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| In This Issue |
| Greening Insulation |
| Genetically Modified Update |
| Plastic Update- Triclosan |
| Kudos to UNH |
RGG Events |
Eco Fair at Hopkinton High School on Sunday, September 14th from 2-4 p.m. All are welcomed.
Read More
RGG Events |
New at RGG!
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- From Klean Kanteen, we have a large inventory of the new colors of stainless steel water bottles with another shipment due soon.
See All
- From Guyot Designs, we now have all 4 styles of these extremely rugged stainless steel water bottles which, among other attributes, are compatible with Nalgene accessories. See All
- Heidi's Organic Tea in bulk or bags in three delicious flavors. We have sample jars in our store for you to smell!
- From a local craftsman, beautiful and rugged handmade baskets and wreaths from locally grown grapevines.
- Made locally in Vermont, more wooden toys and games.
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Green Tip
This green tip comes from our "Customer's Green Tips Journal" which is filling up with great tips written down by customers to share. One sample tip reads: Take advantage of your electric company's offer to get a free home energy audit. Free to all customers of Public Service of NH, Unitil, and NH Electric Co-op. Go to
NH Saves
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Let's Hear it for Bikes!
- Biking is good for you and good for the environment! Besides being good for our bodies, carbon emissions are reduced if riding a bicycle is chosen as an alternative to driving a car. 
(Three Colby college graduates, including the son of one of our employees, seen here biking from Vancouver, British Columbia to Portland, Maine. Due back in NH around September 1st! Photo taken by V. Gayman )
- To read more about "Cycling and the Environment", go to Cycling and the Environment. |
| Recommended Viewing |
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Planet Green TV has launched. This 24-hour eco-lifestyle network provides continual environmental information. To see if you have access on your TV go to:
Planet Green |
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Dear Reader,
Summer time is nearing an end in our neck of the woods which means storing nuts for winter and beefing up the nest for the anticipated cold weather. With the cost of energy at an all time high, this is a good time to beef up YOUR nest, minimize heat loss, save money and help the environment. August might seem a little early but this allows for a thorough assessment and plenty of time to get the job done before the first frost.
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Greening Insulation
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Evaluating the exterior walls, windows, and doors for air leaks lets you know where to concentrate your efforts. You can simply look for daylight or a waving candle flame, or get technical with a house draft test and radar. The most important thing to do is to plug up the air leaks you find. Using insulating drapes for windows and entrances also helps night time heat loss. Old colonial homes often had ceiling-to-floor drapes capable of covering the entire front inside entrance to prevent heat loss. Air Leaks.
The attic space is where most heat loss occurs. Attics are often under-insulated and can benefit with another entire thick layer of insulation to increase the R-value. Consider increasing the insulating thickness, use criss-crossing methods, and use eco-friendly materials. Green Insulation offers more details and good advice. Remember not to block off air from the eves. Make sure there is good ventilation above the insulation through window vents or roof vents to avoid moisture problems from developing. Attic Insulation
Our attic entrances are an often overlooked yet are a serious source of heat loss. Stairways, pull-down stairways, or small ceiling openings should all be covered by thick insulation and overlap with the abutting insulation. Be creative in how you do this or look online for the many available products. Insulation Products
Preventing heat loss into your attic should be the number one priority to help you weather the winter (sorry about that!) Start now so when you finally have to turn on your heat, you can rest assured that your hard earned cash isn't going up the attic and harmful CO2 production will be minimized, as well.
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Genetically Modified Update: "rGBH: Anything but Green"
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FoodWaterWatch.org
- The website "Food & Water Watch" contains useful information about our food, water, and fish.
- rGBH is an artificial Bovine Growth Hormone developed by Monsanto to increase milk production in dairy cows.
- Many health problems are cited for both cows and for the humans who consume their dairy products.
What the research shows
- For example, "The milk from cows injected with rBGH has higher levels of another hormone called insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1). Elevated levels of IGF-1 in humans have been linked to colon and breast cancer.
- Consumers should buy milk, cheese, or yogurt labeled "organic" or "rGBH-free". Any dairy products that are not labeled organic could have been produced by cows that received rBGH.
- For more information and a fact sheet about rGBH, check out the Food & Water Watch website |
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PLASTIC UPDATE- Triclosan, an antibacterial agent!
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- What is Triclosan? Triclosan is an antibacterial chemical found in many consumer products like liquid hand soap and dish washing detergent.
- Like phthlates and BPAs that have been heavily reported in the news recently, Triclosan is a word that we will be hearing a lot more of.
- However, the American Medical Association recommends that Triclosan not be used in our homes as it may encourage bacterial resistance to antibiotics. In addition, according to the EWG, or Environmental Working Group, "Triclosan is linked to liver and inhalation toxicity, and low levels of Triclosan may disrupt thyroid function. Wastewater treatment does not remove all of the chemical which means it ends up in our lakes, rivers and water sources...where it is very toxic to aquatic life."
- Triclosan is used in everyday products like cutting boards or toothbrushes. Be alert to the use of such phrases as "antibacterial" or "fights germs" or "protection against mold" or "odor-fighting" or "keeps food fresher, longer" because Triclosan may be used in such items.
- Take a look at some of the common items where triclosan is found:
* soap and dishwashing liquid
* towels
* mattresses
* sponges
* personal care products
* shower curtains
* toothbrushes
* phones
* kitchenware and plastic food containers
* shoes
* flooring and carpets
* cutting boards
* clothing and fabrics
* toys
- For more information on Triclosan and to find out where Triclosan can be found in your home (almost everywhere!) go to EWG. |
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Kudos to UNH! A Top Sustainable University in the U.S.
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The University of New Hampshire, along with ten other universities in the U.S., has received the highest score in a new "Green Rating" that measures how environmentally friendly the school is in their policies, practices, and course offerings. UNH has received many awards for its sustainability initiatives. Read the full article
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Notice - Real Green Goods will be closed on Labor Day, Monday, September 1st so we can relax as intended. This can also can be a time for reflection about Labor practices both in our country and over seas. Real Green Goods is a proud supporter of Fair Trade and good working conditions for all. Fair Trade Federation
Thank you for reading and for caring about the environment. And, as we say at Real Green Goods, Have a Green Day!™
Sincerely,
All of us from Real Green Goods |
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