Flint Creek are committed to caring for her until she is healed. It's too early to tell if Phoenix will be able to return to the wild. If she cannot go back to her home in the woods, she will live out her life as an animal ambassador at Flint Creek, teaching the public about her species.

I feel so bad for Phoenix. Mom tells me that burns are among the worst injuries you can have. I've told Mom to take some of my treat money and donate it to Flint Creek so they can continue to care for Phoenix and all the other 2,800 animals they take in every year. With three locations in the Chicago area, Flint Creek's most critical patients like Phoenix are treated round the clock at the Barrington location. Receiving no government funding, this non-profit is entirely dependent on private donations.

As sad as I am about Phoenix, I like to think there are some positives to come out of this tragedy. It may come as a surprise to some, but not everyone is aware that wild animals like hawks live in Chicagoland. Hawks are such a critical part of our ecosystem and most of us just take them for granted. The most important work they do, keeping rodent and bird populations in check, goes mostly unknown by the casual observer. Phoenix's story, seen on the news every night and read in the paper every day, will introduce these wonderful animals to school children and adults alike. It's my hope that once people see her story, they will be compelled to learn more about hawks via bird walks, nature centers, and books. Education is key to preserving this and all species.

Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation Center will also benefit from this tragedy. I'm betting that most people don't think about wildlife hehab centers until an animal comes into their life needing help. Who do they call? Animal control is one resource and wildlife rehab centers are another. You guys know that Mom is a birder and she is on a birder listserv. She see emails every week from people asking where they can take an injured bird they've found and Dawn Keller is always the first to respond. Her staff will come out to any location to pick up injured animals. Their dedication to the wildlife of our area is unprecedented. People hear and see this dedication and it shows them that people really do care about the natural world and are willing to do whatever they can to preserve wildlife. Phoenix's story will open eyes up to wildlife rehab centers. It will hopefully inspire people to volunteer at or donate to these centers. And of course they can visit the centers and learn about the animals' plights.

Even though I can't visit Phoenix, I will continue to follow her story. Everyone can learn from her experience, even a pug.

Our local tv show Chicago Tonight did a segment on Phoenix and Dawn last night. I couldn't upload the video but here's the link: http://www.wttw.com/main.taf?p=42,8,80&player=Chicago-Tonight&pid=pQaqdrukWvefo6BdclfNewX8DldClqm.

All photos courtesy of Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation.

Wednesday Wag Out!

Recycled Bracelet

I bet you don't know what this bracelet is made from. Go ahead, take a guess. Give up? It's made from a 55-gallon metal oil drum. What a great way to recycle something that would otherwise just litter the country where this beautiful bracelet comes from.

Made by the people of Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti, local artisians take what is available to them and turn it into a true work of art. Fairly traded, each bracelet is a unique one of a kind creation. Haiti has been in our prayers since the devasting earthquake a couple of weeks ago. The people of Haiti need us know more than ever and by purchasing their handicrafts, we show not only that we support them but that we believe in them. Head on over to http://www.threestonesteps.com/ to get your 2-inch metal bracelet today.

BoGoLight

It somewhat of a coincidence that purchasing this next product will help the people of Haiti. I was originally scheduled to post this earlier in the month before the earthquake, but I'm glad I waited until this week because it's needed now more than ever.

This is the Mini BoGoLight. It's a solar powered handheld flashlight that incorporates a solar panel, an LED light, a rechargeable battery, and an electronic managment system. Completely waterproof, the battery will last over 6 hours on a single charge. This may be the only flashlight you'll ever need.

Is anypug wondering why this flashlight is called the BoGoLight? I wondered this myself when I first came across it and then I figured it out. BoGo means buy one get one. Duh Stubby! When you purchase a BoGoLight, the company will donate a flashlight to an organization in need. How cool is that? You get a light to use and so does someone who really needs one but can't afford one. And those that really need lights today are the people of Haiti.

BoGoLight is participating in the Light Haiti Project so for every light you buy, one gets donated to someone in Haiti. There's never been a time to light up your world and the world of someone else so check out BoGoLight at http://www.bogolight.com/ and help light the way for the people of Haiti.

Coasters

I loved these coasters the second I found them. Every home needs coasters and most homes have the material these coasters are made from.

This is just another example of one man's trash is another man's treasure. These cool coasters are made from orange peels. Who thinks of these things? The peels are dried, heated, and then molded into shape as coasters. Each coaster is unique due to the color variations of oranges.

These coasters are a great conversation starter and the perfect, usable gift for the person who has everything. Don't tell Mom, but I'm thinking about getting her a set for Mother's Day. Get a set to keep or give at http://www.urbanecologie.com/.

DoGooder

Every day I come across projects and ideas that just wow me. They also make me think that Mom could have come up with them if she just put her noodle to it. This particular project is definitely one that is long overdue, much needed and of course Mom could have come up with it. So what else is new?

The idea behind DoGooder is that socially-minded individuals would rather see online ads that speak to them instead of ads that speak to traditional consumer minds. Sounds good, right? Heck yeah! But that's not even the best part. Let me keep you in suspense while I tell you a little bit about DoGooder.

First of all, DoGooder is a browser plug-in. Say what? A plug-in for your computer. It's super easy to install and takes only ten seconds. And of course it's free. Once installed, it hides the generic advertising you see as you browse the Internet and replaces it with green, philanthropic, and health and wellness initiatives. And the best part? They donate 50% of their profits back to charity, green initatives, and non-profits. How cool is that?

After you install the plug-in, just start browsing the Internet. Do what you normally do and soon you will see a green leaf and/or a number at the bottom of your screen. These are the number of good ideas you've seen during your Internet browsing. Called Goodie Points, the more you get the more money you generate for DoGooder to donate. According to their website, they donate to a wide variety of causes and organizations, and some of the ones they are currently donating to are
Charity Water, Liverstrong, The Humane Society, and World Wildlife Fund. You can even suggest one for them to consider simply by sending them an email. The bottom is that the more people install the plug-in, the greater the number of ideas are seen. More ideas equal more money donated to organizations that are doing good in the world.

5,326 people have installed the plug-in so far and the movement is growing. This Canadian company was only founded last year and is using the Internet to spread the news about doing good. Mom is going to install the plug-in tomorrow morning and then I will be testing it out for her. Yep, I'm doing the testing. A pug's work is never done.

Out and About!

I was excited but a little suspicious they other day when Mom told me we were going for a car ride. She wouldn't possibly break one of her New Year's resolutions, would she? No, not my mom. I thought to myself that we must be going somewhere good like Popeyes but it was way too early in the morning. Do you see the school bus in the background of the picture? We left the house at 8:30 am and my worst fears were realized.

Mom tricked me into going to the vet to have my blood drawn. I have been on Previcox for my arthritis for about a month. When I was on it at the end of 2008, my kidney enzymes became elevated and I had to stop taking it. The doctor then put me on Tramadol but I hated it. It tasted bitter and Mom and Dad did every trick in the book to get the pills in my mouth - yuk!


My blood work showed that my kidney enzymes were once again elevated so bye bye Previcox. Mom was upset because I have been acting like a puppy while taking it. I have been pain free and loving life. Now I have to back to taking Tramadol or find something else to relieve my pain. I was so upset when I got in the car that I had to leave muddy paw prints all over my seat.

I was feeling okay yesterday so I told Mom and Dad that I wanted to go with them to my Uncle Greg's house. He's my favorite uncle and he was having a birthday party for my aunt. I love a party, especially if there's food, so into the car I went and we headed up to Wisconsin.

Even though it was cold outside, I insisted on having my window down in the car. I love to have the wind in my face, the cold air rushing into my ears. There are so many wonderful things to smell on the drive to Wisconsin and I'm not just talking about the farm animals. We drove right by a smokehouse and I pleaded with Dad to stop the car so we could pick up a few things but he told me that we didn't have time.

When we arrived at my uncle's house, my cousin Molly was sleeping. She's only 2 years old and she takes a nap every afternoon. Hey, I'm 11 and I nap all day long. I wonder if I only took one nap a day when I was 2. Doubt it! As soon as Molly woke up she ran into the kitchen and found me. She cannot get enough of me! We hung out in the kitchen all day - me because I was waiting for food to fall on the floor and Molly because she was stuck to me like Velcro.

Molly doesn't understand English because her mom only speaks to her in Spanish. She doesn't really talk that much but when she does it's mostly Spanish. She also can't pronounce my name so she calls me Lolly. Say what? Maybe Lolly means Stubby in Spanish. I mostly just ignored her when she talked to me because I only understand and speak English.

Mom calls Molly 'mole' because that's what it sounds like when Molly's grandmother says her name. Molly's grandma lives in Chile and I guess it's just her accent but now Mom has me calling Molly 'mole'. Mole, mole, mole. I'm getting hungry from all this mole talk.

Molly wouldn't let me rest while I was at her house. She just kept going and going. I'm sure glad we don't have any 2 year olds at our house or I would have to move out. I need my rest people! When we got home, Dad had to carry me upstairs to bed. Mom says I look like a little baby in this picture . I think the chicks will really dig it.

Thankfully, I slept in late today and by mid morning I was ready to get up because I was starving.
Before I headed downstairs to eat breakfast, I decided to practice my singing. I'm getting pretty good, don't you think? Emmitt, I'm ready for my solo!

Hooray For Yao Ming!

I've told you guys before about the horrors of killing sharks for their fins. The fins are used to make shark fin soup which sells for almost $100 a bowl and is an asian delicacy. Almost 100 million sharks are killed each year becuase of demand for this soup and as a result, many shark species are now threatened with extinction. The demand for this soup is on the rise and a well known sports superstar has stepped in to put a stop to the killing.

For those of you that are unfamiliar with the practice of shark finning, it works like this: sharks are pulled from the water, their fins are sliced off and the sharks are then thrown back into the water to die a slow death. Isn't that one of the cruelest things you've ever heard? Sharks are very long lived species and killing them in their prime means populations cannot be sustained. Sharks are also apex predators, which means they are at the top of the food chain and the entire food chain depends on them. They are also keystone species, which means that their presence contributes to the diversity of the life in their ecosystem and their absence (extinction) would lead to the extinction of other animal species. The bottom line is we need sharks. They keep everything in the oceans in balance. Without them, ocean ecosystems collapse.

Yao Ming, a basketball player for the Houston Rockets, is from China and is using his celebrity to influence the citizens of China into giving up their taste for shark fin soup. Last year he got involved with the conservation group WildAid, which is partnering with the group Shark Savers, to get the message out about the horrors of shark fin soup. The "Buy a Billboard" campaign is a year old and the results so have have been great.

For $100, anyone can purchase a bus stop billboard featuring Yao Ming urging people to say no to shark fin soup. Each billboard is in place for one year and the message is proving very effective. According to the sharksaver.org website, WildAid had billboards in Beijing for 3 months last year and a survey showed that 19% of Beijiners remember seeing the billboards and 82% of those people said they would stop or reduce their consumption of shark fin soup. Hooray! There's hope for sharks!

WildAid is also running the following commercial on stations throughout China. Yao is very determined to educate the public about shark fin soup as is evident when he told reporters "We have a species that need our attention and protection. They are endangered by excessive hunting by humans and deprived of habitats due to human greed." You tell 'em Yao!

I'm hoping other celebrities will get involved with the campaign and do PSA's or put their faces on billboards. Yao is big in China but so are lots of other celebrities. And what about putting some billboards here in the U.S.? There's a very large (and growing) asian population in the states and shark fin soup is sold in most major cities. How about putting a billboard in Times Square? Or maybe on the Las Vegas Strip? We need to get the message out and do it quick. Time is ticking.

If you would like to buy a billboard, donate to the cause, or just get additional information about the campaign, please visit Shark Savers. This grassroots organization is doing all it can do to ensure that sharks remain in our oceans and not on our plates. If you cannot afford to or don't want to donate the entire $100 toward a billboard, please email me and Mom will pay for the remainder of your billboard. Mom has also committed to match each billboard you purchase with her own billboard purchase (up to 10 billboards).

Please get the message out about shark fin soup. Even if you don't purchase a billboard you still have your voice. Your message can and will be heard loud and clear as you tell the world to stop eating shark fin soup.

Got Takeout?

Mom is crazy psycho about takeout food containers. She feels really guilty ordering takeout because of the waste it creates. All those styrofoam, plastic, and cardboard containers get tossed in the garbage after the food is gone, but the containers never really go away, do they? When I found out about this campaign last week, I knew it would be right up Mom's alley.

The mission of takeout without is to reduce restaurant waste. Yeah! Why didn't Mom think of this? And why did it take so long for someone to think of this? I love their tag line - fill your stomach not the landfill. So catchy! The campaign may have just started, but it's being propelled forward by people who are looking to keep takeout waste out of landfills.

So what is the campaign all about? How can you reduce your takeout waste and still order takeout? According to the takeout without website, the campaign is based on three creeds:

ReFuse Unnecessary Stuff - this is where you can make the biggest impact. Think of all the napkins, straws, forks, etc. that you're given when you get takeout. Do you really need all that? Are you going to use 10 napkins to eat your Subway sandwich? I think not. Refuse the napkins. Are you going to eat that Chinese food at home? Probably. Refuse the forks and spoons. Are you going to eat that bean burrito from Taco Bell in your car? Of course! Refuse the bag the drive-thru person insists on putting the burrito in. You can avoid so much waste just by refusing it.

ReTake Your Own Reusables - duh! How obvious is this? Lots of people take their coffee mugs to Starbucks so why not take this a little further? I'm talking about bringing you own silverware, straws (glass of course), napkins (cloth), and reusable bags with you when you eat out at places that use disposable goods. It may sound like a pain to do, but if you start small and bring one thing at a time, before you know it, it will become second nature. Mom has a friend that brings her own leftover container to restaurants. She has been doing this for years and because of her, Mom now does this too (not that Mom ever brings leftovers home).

ReConsider Your Habits - for some people, this is harder to do then any of the above. Let's face it - preparing meals at home is healthier than eating takeout. You can control the ingredients and the portions, making and eating just what you need. You will also save money and feel better, physically and mentally. I know that a lot of people eat takeout because of convenience, so this creed may be a challenge. Change takes time, so take baby steps.

takeout without is just getting started but it's already making a difference. They are trying to get restaurants on board. They want people to feel comfortable and welcome bringing their own containers, cutlery, etc when eating out. This not only reduces waste but also saves the restaurants' money. They are even hoping restaurants will offer incentives to people for taking these actions. How cool is that?

By taking steps to reduce takeout waste, we become role models for doing the right thing. We not only keep waste out of landfills but we also send a message to restaurants that we care about the environment. Caring about the environment means we care about each other. We care about each other because we're all in this together. So join the campaign. Be part of the movement.

I Love This Program!

Dad is leaving for San Francisco on Tuesday and everytime he travels out there I wish I could go with. I want to go there because there are so many cool environmental programs in the Bay Area. They are much more forward thinking in their concern for the environment and this begs the question - is this because they have to or because they want to?

One such program that I love takes place in Alameda County. It's a program that addresses a huge environmental problem, one that all of us contribute to. Unfortunately, I don't think the program would work in the midwest, at least not year-round.

The mission of Stopwaste.org is to reduce the waste stream for Alameda County. One way they have been accomplishing this is by offering food scrap recycling programs in cities in their county. Recycle food scraps? Oh yeah!

Did you know that food waste is the least recovered of all waste in the U.S.? Americans throw away an average of 1.3 pounds of food waste each day! What? Throw it away? If everyone had a pug there wouldn't be a food waste problem!

Check out this pie chart from the U.S. EPA to get see where food scraps fit into the waste picture.

I was surprised to see that the percentage of food scraps is larger than that of plastics, and is just behind yard trimmings. Hmmm. What do food scraps and yard trimmings have in common? They are both used in compost bins. The people from Stopwaste.org saw this correlation too and it prompted them to the start a food scrap recycling program. And believe me, it was needed. According to their website, food scraps and food soiled paper are the largest single items in their waste stream, accounting for 35% of all waste thrown away. That's a bigger percentage then the national average!

But how does the program work? It's so easy even a pug could do it! Residents are provided with a special food scrap pail that they keep in their kitchen. When dinner is over and there is food still left on plates, the scraps get placed in the pail instead of the garbage. This sounds really familiar to those of you who compost, doesn't it? Where this program differs from home composting is that meat and bones are accepted. Virtually nothing goes to waste.

The food scrap pail is emptied into the yard trimmings can, which is then picked up by the local waste management company. The food scraps and yard trimmings are dropped off at a facility where it gets processed for composting. Now this is the really cool part. After it's processed, it is put into piles called "windows" where it takes 3 - 4 months to break down into compost. How cool is that? The compost is then sold to farmers to grow crops and to residents to use on their lawns and in their gardens. This system is the poster child of closed loop recycling!

Like I mentioned before, this system would not work in the midwest (or any other climate where it snows) because we do not have yard trimmings year-round. I'm not sure if this system could be implemented during the months we do have yard trimmings, where the piles would turn into compost under a blanket of snow. I definitely think this is something to look into because of the amount of food waste that is rotting and not composting in landfills. There is no reason to throw away something that we need and can use.

Until a system is implemented where you live, the U.S. EPA created this inverted food pyramid to provide you with ways of lessening your food waste in order of priority.

The recommendation at the top of the pyramid is the easiest thing to do. Reducing the volume of food waste generated is really much easier to do then most people think. Think about why you throw food away. Most of the time it is because you make too much, put it in the refrigerator, forget about it, and then it goes bad. Off to the garbage can it goes. By only making what you can and will eat, you are not only reducing waste but also saving money.

If you find yourself with extra food, consider donating it to food banks, soup kitchens, and shelters. All of us participate in food drives several times a year but food is need year-round in most communities. Most organizations would gladly accept your food - it's just a matter of finding outlets for it. It may take some time to find some, but I know they're out there. And if they're not? Then there's an opportunity for you to start one.

Food scraps are used to feed farm animals all the time. If you've ever lived on a farm or visited a farm you know that nothing goes to waste. Feeding farm animals table scraps is a great use for food destined for landfills. If you live near a farm, this is a great opportunity for you to rid yourself of scraps that the animals will love.

There are lots of industrial uses for food waste with most of them originating at the source of meat production. Rendering is the process of converting waste animal tissue into materials that are used in foods and other products. Again, nothing on farms is wasted. I can't go into a lot of detail here because Mom doesn't eat animals and she's peeking over my shoulder.

Composting is a great way to convert food scraps into fertilizer. As we have seen above, a closed loop system is the most desired way to handle waste. Some people compost at home but others don't. Whether you do or don't, know that your food scraps are still valuable even though they're waste to you. We hear this all the time - one man's trash is another man's treasure. No where is this more true then in composting. If you don't compost, try to find a neighbor or friend that does. I'm sure they would love to add your scraps to their heap.

Sending food to landfills is the least desired option, as is burning it. Waste that sits in landfills never really breaks down into anything usable. It just sits and piles up until it reaches the top of the landfill. All landfills are eventually shut down because they get full. Full of stuff. Stuff that, for the most part, doesn't have to be there in the first place.

Incineration releases byproducts into an already crowded atmosphere. Remember, things never go away. Burning a piece of anything releases whatever was in that piece into the air, be it good, bad, or neutral for the environment. Incineration is a part of some communities because it is their only option. There has to be a better way.

It's kind of funny but all this this food waste talk is making me hungry. It's making Mom do a lot of thinking about ways of reduce waste and of educating the public about the problem of food waste. I guess we have different priorities. Like I said before, if each household had a pug, food waste wouldn't be a problem.

Are You In?

I received some beautiful Christmas cards from my blogging pals but Mom really dropped the ball on organizing a proper Christmas card exchange. I'm giving her one last chance to redeem herself by having a Valentine's Day card exchange.

Valentine's Day is one month from today, so send me an email - stubbyisgreat at yahoo.com - with your name and address if you'd like to participate. I will send an email with all the addresses to all the participants so that everyone has everyone's info. Please email me your info by January 28 (that's 2 weeks from today) so I can email everyone the following day. That should be enough time to get the cards in the mail so they arrive in time for the big day.

I already have addresses for Salinger, Emmitt, and Sequoia & Tuni, so I would like to ask these puggies to send me an email letting me know if they would like to participate.

This is going to be so much fun! If you know of any other doggies that would like to participate, please have them contact me. The more the merrier. I can't wait to receive everyone's cards!

Here's The Birthday Girl!

Happy birthday, Mom! Believe it or not, that's Mom on her first birthday. Doesn't she look like a boy? Ouch! Mom just smacked me on my butt for calling her a boy. Okay Mom, you look like a really cute boy. How's that?

For those of you who weren't following my blog at this time last year, you can read last year's post here. You'll learn a lot about Mom - probably more than you ever wanted to know. But there are still a few fun facts about Mom that I'm sure she won't mind if I share with you.

The Chicago blizzard of 1979 started on Mom's birthday. 16.5 inches of snow fell that day and by the time the blizzard was over there was over two feet of snow on the ground. Schools were closed for an entire week (the blizzard started on Saturday) and as Mom likes to remind me, this was the only time in her entire school history that school was closed due to snow.

Mom refuses to fly on her birthday. It's true. She so super superstitious about this that she has to work her vacations around the date. Why you ask, does Mom have this silly rule? She doesn't want her entrance and exit dates to be the same! How silly is that?

Dad proposed to Mom on her 30th birthday. He threw a surprise birthday party for her, invited 50 of her closest family and friends, then got down on one knee and proposed in front of everyone. Such pressure! Lucky for Dad, Mom said yes.

Mom is going to spend most of her birthday with me. She says she doesn't want anything for her birthday but I don't believe her. I bought her something special that I think she's going to love, but I can't tell you what it is because I haven't given it to her yet. Tonight, Dad is taking Mom and a bunch of friends out to celebrate at a Mexican restaurant. I hope Mom drinks a lot of margaritas so we can sleep in late tomorrow.

Wear Blue Tomorrow!

I'm putting on my blue collar tomorrow, January 13, to show my support for protecting our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. Won't you join me?

People around the U.S. know that our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are some of our most precious resources. You guys already know why we need the oceans. Without them wouldn't be here. The coasts are part of the oceans and protect the land from the harshness of the oceans, in addition to providing habitat for so many animals. The Great Lakes provide millions of people with drinking water, recreation, and so much more. Each of these habitats also provide jobs to many people.

The oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes are also very beautiful. They contains some of the most amazing animals on Earth. Mom could just sit and stare at the ocean for hours. She says that it calms her. She grew up on Lake Michigan and never takes for granted what it provides to not only her but to everyone that lives near it.

Healthy oceans, coasts, and communities represent our heritage and our future. How we take care of them also represent our heritage and future. Do the right thing and they are healthy. Do the wrong thing and everyone suffers. It was with this in mind that President Obama created an Ocean Policy Task Force last year to develop a first ever National Policy for our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes. President Obama realized that we must preserve these resources and I applaud him for it.

So why wear blue tomorrow? The Ocean Policy Task Force's final report to the President is scheduled to be submitted near the end of January. The Wear Blue For Oceans campaign is encouraging the President to enact a strong national policy and to include the Clean Ocean Zone (COZ) legislation in the final report to reduce pollution, protect marine ecosystems. According to their website, a strong national policy:

•Enable agencies to better address water pollution problems;
•Help to facilitate sustainable offshore energy, such as properly sited offshore wind turbines;
•Design better and more cost effective coastal and wetland restoration programs;
•Protect and restore natural areas to ensure healthy habitat for ocean and coastal fish and wildlife.

My blue collar is the only blue thing I own but I know lots of you have blue Snuggies. Those are the perfect thing to wear to show your support! You can even send in a picture of yourself wearing blue so the whole world will know you support the oceans. Send your pictures to pics@wearblueforoceans.org (make sure to add a caption) or upload your photo here.

Thanks for wearing blue and for supporting a national ocean policy. Together we can and will make a difference.

It's Here!

Introducing the new product that is going to shake up the laundry market. Looks cool, huh? I told Mom to run out and get some so that we can test it out, but she's busy. Busy doing what? I have no idea. It's way too cold for me to go to the store, so I guess I have to wait until Mom isn't busy in order to conduct a test.

This pump design is definitely different and it looks much easier to use. Just 4 pumps per load is all you need to get your laundry nice and clean. The bottle is made from 50% recycled material and is recyclable. I'm worried that the top isn't recyclable but since I don't have it in my paws, I can't be sure.

method's campaign for this new detergent is that it's smarter, easier, and greener. It's smarter due to method's smartclean technology, easier due to the pump, and greener because the product uses less water, plastic, and energy. All in all it sounds good to me.

The only store around us that currently carries this new product is Lowe's. Our store only carries the 25 load bottle and it sells for $7.99 (the 50 load bottle sells for $15.00). Two scents are available, fresh air and peony blossom, in addition to the free and clear shown above. It's also available at a host of other stores right now (and at Target next month) so check the method website for a store near you. You can also buy it directly on the method website if you just don't want to leave the warmth of your home. I almost forgot - there's a $2.00 off coupon available for download on the method website too.

Check out this short video to learn about the new method laundry detergent. While you're watching it, I'll be using Dad's computer to order some detergent. I'm sure UPS will get it here quicker then Mom will.