GoingTrueGreen's Blog Postings - Going True Green

Electric Bill Free

5/17/2022

Elon Musk, PSEG, Tesla, Solar, solar panels, GoingTrueGreen, saving energy, sustainable living, efficient houses, going green

For the next three or four months I will have no electric bill at all. I just received a credit at the end of April for the extra electricity I produced with my Tesla Photovoltaic Solar Panels during my year's billing cycle. Just like the past 7 years since I had my Tesla solar system installed I have made more electricity than I consume.

Prior to this winter, I had almost 2,000 Kilowatt hours in excess and with our winter sun low in the sky I have been using that supply to make up the difference on my electric bills. By the time winter ended, I had about 840 Kilowatt hours still left over. At the end of my billing year, I am issued a credit for the remaining kW I did not use. So the ten to fourteen dollars that I pay each month on my utility bill for taxes and fees will now be wiped out by my 840 kW credit over the next few months.

I also had a fast Three year and Eight month Return on my investment and that was possible by making an energy efficient house. The actions I have taken to live a more sustainable life and have a very energy efficient house took about 12 years prior to the implementation of the solar system. Nevertheless, these energy efficient actions taken are NOT rocket science. Throughout my GTG blog posts you can read about these actions.

The second reason for the fast payback is due to my research and evaluation of many Solar companies. (Several of the companies that I did not go with are now out of business or their suppliers have bowed out.) Product performance was also key: knowing where the products were manufactured, who installed what components and comparing the costs between Lease programs or buying.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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ECO Friendly WAMA Underwear

2/22/2022

Hemp, organic cotton, underwear, sustainable clothes, going true green, going green, fashion, textile, greenwashing

I was contacted by the WAMA company to ask if GoingTrueGreen.com would be interested in trying some of their clothing products made with hemp. WAMA is proud of the sustainable actions they are taking to produce items like underwear. I agreed to evaluate their product and write up our findings in a GoingTrueGreen blog post. In return, WAMA forwarded us three pairs of underwear at no charge and with no stipulations. Here are our findings:

The underwear's composition is 53% hemp, 44% organic cotton and 3% spandex. Throughout our daily testing for a total of three weeks, we found every wear comfortable and breathable. There was no compromise of the waistband's integrity, nor any fading colors. Reported back to me was an observation about the woman's underwear on day one, concerning the sizing. I was told that perhaps the size was running a little big in comparison to various charts and data. Nevertheless, the product was worn comfortably throughout.

Additionally, please note that the different underwear we received was washed each day. The low impact dye used to color the products is one that consumes less water in manufacturing and doesn't have toxic chemicals that are usually used to fix dyes to fabric. Therefore, we found the lack of color transfer very satisfying. The fabric's strength and insignificant shrinkage was impressive. We saw no loss of shape as the products remained durable.

Over the years I have consulted with various people in the textile business. Sadly, many marketing campaigns conduct a "greenwashing" to present a responsible environmental image by leaving out many details. After reviewing the WAMA company and products made by them, I found that they are open with all the efforts they make to be sustainable.

When considering buying more sustainable underwear, having hemp along with organic cotton is a plus, especially to keep microscopic plastic fibers out of our wash water. Price will always come into play and that will always be affected by the supply chain size. Distance between manufacturing and store shelf is considered sustainable by many when within 200 to 250 miles. I myself always ask if the carbon emissions created by shipping across half the planet outweigh the carbon emissions saved in manufacturing. WAMA presents the level of quality Hemp Textiles for reasons to back their production location. Nevertheless, when consumer choices have to be made in the realm of sustainability, all factors must be evaluated.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Sustainable Living Art by Saving Fabric

12/18/2021

Bonnie Barbera, Scrooge, fabric, fabric stash, quilts, art quilts, quilter, quilters, sustainable, saving fabric scraps, cotton, denim, silk, going true green, muslin

Quilt work section in progress by Bonnie Barbera

We all have a talent, gift and/or kind soul. Sad and true that some people never realize this fact and perhaps stay as a Ebeneezer Scrooge for life. Additionally, we all cannot do everything to help save the world. Whatever our forte may be, that is what we can concentrate on to make a difference.

Allow me to share with you an extraordinary attainment by a very modest woman named Bonnie B. Barbera who is a quilter. She makes bed quilts and everyday items from leftover pieces of material. These same leftover tiny pieces of fabric also become her palette for the creation of her Art Quilts. From “scraps” of material, that you and I would throw away, Bonnie creates art masterpieces.

These beautiful art quilts start with saving and maintaining a fabric stash. I saw multiple colors stored in bins, all from scraps of material. I was impressed. When I asked Bonnie about the task to collect and sort, Bonnie’s answer was a modest one.

“A fabric ‘stash’ is a practice that is certainly common for many, many, quilters. Patchwork quilts have been made for hundreds of years out of saved scraps. As you can see, I store each color range in separate bins.”

Sustainable Living circled in my head as I viewed this amazing artist’s studio where she worked. I then asked Bonnie about the art quilts she was currently working on and she explained by saying, “The art quilts that I’ve done incorporate fabric collage, raw edge appliqué and free-motion quilting. I use bits and scraps of cotton, denim, silk and other fabric blends that I have saved from all of my more utilitarian quilt projects over the last 9 years. I try very hard not to purchase any new fabrics (with the exception of small amounts of white muslin when I absolutely need pure white). I always try very hard to make what I have on hand work. If I can't find the color I need in my stash, I'll take two or more scraps that once combined, will produce the color effect that I seek.”

The following three images show the process of making an art quilt and Bonnie describes the process as follows:

“A quilt has thee layers - Top, Batting and Bottom. The part that is shown pinned together is the top layer. After I pin the image, I sew down all of the tiny pieces on the sewing machine to secure them. That is not the only time I sew the image. I then ‘sandwich’ the top with two layers of batting beneath that, and a backing layer of cotton for the bottom layer. Once that sandwich is pinned securely, I then machine-quilt through all of the layers in a way that enhances the depth of the piece and provides texture where I want it. Finally the quilt edges are bound.”

Bonnie is making quilts, art work and a difference with her talent that holds a sustainable element. Would it not be wonderful, if Christmas morning, we all found our sustainable talent under the tree?

For more of Bonnie’s work, she can be reached at her Instagram Link:
https://www.Instagram.com/bonnie.b.Barbera/
Merry Christmas everyone!

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Houses Built 3D Printing Style!

9/27/2021

3D printing, Extruder, shelter, homeless, sustainable, housing, affordable housing, energy efficiency, going green, going true green, climate, affordable homes, high density insulation, Community First! Village

3D Printed House

American ingenuity has solutions once again for our environment, energy, affordable homes and houses for the homeless.

Who needs shelter? Everyone... and please make the house fast, affordable, strong, with less waste, energy efficient, climate resilient, sustainable, spacious and adaptable to unique design changes.

While that sounds like an impossible order, in reality this dream has become possible. Many developers are getting involved with this new technology; and one named ICON in Austin, Texas has already increased affordable housing and built 400 square foot houses for the homeless. The basic model has high ceilings, some skylights and large windows, all making the house very spacious in appearance. Building a home like this can take a little as 24 hours!

Additionally, larger buildings can also be made with modifications to the giant printers. ICON built their first houses with the nonprofit Mobile Loaves and Fishes in Austin. The name of the site is Community First! Village and the new home owners love them. Several companies are now using this technology around the world. Many are now saying that this new technology will end the homeless and affordability crisis.

3D printing, Extruder, shelter, homeless, sustainable, housing, affordable housing, energy efficiency, going green, going true green, climate, affordable homes, high density insulation, Community First! Village

Extruder Making Second Wall

The 3D process is truly amazing. A quick drying concrete is used in most situations and the computer program runs the extruder as the building is precisely built up from the foundation. Construction waste is reduced by at least 65 percent, construction costs are about 40 percent less, the structure is energy efficient and much more resilient to natural disasters such as fire and hurricanes.

The second image shows the double wall of the house. After electrical wires are in place, the space between the two walls will have a high density insulating foam injected to increase energy efficiency. Inside and outside walls can also be finished with other decorative material such as stucco or panelling. However, those steps are optional and not necessary.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Bamboo & Mac Butter

9/16/2021

Bamboo, sustainable, sustainable products, milkadamia butter, non-toxic, toothbrushes, going green, going true green, helping the environment, environmentally friendly, natural, BPA free

Bamboo for Toilet Paper?

I recently tried some new products that hopefully are more helpful toward our environment than harmful. I trust this info that I am providing will be of some help.

The First new product I tried is called Milkadamia Buttery Spread.

Wow, made with Macadamia nut oil, this dairy free butter is impressive. Non GMO and NO palm oil, thus helping to protect tropical forests! The best part about this product is the taste! Please give this a try.

The Second new product was a Bamboo Toothbrush.

Made from Moso bamboo with a biodegradable handle and BPA-free. I had no issues with using this tooth brush at all. I will be doing more research into the manufacturing methods and procedures established for this product.

The Last new product I tried is called Babo, a roll of toliet paper made from Bamboo.

This unbleached Bamboo Tissue roll is stated to be Tree-free, septic safe, durable, non-toxic, sustainable and
ECO-friendly. The natural color of bamboo presented the most significant issue... Visual conformation of a clean and completed wiping job is a little harder due to the light brown natural color of bamboo. Also the dissolving rate is not the fastest in a side by side test that I conducted. The individual sheets are also a little more difficult to tear off.

Just a few more actions we can all look into doing for our everyday living that moves a little more toward true green.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Failed Evaluation

8/27/2021

I understand that today many people don't read instructions or pay attention to the details for what they are doing. We all have many responsibilities, but events become sad when someone fails to evaluate and understand possible consequences to their actions.

Having an electric car does help our environment in many ways, but that same car can have many opportunities that are detrimental to our environment, if we do not pay attention to details.

The photo above was sent to me from a Going True Green follower. Now while this follower made 'light' of the topic and I am adding this posting under my Comic Relief section, I did want to point out a more complete picture.

Due to the failure of this electric car's owner to evaluate his battery power supply and need, we now have a gasoline powered mini-van bringing a diesel powered generator to charge the stranded electric car.

The only smart thing about this, is that someone saw a new need and formed a new business.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Don’t Wait For The Rebate

4/15/2021

Going True Green, Going Green, Eco-Friendly, Weed Trimmer, rebates, utility rebates, rechargeable lawn mower, weed trimmer, sustainability

Example of a rebate insert, mailed with utility bill, fine print on utilities' websites

With Earth Day coming and Spring in the air, some Utility companies are again offering Rebates for certain products. The big push this time is on energy saving appliances and rechargeable cordless yard tools.

Some of us may have put off buying an Eco-Friendly Weed Trimmer or a new lawn mower to see what Rebates would be offered. Any savings, either from the manufacturer or utility company always helps. Yet, does the wait for the rebate really help save us the most money and our environment?

When considering the benefits for our environment as well as our wallet, the answer is NO.

The reasons are based on the amount of time we could have already been saving money and our environment, along with the fine print stating the qualifying rules to receive the rebate.

Allow me to break down some issues:

To wait until next year to see what rebate may or may not be offered for a rechargeable lawn mower to replace an old gasoline mower, is a gamble. The odds are no rebate will be offered and yet, we can be saving money, oil, gasoline, noise and energy for a year ahead of time.

One current $40.00 rebate for a rechargeable lawn mower is also elusive. The fine print will state something like “Up To $40.00” and using a rechargeable lawn mower for a year prior will probably save that much in gasoline and oil alone.

Another caveat in the fine print will state that the product had to be purchased in the last 45 days! The rebate program wasn’t previously announced and the ads mailed out with the utility bills are really just for PR (Public Relations) work that aim to receive a favorable public opinion about the company’s so called concern for helping the environment.

Bottom Line: That rechargeable lawn mower under the Christmas Tree, doesn’t get a rebate. Neither does the one purchased on the President’s Day sale in February, because the rebate program started in April and 45 days ago also disqualifies that purchase.

Additionally, if we run out upon receiving the rebate notice and buy a rechargeable lawn mower, that too does not qualify, because of the wording stating, “Purchased WITHIN the last 45 days.”

How sincere is a rebate program that doesn’t give advance notice and when notice is received, the time to qualify has already concluded?

Don’t wait for the rebate!
Let us start saving on our own as soon as we can.
This is up to us. Our environment is not going to be saved by a corporation, politician, government, organization or celebrity. Each one of us is the superhero.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Old Traditions Made New

12/17/2020

DuckDuckGo, duckduckgo, Lincoln Logs, Log cabin toys, toys, Christmas, plastic, scrooge, grinch, save earth, saving our environment, sustainable living, making a difference, save money, Christmas Past, Christmas Future, Christmas Present, GoingTrueGreen, GoingGreen, Christmas Cards, glitter, cotton, linen. porcelain dolls, recyclable, wooden toys, Amish, Amish Toys, Amish Log Cabin toys

Real Wood Amish Made Log Cabin Toy

This holiday season, we can all make a great difference for our health and our planet’s environment just by omitting plastic from our festivities, this year and forever.

“Impossible!” Is the false cry from the Scrooges and Grinches worldwide!

Sadly, when you hear this tone from those in the above categories, they are only spinning a theme in their favor and lying through the process of omission.

I hope this GTG blog will be a helpful start for many. I used the word “start” because, I too, am not plastic free for the holidays. Yet, I have taken significant actions over the last few years leading to a finish line that shows all things are possible.

First action is to remember Christmas Past:

Think of the times when children received a truck made of recyclable aluminum, tin or wood, not plastic. Even the tires were wood or rubber. Dolls were made of stuffed material, with clothes made of cotton or linen. The head was made of porcelain and the hair was real.

Christmas and greeting cards were made with just paper or even hand made. The caring words written carried the message and good wishes. There were no sparkles or glitter made of plastic sprinkled all over the card and envelope that then would fall all over the house.

Children ran into the room to find treasures under the tree. The gifts were right there to see! Already set up and unwrapped. No wrapping paper with multiple color inks or sparkles, just a ribbon tied in a bow on top of “Wow, just what I wanted!” or “Thank you, this is just what I needed.” Then hugs, kisses, and I love you, followed. We enjoyed our gift(s) and each other before getting ready to attend Church, see friends and family.

Second action is to compare our Christmas Present:

Are the hugs and kisses with “I love you” still there? Are we still going to Church to say thank you to God? Do we mail order plastic wrapped gifts and not see family or friends? Do we plow through only our wrapped gifts and not even take time to share the enjoyment of the person next to us and the gift they received? Do we indulge ourselves way too long into a cell phone screen, wide screen TV or Social Media lies about people we don’t really know? Sadly, we are all guilty.

Final action is to plan our Christmas Future:

Here is just one example (Other examples can be found in previous December GTG blogs)

I remember when I was a kid, I would visit my grandparents and their son, who was my youngest uncle. Now these memories were before I learned the truth about a Bishop named Nicholas of Myra who lived from 270 to 343AD in the country now called Turkey and how he, Saint Nicholas, was the real Santa. My Uncle Wilton was still a teenager and he would take out his Lincoln Log sets that he had received as gifts when he was young so I could play with them.

We built cabins, cowboy barns and stables with fences. I built towers and windmills. The log sets were all made of real wood, not plastic. There were no online directions - I had to problem solve myself. There were no batteries - I had to make the sounds and use cardboard for additional parts, such as the blades for the windmill.

Log cabin sets made of real wood are still made today! They are made by hand, no power tools, and they are made by some Amish businesses. All made here in the United States of hardwood and only a non-toxic, water based stain is used. Recommended for 3 years old and up. Parts come in burlap bags with pull string. Wow ingenious! Third party partners help to make these toys available via the web. Try doing a search on DuckDuckGo, a better search engine, to find a wide variety of Amish made toys.

We all need to start evaluating the complete picture for our holidays, so we can take some action that once again, allows us to find treasures under the tree.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

Furniture Made By Hand Power

11/28/2020

Eco-Friendly, Eco-Friendly alternative, Thanksgiving, dinning rooms, dinning room table, tables, furniture, Amish, Peaceful Valley furniture, handmade furniture, reclaimed wood, furniture from reclaimed wood, Amish craftsmanship, first thanksgiving, sustainability, saving energy, saving money, buying furniture, buying a dinning room set, oak wood furniture, oak, saving earth, going green, going true green, custom made furniture

Just as long as families and friends can get together to celebrate the real meaning behind that first Thanksgiving event and give thanks to God, the where doesn't matter, nor does the table or the ground you share the meal.

I have sat at many types of tables for Thanksgiving. With my grandparents when young, the table was from the early 1930s and not really a table. Built to be placed against a wall with various decor in a hallway, this skinny table opened up to 8 feet long and 2.5 feet wide. The image shows the actual table we used and since there was no dining room in our Brooklyn apartment, the table was opened in the parlor room. AKA, sitting room or living room.

I myself did not have a dining room or any dining room furniture until just recently. My apartments didn't have that option. Nevertheless, I was very grateful for the opportunity to add a room onto my 1942 house about ten years after moving into the house. Then I was faced with managing the large expense that would come with buying dining room furniture. So for several more years I used saw-horses to hold up three quarter inch thick plywood for a table. I was able to add extra wood and saw-horses when needed, because the room was able to comfortably fit a larger version.

When I earned the ability to buy furniture, I immediately went to an Amish business to find hand made furniture at a very reasonable price. The furniture is not only handmade, the work is done without the use of any electricity. This was the Eco-Friendly alternative that I was seeking. The quality surpasses all machine made furniture selling for double the price and that didn't include delivery.

Eco-Friendly, Eco-Friendly alternative, Thanksgiving, dinning rooms, dinning room table, tables, furniture, Amish, Peaceful Valley furniture, handmade furniture, reclaimed wood, furniture from reclaimed wood, Amish craftsmanship, first thanksgiving, sustainability, saving energy, saving money, buying furniture, buying a dinning room set, oak wood furniture, oak, saving earth, going green, going true green, custom made furniture

Eco-Friendly, Eco-Friendly alternative, Thanksgiving, dinning rooms, dinning room table, tables, furniture, Amish, Peaceful Valley furniture, handmade furniture, reclaimed wood, furniture from reclaimed wood, Amish craftsmanship, first thanksgiving, sustainability, saving energy, saving money, buying furniture, buying a dinning room set, oak wood furniture, oak, saving earth, going green, going true green, custom made furniture

My Amish made table is 6 feet long and 4 feet wide! Along the wall is the custom made chest, that I designed and drew up on graph paper as a guide. Communicating any adjustments took time, since the Amish community do not use phones of any type. However, with the assistance of an employee at the Peaceful Valley furniture store, we were able to accomplish my custom designed chest. The chest is 8 feet long and 18 inches deep, leaving room for people to walk by even when others are sitting at the table. Like the table, the chest is made of solid oak wood, even the backs, sides, and bottoms of the drawers are made of solid oak wood.

The amazing part of my custom designed Amish made dinning room table are the 8, one foot wide extension boards. Adding each one of these boards to the table, opens this work of fine craftsmanship to 14 feet long! Fitting 18 people very comfortably.

Four of the extension boards fit under the table and the remaining 4 extension boards are stored in my designed pull down front center door. If you examine the photo, above right, you shall see the boards behind the glasses in their supporting slots. (All images will show a larger view when clicked upon) Below is the table opened to the maximum length of 14 feet.

Eco-Friendly, Eco-Friendly alternative, Thanksgiving, dinning rooms, dinning room table, tables, furniture, Amish, Peaceful Valley furniture, handmade furniture, reclaimed wood, furniture from reclaimed wood, Amish craftsmanship, first thanksgiving, sustainability, saving energy, saving money, buying furniture, buying a dinning room set, oak wood furniture, oak, saving earth, going green, going true green, custom made furniture

Another additional note for more Eco-Friendly alternatives, the Amish craftspeople can use reclaimed wood from old barns when feasible. Just another action we can all consider when in need of furniture. Hoping everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!

HomeMade Hat Rack From Left Overs

11/18/2020

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, going green, living sustainable, sustainable living, homemade, hat racks, left overs, building from scratch, save money, save energy, going true green, sustainability

I came across a need to hang my bicycle helmet and my Indiana Jones hat by the back door. So instead of thinking where can I buy a new hat rack, I searched out my various "odds and ends" that I kept over the years, because I felt they would come in handy one day.

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, going green, living sustainable, sustainable living, homemade, hat racks, left overs, building from scratch, save money, save energy, going true green, sustainability

Reduce, Reuse, recycle

First, I pulled out some old closet door knobs and an Oak Wood Saddle that I never used for the transition between a wooden floor and a rug covered floor.

I then sanded down the two ends to the saddle and rounded the edges. Next I stained the wood after drilling holes for the mounting anchor bolts and the extra long threaded bolts that fit the closet door knobs.

I had black decor covers to hide the heads of the mounting anchor bolts as you can see on the left side of this second image.

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, going green, living sustainable, sustainable living, homemade, hat racks, left overs, building from scratch, save money, save energy, going true green, sustainability

Since I had all the hardware, this was an easy project to save Money, Energy, and Earth, by Reducing my "wants" to create my own product that met my "need" while Reusing and Recycling.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!